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- CALL TO ORDER
- AGENDA
- REVIEW & SIGN SIDEWALK SCOPING STUDY CONTRACT
- OTHER BUSINESS
- ADJOURN
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There will be a Brookline Plant Sale this year!
Saturday May 28th 9am-11am on the steps of the Brookline Meetinghouse, 632 Grassy Brook Road.
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Angela Sanborn, Katy Johnson- Aplin, Jeffrey Chevalier, Ann Golob (via Zoom), and Mike Fitzpatrick (phone)
OTHERS PRESENT: Austin Rice from B.C.T.V., and Wannetta Powling, Steve Levine (via Zoom)
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ann Golob made a motion to approve the May 2nd regular meeting minutes. Katy Johnson- Aplin seconded. Motion passed 5/0.
Jeff Chevalier made a motion to approve the May 2nd Board of Liquor Control minutes. Katy Johnson- Aplin seconded. Motion passed 4/0/1. Mike Fitzpatrick abstained.
ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
Mike Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Road Forman’s Report. Ann Golob seconded.
Discussion:
Katy Johnson- Aplin made a motion to move the money in Retreatment and Bridge Contracted Services to the Capital Fund. Mike Fitzpatrick seconded. Motion passed 5/0.
No further discussion –
Motion on the table to accept the Road Forman’s Report, the vote was called.
Motion passed 5/0
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Mike Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve the Administrative Assistant’s Report. Katy Johnson- Aplin seconded.
Motion passed 5/0.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
OLD BUSINESS:
Currently, only Brattleboro is benefiting from the local 1% sales tax. Dover could benefit from the tax if they were to approve retail Cannabis; as of May 16th, they were among the towns that had not acted. Eight of the ten towns that have not acted acknowledged that it has not come up on the Selectboard Agenda or discussed at Town Meeting.
Steve Levine joined the meeting via Zoom to discuss the steps being taken by the Williamsville Hall committee to get the needed estimates for the repairs. Steve is meeting with contractor Randy Clark in the next few weeks to get an estimate on some of the repairs and the cover over the outside stairway.
Hall Committee members have family members that may be able to assist with grant research. This could help defray the cost and maximize the amount of work that can get done.
Discussion ensued regarding purchasing two air purifiers for both up in the hall and in the kitchen and dining area. Mike Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve spending up to $1,200 from hall expenses. Jeff Chevalier seconded. Motion passed 5/0.
Coming events will include the following: a once-a-month community breakfast starting in June, and the Rock River Players will perform several One-Act Plays.
NEW BUSINESS:
CORRESPONDENCE:
(Attending remotely, Ann Golob and Mike Fitzpatrick withdrew and left the meeting at 6:27.)
PAY ORDERS:
Jeff Chevalier made a motion to approve Pay Orders. Katy Johnson- Aplin seconded Motion passed 3/0
ADJOURN: Jeff Chevalier made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.
Respectfully Submitted, Wannetta Powling, Administrative Assistant
DRAFT
Present:
David Cotton (Chair), Piet van Loon (Vice-Chair), Walt Dadik, member, Lynn Forrest, member, David Lucido, member, Erica Walch (Secretary and alternate member), Merle Tessier (Newfane Zoning Administrator), Wanette Pawling (Newfane Admin Asst to Selectboard), Melissa Brown (Newfane Treasurer)
Minutes
The Chair opened the meeting at 12:00 PM.
The board discussed some changes to the DRB application drafted by van Loon and Walch. Board asked Walch to incorporate additional changes and share them at the next meeting.
Walter Dadik shared the following from VLCT about terminology and process:
If a public hearing is going on for a while or not all interested parties have had a chance to speak or there’s a power loss or something, the DRB can move to recess. Before the recess is called, the DRB must stipulate where and when the hearing will resume. This recess resumption is part of the same hearing – in other words, the hearing is still open.
At the point in a public hearing when the DRB believes it has all the information needed to make a decision, the DRB moves to close the hearing and go into a deliberative session.
