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Subchapter 001: INCORPORATION AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 101. Corporate existence retained
The boundaries of the City of Barre shall be those as set forth and described in 1945
Acts and Resolves No. 221 and any amendments thereafter enacted. The City of Barre
shall continue to be a municipal corporation.
§ 102. General law application
Except when changed, enlarged, or modified by the provisions of this charter, or by
any legal regulation or ordinance of the City of Barre, all provisions of the statutes
of this State relating to municipalities shall apply to the City of Barre.
§ 103. Wards established
There shall be three wards for the City of Barre and the boundaries of the wards shall
be fixed from time to time by the Board of Civil Authority subject to the approval
of the City Council. The boundaries shall be fixed so as to provide equal or near
equal distribution of population among the three wards in accordance with the most
recent federal census. (Amended 2019, No. M-3, § 2, eff. April 19, 2019.)
§ 104. General corporate powers
(a) The City shall have all the powers granted to towns and municipal corporations by
the Constitution and laws of this State together with all the implied powers necessary
to carry into execution all the powers granted; it may enact ordinances not inconsistent
with the Constitution and laws of the State of Vermont or with this charter and impose
penalties for violation of those ordinances as allowed in 24 V.S.A. § 1974a in addition to the costs of prosecution.
(b) The City may purchase real property, or interest in real property, within or without
its corporate limits, for the public benefit. The City may acquire real property by
gift, devise, lease, easement, or condemnation and may sell, lease, mortgage, hold,
convey by easement, manage, and control such property as its interest may require.
Any acquisition or conveyance of property through the means listed in this section
shall require approval of the council and shall also be subject to notice as required
by 24 V.S.A. § 1061 or any successor provision.
(c) In this charter, no mention of a particular power shall be construed to be exclusive
or to restrict the scope of the powers that the City would have if the particular
powers were not mentioned.
(d) The City of Barre shall fly only the City, State, United States, and POW/MIA flags. (Amended 2005, No. M-7, § 2; 2019, No. M-3, § 2, eff. April 19, 2019; 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022.)
§ 105. Ordinances—Subject matter
(a) The general grant of ordinance promulgating authority in section 104 shall include
the authority:
(1) To adopt and enforce ordinances relating to making and installation of local improvements,
including curbs, sidewalks, storm drains, sewers, and water lines; requiring the installation
of curbs, sidewalks, storm drains, sewer, and water lines, in a manner specified by
the City as a condition precedent to the issuance of a building permit; apportioning
part or all of the expenses of such improvements against property owners benefited
thereby; providing for the collection of such assessments and penalties for nonpayment.
(2) To adopt and enforce ordinances establishing systems or regulations for signs and
billboards, but such ordinances shall not permit the violation of the laws of this
State or any City zoning ordinance or regulation.
(3) To adopt and enforce police ordinances regulating and prohibiting the use of firearms,
air rifles, and devices having a capacity to inflict personal injury, and the parking,
operation, and speed of motor vehicles upon City and State aid streets and highways.
(4) To adopt and enforce ordinances relating to regulation, licensing, or prohibition
of the storage and accumulation of garbage, ashes, rubbish, refuse, and waste materials;
regulation of the removal and disposal of such materials; licensing for revenue and
regulation or prohibition of the collection, removal, and disposal of such materials
by persons; collection and removal of such materials by the City either by contract
or by a City officer or department now existing or created for that purpose; establishment
of service rates to be paid the City for such service.
(5) To adopt and enforce ordinances relating to the operation, parking, soliciting, delivery,
or fares in the taxi business within the City.
(6) To adopt and enforce ordinances for the purpose of regulating and licensing the following
activities, or other activities, that the City has the power to regulate or license,
by virtue of the law of this State or of this charter, and to fix reasonable and necessary
fees therefor: places of public resort or public amusement, whether indoor or outdoor;
places dispensing food and drink to the public, such as restaurants, bars, or inns;
and public dances.
(7) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of general law, to adopt and enforce ordinances
establishing a speed limit of less than 25 miles per hour on specified City streets,
or sections thereof, within City boundaries as may be required for the safety and
general welfare of the City.
(b) The specification of powers herein shall not be deemed to limit the general grant
of ordinances promulgating authority conferred by section 104, or the ordinances adopted
by the City prior to enactment of this charter. (Amended 2019, No. M-3, § 2, eff. April 19, 2019; 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022.)
§ 106. Ordinances; enforcement; adoption
(a) The Council may provide penalties for the breach of any ordinance authorized by general
law or this charter; may prosecute any person violating the same through the City
Attorney, Grand Juror, or police officers who for such purposes shall be informing
officers; and may maintain actions to restrain actual or threatened violations of
the same. The establishment of any fine or penalty shall be by ordinance.
(b) Ordinance-making authority granted to the City by this charter and general law shall
be exercised pursuant to the provisions of section 107 and 108 of this charter. (Amended 2019, No. M-3, § 2, eff. April 19, 2019.)
§ 107. Ordinances; adoption process
(a) Every ordinance shall be introduced in writing. The enacting clause of all ordinances
shall be “The Council of the City of Barre hereby ordains...”. If the Council passes
the proposed ordinance upon first reading, it shall cause it to be published in the
form passed in a newspaper of general circulation in the City or such other manner
of publication as acceptable in State law, at least once, together with a notice of
the time and place when and where there will be a public hearing to consider the same
for final passage. The first such publication shall be at least three days prior to
the date of the public hearing.
