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Public Informational Meeting for Town Meeting on 2/24

  • Monday, February 24, 2025
    PM – 9 PM

Selectboard

Minutes

Informational Selectboard Minutes 02-24-25 152 KB

Approved on: Monday, March 3, 2025

Printable version

Informational Selectboard Minutes 02-24-25 152 KB

Web version

Town of Richmond
Special Selectboard Meeting
Public Informational Meeting
Minutes of February 24, 2025

Members Present: Bard Hill, David Sander, Jay Furr, Adam Wood
 

Absent: Lisa Miller

Staff Present: Town ManagerJosh Arneson;Assistant to the Town ManagerDuncan Wardwell; Finance Director Connie Bona; Fire Department Chief Dennis Gile; Gerald Levesque, Assistant Fire Chief; Highway Department Chief Pete Gosselin; Library Director Suzanne Krohn


Others Present: MMCTV Erin Wagg, Suzanne Parent OCCC, Laurie Dana, Gretchen Bambrick, mlw iPad 10th Gen, John Michael Longworth COTS, Judy Rosovsky Chair of Conservation Commission, Anna Burke for STEPS, Cam Lauf Executive Director of Turning Point for Chittenden County.

MMCTV Video: Recorded by MMCTV by Erin Wagg

https://youtu.be/P1KHNRI34Rs?si=bGX530bPzYIrY0tQ

Call to Order: 7:00 pm
 

Welcome by: Sander

Public Comment: None

Additions or Deletions to Agenda: None

Official Warning of Annual Town Meeting

Timestamp: 0:00

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/1_town_warning_Jan_2025_signed.pdf

Arneson explained what he expects will take place on Town Meeting Day. 

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Australian Ballot Information Hearing

Arneson repeated that the budget will be voted on by Australian ballot this year.
 

Review FY26 Budget
Timestamp: 0:05

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2a1_FY26_Budget_for_Town_Report.pdf

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.richmondvt.gov%2Ffileadmin%2Ffiles%2FSelectboard%2FMeetings%2F2025%2F01%2F2a2_FY26_Budget_for_Town_Report.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2a3_Budget_Notes_FINAL.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2a4_town_report_finanical_information_FY2024_1-17-25.pdf

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.richmondvt.gov%2Ffileadmin%2Ffiles%2FSelectboard%2FMeetings%2F2025%2F01%2F2a5_FY26_CAPITAL_PLAN_DRAFT_01-07-24.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

People who participated in the discussion: Arneson, Sander

Arneson presented the following PowerPoint as an overview of the FY26 budget. There were no questions.

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/02/2a6_FY2026_Budget_Presentation_-_2-24-25_a.pdf

Review and discuss Article 8
Timestamp: 0:43

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/02/2b_2025_Renewal-Presentation-2025-Presentation_Itself_020625.pdf

People who participated in the discussion: Rosovsky

Rosovsky spoke about what the Conservation Reserve Fund does and shared the above linked presentation. She said the citizens can direct where the commission’s monies go.

Review and discuss Articles 9 - 17
Timestamp: 0:49

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c1_VFN_Appropriations_FY26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c2_Age_Well_Appropriation_FY26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c3_VTCIL_Appropriations_FY26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c4_COTS_Appropriation_FY26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c5_OCCC_Appropriations_FY26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c6_STEPS_Appropriations_FY26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c7_Turning_Point_Appropriations_FY26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c8_HOPE__Works_Appropriations_FY26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/01/2c9_Lund_Appropriations_FY26.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Sander, Arneson, Hill, Parent, Furr, Burke, Lauf

Hill reminded people that each organization’s request for funds is listed on the Town of Richmond’s website. Arneson went through each request. Longworth mentioned what his organization does and who COTS helps. Parent described that OCCC are helping more and more children, migrant families and families without permanent housing, and they are open to the public for visits. Furr added that there are several kids who would not have anything to eat if it wasn’t for OCCC. Parent added that they have a higher staff to camper ratio than other programs. Burke described what STEPS does and what they offer, mostly assistance for victims of domestic violence or dating violence. Lauff described what the Turning Point Center offers and who they serve, related to substance abuse and addictions. Furr explained what Hope Works provides in terms of valuable services.

Adjourn
 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/02/3_Annual_Town_Meeting_03-04-25.pdf

Wood moved to adjourn. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Wood, Sander in favor. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at: 8:14 pm

Chat file from Zoom:
 

01:02:11          mlw iPad 10th Gen:    Also provides jobs for youths in Richmond.

Printable version

Informational Meeting Agenda for 2-24-25 13 KB

Web version

Town of Richmond 
PUBLIC INFORATIONAL MEETING
NOTICE and AGENDA
Monday, February 24, 2025

The Selectboard for the Town of Richmond will hold a public informational meeting on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 7:00pm to discuss the Australian ballot articles on the 2025 Town Meeting Warning. The hearing will be held on the third floor of the Town Center located at 203 Bridge St. and will also be accessible remotely by electronic means.

Join Zoom Meeting Online: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81031713006?pwd=vmiTBiPhSMbpT0jYKF1BXfPStV5Z6E.1 

Join by Phone:  +1 929 205 6099       
Meeting ID: 810 3171 3006     
Passcode: 335990


7:00 PM    1. Welcome and Public Comment

7:05 PM    2. Australian Ballot Information Hearing #

a)    Review and discuss Article 7: Shall the voters of the Town of Richmond approve a budget of $4,870,565 to meet the expenses and liabilities of the Town of Richmond in Fiscal Year 2026? (45 min)
b)    Review and discuss Article 8: Shall the Town of Richmond vote to approve funding the Conservation Reserve Fund by adding one cent to the municipal tax rate in the 2025-2026 fiscal year?  (20 min)
c)    Review and discuss Articles 9 - 17: Charitable Appropriations voted by Australian ballot (30 min)

8:40 PM    3.  Adjourn

Time is available at each meeting for public comment. Documents related to this meeting are available at
www.richmondvt.gov/documents/selectboard-meeting-documents/
If you would like to schedule a time with the Board or need assistance to participate in the meeting, please call
Josh Arneson, Richmond Town Manager at 434-5170 or email jarneson@richmondvt.gov
Links to videos of Selectboard meetings can be found at mtmansfieldctv.org
*Denotes Action Item   # Indicates documents in the packet