Vermont League of Cities and Towns
2022 Annual Business Meeting
In-Person Meeting, Northstar I room, Killington Grand Resort and Hotel
October 6, 2022
Minutes
President Jessie Baker called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. and introduced members of the VLCT Board of Directors and which Board members were the Chairs of the VLCT Policy Committees. She then introduced Ed Chase, Town Moderator from Westford since 1988, to preside over the official business of the meeting. Jessie Baker acknowledged the passing of Jonas Rosenthal and gave her condolences.
Ed Chase introduced the agenda of the 2022 VLCT Annual Meeting. By motion duly made by Stowe Town Manager Charles Safford and seconded by Bill Shepeluk, the agenda was adopted unanimously.
Ed Chase introduced the minutes of the 2021 Annual Meeting. On motion duly made by Fayston Town’s Selectboard Chair Jared Cadwell and seconded by Fairlee Town Clerk Georgette Wolf-Ludwig, the minutes were adopted unanimously as printed.
Ed Chase introduced the governing rules of the 2022 VLCT Annual Meeting. On motion duly made by Fayston Town’s Selectboard Chair Jared Cadwell and seconded by Pittsfield Town’s Selectboard Chair Ann Kuendig, the rules were adopted unanimously.
President Baker introduced VLCT Executive Director Ted Brady who offered the Executive Director’s update.
President Baker introduced VLCT Finance Director Seth Abbene who provided a Financial Audit Report from 2021 audit results.
Ed Chase presented the Municipal Policies portion of the agenda and asked Karen Horn and Committee Chairs to present updates that had occurred in the various Policy Committee meetings and asked for motions to accept policies for adoption. Ed first went through the Guiding Principles and asked Jessie Baker to make a motion to approve this section of the Municipal Policies. Bill Fraser seconded. Approved unanimously.
The next section of the Municipal Policy was 1.0 Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) and Bill Fraser (VLCT Board Vice President and Montpelier’s City Manager) spoke of the updates that were made and made a motion to approve the non-controversial portions of this policy. 1.01.5, 1.02.2, 1.03.6, and 1.03.7 were held for further discussion. Bennington’s Town Manager Stuart Hurd seconded the non-controversial portions of this policy. Approved unanimously. These items were talked about individually and only clarification was sought after. Each held item was motioned to accept by Bill Fraser and was seconded by Richmond’s Selectboard member Jay Furr. Approved unanimously.
West Fairlee’s Selectboard Chair and VLCT Board member Delsie Hoyt presented Section 2.0 Transportation Policy and made a motion that all the non-controversial items would be accepted. Brattleboro’s Interim Town Manager Patrick Moreland seconded. Approved unanimously. 2.01.2 and 2.01.3 were held for further debate and after satisfactory clarification was made and no amendments given, Delsie Hoyt motioned to approve these two items and Patrick Moreland seconded. Approved unanimously.
VLCT’s Immediate Past President and Burlington’s Mayor Miro Weinberger outlined Section 3.0 Public Safety Policy. Mayor Weinberger made a motion to accept the non-controversial updates on this policy and Richmond’s Selectboard member Jay Furr seconded. Approved unanimously. 3.03.2 and 3.03.3 were held for further clarification and after hearing responses to questions posed and with no additional amendments forthcoming, Miro Weinberger made a motion to approve these held items and Stowe Town Manager Charles Safford seconded. Approved unanimously.
VLCT Board member and West Rutland Town Manager Mary Ann Goulette presented Section 4.0 Quality of Life and Housing. After she offered updates, Mary Ann Goulette asked for a motion to approve the non-controversial items of this policy and Waterbury Town Manager Bill Shepeluk seconded. Approved unanimously. No items were held for further discussion.
VLCT Board member and Wheelock Selectboard Chair Ann Lawless presented Section 5.0 Environment. Ms. Lawless asked for a motion to approve the non-controversial items from this municipal policy and was seconded by Richmond’s Selectboard member Jay Furr. Approved unanimously. No items were held for further discussion.
Report of the Nominating Committee. Jessie Baker thanked Ed Chase for his good moderation of the municipal policies. President Baker then presented the VLCT Board of Directors Nominating Committee Report, which included the nomination of the following members:
President, term expires October 2023:
- Jessie Baker, City Manager, City of South Burlington
Vice-President, term expires October 2023:
- William Fraser, City Manager, City of Montpelier
For five, two-year terms expiring October 2024:
- Joe Major, Selectboard Vice Chair, Town of Hartford
- David Allaire, Mayor, City of Rutland
- Julie Hance, Town Manager, Town of Chester
- Ann Lawless, Selectboard Chair, Town of Wheelock
- Ken Linsley, Selectboard Member, Town of Danville
Jessie Baker asked for a motion to approve these members to the VLCT Board of Directors. Bill Shepeluk of Waterbury made the motion and Williamstown Town Manager Jackie Higgins seconded. Approved unanimously.
Jessie Baker presented a certificate of appreciation to George Putnam for his service on the VLCT Board.
Reminders were given for the WLG-sponsored reception beginning at 5 pm, dinner at 6 pm, and awards and a variety show to occur for the evening, but no other business was brought before the Annual Meeting.
By motion duly made by Winooski Town Manager Elaine Wang and Waterbury Town Manager Bill Shepeluk seconded, the Annual Meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Mahns
Executive Administrative Assistant