(b) After the public hearing, the Council may finally pass the ordinance with or without
amendment. If the Council amends the proposed ordinance, then it shall cause the amended
ordinance to be published at least once together with a notice of the time and place
of the public hearing, at which such amended ordinance will be further considered
and which publication shall be at least three days prior to the public hearing. Once
the ordinance is adopted by the Council, the City Clerk shall cause the ordinance
as adopted to be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the City or
such other manner of publication as acceptable in State law, and said ordinance shall
take effect 14 days after the date of the publication. (Amended 2019, No. M-3, § 2, eff. April 19, 2019.)
§ 108. Filing of ordinances
The City Clerk shall keep in the Clerk’s office a book of ordinances that shall contain
each ordinance finally passed by the Council together with a complete index of the
ordinances according to the subject matter.
§ 109. Reservation of powers to the City
Nothing in this charter shall be so construed as in any way to limit the powers and
functions conferred upon the City of Barre and the Council by general or special enactments
in force or effect or hereafter enacted, and the powers and functions conferred by
this charter shall be cumulative and in addition to the provisions of such general
or special enactments.
§ 110. Fiscal year
The fiscal year of the City shall begin on the first day of July of each calendar
year. The fiscal year shall constitute the budget and accounting year as used in this
charter. (Added 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013; amended 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 111. Bonding of City officials
The Mayor, councilors, members of the Police Department, City Manager, Finance Director,
Superintendent of Public Works, Tax Collector, Clerk, and Treasurer shall annually
be bonded by the City for the faithful discharge of their respective duties, as provided
by State statute, and the expense of said bonds to be paid by the City. (Added 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013; amended 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022; 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 112. Amendment of charter
This charter may be amended in the manner provided for by the laws of the State of
Vermont for amendment of municipal charters. (Added 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013.)
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Subchapter 002: ELECTIONS AND CITY MEETINGS
§ 201. Application of general laws
Provisions of the laws of the State of Vermont, relating to the qualifications of
elections, the manner of voting, the duties of electing officers, and all other particulars
respective to the preparation for, conducting, and management of elections, so far
as they may be applicable, shall govern all municipal elections, and all general and
special meetings, except as otherwise provided in this charter.
§ 202. Time of elections and meetings
(a) The annual City meeting of the City for the election of officers, the voting of budgets,
and any other business included in the warnings for the meeting, shall be held on
the second Tuesday in May, unless otherwise legally warned by the Council.
(b) The election of officers and the voting on all questions shall be by the Australian
ballot system. The ballot boxes shall be open for 12 consecutive hours at times to
be determined and warned by the Board of Civil Authority.
(c) The warning for annual and special City meetings shall, by separate articles, specifically
indicate the business to be transacted, including the offices and the questions to
be voted upon. The warning also shall contain any legally binding article or articles
requested by 10 percent of the registered voters of the City. Petitions requesting
that an article or articles be placed on the warning shall be filed with the City
Clerk on or before the filing deadline set forth in 17 V.S.A. § 2642(a)(3). (Amended 2005, No. M-7, § 4; 2007, No. M-5, § 2; 2017, No. M-10, § 2, eff. May 30, 2017; 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 203. Special City meetings
Special City meetings shall be called in the manner provided by the laws of the State,
and the voting on all questions shall be by the Australian ballot system. (Amended 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 204. Polling places
All annual and special elections and meetings shall be held at a central polling place
in the City to be designated by the Council and which location is to be set forth
in the warning. The conduct of said elections and meetings shall conform where applicable
to requirements as set forth in 17 V.S.A. §§ 2640-2667. (Amended 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013.)
§ 205. Officers elected
(a)(1) The legal voters shall elect biennially a Mayor and a Clerk.
(2) Annually, the legal voters of each ward shall elect from among the legal voters of
their respective wards one councilor for a term of two years.
(3) [Repealed.]
(b) [Repealed.] (Amended 2009, No. M-20 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013; 2015, No. M-20 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 17, 2016; 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022; 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 206. Vacancies
(a) In case of vacancy of any elected municipal City officer, except a councilor, occasioned
by death, removal from the City, resignation, or inability to serve, such vacancy,
unless herein otherwise provided, shall be filled by appointment by the City Council
until the next annual election. In such case, nomination may be made by any member
for the Council.
(b) In case of a vacancy of any councilor, occasioned by death, removal from the ward,
resignation, or inability to serve, such vacancy, unless herein otherwise provided,
shall be filled by election at a caucus of the legal voters of the ward in which the
vacancy occurs, duly warned, until the next annual election. In such case, nomination
may be made by any legal voter from the ward in which the vacancy occurs.
(c) [Repealed.] (Amended 2007, No. M-5, § 3; 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013; 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 207. Voting on request of the City Manager
(a) Annually, on the second Tuesday in May, the legal voters of the City shall meet to
vote on the requests of the City Manager.
