February 2025

Vermont League,

Welcome to the VLCT Journal 2.0. Here you'll find the same great content with a new look and feel. We know you're busy preparing for Town Meeting Day, while also planning for what's to come. Funding is a perennial spring topic, and this year with many federal funding programs evolving there are more unknowns. The good news is that you can still apply for a 2025 PACIF Grant or see if a need your town has can be matched with one of these open grant opportunities. Scroll down to read legal updates, see important requests from PACIF and the UI Trust, and discover new and updated resources.

PACIF Grants ad with a quote from Windham Solid Waste Management District

News

Resources

Careers

Events

Legal Updates

Learn How to Reduce the Size of Your Selectboard

We addressed how to increase the size of your selectboard to five in “Changing the Size of Your Selectboard”. But what if you now want to revert back to a three-member board? To do so there must be a vote, at either a special or annual town meeting, to rescind the increase. If the vote is successful, the term of office of the two additional selectboard members expires on the 31st day after the vote.

Court Establishes Seven-Part Test for De Minimis Recreational Use Zoning Exemption

The Vermont Supreme Court affirmed that a 120 square foot bike and pedestrian bridge over a small stream “is a de minimis recreational use of private property outside the scope of the zoning ordinance.” To arrive at this decision, the Court expanded on past rulings to establish a new seven-part test the reviewing body must use to evaluate if the use is de minimis.

Risk Management

Workers' Compensation Audits Begin Soon

It's time for our Underwriting staff to embark on the process of conducting PACIF's annual payroll audits. If you are the PACIF contact and your municipal entity has employees, keep an eye out for an email from Notifications@OrigamiRisk.com. It will include a link to upload the required documents.

Submit Your Unemployment Insurance Wage Report

UI Trust wage reports are due no later than April 30. The form and instructions are available online, along with contact information for questions and assistance.

Check Out the Updated Municipal Dog Control Manual

Formerly known as the "Big Book of Woof" this online manual can help you navigate the sometimes contentious field of dog control. Learn about required dog immunizations and why they're important, discover the dog license types and their associated fees, access a model dog control ordinance, and more. Bookmark the page or click "PDF/Print Manual" to save or print the full manual for later reference.

Check Out the Manual

Featured Resources & Opportunities

Funding Opportunities: Municipal Vaults and Records Preservation

Is your vault full to the ceiling from the sheer volume of paperwork being filed and stored at your municipal office? If this sounds familiar, here are some funding opportunities that can help you expand your space.

Town Meeting: Saturday 2/22 is the Last Day to Distribute Annual Auditors Report*

*Unless the town has voted to give notice of the report's availability. Visit vlct.org/TownMeeting for more.

Discover What a Town Administrator Can Do for You

Municipalities are busy. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to serve residents. If your staff and elected officials are feeling the strain, learn more about how a Town Administrator can help.

ICYMI: Latest News

Read the Latest Weekly Legislative Report

Our bill is the year's first law. Plus, contact your legislators about housing infrastructure.

Vermont Declaration of Inclusion

The DOI covers 76% of Vermonters. Read about how municipalities have adopted it.

Post Town Meeting: Update Your Contacts

Primary contacts should look for an email after Town Meeting with instructions to make updates.

Selectboard Essentials

Make sure your new selectboard members attend this foundational training on Saturday 3/22.

Get Expert Building Design/Planning Advice

Submit your proposal for the ACX (architects and construction) Conference by February 28.

Testimony to Transportation Committee

VLCT Advocacy outlined data for maintenance of legal trails and concerns about reducing road salt.

Presidential Actions Summary: Impact to Local Governments

This resource from NLC tracks recent changes to federal programs and funding that affect local government. It is updated as new information becomes available.

Member Showcase: Governing board members from throughout Rutland County attended their selectboard meet-up in January, co-hosted by Rutland Regional Planning Commission and VLCT at the West Rutland Town Office. Selectboard members from Windham County can attend their meet-up in Newfane on March 12, and those from Franklin and Grand Isle counties can attend in St. Albans on March 31.

Store

Build a Better Project: Team Building

This bi-monthly series was created to help members learn about different elements of developing strong projects. Watch the first part, Team Building, on demand now. Explore how to build internal and external teams, the importance of communications, and the building blocks for successful community engagement.

Buy Now for $0.00

About VLCT Journal

Find all issues of the VLCT Journal at vlct.org/journal.

As always, be sure to follow us on social media and regularly check the updated home page of our website for breaking news and announcements.

Please contact us at vlctnews@vlct.org with any comments or suggestions for upcoming content.

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