BELLOWS FALLS — Villagers will get a chance to vote on Dec. 4 at the Masonic Temple, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., on the final draft of the Bellows Falls Village Corporation Charter, which has undergone scrutiny and suggested amendments over the past year by committee.
Two public hearings held this fall garnered suggestions from the public. The final draft is available online at the www.rockbf.org town and village website.
Voters must approve or reject the revised charter in its entirety.
Several of the proposed revisions brought the charter in line with state statutes, such as the warning and notice of annual or special meetings “as provided by Title 17 VSA Chapter 55 as may be amended from time to time,” removing six of the seven provisions under section 207-4 Meetings and Warnings.
Section 207-5 of the Village Charter covers elected officers' terms, appointments and vacancies, and brought section (a) into synch with Title 17 VSA, where three commissioners of the Mary Arms Fund were added.
Terms for elected office were changed to two years for all office except the commissioners, moderator, president and auditors, starting at the first election following successful adoption by vote of the amended charter. The moderator and president shall serve one year, the auditors and commissioners of the Mary Arms Fund shall serve three years, with all others serving two years.
There is also a clarification of responsibilities of the Board of Trustees to meet twice monthly “for hearing the concerns and any complaints from the residents of the Village, violations of the Charter and By-Laws of the Corporation, and for the allowance and approval of claims and the transaction of any proper business,” under 207-6 b., Board of Trustees Duties.
Village offices and employee salaries will rest with the voters. Failing that, the auditors shall set the pay.
The Village may now enact fines and penalties for violation of by-laws and regulations, and the jurisdiction and authority of the Waste Water Utility has expanded.
Restrictions on the use of Minard's Pond, including cutting wood and boating in the pond, have been expanded, and fines have been increased from $25 to no less than $500 and no more than $5,000 for a violation. Restrictions on adjacent lands are added with amendment.
The amended version of the Village charter is available online, as well as the warning which provides general descriptions of all of the amendments including those not covered here.