§ 1. 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 St. Albans, all provisions of the
statutes of this State relating to municipalities shall apply to the City of St. Albans.
Prior acts or enactments of the City of St. Albans shall not be affected by this charter,
except as otherwise provided herein. Except when changed, enlarged, or modified by
the provisions of this charter, all provisions of the statutes of this State relating
to schools or school districts shall apply to the City of St. Albans School District. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 2. Boundaries
The boundaries of the City of St. Albans shall continue as heretofore established
by said act as amended by 1915 Acts and Resolves No. 280, which boundaries are therein
described as follows:
(1) Beginning at the southeasterly corner of Aldis Hill playground, thence northerly,
westerly, southerly, and again westerly in the bounds of said playground to the northwesterly
corner thereof.
(2) Thence northerly, in a line parallel to High Street, to a point on the southerly boundary
of property owned or formerly owned by Adhemard and Amanda Bertrand. Thence easterly
in the southerly line of the aforesaid Bertrand property to a point 710 feet from
the easterly line of High Street.
(3) Thence northerly a distance of 750 feet in a line parallel with said High Street to
a point.
(4) Thence westerly a distance of 140 feet in a line parallel to the southerly boundary
of the aforesaid Bertrand property to a point.
(5) Thence continuing westerly a distance of 140 feet in a line parallel to the southerly
boundary of the aforesaid Bertrand property to a point.
(6) Thence westerly in a line parallel to the southerly boundary line of the aforesaid
Bertrand property a distance of 520 feet to a point in the easterly line of High Street.
(7) Thence, at right angles to Main Street, westerly 279 and one-twelfth feet to a stake
in the center of the track of the Missisquoi Valley Railroad Company.
(8) Thence southerly, along the center line of said track, 535 and one-sixteenth feet
to a stake in line with the south line of the meadow lately owned or formerly owned
by Mrs. Betsy D. Hoyt, deceased.
(9) Thence westerly, in the aforesaid Hoyt south line and its continuation, to such a
point as would be intersected by producing northerly the westerly line of the land
owned or formerly owned by Louis DeGoesbriand, which land is commonly called Calvary
cemetery.
(10) Thence southerly, in the west line of said Calvary cemetery lot and its continuations
to the north end and to the south 2,173 feet, and seven inches.
(11) Thence westerly, 748 feet, to a stake.
(12) Thence southerly, 406 feet to a stake in the center of the main line of the Central
Vermont Railway Company.
(13) Thence westerly along the main line of the Central Vermont Railway Company, a distance
of 229 feet to a stake.
(14) Thence southerly in a straight line to a stake in the south line of Lake Street, being
at the northeast corner of land owned or formerly owned by Mrs. Mary L. Stickney.
(15) Thence southerly, in said Stickney’s east line and the continuation thereof, to a
stake set at the point in said line last mentioned that would be intersected by continuing
westerly the north line of land owned or formerly owned by Mrs. Mary McGrath.
(16) Thence easterly in the said McGrath’s north line and its continuation westerly 1,969
and five-twelfths feet to a stake.
(17) Thence southerly at right angles to the last course 896 and one-third feet to a stake
in the line between land lately owned by Michael McMahon, deceased, and land owned
or formerly owned by B. F. Rugg.
(18) Thence easterly in the north line of said Rugg’s land and the continuation thereof,
1,128 and one-sixth feet to a stake in the easterly line of the Central Vermont Railroad
Company’s right of way, being also the northwest corner of land lately owned by Talmadge
B. Hall, deceased, and now owned or formerly owned by George C. Story.
(19) Thence southerly, in the westerly line of said Hall land and of land lately formerly
owned by Henry Tanner, deceased, being also the easterly line of the said railroad
right of way, 342 and one-twelfth feet to a stake at the southwest corner of said
Tanner land.
(20) Thence, easterly in the south line of the aforesaid Tanner land, to a stake at the
north corner of land owned or formerly owned by Mrs. Lydia Judd.
(21) Thence southerly, in the westerly line of said Judd’s land and its continuation southerly
to a stake at the point in said line that would be intersected by continuing westerly
the south line land owned or formerly owned by Mrs. Emily C. Edson.
(22) Thence easterly, in said Edson’s south line, and its continuation, to the west line
of South Main Street.
(23) Thence southerly, in the said west line of South Main Street, to a stake in the line
between land owned or formerly owned by B. F. Rugg and land owned or formerly owned
by Mrs. Sarah C. Foster.
(24) Thence westerly, in said last mentioned line, 200 feet to a stake.
(25) Thence southerly in a line parallel to, and 200 feet west from the west line of South
Main Street 879 and three-eighths feet to a stake on land owned or formerly owned
by Mrs. Emerette Dean.
(26) Thence easterly at right angles to the preceding course, 103 feet to a stake, thence
southerly at right angles to the preceding, 70 and two-thirds feet to a stake, thence
westerly at right angles to the preceding, 103 feet to a stake in the line as aforesaid
parallel to Main Street.
(27) Thence southerly, in the continuation of the line parallel to South Main Street and
200 feet west of the west line thereof, 814 and eleven-twelfths feet to a stake on
land owned or formerly owned by Mrs. Florette B. Maynard, being in line with the south
line of Parsons Avenue, if produced westerly.
(28) Thence easterly, in said south line of Parsons Avenue and its continuation to the
west, 492 and seven-eighths feet to a stake north of Nelson F. Hazard’s house, now
or formerly, being 200 feet east of the east line of South Main Street.
(29) Thence northerly, in a course parallel to the east line of South Main Street and 200
feet east of said east line, to a stake in the south line of the lot owned and occupied
or formerly owned by Chas. H. Clark.
(30) Thence easterly, in said Clark’s south line, to the southeast corner of the lot aforesaid.
(31) Thence northerly, in the east line of the aforesaid Clark’s lot and in the continuation
thereof, to a stake in the south line of land now or formerly occupied by M. D. Downey.
(32) Thence easterly, in the south line of said land occupied by M. D. Downey, to the southeast
corner thereof.
(33) Thence northerly, in the east line of land occupied by said Downey and in the east
line of land now or formerly occupied by Dan’l Beeman, to a stake in the south line
of land now or formerly occupied by S. S. Allen.
(34) Thence easterly, in the said south line of land now or formerly occupied by S. S.
