Does Public Input Matter?

Guilford’s was awarded a $30,000 grant on behalf of the Planning Commission with the goal of implementing Zoning Bylaws. When the residents of Guilford found out, they were not pleased. 

Guilford Selectboard members did not see the grant application until after the grant was awarded, and right before the deadline to accept it.

The Town Administrator and Planning Commission Chair then neglected to tell the public that the grant purpose was to enact Zoning Bylaws.

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One SB member questioned the budgeting of the grant, which unearthed other concerns. So, the vote was postponed 10 days until a Special Selectboard meeting.

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Then the Residents of Guilford Found Out

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Within days, there was an Online Survey conducted, where 260 votes were cast. 92% of the Residents said no to zoning. Other residents then created and signed a Petition intended to compel the SB to refuse the grant. Shortly thereafter, the SB was confronted that one of their members, who was supporting the grant application, has a Conflict of Interest with the vote.

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After an outpouring of public concern about the purpose of the grant and the methods used to obtain it, Guilford residents wanted answers and their opinions heard before the SB voted. They were ready to miss work or prolong chores to ensure their voices were heard. That’s when the PC Chair posted a statement.

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The evening before the vote, just after 5PM, Tokarz posted on Discover Guilford Vermont  “The following statement will be read at the beginning of the Selectboard special meeting scheduled to be held at 9:30 am on 1/23:

After reviewing the legal documents associated with the Municipal Planning Grant, (…) the Planning Commission concluded that it is not a good fit for Guilford, and will not be moving forward with it.”

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Jeannette was asked when the PC met and discussed their decision. Neither Tokarz nor the Town Administrator publicly announced they were holding a meeting. Tokarz has not responded. (Either the PC never met, or they met unannounced, which is shady)

Nevertheless, what was the PC really deciding anyway? The grant was already approved, the PC was just waiting for the SB to sign off and release the funds to them. If the PC was “not moving forward” was it because they didn’t have the votes at the SB table?

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Here’s the thing, Tokarz’s never read her statement to the SB for the record.

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Jenni Lavoi, who is the contracts and grant administrator for the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) had something to say instead. “Due to recent events, we no longer have confidence that this grant will lead to a successful outcome and would be a good use of taxpayer funds. For these reasons, the department is rescinding this grant award.”

So, what were the "recent events" Lavoi mentioned? Well, the SB discovering what was written in the grant application and how the budget was assigned was the first event. The second event was the public finding out what the grant was intended for.

If Guilford's Planning Commission Chair or the Town Administrator had just shown the grant application to the SB, and/or the public, they could have avoided this altogether.

For now, zoning is not up for vote at Town Meeting in Guilford, but don’t take your ball and go home just yet.

Lavoi “welcomed a future application from Guilford.” Tokarz claimed that "the grant has been rescinded. That means we don’t have the funding, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have the energy and desire to continue this discussion.”

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Lastly, the SB Chair Verandah Porche said she hoped the energy surrounding the grant would lead to “continuing public engagement.” Then she refused a SB discussion or public comment and abruptly adjourned the meeting.