Selectboard 10/22/25
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Wednesday,
October 22, 2025
7PM – 9 PM
Minutes
Approved on: Monday, November 3, 2025
Minutes
Printable version
Web version
Town of Richmond
Special Selectboard Budget Meeting
Minutes of October 22, 2025
Members Present: Bard Hill, Jay Furr, David Sander, Adam Wood
Absent: Caitlin Filkins
Staff Present: Josh Arneson, Town Manager; Josh Arneson, Town Manager; Duncan Wardwell, Deputy Town Manager; Susanne Parent, Town Clerk; Connie Bona, Finance Director; Keith Oborne, Town Planner; Matthew Cohen, Interim Police Chief; Peter Gosselin, Highway Foreman; Kyle Leggett, Assistant Highway Foreman; Gerald Levesque, Fire Chief; Suzanne Krohn, Librarian
Others Present: Recorded by MMCTV, Gail LaFond, Sarah
MMCTV Video: https://youtu.be/N-N2XK9Siv4?si=4myARtNpmHewmecv
Call to Order: 7:00 p.m.
Welcome by: Wood
Public Comment: None
Additions, Deletions or Modifications to Agenda:
Hill suggested identifying a target percent increase based on the inflation indices. Sander agreed that it should be a target not to exceed for the tax increase. Hill agreed with Furr that it is worth looking at a target for both the budget and tax increase percent. Wood stated that they would discuss it after Item a).
Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present
Consideration of approval of 2026 health insurance plans for Town staff
Timestamp: 0:03
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/10/3a_Richmond_Town_-_Benefits_Renewal_-_10.22.25_SB_Version__1_.pdf
LaFond (from Acrisure) presented the health insurance options provided in the packet. The Town currently offers the following for insurance plans through MVP:
Platinum:
-Town pays 90% of premium
-Employee pays 10% of premium
-MVP Platinum premium costs have risen 1.09%.
-The premiums are lower than premiums for BCBS Platinum
Gold and Silver High Deductible Healthcare plans:
-Town pays 100% of premium
-The Town contributes to a Health Savings Account (HSA) for each employee on the Gold or Silver plan
-This contribution equals the difference between 90% of the Platinum premium and 100% of the HDHP Premium.
-MVP Gold premiums increased by 2.06%. The premiums are lower than premiums for BCBS Gold.
-MVP Silver premiums increased by 5.24%. The premiums are lower than premiums for BCBS Silver.
The amount per employee that the Town contributes to healthcare premiums is based on a 90% contribution to the Platinum plan. The Town covers 100% of the cost of premiums for employees on Gold and Silver plus a contribution to HSA for each employee on Gold and Silver which is equal to the difference between 90% of the Platinum Premium and 100% of the Gold/Silver premium.
Sander moved to offer MVP Platinum Plan with 90% of the premiums paid by the Town and 10% paid by the employee and to also offer the MVP Gold 3 and Silver 2 High Deductible Healthcare Plans with the Town paying 100% of the deductible and contributing to a Health Savings Account in an amount equal to the difference between 90% of the Platinum premium and 100% of the premium of Gold 3 or Silver 2. Furr seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Discussion of not to exceed tax rate increase
Timestamp: 0:22
Sander stated that the Northeast CPI (https://www.bls.gov/cpi/) for 2025 is 3.3% with an increase in October of 0.4% over last year. Arneson stated that the CPI for New England from August last year to August this year is 3.7%.
Sander recommended a target tax rate not to exceed 3.7% increase. Hill agreed that it does not need to be a motion but a consensus target to be below a 3.7% increase.
Discussion of Unassigned Funds and Restricted Funds
Timestamp: 0:24
Arneson stated that before the next meeting, there will be better projections on when to expect FEMA reimbursements. Arneson reviewed that there will be Vacancy savings in Police similar to last year.
Arneson presented the Restricted and Unassigned Funds from FY16 to FY26. There is currently a combined balance of negative $309,000. Arneson stated that the audits recommended using the projected FEMA funds for expected Unassigned and Restricted funds. Furr reviewed that Reserve funds are money Reserve funds are money set aside for a particular project/purpose while Unassigned funds are budgeted money that was then not spent. Bona reviewed that the policy from two years ago states there should be 15% of total budget in Unassigned funds and 15% in Restricted. When the FEMA money comes in it will replenish the Highway Restricted funds. Bona clarified that Unassigned and Restricted is part of policy and the terms the auditors also use.