Allen, to the southeast corner thereof.
(35) Thence northerly, in the east line of the land occupied as aforesaid by S. S. Allen
and in the continuation of the last mentioned line, to a stake in the south line of
lands of the St. Albans Cemetery Association.
(36) Thence easterly in said last mentioned line, to a stake in the southeast corner of
the aforesaid Cemetery Association land.
(37) Thence northerly, in the easterly line of the aforesaid Cemetery Association land
and of H. H. Farnsworth’s land in the westerly line of B. F. Rugg’s land, to a stake
200 feet south from the south line of easterly continuation of Upper Welden Street.
(38) Thence easterly, parallel to and 200 feet from the south line of the continuation
of Upper Welden Street as aforesaid, to a stake in the west line of Thorpe Avenue,
as now fenced.
(39) Thence northerly in said west line of Thorpe Avenue and its continuation to a stake
in the north line land now or formerly of B. F. Rugg.
(40) Thence easterly in said B. F. Rugg’s north line 463 and three-fourths feet to a stake.
(41) Thence northerly 926 feet to a stake in the north line of Fairfield Street.
(42) Thence northerly to an iron stake at the southeast corner of land now or formerly
occupied by Dr. W. Standford Stevens.
(43) Thence northerly in the east line of land occupied by said Stevens, to an iron stake
at the northeast corner thereof, and again continuing the last mentioned line until
it intersects the south line of land formerly owned by John Gregory Smith, deceased.
(44) Thence northerly to a point in the north line of Congress Street, being 495 feet easterly
along the said north line of Congress Street from the southeast corner of land leased
by John Gregory Smith to Edward Curtis Smith February 18, 1889.
(45) Thence northerly to the place of beginning. It is to be understood throughout this
description that the word “line” shall mean “a straight line”, and the word “continuation”
shall mean “continuation in a straight line”.
(46) Commencing at a point in the City boundary of the City of St. Albans along the 38th
line described in the description of boundaries included in the charter of the City
of St. Albans, Vermont, said point being more explicitly described as lying in the
center of Grice Brook and is the southern extremity of the westerly boundary of Burnell
Terrace as deeded to the City of St. Albans and approximately 1,145 feet south of
the southerly line of Upper Welden Street, thence running northerly along the city
boundary to a point 200 feet south of the south line of Upper Welden Street, thence
easterly, parallel to and 200 feet from the said south line of Upper Welden Street
to the west line of Thorpe Avenue; thence northerly in said west line of Thorpe Avenue
and its extension to a point marked by an iron pipe at the northwesterly corner of
property of Robert Hill; thence in an easterly direction a distance of 463 and 75
one-hundredths feet to a point marked by an iron pipe; thence northerly a distance
of 926 feet to a point in the northerly boundary of Fairfield Street; the lines thus
far described being along the present boundary of said City of St. Albans; thence
running easterly along the northerly boundary of Fairfield Street, a distance of 60
and seven-tenths feet to a point in the extension of the easterly boundary of land
now or formerly of Leo Pudvah; thence in a southerly direction across Fairfield Street
and along the easterly boundary of Leo Pudvah’s property to a point marked by an iron
pipe at the northwest corner of property now or formerly of John Labounty; thence
in an easterly direction along the northerly boundary of the John Labounty property
thence in a southerly direction along the easterly boundary of John Labounty’s property
and extension thereto to a point in the southerly boundary of Upper Welden Street;
thence in the southerly boundary of Upper Welden Street to a point that is the northwesterly
corner of land now or formerly owned by Kemper F. Peabody and Ethel M. Peabody; thence
in a southerly direction along the westerly boundary of land of said Peabody, a distance
of 435 and six-tenths feet to land now or formerly of Beverlee R. and Maritta T. Demeritt;
thence easterly a distance of 285 and six-tenths feet to a point which is the northeasterly
corner of land of said Demeritt; thence in a southerly direction along boundary of
said Peabody to the southeast corner of property now or formerly of Malcolm and Mildred
Baker; thence westerly along the southerly boundary of land of said Baker to a point
in the easterly line of Thorpe Avenue; thence continuing in a westerly direction along
Grice Brook to the point of beginning.
(47) Beginning at a point in the south line of Fairfield Street which marks the intersection
of the present easterly boundary of the City of St. Albans and the southerly line
of said Fairfield Street, thence extending along the southerly line of Fairfield Street
and the southerly and westerly line of the so-called Fairfax Road to a point in the
westerly line of Fairfax Road that marks the intersection of the southerly line of
the extension of Upper Welden Street so-called and the westerly line of the Fairfax
Road; thence continuing westerly long the southerly line of the extension of said
Upper Welden Street to a point that marks the intersection of the southerly line of
the extension of Upper Welden Street and the easterly boundary line of the City of
St. Albans; thence turning and running in a northerly direction along the easterly
boundary of said City of St. Albans to a point at the north-westerly corner of the
premises of one Howard King that marks the intersection of the easterly boundary of
the City of St. Albans and a southerly boundary of the present Town of St. Albans;
thence westerly along a northerly boundary line of the City of St. Albans to an easterly
boundary line of the City of St. Albans; thence northerly along the easterly boundary
of the City of St. Albans to a point in the southerly line of Fairfield Street marking
the point of beginning. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 3. General corporate powers
The inhabitants of that territory embraced within the boundaries as established by
1915 Acts and Resolves No. 280 shall continue as a body corporate and politic, under
the name of the City of St. Albans; and by that name may sue and be sued, prosecute
and defend in any court; may have a common seal, and alter it at pleasure; may take,
hold, purchase, and convey such property, real and personal, within or without its
corporate limits as the purpose of the corporation may require; may borrow on the
credit of the City, in the mode and under the restrictions hereinafter provided; may
elect representatives to the General Assembly of the State, and the same number of
justices of the peace, as a town of equal population; and generally shall have, exercise,
and enjoy all such rights, immunities, powers, and privileges as are conferred upon
or are incident to towns in this State; and shall be subject to like duties, liabilities,
and obligations, except as otherwise provided in this charter. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 4. Form of government
The municipal government provided by this charter shall be known as a council-manager
form of government. Pursuant to its provisions and subject only to the limitations
imposed by the State Constitution and by this charter, all powers of the City shall
be vested in an elective council, hereinafter referred to as the City Council, which
shall enact ordinances, codes, and regulations, adopt budgets, determine policies,
and appoint the City Manager, who shall execute the laws and administer the government
of the City. All powers of the City shall be exercised in the manner prescribed by
this charter or prescribed by ordinance. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 5. Wards
The City Council is empowered to make such changes from time to time, by resolution
or ordinance, in the number and boundaries of the several wards of the City as it
may deem proper, having regard so far as practicable and convenient, to an equal division
of population among them; provided that after the first change so made, such changes
shall not be made more than once in five years. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 6. City meetings
(a) Annually on the first Tuesday of March, a meeting of the legal voters of the City,
and of the several wards therein, shall be held for the election of officials, the
voting of budgets, and any other business included in the warnings for the meeting,
which shall be by Australian ballot, and a plurality of votes shall be sufficient
to elect. The ballot boxes shall be open for a minimum of nine consecutive hours
at times and a location to be determined and warned by the City Council.
