DRAFT
Special Meeting Tuesday, January 16th, 2024

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97227911757#success
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https//zoom. Us/join            Meeting ID:  972 2791 1757 Passcode:  352680

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

PRESENT:
Merle Tessier (Zoning), Melissa Brown (Treasurer), Bob Litchfield (Newfane Village), Peter Kelleher (BCTV), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).

Zoom:
Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Ryan Silvestri (New England Municipal Consultants, Ltd), Jane Douglas (Planning Commission), Beckley Gaudette (Lister), Doris Knetchel (Lister), Dan Dewalt.

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:  

EXECUTIVE SESSION:
 1 VSA ~313 (a) (3) Employment matter of public officer or employee

Fitzpatrick made a motion to go into Executive Session, and Chevalier seconded. Powling was invited into the Executive Session.
Motion passed.

The Selectboard Entered the Executive Session at 6:04 p.m.

Fitzpatrick made a motion to leave Executive Session and Chevalier seconded.
Motion passed.

The Selectboard Left Executive Session at 6:16 p.m.

The Selectboard will not act; the matter is still pending.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1. January 2^nd, 2024, Special Minutes
   Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the January 2^nd, 2024, Special Minutes, and Chevalier seconded.
   Motion passed. Golob abstained.

2. January 4^th, 2024, Budget Minutes
   Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the January 4^th, 2024, Budget Minutes, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
   Motion passed. Golob abstained.

3. January 11^th, 2024, Budget Minutes
   Chevalier made a motion to accept the January 11th, 2024, Budget Minutes, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
   Motion passed. Fitzpatrick abstained.

 

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

1. I talked with Christina from Sedgwick, who is an adjuster handling the Adams Hill Bridge. So far, she has asked for a copy of the invoice and additional pictures. In the last email this afternoon, she asked where to send the check.
2. I have a message into Bob Fisher’s office to prepare the ROW paperwork for the Loop Road box culvert.
3. Bill Jewell is trying to find a new engineer to get the phasing mapping done for RSG.
4. I had a meeting with NRCS in Williamsville Village, and they determined that the log pile did not pose a threat to bridges downstream. We should be getting the official determination letter soon.

Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept Road Forman’s Report, and Chevalier seconded.
Discussion:
Landowners Ross and Triebert will be informed of the progress of the Rock River flood mediation project as developments occur.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to have Sanborn sign the NRCS contract, Fitzpatrick second.
Motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
No report

COMMITTEE REPORT:
None

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 Newfane, Williamsville, S. Newfane, and Brookside residents and how the funds they are requesting will be used.

• Incorporated Village of Newfane – Bob Litchfield, Village Trustee

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None

NEW BUSINESS
None

OLD BUSINESS:
Budget and Article Items

Office of Lister – Doris Knetchel, Beckley Gaudette, and Ryan Silvestri (New England Municipal Consultants, Ltd) presented clarifying information regarding Lister’s budget and the Assessor’s new contract. Listers are required to have additional training to comply with the new State regulations. It was mentioned that it is currently necessary to maintain local control from citizen Listers. The Assessor could hear any appeals during grievance and strengthen the Towns Grand List. A recommendation was made to add $8,000 for FY 2025 and the following year to cover the anticipated expense of town-wide reappraisal in 2027.

Golob made a motion to authorize Sanborn to sign the New England Municipal Consultants contract, and Fitzpatrick seconded.
Motion Passed.

Zoning Administrator-FY, 2025 wages increase.
Discussion:
It was agreed that a three-dollar raise for the part-time (eight hours per week) position was justified; finding people to fill these needed hours is becoming difficult. This increase will increase the Zoning Administrator to $20 per hour on July 1^st.

Town Beautification (Chevalier)
No updates

FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)

No updates

ARPA Funds Updates (Golob)
No updates

Personnel Policy changes/ recommendation (Johnson-Aplin/Chevalier)
No updates

CORRESPONDENCE:
None

Golob and Johnson-Aplin attended remotely and left the meeting at 7:20 p.m.

PAY ORDERS

1. 1. Payroll # 11661                $6,342.10
   2. Payroll # 11662                $9,780.42
   3. AP # 24016                       $43,328.92

Chevalier made a motion to approve pay orders, and Fitzpatrick seconded.
Motion passed.

ADJOURN:

Fitzpatrick made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant
SC/ AEL