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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Weathersfield Select Board Meeting - May 12, 2026

Selectboard — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyWeathersfield, Vermont
SessionSelectboard
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:00:30

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:03

Okay.

0:04

It is 6 30.

0:05

We're after.

0:06

I'll follow you.

0:08

He's right.

0:10

Yeah, we can do this.

0:12

I'm playing to the thing of the United States of America to the Republican.

0:18

Which is on the guard indivisible with Liberty Justice Carl.

0:27

I did it right now.

0:28

I'm sorry for the mailer needs to be right now.

0:32

Agenda review.

0:34

Any uh any discussion on the agenda.

0:40

We're remembering she already.

0:43

Comments from Select Board.

0:46

Topics not on the agenda.

0:48

Anything from the Select Board?

0:50

Nothing meeting that.

0:52

You all set Rika, you anything?

0:57

I think so.

0:58

Okay.

0:58

Uh comments from citizens topics not on the agenda.

1:02

Grace Knight.

1:06

Hi everyone.

1:08

I'm Grace Knight.

1:09

This is my husband Randy.

1:12

And we've lived on Graffnell Road since 1999 and in Weather's X since 1997.

1:21

And I'm gonna ask for your patience.

1:24

I'm very nervous.

1:26

Um I love this town.

1:29

I thank you for serving on the select board.

1:34

I feel we need help.

1:37

And this is not intended as a criticism of anyone who works or lives in this town.

1:43

This is consider intended in a spirit of concern so we can build each other up and protect each other and keep our town a safe and wonderful place.

2:26

So that she could have acreage of her family.

2:31

The next morning, April 15th, I got an email that said that we should wire $4,500 to the town of Weathersfield.

2:44

It was a very official looking email.

2:46

It had the town sealed, it was signed by Ryan Dumbart.

2:51

It had detailed knowledge of our application in every detail, and it said the application will not proceed until the funds are received.

3:06

We wired those funds on April 21st.

3:10

On April 23rd, I called Ryan Gumbart to say, did you receive the wire?

3:16

And he said, but wire there is no fee.

3:20

Camilla Fritamore said she lives in Rutland, and she said she'd zoom in tonight and she wanted to comment.

3:34

I immediately called the Windsor County Sheriff, who was our law enforcement at the time, and Joshua Estee was referred to the case and did a wonderful job of handling it.

3:58

Was to Camilla Pedavana.

4:01

And I said, Camilla argue okay.

4:05

And she said, I am.

4:08

I got the same email on April 15th, and I was so dismayed, and I thought I'll never own a piece of my family land.

4:18

I can't afford $4,000 $500.

4:23

And then I showed it to my brother Ed, and he said it may be a scam called the town office.

4:30

So I called the town office that day, April 15th.

4:35

And I reported it.

4:37

Oh he reported it.

4:40

He called it.

4:40

Camilla only one person has recognized her.

4:47

This is the first time in 40 years of marriage that he's ever corrected.

4:57

It's a question.

5:00

It's a I know he's just trying to help, but it's just fucking keep it.

5:05

Anyhow, she reported it on the 15th.

5:07

So the town had six days to put something on the website to put something on the town Facebook to notify anyone with an application pending.

5:20

And I gave you all a handout.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fireworks Regulation█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Procedural████████████13%
Public Safety███████████12%
Emergency Management██████████11%
Technology and Innovation█████6%
Public Engagement█████6%
Personnel Matters█1%
Budget Equity Analysis█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Weathersfield Select Board Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Weathersfield Select Board convened on May 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM. The meeting began with public comments regarding a targeted scam, followed by approval of minutes, adoption of the Local Emergency Management Plan, and a lengthy discussion on fireworks policy. The board also made two appointments and approved warrants.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Grace and Randy Knight (Grafnell Road residents since 1999) reported that on April 15 they received a fraudulent email impersonating the town, demanding $4,500 wire fee for their subdivision application. They paid the amount on April 21. They urged the town to: remove personal information (names, email, phone numbers) from all applications posted online, add the fee schedule to applications, and issue warnings at public meetings about scam risks. Grace Knight noted that the FBI issued a bulletin in March warning that AI can scan posted zoning applications and generate fake invoices. The Knights expressed feeling deeply let down by the town for not alerting them during the six days between the first report (April 15 by another applicant) and their payment.
  • Lisa Slave requested that the part-time police officer position also be advertised, not just the full-time officer. She also noted that the town had not issued a social media alert about the scam despite being aware of it.
  • Jacob Chase inquired about the Act 181 letter. The board confirmed it was sent.
  • Rick Bates distinguished between Front Porch Forum (Weathersfield-specific) and Facebook (worldwide), and suggested the town push Montpelier to reexamine open meeting laws for balancing transparency with vulnerability.

