reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 506. Creation of Bennington Downtown District

§ 506. Creation of Bennington Downtown District
There is hereby created in the Town of Bennington a special district to be known as the Bennington Downtown Improvement District (District), which shall be that area set forth on a map approved by the voters of Bennington and filed with the Town Clerk. The area of the District may be changed upon a majority vote of the legal voters at an annual or special meeting duly warned. (Amended 2005, No. M-6, § 2, eff. June 4, 2005.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 508. Purposes and powers

§ 508. Purposes and powers
(a) The District is created for the general purpose of maintaining and improving the economic, social, cultural, and environmental vitality and quality of the Town of Bennington (in particular, the District created by section 506 of this charter); to promote the Town and the District as a regional retail, commercial, and service center; and to serve as an advocate for the orderly development of the District in order to encourage expansion of the retail, commercial, and service base of the District and the Town by attracting new business and investment.
(b) The rights, powers, and duties of the District shall be exercised by the Select Board and shall be broadly construed to accomplish the purposes set forth above and shall include the following:
(1) to advertise and promote the Improvement District;
(2) to represent the interests of the District;
(3) to receive and expend contributions, grants, and income;
(4) to expend funds as provided for in the budget or as otherwise approved;
(5) to manage and maintain public spaces and to assume or supplement the services and maintenance heretofore provided to the District by the Town as recommended to and approved by the Select Board;
(6) to acquire and dispose of property on behalf of the Town;
(7) to install and make public improvements;
(8) to improve, manage, and regulate public parking facilities and vehicular traffic within the District;
(9) to enter into contracts as may be necessary or convenient to carry out the purpose of this charter;
(10) to regulate, lease, license, establish rules and fees, and otherwise manage the use of public spaces within the District;
(11) to plan for the orderly development of the District in cooperation with the Town Planning Commission;
(12) to do all other things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes for which this District was created. (Amended 2005, No. M-6, § 3, eff. June 4, 2005; 2019, No. M-8, § 1, eff. June 10, 2019.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 509. Annual budget

§ 509. Annual budget
The Town Manager shall submit each year an operating budget of anticipated expenditures and revenues to the Select Board for approval for the next fiscal year. In the event the Select Board does not approve the budget as submitted, the Select Board shall return the budget forthwith to the Town Manager with its recommendations for the Town Manager’s reconsideration. Appropriations other than from contributions, grants, and income shall be raised solely through District taxes, which shall be assessed and collected as a tax on property as provided for in section 515 of this charter. The Select Board may borrow money in anticipation of District taxes. (Amended 2005, No. M-6, § 4, eff. June 4, 2005.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 510. District taxes

§ 510. District taxes
(a) District taxes are charges levied upon the owners of taxable properties located in the District, excepting properties used exclusively for residential purposes, which taxes shall be used to defray the expenses incurred in connection with the operation, maintenance, and repair of the District.
(b) The District tax for each property in the District subject to the tax shall be based upon a rate on each $100.00 of listed value of the property as adjusted under subsection (c) of this section. The tax rate shall be determined by dividing the amount to be raised by taxes, by the total value of the taxable properties on the grand list as adjusted located in the District that are subject to the District tax under this subchapter.
(c) The District tax shall be set by the Select Board upon approval of the budget by the Select Board and notice in writing thereof shall be given to owners of record as of April 1 of each year of property so assessed, or to their agents or attorneys, stating therein the amount of such District taxes, and such taxes shall be due and payable to the Town Treasurer when normal Town and school taxes are due. The Town Treasurer shall collect unpaid District taxes as provided for the collection of taxes in the charter. District taxes shall be a lien on the properties when assessed and until the tax is paid or the lien is otherwise discharged by operation of law.
(d) In the case of any property used for both residential and nonresidential purposes within the District as of April 1, the Board of Listers (Board) shall adjust the listed value for the purposes of determining the District tax under this section to exclude the value of that portion of the property used for residential purposes. The Board shall determine the adjusted grand list value of the business portion of the property and give notice of the same as provided under 32 V.S.A. chapter 131. Any property owner may file a grievance with the Board and appeal the decision of the Board as provided for under 32 V.S.A. chapter 131; however, the filing of an appeal of the determination of the Board and pendency of the appeal shall not vacate the lien on the property assessed, and the District taxes must be paid and continue to be paid as they become due. (Amended 2005, No. M-6, § 5, eff. June 4, 2005.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 511. Local option tax

