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Vinalhaven selectmen approve planning match fund, cemetery appropriation and municipal budgets
Summary
The Vinalhaven Board of Selectmen on Feb. 19 approved a package of municipal budgets, including a $25,000 reallocation to Planning/Community Development for grant-matching, a $5,000 perpetual-care transfer to the cemetery budget, and the law-enforcement and library budgets (library passed with one abstention).
The Vinalhaven Board of Selectmen on Feb. 19, 2026, approved several municipal budget items, including reallocating $25,000 from the Resiliency Reserve into Planning/Community Development to create a matching-funds line for grants; appropriating $5,000 from perpetual care to cemetery services; and approving the law-enforcement and library budgets.
Selectman Pam Alley moved to approve the Capital Projects/Reserve Funds budget at $563,464; Selectman Leslie Dyer seconded the motion, and the board approved it unanimously, 5–0. Town Manager Marjorie Stratton told the board she had contacted Molly Carlsen of Head Tide Conservation, who has agreed to speak this spring about Galamander historic-site work. Stratton proposed shifting the $25,000 she had initially recommended for the Resiliency Reserve into the Planning budget so the funds could be used as matching grants; the board reached consensus to reallocate that amount and to create a new Planning/Community Development line for matching funds.
Cemetery Committee members Eric Davis and Breezy Dubay presented a proposal for a groundskeeper position and asked the board questions about funding and structure. The Budget Committee recommended supplying $5,000 from perpetual care to fund the position. Millie, recorded in the minutes, said she preferred not to place another position under Public Works, and Town Manager Marjorie Stratton expressed reservations about creating a new position. The committee also said it would assume responsibility for Historic Sites only after filing a new formation document. Selectman Eric Gasperini moved to appropriate $5,000 from perpetual care to the Service Fees line of the Cemetery budget and to approve the Cemetery budget at $42,750; Selectman Tom Anthony seconded. The board approved the motion unanimously, 5–0.
The board approved the Library budget at $130,463 after minutes noted that the wages line had been reduced by eliminating summer help and that the reserve could cover emergency needs. Selectman Pam Alley moved to approve the library appropriation; Selectman Leslie Dyer seconded. The motion passed 4–0–1, with Selectman Tom Anthony recorded as abstaining.
On Planning/Community Development, minutes record that the Sea Level Rise Committee requested $5,000; combined with the $25,000 reallocated from the Resiliency Reserve, the Planning budget totaled $100,000. Selectman Pam Alley moved to approve the Planning/Community Development budget at $100,000; Selectman Tom Anthony seconded, and the board approved the motion 5–0.
The board discussed adjustments to the Law Enforcement budget related to the contract and revised estimates for deputy overtime hours. Selectman Tom Anthony moved to approve the Law Enforcement budget at $315,862; Selectman Eric Gasperini seconded and the motion passed unanimously, 5–0.
The Board of Selectmen adjourned at 5:08 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Pam Alley, seconded by Selectman Eric Gasperini, carried 5–0.
