Middlebury approves revised registrar of voters job description and $2,500 stipend per registrar

The Board of Selectmen approved an updated job description for the town’s registrar of voters that explicitly includes early voting responsibilities and other duties required by state law, and voted to amend the 2026–27 plan to add a $2,500 payment for each registrar.

A staff member involved in drafting the revision (identified in the discussion as Seth) described the process: "I looked at the current one we had and I did a lot of research of a lot of the other towns ... I looked through the ROVAC handbook and the job requirements in there, and then kinda just tailored it to fit everything that's been required for ... early voting and other applicable things." The board discussed whether the stipend structure adequately compensates registrars for extra duties such as early voting and primary-period responsibilities.

Speaker 2 said the stipend framework is intended to simplify payroll categorization and noted the figures used in the packet: a base stipend of $7,734.40 plus $2,500 for early voting-related responsibilities. He explained that the town will use a recently awarded state grant to cover temporary poll-worker salaries and that, under current budget constraints, the $2,500 payments are the available adjustment.

Board members agreed to approve the updated job description and the budget amendment adding the $2,500 payments; the motion passed. The board noted registrars may request additional funding during the next regular budget cycle if duties or costs change.

Next steps: the change will be reflected in payroll and the town will review registrar compensation as part of the next budget development cycle.