Selectboard Meeting Minutes

DRAFT NEWFANE SELECTBOARD

 Regular Meeting, Monday, October 21st, 2024

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97227911757#success
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https//zoom. Us/join     Meeting ID:  972 2791 1757   Passcode:  352680

BOARD MEMBERS: Angela Litchfield (Zoom), Ann Golob (Zoom), Jeffrey Chevalier, Katy Johnson-Aplin, and Mike Fitzpatrick (phone).

 OTHERS: Maureen Bjorkman, James Bressor (Planning Commission), Austin Rice (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).

Zoom:  Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), and Jane Douglas (Planning Commission).

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Selectboard Chair Angela Litchfield.

CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED: Powling confirmed the meeting had been properly warned.

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
Johnson-Aplin asked to add the Board of Liquor Control and Cannabis Control minutes to the agenda.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  1. October 7th Regular Meeting Minutes.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the regular minutes of October 7thand Chevalier seconded.
The motion passed.

  1. October 7th Board of Liquor Control Meeting Minutes.

Chevalier made a motion to accept the Board of Liquor Control minutes of October 7th and Golob seconded.
The motion passed.

  1. October 7th Cannabis Control Meeting Minutes.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Cannabis Control minutes of October 7th, and Golob seconded.
The motion passed.

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. The Box Culvert on Depot Road is completed, and the plantings and cleanup were accepted by the state.
  2. The lines on the pavement were completed on Loop Road, and on the new pavement.
  3. The Covered Bridge warning ideas that anyone had?
  4. The boat from Stratton Hill.
  5. I have been going to South Wardsboro, Cushing Flats, and Vic Benjamin Roads to get the Green Mountain Power work completed. They still have quite a bit to make it satisfactory.
  6. We have an offer on the old chloride truck.
  7. We had a meeting with MSK for the gravel pit and they are planning on getting the ACT 250 paperwork submitted around Thanksgiving.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s report, and Golob seconded.

 Discussion:

#3 Discussions ensued.
Wilson mentioned that he would check with VTrans about their recommendation for improving the visibility of the Covered Bridge signage.
Johnson-Aplin suggested a Truck Route sign at the Parrish Hill Bridge.

#4 Discussions ensued.
Golob and Fitzpatrick both conveyed that Newfane is not responsible for disposing of the abandoned and presumed stolen boat.
Litchfield will express the Selectboard’s opinion to the VT State Police investigating Trooper.

#5 Green Mountain Power is hauling additional gravel to the wet areas where they have been burying underground wires in the Town Right of Way.
Litchfield asked if GMP was doing additional tree work while in Newfane. Wilson said that he was aware of tree work on Stratton Hill and would ask if additional areas were scheduled to be done.

#6 Wilson said there is a Five Hundred Dollar offer on the Chloride Truck.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the offer of $500.00. Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed.

 #7 Golob mentioned that the new engineer working on the gravel pit has been excellent and has a great working relationship with Stephanie Gilles at ACT 250.
Litchfield called for the vote to approve the Road Foreman’s report. The motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

  1. Two weeks ago, Jay provided me with information on the damage to the Adams Hill Bridge. Sedgwick Insurance has sent an offer of settlement for the damage. This needs to be reviewed. If acceptable, there needs to be a motion to accept and sign.
  2. Meg Staloff at Brattleboro Development Credit Corp and SeVEDS know that a Selectboard visit is not required when requesting appropriations; they would like to schedule a visit to provide a program update and hear any Town needs and concerns. Will November 4th work for you?

Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report, and Chevalier seconded.
Discussion:
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the insurance settlement and authorize Litchfield to sign it. Chevalier seconded.
The motion passed.
Litchfield stated that any organization requesting to meet with the Selectboard regarding appropriations is welcome.
Litchfield called for the vote to approve the Administrative Assistant’s report.
The motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Planning Commission- Short-Term Rental Registration (James Bressor)
Presented a proposed one-page Short-Term Rental Ordinance to the Selectboard. The goal of gathering this data is to better understand how many short-term rentals are operating in the Town and what implications they have for the Town Plan which is about to be updated. The form included,

  • Purpose
  • Definition
  • Short-Term Rental Unit Registration
  • Compliance with state fire safety regulations/ registration

    The registration form was one page asking for basic information.

  • Owner’s Name
  • Physical Address
  • Contact information.
  • Type of rental unit information and physical address
  • Number of bedrooms
  • Local property manager information, if any.

Selectboard members were impressed with the new shorter forms. This includes valuable information for any emergency personnel responding to the unit, such as the number of bedrooms and the maximum number of occupants.

Golob asked about the required steps for adopting a Short-Term Rental Ordinance.
Douglas said there would be a Public Hearing once the Planning Commission forwarded the recommendation to the Selectboard. She would need to double-check on the other requirements with the Chair of the Planning Commission.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None

NEW BUSINESS:
None

OLD BUSINESS:

Housing Grant Proposal: (Golob – Gehring)
No updates

 Town Beautification (Chevalier)
No updates

FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)
The demolition will start in the first week of December.

 Personnel Policy changes/ recommendation (Johnson-Aplin/Chevalier)
No updates

Town Website Design – (Golob & Johnson-Aplin)
The website designer will begin working on the design, and an update will be given at the November 4th meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE:
Grace Cottage Hospital – Thank you for the voter-approved appropriations.
(Johnson-Aplin read)

Golob made a motion to authorize Johnson-Aplin and Chevalier to approve pay orders. Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed.

ADJOURN:
Golob made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

PAY ORDERS

  1. Payroll #11701                 $6,006.95
  2. Payroll # 11702                 $7,548.70
  3. AP #25007                     $245,422.64

Respectfully submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant