Page 13 - 2022 Annual Report

Law Enforcement
Towns have options when it comes to law enforcement—they can appoint or elect a qualified,
trained Constable. Brighton has gone that route years ago, somewhat infamously. In recent
years the Selectboard has hired a Police Chief, but he resigned and so the board now took the
option of contracting with the Essex County Sherriff’s office. They come at an increased cost,
but as it turns out, there is a substantial savings from making the change, since the insurance
company doesn’t have to worry as much about insuring against loss. That risk is now on the
Sherriff’s budget. The change has so far saved the Town around $30,000 in insurance fees.

Budget
The Actual 2022 budget came in slightly lower than the Proposed amount. The 2023 Proposed
budget shows a 4.1% increase, but in the current inflationary climate that did not seem
improper.
The road department needs a new grader if they are going to continue their excellent work
(great job on Pleasant St.). A new grader is more expensive than the town can afford to pay off
in five years, so the board wants to stretch the pay back to ten years. But that needs approval
by the voters, so that is on the ballot.

“Long-term debt” (Line Item #1122) is up substantially because the town could not hold tax
sales last year due to the epidemic, which meant less Revenue. That and delinquent taxes in
general meant end-of-the-year borrowing was necessary to pay the Town’s obligations.

Appointed Town Clerk/Treasurer
This question is put on the ballot by the Selectboard. Vermont statutes give the voters authority
to make the Town Clerk/Treasurer position appointed rather than elected. This office is the
nerve center of the Town, and it has become more and more computerized. The person in this
position has to be able to do the work. The board felt the voters might want the opportunity to
choose. If the voters approve, the change would not go into effect until next year. Even with
the change there are no plans to change the personnel currently employed.
Speaking of…
Andy Martin, Allan Ashman and Mark Fauteux of the Brighton Road Department have been
doing a great job. These guys like to work, and it shows. Of course they have to work hard,
just to keep up with Teresa and Lisa in the Town Clerk’s office, Bruce keeping everything
running, and Administrative staff Mike and Joel. Everybody has been working at a hectic pace
to keep Brighton municipal government in a solid position.
What’s in Store

This has been a year of significant changes in Brighton, and those changes will continue into
2023 and beyond. There will be a state-of-the-art WWTP, sludge removed from lagoons,
modern communications technology in the town hall that will make municipal government
more transparent, a full-time Town Manager, new and updated appraising and mapping
abilities, park improvements and extensive planning for other infrastructure improvements
needed. These changes are necessary and water/sewer users are certainly going to see
substantial rate increases. Nevertheless, when this is all done, Brighton infrastructure will be in
place and functional for the next 20-30 years.

2022 Annual Report 13