Vermont League of Cities & Towns The Municipal Assistance Center is currently receiving a high volume of questions related to town meeting, so response times may be a bit longer than usual. Staff are replying as soon as possible and greatly appreciate your patience. Many town meeting resources are available on our website.
Announcements & Updates
Launching Into Week 1 of the 2026 Legislative Session
Vermont's 2026 legislative session officially opened on January 6, and committees are already taking up newly introduced legislation and beginning to discuss bills related to transportation, tax policy, education, and housing.
If You Get an Email from [email protected], Action IS Required!
This email, with the subject line “*ACTION REQUIRED* Closeout Instructions for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), U.S. Department of the Treasury”, is not SPAM. Do not delete it. Your time for ARPA funding closeout has arrived! You cannot begin the closeout process before you get this email.
New Offers for Vision Coverage Subscribers
We encourage benefits administrators at VLCT members in our Vision program to let their employees know about the variety of discounts available through your EyeMed vision wellness plan.
The New Year Reloads John Lawe Scholarship Funding
Training is such a crucial component of safety and risk reduction that PACIF members can use John Lawe Scholarships to pay for onsite courses for a group or offsite programs for individuals.
Apply for a Municipal Service Scholarship by 2/11/26
Less than a month remains for municipal employees, officials, and their dependents who want to work or volunteer in local government to apply for a $2,000 VLCT Municipal Service Scholarship, funded by VLCT's Local Officials Golf Outing and the Grand Raffle at Town Fair.
>$1M in Municipal Planning Grants Announced
Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced that $1,000,203 in Municipal Planning Grants have been awarded to 47 municipalities, including one multi-town project.
Notable Resources
Code of Ethics Investigation and Enforcement Model Ordinance
This model document addresses the process for investigating complaints and was developed in response to members’ requests.
Events Calendar
Thu 1/15, 12 PM – 1 PM
Bring your lunch and your questions for a live, interactive Q&A with VLCT's attorneys.
Mon 1/26, 1 PM – 2 PM
Join Josh Hanford, Samantha Sheehan, and your colleagues to discuss the issues being considered by legislators and how proposed legislation could affect local government.
Workplace Matters: Performance Improvement Plans that Work
Thu 1/29, 12 PM – 1 PM
A session for all people leaders on creating performance improvement plans that support employee success.
Thu 2/05, 9 AM – 3 PM
Location: Capitol Plaza Hotel
A trio of expert town moderators will deconstruct the town meeting process step by step, share best practices, and facilitate peer-to-peer learning. A mock town meeting will demonstrate the discussed procedures.
February Attorney Office Hours
Thu 2/12, 12 PM – 1 PM
Bring your lunch and your questions for a live, interactive Q&A with VLCT's attorneys.
Introducing CHIP – Vermont's $2B Housing and Infrastructure Program
Thu 2/19, 10 AM – 12 PM
Our new series on Vermont’s Community Housing and Infrastructure Program (CHIP) opens with a clear overview of how CHIP will help local governments use future tax revenue to fund critical infrastructure for new housing.
Thu 2/26, 2 PM – 3 PM
Are you the Unemployment Insurance (UI) contact at a member of VLCT’s UI Trust? If so, please attend this live walk-though and discussion of how to make full use of Equifax’s online claims system, CaseBuilder.
Partner Events
TIF + CHIP Webinar Series: Part 3
The webinar on Thu 1/15 from 2 PM to 3:30 PM will finish explaining to municipal leaders and first-time learners the steps to take in responsibly using tax increment financing (TIF) to implement the new Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP). Presented by the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) in coordination with the Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC).
2026 Group Health Plan Compliance: Insights for the Year Ahead
Join Acrisure on Thu 1/15 from 2 PM to 3 PM to learn about the most recent developments affecting group health insurance plans and to gain practical insights into the new year. Free of charge and open to all VLCT members. Registration is required.
Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar
The New England region of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) invites you to join a two-hour security webinar to enhance your organization’s resilience in case of an active shooter incident. Thu 1/15, from 1 PM to 3 PM.
Learn About VCRD's Climate Economy Resilient Communities
On Wed 1/14 from noon to 12:30 PM learn about this program of the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), which supports three to five communities working on local climate action solutions that increase climate resilience, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy use, and/or strengthen the local climate economy. If you can't attend, register to get a link to the recorded session. Applications are due Mon 2/2.
Partner News
How Two U.S. Cities Tackle Housing Issues
Learn about two cities that are using collaborative planning strategies to build economic wellbeing and pursue housing solutions.
Acrisure’s Latest Employer Compliance News
Find up-to-the-minute reminders concerning employee benefits such as health insurance.
VCRD's Climate Economy Resilient Communities Program
Each year, the Vermont Council on Rural Development uses this program to support three to five communities working on local climate action solutions that increase climate resilience, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy use, and/or strengthen the local climate economy. Apply online by Mon 2/2.
Look Into New Housing Infrastructure Loan Program
This new initiative from the Vermont Bond Bank supports the creation of housing by lowering the cost of expanding municipally owned water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure.
Helping to Keep Municipal Members' Dues In Check
Non-dues revenue from our corporate sponsors Acrisure, Casella, Green Mountain Power, and NEMRC helps extend the range of benefits you receive from VLCT.
Vt. League of Cities & Towns | 89 Main St. Suite 4 | Montpelier, VT 05602 US https://www.vlct.org/
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
