Scenes from the Polls
Starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, the Community News Service is dispatching student reporters to polling places across Vermont. Stay tuned as we publish vignettes of Vermont voters all day. All Community News Service content is available free of charge to any media outlet.
Waterbury mom, Laura Hardie, braves frigid temperatures to vote. (Jenny Koppang/Community News Service)
4:39 p.m. — Retail cannabis finds support in Waterbury
Despite her son Maverick’s protests of “I want to go home!”, Laura Hardie, Waterbury resident and mom, braved the blistering winds to vote at Thatcher Brook Primary School.
She voiced her support for her friend Dani Kehlmann, who is running for a three-year seat on the Waterbury selectboard.
“She is a genuinely kind person who cares about her community and doing the right thing,” she said. “She’s also younger, so I’m looking forward to the fresh perspective she can bring to the selectboard.”
While attempting to shield her son from the icy gusts, Hardie said she was particularly interested in Article 8, which asked voters to decide whether to allow the retail sale of legal cannabis in their town.
“I think that would be good for our town, if there was some sort of income that could come back from taxes on weed retail,” she said.
— Jenny Koppang
Kat O’Neill, after casting her ballot in Waterbury this afternoon. (Jenny Koppang/Community News Service)
4:26 p.m. — Waterbury Mom Votes in Favor of “Children’s Room”
As the afternoon sun began to sink, Waterbury voter Kat O’Neill, a 42 year old attorney and mother, huddled into her parka outside Thatcher Brook Elementary School.
O’Neill said she was excited to vote in favor of Article 28, which allowed residents to decided whether to allocate $4,000 to support the Early Education Resource Center of Waterbury, or the “Children’s Room”.
She explained that this organization, operating pre-pandemic out of Thatcher Brook Elementary, offers child care and resources to children underage five.
“It’s a free drop-in room for people who maybe couldn’t afford to do music classes or movement classes or things like that,” O’Neill said. “It’s such a great resource, lots of moms, parents, or guardians meet each other this way,”
She said she is happy for the opportunity to support a non-profit that can give back to the community.
“I think it’s really important to appropriate funds for community organizations like the Children’s Room,” she said.
— Jenny Koppang
Andrea Stanley, a 42-year-old analyst for USCIS, urged voters to support the Fairfax school budget. (Alexis Drown/Community News Service)
3:18 p.m. — Fairfax mom urges support for school budget
The wind was blowing hard on the chilly 18-degree day in Fairfax, Vt., but the sun was shining and people were ready to vote.
Among those people was Andrea Stanley, a 42-year-old analyst for USCIS.
Her main concern was with the passing of the school budget. She has a child enrolled in the town’s school district and feels strongly that her kid gets a good education.
“I hope people care enough about our youth to support them,” Stanley said.
While she has never attended a town meeting before, she always tries to make sure she does her part in getting the school budget passed, she said.
— Alexis Drown
3:15 p.m. — Fairfax voter confident that budget will pass
Kristen Schutz, 46, a lab technician at UVM, was walking into the polling center at Fairfax high school when she shared her about her thoughts on Town Meeting Day 2021.
Schutz said that she was hoping that the town meeting would be more accessible for people since it was on Zoom, but when she attended she said “there weren’t as many people as I expected”.
Schutz had been to almost every town meeting in her 13 years of living in Vermont. She said she feels informed just the same and doesn’t think the budget will get struck down. When asked about what issue she felt most strongly about, she said the School Board Election.
— Samantha Garbus
3:14 p.m. — State Representative Supports Town’s Choice to Allow Legal Weed Business
State Representative Theresa Wood supports Waterbury’s retail cannabis question. (Illustration by Juli Badics)
A clear blue sky over Thatcher Brook Elementary School attempts to cut through the chill as Waterbury residents arrived to vote.
State Representative Theresa Wood voted in favor of Article 8 in the state legislature. This article allows towns to decide whether to “opt-in” to authorize a commercial market for legal cannabis.
“It was important for me for towns to have their own say,” she said.
She said that establishing a legal cannabis market in Waterbury could serve as both an opportunity and a cautionary tale.
“Even the most positive things have sometimes unintended consequences,” Wood said.
— Jenny Koppang
Shawn Coleman says he is worried about the Fairfax school budget passing. (Alexis Drown/Community News Service)
3:09 p.m. — Lifelong Vermonter credits COVID with encouraging participation
Shawn Coleman, a lifelong Vermonter, has actually only attended just one town meeting and credits the COVID-19 pandemic with helping him participate more, and be more informed on the issues he was voting on.
The issue Shawn felt most strongly about was the Fairfax school budget. He said he always gets nervous about the school budget passing, knowing they need the money they’re asking for.
— Alexis Drown
Megan Nolan, a Colchester parent, prepares to vote outside Colchester High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021. (Brian Behrens/Community News Service)
2:09 p.m. — Colchester mom worries at-home schooling will doom school budget
Megan Nolan, 43, a mom of three Colchester School District students fed her ballot into the counting machine today nervous about the school district’s budget proposal.
Nolan is concerned other parents may not want to spend so much on schooling this year considering limited in-person classes.
“The people I’ve been talking to, they’re like with COVID and the kids only going minimal they feel like why put forth that money and what we’re our taxes paying for when they weren’t in school full time,” Nolan said.
Nolan said she feels informed despite the limits of virtual communication and is hopeful the school board’s budget will pass.
— Brian Behrens
1:50 p.m. — Voter struggles to find polls
It is a calm and sunny day at Newbury Elementary School — especially quiet due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.
Amy Dechaux, a barista from Newbury, met reporters as she exited the polling station.
“There might be people that don’t know where they are going,” said Dechaux. COVID-19 guidelines have made it difficult for towns to advertise local news.
Dechaux only found the location of the polling station this year by going to the town clerks office and asking in person for instruction. She fears others might not know where the polling station is.
Dechaux misses in-person town meeting day, she said. “COVID sucks, it puts a damper on things” said Amy.
—By JoJoMcDonald and Camryn Jankowski
Sarah Putnam poses after submitting her ballot in Newbury. (JoJo McDonald/Community News Service)
1:38 p.m. — Voter commences birthday celebration at the polls
Cold weather and the sound of the noon church bells greeted voters at the doors of Newbury Elementary School. Sarah Putnam, 51, spent her birthday voting in person.
“I feel like it is better to have three local people versus one hired in regards to article two” said Putnam.
When asked what she thought about town meeting being canceled Sarah stated “I guess a lot of people probably missed the debate and discussion but I think the town has gone a good job keeping everybody informed.”
Sarah believes that Town Meeting is a unique form of government and is glad she is still able to vote today.
— JoJo McDonald and Camryn Jankowski
1:35 p.m. — Teacher says we must debate items ‘face-to-face’
The early evening sun shed a few rays on voters in an effort to kick the chill that wraps Concord, Vt. in a frozen blanket as they flow out the front doors of Town Hall.
Lars Botzojorns, 57, an all-subjects elementary school teacher for Burke Town School, when asked about any particular concern he had regarding the budget, Botzojorns said: “Just to pass the school budget, it’s important to support schools. We need to support education as much as we can.”
When asked about changes to the typical town meeting day, specifically regarding in-person representation, Botzojorns said: “I would say we should debate [all items] at a Town Meeting. It’s necessary right now, I understand, but we need to come back to meeting face-to-face and talking things out.”
When further questioned on the importance of in person debate, Botzojorns said “it’s just another form to get your views heard. Certainly, here, voting is one way, but to get more of a sense of what the town is thinking, it’s good to hear that in real time.”
Botzojorns was accompanied by his dog Karhu, who waited patiently in the passenger seat of his blue Toyota pick-up.
— Tré Wofford
Patrick Collins brought his young daughter to the polls to see democracy in action. (Ivy Kirby/Community News Service)
1:22 p.m.—Young couple brings their 3-year-old daughter to see the voting process
Patrick Collins and his wife were excited to show their daughter the voting process even with COVID restrictions. 3-year-old Reona hangs out in the backseat as her parents voted on town meeting day.
“Being able to vote on every single item because normally town meeting day takes all day. We have a three-year-old so it’s not always that easy.”
They’ve lived in Duxbury for about four years now and were “pretty good about (going to town meetings) until we had a kid.”
— Ivy Kirby
Woodworker Michael Haulenbeek, 34, outside of Charlotte Town Hall. (Courtney Smith/Community News Service)
1:10 p.m. — Charlotte voter open to new development
The sun on the pavement of the Charlotte Town Hall parking lot beat back the bitter cold spell facing voters today.
Michael Haulenbeek, a Charlotte woodworker and native, stopped to speak to his votes in favor of ballot items six and seven, both of which aim to allow for denser housing and development in the East Charlotte Village Commercial District.
"We can't vote no to all new development, and if we're gonna have new development, I'd like to see it concentrated in village centers," said Haulenbeek, whose business is located in Charlotte.
Asked about the tradition of Town Meeting Day itself, Haulenbeek said he'd leaned more on Front Porch Forum and conversations with family for information this year, but does not normally make a day of the ordeal.
"I don't feel like I'm totally missing out this year, but it is an important institution," he said.
— Courtney Smith
Robin Reid outside of Charlotte Town Hall. (Courtney Smith/Community News Service)
1 p.m. — Charlotte voter supports moving Town Meeting Day to a Saturday
Robin Reid, Independent Justice of the Peace, postponed her slice of pizza to chat in the parking lot.
Reid, who had been working the polls, recalled Town Meeting Days of years past, where town volunteers could break for lunch together over pizza in the school cafeteria.
Her longtime involvement in the town was apparent as she interjected with cheerful greetings and questions to others entering Town Hall. Her community spirit also seems to have bled into her voting sense: Reid was eager to talk about Article 5, which would shift Charlotte Town Meeting Day to a Saturday.
"I really like tradition and think we should maintain it where we've tried to establish it," Reid said, adding that she feels the article's main proponents are older people who've been able to experience the tradition.
Another point Reid drove home was the need for active voter participation beyond the checking of a ballot box. As she moved around to stay warm, she also mentioned positions left open on this year's ballot.
Namely, Reid lamented the lack of candidates running for cemetery commissioner. But in general, she expressed the need to bring younger people into town politics as well as the need to amplify people's opinions.
"Your voice is not your vote," she said. "Your voice is your voice and your vote is your vote."
— Courtney Smith
12:56 p.m. — Economic anxiety behind this ‘no’ vote for Winooski budget
76-year-old Anita Valley says she is impartial to the items on the ballot.
However, she did vote against the proposed town budget.
“I’m just kind of money thrifty right now, and I think everybody is,” Valley said. “They put so much into the school, you know...enough is enough.”
Although Valley says that she doesn’t miss Town Meeting Day, she has gone for several years in the past.
— Natalie Charron
12:24 p.m. — City Councilor stands outside in the cold
![Jane Stromberg holds a “Max for Mayor” sign outside of the Fletcher Free Library. (Mae Nagusky/Community News Service)]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d00027f6ef1b60001fb7afb/1614719269052-ZOGPR0V7I0YUY694K9X8/Screen+Shot+2021-03-02+at+4.07.35+PM.png)
Jane Stromberg holds a “Max for Mayor” sign outside of the Fletcher Free Library. (Mae Nagusky/Community News Service)]
City Councilor for Burlington’s Ward 8, Jane Stromberg, volunteers for mayoral candidate Max Tracy in the cold with gloves, a down coat, a hat, a scarf, two masks and a smile, presumably.
She works alongside Tracy, and is a supporter of his mayoral campaign.
“He is a strong advocate for social justice and climate justice in the city here, and even more broadly speaking, he is very driven and makes decisions with his heart more than anything which is something that is very unique in politics,” Stromberg said.
Stromberg is also a proponent of several ballot items, including ranked-choice voting and Just Cause Eviction.
“Just Cause Eviction is protecting tenants from being evicted for no reason, and I think that housing is a human right,” she said. “I mean, 62% of the city is renters and tenants, and we need to be protecting those folks from an unjust eviction.”
23-year-old Stromberg also works for Green Mountain Solar in Williston, Vermont.
As F-35s flew overhead, Stromberg addressed the controversial jets. “Miro is obviously supportive of them and Max has been against them from the get-go, so it’s just kind of like a little election reminder of the difference between the two major candidates in this race,” Stromberg said. “I thought that was kind of funny.”
— Mae Nagusky
12:31 p.m. — Educator votes against F-35s in Winooski
Dylan Hertzberg after voting at the Winooski Senior Center. (Natalie Charron/Community News Service)
It was a cold yet sunny day in Winooski while voters casted their ballots at the Winooski Senior Center.
23-year-old After School Counselor Dylan Hertzberg voted to ban the F-35 training in Winooski.
“It’s just really a headache and I feel bad for all the people who own homes here for years and have to hear that every single day,” Hertzberg said.
Hertzberg acknowledges that he didn’t feel fully informed on the ballot items in Winooski.
“I feel that in general, I knew more about what was happening in Burlington than I knew about what was happening here in Winooski,” Hertzberg said.
Hertzberg said that it’s a shame that Town Meeting Day wasn’t in person this year. He is a former UVM student who studied abroad in Denmark. While abroad, a Danish professor cited Town Meeting Day “as this cool and unique thing in Vermont that doesn’t really happen anywhere else in the world,” Hertzberg said.
Hertzberg is optimistic that Town Meeting Day will happen again in the future.
— Natalie Charron
12:29 p.m. — Climate initiatives are paramount for Burlington voter
Mac Atkins, a worker in accounting, Gives a thumbs up proudly wearing his newly acquired “I voted” sticker on his jacket. (Chris Meunier/Community News Service)
Mac Atkins, a 25-year-old who works in accounting, said the primary reason he showed up was to vote for the climate change initiatives and the Burlington Mayoral race.
When asked if there was anything he was passionate about that was being voted on he said “The climate and thermal energy issues, and definitely the primary candidates for mayor and who I’m voting for there.”
When asked about town meeting day he said that he hadn’t gotten to experience it as he’s only lived in Burlington for two years.
He voted yes on the initiatives around thermal energy, retail cannabis and just cause evictions.
— Christopher Meunier and Sophie Cohen
Sam Soleman, a fashion designer, heads back home after making his voice heard through the ballot box Tuesday, March 2, 2021. (Christopher Meunier/Community News Service)
12:26 p.m. — Burlington voter defends Town Meeting Day
After a good few minutes with no action, more voters started to slowly trickle into the Burlington Electric Department to make their voices heard.
Sam Soleman, a 27-year-old fashion designer, prefers the idea of a Town Meeting Day to the way it is being done through Australian ballot this year with no in-person debate.
“I’ve never actually been to a town meeting day, I would actually really like to go, so I miss the opportunity,” Soleman said. “I think that since it is something special and unique to Vermont, it’s a tradition that’s worth keeping up and it does a lot for Vermont communities especially the smaller towns.”
He says he and his girlfriend talked about whether the climate change initiatives in the budget would disproportionately impact the lower-income and BIPOC community members through the increased costs that they would bring, before ultimately voting no on that particular issue, but yes on every other measure.
— Christopher Meunier and Sophie Cohen
Shawnee Perry outside of Duxbury town hall. (Ivy Kirby/Community News Service)
12:23 p.m. — Duxbury Teacher attends town meeting day each year
Shawnee Perry is walking around outside Duxbury town hall on a chilly March afternoon. She is carrying her camera in hand as she captures a covid town meeting day.
Perry has lived in Duxbury her entire life.
