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TOWN OF NEWFIELDS SELECT BOARD 
MEETING MINUTES 
TUESDAY AUGUST 25, 2026 
 
 
Select Board Present:  Chairman Hoby Harmon, Mark Kasper & Catherine (Cat) Tarnowski 
Others Include:  Police Chief Young, John Hayden, Tom Grella, Kent Lawrence, Bill Meserve, 
Lynn Sweet & Louise Williams    
 
The Select Board reviewed and approved the following items: 
 
Checks Dated 06/19/26:  Payroll Manifest  $63,016.91 
 
 
Hoby called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.  
 
Cemetery Trustees – Green Burials 
Lynn Sweet presented the Library and Cemetery Trustees’ proposal to investigate 
establishing hybrid green-burial spaces within the existing Route 108 cemetery. The 
proposed model would dedicate a portion of the cemetery to green burials rather than 
creating a separate cemetery, with eligibility limited to Newfields residents. Sweet explained 
that green burials would generally prohibit embalming, permanent outer burial containers, 
and conventional modern caskets, and would instead use biodegradable containers with 
minimal non-degradable materials. Families would still be required to work with a funeral 
service. 
 
The Select Board and members of the audience discussed burial space, capacity, 
containers, cremated remains, maintenance, and eligibility. Sweet noted that a green burial 
would generally require one casket-sized burial space and therefore would not necessarily 
increase cemetery capacity, as a conventional casket space may accommodate multiple 
cremations. The Trustees have reviewed applicable state statutes and consulted with the 
Kensington Cemetery Trustees regarding rules and regulations. They will continue 
researching allowable containers, wooden urns, cremated remains, maintenance 
requirements, and operating restrictions. No firm timeline was established, but Sweet 
indicated that the research would take more than a month before the Trustees return to the 
Select Board with additional information.  
 
Cemetery Mowing  
Lynn and the Board discussed ongoing concerns regarding the condition and frequency of 
mowing at the cemeteries. Lynn acknowledged that the mowing schedule was inadequate 
and apologized, explaining that the contractor has experienced ongoing issues and has been 
unable to maintain the desired mowing frequency despite repeated requests to do so. 
 

She reported that the mowing services will be put out to bid this fall. Hoby emphasized the 
importance of ensuring that the contractor meets the required mowing schedule and noted 
that future contract terms should state that payment is contingent upon the required work 
being completed.  
 
Personnel Policy  
Chief Young requested that the Select Board update the personnel manual to formally 
document previously approved employee benefits, including life insurance, short-term 
disability, long-term disability, and deferred compensation. Young explained that these 
benefits had been approved by prior Select Boards, including in early 2022 for the four full-
time police officers and the full-time Town Clerk. The proposed language would clarify the 
benefits available to employees. Life and disability insurance are funded through the Police 
Department and Town Clerk budgets, while deferred compensation is voluntary and funded 
through employee payroll deductions. 
 
Chief Young also presented a proposed bereavement-leave policy, noting that the current 
personnel manual did not address bereavement leave. The policy was developed using 
examples from other municipalities. Hoby motioned, seconded by Mark, to approve a three-
day bereavement leave effective immediately and directed that the policy be incorporated 
into the personnel manual.  
 
Louise Williams – Newfields Community Church   
Louise Williams, Co-Moderator of the Newfields Community Church, introduced herself 
and explained the church’s leadership structure and its independence from the Town. She 
informed the Board that the church will hold a bake sale during the September 8, 2026, 
Primary Election, with proceeds supporting the church’s preservation and sustainability. 
She also reported that a Department of Homeland Security grant funded window 
replacements and security improvements. 
 
Louise stated that the church is seeking additional historical preservation opportunities and 
welcomed community assistance with facilities, historical preservation, grant writing, and 
accounting. She noted that assistance with QuickBooks would be particularly helpful in 
preparing for future preservation grants. She invited community members to visit the 
church, attend Sunday services, or attend the September 13 open house. 
 
Ex-Officio Report 
8/13/26 Planning Board Meeting  
Cat reported that the August 13 Planning Board meeting was productive. The Board 
discussed a proposed residential project that may require Zoning Board relief, concerns 
about truck traffic and activity at the Home Fashions/self-storage site, and proposed 
subdivision and site plan regulation changes. 
 
Cat also updated the Select Board on the need to update the Town’s comprehensive plan. 
The Planning Board would like to conduct a community survey, estimated at $5,000, using 

available funds. Hoby asked Cat to bring the request back to the Planning Board and report 
on the proposed next steps. 
 
Conservation Commission  
Mark reported that the Conservation Commission nominated Christine McDade as chair 
and is confirming whether she can also serve as treasurer. The commission continues to 
review the Vernon Family Farm matter, including concerns about conflicts of interest and 
requests for recusals, with further action on hold pending legal review. Easements, 
monitoring reports, and daily site monitoring are also ongoing. Mark also noted upcoming 
work on Bald Hill Road parking and the commission’s participation in the Newfields Farmers 
Market and Craft Fair on September 19th from 9am – 12pm at the Newfields Elementary 
School. 
 
