GREENSBORO – The third floor of the Greensboro Town Hall again took the attention of the select board at its April 8 meeting, as well as town meeting day rules and procedures.
Public comment began with resident Gary Circosta submitting a petition to the select board, signed by over a hundred residents, asking; “Shall the Town of Greensboro adopt all budget articles by Australian ballot?” and “Shall the Town of Greensboro vote on all public questions by Australian ballot?”
Circosta also read a statement explaining the rationale behind the petition, saying “I’m submitting a petition with two articles about switching how Greensboro votes on “all budget articles” and on “all public questions” at Town Meeting. If these articles pass at a Special Town Meeting, we would simply separate the discussion of town issues from the voting, and we would
vote in private.” He noted not everyone who signed this petition may ultimately vote to switch to Australian ballots, but every signer wants to have a Special Town Meeting to discuss these articles.
Resident and architect Jay Barrett was asked by town health officer Karl Stein if Barrett would be qualified and interested in performing a code assessment of the town hall’s third floor.
Barrett conducted a study in 2021 of a historic town hall in Wentworth, N.H., that included building code, structural and historical analysis. On that project, he worked with engineer Tim Schall, who did the structural analysis. Barrett said he would charge $1500 for the building code analysis, with no historical assessment. According to Barrett, Schall said he’d be willing to do the structural analysis for $3,500. Barrett says there are many opinions about the building’s condition and the state of the third-floor space
Architectural and structural reports will definitively state what the issues are. Barret says Schall will need a carpenter to carefully open up small sections of the building so he can complete his assessment. Barret informed the board he would be assessing any codes that would apply to a municipal building, including accessibility issues, fire ratings and egress.
The history of the building’s third floor was discussed. Board member Mike Metcalf recollected that at the 1983 town meeting under Other Business, a discussion arose of whether the town should either tear down the town hall building, or come up with a renovation plan.
Afterwards, using grant funding and donations, significant portions of the tin walls and ceilings were removed and fire-rated sheetrock installed behind the tin as well as a roof replacement.
According to Stein, at the time local fire chiefs were empowered by the state to be local fire
marshals and had the authority to close buildings. Fire Chief Dave Brochu Sr., using a checklist from the state, made the judgement call that the town hall’s third floor occupancy should be limited to 50 persons. Around 2005, after an event was held with about 100 people, Chief Brochu ordered the third floor to be closed writ large.
Treasurer Brett Stanciu said there is $24k in the capital budget for use on any town building in this fiscal year. Barrett agreed to write up a cost proposal for the board to review, prior to approving the investigative work.
In other business, Stanciu reported Collector of Delinquent Taxes Michael Cloutier has scheduled a tax sale for June 2, at 9:30 a.m., at the town offices. One property is involved. She informed the board that one member must be appointed to attend and be prepared to bid on the property.
On the proposed Breezy Avenue sidewalk improvements, scribe Josh Karp says the “local concerns meeting” will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m., at the Fellowship Hall directly after the regular community supper. The goal is to get as much public input as possible.
The board adopted the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) model fund balance policy.
Corrections to the 2026 town meeting warning were approved unanimously.
The board appointed Stew Arnold, John Schweizer, Chris Steel, Naomi Ranz-Schleifer, Chris Phillips and Paul Brierre to the Caspian Lake dam task force.
Chair Kent Hansen of the Greensboro Planning Commission (GPC) said the commission has approved updates to the flood bylaw and shoreline protection district, as well as miscellaneous updates throughout the bylaw.
The GPC is hoping to hold a public hearing on the revised town plan in August. He recommended that the board appoint Bob Youngman to the GPC. MacNeil said prior to an appointment, the board would like a letter from Mr. Youngman expressing his interest along with some background information.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree 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.
