Informational Meetings regarding Town Meeting

Informational Meetings regarding Town Meeting
In order to prepare for this novel town meeting, the selectboard is hosting informational sessions on Zoom. The annual meeting will consist of an Australian ballot, very similar to national or state elections. The traditional in-person meeting will not take place this year. These meetings will include an explanation of the budget and ballot. Questions will be entertained about anything related to the 2021 town meeting.  
Thursday, Jan. 14th at 6:30pm
Tuesday, Jan. 19th at 6:30pm.
Zoom Links can be found here.
Additional information can be found at https://www.greensborovt.org/.

 

Town Meeting 2018

It was a beautiful day on Town Meeting day in Greensboro this year, which usually means we have a great turnout for this annual gathering.  Town meeting was warned for the Highland Center for the Arts this year instead of Fellowship Hall or the school.  The meeting was held in the theater, while the gallery space served as an area for local organizations to set up information tables.  We also enjoyed a lunch of chicken and biscuits, salad, and chocolate beet cake with ice cream, served by the Four Seasons of Early Learning.  Thank you to Kyle Gray for facilitating live streaming of the meeting this year, which is now available for viewing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKk2xRFF4P4

Please note that the early part of the recording takes place before the meeting is called to order.  The meeting gets underway at about minute 40 in the recording – listen for the gavel.

Tim Nisbet, our Town Moderator since 1980, got things underway with his welcome dry wit, solid knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and keen ability to keep the meeting running while still recognizing the needs of those seeking further discussion on a topic.

We enjoyed visits from two of our legislators, including Senator John Rodgers (D-Essex/Orleans) and Representative Sam Young (D-Orleans/Caledonia).  The bulk of this time was devoted to a passionate conversation about gun control legislation currently being debated in both chambers of the Vermont Legislature.

The town’s proposed FY19 budget of $1,912,567.67, an increase of 6.16%, passed on a voice vote after some discussion about what areas of the budget saw increases.

We also re-elected Sue Wood to complete the remaining year of a 3-year term on the Select Board.  New Select Board members are Matt McAllister (2-year term) and Andy Kehler (3-year term).  These elections were all done by a paper ballot with somewhere between 120 and 130 votes cast in each round of balloting.

Phil Gray and Jan Travers were recognized for their many contributions to life in Greensboro as this year’s recipients of the Greensboro Award.  To read more about this award and Phil and Jan’s work in town, visit the town website at greensborovt.org.

The final article of the warning included a resolution presented at many town meetings across Vermont that focused on state and local commitment to sourcing renewable energy.  While there was some discussion about the detail and wording of the resolution, it passed on a voice vote.

Other issues discussed during the final article included affordable housing in Greensboro and refurbishment efforts in Greensboro Bend, as well as the work of the Greensboro Planning Commission.

Working draft sections of the new town plan, including the vision for Greensboro that guided development of these Goals, Policies, and Action statements, were available for review at the meeting.  The Commission would appreciate your feedback on these materials.  Send your comments to Dan Predpall at [email protected].  The Planning Commission still has open seats.

Last, but not least, voters agreed to hold the town’s annual Funky Fourth Celebrations on Saturday, July 7th.  Mark your calendars!

Town meeting is also the date of the Greensboro Town School District annual meeting.  The Greensboro school district is responsible for the preschool budget in our community.  Our elementary school, Lakeview, is a union school with Stannard and has its annual meeting and budget vote on the second Thursday in March.  Our high school, Hazen Union, votes on its proposed budget by Australian ballot on Town Meeting Day and holds an informational meeting about the budget the week prior to Town Meeting Day.

We elected Tanya Thomas as director to the Greensboro town school board.  We also elected John Moffatt, Rose Modry, and Dylan LaFlam to the Lakeview Union School District board.  The Lakeview Union board still has one open seat for a resident from Greensboro.  We elected Mike Metcalf to represent Greensboro on the Hazen Union board.

As always, Town Meeting brought civil and engaged discussion.  If you weren’t able to attend, consider joining us next year.  If you were there, share your comments and observations below.

 

2017 Town Meeting

The 2017 Town meeting held on March 7, 2017 at Fellowship Hall was civil, very well attended and productive.   The minutes will be available on the town website;  also, Kyle Gray videotaped the proceedings.   We will post links to those when available.  The annual report is here.

Highlights included:

1) The Greensboro Award was given to Janet Long, recognizing her many, many years of service to the Town and its institutions.

2) Kim Greaves was elected as Town Clerk, replacing Valdine Hall who is retiring from the post.  Denise Stuart was elected as Town Treasurer, also replacing Valdine.

3)  Peter Romans and Sean Thomson were re-elected to the Selectboard, serving 3 year terms.   Mike LaPierre was elected to a two year term.   They join Sue Wood and Judy Carpenter as members of the Select Board.

4) The FY 2017-18  Town Budget was passed as amended – $1,801,607, a 3% increase over 2016-17.  The only amendment increased the proposed town grant to the Hardwick Area Food Shelf by $500 to $2500.    There was a lengthy discussion of the $1500 budgeted request for funding the Grange renovation, which was approved.

5)  The FY 2017-18 Greensboro School budget was passed as presented.