Discussion Items

  • Minutes of April 27, 2026: Corrections included changing "cessation" to "cessation" (in reference to sheriff's contract), correcting "Ms. Described" to "Ms. O'Brien", and adjusting language regarding minutes not following Roberts Rules. The board agreed to accept minor corrections via email but requested line numbers for future minutes. Minutes approved with corrections.
  • Local Emergency Management Plan Adoption: Rick Bates, Emergency Management Director, presented the plan as an update with no new initiatives. Corrections were noted: police phone numbers were incorrect (Westminster numbers instead of current Woodstock dispatch number), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) table lacked clarity for small municipalities. The board asked for definitions of NIMS resource types. After discussion, a motion to adopt the plan with necessary corrections passed unanimously.
  • Fireworks Policy Discussion: The board considered updating the current policy, which the police chief (Chief Compo) and fire chief (Chief Watras) argued is vague and creates liability. Andrea Murray expressed frustration with the board's reluctance, citing safety risks and past incidents (ash fallout at Lolahome Park and Plains Road). Colby Hodgson, a former licensed fireworks professional, explained that in Vermont only professional public displays are legal; consumer fireworks are prohibited. He advised adopting an ordinance that mirrors state law with clear definitions (e.g., "public display," "qualified operator") to remove liability from the town. The board leaned toward drafting an ordinance (not a policy) that complies with state statute and defines ambiguous terms. The fire chief and police chief stressed that an ordinance would provide enforceability (civil fines) whereas a policy is not enforceable. The board will involve both chiefs and a citizen (Colby) in drafting. No final decision made; will appear on future agenda.
  • Future agenda items: The town manager will provide an update on the scam issue at the next meeting. An outdoor burning ordinance was also suggested for future discussion.
  • Appointments: Jason Rasmussen appointed as Development Review Board alternate (seat A3) for term ending May 11, 2028. Peter Daniels appointed as Mt. Scutney Regional Commission alternate representative for term ending 2027. Both approved unanimously.
  • Other Business: Lisa Slave reminded the board of Town Meeting on Saturday, May 16 at 12:30 PM and Election Day on Tuesday, May 19 from 8 AM to 7 PM. She also noted the weekly news bulletin on the town website and corrected the police non-emergency number to 457-1420.
  • Warrants: Approved totaling payroll $34,221.26 and operating expenses $131,859.39.

Key Outcomes

  • Scam response: The board expressed deep regret and will meet with the town manager the next morning to remove personal information from online postings and improve communication. The board expects an update at the next meeting.
  • Emergency Management Plan: Adopted with corrections (phone numbers, contacts). The chair authorized to sign after corrections are made.
  • Fireworks Policy: No vote tonight. The board will develop a draft ordinance in collaboration with the police chief, fire chief, and a fireworks professional, aiming to define terms and align with state law.
  • Appointments: Jason Rasmussen (DRB alternate) and Peter Daniels (Mt. Scutney alternate) were appointed unanimously.
  • Warrants: Approved unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. It is 6 30. We're after. I'll follow you. He's right. Yeah, we can do this. I'm playing to the thing of the United States of America to the Republican. Which is on the guard indivisible with Liberty Justice Carl. I did it right now. I'm sorry for the mailer needs to be right now. Agenda review. Any uh any discussion on the agenda. We're remembering she already. Comments from Select Board. Topics not on the agenda. Anything from the Select Board? Nothing meeting that. You all set Rika, you anything? I think so. Okay. Uh comments from citizens topics not on the agenda. Grace Knight. Hi everyone. I'm Grace Knight. This is my husband Randy. And we've lived on Graffnell Road since 1999 and in Weather's X since 1997. And I'm gonna ask for your patience. I'm very nervous. Um I love this town. I thank you for serving on the select board. I feel we need help. And this is not intended as a criticism of anyone who works or lives in this town. This is consider intended in a spirit of concern so we can build each other up and protect each other and keep our town a safe and wonderful place. So that she could have acreage of her family. The next morning, April 15th, I got an email that said that we should wire $4,500 to the town of Weathersfield. It was a very official looking email. It had the town sealed, it was signed by Ryan Dumbart. It had detailed knowledge of our application in every detail, and it said the application will not proceed until the funds are received. We wired those funds on April 21st. On April 23rd, I called Ryan Gumbart to say, did you receive the wire? And he said, but wire there is no fee. Camilla Fritamore said she lives in Rutland, and she said she'd zoom in tonight and she wanted to comment. I immediately called the Windsor County Sheriff, who was our law enforcement at the time, and Joshua Estee was referred to the case and did a wonderful job of handling it. Was to Camilla Pedavana. And I said, Camilla argue okay. And she said, I am. I got the same email on April 15th, and I was so dismayed, and I thought I'll never own a piece of my family land. I can't afford $4,000 $500. And then I showed it to my brother Ed, and he said it may be a scam called the town office. So I called the town office that day, April 15th.

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