Town Officials and Boards
Selectboard
The Selectboard is at the center of town government in Vermont. Middlesex has a five-member Selectboard. Members are elected by Middlesex voters at Town Meeting for staggered two- or three-year terms. The Selectboard is responsible for the general supervision of town affairs. Its functions are legislative (enacting local ordinances, regulations, and policies) and administrative (preparing the budget, overseeing town expenditures, supervising town employees, and controlling town buildings and property). It also does quasi-judicial work — for example, determining private rights when the town lays out or reclassifies town highways. Selectboard members want to hear from you. The sooner they hear about a problem, or the earlier in the decision-making process you offer your comments, the better for everyone. Members welcome questions, concerns, or just a conversation, and encourage you to reach them by phone, email, or in person. Residents are always welcome at Selectboard meetings and in the discussion. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall, and on Zoom.
| Liz Scharf | Chair | selectboardchair@middlesexvermont.org · 802-279-1711 |
| Zara Vincent | Vice Chair | selectboardvicechair@middlesexvermont.org · 802-355-1400 |
| Paul Cerminara | Member | selectboard1@middlesexvermont.org · 802-399-7216 |
| Stacey Skadberg | Member | selectboard2@middlesexvermont.org |
| Larry Rooney | Member | selectboard3@middlesexvermont.org · 802-760-0872 |
Town Administrator
(Starting 9/14/26) The Town Administrator manages the town’s day-to-day operations under the direction of the Selectboard. The role is the practical link between the Board’s decisions and the work of carrying them out — coordinating town staff and projects, supporting budget preparation and financial reporting, managing grants and procurement, and serving as a first point of contact for residents and contractors unsure which office they need. The Town Administrator is appointed by and reports to the Selectboard. Liam Abbate · townadministrator@middlesexvermont.org
Town Clerk
The Town Clerk’s Office, in Middlesex Town Hall, is the hub of town activity. It’s where you go to look at town records — land, birth, death, marriage, and more — ask about local taxes, or license your dog. Meeting notices are posted here as well. Vermont law entrusts the Town Clerk with a long list of duties: recording, preserving, and certifying public documents; administering oaths of office; running local elections; maintaining the grand list; issuing marriage licenses; and licensing animals. The Town Clerk is elected at Town Meeting for a three-year term and is an independent official, answerable to the voters. The Clerk sets the office hours and appoints the Assistant Town Clerk. Office hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays and Fridays by appointment. Town Clerk: Brigid Browning · 802-223-5915 · clerk@middlesexvermont.org. Assistant Town Clerk: Amy Cavanaugh · assistant.clerk@middlesexvermont.org.
Town Treasurer
The Treasurer is elected at Town Meeting to a one-year term and keeps the town’s financial accounts, invests money received by the town (with Selectboard approval), keeps a record of the taxes voted, and pays orders drawn on town accounts. The Treasurer works with the auditors to settle town accounts before Town Meeting and often provides the Selectboard with financial information. Voters may elect the same person as both Clerk and Treasurer. Treasurer: Cheryl Grandfield · treasurer@middlesexvermont.org · 802-223-5915. Accounts payable: accountspayable@middlesexvermont.org. Assistant Treasurer: Dorinda Crowell · assistant.treasurer@middlesexvermont.org
Zoning Officials
Zoning Administrator
The municipal administrative officer — commonly the “zoning administrator” — administers the town’s zoning bylaws. This officer is typically among the first officials contacted when property development is proposed or when someone has a complaint. The Zoning Administrator must administer the bylaws as written and cannot permit land development that doesn’t conform to them. The Zoning Administrator is appointed by the Planning Commission with Selectboard approval, for a three-year term. Kevin Thompson · zoning@middlesexvermont.org · 802-595-3464
Development Review Board
Within any zoning district, a proposed development may be an “allowed” use or a “conditional” use. Conditional uses receive a conditional use review by the Development Review Board. The Board also hears appeals from decisions of the Zoning Administrator, grants or denies requests for variances, and conducts subdivision review. Members are appointed by the Selectboard. Members: Peter Raymond · Sandy Levine · Mitch Osiecki · Larry Rooney · Stacey Skadberg. Alternate: Roger Hirt. Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
Boards and Commissions
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission looks after the long view. It prepares and maintains the Town Plan — Middlesex’s statement of how it wants to grow and change over the coming years — and drafts the zoning bylaws that put the Plan into practice. Bylaws prepared by the Commission go to the Selectboard for adoption. The Commission also appoints the Zoning Administrator, with Selectboard approval, and takes on studies of particular issues facing the town, such as flood resilience, housing, and the future of the Great Brook. Members are appointed by the Selectboard. The Commission’s work is long-range rather than case-by-case: individual permit applications and appeals go to the Zoning Administrator and the Development Review Board. Sandy Levine, Chair · 802-223-1192. Members: Elizabeth Davis · Mitch Osiecki · Paula Otenti. Email: planning.commission@middlesexvermont.org. Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.
