Town Boards and Committees are composed of elected officials and appointed members who work to make Newfane a better place for all residents. If you would like to get in touch with a committee, contact the Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard who can provide you with their contact information.
Town Boards and Committees
Regional Boards
Legal Disclaimer:
All meeting minutes posted on this website are unofficial and are for informational purposes only. Official copies may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office.
Board of Abatement
The Board of Abatement consists of the Town Treasurer, the Town Clerk, the Selectboard, the Board of Listers, and the Justices of the Peace. The Board reviews property tax abatement applications and makes decisions in accordance with conditions laid out by the State of Vermont (24 V.S.A. § 1535).
For more information on the abatement process and application, see the Office of the Treasurer page.
Meeting Information: Meetings are scheduled after abatement requests are received.
Agendas & Meeting Minutes
Board of Civil Authority
The Board of Civil Authority is composed of the Selectboard, the Town Clerk and Justices of the Peace. Their main duties include assisting in free & fair elections by maintaining the voter checklist, testing the tabulating machines, working the polls, and delivering and counting ballots. They also hear property tax assessment appeals.
Meeting Information: The Board of Civil Authority meets as needed.
Agendas & Meeting Minutes
Board of Health
The Board of Health consists of the Town Health Officer (appointed by the State), Deputy Health Officer, and Selectboard. Their duties, established by State Statute, include: investigating possible public health hazards and risks; taking action to prevent, remove, or destroy any public health hazards; taking action to lessen significant public health risks; enforcing health laws, rules and permit conditions, and taking the steps necessary to enforce orders. For more more information, visit the Vermont Department of Health.
Current Health Officer
Open. Position currently filled by Selectboard Chair.
Report a Public Health Hazard
If you would like to report a public health hazard, fill out this form and return it to the Selectboard Assistant. If you wish to remain anonymous, leave out your name and contact information.
Meeting Information: The Board of Health meets as needed.
Conservation Commission
The Newfane Conservation Commission was established in 1998 to maintain the 165.8 acre Town Forest land on Depot Road, including the trails and Town Garage area. This is the main focus of this volunteer group, but they also discuss other conservation initiatives.
To learn about the current focus of our work, read the 2024 Conservation Commission Report.
Current Members
Martha Stitelman (Chair), Greg Record, Carol Hesselbach, Jeff Mortimer, Michelle Mortimer
Meeting Schedule
Meets at the Town Office as needed to organize trail maintenance and discuss conservation initiatives.
Agendas & Meeting Minutes
Development Review Board
The Development Review Board (DRB) is an appointed body that holds public hearings as needed to decide upon:
- Appeals of zoning decisions brought under Section 224 of the Newfane Bylaw
- Requests for variances under 24 V.S.A. § 4469 of the Vermont Statutes
- Requests for conditional uses within the zoning districts for which they are proposed
Read the 2024 Development Review Board Report
Current Members
David Cotton (chair), Walter Dadik, Geoff Van Kirk, Erica Walch, David Hull (alternate), Christine White (alternate)
Agendas & Meeting Minutes
Liquor Control Board
The Selectboard acts as the Town’s Liquor Control Board to review and process liquor license applications, including catering and event liquor licenses.
For the license application process, see the Town Clerk page.
Meeting Information: They meet adjacent to regular Selectboard Meetings as needed.
Agendas & Meeting Minutes
Local Cannabis Control Commission
The Selectboard acts as the Town’s Cannabis Control Commission to review and process cannabis license applications in accordance with local standards.
For the license application process, see the Town Clerk page.
Meeting Information: They meet adjacent to regular Selectboard Meetings as needed.
Agendas & Meeting Minutes
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission’s primary responsibilities are to prepare and revise the Town Plan and Zoning Bylaw; and to bring a long-term perspective to day-to-day decision making in aspects of town life including land use and development, transportation, and infrastructure and economic development.
To learn about the current focus of our work, read the 2024 Planning Commission Report.
Current Members
Kate Gehring (Chair), Nolan Edgar (Secretary), Greg LoPiccolo, Robert Crego
Meeting Schedule
Regular Planning Commission meetings occur on the 4th Monday of the month at 6:00 PM in-person at the Town office, with Zoom/phone access. We welcome your attendance and participation!
Agendas & Meeting Minutes
Williamsville Hall Committee
The Williamsville Hall Committee is a volunteer group dedicated to the preservation and use of the Williamsville Hall, formerly known as the Williamsville Grange Number 389. The committee organizes community events, schedules improvements and oversees rentals.
To learn about the committee’s work last year, read the 2024 Williamsville Hall Report.
Visit https://williamsvillehall.org/ to rent the Hall, and find out about upcoming events and the history of the Williamsville Hall.
Current Members
Steve Levines (Chair), Jonathan Julian, Maggie Kemp, Dale Stevens, Penny Tuerk, Kate Conway (Secretary), Eben Viens, Austin Rice
Meeting Schedule
Meets on the second Monday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Williamsville Hall.
Meeting Minutes
REGIONAL BOARDS
School Boards
Newfane is home to NewBrook Elementary School, which is part of the West River Education District (WRED) and the greater Windham Central Supervisory Union (WCSU). The public is welcome to attend school board meetings.
WRED School Board Meeting Schedule
Meetings are held every second Monday at Leland and Gray High School in the Library at 7:00 PM. Click here for further details and zoom links.
Windham Regional Commission (WRC)
The mission of the WRC is to assist towns in Southeastern Vermont to provide effective local governance and to work collaboratively with them to address regional issues. The Commission is composed of town-appointed Commissioners who represent their town’s interests, bring Commission information back to their town, and serve on WRC committees that address various regional and municipal issues.
To learn about the latest focus of our work, read the 2024 WRC Report.
Current Newfane Commissioners
James Bressor, Ann Golob
Meeting Information
All WRC meetings are open to the public. Committees and meeting schedules can be found on the WRC website.
DVFiber was formed in 2020 as a municipality for the special purpose to bring universal high-speed fiber optic internet service to all homes and businesses in our 24 town district. Each town’s Selectboard appoints volunteer representatives to the DVFiber Governing Board. Upon completion, the network will be community owned and operated.
To learn about the latest focus of our work, read the 2024 DVFiber Report.
Current Newfane Representatives
Jane Douglas, Ed Collins (Alternate)
Meeting Information
First Wednesday of the month, 5 PM, online. Meeting agendas, minutes and zoom links are on the DVFiber website. Meetings are open to the public.