Unassigned

Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes December 19th, 2022

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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Angela Sanborn, Ann Golob, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Jeffrey Chevalier.
Absent: Mike Fitzpatrick.

OTHERS PRESENT: State Senator Nader Hashim, Austin Rice (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant);
Zoom: Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Jane Douglas, Melissa Brown (Treasurer).

CALL to ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.

CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED:  Powling confirmed the meeting had been properly warned.

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:  
Golob made a motion to move State Senator Nader Hashim to the top of the agenda. Johnson –Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed 4/0.

State Senator Nader Hashim was in attendance to introduce himself as the newly elected State Senator for Vermont. He said he has been trying to meet with as many Selectboards as possible to help put a face to a name and to open lines of communication. Senator Hashim asked if there were any concerns that you want him to advocate for so that he can take them to Montpelier when the new session begins on January 4th, 2023.

  • Traffic and pedestrian safety were mentioned by Golob.
  • Johnson-Aplin suggested the need to impose a “Headlight Law” for driver visibility and safety.
  • Sanborn brought up the lack of available, affordable housing.
  • Johnson-Aplin brought up the need for more public transportation in the West River Valley area and the lack of funding available to make this a reality.

    Senator Hashim addressed the problem with staffing issues that the state is dealing with, including Law Enforcement agencies. He agreed that traffic issues, available housing, and infrastructure were among the top three priorities in our area. Senator Hashim was asked what his top three priorities were; his response was Housing, Climate Change, and Workforce Development.

The Selectboard thanked Senator Hashim for his time.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Contract issue; discussion under Vermont article 1 V.S.A. § 313(a) (2).
Golob made a motion to go into Executive Session at 6:16 p.m. Chevalier seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0.
Road Foreman Jay Wilson was invited into Executive Session.

Chevalier made a motion to leave Executive Session at 6:44 p.m. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0.

Decision of the Board: To go forward with the contract issue.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  1. December 5, 2022, Selectboard Minutes
    Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the December 5th minutes. Chevalier seconded the motion.
    Motion passed 4/0.

  2. December 12, 2022, Budget Minutes
    Golob made a motion to approve the December 12th budget minutes. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.
    Motion passed 4/0.

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. The Depot Rd. box culvert is tentatively scheduled to go out to bid in February and be awarded in March for completion next summer.
  2. Marc Pickering has spoken to the Rock River folks about the lack of parking available for next summer at the swimming hole due to the road work on RT 30.
  3. The sand/salt shed has nothing new to report.
  4. This weekend’s storm left many people without power, and the many downed trees posed a challenge for plowing.
  5. The Roy Brooks bridge was inspected by the state, and they were happy with the new bridge.
  6. I spoke with Mike Renaud, and they have split up the payment for Roy Brooks bridge, so we will pay half now and a half after July 1.
  7. We are still working on getting permission to move the monument on the common back from the road.
  8. The Newfane Village sidewalk scoping study group will be holding a public meeting on January 19, 2023, at 6:00 pm at the town office.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s Report. Golob seconded the motion.
Discussion ensued.

  1. Sealed bids were opened for the Town Office renovations.
    Construction – Randy Levitt                       $ 23,750

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the bid from Randy Levitt. Golob seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0

Plumbing –                     Al Jeffers & Sons               $ 37,874
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the bid from Al Jeffers & Sons. Chevalier seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0

Electrical –                        Larson Electric                   $ 9,265
Chevalier made a motion to accept the bid from Larson Electric. Golob seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0.

 Motion passed 4/0 to accept the Road Foreman’s Report.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

  1. I emailed the Selectboard packets to you on Thursday, included in it was the final report from the USDA Department of Natural Resources, and the cover letter is from Travis Thomason, State Conservationist. This is for the property at 65 Baker Brook Road. How do you want to proceed with notifying the property owner?
    I am not aware that she has been notified by the USDA.
  2. DV Fiber has provided a template letter (I have this for you tonight) to notify the Broadband Board of Newfane’s pledge for $3,000. When Newfane sends this letter, the Deerfield Valley CUD will receive a matching pledge from the Vermont Community Broadband Board. To help with the connection of those that meet the eligibility requirements.
  3. This is a reminder that your committee reports are due for the Town Report by January 6th. We are trying to keep the cost of printing the Town Report – we are asking that you keep your reports to a maximum of two pages.
  4. Wednesday, December 21st at 6 pm is the last scheduled budget meeting.