“I came to vote because everything on our ballot is important. It’s really important to exercise our rights and responsibilities as citizens of the town of Duxbury”
Her son is a recent graduate at the University of Vermont and she has great pride in this little state, she said.
— Ivy Kirby
12:20 p.m. — Energy concerns, mayoral race drive voters to the polls in Burlington
The high wind and low temperatures proved a strong barrier between voters and polls. Nat Townsend roughed it to vote in-person against a ballot item that would allow the city to regulate thermal energy systems.
“I don’t want my energy bill to go up just because I have the wrong energy system,” he said.
Nat Townsend roughed it to vote in-person in Burlington against a ballot item that would allow the city to regulate thermal energy systems. (Peter Christiana/Community News Service)
Townsend was bundled up to make sure his voice was heard this election.
Negative 10 wind chills did not prevent progressive activist Julie Macuga from holding a sign for Max Tracy’s mayoral campaign.
A community activist, and recent co-director of 350 Vermont, Macuga was putting in maximum effort to see help Max Tracy win.
— Peter Christiana
12:20 p.m. — Student campaigns in Burlington for the first time
Maggie Sheerin, 19, is a first-year intern for the Miro for Mayor campaign.
Miro Weinberger has been Burlington's mayor since 2012 and is running again. Sheerin supports him wholeheartedly.
University of Vermont first-year Maggie Sheerin stands outside in the cold advocating in front of Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, Vermont. (Mae Nagusky/Community News Service)
“Right now, we’re in multiple different crises with climate change, a pandemic, racism and systematic oppression in that sense and that we need someone that has proven leadership in the city and knows what he is doing and is pragmatic about it but also is putting the interest of people first as well,” she said.
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Sheerin has enjoyed getting involved in Burlington politics. “It’s been really really fun,” Sheerin said.
“I’m not from Burlington so it’s been really cool to kind of see how different the politics are here and how involved everyone gets,” Sheerin said.
Sheerin said the ballot initiatives addressing thermal energy and climate change are important. She said, “I think it shows again how much of a focus Burlington as a city focuses on clean energy and being a leader on climate change.”
— Mae Nagusky
12:18 p.m. — Proctor voter likes cookies with his democracy
Proctor native George Smith, pulled up to cast his vote today at the Proctor Jr./Sr. High School —quite fittingly — in a school bus.
Smith, 63, works as a driver and dropped off his ballot on his way to Middlebury this afternoon. Not only does he like voting in-person so he can "say hi to the girls" working the booths, but he usually brings cookies for a bake sale the town hosts throughout the day.
This year, with absentee ballots coming in by the hundreds, Smith came cookie-less.
"Ya know, I'm not all that much into politics, but I can't think of any other way I'd like to vote. Plus, honestly, I didn't know there was any other option," Smith said with a hearty laugh.
— Sophia Buckley-Clement
Evergreen Erb, 75, amateur naturalist points to evidence of Sap Sucker holes in a tree on her way into the school to vote. (Kalena Wojtala/Community News Service)
12:15 pm — Town Meeting important part of Vermont ‘culture,’ Huntington voter says
As the sun shined bright and the temperature was in the low 10s, Huntington voters came to Brewster Pierce Memorial school to cast their votes.
Retired librarian and avid bird watcher Evergreen Erb, 75, was one of the few who showed up to vote in person.
“I think town meeting day is an incredibly important part of the culture of Vermont as it brings the community together,” Erb said. “People want to take care of each other.”
Erb has gone to Town Meeting Day in Jericho, her former residence, for the past 45 years. She is excited to learn about Huntington.
— Kalena Wojtala
Jim Shallow, 57, stands in front of Camels Hump Middle school in Richmond, VT to cast his votes on Town Meeting Day. (John Ely/Community News Service)
12:15 p.m. — Richmond voter looks forward to in-person town meeting, post-pandemic
As high winds continued to subdue, so did resident turnout for voting at Camels Hump Middle School in Richmond. Much of the foot traffic was recorded earlier in the day.
Jim Shallow, 57, who works with the Nature Conservancy, is hopeful for in-person town meetings in the future.
“We have Australian ballots here for the money issues... but I still think there is an important part of the dialogue that goes on at town meetings for other issues,” Shallow said.
Shallow said he would attend town meetings as often as he could in the past.
— John Ely
Paul McCarthy, an auto mechanic, heads off into the cold Burlington winter after voting on city issues Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021. (Christopher Meunier/Community News Service)
12:14 p.m. — Town Meeting Day has special place for Vermont voter
On a frigid winter day at the Burlington Electric Department on Pine street, voters were few and far between.
Paul McCarthy, a 29-year-old auto mechanic, was missing the feeling of having an authentic Vermont town meeting day.
“I mean it’s town meeting day, It’s awesome man… It’s just one of those community things that makes Vermont, Vermont,” McCarthy said.
“I’ve only lived in Burlington for 6 years, but I’ve been to town meeting day four or five times,” McCarthy said.
His final remarks were that he hoped the funds in the budget that he voted for are being allocated correctly, and get to the people that need them.
— Christopher Meunier and Sophie Cohen
12:05 p.m. — Concord voter casts 40th Town Meeting Day ballot
Bone-chilling gusts didn’t stop residents of Concord, Vt. from driving up to town hall to vote in person.
Elizabeth Woffard, 84, brought Ozzy, her dog and companion, with her to cast her 40th Town Meeting Day ballot. While some towns have switched methods of voting due to COVID-19, Woffard usually votes on an Australian ballot, so this year’s vote was routine.
The Concord ballot included funding for many community services but Woffard explained that as a senior citizen her key issue was “taxes.”
Ozzy stayed warm, in the passenger seat of her car, in front of a hay bale that was in the backseat.
— Ben Harris
11:50 a.m. — Winooski voters support a renter for City Council
Winooski voters were met with cold, windy weather mid-day at the Winooski Senior Center while casting votes for Town Meeting Day.
38-year-old social worker Mike Fife and 36-year-old fundraiser Erin Barnaby voted for Dallas Wheatley for city council.
“I think they have some good left-ish politics, and it’s nice to see potentially a renter represented,” Fife said.
Although Fife and Barnaby aren’t particularly passionate about the items on this year’s ballot, Fife would like to see a change in the police budget.
“I would like if they reduced the police budget a little bit to be honest, we’ve got a pretty high per capita police budget,” Fife said.
Barnaby says that it is sad that there wasn’t an in-person Town Meeting Day this year.
“I think the town meetings are really important and it’s a really important part of Vermont and Vermont community,” Barnaby said.
Although not native to Winooski, Barnaby is originally from Vermont and has attended Town Meeting Day every year.
— Natalie Charron
11:44 a.m. — For Town Moderator, voting is a family affair
West Rutland Town Moderator, Micheal Moser, arrived at polls today excited to vote and to make a quick visit to his wife, a town official who plans to count ballots all day.
"Why not vote in-person?," Moser said with a chuckle. Though he doesn't think there is anything too controversial on ballot this year, he made a point of mentioning talks about merging West Rutland schools with other local areas.
"It's something to keep in mind. I think a lot of people are going to be very on the fence about it," Moser said.
Tina Helzner casts a ballot in Charlotte Tuesday. (Ethan Putnam/Community News Service)
11:37 a.m. — Charlotte voter credits in-person Town Meeting Day as key to being informed
Tina Helzner came to vote today after a round of tennis, braving the cold in ankle-length leggings.
She voted for Lewis Mudge and said she “missed having town meeting day because it got the community more involved”.
Helzner also felt less informed this year because of the lack of an in-person town meeting day, but thought that on the East Charlotte Commercial District changes, everyone was well enough informed.
— Ethan Putnam
11:29 a.m. — ‘Food sovereignty’ issues turn out Concord voter
7 degrees, feeling more like minus 11, dried the air and froze the feet of voters who turned out on Tuesday morning at the Town Hall of Concord, Vt.
