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Record of Proceedings

Weathersfield Select Board Meeting - June 9, 2026: Budget, Police, Fireworks, and Policy Decisions

Selectboard — Tuesday, June 9, 2026
BodyWeathersfield, Vermont
SessionSelectboard
DateTuesday, June 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:01:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Agenda review.

0:06

I'm not sure if she's going to make it tonight.

0:08

But she did ask me to have a discussion about summer meeting schedule.

0:12

So I'd like to add that up to the agenda on any other business.

0:17

If everybody's okay with that on the board.

0:20

Thank you.

0:21

Any other agenda review issues or items for any other good?

0:26

Yeah.

0:27

Okay.

0:28

Comments from select board.

0:30

Any comments from the select board.

0:35

I see you still.

0:38

Yeah.

0:39

No.

0:39

No, what's that?

0:40

Okay.

0:41

Uh citizens topics are on the agenda.

0:43

Anyone want the floor?

0:44

Back is first.

0:47

Good questions.

0:49

My first half is the Weatherfield Garden Flood.

0:52

And as you know, we help uh keep the garden on by the property around the town.

0:59

And I have to laugh because I see the Chevron finials are gone.

1:04

But our request was to fix the sign out front.

1:08

Because we can't help but notice it was in a really deteriorated state.

1:14

So we would top off the finial, so that's good.

1:16

It looks better.

1:17

But the second request about the sign was to move it perpendicular so that people can actually find the building.

1:32

But as the representative of the garden club, we're proud of our town, and I think it would be nice to put something nice out there and find direction.

1:42

So that's that.

1:45

So my second hat, Brotherfield Conversation Group, which is a nonprofit community group.

1:50

And one of the things that we've done is as volunteers put together an information packet, which is now on the website.

1:58

Brandon OKD and it's on the website.

2:01

It's 29 pages long.

2:03

It's meant for new residents and old residents.

2:06

And the way we want to distribute it is on the website.

2:10

And also by using QR codes around town.

2:14

But not everybody has a smartphone because afford a smart partner has internet.

2:19

So we want to have the ability to print out this information packet.

2:24

And one of the target sites is transfer station.

2:27

So I'm not sure if I ask you permission, Ray Permission, Brandon Commission to put up this information packet at the transfer station.

2:39

I think there was a request for bulletin board, too, wasn't there?

2:42

Well, yes, but yeah, I didn't get into the details.

2:44

Yeah, we would need some, and I'm not asking for funding.

2:48

We'll work it out, but um, we'll just need some way to post this um have to transfer function.

2:59

Thank you, Way.

3:01

Dr.

3:02

Worthy.

3:04

Thank you, Chair.

3:06

Um I have some comments I'd like to uh make regarding the revised draft town plan.

3:13

Um I noticed that there's a town hearing posted on the website uh this morning or this after I should say this afternoon.

3:20

Um first I want to acknowledge and respect the significant amount of time and effort invested by the planning commission throughout the process.

3:28

I appreciate uh that the draft plan um has made some updates and corrections that um I saw during previous planning commission hearings.

3:39

One major concern is that as it's noticed today, it says that it is a regulatory document, which that's the first time I've seen that language before it had they had stated that it was not a regulatory document.

3:53

It was different in the previous hearings, and um I think that uh this has big concerns for regulation of land, future zoning changes.

4:05

Um I also I believe that many provisions within this draft uh still clearly direct future regulatory expansion, particularly uh forest blocks, habitat corridors, preservation areas, and future zoning restrictions tied to planning maps.

4:23

Um, I've also noticed on these maps, there have been suggestions to add property boundaries, but on the current land use map and on the future land use map, there are no property lines, and there's significant changes in these maps and use of lands.

4:37

So one of my other concerns it's not with conservation itself, but it's ensuring that conservation goals remain balanced with the rights of property owners and long-term viability of working lands.

4:48

One particular concerning provision stated development shall be directed outside of forest blocks.

