Emily Morgan

The Special Selectboard Meeting primarily focused on the discussion and potential approval of the FY27 Budget and the appointment of a Town Treasurer. The Town Manager recommended Sherry Rainville for the Treasurer position, which was subsequently approved despite a motion to table, with the Chair recusing herself and one member abstaining. The FY27 Budget discussion involved a review by a financial consultant who detailed the complexity of the town's 41 funds, the focus on the General Fund, and necessary adjustments to revenue and expense lines, including highway aid, interest income, and trash fees. Key budgetary decisions included recommending the town sell two fire department tankers, budgeting for equipment rental instead of purchasing a new excavator, and agreeing to a reduced annual payment to the Fairfax Rescue based on population metrics. The board also discussed staffing levels, particularly adding a fifth position to the Department of Public Works/Highway department, and potential refinancing of DPW debt to achieve savings.

This joint meeting included a public comment period where a resident addressed the boards prior to entering executive session. The boards subsequently entered executive session, pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(1), to discuss legal matters where premature public disclosure would place the Town at a substantial disadvantage. No action was taken following the executive session before the meeting was adjourned.

The meeting involved opening the session and reviewing the plan for an upcoming public input session, which will feature small groups facilitated by board members. Key discussions included a review of Section 6 (Infrastructure: Housing, Transportation, and Energy) updated by NRPC. The board decided to review and discuss Section 2 (Implementation Schedule) at the next meeting after receiving community input, and planned to create an Appendix detailing completed items as accomplishments. Section 5 (Community Services, Facilities & Utilities and the 'Fairfax Today' and 'Fairfax Tomorrow' section) will be refreshed for use at the community meeting. Organizational efforts included creating binders to organize plan amendments and revising a flyer to include QR codes for the Town Plan Updates website and a resident survey.

The meeting primarily focused on finalizing materials for an upcoming public engagement session. Key discussion items included presenting updates to Section 3 of the Town Plan, which incorporated the revised Community Profile based on the most recent census data. Action items assigned were to obtain a mailing list for postcards, create the agenda for the February 27 meeting, commence public outreach efforts, and distribute sections of the Town Plan to department heads for review. The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled to review public meeting items and begin reviewing the implementation section of the Town Plan.

The meeting was a discussion with NRPC to review the public engagement session agenda, flyers, and marketing plan, including a pizza and planning event. Meeting times for the next few months were also discussed. The next Planning Commission meeting will be to review items for the public meeting and prepare for that.