Lengthy Debate, But All Passes in Morristown
by Mickey Smith

MORRISTOWN - After a 12 minute school meeting, the voters of Morristown
let the select- board know of their displeasure with several ongoing
issues. But after venting their frustrations with the town's recent
actions, no articles were defeated - though two needed a paper ballot,
and another was postponed indefinitely.
The meeting started very quietly, the first half hour was used for
announcements from Town Clerk Mary Ann Wilson and Moderator David Polow.
State Representative Shap Smith also gave an overview of what is going
on in Montpelier, and urged residents to contact him or Rep. Miller with
any questions, comments, and concerns they may have.
At 9:30, the school portion of the meeting was gaveled to order. Because
the actual budget and the school director posts are voted by Austalian
ballot, voters quickly ran through the next four articles in about nine
minutes. The meeting would have been over in under 10 minutes but the
board paused to say farewell to long time board member David Ford, who
chose not to run for re-election this year. Ford began a new job as
co-superintendent of the Orleans Southwest District this past fall, so
as a token of apreciation, board member Will Spalding presented him with
a PA Wolves baseball hat to wear, "while prowling the halls of Hazen."
After a brief break, it was the selectboard's turn on stage. The meeting
started quietly enough with the acknowledgement by Selectman Jim Paige
that Brian Greenia, who has served on the board for 26 years, is
stepping down. Paige said, during that time Greenia had only missed a
total of five meetings. Later, Greenia was presented with a plaque of
appreciation from Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux for his work on
the Sheriff's Advisory Board.
In elections, later Australian ballot results showed Selectman Steve
Bousquet besting Ron Stancliff, 372-314, incumbent Brian Kellogg
reinstated, 573-106 over N.E. Bou-Nacklie. For school director,
incumbent Kathy Demars tallied 580 votes to challenger Ken Schramm's
131. Banker Peter Jones received 466 votes over George Gruner's 236.
After electing town officers, the voters showed their appreciation of
the long hours board members put in by approving a 10% pay increase for
the selectmen to $1,100 a year.
It wasn't until the expenditure articles came up, that voters expressed
their displeasure in the budget, which will be up 9.6% over last year.
Outgoing chair Brian Greenia explained much of the increases was due to
a tight budget last year, when the town made a conscious effort to keep
costs scrutinized because of the uncertainty linked with going through a
reappraisal. Rising costs in health and worker's comp insurance added to
the general government portion of the budget.
Greenia said the board feels they have quality people in the town
clerk's office, due largely to the package they are able to offer
employees, this includes full health insurance. Resident Lisa Hunt
questioned this practice in a time when fewer businesses in the private
sector are offering health insurance.
"It's out of the realm of financial reality to not expect employees to
pay," she said.
The article passed with just a smattering of no's.
Next on the firing line was the police department. Virginia Burgess
raised a concern over speeding; she said she had voiced this concern
last year and could not vote in favor of their budget until she felt
something was being done. She stated recently watching a cruiser,
without active lights or siren, traveling in a 25 mph zone at 45 mph.
After some debate on police issues, including a discussion of leasing
versus purchasing, Police Chief Richard Keith addressed the issues
brought up, including the speeding question. Keith said speeding has
been an issue all over the state and in the past year his department has
written almost $100,000 in speeding tickets. As to the situation of the
speeding cruiser, Chief Keith said there could be circumstances why a
cruiser would be traveling that fast, and it is not against the law.
And, when pressed, he said he does not condone traveling that fast when
unneccesary.
The police budget passed with just a few no votes.
No discussion was needed on the fire department budget, which passed
unanimously.
Nearly the next hour was spent debating issues in the highway department
including: the search for a highway superintendent, the approximately
$400,000 increase in the highway budget, and the way the budget article
was presented.
Much of the financial questions involved including equipment purchases
in the overall budget, rather than allowing them to be voted separately.
By adding those pieces to the overall pie, it showed the budget to be up
28%. In past years, those had been voted separately and did not spike
the budget.
Greenia reiterated the issue that a tight budget last year has prompted
more things to be added this year. To which, former highway
superintendent Bill Moulton stated he warned the town last year they
were falling behind and now they needed to catch up.
As debate ensued, Greenia reminded the voters nobody complained last
year when taxes went down.
After the debate, a paper ballot was requested which saw 142 people
approve the budget, and just 64 vote against it.
Morristown Rescue's operational budget and an article to renovate the
rescue building passed unanimously, after little discussion.
Voters debated the merits of purchasing the 24 Richmond Street property
of Clifford and Betty Cole, before finally passing it 150-49, on a paper
ballot vote. Greenia explained whether or not the property was used for
the proposed town hall project, the property would be an asset to the
town and can be bought at a low price right now because there is no
building on the spot. Options for the property include: parking for
library and graded building use, additional green space (i.e. a park),
redirecting traffic at a busy intersection, or simply cleaning up a long
time problem area.
The traditional appropriations all passed unanimously, but one. A
request to give Green Mountain Transit Agency $5,489 received a lone nay
vote from Selectboard chair Brian Greenia.
Before adjourning, voters had one more opportunity to express their
displeasure. An article to appropriate $15,000 was passed over after the
CREW nonprofit received a tax abatement from the Board of Civil
Authority. BCA member Ed Wilson explained the one year abatement will
allow CREW to get onto its financial feet and they intend to be a
taxpaying entity after that. Several voters expressed displeasure in
Morristown funding something used county-wide. It was suggested they
should have gone to each of the area towns where members come from
looking for assistance.
Before the meeting was adjourned, at approximately 1 p.m., Town Clerk
Mary Ann Wilson estimated the homestead tax rate would be approximately
$2.07 and the non-homestead rate would be approximately $2.35.

