By Layla Burke Hastings
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The Springfield Selectboard discussed having a virtual Town Meeting this year among a number of other topics including updates on COVID-19 signage in local businesses, budgeting an additional 10 hours for an additional code enforcement officer, and setting a date for an open discussion for voters to discuss the retail cannabis article.
The Vermont Legislature has written a bill allowing for towns to hold virtual Town Meetings and boards across the state are awaiting Gov. Phil Scott to sign the legislation, according to selectboard member Kristi Morris.
“Holding Town Meeting electronically is contingent on the governor’s decision,” Morris said.
Morris said if Scott signs the bill, which is expected, the town will have the opportunity to hold the meeting completely virtual and by Australian ballot.
Selectboard member George McNaughton made a motion to hold the Town Meeting virtually contingent on the governor’s decision and Morris seconded the motion.
The board voted unanimously in favor of a virtual Town Meeting in March.
The ongoing COVID-19 item to be on every agenda until April 15 explored the possibility that more stores need to have proper signage about wearing masks — vaccinated or not.
“State [COVID-19] numbers are up and town numbers are down,” said Town Manager Jeff Mobus. “Since Jan. 7, the town numbers have gone from 800 people to 555 people with COVID-19.”
Mobus also said he and other officials are working on ways to educate and enforce proper signage in local stores.
Selectboard Chair Walter Martone said he encourages officials, when out in daily life, to be mindful of stores not posting signage about wearing masks.
“We should be aware of who has signage,” Martone said.
During the budget discussion, it was noted that Springfield Police Chief Mark Fountain recommended the town remove the yearly police vehicle budget line item from the budget proposal as the department is using the vehicles less due to unfilled positions.
According to Mobus, the town had four open positions last year and removed two of those open positions from their staffing requirements.
Budget Committee member Crissy Webster said the committee recommends keeping the item for a police vehicle in this year’s budget.
The selectboard also spoke about adding an additional 10 hours to the code enforcement budget to maintain the momentum the town has achieved in the demolishing of blighted and condemned buildings.
McNaughton recommended ensuring that they have money set aside for legal counsel in pursuing the code enforcements of local buildings that pose risks in the town.
“We need to maintain our aggressive stance and make sure we have money set aside for specific legal fees,” McNaughton said.
Mobus said they would investigate the item and make sure they budgeted properly for the legal end of code enforcement.
Revenue increases for the town were discussed as the new non-emergency transport system through the fire department had a revenue increase of $30,000.
The transfer station has a revenue increase due to the recycled paper market returning to profitable capacities.
According to Mobus, the town had to pay to haul paper away last year and this year there is a revenue increase of $10,000.
The retail cannabis article will be discussed at an open public meeting on Monday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. in preparation for the ballot vote at town meeting in March.
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