Text

Vernon Vermont Annual Report, Year Ending December 31, 2003, Vernon School District Fiscal Year Ending, June 30, 2003
	ML061780540
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Issue date:	12/31/2003
From:	; Vernon, VT
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Vernon, Vermont 2003 Vernon Annual Report year ending December 31, 2003 Vernon School District fiscal year ending June 30, 2003

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e7 ANNUAL REPORT VERNON, VERMONT for the year ending DECEMBER 31, 2003 PLEASE Bring This Report with You to Town Meeting MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2004 AT 6:30 P.M.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2,2004 AT 7:30 P.M.

250th Celebration Pictures Courtesy:

Lynda Starorypinski Joyce Goodnow Anita Parker

2 VERNON TOWN REPORT 2

VERNON TOWN REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS TOWN INFORMATION Auditors' Statement....................................................................

2 Town Officers.............................................................................

3 Office Hours..............................................................................

5 Town Property Inventory.......................

6 TOWN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Special Revenue Funds...............................................................

7 Capital Project Funds................................................................

10 Fiduciary Funds...............................

13 Cemetery Trust Funds..............................................................

15 Statement of Taxes Raised......................................................

16 Statement of Delinquent Property Taxes...............................

17 Town General Fund Comparative Balance Sheet.................

18 Selectmen's Six Months Budget..............................................

19 Selectmen's Budget 2004 FY 04/05........................................

21 REPORTS OF TOWN BOARDS AND ORGANIZATIONS Animal Control Annual Report..............................................

27 Cemetery Committee.........................

27 Elderly Assistance Board.........................................................

27 Volunteer Fire Department......................................................

28 Forest Fire Warden...................................................................

28 Report of the Health Officer....................................................

29 Vernon Historians, Inc..............................................................

29 Report of the Listers...................................................................

30 250th Committee Report............................................................

30 Librarian's Report......................................................................

31 Vernon Free Library Trustees' Report.....................................

31 Vernon Free Library Financial Reports....................................

32 Recreation Director...................................................................

33 Pre School Report.....................................................................

33 Personnel Policy Committee....................................................

33 Vernon Tax Committee............................................................

33 Report of the Vernon Police Department................................

34 Vernon Senior Housing, Inc....................................................

35 Vernon Senior Citizens..............................................................

35 Selectmen's Report....................................................................

36 Treasurer's Report.....................................................................

36 Town Clerk's Report................................................................

37 Vernon Newspaper Committee...............................................

38 Rescue Inc..................................................................................

38 Vermont Department of Health..............................................

39 Windham Regional Commission............................................

40 VITAL STATISTICS Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Civil Unions......................... 41-42 VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT Superintendent's Report........................................................

45 BUHS School Board Attendance............................................

45 School Board Report.................................................................

46 Faculty and Staff........................................................................

47 Enrollment..................................................................................

47 School District Funds................................................................

48 Capital Plan Funding Projections............................................

49 Capital Fund Status...................................................................

49 Tornado Account......................................................................

50 Vernon Lunch Program & Balance Sheet...............................

50 Cheer Fund..................................................................................

50 School Balance Sheet & Revenue Summary..........................

51 Budget Summary Comparison.....................

52 School District Budget...................................................................

53 WSESU Budget Summaries.......................................................

56 WSESU Special Education Funding Summary.....................

56 MINUTES AND WARNINGS Annual Town And Town School District Meeting.............. 59 Town Warning for 2004...........................................................

66 AUDITORS' STATEMENT In accordance with Section 1681 title 24 V.S.A. we have exam-ined the accounts of the Town and School District:

General Fund Capital Projects Funds Special Revenue Funds Fiduciary Funds Vernon Free Library Town Clerk Delinquent Tax Collector Vernon Seniors ý To the best of our knowledge, the financial statements and reports show the financial activity and position for the kear ended as stated.I A School District audit was performed by Jack Laakso &

Associates, PC for the school year ending June 30,f 2003. In the following areas of transportation, secondary tuition arid 504 tuition, the budget was overspent, resulting in a deficit at year end.

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At the time of the printing of this Annual Report, the School Board was actively making changes to the proposed 2004-2005 budget. We anticipate that a revised budget handout "will be avail-able at a later date.

I The actuarial study was completed by Baseline Consulting, Inc. on the Town's retirement plan but some revisi6ns are being considered by the Selectboard.

The Statement of Delinquent Property Taxes was audited and the tax amounts still due are listed as of December 31,2003. If a listing is questioned, please contact the Town Auditors through the Town Offices prior to March 15,2004.

At last years Town Meeting, by Article 36, it was voted for the Town to change from calendar year to fiscal year commencing July 1, 2004. In order for this change to take place, a six month budget was passed on November 18,2003 forJanuary 1, 2004 to June 30, 2004" and is included in this report as well as the Selectmen's twelve month fiscal year budget, from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005.

We wish to thank all those who helped in the preparation of this Town Report. We appreciate the assistance provided by Vernon Elementary School and the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union in compiling school reports. Several reports are not included this year as they were not submitted, even though we made sevýeral requests to obtain them.

MARTHA DUNKLEE PHYLLIS NEWTON, Chairman CAROL HAMMOND

VERNON TOWN REPORT 3

TOWN INFORMATION TOWN OFFICERS 2003-2004 TOWN MODERATOR Timothy Arsenault...............................................................

2004 TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT MODERATOR Timothy Arsenault...............................................................

2004 TOWN AND TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT CLERK Sandra B. Harris, CVC.........................................................

2004 TOWN AND TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT TREASURER Sally Stearns...........................................................................

2005 SELECTMEN - (3 Year Term)

Leonard Peduzzi...................................................................

2004 Michael Ball-(Ch)..................................................................

2005 Douglas Fletcher...................................................................

2006 SELECTMEN - (1 Year Term)

Margaret (Peggy) Farabaugh James Polhemus LISTERS Carol Hammond...................................................................

2004 Phyllis Newton.....................................................................

2005 William Hammond-(Ch)......................................................

2006 AUDITORS Martha R. Dunklee...............................................................

2004 Phyllis Newton-(Ch).............................................................

2005 Carol Hammond...................................................................

2006 1st CONSTABLE................................................

Peter C. Crossmon 2nd CONSTABLE......................................................

Jason Johnson TOWN AGENT......................

Robert Miller Jr.

GRAND JUROR.....................................................

Robert Miller Jr.

DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR................. Marylynn Scherlin SCHOOL DIRECTORS - (3 Year Term)

Laura DeVincentis-(Ch)........................................................

2004 Deborah Hebert.....................................................................

2005 Michael Hebert.......................................................................

2006 LIBRARY TRUSTEES Christine Fredericks.............................................................

2004 Kenneth Swanger-(Ch).........................................................

2005 Nancy Burrington, Treasurer...............................................

2006 Sallie May, Secretary.............................................................

2007 Elizabeth Eriksson................................................................

2008 MARSH FUND COMMITTEE James Brown Barbara Moseley MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE Barbara Sprague Edward Sprague (The above voted at Town Meeting)

WINDHAM-5 DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE Patricia O'Donnell JUSTICES OF THE PEACE Susan Arsenault Timothy Arsenault Sandra B. Harris Edward Sprague BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY Susan Arsenault Timothy Arsenault Sandra B. Harris Donald L. Holland Patricia O'Donnell Margaret (Peggy)

Donald L. Holland Patricia O'Donnell James Polhemus Michael Ball Douglas Fletcher James Polhemus-(Ch)

Leonard Peduzzi Edward Sprague Farabaugh TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER APPOINTMENTS ASSISTANT TOWN CLERKS Susan Miller Ann Doe (resigned)

ASSISTANT TREASURER Jennifer Holton APPOINTMENTS MADE BY SELECTMEN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER....................... Police Department BCTV RECORDERS Georgia Boyce Joyce Goodnow (resigned)

SCHOOL DIRECTORS - (I Year Term)

Pamela Gobeille Leeanne Shover UNION SCHOOL DIRECTORS - (3 Year Term)

?Ar*al 1-TAharf 2006 (The above voted by Australian Ballot)

CEMETERY COMMITTEE Evelyn Edelson Frank Johnson Sr.

Ann Doe Michael Walsh Leonard Peduzzi (resigned)

Marylynn Scherlin-(Ch)

Francis Serviss

4 VERNON TOWN REPORT 4

VERNON TOWN REPORT CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Richard Castine Ted Castine Walter Zaluzny POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief of Police............

Peter Crossmon Michael Worden Th3n Me-rn11Bn COUNCIL ON AGING - TOWN REPRESENTATIVE Dawn Manch Tarina Swanger DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAM CONTACT PERSON.............................................

Roland D. Walker Jr.

E-911 CONTACT PERSON......................................

Sandra Harris EAP CO-ORDINATOR.............................. James Polhemus ELDERLY ASSISTANCE BOARD Marylynn Scherlin................................................................

2004 Jean Waite (resigned).............................................................

2005 Marion Watson....................................................................

2006 Jack Arensmeyer...................................................................

2007 Joel Tidd.................................................................................

2008 Officers..................................................

Steven Holton (resigned)

Bruce Gauld DARE Officer Kevin Turnley Special Officers Richard McNary (resigned) Steven Bird Terry Parker David Manch Edward Wilson Office Manager...................

Lorena Castricone POUND KEEPER Windham County Humane Society PUBLIC ACCESS TV REPRESENTATIVE........... Michael Hebert RECREATION BOARD M aureen Ketcham................................................................

2004 Leeanne Shover............................

2004 Karen Carroll.............................

2005 Ken Farabaugh (ch).........................

2006 Kathy H ale.............................................................................

2006 RECREATION DIRECTOR................... Justin Williams (resigned)

Seth Deyo (appointed)

T I

VERNON SENIOR HOUSING, INC.

Carol Mikuski - Ch Betty Bailey Brad Pfenning Arlene Castine George Brown John (Fred) Green Sr.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Director (through Nov. 17,2003)........ Michael Class Ken Farabaugh - appointed FARMLAND PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Warren Lathe.........................................................................

2004 Keith Franklin (resigned)......................................................

2005 Dean Shover (appointed).......................................................

2005 Michael Zaluzny...................................................................

2006 Peter Miller-Ch......................................................................

2007 Perley Sparrow......................................................................

2008 FENCE VIEWERS - vacant GREEN-UP DAY...............................

Co-ordinated by Boy Scouts HEALTH OFFICER John Skibniowsky...............................................................

2005 E. James Roberts...........................................................

Assistant INSPECTOR OF WOOD, SHINGLES AND LUMBER............................... vacant f-1Z1~LCULL........................................

anceCut er RECYCLING COMMITTEE Alexander Shover Shane Shippee RESCUE INC. - TOWN REPRESENTATIVE Dale Merritt (resigned)

Michael Sorensen (appointed)

Kelly Wunsch ROAD COMMISSIONER...........................

Roland D. Walker, Jr.

SECRETARY TO BOARD OF SELECTMEN.............. Sandra B. Harris NEWSPAPER COMMITTEE Nancy Burrington Lynda Starorypinski Richard Vesper SEWER RESEARCH COMMITTEE Leonard Peduzzi Jerry Unaitis VERNON TAX COMMITTEE William Hammond (ch)

Douglas Fletcher James Polhemus Sandra Sweet Michael Rosner Lynda Starorypinski I

Arthur Miller Patricia'O'Donnell OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS..........................

Brattleboro Reformer Tow n Crier PERSONNEL POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE Georgia Boyce (Ch)

Nancy Evans Joyce Goodnow Christiane Howe (resigned)

Phyllis Newton Peter Crossmon (resigned)

Sally Stearns David Walker (appointed)

Lynda Starorypinski (appointed)

Peggy Farabaugh (liaison to Board of Selectmen)

TOWN ATTORNEY...............................

Charles Cummings, Esq.

TOWN FOREST-SUPERVISOR...............................

Ted Castine Assistant..............................................................

Richard Castine 250th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Georgia Boyce Joyce Goodnow Christiane Howe Marylynn Scherlin Lawrence Shippee Sr.

Sonya Shippee Tarina Swanger PLANNING COMMISSION Todd Chisholm Thomas Revene - Ch Richard Kee Robert Miller Jr.

James Edelson TOWN SERVICE OFFICER vacant TREE WARDEN...........................................

Roland D. Walker, Jr.

i

VERNON TOWN REPORT 5

REGULAR MEETINGS*

VAN DRIVER............................................................

Carol M ikuski Assistants.................................................................

Taeko Bruce Edward Sprague VETERANS MEMORIAL COMMITTEE Edward L. Class Sr.

Robert Howe Marylynn Scherlin Walter Zaluzny W EIGHER OF COAL.............................................................

vacant WINDHAM COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TOWN REPRESENTATIVE - vacant WINDHAM REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS Len Peduzzi one vacancy VERNON VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY (Officers elected by Company - Chief election ratified by Board of Selectmen)

Chief... (through 10/07/2003...............................

Steve Holton Terrance Parker (elected 10/07/2003)

Officers..................................

Assistant Chief-Sheldon Shippee Captain/Training Officer-James Liebfried Captain/Training Officer/EMT - Mark Snow Treasurer - Sheldon Shippee Lieutenant - Alex Dunklee David Maxwell/FR Safety Officer - Harold Bradeen BRATTLEBORO UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD First and Third Monday of each month at 7:30 P.M.

FIRE EXPLORERS POST MEETING Each Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M.

FIREFIGHTERS - REGULAR MEETING Each Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M.

SCHOOL BOARD Second and Fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M.

SELECTBOARD First and Third Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M.

SENIOR CITIZENS Second Monday of each month at Noon-Potluck (Business Meeting)

Fourth Monday of each month at 1:00 P.M.

(Blood Pressure & Birthday Social)

VERNON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 P.M.

WINDHAM REGIONAL COMMISSION (WRC)

Last Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M.

WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (WSWMD)

Second Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M.

Subject to change Firefighters Nathaniel Barnes, FF Jacob Hardy, FF Jennifer Holton, FF/FR Steven Holton, FF/EMT Christopher Kempf, FF William Moye, EMT/RN Paul Shedd, FF Michael Slyk, FF John Wheelden, Jr., FF John Wheelden, Sr., FF/EMT VERNON TOWN OFFICE HOURS*

Support Staff Mario Buisa - Dispatcher Connie Faulkner - First Response Squad Manager Anita Parker - Photographer/FR Arni6 Williams - Mechanic Explorers Keith Franklin, Captain Joshua Griffus Joshua Carr Lt.

Jacob Liebfried Sgt.

Tim Call Joseph McNary Zachary Clark Dakota Waters Michael Faulkner David Williams Nathaniel Franklin Beth Zuraw Sgt.

Capt. James Liebfried - Advisor FIRE WARDEN........................................

Walter Bruce Deputy......................................................................

Raym ond Capen SENIORS President..........................................................................

A nn D oe Vice-President.........................................................

Marion Bruce Secretary.................................................................

Shirley N okes Treasurer............................................................

Barbara Sprague TOWN CLERK Monday through Friday TOWN TREASURER Monday through Friday 8:00A.M.- 4:00 P.M.

8:00A.M.- 4:00 P.M.

LIBRARY Monday, Wednesday & Friday 2:30 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Tuesday 9:00 A.M. -12:00 P.M.

& 2:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.

Thursday 2:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.

Saturday 9:00 A.M. -12:00 P.M.

Subject to change

6 VERNON TOWN REPORT 6

VERNON TOWN REPORT POLICE 254-6962 FIRE 603-352-1100 TOWN OFFICERS 257-0292 VERNON ELEMENTARY 254-5373 VERNON FREE LIBRARY 257-0150 TOWN GARAGE 254-9428 RECREATION AREA 254-9251 HEALTH OFFICER 254-8211 FIRE WARDEN 254-4181 ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER 254-2398 HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT, FURNISHINGS, ETC.

1988 Caterpillar Grader with Plow & Wing 2000 International 2574 Dump Truck with Frink Sand Body & Plow; Henderson Wing 1995 Ford L9000 Dump Truck with Everest Sand Body 2003 Ford One Ton Truck (Dump Body with Plow and*

Torwell Sander 1997 Case Loader Model 621B 1980 Ford Tractor with 1982 Backhoe 1983 Frink Snow Plow 1997 Frink Snow Plow 1997 Frink Snow Plow 1990 Everest Reversible Snow Plow 1988 Triumph Mowing Machine 1981 International Tractor with 1999 Alamo Rotary Mower 1994 Morbark Chipper 1991 Sweepster Model P84 Radios HTC Shoulder Machine IBM Computer & Okidata Printer Miscellaneous Garage, Office & Highway Equipment TOWN PROPERTY INVENTORY

BUILDINGS AND LAND Town Office Building Gazebo North School South School Fire Station Recreation Area Garages & Salt Shed J. Maynard Miller Forest Cemeteries Miscellaneous Land Parcels TOWN OFFICES Computers & Printers Umax Scanner Photocopiers Safes Office Equipment & Furnishings Sound System Custodial Equipment LIBRARY Computers & Printers Photocopier, Scanner & Typewriter Equipment & Furnishings Contents, Books, etc.

RECREATION Area Equipment Pool Equipment Tools & Equipment Games & Activity Equipment Mowers Office Equipment & Furnishings POLICE DEPARTMENT 2002 Dodge Dakota 4x4 Pickup 2000 Chevy Impala Cruiser 1997 Ford Crown Victoria Cruiser Base Station & Other Radios Radar Units Office Equipment & Furnishings Other Miscellaneous Equipment FIRE DEPARTMENT 2000 Custom KME Pumper Truck 1996 Chevy Blazer 4x4 Squad/Utility 1994 Freightliner Pumper/Tanker 1985 Ford FMC Pumper Truck 1974 Ford Brush Truck Scott Breathing Systems Radios Computers Gas Detector Station Equipment & Furnishings Other Miscellaneous Equipment Thermal Imaging Camera Scott Air Packs and Cylinders VERNON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Radio System Radios & Generator Portable Generator Siren Office Equipment, Books & Furnishings MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT 1998 Chevrolet Pickup Truck 1994 Ford E350 Van & Radio

Detailed Inventories on File

VERNON TOWN REPORT 7

SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS FARMLAND PROTECTION FUND REAPPRAISAL FUND BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains State of Vermont Annual Reappraisal Aid DEDUCT:

Listers 2003 Software Upgrades $

Listers Seminar

$ 124,402.08 91.76 2,022.08 BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains 2003 Appropriation BALANCE December 31, 2003 218.77 5,350.32 25,000.00

$ 253,928.56

$ 284,497.65

8,371.84 1,048.00 99.00

Of this amount $4,070.57 is left to be used for expenses of the Farmland Protection Advisory Committee, as voted at Town Meet-ing on March 6, 1984.

The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

(1,147.00)

$ 131,626.92 BALANCE December 31,2003 The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

TOWN CLERK RESTORATION RESERVE FUND TOWN UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains DEDUCT:

Unemployment Payments BALANCE December 31,2003 53.81 760.47

$ 49,581.81 814.28 (9,703.61)

$ 40,692.48 BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest 2002 Accounts Receivable Town Clerk Remittance DEDUCT:

Record Preservation BALANCE December 31,2003

$ 4,924.97 22.48 446.00 2,992.00 3,460.48 (356.53)

$ 8,028.92*

The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

J. MAYNARD MILLER FOREST FUND This reserve fund is to be used only for the purpose of record preservation.

At year end, the amount of $475.00 was owed to the fund as an accounts receivable from Town Clerk remittances, leaving an available balance of $8,503.92.

BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD: Interest Net Investment Gains DEDUCT:

Painting of Boundary Lines Forest Management Plan Update and Inventory 5.95 1,123.38

$ 450.00 1,524.00

$ 53,832.19 1,129.33 (1,974.00)

$ 52,987.52 BALANCE December 31,2003 This Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

VERNON TOWN REPORT 8

VRO ONRPR DOG FUND EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND AMBULANCE SERVICE FUND BALANCE January 1, 2003

$ 5,811.12 ADD:

Interest Kennel Fees Vet Bill Reimbursement Licenses DEDUCT:

2002 Accounts Payable Vet Services Dog Tags, Food, Supplies

.& Misc. Expenses Windham County Humane Society BALANCE December 31, 2003 14.93 46.00 40.00 1,893.00 1,765.25 295.05 477.64.

700.00 BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains BALANCE December 31,2003

$96,670.31 3.80 2,292.77 1,993.93

$98,966.88 The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

At Town Meeting on March 6,1990, Article 28 voted to establish this fund for all Vernon residents and to authorize $50,000.00 with (3,237.94) interest earned to date that was raised under Article 23 at March 6, 1989 Town Meeting to be placed in this Fund. Said money to be

$ 4,567.11*

invested by the Town Treasurer, DOG LICENSES: All dogs six months old or older should be licensed annually by the Town Clerk on or before April 1st.

I *At year end, the amount of $9.00 was owed to the fund as an accounts receivable from Town Clerk remittances, leaving an avail-able balance of $4,576.11.

At such time when the balance in this Fund has reached $100,000.00, the interest earned each year may be used upon vote of the Town to support the cost of emergency medical and ambulance service for all Vernon residents.

The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FUND BALANCE January 1, 2003

$ 4,570.06 ADD:

Interest Coalition Dues Reimbursement 2003 Appropriation DEDUCT Entergy: Sale and Uprate US Gen Bankruptcy Professional Services BALANCE December 31,2003 BALANC ADD:

Interes Net In, DEDUCT 2002 Si I

TOWN OF VERNON - JAMES CUSICK SCHOLARSHIP FUND I

E January 1, 2003

$ 19 st 33.03 vestment Gains 3,037.32 cholarships Q

4,244.04 3,070.35

.0,000.00)

$ 40.15 100.00 30,000.00 30,140.15 BALANCE December 31,2003

$ 167,314.39

$ 9,995.43 1,361.51 100.00 At Town Meeting March 6,2000, it was voted by Article 13 that the following restriction be placed upon this fund:

No more than $30,000.00 shall be disbursed in any year and after five (5) years the Board of Selectmen shall review the disburse-ment guidelines, as well as the appropriation disbursement levels.

(11,456.94) 23,253.27 At Town Meeting on March 1,1999, this fund was established by Article 11 with the remaining monies from the Act 60 Legal Services appropriation that had been raised under Article 2 in May 1997.

The purpose of the Professional Services Fund is to represent the Town of Vernon's position on issues relating to utilities.

The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

VERNON TOWN REPORT 9

JAMES CUSICK SCHOLARSHIP FUND TOWN OF VERNON REQUIREMENTS

1. An application shall be submitted to the Chairman, Board of Selectmen, (or Town Clerk) no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 1st of each year.

2. Any Vernon resident as determined by VSA 16:1075 may apply for a scholarship for assistance for up to a total of four years, each year the resident may reagply. The purpose of the scholarship fund is for the resident to furt er their education or training upon receipt of a high school diploma or an equivalent as determined by the Vermont Department of Education. The resident shall become eligible for the scholarship upon receipt of the application by the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen within six years of the date of graduation. A resident becomes ineligible at the end of the sixth year from when his /her high school diploma or equivalent certificate was awarded.

3. Applicant must have been eligible to attend the Vernon School system for a minimum of five academic years as a resident immediately prior to receipt of the high school diploma or the equivalent.

4. Each full-time resident recipient shall receive $1,000.00 (or the amount voted) for two semesters at an institution of higher learning, a certified training center or a vocational school. If the amount of the appropriation is not sufficient, it shall be divided equally among the students selected.

5. For less than a full-time post secondary status, a pro-rata reduction in the amount of the scholarship will be made, but in no case will a less than 50% status for an academic year, as determined by the school be eligible for the scholarship.

6. The student is responsible to provide verification to the Town ClerkbyJanuary 15 thatthey have completed the first semester and are enrolled for the second semester. Acceptable forms of veri-fication are student grade report, tuition bill, letter of enrollment or any other official document from the school that satisfies the enroll-ment verification.

7. Checks will be issued each year during the last two weeks of January, payable jointly to the Vernon resident and the post-second-ar institution or training center. Checks willbe mailed directly to the school.

8. Any scholarship recipient whose status changes during or before the academic year is fully responsible for notifying the Town Clerk of the change. Any scholarship recipient who receives an award for which they are ineligible due to status, residency or other requirements outlined above, willbe responsible forreimbursing the town within ninety days.

9. The Selection Committee is the Chairman of the Vernon School Board, Chairman of the Vernon Board of Selectmen, and the Principal of the Vernon Elementary School. All decisions of the Committee shall be by majority vote. The Selection Committee will review applications no later than July 15th. Students will be notified within five days of the Committee's decision.

Any request for reconsideration must be made in writing within ten calendar days following the initial decision. The request must be made by the resident and must cite the specific details needing to be reconsidered. Any reconsideration of the Committee's decision must be made by a majority vote of the Committee and the decision of the Committee is final.

Applications forms are available at the Vernon Town Offices.

Revisions of the Requirements were approved by the Select-men February 5, 1998, with changes subject to ratification at the Annual Town Meeting.

ELDERLY HOUSING BUILDING FUND BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains 19.03 10,327.67 DEDUCT:

Engineer Fees:

Initial Phase of Project

$ 3,000.00 Financial Consultant 378.00 Transfer to Elderly Assistance Fund:

2001 & 2002 Interest 18,512.10

$ 539,910.36 10,346.70 (21,890.10)

$ 528,366.96 BALANCE December 31,2003 At March Town Meeting on March 7,2000, Article 3 was voted by Australian ballot to reestablish the Elderly Housing Building Fund for the original purpose of funding future costs associated with elderly housing, and with interest earned, to further extend neces-sary assistance to the elderly as administered by the Vernon Elderly Assistance Program Guides.

At a Special Town Meeting by Australian ballot on July 10, 2000, it was voted to sell Vernon Senior Housing, Inc. a portion of a parcel known as the former Streeter property. Said portion consists of 25.7 acres, more or less, on Huckle Hill Road. The Selectboard or its designee was authorized to sign all documents and perform all acts necessary to carry out the sale.

It was further voted to authorize the expenditure of the funds in the Elderly Housing Building Fund for the purpose of constructing elderly housing to be owned and operated-by Vernon Senior Hous-ing, Inc., a Vermont non-profit corporation, or a limited partnership controlled and managed by Vernon Senior Housing. Inc.Said expen-diture to be subject to Vernon Senior Housing, Inc. receiving full financing for the balance of the project costs.

The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

At year end, $19.03 was owed to the Elderly Assistance Fund per Article 3 voted at Town Meeting on March 7,2000.

VERNON ELDERLY ASSISTANCE FUND BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Reimbursement for Services Interest from Elderly Housing Fund:

2001 & 2002 DEDUCT:

Assistance to Residents 2002 Accounts Payable

$ 9,969.17 30.88 170.00 18,512.10

$11,290.55 367.50 18,712.98 (11,658.05)

$ 17,024.10 BALANCE December 31,2003 At Town Meeting March, 2000, Article 3 authorized the interest earned from the Elderly Housing Building Fund for the further purpose of assistance to the elderly.

The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

At year end, $19.03 was due from the Elderly Housing Fund for 2003 interest.

10 VERNON TOWN REPORT 10 VRO ONRPR CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDS EMERGENCY CAPITAL RESERVE FUND TOWN ROAD UPGRADING FUND '

BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains BALANCE December 31,2003 5.53 70,931.73

$ 2,028,952.95 70,937.26

$ 2,099,890.21 BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains State Aid State of VT Highway Fines 2003 Appropriation

$ 2,272.20 1,533.65 54,255.56 4,002.01 80000.00

$ 324,097.44 DEDUCT:

Central Park Rd & Crestwood Estates:

Overlay

$ 170,565.03 Line Striping 9,178.20 At Town Meeting on March 6,2000, Article 31 voted to establish an Emergency Capital Reserve Fund for the purposes of providing perpetual funds for unanticipated and emergency Capital replacements or repairs and to help defray the cost of the annual appropriation of the Capital Plan.

The Selectboard shall be authorized to make expenditures from this fund by majority vote for items of $10,000.00 or more in value.

