Board of Civil Authority

The Board of Civil Authority is responsible for the following: to assist with the running of elections, to maintain the voter checklist, to participate in state district reapportionment, to hear and decide tax assessment appeals, and to serve as a member of the Board of Abatement. The Board of Abatement acts upon requests for abatement of property taxes and utility charges.

A majority of the board must be present in order for the board to meet, and a majority of that number must vote in favor of a motion to abate. Note that unlike most municipal boards, the Board of Abatement (BOA) acts with a concurrence of a majority of the quorum of the board.

Learn more in VLCT’s Board of Civil Authority Toolkit

The Board of Civil Authority (BCA) consists of the Justices of the Peace, Selectboard Members and Town Clerk. The Board of Abatement (BOA) is made up of all of the BCA members plus the Town Treasurer.