(b) Notice of such meetings shall be posted in at least three public places within the
limits of the City at least 14 days prior to the meeting, and shall also be published
prior to the meeting on the same day of two successive calendar weeks in a locally
distributed newspaper, which notices shall be signed by the City Clerk, or in case
of his or her failure, by the Mayor; provided, however, that if the annual meeting
shall fail to be held for want of such notice, or for any other cause, the City and
the several wards thereof shall not thereby be prejudiced, and the several officials
hereinafter named may at any time thereafter be elected at a special meeting called
for that purpose as herein provided.
(c) The Clerk of the City shall at any time when directed by the City Council, or when
petitioned in writing by at least five percent of the registered voters of the City
and filed with the City Clerk no less than 40 days before the day of such meeting,
call a special meeting of the legal voters of the City, for any legal purpose, in
the same manner as is provided for the annual meeting, except as is hereinafter provided:
(1) Whenever a petition is brought for a meeting to rescind or reconsider the action taken
at a previously held City meeting, the number of names required shall be 10 percent
of the legal voters, and the petition shall be filed with the City Clerk within 30
days following the date of that meeting.
(2) Whenever one such meeting has been held to rescind or reconsider, the City Clerk or
the Mayor shall not be required to call another meeting for the same purpose, and
further petitions notwithstanding; in case of the failure of the Clerk to call the
meeting as aforesaid, that duty shall be performed by the Mayor. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 7. Vacancies
(a) If a member of the City Council, during his or her term, removes from the ward that
he or she represents, his or her office shall become vacant upon removal from the
ward.
(b) In case of a vacancy in the office of Mayor, the remaining members of the City Council
shall direct the Clerk to call an election of a Mayor by Australian ballot.
(c) In case of a vacancy in the office of a City Council member, the remaining members
of the City Council shall direct the Clerk to call an election of a City Council member
by Australian ballot by the legal voters of the ward in which such vacancy occurs,
to fill such vacancy for an unexpired term. However, if a vacancy occurs in the Office
of a City Council member during the last year of the Council member’s term and after
the annual meeting of the City in that year, an appointment shall be made by the City
Council for the balance of the term remaining.
(d) In case of a vacancy in the Office of the City Clerk or City Treasurer, the vacancy
shall be handled in accordance with subsections 12(b) and 13(b) of this charter.
(e) School board vacancies shall be handled in accordance with 16 V.S.A. § 424. (Amended 2003, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 11, 2004; 2007, No. M-2, § 2; 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 8. Voting
(a) Voting qualifications for the right to vote in any City election or meeting shall
be the same as those required by State statutes for municipal meetings.
(b) The penalties for illegal voting at any City election shall be the same as those prescribed
for illegal voting by State statutes.
(c) Checklists of voters for the City and for each of the City’s wards shall be compiled
and maintained pursuant to Title 17 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. All persons
who are legal voters in City meetings shall be entitled to have their names added
to the checklist for the district where they reside, at the time the checklist is
compiled and no person shall vote for any City official or other item on the warning
unless the person’s name is on the checklist.
(d) For any general or primary election, the City Council, or the City Clerk as its designee
if so chosen by the City Council, may appoint as many additional ballot and assisting
clerks as deemed necessary.
(e) At the close of the balloting at any City election, the City Clerk and assisting clerks
and the City Council shall count the votes cast for all officials and report a list
of the candidates for whom votes have been cast, for each office, and the number of
votes the candidate has received, which shall be recorded by the City Clerk, and the
candidate who has received a plurality of the votes cast for each respective office
shall by the Mayor be declared elected to that office. If no candidate shall have
received a plurality of all votes for the office for which he or she is candidate,
the Mayor shall order a new ballot in the ward or wards as have so failed to elect
and a reasonable time shall be allowed for receiving and counting votes as shall be
cast at that or any subsequent ballot until all the officials are duly elected.
(f) No person, or family member of a person, whose name appears on the ballot as a candidate
for any office at an election shall assist in the counting of ballots in the election.
No person shall assist in the counting of ballots who is otherwise deemed by the City
Clerk to have a conflict of interest due to:
(1) any association with a candidate;
(2) financial interests, as provided for in section 15 of this charter. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 9. Mayor
(a) The legal voters of the City shall elect a Mayor who shall be a legal voter in the
City. The Mayor shall hold office for a term of two years.
(b) The Mayor shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the City. The Mayor shall use his
or her best efforts to see that the laws and City ordinances are enforced and that
the duties of all subordinate officials are faithfully performed; and shall bring
before the City Council whatever he or she may deem worthy of its attention, for prudentially
and efficiently carrying on the affairs of the City. In the Mayor’s absence, the
President of the City Council shall act as Mayor in his or her stead.
(c) The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the City Council, with the power of moderator
in City meetings and at all meetings of the City Council, and shall have a voice and
vote in its proceedings. (Amended 2003, No. M-1 § 2; 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 10. The City Council
(a) There shall be elected six members of the City Council, one from each ward, who shall
be a legal voter in, and elected by the voters of the ward he or she represents.
At each annual meeting, two members of City Council shall be elected for three years
to succeed those whose term shall expire in the year in which the election is held.
All of the members of the City Council shall hold office until their successors are
duly elected.
(b) The Mayor and members of City Council sitting in their joint capacity shall be called
the City Council.
