reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5105. Grand list; debt limit

§ 5105. Grand list; debt limit
The grand list of the authority shall be deemed to be the total of the grand lists of member municipalities, and the debt limit of the authority shall not be diminished by any obligation incurred by a member municipality alone. Obligations incurred under chapter 53 of this title shall be the joint and several obligations of the authority and of each member municipality but shall not affect any limitation on indebtedness of a member municipality. The cost of debt service shall be included in the annual budget of the authority as provided in section 4866 of this title, and shall be allocated among the member municipalities as provided in that section. Where voter approval is required pursuant to chapter 53 of this title, the board of commissioners shall determine the number and location of polling places, and when a majority of all the voters present and voting on the question from all of the member municipalities at the meeting vote to authorize the issuance of bonds, the board of commissioners shall be authorized to issue the bonds as provided in chapter 53 of this title. The counting of ballots shall be conducted by the board of commissioners together with the town or city clerk from each member municipality or his or her designee. (Added 1975, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 10, 1976.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5106. Exemption from regulation

§ 5106. Exemption from regulation
The public transportation systems and facilities operating under this authority are exempt from any of the regulatory provisions of Title 30, except that the Public Utility Commission may impose any regulatory provisions of Title 30 that it may determine from time to time to be necessary. (Added 1975, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 10, 1976.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5107. Government and organization

§ 5107. Government and organization
(a) The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the authority shall be exercised by a board of commissioners, consisting of two commissioners from each member municipality. The commissioners shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the legislative body of the member municipality for terms of three years. Any vacancies on the board of commissioners shall be filled by the legislative body of the respective member municipality, but in the event that the legislative body fails to appoint a commissioner within two months from the date of the occurrence of the vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled by the board of commissioners. Commissioners shall serve without pay.
(b) Annually, the board of commissioners shall elect from among its members a chair, vice chair, treasurer, and secretary, and such other officers that are necessary for the conduct of its business.
(c) The board of commissioners may appoint a transit director, and such other personnel as is necessary for the conduct of the business of the authority. The board of commissioners shall have the power to prescribe their duties, fix their compensation, and delegate to them such responsibilities for the management and control of the operation of the authority, as its interest may require. (Added 1975, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 10, 1976.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5108. Annual budget and assessments

§ 5108. Annual budget and assessments
(a) On or before February 15 in each year the board of commissioners shall prepare a budget for the authority for the next fiscal year, which shall include an estimate of the revenue of the Authority from fares and other sources, except membership assessments, and the expenses for the next fiscal year, including debt service. The board of commissioners shall call a meeting of the residents of its member municipalities for the purpose of presenting the proposed budget. The meeting shall be held at a place within the area of operation and shall be warned by a notice published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of operation at least 15 days prior to the meeting, which notice shall contain a copy of the proposed budget. Members of the legislative body of each member municipality shall be notified of the meeting by certified mail.
(b) Annually, following the meeting provided in subsection (a) of this section, the board of commissioners shall review the proposed budget of the authority in light of any discussion, and shall then adopt the budget with or without changes.
(c) The treasurer of the authority, following adoption of the budget, shall apportion the sums required to be contributed by each member municipality according to the average number of weekly miles of service for the 12 month period preceding the adoption of the budget, for each member community, as compared to the average number of weekly miles of service for all member communities for the same period. The formula for apportionment may be changed by the board of commissioners with the concurrence of each of the legislative bodies of the member municipalities. The treasurer of the authority shall immediately notify the treasurer of each member municipality and the chair of the legislative body in each member municipality, of the amount of such assessment, and the member municipality shall add such assessment to its own budget and shall assess such tax as is necessary to raise the amount of the assessment. The amount of the assessment in each member municipality shall be paid to the treasurer of the authority on or before July 15 in each year.
(d) In the event that the budget of the authority in any year becomes insufficient to support the operations of the authority, the board of commissioners may assess the member municipalities for additional sums, apportioned in the manner provided in this section. The additional assessment shall require the approval of each of the legislative bodies of the member municipalities. (Added 1975, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 10, 1976.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5109. Termination of membership