During the deliberative session, the DRB considers the testimony presented by the applicant and other interested parties and reviews the Zoning Bylaw. Deliberation may require more than one meeting of the board. When deliberations have concluded, the DRB moves to end deliberations and vote on the application.
The DRB has 45 days from the close of the hearing (not from the end of deliberations) to issue and publish its decision.
The group set Friday, May 20, 2022, at noon for the next meeting to review the DRB application revisions
Forrest made a motion to close the meeting. It was seconded by Lucido. The meeting ended at 12:30 PM.
The Newfane Development Review Board (DRB) will hold a special meeting at 12:00 PM (noon) on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Newfane Town Hall 555 Vermont Roue 30 in Newfane.
The meeting is to continue to review and make possible revisions to the form used to file an application to be heard by the DRB.
This meeting is open to the public.
Newfane Development Review Board
Erica Walch, Secretary
May 16, 2022
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The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is replacing the Depot Road Arch Bridge over Rock River in Newfane.
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Angela Sanborn, Ann Golob, Jeffrey Chevalier, and Katy Johnson- Aplin. Absent: Michael Fitzpatrick
OTHERS PRESENT: Wannetta Powling.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:55 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF LIQUOR LICENSES:
Ann Golob made a motion, seconded by Jeffrey Chevalier, to approve the renewal of the Liquor Application for N.C. Creamery LLC (Fat Crow). Motion passed 4/0
ADJOURN:
Ann Golob made a motion to adjourn at 7:57 pm. The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Administrative Assistant
Wannetta Powling
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BOARD MEMBERS: Angela Sanborn, Ann Golob, Jeffrey Chevalier, and Katy Johnson-Aplin
Phone @ 6:10 Mike Fitzpatrick
OTHERS PRESENT: (In-Person) Steve Levine, Janine Rose, Norbert Benaiche, Austin Rice B.C.T.V, and Wannetta Powling (Zoom) Jay Wilson, Jane Douglas, Edward Collins, Sheriff Mark Anderson, and Sergeant Chris Norton
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ann Golob made a motion to approve the April 18th Regular Meeting Minutes. Katy Johnson- Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/0.
Ann Golob made a motion to approve the April 18thBoard of Liquor Control Minutes. Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. – Motion passed 4/0
ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT:
Motion made by Ann Golob and seconded by Jeffrey Chevalier to approve going with Derring out of Putney as the supplier of sand for the 2022-2023 winter. Motion passed 4/0
Motion made by Ann Golob and seconded by Katy Johnson–Aplin to approve contract from Dubois & King, Motion passed 4/0
I would like to publicly thank the Town of Dover for using their Pavement Cutter and Ed Druke at W.W. Building Supply for bringing a brand new battery-operated Jack Hammer out for us to use.
8. I just wanted to let you know that fuel will be over budget with the considerable increase in cost.
Discussion:
Angela Sanborn asked about plans to clean the ditches and culverts to avoid any future flooding that might happen due to blocked debris.
Jay Wilson responded that the road crew will start in the next couple of weeks, first on Parish Hill from the Green iron Bridge to the top of the hill by the farm.
Ann Golob asked how the residents on Duke Rd were managing to turn around now that the construction at the Arch Bridge is in full swing.
Jay Wilson responded that he arranged with the landowner at the bottom of Sunset Lake Rd to use some of their property during the construction.
Katy Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Road ’Forman’s Report. Jeffrey Chevalier seconded.
Motion passed 4/0
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
An invitation invited members to discuss with the Board of Trustees at the Brattleboro Station on May 19th @ 6:30 and the long-term effect of Brattleboro’s decision to drop services. If someone wants to attend, I will need to send an RSVP.
Ann Golob, Angela Sanborn, Katy Johnson-Aplin, and Jeffrey Chevalier would like to attend and asked if Wannetta would RSVP and confirm if four members could attend.
I will continue to register for the online billing and update the Chair if there are any issues.
