Sutton Keeping a Long Tradition Alive

The name, Dorreen Devenger, may not mean much to residents around the NEK but in Sutton she is a rock in the towns history. John F. Kennedy was in the White House the last time Sutton had a different town clerk. Devenger, was elected for her 50^th straight one-year term by a unanimous floor vote.  

If that doesn't impress you her son Marlin a.k.a "Chippy", was re-elected for a 40th term as the towns moderator. His sister is also a teacher at the towns school. It is truly a family affair in the town of Sutton. It is safe to assume next year the legend will continue to grow.

In budget news voters passed $357,516.76 for the general fund and $217,450 for the highway budget. The School budget $2,445,442 was passed by Australian Ballot.

The town then decided to consider 19 special appropriation requests as one question, which passed easily. The biggest part of that request was $13,613 for Lyndon Rescue, which provides service to Sutton and other NEK towns.

The town also voted to continue contributing funding for a new fire station.

And to keep people up to date on the possible $500 dollar scholarship for a standout high school student. It wont happen in 2011 and voting was postponed until next year because the town wanted a more detailed proposal.

Kirby Aftermath

The aroma from the potluck in Kirby was semi distracting but residents kept their eye on the prize and got to work on the future outlook of their town.


A 15% decrease was made to the school budget of Kirby and for the first time in seven years the budget will be below the million-dollar mark.

Residents have the choice to send their children to area schools. People spoke out against some school related bills that are being voted on in Montpelier. Senate Bill 44 and House Bill 170 are critical to resident's choice of schooling.  

Aside from the school news, the towns selectboard will have a new member. Steven Baker, a kirby resident for 24 years, is a former member of the zoning commission and received strong support for his new job securing 34 votes.

In a blink of the eye the towns $357,000 budget was passed. To close out the day John McClaughry, town mediator, closed the meeting for the 45^th time in his life.