Paul Szwedo, 37, is a state land forester for the Vermont National Resources Agency. All of the community services that were up for budget approval, especially Sid’s Pantry, drew Szwedo out today.
“I think food sovereignty is an incredibly important issue to me and my wife; that’s why we run our farm. And also just provided services in general to those who need it the most; like Rural County Transport and access to the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium,” Paul said.
Szwedo recently moved to Concord, four years ago, from Maine and this is his third town meeting attendance. When asked about the pros and cons of an Australian ballet town meeting, due to COVID restrictions, Szwedo said: “I think that spirited conversation and the ability to hear different opinions is what makes [our] democracy go, and that’s something that probably is a negative [this year], but for folks that might be more introverted and maybe intimidated by that process, the Australian ballet may encourage more turn out.”
When asked about his level of trepidation on whether or not the budget would be approved or not, Szwedo said: “I hope that the budget isn’t voted down. I know it’s hard times for a lot of folks, but those same folks depend a lot on the approval of those budgets and especially when it comes to our school budgets, our kids, our seniors, and some of those more vulnerable communities that really benefit from that budget being approved.”
Szwedo and his family “are always happy to support those types of social and community building endeavors.”
— Tré Wofford
Paul Szwedo, 37, poses for a picture at Town Hall in Concord, Vt., at 11:30am on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2021. (Tre Wofford/Community News Service)
11:27 a.m. — Infrastructure decay has gone ‘too far,’ West Rutland voter says
Buddy Herron said that voting in-person "just feels right" and likes the sense of normalcy it brings.
"As a town, we need this. We need to have these moments where we come together," said Herron. He believes that the ballot items in West Rutland regarding future roadwork in the town are some of the most important on the docket this year.
"Driving through Vermont, it's mostly small towns, you know? We've let things go as far as our infrastructure goes. It's important to keep up on those things," Herron said.
— Sophia Buckley-Clement
11:27 a.m. — Cannabis business owner votes yes to retailers in Richmond
Shawn Rice, artist and owner of Zenbarn Farms in Waterbury, voted in support of approving operations for cannabis retailers in Richmond.
“I own a cannabis business so I did vote for that. That was particularly important for us this year,” Rice said.
Cannabis retail has been a hot topic in many towns and after this election, more business may be popping up around Vermont — should ballot items that allow retail cannabis be approved.
— John Ely
Alissa Hardy outside of Montgomery Town Hall after voting by Australian Ballot with her husband. (Lilly Young/Community News Service)
11:15 a.m. — Montgomery Resident misses the tradition of Town Meeting Day
40-year-old Alissa Hardy has grown up going to Town Meeting Day since she was seven, and has carried that tradition into her own family.
“My son is 20 and my daughter is 15 and she’s actually waiting in the car. She was really sad about not going to Town Meeting today and that was a really sad thing to have somebody whose eager and looks forward to this like a holiday,” Hardy said.
Hardy has brought her children to town Meeting day since they were babies and this is the first year they were not able to attend as a family she said.
Although voting by Australian Ballot does allow more flexibility, Hardy said she felt less informed this year because everything was virtual and voting was done by Australian Ballot.
“So much information comes from discussions at Town Meeting,” Hardy said.
— Lilly Young
11:13 a.m. — West Rutland voter recalls Town Meeting Day food traditions
"It's just something I've always done," said voter Liz Socinski when asked why she chose to cast her ballot in-person.
"[The town] usually has a food drive so I always vote in person so I can bring some goodies," Socinski said.
Socinski owns and operates Artistic Memorials in West Rutland.
— Sophia Buckley-Clement
11:06 a.m. — Duxbury voters take to the drive thru
In Duxbury, voters get no shelter while dropping off their ballots, handing over ballots from their windows.
Dan Cordozo, 68, eagerly greets voters as they drive in. He is a justice of the peace who helps with elections. Cordozo can also legally marry people “but I don’t do that much,” he said.
Town Clerk Maureen Harvey (left), Jill Smith (center), and Dan Cordozo (right), welcome drive-in voters in Duxbury. (Kris Nine/Community News Service)
While this setup works well to collect ballots, Cordozo worries about the new Town Meeting format. “You really miss the sense of community,” he said.
The Australian ballot also affects how voters can engage with the town’s budget. “You can’t highlight specific aspects this year. It’s just a straight up and down vote,” he said.
On top of these concerns, Cordozo misses the warm cafeteria and hot food normally available on Town Meeting Day.
Maureen Harvey, Duxbury’s town clerk, likes the new format. Duxbury has been doing drive-thru voting since June. “We’ve got higher turnout,” she said.
Like Cordozo, Harvey acknowledges that with the Australian ballot there’s no negotiation on the budget and other issues. “It’s just up or down on everything,” she said.
That might not be bad, though. “We usually only have slight changes to the budget”, said Harvey.
— Kris Nine
Kelsey Welborn, 27, outside of the polling place at Camel’s Hump Middle School in Richmond. (Emily Shedd/Community News Service)
11:00 a.m. – Healthcare worker showing up to support Selectboard candidates
Kelsey Welborn, 27, a healthcare worker who is mending a broken arm, still came out to cast her town meeting day ballot today at Camel’s Hump Middle School.
“I am new to Vermont,” said Welborn. While this is the first Town Meeting Day she has participated in, she feels strongly about local politics and supporting Selectboard members who hold values that resonate with her.
“I work with the Richmond Racial Equity Committee,” she said, “Cody [Quattrocci] has been really amazing on the Richmond Racial Equity Committee, so I want to support him, and same with June Heston.”
— Emily Shedd
Peter Charlton, 68, outside of Camel’s Hump Middle School. (John Ely/Community News Service)
10:55 a.m.— Richmond resident is a fan of Australian Ballots
As the blistering cold continued under bluebird skies, voters trickled into Camel’s Hump Middle School in Richmond to fill out their Australian Ballots.
Peter Charlton, 68, was not one to always attend on Town Meeting Day, so he is a supporter of the Australian ballot system put in place.
“I really never say in for the Town Meeting Day,” Charlton said. “I also don’t want to vote by mail, so it is just easier for me.”
Charlton also said that others have trouble attending the in-person meetings as it can take up a lot of time. Therefore, Australian ballots could be beneficial in the future.
— John Ely
Burnham Hall in Lincoln. (Cailin Gramling/Community News Service)
10:50 a.m. — Quiet day in Lincoln as many cast absentee ballots, avoid cold weather
Burnham Hall was quiet this morning as polls remained open to let Lincoln voters cast their ballots for Town Meeting day.
Town officials had strongly advised residents to request absentee ballots, and it seems many heeded this advice. Reporters outside the polling place saw one voter enter to cast a ballot Tuesday morning.
Town officials cited the fierce weather hovering around 0 degrees and the high rate of requested absentee votes as reasons for the low morning traffic.
“My guess would be that more people show up later in the day when the wind comes down”, said Lincoln’s Selectboard assistant Ann Moreau-Kensek. “This is the first town meeting we've done this way and there's no contested elections and no controversy so we may not have a big turnout”.
— Cailin Gramling and Eileen Brickell
Jon Williams, 69, leaves Thatcher Brook after voting on Town Meeting Day. (Kris Nine/Community News Service)
10:45 a.m. — COVID made it harder to follow issues, Waterbury voter says
Jon Williams, 69, was reluctant to head back outside. “It’s a nasty cold day. The wind is whipping,” he said.
Like other voters, Williams thinks COVID didn’t make it harder to vote but made it more challenging to follow issues. “I always vote but I haven’t been to any of the meetings this year,” he said.
Williams is a UVM alumni who has a degree in forestry. He now works as an engineer.
