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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Board of Civil Authority - 02/16/2023BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 FEBRUARY 2023 The South Burlington Board of Civil Authority held a meeting on Thursday, 16 February at 6:00 p.m., in the Kevin Dorn Senior Center, 180 Market Street. Members Present: C. Shaw, Chair; D. Kinville, M. Emery, T. Barritt, B. Gross, A. Gross, B. Nowak, L. Benner, J. Martinez Prior to the start of the meeting, Ms. Kinville administered the Oaths of Office to BCA members in attendance. Ms. Kinville presided over the meeting until the election of officer. 1. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions, or changes in the order of Agenda items: No changes were made to the agenda. 2. Review evacuation plans in case of an emergency: Ms. Kinville reviewed emergency evacuation procedures. 3. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: No comments or questions were presented. 4. Welcome New JPs – Introductions: New JPs were welcomed and all present introduced themselves. 5. Election of Chair and Vice Chair: Ms. Kinville opened the floor for nominations for BCA Chair. Ms. Gross nominated Chris Shaw. Mr. Gross seconded. There were no further nominations, and Mr. Shaw was elected 9-0. Mr. Shaw presided over the remainder of the meeting. He opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair. Mr. Gross nominated Chris Trombly. Ms. Emery seconded. There were no further nominations, and Mr. Trombly was elected 9-0. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 2 6. Approve Minutes of 20 October 2022: Mr. Barritt moved to approve the Minutes of 20 October 2022 as written. Mr. Gross seconded. Motion passed 9-0. 7. Overview of JP duties for new and continuing JPs: Mr. Shaw explained the separate responsibilities of the Board of Civil Authority (BCA) and Board of Abatement (BofA). The BofA hears tax appeals either because a property or part of a property has been destroyed (e.g. a fire) or because owners are in financial distress. They usually meet once or twice a year. The BCA hears property appraisal appeals and oversees elections in the city. Elections are generally held in March every year (Town Meeting Day) and in March, August, and November every two years. There are also two optional functions that BCA members can elect: apply to be Notary and/or certify marriages in the State of Vermont. 8. Approve presiding officers and election officials for March 7th election: Ms. Emery moved to approve the list of presiding officers and election official for the March 7th election as presented. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed 9-0. 9. Approved list of voters removed from checklist since last election: Ms. Kinville explained that voters are removed from the checklist following receipt of a death certificate, failure to respond to a challenge issued 4 years ago, response to a challenge letter, or notification that a voter has moved out of the city. Ms. Emery moved to approve the list of voters removed from the checklist since the last election as presented. Mr. Gross seconded. Motion passed 9-0. 10. Election training: Ms. Kinville reviewed the election binder and the information it contains. She reminded those who will be handling voter registration to be sure the voter registration form is filled in completely. Those registering must have either a Vermont driver’s license or provide the last 4 digits of their Social Security number. Ms. Kinville also reviewed the nature of “provisional ballots.” BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 3 There will be an early processing day. The city has already issued 600 early ballots. For this election, voters must request a mailed ballot. The city will not be using the speed counter for this election but will use for elections next year. Ms. Kinville noted that for this election, if the total number of write-ins does not exceed the total number of votes of the candidate with the most votes, the write-ins do not need to be enumerated. Ms. Kinville also reviewed the work schedule and noted time slots that are still open and need to be filled. She indicated that she will be available to fill in if the need arises. 11. Discussion of senior center future visits: Mr. Shaw said there is a question as to whether BCA members should continue to visit senior housing facilities to help residents through the voting process. Ms. Kinville said this was begun at the request of the BCA, but she felt a bigger discussion is needed. She cited pressure on the City Clerk’s office and also the fact that it is now possible to “cure” a ballot with a flaw which did not exist in the past. Ms. Kinville also questioned the level of care at which the BCA may want to do this. Mr. Shaw questioned the time it takes the Clerk’s office to “cure” flawed ballots. Ms. Kinville said it is a question of staff time vs. JP time. Mr. Nowak asked whether it is acceptable for someone at the senior residence to help correct a flawed ballot. Members agreed to put this on a future agenda when there are more BCA members present. 12. Testing of election tabulating machines and applying seals: Members tested all tabulating machines to be used in the March 7th election and applied the seals to the tested machines. CHI-8 #1175836 & 1175816 CHI-9 #852882 & 652088 CHI-10 #653806 & 651800 CHI-11 #1175855 & 653889 BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 4 13. Other Business: Members discussed food options for election workers. As there was no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Emery moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.