Voters throughout the county will assemble on Town Meeting Day on Tuesday, March 4, unless otherwise specified.
Athens
Voters will meet at the Athens Elementary School at 10 a.m.
• Elections. Voters will take up the election of moderator, road commissioner, and town and town school district officers as may be required.
• School budget. Voters will decide on a budget set at $1,461,609 for grades K-6 and an additional $732,786 for grades 7-8 for the upcoming school fiscal year.
• Social services. Voters will decide whether to donate $6,086 toward local social services such as the Women's Freedom Center, Youth Services, The Current bus service, the Townshend Food Shelf, and SEVCA.
Brattleboro
Voting takes place in the Brattleboro Union High School gymnasium, Fairground Road. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Town Clerk's Office is open for early voting on Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to noon. Annual Representative Town Meeting is March 22.
• Elections. Town officers, Town School District members, Brattleboro Union High School District directors, and Town Meeting members from the following districts: District #1: 16 members for three-year terms, six members for two-year terms, and one member for a one-year term; District #2: 15 members for three-year terms, five members for two-year terms, and four members for one-year terms; District #3: 15 members for three-year terms and five members for one-year terms. Voting on this article is by Australian ballot.
• Non-binding local sales tax ballot question. Shall the Town of Brattleboro defray the cost of Police-Fire Facilities renovations by adopting a 1-percent local option sales tax? This advisory-only article is by Australian ballot.
• Climate change resolution. Voters will be asked to support a resolution on climate change urging President Obama and the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to move swiftly to fully employ and enforce the Clean Air Act in order to reduce carbon in our atmosphere to no more than 350 parts per million. This advisory article is by Australian ballot.
Brookline
Voters will meet in the multipurpose room of the Brookline School at 10 a.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect a new moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, collector of delinquent taxes, and all other officers as required by law.
• Town budget. A $236,156 general and highway budget will be decided, of which about $50,000 will come from prior-year surplus.
• Social services. Voters will decide whether $6,131 shall be raised via taxes for the continued support of 23 local community-support organizations.
• Greer Road and Bridge repairs. Voters will be asked whether to approve $100,000 to improve the Greer Road and Bridge to minimum state standards for Class-3 town highways.
• Building purchases. Voters will decide whether to purchase the Brookline Church building and Brookline School building, both for $1.
Dover
Voters will meet at Dover Town Hall at 10 a.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect two new auditors, first constable, grand juror, library trustee, lister, second constable, town agent, trustee of public funds, two new selectboard members, two new school directors, and a new town and school moderator.
• School budget. The town is considering implementing the International Baccalaureate program, enrollment into which will cost $45,200. Voters also will decide whether to set aside $31,500 annually for the continued support of the program, as well as an operational budget now set at $2,701,503.
• Town budget. Voters will decide whether to authorize a general operating and highway budget of $3,373,702 for the coming year.
• Capital funds. Voters will decide whether to approve $450,000, $200,000, and $100,000 for the Capital Paving Fund, the Capital Equipment Fund, and the Capital Building Improvement Fund, respectively.
Dummerston
Voters will meet at Dummerston School, 52 Schoolhouse Rd., at 10 a.m. Voting booths are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect a new moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, lister, auditor, town agent, town grand juror, trustee of cemetery funds, library trustee, and two new selectboard members. At the school district meeting, a new moderator and four new school directors will be elected.
• Town budget. Voters will decide whether to approve a town budget of $421,088 and a highway budget of $479,838.
• Highway structures replacement fund. Voters will decide whether to appropriate an additional $20,000 for the highway structures replacement fund. $5,000 of this will be raised by last year's highway fund surplus.
Grafton
Voters of the Grafton town and school districts will meet at Grafton Elementary School at 10 a.m.
• Elections. Voting for town and school district officers is by Australian ballot. Polls are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• School budget. Voters are asked to approve a Athens/Grafton Joint Contract School District K-6 budget of $1,461,609. This amount includes $500 compensation for each school director. Voters also are asked to approve $989,427 for educating K-8 students. This amount includes $750 compensation for the town treasurer.
