Weathersfield Select Board Meeting: Budget Review, Fire Truck Purchase, and Appointments (12/27/2025)
Weathersfield Select Board Meeting Summary - December 27, 2025
The Weathersfield Select Board met on December 27, 2025, to review and discuss the FY27 budget, approve funding for a new fire rescue truck, schedule a capital plan public hearing, review proposed town meeting articles, make committee appointments, and handle routine approvals. The town manager presented a detailed budget overview, and the board voted on several capital items and appointments before closing the meeting.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Acceptance: The board voted to accept the minutes from the December 8, 2025, meeting with corrections. (The November 10, 2025, minutes were tabled for further correction review at the January 12, 2026, meeting.) All board members voted in favor.
- Warrant Approval: A revised warrant was approved, including general fund payroll of $15,580.05 and operating expenses of $94,458.90; highway fund payroll of $11,778.14 and operating expenses of $31,479.25; solid waste payroll of $289.58 and operating expenses of $22,693.64; library payroll of $2,565.86; and reappraisal contract operating expenses of $7,250.00. The grand total payroll was $32,213.63 and operating expenses totaled $155,971.79.
Public Comments & Testimony
- A representative of the budget committee (who also serves as chair) provided feedback on the FY27 budget. He noted that the committee supports the proposed 3.9% increase, describing it as realistic and conservative, and commended the responsiveness of the sheriff's department. He recommended presenting capital plans separately from the draft budgets to improve voter comprehension, and suggested revising the social services policy to establish floors and ceilings for non-municipal special articles (e.g., a $500 threshold). He noted the budget committee would reconvene on January 8, 2026.
- No other citizens spoke during the meeting.
Discussion Items
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FY27 Budget Presentation: Town Manager Brendan presented the proposed FY27 budget, representing a 3.91% increase over the prior year. Key points included:
- The total property tax increase would be 6.5 cents per $100,000, with an estimated annual increase of $138.40 for the average property (or $65 per $100,000).
- Projected year-end balances: General Fund positive at $36,473; Highway Fund positive at $5,893; Solid Waste Fund deficit at $58,000 (being addressed through a deficit reduction plan).
- General fund administration increased by 3.27%, including COLA adjustments, a new executive secretary position ($13,000), reduced insurance benefits ($19,000 reduction), and increased town insurance coverage.
- Town clerk revenues continue to decline due to online transactions and fewer mortgages, leading to a $1,300 reduction in other tax revenue.
- Listers budget increased by $1,933 for anticipated workload from the 2027 reappraisal.
- Police and fire budgets were discussed; the fire department is transitioning to a fully municipal department with a 1.23% increase.
- Highway department budget increased by 2.2%, with vehicle repair costs already exceeding budget by $24,000.
- Solid waste fund revenues are increasing by 14.4% due to reallocating an employee's time (75% to transfer station) and increased attendant hours. The permit sticker would increase by $10.17 to $67.57.
- The budget is not ready for a vote; the board will vote on January 12, 2026.
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Fire Rescue Truck Purchase: The town received an insurance settlement of $76,500 for a vehicle that was totaled. The fire chief and town manager recommended transferring the full insurance payment into the fire apparatus reserve, and authorizing expenditure of up to $150,000 from that reserve to purchase a used rescue truck. The ladder truck currently in service is outdated; a rescue truck would be more practical for the department's needs, with a longer service life (15 years vs. 10 for the ladder). The board voted unanimously to transfer 100% of the insurance proceeds to the reserve, and then voted unanimously to authorize the fire chief and town manager to spend up to $150,000 for the rescue truck.
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Capital Plan Public Hearing: The board discussed scheduling a public hearing for the capital plan. Concern was raised about the complexity and the need for public education. The board voted to schedule a public hearing on January 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall, with a potential continuation on January 14 if necessary.
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Town Meeting Articles: The board reviewed 25 proposed articles for the upcoming town meeting, including several for capital projects (e.g., highway, fire apparatus, technology reserve fund, recreation, Bowman Hill Road culvert) and social service organizations (HCRS, SEFO, visiting nurses, Vermont Family Network, women's interim services, Sabbath TV, Prime Thrift Store, Friends of the Meeting House, Volunteers in Action). Discussion included concerns about missing application documents, wording of Article 14 (recreation reserve fund) being too broad, and the possibility of combining articles 12 and 13 (creation of reserve and appropriation) to avoid issues if one fails. The board also noted that some organizations had not submitted applications; staff was directed to follow up.
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Committees and Appointments: The board considered two applicants for a vacancy on a committee (likely the Memorial Committee). They voted to reduce the Conservation Commission's representation from two to one, and add a seat for a representative from the Veterans Memorial Committee. They then appointed August Murray as the veterans memorial representative and John Harrison as the public member. The motion carried.
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Other Business:
- The town manager reported on the water project: four qualified bids were received, with the low bid at $1,554,915 (estimate $1,750,000). Bids are under review and will be presented to the financial committee in February.
