Buckley resigns as Town Administrator
GUILFORD — GUILFORD - Immediately after going into and coming out of executive session for a “personnel matter” during the Sept. 26 regular Selectboard meeting, Vice-Chair Troy Revis read Town Administrator Katie Buckley's letter of resignation.
In the letter, Buckley announced she was leaving the job to take a position at her children's school.
Buckley thanked the Selectboard for giving her the opportunity to serve the town, noting, “it has truly been an honor.”
Board member Gordon Little moved to accept Buckley's resignation “with the utmost regret” and “great appreciation.”
“We will miss you,” Little said.
Board member Gabrielle Ciufredda seconded his motion, agreeing she will miss Buckley.
Almost all Board members, including Chair Sheila Morse who attended via conference call, voted in favor of Little's motion.
Revis was the only dissenting vote. His response: “Nay, dammit!”
Those interested in the position can visit www.guilfordvt.net for a job description and application instructions.
Buckley's last day as town administrator is Oct. 25.
Green River Bridge open
GUILFORD - After a one-month delay due to unexpected additions to construction, the Green River Covered Bridge is now open to traffic.
The bridge closed on June 20 for renovations and was supposed to open Aug. 26. When workers discovered extensive damage to parts of the bridge's truss, town officials delayed the opening until Sept. 30.
The bridge is now open to all pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Junkyard permit approved
GUILFORD - The Selectboard unanimously voted to approve Ralph Winchester's annual junkyard permit - which then goes to the state for approval - at the Sept. 26 regular Selectboard meeting.
Former Selectboard Chair Anne Rider was in the audience at the meeting, and suggested Board members include a site-inspection in their approval process.
“Even though it's in the state's overview, I think encouragement from the Selectboard to keep [Winchester's] operation contained ... [and] compliant with the law ... has been very effective. He's been very responsive to that,” Rider said, adding that Winchester “would benefit from a little encouragement right now."
Dog Officer rolls over
GUILFORD - Town Administrator Katie Buckley announced Dog Officer Marianne Lawrence's resignation at the Sept. 26 regular Selectboard meeting.
Buckley read Lawrence's letter, which cited “personal reasons” and familial obligations as the reason for her departure.
Vice-Chair Troy Revis, officiating the meeting in Chair Sheila Morse's absence, moved to “regretfully” accept Lawrence's resignation, noting she “did a very outstanding” job. The Board unanimously agreed, including Morse, who attended the meeting via conference call.
In her letter, Lawrence suggested Town Clerk Penny Marine take over some of the dog officer's duties, noting many of the complaints Lawrence managed involved records kept by Marine. Lawrence proposed the Selectboard make Marine the liaison between those with dog complaints and the Board.
Board members discussed Lawrence's suggestion but took no action pending further investigation, including, at Town Administrator Katie Buckley's suggestion, inquiring with the Windham Regional Commission about their shared municipal-services proposal.