Article 9, concerning a change in the way interest is charged on unpaid taxes, merited the most discussion from the floor, as well as among the selectboard members at the dais before it was first amended, and then approved. The article as originally warned would have slightly lowered the interest rate, however, the final vote cut the current interest rate charged on delinquent taxes even more, from one percent per month for the first three months and 1½% per month thereafter to one percent per month for the first three months and just a half percent per month thereafter. The amendment to the article was proposed from the floor by Nancy Meinhard, who later said, “I proposed lowering the interest rate even further because the discussion seemed to indicate that people needed more help getting caught up on their back taxes.” Selectboard chair Peter Sebastian told The Deerfield Valley News two weeks ago that Article 9 was intended to “give people a break” in these tough economic times and because interest rates overall are lower.
During the delicately-moderated discussion, those opposed to easing the interest rate on unpaid taxes expressed their concern that it would reduce the incentive for others to pay their taxes in a timely manner and that there was a great risk that the number of names on the back taxes list would grow as a result. There are 45 names on the list as of January.
A voice from the back of the room said loudly, “There should be no reward for bad behavior.” After which, Eugene Bills, a selectboard member, said that the list is already growing because of true hardship. He openly admitted that his own name appeared on this year’s unpaid tax list because he used his limited unemployment benefits to put food on the table rather than pay property taxes.
With this dramatic statement coming from a respected member of the community, the floor voted quickly to accept Meinhard’s amendment to the article, and then just as quickly approved Article 9 with a clear majority. There were just two dissenting votes from the floor to the amended article.
Sebastian said the fact that the townspeople were willing to offer this extra half-percent discount on the interest rate surprised him. “I just did not know how the town would react to this article,” he said, but he was not disturbed by the outcome. As it now stands, any Wardsboro property owner who is delinquent on taxes will still pay a one-time eight percent penalty. Town clerk, treasurer and tax collector Jackie Bedard said that interest is not compounded on the delinquent taxes. She said the total amount of interest collectible on back taxes is not factored into the town’s annual budget planning.
Of the 10 articles approved, only one other article besides the interest rate matter was discussed in depth. Article 6, to determine the sums of money the town grants to 18 organizations including the fire department, rescue, public library, and various community and charitable groups, was amended before being approved. This year, the trustees of the library requested $720 more than in 2009, a request that was denied by a vote from the floor. The library was granted the same amount in 2010 as for the prior year - $24,000, primarily for the librarians’ salaries.
There was commentary from the floor concerning the fact that, of the many organizations requesting money from the taxpayers of Wardsboro, an amount totaling $74,138, few sent a representative to the Town Meeting to support their requests. However, Joyce Cailor spoke about the importance of the Community Food Pantry, saying that they were serving more families than ever before, and, thanks to the generosity of many people, the food pantry was able to help everyone in need. They will receive $200 from the town. Lisa Pitcher, of Southeastern Vermont Community Action, said her group was also assisting more people in crisis and making greater efforts to directly help people in Wardsboro. SEVCA will receive $860 from the town.
Several articles affecting town finances that were passed with minor clarification of the wording and minimal discussion from the floor were: Article 4, approving the selectboard’s budget; Article 5, authorizing the selectboard to borrow on the credit of the town when necessary; and Article 8, exempting the Wardsboro Fire Department from property taxes on a small parcel of land they acquired last year on Main Street, which abuts the town-owned land on which the fire station stands.
Voters also passed Article 7, the selectboard’s request to raise and appropriate $709,601 for the town’s expenses, with no discussion. The selectboard’s 2010 request for town expenses was just $300 over the prior year. Sebastian made a point of telling voters that the entire board felt it was important for the town to “hold the line” on spending.
Even though veteran moderator Robert Backus, MD, kept the discussion sessions and the voting moving at a brisk yet affable pace, the town meeting lasted a little more than two hours. Within one hour after it began, many of the people seated in the sunny second-floor meeting room of Wardsboro’s historic town hall were fanning themselves with the hefty 80-page town report rather than reading it.
Predictably, there was notable reluctance on the part of those attending to step forward to fill any of the numerous vacancies for either elected or appointed positions in town government. Sebastian said that, as a consequence, residents may have to consider the option of employing a part-time town manager in the future to handle Wardsboro’s business. “Serving on boards takes a lot of time,” he said, “especially as local government becomes more complex and involves more legal matters.” Two or more towns could share a single town manager, he said.
Three selectboard members’ terms expired this year; under Article 3, Amy Kleppner accepted the nomination and was reelected to serve again for a term of one year. John Densmore and Victor Landeryou declined to serve again and were thanked by Backus and Sebastian for their contributions. Despite patience and some sincere cajoling from the moderator who said “the town really needs the help,” no new nominations emerged from the floor as their replacements. There were repeated polite utterances of “I respectfully decline” as Backus called out individuals by name, asking for their service. Sebastian said that when there are vacancies for town government, the selectboard may directly ask and appoint someone to serve.
With no one nominated and no one volunteering to fill the town’s two constabulary positions, Wardsboro’s local law enforcement force is currently zero. Other positions remaining vacant at the close of the meeting were one seat on the school board, plus seats for the planning commission, zoning board of adjustment, Council on Aging, solid waste management, animal control and others.
Although the atypical spring-like weather Tuesday morning should have motivated more residents to get out and attend Town Meeting, Sebastian said, “I was disappointed by the low number of people who came.” One participant, a longtime resident who asked that her name be withheld, said “People might feel that it’s not necessary to go to Town Meeting because the same handful of individuals always dominates the meeting. That might make some people feel that it’s not worth their time to attend.”
Moderator Backus closed the meeting with a final plea, reiterated by Sebastian, for more feedback pertaining to town affairs and for more people willing to be part of Wardsboro’s governance.
Hardly the social event that Town Meetings used to be in days long gone, no lunch, coffee or refreshments were served at the end of the proceedings, and the huge hall quietly emptied in a matter of minutes.
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