News Flash

The chill in the air and the leaves that have started to turn early this year tell us it is time to say goodbye to summer. As we welcome another beautiful Vermont fall, we turn our focus to town finances. The auditors will be here soon for their annual review and our budget preparation process commences in mid-October.  

It has been a very productive summer throughout town government. The staff have been busy and our buildings, parks and natural areas look great. Our behind-the-scenes staff in the finance, treasurer’s and clerk’s offices have continued to thrive, implementing modern methods for residents to pay utility bills and continuously striving to improve resident services. I am very grateful for our team and look forward to continuing these efforts.

New Public Works Facility Update

I am happy to report that construction of the new public works facility and the necessary infrastructure is in full swing. I am grateful for the several days in a row of sunshine over the last week. The building site is sandy, but the water table is high, so it gets very muddy when it rains. The waterline and sewer main is complete from Bombardier Road to the new building. The building site has been cleared, drainage installed, and the storm water collection pond is complete. An eighteen-inch elevation lift is required on the entire site, which requires trucking in many yards of fill material. We anticipate that this phase will be completed by mid-October. (Drone photo courtesy of John Bartlett)

Grange Hall Grand Reopening and 75th Anniversary Celebration

On October 14 at 4:00 PM, we will hold a grand reopening ceremony at the Milton Grange Hall, during which we will recognize the individuals and businesses who donated their time, financial support and/or professional services to make the building renovations possible. In addition to celebrating the reopening of the building, we are also recognizing the building’s milestone 75th anniversary. We hope the public will join us for this event and take a tour of the newly renovated building. 

Later in the same evening at 7:00 PM, the celebration will continue with a performance by Rusty DeWees, The Logger, hosted by the Town of Milton. Tickets will be $25 each, and the Town’s portion of the proceeds will go toward continued maintenance and future renovations to the Grange. Follow the Town of Milton’s facebook page for more event information, coming soon, including how to buy tickets. 

Interested in reserving the Grange for your next event? You can find updated photos and rental information, including an application for download, on the Town website at miltonvt.gov/grange.

Milton Public Works Receives National Recognition

Last month, Public Works Director Lisa Schaeffler attended the national conference for the American Public Works Association (APWA) in San Diego, CA. She connected with public works leaders from municipalities across the country and attended educational sessions covering everything from sustainability to new technology. She also represented the Town of Milton in accepting a “Commendation for Exemplary Service to Public Works”, which I was honored to be awarded in recognition for the many accomplishments of our Public Works Department over the last several years.  

Team Member Highlight: Public Safety Director, Michaela Foody 

Michaela Foody joined the Town Staff in 2020 as Public Safety Director – in the midst of the start of the COVID pandemic. With experience as an EMT, a firefighter and as an Emergency Communications Specialist at the University of Vermont, Michaela came in equipped to set an emergency management plan in motion for the Town. Over the past three years, Michaela has expertly overseen Milton’s Police Department, Rescue Department, Fire Department and Animal Control. She transformed the Rescue Department, adding 2 full-time staff members and eventually creating a full-time Rescue Chief position, bringing on Chief Sean McCann in 2022. Recently, Michaela played an integral role in organizing the Town’s emergency response to the July flooding, and she continues to work on recovery efforts with other Town staff and with state and federal agencies. 

A few weeks ago, Michaela attended the Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference, where she was officially recognized as a Vermont Certified Emergency Management Director, after completing the certification program earlier this year. We want to congratulate Michaela on this accomplishment, and we are extremely proud to have Michaela leading Milton’s division of public safety. 

It’s Continuing Education Season 

It’s been a season for continuing education for much of our team as they represent the Town of Milton across several events. Town Clerk Kristin Beers and Assistant Town Clerk Tammy Geary have been engaged in continuing education activities. In mid-September, they attended the two-day Vermont Municipal Clerks’ & Treasurers’ Association (VMCTA) Annual Meeting and Educational Conference in Fairlee, VT. It was a great opportunity to network with other Town Clerks and to attend educational sessions covering a variety of topics from 2024 Elections to modernizing land records and cemetery best practices.  They also attended several election training events from the Secretary of State and are scheduled for more in the coming weeks.

Recreation Director Jenna Tucker Eugair and Ben Nappi from the Recreation Department attended the two-day Vermont Recreation & Parks Association Conference in Killington this week. HR and Operations Director John Bartlett and Public Safety Director Michaela Foody both attended the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Town Fair in South Burlington earlier this week as well. Our team is always excited to bring back new information and fresh ideas to the Milton community. 

Fire Department Open House: Fire Prevention Day on October 14

From 11 AM – 2 PM on October 14, come check out the Milton Fire Department’s equipment and facility, meet our members, take a selfie with Sparky the Fire Dog, ride on our Tower Truck, and view an Auto Extrication Demonstration. Check out the Milton Fire Department’s facebook event for more information. 

Joyce Sheppard Recognized for Many Years of Service

At the September 18 Selectboard meeting, on behalf of the staff and residents of the Town of Milton, the Selectboard recognized Milton resident Joyce Shepard for 16 years of service as a volunteer EMS clinical provider. We could never adequately express our gratitude for Joyce’s dedication to the protection of the Milton community. Read the full resolution recognizing Joyce and her many contributions. Thank you, Joyce! 

Service Line Inventory Request from MSK Engineers

The Town of Milton is partnering with MSK Engineers to prepare a service line inventory in response to new federal drinking water regulations. Service lines are drinking water pipes that connect individual distribution main pipes (which are typically located beneath a street). By now, all residents should have received letters in the mail from MSK Engineering requesting that you schedule an appointment to complete an observation or that you complete a self-observation. Your prompt participation with this request is appreciated. If you have any questions, please reach out to Public Works Director, Lisa Schaeffler. 

Water/Sewer Bills Sent Out

Water/sewer bills were mailed out this week, and payment will be due on October 31. If you signed up for the ACH direct debit payment option before September 16, payment will be automatically debited from your account on the due date, October 31. Your bill should indicate if you are enrolled in the direct debit program, but if you have questions, please call the Town Offices to confirm at 802-893-6655. 

Our team continues to work with residents as well as state and federal agencies on recovery efforts from the July flooding. If you have any questions about these efforts, please don't hesitate to call the Town Offices at 802-893-6655. 

As always, I hope this message finds you and yours well. Our team looks forward to seeing you in our offices and around town soon.

Don Turner, Jr.

Milton Town Manager