Bicycles on Sidewalks

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State law in Vermont does not prohibit bicyclists of any age from riding on sidewalks. Municipalities may restrict or prohibit riding on sidewalks through the ordinance adoption process; Waitsfield does not have an ordinance provision in place that prohibits riding on sidewalks.

For all bicyclists, riding in the road with traffic is generally the safest option. For children, it may be riding on sidewalks in certain locations and situations.

Bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike are encouraged to be aware, to be safe, to go slow when appropriate, and to share public infrastructure.

The document below (“The Parents Guide to Safe Bicycling”), created by the Vermont Agency of Transportation and Local Motion, contains more information about riding bicycles on sidewalks and is a good reference for those looking to ride with kids.

Parent’s Guide_Safe Bicycling 2017 updateDownload

FY20 Property Taxes – Rates and Due Dates

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The residential and non-residential rates for FY20 (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020) have been set.

For residential properties:

Municipal rate = $0.4308 per $100 of assessed value.

Local agreement rate (municipal) = $0.0035 per $100 of assessed value.

Residential (Homestead) education rate = $1.6548 per $100 of assessed value.

Total FY20 residential property tax rate = $2.0891 per $100 of assessed value.

For non-residential properties:

Municipal rate = $0.4308 per $100 of assessed value.

Local agreement rate (municipal) = $0.0035 per $100 of assessed value.

Non-residential education rate = $1.6217 per $100 of assessed value.

Total FY20 non-residential property tax rate = $2.0560 per $100 of assessed value. 

Taxes are paid in quarterly installments, and due on the following dates:

September 15, 2019 (Monday)

November 15, 2019 (Friday)

February 17, 2020 (Monday)

May 15, 2020 (Friday)

Volunteer Opportunities – Board, Committee, and Commission Vacancies

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Interested in participating in local government?

The Town of Waitsfield has the following openings on its boards, committees, and commissions:

  • Cemetery Commission — one seat; remaining two years of an unexpired five-year term (expiring March 2021).
  • Planning Commission – one seat; remainder of a four-year term (expiring March 2021).
  • Water Commission – one seat; two-year term (expiring March 2021).

To apply, send an email or letter of interest to Town Administrator Trevor Lashua at [email protected], or by mailing one to:

Town of Waitsfield

Attn: Town Administrator

4144 Main Street

Waitsfield, VT 05673

FY20 Budget and FY20-FY24 Capital Improvement Program – as approved.

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The FY20 budget and FY20-FY24 capital improvement program (CIP) and budget were approved by voters at Town Meeting on March 5th. 

The FY20 Budget as approved is $1,971,058, an increase of 4.6% (+$87,372) from the budget for FY19. The projected impact on the municipal portion of the property tax rate is an increase of 2.13 cents per $100 (+5.1%) of assessed value; the increase for owners of homes assessed between $200,000 and $400,000 is estimated to be between $43 and $85 for the year.

Voters added $35,000 to the budget from the floor: $10,000 to restore the transfer to the Restroom/Recreation/Conservation reserve and $25,000 to the paving reserve. A copy of the FY20 budget, FY20-FY24 CIP, and debt service table are below. 

FY20 Budget, Debt Schedule, FY20-24 CIP, and FY20 Capital Reserves – as approved at Town Meeting 2019 (03-05-19)