It's August, and while Vermonters are all enjoying the last full month of summer, here at VLCT we're also looking ahead to Town Fair on October 6 & 7 because this year it returns to being fully in-person at the Killington Grand Hotel. This issue of the VLCT Journal is all about Town Fair – the sessions, the exhibitors, the annual meetings and municipal policy, the fun things to do, and even a look back at Town Fairs of the past.
If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to follow us on Facebook for special Town Fair features and links to hot topics.
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Town Fair is VLCT's annual conference, and it is the conference for municipal government officials in Vermont to attend. You'll be able to interact with your peers, attend sessions that challenge your thinking and bring you new ideas, and have fun all at the same time. Learn more about Town Fair.
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The 2021 program manager of NLC's REAL program discusses what it means to be anti-racist and how to actively work for racial equity.
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Revisit the last fully in-person Town Fair to see what's changed and what's stayed the same.
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Just over a year after Tropical Storm Irene ravaged Vermont, Town Fair captured the best of municipal resilience and rebuilding efforts.
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The keynote address recap on page 6 explains cyber threats faced by local governments and has specific tips for combating them.
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Read our oldest digitally available newsletter to see what Town Fair was like at the turn of the century. Were you there that year?
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Read and embrace the sometimes uncomfortable themes of this 2020 Town Fair keynote address by Georgia Municipal Association president Vince Williams.
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Town Fair 2022 is packed with a plethora of top-notch training sessions, many of which our members specifically requested. Organized into four main categories – governance, operations, infrastructure, and partnerships – this year’s presentations are particularly timely as they target challenges that local officials face each day and offer solutions for towns of all sizes. Read more.
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Are you involved in ARPA projects? Do you want to know more about grant funding especially for small towns? Is your municipality worried about housing capacity? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then the infrastructure track is for you. These sessions address the infrastructure challenges that towns of all sizes have around these topics and provide solutions you can customize to fit your town.
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VLCT extends a sincere thank you to our sponsors, whose support helps us provide you with the services you need all year long. We especially thank Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Blue Advantage, NEMRC, and M&T Bank. Make sure to visit all of our sponsors in person at Town Fair and visit the Town Fair website to learn more and for contact information before the event.
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Governance encompasses much of what local governments do, and while it's a broad area, the core of the work often comes back to community and communication. The sessions in this track include Finding Your Voice Through Humor; A Discussion on Civil Discourse; Addressing Justice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; and more.
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If you have attended a webinar or training this summer, you've probably met Shaina Lyon, VLCT's new Event and Partnership Coordinator. Shaina joined VLCT after working for Norwich University, where she planned numerous large-scale functions. Get to know Shaina and her several four-legged and multi-finned family members, and make sure to say hi to her at Town Fair.
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From road work to finances to efficiency upgrades, partnerships can help you accomplish more. The sessions in this track feature speakers from a variety of industries and associations. They'll describe their products, services, programs, and partnerships, which can help you be more efficient, get more for less, and engage your citizens and your staff.
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Some of a municipality's biggest hurdles occur in daily operations. Finding and retaining employees is a long-time challenge that has only become bigger in the current labor market. Cybersecurity is a growing problem due to heightened geopolitical tensions. And through all of this, you still need to engage your citizens in ways that work for them, including by embracing new technologies.
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Whether you want to take in the sights from high atop the mountain, enjoy the foliage as you race through the woods, or play a round of golf, Killington has you covered! A wide variety of options are available without you ever needing to leave the venue, including mountain biking, hiking, gondola rides, and more. Plus, check out the surrounding area for even more to do – you can walk on the Appalachian Trail, tour the area on an ATV, and play disc golf. Bring your family and stay for an extra night to have even more fun. Consider the many things you can do.
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Take the quiz, then scroll below for answers!
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What type of event is Town Fair?
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A fair with rides, fried dough, and tractor pulls
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A conference with training, networking, and exhibitors
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A birthday party with a clown, bounce house, and presents
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Energy-efficient buildings are stronger and more comfortable, and can free up your operating budget for other priorities. Join Efficiency Vermont’s Town Fair presentation, led by Municipal Program Manager Colin Santee, to learn how to build community resilience with energy efficiency. This session includes:
How to work with a consultant or individually to identify and prioritize efficiency opportunities in public buildings and offices,
Trends and insights from municipal efficiency projects over the years, and
The resources available through utilities, RPCs, and other statewide entities to help lower the up-front cost of efficiency upgrades.
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VLCT’s Town Fair has been around almost as long as VLCT: The latter began life in 1967; the former in 1971 at the Barre Auditorium. The following 26 Town Fairs also called Barre home, but in 1998 we tested the waters of Killington to better accommodate members from the south, and we found them all to be quite agreeable. Take a look at past Town Fairs.
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Thursday, October 6 @ 1:00 PM
Attend the VLCT, PACIF, and VERB Annual Meetings to hear the latest from each entity, vote in new board members, and discuss & vote on VLCT's legislative policy for the 2023-24 biennium. Register.
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Thursday, October 6 @ 6:00 PM
Join your peers along with VLCT Executive Director Ted Brady and members of our three Boards of Directors to dine, honor careers well spent, and take a look at the lighter side of local government. Plan to relax and enjoy!
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We are pleased to showcase the 2022 Town Fair exhibitors in this online guide, which you can view online before Town Fair online and through the app at the event. Exhibitors are a core part of Town Fair – they keep the event fun and informative and keep you supplied in pens and stress balls. Preview the list of who is attending (which we will update continually). Then visit each exhibitor at Town Fair. Like you, they're happy to return to an in-person event and can't wait to chat about new products and services that will meet your evolving needs. View the Exhibitor Guide.
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The State of Vermont conducts centralized procurement of nearly all commodities (products and equipment) along with a wide variety of services, including cellular/wireless service! Municipalities too can take advantage of state contracts in three categories of cellular and wireless services. Learn more from Buildings and General Services Purchasing.
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Heather Hitchcock, Bevan Quinn, and Rebecca Curran of Rockingham, Guilford, and somewhere in cyberspace, respectively, knew that Julio Buel of Poultney invented the first fishing spoon lure.
This month’s triviality column comprises three queries, which were all supposed to feature a geographical theme but then the last one didn’t. Test your Vermont knowledge here.
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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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* POP QUIZ ANSWERS
Town Fair is VLCT's annual Birthday Party! Just kidding! If you've made it here you probably already know that Town Fair is VLCT's annual conference and will take place this year on October 6 & 7 at the Killington Grand Hotel Resort in Killington, Vermont. Learn more and register.
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