§ 5109. Termination of membership
(a) A member municipality may withdraw from membership in the authority, if notification of withdrawal is given more than one year after the member municipality joined such authority. The withdrawal shall take effect at the end of the first full fiscal year following a notification of withdrawal. The notification shall be in the form of a resolution duly adopted by the legislative body of the withdrawing member and delivered to the board of commissioners at a regular meeting.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, upon giving notice as required by subsection (a), a member municipality may withdraw from the authority after the authority has voted to bond itself in accordance with the provisions of chapter 53 of this title, but shall continue to be liable for its share of all existing indebtedness incurred under chapter 53 of this title at the time notice of its withdrawal is given. (Added 1975, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 10, 1976.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5110. Miscellaneous provisions

§ 5110. Miscellaneous provisions
(a) The authority shall prepare an annual report of its activities, including a financial statement, and submit the report to the legislative bodies of the member municipalities.
(b) The fiscal year of the authority shall commence July 1 in each year. (Added 1975, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 10, 1976.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5121. Definitions

§ 5121. Definitions
As used in this subchapter:
(1) “Municipality” means a town, city, or incorporated village.
(2) “Legislative body” means the selectboard in the case of a town, the council or mayor and board of aldermen in the case of a city, and the trustees in the case of an incorporated village. (Added 1981, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5122. Creation of regional transit districts

§ 5122. Creation of regional transit districts
A regional transit district may be created at any time by the act of the voters of each of two or more municipalities upon the written approval of the Agency of Transportation. Approval shall be based upon the results of studies carried out by the Agency of Transportation and by representatives of the municipalities to determine whether the municipalities involved constitute a reasonable transit district. Evidence shall be shown that funding will be adequate to provide a continuing transit program. (Added 1981, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1995, No. 60, § 27, eff. April 25, 1995.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5123. Regional transit district membership

§ 5123. Regional transit district membership
A regional transit district shall contain at least one representative appointed from each member municipality. All representatives may be compensated and reimbursed by their respective municipalities for necessary and reasonable expenses. (Added 1981, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5124. Annual budget and assessments

§ 5124. Annual budget and assessments
(a) Representatives to a regional transit district representing each participating municipality shall be appointed and any vacancy filled by the legislative body of such municipality.
(b) A regional transit district shall elect a chair and a secretary, and, at its organization meeting, shall by a two-thirds vote of those representatives present and voting at the meeting, adopt such rules and create and fill such offices as it deems necessary or appropriate for the performance of its functions, including, without limitation, the number and qualification of members, terms of office, provisions for municipal representation and voting, and provisions for termination of membership.
(c) A regional transit district may also have other members, who may be elected or appointed in the manner the regional transit district prescribes by rule. (Added 1981, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5125. Purposes and powers

§ 5125. Purposes and powers
(a) The district may purchase, own, operate, or provide for the operation of land transportation facilities, and may contract for transit services, conduct studies, and contract with other governmental agencies, private companies, and individuals.
(b) The district may exercise all powers necessary, appurtenant, convenient, or incidental to the carrying out of its functions, including the following:
(1) to sue and be sued;
(2) to acquire, purchase, hold, lease as a lessee, and use any franchise, property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, necessary or desirable for carrying out the purposes of the district, and to sell, lease as lessor, transfer, or dispose of any property or interest acquired by it;
(3) to fix, alter, charge, and establish rates, fares, and other charges for the services and facilities within its area of operation, which rates, fees, and charges shall be equitable and just;
(4) to acquire and operate, or provide for the operation of local transportation systems, public or private, within its area of operation or in a municipality not already a member of a district, with which it contracts to furnish transit service;
(5) to make contracts of every name and nature and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient for the carrying on of its business;
(6) to accept gifts or grants or loans of money or other property, and to enter into contracts, leases, or other transactions with any federal agency, the State, any agency of the State, or with any other public body of the State, including municipalities and school districts;
(7) to adopt necessary rules;
(8) to do all things necessary or convenient for the conduct of its business and the general welfare of the district in order to carry out the powers granted to it by this subchapter or any other law. (Added 1981, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2015, No. 23, § 126.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5127. Exemption; regulation; taxes

