Unapproved -DRAFT
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97227911757#success
(copy and paste the link into your web browser)
https//zoom. Us/join Meeting ID: 972 2791 1757 Passcode: 352680
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Angela Sanborn, Jeffrey Chevalier, Ann Golob, Mike Fitzpatrick (by phone), and Katy Johnson-Aplin.
OTHERS PRESENT: Terry and John Davis, Phoebe Connolly, Priscilla Cotton, Austin Rice (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).
Zoom: Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), David Cotton, T (?)
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.
CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED:
Powling confirmed the meeting had been properly warned.
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:
Golob requested that Terry and John Davis be moved to follow the Road Foreman’s report.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
- March 20, 2023, regular meeting minutes.
Golob made a motion to accept the March 20, 2023, minutes (as amended). Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/0/1. Sanborn abstained.
- April 17, 2023, regular meeting minutes.
Golob made a motion to accept April 17, 2023, minutes; Chevalier seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3/0/2 Johnson-Aplin, and Fitzpatrick abstained.
ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
- We met with the River Engineer and VTrans at the large stone culvert on Wiswall Hill and got a permit to put in a plastic culvert that will get us through the next couple of years until we can get funding for a box culvert.
- We are still working on getting the information together for the gravel pit Act 250 permit that Bill Jewell is working on.
- I got the price for the white fog lines on the blacktop. Poirier Guidelines (the company that has been doing our painting) $ .08 per foot. L&D Safety –Marking $ .14 per foot. Poirier will be doing our stop bars and speed limits.
- Nothing to update you on the Salt shed or Eddy Rd culvert.
- The bid was awarded to Renaud Bros. for the Depot Rd Box culvert.
- At our annual meeting with VTrans after the Town meeting, we were not in line for a couple more years for either a Class 2 pavement grant or structures grant since we had both recently. I put in for both grants, one for paving Grimes Hill and the other for Loop Rd. Box Culver. I was told that we were awarded the Loop Rd since some of the towns that were due for grants didn’t apply—box Culvert for $200,000.
- We had minor water damage this morning on Timson Hill, River Road, and French Cabin; most of it was minor, and it should be fixed up in a couple of days if it stops raining.
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s report, and Golob seconded the motion.
Discussion:
#3 Line Striping; Wilson was asked if the line striping was put out to bid. Due to the time frame and the limited number of qualified contractors, it was not warranted. If we fail to line up the work, one of the contractors will be in Maine all summer.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept Poirier Line Stripping at eight cents per foot; Golob seconded. Motion passed 5/0.
#2 Gravel Pit; Contact was made with one of the homeowners closest to where the sound study testing was conducted; they agreed to write a letter of support to be sent with the permit application.
The vote was called. Motion passed 5/0.
Scheduled Members of the Public:
Terry and John Davis: Residents of S. Wardsboro Rd. They wanted to discuss the water runoff and the drainage issues to the road in front of their property and the fact that it has drained into the yard, garage, and house. It is a combination of nature and maintenance of the road that has caused significant deterioration to the floor in the garage and erosion to the property. The neighbors know the issues and would be willing to meet with Jay Wilson, Christopher Williams, Michael Fitzpatrick, and John and Terry Davis to discuss options to prevent further harm.
Discussion ensued.
Wilson will propose a policy for dealing with concerns of drainage issues now and in the future. And report back to the Selectboard.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
- Carol has been out sick; we have all been working together to cover that side of the office while she has been out. I have an Alcohol and Tobacco license for review for the Newfane Store; this will need to be done tonight to ensure they can sell these items tomorrow.
2. The Municipal Checklist for Internal Control Annual review is available for the Selectboard sign tonight. (This is for the Treasurer’s Control and the process she follows.)
- Archer Mayer has submitted a letter requesting ARPA funds for the (NBFD) NewBrook Fire Department. I have included copies of the letter with my report.
- A Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant form has been granted an extension. This needs to have a motion to sign, accepting May 29, 2024.
- Windham County Humane Society has sent the New Contract for services for 2023-202. This is in the budget that was already approved. This, too, needs a motion to sign the contract.
- The Personnel Policy is available tonight for readopting and the Selectboard signatures.
Chevalier made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistance report, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
Discussion:
#1 Golob asked if this needed to have a BLC agenda.
