Selectboard candidates announced
DUMMERSTON — DUMMERSTON - Hugh Worden and Terry Chapman announced their intention to run for the Selectboard at the board's Jan. 6 meeting. Worden is running for the 3-year seat, while Chapman seeks the 2-year post.
Other registered Dummerston voters interested in running for the Selectboard must pick up a petition at the Town Offices and collect at least 17 signatures to be placed on the ballot. Petitions are due at 5 p.m. on Jan. 25. Call 802-257-1496 or email townoffice@dummerston.org for more information.
Board discusses moving Capital Fund
DUMMERSTON - Selectboard member Joe Cook presented an investment idea for the town's Capital Fund at the Jan. 6 meeting.
Cook, who was a trust officer before attending law school and becoming an attorney, suggested Dummerston's capital fund could be better invested in an account that bore a higher interest rate than in its current account at Merchants Bank.
“The money's not working very hard right now,” Cook said
Treasurer Laurie Frechette said she was uncomfortable moving that much of the town's money to a non-local bank, where personal customer service would not likely match that offered by Merchants Bank. She said she wants the ability to talk face-to-face with the town's account representative, and not someone on the other end of the phone, or online.
Frechette and board officials discussed the town's decision in May to move the capital fund from TD Bank to Merchants, mostly because TD Bank was doing away with a level of customer service Frechette felt was appropriate for the town's needs.
She said “it's going really well” with Merchants Bank and would rather keep the account there. She suggested tabling the discussion until Town Meeting, and the board agreed, and decided to look into other options.
Board responds to SeVEDS request
DUMMERSTON - The Selectboard asked Chair Zeke Goodband to write a letter to Southeast Vermont Economic Development Strategy (SeVEDS) responding to its request of a $3 per-capita contribution from the town.
After some discussion, the board decided officials from SeVEDS should submit a petition to Dummerston to have their request added to the Town Meeting articles, and Goodband should express that in his written response.
Board member Steve Glabach said that would help determine if “there's a core of people [in Dummerston] who are supportive” of SeVEDS.
“It's a good protocol,” Board member Jerelyn Wilson said. When people approach the Selectboard asking for funding from residents, “that it not just get decided by five people, but it go to the townspeople.”
She also noted the educational benefit of organizations presenting their appeal at Town Meeting.
Gravel goes up
DUMMERSTON - The town received a notice from Carpenter Gravel Pit that the price of sand and gravel it supplies to Dummerston had gone up. The cost is set by the Consumer Price Index.
The increase - from $2.92 per cubic yard to $2.99 per cubic yard - is retroactive to July 1, 2015, so the town owes Carpenter Gravel Pit some money, noted Seleboard Chair Zeke Goodband.
In a unanimous vote, the board voted to approve the increase.
Liquor license renewed
DUMMERSTON - The town's Liquor Control Committee unanimously approved Exit 4 Sunoco's application for a Second Class liquor license renewal.
A Second Class liquor license allows the licensee to sell beer and wine only, and for public consumption off-premises. It must be renewed every year.
The committee is comprised of the same members as the Selectboard. They met during the Dec. 23 regular board meeting during an adjournment allowing the liquor control committee to meet.