Serving and Strengthening Vermont Local Governments April 2006 ermont unicipal Save the Date! V M Town Fair 2006 is tormwater itigation rants Thursday, October 5 S M G VLCT’s Annual Meeting, trade show, There is good news for municipalities funding authorizes another $3 million for awards luncheon, and educational work- looking for money to reduce water pollu- municipalities in the Champlain Water shops, which together make up our annual tion! The Vermont Local Roads Program Town Fair, will return this year to the Barre has available $3 million for the purpose of Municipal Auditorium in Barre, Vermont. providing financial assistance grants to Ver- The Fair will be held on October 5. mont towns, cities and villages for proj- While registration packets for the Fair ects to reduce water pollution generated by, will not be available until July, VLCT mem- or directly associated with, existing pub- bers will receive several Town Fair-related lic roads and road maintenance activities. communications from VLCT before then. VTrans will administer the grant program. Please keep an eye out for: The money is part of the federal trans- portation funding coming to Vermont • Legislative Policy Committee Nomi- through SAFETEA-LU, which Senator Jef- nation Form. One of Town Fair’s most fords worked on prior to its passage in Au- important functions is to debate and ap- gust 2005 as the ranking member of the prove VLCT’s legislative platform, the Senate Environment and Public Works Municipal Policy. Four volunteer com- Committee. (See “Federal Transporta- District for similar projects in Chittenden mittees draft the four different parts of tion Bill to Benefit Vermont” in the Octo- County, to be administered separately at a the Policy. If you would like to serve on ber 2005 VLCT News.) Municipalities lo- later date.) a committee, please take a moment to cated outside of Chittenden County are el- Distribution of the $3 million will fill this form out and return it to VLCT. igible to apply for the stormwater mitiga- be spread over the next five years, end- Policy Committees will meet once or tion grants. (The federal transportation (Continued on Page Five) twice over the summer to do their work.
(Continued on Page Nine) The Voters Have Spoken - Welcome New and Returning Local Officials VLCT extends its congratulations to all local officials who were elected to office on Inside this issue Town Meeting Day 2006. Whether you are new to office, or returning for another year or two … or five or six, we applaud and appreciate your willingness to serve your com- Executive Director Column . . . 2 munity. Legal and Regulatory Notes. . . 4 For those who chose not to run again, thank you for all of the time and effort you de- Ask the League...... 6 voted to your local office. Your wisdom and skills will be missed. Zoning Admin . Forum. . . . . 10 Newly elected officials often don’t have the luxury of time to prepare for their posi- Group Services Comm . Ctr .. . . 10 tions. For instance, if you had been elected to the selectboard in one, small Central Ver- mont town on Tuesday, March 7, you could well have found yourself helping to oversee Tech Check...... 13 the town rabies clinic on Saturday, March 11. Later that day, you might have consulted Local Government Quilt. . . . 14 with the town road crew about how to keep the muddy roads passable, knowing full well Education Finance Reform. . . 14 that your decisions could keep the grader operator up past midnight. Even later that day, Trivia...... 15 you would have retired for the evening with the satisfaction of knowing that, if an ambu- lance or fire truck had needed to reach one of your citizen’s homes that night, it could have. Classifieds...... 19 (Continued on Page Nine) Calendar...... 20 Congratulations, You’ve Won! At the end of the 1973 movie, “The Can- ture, and listen to what your citizens have to 89 Main Street, Suite 4 didate,” the lead character, played by Rob- say about how their town can change for the Montpelier, VT 05602-2948 ert Redford, learns that he has won election better. Tel.: (802) 229-9111 • Fax: (802) 229-2211 to a U.S. Senate seat, and says, “Now, what General Dwight D. Eisenhower defined E-mail: [email protected] do we do?” leadership as “the art of getting someone else Web: www.vlct.org Hopefully, if you were a successful can- to do something you want done because he didate from Town Meeting 2006 you have wants to do it.” Vermont local government not found yourself at such a loss. In some structure and politics requires a significant VLCT Board cases, you were chosen by your peers to per- amount of leadership from our town officials Susan Spaulding, President form important public functions in your to function effectively. The statutes provide Manager, Chester town, such as listing property values for tax- the different town officers with the author- Sandra Grenier, Vice-president ation, keeping the land and vital records of ity to perform their duties, but do not direct Clerk/Treasurer, St. Johnsbury the town, or maintaining its financial opera- the people elected to them to cooperate with Steven E . Jeffrey, Secretary tions. Other positions, such as mayor, city one another, or provide a solution when council member or selectboard member, re- there are differences of opinion. Leadership Nicholas Ecker-Racz quire not only the technical and manage- can fill the voids left by our antiquated laws, Selectperson, Glover Sandra Harris rial skills of budgeting or road maintenance, but in Vermont, it requires a light touch. Town Clerk, Vernon but also require you to become a leader of It is debatable whether leadership is ge- David Lewis your community – though this aspect of netically acquired or can be taught. Regard- Manager, Killington your public service will be limited by restric- less, whatever job to which you were elected Sanford Miller tive state laws and greatly influenced by pub- does require an expanding body of knowl- Manager, Milton lic pressure. edge that must be learned to round out your Paul Myers natural common sense. In addition to learn- Selectperson, Wilmington William Perkins ing on the job, take advantage of the myr- Selectperson, Middlebury From the iad of training opportunities available from Hunter Rieseberg VLCT and other organizations. Lug around Manager, Hartford Executive Director a handbook that contains some of the finer Al Wilkinson points of your position. (Please consult the Alderperson, Rutland Managing assumes having a clearly artic- Calendar on the back cover of this issue for Stephen Willbanks ulated goal already determined, a road map specific workshops and the Publications List Selectperson, Strafford of how to get there and a set amount of re- inserted into this issue for available hand- VLCT Staff* sources and authority to accomplish that books.) goal. Usually, managing presumes that, if Additionally, talk with others faced with Steven E . Jeffrey needed, you can make the people assigned the same challenges. Those of you with ex- Executive Director to assist you do so under promise of reward perience, please be willing to share with your Dominic Cloud Director, Municipal Assistance Center or threat of penalty. Leadership requires the new officers and those in neighboring towns. B . Michael Gilbar setting of those goals, the acquisition of the Look to the long term needs and desires of Chief Financial Officer resources to attain that goal, the drawing of your community and set yourselves on a Karen B . Horn the map of how to get there, and limited au- path to get there, all the while making sure Director, Public Policy and Advocacy Services thority. Leadership, by definition, assumes you don’t trip yourself up along the way by David Sichel that you don’t do all of this yourself, and inadvertently violating the Open Meeting or Director, Group Services that what needs to be done requires the ef- Public Records laws, among others. Make *Partial List forts of many. sure that you provide your community and There is a distinct difference between town government with resources that are ad- Katherine B . Roe, Editor, VLCT