§ 15. Appointed nonadministrative officials
(a) General provisions applying to appointed positions.
(1) The appointed positions in subdivisions (b)(1), (2), and (5) of this section shall
all be appointed by a majority vote of the Selectboard.
(2) Terms of appointment shall begin immediately upon Selectboard action and run for a
period as specified herein.
(3) All appointees shall be administered the oath of office in the form as provided by
statute.
(4) Appointees may be afforded compensation or reimbursement for expenses as determined
by the Selectboard.
(5) To the highest degree possible, the Selectboard shall strive for a balance of opinion
on all appointive positions, boards, and commissions.
(6) All appointive boards and commissions, although operating independently, shall be
required to cooperate with the Selectboard in the exercise of their duties in the
pursuit of the public good. They shall be required to file an annual report for inclusion
in the Town report and also to file any other reports requested by the Selectboard,
and be in attendance at any meeting requested by the Selectboard.
(7) Elected officials shall serve in appointed positions, boards, and commissions if the
specific membership of the board or commission calls for their service, subject to
the limits outlined herein.
(8) Members of the administrative service may serve in appointive positions as limited
by charter, but may not vote on any issue directly affecting their position or conditions
of employment.
(9) The Selectboard may create any appointive officers or positions not provided for by
this charter or required by law as it deems to be in the best interests of the Town.
(b) Appointed positions.
(1) The following positions are created by this charter, their functions to be governed
by the applicable State statute, as limited by charter or ordinance:
(A) Tree Warden.
(B) [Repealed.]
(C) Collector of Delinquent Taxes.
(D) [Repealed.]
(E) Town Health Officer. The Town Health Officer is appointed by the Commissioner of Health
upon the recommendation of the Selectboard.
(F) Town Constable.
(2) Appointed boards and commissions established by charter.
(A) Planning Commission.
(i) The Selectboard shall appoint the members of the Planning Commission in accordance
with State statute. There shall be seven members, a majority of which shall be residents,
appointed for staggered four-year terms.
(ii) The duties and responsibilities of the Planning Commission shall be in accordance
with State statute as limited herein.
(B) Development Review Board.
(i) The Selectboard shall appoint the members of the Development Review Board in accordance
with State statute. There shall be seven members who shall serve staggered three-year
terms.
(ii) Duties and responsibilities of the Development Review Board shall be in accordance
with State statute as limited herein.
(C) Conservation Commission.
(i) The Conservation Commission consists of seven members, appointed by the Selectboard
for staggered four-year terms.
(ii) The Commission advises the Planning Commission and Selectboard on matters relating
to the Town’s natural resources, including site plans. It promotes open space and
conservation through studies, negotiations, and advice on the use of the Town Environmental
Reserve Fund.
(3) The Board of Civil Authority.
(A) The Selectboard, justices of the peace, and Town Clerk shall constitute the Board
of Civil Authority. The Board is responsible under general State law for checklist
maintenance and other election functions and appeals of property assessments.
(B) The Board of Civil Authority shall be governed by general law in the exercise of its
authority.
(4) The Board for the Abatement of Taxes.
(A) The Board for the Abatement of Taxes shall consist of the Board of Civil Authority
and Town Treasurer, plus the listers unless the Town votes to eliminate the office
of lister. The Board is responsible for making decisions on tax abatement pursuant
to 24 V.S.A. § 1535.
(B) The Board for the Abatement of Taxes shall be governed by general law in the exercise
of its authority.
(C) The quorum for the Board of Abatement of Taxes shall consist of a majority of the
Board of Civil Authority, Town Treasurer, and Town Listers unless the Town votes to
eliminate the office of lister.
(5) Cemetery Commission.
(A) The Cemetery Commission shall consist of up to five cemetery commissioners appointed
by the Selectboard for staggered terms of five years.
(B) The Cemetery Commission shall advise the Selectboard regarding the condition, operation,
and maintenance of cemeteries.
(C) The Town Clerk shall, under the direction of the cemetery commissioners, ensure that
cemetery lots are properly laid out, and that sale of lots is properly conducted.
(D) The Cemetery Commissioners shall issue and update regulations regarding cemetery use,
interment, and burial fees.
(6) Old Brick Church Board of Trustees.
(A) The Old Brick Church Board of Trustees shall consist of up to five members appointed
by the Selectboard for staggered terms of five years.
(B) The Board shall be responsible for overseeing the use and maintenance of the Old Brick
Church building.
(7) Boards, commissions, committees created by Selectboard action.
(A) The Selectboard may, at any time, in response to a perceived need, create, by ordinance
or resolution, a board, commission, or committee.
(B) In doing so, the action must clearly state the reason for the creation of the body. (Added 2003, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 3, 2004; amended 2007, No. M-8, § 6, eff. April 17, 2007; 2019, No. M-5, § 2, eff. May 23, 2019.)