At Town Meeting on March 7,2001, Article 23 voted to close out the Real Estate Reserve Fund and authorize deposit of said funds into the Emergency Capital Reserve Fund.

The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

VERNON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND 142,063.42 (179,743.23)

$ 286,417.63 BALANCE December 31, 2003 At Town Meeting on March 7,1989, Article 38 voted that all restric-tions be removed and replaced with the following restriction: this fund will be used solely for the necessary surveys, land acquisitions and construction costs required for widening or upgrading existing town roads. Disbursement from this fund shall onlybe authorized by the Board of Selectmen.

At year end, the amount of $4,002.01 was owed to the Town checking account.

This Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

Future projects planned for 2005: Overlay: Basin Road) south end of Pond Road and Sartwell Road.

BALANCE January 1, 2003

$ 360,375.48 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains 57.11 5,779.27 DEDUCT:

Windham Solid Waste Management District Assessment BALANCE December 31, 2003 5,836.38 (9,853.84)

$ 356,358.02 The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

This fund was established in March 1987, for the purpose of funding a future study, operation, purchase or development of a landfill dump or other means of solid waste disposal.

AtTown Meeting onMarch 7,1989, Article 36 voted that expenditures of less than $10,000.00 may be authorized by the Board of Selectmen; greater expenditures will require town meeting approval.

I

VERNON TOWN REPORT 11 VERNON TOWN REPORT 11 TOWN SEWAGE OR WATER SYSTEM FUND VERNON FINANCE COMMITTEE BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains Town Loan Repayment DEDUCT:

Loan to Town from Money Market BALANCE December 31,2003

$1,254,923.89 1,884.07 13,895.80 900,000.00 915,779.87 (900,000.00)

$1,270,703.76 The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

At Town Meeting on March 7, 1989, Article 32 voted that this fund will be used for the future study, engineering, bid evaluation and construction of either a Town Sewage or Water System. Cost and payment for feasibility studies and option studies maybe authorized by the Board of Selectmen from this fund. Final selection and ap-proval of contractor and system will be by Town Meeting vote.

VERNON CAPITAL FUND The Capital Plan vision continues to be effective for the Town.

There have been a number of changes since last year: failure of the investments to yield enough interest for the Capital Plan to be self-funding, lack of personnel on the Finance Committee, and the finalization of federal watershed protection act.

The drop in the stock market caused less interest to be gener-ated by the Emergency Capital Reserve and the Capital Plan funds.

Discussions before and during last year's annualmeeting deter-mined a less aggressive investment policy. The result of this policy is that the Capital Plan will have to be funded via the tax base instead of investments.

With the investment responsibilities being given to the Trea-surer, only one person volunteered to be on the Finance committee.

Thus, the responsibilities for the development of the Capital Plan fell to the Selectboard.

The federal government finally approved the bill in 2003 that will require two significant changes to the Town garage area: cover-ing the sand pile and fuel pump station. The installation of the sand shed had been scheduled to be installed in 2016 and had a current funding of $23,750.00. Neither the Selectboard nor the previous Finance Committee was aware that the fuel pumps would have to be covered. Vermont expects that Vermont towns will have a five year grace period to secure funding. If grants become available for this item, they will be actively pursued.

The intent of the Capital Plan is to provide a plan to fund the purchase of items costing over $10,000.00 in such a way that it minimizes the impact to the tax base. The Capital Plan spreadsheet was expanded this year so that we can look forward and distribute funding costs over a longer period of time. This way the Selectboard can assure that we minimize the financial impact to all of us.

BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains 2003 Appropriation DEDUCT:

Town Office Building Heating System South School Roof One Ton Dump Truck Accounts payable 2002 BALANCE December 31, 2003

$ 483,151.90

$ 230.64 8,442.02 45,970.00 96.00 2,646.95 41,533.00 794.00 54,642.66 Capital Planning Guidelines:

All capital expenditures must be submitted for inclusion in the Capital Plan in advance of the need based on the projected future cost and the following minimum schedule:

(45,069.95)

$ 492,724.61 At Town Meeting on March 6, 1990, Article 35 voted to establish a Vernon Capital Fund for the purpose of providing funding for the items authorized in the Vernon Capital Plan.

The Fund is invested with Chittenden Bank.

.Projected cost

$10,000 - $20,000

$20,001 - $30,000

$30,001 - $40,000

$40,001 - $55,000

$55,001 - $75,000

$75,001 - $95,000

$95,001 - $115,000

$115,001- $150,000

$150,001 -

Years in Advance of Need 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

10 15 Exceptions to this schedule will be considered for unusual circum-stances on a case by case basis.

12 VERNON TOWN REPORT 2004 CAPITAL PLAN FUNDING PROJECTIONS DESCRIPTION NEED CURRENT 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 PROJECTED CHANGES FROih YEAR FUNDING COST 2003 CAP PLAN Dump truck Diesel (1990)

Bkhoe / trctr/jack hammer Town Van-*

Dump truck Diesel (1995)

Frt End Loader (1997) Refurb Sand Shed (Fed Req)

Gas Pump Cover (Fed Req)

Grader-efurbish Pickup trk 3/4 ton (1998)

Dump truck Diesel (2000)

Dump truck 1 ton (2003)

Dump truck Diesel (2003)

Frt End Loader (1997) Replace Tractor & Rotary Mower Town Van-*

Dump truck Diesel (2007)

Pickup trk 3/4 ton (2009)

Dump truck 1 ton (2012)

Town Garage Roof (1991)

Dump truck Diesel (2014)

Engine #1 (1985 Ford refurb)

Brush #1 (1974 Ford)*.

Engine #1 (1985 Ford-replac)

Engine#2 (1994 refurbish)

Brush #1 (2010 replace)*

Engine #3 (2002 refurbish)

Engine #2 (1994 replace)

Cruiser-Ford (1998)

Cruiser-Chevy (2000)

Cruiser Dakota (2002)

Cruiser (2004)

Cruiser (2006)

Cruiser-Dakota (2008)

Cruiser (2010)

Cruiser (2012)

Town Office Bid HVAC Sys.

Town Clerk Copier Town Office Roof Vault Storage System TOTALS 2003 100,000.00 2005 60,000.00 2006 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 80,000.00 2007 50,000.00 18,750.00 18,750.00 18,750.00 18,750.00 125,000.00 2007 7,500.00 2007 23,750.00 27,811.00 27,813.00 27,813.00 27,813.00 135,000.00 2007 10.000.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 2008 3,000.00 13,000.00 13,000.00 11,000.00 25,000.00 65,000.00 2009 12,500.00 12,500.00 12,500.00 50,000.00 2012 10,556.00 15,552.00 556.00 14,556.00 20,556.00 140,000.00 2012 11,665.00 11,667.00 70,000.00 2015 4,091.00 2,091.00 91.00 14,091.00 155,000.00 2017 13,125.00 3,125.00 1,125.00 2,125.00 13,125.00 185,000.00 2017 40,000.00 2018 90,000.00 2019 4,333.00 11,333.00 8,333.00 11,333.00 170,000.00 2020 60,000.00 2021 86,000.00 2021 2024 192,000.00 2005 54,250.00 7,750.00 8,000.00 70,000.00 2010 33,250.00 4,536.00 4,536.00 4,536.00 4,536.00 4,536.00 65,000.00 2015 45,000.00 14,584.00 584.00 14,584.00 14,584.00 14,584.00 220,000.00 2017 100,000.00 2020 80,000.00 2022 100,000.00 2027 350,000.00 2004 27,000.00 9,000.00 36,000.00 2006 8,000.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 32,000.00 2008 9,750.00 9,750.00 9,750.00 9,750.00 39,000.00 2010 8,750.00 8,750.00 35,000.00 2012 8,400.00 42,000.00 2014 42,000.00 2016 45,000.00 2018 45,000.00 2003 18,476.51 2004 14,000.00 14,000.00 2005 14,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 28,000.00 2005 10,000.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 154,112.00 154,534.00 154,038.00 154,453.00 154,292.00

$80K dec

$20K inc

$25K inc

$40K dec

$25K inc New

$20K inc

$18K inc

$30K inc

$15K inc

$40K inc

$50K inc New New New New

$31K inc New New

$7K inc

$4K inc new new

= Brush #1 formerly Engine #5

-*= Contract vs. Purchase OR average # of people carried = smaller van BUT needs lift 2003 CAPITAL FUND STATUS ITEM Town Office Bld HVAC South School Police Cruiser-Ford(1998)

Police Cruiser-Chevy(2000)

Brush#1 (1974 Ford)

Engine #1 (1985 Ford-refurb)

Engine#1 (1985 Ford-replace)

Dump Truck I Ton (1994)

Dump Truck Diesel (1990)

Dump Truck Diesel (1995)

Bkhoe/trcr/jack hammer Frt End Loader (1997) Refurb Town Clerk Copier Town Office Roof Senior Van Sand Shed NEED YEAR 1992 1995 2004 2006 2010 2005 2015 2001 2003 2007 2005 2007 2004 2005 2006 2007 PREVIOUS BALANCE

$18,572.51 2,646.95 18,000.00 0.00 27,250.00 46,500.00 30,000.00 50,000.00 87,500.00 37,500.00 45,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 10,000.00 11,000.00

$397,969.46 358.44

$398,327.90 2003 TOTAL 2003 FUND EXCESS APPROPRIATIONS AVAILABLE EXPENDITURE BALANCE FUNDS

$18,572.51

$96.00

$18,476.51 2,646.95 2,646.95 0.00 9,000.00 27,000.00 27,000.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 6,000.00 33,250.00 33,250.00 7,750.00 54,250.00 54,250.00 15,000.00 45,000.00 45,000.00 50,000.00 41,533.00 8,467.00 8,467.00*

12,500.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 12,500.00 50,000.00 50,000.00 15,000.00 60,000.00 60,000.00 7,500.00 7,500.00 7,500.00 7,000.00 14,000.00 14,000.00 7,000.00 14,000.00 14,000.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 12,750.00 23,750.00 23,750.00

$130,000.00

$ 527,969.46

$ 44,275.95

$ 483,693.51

$8,467.00 358.44 358.44

$ 130,000.00

$528,327.90

$44,275.95

$ 484,051.95

$8,467.00 8,672.66 8,672.66

$ 537,000.56

$44,275.95

$ 492,724.61 Subtotals Excess Funds Totals 2003 Interest & Income Totals

Designated for dump truck puchased in Jan. 2004

VERNON TOWN REPORT 13 VERNON TOWN REPORT 13 FIDUCIARY FUNDS TOWN EMPLOYEE PENSION FUND ALICE J. BROOKS FUND Mrs. Alice J. Brooks left $5,000 in 1941, for the relief of poor children and aged persons in the Town of Vernon. The Selectmen were instructed to invest this, and interest or income alone, could be used per the will.

BALANCE January 1, 2003

$ 669,655.77 ADD:

Investment Income Realized Gains Unrealized Gains DEDUCT:

Payments to Participants Fees Realized Losses Unrealized Losses Actuarial Study Actuary Fee for Employee Statements Miscellaneous Expenses BALANCE December 31,2003 22,033.54 44,053.75 83,579.49 14,136.48 7,448.90 12,520.62 45,045.51 5,000.00 1,000.00 118.45 Total Shares 1957-2003 Mass. Investors Trust George Putnam Fund 1,682.816 held on deposit 728.887 held on deposit 149,666.78 Chittenden Bank BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD: Receipts Dividends Interest Net Investment Gains BALANCE December 31,2003 10,994.80

$ 409.72 5.97 177.19 592.88

( 85,269.96)

$ 734,052.59 11,587.68 TOWN OF VERNON GRANGE #228 SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND MARSH FUND This fund was a result of a $2,000 legacy to the Town of Vernon in the will of Mrs. Anna Marsh in 1835. The interest is to be appropri-ated annually for the "Preaching of the Gospel in said Town." Each year a committee is chosen at the Annual Meeting for disbursement of the fund.

Total Shares 1957-2003 220 & 18.096 held on deposit in American Mutual Fund BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD:

Interest Net Investment Gains BALANCE December 31,2003

$24,224.58 1.88 495.61 497.49

$ 24,722.07 Chittenden Bank Guidelines and applications will be available at a later date when the interest income is sufficient to provide one or more awards.

This fund is invested with Chlittenden Bank.

BALANCE January 1, 2003 ADD: Receipts Dividends and Capital Gains Interest DEDUCT: Expenses Vernon Advent Christian Church, Inc.

Vernon Union Church BALANCE December 31, 2003 341.99

$ 145.23 1.27 146.50

$ 101.54 101.54

(

203.08 285.41 Trustee-Selectmen

14 VERNON TOWN REPORT 14 VERNON TOWN REPORT SCOTT & NOYES MEMORIAL FUND The executor for the Mary A. Scott estate was directed by Probate Court, October 29, 1927, to pay $10,513.18 to the Vernon Town Treasurer. This was to be held in trust and invested with income only to be used annually for preaching the Gospel and for the Advent Christian Home at South Vernon.

After a committee representing the beneficiaries met to inves-tigate changes in disbursement, it was recommended in 1976, that the Trustee's judgment be used regarding disbursement in accordance with the will.

N Total Shares 1957-2003 Mass. Investors Trust George Putnam Fund 653.555 held on deposit 424.000 held on deposit Chittenden Bank (base sum non-expendable- $ 217.18)

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~

~.-

IF

-'-.~-'

BALANCE January 1, 2003 491.86 ADD: Receipts Dividends Interest

$208.72 1.90 210.62 DEDUCT: Expenses Vernon Union Church' Vernon Advent Christian Chapel Vernon Advent Christian Church, Inc.

Vernon Advent Christian Homes, Inc.

$ 71.42 71.42 71.42 71.42 Wi.ý (285.68)

$ 416.80 BALANCE December 31, 2003 Trustee-Town Treasurer I

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I

VERNON TOWN REPORT 15 TRUST FUNDS Cemetery Trust Funds Trustees-Selectmen TYLER NORTH SOUTH ALEXANDER-PERRY December 31, 2003-Shares (held by Town and on Deposit)

Mass. Investors Trust 2,900.977 George Putnam Fund 275.00 55.00 American Mutual Fund 151.516 Investment Co. of America 298.088 102.084 Balance January 1, 2003 Chittenden Bank Original Deposit

$ 2,815.11

$ 1,747.15

$ 222.16

$ 239.78 Accumulated Income 39,822.12 36,839.46 2,036.74 2894.08

$ 42,637.23

$ 38,586.61

$ 2,258.90

$ 3,133.86 Add: 2003 Receipts Dividends & Capital Gains 360.82 310.04 74.52 19.36 Bank Interest 5.53 5.80 2.29 11.65 Cemetery Lots Sold 1,050.00 300.00 Net Investment Gains 769.53 692.70 30.78 Deduct:

Cemetery Expenses (700.00)

Balances December 31, 2003 Original Deposit

$ 2,815.11

$ 1,747.15

$ 222.16

$ 239.78 Accumulated Income 41,308.00 38,148.00 2,144.33 2,925.09 Polly A. Lee Cemetery Lot Whithed Cemetery Fund Chittenden Bank Deposit Interest Balance January 1, 2003 125.00

$ 473.79

$ 232.40 2003 Interest 2.19 0.86 2003 Expenses

(-3.13)

Balance December 31, 2003 125.00

$ 472.85

$ 233.26 Trustees Treasurer Selectmen

16 VERNON TOWN REPORT 16 VERNON TOWN REPORT STATEMENT OF TAXES RAISED Taxes To Be Raised Per Vote at the March 4,2003, Town Meeting:

2003 Grand List Appraised Value - School Appraised Value - Town 1% of Grand List 2003 Tax Rate Town School Education Tax School Local Share Tax Total Tax Rate

$ 119,446,940 330,763,525

$ 1,194,469.40 3,307.635.25 School Less:

State Aid and Revenue 4,692,965.00 3,160,749.00 Total State Education Property Tax 687,159.00 Total Local Share Property Tax 845,057.00 0.5212 0.5753 0.7075 1.8040 Total School Taxes To Be Raised Total Town Taxes To Be Raised 1,532,216.00 1,723,967.85 3.256.183.85 Total Taxes Needed Add Amount Overbilled 20.97 Total Taxes Billed Less VELCO Adjustment Total Taxes Billed - Due 10/15/03 Current Taxes Received 10/15/03 Total Delinquent Taxes Collected 2003 Total Delinquent Taxes Owed 2003 Less VELCO Adjustment Total Taxes Accounted For 3,256,204.82 (59,397.87) 3,196,806.95 3,165,402.77 37,452.56 53,349.49 (59,397.87) 3,196,806.95 TOTAL PROPOSED EXPENSE TO TAXPAYERS FOR TOWN AN D SCHOOL 2004)2005 Selectmen's Budget + Library Articles*

Appropriations**

School Budget School Capital Total

$ 1,913,551.00 227,460.00

384,112.00

$- 5,344,686.00 48,100.00

$ 7,917,909.00

Articles minus library

-Appropriations= $200,000 by Australian Ballot plus $184.112 by article for appropriation only

VERNON TOWN REPORT 17 VERNON TOWN REPORT 17 STATEMENT OF DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES Outstanding Taxes January 1, 2 ADD: 2003 Delinquent Taxe LESS: 2003 Collections Total Delinquent December 31, To Collector

$ 77,353.78 90,802.05 (93,489.88)

$ 74,665.95 2003 Balance Collections December 31, 2003 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

$ 266.27 632.71 2,847.47 18,195.51 55,411.82 90,802.05

$168,155.83

$ 266.27 632.71 2,847.47 13,353.49 38,937.38 37,452.56

$93,489.88 Real 2003 Ames, Teri M.

1,650.66 Bailey, Philip & Jo Ann 1,190.64 Bartlett, Lois & Reginald (Est.)

23.45 Boston & Maine Corp.

72.16 Boyce, James L. & Georgia A.

231.83*

Brooks, Todd A. & Maureen G.

956.12 Cadwalader, Dylan & Geraldine 939.88 Casey, Jean A. (Est.)

1,215.90 Clark, Archie S. & Lorrie A.

2.32*

Clews, Thomas E. & Stephanie A.

1,607.36 Davidson, Hen W. & Birdie L(Est.)

853.29 Dawson, Roy J.Jr.

1,109.46 Faulkner, Todd 1,610.97 Forcier, Constance 498.31*

Forrett, Darren K. & Laura L.

3,176.84 Gale, John C. & Sabrina A.

1,760.70 Gannon, Thomas W. (Est.) &

Rawson-Gannon, Anna S.

2,884.60 Hebert, Michael J. & Deborah J.

2,475.76 Howe, Christiane A.

277.37*

Jalbert, Marcel A. & Helen 1,661.48 Jones, Scott R. & Charity R.

1,908.63 Lee, Stephen H. & Monica P.

1,956.76*

Martin, Donald 2,895.42 McAllister, Daniel H. & Kelley A.

1,302.49 Mercier, Terry J.

620.58 Miner, Arnold E.(Est.)

36.08 Paquette, Robert & Patti 405.90 Plumb, Kenneth W. Jr. & Deborah 1,867.14 Rawson, Jeffrey H. & Terry 2,796.20 Raymond, Mark J.

247.15 Sage, Stanley S. & Laura M.

1,558.66 Scott, Arthur B. / Lester, Pamela J.

2,980.21 Scully, Donna M.

1,354.80 Shippee, Thurman G. (Est.)

323.64*

Shippee, Thurman N./Todd B./Dean E.

413.46*

Smith, Timothy S.

2,687.96 Tidd, Joel P. & Gail E.

786.59*

Tosi, Jeffrey L. & Donna M.

1,699.43*

Unaitis, Jerald A. & Marcella L.

1,134.86*

Washburn, Elliott S.

24.06*

Winter, Tanya 505.12 Young, Duane M. & Gay M.

1,645.25 Balance Delinquent December 31, 2003

$74,665.95

Balance Outstanding 4,842.02 16,474.44 53,349.49

$74,665.95 The following Delinquent Taxes are charged against the names below on the Tax Collector's books as of December 31, 2003.

Unless the Auditors are notified to the contrary before March 15, 2004, it will be assumed the tax amounts listed are correct.

Penalties are added by the Tax Collector according to the Vermont Statutes.

1% interest is also added monthly pervote at Town Meeting, March 1996.

ANY PAYMENT RECEIVED AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2003, IS NOT REFLECTED IN THIS LISTING.

2001 Casey, Jean A. (Est.)

Dawson, Roy J. Jr.

McAllister, Daniel H. & Kelley A.

Mercier, Terry J.

Miller, Robert J. Jr.

Miner, Arnold E. (Est.)

Paquette, Robert & Patti Scott, Arthur B. / Lester, Pamela J.

2002 Ames, Teri M.

Bailey, Philip & JoAnn Brooks, Todd A. & Maureen G.

Casey, Jean A. (Est.)

Davidson, Hen W. & Birdie L. (Est.)

Dawson,-Roy J.Jr.

Lee, Stephen H.

May, Timothy A. & Laurie M.

McAllister, Daniel H. & Kelley A.

McCarvill, Robert E. & Dauna C.

Mercier, Terry J.

Miller, Robert J. Jr.

Miner, Arnold E. (Est.)

Paquette, Robert & Patti Sclierlin, Judith A.

Scott, Arthur B. /Lester, Pamela J.

Winter, Tanya Young, Duane M. & Gay M.

Real

$ 188.82*

972.68*

1,015.15*

212.95*

241.52*

32.40 364.50 1,814.00*

935.58*

547.94*

422.95*

1,000.89 261.72*

888.32*

1,223.21*

1,569.65 1,072.17 1,498.37 510.84 2,001.70*

29.70 334.13 443.99*

2,453.22 415.80 864.26*

18 VERNON TOWN REPORT 18 VERNON TOWN REPORT TOWN GENERAL FUND COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEET DEC. 31,2002 DEC. 31,2003 DEC. 31,2002 DEC. 31,2003 CURRENT ASSETS Cash on Hand or in Bank Town Checking Account

$ 44,205.00 Invested Sweep Account 80,800.49 Treasurer's Change Fund 100.00 Office Petty Cash 50.00 Town Clerk's Petty Cash 50.00 Recreation Change Fund 25.00 Emergency Management Petty Cash 50.00 Police Petty Cash 25.00 Prepaid Gas & Diesel 10,798.75

$ 136,104.24 Delinquent Taxes Receivable Real & Personal (Current)

$ 55,411.82 Real & Personal (Prior Years) 21,941.96

$ 77,353.78 Accounts Receivable Vernon School District Gas Treasurer's Supplies 1,

Treasurer's Dental Town Clerk's Remittances 3,

Library Payroll & Benefits 9,

Employees Vendor Reimbursements Health Insurance Prepaid Expenses 1,

Due from Delinquent Tax Collector Due from Fire Dept Homeland Sec Grant Vernon Newspaper Entergy: EOC Phone & Fax Reimbursement St of Vermont: Civil Fines Due From Other Funds Polly A. Lee Cemetery Lot Fund Dog Fund 1,

Unemployment Compensation Fund Town Road Upgrade Fund Elderly Assistance Fund Capital Fund

$ 19, TOTAL ASSETS

$232, 98.36 045.13 292.29 538.57 148.64 16.00 895.18 043.91 3.13 765.25 473.77

$ 18,959.66 100.00 50.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 25.00 11,803.97

$31,063.63

$ 53,349.49 21,316.46

$ 74,665.95 153.36 325.38 315.66 4,146.23 1,741.12 37.69 158.67 21,500.38 44.89 87,260.44 10.00 212.47 330.00 1.10 CURRENT LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE Accounts Payable 7,505.66 Accrued Salaries & FICA 5,720.46 Due to Delinquent Tax Collector 261.84 Prepaid Taxes 905.00 Due to VELCO 73,788.05 Due to Other Funds Professional Services Fund 100.00 Restoration Fund 446.00 Dog Fund 88,727.01 Appropriation Commitments Vernon Historians, Inc.

10,194.98 Vernon Historians, Photos & Supplies 149.74 Town Audit 750.00 Recreation-Playground Equipment 17.08 Town's 250th Celebration 4,200.00 Town Picnic 551.81 Town Veteran's War Memorial Fire Department Storage Tank 12,592.50 Total Appropriations Committed 28,456.11 Total Liabilities & Appropriations 117,183.12 E 911 279.68 Farm Daze Committee 523.18 FEMA Emergency Management Reimbursement 185.46 Designated Funds (Reserves) 9,519.70

$ 26,044.7 8,518.31 5,445.7 475.0(

9.0(

40,492.8&

3,741.6!

198.8(

750.0(

3,405.2-2,000.0(

12,592.5(

22,688.21 63,181.0ý 279.6:

523.1 185.4 40,536.6 121,262.9 121,262.9 225,968.9 4,002.01 367.50 794.00 481.73 $ 120,239.40 939.75

$ 225,968.98 Fund Balance Net Fund Balance Total Liabilities & Fund Balance Designated Fund Balance:

Canine Donation EOC Emergency Radios: Entergy 2004 RERP (EOC) Award EOC Budget Reserve Fire Pond Maintenance Grade Adjustments Pre-school Fundraiser Tax Listing GASB 34 Compliance Recycling Bin Total Designated Fund Balance 105,248.61 105,248.61

$ 232,939.75 50.08 1,000.00 5,000.00 6,813.65 7,429.64 8,811.17 673.73 2,500.00 8,000.00 258.34

$40,536.61 NOTE: The Town of Vernon has no long term indebtedness, therefore, a schedule of maturities is not included.

VERNON TOWN REPORT 19 VERNON TOWN REPORT 19 SELECTMEN'S SIX MONTHS BUDGET JANUARY 1, 2004 - JUNE 30,2004 This budget was voted by Article 7 At a Special Town Meeting on November 18, 2003, with a vote by Article 5 to have the Town collect taxes on it without discounts payable on orbefore April 15, 2004. A motion was passed at the January 5, 2004 Selectmen's meeting to set a Municipal tax rate only of

$ 0.2537 per hundred.

i' TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE Town Clerk Assistant Town Clerks Ballot Clerks FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

Disability Insurance New Office Equipment Ballots Tapes Postage for Ballots

Town Meeting Sound System Travel and Conferences Miscellaneous (Elections)

TOWN TREASURER'S OFFICE Treasurer Assistant Treasurer FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

Disability Insurance Treasurer's Supplies New Office Equipment Telephone Travel and Conference AUDITORS Auditors FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance New Equipment Printing of Town Report Postage Travel and Conference

$18,429.00 17,950.00 2,000.00 2,936.00 12,186.00 848.00 536.00 2,000.00 100.00 25.00 200.00 600.00 2,400.00 300.00 60,510.00 17,099.00 11,354.00 2,082.00 15,193.00 1,263.00 660.00 1,800.00 500.00 400.00 600.00 50,951.00 13,176.00 1,008.00 10,643.00 844.00 4,617.00 300.00 150.00 30,738.00 20,000.00 7,OO0.00 1,913.00 10,643.00 844.00 1.500.00 41,900.00 3,091.00 2,500.00 581.00 12,000.00 2,ooo.00 800.00 500.00 500.00 350.00 22,322.00 GENERAL EXPENSES Secretaries (Floaters)

FICA General Office Supplies Advertising Telephone Postage Landfill (Tipping Fee)

Refuse Collection Disposal Dues and Subscriptions VT. League of Cities and Towns County Tax Contracts Maint. & Repair Insurance and Bonds PLANNING Supplies, Postage, Misc.

Windham Regional Plan. Comm.

