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Canaan board recognizes EDC, expands purchase-order authority and OKs $1.3M tax anticipation note
Summary
At its April 21 meeting the Select Board approved making the Canaan Economic Development Committee a standing committee, appointed a CIP member, increased delegated purchase-order authority to $2,000 for four officials, moved to digital manifest approval, authorized a $1.3 million tax anticipation note, and adjourned at 7:20 PM.
The Canaan Select Board approved a bundle of administrative and financial actions during its April 21 meeting, including recognizing a new standing committee, raising delegated purchase-order limits, moving to a digital manifest approval system, and authorizing a tax anticipation note.
Committee recognition and appointment: The board voted to recognize the Canaan Economic Development Committee as a town standing committee and approved Tom Milligan as an at‑large member of the Capital Improvement Program committee on motions by Scott Johnston, seconded by Stephen Freese.
Finance and procurement: Finance staff member Cariann Zandell explained the town’s digital invoice approval system and requested two administrative changes: increasing the purchase-order approval limit to $2,000 for the Town Administrator, Fire Chief, Police Chief and Public Works Supervisor, and eliminating paper manifest authorization by moving to a digital manifest approval workflow. The board approved both changes on motions by Sadie Wells, seconded by Stephen Freese.
Tax anticipation note: Zandell presented documentation for a $1.3 million tax anticipation note; on a motion by Wells, seconded by Freese, the Select Board authorized and signed the $1.3 million note and agreement. The meeting minutes record the motion as approved but do not contain a roll-call tally.
Adjournment: The board adjourned the public meeting at 7:20 PM. The next special Select Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the EOC.
Why it matters: Recognizing the Economic Development Committee creates an official advisory body; the change in delegated procurement limits and digital manifest approval streamline administrative processes. The tax anticipation note provides short-term liquidity for town operations ahead of property-tax receipts.
