Source: http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/24APPENDIX/153
Timestamp: 2017-10-17 09:45:35
Document Index: 480859921

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 313', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 4', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 6', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 19', '§ 153', '§ 8', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 5', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 6', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 7', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 7', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 8', '§ 10', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 11', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 3', '§ 12', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 9', '§ 13', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 10', '§ 14', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 15', '§ 153', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 2645', '§ 18', '§ 2', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 19']

Chapter 153: TOWN OF STOWE
Subchapter 001: GENERAL LAW; APPLICATION
§ 153-101. General law; application
Except as modified by the provisions of this charter or by any lawful regulation or ordinance of the Town of Stowe, all provisions of the statutes of this State applicable to towns shall apply to the Town of Stowe. (Amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 002: GENERAL POWERS OF THE TOWN
§ 153-201. Corporate existence retained
The inhabitants of the Town of Stowe within the corporate limits now established shall continue to be a municipal corporation by the name of the Town of Stowe. The Town's entire governmental jurisdiction includes the entire area which was previously that of the Village of Stowe. (Amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-203. Particular powers
In addition to powers otherwise conferred upon it by law, the Town is, for the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, welfare, and convenience, authorized:
(1) to adopt and enforce ordinances relating to the making and installation of local improvements including curbs, sidewalks, and storm drains in a manner specified by the Town as a condition precedent to the issuance of a building permit;
(2) to adopt and enforce police ordinances regulating the parking, operation, and speed of motor vehicles upon Town and State aid streets and highways;
(3) to adopt and enforce ordinances relating to regulations, licensing, or prohibition of the storage and accumulation of garbage, ashes, rubbish, refuse, and waste materials; regulation of the removal and disposal of such materials; licensing for revenue and regulation or prohibition of the collection, removal, and disposal of such material; collection and removal of such materials by the Town either by contract or by a Town officer or department now existing or created for that purpose; and establishment of service rates to be paid the Town for such services;
(4) to establish and maintain a police department and to adopt ordinances pertaining thereto;
(5) to establish and maintain a fire department and to adopt ordinances pertaining thereto;
(6) to establish and maintain a water department and to adopt ordinances pertaining thereto;
(7) to establish and maintain an electric power system and to regulate power line installations, provided, however, that the Town shall have no authority under this charter which conflicts with that authority granted to the Public Service Board or any other State governmental agency. It shall have power to adopt ordinances pertaining thereto;
(8) to establish and maintain a sewer department and to adopt ordinances pertaining thereto;
(9) to compel the demolition, completion, and/or repair of any premises in such condition as to be substantially injurious or dangerous to persons or to other property in the vicinity and to adopt ordinances pertaining thereto;
(10) to establish and maintain an ambulance service and to adopt ordinances pertaining thereto;
(11) to establish and maintain a highway department and to adopt ordinances pertaining thereto;
(12) to regulate or prohibit the moving of buildings in the streets or public highways of the Town;
(13) to regulate the holding of public meetings in the streets, highways, or on public property of the Town;
(14) to prevent riots, noises, disturbances, and disorderly assembly;
(15) to establish and enforce an ordinance to control dogs; and
(16) to adopt and enforce ordinances establishing building codes. (Amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-205. Reservation of powers to the Town
Nothing in this subchapter shall be so construed as in any way to limit the powers and functions conferred upon the Town of Stowe and the Selectboard of the Town by general or special enactments in force or effect or hereafter enacted by the General Assembly; and the powers and functions conferred by this charter shall be cumulative and in addition to the provisions of such general or special enactments. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 003: TOWN MEETING
§ 153-301. Application of general law
Provisions of the laws of the State of Vermont relating to the qualifications of voters, the manner of voting, the duties of election officers, and all other particulars respective to preparation for, conducting, and management of elections, so far as they may be applicable, shall govern all Town elections and all general and special meetings, except as otherwise noted in this subchapter. The Moderator shall conduct all Town meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order. The Town Clerk shall keep a record of the proceedings of all Town meetings. (Amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-302. Annual Town report and warning
Copies of the annual Town report and warning shall be made available not later than 10 days prior to the annual meeting.
§ 153-303. Time of holding
(a) The annual Town meeting for the consideration of the budget and other Town business shall be held on the first Tuesday of March.
