Your town government is made up of various committees, commissions, and appointed and elected officials; each performing an essential part of town business. The main legislative body of Pownal is the Selectboard, which is a five-member elected board. The information below lists the key functions of the town and provides important contacts for each.

Office Hours

ALL TOWN OFFICES ARE OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO VISIT.
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Town Clerk
Tue - Thu 9:00am - 4:30pm
  • (w) 802.823.0116 x101
  • (c) 802.753.6628
  • (f)  802.949.7071

Selectboard Office
Tue - Thu 8:00am - 6:00pm
Mon & Fri By Appointment
  • (w) 802.823.0116 x110
  • (f) 802.949.7071

Listers
Mon - Thu 9:00am - 12:00pm
Wed Extended Hours Until 4:00pm
802.823.0116  x103 or 104

Treasurer/Del Tax Collector
Mon-Fri 7:30am - 11:00am (in office)
Mon-Fri 12:00pm - 3:00 pm (by cell)
  • (w) 802.823.0116 x106
  • (c) 802.430.3454
  • (f) 802.949.7071

Transfer Station 
Wed, Fri, & Sat 8:00am - 4:00pm
802.379.1470

Municipal Wastewater
Mon-Fri 7:00am - 3:30pm
802.823.9814

Highway Department
​Mon-Fri 7:00am - 3:30pm
802.442.2056
Town Clerk

​Clerk: Julie Weber (term expires in 2024)
(w) 802.823.0116  x101 (w)
(c)  802.753.6628
(f)   802.949.7071

​Assistant Town Clerk: Priscilla Maxon & Tracy Desautels
(w) 802.823.0116  x101
(f)  802.949.7071
​The Pownal Town Clerk plays a central role in the operation of our local government, with duties that bring the clerk into regular contact with the public. The clerk's duties include recording, preserving and certifying public documents, administering oaths of office, complying with public information requests, and running local elections. Other services provided by the town clerk include issuing marriage licenses, animal licenses, and tobacco and liquor licenses.
  • Land Records
  • Voting Information
  • Marriage Licenses
  • Animal Licenses
Use these links to assist you in the voting process. Use them to register to vote, change your address, or request an absentee ballot.
Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! Please use the forms below to make it official.

FAQs - Getting Married in Vermont
Vermont Civil Marriage License
Dogs, Wolf Hybrids, and Ferrets, according with Title 20 s3581, over 6 months of age must be registered by April 1. A copy of current rabies vaccine and spay/neutering (if applicable) must be presented at time of licensing. New residents have 90 days to register animals before penalties apply.
$13 for Spayed and Neutered
$15 for Non-Spayed or Neutered
Selectboard & Staff

​The Selectboard is the body that has general supervision and control over the affairs of the town. The select board performs three main functions for our town:
  • Legislative - enacts local ordinances, regulations and policies.
  • Administrative - prepares and presents the budget, oversees all town expenditures, supervises personnel and controls town buildings and property.
  • Quasi-judicial - determines private rights in such areas as laying out, discontinuing and reclassifying highways and hearing appeals as the local board of health and as the local liquor control commission.
They meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Special meetings when needed, will be posted on this website. Those wishing to be placed on the agenda for a Selectboard meeting should email info@townofpownal.org.  Please include your name and the business you wish to discuss with the board. Requests should be received by 12pm on the Tuesday before a Thursday evening board meeting.  
Pownal Selectboard Members
Mike Gardner, Chair (term expires 2023)
Bob Jarvis, Vice-Chair (term expires 2023)
Angie Rawling (term expires 2024)
​Bryan Harris (term expires 2023)
Harry "Jamie" Percey (term expires 2025)
​Administrative Staff
Rebecca Dragon
Board Liason
​802.823.0116
​Tara Parks
​​Executive Assistant
802.823.0116 x110
Hannah Darling
Administrative Assistant
​802.823.0116 x102
Please email info@townofpownal.org with any questions for the Selectboard.
Highway Department

