Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Bereavement leave policy

Approved three-day bereavement leave effective immediately; to be added to the personnel manual. The vote count is not stated.

The Police Chief presented a bereavement leave policy, since the personnel manual did not cover it. It was based on examples from other towns. The chair moved, and a board member seconded, to approve three days of bereavement leave effective right away and to add the policy to the personnel manual.

Town Hall rental fee waiver

Approved waiving the Town Hall rental fee for the canceled August contra dance. All in favor.

The Board considered waiving the Town Hall rental fee for a canceled August contra dance (a type of folk dance event).

Cemetery Trustees green burial proposal

The Cemetery Trustees proposed studying a green-burial section inside the existing Route 108 cemetery, open only to Newfields residents. Green burials would not allow embalming, permanent outer burial containers, or conventional modern caskets. They would use biodegradable containers, and families would still work with a funeral service. The Trustees checked state law and talked with the Kensington Cemetery Trustees. They will keep researching containers, urns, cremated remains, upkeep and operating limits. No firm timeline was set, but the research would take more than a month before they return to the Board.

Cemetery mowing contract

The Board and a Cemetery Trustee discussed problems with how often and how well the cemeteries are mowed. The Trustee said the contractor has had ongoing issues and has not kept up the mowing schedule despite repeated requests. Mowing will be put out to bid this fall. The chair said future contracts should state that payment depends on the required work being done.

Personnel manual benefits update

The Police Chief asked the Board to update the personnel manual to write down benefits that earlier Select Boards approved, including life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and a deferred compensation 457 retirement plan. These were approved in early 2022 for the four full-time police officers and the full-time Town Clerk. Life and disability insurance are paid from the Police Department and Town Clerk budgets. The retirement plan is voluntary and paid by employee payroll deductions. The minutes record no vote on this request.

Public safety building site planning

The chair reported that SMP Architecture was chosen to lead planning for a new public safety building. The site is about 14 acres of town-owned land near Route 87 and Meadow Road, with about four to five acres that may be suitable. The project will move ahead with a needs assessment, site review, programming and community input. Wetland and boundary surveys are underway. The Town plans to limit wetland impact and the building's overall footprint.

Webb property donation

The chair said accepting the proposed Webb property donation will need a Town warrant article in March for voter approval. The Town would pay for the title search, quitclaim deed (a deed that transfers whatever interest the giver holds) and recording fee. The Town does not pay transfer tax.

Resident complaints about signage

The chair said seven formal complaints were received in June 2026 from a resident, covering topics such as neighborhood activity, lawn mower noise and vehicles using Route 87. One complaint was about a neighbor's two signs, one lit, said to break town zoning. The chair said the same sign issue was raised in 2024 and reviewed by the Board's legal counsel, who found the zoning limit applies only to commercial businesses, professionals or service providers, not private homes. The chair also described a later email complaint about a neighbor dropping off paperwork at his home. He said it was without merit and considered it resolved. The minutes record no vote.

Pleasant St/Summer St project status

A resident asked for an update on the Pleasant Street/Summer Street project. A town representative handling the matter said the design work with the state Department of Environmental Services (DES) is finished. Construction is now planned for April 2027 because DES approval was delayed. He said the project will also help with EPA stormwater nutrient-removal permitting and may earn the Town environmental credits by reducing contaminants from vehicles.