    January 2nd is considered a Federal Holiday. Would the Selectboard prefer to meet on Tuesday, January 3rd?
    Discussion ensued.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to move the Selectboard meeting to Tuesday, January 3rd. Chevalier seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0.

Golob made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistants Report. Chevalier seconded the motion.
Discussion ensued:

  • Golob requested clarification on the DV Fiber template letter. Further discussion was tabled to the January 3rd meeting to allow for additional information.
  • The Selectboard agreed that a letter will be drafted to send copies of the USDA report to the property owner at 65 Baker Brook Road.

Motion passed 4/0 to accept the Administrative Assistants Report.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
Tax sales update –
Treasurer Melissa Brown provided an overview of the agreement that was discussed for a property to avoid a Tax Sale. Selectboard agreed with the arrangements and is grateful to Brown for the work that has gone into making the arrangements 

COMMITTEE REPORT:
Town Clerk Carol Hesselbach – The email from Shelly Huber was read by Chair Sanborn requesting three new appointments to the Board of Civil Authority in order to fulfill the minimum Republican Party representation of three persons that are allowed by Vermont statute 17 V.S.A.  2143.  The three requesting nominations for the Republican Party to be added to the Board of Civil Authority are:

1. Shelly Huber
2. Chris White
3. Erica Walch
Golob made a motion to add the three names to the Board of Civil Authority.  Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0.

Traffic Calming Committee (TCC) Updates
Johnson-Aplin stated that the first meeting of the TCC was well attended by nine of the members. There was a discussion of what would be reasonable goals and objectives. At the next meeting scheduled for January 17th, members are expected to return with their creative solutions and be ready to share these with other members.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
State Senator Nader Hashim (amended to the top of the agenda).

Social Appropriations
The following list of organizations presented a brief explanation of how their organization has benefited -and enriched the residents of Newfane. (This information is available at the Town Office and wlll be published in the Town Report.)

  1. Tammie Putnam – Southeastern Vermont Community Action Inc.
  2. Vickie Sterling – Women’s Freedom Center
  3. Katie Alberghini – Green Up Vermont
  4. Gloria Cristelli- Senior Solutions
  5. Anthony Knox – Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire
  6. Maya Richmond – Windham County Humane Society
  7. Hillary Farquhar- Brattleboro Area Hospice
  8. Becca Schaefer- Valley Cares Inc
  9. Elizabeth Erickson – NewBrook PTO * (this is the first time NewBrook PTO has applied)

    The following organizations missed their appointment and will be removed from the Articles presented to the Town at Town Meeting.
    Linda J. Meleady- Vermont Center for Independent Living

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None

OLD BUSINESS
Including items carried over from Budget Meetings (10 Minutes per topic)

  1. ARPA Updates: (Golob)
    None
  2. Cannabis Updates: (Johnson-Aplin)
    None
  3. Town Beautification: suggestions (Chevalier)
    Chevalier commented that he is still putting ideas together and will have more information to share at the January 3rd meeting, including a press release, “Searching for Local Artists.”
  4. Does Selectboard want to consider how to spend the $500 in the budget for board compensation?

    Tabled until the Budget meeting on 12.21.2022

  5. Evaluate whether we should put oil purchases for heating out to bid to lock in a lower price.
    Wilson can give highway fuel usage information.
  6. Discuss ideas for a 250-year celebration of Newfane’s founding. (Johnson-Aplin)
    No update

NEW BUSINESS
None

CORRESPONDENCE
State of Vermont Department of Taxes
Commissioner of Taxes Releases FY 2024 Education Tax Rate Letter was read into the minutes of the meeting.
A suggestion was made to include this letter on the Town Website.

PAY ORDERS
Payroll Warrant #11599                                        Amount $     5,811.54
Account Payable # 23013                             Amount $   115,175.36

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve Pay Orders. Chevalier seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0.

ADJOURN:
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling
Administrative Assistant