(b) If, at the annual meeting, the voters disapprove the request of the City Manager,
the Mayor, or in his or her absence or disability, the City Clerk, shall warn a general
meeting of the legal voters to consider the article disapproved by the voters and
to authorize a specific sum of money therefor. The meeting shall be in accordance
with 17 V.S.A. §§ 2630–2689 and shall be held at the same location as the previous meeting with the polls open
for the same hours as the previous meeting. If the voters continue to disapprove any
portion of the request, similar meetings shall be held in the same manner.
(c) When the legal voters have authorized a specific sum for the request of the City Manager,
the City Council shall set the tax rate necessary to raise the specific sum(s) so
voted.
(d) [Repealed.] (Amended 2005, No. M-7, § 5; 2007, No. M-5, § 5; 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013; 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
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Subchapter 003: CITY COUNCIL
§ 301. Governing body
The City shall be governed by an elected Council and by an appointed City Manager
and by such other officers and employees as may be duly appointed pursuant to this
charter, City ordinances, or general laws of the State of Vermont.
(1) The City Council shall consist of the Mayor and two councilors for each ward who shall
serve for a term of two years.
(2) Within the limitations of the foregoing, the Council shall have the power to:
(A) appoint and remove the City Manager and supervise, create, and abolish offices, commissions,
or departments other than the offices, commissions, or departments established by
this charter;
(B) appoint and remove a Treasurer, and such Assistant Treasurers as shall be deemed necessary,
who shall be responsible for the performance of all duties of a municipal treasurer
under State law;
(C) assign additional duties to offices, commissions, or departments established by this
charter, but may not discontinue or assign to any other office, commission, or department
duties assigned to a particular office, commission, or department established by this
charter;
(D) make, amend, and repeal ordinances; and
(E) adopt an official seal of the City.
(3) The Council shall adopt the budget of the City, as provided herein.
(4) All City employees, to include full-time and part-time, are prohibited from holding
the Office of Councilor or Mayor. (Amended 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013; 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 302. Regular meetings; meetings to be public; executive session
The City Council shall meet at least twice monthly on Tuesdays, unless the Council
approves an alternative day. All meetings of the City Council, whether regular or
special meetings, shall be public. Executive sessions may be held in conformance with
the provisions of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. (Amended 1999, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 5, 1999; 2007, No. M-5, § 5.)
§ 303. Special meetings; quorum
Special meetings of the City Council may be called at any time by the Mayor. They
may also be called by the Clerk on a petition signed by a majority of the City Council
and filed with the Clerk. Notice of special meetings shall be served on the Mayor
and councilors by the Clerk delivering to each member a copy of the call, or leaving
it at the place of the member’s residence. A majority of the City Council shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time
to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner as may be prescribed
by ordinance. (Amended 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013.)
§ 304. Role of Council in relation to administrative service appointment of committees
It is the intention of this charter that the City Council shall act in matters as
a body. The Council shall deal with the administrative service solely through the
Manager and shall not give orders to any subordinates of the Manager, either publicly
or privately. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City Council from appointing
committees or commissions of its own members, or of citizens to conduct investigations
into the conduct of any officer or department, or any matter relating to the welfare
of the City, and delegating to such committee or commissions such powers of inquiry
as the City Council may deem necessary.
§ 305. Creation or continuation of departments, boards, offices
The City Council shall continue or create and determine and define the powers and
duties of such executive and administrative departments, boards, and offices, in addition
to those provided for herein, as it may deem necessary for the proper and efficient
conduct of the affairs of the City. Any department, board, or office so continued
or created may at any time be altered or abolished by the City Council.
§ 306. Records of proceedings
(a) It shall be the duty of the City Council to keep an official record of its proceedings
that shall be open for public inspection. The agenda for the regular Council meeting
shall be published in a local newspaper no later than three days preceding the meeting.
The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the deliberations of the
Council except when in conflict with the laws.
(b) The minutes of each meeting shall be approved by the Council at its next meeting and
the official copy authenticated by the signature of the Clerk.
§ 307. Powers of City; policy matters; appointment of certain officers
All powers of the City and the determination of all matters of policy shall be vested
in the City Council except as otherwise provided by this charter or by general law.
The City Council shall annually appoint a City Attorney, a Library Liaison, and may
provide for any Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Recreation Board, or Personnel
Board, and may create commissions or other bodies with advisory powers and may appoint
personnel to serve on said boards or commissions. (Amended 1999, No. M-5, § 3, eff. May 5, 1999; 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022.)
§ 308. [Reserved.]
§ 309. Source of appropriations, expenditures
The money raised from taxation, assessments, fines, and other lawful sources shall
constitute the sum from which appropriations, expenditures, and payments are to be
made by the authority of the City Council.
§ 310. [Repealed.]
§ 311. Business or contracts between City and City officials or employees
No City official or employee shall be interested in any contract with the City, furnish
any material, or perform any labor, except in the discharge of the official’s or employee’s
official duties or as allowed for in the Procurement Policy or Conflict of Interest
Policy as adopted by the Council. (Amended 2019, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. Oct. 8, 2020.)
§ 312. Audits
(a) The City Council shall prior to the close of each financial year employ by contract
a public accountant to examine the financial statements of the funds of the City.