Lamoille & GMTCC Budgets Approved
by J.B. McKinley

Both budgets, the Lamoille Union High School and Middle School and the
Green Mountain Technical and Career Center budgets were approved by
voters in the towns of the Lamoille North District on Tuesday.
The GMTCC budget passed with a 58% approval rate and the LUHS/LUMS
budget by 56%. Lamoille North Superintendent Terry Bailey said 2% was
the closest the two approval spreads have ever been.The LUHS/LUMS voting
results were 621 to 471 and the GMTCC results were 660 to 448 opposed.
Votes on these budgets are cast at the voters' respective towns. The
ballots are then physically taken to the Lamoille Union High School
library where they are co-mingled and counted. Thus, it is never known
how individual towns voted.
"We're very pleased," said Superintendent Bailey, who also said he felt
the boards all worked hard on the budgets. In fact, he takes issue with
the attitude from Montpelier that seems to be blaming local boards for
education cost increases. As for the fact that the budgets passed,
Bailey hopes the effort officials made to explain the budgets helped. He
noted that he has had comments on the access TV program that reaches
Johnson and Hyde Park. He also said 10 sandwich boards were placed
around the district urging people to vote - whichever way they chose.
Bailey also welcomed Debbie Baker to the district school board
representing Belvidere.


Cambridge Voters Turn Out
for Traditional Town Meeting
by Kathy Johnson

Despite predictions of six inches of snow, 265 of the 2,539 registered
voters in the town of Cambridge checked in for Town Meeting. Gary Arleth
led the Pledge of Allegiance and requested a round of applause for the
Boy Scouts who presented the flag and who then assisted with microphones
for the duration of the meeting. Jerry Cole was re-elected moderator, a
position he has held for between 25 and 30 years.
On a paper vote of 138 to 114, with two spoiled ballots, Paul Boyer was
elected selectman, replacing Frank Hutchins, who served in that position
for 23 years. Following the vote Howard Cary proposed a show of
appreciation for Hutchins, who then received a standing ovation. Boyer
had previously served a term on the school board. There was also talk at
the meeting of enlarging the board, in view of the growth of the town. A
show of hands at the end of the meeting showed support for some form of
expansion, with or without the addition of an administrator.
Nancy Lipske defeated April Edwards in a ballot vote 140 to 94, with two
spoiled ballots, for a two year position on the elementary school board.
Jan Sander was re-elected, for a three year term, to that board, while
Sue Prescott was re-elected to a three year term on the Lamoille Union
High School Board. Mary Paulman was elected to be a library trustee for
five years. Elsie Tillotson, who previously served in that capacity no
longer lives in town.
Some discussion was spent on the amount of delinquent property taxes,
listed in the town report as $330,950.83. Jane Porter, who is tax
collector as well as town clerk, explained that an additional $49,229
has been collected since the first of the year. Some of those present
requested that properties with delinquent taxes be put up for sale
immediately, which would incur the cost of posting. However, Porter said
that she would take the matter under advisement.
The most contentious issue of the day, however, was the elementary
school budget, held after lunch, when the number of voters who still
remained at the meeting had dropped. As proposed, the budget was $24,254
less than the amount needed to finance the fiscal year's portion of the
newly negotiated teacher's contract. Much discussion about the merits of
an amendment for that amount resulted in a paper ballot. One hundred
twenty-three voted no, 99 voted yes, and one ballot was left blank. The
budget of $3,914,174, as originally proposed, passed on a voice vote.
A number of voters left following the vote on the school budget. Those
who remained approved the purchase of a heavy rescue vehicle for the
fire department, for a cost not to exceed $150,000. Fire Chief Alan Cary
assured the public that "if it can be done cheaper, we'll give it back"
to the town. The town budget of $1,406,914.34 passed on a voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 2:55, leaving citizens plenty of time to shovel
drives and pathways before dark.

