Board of Civil Authority

The Board of Civil Authority (BCA) is authorized by 24 V.S.A. § 801 and is responsible for assisting in elections, delivering absentee ballots, counting ballots, maintaining up-to-date voter checklists, and hearing appeals from final decisions of the Listers on the valuation of property.

The Board of Civil Authority meets when required at the Town Hall (there are no regular meetings).

*Members
Town Clerk: Michelle Leclerc
Selectboard Members: Jan Ouellette, Glenn Herrin, Eric Bach, Alison Low, Matt Choate
Justices of the Peace: Eric Bach, Matthew Choate, Sharon K. Daniell, Barbara Hawley, Virginia Incerpi, Julie Larrabee, Bruce Melendy, Jenny Rafuse, Phyllis Kehley Sweeney, Brittney Larrabee Wilson
*Unlike most Town public bodies where the Selectboard appoints members to specific terms, state statute specifies membership by elected offices.

The Board of Civil Authority is composed of the Town Clerk, the Selectboard, and Justices of Peace of the Town. The primary duties of the BCA are to: 

  • Conduct property tax assessment appeals.
  • Administer elections by issuing guidance to election official and ensuring compliance with federal and state election laws. 

 

Part of the administration of elections is conducting a review of the voter checklist every two years on odd numbered years.  The BCA reviews the voter checklist, sending challenge letters to voters who are thought to no longer be residents.  Accordingly, voters may only be purged in the following circumstances: 

  • Notification of death by the State Health Department.
  • Voter returns a challenge letter signed, indicating they have moved, voter sends an email or letter indicating they have moved.
  • A challenge letter has been sent and no response has been received after two presidential elections.

Meetings

Date/Agenda Minutes Notes / Materials
14 JAN 26 Set TM polling places
9 SEP 25 BCA Minutes 20250909
26 FEB 25 BCA Minutes 20250226 INITIAL