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Town Manager says forensic-audit Australian-ballot vote invalid; Selectboard agrees to move article to 2027
Summary
Town Manager Ryan relayed legal advice that the Town cannot place the forensic-audit question on an Australian ballot absent statute or voter approval; the Selectboard voted to move the $250,000 forensic-audit Article 2 to the 2027 Town Meeting.
Town Manager Ryan told the Selectboard he had received guidance from Town Attorney Nick Low that an article cannot be placed on an Australian ballot unless permitted by Vermont statute or by prior voter action allowing Australian ballot for that issue. Based on that advice, Ryan said the forensic-audit vote conducted by Australian ballot was invalid.
Tyler Mitchell moved that Article 2 for the 2026 Town Meeting—"Shall the voters approve of adding $250,000 to the General Budget in order to hire an independent contracted firm to perform a forensic audit on the Town's financial systems, records, and internal controls?"—be moved to Article 2 of the 2027 Town Meeting; Scott McCarthy seconded and the motion passed. Ryan said he will continue to coordinate the warning and outreach for related revote items and other public notices.