News managing and leading, though in Vermont’s equate to meet the needs of your residents. The VLCT News is published eleven times per year smaller municipalities, local officials often Of course, this must be balanced with the (the August and September issues are combined) by are called upon to demonstrate both abili- limited resources your taxpayers are willing the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, a non- ties. Selectpersons in many Vermont towns or able to share for the benefits accruing to profit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1967 may find that to bring a great idea to frui- all the citizens in your town. to serve the needs and interests of Vermont mu- tion without the help of even a small staff, Congratulations to all you of you who nicipalities. The VLCT News is distributed to all VLCT member towns. Additional subscriptions they have to exchange their leader hat for were elected or reelected, and thank you for are available for $25 to VLCT members ($60, non- that of manager. Even as you do so, please your willingness to serve your community. members), plus sales tax if applicable. Please con- remember to put that leader hat back on To the extent that your League of Cities and tact VLCT for subscription and advertising from time to time. Don’t fall into the Towns can be of service, please don’t hesi- information. trap of just managing the daily, weekly, or tate to call. monthly issues before you. Take the time - Steven Jeffrey, VLCT Executive Director to think big, dream about your town’s fu-
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• VLCT News • April 2006 MAPA Hearing Requirements; Homeland Security Grant Audits
Environmental Court Decision munication between a board member and a properly considered pre-hearing filings un- Sheds Light on Common party outside of a public hearing.) der 24 V.S.A. § 1206(c). They were not tes- Hearing Issues The Environmental Court rejected both timony, requiring submission under oath, these arguments, holding that because the pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1206(a), because In a recent decision, Appeal of Tepper et letters were received before the start of the they were not “evidence that a competent al, 225-12-04 Vtec (Feb. 8, 2006), the En- vironmental Court shed some light on how local zoning boards should approach several Though only about a dozen Vermont towns have adopted MAPA, the Environmental Court’s common hearing issues. The case involved decision in Tepper is instructive in several respects: ex parte communication and letters to boards, the subdivision of a sixty-nine acre parcel in site visits, and quorum issues. the towns of Ludlow and Plymouth. When the Ludlow Development Review Board (DRB) denied the property owners a per- hearings and because they were disclosed witness under oath or affirmation gives at mit for the subdivision, the property owners to the property owners, who had an oppor- trial or in an affidavit or deposition.” appealed the decision to the Environmen- tunity to subpoena and cross-examine the The property owners also asserted that tal Court. letter writers, the letters did not comprise the Ludlow DRB should have considered its Ludlow is among a handful of towns ex parte communication. The letters were site visit a hearing and that evidence received that have adopted the Municipal Admin- istrative Procedures Act (MAPA) for their (Continued on Page Twelve) zoning and subdivision hearings. 24 V.S.A. §§ 1201 et seq. MAPA sets out procedural requirements for boards conducting con- tested hearings. In the zoning context, ad- herence to MAPA is only required where the town, through its voters or the legis- Need a writteN legal opiNioN? lative body, has adopted MAPA’s provi- ookiNg for expertise draftiNg a New ordiNaNce sions. 24 V.S.A. § 1202(a). While the Tep- l ? per decision turned on several provision of eed help updatiNg that persoNNel policy MAPA, it may serve as guidance for appro- N ? priate municipal panels (AMPs) in non- MAPA towns. VLCT’s attorneys can provide your municipality with legal assistance at Among the questions presented in the highly competitive rates. Please call Jim Barlow or Brian Monaghan for appeal was whether the Ludlow DRB more information at 1-800-649-7915. should have accepted letters from ten neigh- bors opposing the project, which were pre- sented to the DRB before the hearing be- Sample projectS: gan. The property owners asserted that n these letters comprised testimony, which, Water & Sewer Ordinances pursuant to MAPA’s requirements, must n Zoning Bylaws be made under oath. 24 V.S.A. § 1206(a). The appellants also contended that the let- n Municipal Charter Amendments ters comprised ex parte communication spe- cifically prohibited by MAPA. 24 V.S.A. n Highway Ordinances § 1207. (Ex parte communication is com-
• VLCT News • April 2006 Mitigation Grants - (Continued from Page One) • Planning and engineering related to the modify the existing Stevens-Rugg diversion above. channel to store and treat stormwater from ing in fiscal year 2009. The maximum grant • Purchasing land or easements required Stevens Brook before discharging into Rugg amount for any one project is $150,000, and for completion of a project under this Brook. The anticipated construction cost of municipalities must supply at least 20% of program. this project is $243,000. the total cost. Municipalities will apply di- • Constructing or reconstructing salt/sand The Vermont Local Roads Program is or- rectly to VTrans, which will negotiate the storage facilities and other road-related ganizing informational meetings during the grant agreements, via a one-page application. facilities to reduce impact on public wa- month of April 2006 to assist municipalities VTrans will accept applications on an on- terways. with their grant applications. The meetings going basis, beginning March 1, 2006, un- • Purchasing high efficiency street sweep- will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on til funds are committed for that fiscal year. ing equipment. the following dates and locations: An advisory committee will assist VTrans in • Developing local regulations to improve project selection. water quality. • April 10 at the Barton Village Hall In order to be eligible for the funds, the • Constructing stormwater best manage- • April 11 at the St. Albans Comfort Inn municipal projects must be used to reduce ment practices, such as detention basins, • April 12 at the Manchester Bar & Grill stormwater pollution on or related to public oil-grit separators, swales, etc. • April 13 at the Middlebury Inn roads and road maintenance activities in Ver- • April 17 in Berlin at Suzanna’s Restaurant Two project proposals are already in the mont. Examples of possible projects include: • April 20 in Norwich at Tracy Hall works. One, in Rutland, involves the con- • Stabilizing ditches, culverts and other struction of a stormwater swirl separator Questions can be directed to Hank Lam- drainage facilities against erosion and to remove sediment and trash associated bert, Director of the Vermont Local Roads flooding. with Route 4 and several residential streets, Program, at 800/462-6555 (in Vermont) or • Stabilizing critical roadside slopes having with an anticipated construction cost of 802/654-2652 or e-mail [email protected]. a negative impact on public waterways. $120,000. The other, in St. Albans, would - Milly Archer, VLCT Water Quality Coordinator
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• VLCT News • April 2006 Questions asked by VLCT members and answered by the League’s legal and research staff
Motion to Pass Over; Creating a DRB; Impact Fees & Affordable Housing At town meeting, a voter made a mo- This is pretty much the extent of what Conventional wisdom holds that the mo- tion to pass over an article. The moder- we know for certain about the motion to tion to pass over may be one of three ator could not find reference to the mo- pass over: things, depending upon when it is made: tion in Robert’s Rules of Order. What is a motion to pass over and how should it be The vote to pass over this article, though • A motion to Suspend the Rules, if handled? not strictly parliamentary, may be the made before the main motion is judgment of the town upon the merits of moved; Your moderator’s confusion is certainly the question, as fully obtained as if the mo- • An Objection to Consideration of the understandable, as Robert’s Rules of Or- tion and vote had been to dismiss the arti- Question, if made after the main mo- der does not address the motion to pass cle. We assume, in the absence of any evi- tion is moved but before debate be- over. The Vermont Supreme Court has only dence to the contrary, that the town, by its gins; or briefly mentioned the motion a few times vote under the fourth article, decided not • A motion to Postpone Indefinitely, if in the last two hundred years and never pro- to pay bounties to soldiers who had re-en- made after the main motion is moved vided much insight as to its meaning or listed to the defendant’s credit, or, in other and after debate begins. proper use. Nevertheless, a motion to pass words, the town, by that vote, declined to over an article is heard at town meetings ev- pay bounties to this class of soldiers. It is most likely in your case that the ery year. You have got to love tradition! Livingston v. Albany, 40 Vt. 667 (1867). voter wanted to use the motion to pass over to avoid a vote on the article alto- gether. If this was the case, then the mo- tion to pass over was probably a motion to Postpone Indefinitely under Robert’s VERMONT STATE Rules. According to Section 11 of Robert's INFRASTRUCTURE BANK (SIB) Rules, a motion to Postpone Indefinitely LOAN FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE “is useful in disposing of a badly chosen main motion that cannot either be ad- ______opted or expressly rejected without pos- sibly undesirable consequences.” As a The Vermont State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) is a low-interest loan motion to Postpone Indefinitely, a mo- program operated by the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). tion to pass over kills the main motion and avoids a direct vote on the question. ELIGIBLE BORROWERS include: It is effectively an indirect rejection of the main motion. The motion to Post- • Municipalities; pone Indefinitely must be seconded and • Regional Development Corporations; and it is debatable. It requires only a major- • Certain Private Sector Companies. ity vote. An affirmative vote on the mo- tion can be reconsidered, a negative vote ELIGIBLE PROJECTS must be transportation-related and cannot. enhance economic opportunity and help create jobs, such as: - Jim Barlow, Staff Attorney, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center • Road Construction or Reconstruction; • Certain Facilities Related to Rail Transit; and How do we shift from a zoning • Bridges and Intermodal Facilities. board of adjustment (ZBA) to a devel- opment review board (DRB)? Funds are also available to help eligible groups and individuals purchase 7-15 passenger commuter vans. The decision to create a DRB rests with a municipality’s legislative body (e.g. To learn more, contact VEDA. 802.828.5627. www.veda.org. selectboard, board of trustees, etc.). The process is simple, requiring only that a (Continued on next page)
• VLCT News • April 2006 Ask the League - Aspen, Colorado has a unique impact fee Towns seeking to use impact fees should bylaw that permits the town to levy an im- be cautious to not view them as a way to (Continued from previous page) pact fee on new development for the pur- fund any and all new municipal projects. chase of school lands, school buildings, rec- The use of impact fee proceeds is subject to motion be made and supported by a con- reation facilities, and housing for school em- very strict rules in how the monies may be currence of a majority of the total num- ployees and their immediate families. Some used. In particular, there must be a reason- ber of its members. Because the shift of would say that this is clear authority to im- able relationship between the fees assessed authority from the ZBA to the DRB oc- pose impact fees on new development to pay and the capital construction that will be fi- curs by operation of law, a municipality for much-needed affordable housing for lo- nanced by the fees. A basic example would does not need to amend those of its by- cal residents. That’s not the case. This bylaw be a new subdivision that requires the town laws that make reference to the ZBA prior authorizes an impact fee to pay for capital to construct a sewer and water line exten- to switching to the DRB. However, this is school projects. Arguably, housing for teach- sion, a project for which there is a clear re- required if a municipality has adopted lo- ers and staff is an appropriate school capital lationship between the fee assessed and the cal Act 250 review authority. project, and therefore, the town of Aspen has eventual outlay. Additionally, impact fees Once the legislative body creates the decided that it’s a fair policy to provide hous- are restricted as to the types of projects they DRB, it must decide how many members ing for those employees. may be used for, and the timeline in which it will have (DRBs must have between five This does not open the door for a town they must be spent. Towns seeking to im- and nine members), their terms of office, to impose impact fees to pay for affordable pose impact fees should work closely with and whom it will appoint. The legislative housing for anyone who fits into a certain their regional planning commission, town body may establish a board of alternates; income category. To the contrary, this reg- attorney, or the VLCT Municipal Assistance adopt on-the-record review for appeals ulation is very narrowly tailored to provide Center. and/or Local Act 250 review authority; housing only for employees of the school dis- - Brian Monaghan, Staff Attorney, VLCT and determine whether the Municipal Ad- trict, something that is permitted under both Municipal Assistance Center ministrative Procedure Act (MAPA) will impact fee enabling legislation and the lo- govern the development review process. cal bylaw. (Editor’s Note: See also “A Primer on Im- A formal resolution memorializing the While funding affordable housing is a pact Fees” in the May 2004 issue of the VLCT legislative body’s decision is not required, laudable community goal, it’s not something News.) but is recommended. In addition to the that may be done via the imposition of im- above information, the resolution should pact fees. include the effective date of transition to the DRB; specify that all matters presently Whetstone Brook Pathway Municipal Pool and Bathhouse pending before the planning commission Town of Brattleboro, Vermont Town of Randolph, Vermont and ZBA should be completed by the ef- fective date and that all new applications for development review received after the effective date will be scheduled for the DRB. Please contact the Municipal Assis- tance Center if you are interested in sam- ple resolutions. - Garrett Baxter, Senior Associate, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center
Our town is in the midst of a housing Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade Mackville Dam & Bridge Replacement boom, most of which is financially out of Village of Northfield, Vermont Town of Hardwick, Vermont reach of our residents. Can we levy an impact fee on this new development, the proceeds from which would be put into a fund to create affordable housing in our town? Impact fees may only be used for cer- tain purposes under both Vermont and federal law; affordable housing typically does not fall into one of those permitted Full Service Engineering and Randolph, Vermont purposes. Environmental Consulting 802.728.3376 The two primary purposes for impos- Williston, Vermont ing impact fees are to pay for the cost of Supporting Vermont Communities 802.878.7661 municipal and school capital projects that Since 1962. are directly and proportionately attribut- www.dubois-king.com able to the new development.
