Newfane Town Office and Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Angela Litchfield
Members Present: In Person: Angela Litchfield, Jeffrey Chevalier
By Phone: Michael Fitzpatrick
On Zoom: Ann Golob
Others Present:
In Person: Carol Hesselbach (Town Clerk), James Bressor (Planning Commission), Geretchen Havreluk (MTAP), Austin Rice (BCTV)
On Zoom: Jane Douglas (DVCUD), Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Kate Gehring (Planning Commission)
Litchfield asked if the meeting was properly warned. Hesselbach stated that the Agenda was posted on Friday so the meeting was properly warned.
The meeting began with a presentation by Gretchen Havreluk regarding the MTAP program. She told the board that she had been advised that day that all scopes of work had to be submitted by April 30 and her contract would end that day. The plans would be evaluated by MTAP as to whether the town had the number of employees to do the work, if there were other potential sources of funding, and which category the scope of work fit into: water/sewer infrastructure, climate change. She asked the Selectboard members what projects they were most interested in.
Litchfield indicated housing and how to create more housing. Ann advised that she had reviewed the list of town owned properties and none were able to be developed. Chevalier stated that population density in the small villages, in-filling, should be considered. Litchfield stated that the town does not have the staff to run a wastewater treatment plant. Fitzpatrick discussed the search for funding for a box culvert on French Cabin Road due to flooding that strands the residents when it rains. He said that the state has done a study to determine the size of the culvert that was needed. Fitzpatrick said that housing developments with their own water and sewer systems would be something to consider. Havreluk said that there are regulations that they are trying to get thru the legislature regarding these. Litchfield asked if there were any other roads that should be considered. There is a box culvert for Eddy Road that an attempt is being made to get an emergency management grant for. Wilson indicated that French Cabin Road does not show that dollar value needed to get a grant even though it costs $60,000 to $80,000 each time it washes out.
Havreluk asked the Selectboard to prioritize each idea. Chevalier said housing but problem because of landlord/tenant issues. Golob said the feasibility study for the box culvert on French Cabin Road and the Eddy Road work. Litchfield said housing but roadwork should come first. Fitzgerald said he could not see where a wastewater plant could be put so he would prioritize road upgrades.
Havreluk reviewed each idea for possibility of an MTAP grant. She recommended they submit the French Cabin Road box culvert. Wilson indicated that it would cost around $250,000.
Havreluk was thanked for her work. She left the meeting at about 6:30 PM.
Angela asked if there were any additions or changes to the Agenda. None of the Selectboard members had any changes. Gehring talked about a meeting on the 17th with Windham Regional Commission regarding housing that will be held at Newbrook Fire Station and that she had asked them to address landlord/tenant law.
Approval of Minutes: Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the minutes for the 3/18/2024 Selectboard meeting. Chevalier seconded it. No discussion. Motion passed.
Road Foreman’s Report: Wilson talked about adopting the Road and Bridge Standards. Litchfield read the standard. Fitzgerald made a motion to sign the standard, Chevalier seconded it. The motion passed and Litchfield signed the standard. Wilson talked about the Depot Road box culvert proposal. Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the proposal, Chevalier seconded it. No discussion and motion passed. Litchfield signed the proposal acceptance. Litchfield asked Wilson about the access Permit for 505 S Wardsboro Road. He stated that he had not seen it so it should be put over to the next meeting. There was discussion of the Bank Stabilization contract.
Administrative Assistant’s Report: There was none.
Committee Report: Litchfield asked if there were any committee reports. Gehring spoke about a housing loan fund that the Planning Commission was discussing. She also asked if Katie Bristol could spend some time working with the Zoning Administrator to learn the job so that the Planning Commission could decide if they want to recommend her to take Merle Tessier’s position.
Litchfield asked Douglas about a DV Fiber update. Douglas said they now had 200 paying customers and that progress was steady.
Scheduled Members of the Public: None.
Unscheduled Members of the Public: None.
New Business: None.
Old Business:
- Town Beautification: Chevalier said that he had reached out to people but was not sure if any applications were received.
- FEMA buyout: Golob said the project is in motion and we are waiting on the State.
- ARPA Funds Update: Golob indicated that there is none.
- Personnel Policy changes/recommendations. Johnson-Aplin was not present so there are no recommended changes. Litchfield said that she had a thought about putting something about overtime needing to be preapproved in the policy and wants the board to think about that. She will reach out to VLCT and to Johnson-Aplin about it. Litchfield said that the board should just readopt the current personnel policy and table it until the next meeting.
- Purchasing Policy: One line was added to the current policy. Chevalier made a motion to approve the purchasing policy as amended. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the motion passed. Litchfield and Chevalier signed the amended purchasing policy.
- Financial and Selectboard Rules of Procedure Policy. Golob made a motion to accept the Rules of Procedure. Chevalier seconded it. No discussion, motion passed. Golob made a motion to accept the Financial Policy, Chevalier seconded it. No discussion, motion passed.
Correspondence: Litchfield read a memo from Carol Hesselbach, the Town Clerk, regarding her approval of a renewal of a Liquor License for Duttons. Litchfield thanked her for the action.
Pay Orders: Litchfield asked the board if she and Chevalier had their approval to sign the pay orders. Approval was given.
Litchfield ad Chevalier signed the pay orders.
Litchfield asked for a motion to adjourn. Chevalier made a motion to made a motion to adjourn.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Submitted by Carol Hesselbach, Town Clerk.