BYOB A Non Starter

BROWNINGTON - An events committee formed after a Vermont Council on Rural Development community visit has been holding Third Thursday Potluck & Jam Sessions events at the Old Stone House Museum and Historic Village. A request was made to the selectboard to cover the events under town insurance by making the events officially town business.

According to Town Clerk Valerie Faust, the museum director asked that insurance be provided for use of the building. Some members of the committee asked if they can host a Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB) event and be covered under the town’s insurance policy.

The selectboard turned to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VCLT) for legal advice. In short, the decision was a swift thumbs down.

To formalize a task force committee to be under the authority of the municipality, the selectboard must assume control over what occurs, how it occurs, and place limits over what occurs.

“As a matter of best practice, Brownington will need to exert control over and manage its risk,” the VLCT advised. The selectboard can require a group or organization to follow a facilities rental agreement and require insurance coverage.

A low attendance meeting that doesn’t allow alcohol and is not open to the public can be deemed low risk and the selectboard can waive the insurance requirement.

VLTC will not insure BYOB events. The events committee has considered the church at the Evansville Trading Post as an alternative site. VLCT will not add Evansville Trading Post under the municipality’s insurance policy.

The proposal didn’t gain any traction at Tuesday morning’s selectboard meeting. No action was taken.

Powers Trailer

Manville Powers will have an opportunity to reacquire his trailer, which was turned over to the town at a tax sale. Powers failed to pay property taxes on an unlanded mobile home on Pond Lane.

“He’s pushing hard to straighten it out,” Faust said of Powers’ new found commitment to settle with the town. Powers will have to pay the back taxes, interest, penalties, and attorney fees for the transfer of the title to the town.

“We’ll wait and see what he will do,” selectboard Chair Bev White said. The board agreed to set up a repayment plan with Powers if he follows through with his commitment.