(b) Annual examination of the financial statements shall be conducted in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and the financial and compliance standards for
audit of governmental organizations, programs, activities, and functions. For the
purpose of examination and audit authorized by the City, all records, account books,
papers, reports, and returns of all departments, including the trustees and custodians
of trust funds and all officers and employees who receive or disburse funds for the
benefit of the City, shall be made available for audit. It shall also be the duty
of each City officer or employee to provide oral explanatory information when required
by the public accountant.
(c) As a matter of policy, the City Council shall solicit public bids from public accountants
at least once in every three-year period.
§ 313. Sale or lease of City property
The City Council may authorize the sale or lease of any real or personal estate belonging
to the City, and all conveyances, grants, or leases of such real estate shall be signed
by the Mayor.
§ 314. Authority to borrow money, issue bonds, pledge credits
The City Council shall have the authority to borrow money, issue its bonds or notes,
and pledge the credit of the City pursuant to provisions of the Vermont Statutes Annotated
as they govern borrowing for towns and municipalities as provided in Title 24 of the
Vermont Statutes Annotated.
§ 315. Compensation of City officials
Compensation of Mayor, councilors, and other appointees and City officers:
(1) The Mayor and councilors shall receive compensation in an amount as may be voted by
the voters of the City at a meeting duly warned for said purpose.
(2) The City Council shall fix the compensation of all other appointees and employees,
except as otherwise provided in this charter.
(3) When the legal voters have authorized an annual City budget, the City Council or the
City Manager shall not authorize appropriations, expenditures, or payment in excess
of the amount voted. Deficit spending shall be prohibited by the City of Barre. (Amended 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013; 2025, No. M-1, § 2, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 316. Expenditures
No money shall be paid except on warrant by the Treasurer or a designated deputy and
authorized by the City Council. (Amended 1999, No. M-5, § 4, eff. May 5, 1999.)
§ 317. Special assessments
The City Council may make special assessments for the purchase, construction, repair,
reconstruction, or extension of a water system, sewage system, sidewalk, or any other
public improvement that is to benefit a limited area of a municipality to be served
by the improvement.
§ 318. Sidewalks
(a) Whenever a petition in writing shall be presented to the City Council, signed by the
owner or owners of two-thirds of the frontage on any street, lane, or alley, or any
portion thereof in the City asking that such street, lane, alley, or portion thereof
be curbed or guttered, or that a sidewalk or the sidewalks thereof be constructed
or repaired or paved, the City Council may order or direct that such improvements
be made.
(b) The City Council without petition may make any or all of the improvements described
in subsection (a) of this section and shall assess against the owner or owners of
the lands or buildings abutting upon such street, lane, or alley and adjoining the
part where such improvement may be made, whether made upon petition or otherwise,
so much of the cost and expense of making such improvements as it shall judge such
land and buildings to be benefited thereby; but in no case shall the cost and expense
of making such improvements be assessed against the abutting owner on either side
of such street or portion thereof in excess of one-half of such cost and expense in
making any of the other improvements specified in subsection (a) of this section,
and the City shall pay the remaining cost and expense of all improvements therein
mentioned; provided that all assessments heretofore made shall remain in full force
and effect until paid or abated.
§ 319. Sewers
The City Council is authorized subject to ordinances of the City Council to establish,
construct, or maintain public sewers in the City; and it may assess according to frontage
of the owners of land or buildings adjoining or abutting said streets or any portion
thereof, in which such sewers may be established, so much of the expense of constructing
such sewers as the City Council shall adjudge such land or buildings to be specifically
benefited thereby; but in no case shall the expense of construction of any sewer be
assessed against the abutting owner on either side of any street or any portion thereof
in excess of one-half of such expense; provided that all sewer assessments heretofore
made shall remain in full force and effect until paid or abated.
§ 320. Authority to take land
The City Council is also authorized and empowered to establish, construct, and maintain
public sewers in and through the lands of individuals and corporations, on making
compensation for lands taken therefor, in the same manner as provided by law in the
laying out and establishing of highways.
§ 321. Collection of assessments; liens
Special assessments shall constitute a lien on the property against which the assessment
is made in the same manner and to the same extent as taxes assessed on the grand list
of a municipality, and all procedures and remedies for the collection of taxes shall
apply to special assessments.
§ 322. Tax stabilization contract
(a) The City Council shall have the authority to enter into a contract with owners, lessees,
bailees, or operators of agricultural, industrial, residential, or commercial real
property for the purpose of:
(1) fixing and maintaining the valuation of such property on the grand list;
(2) fixing and maintaining the rate or rates of tax applicable to such property;
(3) fixing the amount in money that shall be paid as an annual tax upon such property;
or
(4) fixing the tax applicable to such property at a percentage of the annual tax.
(b) The authority to enter into such contract shall be by vote of two-thirds of those
present and voting at an annual or special meeting warned for that purpose for a contract
relating to agricultural, commercial, residential, or industrial real property.
(c) The voters may provide general authority to the City Council to enter into such contracts
as application is made or provide limited authority to the City Council to negotiate
contracts that shall be effective upon ratification by a majority of those present
and voting at an annual or special meeting warned for that purpose.