(c) The administration of all fiscal, prudential, and municipal affairs of the City, except
as otherwise delegated herein, and the government thereof, shall be vested in the
City Council. The City Council shall be composed of a Council member for each ward
as aforesaid and the Mayor. The City Council shall elect one of their number President
of the City Council. The City Council shall be sworn to the faithful performance
of their duties respectively.
(d) The City Council shall have all the powers of selectboard members. The City Council
shall hold a meeting on the second Monday of each month, and more often at the call
of the Mayor or at the call of the majority of the City Council; the presence of a
majority of the City Council shall be necessary to transact business at any meeting,
but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of
absent members in a manner as may be prescribed by ordinance.
(e) The City Council shall establish rates to be paid for the use of water and wastewater
services supplied by the City Water and Wastewater Departments, which shall be called
service rates, and shall be collected by the City Treasurer; the city water and wastewater
services may, at the option of the City Council, be furnished outside the limits of
the City of St. Albans. (Amended 2003, No. M-1 § 3; 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 11. City Manager
(a) The City Manager shall be chosen and appointed by majority vote of the City Council
for an indefinite term, and his or her salary fixed, solely on the basis of his or
her technical education as a City Manager and executive and administrative qualifications.
The City Council’s choice shall not be limited to the inhabitants of the City or State.
(b) The City Manager may be removed from office by a majority vote of the City Council.
At least 30 days before such removal shall become effective, the Council shall by
a majority vote of its members adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reasons
for his or her removal, and cause a copy of the resolution to be given to the Manager.
The Manager may reply in writing and may request a public hearing, which shall be
held not earlier than 20 days nor later than 30 days after the filing of such request.
After the public hearing, if one is requested, and after full consideration, the Council
by majority vote of its members may adopt a final resolution of removal. During the
absence or disability of the City Manager, the City Council shall designate some properly
qualified person to perform the duties of the Office.
(c) Neither the City Council nor any of its committees shall dictate the appointment or
removal of any staff member by the City Manager, or in any manner interfere with the
City Manager or prevent him or her from exercising his or her own judgment in the
appointment of administrative service staff with the exception of the appointment
of the Director of Public Works, the Fire Chief, and the Chief of Police as provided
in subsection (e) of this section. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Council
and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the City
Manager, and neither the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates
of the City Manager, either publicly or privately.
(d) The City Manager shall be the administrative head of the City government and shall
be responsible to the City Council for the administration of the affairs of the City
and carrying out the policies of the City Council. The powers and duties of the City
Manager shall be as follows:
(1) the City Manager shall see that all laws and ordinances are enforced;
(2) shall exercise administrative control over all departments herein created or that
may be created by administrative code except as otherwise provided in this charter;
(3) shall make all staff appointments and removals except as otherwise provided in this
charter;
(4) shall prepare the annual fiscal budget to be submitted to the City Council on or before
the date set each year by the City Council;
(5) shall attend meetings of the City Council, take part in the business discussion, and
make such recommendations for the determination of policy as the City Manager may
deem expedient, except when City Council is considering his or her removal;
(6) shall act as purchasing agent for all City departments, except schools;
(7) shall be the Collector of Taxes, or shall delegate collection efforts to his or her
designee;
(8) shall fix the salaries and wages of all employees under the City Manager’s jurisdiction
in accordance with this charter, fiscal budgets, and personnel policies;
(9) shall administer the personnel policies, job classifications, and pay plan;
(10) may delegate responsibility for administrative duties to staff members and subordinate
officials; and
(11) shall perform other duties as may be prescribed by this charter or required by the
City Council.
(e) Appointments by the City Manager of the following officials shall be subject to the
approval of the City Council: Director of Public Works, Fire Chief, and Chief of Police.
These appointed officials shall, unless removed by the City Manager, serve indefinitely
and until their successors are appointed and qualified. These officials and employees
appointed by the City Manager as herein provided shall be immediately responsible
to the City Manager for the administration of their departments, and their advice
in writing may be required by him or her on all matters affecting their departments.
They shall prepare departmental estimates that shall be open to public inspection,
and they shall make all other reports and recommendations concerning their departments
or offices at stated intervals or whenever requested by the City Manager. (Amended 2003, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 12. City Clerk
(a) The City Council shall appoint a City Clerk. The City Clerk shall perform for the
City the same duties devolving by law upon town clerks, except as far as the same
are rendered unnecessary by this charter, and shall collect the same fees therefor
to be paid into the City Treasury for the use of the City.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) The City Clerk and Treasurer may be one and the same person. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 20, 2010; 2021, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 9, 2022.)
§ 13. City Treasurer
(a) The City Council shall appoint a City Treasurer. The City Treasurer shall have the
same power and be subject to the same liabilities as are prescribed by law for town
treasurers.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) The City Clerk and Treasurer may be one and the same person. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. May 20, 2010; 2021, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 9, 2022.)
§ 14. Assessor
The Assessor shall be a professionally qualified real estate appraiser or appraisal
firm and shall have the same power and proceed in the discharge of the duties 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,
in assessing the property within the City and making the grand list thereof, and shall
return such list to the City Clerk within the time required for lists to be returned
to town clerks. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 15. Conflict of interest
No elective or appointive official or employee of the City shall be beneficially interested
directly or indirectly in any contract with the City, regardless of amount, or furnish
any material, or perform any labor, except in the discharge of his or her official
duties, unless such contract shall have been awarded upon bids advertised for by publication.
Such publication shall be in a locally distributed newspaper. No officer or employee
of the City shall take part in any decision concerning the business of the City in
which he or she has a direct or indirect financial interest, aside from his or her
salary as an official or employee, greater than any other citizen or taxpayer in the
City. This section shall not apply in the event of an emergency where immediate action
shall be deemed more important to the City than the receipt of formal bids. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 16, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 16. Ordinances; authority to enact
(a) The City Council may make, alter, amend, or repeal any resolutions, bylaws, regulations,
and ordinances that it may deem necessary and proper for carrying into execution the
foregoing powers or for the well-being of the City, and that shall not be repugnant
to the Constitution or the laws of the State; and to provide penalties for the breach
thereof. The City of St. Albans is hereby authorized and empowered to maintain actions
in the Judicial Bureau, the Vermont Environmental Court, the Franklin Superior Court,
or in any appropriate forum, as specified by ordinance, to restrain actual or threatened
violations of any ordinance of the City.