Consideration of setting a final budget meeting prior to finalizing the budget for consideration by the voters
Timestamp: 0:39
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/10/3d01_FY27_Budget_Draft_10-22-25_and_supporting_documents.pdf
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/10/3d02_FY27_Budget_Draft_10-22-25_and_supporting_documents.xlsx
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/10/3d03_FY27_Capital_Plan__10-22-25.xlsx
Arneson suggested January 6-8 so that it gives them time to make changes before the Selectboard meeting on January 20 before providing numbers to the Town Clerk on January 22. It was decided that Tuesday, January 6 is the best date for a final budget meeting.
Review of draft FY27 Budget
Timestamp: 0:45
Arneson reviewed that the major cost drivers of this budget. One is funding a full-time Police Chief and anticipating raising the wage grade to attract and retain Police Officers.
There is also a proposed wage increase for the Fire Department firefighters. There are also increased contributions of $490,000 to Reserves in multiple departments.
-Library Department
Timestamp: 0:51
Krohn reviewed a couple of jarring things were due to the restructuring of categories, the expense and revenue lines for the electric vehicle charging station, and the $15,000 contribution to the Library Reserve.
-Fire Department
Timestamp: 0:54
Arneson illustrated that the Salaries increased from $70,000 to $85,000. There are no more debt payments this year. Arneson reviewed the Reserve contribution was $180,000 last year and $190,000 this year which is a small net decrease when combined with no more debt. Wood observed that the Fire Department is not spending on a “needs assessment” this year. Levesque stated that they put $3,000 into Physicals. Arneson added $1,000 for the Uniforms (hats, shirts, gloves, jackets, sweatshirts).
-Planning and Zoning
Timestamp: 1:10
Arneson reviewed that there are no major staffing changes, so it is just general salary and benefit increases. The Transportation Planning went up a bit but Oborne stated there might be some grant money for the intersection of Jolina Ct and Bridge St. Bona illustrated that the Planning and Zoning budget went down mostly due to a change in staff health insurance. Oborne stated there is a bit of an increase in Training. Oborne confirmed that a lot of the drawdown in the Legal Reserve line is for asking an attorney about a situation which is minimized by having good rules and following them.
-Police Department
Timestamp: 1:27
Arneson stated that the staff is estimated using one full time Police Chief (at 50% last year splitting it with Hinesburg), one sergeant, one corporal, and a 20 hour per week administrative assistant. They increased wages by 22%, to try to recruit and retain officers. Arneson reviewed expenses for body cameras, tasers, and contributing to the Capital Reserve for a cruiser in 2027. Cohen stated he added a recruitment line of $1,000 for job fairs and advertising. Cohen returned the training budget $5,000 from a few years ago. Arneson stated that the dashboard cameras are in the Capital Plan and not reflected in actual budget. Furr suggested following up on PACIF/VLCT’s Excess Legal Liability insurance.
-Highway and Recreation & Trails
Timestamp: 1:35
Gosselin explained the increase in Certifications and Licenses due to the Federal law to prohibit obtaining a CDL from in-house from current employer. Gosselin summarized the increased use of chloride in both winter and summer. Road salt went up $10 a ton. The cost of sand has gone up 5% the last two years, and Highway needs $10,000 to keep that 4500-5000 cubic yard sand pile available for every season. The Equipment Rental increase is for additional trucking for graveling Snipe Ireland Road. The Small Equipment Purchase is to replace the hand tools which are in horrible shape. Highway performs all the maintenance on the Fire Trucks, Police Cruisers, and Highway Department vehicles and some of the Water & Sewer inspections. The loader, excavator, roadside mower and bigger stuff have tires at $1,100 apiece. The Traffic Calming measures remain at $10,000. The Illuminated Crosswalks cost $9,000 but there is not currently anything in the budget. Bona clarified that the three current Illuminated Crosswalks are scheduled for 15-year replacement in the Capital Plan. Gosselin stated that Highway saved the Town $200,000 from doing some of the East Main sidewalk project. Arneson pointed out the bigger increases in some of the Capital Reserve contributions.
