Pownal works best with citizen involvement. There are many opportunities to serve the town; from asking to be appointed to a board or commission, asking for appointment to an open position, volunteering for specific events or activities, and running for an elected position. The information below describes the various boards and commissions that keep the citizenship involved in the process of town government. In addition, current vacancies, volunteer opportunities and employment positions are shown.
OPEN POSITIONS
The following vacancies are available on various boards, commissions, and positions for the Town. Holding a civic position can be a rewarding and productive experience. Depending on the role and position held your input can help shape the direction of the town. |
JOIN A BOARD OR COMMITTEE
To apply for an open position please submit a letter of interest by selecting the button below, email info@townofpownal.org or mail 467 Center Street Pownal, VT 05261. Please be sure to indicate the position you wish to hold. Thank you for your interest! |
Visit the home page for details of the next scheduled meeting for our various boards and commissions. When one is scheduled the date/time and agenda will be available at the bottom of the page.
And visit communicate for the meeting agendas and minutes of past meetings.
And visit communicate for the meeting agendas and minutes of past meetings.
Development Review Board (DRB)
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Planning Commission
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Parks & Recreation
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Economic Development
The Economic Development Committee members are appointed by the Pownal Selectboard and has been organized based upon the guidelines set forth in the Pownal Town Plan.
Visit communicate to review the town plan. |
School Board
The Southwest VT Union Elementary School District (SVUESD), is responsible for the prekindergarten through grade 6 in Pownal, Shaftsbury, Woodford, and prekindergarten through grade 5 in the Town of Bennington. This includes 6 elementary schools. Any Pownal Resident can run for a seat on the school board, and those who do run are motivated by a variety of reasons. The most common reason to run for a seat is because the candidate has a child in the schools and wants to have an impact on that child's education. Other reasons include aspiring to a position in town governance, seeking to improve the standing of the school district, or to taking the district in a new direction. Whatever the reason is, we encourage you to become involved in our wonderful school.
Current Board Members
Scott McEnaney, Chair (3 year term, expires 2024) Cynthia Brownell, Vice-Chair (3 year term, expires 2022) Tammy Sohl, Clerk (3 year term, expires 2023) Christopher Murphy, Chair (3 year term, expires 2024) Chaila Sekora (3 year term, expires 2023) Susan Hoag (3 year term, expires 2024) Dick Frantz (3 year term, expires 2023) Jeff Leake (3 year term, expires 2024) Pownal Elementary School
Attn: Southwest VT Union Elementary School Distric Board 94 School House Road Pownal, VT 05261 |
Board of Abatement
The Board of Abatement follows a statutory process for relieving taxpayers from the burden of property taxes, penalty (collection fees) and interest when the law authorizes abatement and when the board, in its discretion, agrees that the request is reasonable and proper. It exists to permit the board to prevent an injustice or to help a taxpayer who faces extraordinary circumstances that make it difficult for the taxpayer to meet their tax obligations. Abatements are cautiously granted as they reduce the income to the town and require the town to either spend less or increase the taxes on the rest of the taxpayers to make up the difference. A board may abate "in whole or part" property taxes, interest or collection fees. 24 V.S.A. §1535(a). The Board of Abatement is formed by members of; the Select Board, Justices of Peace, Board of Listers, the Treasurer, and the Town Clerk. You can learn more about abatement at this link.
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Board of Civil Authority
The Pownal Board of Civil Authority ("BCA") is required by 32 V.S.A. Chapter 131 to conduct appeal hearings of lister property valuation decisions. The Board is formed by the members from the Select Board, Justices of Peace, and the Town Clerk. The purpose of these rules is to establish uniform procedures for conducting such appeal hearings and to ensure compliance with Vermont's Open Meeting Law. The BCA also determines voter eligibility, and hears appeals of Lister grievance decisions, conducts tax assessment appeals.
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Board of Health
The Board of Health of a municipality is made up of the local Health Officer and the Town Selectboard. The duties and responsibilities of the Vermont Boards of Health are established by Statute, which include taking action to mitigate significant public health risks and enforcing health laws and rules set by the State of Vermont. They meet when necessary.
Please contact the Town Health Officer with any questions or concerns. Fred Miller, THO pownal.boardofhealth@townofpownal.org |