(b) The record of motions of the City Council shall include the names of the members voting
for and against any motion or resolution acted upon, unless such motion or resolution
is unanimously adopted or rejected or unless there is no conflict in the votes given. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 17. Ordinances; introduction; first and second readings; public hearings
(a) Every ordinance shall be introduced in writing. The enacting clause of all ordinances shall be “The Council of the City of St. Albans hereby ordains . . . ”. If the Council passes the proposed ordinance upon first reading, it shall cause a short and concise one-paragraph description of the effects of the proposed ordinance to be published in a locally distributed newspaper, at least once, together with a notice of the time and place where and when there shall be a public hearing to consider the same for final passage. Such publication shall include reference to a place within the City where copies of the entire text of the proposed ordinance may be examined. The first publication shall be at least one week prior to the date of the public hearing. In the event the City Council shall comprehensively revise any chapter or chapters of its Code of Ordinances it shall be sufficient if a concise summary of the principal provisions of such revision is published as aforesaid rather than the entire text thereof.
(b) At the time and place so advertised, or at any time and place to which the hearing
may from time to time be adjourned, the ordinance shall be read in full, except that
by vote of a majority of the Council, the ordinance may be read by title, and after
the reading, all persons interested shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
(c) After the hearing, the Council may finally pass the ordinance with or without amendment,
except that if the Council makes an amendment it shall follow the provisions for final
passage, publication, and public hearing as provided by subsections (a) and (b) of
this section. After the hearing, the Council may finally pass the amended ordinance
or again amend it subject to the same procedures as outlined herein. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 18. Ordinances; authority enumerated
The general grant of ordinance promulgating authority in section 16 of this charter,
and in addition to those powers enumerated in 24 V.S.A. § 2291, such authority shall include the authority to fix and impose licenses, fees, or
taxes within the limits of the City and collect the same for purposes of regulation
and revenue in respect to the following matters and things:
(1) To restrain and prohibit all types of gaming.
(2) To regulate, restrain, prohibit, suppress, license, and fix reasonable and necessary
fees or tax for the purpose of revenue, places of public resort or public amusement
whether indoor or outdoor, including theaters, lodging establishments, and bowling
alleys; places dispensing food and drink to the public, including transient merchants,
lodging establishments, restaurants, bars, or private clubs; public dances; and itinerant
vendors, peddlers, and transient merchants; and all monies received for such licenses
or taxes shall belong to the City and be paid into the City Treasury.
(3) To prevent riots, noises, disturbances, or disorderly assemblages.
(4) To establish and regulate a Fire Department.
(5) To regulate or restrain the running at large of dogs and other domestic animals, including
any such animals as may be kept by residents of the City of St. Albans, whether classified
as “domestic,” “exotic,” or otherwise.
(6) To compel the cleaning or repair of any premises; to abate and remove nuisances; to
regulate or prohibit the storage and accumulation on premises within the City of garbage,
ashes, rubbish, refuse, and waste materials that in the judgment of the City Council
are dangerous to the health or safety of the public; to tax or license for revenue
and regulate or prohibit the collection and removal of such materials from such premises
and the disposal of the same by private persons or agencies; to compel and regulate
the removal and disposal of such materials by owners, tenants, and occupants of such
premises; to require and provide for the collection, removal, and disposal of such
materials by the City at its expense by contract with some private individual or agency
or by some City official, officials, or department either existing or hereafter created
and established by the City Council for that purpose; to establish, in case the collection,
removal, and disposal of such materials is done at the expense of the City, service
rates to be paid to the City by the owners, tenants, or occupants of premises from
which said materials are collected and removed for services rendered by the City in
collecting, removing, and disposing of such materials, to compensate the City for
the cost and expense of those services. All service rates against owners or others
shall be collected and enforced under such regulations and ordinances as the City
Council shall prescribe. All such service rates shall constitute a lien and charge
upon the buildings, lots, and other property so supplied and may be collected in the
same manner as any tax assessed by the City.
(7) 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.
(8) To provide for the lighting of the streets and public buildings of the City.
(9) To manage and control the public places, parks, and commons in said City, and to regulate
the use of the same by the public, and to prevent and punish trespasses or willful
injuries to or upon any appurtenances, building, or structure placed therein by or
under the orders of the City, in such a manner as shall not be inconsistent with the
laws of the State.
(10) To regulate or prohibit the suspending or putting up of any sign, billboard, or awning
in or over any street, lane, alley, common, or other public place in the City; and,
whenever the public good may require, to order and direct that signs, billboards,
or awnings heretofore erected or suspended as aforesaid shall be taken down or removed.
(11) To provide a supply of water for the protection of the City against fire and for other
purposes, including the supplying of water outside the limits of the City, and to
regulate the use of same; and to establish and maintain reservoirs, aqueducts, water
pipes, hydrants, or any other apparatus necessary for such purposes, and also necessary
sewers and drains, within or without the limits of the City, upon, in, and through
the lands of individuals and corporations, on making compensation therefor; and in
taking such lands for such purposes, said City Council shall proceed in the same manner
as selectboard members of towns are authorized by law to proceed in the taking of
lands for highways; and the same right of appeal to the county court from the decision
of the City Council in taking such lands and in awarding land damages shall be allowed;
and such appeal shall be taken in the same manner as is provided by law from the decision
of selectboard members in such matters, except that such appeal, if taken from the
appraisal of damages only, shall not prevent the City from proceeding with its work
as though no appeal had been taken. All monies accruing on account of the City Water
and Wastewater Departments shall be paid into the City Treasury, and the City Treasurer
shall keep separate accounts thereof showing fully all receipts and payment. Such
monies shall be devoted solely to the expense of construction, reconstruction, improvements,
additions, repairs, and maintenance of said water system and to the payment of any
indebtedness created on account thereof.
(12) To make all regulations and ordinances for preventing the corruption and for the protection
of the water supply and for the protection from injury of any dam, reservoir, aqueduct,
pipe, hydrant, or source of supply of water connected with any water plant now owned
or hereafter acquired by the City.