• Town budget. Voters are asked to approve raising $139,000 for the capital budget, and whether the town should apply budget surplus toward a new town garage up to $300,000. Voters will decide whether to raise $480,960 for bridge and highway maintenance. The selectboard has requested voters approve $228,165 for the selectboard's budget.
• Hospital and ambulance. Voters are asked to approve raising $1,500 to support Grace Cottage Hospital, $9,000 for ambulance service, and $8,000 for Grafton Rescue Squad operating expenses.
• Firemen's Association. Voters are asked to raise $23,000 for operating expenses of the Firemen's Association.
• Social services. Voters are asked to raise $8,241 for humanitarian nonprofit organizations.
• SeVEDS. Voters are asked to raise $2,037 to support Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies.
• Tax-exempt status. Voters are asked to grant tax-exempt status to the Grafton Improvement Association.
Guilford
Voters will meet in the gymnasium of Guilford Central School at 10 a.m. Voting is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect a new selectboard member, lister, auditor, town agent, trustee of public funds, two new grand jurors, library trustees, trustees of the Warren Wilder Fund, and cemetery commissioners.
• Town budget. Voters will decide whether to approve a general and highway budget of $1,515,180.
• Social services. Voters will decide whether to approve $238,983 toward local social services, of which $28,000 is proposed for the continued operation of the Guilford Free Library and $201,726 is proposed for the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department.
Halifax
Voters will meet in the multipurpose room of the West Halifax Elementary School at 10 a.m. Voting is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect a new town moderator, selectboard member, town clerk, town treasurer, lister, auditor, first constable, second constable, collector of delinquent taxes, trustee of public funds, town agent, grand juror, and cemetery commissioner.
• School budget. Voters will decide on a school operating budget of $1,467,122 for the 2014 fiscal year.
• Reserve fund. A special reserve fund - not to exceed 5 percent of the total general and highway operating expenses - has been proposed to cover any unanticipated budget shortfalls and to cover any other unexpected expenses. Voters will decide whether to use surplus money from last year's highway budget to create this fund.
• Town budget, salaries. Voters will decide on a town and highway operating budget of $1,364,275. Additionally, voters will decide on various public official salaries for the upcoming year.
• Social services. Residents will vote on a total of $17,330 proposed for area social services. A large portion of this will go toward medical services such as the Halifax EMS, the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, and the American Red Cross.
Jamaica
Voters will meet at the Jamaica Town Hall at 10 a.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect a new town moderator and two new school district directors.
Londonderry
Voters will meet at Londonderry Town Hall at 9:30 a.m. Business is conducted from the floor.
• Elections. Voters will be asked to elect town officials, two directors for the RED School Board to three-year terms, and one trustee to Memorial Park for a five-year term.
• Term change. Voters will be asked to approve changing the terms of town clerk and town treasurer from one- to three-year terms.
• Eliminate position. Voters will be asked to eliminate the position of auditor.
• Conservation. Voters will be asked to approve $1,000 for the Londonderry Conservation Fund.
• Parks. Voters will be asked to approve $3,000 for Memorial Park. Voters will also be asked to raise $8,000 for the Town Parks Fund to replace Pingree Park playground equipment, and other upgrades.
• Fire departments. Voters will be asked to raise $40,000, to be divided between the Phoenix Fire Company #6, Inc., and Champion Fire Company, #5, Inc.
• Medical Center and Rescue. Voters will be asked to approve $26,443 for Mountain Valley Medical Center, and a sum on the Grand List of 2014 for the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad.
• Library. Voters will be asked to appropriate $10,000 for the South Londonderry Library Association, and whether to continue granting tax-exempt status to the land owned by the South Londonderry Free Library at the end of Old School Street.
• Highway reserve fund. Voters will be asked to approve the creation of a highway equipment reserve fund and to raise $47,000 to deposit into the fund.
• Social services. Voters will be asked to approve $33,005 for the benefit of nonprofit and humanitarian organizations.
