Regular Meeting, Monday, March 17, 2025,
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Zoom Meeting ID: 829 2362 3115 Passcode: 974520
BOARD MEMBERS: Todd Lawley, Marion Dowling, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Chris Cleverly, and Mike Fitzpatrick.
OTHERS PRESENT: Henriette Mantel, Austin Rice (B.C.T.V.), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).
ZOOM:
Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Kate Gehring, and Jane Douglas(Planning Commission).
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Selectboard Chair Lawley.
CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED: Powling confirmed the meeting had been properly warned.
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
None
Introduction of the Selectboard
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
- March 6th, 2025, Special Selectboard Organizational Meeting Minutes
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the minutes of March 6th. Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed.
There is a slight delay due to sound.
ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
- VTrans has prepared our Annual Financial Plan for the selectboard to sign.
- We have the ACT 250 application for the gravel pit; it requires signatures from both the applicant and the landowner. We have submitted the SWPPP stormwater permit and the Individual stormwater permit.
- I am working on the Municipal Impact Questionnaire for the gravel pit.
- Servpro and the insurance adjuster agreed that the ceiling at Williamsville Hall could be patched and painted. Steve Levine was going to try and get a couple of estimates for the insurance adjuster.
- The large silver maple at Williamsville Hall has been removed.
- We had an Access permit for Hunter Brook Road, and it cannot be approved as is. I will see if he can modify it to avoid obstructing the road culvert.
Discussion:
Lawley asked how the roads were holding up and if they would be posting the roads soon. Wilson confirmed that seven or eight sites had been affected by the recent rain, but there had been no significant impact, and that they may need to consider posting the roads soon.
- Johnson-Aplin made a motion to have Chair Todd Lawley sign the Planning Commission Grant, and Fitzpatrick seconded.
The motion passed.
- Fitzpatrick made a motion to sign the VTrans Annual Financial Plan, and Dowling seconded.
The motion passed.
5.) Wilson said that the Silver Maple will be used to construct the benches for the Town.
Dowling addressed the Selectboard’s request to do more in-person meetings and asked Wilson if this would be something he would consider. Wilson explained that if additional questions were asked of him, all the necessary information was readily available on his computer. He also stated that if he were to conduct in-person meetings, he would only have the prepared report.
Gehring confirmed that it wasn’t always easy to hold in-person meetings during the winter and after dark or deal with school-age children and asked that the Selectboard consider keeping the Zoom participation option available.
Cleverly made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s report, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Office Operations & Administration
The Clerk’s Office continues to operate the same hours as Carol had, Monday through Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm, serving residents with document requests, licenses, and general inquiries.
Challenges & Recommendations
Learning the programs is currently the most challenging aspect, and I would like to request additional hours for Assistant Town Clerk Peter Putnam; he is vital to my transition. I need to learn more about the programs and the process of recording documents in land records.
Upcoming Elections
Preparations for the upcoming School budget vote are well underway, including coordination with election workers. I will be sending out an email this week to request poll workers to assist at NBFD on Wednesday, March 26th, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Absentee ballot procedures are in place, and information will be posted on the Website and shared on the Front Porch Forum to ensure voter awareness.
Community Engagement & Public Outreach
Feedback from residents has been positive, with efforts to enhance accessibility and transparency. I have placed a suggestion box in the Town Clerk’s Office, providing residents with a way to submit ideas to the Selectboard.
On my to-do list, I will send out appointment letters to the Committees and Commissions by the end of the week.
Discussion ensued:
Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve the Administrative Assistant’s request to approve additional hours for the Assistant Town Clerk until the end of June, providing that it did not go over budget, and Dowling seconded.
The motion passed.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report, and Dowling seconded.
The motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Planning Commission
Kate Gehring discussed the Planning Commission’s work on the Zoning By-Law and that there would be a public hearing by May 8th, with plans to hand off their recommendations to the Selectboard.
Gehring stated that there is a Municipal Resolution – Planning Grant Application that we are requesting the Selectboard to consider adopting and signing, which will assist the Planning Commission in its ongoing efforts to revise the Town Plan. This revision will also integrate the Flood Hazard information, a requirement that is updated every eight years. “Big Action” Planning Grant “Greenway” for recreational requests and community buildings.
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to have Chair Todd Lawley sign the Municipal Resolution – Planning Grant Application, and Cleverly seconded. The motion passed.
Gehring values the input of the Selectboard and invites them to attend future Planning Commission meetings.
Gehring asked about her reappointment with the Planning Commission. Powling confirmed that all the reappointments had taken place at the Selectboard’s organizational meeting and that the appointment letters would be sent out later this week.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Henriette Mantel wanted to address the Selectboard regarding the Traffic Calming that had not been together in a year. Walter Phelps mentioned at the Town Meeting the program in Mount Tabor that utilizes the Town Constable to issue traffic tickets, generating revenue for the town and covering the constable’s salary. Mantell wanted to know if this was viable for the Town of Newfane.
Discussion ensued:
The Selectboard would like to invite the Windham County Sheriff’s Office to attend a future meeting of the Selectboard. This will be advertised to maximize attendance by all residents and the Traffic Calming Committee.
NEW BUSINESS:
Review Housing Grant Application -Submitted by the Zoning Administrator Katie Bristol
After reviewing the application, the Selectboard had questions for the Zoning Administrator.
Gehring provided some insightful information about the program, which was designed to address the housing shortage and promote regeneration in Newfane.
Further discussion was tabled until the April 7th Selectboard meeting, and Powling was asked to invite the Zoning Administrator to the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Housing Grant Proposal: (Golob – Gehring)
Previously discussed during the application review.
FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)
Johnson-Aplin will follow up with Ann Golob for additional information and developments.
Personnel Policy changes/ recommendation (Johnson-Aplin/Chevalier)
None
Town Website Design – (Golob & Johnson-Aplin)
None
CORRESPONDENCE:
Walter Phelps wrote to address the Town Constable article at the Town Meeting and to clarify his thoughts that he shared at the Town Meeting.
Green Mountain Power has issued an update on the power line upgrade work scheduled for sections of Depot Road. (This information will be shared with the Road Foreman.)
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
1 VSA ~313 (a) (3) Employment matter of public officer or employee
Cleverly made a motion to go into Executive Session, and Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed.
The Selectboard entered the Executive Session at 7:35 pm.
The Selectboard exited the Executive Session at 8:06 pm.
(It is unknown who made the motion or seconded to leave the Executive Session.)
The Selectboard moved to table any decision until the April 7th meeting.
Powling was asked to schedule another Executive Session for the April 7th meeting.
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to move into pay orders, and Dowling seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
PAY ORDERS
- Payroll # 11723 $ 6,116.72
Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve pay orders and Cleverly seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN:
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to adjourn, and Cleverly seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant