Taking care of business
The Selectboard tackled topics from picnic tables to open-space tax refunds and everything in between on Monday night.
Two Selectboard meetings means twice the fun
There were some money worries and library celebrations, among other business, at the May 18 and May 26 Selectboard meetings.
Austerity for some is too much for others: Selectboard continues budget juggling, Rec stays on hold, and more
It was a long one on Monday, May 11, even as the Selectboard postponed several agenda items due to time concerns. At one point, Selectboard Chair Matt Krasnow asked who had the next item on the agenda and a patient Zoom meeting participant chimed in with . . .
Selectboard discusses budget austerity, trails construction, appointments
On Monday the Selectboard again met virtually, with members discussing austerity budget measures, approving reappointments, and reviewing draft request for bids for siding repairs on the Senior Center and construction of the next section of the Town Link Trail on State Park Road.
Cost-cutting dominates Selectboard meeting
The April 13 Selectboard meeting marked the third meeting held virtually and moved through a full agenda at an effective clip, spending the majority of its time discussing austerity measures related to the current and next year’s budgets.
Remote Selectboard meetings become rote
The April 6 Selectboard meeting focused primarily on activities related to business at Town Hall and recreation, as well as the selection of a contractor for ash tree removal. The meeting, held via Zoom,
Governing in the age of coronavirus: Town hall closes, voting still open
Monday’s Selectboard meeting ushered in a new era: a virtual meeting option for those not attending in person.
Emergency Selectboard meeting sets course for managing virus and town business
The Selectboard convened on Monday night at Town Hall, with a couple speakers in attendance; the black and white duck decoy that presides over the Town Clerk’s office was still there; the chairs were all set up in rows.
Selectboard tackles coronavirus, rec department roles, and other business
Monday’s Selectboard meeting covered a range of topics, including an update on the Mount Philo State park parking expansion, an update on the security agreement with the Champlain Valley School District, and discussion about the roles of the recreation director and Recreation Commission. There were also related agenda items about the COVID-19 virus – from consideration of a personnel policy for town employees working from home and a briefing from CFVRS Fire Chief Rob Mullen.
Town meeting 2020: budget passes with some gymnastics, trails get funded, and more
For almost four hours, with the Selectboard on stage in the Charlotte Central School multi-purpose room and moderator Charles Russell at the helm, a year’s worth of goals and governance were discussed, addressed, and voted upon.
Armed at the door, but not hired as security: school resource officer monitors town meeting
Recent weeks showed a conflict between the Charlotte Selectboard and the Champlain Valley School District regarding a contract sent to the board earlier this year informing the town that they are responsible for footing the bill for any security the school district hires for election days and town meetings that take place in Charlotte Central School.
Selectboard address net metering, bond paying and town meeting schedule
Monday’s brief Selectboard meeting was the last for board member Fritz Tegatz and the last before town meeting. The board motioned and approved several routine agenda items, and briefly discussed actions related to the solar net metering agreement RFP.
Selectboard works toward defining recreation roles and lets guns back into the wildlife refuge
The theme of the Monday, January 10 Selectboard meeting was listening. The board heard from the Recreation Commission and Director regarding roles and from the Energy Committee on the proposed net metering agreement with Green Lantern Solar.
Net metering RFP still up in the air
Attendance at the Selectboard meeting ticked up on Feb. 10 for a specific reason; members of the public filtered in for the net metering agreement agenda item. It had been discussed and voted on at the previous meeting and was voted against, 3-2. Following letters to the paper, Front Porch Forum posts, and general community chatter, it was back on the agenda.
Unexpected bill from school district catches Selectboard off guard
Town elections have been held at Charlotte Central School for decades; the space is the largest public indoor area in town, and up until two years ago, Charlotters owned and operated the school. In the last two years, since consolidation with four other towns into the Champlain Valley School District, municipal events that have operated the same way for years are suddenly facing new regulations based on CVSD policies now that the school district owns the building.
The ballots are ready, and there’s no one on them
There are 13 total races on the ballot this year, and voters have only one contested race to consider. There are 7 positions for which not a single person turned in a petition to run, six positions that have only one candidate running, and seven positions that are blank altogether.
Voted but not over: petitions aim to bring wastewater vote to town meeting
At a special meeting earlier this month, the Selectboard voted 4-1 to approve sewer use and sewer allocation ordinances that will allow the town-owned wastewater system in the West Charlotte Village to be leased by private businesses. Two petitions are currently circulating in town, one per ordinance, to disapprove of this Selectboard decision. If the petitions gather enough signatures, the issue will be put in front of voters for a voice vote at town meeting on March 3.
Hey, whatcha doin’ Monday night?
Last spring, there was a controversy in Charlotte. The issue was over a request for proposals made by the Selectboard for tree removal. The parties involved made their dissatisfaction with the process known through Front Porch Forum posts, there was general uproar, and the Selectboard scheduled a special May 1 meeting to address the situation.
Revote on wastewater yields same result
Monday’s special Selectboard meeting got off to a slow start but concluded with a revote on West Village wastewater ordinances, which was required due to a legality. Selectboard member Louise McCarren motioned, Fritz Tegatz seconded, and the board approved the ordinances 4 to 1, with Vice Chair Frank Tenney voting against.
Selectboard passes sewer ordinance 4-1
Monday night’s Selectboard meeting began with the much-anticipated vote on the West Charlotte village wastewater ordinances. Chair Matt Krasnow opened with a recap of the work the wastewater committee and board had done to date. He noted that if the board passed the ordinances, more work is to be done. “There will still be some heavy lifting needed to get them to be effective in generating and calculating the fee schedule,” he said.