Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Newfane Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes, 3/2/26

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, Katy Johnson-Aplin.

OTHERS PRESENT: Melissa Brown (Treasurer/Admin), Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Wannetta Powling (Town Clerk), Cris White (Resident), Merideth White (Resident), Joyce and Stephen Singrossi (Residents), Vincent Schuck (Resident), Kim Friedman (Resident)

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Marion Dowling (Vice-Chair).

CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED: Confirmed by Melissa Brown.

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  1. February 2, 2026, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes

Cleverly made a motion to table the February 2nd, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed.  

  1. February 9, 2026, Draft Special Meeting Minutes

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the minutes after the correction of the spelling of Bahman’s name under discussion. February 9th, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. Cleverly seconded the motion. Motion passed.

ROAD FOREMAN & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. We have the pricing from Colin and Windham Regional for Stantec Engineering on the Newfane Village sidewalk engineering.
  2. We have started getting some salt again. We should be good for the rest of the winter. We had to pay more for the salt, but we finally found a source.
  3. We finished this week installing a new wood deck on the town equipment trailer.
  4. I have the pricing for the materials to build the shed at the town garage.

 

Discussion:  Cleverly wanted to thank the whole crew for all they have been doing in keeping the roads clear and safe.  Dowling states that it’s been amazing.

Johnson-Aplin opened the bids for the following:

  • Covered Bridge Deck Replacement:
  • Bid submitted by Neil Daniels Inc. in the amount of $95,500.00

Cleverly made a motion to approve the bid, Dowling seconded the motion. Motion passed. Johnson-Aplin wanted to clarify that this is a part of Renaud Brothers.  Wilson said they are all one company. Powling asked when the project would start. Wilson says when school is out to not conflict with the bus routes and school traffic.

  • Covered Bridge Over Height Warning Device:
  • Bid submitted by Trigg Industries in the amount of $15,660.00

Johnson-Aplin asked if this is the purchase and installation, Wilson says no this is just for the device.  How long would it take to install questions Johnson-Aplin, Wilson states power needs to be installed first before installation.  Cleverly made a motion to approve the Covered Bridge Over Height Warning Device, Johnson-Aplin seconded.  Motion passed.

Stantec Contract- Newfane Village Sidewalk Improvement Project.  Wilson summarized the last few years of work and studies put into this project; the State approves the engineers for this project.  Cleverly made a motion to approve the new bid from Stantec. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

 Cleverly made a motion to accept the Road Foremen and Road Commissioners report.  Johnson-Aplin seconded.  Motion passed.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

Kim Friedman- Town Moderator to discuss Town Meeting.  Kim was welcomed to the meeting by Dowling. Friedman wanted to go over a few things on her mind about Town Meeting tomorrow.  Dowling questioned if something isn’t warned and people talk about it or if someone has something they want to discuss do they have that right at the end? Friedman said they do have that chance under other business, but any decision made is not binding since it was not previously warned.  An email is read from VLCT which is consistent with Friedman’s response. Johnson- Aplin said in previous years people have used that time to talk about future events, notifications of student events.  Friedman says she follows what VLCT says faithfully.  Johnson-Aplin says the selectboard as a capacity are not in charge of town meeting but still need to follow Corum rules but do they need to keep at least three members, Friedman states yes.  Brown notified everyone that Todd Lawley will not be at the meeting tomorrow due to a family emergency.  Cris White says that it will be a very long meeting. Joyce Singrossi is new to town meeting, but watched last year to get a feel, she asks what is needed for an article to pass. Could that be explained.  Every article needs majority does not need to be 2/3, just majority. She also learned that when a division of the house is called people must stand.  Dowling had a question about voting, when the voting machines are there does it mean as long if the town meeting is going on can people continue to vote or is there a set time of completion?  Poles are open until 7pm.  Friedman says that discussion was made to the Selectboard about the invitation to the public to do the Pledge of Allegiance, Cleverly asks where would this fit into Town Meeting? Friedman says when everyone is seated before the meeting has begun it would be a good time.  Discussion went on in regard to the Pledge of Allegiance. Friedman asked Brown about the Treasurer being on the stage with the other members.  Singrossi thanked the board and the public for all the education this evening at the meeting, Vincent Shuck said we all need to think about funds/ charities, but he would like to see a committee be formed for the Social Appropriations.  Johnson-Aplin says that the taxpayers and voters are encouraged to come out and vote on the school budget as well since that is the majority of the taxes. Friedman says to have that be announced under other business at Town Meeting.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • February 9th, 2026, Williamsville Hall Meeting Minutes

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

  • I researched the laws regarding adding Social Appropriations at the Town Meeting and learned that this is not allowed. The Town can only vote on articles that have been properly warned (posted on the warning) for the Town Meeting. I emailed Jane Douglas to let her know and spoke with her directly so she was aware that she could not ask for an appropriation at the Town meeting.
  • We have been training Avarie on creating post agendas and processing overweight permits.
  • The Organizational Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
  • We reviewed the current policies and procedures to identify updates needed for the Organizational Meeting on Wednesday. Attached are copies of the policies with proposed updates for your review in preparation for the meeting.

 Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the Administrative Assistant’s report. Cleverly seconded the motion.  Motion passed

NEW BUSINESS: None.

OLD BUSINESS:

Follow-Up Items ( 10 Minutes per topic)

  1. FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store-(Brown)-

KAS Report Received- Corrective Action Plan Needed

  1. Personnel Policy changes/recommendations (Johnson- Aplin)
  2. Knotweed Removal
  3. Covered Bridge Repairs
  4. Green Iron Bridge Repairs

CORRESPONDENCE:

  1. Sevca – Thank you letter to Newfane Residents
  2. Bahman Mahdavi – Letter re: 2/9/26 Selectboard Special Meeting

PAY ORDERS:

  1. Payroll #11773 $  7,250.99
  2. Payroll #11774 $  8,605.46
  3. A/P # 26017 $36,890.21

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the pay orders. Cleverly seconded the motion. The motion passed.

 ADJOURN:

Cleverly made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45P.M.