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Town of Townsend electors approve 2026 budget; board raises dog fees, renames park and OKs contracts
Summary
At its Nov. 11 meeting the Town of Townsend reported elector approval of the 2026 budget and the board approved several measures including Resolution 03-2025 (dog-license fee increase), Resolution 04-2025 (park rename), a $1,150 beaver-tapping contract and an amendment clarifying that golf carts are prohibited on town roads.
Town of Townsend electors voted to approve the town’s 2026 budget, and the Town Board on Nov. 11 adopted several measures including increases to dog-license fees, renaming a park and awarding a small contract.
Chairperson Monica Zeller told the board that electors approved the 2026 budget by a vote of 30 ayes, 1 nay and 1 abstention. The board then handled routine business and adopted multiple items by motion.
Treasurer Beth Hartman delivered the financial report and noted the town received the remaining transportation aid and a grant for brush cutting; she also said the town paid 2026 insurance and inadvertently made a double payment on the fire-truck lease. After Hartman’s report Supervisor Willie Evans moved to approve the report and pay bills; Supervisor Chuck DeMoulin seconded and the motion passed.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 03-2025 (dog-license fees): Approved. Motion by Chairperson Monica Zeller, seconded by Supervisor Willie Evans. Changes raise fees from $3 to $5 for spayed/neutered dogs and from $8 to $10 for unaltered dogs. (SEG 006–SEG 007) - Resolution 04-2025 (rename Townsend Festival Park to Townsend Veterans Festival Park): Approved. Motion by Zeller, second by DeMoulin. (SEG 008) - 2026 beaver-tapping contract with Gerald Giese ($1,150): Approved. Motion by Zeller, second by Evans. (SEG 009) - Ordinance amendment (Ordinance 07-2013): Board added language clarifying that a golf cart is not an ATV or UTV and that operation of golf carts on town roads is prohibited; motion to accept amendment 02-2025 by Supervisor Evans, seconded by Zeller; approved. (SEG 011–SEG 012) - Operator’s license for Harmony Jones: Approved. Motion by DeMoulin, second by Evans. (SEG 004)
The board approved routine minutes and licenses and confirmed the December regular meeting would be Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
Why it matters: The budget vote establishes the town’s 2026 spending plan and the enacted fee and ordinance changes will affect local residents and property owners. The double payment on the fire-truck lease noted by the treasurer may require an accounting correction.
The board recorded formal motions as adopted; no detailed roll-call tallies were recorded in the minutes for board votes (motions are noted as M/A except where an elector vote was reported).
