Fairlee Select Board: Reviews 2027 department budgets, approves minutes, holds legal executive session

Fairlee Select Board · Meeting recap · meeting of Monday, October 19, 2026

The Fairlee Select Board met Monday, October 19, 2026, at Town Hall. Chair Miranda Clemson called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM, and a quorum was present. Most of the evening went to early 2027 budget talks with department heads and to staff reports.

Decisions

• The board approved the agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously.
• The board approved the minutes of the October 13, 2026 meeting as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
• The board opened an executive session for legal reasons at 8:10 PM and came out at 8:35 PM. No action was taken.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Also discussed

• Public comment: A resident spoke on behalf of a family member about concerns over how the Zoning Administrator is handling a construction project on Lake Morey Road. She noted that an appeal is still pending before the Development Review Board.
• Zoning: Chris Brimmer reported on a site visit with an attorney, contractors and Town Administrator Gene Craft. He said the next hearing deadline is 10/22/26.
• Town Administrator's report: Updates covered the beach, Town Hall, EMS, the library, roads, the transfer station, the fire department, the water department and stormwater and sidewalk work. Speed humps on Lake Morey Road were removed this week.
• Budgets: Police, Water, Zoning, Town Clerk, Lister's Office, IT and Fire Department representatives previewed their 2027 needs. Topics included hiring a second police officer, a water capacity analysis and a backup well, and reappraisal timing.
• TRORC and grants: Peter Berger updated the board on TRORC and on a historic preservation grant that would address windows and insulation.
• To-do list: Review the website policy and follow through with plants for the cemetery.

Money

• Police Chief Briggs said he has a cap of a 6.44% increase over last year, based partly on a 5% increase in the yearly dispatch fee.
• A new portable radio is needed at a cost of $4500.
• IT topics included cyber security testing at $2500/year and licensing fees that tend to increase by 3-4% each year.
• The Fire Department has a $500 budget for recruiting.
• The preservation grant could provide $50,000 - $150,000.

The next Select Board meeting is Monday, October 26, 2026.

This is an automated summary of the town's posted minutes. The official record is the original document. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.