Professional Assistance RECREATION DEPARTMENT Director Assistant Director Arts and Crafts Coordinator Maintenance Foreman Water Safety Instructors/Lifeguards Day Camp Staff Customer Service Pre-School Instructor Pre-School Assistant Counselors in Training Weekend Supervisor FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

Disability Insurance Supplies Utilities/Fuel Oil Telephone

Dues and Subscriptions

Contracts and Rentals Repairs and Maintenance Equipment

Programs Travel and Conference Communication and Education Reimbursable Activities SCHOOL RENTAL: Not Needed BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS Custodian Assistant Custodian FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

Disability Insurance Uniforms Supplies Grounds Fuel Oil Electricity: Town Office, North School Electricity: South School Repairs to Equipment Repairs to Building Repairs & Maint. South School Custodial Equipment Travel and Conference Miscellaneous: South School CEMETERIES Caretaking Supplies Repairs and Maintenance 1,000.00 77.00 3,000.00 2,000.00 3,000.00 1,300.00 36,000.00 20,500.00 3,600.00 400.00 1,785.00 6,000.00 30,000.00 108,662.00 100.00 250.00 350.00 14,431.00 12,437.00 200.00 1,400.00 2,800.00 1,600.00 650.00 7,800.00 6,100.00 225.00 4,000.00 27,658.00 1,714.00 513.00 11,425.00 4,700.00 1,000.00 150.00 1,400.00 4,000.00 2,000.00 7,000.00 700.00 4,000.00 117,903.00 14,660.00 10,700.00 1,810.00 8,520.00 857.00 268.00 1,000.00 1,200.00 3,000.00 8,000.00 200.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 100.00 500.00 200.00 200.00 54,215.00 4,626.00 25.00 25.00 4,676.00 LISTERS Listers Listers' Admin. Assistant FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Tax Listing Revision of Tax Maps Travel and Conference SELECTMEN Selectmen Selectmen's Secretary Pound Keeper Grade Adjustment FICA Legal Services GASB 34 Compliance

Travel Miscellaneous Contributions and Gifts Green Up Memorial Day Committee EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: Not needed

20 VERNON TOWN REPORT 20 VERNON TOWN REPORT SENIORS Van Drivers FICA Gasoline Activities THE VERNON NEWSPAPER Supplies New Equipment Postage Contracts and Maintenance Miscellaneous POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief Sergeant Patrolmen Office Manager Special Police Officers FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

Disability Insurance Uniforms Supplies Inoculations New Equipment Telephone Postage Support Services Prisoner Lodging D.A.R.E.

Gasoline Auto Repairs and Maintenance Radio Repairs and Maintenance Other Equipment Repairs Training Training, Travel and Conference FIRE DEPARTMENT Lost Wages Uniforms Inoculations

EAP Supplies New Equipment Fuel Oil Electricity Telephone Southwest Mutual Aid Gasoline Equipment Repairs & Maintenance Fire Pond Maintenance Building Repair & Maintenance Training, Travel and Conference EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Not Needed 2,500.00 192.00 300.00 1,200.00 4,192.00 600.00 500.00 800.00 1,050.00 2,950.00 22,580.00 19,862.00 16,570.00 9,615.00 11,340.00 6,118.00 25,873.00 1,902.00 1,238.00

900.00 700.00 815.00 600.00 3,500.00 100.00 8,000.00 375.00 500.00 2,500.00 3,000.00 500.00 1,250.00 2,000.00 139,838.00 500.00 1,500.00 800.00 180.00 1,500.00 7,500.00 1,800.00 1,000.00 700.00 5,000.00 1,300.00 3,000.00 24,780.00 TOWN GARAGE OPERATION Road Commissioner Equipment Operator Operator/Mechanic Part-time Operator FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

Disability Insurance Uniforms Drug and Alcohol Testing Supplies Fuel Oil Electricity Telephone Dues and Subscriptions Gas and Diesel Road Tools and Supplies Safety Equipment Building Repairs & Maintenance Travel and Conference ROAD EQUIP. REPAIR & MAINT.

Trucks Grader Tractor Town Van Snow Plows and Sanders Front End Loader Small Equipment Radios

New in 2004 TOTAL BUDGET ADJ VELCO DECISION ESTIMATED INCOME TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE RAISED 21,590.00 16,801.00 18,330.00 1,800.00 4,477.00 16,640.00 1,281.00 939.00 1,600.00 500.00 2,500.00 3,500.00

.2,600.00 1,300.00 200.00 4,500.00 3,000.00 1,100.00 5,000.00 400.00 108,058.00 6,000.00 2,000.00 700.00 300.00 1,700.00 700.00 1,000.00 500.00 12,900.00

$ 837,717.00 14,390.00 (36,800.00)

$ 815,307.00 RESCUE'S OPERATING BUDGET Subscriptions & Amb. Service Monthly Payment OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY Health Officer Sewage Officer Fire Warden - Permits HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE Equipment Rental Guard Rails Culverts Gravel Chloride Asphalt Salt Sand Tree Warden 2,600.00 4,872.00 7,472.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 6,000.00 900.00 2,000.00 5,000.00 6,100.00 800.00 20,000.00 2,000.00 1,000.00 43,800.00

VERNON TOWN REPORT 21 VERNON TOWN REPORT 21 SELECTMEN'S BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2004/2005*

Title TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE Town Clerk Assistant Town Clerks Ballot Clerks FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

- - Disability Insurance New Office Equipment Ballots Tapes Postage for Ballots

- - Town Meeting Sound System Travel & Conferences Miscellaneous (Elections)

Income Budget 2003 Expenses 2003 Receipts 2003 Budget Balance 2003 Proposed

Budget, 2004/2005 TOWN TREASURER'S OFFICE Treasurer Assistant Treasurer FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

- - Disability Insurance Treasurer's Supplies New Office Equipment Telephone Travel & Conference 36,100.00 35,828.87 271.13 38,410.00 27,000.00 28,438.92 (1,438.92) 32,000.00 5,600.00 2,192.39 3,407.61 6,000.00 5,260.00 5,048.31 211.69 5,846.00 20,182.00 20,475.40 (293.40) 17,331.00 1,650.00 1,500.68 149.32 1,864.00 500.00 323.34 176.66 433.00 645.00 4,000.00 2,569.87 1,430.13 6,000.00 50.00 89.00 (39.00) 150.00 50.00 300.00 115.92 184.08 500.00 600.00 2,000.00 3,876.01 (1,876.01) 4,000.00 500.00 27100.35 27,10.35 102,642.00 100,458.71 27,100.35 29,283.64 114,329.00 31,010.00 29,984.16 1,025.84 37,831.00 17,350.00 20,224.56 (2,874.56) 22,563.00 3,700.00 3,844.28 (144.28) 4,453.00 12,582.00 17,970.21 (5,388.21) 21,773.00 1,170.00 1,036.62 133.38 2,759.00 350.00 489.84 (139.84) 588.00 S-725.00 3,500.00 1,856.01 1,643.99 3,500.00 2,500.00 1,130.96 1,369.04 2,500.00 600.00 708.81 (108.81) 800.00

.. 150.00_

663.95 836.05

__ __ -1500.00 74,262.00 77,909.40 (3,647.40) 98,992.00 25,200.00 25,778.95 (578.95) 26,775.00 1,928.00 1,972.09 (44.09) 2,049.00 34,905.00 35,253.12 (348.12) 15,220.00 3,280.00 2,987.28 292.72 1,855.00 400.00 366.18 33.82 200.00 4,482.00 4,462.00 20.00 4,800.00 300.00 235.79 64.21 300.00 250.00 201.36 48.64 250.00 70,745.00 71,256.77 (511.77) 51,449.00 AUDITORS Auditors FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance New Equipment Printing of Town Report Postage for Town Reports Travel & Conference LISTERS' OFFICE Listers Listers'Admin. Assistant FICA

- - Health Insurance

- - Dental Insurance

- - Life Insurance Tax Listing Revision of Tax Maps Travel & Conference SELECTBOARD Selectmen Selectmens' Secretary Pound Keeper Grade Adjustment FICA Legal Services GASB 34 Compliance

- - Travel Miscellaneous Contributions & Gifts Green-up Memorial Day Committee 24,000.00 8,000.00 2,448.00 27,420.56 7,216.88 2,649.76 (3,420.56) 35,000.00 783.12 10,000.00 (201.76) 3,443.00 15,220.00 1,855.00 200.00 2,000.00 2.000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00

-824.9_l

.30.0 (663.69) 72,218.00 2,000.00 1,000.00

_2,500.00 3,324.49 39,948.00 40,611.69 16,610.00 16,610.00 16,610.00 6,060.00 6,086.08 (26.08) 6,405.00 3,000.00 923.04 2,076.96 5,000.00 5,000.00**

1,500.00 2,730.00 2,380.88 349.12 2,700.00 25,000.00 3,309.63 21,690.37 25,000.00 8,000.00 8,000.00**

4,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,768.58 (768.58) 1,000.00 1,200.00 430.00 770.00 1,000.00 400.00 303.01 96.99 400.00 500.00 458.88 41.12 500.00 69,500.00 45,270.10 24,229.90 60,115.00

22 VERNON TOWN REPORT 22 VERNON TOWN REPORT Title Budget 2003 Expenses 2003 Receipts 2003 Budget Balance 2003 Proposed Budget 2004/2005 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Incentives GENERAL EXPENSES Secretary Service (Floater)

FICA General Office Supplies Advertising Telephone Postage Landfill (Tipping Fees)

Refuse Collection Disposal Dues & Subscriptions VT. League of Cities & Towns County Tax Contracts Maint. & Repair Insurance & Bonds 2,000.00_...

1+/-227.32 772.68 2000.00 2,000.00 1,227.32 772.68 2,000.00 2,500.00 2,636.85 (136.85) 3,500.00 192.00 201.64 (9.64) 268.00 7,000.00 8,158.01 (1,158.01) 7,500.00 6,000.00 1,793.47 4,206.53 6,000.00 8,500.00 5,173.49 3,326.51 6,000.00 4,000.00 3,352.01 647.99 4,000.00 67,000.00 76,024.80 (9,024.80) 93,000.00 37,500.00 34,888.00 2,612.00 40,000.00 7,500.00 6,431.33 1,068.67 4,500.00 750.00 565.40 184.60 750.00 1,684.00 1,684.00 1,785.00 16,000.00 12,933.55 3,066.45 16,000.00 10,000.00 11,628.91 (1,628.91) 12,000.00 50000.00 42_,_930.00,

-,0700 65,5 0000 218,626.00 208,401.46 10,224.54 260,303.00 PLANNING Supplies, Postage, Misc.

Windham Regional Plan. Com.

Professional Assistance 500.00 26.33 473.67 2,482.00 2,976.00 (494.00) 500.00 500.00 3,482.00 3,002.33 479.67 500.00 2,976.00 500.00 3,976.00 RECREATION DEPARTMENT Director's Salary Assistant Director Arts & Crafts Co-ordinator Maintenance Foreman Water Safety Instructors Day Camp Staff Customer Service Preschool Director Preschool Assistant Counselors in Training Weekend Supervisor FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

- - Disability Insurance Supplies Utilities Telephone

- - Dues & Subscriptions

- - Contracts & Rentals Repairs & Maintenance Equipment

'Programs Travel & Conference Communication & Education Reimbursable Activities Income 30,021.00 23,530.00 1,140.00 4,200.00 22,625.00 15,565.00 5,040.00 11,900.00 8,600.00 2,100.00 1,020.00 10,179.00 23,088.00 2,850.00 600.00 13,221.00 7,110.00 2,200.00 10,700.00 5,910.00 1,779.00 31,247.59 26,678.42 1,276.18 2,675.37 20,205.99 11,958.02 4,150.17 14,482.26 11,084.69 1,825.00 128.93 10,192.33 22,648.26 2,119.20 531.24 19,010.82 7,971.24 2,117.15 6,760.80 1,393.94 247.78 1,868.38 22,131.86 (1,226.59)

(3,148.42)

(136.18) 1,524.63 2,419.01 3,606.98 889.83 (2,582.26)

(2,484.69) 275.00 891.07 (13.33) 439.74 730.80 68.76 (5,789.82)

(861.24) 82.85 3,939.20 4,516.06 1,531.22 (1,868.38)

(22,131.86) 51,562.54 29,966.00 26,396.00 1,340.00 2809.00 21,616.00 12,556.00 4,358.00 15,475.00 12,595.00 2,000.00 500.00 10,750.00 34,670.00 4,642.00 650.00 720.00 16,775.00 7,150.00 2,200.00 150.00 1,345.00 5,000.00 5,250.00 16300.00 2,500.00 51,562.54 Note: Reimbursable Activities will be re-placed with Programs 203,378.00 222,705.62 51,562.54 32,234.92 237,713.00 RECREATION SCHOOL RENTAL 997344.00 97,344.00 111,522.00 97,344.00 97,344.00 l1,522.00

VERNON TOWN REPORT 23 VERNON TOWN REPORT 23 Budget 2003 Expenses 2003 Receipts 2003 Budget Balance 2003 Proposed Budget 2004/2005 BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Custodian Salary Assistant Custodian Salary FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

- - Disability Uniforms Supplies Grounds Fuel Oil Electricity - Town/Lib/North Electricity - South School Repairs to Equipment Repairs to Building Repairs & Maint. -South School Custodial Equipment Travel & Conference Miscellaneous - South School CEMETERIES 29,200.00 21,382.39 7,817.61 30,968.00 16,200.00 25,493.35 (9,293.35) 17,567.00 3,474.00 3,320.33 153.67 3,713.00 14,400.00 14,257.94 142.06 12,431.00 645.00 1,306.17 (661.17) 1,885.00 250.00 244.02 5.98 275.00 300.00 300.00 149.95 150.05 300.00 4,500.00 4,394.54 105.46 4,500.00 3,000.00 1,792.73 1,207.27 3,000.00 5,000.00 3,483.61 1,516.39 5,000.00 16,000.00 13,485.98 2,514.02 16,000.00 500.00 352.85 147.15 500.00 2,500.00 914.04 1,585.96 2,500.00 8,000.00 5,677.76 2,322.24 8,000.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 1,000.00 1,010.98 (10.98) 1,000.00 300.00 166.44 133.56 300.00

-_0-0. -- 32__ --

_-_8.*Q...-. -

60.

106,169.00 97,753.08 8,415.92 109,139.00 8,500.00 8,500.00 10,124.00 600.00 259.12 340.88 600.00

.2000.00 2,264.75 2q_-_.75j 2 000.00 11,100.00 11,023.87 76.13 12,724.00 8,500.00 4,726.24 3,773.76 8,500.00 651.00 367.67 283.33 651.00 1,000.00 500.25 499.75 1,000.00 2545.00 2545.00-2,545.00 12,696.00 8,139.16 4,556.84 12,696.00 1,350.00 1,126.65 223.35 1,350.00 500.00 67.96 432.04 750.00 1,350.00 1,485.57 (135.57) 1,500.00 1,200.00 1,115.27 84.73 1,350.00 100.00 100.00 50.00 1.82o

-0_2- -

4,500.00 3,795.45 1,828.00 2,532.55 5,000.00 Caretaking Supplies Repair & Maintenance VERNON SENIORS Van Driver Salaries FICA Gasoline Activities THE VERNON NEWSPAPER Supplies New Equipment Postage Contracts & Maintenance Miscellaneous Income

24 VERNON TOWN REPORT 24 VERNON TOWN REPORT Title POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief's Salary Sergeant Salary Patrolmen's Salaries Office Manager Salary Police Specials, FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance

- - - Uniforms Inoculations

- - Disability Insurance Supplies New Equipment & Uniforms Telephone Postage Support Service Prisoner Lodging D.A.R.E.

Gasoline Auto Repairs & Maintenance Radio Repairs & Maintenance Other Equipment Repairs Training Travel & Conference Income FIRE DEPARTMENT Lost Wages

- - FICA Uniforms Inoculations

- - EAP Supplies New Equipment Fuel Oil Electricity Telephone Southwest Mutual Aid Gasoline Equipment Repair & Maintenance Fire Pond Maintenance Building Repair&Maintenance Training, Travel & Conference Budget 2003 Expenses 2003 Receipts 2003 Budget Balance 2003 Proposed Budget 2004/2005 44,302.00 44,136.68 165.32 47,237.00 37,682.00 62,400.00 58,153.36 4,246.64 32,316.00 18,600.00 15,559.95 3,040.05 20,220.00 21,000.00 4,600.49 16,399.51.

23,360.00 11,193.00 9,266.46 1,926.52 12,303.00 32,800.00 41,279.00 (8,479.00) 36,883.00 2,300.00 3,254.05 (954.05).

4,375.00 900.00 578.15 321.85 900.00 900.00 1,625.00 71.25 1,553.75 1,650.00 1,500.00 1,200.00 1,353.19

.(153.19) 1,200.00 5,000.00 3,838.77 1,161.23 3,100.00 6,000.00 6,720.28 (720.28) 5,000.00 200.00 135.01 64.99 200.00 15,000.00 14,691.18 308.82 15,500.00 750.00 160.00 590.00 750.00 750.00 697.65 52.35 850.00 5,000.00 4,155.45 844.55 5,000.00 3,500.00 4,136.39 (636.39) 3,500.00 1,000.00 438.89 561.11 1,000.00 2,500.00 807.57 1,692.43 2,750.00 4,000.00 931.40 3,068.60 500.00 509.07 (9.07) 4,500.00 240,520.00 215,474.26 2,487.10 27,532.84 262,676.00 5,000.00 140.57 4,859.43 5,000.00 100.00 5,000.00 4,756.92 243.08 4,384.00 1,625.00 1,625.00 1,625.00 350.00 1,500.00 2,677.73 (1,177.73) 3,400.00 18,000.00 21,978.98 (3,978.98) 14,000.00 3,000.00 3,729.60 (729.60) 3,000.00 3,500.00 3,543.53 (43.53) 3,500.00 2,000.00 2,491.82 (491.82) 2,000.00 6,800.00 6,700.00 100.00 13,416.00 1,300.00 1,120.31 179.69 1,300.00 10,250.00 11,375.61 (1,125.61) 10,000.00 6,000.00 6,000.00**

6,000.00 8,000.00 3,808.15 4,191.85 4,000.00 736,9700 74,628.644 1

_2,85.44)_

05.00 76,975.00 74,608.66 2,366.34 77,075.00 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Director's Compensation 1,800.00 1,800.00 1,800.00 Secretary's Compensation 500.00 500.00 500.00

- - RadiologicalOfficer 500.00 Supplies 500.00 500.00**

500.00 New Equipment/Safety Equipment 4,000.00 4,000.00**

4,000.00 Equipment Repair & Maintenance 1,000.00 1,000.00-*

1,000.00 Building Repairs & Maintenance 500.00

_500.00**

500.00 8,300.00 8,300.00 8,800.00 RESCUE'S OPERATING BUDGET Subscriptions & Ambulance Service 4,500.00 6,160.68 (1,660.68)

Monthly Payment 9 100.00

.9-10.

11241.00 13,600.00 15,260.68 (1,660.68) 11,241.00 OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY Health Officer Sewage Officer Fire Warden - Permits 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 850.00 250.00 600.00 850.00 28500.0_0_

2,7O17.00 68

-3.

_250.00 2,850.00 2,167.00 683.00 2,850.00

VERNON TOWN REPORT 25 VERNON TOWN REPORT 25 Title HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE Equipment Rental Guard Rails Culverts Gravel Chloride Asphalt Salt Sand Tree Warden TOWN GARAGE OPERATION Road Commissioner Salary Equipment Operator Operator/Mechanic Part-Time Operator FICA Health Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Uniforms

- - Disability Insurance Drug & Alcohol Testing Supplies Fuel Oil Electricity Telephone Dues & Subscriptions Gas & Diesel Road Tools & Supplies Safety Equipment Build ingRepair & Maintenance Travel & Conference Income ROAD EQUIPMENT REPAIR & MAINT.

Trucks Grader Tractor Town Van Snow Plows & Sander Front End Loader Small Equipment Radios Budget 2003 Expenses 2003 Receipts 2003 Balance 2003 Proposed Budget 2004/2005 12,000.00 7,110.00 4,890.00 12,000.00 1,800.00 1,244.00 556.00 1,800.00 5,000.00 2,815.54 2,184.46 5,000.00 10,000.00 8,918.80 1,081.20 12,000.00 5,500.00 6,003.36 (503.36) 6,200.00 1,500.00 1,286.48 213.52 1,700.00 28,000.00 27,697.17 302.83 29,000.00 6,000.00 5,988.00 12.00 6,100.00 20000 2,00500 295.00 2300.00 72,100.00 63,068.35 9,031.65 76,100.00 41,091.00 41,903.18 (812.18) 43,551.00 32,668.00 32,687.87 (19.87) 34,614.00 35,400.00 35,695.37 (295.37) 38,103.00 3,000.00 2,801.60 198.40 6,000.00 8,581.00 8,651.01 (70.01) 9,354.00 27,559.00 28,099.33 (540.33) 27,722.00 2,490.00 2,267.85 222.15 2,677.00 700.00 635.16 64.84 733.00 2,500.00 2,436.83 63.17 2,600.00 1,033.00 1,000.00 435.00 565.00 1,000.00 4,500.00 4,636.53 (136.53) 4,600.00 7,000.00 5,559.40 1,440.60 7,000.00 3,000.00 3,199.23 (199.23) 3,200.00 2,500.00 2,060.08 439.92 2,500.00 400.00 252.00 148.00 400.00 6,500.00 7,096.53 (596.53) 6,700.00 4,000.00 3,916.39 83.61 4,100.00 2,000.00 1,439.98 560.02 2,000.00 8,700.00 8,740.64 (40.64) 8,700.00 800.00 245.00 555.00 800.00

~lo lfi5AlL..-.-

~O..

194,389.00 192,758.98 105.00 1,735.02 207,387.00 12,000.00 16,836.18 (4,836.18) 12,000.00 2,000.00 3,890.30 (1,890.30) 2,500.00 800.00 1,661.44 (861.44) 1,000.00 600.00 562.34 37.66 800.00 3,000.00 2,961.62 38.38 3,000.00 1,500.00 360.89 1,139.11 5,900.00 2,200.00 1,297.02 902.98 2,200.00 U000.00 652.23 347.77 1_,000.00 23,100.00 28,222.02 --

(5,12_.2.02) 28,400.00 TOTAL BUDGET INTEREST EARNED ADJ VELCO DECISION DEDUCT SURPLUS ESTIMATED INCOME 2003 ESTIMATED INCOME 2004 TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE RAISED

$ 1,648,226.00

$ 1,588,758.91 (107,669.15)

(86,000.00)

$ 83,082.99

$ 142,550.08 2,169.06 (59,397.87)

$ 1,826,705.00 (85,321.27)

(86,000.00)

$ 1,454,556.85

$ 1,588,758.91

$ 83,082.99

$ 85,321.27

$ 1,655,383.73

Subject to change before Town Meeting

- Note: The following budgeted accounts shown as fully expended in 2003 have been placed in Reserve Funds for spending in 2004/2005:$5000 in Grade Adjustments, $8,000 in GASB 34 Compliance and $4,429.64 in Fire Pond Maintenance. In addition, $6,813.65 is in a Reserve fund for Emergency Management's use from January to June, 2004.

- - New Line Items

26 VERNON TOWN REPORT 26 VERNON TOWN REPORT MISCELLANEOUS APPROPRIATIONS LibraryAdministration & Operation Vernon Historians, Inc.-Storage Bldg.

Vernon Historians, Inc.-Photos Town Picnic Volunteer Fund of Rescue Inc.

Rescue Inc. Ambulance/Medical Equipment Replacement Fund Town Audit Water Storage Tanks with Dry Hydrants Vernon 250th Anniversary Celebration Recreation Playground Equipment Veteran's Memorial Balance Previous Years 10,194.98 149.74 551.81*

750.00 12,592.50 4,200.00 17.08

$75,691.00 750.00 1,000.00 4,000.00 5,000.00 Transfers and Appropriation 2003 Expenses 2003

$75,691.00 6,453.29 700.94 1,000.00 4,000.00 13,206.36 17.08 Donations Balance 3,741.69 198.80 750.00 12,592.50 6,859.76 3,405.21**

2,000.00 2,000.00

Voted by Article 19 at March 2003 Town Meeting to be allocated to the Vernon 250th Anniversary Celebration

- Voted by Article 1 at the November 18, 2003 Special Town Meeting to allocate this balance for use toward the 2004 Annual Town Picnic PROPOSED 2004/2005 TOWN BUDGET BY DEPARTMENT Town Clerk Treasurer Auditors Listers Selectmen General Recreation Rec Sch Rental Bldgs/Gmds Police Fire Highway Misc*

Library Total S

S S

114,329 98,992 51,449 72,218 60,115 260,303 237,713 111.522 109,139 262.676 77,075 311.887 59,287 86,846 1,913.551 Library Town Clerk 5%

6% Treasurer 3%

5%

Auditors 3%

o, AdUsters Selectmen 3%

Highway 15% A Fire '

4% C General

~

14%

BldgslGmds Rec Sch Rental 6%

6%

Misc. includes Planning,. Employee Benefits, Cemeteries, Seniors, Vernon Newspaper, Emergency Mgmt, Rescue's Operating Budget Other Public Safety

VERNON TOWN REPORT 27 BOARDS AND ORGANIZATIONS BOARDS AND ORGANIZATIONS ANIMAL CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2003 The year 2003 has come and gone! How time flies! The Vernon Police Department has been handling any and all animal complaints for the past year.

To date, we have seen only one confirmed case of rabies in town, this was a raccoon shot by a Governor Hunt Road resident this past summer. The critter was sent to the State Laboratory for testing, and proved positive for rabies. This is also evident in surrounding towns, so, hopefully, this dreaded disease is finally winding down after seeing it peak in 2001/2002.

We still deal with numerous dogs running at large, where owners let their pets out to do their business and then fail to bring them in, consequently, the animals run all day long. The police receive a call from citizens concerned about the animal's safety and welfare.

Again, I cannot stress the importance of an animal wearing a collar with license and rabies tags attached. Then when the dog is picked up, we can return it home to its rightful owner instead of lodging the canine at the town animal pound, sometimes with considerable expense to the owner. As in the past, I still maintain that Vernon is a "dumping ground" for dogs which are abandoned in townby owners who cannot be bothered to take their pet to an appropriate adoption shelter.

This past year has seen an increase in stray cats, which again, land up at the Humane Society for adoption. Most of the stray cats we have picked up appear to be domesticated and not the "barnyard" type, which are not very friendly, to say the least. This past winter, we did not receive too many reports about missing cats, so perhaps, the Fisher Cats did not have a stable diet of felines on their food chain!

We have seen an increase in horses breaking out of their pastures and wandering along the highways in different areas of town. I would like to remind owners to check your fences on occasion and check for broken fence panels or is the electric fence functioning properly? Is the battery dead? Remember, if Trigger gets hit by a motor vehicle and causes a serious accident, you may have a dead horse on your hands, and some serious liability issues.

The Town of Vernon now has a contract with the Windham Humane Society, whereby any stray dogs are lodged at the Town Pound for two days and then taken up to the Humane Society where their owners can claim them after paying boarding fees, or if unclaimed, they will be available for adoption. Due to the fact that our Pound does not have any facilities for boarding cats, these will be trans-ported to the Humane Society immediately.

Rpectf submitted, Police Chief, Ian McCollin CEMETERY COMMITTEE REPORT The Committee would like to thank PeeWee for his excellent work in taking care of our cemeteries this past year. The Committee would also like to thank Francis Serviss for the assistance he pro-vided.

This past year, the Whithed Cemetery fence was painted and one tree was replaced.

The 2004 and 2005 Cemetery Caretaking Contract was awarded to Marion (PeeWee) Edwards.

We want to remind anyone having shrubs by headstones that it is your responsibility to keep them trimmed as needed. It is also your personal responsibility to remove any potted plants, pots and any floral arrangements whether real or artificial when they have gone by. Decorative rocks are also not allowed in the cemeteries.

Anyone may get a copy of the Cemetery Regulations upon request to the Town Clerk.

The Committee meets the second Wednesday of each month from April through November.

MARYLYNN SCHERLIN, Chairman MIKE WALSH, Vice Chairman FRANK JOHNSON, SR.

ELDERLY ASSISTANCE BOARD The Elderly Assistance Board would like to thank everyone who helped provide assistance to our Seniors this year.

