Selectboard Meeting Minutes

 Selectboard Meeting Minutes, Monday, December 2nd, 2024

 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: Angela Litchfield, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Ann Golob (Zoom), and Mike Fitzpatrick (phone).
ABSENT: Jeffrey Chevalier.

OTHERS PRESENT: Austin Rice (BCTV) and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).

ZOOM:  Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Kate Gehring (Planning Commission), and Jane Douglas (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 THE AGENDA:
None


APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  1. November 18th, Regular Meeting Minutes
    Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the regular minutes of November 18th. Golob seconded.
    The motion passed.
  1. November 21st, Budget Meeting Minutes
    Golob made a motion to accept the budget minutes of November 21st, and Johnson-Aplin seconded. The motion passed.
  1. November 25th, Budget Meeting Minutes
    Golob made a motion to accept the budget minutes of November 25th, and Johnson-Aplin seconded. The motion passed.

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. We have an access permit on Vic Benjamin Road.
  2. The first snowstorm went well, considering the roads were not yet frozen.
  3. There is nothing new on the Depot Road culvert; Mike Renaud has been away until Thanksgiving.
  4. The South Newfane Store demo is ready; an excavator has been moved.
  5. We got reimbursed by VTrans for the Stratton Hill Repair.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s report, and Golob seconded.
Fitzpatrick joined the meeting (phone) at 6:04 p.m.

Discussion:

  1. Access Permit – tabled until the December 16th
  2. The reimbursement amount for Stratton Hill repair was $26,308.50Golob mentioned that they had received an email regarding the Gravel Pit. Wilson wanted to know if Golob had any additional comments before he replied. Wilson will respond to the email on Tuesday. Golob mentioned that she was looking forward to completing the ACT 250 filing.
    Wilson said that before submitting the letter to the Natural Resources Conservation Service requesting an extension for the work at the Parish Hill Bridge and Dover Road intersection. Wilson will speak with Fitzgerald Engineer for additional information.

Litchfield called for the vote to approve the Road Foreman’s report.
The motion passed. 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

  1. The revised Zoning Bylaw Amendment Hearing is scheduled for December 16th at 5:30 p.m. The public hearing notice appeared in the newspaper on November 26th, which allows for more than the 15 days needed before the Hearing. The notices have been posted in four places in the town. Updates have been made to the Town website and Front Porch Forum. The hearing notice and copies of the Zoning Bylaw Amendment were sent to the neighboring town offices.
  2. The Social Appropriations Organization and Committees have received multiple notifications; I have made phone calls today to ensure that everyone has had the opportunity to turn in the forms.
  3. The draft for the Articles for the new Town Report has been edited. Budget figures will need to be added before the first draft goes to the printers. There are three scheduled budget meetings to get things finished. I am waiting to hear from Mary at Repro regarding the schedule for submitting our Report. The first draft should be ready to go by January 10th.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report, and Fitzpatrick seconded.

Discussion ensued:

Golob wanted to clarify that the Selectboard would like to meet this year with any organizations requesting an increase in their social appropriation requests or requesting funds for the first time.

Golob asked Powling to follow up with the IT service Europa regarding the fee for services. Is the cost monthly or annual? Powling will forward the information to the Selectboard when she confirms it.

Litchfield called for the vote to approve the Administrative Assistant’s report.
The motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Planning Commission
Kate Gehring and Jane Douglas attended the meeting to confirm that Bob Crego’s letter of interest is being sent to the Selectboard and that introductions will be made at the December 16th meeting.
Gehring will attend the December 9th Budget meeting to discuss the Planning Commission’s budget requests.

Gehring will confirm if someone from Windham Regional will be attending the Public Hearing on December 16th.

There are no other updates.

 SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None

NEW BUSINESS:
None

OLD BUSINESS:
Housing Grant Proposal: (Golob – Gehring)
Golob said she had sent it to the attorney to review the proposal. Waiting for a response.

FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)
Demolition work will start on Tuesday morning; the impact on traffic is unknown.

 Personnel Policy changes/ recommendation (Johnson-Aplin/Chevalier)
No updates

Town Website Design – (Golob & Johnson-Aplin)
We are meeting this week to “tweak graphic designs.” An update will be provided at Monday’s meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE:
None

Golob made a motion to have Litchfield and Johnson-Aplin approve pay orders, and Fitzpatrick seconded.
The motion passed.

Golob and Fitzpatrick attended remotely and left the meeting at 6:23 p.m.

PAY ORDERS

  1. Payroll # 11708         $ 6,475.57
  2. Payroll #11709          $ 9,205.66
  3. AP #25010                 $ 49,641.86

 

 

ADJOURN:
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant