Monday, August 5th, 2024
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Angela Litchfield, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Jeffrey Chevalier, Ann Golob, and Mike Fitzpatrick (phone).
OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Jones, Don Mills (GMP), Kate Kirkwood, Sheriff Mark Anderson (WCSD), Austin Rice (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant). Zoom: Jay Wilson (Road Foreman) and Carol Hesselbach (Town Clerk).
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: Litchfield requested that the minutes from the July 15th Board of Liquor Control be added under the approval of minutes. Litchfield also requested Katy Robinson’s letter regarding Speed limit signs on Browns Road after the Road Foreman’s report. Johnson-Aplin requested that the Invasive Plant be moved to follow the Road Forman’s report.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. July 15th, 2024, Regular minutes.
Golob made a motion to accept the July 15th regular minutes, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed. 3/0/1 Chevalier abstained.
- July 29th, 2024, Special meeting minutes.
Golob made a motion to accept the July 15th special meeting minutes, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed. 3/0/1 Chevalier abstained.
- July 15th, 2024, BLC minutes.
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the July 15th BLC meeting minutes, and Golob seconded.
The motion passed. 3/0/1 Chevalier abstained.
ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
- We have the retired chloride truck to sell.
- I have sent the revised easement plan for Loop Road Culvert to Bob Fisher’s office for them to update, waiting for a reply.
- We got an email today that all the parts are ready to be shipped for the Depot Road Box Culvert.
- Fitzgerald Engineering that is designing the NRCS repair near the Green Iron Bridge expects to have something for the town to look at by the end of the week.
- Henry Carr is sending a proposal for some invasive plant work on town property.
- The grader radiator repairs will be completed this week.
Golob made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s Report, and Chevalier seconded.
The motion passed 4/0.
Discussion:
- The Selectboard recommended placing the truck out near the garage driveway with a sign for sale, “Make an Offer.”
- Wilson mentioned that Henry Carr had emailed him with a recommended proposal for the Invasive Plant treatment, with a projected estimate of $1,500 for the Invasive Plant cutting this year. The Board agreed that Carr should proceed with the first year of treatment at the three locations mentioned.
Chevalier made a motion to approve Henry Carr’s services for $1,500, and Golob seconded.
The motion passed 4/0.
Chevalier noticed that a culvert was plugged near his location. He will attempt to clear the blockage. Wilson will have the road crew follow up as well.
Litchfield asked if the dump truck for the street sweeper was available. Wilson confirmed that it was.
Litchfield called for the vote to approve the Road Foreman’s report.
The motion passed. 4/0
Green Mountain Power-Tim Jones, Field Ops Project Coordinator, and Field Supervisor Don Mills follow up from the July 15th meeting with a design for Newfane.
GMP met with Jay Wilson to discuss the proposed underground project within Newfane Town Right of Way. Edits were made to the written scope of work, understanding that any culvert not on the Town’s list for replacement would be replaced at GMP’s expense. Newfane will supply the 3’x4‘culvert headers.
Discussion ensued:
Golob made a motion to sign the Green Mountain agreement with agreed changes, and Johnson-Aplin seconded. The motion passed 4/0.
Katy Robinson – Speed limit signs on Browns Road.
Correspondence from Katy Robinson was read aloud. (Copies are available from the Administrative Assistant.)
Discussion ensued:
Wilson, review the traffic ordinance. Currently, the speed limit on all dirt roads is 35 MPH unless posted otherwise. A change to the Ordinance would need to be considered.
Powling was asked to respond to Robinson and inform her that the Traffic Ordinance is in the process of review and changes are coming soon.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
- I have researched the Carroll Trail extensively; Richard & Regina Werner requested the Town of Dover to discontinue the same trail in Dover. In August 2011, Newfane Selectboard members sent a letter to Dover Selectboard (see attached)
I found minutes from February 2008, when the Selectboard held a Public Hearing to Consider the Adoption of Class IV Roads and Trails Policy. Walter Phelps helped draft the policy, which was to be deferred to the incoming Selectboard (see attached). I contacted VLCT to understand the procedure that needs to be followed before discontinuing. It does not benefit Newfane to discontinue the trail then or now.
- I emailed Erik Rosenbauer, VP of Operations & Government Relations from the Brattleboro Retreat, regarding a piece of property they wish to donate to the Conservation Commission/ Newfane. I have not heard back from him.
- Tomorrow at 6 pm, the DRB is holding a continuance of the Green Burial Hearing.
- WCHS invited you to the VIP Reception on August 24th from 10 to 12. Would any of you be able to attend? I need to send an RSVP.
- Town Fair 24 is October 1st & 2nd in Killington. Early Bird registration ends August 30th. Is anyone able to attend?
- Carol Hesselbach is requesting the Selectboard regarding the November Election Ballots.
(Carol will follow the approval of the Administrative Assistant’s Report.)
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistance Report, and Chevalier seconded.
Discussion ensued:
- The Carroll Trail will be moved to the August 19th meeting to allow the Selectboard additional time to review the information.
- Powling was instructed to check with the Listers regarding the effect of removing the property from the Grand List and to research the procedures for accepting the offer.
