Vermont municipalities manage local board disputes and appointments

Local government boards in Vermont are addressing administrative and leadership challenges. In Weston, the Selectboard held a special meeting to respond to complaints alleging violations of the state’s open meeting law. While the board determined no violations occurred regarding two of the complaints, they acknowledged a “possible violation” concerning the detail of minutes from a July 28 meeting. The board voted to cure this by amending the minutes to include missing public comments.

In Woodstock, the Selectboard appointed Clay Reed and Ben Ford to fill two vacant seats until the 2027 Town Meeting. The decision, made following an executive session, drew criticism from some residents who had advocated for the appointment of former police chief Byron Kelly. The appointments follow a period of significant turnover on the Woodstock board, which has seen several newcomers join through special elections or temporary appointments since May.