• PACE. Voters will be asked to designate the town of Londonderry as a Property Assessed Clean Energy District (PACE).
• SeVEDS. Voters will be asked to approve raising $5,300 for Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies.
• West River Trail. Voters will be asked to approve $1,000 for Friends of the West River Trail.
• Tropical Storm Irene recovery. Voters will be asked whether to support continued planning for the reuse and redesign of five Londonderry buyout properties beyond the minimum standards of the FEMA/HMGP buyout program.
Marlboro
Voters will meet at the Town House at 9 a.m. Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Town Office.
• Elections. Voters will be asked to elect by Australian ballot: selectboard member, one three-year term; town clerk, one three-year term; lister, one three-year term; auditor, one three-year term; constable, one one-year term; town agent, one one-year term.
• Budget. Voters will be asked to approve $255,000 for the General Fund. Voters will also be asked to appropriate $315,000 for town highways, summer and winter maintenance. The Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company has asked for $10,000 to help defray operating expenses.
• Medical and emergency. Voters will be asked to approve funds for two ambulance services: $11,723.80 for Rescue, Inc. and $1,500 for Deerfield Valley Rescue, Inc. Voters will decide whether to appropriate $1,000 for Grace Cottage Hospital. The American Red Cross has asked for $500.
• Nonprofit organizations. Voters are asked to approve $9,929 for nonprofit and humanitarian associations. Voters will also be asked to approve $50 to support Green Up Vermont.
• Community services. Voters will decide whether to raise $3,000 to support production of the Marlboro Mixer newsletter, and $2,500 in matching funds for a grant supporting the Marlboro L'After program.
• SeVEDS. Voters will be asked to approve $3,234 to support Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies.
• State bank resolution. Voters will be asked to support a resolution urging the Legislature to create a public bank for Vermont.
Newfane
Town Meeting is at Newfane Union Hall at 9 a.m. Polls open for voting by Australian ballot from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Elections. Voters will be asked to elect town officers: constable, collector of delinquent taxes, lister, town moderator, Selectboard members, and to fill one three-year term and two one-year terms for town agent, town clerk, and town treasurer. Voters are asked to approve compensation for town officials: town clerk, $35,128 annual salary; town treasurer, $35,128 annual salary; listers, $14.16 per hour; Other elected or appointed officers, $8.46 an hour. Millage reimbursement will be set at 55 cents per mile pending voter approval.
• Tax sales. Voters will decide whether to authorize the Selectboard to sell or otherwise convey property acquired through tax sale proceedings.
• Social services. Voters will be asked to appropriate funds for nonprofit and humanitarian organization: Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, $4,125; Valley Cares, Inc., $2,675; Grace Cottage Hospital, $3,500, Senior Solutions, $1,150.
• SeVEDS. Voters will be asked to raise $5,100 for Southeast Vermont Economic Development Strategies.
• Capital budget. Voters will decide whether to authorize capital fund expenditures of $412,797 as proposed in the Capital Needs Plan. Voters will also be asked to raise $84,891 through taxes and to authorize the Selectboard to borrow up to $80,000 to fund capital needs. Finally, voters will be asked to dedicate $100,000 to the Capital Reserve Fund for future capital needs.
• Roads. Voters will be asked to approve Town and Highway operational expenditures of $1.2 million.
• New location. Voters will be asked to hold future annual town meetings at NewBrook Elementary School.
• Rescind previous action. The town school district will ask voters to reverse a previous decision to increase the school board to five members. Instead, the board would like to return to a three-member board with staggered terms. If approved, each elected school director would serve until the expiration of his or her term. Voters will also be asked to set compensation for Newfane School District directors at $200 each.
Putney
Voters meet at Putney Central School at 10 a.m. Voting booths are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect all town and town school district officers required by law.
• Fire upgrades. $184,500 has been proposed to be borrowed for the refurbishing of the town's #2 fire engine, a 1994 E-One pumper. The amount will be repaid over a period not to exceed 10 years. Another $40,000 has been proposed to be borrowed for repairs to the fire station roof. This will be repaid over a period not to exceed five years.