This is a last-minute request for an existing application for renewal. The renewal application and fees were already submitted online to the State of Vermont.
Golob made a motion to approve the renewal of liquor and tobacco application for the Newfane Store. Chevalier seconded.
the motion. Motion passed 5/0.
Golob made a motion to authorize the Town Clerk- Hesselbach to approve the renewal of the existing Liquor and Tobacco application and to notify the Board of this process. To submit a new application to the Board of Liquor Control for approval, Fitzpatrick seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5/0.
#2 Golob made a motion to authorize the Chair to sign Internal Control Annual Review. Johnson- Aplin seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5/0.
#3 Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve the NBFD request for $ 100,000 from ARPA funds. Golob seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0/1. Sanborn abstained.
#4 Selectboard reviewed the letter for the Mitigation Grant extension. Golob made a motion to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the Selectboard. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0.
#5 Johnson-Aplin made a motion to authorize the chair to sign the WCHS contract. Golob seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5/0.
#6 VLCT has sent the Selectboard members a New Personnel Policy and recommendations for changes due to the smaller size of Newfane and the number of its employees. It was recommended that two members of the Selectboard, the Road Foreman and Kate Gehring from the Planning Commission, compare the policies and report to the Selectboard at the June 5th meeting.
The vote was called. Motion passed 5/0.
COMMITTEE REPORT
None
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Phoebe Connolly: Plans for L.G.H.S. Prom to share information regarding the Leland and Gray Union High School (LGUHS) Senior Prom that will be held at the Newfane Union Hall on May 20th, 2023. Photos will be taken on Newfane Common, and the public is welcome to participate in the photo-taking and the grand march.
Dinner this year will be served as part of the festivities for the students. Music and dancing will follow until 10:30; this year’s theme is the “Enchanted Forrest” The prom planning committee is trying to repurpose decorations, flowers, and plants. If anyone has items they would like to donate, they are welcome to contact Phoebe Connolly at LGUHS.
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
OLD BUSINESS:
Cannabis Updates: (Johnson-Aplin) None
Town Beautification (Chevalier)
Discussion:
A press Release will be going out later this week giving details about the bench contest and how to submit ideas and applications.
Discuss ideas for a 250-year celebration of Newfane’s founding. (Johnson-Aplin) – None
FEMA Buy-Out of the South Newfane General Store (SNGS)– (Golob)
No updates from FEMA.
The SNGS had a recent inspection for bats (an endangered animal), and no bats were found; otherwise, there would be no work allowed while the building was occupied. Golob mentioned that the BRELLA insurance application had been submitted.
ARPA: (Sanborn and Golob)
None
SOCIAL APPROPRIATIONS
Tabled until the budget season before the warning goes out, November/December.
PROPERTY at 521 VT RT 30 (Golob)
For the cleanup of the hazardous waste, waiting for the State to finalize the removal, and that has not happened due to a delay on the trucks collecting such materials. The State of Vermont contractor hired to remove the hazardous material from the property will provide an estimate for the additional site cleanup. Golob mentioned that she had gotten advice from VLCT where the Town is not allowed to place liens on properties. They did mention ways to enforce the cleanup of the property but will have to wait until we find out who owns the property.
Discussion followed.
No decision or action was made.
NEW BUSINESS
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Executive session to discuss an evaluation of an employee under the provisions of
Title 1 VSA §313(a)(3).
Golob made a motion to go into an Executive session to discuss a personnel issue, and Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed 5/0.
Entered the executive session at 7:11 p.m.
Golob made a motion to leave the Executive session, and Chevalier seconded. The motion passed 5/0.
Exited executive session at 7:45 p.m.
The Selectboard’s decision is not to terminate Powling, and it was agreed that she would continue working with the Town of Newfane as Administrative Assistant.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Moore Free Library sent a Thank you card for the recent donation made from the ARPA funds.
Fitzpatrick, who attended remotely, left the meeting at 7:48 pm.
PAY ORDERS
1. Payroll Warrant # 11618 Amount $ 5,106.44
2. Account Payable # 23025 Amount $ 977,965.71
Golob made a motion to approve Pay Orders. Chevalier seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/0.
ADJOURN:
Golob made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling, Administrative Assistant
ALS