§ 5127. Exemption; regulation; taxes
(a) The public transportation systems and facilities operated by a regional transit district are exempt from any of the regulatory provisions of Title 30 except that the transportation board may impose any regulatory provisions of Title 30 that it may determine from time to time to be necessary.
(b) A regional transit district and its systems and facilities shall be exempt from the sales, purchase, and use taxes and from motor vehicle registration fees except those registration fees applicable to municipalities. (Added 1981, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5128. Annual budget and assessments

§ 5128. Annual budget and assessments
(a) Each year the board of commissioners shall prepare a proposed budget for the district for the next fiscal year, which shall include an estimate of the revenue of the district from fares and other sources, except municipal contributions, and the expenses for the next fiscal year, including debt service. The proposed budget shall be sent to the legislative branch of any member municipality by certified mail. The board of commissioners may call a meeting or meetings of the residents of its member municipalities for the purpose of presenting the proposed budget. Any meeting called shall be warned by a notice published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of operation at least seven days prior to the meeting containing the date, time and place at which the meeting is to be held and a statement of the purpose of the meeting.
(b) Annually, following the distribution provided in subsection (a), the board of commissioners shall review the proposed budget of the district in light of any discussion, and shall then adopt the budget with or without changes and determine the contributions to be requested from member municipalities. (Added 1981, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1983, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.).)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 127 - Mass Transit Authorities › § 5129. Liability of district

§ 5129. Liability of district
(a) Members of the regional transit district board shall not be held personally liable for any actions taken in their capacity as members of the board.
(b) No tort liability shall attach to individual municipal members of regional transit districts.
(c) Tort liability of the regional transit district shall be limited to $1,000,000.00 for each accident. (Added 1981, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5141. Scope

§ 5141. Scope
This chapter applies only to municipalities providing water or sewer services, or both, and it allows disconnection of water or sewer services, or both, as a delinquency collection procedure for water or sewer delinquencies. Disconnection of water service as a collection procedure for delinquent sewer bills is specifically allowed. This delinquency collection procedure is a separate procedure from that allowed under Title 32. (Added 1977, No. 93; amended 1989, No. 45, § 7.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5142. Definitions

§ 5142. Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter:
(1) “Selectboard” means the selectboard in the case of a town, the city council in the case of a city, the board of trustees in the case of an incorporated village, the prudential committee in the case of a fire district, or the board of commissioners in the case of a consolidated sewer or water district.
(2) “Disconnection” means the deliberate interruption or disconnection of water or sewer service, or both, to a ratepayer by the servicing municipality for nonpayment of water or sewer charges.
(3) “Delinquency” means failure of the ratepayer to tender payment for a valid bill or charge within 30 days of the postmark date of that bill or charge, or by a “due date” at least 30 days after mailing, which shall be clearly printed on the bill and which shall control in the absence of the postmark. A delinquency of sewer charges shall be considered a delinquency of water charges, if operated by the same municipal corporation.
(4) “Hearing officer” means a person appointed pursuant to section 5147 of this chapter to act as a fact finder and to hear and investigate evidence, and to make recommendations to the selectboard for final determination of the dispute.
(5) “Notice” means the written notice on the form prescribed in section 5144 of this chapter, sent within 40 days after delinquency and postmarked and sent not more than 20 days, nor less than 14 days prior to the disconnect of service.
(6) “Physician’s certificate” means a written statement by a duly licensed medical practitioner certifying that a ratepayer or resident within the ratepayer’s household would suffer an immediate and serious health hazard by the disconnection of the utility’s service to that household. The certificate will be considered valid and in force for 30 days, or the duration of the hazard, whichever is less.
(7) “Payment of a bill” means the receipt at the municipal office of cash, check, or money order which is subsequently honored.
(8) “Business days” means Monday through Thursday, excluding legal holidays and any other time, or the day before such time, when municipal offices are not open to the public.
(9) [Repealed.]
(10) “Credit supervisor” is any person appointed by the selectboard to perform the functions of a credit supervisor under this chapter. Notwithstanding section 1524 of this title, the municipal tax collector may be appointed, but the fees provided under Title 32 for a tax collector do not apply to the collection procedure in this chapter. (Added 1977, No. 93; amended 1989, No. 45, § 8.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5143. Disconnection of service

