Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism program, for the White River Valley Herald
HANCOCK – Voters in Hancock came together on Town Meeting Day to discuss matters including funds for policing, the potential construction of new housing, and increasing participation at future town meetings.
After a lengthy discussion, residents approved a budget of $556,922 for the town’s general fund, just over a 27% increase from last year.
The budget includes $15,000 for policing services. Hancock previously had a contract with the Addison County Sheriff’s Department, but in 2024, the selectboard unanimously voted to end the town’s contract with the agency. According to selectboard chair Scott Gillette, this was due to cost and dissatisfaction with a lack of law enforcement presence.
When the issue was brought up again this year, some voters were skeptical about renegotiating a contract.
“If you contract for 20 hours, you’re not guaranteed those hours,” White River Valley Ambulance board member Jeannette Bair said. “It sounds like we’re paying for law enforcement we’re not getting.”
Other residents expressed concern about dangerous speeding in town without the presence of traffic enforcement officers.
“I get passed making my left turn off (Route) 125 into my parking area, right in front of the store,” town auditor Jakey Twitchell said.
Ultimately, voters decided to move forward with a $15,000 budget for the sheriff’s department, which ensures 20 hours of police presence in the town per month.
All other articles passed unanimously and without amendments.
This includes Articles 5 and 6, which allow the town treasurer to transfer the remaining balance of the Road Commissioner Fund to the Highway Capital Fund, and the Fire Department Budget into the Fire Department Equipment Fund.
Voters also approved donating a sum of $7,319 to the following social service agencies: Green-Up Vermont, Atria (WomenSafe), Tri Valley Transit (Stagecoach), Central Vermont Council on Aging, Park House, Clara Martin Center, Quin-Town Senior Center, and Hancock Town Pride. These donations are the same as last year, except for an additional $300 going to Hancock Town Pride.
Scott Gillette will return as town moderator for the 2027 town meeting. All town officers were re-elected into their previous positions.
Other business
After voting concluded, residents discussed a potential housing development project.
The Hancock selectboard received a $60,000 grant from the Community Development Block Grant program to assess the feasibility of developing Taylor Meadow, a parcel of land owned by the town.
The selectboard hopes to build affordable housing to draw more people to Hancock and increase the town’s tax base.
Brian Pine, a real estate development consultant from White and Burke, addressed the meeting and requested that Hancock residents fill out a community outreach survey to collect feedback and ideas for the future of Taylor Meadow.
Some residents were in favor of the idea, while others expressed concern about how development could change the character of the town.
The meeting ended with Gillette, the moderator, asking residents their opinions on the future of Town Meeting Day and ways to increase participation.
Hancock resident Dorothy Robson suggested a potluck lunch for next year’s meeting.
“Many of us remember when we used to have town meeting and school meeting, and in between was this wonderful potluck lunch,” she said. “It was fabulous.”
Gillette suggested moving the meeting time to the evening or to a different day. He said this could make town m,eeting more accessible.
“People should have more of a voice,” he said.