Hot topic: After talking about it for a few years, Newbury, Vt., officials are asking voters to replace the elected board of listers with a professional property assessor. Longtime Newbury Selectboard member Alma Roystan said the job of assessing property has become increasingly complex and that the town would benefit from the expertise a professional could provide. It’s unclear whether this would cost more money. “We would hope that it would be pretty close to a wash, or less,” Roystan said.
Budget: The town budgets are the same as those approved by voters last year, with the Selectboard proposing to spend $640,350 through the general fund, and $780,000 through the highway fund. The tax rate likely won’t change much. “Depends on what the grand list is,” Roystan said.
Noteworthy articles: Aside from the article about the listers, this shapes up as a routine Town Meeting, unless you count the pandemic, which is doing away with the town’s tradition of transacting most business from the floor.
Contested races: Roystan, who has served 24 years on the Selectboard, is running unopposed for a three-year term. All other races, for lister, moderator, clerk and auditor, are unopposed as well.
When and where: An informational meeting is planned for 6 p.m Feb. 25 via Zoom. Town Meeting voting by Australian ballot will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 2 in the Newbury Village Hall.
— Alex Hanson