UPDATE: due to the winter storm, Selectboard Essentials will be fully remote via Zoom.

Congratulations to all newly elected selectboard members! This training will help you succeed in your position by explaining foundational information on three key topics:

• Selectboard legal roles and responsibilities
• Three critical transparency or “Sunshine Laws”: Open Meeting Law, Public Records Act, and Conflict of Interest requirements
• How to hold effective meetings using rules of procedure

Attendees will also meet counterparts from around the state, be able to network over lunch, learn how VLCT’s Advocacy team is supporting municipal interests at the State House, and get acquainted with VLCT's risk management programs.

Returning selectboard members are welcome to attend for a refresher.

This training lays the foundation for in-depth trainings throughout the year on important responsibilities for selectboards, including policies and ordinances, human resources and employment law, budgeting, and property tax assessment appeal hearings.

Zoom webinar will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Sessions

Welcome
Speaker: Ted Brady, Executive Director, VLCT

Selectboard Roles and Responsibilities Overview
This broad overview of the selectboard’s legal authority and statutory duties will cover Dillon’s Rule; the selectboard’s roles and responsibilities; and the relationships between the selectboard, town employees, and other elected and appointed officers.
Speaker: Susan Senning, Staff Attorney II, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center

Transparency Laws Overview
This session will summarize the laws that require openness and access to government, called “sunshine” or transparency laws. In Vermont, matters of local government invoke the Open Meeting Law, Public Records Act, and Conflicts of Interest requirements, often simultaneously. Together they create legal obligations that are important for selectboards to comply with.
Speaker: Carl Andeer, Staff Attorney II, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center

Model Procedures for Effective Selectboard Meetings
The Open Meeting Law allows selectboards to adopt “reasonable rules” to effectively manage meetings to conduct business and public participation. To help board members and people attending meetings understand expectations and legal requirements, we developed Model Rules of Procedure for public meetings. We will acquaint attendees with these templates in this part of the training.
Speaker: Garrett Baxter, Senior Staff Attorney, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center

Introduction to VLCT Risk Management Services
Speaker: Joe Damiata, Director, VLCT Risk Management Services, VLCT

VLCT Legislative Update
Speakers: Josh Hanford, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, VLCT
Ted Brady, Executive Director, VLCT

Following the event, links to information and presentations will be available.