CAVENDISH CIVICS 101
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TOWN DECISIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Cavendish operates in a typical New England system, where the power rests with the voters and the Select Board (SB). The SB consists of five members who are elected, serving terms of one, two or three years. They are the executive and administrative board for the town. Meetings are conducted via Vermont’s Open Meeting Law and are in person with a zoom option. Meetings take place the second Monday of every month, with additional ones as needed. Agendas are warned and posted to the town website and bulletin board. Minutes are available at the town’s website.
Town Employees are responsible as follows:
Town Manager: Questions about town operations and departments, building and development, highways, municipal water and sewer utilities, personnel, purchasing or other subjects may be directed to the manager. Note that this position is appointed by the SB. The town manager reports to the SB, which he can advise on various issues, but it’s the SB who will make final decisions, unless they assign it to the voters.
Town Clerk: This person is in charge of the Town records. Land record searches, the filing of deeds, vital statistics and other documents to be recorded with the Town all fall within his purview. In addition to the "standard" clerk duties Michael also can help with Vermont DMV vehicle renewals. This position is elected by the voters.
Learn more about the Cavendish Town Office at the Town’s website.
TOWN MEETING/VOTING: Long before town meeting occurs March 2-, 2027 this coming year- a great deal of work is done by the Select Board (SB) and town office staff. Below are definitions of terms used along with the timeline leading up to Town Meeting Day.
Cavendish follows the state’s open meeting policy. All SB meetings are warned via the town’s website, posted to the bulletin boards inside and outside the town office, and posted to the Cavendish Facebook page. All minutes are posted at the town’s website Meetings are open to the public and are available by zoom.
Be advised, the education report and budget has a different process, though the final school budget is voted on at Town Meeting. Day.
TERMS
Town Meeting Day: Held the first Tuesday in March, all voting is done by Australian Ballot on this day. Both town and school budgets are voted on along with other articles that have been warned. Cavendish’s polling place is the Proctorsvile Fire Department and takes place from 10 am-7 pm.
Town Meeting: This is an informational meeting held prior to voting where issues are discussed but no action is taken.
Warning: The official public notice and agenda of articles to be voted on, which must be posted 30 to 40 days before a meeting.
Article: A specific item listed on the warning to be voted on by the registered voters.
Australian Ballot: A standardized, printed paper ballot filled out in private for secret-ballot voting on budgets and elections.
TIMELINE
• December: The SB begins meeting about the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. Organizations that wish to receive money from the town must submit a letter of request.
• January: Anyone wishing to run for public office (e.g. SB member, school board) must submit a petition. They will need a minimum of 13 registered voters signatures. Petitions are available from the clerk who will let you know the filing date.
- SB holds weekly meetings about the budget, warnings etc. By the end of the month, the SB approves both the articles to be voted on as well as the budget.
- Citizens can request that an article to be voted on at town meeting The town office can help you draft your article. Allow ample time for this to be approved by the SB.
- A date for the informational town meeting is set by the SB.
- By the end of the month, the Town Report and Town Warning is finalized
• February: Town Report goes to the printer and is mailed to registered voters at least 10 days prior to Town Meeting. A PDF version of the Town Report is posted to the Town’s Website. The Town Meeting warning must be posted not less than 30 days nor more than 40 days before the meeting. This will appear in multiple locations including the town’s paper of record, The Vermont Journal.
- Informational town meeting may occur at the end of this month. Note that this meeting pertains to town issues only.
• March: Town meeting voting-all voting in Cavendish is done by Australian ballot-is held the first Tuesday in March. This year that will be March 2.
- First SB meeting with new members includes an organizational meeting.
VOTING: Only registered Cavendish voters can vote in in town elections. This can be done by mail in ballot or in person on election day.
If you are 18 or older, you can register to vote in one of the following ways:
• on election day vote that same day
• at any time, in person, at the Cavendish Town’ Clerk’s office
• on-line at the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page
