The Roylaton Select Board would like to appoint, rather than have the voters elect, the town treasurer. To this end, the board unanimously approved a charter amendment resolution at its December meeting. The issue will go before voters on March 3, Town Meeting Day in Vermont.
The resolution reads:
BE IT RESOLVED, that a proposal to amend the charter of the Town of Royalton to provide for the appointment of a Town Treasurer should be submitted to the legal voters of the Town at a special meeting thereof to be duly called and held for that purpose on March 3, 2015, coincident with the annual meeting of the Town; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all acts relating to the proposition of amending the charter of the Town of Royalton for the aforesaid purpose shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 55 of Title 17, Vermont Statutes Annotated; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the attached Warning and form of Ballot be adopted for use in connection with consideration of the proposition to amend the charter of the Town of Royalton.
Last Town Meeting Day, several towns proposed charters and charter amendments that would allow towns to essentially hire candidates for traditionally elected positions. Many towns have pointed to the increasing complexity of town finances as a reason to appoint the town treasurer in particular.
Royalton's resolution adoption came immediately after the select board accepted, "with much regret," the resignation of Town Treasurer Theresa Harrington. The board, upon Harrington's recommendation, appointed her assistant Luann Bingham to the post until Town Meeting Day. Harrington will retain her elected post of collector of delinquent taxes.