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2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 501. Powers and duties

§ 501. Powers and duties
The members of the Selectboard shall constitute the legislative body of the Town of Plainfield for all purposes required by law and except as otherwise herein specifically provided and shall have all powers and authority given to and perform all duties required of town legislative bodies or selectboards under the Constitution and laws of the State of Vermont.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 601. Transfer

§ 601. Transfer
On and after the effective date of this charter, the ownership, control, and management of the Village water and sewer systems shall be vested in the Town, subject to all indebtedness and liabilities relating thereto; provided, however, that administration of said systems and payment of existing liabilities relating thereto shall be as specifically provided for in this charter.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 702. Water and sewer commissioners

§ 702. Water and sewer commissioners
(a) Upon the effective date of this charter, the Selectboard shall appoint three water and sewer commissioners whose duties, powers, and authority with respect to the municipal water and sewer system shall be as established by the law of this State and as specifically provided for in this charter. One commissioner shall serve for a term of three years, one shall serve for a term of two years, and one shall serve for a term of one year. Thereafter, at the first meeting of the Selectboard following each annual Town meeting, the Selectboard shall appoint one commissioner for a term of three years. The Selectboard shall appoint residents of that part of the Town served by municipal water and sewer systems as water and sewer commissioners.
(b) In addition to those powers, duties, and responsibilities imposed by law, water and sewer commissioners shall:
(1) establish, regulate, control, and determine assessments for the benefit of property located within and without the Town that is provided street lighting;
(2) exercise control over, administer, manage, and operate the municipal water and sewage disposal systems of the Town as presently constituted or as may be enlarged hereafter; and
(3) establish rates and charges for water and sewage disposal services provided by the Town.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 801. Application of general laws

§ 801. Application of general laws
Provisions of the laws of this State relating to voter qualification, warnings, methods of voting, the duties of Town officers at Town meetings and elections, and all other particulars relating to preparation for, conduct, and management of Town meetings and elections shall, so far as they may be applicable, govern all municipal elections and all annual and special Town meetings, except as otherwise provided in this charter.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 901. Applicability of State law to zoning and planning

§ 901. Applicability of State law to zoning and planning
All matters pertaining to zoning, land subdivision, municipal and regional plans shall be exclusively controlled by the general law of the State of Vermont, except as specifically provided in this charter.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 903. Incorporation of Village zoning ordinance

§ 903. Incorporation of Village zoning ordinance
The Village of Plainfield zoning and flood hazard regulations, as amended, are hereby incorporated into the zoning ordinance of the Town of Plainfield for the purpose of defining a Village district within said Town ordinance and establishing area, density, use, building, and like requirements therein.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 904. Board of Adjustment

§ 904. Board of Adjustment
Notwithstanding any provision of general law, two residents of the Village district as presently or hereafter defined shall serve as members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Other members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be residents of the Town of Plainfield and residing in said district.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 1002. Amount to be raised by taxation

§ 1002. Amount to be raised by taxation
Upon passage of the budget by the annual Town meeting, the amounts stated therein as the amount to be raised by property taxes shall constitute a determination of the amount of the levy for the purposes of the Town in the corresponding tax year, and the Selectboard shall levy such taxes on the grand list furnished by the listers for the corresponding tax year.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 1003. Taxation

§ 1003. Taxation
(a) Taxes on real and personal property shall be paid as voted at annual Town meeting.
(b) Taxes may be paid with discount if approved at annual Town meeting.
(c) Taxes shall be collected as established by law.
(d) Delinquent property taxes shall accrue penalty, interest, fees, and costs to the maximum extent permitted by law, and all such interest fees shall be paid over to the Town Treasurer for inclusion in the General Fund of the Town.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 1004. Fees and fines

§ 1004. Fees and fines
All fines and penalties payable to the Town by reason of any violation of any law, ordinance, or bylaw, shall be paid over promptly upon receipt to the Town Treasurer for inclusion in the General Fund of the Town. All fees established by law or ordinance and payable to any Town officer, except those fees payable to the Town Clerk, shall be paid over promptly upon receipt to the Town Treasurer for inclusion in the General Fund of the Town.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 1005. Current bonded indebtedness

