Welcome to 2023! Here's to this year proceeding along a more normal course and the sunsetting of many pandemic related restrictions. There is a lot to read about this month! Learn about the Welcoming and Engaging Communities Cohort, read updates from your State House advocates, and don't miss the Town Meeting resources, an update from VLCT PACIF, and the launch of several new training series.
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Since October of last year, local officials from eight Vermont communities have been discussing how they can make Town Hall more welcoming for the employees and volunteers who work there and for the citizens who depend on them. Learn about their E.P.I.C. journey.
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Our focused guide for advocacy work in the 2023 legislative session.
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Karen Horn provided testimony to the committee that is working on this tax study.
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Supports revitalization in designated downtowns and village centers. Applications due Jan 31.
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Consider using an assessment tool as you engage in equity work. Find a few in our toolkit.
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Katie Buckley shared how the Federal Funding Assistance Program is helping towns.
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The memo line of the deposit should read: ARPA-SLFR Reallocation of Remaining Funds.
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Now that the busy holidays are over, we at VLCT PACIF are taking a moment to thank you, our member/owners, for your continued trust and support. Everyone that was a member in 2022 decided to remain with PACIF in 2023. We greatly appreciate your loyalty and hope that you take advantage of all PACIF has to offer – including some exciting new updates. Read about what's new!
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Legislators have arrived in Montpelier for the 2023 legislative sessions, and there's already a lot going on! Keep informed about the legislation that could affect municipal government by reading VLCT's Weekly Legislative Report and joining our bi-weekly Advocacy Chats with Karen and Gwynn. Legislators value your voice. Make sure to contact them and explain how proposed legislation will impact you and your community.
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Whether a town road must be plowed or not depends on its classification. VLCT MAC gives an overview of the different requirements for each class of roads and provides resources to help you understand and make decisions about winter road maintenance for your town.
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These two funding opportunities for VLCT PACIF members are now open. Applications for both are accepted on a rolling basis until funding runs out. The 2023 PACIF grants provide up to 100% reimbursement (from $500 to $7500 depending on contribution size) for approved equipment, facility improvements, and related items. John Law Scholarships reimburse members (up to $500 for individuals or $2500 for groups) for training related to risk management and/or safety.
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Legislative bodies (selectboards, city councils, and village trustees) can borrow funds without voter approval only in specific situations. Outside of the nine instances, there must be specific voter approval at an annual or special town meeting. In this article, VLCT MAC attorney Carl Andeer reviews the situations and what you need to know about them, along with the relevant laws.
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Slips, trips, and falls are one of the biggest winter hazards, and they can have an impact on your bottom line – both in insurance claims and in work time lost while employees are out recovering. VLCT PACIF's Loss Control has a few preventative measures you can take. Make sure to read and share them with your employees, and always encourage everyone to think about safety.
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Each year, Research and Information Specialist Heather Law compiles the Vermont Municipal Compensation and Benefits Report. This report contains a wealth of data on municipal positions, benefits, and salaries. In this article, Heather reviews this data for highway maintenance workers and puts it into context for you. She notes projections for the number of openings, where Vermont lands in salaries, and what you can do to help fill gaps.
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Strong retail activity in December is an outlier from the rest of the winter months when cold temperatures and early sunsets often slow business activity. This winter lag can be especially harmful to small businesses. Heading into the coldest winter months there are many ways that towns, villages, and cities can continue the creative placemaking that is common in December to engage residents and stimulate retail districts. Read more.
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Take the quiz, then scroll below for answers!
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What is a PACIF contribution credit?
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Member equity returned through renewal invoices.
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A credit you get for volunteering with PACIF.
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A discount you receive by contributing to PACIF's Loss Control programs.
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Federal and State laws call for only high-efficiency LED lighting to be sold starting in 2023. The incentives from Efficiency Vermont are changing. They exist to bring the cost of efficient products in line with the cost of less-efficient technology.
Now through July, your municipality can save the most money on new lighting. Efficiency Vermont recently increased the maximum quantity from 250 to 500 products per project, so municipalities can upgrade all lighting at the lowest price.
Efficient LED lighting can last more than 10 years, so upgrade your lighting now and don’t worry about replacing them again for a good, long while! Learn more.
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Members preparing for Town Meeting 2023 can access helpful templates and guidance developed by VLCT's Municipal Assistance Center staff. Our Town Meeting Resources page is your “one-stop shop” for model warnings, model articles, FAQs, and our Municipal Calendar, which lists important deadlines. Get answers to many town meeting questions.
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Tuesday, January 24
12 PM - 1 PM
Bring your lunch and your questions. Live, interactive Q&A with the MAC attorneys, focusing on timely topics every month! The topic themes are not exclusive: other questions and discussion are welcome. Sign up!
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Friday, January 27
10 AM - 12 PM
Introducing a new monthly series from VLCT's Sarah Macy. Join fellow treasurers, bookkeepers, accountants, finance officers, and finance directors on Zoom each month to learn a new aspect of municipal accounting! Register.
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Monday, January 30
11 AM - 12 PM
Share your thoughts, whether they are on topics being discussed in the State House right now or a different legislative concern. Register here.
Save the date! The advocacy chat occurs every other Monday. Next up: Monday, February 13.
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Wednesday, February 8
9 AM - 12 PM
Join us in person or virtually to learn the basic role and responsibilities of the moderator at Town Meeting. Ed Chase, Westford Town Moderator, will deconstruct the annual town meeting process step by step. There will be ample time for questions! Register.
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Tuesday, February 14, 10:30 AM
Tuesday, February 21, 9 AM
This webinar series helps you learn more and get your questions answered about the newest Vermont Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance opportunity from the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. This two-part series includes a Technical Assistance Overview Meeting and a Technical Assistance Roundtable. These events are open to community leaders, local and statewide organizations, neighborhood groups, and interested residents across the state of Vermont. Learn more and register.
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If we expect local government leaders in small towns to make great things happen for their residents, we need to give them some new tools. Encouragingly, it appears the governor and the legislature agree that something must be done to ensure that rural communities have the capacity to invest in themselves. See the four pillars critical to the success of any capacity expansion.
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In partnership with the Vermont Secretary of State's office and Vermont Humanities, the Center for Cartoon Studies has created a graphic guide that explains civics and democracy in Vermont in a remarkably engaging way. This could be a great public-facing resource in a town office. Buy a printed version, download a free file from the web, or look for a print at your local library. Check it out.
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The Valentine's Day bandit is likely to leave traces of their presence in Montpelier (and maybe other places around the state), which makes February the perfect time to submit a picture of what you love about your community. Share your photos at vlct.org/LOVE.
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As always, be sure to follow us on social media and regularly check the updated home page of our website for breaking news and announcements.
Please contact us at vlctnews@vlct.org with any comments or suggestions for upcoming content.
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