Town of Goshen

Key discussions included changes to the agenda, a financial report noting an upcoming meeting concerning MERP project expenses, and an update on the Annual Town Report, which is now available online and at the printers. The Otter Creek Insect Control District provided a presentation detailing staffing, equipment purchases made with grant money, and significant concerns regarding the lack of running water/septic systems and sustainable leadership strategy at their facility. A partnership for drone use for larvicide application was mentioned. The Selectboard requested the District present yearly expenses prior to budget setting. A Vermont Department of Taxes letter indicating an "unsatisfactory" grade regarding property valuation equalization was reviewed. Regarding the Town Hall Renovation (MERP), bid dates were adjusted to early March, meaning bid numbers will not be ready for the Town Meeting budget discussion, and the placeholder amount will remain. The Road Foreman reported on snow removal, the town running out of salt, and upcoming infrastructure projects including culvert work, for which a hydraulic study is needed. Approval was granted to post roads for the 2026 season and sign off on Road and Bridge Standards paperwork. Finally, discussion addressed mailbox placement compliance with the Postmaster's guidelines.

The primary purpose of this Special Selectboard meeting was to adopt the Warning for the 2026 Town Meeting. The board amended the Warning to include a petition request from the Ruth Stone House. This article stipulated exempting the properties at 781 and 788 Hathaway Rd (collectively known as the Ruth Stone House) from property taxes for ten years, conditional upon the Ruth Stone House annually paying the Town of Goshen an amount equal to the municipal tax that would otherwise be due.

The meeting covered several agenda items, including questions from the Planning Commission regarding the Town Plan and the addition of a review for the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Financial discussions involved agreeing to allocate towing services to Purchased Services in the Road Budget and adopting the Town Budget of $653,316 and the Road Budget of $285,700 for the fiscal year 2026-2027. Key administrative updates included announcing Town Meeting deadlines and open positions for the upcoming election, and approving the appointment of Keith Arlund as the Town Zoning Administrator. The Board also approved the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan contingent upon minor modifications, reviewed the Certificate of Highway Mileage, and discussed the MERP project scope review meeting. Additionally, the Lister reported on options for assessor services, and the Road Foreman discussed recent winter challenges, including an accident with the plow truck and mailbox damage concerns. The session concluded with an executive session during which the Board approved a raise for the Road Foreman to $30 per hour.

The Selectboard discussed several agenda items, including the approval of a Request to Cater permit for Pear Ridge Productions for an event at Blueberry Hill Inn. Significant time was spent addressing questions from the Planning Committee regarding the Town Plan rewrite, specifically concerning USFS financial aid for roads, electricity sources, and capital spending amounts set aside for equipment replacement and asphalt paving. The board also reviewed updates on Lister Options, the adoption warning for the Town Report/Meeting, and the MERP progress. Road Foreman reports indicated unavailability of salt, ongoing use of grits, and the DMV taking over the Overweight Permit process.

The Selectboard meeting included discussions on financial reports, where it was noted that a line item for Purchased Services was over budget due to the purchase of a new door for the Town Garage. The board also addressed a double billing issue from Consolidated for phone and internet services. The Town Clerk reported on the resignation of the Zoning Administrator and the preparation of the job position for posting. Options for moving forward with Listers/Assessor were discussed, and a draft of the Warning for Town Meeting was reviewed, including the vote to transfer end-of-year excess funds. An update on the MERP project was provided, and the decision was made to keep the historic woodstove for display. The Road Foreman reported on plowing activities and the condition of equipment, and the board approved the spending of funds for tools for the Town Garage.