(d) Any contract entered into pursuant to this section:
(1) shall be for a period not in excess of 10 years;
(2) shall be filed with the City Clerk and shall be available for public inspection;
(3) may be with existing or new owners, lessees, bailees, or operators of such property
or with persons who intend to become owners, lessees, bailees, or operators of such
property; and
(4) may be applicable to existing agricultural property; renovations of or additions to
existing agricultural, commercial, residential, or industrial real property; or to
new agricultural, commercial, residential, or industrial real property. (Amended 2005, No. M-7, § 3.)
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Subchapter 004: CITY OFFICIALS
§ 401. Appointment and qualifications
The City Manager shall be appointed annually on the first day of July by the Council
solely on the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications with
special reference to his or her actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practice
in respect to the duties of his or her office, as hereinafter set forth. At the time
of his or her appointment, he or she need not be a resident of the City or State,
but during his or her tenure of office he or she may reside outside the City only
with the approval of the Council. The City Manager shall hold office at the will of
the Council.
§ 402. Removal
(a) On 90 days’ notice, the Manager may be removed without cause by a majority of the
Council so voting. He or she may be suspended during this period, but his or her pay
shall continue until his or her removal.
(b) Notwithstanding the above, the Council may adopt a resolution stating its intention
to remove the Manager and the reasons therefore, a copy of which shall be served forthwith
on the Manager who may, within 10 days, demand a public hearing. Upon or after passage
of such resolution, the Council may suspend him or her from duty, but his or her pay
shall continue until his or her removal. If no appeal is filed, the Council may dismiss
him or her. In the event of an appeal, the Council shall hold a public hearing not
less than 10 days or more than 20 days from the date of appeal, after which they may
dismiss him or her.
§ 403. Manager’s absence
The City Manager may designate a qualified administrative officer of the municipality
to perform his or her duties during his or her temporary absence or disability. In
the event of his or her failure to make such designation, the Council may, by resolution,
appoint an officer of the City to perform the duties of the Manager during such absence
or disability, until he or she shall return or his or her disability shall cease.
§ 404. Duties and responsibilities
The City Manager shall:
(1) be the chief administrative official of the City;
(2) enforce all laws and ordinances of the City;
(3) appoint and remove all department heads and all other officers, subordinates, and
assistants and fix their salary or compensation, for whose selection or removal no
other method is provided in this charter, except that he or she may authorize the
head of a department to appoint and remove subordinates in such department, supervise
and control his or her appointees, and report the appointment or removal at the next
meeting thereafter of the City Council;
(4) negotiate contracts for the City; provided, however, that all contracts must conform
with the Barre City Procurement Policy, as adopted by the City Council; make recommendations
concerning the nature and location of municipal improvements; and execute municipal
improvements as determined by the City Council;
(5) see that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the municipality or its inhabitants
by any statute, public utility, franchise, or other contract are faithfully kept and
performed and, upon knowledge of any violation, call the same to the attention of
the City Council;
(6) attend meetings of the City Council with the right to take part in the discussion,
but without the right to vote;
(7) recommend to the City Council for adoption such measures as he or she may deem necessary
or expedient; keep the Council advised of the financial condition of the City; make
reports to the Council, as requested by it; and at least once a year make an annual
report of his or her work for the benefit of the Council and the public;
(8) investigate at any time the affairs of any officer or department;
(9) perform such other duties as may be required of the City Manager by ordinance or resolution
of the City Council. (Amended 2017, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 21, 2018.)
§ 405. Council policy
The City Manager shall be responsible to the Council for carrying out all policies
established by it and for the proper administration of all affairs of the City within
the jurisdiction of the Council.
§ 406. Budget
The City Manager shall prepare his or her recommended budget for the next fiscal year
and present the same to the City Council not later than 45 days prior to the annual
meeting date each year. At the same time, the City Manager shall submit his or her
request for a specific sum of money under provisions of section 207 of this charter. (Amended 2005, No. M-7, § 6.)
§ 406a. Capital improvement plan
(a) Preparation and submission. The Manager, after consultation with department heads, shall submit a proposed five-year
capital improvement plan to the council at least three months prior to the annual
meeting.
(b) Contents. The capital expenditure plan shall include:
(1) a clear narrative summary of needs;
(2) a list of all capital expenditures to be proposed for the next five years with appropriate
supporting data;
(3) actual cost estimates, proposed methods of financing, and necessary time schedules
for each improvement; and
(4) estimated annual cost of operating and maintaining the facilities to be constructed
or acquired.
(c) Revision and update. The capital expenditure plan shall be revised and extended each year to reflect progress
or projects still pending. (Added 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022.)
§ 407. Appointments
(a) Any provision of general law conferring the appointing power or other power upon the
Mayor, the Mayor and City Council, the City Council, or other executive heads of a
municipality shall be construed as meaning the City Manager and the appointments or
power exercised by the City Manager, in accordance with such provision, shall be given
the same force and effect as if executed by the official named therein, except as
herein otherwise provided.
(b) There shall be appointed by the City Manager after the annual City election in the
manner as hereinafter provided a Superintendent of Streets, a Superintendent of Waterworks,
a Recreation Director, a City Engineer, a Building Inspector, an Inspector of Electric
Wiring, a Tree Warden, and three members of the Board of Health (see section 512 of
this charter, Board of Health). All officers shall hold their offices respectively
for one year or until their successors shall be appointed and qualified. The City
Manager may also appoint such other subordinate officers as may be elected or appointed
in towns. Members of the various boards shall be appointed in the same manner, who
shall hold office as otherwise herein provided or until their successor shall be appointed
and qualified. (Amended 1999, No. M-5, § 5, eff. May 5, 1999; 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013; 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022.)