— Kris Nine
A copy of “The Essex Retorter,” an anti-merger pamphlet. (Jen Lannom/Community News Service)
10:42 a.m. — Ken Signorello campaigns against Essex merger
Beside the icy sidewalk leading into Essex Middle School, Ken Signorello stands with his “vote no on merger” sign.
As a staunch merger opponent, Signorello decided to place himself where Town of Essex voters who live outside the village would be casting ballots.
“If this merger goes through, everything would change,” Signorello said.
Signorello was also handing out pamphlets labeled “The Essex Retorter,” a news pamphlet he wrote himself explaining further his views on merger.
— Jen Lannom
John Harrocks outside of Montgomery Town Hall where resident of Montgomery can cast their votes by Australian Ballot for Town Meeting Day. (Lilly Young/Community News Service)
10:40 a.m.- Semi-retired logger torn on increasing ATV access in Montgomery
It was a sunny but cold morning at Montgomery Town Hall as 67-year-old semi-retired logger, John Harrocks, did some soul searching to decide how to vote on a ballot item about ATVs.
Article 9 on the Ballot poses the question of whether to allow ATV access on all town roads in Montgomery.
“I was really torn that’s why it was a big deal because I have a camp in Lowell and they have free access to four wheelers there on the public highways and it’s turned into a noise problem” Harrocks said. “People just get too wild.”
Ultimately, Harrocks decided to vote against increasing ATV access, but said he really had to do some soul searching first.
Although most Town Meetings in Vermont have turned virtual, Harrocks said he felt pretty informed on ballot items through news outlets.
“I’m one of those rare dinosaurs without a computer,” Harrocks said, laughing through his brightly colored bandana he had fixed into a face mask.
— Lilly Young
Tracy Delphia outside Essex Middle School Tuesday, March 2. (Jen Lannom/Community News Service)
10:39 — Selectboard candidate braves the cold to meet voters outside of Essex Middle School
In a year of contested politics in Essex, Tracey Delphia has decided to step up to the plate and run for selectboard.
Delphia is running against incumbent Elaine Haney for a three-year term on the board. Her platform includes “expanding committees” and “exceeding standards” among many others.
“My goal is to engage the public, not just in meetings, but in the work, too.” Delphia said, standing outside Essex Middle waiting to meet potential voters.
— Jen Lannom
Brett Towle stands for a picture in the parking lot of the Charlotte Town Hall. (Ethan Putnam/Community News Service)
10:38 a.m. — Charlotte resident opposes new development in town
Brett Towle pulled up in his pickup truck and waved hello.
A UVM grad, Towle works at Horsford Gardens and feels strongly about Articles 6 and 7 on the Charlotte ballot.
“The proposed new commercial and residential developments would be adjacent to our property — I don’t believe rushing it through now is beneficial to the community,” Towle said. He also cited changing values and conflicts of interest as other reasons as to why he was opposed.
As a new resident of Charlotte, this was Towle’s first year voting in Charlotte. He said he didn’t miss town meeting day and that “I had all the resources I needed” to be informed.
He intends to stick around and hopes to become more involved in the community, having recently applied to a seat on the Conservation Commission.
— Ethan Putnam
The sign leading into the Chamberlin School polling location, surrounded by yard signs stuck into the icy snow. (Claire MacQueen/Community News Service)
10:37 a.m. — SB voter holds off on supporting construction project
Though there was still no line outside, more and more people arrived at the Chamberlin School steadily as the day went on.
Janelle Gilbert, 56, works as a federal contractor. She made sure to come out and show support for the school budget and proposed city objectives.
"I think that one of the reasons people want to move to South Burlington is that it's got an incredibly good school system," said Gilbert, referencing the proposed school budget.
She elaborated that though she supports the school budget, Article II, she voted against the construction project the school board proposed in Article III, considering the effects of the pandemic on the economy.
"As soon as the economy bounces back, I'm happy to support it in the future... I don't think it's a good time to do it," said Gilbert.
— Claire MacQueen
Jon Anderson heads into the Hinesburg town hall to cast a vote against the Hinesburg ambulance service. (Maddy Holden/Community News Service)
10:28 a.m. — Hinesburg resident opposes ambulance service
Jon Anderson, 61, works for a model parts company. Anderson is against the Hinesburg ambulance service.
He fears the long-term effects and staffing issues to come.
“I’m not sure how the budget will go,” Anderson says. “I’m just exercising my right to vote.”
Anderson has never attended Town Meeting Day in person, so this year isn’t much different for him, he said.
— Maddy Holden
John Thomas prepares to cast his ballot at the Chamberlin School in South Burlington. (Claire MacQueen/Community News Service)
10:30 a.m. — SB voters sprint to polls through the cold
Many people walked quickly from their cars to the Chamberlin School, trying to limit their time outside as they went to cast their ballots during Town Meeting Day.
One of the people to vote in-person was John Thomas. Thomas, 57, is the Development Director for the Vermont Academy for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Though there were no specific articles he felt strongly about, he considered voting a civic duty.
"I feel strongly just about coming out and participating, versus any particular issue," said Thomas.
— Claire MacQueen
10:27 a.m. — New Greensboro resident still adjusting to local elections
Emily Stone arrived early to drop off her ballot, bundled from head to toe, she came prepared for the freezing temperatures.
The Greensboro town office opened for voters at 10 am, allowing voters to either vote in person or drop their ballots in a designated box outside. Stone mentioned her new acquaintances in Greensboro after having just moved from the Boston area, and is still shifting to a more localized small town voting style. She said it has always felt it’s important to vote on issues that are crucial for residents and for the town.
“I have been voting since I was 18,” she said.
Arriving soon after polls opened, Justice of the Peace Stew Arnold said the shift to Australian Ballots was an appropriate move.
“I would like to have more people to have the opportunity to vote. I think it’s appropriate to hold this year and the hundreds of towns doing it. But it’s something I’d like to see voted on at next year’s town meeting day,” said Arnold.
— Brittnay Heffermehl
(From left) Stew Arnold and Emily Stone outside the Greensboro polling place. (Anna Kolosky/Community News Service)
Cindy Koenemann pauses for a picture after casting her ballot at the Chamberlin School in South Burlington during Town Meeting day 2021. (Claire MacQueen/Community News Service)
10:25 a.m. — SB voter hopeful school budget will pass
The flow of people into the Chamberlin School in South Burlington began to pick up slightly as the day went on and the sun began to shine, though the temperature remained in the single-digits.
Cindy Koenemann was one of the people to arrive during this time to cast her ballot, clad in a bright pink jacket and with an enthusiastic demeanor. A 48-year-old consultant, Koenemann came out to show her support for the school district.
"I think the board has worked really hard this year to address all the issues that came up last year, and so I wanted to support the budget. Hopefully it will pass on the first try," said Koenemann.
— Claire MacQueen
Joe Ng stands in from of the Charlotte town hall where he just cast his ballot. (Ethan Putnam/Community News Service)
10:19 a.m. — Charlotte resident likes Australian ballot
Joe Ng came to vote today to approve the new school budget. “The school needs more resources when it opens up, to help catch up the students who have been left behind.”
Ng said he thought town meeting was important, but had a problem with the old voice vote system.
“It’s not a democracy since people should have an opportunity to vote, and not everyone has time to take off for town meeting day,” Ng said.
In the future, Ng wants an in-person debate, but to keep the Australian ballot.
“It would give everyone an equal chance,” Ng said. He also felt just as informed this year, and said “it’s my responsibility as a citizen to seek out that information.
— Ethan Putnam
10:14 a.m. — Hinesburg Town Clerk Expects More Participation but Misses Community
COVID precautions in place at Hinesburg Town Hall. (Meg Little Reilly/Community News Service)
Hinesburg town clerk Melissa Ross believes this years Australian Ballot system will increase the amount of voters with “more people voting on the budget articles.”
