Sharon board approves stipulation allowing VTel Wireless to bypass local appeals after state revaluation

The Sharon Board of Civil Authority voted unanimously July 10, 2026, to sign a stipulation agreement with Vermont Telephone Co./VTel Wireless, Inc. The board took the action after the town attorney advised that a state change in property valuations — differing from the Listers’ values — prompted the agreement, which allows the company to move any appeal beyond the Board of Civil Authority to the next level of review.

Kevin Gish moved that the board sign the stipulation agreement; Catherine Sartor seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously by the three listed members present: Kevin Gish, Suzanne Jones and Catherine Sartor. The minutes record that the board was advised by the Sharon Town Attorney but do not name the attorney in the transcript.

The stipulation responds to a revaluation discrepancy between State of Vermont assessments and the Listers’ figures and, according to the advisory, permits Vermont Telephone Co./VTel Wireless, Inc. to bypass the local appeal step. The transcript does not specify what the next review level is, nor does it include the stipulation’s full text or any dollar amounts. The board did not record further debate or conditions in the minutes.