§ 5143. Disconnection of service
(a) No municipality shall disconnect service to a ratepayer unless payment of a valid bill or charge is delinquent as defined herein, and notice of disconnection has been provided previously to the ratepayer. A copy of the notice shall be sent to the occupant of a residential dwelling that will be affected by the disconnection if the occupant is different than the ratepayer.
(b) Disconnection shall not be permitted if:
(1) The delinquent bill or charge, or aggregate delinquent bills and charges do not exceed $15.00.
(2) The delinquency is due solely to a disputed portion of a charge that is the subject of an appeal.
(3) The delinquency is due to a failure to pay a deposit, line extension, special assessment, special construction charge, or other nonrecurring charge.
(4) The disconnection would represent an immediate and serious hazard to the health of the ratepayer or a resident within the ratepayer’s household, as set forth in a physician’s certificate that is on file with the municipality. Notice by telephone or otherwise that such certificate will be forthcoming will have the effect of receipt, providing the certificate is in fact received within seven days.
(5) The ratepayer has not been given an opportunity to enter into a reasonable agreement to pay the delinquent bill or, having made such agreement, has abided by its terms.
(c) The tenant of a rental dwelling noticed for disconnection due to the delinquency of the ratepayer shall have the right to request and pay for continued service from the utility or reconnection of water and sewer service for the rental dwelling, which the utility shall provide. If any water and sewer charges or fees are included in the tenant’s rent, the tenant may deduct the cost of any water and sewer service charges or fees paid to the municipality from his or her rent pursuant to 9 V.S.A. § 4459. Under such circumstances, the utility shall not require the tenant to pay any arrearage greater than one billing cycle. (Added 1977, No. 93; amended 1989, No. 45, § 9; 2013, No. 94 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Feb. 20, 2014.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5144. Uniform notice form

§ 5144. Uniform notice form
The notice form required under section 5143 of this chapter, and defined in section 5142 of this chapter shall be clearly printed on a pink colored sheet of paper, and shall be according to the following form:
Dear Customer:
SPECIAL CHARGES—24 V.S.A. § 5151 provides that we charge a fee for coming to your location to collect the amount overdue. Also, the same statute provides that we shall charge a reconnection fee for restoration of service if your service has been disconnected for nonpayment. These fees are as follows:
If payment has already been sent, we recommend that you contact our office to make certain that payment is recorded on your account by the indicated date as such payment may have become delayed or lost in the mail. Payment in the mail does not constitute payment until received by us.
THIS IS A FINAL REQUEST FROM:
(Name of Credit Supervisor)
(Name of Municipality)
(Address of Municipality)
(Town)
Vermont (Zip Code)
(Telephone Number)
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION—If you have a question concerning this bill or if you want to seek an agreement with us to pay the balance due in partial payments over a period of time, you should contact this office as soon as possible after receipt of this notice. In the event an agreement is entered into, failure to abide by the terms of agreement can lead to disconnection without further notice. If disconnection would result in an immediate and serious health hazard to you or to a resident within your household, disconnection will be postponed upon presentation of a duly licensed physician’s certificate.
APPEALS—If you cannot reach agreement as to payment of this bill with the credit supervisor whose name appears above, you may appeal to:
(Name of Chairman of the Local Legislative Body)
(Name of Town, City or Village)
(Address of Office)
(Mailing Address)
or by calling:
(Telephone Number)
An appeal cannot be taken unless you first attempt to settle with the credit supervisor. You may appeal only as to the proper amount of your bill or the correctness of application of the rules and regulations. You may not appeal as to the level or design of the rates themselves. No charge shall be made for the appeal. However, undisputed portions of the charges giving rise to this notice must be paid before the disconnection date given above.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5145. Time and notice of disconnection

§ 5145. Time and notice of disconnection
(a) Disconnection of utility service shall occur only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. of the business day specified on the notice of disconnection, or within the same hours during the four business days thereafter.
(b) When service is disconnected or interrupted at the premises of the ratepayer, which shall include disconnection or interruption at or near the premises of the ratepayer, the individual making the disconnection shall immediately inform a responsible adult on the premises that service has been disconnected or interrupted, or if no responsible adult is then present, shall leave on the premises in a conspicuous and secure place a notification advising that service has been disconnected or interrupted and what the ratepayer has to do to have service restored. (Added 1977, No. 93.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5146. Restoration of service

