VTDigger reporters and photographers fanned out across the state Tuesday to cover this year’s hybrid on-paper, in-person Town Meeting season.
Here’s our rolling list of live coverage. This post will be updated through Wednesday, March 2.
Statewide
As most Vermont municipalities cast ballots, 40 resume in-person Town Meetings — While the Covid-19 pandemic has spurred almost 75% of the state’s 246 communities to forgo shoulder-to-shoulder decision-making, some 15% are holding gatherings — in part by requiring masks or relocating to such airier spaces as a road crew garage or fire station bay.
Vermont voters have their say on retail cannabis sales — In early vote results, several larger Vermont towns had approved retail sales of cannabis to anyone 21 and older, while smaller towns were saying no.
With help from an influx of federal funding, many towns approve big water infrastructure projects — Town officials in Colchester, Vergennes, Montpelier and Manchester have the go-ahead from voters to upgrade and expand sewer and water projects, giving residents access to more public services and preventing pollution.
School board candidates against critical race theory founder at the polls — Town Meeting Day results released Tuesday night suggested that schools’ Covid-19 safety rules and equity initiatives remained broadly popular.
Vermont’s 2022 Town Meeting Day in photos — VTDigger photographers captured images from floor meetings and elections across the state.
Burlington
Progressives maintain control of Burlington City Council — The party guarded the four seats it already held in Tuesday’s Town Meeting Day election, with swing vote Ali Dieng maintaining his seat by a thread.
Burlington voters back infrastructure measures but reject tax rate increase — While Mayor Miro Weinberger heralded the annual city election’s outcome as a win for his agenda, he also said that a failed effort to raise the municipal tax rate could lead to budget woes for the next fiscal year.
South Burlington
South Burlington City Council to remain as is, despite clamor over zoning regulations — Councilors Meaghan Emery and Tim Barritt were both reelected, despite campaigns to unseat them for their votes to limit development in the city’s southeast quadrant.
Winooski
Hurd, Renner win contested Winooski City Council race — Aurora Hurd finished first with 426 votes, and Thomas Renner finished second with 402.
Williston
Williston approves nine new firefighter positions, ambulance funding — Funding for the new career firefighters accounts for half of a roughly $1.57 million budget increase.
Essex
Ethan Lawrence fends off write-in challenge, wins Essex Selectboard seat — Voters also elected two more candidates to the selectboard: Dawn Hill-Fleury (4,280 votes), who is an incumbent, and Kendall Chamberlin (3,250 votes).
Montpelier
Montpelier voters pass budget — and purchase country club — A proposal to purchase the former Elks Club property spurred vocal opposition in Montpelier, with some voters frustrated with the city government’s lack of plan for the real estate.
Barre
Jake Hemmerick wins hotly contested Barre mayoral race — Hemmerick edged out Rich Morey by a vote of 662-561, winning a rare contested mayoral race.
Jay
Jay voters condemn Russia, learn at least 2 buyers want to purchase Jay Peak — The head of the northern Vermont resort, the largest taxpayer in the town, provided an update Tuesday on the sale process for the ski area that has been in receivership since spring 2016.
Underhill
Duval loses bid for Underhill Selectboard comeback after recall — Bob Stone, who was Duval’s opponent and a current board member, won reelection by a margin of 714 votes to 44.
Manchester
Proposed regional field house in Manchester fails to get voter support in host town — Several southwestern Vermont towns included the $14 million sporting, recreation and programming facility on their agendas on Town Meeting Day. Preliminary, unofficial vote results Tuesday night show both support and lack of it in various towns.
St. Albans
St. Albans approves funding for 2nd police crisis worker — Rail City residents also approved an increase in funding for the Saint Albans Museum.
