Swanton Village Council seeks approval for property annexation to enhance public services

The House Government Operations Committee convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss the annexation of property by the Village of Swanton, Vermont. The meeting featured Bill Sheets, the Village Manager, and Brian Savage, the Town Administrator, who provided insights into the necessity and implications of the proposed annexation.

The discussion began with Sheets explaining that the Village of Swanton had purchased a contiguous property in 2023 to address space constraints faced by various departments, including the police and electric departments. With a workforce comprising 42 full-time, 8 part-time, and 24 volunteer firefighters, the village is experiencing significant overcrowding in its current facilities. The annexation aims to facilitate the relocation of the electric department and allow for expansion of the police and public works departments.

Sheets highlighted that the annexation process is supported by the village's charter, which allows for boundary alterations with the approval of the General Assembly. He noted that the village board had previously passed two motions in support of pursuing the annexation, one in September 2023 and another on April 14, 2025.

Savage reinforced the village's position, stating that the town's select board unanimously supports the annexation. He emphasized the inadequacy of the current police facilities, which have not been updated in over 50 years, and noted the increased demand for police services due to population growth. Savage expressed confidence that the annexation would alleviate overcrowding and facilitate necessary renovations.

The committee members engaged in clarifying questions regarding the timeline of the annexation process and the upcoming bond vote scheduled for May 6, 2025. This vote is crucial for funding the construction of a new facility for the electric department, which, if annexed, will become village property.

Overall, the meeting underscored the collaborative efforts between the town and village of Swanton to address pressing infrastructure needs and improve public services. The committee appears poised to support the annexation, with a vote anticipated in the coming weeks.