§ 1005. Current bonded indebtedness
Outstanding bonds previously issued by the Village of Plainfield shall be obligations of the Town of Plainfield on and after the effective date of this charter; provided, however, that until fully paid, said bonds shall constitute a general obligation only with respect to that part of the Town formerly comprising the Village of Plainfield, including that portion of said Village within the Town of Marshfield, and that part of the Town of Plainfield presently outside the limits of the Village of Plainfield and now receiving Village water and sewer services. Said bonds shall not constitute a debt or obligation of the Town of Plainfield except as specifically provided in this section, and shall be paid only by rates, charges, and assessments levied for water and sewer service within the former Village, and shall be secured as general obligations only by the full faith and credit of the Town as it applies within the former Village. Nothing herein shall be construed as abridging the power of the Town or the Town School District to authorize and issue bonds as provided by the general law of this State.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 1101. Separability

§ 1101. Separability
If any provision of this charter is held invalid, the other provisions of the charter shall not be affected thereby. If the application of the charter or any of its provisions to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the application of the charter and its provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 131 - Town of Plainfield › App § 1107. Transfer of property, rights, privileges, and franchises

§ 1107. Transfer of property, rights, privileges, and franchises
[Transitional provisions relating to the transfer of property and property, rights, franchises, rights of action, land records, and other records belonging or appertaining to the Town and Village of Plainfield and contracts relating to the water works and sewage collection and disposal system formerly possessed by the Village.]
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 101. Corporate existence retained

§ 101. Corporate existence retained
The inhabitants of the Town of Poultney are hereby incorporated and continue to be incorporated and declared to be a body corporate and politic under the name of the Town of Poultney, and under that name shall have, exercise, and enjoy all such rights, immunities, powers, and privileges as are conferred upon or are incident to towns in this State; and shall be subject to like duties, liabilities, and obligations, except as otherwise provided in this charter.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 103. Recall

§ 103. Recall
Any elected official or official appointed to elective office holding a Town office may be recalled by the following process:
(1) A petition signed by not less than 35 percent of the number of registered voters voting in the last annual Town meeting shall be filed with the Town Clerk.
(2) The petition shall request a special Town meeting for the purpose of recalling a specific person or persons and shall state the office that they hold.
(3) The Selectboard shall act upon the petition within seven days by warning a special Town meeting.
(4) The Town meeting shall be held not less than 30 days and not more than 40 days from the date of the receipt of the petition.
(5) The special Town meeting shall be warned as provided by the general law of this State.
(6) At least four days but not more than 15 days prior to the voting, an informational meeting shall be held at which time both the elected official and the proponents for the recall shall have the opportunity to discuss the issue of recall. The informational meeting shall be warned in conjunction with the warning for the special Town meeting.
(7) Voting on the issue of recall shall be by Australian ballot. A majority of the legal votes cast shall be needed to effect a recall of that official.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 104. Form of government

§ 104. Form of government
The municipal government provided by this charter shall be known as council-manager form of government. Pursuant to these provisions and subject only to the limitations imposed by the Vermont Constitution and by this charter, all powers of the Town shall be vested in an elective council, hereinafter referred to as the Selectboard.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 301. General provisions

§ 301. General provisions
The officers of the Town of Poultney shall be those provided by law for towns, except as otherwise provided by this charter. Such officers shall have all the powers and duties necessary to carry out the provisions of this charter as well as those provided by law. All officers shall be elected by Australian ballot.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 302. Special elective officers

§ 302. Special elective officers
In addition to those elective officers provided for by law, the officers elected at the annual Town meeting shall be:
(1) one library trustee necessary to fill the vacancy caused by the expiration of the term established in subsection 304(c) of this charter; and
(2) water and sewer commissioners (in the event the Selectboard so directs).
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 303. Terms of office—Selectboard members

