Selectboard Meeting Monday May 17, 2021

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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Angela Sanborn, Shelly Huber, Ann Golob and Katy Johnson-Aplin

VIA Phone: Mike Fitzpatrick

OTHERS PRESENT:

Jay Wilson, Melissa Brown, Gloria Cristelli, Chris White, Jane Douglas, Juliette Carr, Dan Dewalt, Keats Dieffenbach, Thomas Abbotts, Lynn Forrest, Alica Bono, Dale Stevens, Erica Walsh, Bahman Mahdavi, Fiona Creed, Ben Wilson, Kate Gehring, Dale & Veronica Penny, Apple Gifford, Elizabeth Crowe, Samantha Kilmurray, Pat Halloran, Merle Tessier, Jeryl Julian, Laura Xiao, Ramsey, Robert Hamm, Jon Mack, Christine Druke, Sarah, Elizabeth,  Cina Friend, Nicole Graziano,  Dan Dewalt, Christine Colascione, Tim Maddalena, Chris Mays – Reformer, Austin Rice -BCTV and Wannetta Powling.

CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.

POSSIBLE EXCUTIVE SESSION:

1 V.S.A. § 313 (a) (3) or (4)

(3) An evaluation of a public officer or employee.  (4) Or disciplinary or dismissal action against a public officer.

Ann Golob made a motion to go into Executive Session. Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.  Motion passed

Selectboard entered into Executive Session at 6:04 pm.

 Ann Golob made a motion to exit from Executive Session. Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.  Motion passed

Selectboard adjourned from Executive Session at 6:15 pm.

No action was taken.

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:

The governor has lifted some of the COVID 19 restrictions.

The Board will review and discuss with town office employees the option of opening the doors to the public.  This will be placed on the next meeting agenda.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  1. May 3, 2021 Regular Meeting

A motion was made by Ann Golob to accept the minutes of the May 3, 2021 regular meeting. Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.  Mike Fitzpatrick -abstained.  Motion passed.

 May 3, 2021 Board of Liquor Control

A motion was made by Ann Golob to accept the minutes as amended of the May 3, 2021 Board of Liquor Control.

Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. Mike Fitzpatrick -abstained. Motion passed.

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. The bridge work on Monroe Bridge is progressing, the plan is to try and put down the rubber membrane next week with paving to follow.
  2. The Depot Rd Culvert update: Nationstar Mortgage Bank has sold the property at 254 Depot Rd. to another bank; we are rewriting everything to reflect the new owners so we can work on the easement.
  3. The Sand/Salt shed update: We have most of the documents with the state’s recommendations incorporated. The engineer will wrap up the paperwork, This will not go out to bid until January 2022.
  1. I had a request that the Selectboard write a letter to the property owners at both ends of Rail Road Lane reminding them that it’s a legal trail and that access needs to be kept open for the public.

I would like the Selectboard to send letters out to the property owners of Rail Road Station reminding them not to block the Town Trail.

   5. I would like to do 2 days of crack sealing on the pavement. The cost for NiCom is         approximately $2,125 per mile for Gorman it’s approximately $4,200 per mile. We used NiCom    last year and they were very good.

Shelly Huber made a motion to accept NiCom’s for crack sealing at $2,125 per mile on the pavementKaty Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

  1. I am still trying to come up with a good location for the Veggie truck.

       The Court may be in session during this time. Jay Wilson indicated that he will continue to work            on a good location for the Veggie truck.

  7.  The pull-offs on Dover Rd, Grimes Hill, etc. is getting a fair amount of use from people     pulling over to use the phone. I am trying to find an alternative plan to closing them off that would keep them open but discourage dumping.

Discussion ensued, with suggestions of installing a camera and signage to deter the illegal dumping at Grimes Hill.

  8.  We have a request for work in the Right Of Way and an access permit for Station Rd. The work was already done so I asked him to get a permit.

Ann Golob made a motion to approve access application permit for changes to the access on Station Road.

Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

 9.  Now that we have a handle on how much money we have available for paving, I would like to put it out to bid this week and possibly open them next week because they would have to complete work by June 30.

The Board agreed to open Sealed Paving Bids on Wednesday May 26, 2021 at 5:30 pm.

 Ann Golob made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s Report. Shelly Huber seconded the motion.   Motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

  • The photos and information that Katy Johnson-Aplin provided to the Selectboard was what I forwarded to the Carr family. The Carr family was grateful for this information.
  • Monday May 10th, there were two other separate incidents involving dogs. I have shared these memos with the Selectboard and am awaiting further information on both of them. I have a scheduled Zoom meeting tomorrow with Sheriff Mark Anderson regarding the Regional Animal Control (RAC) program that will start on July 1st.

The Selectboard would like to schedule a meeting with Sheriff Mark Anderson regarding the Model Animal Control Ordinances prior to July 1, 2021 implementation of the program.  

  •  Walter and Emily Hagedorn have volunteered to work the flower beds here at the Town Office. They have recently moved from Brattleboro and bought a house on Rock River Terrace.  They would like to generously support our efforts to beautify the looks of Newfane Town Office.  The Newfane Garden club was no longer available to work the gardens.

Suggestion was made to have a signed release that any kind of volunteering, Town of Newfane would not be held responsible for personal injuries. 