§ 511. Local option tax
(a) If the Select Board by a majority vote recommends, the voters of the Town may, at an annual or special meeting warned for the purpose, by a majority vote of those present and voting, assess any or all of the following:
(1) a one-percent meals tax;
(2) a one-percent rooms tax;
(3) a one-percent alcoholic beverages tax; or
(4) a one-percent sales tax.
(b) Any local option tax assessed under subsection (a) of this section shall be collected and administered and may be rescinded as provided by the general laws of this State. (Added 2019, No. M-8, § 1, eff. June 10, 2019.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 602. Ordinances of villages not merging

§ 602. Ordinances of villages not merging
The zoning ordinance in force within any village in the Town shall continue within the control of such village and the officials appointed to administer the same within such village shall continue in office pursuant to law until such time as said village ceases to exist and becomes a part of Town.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 603. Administration of ordinance of villages that merge

§ 603. Administration of ordinance of villages that merge
When villages cease to exist pursuant to this charter, the Select Board, Development Review Board, and Administrative Officer shall have jurisdiction of and administer zoning in the village area as a separate zoned area in accordance with the provisions of the ordinance in force therein and the general law. If no Town Administrative Officer or Development Review Board has then been appointed by the Select Board, the Select Board shall make such appointment. (Amended 2019, No. M-8, § 1, eff. June 10, 2019.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 604. Comprehensive Town ordinance

§ 604. Comprehensive Town ordinance
When Town officials having charge of zoning acquire jurisdiction of the zoning ordinance in other zoned areas as provided in this section, the ordinances shall be deemed to be part of a general Town zoning ordinance duly and legally enacted in accordance with a comprehensive plan. The general ordinance shall be subject to repeal, amendment, or alteration by the Town. (Amended 2019, No. M-8, § 1, eff. June 10, 2019.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 701. Town powers

§ 701. Town powers
The Town may make, alter, and repeal ordinances relating to management, operation, maintenance, replacement, and extension of a Town water system and may fix, and from time to time alter, water rates, insofar as such ordinances and water rates are not in conflict with the deeds of gift to the Village of Bennington and Village of North Bennington.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 802. Merger of municipalities within Town

§ 802. Merger of municipalities within Town
(a) Any municipality with the Town of Bennington that votes to surrender its existing charter and dissolve under this charter shall cease to exist as a corporate body and political entity on the January 1st next succeeding, unless such vote becomes final or after October 1st in any year, in which event the municipality shall cease to exist as a corporate body and political entity on the March 1st next succeeding.
(b) All assets of any municipality that surrender its existing charter or dissolves under this charter shall become the property of the Town of Bennington on the day such municipality ceases to exist under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) All liabilities of any municipality that surrenders its existing charter or dissolves under this charter that are outstanding obligations of such municipality on the day it ceases to exist under subsection (a) of this section, including the bonded indebtedness of such municipality, shall become liabilities of the Town of Bennington on the day such municipality ceases to exist under subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 803. Method of adoption; time; voting

§ 803. Method of adoption; time; voting
(a) A majority of the qualified voters of the Village of Old Bennington voting by ballot at a meeting duly warned for the purpose may at any time vote to surrender the charter of said Village and merge with the Town of Bennington under the terms of this charter by voting in the affirmative on an article substantially as follows:
“To determine by ballot whether the Village of Old Bennington will surrender its existing charter and merge with the Town of Bennington under the provisions of 1966 Acts and Resolves No. 83 entitled an Act to Provide a Charter for the Town of Bennington.”
“To determine by ballot whether the Village of North Bennington will surrender its existing charter and merge with the Town of Bennington under the provisions of 1966 Acts and Resolves No. 83 entitled An Act to Provide a Charter for the Town of Bennington.”
“To determine by ballot whether the Bennington Fire District No. 1 will dissolve and merge with the Town of Bennington under the provisions of 1966 Acts and Resolves No. 83 entitled An Act to Provide a Charter for the Town of Bennington.”
“To determine by ballot whether the (insert municipality) will confirm its vote of (insert date) in favor of 1966 Acts and Resolves No. 83 entitled An Act to Provide a Charter for the Town of Bennington.”
(e) If any municipality votes under subsection (d) of this section to reconsider an affirmative vote, such municipality may at any time thereafter hold a meeting in accordance with subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section to vote again on this charter.
(f) An affirmative vote by any municipality shall become final and conclusive when a petition to reconsider is not filed in accordance with subsection (d) of this section or when a meeting to reconsider is held under subsection (d) of this section and the vote at such a meeting confirms the affirmative vote.
(g) Early Voter Absentee Balloting. Voting by early absentee ballot shall be permitted at any meeting held under this section.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 805. Existing water systems; succession by Town

§ 805. Existing water systems; succession by Town
If the Village of North Bennington ceases to exist in accordance with this subchapter, the Town shall succeed to all the rights, title, interest, privileges, duties, and obligations of said Village under a deed of gift from Laura H. Jennings, dated March 3, 1924.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 103 - Town of Bennington › App § 806. Charter Review Committee

§ 806. Charter Review Committee
At least once every five years, the Select Board shall appoint a Charter Review Committee of not fewer than five nor more than nine members from among the residents of the Town. The Committee shall review the charter and recommend any changes it finds necessary or advisable for the purpose of improving the operation of Town government. The Committee shall prepare a written report of its recommendations in time for those recommendations to be submitted to the Select Board for review no later than one year after the appointment of the Committee. At the discretion of the Select Board, the recommendations may be warned for ballot vote at an annual or special Town meeting to be held no later than one year after the submission of the report. The Select Board shall provide in its budget for any year when a Charter Review Committee is appointed funding for the Committee. (Amended 2019, No. M-8, § 1, eff. June 10, 2019.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 21. Scope

§ 21. Scope
In pertinent part, this charter provides the following subchapters:
(3) General provisions.
(4) Town officers.
(5) Conflict of interest.
(6) Vacancies in elected and appointed offices.
(7) Special procedures.
(8) Removal of elected or appointed Town officers.
(9) The adoption of an Administrative Code.
(10) The separability of any charter section or its parts.
(11) Procedure for the amendment of this charter. (Amended 2017, No. M-8, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 32. Powers of the Town

§ 32. Powers of the Town
(a) The Town of Berlin 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 Berlin 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 Berlin, 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.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 33. Reservation of powers to the Town

§ 33. Reservation of powers to the Town
Nothing in this charter shall be construed to in any way limit the powers and functions conferred on the Town of Berlin, the Selectboard of said 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.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 41. Generally

§ 41. Generally
The officers of the Town of Berlin 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 and the Administrative Code. (Amended 2017, No. M-8, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 42. Elected officers

§ 42. 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 by Australian ballot, unless otherwise stated, and shall include the following:
(1) a Moderator to be elected from the floor, for a term of one year;
(2) [Repealed.]
(3) Selectboard members, three of whom shall serve staggered three-year terms and two of whom shall serve one-year terms;
(4) such other Town officers as the Town shall order as provided by law. (Amended 2005, M-5, § 2; 2009, No. M-21 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 19, 2010; 2017, No. M-8, § 2; amended 2023, No. M-12, § 2, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 44. Appointed officers

§ 44. Appointed officers
(a) The Selectboard may appoint, recommend, or approve the appointment of the following Town officers, for a term of one year from the date of such appointment, unless otherwise specified below, following such notice and warning as required by this charter and the Administrative Code, to include the following:
(1) Tree Warden;
(2) Emergency Management Director;
(3) Fire Warden, for a term of five years;
(4) Health Officer;
(5) members of the Town Planning Commission, for terms of four years;
(6) members and alternates of the Development Review Board, for terms of four years;
(7) Cemetery commissioners, for terms of three years;
(8) members of the Recreation Board, for terms of three years;
(9) members of the Public Works Board, for terms of three years;
(10) members of the Conservation Commission, for terms of three years;
(11) editor of the Town report;
(12) such 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) The Selectboard shall appoint, recommend, or approve, as applicable, the appointment of the following officers who will serve at the pleasure of the Selectboard, following the notice and warning as required by this charter and the Administrative Code:
(1) Town Administrator;
(2) Assistant Town Administrator;
(3) Treasurer;
(4) Collector of Delinquent Taxes;
(5) Road Superintendent;
(6) Police Chief;
(7) Zoning Administrator;
(8) Assistant Zoning Administrator;
(9) Assessor or assessing services;
(10) Administrative Assistant to the Public Works Board; and
(11) Town Clerk.
(c) The duties and responsibilities of the Grand Juror shall be assigned to the Police Chief.
(d) All appointed Town officers shall be governed by the Town personnel policy. (Amended 2005, No. M-5, § 3; 2009, No. M-8, § 3, eff. May 8, 2009; 2017, No. M-8, § 2; amended 2023, No. M-12, § 2, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 51. General prohibition

§ 51. General prohibition
No elected or appointed Town officer or employee of the Town shall be beneficially interested in any matter requiring the discharge of his or her public office. The purpose of this subchapter is to prohibit the use of public office for financial or other advantage, whether direct or indirect, by any means or methods whatsoever. (Amended 2017, No. M-8, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 52. Specific conflicts

§ 52. Specific conflicts
A Town officer (member) shall be disqualified from any proceeding in which his or her impartiality might reasonably be questioned as defined in the Administrative Code. (Amended 2005, No. M-5, § 4; 2017, No. M-8, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 61. Notice of vacancy during unexpired term

§ 61. Notice of vacancy during unexpired term
In order to inform citizens of the Town and to afford them the opportunity to participate or serve in Town government, public notice shall be given of municipal vacancies resulting from resignation, death, disability, or change of residence from the Town of a Town officer on any board, commission, or committee or in other public office whether elected or appointed. Such notice shall be made as defined in the Administrative Code. (Amended 2017, No. M-8, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 71. Public meetings; agendas

§ 71. Public meetings; agendas
All public meetings of any board, commission, or committee within the Town shall be held pursuant to a written agenda containing therein the specific agenda items to be acted upon. The posting and publishing of the agendas shall be in accordance with general law and the Administrative Code. In the event that the general law is silent on such matters, agendas shall at a minimum be posted in the Town Clerk’s office. Except in emergencies, the same defined as a direct or immediate threat to the public’s health, safety, or welfare, the board, commission, or committee shall not take action on matters other than those agenda items specifically set forth in the written agenda. (Amended 2017, No. M-8, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 72. Ordinances

§ 72. Ordinances
(a) Town legislation shall be by ordinance. The Selectboard shall have the power to adopt, amend, repeal, and revise ordinances and provide for their enforcement as provided by law. The procedures regarding the adoption, amendment, repeal, or revision of ordinances shall be as provided by law and the Administrative Code.
(b) Ordinances adopted by the Selectboard shall be subject to rescission by vote at a special or annual Town meeting pursuant to the applicable provisions of general law.
(c) The Town of Berlin shall have the power to adopt ordinances to regulate the cleanup of hazardous materials and to impose penalties or take other actions to regulate or prevent false fire and police alarms.
(d) The Town may adopt and enforce ordinances for the purpose of regulating, licensing, and fixing reasonable and necessary license fees for the following:
(1) places of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement, whether indoor or outdoor;
(2) places dispensing food and drink to the public, such as restaurants, bars, or inns;
(3) theaters;
(4) displays of fireworks;
(5) public dances and musical performances;
(6) mobile home parks;
(7) itinerant vendors;
(8) the exclusive occupancy of any specified portion of a public street or right-of-way;
(9) the keeping of dogs or other pets;
(10) other activities that the Town has the power to regulate or license by virtue of general law or this charter. (Amended 2017, No. M-8, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 73. Penalty for delinquent installments and personal property or inventory taxation

