Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes

Monday, April 15th, 2024

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

PRESENT: Pamela Spalding (Ruck-Up), George LeGace (Ruck-Up), Jane Douglas (Planning Commission and NACV), Kate Gehring (Planning Commission), Austin Rice (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).
Zoom:  Jay Wilson (Road Foreman).

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:  
None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
April 1, 2024, Regular Minutes –Tabled

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. I heard from the trucking company for the Adams Hill Road Bridge, he expects to hear from the insurance adjusters later this week if not he will contact their supervisor and ask them to move it along.
  2. The people that paint the crosswalks, speed limits, and stop bars will be in town one day this week at night to paint our stuff.
  3. Nothing new on the Green Iron bridge work from Fitzgerald Engineering.
  4. Nothing new on the Gravel Pit.
  5. We are still planning to have another salt shed meeting to discuss replacing the engineer.
  6. I have reached out to the town attorney again for the Loop Road easement.

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

#6. Litchfield will contact the Town Attorney regarding other town business and will follow up on the request for the status of the Loop Road easement.
Sealed Bids were opened.

Crushed Gravel
Bid submitted                        Price per yard delivered.

  1. Gordon Gravel                         $27.50
  2. AS Clark & Son                         $23.00
  3.  Renaud Gravel                        $30.50
  4. JP Trucking & Excavating        $33.25
  5. Derrig Excavating                    $28.75

Road Forman and the Road Commissioner will inspect the crushed gravel and report at the May 6th meeting before the Selectboard awards the bid.

Ditch Stone
Bid submitted                           Price per yard delivered.

  1. A.S. Clark& Son’s                               $28.00
  2. Renaud Gravel                                  $34.00
  3. Cersosimo Industries                       $31.56

Wilson stated that the Town has been using the ditch stone from A.S. Clark and that it is a good material.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the bid from A.S. Clark Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion.
The motion passed.

Wilson asked to table the Dean Wilson access permit for #505 South Wardsboro Road, pending the Subdivision Hearing with the Development Review Board scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th.

The Road Foreman said he is currently working on three repairs that will be going out to bid. These include Hunter Brook, Grout Road, and Roy Brook Bridge. There will also be an Emergency Grant for repairs on Stratton Hill Road.
The Chair called a vote to accept the Road Foreman’s Report.
The motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT: 

  1. I have the 2024-25 contracts from the Windham County Humane Society (WCHS) holding facility. The current contract expires June 30th. This will continue to allow the ACO to drop off stray or seized animals; the fee is the same as the three previous years: $534.
    We received a reimbursement check for $108 impound fees for 30 animals taken to the shelter in 2023.
  2. I attended the April 9th VLCT Zoom training “Before Grant Writing” and have registered for the “Open Meeting Law.” This will be a review of the basic requirements of the law. I am registered to attend the Windham Regional Housing Resource tomorrow at the NBFD from 4 to 6 p.m.
  3. I shared the comments and concerns from Bahaman’s review of the proposed Revised Website presentation; this is still scheduled for the May 6th meeting. Have you had a chance to review these, and are you still interested in seeing their presentation?

Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant Report, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to have the Chair sign the WCHS contract, and Fitzpatrick seconded.
The motion passed.

The Chair called a vote to accept the Administrative Assistant’s Report.
The motion passed.

 

COMMITTEE REPORT
Planning Commission- Jane Douglas and Kate Gehring presented the recommendation for the new Zoning Administrator.

We have also spoken with Katie Bristol about her interest in the position. We note that she is interested in making a long-term commitment to the Town and the position. Bristol has a dedicated interest in Zoning and the role and responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator in Newfane and that she brings skills, experience, and perspective from her work with the Town Listers.

Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the recommendation and appoint Katy Bristol as the replacement Zoning Administrator. Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Ruck up – Volunteers Pamela Spalding and George LeGace approached the Selectboard to ask for their support for the veteran’s organization to hold the annual “Coin Drop” July 20th  with a rain date of July 21st near the center of Newfane Village: The focus of the program is to help fill the gaps in service, by providing advocacy support to help with VA and Social Security Claims, peer counseling, support and outreach assistance are provided to veterans who are in crisis, disabled or homeless from all branches of the military. Ruck-Up receives no State or Federal Funds; they rely on the donation support of communities.

Fitzpatrick made a motion to provide a letter of support to Ruck-Up for the “Coin Drop” in Newfane. Johnson-Aplin seconded. The motion passed.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Newfane-Anew: Jane Douglas provided a brief account of the musical program held at the Union Hall and described the great turnout of musical enthusiasts who filled the hall to capacity; future monthly programs will see upgrades and add to the enjoyment of all.

NEW BUSINESS
None

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Town Beautification (Chevalier) – Unavailable
  2. FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob) – Unavailable
  3. ARPA Funds Updates (Golob) – Unavailable
  4. Personnel Policy changes/ recommendation (Johnson-Aplin/Chevalier)

Discussion ensued:

Additional questions regarding the changes to the updated policy need clarification from VLCT.
Selectboard members will contact VLCT and present a revised draft of the Personnel Policy at a future meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE:
Nancy Rysz – Sent a letter about plow damage to the yard.
Litchfield expressed concern for the challenging work of the Highway crew during the recent storms and for the concerns expressed in the letter. Litchfield offered to meet with Ms. Rysz to discuss her concerns.

Health Officer –Dr. Timothy Shafer sent a follow-up letter of his investigation of rental property in Williamsville.
Discussion ensued.
Johnson-Aplin asked if the conditions/improvement had not been met due to the building’s historical nature and what the Town’s responsibility is going forward. Litchfield will address these questions with members of VLCT to report back with the answers at a future meeting.

PAY ORDERS

  1. Payroll # 11675                 $ 6,657.52
  2. Payroll # 11676                 $ 5,652.98
  3. AP # 24023                 $ 104,513.80

Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve the pay orders. Johnson-Aplin seconded. The motion passed.

 ADJOURN:
Fitzpatrick made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant