Mont Vernon Budget Committee signs off on $4.75 million proposed budget; reduces several line items

Mont Vernon — The Budget Committee voted unanimously Jan. 28 to accept the town’s proposed budget of $4,752,408.02, after staff and committee members applied several line‑item adjustments and clarified funding sources for the new library project.

Chair John Arico said the committee’s action followed Selectboard adjustments that included setting Town Hall fuel at $5,000, allocating $25,000 for Daland Building repairs and water, keeping Recreation’s Lamson Farm Day at $650 and Town Center Improvements at $100, and removing the library cleaning line. "The total expenses for the town are up 10.03%, for a total of $4,752,408.02 as proposed," Arico said.

The committee accepted a recommendation from the Selectboard to omit recommendations that had already been applied to the draft report; Jon Young moved to omit those items and Tim Berry seconded. The motion passed by acclamation, with remote member Lorri Hayes recorded as in agreement.

Library Director Bonnie Angulas told the committee trustees arranged for a contracted cleaning vendor and the Daland Trust will pay the vendor directly; as a result the town cleaning line (455099) was removed from the town budget. Angulas also said library staff salary spending was about 1% under budget in 2025. Selectboard Administrator Joan Cleary clarified the owner’s representative (Clerk of the Works) for the new library is a town employee paid through payroll but reimbursed from the library bond.

Committee members debated a large increase in the Heritage Commission’s training/dues line after Heritage Chair Rebecca Schwarz (via text) requested a $2,000 increase so the commission could co‑host additional summer movie‑night fundraisers and buy bulk film rights. Members agreed to create a new 456000 'Fundraising' line with an initial $2,000 and reduce the dues/training line accordingly.

Conservation Commission items drew discussion but no formal change; members noted past attempts to commission a survey of the Archibald property (a previous quote was roughly $15,000) and asked the commission to consider a dedicated survey line in future budgets.

Joan Cleary noted that debt service decreased because this is the last year of the Fire Station bond; she also confirmed capital reserve funds (accounts 491510 and 491511) are not budgeted lines. Arico said he would draft the Budget Committee report for submission with the Town Report and circulate it to members; the committee will reconvene Feb. 3 to review warrant articles.

What’s next: The committee approved the Jan. 20 meeting minutes and adjourned. Staff will prepare and file the report so the Budget Committee’s recommendations are included in the Town Report for the warrant season.

(Reported motions: motion to omit already‑applied recommendations, mover Jon Young, seconder Tim Berry, outcome passed by acclamation; motion to accept proposed budget, mover Tim Berry, seconder Michael Cardoza, outcome approved.)