DRAFT Newfane Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, May 19th, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Todd Lawley, Marion Dowling, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Chris Cleverly, and Mike Fitzpatrick
STAFF PRESENT: Jay Wilson (Road Foreman), Fredi Hayes (Administrative Assistant), Wannetta Powling (Town
Clerk)
OTHERS PRESENT: Patty Johnson, John Walker, Richard Marek, Linda Marek, Winnie Dolan, Gordon Bristol,
Steve Levine, Jon Julian, T Breeze Verdant, Ingrid Bacdecker, Bruce Rosow, Jesse F. Sutton, Michael Mayer, Emma
Recchi, Todd Stricklin, Maureen Stricklin, Laura Wallingford-Bacon, Barbara Frank-Barber, Jean Pollock, Annie Landenberger, Alex Lotz, Nina Beckstrom
ZOOM: John & Linda Walker, Priscilla Cotton, Nolan Edgar, Katie Gehring
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Selectboard Chair Lawley.
WARNING: Powling verified that the notice for the meeting was properly warned.
ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA: A motion to amend the agenda to add an executive session regarding personnel at the end of the meeting was made by Cleverly, seconded by Fitzpatrick. The motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
May 5th, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes. Dowling made a motion to accept the minutes of May 5th, and Cleverly seconded. The motion passed.
ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
The damage to the covered bridge is a $38,500 claim. Additionally, Wilson supported the project to be proposed in Williamsville with the addition of sharing VTRANS support via email. Wilson confirmed that the Williamsville project would have to be pulled up in the winter.
Jail Street Closure was requested for May 31st 2025. Fitzpatrick motioned to allow for the closure, seconded by Dowling. The motion passed.
Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s report, and Dowling seconded. The motion passed.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
The Planning Commissions approval of the Zoning By-law Amendments means the Selectboard now has the public hearing and action requirements.
Windham County Humane Society contract with the town for $614 is up for renewal. Dowling made the motion to approve the contract renewal for $614, Cleverly seconded. The motion passed.
The access permit was updated with information regarding the conditional approval requirements including the legal time allowance. The motion for approval for the access permit on the conditions set forth by Town Attorney Bob Fisher, allowances for any court decisions, and any special requirements of the Town, was made by Fitzpatrick and seconded by Dowling. The motion passed.
Cleverly made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report, and Dowling seconded. The motion passed.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Williamsville Speed Tables.
Discussion regarding the proposed “Speed Humps” in the Williamsville Village was had regarding safety and noise. The price for 3 is $4445 including installation material and end caps, though due to the weight they would need to be shipped to Brattleboro. Signs informing drivers of the humps were also discussed but would need to be confirmed with Jay Wilson and VTRANS. Placement of the humps would also need to be approved by VTRANS, Jay Wilson, with some public input.
A motion was made by Cleverly to accept the proposed “Speed Humps” project to be bought and placed by the road crew on condition that the money was available in accordance with the Treasurer and the placement of the humps be made in conjunction with VTRANS, Jay Wilson, and public input. This was seconded by Dowling. The motion passed.
Junk Ordinance Enforcement.
Discussion regarding the Buzby Property included the status of the road, the environmental impacts, the previous remediation, and the “estranged wife” who is the only known claimant of the property. If the “estranged wife”, who was not on the deed, cannot be found a tax sale will be done with proper publication notice including the current ordinance violations of the property. The Town Attorney Bob Fisher will be in contact with Town Staff and the Selectboard regarding updates at this time.
Due to the legal advice of the Town Attorney Bob Fisher and the ongoing work with the property owners, any decisions regarding the enforcement of the junk ordinance have been tabled until further notice.
Unscheduled Members of the Public:
There were no unscheduled members of the public.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business to address.
OLD BUSINESS:
There were no updates to old business agenda items.
COMMITTEES:
Planning Commission has passed and sent the Bylaw Amendments to the Selectboard. The Selectboard has 120 days to make an action on the item but has a stricter financial deadline of June 30th to make an action on the item. Discussion regarding scheduling the two public meetings ensued and consensus was had on the first public hearing date, after the timeline for proper warnings to be published was established.
Cleverly made a motion to warn a special selectboard meeting on June 9th at 6pm to have the first public hearing regarding the Zoning Bylaw Amendments, this was seconded by Dowling. The motion to warn was passed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The historical society invited the Selectboard to their May 31st Open House.
The Health Care and Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont sent a letter thanking the Town for the appropriation allocated for them in the next year’s budget.
Executive Session:
At 7:14pm Cleverly made the motion, seconded by Fitzpatrick, to enter executive session pursuant to Vermont Statutes section 313 a.3. appointment, employment, or evaluation of an employee, inviting Administrative Assistant Fredi Hayes to the session. The motion passed.
Executive session ended at 7:52pm, motioned by Cleverly and seconded by Dowling. The motion passed.
PAY ORDERS:
Dowling made a motion to approve Pay Orders, and Cleverly seconded the motion. The motion passed.
ADJOURN:
Cleverly made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Dowling seconded the motion.
The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m
Meeting minutes are submitted by Fredi Hayes, Administrative Assistant.