Highway Workers Seek to Unionize
by Amy Kolb Noyes

MORRISTOWN - The Town of Morristown recently received a letter from the
Vermont Labor Relations Board indicating its Highway Department
employees are seeking to unionize. A petition was filed with the VLRB
Friday, February 4. The sole petitioner's signature was George Clain, of
South Burlington. Clain is president of the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers Local 300. IBEW Local 300 currently represents
employees of the Morristown Police Department, the Morrisville
Department of Water & Light, and highway workers in the Town of Stowe.
In order to file a Petition for Election of Collective Bargaining
Representative with the VLRB, at least 30% of the employees at
Morristown's Village and Town highway garages must have indicated an
interest in unionizing. Clain told the News & Citizen a list of
employees indicating such interest was filed with the VLRB. He
explained, "Workers approached us knowing that we provide service in the
town."
In a letter dated Tuesday, February 8, VLRB Executive Director Timothy
Noonan advised Town Administrator Francis "Tag" Taginski the town had
until February 16 to file with the VLRB a list of highway department
employees for the board to determine if the 30% bar had been reached.
Noonan further advised the town has three options. First, he stated that
Morristown could "agree that the proposed bargaining unit is
appropriate, and can voluntarily recognize the Union as exclusive
bargaining representative of the employees petitioned for..." The town's
second option was to consent to an election, which would also imply the
bargaining unit is "appropriate." The final option stated, "If a
question of unit determination or representation exists, please file an
answer to the petition, indicating the specific question of
determination or representation that exists."
Morristown chose to file a response to the petition, asking for
additional information from the union, according to Clain. Clain said
the union has since answered the town's questions.
"We would hope the town would open up a dialogue with us and voluntarily
recognize the union," Clain commented. He said the Local has an
excellent relationship with the town when it comes to the police
department, and he said he expects that relationship will carry over
into this matter.
If a vote of highway workers were to be held, a simple majority (50%
plus one) would be needed to institute union membership. When asked if
he believes he has the support of more than half the highway department
workers, Clain simply responded, "Yes."

STOWE SCHOOL BUDGET FAILS;
TOWN APPROVES $6,740,567
by Lynn Gabriel

STOWE - A turnout of 1,195 said no to a proposed Stowe School District
budget of $7,694,775 by a margin of only four at Stowe's Australian
ballot voting, Tuesday.
According to the town's Alison A. Kaiser, the defeat came in at 595 to
591. "There's a discrepancy between the numbers of votes and voters
because there were nine blank ballots. I have a feeling," she continued,
"that someone is going to ask for a re-count."
In contrast, the Stowe town budget of just over $6.7 million passed
easily by the overwhelming majority of voices present at the Town
Meeting held at the Stowe High School Auditorium.
Three other articles which were voted by Australian ballot also failed
to pass.
Funding for the town's share ($2,000,000. or 50% of construction costs;
whichever would have been less) of the complete renovation of the
Jackson Arena was defeated 624-559.
Also failing by a vote of 604-578 was funding for the purpose of
renovating the existing Electric Department garage on Dump Road to house
the Rescue and Hazardous Terrain/Emergency Management Facility. This
would have included relocation of that garage to the Moscow Road.
The final motion voters declined to approve dealt with funding for the
renovation of the Akeley Memorial Building and relocation of the Stowe
Historical Society.
Steve Riley was elected to the selectboard unopposed.