• Sidewalk installation. Voters will decide whether to approve $137,500 to match a Vermont State Alternatives Grant to construct a sidewalk extending from Putney General Store to Landmark College. This amount is also proposed to be borrowed, and will be repaid over a period not to exceed 10 years.
• Vermont public bank. Voters will decide whether to endorse the establishment of a public bank under the premise that it will aid in the improvement of the local economy by offering low-cost bonds for public works and depository for their accounts with competitive interest. The goal of creating such a bank is given in the resolution as making Vermont “economically stable, self-reliant, and successful.”
• Town and school budget. Voters will set and decide whether to approve town and school budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Rockingham
Voters will meet in the auditorium of the Town Hall in Bellows Falls at 7 p.m. on March 3 to act on all matters not involving Australian ballot. All matters requiring voting via Australian ballot and elections will occur at 9 a.m. on March 4 at the Bellows Falls Masonic Temple.
• Elections. Voters will elect all town and town school district officers required by law.
• Town and highway budget. Voters will decide whether to approve a combined town and highway budget of $4,989,896 for the fiscal year starting July 1. $3,966,995 of this will be raised by taxation.
• Library operating expenses. The Rockingham Free Public Library's operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year is set at $364,270.
• Social services. Voters will decide whether to approve $67,228 in aid to 10 local social services: $21,000 would be directed toward the Bellows Falls Senior Center, $26,000 toward the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire.
Stratton
Voters will meet at Stratton Town Hall at 10 a.m.
• Elections. To be elected: moderator, town clerk, treasurer, planning commissioner, lister, auditor, cemetery commissioner, delinquent tax collector, trustee of public funds, constable, grand juror, town agent, and two new Selectboard members.
• Social services. Voters will decide whether to allocate $27,735 toward various local social services.
• New fire engine. In addition to voting on the $46,725 operating budget for the Stratton Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, voters will decide whether the fire department should purchase a new fire engine at $361,000.
• Town and highway budget. Voters will decide whether to approve $1,776,247 in town operating and highway expenses for the upcoming fiscal year, starting July 1.
Townshend
Voters will meet in the Townshend Town Hall at 9 a.m.
• Elections. Up for election: moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, auditor, property tax collector, delinquent tax collector, first constable, second constable, grand juror, town agent, library trustee, cemetery commissioner, and two new selectboard members and listers.
• Position cuts. Voters will decide whether to approve the proposed elimination of the positions of lister and auditor and replacing them with “professionally qualified alternatives.” If approved, future listers and auditors will be appointed by the Selectboard.
• Town and highway budget. A combined town and highway operating budget of $1,435,764 is set for approval for the upcoming fiscal year.
• New highway truck. Voters will decide whether to allocate $95,000 toward a new truck for the highway department.
• Transfer station alterations. The Selectboard has proposed the town allocate $125,000 toward the modernization, expansion, and potential relocation of the transfer station and recycling facility.
Vernon
Voters will meet in the cafeteria of Vernon Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3 to decide on all matters not involving Australian ballot. If needed, the meeting will adjourn until 7:30 p.m. on March 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 4 at Vernon Town Hall.
• Elections. Voters will elect a new town moderator, town and town school district treasurer, lister, auditor, first constable, second constable, town agent, grand juror, delinquent tax collector, town school district moderator, library trustee, and two new selectboard members and school directors.
• School district budget. Voters will decide whether to approve a school district budget of $4,401,296 for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Town and highway budget. Vernon residents will vote on a combined town and highway budget of $2,112,785. Of this, $1,563,464 will be raised by taxation. Additional money for various specific aspects of town operation will be voted on separately, as they are separate funds.
• Social services. $10,010 has been proposed in allocation toward various social services, including SEVCA, Brattleboro Area Hospice, and The Current bus service.
• New rescue truck and fire engine replacement. Voters will decide whether to purchase a new rescue truck for the town for $59,000. An additional $298,000 is sought for the town to purchase a replacement for Vernon's Engine 1.
