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Good morning, friends, family, and
neighbors.

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Before we open the polls, I would like
to invite you to join in the pledge of

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allegiance. And Bob Lichfield has agreed
to lead us.

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Bob, good point.

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» To the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it

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stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice

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for all.
>> Thank you. The polls are now open. And

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be sure to give your first and last name
to the pole workers so they can make

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sure that you're marked in correctly.
Kim,

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» welcome everybody. Can you hear me?
Okay.

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» No.
>> Chris, could you help me move the mic?

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It
David had said it should be over here so

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it can be
>> Yeah.

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» Thank you.

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» this way.
>> Yes. Is that better?

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» Is that good?
>> Okay.

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Well, welcome everybody. I am Kim
Freriedman. I live in South Newane and I

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have the honor of being New Fain's town
moderator again.

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Thank you. Very kind. Um I first I'd
like to recognize people who have lived

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in one of the three towns, South New
Fain, Williamsville or New Fain and have

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not been to town meeting before. We'd
like to welcome you.

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Welcome. Welcome. We're We're happy
you're here.

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» Would you care to share your name and
where you live or would you prefer not

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to be put on the spot?

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» Ron
here

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from Seattle.

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» Did you say Ron Seagull?
>> Ron Seager.

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» Seager. Great. Welcome. And um is there
anyone here who is

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new to New Fain South New Fain or
Williamsville? And

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I grew up here, but I was doing it for
about 20 years. I'm Tessa Anderson. So,

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it's really good to be back.

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» Proud Leland and Gray graduate. Yes.

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I'd like to thank start off also by
thanking the select board. It takes a

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lot of work to get to today between the
budget, the town report, polling. So, uh

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if if the select board could first
introduce themselves and then if you

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could join me in a round moment of
recognition.

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Good morning. I'm Katie Johnson. My
animal resto

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» Christopher Cleverly Williamsville.

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» And could the town clerk please
introduce herself?

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» One of
the town treasurer,

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» Melissa Brown.

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Um, even though Wi-Fi or cell service
isn't very good in this neck of the

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woods, if you could please make sure
that your phone is silenced, that would

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be great. Thank you.
I know that there's a restroom right out

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these doors to the right before you
leave the building. Um, where are the

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restrooms downstairs?

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» There only two back here. Okay,
I know we'll make it work.

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Uh, the town report.
>> Where are the extra?

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» Okay, there the town the town report and
other information are available up

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front. Feel free at any time to come up
and get one. It I do find it easier to

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follow town meeting if you do have a
town report in your hand. So, if you

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don't have one, feel free to come up and
get one.

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Um, my sister and I love my sister
dearly. We agree on almost nothing

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politically.
And we decided in 2017 that we were

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going to start what we call the practice
of politics. Um, which is practicing

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listening to each other attentively,
being curious, and being respectful. and

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we've had many wonderful conversations
as a result of that. So I I'm mentioning

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that because I think of town meeting as
the a practice of politics as well.

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I'd like to call your attention to a few
Robert's rules of order that are on page

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four of your annual report. It's called
town meeting guide sheet.

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And thank you to Wanetta for including
this.

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I'm not going to go through every
bullet, but I did want to call your

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attention to a few things.
Um, and I'm not by by focusing on these,

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I'm not in inadvertently suggesting
anything. It's just places where

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sometimes as a body we can stumble.
If you want to end debate, it you must

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be you call the question and that
requires a second and it's one of the

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few decisions that requires a 23 vote.

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You c we can members can only speak
twice on any particular motion or

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amendment and you can only speak for a
second time after everyone who wanted to

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say something has had a chance to speak
first.

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Um I know it can feel um
kind of contrived but um all questions

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and comments do need to be directed to
the moderator. This is not my

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preference. This is Robert's rules of
order and it's a way of maintaining

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order during the conversation during
town in town meeting.

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Um motions need to be moved and
seconded. So if you say I I move that

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someone needs someone else needs to
second that and then I need to restate

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it prior to consideration and debate.
Now, this is one place that can get very

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confusing in town meetings. So, I want
to make it really as clear as I can.

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A motion can only be amended
twice in at one time. There can only be

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two pending amendments.
So for example, let's say one of you

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proposes
um in that

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let's say the motion is to and this is
an example I used at the select board

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meeting last night um
make it impossible to have a horse in

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any of our three towns. a horse and then
someone wants to amend that and add cats

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to it and then someone wants to amend
that and add gerbles to it and then

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someone wants to add parakeetses to it.
Well, we can go as far as cats and dogs,

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but we can't go to parakeetses. We have
to vote on the main motion

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and dogs and cats before we can talk
about parakeetses. So, if you're

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offering the third amendment on a
motion, I just will ask in advance for

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your patience. I'll get back to you, but
there has to be a vote on the amended

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motion first. Is that is is that as
clear as mud? Did Did that help at all?

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Okay, I'll walk you through it when we
get there, too.

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» If Winetta corrected me if we get there.
She's an optimist. Um, if you want, if a

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voice vote seems inconclusive,
anyone can call for what's called a

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division of the House, in which case
people stand in order to be counted.

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It stand as a yes or stand as a no, an I
or an A. If you if someone wants a paper

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ballot, there must be seven or more
voters who request one. So, it can't

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just be one person saying, "I want a
paper ballot."

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And if you have an objection about
anything, that objection needs to be

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stated before discussion begins. So, you
have to pop up right up from your chair.

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So, those are just some basic reminders
and I know that we will all move through

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the meeting smoothly.
That said, even though I am very

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familiar with Robert's rules of order
through my work on this school board and

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helping other boards use not Robert's
rules of order,

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I think you have all seen

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you've all seen the book. Um, even the
most seasoned town moderators will tell

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you that there's always something that
trips them up. So, if that's the case, I

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have my book. I have my notebook. There
are many good parliamentarians in the

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room. I know. And we'll we'll take it
one step at a time.

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Um, don't hesitate to ask questions if
you are having trouble following. If

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it's a question about the content of the
discussion, then you request a point of

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information.
If you think that there's something I've

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done, if I've overlooked a Robert's rule
of order, then you say point of order.

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So, point of information about content,
point of order about rules.

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Um, I'm going, if we're still going at
around noon, I'm going to propose at

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that time that we uh take a recess for
for 15 minutes. And I wanted to let you

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know that Representative Long will be
coming between 10 and 10:30. And at that

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time, I will also ask your permission to
pause so that Emily has a Representative

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Long has a chance to talk with us.
So

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we come as neighbors and friends and we
will leave as such.

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If there are no objections, uh um
Sheriff, would you like a chance to say

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a word knowing that you need to hit
several towns?

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Would you like to use the mic?
>> You use that one. Okay.

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» Not a moderator. I'm not a resident. Is
it okay with the body for me to speak?

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» Thank you. The sheriff is asking if as a
non-resident it is possible for him to

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speak. Um, and normally it would take a
twothirds vote, but because he is

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sheriff, there's a tradition of allowing
him to speak without a vote.

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» Well, thank you, madam moderator. Thank
you, uh, town of Newane. Uh, if you

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don't know me, my name is Mark Anderson.
I am your sheriff. Uh, and uh, well, I'm

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here to answer any questions you have.
Any question? No. Um, so one of the

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things I've been working on, and I'm
happy to answer your questions, but one

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of the things I'm working on, I've been
working with the town of Newane on uh,

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is what's known as our regional policing
project. This has been about four years

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worth of effort uh, to identify how do
we provide better services for law

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enforcement resources to uh, rural towns
in Windham County. We're not focusing on

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towns with police departments. Why? they
have a police department and people

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without a police department understand
the pain uh when you have issues um

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occur in your community. So that's what
we've been working on. Newfane, the town

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of Newane, your select board has been a
wonderful uh partner uh in the

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conversation to bring insight uh and and
conversation uh and so we uh put forward

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a bill with Senator Harrison, Senator uh
Senator Hashim uh which uh was

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introduced in the legislature this year.
It's known as S255.

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What's that?
S255 is a bill that says let's look at

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how governance and funding work so that
we can stop duplicating uh governance,

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stop creating uh duplications of
services and start providing solutions

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to gaps. So basically I'm trying to be
more efficient with resources. We're

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trying to do more with less
whatever. Um but that's what we've been

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working on. So, uh, just last week it
passed out of the Senate, uh, with, uh,

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a pretty significant supermajority vote.
We are headed over to the House, uh, I'm

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guessing in about 2 weeks where more
work will begin. I've been working with

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the entire Windham County delegation on
this effort. And our goal is let's do it

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without raising taxes. So, um, we're
trying to be very mindful of the

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circumstances Vermonters are in. I am
the government. I'm here to help. I'm

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sorry. Um, we do cost money. Uh but at
the same time, we're trying to look at

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it in a way that says um that answers
the the call for service uh that we hear

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all too often uh from people frustrated
by the the issues and ills that come to

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your community. Uh but we're also trying
to do it in a way that is supportive.

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When I talk to Vermoners, uh really I
hear three primary things as problems.

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They want to feel safe in their homes or
usually the Vermont way is they want to

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not have to lock their door at night.
uh they want to have a house that they

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can afford and they want to have a job
that pays them to afford the house and

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the things that they care about. Those
are really the three themes I hear. So,

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I'm really trying to focus on how do we
provide the services that we provide to

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your community uh and try to keep it in
line with those those key points that I

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I keep hearing uh from the community. Um
I also want to thank uh Katie uh who

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came to the state house uh with me
probably about 3 weeks ago now. Um she

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uh presented testimony on behalf of the
town of Newfane. Uh and she's also been

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a tremendous uh partner working through
this entire project where we're trying

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to bring everyone else voices uh and the
stakeholders together to really start

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threading the needle and how do I do
what you want me to do uh and in a way

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that uh is affordable. Uh I am happy to
answer questions. That was the project.

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Um but I'm sure there's more that you
care about than just the project. Yes,

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sir.
What is your policy with respect to

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cooperation with ICE?
>> The question is, what is the policy of

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the sheriff's office with uh regards to
our cooperation with ICE? So, my policy

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is the same as every other state agency,
I'm sorry, agency in the state of

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Vermont that's a law enforcement agency.
We all have at least the same minimum

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standard of a policy known as the fair
and impartial policing policy. This is

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created by the criminal justice council,
which is the credentiing body for law

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enforcement. That's the foundation.
What's the answer to your question, sir?

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We don't work with ICE. Um, they provide
civil immigration enforcement, which is

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primarily and only owned by the federal
government. It's not to say uh that uh

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I'm not here to cast any espersions on
what they do or don't do. I have some

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personal opinions. I personally believe
that um the way that force is used by a

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law enforcement agency or the government
is an incredibly important thing we need

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to consider. And I've seen some things
done by the federal government that are

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problematic from a purely professional
standpoint. We have standards. We have

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training, we have policies, we have uh
professionalism. And so if I saw um

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another profession doing something
wrong, I would call that out too if I

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saw it. I'm seeing things done by law
enforcement officers that I think is

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wrong. That said, to your question, um
we don't cooperate with ICE. Uh we ran

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queries over the years when we've been
asked the question, the only thing I can

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find is the frozen molecule of water
that we've responded to motor vehicle

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crashes, ice on the road. Um and that's
that's what we get for responses. I also

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say, and some of this is sarcasm, but
it's also a true statement. Uh I don't

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cooperate with the federal government
often because they don't show up. When I

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call the ATF and say we've found a felon
in possession of a firearm, they say

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just take it and we're not coming.
That's the nature of rural Vermont. Like

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we do not get access to the federal
resources often. Um but we are very

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attuned to things that are going on
nationally. Um, I'm also, uh, we talk

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with a lot of different organizations,
farmers, um, members of the public, uh,

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to say, "We're not going to be the black
SUVs," which I say we have black SUVs.

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Um, we're not going to be the black SUVs
that show up wearing masks and do all

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sorts of things. Like, we spend a lot of
money on uniforms. I want my staff to be

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recognizable. There are reasons that
they won't be recognizable, but that's

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usually for the things that we value.
When we're transporting people with

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mental health illnesses and they are
violent towards others, they're not

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committing crimes. I don't want to um I
don't want to have an espersion that

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they've committed a crime where that's
why they're with a law enforcement

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officer. But the law enforcement officer
has training to help that person get to

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treatment and care that ambulances don't
have because of the level of violence.

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So, we're using very rare circumstances,
but reasons why we might not be in

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00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:47,840
uniform or we might not be uh in a
marked vehicle. When a prisoner uh or a

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person is uh going through the criminal
justice system and they have a trial,

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00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:54,720
you are not going to see my deputies in
the courtroom. They're there, but the

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reason that you don't see them is
because we want the person to have the

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00:18:56,320 --> 00:19:01,840
the opportunity for innocence until
proven guilty. We don't want the belief

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00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:05,520
that deputies being present means that
they've committed a crime or that they

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00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:09,440
are guilty of the crime. they are there
for different reasons which are public

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safety reasons. So there are oftent
times and I'm happy to sit down with

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anyone and talk start talking through
some of the nuance of these but there

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are reasons that we look through these
things and we still want to be um an

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organization of the community that's
supportive and has your trust and if

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we're losing your trust we need to talk.
Um so I'm always happy to come speak

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with you or speak with any member of the
town uh come to a meeting uh or host our

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own uh to have those conversations. We
want your trust. Um, and if we lose

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that, that's on us.
>> Yes, ma'am.

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» Could you speak to the driver's
education program that the sheriff's

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office is working with in adult learning
and our parents from how effective the

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00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:57,520
» Sharon Anderson, could you repeat the
question so everyone could hear it?

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00:19:56,160 --> 00:20:00,880
» I'll be happy. And I'm sorry, madam
moderator, and I know questions are

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00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:05,760
supposed to go to you, so please forgive
me. Um, the question was, uh, if I could

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speak to our driver's education program.
Uh, and I'm going to paraphrase to a

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degree. Uh, the driver's education
program my office runs, uh, in

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partnership with Karen Meyer. Um, and,
uh, in this community. So, we have two

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programs. Uh, one is called the enhanced
teen driver safety program. We

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introduced this probably about 10 years
ago um give or take uh where we are

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trying to target teen drivers uh new
drivers, people who have never operated

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the physical motor vehicle before or in
very limited circumstances. We provide a

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law enforcement officer who has many
years in traffic safety experience to

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work alongside the driver's education
programs that are at say Leland and

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00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:55,039
Gray, but we do it throughout the
county. The purpose of this is to

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provide uh teen and new drivers with uh
access to driver simulators. So, we put

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them behind the steering wheel and teach
them the rules of the road without

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00:21:00,159 --> 00:21:08,480
putting them behind 4,000 lbs of
hardware that can hit something. Um what

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00:21:05,919 --> 00:21:13,200
we saw in uh impact for that is a
reduction in teen related crashes from

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00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:16,240
Windham County uh consistently over the
years. We've run the program. It's being

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lauded by the state highway safety
office as one of the leading programs.

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I'd like to push statewide because it is
impactful. We're taking drivers at

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instructors. We're combining them with
uh traffic safety specialists who say

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there's better ways to do this. Um it
also provides uh youth drivers with the

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00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:37,200
opportunity to talk to a law enforcement
officer that says, "Well, I heard or my

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friend got stopped for." And they can
start having that non-confrontational

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conversation to actually learn what
we're doing and why we're doing it. It

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wasn't that I woke up on the wrong side
of the bed that day. It's that we're

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00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:54,159
writing tickets for going 60 and a 30 in
Newane Village. Sorry, slow down please.

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00:21:52,159 --> 00:21:59,840
Um, so the second part of that program
though is then what uh we took when the

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uh Afghany uh community started uh
immigrating to Vermont and we said we

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00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:09,200
have a group of people who are going to
be coming to Vermont who have never

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00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:12,559
driven on US highways and might have
never driven in their life. So we said

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let's take the same program we're doing
for the teens and work with that uh

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immigrant population. So we've uh
partnered with the uh ECDC, that's the

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Ethiopian community
development council. Thank you. I always

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00:22:24,080 --> 00:22:33,520
call it ECDC. Um the US Department of I
believe it was state or labor uh and

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some other organizations to start uh
start pushing it forward. Vermont adult

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learning uh is a partner. We're trying
to find people uh and this is not like

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an active ask. What we were trying to
do, our focus was to find people who uh

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can speak to the education side. Uh find
people who can speak uh in different

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languages. Uh and that's a specific
skill set when we're talking about uh

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educating uh learners uh from different
countries. It's not just do you speak

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the language, but also can you teach uh
a person in that language. So, a variety

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00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:09,760
of nuance skill sets, but again, we're
focused on how do we teach people to

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pilot a 4,000, 6,000, 8,000 pound, uh,
vehicle down the roads and not hit each

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00:23:11,679 --> 00:23:17,840
other. Um, and that's what we're
focusing on. So, uh, we don't have data

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00:23:15,919 --> 00:23:21,440
specifically to support whether crashes
have increased, decreased, done anything

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00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:24,880
because there's no statistics that we
track to consider an immigrant

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00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:28,799
population. We don't know who the
immigrant population is from driver

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00:23:26,559 --> 00:23:33,919
data. um we don't want to record that
information for reasons similar to your

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00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:37,280
concern um or question related to ICE. I
don't want the government to have a

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00:23:35,039 --> 00:23:40,240
database of who is or isn't. It's not my
responsibility to deal with immigration

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00:23:38,799 --> 00:23:43,520
enforcement. So, we're not tracking the
data. Um and if you ask me to, we're

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00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:47,159
just not going to because there's no
point. UM

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00:23:51,600 --> 00:23:56,600
are there any other questions for
Sheriff Anderson?

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00:23:57,120 --> 00:24:03,919
Katie,
sure. Would you take a moment and talk

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00:24:01,679 --> 00:24:08,559
about your great lead remediation
program that you have going on?

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00:24:05,919 --> 00:24:13,679
» Uh the um Katie asked me to speak about
our lead remediation program. The uh

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00:24:11,360 --> 00:24:18,480
totally random story that the sheriff's
office has this grant, but we applied

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00:24:15,679 --> 00:24:24,480
for a grant uh from the US Housing and
Urban Development. Um

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00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:30,240
the the purpose of the grant is to
enhance uh

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basically it's to make home safer.
In other states, this would be run by a

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00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:41,360
county department of health. It would be
run by um a county code enforcement

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00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:44,880
organization. Uh it could be run by uh
towns, cities, or the state. But

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00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:48,559
generally speaking, this grant is
designed for counties. Why did I apply

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00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:52,400
for it? Well, we don't really have
county of government that applies for

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00:24:49,919 --> 00:24:55,279
these types of things. And uh one of the
things I said at the beginning, people

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00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:58,640
want to be safe, but they also want to
have a home. We need better housing in

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00:24:57,039 --> 00:25:02,960
Vermont. We need access to housing that
people can afford. And oftent times in

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00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:07,840
Vermont, what we find is people uh have
homes that were built before um really

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00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:13,520
before the 1970s when lead paint was
start or became illegal um for

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00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:20,480
manufacturer. So what we find is a lot
of houses that have lead uh in them.

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00:25:17,279 --> 00:25:24,159
The most prone population uh to uh
elevated blood levels is people under

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00:25:22,240 --> 00:25:28,080
the age of six. Uh so we're talking
about kids. I know what I was told.

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00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:30,880
Don't eat the paint chips. And I'm sure
many of you have heard that, too. It's

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00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:35,279
actually ironic because it's not the
paint chips getting eaten, but it's

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00:25:32,799 --> 00:25:39,039
opening and closing windows and slamming
doors that creates the most lead dust in

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00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:42,880
homes.
Now, I'm guessing most people here do

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00:25:40,799 --> 00:25:45,840
have a home built before the 1970s. And
if that's the case, there's a high

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00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:51,200
likelihood you have lead in the home. if
you're over the age of six, you have

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00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:54,720
less of a um exposure to it. So, the
grant we applied for was to get more

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00:25:52,960 --> 00:26:00,080
contractors who can do the work to
remediate it uh and get a list of people

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who have homes that would qualify uh to
have work done. That's the first grant.

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00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:09,919
The second grant uh which uh we'll
likely be applying for next year

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00:26:06,799 --> 00:26:14,400
provides money to do the work. And if it
follows the same guidelines as it did

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00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:18,640
this year, uh it would be a 10% match
from the property owner uh for you to

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00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:25,840
get things like windows and door casings
with lead paint uh replaced. So you put

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00:26:21,279 --> 00:26:30,080
down um $3,000 we come along with uh the
rest of the 90% to basically pay for

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00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:33,520
that work to be done. I see that as a
win-win to this community. It is tax

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00:26:31,919 --> 00:26:37,679
funds. It's raised by the federal
government. So your um your nickel in

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00:26:35,919 --> 00:26:42,880
that is probably well less than a
nickel. Um uh literally. But the uh the

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00:26:41,679 --> 00:26:47,039
main point of it is how do we get
verters access? Historically the state

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00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:50,640
of Vermont uh has not supported doing
lead abatement in homes because it's too

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00:26:48,799 --> 00:26:53,360
expensive. It's too expensive because
the state of Vermont doesn't really have

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00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:57,520
county government getting the federal
funds that go to counties that pay for

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00:26:55,520 --> 00:27:00,799
it. So we're a little creative. We're
the first sheriff's office in the

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00:26:58,799 --> 00:27:04,919
country to apply for this grant. It's a
running Thank you.

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00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:14,000
It is a running joke with the US um HUD
department uh that the sheriff applied

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00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:17,679
for the grant. And when people say,
"Well, are we doing code enforcement?"

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00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:21,200
No,
I wouldn't even know what I'm I'm

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00:27:19,120 --> 00:27:24,880
talking about. Like I am a law
enforcement officer by trade. I know

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00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:30,960
lead is bad. But we also know that
elevated blood levels uh in uh youth uh

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00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:35,360
result in higher school discipline data.
Um so more suspensions or expulsions

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00:27:33,360 --> 00:27:40,080
from schools nationwide. We also know
that elevated blood levels uh in men

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00:27:37,679 --> 00:27:43,840
will result in higher degrees of violent
crime. So I can talk about public safety

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00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:46,799
all day. I can talk about public health
a little bit. Uh, but we're also

335
00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:50,559
partnering with our public health
partners to say this is good for

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00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:53,840
housing, which is good for public
safety, which is good for our

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00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:58,799
communities, and it's good for property
owners. So, I see wins all the way

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00:27:55,520 --> 00:28:02,000
around. Um, I'm happy to hear any losses
and uh certainly consider ways that we

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00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:05,679
can address that. I just haven't found
one yet. Uh, and nobody's writing me

340
00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:10,279
nasty letters about why we should stop
doing this. So, I'm going to keep doing

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it.

342
00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:15,279
» Thank you so much for coming by and
answering our questions. Thank you for

343
00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:18,240
your time. I know there's more
questions. If anybody wants to reach

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00:28:16,799 --> 00:28:22,480
out, you can find me at the sheriff's
office. Um I'm happy uh to talk to

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00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:28,000
anybody about anything. I'm headed to
the next town meeting. Um this is my

346
00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:32,080
fourth. Uh so uh I'm happy to come uh
speak before a select board meeting as

347
00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:35,480
well. Um whatever works. But thank you
for your time.

348
00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:48,399
For those of you who are standing in the
back, if that's your preference, that's

349
00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:55,679
fine. If you're looking for a seat,
there are a few in the middle, a few up

350
00:28:51,279 --> 00:28:59,919
here, and a few over on this side.
Because article one is decided by

351
00:28:57,919 --> 00:29:03,799
Australian ballot, we're going to start
with article two.

352
00:29:04,159 --> 00:29:12,559
Shall the voters of the town of Newfane
pay taxes for the ensuing year on a

353
00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:19,200
quarterly basis
due on the 15th of August, October,

354
00:29:16,399 --> 00:29:23,840
January, and April.
Late charge for interest being at the

355
00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:31,520
rate of 0.5%
per month for the current fiscal year

356
00:29:27,679 --> 00:29:38,240
and 75% per month for each month
thereafter until paid.

357
00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:41,880
What is your pleasure?
Is there a second?

358
00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:52,039
Steve Lavine.
Thank you for seconding. Um, is there

359
00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:52,039
any discussion on article two?

360
00:29:52,799 --> 00:29:56,679
» Steve was first. Steve

361
00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:03,240
» Oh,

362
00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:13,760
excuse me. I already have made a m an an
oversight. Uh, Wanetta pointed out that

363
00:30:10,720 --> 00:30:19,760
the mo unless I missed it, the motion
was not moved. The motion has to be

364
00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:26,159
moved to in order to have a second and
discuss the article. So, let's back up.

365
00:30:24,159 --> 00:30:31,200
I'm going to re what?
>> Approval.

366
00:30:27,520 --> 00:30:36,080
» Move approval. Okay. Um, meaning we can
proceed. Okay. Thank you, Representative

367
00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:41,480
Merik.
Um, is there discussion on article two?

368
00:30:44,799 --> 00:30:50,760
» Steve,
>> could you just could you state your

369
00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:50,760
name, please?

370
00:30:51,760 --> 00:30:55,720
» Okay, thank you. So,

371
00:30:55,919 --> 00:30:59,559
» is there any discussion?

372
00:31:00,799 --> 00:31:09,120
Gloria,
you're looking at the percentage and I

373
00:31:05,760 --> 00:31:11,520
understand that a few years ago we
lowered it.

374
00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:14,760
» I'm sorry. Could I ask you to address
the moderator?

375
00:31:25,279 --> 00:31:37,360
A few years ago, we
we lowered this uh rate of the

376
00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:42,480
information being I mean the rate of
late payments. And it just seems to me

377
00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:49,600
that
what we're doing is

378
00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:55,519
allowing people who maybe have a lot of
back taxes to have the town's people pay

379
00:31:53,519 --> 00:32:01,279
it because they're not paying a bank
loan. There isn't any way that if you

380
00:31:59,519 --> 00:32:07,200
know, we've got some people who maybe
have a $100,000

381
00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:11,600
that are overdue taxes and they pay 0.5%
versus if they had to take a loan to pay

382
00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:18,679
that, they'd be paying much higher. So,
I do have concern if we're making it too

383
00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:18,679
low. That's all.

384
00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:27,960
Any further discussion on article two?

385
00:32:30,640 --> 00:32:38,559
Okay.
Hearing none, we'll move to vote on

386
00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:43,120
article two. Excuse me. Oh.
Shall the voters

387
00:32:40,640 --> 00:32:50,159
of the town of Newane pay taxes for the
ensuing year on a quarterly basis due on

388
00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:56,240
the 15th of August, October, January,
and April. Late charge for interest

389
00:32:52,960 --> 00:33:02,240
being at the rate of 0.5% per month for
the current fiscal year and 75% per

390
00:32:59,760 --> 00:33:09,120
month for each month thereafter until
paid. A yes vote means that you approve

391
00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:15,120
this article. A nay vote means that you
do not approve of this article and you

392
00:33:11,840 --> 00:33:21,000
are opposed to it. All in favor say I.
I.

393
00:33:16,640 --> 00:33:21,000
» All those opposed say nay.

394
00:33:21,519 --> 00:33:31,360
The eyes have it. Article two is passed.
Article three. Shall the voters of the

395
00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:37,519
town of New Fain authorize the select
board to sell or otherwise convey

396
00:33:34,559 --> 00:33:41,840
property acquired through tax sale
proceedings?

397
00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:47,120
What is your pleasure? Meaning who would
like to move the motion? Uh

398
00:33:44,399 --> 00:33:51,679
» Carol Hustlebach. Thank you. And a
second.

399
00:33:49,279 --> 00:33:57,880
Could you remind me of your name?
>> Jodie French. Thank you, Jod. Is there

400
00:33:54,559 --> 00:33:57,880
any discussion?

401
00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:07,960
Okay.

402
00:34:09,359 --> 00:34:17,520
Oh,
okay. Hearing none, then we'll move to a

403
00:34:14,879 --> 00:34:22,159
vote. Shall the of article three. Shall
the voters of the town of New Fain

404
00:34:19,440 --> 00:34:27,520
authorize the select board to sell or
otherwise convey property acquired

405
00:34:24,720 --> 00:34:30,320
through tax sale proceedings? All those
in favor say I.

406
00:34:29,359 --> 00:34:39,399
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

407
00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:39,399
» The eyes have it. Article three passes.

408
00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:48,079
Article four. Shall the voters of the
town of Newfane authorize general fund

409
00:34:45,200 --> 00:34:53,639
expenditures for town and highway
operating expenses of 1,913,78785

410
00:34:58,160 --> 00:35:01,880
of which 1,497570

411
00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:07,960
shall be raised by taxes and 363,215

412
00:35:09,440 --> 00:35:19,720
by non- tax revenues. Venus and 53,000
by general fund surplus. Is there a

413
00:35:16,720 --> 00:35:19,720
motion?

414
00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:26,760
» Thank you.
>> Thank you, Tom. Is there a second?

415
00:35:27,760 --> 00:35:32,839
» Thank you, Margaret. Is there any
discussion?

416
00:35:37,839 --> 00:35:47,160
» Yes. EMTT, could you state your name,
please?

417
00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:47,160
» Um, I like

418
00:35:48,720 --> 00:35:54,440
um on page 17 at the bottom under

419
00:35:57,280 --> 00:36:04,240
it's difficult to hear you. Could you
repeat your question using the mic?

420
00:36:00,560 --> 00:36:11,119
Thank you. And you can take it off the
>> uh at the bottom of page 17 under public

421
00:36:07,280 --> 00:36:14,800
safety there's um a proposed roughly
$36,000

422
00:36:12,720 --> 00:36:17,960
for mutual aid dues and I was curious
about that.

423
00:36:18,400 --> 00:36:26,280
» Yeah, mutual aid dues go to the New York
Fire Department and as for like all the

424
00:36:22,240 --> 00:36:26,280
radio we need

425
00:36:35,040 --> 00:36:41,680
The mutual aid dues go to Newbrook Fire
Department and they're to help pay for

426
00:36:39,119 --> 00:36:46,920
all the services for their radios and
dispatch. All the towns split it.

427
00:36:49,359 --> 00:36:57,359
» Are are there any other questions or
comments? Any further discussion?

428
00:36:55,119 --> 00:37:00,480
EMTT.
EMTT Madavi.

429
00:36:58,640 --> 00:37:08,800
» I'm not sure if this is under the same
section. Um, on page

430
00:37:04,560 --> 00:37:14,800
uh 18. Oh, wait.
Yeah, I think 18 um was curious about

431
00:37:12,240 --> 00:37:17,800
the $10,000 increase uh for law
enforcement.

432
00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:30,599
Yeah, Chris, if you could

433
00:37:36,079 --> 00:37:45,520
» um great question. We have slowly been
trying to increase the levels. Um

434
00:37:41,520 --> 00:37:53,359
currently our um policing budget is
$25,000. That affords us about 7 and 1/2

435
00:37:48,880 --> 00:37:57,119
hours a week of policing um from the
sheriff's department specifically. And

436
00:37:54,960 --> 00:38:02,079
the rest of the time all of our calls,
any emergencies that you have are going

437
00:38:00,079 --> 00:38:08,720
through the state police. Uh the state
police barracks is up um off of uh sort

438
00:38:06,000 --> 00:38:14,079
of in between it's in Rockingham.
It's an hour from most of us. Um and

439
00:38:12,480 --> 00:38:18,160
that's problematic. That's part of what
the sheriff was talking about with the

440
00:38:15,680 --> 00:38:24,000
regional policing idea. It's to make
that more fluid so that we're not

441
00:38:19,920 --> 00:38:29,119
dependent completely on the um
uh on the state police for all of our

442
00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:35,599
emergency calls um collectively going
forward. Um and

443
00:38:32,800 --> 00:38:41,839
by increasing by the 10 for the $10,000
we will afford a little bit more hours

444
00:38:38,480 --> 00:38:49,680
per per week um of time that we have the
sheriff in our immediate area um and

445
00:38:45,359 --> 00:38:59,599
reach closer to uh what we will probably
wind up paying longterm for um uh more

446
00:38:55,119 --> 00:39:04,640
hours overall um that get us closer to
uh 40 hours or reasonable

447
00:39:02,640 --> 00:39:12,960
hours. We are a long way from there
right now. Um other town budgets are

448
00:39:09,359 --> 00:39:18,760
significantly higher. Um
and so I'm we're slowly increasing that.

449
00:39:26,240 --> 00:39:34,160
I just made a note to have the select
board have their own mic next year. Yes.

450
00:39:32,079 --> 00:39:39,920
Yes.
Uh Tom, could you introduce yourself

451
00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:45,440
when you get to the mic?
>> Tom Kunanan from South Newane. Um I just

452
00:39:42,720 --> 00:39:51,119
wanted to um ask a little bit of uh sort
point of information about the health

453
00:39:47,359 --> 00:39:55,440
insurance um line item this year. I note
that it came down relative to last year

454
00:39:53,839 --> 00:40:01,359
and last year relative to the year
before was the largest single increase

455
00:39:57,440 --> 00:40:04,000
in the budget. Um can you uh tell us how
that was achieved this year? The

456
00:40:02,640 --> 00:40:06,960
reduction was it a reduction in
workforce or reduction in premiums? How

457
00:40:06,240 --> 00:40:09,960
did that work?
>> Yes.

458
00:40:13,520 --> 00:40:20,880
Uh this is on page 17.
>> So there's actually been a huge change

459
00:40:18,480 --> 00:40:24,880
in the health insurance. We had planned
on for two guys coming in with a family

460
00:40:22,960 --> 00:40:29,280
plan not knowing what they were going to
be hired and you know taking on for

461
00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:33,040
plans and they ended up one did not take
health insurance. The other one took a

462
00:40:30,720 --> 00:40:37,359
single plan. One of the workers left who
was on a family plan so that decreased

463
00:40:35,200 --> 00:40:42,480
that. There's another position that has
no health insurance in it. So that

464
00:40:39,520 --> 00:40:46,800
decreased that family plan as well. Um
and somebody else also changed to a

465
00:40:44,240 --> 00:40:50,599
single plan. So a lot of deductions
going on for health insurance.