The primary purpose of the Vernon Elderly Assistance Pro-gram is to help older and disabled residents to remain in their homes in independent living situations, especially those with limited in-comes and in danger of depleting their savings. The by-laws have not included residents in conjugate living where services are provided by their facilities.

Often we rely on family, friends and neighbors to lend a helping hand. Area churches have been very helpful and there are many more who continue to silently assist those in need. Our greatest need is for volunteers. A little help is often sufficient to enable someone to stay at home.

Services provided this year included snow removal, help with housekeeping, putting on storm windows and transportation to medical appointments.

We have been active in connecting people to agencies for help with fuel assistance, supplemental food programs and other social services. We are committed to confidentiality for all.

The Board meets the third Tuesday of each month.

MARYLYNN SCHERLIN, Chairman JACK ARENSMEYER JOEL TIDD JEAN WAITE (Resigned)

MARION WATSON

28 VERNON TOWN REPORT 28 VERNON TOWN REPORT THE VERNON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

"'EIGHBORS ANSWERING THE CALL "

The Fire Department "answers the call" for many reasons; various fires, flooded basements, lost persons, filling swimming pools, motor vehicle crashes, and the list goes on. Usually when people don't know where to go or who to call, they call their "Neighbor". There were a total of 129 calls in 2003 with the following breakdown:

Broken Pipes Burnt Food Chimney Fires Fallen Trees Fire Alarms Illegal Bums Mutual Aid Rescue Assistance Wires Down Miscellaneous 3

4 2

2 3

3 6

57 3

9 Brush Fires 3

Car Fires 3

Electrical Fire 1

Flooded Basements 2

Hazardous Materials 2

Legal Burns 4

Motor Vehicle Accidents 15 Odor/Smoke Investigation 6 Tree on Elec.Wire/Fire 1

In November, Connie Faulkner was voted in as a member and has been appointed as the Department's First Response Squad, Manager. She has recently helped the Fire Department to apply to the Vermont Department of Health to become a licensed Emergency Medical Service First Response Squad. The Vernon Volunteer Fire Department has been responding to medical emergencies in the town for the past several years to aid Rescue Inc. in offering care to the sick and injured in our community. In the near future, Vernon Volunteer Fire Department will begin responding to 911 calls in Vernon as a licensed Emergency Medical Service providing medical care by certified First Respond-ers and Emergency Medical Technicians qualified to render medical care under the license of a Medical Director.

My goals as Fire Chief are to recognize and encourage each member's strengths, to facilitate a "family" friendly Department. I hope to provide more community services such as monthly blood pressure checks and lastly it is my utmost desire to model positive leadership and to honor the community in my service. In closing, I would like to thank the volunteers and families for their dedica-tion and talents. Each person plays an important role in order to make this Fire Company a successful entity to this town. We are your "Neighbors Answering the Call."

TERRANCE PARKER, Chief FIRE WARDEN'S REPORT - 2003 "The 2003 fire season proved to be a wet one keeping fire occurrence low" so states a memorandum received from the State of Vermont.

They received 101 reports of fires that burned almost 100 acres but reported "0 Fires, 0 Acres Burned" for the Town of Vernon.

417 people called for fire permits. The firemen checked a few fires that were started without permits.

Thank you for obeying the law and calling before you bum.

WALTER L. BRUCE, Forest Fire Warden RAYMOND CAPEN, Deputy The most important parts of any organization are team-work, training and dedication. The men and women of the Vernon Volunteer Fire Company each have something very special to bring to the team and when we are called, we pull together as one.

Training is an ongoing part of each member's evolution as a firefighter. Training consists of in house classes, hands on drills, how to's for running and operating trucks, pumps, and hose lines.

It also includes specifics for various accidents, hazardous material incidents, the many fire incidences, carbon monoxide, search and rescue, as well as a host of other areas. Aside from the training that occurs during our Tuesday night meetings, we currently have 9 Members and Explorers taking Fire Fighter One and 3 Members taking EMT-Basic Training and 2 of these take both. This is a huge undertaking for these men and women as courses are one or two nights weekly and many Saturdays and sometimes Sundays, adding more time away from families in order to make themselves better servants for this community.

Our Explorer Post, chartered by the Boy Scouts of America and directed by Captain Liebfried, has proven very successful.

Recently Jacob Hardy graduated to Fire Fighter and we expect Joe McNary, Joshua Carr and Keith Franklin to be moving up in the next few months.

An Explorer is a 14-21 year old who has an interest in exploring fire service. They learn the same things as Fire Fighters and work side by side with them in many cases. They do not do any interior fire fighting but can help just about anywhere else under close supervision. Captain Jim Liebfried has been working with this group since the inception a number of years ago. If you or anyone you know may be interested, the meetings are usually on Thursday evenings 7-9 p.m.

VERNON TOWN REPORT 29 VERNON TOWN REPORT 29 VERNON HISTORIANS, INC.

The Vernon Historians, Inc. is dedicated to realizing a better appreciation of our heritage. Membership is open to everyone.

Annual dues are: $5 for adult, $1 for junior members under 18, $10 for sustaining members, $25 for institutional members and $100 for life membership.

The Vernon Historians had a very busy year. 2003 marked the 250th anniversary of the charter which established Vernon. The Historians commemorated the occasion in several ways. Their big-gest undertaking was to raise funds to restore the interior of the Pond Road Chapel. In 1968, efforts to save and restore the Chapel were the catalyst for the formation of the Historians. The Historians bought the Chapel from the Advent Christian Church for $1.00 and restored the exterior, but the interior remained mostly in its original condi-tion. The sad state of the historic ceiling paper, wall border and carpet discouraged wider use of the building. Restoring the interior of the Chapel to its former glory would be a birthday present that current residents and future generations could enjoy.

Many events were scheduled throughout the year to call atten-tion to the Chapel and raise funds toward the $23,000 needed to complete the interior restoration. In May, a town-wide solicitation of residents and businesses was begun. At the beginning of June, a tag sale was held at the Chapel. During Vernon's birthday celebration in June, the Pond Road Chapel, bedecked in bunting, was open to the public and served as headquarters for sales of commemorative T-shirts as well as Historians' wares. To mark Vernon's birthday year, the Historians were represented in the town parade by Evelyn and Jim Murray riding in their 1926 Model T Ford. In co-operation with the Vernon Free Library, a program was presented in July at the school on the founding of New England towns in general, and Vernon specifically, by Dartmouth Professor Emeritus Jere Daniell.

In August, an Antiques Appraisal took place at theTown Office Building. In September a Craft Fair was held adjacent to the Chapel and ball fields, during which Barbara Moseley hosted and narrated tours of Vernon's historic sites via the town's minibus. In October, a tour of Historic Homes offered people a chance to see the interior of five of Vernon's older homes. Throughout the year, the Historians sold commemorative Christmas ornaments and Christmas cards depicting the Chapel plus raffle tickets for a hand carved and painted decoy.

By the end of 2003, with the addition of a $5,000 Historic Preservation Grant from a partnership of the Preservation Trust of Vermont and the Freeman Foundation, $16,000 had been raised. The electrical service at the Chapel has been updated, the plaster walls have been repaired by a historic conservator, primer coats have been applied to the restored walls, and some minor repairs have been made to the "deacons" benches. Restoration of the ceiling paper and wall border is scheduled for Spring with window repairs, painting, drainage improvements and installation of a security system to follow. Finally, the Historians are working with the Town Highway Department to erect signs identifying Vernon's brooks as they cross under our roadways.

Besides all the birthday related events, the Historians main-tained their regular schedule of quarterly meetings and kept the Museum in the old South School open on Sunday afternoons from June through September. Programs at the Museum included a plant sale, exhibits of advertising stoneware, old children's toys and games as well as handmade Shaker boxes and an ice cream social. The annual Classic Car Exhibit was rained out.

The January quarterly meeting featured a programby Courtland Dunklee on the Walnut Grove Dairy Farm. In April, a slide presen-tation of past Vernon celebrations, namely 1974 in Northfield, Mass.,

1976 and 1991 in Vernon, took place and July's program was the joint presentation with the Library. In October, the Annual Meeting shared billing with an exhibit of post cards and vintage "Life" magazines.

On September 26, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Charter, the Vernon Post Office used a special Vernon pictorial cancellation stamp designed byBarbara Moseley. The annual Memo-rial Day service and one wedding were held at the Pond Road Chapel.

Officers for 2004:

PHILIP NELSON, President CAROL POOLE, Vice President RUTH TRIPP, Corresponding Secretary CAROL HAMMOND, Recording Secretary BARBARA SPRAGUE, Treasurer Trustees:

RICHMOND TRIPP, Chairman WALTER ZALUZNY MARTHA DUNKLEE STEPHEN MOORE CAROLYN MOORE CAROL HAMMOND ANN DOE ANN PARKER CAROL POOLE REPORT OF THE HEALTH OFFICER One of the duties of the Health Officer is to respond to complaints of health hazards occurring in rental units. The Health Officer works with the Department of Health to insure that these hazards are managed properly. The goal is to insure that both tenant and landlord work together in resolving any problems. In some cases, such as lead paint contamination, the State Health Department takes the lead in managing the problem.

Again, I would like to remind residents that any alteration in an existing system, such as replacing a septic tank or opening a replacement area requires a Health Permit. These permits are ob-tained at the Town Clerk's office, and are good for one year from the date of issue.

Copies of the Town Sewage Ordinance are available at the Town Clerk's office. Residents who are considering changes or new construction are advised to consult either the Health Officer or the Town Clerk for clarification of regulations. This will help avoid delays and / or additional expense. New construction requires both a permit and a plan drawn up by a Vermont licensed engineer or site technician. The plan and the permit are recorded with the Town Clerk.

Rabies complaints are handled by the Police Department. In cases where there has been contact between the suspected animal and a human, the Health Officer works with the Police Department to insure compliance.

SUMMARY

OF ACTIVITIES New systems installed Alterations to existing systems Final inspections pending 7

1 8

JOHN M. SKIBNIOWSKY, Health Officer

30 VERNON TOWN REPORT 30 VERNON TOWN REPORT REPORT OF THE LISTERS The Listers' vision is to determine the fair market value of all real and personal property and maintain equity throughout the town to produce a defensible grand list each year.

Listers compile and maintain the Grand List, which is a listing of all properties and their assessed values. In order to receive state aid to education, towns are required to assess all properties at 100% of Fair Market Value. The State studies the sales in every town every year. As of December 2003, our CLA (Common Level of Appraisal) dropped to 90.14%. If this percentage drops below 80% of Fair Market Value, the Town is required by the State to do a town wide reappraisal. We continue to watch our sales closely as an indicator to when we need to reappraise.

The Legislature, in its infinite wisdom, in an effort to revise Act 60, the Equal Education Law, passed a new bill, Act 68 which will be effective April 1, 2004. Under this law, the Listers are required to split the Grand List between residents who declare their Vermont HomesteadsbyApril15 and non residents.Thisnonresidentcategory includes all commercial, rental properties, second homes, utilities and miscellaneous properties. Failure to declare a homestead will result in penalties by the State. Even if a property owner is not required to file an income tax return he or she MUST file a Homestead Declaration, Form HS-131. by April 15. There is NO grace period for late filing.

Listers are not responsible for tax increases. The data we collect on each property determines its assessment. The total value of all the properties is the Grand List. After the Select Board and School Board set their budgets, which are voted at Town Meeting, the Budget amounts are divided by the Grand List to determine the tax rate. Due to the Town's vote to change to a fiscal year to coincide with the School, we will be having an extra municipal tax bill due April 15, 2004.

In 2003, two of the Listers had the opportunity to continue their educationby takingbothbeginner and advanced CAMA classes taught by Property Valuation and Review, an Excel class, sponsored by VLCT, and the Fundamentals of Mass Appraisal Course offered by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). We also attended the annual Municipal Officers Meetings and Vermont Association of Listers and Assessors (VALA). These meetings are invaluable to Listers as they provide forums for questions and concerns that all Listers share throughout the State.

Because of the increased activity in the real estate market, we have seen a greater volume in requests for information. We have assisted a large number of bank appraisers, real estate agents, prospectivebuyers, and people with inquiries onhouses and land for sale, (and in some cases, not yet for sale), who have come into our office as well as those who contact us by telephone or through the mail. Again this year, the Listers were able to do all the necessary appraisals for the many new homes, additions, etc. in house. This has resulted in savings for the Town.

We would like to encourage any property owner who has had recent surveys of their properties done to please submit them to the Town Clerk's office for recording. This will insure accuracy in our tax maps.

If anyone has questions about their property, please contact our office and we will do our best to help you.

WILLIAM HAMMOND, Chairman PHYLLIS NEWTON CAROL HAMMOND 250th COMMITTEE REPORT The Committee worked diligently to put together one of the biggest events the Town of Vernon has seen. Committee members made telephone calls to area businesses and sent letters to get donations of food, drink or monetary assistance. A bake sale was held at the Interstate 91 Welcome Center. All of this volunteerism gave the Town an event to be talked about for a long time.

Sonya Shippee and Tarina Swanger organized the parade from start to finish. The parade was assembled at the intersection of Pond Road, Newton and Lily Pond Road. As the parade passed by the Chapel, Georgia Boyce narrated from cue cards put together by Tarina.

-Marylynn Scherlin organized and supervised the Penny Car-nival that was once again a huge success.

The Potluck Supper was enthusiastically received with more people than usual. Most of those attending stayed to enjoy the dancing to live music and then to watch the Fireworks (a big portion of the display was courtesy of Entergy Vermont Yankee).

Behind the scenes, during the preparation and on the event day itself was Larry Shippee, Sr. He made signs, flags, and carted items to and from the Recreation Area. The flags that so proudly waved up and down Pond Road were handmade by and hung by Larry.

In the coming year and years to follow, our tax rate will be steadily rising, so please consider this event when you decide what should stay and what should go. If a reduction in the amount raised and appropriated is smaller, the committee will have a greater need of volunteers and donations. Volunteers are one of the most needed commodities for the future of all our committees, boards, and events.

Won't you step forward and join one or more of the committees that work hard to make our town a great place to live?

Mark your calendar for the last Saturday in June, 2004 and we will see you there.

250th Committee Members GEORGIA BOYCE, Chair JOYCE GOODNOW SONYA SHIPPEE MARYLYNN SCHERLIN CHRISTIANE HOWE TARINA SWANGER

VERNON TOWN REPORT 31 VERNON TOWN REPORT 31 LIBRARIAN'S REPORT We have changed the appearance of this report as we automate.

Number of items circulated and cataloged:

Including BOOKS, BOOKS ON TAPE, and VIDEO TAPES Number of Items circulated but not cataloged:

Including PERIODICALS, PUZZLES, RECORDS ART PRINTS, and some JUVENILE AUDIO STATE BOOKS Number of items Purchased:

BOOKS BOOKS ON TAPE PERIODICAL SUBSCRIPTIONS NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS CD'S VIDEOS Number of Items Donated:

BOOKS BOOKS ON TAPE PUZZLES PERIODICALS (MONTHLY)

PAPERBACK BOOKS VIDEOS CD'S DVD'S 8,536 532 245 339 53 22 3

29 3

450 22 200 25 345 145 12 7

VERNON FREE LIBRARY TRUSTEES' REPORT The Vernon Free Library had a wonderfully eventful year in 2003. The Summer Reading Program was, once again, very success-ful. Sixty-four children, pre-school through 8th grade finished the program and were rewarded with a book of their choice. They were also able to participate in a fun party with live entertainment pro-vided by Magician Tom Joyce, face-painting by Jo and Meghan Astley and lots of snacks.

You may remember seeing your favorite librarians and trust-ees at the Penny Carnival held at the Vernon town park right before the town picnic. Hopefully you were one of the many people who came to the Library during the year to utilize the many services provided to our users. We have successfully applied for and received the second year of the Freeman Grant. This grant will be utilized to renovate the Library's bathroom to make it handicap accessible and to rework and update the Library interior to increase useable area and overall workplace efficiency.

The Library has sponsored several popular classes for the ProQuest Genealogy database taught by Arleen Huesman. This is just one of the great offerings available on the computers at the library. Also, Gale InfoTrac and MedLine are on-line databases, games, email and research opportunities. The Library is filled with many new fiction and non-fiction books, periodicals for one and all, computers, videos and books-on-tape. You can have copies made, send a fax, get your tax forms, borrow Storytime boxes, do puzzles, and take out works of art to adorn your walls. We sponsor a story hour on Mondays for children ages 0-6 years old.

All five trustees (Elizabeth Eriksson, Christine Fredericks, Nancy Burrington, Sallie May, and Kenneth Swanger) from last year re-turned for another year of fun and service.

There are many opportunities now available for young, old and everyone in-between at your Library. As always, if you have questions, please call the Library (257-0150) or check out the Vernon Free Library web site for more information at www.Vernonfreelibrary.org.

KENNETH SWANGER Chairperson Library Board of Trustees We are so proud to have nearly completed our project to get the media all cataloged and in our Athena Database.

Story hours with Lisa have been so popular that we now offer them each Monday from 10 to 11:15 a.m. This playgroup is free and open to anyone with children up to 6 years of age. We enjoy Free Play, Story, Simple Craft and Snack.

Thanks to all who have made such great donations. We have begun a very nice video collection with your generous gifts this year.

We appreciate your continued support as we go forward. The Vernon Free Library is 99 years old in 2004. Let's plan a great celebration in 2005!

Arleen, Jean and Cheryl have been a great team this year. We are fortunate to have them on staff and we appreciate the great work and dedication of our Trustees.

NANCY I. EVANS, Director

32 VERNON TOWN REPORT 32 VERNON TOWN REPORT VERNON FREE LIBRARY FINANCIAL REPORT VERNON FREE LIBRARY PROPOSED BUDGET FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2004 - JUNE 30, 2005 Balance January 1, 2003

$ 34,553.36 ADD:

Appropriation for 2003 Interest on Checking Account Copier Receipts Book Sale Miscellaneous Income Total Funds Available DEDUCT:

Gross Wages Library's Share of FICA Books Renewals & Periodicals Audio Telephone Supplies (Office & Computer)

Internet Access Software New Equipment Repairs & Maintenance Dues Workshops, Conferences, & Mileage Postage Bonding Treasurer Programs Employee Insurances

$ 75,691.00 44.40 297.25 167.00 120.00

$ 110,873.01

$ 47,232.49 3,613.29 7,846.72 2,429.36 752.16 1,356.95 2,015.76 323.00 744.00 1,956.63 762.00 275.00 290.59 378.57 100.00 782.98 11,445.90 Gross Wages Library's Share of FICA Books Renewals & Periodicals Audio Telephone Supplies - Office/ Computer Technology Software Internet Access New Equipment Repairs/Maintenance Dues Workshops, Conferences, & Mileage Postage Bonding Treasurer Programs Miscellaneous /Contingency Employee Insurances Capital Budget Total

$42,967.00 3,450.00 8,000.00 2,000.00

. 500.00 2,100.00 2,300.00 2,000.00 1,050.00 240.00 300.00 1,500.00 450.00 450.00 500.00 100.00 750.00 100.00 13,089.00 5,000.00

$86,846.00 (82,305.40) 28,567.61*

FREEMAN GRANT FINANCIAL REPORT Balance December 31, 2003 First Year Freeman Grant Financial Report

Committed for expenses January, February and March 2004.

Balance January 1, 2003

$3,397.28 VERNON FREE LIBRARY BUDGET APRIL 1, 2004 - JUNE 30, 2004 Expenses to Date:

Library Materials Contractual Services Supplies & Equipment Training Balance December 31, 2003 Second Year Freeman Grant Financial Report Grant Received November 4, 2003

$ 386.99 945.00 1,808.62 256.67 (3,397.28)

$ 0.00 Gross Wages Library's Share of FICA Books Renewals & Periodicals Audio Telephone Supplies - Office/Computer Software New Equipment Repairs/Maintenance Workshops, Conferences, & Mileage Postage Programs Employee Insurance

$11,386.00 872.00 2,155.00 222.00 127.00 324.00 758.00 95.00 100.00 735.00 139.00 68.00 55.00 3,295.00

$20,331.00

$36,284.00 No expenditures to date Balance December 31, 2003

$ 36,284.00 This was voted on at the November 18, 2003 Special Town Meeting by Article 4.

VERNON TOWN REPORT 33 VERNON TOWN REPORT 33 REPORT OF THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT "To promote recreation services that will foster and encourage the development of a healthy lifestyle for the community" As most of you know the Recreation Department has under-gone personnel changes in the last year. DirectorJustin Williams has moved on and Ihave taken on the task of filing his shoes. Iwould like to thank those responsible for giving me this opportunity. Along with newly hired Assistant Director Lance Cutler we look forward to working with all of you.

Respectfully Yours, SETH1 DEYO My name is Lance C. Cutler.

I am the new Assistant Director in the Recreation Department. I am a lifetime resident of West Brattleboro. Some of my many hobbies include music, movies, hiking, and athletics. I enjoy play-ing basketball and softball in the Brattleboro area. During my High School career, I was fortunate to be part of the Lacrosse program for four years. Including being Captain my junior and senior years.

Over the past two years the Brattleboro Rec. and Parks Depart-ment employeame as the Program Supervisor at the Gibson Aiken Center. It was there that my interest in recreation and coaching

,started and grew into my goal as a career. I am extremely excited for the oportunity to work in a positive environment such as Vernon.

My st five months on the job have completely exceeded my expectations, and have reinforced my desire to be in the recreation field. I feel the sky is the limit for what we can achieve as a department and a community. I am looking forward to getting to know many more residents of Vernon through our programs. Thanks to all who have made my transition here as smooth as possible.

Respectfully Yours, LANCE CUTLER VERNON PRESCHOOL REPORT The Recreation Pre-school Program is committed to providing a quality, diversified curriculum to meet.the needs of children be-tween the ages of three and five.

It is designed to prepare children to enter Kindergarten and the elementary grades that follow. We will work to develop a trusting relationship with each child and foster the development of indi-vidual talents, healthy self esteem and good social skills that will aid their future schooling.

This past year we have had two fundraisers to offset pre-school program expenses. In March, 2003, we held a Chinese Auction at Town Meeting raising $1322.00. In November, 2003, we promoted a candle fundraiser resulting in $601.00 which also went toward pre-school program expenses.

PERSONNEL POLICY COMMITTEE In mid 2003 the Selectboard saw the need to update and refine the Personnel Policy Handbook that employees use for benefit criteria, leave of absences definitions, and any job/employment related information.

The Committee which is comprised of seven people-two employees, two elected officials, and three residents, meets the first and third Thursdays of the month. Each member brings to the committee knowledge and expertise in one or more of the areas that the handbook covers.

Our task is to have the Personnel Policy consistent and compre-hensive for all of the employees, department heads, and Selectboard.

After we have reviewed and refined each section, the employees are given the opportunity to make suggestions, comments and/or cor-rections. Once this has happened and we have their input, we then send the section to the Selectboard for review. After the Policy Handbook has been through the Committee, the employees, and Selectboard, it will go to the Town's legal advisor for final approval.

It will then be used for all employees and reviewed yearly.

Personnel Policy Committee Members GEORGIA BOYCE, Chair SALLY STEARNS PHYLLIS NEWTON NANCY EVANS DAVID WALKER JOYCE GOODNOW LYNDA STARORYPINSKI MARGARET FARABAUGH, (liaison to Selectboard)

THE VERNON TAX COMMITTEE The Vernon Tax Committee was appointed by the Selectboard in June, 2002. The Committee published an extensive report which included ten years of historical data on Town and School expenses and corresponding tax rates, and a ten year projection of expenses, grand list and tax rates based on the historical data. This report was made available at the 2003 Annual Town Meeting.

In 2003, the Vernon Tax Committee was commissioned by the Selectboard to work with Entergy in drafting a new agreement. This would take into consideration the Uprate as well as reflecting the increasing viability of nuclear power nationwide.

In December, 2003, two new members, Patricia O'Donnell and Doug Fletcher were appointed to the Committee.

WILLIAM HAMMOND, Chairman ARTHUR MILLER JAMES POLHEMUS PATRICIA O'DONNELL DOUGLAS FLETCHER With all the help and support from our pre-school parents and the community, we are able to continue this great program.

LINDA SHIPPEE SHARON RICHARDSON

34 VERNON TOWN REPORT 34 VRO ONRPR REPORT OF THE VERNON POLICE DEPARTMENT The year 2003 saw some changes in the Vernon Police Depart-ment. In February, 2003, veteran part-time officer, Richard "Dick" McNary, resigned after 12 years of dedicated and faithful service to the town. Dick will be sadly. missed, both as a "team player and a friend!" Dick's long-time K-9 friend and companion, "Beau" passed away peacefully on May 5, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Beau assisted many of the surrounding area police enforcement agencies, and had numerous successful arrests to her credit. During the last couple of years during her life, Beau was also certified as a drug detection K-9.

In April, the Vernon Selectboard offered me the position to become the new Police Chief, after being the acting chief/

officer-in-charge since November, 2002, a position I was honored to accept and will perform to the best of my ability.

May, 2003, also saw the resignation of Officer Steve Holton as a member of the department. In August, the department was fortu-nate in hiring Bruce Gauld, as a full-time officer. Bruce was formerly a sergeant with the Ashland, Massachusetts Police Department, and recently retired after twenty one years of service. Moving north, Bruce and his wife, Sandy, purchased a renovated farmhouse in town where they raise Boston Terriers. Sandy is an obedience trainer and has participated in dog shows around the New England area.

After fulfilling his waiver training requirements, Bruce is now a fully certified Vermont police officer. With Bruce's law enforcement knowl-edge and expertise, he is certainly a welcome addition to the depart-ment and we are fortunate in hiring a man of his caliber. Welcome, Bruce.

During the summer months, which were fairly quiet, the department participated in the Safe Kids Program, offering bicycle helmets for sale to both juveniles and adults at great savings. This program will again be offered in the coming year.

Fall saw the department participate in a National Child I.D. Kit program, sponsored by businesses in town. These kits are available upon request from the Vernon Police Department at no cost. Finger-prints will be done by department officers, but the cards will be the responsibility of parents or guardians for safe-keeping.

Project "Childsafe", a national program to promote the han-dling and storage of firearms in the home, made available free cable locking devices to any Vernon resident. The locks can be picked up at the Vernon Police Department upon request at no charge.

Senior Patrolman, Kevin Turnley, taught the D.A.R.E. Pro-gram involving the two fifth grade classes at the Vernon Elementary School this past year and will be involved again this coming school year.

Department officers have been continuing their law enforce-ment training by attending classes at the Vermont Police Academy and participating in courses and training offered by other law enforcement agencies and the private sector. ',able-top" drills of-fered by Vermont Yankee have been attended by department per-sonnel. Classes in terrorist activities and weapons of mass destruc-tion have been first and foremost in officer's training priorities, due to the fact that Vernon is the host town to the state's only nuclear' power facility.

-r The department continues to act as the town's Animal Control agency, and has been dealing with the usual cases of dogs running at large, barking dog complaints, and an increase inboth cats and dogs being dropped off in town for disposal.

4 At the annual town employee's appreciation B-B-Q, sponsored by members of the Selectboard in August, former police officer, Dick McNary, was presented an engraved plaque by Chief Ian McCollin' in recognition of his service to the town over the past twelve years.'

In August, 2003, the department was awarded a grant from the Homeland Security in the amount of $15,521.00, with no matchingt funding required. This money will be used to update a much needed base radio at the department office, new portable radios for the patrol officers, night vision binoculars, three respirators-one assigned t6o each cruiser, and a multi-channel radio for the new cruiser which will be purchased after the new fiscal year commences in July, 2004. This new radio will eliminate the need to have additional radio systems installed in the new vehicle. In addition to this federal funding, the, department received a $1,100 law enforcement block grant for FY, 2003/2004.

