LOWELL — “How many have you tapped?” “Half; about 1,500.”
“I heard they want to buy at only three dollars per pound this year.”
“I’m tired of winter and hate the ice!”
This is the warm-up before Lowell’s Town Meeting. This year, out of 500 registered voters there were about 84 present during the floor session; the average is 120 voters.
Alden Warner, town moderator, thanked eighth graders Brandon Pion and A.J. Sicotte for setting up the chairs and tables for the meeting. The Lowell Girl Scouts announced their cookie sale would be held on Saturday, March 7, at the school starting at 9 a.m. Mr. Warner reminded attendees that the eighth graders catered lunch, and sales will benefit their trip to Washington, D.C., in May, and the Lowell Historical Society was selling calendars and magnets with historical images of Lowell.
Ninety-year-old Alvin Warner was recognized for his 57 years of service to Lowell as selectman and constable, moderator and justice of the peace with a plaque and standing ovation. He said, “It’s time for me to go home!”
Election of town officials moved apace with “ayes” from the floor. Re-elected were: Richard Pion, selectman; Steven Mason, school director; Carolyn Arel, lister; and Pam Tetrault, delinquent tax collector. Albert Pion and George Sargent were re-elected as first and second constable and Rose Barry was re-elected town auditor. Andre Tetrault Sr. was re-elected town agent and grand juror. A clarification that it was Mr. Tetrault Sr. who was nominated prompted a response from the moderator, who was appreciative because “then we’d have two” serving each position. Marsha Mason and Jeannette Manning were re-elected library trustees.
Momentum slowed when it was agreed to suspend the rules in order to address Article 19, which funds the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. As in years past, this was greeted with sighs, questions and back-and-forth discussions regarding what Lowell gets from the sheriff’s department for its contribution.
Deputy Sheriff Russell Lindemann noted the challenges of covering Lowell, and said the Vermont State Police are not able to respond to incidents and accidents like they used to, sometimes not showing up at all. The result of the to-and-fro discussion on the merits of coverage by the sheriff’s department was an agreement to level fund the appropriation at $9,464.
The Lowell Graded School budget passed without discussion by “ayes” from the floor. According to the Lowell School Board’s letter in the town report, “This year we have offered an unprecedented budget for voter consideration that actually proposes spending below last year’s levels. Some have had to make sacrifices for this to happen, and to them we are thankful.”
The winter and summer roads budgets passed, as well as the Lowell Fire Department request. The library asked for a reduction of $500 in its request, and this was approved.
Much debate over how much to fund a new ball field resulted in approval of the $2,000 request.
“This town is so screwed-up! We pass million-dollar budgets with no discussion and voice-vote from the floor and then argue over $2,000 for a ball field for our children!” These grumblings rippled across the rows of metal folding chairs.
The neighboring town of Westfield requested a $2,500 contribution to their playground project, noting that it would provide for free, and with less travel, facilities that residents have to pay for at IROC in Derby. This request was passed over unanimously.
After a lunch of sandwiches, chili and pie, the Lowell Town Meeting wrapped up, passing a change in scope-of-work for the town’s constables, restricting them to only animal control duties and approving the remainder of budget items.
When it came to nonbinding issues, the Department of Health’s report on the asbestos mine impact on health in surrounding communities was discussed. It was explained that what was a water quality issue is now being turned into a larger health issue so that federal money would be available to clean up the water runoff situation.
According to Don Peterson, representing Lowell on the community board made up of residents from Lowell and Eden who provide oversight of the situation, the state health department agreed to hold a press conference acknowledging errors in its study, but it remains to be seen when that will actually happen.
Representative Mark Higley reported that the Senate and House passed a Joint Senate Resolution that asks the Department of Health to complete and update its study on the relationship of the closed Vermont Asbestos Group mine in the towns of Eden and Lowell to occurrences of asbestos-related illness.
Mr. Higley also noted that he has spoken with listers in Eden and Troy, and they report no adverse effects of the asbestos study on home sales. On this high note, the Lowell Town Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