§ 408. Streets
It shall be the duty of the City Manager to see that all streets and highways laid
out and established in the City are properly constructed and maintained.
§ 409. Duties
(a) The Mayor shall be chief conservator of the peace and safety of the City and, as such,
is empowered to control and direct the police force, in case of riot, insurrection,
or other emergency, when he or she may take command of the whole police force, including
the chief executive thereof, and may, for the occasion, appoint and commission as
many special police officers as he or she may deem necessary who shall have all the
powers of regular members of the police force. Any emergency as provided for in this
section shall not be construed to be the operation of the police force in its routine
duty. The Mayor shall have the power to administer oath before the City Council and
official oaths to the several officers of the City, when required by law.
(b) The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the City Council and shall have a voice
and vote in its proceedings. He or she shall be recognized as head of the municipal
government for all ceremonial purposes and by the Governor for the purposes of military
law. In the event of his or her inability to act, his or her absence or disability,
the Council shall designate one of its members to act as Mayor during his or her absence
or disability.
§ 410. Duties
(a) The City Clerk shall perform for the City the same duties as prescribed by the laws
of this State upon town clerks, except insofar as the same are changed or modified
by the provisions of this charter and shall charge and receive for the benefit of
the City the same fees therefor. The Clerk shall be ex-officio Clerk of the City Council
and Board of Civil Authority. The Clerk shall have exclusive charge and custody of
the public records of the City and all records, papers, and documents belonging to
the Town of Barre at the time the City of Barre was organized. Such records shall
not be taken out of or away from the City Clerk’s office except upon the order of
process of a court of competent jurisdiction; but said City Council may, by ordinance
or bylaw, regulate the removal from said office of all papers and documents belonging
to the City and in the custody of the Clerk as aforesaid. The Clerk shall, on being
tendered therefor the fees allowed town clerks under the law of this State for similar
services, make duly certified copies of said records, documents, and copies so certified
shall be legal evidence of the same validity and effect as those of town clerks, in
all courts and for all purposes. Compensation for the Clerk shall be fixed by the
City Council.
(b) All the books of records, papers, and documents belonging to the Town of Barre at
the time the City of Barre was organized shall continue to be kept and deposited in
the office of the City Clerk, copies of which, duly certified by him or her, shall
be legal evidence for all purposes for which they would have been evidenced if the
City has not been created, and they had been duly certified by the Clerk of the Town
of Barre.
§ 411. Official notices
Whenever any notice signed by the Mayor, City Council, or any City officer or officers,
or any advertisement, ordinance, resolution, or bylaw has been published in some newspaper
or newspapers or publicly posted under the provisions of the general law, this charter,
or the ordinances, thereby authorized, the City Clerk shall examine and ascertain
whether such notice, advertisement, or ordinance has been duly published or posted;
and if such be the fact, shall so certify upon the proper City record, and such record
or duly certified copy thereof shall be treated as prima facie evidence of the facts
so certified.
§ 412. Duties of Treasurer
Except as otherwise provided, the City Treasurer shall have the same duties, powers,
and liabilities prescribed by law for town treasurers. The Treasurer’s compensation
shall be fixed by the City Council.
§ 413. Repealed. 2025, No. M-1, § 3, eff. May 1, 2025.
(Repealed by 2025, No. M-1, § 3, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 414. Duties and responsibilities
The City Attorney shall be corporation counsel for the City. He or she may prosecute
and defend in behalf of the City all suits in which the City is interested. He or
she is authorized to file information and complaints in criminal causes involving
violation of an ordinance of the City, and shall prosecute the same. A copy of all
his or her written opinions shall be filed by him or her in the office of the City
Clerk.
§ 415. Repealed. 2019, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(a), eff. Nov. 1, 2020.
§ 416. Appointment
The City Council shall annually appoint from among the legally qualified voters of
the City a Collector of Taxes and fix his or her compensation; and for cause, incapacity,
negligence, or misconduct, they may remove such officer and fill any vacancy in such
office by the appointment of a successor Collector of Taxes from among the legally
qualified voters of the City arising from any cause. The successor Collector of Taxes
shall hold the office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office.
§ 417. Duties
The Collector of Taxes shall have the same powers and be under the same duties and
liabilities as are prescribed for collectors of taxes by the statutes of this State,
except where such statutes are in conflict with this charter and then the provisions
of this charter shall control.
§ 419. Duties
The City Engineer shall make all public surveys of the streets and public grounds
of the City and shall perform such other services as he or she may be required by
the City Manager.
§ 420. Duties
The Superintendent of the City Waterworks shall have the care and management of the
City Waterworks and shall, at all times, be subject in respect thereto to the orders
of the City Manager.
§ 421. Duties
The Superintendent of Streets, subject to the order of the City Manager, shall have
immediate care and supervision of the public streets, highways, and sewers of the
City. He or she shall be under the general direction and control of the City Manager.