Arneson reviewed that the Conservation Reserve Fund in in Recreation and Trails which is voted on separately. Arneson stated that the Tree Warden requested $25,000 for Tree Maintenance. Arneson suggested moving Ground Maintenance out of the Admin section. Bona suggested combining it with Street Lights to get that out of Highway. Gosselin observed that maintenance of recreation has always fallen to Highway, and he wonders about the Pickleball Courts. Furr stated there should be some Capital Plan money set aside for resurfacing Pickleball.
-Town Administration and Assessors
Timestamp: 2:10
Arneson illustrated the increase in hours (12 to 25) for the Assistant Town Clerk to help with the workload and backup on payroll. Arneson stated the audit costs increased due to the need for a second audit.
Arneson explained that they flatlined the contractual services for Assessors.
-Charitable Appropriations
Timestamp: 2:11
Arneson summarized the table that summarizes the appropriation requests, if they came in on time, and whether the request is moved to the budget or voted on by ballot. Hill asked whether the applications fit the criteria and met the deadline. The policy says it must be submitted on the Wednesday immediately prior to the second Monday in October. Hill stated that the Howard Center request was on time and it fits the criteria to go on the ballot. Wood agreed that it is like the Conservation Reserve Fund, it gives everyone a chance to vote on it.
-Revenue
Timestamp: 2:26
Arneson stated that they do not have anything for General Offset from General Unassigned funds. Arneson highlighted the increase the contribution from Water and Sewer for Administrative Reimbursement. Arneson explained that Net Interest on General Checking Account is up to $75,000 knowing that they can probably put some more money into Certificates of Deposit.
Arneson stated that currently the tax rate would be at a 18.31% increase which is nowhere close to the 3.7% goal. The big driver on that is contributions to the Reserve Funds and increases in Police wages. Arneson illustrated that if they kept the Assistant Clerk at 12 hours, if the Police grade only went up by 2-3%, and the Reserves were flatline from last year, the tax rate would still be at a 4.63% increase. Bona stated that they would have to come up with Savings and Unassigned fund of $650,000 to get to a tax rate of 3.44%. Bona summarized that FEMA money could come in to have those Unassigned funds in December. Bona stated that they need to build a Capital Plan for the Town Center building.
Adjourn
Sander moved to adjourn. Furr seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Meeting adjourned at: 9:41 PM
Chat file from Zoom:
01:06:27 Jay Furr: From Local Minutes:
"Based on the documents I've reviewed, several Vermont municipalities have implemented special public-oriented budget meetings toward the end of their budgeting process, often including refreshments like pie. Here's what I found:
Towns with "Pie" Budget Meetings
Duxbury: Holds a "Have Your Say Day" in January before finalizing the town budget. This is described as "a moderated discussion so everyone gets to speak" that "starts with a community pie for breakfast." The meeting allows citizens to provide input that can be included in the budget before it's voted on at Town Meeting Day.
Morristown: Implemented a "Community Meeting - Pie for Breakfast" event. In December 2024, they planned this event for January (8am-noon at the PA gym) to provide opportunities for citizens to ask budget questions. Their first annual "PIE FOR BREAKFAST Community Meeting Day" was held on January 6, 2024, featuring presentations on the town budget and financials.
01:06:53 Jay Furr: Waterbury: The Selectboard planned "Have your Say Day" events for January 11 and 13, 2025, where "Several Board members will bring pie" and advertising would "include to bring a pie." This was described as "a trial run with the intent to have a question on the Town Meeting warning to change the format of Annual Town Meeting."
Jericho: The Town Meeting Reimagined Task Force proposed a three-step process including a "Jericho Town Budget and Business Kick-off Meeting" early in the budget cycle to engage citizens and allow them to communicate their hopes and concerns. While pie isn't specifically mentioned, they describe it as "a fun and engaging opportunity" with "prompts, sticky-note exercises and the like."
