Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Approved as Corrected Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes: 01/29/2025

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Meeting ID:  972 2791 1757
Passcode:  352680

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Angela Litchfield, Katy Johnson-Aplin, Jeffrey Chevalier, and Mike Fitzpatrick (phone)
Absent:  Ann Golob

OTHER PRESENT:  Mary Moriarty,  Cris White, Cina Friend, Dan Dewalt, Brian Guerino (B.C.T.V.), and Wannetta Powling (Administrative Assistant).

ZOOM: Emmet Mahdavi, Chris Mays,

CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Selectboard Chair Angela Litchfield.

CONFIRM PROPERLY WARNED:
Powling confirmed the meeting had been properly warned.

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
None

NEW BUSINESS:
Town Meeting Articles Voter-Backed Petition:

Opening Statement:
Chair Litchfield made an opening statement regarding the two voter-backed petitions; she explained that the Selectboard felt the Town Meeting was intended for local business.

Discussion Points:

  1. Concerns
    • Several voters expressed disappointment in the Selectboard’s decision to omit the petition from the warning.
    • Attendees noted that this omission would not allow for a prepared debate on the matter.
  2. Importance of Local Control
    • Discussion emphasized that including the petition allows voters to exercise local control over decisions that impact the Community, State, and Nation.
    • Ensuring people’s will is heard is identified as a key democratic principle.
  3. Public Discussion Opportunity
    • It was discussed that a Town Meeting was held to ensure voters could exercise their democratic rights to engage the community in an open discussion.

Fitzpatrick made a motion to add the voter-backed petition to the warning but moved it to  Article #39, and Johnson-Aplin seconded.
The motion passed.

ADJOURN:
Johnson-Aplin made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Wannetta Powling,
Administrative Assistant

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