The Whitehall Board of Education presented its proposed 2013-14 budget to the public and is eyeing a tax increase of 2.19 percent. The increase is driven largely by a 9.5 percent spike in the cost of employee benefits. The district will pay an additional $381,724 for employee benefits. Nearly three-quarters of that amount is the [...]
Pember looks at becoming public school district library
By Jaime Thomas More than a century ago, Franklin and Ellen Pember gave their library and natural history museum to the people of Granville to enjoy. Today, the local institute is struggling to survive. But a new initiative the library board of trustees is considering might help it serve area patrons for years to come. [...]
Hot Topic: Hampton Fire Dept. and town board at odds over funding
The Hampton Volunteer Fire Department and the Hampton town board are embroiled in a contentious contract dispute. Fire department members say they weren’t given an opportunity to negotiate a higher contract and would consider cutting services if a new deal isn’t struck, while the town board believes it has given the department ample support. Members [...]
Village hopes to comply with tax cap
The Village Board of Trustees anticipates being able to comply with the state mandated property tax cap. The board began working on its budget last week, and Mayor Peter Telisky said he expects to keep any tax increase at or below two percent. “We’re going to try (to comply with the cap),” Telisky said. “There’s [...]
County supervisors approve budget
Washington County’s 2013 budget was approved by the county Board of Supervisors on Friday, but not without considerable debate. The budget just snuck through, adopted by a 10-7 vote. The $115 million spending plan calls for a 3.08 percent or $877,000 increase in the county’s $30 million tax levy. The budget will comply with the [...]
Town approves final budget
Hoping to avoid future tax spikes, the Whitehall Town Council ratified its 2013 budget at last Wednesday’s regularly scheduled board meeting. The $1.03 million spending plan calls for a 2.01 percent increase in the tax levy and a corresponding increase in the tax rate. The town was eyeing a 1.99 percent increase but the final [...]
County proposes 3 percent tax hike
Washington County Budget Officer Brian Campbell is thinking about the next four years when he budgets for today. Campbell said Friday the only way to avoid a sizable tax spike is to accept a modest increase this year. “Looking at it (the budget) one year at a time leads to spikes and the message from [...]






VPR commentator entertains at Slate Valley Museum
By Jaime Thomas About 75 people gathered at the Slate Valley Museum Thursday evening to listen to Vermont Public Radio [...]