Town Meeting 2025 Minutes & Zoom Link
Washington Annual Town Meeting
Washington School Auditorium
March 4, 2025
Meeting began at 2 p.m.
Art. 1 To elect a Moderator for a 1-year term
Josh Bell nominated Ben Tiefenthaler, 2nd by Peter Carbee.
Yes by voice vote
Ben led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then introduced town clerk Lois Deberville who presented the following:
“2024 Citizen of the Year” to Jane Bedia.
“2024 Spirit of Washington Award in Honor of Rachel M. Davis Beede” to Edward Lemieux for all his commitment to town history, received on his behalf by his daughter Michele and his wife Dorothy.
Lois Deberville announced the winners of the Debra Sue Blanchard Community Service Award after presenting information on the love and spirit that Debra had for her community.
Winners are Christie Galfetti and Emily Poulin, each will receive $3500, and complete 50 hours of service to the Washington community.
Art. 2 Will the Town vote to elect the Moderator from the floor instead of Australian Ballot henceforth?
H. Brooke Paige moved the question, 2nd by Peter Carbee
Yes by voice vote
Art. 3 To elect necessary officers/positions for the Town and School District by Australian Ballot System.
H. Brooke Paige moved the question, 2nd by Dr. Robert Rinaldi
Yes by voice vote
Art. 4 Will the Town vote to collect taxes on real property in two installments with the first installment due on September 15, 2025 and the second installment due on February 15, 2026?
Dr. Robert Rinaldi moved the question, 2nd by H. Brooke Paige.
Scott Blanchard proposed an amendment to collect taxes in one installment due on November 15, 2025.
Sheila Duranleau said that this would have to be a warned article.
Amendment failed by voice vote.
Yes by voice vote to original article.
Art. 5 Will the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $87,070 for the operating budget of the Washington Fire Department and Fast Squad for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2026?
Andrea Poulin moved the question, 2nd by H. Brooke Paige.
Yes by voice vote
Art. 6 Will the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $2500.00 for the Washington Fast Squad to train EMT, and replace equipment, such as radios and/or pagers. Funds to be used in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2026?
Yes by voice vote
Art. 7 Will the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $65,786 for the operating budget of the Calef Memorial Library for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2026?
H. Brooke Paige moved the question, 2nd by Peter Carbee.
Yes by voice vote
Art. 8 Will the town vote to appropriate the sum of $5000 for the Calef Memorial Library Capital Improvement Fund established at the March 5, 2019, Town Meeting?
H. Brooke Paige moved the question, 2nd by Peter Carbee.
Yes by voice vote
Art. 9 Will the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $6,000 for the care of old Cemeteries for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2026?
H. Brooke Paige moved the question, 2nd by Dr. Robert Rinaldi
Yes by voice vote
Art. 10 Will the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $6000 to support the operating costs of the Recreation Department for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2026?
Peter Jensen moved the question, 2nd by H. Brooke Paige
Yes by voice vote
Art. 11 Will the Town vote to allow the Selectboard to appoint/contract out of town (but in-state) residents if no one in town runs for an elected position unless restricted by statute?
H. Brooke Paige moved the question, 2nd by Leona Grearson.
Yes by voice vote
Art. 12 Will the Town establish a reserve fund to be called the Bridge Reserve Fun to be used for the purpose of repairing town bridges in accordance with 24 V.S.A. Will the Town establish a reserve fund to be called the Bridge Reserve Fun to be used for the purpose of repairing town bridges in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 2804?
H. Brooke Paige moved the question, 2nd by Sheila Duranleau.
Article amended to read “Will the Town establish a reserve fund to be called the Bridge Reserve Fund to be used for the purpose of repairing town bridges in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 2804?”
Yes by voice vote
Art 13 Will the town establish a reserve fun to call the Pavement Reserve Fund to be used for the purpose of maintaining and/or paving town in roads in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 2804?
H. Brooke Paige moved the question, 2nd by Peter Carbee.
Article amended to read “Will the town establish a reserve fun to be called the Pavement Reserve Fund to be used for the purpose of maintaining and/or paving town roads in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 2804?”
Yes by voice vote
Art 14 Will the Town vote to authorize total General Fund expenditures for operating expenses (excluding special articles) for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2026 of $1,155,614, of which $918,494 shall be raised by taxes and $237,120 from non-tax revenues?
Peter Carbee moved the question, 2nd by H. Brooke Paige.
Yes by voice vote
Art. 15 Will the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $ 10,207 to fund the amounts requested from all or some of the service agencies in this report?
Yes by voice vote
Motion made by H. Brooke Paige to adjourn at 4:20 p.m., 2nd by Leona Grearson, ayes carried by voice vote.
Attest: Lois Deberville, Town Clerk
This is a draft subject to amendment/approval by Moderator Ben Tiefenthaler and another authorized official.
Full meeting coverage is available on ZOOM at https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/3rNpl5fXbWuCZZq_PZnoxL8dpspzDB_5Lt3NXiC_R0DgFylhlXsLZZ4B3qRFOZDS.JeQ5bSjZEV87e12J Passcode: 780M+K8u
