Residents urge clearer spending plan before Bennington’s local option tax goes to voters

At the July 29 special meeting, multiple residents told the Select Board that placing the local option tax on the ballot without specifying how revenue would be spent risks voter confusion and possible defeat.

“Ned Burke” (resident) said, “putting it on the ballot without clearly stating in the ballot question what the designated uses are for the tax is just, I think it's a real heavy lift and I think you're asking for failure.” Burke also flagged an open meeting law complaint the board had received about a July 16 planning session and asked whether the board should resolve that before advancing the ballot item. Chair Tom Haley said the complaint has been forwarded to counsel and that counsel did not advise delaying the meeting; he declined further discussion of the complaint because it was not on the agenda.

Other commenters urged more public education. Cindy Murray said she attended the prior public forum and praised Jackie Metz’s presentation about potential spending priorities, calling for continued outreach between now and Nov. 3. Select Board members reiterated that an existing policy will be updated and that at least two public hearings and additional listening sessions are planned to gather input on allocation of funds if the tax is approved.

The board’s decision to proceed with ballot placement was presented as a procedural step to allow subsequent public process and policy development; several residents said they wanted clearer, published spending scenarios before voting.