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Resident tells Selectboard proposed fire‑billing ordinance lacks statutory authority; rates policy tabled
Summary
A lengthy public submission argued that Vermont law does not authorize towns to bill recipients for municipal fire services and urged the Selectboard not to adopt the proposed ordinance; the related rates policy was tabled for further work.
The Selectboard discussed a draft Fire Service Reimbursement Ordinance and an associated rates policy. Fletcher Proctor said he would consult Jeanette White on the ordinance draft; Jeanette White and resident Howard Fairman read prepared statements at the meeting. Howard Fairman argued at length that "there is no Vermont statute authorizing billing to recipients of municipal fire services for costs of providing these municipal fire services" and described the proposed ordinance and rates policy as "ultra vires" under Dillon’s Rule. He challenged the idea of routinely charging residents for responses and raised concerns about how the town would distinguish negligence or nuisance from ordinary incidents.
The board did not adopt the rates schedule at the meeting; the Fire Service Reimbursement Rates Policy was tabled. The record shows public commenters pressing the Selectboard to clarify legal authority, criteria for charging, and how insurance and Medicare rules interact with any billing plan. The board recorded that Fletcher Proctor would follow up with Jeanette White on revisions and the Selectboard took no final action adopting a rates schedule at this session.