§ 303. Terms of office—Selectboard members
(a) There shall be three Selectboard members elected for a staggered term of three years, with only one of these positions vacant in any one year, and two Selectboard members elected for a one-year term.
(b) At their first regular meeting following the annual Town meeting, the Selectboard shall elect a Chair and a Vice Chair of the Selectboard, each of whom shall be elected for a term of one year and may succeed himself or herself indefinitely.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 304. Other elected officers

§ 304. Other elected officers
(a) Town Clerk. The Town Clerk shall be elected for a three-year term.
(b) Auditors.
(1) Three auditors shall be elected, who shall be responsible for a full audit of all Town funds. Such audit shall be required at least once a year and shall verify delinquent taxes, disbursements, and receipts.
(2) A certified public accountant or registered public accountant shall conduct a full audit at least once in every three years. The certified or registered public accountant shall verify delinquent taxes, disbursements, and receipts and shall report to the elected auditors.
(3) The auditor position shall be for a three-year term, with one auditor being elected each year.
(c) Library trustees. The duties of the library trustees shall be the operation and care of a Town Public Library in accordance with the recommendations of the Vermont Library Association. Each trustee shall serve a term of five years, with one trustee elected each year.
(d) Town Treasurer. The Town Treasurer shall be elected to a term of three years.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 305. Appointed officers

§ 305. Appointed officers
(a) The Selectboard may appoint any officers, commissioners, or employees required by the Town’s personnel regulations or this charter. All appointments shall require as a precondition a job description.
(b) The Town Manager shall function as the personnel officer of the Town and shall present to the Selectboard all candidates for Town positions.
(c) All matters relating to the hiring, performance, tenure, discipline, and termination of Town employees shall be controlled by personnel policies and plans to be adopted by the Selectboard.
(d) The Selectboard shall appoint the following officers:
(1) a Public Works Supervisor;
(2) a Health Officer;
(3) one or more fence viewers;
(4) a Tree Warden;
(5) a Zoning Administrator;
(6) a Civil Defense Director;
(7) a representative to the Rutland Solid Waste District (provided the Town is a member);
(8) planning commissioners;
(9) a representative to the Regional Planning Commission; and
(10) Weigher of Coal, Inspector of Timber, Dog Warden, and Forest Fire Warden.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 306. Vacancies of elected and appointed officers

§ 306. Vacancies of elected and appointed officers
(a) When an elected or appointed officer resigns, makes another Town his or her residence, dies, or becomes incapacitated, the office shall become vacant. A person who fills such a vacancy shall serve until his or her predecessor’s term expires. The Town Manager shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general local circulation a notice of the vacancy.
(b) Any person of legal voting age may, within 10 days of the publication, submit his or her name to the Town Manager as an applicant for the vacancy. The names of all applicants shall be entered in the minutes of the next regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting.
(c) At the first regular meeting of the Selectboard following the expiration of the period set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Selectboard shall fill the vacancy. Said appointments shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term unless this charter provides otherwise.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 307. Oath of office

§ 307. Oath of office
All elected and appointed officials and all police officers of the Town shall before assuming office take, subscribe, and file with the Town Clerk the following oath: “I ________ solemnly swear (or affirm) that I shall faithfully execute the Office of ______ of the Town of Poultney to the best of my judgment and abilities, according to law, so help me God (or I so affirm).”
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 501. Powers and duties

§ 501. Powers and duties
(a) The members of the Selectboard shall constitute the legislative body of the Town of Poultney for all purposes required by law and shall constitute the Board of Cemetery Commissioners, the Board of Liquor Control Commissioners, and, with the Town Health Officer, the Local Board of Health Commissioners.
(b) While the Selectboard shall establish policies governing the management of Town affairs, it shall be the sole duty and responsibility of the Town Manager to implement Town policies and supervise the day-to-day operation of Town government.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 502. Organization

§ 502. Organization
(a) Three Selectboard members shall constitute a quorum. No action of the Board shall be valid or binding unless adopted by the affirmative vote of at least three Selectboard members. In cases where a statute requires a greater number of the Board for an affirmative vote, such provisions of law shall control.
(b) The Selectboard may vote on an item not warned on a public agenda only in an emergency and with the consent of the majority of the Board. An emergency may be defined as an unforeseen situation that imperils the welfare of the Town and that requires immediate action.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 503. Record of proceedings

