2016 Annual Town Meeting Minutes
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, February 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm to transact the following business:
Richard Reed, the Moderator called the Town of Leicester Meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The Moderator welcomed the 40 voters in attendance to the 255TH 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. Carroll) and seconded (C. Todd) 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 $595,191.15 to defray the necessary expenses and liabilities of the town for the ensuing year, divided as follows:
$ 272,856.15 | Amount to be raised by taxes: $ 235,338.43 | |
Highway Expenses | $ 322,335.00 | Amount to be raised by taxes: $ 241,857.39 |
Note: The amount to be raised may increase based on the result of the vote on Article 3 and Australian ballot articles. The Selectboard will set the tax rate at a later date.
A motion was made (C. Reed) and seconded (A. Ouellette) to accept Article 2.
A motion was made (J. Delphia) and seconded (B. Shouldice) to amend Article 2 note to read “Note: The amount to be raised may increase based on the result of the vote on Article 3 and Article 4, and Australian ballot articles. The Selectboard will set the tax rate at a later date.”
Article 2 amendment was passed by unanimous voice vote.
No further discussion.
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 (A. Ouellette) and seconded (A. Young) to accept Article 3.
C. Todd asked about having question at town meeting vs. Australian ballot. Board explained that question was to ask for additional to town budget voted at town meeting. A. Ouellette asked why it wasn’t included in the budget. Board explained that it was in addition to paving line in budget. B. Shouldice asked about paving costs and grant state/town payment split and encouraged continued road maintenance. Board discussed current costs for paving, grant availability and process, and future paving goals. A. Ouellette asked where paving would be done. A. Pidgeon indicated that Fern Lake Road was the most pressing area.
Article 3 was passed by unanimous voice vote.
- Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester approve an additional sum of $20,000, to be placed in a restricted fund, for future culvert and bridge requirements?
A motion was made (C. Reed) and seconded (A. Ouellette) to accept Article 4.
D. Perkins asked why this question was being presented. Board explained that due to changes in Act 64, requirements of the State Road & Bridge standards, and new state permitting costs, the Town was looking at markedly increased costs for replacing culverts and/or bridges. Estimates for replacing the Fern Lake Road culvert were in excess of $267K and the Old Jerusalem Road culvert over the Leicester River will likely be over $500K. C. Reed asked if there was any other money set aside beyond the Culvert Fund. The Board indicated no.
Article 4 was passed by unanimous voice vote.
- Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester, for this year and all subsequent years, vote to have current taxes collected by the Town Treasurer?
A motion was made (J. Delphia) and seconded (D. Benware) to accept Article 5.
J. Delphia explained that this question was a housekeeping article to maintain the current process and that the ‘all subsequent years’ alleviated the need to ask the question every year.
Article 5 was passed by unanimous voice vote.
- Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester authorize the elimination of the office of Town Lister in accordance with 17 V.S.A. §2651c and replace it with a professionally qualified assessor who shall have the same powers, discharge the same duties, proceed in the discharge thereof in the same manner, and be subject to the same liabilities as are prescribed for Listers or the Board of Listers under the provisions of Title 32?
A motion was made (H. Sessions) and seconded (A. Lynn) to accept Article 6.
A motion was made (D. Benware) and seconded (Ch. Morrison) to accept amend the article to add ‘on or before December 31, 2016’.
C. Todd asked if the Board would be hiring NEMRC. The Board said yes. C. Reed asked why the Board was presenting this article. The Board clarified that the position has become more complicated and we need someone with a professional lens. We currently contract with NEMRC for much of the assessing work. We would still have a clerk to assist the professional assessor. D. Callum & A. Lynn asked about cost. J. Delphia explained the current costs for assessment services and lister payroll and future estimated costs. If this article passed, a $1,400 savings is expected. D. Benware explained that amendment to add the date was to allow the Listers and Assessor to have a clean transition when it was convenient for both of them.
Article 6 amendment was passed by unanimous voice vote.
No further discussion.
Article 6 was passed by paper ballot as required by statute. 33 – Yes, 1 – No, 2 - Blank
- Discussion of articles to be voted by Australian ballot.
C. Reed asked about the ACTR bus schedule. J. Delphia indicated the schedule is available at the Town Office.
- 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.
A motion was made (G. Moore) and seconded (C. Reed) to adjourn Town Meeting.
Leicester Town Meeting adjourned at 7:56PM.
Results of those elected by Australian Ballot Voting: (Ballots and results attached)
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Of the 682 registered voters – 313 cast votes (312 voted, 1 defective)
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 1, 2016 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
MODERATOR RICHARD REED 1 YEAR
SELECTBOARD KEN YOUNG 2 YEAR
SELECTBOARD DIANE BENWARE 3 YEAR
LISTER AMY QUENNEVILLE 3 YEAR
AUDITOR DONNA PIDGEON 3 YEAR
DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR BETH RIPLEY 1 YEAR
FIRST CONSTABLE JEFF McDONOUGH 1 YEAR
SECOND CONSTABLE MIKE RAKOWITZ 1 YEAR
GRAND JUROR JEFF McDONOUGH 1 YEAR
TOWN AGENT JEFF McDONOUGH 1 YEAR
Article 2: Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester vote to appropriate $1,885 for Addison County Transit Resources to be taken from Town funds for the purpose of maintaining and improving transportation services for elders, persons with disabilities and the general public?
YES: 248 NO: 58 BLANK: 6
Article 3: Shall the Town of Leicester vote to appropriate $350 to RSVP, which recruits, places, and manages volunteers for Addison County non-profit organizations to meet critical needs, and offers free access to programs which help community members to stay healthy, engaged and financially stable?
YES: 253 NO: 52 BLANK: 7