Bellows Falls Village Trustees Meeting Summary

A New Chair Takes the Gavel 00:00:00 – 00:05:17 Wendy chaired her first
meeting, approved prior minutes with corrections including typo fixes,
title corrections, formatting cleanup, and a request for page numbers.

Major Discussion Highlights

Farewell to Interim Municipal Manager Alex 00:05:40 – 00:18:49 Trustees
thanked Alex for his interim leadership, describing his work as
transformative and stabilizing. Alex encouraged regional collaboration,
long-term planning, and trustee training, with discussion of inviting
him back for a strategic workshop.

New Municipal Manager Welcomed 00:14:21 – 00:29:57 Aaron Papp was
welcomed as the new municipal manager, with optimism about his
management and financial background.

Manager’s Report 00:18:59 – 00:29:41 - Energy resilience grants
successfully implemented by water, sewer, and recreation departments. -
PFAS/PFOS wastewater pilot project discussed as a major environmental
opportunity. - Wastewater electrical emergency nearly caused system
overflow; need for safety equipment and training highlighted. - First
woman hired for wastewater operations. - Police officer injury
discussed.

Finance Report 00:30:42 – 00:47:01 - General fund remains stable. - Fire
department budget responsibilities debated. - Water department saw
unexpected revenue gains. - Wastewater finances improving but still
strained. - Walpole billing contract may need revision.

Saxons River Wastewater Contract 00:53:13 – 01:03:35 Trustees debated
whether Bellows Falls is undercharging Saxons River for wastewater
management services and whether village taxpayers are subsidizing
neighboring communities.

Governance Municipal Code of Ethics 00:50:14 – 00:53:03 Updated ethics
code adopted.

Internal Financial Controls 01:04:00 – 01:06:51 Annual financial
controls checklist adopted, with discussion about trustee financial
training.

Votes and Motions 1. Minutes approved as amended — Passed unanimously 2.
Orders, bills, and warrants approved — Passed unanimously 3. Municipal
Code of Ethics adopted — Passed unanimously 4. Internal Financial
Controls Checklist accepted — Passed unanimously 5. Adjournment — Passed
unanimously

No Formal Votes Taken On - Saxons River contract - Fire building
arrangements - Walpole contract changes - Safety equipment purchases

BELLOWS FALLS VILLAGE TRUSTEES
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
A. Call to Order
B. Approval of Minutes
a. Approve Minutes of May 12, 2026
C. Additions to the Agenda (for Routine Administrative Matters and/or Pressing Matters that will require
ratification at a future meeting)
D. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda (3 minutes per person)
E. Staff Reports
a. Manager’s Report’s-Alex, Gary & Aaron
b. Monthly Finance Director- Financials Report
F. Review & Approve Orders, Bills & Warrants
G. Business:
a. Action Needed: Adopt New Municipal Code of Ethics
b. Discussion: Agreement for Saxtons River-Review Contract Service
c. Action Needed: Acceptance of the Internal Financial Controls Checklist(required for bonding)
H. Other Business
I. Review Future Agenda Items
a. Next meeting date: June 16, 2026
b. Next Tri-board meeting date June 30, 2026
J. Executive session (if needed)
K. Adjourn