Nonetheless, she misses “the community aspect” she said, and the face-to-face conversations of standard Town Meetings. She also thinks the inability to amend budget articles is a negative.
Ross believes that voters are just as informed this year then they were in previous years, thanks to a virtual informational meeting Monday night.
“There was good discussion last night,” Ross said.
— Tyler Lederer
10:13 a.m. — Charlotte voter misses community of Town Meeting Day
Susan Smith came to vote today because she thought she might see someone.
Smith said that there were difficult issues on the Ballot this year with who to vote for, and the proposed East Charlotte changes.
She really missed town meeting day saying “I felt sorta detached — I like hearing what people have to say” and that she hopes for a school meeting next year.
She didn’t want her photo taken for the same reason many others have these days: COVID Hair.
— Ethan Putnam
Kris Anderson bundles up “to show just how cold it is” on Town Meeting Day 2021. (Maddy Holden/Community News Service)
10:13 a.m — Ambulance budget weighs on Hinesburg voter
The only thing on the Hinesburg ballot Kris Anderson feels strongly about is the ambulance service.
“I think that staffing an ambulance out here on its own is going to be really difficult,” Anderson says. “I’d rather see them do it between Richmond and Charlotte.”
Anderson thinks voting by Australian ballot is just fine. “There never seems to be a big issue in Hinesburg,” says Anderson.
— Maddy Holden
Catherine Young stops for a picture after casting her ballot inside the Chamberlin School. (Claire MacQueen/Community News Service)
10:11 a.m. — ‘Now isn’t the time’ for $55 million school budget, SB voter says
The winter breeze began to pick up as Catherine Young, a 62-year old UVM employee, left the Chamberlin School in South Burlington after submitting her ballot on Town Meeting day.
She felt strongly about the school budget being proposed, which was over 55 million dollars. "We'll vote again next year," she said, "but right now I just feel like the financial stress for me, and for many people.... now isn't the time."
Young continued, "It's such a grand amount of money, no matter what our taxes will go up. I am a homeowner, so, you know, I would say that's all I'm really concerned about- taxes going up."
— Claire MacQueen
Brent Godin standing outside of Montgomery Town Hall. (Lilly Young/Community News Service)
10:10 a.m.— Town Constable says there are perks to a COVID Town Meeting Day
62 year-old Brent Godin, the Montgomery Town Constable, is one of the first to exit Montgomery Town Hall, where residents of Montgomery are voting by Australian Ballot for Town Meeting Day.
Although the excitement of Town Meeting Day has become virtual for most Vermont towns, Godin feels that there are some perks to voting by Australian Ballot.
“If there’s a hand vote done during the assembly, sometimes people can be persuaded by other people in regards to how they vote,“ Godin said.
Godin said he believes more of the public participated in the informational hearing over Zoom than when everything was done in person, as well.
One of the more pressing ballot items on Godin’s mind has to do with allowing ATV access on all town roads in Montgomery.
“I feel very strongly that it should be [allowed]. The roads that were eliminated in the first vote was political why they weren’t included,” Godin said.
— Lilly Young
John Howe and his pup cast a ballot in Charlotte. (Ethan Putnam/Community News Service)
10:04 a.m. — Charlotte resident felt obliged to vote
Wearing a blue mask that matched his dog's sweater, John Howe was in a talkative mood.
He didn’t get a ballot sent to him, and felt obligated to vote.
When asked how he felt about not having the town meeting this year he said he “liked to be physically together for town meeting” and that he felt less informed and was “sick of the zoom meetings”
Howe also said that he wished the town would change the system where you go to town meeting and then vote at a different time. Howe also discussed the Charlotte ballot, including items that would make changes to the Charlotte commercial district.
“The planning commission has worked so long and so hard on these issues and was trying to prevent the carpeting of the landscape with houses every five acres,” Howe said. “It moves us in the right direction environmentally.”
He praised Marty Illick, a member of the planning commission, for working so hard on the amendments.
— Ethan Putnam
David Morse casts a ballot in Waterbury. (Kris Nine/Community News Service)
10:00 a.m. — Waterbury voters brave the wind and cold to vote on town meeting day.
Brutal wind and single-digit chills confront voters as they head to Thatcher Brook Primary School to vote on Town Meeting Day in Waterbury.
David Morse, 66, is heavily bundled to stave off the freezing weather. He feels open about many of the questions that await him on the ballot.
Due to COVID, voters do not get to experience the social interaction and debate of a normal Town Meeting. “It’s been more challenging to get an understanding of the issues this year, especially for older folks,” Morse said.
“I’m sure it’s hard for kids to learn remotely in a similar way, he said.”
Morse owns a gym in Waterbury.
— Kris Nine
Donald Metcalf stops for a picture on his way inside the Chamberlin School. (Claire MacQueen/Community News Service)
9:56 a.m. — School budget will keep going ‘up and up,’ retired SB resident says
There was no line outside of the Chamberlin School in South Burlington in the early morning as residents trickled in throughout the day. Donald Metcalf, a retired South Burlington resident, arrived just before 10 a.m. to cast his ballot during Town Meeting Day.
"School budget is always an issue," Metcalf said. "Being retired, it just keeps going up and up and up."
He added that he and other voters in his position still resented the 200-million-dollar proposal on the 2020 ballot to rebuild the South Burlington middle and high schools.
— Claire MacQueen
Karen Kruger, 70, heads into the Milton town clerk's office to cast her vote. (Erin O’Connor/Community News Service)
9:53 a.m. — Milton town workers keeping residents safe, voter says
After more than forty years of voting on town meeting day, proud Milton resident Karen Kruger, 70, faces the biting cold to cast her vote.
Kruger makes it her job to have her voice counted in this election, she said, and plans on voting yes to this year's budget, which will raise funds through a $284,327 increase in property taxes.
"Under the circumstances, the people in office are doing their best to keep the Milton residents safe," Kruger says.
— Erin O’Connor
Alan Norris, 72, outside Hinesburg Town Hall for Town Meeting Day. (Tyler Lederer/Community News Service)
9:40 a.m. — Hinesburg Engineer believes Australian Ballot opens Town Meeting Day to more people
72 year-old engineer Alan Norris hasn’t been to a town meeting in a while, he says.
When he lived in his hometown of Starksboro, town meetings were more active but now he considers them a dying art, he says. He likes the Australian Ballot because he believes it “gives more people the chance to have a voice.”
He’s not concerned about much on the ballot. He’s more concerned about the “out of hand” school budget, he says, though he still voted for it.
— Tyler Lederer
Chris and Davis Cota outside the Chamberlin School in South Burlington. (Claire MacQueen/Community News Service)
9:45 a.m. — City Council hopeful campaigns in South Burlington
Chris and Davis Cota stood outside the Chamberlin School in South Burlington, enthusiastically greeting voters and holding their signs despite the single-digit weather. Their signs read, "Vote Matt Cota for City Council."
Chris Cota, Vice-chairman at the Vermont Academy and Matt Cota's father, shared his hopes that Matt Cota would unseat the incumbent, Dave Kaufman, for a seat on the city council. He said younger people should have a bigger presence in political offices.
Davis Cota, current high school senior and prospective UVM student, mentioned that he and Cris Cota had been standing outside greeting voters for the past couple of hours, and would stay until they got too cold to remain outside.
— Claire MacQueen
9:43 a.m. — Hinesburg voter wants to keep police budget ‘In check’
Chelsie Bush, 43, a self-employed metalworker living in Hinesburg, came out in the single-digit temperatures today to drop off his ballot at the town hall.
Bush feels strongly about “keeping the police budget in check,” he said. He is also interested in the budget for the new ambulance service and feels that “Hinesburg should have tried to contract with Richmond or another nearby town before deciding to run its own service.”