• VLCT News • April 2006 Congratulations, Olympians!
(Photo Courtesy of Jeff Teter) (Photo Courtesy of Jill Kearney) The daughters of two Vermont municipal employees competed in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. Hannah Teter, pic- tured at left with her father, Jeff Teter, won the gold medal in the women’s halfpipe snowboard event. Jeff is the Mt. Holly road foreman. Here, they share a moment in Bardoneccia, Italy, the day before Hannah’s impressive win. Jill Kearney, director of the Norwich Recreation Department, also traveled to Italy to watch her daughter, Hannah, compete in the free- style skiing moguls event. Here, they are celebrating at an Olympic send-off celebration at the Hanover (NH) Inn last December. Hannah, who won the 2005 Freestyle Ski World Championships in Ruka, Finland, came in twenty-second in her Olympic event. Welcome home, Teter and Kearney families, and best wishes to the two Hannahs in their future competitions!
This Just In... VLCT recently welcomed Pauline Singley to its Group Services staff. Pauline fills the new position of Manager, Safety and Health Promotion. While new to the staff, Pauline is no stranger to VLCT. She worked for the Town of Middlebury for eight years as its Business Manager/Personnel Director, and served on the VLCT Health Trust Board of Directors during that time. Please watch for a more extensive article on Pauline next month.
SM The Power of Partnering
Kay M Kuzmik Office Manager Ronald “Chip” Sanville Plan Coordinator
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• VLCT News • April 2006 Town Fair - Voters - (Continued from Page One) (Continued from Page One)
• VLCT Awards Program Nomination All of this probably happened before tors and teachers, and you will begin to ed- Forms. In contrast to the generally se- your first selectboard meeting! When ucate yourself. There are many resources rious business of approving the Munic- that meeting finally arrives, you will hear available, beginning on Page Two of this is- ipal Policy, the Town Fair Awards Lun- about the imminent town-wide reap- sue with a discussion of leadership and man- cheon is a chance for all attendees to praisal, and begin to figure out the intri- agement written by VLCT Executive Direc- enjoy a lighthearted moment of recog- cacies of state and local education fund- tor Steven Jeffrey. VLCT also offers hand- nition for their honored local govern- ing in Vermont. You will get an update on books and workshops for most local offices, ment colleagues. Awards are given to a zoning enforcement action the town has and other statewide educational or technical the Municipal Person of the Year and taken in Environmental Court. You’ll hear assistance organizations stand by ready and the Legislator of the Year. They are also about tax maps and hazmats (that’s haz- willing to help. made in the areas of Town Govern- ardous materials), about floodplains and Don’t be shy. Call us or visit our Web ment, Town Citizenship, and Lifetime road gravel. site, www.vlct.org, and we will do our best to Achievement. If you have a potential Most importantly, you will not throw help you get started on a long and rewarding award winner in mind, please fill out the up your hands and resign! Your fellow public service career. nomination form and return it to VLCT. board members will become your men- - Katherine Roe, VLCT Communications Coordinator
Herb Myers Bruce Cadman
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• VLCT News • April 2006 (Communications Under Ten Sentences) Zoning Administrator Welcome List-serve Created Carl Rogers, Barre Town Manager, was recently appointed to the VLCT Health Trust Would you like to be a part of Vermont’s Board of Directors. He will hold the alternate seat vacated when Montpelier Finance Direc- statewide zoning administrators’ e-mail fo- tor Jana Bagwell retired late last year. Welcome, Carl! rum? It’s simple, completely free, and brand aving oney on accines new as of March thanks to interest from zon- S M V ing administrators and planners from around Did you know that members of VLCT PACIF are eligible for discounted prices on Hep- the State. Go to http://list.uvm.edu/archives/ atitis vaccines? vtzoningadmins.html to join or read on for Municipalities that are members of VLCT PACIF, and that wish to purchase Hepatitis A, details. B or the combination A & B vaccine for their employees, are eligible for discounted prices through the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline. This purchase agreement would How it works . mean a savings of about seventy percent for our members. GlaxoSmithKline will ship the vaccines to a healthcare professional of the municipality’s choice. The chosen healthcare 1. A member (anyone who has signed up) e- professional will need to verify some information before shipment. VLCT will receive the mails a question to the central listserve discounted bill from GlaxoSmithKline, and then forward it to the municipality to pay in full computer at [email protected]. to GlaxoSmithKline. Proof of payment will need to be sent to VLCT as well. edu. If you are interested in purchasing hepatitis vaccines for your municipality or would like 2. The question is sent to all other members to know more about the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standard, please contact Shawna Mc- in Vermont. Namara, VLCT Risk Management Administrative Assistant, at 800/649-7915. 3. Any member who would like to answer simply replies to the e-mail with his or her response(s). education of local officials. The organiza- Can I get out of the service if I want? Who can sign up? tions include the State’s Regional Planning Absolutely. To remove yourself from the Commissions, the University of Vermont, list, just go to http://list.uvm.edu/archives/ Zoning administrators and others inter- the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, vtzoningadmins.html and click on “Join or ested in local zoning, development review, and the Secretary of State’s office, among leave the list.” etc. from around the state are welcome to others. join. Will my e-mail be used for any spam Will anyone be monitoring the ques- lists? What is the cost? tions and answers? No. This list will be used for the zon- NO COST. While the University of Vermont’s Cen- ing administrator e-mail forum and noth- ter for Rural Studies will be the “owners” of Who is putting this together? ing else. the service, there will be no official moni- This service is being offered free by the tor of the discussions. Several members, in- If you are interested, please join the ser- Vermont Land Use Education and Training cluding the Vermont League of Cities and vice now at http://list.uvm.edu/archives/vt- Collaborative, a collection of organizations Towns, will chime in from time to time on zoningadmins.html. from around the state that are focused on the key issues.
