RICHMOND — Residents voted Tuesday evening to pass the $3.2 million proposed town budget and $8.8 million proposed school budget without any modifications.

Town meeting attendance was slim, with around 40 people on hand in the Richmond High School gymnasium, half of whom were the town’s elected officials.

About halfway through the meeting, residents were surprised to hear about the resignation effective immediately of Town Manager Laurisa Loon from the moderator after someone asked if Loon could answer a budget question.

“It was a bombshell to us,” Robert Bodge, chair of the select board, said to town meeting attendees while confirming he received her resignation letter on Monday.

Loon has served as town manager for nearly four years. Nothing else was said about Loon’s resignation, but residents had comments on the proposed town budget.

Alice Knapp, a former member of the select board, encouraged elected officials to be more transparent by releasing annual reports for departments with detailed spending, specifically those that receive overtime pay.

O’Neal LaPlante, also a former member of the select board, asked the fire department about its new pickup truck purchase and why it is necessary.

Fire Chief Steve Caswell said the $15,000 vehicle will be outfitted in emergency management service equipment for more reliable emergency response assistance.

LaPlante also questioned the Richmond Police Department and the lack of round-the-clock coverage.

“We stopped doing 24/7 (coverage) probably five years ago,” James Donnell, the town’s police chief said, adding that additional higher wages might attract a qualified candidate.

The $3.2 million budget is an 8.9% increase over the current year’s budget and the town is responsible for raising $2.2 million for municipal operations from property tax. The town’s current tax rate is $23.60 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Residents voted to appropriate $950,000 from the undesignated fund balance to reduce the upcoming year’s tax commitment.

Most of the town budget increases are due to town employees receiving a 3% raise or insurance increases.

Voters approve Richmond School Department budget

On the school portion of the budget, voters approved the proposed Richmond School Department budget of $8.8 million, an increase of $197,416 over the current year.

After state and federal funds, the town is responsible for raising $5,225,016, up slightly from last year’s $4.94 million. 

Special education and transportation account for some of the budget increases. Students who have additional needs that can’t be accommodated at the Richmond schools require out-of-district placements. The transportation department wants to purchase a new school bus that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and a used passenger van.

Rising utility and insurance rates also increased the budget.

Administrators for the Richmond schools, entering their  third year as a stand-alone school department after leaving Regional School Unit 2 in 2023.  eliminated some positions to accommodate the changing educational needs. Two full-time teaching positions, two education technicians, and one custodian were removed from the proposed budget.

The only question about the school budget was about funding for Capital Area Technical Center, which for Richmond is nothing.

“That’s from a change about five or six years ago, the state directly funds it (CATC),” Superintendent Chad Kempton said.

Voting on Tuesday

On Tuesday, voters can confirm the school budget and elect town officials.

For the Board of Selectmen, Zachary Kindelan and Matthew Roberge are running for a three-year term to replace Marilynn Grizkewitsch.

John Pratte and Liana Knight are running for reelection on the Richmond School Committee against Betsey Noble. Voters will select two candidates for three-year terms.

Wilfred Berolan and Randy Bodge are running uncontested for reelection to the budget committee and Jeremy Bechard is running for reelection for the Richmond Utilities District.

Voting is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richmond Town Office located at 26 Gardiner St.