Although Bush believes voting by Australian ballot is the right thing to do right now, he hopes that “we can get back to how it was as soon as possible.” As a native Vermonter, Bush believes that Town Meeting Day and its debate format is really special and valuable to small towns like Hinesburg.
— Maddy Holden
9:35 am – Town Moderator highlights what is missing on Australian ballots
As voters continued to trickle in and out of the polling location at Camel’s Hump Middle School in Richmond, so did Clint Buxton, 61, who has served as Town Moderator for Richmond for 11 years.
Buxton said that he followed in the footsteps of his father who was the Town Moderator for 40 years before him, and he estimated he has been to over 50 Town Meetings in Richmond since he began attending at the age of 10.
When asked about what he misses about Town Meeting in past years, Buxton said, “Everything.” While Town Meeting in the past have lived up to the Thomas Jefferson quote of being “the epitome of democracy” that is a little different this year, Buxton said.
The Australian ballot “takes that back-and-forth type of debate out of the picture and does not allow for a great exchange of views,” said Buxton.
“The ability to amend motions,” Buxton said, “That’s missing on Australian ballots.” Buxton still holds Town Meeting Day “Near and dear to [his] heart" although many of the typical nuances were lacking this year.
— Emily Shedd
Longtime Richmond Town Moderator Clint Buxton outside Camel’s Hump Middle School Tuesday, March 2. (Emily Shedd/Community News Service)
9:35 a.m. — Merger discussions dominate voting day in Essex
Mike Sullivan sports a “Merge” sign, indicating support for the proposed merger between Essex Jct. and Essex Village on the ballot Tuesday. (Jen Lannom/Community News Service)
Bundled up and toting a merge sign, Mike Sullivan is a village resident who is passionately pro-merger.
When asked what brought him to the polls today, he said, “Merger! Is there something else?”
Mike is pro-merger because he views the equal tax rate as not only a good policy, but the fairest, he said.
“Even kids know what justice is,” he said. “For me it’s a matter of fair.”
Kylee Rowden likes to vote in every local election, but she realizes this one is especially important due to the merger vote.
“My boyfriend is on Essex Fire and they’re already working on merging,” she said. Kylee plans to vote yes for merger.
— Jen Lannom
Jeffrey Novak, 43, outside the Shelburne Town Gym after voting. (Rowan Hawthorne/Community News Service)
9:34 a.m. — Shelburne voter bemoans ‘hard to understand’ ballot
Jeffrey Novak, 43, a teacher at the South Burlington Middle School, shivered as he stood outside the Town Gym. Today, he voted for the open space fund, the Rice Lumber Co. land purchase, and the town budget.
“I voted yes on everything,” he said.
Novak said he never attends the informational meetings provided the night before Town Meeting Day. Despite Shelburne mailing out the ballots this year, he forgot to fill it in and so is voting in person. “It’s my day off,” he said.
“The ballot stuff is hard to read and understand what you’re voting for,” Novak said. “It just seems like they could do a better job of saying what this actually means.”
"I usually vote in support of everything,” he added.
— Rowan Hawthorne
9:33 a.m. — Voter drops off food for election workers
Marie Thomas, 63, with her dog Silas. Thomas and Silas dropped off lunch for town workers at Camel’s Hump Middle School in Richmond, along with a ballot. (Emily Shedd/Community News Service)
On a crisp, bright morning outside of Camels Hump Middle School in Richmond, masked voters slowly trickled out after dropping their vote off in-person.
Marie Thomas, 63, who was with her dog Silas, dropped off her vote and some lunch for the workers inside to help bring a little "semblance of a town meeting lunch.”
“It’s very frustrating to not be able to be at town meeting," she said. “At Town Meeting you really usually find out what is really concerning to people.”
“There is a lot of tradition around Town Meeting, that unfortunately a lot of people who weren’t raised with town meeting don’t appreciate,” said Thomas.
— Emily Shedd
9:18 a.m. — Abenaki chief votes to boost town infrastructure
Chief Don Stevens, 54, outside the Shelburne Town Gym. (Rowan Hawthorne/Community News Service)
The bright blue sky glistened above Don Stevens, 54, who is chief of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. Chief Stevens is here today voting to “keep the infrastructure going,” he said.
He is in favor of the Rice Lumber Co. land purchase for a new fire and rescue house, even though “I think the price of it for a couple acres of land is pretty high.”
Chief Stevens also voted for the open space fund, because “we always need to protect land, even though we don’t have it as much anymore.”
The informational meeting this year was over Zoom, which Chief Stevens missed. He prefers the “camaraderie” and “just seeing people in person” versus the virtual form. “Plus, you can ask and get other information, it’s easier,” he added.
Also voting for the town budget to be approved, Chief Stevens wants to make sure everything keeps running smoothly in Shelburne.
— Rowan Hawthorne
Jocelyn and Steven Cummings exiting the polls in Essex. (Jen Lannom/Community News Service)
9:12 a.m. — Ballot safety on the minds of these Essex voters
Jocelyn and Steven Cummings knew they had to come vote in person, despite the cold weather. The couple cast ballots in Essex.
“It’s the only way to vote” Jocelyn Cummings said, “I don’t trust the mail.”
— Jen Lannom
9:02 a.m. — Long-time Vermonter reflects on past Town Meeting Day
Longtime Vermont Leo Lecours casts a ballot in Jericho. (Luke Vidic/Community News Service)
Leo Lecours is a part-time paralegal, and a long-time resident of Vermont. He grew up in Hartford.
“Even as kids we went to town meeting day," Lecours said. He has missed at least five Town Meeting Days in his life, Lecours said. Town Meeting Day is important to Lecours, who said, "I'm one of those people who waits on the day."
Lecours wanted to vote in person. While he's not as involved as he was when he was younger, but he still enjoys listening to Town Meeting Day discussions.
On this year's ballot, the conservation of Mobbs farm was most important to Lecours. He said, "There's so much building going on...we should probably save what we can."
— Luke Vidic
Social worker Charlotte McCorkel, 36, alongside her daughter Demi McCorkel outside the Shelburne Town Gym on Town Meeting Day. (Megan Slevin/Community News Service)
9:01 a.m. — “Future voter” tags along with mom to support school budget
Social worker Charlotte McCorkel, 36, and her daughter Demi McCorkel showed up on the cold morning Tuesday to vote yes on the school budget in Shelburne.
Charlotte McCorkel said that she was mainly concerned with “passing the school budget”. When asked if she missed the traditional town meeting day she said “I think people did a really good job sharing information” in alternative online forms.
Both her and her daughter sported stickers, stating "I voted!" and "Future Voter!".
— Megan Slevin
Scott Moore campaigns for the Essex merger outside of Essex High School, Tuesday March 2. (Jen Lannom/Community News Service)
8:57 a.m. — Campaigning for the Essex merger
Chilly winds and freezing temps weren’t enough to stop Scott Moore from coming out to Essex High School at 7 am.
“How’s my hair?” Moore asked jokingly as a reporter snapped his picture, proudly sporting an “I voted” sticker and pro-merger sign.
“The most important thing for me is that we come together as one community,” Moore said. “How many thousands of hours have we spent talking about merger? It’s time to move on.”
— Jen Lannom
8:54 a.m. — State’s Attorney casts ballot in Cabot
Rory Thibualt was bundled walking up to the Town Clerk’s office in Cabot this morning. The air temperature was hovering around 2 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind whipping down Main St. made it feel much colder.
Several issues got Thibualt — the state’s attorney for Washington County — out to vote on this very cold morning, chief among them being the proposed withdrawal from the Cabot Community Investment Fund. He says he’s “emphatically voting no for that.”
Thibualt says he’s excited about the ballot measure that would install electric vehicle charging stations in the town. He sees this as an opportunity to better serve tourists visiting the area.
Ian Ackermann, a young candidate for Cabot’s Selectboard, also had Thibualt excited to vote. “It would be the first time in a while we’d have a selectboard member with young children and a family,” says Thibualt.
