Council approves consent agenda: licenses, reappointments, Semper Bond trust allocation and FY26 fee schedule

At its April 22 meeting the Barre City Council approved the consent agenda, which included multiple license approvals, volunteer reappointments, an allocation from the Semper Bond Trust and the fiscal‑year 2026 fee schedule.

The council approved several licenses before the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board portion of the meeting: two second‑class tobacco licenses for Dollar General (Main Street locations), a first‑class liquor license and outside consumption permit for The Meltdown (83 Washington Street), a second‑class tobacco license for Spencer’s on North Main and a second‑class tobacco license for Beverage Baron on North Main. The Liquor and Cannabis Control Board session adjourned after the council approved the package by voice vote.

On appointments, the council reappointed Elizabeth Roode Turner to the Design Review Board, Abby Bloom to the Police Advisory Committee and Art Bombardier to the Transportation and Public Works Committee; the reappointments were presented by the manager as consent items and were advanced without interview per the agenda process.

The council approved allocating $15,000 from the Semper Bond Trust to playground maintenance; staff said a briefing had been included in the council packet. City staff also summarized changes to the FY26 fee schedule: small increases to cemetery internment and non‑resident lot fees, rounding adjustments to permit formulas, elimination of obsolete fire department fees, updated outside‑detail (fire) costs tied to collective‑bargaining increases, new tiered turf rental rates and a new birthday‑party rate intended to encourage facility use. Staff also removed the distinction between a “Barre City child” and a “Berrytown child” for pool season passes and proposed lowering the child season pass from $40 to $30 to boost participation.

The council approved the consent agenda by voice vote.