I live in a town of 600 people, it's a good chance to talk with people you don't often see, have a say in town business, and be directly involved in the democracy that affects you most, local policy's. It's an interesting/quaint Vermont tradition, gives you a chance to vote on representatives, gives floor time for you to ask questions to them and bring up matters that concern you for discussion with elected and other residents.

Generally state workers (DOT, teachers, etc) are given the day off. Most working in the private sector do not get the day off.

I assume the issue is enforcement. How often do litterers actually get caught in the act?

Towns want people to go so they try moving them around. My town has Town Meeting on Monday night. Then has voting by Australian ballot on Tuesday.

It's still corrupt AF

Noah Kahan would like a word...

No. Not everyone gets the day off from work and it’s a once a year thing so if you miss it. The fuck you.

Nope! Chittenden cty! Haha I guess it answers the question people do get ticketed for littering since this has happened at least twice.

Both could definitely be true. You from the upper valley area?

Our town has gone full Australian ballot and the polls are open 7 to 7.

This is much better then the extremely regressive previous iteration done during normal business hours.

It started as a valid form of local government but I no longer believe it is one.

Our town has a town meeting, but also Australian ballot. Town meeting is in the evening. I do wish they'd move out to the weekend, just like I wish they'd move election day.

I misread your initial comment

Stick season isn't a thing here. Nice photo tho!

in my part of VT we don’t have Costco, BJs is our only warehouse store option (and I cross over into NH to go there) At BJs they have always checked receipts at the door for as long as I can recall. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone be particularly hard assed about it tho

Even if they're off grid simple tiny/small homes or cabins? Just clarifying.

Jet fighter from MA

You might just buy a larger piece of land and subdivide it to make this more straight forward.

In my town I could essentially have 2 houses on our lot ( dwelling and accessory dwelling) The limit was the septic capacity which is done by bedrooms here in vermont.

If you wanted say 3 homes you’d need to subdivide. Again this is my town.

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same issue as election day being held on a workday. Should be moved to a weekend or made into a holiday

In a we-are-involved-in-democracy-not-apathy-and-the-community-is-bonding-in-a-healthy-mutual-support kinda way.

A strong sense of community is correlated with longer life spans and Vermont, generally, prioritizes healthy life styles.

But we’re also aware it’s not utopia.

My boyfriend lives on Stratton Mountain and he’s seen military planes flying in the wee hours of the am

Where I am it's ballots here that you can pick up the same as any other election.

I feel for the people in more rural towns where you can't cast your vote for an issue unless you are there in the building. Since 2020 it's been a huge accessibility issue for those that are immune compromised and it's also always been an issue for those that are disabled because getting to the place the meeting is being held isn't always possible.

Plus the whole work day thing. It ends up largely being stay at home parents (that can afford childcare) and elderly folks...which is fine? But it's not representative of the community as a whole.

One of my assignments in late elementary school was to attend a town meeting day in the rural town I grew up in and see how it worked and even then I remember thinking it would be a problem for so many. And that was like 25 yrs ago.

Sounds like you found a perfect spot for green up day!

Congrats!

In like a “this is a utopia, we can self-govern and get along and enjoy ourselves” sorta way or “maybe not productive anymore but at least it’s fun!” or “total joke, a waste”?

I came to the comments to tell this exact same story. Either we have the same friend or apparently Vermont high schoolers need to be more careful with their Gatorade bottles.

Our town’s town meeting started with a sing-a-long and ended with a pot luck.