Town of Norton

06/11/2026

SELECT BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DRAFT
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026 5:30 P.M.
TOWN OFFICE

Attendees: Selectboard: Betsy Fontaine, Chair, Stephane Thibault, James Bronner, Tricia O’Bin, Clerk
Wayne Washburn – Animal Control Officer, Julie Lavallee, Robin & Sally Vallat, Jessica Tessier, Cheryl Shepherd, Erin Goulette, Richard Goulette, Margaret Thompson, Pamela Howe, Jody Gordon, Sandy Rhodes, Keith O’Bin

Call Meeting to Order – 5:30 Betsy Fontaine, Select Board Chair

Open Meeting Policy – New Business Not Posted On Agenda – Additions
(Any New Business Not on This Agenda MUST be Added At This Time Or Wait Until Next Month’s Meeting. Please Contact Town Clerk to Be Added to the Agenda) None

Review and approve minutes from last meeting (5/12/2026) -
Stephane Thibault – Motion to approve James Bronner – 2nd Betsy Fontaine – UA

Animal Control Officer – follow-up from May SB Meeting regarding control of noise from domesticated animals – Wayne Washburn, Norton’s Animal Control Officer attended the meeting at the request of the Select Board in May 2026. He discussed and reviewed animal issues, definition of nuisance animals (not just dogs) and other regulations in regard to farm dogs, Kennels and other noise issues. Wayne suggested looking into the State of VT Noises in the Night statute (https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/13/019/01022) for further information.

Brousseau Mtn follow-up from April SB Meeting – James Bronner spoke about Class 4 roads and use of those roads during mud season. There were discussions regarding Agriculture, Emergency Vehicles as well as access to the Brousseau Mountain trail. Any changes would need Town Approval prior to changes being made.

250th July 4th celebration – meeting with any town members who want to be involved, Wednesday June 10 @ 5:00 at Town Office.

Overweight Permit – Structural Wood - Stephane Thibault – Motion to approve James Bronner – 2nd Betsy Fontaine – UA

Sign mowing contract approved at May SB meeting

Tax Bill letter – SB input - Stephane Thibault – Motion to approve Betsy Fontaine – 2nd James Bronner - UA

Set tax rate – special meeting in June/July – Special meeting to set rate unless Listers need to move the meeting due to needing additional time for grievances. Grievance date is June 22, 2026. Tentative schedule is June 30, 2026 @ 5:30 PM.

Executive Session – if needed – n/a

Approve Bills/Payroll – sign warrants Stephane Thibault – Motion to approve the payment of bills Betsy Fontaine – 2nd James Bronner - UA

Financial Reports – Betsy Fontaine – Motion to approve the financial reports as written Stephane Thibault - 2nd James Bronner – UA

Del. Tax Collector’s Report – not provided
Review mail
Set date for next regular meeting 7/14/2026 @ 5:30 pm

Adjourn @ 6:35 Betsy Fontaine

06/09/2026

All are welcome tomorrow night (Wed June 10) at the Town Hall at 5 pm to talk about the float for the 250th July 4 parade. See you there!

06/07/2026

SELECT BOARD MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026
5:30 P.M.
TOWN OFFICE

Call Meeting to Order

Open Meeting Policy – New Business Not Posted On Agenda – Additions
(Any New Business Not on This Agenda MUST be Added At This Time Or Wait Until Next Month’s Meeting. Please Contact Town Clerk to Be Added to the Agenda)

Review and approve minutes from last meeting (5/12/2026)

- Animal Control Officer – follow-up from May SB Meeting regarding control of noise from domesticated animals
- Brousseau Mtn follow-up from April SB Meeting
- 250th July 4th celebration
- Overweight Permit – Structural Wood
- Sign mowing contract approved at May SB meeting
- Tax Bill letter – SB input
- Set tax rate – special meeting in June/July
Executive Session – if needed

Approve Bills/Payroll – sign warrants

Financial Reports –

Del. Tax Collector’s Report

Review mail

Set date for next regular meeting 7/14/2026 @ 5:30 pm

Adjourn

06/04/2026

Join us this weekend for dinner at Quimby Country! We have a wonderful cookout planned on Friday night on Great Averill and a tasty toco bar on Saturday on Quimby Country's lodge porch on Forest Lake . Please see the details below and call to make a reservation - 207-841-6250.

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

05/26/2026

Planning Committee meeting for May 28, 2026 has been cancelled.

05/26/2026

All are welcome to join the American Legion Color Guard at the St Bernard's Cemetery on Saturday, May 30 at 12:30 pm for Memorial Day Remembrance.