​Joel Burrington
Road Foreman
(c) 802.375.3150
(w) 802.442.2056
The Road Foreman is appointed by the Selectboard. They are responsible for the maintenance of the town's highways and oversees all crew members of the highway department.
If you know of a road issue in Pownal please click the button below to bring it to our attention.
x

    Report a Road Issue
    Please describe below the issue you have encountered on a Pownal road. Please be sure to indicate the location as best as you are able.​
Right of Way Permit
File Size: 76 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Excess Weight Permit Application
File Size: 130 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Road List
File Size: 258 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Excess Weight 2022
File Size: 2127 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Municipal Wastewater System

​Darcy Pruden
Chief Operator
802.823.9814
WWTF Location
52 Dean Road
North Pownal, VT 05260
Operating Hours
Monday - Friday
7:00am - 3:30pm
The town employs a Chief Operator that runs the municipal wastewater system. The Sewer Commission is responsible for running the wastewater treatment facility and its budget. In Pownal, by default the Selectboard members serve as the Sewer Commission. 
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Currently, sewer payments are a flat rate per quarter and billed quarterly to users of the system. Payments may also be paid monthly or lump sum for the year. Checks should be made payable to the "Town of Pownal". Please note that postdated checks will not be accepted. Billing questions should be directed to the Town Office at 802.823.0116.  Utility billing occurs quarterly and follows the schedule below.
Note:  On July 1st of each year, all unpaid bills become delinquent and will be turned over for collection to the delinquent tax collector. An 8% penalty of the principal amount due will be added in addition to the 1% monthly interest charge. Visit PAY ONLINE to submit a payment on the website.
The municipal sewer system is designed only for human waste and toilet tissue. Please reference the attachments below for what is acceptable to be disposed of through the system.​
Prohibited Items
File Size: 59 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Don't Flush It.pdf
File Size: 2075 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Transfer Station

​Tom Shuey
​Transfer Station Supervisor
802.379.1470
Transfer Station Location
645 Maple Grove Road
Pownal, VT 05201
Operating Hours
Wed, Fri, & Sat
8:00 - 4:00pm
Permits are $40.00 and are valid from July to July.
​Permits can be purchased at the Transfer Station.​
Transfer Station Rules
File Size: 153 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Transfer Station Fees
File Size: 73 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Treasurer & Delinquent Tax Collector
Treasurer
Ellen Strohmaier  (3 year term, expiration 2024)
802.823.0116  x106
The Town Treasurer plays a vital role in the management of the finances of the Town. They are responsible for keeping the Town's accounts, investing money received by the Town (with approval of the Selectboard), keeping a record of taxes and other monies received and paying orders from officials authorized by law to draw orders on Town accounts. The Treasurer must work with the Auditors to setting Town accounts prior to the annual meeting. The Auditors are often called upon to provide the select board with information about Town finances.

For additional information please visit Vermont Department of Taxes.
Tax Rates
2021-tax-rate.pdf
File Size: 430 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
2019-tax-rates.pdf
File Size: 170 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
2020-tax-rates.pdf
File Size: 170 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
2018-tax-rates.pdf
File Size: 72 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Property tax bills are payable in person at the Town Office, by mail, and online. Visit PAY ONLINE to submit a payment on the site!
​Delinquent Tax Collector
Ellen Strohmaier  (3 year term, expiration in 2023)
802.823.0116  x106
(c) 802.430.3454 (Mon - Sun 7:30am - 3pm)
The Collector of Delinquent Taxes plays a vital role in ensuring that property taxes owed to the Town are paid by all taxpayers. It is the duty of the Collector of Delinquent Taxes to notify taxpayers when their taxes are overdue, to make arrangements for late payments, or to take formal collection actions, including conducting tax sales of the property when necessary. Finally, it is the obligation of the Collector of Delinquent Taxes to keep records of all delinquent accounts and to provide an accounting of these records to the locally elected Auditors for inclusion in the Annual Report of the Town.