Eden Turnout Low

by Alicia Morissette

EDEN - Both the school and town budgets passed in Eden on Tuesday, but
some controversy surrounded the town clerk/treasurer position held by
Candace Vear.
Prior to this year's budget, Vear received both a salary and fees, which
totaled $47,541.38, excluding benefits last year. This year, the
selectboard proposed that Vear receive a set salary with benefits,
instead of both salary and money from fees.
Resistance from Eden residents was mainly due to the fact that Vear does
not have to pay a portion of her health insurance, and she can make her
own work hours. After much discussion of the issue, the vote went to
paper ballot, and after the votes had been counted, it had been resolved
to pay Vear by salary, which would be set by the Eden Selectboard at a
later date.
Eden residents also voted in some new town officers. Selectperson Leslie
White opted not to run again for her three year position, and Kevin
Jones will be taking her place. The three year auditor position was
taken by Chip Chapados, taking the place of Karen Jones who had
resigned. In addition, Eden elected a new school board director, Anita
Gagner, who has served in this position once before.
Despite these changes, Eden residents decided to keep one tradition: the
names of taxpayers who are delinquent in their property and/or school
taxes will still be published in the Town Report.
Eden also agreed to exempt the Masonic Lodge in Eden Mills from property
taxation for a period of five years, starting this year, and the Eden
Historical Society was granted $2,500 to help with the upkeep of its
building.
The Lake Eden Recreation Area (LERA) also received some assistance.
Funds will be given to LERA to be put towards a new bath house and
office space. An additional $3,000 will be used around Lake Eden and
South Pond for summer maintenance, and money will be appropriated for
the swim program, which will result in free swimming lessons and no
admission charge for Eden residents.
Finally, this year's recipient of the Bullard Award was Assistant Town
Clerk Donna Whitcomb for her continued dedication to the town, and the
meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. By the end of the meeting, it was
discovered that only 150 voters of 787 registered voters showed up to
the meeting.

Selectboard Opposes State land Buy

by Alicia Morissette

JOHNSON - On Monday, February 21, Johnson Selectboard members voted not
to support the sale of 72 acres of property on the West Settlement Road
between Johnson landowner Bill Bissell and the State of Vermont.
Bill Bissell was unable to make it to the meeting due to health reasons,
according to Green Mountain Club (GMC) member Matt Moore, but both Moore
and fellow GMC member Walter Pomroy were there to support Bissell's sale
decision.
The state would acquire Bissell's property through GMC, who would be the
original buyer. If the state acquired Bissell's 72 acres, that property
would come off Johnson's tax rolls. However, the state would still be
subject to PILOT payments.
According to the state's Payment In Lieu of Taxes payment system, the
state would owe Johnson $215 in taxes on this property. Unfortunately,
this value is less than $371, which would be the tax if GMC owned the
property. Yet, GMC cannot afford the 72 acres on its own, according to
Moore.
Bissell wants the sale to occur because he has some health issues, said
Moore, and GMC wants the sale to occur because they plan on moving the
Long Trail to Dry Ridge, which is on West Settlement Road.
By moving the trail to Dry Ridge, the Long Trail will lead down to Route
15 directly. Moore stated, "our main concern is safety," and if the road
walk is minimized, there is less of a safety hazard for hikers.
Moore also stated that the property is "unlikely to be developed"
because it is categorized as forest land. Another part of GMC's argument
is that if the state owns the land, there will not be an opportunity for
the land to be developed, which will "preserve traditions of hiking,
hunting and forestry," stated Moore. Pomroy added that the Long Trail is
a "gem for the state."
GMC members also pointed out that the Long Trail brings people into
Johnson. Moore stated he eats at the Plum and Main when he is in Johnson
and other hikers use Johnson's businesses as well.
Selectman Eric Osgood stated outright that he would not support the
state purchase of Bissell's land because Johnson has "$46 million in tax
exempt land" already, excluding non-profit organizations and churches.
Osgood then added that the state has a deficit and he does not
understand how the state can afford to purchase more property,
especially when "the state can't pay for the property they currently have."
In Osgood's opinion, "Johnson has done more than its share. Johnson
taxpayers have done more than their share." Selectman Blaine Delisle
agreed with Osgood saying he would not support the purchase either.
Votes were taken and only Selectman Howard Romero supported the land
purchase. After some slight discussion, another vote was taken and the
results were the same; the Johnson Selectboard will not support the
state purchase of land from Brad Bissell.
This decision, however, will probably have no impact on the state's
decision to purchase the property, as Osgood said.
The state can still purchase Bissell's property without the
selectboard's approval.