Cemetery Commission
The Cemetery Commission oversees the town’s cemeteries — maintaining the grounds, keeping burial records, arranging lot sales, and managing the funds set aside for their long-term care. Anyone looking to purchase a lot, arrange a burial, or ask about a family plot should start here. Commissioners are elected at Town Meeting to staggered terms. Middlesex Center Cemetery: Steve Martin · 802-371-8697. Other cemeteries: cemeterycommission@middlesexvermont.org. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
Budget Committee
The Budget Committee’s five members are elected to staggered three-year terms. Members follow the Selectboard’s deliberations as the annual budget develops, ask questions and offer comments, develop or find data needed to evaluate those decisions, and report observations to voters in the annual Town Report. Mark Harris, Chair · mmharris9701@gmail.com · 802-522-7362. Members: Samantha Beaudoin · Dorinda Crowell · Elias Gardner · Zara Vincent
Board of Civil Authority
The Board of Civil Authority comprises the Selectboard, the Town Clerk, and the Justices of the Peace. The BCA is the governing body for elections. Its duties include assisting at elections, delivering and counting ballots, maintaining the voter checklist, and hearing tax appeals.
Officials
Auditors
Middlesex voters have chosen to use a professional outside auditor to review the town’s finances annually.
Listers
Listers determine the value of real property in town; the Selectboard then sets the tax rate needed to pay for town services, highway maintenance, and other municipal needs. Middlesex has three listers, one elected each year for staggered three-year terms. State law directs listers to appraise all taxable property at 100% of fair market value. Listers hold grievance hearings for taxpayers contesting an appraisal; their decisions may be appealed to the Board of Civil Authority, and listers may appear before that board to defend the appraisals in question. Listers also serve on the Board of Tax Abatement. Samantha Beaudoin · Shelley DesJardin · Sean McVeigh · listers@middlesexvermont.org
Collector of Delinquent Taxes
The Collector of Delinquent Taxes notifies taxpayers when their taxes are overdue, arranges for late payment, and takes formal collection action — including tax sales of property — when necessary. The Collector keeps records of all delinquent accounts and provides an accounting for the Town Report. Elected for a one-year term. Cheryl Grandfield · treasurer@middlesexvermont.org
Road Commissioner
The Road Foreman and Road Commissioner oversees the maintenance of town highways, culverts, and bridges, and manages the town’s highway crew and equipment. Eric Metivier · highway@middlesexvermont.org · 802-752-5092
Justices of the Peace
Historically, Justices of the Peace performed important judicial functions. Today’s JPs primarily administer oaths of office, perform marriages and civil unions, and serve on the Board of Civil Authority. The number of justices is apportioned by population. Because the position once carried significant political influence, the nominating procedure differs from other town offices: justices are nominated after the August statewide primary in each even-numbered year, and elected biennially on the first Tuesday in November. Independent candidates may also petition to appear on the ballot. Dorinda Crowell · assistant.treasurer@middlesexvermont.org · 802-223-7781. John Demeter · johnjdemeter@gmail.com · 802-272-3548. Chris McVeigh · chris@mcveighskiff.com · 802-272-7871. Jan Thouron · jan@thouron.com · 802-793-1177
Health Officer
The Health Officer, appointed by the Selectboard, addresses public health and safety issues such as dog bites, failing septic systems, contaminated water, and unhealthy living conditions. Health Officers attend at least one statewide workshop each year to stay current. Dr. Rob Penney · rapvt@icloud.com