In a recent article, it was highlighted that the flooding incidents in Vermont have brought to the forefront the need for a regional form of governance to better organize services for residents. With small towns relying heavily on volunteer board members, the task of navigating federal recovery programs has become overwhelming. State policymakers are now considering whether Vermont’s tradition of hyper-local municipal government is the most effective and cost-efficient way to handle major projects like flood recovery.
Legislation signed by Gov. Phil Scott established a committee to study the potential benefits of regional governance. However, any solutions would likely take years to implement. The patchwork system of county governments in Vermont has limited scope, making it challenging for towns to collaborate effectively. The recent flooding events have shown that small towns lack the capacity to handle federal bureaucracy, putting them at a disadvantage when applying for grants.
While some towns have begun to pool resources and collaborate, the process is time-consuming and requires coordination. The lack of regional structures in Vermont has led to inefficiencies and duplication of services. Advocates for regionalization are urging the Legislature to address the issue, with some suggesting a consolidation similar to Act 46 for school districts.
The legislative committee studying regional governance aims to provide recommendations by 2025, with the goal of enhancing, rather than replacing, municipalities while easing their burdens. However, some experts believe that action needs to be taken sooner to address the challenges faced by small towns. With the urgency brought by recent flooding events, the push for regional government in Vermont is gaining momentum.
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