Wardsboro
• Voters will meet at the Town Hall at 9 a.m. The town School District Meeting is Monday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
• Elections. Voters will be asked to elect town officers: town clerk, town treasurer, three Selectboard members, one lister, an auditor, trustee of public funds, first and second constables, collector of delinquent taxes, town grand juror, town agent, two cemetery commissioners, a library trustee, and three school district directors.
• School budget. Voters will be asked to approve a $2,298,483 budget and to set the tuition rate for middle and high school students.
• Social services. Voters will be asked to appropriate $93,309 for local nonprofit and humanitarian organizations.
• Land transfer. Voters will be asked to transfer ownership of the fire station (parcel ID# 030089) to the fire department.
Westminster
Voters will meet in the auditorium of Bellows Falls Union High School on Saturday, March 1 at 8 a.m. Voting booths are open March 4 at the Westminster Institute from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect all town and town school district officers required by law.
• Town and highway budget. Voters will set and decide whether to approve town and school budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Town highway equipment and bridge repair funds. Voters will decide whether to approve and allocate $130,000 for the town highway equipment reserve fund, and an additional $15,000 toward the bridge rehabilitation fund.
Whitingham
Voters will meet at 10 a.m. at the Municipal Center in Jacksonville Village.
• Budget. Voters will be asked to approve a $692,788 budget, with $386,819 to be raised through taxes. The balance would be offset by anticipated revenues and the prior year's fund balance.
Voters will also decide whether to raise and appropriate $70,335 to operate the Town Fire Department and $20,000 for fire equipment.
Voters will consider raising and appropriating $1.3 million for the maintenance and repair of town highways, $1 million of that sum to come from taxes and the remainder from anticipated revenues and fiscal year 2014 anticipated FEMA reimbursement.
Voters will also be asked to approve $75,000 for the Highway Equipment Fund.
• Facilities and grounds. Voters will decide whether to appropriate $10,000 for the Municipal Facilities Fund continued maintenance. Voters will also be asked to approve allocating the $120,000 user fee associated with use of the school property for school security, wings, upkeep of fields, use of school property, and facilities.
A final question asks whether voters will approve $16,400 for the operation of town cemeteries.
• Library. Voters will be asked to raise $73,531 for the operation of the Whitingham Free Public Library, with $61,766 to be raised through taxes and the balance from anticipated donations.
• Town Hill Common. Voters will decide whether to appropriate $7,509 for the upkeep and improvement of the common.
• Emergency services. Voters will be asked to raise $14,500 for Deerfield Valley Rescue, Inc.
• Community events. Voters will be asked to approve raising $10,000 to support Old Home Week activities for 2016.
• Human services. Voters will be asked to allocate funds to the following social service and nonprofit organizations: Visiting Nurse Association, $3,750; Pool Learning Center, $3,000; Deerfield Valley Community Partnerships, $2,500; Home Health Care and Rehab Services, $1,203; Women's Freedom Center, $750; Senior Solutions, $750; Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, $500; Windham County Retired Senior Volunteer Program, $305; Brattleboro Area Hospice Inc., $250.
• Exemption status. Voters will be asked to grant exemption status on property owned by the Deerfield Valley Sportsmen's Club, Inc. for 10 years.
• Economic development. Voters will decide whether to raise $2,100 for economic development in Whitingham.
Wilmington
Voters will meet in the gymnasium of Twin Valley High School at 10 a.m. Voting booths are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Elections. Voters will elect all town and town school district officers required by law.
• Town and highway budget. Voters will decide on a town operating budget of $1,243,847 and a highway operating and maintenance budget of $1,303,675 for the fiscal year starting July 1.
• Tax stabilization policy. A tax stabilization policy for new and expanding businesses has been proposed for the town, pursuant to Title 24, Vermont State Annotated 2741.
• Capital funds. Voters will decide whether to approve $343,000 toward various town capital funds that are separate from the general operating budget. These funds include the Fire Department Equipment Reserve Fund, the Memorial Hall Capital Fund, and the Playground Capital Reserve Fund.