Development News for Brattleboro, Vermont

Town Reconsiders Treasurer Appointment Under Article 9

The town is holding a special meeting to reconsider Article 9, which proposes authorizing the select board to appoint the town treasurer as a finance director, requiring professional qualifications. This follows a previous town meeting vote and a subsequent petition for reconsideration. The initial vote count had an error, and a recount confirmed the need for a 2/3 majority for reconsideration. If reconsidered, the article would be debated as if it were new, allowing amendments. The proposal aims to address issues of accountability and the town's difficulty in finding qualified treasurers, with the select board seeking the ability to hire and dismiss the treasurer for performance reasons, unlike the elected position. Concerns were raised about the definition of 'professional qualifications,' the process of hiring, potential for political influence, and the loss of local control through elections. The discussion also covered the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) role, contract terms for appointed positions, and the historical context of the treasurer and finance director roles.