Most voters throughout Windham County will assemble on Town Meeting Day on Tuesday, March 3. Voters in Athens, Brattleboro, Brookline, Rockingham, Vernon, Westminster, Windham, and several other towns will convene on their own respective timetables, and Marlboro voters will make all decisions by Australian ballot.
According to the Vermont Secretary of State’s office, Vermont law makes Town Meeting Day a holiday for employees of state government. State law also gives an employee the right to take unpaid leave from work to attend his or her Annual Town Meeting, subject to the essential operation of the business or government. An employee must give the employer at least seven days’ notice to take advantage of this right.
Windham County towns are listed here with election information and highlights of warrant articles that were available by press time.
Athens
Town Meeting takes place Monday, March 2, at 6 p.m. at the Athens Community Center. Voting by Australian ballot is Tuesday, March 3, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. at the Town Office, 25 Brookline Road.
• Town budget: The proposed town budget totals $734,355.49, with $633,380.49 to be raised by taxes.
• Selectboard size: Voters will consider reducing the Selectboard from five members to three.
• Fiscal year change: Voters will consider adopting a July 1–June 30 fiscal year.
• Appointed offices: Voters will consider allowing the Selectboard to appoint the town clerk and treasurer.
• Human services: Voters will consider $6,726 for six nonprofit and human services organizations, including SeVEDS, Grace Cottage, Women’s Freedom Center, Youth Services, SEVCA, and Bellows Falls Area Senior Center.
Brattleboro
Should voters reject a ballot measure to discontinue it, Annual Representative Town Meeting begins Saturday, March 21 at 8:30 a.m. at Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Road, with continuation on Sunday, March 22 if necessary.
Elections take place Tuesday, March 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St.
• Operating budget: Representatives will consider the municipal operating budget for the coming fiscal year.
• Mountain Home and Deepwood water and sewer lines: Voters will consider funding capital improvements serving Mountain Home and Deepwood mobile home parks.
• Human services: Voters will consider $1 for allocation to social service programs through the Human Services Committee.
• Tax exemptions: Representatives will vote on exemptions from the municipal portion of property taxes for Brattleboro Post 5 American Legion’s Little League Field, The Family Garden Inc., and New England Center for Circus Arts.
• More information: brattleboro.gov.
Brookline
Town Meeting takes place Monday, March 2, at 6 p.m. at the former Brookline school building, 733 Grassy Brook Road.
• Town officials: Voters will elect a town clerk, three Selectboard members, three listers, and an auditor on the Town Meeting floor.
• Finances: Voters will consider the General Fund budget ($219,111, with $160,459 to be raised by taxes) and the Highway Fund budget ($438,031, with $287,831 to be raised by taxes). Other agenda items include the School Building Fund ($15,000) and a town plan for buildings ($15,000).
• Human services: Voters will consider $11,202 for 10 nonprofit and human services organizations including Groundworks, Women’s Freedom Center, Senior Solutions, and SEVCA.
• More information: brooklinevt.com.
Dover
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at Dover Town Hall. Polls are open 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Finances: Voters will consider a $2.96 million General Fund budget and $2.19 million for the Highway Fund.
• Capital funds: Voters will be asked to establish a Bridge Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund with $100,000 from a surplus in the General Fund.
Voters will consider adding a total of $2.05 million to the Capital Paving Fund, Capital Equipment Fund, and Capital Building Improvement Fund.
• Human services: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $400,241 for eight nonprofit and community organizations, including The Dover Free Library ($306,605), Deerfield Valley Rescue Inc. ($30,000), Support and Services at Home (SASH) ($25,000), Dover Historical Society ($20,000), Southeast Vermont Transit/The MOOver ($10,000), Loose Knit Group Food4Kids ($5,000), and Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) ($3,636).
• West Dover Cemetery: Voters will consider authorizing the Selectboard to accept the West Dover Cemetery as a town cemetery.
As reported by The Deerfield Valley News, “The article comes after Cathy Kaufmann asked the Selectboard to consider the town taking over the cemetery, which abuts Kaufmann’s property. Kaufmann told the board in October that she is the last surviving member of the cemetery’s existing association.”
• More information: doververmont.com.
Dummerston
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at Dummerston School, 52 School House Road. Polls are open 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
•Elections: Voters will elect town officials by Australian ballot, including three Selectboard members. All municipal races are uncontested.
