DRAFT NEWFANE SELECTBOARD

Regular Meeting, Monday, March 3, 2025,

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BOARD MEMBERS: Angela Litchfield, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Ann Golob, Jeffrey Chevalier, and Mike Fitzpatrick (phone) joined the meeting at 6:24 pm.

OTHERS PRESENT:  Austin Rice (B.C.T.V.), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).
ZOOM: Jay Wilson (Road Foreman).

 

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

CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED: Powling confirmed the meeting had been properly warned.

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1. February 3^rd, Regular Meeting Minutes

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the minutes of February 3^rd. Fitzpatrick seconded.
The motion passed. Golob and Chevalier abstained.

 

2. February 18^th, Special Meeting Minutes.

Golob made a motion to accept the special minutes of February 18th. Chevalier seconded.
The motion passed. Johnson-Aplin abstained.

 

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

1.  The Storm Water Permit has been submitted; the fee was not submitted simultaneously. We are waiting for everything to catch up, and then we should hear back.
2. The Silver Maple tree removal work at Williamsville Hall will be this Thursday or Friday. Traffic will most likely be one lane.
3. Newfane has been approved for a small grant to remove the Ash trees. I will share this information with Bill Gunther, the Tree Warden.

 

Golob made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s report, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.

Discussion:

Golob asked if there has been any progress on the ACT 250 application? Wilson denied hearing anything yet.

Chevalier asked if the Silver Maple would be available for the Town benches. Once the trees are down, Chevalier said he would pick them up and mill them into usable lumber.

Johnson-Aplin asked about a fallen tree on Depot Road. Wilson said that the road crew had already taken care of it.

 

Litchfield called for a vote to approve the Road Foreman’s report.
The motion passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the time I have spent working with you. Serving this Selectboard has been an invaluable experience, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to know such a dedicated group of individuals.

Over the course of our time together, I have learned so much—not just about the workings of local government, but also about the importance of teamwork, dedication, and service to our community. Each of you has played a role in shaping my understanding and appreciation for these responsibilities.

I appreciate the support and guidance you have shared.

Thank you for your hard work, your leadership, and your commitment to Newfane. It has been a privilege to work with you all.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report, and Chevalier seconded.
The motion passed.

Discussion ensued:

The Selectboard expressed appreciation for Powling’s work.

Litchfield asked Powling to warn the organizational meeting for the new Selectboard and pass the letter outlining the existing projects that the current Selectboard has been working on.

 

Litchfield called for the vote to approve the Administrative Assistant’s report.
The motion passed.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
None

 

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Jay Wilson mentioned that the Engineer for the Sand /Salt Shed needs to have a formal letter of Termination of service reviewed by the Town Attorney and requesting all information and bills be forwarded to the Town of Newfane.
Litchfield offered to follow up with Attorney Fisher’s Office regarding the Engineer letter.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None

 

NEW BUSINESS:
None

 

OLD BUSINESS:
Review Articles for Town Meeting
Litchfield commented on the thousands of emails sent to the Selectboard regarding article #38.

 

Housing Grant Proposal: (Golob – Gehring)
Golob mentioned that five applications have been given out for the Housing Grant.

 

FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)

The report received from the consultant showed a small amount of contamination. The State of Vermont is recommending more testing, this will need to be done in the spring. If additional remediation needs to be done, funding is available from Windham Regional Commission, and a new funding application must be submitted.

 

Personnel Policy changes/ recommendation (Johnson-Aplin/Chevalier)
No updates.

 

Town Website Design – (Golob & Johnson-Aplin)
Although comments are positive so far, a few more tweaks (photos) will be needed.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:
Green Mountain Conservancy sent a letter of intent regarding a large parcel of land owned by the Mantel family.

PAY ORDERS

1. Payroll # 11721 $ 9651.03
2. Payroll # 11722 $ 8,412.03
3. AP #25015 A             $ 677.53
4. AP #2517                    $95,410.02

 

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the pay orders, and Chevalier seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURN:

Chevalier made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant