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2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 302. Elective officers

§ 302. Elective officers
(a) The officers elected and their compensation fixed by the Town at its annual meeting shall be:
(1) five Selectboard members;
(2) Town Meeting Moderator;
(3)-(4) [Repealed.]
(5) Town Clerk and Treasurer;
(6)-(7) [Repealed.]
(8) cemetery trustees;
(9) library trustees;
(10) Fire Department officers;
(11) a First Constable, and a Second Constable, if needed;
(12) [Repealed.]
(13) a Tree Warden;
(14) [Repealed.]
(15) one or more grand jurors.
(b) All elected officers shall be chosen from the legally qualified voters of the Town and shall hold office for the terms hereafter specified and until their successors are elected and qualified.
(c) All Selectboard members shall be elected by Australian ballot.
(d) When an elected officer specified in subsection (a) of this section resigns, makes another Town his or her residence, dies, or becomes incapacitated, the office shall become vacant and the Selectboard shall appoint an eligible person to fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting. The person elected shall at the annual meeting serve until the predecessor’s term expires. Incapacity shall include the failure of a Selectboard member to attend 50 percent of the meetings of the Board in any calendar year. (Amended 2019, No. 84 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 303. Terms of office; Selectboard members

§ 303. Terms of office; Selectboard members
(a) Three Selectboard members shall be elected for a three-year term and two Selectboard members for a one-year term.
(b) All Selectboard members shall be elected at large. The persons with the largest number of votes for office of equal terms shall be elected to those offices. If there are Selectboard offices with different terms, each candidate shall specify the term for which he or she seeks election. No person shall seek election to concurrent terms for the office of Selectboard member.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 304. Other elective offices

§ 304. Other elective offices
(a) [Repealed.]
(b) The Town Meeting Moderator shall be elected and shall perform those duties prescribed by the general law of this State.
(c) The Town Clerk and Treasurer shall be elected for a three-year term and shall carry out the duties of the town clerk and treasurer as specified by statute and by this charter and shall:
(1) promptly deposit funds in the depositories as may be designated by the Selectboard;
(2) invest Town funds in the manner designated by statute;
(3) keep books and accounts as may be required by the Selectboard or the Town Manager in addition to those required by law;
(4) make reports to the Selectboard or the Town Manager monthly or at other times as they may require showing the condition of the Town’s finances; and
(5) perform other duties with respect to the Town’s finances as the Selectboard may request. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 306. Appointed officers

§ 306. Appointed officers
(a) The Selectboard may appoint any officers required by the Town’s personnel regulations or this charter.
(b) The Town Manager shall function as the personnel officer of the Town.
(1) The Zoning Administrator shall be appointed in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 4448. Upon appointment, the Zoning Administrator shall be under the direction of the Town Manager for faithful performance of the Zoning Administrator duties as prescribed in the Vermont statutes and this charter.
(2) A Civil Defense Director whose powers and duties shall be established by law.
(3) A Town Service Officer whose powers and duties shall be as established by law.
(4) A Town Recreation Committee.
(5) Planning commissioners/Zoning Development Review Board whose powers and duties shall be those established by law.
(6) Representative to the Regional Planning Commission whose powers and duties shall be as those established by law.
(7) Town Energy Coordinator.
(8) Dog Warden.
(9) [Repealed.]
(10) Health Officer. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 307. Vacancies and appointments

§ 307. Vacancies and appointments
(a) When the term of any member of the Development Review Board, the Planning Commission, or any other Town board, commission, or formal committee expires, or when the term of any officer appointed by the Selectboard or the Town Manager expires, or when there is a vacancy in any board, commission, committee, or office, the Town Manager may cause to be published, in a newspaper or digital news forum of general local circulation or availability, and on the Town website, a notice of the vacancy or the expiration of the term.
(b) Any qualified voter of the Town, within 10 days of the publication, may submit their own name to the Town Manager as an applicant for the vacant or expired office. At the expiration or 10 days from the date of publication, the names of all persons being considered shall be entered in the Selectboard minutes. The Selectboard shall not fill the vacancy or expired term until after at least seven days from the date the names of the applicants are entered in the minutes. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 309. Oath of office

§ 309. Oath of office
All elective officials and all municipal police officers of the Town shall, before assuming office, take, subscribe, and file with the Town Clerk and Treasurer the following oath:
“I, ______ , solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of ______ of the Town of Hardwick to the best of my judgment and abilities, according to law, so help me God (or I so affirm).” (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 311. Recall of elected officials

§ 311. Recall of elected officials
(a) Any elected Town officer may be removed from office as follows: A petition signed by not less than 25 percent of the registered voters shall be filed with the Selectboard, requesting a vote on whether the elected officer shall be removed from office. The date of signing by each voter shall be indicated in the petition and such date shall not be earlier than 30 days prior to the filing of the petition. The Selectboard shall call a special Town meeting, to be held within 45 days of receiving the petition, to vote on whether the elected town officer shall be removed. The officer shall be removed only if at least as many registered voters of the Town vote as voted in the election wherein the officer was elected, or at least one-third of the registered voters of the Town vote, whichever is greater, and a majority of the number of votes is cast for removal. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or of this charter to the contrary, any vote on a recall petition shall be by the Australian ballot system.
(b) If the Town votes for removal of an elected officer, the office shall thereupon become vacant, and the Selectboard shall call a special meeting, to be held within 45 days of the vote for removal, to fill the vacancy until the term of the officer so removed expires. The office shall remain vacant until the next annual Town meeting if such special meeting would fall within 75 days prior to the annual Town meeting.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 501. Powers and duties

§ 501. Powers and duties
(a) The members of the Selectboard shall constitute the legislative body of the Town of Hardwick 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.
(b) Within the limitations of the foregoing, the Selectboard shall have the power to:
(1) Appoint and remove the Town Manager and supervise, create, change, and abolish offices, commissions, or departments other than the offices, commissions, or departments established by this charter or by law. The Selectboard may prescribe the duties of all offices, commissions, or departments created by them.
(2) Assign additional duties to officers, commissions, or departments established by this charter, but may not discontinue or assign to any other office, commission, or department duties assigned to a particular office, commission, or department established by this charter or by law.
(3) Appoint members of all boards, commissions, committees, or similar bodies unless specifically provided otherwise by this charter or law.
(4) Make, amend, and repeal ordinances in compliance with sections 107 and 108 of this charter.
(5) Inquire into the conduct of any officer, employee, commission, or department and investigate any and all municipal affairs when deemed necessary for the proper and orderly conduct of Town government.
(6) Submit an annual budget to the voters, to be voted on at Town meeting, in accordance with the provision of subchapter 15 of this charter dealing with the budget.
(7) Exercise each and every power not specifically set forth in this section, which is granted to the Selectboard by the laws of this State. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 502. Organization

§ 502. Organization
(a) After the election and qualification of the Selectboard, the Selectboard shall organize and elect a Chair and Vice Chair by a majority vote of the entire Board.
(b) The Selectboard shall conduct its business in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. The Chair shall be entitled to participate as a full voting member.
(c) Three Selectboard members shall constitute a quorum. No action of the Selectboard shall be valid or binding unless adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present. In cases where statute requires a greater fraction of the authorized Board for an affirmative vote than as specified above, the statute’s provisions of law shall control.
(d) All meetings of the Selectboard shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Vermont Open Meeting Law.
(e) [Repealed.]
(f) [Repealed.]
(g) [Repealed.] (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 504. Jurisdiction over offices and employees

§ 504. Jurisdiction over offices and employees
Neither the Selectboard nor any of its members shall direct or request the appointment, by any officer or employee of the Town, of any person to office or employment, or their suspension or removal therefrom, or in any manner take part in the appointment, discipline, or removal of subordinates and employees of the Town, except as otherwise provided in this charter. The Selectboard and its members shall deal with that position of the service of the Town for which the Manager is responsible solely through the Town Manager and neither the Selectboard or any of its members shall give any orders or request any action by a subordinate in office. This shall not be construed to prohibit the Selectboard from recommending to the Town Manager a prospective employee for consideration and making general complaints to the Town Manager.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 702. Manager nonpartisan

§ 702. Manager nonpartisan
(a) The Manager shall be chosen solely on the basis of his or her executive, administrative, and professional qualifications.
(b) The Manager shall not take part in the organization or direction of a political party, serve as member of a party committee, nor be a candidate for election to any public office.
(c) The Manager shall be a resident of the Town of Hardwick once appointed in office. The Selectboard may grant permission for the Manager to live outside the Town should there be sufficient reason.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 704. Duties of the Manager

§ 704. Duties of the Manager
(a) The Manager shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Town and shall carry out the policies established by the Selectboard, to whom the Manager shall be responsible.
(b) The Manager shall attend all meetings of the Selectboard, except when compensation or removal of the Town Manager is being considered or the Selectboard allows such absence. The Manager shall keep the Selectboard informed of the financial condition and further needs of the Town and shall make such other reports as may be required by law, requested by the Selectboard, or deemed by the Town Manager to be advisable.
(c) The Manager has the right to attend all meetings of standing committees, boards, and agencies appointed by the Selectboard.
(d) The Manager shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees, but may not vote.
(e) The Manager shall perform all other duties prescribed by this charter or required by laws of this State, or resolution of the Selectboard.
(f) The Manager shall prepare an annual budget, submit it to the Selectboard, and be responsible for its administration after adoption by the voters of the Town.
(g) The Manager shall compile for general distribution at the end of each fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the Town for the year.
(h) The Manager shall furnish a quarterly financial statement to the Selectboard, with the assistance and cooperation of the Town Clerk and Treasurer and the Business Manager, who shall furnish whatever financial data are necessary to enable the Town Manager to fulfill their budgetary and financial responsibilities.
(i) The Manager shall be responsible for the operation of all departments as designated by the Selectboard.
(j) The Manager shall be the general purchasing agent for the Town and its departments, agencies, and commissions.
(k) The Manager shall be responsible for the administration of a system of accounts.
(l) The Manager shall have the authority to appoint; fix the salary of, within the salary ranges established by the Selectboard; suspend; and remove all employees of the Town appointed by him or her, subject to the provisions of the charter and any Personnel Regulations as approved by the Selectboard.
(m) The Manager may, when advisable or proper, and with the approval of the Selectboard, delegate to subordinate officers and employees of the Town any duties conferred upon him or her.
(n) The Manager, with the department heads, shall prepare annually for the Selectboard a three-year Capital Improvement Plan.
(o) The Manager shall serve as Collector of Delinquent Taxes unless otherwise provided for by the Town at an annual or special meeting. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 706. Absence

§ 706. Absence
In the event of a temporary absence or disability, the Town Manager may, with the consent of the Selectboard, designate by letter filed with the Town Clerk a qualified person to perform the Manager’s duties. If the Manager fails to make the designation, the Selectboard may appoint a person to perform the duties of the Manager until the Town Manager shall return or the Town Manager’s disability shall cease. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 904. Electric Department commissioners

§ 904. Electric Department commissioners
(a) The Town of Hardwick may own and operate municipal electric plants as provided in 30 V.S.A. chapter 79, the management, operation, and administration of which shall be vested in a Board of Electric Utility Commissioners consisting of five persons to be appointed by the Selectboard whose initial terms shall be established by resolution of the Selectboard so as to provide that no more than two of such commissioners shall be appointed annually. Each appointment shall take effect on July 1 of each year, and no commissioner may be removed from office except for cause. Notwithstanding any provision of this charter or the general law, the Selectboard may appoint no more than two electric utility commissioners who are not residents of the Town; provided, however, that such commissioners reside within and are full time residents of the area served by the Town’s municipal electric plant.
(b) The provisions of 24 V.S.A. chapter 53 and 30 V.S.A. chapter 79, as amended, or similar general enactments, shall control the financing, improvements, expansion, and disposition of the Town municipal electric plant.
(c) The charges and rates for electric service shall be a lien upon real estate, wherever located, furnished with such service in the same manner and to the same effect as taxes are a lien upon real estate under 32 V.S.A. § 5061. The owner of such property furnished with electric service, wherever located, shall be liable for such charges and rates.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 905. Fire Department; appointments

§ 905. Fire Department; appointments
(a) A slate of Fire Department officers, including the Fire Chief, shall be provided to the Town Manager by the Town Fire Department prior to Town Meeting as a recommendation for election by the voting residents of the Town.
(b) The Fire Chief and the Assistant Fire Chief shall be elected at large at Town Meeting.
(c) Members of the Fire Department shall be residents of the Town, unless otherwise determined by the Selectboard. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 906. Police Department; appointments

§ 906. Police Department; appointments
Whenever the Town of Hardwick shall maintain a police department, the Police Chief shall be appointed by the Town Manager. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 907. Fire and Police Departments; general provisions

§ 907. Fire and Police Departments; general provisions
(a) Members and officers of the Town Fire and Police Departments shall satisfactorily complete such courses of instruction and training as shall be required generally of fire department members and police officers by the laws of this State.
(b) The Selectboard shall determine and establish the conditions under which Fire Department members and police officers may exercise the functions of their respective offices beyond the limits of the Town to the extent authorized by law.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1101. Application of general laws

§ 1101. 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 the charter.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1103. Polling places

§ 1103. Polling places
The Board of Civil Authority shall establish a polling place or places as it shall determine appropriate whenever any annual or special Town meeting is being held for the purpose of the election of officers or the voting on questions to be decided by Australian ballot. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1104. Postponement and combining of Town meeting

§ 1104. Postponement and combining of Town meeting
(a) If an application for a special Town meeting is made not more than 60 days and not less than 40 days before annual Town meeting day, the Selectboard may postpone voting on any one or more of the articles requested in the petition until annual Town meeting day.
(b) If, within five days after application is made for a special Town meeting, a petition for another Town meeting is filed, the Selectboard may postpone voting on any one or more of the articles requested in the first petition until the Town meeting called upon the second petition, provided that the meeting on the second petition is warned for a day falling not more than 60 days after the filing date of the first petition.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1106. Annual meeting; date and time

§ 1106. Annual meeting; date and time
The annual meeting of the Town for the consideration of all matters to be voted upon by ballot shall be held on the first Tuesday in March, commencing at 10 o’clock in the forenoon.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1301. Applicability of State law to zoning and planning

§ 1301. Applicability of State law to zoning and planning
The Zoning Administrator shall be nominated by the Planning Commission and appointed by the Selectboard for a term of three years promptly after the adoption of the first bylaws or when a vacancy exists. The appointment shall be in accord with 24 V.S.A. § 4448. All other 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. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1303. Minutes

§ 1303. Minutes
(a) Copies of the minutes of the Development Review Board or the Hardwick Planning Commission, or portions of the minutes, shall be made available to any member of the public upon request to the Town Manager and at cost.
(b) Copies of the minutes of the Development Review Board and the Planning Commission shall be filed and kept in the Town Clerk’s office in separate books provided for that purpose. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1502. Preparation and submission of budget

§ 1502. Preparation and submission of budget
(a) The Town Manager, at least 90 days before the date of the regular annual Town meeting, shall submit to the Selectboard a budget that, except as required by law or this charter, shall be in such form as the Manager deems desirable or the Selectboard may require. The budget shall contain:
(1) an estimate of the financial condition of the Town as of the end of the fiscal year and as of the date of the 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 year and actual appropriations and expenditures for the next preceding fiscal year;
(3) an itemized statement of estimated revenues from all sources, other than taxation, for the next fiscal year; a statement of taxes required for the next fiscal year; and comparative figures of tax and other sources of revenue for the current and last preceding fiscal year;
(4) such other information as may be required by the Selectboard.
(b) At least 10 days before the annual meeting of the Town, the Selectboard shall publish in a newspaper of general local circulation and post on its website a notice containing the amount that the Town anticipates must be raised by Town taxes and to be voted at its annual meeting.
(c) 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 at least 10 days prior to the annual meeting. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1503. Saving clause

§ 1503. Saving clause
Failure to perform any of the duties specified in section 1502 of this charter, or failure to perform any of such duties within the time limits above specified, shall not invalidate any action taken at a duly warned annual meeting.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1504. Appropriations

§ 1504. Appropriations
The Town at the annual meeting shall adopt a budget that shall include the proposed expenditure of each department for the coming fiscal year, and adoption of a budget at the annual meeting shall be deemed an appropriation to each department of the sum allotted in the budget for such department. A department’s expenditures may not exceed the amount appropriated to it, except by consent of the Selectboard and subject to the provisions of sections 1506 and 1507 of this charter. 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 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1505. Amount to be raised by taxation

§ 1505. 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 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1506. Budget limitations—borrowing

§ 1506. Budget limitations—borrowing
(a) The incurring of bonded indebtedness, the issuing of bonds, the making of temporary loans in anticipation of bond sales, and all other matters pertaining to bonded indebtedness shall be controlled by such statutes as are applicable.
(b) The Town, through its Selectboard, may borrow money in anticipation of taxes.
(c) The Town, by vote at the annual or a special meeting, may borrow money under terms and conditions and for lawful municipal purposes as the Town shall vote.
(d) In cases of emergency, the Selectboard may appropriate funds or borrow money in the name of the Town.
(e) The Selectboard, in the name of the Town, may borrow funds in anticipation of federal and State funds that have been approved and committed, until those funds are available, but in no event for a term of longer than one year.
(f) Any appropriation beyond the amount in the Town budget, except as specified in subsection (d) of this section, and all borrowing, except as specified in subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this section, shall be by vote of the Town and upon such terms and conditions as the Town shall vote. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1507. Transfers of appropriations

§ 1507. Transfers of appropriations
At any time during the fiscal year, the Manager may transfer part or all of any unused appropriation balance among the programs within a department, office, or agency. Upon written request by the Manager, the Selectboard may by resolution transfer part or all of any unused appropriation balance from one department, office, or agency to another. Notwithstanding the above, no unexpended balance in any appropriation not included in the budget of the Selectboard shall be transferred or used for any other purpose.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1508. Taxation

§ 1508. 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 penalty, interest, fees, and costs 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 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1701. Separability

§ 1701. Separability
If any provision of this charter is held invalid, the other provisions of this 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 123 - Town of Hardwick › App § 1705. Amendment of charter

§ 1705. Amendment of charter
This charter may be amended as set forth by the general law of the State of Vermont, 17 V.S.A. § 2645. (Amended 2021, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 7, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123A - Town of Hartford › App § 101 Incorporated

§ 101 Incorporated
The inhabitants of the Town of Hartford, including the historical, unincorporated Villages of Hartford, West Hartford, Quechee, Wilder, and White River Junction, are a corporate and political body under the name of “Town of Hartford” (herein called “the Town”). As such, inhabitants enjoy all rights, immunities, powers, and privileges and are subject to all the duties and liabilities now appertaining to or incumbent upon them as a municipal corporation. The Hartford School District (herein called “the School District”) is the Town school district for the Town of Hartford and shall enjoy all rights, immunities, powers, and privileges and is subject to all the duties and liabilities now appertaining to or incumbent upon it as a State school district. (Added 2009, No. M-5, § 2, eff. April 29, 2009; amended 2011, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 7, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123A - Town of Hartford › App § 102 General powers

§ 102 General powers
(a) All provisions of the Constitution and laws of the State of Vermont relating to towns and town school districts shall apply to the Town and the School District, except as otherwise provided by this charter.
(b) The Town and School District shall have and enjoy the rights, immunities, powers, and privileges conferred by the Constitution and laws of the State of Vermont and shall also have all implied, necessary, and incidental powers for the discharge of their respective purposes.
(c) The powers and functions of the Town and School District set forth in this charter shall be in addition to the powers and functions otherwise conferred by the Constitution and laws of the State of Vermont. Nothing in this charter shall be construed as a limitation upon these previously specified powers and functions.
(d) The Town or School District may acquire real property for any Town or School District purpose, in fee simple or lesser interest or estate, by purchase, gift, devise, or lease, and may sell, lease, hold, manage, and control real property as its interests may require. The Town or School District may further acquire property by condemnation where that authority is granted to towns or school districts by State statutes.
(e) In this charter, no mention of a particular power shall be construed to be exclusive or to restrict the scope of the powers that the Town or School District would have if the particular power were not mentioned. The Selectboard and the School Board shall operate as separate and independent entities. Nothing in this charter shall be interpreted as allowing either one to exercise, inhibit, or infringe upon the rights, powers, or privileges of the other. (Added 2009, No. M-5, § 2, eff. April 29, 2009; amended 2011, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 7, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123A - Town of Hartford › App § 103 Particular powers

§ 103 Particular powers
In addition to powers otherwise conferred upon it by law, the Town is, for the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, welfare, and convenience, authorized to adopt and enforce ordinances, rules, and regulations concerning any matter or activity permitted by general law, including:
(1) making and installing local improvements, including curbs, sidewalks, and storm drains in a manner specified by the Town as a condition precedent to the issuance of a building permit;
(2) regulating the parking, operation, and speed of motor vehicles upon Town and Vermont State aid streets and highways;
(3) regulating or providing for the storage, accumulation, collection, removal, and disposal of garbage, ashes, rubbish, refuse, and other waste materials, including contracting with third parties for any or all of those services and establishing service rates for those services;
(4) establishing and maintaining a Police Department and adopting policies pertaining to that Department;
(5) establishing and maintaining a Fire Department and adopting policies pertaining to that Department;
(6) establishing and maintaining an ambulance service and adopting policies pertaining to that service;
(7) establishing and maintaining a Water Department financed by an enterprise fund and adopting policies pertaining to that Department;
(8) establishing and maintaining a Wastewater Department financed by an enterprise fund and adopting policies pertaining to that Department;
(9) establishing and maintaining a Highway Department and adopting policies pertaining to that Department;
(10) regulating the moving of buildings in the streets or public highways of the Town;
(11) regulating the holding of public meetings in the streets, highways, or on public property of the Town;
(12) regulating riots, noises, disturbances, and disorderly assembly and adopting pertinent policies;
(13) establishing and maintaining control of domestic animals within the Town and adopting pertinent policies;
(14) establishing and maintaining a Financial Services Department;
(15) establishing and maintaining a Planning and Development Department;
(16) establishing and maintaining a Park and Recreation Department;
(17) establishing and maintaining any other proper and lawful Town departments or services as deemed necessary, including the establishment of enterprise funds. (Added 2009, No. M-5, § 2, eff. April 29, 2009; amended 2011, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 7, 2012; 2017, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 17, 2017.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123A - Town of Hartford › App § 104 Local option tax

§ 104 Local option tax
The Town of Hartford is authorized to levy a tax of one percent on rooms, meals, and alcoholic beverages, the net proceeds of which are to be deposited in a capital reserve fund until directed otherwise by vote of the Town. (Added 2017, No. M-6, § 2, eff. May 22, 2017.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123A - Town of Hartford › App § 202 Elected officers

§ 202 Elected officers
(a) Local elected offices to be filled by the Town voters shall be only those articulated by this charter.
(b) Terms for elected officers shall begin officially when the Town Clerk certifies election returns as final and the elected candidates take their oath of allegiance and oath of office as prescribed by State statute.
(c) All officers elected prior to the effective date of this charter shall remain in office until the end of their terms. Those persons in office as of the effective date of this charter whose terms would otherwise expire prior to the next annual meeting shall remain in office until that meeting.
(d) Qualifications for serving in elected office:
(1) shall be a resident of the Town;
(2) shall be a registered voter in the Town;
(3) shall hold no other elected Town, School District, or statutorily incompatible office, with the exception of Town Moderator who may be both the Town and School District Moderator;
(4) shall not be a Town or School District employee.
(e) The elected officers of the Town shall be:
(1) seven Selectboard members, elected as set forth in section 203 of this charter;
(2) one Moderator, elected for a one-year term;
(3) a Town Treasurer, elected for a three-year term;
(4) all other Town officers provided in this charter or State statute.
(f) The elected officers of the School District shall be:
(1) one Moderator, elected for a one-year term;
(2) five School Board members, elected in accordance with State statute.
(g) The elected Board of Civil Authority shall consist of 15 justices of the peace, elected every two years in accordance with the general law. The Town Clerk shall be the Clerk of the Board of Civil Authority. The duties performed by the Board of Civil Authority shall be in accordance with State statute.
(h) Compensation for elected officers of the Town and School District shall be determined as provided in subdivision 201(e)(2)(C) of this charter. (Added 2009, No. M-5, § 2, eff. April 29, 2009; amended 2011, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 7, 2012; 2017, No. M-4, § 2, eff. May 17, 2017.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123A - Town of Hartford › App § 401 Miscellaneous

§ 401 Miscellaneous
(a) Conflict of interest. The Selectboard and the School Board and School Superintendent shall each maintain comprehensive conflict of interest policies that shall apply to their respective Town and School District employees, elected and appointed officials, and committee and board members.
(b) Ethics—responsibilities. Any elected or appointed board, commission, or authority member:
(1) has no legal powers unless acting at a duly warned Board meeting or acting for the Board after it formally grants power to act on its behalf;
(2) shall maintain confidentiality of discussion conducted in executive session and of other privileged information;
(3) shall use a chain of command and avoid making commitments or promises that compromise the Town and School District;
(4) shall work to further public interest, maintain public trust, be open and accessible to the public at large, and maintain leadership of the highest degree without regard for personal gain.
(c) Rights and privileges.
(1) Nothing in this charter, except as otherwise specifically provided, shall affect or impair rights or privileges of persons who are officers or employees of the Town or School District at the time of its adoption.
(2) Except as specifically provided by this charter, if at the time this charter takes effect, an individual holds any elected or appointed office or position that is or can be abolished by or under this charter, he or she shall continue in the office or position until the term expires.
(d) Severability. If any provision of this charter is for any reason held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions that can be given effect without the invalid provision. To this end, the provisions of this charter are declared to be severable.
(e) Charter review.
(1) The Selectboard and School Board may appoint a Charter Review Committee of registered voters of the Town to review its charter and recommend changes as the Committee finds necessary or advisable for the purpose of improving the operation of the Town and School District.
(2) The Committee shall submit a written report of recommendations to the Selectboard and School Board not later than one year after the appointment of the Committee.
(3) Recommendations shall be warned for a vote at the next Australian ballot Town meeting.
(4) The Selectboard and School Board shall provide funds for the Committee in their budgets for any year when a Charter Review Committee is appointed. (Added 2009, No. M-5, § 2, eff. April 29, 2009; amended 2009, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2011, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 7, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 1 Statement of purpose

§ 1 Statement of purpose
Under the authority granted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, this charter establishes certain guidelines with respect to organization and functioning of local Town government in the Town of Jamaica, Vermont. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 2 General law; application

§ 2 General law; application
Except when changed by the provisions of this charter, all provisions of the statutes of the State of Vermont relating to municipalities shall apply to the Town of Jamaica. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 3 Powers of the Town

§ 3 Powers of the Town
(a) The Town of Jamaica shall have all the powers granted to towns and municipal corporations by the Constitution and laws of this State and this charter, together with all the implied powers necessary to carry into execution all the powers granted. The Town of Jamaica may enact ordinances not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the State of Vermont or with this charter, and impose penalties for violation thereof.
(b) The Town may acquire real property within or without its corporate limits necessary or convenient for any lawful purpose, in fee simple or any lesser interest or estate, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, or otherwise, consistent with the Constitution and laws of the State of Vermont and may sell, lease, mortgage, hold, manage, and control such property as its interest may require consistent with the Constitution and laws of the State by vote of a majority of the voters present and voting at a duly warned meeting. Once the voters have approved the sale, lease, or mortgage of property of the Town of Jamaica, the Selectboard shall have the full authority to sign all conveyances and legal documents in the name of the Town to complete the transaction.
(c) In this charter, no mention of a particular power shall be construed to be exclusive or to restrict the scope of the powers that the Town would have if the particular powers were not mentioned, unless this charter otherwise provides. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 4 Reservation of powers to the Town

§ 4 Reservation of powers to the Town
Nothing in this charter shall be construed in any way to limit the powers and functions conferred on the Town of Jamaica, the Selectboard of the Town, or its elected and appointed officials by general or special enactments of State statutes or regulations in force or effect or hereafter enacted, and the powers and functions conferred by this charter shall be cumulative and in addition to the provisions of such general or special enactments unless this charter otherwise provides. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 5 Open meetings

§ 5 Open meetings
Meetings of all Town boards and commissions shall be open and held in accordance with the general law of this State relating to public meetings. The record of all official proceedings shall be available for public inspection and copying as provided by the general law of this State. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 6 Generally

§ 6 Generally
The officers of the Town of Jamaica shall be those provided by law for towns, except as otherwise provided by this charter. Officers shall have all the powers and duties necessary to carry out the provisions of this charter as well as those provided by law. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 7 Elected officers

§ 7 Elected officers
The following officers of the Town and such other Town officers as are provided by law and previous vote of the electorate as to number, length of term, and manner of election at an annual meeting shall be elected from the floor, as required by law, unless otherwise stated, and shall include the following:
(1) a Moderator to be elected by paper ballot from the floor, for a term of one year;
(2) Selectboard members, three of whom shall serve staggered three-year terms and two of whom shall serve one-year terms;
(3) listers, for terms of three years, staggered to ensure that no more than one term ends in any particular year;
(4) other Town officers as the Town shall order as provided by law. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 8 Appointed officers

§ 8 Appointed officers
(a) The Selectboard may appoint, recommend, or approve the appointment of any Town officers for a term of one year from the date of the appointment unless otherwise specified in this section, following such notice and warning as required by this charter, to include the following:
(1) Town Clerk;
(2) Town Treasurer;
(3) Delinquent Tax Collector;
(4) Town Service Officer;
(5) Tree Warden;
(6) Emergency Management Director;
(7) Fire Warden, for a term of five years;
(8) Health Officer;
(9) members of the Town Planning Commission;
(10) Cemetery commissioners;
(11) members of the Board of Recreation;
(12) Road Commissioner;
(13) other Town officers or municipal appointments that may be necessary as provided by law or otherwise authorized by this charter for the orderly and expeditious operations of Town government.
(b) All appointed Town officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Selectboard.
(c) All appointed Town officers shall be governed by the Town personnel policy. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 9 Alternate Town officers

§ 9 Alternate Town officers
The Selectboard is authorized to appoint people to serve as alternate Town officers in anticipation of disqualifications or unavailability, as needed. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 10 Relationship between and among Town officers

§ 10 Relationship between and among Town officers
All Town officers, whether elected or appointed, shall exercise their duties and responsibilities independently unless otherwise provided by law. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 123B - Town of Jamaica › App § 11 Terms of office

§ 11 Terms of office
Each appointed officer shall serve from the date he or she is appointed and qualified until the end of the term. Each officer shall hold over until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Each officer may succeed himself or herself, if the Selectboard so approves, after fulfilling the notice provisions of subsection 12(b) of this charter. (Added 2011, No. M-2, § 2, eff. Feb. 16, 2011.)