(13) To provide for the establishment of rates to be paid for the use of water and wastewater
services supplied by the City Water and Sewer Departments, which shall be called service
rates. Such service rates may be charged either against the owner or occupants of
a house or other building supplied with water or wastewater services, or both, under
such rules or regulations as the City Council may prescribe, and in either case, such
service rates together with such reasonable collection fees as the City Council may
by ordinance prescribe, and all costs accrued or accruing thereon, shall be and remain
a lien in the nature of a tax upon such house or other building, and upon the lot
or lots of land upon which such house or other building is situated until fully paid
or otherwise discharged. For the enforcement of such lien, the City shall have the
right, without the enactment of any special ordinance in this regard, to resort to
any and all remedies that would be available under the laws of this State if it were
a lien for taxes. The City Council shall also have power to make and enforce ordinances
for the collection of said service rates either by requiring payment at the office
of the City Treasurer or the appointment of a collector or collectors to demand and
collect the same, and the attempt to collect such rates by any of the methods herein
mentioned shall not in any way invalidate the lien upon said land or premises. Nothing
herein contained shall affect service rates that have accrued or are in arrears at
the time this charter becomes effective; and the schedule of service rates that is
in effect at the time of the passage of this charter shall continue in full force
and effect until modified or superseded through express action of the City Council
subsequently taken.
(14) To establish rules and regulations governing the use of said water and wastewater
services, including the installing of a meter system, which said water from said City
Water Department may be furnished outside the limits of the City of St. Albans.
(15) To prescribe regulations concerning the use and travel upon or over streets of the
City in the course of construction, alteration, improvement, or repair, and to prohibit
the use thereof.
(16) In the furnishing of water and wastewater services outside the limits of the City
of St. Albans, said City shall have the right, without the enactment of any special
ordinance in that regard, to act by its Council or the Council’s designee in accordance
with the provisions of 19 V.S.A. § 1111 and 24 V.S.A. chapter 89.
(17) To adopt and enforce ordinances relating to the operation, parking, soliciting, delivery,
or fares in the taxi business within the City, whether or not such vehicles are engaged
in carrying passengers entirely within the City; to prescribe the duties and privileges
of such owners and drivers; to fix and regulate rates of fare, including maximum and
minimum rate or rates, for any such transportation of passengers within the City;
to license and regulate all such vehicles; to rescind any and all licenses granted
hereunder, and to prohibit the operation of such vehicles upon the streets of the
City when either the owners or the drivers thereof have not complied with all the
provisions of ordinances duly enacted hereunder; provided, however, that no license
shall be granted hereunder unless the applicant has first complied with all the requirements
of the laws of the State of Vermont relative to the registration and operation of
motor vehicles to enable the applicant to use the license for which he or she applies;
and to limit and restrict the use of its streets and highways by such motor vehicles
in such manner as will promote the safety and general welfare of the public.
(18) To condemn lands or buildings to which public ownership is deemed necessary for the
exercise of any of the powers of the City or of City Council, and to hold public hearings
thereon for just compensation to be paid to the owners of any right or interest therein.
(19) To promote and safeguard the public health, safety, comfort, or general welfare by
the adoption of ordinances and regulations relating to the following subjects.
(A) The design, construction, repair, alteration, removal, and demolition of buildings
and structures of all kinds.
(B) The design, installation, repair, alterations, removal, and maintenance of plumbing
systems, sanitary sewers, and drains.
(C) The installation, repair, alteration, use, and maintenance of electrical wiring, motors,
devices, equipment, and appliances, and appurtenances thereof.
(D) The handling, transportation, storage, and use or sale of explosives, radioactive
materials, or devices, and other hazardous chemicals, materials, substances, or devices,
and the use and occupancy of buildings, structures, land, and premises for such purposes.
(E) The installation, repair, and alteration of furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, and devices
used for heating, cooking, or in any industrial process from which damage by fire
may occur.
(F) The air-conditioning and ventilation of buildings and structures.
(G) The lighting of buildings and other structures and open areas;
(H) The minimum dimensions of rooms used for habitation, based on the number of occupants
thereof.
(I) The minimum requirements for sanitary facilities in buildings used for habitation
or for dispensing food or food products.
(J) The fixing and determination of fire limits within the City based on density of buildings,
and the prescription of standards for buildings and structures within each fire limit
area with reference to the type of occupancy within a building.
(K) The adoption of a Building Code, Electric Code, Plumbing Code, Fire Prevention Code,
and Housing Code. A book, pamphlet, or other publication may be made a part of any
ordinance, bylaw, or regulation by reference therein to such publication by its title,
clearly identifying it. When a book, pamphlet, or other publication is so incorporated
by reference, it need not be published in a locally distributed newspaper; but copies
shall at all times be available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk,
who shall keep a reasonable supply in his or her office for sale, at cost, to residents
of the City.
(L) Prescribing the powers and duties of building inspectors, inspectors of electric wiring,
plumbing inspectors, fire prevention inspectors, and housing inspectors, and appointing
such qualified inspectors as may be necessary.
(M) Providing penalties for noncompliance with orders of any inspector named in subdivision
(L) of this subdivision (19), made by virtue of any resolution, ordinance, bylaws,
or regulation adopted by the City Council hereunder. However, provision shall be
made to appeal such orders and decisions in the manner specified by 24 V.S.A. chapter
83.
(N) Expanding and enlarging, consistent with this section and the charter, the requirements,
powers, duties, and other provisions of 24 V.S.A. chapter 83.
(20) To acquire voting machines, so-called, and prescribe the use thereof in any or all
elections held within the City.
(21) The City Council may make and establish and the same alter, amend, or repeal such
other bylaws, rules, ordinances, and regulations, including emergency ordinances effective
for no more than 30 days, and therein may impose such licenses and taxes for the purpose
of regulation or revenue, in all cases in a manner that is consistent with enabling
authority granted by the provisions of this charter and the general statutes of this
State, as it may deem necessary for the well-being of the City and not repugnant to
the Constitution and laws of this State. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 19. Ordinances; City Council to establish penalty
The City Council may provide a penalty for the violation of any ordinance, regulation,
or bylaw not to exceed $500.00. Each day the violation continues shall constitute
a separate and distinct offense. If no penalty shall be fixed for the violation of
any ordinance, regulation, or bylaw, the court before which such action is heard shall
impose a fine not to exceed $500.00 for each offense. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 20. Ordinances; enforcement
(a) The violation of an ordinance, regulation, or bylaw adopted by the City, including
zoning and subdivision bylaws adopted pursuant to 24 V.S.A. chapter 117, as the same
may be amended from time to time, may be prosecuted as a civil action in the Vermont
Superior Court, Vermont Environmental Court, or other appropriate forum.