Two races are contested for directors of the Windham Southeast School District races for representatives from Brattleboro (Richard “Rich” Leavy and Kimberly Price) and Dummerston (Daniel Everlith and Paul Smith). Voters in all four district towns vote for the single town’s representative.
• Finances: Voters will consider a General Fund budget of $768,037, with $600,624 to be raised by taxes, and a $719,575 Highway Fund budget, with $567,240 to be raised by taxes.
As described by Selectboard Chair Todd Davidson in the current issue of Views of Dummerston, the budget includes an increase in funds for the town clerk, the treasurer, and the assistant town clerk. Proposed funding includes part-time clerical help for the Selectboard, and $5,000 toward an upcoming reappraisal.
Public safety expenses include $4,500 for the Windham County Sheriff’s Office. Davidson notes that the town will soon hold a forum to discuss “options for reducing speed on our roads.”
• Capital purchases: Voters will consider a $192,000 backhoe purchase and the first of five payments on a fire truck (not to exceed $108,000).
• Reserve funds: Voters will consider adding approximately $104,000 for reserve funds for the Highway Blasting and Crushing fund and the Highway Structures fund, while using $25,000 from the latter.
The Highway Blasting and Crushing fund is used to provide sand and gravel from the Dummerston/Putney pit as well as its future operational needs.
• New name? Voters will be asked to approve the Lydia Taft Pratt Library Trustees’ changing the name of the library to the “Dummerston Community Center and Library,” reflecting the merger of the two entities.
• More information: dummerston.org.
Grafton
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at Grafton Elementary School, 58 School St. Voting by Australian ballot takes place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Financial: The Selectboard budget totals $420,072. Voters will consider $725,840 for highway and bridge work.
• Public safety funding: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $62,500 for four public safety purposes, including Grafton Rescue Squad operating expenses ($5,050), ambulance service ($9,000), Grafton Firefighters Association operating expenses ($29,950), and the Grafton Fire Truck Fund ($18,500).
• Capital budget: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $200,000 for the town’s Capital Budget, including $139,500 for the Highway Road & Structures Program, $3,500 for the Computer Software Program, $42,000 for the Town Hall Requirements Fund, and $15,000 for the Fire Hydrant Fund.
• Humanitarian expenses: Voters will consider $12,231 for 11 nonprofit and community organizations including HCRS, Senior Solutions, SEVCA, Valley Cares, and others.
• More information: graftonvt.org.
Guilford
Annual Town Meeting will begin Saturday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. at the gymnasium of the Guilford Central School, School Road. The election of town officers via Australian ballot takes place at the Broad Brook Community Center, 3940 Guilford Center Rd., from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. “Australian Ballots for the March 3 election will not be available at the Saturday Town Meeting,” warns Town Administrator Erika Elder.
• Election: Two Selectboard seats are contested this year. Kimberly M. Frost and Tammy Sargent are competing for a three-year term, while Michael (Mike) Szostak (incumbent) is challenged by Paul Beebe. Remaining offices — for lister, town clerk, and town auditor — are uncontested.
Two races are contested for directors of the Windham Southeast School District races for representatives from Brattleboro (Richard “Rich” Leavy and Kimberly Price) and Dummerston (Daniel Everlith and Paul Smith). Voters in all four district towns vote for the single town’s representative.
• Financial: Voters will consider the General Fund budget of $1.41 million, a highway budget of $1.41 million, and $339,550 for the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department.
• Human services: Voters will consider $17,730 for eight nonprofit organizations: Health Care and Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont (HCRS); Interaction (formerly Youth Services); Women’s Freedom Center; Groundworks Collaborative; Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); Senior Solutions; Brattleboro Area Hospice; The Gathering Place; Brattleboro Senior Meals; AIDS Project of Southern Vermont; The MOOver (formerly Connecticut River Transit); SEVCA; and Guilford Cares.
• More information: guilfordvt.gov.
Halifax
Town Meeting will take place in the Multipurpose Room of the Halifax Elementary School, 246 Branch Rd., at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3. Town officers will be elected by Australian ballot. Other than a contest between Paul G. Blais and Sean Youmell for Halifax School director, all positions are uncontested. No candidates are listed on the ballot for two auditors and school moderator.
• Town operations: Voters will consider a $2.5 million budget for town operations, plus $28,000 for recycling bin drop-off and pick-up services.
