Green Mountain Falls Mayor Todd Dixon and the board of trustees voted in a special meeting last week to commit to holding an election in November 2025. At issue is whether to extend the employment agreement with Becky Frank, the town manager.

The special election would ask registered voters to consider the town’s budget and funding priorities.

“I’m hoping we can come up with a comprehensive proposal to put in front of the voters,” Dixon said. “There is a concern by some on the board if we’re going to have enough funding for a town manager.”

The town hired its first manager several years ago, with the funding provided by the Department of Local Affairs.

“When that money went away there’s never been an adjustment,” Dixon said. “We need to look at whether we need to adjust the revenue source.”

In the meantime, the board voted to approve a renewal of Frank’s employment agreement for another year.

“We voted for a salary of $94,605,” Dixon said.

In addition, the board voted to implement a directive to Frank that could result in dismissal. For instance, Dixon said, if Frank fails to implement a board directive, it would be grounds for dismissal.

The special meeting was two days after the regular public meeting Nov. 19 when Dixon and the board discussed continuing the employment of Frank, who was seated at her usual spot at the staff table.

In response to letters and phone calls, pro and con for Frank’s continuing employment, Trustee John Bell said no one presented data. “I’m a scientist; I want to know data,” he said.

In his research, Bell looked at financials and audits from the last three years in addition to studying the demographics of other towns of similar size. “I’ve spent dozens of hours looking at the data,” he said. “Here’s the thing; I don’t see where we can’t afford to pay a town manager.”

Dixon agreed, adding that he too, had looked at the numbers and reached the same conclusion, that the town could afford a town manager.

The discussion was contentious, as trustees Don Walker and Sean Ives expressed negative views of renewing Frank’s contract. Walker cited the potential for deficit spending while Ives questioned why the town has failed to add a grader to the maintenance department.

In the meeting two days later, Ives and Walker voted against holding a special election while Dixon, Bell and Sunde King carried the vote. The next meeting of the board is at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 when the board will discuss the proposed budget for 2025 of $894,009.55.