Pownal has a three year term for Collection of Delinquent Taxes. They may not be an Auditor, a member of the Selectboard, or on the School Board. Neither shall the spouse of or any person assisting the Collector of Deliquent Taxes serve as an Auditor. The collector is paid by an 8% fee collected from delinquent tax payers.

The Collector must contact delinquent taxpayers to arrange for the payment of delinquent taxes plus penalties and interest. The Collector should try to work out a payment schedule. He or she must keep accounts of every delinquent taxpayer, and the amounts of principal, interest, and penalties owed, and payments made.

When necessary for the collection of taxes, the collector of delinquent taxes must conduct tax sales of property, bring an action at law, or use other methods for collecting delinquent taxes for the Town.

When the Collector of Delinquent Taxes resigns or the term expires, they must immediately lodge with the Treasurer any tax bill committed to him or her which remains uncollected (in whole or in part) along with any money collected.
Animal Control Officer

​Leonard Cote
​Animal Control Officer
802.379.8771
Emergency Contacts
Game Warden  802.442.4383
Bennington Animal Control  802.442.1048
State Police  802.442.5421
The Animal Control Officer is appointed by the Selectboard to bring "agency" to their authority in & about the town they govern; "Especially as pertaining to animals" The Board's authority and responsibilities in regard to ensuring compliance with state and local laws and ordinances are transferred to their Agent : The ACO or Dog Officer. Pownal's Dog and Wolf Hybrid Ordinance is enforced by the ACO & State Statutes like the requirement that "All dogs will be licensed in their Town of residence, by April first (1st) of each year, subject to penalty for late registration." Licensing requires the presentation of dog's certificate of rabies vaccination, valid at least thru the day the license is purchased. 

In VT dogs held for five business days with public posting and due diligence efforts to locate an owner, may be deemed acquired property.  A citizen may follow this acquisition process same as a Town. Dogs collected and held by ACO may not be released to owner if they're over 6 months old and are not vaccinated against rabies - according to State Law - until rabies certificate can be obtained or the vaccination administered by VT certified Veterinary professional. Any dog may be seized for not having collar & license. Seized dogs are impounded at approximately $20.00 daily board fees and potentially veterinary fees; As State Law obliges the ACO to have dogs vet checked promptly should any doubts, or obvious health concerns, arise while in custody. Dogs that go unclaimed and become Town property, are surrendered primarily to Berkshire Humane Society, Barker La, in Pittsfield MA. 413.447.7878
Health Officer

Fred Miller
Town Health Officer
pownal.boardofhealth@townofpownal.org
The local health officer is a hybrid position. Although the select board recommends an individual to the position and works with the individual on local health problems, the local health officer is appointed by the State Commissioner of Health. (18 V.S.A. 601) In addition, although the health officer is paid by the town, they are considered a state employee for purposes of liability insurance coverage and state laws that protect public employees (18 V.S.A. 602, 624). For additional information visit healthvermont.gov.
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The local health officer performs an important function for the town.  They are the individual a citizen may call to complain of unsafe conditions in rental housing or on public or private property, or to report a septic failure, or an animal that might be rabid. The health officer must investigate all complaints and has extensive authority to take emergency abatement steps and may enforce any state health regulations and local health ordinances in his or her town. The local health officer must inspect all schools and public buildings.  In the enforcement of its rules and health policies, the health officer and local board of health may call upon law enforcement officers for assistance. The health officer may go before the State Commissioner of Health or the selectboard to obtain a health order, or in certain situations, has the authority to issue an emergency health order to prevent or abate an imminent and substantial health hazard or risk. (18 V.S.A. 126, 127)