Suggestion was made to donate the pin wheels to our local NewBrook Elementary School or Timson Hill Preschool.

Ann Golob made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report. Katy Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

Lynn Forrest of the Planning Commission reported they have been focusing on the list of areas for the Selectboard and Planning Commission to work on to improve the Town Plan Development areas.  At the last Planning Commissioners’ meeting there was a motion that passed that the Planning Commission would willingly participate in the Anti- Bias training.

Merle Tessier the Zoning Administrator was present to get approval of the Fee changes that were recommended to the Selectboard in an earlier meeting this spring.

Mike Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Zoning Administrator fee change. Shelly Huber seconded the motion.  Motion passed

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

  1. Ruck –Up Veterans Nonprofit – George Le Grace

George Le Grace’ asked for written permission of Newfane Selectboard to do a Coin Drop on Route 30 in Newfane. Ruck-Up, Inc. is a veteran’s advocacy, outreach, counseling group that works around New England. The Coin- Drop is one of their biggest fund raisers.  The five (5) coin drops held last year helped Ruck Up to raised $20,000.  The date for proposed Coin-Drop is July 10, 2021.  Mr. Le Grace’ requested a letter of approval from the Selectboard.

Shelly Huber made a motion to give permission for Ruck-Up to hold the Coin Drop in Newfane. Mike Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. Motion Passed.

  1. Japanese knotweed – Gloria Cristelli

Wants to bring awareness to the Selectboard of the increased need for controlling the invasive Knotweed, there have been several areas of concern.  The dramatic attack has significantly decreased the distance between the knotweed making contacts with the road.   “It is my recommendation to place the Knotweed on pallets at the place of the cutting to allow for drying before transporting to proper burn site. “

Jay Wilson has in the past used his own personal tractor with a sickle cutter to trim back the Knotweed on Grimes Hill Road.   He is willing to rent his equipment to the Town; by doing this Town insurance will cover the equipment.

Shelly Huber made a motion for Jay to submit an invoice for the rental of his tractor. Ann Golob seconded the motion. Motion Passed.

The septic leach field area behind the Town Office is in need of such attention.  To use a dedicated lawn mower with a catch bag to mow the area and place the debris in a barrel. This would help control the Knotweed on the septic area and could potentially save the Town the replacement cost of this system.  By making this purchase of a Mower strictly for this purpose, it could also be used at other areas.

Gloria also talked about people “adopting a patch of Knotweed” and that person(s) would be responsible for the maintenance of that patch to control the Knot weed problem.

Shelly Huber made a recommendation to have Gloria put her recommendations in writing for further consideration.

3. West River Valley Mutual Aid Anti-Racism Working Group – Apple Gifford

A letter was submitted to the Newfane Selectboard with 145 signatures asking for support and consideration for Anti-Bias training to be offered in Newfane, to employees and elected officials.

Believing that this will send a message to help increase awareness that Newfane is a warm, welcoming choice for those wishing to move here, thereby encouraging growth in Newfane.  By taking a pro active step this will send a welcoming message that Newfane not only to recognize the diverse backgrounds but can share with our neighboring towns that have similar concerns.

Discussion, comments and questions from the public was offered to help bring understanding of what this would be like for Newfane.

Selectboard wanted additional information from the WRVMA group including what other Vermont municipalities have address this issue.

This will be placed on future Selectboard Agendas.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

OLD BUSINESS:

Animal Control Update – Katy Johnson-Aplin

May 11, 2021 Sandy MacDougall, the Dover ACO and I, met at the home on Beech Tree Lane. The dog owner was waiting for us, and was amiable throughout our visit. The fence has been completed, and encloses their back yard entirely with 5’ tall welded wire fencing reinforced with wood along the bottom. We met the three dogs and they were in good condition, and excited to see us. I am pleased with this outcome, and consider this matter closed.   The Carr Family has been notified of the visit and the installation of the fence

 Angela Sanborn wanted to make a public reminder that Newfane does have an Animal Control Ordinance.

That dogs owners need to be responsible and be aware of them, including to “clean up after your dogs.”

Discuss Ideas in the Town Plan –Ann Golob

Discuss Ideas in the Town Plan was tabled for future meetings.

NEW BUSINESS:

CORRESPONDENCE:

The following correspondences were addressed earlier in the meeting.

1.  Reaction to White / Walch letters – Dan Dewalt

2.  Support of Anti- Racism Training for Town Employees and Officials –Nicole Graziano, Thomas Ely, Johanna Gardner, Rev Robert Hamm, Kendra Dias

 

TREASURERS REPORT / DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR’S REPORT

Adoption of the New a Delinquent Tax Policy was previously tabled to allowing the Board sufficient time to review.

Shelly Huber made a motion to adopt the Delinquent Tax Policy. Ann Golob seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

PAY ORDERS:

Payroll Warrant No #11512                     Amount $ 7,152.28

Payroll Warrant No #11513                      Amount $ 5,587.69

Account Payable No # 21022                   Amount $ N/A

Shelly Huber made a motion to approve pay orders. Ann Golob seconded the motion. Motion Passed.

ADJOURN:

Ann Golob made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm.

Respectfully Submitted

Administrative Assistant

Wannetta Powling