Public Safety Building Meeting 
Hoby Harmon reported that SNP Architecture was selected to lead planning for a new public 
safety facility on approximately 14 acres of town-owned land near Route 87 and Meadow 
Road, with about four to five acres potentially suitable for the project. The site was identified 
as the most viable option after other property owners declined to sell. The project will move 
forward with a needs assessment, site evaluation, programming, and community 
engagement, while wetland and perimeter surveys are underway. The Town plans to 
minimize wetland impacts and the facility’s overall footprint. 
 
D. Partikian and B. Johnson Correspondence  
Hoby reported that the Select Board received two letters from Mr. Partikian and Mr. Brian 
Johnson regarding allegations and requests for the removal and/or recusal of members of 
the Conservation Commission. He stated that the matter had been referred to Attorney 
Cordell Johnson for review and disposition. 
 
Hoby explained that the letters would be included as attachments to the meeting minutes 
and would be available through a standard Article 91 public records request submitted to 
the Town Clerk. Because the Select Board could not respond to the allegations at the 
meeting without potential legal consequences, the letters would not be read aloud. Hoby 
noted that Town Counsel had been consulted and supported the decision to refer the matter 
to counsel, with the goal of protecting the Town’s interests and ensuring compliance with 
applicable statutes and case law. 
 
Home Fashion Trailers  
Hoby Harmon said he would contact Home Fashions and the property owner to discuss 
increased truck traffic, overnight trailer parking, and routing concerns. The Select Board 
noted that the 2016 site plan did not appear to authorize overnight trailer storage, making 
the activity a potential site-plan violation. Tom Grella, Police Chief Young and Board 
members also raised concerns about trucks using incorrect routes and inadequate signage. 
The Board will explore improved signage, traffic-management measures, and other 
mitigation options. 

 
September Meeting Dates 
 
September 15th & 29th 
 
Prior Meeting Minutes 
Hoby motioned, seconded by Cat to accept the 7/28 & 8/11 minutes.  All in favor and the 
motion carried.  
 
Miscellaneous 
Hoby announced that Bill Meserve has resigned from the Public Safety Building Committee 
due to other commitments. 
 
Hoby reported that the audio/video issues experienced during the past few meetings are 
being addressed. 
 
Hoby advised that acceptance of the proposed Webb property donation will require a Town 
Warrant in March for Town approval. The Town will be responsible for the expenses 
associated with the title search, quitclaim deed, and recording fee. The Town is exempt from 
the transfer tax. 
 
John Hayden reported that Fowler’s Way had been accepted by E911 and just needs 
signage. Hoby agreed to follow up with the Fire Chief regarding a standardized town sign 
and installation. 
 
Hoby explained that seven formal complaints were received from Jeremiah Vernon in June, 
covering issues such as neighborhood activity, lawn mower noise, and vehicles accessing 
Route 87. One complaint concerned the Girards having two signs on their property, 
including one illuminated sign, which Vernon claimed violated town zoning. 
 
Hoby noted that the same signage issue had been raised in 2024 and reviewed by the 
Select Board’s legal counsel. At that time, counsel determined that the zoning restriction 
applied only to commercial businesses, professionals, or service providers—not private 
residences. Vernon submitted essentially the same complaint again in June, despite that 
prior determination. 
 
Hoby also described the Town’s process of notifying the person against whom a complaint 
is made so they can respond. When the Girards were given paperwork concerning the 
complaint, one of them delivered documentation to Hoby’s home. Hoby said Nicole 
Vernon then drove by, recorded the Gerard vehicle in the driveway, and sent an email 
documenting the observation. 
 
Hoby stated that the email was initially not treated as a formal complaint or read into the 
public record. At a later meeting, it was clarified that the email was being submitted as a 

formal complaint. Hoby rejected the underlying allegation, explaining that a resident was 
simply dropping off paperwork in response to a complaint and that Select Board members 
are permitted to meet with residents and have them park in their driveway. Hoby 
characterized the matter as without merit and indicated that it had been addressed and 
would be considered resolved. 
 
Hoby made a motion, seconded by Mark, to waive the Town Hall rental fee for Kent Lawrence 
for the canceled contra dance. All were in favor and the motion carried.   
 
Tom Grella asked the Board for a status on the Pleasant St/Summer St project. Bill Meserve, 
who has been handling this matter, reported that the Town has completed the basis-of-
design process with the Department of Environmental Services (DES). The construction is 
now planned for April due to the delayed DES approval. He noted that the project will also 
support EPA stormwater nutrient-removal permitting and may generate environmental 
credits for the Town by reducing automobile-related contaminants. 
At 7:58pm, Cat motioned, seconded by Mark, to adjourn the meeting.  All were in favor and 
the motion carried.   
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Kisha Therrien