10 • VLCT News • April 2006 The OSHA Standard on Providing Hepatitis Vaccines
The federal Occupational Safety and pathogens are defined as “pathogenic micro- Health Administration (OSHA) stan- organisms present in human blood that can dard 29 CFR 1910.1030, the “Bloodborne lead to diseases.” The most common dis- Pathogens Standard,” covers all employ- eases are: ers who require employees to perform du- • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) ties that may expose them to bloodborne • Hepatitis A (HAV) pathogens. The Standard also requires that • Hepatitis B (HBV) the municipality have a written Blood- • Hepatitis C (HCV) borne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan (ECP). The goal of the ECP is to identify (There is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis potential exposure and define work prac- C or HIV.) tices for preventing exposure. Bloodborne
11 • VLCT News • April 2006 Legal/Reg. Notes - (Continued from Page Four) at the site visit should have been taken un- interested person’s opportunity to appeal frequently face quorum problems. These der oath. 24 V.S.A. §§ 1205(c), 1206(a). an AMP decision. 24 V.S.A. § 4471(a). problems can be especially sticky where The court rejected these arguments as well, Though the question turned on interpreta- the one or more members have been un- holding that, unless the DRB relies upon tion of a MAPA provision, Tepper may indi- able to attend all the hearings on an ap- observations from the site visit and those cate that the Environmental Court will take plication and there is not be a quorum of observations are testified to at the hearing, the position that the submission of a letter members to make a decision. AMPs faced evidence of the site visit need not be in- to an AMP opposing a project, without any with this problem are wise to follow MA- cluded in the record. Since there was no further action on the part of an interested PA’s requirements of requiring the absent indication in the record that the DRB re- person, may not rise to the level of “written member to listen to the recording of the lied upon any statements made exclusively testimony, evidence or statement of con- hearing and review all evidence submitted at the site visit, the statements could not be cern” required to preserve an interested per- prior to participating in the deliberations. considered testimony. son’s right to appeal the AMP’s decision. The Environmental Court’s approach in Finally, the property owners argued With regard to ex parte communica- Tepper puts the burden on appellants to es- that the DRB’s vote was defective because tions, the Environmental Court’s narrow tablish that AMP members have acted im- one member of the DRB was absent from approach – holding that the neighbors’ let- properly when following this procedure. one of the hearings, but participated in the ters were not ex parte communication be- For a copy of the Tepper decision, DRB’s decision on the proposed subdivi- cause they were presented before the start visit http://www.vermontjudiciary.org/ sion application. MAPA requires a mem- of the hearings – ignores the reality that ex tcdecisions/2006dec.aspx. ber, who has been absent from a hearing parte communications can influence AMP Jim Barlow, Staff Attorney, VLCT but still wishes to participate in the deci- decisions regardless of when they are made. Municipal Assistance Center sion, to listen to the recording or read the Nonetheless, as the Court correctly points transcripts of any testimony missed and to out, timely disclosure of ex parte communi- review all evidence prior to participating in cations, when combined with an opportu- State Auditor Issues Report the decision. 24 V.S.A. § 1208. The court nity to question those involved in the com- Critical of Vermont noted that it was the property owners’ bur- munication, can effectively reduce the ef- Department of Public Safety den to show that the DRB had failed to fect such communications may have on Grant Management Practices follow MAPA’s requirements in allowing AMP decision making. Disclosure remains State Auditor Randy Brock has issued the absent member to participate in the de- the key to effectively handling ex parte an audit report critical of the Vermont De- cision. Lacking such evidence, the court communications. partment of Public Safety (DPS) and the was obligated to presume that the DRB The Environmental Court’s practical manner in which it administered Home- had followed the requirements of the law in view of site visits should also be welcome land Security grants awarded to two Ver- allowing the absent member to vote. news. As the Court acknowledged: mont local governments and one local Though only about a dozen Vermont government collaborative. Auditor Brock towns have adopted MAPA, the Environ- The most valuable component of a site was also critical of the grant recipients. mental Court’s decision in Tepper is in- visit is the observations that put into context Although the total amount of money structive in several respects. For example, the evidence presented and arguments made at issue is fairly small – roughly $31,000 development review boards, zoning boards at hearings. Site visits are a necessary tool for – the lessons learned by local officials, es- of adjustment, and planning commis- any entity charged with reviewing zoning or pecially those officials that relied on advice sions are frequently presented with letters subdivision applications. To deny the DRB from DPS, have been significant. In the supporting or opposing specific projects. the use of this necessary tool, unless a cumber- report, Auditor Brock made several recom- Questions often arise as to how these let- some procedure is followed of placing attend- mendations for improving internal con- ters should be handled, especially where the ees under oath and making a record ignores trols and policies at DPS. He also recom- letter writer later fails to attend the hearing the fact that the evidence itself is derived from mended that DPS seek reimbursement of on the application. These questions have the physical environment and from statements grant moneys from each grant recipient. been more frequent in light of changes to made by the parties in attendance. A copy of the report can be obtained Chapter 117 limiting the opportunity to The Court pointed out, however, that from the Office of the State Auditor at appeal AMP decisions to interested persons where a DRB relies upon observations or http://www.state.vt.us/sao/reviews/2-22- who have participated in a local regulatory comments made exclusively at a site visit, 06_DPS_Homeland_Security_Audit.pdf. proceeding. that evidence should be included in the re- Municipalities interested in avoiding the Under the changes to Chapter 117, cord, which would probably require that problems associated with this round of participation has been defined as offer- the site visit be recorded, or that the per- Homeland Security Grant funding should ing, through oral or written testimony, evi- sons making the comments be under oath. take a moment to read the report. dence or a statement of concern related to AMPs, especially large boards with no Jim Barlow, Staff Attorney, VLCT the subject proceeding. The failure to par- provision for the regular use of alternates, Municipal Assistance Center ticipate at the local level can foreclose an