§ 73. Penalty for delinquent installments and personal property or inventory taxation
(a) If the Town of Berlin adopts the installment system of taxes, the Town may vote to collect a penalty for delinquent installment payments of property taxes. The vote shall be by Australian ballot and once enacted shall remain in effect until rescinded by a similar vote. Penalties shall not exceed those allowed by law.
(b) When the collection of a delinquent property tax, sewer or water use charge, interest and penalty, or any combination thereof would create an undue expense for the Town, the Treasurer may, after approval of the Selectboard, forgive any delinquent amounts due when the amount is less than $5.00.
(c) When the total assessed value of personal property or inventory is equal to or less than $1,650.00, the Town Treasurer may, upon approval of the Selectboard, waive the personal property or inventory taxation. (Amended 2017, No. M-8, § 2; amended 2023, No. M-12, § 2, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 91. Governance

§ 91. Governance
(a) An Administrative Code shall be written and approved by the Selectboard, but the Administrative Code shall only implement and shall not expand upon the authorities granted in this charter or in general State law. Prior to the adoption or any amendment of the Administrative Code, the Selectboard shall hold two public meetings concerning that adoption or amendment.
(b) Decisions of the Town of Berlin shall be made using the Administrative Code, this charter, Town ordinances, and Town policies.
(c) The sole and exclusive body authorized to make decisions relating to issues of statewide or national interest, including positions on pending legislation, shall be the voters of the Town at Town meeting. (Amended 2005, No. M-5, § 5; 2017, No. M-8, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 105 - Town of Berlin › App § 101. Separability

§ 101. 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 this charter and its provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 101. Merger of the Village and Town

§ 101. Merger of the Village and Town
At midnight at the end of November 30, 2004, the Village of Bradford shall merge into the Town of Bradford, and the Village of Bradford shall, except as hereinafter provided, cease to exist as a political entity or body corporate, and its charter shall be abolished. This plan will constitute the charter of the Town of Bradford.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 102. Properties transferred and liabilities assumed

§ 102. Properties transferred and liabilities assumed
Upon the merger specified in section 101 of this charter, all the lands, buildings, easements, funds, uncollected taxes, monies, and other property of the Village of Bradford shall become vested in and become property of the Town of Bradford, and all indebtedness bonded and otherwise of said Village of Bradford shall be assumed by the Town of Bradford, with the exception of bond No. 1996, series 1, 81-0394-01-5, which shall continue to be paid by the Village Special District as set forth in section 206 of this charter.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 103. Properties held in trust

§ 103. Properties held in trust
Any and all properties held in trust by the trustees of the Village of Bradford, or any officer thereof, shall become vested in the Selectboard of the Town of Bradford and its successors, or in the respective officer of the 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.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 104. Settling the affairs of the Village of Bradford

§ 104. Settling the affairs of the Village of Bradford
Prior to said merger, the officers of the Village of Bradford shall settle so far as possible their financial affairs and shall, except as hereinafter provided, on said date turn over and deliver to the Clerk of the Town of Bradford all records, books, and documents of the Village of Bradford and to the proper officers of the said Town all property of the Village of Bradford.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 106. Finances

§ 106. Finances
With the exception of the funds of the Water Department and Sewer Department, and other special service funds and Highway Department funds, the funds of the Village of Bradford shall be added to the General Fund of the Town of Bradford: Highway Department funds of the Village of Bradford shall be added to the highway funds of the Town of Bradford, and Water Department funds and Sewer Department funds of the Village of Bradford shall be added to the proper special fund provided for in section 205 of this charter.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 107. Water and Sewer Department

§ 107. Water and Sewer Department
(a) The services of the Water and Sewer Department of the Town of Bradford shall be fee based, with all costs paid by the users. All water and sewer rates of the Village of Bradford in effect at the time of the merger shall continue in effect until changed as provided in sections 206 and 207 of this charter. Annual water and sewer charges shall be at a rate sufficient to cover annual expenditures, temporary indebtedness, and the amortizing of bonded indebtedness and interest.
(b) A Water and Sewer Commission shall be elected as outlined in section 206a of this charter. A Commission report and budget shall be submitted for approval at the annual Town meeting.
(c) During the transition period, the Commission will consist of the present Water Board and the trustees who are currently responsible for sewer management. As the trustees finish their terms, they will not be replaced.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 108. Existing ordinances

§ 108. Existing ordinances
(a) The development plan, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, and official maps of the Town and Village of Bradford shall become and be the development plan, zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, and official maps of the Town of Bradford.
(b) All rules, ordinances, regulations, zoning regulations, and bylaws of the Village of Bradford in effect on the day before the said merger shall become and continue in full force and effect as rules, ordinances, regulations, and bylaws of the Town of Bradford for the respective area presently involved unless in conflict with rules, ordinances, regulations, and bylaws of the Town of Bradford already existing, until lawfully amended or repealed.
(c) Whenever a power is granted by any such rule, ordinance, regulation, or bylaw to an officer of the Village of Bradford, such power is conferred hereby upon the appropriate officer of the Town of Bradford.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 109. Election of Selectboard

§ 109. Election of Selectboard
On November 30, 2004, the Office of Trustees shall cease to exist. The 2004 duly elected Selectboard shall serve as the merged Selectboard until the Town meeting on March 7, 2005, at which time all Selectboard members shall resign. At the 2005 Town meeting, three Selectboard members shall be elected. One member will be elected for one year, one member will be elected for two years, and one member will be elected for three years.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 110. Votes required for effect

§ 110. Votes required for effect
All sections of this plan of merger shall take effect if this plan is approved as follows:
(1) By majority vote of the Town of Bradford that includes qualified voters in Town and Village.
(2) By majority vote of the Village of Bradford that includes all qualified voters of the Village.
(3) Subject to approval by the General Assembly, the merger shall take effect at midnight at the end of November 30, 2004.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 201. Applicability of the general law

§ 201. Applicability of the general law
(a) All provisions of the Constitution and general laws of the State of Vermont relating to towns and their officers shall apply to the Town of Bradford.
(b) The Town of Bradford shall have all the powers now or hereafter conferred upon towns and villages by the Constitution and general laws of the State of Vermont.
(c) The fiscal year for the Town of Bradford shall coincide with the calendar year, January 1 to December 31.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 203. Ordinances

§ 203. Ordinances
Any rule, ordinance, regulation, zoning regulation, or bylaw of the Town of Bradford may apply to a limited area and not to the whole Town, notwithstanding that the ordinance, rule, regulation, zoning regulation, or bylaw might also have been applied to another area or areas within the Town.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 205. Existing Water and Sewer Departments

§ 205. Existing Water and Sewer Departments
(a) As approved by the majority of the voters of the Village of Bradford, the supervision, management, control, and operation of the Village public water supply system and the Village public sewage system shall be vested in a Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the Town of Bradford consisting of five persons, each of whom shall be a ratepayer and resident of the Town of Bradford. The Water and Sewer Commissioners shall be elected as outlined in section 206a of this charter.
(b) The water system of the Village of Bradford taken over by the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the Town of Bradford and any additions thereto shall be maintained separate from all other departments of the Town, and all rents and revenues therefrom not necessary for current expenditures therefor shall be placed in a special fund, no part of which may be used for any other purpose.
(c) The sewage system of the Village of Bradford (not including the separate storm sewer pipelines) taken over by the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the Town of Bradford and all extensions thereto shall be maintained separate from all other departments of the Town, and all rents and revenues therefrom not necessary for current expenditures therefor shall be placed in a special fund, no part of which may be used for any other purpose.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 206. Special districts

§ 206. Special districts
(a) The Selectboard may designate areas apart from the rest of the Town as special service districts and may provide the voters therein with special services not common to all the voters of the Town, provided that the majority of the voters residing in the respective designated areas and present and voting at the district meeting on the subject shall have approved of such resolution.
(b) Such area shall be reasonable geographically, taking into account the areas and persons actually benefited, the 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. All costs required to support a given special service shall be paid for by the taxpayers receiving said service, by a tax on the grand list in the special service district involved to be assessed annually by the Selectboard, or in such other manner as the Selectboard determines. If the costs are to be paid by a tax, 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.
(c) All funds of any special service 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 district may separately vote.
(e) The Selectboard shall designate the Village of Bradford as a special district for the purpose of collecting taxes to pay bond No. 1996, series 1, 81-0394-01-5. Taxes paid to the Village special district shall be used to meet the obligations incurred by the Village under bond No. 1996, series 1, 81-0394-01-5 for the repair and maintenance of roads and highways. When the bond is completely paid, the Village special district shall cease to exist. The Village special district shall be defined by the geographic limits of the Village set forth in the Village zoning map recorded in the land records of the Town of Bradford.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 206a. Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners

§ 206a. Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners
(a) The supervision, management, control, and operation of the Village public water supply system, the Village public sewage system, and the Town water and sewage systems shall be vested in the Water and Sewer Department of the Town of Bradford, which shall be governed by a Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners consisting of five persons, each of whom shall be a ratepayer and a resident of the Town of Bradford.
(b) The initial Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners shall be the incumbent Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners in office upon the date of approval of this charter by the General Assembly, each to serve the remainder of the respective term. Upon the expiration of the respective term of each initial Water and Sewer commissioner, successor commissioners shall be elected by Bradford resident ratepayers at the annual Town meeting for a term of five years each. Any vacancy among the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners until the next annual Town meeting.
(c) To the fullest extent provided by law, the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners shall have authority over and responsibility for the public water supply system and the public sewer system, including the power to establish and impose rates and charges, to adopt rules and regulations regarding the operation and protection of such systems, and to allocate water and sewage treatment and disposal capacity.
(d) The Water and Sewer Department and the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners shall have the authority to collect taxes or impose fees in order to pay bond No. 1996, series 1, 81-0394-01-5. Taxes or fees paid to the Water and Sewer Department shall be used to meet the obligations incurred by the Village of Bradford under bond No. 1996, series 1, 81-0394-01-5 for the construction, repair, and upkeep of the public water system and public sewage system of the Village of Bradford.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 207. Voting procedures for water and sewer expenses and extensions

§ 207. Voting procedures for water and sewer expenses and extensions
(a) Voting for new capital improvements for water or sewer service within the areas being served by the water and sewer systems shall be by the voters using these services, and all votes shall be approved by a majority of the voters residing in the respective designated areas and present and voting at the district meeting on the subject.
(b) In case of future extension of water or sewer lines into currently unserved areas where bonding or temporary costs are to be assumed by the Town, all legal Town voters shall be eligible to vote on the project.
(c) In all cases where bonding is required, all legal voters of the Town may vote on the bond issue. Capital expenditures or projects requiring bonding shall first be approved by a majority vote of the water or sewer users who are legal voters of the Town present and voting at a meeting called for that purpose.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106 - Town of Bradford › App § 208. Special funds

§ 208. Special funds
(a) The Town Treasurer shall keep all money in a special fund in an account or accounts separate from those of any other special funds and from those of other Town funds and shall honor no warrant upon it except for the purpose thereof as heretofore enumerated.
(b) Any person who shall pay or cause to be paid any portion of any special fund for any purpose other than as herein specified shall forfeit to the Town for the benefit of such special fund twice the amount so paid to be recovered in a civil action on this section of this charter. It shall be the duty of the Town Agent to defend and prosecute suits to bring such action to collect such forfeiture. In case such person is bonded, the issuer of the bond shall be joined with him or her in such action, provided the issuer of the bond is within the jurisdiction of the State of Vermont.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106B - Town of Brandon › App § 106B General law; application

§ 106B General law; application
The Town of Brandon shall have all of the powers granted to towns and municipal corporations by the Constitution and laws of this State and this charter, together with all of the implied powers necessary to carry into execution all the powers therein granted. (Added 2015, No. M-14 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 17, 2016.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 106B - Town of Brandon › App § 106B Local option tax

