From the Selectboard
ACT 46 SCHOOL MERGER
The Selectboard reviewed an article that appeared in the Deerfield Valley News recently. Members of the newly formed Readsboro Halifax school union discussed dissolving the union district and going back to two separate schools. The union members will look into it for discussion at their next meeting. Dan Potvin was very interested and thought it was important news for our residents. He felt the school board and principal should read the article. Copies will be given to them.
If you are a subscriber, you can read the article here.
VETERANS DINNER
Dan Potvin has scheduled the pot luck dinner in honor of our veterans for Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 5 p.m. at the school. He asks everyone to spread the word and invite veterans to attend.
DELINQUENT DOGS
Melissa Lawrence and Stephen Chipchase have not licensed their dogs with the town. The due date was April 1,
Luke McKay learned that the ticketing system through the Vermont Judicial Bureau can take a long time and was concerned about the risk of having dogs in town without rabies vaccinations. He asked the board to consider impounding the dogs until the owners make arrangements for rabies shots and will release the dogs once they have been licensed with the town and all impound fees have been paid. The board discussed the pros and cons. Dave Tatro felt the board should follow the law and our ordinance and even if it takes a long time, it is better than the emotional distress of taking the dogs away. The board does not want to take the dogs, they just need to have them registered with the town. It was ultimately decided that Luke McKay will issue tickets and will contact the police to accompany him in serving the tickets.
Luke McKay asked the board to look into a used vehicle. He has learned that the state recommends transporting stray dogs in a cage inside the vehicle, not in the back of a pickup. The town could be liable if a stray he picks up carries a disease that causes the Dog Officer or his animals to become ill.
From the Planning Commision
BENNINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL COMMISSION GRANT
Catherine Bryars from the BCRC couldn’t attend tonight’s meeting and spoke with Helen Fields. The BCRC is hoping the Planning Commission will endorse its application for grant funding and commit to participating in BCRC’s proposed regional housing by-laws study. For this project, BCRC will survey current housing regulations in the downtown and village center areas of its member municipalities and make specific recommendations for by-law improvements to help each community achieve goals for
more quality, diverse housing in historic centers. They will analyze housing challenges, opportunities and policies in town and summarize their findings in a final report. Helen Fields stated that we are not required to act on or implement any of their recommendations and there is no financial commitment.
MOTION by Aaron Malachuk to endorse the BCRC’s application for grant funding for this project. SECONDED by Dan Potvin. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. The endorsement was signed.
