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Community Displays Support for Board

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GREENSBORO — The January 8 select board meeting began with residents voicing a variety of opinions; many in support of the board, with others sharing points of contention and some with mixed comments.

“There’s been a lot of recent controversy, we may not all agree on everything but we’re admiring all of the work done by the select board and town employees, thank you for your service,“ Judy Carpenter said.

Anne Stevens said “As a former select board member, I want to thank current board members for all the work they’ve done on contentious issues. Thanks to Kim [Greaves], also.”

Lise Armstrong voiced a different sentiment, saying, “While I disagree with some of the animosity towards the select board, there’s been some frustration. The select board seems to have their own mandate and doesn’t care how others feel. The town hall housing project should have come to a public vote long ago. Also, I would like town meetings to be held at Lakeview School.”

Bridget Collier said “I too would like to see Greensboro stay as it was long ago. There were a hundred kids running around, most from poor families, I would note, and the town hall was a school. The rhetoric that’s been used towards the board and Kim has been shameful and should stop. To those who say the process has not been open enough, the open meeting law includes legitimate reasons to enter executive session. At this meeting I see a turnout of people who support what the select board is doing.”

Mateo Kehler agreed, saying “Since I saw the ‘Save Town Hall’ signs I’ve been in mourning, as someone who moved here full of ideas and wanting to build community. It’s not obvious that a small town can continue and thrive with such a lack of decorum and civility. My kids don’t want to live here, they want to live in a community with a different kind of discourse. We live together in this small town and we can’t ignore each other. I want to encourage a different tone, a different energy, to invite the collaboration we need to solve our problems. Yes Greensboro is changing, but the shouting, allegations and lawyering is not going to help things get better. We all need to breathe, please bring the love you have for this place and put that up front.”

Karl Stein expressed his support as well, saying, “Select board members, I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with months of abuse. Greensboro has gone through a lot of changes in the 44 years we’ve been here, we weren’t supportive of all of them but the discourse has been civil over the years. The select board is not perfect, everyone makes mistakes and we learn from them. If you find yourself opposing everything, raise your hand when there’s an opportunity to contribute.”

Board member Bobbi Nisbet thanked the community for their support and attendance, adding, “Thanks to all who came out on this stormy night to support our town government. We’ve been through a lot in the past five years, between the isolation of Covid-19, three floods, the conversations around the Town Hall housing project, mold in the town offices, our town treasurer being out on sick leave. Caring for our neighbors is a way to thank all the people who helped create this town that we all love. We can have disagreements but let’s have civil discourse. We all deserve a break.”

Moving on from the community discourse, board member David Kelley spoke about the changes Act 46 may bring to Greensboro.

Kelley said “I’ve represented 36 small rural VT towns who want to hold on to their local schools. We worked hard to change Act 46 but unfortunately we lost at the supreme court on a 3-2 decision. Our proposal was that a school couldn’t be closed unless locals voted to do so. Act 46 hasn’t done our town any good, we’re trying to bring together as many towns as possible through the Community School Alliance. The select board needs to vote to join this group, it wouldn’t cost the town anything.”

Chair Eric Hanson asked Kelley to put together a proposal for the board to consider at the February meeting. Kelley felt the board should address this sooner and suggested holding a special meeting.

Board member Ellen Celnik asked if there any potential downsides, to which Kelley responded there are not. The board agreed to hold a special meeting for further discussion.

The board moved on to the Orleans County Sheriff’s report. Sheriff Jennifer Harlow said Greensboro’s contract was unchanged for the last several years. For FY26 she is proposing a slight increase from $195,000 to $200,000. The board complimented OCSD (Orleans County Sheriff’s Department) for their quick response time and follow up, adding, their investigations were excellent.

Celnik thanked Sheriff Harlow for her service and noted OCSD collaborates with the Hardwick Police Department and state police on investigations.

Nisbet said OCSD’s response time is much shorter than the state police, and this is especially appreciated by the rescue squad. Hanson noted how friendly all the deputies are. The board unanimously approved the FY26 contract with OCSD for $200,000.

The board moved on to discuss the FY26 budget and the 2025 town meeting warning.

Beginning with the recreation budget, Liz Baum thanked the town for supporting the swim program. According to the board the contract with Teach America to Swim is expensive, but lessons are now offered for all age groups. The swim program group asked the board for an appropriation of $4,000 total. Baum said this increased amount doesn’t even cover half of program costs, and fundraising will be necessary.