The department is further updating their "less-than-lethal" use of force equipment by training officers in the use of the ASP expand-able baton; pepper spray; three shotguns that have been modified for, the use and firing of rubber bullets and beanbag rounds. Hopefully; this spring will see the purchase of a Taser unit to be carried in thei duty cruiser. The Taser is a device that shoots two probes up to a' distance of 21 feet, and uses an electrical impulse to stun the target.

This piece of weaponry can reduce injuries to both the officer and suspect and reduces liability costs in litigation cases vs. the use of deadly force. The department also received a generous grant of

$1,000 from Vermont Yankee/Entergy Nuclear Power Corporation to up-grade one of the antiquated office computers. Sincere thanks goes to Corporate & Community Relations Representative, Larry Smith, for his assistance in obtaining this donation.

The department is currently staffed by the following officers:

Ian McCollin, Police Chief Kevin Turnley, Senior Patrolman Bruce Gauld, Patrol Officer Lorena Castricone, Office Manager Part-time officers:

Terry Parker Edward Wilson Steven Bird (undergoing his FTO training)

David Manch I wish to thank the above mentioned staff for their support and dedication this past year, and look forward to continuing this sup-port for the coming year. On behalf of the members of the Vernon Police Department, we are honored to "Protect and Serve!"

IAN MCCOLLIN Police Chief

VERNON TOWN REPORT 35 EN ON O R

T VERNON SENIOR HOUSING, INC.

Those persevering folks on the Vernon Senior Housing Com-mittee (VSHI) are continuing to work hard on the design and build-ing of a Senior Housing facility at the "Streeter Property" (corner of Huckle Hill Road and Pond Road). Did you know that these efforts

,have been underway for some 15 years or more! It has been a difficult challenge, given the skyrocketing cost of building and the scarcity of funds for such a venture. The good news is that VSHI was awarded lalmost one million dollars in funding from HUD (Department of iHousing and Urban Development) and is being favorably consid-ered for additional monies from various other agencies. We apolo-gize for the delay in receiving these funds, but it literally took an Act of Congress to get HUD to be able to follow through on their award of funding!

I The "Mixed Finance Rule" that we needed was published in the FederalRegisteronDecember 1, and it paves the way for construction of the project. Committee members will continue to work with experts from Housing Vermont, the Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust and State Representative, Patricia O'Donnell to get the reaining funding in hand in order to start building.

If you live near the "Streeter Property", you may have noticed that initial engineering activities are already under way, including

'well drilling and monitoring. Adjacent property owners will have eir water supplies monitored during these tests to ensure that the w well does not adversely affect others in the area. We are optimis-

.ic that the project will break ground in the fall of 2004.

If you bump into the VSHI members (Carol Mikuski, Brad

rfenning, Arlene Castine, Fred Green, George Brown, Betty Bailey),

lease remember to thank them for their continued hard work.

CAROL MIKUSKI, Chair BRAD PFENNING GEORGE BROWN ARLENE CASTINE FRED GREEN BEITY BAILEY EVELYN EDELSON, Recording Secretary VERNON SENIOR CITIZENS Ninety seven Vernon Seniors have enjoyed another year of fun and comradeship. Our Pot-luck Luncheon/Business Meetings have given us spectacular food to enjoy the second Monday of each month at noon. We hope that those Seniors, who are unable to furnish food for our pot-luck, will come anyway. If they wish, they may contribute no more than $1.00 each meal toward coffee, tea and cream. Our Birthday Party meetings are the fourth Monday of each month at 12:45 p.m., except December when we have our Annual Meeting the first Monday and our Christmas Dinner the second Monday.

We have enjoyed many Van trips, Fairbanks Museum, Flower shows at Smith College and U. Mass., the coast of Maine and shopping.

This year we had a special trip to Steele Hill Resort as a memorial trip for Anna Smith. Funds had been donated to us in her name that her family wanted us to use for a trip back to the resort that she enjoyed with us on our overnight trip in 2002.

We had a wonderful Picnic in August at the Town of Vernon Recreation Center Shelter, catered by Arlene Castine. The Castines also catered ourbountiful Thanksgiving Dinner atthe Vernon Union Church and our delicious Christmas Dinner at the Vernon Town Hall.

Many good things are being planned for this coming year. You must agree that our $2.00 membership fee is a great bargain.

We welcome new members to come to our activities, be it a Van trip or meeting. Any of our officers will gladly answer questions. The officers for 2004 are:

ANN DOE, President MARNIE BRUCE, Vice President BARBARA PETRIE, Secretary BARBARA SPRAGUE, Treasurer VERNON SENIOR ACCOUNT Balance January 1, 2003

$ 756.65 ADD: Receipts Dues Donations Anna Smith Donations Bank Interest Town Budget Funds Town Receipts DEDUCT: Disbursements Supplies Donations Driver/Van Expense Meals/Programs Miscellaneous Balance December 31, 2003

$ 168.00 11.50 440.00 9.01

...2,545.00 3,173.51

$ 298.40 75.00 552.23 1,929.00 299.00 (3,153.63)

$ 776.53

36 VERNON TOWN REPORT 36 VERNON TOWN REPORT SELECTBOARDS'S ANNUAL REPORT The minutes of our meetings speak for themselves: 2003 was a productive year for the board. We have challenged ourselves as well as others to do the best job that they can. To that end we have established the following vision statements that the board will use as guidance while conducting business:

- To support the Departments and work together to cut costs, eliminate waste, and maintain or improve the quality of service.

a Ongoing development of a management process so that employees are empowered to improve their work environment.

e To actively support appropriate wages for honest work.

Each department was then asked to establish vision statements that capture the mission and vision that is to be considered when they do business. These vision statements will be included in department correspondence and will be posted in prominent places where that department does business.

What it comes down to is that the Selectboard, as well as the departments, need to provide services to the Town's citizens in an efficient manner so as to minimize the impact to the tax base. One example of this is the Board's support of the Treasurer's work to switch the Town employee's health insurance to a plan that will save the Town $60,000 in just the cost of the policy. In addition, the Town employees will be paying 10% of the cost of the plan. The new plan will start on 7/1/04. Based on this change, even though health plan costs are expected to go up by 20% this year and next, the tax payers should not see an increase in health costs from the Town employees for at least two years.

Based on the recent sale of VY to Entergy, the testimony provided by Entergy to the PSB during the Extended Power Uprate hearings, as well as the capital investments made to the plant, the Selectboard no longer believes that the past tax stabilization agree-ment is in the best interest of the tax payers. The Selectboard has commissioned the Vernon Tax Committee made up of a cross section of individuals to negotiate a new tax agreementwith Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee. This agreement needs to meet both State statutes and direction provided by the Vermont Supreme Court in regards to assessing utilities.

The Board strongly supports the Listers in their effort to maintain the Grand List in accordance with State mandates.

The Board will continue to be accessible to the Town's people via phone, email and BCTV. We are working with BCTV to improve sound quality so you can hear the meetings.

The board is very thankful to everyone who makes our town a community. Vernon is a special place where neighbors care for each other and take the time to socialize. I look forward to 2004 and our time together.

2003 TREASURER'S REPORT "Change" is the word of choice when describing whathas taken place in the Treasurer's Office over the past year.

At the March 4, 2003 Town Meeting, Vernon residents voted to change the Town from a calendar based year to a fiscal based yearl This vote resulted in the need to calculate a six month town-wid(

only budget which was voted and approved at the November 18, 2003 Special Town Meeting. What this means to the taxpayers and tc the Treasurer's Office is a tax billing which will be due on April 15, 2004. This bill will cover the six monthbudget ON THE TOWN SIDt'.

ONLY which will take us to a fiscal year beginning July 1, 200!

through June 30,2005. When we meet again in March, 2004, we wil, vote the fiscal year budget, both for the Town and the School We will' also vote whether or not to change our payment from once a year to twice a year, which has been a voiced request from many taxpayer over the years. Working on two budgets has been quite a task, but I firmly believe that the Town is moving in the right direction.

t Our Investment Policy was revised to invest our monies mord conservatively, and after interviewing a number of sources, th4 Selectboard chose to investwithChittenden Bank. The currentpolicy will be reviewed on a yearly basis, and I am confident that we have made the right decision in protecting the Town's money whil4 yielding modest returns on our investments.

The Selectboard voted to change our current health insurance pol 4 from the Blue Cross Blue Shield JY plan to the Blue Cross Blue Shiel$

Vermont Health Partnership plan with an employee contribution o*

10%, beginning fiscal year 2004/2005.

A The actuarial study on the Town's Retirement Fund was completel favorably, and the Selectboard is looking at bringing the fund docuj ment up to ERISA standards as well as offering employees a con1 tributory plan. This plan would be an "employee only" contributor plan and would require no match from the Town.

In December, all Vernon residents should have received a form front the Vermont Department of Taxes called a 'Declaration of Hom4 stead" form. It is urgent that ALL residents fill one out and send it ii by April 15, 2004 to avoid a penalty from the State. This form is sent as a result of Act 68, which replaces what we know as Act 60. Th*

requirements of the Act will result in more work for the Listers an4 for our office as well. As is often the case, changes made by the Stati impact our workload and affect our budget.

Looking ahead, I am anticipating another very busy year. We will b adding the GASB 34 changes to our itinerary of tasks and wi-,

continue working closely with both the Selectboard and School board to retain fiscal responsibility in all areas of the Town and the School.

SALLY M. STEARNS, Treasurer MIKE BALL, Chair PEGGY FARABAUGH LENNY PEDUZZI DOUG FLETCHER JIM POLHEMUS

VERNON TOWN REPORT 37 VERNON TOWN REPORT 37 TOWN CLERK'S REPORT -

Guarding the Past - Protecting the Future This is the vision statement we have adopted in our office. In those six words you can find the reason'we are as strict as we are

'bout the records that are given into our trust. You may come into the

'ffice and find documents from the 1800's in good condition. You

'will find minutes copied onto archival document pages and com-piled in books for easier searching. And in the near future you will be able to come in and search the Selectmen's minutes on a computer.

2003 has been a busy year in the Town Clerk's Office. We I )rocessed deeds for $5,068.038.12 in property sales, sending $52,581.64 to he State of Vermont for the Property Transfer Tax Returns. We ecorded over 3700 pages of documents in the land records books as Nell as various liens and attachments. This year many clerks have

een tracking the amount of mortgages recorded in their offices. In ernon, we recorded $86,957,860.28 in mortgages, and those, along with the other recordings generated $20,705.00 in recording fees and

ý3,467.00 in restoration fees. We were informed that the vault in the

ýown Clerk's Office had reached the "critical" stage as far as storage 4-rea was concerned and we have researched options to expanding he existing storage area within the existing vault as well as expand-4ng the entire vault.

We would like to thank all the volunteers and election workers

ýs well as the Town Departments and Board of Selectmen for all their Selp and support this past year.

With the war in Iraq, we have the opportunity to also extend

pecial thanks to the children in the playgroup as well and the adults

ývho work with them and others in the area. One of the Town Clerk's nons was sent to Iraq as a Chaplain's Assistant and asked for stuffed animals to distribute to children in the hospitals as well as the streets pf that war torn country. The children opened their hearts and toy hests (as did some adults) and many boxes were sent.

Elected President of the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Trea-urers Association, I also attained my CMC - Certified Municipal nlerk's status from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

As President I have learned that some towns in Vermont are acing the loss of Title Insurance due to poor management of the Land

[,ecords (some have lost it and had to work very hard over a period

)f time to regain it). This knowledge enforces my determination to

.ontinue to be strict in our handling of these records. We have been ortunate in the past and present with the Boards of Selectmen and roters who understood the value of these records and allow us to

ontinue to keep them microfilmed, restored, and safe. They also kuthorized the use of "interns" during the year to help in the office.

)ne of their jobs was putting card indexes into the computer for

!asier searches. Scott Wilson and Lindsey Norse were two who put n many hours helping us out.

We continue to attend workshops and seminars to try to keep

.=rent on the changing issues and laws that impact the Town. One

)f the major changes this year was the implementation of the Help

ýamerica Vote Act (HAVA). This is a federal law that effects the way lections are run, especially federal elections. There will be many lasses pertaining to this in the future which will be attended so that he integrity of the election process in the Town of Vernon will emain high.

Election Data for 2003 Annual BUHS District #6 Meeting held on February 11, 2003 Names on the Voter Checklist: 1522 Number attending and voting: 12 Annual Town & Town School District Meeting Monday night's meeting, March 3,2003 Names on the Voter Checklist: 1532 Number attending and voting: 138 Tuesday night's meeting, March 4,2003 Names on the Voter Checklist: 1532 Number attending and voting: 110 Australian Ballot Voting - Tuesday, March 4,2003 Names on the Voter Checklist: 1532 Number attending and voting: 892 Special Election for BUHS District #6 Union School Director held on May 8,2003 Names on the Voter Checklist: 1539 Number attending and voting: 60 Special Town Meeting November 18, 2003 Names on the Voter Checklist: 1486 Number attending and voting: 78 Dogs are an important part of the families that own them and we held a rabies/licensing clinic in February with Dr. Pam Sorton again administering the shots which are required by law every 2 years. Road Commissioner Walker and his crew graciously allowed us space to hold the clinic and set up the tables for us. Please be sure your dog(s) is (are) registered on or before April 1st, each year, or when the dog reaches six months of age. Thefee increases afterApril 1". Also, the State recommends that your cat's rabies shots be filed at the Town Clerk's Office. The Town Clerk's Office continues to serve as a resource center distributing all sorts of information: e.g. the Town Van and Senior Schedule, Committee and Department events; roll off coupons; animal licensing; and various Town, State and Registry forms. We also do vehicle registration renewals for motor vehicle, boat, snowmobile, and trailer, and again we have volun-teered to serve as a center for those who wish to join VAST and the Vernon Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club. Hunting and Fishing Li-censes are still available through our Office as are notary services. We distribute the NOA radios for emergency notifications and sold ornaments and cards for the Historians this year to help raise funds for restoration of the Chapel and t-shirts for the 250th. The Town's Newspaper continues to be copied here and we are still utilized as a copy centerbyresidents and TownBoards and Committees. Look for the informational notices posted at the Town Clerk's Office regard-ing many subjects, including but not limited to; Fish and Wildlife notices; Act 250 notices; Checklists and Election information; etc.

Please read and act accordingly, for example, the Checklist is posted prior to any meetings where you will be voting. Check to see if your name is on it, if not, please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with an application for addition. Please remember thatyourvote is your voice and one vote can make a difference in any election.

Maps of the cemeteries are maintained and cemetery deeds are prepared and recorded by the Town Clerk after they are signed by the Board of Selectmen. Please be aware that the vault on Fort BridgmanRoad (a/k/a Route 142) is available for use if needed atno charge.

For your assistance the Town Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and by appointment if these hours are inconvenient.

SANDRA B. HARRIS, CVC/CMC, Town Clerk SUSAN I. MILLER, Asst. Town Clerk

38 VERNON TOWN REPORT 38 TOWN CLERK REMITTANCES Burial Permits North Cemetery Tyler Cemetery Copies Certified Copies/Vitals DMV Renewals Fax Liquor Licenses Marriage Licenses Civil Union Licenses Miscellaneous Postage Recordings Records Restoration Account Roll Off Coupons Search Fees Septic Permits Dog Licenses Illegible Signature 145.00 300.00 1,050.00 1,915.22 1,323.00 1,713.00 45.00 50.00 112.00 16.00 7.25 56.88 20,705.00 3,467.00 2,750.00 848.00 160.00 1,902.00 4.00

$ 36,569.35 RESCUE INC.

Providing Rescue Inc.'s nine 00' "0 *"communities with emergency, medical services is a $1.5 million I

dollar effort each year. Rescue's overall expenses reflect the costs) for preparedness. They include 24-hour paramedic and volunteer staffing, communications equip-ment, reliable emergency vehicles, vehicle maintenance, personnel training, medical equipment and supplies, support for First Re-sponse teams, medical supervision and maintenance of a physical plant. A team of over 40 volunteers from around the area contributes over $225,000 worth of their time to offset the agency's operating expenses. Without these dedicated volunteers, we would not be able to operate as we currently do. Fee for service comes from five main sources: Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance companies, private paying clients and special service contracts.

Last year, Rescue responded to a total of 3,364 emergenciesýand>

provided transport services for a total of 2,523 patients. 139 of these-.

calls were in Vernon.

Like many other nonprofit agencies, Rescue has been hard-hit by a significant decline in the amount of monetary contributions by both individuals and corporations. At the same time, Federal rule changes, with which Rescue is required by law to comply, havy resulted in a significant increase in costs and a decrease in income While our income has increased at a rate of about 3% per yea*

over the past five years, insurance and the cost of personnel benefits (e.g. health insurance, workers comp. etc.) have increased by 103%

Requisite vehicle maintenance costs and dispatch fees have risen staggering 200%. We are in need of new vehicles, but have nol purchased them due to the current financial environment.

Despite generous contributions of time and money, combine with town subsidy payments, Rescue no longer finds it possible t' cover its costs. Each town was asked to increase its subsidy for the" forthcoming fiscal year from $4.50 to $5.25 per capita. This is still a bargain as some Vermont towns are paying as much as $21.00 pei capita for emergency services. Our subscription service continues tq be a source of income for us and a good value to the subscribe4 Unfortunately, only about 14% of the eligible households participate in the Subscription Program.

"4 Rescue members, both paid and volunteer, continue to up, grade their knowledge and abilities in order to make a difference ir a life-threatening situation. Town residents can be assured thal when they dial 911, they will receive timely, capable, and profes-sional care.

VERNON NEWSPAPER COMMITTEE The Vernon Newspaper Committee is pleased to say we have started our twelfth consecutive year of service to the Town. Our committee members are Nancy Burrington, who is our computer expert and who downloads all of our email articles and pictures, Sandra Sweet and Richard Vesper who willingly do typing upon short notice, and Lynda Starorypinski, who is the editor, proof reader, consolidator and arranger. We make a fine paper preparer team. Speaking of team, we are only part of those who get the paper to you. Sandy Harris and Sue Miller in the office do all the copying, take in articles, flyers and ads, and direct people's questions to us.

Our faithful folders and tapers do the laborious work of actually putting the paper together. There is a core group of dedicated Seniors who take on this task and they are assisted by others who volunteer occasionally. Without all of our team members, we would not exist.

Again this year we are under budget and have brought income into the general fund. Our budget this year is up $500.00 for the anticipated purchase of a new printer. The one we are using is the original one purchased and it has been having problems lately. We have not had an increase in our advertising rates for several years.

The cost of postage was over its line item budget, so after discussion with the Selectboard Chairman, we decided to raise our rates slightly" to offset the increase in postage. It will also help make the paper a little more self-sufficient.

Thank you for sending inyourarticles, foryourkind comments and foryour corrective comments. We thank all of you who faithfully send in columns every month, those of you who send in your personal life stories, notices of events, poetry, informative articles and we thank those who advertise with us. We are proud of our little paper and we are happy to be of service to the Town. Keep youir articles coming in! That's what makes us the "Good News in our Good Community".

MIKE SORENSEN Vernon Trustee Represeuztalive NANCY BURRINGTON SANDRA SWEET RICHARD VESPER LYNDA STARORYPINSKI

VERNON TOWN REPORT 39 VERNON TOWN REPORT 39 VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH kNNUAL REPORT - TOWN OF VERNON 2003 he Vermont Department of Health works to protect and improve e health of 'all citizens. The following are some of the essential srvices available to residents of Vernon.

oterrorism - Emergency Preparedness: The Brattleboro District ffice of the Vermont Department of Health is actively working with I cal, state and federal agencies to assure a rapid and effective response to bioterrorism and other public health threats or emergen-c4es. Local health departments may be involved with: early identification of disease entities; investigating disease sources; pro-Siding accurate and timely information to the public and health irofessionals; collaborating with other agencies during biological, environmental or weather events; assuring availability of personnel tfaining; planning regional responses with hospitals and LEPCs and; planning of and participation in joint exercise.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women. Infants and Children ("WIC"): One of the most effective ways to improve the health of the overall population is to improve nutrition and physical activity. WIC improves the health of pregnant and postpartum women, infants andyoung childrenby assuring access to health care, teaching families about good nutritional practices, and providing an individually designed package of nutritious food to eligible indi-viduals. During 2002, 40 women, infants and children living in Vernon received foods as well as health screening and individual-ized nutrition education through this program. The average value of foods provided is $35.00 per person per month.

New public health issues emerge every year. Some challenges being addressed by the Health Department include emergency prepared-ness and response to disease threats like SARS or potential acts of bioterrorism; expansion of substance abuse prevention and treat-ment; and improving health care for people with chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma and cardiovascular disease.

If you would like more information about these efforts, orif you have a public health concern, please call the Brattleboro District Office at (802) 257-2880.

Please visit our web site at www.HealthyVermonters.info for information on health topics, public health emergency preparedness and response, news releases, publications, reports and general public health information.

Reportable Disease Case Investigations: Infectious diseases con-tinue to be a inajor source of illness, disability and death in the U.S.

a*d Vermont, accounting for 25% of all doctor visits each year. The ealth Department investigates all cases of disease such as meningi-t s, hepatitis, pertussis (whooping cough), and infectious diarrhea to etermine their source, to recommend control measures (including rrent treatment standards) and to prevent further spread of the isease. In 2002, the department investigated 183 cases of disease in indham County.

est Nile Virus (WNV) Surveillance: WNV first appeared "n'he I ;S. in New York City in 1999 and has become well establish6d in the Inited States. Birds, mammals and people can get WNV from the ite of an infected mosquito. The Vermont Departments of Health d Agriculture conduct surveillance for WNV each year from June ntil cold weather limits mosquito activity in the fall. In 2003, five own Health Officers in different parts of the state also participated i the programn, assisting primarily with mosquito trapping. As of tovember 17, 2003, 450 mosquito pools were tested with none ositive for WNV. In Windham County, there were 132 dead bird rports, 52 weiretested and 23 were found to be infected with WNV.

hiee humans were positive (two from Addison County and one f om Windham County). Four horses have tested positive (three Fom Addison and one from Windham.)

t ood & Lodging Inspections: National surveys show that more ieople are eating out more often. Public health sanitarians inspect eing establishments (restaurants, schools, fairs) to decrease the risk f food borne disease outbreaks. The five greatest risks for food borne utbreaks are: keeping food too long at improper temperatures, iadequate cooking, contaminated equipment, food from an unsafe s )urce, and poor personal hygiene among food handlers. Inspec-t ons include review of a 44-item checklist to evaluate food storage, reparation and handling as well as to identify where there is a high kelihood of practices contributing to illness if left uncorrected. Of ie 3 establishments in Vernon, 3 inspections were completed by a s anitarian during 2002.

40 VERNON TOWN REPORT

_v40 VRO ONRPR Agency of Transportation, at the Agency's request, to tr3 and save the troubled transit provider, which efforts werf not successful. Since that time, we have helped to form a nev corporate entity, Connecticut River Transit, Inc. which i:

filling the important role of providing transportation fo:

human services, medical needs, and travel to work.

Other on-going work has included:

WINDHAM REGIONAL COMMISSION 0

WINDHAM REGIONAL COMMISSION 2003 REPORT The Windham Regional Commission works with 27 towns in southeastern Vermont to address regional issues and help towns to provide effective local government. Each town annually appoints two representatives to the commission. Vernon's current representa-tives are Peter Boemig and Tim Arsenault. Commissioners serve on a number of committees that mirror the concerns of the region, including both standing committees and ones that are formed on an ad hoc basis to address specific issues.

2003 brought with it some new and extensive work for the WRC. Fitting those tasks into our already full schedule has not been easy, but we have nonetheless worked to address those important issues, and we will continue those efforts in the coming year. Ex-amples of new and unanticipated tasks have included:

U Energy issues:

0 Catamount Energy, Inc.-a Central Vermont Public Service subsidiary-is seeking to develop up to 50 megawatts of wind power on Glebe Mountain in Londonderry and Windham, which may mean construction of up to twenty-seven wind turbines. To date, the WRC has con-vened a series of public meetings to review and discuss major issues and worked with state and other regional organizations to better understand the potential impacts involved. We currently are participating in a series of community-based discussions, led by others, that are aimed at resolving some of the difficult conflicts that such a devel-opment presents.

O On a later schedule and therefore consuming less WRC staff time at present, is an anticipated proposal by Green Moun-tainPower to significantly expand the Searsburg wind farm, currently consisting of eleven turbines rated at about 6 megawatts, potentially adding up to 19 new turbines and 34 additional megawatts of rated power.

O Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee filed an application for Vermont Public Service Board approval to increase its power output by approximately 20%, from 540 to about 650 mega-watts. The WRC is participating in this proceeding, which began in January 2003 and is expected to continue into spring 2004. At the same time, we anticipate that Entergy will apply in 2004 for approval of dry cask, on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel, which will extend this higher level of involvement well into 2005 or 2006.

N Public Transportation:

EO This r egion, along with most of Windsor County, received public transportationservices fromTown and VillageTrans-portation Services (TVTS) for several years. Also known as

'Town & Village Bus," TVTS experienced severe financial difficulties and ceased to exist as a non-profit transit pro-vider at the end of 2003.Throughout thefiscalyear, theWRC and our counterpart to the north worked with the Vermont Regional transportation efforts, which included work wil many towns to conduct Road Surface Management Systerm inventories; identification of bridge and culvert issues;help.,

ing the Vermont Agency of Transportation to develop and implement its highway access management system; contin-ued work on the West River Trail project; continued man!

agement of the Route 121 reconstruction project ifA Rockingham and Grafton (with phase 1 being completed i" 2003 and phase 2 to follow withbids inDecember 2003); help to towns on lower-scale but important projects like side-walks and other bicycle/pedestrian improvements; and others.

Natural resource planning, which is at the core of the WRC s mission and has included work with the West River Water,-

shed Alliance and other'"basin planning" groups, review state programs and policies aimed at improving energr efficiency in Vermont; work to improve local and regiona programs and policies that affect water quality, such a, stormwater management and wastewater disposal rules and others.

C0 U

Community development and related planning wor which included major efforts like the WRC's Brownfield Reuse Initiative which now has completed assessments oI 14 of over 20 nominated sites (the Brownfield progran received its 3rd block of funding from the USEPA this yea) and will continue through 2004; municipal planning an I land use regulation assistance, which included help witI municipal planning and land use regulation projects i i eleven towns; increased work to provide education an, information for local officials, including five "Cross-Tow Talks" educational sessions, four Zoning Administrato:

Workshops, sponsorship and participation in thre state-wide sessions over Vermont Interactive Television help to the Vermont Environmental Board as it considereI changes to its rules and procedures; the "Livable Commu nities" education program which wrapped up later in calen dar year 2003 with a highly successful two-day course fo forty-six participants; continued help on Connecticut Rive Scenic Byway projects, including the now completed Be]

lows Falls Waypoint Interpretive Center; and others..

O Support of regional emergency planning and preparatioi efforts, which included continued work with towns an&

support of the Local Emergency Planning Committee; creased efforts to assist local governments to coordinat, their responses to ever-increasing federal anI state-sponsored security and emergency preparedness pro grams; efforts to continually improve homeland securit r and pre-disaster mitigation planning, which aim to mize damage or disruption from reasonably predictabl, events, such as floods and severe storms; and others.

The WRC's core budget is partially funded by member to assessments, which are essential to receiving other state and feder1 support. The $1.39 per resident rate for 2004, based on 2000 popula tion estimates, results in a total assessment of $2,976.00 from Vernoi for the new fiscal year. For information on the WRC and its programs contact your Town Representative or the WRC office at 139 Mah Street, Suite 505, Brattleboro, (802) 257-4547; e-mai wrc@sover.net.Visit our website at www.rpc.windham.vt.us.