(b) The election of officers by Australian ballot and the voting on all questions to be decided by Australian ballot shall take place on the annual Town meeting day. The polls shall be opened for a minimum of nine consecutive hours between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. as shall be determined and warned by the Selectboard. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001.)
Subchapter 004: OFFICERS
§ 153-401. Officers generally; elected officers; recall
(a) The elected officers of the Town of Stowe shall be: Selectboard members, Moderator, and listers. These officers shall have all the powers and authority necessary to carry out their duties and responsibilities under this charter and the laws of the State of Vermont.
(b) Elected Town officers may be removed from office as follows:
(1) A petition signed by not less than 30 percent of the registered voters of the Town shall be filed with the Selectboard requesting a vote on whether one or more elected officer shall be removed from office before the expiration of the officer's term. The date of signing by each voter shall be indicated in the petition, and the date shall not be earlier than 30 days prior to the filing of the petition.
(2) If the petition, as filed, meets the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the Selectboard shall call a special Town meeting, to be held within 45 days of the filing of the petition, to vote on whether the named elected Town officer shall be removed.
(3) The named elected Town officer shall be removed only if at least as many registered voters of the Town vote as voted in the election at which the officer was elected, or at least one-third of the registered voters of the Town vote, whichever is greater, and a majority of the number of votes is cast for removal.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a vote on a recall petition shall be by Australian ballot.
(c) A vacancy resulting from the recall of an elected Town officer shall be filled in the manner prescribed by law.
(d) A recall petition shall not be brought against a particular named individual more than once within any 12-month period. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-402. Selectboard; number of members; terms of office; election
(a) There shall be a Selectboard consisting of five members.
(b) The term of office of a Selectboard member shall be as follows: Three Selectboard members shall serve for terms of three years and two Selectboard members shall serve for terms of two years. Selectboard members shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.
(c) All Selectboard members shall be elected at large. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001)
§ 153-403. Organization of Selectboard
(c) In the event of death, resignation, change of residence to a location outside the Town, or incapacity of any Selectboard member, the remaining members of the Selectboard may appoint a person eligible to fill that position until the next annual or special Town meeting. Incapacity shall include the failure by any member of the Selectboard to attend at least 70 percent of the meetings of the Selectboard in any calendar year. In the event the Selectboard is unable to agree upon an interim replacement until the next annual Town meeting, a special election shall be held forthwith to fill the position. In the event of a second vacancy, an election shall be held forthwith to fill both positions. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-404. Meetings of the Selectboard
(a) As soon as possible after the election of the Chair and Vice Chair, the Selectboard shall fix the time and place of its regular meetings. Such meetings shall be held at least once a month.
(b) The Selectboard shall determine its own rules and order of business.
(d) All meetings of the Selectboard shall be open to the public unless, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the members present, the Selectboard shall vote that any particular session shall be an executive session in accordance with 1 V.S.A. § 313. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-405. Record of proceedings of the Selectboard
(a) An official record of the proceedings of the Selectboard shall be kept by its Clerk, which shall be kept in the office of the Town Clerk and shall be open for public inspection within five days of the meeting.
(b) The minutes of each meeting shall be approved by the Selectboard at its next meeting and the official copy authenticated by signature of the Clerk of the Selectboard. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-406. Appointments by the Selectboard
(a) Before making appointments, the Selectboard shall make public a list of all vacancies.
(3) Town Manager; and
(4) Constable or constables.
(c) The Selectboard may appoint such additional commissions, committees, and officers they feel to be in the best interest of the Town.
(d) The Selectboard may appoint in the event their services become necessary: Grand jurors, real estate appraiser, fence viewers, and all other appointive or elective officers authorized by statute.
(e) The terms of all appointed officers shall be not more than three years except as otherwise specified in this charter and shall commence on the first day of the second month following the annual Town meeting. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2007, No. M-1, § 2, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-407. Compensation of officers; appointees
(a) Compensation paid to the Selectboard members and other elected officials shall be set by the voters at the annual meeting. Officers' salaries must be set forth as a separate item in the annual budget presented to the meeting.
(b) The Selectboard shall fix the compensation of all appointees and the Town Manager, except as otherwise provided in this charter.
