Cannabis on the ballot in Ryegate; tax increase proposed in Groton

Wyatt Obering reported this story on assignment from The Bradford Journal-Opinion. The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost.

Residents in Groton and Ryegate will consider ballot items on Town Meeting Day this year that, if approved by voters in those towns, would create a significant increase in taxes in Groton and potentially pave the way for the first retail cannabis store in Ryegate.

In Groton, voters will decide via floor vote on March 5 whether to approve a $1.25 million proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, amounting to a 3.5 percent increase from the prior year. Out of the total, residents will pay $958,248 in property taxes.

Lisa Hart, Groton’s treasurer said town expenses across the board have climbed, but the selectboard used a $65,000 surplus in the town’s fund balance to offset the taxpayers’ burden.

“Everything is costing more,” Hart said, providing two examples: “The annual ambulance contract increased, and the library is adding a new position to their budget. And these two combined is adding an approximately $22,000 increase.”

Also by floor vote, Groton and Ryegate residents will have a chance to elect their respective town officers for open seats and new board directors for Blue Mountain Union District.

In Ryegate, voters will consider whether to allow cannabis retailers to set up shop in town. Vermont legalized marijuana sales for adult non-medical use in 2022, designating municipalities to decide the number of cannabis retail locations — if any — they want within their boundaries.

Cities such as Rutland and Burlington have approved several weed stores. Ryegate, which occupies roughly 37 square miles, has yet to see a dispensary. 

Ryegate voters also will revisit the town’s efforts to develop a renewal energy project on Ticklenaked Pond. Last year, they approved a $30,000 engineering study of the pond, and this year’s ballot will request additional money for a new engineering study. The town is looking to produce renewable heat sources.