Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the Journal Opinion
Voters in Ryegate put off a proposal to eliminate the position of elected town auditor, as those auditors argued they found inaccuracies in previous budgets.
Ryegate currently has three elected town auditors. One of the articles debated on Town Meeting Day would get rid of the positions and instead hire a public accountant licensed in Vermont.
One of the elected auditors, Jeffrey Haslett, said the auditors caught an overstatement of income this year totalling about $94,000. In fact, he said income had been overstated over the last 5 years, adding up to $272,000.
Haslett said these errors argue against getting rid of the position of Town Auditor.
“These have been significant errors, and that’s what the elected auditors are very important to have in place, as a part of the team, to correct this,” Haslett said.
When Article 7 came up for debate, someone from the floor immediately moved to table it until next year, which passed with the required two-thirds majority.
In the end, voters approved the town budget of approximately $1.385 million.
The town also agreed to purchase a new fire truck, replacing the current 29-year-old truck with a new Freightliner pumper for $546,643.
The current truck was refurbished nine years ago to comply with National Fire Protection Association standards. However, it would require refurbishment every 10 years going forward.
As time approaches for the next refurbishment, many in the town thought purchasing a new truck that could last decades was a better idea.
“We’re also looking at a truck at that point that’s going to be responding to serious incidents, protecting community or firefighters property that’s going to be 40 years old,” said Greg Murray, Ryegate Fire Chief.
The proposal also includes new hoses and new lifesaving equipment. These would replace equipment on the current truck that has been expired for decades.
The current truck would remain in the possession of the fire department, to be used as a backup if need be.
Funding will include $117,947 that has already been saved by the fire department, as well as a loan with 2% interest to be paid over the next five years.
CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story about Ryegate’s Town Meeting misidentified the position of one of the participants. Lauren Nelson is the town treasurer, not auditor.