Directly after, join us at the Norton Town Hall for a remembrance of our Norton Service Members.

05/19/2026

Norton Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Town of Norton, Vermont
Planning Commission Meeting
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Norton Town Office
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:42 p.m. by Chair Christina Duffy.
Roll Call
Present:
• Christina Duffy, Chair
• Sally Vallat, Clerk
• Susan Graves
• Jessica Tessier
• Cheryl Sheppard
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Commission members reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.
A correction was noted regarding the numbering sequence in the published minutes, as several agenda items were duplicated or out of order.
Motion: Cheryl Sheppard moved to approve the minutes with corrected numbering.
Second: Jessica Tessier
Vote: Approved unanimously.
________________________________________
Town Plan and Zoning Bylaw Review Discussion
The Commission continued its review of the Norton Town Plan and Zoning Bylaws, focusing on the first 15 pages of each document.
Members discussed using AI tools, including ChatGPT and similar platforms, to:
• Compare the Town Plan and zoning bylaws,
• Evaluate consistency with Vermont statutes,
• Review potential implications of Act 181 and related legislation,
• Identify risks related to future development.
Key Themes Discussed
Rural Character and Growth
Members emphasized a desire to:
• Preserve Norton’s rural and agricultural character,
• Support forestry and working lands,
• Avoid broad or high-density development,
• Maintain flexibility while preventing unintended large-scale growth.
Discussion included concerns that current language in the Town Plan and zoning bylaws could unintentionally permit:
• Cluster housing developments,
• Increased density through Planned Unit Developments (PUDs),
• Commercial expansion inconsistent with Norton’s rural identity.
Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concerns
The Commission discussed contradictions between:
• The stated minimum two-acre lot size,
• Existing zoning language permitting one-acre dwelling units through PUD provisions.
Members expressed concern that this language could allow concentrated residential development inconsistent with the town’s stated goals.
Several members discussed the possibility of:
• Increasing minimum lot sizes,
• Clarifying language limiting density,
• Better aligning zoning with infrastructure limitations and environmental protections.
Review of AI-Generated Analysis
Members reviewed AI-generated summaries identifying:
• Areas of legal and development risk,
• Statutory references,
• Suggested policy language revisions,
• Potential loopholes in current language.
Discussion focused on ensuring that future revisions:
• Are legally defensible,
• Reflect community priorities,
• Limit unintended interpretations supporting high-density development.
Affordable Housing and Infrastructure
The Commission discussed:
• State affordable housing expectations,
• Infrastructure limitations in Norton,
• Lack of public transportation and utilities,
• Concerns regarding water, sewer, emergency services, and fire protection capacity.
Members noted that Norton’s rural location and limited services may make high-density or state-supported housing development impractical.
Survey Results and Contradictory Responses
Members discussed survey results contained in the current Town Plan, including:
• Responses supporting preservation of agricultural and forest lands,
• Responses suggesting rezoning flexibility,
• Support or opposition to various commercial uses.
Questions were raised regarding:
• The original survey questions,
• How survey responses were interpreted,
• Whether older survey data should continue influencing current policy.
Fire Protection and Insurance Concerns
Members discussed:
• High homeowner insurance costs due to Norton’s fire protection classification,
• Possibility of additional dry hydrants,
• Previous discussions regarding acquisition of a used pumper truck using ARPA funds.
________________________________________
Future Document Review Process
The Commission discussed:
• Obtaining editable Word versions of the Town Plan and zoning bylaws,
• Using tracked changes for collaborative review,
• Creating numbered paragraph formatting for easier reference,
• Sharing AI-generated analyses and legal references electronically.
Members agreed that future comments should identify:
• Document name,
• Page number,
• Paragraph or section reference.
________________________________________
Planning Commission Email Account
The Commission discussed creating a Planning Commission Gmail account for:
• Internal communication,
• Shared document distribution,
• Possible Zoom meeting management.
The Selectboard previously expressed support for creation of the account.
Christina Duffy agreed to begin setting up the account.
________________________________________
Additional Discussion
Members briefly discussed:
• Vermont statutes regarding junk vehicles and nuisances,
• Possible future zoning considerations related to junk and abandoned vehicles,
• Sharing relevant statutory information electronically with the Commission.
________________________________________
Next Meeting
The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday, May 28, 2026
All present members indicated availability.
________________________________________
Adjournment
Motion: Christina Duffy moved to adjourn the meeting.
Second: Cheryl Sheppard
Vote: Approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.