(b) All penalties collected for the violation of an ordinance, regulation, or bylaw shall
be paid over to the City except for any surcharge allowed by law to be retained by
the court.
(c) A Superior Court or Environmental Court judge shall have the jurisdiction to enjoin
the violation of an ordinance or rule, but the election of the City to proceed under
this subsection shall not prevent its proceeding under subsection (a) of this section. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 21. Ordinances; court authorized to order abatement
In any prosecution for a nuisance arising under this charter or under any lawful ordinance,
regulation, or bylaw resulting in a judgment or conviction, the court before which
the judgment or conviction shall be had shall order the nuisance or offense complained
of to be removed or abated and shall determine the expense of removing or abating
the same and tax such expense as part of the costs of prosecution. All such service
rates shall constitute a lien and charge upon the buildings, lots, and other property
so served and may be collected in the same manner as any tax assessed by the City. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 22. Ordinances; offenders may be liable in damages
A person violating any ordinance, regulation, or bylaw of the City shall be liable
in damages to the City or to the person who shall sustain damage as the direct result
of the violation; such damages may be recovered in an action declaring upon such ordinance,
regulation, or bylaw. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 23. Taxation
(a) The City Council shall assess such taxes upon the inhabitants of the City and the
ratable estate within the City, whether owned by residents or nonresidents, as may
be necessary for the payment of all State, county, and highway taxes as are or may
be required by law and for the payment of the debts and current expenses of the City.
In addition thereto, the City Council shall assess such taxes upon the inhabitants
of the City and the ratable estate within the City, whether owned by residents or
nonresidents, as the Board of School Commissioners shall notify the City Council are
required for the support of the School District.
(b) The legal voters at a meeting duly warned and held for that purpose may vote taxes
for any lawful purpose that the City Council shall assess; such vote to be by Australian
ballot and checklist. All of the taxes may be included in one rate bill, and whenever
any such tax shall be assessed by the City Council, it shall make out a rate bill
accordingly and deliver the same to the City Treasurer, to whom the taxes so assessed
shall be paid.
(c) Should a budget for City operations not be approved by the voters by July 1 of any
year, the City Council shall amend its budget and may permit spending for that fiscal
year in an amount that does not exceed the spending last approved by the legal voters.
(d) The City Council shall be authorized to levy a one percent tax on sales, meals and
alcoholic beverages, and rooms. Any tax imposed under the authority of this subsection
shall be collected and administered pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 138. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 24, eff. May 20, 2010; 2019 (Adj. Sess.), No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
§ 24. School District; transfer of fund to
The City Council shall annually transfer to the School District a sum from the General
Fund as may be realized from the tax required by the Board of School Commissioners,
all such monies as shall arise from the State school tax, from City tuitions, and
from the income of any property or money donated by any person to the City for the
use of schools. Such funds shall be disbursed by the City Treasurer only upon warrants
duly authorized by the Board of School Commissioners of the City. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 25, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 25. Sale of property
The City Council may authorize the sale or lease of any personal or real estate belonging
to the City, and all conveyance, grants, or leases of any such real estate shall be
signed by the Mayor and be sealed with the City Seal. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 26. Warrants
(a) No money, other than money belonging to the “School Fund,” shall be paid out of the
City Treasury except upon warrant approved by the City Council. All purchase approvals
and warrants shall be signed by two members of the City Council. The approval of the
warrant by the City Council shall be by vote and recorded in the minutes.
(b) A full record of expenditures shall be kept, and a clear statement of all receipts
and disbursements of City monies and of the affairs of the City generally shall be
annually published under the direction of the Mayor together with the reports of the
Board of School Commissioners, auditors, and other City officials at least 15 days
prior to the annual City meeting, and the report shall include estimates for the expenses
of the City for the year next ensuing; and the disbursements mentioned in the report
shall be properly subdivided under the various departments of the City government,
showing where and for what purpose such money was expended. (Added 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 26a. Repealed. 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 35, eff. May 20, 2010.
§ 27. Taxes; sidewalk, water, and wastewater assessment arrearages
The inhabitants, estates, and the owners of those estates within the City of St. Albans
shall be held to pay the arrears of taxes, sidewalk, water, and wastewater assessments,
and the inhabitants, estates, and the owners of those estates without the City of
St. Albans shall be held to pay the arrears of sewer assessments that have been heretofore
legally levied or assessed upon them or that may be hereafter so legally levied or
assessed upon them by the City of St. Albans. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 28. Construction and maintenance of roads and walks
(a) The City Council may lay out, alter, maintain, establish, and change the grade of
and discontinue any street, road, lane, alley walk, or sidewalk in the City and appraise
and settle damages therefor, causing its proceedings to be recorded in the City Clerk’s
office in the City, provided that any person aggrieved by its proceeding shall have
the like opportunity for applying to the County Court for the County of Franklin to
obtain redress as is or may be allowed by law to those aggrieved by the proceedings
of the City Council in similar cases.
(b) Whenever the City Council shall provide for the construction, reconstruction, or alteration
of any of the streets, roads, lanes, alleys, or other public highways in the City,
the City Council shall have the power and may upon notice to the owners of adjoining
lands assess the owners of such lands so much of the expense of construction, reconstruction,
or alteration of any of the streets, roads, lanes, alleys, or other public highways
in the City as the City Council shall adjudge such lands to be benefited thereby.
(c) Whenever the City Council shall provide for the construction, reconstruction, or alteration
of any curb or any sidewalk in the City, the City Council shall have the power and
may upon notice to the owners of adjoining lands assess the owners of such lands so
much of the expense of construction, reconstruction, or alteration of any curb or
sidewalk in the City, exclusive of street intersections, as the City Council shall
adjudge such lands to be benefited thereby.
(d) The City Council in laying out or establishing any water supply lines or sewers or
drains within or without the limits of the City shall have the power to assess the
owners of lands adjoining such water supply lines or sewers or drains so much of the
expense of laying such water supply lines or sewers or drains as the City Council
shall judge such lands to be benefited thereby.