§ 106B Local option tax
(a) Upon resolution of the Selectboard, or upon receipt of a petition signed by five percent of the registered voters of the Town, at an annual or special meeting warned for the purpose, the voters of the Town may vote, by a majority of those present and voting, to assess any or all of the following:
(1) a one-percent sales tax;
(2) a one-percent rooms tax;
(3) a one-percent meals and alcoholic beverage tax.
(b) A tax imposed under the authority of this section shall be collected and administered and may be rescinded as provided by the general laws of the State.
(c) Revenues received through the imposition of a tax imposed under this section shall be used for capital projects within the Town. (Added 2015, No. M-14 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 17, 2016.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 107 - Town of Brattleboro › App § 2.1. Definitions

§ 2.1. Definitions
(a) “General Town Meeting” shall mean a meeting of the voters of the Town of Brattleboro, the Town School District, or both, to act on matters of election of all officers, referenda, and matters to be acted upon by Australian ballot.
(b) “Representative Town Meeting” shall mean the meeting of Town meeting members as defined in section 2.4 of this charter and who are elected pursuant to section 2.3 of this charter to act on all articles, including municipal bonding articles, except those that relate to the election of officers, referenda, and other matters to be voted upon by Australian ballot and any other articles or subjects reserved to a General Town Meeting.
(c) “Youth voter” means any person who is 16 to 18 years of age and is otherwise qualified to vote in Town elections pursuant to 17 V.S.A. chapter 43, subchapter 1. (Amended 2003, No. M-6, § 2; 2011, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 2012; amended 2023, No. M-15, § 2, eff. June 20, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 107 - Town of Brattleboro › App § 2.2. Elected officers

§ 2.2. Elected officers
On the first Tuesday in March, the voters and youth voters of the Town shall elect by Australian ballot the following:
(1) Representative Town Meeting members, by district, in accordance with 1959 Acts and Resolves No. 302, § 4. The size of the Representative Town Meeting body shall not exceed 140 members excluding ex officio members.
(2) A Selectboard of five members, elected at large, of whom two shall serve for one year and three shall serve for three years.
(3) [Repealed.]
(4) [Repealed.]
(5) A Board of three listers, elected at large, of whom one shall be elected each year to serve for three years.
(6) Three trustees of public funds, elected at large, of whom one shall be elected each year to serve for three years.
(7) Other officers elected for one-year terms shall include a Moderator, a First Constable, and a Second Constable. (Amended 2011, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 2012; amended 2023, No. M-15, § 2, eff. June 20, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 107 - Town of Brattleboro › App § 2.3. Manner of election

§ 2.3. Manner of election
(a) Representative Town Meeting members: Representative Town Meeting members shall be elected by Australian ballot on the first Tuesday in March of each year. Voters and youth voters in each district shall elect, for staggered terms, three members for every 180 voters or major fraction thereof. Members shall serve for three years, except that a member elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term. The manner of elections is fully prescribed in 1959 Acts and Resolves No. 302.
(b) Other officers: Other officers shall be elected at large by Australian ballot on the first Tuesday in March.
(c) The Australian ballot system for election of officers shall require the use of printed ballots. Such ballots shall be retained to ensure that a verifiable record of all votes taken is preserved and available in the event of a challenge or recount.
(d) Candidacy for Town officers and Representative Town Meeting members, with the exception of write-in candidates, shall conform with State statute or 1959 Acts and Resolves No. 302. A candidate who intends to be a write-in candidate for a Town office or a Representative Town Meeting member shall notify the Town Clerk prior to the close of the polls on election day. Only votes for declared candidates shall be counted. (Amended 2003, No. M-6, § 2; 2011, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 2012; amended 2023, No. M-15, § 2, eff. June 20, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 107 - Town of Brattleboro › App § 2.5. Selectboard

§ 2.5. Selectboard
The Selectboard is a legislative body of five persons elected at large by the voters and youth voters of the Town. The Selectboard directs the affairs of the Town within areas specified in subchapter 4 of this charter. (Amended 2023, No. M-15, § 2, eff. June 20, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 Appendix - Municipal Charters › Chapter 107 - Town of Brattleboro › App § 2.6. Board of School Directors

§ 2.6. Board of School Directors
The Board of School Directors is a body of five persons elected at large by the voters of the Town School District. The school directors direct the affairs of the School District within areas specified in subchapter 6 of this charter. (Amended 2003, No. M-6, § 2; 2011, No. M-10 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 2012.)