6)  A discussion occurred about whether the day and time of Town Meeting should be changed.   Some suggested that the current Tuesday morning (workday) meeting reduces the number of younger and working community members who can attend.  Other choices were presented, including a Saturday morning meeting, an Australian ballot for Select Board elections, and an evening meeting.   Some felt that the tradition of a Tuesday Town meeting was worth keeping.   All agreed that a well attended Greensboro Town Meeting is a great benefit for the town and its residents.    The Select Board welcomes input from all residents related to the timing of Town Meeting.

7)  Several requests were made to clarify town employees salary and benefits by position in next years budget.    Also, the Select Board will schedule one regular meeting each quarter at a venue in Greensboro Bend instead of at the Greensboro Town Hall.

8)  A motion was approved to set the Property Tax Due Date to November 2, 2017 at 4pm.  The Town is also instituting an electronic payment system, which will be available to tax payers with an additional fee.

9) A delicious lunch was again served by the Four Seasons of Early Learning!  Thank you Four Seasons!

10) The Funky Fourth Celebration parade and fireworks are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 1, 2017.

Town Meeting 2016 on YouTube

Were you unable to attend Town Meeting this year? Kyle Gray, who graciously recorded the great interview with Larry Lumsden, also recorded the proceedings of Greensboro Town Meeting 2016. The audio is clear and the whole video provides a great opportunity for what a Vermont Town Meeting is truly like.

For your viewing reference, seated at the table from left are Select Board members Marsha Gadoury, Sean Thomson, Ernest Machia, Peter Romans, Moderator Tim Nisbet (standing), and Town Clerk Valdine Hall. Susan Wood was unable to attend.

Thank you, Kyle, for providing this to our community!

Town Meeting 2016

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Save the date! Greensboro’s Town Meeting will be Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 10 AM.

The official 2015 Town Report and the town audit can be viewed here: https://www.greensborovt.org/town-meeting/

The warning includes the election of some of our public officials, votes on appropriations from area organizations seeking funds, the vote on the Greensboro Town Budget for FY 2017, and more. Lunch is provided by the Four Seasons of Early Learning, the preschool located in Greensboro Bend, and its Farm-to-Preschool Initiative. There is a $5 suggested donation for the meal, which is always a great opportunity to connect with community members near the end of a long winter.

Please note that the 2015 report also includes the school reports for the Greensboro, Lakeview Union, and Hazen Union districts.

The Greensboro School District Annual Meeting will take place on March 1 at 1:00 PM. The Hazen Union School District Annual Meeting takes place on Monday, February 29 at Hazen Union in Hardwick. Lakeview Union annual meeting is on Thursday, March 10 at 7 PM at the Lakeview Union School.

 

 

Upcoming Town Meetings

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Greensboro’s Town Meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.   We will provide more details on this important annual meeting as they become available.

The annual meeting of the Lakeview Union School District will be Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the Lakeview Union School Multipurpose Room. Come learn about the FY17 budget, meet school board members, and learn more about our town’s school. The warnings for Lakeview Union and other members of the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union are located here:

https://www.ossu.org/resources/annual-school-district-meetings

 

Upcoming Town Meetings

The Hazard Mitigation Committee will hold its second public meeting on January 15, at 7:00 PM in the Collier Room of the Greensboro Town Hall. This committee is working on an update to the town’s hazard mitigation plan. Dessert and coffee will be provided.

The Greensboro Fire District #1 will hold its annual meeting on January 25 at 7:00 PM at the Greensboro Town Hall. The official warning can be viewed here:

https://www.greensborovt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Greensboro-Fire-District-No-1.pdf

Greensboro’s Town Meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.   We will provide more details on this important annual meeting as they become available.

Newly updated 2012 Town Plan will be presented November 28.

The Greensboro Select Board will meet on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Collier Room of the Greensboro Town Hall to present the newly updated 2012 Town Plan. The Town Plan was revised in 2007 and an update or revision is required by the State of Vermont every five years per 24 VSA §4387. The 2012 Town Plan reflects changes in numbers, statistics, graphs, and correlating information from the 2007 version.

The updated Town Plan is available for review at the Greensboro Town Hall or at the Town of Greensboro website – www.greensborovt.org.

The meeting is open to the public. Interested persons may attend the meeting or send a letter or email to the Select Board c/o the Town Clerk’s office to comment on the proposed update. Emails can be forwarded to the [email protected] address.

Greensboro Select

Meeting to discuss plans for the Proposed New Greensboro Fire Station

The Greensboro Fire Station Committee will meet Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at 5pm at the Greensboro Town Hall.   All members of the public are welcome, and input is encouraged.

Meeting to discuss 2012 Town Plan

The 2007 Greensboro Town Plan has been updated to meet the State Requirement that a current Town Plan must be formulated every 5 years.  Copies of the draft plan are available at the Town Hall in the Town Clerk’s office.   A meeting to discuss the updated draft plan will be held on August 6th at 7pm in the Collier Room in the Greensboro Town Hall.  All are welcome.

The town plan forms the basis for Greensboro Town planning, including zoning.

Town meeting warned for March 6, 2012

The 2012 Town meeting for Greensboro will occur March 6, 2012 at 10am in the multipurpose room at Lakeview Union Elementary School.