Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82923623115?pwd=Y8mwXFBz1EXkv5iWbOROTgAAO3PJ6z.1
Zoom Meeting ID: 829 2362 3115 Passcode: 974520
BOARD MEMBERS: Marion Dowling (Vice-Chair), Chris Cleverly, Michael Fitzpatrick
OTHERS PRESENT: Melissa Brown (Treasurer/Admin), Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Bruce Rosow (WMV Hall Committee), Gordon Bristol (Resident), Kate Conway (Wmv Hall Committee), Jon Julian (Wmv Hall Committee), Steve Levine (Wmv Hall Committee), Michael Mayer (Higher Ground), Amy Donahue-via zoom(The Rock River Players), Bahman Mahdavi (The Rock River Players).
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice-Chair Marion Dowling.
CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED: Confirmed by Melissa Brown.
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
- October 9th, 2025, Draft Special Meeting Minutes – Tabled until next meeting.
- November 3rd, 2025, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes – Tabled until next meeting.
- November 10th ,2025, Draft Budget Meeting Minutes – Tabled until next meeting.
Cleverly made a motion to table the minutes until the next meeting. Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed.
ROAD FOREMAN & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
- The access to the Mayer property on Sunset Lake Road is completed and looks good.
- The Newfane Village sidewalk project engineering proposal from Fuss & O’Neill was not ready for this meeting
- Nothing new for the sand/salt shed alternative design.
- I’m still trying to find grant money for the Eddy Road Box Culvert.
Wilson reminded residents not to shovel, plow, or snow-blow their driveways into the roads.
Cleverly made a motion to accept the Road Foreman and Road Commissioner’s Report for November 17, 2025. Fitzpatrick Seconded. The motion passed.
HIGHER GROUND CEMETERY – FIELD REPORT #2
Field Report #2 from Hodgman Engineering & Permitting, PLLC was presented to the board along with reports
#3-5. Mr. Mayer briefed the Selectboard on the completed driveway work by Taylor Excavating. Inspection reports by Hodgman Engineering & Permitting, PLLC confirmed that the driveway was built according to specifications.
The Board discussed next steps needed for Selectboard approval of the Conditional Use Permit to operate the cemetery.
Cleverly asked Mayer for clarification on the plat and whether the test holes represent potential burial sites or were simply for suitability testing. Mayer confirmed they are potential burial sites. Cleverly suggested clarifying the wording to indicate that the test holes will become preliminary burial sites and recommended establishing a schedule for updating the plat—either after a set number of years or after a certain number of burials. He also suggested submitting a preliminary plan showing where burials will begin.
Cleverly made a motion to table this until the next selectboard meeting. Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Williamsville Hall – Chairs
Steve Levine requested permission for the Williamsville Hall Committee to be allowed to sell or donate wooden chairs in Hall.
Cleverly made a motion to give Williamsville Hall Committee authority to do what they want with the chairs. Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed.
Williamsville Hall – Operating & Lighting
Rosow explained that the work in Williamsville Hall is to have a gathering place of the community to make it alive and vibrant. Rosow provided background on the hall’s longstanding revenue-sharing agreement between The Rock River Players and the Williamsville Hall Committee. Cleverly asked for clarification on whether the Players charge admission or accept donations and how profits are split. Levine explained that after The Rock River expenses, remaining proceeds are split between the Players and the Hall, and the Hall’s donation fund has been used for hall expenses and licensing fees.
Cleverly asked how rental conflicts are handled. Mahdavi explained that while certain rehearsal times cannot be changed, the Players prioritize community rentals whenever possible.
Lighting concerns were discussed. Cleverly asked whether porch lights could remain on during the winter. Julian noted that his tenants are disturbed by the lights shining into their living space overnight. Dowling noted the safety risk of poor visibility. Cleverly suggested leaving the lights on only during events. Mahdavi expressed concern about safety after events and suggested installing lamp post that could be turned off afterward. Fitzpatrick noted that several lighting options are available and that this topic will require further discussion.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Soil Test Results – Old South Newfane Store
I received the report from KAS Environmental Science and Engineering regarding the soil testing conducted at the old South Newfane Store. The results indicate that there is some contamination present in the soil that will need to be addressed. (Lead, Arsenic, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons)
KAS can prepare a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to submit to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation for their review and approval. I also spoke with Susan Westa at the Windham Regional Commission regarding funding for this plan, and she believes there are funds available to cover the cost. I have requested a cost proposal from KAS to prepare the CAP.
Clean-up costs will vary depending on whether soil needs to be removed or if we can cover it and do some grading of the land. Susan also explained that the expense of the clean-up may qualify for an 80/20 grant/loan program. This means that the Town would be responsible for 20% of the total cost, which would need to be financed through a 2% loan with the Windham Regional Commission to receive the grant funding.
We have been coordinating the Williamsville Hall rentals, including processing the required paperwork and payments.
I have also been working with Attorney Bob Fisher regarding the next steps for the Higher Ground Cemetery.
Cleverly made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant Report. Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mahdavi read his email aloud to the Selectboard regarding additional limitation on what can and cannot be discussed at Town Meeting should be opposed.
Southern VT Municipal Leaders Network Workshop – Tuesday, December 2, 2025. 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. 1 School Street, Wilmington, VT.
Pay orders:
- Payroll #11757 $ 7,829.02
- Payroll #11758 $ 5,255.51
- A/P # 26010 $120,199.78
Cleverly made a motion to accept the pay orders. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. The motion passed.
ADJOURN:
Cleverly made a motion to adjourn. Fitzpatrick seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Brown
Administrative Assistant