466
00:41:02,319 --> 00:41:09,839
» Hello Jake.
>> Jake South Newane. I'm wondering uh the

467
00:41:07,680 --> 00:41:17,040
additional $10,000
for the sheriffs, is it possible instead

468
00:41:13,599 --> 00:41:24,000
of having them in our town a random
three hours more a week? Um is it

469
00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:28,079
possible to stockpile those hours and
instead of having to call the state

470
00:41:25,359 --> 00:41:35,960
police uh in the event of emergency,
maybe we could call the sheriff instead

471
00:41:31,200 --> 00:41:35,960
when whenever it's an emergency. and

472
00:41:37,040 --> 00:41:42,640
» sort of
>> just come up to

473
00:41:40,480 --> 00:41:49,680
» um the sheriff works through contracted
hours. So it's we sign a a new contract

474
00:41:46,960 --> 00:41:55,119
each July or just ahead of July when our
fiscal year starts. Um so we can't we

475
00:41:52,960 --> 00:42:02,000
can't really hold that number um
yeartoear or stockpile money or have

476
00:41:58,160 --> 00:42:07,599
them on demand as it goes unfortunately.
Um, but moving forward, maybe that will

477
00:42:05,040 --> 00:42:12,720
be an opportunity for us as the regional
policing thing comes online. That's

478
00:42:10,079 --> 00:42:21,200
pretty exciting. I'm I'm really excited
for us to have more um more continuity,

479
00:42:18,079 --> 00:42:26,800
which means like if they're in Putney or
if they're in Jamaica,

480
00:42:24,400 --> 00:42:31,920
they will come if there's a call faster
and sooner than the state police

481
00:42:29,599 --> 00:42:37,680
currently do for their average response
time. Um, that's something that they

482
00:42:35,359 --> 00:42:42,880
currently can't do because they are held
by contract in their specific towns and

483
00:42:40,079 --> 00:42:46,440
have to achieve those hours. I hope
that's helpful.

484
00:42:48,319 --> 00:42:52,760
» Is there any? Yes, Jesse.

485
00:42:57,359 --> 00:43:05,280
» Hello, Jesse Anderson. New pain. Um,
>> thank you.

486
00:43:03,040 --> 00:43:10,560
» Page 64,
uh, excess expenditures over

487
00:43:06,960 --> 00:43:14,960
appropriations. It's almost $900,000.
I assume that's some kind of oneoff

488
00:43:12,640 --> 00:43:20,079
accounting thing. It's all paid for by
revenues. So, I guess curious, is that

489
00:43:17,839 --> 00:43:24,040
number going to go down this year? Uh,
why is it even there?

490
00:43:35,200 --> 00:43:38,200
64.

491
00:43:39,200 --> 00:43:47,440
» Oh,
so some of that 888,000

492
00:43:44,480 --> 00:43:52,880
is um part of our budget stabilization
reserves and

493
00:43:50,319 --> 00:43:56,720
uh some of that is from FEMA money that
we received back. We should have most of

494
00:43:54,800 --> 00:44:02,319
the FEMA money except for the ad fees
right now. So, this will probably end

495
00:43:59,760 --> 00:44:06,280
the surplus going forward in the big
jumps that we've been getting.

496
00:44:06,319 --> 00:44:12,839
» Thank you.
>> Is there any further discussion on

497
00:44:09,280 --> 00:44:12,839
article 4?

498
00:44:14,880 --> 00:44:22,400
» Hearing none,
we'll move to vote on article 4. Shall

499
00:44:20,079 --> 00:44:28,480
the voters of the town of Newfane
authorize general fund expenditures for

500
00:44:24,880 --> 00:44:31,480
town and highway operating expenses of
1,913785,000

501
00:44:33,359 --> 00:44:37,000
of which 1,497570,000

502
00:44:38,160 --> 00:44:43,560
shall be raised by taxes and $363,215

503
00:44:44,640 --> 00:44:53,680
would by non- taxes and 53,000 by
general fund. surplus.

504
00:44:51,200 --> 00:44:58,319
All those in favor say I.
>> I.

505
00:44:54,720 --> 00:45:03,800
» All those opposed say nay.
The eyes have it. Article four passes.

506
00:45:06,160 --> 00:45:15,359
Article five. Shall the voters of the
town of Newfane authorize capital fund

507
00:45:10,960 --> 00:45:21,680
expenditures of $497,000
of which $427,000

508
00:45:18,079 --> 00:45:28,880
shall be raised by taxes and 10,000 by
non-ax revenues and 60,000 by general

509
00:45:25,680 --> 00:45:33,400
fund surplus. Is there someone who would
like to move that article?

510
00:45:34,000 --> 00:45:40,800
» Thank you. And your name, please?
and get that.

511
00:45:39,119 --> 00:45:47,839
» Okay.
>> Thank you. Uh is there any discussion?

512
00:45:44,000 --> 00:45:52,480
» Second. Thank you. Second.
>> Is there a second?

513
00:45:49,839 --> 00:45:57,040
» Uh I Chris Treebert.
Thank you.

514
00:45:54,400 --> 00:46:00,280
It's a collaborative effort. Um is there
any discussion?

515
00:46:05,839 --> 00:46:14,480
Okay. Hearing no discussion on article
five, we will move to a vote. Shall the

516
00:46:12,079 --> 00:46:19,240
voters of the town of New Fain authorize
capital fund expenditures of $497,000

517
00:46:19,599 --> 00:46:29,280
of which $427,000
will be raised by taxes and $10,000 by

518
00:46:25,839 --> 00:46:34,079
non-ax revenues and 60,000 by general
fund surplus. All those in favor say I.

519
00:46:33,359 --> 00:46:42,640
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

520
00:46:37,359 --> 00:46:48,400
The eyes have it. Article five passes.
On to article six. Shall the voters of

521
00:46:45,920 --> 00:46:54,200
the town of Newfane authorize debt
service fund expenditures

522
00:46:50,800 --> 00:46:54,200
of $61,144,000

523
00:46:54,800 --> 00:47:05,280
of which $43,044
shall be raised by taxes and $100 by

524
00:47:01,520 --> 00:47:10,079
non- tax revenues and $18,000 by debt
service fund surplus.

525
00:47:08,000 --> 00:47:15,119
Is there uh someone who would like to
move that motion?

526
00:47:12,960 --> 00:47:19,760
Carol Hustlebach. Thank you. Is there a
second?

527
00:47:17,520 --> 00:47:25,200
» Gloria. Gloria Christelli. Thank you.
Second. Is there any discussion of

528
00:47:22,319 --> 00:47:28,200
article six?
Gloria.

529
00:47:32,160 --> 00:47:37,200
» It just seems odd to me that there's a
one.

530
00:47:34,720 --> 00:47:40,400
» Can everyone hear Gloria?
>> I don't. Is the mic Can you tap the mic

531
00:47:38,800 --> 00:47:43,119
and see if it's on? Yeah, it is on.
>> But you have to project into it

532
00:47:41,839 --> 00:47:49,040
directly.
>> Okay. Hey, can you hear me now? Yeah.

533
00:47:46,240 --> 00:47:55,440
» Usually the mics get me too loud. Um,
I'm curious about a $100

534
00:47:53,200 --> 00:48:00,400
some in there. Can anybody explain why
there's such a itsybitsy teeny weeny

535
00:47:59,599 --> 00:48:06,040
» service
>> funding

536
00:48:03,040 --> 00:48:06,040
the$100

537
00:48:07,680 --> 00:48:14,160
non?
>> Oh, it just got applied because it's a

538
00:48:11,359 --> 00:48:20,760
non- tax. It's interest. So just to take
it off there

539
00:48:16,880 --> 00:48:20,760
just an accounting thing.

540
00:48:22,160 --> 00:48:27,240
Is there any further discussion on
article six?

541
00:48:27,839 --> 00:48:34,640
Okay,
we are ready to move to a vote. Shall

542
00:48:32,559 --> 00:48:41,000
the voters of the town of Newfane
authorize debt service fund expenditures

543
00:48:37,599 --> 00:48:41,000
of 61,144,000

544
00:48:41,200 --> 00:48:44,839
of which $43,044

545
00:48:44,960 --> 00:48:55,839
shall be raised by taxes and $100 by
non- tax revenues and $18,000 by debt

546
00:48:52,160 --> 00:48:57,760
service fund surplus. All those in favor
say I.

547
00:48:56,880 --> 00:49:03,680
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

548
00:49:00,720 --> 00:49:08,640
The eyes have it. Bless you. Article six
passes.

549
00:49:05,680 --> 00:49:15,559
On to article seven. Shall the voters of
the town of Newane raise by taxation the

550
00:49:11,920 --> 00:49:15,559
amount of 25,496

551
00:49:16,720 --> 00:49:25,040
» 25,467.
Thank you. It's a good thing I don't

552
00:49:20,640 --> 00:49:33,400
have Melissa's job. of which 25,467
shall be raised by taxes for the annual

553
00:49:28,160 --> 00:49:33,400
excavator lease payment for FY2027.

554
00:49:33,839 --> 00:49:39,160
Would someone like to move the that
motion?

555
00:49:39,760 --> 00:49:44,960
» I heard a voice up here.
>> Okay. Could you state your name? I'm

556
00:49:43,599 --> 00:49:50,800
sorry I don't know your name.
>> William Burner.

557
00:49:46,319 --> 00:49:58,559
» William Burner. And is there a second?
Uh Tim Schaefer, thank you. Is there any

558
00:49:54,240 --> 00:50:02,480
discussion of article seven?
>> Yes, Dan.

559
00:50:01,119 --> 00:50:07,920
» You have to really project if you're not
going to use the mic.

560
00:50:04,720 --> 00:50:11,839
» I'm just wondering um I'm sure you
wonder if you can share with us the

561
00:50:10,000 --> 00:50:16,640
rale. It seems like a lot of money for
lease, but I'm assuming buying is really

562
00:50:14,240 --> 00:50:21,160
a lot of money. Could you just tell us
about the difference between leasing and

563
00:50:18,160 --> 00:50:21,160
owning

564
00:50:21,920 --> 00:50:29,359
What was the question?
>> Uh Dan asked about the difference. Uh it

565
00:50:27,359 --> 00:50:33,680
seems like a lot of money for a lease,
but it's probably more expensive to buy

566
00:50:31,839 --> 00:50:37,359
one outright, but could you explain the
difference?

567
00:50:35,440 --> 00:50:40,960
» Uh I'm not sure that I'm the person to
answer.

568
00:50:39,119 --> 00:50:46,640
» Todd would be the better person for
this. Chris Cleverly, just so you know.

569
00:50:43,440 --> 00:50:53,040
» Melissa has least to buy. Okay. So, this
is the lease to buy and

570
00:50:50,319 --> 00:50:59,200
we have budgeted for we're we're we have
planned for the purchase of the

571
00:50:55,440 --> 00:51:01,760
excavator in the next year or two is
going to the next year will be finished

572
00:51:00,800 --> 00:51:06,240
for
>> yeah like three or four more years.

573
00:51:03,200 --> 00:51:10,599
» Three or four more years. So,
this is a lease to buy.

574
00:51:12,640 --> 00:51:16,640
» Is there any further discussion?

575
00:51:21,440 --> 00:51:31,920
In that case, we will move towards
voting on article 7. Shall the voters of

576
00:51:29,040 --> 00:51:35,720
the town of New Fain raise by taxation
the amount of $25,467

577
00:51:36,559 --> 00:51:47,200
of which 25467,000
shall be raised by taxes for the annual

578
00:51:43,040 --> 00:51:49,839
excavator lease payment for FY 2027. All
those in favor say I.

579
00:51:49,119 --> 00:51:58,119
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

580
00:51:52,559 --> 00:51:58,119
The eyes have it. Article 7 passes.

581
00:51:59,359 --> 00:52:08,079
Article 8. Shall the voters of the town
of New Feain raise by taxation the

582
00:52:04,640 --> 00:52:13,359
amount of $6,700
for $6,750.

583
00:52:11,839 --> 00:52:19,200
Thank you, Annetta. She's That's why
she's behind me. For the reappraisal

584
00:52:15,280 --> 00:52:24,160
reserve fund for FY2027.
Is there anyone who would like to move

585
00:52:20,800 --> 00:52:31,000
that motion?
Could you please state your name?

586
00:52:27,200 --> 00:52:31,000
Al Allison Seager

587
00:52:32,000 --> 00:52:38,000
» and is there a second?
>> Second.

588
00:52:35,280 --> 00:52:42,839
» Margaret Winberger. Thank you. Is there
discussion on article 8.

589
00:52:48,720 --> 00:53:00,319
Okay. Hearing none, we will move to a
vote on article 8. Shall the voters of

590
00:52:57,359 --> 00:53:06,640
the town of New Fane raise by taxation
the amount of $6,750

591
00:53:03,839 --> 00:53:11,200
for the reappraisal reserve fund for
FY2027.

592
00:53:09,040 --> 00:53:15,200
All those in favor say I.
>> I. I.

593
00:53:12,000 --> 00:53:22,319
» All those opposed say nay.
The eyes have it. Article 8 passes.

594
00:53:19,680 --> 00:53:28,559
Representative Long has joined us. And
if no one has any objections, I'd like

595
00:53:25,200 --> 00:53:35,359
to lay Article 9 on the table, which
means put it aside. We'll pause. This is

596
00:53:31,440 --> 00:53:42,240
not a recess. And give Oh, yes. And
Senator Hassan, thank you. Um

597
00:53:39,040 --> 00:53:47,040
and give uh our representative and
senator a chance to speak. Are there any

598
00:53:44,480 --> 00:53:52,240
objections?
Okay, thank you. Um, Emily, do you want

599
00:53:50,160 --> 00:53:56,599
to come forward first or you want to
come together? Yeah, it's fine.

600
00:53:57,520 --> 00:54:03,160
» And if you could use a mic, that would
be very helpful. Thank you.

601
00:54:05,760 --> 00:54:13,440
» Hi.
Oh, look, we both have one. Um,

602
00:54:10,880 --> 00:54:17,200
is this on? Oh, it is on. Okay. Hi,
everyone.

603
00:54:14,880 --> 00:54:24,960
Thank you for allowing us time to speak.
Um I'll I'll just say first we um we

604
00:54:22,160 --> 00:54:29,359
work very closely together in the in the
uh state house. So I'm glad that we both

605
00:54:27,599 --> 00:54:34,400
get to be up here in front of each
other. Actually, we just ran into uh

606
00:54:31,920 --> 00:54:37,520
Senator Harrison who was up in Towns and
getting ready to go in as we were

607
00:54:35,599 --> 00:54:41,920
leaving towns and so she wanted us to
let you know she's still hoping to come

608
00:54:39,920 --> 00:54:46,240
here as well. She's going to try to hit
new paint as well. So, but she was a

609
00:54:43,760 --> 00:54:51,520
little off our schedule. So, um I want
to say two things that I set up in towns

610
00:54:48,240 --> 00:54:57,440
and just now first and then we can, you
know, I'll let um Senator Hashim have

611
00:54:54,720 --> 00:55:02,400
the have the microphone for his speech.
But, um I just wanted to say this has

612
00:55:00,640 --> 00:55:07,839
been a really tough winter. I just said
this up in towns and I just wanted to

613
00:55:04,079 --> 00:55:15,280
say thank you to our road crew um in in
our town and our towns all over Vermont.

614
00:55:11,599 --> 00:55:20,960
This is uh not just a
they deserve that. It is not just a

615
00:55:17,760 --> 00:55:25,839
tough winter um both in weather and
finances, but it's going to be a tough

616
00:55:23,200 --> 00:55:30,559
mud season, I think, too. It feels like
it. So, um thank you to the road crews

617
00:55:28,319 --> 00:55:35,680
in all of our towns in Vermont. Um, I
also just wanted to say, and I shared

618
00:55:32,240 --> 00:55:42,800
this up in Townsen as well, um, we we
work really hard together up in Townsen,

619
00:55:39,280 --> 00:55:47,280
not just the Senate and the House, but
amongst our parties up there. the

620
00:55:45,280 --> 00:55:53,119
divisions that we are feeling in our
country all the time. Political

621
00:55:49,119 --> 00:55:57,200
divisions, you know, societal divisions,
um, not saying they don't exist in

622
00:55:55,599 --> 00:56:02,240
Montpillar, of course they exist
everywhere, but, um, that's not how we

623
00:55:59,599 --> 00:56:07,040
operate. And I just wanted to let all of
you know that, uh, we work very closely

624
00:56:04,720 --> 00:56:12,160
together, regardless of party up there,
putting Vermoners first. And um I can

625
00:56:09,839 --> 00:56:16,960
say that unequivocally about every
member I serve with all 180 of us. Um

626
00:56:15,359 --> 00:56:23,599
and so I just wanted you all to know
that um hard as hard as this time is, we

627
00:56:21,119 --> 00:56:29,839
still know where our what our job is and
that is to serve all of you. So um I

628
00:56:27,359 --> 00:56:36,000
serve on the education committee as many
of you know already. Um, and it has been

629
00:56:34,160 --> 00:56:40,000
probably the hardest I've spent number
of years on the education committee on

630
00:56:37,520 --> 00:56:45,040
and off the education committee and uh
I'd say this is probably the hardest one

631
00:56:42,160 --> 00:56:51,280
uh I've been through so far. We are
nowhere near um a final decision I would

632
00:56:49,440 --> 00:56:58,000
say on what we're going to do with Act
73 uh which is um the bill that passed

633
00:56:54,799 --> 00:57:02,960
last year that I voted against. I know N
will share that he also voted against

634
00:56:59,599 --> 00:57:08,480
it. Um but we
uh the bill passed and we have to find a

635
00:57:05,200 --> 00:57:14,799
path forward. Um I remind my
constituents all the time that as much

636
00:57:11,680 --> 00:57:19,200
as we want to support every single
school in every single community around

637
00:57:16,640 --> 00:57:24,319
the state, we also have to make sure
that Vermoners can afford to pay for

638
00:57:21,520 --> 00:57:28,000
their homes and their property taxes. So
we've we're trying to find that balance.

639
00:57:26,160 --> 00:57:36,640
We're always trying to find that balance
and it has been a really tough uh slog

640
00:57:32,880 --> 00:57:40,880
and I'll just say the our chair put um
in the education committee in the house

641
00:57:38,240 --> 00:57:45,680
put a bill on the table for us to he
called it a flawed bill for us to fix

642
00:57:43,599 --> 00:57:51,440
and make it better because he needed a
starting point. And um we left to come

643
00:57:49,359 --> 00:57:58,000
home for town meeting break with the
acknowledgement that there was probably

644
00:57:53,440 --> 00:58:02,400
a 1 10 vote on that meaning one person
in favor and 10 against because there's

645
00:58:00,000 --> 00:58:06,160
11 of us on committee because everyone
has a different perspective about what

646
00:58:04,000 --> 00:58:09,839
we should do moving forward. So N will
share with what's going on in the

647
00:58:07,520 --> 00:58:14,480
Senate. Um, but I I will say we're still
committed to making sure that we are

648
00:58:11,760 --> 00:58:19,680
supporting our local schools, public
education in the state of Vermont in

649
00:58:16,720 --> 00:58:24,880
whatever way we possibly can. Um, and at
the same time make it as affordable as

650
00:58:22,160 --> 00:58:30,319
we can uh for our taxpayers in the
state. So, a couple other things before

651
00:58:27,119 --> 00:58:35,119
I turn it over to ND. Um, healthc care.
I I know when I hold my constituent

652
00:58:32,799 --> 00:58:38,880
hours in all three towns I represent, I
represent towns in New Fain and

653
00:58:36,400 --> 00:58:42,880
Marorrow. Uh that's the number one
honestly conversation happening and it

654
00:58:41,200 --> 00:58:47,760
is has us all really concerned.
Healthcare does. Um but we're nibbling

655
00:58:45,520 --> 00:58:53,440
at the edges wherever we can hoping that
the federal government will step up and

656
00:58:50,480 --> 00:58:59,920
do the work that they need to do to um
make health care more accessible and

657
00:58:57,520 --> 00:59:04,720
more affordable. And um in the meantime,
we're doing what we can here in Vermont

658
00:59:01,680 --> 00:59:10,240
to try to achieve those goals. Housing
is still remaining at the top of our um

659
00:59:08,079 --> 00:59:13,920
our our conversations all the time.
We're we've been we've invested millions

660
00:59:12,400 --> 00:59:20,319
and millions of dollars in housing.
We're starting to see some of the um

661
00:59:17,119 --> 00:59:26,319
outcomes of the investments, but um this
is not an easy time as you know and and

662
00:59:23,200 --> 00:59:30,960
housing costs also go up as we try to
increase housing. So, um, and government

663
00:59:29,440 --> 00:59:35,280
accountability
is also very important to us in the

664
00:59:33,280 --> 00:59:40,799
House, making sure that we're doing the
job that we are elected to do and that

665
00:59:37,200 --> 00:59:45,920
the administration is, um, is
implementing bills, uh, laws that we

666
00:59:43,599 --> 00:59:50,079
pass in the way that we intended. So,
all right, I'll turn it over to you, N.

667
00:59:48,160 --> 00:59:53,359
» Great. Thank you. Uh, good morning,
everybody. It's good to, uh, be here. My

668
00:59:52,000 --> 00:59:58,079
name is N Hashim. I'm one of the
senators for Windham County. And you

669
00:59:56,480 --> 01:00:03,280
know, I I first just want to start by
saying that over the past couple of

670
00:59:59,359 --> 01:00:07,760
days, it's felt a little strange trying
to put together all my thoughts, all the

671
01:00:05,760 --> 01:00:11,920
facts that I wanted to present a town
meeting because, you know, on on one

672
01:00:09,520 --> 01:00:15,599
hand, I'm looking at a screen, you know,
looking up tax information and, you

673
01:00:13,680 --> 01:00:18,240
know, judiciary information and then on
the other hand, I'm getting these, you

674
01:00:16,880 --> 01:00:23,680
know, just constant stream of
notifications about uh different

675
01:00:20,720 --> 01:00:28,880
missiles and explosions happening in
different parts of the world and so it's

676
01:00:26,079 --> 01:00:33,839
it feels strange is really the only word
that I can think of at the moment uh to

677
01:00:31,520 --> 01:00:38,960
describe it but you know in situations
like that I remind myself that there are

678
01:00:37,200 --> 01:00:44,480
some things in life that we have control
over and then other things in life that

679
01:00:40,880 --> 01:00:50,720
we uh don't have control over and the
things that we do have control over uh

680
01:00:47,119 --> 01:00:54,559
that's that's where our focus can be. It
doesn't mean, you know, we're not paying

681
01:00:52,160 --> 01:00:59,920
attention to what's happening, but uh
you know, in in order to overcome that

682
01:00:57,359 --> 01:01:04,480
that stress, I remind myself that there
are things uh within my grasp that I'm

683
01:01:02,880 --> 01:01:11,520
able to do, and it's not just for people
in leadership positions. It's, you know,

684
01:01:06,400 --> 01:01:16,319
just everybody. Um I think is it it it
applies to everybody. And so, just

685
01:01:13,440 --> 01:01:20,480
wanted to share that real quick. But so
in in terms of the things that I can do

686
01:01:18,400 --> 01:01:25,040
and that I have been doing uh this last
legislative session uh so in in the

687
01:01:23,280 --> 01:01:27,599
Senate we serve on two committees. Uh in
the afternoon I do serve on the

688
01:01:26,240 --> 01:01:31,440
education committee and in the morning
I'm the chair of the ed of the judiciary

689
01:01:29,839 --> 01:01:38,880
committee and I'll I'll touch on
education first. So, we're now in the

690
01:01:35,119 --> 01:01:44,960
second phase of Act 73, and we are at
this moment in time where the

691
01:01:40,480 --> 01:01:50,240
legislature is expected to uh vote on a
map uh specifically a map that will

692
01:01:48,640 --> 01:01:57,359
reduce the number of districts and
reduce the number of supervisory unions.

693
01:01:52,720 --> 01:02:01,839
And this is in contrast to the the
evidence and the data that we've gotten

694
01:01:59,760 --> 01:02:08,559
from the school redistricting task force
which had non-legislators on it but uh

695
01:02:05,119 --> 01:02:13,200
people with you know a uh a strong
background in education and education

696
01:02:10,960 --> 01:02:18,400
governance. And what they presented to
us was that the the cost savings really

697
01:02:16,559 --> 01:02:24,000
aren't there when you start merging
districts. And it's also disruptive to

698
01:02:20,880 --> 01:02:30,079
both uh to students, teachers and
parents.

699
01:02:26,559 --> 01:02:36,400
And yet we are still uh moving forward
on this path at the moment that appears

700
01:02:33,280 --> 01:02:42,400
that there will be mergers of districts.
Now, I want to say that, you know, I I I

701
01:02:40,240 --> 01:02:46,160
have a lot of hesitation about that
because I, you know, in everything that

702
01:02:44,240 --> 01:02:51,119
I do, I try to take this approach that
whatever we're doing has to be data

703
01:02:47,920 --> 01:02:56,079
driven and evidence- driven.
And so,

704
01:02:53,119 --> 01:03:02,400
uh, what I try to remind my colleagues
of is that we also need to focus on the

705
01:02:59,200 --> 01:03:05,599
actual cost drivers of, uh, property
taxes if that's what we're looking at.

706
01:03:03,920 --> 01:03:11,280
And one of those is health insurance and
the cost of health care. Um and

707
01:03:09,680 --> 01:03:14,160
you know the while these are aspects
that fall into other committees, it's

708
01:03:13,040 --> 01:03:19,680
still something that we have to keep at
the top of our mind. Um while also

709
01:03:17,760 --> 01:03:24,720
keeping at the top of the priority uh
the well-being and performance of

710
01:03:22,960 --> 01:03:27,839
students in our schools that you know
when we're talking about education that

711
01:03:26,079 --> 01:03:33,280
should always be at the top of the list
is how the students are doing.

712
01:03:31,520 --> 01:03:37,280
And
so that's, you know, that's education in

713
01:03:35,760 --> 01:03:40,079
a nutshell. I don't want to take up too
much time because we we could be here

714
01:03:38,559 --> 01:03:46,240
for a while if we want to really get
into education. But I'll shift gears

715
01:03:42,480 --> 01:03:53,440
over to uh my work in Senate Judiciary.
What I've been hearing extensively over

716
01:03:49,680 --> 01:03:58,319
the last year and a half or so is how is
Vermont going to respond to the federal

717
01:03:55,119 --> 01:04:03,200
government? And
at the beginning of our legislative

718
01:04:00,480 --> 01:04:09,520
session, we took up two bills that
address primarily uh immigration related

719
01:04:05,680 --> 01:04:14,559
issues. Those are 208 and 209. Uh 208 is
informally known as the masking bill and

720
01:04:12,079 --> 01:04:20,240
209 is known as the sensitive places
bill. Uh 208 in a nutshell uh prohibits

721
01:04:18,559 --> 01:04:24,880
law enforcement from operating
anonymously and from wearing masks while

722
01:04:22,640 --> 01:04:29,839
interacting with the public. In order to
make this constitutional, uh, it has to

723
01:04:27,680 --> 01:04:35,599
be non-discriminatory, meaning that it
has to apply to, uh, it has to apply

724
01:04:32,880 --> 01:04:40,559
evenly and fairly to local law
enforcement, state law enforcement, and

725
01:04:37,839 --> 01:04:45,760
federal agents as well. That is the
pitfall that California

726
01:04:43,440 --> 01:04:50,000
found itself falling into, which is why
uh, their law had problems. Uh

727
01:04:48,000 --> 01:04:56,960
fortunately for us, we were able to
watch what happened there and uh avoid

728
01:04:52,960 --> 01:05:03,440
the same mistakes that they made. Uh 209
is uh is a sensitive places bill. This

729
01:05:00,319 --> 01:05:08,880
prohibits immigration detainment in
certain uh in certain areas. It's a

730
01:05:06,400 --> 01:05:18,160
protection that we already have for
courouses and we are expanding it to uh

731
01:05:14,240 --> 01:05:22,640
places of worship, hospitals, schools,
polling places

732
01:05:20,160 --> 01:05:30,000
and and daycarees
and social service facilities.

733
01:05:24,960 --> 01:05:35,119
Ironically, this these protections were
in place

734
01:05:32,079 --> 01:05:40,079
in the prior federal administration. uh
but at the beginning of the year these

735
01:05:36,799 --> 01:05:46,280
protections were removed and we are
putting them back into place in state

736
01:05:42,240 --> 01:05:46,280
law. So

737
01:05:50,160 --> 01:05:56,319
those two bills are in the House
Judiciary Committee right now. Um and

738
01:05:54,480 --> 01:06:01,599
the governor has signaled his support
for both of them. Uh which I appreciate.

739
01:05:59,200 --> 01:06:07,280
Uh now the other the other side of
Senate Judiciary is much less exciting

740
01:06:04,319 --> 01:06:14,319
but it is important. Uh there's a lot of
technical work that we do that uh in my

741
01:06:11,520 --> 01:06:19,119
mind helps to keep our courouses, our
judiciary functioning and you know also

742
01:06:17,359 --> 01:06:23,039
improving efficiency. But it's it's like
taking a pickaxe to a mountain and

743
01:06:21,200 --> 01:06:28,880
trying to make little changes here and
there that um address the day-to-day

744
01:06:26,720 --> 01:06:32,960
operations. uh you know how how plea
agreements are made and you know

745
01:06:30,640 --> 01:06:37,839
clarifying language and it's these
little changes that aren't ever going to

746
01:06:34,640 --> 01:06:40,960
grab headlines I I think but you know
these are these are the little changes

747
01:06:39,280 --> 01:06:47,359
that
that I that I suspect uh are generally

748
01:06:45,440 --> 01:06:52,160
supported by you know whether it's the
plaintiff side or the defendant side or

749
01:06:49,599 --> 01:06:56,720
the judges there's generally consensus
because these are changes that again are

750
01:06:54,480 --> 01:07:00,720
meant to make our courouses operate more
efficiently

751
01:06:57,680 --> 01:07:05,760
and uh more fairly. So that's that's
really the work that I've been focusing

752
01:07:02,319 --> 01:07:11,599
on the past couple of months. Um and and
I will say that, you know, I'm going to

753
01:07:08,319 --> 01:07:15,039
leave behind a few uh little legislative
updates. It has my contact information

754
01:07:13,280 --> 01:07:19,119
on there. Uh if you're looking for more
details, please don't hesitate to reach

755
01:07:16,880 --> 01:07:23,680
out to me and I can get you those
details whether it's uh in my committee

756
01:07:21,839 --> 01:07:28,400
work or if you're curious about other
bills that might be floating around in

757
01:07:26,160 --> 01:07:31,760
other committees. So again, thank you
all for having me and uh letting us take

758
01:07:30,400 --> 01:07:34,760
up a couple of minutes of your time
here.

759
01:07:40,079 --> 01:07:46,240
I'll also just say I I do go to the
Morefree Library and I'm going to be up

760
01:07:44,319 --> 01:07:51,520
in Townsen, too. Um, and I'm at the
Morphe Library every month on the third

761
01:07:49,520 --> 01:07:58,559
Saturday of the month from 10:30 to
12:00. This month, I will be also up in

762
01:07:54,640 --> 01:08:04,240
Townsen from 9 to 10. And I'm and I'm
also in Marorrow. All three places where

763
01:08:00,559 --> 01:08:08,720
I go, um the the folks who host me are
always saying come to anybody is

764
01:08:06,720 --> 01:08:13,280
welcome. Come at any time. So if you
can't make it to the new fane one, you

765
01:08:10,240 --> 01:08:17,839
can go to towns or marbra as well. So
>> before I open it up for questions, I

766
01:08:15,359 --> 01:08:21,440
want to apologize Senator Hashim. I I
addressed you incorrectly when you came

767
01:08:19,920 --> 01:08:28,480
in and I'm very sorry.
>> No worries.

768
01:08:22,960 --> 01:08:32,640
» Um are there any questions? Yes, in back
Vermont. Um, I don't know if you guys

769
01:08:30,719 --> 01:08:37,759
are the more famous for this or not, but
like I'm wondering why the National

770
01:08:34,719 --> 01:08:43,920
Guard that's a national guard from
Vermont went over to Iran and why and

771
01:08:41,759 --> 01:08:49,239
who's in charge of that and did all the
states have to send their national guard

772
01:08:46,239 --> 01:08:49,239
or

773
01:08:49,759 --> 01:08:59,759
so it really so the National Guard can
be federalized by the president and

774
01:08:57,759 --> 01:09:04,560
essentially taken under under their
under the federal government's control.

775
01:09:02,719 --> 01:09:08,400
» That's that's the short answer to your
question.

776
01:09:06,080 --> 01:09:12,400
» That that's true of National Guard is
what we what we've understood that they

777
01:09:10,319 --> 01:09:16,640
are they can all be nationalized. That's
part of what they agree to when they

778
01:09:14,480 --> 01:09:20,640
become a member of the National Guard,
>> right? Did all the states or did just

779
01:09:18,640 --> 01:09:26,319
the blue states have to send?
>> So I I said certainly don't question all

780
01:09:24,400 --> 01:09:30,799
the states. I I think you know different
National Guard units have different

781
01:09:28,000 --> 01:09:36,960
assets like F-35s or search and rescue
or you know whatever it may be and so

782
01:09:33,920 --> 01:09:40,719
» uh I obviously I don't know I'm
speculating but I suspect the federal

783
01:09:39,120 --> 01:09:46,960
government looks at the different units
and says okay we need F-35s federalize

784
01:09:43,600 --> 01:09:51,600
those we need you know whatever other
logistical

785
01:09:48,719 --> 01:09:56,239
uh you know items that they need you
know federalize those

786
01:09:53,120 --> 01:09:56,239
» why is it called the

787
01:09:57,199 --> 01:10:01,159
Great question. Don't know.

788
01:10:01,199 --> 01:10:04,840
» Uh EMTT

789
01:10:05,440 --> 01:10:15,440
Williamsville. Um I'm American second
generation. My daughter at family there.

790
01:10:12,480 --> 01:10:22,000
Um so there's the bill age 355 which I
realized but um if you can do or you're

791
01:10:20,719 --> 01:10:28,159
» okay great. So like you can do any
advocacy or support that would mean a

792
01:10:24,080 --> 01:10:32,719
lot to me. Um and I think that there's
an argument against it um as like this

793
01:10:30,880 --> 01:10:39,679
is not something under our jurisdiction
but the amendment I think that there is

794
01:10:34,560 --> 01:10:46,400
some in the rules whatever
law um but the 10th amendment that like

795
01:10:42,640 --> 01:10:50,159
it's when there's any lack of clarity so
um and I think that this is a moment to

796
01:10:47,920 --> 01:10:54,400
like step up and you know we see the
federal administration testing the

797
01:10:52,719 --> 01:11:00,760
boundaries of what they can do and I'd
invite you guys to

798
01:10:56,320 --> 01:11:00,760
I I appreciate that. Thank you.