Johnson Controversy Over Troop Removal
by Alicia Morissette

JOHNSON - One hundred forty-six voters attended of 2,431 registered
voters. Two hundred and thirty-one voted by Australian ballot in Johnson
this Town Meeting.
Amazingly, the hot topic during Johnson's Town Meeting was not whether
to pass the increased school and town budgets, it was whether to support
the removal of American troops from the war in Iraq - under non-binding
business.
This issue was very sensitive and caused much controversy during
Tuesday's meeting. Some residents had sons or daughters in the war, and
felt that it would be disrespectful to them to support this resolution.
Others believed that the war was necessary.
Then there were those who supported the resolution, saying the war was
not right, because there was no formal declaration of war, and the
reasons for entering war were false. One resolution supporter stated she
did not want to live in fear any longer.
Dean West said he did not think this issue should be voted upon at Town
Meeting, as he did not want the end result reflecting his views on the
war in Iraq. After all of the discussion and a paper ballot, Johnson
resolved to support the resolution with 61 voters for the proposal and
42 people against it.
The other slightly controversial issue was the appropriation of
$2,455.13 to Rural Community Transportation (RCT). There were only a few
"nays" heard during the voice vote on this article.
Everything else went smoothly at the Johnson Town Meeting, which
included the acceptance of both the school and town budgets.
Robin Sheltra was voted in as the new town school district director for
a three year term, after receiving the mandatory 25 votes. Prior to town
meeting, no one ran for this position.
Janet Sheltra was thanked for her service to the town as a clerk,
because she will be finishing her term this fiscal year and going into
her retirement.
It was also decided that town officers and town school district officers
would receive $500 compensation, while the chairs would receive a
compensation of $600.
A new committee was also adopted in Johnson: the Municipal Conservation
Commission. This strictly advisory committee will keep track of the
town's assets, among other things, and the members will be chosen by the
selectboard.
There were Girl Scout cookies, pastries, chili, soups, and other
scrumptious goodies waiting for those who got hungry during the meeting,
which ended around 1:00 p.m.



Hyde Park Honors Harvey
by Amy Kolb Noyes

HYDE PARK - Ken Harvey has been sitting at the head table at Hyde Park
Town Meeting since he was first elected selectman in 1981. After
announcing he would be retiring from the board after this week's Town
Meeting, Hyde Park was not going to let his last stint in front of the
meeting go unrecognized. The second order of business at Hyde Park's
Town Meeting, after electing Moderator Jim Mahoney, was to thank Harvey
for his dedication to the town.
Sheriff Roger Marcoux presented Harvey a mounted Lamoille County
Sheriff's Department patch in recognition of his years of service on the
Sheriff's Advisory Board. Next, Senator Susan Bartlett presented a
framed copy of House and Senate Concurrent Resolution #50, proposed by
Bartlett and Representative Linda Martin. The resolution recognizes
former Representative Harvey's many years of public service on the state
and local level. A third award was presented to Harvey by selectboard
chair Scott Griswold, on behalf of the board and the Town of Hyde Park.
A round of applause was also offered up to Debbie Slayton, Harvey's
significant other.
After a few words from Harvey, Hyde Park went on to conduct the business
of the day. A slate of officers was elected from the floor, including
Collector of Delinquent Taxes Marvin Locke; Grand Jurors Ed French and
Jim Mahoney; Town Agent Ed French; Cemetery Commissioner Nioka Houston;
and Library Trustees Doreen Noyes, Denise Greene, Sharon Anderson and
Monty Monahan.
Before voters unanimously accepted the reports of the town officers,
Griswold gave a rundown of highlights in town government. He thanked the
library trustees, builder Trim Conklin and architect Milford Cushman for
work on the library addition. Griswold also noted the town will be
completing a reappraisal this year. Griswold said the main increase in
the budget being proposed is an increase in the Sheriff's Department budget.
"We stand behind the sheriff and what he's trying to do," Griswold said
of the selectboard's opinion on the budget increase. The proposed
Lamoille County Sheriff Department's patrol budget passed in all three
towns that contract for patrol services (Hyde Park, Johnson and
Wolcott), despite a 20% budget increase. Sheriff Marcoux has made it
clear that the increase was needed to bring deputy salary and benefit
packages up to par with other departments in the area.
Voters decided to pay members of the selectboard $500 again this year.
After some explanation of the project's progress this year by
Administrative Officer Julia Compagna, Hyde Park voters also
appropriated $5,000 toward the further development of recreation fields
off McFarlane Road. Next, voters approved $7,500 for a Hyde Park
veteran's memorial on the courthouse lawn. That appropriation is half
the amount still needed to be raised for the $25,000 project. Town
Meeting voters unanimously approved a slate of appropriations to area
agencies totaling $21,287.
Article nine brought some discussion on both sides of the issue. In the
end, voters approved giving $800 to the Johnson Skate Park & Freestyle
Bike Track. Article 10, a $1,332.75 appropriation for Rural Community
Transportation (RCT) also passed.
A town budget of $1,440,985 passed in Hyde Park, with $1,320,735 to be
raised by taxes, paid in three installments. Under other business, the
Hyde Park Community Circle announced a spring event on Saturday, March
19. Also under other business Mary Foss, who is resigning from the Hyde
Park offices, was recognized for her 35 years of service to the town.
Hyde Park did not have any contested races on the ballot this year. Beth
Bailey won a write-in campaign for the vacant post of Lamoille Union
District #18 School Director, drawing 47 votes. No write-in candidate
drew the needed 21 votes to win the vacant three-year auditor post. That
position must now be appointed by the selectboard. Sandra Douglas was
elected to the two-year auditor term.
Selectman Russell Lanphear took over Harvey's three-year term on the
board. Duncan Nash was elected to the two-year seat Lanphear had
occupied. Brian Marshall and Mike Aither were each re-elected Hyde Park
(elementary) School Directors, for three and two years, respectively.
Harold Bailey retained his post on the Lamoille Regional Solid Waste
Management District.

