Barre Select Board Approves Savage Race Permit, Signs Library Occupancy Deal

BARRE -- June 3, 2019, Barre Select Board approves Savage Race permit and formalizes library occupancy deal at busy June 3 session. The board voted to allow the Savage Race obstacle event to proceed pending sign-off from the Planning Board and Conservation Commission, while noting Barre lost the Spartan Race contract this year after the town's building inspector required a Massachusetts-licensed engineer to certify all obstacles, an estimated $10,000 added cost not required in Rutland or Charlton. The board signed a long-anticipated use-and-occupancy agreement with Dore, Lake & Associates, approved the elevation of Circulation Librarian Jenna Garvey to Acting Library Director following the resignation of Stephanie Young, and directed that the permanent director position be publicly posted with a requirement that trustees deliver at least three qualified finalists. Town Administrator Andrew Lewis reported combined employee vacation and sick-time payout exposure of approximately $125,000, and the board voted to ask Lewis and Finance Committee liaison Greg to develop a revolving reserve account concept to cushion departments from retirement-driven budget shocks.