799
01:11:01,280 --> 01:11:04,239
I
>> actually think we need to do that. So,

800
01:11:03,679 --> 01:11:06,080
thank you.
>> Just just to confirm this.

801
01:11:05,440 --> 01:11:09,360
» Oh, sorry. Go ahead.
>> I was just going to mention that's the

802
01:11:07,520 --> 01:11:13,840
uh that's informally known as the uh
Defend the Guard Act, right? That's I I

803
01:11:12,000 --> 01:11:17,360
did hear about that at the beginning. I
believe it's in House Government

804
01:11:15,280 --> 01:11:21,840
Operations and Military Affairs. Um it
is something that I've,

805
01:11:19,199 --> 01:11:26,719
» you know, I've expressed my support for.
Uh, and also just have to point out it's

806
01:11:24,080 --> 01:11:30,280
it's not often I meet a fellow Iranian
American. So it's

807
01:11:30,800 --> 01:11:36,440
» the gentleman behind bud and I'm sorry I
don't know your name

808
01:11:39,120 --> 01:11:44,280
regarding
law.

809
01:11:45,280 --> 01:11:50,080
It seems that we're living in a in a
world where the federal government tries

810
01:11:48,560 --> 01:11:55,040
to overrule the states in a lot of ways
and of course this supremacy clause of

811
01:11:52,080 --> 01:12:01,280
the constitution which allows for that.
But what you think of a realistic

812
01:11:56,960 --> 01:12:06,480
chances for the u practical enforcement
of a law which federal government may

813
01:12:03,920 --> 01:12:12,239
objective with regard for example to the
mass or any other issue they might care

814
01:12:08,640 --> 01:12:17,040
to raise many many staticians.
Is that a feudal disaster or is that

815
01:12:14,880 --> 01:12:19,600
going to have a real impact in the state
of Vermont?

816
01:12:18,080 --> 01:12:25,920
» Great question. That's it's one that we
spent a lot of time uh grappling with

817
01:12:22,000 --> 01:12:30,960
because I'm not inclined to work on
legislation that is going to be moot or

818
01:12:28,320 --> 01:12:35,360
futile. Uh you know, we had some great
constitutional scholars come in to

819
01:12:32,480 --> 01:12:41,360
testify. Um and
as I mentioned, we also did what Cal we

820
01:12:39,280 --> 01:12:49,280
avoided doing what California did with
their law. Uh the the quick summary is

821
01:12:46,000 --> 01:12:53,600
that we are able to pass such a law
under the 10th amendment. Uh the

822
01:12:51,199 --> 01:12:59,040
supremacy clause has one component of it
known as intergovernmental immunity. Uh

823
01:12:57,199 --> 01:13:03,679
and so we have to make sure that we're
not discriminatory against the federal

824
01:13:01,199 --> 01:13:07,760
government. What California did was they
passed a similar law, but they said

825
01:13:05,520 --> 01:13:13,280
California state police are exempt from
this. They can they can wear masks. They

826
01:13:09,679 --> 01:13:18,880
can be anonymous. And the judge when
issuing their preliminary injunction

827
01:13:14,960 --> 01:13:24,000
said essentially you can't do that. And
so that's why

828
01:13:21,280 --> 01:13:29,440
um 208, the masking bill here in Vermont
um applies to all law enforcement. It's

829
01:13:26,800 --> 01:13:33,760
and it incidentally burdens the federal
government, which we can do. It's

830
01:13:31,520 --> 01:13:37,440
similar to how we can also impose an
income tax on federal employees. We

831
01:13:35,920 --> 01:13:41,840
can't say if you're a federal employee,
you have to pay a higher tax. Uh but if

832
01:13:40,080 --> 01:13:47,520
you're a federal employee, you got to
pay a tax the same way any other

833
01:13:44,400 --> 01:13:53,040
employee would. Uh the there was one
more point I wanted to make on that and

834
01:13:50,080 --> 01:13:56,480
it's escaping my mind at the moment, but
I think I covered most of it. While he's

835
01:13:54,960 --> 01:14:00,320
thinking about that, I'll just follow up
and say I I wanted to make sure everyone

836
01:13:58,239 --> 01:14:04,320
knew that it did pass out of the House.
Both bills passed out of the House. They

837
01:14:01,600 --> 01:14:10,080
were in the Senate House um Judiciary
Committee and we had as members of our

838
01:14:08,000 --> 01:14:14,560
body, we had thought we would be able to
maybe get votes on it before town

839
01:14:12,080 --> 01:14:19,280
meeting in the House. We were unable to
do that. I the House Judiciary Committee

840
01:14:17,199 --> 01:14:23,040
just needs to do their due diligence
going through all the same work that the

841
01:14:20,800 --> 01:14:28,800
Senate committee judiciary committee
did. Um but I I'm hearing nothing but

842
01:14:25,760 --> 01:14:32,880
general support in the house as well. So
>> yes, there there was uh one more piece I

843
01:14:30,640 --> 01:14:40,719
just wanted to add um is that we we did
have we do include exceptions to this uh

844
01:14:37,199 --> 01:14:45,199
to masking. So things that are
entirely reasonable like scuba diving.

845
01:14:42,800 --> 01:14:50,800
Um I hope everybody can agree that if
you're an officer scuba diving, you can

846
01:14:46,960 --> 01:14:56,480
wear a mask. That's all right. Um and
yeah, extreme cold weather and um and

847
01:14:54,960 --> 01:15:02,400
undercover
uh child sexual exploitation cases where

848
01:14:59,520 --> 01:15:08,159
the officers may be posing as a juvenile
online or, you know, wearing a disguise

849
01:15:05,199 --> 01:15:14,719
to surveil somebody specifically for
legitimate undercover um child sexual

850
01:15:11,199 --> 01:15:18,000
exploitation cases. And yeah, that that
yeah, that was the last point that I

851
01:15:15,920 --> 01:15:23,679
wanted to provide for that.
There were a couple of hands that shot

852
01:15:19,679 --> 01:15:27,120
up over here. Ken,
Ken SD,

853
01:15:25,920 --> 01:15:31,679
we know in the state of the state
address that Bill Scott basically

854
01:15:29,360 --> 01:15:37,520
threatened the legislature where they
was a budget veto. Meanwhile, the um you

855
01:15:35,040 --> 01:15:42,560
know from your own account, House
Education Committee, Senate, so

856
01:15:40,719 --> 01:15:46,560
internally within the Senate, internally
within the House, and then once both the

857
01:15:44,880 --> 01:15:51,280
House and Senate figure it out, then
they have to get together.

858
01:15:48,719 --> 01:15:59,360
It seems I guess the question is what is
the bigger threat? the budget um

859
01:15:55,120 --> 01:16:04,480
basically um threat or
you know um we don't go forward with act

860
01:16:02,000 --> 01:16:08,960
73 this year.
It just feels like you're being put on

861
01:16:06,640 --> 01:16:12,159
the spot by the governor and the
governor seems to be like hey figure it

862
01:16:10,960 --> 01:16:14,800
out.
>> I I think that's a really good

863
01:16:13,679 --> 01:16:19,920
assessment and thank you for the
question. Um, it has been uh in

864
01:16:17,679 --> 01:16:24,560
incredibly frustrating for me. As you
all know, I've spent I spent eight years

865
01:16:21,679 --> 01:16:28,159
in leadership. Um, but I'm no longer in
leadership. So, I'm going to be a little

866
01:16:26,320 --> 01:16:33,760
more free to say how I feel about this,
which I I say bring it on. You know, I

867
01:16:30,800 --> 01:16:40,080
mean, we are going to do due diligence
on Act 73 one way or the other from my

868
01:16:36,960 --> 01:16:44,960
perspective. And I think our education
committee in the House and I'm sure in

869
01:16:41,679 --> 01:16:49,280
the Senate are feeling the same way. Um
I I think it was illconceived for the

870
01:16:47,440 --> 01:16:55,440
governor to threaten us at the very
beginning um to to say that if we didn't

871
01:16:52,320 --> 01:17:02,000
do what he wanted which essentially just
so everyone understands act 73 came out

872
01:16:58,719 --> 01:17:06,800
of a bill um H454
which really was written by the governor

873
01:17:03,920 --> 01:17:12,400
and the administration. Um now we
rewrote it of course but it was pres it

874
01:17:09,040 --> 01:17:17,440
was proposed by the administration. So,
um, that being said, there are many

875
01:17:15,440 --> 01:17:24,400
things that we're trying to address and
we use that vehicle to address them.

876
01:17:20,560 --> 01:17:29,360
But, um, tying this to the budget is
very frustrating for me. And I don't

877
01:17:26,960 --> 01:17:33,199
think that we I I hear no one in the
house who's saying, "Oh, well, we

878
01:17:31,520 --> 01:17:37,040
shouldn't do this because the governor's
going to veto the budget." If he vetos

879
01:17:34,640 --> 01:17:41,840
the budget, it's on him, not on us. And
we're working really hard, just so you

880
01:17:38,960 --> 01:17:46,640
all know, on the budget. it's in um
appropriations and we're doing

881
01:17:43,760 --> 01:17:51,920
everything we can. We have very little
extra money this year. Uh you know, in

882
01:17:49,199 --> 01:17:58,320
years past we've had many millions of
dollars of revenue that we have enjoyed

883
01:17:55,600 --> 01:18:04,880
um over the years. This year I heard
anecdotally we have about $3 million for

884
01:18:01,600 --> 01:18:09,840
discretionary spending and and for after
the you know basics are accommodated. So

885
01:18:08,080 --> 01:18:12,719
we're in a really tough time right now.
So, I know you want

886
01:18:10,800 --> 01:18:17,520
» I'll just add a little bit there. Um,
I'm very well summarized. I'll just say,

887
01:18:14,960 --> 01:18:21,040
you know, every year, uh, we get
threatened by the governor with

888
01:18:19,040 --> 01:18:24,719
something. And so, it we're a little
desensitized to it because it just kind

889
01:18:22,960 --> 01:18:30,480
of feels like a toxic relationship now
at this point. Um, you know that one one

890
01:18:27,760 --> 01:18:35,120
of my big concerns is, you know, we've
been through this before with Act 46 and

891
01:18:32,640 --> 01:18:39,199
forced consolidation and that was
supposed to save money and now we're

892
01:18:37,280 --> 01:18:43,199
here a number of years later talking
about force consolidation saying it's

893
01:18:41,199 --> 01:18:49,600
going to save money
and the data in both instances has shown

894
01:18:47,120 --> 01:18:55,679
it won't save money and it's going to be
disruptive. And so again, my concern is

895
01:18:52,640 --> 01:19:00,159
that if we move forward in this capacity
of forced mergers, five years down the

896
01:18:58,640 --> 01:19:04,320
road, we're once again going to be in
another place where we're saying, "Well,

897
01:19:02,640 --> 01:19:10,640
I guess we got to merge more schools or
more districts now." And that that is a

898
01:19:08,320 --> 01:19:13,920
uh a feedback loop that I would like to
avoid.

899
01:19:12,320 --> 01:19:18,239
» Annie
Annie Landberger, Williamsville. Um,

900
01:19:16,400 --> 01:19:23,120
thank you guys for all your hard work on
this and given the lack of revenue from

901
01:19:20,960 --> 01:19:27,360
our Canadian friends coming in to spend
your money here, etc., God knows you've

902
01:19:25,199 --> 01:19:33,679
got the work cut out for you. As a
retired educator, I wonder to what

903
01:19:30,320 --> 01:19:39,360
degree you've been able to address not
the symptom, but the cause. I know a lot

904
01:19:37,199 --> 01:19:44,159
of young people would love to live in
Vermont, but it's unaffordable.

905
01:19:42,000 --> 01:19:48,800
if more and we also know that the birth
rates are dropping because why bring a

906
01:19:46,400 --> 01:19:56,000
baby into this world? But anyway, to
what degree can you interface with, you

907
01:19:52,480 --> 01:20:02,400
know, economic development and and um
and housing etc to start to really look

908
01:19:59,040 --> 01:20:08,960
at the cause rather than mandating the
symptom.

909
01:20:03,840 --> 01:20:12,719
Yeah, we uh we do interface often um and
it's

910
01:20:10,800 --> 01:20:16,719
and and it's funny because well it's not
funny but it's you know we we often have

911
01:20:15,120 --> 01:20:19,840
these conversations where we start you
know peeling back all the layers of the

912
01:20:18,159 --> 01:20:23,280
onion and then we get to the fact that
hey it's housing or hey it's health

913
01:20:21,760 --> 01:20:27,120
insurance or health the cost of
healthare and you know we're having

914
01:20:25,280 --> 01:20:33,920
those conversations in the education
committee and chairs and committees get

915
01:20:30,960 --> 01:20:37,440
un understandably uh possessive of their
jurisdiction because it wouldn't make

916
01:20:35,760 --> 01:20:43,920
sense for the education committee to
start passing out uh healthc care

917
01:20:40,480 --> 01:20:49,600
reform. Uh and so it's something that
we're often discussing and once we start

918
01:20:46,960 --> 01:20:53,679
veering too much into the other topic
then we have to come back and focus

919
01:20:51,199 --> 01:20:59,520
again on education policy or you know
whether it's you know school policies or

920
01:20:55,679 --> 01:21:07,040
governance policy. Uh but it's yeah it's
it's 100% you maybe not 100% but it's a

921
01:21:03,760 --> 01:21:12,960
hefty percent uh of us needing more
housing affordable housing and just

922
01:21:09,120 --> 01:21:16,480
needing more people in Vermont. Um and
you know we we have made significant

923
01:21:14,719 --> 01:21:20,719
investments both in child care but also
in housing um over the last few years

924
01:21:18,880 --> 01:21:27,199
and the challenge though is that those
investments will take time to see uh the

925
01:21:24,800 --> 01:21:31,840
return on investment but you know we we
have invested quite a lot in early child

926
01:21:29,360 --> 01:21:36,239
care and um and housing as well.
>> Yeah. And I would add on to agree with

927
01:21:33,840 --> 01:21:41,199
everything Nad just shared, but I would
also add on that um as we're you know

928
01:21:39,440 --> 01:21:47,199
the the the thing that people keep
saying to me about about Act 73 is why

929
01:21:44,800 --> 01:21:51,520
are why is public education and our
schools being punished for the

930
01:21:49,280 --> 01:21:55,199
challenges or being forced to deal with
the challenges that are so much more

931
01:21:52,960 --> 01:22:00,320
broad. So your point is so well taken.
Healthc care is such a huge part of the

932
01:21:58,639 --> 01:22:04,960
costs of education. There's no doubt
about it. It's also huge part of the

933
01:22:02,719 --> 01:22:10,480
cost of our lives right now and so
access to it is really critical. Um but

934
01:22:07,520 --> 01:22:15,840
there are you know the child care piece
is huge. Um but we do have to make

935
01:22:13,120 --> 01:22:21,440
Vermont more affordable. We it is very
concerning to us to see the the lack of

936
01:22:19,920 --> 01:22:25,840
students. I I'll just give you the
example of Marorrow who is dealing with

937
01:22:23,600 --> 01:22:29,440
today a vote whether they're going to
close their school or not. And I have

938
01:22:27,760 --> 01:22:33,199
been to one meeting after another in
Marbor and watched the pain that they

939
01:22:31,920 --> 01:22:37,760
are going through. And I really mean
that. It's it's on everybody's face.

940
01:22:35,360 --> 01:22:42,320
It's in their lives. They don't want
they're very isolated community. They

941
01:22:39,440 --> 01:22:46,960
don't have a school next door to them.
And so, but but the reason where they're

942
01:22:44,800 --> 01:22:51,520
going through this, Act 73 has an
impact, sure, but it isn't the real

943
01:22:49,120 --> 01:22:57,920
driver. It's that they have almost no
children coming into their lower grades.

944
01:22:54,639 --> 01:23:02,239
they cannot any longer educationally
maintain a program in their schools.

945
01:23:00,080 --> 01:23:05,760
That is really concerning. Now, of
course, Marorrow College closed a few

946
01:23:03,840 --> 01:23:12,560
years ago and that made a difference.
But but I will say act there are paths

947
01:23:09,440 --> 01:23:17,679
through Act 73 that I can see that I'm
trying to get move forward that don't

948
01:23:15,679 --> 01:23:23,760
necessarily involve immediate
redistricting of any form. We can do a

949
01:23:20,880 --> 01:23:28,239
package. The House passed the bill last
year with an extra year of

950
01:23:25,920 --> 01:23:33,040
implementation on it. When it went
through the Senate and then the um the

951
01:23:31,040 --> 01:23:37,440
committee of conference, it was reduced
by a year. I think we need that extra

952
01:23:35,280 --> 01:23:40,320
year. First of all, I felt it when we
were in the House. I voted against it

953
01:23:38,800 --> 01:23:44,639
and still felt we needed that extra
year. So, I'm looking for the extra

954
01:23:41,840 --> 01:23:51,840
year. But there are also tax poly policy
packages that we can um approve right

955
01:23:48,320 --> 01:23:56,560
now before act 73 is fully implemented.
And I'm pushing for this to happen. And

956
01:23:54,159 --> 01:23:59,520
one of them I I leave it to the ways and
means committee and we have a very

957
01:23:57,840 --> 01:24:03,760
strong chair from Bradro on the ways and
means committee. So I I have confidence

958
01:24:01,520 --> 01:24:09,440
in their ability to do the work. But one
of the pieces is the way we're we're

959
01:24:06,480 --> 01:24:13,679
proposing in act 73 to separate the
nonresidential into different

960
01:24:11,440 --> 01:24:18,639
categories. And one of one of the one of
the categories is um right now we have

961
01:24:16,880 --> 01:24:22,400
non-residential which includes our
businesses which we need to give a

962
01:24:20,639 --> 01:24:26,159
stabilized tax rate for. Our small
businesses especially in the state need

963
01:24:24,320 --> 01:24:30,639
a stabilized tax rate. They get that
right now in our current formula. But

964
01:24:28,800 --> 01:24:36,159
second homeowners are also part of
non-residential. If we separate them, we

965
01:24:33,440 --> 01:24:41,520
can actually tax second homeowners a
little higher than we do with the

966
01:24:37,760 --> 01:24:45,040
stabilized business tax rate. Yeah. So,
we're trying we're going to move that

967
01:24:42,880 --> 01:24:49,360
forward. I'm determined we can do that
this year, even if we don't fully

968
01:24:46,639 --> 01:24:53,920
implement Act 73. So, that is just one
example of a bunch of other things that

969
01:24:50,880 --> 01:24:58,400
I'd like to see us do to move us forward
with Act 73 without the disruption that

970
01:24:56,800 --> 01:25:02,000
our schools are really going through
right now that N talked about. So, thank

971
01:25:00,480 --> 01:25:05,600
you.
Um, there's quite a bit of interest.

972
01:25:03,920 --> 01:25:11,360
More questions. How are you both doing
on time? It's almost 10:30.

973
01:25:08,800 --> 01:25:16,560
» I I do have to get to I do have to get
to Dover for 11, so maybe uh 5 to 10

974
01:25:15,600 --> 01:25:17,520
more minutes.
>> Okay.

975
01:25:16,960 --> 01:25:19,679
» You good?
>> Yep. Um,

976
01:25:18,159 --> 01:25:21,840
» I'll also leave my contact information
if folks want to follow up with me.

977
01:25:21,199 --> 01:25:24,639
» Great. Thanks.
>> I was available.

978
01:25:23,040 --> 01:25:29,520
» Um, I'm sorry. I don't know your name.
Behind Tony Powelling Purple Scarf, you

979
01:25:27,120 --> 01:25:35,040
were next.
and Dr. Bane I echo Amy's gratitude for

980
01:25:33,120 --> 01:25:42,400
the work that you do and I'll be super
brief. I just want to put on the radar

981
01:25:37,600 --> 01:25:48,800
of you folks AI data privacy and the
construction of data centers that is one

982
01:25:46,080 --> 01:25:54,960
of the things that keeps me up at among
all the other things today.

983
01:25:52,320 --> 01:25:59,679
» Thank you. You're right.
I I will just briefly mention my uh

984
01:25:57,440 --> 01:26:04,880
colleague and close friend Senator White
um is working on legislation

985
01:26:01,199 --> 01:26:09,840
specifically for uh data centers and AI
in Vermont. Uh the current state of that

986
01:26:07,840 --> 01:26:14,080
bill, I'm not sure off the top of my
head, but it is being looked at.

987
01:26:11,280 --> 01:26:19,679
» Yeah, the energy they take is phenomenal
and it's not, you know, we absolutely

988
01:26:16,320 --> 01:26:24,960
have to be on top of this. So, we agree.
Bob, I see your hand, but Katie had a

989
01:26:21,760 --> 01:26:30,159
Yes, Katie had a question before you.
>> I have a quick question. Um,

990
01:26:28,880 --> 01:26:33,520
» they have a mic.
>> So, I'm just going to project really

991
01:26:31,440 --> 01:26:36,960
loud. Can everyone hear me?
>> Great.

992
01:26:34,880 --> 01:26:40,320
» Um,
we hear everyone talking about

993
01:26:38,800 --> 01:26:45,360
healthcare
costs increasing and that being like a

994
01:26:42,719 --> 01:26:52,159
driving force of why education is so
high. Is there a tangible percent

995
01:26:48,000 --> 01:26:58,000
increase or number attached to that um
that you could share with us?

996
01:26:54,639 --> 01:27:04,639
» Uh the health insurance increase the so
historically it's gone up by

997
01:27:01,280 --> 01:27:11,440
» double digits. um the the changes that
we made last year regarding um regarding

998
01:27:08,239 --> 01:27:16,560
prescription pricing and also uh what
the Green Mountain Care Board did with

999
01:27:13,600 --> 01:27:18,719
uh UVM that was charging 400% higher
than what they should have been

1000
01:27:18,000 --> 01:27:22,960
charging.
>> 55.

1001
01:27:19,679 --> 01:27:30,400
» Yeah. Yes, that one. Um that brought 88
million uh back back into the fold. and

1002
01:27:27,520 --> 01:27:36,080
and so uh Blue Cross Blue Shield their
rate increase I believe was 2% uh

1003
01:27:33,440 --> 01:27:43,600
because of some of those changes. It's
still an increase. Um and you know Blue

1004
01:27:39,520 --> 01:27:51,679
Cross Blue Shield is still in a uh a
tenuous position but you know the 2% is

1005
01:27:48,960 --> 01:27:58,800
better than the the 20% or so that they
got uh last year. That's but but that

1006
01:27:55,120 --> 01:28:05,600
that still gets you we still have an
issue generally speaking that health

1007
01:28:01,679 --> 01:28:11,000
insurance shouldn't be run by for-profit
industries. Um

1008
01:28:08,000 --> 01:28:11,000
» and

1009
01:28:11,760 --> 01:28:17,920
I think it was seven specifically
>> I think it was 7% this year. Am I right?

1010
01:28:15,840 --> 01:28:22,400
I think it was 7%.
It's been in double digits every year

1011
01:28:19,520 --> 01:28:25,520
but I think it was seven this year. um
which is still high, right?

1012
01:28:24,719 --> 01:28:30,800
» Yes.
>> But maybe not even as high as what some

1013
01:28:27,280 --> 01:28:35,600
of you are experiencing um in on the um
Health Connect, Vermont Health Connect.

1014
01:28:33,280 --> 01:28:41,840
» I see some more hands up. I suggest that
we say thank you and goodbye to Senator

1015
01:28:39,840 --> 01:28:45,480
Hashim so you don't have a stressful
drive.

1016
01:28:42,320 --> 01:28:45,480
» Thank you.

1017
01:28:50,960 --> 01:28:56,880
Thank you everybody. I uh I'm sorry I
have to jet a few minutes early. I will

1018
01:28:54,400 --> 01:29:01,120
leave a bunch of these updates over
there on that table if that's okay. And

1019
01:28:58,800 --> 01:29:05,840
my email address is on there and act.
Okay, I'll leave them up here. Uh so if

1020
01:29:03,760 --> 01:29:09,920
you have any questions, please don't
hesitate to reach out. Those updates

1021
01:29:07,600 --> 01:29:15,159
again are right here. Uh so again, thank
you all for having me and uh enjoy the

1022
01:29:11,679 --> 01:29:15,159
rest of your town meeting.

1023
01:29:31,040 --> 01:29:40,800
I know there were some other folks who
had questions. uh because Emily does

1024
01:29:36,000 --> 01:29:46,000
have time every so often where folks can
meet with her at the library or you can

1025
01:29:42,960 --> 01:29:51,840
reach out to her and because it's 10:30
and because snow is coming at some point

1026
01:29:49,440 --> 01:29:58,600
um I am going to make an executive
decision that we move back to the warned

1027
01:29:55,600 --> 01:29:58,600
articles.

1028
01:29:58,719 --> 01:30:01,960
» Thank you.

1029
01:30:02,800 --> 01:30:12,560
We are we left off on article nine.
Excuse me, Emily. I did not properly

1030
01:30:10,639 --> 01:30:17,360
thank you
for coming and for your time and for

1031
01:30:15,120 --> 01:30:20,360
your work at this state house. So, thank
you.

1032
01:30:26,800 --> 01:30:35,440
Article nine. Shall the voters of the
town of Newane approve the transfer of

1033
01:30:32,560 --> 01:30:41,040
general fund surplus in the amount of
$350,000

1034
01:30:37,679 --> 01:30:45,800
to the capital reserve fund?
Is there someone who would like to move

1035
01:30:42,560 --> 01:30:45,800
that motion?

1036
01:30:46,960 --> 01:30:57,199
» Uh, I saw Doris's hand first. Doris
Nectal. Is there a second?

1037
01:30:54,080 --> 01:31:01,120
» Tom Bedell. Thank you.
Is there any discussion on article 9?

1038
01:30:59,600 --> 01:31:05,840
Annie
Ann,

1039
01:31:03,120 --> 01:31:10,600
um I'm sorry I didn't catch
>> Could you please use the mic? Thank you.

1040
01:31:11,840 --> 01:31:18,400
I'm sorry I didn't catch us when we were
talking about article 5, but I just

1041
01:31:15,920 --> 01:31:25,840
wanted to know under capital expenses
what on page 23 the sidewalk uh

1042
01:31:23,120 --> 01:31:30,400
crosswalk installation expense of
$40,000 is for

1043
01:31:27,920 --> 01:31:35,040
» any unless that's germanine to the cap
to the transfer of funds to the capital

1044
01:31:33,199 --> 01:31:38,000
reserve fund. That would not be a
relevant question

1045
01:31:36,000 --> 01:31:43,600
» even though it's capital expenses. No,
>> it can be gerine. Okay. The it can't

1046
01:31:41,040 --> 01:31:48,719
Melissa says it can be Germaine.
>> Okay. I just wanted an answer. Just a

1047
01:31:45,840 --> 01:31:53,600
quickie.
>> So, a lot of times um when the grants

1048
01:31:51,360 --> 01:31:58,320
come in, we have to pay the whole entire
grant upfront and then reimbursement

1049
01:31:56,080 --> 01:32:03,199
could come in anywhere from a few months
to two years later. And that's also what

1050
01:32:00,560 --> 01:32:06,400
creates a lot of these surplus. So, a
lot of times I kind of call this like

1051
01:32:04,639 --> 01:32:11,760
the roll in money. We move it over into
the capital, save up for the sidewalk

1052
01:32:08,800 --> 01:32:16,239
grant, and this year we have a
engineering company for around 150,000

1053
01:32:14,800 --> 01:32:20,320
that's going to be put towards this
money. But also, they are buying a

1054
01:32:18,560 --> 01:32:24,639
grater, which I think that's coming in
next year.

1055
01:32:22,400 --> 01:32:28,800
» Yeah, the grater is coming in in fiscal
year 2627. So, this will also help to

1056
01:32:27,360 --> 01:32:31,280
purchase that.
>> So, sidewalks where? That's all I want

1057
01:32:30,719 --> 01:32:35,600
to know.
>> Newane Village.

1058
01:32:32,719 --> 01:32:40,000
» I see.
there was a grant that they received for

1059
01:32:37,040 --> 01:32:45,760
the new fame village.
>> I know that sometimes the town moderator

1060
01:32:42,239 --> 01:32:50,639
can seem rigid that there part of the
town moderator's job is to make sure

1061
01:32:48,320 --> 01:32:56,960
that we all adhere to Robert's rules of
order in order to proceed in a fair and

1062
01:32:53,520 --> 01:33:02,080
orderly way. So Annie,
so even a quick question if it's not

1063
01:32:59,760 --> 01:33:09,960
germaine is not permissible. So, I just
wanted to explain that. Um, any other

1064
01:33:05,120 --> 01:33:09,960
further discussion on article 9?

1065
01:33:12,000 --> 01:33:20,000
Okay, we're ready to move to a vote.
Shall the voters of the town of New Fain

1066
01:33:17,679 --> 01:33:26,880
approve the transfer of general fund
surplus in the amount of $350,000

1067
01:33:24,080 --> 01:33:29,280
to the capital reserve fund? All those
in favor say I.

1068
01:33:28,719 --> 01:33:37,679
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

1069
01:33:32,239 --> 01:33:44,880
The eyes have it. Article 9 passes.
Now we move on to articles 10 through

1070
01:33:40,080 --> 01:33:51,920
39. Uh I part of my role as a town
moderator is to avail you of as many

1071
01:33:49,600 --> 01:33:57,679
Robert's rules of order tools as
possible. There is something and I'm not

1072
01:33:55,280 --> 01:34:03,280
I'm not putting in a plug for this. I'm
just letting you know um that there is a

1073
01:34:00,560 --> 01:34:08,560
tool called a consent agenda where
someone can move to bundle

1074
01:34:06,639 --> 01:34:14,159
uh articles
and that is there's no debate and there

1075
01:34:11,840 --> 01:34:19,679
that goes right to a vote. So I'm just
saying if there's anyone who feels like

1076
01:34:16,960 --> 01:34:24,719
there are articles 10 to 39 that would
be conducive to a consent consent agenda

1077
01:34:23,120 --> 01:34:31,320
that is a tool you have at your
disposal.

1078
01:34:27,120 --> 01:34:31,320
Article 10. Yes.

1079
01:34:31,520 --> 01:34:39,480
» I move that articles 10 through39 be
considered as a consent agenda and move

1080
01:34:36,239 --> 01:34:39,480
forward as

1081
01:34:40,639 --> 01:34:47,520
» so could you state your name again
please?

1082
01:34:44,719 --> 01:34:53,920
And I heard Tom's Belle's name for a
second. And um as I said, there's no

1083
01:34:50,719 --> 01:35:01,760
debate. Right to a vote. So everyone who
is in favor of voting on articles 10

1084
01:34:57,679 --> 01:35:05,760
through 39 all together.
Um

1085
01:35:03,600 --> 01:35:08,719
please say I.
>> I.

1086
01:35:06,639 --> 01:35:15,199
» All those opposed say nay.
>> Nay.

1087
01:35:11,440 --> 01:35:23,159
» The Yeah. the the eyes have it. Um so
articles 10 through 39 are approved or

1088
01:35:20,159 --> 01:35:23,159
passed

1089
01:35:24,960 --> 01:35:33,239
be considered as a single slate.
>> I'm sorry that the dollar I'm sorry

1090
01:35:30,000 --> 01:35:33,239
you're correct.

1091
01:35:39,040 --> 01:35:50,159
So now I would move that the town
appropriate the sum of $42,435

1092
01:35:47,280 --> 01:35:54,000
as itemized in articles 10 through39 as
a special appropriation.

1093
01:35:52,000 --> 01:35:59,040
» Thank you.
>> Uh I heard a voice. Can you remind me of

1094
01:35:56,320 --> 01:36:05,239
your name?
>> Seconded that motion. No.

1095
01:36:02,239 --> 01:36:05,239
Um

1096
01:36:09,920 --> 01:36:15,080
» uh all those in favor please say I

1097
01:36:15,520 --> 01:36:23,040
» was that
>> open for discussion. I knew that I was

1098
01:36:20,239 --> 01:36:28,159
missing something. Thank you. Um, is
there any discussion on articles 10

1099
01:36:26,639 --> 01:36:34,360
through39
which total a special appropriations of

1100
01:36:31,360 --> 01:36:34,360
42,435

1101
01:36:34,560 --> 01:36:43,760
and because it's consent agenda you're
able to discuss any of the articles

1102
01:36:40,960 --> 01:36:47,280
10 through 39. We're not going to go we
don't have to go one by one. So I saw a

1103
01:36:46,320 --> 01:36:50,880
hand up in front.
>> That was my question. Okay. I think each

1104
01:36:48,800 --> 01:36:57,040
one can be discussed if necessary.
>> If necessary. Yes.

1105
01:36:53,920 --> 01:37:02,239
» So, does anyone have any comments or
questions about any of the articles 10

1106
01:37:00,000 --> 01:37:08,520
through 39?
>> Yes. Could you please state your name

1107
01:37:03,679 --> 01:37:08,520
and come up to the mic? Thank you.

1108
01:37:16,480 --> 01:37:26,719
My name is Joyce Singroce. I'm with New
Fain Vermont. And I have a question on

1109
01:37:23,600 --> 01:37:31,840
article 24.
What a restorative community practice of

1110
01:37:29,040 --> 01:37:36,800
Vermont. Is that part of a nonprofit
organization?

1111
01:37:34,080 --> 01:37:38,560
It is.
>> Okay.

1112
01:37:37,119 --> 01:37:43,679
» Is that that's your question?
>> Yeah. And I was just wondering what is

1113
01:37:40,880 --> 01:37:48,880
actually the res restorative community
practice of Vermont.

1114
01:37:46,159 --> 01:37:54,320
» If there is no objection, I would turn
to Dan Dewalt to expl answer that

1115
01:37:51,360 --> 01:37:58,000
question.
>> Okay, Dan.

1116
01:37:56,800 --> 01:38:01,960
» I can.
>> Yes, you can. Thank you.

