DRAFT SELECTBOARD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 6:00 P.M.
Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82923623115?pwd=Y8mwXFBz1EXkv5iWbOROTgAAO3PJ6z.1
Zoom Meeting ID: 829 2362 3115 Passcode: 974520
BOARD MEMBERS: Todd Lawley (Chair), Marion Dowling (Vice-Chair), Chris Cleverly, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Mike Fitzpatrick
OTHERS PRESENT: Melissa Brown (Treasurer/Admin), Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Peter Kelleher (BCTV), Pat Halloran (Resident), Walter Hagedorn (Resident), Al Weisbrich via zoom (Resident).
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Todd Lawley.
CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED: Confirmed by Melissa Brown
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
- January 5, 2026, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve January 5th, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. Cleverly seconded the motion. Fitzpatrick abstained. Motion passed
ROAD FOREMAN & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
- Nothing new on the proposal for engineering of the sidewalk project.
- I had the meeting in the gravel pit with Fish & Game and they had no issues.
- Justin got his CDL and is now plowing and sanding on his own.
- We made a little progress on the sand/salt shed, the town of Ripton had the same grant money and they were able to build a fabric covered shed and make it comply with Buy America. We are reaching out to them for advice.
Discussion: Road foreman said that the damage was fixed from the last hit to the Covered Bridge, there is still money left to put up a warning light. Lawley noted that the light wouldn’t hurt to keep people from hitting it again. Fitzpatrick noted that they should move the Covered Bridge off to the side for a conversation piece or raise the roof so bigger trucks can go through. Cleverly made a motion to move forward with warning lights to help with the bridge not being hit with the budget money, Dowling seconded.
Discussion ensued regarding future repairs needed for the Green Iron Bridge and the Covered Bridge. Wilson noted that a meeting had been held concerning the Green Iron Bridge and that the board would be notified of the outcome of that meeting, as well as invited to future meetings regarding the bridge.
Cleverly asked whether the board wanted to obtain an exploratory bid to raise the roof on the Covered Bridge in order to get an estimate of the potential cost. Lawley stated that the Green Iron Bridge also requires work and that both the Green Iron Bridge and Covered Bridge repairs should be added to Old Business to ensure they remain on the agenda.
Dowling made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s report. Johnson- Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: The two members of the public who were here were just here to watch. Al Weisbrich joined the meeting via Zoom to discuss a letter he sent to the Selectboard and the town attorney on January 16 regarding commercial activities in a residential neighborhood. Weisbrich noted that during his previous appearance before the board, the letter had been forwarded to Fisher. Brown stated that Bristol has reached out to the town attorney and is awaiting a response from Fisher.
Weisbrich asked whether board members had seen the January 16 letter and requested to read it aloud to the board, stating that he had emailed it to Fisher and all Selectboard members. Weisbrich then read the letter.
Weisbrich stated that the issue has been ongoing for approximately two and a half months and expressed concern that the matter appears to be in an endless loop. He requested a timeline for when a resolution might occur. Dowling apologized that they had not received any updates. Weisbrich stated that they have been patient and expressed that Fisher should not require extensive research to respond, noting that they are looking to the Selectboard to address the matter.
Brown stated that Bristol has communicated with Fisher and forwarded multiple emails to him. Cleverly requested that Bristol and Brown follow up by calling and emailing Fisher to request a response by the next meeting. Weisbrich requested to be copied on all correspondence with Fisher, and the board agreed to copy Weisbrich on all related communications.
Hagedorn asked whether others affected by the complaints could also be copied on the correspondence. Hagedorn will submit email addresses for all individuals involved. Brown raised a concern regarding billing from Fisher if multiple parties are included in email correspondence. It was noted that the town does not wish to incur charges for email correspondence between residents and the town attorney.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
The Town Report has been finalized and sent to the printers
Next week the warning with the articles and notice to the voters will get posted
We received a close-out letter from USDA for the Rock River Grant. $35,360.00 will be reimbursed to the Town.
The Certificate of Mileage needs to be signed. The Selectboard signed the Certificate of Highway Mileage.
Cleverly made a motion to approve the Administrative Assistant’s report. Dowling se. Motion passed
NEW BUSINESS: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
- FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store- No update
- Personnel Policy changes/recommendations- No update
- Knotweed Removal- No update
- Covered Bridge Repairs
- Green Iron Bridge Repairs
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
ADJOURN:
Fitzpatrick made a motion to adjourn. Johnson-Aplin seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katherine Bristol
Administrative Assistant