Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Newfane Selectboard Draft Meeting Minutes Monday April 20, 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: Melissa Brown (Admin Assistant), Avarie Fitzpatrick (Admin Assistant), Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Austin Rice (BCTV), Angela Litchfield (Emergency Management), Laura Stone ( VTrans), Gemma Poulsen (VTrans), Matthew Barlow (Turning Point), Ron Stieger (Resident), Katie Bristol (Zoning Administrator), Karen Astley (Resident), Chris Triebert (Resident)

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

CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED: Confirmed by Melissa Brown

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Johnson-Aplin made a motion to move Angela Litchfield first for the scheduled members of the public. Dowling seconded. Motion Passed.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  1. March 16th, 2026, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes

Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve March 16th, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. Johnson-Aplin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

  1. April 6th, 2026, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes

Cleverly made a motion to approve April 6th, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. Johnson-Aplin seconded. Motion passed.

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

Angela Litchfield, LEMP

Litchfield discussed a new candidate for the Emergency Management Committee, Cody Downer, a local resident.

Johnsom-Aplin made a motion to approve Cody Downer onto the Emergency Management Committee. Fitzpatrick seconded. Motion Passed.

Matthew Barlow, Turning Point of Windham County (Recovery Services)

Barlow spoke on the expansion of their organization and offering their services to the town for those who may need them. Johnson-Aplin asked if they were looking to do something in the town. Barlow specified that his colleague would do travel coaching for those who need it.

Ron Stieger, DV Fiber Alternate Candidate

Stieger spoke briefly about his knowledge of engineering and networking and how he is interested in the position.

Cleverly made a motion to appoint Ron Stieger as the DV Fiber Position Alternate. Johnson-Aplin Seconded. Motion Passed.

ROAD FOREMAN & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

  1. The covered bridge deck replacement is going to start the first week of May. They will leave it open until the bus has gone through in the morning and reopen for the afternoon bus. The board will need to decide if you want the bolt holes in the deck filled with Sikaflex, it would be $8,500 less if we don’t use the sealant.
  2. The underground fuel tanks and paperwork were inspected by the state and everything looked good. We may have to make a few updates to the fill and vents depending on what they come up with.
  3. Brian Tyler had to come back to the town office for a plugged sewer pipe again, it seems to be working well at this point.
  4. I spoke with Todd Hill from Williamsville about the shed at the garage, and he is willing to assist us with layout, etc. He would be willing to work with us as needed for $40 per hour
  • VTrans Presentation by Laura Stone and Gemma Poulsen. To view the presentation, follow the link below:

https://outside.vermont.gov/agency/vtrans/external/Projects/Structures/22J412

Selectboard discussed options and costs for this project. Conversation to be continued further at a later time.

  • Annual Financial Plan

Cleverly made a motion to sign the annual financial plan. Fitzpatrick seconded. Motion Passed.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

Karen Astley, Update on Reappraisal

Bristol states that the appraiser will provide the updated values by the following week, and they will be mailed to homeowners. The lister’s office will be preparing for the first round of informational grievances. After the first round, homeowners will be able to go to the formal grievances with the listers.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: None

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

  1. 1. Liquor License Processing. We have notified the Town Clerk that the Selectboard has approved the procedure allowing her office to reissue all existing liquor licenses. Only new liquor license applications will need to be brought before the Board for review and approval.
  2. Vacant Appointed Positions All currently vacant appointed positions have been posted online to begin the recruitment process.
  3. Ad Hoc Committee Correspondence Letters have been drafted and sent to members of the Ad Hoc Committee as directed.
  4. Act 181 Opposition Letter An opposition letter regarding Act 181 has been prepared for the Board’s review and signatures.
  5. Reviewed the businesses listed on our website, removed the ones no longer existing, and added some that were requested by owners to be added.
  6. Updated elected/ appointed officials on the town website.
  7. We have scheduled an organizational meeting for the Ad Hoc Committee for April 27th at 5:00 pm, Monday. Does one of the Selectboard members want to start the meeting, or would you like one of the admins to open the meeting?

Cleverly and Johnson-Aplin will attend the Ad Hoc Town Meeting Committee’s organizational meeting.

  1. We have reached out to Emily and asked her to attend the next Selectboard meeting on May 4th. She is planning on attending.

Johnson-Aplin made a motion to approve the administrative assistant’s report. Cleverly seconded. Motion Passed.

DISCUSSION:

NEW BUSINESS:

Petition of T-Mobile Northeast, LLC

Discussion ensued that, according to the state law, there has to be notification if any changes take place for the cell tower.

Act 181- letter for board to sign

Cleverly made a motion to sign the Act 181 letter. Dowling seconded. Motion Passed.

Williamsville Hall Lighting-Pricing

Discussion ensued that there is more information being gathered. Cleverly states that there are some pieces that they are still looking for regarding the lighting situation.

OLD BUSINESS:

Follow-Up Items (10 Minutes per topic)

  1. FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store- None
  2. Knotweed Removal – None

Johnson-Aplin states conversation about removal has been brought back up. Wilson has spoken with a local company about spraying more of the areas with overgrowth again along the town’s right of way. At this time, nothing is finalized, and discussion is to be continued.

  1. Covered Bridge Repairs- None
  2. Green Iron Bridge Repairs- None

Correspondence:- None

DISCUSSION:  None

PAY ORDERS:

  1. Payroll #11780   $ 6,098.86
  2. Payroll #11781    $ 7,918.73
  3. A/P # 26020      $74,776.09

Cleverly made a motion to approve pay orders. Fitzpatrick seconded. Motion Passed.

ADJOURN:

Cleverly made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Fitzpatrick seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 pm