Elmore to Buy Used Grader
by J.B. McKinley

ELMORE - Town Meeting began at 10 a.m. in Elmore with voters electing
Jon Gailmor as moderator. He opened the meeting by introducing two UVM
students sitting in the back corner working on some sort of Town Meeting
study. He then asked if anyone present was attending their first Town
Meeting in Elmore and about six people responded and were welcomed by
the crowd of a little over 100. In a move that may have contributed to
the extremely orderly progression of the day's work, Gailmor than read a
brief synopsis of Robert's Rules of Order and went down the list of
elections in article 2.
Voters re-seated all the town and school's former officers with the
exception of newly elected School Director John Fish. Fish replaced
Warren Miller, who resigned the position after serving for 18 years -
always as chairman. Miller explained it was simply time to give others a
chance. The voters gave Miller a round of applause for his service.
Funding of $23,150 was approved for Elmore's FAST Squad and then voters
considered the list of 19 nonprofit organizations requesting
appropriations. The list, totalling $7,272, was approved after voters
decided to remove the $1,302.38 request of Rural Community
Transportation - a group that had refused to offer any sort of
reasonable accounting, or explanation for their request prior to Town
Meeting.
The next article was the hot ticket of the day. The selectboard was
asking to spend up to $80,000 for a used road grader. This same issue
was the subject of a special town meeting last year. A citizens'
committee researched the subject and did not make a recommendation, but
the question remained, should the town buy new or used? After lengthy,
but very civil discussion, in the only paper ballot of the day, voters
allowed selectmen to buy a used grader by a vote of 60 Yes, 24 No.
Elmore passed its town and school budgets, establishing for the first
time a reserve fund for any potential monies carried over into a new
budget year.