(c) Except as hereinafter provided, 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 directly to the benefit of the officer. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2007, No. M-1, § 3, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-409. Interference with administration
Neither the Selectboard nor its members shall give orders to or seek to direct the actions of any employee who is subject to the direction and supervision of the Town Manager. (Added 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. May 5, 2010; amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 005: BOARD OF LISTERS AND REAL ESTATE APPRAISER; BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
§ 153-501. Board of Listers
The Board of Listers shall consist of three listers, one elected each year for a term of three years. The Board shall have the same powers and duties prescribed for listers under the laws of the State of Vermont. (Amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-502. Appraisal of property
The Board of Listers shall appraise or cause to be appraised by the real estate appraiser appointed by the Selectboard all real property for the purpose of establishing the grand list. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 006: AUDITORS
§ 153-601. Repealed. 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.). § 19, eff. May 5, 2010.
§ 153-602. Annual audit
The Selectboard shall provide for an annual independent audit by a certified public accountant. (Amended 2009, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. May 5, 2010.; )
§ 153-701. Town Manager; appointment; qualifications; term
The Selectboard shall appoint a Town Manager for an indefinite term. The Town Manager shall be chosen on the basis of executive, administrative, and professional qualifications and not on the basis of political affiliation. The Town Manager shall not:
(1) be a candidate for or simultaneously hold any elective office within the Town;
(2) be employed by the Town in any capacity except as Town Manager; or
(3) organize any political party or serve as a member of a political party committee. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2007, No. M-1, § 5, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-702. Oath; bond
Before entering upon his or her official duties, the Town Manager shall be sworn to the faithful performance of those duties by the Town Clerk and shall give a bond to the Town in an amount and with sureties as the Selectboard may require. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2007, No. M-1, § 6, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-704. Compensation
The Town Manager shall receive compensation as may be determined by the Selectboard, subject to the provisions of this charter. (Added 2007, No. M-1, § 7, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-705. Removal of Town Manager
The Selectboard may remove the Town Manager by a vote of a least three of its members to be effective not less than 60 days after the vote. The Town Manager may be suspended during the period from initial action to remove the Town Manager by the Selectboard to the end of the removal date, but the Town Manager shall continue to be paid throughout the suspension. (Added 2007, No. M-1, § 7, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 008: BUDGET
§ 153-801. Fiscal year
The fiscal year of the Town shall begin on the first day of July and end on the last day of June of each calendar year. The fiscal year shall constitute the budget and accounting year as used in this charter. (Amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-802. General fund budget preparation and submission
(a) The Town Manager, at least 50 days before the annual Town meeting, or at such previous time as may be directed by the Selectboard, shall submit to the Selectboard a financial report containing:
(1) an estimate of the financial condition of the Town as of the end of the fiscal year;
(2) an itemized statement of appropriations recommended for current expenses, during the next fiscal year, with actual appropriations and expenditures for the immediate preceding fiscal year;
(3) an itemized statement of estimated revenues from all sources other than taxation, for the next fiscal year, and comparative figures of tax and other sources of revenue for the current and immediate preceding fiscal years;
(4) a capital budget and program showing anticipated capital expenditures, financing, and tax requirements; and
(5) such other information as may be required by the Selectboard.
(b) The budget shall be published not later than two weeks after its preliminary adoption by the Selectboard. The Selectboard shall fix the time and place for holding a public hearing for the budget, and shall give a public notice of such hearing. The Selectboard shall then review the budget and propose it, with or without change, to the annual Town meeting. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2007, No. M-1, § 8, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-803. Publication
The proposed budget shall be published in the Town report and copies made available at least 10 days before the annual meeting.
§ 153-804. Appropriations
From the effective date of the budget, the several amounts stated therein, as approved by the annual Town meeting, become appropriated to the several agencies and purposes therein named.
§ 153-805. Amount to be raised by taxation
The Town shall annually consider an article to raise by taxes on the grand list an amount equal to those expenditures to be paid by taxes which amount was appropriated by the voters at Town meeting and which expenditures are not met by funds from other sources. (Amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 009: TAXES
§ 153-901. Taxes on real property
Taxes on real property shall be due in four equal installments on dates established annually by the Selectboard, provided the first payment in each fiscal year is not earlier than 30 days after the date tax bills for that fiscal year are mailed to taxpayers. Any taxes not paid when due shall be deemed delinquent and payable to the Collector of Delinquent Taxes. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2003, No. M-13 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-902. Interest
An additional charge of two percent of the unpaid tax shall be imposed per month for each month or fraction of the month as interest on any tax not paid on or before the dates specified in section 901 of this charter. (Amended 2003, No. M-13 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 5, 2010;)
§ 153-903. Board of Abatement
The Board of Civil Authority (the Selectboard members and justices of the peace) with the listers shall constitute a Board of Abatement as provided by law. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 010: PERSONNEL
§ 153-1001. Appointment and removal
(a) Subject to the provisions of this charter, all employees other than elected officials and appointees of the Selectboard shall be appointed, suspended, or removed by the Town Manager without interference by the Selectboard. The Town and its employees shall comply with Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act and shall not discriminate in their employment practices on account of political opinions or affiliations. Appointments, layoffs, promotions, and discipline, including suspensions, demotions, and removals, shall be determined on the basis of training, experience, fitness, and performance of the individual and be undertaken to ensure that the responsible administrative officer will secure efficient and competent service.
