Selectboard Meeting August 19, 2019

TOWN OF NEWFANE  SELECTBOARD MEETING

MINUTES August 19, 2019

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Hendrik van Loon, Christopher Williams, Shelly Huber, and Angela Sanborn.

OTHERS PRESENT: Jay Wilson, Doris Knechtel, Pamela Corbett, Frank Suponski and Wannetta Powling.

CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Hendrik van Loon.

ADDITIONS/ AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:

None

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Ms. Sanborn and seconded by Mr. Williams to accept the minutes for the Boards

August 5, 2019 Regular Meeting the motion carried 3-2 Mr. Fitzpatrick and Ms Huber Abstained (Absent)

A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick and seconded by Ms. Sanborn to accept the minutes for the Board’s

August 12, 2019 Special Meeting The motion carried 5-0

ROAD BUSINESS:

Road Foreman’s & Road Commissioner’s Report:

See attached report.

Ms. Sanborn made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s Report including approval of the proposed culvert extension from Renaud Brothers. Mr. Fitzpatrick seconded

The motion passed 5-0.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

See attached report.

A motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Sanborn seconded.

The motion carried 5-0.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

None

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

Pam Corbett VT Department of Health: Regarding Closed Point of Distribution in the event of a public Emergency. A licensed medical provider would oversee distribution of medications to town employees and family members of Newfane first responders. Forms would be available online and thru the Department of Health.

Ms. Huber made a motion to further investigate information. Ms. Sanborn seconded the motion.

Vote Passed 5-0.

Doris Knechtel Homestead Penalties / Late fees:

Thirteen households were late filing for homestead rebates. Penalties for these households would total $4,200. The Selectboard may wave these penalties.

Mr. Fitzpatrick made a motion to waive the penalties for late Homestead rebates.

Mr. Williams Seconded the motion. Vote passed 5-0

 

OLD BUSINESS:

South Newfane General Store:

Discussion ensued

Ms. Huber made a motion to authorize the chair to speak with Town attorney on regarding Liability of the town on abandoned property. Mr. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. Vote passed 4-1 Mr. van Loon Abstained

Conflict of Interest Policy:

Recommendation was made by Mr. van Loon to review policy independently and to revisit at next meeting.

Ms. Sanborn made a motion to Tabled until September 3, 2019. Mr. Fitzpatrick seconded.

Vote passed 4-1 Mr. van Loon Abstained

NEW BUSINESS:

August 10th animal Control Issue

Mr. Suponski spoke about an incident on August 10th when two dogs were found tied to a tree on Depot Road. Recommendation return two dogs currently held at Humane Society to owners after dogs have been properly licensed with Town Clerk and proof of all fees paid before released by Animal Control Officer and Humane Society.

Mr. Fitzpatrick made a motion to follow recommendations of Animal Control Officer. Ms. Sanborn seconded motion Vote passed 5-0.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Robert Litchfield – Letter to the Editor

Karen Cawrse – Email

Jake Urato- *Email

Act 250 Hearing Recess/ Kindle Farm

Verizon – Business Manager

Emily Long – Broad-band meeting 9/11 @6 pm

Moore Free Library – Local Government Educational, Town meeting November 9th

*Ms. Sanborn made a motion to authorize the chair to write a letter to the dog owners involved. Ms. Huber seconded. The motion Passed 5-0

Mr. van Loon made a motion to send a letter to invite the Verizon representative to a upcoming Board meeting. Ms. Sanborn seconded.  The motion passed

 

PAY ORDERS:

Payroll Warrant No. 11410 in the amount of $4,475.83

Payroll Warrant No. 11411 in the amount of $4,305.50

Accounts Payable No. 20004 in the amount of $ 44,931.03

A motion was made by Ms. Sanborn and seconded Mr. Fitzpatrick to approve the pay orders. The motion Passed 5-0

ADJOURN:

A motion was made by Ms. Sanborn and seconded Mr. Fitzpatrick to adjourn the meeting.

The motion Passed 5-0

Meeting Adjourned at 7:47 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Wannetta Powling

ROAD FOREMAN’S AND ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

August 19, 2019

 

  1. After looking at many roads with Emily from WRC, Timson Hill is the next road that will have ditch and culvert work with the Grants-in-Aid money. We have until June 30, 2020 to complete this road.

 

  1. I have a proposal from Renaud Brothers to extend a short cement culvert on the South Wardsboro Rd. It would be a three-sided cement box extending the culvert 6’ for $4500.

 

  1. I looked at the stone wall on Cemetery Hill Rd.; it should have an experienced stone mason to re-lay a section of the wall.

 

  1. I have received the scope of work for Lynch Bridge project. I am awaiting comments on it from the River Engineer before it goes out to bid.

 

  1. The radio repeater on Newfane Hill is now covered by insurance.

 

  1. I have the summary of the speed data from WRC. I will review it and send it along.

 

Thank You,

Jay Wilson Road Foreman

Christopher Williams Road Commissioner

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT

August 19, 2019

August 8th we had a meeting with Cotton Design, re: changing floor plans to create walls between 3 office spaces. Allowing these walls to go to the ceiling will help control privacy issues as well as controlling the noise & echo thru out the rest of our building. Today I phoned Mr. Cotton to discuss their recommendations. Mr. Cotton understood our needs and suggested using the same floor plans they had created 4-5 years ago. Going with this concept, he could estimate our project at $25,000, including extending the heating ducks. He recommends getting some contractors to submit bids.

Hunter Brook Project – went out for rebid with minor changes that were recommended. With mandatory site visit on this Thursday morning, and Labor Day on Monday September 2nd – we will be accepting bids until 3 pm Tuesday September 3rd.

We are experiencing intermittent issues, sending & receiving Email. 2 Technicians from SV Cable worked for over an hour on Friday & then 2 Wired Guys did an update with Microsoft. Unfortunately we are still having issues this morning. 2 Wired Guys was contacted again today, unsure when this problem will be fixed.

On September 18th I will be attending the municipal budget workshop in Montpelier. Is there any one on the Board that would also like attend?

Enclosed in my report is a draft of a letter to Sheriff Anderson inviting him to attend a Selectboard meeting at his convenience, for the Boards approval?

 

Respectfully,

Wannetta Powling