§ 503. Record of proceedings
(a) The Selectboard shall keep an official record of its proceedings.
(b) The minutes of each meeting shall be approved by the Selectboard and shall be filed in the Town Clerk’s office. A duly certified copy of such minutes, attesting to the accuracy thereof, shall constitute the official record of such meeting and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the action taken.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 902. Fire Department; appointments

§ 902. Fire Department; appointments
(a) Fire protection shall be provided by the Town of Poultney Volunteer Fire Department equipment and by the personnel of the Poultney Hose Company #1.
(b) The Fire Chief and assistant fire chiefs shall be elected annually by and shall be members of the Hose Company.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1001. Water and sewer systems; duties of Selectboard

§ 1001. Water and sewer systems; duties of Selectboard
Until such time as a separate Board or Boards of Water and Sewer Commissioners shall be established, the Selectboard shall act as such commissioners.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1101. Postponement and combining of Town meeting

§ 1101. Postponement and combining of Town meeting
(a) The Selectboard may postpone the vote on any question to be voted at a special Town meeting to the annual meeting if such special meeting would fall within 120 days of the annual meeting.
(b) If a special Town meeting will fall within 120 days of another special Town meeting called by petition, the Selectboard may warn the questions to be voted at such Town meeting for the later Town meeting and may by resolution rescind the call of the earlier meeting.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1102. Voting question by Australian ballot

§ 1102. Voting question by Australian ballot
The election of Town officers and the consideration of all public questions shall be by Australian ballot at any annual meeting or at any special Town meeting called on motion of the Selectboard or by petition. A public question voted by Australian ballot shall be preceded by a public informational meeting, to start at 7:30 o’clock in the evening of the day preceding that on which the polls are to be opened. The warning for the special Town meeting to vote by Australian ballot shall include a notice of the time and place of the public hearing.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1105. Highway budget

§ 1105. Highway budget
Notwithstanding any other provision of general law or this charter to the contrary, annually the Selectboard shall prepare a highway budget with respect to the operation, maintenance, repair, and construction of Town highways, which budget shall be voted upon as a separate article at each annual Town meeting or a special Town meeting called for that purpose. Voting on the proposed highway budget shall be restricted to only those eligible voters residing in that part of the Town not within the incorporated limits of the Village of Poultney. The Town highway budget so approved shall be funded by a highway tax to be levied on the grand list of the Town representing ratable property situated in that part of the Town not within the incorporated limits of the Village of Poultney.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1301. Ratification of present flood hazard ordinances

§ 1301. Ratification of present flood hazard ordinances
The Town of Poultney flood hazard regulations, revised and adopted June 9, 1980, as amended, are hereby ratified and approved, subject to the provisions of 24 V.S.A. chapter 117.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1502. Preparation and submission of budget and town report

§ 1502. Preparation and submission of budget and town report
(a) The Town Manager, at least 60 days before the date of the regular annual Town meeting, shall submit to the Selectboard a budget that shall contain:
(1) a statement of the financial condition of the Town as of the end of the fiscal year and as of the date of submission of the budget;
(2) an itemized statement of appropriations recommended for current expenses and for capital improvements during the next fiscal year with comparative statements in parallel columns of appropriations and estimated expenditures for the current fiscal year and actual appropriations and expenditures for the preceding fiscal year;
(3) an itemized statement of estimated revenues from all sources, other than taxation, for the next fiscal year; a statement of estimated taxes required for the next fiscal year; and comparative figures of tax and other sources of revenue for the current and the preceding fiscal year;
(4) a statement of the short and long-term indebtedness of the Town;
(5) a listing of delinquent taxpayers;
(6) such other information as may be required by the Selectboard or law.
(b) The Selectboard’s budget in its final form and the warning of the meeting shall be made available to the legal voters of the Town in an annual Town report at least 14 days prior to the annual Town meeting.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1503. Appropriations

