GREENSBORO – The June 10 regular select board meeting saw much discourse during public comment, as well as the appointment of Josh Karp as town administrator, among other notable work.
Residents Gary and Renee Circosta were present to inform the board it had been 17 days since they had received his second allegation of an Open Meeting Law (OML) violation, and according to statute the board is supposed to respond publicly to an allegation within 10 calendar days. Circosta alleged the board made a decision outside of a warned meeting and possibly over email, instructing town staff not to warn the special town meeting.
He continued for some time. Board member Tim Brennan informed Circosta that communication about agenda items via email is not a violation of OML.
Chair MacNeil informed Circosta, no decisions were made outside of a warned meeting, and furthermore, everyone understood there was likely an OML violation at the May 13 meeting, and there was a presumption that the special town meeting would not take place as warned. Thus, there was no reason to warn a special town meeting that would not ultimately occur.
Resident Janet Long interjected after some time, asking, “Why do you care?”
Long then asked the board how it expects to proceed regarding the Greensboro Conservation Commission utilizing glyphosate. The board informed Long they are not contemplating any action in regards to the matter, however Long is welcome to propose the subject as an item on the next select board meeting agenda.
Renee Circosta then spoke, saying she was disappointed to find the board had refrained from the warning vote not because of OML concerns, but because they supported floor voting over Australian Ballot voting.
Chair MacNeil then interjected, “Whatever the emails Mike or Judy may or may not have sent, whatever the intent, there was no proposal of any action being taken. In order to have a meeting, you are going to take an action, you’re making a motion to propose an action, and it will be voted on and approved by the board. There was never any action taken,” he emphasized, “due to whatever they wrote. They have a right to write and express their opinions, about whatever they wish. But it was never formally adopted by the select board, no decision was made, no action was taken, no action was contemplated. Therefore there was no meeting. In order for there to be a meeting, you have to take action. The select board is allowed to comment to one another, they are allowed to talk about different issues, but they’re not allowed to take action on any issue via social media . . .” In short, MacNeil asserted there was no meeting, no action and therefore no violation.
Renee again interjected, “They’re not allowed to talk about town business in a quorum outside of a warned meeting, that’s the basics of that open meeting law. They’re not allowed to do that. It has to be in a warned meeting. The moment that email was sent it was an OML violation, to the best of my knowledge and it’s blatantly obvious to me.”
Board member Mike Metcalf responded, saying he was writing in reflection, and was not intentionally violating the OML. He thanked the Circosta’s for bringing it to his attention.
Janet Long asked the Circostas what they are trying to achieve by continually bringing up these process issues. Circosta said focusing on the board’s actions encourages transparency as well as following the processes set by the OML.
“It’s not necessary to acknowledge something that’s not a violation, so there’s that,” said Chair MacNeil.
Eventually, board member Ellen Celnik responded, saying, “I need to let the town know that this continual fishing for allegations is costing the town in legal fees. I truly feel that people should have a voice, but these ongoing allegations, it’s just like, enough.”
The discussion moved onto the next agenda item, open roadside mowing bids. In other business, a beaver deceiver device was installed at a Craftsbury Road culvert.
The board accepted Kyle Drown’s bid for mowing town properties for a period of three years.
The board approved Hardwick Electric Department’s hanging of a banner over Craftsbury Road for the 2026 Caspian Arts Fest.
Approval of the Lamoille County Sheriff’s dispatch contract was tabled.
Moving to executive session, there were three candidates considered for the position of town administrator. Interviews were offered to all three, with two candidates declining. Josh Karp, current board scribe and town FEMA administrator, accepted with the hiring committee saying he answered the requisite questions very well. The board offered Karp the position starting July 1, at the rate of $30 per hour.
Greensboro’s Special Town Meeting to consider questions about moving all budget articles and public questions to Australian ballot votes is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30. at 7 p.m.
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.
