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Selectboard approves policy change to set timeline for nonprofit donation payouts
Summary
After lengthy discussion about whether approved nonprofit donations should be paid immediately or only on request, the board voted to adopt clearer written procedures and asked staff to draft a formal policy for review at the next meeting.
Board members disagreed over whether nonprofit organizations approved to receive town donations should automatically receive payment after approval or continue to request disbursement when they need the funds. Staff explained current practice: nonprofits must request payment after approval, which yields a paper trail and lets groups align payments with their fiscal cycles. Several board members argued the town should distribute funds immediately after approval to reduce administrative burden on local groups.
A motion to create a policy that clarifies the timing and process for accepted donation disbursements — effectively directing staff to prepare a written policy for the board’s next meeting — passed after discussion. One board member argued that immediate payment would recognize nonprofits’ work and simplify administration; staff and others cautioned a written policy should capture exceptions, timing, and recordkeeping. The board asked staff to return with a clear draft and implementation steps.
