Town Meeting in Vermont - as traditional as sap running in the sugar maple trees! It was great to see so many of you. For those who were able to go to Town Meeting, you may have picked up the report that Kate Webb and I distributed. It gives brief summaries of the work that some of the legislative committees have before them. I also have left copies of the report at the Shelburne and St. George town offices. If you would like one mailed to you, just let me know. I am happy to do that.

At Monday night's Town meeting Shelburne's legislative representatives, Senator Diane Snelling, and House Representatives Joan Lenes and Kate Webb, updated community members on current bills and reform in the House and Senate.

Lela McCaffery, from the audit firm of Fothergill, Segalle, and Valley, reported to the Selectboard on Tuesday, Feb. 23, that Shelburne's books "look good." McCaffery recommended a few minor suggestions such as entering receivables from each department immediately, and also designating one person to enter employee leave time with a second person reviewing the entries to check for errors.

Vermont's primary election date, the second Tuesday in September, is one of the latest in the country. Although this has worked for Vermont for many years, it does not fit with the new federal election rules. The new Military Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, or MOVE, requires states to send out overseas ballots at least 45 days prior to the general election. This year, the second Tuesday falls on Sept. 14, leaving only 49 days between the primary and the general election.

Legislators get information from different agencies and organizations all the time. It is the hope that we pass this on to constituents, to our neighbors, and to all Vermonters. Recently we heard from several organizations that support our troops and their families in all cycles of deployment. I believe these services can be very helpful to families. One phone number for general information or help in directing you to the appropriate program, is the VT Outreach hotline at (888) 607-8773.

The Shelburne Planning Commissioners met Jan. 28 and reviewed the text of the proposed revisions and updates of Phase "2B" Articles that had been discussed at its previous meeting on Jan. 14. It is the job of the Planning Commission to discuss and suggest rewrites, if necessary, so that the zoning bylaws in the Plan reflect the intent of the current Shelburne Town Plan (adopted January 2007).