Bethel votes to eliminate town lister position, switching to professional assessor

White River Valley Middle School eighth graders, from left, Ashley-Mae Gauthier, 14, Arhaea Lowe, 13, and Anna Stone, 13, each read a portion of a welcome statement to Town Meeting in Bethel, Vt., on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The statement encouraged residents to listen to their neighbors and consider the ideas and experiences of others despite disagreements.

White River Valley Middle School eighth graders, from left, Ashley-Mae Gauthier, 14, Arhaea Lowe, 13, and Anna Stone, 13, each read a portion of a welcome statement to Town Meeting in Bethel, Vt., on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The statement encouraged residents to listen to their neighbors and consider the ideas and experiences of others despite disagreements. "let us remember that there is a big gap between saying, 'I am right," and saying, 'I believe I am right.'" read Gauthier. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. James M. Patterson

Adam Messier samples a free slice of pie before Town Meeting in Bethel, Vt., while wearing a Sasha Velour shirt on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. An assortment of pie was available to residents at no cost during the annual meeting. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Adam Messier samples a free slice of pie before Town Meeting in Bethel, Vt., while wearing a Sasha Velour shirt on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. An assortment of pie was available to residents at no cost during the annual meeting. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. James M. Patterson

Bethel Youth Sports cheerleaders, from left, Faith Comstock, 11, Kendal Martin, 8, and Mackenzie Rannals, 8, exit the White River Valley Middle School gym after cheering for town leaders and local democracy to kick off Town Meeting in Bethel, Vt., on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Before turning to business, residents also enjoyed the music of Spencer Lewis, free pie, and a community fair organized by the Bethel Community Engagement and Town Meeting Committee. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Bethel Youth Sports cheerleaders, from left, Faith Comstock, 11, Kendal Martin, 8, and Mackenzie Rannals, 8, exit the White River Valley Middle School gym after cheering for town leaders and local democracy to kick off Town Meeting in Bethel, Vt., on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Before turning to business, residents also enjoyed the music of Spencer Lewis, free pie, and a community fair organized by the Bethel Community Engagement and Town Meeting Committee. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. James M. Patterson

State Rep. Kirk White, D-Bethel, speaks at Town Meeting about consumer privacy legeslation that he is sponsoring, as Bethel, Vt., officials wait to take up town business on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Moderator Rick Benson, right, won re-election by write-in vote, but declined the position. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

State Rep. Kirk White, D-Bethel, speaks at Town Meeting about consumer privacy legeslation that he is sponsoring, as Bethel, Vt., officials wait to take up town business on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Moderator Rick Benson, right, won re-election by write-in vote, but declined the position. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. James M. Patterson

Published: 03-06-2024 3:02 PM

Modified: 03-06-2024 4:45 PM

BETHEL — Voters at the floor portion of Town Meeting on Tuesday went to paper ballots to determine that the town would eliminate the office of the town lister and replace it with a professionally qualified assessor.

The paper ballot vote was 80 to 15.

Voters approved an amended town budget of $2.9 million, as well as appropriations of $155,000 for the White River Valley Ambulance, $32,000 for social service agencies, $27,500 for the Bethel library and and $25,000 for the Bethel Food Shelf.

The food shelf appropriation was approved by paper ballot 91 to 28, after voters rejected a motion to reduce the amount to $5,000, in a vote of 37 yes to 99 no.

In Australian ballot voting Tuesday, Paul S. Vallee beat out Adam Stearns, 173 to 105, for a two-year Selectboard seat. In an uncontested race, Jordan Garrow earned a three-year term on the board.