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Council posts vacancy‑tax ordinance for public notice after attorney clarifications
Summary
The council voted to post Ordinance 2026‑01 (vacancy tax and fines) after staff summarized legal clarifications from the town attorney that repeat offenses require prior notice; the ordinance was posted for publication with no recorded amendments.
The Rockwell council voted to post Ordinance 2026‑01, an ordinance implementing a vacancy tax and fines, after members reviewed clarifications from the town attorney about notice and repeat‑offense procedures.
Council members said attorney Barry had advised that a 'repeat offense' refers to a second or subsequent violation and that property owners must receive actual notice of the registration requirement before a penalty can be assessed. One council member stressed the importance of ensuring physical delivery of notices so that enforcement decisions would be defensible in court.
Committee member Jake moved to post the ordinance as written; the motion was seconded by Abby and carried without recorded opposition. Council discussed publication requirements and whether the ordinance required three readings or could be posted and moved forward if a supermajority waived additional readings; staff said they would confirm the procedural requirements.
What happens next: the ordinance will be published for public notice. Staff will confirm the reading and publication schedule and any supermajority thresholds before the council advances the ordinance to adoption.
