In musing
Red hot hoops
Thank your sweethearts for perfect imperfections
Boys win, girls lose squeaker on the court
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Volume 53 Number 6
DEI member seeks board seat
ECRWSSEDDM
shelburnenews.com
Boxed in
February 8, 2024
Shelburne selectboard approves $13 million town budget LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The Shelburne Selectboard last week unanimously adopted its 2025 budget with $13 million in spending, a roughly 21 percent increase over last year. With a 2 percent increase in the grand list, residents can expect to see a 3.39 percent increase in taxes with an estimated municipal tax rate of 51 cents. That’s up from the town’s current tax rate — just shy of 50 cents. Of the $13 million, $8.8 million will be raised by property taxes. Other spending will be paid for through a variety of other revenues streams. “We have a decently diversified pie chart on that,” town manager Matt Lawless said. “It’s not 90 percent real estate tax. Between user fees, things like ambulance billing and dispatch charges, it’s not as reliant on just real estate.” In addition, the town is also set to receive just over $1 million through the 1 percent local option tax approved by voters last Town Meeting Day. Without it, the tax rate would have been nearly 6 cents higher. Shelburne’s budget this year sees an increased focus on two areas: investment in town employees and funding the town’s capital plan. Additionally, as the town continues to grow and increase services, public safety — police, fire and rescue — made up a large percentage of spending this year. “I would like to propose that
Two selectboard seats up for grabs
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The Shelburne Selectboard has two open seats up this election year and, barring any popular write-ins, the two uncontested candidates will join — or stay — on the board. Matt Wormser, who is seeking reelection to the two-year seat, has been a familiar face on the selectboard for the past two years. He says the decision to run again comes mostly out of enjoyment working with fellow board members, and the dedicated town staff and townspeople who are all “working toward making Shelburne a better place to live.” Chunka Mui will run for the three-year seat now held by Cate Cross, who is not seeking reelection. During Wormser’s tenure, the selectboard has taken on a slew of issues, with the major one being the hiring of new town manager Matt Lawless in June. Additionally, the board implemented a 1 percent local option tax to “diversify funding sources away from a near-exclusive reliance on property taxes,” he said, which has helped keep tax increases largely See SELECTBOARD on page 11
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Mike Ireland grabbed another series of photos of bobcats in the yard at his Shelburne home. This one, and a few more online, were taken from the window of his home office.
See BUDGET on page 13