Font ResizeBELLOWS FALLS -- The scheduled day to vote on proposed changes to the village charter and the second of two legally required public hearings have been postponed following a vote by the Board of Trustees.
The voting day has been moved to Tuesday, Nov. 6, and the dates for the public hearings have not yet been determined.
Bellows Falls Village Trustee Deborah Wright heads the charter revision committee and, along with Cathy Bergmann and Donna Harty, she was prepared to hear any questions or complaints voters had about the committee’s proposed amendments to the charter.
At least two public hearings are mandatory whenever there are proposed changes to a charter. State law requires the first of the two hearings to be held no fewer than 30 days before the vote is slated to take place. There is no deadline for the second hearing but no changes to the wording of the proposed amendments can be made within 20 days of the vote.
The first of the original hearings was held on Tuesday, Sept. 4. But it was suggested during the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday that the voting day be moved to allow people more time to familiarize themselves with the possible changes.
When the scheduled meeting day is changed, two new public hearings become required.
The proposed amendments include an update on statutory expenses, clarification with respect to acquisition of interests in real estate, expansion on the restrictions
Village President said copies of the revisions will hopefully be available in the Rockingham Free Public Library at 65 Westminster St.
