Select Board — April 16, 2026
Mostly routine with one split vote and an off-agenda school payment discussion that raised transparency concerns.
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At the April 16, 2026 Select Board meeting, members discussed and assigned follow-up on a proposed $1.128 million payment schedule to the school district ($400k in April/May and $728k in June). The item was not on the published agenda, so residents had no warning that a multi-month budget plan would be addressed.
The board noted the need for dialogue and transparency with the district and tasked Dana Swenson with a meeting. However, the lack of prior notice on an item with clear taxpayer impact remains a process failure.
Separately, the board voted 3-1 to abate roughly $30,000 in back taxes on the former All Souls property to help transfer it to the Historical Society, with Les Fenton dissenting over fairness to other taxpayers.
Public impact
Increases aligned with surrounding towns; no public objections recorded
$1.128M payment plan spread across spring months
Approximately $30,000 in abated back taxes
Topics discussed
Board reviewed proposed increases to bring fees in line with surrounding towns; public hearing closed with no objections after discussion of spreadsheet comparing old and new fees.
Minutes from April 2 and April 11, 2026 approved unanimously.
Resident Wood Sutton reported severe potholes and requested repairs; board acknowledged the issue.
Discussion of required Secretary of State filing to legally establish the combined fire department as a Village District.
Request to abate approximately $30,000 in back taxes on historic building to facilitate transfer to the Historical Society.
Conservation Commission requested joint meeting with Select Board and Sirards; scheduled for April 26, 2026.
Proposed payment plan of $400k in April/May and $728k in June; board emphasized need for dialogue and transparency.
Update on equipment issues, paving quotes, culverts, and contract status with R&D Paving; loader warranty concerns noted.
Motion to update road surface management system and closed culvert drainage system as planning tools by fall, contingent on DRA approval.
New code of conduct approved after amendment removing one sentence.
Board directed use of Procurement Policy for any contract not exceeding two years.
Approved purchase of AED kit for $1,064 from Recreation Funds with winter storage condition.
Board approved sending letter of non-objection for wholesale distributor license.
Multiple trust fund reimbursements, payroll, payables, and agreements approved via signatures.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
All Souls Property Tax Abatement
School District Payment Schedule
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
Accountability flags
Agenda items not discussed
Topics discussed — not on agenda
Transcript vs. official minutes
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grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.
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