VERNON TOWN REPORT 41 VITAL STATISTICS VITAL STATISTICS Name of Child Owen Riley Perry rara Cynthia Castricone Elijah James Brow Benjamin Scott Lane Adrianna Lynn Howard Kierra McKenzie Hoague Nlina Elizalýeth Belliveau Austin Hannah Grace Haskins Brendan Francis Croke Kiersten Alexis Jacobs Senavie Nicole Cobb Lacy Sharyn Slade karon Douglas Petrie 3amuel David Mattocks 3tephen Stone Haskins Iowan Donald Boudreau lulian Gomez-Mendez Sex Place of Birth M

F M

M F

F F

F M

F F

F M

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Brattleboro,VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Date of Birth February 5, 2003 February 7,2003 March 18, 2003 April 19,2003 April 20, 2003 April 23,2003 April 25, 2003 June 20, 2003 July 1, 2003 July 11, 2003 July 31, 2003 August 3, 2003 August 12, 2003 August 19, 2003 September 6,2003 September 8,2003 September 25,2003 October 7, 2003 October 10, 2003 December 19,2003 Father's Name Kenneth Michael Perry Joseph Ronald Castricone James Harvey Brow Scott David Lane Jesse James Howard Shane McCord Hoague Glenn Robert Belliveau Paul Jeffrey Haskins Bryan James Croke Arthur Fred Jacobs IV John Patrick Cobb Eric Justin Slade Douglas Ernest Petrie David Glenn Mattocks Christopher Jason Haskins Paul Joseph Boudreau Fermin G Gomez David W Smith Justin Aaron Slade Hayden Monroe Bogert Mother's Maiden Name Kirsten Margaret Goodband Lorena Lowell Brandy Shannon Slade Jolene Mary Prouty Darcy Marie Hill Denise Lynne Kellom Heather Jean Hebert Stacy Strange Penney Lee Evans Shari Denise Annis Heather Marie Woodard Christina Marie Brunelle Susan Ellen Lawrence Monica Christina Vezza Laura Lynne Stone Adrienne Elizabeth Dearden Mireya Mendez Karen M Cretelle Lucinda Marie Harvey Jennifer Lauren Martino raatthew Zachary David Smith M taron Zephaniah Slade M

3rody Hayden Bogert M

MARRIAGES Place Name of Groom Residence Name of Bride Residence nuary 17, 2003 arch 20, 2003 May 11, 2003 May 11, 2003 May 30, 2003 A igust 11, 2003 A'ugust 23, 2003 August 23,2003 August 26,2003 Zptember 20,2003 ptember 29, 2003 November 3, 2003 November 22, 2003 D.ecember 29,2003 Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Wilder, VT Vernon, VT W Dummerston, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Corey Allen Scully Kevin Michael Woods Richard L. Stevens Jr Kevin Matthew Fletcher Stanley N Cleaves Alan Stanley Bernat James Edward Bezanson Kevin Mark Wright Barry Walter Latourelle Howard Scott Towle Karl S Kenneway Robert Calvin Cramm Carl Edward Blankenship Michael Raymond Toomey Vernon, VT Sugarland, TX Ashfield, MA Vernon, VT Rockland, MA Winnetka, CA Vernon, VT North Waterboro, ME East Windsor, CT Vernon, VT Athol, MA Athol, MA Agawam, MA Athol, MA Corinne Marie Tudda Nicole Kristine Green Lillian Sofia Martinez Amador Sarah Lee Green Margaret M Wheeler Nydia Lissette Urbina Melissa Jean LaValley Heather Maude Hardy Mary Alice Mutchier Debra K Bessette Charlene Francis Erwin Karen Jean Pereira Cecilia Ubana Galiza Caaire Louise Lefebvre Vernon, VT New London, CT Ashfield, MA Vernon, VT Rockland, MA Winnetka, CA Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Greensburg, PA Vernon, VT Athol, MA Athol, MA Agawam, MA Templeton, MA 21 ate, 1aIay 23,2003 Jine 19,2003 Place Vernon, VT Vernon, VT CIVIL UNIONS Party A Residence Cassandra Ryan Vernon, VT Taurie T Thayer Long Beach, CA Party B Susan Vitelli Jeannie M White Residence Vernon, VT Long Beach, CA

4*

429 VERNON TOWN REPORT Name Anna V Smith George Daniel Eliphalet Olmstead Dorothy Elizabeth Garrity Roger William Kozyra Sr William Howes Florence E Nelson Arthur Arne Mattson Cecile O'Brien Shirley Ann Jones Mary Ahlers Charles Walter Emerson Eva M Buchanan Clarence Albert Pratt Dorothy W Albright Mary Teresa Cote.

Richard P Stickney Sharon Elizabeth Finn Henry Ike Robinson Shirley Anne Cutler Walter D Crossmon Alexander Davidson Lyon Gertrude Norton Putnam Shirley E Denyou Timothy Pelland Alice Hazel Whitney Marion C Osgood Kathfryn Agnes Lackard Jeanne M Mansur Dorothy P White Floyd John Underwood Walter Truslow Jr Joseph Louis Rinfret Jr Robert Alan Johnson Paul W Rutkiewicz Ruth Estella Chappell Sallie Gillespie Norma Jane Bedard Lillian Sovner Gordon Leonard Young Walfred A Scherlin Stella Elizabeth Herbert Dauna Carter McCarvill Marion E Looman Age 77 85 89 85

ý94 81 67 82 65 98 77 95 99 94 76 73 57 88 72 84 65 54 71 44 96 97 85 70 96 86 83 81 77 52 95 101 79 87 74 81 89 55 88 DEATHS Date of Death January 1, 2003 January 9,2003 January 29,2003 January 30,2003 February 12,2003 February 22,2003 February 25, 2003 February 26, 2003 March 9, 2003 March 14,2003 April 15, 2003 May 12,2003 May 12,2003 May 20,2003 June 7,2003 June 14,2003 June 15,2003 June 18,2003 June 26, 2003 June 26,2003 July 5, 2003 July 5, 2003 July 8, 2003 July 13,2003 July 24, 2003 July 30, 2003 August 1, 2003 August 2,2003 August 11, 2003 August 20,2003 August 22,2003 August 30, 2003 September 13,2003 September 24,2003 September 28,2003 October 6,2003 October 23, 2003 November 1, 2003 November 3,2003 December 26, 2003 December 29, 2003 December 30, 2003 December 30, 2003 Residence Vernon, VT Dummerston, VT Vernon, VT Hinsdale, NH Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Brattleboro, VT.

Brattleboro, VT Montague, MA Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Brattleboro, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Westminster West, VT East Dummerston, VT Vernon, VT Marlboro, VT Vernon, VT Townshend, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Brattleboro,VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Wilmington, VT Vernon, VT Vernon, VT Dummerston, VT Vernon, VT Brattleboro, VT

VERNON TOWN REPORT 43 VERNON TOWN REPORT 43 Town of Vernon School District PROPOSED 2004/2005 SCHOOL BUDGET Vernon Elementary School WSESU Assessment BUHS TuitionNocational Other High School Tuition Debt Service Special Education*

Transportation Food Service Deficit 1,912,929 153,525 1,254,273 605,428 376,887 744,016 177,417 33,211 87,000 5,344,686

Special Education includes 504 Tuition, Scamp,& Essential Early Education fiscal year ending June 30, 2003

VERNON TOWN REPORT 44 VRO ONRPR VERNON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUDGET Instruction+Other Instructional Guidance Health Services Library Administration Operations & Maintenance Food Service Early Ed & SCAMP Misc.

School Board Total 1,266,810.00 39,341.00 66,050.00 77,693.00 124,900.00 285,990.00 33,211.00 51,634.00 25,580.00 26,565.00 1,997,774.00 Misc.

1%

School Board

/

1%

Food Service 2%

Operations &

Ma1ntenan 14%A 3%

Administration 6%

Library' 4%

Instruction+Other Instructional 64%

3%Guidance 2%

VERNON TOWN REPORT 45 TOWN OF VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS This has been an exciting time in the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union. There have been many changes and program improvements; our teachers and staff members are each committing themselves to the cause of excellence; and, from my observations in ihe schools, it is evident that our students are working hard and

'discovering new challenges.

I Due to the efforts of our teachers and administrators, the scores In Vermont's Statewide Assessment Program continue to show positive results. There is much more to education than test scores, but these benchmarks indicate that our students are mastering the basic 5kills. In addition, our teachers and administrators are developing training programs in support of these activities. These initiatives, Iwhen linked with strong parent and community support, will help

ýnsure that we achieve our district mission: The WSESU mission is Ito develop students capable of thoughtfrl engagement in their own

'vic, economic and personal development, who will be successful members of society.

In order to fulfill our mission, the following district goals have een established to support school action plans, administrative team LEADERSHIP

" Establish a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of the school board, superintendent, principals, and school staff in carrying out the schools' missions.

" Promote positive, respectful, and supportive behaviors that are characteristic of a climate that nurtures a sense of pride and ownership of the school.

Collect and analyze student data and other indicators of student success to guide our programs.

You can learn more about our schools by visiting the following web sites: http://www.wssu.kl2.vt.us and htt.:/lcrs.uvm.edu/schlpti.

Please remember that our schools remain a communityresource, and we welcome involvement in programs and activities that will en-hance learning for our students. Plan to join us at our schools as we continue to build a tradition that promotes An Education of Excellence.

Stop by for a visit, attend a concert or a play, or offer to provide a workshop in an area of expertise. See first hand why we are proud of our schools, and help us plan for the future.

RON STAHLEY Superintendent BUHS DISTRICT #6 SCHOOL BOARD ATTENDANCE In accordance with BUHS District #6 Board Procedures Policy LBP5-Attendance at Board Meetings, below is a report of director attendance at regular and special board meetings.

Current Board Member: Vernon goals, and individual professional goals.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS Safe and Healthy Schools

" Ensure equal access of students to educational opportuni-ties by promoting a safe school environment and healthy climate conducive to learning.

" Allocate resources to close the gap of academic achieve-ment of students from lower socioeconomic status and those from higher income families.

January 1, 2003 to November 3, 2003 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Support implementation of WSESU Framework of Learn-ing guided by the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities.

Provide teachers with opportunities to support student learning through effective instructional practices.

Ensure that teachers' individual professional development goals are aligned with schools' action plans and the district professional development plan.

Michael Hebert Attended 14 of 18 meetings January 1, 2003 to June 10, 2003 Past Board Member: Vernon John Moriarty Attended 4 of 8 meetings PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

" Promote public engagement and family involvement as well as providing sufficient information to parents, school board members, and the community.

" Support consistent and systematic grade level transitions, i.e. from pre-school to elementary, elementary to middle school, high school to post-secondary opportunities.

" Communicate the requirements and implications of No Child Left Behind Act and align provisions to state and district Policies.

46 VERNON TOWN REPORT 46 VERNON TOWN REPORT VERNON TOWN SCHOOL BOARD REPORT We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of students here at Vernon Elementary School. These children come to us with a wide range of talents, interests, strengths, and challenges. Every member of our school community makes contributions to help make VES a safe and caring place to learn, take risks safely, and help each other to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Our Expectations for Community Members states that all of us will

1. Be the Best Learners We Can Be

2. Be Safe

3. Be Respectful, and

4. Be Responsible For Our Actions It is our pleasure to help ensure that we all work toward meeting these expectations to the best of our abilities. We began using a new curriculum this year to give support for these expecta-tions. Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum is designed to help students learn empathy, impulse control and problem solving, and anger management skills. Development of these skills help children learn to deal with problems and conflict in a positive and collabora-tive way.

There were three additions to our staff in the 2003-2004 year.

We welcomed:

Patricia LaFrate, Paraeducator Beth Weissmann, Fitz Vogt Hot Lunch Provider Abbe Robichaud, Paraeducator This past year we were saddened by the untimely passing of parent and former employee Clarinda Chisholm. By family request, the school board purchased a Sugar Maple tree and memorial stone, which was planted in front of the school in her memory. Jennifer Stavely, our guidance counselor currently in her second year, left us in February to take an extended maternity leave. We wish her well and will miss the good work she did here.

There were three major building improvement projects com-pleted during the summer and fall. The heating, ventilating, and air handling systems were upgraded to improve fresh air intake and overall heat control. This will help to ensure consistently healthy air within the school and reduce the risk of disease. New carpeting was installed in two classrooms, the entire length of the West Wing, and in the Recreation Department hallway. New roofing was laid on the Primary Wing and Library Media Center, along with minor repairs to other areas. The building looks terrific and is kept in excellent working order by our excellent and dedicated custodial staff. We all appreciate their efforts!

We dedicate 90 minutes of literacy instruction for grades 1-6 every school day. Phonemic awareness is developed in grades 1 and 2 to lay a strong foundation for overall language development. Staff members received professional development with Thinking Maps graphic organizers to help students develop stronger writing skills.

New federal guidelines require that individual schools make Ad-equate Yearly Progress (AYP) on standardized testing results. I am happy to report that Vernon made AYP for the past year, 2002-2003.

To keep our school improving, we revise our Action Plan annually. This process helps us focus on specific areas to raise test scores through improved instruction. Two focus areas in our school Action Plan are to improve Writing Effectiveness and Math Problem Solving. We are working closely with WSESU curriculum coordina-tors to ensure we utilize current best educational practices. It is important to remember that we are teaching children, not subject areas. As a result, we will continue to develop our abilities to reaclý out and meet the needs of our students, wherever that may be.

We are also thankful for the many volunteers who help in so many ways. The VES PTC/Spirit Club, ELF program, room parentsý and America Reads volunteers provide valuable service to all of usQ.

Volunteerism is alive and well here, and we are always open to people willing to assist us. Please call 254-5373 if you are interested in being a volunteer.

I The Vernon Town School Board and the Vernon Select Board continue to meet and work for open, two-way communication and for the benefit of the entire community. The school board meets o4 the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7PM at the school, The meetings are warned in the Town Office and in the local newsi paper. We encourage you to join us at any of these public meetings A great deal of thoughtful considerationwasput forward in the creation of the proposed budget. We are sensitive to the importance' of our children's education and our tax dollars being spent wisely',

We are grateful for the ongoing support you have shown over the years to keep our educational community strong and vital. Togethei we can work to ensure that each Vernon student reaches their fullesl potential. We encourage you to visit our school and contact us witl questions or concerns. Thank you for your consideration of ow budget for the 2004-2005 school year.

Sincerely, Laura DeVincentis, Chairperson Michael Hebert, Vice Chairperson Pamela Gobeille, Clerk Deborah Hebert Leeanne Shover

VERNON TOVvW REPORT 47 VERNON TOWN REPORT 47 2003-2004 ENROLLMENT VERNON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BAMS AND BUHS indergarten grade 1

.rade 2 3rade 3

rade 4

rade 5 3rade 6 3rade 7 3rade 8 3rade 9 Srade 10 3rade 11 grade 12 BOYS 13 14 17 20 22 13 21 6

11 12 12 12 17 GIRLS 4

19 16 10 14 26 17 9

10 11 8

10 5

TOTAL 17 33 33 30 36 39 38 15 21 23 20 22 22 Vernon Elementary School - 226 Brattleboro Area Middle School - 36

, Brattleboro Union High School - 87 Pioneer Other 2003-2004 Other Tuition - 64 Grade 7-9 Grade 8 -12 Grade 9 - 13 Grade 10 - 3 Grade 11 - 10 Grade 12 -3 Grade 7-1 Grade 8 - 2 Grade 9 - 5 Grade 10 - I Grade 11 - 2 Grade 12 - 3 VERNON TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT 2003-2004 FACULTY AND STAFF John Reed Principal Christine Nesbitt Administrative Assistant Carol Richardson Kindergarten Courtney Millerick Grade 1 Joan Green Grade 1 Barbara Borek Grade 2 Erika Parker Grade 2 Theresa Lewis Grade 3 Lisa McKenney Grade 3 Nancy Aleksiewicz Grade 4 Deborah Patno Grade 4 Joan Cook Grade 5 Mickie Herbst Grade 5 Noreen Cooper Grade 6 Marcia Palmer Grade 6 Jennifer Stavely (60%)

Guidance Counselor Jeffrey Loomis Resource Room Beth Kimball Resource Room Elizabeth Eriksson (90%)

Readingf/Enrichment Deborah Coombs (75%)

ESL/Reading Deborah Mann (80%)

Art Eileen Roach Library/Media Specialist Joyana Damon Classroom Music/Instrumental Music John Stetzel Physical Education Fran Swanson (40%)

Speech/Language Jill Johnson (Part Time)

Speech/Language Assistant Dawn Grobe Technology/Literacy Karen Barrett School Nurse Mayda Berg Paraeducator Sharon Brissette Paraeducator Patricia LaFrate Paraeducator Abbe Robichaud Paraeducator Lori Skibniowsky Paraeducator Peggy Stetzel Paraeducator Caitlin Tidd Paraeducator Christine Jefferson (Part Time)

Paraeducator Cheryl Deyo (Part Time)

Paraeducator Darrell Clark Head Custodian Robert Howe Custodian James Rittenhour Custodian Robert Willand Custodian Tim Walsh Fitz Vogt Gina Dyer Fitz Vogt Beth Weissmann Fitz Vogt CHILD FIND NOTICE All children need, deserve and have a right to an education. Federal Law states that this right to a free education should be available to all handicapped children too.

The Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, including the school districts of Dummerston, Guilford, Putney, Vernon, Brattleboro, and the Brattleboro Union High School need to know if there are children or youth between the ages of three (3) years and twenty-one (21) years who are disabled, out of school, and are not receiving services..

In addition, the WSESU needs to locate infants, who maybe disabled, between birth (0) and two (2) years of age for evaluation and service under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

If you have or know of such a child in your home or neighborhood, please write or phone.

Superintendent of Schools 53 Green Street, Brattleboro 254-3731, for further information

48 VERNON TOWN REPORT 48 VERNON TOWN REPORT VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDS VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT RESERVE FUND VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT RICHARD W. STEENBRUGGEN SCHOLARSHIP INVESTMENT TRUST & SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FUND BALANCE July 1, 2002 ADD:

Interest

$ 111,073.87 1,083.07 DEDUCT: Transferrred Funds to Capital Fund (112,156.941 BALANCE June 30,2003 BALANCE July 1, 2002 ADD:

Income Unrealized Gain DEDUCT:

Expenses Unrealized Loss BALANCE June 30,2003

$ 139,977.52

$ 22,665.73 23,860.33 882.38 46,677.32 At Town Meeting March 3, 2003, it was voted to authorize deposil of the funds held-in the Vernon School District Reserve Fund into the fund balance of the Capital Fund. (All funds as of June 30, 2003) 46,526.06 (47,559.70)

$ 138,943.88 VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL PLAN FUND BALANCE July 1, 2002 ADD:

Interest Loan Repayment Transfer from Reserve Fund DEDUCT:

Loan to School Heating System Lawn Tractor Technology Upgrade

$683,189.80 668,135.52 VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT RAYMOND & ERMA PUFFER ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT AWARD TRUST FUND 5,978.58

$ 550,000.00 112,156.94

$ 750,000.00 21,174.00 9,527.00 9,084.95 BALANCE July 1, 2002 ADD:

Revenue 1,732.15 38.15 (5,0.300 1,720.30 (789,785.95)

DEDUCT:

Awards 2002 / 2003 BALANCE June 30, 2003 BALANCE June 30,2003

$561,539.37, At year end, $200,000 was owed for loan reimbursement to this fund from the School Checking Account.

This Fund is for the purpose of rewarding the two most improved sixth grade students. It is invested at Chittenden Bank in a Certificate of Deposit.

VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND BALANCE July 1, 2002 ADD: Revenue Interest

$ 27,222.64 300.37 (69.83)

$ 27,453.18 DEDUCT: Unemployment Payments BALANCE June 30,2003

VERNON TOWN REPORT 49 VERNON TOWN REPORT 49 Item 2(

i Boiler

Carpeting Parking lot Roof Technology Upgrade Tractor Sewer Building & Exterior

,TOTALS 2004-2005 Vernon School District CAPITAL PLAN FUNDING PROJECTIONS 103-2004 40,000 5,300 25,000 12,000 10,000 45,000

$137,300 2004-2005

$ 9,800 5,300 33,000

$48,100 2005-2006

$ 9,800 5,300 33,000

$48,100 2006-2007

$ 9,800 5,300 33,000

$48,100 2007-2008

$ 9,800 5,300 33,000

$48,100 Projected Cost

$ 282,000 72,000 45,000 928,000 24,000 20,000 10,000 45,000

$1,426,000 Projected Need Year 2013-2014 2002-2003 2008-2009 2013-2014 2003-2004 2002-2003 2003-2004 2003-2004 VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL FUND STATUS June 30, 2003 FI'EM Boiler Iarpeting Curtains Parking Lot Roof rechnology Upgrade Tractor (Simplicity)

Excess Funds/Interest Transfer from Reserve Fund tOTALS TOTAL APPROP/INTEREST

$ 102,899.89 72,000.00 5,000.00 31,800.00 363,000.00 26,191.43 20,000.00 68,277.06 112,156.94

$801,325.32 ACTUAL COST

$ (21,174.00)

(9,084.95)

(9,527.00)

($39,785.95)

FUND BALANCE

$ 81,725.89 72,000.00 5,000.00 31,800.00 363,000.00 17,106.48 10,473.00 68,277.06 112,156.94

$761,539.37

50 VERNON TOWN REPORT v*50 VRO ONRPR HOT LUNCH PROGRAM VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT CHEER FUND BALANCE: July 1, 2002 ADD: Receipts State Reimbursements Other Reimbursements Lunch Sales DEDUCT: Expenses Fitz, Vogt and Associates Bank Fee

$12,506.89

$ 19,899.54 835.60 38,897.79

$ 60,939.79 20.65 BALANCE: July 1, 2002 ADD:

Deposits DEDUCT:

Expenses BALANCE: June 30,2003

$ 638.44 59,632.93 882.50 (703.93)

$ 817.01 (60,960.44)

This fund was established in March 2001 through contributions by

$11,179.38 staff and is used as determined by the Cheer Committee.

BALANCE: June 30, 2003 VERNON SCHOOL HOT LUNCH OPERATING FUND BALANCE SHEET CURRENT ASSETS JUNE 30, 2003 VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT TORNADO ACCOUNT BALANCE: July 1, 2002 Hot Lunch Checking Total Cash Accounts Receivable Due from State of Vermont Lunch Sales Total Accounts Receivable

$ 11,179.38 ADD:

$ 11,179.38 9,310.22 134.95

$ 9,445.17 Interest Income DEDUCT:

Expenses BALANCE: June 30, 2003 1.50 4,232.60

$1,236.40 4,234.10 (3,253.30)

$2,217.20 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES JUNE 30,2003 This fund was established in May of 2000 with existing funds from

$ 20,624.55 the Tornado jump roping team for the purpose of funding expenses associated with the team. Money is raised through donation, fund raising, and clothing and team equipment reimbursements.

$ 2,365.22

$ 2,365.22 Accounts Payable Total Accounts Payable Total Liabilities CURRENT FUND EQUITY JUNE 30, 2003 Unreserved and Undesignated TOTAL FUND EQUITY

$ 2,365.22

$ 18,259.33

$ 20,624.55 i

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND FUND EQUITY

VERNON TOWN REPORT 51 VERNON SCHOOL OPERATING FUND BALANCE SHEET CURRENT ASSETS JUNE 30, 2003 VERNON TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT REVENUE

SUMMARY

School Checking Sweep Account Office Petty Cash Total Cash lAccounts Receivable Due from State of Vermont Due from WSESU Misc. Vendor Reimbursements Prepaid Expenses Total Accounts Receivable otal Current Assets CURRENT LIA JUNE 30,:

Accounts Payable General Accounts Payable Accrued Salaries Due to Capital Fund Due to WSESU Due from Unemployment Fund LOCAL BLUDGET2003-04 INTEREST

$10,000.00 TRANSPORTATION BUHS

$ 51,480.00 RENTAL -TOWN OF VERNON RECREATION DEPARTMENT

$ 97,344.00 PROPOSED 2004-05

$ 7,000.00

$53,539.00

$111,522.00

$165,587.44 100.00

$165,687.44

$ 96,898.00 10,154.58 845.53 15,505.48

$ 123,403.59

$ 289,091.03 SUB-GRANTS EPSDT NURSE

$28,500.00 FED SE SUB GRANT

$31,116.00 MEDICAID LITERACY ENRICH. $10,000.00 MEDICAID SUB-GRANT

$10,000.00 STATE BILITIES 2003 STATE SE BLOCK GRANT

$ 109,640.00 STATE SE INTENSIVE

$ 266,360.00 TRANSPORTATION GRANT $ 53,500.00 EEE BLOCK

$18,444.00

$28,500.00

$ 32,720.00

$10,000.00

$ 118,640.00

$ 313,540.00

$ 65,271.00

$19,884.00

$0.00

$ 770,616.00

$ 17,311.16 138,633.38 200,000.00 1,888.26 0.46

$ 357,833.26 OTHER LOCAL FUND BALANCE

$ 70,525.00

$ 756,909.00 TOTAL Total Liabilities CURRENT FUND E June 30, 2003 Total Prior Years Fund Balance I

Fund Balance Current Year (DEFICIT)

Total Fund balance Total Liabilities and Fund Balance QUITY

$ 84,944.12 (153,686.35)

(68,742.23)

$289,091.03

52 VERNON TOWN REPORT 52 VERNON TOWN REPORT VERNON TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT 2004-2005 BUDGET

SUMMARY

2001-2002 Budget 2002-2003 Budget 2003-2004 Budget 2004-2005 Proposed Budget

$ DIFF.

% DIFF.

Instruction Guidance Health Services Library Administration Operations & Maintenance All Other Total Secondary B.U.H.S. #6 Current Expense B.U.H.S. #6 Debt Service Vocational Block Expense Other Tuition 504 Tuition Total

$1,125,221.00

$52,775.00

$56,544.00

$64,259.00

$122,741.00

$245,976.00

$61,638.00

$1,729,154.00

$1,501,558.00

$0.00

$205,000.00

$0.00

$1,706,558.00

$33,211.00

$143,894.00

$123,654.00

$8,500.00

$0.00

$132,154.00

$578,784.00 Food Service Nutrition Subsidy S.U. Assessment W.S.E.S.U.

Transportation Contract Fuel Maintenance & Repair Total Special Education (K-12)

Special Education Early Education Essential Early Education SCAMP Total Deficit Appropriation

$1,120,833.00

$53,581.00

$59,218.00

$66,933.00

$129,554.00

$252,307.00

$62,356.00

$1,744,782.00

$1,367,875.00

$56,414.00

$0.00

$241,000.00

$0.00

$1,665,289.00

$33,211.00

$137,573.00

$132,000.00

$9,500.00

$0.00

$141,500.00

$513,668.00

$45,281.00

$2,500.00

$47,781.00

$0.00

$1,232,651.00

$25,241.00

$61,519.00

$75,047.00

$116,299.00

$278,197.00

$66,010.00

$1,854,964.00

$1,235,152.00

$125,594.00

$0.00

$484,000.00

$0.00

$1,844,746.00

$33,211.00

$145,699.00

$156,088.00

$9,000.00

$1,000.00

$166,088.00

$592,480.00

$53,277.00

$2,500.00

$55,777.00

$0.00

$1,262,910.00

$39,341.00

$66,050.00

$77,693.00

$124,900.00

$285,990.00

$56,045.00

$1,912,929.00

$1,193,104.00

$376,887.00

$61,169.00

$605,428.00

$27,000.00

$2,263,588.00

$33,211.00

$153,525.00

$176,417.00

$0.00

$1,000.00

$177,417.00

$30,259.00

$14,100.00

$4,531.00

$2,646.00

$8,601.00

$7,793.00

($9,965.00)

$57,965.00

($42,048.00)

$251,293.00

$61,169.00

$121,428.00

$27,000.00

$418,842.00

-3.40%

200.08%

25.09%

22.70%

2.45%

55.86%

7.37%

3.53%

7.40%

2.80%

-15.10%

3.12%

$0.00 0.00%

$7,826.00 5.37%

$20,329.00

($9,000.00)

$0.00

$11,329.00 13.02%

-100.00%

0.00%

6.82%

$665,382.00

$72,902.00 12.30%

$41,121.00

$2,500.00

$43,621.00

$0.00

$49,134.00

$2,500.00

$51,634.00

($4,143.00)

$0.00

($4,143.00)

-7.78%

0.00%

-7.43%

$87,000.00

$87,000.00 Grand Totals

$4,367,376.00

$4,283,804.00

$4,692,965.00

$5,344,686.00

$651,721.00 13.89%

VERNON TOWN REPORT 53 VERNON TOWN REPORT 53 VERNON TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT 2004-2005 PROPOSED BUDGET 2002-2003 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET PROPOSED EXPENSES INSTRUCTIONAL Teachers Salaries 741,928.00 757,917.00 807,336.00 830,194.00 403 B Benefit 0.00 5,944.00 8,644.00 8,409.00 Extracurricular Salary 2,500.00 1,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 Paraprofessional Salaries 78,961.00 84,532.00 83,608.00 85,043.00 ESL Teacher 0.00 22,446.00 0.00 22,394.00 Substitute Salaries 9,000.00 10,098.00 11,000.00 12,000.00 Teacher Health/Dental Ins.

