Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Encampment Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Selectboard agrees in principle to develop encampment policy, manager to craft draft
Summary
Springfield Selectboard asked the Town Manager to adapt a model encampment policy (using Middlebury as an example) to guide police, DPW and the health officer and to coordinate with social service providers; no formal vote was taken.
The Springfield Selectboard on June 1 agreed in principle to develop a town encampment policy to guide town staff and coordinate with social service providers.
Town Manager Scott Pickup told the board the town had been receiving complaints about tent encampments on public property and recommended adopting a policy similar to Middlebury’s to standardize outreach, notices, safety assessments, cleanup procedures and coordination with service agencies. "The Town has been receiving complaints about tent encampments in the community. The goal of enacting a Town Policy would be to give guidance to Police, DPW and the Health Officer as we address these encampments on public property. Encampments on state or private property are not within the scope of this proposal," Pickup said.
Why it matters: a standing policy would give frontline staff consistent steps for outreach and safety assessments and clarify coordination with service providers such as Project Action. Board members discussed fairness to public safety staff and the importance of working with social service providers; the manager will adapt a draft policy to Springfield's circumstances, seek Town Attorney review, and bring a proposed policy back to the Selectboard later in the summer for formal consideration.
Next steps: Town Manager Pickup will prepare an adaptated draft, send it to the Town Attorney for review, and present it to the Selectboard for possible action later this summer. No formal vote was recorded at the June 1 meeting.