• Town auditor: Voters will also decide by paper ballot whether to eliminate the position of town auditor.
• Highway Equipment Purchase Reserve Fund: Voters will decide whether to establish a capital fund for highway equipment and, if so, whether to fund it with $20,000 this year.
• Human services: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $20,465 for 17 nonprofit and community organizations: American Red Cross; Center for Solace (formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice); Deerfield Valley Community Partnership; Deerfield Valley Food Pantry; The Gathering Place Adult Day Program; Green Up Vermont; Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS); Interaction (formerly Youth Services); Senior Solutions; Southeast Vermont Transit/The MOOver; Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA); Southern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS); VDART Southeast (Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team); Whitingham Fireman’s Association; Whitingham Free Public Library; Wings Community Programs; and Women’s Freedom Center.
• More information: halifaxvt.com.
Jamaica
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall, 3735 VT-30.
• Town budget: Voters will consider the town budget and borrowing authority. The total proposed FY2027 budget is $996,358 for the General Fund and $1.22 million for the Highway Fund.
• Elections: Voters will elect a slate of town officials from the floor, including three Selectboard members and three library trustees.
• More information: jamaicavermont.org.
Londonderry
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 9:30 a.m. at Town Hall, 139 Middletown Road, South Londonderry.
• Elections: Town officials will be elected from the floor. Offices include two Selectboard members, town clerk, treasurer, lister, cemetery commissioner, and trustee of public funds.
• Human services: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $37,000 for eight nonprofit and community organizations, including Friends of the West River Trail ($1,000), Grace Cottage Foundation ($1,500), My Community Nurse program ($3,500), Neighborhood Connections ($20,000), Senior Solutions ($3,000), SEVCA ($2,000), The Collaborative ($3,000), and West River Montessori School ($3,000).
• Reserve funds: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $758,000 for reserve funds, including $3,000 for the Emerald Ash Borer Infestation Reserve Fund, $100,000 for the Highway Equipment Reserve Fund, $200,000 for the Town Buildings Reserve Fund, $410,000 for the Highway Improvement Reserve Fund, $20,000 for the Pingree Park Reserve Fund, and $25,000 for the Community Economic Improvement Reserve Fund.
• General office manager funding: Voters will consider raising and appropriating up to $81,000 to fund, in part, the salary and benefits of the general office manager, with costs shared across all town departments.
• Local option sales tax: Voters will consider authorizing a 1% local option sales tax on sales, with proceeds earmarked to reduce the municipal property tax rate.
• More information: londonderryvt.org.
Marlboro
Annual Town Meeting and the Town School District Meeting take place entirely by Australian ballot.
An informational meeting will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Town House, 13 Town Hill Rd. Polls open for Australian ballot voting Tuesday, March 3, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., at the Town House. The meeting will also be livestreamed via Zoom.
• Marlboro School closure: Voters of the Marlboro School District will consider authorizing the Board of School Directors to close Marlboro Elementary School effective June 30, cease using the building for instructing students, and provide for students’ education by paying tuition to one or more public elementary schools in accordance with Vermont law.
• School budget: Voters will consider approving $3,374,499 for the ensuing fiscal year. If approved, the proposed budget would result in per-pupil education spending of $15,224, which is 7.06% lower than the current year’s per-pupil spending.
• Finances: Voters will decide on a $838,275 General Fund budget and a $1.11 million Highway Fund budget.
• Fire Company expenses: Voters will consider $42,000 for the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company Inc. to help defray operating expenses and $48,000 for protective wear, breathing apparatus (SCBA), equipment, and firehouse upgrades.
• EMS services: Voters will consider $21,525 to Rescue Inc. and $7,000 to Deerfield Valley Rescue Inc. in two separate ballot questions.
•Human services and nonprofits: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $17,162 in separate ballot questions for eight organizations, including Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) ($3,234), The Animal Resource Fund ($408), The Marlboro Meeting House ($5,000), The Marlboro Community Center ($5,000), Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District ($1,000), The MOOver ($500), SE Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) ($970), and Health Care and Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont (HCRS) ($1,050).
Voters will vote on one $6,780 ballot question for funding seven local and regional organizations, including Deerfield Valley Food Pantry ($500), Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center ($230), The Gathering Place for Adult Day Services ($500), Brattleboro Area Hospice ($250), Marlboro Cares ($1,800), The Marlboro Library ($500), and The Marlboro Mixer ($3,000).