Marathon Meeting in Wolcott

by Amy Kolb Noyes

WOLCOTT - It took six-and-a-half hours to get through the annual Town
and School District Meeting in Wolcott. In the end, voters approved all
the binding questions put before them, including switching to a five
member selectboard next year. When the Australian ballots were counted,
however, questions regarding a school construction bond and changes to
the zoning bylaws and subdivision regulations all failed by significant
margins.
Lengthy, sometimes heated, discussions regarding the proposed school
budget, a school budget deficit, the Sheriff's Department contract, a
fire truck purchase and growth in the town added to the meeting's
longevity. Ironically, voters were not allowed to discuss the biggest
issues of the day, as they were being voted by Australian ballot.
The school board's second attempt to secure a school construction bond
failed 141 to 279. Many voters acknowledged the school's need for more
space but called the proposal's new library and facade too elaborate.
Voters also objected to proposed changes to the town's zoning bylaws and
subdivision regulations as too far-reaching. The zoning bylaw changes
were defeated 154 to 261. The subdivision regulation changes were
defeated 154 to 266. Planning Commission chair Dan Noyes commented the
board should have done a better job distinguishing which changes were
being proposed locally and which of the new regulations were state-mandated.
A litany of paper ballots helped add to the hours at the Wolcott Town
Hall. While School Board chair DJ Masi was unopposed in his bid for the
three-year school director position, three candidates vied for the
two-year term being vacated by Jan Roy. David Bain easily won the runoff
with 65 votes to Rhonda Hay's 28 and David Tallman's 11 votes.
Also at the School District Meeting, which was held prior to the town
portion of the meeting, voters passed a $2,862,698 school budget 82 to
52, with one spoiled ballot reading "maybe." A strong voice vote passed
the article seeking to expend up to $93,000 from the school's Building
Maintenance Escrow Account to cover a FY2004 year-end deficit. There was
much discussion about how Wolcott can better plan for fluctuations in
secondary tuition costs and for the "tuition bill-backs" from Lamoille
South that contributed to a large portion of the deficit. Under other
business, Rusty Shedd questioned if the town could no longer afford to
offer school choice to students in grades 7-12.
A four-way runoff for selectman demanded four paper ballots before
Robert Harris won a clear majority. With 60 votes needed to win a
majority, Robert Harris drew 44 ballots, Roy Westover 39, Lucien Gravel
32 and Dave Tallman 2 in the first round of balloting. The numbers were
similar in round two: Harris 41, Westover 37, Gravel 32 and Tallman 3.
Harris gained ground in the third balloting with 52 votes. Westover
earned 39 votes, Gravel dropped to 20 and Tallman to one. Tallman was
dropped off the list of candidates in the fourth and final ballot. With
58 votes needed to win, Harris drew 59, Westover 39 and Gravel 14.
Paper ballots were also held for a one-year auditor term (Amy Noyes 63,
Charlie Killian 26); three-year lister (Eliza Girard 48, Charlie Killian
18, Mary C. Harris 4 and Marcia Henderson 3); and constable (Bob Bovat
78, Steve Bishop 7).
In unopposed town elections, Mary C. Harris was named auditor for
another three years. Bradley Allen was re-elected town agent to deed
real estate and town agent to prosecute and defend suits. Dale Brooks
was re-elected library trustee for a five-year term. Maynard Harris was
re-elected cemetery commissioner for a term of five years. John Randall
Pratt was re-elected grand juror. Robert Harris was elected moderator.
On the floor of Town Meeting, Wolcott voters unanimously appropriated as
sum of $13,170.50 to various community organizations.
A 20 minute discussion ensued for article 7, in which the Lamoille
County Sheriff's Department asked for $110,338.80 for road patrol.
Sheriff Marcoux and Deputy Eben Merrill were on hand to answer
questions. Lynn Gribbin amended the motion to pay the Sheriff's
Department $91,217, the same amount as the current budget. Kurt Hammel
further amended the motion to "split the difference" at $100,000.
"If you think you're paying taxes now, wait till the Sheriff's done with
you," said Gribbin. Roy Westover stood to say he investigated
contracting with the Hardwick Police Department. He said the town could
save $10,000 to $12,000, but Hardwick would only respond to complaints,
and not provide routine road patrol.
Don Putvain said he has spoken to officials in Elmore regarding
splitting Wolcott's share of the Sheriff's Department patrol with
Elmore. Currently Wolcott, Hyde Park and Johnson contract with LCSD for
road patrol. Sheriff Marcoux said he has had some conversations with
Elmore, but no agreement had been reached.
When the question was called, both amendments failed and the original
article passed on a voice vote. Putvain then volunteered to work with
the Sheriff's Department on alternate ways to fund the town's road patrol.
Voters unanimously passed the Sheriff's Department $29,165.90 dispatch
budget. Under article 9 voters unanimously appropriated $10,000 from the
new office revenue fund and $10,000 to be raised in taxes to replace the
Town Hall roof.
A paper ballot was requested after a close voice vote regarding
expanding the selectboard from three to five members. The measure passed
48 to 41.
Voters unanimously authorized the Wolcott Volunteer Fire Department to
spend $10,000 from its equipment fund to help pay for a new pumper
truck. However, that vote came after criticism initiated by Don Putvain
regarding the manner in which the truck was purchased. Putvain said the
voters should have been asked to authorize the expenditure before the
truck was bought, and not the other way around.
Fire Chief Chan Judd explained his department's 30-year old pumper went
down in July. He said he asked the selectboard to call a special town
meeting, but the board advised it would be acceptable to make the
purchase using $10,000 from the WVFD budget and financing the remaining
$70,000. The expenditure approved at Town Meeting will go to pay down
the loan.
Under non-binding business, the selectboard sought voter input on
reclassifying to class three one class four road and four private roads.
Considering the late hour, the board perhaps received more opinions than
it wanted. Discussions ensued regarding maintenance demands, the
possible need for an additional town truck and space at the town garage,
unchecked development in town and the rights of taxpayers living on
private roads in Wolcott.
When a motion to adjourn was called, it was met with a chorus of
seconds. The time was 4:30 p.m.
 

