SALISBURY — Salisbury residents at their town meeting Monday endorsed a series of charter changes that pave the way for the community to appoint its treasurer (as opposed to electing that person) and delineate specific responsibilities for the town clerk. Both the treasurer and town clerk positions will have terms of one year, if the charter changes are endorsed by the state Legislature — which is usually a formality.
Citizens voted 113 to 68 in favor of the proposed charter change for the treasurer’s position, and 112 to 65 for the town clerk proposal. That change describes the town clerk’s responsibilities as including assisting the public during town office hours; maintaining the electronic email files of town officials ensuring that privileged information is not divulged; assisting in the production of the annual report; and attending the first monthly meeting of the selectboard. The clerk will also continue to perform duties mandated for the position by state statutes.
An article proposing to eliminate the office of auditor and re-establishment of the local board of auditors finished in a 84-84 tie.
The proposed general fund budget of $200,097 passed by a 151 to 29 tally, and the proposed highway budget of $442,587 was endorsed by a 137-47 vote.
Residents also agreed, by a 145-31 tally, to establish a paving account to which the community will add funds to maintain its highways; voted 164-14 to exempt the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department property from real estate taxes; and endorsed a combined total of $72,460 for fire department operations and a variety of Addison County social service organizations.
The Salisbury Community School spending plan of $1,691,196, representing a 3.9-percent increase compared to this year’s budget, also won approval by unanimous voice vote.
There were no contested local elections this year. Elected unopposed were Wayne Smith, one year, moderator; Susan Scott, three years, town clerk; Jackie Devoid and Tom Scanlon, three years and two years, respectively, selectboard; Daniel Kuczynski, one year, town lister. Brenda Burchard won a write-in campaign (with 34 tallies) for a three-year term as town treasurer.
There were no candidates on the ballot for a three-year term and two two-year terms on the Salisbury Community School board. But Gary Brown earned 24 votes in a write-in campaign for the three-year spot on the school board, while Tim Ryan (28) and Sheila Conroy (23) earned the most write-in tallies for the two two-year spots.