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
OTHERS PRESENT: Melissa Brown (Treasurer/Admin), Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), BCTV, Kate Gehring (Planning Commission), Karen Astley (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:
- December 8th, 2025, Draft Budget Meeting Minutes
Cleverly made a motion to approve December 8th, 2025, Budget Meeting Minutes. Dowling seconded the motion. The motion passed
- December 15th, 2025, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes
Dowling made a motion to approve December 15th, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes. Cleverly seconded the motion. The motion passed.
- December 22nd,2025, Draft Budget Meeting Minutes
Dowling made a motion to approve December 22nd, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes. Johnson-Aplin seconded. Cleverly abstained. Motion passed.
ROAD FOREMAN & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
- Melissa and are waiting for a proposal from Stantec for engineering services for the Newfane village sidewalk project.
- I have a meeting with Fish & Game tomorrow at the gravel pit. They want to check on the deer in that area.
- Nothing new to report on the Sand/ Salt shed.
- We are still waiting for the hydraulic study for two squash culverts to see if we can repair the bottom of the culverts.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Planning Commission Report
Kate Gehring notified the board that the Planning Commission was awarded the Municipal Planning Grant was awarded to look at the FEMA Buyout sites on Dover Road for potential community and recreational use. Gehring wants to confirm that the Town will execute the grant agreement.
Johnson-Aplin asked Gehring for clarification on the Selectboard’s role in executing the Grant. Gehring explained that the grant must be formally accepted into the online portal by January 4, 2026, by the Town. Gehring and Johnson-Aplin will work together to execute the grant.
Dowling asked for a review of the project. Gehring explained that the grant provides funding for the community surveying process and looking at how the Town can work on and transform the Town-owned properties along Dover Road, that can’t be developed, to turn the open space into public and community recreational space. The Planning Commission will develop a process of how the Town chooses to develop Town-owned sites. The Planning Commission will also put together some kind of framework that could be used by other towns.
Johnson-Aplin noted that this is just a discussion on what we can do with the property. It’s not actuating anything; it’s just funding to help get professionals involved to help us figure out what we can do with the land.
Cleverly made a motion to accept the Planning Commission Report. Dowling seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Cleverly made a motion to designate Katie Johnson-Aplin to sign and accept the Planning Commission’s Municipal Planning Grant and report back to the Selectboard. Dowling seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Williamsville Hall Committee Reports
Cleverly made a motion to accept December 8, 2025, Williamsville Hall Committee Meeting Minutes. Dowling seconded the motion. The motion passed.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Marc Gray stopped by to discuss shoveling the front steps of the Union Hall. He stated that the steps must be cleared throughout the winter to prevent snow and ice build-up prior to Town Meeting. If left not shoveled, it becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming to clear the steps in preparation for the Town Meeting. Tom Bloom is the one that usually shovels the Hall when needed, but the Hall is not currently having Tom Bloom do the snow removal for the steps because they have shut the hall down for the winter. Mr. Bloom is willing to continue shoveling the steps if the Town pays for it. We will need the Villages approval as well.
VT DMV driver records report for four of the drivers have been received. Three of the reports are clear. One of the reports has some older convictions; please see attached report. We spoke with Wade Masure at VLCT, he advised that this is acceptable and that a full query isn’t required, as the convictions are minor, do not impact the individuals job duties, and the driver currently holds a valid Vermont driver’s license.
We need the Selectboard report for the Town Report book. Who is writing that?
The next Selectboard meeting falls on a Holiday. Does the Selectboard wish to move the meeting to the day after?
Discussion:
Discussion ensued regarding responsibility for maintaining the Union Hall’s steps and ramp. Cleverly suggested that the Town should not be responsible for payment or maintenance, as the Hall is owned by Newfane Village.
Cleverly made a motion to have the Administrative Assistant send a letter to the Newfane Village Trustees to explain the situation and confirm that they will be responsible for making sure the steps and ramp are clear for Town Meeting Day.
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to move the next Selectboard Meeting to Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Cleverly seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Cleverly made a motion to approve the Administrative Assistant’s Report. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. The motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
2026 Town Meeting Warning- Review Warning and articles The Selectboard reviewed the Warning for the 2026 Town Meeting. Cleverly read articles 1-9 aloud.
Cleverly discussed adding an additional article “Shall the voters of the Town of Newfane authorize a 10% additional property tax on all properties owned by non-Vermont residents within the Town of Newfane”?
Cleverly made a motion that the Selectboard accept this article and send it to Attorney Bob Fisher for legal review. Dowling seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Dowling suggested finding out what other towns are doing and asked where this article originated. Cleverly explained that Town of Newfane has only two sources of income: taxation and grants. He further noted that he hadn’t found anything on the State website indicating that this additional tax isn’t allowed. Cleverly further stated that Attorney Bob Fisher would know if it is legal; and if not, the article would be dropped.
Astley suggested that the Selectboard reach out to VLCT’s Legal Department and then through Town Council for final review. Astley expressed support for the concept, if it’s legally permitted. Cleverly explained that this could generate more income to take care of the Town and hopefully offset residents paying a higher education tax rate. During budget season, the Selectboard tries to keep the increase minimal. This additional tax could help to take the burden off the residents.
Dowling expressed her concern about the future when people want to move to Vermont. Johnson-Aplin noted that, at a meeting with VLCT, the West River Valley Towns are disproportionately affected, with a much larger percentage of out-of-state homeowners compared to other places in Vermont. We are directly affected by every facet of our economy. School enrollments are plummeting due to the lack of children, and more than 60% of the housing in the Town is owned by second homeowners. Johnson-Aplin emphasized the need to address this and suggested exploring the feasibility of this tax further. Johnson-Aplin would like to check into this more and see if this is feasible. She also noted that the education tax is lower for non-residents – a situation not consistent across all Vermont Towns. If pursued, this information must be presented to the Town with complete clarity, assuming it is legally allowed.
Due to the short timeframe for finalizing the warning, this article may need to be postponed until next year.
Cleverly made a motion to withdraw the submission of the article “Shall the voters of the Town of Newfane authorize a 10% additional property tax on all properties owned by non-Vermont residents within the Town of Newfane”, at this time. Dowling seconded. The motion passed.
Cleverly made a motion to accept the articles as is, at this time (1-43). Dowling seconded. Motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Housing Grant Proposal- No update
- FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store- No update
- Personnel Policy changes/recommendations- No update
- Knotweed Removal- No update
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
Astley asked for clarification that if someone comes in with a petition for an article, will the Selectboard revote on the warning and article.
Johnson-Aplin replied that the Selectboard would revote the warning and articles if there are any changes. The Warning and Articles were approved as is, at this time.
Dowling noted that the petitions for the articles are due January 15, 2026. Johnson-Aplin also noted that they are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 15, 2026. Brown clarified that petitions for Candidates are due back on January 26, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.
Astley asked for clarification why the Selectboard goes off-line to do Accounts Payable and Payroll, and wanted to know if it was being held executive session. he also asked whether she would be allowed to stay in the building. Lawley replied that anyone is welcome to be present while Accounts Payable and Payroll are being processed.
PAYORDERS:
- Payroll #11762 $ 7,914.64
- Payroll #11763 $ 8,563.44
- Payroll #11764 $ 6,723.19
- Payroll #11765 $ 8,437.06
- A/P # 26012 $27,006.74
- A/P # 26013 $72,285.74
ADJOURN:
Dowling made a motion to adjourn. Cleverly seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katherine Bristol and Melissa Brown
Administrative Assistants