- Litchfield will attend the WCHS reception.
Litchfield called for the vote to approve the Administrative Assistant’s Report.
The motion passed 4/0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Town Clerk- Carol Hesselbach
The Secretary of State’s office is mailing every active, not challenged voter a Ballot this year. Hesselbach recommended to the Selectboard that the Justice of the Peace be added to the back of the November Ballot. It will be less confusing for the voters and save the Town from printing additional ballots and postage.
Golob made a motion to approve the recommendation from the Town Clerk to include the Justice of Peace on the Ballots, Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed 4/0
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Sheriff Mark Anderson WCSD – provided an update on the balance of FY 2024 contracted hours; Newfane has a 25-hour surplus rollover from FY 2024 for patrol services. The Selectboard agreed this should be added to the FY 2025 contracted hours.
Discussion ensued.
Members of the Selectboard have heard from residents that they are pleased with the increased number of patrols and speeding tickets issued.
Golob made a motion to add the remaining 25 hours to the new FY 2025 contract and Chevalier seconded.
The motion passed.
Anderson provided Vermont statutes 23 VSA 1007 for Traffic Ordinances and Policy changes to the speed limit. (Previously discussed) Anderson cautioned to wait until the speed study data is completed to get a clear understanding of safety and not just an increased speed. Prior to making any traffic policy or speed limit changes.
Golob asked if it was a consideration to remove the Constable position.
Powling was asked to check with VLCT to research the process of eliminating the Constable.
Golob asked if there had been any updates to the Regional Policing efforts.
Anderson mentioned that he plans to schedule more Geographic meetings to determine needs and municipal support. He also reflected on the need to set up a Council of Government composed of participating Town officials to serve as a representation board of administrators for the program.
Kate Kirkwood presented information regarding a program called Lead Abatement and Healthy Homes, funded with grants to Selectboard. Kirkwood writes that she is a project manager and trainer who helps individuals, inspectors, and contractors identify the risks and assess the safe abatement of lead paint and asbestos to make healthy homes for everyone.
Windham County has a population of about 45,000 and an income of about $40,000. Research has shown that about 58% of housing was built before 1978, when lead paint was no longer used, and one in four houses had lead paint.
In 1940, nine out of ten houses contained lead. She explains that it is not just the paint but the deterioration of the paint that breaks down into tiny particles of dust. The amount of lead it takes to poison a child and cause permanent brain damage is too small to see. Thirty percent of the time when a person gets sick, renovations have been done in the house in the last six months.
Kirkwood has been meeting with Selectboard members and Town Managers (municipalities) in Windham County, asking for three or four towns to write a letter of support; this will allow her to apply for HUD Grants to set up a small Capacity Building Grant; they range from $500,000 to $2 million, you have two years to spend that money to develop a program for interested property owners you get a waiting list of units you build a trained contractors capacity list that would be ready to do the abatements.
Selectboard member Golob expressed her thoughts on such a great program and complemented Kirkwood on her energy and enthusiasm.
Kirkwood has plans to meet with Putney, Guilford, Wilmington, and Dover. Brattleboro has declined any interest.
Golob made a motion to have Litchfield sign a letter of Support, noting that Newfane is not interested in being the lead sponsor for receiving Grant Funds or making disbursements. Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed 4/0.
Powling was asked to draft a letter for Chair Litchfield to sign.
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None
OLD BUSINESS:
Town Beautification (Chevalier)
Dale Stevens will move forward with his bench project. The contract date will be modified, and a partial payment will be dispersed this week.
FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)
- Closing was delayed for the original contract to arrive from the Virgin Islands. The closing will take place this week.
- Brownfield remediation work will begin in the middle of August.
ARPA Funds Updates (Golob)
No update
Personnel Policy changes/ recommendation (Johnson-Aplin/Chevalier)
Pending Town Attorney reviewing the changes made to the personnel policy.
Town Website Design – Golob & Johnson-Aplin
Board members met with Echo-pixel for website design options. Golob and Johnson-Aplin indicated that the price was more than anticipated. Recommendations for moving forward with a request for a local website designer would ensure that Newfane maintains control.
Emerald Ash Bore – Tree Warden Bill Gunther
No update.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Flyer of an upcoming cycling event using Rt-30, Grimes Hill Rd, and Dover Road. Saturday, October 5th, 2024,
- Katy Robinson – Speed limit signs on Browns Road. (previously discussed)
- Ruck Up -Thank you letter for allowing the Coin Drop in Newfane.
Litchfield moved to suspend the Selectboard Meeting at 7:35 pm and open,
the Newfane Board of Liquor Control
The Selectboard meeting was reconvened at 7:36 p.m.
PAY ORDERS
- Payroll #11689 $ 6,973.21
- Payroll # 11690 $ 6,253.87
- Payroll # 11691 $ 7,238.82
- Payroll # 11692 $ 6,040.89
- AP #25002 $ 60,185.04
Chevalier made a motion to approve Pay Orders and Golob seconded.
The motion passed 4/0.
ADJOURN:
Golob made a motion to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant