Jeanette Charon

When this bill was on the House floor in 2024, I wrote substantial testimony as to why it would have detrimental effects on small towns like Dalton in the north country. Small towns like Dalton have public offices that are generally open only a couple days per week and the roles are often filled by the same person or shared among a couple people (clerk and deputy or tax collector and deputy). Town Clerk and Tax Collector positions are elected in Dalton with the positions now combined into one for the 2025 town election. The three positions, becoming two this year, really equate to one full-time position. This one full-time position allows for continuity in the office between the residents and the Select Board. It allows for efficient work hours and efficient task management in the office. It allows for the auditor to work with one individual for document production, inquiries, and completion of work tasks which equates to less cost. Small towns have issues finding adequate people to run for municipal offices and the passing of this bill would make it more difficult to fill these positions with qualified dedicated people. With the proper checks and balances in place, like we have in Dalton, there should be no reason a Tax Collector, Town Clerk, and Administrator couldn't fill all positions. Town Managers are lumped together with Administrators in the bill's language which is not appropriate since Town Managers have more authority than Town Administrators, per state statute. Please eliminate this bill or consider its modification to not include Town Administrators in the verbiage. Thank you. Jeanette Charon