§ 5146. Restoration of service
If service has been disconnected or interrupted, the municipality shall within 24 hours restore service upon the customer’s request when the cause for disconnection of service has been removed or when an agreement has been reached between the ratepayer and the municipality regarding the dispute that led to the disconnection or when directed to do so by the selectboard. Restoration of service, to the extent feasible, shall be done so as to avoid charging ratepayers for overtime wages and other abnormal expenses. No collection or reconnection fees may be charged for disconnections or interruptions of service made for reasons of health or safety of the ratepayer or of the general public. (Added 1977, No. 93; amended 1989, No. 45, § 11.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5147. Jurisdiction for appeals and exceptions

§ 5147. Jurisdiction for appeals and exceptions
The selectboard shall promptly and fairly hear any or all appeals by the ratepayer after notice to all interested parties. During appeal, disconnection will be postponed. Upon just cause shown, the selectboard may grant exceptions to any ratepayer. The selectboard may appoint one or more members of the selectboard to act as hearing officers for the purposes of the appeal. Alternatively, the selectboard may appoint a responsible citizen to act as a hearing officer for the appeal. (Added 1977, No. 93.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5150. Unauthorized connection

§ 5150. Unauthorized connection
The officers and agents of such a municipality entrusted with the care and superintendence of the municipality may at all reasonable times enter all premises so supplied to examine the pipes and fixtures and prevent any unnecessary waste, and to examine for sanitary correction thereto. If any person, without the consent of such municipal corporation, shall use any connection to water or sewer, a civil action on this statute may be maintained against such person by such municipality for the recovery of damages thereon. (Added 1977, No. 93; amended 1989, No. 45, § 13.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5151. Special charges

§ 5151. Special charges
(a) A municipality providing water and sewer services may charge fees for collection of overdue accounts and reconnection of service disconnected because of nonpayment.
(b) Fees charged shall not exceed the following schedule:
(c) Interest on delinquent accounts may be assessed if voted by the municipality according to 32 V.S.A. § 5136. (Added 1977, No. 93; amended 1987, No. 33, § 2; 1989, No. 45, § 14.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 129 - Uniform Water and Sewer Disconnect › § 5152. Disconnections prohibited; state of emergency

§ 5152. Disconnections prohibited; state of emergency
(a) Notwithstanding this chapter or any provision of law to the contrary, a municipality; a person who is permitted as a public water system pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 56 and who provides another person water as a part of the operation of that public water system; or a company engaged in the collecting, sale, and distribution of water for domestic, industrial, business, or fire protection purposes that is regulated by the Public Utility Commission under 30 V.S.A. § 203(3) shall be prohibited from disconnecting any person from services during a declared state of emergency under 20 V.S.A. chapter 1, provided that:
(1) the state of emergency is declared in response to an all-hazards event that will cause financial hardship and the inability of ratepayers to pay for water or sewer services; and
(2) the all-hazards event does not require the water or sewer service provider to disconnect services to protect the health and safety of the public.
(b) A person or company that is subject to subsection (a) of this section may temporarily disconnect water or sewer services during the declared state of emergency when the temporary disconnection is necessary for the maintenance or repair of the water or sewer system.
(c)(1) A violation of subsection (a) of this section by a municipality or a person who is permitted as a public water system pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 56 may be enforced by the Agency of Natural Resources pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 201.
(2) A violation of subsection (a) of this section by a company engaged in the collecting, sale, and distribution of water for domestic, industrial, business, or fire protection purposes that is regulated by the Public Utility Commission under 30 V.S.A. § 203(3) may be enforced by the Public Utility Commission pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 30.
(d) A ratepayer shall remain obligated for any amounts due to a water or sewer service provider subject to this section. The ratepayer shall have a minimum of 90 days after the end of the declared state of emergency to pay the amounts due. (Added 2021, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 131 - Impact Fees › § 5200. Purpose