Voters will consider another ballot question, this one appropriating $5,700 for seven nonprofit and community organizations, including Groundworks Collaborative ($1,500), Youth Services ($1,000), Women’s Freedom Center ($1,200), American Red Cross – Green Mountain Chapter ($500), Senior Solutions ($400), Green Up Vermont ($100), and Grace Cottage Hospital ($1,000).
• More information: marlborovt.us.
Newfane
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 9 a.m. at Union Hall, 5 Church St.
•Elections: Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. No sample ballot was available at press time.
• Finances: Proposed spending for general and highway operations totals $1.9 million. Voters will be asked to consider $25,467 for annual payments on the town’s excavator, make a variety of transactions with the Capital Reserve Fund, and set aside $6,750 for the Reappraisal Reserve Fund.
• Human services: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $42,435 for 30 nonprofit and community organizations, including Grace Cottage Hospital ($4,500); Senior Solutions ($1,400); Southeastern Vermont Transit ($1,000); The Gathering Place ($1,000); Historical Society of Windham County ($1,000); Groundworks Collaborative ($1,500); South Newfane Community Association ($500); Center for Solace ($300); Leland & Gray Education Foundation ($1,000).
Also, Health Care & Rehabilitation Services (HCRS) ($2,000); Incorporated Village of Newfane ($3,500); Moore Free Library ($2,700); Neighborhood Connections ($1,500); SeVEDS ($250); Restorative Community Practice of Vermont ($1,000); SEVCA ($1,600); Timson Hill Preschool ($1,300); Valley Cares ($2,675); Vermont Adult Learning ($800); Vermont Green Up ($100).
Also, Williamsville School Preservation Society ($1,500); Windham County Humane Society ($900); Women’s Freedom Center ($1,000); Interaction Inc. (formerly Youth Services) ($1,660); West River Valley Thrives ($500); VDart ($250); Windham County Safe Place ($1,500); Newfane Anew ($3,000); NewBrook Elementary PTO ($1,000); and Newfane Cemetery ($1,500).
• More information: newfanevt.com.
Putney
Town Meeting is Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at Putney Central School, Westminster Road. Polls are open 10 a.m.–7 p.m. at the school.
•Elections: Voters will vote by Australian ballot on a slate of public officials. The only contested town election is for Selectboard, with incumbent Fletcher Proctor and Logan Sears competing for the two-year seat. Remaining municipal races are uncontested.
Two races are contested for directors of the Windham Southeast School District races for representatives from Brattleboro (Richard “Rich” Leavy and Kimberly Price) and Dummerston (Daniel Everlith and Paul Smith). Voters in all four district towns vote for the single town’s representative.
• Financial: Voters will be asked to consider a General Fund budget of $2.02 million and a Highway Fund budget totals $1.2 million.
• Food security: Voters will consider raising approximately $20,219, equal to 1% of the General Fund, for food security initiatives.
• Municipal tax exemptions: Voters will be asked to consider exemptions for Putney Gun Club and Yellow Barn.
• Universal health care: Voters will discuss whether to urge the Legislature to discuss, take testimony, and vote on a bill (“Act Relating to Incremental Implementation of Green Mountain Care,” H.433) that would “establish publicly financed universal primary care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment as a first step in phasing in universal healthcare for all Vermont residents.”
• Nonbinding questions for discussion: Putney voters will consider several advisory articles addressing capital planning, land ownership, and election policy.
Residents will be asked whether the Selectboard should continue seeking funding and pursuing capital fundraising for design development and full renovation of the Putney Town Hall building, and whether it should seek funding to complete the second floor of the Fire Station, including interior improvements, utilities, and construction of an exterior staircase.
Voters will also consider whether to authorize the sale or transfer of the 49-acre Putney Town Forest and an 85-acre Brookline parcel to the Putney Mountain Association, a nonprofit organization.
In addition, voters will consider a resolution supporting Vermont’s Secretary of State in refusing a federal request to turn over the state’s complete voter checklist. The resolution affirms that Vermont elections are conducted securely under state authority, cites state and federal constitutional provisions governing election oversight, and expresses support for the Secretary of State’s decision to withhold protected voter information in response to a federal lawsuit.
• More information: putneyvt.org.
