GREENSBORO – After a lengthy discussion regarding the election of town officers via Australian ballot, the board discussed several action items at the January 14 regular select board meeting.
Liz Steel of the Energy and Climate Action Committee (ECAC) was present to discuss the Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund grant program. Chair MacNeal said, when this came up at previous meetings, there was a question about the propriety of Steel applying for funding as a member of the ECAC, then hiring her communications company Campwell Connexions to manage the grant.
Steel said she was planning to recuse herself from ECAC work for the duration of the grant, but the board felt there was still a conflict of interest and suggested she step down from the committee for the duration of the grant, which is six months, to which Steel agreed.
With that on the record, a motion was made and to accept the Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund grant.
Steel clarified, it is only a $2000 grant and does not require competitive bidding. She will be working closely with NVDA and others, so the work of Campwell Connexions will be monitored by people outside the ECAC, she said. The vote was held and the motion carried.
Moving on to the FY27 budget, Treasurer Brett Stanciu said the capital fund transfer was increased from $135k to $150k and the total budget is $2,492,999.27.
Member Tim Brennan made a motion for the board to adopt the FY27 budget in the amount of $2,492,999.27, which passed unanimously.
Resident Chris Roy asked how this budget compares to the previous year, to which Stanciu said the increase is about 4.5% over FY26, with the largest increase being a proposed town administrator.
The board adopted an amended town warning, with wording adjusted for one article.
They then set a date for an informational meeting and candidate forum on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the town hall meeting room.
Greensboro Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dave Brochu said the new fire truck has been paid for and delivery is expected in February. He is getting quotes for a larger boiler in the firehouse, as the current one is undersized with recurring issues, and must be replaced this winter.
The board accepted a revised Caspian Lake Dam Task Force charter and agreed to establish the task force.
A discussion was held regarding groups interested in using the town hall meeting room. After some conversation, Town Clerk Kim Greaves and Scribe Josh Karp agreed to draft a room use policy.
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.
