Senate approves committee amendments to Essex charter bill, orders third reading
March 13, 2024 | SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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The Senate on voice vote approved committee amendments to H518, an act relating to amendments to the charter of the town of Essex, and ordered the bill for third reading.
Senator from Chittenden Central presented the Government Operations Committee report, explaining that the town charter review led to five articles the town voted on in 2023. He said the committee fixed a drafting error that had inadvertently left a gap between fiscal years by removing the now-unnecessary end date and stating the fiscal year begins on July 1.
The senator described the recall provisions included in the amended charter: a recall petition may be filed if 15% of registered voters sign; the select board must call a special meeting within 60 days; removal requires either at least as many registered voters as voted in the previous town meeting election or one-third of registered voters, whichever is greater, and a majority of those voting at the special meeting. "The town of Essex went through a robust process to ensure that the residents of the town were heard," the senator said.
The report also summarized other changes the town enacted: allowing the town to set licensing fees, redesignations in the charter, authority for the select board to adopt ordinances and enforcement, the option to appoint rather than elect a town manager, and establishment of a development review board.
The senator noted that an article on just-cause eviction — which he said was supported by 63% of voters — appeared in the town vote but was removed in the House version out of concern that it could hold up the entire charter package. "This is despite the voters' overwhelming support of this basic protection for renters in Vermont," he said, urging the Senate to respect local democratic outcomes.
After the committee report and the voice vote to amend as recommended, the Senate ordered third reading of H518. The chamber took no further roll-call on the amendment; the action was recorded as a voice vote.
The bill will return for third reading under the Senate's calendar process.
Senator from Chittenden Central presented the Government Operations Committee report, explaining that the town charter review led to five articles the town voted on in 2023. He said the committee fixed a drafting error that had inadvertently left a gap between fiscal years by removing the now-unnecessary end date and stating the fiscal year begins on July 1.
The senator described the recall provisions included in the amended charter: a recall petition may be filed if 15% of registered voters sign; the select board must call a special meeting within 60 days; removal requires either at least as many registered voters as voted in the previous town meeting election or one-third of registered voters, whichever is greater, and a majority of those voting at the special meeting. "The town of Essex went through a robust process to ensure that the residents of the town were heard," the senator said.
The report also summarized other changes the town enacted: allowing the town to set licensing fees, redesignations in the charter, authority for the select board to adopt ordinances and enforcement, the option to appoint rather than elect a town manager, and establishment of a development review board.
The senator noted that an article on just-cause eviction — which he said was supported by 63% of voters — appeared in the town vote but was removed in the House version out of concern that it could hold up the entire charter package. "This is despite the voters' overwhelming support of this basic protection for renters in Vermont," he said, urging the Senate to respect local democratic outcomes.
After the committee report and the voice vote to amend as recommended, the Senate ordered third reading of H518. The chamber took no further roll-call on the amendment; the action was recorded as a voice vote.
The bill will return for third reading under the Senate's calendar process.
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