142,739.00 115,200.00 150,824.00 143,588.00 Para. Health/Dental/Life Ins.

17,711.00 12,147.00 17,807.00 23,979.00 Teacher FICA 56,758.00 59,513.00 65,470.00 65,869.00 Extracurricular FICA 192.00 115.00 192.00 192.00 Paraprofessional FICA 6,041.00 6,480.00 6,396.00 6,701.00 Teacher Life Ins.

979.00 759.00 932.00

'1,029.00 Other Benefits 4,860.00 4,449.00 10,810.00 6,000.00 Paraprofessional Retirement 3,316.00 1,048.00 3,512.00 3,512.00 Travel & Conference 2,000.00 957.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 Course Reimb.

5,500.00 3,284.00 6,720.00 5,500.00 Environmental Studies 2,000.00 1,100.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 Field Trips 2,000.00 1,162.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 General Supplies 19,948.00 19,013.00 22,500.00 21,000.00 Textbooks 5,500.00 4,415.00 5,500.00 3,000.00 New Instructional Equipment 1,400.00 0.00 1,400.00 1,000.00 Replace Instructional Equip.

3,000.00 770.00 5,500.00 3,000.00 Equip. & Copier Maint.

9,500.00 12,069.00 10,000.00 12,000.00 Misc. Supplies 5,000.00 5,000.00 6,000.00 500.00 TOTAL 1,120,833.00 1,129,918.00 1,232,651.00 1,262,910.00 OTHER INSTRUCITONAL Assembly Programs 2,000.00 1,113.00 5,000.00 3,000.00 Test/Evaluation Supplies 500.00 498.00 500.00 500.00 Music Equipment Repair 400.00 139.00 400.00 400.00 TOTAL 2,900.00 1,750.00 5,900.00 3,900.00 PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES Contracted Prof. Services 500.00 0.00 500.00 500.00 TOTAL 500.00 0.00 500.00 500.00 GUIDANCE SERVICES Salary 43,629.00 26,200.00 22,082.00 28,458.00 403 B Benefit 0.00 0.00 221.00 285.00 Health/Dental Ins.

5,807.00 733.00 300.00 7,618.00 FICA 3,338.00 2,001.00 1,690.00 2,199.00 Life Ins.

57.00 19.00 26.00 31.00 Travel & Course Reimb.

500.00 175.00 672.00 500.00 Supplies & Texts 250.00 333.00 250.00 250.00 TOTAL 53,581.00 29,461.00 25,241.00 39,341.00 HEALTH SERVICES Doctor Salary 200.00 200.00 200.00 200.00 Nurse Salary 45,936.00 48,818.00 50,809.00 54,839.00 Nurse Health/Dental Ins.

8,470.00 3,759.00 4,384.00 4,720.00 Nurse FICA 3,514.00 3,712.00 3,887.00 4,237.00 Nurse Life Ins.

63.00 50.00 56.00 56.00 Nurse Course Reimbursement 560.00 75.00 900.00 900.00 403 B Benefit 0.00 480.00 508.00 548.00 Nurse Travel 75.00 35.00 75.00 50.00 Nurse Supplies 400.00 297.00 700.00 500.00 TOTAL 59,218.00 57,426.00 61,519.00 66,050.00

54 VERNON TOWN REPORT 54 VERNON TOWN REPORT 2002-2003 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET PROPOSED IN SERVICE One Percent Fund 6,551.00 1,094.00 7,205.00 7,670.00 In-Service Training 2,000.00 1,939.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 TOTAL 8,551.00 3,033.00 9,205.00 9,670.00 MEDIAALIBRARY Media Specialist Salary 45,936.00 46,855.00 49,536.00 54,839.00 403 B Benefit 0.00 468.00 495.00 548.00 Health/Dental Ins.

8,470.00 5,798.00 11,775.00 9,313.00 FICA 3,514.00 3,557.00 3,790.00 4,237.00 Life Ins.

63.00 50.00 51.00 56.00 Course Reimbursement 500.00 57.00 700.00 700.00 Supplies 550.00 192.00 700.00 500.00 Subscriptions 900.00 843.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 Library Books 5,000.00 5,232.00 5,500.00 5,000.00 Audio Visual 2,000.00 1,889.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 TOTAL 66,933.00 64,941.00 75,047.00 77,693.00 SCHOOL BOARD Salaries 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 FICA 765.00 765.00 765.00 765.00 Legal Services 1,000.00 761.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 Audit 6,500.00 5,100.00 6,500.00 6,500.00 School Board Expenses 4,000.00 1,700.00 4,000.00 3,000.00 Advertisements 3,500.00 3,100.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 Dues & Fees 1,800.00 1,440.00 1,800.00 1,800.00 TOTAL 27,565.00 22,866.00 27,565.00 26,565.00 ADMINISTRATION Principal Salary 74,577.00 60,000.00 60,000.00 63,000.00 Secretary Salary 24,528.00 24,528.00 25,368.00 26,920.00 Principal Health/Dental Ins.

8,470.00 9,632.00 9,064.00 12,696.00 Secretary Health/Dental/Life Ins.

8,502.00 7,637.00 9,095.00 10,049.00 Principal FICA 5,705.00 4,669.00 4,590.00 4,896.00 Secretary FICA 1,877.00 1,820.00 1,941.00 2,142.00 Principal Life Ins.

1,140.00 1,116.00 250.00 195.00 Secretary Retirement 1,030.00 981.00 1,066.00 1,077.00 Principal Annuity 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 Prof. Development & Travel 1,725.00 2,171.00 1,725.00 1,725.00 Principal Supplies 2,000.00 1,292.00 2,200.00 1,200.00 TOTAL 129,554.00 113,846.00 116,299.00 124,900.00 FISCAL SERVICES Treasurer's Salary 1,600.00 0.00 1,600.00 1,600.00 Treasurer's Ins.

3.00 0.00 3.00 0.00 Treasurer's FICA 123.00 0.00 123.00 123.00 Treasurer's Supplies 200.00 0.00 200.00 200.00 Bookkeeper's Salary 17,900.00 15,996.00 17,900.00 11,000.00 Bookkeeper's Ins.

945.00 605.00 945.00 945.00 Bookkeeper's FICA 1,369.00 1,224.00 1,369.00 842.00 Bookkeeper's Supplies 700.00 1,318.00 700.00 700.00 TOTAL 22,840.00 19,143.00 22,840.00 15,410.00 PLANT OPJMAINT.

Custodial Salaries 95,845.00 97,256.00 100,361.00 108,107.00 Health/ Dental /Life Ins.

21,374.00 27,185.00 22,843.00 34,180.00 FICA 7,332.00 7,189.00 7,678.00 8,545.00 Retirement 4,026.00 899.00 4,215.00 3,558.00 Building Repairs 6,000.00 4,904.00 6,000.00 6,000.00 Insurance/Bonds 11,000.00 17,847.00 16,500.00 18,000.00 Telephone 6,300.00 3,838.00 6,900.00 4,200.00 Contracted Services 5,980.00 4,059.00 5,800.00 5,000.00 Custodial Supplies 12,000.00 14,098.00 12,000.00 12,000.00 Grounds Supplies 7,450.00 6,165.00 7,400.00 7,400.00

VERNON TOWN REPORT 55 VERNON TOWN REPORT 55 2002-2003 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET PROPOSED All Other Repairs 5,000.00 4,530.00 13,500.00 7,000.00 Electricity 43,000.00 42,970.00 44,000.00 44,000.00 Heat 17,500.00 16,050.00 18,000.00 18,000.00 Plant Operation Equipment 8,000.00 8,421.00 8,500.00 8,500.00 Replace Non-Instructional Eq.

1,500.00 253.00 4,500.00 1,500.00 TOTAL 252,307.00 255,664.00 278,197.00 285,990.00 ELEMENTARY TOTALS 1,744,782.00 1,698,048.00 1,854,964.00 1,912,929.00 TRANSPORTATION Transportation Contract 132,000.00 161,551.00 156,088.00 176,417.00 Fuel 8,500.00 403.00 9,000.00 0.00 Maintenance & Repairs 1,000.00 45.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 TOTAL 141,500.00 161,999.00 166,088.00 177,417.00 FOOD SERVICE Hot Lunch Supplement 33,211.00 33,211.00 33,211.00 33,211.00 TOTAL 33,211.00 33,211.00 33,211.00 33,211.00 W.S.E.S.U. ASSESSMENT W.S.E.S.U. Assessment 137,573.00 137,573.00 145,699.00 153,525.00 TOTAL 137,573.00 137,573.00 145,699.00 153,525.00 B.U.H.S. ASSESSJSEC. TUITION B.U.H.S. Assessment(a) 1,424,289.00 1,424,289.00 1,360,746.00 1,569,991.00 Secondary Tuitions 241,000.00 382,984.00 484,000.00 605,428.00 Vocational Block Expense 0.00 0.00 0.00 61,169.00 504 Tuition 0.00 33,324.00 0.00 27,000.00 TOTAL 1,665,289.00 1,840,597.00 1,844,746.00 2,263,588.00 SPECIAL EDUCATION Special Education 513,668.00 591,828.00 592,480.00 665,382.00 TOTAL 513,668.00 591,828.00 592,480.00 665,382.00 EARLY EDUCATION E.E.E. Program 45,281.00 44,048.00 53,277.00 49,134.00 SCAMP Salary 2,500.00 2,213.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 SCAMP FICA 0.00 121.00 0.00 0.00 TOTAL 47,781.00 46,382.00 55,777.00 51,634.00 OTHER Deficit Appropriation 0.00 0.00 0.00 87,000.00*

INTERFUND TRANSFERS 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 TOTAL 0.00 0.00 0.00 87,000.00 OTHER TOTALS

.2,539,022.00 2,811,590.00 2,838,001.00 3,431,757.00 GRAND TOTAL 4,283,804.00 4,509,638.00 4,692,965.00 5,344,686.00 (a) Preliminary

Deficit appropriation in total is $153,686.35

$87,000.00 is a partial allocation for FY 05

56 VERNON TOWN REPORT 56 VERNON TOWN REPORT W.S.E.S.U. MEMBER DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT - FINANCIAL

SUMMARY

OPERATING BUDGET, COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS AND GRANTS Revenue Assessments Brattleboro B.U.H.S. #6 Dummerston Guilford Putney Vernon Tuition Intergovernmental Interest Sather Fund Other Local On-Behalf of Revenue (Retirement)

Total Revenue Expenditures 2002-03 Actual 555,055 480,016 103,314 111,242 169,119 137,573 1,777,836 2,581,438 7,721 5,657 1,932 72,003 6,002,906 258,635 1,687 133,758 224,774 117,497 120,510 148,567 106,985 318,517 102 70,470 69,211 2,567,912 1,777,859 4,410 72,003 5,992,897 2003-04 Budget 572,989 505,063 115,501 105,482 156,010 145,699 1,927,067 2,146,998 12,000 0

3,250 0

5,690,059 296,521 23,692 143,157 193,765 108,988 143,711 164,256 108,407 312,380 7,992 98,951 72,172 2,089,000 1,927,067 0

0 5,690,059 Special Education Title I/Special Services Speech Administrative Support Superintendent School Improvement Admin. Secretary/ Personnel Business Administrator Other Fiscal Services District Wide Technology Coordinator Operations & Maintenance Special Projects (Grants)

Special Class Programs Sather Fund On-Behalf of Expenses (Retirement)

Total Expenditures 2004-2005 Proposed (a) 579,950 508,908 122,917 109,413 149,265 153,525 2,454,654 2,800,000 8,000 0

3,250 0

6,889,882 283,724 15,047 150,383 187,122 117,347 158,426 176,659 113,858 346,722 2,500 79,747 75,972 2,925,000 2,454,654 0

0 7,087,161 (a) Please note that the excess of revenue over expenditures relates to activity for restricted programs and grants.

These funds are used for future restricted program and grant expenditures.

WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SUPERVISORY UNION SUB GRANTS FY03 FEDERAL DISTRICT IDEA SPEC ED FEDERAL FEDERAL TITLE 1 TITLE 1 SUPPLEMENTAL EPSDT -

SE IEP MEDICAID MEDICAID BRATTLEBORO BRATTLEBORO EES PRE-SCHOOL BUNS #6 DUMMERSTON GUILFORD PUTNEY VERNON TOTAL

$218,135 0

109,980 20,044 23,306 35,654 31,116 438,235

$284,465 20,000 203,250 0

0 63,022 0

570,737

$0 0

29,691 0

0 0

0 29,691

$18,556 0

24,994 34,353 25,112 21,206 29,515 153,736

$131,921 0

0 28,900 10,000 28,900 10,000 209,721 TOTAL

$653,077 20,000 367,915 83,297 58,418 148,782 70,631 1,402,120

VERNON TOWN REPORT

7 5;7

)istrict 3rattleboro

)ummerston

ýuilford Putney Vernon I..

3.U.H.S #6 rotal Block Grant

$435,012.00 73,609.00 93,385.00 91,015.00 102,885.00 0.00

$795,906.00 SPECIAL EDUCATION AID DISTRIBUTION FY03 Intensive Aid Extraordinary Aid State Placed E.E.E. State

$2,191,255.00

$ 38,755.00

$ 82,235.00

$ 64,353.00 193,836.00 62,996.00 0.00 11,834.00 164,714.00 4,774.00 0.00 14,407.00 441,428.00 34,577.00 0.00 14,506.00 266,492.00 26,977.00 44,833.00 18,758.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

$3,257,725.00

$168,079.00

$127,068.00

$123,858.00 IDEA Federal

$ 218,135.00 20,044.00 23,306.00 35,654.00 31,116.00 109,980.00

$438,235.00 Total Aid

$3,029,745.00 362,319.00 300,586.00 617,180.00 491,061.00 109,980.00

$4,910,871.00 Act 68 Three Year Comparison Vernon Town School District

1. Expenditures

2. Budget (approved)

3. State Vocational Block Grant (82% FY05)

4. Supervisory Union Asiessment

5. Block Grant State Voc. Ed.Prior Yrs.

t6. Separately Warned Article -approved

7. Separately Warned Article -approved

8. Separately Warned Article -approved

9. Act 144 Expenditures

10.

Act 68 Local Adopted Budget

11. Union school assessment

12. Deficit if not included in the budget or revenue

13. Special Programs (not included in local budget)

14.

Gross Act 68 Budget 15.

Revenues

16. Local Revenues 117. Capital Debt Aid

8. Special Programs (not included in local budget)

ý9. Deficit if not included in local budget

20. Act 144 Revenues Total Revenues

22. Fundraising (if any)

ý3.

Adjusted Local Revenues

24.

Education Spending (Act 68)

25. Equalized Pupils

26.

Education Spending per Equalized Pupil

27. Excess Spending per Equalized Pupil (if any)

28. Per Pupil figure used for calculating District Adjustment

29.

District Spending Adjustment

30.

Estimated Homestead tax rate (equalized)

31.

Household Income % for Income Sensitivity FY2002

$4,367,376

$62,870 S4,430,246

$4,430,246

$683,562

$0

$683,562

$3,746,684 398.67

$9,398 NA NA NA NA NA FY2003

$4,283,804

$54,491

$4,338,295

$677,845

$0

$677,845

$3,660,450 401.42

$9,119 NA NA NA NA NA FY2004

$4,692,965

$49,036

$4,742,001

$756,909

$0

$756,909

$3,985,092 414.01

$9,626 NA NA NA NA NA FY200S

$3,774,695

$61,169

$153,525

$3,774,695

$1,569,991

$5,344,686

$770,716

$0

$776,716

$770,716

$4,573,970 419.49

$10,904

$104

$11,008 161.877%

58 VERNON TOWN REPORT MINUTES AND WARNINGS MINUTES AND WARNINGS MINUTES OF ANNUAL TOWN AND TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING FOR THE TOWN OF VERNON - March 3rd and 4th, 2003 Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Moderator Timothy Arsenault called for a moment of silence for those residents and friends who had died during the past year. Micro-phone handlers for the first evening were Rebecca Hall and Kimberly Franklin. Procedures to be followed during the meeting were referenced and the Vernon Advent Christian Church thanked for providing refreshments for this meeting and the Warning was read by the Town Clerk.

ARTICLE 4: While this Article will be voted by non-binding referendum paper ballot on Tuesday, Moderator Arsenault opened the floor and much discussion followed. Paul Sather brought up a point of order regarding action taken under "to transact any other business" last year to have voting on non-binding and binding referendums by Australian Ballot. Mr.

Sather asked that the legality of such action in the future be ascertained. Discussion followed and the question was moved.

The motion to cease debate was seconded and carried on a clear two-thirds voice vote in the affirmative.

School Board Chairman Laura DeVincentis introduced the School Board members.

ARTICLE 5: Leeanne Shover made the motion to authorize the Town School District Board to borrow money in anticipation of taxes. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 6: Pam Gobeille made the motion to approve the report of the Town School District Auditors. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 7: Deborah Hebert made the motion to approve the Vernon School Capital Plan as presented by the Town School District Board. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 8: Michael Hebert moved for a rule suspension to take up Article 9 prior to taking up Article 8. The motion to suspend was seconded and carried on a clear two-thirds voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 9: Michael Hebert made the motion that the Town School District vote to authorize deposit of the funds held in the Vernon School District Reserve Fund into the fund balance of the Capital Fund. (All funds as of 6/30/03 will be added to the Capital Fund balance). The motion was seconded and discussion followed. The motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 8: Michael Hebert made the motion to amend the Article to appropriate the sum of $137,300.00 for funding items approved in the school Capital Plan. The funding will consist of the balance of the reserve fund as of 6/30/03 with remainder coming from the Capital Fund, excess funds, and interest. This money can only be used for the items authorized in the school Capital Plan. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 10: Laura DeVincentis made the motion that the Town School District raise the sum of $3,921,581.00 and appropriate the sum of $4,692,965.00 to defray the expenses and liabilities for the ensuing year: $145,699.00 to be Vernon's assessment to WSESU;

$1,360,746.00 to BUHS and $3,186,520.00 for the operation of the Vernon Elementary School. The motion was seconded and School Board Chairman DeVincentis gave a budget presentation utilizing the overhead for those in attendance. Much discussion followed.

Ed Sprague called the question. The motion to cease debate was seconded and carried on a clear two-thirds voice vote in the affirmative. The motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 11: Michael Hebert thanked the Town School District for their support of the School. He further briefly reviewed and urged support of Article 3. Discussion on Article 3 followed.

Moderator Arsenault thanked the School Board and called for a five minute recess to allow the Selectboard to assemble. Following the reconvening of the meeting, Moderator Arsenault announced the Preschool Fund Raiser going on outside the meeting and the :

Historians Bake Sale which will be held during the Australian Ballot voting at the Town Office Building.

Selectboard Chairman Polhemus introduced the Board of Select-i-men and thanked those present in the audience and the volunteer.

and officials for the Town of Vernon.

ARTICLE 12: Michael McKenney made the motion to accept the -

report of the Town Auditors as printed in the Annual Report. Th(

motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirma-tive.

ARTICLE 13: Nancy Burrington made the motion to nominate Ken Swanger to fulfill an unexpired term ending in 2005; Christin(

Fredericks to fulfill an unexpired term ending in 2004; and Elizabeth Eriksson as a Library Trustee for the term of five years.

The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 14: Nancy Burrington made the motion that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $75,691.00 for the administration of the Vernon Free Library. The motion was seconded and carried" on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 15: Len Peduzzi made the motion that the Town raise 1 and appropriate the sum of $80,000.00 to be placed in the previ-ously established "Town Road Upgrading Fund" to be utilized for, paving and upgrading existing Town Roads. The motion was seconded and much discussion followed. Mark Parker stated that Vernon residents have a "fantastic Road Crew that takes real good' care of us all year long," and a round of applause for those individuals followed. Much more discussion followed until the question was called and the motion to cease debate was seconded and carried on a clear two-thirds voice vote in the affirmative. A division of the house was called and the motion carried with 72 votes in the affirmative and 37 votes in the negative.

ARTICLE 16: Sonya Shippee made the motion that the Town raise

VERNON TOWN REPORT 59 VERNON TOWN REPORT 59 id appropriate the sum of $25,000.00 to be placed in the previ-isly established "Farmland Protection Fund." This money would

! held under all restrictions applicable to this fund. The motion

'as seconded and discussion followed. The question was called nd the motion to cease debate was seconded and carried on a

ýear two-thirds voice vote in the affirmative. The motion carried n a voice vote in the affirmative.

LRTICLE 17: Michael Ball made the motion that the Town raise nd appropriate $5,000.00 as a restricted gift to Rescue Inc.

[esignated as follows: $4,000.00 to the Capital Fund of Rescue Inc.

nd $1,000.00 to the Volunteer Fund of Rescue Inc. The motion vas seconded and discussion followed. The motion carried on a

,oice vote in the affirmative.

tRTICLE 18: Douglas Fletcher made the motion to amend the krtide to have the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $750.00

o be expended by Vernon Historians, Inc. for the preservation of iistoric items and for copying and printing historic Vernon

?hotographs and printed items, and for supplies to properly

onserve and store the same and also for the purchase of signs for each of the brooks and/or streams. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 19: Georgia Boyce made the motion that the Town raise

'and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for the 250th Anniversary Icelebration of the Town of Vernon in 2003, to be held in place of the Annual Town Picnic. The motion was seconded and Georgia Boyce made the motion to amend the motion to read to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 and transfer from the Town Picnic Fund the $551.81 into the 250th Anniversary appropriation.

The motion to amend carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

T he amended motion: That the Town raise $5,000.00 and appro-

priate the sum of $5,000.00 plus the Picnic balance of $551.81 for the 250th Anniversary celebration of the Town of Vernon in 2003, to be held in place of the Annual Town Picnic. Discussion on the

'mended motion followed. Concern was expressed that it not be a j'glorified Town Picnic" but be something special. More discussion followed. The amended motion carried.

A'RTICLE 20: Doug Fletcher made the motion that the Town

exempt the Chapel, owned by the Vernon Historians, Inc. from real estate taxes for the 2003 through 2007 tax years. The motion was seconded and discussion followed. The motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 21: Len Peduzzi made the motion that the Town raise

rnd appropriate the sum of $30,000.00 to be placed in the previ-3usly established "Professional Services Fund." The motion was seconded and discussion followed. The question was called and the motion to cease debate was seconded and carried on a clear two-thirds voice vote in the affirmative. The motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 22: Jim Polhemus made the motion that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $18,501.00 and authorize the Select-men to expend the same for the support of the following in the designated amounts and requested the vote be taken by paper ballot:

AIDS Project of Southern Vermont 150.00 Brattleboro Area Hospice 300.00 Council on Aging 700.00 Early Education Services 1,700.00 Get INFO 375.00 Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern VT 1,850.00 Historical Society of Windham County 250.00 Morningside Emergency Shelter 676.00 Phoenix House 800.00 SEVCA 2,100.00 Vermont Adult Learning 500.00 Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired 500.00 Vermont Center for Independent Living 500.00 Visiting Nurses Alliance 4,700.00 Women's Crisis Center 900.00 Youth Services 2,500.00 The motion was seconded and much discussion on the use of a paper ballot followed with legal advice being sought from the Town's Attorney Charles Cummings. Marion Watson noted that neither the Gathering Place nor RSVP had been included in the list, yet they spend a lot of time in Vernon. Much discussion followed. The question was called and the motion to cease debate carried on a clear two-thirds vote in the affirmative. The Town Clerk was called to distribute the paper ballots. A point of order was raised by Paul Sather regarding the paper ballot request by Chairman Polhemus. Much more discussion followed. A friendly amendment was held and the paper ballot distributed was a "Yes" or "No" paper ballot. The Article was defeated by a vote of 46 votes in the affirmative and 72 votes in the negative.

ARTICLE 23: Marcella Unaitis made the motion that the Town appropriate the sum of $700.00 from the Dog Fund for the support of the Windham County Humane Society. The motion was seconded and Mrs. Unaitis spoke to the Article. The motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 24: Douglas Fletcher made the motion to nominate Ed and Barbara Sprague to serve as the committee for Memorial Day.

The motion was seconded and discussion followed. Dennis Legere made the motion to amend the Article to allow the Selectboard to appoint other members as necessary through the year. The motion to amend was seconded. The amendment carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

The amended motion: To nominate Ed and Barbara Sprague to serve as the committee for Memorial Day and allow the Selectboard to appoint other members as necessary through the year. The amended motion carried on a voice vote in the affirma-tive.

ARTICLE 25: Len Peduzzi made the motion to nominate Barbara Moseley and James Brown to serve as the committee to disburse the income from the Marsh Fund. The motion was seconded.

Munson Hicks made the motion to amend the motion to include, "that the members who are voted in be instructed to find ways to remove these funds from the Town's overview." When asked by Moderator Arsenault, Attorney Cummings stated he did not believe it was an appropriate amendment nor was an amendment the way to change the purpose of the fund. The amendment was

60 VERNON TOWN REPORT 60 VERNON TOWN REPORT ruled out of order by Moderator Arsenault. More discussion followed. Douglas Johnson asked whether the third church in town should be added to the list of churches that benefit from this fund. Mr. Cummings was interrogated regarding the procedure to add another church and responded that it would be up to the Committee to determine. The motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

A point of order was called by Paul Sather who asked for Attorney Cummings' input regarding the legality of the vote to be taken on Article 4. Attorney Cummings stated that it was legal as it is a non-binding vote to be taken. He further stated that he thought "this town can take any action it wants to take at any time whether or not it's warned as long as it's not for a binding action."

Discussion on the difference between Australian ballots, paper ballots, and binding ballots, followed.

Moderator Arsenault declared the meeting in recess at 9:56 P.M.

CONTINUATION OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 4,2003 Filling in until Moderator Arsenault arrived, House Representa-tive Patricia O'Donnell announced that the Vernon Preschool wished her to extend their appreciation to those who participated in the Chinese Auction to benefit the Preschool. $1,322.00 was raised during this event.

Representative O'Donnell also gave a brief update on the Medic-aid bill that is being worked on in Montpelier; economic develop-ment; jobs in the State; work with the Retreat; work with Eden Park Nursing Home; permit reform; drug court; etc.

Moderator Arsenault reconvened the meeting and gave a "histori-cal perspective" about Article 25's Marsh Fund by reading an excerpt from the book, Brattleboro Retreat, 150 Years of Caring which was read into the record as follows:

It concerns Anna Hunt Marsh, the widow of Dr. Perley Marsh, a prominent physician, who practiced medicine in Hinsdale. No record of their marriage was found, but it's probable that he and Anna were married around 1793, because that year Perley bought his first property in town, the old Fort Dummer Ferry, for 90 pounds, and the tract of land, presumably with a house for another 100 hundred pounds. Four years later, the 1797 Grand List for Hinsdale, showed Perley to be the third richest man in town, only Anna's uncle, General Arad Hunt, and the Town Clerk were listed for higher property value. Anna lived twenty-seven years after Perley's death. Amassing an estate, in 1834 dollars, of $21,720.00. Most of her money came from buying and selling property and running the family farm. The census records of 1820 and 1830 listed her as the head of household with several hired help in residence. In her will she left $10,000.00 to help establish the Brattleboro Retreat.

