TROY — Voters here stood to applaud their town clerk, Lucille Cadieux, following her announcement she would not seek re-election.
She was presented a plaque, a clock and a travel bag by the select board. Selectman Roland Mayhew announced that the board had decided that when completed, the landscaping in front of the office will be dedicated to Lucille.
“It has been a great honor and pleasure to serve you,” she said. “Thank you very much.”
Anne McKay asked for volunteer to help plan an appreciation day in Lucille’s honor.
From the floor, Terri Medley was chosen to be the next clerk. She ran unopposed, and was also elected town treasurer.
Also running unopposed were incumbents: Roland Mayhew, selectman; Michael Lawyer, second constable; Jennifer Daigle, auditor; John Starr, Trustee of Public Money; Ed Lipinski, lister; Roland Denton grand juror; and delinquent tax collector, Donna Labbee.
Veteran Moderator Bobby Starr was also re-elected without any opposition.
With incumbent Christine Blais opting to step down, a race for her three-year term for school director was decided by paper ballot. Dwayne Before won handily over Steve Dobler.
A three-way race for another seat on board saw Jennifer Daigle best Mr. Dobler and Carol Currier. She will fill the two-year term formerly held by Marie Bonneau.
By virtue of her victory, however, Ms. Daigle had to resign from her position as auditor.
A two-way election for a third seat on the school board saw Carol Currier beat Mr. Dobler.
A spirited debate led to level funded budget, in place of the selectmen’s proposed budget of $182,976.
Jim Starr led the opposition, saying the taxpayers could not afford a higher budget. A second voter readily agreed, telling the board that when her tax bills show up in October, she nearly “has a heart attack.”
Challenged by the board to show where the cuts should be made, Mr. Starr refused to take the bait.
“I don’t have answers to your questions, but I can tell you for five years the village has level funded. The school budget is level funded. Even at that our tax rates will go sky high.”
Mr. Mayhew defended the board’s proposed budget of $182,976.
“There is no fluff in this budget,” he said.
But the voters remained unconvinced.
The road budget of $362,630 passed without comment.
Selectmen got their request for a new truck and plow, to replace the current one that is 17 years old. Voters agreed after learning that the cost of new truck, not to exceed $153,000, would not require any additional appropriation as the payments being made on the old truck will remain the same for the new one. Money from the sale of the old one will be put toward the new truck.
Without comment, the school budget of $2,199,217 passed in record time.
With the aid of an extra $50,000 from the state, the town will go forward in 2012 with a reappraisal.
Voters learned that the town will have a new attorney. Bill Davies of Barton will replace John Monette of Newport.
Voters approved appropriations for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department of $10,533; Northeast Kingdom Human Services, $2,265; Orleans County Court Diversion, $400; Orleans-Essex VNA and Hospice, $6,500; Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA), $656; Northeast Kingdom Learning Services, $200; Orleans County Historical Society, $350; Rand Memorial Library, $5,580; Missisquoi Ambulance Service, $18,768; Orleans County Citizen Advocacy, $500; Area Agency on Aging, $1,000; village of North Troy fire protection, $4,000; Jay Peak American Legion Post 28 for Memorial Day services, $200; Frontier Animal Society, $500; Rural Community Transportation, $1,700; Tri-Town Natural Resources, $250.
For the Jay Area Food Shelf, which covers Jay, Lowell, North Troy, Troy and Westfield, Bob Dunn asked the request be raised to $500.
“If we are giving that much to save animals, we should be able to give the amount to help our friends and neighbors in need,” he said.
“Are we giving the animals $500,” asked Moderator Starr.