4:54

That's a new change for this town.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%
Fireworks Regulation████████████████████20%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Technology and Innovation██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Personnel Matters████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Land Use Planning███3%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Weathersfield Select Board Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Weathersfield Select Board met on June 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Martin Memorial Hall. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including the town's FY27 budget, police department restart, a fireworks permit, a new cash management policy, and summer meeting schedules. Key decisions included setting a 0% tax increase budget, approving an amendment to the town manager's contract, and deferring action on a fireworks permit pending further review.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of May 26, 2026: Approved unanimously by four board members present (John Harrison absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Garden Club & Weathersfield Conversation Group (unnamed speaker): Noted that the Chevron finials on the garden sign had been replaced (positive), but requested the sign be moved perpendicular to improve visibility and direction-finding. Also requested permission to post a 29-page information packet (for new and existing residents) at the transfer station, using a bulletin board, at no cost to the town.
  • Dr. Worthy (resident): Expressed concerns about the revised draft town plan, stating it was now labeled a "regulatory document" (previously not), and that it contained language directing development out of forest blocks and potentially prohibiting human uses in preservation areas. He noted the plan references Act 181, which is pending change at the state level. He requested that the planning commission present the plan to the select board for thorough review before the June 22 hearing, to avoid rushing.
  • Another resident (likely same as garden club): Asked for an immediate answer about the bulletin board at the transfer station; the board deferred to other business later in the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Town Manager Updates (Brandon):
    • Police Department: Announced appointment of Chief Craig Waltress and four part-time officers (Ian Cuttle, Lee Harrington, Josh Esty, Derek Beagle). Equipment and cruisers reacquired from Windsor County Sheriff's Department; dispatch services through Woodstock dispatch. Ongoing recruitment for full-time officer and regional policing discussions with neighboring towns.
    • 1879 Schoolhouse Repairs: Final invoice differed from prior estimate; improvements included new lighting in food shelf area, dimmable switches in meeting room, motion-sensor stairwell lighting, and parking lot light replacement. All done within FY26 budget.
    • FY27 Budget & Special Town Meeting: Board recommended a 0% increase in the general fund tax levy for FY27 (from FY26). Special informational meeting July 6 at 6:30 PM at Martin Memorial Hall; vote July 7. Outreach via Valley News, post offices, website, and postcards to residents.
    • Highway Department: Routine maintenance ongoing; paving and chip sealing bids awarded for Weathersfield Center Road; Escutney Water District project (2.2 million, 1,600 feet of water main) starting soon.
    • July 2023 Flood Projects Reconciliation: Detailed that total federal/state recovery funds were $1,138,081.28, total expenditures $956,000.36, leaving $181,828.07 unexpended. The town also avoided paying $81,063.90 in cost share. The remaining funds were transferred to highway reserve funds as previously approved. Clarified that the $100,000 figure mentioned by a resident was not retained; actual net was $181,828.
  • Town Website Update (presented by resource coordinator Patrice): New website (Citizens Plus migration) went live June 1. Back end is easier for updates; front end still being refined. Highlights: simplified agendas and minutes, global linking to reduce duplicate postings. Search function available. Ongoing work to organize content across different user perspectives. Budgeted through reallocation of clerk position; 15 hours per week for resource coordinator.
  • Fundraiser Cash Management Policy (First Reading): Policy established for handling cash at town events, requiring two authorized individuals, reconciliation, and depositing with town office. Approved to move to first reading (unanimous).
  • Fireworks Permit Application (Running Bear Campground): Discussed in depth. Chief Waltress raised concerns about insurance not yet granted, and that site map showed all access roads closed during display. Fire Chief Comp pointed out state statute requires approval by fire chief and police chief, and that a site visit had not yet occurred. Resident Ross stated the fireworks would be consumer grade, not commercial, and the operator (Mark Girard) has Massachusetts license and 15 years experience. Resident Meredith argued the board seemed to be helping the applicant through the process inconsistently. Legal opinion sought regarding whether the current fireworks policy (which requires select board approval) is superseded by state law after the town formed a municipal fire department. Decision deferred: the chiefs, manager, and applicant will meet to resolve issues, and the manager will consult with VLCT attorney. No vote taken on the permit.
  • Appointment of Deputy Fire Warden: Michael Spaulding appointed unanimously.
  • Other Business:
    • Sign Improvements at Town Office: The Martin Memorial Hall Trustees requested reorienting the sign and making improvements. Board agreed to develop a scope of work, solicit estimates, and potentially use reserve funds. No action taken tonight.
    • Bulletin Board at Transfer Station: The town manager and another board member will handle directly, as it does not involve significant cost.
    • Summer Meeting Schedule: Set for July 6 (special informational), July 9 (tax rate set), July 27, and August 24, all at 6:30 PM at Martin Memorial Hall. Kelly O'Brien authorized to sign warrants on July 13 and August 10. Motion carried 4-1.
    • Board Conduct: A board member raised concern about an open meeting violation after the previous meeting, reminding members that discussions among a quorum must be public.
  • Warrants: Approved unanimously.
  • Executive Session: Motion to enter executive session for 31(3) (pending litigation?) but no discussion recorded.
  • Amendment to Town Manager Employment Agreement: Corrected vacation hours from 120 to 200 to align with personnel policy for employees with 10+ years of service. Approved unanimously.
  • Adjournment: Motion carried.

