Search Results

May 14, 2025, at 6:30 PM Whiting Free Library, South Main Street, Whiting Agenda: ·       Schedule ·       Summer Program ·       Book, plant, and bake sale ·       Budget and purchase approvals ·       Other Business as needed   If you would like to join the meeting through Zoom, please email hmattison13@gmail.com by May 13th.

Steve Quinn is now the Green Up Chairman for Whiting.

March 10th, 2025 @ Fire Station From  5:00pm to 6:00pm $20 per animal Dog Registration will be available

Sec. 22. 24 V.S.A. chapter 60 is added to read: CHAPTER 60. MUNICIPAL CODE OF ETHICS § 1991. DEFINITIONS As used in this chapter: (1) “Advisory body” means a public body that does not have supervision, control, or jurisdictionover legislative, quasi-judicial, tax, or budgetary matters. (2) “Candidate” and “candidate’s committee” have the same meanings as in 17 V.S.A. § 2901. (3) “Commission” means the State Ethics Commission established under 3 V.S.A. chapter 31, subchapter 3. (4) “Confidential information” means information that is exempt from public inspection and copying under 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq. or is otherwise designated by law as confidential. (5) “Conflict of interest” means a direct or indirect interest of a municipal officer or such an interest, known to the officer, of a member of the officer’s immediate family or household, or of a business associate, in the outcome of a particular matter pending before the officer or the officer’s public body, or that is in conflict with the proper discharge of the officer’s duties. “Conflict of interest” does not include any interest that is not greater than that of other individuals generally affected by the outcome of a matter. (6) “Department head” means any authority in charge of an agency, department, or office of a municipality. (7) “Designated complaint recipient” means: (A) a department head or employee specifically designated or assigned to receive a complaint that constitutes protected activity, as set forth in section 1997 of this title; (B) a board or commission of the State or a municipality; (C) the Vermont State Auditor; (D) a State or federal agency that oversees the activities of an agency, department, or office of the State or a municipality; (E) a law enforcement officer as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2358; (F) a federal or State court, grand jury, petit jury, law enforcement agency, or prosecutorial office; (G) the legislative body of the municipality, the General Assembly or the U.S. Congress; or (H) an officer or employee of an entity listed in this subdivision (7) when acting within the scope of the officer’s or employee’s duties. (8) “Domestic partner” means an individual in an enduring domestic relationship of a spousal nature with the municipal officer, provided the individual and municipal officer: (A) have shared a residence for at least six consecutive months; (B) are at least 18 years of age; (C) are not married to or considered a domestic partner of another individual; (D) are not related by blood closer than would bar marriage under State law; and (E) have agreed between themselves to be responsible for each other’s welfare. (9) “Illegal order” means a directive to violate, or to assist in violating, a federal, State, or local law. (10) “Immediate family” means an individual’s spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner; child or foster child; sibling; parent; or such relations by marriage or by civil union or domestic partnership; or an individual claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. (11) “Legislative body” means the selectboard in the case of a town, the mayor, alderpersons, and city council members in the case of a city, the president and trustees in the case of an incorporated village, the members of the prudential committee in the case of a fire district, and the supervisor in the case of an unorganized town or gore. (12) “Municipal officer” or “officer” means: (A) any member of a legislative body of a municipality; (B) any member of a quasi-judicial body of a municipality; or (C) any individual who holds the position of, or exercises the function of, any of the following positions in or on behalf of any municipality: (i) advisory budget committee member; (ii) auditor; (iii) building inspector; (iv) cemetery commissioner; (v) chief administrative officer; (vi) clerk; (vii) collector of delinquent taxes; (viii) department heads; (ix) first constable; (x) lister or assessor; (xi) mayor; (xii) moderator; (xiii) planning commission member; (xiv) road commissioner; (xv) town or city manager; (xvi) treasurer; (xvii) village or town trustee; (xviii) trustee of public funds; or (xix) water commissioner. (13) “Municipality” means any town, village, or city. (14) “Protected employee” means an individual employed on a permanent or limited status basis by a municipality. (15) “Public body” has the same meaning as in 1 V.S.A. § 310. (16) “Retaliatory action” includes any adverse performance or disciplinary action, including discharge, suspension, reprimand, demotion, denial of promotion, imposition of a performance warning period, or involuntary transfer or reassignment; that is given in retaliation for the protected employee’s involvement in a protected activity, as set forth in section 1997 of this title. § 1992. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (a) Duty to avoid conflicts of interest. In the municipal officer’s official capacity, the officer shall avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. The appearance of a conflict shall be determined from the perspective of a reasonable individual with knowledge of the relevant facts. (b) Recusal. (1) If a municipal officer is confronted with a conflict of interest or the appearance of one, the officer shall immediately recuse themselves from the matter, except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (2) and (5) of this subsection, and not take further action on the matter or participate in any way or act to influence a decision regarding the matter. After recusal, an officer may still take action on the matter if the officer is a party, as defined by section 1201 of this title, in a contested hearing or litigation and acts only in the officer’s capacity as a member of the public. The officer shall make a public statement explaining the officer’s recusal. (2)(A) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection (b), an officer may continue to act in a matter involving the officer’s conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest if the officer first: (i) determines there is good cause for the officer to proceed, meaning: (I) the conflict is amorphous, intangible, or otherwise speculative; (II) the officer cannot legally or practically delegate the matter; or (III) the action to be taken by the officer is purely ministerial and does not involve substantive decision-making; and (ii) the officer submits a written nonrecusal statement to the legislative body of the municipality regarding the nature of the conflict that shall: (I) include a description of the matter requiring action; (II) include a description of the nature of the potential conflict or actual conflict of interest; (III) include an explanation of why good cause exists so that the municipal officer can take action in the matter fairly, objectively, and in the public interest; (IV) be written in plain language and with sufficient detail so that the matter may be understood by the public; and (V) be signed by the municipal officer. (B) Notwithstanding subsection (A) of this subdivision (2), a municipal officer that would benefit from any contract entered into by the municipality and the officer, the officer’s immediate family, or an associated business of the officer or the officer’s immediate family, and whose official duties include execution of that contract, shall recuse themselves from any decision-making process involved in the awarding of that contract. (C) Notwithstanding subsection (A) of this subdivision (2), a municipal officer shall not continue to act in a matter involving the officer’s conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest if authority granted to another official or public body elsewhere under law is exercised to preclude the municipal officer from continuing to act in the matter. (3) If an officer’s conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest concerns an official act or actions that take place outside a public meeting, the officer’s nonrecusal statement shall be filed with the clerk of the municipality and be available to the public for the duration of the officer’s service plus a minimum of five years. (4) If an officer’s conflict of interest is related to an official municipal act or actions considered at a public meeting, the officer’s nonrecusal statement shall be filed as part of the minutes of the meeting of the public body in which the municipal officer serves. (5) If, at a meeting of a public body, an officer becomes aware of a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest for the officer and the officer determines there is good cause to proceed, the officer may proceed with the matter after announcing and fully stating the conflict on the record. The officer shall submit a written nonrecusal statement pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection within five business days after the meeting. The meeting minutes shall be subsequently amended to reflect the submitted written nonrecusal statement. (c) Authority to inquire about conflicts of interest. If a municipal officer is a member of a public body, the other members of that body shall have the authority to inquire of the officer about any possible conflict of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest and to recommend that the member recuse themselves from the matter. (d) Confidential information. Nothing in this section shall require a municipal officer to disclose confidential information or information that is otherwise privileged under law. § 1993. PROHIBITED CONDUCT (a) Directing unethical conduct. A municipal officer shall not direct any individual to act in a manner that would: (1) benefit a municipal officer in a manner related to the officer’s conflict of interest; (2) create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest for the officer or for the directed individual; or (3) otherwise violate the Municipal Code of Ethics as described in this chapter. (b) Preferential treatment. A municipal officer shall act impartially and not unduly favor or prejudice any person in the course of conducting official business. An officer shall not give, or represent an ability to give, undue preference or special treatment to any person because of the person’s wealth, position, or status or because of a person’s personal relationship with the officer, unless otherwise permitted or required by State or federal law. (c) Misuse of position . A municipal officer shall not use the officer’s official position for the personal or financial gain of the officer, a member of the officer’s immediate family or household, or the officer’s business associate. (d) Misuse of information . A municipal officer shall not use nonpublic or confidential information acquired during the course of official business for personal or financial gain of the officer or for the personal or financial gain of a member of the officer’s immediate family or household or of an officer’s business associate. (e) Misuse of government resources . A municipal officer shall not make use of a town’s, city’s, or village’s materials, funds, property, personnel, facilities, or equipment, or permit another person to do so, for any purpose other than for official business unless the use is expressly permitted or required by State law; ordinance; or a written agency, departmental, or institutional policy or rule. An officer shall not engage in or direct another person to engage in work other than the performance of official duties during working hours, except as permitted or required by law or a written agency, departmental, or institutional policy or rule. (f) Gifts . (1) No person shall offer or give to a municipal officer or candidate, or the officer’s or candidate’s immediate family, anything of value, including a gift, loan, political contribution, reward, or promise of future employment based on any understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the municipal officer or candidate would be, or had been, influenced thereby. (2) A municipal officer or candidate shall not solicit or accept anything of value, including a gift, loan, political contribution, reward, or promise of future employment based on any understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the municipal officer or candidate would be or had been influenced thereby. (3) Nothing in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall be construed to apply to any campaign contribution that is lawfully made to a candidate or candidate’s committee pursuant to 17 V.S.A. chapter 61 or to permit any activity otherwise prohibited by 13 V.S.A. chapter 21. (g) Unauthorized commitments . A municipal officer shall not make unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the municipality unless otherwise permitted by law. (h) Benefit from contracts . A municipal officer shall not benefit from any contract entered into by the municipality and the officer, the officer’s immediate family, or an associated business of the officer or the officer’s immediate family, unless: (1) the benefit is not greater than that of other individuals generally affected by the contract; (2) the contract is a contract for employment with the municipality; (3) the contract was awarded through an open and public process of competitive bidding; or (4) the total value of the contract is less than $2,000.00

