Guide to 2021 Woodstock Town Meeting
Woodstock Town Hall is shown above. This year, Woodstock is holding two informational meetings instead of the traditional, in-person Annual Town Meeting. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
A lively debate and a community lunch are cherished parts of Woodstock's annual town meeting, but things have a different look for 2021. Instead, all discussion is on Zoom, voting is by Australian ballot and lunch is at home. It's the latest example of important local traditions adjusting to life in a pandemic.
This year, the town will hold two public informational meetings on Zoom. They are this Saturday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. and on Monday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. Connection information is online at townofwoodstock.org in the "Upcoming Meetings" section near the top of the home page.
On Friday morning, Select Board Chair Mary Riley said the town has been trying to get the word out about the 2021 Town Meeting arrangements as much as possible. The Town Warning has been posted on the website for over a week.
"It's different for all of us, so it's going to be a learning experience from the first word," Riley said.
No amendments on ballot items will be allowed at either meeting, and all items will be decided by Australian ballot. Polls are open on Tuesday, March 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Woodstock Town Hall. Like last November, early voting options are available. Registered voters can request an absentee ballot, and for that, Town Clerk Charlie Degener said "the sooner the better." Friday, Feb. 26, is the last day to return absentee ballots directly to the clerk's office, but they can also be turned in at the polls on March 2. Any mailed absentee ballots must be received by the time the polls close.
Degener said the biggest difference under these circumstances is the amount of absentee ballots coming in. But that isn't as new as it used to be.
"We had practice with that last year with the August primary and November election, so I think that should go smoothly," he said.
Degener said some voters have called in to ask about the details of the town meeting plan this year, but he noted that Woodstock always does some of its town meeting business at the voting booth.
"Unlike some towns who do everything from the floor, with our hybrid model, people are accustomed to voting on some issues by Australian ballot," Degener said.
When they head to the polls, Woodstock town voters will decide a pair of races this year. Select Board incumbent Jill Davies faces a challenge from Joe Swanson for a three-year seat. Vying for first constable are incumbent Kelly Linton and Devon Kurtz. Ray Bourgeois is running unopposed for a two-year term on the Select Board. Also on March 2, voters will decide on the proposed town budget of $6,731,068 — that includes about $5 million to be raised by taxes.
The 2020 Town Report can be viewed online, or request a physical copy by emailing Nikki Nourse at nnourse@townofwoodstock.org. The clerk's office is reachable at 802-457-3611 and will be closed on March 1 and March 2 for the election.
As for Woodstock Village, the Village Trustees will soon be getting the word out about their annual meeting, which will also be an informational meeting on Zoom. That will be held on March 9 at 7 p.m. The same rules apply — no amendments, and all voting is by Australian ballot. Village residents can vote absentee, including the mail-in option. The village polls will be open on March 16 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Printed copies of the 2020 Village Report will be available at town hall and other locations. Three Village trustees — Board Chair Jeff Kahn, Brenda Blakeman and William Corson — are running unopposed for reelection.
Speaking on Friday, Kahn said he hadn't heard from many village residents about the new arrangement, as much of the focus is currently on the town. He acknowledged the in-person element will be missed this year.
"We like looking at people and having questions answered and motions made from the floor, but that's not happening this year, and we'll carry on the best we can," Kahn said.
— Gareth Henderson