1117
01:38:03,520 --> 01:38:08,960
» Restorative Community Practice.
>> Please state your name. Oh, I'm Dan

1118
01:38:06,480 --> 01:38:12,800
Dewalt of South New Fame. I'm on the
board of Restorative Community Practices

1119
01:38:10,880 --> 01:38:14,000
of Vermont. Do I can I address the
audience?

1120
01:38:13,600 --> 01:38:18,159
» Address.
>> You're supposed to address the

1121
01:38:16,000 --> 01:38:24,400
» So, the Restorative Community Practice
of Vermont does conflict resolution

1122
01:38:20,880 --> 01:38:30,480
services for anyone and we provide these
services for free. So for instance uh at

1123
01:38:28,000 --> 01:38:36,320
Leland and Gray we've worked extensively
with different classes with um

1124
01:38:33,360 --> 01:38:42,880
discipline issues and teaching issues
and conflict resolution.

1125
01:38:39,119 --> 01:38:50,400
We do um training for people to learn
how to do this work and to learn how to

1126
01:38:46,000 --> 01:38:56,719
um facilitate restorative circles. And
restorative practice uh is is basically

1127
01:38:55,119 --> 01:39:02,159
uh similar to what you and your sister
were you referenced at the beginning of

1128
01:38:59,040 --> 01:39:07,600
the of the meeting, which is learning
how to really listen to what people are

1129
01:39:05,040 --> 01:39:13,199
saying, be curious about why they're
saying it. And for people to be able to

1130
01:39:10,159 --> 01:39:17,440
um understand themselves and to be given
a space where they can really explore

1131
01:39:15,199 --> 01:39:22,560
themselves so they understand why they
are feeling the way they are and then we

1132
01:39:20,560 --> 01:39:29,520
facilitate conversations so they people
can come to strategies that fix that

1133
01:39:26,159 --> 01:39:32,800
conflict resolution. So we've worked um
with the Bradber school, we've worked

1134
01:39:30,880 --> 01:39:38,000
with Leland and Gray, we work with
anyone who calls and asks us. We have um

1135
01:39:36,320 --> 01:39:43,280
a a session training session which
actually starts the next week on

1136
01:39:40,719 --> 01:39:50,159
Thursday nights. So we've been doing
this uh around the county and the fact

1137
01:39:47,280 --> 01:39:56,639
that our lessons are on Zoom um else
bigger than that but we offer this money

1138
01:39:53,840 --> 01:40:02,080
I mean this service for free and the
money that you folks um have given us

1139
01:39:59,199 --> 01:40:06,320
has gone to pay for we have a contract
worker who does basically like

1140
01:40:04,000 --> 01:40:10,800
administrative assistance work but all
of the teachers all the board members

1141
01:40:08,719 --> 01:40:16,679
all the officers of the organization all
are volunteers And no money goes to any

1142
01:40:13,440 --> 01:40:16,679
of them.

1143
01:40:17,920 --> 01:40:20,920
» Ken,

1144
01:40:25,600 --> 01:40:36,239
uh, Ken SD Newfane. So, I'd like to, uh,
thank the, uh, select board for, uh,

1145
01:40:32,719 --> 01:40:43,199
your careful, considered deliberation
around these articles.

1146
01:40:39,280 --> 01:40:47,679
And um I see that this money of 42,000.
I don't have the report in front of me,

1147
01:40:44,480 --> 01:40:54,639
but around 42,000 is absolutely an
investment in our future, our common

1148
01:40:51,280 --> 01:40:59,840
good, our well-being, and as a
percentage of the overall budget, it's

1149
01:40:57,040 --> 01:41:06,080
somewhere around 2.5%.
So, um I think we're being uh pennywise

1150
01:41:03,440 --> 01:41:10,000
and we're being poundwise.
And uh I do thank the select board for

1151
01:41:08,320 --> 01:41:14,480
all the work that you did because you
have to look at those reports. You have

1152
01:41:12,480 --> 01:41:17,600
people coming into the meetings. So
you've carefully considered this and we

1153
01:41:16,400 --> 01:41:21,159
do thank you.
>> Thank you. K.

1154
01:41:25,360 --> 01:41:28,679
» Yes, Tessa.

1155
01:41:34,400 --> 01:41:41,920
Hello moderator. Hi everyone. Thank you
all. Um, so my name is Tessa Anderson

1156
01:41:39,679 --> 01:41:45,119
and I just wanted to mention that I
wanted to I wanted to thank everyone for

1157
01:41:43,520 --> 01:41:49,840
their continued support of both the
Newbrook U parent teacher organization

1158
01:41:47,280 --> 01:41:54,080
which does some really fantastic work um
around school like enrichment for the

1159
01:41:51,600 --> 01:41:57,679
kids at Newbrook and um you know we
we've built like new playground

1160
01:41:56,000 --> 01:42:01,440
equipment and just just really helping
them have a good experience at school.

1161
01:41:59,600 --> 01:42:04,880
And I'm also the program coordinator for
West River Valley Thrives. Um, and I

1162
01:42:03,840 --> 01:42:09,600
wanted to tell you in case you don't
know about that organization, it's

1163
01:42:06,159 --> 01:42:14,320
really fantastic. And we are um, we are
a coalition that focuses on just helping

1164
01:42:11,760 --> 01:42:19,360
the community be healthy and supporting
wellness in the community with a special

1165
01:42:16,159 --> 01:42:22,960
focus on um, teen drug and alcohol use
prevention. So, if you'd like to know

1166
01:42:21,199 --> 01:42:27,520
more about Thrives, we are having a
dinner this Thursday at Vmsa at 5:30.

1167
01:42:26,480 --> 01:42:31,360
So, if you want to come and get some
lasagna, it's free and you can learn

1168
01:42:29,440 --> 01:42:34,000
more about us and come talk to me after
if you have any questions. Thank you.

1169
01:42:32,639 --> 01:42:37,119
Thank you so much everyone.
>> Where is it?

1170
01:42:34,639 --> 01:42:41,840
» Vermont um EMS Academy. It's right next
to the tavern like or the the new the

1171
01:42:39,679 --> 01:42:47,639
inn that's being renovated on Route 30.
Excuse me. Yeah.

1172
01:42:44,080 --> 01:42:47,639
» Yeah. Thank you,

1173
01:42:51,440 --> 01:43:02,000
» Katie.
Uh for anybody who is new to New Feain

1174
01:42:56,400 --> 01:43:06,800
um um in your town report, we have a a
special appropriation section starting

1175
01:43:04,080 --> 01:43:11,840
on page 104. It's different every year,
but every single one of the

1176
01:43:08,719 --> 01:43:17,920
appropriations is listed there with
their intention, with their um overall

1177
01:43:15,840 --> 01:43:24,400
expenditures each year. how many new
fain residents are um uh helped by those

1178
01:43:22,880 --> 01:43:30,080
programs
um and um and a brief overview of all of

1179
01:43:28,000 --> 01:43:34,400
the things that they do and those are
available. We ask that every single one

1180
01:43:32,320 --> 01:43:40,440
of them does that and provide them to
you so you have some of that background

1181
01:43:36,560 --> 01:43:40,440
information going forward.

1182
01:43:41,760 --> 01:43:49,400
» Yes.
Could you please come to the mic? Thank

1183
01:43:45,280 --> 01:43:49,400
you. and state your name.

1184
01:43:52,800 --> 01:43:59,600
» Hi, I'm Beckley Goddet from New Fain and
I just want to take an opportunity to

1185
01:43:57,520 --> 01:44:05,520
introduce myself. I'm the librarian at
the Morphrey Library and I want to thank

1186
01:44:02,320 --> 01:44:08,760
everybody, all the voters here.
Thank you.

1187
01:44:10,400 --> 01:44:16,960
Um I want to thank you all for
considerate considering um a

1188
01:44:14,800 --> 01:44:22,320
contribution to the more free library
and also make a pitch that we have more

1189
01:44:19,280 --> 01:44:27,840
than books. We have meeting space to
offer anybody who has a meeting that

1190
01:44:24,480 --> 01:44:32,600
they want to um um offer the public. So
um come on down visit us. Thank you.

1191
01:44:36,239 --> 01:44:47,920
Is there any further discussion on
the motion on the floor

1192
01:44:45,199 --> 01:44:55,480
regarding the support appropriating
funds for any of the organizations

1193
01:44:50,560 --> 01:44:55,480
listed in articles 10 through 39?

1194
01:44:57,600 --> 01:45:07,040
Okay. Hearing none, I'll repeat the
motion and I have uh checked with

1195
01:45:03,440 --> 01:45:10,639
Melissa and Wanetta about the wording.
This is what you're going to be voting

1196
01:45:08,239 --> 01:45:13,639
on. Shall the voters of the town of
Newane

1197
01:45:13,840 --> 01:45:20,920
appropriate a total of $42,000?
$42,435,000.

1198
01:45:22,560 --> 01:45:25,560
What?

1199
01:45:25,679 --> 01:45:32,520
» Oh, I'm sorry. Boy, I'm not doing well
with numbers today. $42,435,000.

1200
01:45:43,440 --> 01:45:49,920
» Oh my gosh.
Either I need coffee or a new

1201
01:45:47,360 --> 01:45:54,880
prescription,
which I'm waiting for for Let me try one

1202
01:45:53,199 --> 01:46:01,960
more time. Shall voters of the town of
Newfane make a total appropriation of

1203
01:45:58,960 --> 01:46:01,960
$42,435.

1204
01:46:06,080 --> 01:46:13,440
» For the organizations referenced in
articles 10 through39.

1205
01:46:11,600 --> 01:46:16,400
All those
in favor say I.

1206
01:46:15,600 --> 01:46:22,159
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

1207
01:46:19,679 --> 01:46:29,159
The motion passes.
The eyes have it. The motion passes.

1208
01:46:26,159 --> 01:46:29,159
Okay,

1209
01:46:29,760 --> 01:46:39,280
that's like town meeting on speed dial.
Okay, so now

1210
01:46:35,440 --> 01:46:46,600
we that is the end of the appropriations
section of the warning

1211
01:46:42,080 --> 01:46:46,600
and we move to article 40.

1212
01:46:49,760 --> 01:46:59,199
» Oh yes, thank you. Yeah.
Thank you. Um Katie pointed out that

1213
01:46:55,920 --> 01:47:04,560
Senator Harrison has joined us and if
there are no objections, I'd like to lay

1214
01:47:01,679 --> 01:47:13,320
Article 40 on the table, put it aside so
that Senator Harrison can address us.

1215
01:47:09,360 --> 01:47:13,320
Okay, hearing no objections.

1216
01:47:16,719 --> 01:47:21,480
If you could come to the front, that
would be great.

1217
01:47:29,360 --> 01:47:37,199
Great. Thank you.
>> This is a very supportive crowd. So,

1218
01:47:34,719 --> 01:47:43,280
thank you. I I appreciate you allowing
me to um speak to you. So, I'm going to

1219
01:47:41,040 --> 01:47:48,560
keep it brief. I am h happy to answer
any questions that that you'd like. Um,

1220
01:47:46,239 --> 01:47:54,719
so you probably know senators serve on
two committees in the legislature. I am

1221
01:47:51,600 --> 01:48:00,000
chair of institutions committee and I
serve on the transportation committee.

1222
01:47:57,920 --> 01:48:06,480
And in the transportation committee,
we're focusing a lot on towns um because

1223
01:48:02,960 --> 01:48:14,159
we realize that towns have um a a
difficult time um uh being able to pay

1224
01:48:09,760 --> 01:48:22,560
for roads. Um we found that the pay the
state aid is only 6% of of what towns

1225
01:48:18,800 --> 01:48:27,920
average um uh uh maintaining the roads
and that's with um uh paved roads and

1226
01:48:26,159 --> 01:48:33,840
not paved roads. And we have a lot of
not paved roads uh unpaved roads, gravel

1227
01:48:30,159 --> 01:48:40,159
roads in uh in our area. Um which is
generally a good thing. Um but uh it's

1228
01:48:36,639 --> 01:48:47,119
it's they're expensive too. Um, so I
just want you to know and for folks to

1229
01:48:42,239 --> 01:48:53,920
be alert that we're working on a um
local option tax that the the town would

1230
01:48:50,719 --> 01:48:59,440
need to implement that would be for
roads and it would be a a local option

1231
01:48:56,560 --> 01:49:05,840
sales tax. So that's coming up. I want
to let you know about existing local

1232
01:49:01,920 --> 01:49:12,239
option taxes because internet sales are
now included in those in those um taxes.

1233
01:49:09,840 --> 01:49:17,280
So, if you're interested in that, um you
no longer need to do a charter change.

1234
01:49:14,560 --> 01:49:22,639
You can just do that as uh as a town
meeting. Um,

1235
01:49:19,679 --> 01:49:28,560
I also want to let you know that I saw
some interest in the county and regional

1236
01:49:24,960 --> 01:49:34,239
governance committee um work and I and I
serve on that committee. And what that

1237
01:49:30,639 --> 01:49:41,679
committee is looking at is making um
local government as in county government

1238
01:49:37,920 --> 01:49:48,800
um more efficient and effective. Um, my
goal in being on that committee is not

1239
01:49:45,280 --> 01:49:53,440
to put a barrier between the state and
the local communities. I think that's

1240
01:49:51,040 --> 01:49:58,639
really special in Vermont, how how
accessible the the state is to the to

1241
01:49:55,760 --> 01:50:04,800
the towns. And I I'm going to make sure
that that we don't um hinder that. But

1242
01:50:01,679 --> 01:50:11,600
we have a lot of agencies and um
entities that are actually doing state

1243
01:50:07,360 --> 01:50:16,960
work but not as state employees. The
state contracts for a lot of things. Um

1244
01:50:14,159 --> 01:50:23,040
and I think that though I and others
think that those entities could be

1245
01:50:19,679 --> 01:50:29,360
better served or or more effective if
they work together. Um they all have uh

1246
01:50:26,639 --> 01:50:34,080
folks who are doing personnel and they
have financial people and we could we

1247
01:50:31,280 --> 01:50:38,239
could um uh um have some efficiencies
there and more importantly they would um

1248
01:50:37,040 --> 01:50:45,360
interact with each other like for
example um the transit agencies and the

1249
01:50:42,320 --> 01:50:52,080
um uh mental health agencies and
hospitals um we've been having joint

1250
01:50:48,880 --> 01:50:58,320
meetings of committees this year which I
think is really helpful because the

1251
01:50:53,520 --> 01:51:03,280
committees are by um uh uh area like
like transportation for example and

1252
01:51:00,480 --> 01:51:08,000
transportation impacts health care. And
so we've had meetings with the

1253
01:51:05,440 --> 01:51:12,880
transportation committee and the health
healthcare committee talking together

1254
01:51:10,159 --> 01:51:17,119
about how we get people to their
appointments because there's a big

1255
01:51:14,239 --> 01:51:20,960
issue. And that sounds might sound like
an easy thing to do, but it's not an

1256
01:51:19,040 --> 01:51:25,199
easy thing to do. But we're getting
somewhere because we're we're having

1257
01:51:23,360 --> 01:51:31,040
these committees overlap which which I
think is really good. And um so that's

1258
01:51:28,880 --> 01:51:37,119
that one. And I want just a detail thing
that I don't think is getting around

1259
01:51:33,360 --> 01:51:44,560
enough is that in the home act a couple
of years ago, we um put in a provision

1260
01:51:41,440 --> 01:51:49,599
that's called duplexes by right. So,
what that means is that if you have a

1261
01:51:47,199 --> 01:51:57,679
single family home or if your if your
lot is zoned single family, you can by

1262
01:51:54,080 --> 01:52:02,880
state law have a duplex on that on that
property. And what the state the reason

1263
01:52:00,400 --> 01:52:07,040
the state did this was um obviously we
need more housing and that's that's a

1264
01:52:05,360 --> 01:52:12,000
good way to get more housing with
minimal environmental impacts. Um, but

1265
01:52:09,840 --> 01:52:18,560
it's also a way for Vermonters to have
another um source of income um or a a a

1266
01:52:16,000 --> 01:52:22,960
place where where you can have older um
family members or younger family members

1267
01:52:20,560 --> 01:52:26,960
who want a separate space. So, I just
want to make sure everybody knows about

1268
01:52:24,080 --> 01:52:37,440
that because it's it's it's important.
Um so and congratulations on your uh the

1269
01:52:31,760 --> 01:52:44,320
um you're making progress on the um uh
sidewalk and crosswalk um o over at on

1270
01:52:41,440 --> 01:52:47,840
Route 30. So if anything goes south on
that, please let me know because we're

1271
01:52:46,320 --> 01:52:54,000
having some
>> Okay, thanks. Um just uh we're having

1272
01:52:51,679 --> 01:52:59,119
issues. the transportation budget is 33
million in deficit, which means that

1273
01:52:56,800 --> 01:53:05,199
we're losing a hundred million of
matching funds, um, federal funds. So,

1274
01:53:02,639 --> 01:53:10,960
some projects are being cut and they're
being cut without a lot of, um, uh,

1275
01:53:08,480 --> 01:53:16,159
public knowledge. So, that's that's a
problem.

1276
01:53:13,840 --> 01:53:19,040
Okay. Is it I'm happy to take questions
if anyone wants.

1277
01:53:17,599 --> 01:53:25,360
» Okay, great. Are there questions for
Senator Harrison? Yes, Breeze.

1278
01:53:22,400 --> 01:53:31,440
» Breeze or not? Uh, Wingsville,
I'm wondering if uh the state continues

1279
01:53:28,320 --> 01:53:36,199
to put an overall
treatment of roads in Wville.

1280
01:53:36,560 --> 01:53:44,000
You know, done for a lot of work. We
actually had a

1281
01:53:40,560 --> 01:53:48,719
some funding last year. Thank you board
uh to install a one speed bump, which

1282
01:53:47,599 --> 01:53:55,119
probably not going to be all that
effective. The money came out last May.

1283
01:53:50,560 --> 01:53:59,880
It still hasn't been installed. But uh
it's always on my mind and I should see

1284
01:53:56,880 --> 01:53:59,880
where

1285
01:54:01,280 --> 01:54:06,679
the question is that being at

1286
01:54:07,599 --> 01:54:14,960
» uh no actually it's high on our radar.
um the transportation committee that we

1287
01:54:12,560 --> 01:54:18,239
have five members and we all um when
when we started this year we talked

1288
01:54:16,560 --> 01:54:23,679
about our priorities and every single
one of us said stay safety so safety is

1289
01:54:21,199 --> 01:54:28,880
critical and we're having more accidents
and especially pedestrian issues so

1290
01:54:26,239 --> 01:54:36,000
certainly um no it's high on the list
and we're looking at um cameras uh

1291
01:54:33,599 --> 01:54:43,840
there's privacy concerns which I work on
that in my other committee um but there

1292
01:54:38,719 --> 01:54:51,119
are ways ways to um enforce speed limits
uh uh that way um remotely basically. So

1293
01:54:48,080 --> 01:54:56,400
so we are we are looking at that.
>> Annie,

1294
01:54:53,679 --> 01:55:01,520
so just a quick question. How can we
keep tabs on your work? Is there a place

1295
01:54:59,599 --> 01:55:06,800
online where we can see what the results
of your work are?

1296
01:55:03,840 --> 01:55:12,080
» Sure. Uh, and when you say yeah, the the
Senate or me in particular, um, I've

1297
01:55:09,119 --> 01:55:17,520
I've provided a um handout so that you
can see what I'm what I'm working on.

1298
01:55:14,080 --> 01:55:23,440
Um, in the
>> Oh, you can you can watch every day if

1299
01:55:20,480 --> 01:55:29,280
you want. Um, we're on camera every day,
which is challenging um in both of our

1300
01:55:26,000 --> 01:55:37,679
committees. Um, so so that's that's a
way to watch. Um you can see what uh

1301
01:55:33,520 --> 01:55:44,639
bills we um uh endorsed or um supported
or uh so like for example I I I did a

1302
01:55:41,119 --> 01:55:50,400
bill to um keep corporate money out of
elections. Um there were two of us on

1303
01:55:46,880 --> 01:55:55,360
that bill and um it it could actually
happen. It's it's a state. It would just

1304
01:55:52,480 --> 01:56:01,360
be Vermont state corporations, but
corporations are created by the state

1305
01:55:58,560 --> 01:56:06,320
and the state uh decides what
corporations can do. And so we are

1306
01:56:03,920 --> 01:56:13,599
planning on we're the the bill proposes
to take off of that list support for um

1307
01:56:10,560 --> 01:56:19,840
uh political um services, which would be
amazing if we can do that. Yeah. Yeah.

1308
01:56:16,239 --> 01:56:26,880
No, I'm psyched about that one.
Stevie, did you want to say something?

1309
01:56:23,440 --> 01:56:31,679
» Yeah. assignment.
What do you think the prospects are for

1310
01:56:28,880 --> 01:56:38,320
uh limiting through state legislation
the unison presence of AI

1311
01:56:36,159 --> 01:56:42,800
in the apparent opposition of the the
opposition will probably federal

1312
01:56:39,679 --> 01:56:48,639
government but I sense that there are
other people in the audience here who

1313
01:56:45,360 --> 01:56:55,440
are concerned about what it might mean
in Vermont and I just wonder how much

1314
01:56:50,880 --> 01:56:59,040
power you feel the state has to put sort
of brakes on

1315
01:56:56,800 --> 01:57:06,719
Thank you. It's a great question. It's a
a huge topic and um my committee uh took

1316
01:57:03,840 --> 01:57:13,679
over jurisdiction of it generally
because we didn't have a specific place

1317
01:57:08,800 --> 01:57:18,080
for that in the Senate. Um it's a AI is
challenging because they're they're

1318
01:57:16,000 --> 01:57:21,840
trying to do a federal preeemption where
they say that the states don't have

1319
01:57:19,599 --> 01:57:26,960
authority. So if they say the states
don't have authority, that's obviously a

1320
01:57:23,840 --> 01:57:33,760
challenge. we could still pass a law um
and and see where it goes. Um we did

1321
01:57:30,239 --> 01:57:40,400
pass a law last year uh kids code which
um I'm pretty proud of.

1322
01:57:36,320 --> 01:57:48,000
It it uh requires that internet
companies can't do allow things that are

1323
01:57:45,520 --> 01:57:53,440
currently happening uh to hurt our
children. um hurting them physically and

1324
01:57:50,800 --> 01:57:58,639
mentally um not just uh you know taking
off of up their time um that they cannot

1325
01:57:55,760 --> 01:58:04,239
do that. It goes into effect next
January. We gave it some time to to um

1326
01:58:02,480 --> 01:58:08,159
uh so that folks who thought that there
might be issues could identify those

1327
01:58:06,159 --> 01:58:12,320
issues for businesses. There aren't
going to be um issues for businesses

1328
01:58:10,400 --> 01:58:20,480
because these are big companies. These
are um um the like like examples of the

1329
01:58:16,639 --> 01:58:24,480
harm are Snapchat for example. Um they
allow

1330
01:58:22,080 --> 01:58:31,360
older men who are pedophiles to connect
with young girls. Um uh their preferred

1331
01:58:28,320 --> 01:58:38,639
age rate is uh age range is uh middle
school kids. Um Instagram uh it's it's

1332
01:58:36,320 --> 01:58:43,199
horrible, but um children are actually
killing themselves. I'm sorry to to tell

1333
01:58:40,639 --> 01:58:47,840
you that, but it's true and we don't
hear about it enough. Um, but that's

1334
01:58:45,840 --> 01:58:50,960
happening and the internet companies
know it's happening. They're finally

1335
01:58:49,199 --> 01:58:55,840
getting sued for it. Our bill is
something that will help um folks get

1336
01:58:53,119 --> 01:59:02,960
sued for it and um have a liability and
so then stop it presumably. Um it's I I

1337
01:59:01,199 --> 01:59:08,480
don't want to say more just cuz it's
really sad. Um but uh but they know what

1338
01:59:06,639 --> 01:59:12,280
they're doing and this bill will stop
them from doing that.

1339
01:59:13,199 --> 01:59:16,199
» Yeah.

1340
01:59:17,280 --> 01:59:25,199
» Yes. Could you I just a housekeeping
thing. What I don't know all of you

1341
01:59:22,880 --> 01:59:30,560
unfortunately and for the purposes of
town meeting minutes everybody's name

1342
01:59:27,840 --> 01:59:35,040
needs to be in the minutes. So, if you
could all say your name loudly enough

1343
01:59:32,480 --> 01:59:37,119
and slowly enough so both Wetta and I
can hear, that would be great.

1344
01:59:36,880 --> 01:59:42,080
» Sure.
>> Hi, I had a question. My name's Ramsey.

1345
01:59:39,840 --> 01:59:45,679
I'm voter of the new thing and I was
just curious as we speak of some of

1346
01:59:43,840 --> 01:59:49,199
these larger issues affecting the world
or the country. I think there's some

1347
01:59:47,760 --> 01:59:54,239
people in this room that would just
rather talk about strictly local issues,

1348
01:59:52,239 --> 01:59:58,080
only roads. I'm wondering if you'd be
willing to speak a little bit about the

1349
01:59:56,239 --> 02:00:02,800
connection between the local, the
national, the global, just kind of

1350
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:07,520
generally speaking if that's okay. Like
why are things happening across the

1351
02:00:04,719 --> 02:00:13,040
world important here in
data science?

1352
02:00:10,159 --> 02:00:16,520
I think some people have connections and
it might be nice.

1353
02:00:18,960 --> 02:00:27,119
» No, no, no, no. You're right. I I was
going to go on a democracy rant because

1354
02:00:23,679 --> 02:00:31,760
uh just the we we're some of us are
giving up on democracy at the federal

1355
02:00:28,800 --> 02:00:40,560
level which is horrendous and democracy
like this is amazing. I I mean you are

1356
02:00:36,719 --> 02:00:44,960
here to to decide how your daily life is
is going to be. And um this doesn't

1357
02:00:43,199 --> 02:00:48,960
exist in in places outside of New
England. Um you probably know that. I

1358
02:00:46,960 --> 02:00:54,480
hope you know that it's very special.
Each town is completely different and

1359
02:00:51,679 --> 02:01:00,960
you're different each meeting too. Each
year you're different. So, so that's

1360
02:00:56,880 --> 02:01:07,280
that's it's so precious to have uh a
functional democracy. Um I I live in

1361
02:01:03,199 --> 02:01:12,560
Bradboroough. Um we have a a ballot um
today to to get rid of town meeting and

1362
02:01:10,480 --> 02:01:16,000
that's going to be really sad for me if
if and a lot of others if if that

1363
02:01:14,320 --> 02:01:20,719
happens because we don't you don't get
it back you know once because this takes

1364
02:01:18,560 --> 02:01:27,679
work right I mean sometimes you're here
all day sometimes two days um but it's

1365
02:01:23,520 --> 02:01:30,920
worth it so so democracy is worth it um
thank you

1366
02:01:33,840 --> 02:01:40,320
At a state level, we're pretty good at
at democracy. We're we're um I mean, we

1367
02:01:38,159 --> 02:01:44,480
could it could be better. Uh but we are
there in person you talking to each

1368
02:01:42,320 --> 02:01:50,239
other. Um we had there's a lot of
lobbyists. Um like with the data stuff,

1369
02:01:47,520 --> 02:01:53,679
the lobbyists are all around. Uh they
won't talk to us in committee. I was

1370
02:01:52,239 --> 02:01:59,840
talking about how we're on camera in
committee all day. Um the lobbyist there

1371
02:01:56,080 --> 02:02:04,800
was the goo Google Google guy was uh
there last year and he would talk to me

1372
02:02:02,080 --> 02:02:09,599
in the hall but he wouldn't talk to me
in committee. So that's what you see. I

1373
02:02:08,080 --> 02:02:14,239
mean and the corporations they're really
used to getting their way but if we

1374
02:02:11,679 --> 02:02:17,920
stand up for them to them um they don't
get their way. I mean, we have the

1375
02:02:15,679 --> 02:02:23,040
power. Um, we have the power now. Um,
and we in theory have the power on a on

1376
02:02:20,639 --> 02:02:26,560
a federal level, but we're not we
haven't used our power. And that's my

1377
02:02:24,560 --> 02:02:33,199
opinion. You know, for years we've, you
know, some people just don't vote

1378
02:02:29,440 --> 02:02:38,480
intentionally. Um, but but we got to get
it back. I I hope people wake up. Um, it

1379
02:02:36,080 --> 02:02:45,599
this if this doesn't wake people up, I
don't know what will. Um, it's it's it's

1380
02:02:41,920 --> 02:02:47,119
scary. Um, I don't know if that's you
want.

1381
02:02:46,400 --> 02:02:50,800
» Okay.
>> Um, the person in the back, you're back

1382
02:02:48,719 --> 02:02:53,280
lit, so I'm sorry I can't wreck see your
face.

1383
02:02:51,199 --> 02:02:58,239
» Hi, my name is Steve Anderson. I just
wanted to coattail on that. I look

1384
02:02:55,520 --> 02:03:04,800
around this room and there aren't very
many young people here and they're

1385
02:03:00,880 --> 02:03:10,480
inheriting all of these issues. So, I
just wanted to speak to encourage people

1386
02:03:07,520 --> 02:03:16,239
to encourage the young people to get
involved in it because democracy only

1387
02:03:13,119 --> 02:03:22,800
works if you show up.
>> I I agree with you and just an I talked

1388
02:03:20,000 --> 02:03:27,360
to somebody just what 20 minutes ago in
um towns and and they were happy to see

1389
02:03:26,080 --> 02:03:34,360
young people because there were more
young people at that meeting than there

1390
02:03:29,360 --> 02:03:34,360
had been in the past. But I agree

1391
02:03:37,599 --> 02:03:45,119
on his subject
moving to Saturday where people don't

1392
02:03:42,080 --> 02:03:49,760
have to work. I stayed out of it for
years until I was retired. This is my

1393
02:03:47,920 --> 02:03:55,040
third one.
Uh but I business in the world. I

1394
02:03:53,440 --> 02:03:58,960
couldn't make it. I couldn't pull away
my customers and

1395
02:03:57,840 --> 02:04:03,599
the money.
>> Right.

1396
02:04:00,719 --> 02:04:09,920
So there's always the option of getting
a petition signed and submitting it and

1397
02:04:07,040 --> 02:04:14,560
so that that if that's an issue you you
would like the town to debate it could

1398
02:04:11,920 --> 02:04:17,560
be in next year's warning for town
meeting.

1399
02:04:18,960 --> 02:04:26,560
» Yeah. And just other things I mean, can
I follow up on that? Just Yes, please.

1400
02:04:23,440 --> 02:04:32,400
So, some things that towns do, they hold
it on Saturdays. You can have child

1401
02:04:29,520 --> 02:04:37,040
care. Broader did that. We've had child
care. Um, and it's important to to make

1402
02:04:35,520 --> 02:04:43,040
sure that people can physically get
there. So, um, uh, transportation is is

1403
02:04:41,280 --> 02:04:46,000
important, too. Obviously, an accessible
building, which you all already have to

1404
02:04:44,560 --> 02:04:50,400
do, but there are a lot of things you
can do.

1405
02:04:47,599 --> 02:04:50,400
» Bill

1406
02:04:52,400 --> 02:05:01,440
with any questions about FEMA. We got
turned down two months ago

1407
02:04:59,199 --> 02:05:07,360
got hit last
summer.

1408
02:05:03,599 --> 02:05:12,000
» Okay, I'll speak up about FEMA turning
us down two months ago for our disaster

1409
02:05:10,480 --> 02:05:17,679
issues
was pretty much all came from last year.

1410
02:05:14,400 --> 02:05:21,760
life event seems to be a bad day and uh
we got turned down that little town of

1411
02:05:19,599 --> 02:05:31,239
S. I don't even think they got 500
people. So they got nuked and no federal

1412
02:05:26,560 --> 02:05:31,239
money. So just transportation

1413
02:05:32,880 --> 02:05:39,199
shift some funds. I mean, got to fix the
roads, but we don't have the federal

1414
02:05:37,599 --> 02:05:43,360
money coming
>> and they have a million dollars,

1415
02:05:41,679 --> 02:05:47,920
» right? And hopefully that's not going to
be a standard uh response from FEMA.

1416
02:05:46,000 --> 02:05:54,560
That was hopefully a one-off, but we
can't you can't count on that. Um the

1417
02:05:50,480 --> 02:05:59,599
legislature put aside $50 million for um
uh problems from the federal government.

1418
02:05:57,280 --> 02:06:04,320
So, they may be looking at uh I'm not in
that area, but but they they may be

1419
02:06:02,159 --> 02:06:09,599
looking at using some of that funding
for that. Um, and there's there is

1420
02:06:07,520 --> 02:06:14,719
transportation funding that we could be
using, but we're not. There's something

1421
02:06:11,280 --> 02:06:21,040
called transportation um uh investment
bonds, and we just paid them all off.

1422
02:06:17,599 --> 02:06:28,080
And um I'm advocating for looking at
that again because um we uh we have

1423
02:06:26,639 --> 02:06:34,400
there's there's things that are
happening now that need um work and if

1424
02:06:30,719 --> 02:06:39,040
we don't uh fix the roads now it's just
going to get worse and more expensive.

1425
02:06:37,040 --> 02:06:42,639
So in the long run
>> professional bonds would they be

1426
02:06:40,800 --> 02:06:46,400
municipal bonds to be
>> those would be state bonds. statements.

1427
02:06:45,199 --> 02:06:51,199
» Yeah, because the state has a fair
amount of bonding capacity and we have

1428
02:06:48,079 --> 02:06:58,000
more bonding capacity than we're using
because so many of the projects that we

1429
02:06:53,679 --> 02:07:04,280
have funded are uh delayed um mostly
because of COVID and uh BGS has been

1430
02:07:00,800 --> 02:07:04,280
just really busy.

1431
02:07:04,320 --> 02:07:09,440
» Yes, Tom.
>> Tom,

1432
02:07:07,280 --> 02:07:13,679
» and I know it seems like you're people
are projecting, but it is hard to hear.

1433
02:07:11,520 --> 02:07:19,199
So I would ask you to either really
project or use the mic.