- The board discussed the upcoming town report dedication, noting that the school has done it for three consecutive years; they suggested considering dedicating it to recently deceased community members (Jim Windburg, Gene Adams, etc.).
- The board noted future agenda items including a fireworks policy review (to be resolved before July 4th) and a potential outdoor burning ordinance to address illegal burning and permitting issues.
Key Outcomes
- Votes taken:
- Tabled November 10, 2025, minutes until January 12, 2026 (motion carried).
- Accepted December 8, 2025, minutes with corrections (motion carried).
- Approved transfer of insurance payment (approx. $76,500) to fire apparatus reserve (unanimous).
- Authorized expenditure up to $150,000 for rescue truck purchase (unanimous).
- Set capital plan public hearing for January 13, 2026 (and continuation on Jan 14 if needed) (motion carried).
- Approved warrant as presented (motion carried).
- Appointed August Murray and John Harrison to the committee (motion carried).
- Next steps: The budget will be finalized and voted on at the January 12, 2026, meeting. The capital plan public hearing is set for January 13. The budget committee will meet on January 8, 2026. Staff will follow up with social service organizations to obtain missing application materials.
Meeting Transcript
31 I'll call the meeting order stand with flight sleeve of the United States of America to the republic which is stands under God in the school with liberty and justice for our agenda that anyone would like to change comments from any select board members of anything that's not on the agenda no citizens is anyone here here to talk about something that's not on the agenda review minutes from craziest news minutes from the uh November 10th meeting is everyone look to see the ones in the packet are not the corrected ones, but I got them up here so um Michael Todd had asked me to take a look at section 14 which I did do wrong the first time it was originally an amendment 14 14 a Michael Todd makes a motion to a set the set accept the second reading which was which is then amended in F to move on to a third reading yes that would be correct wouldn't it is that the change that's that's the change that I made yeah yeah more than that well the first page uh I gotta say there's a lot more than Doc Harrison not John Harrison this bit first page yeah uh I'm uh right after video recording that call the water pledge of leaders agenda review comments John Harrison should be John Harrison capital A is it twice Wayne Johnson still or Wayne Johnson still not in the instance yeah did you have this for us to review this again on this I'm not sure the good use of our time no um I think you need to listen to the video and we from the last time we went through this yes go back listen to the video yeah because our corrections are noted there what is the process for the update between you and this packet or the town but the town not you but the the town and the process for the minutes to be updated yeah yeah for like for her to like be able to go through and do the corrections and then get them posted so that I agree to re rewatch the video um because revisions running there um and we'll put them from the table tonight yes and some of that on the January 12th meeting had it for approval i just in that the corrections are made yeah well the corrections have to be made but then they have to get somewhere so that they're they're posted yeah so stand and they show up in the in our packets yes so stephanie post those online okay and then I download them on the website and I put them in your packet okay um so that process will okay that's I just wanted to make sure all the that there's a full circle there yeah so okay I'll make a motion to table the minutes of uh or or the first we haven't do we have a motion yet did anybody make a motion no make make a motion to table the minutes uh uh uh 11 10 25 uh it has to be time and date specific so it's it'll be our next meeting was first one in january twelve that's what I thought yeah yeah one to one twelve one six yep so that's the motion yeah and our second okay all those in favor aye any opposed motion carries minutes from the definitely post those online okay and then I download them on the website and I put them in your packet okay um so that process will okay take place that's I just wanted to make sure all the that there's a full circle there so okay I'll make a motion to table the minutes of uh uh or or the first one we haven't do we have a motion yet did anybody make a motion now um make make a motion to table the minutes um uh uh 11 1025 uh it has to be time and date specific so it's it'll be our next meeting was first one in January that's what I thought yeah yeah one for one twelve one yep so that's the motion yeah and our second okay all those in favor any opposed motion carries minutes from the 12825 meeting um under item 12 this sand kit is not the sand kits the pile of sand in the parking lot the town office parking lot and sand kit has used any item A title B and item B and I think I thought we came to a conclusion about what we were going to do continue providing it with yeah I'd like to see the conclusion what if just to refresh your memories definitely in case you forgot um we would we are going to have a sand pile and the parking lot up back here um for one is field residence only at that time when we're going to erect a sign um situated next to the sand pile that is back there now so the sign it says for the spill residence only um but at the time there wasn't were we gonna add the words also under surveillance there is there is yeah oh is there as well I kind of to my that conclusion in the minutes and the pile is out there yeah okay so there is there's a sand pile which is a separate thing from the sand pit yes oh yeah and the sand pile did not have signage but now it will yes okay in the minutes you have to act like this hasn't happened yet yeah yeah yeah the decision was made to add the signage yeah in the discussion that was yeah to put the pile up yeah we agreed to continue providing sand to West residents okay yeah the pit is down in the boat this pile is in the parking lot okay is there anything else uh is there a motion for these yet no we're gonna a minute any motion to accept the minutes from 12825 second with corrections yep yeah and then that says say