At our last Select Board meeting we had a robust conversation and discussion concerning our Town Meeting methodology for this year and how we got here with a group of residents. Many who attended felt that there was a lack of communication, misinformation, and opaqueness concerning the process by the Select Board and Town Clerk. No doubt, this may well echo the feelings of many in Town. In hindsight, the Select Board could and should have done more to ensure that there was readily available and concise information for Townspeople concerning Town Meeting 2023.

At a Dec. 18th, 2021 Special Town Meeting held outside the Town House, it was decided unanimously by voice vote of those present to move Town Meeting to Australian Ballot due to continued Covid 19 pandemic concerns.  Vermont law does not allow towns to set a time limit on this change in voting method, so Town Meeting this year continues to be by Australian Ballot. Perhaps a clearer term at this moment should be “Town Vote” instead of “Town Meeting”.  However, there is an Article on this year’s ballot that asks voters their Town Meeting methodology preference moving forward.

If you would like more information on this Article as well as the rest of the ballot, an informational meeting is being held in person on Sat. Feb. 25, 2023, from 2:00-4:00pm at the Marlboro Community Center and concurrently on Zoom or by phoning in, making this what is now known as a hybrid meeting.  Also, we would encourage those that strongly feel one way or the other, to respectfully campaign for their position with fellow Townspeople. In local politics, your vote really does matter and can make a difference.

In closing, agendas for future and minutes of past Select Board meetings are posted and available in front of the Town Office and on the Town’s website. Regular Select Board meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00pm in the Town Office with a Zoom and phone-in option available. As always, every Select Board meeting has a period of unscheduled public comment. We encourage Townspeople to feel free to attend using any of the above 3 methods to voice their concerns, bring up issues they’d like to see addressed, or to simply listen in.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Your Select Board (Chair – Aaron Betts, Vice Chair – Jim Agate, Member – Molly Welch) &

Forrest Holzapfel – Marlboro Town Clerk

The Marlboro Select Board is looking to fill various important positions on many of the Town’s Commissions and Committees. 

Other openings are discussed below:

While many of you are probably familiar with the Town’s Planning Commission and Development Review Board, there is another commission that can provide interested residents with a real opportunity to contribute to the Town’s vibrancy and well-being. 

The Energy Commission is looking for a group of active participants to create a direction, likely based on the Town Plan. This commission has been in place in the past, but needs reinstating.  New priorities can be set toward making Marlboro a better place. 

For instance:

“How can the Town achieve the goals set out by the State of Vermont for reduction of carbon emissions?”

“How to effectively, safely, and environmentally implement the use of Solar Power and arrays while maintaining as much land as possible for agricultural use?”

These are just a few areas the Energy Commission can explore and working with other Town Commissions such as the Planning Commission take Marlboro to the next level in handling the issues facing our Town.

As of this writing these Commissions are ready to accept new appointments by the Select Board, all that is needed are interested residents ready to take up the reins and make a difference.

If you are interested or would like some additional information, please contact the Select Board at marlboroselectboard@gmail.com .

Thank you very much and we look forward to hearing from you.

The Marlboro Select Board