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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Weathersfield Select Board Meeting - March 25, 2026

Selectboard — Wednesday, March 25, 2026
BodyWeathersfield, Vermont
SessionSelectboard
DateWednesday, March 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:55:25

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:42

Okay.

0:43

So it's posted online.

0:47

So you're I just loaded it from because I didn't do it at home, so I just loaded it.

0:51

Okay.

0:52

So is it updated now?

0:54

Yeah, I don't think we include LA Plattenberg or two.

0:57

Um I don't have I don't have downloading.

1:05

Oh the second.

1:07

Yeah.

1:07

Okay.

1:09

Why don't you say that?

1:12

Ah, okay.

1:13

Good.

1:14

Thank you.

1:15

I didn't want to take the only one on a file.

1:17

Oh no worries.

1:22

When we get done.

1:50

Oh good, are you?

1:53

See you too, sir.

1:57

Yeah.

1:58

See how it's not with the way over the here.

2:00

We're here with theory.

2:01

Is that too bad for you?

2:07

Oh yeah, friendly game.

2:09

Well somebody.

2:10

I would I would say we save that.

2:16

Yeah.

2:17

Yeah, it's working.

2:21

I mean I listen to a lot of the things what people think.

2:37

Um I probably won't do it here if that's one look short.

2:43

Like a hair in them down here.

2:49

But um it's not trying to micro managers to make it like it's comments in place.

2:56

It's like dude, you run the bar.

2:57

I don't tell you how many bar you really will uh run again.

3:03

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

3:03

You can't do it.

3:04

You're not going and saying, hey, you didn't put enough of this in this break, you don't do that.

3:08

Yeah, you're there to do your stuff.

3:10

You know, uh our calling up like on Tuesday would be a week before we get wow.

3:15

I don't know.

3:16

I don't know, so I do cancel it so that's Tuesday.

3:28

I had to do that.

3:35

Oh yeah, right.

3:36

Um advertising and something merchandise everything working the uh so simple song.

3:50

And I would have run some of the guy that's gone to stop on that.

3:56

He was uh we're gonna wait from your stores for the paper.

4:18

So it's supposed to be on my starting back to the sort of doing six months and value.

4:27

No, yeah, I don't follow your own.

4:30

You can't uh solid.

4:32

I think a lot of it, you know, we don't have the expensive.

4:40

No, I just have a call.

4:42

I'll start quite patient.

4:48

Oh, I know.

4:49

Yeah, if we use it, from the sound.

4:57

Oh, is there more you're in the book?

5:03

So you're full sweet books.

5:13

Yeah, that's all.

5:30

Yes.

5:42

Oh, we can tell you the thing.

6:13

It's actually every so often it's still there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning██████████████████18%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Capital Planning█████████████████17%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████11%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Water And Wastewater Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Weathersfield Select Board Meeting - March 25, 2026

The Weathersfield Select Board met on March 25, 2026, to discuss a wide range of topics including a road reclassification petition, budget revisions, police department updates, and various appointments. Key outcomes included continued hearings, budget guidance, and several appointments.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Susan Weiler (from Burlington) expressed concern that the town and school reports lack a compelling narrative, making it difficult for voters to understand the importance of budget figures. She noted that only 30% of registered voters voted and only 74 attended the town meeting. She volunteered as an early reader for next year's report to help improve communication.
  • Patience Beers (via a citizen speaking on her behalf) provided a statement explaining her decision to refrain from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, citing fears about the direction of the country including illegal wars, arrests of citizens, and inhumane conditions for immigrants. She expressed respect for veterans but opposition to fascism.
  • Randy Brown questioned the consistency of board appointments after a family member's appointment was questioned at a previous meeting, noting that other family appointments were approved without discussion.

