Boards & Commissions

The Advisory Committee on Cemeteries was created in 2009 by Town Meeting (Article 6) and is responsible for advising the Selectboard on policy, planning, finance, operations and other matters related to the Town-owned Factory Point Cemetery. Members of the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries are appointed by the Selectboard. For more information about the Committee contact Scott Murphy, Town Manager, at (802) 362-1313 (option 2) or s.murphy@manchester-vt.gov.

The Board of Civil Authority assisting in elections, delivers and counts ballots, maintains the voter checklist and hears tax appeals. The Board of Civil Authority is comprised of the Justices of the Peace, the Selectboard and the Town Clerk. For more information about the Board contact Anita Sheldon, Town Clerk, at (802) 362-1313, option 1, or a.sheldon@manchester-vt.gov.

The Board of Water Commissioners oversees the Water Department. Board members are appointed by the Selectboard. For more information about the Board contact Scott Murphy, Town Manager, at (802) 362-1313 (option 2) or s.murphy@manchester-vt.gov.

The Design Advisory Board (DAB) advises the Zoning Administrator and the Development Review Board on matters related to the design of buildings, signs, and site plans for properties in the Design Review Overlay (DRO) district, which includes the Downtown (DN), Town Center (TC), Mixed Use 1 (MU1), Mixed Use 2 (MU2), Mixed Use 3 (MU3), Residential 10 (R10), and historic districts. Members of the Design Advisory Committee are appointed by the Selectboard for three year terms. The Design Advisory Committee typically meets on the last Wednesday of the month. For more information about the DAC, contact Zoning Administrator at (802) 362-1313 (option 3) or p.brabazon@manchester-vt.gov.

The Development Review Board (DRB) is responsible for approving or disapproving development proposals. The DRB is also responsible for hearing appeals from decisions of the Zoning Administrator and granting or denying variances and waivers from the zoning standards. Members of the DRB are appointed by the Selectboard for three year terms. The Development Review Board typically meets on the first Wednesday of the month. For more information about the DRB, contact Zoning Administrator Peter Brabazon at (802) 362-1313 (option 3) or p.brabazon@manchester-vt.gov.

The Energy Committee, planning and implementing energy conservation measures. The commission may also function to advise the Planning Commission, Development Review Board, and Selectboard on issues related to energy. Members of the Energy Committee are appointed by the Selectboard for four year terms. For more information about the Energy Committee contact Scott Murphy, Town Manager, at (802) 362-1313 (option 3) or s.murphy@manchester-vt.gov.

The Investment Advisory Committee (IAC) advises the Selectboard and Town Treasurer on the Town’s financial investments. Trustees of Public Funds manage real or personal property held by the town in trust for any purpose. Trustees also serve as ex-officio members of the Investment Advisory Committee. For more information about the Committee or Trustees contact Michael DeCubellis, Director of Accounting and Finance, at (802) 362-1313 (option 4) or m.decubellis@manchester-vt.gov.

Justices of the Peace are constitutional officers elected to two year terms. Justices of the Peace serve on the Board of Civil Authority and can administer oaths of office and solemnize marriages. The number of Justices is based on population. Manchester has twelve Justices. For more information about Justices of the Peace contact Town Clerk Anita Sheldon at (802) 362-1313 option 1 or a.sheldon@manchester-vt.gov.

Below is a list of Justices, effective March 2023

• Wayne Bell
• Martha Heilemann
• Alison Hill
• Ruth A. Hoffman
• Cynthia Kilburn
• Frank Kropa
• Richard Long
• Charles Murphy
• Rebecca Nawrath
• Barbara Powers
• Anita L. Sheldon
• Kelsey Towslee

The Planning Commission is responsible for long-range planning, drafting of the Town Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and may participate as a party in Act 250 proceedings. Members of the Planning Commission are appointed by the Selectboard for four year terms. For more information about the Planning Commission contact Scott Murphy, Town Manager at (802) 362-1313 option 2 or s.murphy@manchester-vt.gov.

The Tree Committee is appointed by the Selectboard and is responsible for advising the Selectboard, Town Manager, Tree Warden and DPW Director on matters related to Town-owned trees, including plantings, maintenance and and long-term planning. For more information about the Committee contact Scott Murphy, Town Manager, at (802) 362-1313 (option 2) or s.murphy@manchester-vt.gov.