Rockingham
Meeting begins Saturday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. at at Town Hall Main Theater (Bellows Falls Opera House, 7 Square), with voting Tuesday, March 3, 8 a.m.–7 p.m, at the Masonic Temple (61 Westminster St.).Saturday’s meeting will be streamed via Zoom, but voting remotely will not be permitted.
• Financial: Voters will consider a town and highway budget totalling $7.4 million, funding the Rockingham Free Public Library with $436,780.
Voters will be asked to consider $130,564 to maintain town cemeteries and $22,000 for the Meeting House Capital Reserve Fund.
• Human services: Voters will consider $4,500 each for the Springfield Area Parent Child Center and Senior Solutions.
• Real estate tax exemption: Voters will consider granting five-year exemptions from all real estate property taxes for Bartonsville Grange #481 (130 Upper Bartonsville Road); Saxtons River Village Land & Trout Ponds (201 Pleasant Valley Road); Bellows Falls Village Corp. Watershed Land (125 Darby Hill Road); Bellows Falls Village Corp. Water Tower (706 Rockingham Road); Saxtons River Village Recreation Area (75 Pleasant Valley Road); Saxtons River Village Horan Forest (698 Saxtons River Road); and the Bellows Falls Senior Center (3 Hyde Street).
• More information: rockinghamvt.org.
Stratton
Annual Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at the Town Hall, 688 Stratton-Arlington Rd., at 10 a.m. Annual School District Meeting takes place at 11 a.m.
• Elections: Voters will fill town offices, including two Selectboard seats and three school director seats, from the Town Meeting floor.
• Financial: Voters will be asked whether to approve $1.28 million for the General Fund budget, along with $1.62 million for the Highway Fund.
• Fire company: Voters will consider $85,500 for the Stratton Mountain Volunteer Fire Company’s operating budget and authorizing the Selectboard to enter into a lease-to-own agreement for a new fire engine for up to $750,000, with a seven-year term and annual payments not to exceed $150,000, beginning in FY2028.
• Community and public safety appropriations: Voters will consider raising and appropriating $51,885 for 25 nonprofit, emergency service, and community organizations.
•School district tuition: Voters will set tuition rates for various schools for town students and approve a proposed $23,050-per-student rate for Burr & Burton Academy in Manchester.
Voters will be asked to approve $1.05 million for education spending, or $11,627 per pupil.
• More information: townofstrattonvt.com.
Townshend
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 9 a.m. at Dutton Gymnasium, 2030 VT Route 30.
•Elections: Voters will fill a number of public offices, including two Selectboard seats, three Cemetery Commission seats, and two Planning Board seats.
• Financial: Voters will be asked to consider a General Fund budget of $635,526, a Highway Fund budget of $1.11 million, and a library budget of $104,382, as well as $2,100 for the Old Cemetery Fund and $65,000 to purchase a trash compacting system.
• Reserve and capital funding articles: Voters will consider creating a Highway Surplus Fund to carry forward excess highway funds for major projects and future expenses, and raising $400,000 for the Highway Reserve Fund, including $200,000 for highway infrastructure and $200,000 for future highway equipment purchases, leasing, and repairs.
They will also consider raising $15,000 for a Fire Department Reserve Fund for vehicle repairs, $20,000 for the Fire Truck Capital Fund toward a future pumper, and $4,000 for the Fire Pond Reserve for hydrant projects and repairs.
In addition, voters will consider raising $25,000 for a Town Hall & Opera House Capital Preservation Fund to support structural, mechanical, and historic preservation work, with expenditures approved by the Selectboard.
• More information: townshendvt.gov.
Vernon
Town Meeting begins Monday, March 2, at Vernon Elementary School. Australian ballot voting is Tuesday, March 3, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., at the Town Office.
• Election: Voters will cast votes for town and school officials. None of the races are contested.
Voters will be asked on the ballot to approve school district spending of $7.9 million, or $15,762 per student.
• Town budget: Voters will consider a $2,478,027 General Fund budget, with $2,309,878 raised by taxes and $168,149 by estimated income. The proposal represents a 3% increase, largely reflecting the Windham Solid Waste assessment now included in the General Fund. Voters will also consider $169,612 for the Vernon Free Library.
