By Polly Mikula
A first look at the Town Meeting Day ballot was presented at the Killington Select Board meeting, Monday, Jan. 27 — and there were some surprises with two contested races, two bonds and an article to change the governing structure of the Select Board.
The first article on the ballot asks voters to elect representatives for open seats. This year there is both a 1-year and a 3-year seat open on the Select Board and while both incumbents are running for re-election, each also has a challenger.
Incumbent Rob Hecker will face a challenge from Ricky Bowen for the 1-year seat. This seat was vacated by Steve Finneron and Hecker was appointed by the Select Board to fill it May 13, 2024, until voters could elect a replacement on Town Meeting Day. The 1-year seat open this March will fulfill the remainder of Finneron’s term after which the 3-year term schedule will resume.
Hecker worked over two decades with ADP in New Jersey before moving to Killington in 2021. He’s since started a small construction company called Peak Construction, LLC.
Ricky Bowen was the foreman for the town of Killington highways and facilities for 36 years until May 15, 2024, when he resigned.
Incumbent Chris Karr will face a challenge from Patrick Cushing for the 3-year seat.
Karr is the owner of the Karr Group which operates a half dozen restaurants and businesses in Killington. Karr was originally appointed to replace Chuck Claffey,Aug. 3, 2021, who resigned after moving to Mendon. Karr was re-elected unopposed to that seat seven months later in March 2022.
Cushing is a senior consultant with Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory. He works in intelligence and investigation field supporting government clients.
Article 2 asks voters to approve paying property taxes in three installments, as has been done in the past.
Article 3 asks voters to approve total general fund expenditures of $7,902,875 of which an estimated $5,422,325 shall be raised by property taxes and $2,490,550 will be raised by non property tax revenue for the physical year beginning July 1, 2025. This municipal budget is 12.5% increase over the current fiscal year budget of $7,021,304.
Article 4 asks voters to approve a bond not to exceed $11,200,000 for the purpose of the planning, design, acquisition, construction and installation of water system improvements. This portion of the Killington Forward water plan does not qualify for tax increment financing (TIF), but it will be partly covered by grants with only about $5.5 million taken as a 40-year, 0% interest note. Those that hook up to the future municipal water system will pay the debt off.
“It’s just the next step of what we all voted for,” said Select Board Chair Jim Haff. “It’s part of the Killington Forward plan to bring the water line that is needed through the town of Killington.”
Article 5 asks voters to approve another bond not to exceed $490,000 for the purpose of completing renovations of the New Town Hall at 2046 US Route 4 in Killington (where the post office is a first floor tenant). Constructing a vault is among the more expensive items on the list at $117,000.
Article 6, the last article on Killington’s ballot, asks voters if the town shall elect two additional Select Board members, increasing the board’s size to five instead of the current three. If the article passes on Town Meeting Day, March 4, a special meeting will be held to fill these additional seats.
