Roxbury School Board candidate Dave Santi turns over the Bill Doyle survey which he has just completed. Photo by Sue Nevins, The Northfield News Sap buckets were out and mud puddles were unavoidable as the citizens of Roxbury made their way to the town hall on an unusually mild Town Meeting Day. The restored school building, which is normally filled with children, became a gathering place for the over 80 voters who spent the day practicing real democracy.

Before the meeting was officially convened, Selectboard Chairman Frank Morgano approached the crowd with what had become an uncomfortable issue for some people - saying the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the opening ceremony. Mr. Morgano, who instituted the practice on his own last year at town meeting and also at Selectboard meetings, noted that he had received both positive and negative feedback regarding this practice and wanted to have an open discussion. "I'm not dictating that it should be said or not said," he stated," As a citizen of the United States....it has more than just words. It has meaning." Retired teacher Rich Smith questioned the appropriateness of saying the pledge at town meeting, asking, "Is the next step the National Anthem?" Claire Chomentowski attempted to offer a compromise by asking if people could participate or not, depending on their feelings. But former Selectboard Chairman Tom Frazier disagreed, asserting that, "Anytime someone doesn't participate there's a negative connation. We haven't had it in the past." Town moderator Lucinda Sullivan observed that there are many different opening ceremonies practiced throughout Vermont, and that including the pledge is just one possibility. Among the few expressing an opinion in favor of the pledge was Tim Martin, who said, "It's a sad day when you can't stand and say the pledge." Seeing the possibility that this debate would never end before the meeting had even begun, a small, lone voice interjected, "I move to open the meeting." A simple vote at the request of Mr. Morgano showed that the majority of residents didn't want to say the pledge, and this issue was put to rest and the meeting was opened.

School Budget

School Board candidate David Larcombe raised the issue of an apparent 16.8% increase in taxes which wasn't discussed at the board meeting the previous night. He observed that the school budget went down 5%, and asked if the board was aware of the increase in taxes. School Board member and Vice Chair Deborah Van Ness responded that there was some adjustment expected after the reappraisal but that she wasn't sure of the figures. Mr. Larcombe, who is the business manager for the Washington Northeast Supervisory Union, went to the microphone at the request of several people in the audience and attempted to explain his understanding of the issue. "The budget is going down and taxes are going up. The amount of taxes raised in a typical Vermont town covers about one-half of its educational expenses and the rest comes from the lottery, etc." After Mr. Larcombe’s spontaneous and well-intentioned attempt to educate the masses in the art of government number crunching, the issue wasn't discussed further, as most in the audience seemed to have glazed over.

Road Report

Road Commissioner Dave McShane reported that there were two full-time employees on the road crew and two parttimers in the winter. He stated that the town is running very old equipment, working on a budget of $15,000. "It's not sustainable and it will come back to haunt us," he warned, but he noted that the Selectboard didn't feel that they could ask voters for an increase.

In the discussion of infrastructure, Selectboard Chair Frank Morgano asserted that bridges, roads and culverts are currently sustainable but they will need to be addressed within the next five years.

Tim Martin questioned the final destination of a $16,000 surplus in road funds. Town Clerk Tammy Legacy responded that the amount was carried over into the general fund at the suggestion of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to be used as a backup plan. Mr. Martin continued his questioning, noting that the voters should have a say in where the money goes and that the Secretary of State requires this.

Property Re-appraisal

New Town Lister Sally Archer addressed the gathering, first thanking everyone for their patience and tolerance in letting the listers enter their houses. She noted that the appraisal is still in the process of data collection, although over 90% of properties have been visited, and she requested that anyone who hasn't had their property visited should contact her. The Vermont Appraisal Company is currently working on software and none of the information will be released until the process is completed, she stated, which will be roughly around June 4. Residents will receive individual information as well as a booklet that covers all Roxbury properties which can be used for comparison purposes. A meeting will be held after the process is completed to address questions and appeals. Ms. Archer informed the group that she will have evening and lunch hours to discuss issues with people after the initial meeting.

Tax Payment Dates

Voters present elected to change the collection of the first tax payment to the fourth Saturday of September, 2010 (from the fourth Saturday in August) only for this year to give time for the new list to be prepared, in case of any grievances on reappraisals.

Publishing the Names of Delinquent Tax Payers

This article was up for a vote as it has been for the past few years, and it generated animated discussion among the voters. When the question was posed as to the point of publishing the names of residents who are delinquent in paying their taxes, Gerry D'Amico responded, "It's public information, done for hundreds of years." Art Dickinson countered, "It's public humiliation done for hundreds of years." Claire Chomentowski continued on that theme. "It's a matter of shaming people. I might be naive but I think if they can pay their medical bills and electric bills, they would pay their taxes." Tom Frazier approached it from a more technical point of view. "It doesn't have to be there. It was voted down last year. The Selectboard should make their decision [to include it or not as an article] based on the previous year's vote." John Aberth's concern was if the town has a shortfall when residents don't pay their taxes on time and Town Clerk Tammy Legacy responded that the town has to borrow money if needed. Tim Martin interjected that there isn't a shortfall. "We collect 15% more. We borrow at 5% and 8% is charged for delinquent taxes [as a fine]." Responding to a complaint about the severity of the fine, Jill George stated that the 8% is set by the state and the town probably couldn't change it. The vote was finally called with a paper ballot, and it was defeated 29 to 43.