1434
02:07:16,880 --> 02:07:25,360
» New subject I wanted to ask about the
governor's return to work order um for

1435
02:07:22,159 --> 02:07:30,320
state employees. Um that is uh this
order is effective effectively making it

1436
02:07:28,000 --> 02:07:37,360
impossible for people from southern
Vermont to apply for state jobs. Um it's

1437
02:07:34,079 --> 02:07:42,719
an affordability of cost of living issue
um for people who live here and are

1438
02:07:39,920 --> 02:07:49,760
already employees of the state having to
go back and forth um uh a minimum of two

1439
02:07:46,880 --> 02:07:55,199
or three times a week 2 hours each way.
It essentially is is closing out uh

1440
02:07:52,159 --> 02:08:00,239
employment opportunities in this in this
town uh at the state level. And I wonder

1441
02:07:57,760 --> 02:08:04,800
if you have any thoughts on working on
that. Um, it's not in any of my

1442
02:08:02,960 --> 02:08:09,440
committees and I don't even think that
there's a bill. I my recollection is

1443
02:08:07,280 --> 02:08:13,920
that there was a a determination that
that is under the governor's authority

1444
02:08:11,199 --> 02:08:21,040
and the legislature doesn't have a a a
place in that. Um, one area that might

1445
02:08:17,360 --> 02:08:28,239
come in my committee is that there was
uh there's concerns about the

1446
02:08:26,480 --> 02:08:32,639
areas that they leased, the office
spaces that they leased, and that that

1447
02:08:30,639 --> 02:08:36,800
could come in my committee. So, I'm
alert to that.

1448
02:08:34,719 --> 02:08:41,520
I don't I don't think that would solve
the problem, but um it would be more of

1449
02:08:38,800 --> 02:08:48,079
a a financial issue when it came to my
committee. As a followup, could I ask um

1450
02:08:45,040 --> 02:08:55,360
can um uh can the legislature get
involved in um the

1451
02:08:52,560 --> 02:08:59,480
determine the uh rule that says
employees have all

1452
02:09:01,280 --> 02:09:10,960
» I don't know that answer generally the
the the governor is like the mayor or

1453
02:09:08,800 --> 02:09:16,159
the the governor is basically the boss,
right? he that that position is in

1454
02:09:14,079 --> 02:09:22,239
charge of the operations and the
legislature is in charge of making or

1455
02:09:19,119 --> 02:09:28,520
changing laws. So we have very different
roles. So I I don't know but I can find

1456
02:09:25,520 --> 02:09:28,520
out

1457
02:09:29,760 --> 02:09:34,679
» any additional questions for Senator
Harrison.

1458
02:09:35,760 --> 02:09:43,719
» Okay. Well, thank you for your time,
your service, and

1459
02:09:40,400 --> 02:09:43,719
thank you.

1460
02:09:48,960 --> 02:09:56,320
» Before we get back to the warned
articles, um people standing, I know

1461
02:09:54,239 --> 02:10:04,079
there are folks who don't like to sit in
front. Um if maybe someone here could

1462
02:10:00,079 --> 02:10:08,960
bring those three chairs um over to the
side without blocking an egress out of

1463
02:10:06,719 --> 02:10:14,400
the building. We have to be careful with
terms of fire that um and then for folks

1464
02:10:12,560 --> 02:10:18,800
who are standing in the back there. Yes,
thank you Joyce. There are a couple

1465
02:10:15,840 --> 02:10:22,440
seats right here. There's a seat on the
second row.

1466
02:10:27,599 --> 02:10:36,320
You can handle it, Tom.
Um, I'd also like to recognize Austin

1467
02:10:34,560 --> 02:10:41,760
Rice,
who is in charge of all the the audio

1468
02:10:39,599 --> 02:10:47,920
for today. Austin, thank you very much
for being here and the video AV. Yeah,

1469
02:10:45,040 --> 02:10:54,639
thank you so much. And is a a local
resident. Um, and we also wanted the

1470
02:10:51,760 --> 02:10:59,440
select board and I and the town clerk
and treasurer wanted to take this

1471
02:10:56,480 --> 02:11:06,320
opportunity to make sure everybody knows
when the school budget vote is. And

1472
02:11:03,520 --> 02:11:12,159
that's going to be on Katie. You want to
>> Sure. Um, just to reiterate the messages

1473
02:11:09,520 --> 02:11:16,960
of democracy, process, and civic duty.
Um, the school budget vote is separate

1474
02:11:14,000 --> 02:11:23,119
from our town budget and it will be on
Wednesday, April 8th at Newbrook Fire

1475
02:11:20,320 --> 02:11:28,159
Department at the for the poll from 9 to
7:00 p.m. Um, absentee ballots will be

1476
02:11:26,239 --> 02:11:33,280
possible, but the ballots are not yet
available. Um,

1477
02:11:31,199 --> 02:11:36,480
and I would encourage all of you to
please go and vote. I'm already

1478
02:11:34,880 --> 02:11:43,679
preaching to the choir because you're
here. However, last year we had an

1479
02:11:39,679 --> 02:11:49,840
abysmal uh an abysmal turnout. Um only
50 residents voted

1480
02:11:46,880 --> 02:11:54,079
and only 250 for the entire school
district voted. So please, please,

1481
02:11:51,920 --> 02:11:58,280
please show up every time you're asked
to vote. Thanks.

1482
02:12:00,880 --> 02:12:07,760
» Okay. Yes. Could you please state your
name?

1483
02:12:05,199 --> 02:12:15,679
» I'm just curious when those val will be
available. I'm not sure yet. I haven't

1484
02:12:10,639 --> 02:12:20,400
heard from the district.
>> Um I'll put it on front porch form as

1485
02:12:18,000 --> 02:12:25,119
soon as they're available.
>> I'll put it on front porch forum as soon

1486
02:12:22,400 --> 02:12:30,239
as
>> so when the absentee ballots physically

1487
02:12:27,599 --> 02:12:35,000
get to the town clerk's office when I
will post that on front porch forum.

1488
02:12:35,040 --> 02:12:40,440
Okay, back to warned articles.

1489
02:12:40,800 --> 02:12:49,520
Article 40 is where we left off. Shall
the voters of the town of Newane exempt

1490
02:12:47,599 --> 02:12:54,480
from taxation
all real property of the Newbrook

1491
02:12:52,000 --> 02:12:59,280
Volunteer Fire Association station
number one

1492
02:12:56,320 --> 02:13:06,000
building and land
more or less 1.6 6 acres for a period of

1493
02:13:02,719 --> 02:13:14,639
five years pursuant to 32
Vermont state statute uh 3840.

1494
02:13:12,800 --> 02:13:17,639
Is there anyone who would like to move
that?

1495
02:13:19,440 --> 02:13:31,079
» Thank you, Neil. A second.
>> Oh, Tony Ping.

1496
02:13:25,920 --> 02:13:31,079
» Is there discussion of article 40?

1497
02:13:31,520 --> 02:13:34,520
Yes.

1498
02:13:37,360 --> 02:13:43,040
And I know you already introduced
yourself, but you need to do it again.

1499
02:13:40,880 --> 02:13:46,719
» Ron Steer from New Fame. And I just
wanted to ask approximately what is the

1500
02:13:45,199 --> 02:13:50,840
value of that land and how does that
compare to the total grand list?

1501
02:13:52,400 --> 02:13:55,400
» Doris,

1502
02:13:55,840 --> 02:14:01,520
» we have a property value question. Do
you could you

1503
02:14:00,079 --> 02:14:08,440
Gotcha.
>> I'm sorry, but you could ask any of the

1504
02:14:03,520 --> 02:14:08,440
listeners um on a regular day.

1505
02:14:10,560 --> 02:14:16,639
» Doris, we can't hear you.
>> Doris said every five years the there's

1506
02:14:15,199 --> 02:14:20,960
reappraisal and that's currently
happening. So, the value will change

1507
02:14:18,159 --> 02:14:23,960
some
years.

1508
02:14:28,480 --> 02:14:36,840
Okay. So, um, exemptions are good for
five years and this is the fifth year,

1509
02:14:32,719 --> 02:14:36,840
so it's coming back up again.

1510
02:14:37,040 --> 02:14:42,199
» Any further discussion on article 40?

1511
02:14:42,560 --> 02:14:49,599
» Okay. Hearing none.
Shall the vote article 40. Shall the

1512
02:14:47,440 --> 02:14:56,000
voters of the town of Newfane exempt
from taxation all real property of the

1513
02:14:53,119 --> 02:15:02,639
Newbrook Volunteer Fire Association
station number one building and land

1514
02:14:59,360 --> 02:15:09,679
more or less 1.6 acres for a pursu
period of 5 years pursuant of 32 Vermont

1515
02:15:06,960 --> 02:15:12,719
state statute 3840.
All those in favor say I.

1516
02:15:11,920 --> 02:15:19,119
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

1517
02:15:15,520 --> 02:15:25,199
The eyes have it. The motion passes.
Article 40 is approved.

1518
02:15:22,880 --> 02:15:32,400
Article 41. Shall the voters of the town
of Newane exempt from taxation all real

1519
02:15:29,199 --> 02:15:37,840
property of the Newbrook Volunteer Fire
Association's number two building in

1520
02:15:35,440 --> 02:15:44,800
land approximately a quarter of an acre
for five period of five years pursuant

1521
02:15:40,719 --> 02:15:50,159
to 32 Vermont State Statute 38.40. Is
there would someone like to move that

1522
02:15:46,960 --> 02:15:55,920
Neil Pelu? Thank you. And a second.
Tessa Anderson. What

1523
02:15:53,440 --> 02:15:58,920
um is there any discussion of article
41?

1524
02:16:01,840 --> 02:16:06,400
Okay. Hearing. Yes.
>> I have a question.

1525
02:16:05,040 --> 02:16:11,000
» Yes. Gloria.
>> Gloria. Gloria Christelli.

1526
02:16:11,360 --> 02:16:15,119
» Gloria Christelli. Is this the
Williamsville?

1527
02:16:14,480 --> 02:16:18,119
» Yes.
>> Okay.

1528
02:16:20,400 --> 02:16:26,639
» I love that everybody's curious and
wants to know what they're voting on.

1529
02:16:24,159 --> 02:16:31,599
That's a good That's a good thing. Um,
any other discussion regarding article

1530
02:16:28,880 --> 02:16:35,200
41?
>> Yes. Breeze.

1531
02:16:33,599 --> 02:16:39,040
» Breeze. Bernard. Yeah. I'm curious. C,
>> could you stay your name into the mic?

1532
02:16:37,120 --> 02:16:43,920
» Breeze. Breeze. Verdant. Yes. I'm
curious why we're doing this. But why is

1533
02:16:41,519 --> 02:16:48,479
a fire department's land taxable anyway?
Seems like you're taxing one part of the

1534
02:16:46,399 --> 02:16:51,679
town and paying it to the other part. It
doesn't make any sense to me. Can

1535
02:16:50,160 --> 02:16:55,639
somebody explain it, please?
>> Are you able to explain it?

1536
02:16:59,519 --> 02:17:03,880
» And sorry to waste more time on it.

1537
02:17:04,160 --> 02:17:08,319
» I I missed the middle part of your
question. So I

1538
02:17:06,800 --> 02:17:12,319
» I'm just saying why is this happening?
Why? It's a fire department. It's it's

1539
02:17:09,840 --> 02:17:16,880
it's the town's fire department. Why why
is there an issue of taxation to them?

1540
02:17:14,399 --> 02:17:22,679
» So,
is is a fire department person here to

1541
02:17:19,679 --> 02:17:22,679
speak?

1542
02:17:22,719 --> 02:17:28,319
» Right.
>> Would would you come to the mic and say

1543
02:17:26,639 --> 02:17:32,160
that? I think people know that, but
maybe some don't.

1544
02:17:29,280 --> 02:17:35,519
» Bob Lichfield from Newane. The the town
does not own either building. We pay for

1545
02:17:34,240 --> 02:17:40,319
it. We raise all the money.
>> Speak right into the mic. Sorry, Bob.

1546
02:17:36,960 --> 02:17:45,679
» And the town has nothing to do with it.
So we just want to be able to get it the

1547
02:17:42,800 --> 02:17:48,880
taxes taken away to help save cost.
>> Newber fire department and the

1548
02:17:48,000 --> 02:17:52,719
Wayneville station.
>> To paraphrase,

1549
02:17:50,800 --> 02:17:57,679
Newbrook Fire Department is not a
municipal function. It is a private

1550
02:17:54,559 --> 02:18:00,639
organization and so they're built. We do
not we the town of Newane do not own the

1551
02:17:59,840 --> 02:18:04,359
land.
>> It's owned by the members.

1552
02:18:04,559 --> 02:18:09,319
» Excuse me one second. Ken had it. Ken

1553
02:18:12,639 --> 02:18:21,120
Uh Ken SD Newfane. Um I'm certainly in
support of this um these articles. Uh

1554
02:18:18,240 --> 02:18:27,519
just curious um uh has New Fain been
taxing uh these properties prior or is

1555
02:18:25,120 --> 02:18:30,519
this a renewal that's always been in
place?

1556
02:18:34,160 --> 02:18:40,559
» Yes. Uh first Yes. Just a second,
please. Um

1557
02:18:38,639 --> 02:18:45,040
this is a the select number of the
select board members said that this is a

1558
02:18:42,880 --> 02:18:50,240
renewal of something that's been in
existence

1559
02:18:46,639 --> 02:18:52,960
and yes would you like to address this
>> if things start getting

1560
02:18:51,359 --> 02:18:55,760
» Hi Erica Walsh from Newfane
>> we can't hear you

1561
02:18:53,760 --> 02:19:00,479
» Eric Walsh from Newfane is that
>> yes thank you I happened to be at the

1562
02:18:58,000 --> 02:19:05,200
Bennington town meeting last night and
um this was a similar thing came up with

1563
02:19:02,800 --> 02:19:09,599
nonprofits being um this being the
five-year renewal for them being exempt

1564
02:19:07,200 --> 02:19:14,319
from town taxes, their property. Um, and
the question was asked to the Bennington

1565
02:19:11,439 --> 02:19:19,920
Select Board and the answer was that
previous to this year, nonprofits have

1566
02:19:17,599 --> 02:19:26,399
been granted exemptions from their real
property from the state. And starting

1567
02:19:23,040 --> 02:19:31,840
this year, the 26 27 tax year, um, it's
down to the towns now to do that. And

1568
02:19:29,519 --> 02:19:35,519
so, um, I think it was on a five-year
schedule with the state granting the

1569
02:19:33,439 --> 02:19:41,280
exemptions and now it's down to each
town and whatever year the exemption ran

1570
02:19:38,639 --> 02:19:45,760
out on, it's now up to the town voters
in each town to decide on that. So, I

1571
02:19:43,439 --> 02:19:50,880
would suspect that next year there will
also be, you know, whatever other

1572
02:19:48,000 --> 02:19:55,040
nonprofits own um real estate in the
town of Newfane, they'll be up for

1573
02:19:52,640 --> 02:19:58,640
renewal in that 5-year period. That's
reporting from Bennington. Would anyone

1574
02:19:56,880 --> 02:20:00,640
on the select board like to speak to
that point?

1575
02:19:59,280 --> 02:20:07,760
» You want me to read the
>> Yes. Yes. Chris.

1576
02:20:03,200 --> 02:20:14,080
» Hello. So, this is the actual statute.
When a society or body of persons

1577
02:20:10,080 --> 02:20:19,280
associated for a char charitable purpose
in whole or in part including fraternal

1578
02:20:16,560 --> 02:20:23,680
organizations, volunteer fire and
ambulance, ambulance or rescue

1579
02:20:21,680 --> 02:20:29,920
companies, owns real estate used
exclusively for the purpose of such

1580
02:20:26,880 --> 02:20:36,080
society, body or organizations.
Such real estate may be exempt from

1581
02:20:32,720 --> 02:20:42,399
taxation either in whole or in part for
a period not exceeding 10 years if the

1582
02:20:39,120 --> 02:20:47,120
town so votes. Upon the expiration of
the exemption, the town may vote

1583
02:20:44,560 --> 02:20:53,120
additional periods of exemption not
exceeding 5 years each.

1584
02:20:50,240 --> 02:20:58,800
That's what
32 VSA subsection 3840 actually says.

1585
02:20:58,399 --> 02:21:04,160
Thank you.
>> And thank you Chris and that is why this

1586
02:21:01,760 --> 02:21:13,200
has come up and you were asked to vote
on article 40 and then is the same idea.

1587
02:21:09,840 --> 02:21:18,560
Article 41 is also extending this period
of exemption which is allowed under

1588
02:21:15,600 --> 02:21:24,120
state statute.
Is there further discussion of article

1589
02:21:21,120 --> 02:21:24,120
41?

1590
02:21:25,040 --> 02:21:33,760
Okay. Yes, Jesse.
>> Anderson,

1591
02:21:29,760 --> 02:21:35,680
» could you please use the mic? Thank you.
>> We're getting a wireless

1592
02:21:34,640 --> 02:21:37,920
» Yeah, next year.
>> Yes, there'll be a wireless mic next

1593
02:21:37,439 --> 02:21:41,520
year.
>> Yeah, I'm I'm the treasurer of the

1594
02:21:39,439 --> 02:21:45,200
Williamsville Cemetery Association and
I'm just wondering if we're going to get

1595
02:21:42,960 --> 02:21:48,200
a tax bill.
>> No.

1596
02:21:50,479 --> 02:21:57,600
» All right.
Are there any other uh any other

1597
02:21:55,200 --> 02:22:03,160
discussion of article 40? Jesse, were
you looking for an answer or was that a

1598
02:21:59,680 --> 02:22:03,160
tongue and cheek?

1599
02:22:08,000 --> 02:22:16,399
» Okay, I'm going to take that as no
further discussion. Article 41. Shall

1600
02:22:13,840 --> 02:22:22,960
the voters of the town of Newfane exempt
from taxation all real property of the

1601
02:22:20,240 --> 02:22:27,920
New Brook Volunteer Fire Association
number two building and land

1602
02:22:25,040 --> 02:22:35,760
approximately 20 quarter of an acre for
a period of 5 years pursuant of 32

1603
02:22:32,160 --> 02:22:38,880
Vermont state statute 3840.
All those in favor say I.

1604
02:22:38,160 --> 02:22:47,000
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

1605
02:22:42,000 --> 02:22:47,000
» The eyes have it. The motion passes.

1606
02:22:47,359 --> 02:22:56,880
Okay. On to article 42.
>> Shall the voters of the town of New Fain

1607
02:22:53,280 --> 02:23:02,240
approve relocating future town meetings
to the Newbrook Fire Department andor

1608
02:22:59,840 --> 02:23:05,040
Newbrook Elementary School. Is there
someone who would like to move that

1609
02:23:03,520 --> 02:23:11,680
motion?
>> Yes. prior motion. I arrive somewhat

1610
02:23:09,600 --> 02:23:14,800
because
>> Dick, could I could you please use the

1611
02:23:13,760 --> 02:23:18,960
mic?
>> Thank you.

1612
02:23:17,200 --> 02:23:22,479
» And while you probably don't need an
introduction or to introduce yourself if

1613
02:23:20,880 --> 02:23:24,080
you could for the record, that would be
great.

1614
02:23:22,960 --> 02:23:26,319
» Thank you.
>> And feel free to take the mic off the

1615
02:23:25,760 --> 02:23:31,840
stand.
>> Yeah, easier. I'm Dick Merrick from New

1616
02:23:28,640 --> 02:23:36,800
Fain. Um, I thought I knew what this
article meant when I first read it and I

1617
02:23:34,720 --> 02:23:41,120
thought it was an issue that's come up
before and will probably keep coming up

1618
02:23:38,960 --> 02:23:47,439
periodically every seven or eight or
nine years. But I realized that I really

1619
02:23:44,319 --> 02:23:52,880
don't understand it. And Emily being
here will appreciate the fact that

1620
02:23:50,080 --> 02:23:57,439
incoming legislators are told a couple
of things that they ought to bear in

1621
02:23:54,240 --> 02:24:02,479
mind. One is words have their ordinary
and plain meaning and should be used

1622
02:23:59,920 --> 02:24:09,120
that way and understood that way. And
secondly, don't ever ever ever

1623
02:24:06,399 --> 02:24:13,840
use and or
because the effect of andor, although it

1624
02:24:11,439 --> 02:24:21,280
seems it seems like a nice little
phrase, it negates everything you're

1625
02:24:17,280 --> 02:24:29,359
trying to say. The example they gave us
when I started was I'm going to have a

1626
02:24:25,840 --> 02:24:34,319
hot dog andor a Coke for lunch.
What does that mean? It means three

1627
02:24:32,080 --> 02:24:40,240
entirely different and
self-contradictory things. I'm going to

1628
02:24:37,200 --> 02:24:46,640
have a hot dog. I might have a hot dog
and coke. Or I'm just going to have a

1629
02:24:42,640 --> 02:24:52,240
Coke. And when we're drafting proposals,
either legislative or articles, it is

1630
02:24:50,080 --> 02:24:57,280
really important to keep the discussion
understandable and focused, that we ask

1631
02:24:54,640 --> 02:25:02,479
one question. This is a little like the
hot dog and the coke. It asks three

1632
02:25:00,479 --> 02:25:08,000
questions.
Will we have

1633
02:25:05,520 --> 02:25:14,319
future town meetings at the Newbrook
Fire Department

1634
02:25:10,240 --> 02:25:17,359
and or Newbrook Elementary School? That
is consistent with three different

1635
02:25:16,240 --> 02:25:20,960
meetings. We're going to have them at
Newark Fire Department. We're going to

1636
02:25:19,359 --> 02:25:25,920
have them at the Newick Elementary
School or we're going to have it at both

1637
02:25:23,200 --> 02:25:31,680
of them. I can't understand it, and I
don't think we can vote on it. I think

1638
02:25:28,240 --> 02:25:36,560
it is remediable. I could probably do
what I think the intent is in about a

1639
02:25:33,920 --> 02:25:42,720
sentence, but that sentence isn't here
in the article that we're being asked to

1640
02:25:38,399 --> 02:25:46,000
vote on. So, I think it makes sense and
I understand through the grapevine that

1641
02:25:44,560 --> 02:25:51,200
there are other things that are going to
come up yet at this meeting. I think it

1642
02:25:48,960 --> 02:25:56,880
would make sense to allow the people
proposing this to bring it back before a

1643
02:25:54,319 --> 02:26:00,160
future town meeting in a form that is
clear and understandable because

1644
02:25:58,560 --> 02:26:03,920
» So Dick, what is the motion that you
would like?

1645
02:26:00,560 --> 02:26:08,080
» So my motion my motion um is that we
postpone considering this article

1646
02:26:05,920 --> 02:26:13,120
indefinitely which will afford the
drafters time to bring it back in a

1647
02:26:10,399 --> 02:26:17,760
clear clean form telling us what they
want to do and how it's going to be

1648
02:26:14,880 --> 02:26:23,040
done. Thank you. So there's a excuse me
there's a motion on the floor to

1649
02:26:19,520 --> 02:26:28,960
postpone indefinitely article 42. That
requires a second. Is there a second?

1650
02:26:25,439 --> 02:26:33,520
Annie Landenburgger. Um it this can be
debated.

1651
02:26:30,479 --> 02:26:38,479
The motion to postpone indefinitely.
There can be no amendments to the motion

1652
02:26:36,080 --> 02:26:45,280
to postpone indefinitely and it will
require a majority vote. So the question

1653
02:26:42,080 --> 02:26:48,280
that you is up for discussion
is

1654
02:26:48,720 --> 02:26:56,560
um shall article 42 be postponed
indefinitely? Dick, did I say that

1655
02:26:55,520 --> 02:27:04,240
correctly?
>> Okay. Shall motion article 42 be

1656
02:27:01,200 --> 02:27:10,000
postponed indefinitely? And it's been
seconded and now it can be discussed. Is

1657
02:27:06,880 --> 02:27:16,280
there anyone who would like to speak to
this Dick's motion?

1658
02:27:12,720 --> 02:27:16,280
» Did you catch that?

1659
02:27:19,600 --> 02:27:24,560
» Okay, then hearing none, we can move to
a vote.

1660
02:27:23,680 --> 02:27:27,439
» I have a question.
>> Yes, Tom.

1661
02:27:25,840 --> 02:27:33,280
» Where did the motion come from in the
first place? From the board or

1662
02:27:30,399 --> 02:27:36,600
» No, from from
>> Oh, the article.

1663
02:27:38,240 --> 02:27:41,399
It was

1664
02:27:45,120 --> 02:27:54,399
it was presented to the select board as
an idea because of the aging community

1665
02:27:50,479 --> 02:28:01,359
that we have the the traffic issues that
have been mentioned in Williamsville and

1666
02:27:56,880 --> 02:28:07,359
the parking off street. So the the
article was written to either take it to

1667
02:28:05,359 --> 02:28:14,560
Newbrook
Fire Department or to allow us to switch

1668
02:28:11,280 --> 02:28:19,960
between Newbrook Fire Department and the
school which also has off-road parking.

1669
02:28:21,840 --> 02:28:30,479
» Uh yes, Henri
Vermont. Um I think that his article is

1670
02:28:28,720 --> 02:28:33,280
what we should be talking about because
if we're going to talk about if we're

1671
02:28:32,319 --> 02:28:38,960
going to vote on
>> we are we are no we are talking about

1672
02:28:36,240 --> 02:28:42,240
» just address was like pushing what that
was about.

1673
02:28:40,080 --> 02:28:47,840
» Yes I it's it's an excellent point of
order you are correct and I was going to

1674
02:28:44,880 --> 02:28:54,399
clarify that the discussion now is about
the motion to postpone indefinitely i.e.

1675
02:28:51,200 --> 02:28:59,600
not vote on this article at all. Um,
that's what we're discussing, not the

1676
02:28:56,880 --> 02:29:05,359
merits of the or the downsides of the
original article. Did that clear it up

1677
02:29:02,080 --> 02:29:09,880
for you? Okay. Yeah. Thank you. So, is
there anyone who would Yes, Margaret.

1678
02:29:13,120 --> 02:29:20,479
Margaret Wimberger from South New Fain.
How is that?

1679
02:29:16,880 --> 02:29:25,520
» Good. Um, I think that we should not
postpone

1680
02:29:22,000 --> 02:29:30,640
um the uh voting on the amendment
because I think it's clear what the

1681
02:29:27,520 --> 02:29:38,000
intent is and we can amend
the wording. Can we do that instead?

1682
02:29:34,479 --> 02:29:43,200
» Yeah. Yes. There there could be a a vote
to post on the motion to postpone

1683
02:29:40,080 --> 02:29:50,000
indefinitely. That is that does not
pass. then we go back to article 42 as

1684
02:29:47,040 --> 02:29:54,080
it's written and someone could offer an
amendment on article 42. That's another

1685
02:29:53,200 --> 02:29:57,080
way to handle it.
>> Okay.

1686
02:29:57,280 --> 02:30:04,399
» Is there any other discussion about the
motion on the floor to postpone

1687
02:30:01,920 --> 02:30:09,720
indefinitely, meaning not talk about
article 42 today? Any further

1688
02:30:06,720 --> 02:30:09,720
discussion?

1689
02:30:09,920 --> 02:30:13,800
Okay. So,

1690
02:30:14,160 --> 02:30:25,040
Shall the voters of the town of Newane
postpone indefinitely

1691
02:30:21,680 --> 02:30:31,240
discussion of article 42? Dick, does
that capture your intent? Okay.

1692
02:30:28,000 --> 02:30:31,240
» Was that

1693
02:30:35,520 --> 02:30:40,680
» postponing the vote? Right. You said
discussion.

1694
02:30:41,200 --> 02:30:48,319
» Okay. The the decision that you're Yeah.
Dick.

1695
02:30:44,960 --> 02:30:51,319
» The motion uh says we will not consider
article.

1696
02:30:51,920 --> 02:30:58,080
» Yes. Not considering is the different
way of saying postpone indefinitely.

1697
02:30:56,160 --> 02:31:04,560
Postpone indefinitely is Robert's rules
of order language, but it's Yeah. But

1698
02:31:00,800 --> 02:31:10,720
not voting on it today. So the the the
motion on the table that you're going to

1699
02:31:06,800 --> 02:31:16,560
be voting on is whether to postpone
indefinitely, i.e. not vote on article

1700
02:31:14,640 --> 02:31:20,720
42
today. Is everyone clear on what you're

1701
02:31:19,280 --> 02:31:24,880
voting on?
>> Okay, it's fine to say no if you're if

1702
02:31:22,720 --> 02:31:31,840
you're confused. Robert's rules of order
is confusing. Okay. So, all those in

1703
02:31:28,560 --> 02:31:36,720
favor of postponing indefinitely,
meaning not discussing article 42 today,

1704
02:31:35,040 --> 02:31:42,479
please say I.
>> I.

1705
02:31:37,760 --> 02:31:47,760
» All the all those opposed to postponing
indefinitely or not discussing article

1706
02:31:44,720 --> 02:31:50,319
42, please say nay.
>> Nay.

1707
02:31:48,880 --> 02:31:56,880
» Division.
>> Okay. A division of the house has been

1708
02:31:52,479 --> 02:32:04,399
called. that requires us to vote again
and everyone who is in first if you're a

1709
02:32:00,640 --> 02:32:09,280
yay you will stand and you the people
who are standing will be counted by

1710
02:32:06,560 --> 02:32:14,640
Gloria and Carol and then they will sit
and the folks who are opposed the naysay

1711
02:32:12,479 --> 02:32:18,640
will stand up and they will be counted
and then we'll have a more accurate

1712
02:32:16,880 --> 02:32:25,680
count
is everyone clear on the process okay so

1713
02:32:22,960 --> 02:32:32,000
all Those in favor
of postponing indefinitely article 42,

1714
02:32:29,040 --> 02:32:37,160
meaning not discussing it today, not
voting on it today, please stand up.

1715
02:32:47,920 --> 02:32:51,200
» Let's get through this one first.

1716
02:32:54,080 --> 02:32:58,920
Please stay standing until the vote is
concluded.

1717
02:33:06,399 --> 02:33:09,399
» So

1718
02:33:14,319 --> 02:33:17,319
29.

1719
02:33:17,439 --> 02:33:24,439
» Okay.
29 and 11 Wetta.

1720
02:33:24,479 --> 02:33:33,359
» Yeah.
>> So 40 people stood up in support of

1721
02:33:30,960 --> 02:33:39,439
postponing indefinitely a vote on
article 42.

1722
02:33:35,359 --> 02:33:47,319
Now all those opposed to postponing
indefinitely or putting off today a vote

1723
02:33:42,240 --> 02:33:47,319
on article 42, please stand. Madam

1724
02:33:49,600 --> 02:33:56,479
I'm just trying to help.
>> You want my help?

1725
02:33:54,560 --> 02:33:59,800
» And please stay standing until the vote
is concluded.

1726
02:34:18,319 --> 02:34:21,640
Did you kill?

1727
02:34:28,399 --> 02:34:31,800
» It's a tie.

1728
02:34:32,399 --> 02:34:42,399
» It It's a tie. And the the the moderator
has the ability to break the tie.

1729
02:34:40,000 --> 02:34:49,040
Vermont League of Counties, Cities, and
Towns strongly discourages moderators

1730
02:34:46,880 --> 02:34:52,160
from voting.
>> Yes,

1731
02:34:49,680 --> 02:34:54,960
» I had stepped out and so my vote was not
counted during the stand portion.

1732
02:34:54,319 --> 02:35:03,160
» Okay.
>> So, I have voted in the eyes category

1733
02:34:59,040 --> 02:35:03,160
and I voted no.

1734
02:35:05,359 --> 02:35:13,280
» Le were you in the voting booth and
therefore not counted?

1735
02:35:10,880 --> 02:35:16,399
Lynn, it's a serious question. Were you
in the voting booth and therefore not

1736
02:35:15,359 --> 02:35:21,000
counted?
>> Yes.

1737
02:35:16,880 --> 02:35:21,000
» Okay. So, now we're at 4141.

1738
02:35:29,200 --> 02:35:37,240
Could you speak up?
>> Well, if it's possible, I would change

1739
02:35:32,960 --> 02:35:37,240
my vote from a to

1740
02:35:40,399 --> 02:35:47,760
cancel it.
>> My vote.

1741
02:35:44,319 --> 02:35:54,960
» I believe I believe offer is unnecessary
because I believe

1742
02:35:50,080 --> 02:35:58,960
as a proponent of the motion very tit
>> is what

1743
02:35:57,200 --> 02:36:02,319
» I still can't hear you. Is it
>> failure?

1744
02:36:00,240 --> 02:36:05,920
» A tie is considered a failure.
>> The motion fails. It does not pass on a

1745
02:36:05,120 --> 02:36:11,399
tie.
>> Okay.

1746
02:36:07,120 --> 02:36:11,399
» I I am defeated.

1747
02:36:13,520 --> 02:36:27,040
» Yes. So therefore,
because a tie is a failure to approve,

1748
02:36:21,520 --> 02:36:34,160
you will be able now to discuss and vote
on article 42. Everyone following?

1749
02:36:30,640 --> 02:36:37,160
» Okay, good job. Okay. So,
>> yes.

1750
02:36:39,120 --> 02:36:48,319
» If the first motion fails, I'm sorry.
>> Yes.

1751
02:36:45,520 --> 02:36:53,120
» If the motion fails, are you someone not
allowed to make a motion now on the

1752
02:36:51,600 --> 02:36:56,160
original
article?

1753
02:36:55,120 --> 02:37:01,359
Not
>> not now, but you're in about a minute

1754
02:36:58,800 --> 02:37:06,720
and a half there will be an opportunity
to offer an amendment to the article 42

1755
02:37:04,399 --> 02:37:13,439
as written. Does that answer your
question? Okay. So,

1756
02:37:10,399 --> 02:37:19,920
article 42, shall the voters of the town
of Newane approve relocating future town

1757
02:37:17,120 --> 02:37:27,800
meetings to the Newbrook Fire Department
andor the Newbrook Elementary School?

1758
02:37:23,040 --> 02:37:27,800
Would someone be move that motion?

1759
02:37:28,960 --> 02:37:36,640
» Okay, thank you. And is there a second?
>> Steve Lavine, did you get Ramsey?

1760
02:37:35,359 --> 02:37:39,640
» Ramsey.
>> Yeah.

1761
02:37:40,000 --> 02:37:49,200
» Is there discussion?
>> Yes, Katie.