Conservation Commission, Development Review, Emergency Management, Health Officer, Listers -Assessor, Moderator, Planning Commission, Town Clerk, Treasurer – Delinquent Tax Collector, Tree Warden, Williamsville Hall, Zoning -911 Coordinator,
Ann Golob made a motion to approve the Administrative Assistant’s Report. Mike Fitzpatrick seconded. Motion passed 5/0.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
None
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Angela Sanborn thanked Sheriff Anderson and Sargent Norton from the Windham County Sheriff’s Department for attending the meeting. Katy Johnson-Aplin and Jeffrey Chevalier were asked to review billing statements and ticket stops reports and compile our questions and concerns.
Questions included: Is there a way for the “Star” reports to have more clarity and detail? It is helpful to know where stops are being made in Newfane. The Board had expected to see more patrols on back roads and through all of the villages, not just Newfane Village. Sheriff Anderson reassured the members that, logically, you would see more violations and stops on Route 30 due to the amount of traffic. They could focus more patrols on the dirt roads and make an effort to review other areas of concern for Newfane.
Janine Rose – stated that speeding in Williamsville is very bad and getting worse; if something doesn’t change, she fears that someone will likely get hurt.
Steve Levine asked if a machine could be used to issue tickets by taking a photo of the license plate.
Sheriff Anderson responded it is currently not legal in Vermont to use this type of operation and that the cost of the set-up is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. From your comments and questions, it is apparent that Newfane believes that more enforcement efforts in areas around the bus stop in the early morning commute need to be addressed.
Ann Golob asked about the staffing level at the WCSD.
Sheriff Anderson responded that they are fully staffed, but not all are fully qualified; this will take at least six months. He added that he was confident that we at WCSD will be able to take care of Newfane’s safety needs.
Sargent Norton shared more information on the Speed Analysis report that he provided. With this Speed survey report, it can target a particular area of road, and will track the speed, number of cars, and the percent of enforceable violations.
Michael Fitzpatrick asked if this kind of information isn’t already something that we can get from the radar signs we have?
Jay Wilson replied that we can get the information only going in one direction. When the Sheriff’s Department is out doing patrols to catch speeding, the town can turn off our radar signs. Jay also suggested that the Sheriff could put their Speed Analysis right after the town’s radar sign on Dover Road in Williamsville to see if people are picking up speed right after passing the radar sign.
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None
OLD BUSINESS:
Williamsville Hall – Steve Levine discussed a letter from Health Officer Dr. Tim Schafer regarding his recent inspection of the Williamsville Hall for suspected mold. His letter addresses no apparent signs of mold. He concludes that the building is in good shape; there was one concern about possible mold, but Schafer believes it was probably coming from some old props and costumes that may have been stored in a damp or musty basement or barn. Steve Levine will send a copy of this report for the files.
Steve Levine provided the Preservation Trust written assessment of Williamsville Hall. In the report, there were six points to be addressed.
The Williamsville Hall committee will review these recommendations and compile a list of potential contractors to receive RFPs. The committee will come back to the Selectboard with their proposed plan of action.
Towns Obligations Cannabis Follow Up – Katy Johnson-Aplin
In a brief report, Katy Johnson-Aplin stated that the State of Vermont has not made significant progress on the municipalities’ regulations or guidance. Towns can establish their own Cannabis Control Board (CCB); the role of the Board includes implementing the laws governing the adult-use cannabis program, compliance, and enforcement of the rules regarding the licensing and oversight of cannabis businesses program.
The six different types of license are,
More updates come as they become available from the State. It was agreed that the Administrative Assistant will compile information on the progress other towns in Windham County are making in deciding on whether or not to allow retail cannabis.
Next steps for researching ARPA funding options – Ann Golob
What are the next steps that would be helpful in following up on the information presented by JB Hinds from Birchline Planning, Chris Campany from Windham Regional Commission, and Maxwell Vandervliet from Main Street Planning as we continue our discussions about how to spend our ARPA funds?
It was agreed that Ann Golob would draft some ideas for RFP’s that the Selectboard can review on the next steps in moving forward:
Katy Johnson-Aplin brought up making improvements to some of the old county trails for emergency use. Following a natural disaster when roads are cut off due to flooding as an alternative route, Newfane has more bridges than most other towns.
