Tuesday, January 18, 2022, Selectboard Minutes

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Masks are required by those attending in-person / if unable to do so; please use the Zoom Link provided

Zoom Meeting   https://zoom.us/joinameeting      Meeting ID: 972 2791 1757   Passcode:352680

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Angela Sanborn, Ann Golob, and Shelly Huber with Katy Johnson- Aplin (via Zoom),  Absent: Mike Fitzpatrick

OTHERS PRESENT:   Kate Gehring & guest, Deborah Luskin, Brian Guerino – B.C.T.V., and Wannetta Powling  (Zoom) Jay Wilson, Jane Douglas, Ken Estey, Cris White, Carol Hesselbach, Sandra Dadik, Gloria Cristelli, Steve Levine, and Jeryl Julian Cisse

CALL TO ORDER: Due to technical issues, the meeting was called to order at 6:12 pm by Selectboard Chair Angela Sanborn.

 

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:  Ann Golob asked to add a discussion on ARPA funding updates during the old business.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  • January 3, 2021, Regular Meeting.

Ann Golob made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 3, regular meeting. Katy Johnson- Aplin seconded the motion.  – Motion passed 3/0. Shelly Huber abstained.

  • January 10, 2021, Budget Meeting.

Ann Golob made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 10, budget meeting. Shelly Huber seconded the motion.   Motion passed 4/0.

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. The bat houses are installed at the old town garage.
  2. We received a proposal from David Balk, Engineer, to do the Environmental Site Assessment for the Radway Hill property. His price was $2,000, and it could be done in 2 weeks.
  3. The snowfall yesterday was a nice change from the ice storms we have been having, and hopefully, it will help insulate the culverts to keep the water flowing. We have several spots where the water is running across the road and freezing in the road, and we are working on these spots.
  4. We are getting closer to getting the pedestrian scoping study started for Newfane Village.
  5. The bids for Monroe Bridge are due to be opened tonight.
  6. Depot Rd. box culvert condemnation is still between Fisher’s office and V.T.R.A.N.S.
  7. The Sand/Salt shed is hopefully going out to bid soon.

Bids for Monroe Bridge Cleaning & Greasing were opened (only one bid was received by deadline)

  • Vermont Protective Coatings Inc. from Brandon, VT                       Bid amount $372,275.00

Shelly Huber made a motion to accept the Vermont Protective Coatings Inc. bid for $372,275.Ann Golob seconded. Motion passed 4/0

Environmental Phase I Assessment-

  • David Balk Brattleboro, VT, provided a written proposal to include a written report/assessment in two weeks for the Gavel Pit on Radway Hill for $2,000.
  • A senior Geologist from Terracon Consultants in Manchester NH, Sean Kennedy, provided a written proposal to include a written report/assessment in three weeks for the Gavel Pit on Radway Hill for $2,700.

Discussion:

Shelly Huber made a motion to accept the Environmental Assessment proposal from David Balk for $2,000Ann Golob seconded. Motion passed 4/0

Shelly Huber made a motion to approve the Road Foreman’s Report. Ann Golob seconded. Motion Passed 4/0.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT: 

  • I have updated the figures on the proposed budget for your review and signature tonight.
  • There is also a Draft of the Town Meeting Warning for your review and signature.
  • Legislative Bills 172 and S.223 were waiting for the governor’s signature on Thursday.
  • Doris Knechtel has submitted a letter for your consideration. She would like to propose that Katy Bristol be given a pay increase. This increase has already been included in the Listers budget and will in no way affect the proposed budget you are considering tonight.

Shelly Huber made a motion to approve Katy Bristol’s raise from $16.00 to $18.00 per hour retroactive to January 1, 2022. Ann Golob seconded. Motion passed 4/0.

Shelly Huber made a motion to approve the Administrative Assistant’s Report. Ann Golob seconded. Roll call-motion passed 4/0.

 COMMITTEE REPORT

Planning Commission – Ken Estey provided the Selectboard with a PowerPoint presentation that explained the survey results from residents and made a series of six recommendations for the Selectboard to consider. The excerpts below are taken from Ken’s report.

Quick Overview of ARPA Survey Results –How the People of Newfane Spent their $100

  • Economic Sustainability (ES)    $ 14,17
  • Community Life (CL)                 $ 11,439
  • Transportation (T)                    $   9,500
  • Housing Access (HA)                $  8,090

We also asked survey-takers to choose among the sub-categories below each of the four major categories. We looked at those responses, totaled the numbers, and created the following six recommendations.

Recommendation #1

Purchase and/or renovate a building or buildings in Newfane (e.g., Newfane Inn or abandoned South Newfane Country Store) to develop a multi-use center for housing and to promote businesses & provide multi-generational community space.

Responses 340 received: 

  • Develop a community center by upgrading existing community building(s)                 97
  • Create a fund for community arts, recreation spaces, and events                                 70
  • Purchase and renovate the property in Newfane for economic development and housing 64
  • Create business incubation space                                                                                        13
  • Fund support for local child-care                                                                                          96

Recommendation #2

Partner with neighboring towns to create a multi-use center providing multi-generational community space and create a shuttle service between Newfane and neighboring towns. This space could include food service, entertainment, and recreation such as a skate park, swimming pool, or skating rink.

  1. See reasons for Recommendation #1
  2. Discussions with Leland & Gray students who want places to go
  3. Considerable interest in transportation                                                                                               Establish bus service to connect Newfane residents w/ work, school, & services                                      Responses 143

Reason for Recommendation #3  

Provide funding for renovating or upgrading septic systems for homeowners who want to create long-term housing units in their homes or as accessory dwelling units.

  • Fund incentives for the creation of affordable and accessible long-term housing, in individual homes and appropriate-scale multi-dwelling units
  • Responses 189

Reasons for Recommendation #4

Allocate funding for broadband drop costs (connection to broadband) and possible underground connection costs to residents for whom such costs are not affordable.

  1. Economic sustainability received the most dollars in the survey overall. Broadband is an essential component of the workplace (whether one works at home or away from home).
  2. The votes for the initiatives below suggest a need to support local and home-based businesses (or to develop new businesses).                                                                                         Responses 189
  • Establish local farmers, crafters, artists markets                 127
  • Promote local businesses, arts, farms, recreation, and tourism   97
  • Provide recovery relief for local businesses   49

Reason for Recommendation #5

Support residents’ health by establishing bicycle and walking infrastructure.

Responses 144

  • Establish bicycle and walking infrastructure

Reason for Recommendation #6

Implement a water/septic study to assess opportunities or obstacles to economic, business, and housing opportunities such as those mentioned in Recommendations #1 and #3.

Recommendation #1:  Multi-use center – renovating existing structures or building a new one.

Recommendation #3:  Upgrading septic for long-term housing or Accessory Dwelling Units, Generally speaking, any duplex or triplex housing proposals in the villages have to address the need for sewer and water treatment.

Selectboard members expressed their appreciation to the Planning Commission for their detailed presentation. The Selectboard members are looking forward to additional discussions on how Newfane will be able to implement these recommendations.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

Town Moderator -Deborah Luskin shared procedures and insight from “Roberts Rules” for the March 1st Town Meeting.

Governor Phil Scott signed S.172, an act relating to authorizing alternative procedures for 2022 annual Town meetings in response to COVID-19.

Discussion:

Ann Golob made a motion to hold no town meeting this year and instead to have an information meeting on the day before voting (Monday, February 28 at 6 pm) and that all voting is by Australian ballot on March 1 (or by early voting).

Angela Sanborn seconded. Motion passed 4/0

**Early voting is available; Australian voting will be from 9 am – 7 pm at the Newfane Town Office, 555 VT Route 30 on March 1.

Selectboard Meeting was recessed at 7:00 pm.

Selectboard members participated in the B.C.A. (Board of Civil Authority) meeting.

Board of Civil Authority

Minutes are attached

Selectboard Meeting reconvened at 7:12 pm.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

None.

OLD BUSINESS:

Review Articles –

Discussion ensued – no changes were made.

Ann Golob made a motion to approve the Articles for Warning Town meeting. Shelly Huber seconded. Roll called -motion passed 4/0.

 Review Final Budget:

Discussion ensued

Ann Golob made a motion to approve the Articles for Warning Town meeting. Shelly Huber seconded. Roll called -motion passed 3/0 Katy Johnson-Aplin abstained.

ARPA Funding and Consultant:

Ann Golob gave a quick update on ARPA funding guidelines from the Treasury. They have released a 500-page document detailing funding requirements and overall simplifying the process of spending the money for any jurisdiction that received less than $10 million. VLCT and WRC are reviewing the document in detail and will be holding meetings in the near future to explain what they have learned.

The economic development consultant we met with at our last meeting has withdrawn his name from consideration because he may be leaving the region and could only commit to working with the town on a remote basis. The Selectboard agreed that this wasn’t a good option for our town.

NEW BUSINESS: 

None

CORRESPONDENCE:  

None

PAY ORDERS:

  • Payroll Warrant No #11549                          Amount $    4,917.28
  • Payroll Warrant No #11550                          Amount $     5,624.15 
  • Accounts Payable No# 22013                        Amount $   18,519.66   
  • Accounts Payable No# 22014                        Amount $   43,189.96

Ann Golob made a motion to approve Pay Orders. Shelly Huber seconded.

Motion passed 3/0 (Katy Johnson-Aplin on Zoom had left the meeting.)

ADJOURN: 

Ann Golob made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Wannetta Powling, Administrative Assistant