Procedural Matters

V.S.A. tit. 24 Appendix, ch. 173, subch. 6

in effect

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 173, § 27 Meetings; open government

27. Meetings; open government It shall be the policy of the Town of Windsor to afford to all its citizens the opportunity to participate in the government of their Town as fully and completely as may be possible. To this end, all meetings of agencies, boards, citizen committees, and any other group acting under authority of the Town of Windsor shall be conducted openly and in accordance with the policy of the laws of the State of Vermont relative to meetings of governmental bodies, and no executive session shall be held except in accordance with the terms of the law; provided, however, that the penalties set forth in the general law shall not extend to any person solely by reason of this charter. Amended 1999, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. May 9, 2000.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 173, § 28 Ordinances

28. Ordinances (a) Town ordinances or rules may be adopted, amended, repealed, or enforced as provided by law or this charter. The Selectboard shall have the power to enact any ordinance or rule that it specifically finds necessary and desirable for the promotion of the public health, safety, welfare, or convenience of the Town or its citizens. (b) A Town ordinance may provide: (1) that any professional fees or costs incurred by the Town in the enforcement of any ordinance shall be charged to the violator; those charges shall constitute a lien against real property or a levy against personal property and shall be enforced within the time and in the manner provided for the collection of taxes on real or personal property; (2) that the Selectboard may authorize the Town Attorney to bring an action in the name of the Town of Windsor for any relief that the Selectboard may deem appropriate for the enforcement of any Town ordinance. Amended 1999, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. May 9, 2000; 2005, No. M-13 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 17, 2006.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 173, § 29 Appointed officers

29. Appointed officers (a) The Selectboard, by a majority vote, shall appoint the following Town officers for the terms indicated: (1) Town Attorney for a term of one year, to fulfill the duties prescribed by law for the grand juror and town agent of a town, except as provided in subsection 14(f) of this charter, and perform such other duties as may be requested by the Selectboard or the Town Administrator. (2) Town Service Officer, a Dog Control Officer, Assistant Town Treasurer, Assistant Town Clerk, and a Health Officer for a term of one year. (3) [Repealed.] (4) A Development Review Board of not fewer than five nor more than nine members, the length of the terms of the Board members, not to exceed three years, shall be established at the time of appointment of the individual Board member by the Selectboard, and two alternates with one-year terms. Any vacancy prior to the expiration of the term of the prior holder shall be for the unexpired term of the holder. Any member may be removed by the Selectboard at any time for cause upon written charges and after a public hearing. (5) A Planning Commission of not fewer than three nor more than nine members; the length of the terms of the members, not to exceed three years, shall be established at the time of the appointment of the individual member by the Selectboard. Any vacancy prior to the expiration of the term of the prior holder shall be for the unexpired term of the holder. Any member may be removed by the Selectboard at any time by unanimous vote of the Selectboard. (6) Regional Planning Commissioner, and one alternate for one year. (7) Town Assessor for a term of one year, who may be a full-time lister. (8) Custodial Officer for the Vermont Judicial Bureau and an issuing official for a term of one year. (9) A Constable may be appointed for a one-year term by the Selectboard. The Constable’s training and duties shall be set by the Selectboard. The Constable shall be subject to the comprehensive person- nel plan of the Town of Windsor. (10) One or more tree wardens for a term of one year per tree warden. (11) Other special committees as needed. (b) A vacancy in any appointed office may be filled for the duration of the unexpired term by the Selectboard. (c) When it becomes necessary to make appointments to any office or position created by this charter, ordinance, or bylaws, the Selectboard shall give notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the Town specifying positions open for which appointment will be made so that interested persons may apply. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the reappointment by the Selectboard of an incumbent in an appointed office. (d) The offices of Fence Viewer, Grand Juror, Inspector of Lumber, Weigher of Coal, Second Constable, and Auditor are all abolished. Except as otherwise provided in this charter, the Selectboard or its designee shall exercise the powers, duties, and responsibilities of any of the offices abolished in this section in the event that the need should arise. (e) The Town Manager, with the advice and consent of the Selectboard, shall appoint a Zoning Administrator for a one-year term. Amended 1999, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. May 9, 2000; 2005, No. M-13 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 17, 2006; 2007, No. M-19 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 13, 2008; 2011, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 9, 2012.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 173, § 30 Compensation and fees

30. Compensation and fees (a) The Town meeting shall annually vote the compensation to be paid to the following officers: (1) Selectboard; (2) [Repealed.] (3) Moderator. (b) The Selectboard shall annually consider and from time to time shall set the compensation of the following officers: (1) Town Administrator; (2) Town Attorney; (3) Constable; (4) Board of Civil Authority and Abatement; (5) listers. (c) The Selectboard shall set the compensation for all other Town officers and employees as per the comprehensive personnel plan of the Town of Windsor. (d) All fees prescribed by State law, charter, ordinance, or otherwise shall be collected for the benefit of the Town and paid to the Town Treasurer. No fees shall be used directly by any receiving officer or inure indirectly to the benefit of the officer. Amended 1999, No. M-12 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. May 9, 2000; 2011, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 9, 2012.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 173, § 31 Conflict of interest

31. Conflict of interest (a) If there is a specific written complaint of conflict of interest, the Selectboard shall conduct an investigation in accordance with the ordinance that states the procedure and arrive at a decision. (b) No elected or appointed officer or employee of the Town shall be beneficially interested directly or indirectly in any contract with the Town, regardless of amount, or furnish any material, or perform any labor, except in the discharge of his or her official duties, unless such contract shall have been awarded upon bids advertised for by publication. Such publication shall appear at least two times in a newspaper having general circulation in the Town; the second publication shall be at least seven days prior to the opening of such bids. No officer or employee of the Town shall take part in any decision concerning the business of the Town in which the officer or employee has a direct or indirect financial interest, aside from his or her salary as an officer or employee, greater than that of any other citizen or taxpayer in the Town. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Town Administrator from hiring the best available service provider in an emergency situation. Amended 2005, No. M-13 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. May 17, 2006.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 173, § 32 Public lands

32. Public lands (a) With approval of the voters given at any duly warned special or annual Town meeting, the Selectboard may sell any portion of real estate owned by the Town and not needed for Town purposes, or change the use of any real property owned by the Town. Such authorization may be given by individual parcel or in blanket form by the voters at the special or annual Town meeting. (b) Once the Selectboard has the authorization to sell or substantially change the use of a parcel or parcels of real estate, the Selectboard shall first hold a public hearing. (c) Notice of such hearing shall be given by the Selectboard: (1) by posting in at least three conspicuous public places within the Town; (2) by publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the Town; (3) the notice shall be published not less than seven nor more than 21 days prior to the date of the hearing; and (4) shall also identify specifically the real estate involved. (d) At the hearing, all citizens of the Town shall have an opportunity: (1) to inquire as to the reasons, method, time, and terms of the proposed sale or change of use; (2) to express their views. (e) After all proper persons have had an opportunity to be heard, the Selectboard shall vote upon the question and, if a majority of the full Board votes in favor of the proposed action, the Selectboard shall complete the sale or change of use. Amended 2005, No. M-13 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. May 17, 2006.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/24APPENDIX/173Fetched: 10/21/2026