Selectboard Minutes Monday, the 18th of October, 2021

Zoom Meeting   https://zoom.us/joinameeting     Meeting ID: 972 2791 1757   Passcode: 352680

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Angela Sanborn, Ann Golob, Shelly Huber, Katy Johnson- Aplin, and  (Late arrival -phone) Mike Fitzpatrick

OTHERS PRESENT: Ken Estey,  Alex Beck, Steve Levine, Jon Julian, Janie Rose, Jeryl Julian -Cisse, Dan Dewalt, Wannetta Powling & Austin Rice from BCTV,    (Zoom) Jay Wilson, Kate Gehring, Gloria Cristelli, and Thomas Ely.

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:07 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:     None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The 4th of October 2021, Regular Meeting

Ann Golob made a motion to approve the Minutes of the 4th of October, the Regular meeting.   Katy Johnson- Aplin seconded the motion.  Motion passed 4/0.

The 12th of October 2021, the Budget Meeting Katy Johnson- Aplin made a motion to approve the 12th of October Budget Minutes.  Shelly Huber seconded the motion.   Motion passed 3/0 Ann Golob abstained.

 ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  • I contacted Brian from Vermont Sewer and Drain about the town office septic. He suggested not doing anything until we had a problem because we would have to dig up one end of the leach field to get the camera into the pipes.

Discussion; this could pose a problem when you have a pressurized mound system. It is not like a typical septic system.

  •  Grout Rd. work has been completed.
  • VTRANS has come up with an emergency grant covering 90% to help us with the Dover Rd. repair. The guardrails were installed last week, so that section is all done.
  • I have forwarded the report from the engineers on the gravel pit.
  • The preconstruction meeting for the Arch Bridge will be held next week.

The meeting is Thursday, the 28th of October at @2:30, with a link for Board Members wishing to attend.

  •  The easement for 254 Depot Rd. may have to go through condemnation, and we may have something for the next meeting to sign and post.

Ann Golob made a motion to approve the Road Foreman’s Report. Shelly Huber seconded.

Motion passed 4/0.

 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT: 

  • A letter has been sent to VTrans requesting financial assistance for the Landslide damages sustained from the flooding on the Dover Road that will not be eligible to receive FEMA funds.
  • Organizations & Social Services that would like to request appropriation for 2023 will need to schedule an appointment to meet with the Selectboard and discuss their requests for financial support. I still have openings on November 1stand, the 15th, or December 6 and 20th.  Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me ASAP.
  • I want to share a Community Event that is coming up at the Williamsville Hall. On Thursday,

On the 4th of November, from 7:30-10:30, they will be a Community Breakfast – serving Coffee & Muffins – you are encouraged to stop by and “Get One to Go!”

  • “Repo,” the printing company that we use, has offered to renew the contract for two years. The price is $3,280.00 for the printing of 800 Town reports. I have worked well with them in the past, and if we were to approve the contract, we could avoid a potential shortage in their stock.

Ann Golob made a motion to accept the two-year Repro Printers contract. Shelly Huber seconded. 

Motion passed 4/0.

Shelly Huber made a motion to authorize Angela Sanborn to sign the Repro Printers contract.

Katy Johnson- Aplin seconded.  Motion passed 4/0.

Ann Golob made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant report. Shelly Huber seconded. 

Motion passed 4/0.

Intermission was taken to check on the original Zoom Link:

COMMITTEE REPORT:   

 Planning Commission- Ken Estey – On the 13th of October, the Planning Commissioners held a meeting attended by five members of the public. Ann Golob was able to provide additional ARPA details, and we are grateful for this information.  To date, we have received 390 completed surveys. The deadline was extended from October (15) fifteenth to the (22) twenty-second. By doing so, the goal is to get 400 + responses. This will equate to around 33 -35 % of Newfane households.

The Planning commission will complete the survey results and have the information to the Selectboard before the 1st of November; we will be attending the Selectboard meeting to join in any discussion and make ourselves available to assist in any way necessary.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:   

Alex Beck – Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation gave an in-person presentation for an appropriation request.  Additionally, there was an Informational Statement provided for publication of the 2021 Town Report.

