Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes 2/18/25

 Special Meeting, Tuesday, February 18th, 2025,

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82923623115?pwd=Y8mwXFBz1EXkv5iWbOROTgAAO3PJ6z.1
Zoom Meeting ID: 829 2362 3115   Passcode: 974520

BOARD MEMBERS: Angela Litchfield, Ann Golob, Jeffrey Chevalier, and Mike Fitzpatrick.
ABSENT: Katy Johnson-Aplin.

OTHERS PRESENT: Marion Dowling, Kim Friedman, Nolan Edgar, Kritina Rubico (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 Angela Litchfield.

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

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  1. January 21st, Amended Regular Meeting Minutes|
    Golob made a motion to accept the amended regular minutes of January 21st, and Fitzpatrick seconded.
    The motion passed.
  1. February 3rd, Regular Meeting Minutes
    Tabled until March 3rd.

ROAD FOREMAN’S & ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

  1. The storms have been coming every few days lately, it looks like a few days breather to get caught up.
  2. I tried to get an update from Craig at MSK and he is on vacation.
  3. The White Oak for the Covered Bridge deck is ordered. The VTrans bridge person sent some information on other decking materials; white oak was still the top material.
  4. Servpro has finished the work at the Williamsville Hall. It looks to me like the ceiling needs to be replaced in the kitchen.

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

Discussion:

It appears that the kitchen ceiling needs restoration due to damage. VLCT insurance will most likely cover the

Repairs.  Powling and Wilson will work on the insurance claim.

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

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

  1. Meet with the Assessor:
    The Town of Newfane will be holding a public meeting to allow residents to ask questions and learn more about the upcoming Town-Wide Reappraisal; this meeting will be;
    Date: Next Wednesday, February 26th
    Time: Starting at 6 p.m.
    Location: NewBrook Fire Department at #698 VT RT 30.
    For more information, you can contact Katie Bristol at the Town Office.
    Mon, Tues, or Thurs from 9 until Noon.
  2. Town Report:
    In Vermont, the State Law requires that the Town Report be available to voters at least 10 days before Town Meeting Day, which falls this year on March 4, 2025. The deadline for mailing the Town Report would be February 22, 2025. I expect that our report will be delivered on time. I want to ask Jay and the Highway Crew if they would assist me in delivering the cases to the respective Post Offices. (Weather permitting)
  3. Considerations, Warming Stations, and Emergency Shelters:
    It is crucial to check on the well-being of our friends and neighbors, especially during challenging times, reinforcing our commitment to a strong and supportive community. You are encouraged to call the Town Office if you need help. We will gladly help you or find the support and assistance you need. This is a reminder that the N.B.F.D. and Williamsville Hall now have operating emergency generators. These locations will always be available during a power outage or emergency. The Town Office is always available, providing that we have power.
  4. 25 acres on Dover Road: I have been asked to reintroduce the email from August 6, 2024, from Eric Rosenbauer from the Brattleboro Retreat. This email concerns 5.25 acres on Dover Road that they want to donate to the Conservation Commission via the Town of Newfane. The original deed states that the land cannot be sold, logged, mined, or developed. Conferring with the listers, this undeveloped property is valued at $15,800, and taxes are $366.27 annually. The Conservation Commission mentioned that there would need to be a discussion at the town meeting for the voters to decide. During the budget season, this could have been an article; it is still possible to bring this up at the end of the meeting with article #39. If you choose, I can have this information available for discussion at the town meeting.
  5. Town Clerk Memo:
    A memo from the Town Clerk states that she has approved an application for a “Special Event Permit” for a similar event from January (the Selectboard approved) for North Chair Brewing LLC. This event will be at the Union Hall on Saturday, March 8th,

Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant’s report, and Chevalier seconded. 

Discussion ensued:

  1. Powling will create a Zoom link for the meeting with the Assessor next Wednesday, February 28th. Most likely, a laptop will be used for Zoom. Powling admitted she was unfamiliar with the projector previously used at another meeting.
  2. Wilson and the Road Crew will assist with delivering the Town Reports to the Post Office.
  3. It was confirmed that the “What to do in an Emergency” was already on the town website.
  4. Powling will provide the property information for the voters to decide about the Retreat property they want to donate.

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
None

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Town Moderator Kim Friedman was present to review some pre-town meeting procedures. Generally, they involve discussions to clarify warrant articles, budget items, and other issues. Friedman wanted to verify with the Selectboard some ways she thought of managing the meeting.

