The first order of business at the Brandon Selectboard regular meeting on Monday evening, March 9, was to choose new officers. Members unanimously elected Cecil Reniche-Smith as selectboard Chair, Doug Bailey as Vice Chair, and Jeff Haylon to continue as Clerk. Reniche-Smith, in her third one-year term, looks forward to another year serving Brandon, saying she is “grateful for the confidence the votes and my fellow selectpersons have shown in me.”
The Selectboard also appointed the following town officials—many of whom are required by Vermont statute:
Tree Warden: Neil Silins
Fence Viewers: Bob Kilpeck, Tracy Wyman, and Jon Wyman
Inspector of Lumber, Shingles, and Wood: Bob Kilpeck
Weigher of Coal: Olya Hopkins
Green-up Day Coordinator: Jim Leary
Otter Creek Watershed Insect Control District Representatives: Wayne Rausenberger, (VACANCY) Alternate (1): (VACANCY)
Rutland County Solid Waste District Representative: Jon Wyman (Alternate: Tracy Wyman)
Otter Creek Communications Union District Representative: Peter Werner
Rutland RPC Representative: Jack Schneider (Alternate: Neil Silins)
Rutland RPC Transportation Representative: Jeremy Disorda (Alternate: Brian Kilpeck)
In addition to other items in the annual Selectboard Reorganization Resolution, the Lakeside News was designated the official newspaper of record, with the Addison Independent as an alternate. Towns are required by Vermont statute to have a newspaper of record to post legal notices such as tax sales, proposed or final ordinance changes, and hearing notices for the selectboard and planning commission. Most, if not all, of these notices will also be posted on the town website and likely on the Front Porch Forum.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
After thanking town meeting participants and voters, Town Manager Seth Hopkins congratulated everyone who was elected to office and extended appreciation to all who had a part in developing the FY27 spending plan, which the voters approved two to one.
The full text of Hopkins’ report is available here. Highlights include a new police officer, personnel changes at the town offices, and upcoming Vermont Council on Rural Development Community Visit.
New Brandon Police Officer: Officer Rocio Ali-Nicolas was sworn in on March 9. Coming from the Springfield, Vt., Police Department, she is a certified Vermont Level III officer, and will be introduced to the community at a selectboard meeting in the near future. The police department now has five full-time officers with a part-time position yet to be filled.
Town Personnel Changes: Hopkins accepted with regret Elaine Smith’s notice of retirement after 37 years and 9 months of dedicated service to the town, noting that she “has truly been a key contributor to the Town’s work and perhaps uniquely serves as the essential connection among all departments.” The town has posted her position internally and is likely to soon post it publicly.
Hopkins also regretfully reported the resignation of Larry Stevens as code enforcement officer, who has accepted a position elsewhere, saying “Larry has been a pleasure to work with and a model of good customer service.” The code enforcement officer position combines the general responsibilities of the combined zoning administrator, rental housing officer, and town health officer position. The part-time, unbenefited job posting is found here.
Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD): Representatives of the VCRD will lead off the March 23 selectboard meeting with a brief introduction to the “Community Visit” that will occur this year and described on VCRD’s website:
Our Community Visits program is a way for towns to engage and bring together residents, set common goals and directions in a neutral and facilitated structure, and access resources that will help them take action on those goals. The Community Visit program gets citizens engaged in working for their communities and connects them to the resources they need to be successful.
More information on Community Visits—an excellent opportunity for Brandon—can be found here.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Deputy Town Manager Bill Moore delivered the Community Development Report, the full text of which is found here. Moore highlighted the end of youth basketball season and noted Otter Valley Community Collaborations youth softball and baseball clinic sign-ups are live here and begin on April 12.
A fishing derby at Camp Thorpe in Goshen on May 15 is also under consideration, if sufficient sponsors and support can be garnered. Anyone interested in helping please email Robin Douglas at [email protected].
Other upcoming events at Brandon Town Hall include:
Brandon Idol, combined country and 70s-80s themes, on March 20, 7 p.m.
Next Stop Comedy, March 21
Rutland County 4H Youth Performance Group, March 28, 5 p.m.
TAX STABILIZATION APPLICATION APPROVED
Brandon’s tax stabilization policy supports commercial growth and provides for a stable municipal tax for a six-year period based on the current assessed property value and the property improvement values. The board approved an application from YHS Group LLC, which has put over $200,000 into fixing up the previously dilapidated property at 22 Grove St. and is now renting to 3 households at affordable rates.
MUD SEASON
Road postings for the Town of Brandon commence on March 10 and run through May 15, limiting trucks of certain axle configurations and weights as a way to avoid road damage. The only change this year is the addition of Prospect Street after Cedar Street, which effectively limits heavy trucks on most of Mt. Pleasant. Happy Spring!
Watch The Meeting
Read the minutes here. (note: the date in the title of the document is incorrect.)