§ 1503. Appropriations
The Town at the annual meeting, or a special meeting called for that purpose, shall adopt a budget that shall include the proposed expenditures of each department for the coming fiscal year, and adoption of a budget at such meeting shall be deemed an appropriation to each department of the sum allotted in the budget for such department. The amounts stated in the budget, and as approved by the Town, shall become appropriated to the several agencies, departments, and purposes therein named.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1504. Amount to be raised by taxation

§ 1504. Amount to be raised by taxation
Upon approval of the budget under section 1503 of this charter, the amounts stated therein as the amount to be raised by property taxes, reduced by cash surplus from excess collected property taxes, fees, charges, fines, and interest, if any, as indicated by the statement of the Town auditors, shall constitute a determination of the amount of the levy for the purposes of the Town in the corresponding tax year, and the Selectboard shall levy such taxes on the grand list furnished by the listers for the corresponding year.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1505. Transfers of appropriations

§ 1505. Transfers of appropriations
At any time within the fiscal year, the Selectboard may transfer funds from single budget line items to other budget line items. A budget line item will be an individual budget item listed on the budget presented to and approved under section 1503 of this charter.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 133 - Town of Poultney › App § 1506. Fees and fines

§ 1506. Fees and fines
All fines and penalties payable to the Town by reason of any violation of any law, ordinance, or bylaw shall be paid over promptly upon receipt to the Town Treasurer for inclusion in the General Fund of the Town. All fees established by law or ordinance and payable to any Town officer shall be paid over promptly upon receipt to the Town Treasurer for inclusion in the General Fund of the Town. Fees collected on behalf of the State shall be transferred to the State Treasurer.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 1. Merged municipality

§ 1. Merged municipality
Upon approval by the voters of the said municipalities, and ratification hereof by the Vermont General Assembly as provided in 17 V.S.A. § 2630 et seq., the Town of Readsboro and the Village of Readsboro shall be deemed merged and consolidated, the said Village of Readsboro shall cease to exist, and the merged municipality shall hereafter be known as the Town of Readsboro.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 2. Village property

§ 2. Village property
All the land, buildings, property, and funds of the Village of Readsboro shall, on the date this merger is effective, including water works, sewage treatment plant and sewerage collection systems, and electric service, become vested in and be the property of the merged and consolidated Town of Readsboro.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 3. Village indebtedness

§ 3. Village indebtedness
Payments of all indebtedness and obligations, contractual or otherwise, of the said Village of Readsboro, and of the Town of Readsboro, shall, on the date this merger is effective, be assumed by the merged and consolidated Town of Readsboro.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 4. Village books and records

§ 4. Village books and records
The officers of the Village of Readsboro shall, before this merger goes in effect, and so far as possible or practicable, settle the affairs of said Village of Readsboro and shall, on the effective date hereof, turn over and deliver to the Clerk of the Town of Readsboro all books, records, documents, and other property of the said Village for the attention of the proper officers and departments of the merged and consolidated Town of Readsboro.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 23. Specific powers

§ 23. Specific powers
Without limiting any of its duly vested powers and authority, the Selectboard shall have the power to:
(a) appoint and remove a Town Manager;
(b) create, change, and abolish officers, departments, or agencies in managing the affairs of the Town of Readsboro;
(c) make, amend, and repeal ordinances;
(d) inquire into the conduct of any office, department, or agency of the Town and make investigations as to municipal affairs;
(e) create, appoint, and constitute planning commissions, zoning boards, and sign boards;
(f) act as commissioners, prudential committeemen, or as the legislative bodies of departments of the Town providing special municipal services, or create such districts or departments, which may be autonomous pursuant to law;
(g) fix salaries of appointees.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 24. Transitional board

§ 24. Transitional board
The Selectboard members of the Town of Readsboro, serving on the effective date of this merger, shall continue in office and be deemed Selectboard members of the merged and consolidated Town of Readsboro for the remainder of the terms of their respective elected offices.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 32. Specific powers

