ALBANY — A stunningly clear blue sky didn’t distract the 90 voters of Albany as they got down to the business of the town on this Town Meeting Day 2011. With the help of two new microphones as a leap into advanced communications, Marcellus Cubit was quickly re-elected moderator, and Debra Ann Geoffroy re-elected Town Clerk and Treasurer for three-year terms.  Ms. Geoffroy was also re-elected tax collector and delinquent tax collector for a one-year term.

The auditor’s report was accepted and voters set the due date for tax collection as the second Wednesday in October.  Frank Coulter was re-elected selectman, Francis Whitcomb lister, Paul Martin, first constable and Fred Kinsey grand juror. Jane Raynor replaces Bev Potter as auditor for a three-year term.

The Albany Fire department came under fire but was able to put it out as voters declined to replace the Volunteer Fire Department with a Municipal Volunteer Fire Department in the meeting’s sole ballot vote, 27 to 62.

Missing details on invoices have to be addressed, but are not a good enough reason to change everything about the way the department is run, the voters decided.

Firefighter Chad Tolman exclaimed, “We are doing our best to protect you.  We will save your life.  We risk our life.”

Jeanne Peters noted, “We don’t need an overhaul.  We are a good team and we have nothing to hide.”

With the admonishment of Bill Pearce, who said “I don’t see the fire department becoming a political issue!” and lots of talk about the blessing of having a fire department when your house is on fire, Albany taxpayers will raise a tax of $27,500 for the Albany Fire Department, up from $23,000 last year, and the  Albany Volunteer Fire Dept. will remain under the selectmen’s control.

Albany will raise $6,000 for the maintenance of the town cemeteries and the Albany Village Cemetery, up $1,000 from last year, and increase veterans’ exemption on appraised value from $20,000 to  $40,000.

The town will assess a tax of $10,870 for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, up $317 from last year and raise $5,500 to finance recycling. The Albany Town Library will receive the sum of $4,500 as requested.  Local Ambulance Services of Irasburg, Orleans and Barton will each receive $500. The town voted $8,357 for all appropriations, as requested, including $1,000 for the Albany Historical Society, and $1,000 for the Craftsbury Community Care Center.

Albany will raise $170,000 for the maintenance of class two and three town highways, $10,000. for the purpose of blacktop or other improvements to class two roads and $10,000 for the summer maintenance of class four roads, all the same as last year.

After a bit of impassioned discussion, voters asked that all class three and four roads be opened for ATVs that are registered, insured and operated by someone over 16 with a valid driver’s license.

Sam Young mentioned that Glover had many less problems with ATVs after they were legalized on their roads, but Glover also set a 35 mile per hour speed limit for the machines.

Lastly, voters of the town designated Albany a clean energy assessment district. That means the town can lend money to property owners for projects relating to renewable energy and energy efficiency.  As Debra Geoffroy explained, property owners can pay the money back on their tax bills over time.

After a filling beef stew and pie dinner break at the Albany Community Church, voters returned to the Town Hall for the Albany School Meeting.

Jennifer Tolman was elected school director to replace Eric Oberg, who declined another term. Mr. Oberg received applause for his nine years of service.  School directors in Albany received an unopposed raise of $100 and now earn $700 a year. After discussion on school costs that cannot be cut because 16 percent of our school children have special needs which are mandated to be dealt with but not funded, Albany voted to pass the school budget of $1,659,583 with no opposition.