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Ira board reviews small appropriations for sheriff, library, health and community services ahead of town vote
Summary
The Select Board read Articles 4 and 7–12 proposing a series of small appropriations for sheriff coverage ($12,000), the Rutland Free Library ($3,500), VNA & Hospice ($973), SWCOA ($500), RSVP ($375), Bird’s Eye View ($300) and Vermont Farmers Food Center ($150); residents described services and asked clarifying questions.
Mary Richthammer read Articles 4 and 7–12, which ask voters to appropriate a series of small amounts to local service providers and partners. Article highlights: $12,000 for Rutland County Sheriff’s Department (Article 4); $3,500 to the Rutland Free Library (Article 7); $973 to VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (Article 8); $500 to Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (Article 9); $375 to RSVP & Volunteer Center (Article 10); $300 to Bird’s Eye View (Article 11); and $150 to the Vermont Farmers Food Center (Article 12).
Jeanne Kirbach, Ira Representative to the Library, described the library’s many services and programs. Benjamin Kerstetter commented that he would prefer direct door-to-door asks rather than funding these items as warning articles. Bob Toppin recounted that VNA & Hospice provided him four months of invaluable support when his wife was ill. Sara Meling spoke on behalf of aging services and the Farmers Food Center’s local outreach, and defended the $150 request as conservative and affordable for a small community. Nathan Hewitt clarified that the $12,000 sheriff appropriation was removed from the budget line and presented as an article because available sheriff hours depend on the hourly rate the town can afford.
These appropriations will be decided by voters at the upcoming town election.