Open Meeting Law – Title 1 Section 314 Complaint Process: VT State law requires municipalities to explain the process for submitting notice of an Open Meeting Law violation to the local public body that allegedly committed the violation or to the Vermont Attorney General.   The written notice of complaint must:  Allege a specific violation of the Open Meeting Law  Identity of the public body that committed the alleged violation  Request a specific cure of the violation The public body will respond to the alleged violation within 10 calendar days by:  Acknowledging the violation of this subchapter and stating an intent to cure the violation within 14 calendar days; or  Stating that the public body has determined that no violation has occurred and no cure is necessary Open Meeting Law complaints directed to the Town of Whiting must be filed with the Town Clerk by e-mail townofwhiting@shoreham.net or by mail to: Whiting Town Clerk , 29 S Main ST, Whiting, VT 05778 Open Meeting Law complaints directed to the Vermont Attorney General can be sent to:  Vermont Attorney General’s Office Address: 109 State Street,  Montpelier, VT 05609 Phone (802) 828-3171 Email:  ago.info@vermont.gov

Section 1. Authority. Under authority granted in 24 V.S.A Chapter 59, 24 V.S.A. §§ 2291(1), (4), 23 V.S.A. § 3506 , and 23 V.S.A. § 3510, the Selectboard of the Town of Whiting hereby adopts the following civil ordinance regulating the time , manner , and location of operation of all - terrain vehicles within the town .  Section 2. Purpose . The purpose of this Ordinance is to promote and protect the health and safety of operators of all - terrain vehicles , and of the residents of the Town and to protect the animals , property , and environment of the Town .  Section 3. Definitions .   a. . "All-terrain vehicle" , or "ATV ", means any non - highway recreational vehicle, except snowmobiles , having no less than three low pressure tires (10 pounds per square inch, or less), not wider than 72 inches with permanent, full - time power to all wheels, and having a dry weight of less than 2,500 pounds , when used for cross - country travel on trails or on any one of the following or a combination thereof: land , water , snow , ice , marsh , swampland , and natural terrain . An ATV on a public highway shall be considered a motor vehicle . An ATV does not include an electric personal assistive mobility device, a motor - assisted bicycle, or an electric bicycle.  b . " Operate " includes any attempt to operate and shall be construed to cover all matters and things connected with the presence and use of all - terrain vehicles within the Town whether they be in motion or at rest .  c. Other definitions found in 23 V.S.A. § 3501 are incorporated herein by reference.  Section 4. Operation of ATVs.  a . All ATVs must be registered and operated according to the requirements of 23 V.S.A. § Chapter 31 .  b . All ATVs operating on Town highways must have proof of liability insurance in accordance with 23 V.S.A. Chapter 11.  c. ATVS shall not be operated on public bike paths or hiking trails or on V.A.S.T. snowmobile trails .  d . ATV operators must be individuals 16 years of age or older with a valid driver's license .  e . ATVs shall not be operated on private property without written permission of the property owner.  f .  All posted speed limits and traffic control devices on Town highways shall apply to the operation of ATVs . Notwithstanding the above , (i) no person shall drive an ATV on a public right of way at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions , having regard to the actual and potential hazards existing, and (ii) no ATV shall be driven faster than 40 miles per hour on Leicester-Whiting Road or Shoreham - Whiting Road . In every event , speed shall be controlled as necessary to avoid collision with any person , vehicle, bicycle , ATV , or other object on or adjacent to the highway.  g . The operator of every ATV shall drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection , when approaching and going around a curve , when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding road and when a special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic by reason of weather or trial conditions .  h . ATVs shall be operated in a safe manner on Town highways and shall obey all traffic regulations that apply to other motor vehicles permitted on the Town highways . All ATVs shall yield the right of way to all motor vehicles , pedestrians , bicyclists, and horse riders using the highways . All ATVS must be operated on the far right of the highway when operating on a public highway.  i .  ATV operators shall also comply with all state statutes governing their operation.  j .  ATVS may not be operated on Town roads between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Friday and between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.  k . ATVs must be equipped with at least one headlight having a minimum c candlepower of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and objects at a distance of at least one hundred feet under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness .  I. ATVS must be equipped with at least one red taillight having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to be plainly visible from a distance of five hundred free to the rear under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness .  m . ATVs operating during hours of darkness must display a white lighted headlight and red taillight. The lights shall be in operation during the period of from one - half hour after sunset and at any time when , due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions caused by fog or otherwise, other person, vehicles and other objects are not clearly discernible for a distance of five hundred feet ahead .  n . Any Town highway that is open to ATVs under this Ordinance must be posted with appropriate signage prior to operation of ATVs on such highway. These signs shall be approved by the Whiting Selectboard and funded , posted , and maintained by a private ATV club or association designated by the Selectboard . The Selectboard shall have the right , at any time , to revoke the designation and designate a new club or association to carry out these responsibilities .  All ATVs operating on Town highways must not have a modified exhaust .  p . Where ATV travel on Town highways is permitted , such travel shall be single file. No racing shall be allowed .  q . Large groups travelling on town roads must sub - divide to smaller groups of four ATVs or less and space themselves to avoid congestion and reduce noise and dust .   r .  Except as otherwise provided in Section 10, all ATVs may be operated on the following Town highways:  i . Barnes Road  ii . Bilodeau Road  iii . Galvin Road  iv . Gibeault Road  v . Leicester - Whiting Road   vi. Murray Road  vii . North Road  viii . Sawyer-Needham Road  ix . Shoreham - Whiting Road  x. Stickney Road  xi . West Road  s. ATVs may not be operated on the following Town highways:  i .  Crosby Road  ii . Cutting Hill Road  iii . Vail Road  t. .  ATVS may not be operated in cemeteries .  u. .  No loaded long guns may be carried on an ATV .  Section 10. Suspension by Selectboard . If the Whiting Selectboard determines that the operation of ATVs on any Town highway is creating a public nuisance or is otherwise interfering with the safety or welfare of residents or visitors to the Town , the Selectboard may suspend the public's right to operate ATVS on any or all Town highways and direct the removal of signage permitting ATVs from such highways unless and until the suspension is lifted by the Selectboard .  Section 11. Other Laws . This Ordinance is in addition to all other ordinances of the Town and all applicable laws of the State of Vermont. All ordinances or parts of ordinances, resolutions, regulations, or other documents inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.  Section 12. Severability. If any section of this ordinance is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such finding shall not invalidate any other part of this Ordinance .  Section 13. Effective Date . This Ordinance shall take effect 60 days after its approval by the Selectboard, except that if a petition is filed under 24 V.S.A. § 1973, that statute shall govern the effective date of this Ordinance . This Ordinance shall remain in effect until one year from its effective date , at which time it shall expire unless the Whiting Selectboard votes to enact a new or modified version of this Ordinance .  Committee Members  Jennifer Erwin  Jenna Quenneville  Justin Quenneville  Steve Quinn  Selectboard Members  Marcia King  Steve Quenneville  Bob Wood

TOWN OF WHITING, VERMONT  Notice of Adoption of Ordinance Regulating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)  On July 8, 2024, the Whiting Selectboard adopted an Ordinance Regulating All-Terrain Vehicle (ATVs). The purpose of the Ordinance is to promote and protect the health and safety of operators of all-terrain vehicles, and of the residents of the Town and to protect the animals, property, and environment of the Town.  The Ordinance will take effect on September 6, 2024, unless a petition for a vote at a special meeting on the question of disapproving the Ordinance, signed by not less than 5 percent of the qualified voters of Whiting, is presented to the Selectboard or Clerk of the municipality within 44 days of the date of adoption, all in accordance with 24 V.S.A. §1973.  The titles of sections of the Ordinance are as follows:  Section 1. Authority.  Section 2. Purpose.  Section 3. Definitions.  Section 4. Operation of ATVs.  Section 5. Suspension by Selectboard.  Section 6. Other Laws.  Section 7. Severability.  Section 8. Effective Date.  The full text of the Ordinance may be examined at the Whiting Town Office, 29 S. Main Street, Whiting, VT, on Mondays from 7:30am to 11:00am and 3:00pm to 5:00pm and on Wednesdays from 7:30am to 11:00am, or on the Town website at www.whitingvt.com .  Any questions relating to the adoption of this Ordinance may be directed to Heather Bouchard, Town Clerk, Town of Whiting, 29 S. Main Street, Whiting, VT 05778, 802-623-7813, or townofwhiting@shoreham.net .