NEW BUSINESS:
None
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
PAY ORDERS:
Ann Golob made a motion to approve Pay Orders. Jeffrey Chevalier seconded.
Motion passed 4/0 (Mike Fitzpatrick had left the meeting at this point.)
ADJOURN:
Ann Golob made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling, Administrative Assistant
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The meeting starts at 6 pm
CALL TO ORDER ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT COMMITTEE REPORT
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
CORRESPONDENCE
PAY ORDERS
ADJOURN
The Board of Liquor Control Will Follow at the close of the Selectboard Meeting
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Angela Sanborn, Ann Golob, Jeffrey Chevalier, and Katy Johnson- Aplin. Absent: Michael Fitzpatrick
OTHERS PRESENT: Wannetta Powling.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:26 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF LIQUOR LICENSES:
Ann Golob made a motion, seconded by Katy Johnson- Aplin, to approve the renewal of the Liquor Application for Dutton Berry Farm. Motion passed 4/0
2. Green Mt Wine Shop
Ann Golob made a motion, seconded by Katy Johnson- Aplin, to approve the renewal of the Liquor Application for Green Mt Wine Shop. Motion passed 4/0
Katy Johnson- Aplin made a motion, seconded by Angela Sanborn, to approve the renewal of Liquor Applications for Ricks Tavern. Motion passed 4/0
Ann Golob made a motion, seconded by Jeffrey Chevalier, to approve the renewal of the Liquor Application for N.C. Creamery LLC (Fat Crow). Motion passed 4/0
Katy Johnson- Aplin made a motion, seconded by Jeffrey Chevalier, to approve the renewal of the Liquor Application for Newfane Market. Motion passed 4/0
ADJOURN:
Ann Golob made a motion to adjourn at 7:30 pm.
The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Administrative Assistant
Wannetta Powling
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BOARD MEMBERS: Angela Sanborn, Ann Golob, Jeffrey Chevalier, and Katy Johnson-Aplin
Absent: Mike Fitzpatrick
OTHERS PRESENT: (In-Person) Jane Douglas, Ken Estey, Julia Tadlock, Peter Kelleher B.C.T.V, and Wannetta Powling
(Zoom) Jay Wilson, Steven John, Edward Collins, Michael Mayer, Katy Gehring, and Nolan Edgar
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: Angela Sanborn turned the first part over to Ann Golob to make an introduction for tonight’s guest speakers.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (Guest Speaker) Jane Douglas – Newfane’s Representative to the DV Fiber
(These notes were provided by Jane Douglas.)
Thanks for appointing me as D.V. Fiber representative for another year. I appreciate your faith in me, the under-qualified. Fortunately, there are many on the board much more qualified to make an Internet provider municipality successful.
Ed Collins would like to be appointed as an alternate.
IN 1994, Tim Berners-Lee founded the World Wide Web Consortium, and gave away, with no patent, and no royalties, the Internet to the world. For Free! What an incredible act of generosity, to give away billions of dollars of software.
Because of that generosity, the Internet is a necessity for today’s world, along with electricity, for business, and for school.
COVID showed how important it was to have fast, reliable internet connections to every house. It made it possible to remote school and work from home.
My job worked from home, a good job, a good career, and a good salary. For Vermont to be thriving in the future, we all need internet access.
The cooperative spirit of CUDs is alive in CUDs Vermont’s grand experiment. Just because you build it, doesn’t mean they will come!
We need to ensure that Vermont will be a good place for our children to live and our senior citizens to get to Facebook each other.
Steven John provided information on the efforts of the DV FIBER (CUD) & partners in Biddeford, ME. They are required by the State to reach more of the remote locations and underserved areas in 24 Towns. Although Newfane residents have limited service we are currently not as bad off as the areas in Marlboro or Halifax with more than 90%+ without any service.
Underserved areas will be the focus when 900 miles of fiber cable will get hung on the poles Green Mountain Power (GMP) is setting. The standard connection will allow 450’ from the poles; an underground conduit will be required for mobile homes to access this Broadband service.