1762
02:37:46,080 --> 02:37:56,080
So, I I think this is a wonderful idea
and um I just want to throw out a little

1763
02:37:52,880 --> 02:38:02,080
bit of caution that the town of Newane
doesn't own either building and we need

1764
02:37:59,040 --> 02:38:05,600
to get permission to see if this is even
possible for us to do in the first

1765
02:38:04,080 --> 02:38:11,200
place. So, I'm just going to throw that
out as a cautionary. Let's pump the

1766
02:38:08,560 --> 02:38:14,960
brakes a little.
>> Steve,

1767
02:38:12,880 --> 02:38:21,160
» could you please use them? I'm sorry.
Could you please use the mic? Maybe

1768
02:38:16,640 --> 02:38:21,160
someone could bring it to that row.

1769
02:38:29,280 --> 02:38:37,680
» So So
yes, the the the two locations under

1770
02:38:35,200 --> 02:38:42,960
discussion are the Newbrook Fire
Department and this Newbrook School.

1771
02:38:40,720 --> 02:38:46,720
There was not a question about ownership
of the Graange, although it's good to

1772
02:38:45,600 --> 02:38:50,960
know.
>> Bruce,

1773
02:38:48,720 --> 02:38:56,960
» Bruce, Roso, Williamsville, which I
understand is part of the thing.

1774
02:38:54,880 --> 02:39:00,399
» Bruce, please speak up or use the mic.
>> Yes, I'll speak up. I

1775
02:38:58,720 --> 02:39:04,319
» And I'm sorry, but you need to address
the moderator.

1776
02:39:01,680 --> 02:39:10,399
» I propose an amendment to the motion.
>> Yep.

1777
02:39:04,960 --> 02:39:14,720
» To say remove an from the article. I
just need four.

1778
02:39:12,399 --> 02:39:18,040
» Does that satisfy the clarity? There's
one approach.

1779
02:39:19,439 --> 02:39:24,680
» Who? I heard a second back there. Who
was that?

1780
02:39:24,800 --> 02:39:29,840
» I'm sorry.
>> Both Letta and I are having trouble

1781
02:39:28,160 --> 02:39:34,960
catching your name.
>> CB Hall.

1782
02:39:31,280 --> 02:39:40,720
» CB Hall. Thank you.
>> C. C is in Charles. B is in boy.

1783
02:39:37,280 --> 02:39:47,760
» Gotcha. Okay, great. CB Hall. Um, so
there's a second. And so now what we're

1784
02:39:44,720 --> 02:39:53,040
discussing is
shall the voters of the town of Newane

1785
02:39:50,000 --> 02:39:59,200
approve relocating future town meetings
to the Newbrook Fire Department or the

1786
02:39:56,640 --> 02:40:00,880
Newbrook Elementary School.
>> Going to order.

1787
02:40:00,240 --> 02:40:05,840
» Yes.
>> We're discussing whether the should be

1788
02:40:03,439 --> 02:40:08,840
amended to say that. Correct.
>> Yes.

1789
02:40:10,800 --> 02:40:15,760
We're not at the underlying question.
>> What's that?

1790
02:40:13,840 --> 02:40:21,600
» We're not at the underlying question.
We're actually voting on

1791
02:40:19,359 --> 02:40:25,160
» Oh, okay. Good. Thank you. That's a good
point. Um

1792
02:40:26,319 --> 02:40:31,399
um is there discussion on the amendment?

1793
02:40:31,760 --> 02:40:39,920
» Annie
Annie Lander W. Um, I really wish we'd

1794
02:40:37,120 --> 02:40:46,560
had Katie's point when we were doing the
first vote because the reality is the

1795
02:40:43,359 --> 02:40:51,040
just having the or leaves and great
ambiguity. Who makes the decision about

1796
02:40:48,800 --> 02:40:56,800
where are the meetings going to be? When
and how. The other issue is there's so

1797
02:40:54,720 --> 02:41:00,160
much to talk about town meeting. We
don't have young people here because we

1798
02:40:58,240 --> 02:41:06,399
don't have child care because of people
are working. I would like to see a

1799
02:41:03,760 --> 02:41:11,760
bigger discussion of town meeting, not
just microscoping in it on this here.

1800
02:41:09,680 --> 02:41:20,640
» I think that that needs not to be done
in five minutes. So, okay.

1801
02:41:16,720 --> 02:41:24,399
» Any other discussion? Yes, Bob.
>> Bobfield.

1802
02:41:22,720 --> 02:41:31,399
Just got to keep in mind the town does
own but it doesn't own. You got to get

1803
02:41:27,359 --> 02:41:31,399
permission from the right.

1804
02:41:31,439 --> 02:41:35,280
Yes, Lynn.
>> I don't

1805
02:41:33,520 --> 02:41:39,600
» Could you please stand up? State your
name.

1806
02:41:35,840 --> 02:41:45,040
» Williamsville, three boys. Um, I don't
think this makes it any clearer. Does

1807
02:41:42,080 --> 02:41:50,640
that mean we're voting to have it at one
place or the other or alternately at the

1808
02:41:48,240 --> 02:41:55,319
other?
>> I I don't think that at all.

1809
02:41:56,160 --> 02:42:03,359
» Yes, Tom. Tom.
I also think it doesn't clarify whether

1810
02:42:01,120 --> 02:42:07,479
we can no longer have it at Union Hall
and William.

1811
02:42:04,479 --> 02:42:07,479
» Right.

1812
02:42:10,160 --> 02:42:13,960
» Any further discussion?

1813
02:42:15,359 --> 02:42:23,439
Annie, did you want to say something?
Well, I guess to appoint an ad hoc

1814
02:42:19,359 --> 02:42:27,520
committee to look at the town hall, the
meeting in general and recommend

1815
02:42:25,680 --> 02:42:32,479
something that will be more inclusive
for everybody, elders, young people,

1816
02:42:30,240 --> 02:42:37,960
etc. That's what I wish you could come
out of it. I have no idea what Roberts

1817
02:42:34,319 --> 02:42:37,960
would say about that.

1818
02:42:38,240 --> 02:42:47,520
Roberts would say
>> that we vote on the amendment on the

1819
02:42:44,640 --> 02:42:55,439
right now and if you don't like the way
it's worded, you you say nay and then

1820
02:42:51,920 --> 02:42:58,439
offer a different amendment to article
42.

1821
02:43:01,920 --> 02:43:08,560
» No, because it's been amended. So, we
can't we can't vote on it as it is

1822
02:43:06,160 --> 02:43:12,880
currently stated. We're vote we have to
vote on the the amend the proposed

1823
02:43:10,640 --> 02:43:16,560
amendment.
>> Yes,

1824
02:43:13,680 --> 02:43:24,479
» Jody French New. I would ask if my
friend Mr. Roso would accept a an

1825
02:43:19,840 --> 02:43:30,640
amendment that article 42 be amended to
shall the voters of the town of New Fay

1826
02:43:26,800 --> 02:43:36,000
approve an ad hoc committee to consider
whether future town meetings could be

1827
02:43:32,880 --> 02:43:44,720
relocated to the Newber Fire Department
or the Newbrook Elementary School.

1828
02:43:40,640 --> 02:43:48,640
» So before I ask for a second um that you
are you

1829
02:43:45,680 --> 02:43:52,800
» Exactly. I'm asking whether Mr. Roso
would accept my amendment to his

1830
02:43:51,120 --> 02:43:55,840
amendment which would change the
amendment.

1831
02:43:53,760 --> 02:44:02,600
» Yes. A friendly amendment and that is
permissible

1832
02:43:57,120 --> 02:44:02,600
» if he and the person second.

1833
02:44:06,240 --> 02:44:10,600
I am actually against this

1834
02:44:12,399 --> 02:44:21,040
vote on it. Clarify the language and all
we're talking about is remove the word

1835
02:44:17,279 --> 02:44:28,880
and so that we can as a community decide
whether we think it's a good idea

1836
02:44:24,800 --> 02:44:32,560
to study it. What Andrew said, I mean I
don't I want to keep it the way it's

1837
02:44:30,800 --> 02:44:38,160
been for years. I want to go back to
these buildings.

1838
02:44:34,640 --> 02:44:41,359
» So breakfast Maybe we can vote on the
amendment because I think it's a

1839
02:44:39,439 --> 02:44:44,399
reasonable thing to ask and I think the
issue of parking is really important and

1840
02:44:43,120 --> 02:44:48,640
it's a bigger issue.
>> Okay. So,

1841
02:44:45,760 --> 02:44:53,840
» I am going to say no. I want to keep the
amendment as I proposed it and the vote

1842
02:44:51,359 --> 02:44:57,600
right now is are you in favor of
removing an

1843
02:44:56,080 --> 02:45:01,200
from the amendment
>> from the article?

1844
02:44:59,359 --> 02:45:04,399
» Yeah. Yes. In the back.
>> I move the question.

1845
02:45:02,479 --> 02:45:08,560
» Okay. Could you please state your name?
Lance Ling South New

1846
02:45:06,640 --> 02:45:13,120
» Okay, there is no discussion when
someone has called the question. That is

1847
02:45:10,880 --> 02:45:19,680
a way in Robert's rules of order of
ending the debate. Um,

1848
02:45:17,279 --> 02:45:24,720
and we move right to we move right to a
vote correct

1849
02:45:21,279 --> 02:45:32,640
» of the approval of the amendment.
>> Right. Right. Yep. Okay. And so now

1850
02:45:29,120 --> 02:45:38,040
you're we'll be voting on the amendment
and the amendment reads yes.

1851
02:45:40,319 --> 02:45:43,319
» Um

1852
02:45:45,840 --> 02:45:49,880
hold on one second please.

1853
02:45:57,600 --> 02:46:04,319
Yeah.
>> Closing the discussion which is

1854
02:46:00,960 --> 02:46:07,960
effectively calling the question is not
open for discussion.

1855
02:46:08,240 --> 02:46:12,399
» Yeah. Is that that's that's what that's
where I was headed.

1856
02:46:11,600 --> 02:46:16,720
» What's that?
>> You were jumping straight to a vote on

1857
02:46:14,080 --> 02:46:20,479
the amendment, but the vote needs to be
on whether to close debate to close

1858
02:46:19,680 --> 02:46:22,160
discussion.
>> Correct. That's where I was headed.

1859
02:46:21,840 --> 02:46:25,359
Okay.
>> Yeah.

1860
02:46:23,439 --> 02:46:29,720
» It wasn't how you worded it.
>> Okay. Thank you for your

1861
02:46:30,240 --> 02:46:38,000
» which I take to heart. Okay. Yeah. Was
there another parliamentarian in the

1862
02:46:35,439 --> 02:46:46,640
room who would like to offer No, I'm
being serious. Okay. We have so calling

1863
02:46:43,359 --> 02:46:53,760
the question is in is a way of ending
discussion. As I said that calling the

1864
02:46:50,399 --> 02:47:01,279
question the fact it's been called
must be seconded

1865
02:46:56,000 --> 02:47:08,560
and I didn't Okay, Tom Tomell
um it cannot be amended and it requires

1866
02:47:03,760 --> 02:47:13,560
a 23 vote of the body.
So all those in favor

1867
02:47:13,680 --> 02:47:18,520
what someone said uh

1868
02:47:20,160 --> 02:47:30,160
Okay. All those in favor of ending
discussion of the amendment

1869
02:47:26,960 --> 02:47:35,520
to take
and

1870
02:47:32,000 --> 02:47:37,840
out of the original article, please say
I.

1871
02:47:36,479 --> 02:47:47,279
» I.
>> All those opposed to ending discussion

1872
02:47:41,359 --> 02:47:54,479
of that amended article, please say nay.
Okay. So, we are ending discussion

1873
02:47:50,640 --> 02:48:00,080
on the amendment and the amendment
states

1874
02:47:57,279 --> 02:48:04,640
the the amended article which is what
states shall the voters of the town of

1875
02:48:02,960 --> 02:48:11,200
Newane
approve relocating future town meetings

1876
02:48:08,240 --> 02:48:15,120
to the Newbrook Fire Department or
Newbrook Elementary School. That's

1877
02:48:13,760 --> 02:48:22,160
everyone clear that's what you're voting
on. Okay. All those in what

1878
02:48:18,560 --> 02:48:26,560
» so point of clarification we are voting
on whether the language is amended to

1879
02:48:25,680 --> 02:48:29,120
read that
>> correct

1880
02:48:27,040 --> 02:48:30,960
» question itself just whether to accept
that amendment.

1881
02:48:29,920 --> 02:48:33,520
» Correct. Yep.
>> Just wanted to make sure.

1882
02:48:31,840 --> 02:48:39,359
» Yeah. It's good. Clarity is so
important. We want to know what we're

1883
02:48:35,120 --> 02:48:45,680
voting on. Okay. All those in favor
please say I.

1884
02:48:41,120 --> 02:48:54,080
» I. All those opposed, please say nay.
>> Okay. The eyes have it. So, article 42

1885
02:48:50,479 --> 02:48:59,920
now reads, "Shall the voters of the town
of New Fain approve relocating future

1886
02:48:57,439 --> 02:49:07,439
town meetings to the Newbrook Fire
Department or Newbrook Elementary

1887
02:49:02,479 --> 02:49:14,279
School? Is is there any dis uh
is there any discussion of the amended

1888
02:49:10,160 --> 02:49:14,279
article Pete

1889
02:49:16,319 --> 02:49:25,520
Pain?
I hope you can all hear me still.

1890
02:49:22,160 --> 02:49:31,240
I would move to amend
by removing the slash as well.

1891
02:49:38,319 --> 02:49:50,000
So you all can can appeal this decision,
but I am going to make a decision that

1892
02:49:45,120 --> 02:49:53,399
the amended article implies removal of
the slash.

1893
02:49:54,640 --> 02:50:02,800
My father was a grammar teach an English
teacher. Yes, Annie.

1894
02:50:00,240 --> 02:50:07,120
Yes, we're now discussing the proposed
amendment, the proposed article which

1895
02:50:05,600 --> 02:50:11,680
has been amended.
>> Okay. Annie Lannenburgger, I don't know

1896
02:50:09,120 --> 02:50:16,640
if I can, this is not my Bailey Wick. I
don't know if I can make an amendment to

1897
02:50:13,520 --> 02:50:21,279
really move for an ad hoc committee, but
I would urge all of us to really think

1898
02:50:18,880 --> 02:50:27,760
about the bigger issue here. It's not
just about place. It's not just about

1899
02:50:24,160 --> 02:50:32,880
time. It's about time and place and how
we get more people here. And to me,

1900
02:50:29,920 --> 02:50:39,279
that's not going to be solved today.
Therefore, I hope that we can vote this

1901
02:50:34,960 --> 02:50:45,960
down and then move to create a a study
committee on this. Uh

1902
02:50:42,960 --> 02:50:45,960
Patty

1903
02:50:49,840 --> 02:50:59,760
» Patricia Johnson new fain I propose that
we there needs to be a survey taken. We

1904
02:50:56,640 --> 02:51:03,359
don't know by making the decision here
the people that aren't here are not

1905
02:51:01,760 --> 02:51:09,120
having the voice. They're the people
that we want to be here. So, we need to

1906
02:51:05,760 --> 02:51:14,800
have some sort of survey to see if by
changing the location or the day or the

1907
02:51:12,160 --> 02:51:18,560
time or the parking would make any
difference to whether people are here or

1908
02:51:16,479 --> 02:51:23,640
not.
>> Pete

1909
02:51:20,640 --> 02:51:23,640
Dick,

1910
02:51:24,000 --> 02:51:31,359
» please speak as loudly as you can.
>> Well, I think Annie's suggestion

1911
02:51:29,200 --> 02:51:36,560
makes a great deal of sense. Um you know
there are views both side both ways on

1912
02:51:33,760 --> 02:51:42,720
where town meeting should be held. We
face this about every eight or nine

1913
02:51:38,160 --> 02:51:48,560
years. It comes up over and over. Uh I
think it makes a great deal of sense to

1914
02:51:45,279 --> 02:51:53,120
have a thoughtful considered discussion
which was sort of the point I was trying

1915
02:51:50,000 --> 02:51:58,160
to get at the beginning with my motion
but I couldn't understand what this

1916
02:51:54,800 --> 02:52:09,120
amend what the original article did. Um,
so in that spirit, I would move that we

1917
02:52:03,760 --> 02:52:16,720
amend the pending article by debating it
in its entirety and substituting

1918
02:52:12,640 --> 02:52:22,880
that the voters of the county group
uh determine that a special ad hoc

1919
02:52:20,000 --> 02:52:30,560
committee shall be formed for the
purpose of considering the time,

1920
02:52:26,800 --> 02:52:39,120
location, and any other aspects of town
meeting that that committee report back

1921
02:52:34,800 --> 02:52:44,479
to the next town meeting. Um, I didn't
say parathetically motion, but

1922
02:52:41,200 --> 02:52:48,800
parathetically that it proceedings to be
open to everybody in the community. So

1923
02:52:46,720 --> 02:52:55,520
everybody's input
uh and that that committee be appointed

1924
02:52:51,840 --> 02:53:01,399
by the select board with five members
representing if possible both

1925
02:52:58,399 --> 02:53:01,399
perspectives.

1926
02:53:02,240 --> 02:53:14,240
» Uh Dick, would you accept a friendly
uh rewarding of that motion?

1927
02:53:12,240 --> 02:53:19,960
» Okay. I'm going to just put it out there
and you as the person bringing this up

1928
02:53:16,720 --> 02:53:19,960
can decide.

1929
02:53:22,160 --> 02:53:29,920
» You clarify.
>> We we can't discuss it until the motion

1930
02:53:26,720 --> 02:53:34,000
has been uh finalized.
>> Okay.

1931
02:53:31,359 --> 02:53:39,120
» Yeah. So I I know you have something to
say, but we can't move to discussion

1932
02:53:35,920 --> 02:53:42,960
until it is the motion is clear and
seconded.

1933
02:53:40,720 --> 02:53:49,960
So Dick,
a a p possible slightly shorter version

1934
02:53:46,720 --> 02:53:49,960
of that.

1935
02:53:50,720 --> 02:54:03,760
» No, I didn't. um could be the voters of
the town of New Fain direct the select

1936
02:53:58,399 --> 02:54:08,880
board to create an ad hoc committee
to consider

1937
02:54:06,319 --> 02:54:18,080
options for town meeting and bring a
proposal back to town meeting in 2027.

1938
02:54:14,240 --> 02:54:18,080
» Well, Dick has to agree to it.

1939
02:54:19,680 --> 02:54:25,240
Did it capture what you were trying to
say?

1940
02:54:22,240 --> 02:54:25,240
» Okay.

1941
02:54:38,640 --> 02:54:41,640
Yes.

1942
02:54:42,560 --> 02:54:46,920
» I'm sorry. We're not allowed to what?

1943
02:54:48,240 --> 02:54:55,680
» Um, no. That I that's I'm very clear on
that. Um, from the information I've

1944
02:54:53,680 --> 02:55:00,640
gotten from the Vermont League of Cities
and Towns, town meeting is the

1945
02:54:57,920 --> 02:55:06,800
legislative body for New Fain. The
select board is the executive body for

1946
02:55:03,279 --> 02:55:12,000
New Fain. So, new fame voters do have
the right to direct the select board to

1947
02:55:09,920 --> 02:55:16,160
take action on something.
>> We work for you.

1948
02:55:13,520 --> 02:55:20,560
» What?
>> I I didn't catch that. Dan, you had your

1949
02:55:18,160 --> 02:55:29,439
hand up.
>> Okay. So, Pete, this is Is this are

1950
02:55:26,000 --> 02:55:34,880
Pete? We're moving to discussion.
>> Yes, we do. So, Annie Annie, you

1951
02:55:32,399 --> 02:55:41,680
seconded it, right? Yeah, I just want to
be sure that public input is in there

1952
02:55:38,720 --> 02:55:48,160
that somehow it be something done with
public input. It's not just a

1953
02:55:45,200 --> 02:55:55,000
voice.
>> Okay, let me let me try let me try.

1954
02:55:52,000 --> 02:55:55,000
Yeah.

1955
02:55:59,439 --> 02:56:05,200
» Okay.
>> Okay. So, I'm going to restate the

1956
02:56:02,880 --> 02:56:10,240
motion so everybody's clear on what
we're about to discuss.

1957
02:56:07,760 --> 02:56:16,399
Shall the voters
of the town of Newane

1958
02:56:13,920 --> 02:56:21,560
direct Am I going too fast?
>> No. Direct the select board

1959
02:56:21,920 --> 02:56:27,720
to create an ad hoc committee

1960
02:56:29,520 --> 02:56:33,720
to seek public input

1961
02:56:37,040 --> 02:56:40,040
regarding

1962
02:56:40,880 --> 02:56:45,960
could we say all aspects of town meeting

1963
02:56:47,040 --> 02:56:51,000
» expanding the participation.

1964
02:56:51,600 --> 02:57:00,399
» Okay. Well, did Dick is the person who
made the motion and we're we're um and I

1965
02:56:57,920 --> 02:57:06,640
have to uh
regarding regarding the location. We did

1966
02:57:04,720 --> 02:57:11,120
say the location of town meeting because
that's what the article is about, but

1967
02:57:08,800 --> 02:57:18,520
the select board has the authority to
expand that.

1968
02:57:13,439 --> 02:57:18,520
Okay. Location and time.

1969
02:57:19,840 --> 02:57:28,080
» Location and all other aspects of how we
cover everything

1970
02:57:25,600 --> 02:57:31,080
all aspects to encourage greater
participation.

1971
02:57:33,359 --> 02:57:37,600
» Okay, everybody. Thank you for being
patient.

1972
02:57:36,479 --> 02:57:43,640
You're doing great.
>> Oh, thank you. Thank you. Um,

1973
02:57:51,920 --> 02:58:00,240
okay. This is um
this is a little backwards, but we could

1974
02:57:58,000 --> 02:58:05,439
get really mired in Robert's rules of
order. Is there any objection to my

1975
02:58:03,680 --> 02:58:09,840
restating
Dick's motion with a slight change of

1976
02:58:07,920 --> 02:58:16,080
wording?
Okay. Thank you. Shall the voters of the

1977
02:58:12,880 --> 02:58:22,000
town of Newane direct the select board
to create an ad hoc committee

1978
02:58:19,120 --> 02:58:28,960
to seek public input regarding the
location, time, and day of the week

1979
02:58:26,479 --> 02:58:31,960
with the goal of maximizing
participation

1980
02:58:34,800 --> 02:58:41,920
» in town meeting. Okay. Pete, is your qu
question relevant to the wording of the

1981
02:58:39,120 --> 02:58:45,840
motion?
>> What?

1982
02:58:43,520 --> 02:58:53,240
Pete, is your you had your hand up. Is
Is what you are going to say related to

1983
02:58:49,200 --> 02:58:53,240
this wording of the motion?

1984
02:58:55,200 --> 02:59:04,880
» You take a very approach of everything
here. It is the responsibility of the

1985
02:59:01,439 --> 02:59:10,560
board to set up town.
Let's leave it at that. They can set up

1986
02:59:07,520 --> 02:59:13,560
a committee if they wish. They can do it
themselves.

1987
02:59:15,359 --> 02:59:26,080
I say hands over. Let the board go.
>> Okay. So,

1988
02:59:24,080 --> 02:59:31,920
I'm not going to call you out of order
because you were our Tom moderator and

1989
02:59:28,240 --> 02:59:36,200
did such an amazing job for so long and
you're an elder in the community.

1990
02:59:36,479 --> 02:59:43,439
I am going to count that as a discussion
point even though we hadn't quite gotten

1991
02:59:41,439 --> 02:59:50,720
there, but I think everyone registered
your point. So the motion that had that

1992
02:59:47,920 --> 02:59:57,760
we're about to discuss is currently
worded as the such. Shall the voters of

1993
02:59:54,640 --> 03:00:03,920
the town of Newfane direct the select
board to create an ad hoc committee to

1994
03:00:01,040 --> 03:00:10,080
seek public input regarding the
location, time, and day of the week of

1995
03:00:08,160 --> 03:00:14,800
town meeting
with the goal of maximizing

1996
03:00:12,160 --> 03:00:18,240
participation in town meeting.
>> Yes,

1997
03:00:15,680 --> 03:00:23,880
» we have not voted to change the wording
of that motion to that. So first

1998
03:00:27,920 --> 03:00:33,120
» yes,
>> I would like to as the proposition

1999
03:00:31,359 --> 03:00:39,000
motion
modify the motion to

2000
03:00:36,000 --> 03:00:39,000
» Okay.

2001
03:00:40,080 --> 03:00:49,439
» Okay. So Dick as the person who
originated the motion has approved the

2002
03:00:45,680 --> 03:00:55,040
language that I just read.
So, we should actually have another

2003
03:00:52,560 --> 03:01:02,000
second. Is there a second for the new
language? Ken Ken Estus.

2004
03:00:58,720 --> 03:01:07,200
» Okay. Now, um Pete made the first
comment about the current motion. Is

2005
03:01:04,800 --> 03:01:11,760
there other discussion about the current
motion on the table? The one that I just

2006
03:01:09,760 --> 03:01:15,359
read?
>> Yes, Carol.

2007
03:01:12,560 --> 03:01:19,359
» Are we discussing the motion to change
the wording and then we're going to

2008
03:01:17,040 --> 03:01:24,160
discuss motion. No.
>> No. Because because the originator of

2009
03:01:21,439 --> 03:01:29,319
the motion accepted the change in
wording.

2010
03:01:26,319 --> 03:01:29,319
» Yes.

2011
03:01:37,439 --> 03:01:43,720
Is that the motion and then we can vote
on the new motion?

2012
03:01:45,200 --> 03:01:55,120
» Do you I I think the effect of where we
are at the moment at least in my life is

2013
03:01:51,439 --> 03:02:02,160
my motion is that we strike the entirety
of the uh current article and substitute

2014
03:01:59,279 --> 03:02:07,439
working.
That is the motion. Once we vote on

2015
03:02:04,880 --> 03:02:13,040
that, then there will be discussion on
whether or not the article as so

2016
03:02:10,080 --> 03:02:16,920
amendment should pass or not. That's my
understanding as well.

2017
03:02:27,439 --> 03:02:36,800
Yeah, but this just to clarify this is
not an amendment. the the the dis the

2018
03:02:33,680 --> 03:02:43,439
discussion to to postpone indefinitely
was shot down. And so then there was a

2019
03:02:40,319 --> 03:02:49,439
discussion and then Dick offered a
change in the wording of the current

2020
03:02:45,680 --> 03:02:54,560
article which is what I just read to
well to strike the current wording and

2021
03:02:51,920 --> 03:03:00,720
replace it with directing the select
board to create a committee.

2022
03:02:58,000 --> 03:03:05,840
» Yes, CB.
Okay. And this sounds like what

2023
03:03:03,120 --> 03:03:13,520
legislation does sometimes called strike
ball where you take the number of the

2024
03:03:09,520 --> 03:03:18,880
articles but the cont
probably on this but that's legitimate

2025
03:03:16,720 --> 03:03:23,840
legislative rules
should be legitimate for town the same.

2026
03:03:21,840 --> 03:03:29,279
It seems to me it is legitimate because
it's germanine the original subject of

2027
03:03:26,080 --> 03:03:36,560
the article. So that while it is a
limiting go in there, it is still an

2028
03:03:32,560 --> 03:03:40,960
amendment that can be voted on.
>> Emily, would you like to weigh in?

2029
03:03:38,240 --> 03:03:47,080
» We in the legislature we use license
knows better than anybody's

2030
03:03:43,439 --> 03:03:47,080
manual, not Robert.

2031
03:03:51,439 --> 03:03:58,720
» I believe we're getting bogged down and
Mr. Merrick may correct me if I'm wrong,

2032
03:03:55,920 --> 03:04:04,479
but I believe This is a motion to amend
replacing the language in its entirety.

2033
03:04:01,200 --> 03:04:11,120
And what's before us now is whether we
as the voters accept his amended replace

2034
03:04:08,080 --> 03:04:14,680
question. And if that passes, then we
discuss the question.

2035
03:04:14,800 --> 03:04:19,920
» Correct.
>> That yes, thank you. You stated that

2036
03:04:18,319 --> 03:04:24,520
Jesse, does this have to do with
procedure?

2037
03:04:21,520 --> 03:04:24,520
» Okay.

2038
03:04:28,960 --> 03:04:39,439
Okay. Je Jesse Jesse moved the motion as
the

2039
03:04:36,479 --> 03:04:46,560
the motion the article has been restated
and I agree with CB because it is

2040
03:04:42,080 --> 03:04:52,399
germanine. we are able to amend it and
we could you there's a world in which we

2041
03:04:49,520 --> 03:04:58,080
could get very mired down in amend
voting on amendments and then going back

2042
03:04:55,680 --> 03:05:03,520
are there any objections to moving the
discussion forward of the motion that

2043
03:05:01,200 --> 03:05:09,439
strikes the current wording of article
42 and that and directs the select board

2044
03:05:07,279 --> 03:05:14,760
to create an ad hoc committee. Is there
any objection to that being that what

2045
03:05:11,040 --> 03:05:14,760
we're about to discuss?

2046
03:05:15,120 --> 03:05:21,600
» Yes, we we have to discuss it first.
Yeah. Okay.

2047
03:05:19,359 --> 03:05:25,200
» Point of order.
It's the question has been called. So,

2048
03:05:24,319 --> 03:05:30,600
we need to vote.
>> I did not hear anyone call the question.

2049
03:05:27,439 --> 03:05:30,600
The question

2050
03:05:30,640 --> 03:05:39,600
would shut off the whether we accept Mr.
Merrick's amendment to

2051
03:05:37,760 --> 03:05:44,319
» Yes. I simply didn't hear Jesse. I
didn't hear you call the question. So,

2052
03:05:41,359 --> 03:05:50,000
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overlook it.
>> Go ahead.

2053
03:05:46,640 --> 03:05:58,080
» Okay. So, Jesse Anderson is calling the
question. It does require a second.

2054
03:05:54,240 --> 03:06:03,040
» I saw Carol Ross's hand up first.
When there is no debate when the

2055
03:06:00,640 --> 03:06:11,120
question is called and a twothirds
majority of the House is required.

2056
03:06:06,960 --> 03:06:19,279
So, all those in favor of ending
discussion of the rewarded article 42,

2057
03:06:16,319 --> 03:06:28,080
please say I. I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

2058
03:06:22,880 --> 03:06:34,960
The eyes have it. So, the article.
So, now we vote on the article. Wait,

2059
03:06:32,000 --> 03:06:39,600
order. Now we vote on whether to accept
Mr.

2060
03:06:35,840 --> 03:06:46,479
amendment and then if that passes we
would vote on you.

2061
03:06:42,880 --> 03:06:49,479
We still we still have to vote to accept
the

2062
03:06:55,840 --> 03:07:03,200
Excuse me. It's a little hard to hear
when there's

2063
03:06:58,640 --> 03:07:06,640
» I think before we move
on the

2064
03:07:04,800 --> 03:07:11,200
» No, we can't because the question was
just called

2065
03:07:08,800 --> 03:07:18,439
» the question was called discussion has
ended on the revised language of article

2066
03:07:15,439 --> 03:07:18,439
42.

2067
03:07:25,120 --> 03:07:30,399
point.
>> Yes, that's where I'm

2068
03:07:27,840 --> 03:07:35,040
» where we are at at the moment is needing
to vote to accept or reject Mr.

2069
03:07:34,319 --> 03:07:40,240
Merrick's
>> Yes.

2070
03:07:36,880 --> 03:07:46,640
» And then we can discuss
yes I I I don't always have a chance to

2071
03:07:43,439 --> 03:07:54,319
say what's next before someone pops up.
So um but we we are on the same page.

2072
03:07:51,359 --> 03:08:00,240
Okay.
Article amended article 42

2073
03:07:58,560 --> 03:08:03,479
reads
that the

2074
03:08:03,840 --> 03:08:12,520
article 42.
>> What's what's that?

2075
03:08:07,520 --> 03:08:12,520
» Article 42 be amended as follows.

2076
03:08:13,520 --> 03:08:16,520
» Okay.

2077
03:08:17,120 --> 03:08:24,920
» Yes.
It's essentially doing the same thing,

2078
03:08:20,720 --> 03:08:24,920
but you're right about the process.

2079
03:08:27,840 --> 03:08:31,560
» Shall the voter

2080
03:08:31,920 --> 03:08:38,840
the will the a but the amendment Dick
replaced all of article 42?

2081
03:08:43,120 --> 03:08:50,640
So the question is shall we see what
follows

2082
03:08:49,040 --> 03:08:54,720
and
vote on that

2083
03:08:53,200 --> 03:09:00,640
discussion
the article should pass that

2084
03:08:58,479 --> 03:09:07,359
» but there's a you there's a motion on
the table

2085
03:09:03,680 --> 03:09:12,479
» shall we change the the article 42
to read

2086
03:09:09,680 --> 03:09:18,640
as follows what he said. We never voted
on

2087
03:09:14,640 --> 03:09:21,640
I know please be patient.
Um

2088
03:09:27,920 --> 03:09:32,840
» yes, thank you Tom. You're absolutely
correct.

2089
03:09:36,479 --> 03:09:44,880
Just a point of information,
but we've never done this

2090
03:09:42,479 --> 03:09:50,479
completely erasing
article by amendment.

2091
03:09:48,479 --> 03:09:53,479
» So, I think that's where we're getting
ourselves.

2092
03:09:53,840 --> 03:10:02,160
» Yes, it's not out. She's not out of
order because it's a point of order. And

2093
03:09:59,040 --> 03:10:10,240
I agree that this is uh new territory
for many.

2094
03:10:04,560 --> 03:10:18,120
Um, so the the amendment that you all
are about to vote on

2095
03:10:13,040 --> 03:10:18,120
is shall the voters of New Fain.

2096
03:10:22,560 --> 03:10:25,560
» No.

2097
03:10:34,240 --> 03:10:42,479
Oh, just to point out, I'm not confused.
As Tom said, I am taking time to make

2098
03:10:39,760 --> 03:10:48,160
sure that the amendment is worded
correctly. So, if you can just all take

2099
03:10:45,520 --> 03:10:53,319
a deep breath.
Let me work it out with Winetta. I'll be

2100
03:10:50,160 --> 03:10:53,319
right back.

2101
03:11:20,319 --> 03:11:29,120
Okay, now we have
we when Wetta and I have wording that we

2102
03:11:26,960 --> 03:11:32,120
are comfortable with. Thank you for your
patience.