Key Outcomes

  • FY27 Budget: Board adopted a 0% tax increase general fund budget; special town meeting scheduled for July 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM, vote on July 7.
  • Police Department Start-up: Four part-time officers appointed; ongoing recruitment for full-time officer.
  • Fireworks Permit: Deferred pending meeting between chiefs, applicant, and town manager; legal opinion on policy being sought.
  • Fundraiser Cash Management Policy: Moved to first reading (unanimous).
  • Deputy Fire Warden: Michael Spaulding appointed.
  • Summer Meeting Schedule: Approved 4-1; July 6, 9, 27, August 24 at 6:30 PM at Martin Memorial Hall.
  • Warrants: Approved.
  • Town Manager Contract Amendment: Corrected vacation time; approved unanimously.
  • Next Steps on Town Plan: The select board will hear from the planning commission on June 22 to review concerns raised.
  • Future Agenda Items: Sign improvements at town office (RFP development), bulletin board at transfer station (to be handled administratively), and possible political sign policy discussion.

Meeting Transcript

Agenda review. I'm not sure if she's going to make it tonight. But she did ask me to have a discussion about summer meeting schedule. So I'd like to add that up to the agenda on any other business. If everybody's okay with that on the board. Thank you. Any other agenda review issues or items for any other good? Yeah. Okay. Comments from select board. Any comments from the select board. I see you still. Yeah. No. No, what's that? Okay. Uh citizens topics are on the agenda. Anyone want the floor? Back is first. Good questions. My first half is the Weatherfield Garden Flood. And as you know, we help uh keep the garden on by the property around the town. And I have to laugh because I see the Chevron finials are gone. But our request was to fix the sign out front. Because we can't help but notice it was in a really deteriorated state. So we would top off the finial, so that's good. It looks better. But the second request about the sign was to move it perpendicular so that people can actually find the building. But as the representative of the garden club, we're proud of our town, and I think it would be nice to put something nice out there and find direction. So that's that. So my second hat, Brotherfield Conversation Group, which is a nonprofit community group. And one of the things that we've done is as volunteers put together an information packet, which is now on the website. Brandon OKD and it's on the website. It's 29 pages long. It's meant for new residents and old residents. And the way we want to distribute it is on the website. And also by using QR codes around town. But not everybody has a smartphone because afford a smart partner has internet. So we want to have the ability to print out this information packet. And one of the target sites is transfer station. So I'm not sure if I ask you permission, Ray Permission, Brandon Commission to put up this information packet at the transfer station. I think there was a request for bulletin board, too, wasn't there? Well, yes, but yeah, I didn't get into the details. Yeah, we would need some, and I'm not asking for funding. We'll work it out, but um, we'll just need some way to post this um have to transfer function. Thank you, Way. Dr. Worthy. Thank you, Chair. Um I have some comments I'd like to uh make regarding the revised draft town plan.

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