Bennington voters approved four charter changes on police review, town manager removal, short‑term rental tax and municipal liens

A state legislative committee heard testimony from Jackie Mats, a member of the Bennington Select Board and chair of the town’s charter review committee, about four charter amendments Bennington voters recently approved that change how the town handles police review, town‑manager dismissal, short‑term rental taxation and municipal liens.

Mats said H.693 (vote reported by Mats as 1,477 in favor, 588 against) would allow the Select Board to delegate, on a case‑by‑case basis, its role as the town review board to one of its subordinate bodies so the Community Police Advisory Review Board (CPARB) could review documents and footage related to a complaint investigation and advise the Select Board. "The Community Police Advisory Review Board was established to provide recommendations ... on various trainings, analysis of anonymized data, and civilian perspectives related to how law enforcement engages with the community at large," she said. Mats said CPARB members are appointed to staggered three‑year terms, must have a connection to Bennington, undergo FBI background checks and receive extensive training.

The committee asked whether delegation was mainly a workload issue or a policy change; Mats said it was both, noting that subordinate bodies such as planning commissions routinely handle subject‑matter review that the Select Board lacks the time or…