Title 1 : General Provisions Chapter 005 : Common Law; General Rights Subchapter 002 : Public Information (Cite as: 1 V.S.A. § 314) § 314. Penalty and enforcement (a) A person who is a member of a public body and who knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions of this subchapter, a person who knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions of this subchapter on behalf or at the behest of a public body, or a person who knowingly and intentionally participates in the wrongful exclusion of any person or persons from any meeting subject to this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $500.00. (b)(1) Prior to instituting an action under subsection (c) of this section, the Attorney General or any person aggrieved by a violation of the provisions of this subchapter shall provide the public body written notice that alleges a specific violation of this subchapter and requests a specific cure of such violation. The public body will not be liable for attorney’s fees and litigation costs under subsection (d) of this section if it cures in fact a violation of this subchapter in accordance with the requirements of this subsection. (2) Upon receipt of the written notice of alleged violation, the public body shall respond publicly to the alleged violation within 10 calendar days by: (A) acknowledging the violation of this subchapter and stating an intent to cure the violation within 14 calendar days; or (B) stating that the public body has determined that no violation has occurred and that no cure is necessary. (3) Failure of a public body to respond to a written notice of alleged violation within 10 calendar days shall be treated as a denial of the violation for purposes of enforcement of the requirements of this subchapter. (4) Within 14 calendar days after a public body acknowledges a violation under subdivision (2)(A) of this subsection, the public body shall cure the violation at an open meeting by: (A) either ratifying, or declaring as void, any action taken at or resulting from: (i) a meeting that was not noticed in accordance with subsection 312(c) of this title; or (ii) a meeting that a person or the public was wrongfully excluded from attending; or (iii) an executive session or portion thereof not authorized under subdivisions 313(a)(1)-(10) of this title; and (B) adopting specific measures that actually prevent future violations. (c) Following an acknowledgment or denial of a violation and, if applicable, following expiration of the 14-calendar-day cure period for public bodies acknowledging a violation, the Attorney General or any person aggrieved by a violation of the provisions of this subchapter may bring an action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court in the county in which the violation has taken place for appropriate injunctive relief or for a declaratory judgment. An action may be brought under this section no later than one year after the meeting at which the alleged violation occurred or to which the alleged violation relates. Except as to cases the court considers of greater importance, proceedings before the Civil Division of the Superior Court, as authorized by this section and appeals therefrom, take precedence on the docket over all cases and shall be assigned for hearing and trial or for argument at the earliest practicable date and expedited in every way. (d) The court shall assess against a public body found to have violated the requirements of this subchapter reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case under this subchapter in which the complainant has substantially prevailed, unless the court finds that: (1)(A) the public body had a reasonable basis in fact and law for its position; and (B) the public body acted in good faith. In determining whether a public body acted in good faith, the court shall consider, among other factors, whether the public body responded to a notice of an alleged violation of this subchapter in a timely manner under subsection (b) of this section; or (2) the public body cured the violation in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. (e) A municipality shall post on its website, if it maintains one: (1) an explanation of the procedures for submitting notice of an Open Meeting Law violation to the public body or the Attorney General; and (2) a copy of the text of this section. MODEL OPEN MEETING LAW COMPLAINT  FORM  [ Insert name of municipality ]  [ Insert date ]  ATTN: [ insert legislative body, town manager/administrator, selectboard chair, or town clerk ] [ Insert address]  PHONE:  EMAIL:   FACTUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPLAINT:  Prior to bringing a civil action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court in the county in which  the alleged violation has taken place for appropriate injunctive relief or for a declaratory  judgment, Vermont law requires any person aggrieved by an alleged violation of the Open  Meeting Law to provide the public body with a written notice that alleges a specific violation  and requests a specific cure of such violation.   • Date and Time Occurred:   • Name of Public Body:  • Specific Violation Alleged:   • Specific Cure Requested:   Please provide any additional facts that may assist the [ insert name of municipality ] in its  investigation below:  ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 1  ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________  If you need more space, please attach sheets to this form. Submit this document, and any  supporting documentation, to the address at the top of this form. 2

2023 Town Report