Two Votes Pass Budget
by Alicia Morissette

BELVIDERE - The Belvidere school budget had a close call during Town
Meeting, as it passed with the minimum number of two majority votes;
Twenty-two people voted to pass it, and 20 people voted against passing it.
This close call was not the only controversial issue of Belvidere's
small and tight-knit community. Belvidere residents had an issue with
article 3 of the town warning, which was to receive and act on the
reports of the town officers and town school district officers. The
issue was with the untimely production of the report; residents wanted
their town reports earlier.
Of the 209 registered voters, according to the ballots cast, 52 of those
voters made it to the Town Meeting. Those present decided to keep
Shirley Brown as town clerk and town treasurer. Then, after a paper
ballot, Bob Granger was re-elected for the position of town selectman
for another three years in a close vote against his challenger Mike Lemire.
Cindy Dezotelle was voted as the new town lister, and David Muir became
the new school director, both for a term of three years. Belvidere
residents also voted in as new Lamoille Union High School Director
Debbie Baker.
However, residents decided to stay with several old faces, such as
long-time Road Commissioner Hugh Tallman, who has been serving Belvidere
for 38 years, and First Constable Geoffrey Hobart.
All other articles passed without controversy, but there was a
discussion as to what to do with the Junction School. According to Town
Clerk Shirley Brown, residents wanted to make sure the building was used
and not vandalized.
No decision could be made on the building's use, but suggestions were
made that it be moved to the recreation field as a community building,
or possibly allowing the historical society to occupy it.
Residents also enjoyed both a raffle and lunch, which was put on by the
younger Belvidere students in an effort to raise funds for their
Washington D.C. trip and, according to Myrna Tallman, they collected a
good amount of money.
 

Waterville Selectboard Raise
by Alicia Morissette

WATERVILLE - The big news at the Waterville Town Meeting on Tuesday was
the $800 raise each selectperson received for the upcoming fiscal year.
It was determined that approximately 13 years ago, the wage for
selectpersons was set at $200. This year, Waterville residents decided
to show their appreciation for their selectboard by raising the yearly
stipend to $1,000 per member, despite protestations from selectpersons.
Waterville residents also raised the hourly wage of town listers from $8
to $10 per hour. These two budget changes will increase the $165,730.30
town budget by approximately $2,400, but residents obviously thought the
change worthwhile.
Another change made during the meeting was the election of two listers
and a change in term for a current lister. Merilyn Clinger had held the
town lister position of one year, but she chose to take on the three
year position to accommodate the acquisition of two new listers.
The lister positions of two and three years were vacant for part of this
year, and the selectboard was "quite nervous" the spots would not be
filled, said Selectman Jay Marsh. However, Sharon Machia stepped up to
take the one year position and newcomer Robin Genetti chose the two year
position.
Article 22 was passed, which means the town will support the mandatory
labeling of all genetically engineered (GE) food, the shifting of all
liability from farmers to the commercial developers of the GE technology
for any damages resulting from growing the GE crops, a moratorium on the
further growing of GE crops for commercial use and the informing of
elected representatives to include members of the general assembly, the
governor and Vermont's federal delegation.
The one and only article that was defeated was article 23, which asked
Waterville voters to approve the resolution concerning the war in Iraq
and the deployment of members of the Vermont National Guard in that war.
In the words of the resolution, the town was to request the members of
Vermont's Congressional Delegation to restore the balance between the
federal government and the states, limiting the nearly complete federal
control over State National Guard units to cases where there is
reasonable evidence of a threat to the United States, an insurrection or
plausible threat of insurrection or there is a declaration of war under
the United States Constitution.