Thibualt dropped his ballot in the drop box outside the town clerk’s office and hurried off to warm up.
— Maggie Lee
Rory Thibualt, the state’s attorney for Washington County, casts a ballot in Cabot. (Maggie Lee/Community News Service)
8:48 a.m. — Local news does a good job informing voters, educator says
Heidi Smith and Tristan Petrosino stand outside Chamberlin Middle School preparing to cast their ballots Tuesday, March 2. (Aidan Scanlon/Community News Service)
As the morning air warms up, voters begin to show up more consistently, but still at a slow trickle. Heidi Smith, 52, an educator, and Tristan Petrosino, an 18-year-old senior at So. Burlington High School, have braved the cold to cast their ballots.
Heidi hasn't been to any Town Meeting Days in the past and said that platforms like Zoom have helped keep people informed. She also said that local papers, such as the Other Paper, had done a good job informing voters.
This is Tristan's first time voting so he doesn't have past Town Meeting Days to compare this one to, but was still excited to be participating in local government.
Heidi voted to pass the school budget, and also voted yes on the bond issue needed for school repairs.
— Aidan Scanlon
8:42 a.m. — A couple makes time for Town Meeting Day
Rachel and Tyler Cohen love performing their civic duty, they said. Rachel is a local teacher in Jericho, and said she feels connected to her community.
“Town Meeting Day is something we look forward to...we actually make a point of doing it together,” said Rachel. It’s a chance for them to see their neighbors, as they did during our chat.
“We additionally get to come socialize,” said Rachel.
They planned to vote by mail, but did not receive their ballots in time. Conserving the Mobbs Farm is important to Tyler. “It’s a vital part of our town,” said Tyler. Tyler is a magazine editor.
— Luke Vidic
Sarah Childs standing outside Chamberlin middle school in South Burlington before casting her ballot, Tuesday March 2. (Aidan Scanlon/Community News Service)
8:38 a.m. — Town Meeting Day still important despite pandemic, voter says
Sarah Childs, a 38-year-old student affairs administrator, is heading into the polling location wearing a thin sweatshirt. Clearly she was counting on not having to wait in line or stopping to chat with a reporter.
She has never attended a town meeting day herself but still sees the importance of voting in local issues, and feels that this year isn’t any different than another in that sense.
“It’s still active participation in our community and important decisions that are being made for the town,” said Childs.
She voted yes on the school budget and the bonds issue.
— Aidan Scanlon
8:24 a.m. — Shelburne voter wary of Fire and Rescue costs
Pete Gadue, 71, standing outside the Shelburne Town Gym on Town Meeting Day. (Rowan Hawthorne/Community News Service)
Pete Gadue, 71, is a volunteer for the general and local elections and is on the Board of Civil Authority. He is running for board member of the Champlain Water District for the past 12 years. Gadue was asked to fill the position 12 years ago when a former board member died, and has held this elected position since then.
Gadue voted to purchase the land from Rice Lumber Co. for the new Fire and Rescue facility in Shelburne, but voted against the open space fund.
“We need to rethink about the open space and open land,” he said. “I think they’ve bought enough for a while and need to take a break.”
Gadue also voted for the town budget. He was unsure of whether or not the new Fire and Rescue facility would be accepted since “it’s a lot of money.”
He missed going to the in-person informational meeting, but “knowing the situations and why, it made sense to do it this way.”
— Rowan Hawthorne
8:16 a.m. — Jericho Town Clerk reflects on importance of Town Meeting
Most people voted by early absentee this Town Meeting Day, Jericho town clerk Jessica Alexander said. In the November election, over two-thirds voted early absentee, Alexander said.
The biggest drawback of this year’s town meeting day, according to Alexander, has been the inability to meet in person and amend the budget.
“The compromises can’t be made,” said Alexander. To Alexander, town meeting day is important because “it makes locals feel involved...like they’re in control of their town.”
— Luke Vidic
8:15 a.m. — Light voter traffic in South Burlington
Michael Powers poses for a photo before hurrying back to the warmth of his car in South Burlington. (Aidan Scanlon/Community News Service)
The morning sun is beginning to shine through the clouds at the Chamberlin School in So. Burlington as a single person stands in front of the school with a campaign sign for Matt Cota.
Michael Powers, 68, a retiree, shuffles out of the school and pinches his jacket collar to keep the cold wind out.
Powers was concerned that voters would be less informed than they would be in a year with a town meeting day, and said it can be hard to get your information correct. But even without town meeting, he found a way to stay informed by watching local debates and reading discussion online, he said.
Powers voted yes on both the school budget and the bonds issue needed for repairs to the school.
— Aidan Scanlon
Jason Girard, 46, outside the Town Gym in Shelburne.
8:05 a.m. — Project manager votes for town budgets in Shelburne
The snow cracked underneath Jason Girard’s feet as he stood by the sidewalk. Girard, 46, is a project manager for Tetra Tech and voted today for the “school board, and the town budget and Selectboard positions.” He has no concerns about the budget going through.
Girard voted in favor of both the open space fund and the Rice Lumber Co. land purchase.
The Zoom informational meeting last night replaced the typical in-person informational meeting. “It’s a little different than normal for sure, but it’s understandable given the circumstances,” said Girard.
— Rowan Hawthorne
8:01 a.m. — Hinesburg voters face extreme cold to vote in-person
Six-degree temperatures and gusts of wind up to 20 mph did not stop Suzanne Lepple from showing up to Town Hall today to drop off her ballot.
The 52-year-old artist, who’s regularly attended Town Hall Meetings for “many years,” says she misses being with fellow townspeople. She says she feels less informed about the issues, due to hearing fewer viewpoints. She says she believes the Town Meeting process is important and more accessible than an informational meeting over Zoom.
Nonetheless, she “actually [likes] being able to take the ballot home,” she says. Lepple said she didn’t have strong feelings on any of the ballot issues.
— Tyler Lederer
7:51 a.m. — Local physician votes for open space fund
Paul Rosenau, 48, outside the Town Gym in Shelburne. (Rowan Hawthorne/Community News Service)
Paul Rosenau, 48, is a local physician in Shelburne, voted in favor of the open space fund, which would raise an additional $50,000 in taxes to put towards purchasing and conserving land.
Rosenau also voted in favor of the town budget and is not worried about it being shot down.
Most Vermont towns are voting via Australian ballot for Town Meeting Day instead of a traditional, in-person meeting this year. Rosenau said “it probably won’t have a material difference one way or the other. On the other hand, too many years of not doing it, will probably lose the tradition.”
“This pandemic can’t end quickly enough,” Rosenau said.
— Rowan Hawthorne
7:45 a.m. — Cold weather no match for Milton teacher
Brisk temperatures barely above zero didn’t deter Milton voters this morning.
Tracy Hughes, 42, is a first grade teacher who says the issues on the ballot this year are reason enough to brave the cold.
Hughes says, as a teacher, pushing through the school budget is her primary concern on the ballot today.
— Erin O’Connor
7:31 a.m. — Conservation plans on the ballot in Jericho
Left to right: Chuck Lacy, Erik Johnson, Sam Graulty and Pete Davis campaign in Jericho outside the Mt. Mansfield Union High School on Town Meeting Day. (Luke Vidic/ Community News Service)
Pete Davis, Sam Graulty, Chuck Lacy, and selectboard candidate Erik Johnson braved the cold temperatures Tuesday to support their candidates and issues at Mt. Mansfield Union High School in Jericho.
Davis and Graulty came to encourage voters to vote yes on approving conservation plans for Mobbs farms, while Johnson and Lacy came separately.
“It’s actually pretty fitting,” said Erik Johnson. His grandfather had been on the town selectboard when the Mobbs property was purchased. “It was purchased to use as a landfill then.”
— Luke Vidic
