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Residents question plan for free clinic at Shaftesbury town office; board says questions will be answered after formal meetings
Summary
Public commenters pressed the board for answers about a proposed free clinic using town space. Residents raised liability, security and process concerns; the board said the concept is only at a preliminary town-plan stage and that detailed answers will come after a scheduled series of meetings with partners.
Several residents pressed the select board on Aug. 6 about language introduced at a town-plan presentation that referenced free medical services and a possible pop-up clinic. Andrea Baki (S12) told the board she emailed a list of questions and said, "my questions still have not been answered." She asked when the board would respond and whether residents would get substantive replies in writing.
Chair and Town Administrator Paula (S5) said the board has not yet started formal discussions with potential clinic partners and that the town-plan meeting where the comment appeared was intended to capture ideas for future grant applications, not to approve a clinic. "I didn't feel comfortable answering any of those questions since we haven't come to those conclusions yet," the chair said, apologizing for the lack of communication and promising clearer follow-up.
Several residents raised specific concerns about hosting medical services in the town office, citing security and liability. One commenter, a retired EMT and nurse (S13), said, "It doesn't belong in this building... This is the town building. If they want to put a free clinic, let them go rent a building somewhere." The board said when the topic is brought forward formally, GBICs representatives or other partners would be invited to present details, including proposed hours, staffing, grant funding, and liability plans.
The board urged residents to attend the public town-plan meeting on Aug. 12 so the Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) can collect community input; it also said it would share answers to emailed questions when available and to respond in a timely manner if it does not have immediate answers.
