Hi Kathy- Hinesburg has only one tax due date, so I'm assuming this is a
moot point for us.  However, what happens if the voters decide at town
meeting to change the tax due dates to more than one payment and we have not
warned such an article?  Can the selectboard make the decision later?  Missy
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Vermont Municipal Government Discussion Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Kathy DeWolfe
  Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 10:43 AM
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Re: Article of warning--VLCT please read


  The VLCT is going to issue a change in advice on this.  The selectboard
must warn the article to be answered Yes or No.  See 17 V.S.A.§2681(f), so
the board can either ask the voters to approve “in order” in the article or
they can write the article to ask for approval of “pro rata”.



  Best. Kathy



  Kathleen  S. DeWolfe

  Director of Elections & Campaign Finance

  Office of the Secretary of State

  26 Terrace St.

  Montpelier, VT 05609-1101

  (802) 828-2304

  Visit us at http://www.sec.state.vt.us, click on Elections



  -----Original Message-----
  From: Vermont Municipal Government Discussion Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marianne A. Blake
  Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 10:11 AM
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Artilce of warning--VLCT pleae read



  All,

  Below is advice from the VLCT.  Read the article carefully.  How could a
voter vote "yes" or "no" on such a worded article?  We have been told by the
Sec. of State's office that Australian ballot articles can only call for a
"yes" or "no" vote.  Please someone, officially weigh in on this.

  Marianne in Windsor

    Do you have a sample warning article for this vote?

    The following article could be used:



    Shall amounts allocated to current year property taxes under the State
of Vermont's Homestead Property Tax Income Sensitivity Program be applied to
the taxpayers' property tax installments in order or pro rata, in accordance
with 32 V.S.A. § 6066a(f)(1)?



    To minimize the voter confusion that this question is likely to
generate, we recommend that the town report include a brief explanation of
the property tax income sensitivity program and the examples of "in order"
and "pro rata" provided above.

    Stephanie A. Smith



    Stephanie A. Smith

    Senior Associate, Municipal Assistance Center

    VT League of Cities and Towns

    1-800-649-7915