2103
03:11:32,319 --> 03:11:42,359
» Shall the voters of New Fain, you all
amend article 42 to read as follows?

2104
03:11:42,800 --> 03:11:53,279
Shall the voters of the town of Newane
direct the select board to create an ad

2105
03:11:49,279 --> 03:11:59,040
hoc committee to seek public input
regarding the location, time, and day of

2106
03:11:56,319 --> 03:12:04,560
the week of town meeting with the goal
of maximizing public participation.

2107
03:12:03,600 --> 03:12:11,880
» Excuse me.
>> We previously ended it with 10 or half

2108
03:12:08,880 --> 03:12:11,880
meeting.

2109
03:12:12,399 --> 03:12:19,080
previous mentioned it twice.
>> Okay. I like

2110
03:12:19,200 --> 03:12:30,880
» Okay. Um I'm going to um make use my
authority to put in town meeting twice.

2111
03:12:27,600 --> 03:12:36,399
It doesn't change the intent of the of
the amendment. It does add further

2112
03:12:33,680 --> 03:12:41,439
clarification. Clarity is so important
as I keep saying. So, I'm going to read

2113
03:12:39,359 --> 03:12:49,840
it again.
Shall the voters of Newfane

2114
03:12:44,560 --> 03:12:55,279
amend article 42 to read as follows.
Shall the voters of the town of Newfane

2115
03:12:53,040 --> 03:13:02,399
direct the select board to create an ad
hoc committee to seek public input

2116
03:12:59,120 --> 03:13:07,279
regarding the location, day, time, day,
and day of the week of town meeting with

2117
03:13:05,200 --> 03:13:12,240
the goal of maximizing public
participation in town meeting. Everyone

2118
03:13:10,640 --> 03:13:17,520
clear now?
>> Okay,

2119
03:13:14,160 --> 03:13:24,720
great. Great. Thank you for hanging in
there.

2120
03:13:19,760 --> 03:13:29,760
Okay. All those in favor of that amended
that what I just read,

2121
03:13:28,080 --> 03:13:35,200
please say I.
>> I.

2122
03:13:31,040 --> 03:13:43,920
» All those opposed say nay.
>> The eyes have it

2123
03:13:38,720 --> 03:13:46,920
and the amended article 42 as stated
passes.

2124
03:13:56,080 --> 03:14:03,479
accepted the language and now we vote on
whether that language passes.

2125
03:14:06,080 --> 03:14:10,399
» Excuse Excuse me, Dick.
the article.

2126
03:14:10,000 --> 03:14:14,920
» Yeah,
>> that was a substantial.

2127
03:14:17,439 --> 03:14:24,319
» Excuse me. I can't hear Dick if other
people are talking.

2128
03:14:20,319 --> 03:14:32,279
» Michelle, the article has passed.
>> Okay.

2129
03:14:26,160 --> 03:14:32,279
Okay. Thank you. Very helpful.

2130
03:14:32,479 --> 03:14:36,120
» You can keep going.

2131
03:14:36,319 --> 03:14:48,479
Okay. Now that we you all have approved
the amendment to the article, now you're

2132
03:14:44,640 --> 03:14:55,279
going to vote on the actual article
as as you all agreed to amend it. Okay.

2133
03:14:53,120 --> 03:14:58,920
Fortunately, I see a lot of nodding
heads. Jesse,

2134
03:14:59,920 --> 03:15:03,239
» yes, please.

2135
03:15:06,319 --> 03:15:12,640
Uh yeah, me again. As a former select,
>> Could you please state your name?

2136
03:15:12,080 --> 03:15:15,680
» Oh yeah.
>> Yeah. Thank you.

2137
03:15:13,279 --> 03:15:17,680
» As a former select board member, I know
how hard it is.

2138
03:15:16,640 --> 03:15:19,279
» Your name, please.
>> What?

2139
03:15:18,080 --> 03:15:23,840
» Your name, please?
>> Jesse Anderson,

2140
03:15:21,359 --> 03:15:28,880
uh Williamsville. I know how hard it is
to form committees.

2141
03:15:26,000 --> 03:15:36,439
And as a former committee member,
>> I don't know how I would approach trying

2142
03:15:31,920 --> 03:15:36,439
to make a decision for the whole town.

2143
03:15:51,040 --> 03:15:54,040
information.

2144
03:16:00,080 --> 03:16:03,160
All right.

2145
03:16:21,520 --> 03:16:27,680
Yep.
>> Um, we all agree that everyone's blood

2146
03:16:24,800 --> 03:16:34,479
sugar levels are dropping, but we I
would very much like to res come bring

2147
03:16:30,800 --> 03:16:38,000
to conclusion article 42. Annie, is this
a point of order?

2148
03:16:35,600 --> 03:16:42,000
» No. Are we discussing this article? We
haven't introduced it.

2149
03:16:40,319 --> 03:16:45,920
I mean, Jesse just made a comment, so I
thought we were discussing.

2150
03:16:43,120 --> 03:16:53,479
» No, the people jumped ahead a little
bit. I I need to read now the article as

2151
03:16:50,479 --> 03:16:53,479
stated

2152
03:16:55,200 --> 03:17:04,080
and then we need a second and then we
can discuss it. Okay.

2153
03:17:00,960 --> 03:17:10,239
» Okay. Shall the voters of the town of
Newfane direct the select board to

2154
03:17:07,359 --> 03:17:16,720
create an ad hoc committee to seek
public input regarding the location,

2155
03:17:14,000 --> 03:17:23,359
time, and day of the week of town
meeting with the goal of maximizing

2156
03:17:20,080 --> 03:17:30,520
public participation in town meeting. Is
there a second?

2157
03:17:26,399 --> 03:17:30,520
» So moved. Right. Tom moved

2158
03:17:30,720 --> 03:17:35,720
» the motion.
>> Right. That's who who moved the motion?

2159
03:17:36,080 --> 03:17:47,920
» Tom Tom Bedell moved it and a second
>> Kenis. Okay. So now you can discuss

2160
03:17:44,479 --> 03:17:53,120
again um the the motion that's on the
table. Annie

2161
03:17:50,800 --> 03:18:00,160
Annie Landberger Williamsville to
Jesse's point with public input. uh

2162
03:17:57,279 --> 03:18:04,640
requires that public input be sought be
it through survey or through any other

2163
03:18:03,040 --> 03:18:08,120
vehicle. So, I was worried about that.
But that's okay.

2164
03:18:08,239 --> 03:18:11,239
» Yes.

2165
03:18:12,640 --> 03:18:18,439
» And I caught your last name last time. I
did not get your first name.

2166
03:18:19,279 --> 03:18:26,560
» Susan all new fame village. I have a
question about what happens. We've

2167
03:18:23,680 --> 03:18:32,479
amended the language to direct for an ad
hoc committee. Correct.

2168
03:18:29,279 --> 03:18:37,600
If that does not pass, then what
happens? like nothing happens in terms

2169
03:18:34,640 --> 03:18:41,359
of moving the meeting or
it just gets somebody has to bring it

2170
03:18:39,279 --> 03:18:44,399
back up next year if they want it back
on the back on the

2171
03:18:43,439 --> 03:18:47,840
» right
>> because the original language was

2172
03:18:45,840 --> 03:18:51,359
completely strict.
>> So if I just want to clarify if we don't

2173
03:18:50,239 --> 03:18:54,560
pass this
>> Yes.

2174
03:18:51,920 --> 03:18:57,200
» then it's up to someone to petition to
put it back on the

2175
03:18:56,000 --> 03:19:01,680
» correct. Got it.
>> Correct. Yes. Did everyone hear Susan's

2176
03:18:59,760 --> 03:19:03,680
question in point?
>> Point of information.

2177
03:19:02,960 --> 03:19:08,160
» Yes.
>> Isn't it also possible that if the

2178
03:19:05,680 --> 03:19:13,840
motion doesn't pass, the select board
could take it up on their own and decide

2179
03:19:11,279 --> 03:19:17,040
to handle it uh with forming a
committee.

2180
03:19:14,960 --> 03:19:21,760
» Yes, that is possible. I was responding
to Susan's question about what the

2181
03:19:19,359 --> 03:19:29,680
legislative body what you all are able
to do today, but that is correct.

2182
03:19:26,160 --> 03:19:33,319
Is there further disc? Excuse me.
>> Okay. Who is that?

2183
03:19:37,040 --> 03:19:44,239
» Is there a second?
>> Calling the question. The question's

2184
03:19:42,080 --> 03:19:46,160
been called. And I'm sorry, I don't know
your name.

2185
03:19:44,880 --> 03:19:50,840
» Lori.
>> I still can't hear you.

2186
03:19:47,200 --> 03:19:50,840
» Lorie Margan.

2187
03:19:59,920 --> 03:20:08,160
This goes right to a vote. Needs a
twothirds vote. All those in favor of

2188
03:20:05,920 --> 03:20:15,200
end calling the question meaning ending
discussion of the current article 42

2189
03:20:13,760 --> 03:20:19,600
please say I.
>> I.

2190
03:20:16,160 --> 03:20:28,399
» All those opposed please say nay.
The eyes have it. Discussion has ended

2191
03:20:23,920 --> 03:20:33,880
and now we vote on the actual
motion or the art the revised article.

2192
03:20:36,880 --> 03:20:45,359
» Okay. You are about to vote on the
following.

2193
03:20:42,399 --> 03:20:51,680
Shall the
shall the voters of New Fain direct the

2194
03:20:48,880 --> 03:20:57,359
select board to create an ad hoc
committee to seek public input regarding

2195
03:20:54,560 --> 03:21:02,399
the location, time, and day of the week
of town meeting with the goal of

2196
03:20:59,760 --> 03:21:07,920
maximizing participation in town
meeting.

2197
03:21:04,880 --> 03:21:12,960
If you think that's a good idea, you're
going to say I.

2198
03:21:10,560 --> 03:21:14,399
All those in favor,
please say I.

2199
03:21:14,000 --> 03:21:17,840
» I.
>> I.

2200
03:21:15,359 --> 03:21:25,800
» All those opposed, please say nay.
>> Nay.

2201
03:21:19,279 --> 03:21:25,800
» Okay, the eyes have it. That passes the

2202
03:21:26,160 --> 03:21:29,560
» select board.

2203
03:21:31,600 --> 03:21:46,239
Okay. Um, this is a perfect point for a
break. Um, this is not a recess. This is

2204
03:21:40,640 --> 03:21:52,000
a recess. Excuse me. Um, let's take
10 minutes.

2205
03:21:48,800 --> 03:21:56,880
So, please be back by if you're going to
take a walk or something by 12:25

2206
03:21:55,120 --> 03:22:02,000
at 12:35
and we will pick up at article 43.

2207
03:22:00,080 --> 03:22:05,760
» Well, hello again.
>> Would you like me to walk around?

2208
03:22:04,000 --> 03:22:09,319
» Um, thank you. Ken just offered to do
that. Thank you.

2209
03:22:09,439 --> 03:22:15,720
» Nice to see familiar faces again.
>> Thank you so much.

2210
03:22:12,720 --> 03:22:15,720
» Okay,

2211
03:22:16,080 --> 03:22:26,319
we are now on article 43
to transact any other business that may

2212
03:22:23,040 --> 03:22:31,760
legally come before the town. Is there
anyone who would like Oh, and I want to

2213
03:22:28,640 --> 03:22:39,600
clarify that anything that falls under
act for uh article 43 any any

2214
03:22:36,160 --> 03:22:44,399
theoretically one the the body doesn't
vote but if we do vote the votes are

2215
03:22:42,080 --> 03:22:48,640
nonbinding
because it was they were not warned. So,

2216
03:22:47,279 --> 03:22:53,439
I just want to make sure everybody's
really clear on that and I'm not trying

2217
03:22:50,960 --> 03:23:01,120
to shut down discussion, just want the
the the rules of the game to be clear to

2218
03:22:56,080 --> 03:23:06,319
everybody. So, um, yes, EMTT,
did you want to bring something forward?

2219
03:23:04,800 --> 03:23:10,399
And if someone has something to bring
forward, if you could state it in the

2220
03:23:08,080 --> 03:23:13,399
form of a motion, that would be very
helpful.

2221
03:23:14,960 --> 03:23:24,000
» Okay. Um, yes. So, I um my name's EMTT
Madavi Williamsville. Um, and for

2222
03:23:23,279 --> 03:23:28,000
clarity,
>> you can take it out and hold it.

2223
03:23:25,680 --> 03:23:32,399
» Okay. I think I maybe need both hands
just for this. Okay.

2224
03:23:28,960 --> 03:23:39,600
» Um, I am on the board of Rural Vermont,
um, which is a farming advocacy

2225
03:23:35,200 --> 03:23:42,720
nonprofit in Vermont. Um, and yes, so I
would like to propose a non-binding

2226
03:23:40,960 --> 03:23:49,680
resolution, which I have a bunch of
copies of if anybody would like. Um,

2227
03:23:46,479 --> 03:23:53,600
last year in May 2025, uh, the Vermont
Supreme Court overruled,

2228
03:23:52,080 --> 03:23:58,800
um,
a municipal zoning exemption for farming

2229
03:23:56,880 --> 03:24:03,920
in Vermont, which means the
responsibility for zoning of farms went

2230
03:24:01,279 --> 03:24:09,840
from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture
to towns. So, local planning

2231
03:24:07,120 --> 03:24:14,960
commissions, select boards. So this
means like disputes over land and all

2232
03:24:13,359 --> 03:24:18,880
that kind of stuff is now the
responsibility of these small towns.

2233
03:24:16,720 --> 03:24:24,000
That also means for smallcale farmers.
>> So according to Robin's rules of order,

2234
03:24:21,840 --> 03:24:27,760
you need to make the motion and then as
the person and it needs to be seconded

2235
03:24:25,760 --> 03:24:32,960
and then as the person making the motion
or offering the the resolution, then you

2236
03:24:30,640 --> 03:24:37,040
have a chance to speak. I I
>> you as the person offering it has the

2237
03:24:35,920 --> 03:24:42,960
first chance to speak.
>> Okay. So, I'll read the proposed.

2238
03:24:40,880 --> 03:24:46,479
» Sure. Is it the whole piece of paper?
>> No, I'm skipping the front page. And

2239
03:24:44,800 --> 03:24:51,120
this is much faster. It'll
>> Okay. It's going to be a lot for people

2240
03:24:48,560 --> 03:24:59,359
to take in. Does everyone have copies?
>> I can. I have 15 copies to pass out.

2241
03:24:55,520 --> 03:25:03,680
» It's It's the two pages.
>> Oh, yes.

2242
03:25:01,200 --> 03:25:04,720
» Click copy when you're finished.
>> Yeah.

2243
03:25:04,000 --> 03:25:07,120
» Thanks. Actually,
>> I can I can give you a copy and just

2244
03:25:06,160 --> 03:25:10,600
read off my phone.
>> Yeah, thank you.

2245
03:25:12,080 --> 03:25:18,000
» Oh, it's two pages.
>> Um, it's just on the back of the first

2246
03:25:16,960 --> 03:25:24,040
page.
>> Starting at the copy, too. It's hard to

2247
03:25:20,479 --> 03:25:24,040
do just visual

2248
03:25:24,560 --> 03:25:28,120
» to Kim, please.

2249
03:25:32,160 --> 03:25:41,359
» Yeah.
Okay, thank you. Um, whereas the 2025

2250
03:25:38,880 --> 03:25:49,359
Supreme Court ruling re 8 Taff Street
DRB and NOV appeals 2025 VT27

2251
03:25:47,279 --> 03:25:52,880
provides municipalities new and broad
zoning authority over farming,

2252
03:25:51,040 --> 03:25:56,479
overturning decades of legal precedent
and legislative intent, and creating

2253
03:25:54,960 --> 03:26:01,040
uncertainty for farmers and new
regulatory burdens for towns.

2254
03:25:59,200 --> 03:26:05,600
Municipal officials are often not
equipped with agricultural expertise to

2255
03:26:03,200 --> 03:26:09,439
assess livestock density, nutrient
management, or land sustainability,

2256
03:26:07,840 --> 03:26:14,960
creating unnecessary administrative
strain and legal risk. Three, without

2257
03:26:12,479 --> 03:26:18,800
legislative clarification, Vermont risks
a patchwork of local rules governing

2258
03:26:16,960 --> 03:26:23,120
where and how food can be grown, what
livestock may be raised, and whether

2259
03:26:20,880 --> 03:26:27,600
small producers can sell their products.
Four, small-cale farms and homesteaders,

2260
03:26:25,760 --> 03:26:31,359
especially those under 4 acres or
earning modest income, may be

2261
03:26:29,359 --> 03:26:36,560
particularly vulnerable to inconsistent
local regulation. Five, larger farms

2262
03:26:34,399 --> 03:26:40,399
operating across multiple municipalities
may also be particularly affected

2263
03:26:38,720 --> 03:26:44,239
because they operate in a number of
different zoning jurisdictions. Six,

2264
03:26:42,640 --> 03:26:48,239
zoning administrators, development
review boards, and select boards could

2265
03:26:45,840 --> 03:26:53,040
face increased regulatory burdens such
as neighbor disputes, appeals, and

2266
03:26:50,319 --> 03:26:56,880
enforcement costs. Seven, agricultural
oversight belongs with the Vermont

2267
03:26:54,880 --> 03:27:02,880
Agency of Agriculture, Food, and
Markets, where technical expertise and

2268
03:26:59,120 --> 03:27:08,160
statewide consistency already exists.
Eight, restoring the municipal exemption

2269
03:27:05,200 --> 03:27:12,640
and codifying a strong right to grow
food, including livestock and the right

2270
03:27:10,399 --> 03:27:17,680
to sell, protects farmers, relieves
towns of unintended regulatory burdens

2271
03:27:15,120 --> 03:27:21,680
and fairness across Vermont.
Therefore, be it resolved that the town

2272
03:27:19,600 --> 03:27:26,399
of Newfane petitions the legislature of
the state of Vermont to restore the

2273
03:27:24,080 --> 03:27:30,399
municipal zoning exemptions for farming
and ensure statewide consistency in the

2274
03:27:28,560 --> 03:27:34,960
regulation of farming and agriculture
under the authority and expertise of the

2275
03:27:32,560 --> 03:27:39,120
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and
Markets.

2276
03:27:36,880 --> 03:27:43,840
Codify a right to grow food that
explicitly includes livestock. Protect

2277
03:27:41,920 --> 03:27:48,319
the right of Vermonters to grow, raise,
produce, donate, and sell food they have

2278
03:27:45,680 --> 03:27:55,720
produced. relieve municipalities of
unintended regulatory burdens resulting

2279
03:27:50,640 --> 03:27:55,720
from judicial interpretation. Thank you.

2280
03:28:03,680 --> 03:28:12,000
» Yeah.
So given that we are in a nonbinding

2281
03:28:08,720 --> 03:28:16,439
portion of the meeting and this is a
resolution um

2282
03:28:18,560 --> 03:28:26,239
That's very very long to be a
resolution.

2283
03:28:22,239 --> 03:28:31,120
Um could the wherees be considered
background information and then the

2284
03:28:28,319 --> 03:28:35,439
resolution starts with their uh be it
resolved?

2285
03:28:33,680 --> 03:28:39,319
» Okay.
So EMTT

2286
03:28:40,319 --> 03:28:44,120
moves that

2287
03:28:45,359 --> 03:28:54,800
It be resolved that the town of New Fain
petitions the legislature of the state

2288
03:28:51,120 --> 03:29:00,960
of Vermont to number one restore the
municipal zoning exemption for farming

2289
03:28:58,399 --> 03:29:06,000
and ensure statewide consistency in the
regulation of farming and agriculture

2290
03:29:03,520 --> 03:29:10,080
under the authority and expertise of the
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and

2291
03:29:08,479 --> 03:29:16,880
Markets.
Second, cottify a right to grow food,

2292
03:29:14,960 --> 03:29:22,479
a right to grow food that explicitly
includes livestock. Protect the right of

2293
03:29:19,760 --> 03:29:28,640
verters to grow, raise, produce, donate,
and sell food they have produced, and

2294
03:29:25,680 --> 03:29:34,479
relieve municipalities of unintended
regulatory burdens resulting from

2295
03:29:31,200 --> 03:29:41,160
judicial interpretation. Is there a
second to that resolution?

2296
03:29:37,840 --> 03:29:41,160
Did you get that?

2297
03:29:43,680 --> 03:29:48,920
» Is there any discussion of the
resolution?

2298
03:29:54,800 --> 03:29:59,200
» Question.
>> Sorry, one second. EMTT, actually. Do

2299
03:29:57,760 --> 03:30:03,160
you have Did you get to say everything
you wanted to say about it?

2300
03:30:03,600 --> 03:30:12,000
» Okay. Yes, Ramsay.
and Ken is gonna assist with the mic.

2301
03:30:09,279 --> 03:30:16,960
» Thank you. Yeah. Hi. So, my question is
just uh with these this is a non-binding

2302
03:30:14,399 --> 03:30:24,640
resolution, right? Is there any followth
through like what happens next in that

2303
03:30:20,080 --> 03:30:30,200
process were we to say pass it as a town
vote for it?

2304
03:30:26,080 --> 03:30:30,200
» EMTT, could you speak to that?

2305
03:30:31,520 --> 03:30:37,439
» So, once the resolution gets passed then
then what is essentially Ramsey your

2306
03:30:35,600 --> 03:30:43,520
question. Yeah.
>> Um the the news that Newf Fain has uh

2307
03:30:41,439 --> 03:30:49,520
passed this non-binding resolution would
be um shared with the Vermont State

2308
03:30:46,160 --> 03:30:56,399
Legislature um which can be handled not
by the town. I can I can convey that

2309
03:30:52,399 --> 03:31:03,120
information happily.
>> Yes, Chris. My question is,

2310
03:31:00,800 --> 03:31:07,120
does the select board need to
participate in this non-binding

2311
03:31:05,359 --> 03:31:14,640
resolution
by drafting a letter to the legislature

2312
03:31:11,920 --> 03:31:19,479
to say that we have we as the town of
New Fain have approved this?

2313
03:31:20,239 --> 03:31:24,359
EMTT, was that your intention?

2314
03:31:28,239 --> 03:31:39,439
Uh I don't think so. No, I think the
fact that we if we if we pass it, we

2315
03:31:36,399 --> 03:31:44,800
have conveyed that message and that new
information will be shared without the

2316
03:31:41,760 --> 03:31:48,800
town needing to no burden on you guys.
The goal is to lift lift the burden of

2317
03:31:46,960 --> 03:31:52,160
like additional zoning responsibilities
on the town. This is something that

2318
03:31:50,560 --> 03:31:57,920
people with expertise and like we
shouldn't be asking every single town in

2319
03:31:54,479 --> 03:32:02,560
Vermont to become experts on farming and
the impacts of farming and the impacts

2320
03:32:00,880 --> 03:32:10,160
on the environment and all of that.
>> I believe Chris was asking if this is

2321
03:32:05,760 --> 03:32:14,560
passed does the town of New Fain imply
that the select board then has to

2322
03:32:12,560 --> 03:32:17,040
petition the legislature. Is that is
that

2323
03:32:15,040 --> 03:32:24,319
» that was my that was my question. I just
wanted to know where with this passing

2324
03:32:20,960 --> 03:32:30,560
and I support it 100%. So everyone's
clear about this.

2325
03:32:26,560 --> 03:32:36,319
Where what is the expectation of the
town, the executive branch, the the

2326
03:32:34,640 --> 03:32:42,800
administrators, the managers of the
town. Is there an expectation for follow

2327
03:32:40,080 --> 03:32:47,680
through to say, "Hey, or is this
something that you're going to take upon

2328
03:32:44,479 --> 03:32:51,439
yourself and
tell the Vermont digger that this

2329
03:32:49,439 --> 03:32:57,439
happened? We have it on public record
that it has it will pass or won't pass

2330
03:32:54,080 --> 03:33:02,399
or whatever. But will you put an article
in the comments or what will the

2331
03:33:00,160 --> 03:33:07,200
dissemination of the approval or
disapproval of this where does the

2332
03:33:05,120 --> 03:33:12,160
dissemination the responsibility for
that or the overall idea of what you're

2333
03:33:10,319 --> 03:33:17,160
looking for which is to tell the
legislature

2334
03:33:13,840 --> 03:33:17,160
hands off

2335
03:33:17,680 --> 03:33:22,560
I that's where I wanted the
clarification is it going to are you

2336
03:33:21,040 --> 03:33:28,239
going to take care of this or is this
going to let do you want us

2337
03:33:25,840 --> 03:33:34,040
or do you want select board members or
to petition the select board or does the

2338
03:33:30,319 --> 03:33:34,040
town need to do something?

2339
03:33:34,239 --> 03:33:39,920
» Um
do do you want to go?

2340
03:33:37,359 --> 03:33:44,479
» I think I can answer
>> rural rural Vermont can handle the

2341
03:33:41,920 --> 03:33:49,840
dissemination of information.
>> Right. So part of that is just by us

2342
03:33:47,520 --> 03:33:55,200
doing it. It has to be written down. It
has to be sent to the state ledge so

2343
03:33:51,920 --> 03:33:59,120
they are automatically informed
>> and then further step work can be done

2344
03:33:57,279 --> 03:34:01,279
from your end. Correct.
>> Okay.

2345
03:33:59,920 --> 03:34:04,279
» Thank you
>> Erica.

2346
03:34:04,640 --> 03:34:10,960
» Thank you Erica Welch new fain. Um the
whole point of something being

2347
03:34:08,960 --> 03:34:15,840
nonbinding means you don't have to do
anything with it as a body. So, uh, a

2348
03:34:14,000 --> 03:34:22,399
non-binding resolution, which is
everything that wasn't on the warning as

2349
03:34:18,880 --> 03:34:28,080
an article is non-binding. So, um, the
the body of voters may approve it. You

2350
03:34:26,239 --> 03:34:31,840
don't have to do anything as a select
board. You would decide amongst

2351
03:34:29,439 --> 03:34:36,000
yourselves whether you know you want to
act on something that the voters

2352
03:34:33,840 --> 03:34:39,760
approved of. And, you know, if the
voters approve of it, you may write that

2353
03:34:37,680 --> 03:34:43,279
letter. Sorry, you may write that
letter, but you don't have to because

2354
03:34:41,279 --> 03:34:46,960
it's non-binding. If it's binding, you
have to do it. And

2355
03:34:44,560 --> 03:34:52,960
» yeah, so Eric is just reminding us that
because we're in the non-binding part of

2356
03:34:49,040 --> 03:34:57,680
the meeting, um the the this body cannot
direct the select board to do anything

2357
03:34:55,600 --> 03:35:03,120
as you could earlier. Henriette, I see
your hand. Um the Erica, the the issue

2358
03:35:00,960 --> 03:35:07,200
really was more what was meant by clear.
It was clarification around what was

2359
03:35:05,040 --> 03:35:14,359
meant by the town of New Fain. That's
what I believe the the question of

2360
03:35:09,040 --> 03:35:14,359
clarification was around. Um, Henriette

2361
03:35:14,479 --> 03:35:17,800
I'm just wonder

2362
03:35:18,000 --> 03:35:22,239
however I'm wondering why did the
Vermont Supreme Really?

2363
03:35:21,520 --> 03:35:27,920
» Yes.
>> Why did the Oh, boy. Um, why did the

2364
03:35:26,080 --> 03:35:32,960
Supreme Court and of the state of
Vermont knock it down after so many

2365
03:35:30,319 --> 03:35:38,040
years of it being the law? like what was
their argument on the other side of

2366
03:35:35,040 --> 03:35:38,040
this?

2367
03:35:40,399 --> 03:35:50,560
» EMTT, would you like to respond?
>> Um, I can try. Uh, I I I lack the full

2368
03:35:46,960 --> 03:35:55,600
context in all honesty. Um,
I believe there have been municipalities

2369
03:35:52,720 --> 03:36:03,439
that take issue with, you know, the
proximity of farms to um, population

2370
03:35:58,800 --> 03:36:09,680
centers. um be it like smells or uh a
chicken on the loose. Um, so there and

2371
03:36:08,160 --> 03:36:16,960
you know if this is happening in a town
like Barry or Woodstock, not to name

2372
03:36:13,279 --> 03:36:23,840
names, but like um you know a place that
has like more money that might want to

2373
03:36:21,040 --> 03:36:27,200
like benefit off of like the
agricultural image of Vermont while not

2374
03:36:26,080 --> 03:36:30,560
dealing with the problems that come
along with that or the challenges or

2375
03:36:28,960 --> 03:36:34,920
complexities.
Um, yeah.

2376
03:36:40,160 --> 03:36:45,479
Is there any further discussion of this
resolution?

2377
03:36:48,160 --> 03:36:58,000
Uh for symbolic purposes. Um
I will reread the resolution and then

2378
03:36:55,359 --> 03:37:04,960
there will be a vote.
Be it resolved that the town of Newfane

2379
03:37:02,720 --> 03:37:11,200
petitions the legislature of the state
of Vermont to restore the municipal

2380
03:37:08,000 --> 03:37:17,040
zoning exemption for farming and ensure
statewide consistency in the regulation

2381
03:37:14,160 --> 03:37:22,479
of farming and agriculture under the
authority and expertise of the Vermont

2382
03:37:19,120 --> 03:37:28,720
Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
Number one. Number two, cottify a right

2383
03:37:25,600 --> 03:37:33,120
to grow food that explicitly includes
livestock.

2384
03:37:30,880 --> 03:37:38,960
Protect the right of verters to grow,
raise, produce, donate, and sell food

2385
03:37:36,160 --> 03:37:44,640
they have produced. And lastly, relieve
municipalities of unintended regulatory

2386
03:37:42,000 --> 03:37:48,800
burdens resulting from judicial
interpretation.

2387
03:37:46,479 --> 03:37:54,640
All those in favor of that resolution
say I.

2388
03:37:50,080 --> 03:38:02,600
» I. All those opposed say nay.
The resolution

2389
03:37:57,680 --> 03:38:02,600
passes on a symbolic vote.

2390
03:38:05,840 --> 03:38:11,160
» Is there any other business that Yes.
Dan,

2391
03:38:17,439 --> 03:38:24,000
» I would like town meeting to consider
the following resolution.

2392
03:38:21,920 --> 03:38:29,040
It's just one sentence. The people of
Newfane condemn the terror and killing

2393
03:38:26,399 --> 03:38:33,920
being perpetuated by ICE operatives and
call on the US Congress to defund and

2394
03:38:31,359 --> 03:38:39,040
dismantle the agency as it now exists.
Yeah, Dan, could you please speak a

2395
03:38:36,960 --> 03:38:44,880
little slower
>> and a little louder?

2396
03:38:41,279 --> 03:38:51,120
» The people of Newane condemn the terror
and killing being perpetuated by ICE

2397
03:38:48,160 --> 03:38:57,960
operatives and call on the US Congress
to defund and dismantle the agency as it

2398
03:38:54,640 --> 03:38:57,960
now exists.

2399
03:38:59,520 --> 03:39:04,800
» And so you're offering that as a
resolution,

2400
03:39:02,319 --> 03:39:08,560
» a resolution
Yes. Is there a second to that

2401
03:39:06,479 --> 03:39:12,960
resolution? And could you
>> Walter

2402
03:39:09,760 --> 03:39:18,040
» Walter French,
>> is there any discussion of the

2403
03:39:15,040 --> 03:39:18,040
resolution?

2404
03:39:28,399 --> 03:39:36,439
Does anyone would anyone like Dan to
read it again? Did you Did everyone

2405
03:39:32,399 --> 03:39:36,439
catch it? Okay.

2406
03:39:39,120 --> 03:39:51,359
So, I don't see any hands up. Um, so we
will then move toward to a again a

2407
03:39:48,000 --> 03:39:54,000
non-binding vote. All those in favor of
the resolution say I.

2408
03:39:53,520 --> 03:39:57,200
» Excuse me.
>> Could you read it once more, please?

2409
03:39:56,319 --> 03:40:02,399
» Could you could I
>> could you read it once more, please?

2410
03:39:59,520 --> 03:40:06,399
» Yes. Good point. Thank you, CB. And Dan,
I don't have I'm sorry. I thought I

2411
03:40:04,239 --> 03:40:09,840
brought a copy, but I don't have one. I
I technically need to read it.

2412
03:40:08,080 --> 03:40:13,239
» Okay.
Thank you, CB.

2413
03:40:14,239 --> 03:40:17,239
» What?

2414
03:40:18,880 --> 03:40:28,040
The resolution reads as such. The people
of Newane condemn the terror and murder.

2415
03:40:28,640 --> 03:40:32,840
Okay, I'm I'm reading what's here.

2416
03:40:33,520 --> 03:40:38,760
The killing and murder being perpet.

2417
03:40:40,720 --> 03:40:50,000
» It's a work in progress.
>> The terror and killing being perpetuated

2418
03:40:46,640 --> 03:40:57,720
by ICE operatives and call on the US
Congress to defund and dismantle the

2419
03:40:53,359 --> 03:40:57,720
agency as it now exists.

2420
03:40:58,800 --> 03:41:04,160
All those in favor of the resolution say
I.

2421
03:41:03,120 --> 03:41:08,439
» I.
>> All those opposed say nay.

2422
03:41:09,680 --> 03:41:19,200
» Division of the house has been called.
So all the I'm going to rere. Dan, could

2423
03:41:15,520 --> 03:41:23,319
you have a copy of it?
>> Can we have your book again?

2424
03:41:27,760 --> 03:41:30,760
Yeah.

2425
03:41:32,080 --> 03:41:35,080
» Yeah.

2426
03:41:35,359 --> 03:41:43,279
» Okay. I'm going to reread reread the
resolution and then I will call on those

2427
03:41:40,960 --> 03:41:49,160
who support and oppose it and you will
stand up and you will be counted.

2428
03:41:46,160 --> 03:41:49,160
» Yeah.

2429
03:41:50,000 --> 03:41:58,880
The people of Newfane condemn the terror
and killing being perpetuated by ICE

2430
03:41:56,080 --> 03:42:06,319
operatives and call on the US Congress
to defund and dismantle the agency as it

2431
03:42:02,319 --> 03:42:11,720
now exists. All those in favor of that
resolution, please stand and remain

2432
03:42:08,720 --> 03:42:11,720
standing.