(b) Employees of the Town whose terms and conditions of employment are not governed by the provisions of a collectively bargained labor agreement shall be hired, disciplined, suspended, demoted, removed, or laid off in accordance with the personnel rules and policies adopted by the Selectboard.
(c) The Town Manager may remove a department head from his or her position, provided notification that the Town Manager intends to remove a department head is given in advance to the Selectboard. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2007, No. M-1, § 9, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-1002. Personnel rules and regulations
(a) The Town Manager or his or her designee shall be the personnel director. He or she may prepare personnel rules and regulations protecting the interests of the Town and of the employees. These rules and regulations must be approved by the Selectboard and shall include the procedure for amending them and for placing them into practice.
(b) The rules and regulations may deal with the following subjects or with other similar matters of personnel administration: job classification, jobs to be filled, tenure, retirement, pensions, leaves of absence, vacations, holidays, hours and days of work, group insurance, salary plans, rules governing hiring, temporary appointment, lay-off, reinstatement, promotion, transfer, demotion, settlement of disputes, dismissal, probationary periods, permanent or continuing status, in-service training, injury, employee records, and further regulations concerning the hearing of appeals. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2007, No. M-1, § 10, eff. Jan. 20, 2007; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-1003. Prohibitions
No person in the service of the Town shall either directly or indirectly give, render, pay, or receive any service or other valuable thing for or on account of or in connection with any appointment, proposed appointment, promotion, or proposed promotion. (Amended 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
§ 153-1004. Conflict of interest
All appointed Town officials and employees, including commissioners and employees of the Electric Department, shall be governed by and adhere to an ethics policy duly adopted by the Selectboard. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. May 5, 2010.)
Subchapter 011: STOWE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION
Subchapter 012: STOWE WATER UTILITY COMMISSION
Subchapter 013: AMENDMENT OF CHARTER
§ 153-1301. Laws governing
No section or provision of this charter may be repealed or amended unless the act making such repeal or amendment refers specifically to this charter and to the sections or provisions so repealed or amended. Any amendment to this charter must be submitted to the voters for their approval and, upon such approval, submitted to the General Assembly as provided by statutes. Amendments may be placed on the ballot by the Selectboard, a duly authorized Charter Review Commission appointed by the Selectboard, or upon petition filed with the Town Clerk by five percent of the legal voters of the Town. The petition must clearly state the amendment and must be filed at least 75 days before any annual Town meeting. In the event the petition is filed more than 90 days prior to the next annual Town meeting, the Selectboard shall be required to hold a special Town meeting for the purpose of considering the proposed amendment. (Amended 2001, No. M-7, § 2, eff. May 21, 2001; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 014: EFFECTIVE DATE
§ 153-1401. Effective date
This charter shall become effective upon approval in accordance with 17 V.S.A. § 2645. Any amendment to this charter shall become effective in accordance with the laws of Vermont then in effect. (Amended 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. May 5, 2010; 2013, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 8, 2013.)
Subchapter 015: MERGER TRANSITION PROVISIONS
§ 153-1501. Merger of the Village and Town of Stowe
Effective as of July 1, 1996, the Village of Stowe as constituted by Act No. 168 of the Laws of 1896, as amended, shall merge with and into the Town of Stowe, within its present geographic limits, as a single municipal corporation under the name of the Town of Stowe, and the Village of Stowe shall, except as hereinafter specifically provided otherwise for transition purposes, cease to exist as a municipal corporation and its charter shall be abolished.
§§ 153-1502-1507. Repealed. 2009, No. M-18 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. May 5, 2010.