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Subchapter 005: DEPARTMENTS AND BOARDS
§ 501. Creation and organization
For the purpose of coordinating and integrating the inspection services and allied
services of the City, and to provide proper and effective administration of building,
electrical, fire prevention, housing, and zoning laws of the City and State within
the City, the City Council shall, by ordinance, create a department to be designated
the Department of Buildings and Housing and prescribe its powers, duties, and functions.
Within the Department shall be:
(1) the Building Inspector, who shall be the administrative head of the Department subject,
at all times, to the control and direction of the City Manager;
(2) the Inspector of Electrical Wiring; and
(3) [Repealed.]
(4) any other inspector or officer of the City designated by the City Council. (Amended 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022.)
§ 502. Creation and organization
For the purpose of coordinating and integrating the management and control of all
City parks and cemeteries and all other lands as may from time to time be turned over
to the City for park or cemetery purposes, the City shall, by ordinance, create a
department to be designated the Department of Cemeteries and Parks, and prescribe
its powers, duties, and functions. (Amended 2011, No. M-8, § 2, eff. June 1, 2011.)
§§ 503, 504. Repealed. 2011, No. M-8, § 2, eff. June 1, 2011.
§ 505. Established
The City Council may establish a Police Department for the City subject to control
and supervision of the City Manager and may, by ordinance, determine of what officers
and members of the Department may consist; prescribe the time and modes of their appointment
and removal; define their powers, duties, and periods of service; fix their compensation;
and make such other regulations regarding their conduct and government as the City
Council may deem expedient. All police officers shall have authority to serve anywhere
within the State and return processes in criminal causes returnable within the State,
and for such duties shall be allowed the fees provided by law to sheriffs for similar
services, which fees shall belong to the City and be paid into the City Treasury,
whenever such police officers shall be under pay from the City. The police officers
shall have the power of constables in all matters arising under the criminal and police
laws of the State and the police regulations of the City. Such officers shall not
serve civil process. (Amended 2007, No. M-5, § 6, eff. April 13, 2007.)
§ 506. [Reserved.]
§ 507. Creation
The City of Barre is authorized and empowered to provide a suitable supply of water
for the City, and the inhabitants that may live along or near its line of pipes in
other municipalities, against fire and for sanitary, domestic, and general industrial
uses, beneficial to the public; to establish water rates and the compensation for
the use of water, and regulate the use of the same; to acquire by gift or purchase
and to take, as the convenience and necessity of the inhabitants require, the lands,
water, water privileges, rights, and property of any person, company, or corporation
within the limits of the City and any other municipality in the State, except such
waters as are in actual use by other municipalities and fire districts for fire, domestic,
sanitary, or other purposes at the time of the passage of this act, also excepting
the Brush Brook watershed in the Town of Williamstown; and to establish and maintain
reservoirs, aqueducts, water pipes, hydrants, or any other apparatus or buildings
necessary for such purposes upon, in, and through the lands of any person, company,
or corporation, on making compensation therefor, and to lay and establish its pipes,
mains, aqueducts in and on the public highways in the City and municipalities, and
also to purchase or take lands or other property that may be necessary and convenient
to protect said water supply against contamination. The general care and supervision
of the City water system, its extension and maintenance shall be vested in the City
Manager and shall be subject to the ordinances and resolutions of the City Council.
§ 508. Condemnation
The taking of lands for use pursuant to this article shall be in accordance with the
State statutes.
§ 509. Borrowing
The Water Department and Sewer Department may borrow such money from time to time,
as may be necessary to enable the Department to carry on the work of adequately supplying
the City with water and sewer facilities. Any amount borrowed shall be considered
to be in anticipation of revenues and shall be subject to the approval of the Council
without the need of authorization by the voters.
§ 510. Established
The City Council may establish and operate a Fire/Ambulance Department for the City,
subject to the control and supervision of the City Manager, and may, by ordinance,
determine of what offices and members this Department may consist; prescribe the time
and mode of their appointment and removal; define their powers, duties, and periods
of service; fix their compensation; and make such other regulations regarding their
conduct and government as they deem expedient. The City may procedure and hold such
land, buildings, furniture, engines, ambulances, and other apparatus as may be necessary
for the purpose of the Fire and Ambulance Department, and the City Council may, by
ordinance, make regulations regarding the use, control, and preservation thereof.
The City Council may contract with surrounding and nearby towns, villages, and fire
and/or ambulance districts for the use of part or parts of the facilities and equipment
of the Fire/Ambulance Department to assist such towns and villages in case of emergency;
provided, however, that no assistance shall be rendered to any town or village that
does not satisfy within 60 days any obligation to the City for any such past service
rendered. (Amended 2007, No. M-5, § 7, eff. April 3, 2007.)
§ 511. Repealed. 2017, No. M-10, § 2, eff. May 30, 2017.
§ 512. Formation; duties
The Board of Health shall consist of the Health Officer and three legal voters of
the City. The Health Officer shall be the Secretary and Executive Officer of the
Board and shall hold office for three years, and until a successor is appointed.
The Board of Health created as herein provided shall be for the City in lieu of the
local board of health provided for by the Vermont statutes and shall have all the
powers vested in local boards of health for the preservation of health and abatement
of nuisances and the removal of other causes injuriously affecting health and shall
have powers to adopt such rules and regulations as they deem wise for the regulation
of the work of the Board and concerning health in the City. Said Board shall be subject,
at all times, to the direction of the City Manager. All rules and regulations of
said Board, when the same are approved by the City Manager and duly published as herein
prescribed for ordinances, shall have the force and effect of ordinances of the City.
