Selectboard Meeting Minutes – July 5, 2016

TOWN OF NEWFANE

SELECTBOARD MEETING

DRAFT MINUTES

JULY 5, 2016

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:   Gary Delius, Marion Dowling, Mike Fitzpatrick, Carol Hatcher, Todd Lawley

OTHERS PRESENT:   Doris Knechtel, Em Richards, Shannon Meckle, Gloria Cristelli, Bob McCandless, Lynn Forrest, Janice Amberg, Susan Levy

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Todd Lawley, Chair.

NEW BUSINESS

Set FY 2017 Tax Rate:  Doris Knechtel explained how the municipal tax rate was figured. She noted that due to raising money for current year capital expenses, the municipal tax rate increased, however the education tax rate decreased, resulting in a very small decrease in the overall tax rate. A motion was made by Gary Delius to approve the municipal tax rate at $0.4942.  The motion was seconded by Marion Dowling. The motion carried unanimously.

WRC Agreement for Town Plan Amendment:  Lynn Forrest presented a contract between the Town of Newfane and Windham Regional Commission for assistance with amending the Town Plan to encourage Village Center Designation, noting that the work is being paid for by the Municipal Planning Grant that the town received.

At this time, Gary Delius recused himself as he owns a business in the village and could potentially receive financial gain from Village Center Designation.

A brief discussion ensued. Lynn went over the draft amendment to the Town Plan.  A motion was made by Carol Hatcher to approve the contract between the Town of Newfane and Windham Regional Commission for assistance in amending the Town Plan to encourage Village Center Designation.  The motion was seconded by Marion Dowling. The motion carried unanimously.

Gary Delius returned to the meeting at this time.

OLD BUSINESS

Town Office Building – Bond Vote:  The Board reviewed each bond document individually.

Resolution Certificate –  A motion was made by Gary Delius to adopt the Resolution Certificate. The motion was seconded by Marion Dowling. The motion carried unanimously.

Warning –  A motion was made by Gary Delius to approve and adopt the warning for a special town meeting with voting by Australian ballot on August 9, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in order to vote on a bond for up to $950,000 and to utilize prior bond funds of $35,000 to further reduce the bond amount; and for a public hearing to be held on August 1, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Newfane Town Offices. The motion was seconded by Marion Dowling. The motion carried unanimously.

Ballot –  A motion was made by Gary Delius to adopt and approve the ballot for the bond vote. The motion was seconded by Marion Dowling. Gloria requested assistance in providing language to clarify the articles on the warning, as they are not easily understood.

Declaration of Official Intent –  Shannon explained the purpose of the declaration, noting that they may not need to use it, however bond counsel has recommended having it in place. A motion was made by Marion Dowling and seconded by Gary Delius to adopt the Declaration of Official Intent. The motion carried unanimously.

PAY ORDERS

The Board reviewed the pay orders. A motion was made by Gary Delius and seconded by Carol Hatcher to approve the pay orders as follows:

  • Accounts Payable Warrant No. 16033 in the amount of $4,842.88
  • Accounts Payable Warrant No. 16034 in the amount of $660.84
  • Accounts Payable Warrant No. 17001 in the amount of $13,745.81
  • Payroll Warrant No. 06/23/16 in the amount of $2,059.44
  • Payroll Warrant No. 06/29/16 in the amount of $3,861.94

The Board reviewed the invoice for Planning Commission expenses. It will be presented formally in the pay orders for the next meeting and Shannon will prepare a letter for the Planning Commission clarifying the purchase policy.

The motion to approve pay orders carried unanimously.

ADJOURN

A motion was made by Gary Delius and seconded by Mike Fitzpatrick to adjourn at  6:55 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Shannon Meckle