Town Meeting 2025 Results

Here’s what happened at each of the town meetings in Addison County and Brandon.

When and Where is Your 2025 Town Meeting

Find out the date, time and place of your town meeting in Addison County and Brandon.

Three newcomers aim for ACSD seats

The Independent sent four education-related questions to each of the three, first-time candidates competing next week in a five-person race for three Middlebury seats on the Addison Central School District board: Vance Bishop, Ron Makleff and Jess Venable … (read more)

Town Meeting 2025 Preview

Here’s what to expect at each of the county’s town meetings in the coming week.

Editorial: Town Meeting: School budgets see modest hikes; town budgets are mixed

As Town Meeting gets underway as early as this weekend in some Addison County towns, and next Monday and Tuesday for others, most residents will face much lower school taxes than the prior year, and modest increases in their town budgets. The sticker shoc … (read more)

Editorial: A bargain at $49.5 million?

This Town Meeting, Middlebury residents will decide their largest bond vote ever: a $49.5 million makeover of its 25-year-old sewer plant. Built in 2000, the 20-year projected lifespan of the plant is five years past that due date and will be forced to ho … (read more)

Letter to the editor: ACSD candidates backed as knowledgable, caring

I am writing to voice my support for Jess Venable-Novak and Ron Makleff for ACSD School Board.

Letter to the editor: Experienced, hardworking ACSD incumbent backed

I would like to strongly endorse Steve Orzech of Middlebury for the ACSD Board.

Letter to the editor: Conlon backs Orzech in race

When it comes to the Town Meeting Day elections for the Addison Central School District board, experience counts. That is why I will cast one of my votes for Steve Orzech of Middlebury.

Letter to the editor: New candidates best for ACSD

Our school district — and all those around the state — face a lot of challenges. Serving on the school board is an important and demanding job. ACSD school board candidates Jess Venable-Novak and Ron Makleff are rising to the occasion.

Letter to the editor: Gaza question not right for city

We were deeply dismayed to learn about the Vergennes City Council’s decision to include Article 7 on the upcoming March 4 ballot. Like Mayor Chris Bearor, Deputy Mayor Dickie Austin, and many state representatives, we believe that the City of Vergennes sh … (read more)

Letter to the editor: New ACSD candidates bring ‘fresh perspective’

I bring to your attention the names of candidates who I believe will serve us admirably: Jess Venable-Novak and Ron Makleff. These candidates offer a fresh perspective, dedication and a commitment to collaborate with the other School Board members in meet … (read more)

Letter to the editor: Venable-Novak, Makleff boosted for ACSD board

I first met Jess when our kids were babies at a Music Together class in Middlebury and since that day, I have seen Jess show up with an open mind, open heart and generous spirit in every subsequent context.

Letter to the editor: New candidates good choices for ACSD board

I am supporting Jess Venable-Novak and Ron Makleff for ACSD School Board. I encourage you to join me. At this challenging time for our schools and communities, we need new voices and creative thinkers to advocate for our students and make sure they all fe … (read more)

Letter to the editor: No to ACSD budget until consolidtion considered

I am writing this letter to do something I never thought I would be doing… encouraging people to vote no on a school budget. As a school board member on a number of school boards (Mary Hogan, UD#3, and the new ACSD) for over 20 years, this isn’t something … (read more)

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