Tunbridge
The 165-4 vote was non-binding, supporters said, but sends a clear signal to Utah-based engineer David Hall that his planned development is unwanted.
“I’ve lived out West. I’ve seen these types of developments. I’ve seen how they manipulate the system and loopholes to destroy communities,” resident Bob Dunkle said.
“You will lose (the town’s) identity if you don’t take this guy seriously.”
Tunbridge was one of four towns voting on articles opposing NewVistas, a proposed self-sustaining community that Hall has said could attract 20,000 people. His foundation already has purchased 1,400 acres of property in Tunbridge, Royalton, Sharon and Strafford for the project, which Hall says will be completed decades from now.
But White River Valley residents have organized to oppose the development, creating the nonprofit Alliance for Vermont Communities, which supported the Town Meeting article.
Everyone who spoke during the 20-minute discussion on NewVistas said they opposed it, including resident Dave Kimball.
He cautioned voters against waiting to act on the proposal, saying it’s not clear whether state or regional planners could stop the development, which could overwhelm town services.
“There’s impact on our fire department, on our ambulances, on the police that we haven’t figured into this,” he said.
“As we talked about, we have a volunteer fire department, completely unpaid. Are they going to want to be responding to a six-story building in Tunbridge to fight a fire?”
Voters in Tunbridge also approved a general fund budget of $575,462, a decrease of about $32,000 over last year’s.
Selectboard member John O’Brien said the budget calls for level funding of services, but there’s additional money for repairs to Town Hall, which will take place over the summer.
The town also hopes to hire an outside auditor for the first time in several years.
Residents voted to increase the budget by $735 over the Selectboard’s proposal in order to help pay for staffing at First Branch Ambulance and Rescue, which will expand paid staff hours to include Saturdays.
The general highway budget of $840,700, which amounts to a decrease of about $2,300 compared with last year’s budget, also was approved on a voice vote. In the coming year, the department hopes to replace one vehicle and make repairs to the highway facility, Selectboard member Gary Mullen said.
Overall, the town estimated the two budgets would raise about $1 million in taxes, about $10,000 less than the current year’s taxes raised.
Residents raised questions about funding for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The town annually provides $6,000 to the department, which amounts to about four hours a week of patrol coverage, Orange County Lt. David Eggum said.
Eggum said the payment helps cover the cost of police patrols, which are still active in Tunbridge and can help to curb speeding and prevent other safety issues.
But because coverage is limited, the Selectboard warned residents not to rely solely on the sheriff’s department in emergency situations. Vermont State Police also provide coverage to the town, the board said, and will coordinate with other agencies in case of emergencies.
Residents also voted to approve $31,300 in funds for the Tunbridge Volunteer Fire Department, and $13,842 was allocated for area nonprofits.
Voice votes granted tax-exempt status to the fire department and Tunbridge Grange for the next five years.
A voice vote also re-elected Selectboard member Mike McPhetres to another three-year term. Linda Hoyt was elected to her first stint as auditor, and Anne Linehan was elected to the library trustees to replace Sue Barnaby. All other incumbents ran unopposed and were re-elected to their posts.