WOODBURY – Eighty people turned out for Woodbury’s second Saturday town meeting, March 1, just two less than the first year, in 2024, reported Select Board Chair, Diana Peduzzi, who was relected to a three-year term to remain on the board. There were no contested elections and all the budget articles passed unanimously, except where noted, said John Reid, who provided the list of elected officers and a report on appropriations.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Stephen Murphy was re-elected to serve as moderator and Robin Durkee as town clerk.
Lilly Baron was affirmed to fill the town treasurer role outgoing Treasurer Brandy Smith has filled for the last 11 years. Smith was re-elected to continue as collector of delinquent taxes.
Sara Hedrick will become a lister and John Reid will continue as auditor. Patti Garbeck will continue serving on the cemetery commission.
Kimberly Winchell, David Barber and Tepin Delaney were elected as library trustees.
Laura Murphy was elected to serve on the Hazen Union School Board.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
All proposed budgets and appropriations were approved, including all three articles for the Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department with $14,884 for the truck replacement fund, $128,324.11 to fund operations, $33,000 to the Capital Replacement Fund, $95,324.11 for operating expenses and $100,059.24 for the new Fire and Emergency Operations Center’s loan payment.
The town’s operating budget of $570,426 was approved as was the highway fund budget of $775,882.
The Woodbury Community Library allocation of $22,350 was approved, along with $10,000 for Woodbury Cemeteries.
Other allocations passed, with $2,000.00 going to Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice. The $1,626 warned for the Woodbury-Calais Food Shelf was increased to $2,500, but not unanimously, despite Food Shelf Co-Director Carol Ray saying the increase was not necessary.
$1,500 was approved for Twin Valley Senior Center, $1,000 for Washington County Mental Health Services and 17 others, all under $1,000.
State Representatives David Yacovone and Sauia Lamont spoke to the meeting about issues before the legislature.
The meeting lasted just long enough for lunch provided by Friends of the Woodbury Elementary School with a jar into which donations were accepted.
At the Mountain View Union Elementary School District annual meeting, Heather Meacham was elected to the school board.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
