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Pownal approves $50,000 legal contingency for possible RSU #5 withdrawal, amended to use fund balance
Summary
The town approved an article creating a $50,000 legal fund to cover costs related to a possible withdrawal from RSU #5; after debate the warrant article was amended so the appropriation is drawn from unassigned fund balance rather than taxation.
Article 38 proposed a $50,000 appropriation for legal fees tied to the potential reconfiguration of Pownal Elementary School and possible separation from Regional School Unit (RSU) #5. Town Administrator explained the appropriation would be held in a separate account and not lapse until the purpose was achieved; no petition to withdraw had been filed, but staff reported conversations with residents regarding the process.
During discussion residents asked whether the town had a regular legal-fees line and whether this appropriation was appropriate as a permanent tax increase. The article was amended during the meeting: the $50,000 was to be taken from the unassigned fund balance rather than raised by taxation. The amended article passed. Speakers noted that withdrawal is a multi-step statutory process that could take approximately a year and a half and would require separate Town and RSU votes if pursued.