§ 32. Specific powers
Without limiting any of its duly vested powers and authority, the Town of Readsboro may exercise the following powers and functions:
(1) to levy, assess, and collect taxes;
(2) to appropriate and borrow money within limits prescribed by general laws;
(3) to collect special assessments for benefits and services conferred;
(4) to acquire property through condemnation or otherwise;
(5) to furnish local public services, including water systems, electric light and power systems, sewage disposal systems and treatment plant, and refuse collection;
(6) to make public improvements;
(7) to issue and sell bonds and make other short-term loans on the security of municipal property, public utilities owned by the Town, or upon revenues thereof, or both;
(8) to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire land for roads, streets, sidewalks, lanes, commons, alleys, walks, parks, recreation centers, camp sites, aviation fields and landing strips, and for installation and maintenance of equipment and facilities for public services, such as fire, electric light and power, water, sewers, and other municipal services;
(9) to establish a Police Department; a Fire Department; sanitation services; fire districts; water, sewer, and electric districts; and building codes and inspection procedures, including the establishment of rules, regulations, ordinances, and bylaws regulating and affecting the same, and enforcing fines, penalties, forfeitures, licensing procedures, and the prosecution of injunctive and restraining remedies and relief;
(10) where permitted by law, to grant, confer, condition, limit, suspend, or revoke and otherwise exercise and maintain jurisdiction over, licenses for the sale of malt and vinous beverages for on or off-premises consumption, within the municipal limits of said Town;
(11) to establish, amend, enforce, and repeal ordinances and bylaws, to regulate, restrain, abate, or prohibit:
(A) itinerant peddlers and junk collectors;
(B) food markets;
(C) sale and use of fireworks;
(D) exhibitions, dances, races, circuses, menageries, and shows of every kind and description;
(E) lotteries, games of chance, and gaming affecting the public good;
(F) nuisances affecting the public interest, health, and welfare;
(G) unlawful assemblies, riots, and public disturbances; and
(H) any and all conduct, pursuits, endeavors, and actions that may tend to affect the public health, welfare, and safety.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 41. Limited use services funding

§ 41. Limited use services funding
All municipal services provided to a limited area or group of voters shall be maintained and operated through revenues derived solely from those using the services. The legislative boards or bodies thereof shall keep, or cause to be kept, separate accounts for each such services and all revenue, income, and funds derived therefrom shall not be commingled with other funds or accounts of the Town of Readsboro.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 43. Construction of special public services

§ 43. Construction of special public services
The cost of initial construction of any special public services and facilities not in existence on the effective date hereof, and/or costs to expand existing facilities to areas not heretofore served, and/or costs to enlarge, expand, or reconstruct existing facilities shall be financed by the Town of Readsboro, supplemented by public funds and grants-in-aid, if any, that may be available for the said purposes, except electric line expansions shall be paid for by those customers requesting such services and in accordance with the rules and regulations presently in effect, and as may be amended.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 141 - Town of Readsboro › App § 44. Charges for municipal services

§ 44. Charges for municipal services
Subject to the provisions and limitations of existing laws and regulations, the Selectboard of the Town of Readsboro, or other appropriate legislative body, is empowered to establish charges for the said municipal services and methods of payment and shall be further authorized and empowered to collect the same and enforce the payment thereof. All such costs required to support these special services shall be paid for by those receiving the services by a tax on their grand list to be assessed annually, or in such other manner as such Board shall determine. If by tax, such tax shall be paid and collected as other taxes and shall be a lien on their grand list.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 101. Merger of the Village and Town of Richford

§ 101. Merger of the Village and Town of Richford
Effective as of midnight at the end of December 31, 1998, the Village of Richford, as constituted by 1878 Acts and Resolves No. 202, as amended, shall merge with and into the Town of Richford, within its present geographic limits, as a single municipal corporation under the name of the Town of Richford, and the Village of Richford shall, except as hereinafter specifically provided, cease to exist as a political entity or body corporate and its charter shall be abolished. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 102. Assets transferred and liabilities assumed

