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Orwell select board continues budget review, flags sheriff contract rate increase
Summary
At a Nov. 24 special budget session, the Orwell Select Board reviewed draft budget line items including a planned Addison County sheriff contract rate rise to $64/hour effective July 1, 2026, proposed $5,000 for a bandstand sidewalk and ribbon cutting, and a $107,805 line for a salt/sand shed to be revisited.
The Orwell Select Board met in a special budget session Nov. 24, 2025, and continued reviewing draft budget line items originally discussed at prior meetings. Chair Andrea Treadway opened the session at 6:32 p.m. and the board worked through proposed figures across public safety, grounds, garage, and town office accounts.
Board members noted the Addison County sheriff contract will increase to $64.00 per hour beginning July 1, 2026, and discussed how to fund the change; the board considered keeping the sheriff contract line at $30,000 for the coming fiscal year. The meeting record does not show a formal adoption of the final budget at this session.
Diane Jackson raised questions about lighting for the Town Green Bandstand and urged that people who worked on the bandstand receive compensation; Rob Barnes suggested LED rope lights and a timer. Members proposed allocating $5,000 to install a sidewalk for the bandstand and to plan a ribbon‑cutting to recognize volunteers.
Grounds and recreation line items were revised in discussion: Town Green grounds were reduced from $1,000 to $500, the ballfield was set at $2,500, Maintenance and Improvements was discussed at $1,000 (down from $5,000), and mowing was set at $7,000. Board members said they prefer not to use Round‑Up for weed control.
Town Garage and field expenses discussed included electricity at $3,200, propane heat at $2,000, and garage repairs at $1,000. A salt/sand shed entry appears in the draft at $107,805; the minutes state the board will return to that item for further discussion.
The clerk's office and records lines were also reviewed: a Book Restoration Reserve of $3,815, Book Restoration $500, Books–Land Records $1,000, building repair $2,500, copier $2,500, electricity $1,600, equipment purchase $5,000, equipment repair $1,000, heat‑propane $1,300, postage $3,800, sewer rent $760, supplies $2,500, telephone $4,250, and waste removal $720 (the board moved to JR & Sons for waste removal). The minutes note lawyers' hourly fees will increase next July 2026.
Andrea Treadway and Mike Christian were assigned to set up personnel evaluations. The special meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.; Mike Christian moved to adjourn, Les Wood seconded, and the motion passed 4 Yes 0 No.
The board plans to revisit outstanding items (including the salt/sand shed figure) in later sessions.
