Town of Sandgate

Key discussions during the special meeting included the appointment of a new Town Clerk and Treasurer, effective February 21, 2026, with training arrangements to be made. The Board confirmed that Audit RFPs for town finances were mailed to three firms. The Board approved an annual $50 membership fee for the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions to facilitate grant applications. Topics also covered appointing a Town representative to the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee and reviewing minutes from the recent BCWSA meeting to determine a new fee. Regarding the road report, the Board approved the purchase of a new snow plow for the Town Garage at a cost of $5000, to be funded by the Highway equipment fund, pending confirmation of the total amount due for highway orders.

Key discussions included granting the local church unanimous approval to use the Town Hall for services and Sunday school during their construction period. The board signed a letter of intent for the Municipal Energy Resilience Project (MERP) concerning the town hall window project, which involved negotiation resulting in a $1,000 reduction in the contractor's bid. A separate construction bid from Farrington Construction for a larger window project was also finalized. Significant planning addressed the resignation of the Town Clerk/Treasurer effective February 20th, with Jessica Stevens set to assume the roles; the board motioned to officially add Jessica as a bank account signer. The meeting also covered election readiness, including coordinating poll sitters and vote counters, and training for the incoming Clerk/Treasurer. Financial discussions noted the Solid Waste Alliance being 42% over budget and the impending arrival of the Highway Department's new truck amidst a salt shortage. The board also reviewed and approved minutes from prior meetings on February 2nd and 6th, addressed vault storage equipment orders, and calculated a pro-rated salary for the outgoing Town Clerk/Treasurer.

The agendas cover various meetings for the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Key discussion topics across the documents include a public hearing for a variance application regarding a shed setback at 4498 Rupert Rd., a public hearing for a variance application to move an existing structure at 3458 Sandgate Rd., a public hearing and review of a preliminary plat for a 2-lot minor subdivision of the property at 53 Sullivan Lane, a presentation on drafting future land use maps in compliance with Act 181, and Zoning Administrator reports detailing numerous permit inquiries, boundary line adjustments, and issued permits concerning flood hazard areas, river corridors, and general building permits. There was also a discussion regarding potential collaboration with the Cemetery Commission for grant funding and physical work.

The meeting commenced with the Chair calling the session to order. A significant portion of the meeting involved an executive session conducted to address the academic records or the suspension or discipline of students. Following the executive session, the Board passed a motion directing the Superintendent to formally notify the parents of a student regarding the Board's decision to deny a tuition request. This denial was based on the insufficiency of provided materials to substantiate the parents' domicile or residency within Sandgate. Prior attempts by the Superintendent's office to contact the parents regarding their status were unsuccessful.

The key discussion points of the meeting centered on the Town Clerk/Treasurer's resignation, including plans to engage the Assistant Treasurer regarding assuming additional duties and documenting current processes. The Board also reviewed and approved the cover letter for the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the professional audit of Town finances, which will subsequently be mailed to three interested accounting firms. Additionally, it was reported that all financial reports necessary for the Town Report inclusion have been submitted to the Auditors.