LEICESTER TOWN MEETING MINUTES The legal voters of the Town of Leicester, Vermont are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Leicester Meeting House in said Town on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 7:30 pm or immediately following the School District Meeting (whichever is later) to transact the following business: Richard Reed, the Moderator called the Town of Leicester Meeting to order at 7:47 PM. The Moderator welcomed the 30 voters in attendance to the 254rd Annual Town Meeting. The Moderator explained that Non-residents cannot vote. Town meetings will be run according to VT State Law and Roberts Rules of Order, all motions, remarks and questions should be directed to the Moderator. Articles must be moved, seconded and restated by the Moderator before debate can begin.
To hear the auditor’s report.
A motion was made (C. Reed) and seconded (A. Claghorn) to accept Article 1. Article 1 was passed by unanimous voice vote.
Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester vote to approve a sum of $574,282.88 to defray the necessary expenses and liabilities of the town for the ensuing year, divided as follows:
General Town Expenses
$ 271,947.88
Amount to be raised by taxes: $ 201,612.18
Highway Expenses
$ 302,335.00
Amount to be raised by taxes: $ 237,876.09
Note: The amount to be raised may increase based on the result of the vote on Article 3. The Selectboard will set the tax rate at a later date. A motion was made (C. Carroll) and seconded (A. Young) to accept Article 2. D. Snyder asked about increases in the highway budget. D. Benware explained the increases due to salt, winter sand, and payroll expenses as well as a $20,000 line for the equipment fund. Article 2 was passed by unanimous voice vote.
Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester approve an additional sum of $20,000 for road paving?
A motion was made (C. Carroll) and seconded (C. Reed) to accept Article 3. M. Pierpont asked where paving would occur. A. Pidgeon said he anticipated Fern Lake Road. The Board explained that this funding increases the town share available for any paving grants. Article 3 was passed by unanimous voice vote.
Discussion of articles to be voted by Australian ballot.
R. Reed reviewed Article 1.
To do any further business that is proper to be done when met.
D. Benware thanked elected and appointed town officials and discussed opportunities to serve. D. Benware asked voters to fill out the VT Gas survey in the Town Report so the Board can accurately represent the Town. C. Morrison stated that natural gas would come by rail or truck through Leicester if not by pipeline and was unsure which was safer. A motion was made (H. Sessions) and seconded (D. Snyder) to adjourn Town Meeting. The motion to adjourn was approved by unanimous voice vote. Leicester Town Meeting adjourned at 8:06PM. Results of those elected by Australian Ballot Voting: (Ballots and results attached)Of the 683 registered voters – 129 cast votesMarch 3, 2015 - The legal voters of the Town of Leicester, Vermont are further warned and notified to meet at the Leicester Town Office in said Town on March 3, 2015 between the hours of 10 AM and 7 PM when the polls will be open to vote by Australian ballot on the following articles: Article 1: To elect Town Officers for the ensuing year OFFICE CANDIDATES TERM VOTESMODERATOR RICHARD REED 1 YEAR 122SELECTBOARD TOM BARKER 2 YEAR 114SELECTBOARD BRAD LAWES 3 YEAR 113LISTER JEFF LEE 3 YEAR 114LISTER AMY QUENNEVILLE 1 YEAR OF 3 YR TERM 115 AUDITOR DEB MINER 3 YEAR 120DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR BETH RIPLEY 1 YEAR 118FIRST CONSTABLE JEFF McDONOUGH 1 YEAR 113SECOND CONSTABLE MIKE RAKOWITZ 1 YEAR 113GRAND JUROR JEFF McDONOUGH 1 YEAR 113TOWN AGENT JEFF McDONOUGH 1 YEAR 111
