Selectboard sets secret‑ballot special town meeting for Aug. 18 to revisit failed warrant items

The Rangely Selectboard voted to call a secret‑ballot special town meeting on Aug. 18 to give voters another chance to decide several articles that failed at the recent town meeting.

Town staff reported that three articles did not pass: funding for the planning/code enforcement department, a requested police cruiser, and one other capital item. Board members debated process at length. Some members argued for an open‑floor town meeting to allow in‑person discussion; others said the original referendum was taken by secret ballot and recommended the same format (with absentee ballots) to ensure identical voter access.

After discussion about logistics and state timing for absentee ballots, the board set the special town meeting to be held by secret ballot on Aug. 18 and scheduled a public hearing for July 6 to finalize the warrant questions and allow public comment. Staff said absentee ballots would be prepared in mid‑August and that questions should be finalized in early July to meet printing and absentee‑ballot deadlines.

Board members directed staff to present two discrete articles for the special ballot: (1) a budget committee recommendation level of funding for the planning/code enforcement function and (2) a lower‑cost police vehicle option (a Ford interceptor rather than a higher‑priced Tahoe). The board discussed alternatives to the full planning director proposal, including partial funding, professional services funded from existing TIFF reserves, or hiring additional part‑time support instead of a single full‑time director.

The board urged outreach before the special meeting: explanatory materials in tax bills, public hearings, and targeted outreach to older residents and others who may not file tax returns. The board noted that timing matters because fall budget and tax‑commitment calendars are approaching; they also discussed practical workarounds if commitment timing shifts.