And, as you know, if you read your Town Report, some $2,000.00 of that was established for our town for the Marsh Fund."

ARTICLE 26: Sonya Shippee made the motion that the Town raise and appropriate a sum to be placed in the previously established Town of Vernon, James Cusick Scholarship Fund and if so, what amount. This fund to be distributed in accordance with the Vernon Scholarship Requirements. The motion was seconded ani Dennis Legere made the motion to amend the Article to read thai the Town appropriate the sum of $30,000.00 to the previously established Town of Vernon James Cusick Scholarship Fund. Thi:

fund to be distributed in accordance with the Vernon Scholarship Requirements. The motion to amend was seconded and Mr.

Legere spoke to his motion, noting that there was money in the fund so no more money needed to be raised this year. The motior to amend carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

The amended motion: That the Town appropriate the sum of

$30,000.00 to the previously established Town of Vernon James Cusick Scholarship Fund. This fund to be distributed in accor-dance with the Vernon Scholarship Requirements, carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 27: Michael McKenney made the motion to approve the Vernon Capital Plan as presented in the Annual Report of the Finance Committee. The Town is free to add, delete, or modify any individual item from the proposed plan by amendment under this Article. The motion was seconded and discussion followed.

Dennis Legere made the motion to amend the Article to eliminate the funds for the Town Office Building HVAC and South School from the Capital Plan. The motion to amend was seconded. Len -

Peduzzi gave an update on the Town Office Building HVAC and:,

Richmond Tripp on the South School with both noting that the projects would be completed this year. After much more discus-sion Mr. Legere withdrew his motion to amend and the individual who seconded the motion withdrew his second. The original j

motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 28: Michael McKenney made the motion that the Town appropriate the sum of $130,000.00 from the Emergency Capital Reserve Fund for funding of items approved in the Capital Plan.

This money can only be used for items authorized in the Vernon Capital Plan. The motion was seconded and discussion followed.

Michael Ball made the motion to amend the motion to "raise and appropriate" the sum of $130,000.00. The motion to amend the Article was seconded. Both the motion to amend and the second were withdrawn by the individuals presenting them. More discussion followed. A Point of Order was called by Michael Ball regarding remarks being made by Dennis Legere on the invest-ments was not germane to the Article. The Chair ruled that the remarks were not germane and Mr. Legere challenged that ruling.

A vote was called and Mr. Legere was allowed to continue by a voice vote in the affirmative. Mr. Legere asked that the invest-ments be scrutinized more carefully in the future.

Dennis Legere made the motion to amend the Article to read: Thai the Town appropriate the sum $130,000.00 to deal with the approved funds in the Capital Plan, and that we raise $45,970.00 which, combined with the two figures $74,330.00 plus $9,700.00 will equal the $130,000.00. So by the investment of $45,970.00 we do not continue to deplete the fund and we continue to support the $130,000.00. The motion to amend was seconded. More discussion followed. A division of the house was called and the motion to amend carried with 53 votes in the affirmative and 31 lin the negative.

The amended motion: That the Town appropriate the sum of

$130,000.00 and raise $45,970.00 for funding of items approved in the Capital Plan. This money can only be used for items autho-rized in the Vernon Capital Plan. The motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 29: Sally Stearns made the motion that the Town

VERNON TOWN REPORT 61 VERNON TOWN REPORT 61 establish a Disability Insurance Fund, to be utilized under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. The motion was seconded and discussion followed. The motion was defeated on a voice vote in the negative.

ARTICLE 30: Because Article 29 was defeated Dennis Legere

,made the motion to object to the consideration of Article 30. The

,notion was seconded and carried on a clear two-thirds vote in the iffirmative.

ARTICLE 31: Doug Fletcher made the motion that the Town raise

nd appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for the Veterans Memorial to

aake additions, corrections, and any necessary repairs. The

notion was seconded and discussion followed. Peter Crossmon aid, "Last night we passed $4,000,000.00 in twenty minutes, now e're complaining and talking about $2,000.00 for people that iought for our country?" and moved the question. The motion to tease debate was seconded and carried on a clear two-thirds vote In the affirmative. The motion carried on a voice vote in the

'rffirmative.

ARTICLE 32: Steven Holton made the motion that the Town raise

,'nd appropriate the sum of $75,000.00 for the Fire Department to ppgrade air packs and compressor systems to meet NFPA and 0SHA requirements to date. The motion was seconded and much Liscussion followed. Steve Holton noted that many of the units mow in use cannot be retrofitted to meet the new standards and

re considered obsolete by MSA criteria. Much discussion followed. The options of spending a "one lump sum" or spreading the payments out were reviewed. David Andrews noted that the Town would be in jeopardy by not bringing the Fire Department

.ip to code when "these guys are risking their lives for us. Bear in nind, this isn't a normal town, this is uniquely different, from "ven Guilford. Our town has some unique hazards...and we have i Fire Department that really is understaffed, it's under-equipped.

the money they're asking for? Personally I don't think it's mnough!" Much more discussion followed. After further discus-

.ion Douglas Johnson made the motion to purchase 15 packs with ihe spare bottles, and convert the other systems. The motion to

mend was seconded and discussion followed.

pouglas Johnson spoke to his amendment, noting that he has

,poken with Brian Johnson from VT. Labor and Industry, who rformed him that "if a town had the capability of purchasing hese air packs and did not purchase them, and someone got hurt, hen the Town is liable for not purchasing this new equipment."

Much more discussion followed.

john Schaefer made the motion to amend the amendment to buy "0 air packs and raise and appropriate approximately $37,500.00

-lor this (half the amount asked for). The motion to amend the hmendment was seconded and more discussion followed.

[Ihe question was called and the motion to cease debate on the unendment to the amendment carried on a clear two-thirds voice iote in the affirmative. The amendment to the amendment was iefeated on a voice vote in the negative.

Wollowing a brief recess the current amendment: To amend Article

ý2 to raise5nd appropriate the sum of $60,000.00 for the purchase jf 15 air packs and assorted items as mentioned by Mr. Holton,

',ith any excess funding to be returned to the Town. The question Aas called and the motion to cease debate on the amendment

-arried on a clear two-thirds vote in the affirmative.

division of the house was called and the amended motion was efeated on a vote of 38 in the affirmative and 55 in the negative.

division of the house was called and the original motion carried n a vote of 59 votes in the affirmative and 28 in the negative.

RTICLE 33: Sonya Shippee made the motion that the Town receive its taxes through its Treasurer. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 34: Sonya Shippee made the motion that the Town authorize payment of Real and Personal Property taxes to the Town Treasurer in two installments, the date to be specified by the townspeople and maybe the Treasurer could make a sugges-tion. The motion was seconded. Treasurer Sally Stearns spoke against the Article due to the proposed calendar change to be discussed later in the meeting. Dennis Legere made the motion to amend the motion to include July 1st and October 1st as the two due dates. The motion to amend was seconded and defeated on a voice vote in the negative. The original motion was defeated on a voice vote in the negative.

ARTICLE 35: Sonya Shippee made the motion that the Town authorize payment of Real and Personal Property taxes in one installment on October 15th. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 36: Sally Stearns made the motion that the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to change from a calendar year to a fiscal year commencing on July 1, 2004. The motion was seconded and Treasurer Steams spoke to the motion. Following discussion the motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 37: Len Peduzzi made the motion that the Town authorize and appropriate $73,788.05 owed to Velco per the Vermont Supreme Court decision in the Town of Vernon versus Velco from a fund to be determined or wait until year end 2003 using excess funds to defray the expense. The motion was seconded and discussion followed. Lister Chairman William Hammond spoke to the motion regarding the steps that led to this situation: Velco was encouraged by Ollie Trahan in Montpelier to utilize the IOWA curve (at that time Velco was the only one that used that method). Velco appealed their tax assessment to the Listers who denied their grievance, they then appealed to the Board of Civil Authority who denied that appeal, it then went to "one man who's like a judge that the State sends down, and he came down completely biased. Wouldn't even allow our contrac-tor to speak unless we had a full dossier on him, but yet they allowed the expert to speak on the other side. It was politics in this, and I want this to go on record." Some of the tax money has been returned last year and "Velco has been very nice about it."

Much discussion followed.

Michael Ball made the motion to amend the motion to that the Town authorize and appropriate $73,788.05 owed to Velco per the Vermont Supreme Court decision in the Town of Vernon versus Velco from a fund to be determined by the Treasurer. The motion to amend was seconded and after discussion the maker and seconder of the motion to amend withdrew their motion and second.

Dennis Legere made the motion to amend the motion to pay the

$73,788.05 in taxes due and any remaining funds owed to be taken from the excess funds in the general fund at the end of the year.

The motion to amend was seconded and the amendment carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

Article 37 as amended: that the Town authorize the payment of

$73,788.05 owed to Velco per the Vermont Supreme Court decision in the Town of Vernon versus Velco in taxes due with any excess to come from surplus funds at year end.

The amended motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

62 VERNON TOWN REPORT 62 VERNON TOWN REPORT ARTICLE 38: Sally Steams made the motion that the Town raise

$1,454,556.85 and appropriate $1,648,226.00 to defray its expenses and liabilities for the ensuing year. The motion was seconded and Treasurer Steams explained the changes in the appearance of the Selectmen's budget this year. With no discussion forthcoming the motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 39: Sally Steams made the motion to authorize the Selectmen to borrow money on notes of the Town in anticipation of taxes and/or current expenses. The motion was seconded and with no discussion forthcoming the motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 40: To transact any other business that may lawfully come before said meeting.

Christiane Howe moved that the Town allow the Selectboard to research the possibility of hiring an Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen. The motion was seconded.

Moderator Arsenault called for the vote noting that this motion was purely advisory as no binding action can be taken under other business, and the motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

Walter Zaluzny asked that the Monday evening Town Meeting start at 7:00 P.M. rather than 6:30 P.M. and asked for

.latest information on the sewage project on the north end of Vernon which Selectman Peduzzi spoke to.

Barbara Sprague thanked everybody for helping and reported that the Historians had raised $661.87 on the food sale;

$27.00 for the Chapel raffle; $30.00 for the note paper and $66.00 for the cookbooks.

Michael Ball spoke to the defeat of Article 22 for the second time in the past two years and recommended the Selectboard consider defining a policy or guideline for outside organizations to request monies.

The meeting was recessed pending the results from the Australian Ballot voting.

With 892 votes cast from a Checklist of 1533, the results of the Australian Balloting as presented by the Town Clerk were as follows:

MODERATOR Timothy Arsenault 826 SECOND CONSTABLE Jason Johnson 422 807 TOWN AGENT Robert Miller Jr GRAND JUROR - To be appointed SCHOOL DIRECTOR - 3 YEAR POSITION Michael Hebert SCHOOL DIRECTOR - I YEAR POSITION Pamela B Gobeille Leeanne Shover 739 407 402 SCHOOL DISTRICT MODERATOR Timothy Arsenault 842 ARTICLE 3: Shall the make-up of the Board of School Directors of; the Brattleboro Union High School District, as approved by the voters at the time the Brattleboro Union High School District was formed be amended to provide that each member town school district is entitled to one board representative per 3,000 citizens (or fraction thereof as measured by the U.S. decennial census (which initially creates a nine member board); and to further provide that.

to produce staggered terms, one Brattleboro director will be elected to a one-year term (to be replaced by a director with a three-year term), two Brattleboro directors will be elected to two year terms (to be replaced by directors with three-year terms), and, all other directors will be elected to three-year terms. (VOTING BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT).

784 Votes were cast as follows:

Yes 567 No 172 Spoiled 0

Blank 45 Total 784 SELECTMAN - 3 YEAR POSITION Douglas Fletcher SELECTMAN-1 YEAR Margaret (Peggy) Farabaugh James Polhemus SELECTMAN - 2 YEAR (to fill an unexpired term)

Michael Ball LISTER William Hammond AUDITOR Carol J. Hammond 510 489 436 485 656 642 667 841 ARTICLE 4: To see if the voters of the Town of Vernon will request the Legislature of the State of Vermont to take action immediately to bar relicensing of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station whose current license expires in 2012; to bar the licensing of any other nuclear generating station in the State of Vermont; and to proceed forthwith implementing'a state energy plan that relies upon renewable energy sources to supply Vermont's energy needs.

834 Votes were cast as follows:

Yes 74 No 756 Spoiled 0

Blank 4

Total 834 ATTEST:

APPROVED BY:

DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR Marylynn Scherlin FIRST CONSTABLE Peter Crossmon

/s/ Sandra B. Harris cvc Sandra B. Harris cvc Town Clerk

/s/ Michael Ball Michael Ball - Selectboard Is/ Laura DeVincentis Laura DeVincentis - School Board

/s/ Timothy Arsenault Timothy Arsenault -Moderator

VERNON TOWN REPORT 63 VERNON TOWN REPORT 63 TOWN OF VERNON, VERMONT WARNING FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING MAY 8,2003 The legal voters of the Town of Vernon are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Vernon Elementary School (cafetorium) on Thursday, May 8 A.D. 2003 at 7:00 P.M. in said Town to act on the following Articles:

'ARTICLE 1: To see if the Town will vote to reconsider action taken

'on Article 32 at the Annual Town Meeting.

1ARTICLE 2: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $75,000.00 for the Fire Department to upgrade airpacks and compressor systems to meet NFPA and OSHA requirements to date.

(Article 32 at the Annual Meeting) 1ARTICLE 3:Shall Vernon vote on matters advisatory to the Vermont Legislature by Australian Ballot?

Dated at Vernon, Vermont this 7th day of April A.D. 2003.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN TOWN OF VERNON, VERMONT Ma are Far ugh Douglas Fletcher SPECIAL TOWN MEETING MINUTES MAY 8,2003 Moderator Timothy Arsenault called the Special Town Meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Town Clerk Sandra Harris read the Warning and Moderator Arsenault reviewed the procedures to reconsider from Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE 1: MARGARLET FARABAUGH MADE THE MOTION THAT THE TOWN RECONSIDER ACTION TAKEN ON ARTICLE 32 AT THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING. The motion was seconded and Fire Chief Steven Holton informed those present that he had received confirmation and documentation informing him that an $89,000.00 grant had been received to cover the costs of thebreathing apparatus and thermal imagingcameras whichArticle 32 was to cover. After further discussion the motion carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

ARTICLE 2:DOUGLAS FLETCHER MADE THE MOTION THAT THE TOWN VOTE TO RAISE AND APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $75,000.00 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO UPGRADE AIRPACKS AND COMPRESSOR SYSTEMS TO MEET NFPA AND OSHA REQUIREMENTS TO DATE. (ARTICLE 32 AT THE ANNUAL MEETING). The motion was seconded and discussion followed. Fire Chief Steven Holton recommended defeating this Article since the grant has been confirmed. Chairman Ball read the letter of confirmation regarding the grant to those assembled. After brief discussion the motion was defeated by a voice vote in the negative.

ARTICLE 3: MICHAEL BALL MADE THE MOTION THAT VERNON VOTE ON MATTERS ADVISATORY TO THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT. The motion was seconded and Mr. Ball spoke to the motion. Much discussion followed. The motion carried in a voice vote in the affirmative.

Any other business:

In response to Paul Sather's request, Selectboard Chairman Ball reviewed the methods implemented inplacing petitioned articles on the Warnings for Special and Annual Meetings.

Mike Zaluzny raised the question about the monies the Town had invested and the status of those funds. Chairman Ball stated that the Town was in mutual funds, noted the majority input on the questionnaire sent out last fall indicated that they wanted to be out of equitybut infixed investments. He furthernoted that the Treasurer has provided a proposed investment guideline to the Board to review.

JOHN WHEELDEN SR. MADE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN.

The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

The meeting adjourned at 7:32 P.M.

ATTEST:

Is! Sandra B. Harris cvc /cmc Town Clerk Is! Michael Ball Selectboard Chairman e nard Peduzzi J es Polhemus

/s/ Timothy Arsenault Moderator

64 VERNON TOWN REPORT 64 VERNON TOWN REPORT RESULTS OF THE VERNON TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL MEETING/ELECTION HELD ON JUNE 10 A.D. 2003 Voted by Australian Ballot at the Town Office Building (downstairs).

Polls open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

There were 167 votes cast from a checklist of 1,538 with 9 votes being cast by absentee ballot.

The votes were as follows:

FOR UNION SCHOOL DIRECTOR - 3 YEAR POSITION Pamela B. Gobeille Michael J. Hebert Spoiled Blank Total Votes Cast 54 113 0

0 167 WARNING FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2003

The legal voters of the Town of Vernon are hereby notified and warned to meet at theVernonElementarySchool (cafetorium) at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 in said Town to act upon the following Articles:

ARTICLE 1: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the transfer of

$3,480.21 left from the Town's 2003 250th Celebration to supplement the 2004 Annual Town Picnic.

ARTICLE 2: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,500.00 for the 2004 Annual Town Picnic.

ARTICLE 3: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of

$35,000.00 from the Town of Vernon Emergency Capital Reserve Fund for necessary plumbing repairs at the Vernon Recreation' Center.

ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the I sum of $20,331.00 for the administration of the Vernon Free Library.'

ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote to collect its taxes without discounts and to have real estate taxes payable on or before April 15 th.

ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to receive its taxes through{

its Treasurer.

ARTICLE 7: To see what amount the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to defray its expenses and liabilities for the six month!

period, January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2004.

ARTICLE 8: To transact any other business that may lawfully come before said meeting.

ATITEST:

Sandra B. Harris cvc

/ichbeIBair Board of Selectmen Vernon. Vermont

VERNON TOWN REPORT 65 VERNON TOWN REPORT 65 MINUTES OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - NOVEMBER 18,2003 1486 Names on the Checklist 78 Voters present at Meeting Moderator Timothy Arsenault called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, the Town Clerk read the Warning.

ARTICLE 1: GEORGIA BOYCE MADE THE MOTION THAT THE TOWN VOTE TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF

$3,480.21 LEFT FROM THE TOWN'S 2003 250TH CELEBRATION TO SUPPLEMENT THE 2004 ANNUAL TOWN PICNIC. The motion was seconded and George Boyce spoke to the motion, noting the need to adjust the figure by $75.00 for a bill that had not been paid.

GEORGIA BOYCE MADE THE MOTION TO AMEND THE MOTION TO TRANSFER $3,405.21 LEFT FROM THE TOWN'S 2003 250TH CELEBRATION. The motion to amend was seconded and carried on a voice vote in the affirmative.

THE AMENDED MOTION: THAT THE TOWN AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF $3,405.21 LEFT FROM THE TOWN'S 2003 250TH CELEBRATION TO SUPPLEMENT THE 2004 ANNUAL TOWN PICNIC CARRIED ON A VOICE VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARTICLE 2: GEORGIA BOYCE MADE THE MOTION THAT rTHE TOWN RAISE AND APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $3,500.00 1 FORTHE 2004 ANNUALTOWNPICNIC.Themotionwas seconded

!and following discussion THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOICE IVOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARTICLE 3: Seth Deyo asked to speak to the motion. Michael Ball called a point of order, noting that a motion was required prior to discussing an Article. SETH DEYO MADE THE MOTION THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $35,000.00 FROM THE TOWN OF VERNON EMERGENCY CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR NECESSARY PLUMBING REPAIRS AT THE VERNON RECREATION CENTER. The motion was seconded and Seth Deyo used a power point presentation to explain the proposed project, noting that passage of this Article would not affect the tax rate as the monies were already in the Emergency Capital Reserve Fund. Discussion followed. MICHAEL BALL MADE THE MOTION TO AMEND THE MOTION TO INCLUDE "TO AUTOMATICALLY RETURN ANY EXCESS MONEY TO THE FUND."Themotionto amend was seconded and discussionfollowed.

~THE MOTION TO AMEND THE MOTION TO INCLUDE '1"O RETURN ANY EXCESS MONEY TO THE FUND: CARRIED ON A VOICE VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARTICLE 5: LEN PEDUZZI MADE THE MOTION THAT THE TOWN COLLECT ITS TAXES WITHOUT DISCOUNTS AND TO HAVE REAL ESTATE TAXES PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 15TH. The motion was seconded and much discussion followed.

Treasurer Sally Stearns explained that this would cover a six-month municipal budget from January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2004. THE MOTION CARRIED ONA VOICE VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARTICLE 6: JIM POLHEMUS MADE THE MOTION THAT THE TOWN RECEIVE ITS TAXES THROUGH ITS TREASURER. The motion was seconded and discussion followed. THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOICE VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARTICLE 7: SALLY STEARNS MADE THE MOTIONTHATTHE TOWN RAISE AND APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $815,307.00 TO DEFRAY ITS EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES FOR THE 6-MONTH PERIOD, JANUARY 1, 2004 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2004. The motion was seconded and Treasurer Steams spoke to the budget. Much discussion followed. THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOICE VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARTICLE 8: PEGGY FARABAUGH MADE THE MOTION TO DISCUSS ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LAWFULLY COME BEFORE SAID MEETING. The motion was seconded and Selectboard Chairman Michael Ball introduced the Board and announced there were additional T-shirts from the 250th Celebration on sale at the back of the room.

Moderator Arsenault thanked the Board of Selectmen; First Choice Communications who ran the sound system; BCTV who filmed the meeting for later viewing and those who attended the meeting.

LEN PEDUZZI MADE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN. The motion was seconded and Moderator Arsenault declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.

ATTEST:

/s/Sandra B. Harris cvc/cmc Town Clerk

/s/ Michael Ball Selectboard Chairman

/s/ Timothy Arsenault Moderator THE AMENDED MOTION: THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $35,000.00 FROM THE TOWN OF VERNON EMERGENCY CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR NECESSARY PLUMBING REPAIRS AT THE VERNON RECREATION CENTER AND TO AUTOMATICALLY RETURN ANY EXCESS MONEY TO THE FUND CARRIED ON A VOICE VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARTICLE 4: NANCY BURRINGTON MADE THE MOTION THAT THE TOWN RAISE AND APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF

$20,331.00 FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE VERNON FREE LIBRARY. The motion was seconded and Mrs. Burrington explained that the proposed budget was for a 3 month budget for the Library. THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOICE VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

66 VERNON TOWN REPORT 66 VERNON TOWN REPORT WARNING FOR 2004 TOWN AND TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING The legal voters of the Vernon Town and Vernon Town School District are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Vernon Elementary School (cafetorium) at 6:30 P.M. on Monday, March 1, 2004, in said Town to act upon Articles beginning with Article 4. Said meeting to be recessed and continued the following evening, March 2,2004, at 7:30 P.M. in the same location.

Voting on Articles 1-3 will be by Australian ballot at the Town Office Building (downstairs) on March 2, 2004. Polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

ARTICLE 1: To elect all Town Officers required by law to be elected at the Annual Town Meeting. (VOTING BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT)

ARTICLE 2: To elect all Town School District Officers required by law to be elected at the Annual Town School District Meeting.

(VOTING BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT)

ARTICLE 3: Shall the Town vote to appropriate the sum of

$200,000.00 from the previously established Water and Sewer Fund to help fund construction of the water and sewer at the proposed ElderlyHousingProjecton the Streeter Property, so called. (VOTING BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT)

ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to act upon the report of the Town Auditors.

ARTICLE 5: To choose a Library Trustee for the term of five years.

ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $86,846.00 for the administration of the Vernon Free Library.

ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $80,000.00 to be placed in the previously established "Town Road Upgrading Fund" to be utilized for paving and upgrading existing Town roads.

ARTICLE 8: To seeif theTown will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 to be placed in the previously established "Farmland Protection Fund." This money would be held under all restrictions applicable to this fund.

ARTICLE9:To seeif theTownwillvote to raise and appropriat the sum of $500.00 to be expended by Vernon Historians, Inc., for thi purchase and preservation of historic items and for copying anc printing historic Vernon photographs and printed items, and fo.

supplies to properly conserve and store the same.

ARTICLE 10:To see if theTownwill vote to raise and appropriat the sum of $7,000.00 for the annual Town picnic.

ARTICLE 11:To see if the Townwill vote to raise and appropriat(

the sum of $100,000.00 to be placed in the previously establishec "Professional Services Fund."

ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectboard to expend needed monies on legal matters from the Emergency Capital Reserve Fund.

ARTICLE 13:To seeif theTownwillvote to raise and appropriate the sum of $14,960.00 and authorize the Selectmen to expend the same for the support of the following in the designated amounts. The Town is free to delete, or modify any individual item from the proposed list by amendment under this Article.

AIDS Project of Southern Vermont Brattleboro Area Drop In Center Brattleboro Area Hospice Connecticut River Transit Inc Council on Aging The Gathering Place George D. Aiken Resource Conservation & Development Council Green Up Vermont Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern VT (by Petition)

Morningside Emergency Shelter RSVP (by Petition)

SEVCA Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Visiting Nurses Alliance Windham County Humane Society Women's Crisis Center 150.00 200.00 300.00 500.00 700.00 500.00 50.00 50.00 150.00 1,850.00 500.00 510.00 2,100.00 500.00 5,350.00 700.00 900.00 ARTICLE 14: To choose a committee for Memorial Day.

ARTICLE 15: To choose a committee to disburse the income of the Marsh Fund.

VERNON' ARTICLE 16: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate 30,000.00 from the previously established "The Town of Vernon, ames Cusick Scholarship Fund." This fund to be distributed in ccordance with the Vernon Scholarship Requirements.

ARTICLE 17: To see if the Town will approve the Vernon

ýapital Plan as presented in the Annual Report. The Town is free to Add, delete, or modify any individual item from the proposed plan by

,tmendment under this Article.

ARTICLE 15

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the

ýum-of $154,112.00 from the emergency Capital Reserve Fund for unding of items approved in the Capital Plan. This money can only e used for items authorized in the Vernon Capital Plan.

ARTICLE 19: To see if the Town will approve the use by the Fire

(*hief of monies reserved for Fire Pond Maintenance for any use as lng as it installs and/or maintains alternative water sources (e.g.:

I ire ponds with or without dry hydrants, or underground storage t nks with dry hydrants).

ARTICLE 20: To see if the Town will change the policy for Rescue Inc. reimbursements so that the Town not pay for the first service but rather encourage households to purchase subscriptions every year and for the Town to pay for subscriptions out of the gmergency Medical Ambulance Services Fund for households that say that they cannot afford the cost of the subscription.

ARTICLE 21: To see if the Town will authorize payment of Real and Personal Property taxes to the TownTreasurer without discounts in two installments, setting the due dates as September 15, 2004 and February 15, 2005.

ARTICLE 22: To see if the Town will vote to receive its taxes through its Treasurer.

ARTICLE 23: To see what amount the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to defray its expenses and liabilities for the ensuing year.

TOWN REPORT 67 ARTICLE 25: To transact any other business that may lawfully come before said meeting.

ARTICLE 26: To see if the Town School District will authorize the Town School District Board to borrow money in anticipation of taxes.

ARTICLE 27: To see if the Town School District will vote to approve the Vernon School Capital Plan as presented by the Town School District Board.

ARTICLE 28: To seeif the Town School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $48,100.00 for funding of items approved in the school Capital Plan. (This money can only be used for items authorized in the school Capital Plan).

ARTICLE 29: To see if the Town School District will vote to raise and appropriate an anount of money necessary to defray its expenses and liabilities for the ensuing year and, if so, in what amount.

ARTICLE 30: To transact any other business that may lawfully come before said meeting.

Laura DeVincentis Deborah Hebert Michael Hebert Pamela Gobeille Leeanne Shover School Directors Vernon, Vermont Michael Ball Margaret Farabaugh Douglas Fletcher Leonard Peduzzi James Polhemus Board of Selectmen Vernon, Vermont ARTICLE 24: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the electmen to borrow money on notes of the Town in anticipation of ixes and/or current expenses.

68 VERNON TOWN REPORT o

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