Williamsville Hall – Steve Levine and committee members were present to provide information on the Williamsville Hall, including an estimate to have the building assessment completed which would cost  $2995.

With research, we found the Preservation Trust of VT which has a program that assists communities to appraise & preserve their historic buildings. On the 28th of October, we will meet with a field assessor to determine if the Hall meets the eligibility requirements for any grants to help cover the assessment work and any restoration work.

Events at the Williamsville Hall:

  • “One-Stop Pet “will sponsor the 2nd Annual International Dog Show on the 30th of October.
  • Committee Breakfast on the 4th of November from 7:30-10:30 am.
  • Rock River Players will have performances on “Front Page” Nov 5-7 & 12-14 (following COVID 19 precautions)

Following the Christmas Caroling on the 24th of December, we would like to consider closing the Hall for the winter and re-open again in April. This will allow us to save on the cost of heating the building.  Appropriation requests for the Capital funds will help to cover the cost of Hall improvements.

Gloria Cristelli for Southern Vermont Watershed Alliance – (Zoom) provided a presentation for appropriation request.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None

OLD BUSINESS: 

Real Estate -Mike Fitzpatrick: Philip Savoy from Savoy Engineering performed a material quantity study at Radway Hill Gravel Pit to determine Cost Estimate and Calculate Available Gravel at the site.

The following information was taken from the letter sent to the Town of Newfane.

  1. On the 5th of October 2021, we dug a series of test pits on the referenced lot to observe the type of soils available on the site. We found that most of the upper 10 to 15 feet contained mostly clean, coarse The top 4 to 6 feet on the backside was coarse gravel than sand. This is consistent with the description of the soil series type Colton.
  2. In calculating removable material, we stayed 50′ from brooks and maintained a reasonable finish
  3. The total removable yardage is 823,452.79 cubic Estimated material types are estimated as follows:
    • 65-70% gravelly sand, single grain
    • 20-25% very gravelly sand (this is gravel with some stone)
    • 10% cobbles

Discussion followed –

Mike Fitzpatrick (late arrival -phone) spoke with Bill Jewel, an act 250 consultant, regarding “By-Laws on Gravel Pits.” They will be working with Ron Bell and Phil Savoy to provide additional information on Permit Process Operate.  The Town will need to have a permit of some sort but it is not considered as complex as what would be involved with operating a commercial gravel pit.

Jay was able to clarify that the volume of gravel could last up to 30 years for the Town’s exclusive use. Cobbles would be crushed down into additional gravel.

The engineer report indicates that this could be very beneficial to the Town.

Shelly Huber made a motion to have the Wannetta contact Deborah Luskin to determine the timing for a town meeting to vote on the proposal and to prepare a warning for review.  Wannetta will also invite Deborah to attend the Budget meeting on the 25th of October. 

 Ann Golob seconded the motion.  Motion passed 4/0

NEW BUSINESS:  None

CORRESPONDENCE: None

Angela Sanborn proposed a statement to members of the Selectboard for consideration.

“Due to the high volume of correspondence we have been receiving, a board member did some research about reading correspondence at Selectboard meetings.

There is no obligation or law in Vermont for a Selectboard to read aloud correspondence at a duly warned public meeting.  It is proposed that all correspondence will be sent to the Selectboard members for review prior to meetings. All correspondence will be made available to the public at the Town Office per the Public Records Act. If anyone from the Town would like to discuss an item with the Selectboard, it is encouraged to contact the Administrative Assistant to be listed on the agenda for discussion.”

Discussion followed:

Dan Dewalt– The letters would need to be germane to the business of the Selectboard.

Ann Golob –Letters could be voted on based on pertinent content and general interest or an active topic before the Selectboard.

No decision was made, and it was agreed that this will be discussed again.

PAY ORDERS:

  1. Payroll Warrant No #11536             Amount $    4,330.52
  2. Payroll Warrant No #11537             Amount $    4,714.94
  3.  Account Payable No # 22008             Amount $ 118,331.01

Ann Golob made a motion to approve pay orders. Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.

Motion Passed.4/0

ADJOURN:   Ann Golob made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Administrative Assistant

Wannetta Powling