§ 102. Assets transferred and liabilities assumed
(a) Upon the effective merger date, all assets of whatever kind, nature, and description, including lands; easements; rights and interests in lands; buildings and other improvements; vehicles, equipment, and other personal property; funds; grants; assessed but uncollected taxes and charges, including water and sewer rents and charges, together with the lien rights and enforcement powers of the Village of Richford therefore; monies; rights, claims, actions, and contracts; rights of action in legal or administrative proceedings; insurance policies; and documents and records owned, claimed, or held by the Village of Richford shall become vested in and become assets owned by the Town of Richford without any further act, deed, or instrument being necessary.
(b) Any and all property held in trust by the trustees of the Village of Richford or any officer thereof shall become vested in the Selectboard of the Town of Richford and its successors, or in the respective officer of said Town and his or her successor, as the case may be, and shall continue to be held in trust for the same uses as before the merger, all without any further act, deed, or instrument being necessary.
(c) Upon the effective merger date, the Town of Richford shall assume and be obligated to pay or otherwise perform each and every lawful obligation, debt, claim, bonded indebtedness, and other liability of the Village of Richford without any further act, deed, or instrument being necessary.
(d) Prior to the effective merger date, the officers of the Village of Richford shall settle, so far as possible, the financial affairs of the Village of Richford and, on said date, turn over to the proper officers of the Town of Richford all records, books, documents, and property of the Village of Richford. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 103. Finances

§ 103. Finances
On the effective merger date:
(1) the funds and other assets of the Village of Richford for its General Fund, along with its corresponding liabilities, shall become those of the Town of Richford for its General Fund;
(2) the funds and other assets of the Village of Richford for its Highway Account, along with its corresponding liabilities, shall become those of the Town of Richford for its Highway Account;
(3) the funds and other assets of the Village of Richford for its Water Department, along with its corresponding liabilities, shall become those of the Town of Richford for its Water Department;
(4) the funds and other assets of the Village of Richford for its Sewer Department, along with its corresponding liabilities, shall become those of the Town of Richford for its Sewer Department; and
(5) all of the other funds, assets, and liabilities of the Village of Richford, except as herein specifically provided shall become those of the Town of Richford as part of its General Fund and of its general assets and liabilities. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 104. Water and sewer rates

§ 104. Water and sewer rates
(a) All water and sewer rates of the Village of Richford in effect at the time of merger shall continue in effect until changed by the water commissioners or sewer commissioners of the Town of Richford. The Selectboard shall be the water and sewer commissioners. All costs of the Water and Sewer Departments shall be assessed against the properties served by said Departments.
(b) Annual water and/or sewer rates shall be set at a rate sufficient to cover annual expenditures, temporary indebtedness, and the amortizing of bonded indebtedness and interest. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 105. Police protection

§ 105. Police protection
(a) Police protection in the former Village area shall be considered a special services district for those residing therein, provided that boundaries may be altered as provided in section 208 of the charter. Voters residing in the special services district may determine by a majority vote of those present and voting at a duly warned meeting the extent of services desired. The Selectboard shall assess a tax based on the grand list of the area served for each owner’s share of the listed value of his or her property to cover the costs for the entire area.
(b) If and when the Town desires police protection for the entire Town, the special services district will cease to exist for this purpose and the entire cost of police protection will become part of the General Fund budget expense of the Town. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 106. Trash collection

§ 106. Trash collection
Trash collection in the former Village area shall be considered as a special services district for those residing therein. Voters residing in the special services district may, by a majority vote of those present and voting at a duly warned meeting, authorize the Selectboard to enter into a contract for such service. The Selectboard shall set a rate for such service sufficient to cover the expense of the contract and shall collect such rate from those property owners so served. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 107. Existing ordinances

§ 107. Existing ordinances
(a) The Village zoning and flood hazard regulations, as amended, are hereby incorporated into the zoning ordinance of the Town of Richford for the purpose of defining a Village district within said Town ordinance and establishing area, density, use, building, and like requirements.
(b) Whenever a power is granted by any such rule, ordinance, regulation, or bylaw to an officer of the Village of Richford, such power is conferred upon the appropriate officer of the Town of Richford. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 108. Election of Selectboard