Community Hall/Senior Center Funding

This article to approve $2000 for the Community Hall Capital Improvement Fund was immediately brought up for an amendment to $1800 by Randy Whitney and seconded by Carlos Montero, (treasurer and vicepresident, respectively, of the Community Hall Restoration Committee) who noted the difficult economic times for townspeople. Mr. Montero noted that the building was getting a new handicap access ramp and bathroom with handicap access and that much of the work had been completed by volunteers Michael George and Bill Ray. He extended an invitation to the community to the first Friday of the month potluck suppers held there and to use the building for other gatherings. Rich Smith was immediately against the amendment, stating that there was a trend to under fund smaller organizations in town and that these groups need all the funding they can get. Librarian Susan D'Amico asked for details on where previous funds ($2000 a year) have gone. Mr. Whitney responded that about $1179 has been recently used for materials, including walls for the section being renovated. Also, last year $900 was used to pay for a hot water heater. Roughly $5000 has been spent on the bathroom and handicap access which includes required staircases to the second floor and basement. Mr. Whitney emphasized that the Selectboard has to authorize anything that is done to the building, even though most of the money is from fundraisers. The handicap access will go on the back of the building and adhere to state requirements, while also keeping the historical aspect of the building. There will be a raffle on July 1 to benefit the building, and Mr. Whitney requested donations of items for this raffle.

The amendment for $1800 failed, and the original article for $2000 passed.

Fire Department Funding

When asked what the ramifications of level funding for the fire department were, Don Randall responded that they "would have to give something up." He said part of the problem was that insurance rates increased dramatically, which was the same for the town vehicles. Mr. Randall also stated that because of an FCC mandate, most of the department's pagers and radios will not be operational by 2013. They have received a grant which will pay for about 80% of the cost of the new equipment, with the department budget covering the rest. An additional issue was the 1975 tanker which had started to leak and can no longer hold water. Mr. Randall was able to acquire a 1984 tanker on a New York website for $3400 which was paid for out of fundraising money, but "this is a band-aid approach," he said.

When questioned on details of the department’s money acquired through fundraising, Chief Tim Martin said that the accounts are turned in to the auditors. Auditor Fran French quickly countered that the figures are not being turned in to the auditors and that the department has plenty of money to buy things.

An amendment to level fund the fire department was defeated and residents voted for the original article to fund the $15,195.00.

Roxbury Free Libary

Library Trustee Shelly Brown started off by thanking librarian Susan D'Amico for all her work and stated that "the library is used more now than ever." With fundraising accounting for about 25% of the budget, the library offers after school programs for children and a variety of evening programs. She noted that the requested $1000 increase in this year's budget was for insurance as well as for more librarian hours.

The process of counting library users was questioned. Ms. Brown offered that the library must adhere to state rules about how they count patrons and detailed and specific statistics are required annually. Tom Frazier offered a different critical point of view. "I think Susan's done a lot. But they offer more than we need. You're a small town library and you don't need to offer programs to Northfield." Jane Pincus, Chair of the Library Trustees, responded that "People need services. They enjoy themselves. Susan goes out of her way to the nth degree. In the 1980s, it didn't take itself seriously as a functioning library. It's a jewel.... and it has a lovely bathroom!" This comment, referring to the recently added bathroom facilities which boast an intricate Vermont verd antique floor laid by local stoneworker Adam Jackson and paintings by locals artists, elicited a laugh from the audience. But the critique continued. When presented with a comment from Tim Martin that a raise would put Ms. D'Amico almost on par with the part-time village school librarian, Ms. Brown disagreed, saying that Ms. D'Amico gets no benefits. Tim Martin countered that the fire department doesn't get benefits or anything else. Ms. Brown added that people are attracted to a town because of quality organizations it offers, such as good schools and libraries, and said that this is what her family looked for when they moved to Roxbury.

In spite of the continued questioning, the increased library budget easily passed by a vote of 45 to 29.

Publishing the names of owners of unlicensed dogs

This article came up again this year. People in favor of the measure observed that some residents have been bitten by unleashed dogs and that the list allows one to know whose pets have had rabies shots. Several residents tied the concern of unleashed dogs to this issue. Others felt the measure was no different than printing the names of delinquent taxpayers. The article failed.

Ceasing the hand delivery and mailing of town reports

This article was presented as a way to save money and time for the town and its employees and volunteers. The concern was that many reports get thrown away and that offering them at the town office could save funds. An opposite concern was that people wouldn't be aware of the availability or that the elderly couldn't get to the town offices to pick up their report. Much discussion went back and forth before Fire Chief Tim Martin interjected that the fire department delivers the reports as a way to practice finding addresses. This ended the discussion and the article failed.

Charitable Expenditures

Voters passed all articles to allot funds to the various charitable organizations.

Other Proper Business

Renewable Energy

Energy Coordinator and selfproclaimed "Energy Czar" Carlos Montero reported that he had obtained information from all the town buildings regarding their electricity use in order to determine the feasibility of putting them on solar energy. He noted that there are funds available for this type of project and hopes to get a grant for an energy audit for two town buildings. He requested residents interested in joining an energy committee to contact him.

Village School Future

School Board candidate David Santi asked for a straw vote of how many people wanted to keep the village school in town. The vast majority present raised their hand, which left the longtime school crusader pleasantly surprised.

Lack of Security

It was noted that there have been at least six house or business break-ins in Roxbury in recent times, with at least four of those in the village. Another concern was the speeding through town by logging trucks and out of state vehicles, and the slow response from the State Police when there are robberies.

Rabies Clinic on March 13 at the town garage from 1-3pm.

Cape Cod Trip - Village School fifth and sixth graders are fundraising for their trip to Cape Cod. Randy Whitney at the Roxbury Country Store is collecting returnable cans for them.

Artists' Weekend - Memorial Day weekend is State Artists’ Weekend. Roxbury Community Hall will be hosting artists and locals Deborah Van Ness and Josh Axelrod will each have their own open house.