this corrections okay all those in favor uh aye motion carries correction agree thank you okay fy 27 budget should you bring all right so overall the proposed f I 27 budget represents a 3.91 percent over the prior year increase um given the financial and operational conditions facing the town this year including an ongoing inflationary pressures contractual obligations and the need to maintain essential municipal services um i believe this increase request and measured irresponsible approach to fiscal management the proposed budget balances the select the select board's priorities by maintaining current service levels addressing critical operational needs and exercising responsible stewardship of public funds if the budget is approved as proposed the total property tax increase will be six and a half cents in the tax rate this represents an estimated annual increase of 138 dollars and 40 cents for the average property in Wittisfield or 65 dollars per 100 000 property budget going through fy 26 year end projections the general fund is projected to end f 26 with a net positive balance of 36473 dollars the highway fund is projected to end the year at 5893 in the positive this figure may change to your required repairs on aging highway trucks um to date we've spent over 45000 already on sharp repairs two trucks recently returned to the shop one experienced broken rear tire studs damaging the hub another required replacement of the ERG crossover to ballot by student promotion additional unplanned repairs are anticipated if charts are not replaced according to the capital plan onto the solid waste fund projected year end deficit is 58000 this deficit doesn't concern you at this time as it is addressing itself through the approved deficit reduction plan and will be resolved by the end of that plan period FY27 general fund budget administration overall increase of 3.27 percent reflecting cost of living adjustments Onto the solid waste fund projected year-end deficit is 58,000. This deficit doesn't concern me at this time as it is addressing itself through the approved deficit reduction plan and will be resolved by the end of that plan period. FY27 general fund budget administration, overall increase of 3.27%, reflecting cost of living adjustments, a 23,000 dollar reduction in the principal work item, the addition of an executive secretary position at 13,000, reduction of recording secretary items throughout all budgets, a $2,000 increase in town bark maintenance, a $19,000 reduction in insurance benefits, an increase in general town insurance funds, including property pride and auto liability and boymp coverage. Shared services. So we're locked in for 2% per year. The cost reduction effort is underway for telephone and internet services. So you'll see here this budget is increasing by 5.49%. We're currently negotiating our telephone contract. And I believe that will result in that $1,800 savings. Part of the reason I'm not ready for a budget vote tonight is because there's still a couple of these line items that negotiations are on reduction efforts or under that, no major changes. Increase reflects standard cost of living adjustments in this budget. Town Clerk budget revenue revenues continue to trend lower in this budget. Projected revenue shortfall in FY26 is $3629. Projected over expenditure is $2,211. These variances are balanced across the general funds. So when you're looking at these projections in the general fund, you'll see some overages, some under some over expenditures and some shortfalls in revenue. I just wanted to uh before we continue to assure you that the entire general fund in poll was projected to end the year at positive $36,000. So these variances, excuse me, increased online transactions and fewer mortgages every year's revenue. Um, and the FY27 budget reflects this trend, including a $1,300 reduction in other tax revenue. Listers, minor adjusts adjustments were made to increase time in the listers line item. This reflects anticipated increased workload following the townwide reappraisal schedule for completion in 2027. So throughout 2026 and going into 2027, we're going to see some additional time that we may need. So I budgeted a few, a little bit more for that. Um $1,933. We also have our reappraisal reserve just in case we have any additional oil needs from there. Moving on to the land use administration. The general fund is still projected to end the year in a net positive. This budget reflects a transition. Previously, the latest administrative was shared in Brockingham and Windsor following staff turnover. The position was converted to full time, allowing for the elimination of another group position. So basically, we had a principal clerk that resigned from our position. It gave me an opportunity to reanalyze our organizational structure and figure out where we needed more time and where we could use less time and how we could ship things around and shuffle our administration to be able to have a full-time land use administrator. And we deemed that was an appropriate reallocation of resources. Police department, the proposed increase is conservative and based on operational needs, all volume analysis, and a detailed review of services required in what has failed. The result is a fiscally responsible yet realistic budget for FY27. The fire department overall increase is a at 1.23% as we continue transitioning to a fully municipal fire department. Reserve and fund balances may be used as needed as cost that were unanticipated arise. This budget reflects careful planning and conservative funding of emergency services. The library budget was presented to the library board of trustees last Thursday. The board voted to approve that budget last Thursday. The highway department budget is increasing by 2.2%. Development of this budget included a detailed review of accounts, transaction level analysis, and ongoing monthly monitoring. Vehicle repair costs have already exceeded the budget by 24,000. In the vehicle repair line item, the department will continue with monthly reviews to ensure a positive year-end balance. Right now we're building 54,000. Solid waste fund fixed revenues are increasing by 14.4%. What was happening is 10 hours per week of Tyler's time is spent at the highway department. 30 of this time was spent at the transfer station.
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