Each month the chamber reads the minutes from Manchester’s town boards and writes down what each board decided. This page is free and open to anyone.
September's recap covers two Select Board meetings and one Planning Commission meeting.
The Select Board appointed a new town constable, named its VLCT voting delegate, and authorized the Town Manager to sign a purchase and sale agreement for the Airport Road property. It also discussed a possible political sign ordinance and heard a review of the Manchester Business Association's activities. During public comments, the board heard that funds may remain after the Town Hall insulation project for solar panels, with bids around $75,000.
The Planning Commission discussed the draft town plan from its consultant.
Police Chief Jamie Blanchard as Town Constable to replace retired Chief PJ Owens
Police Benevolent Fund Board of Trustees appointments of Jonathan West, Brian Vogel, Ron Flynn, Jamie Blanchard, and Scott Murphy
The Dog Park Foundation request to expand the Dog Park - To be fundraised
The Green Mountain Estates Restricted Capital Account balance of over $592,000 and its future use
Verizon did not appeal the final decision of the Public Utilities Commission so the proposed cell tower location at Riley Rink will not go forward
Additional architectural work for Bourn Brook is within the approved budget, was approved by the State to be submitted to FEMA, and the contract is up to $145,000
Restaurants and businesses with food must bear-proof their dumpsters due to recent bear complaints in downtown, with incidents happening during the day and night
Property taxes are due Friday, September 4
Substantial funds may remain after the insulation project for solar panels on Town Hall roof, with bids around $75,000, and possible future installation of a charging station in the parking lot
Manchester Business Association activities, including annual increases in sales and use tax payments, the Food and Wine Festival, the 4th of July celebration, website and branding improvements, and the impact of the Events Manager role
A possible political sign ordinance, including whether to require registration and fees, the timing of sign placement relative to ballot mailing, and parameters for when signs can be put up and taken down
A letter drafted by the Planning Commission to Bennington County Regional Commission regarding Manchester's Village Designation, with discussion of amending the designation on the regional plan and the December 31, 2026 deadline
Designating the Town Manager as the Voting Delegate at the VLCT Annual Meeting
Green Mountain Estate sale funds, including moving them from the General Fund sweep account to a Schwab account and determining their use for road maintenance
Authorization for the Town Manager to sign the purchase and sale agreement for the Airport Road property on behalf of the Selectboard
The draft town plan provided by Micheal Allen of Regrowth Planning, including its visual appeal, length, and the need to condense it and strengthen the vision statement
Published by the chamber on September 30, 2026.
Drawn from the town’s own minutes, which remain the official record. Each decision links to the meeting it came from.
We report what a board decided, how the vote fell, and what the Town Manager reported to it. We do not report how any individual member voted.