§ 5200. Purpose
It is the intent of this chapter to enable municipalities to require the beneficiaries of new development to pay their proportionate share of the cost of municipal and school capital projects that benefit them and to require them to pay for or mitigate the negative effects of construction. (Added 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 37, eff. July 1, 1989.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 131 - Impact Fees › § 5201. Definitions

§ 5201. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Municipality” means a town, a city, or an incorporated village or an unorganized town or gore.
(2) “Capital project” means:
(A) any physical betterment or improvement including furnishings, machinery, apparatus, or equipment for such physical betterment or improvement;
(B) any preliminary studies and surveys relating to any physical betterment or improvement;
(C) land or rights in land; or
(D) any combination of these.
(3) “Impact fee” means a fee levied as a condition of issuance of a zoning or subdivision permit that will be used to cover any portion of the costs of an existing or planned capital project that will benefit or is attributable to the users of the development or to compensate the municipality for any expenses it incurs as a result of construction. The fee may be levied for recoupment of costs for previously expended capital outlay for a capital project that will benefit the users of the development.
(4) “Offsite mitigation” means permanent protection of land not necessarily adjacent to the development site and which compensates for the impact of the development. (Added 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 37, eff. July 1, 1989.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 131 - Impact Fees › § 5202. Authorization

§ 5202. Authorization
(a) A municipality may levy an impact fee in accordance with this chapter.
(b) A municipality may accept offsite mitigation in lieu of an impact fee or as compensation for damage to important land such as prime agricultural land or important wildlife habitat. (Added 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 37, eff. July 1, 1989.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 131 - Impact Fees › § 5204. Payment of fees

§ 5204. Payment of fees
(a) An impact fee or obligation for offsite mitigation shall be a lien upon all property and improvements within land development for which the fee is assessed in the same manner and to the same effect as taxes are a lien upon real estate under section 32 V.S.A. § 5061.
(b) A municipality may require payment of an impact fee or accept offsite mitigation before issuance of a zoning or subdivision permit.
(c) A municipality may accept fees on installment at a reasonable rate of interest.
(d) A municipality may require a letter of credit to guarantee future payment of an impact fee or offsite mitigation. (Added 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 37, eff. July 1, 1989.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 131 - Impact Fees › § 5205. Exemptions

§ 5205. Exemptions
A municipality may exempt certain types of development from any part or all of the impact fee assessed, provided that the exemption achieves other policies or objectives clearly stated in the municipal plan. The policies or objectives may include, but are not limited to, the provision of affordable housing and the retention of existing employment, or the generation of new employment. (Added 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 37, eff. July 1, 1989.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 131 - Impact Fees › § 5206. Construction of chapter

§ 5206. Construction of chapter
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting a municipality from adopting ordinances otherwise authorized by law. (Added 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 37, eff. July 1, 1989.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 137 - Building Communities Grants › § 5601. Building communities grants

§ 5601. Building communities grants
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish one-for-one matching grants to help communities, nonprofit organizations, or, as applicable under section 5603 of this chapter, barn owners preserve important historic buildings and enhance community facilities. Therefore, in order to make it easy for communities, nonprofit organizations, or barn owners to apply, the entity which administers a grant program under this chapter shall work with other administrators of building communities grants to develop a standard application form which:
(1) describes the application process and includes clear instructions and examples to help applicants complete the form;
(2) includes an opportunity for a community, nonprofit organization, or barn owner to demonstrate its ability to generate one-for-one matching funds from local fundraising or other efforts;
(3) includes a summary of each of the other grants, their deadlines, and a statement that no community, nonprofit organization, or barn owner shall apply for more than one grant under this chapter for the same project in the same calendar year; and
(4) may include supplements specific to an individual grant.
(b) Each entity which administers a grants program under this chapter shall establish a selection process which ensures equitable selection of grant recipients and ensures accountability by grant recipients.
(c) Before it notifies an applicant of an award under this chapter, the entity which administers the grant shall provide notice of the award and time and location of any award presentation to the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Institutions and the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions, and those members of the General Assembly who represent the area in which a successful applicant resides.
(d) Notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 701a, if, after an entity awards grant funds under this chapter, the funds remain unexpended and not subject to a grant agreement, the entity may reallocate the unexpended funds within its grant program within three years of the original award date. Any unexpended funds remaining after this three-year period that are not subject to a grant agreement shall be reallocated in future acts relating to capital construction and State bonding. (Added 2007, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 41, eff. June 9, 2008; amended 2009, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. June 4, 2010; 2011, No. 104 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. May 7, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 137 - Building Communities Grants › § 5602. Historic Preservation Grant Program

