Public Informational Meeting for Town Meeting on 2/24
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Monday,
February 24, 2025
7PM – 9 PM
Minutes
Approved on: Monday, March 3, 2025
Minutes
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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
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/2025/01/2a3_Budget_Notes_FINAL.pdf
People who participated in the discussion: Arneson, Sander
Arneson presented the following PowerPoint as an overview of the FY26 budget. There were no questions.
Review and discuss Article 8
Timestamp: 0:43
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
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
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.
Agenda
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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