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 Litchfield, Ann Golob, Katy Johnson-Aplin, and Jeffrey Chevalier.
Absent: Mike Fitzpatrick.
OTHERS PRESENT: Peter Putnam (Assistant Town Clerk), Kate Gehring (Planning Commission), Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Melissa Brown (Treasurer), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Chair Litchfield.
MEETING WARNING: Litchfield asked if the meeting was properly warned. Powling confirmed that it was.
ADDITIONS/ AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:
Litchfield announced that Peter Putnam was here to discuss the maintenance of the Town Office building.
Golob requested to add discussion of the dedication of the Town Report, discussion on IT services, and the money for the benches and housing was added to old business.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Peter Putnam provided information about the town office’s water condition and the cost of replacing the hot water tank. Aqua Aid, a division of Cushing and Son Well Company, visited the Office. Putnam explained his thoughts on the building’s current water issues to the representative. Due to the corrosiveness and sulfur smell, a water filtration system was quoted as an option for other village properties that needed to be installed. The maintenance cost of the system would be considered low, with an initial system set-up price of $4,000. This would include chlorinating our existing water tank, thus prolonging the hot water tank. Putnam mentioned that known systems (Cushing installed) have existed for over twenty-five years.
Litchfield asked if there were funds available in the Office improvement budget. Brown and Wilson confirmed.
Powling and Putnam will work on the Invitation to Bid for a water filtration system.
Kate Gehring from the Planning Commission explained their budget requests. The Town Plan revision will be a significant undertaking for the Planning Commission next year, which may include hosting public events, advertising expenses, and consultant fees from Windham Regional with additional administrative costs.
Golob said it is a significant increase and that it is a vital function of the Town. She supports the increased Planning Commission budget.
NEW BUSINESS:
Social Appropriation:
Powling shared the figures, which total the $43,440 asked for this year; three additional organizations are scheduled for the December 30th budget meeting.
Employee Wages, Benefits, and Budget.
Following the employees’ annual review, a pay increase was suggested.
Road Foreman: $2.00 increase per hour
Road Crew: $1.00 increase per hour
Treasurer: $1.00 increase per hour
Zoning Administrator: $1.00 increase per hour
Lister Wages: $ 1.00 increase per hour
Administrative Assistant: Tabled 12/30/24 Budget meeting.
Data Entry: Tabled 12/30/24 Budget meeting.
Town Clerk: Tabled 12/30/24 Budget meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Articles:
Powling provided a draft of the articles and mentioned that she had highlighted figures that must be changed once the budget figures are finalized.
Town Report Design:
Discussion:
Photographs of events and activities have been submitted from the Heritage Festival, Jail House Rock Concert, the Historical Society Opening the former Sheriff’s Office, and the Williamsville Hall breakfast and Union Hall concerts. However, various photo editing is needed, and Chevalier offered to assist with Photoshop.
Dedication:
Golob had previously submitted a beautiful dedication that the members were pleased with.
Bench Design and Newfane Beautification: One of the benches has been finished and will be installed at Williamsville Hall in the spring. Golob asked for assurance that the remaining benches would be constructed with the remaining funds set aside for this purpose. Or if they would need to reappropriate the funds. Chevalier said that Johnny Swing and he would do the five remaining benches for the Town.
Bahman Mahdavi was willing to assist in negotiating Newfane’s IT services with the two companies. This would allow for budget planning for the IT service and to meet the needs for improved operations now and in the future.
Mahdavi has spoken with (chimail.westhost.com), the town’s email provider and they will have a new rate for the coming year. He recommends that Newfane remain with the current email server and 2 Wired Guys as the IT provider. If the email host continues to experience problems with sending and receiving emails, an option would be to go with Gmail; you can include your domain (newfanevt.com). Mahdavi recommended a computer replacement on a revolving basis to ensure the current programs and updates are available.
Litchfield mentioned that employees work with the IT service to ensure a proper computer is purchased when it is that time.
Housing Grant Program: Golob mentioned how frustrating it is to wait (months) for the attorney to review the paperwork for the housing grant program, which gives homeowners incentives to create rental space.
To Do: before the December 30th budget meeting,
- Review of the Star’s report from the Windham County Sheriff’s Department on the number of service hours provided by YTD, including the Animal Control differentiated service while on patrol.
- Resubmit the Administrative Assistant budget request form.
- Invite Williamsville Hall to the December 30th budget meeting to discuss budget submission.
ADJOURN: Chevalier made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant
A.E.L.