Town needs Auditor
GUILFORD — GUILFORD - At the May 11 Selectboard meeting, the board accepted Auditor Elly Majonen's resignation.
Chair Anne Rider said was prompted by a conflict of interest: Majonen recently took the position of assistant town clerk.
The board accepted Majonen's resignation with “extreme gratitude” and sent a letter to her expressing their appreciation for her years of service to the town as a member of the town auditor board.
According to the town website, “The town auditors play a vital role in preserving the democratic nature of Vermont's local government by ensuring that local officials are accountable for their expenditures of the taxpayers' money. It is the town auditors' job to review the accounts of local officials and report their findings directly to the taxpayers for review. Town Auditors also compile and publish the Annual Town Report.”
Majonen's resignation leaves a vacancy. Registered Guilford voters interested in the position should contact Town Administrator Becky Stone at (802) 254-6857, ext. 105.
Green Up Day cleans up 2,100 pounds of trash
GUILFORD - The town's participation in Vermont's annual Green Up Day generated approximately 2,100 pounds of trash.
The May 2 event filled Dick Smith's truck three times over, and about 75 volunteers showed up, Selectboard member Sheila Morse said at the board's May 11 meeting.
“The kids got their certificates of community service,” she added.
Morse also noted the “millions” of one brand of drink cans tossed on the side of Guilford Center Road.
“Whoever is drinking Java Monster is losing out on tens of hundreds of dollars” on nickel deposit redemptions, she said, adding, “I couldn't believe it.”
Morse also commended Green Up Day Coordinator Elly Majonen on her work: “Elly was a star!”
Selectboard Chair Anne Rider said Majonen is looking to retire from her post as Green Up Day coordinator, but Rider said the Selectboard's response is, “No!”
Town health officer, deputy appointed
GUILFORD - As of June 1, Richard Davis will become town health officer, and Joy Hayes will serve as deputy.
The Selectboard made these appointments at its May 11 meeting.
Hayes attended the board meeting to express her interest in serving the town, but because of winter availability issues, she said she wished to serve as a deputy.
The town health officers receive complaints about “unsafe conditions in rental housing or on public or private property, or to report a septic failure, or an animal that might be rabid,” according to the town website.
The health officers also “investigate all complaints and have extensive authority to take emergency abatement steps and may enforce any state health regulations and town health ordinances.”
Town Plan review
GUILFORD - At the May 11 meeting, the Selectboard discussed its progress in completing the Town Plan.
Board member Sheila Morse said “public response was amazingly positive” at the April 29 public hearing.
The next Selectboard review of the Town Plan will be May 27.
An electronic version of the draft is available at the town's website.
Bylaws, policies, and ordinances review
GUILFORD - The Selectboard is working its way through current town bylaws, ordinances, and policies.
At the May 11 Selectboard meeting, Town Administrator Rebecca Stone presented a list, and the a status of the items is yet to be determined.
Stone recommended the board establish a capital asset policy and present it at next month's board meeting for review.
The board considered highway and traffic ordinances a priority, and plans to begin there.
Board member Sheila Morse suggested the town put the signed versions of approved bylaws, ordinances, and policies on the town's website.