Selectboard Regular Meeting Monday, August 7th, 2023

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

OTHERS PRESENT: Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson, Captain Paul Samataro, Breeze Verdant,

Joan Weir, Austin Rice (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant)
Zoom:  Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Jane Douglas (Planning Commissioner), Deborah Luskin, Henriette Mantel, Lori Chase, Carol Hesselbach (Town Clerk), 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:  

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

July 17th, 2023, Special Meeting

Golob made a motion to accept the July 17th minutes, and Fitzpatrick seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4/0/1. Chevalier abstained.

 

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. The roadside mower came a few weeks early because the town that had it before us had too much damage to mow. The mower broke down today so that it can be fixed easily.

 

  1. I got the order of road name signs in and noticed that more signs have disappeared lately.

 

  1. The damaged roads the contractors are fixing are going well, and we have one more out to bid for two spots on Dover Road.

 

  1. The access permit on Dover Road we had held up from the last meeting can be approved. Christopher Williams went and met with VTrans and the landowner and thought it looked fine.

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

Discussion: Ensued

On item #2, the Sheriff suggested that neighbors must look out for neighbors; communicating on Front Porch Forum is an excellent way to share information. Any suspicious behavior should be reported to Law Enforcement.

A contractor requested an initial partial payment for purchasing work materials. Wilson commented that the work was more than half completed. Selectboard members agreed that this request was acceptable and reasonable. Golob made a motion to make a partial payment to the contractor. Johnson-Aplin seconded.
Motion carried.

On item #4, the Strickland access permit at #68 Dover Road was previously approved and held until further inspection was completed. Golob made a motion to have Chair Sanborn sign the application. Chevalier seconded the motion. Motion carried.

American Red Cross sent additional information to Wilson for those homeowners that had experienced damage during the recent flooding. Powling was asked to forward this information to those families that had reported damage and filed claims with 211 United Way.
Sealed Bids were opened.
Dover Road Repair

  1. S. Clark & Sons from Newfane, VT
    Location #1 West of Lynch Bridge on Dover Road                                          $ 57,100
    Location #2 Across from #621 Dover Road                                                        $ 13,900                                                                                                                     Total Bid amount $ 71,000

 

  1. Fitzpatrick Excavating from Wardsboro, VT
    Location #1 West of Lynch Bridge on Dover Road                                          $ 14,500
    Location #2 Across from #621 Dover Road                                                   $   8,500                                                                                                                    Total Bid amount $ 23,000

 

Discussion: Ensued

Golob made a motion to accept Fitzpatrick Excavating as the lowest bidder. Chevalier seconded.

Motion passed 4/0/1. Fitzpatrick had recused himself.

The vote was called. Motion passed 5/0

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT: 

  1. The Chair of the Selectboard has been asked to sign a letter tonight from the Listers; they have been proactive and have filed that Newfane will proceed with the Town-wide reappraisal in 2027. By signing this document, it acknowledges that Newfane is aware of the new Law and has already made the arrangements to comply with ACT 68.
  2. With the Arch Bridge replacement completed, a letter was emailed that the Municipality was given the opportunity for input at the final inspection and found the works acceptable.
  3. I have an Animal Control Contract for Services with an amendment/change as well as a Windham County Humane Society Impound Contract that needs a signature. (Note: this was already approved at Town Meeting. Newfane pays a flat fee of $534; additional fees may apply for animals held longer than five days or for veterinary services if needed.)

  4. Next Tuesday, August 15th, is the VT Community Leadership Summit in Randolph, VT. Katy Johnson-Aplin and I have already registered for this training. (I will not be in the Office that day.)
  5. August 21st is the scheduled Public Hearing for the Flood Plain and River Corridor proposed By Law Change. The Legal Notice was published in the Reformer on July 27th.  (This is more than the required 15-day notice, it is 25 days.)
  6. The Selectboard has received a resignation letter from the Newfane Health Officer, effective August 31st. If the position is not filled by that date, it will become the Selectboard Chair’s responsibility until it is filled. This is a three-year State appointment. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations that you would like me to follow up on for you?