§ 5602. Historic Preservation Grant Program
There is established an Historic Preservation Grant Program which shall be administered by the Division for Historic Preservation in the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Grants shall be made available to municipalities and nonprofit tax-exempt organizations for restoring buildings and structures. (Added 2007, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 41, eff. June 9, 2008; amended 2009, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 29.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 137 - Building Communities Grants › § 5603. Historic Barns Preservation Grant Program

§ 5603. Historic Barns Preservation Grant Program
There is established an Historic Barns Preservation Grant Program which shall be administered by the Division for Historic Preservation in the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Grants shall be made available to barn owners for restoring historic barns. (Added 2007, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 41, eff. June 9, 2008; amended 2009, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. June 4, 2010.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 137 - Building Communities Grants › § 5604. Cultural Facilities Grant Program

§ 5604. Cultural Facilities Grant Program
(a) There is established a Cultural Facilities Competitive Grant Program to be administered by the Vermont Arts Council. No portion of a grant shall be used to pay salaries.
(b) Grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis. In recommending grant awards, a review panel shall give priority consideration to applicants who demonstrate greater financial need or are in underserved areas of the State. (Added 2007, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 41, eff. June 9, 2008; amended 2009, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. June 4, 2010.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 137 - Building Communities Grants › § 5605. Recreational Facilities Grant Program

§ 5605. Recreational Facilities Grant Program
(a) Creation of Program. There is created a Recreational Facilities Grant Program to be the successor to and a continuation of the Recreational and Educational Facilities Grant Program established in 2005 Acts and Resolves No. 43, Sec. 34 to provide competitive grants to municipalities as defined in chapter 117 of this title and to nonprofit organizations for capital costs associated with the development and creation of community recreational opportunities in Vermont communities. The Program is authorized to award matching grants of up to $25,000.00 per project. The required match shall be met through dollars raised and not through in-kind services.
(b) Creation of Committee. There is established a Recreational Facilities Grant Advisory Committee to coordinate and administer the Recreational Facilities Grant Program. The Committee shall include the Commissioners of Forests, Parks and Recreation and of Buildings and General Services or the Commissioners’ designees; a representative of the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association; two members of the Vermont General Assembly, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees; a representative of the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council; and one citizen member to be appointed by the Governor. The members of the Committee shall select a chair. The citizen member shall serve for a term of two years or until his or her successor is appointed.
(c) Administrative support. The Department of Buildings and General Services shall provide administrative support to the Program. (Added 2007, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 41, eff. June 9, 2008; amended 2009, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. June 4, 2010; 2017, No. 74, § 110.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 137 - Building Communities Grants › § 5606. Human Services and Educational Facilities Competitive Grant Program

§ 5606. Human Services and Educational Facilities Competitive Grant Program
(a) Creation of Program. There is created a Human Services and Educational Facilities Competitive Grant Program to be the successor to and a continuation of the Human Services Competitive Grant Program established in 2005 Acts and Resolves No. 43, Sec. 36 to provide competitive grants to municipalities as defined in chapter 117 of this title and to nonprofit organizations for capital costs associated with the major maintenance, renovation, or development of facilities for the delivery of human services and health care or for the development of educational opportunities in Vermont communities. The Program is authorized to award matching grants of up to $25,000.00 per project. The required match shall be met through dollars raised and not through in-kind services.
(b) Creation of Committee. There is established a Human Services and Educational Facilities Grant Advisory Committee to administer and coordinate the Human Services and Educational Facilities Grant Program. The Committee shall include the Secretary of Human Services or the Secretary’s designee; the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services or the Commissioner’s designee; two members of the Vermont General Assembly, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees; and three representatives of broad-based community organizations, such as the United Way of Vermont, who shall be selected and appointed by the Governor. The members of the Committee shall select a chair. The members appointed by the Governor shall serve for terms of two years or until their successors are appointed.
(c) Administrative support. The Department of Buildings and General Services shall provide administrative support to the Program. (Added 2007, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 41, eff. June 9, 2008; amended 2009, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. June 4, 2010; 2017, No. 74, § 111.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 137 - Building Communities Grants › § 5607. Regional Economic Development Grant Program

