BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Rockingham municipal manager Scott Pickup presented a brief report to the selectboard at their regular meeting, on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Pickup stated that the Laurel Avenue paving project is nearly complete and coming in on budget. The Route 121 culvert repair is also close to completion, and two-way traffic will resume shortly at Ski Bowl Road. The town hall roof renovation project was delayed due to high winds, and Pickup told the board he would have a schedule update to them as soon as possible.
Betsy Thurston announced that the Halloween haunted house sponsored by the Bellows Falls Downtown Development Alliance was a success, and raised $3,500 for the lower theater project.
Anne McLarty, of the Rockingham Cemetery Committee, was in attendance to update the board on the status of the five cemeteries in town. A project to document all headstones and objects in the cemeteries is underway, and McLarty reported that so far all of Cambridgeport has been photographed, as well as a portion of Oak Hill. McLarty requested that the board support a general call for volunteerism.
Selectboard member Elijah Zimmer will soon step down as the board liaison to the cemetery committee, and McLarty asked the board to appoint his replacement and two additional members to the committee.
The board heard from Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) executive director Adam Grinold, and director of regional economic development Laura Sibilia. Grinold told the board he appreciated their continued support, as he presented them with the 2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) report. Sibilia asked the board to fill out the BDCC selectboard survey that looks at the community’s challenges, concerns, and opportunities. Grinold said that by understanding the data and working with the town, they can develop strategies to address cumulative impacts. The town invests $3 per resident in BDCC.
Pickup asked Grinold how the government shutdown and a loss of federal funding were affecting BDCC, and Grinold replied, “We see a lot of changes ahead with regards to access to federal funds. Vermont receives a third of its budget from the federal government, so if that is diminished, it is really going to impact all of us in many ways.” Even so, Grinold said he remained optimistic.
Recreation director Ryan Stoodley will be stepping down from his post at the end of November, and the board discussed appointing his successor. Pickup asked the board to create a robust committee to lead direction and programming in the recreation department, which has received some criticism lately. Available positions will be posted on the town website home page, and a notice will be published in The Vermont Journal.
Library director Ian Graham reported that the library board of trustees will vote on their budget on Nov. 20, with no intention of additional tax appropriation. Graham shared recent funding opportunities, including a $4,000 grant for Rockingham Gathers, which sponsors community events like snowshoe walks, walking tai chi, winter bird watching, and more.
Graham also announced that the Carnegie Foundation unexpectedly awarded all Carnegie-affiliated libraries an “unrestricted gift of $10,000 as of January 2026, in recognition of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence.” Graham said there are four affiliated libraries in the state, including the Rockingham Free Public Library. Graham continues to solicit the community for ideas on where the money could be spent, especially proposals that offer long-term effects. Graham invited anyone with suggestions to email him at director@rockinghamlibrary.org.
Graham shared more good news, reporting that the library was chosen as the first stop for a traveling Smithsonian exhibit, “Museums on Main Street.” The exhibit will visit three locations in Vermont and New Hampshire, and Smithsonian’s own operators will travel to Rockingham to install the display, which focuses on rural innovation. Graham said they expected the exhibit to attract a large number of visitors to Rockingham.
Pickup updated the meeting on the Rockingham Fire and Rescue Department progress, reporting that the newly formed department was operational as of Friday, Nov. 1. Due to additional costs for vehicle maintenance, the budget, originally estimated at $539,000, is now roughly $542,000. Pickup said he had six prospects for fire chief, and hoped to have a recommendation by the Triboard Meeting on Dec. 30.
The selectboard meets again on Nov. 18, at 6 p.m., in the town hall lower theater.