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

Discussion:

  1. Golob made a motion to have the Chair sign the letter for the Listers, and Fitzpatrick seconded.

Motion passed.

  1. Golob made a motion to have the Chair sign the letter for the State of Vermont for the final Arch bridgework, and Johnson-Aplin seconded. Motion passed.
  2. Johnson-Aplin made a motion to have the Chair sign the amended Animal Control contract, and Chevalier seconded. Motion passed.
    Golob made a motion to have the Chair sign the Humane Society contract, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.  Motion passed.
  3. A resignation letter from Dr. Timothy Shafer was read to the public. Sanborn will contact the Vermont Department of Health, Dr. Shafer, and the NewBrook Fire Department for more information.

    The vote was called. Motion passed 5/0

COMMITTEE REPORT:

None

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Sanborn turned the meeting over to Selectboard members Johnson-Aplin and Chevalier.

Captain Paul Samataro joined Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson to address concerns from the Traffic Calming Committee and answer questions regarding the plans for additional patrol presence.

Discussion:

Members of the public asked questions of the Sheriff.

Sheriff Anderson said that our department follows the three components of traffic safety: Engineering, Education, and Enforcement. This is compared to a three-legged stool, without one, the others can’t stand or work effectively.

  • Pilot project of shared coverage with other towns was discussed as a possible option for additional law enforcement coverage. (This would be similar to the model used for Animal Control Coverage.) The New Regional Policing project manager (new hire) will be starting shortly and should be ready to make presentations about the plan within four weeks. The public has recognized the need for additional service, just as they had with the Animal Control Program. WCSD will be moving forward with more discussions with interested Town officials.
  • Members of the Traffic Control Committee shared their goal to make the streets safe for everyone, including bicycles, pedestrians, and horses.
  • Sheriff Anderson mentioned that he would make available a patrol officer from the Department to meet with the Traffic Calming Committee at a future committee meeting to order to better understand the needs and achieving the safety goals.
  • Captain Samataro reminded everyone that through the Governor Highway Safety Grant, another full-time officer would come out to do traffic safety on top of the currently scheduled hours for coverage.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None


OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Town Beautification suggestions (Chevalier) No Update
  2. FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)

Golob mentioned that they are still waiting to hear if FEMA will accept the application for the buyout. But a one-year extension was granted to complete the Emergency Mitigation Plan, which is a requirement from FEMA. The Phase 1 inspection research is going to start next week.

  1. ARPA Funds Updates (Golob) No Update

  2. Flood Plain River Corridor By-Law proposed changes.
    Golob reminded those interested in researching the information before the hearing on August 21st that a PowerPoint presentation is available on the town website.

  3. Personal Policy Recommendations (Johnson-Aplin)
    Revised changes are being reviewed at the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. No additional updates

 

NEW BUSINESS
None

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • A letter regarding a Zoning complaint was received. Sanborn said that this would need to be researched further.
  • Windham County NAACP – will be holding their Fourth Annual Freedom Fund Dinner honoring Founder Dr. Stephen Gillom on Saturday, October 21st, at the American Legion in Brattleboro.
  • SeVEDS – BDCC is looking for municipal members to join a new program, “So. VT Get on Board.” to help recruit and train community members interested in local government.

The Selectboard meeting was suspended to go into the first Cannabis Control Commission at 7:20 pm. The Selectboard resumed at 7:29

Fitzpatrick attended via phone and left the meeting at 7:29 pm.

PAY ORDERS

  1.   Payroll Warrant # 11634                                               Amount $  6,784.53
  2. Payroll Warrant # 11635                                               Amount $  4,472.14
  3. Account Payable # 240037                                          Amount $     954.58

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

ADJOURN:
Golob made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling, Administrative Assistant