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Selectboard discusses Town Meeting warning: appropriations policy, reserve fund increase and proposed office manager
Summary
Town Clerk Allison Marino explained a new appropriations rule requiring annual written requests and petitions every five years (deadline 1/14/26); Treasurer Tina Labeau said the Building Reserve Fund was increased to $200,000 to cover an $80,000 deficit; Moderator Doug Friant warned presentations in support of the 1% sales tax will require unanimous consent.
Town Clerk Allison Marino clarified the Selectboard’s proposed process for appropriations: organizations must submit annual written requests and a petition every five years; Marino said petitions not received by the 1/14/26 deadline will not be placed on the Town Meeting warning. Moderator Doug Friant observed that small appropriation requests may be burdensome to gather signatures and the board discussed alternatives such as electronic signatures for smaller requests.
Treasurer Tina Labeau reported that the Building Reserve Fund figure was increased from $100,000 to $200,000 to address an $80,000 shortfall resulting from the Town Office renovation. Friant noted that a proposed Assistant Office Manager position could prompt voter discussion and that any presentation supporting the restored 1% sales tax on the warning would require unanimous consent of the board.
