Who/What/Where/How...

Here’s a quick run-down on some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about living in Shoreham. If your question isn’t here or isn’t fully answered, use the online form at the end to get assistance.

 

Voting & Ballot Questions

How do I register to vote

Go to the Town Clerk’s Office, or call at 897-5841, and request a voter registration form. If you are registering to vote for the first time in Vermont, you will need to provide a valid photo ID (Driver’s License or Passport), a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement or another government document that shows your current name and address. In order to vote at Town Meeting you must register by NOON, on the Wednesday prior to Election Day.

You can learn more at the Secretary of State’s website: http://vermont-elections.org/elections1/registertovote.html

You may also register to vote when you apply for or renew a driver’s license through the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. In addition, voter registration is available through the Dept. of Social Welfare, the Dept. of Health and the Dept.of Aging & Disabilities and Dept. of Mental Health.

Can I get an Absentee Ballot?

Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s Office. The process requires filling out the application to get the ballots. If you need the application mailed to you, call the Town Clerk (897-5841) far enough ahead of the ballot deadline to allow for the several mailing days, back & forth, of the application, then the ballots themselves.
  • For Town Meeting, you have until 4 pm on Town Meeting Monday.
  • For general & primary elections, you have until 4pm on the Monday before election day .
  • Completed ballots must be delivered by the closing of polls at 7PM on Election Day,at the very latest
  • Full details are on the Secretary of State’s website: http://vermont-elections.org/elections1/absentee.html

How can I get something on the Town Meeting Warning?

If you wish to have an article placed on the warning for the annual meeting in March, a petition must be presented to the Town Clerk by late January. Call the Office to check the deadline of a given year. The petition must have signatures of at least five percent of the registered voters.

What do I need to do to run for a town office?

You’ll need Petition and Consent forms, which are available, along with a list of open seats, from the Town Clerk.
 
The completed petitions must be returned to the Office by the 6th Monday prior to Town Meeting Day in order for the candidate names to be placed on the March ballot. Petitions for office need to have signatures of one percent of the registered voters in town. It is always better to have more.

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Questions Pertaining to Town Government

Where can I get building or other permit applications?

They can be downloaded in PDF format from the Downloadable Documents page or you can pick them up at the Town Office

Where can I get Selectboard Minutes?

Minutes for the Selectboard meetings as well as some other board meetings can be downloaded (as PDFs) from the Downloadable Documents page. They (and those not on the website) can also be viewed at the Town Office.

What about minutes from other boards/commissions?

See above.

How do I dispute a zoning decision?

You’ll need to take it to the Zoning Board for a public hearing. The first step is to submit a request for the hearing. The request application may be downloaded or picked up at the Town Office.

I have a question about my property taxes. Who do I contact?

Property tax issues should be addressed to the Town Treasurer. Give Barb a call at the Town Office for more info (897-5841).

Where can I get a list of town government/organization phones?

Click here for the numbers list

Where can I see who the town officials are? What about our State reps?

All town officials, elected or appointed, are listed on the initial Government page. Local legislators can be found there as well.

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School Info

What do I need to know about Shoreham’s schools?

Shoreham has a pre-school and elementary school. Junior and Senior High children are bussed to Middlebury. You can reach the pre-school at 897-2888; registration and orientation for new pre-schoolers generally occur in May and June prior to the start of the new school year. The elementary school can be reached at 897-7181; Middlebury Union Middle School, 382-1600; Middlebury Union High School, 382-1500.

What school-related groups can I join?

Shoreham has an active PTF group (Parents/Teachers/Friends) which meets monthly during the school-year months. Check the Shoreham Elementary School website for more details.

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Business Questions

What do I need to do to start a business in Shoreham?

You’ll find information on the local businesses page, and through links to the Secretary of State’s Office on the Business, Town Office, and Resources pages. You wil need to get a permit for your business regardless of whether it is “permitted” or “conditional use.” You may get a copy of the Zoning By-Laws from the Town Clerk, or download a PDF version from the Document Downloads page.

Where can I find a list of local businesses?

Click here for the business page

How do I list my business? Or make a change to my listing?

To add, remove, or change a business listing, email the information to Webmaster.

Can I get a link to my website?

Not at this time. However, if there’s sufficient interest in this service, it may be an option.

Can I get a bigger listing?

As with the website hotlink—not yet; but a show of interest might help it happen.

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Groups/Organizations

I want to get involved in town causes or civic groups. Where do I start?

The Library and the Friends of The Platt are always appreciative of help—learn more via the Library’s website: Platt Memorial Library. The Library has several programs for children that meet regularly and book discussion groups for both young adults and adults (897-2647).

Shoreham’s Historical Society is very active, learn more via the history page.

There is also a parent/teacher group for the elementary school (see above). The school can also provide info about local 4-H or other children’s groups.

Local Fire and First Response groups are all-volunteer and always in need of new members. Contact them: Fire, Jeff Treadway, 897-2107; First Response, Dick Treadway, 897-8361.

Another emergency-related group is the Emergency Management Committee, Robin Conway, Coordinator, 897-2668.

Check the Calendar & Events page for other possibilities. And, finally—check with the Town Clerk about openings on town government boards or committees.

How can I donate money to a local group?

Donations for any group falling under town governance can be sent to the Treasurer (Shoreham Treasurer, 297 Main St. Shoreham, VT 05770); be sure to indicate specifically which group/purpose your donation is for. This would apply to Fire, First Response, Library. If unsure, contact the group directly, or the Town Clerk or Treasurer.

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Other Questions

Who do I contact for:

A burn permit? Call Jim Ortuno, Fire Warden 897-5711(d)/897-5712(n,wknd)

Zoning? George Cairns, Zoning Admin., 897-5096

Property Tax info? Barb Kivlin, Town Treas., 897-5841 (M, T, Th, F 9-12; 1-4)

Info on joining the First Response? Call Dick Treadway, SFRS President, 897-8361

Info on joining the Fire Department? Call Jeff Treadway, Fire Chief, 897-2107

Info about the Emergency Management group? Call Robin Conway, Shoreham EMC Director, 897-2668

How can I add an event to the town calendar?

Use this form to add an event (you’ll also find it on the Calendar & Events page)

Where can I find more local info/resources?

Check out the “Resources” page

Where can I find a map of the town?

Go to the “Map” page. You’ll find a map of the town and can get a somewhat larger view of the village area and each of the 4 quarters by clicking in their respective locations. You can also find the Map listed on the Community page.