  • Set a Positive Tone – Start by emphasizing that all questions are welcome and that the goal is to provide clarity, not to put anyone on the spot.
  • If there’s disagreement in the room:
    “I understand there are different viewpoints on this issue. Let’s focus on the facts and ensure everyone has the information they need to make an informed decision.”
  • If a vote is unclear, they will use a paper ballot. Powling will have supplies available.

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Marion Dowling wanted to address concerns over the Selectboard’s decision to allow the voter-backed petition. Some people believe a Town meeting is not the appropriate place for the controversial debate affecting the people of Israel. Any discussion about the Middle East is complex and emotional and will not be impacted by the actions of local governments here in Newfane. The town meeting is about local issues that directly affect Newfane.

Litchfield read additional correspondence regarding the same topic; the first letter was from Gary Katz, a former Selectboard member:

“I’m writing to you because I am ashamed that the Selectboard and our Town has been duped into including a clearly antisemitic article on the Agenda for Town Meeting. The one-sidedness of the article about Israel and the Palestinians, while a personal affront to me, is a blemish on Newfane and is something that has nothing to do with the governance of the Town. Giving it the legitimacy of a Town Meeting Agenda item is inappropriate and insulting to a whole part of our community.

If I were still on the Board, I would be arguing that the issue has no business being on the Town Meeting Agenda. But obviously, I am not. All I can do is to implore you to reconsider its inclusion and prevent the further embarrassment of our Town giving a platform to this voice of antisemitism.

 As a former colleague, I request that in the unfortunate case that this deplorable article stays on the agenda one of you would do me the courtesy of reading this letter to the folks at the Town Meeting. Please, Newfane should not tolerate the hate that this antisemitic article is. It has no place in such a fine community.”

 Dear Selectboard Members,
Israel is a vibrant democracy. Palestinian Israelis vote alongside Jewish Israelis in all elections. Arab countries of the Middle East are weak democracies at best. Unlike in most Arab countries, women vote in Israel. Arabs are proportionately represented in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and head all their municipalities, schools, and religious courts. The apartheid accusation against Israel is false and only serves to heighten the fear and antisemitism many of us are facing for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. Please vote NO on ballot item Article #38.

Respectfully yours,
Edward Grossman, Ed.D.
Vermont Resident

Dear Community Leader,
This Town Meeting Day presents an unprecedented challenge. For the first time, multiple Vermont communities are facing an antisemitic, anti-Israel resolution on the ballot, with additional measures expected to be introduced on the floor at other Town Meetings across the state.

This initiative is harmful to Vermont because it:

  • Jeopardizes Jobs– Many Vermonters work for businesses, government agencies, and institutions with economic ties to Israeli companies.
  • Promotes Antisemitism– Jewish students in public schools are already experiencing increased bullying and harassment.
  • Distracts from Critical Local Issues– As a community leader, you are already managing urgent challenges, from public safety and housing to budgetary concerns.

While global issues matter to all Vermonters, they should be addressed through meaningful community dialogue—not divisive ballot initiatives.  We should focus on caring for our neighbors, not causing harm to a portion of our Vermont community.

Shalom Alliance is a Vermont-based nonprofit that works to ensure a bright future for Vermont’s Jewish community. We are here to support you by providing resources to combat antisemitism, fostering a deeper understanding of the Jewish community’s connection to Israel, and facilitating open dialogue between your community and ours.

With Town Meeting Day fast approaching, please let us know how we can help you address this harmful resolution.

Sincerely,
Rachel Feldman – Community Organizer
Ilana Siegelman – President
Yoram Samets – Co-Chair/Director

NEW BUSINESS:
None

OLD BUSINESS:

Housing Grant Proposal: (Golob – Gehring)
Golob mentioned that the recent press release for the Newfane Housing Grant Program was published in the VT Digs and the Brattleboro Reformer. She will follow up with the Commons to see if they will also cover the story.

FEMA buyout of South Newfane General Store (Golob)
We are waiting to hear back from the State of Vermont about the Browns Field remediation following the deconstruction of the South Newfane General Store.

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

Town Website Design – (Golob & Johnson-Aplin)
Golob mentioned that the website would be going live this Friday and asked Selectboard members and others to review it for errors and missing information.

This new website promises to be flexible when making changes and additions.
Golob asked for handouts with information from the new website to be made available on the day of the town meeting.

 CORRESPONDENCE:
Shared during Unscheduled Members of the Public

 Fitzpatrick made a motion to have Litchfield and Chevalier approve pay orders, and Golob seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.

PAY ORDERS

  1. Payroll # 11719 $ 8,155.21
  2. Payroll # 11720 $ 8,889.92
  3. AP #25016            $ 57,026.05

ADJOURN:

Chevalier made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant