Regular Selectboard Minutes November 21st, 2022
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Angela Sanborn (Zoom), Ann Golob, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Jeffrey Chevalier, Mike Fitzpatrick (phone).
OTHERS PRESENT:
Jane Douglas (NewBrook News), Maia Segura, Daimian Lix (S.N. Community Assoc.) George Friend, Chris White, Austin Rice (Producer of BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).
Zoom
Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Deborah Luskin (Moderator), Meg Gonzalez, Cina Friend, Mary Whether, Henriette Mantel, Russell Bradbury-Carlin (Youth Services), Joanna Bourbeau (WinDart), Kate Lamphere (HCRS), Diana Urbaska (Incorporated Village of Newfane).
CALL to ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.
CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED:
Sanborn confirmed the meeting had been properly warned.
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
November 7th, 2022, Regular Minutes.
Golob made a motion to approve the November 7th minutes. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/0; Sanborn abstained.
November 7th, 2022, Board of Liquor Control (B.L.C.) Minutes
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the November 7th B.L.C. minutes. Golob seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/0; Sanborn abstained
November 14th, 2022, Budget Minutes.
Golob made a motion to approve the November 1st budget minutes. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0.
ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
- The engineer is updating everything on the Depot Rd. box culvert and we are reviewing to make sure all the permits are in order.
- The Arch Bridge is hopefully getting line painting on Wednesday and will open in the afternoon.
- The sand/salt shed has nothing new to report.
- The repairs to Bridge #41 off Baker Brook Rd. have been completed.
- The Monroe Bridge cleaning and greasing has been completed.
- The Roy Brooks bridge replacement started this morning.
- FEMA came up with another piece of land located on Steep Way that they want pictures of, and I will do that this week.
- Additional information, on November 10th, a Penske Rental Truck damaged the covered bridge on the South Newfane side. Road Foreman Wilson is working to make a claim through the Penske insurance company for the $14,000 damage to the covered bridge. He will keep the Board informed.
- The F 550 truck is listed on an auction site; the bidding will close on Monday, the 28th, the current bid is at $15,500, and the board will need to accept/ decline the closing offer at the next budget meeting.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s Report. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
None.
This is a reminder that the Town Clerk’s Office will be closed this week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
COMMITTEE REPORT
Deborah Luskin (Town Moderator) Town Meeting Day
A letter was read from VLCT attorney Susan Senning explaining that there is currently no authority in Vermont Law for remote voting at an annual or special Town meeting. Hence, there is no option for a hybrid meeting option.
Golob made the motion to set Town Meeting for March 7th @ 9 a.m. Chevalier seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
To qualify for Social Appropriations funds, the following organizations presented at the Selectboard meeting. Each gave a brief explanation of how their organization has helped benefit and enrich Newfane’s residents. (This information is available at the Town Office.)
- Russell Bradbury-Carlin (Youth Services)
- Joanna Bourbeau (WinDart)
- Jane Douglas (NewBrook News)
- Kate Lamphere (HCRS)
- Diana Urbaska (Incorporated Village of Newfane)
- Maia Segura (S. Newfane Community Association)
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
George Friend wanted to bring to the attention of the Selectboard the feelings of members of the community that are being condemned and harassed for their cultural differences, feelings, and beliefs. (A letter that he had received was shown to the Selectboard.) The growing division in the community, he said, starts with leadership. You may not agree with someone this does not make them wrong. As a community, we must value each other’s opinions and acknowledge what is being said.
Johnson-Aplin responded to the letter that was shown; hate speech in any form is hate speech and should not be tolerated. Chevalier agreed.
White made the following statement “If you are no longer willing to hear the other voices, those voices will no longer be willing to speak up. Why should they?”
Fitzpatrick mentioned that it would have been great to have had White on the Selectboard; with all her family’s knowledge, it could have benefited all of us.
Golob made a motion, “The Selectboard strongly disagrees with all forms of hate speech against any member of our community.” Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
ARPA Updates – Golob presented information that was prepared to be added to the Town website for “ARPA Information and Funding Status.” The document includes links to the
- Community Survey
- Planning Commission Recommendations
- Infrastructure project ideas
- Letters of funding requests
- Summary of approved expenses and balance.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve additional information to be added to the website. Chevalier seconded the motion.
Discussion ensued.
Sanborn called the vote. Motion passed 5/0
Cannabis Updates –Johnson- Aplin had received information from Wilmington on how the Selectboard set itself up as the local Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Johnson-Aplin drafted a letter to the State Cannabis Control Board, which was read into the minutes and confirms the Newfane Selectboard’s decision to form a local CCC.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to sign the letter forming Newfane’s CCC. Golob seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0
Flood Hazard By-law Update
None
Traffic Calming, including finalizing membership of the new committee (Sanborn). Update: Six residents have volunteered to join the New Traffic Calming Committee. The Selectboard would like to offer any that have not come forward yet a chance to still participate; There will be an announcement posted on the Front Porch Forum.
Sanborn was hopeful to have at least two representatives from each village.
Town Beautification: Chevalier is looking into creating flower pots that can be used to adorn various areas of the town. He plans to contact such organizations as Kindle Farm, Dutton Greenhouse, and other potential local business sponsors for support. He will also reach out to contact local artists that could help make hanging baskets or planters from the original Arch Bridge steel.
Discussion ensued.
Plans for the celebration of the Towns 250th Anniversary
This will be added for follow-up on future Selectboard agendas.
Arch Bridge Celebration,
Wilson will confirm with Chad Greenwood from VTrans on the grand re-opening of the Arch Bridge. Plans for a celebration are being organized; it is expected that the Brattleboro Reformer will cover the event. Members of the Selectboard are hopeful to open on Wednesday, November 23rd, with the time T.B.D.
Powling will post in the Front Porch Forum with news of the event and time.
NEW BUSINESS
None
CORRESPONDENCE
None
Chevalier made a motion to enter Executive Session; Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0.
At 7:32 p.m., the Selectboard entered Executive Session under 1 V.S.A. 313 of Vermont open meeting law to discuss a contract issue.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to leave Executive Session at 7:45 p.m.; Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0.
There was no decision of the Board at this meeting; the issue is still under review.
Sanborn and Fitzpatrick, who attended the meeting remotely, left at 7:46 p.m.
PAY ORDERS
Payroll Warrant No #11595 Amount $ 5,093.55
Payroll Warrant No #11596 Amount $ 4,805.07
Account Payable No # 23010 Amount $ 1,026,726.17 (resigned)
Account Payable No # 23011 Amount $ 121,205.41
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve Pay Orders. Chevalier seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3/0.
ADJOURN:
Golob made a motion to adjourn. Johnson-Aplin seconded meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling, Administrative Assistant
ALS/AG