  • The health officer serves an appointment of three years, and until a successor is appointed. (18 V.S.A. 605) Upon written request of the local board of health, the State Commissioner of Health may appoint one or more deputy health officers for a town.
  • The health officer serves as the executive officer and secretary of the local board of health, which is made up of the selectboard and the health officer. The local board of health is responsible to make and enforce rules and regulations for the prevention, removal or destruction of public health hazards, and the mitigation of public health risks. These rules must be approved by the State Commissioner of health. (18 V.S.A. 613a)​
Zoning

​Michael Gardner (term expires in 2023)
Zoning Administrator
802.823.0116 x102
The Zoning Administrator administers the zoning bylaws of the town literally and does not have the power to permit any land development that is not in conformance with the town's bylaws. They are responsible for enforcement of all rules and regulations pertaining to the bylaw regulations. If the Zoning Administrator denies a request for a zoning permit, he or she must advise the applicant of that individual's right to appeal the action or decision to the Development Review Board. The Zoning Administrator gives a verbal warning to any person suspected of an alleged minor violation of any bylaw after it has been adopted giving them 30 days to correct the problem.

All other violations are processed as:
  • The nature of the violation (referencing the specific provisions of the bylaws is helpful).
  • That he or she has 7 days in which to "cure" the violation.
  • That he or she is not entitled to any additional warning notice for a violation occurring after the 7 days.
  • That he or she has a right to appeal the notice of violation to the Development Review Board.

Visit the communicate page for zoning applications and by laws.
Listers

​Wendy Jordan Bisson
​Clerk (3 year term, expiration 2023)
802.823.0116  x104
The primary responsibility of the lister is to determine the fair market value of your property; all real property commonly known as real estate is assessed. Real property is defined as land and any permanent structures attached to it.  This value is converted into an assessment, which is one component in the computation of real property tax bills. In order to accomplish this goal, listers must understand appraisal methods and property assessment administration in Vermont. For a brief overview of the work a lister does, please review What a Lister Does: Overview of Responsibilities.
Grand List​s
2021 Grand List
File Size: 959 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
2019 Grand List
File Size: 1181 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
2020 Grand List
File Size: 621 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Justice of the Peace

Megan Randall  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
James Winchester  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
Harry Percey  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
Jon Peaslee  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
Nelson Brownell  (2 year term, expiration 2023)

Cindy Brownell  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
Harry Jamie Percey, Jr.  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
Jenny Dewar  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
Alonzo Bisson  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
Bryan Harris  (2 year term, expiration 2023)
The duties of Vermont's justices of the peace (JP) are many and varied: from serving as election officials to determining tax appeals to giving oaths to solemnizing marriages. The duties of justices of the peace can fall into five categories of responsibilities (for additional information review the VT Justice of the Peace Guide):
  • Elections
    Justices of the peace are members of the board of civil authority (BCA). Members of the BCA serve as election officials at town elections by Australian ballot and statewide elections. Justices also are responsible for delivering absentee ballots to voters at election time.
  • Tax Abatement and Appeals.
    Justices of the peace sit as members of the town board for abatement of taxes to determine whether a taxpayer's tax obligation should be forgiven under certain circumstances. Justices of the peace also serve an important role in the town's tax appeal process. As a member of the board of civil authority, justices sit to hear and decide appeals when citizens do not agree with the final decision of the listers.
  • Marriages.
    Justices of the peace may also solemnize marriages in Vermont.
  • Oaths and Notary.
    Justices of the peace may also administer oaths in all cases where an oath is required, unless a specific law makes a different provision. A justice of the peace is a notary public ex officio and has all the acknowledgment powers of a notary public. However, the justice of the peace must file with the county clerk in order to act as a notary public (but the fee is waived).
  • Magistrate.
    Justices of the peace may also serve as a magistrate when so commissioned by the Supreme Court.
The Town of Pownal's mission, by partnering with the community, is to create a culture of unity and shared purpose, foster civic engagement, and deliver cost-effective and practical solutions to the governance of the town and its citizens.
​town vision & values
PO Box 411
467 Center Street
Pownal, VT 05261-0411
802.823.0116
info@townofpownal.org
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