12 • VLCT News • April 2006 Tech Tips for Your Audits For those of you contemplating or plan- that has cropped up with a number of au- of a disaster, you will have something to ning for an independent audit in the near dits recently. Minimum requirements in- restore. (See the February, 2006 Tech future, follow the tips below to avoid tech- clude: Check for an article on backing up related recommendations in your manage- data.) You might also consider using a ment letter: 1) Identification of an off-site storage lo- vendor to store backup files for you and cation. You will need to keep at least provide recovery services. Companies . Be sure to have a disaster recovery plan one set of your backup media some- that provide other computer services, in place. This is one recommendation where off-site to ensure that in the event including accounting software vendor NEMRC, may be able to do this for you. 2) A listing of the files that would have to be obtained from the off-site loca- tion in the event of a disaster. If you’re not keeping full backups, what files do you need to restore your system and get back on line as quickly as possible? Files used on a regular basis are the top pri- ority. Also, be sure to test your backups regularly. 3) Detailed instructions for restoring all backup files, as well as copies of all tech- nical and financial policies and pro- cedures manuals for the municipal- ity. Have the person responsible for IT document backup recovery procedures. These, and copies of all your operations manuals, should be kept either in hard copy or in some kind of electronic for- mat on a CD or on another computer and kept in the same location as the backups. 4) An alternative operations location where you could continue to do busi- ness until you can get back up and run- ning. Find a place that can accommo- date your staff and get a written agree- ment from them indicating that they are willing to provide a temporary work location for you. If some staff can work from their homes, document who those individuals are and what they will need for equipment and supplies. You may want to work out an intermunicipal agreement with a neighboring town. 5) Responsibilities of all staff during the disaster. Determine who will be the di-
(Continued on Page Sixteen)
13 • VLCT News • April 2006 Local Government Quilt VLCT Education Finance Reform Adds Two More Squares Committee Formed Acting pursuant to a resolution passed by the membership at the 2005 VLCT Annual Meeting, the VLCT Board of Di- rectors recently formed the 2006 VLCT Education Finance Reform Committee. As passed, the 2005 Annual Meeting Resolution states “That the Board shall prepare and present to the membership an alternative proposal for education financ- ing no later than the annual meeting in 2006.” In forming the Education Finance Reform Committee, the VLCT Board has delegated to it the responsibility of draft- ing the proposal in time for consideration The Towns of Halifax and Hardwick each recently submitted their quilt squares to by VLCT members at the 2006 Annual VLCT’s Local Government Quilt. Halifax made its square from a photo of the Town’s Meeting. th 200 Anniversary Quilt (1791-1991), which hangs in the Halifax Town Office. Thank Members of the Committee, which you to Elizabeth Hull, Susie Putnam, and Joan Courser for their ideas and hard work. met for the first time in early March, are Hardwick’s square features an embroidery design of the Hardwick Town House beauti- Middlebury selectperson William Perkins, fully done by Mary Jo Williams. Chair; Montpelier manager William Fra- Thank you to these two towns for keeping the quilt momentum going. VLCT ser; Killington manager David Lewis; East staff member Patricia Boyle has bound this first “edition” of the quilt and hung it in Montpelier selectperson Edie Miller; and the Board of Directors room in our Montpelier office. Forty-eight municipalities Wilmington selectperson Paul Myers. are represented by this stunning piece of art and craft. Please consider sending in your 10-inch x 10-inch square with an 8-inch x 8- inch design for inclusion in future quilts. VLCT will continue to put quilts to- gether until all Vermont municipalities are represented. There is plenty of wall space in our office, and it would be wonderful to have the quilts travel around the state as well. For more information, contact Pat Boyle, VLCT Claims Representative, at 800/649-7915 or at [email protected].
Wastewater VLCT last developed an education fi- Professional, Innovative, Practical nance plan in 2001, for the 2002 legisla- tive session. And, in fact, VLCT’s history Otter Creek Engineering provides solutions for municipal, industrial of proposing initiatives on local revenue and institutional clients’ wastewater needs with skills in the planning, reform goes back to 1973. Over thirty design, permitting and construction engineering of many types of years later, the complicated and conten- projects, including: tious issue of funding local education is • Treatment Facilities • Pumping Facilities still of vital importance to Vermont’s lo- • Infrastructure Planning • Collection Systems cal officials. • Biosolids Management • Combined Sewer Separation For more information about this year’s Michael Smith, PE We’re qualified to meet the needs of your project. effort, please contact Steven Jeffrey, VLCT Executive Director, at [email protected] or 404 East Main Street 25 Washington Street 800/649-7915. PO Box 712 Rutland, VT 05701 Otter Creek East Middlebury, VT 05740 Phone: 802.747.3080 Engineering Phone: 802.382.8522 Fax: 802.747.4820 Fax: 802.382.8640 [email protected] www.ottercrk.com
14 • VLCT News • April 2006 Trivia “Customer service answers all of Congratulations this month to my questions. . . and they’re local. Katie Johnson, Business Manager for the Addison County Solid Waste Management District. She was the I can walk in and see them.” first to respond with the correct an- swer to our March Trivia question. Katie knew that the Old Round Church in Richmond was built by the Baptists, Christians, Congrega- At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, tionalists, Methodists, and Universal- our customers are friends we want to ists before each denomination with- keep. When you contact us for answers drew to build its own church. Later, to questions, explanations of benefits, Henry Ford expressed interest in help in finding health care or any buying the sixteen-sided church and other request, we focus all moving it to Dearborn, Michigan. energy on giving you excellent advice and assistance. Our Here is a new question for April, customer service represen- to take your mind off of mud season: tatives, case managers and other employees are your What was the name of the first neighbors, right here, in Vermont newspaper, in what year Vermont. As such, we make was it published, and where was it helping our members get printed? the best out of Vermont’s unique community - based Contact us with your answer: health care system our top pri- VLCT, 89 Main Street, Suite 4, ority. Call us at 1-800-247-2583 Montpelier, VT 05602, tel. 800/649- (247-BLUE), visit us on the 7915, fax, 802/229-2211, e-mail, web at www.bcbsvt.com [email protected]. or drop in and see us at our offices in Berlin and Williston.