• Capital and reserve funding: Articles propose funding multiple established accounts, including $614,554 for items in the approved Capital Plan (with $469,758 raised by taxes), along with appropriations for road upgrades ($150,000), culverts ($40,000), emergency repairs ($10,000), parking lot maintenance ($10,000), elderly assistance ($50,000), scholarships ($20,000), and fire pond dredging ($10,000).
Voters will discuss establishing a Community Harvest Festival Reserve Fund, transferring the remaining Town Picnic funds into the new account, and dissolving the former picnic reserve.
Voters will also discuss creation and funding of a Fire Dredging Reserve Fund.
• Professional Services Fund: Voters will consider $200,000 to continue funding litigation related to utility property tax assessments.
• Community and human services: Articles total $13,911 for regional organizations, including The Gathering Place, Women’s Freedom Center, SEVCA, SeVEDS, HCRS, and Senior Solutions.
• Tax Collector change: Voters will consider authorizing the Selectboard to appoint the Town Treasurer and a collector of delinquent taxes, rather than electing those positions.
• More information: vernonvt.org.
Wardsboro
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 9 a.m. at Town Hall, 99 Main St.
• Election: Town officials, including two Selectboard members and two library trustees, will be elected from the Town Meeting floor.
• Budget: Voters will be asked to consider “the Selectboard budget as published.” No information was available at press time.
• Human services: Voters will consider $92,951 (level funded) for nine nonprofit and community organizations including Wardsboro Volunteer Fire Department, Grace Cottage Foundation, Senior Solutions, and others.
• More information: wardsborovt.gov.
Westminster
Town Meeting begins Saturday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. at Bellows Falls Union High School, Union High School Road, North Westminster. Australian ballot voting is Tuesday, March 3, 8 a.m.–7 p.m., at the Westminster Institute, 3534 US-5.
• Elections: Voters will elect town officers in an election with no contested races.
• Town manager role: Voters will consider whether to rescind the town manager form of government.
• School district: Voters will hear school reports and consider applying $262,279 in projected FY25 surplus to create a reserve fund. They will also consider school board compensation of $800 per director and an additional $200 for the board chair. The proposed school budget totals $5.15 million, which would result in per-pupil spending of $15,317, a 2% increase.
• Fire District: Voters will hear district reports and consider authorizing borrowing in anticipation of revenue. They will also consider a $371,800 operating budget for FY27.
• Financial: Voters will consider a $1.42 million General Fund budget, and a $1.8 million Highway Fund budget.
• Tax exemptions: Voters will consider five-year property tax exemptions for the Westminster Aqueduct Society, Fire District #3, Westminster Recreational Club, and Sojourns Community Health Clinic.
• Property sale: Voters will consider authorizing the sale of the North Westminster Community House for residential use. [“Westminster will decide whether to keep dormant community house,” News, Feb. 3].
• Community support: Articles include continued support for the Westminster Gazette ($8,000); increased funding for the Westminster Institute and Butterfield Library (from $7,500 to $20,000); additional funding for the Westminster West Public Library; $2,000 for the Bellows Falls Community Bike Project; and $5,000 for the Putney Foodshelf.
• Non-binding resolution: Voters will consider a non-binding article calling for the removal of the president and vice president of the United States for alleged constitutional violations.
• More information: westminstervt.org.
Whitingham
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. in the gymnasium of Twin Valley Middle High School, 4299 Vermont Rte 100.
• Elections: Voters will elect town officers in an election with no contested races.
• Financial: Voters will consider a $822,562 General Fund budget, along with $1,715,081 for highway maintenance and repair. Articles also propose $172,451 for Fire Department operations and $106,900 for the Whitingham Free Public Library.
• Capital and reserve funding: Voters will consider appropriations to several established funds, including $80,000 for the Fire Department Equipment Fund, $125,000 for the Highway Equipment Fund, $50,000 for the Highway Garage Renovation/Replacement Fund, $30,000 for the Municipal Facilities Fund, $26,750 for cemetery operations, $21,000 for town parks, and $5,000 for Old Home Week 2036.
• Economic and community development: Articles include $6,000 for local economic development and $4,032 for Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS).
• Public safety and emergency services: Voters will consider $30,000 to support Deerfield Valley Rescue ambulance services and $250 for Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (VDART).
• Human services and nonprofits: Voters will consider a combined $30,885 for 14 nonprofit and community organizations, including Deerfield Valley Community Partnership, Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, Green Mountain RSVP, Health Care & Rehabilitation Services, The MOOver, SEVCA, Senior Meals, Senior Solutions, Twin Valley Youth Sports, Wings Community Programs (after-school and summer programs), and the Women’s Freedom Center.