Discussion Items

  • Agenda Review: The board added a certificate of highway mileage and certification of compliance for road and bridge standards to the agenda as a late addition, after confirming it could be handled under other business.
  • Minutes Approval: Corrections were made to the March 9, 2026 minutes (spelling of a name, missing attendee, missing motion details). Minutes were approved with those corrections.
  • Appointment of Recording Secretary: Patience Beers was nominated for recording secretary. After discussion, a roll-call vote resulted in 3-1 (Kelly, Rika, Nathan in favor; Joe against). Motion carried.
  • Public Hearing – Road Reclassification (Highways 112 and 118): Petitioner Brian Bosenberg presented three petitions to reclassify class four roads to legal trails, restricting motorized vehicles (with allowance for class one e-bikes) to reduce ATV damage on private property. Public comments raised concerns about parking, surveying, and consistent policies. The board voted to continue the hearing to June 8, 2026, and schedule a site visit.
  • Budget Committee Update: Dr. August Murray reported that the budget committee recommended the general fund budget not exceed a 2.8% increase and that previously rejected capital plan articles not be reintroduced. The committee also discussed personnel costs and a potential target tax rate of 5%.
  • FY27 Budget Discussion: Town Manager Brandon presented revised budgets: general fund 2.8% increase (tax impact 2.05%), highway fund 1.48% increase (tax impact 7.15%), resulting in a cumulative tax need of 5.74% including voter-approved special articles. A revised capital plan (10-year, reduced contributions) was compared to borrowing. The board was split on whether to pursue a capital plan or borrowing. No decision was made; direction was given to continue work on communications and consider a borrowing approach.
  • Police Department Update: Town Manager reported progress on reacquiring police equipment, advertising for a police chief (applications received, panel convening), potential lease of a Route 5 building for a police station, and discussions with neighboring towns about regional policing. The building owner is willing to renovate at no cost to the town.
  • Waterline Replacement Project: The project is approved and awarded to Zelunsky Excavating; it replaces over 3,000 feet of water main and 2,000 feet of service lines, funded by a 50% subsidy and 0% loan. Work starts June 1.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes of March 9, 2026: Approved with corrections.
  • Recording Secretary: Patience Beers appointed (3-1 vote).
  • Road Reclassification Hearing: Continued to June 8, 2026; site visit to be scheduled.
  • Budget Direction: The board did not finalize the capital plan but leaned toward borrowing for equipment rather than a capital plan; communications efforts will be improved.
  • Appointments:
    • Ellen Clattenburg to Conservation Commission (seat 8, term to 2030).
    • Beth Hutton to Development Review Board (seat 4, term to 2028).
    • Ray Stapleton to Mt. Ascutney Regional Commission (1-year term).
    • Ray Stapleton, Justin Bennell, and Julia Gumbart to Parks and Recreation Commission (1-year terms).
    • Rika Henderson as representative and Brandon Goldthwait as alternate to Solid Waste Management District (1-year terms).
    • Ray Stapleton to Transportation Advisory Committee (1-year term).
  • Highway Certificates: Approved for road and bridge standards and highway mileage.
  • Warrants: Approved as presented.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. So it's posted online. So you're I just loaded it from because I didn't do it at home, so I just loaded it. Okay. So is it updated now? Yeah, I don't think we include LA Plattenberg or two. Um I don't have I don't have downloading. Oh the second. Yeah. Okay. Why don't you say that? Ah, okay. Good. Thank you. I didn't want to take the only one on a file. Oh no worries. When we get done. Oh good, are you? See you too, sir. Yeah. See how it's not with the way over the here. We're here with theory. Is that too bad for you? Oh yeah, friendly game. Well somebody. I would I would say we save that. Yeah. Yeah, it's working. I mean I listen to a lot of the things what people think. Um I probably won't do it here if that's one look short. Like a hair in them down here. But um it's not trying to micro managers to make it like it's comments in place. It's like dude, you run the bar. I don't tell you how many bar you really will uh run again. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You can't do it. You're not going and saying, hey, you didn't put enough of this in this break, you don't do that. Yeah, you're there to do your stuff. You know, uh our calling up like on Tuesday would be a week before we get wow. I don't know. I don't know, so I do cancel it so that's Tuesday. I had to do that. Oh yeah, right. Um advertising and something merchandise everything working the uh so simple song. And I would have run some of the guy that's gone to stop on that. He was uh we're gonna wait from your stores for the paper. So it's supposed to be on my starting back to the sort of doing six months and value. No, yeah, I don't follow your own. You can't uh solid. I think a lot of it, you know, we don't have the expensive.

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