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15 • VLCT News • April 2006 Teck Check - Another New GovOffice Web Site (Continued from Page Thirteen) The Town of West Fairlee recently launched its new Web site using the VLCT- saster recovery coordinator and who sponsored GovOffice Web site tool. The Town is very proud of its new site. Check it out will be responsible getting the systems at http://www.westfairleevt.com/. back on line, whether it is a staff mem- ber or a vendor. Establish a phone tree and meeting place where you will re- view the plan and assign duties. 6) A prioritized outline of the criti- cal applications to be put back on line. Besides the operating system and the backup software, what are the most critical applications for your staff? Which activities are the most impor- tant to recover first? Are taxes due and therefore a priority? If the disaster oc- curs in January, you’ll need to have applications that you use for putting your annual Town Report together. 7) A list of the reporting needed throughout the disaster. What infor- mation in the form of reports needs to continue throughout the recovery pro- cess? Document your routine reports For more information on the GovOffice product, which offers site creation and ad- as well as any others that may need to ministration services and templates, please visit www.govoffice.com. be generated and be sure to indicate any deadlines. . Keep your software protection up to date! Firewalls, virus protection and password protection should all be in place and updated on a routine basis. Auditors have been looking at this to en- sure there are adequate controls in place to prevent problems with software that could compromise the financial opera- tions. . Set up adequate controls for online banking. If your accounting staff is re- sponsible for ACH payments, elec- tronic funds transfers or any other type of non-check disbursements, be sure there is some kind of approval process in place that will allow for proper con- trols. Whoever signs the checks should approve disbursements, provided that it isn’t the same individual who does the accounting and reconciles the bank statements. Of course, auditors look at a much wider range of issues and practices than those discussed here. But, by following the advice outlined above, you will have a head start on ensuring that your auditors leave your municipality happy, at least, with your technology-related policies and procedures. - Michael Gilbar, VLCT Chief Financial Officer
16 • VLCT News • April 2006 Financial expertise and world-class service at work for you.
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17 • VLCT News • April 2006 Classifieds - Calendar - (Continued from Page Nineteen) (Continued from Page Twenty)
tionships with other organizations, dem- Town Manager. The Town of Wilmington, managers, and regional planners in- onstrated sales ability, recognized com- Vt. (www.wilmingtonvermont.us) seeks terested in reducing and preventing munity leadership skills and a passion an accomplished leader for the position closing of lake and river beaches and to sustain a healthy economic climate in of Town Manager. Wilmington (pop. swimming holes. For additional in- Vermont. Please submit a letter and re- 2,225, with seasonal increases to over formation, contact Jurij Homziak or sume to Executive Search Committee, 10,000) is a thriving rural community Emma Melvin, Lake Champlain Sea Attn: Dawn Francis, Lake Champlain Re- located in the heart of Vermont’s scenic Grant at the University of Vermont, gional Chamber of Commerce, 60 Main Deerfield Valley. The Manager reports 802/656 0682, Jurij.Homziak@uvm. Street, Suite 100, Burlington, VT 05401 to a five-member selectboard and super- edu, or 802/656-9110, emmamelvin@ by March 31, 2006. Additional infor- vises all town departments. Since 1976, uvm.edu. mation and a position description are there have been two managers. Current available at www.vermont.org. The Lake operating budget is $2.16 million, with Selectboard Institute: Part 2 . Saturday, Champlain Regional Chamber of Com- 23 full-time employees and five part- May 6, Montpelier Elks Lodge. See merce (LCRCC) is an equal opportunity time employees. Primary responsibilities April 22 description above. employer and does not discriminate on include financial management and bud- the basis of age, race, color, gender, na- geting, community and intergovernmen- Conducting Effective BCA Hearings, tional origin, ancestry, place of birth, reli- tal relations, personnel administration, two locations . Thursday, May 11, gion, disability, marital or civil union sta- and public works project development 2006, Town and Country Resort, tus, sexual orientation, citizenship or any and oversight. For a complete job de- Stowe; Thursday, May 18, 2006, Do- other protected category listed under fed- scription, go to VLCT’s Web site (www. ver Town Hall, Dover. Sponsored by eral, state or local law. Minorities and vlct.org). Working knowledge of munic- VLCT Municipal Assistance Cen- women are encouraged to apply. (2-23) ipal practices, budgeting, finance, per- ter. This popular workshop, delivered sonnel administration and public rela- once in northern Vermont and once in Town Manager. Falmouth, Maine is seek- tions is essential. Bachelor’s degree in ap- southern Vermont, will focus on the ing qualified applicants for the position of propriate discipline and five years man- legal and practical considerations for Town Manager. Serving as Chief Admin- agement experience required. Hiring conducting tax appeals. istrative Officer, the Town Manager is re- range: $60,000–$65,000, depending on VTCMA Spring Conference . Thurs- sponsible for supervising municipal em- qualifications. Excellent benefit pack- day and Friday, May 11 and 12, 2006, ployees, overseeing all financial manage- age. Please send cover letter and resume Hartness House, Springfield. Spon- ment and budgeting activities, and pur- in confidence to Wilmington Manager sored by the Vermont Town and City suing and coordinating balanced growth Search, VLCT, 89 Main Street, Montpe- Managers Association. This is the an- and economic development. The Town lier, VT 05602. Resume review begins nual meeting of the VTCMA. All Council seeks an individual with di- March 27, 2006. EOE. (2-17) verse management and decision-making managers and administrators are in- skills, experience in personnel manage- vited to attend. ment and labor relations, strong interper- sonal, team-building and communication skills, experience in the use of technology, and demonstrated leadership skills. Fal- mouth is a dynamic and growing coastal Celebrating community located in the greater Port- land area. Starting salary based on expe- 30 Years of Service to rience, training and qualifications, plus a Vermont Communities comprehensive benefit package. Submit ______resume, cover letter and salary require- ments by e-mail to HumanResource@ Stormwater Management · Site Plans memun.org, by fax to 207/626-5947 or Water Supply Treatment and Distribution Design by US mail to Director of Personnel Ser- State Funding and Permitting Assistance vices, Maine Municipal Association, 60 Wastewater Collection and Treatment System Design Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330. Street Upgrading · Recreation Facilities Deadline: 5:00 p m. . on Thursday, March 23, 2006. Falmouth is an Equal Phelps Engineering, Inc. Since 1976 Opportunity Employer. (2-22) 3 Mill Street · P.O. Box 367 (802) 388-7829 Middlebury, VT 05753 www.phelpseng.com