§ 5607. Regional Economic Development Grant Program
(a) Creation of Program. There is created a Regional Economic Development Grant Program to provide competitive grants for capital costs associated with the major maintenance, renovation, or planning related to the development of facilities reasonably expected to create job opportunities in Vermont communities. The Program is authorized to award matching grants of up to $25,000.00 per project. The required match shall be met through dollars raised and not through in-kind services. State investments made under this Program shall be consistent with the goals found in section 4302 of this title and local and regional plans adopted pursuant to this title and shall be coordinated with the efforts described in chapter 76A of this title.
(b) Creation of Committee. There is established a Regional Economic Development Grant Advisory Committee to administer and coordinate the Regional Economic Development Grant Program. The Committee shall include the Commissioner of Economic, Housing and Community Affairs or designee; the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services or designee; and two members of the Vermont General Assembly, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees. The members of the Committee shall select a chair. (Added 2011, No. 104 (Adj. Sess.), § 27a, eff. May 7, 2012; amended 2013, No. 34, § 16.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 137 - Building Communities Grants › § 5608. Agricultural Fairs and Field Days Capital Projects Competitive Grants Program

§ 5608. Agricultural Fairs and Field Days Capital Projects Competitive Grants Program
(a) Grant guidelines. The following guidelines shall apply to capital grants made for Vermont agricultural fairs and field days projects pursuant to this section:
(1) Grants shall be competitively awarded to capital projects that relate to Vermont agricultural fairs and field days operating a minimum of three consecutive, eight-hour days per year.
(2) A project for which a grant is awarded shall have a minimum useful life of 20 years and shall be completed within two years of the execution of a contract to perform work authorized by the grant.
(3) A grant recipient shall contribute matching funds or in-kind services in an amount equal to 15 percent or more of the value of the grant.
(b) There is established an Agricultural Fairs and Field Days Capital Program Advisory Committee to administer and coordinate grants made pursuant to this section. The Committee shall include:
(1) two members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets;
(2) one member appointed by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation;
(3) two members appointed by the Vermont Fair and Field Days Association;
(4) one member appointed by the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing;
(5) one member of the Vermont Senate appointed by the Committee on Committees; and
(6) one member of the Vermont House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(c) Administration.
(1) The Advisory Committee created in subsection (b) of this section shall have the authority to award grants in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Committee may consider whether to award partial awards to all applicants that meet Program criteria established by the Committee.
(2) The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall provide administrative and technical support to the Committee for purposes of administering grants awarded under this section. (Added 2013, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 32, June 9, 2014.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 138 - Rural Economic Development Infrastructure Districts › § 5701. Purpose

§ 5701. Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to enable formation of special municipal districts to finance, own, and maintain infrastructure that provides economic development opportunities in rural and underresourced areas of the State, including areas within one or more municipalities. Specifically, this chapter provides mechanisms for public and private partnerships, including opportunities for tax-incentivized financing and voluntary citizen engagement, to help overcome density and economic hardship. (Added 2017, No. 69, § B.1, eff. June 28, 2017.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 138 - Rural Economic Development Infrastructure Districts › § 5703. Limitations; taxes; indebtedness; eminent domain

§ 5703. Limitations; taxes; indebtedness; eminent domain
Notwithstanding any grant of authority in this chapter to the contrary:
(1) A district shall not accept funds generated by the taxing or assessment power of any municipality in which it is located.
(2) A district shall not have the power to levy, assess, apportion, or collect any tax upon property within the district, nor upon any of its underlying municipalities, without specific authorization of the General Assembly.
(3) All obligations of the district, including financing leases, shall be secured by and payable only out of the assets of or revenues or monies in the district, including revenue generated by an enterprise owned or operated by the district.
(4) A district shall not have powers of eminent domain. (Added 2017, No. 69, § B.1, eff. June 28, 2017.)