Vermont League of Cities & Towns This message from Phil Latvis, Director of Risk Management Services, offers a quick look back at 2025 and an encouraging look ahead to the opportunities and improvements coming in 2026.
Announcements & Updates
By Sunday 2/1, TM Warnings Must Be Posted
The last day for selectboards to warn their town meetings is this Sunday! Unlike some statutory deadlines, this one is not automatically extended to the next workday.
2026 Week Three in the State House
Some of the high points: local officials testifying about public records and drinking water, VLCT’s continued advocacy for improved municipal land use authority, and the first look at Governor Scott’s proposed budget.
Municipal Service Scholarship Applications Due 2/11
Time is running out for people to apply for a $2,000 scholarship toward fall 2026 enrollment. Vermont local government employees or their dependents are eligible.
2026 Has Great Offers for Vision Subscribers
If your municipality offers employees a Vision plan through VLCT, please let them know about these discounts.
Notable Resources
2026 PACIF Grant Information and Application
Read the updated PACIF Grant requirements and guidelines now! If you have any questions, email or call us. And be sure to coordinate with other departments in your organization before applying.
Funding Opportunities: Solar Arrays and Associated Energy Storage
If your municipality is ready to invest in a solar array and/or energy storage, check here for funding opportunities we've identified to support your efforts.
What VLCT Heard at 2025 Regional Selectboard Meet-Ups
At ten in-person Regional Selectboard Meet-Ups across Vermont, local officials discussed their biggest issues. Despite wide variation in municipalities’ size and geography, a shared set of themes emerged.
Events Calendar
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.
Selectboard Onboarding and Board Development Tips
Wed 2/04, 10 AM – 10:45 AM
Plan ahead for the governing board’s annual organizational meeting and support a smooth transition for new board members – with pro tips and updated checklists from Kathleen Ramsay.
Thu 2/05, 9 AM – 3 PM
Hybrid: Zoom or at Capital Plaza Hotel
Register by Wed. 1/29 to attend in person
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.
Mon 2/09, 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.
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
Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Technical Assistance Workshop by FEMA
This free three-day virtual training will take place on February 4, 5, and 12 from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM ET. This interactive training will focus on multi-hazard evacuation and shelter-in-place planning, planning considerations for mobilization and coordination, and alert and warning messaging. Attendance is limited to the first 250 to apply; feel free to forward this invitation to other partners, emergency managers, or staff who have a role in evacuation or shelter-in-place.
Acrisure will host the sixth annual “HR Leaders Compliance Summit” (HRLCS 2026) on February 24-26, 2026. As in past years, this event is free of charge and open to all VLCT members. Registration is required, so be sure to sign up in advance. Over the course of this virtual summit, you will hear from numerous subject matter experts that specialize in various HR-related disciplines covering topics ranging from labor & employment regulation updates, employee benefits trends, and human capital management best practices– which are all made infinitely more complex given today’s unprecedented times. This is an event not to be missed and a valuable experience for all who attend! Each day is also pre-approved by SHRM/HRCI for continuing education (CE) credits.
Partner News
Local Infrastructure Hub Trainings Open
Join the Local Infrastructure hub for multi-week bootcamps and new half-day workshops. Designed to support cities throughout the grant process – planning, application development, and post-award implementation – these trainings are complimentary and open to municipal employees.
Acrisure’s Latest Employer Compliance News
Find up-to-the-minute reminders concerning employee benefits such as health insurance.
Vt. League of Cities & Towns | 89 Main St. Suite 4 | Montpelier, VT https://www.vlct.org/
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