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Town manager reports revenue uptick, open volunteer slots and dam condition
Summary
Town Manager Seth Hopkins reported a quarterly local option tax distribution of $91,736.27 (totaling about $2.14 million since 2017), listed multiple volunteer openings, welcomed a new wastewater employee, and described the town-owned waterfall dam as in poor condition but classified as minimal hazard; state removal money may be available but repair funds are not.
Town Manager Seth Hopkins used his report to highlight revenue and personnel items and to summarize the condition of a town-owned dam in the center of Brandon.
Hopkins said the town received a local option tax quarterly distribution of $91,736.27, the first quarter above $90,000 and bringing total 1% tax receipts since February 2017 to about $2.14 million. He said a state change increased Brandon's share from 70% to 75%, which may contribute to higher distributions.
Hopkins thanked Gabe McGigan for 16 plus years representing Brandon on the Rutland County Solid Waste District and listed open volunteer positions, including alternates to the Development Review Board and Planning Commission and a voting member for the Rutland County Solid Waste District. He also welcomed longtime resident Ray (Ry) Maru, who will start in the wastewater treatment division.
On infrastructure, Hopkins summarized recent dam inspections: the town-owned dam is 15 feet high and 66 feet wide, holds less than 1 acre (~3 acre-feet) of water and has been rated minimal hazard despite poor condition and recent partial collapse. Hopkins said state programs might fund dam removal but not repairs, and that an initial RFP for consultants returned no bids. He described the practical outcome of doing nothing as natural sediment redistribution and a cascade replacing the current upper falls.
Board members asked questions about downstream risk and aesthetics; Hopkins said insurance and state input indicate little downstream property damage risk and that removal could still produce a picturesque cascade.
