Newfane Selectboard Regular Meeting Monday, November 20th, 2023
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Angela Litchfield, Mike Fitzpatrick, and Katy Johnson-Aplin.
Absent: Jeffrey Chevalier, and Ann Golob.
OTHERS PRESENT: Jane Douglas (Planning Commission), Bahman Mahdavi (Rock River Players), Austin Rice (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).
Zoom: Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), and Kate Gehring (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 AGENDA:
Johnson-Aplin requested to add to New Business a discussion of moving the meetings due to the holidays.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
- November 6th, 2023, Regular Minutes.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the November 6th, 2023, Regular Minutes, and Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
- November 6th, 2023, BLC Minutes.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the November 6th, 2023, BLC Minutes, and Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
- November 13th, 2023, Budget Minutes.
It was tabled until the next meeting.
ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
- We will need to vote on the Adams Hill Rd—bridge repair. The insurance company for the trucking company that damaged the bridge has been contacted, and they have pictures and the quote for the repair/replacement.
- DMI was able to get the pavement patching done.
- We had a price from RSG for the new sound study of $6,900 using the new proposed plan.
- The side dressing of the new pavement on South Wardsboro Rd. was completed last week.
- The bids must be in for the Loop Road culvert on November 28th.
- Wilson requested that the Selectboard send letters to (selected) residents stating there could be potential damage from the snow plows this season.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Road Foreman & Road Commissioners report, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
Discussion ensued:
It was mentioned that the special meeting on Thursday, November 16th, had not been properly warned and the discussion about the Adams Hill Bridge would be reviewed again this evening.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve spending the $ 100,000 for the bridge replacement on Adams Hill, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
Motion passed.
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the cost of the changes for the sound studies for the Gravel Pit ACT 250 permit, and Fitzpatrick seconded.
Motion passed.
It was discussed that Powling and Wilson would open the bids on November 28th, verify and record the bids, and then forward them to the project engineer, Everett Hammond.
Follow Up:
NRCS and Michael Lapointe are still working through the list of over 232 sites. We were asked to be patient; they haven’t forgotten us.
The vote was called. Motion passed.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
- I made copies of the information from the V.L.C.T. training on ADA 101: What your Municipality Needs to Know.
- Newfane will follow other local town offices and close at 2 pm on Wednesday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
- Katie Bristol will be doing the monthly bank reconciliation.
- Appropriation appointments are included as an attachment.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
Discussion ensued:
Powling was asked to share information from the meeting she attended with other local municipalities on November 15th with Sheriff Anderson to hear and discuss information and options for Regional Law Enforcement, including the development of municipal models like the Animal Control developed a few years ago. This would be a pilot project, the first of its kind in Vermont. Member towns will participate in negotiating the types of services needed. Anderson asked if members of the towns would write a letter of interest to support the policing project. He would submit the letters with a bill to Vermont legislation for the beginning of the new legislative session that starts in January 2024; if approval is given, there is a potential for the program to begin by July 2024.
The vote was called. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
Planning Commission (P.C)- Jane Douglas and Kate Gehring –December 2 at 10 a.m., you are invited to join a “Walkabout the Village” with members from Windham Regional Commission and other persons who are interested in Newfane updating the Zoning Ordinance and By-Law to review affordable housing. Jane Douglas asked if the remaining $201,000 ARPA had been marked for a particular project. Douglas asked if the Selectboard had given any thought to setting aside money for a revolving low-interest loan to help residents with improvements to existing properties to provide other ways of developing affordable rent space/housing.
Gehring mentioned that representatives from Windham, Brookline, and Townshend joined Newfane P.C. to collaborate on what could be done to help with the relief of the housing crisis that so many face.
DV Fiber – Jane Douglas said that Readsboro now has 100+ customers hooked to the fiber internet. They are working on areas in Stamford, Whitingham, and Halifax. Progress is approximately 13 miles a month, with expectations of reaching Marlboro in early 2024.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
The following agencies and organizations gave a three to five-minute explanation of the program and services they provide to the residents of Newfane, Williamsville, S. Newfane, and Brookside and how the funds they are requesting are going to be used.
- Aids Project of So. VT – Exc. Director Samba Diallo
- WinDart – Joanne Bourbeau
- Youth Services- Russell Bradbury-Carlin
- Brattleboro Area Hospice- Hillary Farquhar
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Bahman Mahdavi, Rock River Players – wanted to share that the improvements at the Williamsville Hall are completed. He wanted to thank the board again for the generous support. The Rock River Players were able to meet these improvements within months, which had previously been expected to take years. Mahdavi said this will help improve and promote a more lively and vibrant community center.
NEW BUSINESS
Johnson-Aplin suggested that the December 25th budget meeting be canceled and the January 1st Selectboard meeting be moved to Tuesday, January 2nd.
This was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Town Beautification suggestions (Chevalier)
None
- FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)
None
- ARPA Funds Updates (Golob)
None
- Personnel Policy Recommendations (Johnson-Aplin).
It was tabled until the entire board was in attendance.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
The Selectboard meeting was suspended for the Board of Liquor Control at 6:52 p.m.
The Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:53 p.m. (see Board of Liquor Control Minutes).
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to have Litchfield and Johnson-Aplin approve the Account Payables. Fitzpatrick seconded.
Motion passed.
PAY ORDERS
- Payroll # 11652 $ 6,090.77
- Payroll # 11653 $ 5,352.49
- AP # 24012 $ 97,903.36
Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve the Pay Roll, and Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3/0.
ADJOURN:
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant
A.E.L