“Tonight’s celebration marks a resounding mandate for our shared vision — a clear sign that Bennington is ready to embrace a future defined by progress and collaboration.”

— incoming Bennington Select Board member, Jackie Matts

(from the March 5, 2023 Bennington Banner article “Voters elect 3 to Bennington board; reject 2 charter changes; winners’ reactions added”)

Concerning the six proposed charter changes, proposals to allow non-citizen legal residents and 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in municipal elections were rejected on votes of 1,419 against to 1,077 on the first question and 1,419 against to 724 on the second.

The other proposed changes were approved, including placing town liens for enforcement of code violation expense ahead of those of mortgage holders and a 1 percent option tax on short-term rentals held by non-resident owners were both approved.

Read the entire article here.