• More information: whitinghamvt.org.
Wilmington
Town Meeting takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at the Old School Community Center, 1 School St. Australian ballot voting is 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Elections: Voters will elect town and school officers, with all races uncontested, other than Twin Valley Unified Union school director, where John Haeckel and Chad Bullock are facing off for the three-year term.
Voters will also decided by ballot a proposed general obligation bond to construct a solar array on the Public Safety Facility rooftop. According to the Wilmington Energy Committee in the Annual Town Report, the project would install 148 solar panels, which “will cover the entire electricity demand for the building; it would cost of about $200,000, after a 30% cost rebate is applied. The project would have a seven-year payback and an electricity cost savings of almost $900,000 over the 20-year life expectancy. In addition, the solar project would reduce carbon emissions by over 102 metric tons per year.”
• Financial: Voters will consider a $3.53 million General Fund budget and a $2.05 million Town Road Fund budget for FY2027.
• Public safety and emergency services: Articles include establishing a Public Safety Facility Capital Fund for building maintenance and raising $40,000 for Deerfield Valley Rescue. Voters will also consider capital appropriations of $220,000 for Fire Department equipment, $65,000 for Police equipment, and $5,000 for the Old Fire House Capital Fund.
• Highway and infrastructure funding: Voters will consider $200,000 for the Highway Town Road Equipment Capital Fund, $160,000 for the Bridge Capital Fund, $20,000 for the Highway Building Capital Fund, and allocating the estimated $26,962 state per-parcel payment to the Reappraisal Reserve Fund.
• Town facilities and capital reserves: Articles propose $100,000 for the Memorial Hall Capital Fund, $75,000 for the Town Hall Capital Fund, $12,000 for the Library Capital Reserve Fund, $5,000 for the Transfer Station Capital Fund, and $150,000 for the Public Lands Fences Capital Fund, including work on Lake Raponda Dam.
• Human services: Voters will consider additional appropriations totaling $3,800, including $1,000 for the Vermont Bar Foundation and $2,400 for Windham County SafePlace.
• More information: wilmingtonvermont.us.
Windham
Town Meeting and School District Meeting take place Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at the Windham Meeting House, 26 Harrington Rd. Election of town officers by Australian ballot takes place concurrently.
• Financial: Voters will consider a $457,374 General Fund budget, and a $570,901 Roads budget.
Articles propose $173,000 for the Road Machinery Fund, $100,000 for repaving, and $10,000 for the Town Garage Maintenance & Improvement Fund, largely supported by prior-year surplus.
• Facilities and capital reserves: Voters will consider $10,000 each for Town Office and Meeting House maintenance funds, $3,000 for town-wide reappraisal, $100,000 for the Emergency Reserve Fund, and $5,000 for the Audit Fund.
• Nonprofits and community support: An article proposes $10,000 for local nonprofit organizations as recommended by the Windham Social Services Committee.
• New funds and transfers: Articles would create and fund several new accounts, including a Schoolhouse Maintenance and Improvement Fund ($15,000), a Grant Match Fund (including transfer of $160,639.90 from the Bridges and Large Structures Fund and an additional $100,000), and an Investment Fund ($275,000) to be managed by the Selectboard.
A Talc Mine Maintenance and Improvement Fund ($100,000) would be applied to the No. Windham (Hamm) Talc Mine, an 84-acre property now owned by the town.
• School district budget: Voters will be asked to approve $598,130 for education spending, or $14,473 per pupil (a 2% increase).
• Declaration: Voters will weigh in on whether the town shall declare “that the current statewide education funding system has failed the people of Windham and is no longer capable of providing the equitable and convenient education guaranteed under the Vermont Constitution, and that repeated legislative inaction, including the flawed implementation of Act 73, has produced unsustainable property tax burdens that disproportionately harm small rural towns.”
In the next article, voters will decide whether the town shall “direct the Schoolboard to formally communicate this position to the Vermont Legislature and to notify state officials that Windham is prepared to explore all available legal and political avenues to protect its taxpayers and students unless meaningful, structural reform is enacted during the current legislative session.”
• More information: townofwindhamvt.com.
This News item was submitted to The Commons.