As the year draws to a close, I am pleased to share the good news that 2018 was a time of success and accomplishment for the League and its members. VLCT staff did their best throughout the year to address member needs and deliver the outstanding service that members have come to expect. One highlight for me was the chance to meet face-to-face with members from across Vermont during a series of Listening Sessions that we held between March and June. Hearing your opinions first-hand, talking about the different issues that Vermont municipalities face, and sharing how VLCT can be an important partner in the work of local government provided a lot of useful information. We have already begun working on the topics raised in the sessions, and you can expect to see more developments from VLCT in 2019 in response to your input.
Our Advocacy team had an active – and lengthy – legislative session this year. From January through the Special Legislative Session that ended on June 29 – indeed, straight through Town Fair and the election – the team focused on keeping municipal issues in the forefront of policy discussions and decisions at the State House. With guidance from our five Policy Committees, they also prepared VLCT’s 2019-2020 Municipal Policy (our first to span Vermont’s two-year legislative biennium) that was adopted at VLCT’s Annual Meeting on October 3. The team also participated in several commissions and summer study committees, doing their typically excellent job representing the interests of local government.
The Municipal Assistance Center (MAC) had several important highlights in 2018, including a year-long series of well-attended workshops. To deliver more trainings to more locations around the state, MAC began offering more regional workshops, the first two of which were held this month in Coventry and Bennington on the topic of Vermont’s Open Meeting Law. MAC also played an integral role in the programming that made Town Fair 2018 such a successful event. The depth and breadth of knowledge available to VLCT members through MAC is impressive, and I encourage all VLCT members to take advantage of their expertise whenever you have a question.
Lastly, 2018 was another strong year for the PACIF and VERB Trusts, which continue to deliver an unmatched level of customer service while building on their offering of programs and services designed to address the unique needs of local government. A great example is PACIF’s new Law Enforcement Program managed by former South Burlington Police Chief Trevor Whipple.
Vermont municipalities joining together to support one another through the League and the Trusts helps keep our larger Vermont community strong and healthy. VLCT is extremely proud to be a part of that work and of your success. We look forward to celebrating continued successes with you throughout 2019!
On behalf of everyone at VLCT, I wish you a happy holiday season.
Warm regards,
Maura Carroll, Executive Director