§ 108. Election of Selectboard
(a) Members of the Selectboard in office at the date of the adoption of the merger shall continue in office until the end of their respective terms.
(b) The four Village trustees whose terms do not expire in 1998 shall remain on the new Board until the election at Town meeting in 1999, at which time the Board shall revert to the statutory limit. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 201. Applicability of general law

§ 201. Applicability of general law
(a) All provisions of the Constitution and general laws of the State of Vermont relating to towns and their officers shall apply in the Town of Richford.
(b) The Town of Richford shall have all the powers now or hereafter conferred upon towns and villages by the Constitution and general laws of the State of Vermont. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 202. Officers

§ 202. Officers
(a) The officers of the Town of Richford shall be those provided by law for towns except as otherwise provided by this charter. Such officers shall have all the powers and duties necessary to carry out the provisions of this charter as well as those provided by law.
(b) All elected officials, except as provided by law or as specifically provided in this charter, shall be chosen at large from the legally qualified voters of the Town and shall hold office for the term specified and until their successors are elected and qualified.
(c) When an elected or appointed officer resigns, makes another town his or her residence, dies, or becomes incapacitated, that office shall become vacant and the Selectboard shall appoint an eligible person to fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting. The person elected at the annual meeting shall serve until his or her predecessor’s term expires. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 203. Tax collection

§ 203. Tax collection
The Town Treasurer shall collect property taxes and penalty and interest charges. The Town shall not elect other collectors of current or delinquent taxes. The Town Treasurer shall deposit all taxes, penalties, and interest charges in the Town accounts for the benefit of the Town of Richford. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 204. Town and School District officers

§ 204. Town and School District officers
The Clerk, Treasurer, and auditors of the Town of Richford shall perform those duties imposed upon the Clerk, Treasurer, and auditors of the Town of Richford School District by the general laws of the State of Vermont and this charter. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 205. Appointed officers, commissions, and committees

§ 205. Appointed officers, commissions, and committees
(a) The Selectboard may appoint any officers required by the Town’s personnel regulations, this charter, or the general laws of the State of Vermont.
(b) The Selectboard may appoint commissions or committees as needed, and delegate incidental powers necessary for the proper functioning thereof, as established by law. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 206. Town meeting

§ 206. Town meeting
(a) Provisions of the laws of the State of Vermont relating to voter qualification, warnings, methods of voting, the duties of the Town officers at Town meetings and elections, and all other particulars relating to preparation for, conduct, and management of Town meetings and elections shall, so far as they may be applicable, govern all municipal elections and all annual and special Town and School District meetings, except as otherwise specifically provided in this charter.
(b) All articles pertaining to the election of officers and monetary issues relating to expenditures warned for annual or special Town or School District meetings shall be voted by Australian ballot, except as otherwise specifically provided in this charter. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 207. Ordinances

§ 207. Ordinances
Any rule, ordinance, regulation, or bylaw of the Town of Richford may apply to a limited area and not to the whole Town, notwithstanding that the rule, ordinance, regulation, or bylaw might also have been applied to another area or areas within the Town. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 142 - Town of Richford › App § 208. Special districts

§ 208. Special districts
(a) The Selectboard may designate areas apart from the rest of the Town as a special service district and may provide that said area of the voters therein shall be provided with special services not common to all the voters of the Town, provided that the majority of the voters residing in the respective designated area and present and voting at the Town meeting on the subject shall have approved such resolution.
(b) Such area shall be reasonable geographically, taking into account the areas and persons actually benefited, the type and types of services to be provided, and the fact that the efficiency of providing multiple services in a single special service district might outweigh the fact that the areas and voters benefiting from the respective services might not coincide exactly.
(c) All costs required to support a given special service shall be paid for by the taxpayers receiving said service in such manner as the Selectboard may determine. If the costs are to be paid by a tax on the grand list in the special service district involved, such tax shall be paid and collected in the same manner as other taxes and such tax assessed on any part of the grand list shall be a lien thereon. All funds of any special services shall be kept in a special fund, no part of which may be used for any other purpose.
(d) The warning for each annual or special Town meeting may contain appropriate articles under which the legal voters residing in any special service district may separately vote. (Added 1997, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)