Weathersfield Select Board Meeting - March 10, 2026

The Weathersfield Select Board met on March 10, 2026, at 6:31 PM. The meeting included a reorganization of the agenda, approval of minutes, public comments regarding a March 5 incident, discussion of the failed municipal budget, and appointments to multiple town boards and committees. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to public input on the budget and a call for the board chair to resign.

Consent Calendar

• Motions to approve minutes from February 23, 2026 (passed 4-1, one abstention), February 26, 2026 (passed 4-1, one abstention), and March 5, 2026 (passed unanimously 5-0) were approved after corrections and discussion. Concerns were raised about missing sign-in sheets and the use of executive session.
• Liquor license renewals for Scutney Mart, Fireside Beverage, and Sandy's Energy were tabled to the next meeting for further clarification, as license numbers were not included in the packet.
• Large gathering permits for Wellwood Orchard (car show on October 10, 2026; harvest festival on September 5, 2026; strawberry festival on June 20, 2026) were approved, authorizing the chair to sign applications.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rika Henderson (Vice Chair): Called for Chair Mike Todd to step down, citing his behavior during the March 5 meeting as egregiously unprofessional, juvenile, and abusive toward a town employee and a colleague. She argued his actions violated Vermont statute, town personnel policy, and constitutional rights regarding the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Josh Alpin (former Fire Chief): Expressed support for Town Manager Brandon, stating he is the best town manager he has worked with. He criticized the timing of a letter regarding the town manager's pay raise, which he said fueled negative Facebook posts, and noted no questions were raised at Town Meeting.
• Lisa Slate (comment in discussion): Stated that the March 5 meeting comments were too late and that transparency issues extended to the sheriff's contract decision. She urged the select board and school board to work together and suggested surveys on meeting timing.
• Jacob Chase: Clarified he was the source of a Facebook post about the town manager's pay raise, and noted that the town report arrived only seven days before Town Meeting, which is insufficient for review.
• Steven S. (public comment): Questioned what happens if Chair Todd steps down—whether a new election would be needed and how that would affect pressing items like the police department and budget.
• Other speakers: Expressed concerns about the budget increase, the need for clearer communication, and the importance of civil discourse. Several praised the highway department and Town Manager Brandon.

Discussion Items

• Special Town Meeting Timeline: The board discussed setting a special town meeting for the first week of May 2026 (informational meeting and Australian ballot voting). The chair noted a statutory 30-day warning requirement but sought public input on whether to use a longer or shorter notice period. Many residents advocated for a 30-day notice to allow adequate review and public discussion.
• General Fund and Highway Budget Review: The board and public debated the failed budget. The chair provided that a one-cent tax increase raises $33,573.09. The general fund increase was 5.4 cents, highway 0.8 cents, and capital plan articles added 12.8 cents, for a total municipal increase of about 8.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. Public comments ranged from calls for cuts (especially employee health insurance) to support for the budget with better education. Some suggested zero-increase budgets to show impact.
• Capital Plan Discussion: Several residents supported capital planning but questioned replacement schedules. Highway Superintendent Ray Stapleton explained his approach to cost savings (e.g., buying retreads, using carbide blades) and defended the capital plan as a way to avoid future borrowing costs.
• Police Department: The item was moved to the next meeting because Town Manager Brandon was ill. The application for a police chief will be released in the coming days.
• Appointments:
  • Budget Committee: Appointed August Murray, Sophia Laschak (sp.), Michael Creighton, Wayne Johnson, Christopher Charest for one-year terms.
  • Conservation Commission: Appointed Ryan Gumbart and Jacob Chase (after Jacob withdrew from Tree Warden) for four-year terms.
  • Development Review Board (DRB): Appointed Andrea Murray (reappointment) to Seat Three and Jacob Chase to Alternate Seat One, both for two-year terms. A third applicant (Beth Thompson) was not listed on the agenda; her application will be considered at the next meeting.
  • Fence Viewer: Appointed Joseph Bouboulle for one year.
  • Martin Memorial Hall Trustees: Appointed Olivia Savage and Ryan Gumbart for one-year terms.
  • Parks and Recreation: Appointed Olivia Savage for one year.
  • Surveyors of Wood and Lumber: Appointed Joseph Bouboulle and August Murray for one year.
  • Tree Warden: Appointed Ryan Gumbart for one year.
  • Veterans Memorial Committee: A contentious appointment. With five vacancies and six applicants, the board voted to appoint August Murray, Wayne Johnson, DeForest Spears, Andrea Murray, and Darlene Johnson. Patience Pierce was not appointed after a discussion where some board members questioned her ability to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. DeForest Spears abstained from the vote.

Key Outcomes

• The board approved minutes from three prior meetings (with one abstention on each of the first two).
• Liquor license renewals were tabled.
• Three large gathering permits for Wellwood Orchard were approved.
• The special town meeting timeline is targeted for early May 2026; a formal warning will be prepared.
• The budget discussion will continue; the board plans to hold workshops and improve communication (including a potential email list and website fixes).
• The police department item was deferred to the next meeting.
• Appointments were made to budget committee, conservation commission, DRB, fence viewer, Martin Memorial Hall trustees, parks and recreation, surveyors, tree warden, and veterans memorial committee.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00 PM after approving warrants totaling $118,916.80.