Regular Meeting Monday, November 6th, 2023
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 PRESENT:
Angela Litchfield, Mike Fitzpatrick, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Jeffrey Chevalier, and Ann Golob (Zoom).

OTHERS PRESENT:
Jeryl Julian Cisse (VT Adult Learning), Ryck Morales (SBA), Austin Rice (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).

Zoom:
  Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Jane Douglas (NewBrook/Newfane Anew, Planning Commission), Kate Gehring (Planning Commission), Maya Richmond (WCHS), Andrea Seaton (Grace Cottage), Kate Alberghini (Green-Up VT), Kathleen Devlin (SEVCA).

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 AGENDA:  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1. October 16^th, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
   Golob made a motion to accept the October 16^th, 2023, Regular Minutes, and Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.
   Motion passed. Fitzpatrick abstained.

2. October 30^th, 2023, Budget Meeting Minutes.
   Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the October 30^th, 2023, Budget Minutes, and Chevalier seconded the motion.
   Motion passed.

3. September 14^th, 2023, Special Meeting Minutes.
   Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the September 14^th, 2023, Special Meeting minutes, Golob seconded.
   Motion passed. Chevalier and Johnson-Aplin abstained.

 

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

1. We met with FEMA again today to go over damage reports for the July 10^th
2. If the weather cooperates, the rest of the Grimes Hill pavement repairs will be done this week.
3. We received a draft of the Act 250 application from Bill Jewell; both Ann and I added notes to it and have sent it back to Bill Jewell. We are waiting for the new data from the sound study to be attached to the application.
4. If all goes well, we plan on side-dressing the shoulders of the new pavement on South Wardsboro Road this week.
5. The pre-bid meeting for the Loop Road box culvert was held last week, and bids are due November 28^th.

Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Road Foreman & Road Commissioners report and Chevalier seconded.

 

Discussion ensued:

1. There is a projection that the FEMA payments are going to be slow in coming back for the repairs.
2. Litchfield asked if Wilson would make an inquiry from the NRCS to see if they had any updates to the site visit.

The vote was called. Motion passed.

Access Permit – 302 Newfane Hill Road /Tyler Russell was reviewed.

Discussion ensued:
Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve the access permit, with the installation on an 18” culvert, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
Motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT: 

1. There is a request for an appointment to the Development Review Board from Cristine White. Would you like to make this appointment tonight?
2. There is an offer to assist smaller towns and villages with “designing a Mobil-friendly and ADA-compliant website.” They will manage all technical support and train in how to use the software. They are out of Watertown, NY. I have included some information, but would you like me to pursue additional information? (see the attachments)
3. On Wednesday, November 8^th, from 2:30-4, there will be V.L.C.T. training on ADA 101: What your Municipality Needs to Know. I have set this up for Katy and me to attend. Is anyone else interested?
4. Bill Morse called this morning looking for the Selectboard to respond to his letter of September 5^th
5. Sierra Pratt has completed the October Bank recons. She will not be able to continue doing the monthly bank statements. Do you have any recommendations for replacements?
6. On November 8^th, at the Stone Church in Brattleboro, they will be having the Producers Award, and they will be recognizing retiring BCTV Director Cor Trowbridge.

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

1. Fitzpatrick made a motion to appoint Cristine White to the DRB, Johnson-Aplin seconded.
   The motion passed.

1. Johnson-Aplin said that she had done some research with the same web design and would recommend getting more information on updating the Town website, including getting a quote.

The vote was called. Motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORT:
Traffic Calming Committee-Johnson-Aplin
provided an update on the work that the Traffic Calming Committee (TCC) has been discussing, including the concerns for speed enforcement, beautification efforts, ordering, and sign placements for Williamsville. To help create driver awareness, the TCC has suggested placements of “Hikers, Bikers, and Horses Ahead.” TCC is still working on the details for presenting the budget request at a Selectboard meeting in December.  TCC will meet on Wednesday, November 29^th, and Wednesday, December 20^th; the public is encouraged to attend our meetings.  Wilson mentioned that the over-height limit warning lights for the covered bridge is $20,000. Wilson also mentioned that it is not reasonable to place cameras on the bridge to monitor traffic and over-height vehicles.

 

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
The following agencies and organizations gave a three to five-minute explanation of the program and services they provide to the residents of Newfane, Williamsville, S. Newfane, and Brookside and how the funds they are requesting are going to be used.

Grace Cottage Hospital – Andrea Seaton
NewBrook News/ Newfane A New – Jane Douglas
Windham County Humane Society – Maya Richmond
Green-Up Vermont – Kate Alberghini
SEVCA- Executive Director, Kathleen Devlin
VT Adult Learning- Jeryl Julian-Cisse

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Ryck Morales, a public Affairs Specialist from the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience/U.S Small Business Administration came and provided Newfane with additional flood recovery options and instructions for businesses and nonprofits can get loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property up to $2 Million. Homeowners can get up to $200,000 to repair or replace a primary residence and get additional assistance to help mitigate against future disasters. Homeowners and renters can get up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property, furniture, appliances, and vehicles.

Facts:

• There is no obligation to accept the loan if it is approved.
• You don’t need to know how much to ask for when you apply.
• You don’t need to wait for settled insurance claims, FEMA grants, or estimates before applying.
• Loans can be used for insurance deductibles, require building code upgrades, or require relocation.
• Additional information is available from the Administrative Assistant at the Town Office. Litchfield asked that the information be put on the website.

 

NEW BUSINESS
None

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Town Beautification suggestions (Chevalier)
   None

2. FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)
   None

3. ARPA Funds Updates (Golob)
   None

4. Personnel Policy Recommendations (Johnson-Aplin).

Litchfield asked if the Board could preview the changes and notes for the Personnel Policy at the Budget meeting Monday night.

• CORRESPONDENCE:
  Rock River Players – Thank you for the ARPA donation.
  Grace Cottage Hospital- Thank you for the FY 2023 donations.

The Selectboard meeting was suspended for the Board of Liquor Control at 7:27 p.m.
The Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:29 p.m. (see Board of Liquor Control Minutes).
Golob attended remotely and left the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

PAY ORDERS

1. Payroll # 11649                  $ 6,927.41
2. Payroll # 11650                  $ 6,684.70
3. AP # 24010                         $ 464,994.03
4. AP # 24011                         $1,068,318.37
5. Payroll # 11651                 $5,182.44

Fitzpatrick 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 was adjourned at 7:48 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant
AL