Cambridge: The Selectboard discussed implementing something similar to Duxbury's model, noting that "Duxbury enticed people with something almost like Pie for Breakfast."
01:07:06 Jay Furr: Bethel: Has held a "Free Pie and Coffee" event at Town Meeting Day. They also previously planned a "public potluck meeting" in September 2015 focused on budget processes.
Other Public Budget Engagement Approaches
Several other towns have implemented public-oriented budget meetings without specifically mentioning pie:
Greensboro: Holds ongoing budget meetings for the upcoming fiscal year that are open to the public.
Essex: Staff planned to "host coffee chats for residents in December to discuss the budget."
Corinth: Makes all selectboard meetings (including budget discussions) available for remote participation.
01:07:12 Jay Furr: The documents suggest this approach is growing in popularity as towns seek to increase public participation in the budget process while maintaining the traditional community engagement aspect of Town Meeting.
I focused on documents from various municipalities across Vermont that mention budget meetings and community engagement practices. Keep in mind that I may have missed some details, as I cannot review every document from every Vermont municipality at once. If you'd like more specific information about a particular town's practices or would like me to search for information from other time periods, please let me know."
01:51:34 Jay Furr: From LocalMinutes:
Based on the documents I've reviewed, I can provide information about Richmond's insurance coverage through VLCT PACIF (Vermont League of Cities and Towns Property and Casualty Intermunicipal Fund).
The Town of Richmond does have excess liability coverage through VLCT PACIF. According to a Certificate of Coverage dated January 1, 2025 (policy number PACIF1538-25), the town has the following liability limits:
Commercial General Liability: $10,000,000 Per Occurrence
Automobile Liability: $10,000,000 Per Occurrence
Excess or Umbrella Liability: $5,000,000 Per Occurrence and in the Aggregate
01:51:37 Jay Furr: Additionally, in an Amendment to Owner-Engineer Agreement dated January 2, 2025, there is mention of excess or umbrella liability coverage with limits of:
$10,000,000 Each Occurrence
$10,000,000 General Aggregate
The documents show that VLCT PACIF is the primary insurance provider for the Town of Richmond, as evidenced by multiple budget documents and meeting minutes where PACIF insurance is listed as a line item expense across various departments.
The Town Manager has served as the voting delegate for VLCT, PACIF, and VERB annual meetings in past years, indicating an ongoing relationship with these organizations.
I focused on documents from Richmond, Vermont across various time periods. Keep in mind that I may have missed some details, as I have to be selective about what documents I review and cannot review every document at once. If you'd like more specific information about the town's insurance policies or coverage details, I can search for additional information.
Agenda
Printable version
Web version
Special Meeting of the Town of Richmond Selectboard
WEDNESDAY, October 22, 2025
Richmond Town Center Meeting Room, 3rd Floor – 203 Bridge Street, Richmond, VT.
Meeting may also be joined online or by phone
Join Zoom Meeting Online:
us02web.zoom.us/j/83183295078
Join by Phone: +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 831 8329 5078 Passcode: 576001
7:00 PM 1. Welcome and Public Comment:
7:03 PM 2. Additions, Deletions, or Modifications to Agenda
7:05 PM 3. Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present
a) Consideration of approval of 2026 health insurance plans for Town staff* # (20 min)
b) Discussion of Unassigned Funds and Restricted Funds (15 min)
c) Consideration of setting a final budget meeting prior to finalizing the budget for consideration by the voters* (10 min)
d) Review of draft FY27 Budget # (90 min)
1. Library Department
2. Fire Department
3. Planning and Zoning
4. Police Department
5. Highway and Recreation & Trails
6. Town Administration and Assessors
7. Charitable Appropriations
8. Revenue
9:20 PM 4. Adjourn
Time is available at each meeting for public comment. Documents related to this meeting are available at
www.richmondvt.gov/documents/selectboard-meeting-documents/ If you would like to schedule a time with the Board or need assistance to participate in the meeting, please call Josh Arneson, Richmond Town Manager at 434-5170 or email jarneson@richmondvt.gov. Links to videos of Selectboard meetings can be found at mtmansfieldctv.org
*Denotes Action Item # Indicates documents in the packet