18 • VLCT News • April 2006 Please visit the VLCT Web site to view ing to all zoning complaints and allega- 2006 EIT passage. Starting salary com- more classified ads:www.vlct.org/classi - tions of zoning violations and taking ap- mensurate with experience. Send resume fieds.cfm. You may also submit your ad via propriate action pursuant to State statutes and application to: Town Manager’s Of- an e-mail link on this page of the site. and zoning bylaws. The zoning adminis- fice, Town of Essex, 81 Main Street, Es- trator works under the direction and su- sex Junction, VT 05452. For job details, pervision of the community development call 802/878-1341. Position is open until Help Wanted director. Preferred background includes a filled. E.O.E.(3-7) Bachelor’s Degree and experience in plan- Zoning Administrator. The Town of Es- ning and zoning enforcement or related Town Administrator. The Town of Bris- sex, Vt. seeks a full-time Zoning Admin- work. The Town provides a competi- tol, Vt. (pop. 4000) is seeking an experi- istrator. The position is responsible for tive salary and benefits package. To ap- enced administrator. The position sup- administering the Town of Essex Out- ply, send a letter of interest, resume and at ports a five-person selectboard to admin- side the Village of Essex Junction Zoning least three references to: Patrick Scheidel, ister the activities for the town. Munici- Regulations, assisting with and processing Town Manager, 81 Main Street, Essex pal services include a town landfill, police permit applications, attending all zoning Junction, VT 05452. For a complete job department, public library, public works, board of adjustment meetings, respond- description, go to www.essex.org or call fire department, and recreation depart- 802/878-1341. (3-14) ment. Viable candidates will possess ex- pertise in planning and maintaining a Police Officer. The Town of Windsor, Vt. budget, knowledge of zoning laws and VLCT NEWS is currently seeking experienced/qualified regulations, demonstrated ability to ef- Classified applicants to join a progressive, proactive, fectively manage personnel, ability to ac- fast paced, community service depart- quire and manage grants that will assist dvertising olicy A P ment. Officers work as a team to solve in improving the community, and long- term planning goals for the future of the The VLCT News welcomes clas- problems facing the community. Excel- town. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree sified advertisements from munici- lent employee benefit program which in- in public administration or equivalent ex- pal entities, public agencies, businesses cludes retirement, 25+ leave days, em- perience as an administrator. Compet- and individuals. This service is free ployee health/dental/life. Competitive itive salary and benefit package. Con- for VLCT members (regular, contrib- pay, in-service training, night differen- tract start date: July 1, 2006. Apply with uting and associate); the non-member tial, overtime. Pay will be determined cover letter, resume and three current let- rate is $37.00 per ad. Ads are gener- by experience and education. Must have ters of recommendation to: Administrator ally limited to 150 words. or meet the VCJTC waiver standards. Search Committee, P.O. Box 249, Bristol, The VLCT News is published Please send a resume, cover letter and VT 05443. Deadline for applications is eleven times per year and generally professional references to Windsor Town April 10, 2006. (3-7) reaches readers by the third week of Hall, Attn: Chief of Police, P.O. Box 47, the month. (The August/Septem- Windsor VT 05089. The Town of Wind- Chamber of Commerce President. The ber issues are combined.) Ads are also sor is an E.O.E. (3-9) Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of placed on the VLCT Web site as soon Commerce is seeking a new President. as they are received. Staff Engineer/Assistant DPW Director. Viable candidates will have a minimum The copy deadline for advertise- The Town of Essex, Vt. seeks a staff engi- of 10 years of senior leadership experi- ments is the first Friday of the month neer and assistant to the public works di- ence, expertise in generating and manag- for the next month’s issue. However, rector. Responsibilities include reviewing ing diverse revenue sources, demonstrated space is occasionally available for late development plans, inspecting new con- ability to effectively manage personnel, additions. Please feel free to check struction, providing computer support, entrepreneurial and/or direct private or with the editor for availability. developing municipal engineering plans, public sector experience, expertise in leg- For more information on classified and providing technical support on high- islative policy development and commu- and display advertising in the VLCT way, sewer, water and buildings issues. A nication, and strong ties to the business News, please contact Katherine Roe, four-year civil engineering or related de- community. This position requires ex- Editor, VLCT News, 89 Main Street, gree, plus two years in a municipal or re- perience in strategic planning, a desire to Suite 4, Montpelier, VT 05602, tel. lated private enterprise preferred. Rele- build collaborative and synergistic rela- 800/649-7915, fax 802/229-2211, vant experience may be substituted. EIT e-mail [email protected]. required, or hire contingent on Spring (Continued on Page Eighteen)
19 • VLCT News • April 2006 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Montpelier, VT Permit No. 358
89 Main Street, Suite 4 Montpelier, VT 05602-2948
13. Registration fee is $50.00 with lunch Selectboard Institute: Part 1 . Satur- included. day, April 22, 2006, Montpelier Elks For more information about the fol- Lodge. Sponsored by VLCT Munic- Municipal Attorney’s Forum . Friday, lowing workshops or events, please contact ipal Assistance Center. The Select- April 7, 2006, Capitol Plaza, Montpe- Jessica Hill, VLCT Conference Coordi- board Institute is a pilot program that lier. Sponsored by VLCT Municipal As- nator, tel., 800/649-7915; e-mail, jhill@ provides Vermont selectboards with sistance Center. This semi-annual work- vlct.org. Or visit www.vlct.org, select the the fundamental skills needed to man- shop provides an opportunity for munic- Calendar, and select a workshop for more age the affairs of the town. Delivered ipal attorneys to discuss pressing and pe- information or to register on-line. The over the course of two Saturdays, the rennial issues in municipal law. on-line registration option is available for program will focus on the skills select- VLCT workshops and events only. board members need to serve as lead- Vermont GIS EXPO 2006 . Thursday, ers, managers and local legislators. April 13, 2006, Wyndham Hotel, Burl- ington. Sponsored by the Vermont Cen- Reducing and Preventing Beach Clo- Town Officer’s Education Conferences . ter for Geographic Information, GIS sures on Lakes and Rivers. Fri- Thursday, April 6, Lyndon State College; EXPO 2006 provides exhibitors and at- day, May 5, 2006, Lake Morey, Fair- Wednesday, April 12, Sheraton Burling- tendees the opportunity to network lee. Lake Champlain Sea Grant and ton; Tuesday, April 18, Lake Morey Re- and learn about activity throughout the EPA New England are co-hosting this sort; Thursday, April 20, Grand Sum- GIS community in Vermont. To regis- workshop to provide tools and guid- mit at Mount Snow; Wednesday, May ter to attend or to learn more about be- ance for town managers, town elected 3, Holiday Inn Rutland. Sponsored ing an exhibitor or presenter, contact Les- and volunteer officials, state and local by UVM Extension. Register online at lie Pelch ([email protected]) for an applica- health officials, public works depart- http://www.regonline.com/toec06 or by tion package, call 802/882-3000, or visit ments, local and state park and beach calling Mary Peabody at 802/223-2389 x www.vcgi.org/expo. (Continued on Page Eighteen)
20 • VLCT News • April 2006