MUNICIPAL OFFICES TOWNSHEND, VERMONT

There are a variety of single position offices, like the Town Clerk or the Town Treasurer, as well as a number of governing boards. Many of these are elected positions, many are appointed positions. Some, like the “Weigher of Coal” or the “Inspector of Shingles”, are left overs from the good old days but, if you get and hold those positions, they count when Vermont recognizes those who have “served” for many years.

This web site will not list all such positions. The officials listed in the drop down menu under “offices” are the ones that are elected except for the Planning Commission whose members are appointed by the Select Board. The Planning Commission deals with many things that do impact the residents and property owners in Townshend and their role is a significant one, especially in a contested Act 250 application. If you do want to see a list of who holds what position in a given year, you can get that information from the Town Reports link under documents. Each Town Report gives a list of positions and office holders.

There are many important appointed officials and some of the responsibilities are quite significant. All in all, Vermont runs on volunteers and many of them serve in positions that are essential to proper planning, waste management and public health. These are rarely, if ever, paid positions in a town the size of Townshend. The list below is the current list of positions to which people are appointed, not elected. The number beside some listings indicates the number of positions that will be appointed if more than one. With the exception of Planning Commission members, the Health Officer, the Inspector of Wood and Timber, and the Forest Fire Warden,  all appointments are for one year.  The Select Board is responsible for appointing these officials.

Photo courtesy Steven Meyer