There is currently 10.7 Million dollar construction grant for the installation of service. This may not cover all of the expenses and we could conceivably set up donation fund accounts with the CUD to defray the cost of those not able to pay for installation. ARPA funds could be perfect places where the Selectboard may consider setting a percentage of funds aside to help cover the residents in Newfane with installation expenses as a one-time investment. The average cost to connect is expected to be $1,500.
(Brief Q & A followed.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Katy Johnson- Aplin made a motion to approve the April 4th, regular meeting minutes. Ann Golob seconded the motion. – Motion passed 4/0.
Ann Golob made a motion to approve the April 13thSpecial Meeting. Jeffrey Chevalier seconded the motion. – Motion passed 3/0/1. Katy Johnson- Aplin abstained.
Katy Johnson- Aplin made a motion to approve the April 15th Condemnation Hearing. Jeffrey Chevalier seconded. Motion passed 3/0/1. Ann Golob abstained.
ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT:
Motion made by Ann Golob and seconded by Katy Johnson-Aplin to approve replacing a radar sign in South Newfane Motion passed 4/0
Ann Golob made a motion to accept the Road Forman’s Report. Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded. Motion passed 4/0
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Ann Golob made a motion seconded by Katy Johnson-Aplin, to approve the placement of a memorial bench and do clean up at the cemetery on Newfane Hill. Motion passed 4/0
Motion made by Katy Johnson- Aplin, was seconded by Jeffrey Chevalier to appoint Martha Stitelman as a commissioner to the Conservation Committee. Motion passed 4/0
Selectboard members will review the information and check back with the Administrative Assistant
Ann Golob made a motion to approve the Administrative Assistant’s Report. Jeffrey Chevalier seconded.
Motion passed 4/0.
COMMITTEE REPORT: Ken Estey. Planning Commission Chair gave an update on the energy audit. This will be useful information for when the Planning Commission updates the Town Plan. All Planning Commission members are attending the Southern Vermont Economy Summit in May.
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None
OLD BUSINESS:
Be the Change Pollinator Project – Patrick Kitchens joined the meeting to help clarify the Selectboard’s concerns before granting approval to allow pollinator habitat along the Dover Road, in the areas that were affected by Hurricane Irene. The Town owned properties were part of the buyout after the flood and can never be developed with any type of permanent structures.
It has been suggested that this type of project could in enhance the beauty in the area, as well as provide an important Eco-investment to the natural pollinators in order to reproduce. These are insects like bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies as well as some hummingbirds. A fear as global agriculture needs more pollinators every day to supply food: crops that depend on these animals are currently yielding 300% more than five decades ago. The extinction of pollinators could put our health at risk, as we lose the ability to grow vegetables, fruit, and seeds- food necessary for a healthy diet, it would also harm the development of medication material, biofuels, and fibers such as cotton and construction like wood.
The Selectboard wanted to clarify that there were residents that had expressed concerns that we could put people’s health at risk with those known to have allergies to bees who would bicycle and walk in these areas.
Patrick would like to have the opportunity to review the locations of these properties to make a determination. Newfane would not incur any expense for the seeding or maintenance of the habitat.
Future meeting agenda
Julia Tadlock – Newfane Mkt.
Julia was present at the meeting to follow up with the Selectboard on her request for A.R.P.A funding to re-establish the (New) Newfane Flea Market.
Newfane Selectboard was not able to provide support to this request at this time.
The Selectboard would first need to develop a procedure and protocols for how to disperse funds.
NEW BUSINESS:
Jeffrey Chevalier made a suggestion that the rebar taken from the Arch Bridge could be repurposed into art/benches/flower boxes, etc. by local artists. Anyone who is interested can get in touch with Jeffrey. Ann and Jeffrey would work together on a press release.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
PAY ORDERS:
Ann Golob made a motion to approve Pay Orders. Jeffrey Chevalier seconded.
Motion passed 4/0
ADJOURN: Ann Golob made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling, Administrative Assistant
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