Elizabeth Scharf

The meeting included the election of a Town Moderator and discussions regarding town officer reports, specifically focusing on FEMA-funded flood repairs and capital improvement plans. Voters authorized the schedule for property tax installments and interest rates on overdue payments. Discussions also covered the proposed fiscal budget for 2026-27, specifically regarding the creation of a Town Administrator position, staffing increases, and infrastructure needs such as sand replenishment and legal counsel for flood repair issues. Proposals to change the Town Clerk and Treasurer positions from elected to appointed were rejected. Additionally, the meeting addressed and approved funding appropriations for several local organizations including the Central Vermont Council on Aging, Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, and various community services, alongside support for the Middlesex Conservation Fund.

The meeting focused on several operational and project-related topics. Key discussions included an update on the Town Forest Cabin, exploring potential partnerships for repair work, and the development of a resident survey to gauge project support. Reports were provided on the Mad River Path, scheduled trail work dates, and a proposed construction project in Waterbury adjacent to the town forest. Further agenda items addressed a joint letter to the Select Board regarding road classification, status updates for Wrightsville Beach Recreation Area, including potential sale of a hydropower plant, a grant received for Green Up Day tire disposal, and the Culvert Monitoring Project.

The commission discussed the potential management and repair of the Town Forest cabin, including insurance, volunteer labor, and the possibility of a resident survey. Updates were provided on the Mad River Path and fundraising for the Kingsbury Greenway. The commission reviewed draft comments for the South Bear Swamp Road upgrade, emphasizing the need for a defined policy for Class 4 road classification changes. Other business included progress on a potential trail at Wrightsville Reservoir, staffing plans for Green Up Day, mud season trail closures, and the commission's oversight of the culvert monitoring project.

The committee discussed several initiatives including the Culvert Crawlers citizen monitoring program for flood resilience and status updates on FEMA-funded projects. Future planning efforts focused on a five-year road plan and mud mitigation, alongside research assistance for flood modeling on the Great Brook. The committee reviewed grant applications for infrastructure and discussed emergency communication systems, including radio-based models and the VT Alert system. Other operational matters included road maintenance plans, specifically for culvert replacement and repaving, and the recruitment process for a road commissioner.

The board discussed the highway report, including gravel hauling and FEMA roadwork updates, and addressed a notice of violation regarding box culvert installations. The Fire Department reported on total calls and training. The Town Clerk provided updates on recruitment for an assistant position and public hearings. The treasurer and auditor reviewed the town's single audit results, noting healthy financial balances and providing recommendations for procurement and segregation of duties. The board discussed the hiring process for a Town Administrator and a Road Commissioner, including the development of job descriptions. Additionally, the board reviewed and edited the Class 4 Road Policy, focusing on maintenance responsibilities, winter plowing, and compliance with state statutes.