Selectboard Meeting – September 15, 2011
NEWFANE SELECTBOARD
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Wiswall, Gloria Cristelli, Todd Lawley, Jon Mack, Christopher Williams

OTHERS PRESENT: Shannon Meckle, Jan Knowles, George Knowles, Gunther Garbe, Russell Bartel, Dan Hull, Fred Lawrence, Roger Sandes, Joan Elliott, Ed Druke, Earl Cantos, Katherine Brown, Pete Novick, Gene O’Neil, Richard Grays, Ginny Grabowski, John Spicer
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Dennis Wiswall, Chair.
The minutes were tabled until next meeting.

Road Foreman’s Report:
Todd Lawley gave his Foreman’s Report, which was an update on the flood damage.
Todd introduced Dan Hull, a consultant engineer hired by VTrans to assist the town in the rebuilding of Dover Road. Dan Hull added that he had people looking at the Hunter Brook Bridge and will help out where he can in other places.
The FEMA process was discussed. An upcoming FEMA workshop on the 27th in Burlington was announced.
A motion was made by Jon Mack to accept the Road Foreman’s Report. The motion was seconded by Gloria Cristelli. The motion carried unanimously.

Disaster Rebuild Efforts:
Bill Van Gossen, team will be here tomorrow and Monday.
Russell Bartell, of Duke Road was present to speak to the board regarding the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. The program is conducted by the U.S.D.A. This is a program to help people who didn’t lose homes but lost parts of property. He noted that a property owner can’t apply directly. The town of another government agency must sponsor the program. The homeowners present were in the hopes that the town would step in and sponsor. The assistance provided was not clear, yet, but Russell stated that Bill Van Gossen, a representative would be in Newfane on Friday and Monday.
Dennis will contact Bill and speak with him about what is necessary for sponsorship.
A motion was made by Gloria Cristelli to authorize Dennis Wiswall call Bill Van Gossen. The motion was seconded by Jon Mack. The motion carried unanimously.
John Spicer noted that he’d been in the office to read the Flood Plain maps and noticed that the most recent was put out in 1986. A brief discussion ensued.
Pete Novick was present to request information on Adams Hill Road, specifically where Adams Hill Road is on the town’s list of priorities. He also asked for a time frame on engineering Adams Hill Road. He also recommended adding culverts to Adams Hill Road, where they were not previously.
Bret Morrison, Student Conservation Association, was present to offer resources and assistance. Discussion ensued.
Dennis noted that where people need help is in the streams where equipment can’t get, to get trees out of the streams.
Bret and the board will remain in contact with each other.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Marshall Glickman was unable to attend, however requested guidance regarding Tax Sales in town. Due to the recent damage done to properties, a motion was made by Gloria Cristelli to postpone upcoming tax sales for the time being. The motion was seconded by Jon Mack. The motion carried unanimously.
John Spicer was present to discuss his land near the Green Iron Bridge. He noted that he noticed erosion since the flood. Discussion ensued.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Rich Grip was present to discuss the Help Center at the Williamsville Hall. He noted that going forward, it may be coming to the time where the town can take over the resource. He noticed that there seems to be a disconnect between the volunteers, which makes it difficult to provide information.
Todd Lawley thanked the volunteers for their work at the Hall.
Gunther noted his financial concerns, with damaged houses, higher rates of delinquency, and expenses not budgeted. He noted that it may be advantageous to let the taxpayers know that if they can pay all at once, they should, in order to help the town cover expenses.
NEW BUSINESS
Town Office Mold Issues: Shannon updated the board on the issues the town office is having with air quality. A motion was made by Jon Mack to call someone in to look at the situation. The motion was seconded by Todd Lawley. The motion carried unanimously.
Assistant to Administrative Assistant: As Shannon is now concentrating solely on FEMA and FHWA funding, the town needs an assistant for the Administrative Assistant. A motion was made by Jon Mack and seconded by Gloria Cristelli to hire an assistant to the Administrative Assistant, for a max of 3 months, at a wage not to exceed $10.00 per hour.

CORRESPONDENCE
A letter was received from Attorney Paul Giuliani to Robert Girioux of Vermont Municipal Bond Bank regarding his bonding opinion. For information only.
A letter was received from Tristam Johnson, Planning Commission Chair requesting that the Selectboard reappoint Daniel Torrey. Jon Mack made a motion to approve the appointment. The motion was seconded by Gloria Cristelli. Discussion: Ed Druke noted that they were all in agreement. The motion carried unanimously.
Line of Credit/Loan Documents: A motion was made by Jon Mack and seconded by Todd Lawley to execute the Peoples United Bank loan documents. The motion carried unanimously.
A letter was received from South Newfane/Williamsville Fire Department thanking the town for paving the front entrance to the fire department.
A letter was received from Chris Triebert and Carol Ross requesting that wood railings be installed at the entrance of the green iron bridge, rather than metal. The board will send them a letter, letting them know that the state will be repairing the bridge, and all rails, etc… will be at the discretion of the State.

PAY ORDERS:
Discussion ensued regarding the “burden” portion of the Bazin Brothers bill. The town will hold payment of the burden portion until it is decided what that entails.
A motion was made by Gloria Cristelli and seconded by Jon Mack to approve pay orders as amended to omit the burden charge portion of Bazin Brothers’ bill. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Todd Lawley and seconded by Jon Mack to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Shannon Meckle