DOVER- The economy may be struggling across Vermont but according to recent one-percent option tax returns, Dover seems to be bucking the state and national economic trends.

At Monday’s Dover Economic Development Committee meeting, core committee members were treated to a surprise when they saw the revenue generated from the one-percent option tax during the first quarter of the fiscal year. According to Vermont Department of Taxes numbers, the town of Dover generated $6.9 million in total sales for the first fiscal quarter, comprising July, August, and September. In total, room and meal sales increased by approximately $319,800. Rooms and meal tax revenues increased $2,239, from $22,063.89 a year ago to $22,302.97. Sales tax collections were down to $26,362.03 from $26,789.46 in 2008. However, the total first quarter income for rooms, meals, and sales taxes was up from $47,881.64 to $48,665, a difference of $783 in total local option tax revenue over last year.

“It surprised us,” said DEDC chair Lisa Coneeny. “We still need to get the details on how it increased, but we think it may be attributed to the (Mount Snow) Blues Festival, which took place during that time.”

Ken Black presented an update from the recent task force meeting on funding guidelines. The task force agreed to make a few revisions, but none of them were major in scope. As Black read through the list of ineligible organizations and programs, William “Buzzy” Buswell took issue with one criterion. The DEDC guidelines state “organizations that discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, or national origin” do not qualify. Buswell thought gender should be removed. He argued that the town could benefit from organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other organizations that may want to hold their conventions in the area.

Buswell thought it would be a missed opportunity for generating extra revenue. “What if groups like the Freemasons want to bring their convention to Dover? These are big bucks we’re talking about,” exclaimed Buswell.

Concerns arose over whether it could bring up separation of church and state issues. The DEDC tabled the issue pending legal review from the town’s attorney.

Julie Wilson presented an update on the beautification committee. Wilson informed the DEDC that the state of Vermont is giving away $500,000 in grants for trails restoration and development programs. It is a matching grants program and Wilson said the town needs to commit money in order to receive money. She suggested the town should commit $20,000 toward segment A of the Dover Valley Trail, and the state would kick in an extra $20,000 for a total of $40,000.

Selectboard chair Linda Holland noted that the Valley Trail work on segment B was fairly far along, and that the town would be better served finishing that portion of the trial before beginning any work on segment A, which would run through the village of West Dover from Green Mountain Interiors to the Tollgate Village. Wilson agreed that it was critical to finish segment B first, saying “If we can get this done, we could generate some enthusiasm” toward segment A.

Trails committee chair Vinnie Lewis noted that there was already trail work going on in the Crosstown Road trail network, and the grant money could be used there. Wilson will attend a grant-writing workshop in Randolph and pursue grant funding for the trail work.

Randy Capitani, publisher of The Deerfield Valley News, presented an update on the venues and community center committee, which he chairs. The search continues for a venue and community center location. In the meantime, he suggested the town consider the Dover School as an alternative. Capitani said the school has been available for use by the community, has policies in place for use by the general public, and it shouldn’t go to waste. “We need to start using the building. The community has forgotten it in some ways,” said Capitani. “We need to start promoting it.”