(e) Whenever any assessment is levied against the owners of real property abutting upon
any public improvement as in this charter provided, the City Council shall give to
such land owners reasonable and lawful notice of such assessments and shall make a
report thereof setting forth its doings in that respect, which report shall be recorded
by the City Clerk in a book kept for that purpose, and when so recorded, the amount
so assessed shall be and remain a lien in the nature of a tax upon the lands so assessed
until the same shall be paid. From such assessment there shall be the same right
of appeal to the Franklin Superior Court as hereinbefore provided, and the final decision
of the Franklin Superior Court on such appeal shall, when the record thereof is duly
made as aforesaid, be a lien upon the land so assessed as above mentioned; but such
appeal shall not delay the making of such improvements. And if the owner of such
land shall neglect for the space of 30 days after the decision of the City Council
or of the said Franklin Superior Court in cases where an appeal is taken to pay to
the City Treasurer the amount of said assessment, the City Council shall issue a warrant
for the collection of the same, signed by the Mayor and directed to the City Collector
of Taxes, who shall have authority to sell at public auction so much of the lands
as will satisfy said assessments and all legal fees and who shall proceed in the same
manner as the collectors of town taxes are required by law to proceed in selling real
estate at auction for the collection of town taxes. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 29. Borrowing in anticipation of taxes
The City Council may borrow money at the most favorable rate of interest it can obtain
in anticipation of City revenues to be collected within the fiscal year. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 30, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 30. Bonding; School District; City
(a) The City of St. Albans or the St. Albans City School District at any annual or special
meeting when an article for that purpose shall have been inserted in the warning therefor
may authorize the issue of notes or bonds for the purpose of paying or refunding any
fixed or floating outstanding liabilities of the City or City School District and
may stipulate in such vote the amount of such bonds; the maximum rate of interest
such notes and bonds shall bear; the term in which they shall be payable, which shall
in no case exceed 25 years; the kind and denomination; and the place where the bonds
shall be payable.
(b) Such notes and bonds shall be signed by the Mayor for the City and the school commissioners
for the City School District and countersigned by the Treasurer of the City, and if
interest coupons are attached, they shall be signed by the Treasurer or bear his or
her facsimile signature; and the bonds or notes shall contain a statement that they
were issued for the purposes mentioned in conformity with this section, and such statement
shall be conclusive evidence of the same and of the liability of the City or City
School District to pay any such note or bond to any person who is a bona fide holder
thereof.
(c) The City Treasurer shall keep a record of every note or bond issued under the provisions
of this section, therein stating the number and denomination of each note or bond,
when and where payable, to whom issued, and the rate of interest thereon and also
shall keep a record of payments, interest, and principal.
(d) When old notes or bonds are taken up by exchange or by sale of the new notes or bonds,
the Treasurer shall keep a record of the same and such old notes or bonds shall be
canceled. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 31. St. Albans Academy
(a) 1892 Acts and Resolves No. 157, the act incorporating the St. Albans Academy and graded
school, also known as the St. Albans City School, and all acts amendatory thereof,
shall remain in full force with the following modifications: the boundaries of St.
Albans Academy and graded school, also known as the St. Albans City School, shall
thereafter be the same as the boundaries of the City of St. Albans.
(b) The Board of School Commissioners shall consist of seven school commissioners. At
the next annual meeting of the City, three school commissioners shall be elected for
terms of three years, two school commissioners for terms of two years, and two school
commissioners for terms of one year; provided, however, that incumbent school commissioners
shall continue to serve their remaining terms. Thereafter at each annual City meeting,
such number of school commissioners will be elected to terms of three years as are
necessary to succeed those whose terms shall expire in the year in which the election
is held; each of the school commissioners shall be a legal voter in and elected by
the voters of the City and shall hold office until the commissioner’s successor is
duly elected.
(c) The Board of School Commissioners, so constituted, shall have the same powers, discharge
the same duties, and be subject to the same liabilities as are prescribed for school
board members or school boards under the laws of this State. The Board shall have
the exclusive management and control of the public schools of the City and of all
the school property of the City. The Board shall annually in the month of March and
subsequent to annual election elect one of its members Chair of the Board of School
Commissioners, and such election shall be certified to the City Clerk who shall record
the same in the City records. The Board of School Commissioners shall employ a Superintendent
of the City Schools who shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board
or required by law.
(d) The Board of School Commissioners shall make an annual report of its doings and expenditures
to the City Council on or before the first day of April in each year, in which report
it shall make estimates of the necessary expenditures for the support of the School
District for the ensuing year. The commissioners shall include in their report the
amount of income derived from all sources for school purposes other than by taxation
and the amount of money to be raised by taxation for the support of the School District,
which report shall be published with the report of the City officials.
(e) The Board of School Commissioners shall annually notify the City Council on or before
the first day of April of the amount of money required for the support of the School
District to be raised by taxation, and the City Council shall include such tax in
its annual rate bill; but such tax shall not in any year exceed the maximum school
tax rate set forth in section 23 of this charter unless an additional school tax is
specially voted by the City. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 32, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 32. Library
(a) The City Council of the City of St. Albans shall annually assess upon the ratable
estate within the City, whether owned by residents or nonresidents, such tax as the
trustees of the St. Albans Free Library shall recommend to the Council for the support
of the library and furnishing books and periodicals for the same, but not to exceed
five cents on a dollar of the grand list of the City. The tax shall be in addition
to all taxes now levied and assessed and shall be included in the rate-bill and collected
in the same manner as all other taxes.
(b) The City Council shall annually appropriate for the support of the St. Albans Free
Library such sum from the General Funds as may be realized from the tax recommended
by the trustees of the St. Albans Free Library and from the income of any property
or money donated by any person to the City for the use of the St. Albans Free Library
and shall be paid over to the Treasurer of the St. Albans Free Library. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 33, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§ 33. General provisions
(a) This charter shall be a public act and may be altered, amended, or repealed by the
General Assembly whenever the public good may require.
(b) All bylaws and ordinances, rules, and regulations of the City of St. Albans in force
on the date when this charter takes effect shall continue in full force and effect
unless and until repealed, except such as are inconsistent with the provisions of
this charter. (Amended 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 34, eff. May 20, 2010.)
§§ 34-41. Repealed. 2009, No. M-23 (Adj. Sess.), § 35, eff. May 20, 2010.