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Following are the minutes of the Annual Town Meeting for the Town of Waitsfield of March 3, 2009 pursuant 1 V.S.A. § 312(b)(1).

The Moderator called the Annual Meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Those present (approximately 100 people) joined the Moderator in the Pledge of Allegiance.  The Moderator explained general information about the conduct of the meeting and use of Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure.

The Moderator announced a change in legislation that allows attendees of Town Meeting to discuss items being voted by Australian ballot other than elected officials.

ARTICLE 1: To elect a Moderator for the Town.  Peter Joslin was elected by unanimous vote.

ARTICLE 2: To hear and act upon the reports of the Town Officers.  A motion to hear and act upon the reports of Town Officers was made, seconded, and carried by unanimous voice vote.  Various reports were discussed and accepted.

ARTICLE 3: Will the Town authorize the Selectboard to acquire by gift or purchase, land for a municipal forest to procure wood products, maintain wildlife habitat, protect water species, provide forest recreation, and for conservation education purposes?  Article 3 was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 4: Will the Town vote to collect taxes on real estate by two (2) equal payments made to the Treasurer as follows: Half (50%) of taxes to be paid without discount not later than Tuesday, September 1, 2009, with the remaining half (50%) to be paid without discount not later than Monday, November 16, 2009?  Article 4 was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 5: Will the Town authorize the Selectboard to set the salaries of the Town Clerk and Town Treasurer pursuant to Title 24 V.S.A. Sections 932 and 933?  Article 5 was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 6: Will the Town authorize the Selectboard to borrow money in anticipation of Taxes and State Aid Money?  Article 6 was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 7: Will the Town raise and appropriate a sum of $97,000 to be added to the Town's Reserve Funds as follows:

Following discussion and the passage of an amended amendment, Article 7 was approved by a majority voice vote with the following total appropriation of $67,000:

With approval of the assembly, Sarah Nevin spoke on behalf of Good Beginnings prior to Town Meeting's being recessed for lunch at 12:00 noon to resume after the Waitsfield School meeting.

The meeting was reconvened at 2:36 p.m.

ARTICLE 8: Will the Town vote to increase the Veterans' Exemption for qualified disabled veterans within the Town of Waitsfield from $10,000 of appraisal value to $40,000 of appraisal value as authorized by 32 V.S.A. §3802(11)?  Article 8 was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 9: Will the Town exempt alternate energy sources, as defined in 32 V.S.A. Section 3845, from real and personal property taxation, first applicable against the Grand List of the year in which the vote is taken and continue until voted otherwise by the voters of Waitsfield?  Article 9 was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 10: Will the Town authorize the Selectboard to borrow an amount not to exceed $100,000 for repairs and improvements to the Town Pond at Winter Park, to be paid over a period not more than five years and on such other terms as the Selectboard shall negotiate?  Following discussion and the defeat of a motion to amend the article, Article 10 was approved as originally warned by 62 standing yes votes over 26 standing no votes.

ARTICLE 11: Will the Town vote a budget to meet the expenses and liabilities of the Town and authorize the Selectboard to set a tax rate sufficient to provide for the voted Town and School District budgets?  A motion was made and seconded to adopt Article 11 with a budget of $1,507,346.  Following discussion, an amendment to increase the budget figure by $61,000 for the gravel pit development was approved by unanimous voice vote.  The amended budget figure was $1,568,346.  Discussion followed and a motion to reduce the budget by $20,000 in an attempt to level fund expenses was approved by 30 standing yes votes over 27 standing no votes.  The amended budget figure was $1,548,346. Article 11, with an amended budget of $1,548,346, was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 12: To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.  There was discussion about buying 27 Bridge Street to be used as a municipal building; the suggestion that the Selectboard be in close contact with ANR regarding the town pond; an alternative site for a municipal wastewater system; and affordable housing.

Following discussion, voters supported by majority voice vote asking the Planning Commission to examine a concept in their rewrite of the 2010 Town Plan of creating a zone that would allow existing business that are limited by the zoning they are in to grow if they are required to contribute "green" type or renewable resource and possibly alternative or affordable housing to their expansion projects.

The Moderator expressed his appreciation to everyone who turned out.

The Moderator recessed the meeting at 4:48 p.m. until the closing of the polls for Australian ballot items at 7:00 p.m.

Updated February 21, 2010