Celnik thanked former Recreation Committee chair Carolyn Kehler for her work on the swim program, as well as Jasper Hill Farm, Hill Farmstead, the Pleasants Fund and the Greensboro Association for donating funds to the program.

Kent Hanson, representing the planning commission, requested $2,000 for expenses related to updating the town plan.

Chair Eric Hanson said the board increased the ‘grants match’ line item, since a number of grants the town anticipates receiving require a 20% match.

Hanson said Simpson Crushing, who screened and crushed gravel for the town last year, informed them overburden removal won’t be necessary. This cost has been removed from the budget, however it will need to be added back for the FY27 budget.

Hanson said the budget has an overall 5.9% increase, and he feels the board has drafted a responsible budget. Celnik thanked Jennifer Lucas and John Schweizer for their work on the town budget and other fiscal matters. The board unanimously approved the FY26 budget as discussed.

The board discussed at length the added cost of hiring a grants administrator or project manager. Hanson said before taking that, the board wants to see how recent staffing changes play out. Celnik said they are in a transitional period with the new assistant town clerk hired, and hopefully Josh Karp can take on some of the grant administration as his FEMA work winds down. She has been advocating for a grants-specific position, and appreciated the suggestions.

The board then moved on to discuss the 2025 town meeting warning, potential locations and the downsides of rescheduling town meeting day from the first Tuesday of March. They then discussed whether voters will elect town officers via Australian ballot. Celnik said she’s concerned moving to Australian ballot votes for elections may result in low attendance at the town meeting. The board ultimately decided in favor of registered Greensboro voters electing town officers via Australian ballot and voting on an article to change the day of the town meeting.

After more discussion, it was decided to hold the 2025 town meeting at the Highland Center for the Arts.

Tom Camarra then delivered the road foreman’s report, saying the crew has been busy maintaining winter roads, including trying to keep the sidewalk machine running.

Mateo Kheler said his business relies on well-maintained roads, and the road crew has done a great job.

Kelley said the Beaver Deceiver below Circus Road blew out in the 2024 flood. Beaver activity has resumed, and rather than trap the beavers a new Deceiver was installed for a total of $4,200. Josh Karp added, beavers have been plugging a large culvert on Craftsbury Road and the crew spent considerable time this past summer dealing with it. The board may consider installing another Deceiver at this location.

The board moved on to the town clerk and interim treasurer’s report from Kim Greaves. Greaves said all committee reports must be received by the middle of next week to be included in the town report.

Hanson said a municipal code of ethics was passed by the legislature in 2024 and the town is required to designate an employee or select board member as the town Ethics Liaison. This individual will serve as a point of contact for the Vermont Ethics Commission and receive ethics complaints. The board unanimously approved town clerk Kim Greaves to also serve as town Ethics Liaison.

Karp reported he has finished filing for 2023 flood reimbursements and expects the town will receive $1.2 million soon, allowing the town to pay off its two flood loans. Karp said he’s now working on filings for the 2024 flood.

In other business, the board discussed the possibility of wake boats on Caspian Lake. They had asked the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to prohibit wake boats on the lake at a December 12 hearing. ANR was reportedly skeptical of the board’s arguments and has begun conversations with state legislators. It is expected ANR will issue a decision by springtime.

Kelley said the board is planning to put the purchase and sales agreement with RuralEdge to an Australian ballot vote at the 2025 town meeting. Due to differing appraisal values and the fact the Village Green is to remain under town ownership, a new appraisal has been ordered.

Board member Bobbi Nisbet said the sign policy is being reviewed by the town attorney and further discussion has been tabled until the February board meeting.

Hanson said the board is still entertaining letters of interest for the new wastewater committee. Members will be appointed at the February board meeting. Celnik asked that people who own larger parcels of land consider allowing an engineering firm to evaluate their property for a disposal field site.

The board then discussed available select board positions. Both David Kelley and Bobbie Nisbet are up for reelection this year. Kelley said he’s decided not to run again, so his three-year seat will be open. Nisbet has not decided whether or not she’ll run again for her two-year seat.

Hanson has one year left on his term and said he’ll be resigning after the 2025 town meeting. The board will then appoint someone to serve the remainder of his term.

Celnik thanked the select board members for their service to the town. She said she’s served on many boards over the years, and being a select board member is one of the biggest challenges she’s ever experienced. She’d like to encourage people who care about the true values of this community to consider serving on the board.

The board then moved into executive session to discuss real estate matters, then took no action before adjourning.

Raymobda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.

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