Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Draft Newfane Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes, 6/1/2026

Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82923623115?pwd=Y8mwXFBz1EXkv5iWbOROTgAAO3PJ6z.1
Zoom Meeting ID: 829 2362 3115   Passcode: 974520

BOARD MEMBERS: Todd Lawley (Chair), Katy Johnson-Aplin (Vice -Chair), Marion Dowling, Chris Cleverly, Michael Fitzpatrick

OTHERS PRESENT: Katie Bristol (Administrative Assistant), Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Austin Rice (BCTV), Pat Halloran (Resident), Michael Miller (Resident via Zoom), Fiona Chevalier (WRED School Board Member), Emily Long (WRED School Board Member), Kate Gehring (WRED School Board Member).

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Lawley.

CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED: Confirmed by Katie Bristol.

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None

Liquor Control Board:

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to recess the Selectboard meeting and open the Liquor Control Board meeting. Motion seconded by Cleverly. Motion passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed a new liquor license application for The Fat Crow, under new ownership of Ross Manet Capital Partners, at the existing location.

  • First-Class Restaurant & Bar License
  • Outside Consumption Permit
  • Third-Class Restaurant & Bar License

 

Cleverly made a motion to approve the First-Class Restaurant & Bar License. Lawley seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Cleverly made a motion to approve the Outside Consumption Permit. Dowling seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Cleverly made a motion to approve the Third-Class Restaurant & Bar License. Dowling seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Cleverly made a motion to adjourn the Liquor Control Board meeting and reconvene the Selectboard meeting. Motion seconded by Johnson-Aplin and passed unanimously.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  1. May 18th, 2026, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the April 20th, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. Cleverly seconded the motion. Lawley abstained. Motion passed with 4 in favor and 1 abstained.  

ROAD FOREMAN & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. The Covered Bridge decking has been finished; they did an excellent job.
  2. We had a meeting about the sand/salt shed. The Vtrans Assistance person is working on getting a proposal from DuBois & King for the engineering services.
  3. The speed table was installed on Dover Road in Williamsville. There is 240 holes 8” deep drilled into the pavement, those need to get filled with silicone for the winter to prevent the ice from ruining the pavement.
  4. I have 3 bids just about ready for the Depot Road Paving, Grader replacement and Slope Repair on Adams Hill Road. I will email them to the board to look at, and we will get them posted. We plan on having them due for the next meeting.
  5. No updates on the Newfane Village sidewalk project
  6. The over-height warning detector and lights for the covered bridge should be here in about month. I will work on getting the power to the site.

 

Cleverly made a motion to approve the Road Foreman and Road Commissioner’s Report. Dowling seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Discussion:

Lawley suggested that the contractors look at the covered bridge on the Williamsville end to address the bump that is there.

Halloran asked what the difference between a speed bump and speed table were. Wilson clarified that a speed table is quieter.

Cleverly made a motion to accept the Road Foreman and Road Commissioners Report. Dowling seconded the motion. Motion Passed.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

Halloran expressed concerns regarding election procedures, voter participation, and increasing traffic in Williamsville. Discussion included explanations of Vermont election administration under the Secretary of State and the role of the Board of Civil Authority.

The Town Clerk provided clarification on voter checklist maintenance, poll worker availability, and election procedures.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

April 28th, 2026, Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes

May 11th, 2026, Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes

Cleverly made a motion to accept the April 13th, 2026, Williamsville Hall Meeting Minutes. Dowling seconded the motion. Motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

  1. We worked on The Dog Ordinance. Once we have completed the draft, we will give the Selectboard a copy to review before we proceed with the final version and process to amend an ordinance.
  2. We’ve been working on the other ordinances to update them
  3. We have purchased a new Admin computer and set it up with the help of Dan at 2-wired guys
  4. We have been working on organizing and cleaning the Admin Office.
  5. We have received the Windham County Sheriff’s contract for FY27, we will bring that to the Selectboard at the next meeting.
  6. I have tried to contact Windham Regional Commission Regarding the Sidewalk Grant for Williamsville but have not had any luck getting return phone calls.

Cleverly made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report. Motion seconded by Fitzpatrick. Motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Margo Ghia – Permission to use Town Office for meeting on June 23, 2026. Johnson-Aplin read letter aloud.

The Selectboard agreed to allow Windham Regional Commission to use the Town Office.

Regional Animal Control Budget Meeting – Thursday, September 10, 2026. The Selectboard asked for the Administrative Assistant to attend on behalf of the Selectboard.

Sullivan, Powers & Co., P.C. – FY26 Audit Contract – Cleverly made a motion to accept the contract. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

School Budget Discussion

The Selectboard and School Board representatives discussed education funding, tax impacts, declining enrollment, and statewide education reform efforts.

Discussion included:

  • Student weighting formulas and funding structure
  • Rising education costs and tax pressures
  • School closures and district consolidation impacts
  • Transparency and public access to budget information
  • Educational outcomes and performance concerns
  • Future legislative changes to Vermont education funding

School Board representatives emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce costs while maintaining educational services. Public concerns were expressed regarding taxes, accountability, and communication.

Board members encouraged continued public participation in upcoming budget meetings and vote discussions.

OLD BUSINESS:

Follow-Up Items (10 Minutes per topic)

  1. FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store- None
  2. Knotweed Removal-None
  3. Covered Bridge Repairs-None
  4. Green Iron Bridge Repairs- None

Correspondence

  1. Bruce Hall – Traffic Safety Letter
    Concern regarding traffic volume and pedestrian safety in Williamsville near the Covered Bridge. Referred to Road Foreman for review of traffic calming and signage options.
  2. HCRS Thank You Letter
    Acknowledgment of Town Meeting funding support.

PAY ORDERS:

  1. Payroll #11786 $ 6,624.36
  2. Payroll #11787 $ 6,536.66
  3. A/P # 26023 $63,927.41

Cleverly made a motion to approve the pay orders. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. The motion passed.

ADJOURN:

Cleverly made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Fitzpatrick seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 P.M.