2433
03:42:40,399 --> 03:42:43,800
Are you all

2434
03:42:44,399 --> 03:42:47,399
together?

2435
03:43:00,319 --> 03:43:04,520
Did you have to remind me about

2436
03:43:34,000 --> 03:43:42,960
30 people support the resolution. Thank
you for standing for so long.

2437
03:43:40,000 --> 03:43:46,920
And those of you who are opposed to the
resolution, please stand.

2438
03:43:55,840 --> 03:43:59,000
You're not.

2439
03:44:07,680 --> 03:44:18,319
» The resolution passes. 30. Yay. 11 nay.
The yays have it.

2440
03:44:16,399 --> 03:44:25,920
Is there any other business that anyone
would like to bring before the town

2441
03:44:22,399 --> 03:44:30,000
before and before we adjourn?
Are there any announcements? Bill?

2442
03:44:28,720 --> 03:44:34,479
» Yes, I have.
>> Okay, Bill. And then Ken,

2443
03:44:32,000 --> 03:44:38,319
» not an announcement, but business.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Then then Bill, I didn't

2444
03:44:36,720 --> 03:44:41,680
realize Ken had business before the
town. So, we I'll come back to

2445
03:44:39,840 --> 03:44:46,800
announcements. Thank you.
>> Yes, Ken.

2446
03:44:44,399 --> 03:44:46,800
» Okay.

2447
03:44:47,520 --> 03:44:53,520
Uh, can SD Newfane
um,

2448
03:44:51,840 --> 03:45:00,640
and I'd like to bring this before the
town. Uh, the voters of Newfane

2449
03:44:57,120 --> 03:45:07,040
condemn the unprovoked attack
and start of an illegal and immoral war

2450
03:45:04,960 --> 03:45:12,640
against Iran.
We call on Congress to invoke the War

2451
03:45:09,359 --> 03:45:18,120
Powers Act and call on the president to
bring our troops home. Now,

2452
03:45:20,640 --> 03:45:28,239
» um it's very helpful if I as the
moderator and the town clerk have a

2453
03:45:25,279 --> 03:45:32,560
copy.
So, if you could write it out. Is there

2454
03:45:30,080 --> 03:45:37,520
a second to that resolution?
>> And who was that? Austin,

2455
03:45:36,000 --> 03:45:43,279
» could you put your hand up? I don't see
you.

2456
03:45:38,399 --> 03:45:49,040
» Oh, Austin. Austin Rice. Yeah. Okay.
>> Let us just catch up.

2457
03:45:46,880 --> 03:45:53,840
» Yep.
Ken, may I keep this?

2458
03:45:51,040 --> 03:45:58,319
» May I keep this? Okay. Um Austin Rice
seconded the resolution.

2459
03:45:56,640 --> 03:46:01,319
» Is there any discussion of the
resolution?

2460
03:46:03,359 --> 03:46:10,840
Yes. Could you please use the mic and
identify yourself? Thank you, Ken.

2461
03:46:11,120 --> 03:46:18,479
» Okay. Joyce Singi Newane.
>> I just have a question.

2462
03:46:16,880 --> 03:46:21,600
» Could you say repeat your last name
again?

2463
03:46:19,040 --> 03:46:29,359
» Singi.
>> Yeah. Winner knows. Um, I just had a

2464
03:46:24,319 --> 03:46:34,000
question. being new to the town, not new
in the town. I've been here 10 years,

2465
03:46:31,040 --> 03:46:39,680
but to the whole process. So, at this
point forward, is it not town business?

2466
03:46:37,680 --> 03:46:45,120
Is it just
whatever you want for international

2467
03:46:41,840 --> 03:46:48,720
business or I I don't quite understand.
Maybe you can clarify that for me.

2468
03:46:46,960 --> 03:46:55,040
» I can. And this is a question that has
come up at many town meetings. Um there

2469
03:46:52,720 --> 03:47:00,000
are differing views on what is
considered town business. There are

2470
03:46:57,520 --> 03:47:05,120
folks who feel that what is happening
elsewhere in the world uh in the state

2471
03:47:02,160 --> 03:47:09,439
in the country in the nation is relevant
to town business is in fact town

2472
03:47:07,199 --> 03:47:15,199
business because eventually it trickles
down. And then there are other folks who

2473
03:47:12,319 --> 03:47:22,399
define what falls under um other
business more narrowly. Some towns have

2474
03:47:19,279 --> 03:47:28,479
resolved that by having a warning on an
article at town meeting that specifies

2475
03:47:25,600 --> 03:47:35,680
what is permissible and what is not to
bring up under other business. But this

2476
03:47:31,680 --> 03:47:42,479
body does not have any such um guidance
in that respect. So um there is a a wide

2477
03:47:40,560 --> 03:47:47,439
range of
cons resolutions that are often brought

2478
03:47:44,640 --> 03:47:55,120
up at this time.
So, can a motion be made at any time to

2479
03:47:51,520 --> 03:47:58,120
hold that at another time in another
place?

2480
03:47:58,960 --> 03:48:04,720
» And not at town meetings. Did I
>> There would have to be correct. Select

2481
03:48:03,279 --> 03:48:09,279
board. Would you like to address that
question?

2482
03:48:06,640 --> 03:48:14,880
I believe because this has been this is
article 43

2483
03:48:11,600 --> 03:48:21,920
that to transact any other business that
may legally come before the town. This

2484
03:48:18,160 --> 03:48:29,359
has been warned. So we are able to
discuss these items here. However,

2485
03:48:25,520 --> 03:48:34,080
they're not binding in
the town is required to take action

2486
03:48:32,720 --> 03:48:40,960
» individually
>> by being individually warned. So this is

2487
03:48:36,640 --> 03:48:46,239
a package deal. So like with articles 1
through 42, they were individually

2488
03:48:43,439 --> 03:48:51,439
warned. Everyone had a chance to read
through those. These are things that

2489
03:48:48,800 --> 03:48:57,760
nobody has had a chance to read through.
So they're non-binding. So no one has a

2490
03:48:53,760 --> 03:49:01,120
a real chance to digest the any of these
resolutions that are coming. Is this an

2491
03:49:00,319 --> 03:49:05,760
accurate description?
>> That is correct. And just to clarify,

2492
03:49:03,040 --> 03:49:12,479
given the population of our town, one
does have to get 15 signatures on a

2493
03:49:09,520 --> 03:49:18,000
petition and get that petition in by the
town clerk's deadline in order for

2494
03:49:14,880 --> 03:49:21,000
something to be an actual article.
That's

2495
03:49:25,680 --> 03:49:28,680
voters

2496
03:49:29,359 --> 03:49:32,600
to hear

2497
03:49:34,720 --> 03:49:40,640
it's in the upper 80s or lower 90s
somewhere in there.

2498
03:49:37,760 --> 03:49:45,439
» Okay, I was corrected the the number of
petition signatures a candidate needs.

2499
03:49:43,600 --> 03:49:51,040
For example, when I have to run for town
moderator moderator every year, that's

2500
03:49:48,239 --> 03:49:57,120
15. But there's a higher percentage of
voters signatures that are needed for a

2501
03:49:54,160 --> 03:50:03,359
petition to get something warned at town
meeting. It's up closer to 80 80 or 90.

2502
03:50:01,520 --> 03:50:09,279
» Yeah.
>> Marian Dowling on the select board. Um,

2503
03:50:06,720 --> 03:50:19,760
this has been an issue that's been
discussed for a few years already.

2504
03:50:13,439 --> 03:50:29,279
And um Melissa Brown, the treasurer,
contacted VLCT, the Vermont League of

2505
03:50:24,080 --> 03:50:34,000
Cities and Towns to get clarification
about

2506
03:50:30,880 --> 03:50:40,160
discussing having discussions about
things that have nothing to do

2507
03:50:36,640 --> 03:50:49,359
specifically with new fame. And that
league who consists of attorneys and uh

2508
03:50:45,120 --> 03:50:57,520
legality in Vermont said that it is
legal to have conversations and

2509
03:50:53,359 --> 03:51:04,080
discussions and what we're doing now
about things that are not related to

2510
03:51:00,720 --> 03:51:10,080
just the town of new fame. And I think
you I had given you a copy of that or

2511
03:51:08,080 --> 03:51:13,840
did you have that the other night when
you came over?

2512
03:51:12,800 --> 03:51:18,720
» BLTC.
>> Yeah, it was a letter from BLCT.

2513
03:51:16,880 --> 03:51:23,279
So, um
>> I'd love to I'd love to have a copy.

2514
03:51:22,239 --> 03:51:29,760
» Please continue.
>> Okay. So basically

2515
03:51:25,520 --> 03:51:36,479
um these conversations that uh are
coming up now which have nothing to do

2516
03:51:32,399 --> 03:51:44,359
with the town of New Fain are legal
and that's the bottom line basically

2517
03:51:41,359 --> 03:51:44,359
Chris

2518
03:51:52,560 --> 03:52:01,520
White new thing. I just want to make
sure that I understand

2519
03:51:57,439 --> 03:52:08,560
a non if any of the articles or the
other business is approved. It does not

2520
03:52:05,600 --> 03:52:12,080
require anybody the select board or
anybody else to do anything. Is that

2521
03:52:10,960 --> 03:52:14,080
correct?
>> That is correct.

2522
03:52:13,439 --> 03:52:17,120
» Thank you.
>> Yep.

2523
03:52:15,279 --> 03:52:20,720
» To do any
>> Dan. Anything. Period.

2524
03:52:19,600 --> 03:52:24,239
I would just like to say,
>> could you please use the mic and state

2525
03:52:22,399 --> 03:52:31,680
your name?
>> Dan DeWalt, South New Fain. Um, I would

2526
03:52:27,760 --> 03:52:35,600
just like to say that uh we are in an
extraordinary time. We we have never

2527
03:52:34,000 --> 03:52:41,120
experienced
a lawless federal government to the

2528
03:52:37,920 --> 03:52:47,040
extent that we have now. And we have a
government which has declared war on its

2529
03:52:43,279 --> 03:52:52,640
own people. We have a a a blockade
against Cuba, which is an act of war uh

2530
03:52:49,680 --> 03:52:58,560
unauthorized by Congress. We have the
commencement of full combat operations,

2531
03:52:55,520 --> 03:53:04,640
quote from the president, in Iran, which
has not done anything to us and poses no

2532
03:53:01,680 --> 03:53:09,760
threat to us. We are living in in an
extreme

2533
03:53:06,239 --> 03:53:16,399
time of illegality and terrible actions.
And as a political body, even though

2534
03:53:13,600 --> 03:53:22,560
we're small and insignificant in the big
picture, I think that it's really

2535
03:53:19,359 --> 03:53:28,960
incumbent upon us to act as a political
body and let our voice be heard that we

2536
03:53:26,160 --> 03:53:33,920
adhere to the constitution that we
condemn a federal government which has

2537
03:53:31,920 --> 03:53:39,760
abandoned the constitution, which has
abandoned the rule of law and which is

2538
03:53:35,760 --> 03:53:46,640
defying the courts and are and it Sounds
hyperbolic, but nothing less than this

2539
03:53:43,040 --> 03:53:51,439
future of a republic is at stake and
we're facing really dire times. And I

2540
03:53:48,640 --> 03:53:56,960
think that as much as it's uncomfortable
to discuss issues that are controversial

2541
03:53:54,239 --> 03:54:02,800
in town meeting, I think if we were not
to do that, we would be sherking our

2542
03:53:58,560 --> 03:54:08,319
duties as citizens and as Americans to
uh fulfill our part of of the social

2543
03:54:05,439 --> 03:54:13,120
contract, which is we are not we don't
take an oath to defend the Constitution,

2544
03:54:11,120 --> 03:54:16,160
but that's essentially what our job is
as citizens. And I think that's what

2545
03:54:14,560 --> 03:54:21,840
we're doing when we bring up resolutions
like this. And I would urge us to vote

2546
03:54:17,920 --> 03:54:25,239
in favor of this one as well.
>> Yes, Bruce.

2547
03:54:29,199 --> 03:54:37,760
» Yeah, Bruce Roso, Williamsville,
Newfane. Um,

2548
03:54:35,120 --> 03:54:42,080
there is a long tradition in our town
meetings going back because I remember

2549
03:54:39,680 --> 03:54:46,560
Jesse, we had this conversation about
>> Could you hold the mic closer

2550
03:54:43,199 --> 03:54:52,000
» about Vermont Yankee? Um and
uh my point here is about the importance

2551
03:54:49,600 --> 03:55:00,720
of town meeting. The importance of town
meeting enduring and the way in which we

2552
03:54:56,000 --> 03:55:06,640
can discuss very difficult things civily
and have disagreements and know that

2553
03:55:03,680 --> 03:55:11,279
these are non-binding discussions and we
are choosing to stay here to have these

2554
03:55:09,680 --> 03:55:17,199
discussions with people that may
disagree with us. In the case of Jesse,

2555
03:55:15,120 --> 03:55:22,000
it was an issue about should we have
Vermont Yankee and Jesse made a

2556
03:55:19,359 --> 03:55:26,000
passionate uh argument about the
importance of safety and how everybody

2557
03:55:23,920 --> 03:55:33,279
worked there was so dedicated to it and
it moved me. Um, so that idea that we

2558
03:55:29,279 --> 03:55:39,120
can speak to each other in a democracy
face to face in the town of Newfane and

2559
03:55:36,560 --> 03:55:44,640
walk out of here as neighbors, walk out
of here as people that care about each

2560
03:55:41,439 --> 03:55:52,239
other and that we have enough integrity
and honesty and concern to disagree and

2561
03:55:49,279 --> 03:55:56,840
still stay a community. That is really
important to me. Thank you.

2562
03:55:57,760 --> 03:56:07,680
Um the the gent Yes. Could you come to
the mic and state your name, please?

2563
03:56:04,640 --> 03:56:11,120
» Yeah. I'm Vince Shark from New Fay.
>> Bring it right up to your mouth, please.

2564
03:56:08,880 --> 03:56:14,800
» Put it right up to my mouth. I have
>> Could you please restate your name with

2565
03:56:12,880 --> 03:56:19,840
a mic close to your mouth?
>> I have five family members.

2566
03:56:18,160 --> 03:56:22,080
» Sorry to interrupt you. Could you please
state your name and then speak?

2567
03:56:21,680 --> 03:56:24,319
» Okay.
>> Yeah.

2568
03:56:22,479 --> 03:56:31,199
» Vince Chuck Newane.
>> Yep. I have five family members who are

2569
03:56:27,279 --> 03:56:36,399
in federal law enforcement and I am so
tired of you guys exaggerating what the

2570
03:56:33,920 --> 03:56:42,319
hell is going on. These guys have to go
to work in the morning, come home, go 50

2571
03:56:39,840 --> 03:56:46,800
miles out of the way to get home so so
money doesn't follow them or chase their

2572
03:56:44,960 --> 03:56:50,720
kids down the street. If you want to
have a discussions, I'm all for

2573
03:56:48,319 --> 03:56:56,720
discussion, but don't exaggerate this
crap. these people are working hard and

2574
03:56:54,080 --> 03:57:02,479
I take it personally insulting that my
kids I know how hard they work and and

2575
03:56:59,279 --> 03:57:09,040
they have to deal with have a discussion
fine sit down have a meeting have a

2576
03:57:05,359 --> 03:57:14,319
board discussion but this coming out and
throwing it crap out that these are

2577
03:57:11,439 --> 03:57:21,120
killers and these are bad people is
outrageous and that's all I have to say.

2578
03:57:17,920 --> 03:57:27,760
» Thank you. I I I know this is a heated
topic. I encourage all of us to speak as

2579
03:57:24,880 --> 03:57:35,040
respectfully as possible.
Um

2580
03:57:30,319 --> 03:57:44,479
» uh Tony and then Katie
>> Tony Ping Newfane and I want to say I

2581
03:57:39,840 --> 03:57:51,359
have um I have grandchildren. I have
son-in-laws in the service and they are

2582
03:57:47,199 --> 03:57:56,479
protecting us all. They are all here and
some people are not speaking on my

2583
03:57:53,279 --> 03:58:01,439
behalf. I feel our federal government is
doing a wonderful job. They're trying to

2584
03:57:58,800 --> 03:58:05,279
get things done that need to be done and
that is my opinion and there's other

2585
03:58:03,840 --> 03:58:10,800
people in this room that feel the same
way. So there's some people in here that

2586
03:58:07,120 --> 03:58:13,800
are not talking for all of us.
Katie,

2587
03:58:15,040 --> 03:58:23,439
I um
just want to encourage everyone to

2588
03:58:20,800 --> 03:58:29,760
frame their words as delicately as
possible because we are talking about

2589
03:58:27,359 --> 03:58:34,080
actual people who are involved in these
circumstances. Um

2590
03:58:32,640 --> 03:58:39,040
both on the receiving end of what's
happening and the people who are

2591
03:58:35,920 --> 03:58:42,920
serving. Um
I I

2592
03:58:42,960 --> 03:58:50,319
uh very personally feel that 23 years
ago I was in the Persian Gulf as we

2593
03:58:47,760 --> 03:58:54,000
began bombing Iraq and it's a very
different feeling. My feelings are right

2594
03:58:52,080 --> 03:58:58,800
with the service members who are
suddenly in a situation that they

2595
03:58:57,120 --> 03:59:06,239
don't have any say over but they are in
it and vice versa. So just

2596
03:59:02,479 --> 03:59:15,040
be delicate in in all of your words. Um,
we all have strong opinions. Thank you.

2597
03:59:10,080 --> 03:59:21,439
» Also, just uh so Sam and then Susan and
CB and Walter. Um, I also just want to

2598
03:59:18,560 --> 03:59:25,520
remind everybody that this is a call on
Congress

2599
03:59:23,040 --> 03:59:32,840
on Congress to invoke the War Powers
Act. That's the the focus of this

2600
03:59:27,920 --> 03:59:32,840
resolution. So, um, Sam

2601
03:59:37,439 --> 03:59:45,680
Uh Sam Dutton, Williamsville.
Um just a bit of background and a

2602
03:59:42,960 --> 03:59:50,399
disclaimer before I say anything. Um I'm
a Marine Corps veteran and I'm a current

2603
03:59:48,000 --> 03:59:55,199
serving member of the National Guard.
Nothing I say reflects the official

2604
03:59:53,920 --> 04:00:00,720
position of either of those
institutions. First, I just want to

2605
03:59:57,920 --> 04:00:05,680
remind everybody that the military and
law enforcement organizations are

2606
04:00:03,199 --> 04:00:13,439
non-political institutions.
So, the discussion of what to do about

2607
04:00:07,680 --> 04:00:17,359
ICE or what to do about Iran, in no way
is whoever is bringing up those

2608
04:00:15,279 --> 04:00:24,160
resolutions, in no way are they
attacking current military or law

2609
04:00:20,239 --> 04:00:29,080
enforcement members. They're attacking
the political use of those institutions.

2610
04:00:34,080 --> 04:00:40,040
As for my personal opinion on the war in
Iran,

2611
04:00:40,399 --> 04:00:49,040
I'd like to lend an additional
perspective to the the absolute

2612
04:00:46,080 --> 04:00:53,279
immorality of it. I also think it's
dangerous for our national security. We

2613
04:00:51,520 --> 04:01:00,000
got sucked into the Middle East for the
last 30 years and wasted however many

2614
04:00:56,479 --> 04:01:05,199
resources there and we're in danger of
doing the same thing again. I think it's

2615
04:01:01,920 --> 04:01:09,600
time for us to focus on different parts
of the world strengthening national

2616
04:01:07,520 --> 04:01:14,319
security when it comes in respect to
Russia and China

2617
04:01:12,479 --> 04:01:17,720
and leave the Middle East be in my
personal opinion.

2618
04:01:21,359 --> 04:01:24,359
Susan

2619
04:01:30,720 --> 04:01:42,160
Susan all new fain um I just wanted to
call out to name that it's possible to

2620
04:01:38,239 --> 04:01:48,160
hold multiple truths so for me I can
hold that disagreement with the way that

2621
04:01:46,399 --> 04:01:52,560
we were brought into this conflict in
Iran with the way that the current

2622
04:01:50,800 --> 04:01:59,199
administration is behaving in a number
of ways. And I can also hold the truth

2623
04:01:55,359 --> 04:02:05,680
that I value members
serving in our military. I have a nephew

2624
04:02:01,520 --> 04:02:10,960
who is permanently disabled now from
his service in Kbble

2625
04:02:08,479 --> 04:02:17,040
and I have a husband who is a veteran.
And so I think it's really important for

2626
04:02:13,680 --> 04:02:22,399
us to name that, right? that it does not
have to mean that I am not in support of

2627
04:02:19,840 --> 04:02:31,399
my neighbors who are serving if I am
also not in support of what politicians

2628
04:02:26,319 --> 04:02:31,399
and policy makers are doing in my name.

2629
04:02:33,040 --> 04:02:42,080
CB
Thank you, Ken. This is very helpful.

2630
04:02:38,880 --> 04:02:46,560
» Yeah. Hi. Um
I'm kind of two minds about this. The

2631
04:02:44,479 --> 04:02:48,239
the war is three days old.
>> Right up.

2632
04:02:47,359 --> 04:02:50,960
» And um
>> CP, could you please bring the mic to

2633
04:02:49,920 --> 04:02:55,840
your mouth?
>> The war is three days old and it's hard

2634
04:02:54,080 --> 04:03:03,920
for me to understand the whole political
context of it. I it occurs to me that

2635
04:02:59,520 --> 04:03:10,319
that the nation has at times made huge
sacrifices in defense of liberty

2636
04:03:07,680 --> 04:03:17,359
and that
we could mention I mean the opposites to

2637
04:03:13,439 --> 04:03:21,760
Nazism in Germany or the current war in
Ukraine in which I very much support the

2638
04:03:19,920 --> 04:03:25,040
Ukrainians.
How much blood and treasure are we

2639
04:03:23,120 --> 04:03:29,680
willing to pour into it? There's a
limit, but there's also a recognition by

2640
04:03:27,279 --> 04:03:33,520
the people who make the decisions and by
the people who serve in the military

2641
04:03:31,680 --> 04:03:40,319
that sometimes that sacrifice is called
upon. I would love to see that Iranian

2642
04:03:36,319 --> 04:03:44,000
regime wiped off the map.
Do I want to see the United States get

2643
04:03:42,000 --> 04:03:48,800
involved in a seemingly endless,
multiaceted,

2644
04:03:46,399 --> 04:03:53,600
incomprehensible war throughout the
Middle East? No. But those two issues

2645
04:03:51,760 --> 04:03:56,960
are very much in conflict with me. I
think I'll probably have stain on the

2646
04:03:55,040 --> 04:04:02,239
vote. I'm not quite sure how I feel
about it. But I also want to recognize

2647
04:04:00,080 --> 04:04:09,439
that
ultimately it requires sacrifices

2648
04:04:06,080 --> 04:04:14,800
of lives and of money and you know you
name it in order to prevail against

2649
04:04:12,560 --> 04:04:18,040
tyranny.
That's all.

2650
04:04:19,040 --> 04:04:22,040
» Walter

2651
04:04:25,920 --> 04:04:34,600
Hi, Walter Hagedorn representing the uh
lower Rock River District in Newane.

2652
04:04:31,600 --> 04:04:34,600
Um

2653
04:04:34,640 --> 04:04:43,439
I just want to say, you know, I just
want to try to define I think a little

2654
04:04:39,040 --> 04:04:48,000
bit what I think a town meeting is. Um I
feel like town meeting should be uh

2655
04:04:45,600 --> 04:04:52,160
about the governance of the town. I
don't think we gathered here to talk

2656
04:04:49,439 --> 04:04:58,880
about potholes in Pakistan or schools in
Siberia or taxes in Taiwan. Um

2657
04:04:56,720 --> 04:05:03,120
so you know in my searching about the
definition of a town meeting I looked it

2658
04:05:00,800 --> 04:05:06,800
up in Wikipedia. It says town meeting is
known as an open town meeting. It is a

2659
04:05:05,199 --> 04:05:10,479
form of local government in which
eligible town residents can directly

2660
04:05:08,800 --> 04:05:15,680
participate
uh in an assembly which determines the

2661
04:05:12,800 --> 04:05:19,359
governance of their town.
So, uh, you know, and then I said, I

2662
04:05:18,000 --> 04:05:23,439
kind of went down a rabbit hole. What
are the purposes of a town meeting? At a

2663
04:05:21,760 --> 04:05:27,760
town meeting, attendees determine the
ordinances or rules of the town, its

2664
04:05:25,920 --> 04:05:32,640
boards and commissions, elected
appointment, appointed positions,

2665
04:05:30,800 --> 04:05:37,840
capital investments, expenditures,
budgets, and local taxation, as well as

2666
04:05:35,840 --> 04:05:43,199
the manner and frequency of future town
meetings. So, I feel like that's why we

2667
04:05:40,479 --> 04:05:48,399
are here. uh because we're doing town
business. We're towns people. The select

2668
04:05:45,439 --> 04:05:55,040
board is here serving the town. Uh and I
really just want to try to rein it in

2669
04:05:50,720 --> 04:06:00,479
and um and not allow or or just, you
know, remind people that this isn't an,

2670
04:05:57,199 --> 04:06:05,920
you know, a a soap box for you to stand
upon with your geopolitical

2671
04:06:03,120 --> 04:06:11,279
u views. Um I think we're here for the
specific purpose of town business. Um,

2672
04:06:09,680 --> 04:06:15,359
I'm going to just finish this with one
more definition that I looked up. It's

2673
04:06:13,439 --> 04:06:20,399
the uh, this is from Oxford uh,
dictionary and it's a definition of

2674
04:06:18,000 --> 04:06:24,000
virtue signaling. Is the public
expression of opinions or sentiments

2675
04:06:22,239 --> 04:06:29,040
intended to demonstrate one's good
character or social conscious or the

2676
04:06:26,479 --> 04:06:34,880
moral correctness of one's position on a
particular issue. Thank you.

2677
04:06:31,760 --> 04:06:40,800
» Okay. So
thank you for um so I I want to remind

2678
04:06:38,399 --> 04:06:46,080
everybody that the discussion is about
the resolution

2679
04:06:42,640 --> 04:06:51,359
and discussing what is proper or
appropriate to bring up in town meeting

2680
04:06:48,479 --> 04:06:56,479
is not gerine to the resolution. So I
Walter I don't mean to slap your hands.

2681
04:06:53,600 --> 04:07:00,319
Um it's just that there is uh Robert's
rules of order is really clear on that.

2682
04:06:58,399 --> 04:07:04,800
So, if you could please keep your
comments

2683
04:07:02,000 --> 04:07:09,279
um related to the resolution, that would
be great. And as I said earlier in the

2684
04:07:07,120 --> 04:07:14,160
day, if anyone feels strongly enough
about this, you could get petition

2685
04:07:11,520 --> 04:07:19,479
signatures and get this on as an article
on the warning for next year. Yes.

2686
04:07:20,399 --> 04:07:28,160
Hi, Dina Marger uh Newfane and I wanted
to say I appreciate everyone for showing

2687
04:07:25,920 --> 04:07:32,960
up and participating in their local
democracy and I'm wondering if this is

2688
04:07:30,800 --> 04:07:37,920
one of those moments where it is
possible as a point of procedure to call

2689
04:07:35,359 --> 04:07:44,399
for a vote.
>> Um if you wanted to, you could call the

2690
04:07:42,160 --> 04:07:48,000
question.
>> I don't think we're allowed to

2691
04:07:45,920 --> 04:07:53,760
» for resolutions.
>> No, sorry. I'm answering her.

2692
04:07:50,160 --> 04:08:00,800
» Okay. Um, so the question has been
called which means discussion. There

2693
04:07:56,399 --> 04:08:06,199
needs a second. Yep. I the woman
>> Allison what?

2694
04:08:02,640 --> 04:08:06,199
» Allison Seager.

2695
04:08:07,680 --> 04:08:14,960
» Um, for the purposes of the minutes,
could the person who offered who called

2696
04:08:12,160 --> 04:08:22,319
the question please restate your name?
>> Dina Marger. M A R G E R.

2697
04:08:19,600 --> 04:08:29,439
Thank you.
>> So there is no discussion about this.

2698
04:08:25,920 --> 04:08:34,800
» Um and they can Yes, there is
discussion. It can be it cannot be

2699
04:08:31,840 --> 04:08:40,399
amended and will require a twothirds
vote when we get there. So is there any

2700
04:08:38,399 --> 04:08:44,439
discussion
on calling the question?

2701
04:08:45,279 --> 04:08:54,439
I'm sorry. I stand corrected. It is not
open for discussion.

2702
04:08:49,600 --> 04:08:54,439
Um, so we move to a vote.

2703
04:08:58,080 --> 04:09:07,040
» I'm calling the question. Yes, that's
that's where I'm going. You guys are an

2704
04:09:02,960 --> 04:09:14,080
eager bunch. Um, so if you are in favor
of ending discussion on the resolution

2705
04:09:10,800 --> 04:09:18,800
having to do with on this resolution,
the voters of New Fain condemn the

2706
04:09:16,080 --> 04:09:24,160
unprovoked attack and start of an
illegal and immoral war against Iran. We

2707
04:09:22,080 --> 04:09:30,479
call on Congress to invoke the War
Powers Act and call on the president to

2708
04:09:27,040 --> 04:09:36,160
bring our troops home. Now, if you would
like to end discussion of that

2709
04:09:32,640 --> 04:09:40,319
resolution, then you would say yay. If
you would like to continue to discuss

2710
04:09:38,160 --> 04:09:44,080
it, you would say nay. All those in
favor of ending discussion, please say

2711
04:09:42,960 --> 04:09:50,359
yay.
>> Nay.

2712
04:09:46,000 --> 04:09:50,359
» All those in favor say nay.

2713
04:09:50,399 --> 04:10:01,600
» The eyes have it. Discussion is closed.
And now we move to

2714
04:09:57,600 --> 04:10:06,800
a non-binding vote on the resolution
which I'll read again. The voters of New

2715
04:10:04,239 --> 04:10:12,319
Fain condemn the unprovoked attack and
start of an illegal and immoral war

2716
04:10:09,439 --> 04:10:18,000
against Iran. We call on Congress to
invoke the Wall War Powers Act and call

2717
04:10:16,160 --> 04:10:26,560
on the president to bring our troops
home. Now all those in favor say I.

2718
04:10:21,920 --> 04:10:33,680
» I. All those opposed say nay.
The eyes have it. The resolution is

2719
04:10:30,960 --> 04:10:37,279
passed.
Are there is there any other business

2720
04:10:35,600 --> 04:10:41,600
bill? I know you had an announcement. Is
there any other business that would fall

2721
04:10:39,600 --> 04:10:44,560
under Oh, sorry, Marian.
>> No.

2722
04:10:43,120 --> 04:10:47,560
» Can you hear your mic, please?
>> Yes.

2723
04:10:48,080 --> 04:10:56,160
I would just like to um say some of the
words about this meeting that has been

2724
04:10:54,160 --> 04:11:03,680
held today
and I'm very very impressed by how

2725
04:10:59,359 --> 04:11:10,880
everybody has been working together in
listening to each other in caring for

2726
04:11:06,239 --> 04:11:18,960
what people have said with no animosity
um in this room and the select board

2727
04:11:15,680 --> 04:11:26,080
today does not have any authorization.
We're not in charge of um this meeting.

2728
04:11:22,080 --> 04:11:32,479
It's Kim who is the town moderator. But
I I do want to say that um for the last

2729
04:11:30,239 --> 04:11:41,199
few years, people have talked a lot
about why town meeting some people want

2730
04:11:37,439 --> 04:11:48,720
to make sure that town meeting is only
about town issues. While there are other

2731
04:11:44,800 --> 04:11:56,319
people who would want to include
conversations about other things not

2732
04:11:52,640 --> 04:12:04,239
having to do with new fame and just
sitting here today and listening to how

2733
04:11:59,760 --> 04:12:09,439
this um meeting has been dealt with, I'm
very impressed. I really I just think

2734
04:12:07,199 --> 04:12:15,520
that we all have been great. We've all
been good listeners. We're not arguing

2735
04:12:13,040 --> 04:12:22,880
and it's something that we could talk
about at another time in terms of

2736
04:12:19,359 --> 04:12:30,399
perhaps town meeting as it goes forward
should only be about town discussions

2737
04:12:26,080 --> 04:12:35,920
and that there are 364 other days in the
year that we could talk about other

2738
04:12:32,960 --> 04:12:40,800
issues that are not prevalent to us. But
I just want to say that for my own

2739
04:12:38,640 --> 04:12:46,840
opinion, this has been a great meeting
and I thank Kim so much. She's an

2740
04:12:43,199 --> 04:12:46,840
amazing moderator.

2741
04:12:52,720 --> 04:12:58,160
» Thank you for your kind words, Marian.
Bill, you had an you've been very

2742
04:12:56,720 --> 04:13:02,159
patient. You had an announcement you
wanted to make about an hour ago.

2743
04:13:00,080 --> 04:13:07,120
» Oh, actually, just a comment. Uh, Bill
got their new fame. Uh, I want to give a

2744
04:13:04,479 --> 04:13:11,840
big shout out to the road curve. Um,
we're finally getting winner like we

2745
04:13:08,800 --> 04:13:16,560
used to get. Uh, everybody thinks it's a
terrible one. This is what used to

2746
04:13:13,359 --> 04:13:20,159
happen 25, 30 years ago. uh but they
kept the road open and I've been able to

2747
04:13:18,239 --> 04:13:26,279
get out every day and I don't live in
these places to get out. So, thanks to

2748
04:13:23,279 --> 04:13:26,279
J.

2749
04:13:29,120 --> 04:13:38,199
» Is there any other business that anyone
would like to bring before the town?

2750
04:13:34,399 --> 04:13:38,199
» Thank you very much.

2751
04:13:38,560 --> 04:13:48,960
» Um I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
So move.

2752
04:13:44,239 --> 04:13:51,840
» That was a CV and a second.
>> Thank you.

2753
04:13:49,840 --> 04:13:54,479
» All those in favor say I.
>> I.

2754
04:13:52,479 --> 04:14:01,239
» All those opposed and want to stay for
another day say no.

2755
04:13:57,760 --> 04:14:01,239
Thank you everybody.