Any person who shall refuse to obey a lawful order of such Board or the Health Officer
shall be punished not more than $500.00. Said Board shall make in duplicate a record
of all its doings and reports and a copy of such shall be placed on file with the
City Clerk.
§§ 513-514. [Repealed.]
§ 515. Formation
The City Council and the justices of the peace elected, qualified, and residing in
the City shall constitute the Board of Civil Authority. The Board of Civil Authority
and the Assessor, the latter of whom shall have no vote, shall be the Board for the
Abatement of Taxes of the City. The City Clerk shall be the Clerk of said Boards. (Amended 1999, No. M-5, § 7, eff. May 5, 1999.)
§ 516. Repealed. 2025, No. M-1, § 3, eff. May 1, 2025.
(Amended 2005, No. M-7, § 7; 2009, No. M-20 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2015, No. M-20 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 17, 2016; repealed by 2025, No. M-1, § 3, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 517. Repealed. 2025, No. M-1, § 3, eff. May 1, 2025.
(Repealed by 2025, No. M-1, § 3, eff. May 1, 2025.)
§ 518. Creation
There shall be a Department of Assessment, which shall consist of a Chief Assessor
and such assistants as are deemed to be necessary by the City Manager with the approval
of the Council. The Chief Assessor and assistant shall be appointed and may be removed
by the City Manager subject to approval of the Council.
§ 519. Powers and duties
The Department of Assessment shall have the same powers, discharge the same duties,
proceed in the discharge thereof in the same manner, and be subject to the same liabilities
as are prescribed for listers or the board of listers under the laws of this State,
except as herein otherwise provided.
§ 520. Reappraisal
At least every five years, the Department shall review, or cause to be reviewed, its
appraisals of all real property in the City that is subject to taxation and conduct
a reappraisal of all such properties when necessary to conform its appraisals to the
standards for appraising established by the laws of this State.
§ 521. [Reserved.]
§§ 522-525. Repealed. 2011, No. M-8, § 2, eff. June 1, 2011.
§§ 526-528. Repealed. 2019, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b), eff. Nov. 1, 2020.
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Subchapter 006: TAXATION
§ 601. Payment of taxes
(a) Taxes on real and personal property shall be paid in four equal payments, with one-fourth
of the annual tax bill for each taxpayer due and payable on August 15, November 15,
February 15, and May 15 of each year to the City Treasurer unless otherwise changed
by the City Council.
(b) At the close of the fiscal year, any unexpended funds remaining from the City budget
may be retained, if approved by vote of the City Council, as an undesignated fund
balance for future use. Any funds retained pursuant to this provision shall be limited
to an amount not greater than five percent of the City budget. Any amount remaining
in excess of five percent in the City budget must be used in the subsequent budget
to cut the tax rate. (Amended 2013, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 13, 2013.)
§ 602. Penalty and interest
(a) Any installment not paid by the due dates established in section 601 of this charter
shall be delinquent and there shall immediately be added to the amount due a penalty
charge for late payment equivalent to three percent of the delinquent installment.
After the expiration of 30 days from the due date of each installment, an additional
penalty charge of five percent shall be added to the amount due.
(b) Interest. An additional interest charge in the amount of one percent of the unpaid
tax per month or fraction thereof shall be added to any tax not paid on or before
the dates specified in section 601 of this charter.
(c) All charges, fees, interest, and other added amounts shall be cumulative and shall
accrue at the times and in the manner specified in this charter. (Amended 2009, No. M-20, § 4.)
§ 603. Treasurer’s warrant
Upon the failure to pay any installment in full when due, the City Treasurer shall
issue a warrant against the delinquent taxpayer for the amount of the tax remaining
unpaid. The warrant shall be delivered to the Collector of Taxes together with a bill
of the delinquent tax. The Collector shall proceed to collect the taxes due together
with the penalties described in section 602 of this charter. The warrant shall remain
in full force until all the taxes thereon have been fully paid or otherwise discharged.
§ 604. Notice of tax due
The City Treasurer shall, upon delivery to him or her of the tax rate, publish at
least three times in a newspaper with the general circulation in the City a notice
calling upon the taxpayer to pay his or her respective taxes on the dates provided
in section 601 of this charter, and to mail to each taxpayer at his or her last known
address a tax bill stating the amount of the grant list, the amount of taxes due,
and when those taxes are payable.
§ 605. Local sales, rooms, meals, and alcoholic beverages option taxes
Local option taxes are authorized under this section for the purpose of affording
the City an alternative method of raising municipal revenues. Accordingly:
(1) The City Council may assess sales, rooms, meals, and alcohol taxes of one percent.
(2) Any tax imposed under the authority of this section shall be collected and administered
by the Department of Taxes, in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 138.
(3) Revenues received through a tax imposed under this section shall be designated solely
for street and sidewalk reconstruction, capital equipment, and capital improvement
needs under section 406a of this charter. (Added 2017, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 21, 2018; 2021, No. M-15 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022.)