Town Meeting Issues, Burke VT

As we approach town meeting day during this year of unprecedented economic turmoil, one can imagine voters will be holding tight to their tax dollars. This year's town budget is set at roughly 1.1 million dollars. On top of that, voters will be asked to appropriate money to a long list of organizations. There are 14 of them on the town warning, diverse in both dollar amount and general importance. They range from Lyndon Rescue Incorporated to the Lyndonville Youth Baseball/Softball League. In all, these 14 possible recipients are asking for a total of 34,268 dollars. However, the largest and possibly most controversial issue at hand may lie in Article 9. The town Selectboard is asking permission to borrow up to 235,000 dollars for the construction of a community building that will provide the town with an emergency shelter and a senior meal site. The town is currently lacking these facilities. Add to that amount the 30,000 dollars to support both the East Burke Volunteer Fire Brigade and the West Burke Volunteer Fire Department and you have a running total of 1,416,399 million dollars in total expenditures. This does not include funding for the school budget. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 3rd at 9 am in the Town Hall.