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MSAC, the 5 "Supporting Towns" & Town Meeting Requests
- General info and figures
- Summary of FY24 requests
- Reports for each town, 2022 Town Meeting
- Berlin's Request & Meals on Wheels
- Tiered dues & fees
MSAC and Supporting Town Tax Appropriation Requests on 2023 Town Meeting Ballots for FY24 Funding
Each year, MSAC has a request for a tax appropriation appear on the town ballots of six towns: Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Moretown, and Worcester (each of which can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the page). Unfortunately, due to a confluence of reasons, MSAC missed the opportunity to apply for funding from Berlin and Middlesex. Town of Berlin residents came out in droves to sign a petition for a special election in May, however, and the vote passed with 83 over 30 votes for MSAC to receive an increase in funding at $21,600 for FY24. Middlesex was unable to extend this opportunity, so Middlesex residents are now considered “other town” members.
In FY23, MSAC served over 350 people from the six towns—down slightly from past years but undoubtedly a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, cancellation of some services and programs, and our pivot to online format for many classes. We know that our pandemic response has been resourceful and important to residents of all these towns and appreciate voters’ consideration of the value of MSAC even—or especially—during a pandemic. For FY24, we sought an increase in funding from surrounding towns to meet the 7% increase received from the City of Montpelier. Requests to these towns totaled $48,100, as you can see below. The highest amount is in Berlin where MSAC also subsidizes and delivers Meals on Wheels.
The City of Montpelier subsidizes residents from surrounding communities at a cost of about $106 per person based on an average annual attendance of non-duplicated participants, and level-funding from Montpelier tax-payers will represent an historic 18% increase at $188,674. In a typical year, about a quarter of the people MSAC serves are residents of our six supporting towns, while about 2/3 are Montpelier residents.
Summary of FY23 Requests at 2022 Town Meeting
| Town | Amount | Change over FY22 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | $21,600 | Increase of $1,600 | 73% voted yes at special election held May 23, 2023 |
| Calais | $5,300 | Increase of $400 | Ballot item combined multiple service agencies' requests |
| East Montpelier | $9,700 | Increase of $700 | Adopted at Town Meeting by voice vote |
| Middlesex | $0 | Loss of $7,000 | No funding this year |
| Moretown | $1,100 | Level-funding | Adopted at Town Meeting by voice vote |
| Worcester | $2,500 | Level-funding | Adopted at Town Meeting by voice vote |
| Total | $40,200 | Loss of $4,300 |
MSAC Tax Appropriation Requests for FY22 (To be updated for FY23 soon)
- MSAC item for Berlin Town Report, 2022 Town Meeting*
- MSAC item for Calais Town Report, 2022 Town Meeting
- MSAC item for East Montpelier Town Report, 2022 Town Meeting
- MSAC item for Middlesex Town Report, 2022 Town Meeting
- MSAC item for Moretown Town Report, 2022 Town Meeting
- MSAC Item for Worcester Town Report, 2022 Town Meeting
MSAC's FEAST Senior Meals Program provides home delivery of Meals on Wheels to residents of Berlin. Adjusting for the costs associated with this program, MSAC's ask in Berlin is significant. In the FY21 fiscal year, 2,547 meals were delivered in Berlin from MSAC at no charge, at a cost of over $32,000, and represented over 20% of all Meals on Wheels for MSAC that year.
Infographic
Each year, we create an infographic to help explain why the ask is as large as it is and why voters should vote YES. To view this year's infographic, click here.
Tiered Class Fees and Membership Dues Structure: Details and Explanation
(updated Jan. 2022)
To address some confusion and questions that are often raised by residents of MSAC’s six supporting towns of Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Moretown, and Worcester (and other towns), we have prepared the following. Any unanswered questions may be directed to Janna Clar, at jclar@montpelier-vt.org, and via phone at 223-2518.
- MSAC has a tiered class fee structure.
- Some class fee differences – usually $10 (for classes serving members or age 50+ only), are Montpelier members VS. Non-resident members. Example: $35 vs. $45 for 12 weeks.
- The reason is that Montpelier taxpayers support MSAC operations at a significantly higher rate than any of the supporting towns’ tax appropriations, proportionately and otherwise.
- Additionally, as a division of city government, we are mandated by a city policy, passed in 2012, to endeavor to collect equitable revenue when providing services to non-residents. Town Meeting appropriations are one way we do this, but we also do it via fees and dues.
- Some class fee differences- usually $15-25 (typically for classes open to younger people, too) are all MSAC members VS. all Non-members, regardless of town of residence. Example: $35 vs. $60 for 12 weeks.
- In these instances, members from supporting towns are not charged more than Montpelier residents.
- Non-members are also usually required to wait longer to be given spaces in classes, as MSAC prioritizes older adults/members.
- Some class fee differences – usually $10 (for classes serving members or age 50+ only), are Montpelier members VS. Non-resident members. Example: $35 vs. $45 for 12 weeks.
- MSAC has a tiered annual membership dues structure. (see 1.a.i and 1.a.ii above)
- Montpelier residents are charged the lowest rate
- currently $25, an increase of $10 over what we charged in the past several years.
- Supporting town residents are charged more:
- currently $40, an increase of $10 over what we charged in the past several years.
- Other town residents are charged the most:
- currently $60, an increase of $10 over what we charged in the past several years.
- Membership benefits (some unavailable during pandemic times) include: access to all MSAC programs and services, typically over 130 hours per week (many are free; some require fees), subscription to our newsletter by USPS delivery upon request (along with email), use of our computer lab, use of our 1200-title Savoy Archive DVD collection, free B&W photocopying up to 15 pages per day, discounts to area fitness gyms, and more.
- Montpelier residents are charged the lowest rate
- Financial aid is available to all MSAC members upon request. We are committed to maintaining affordable and accessible programs for all older adults who are interested in participating. We do not ask for information about your income or resources.
- Available both for annual membership dues and for class fees.
- Exception: We do not offer financial aid for annual membership dues for members of non-supporting town residents (i.e. Barre, Waterbury, Plainfield, etc.)
- Usually, we are able to fulfill the full request for aid; occasionally we have to negotiate a lower amount.
- Historically, MSAC allows members of supporting towns to register for classes as soon as registration opens, along with Montpelier residents.
- This is a benefit in recognition of the value of and our appreciation for supporting towns’ funding.
- In many cases, this allowed supporting town members to enroll in classes that fill up quickly and end up being unavailable to members from non-supporting towns.
- Note: Currently, class registration is available to members of all towns at the same time (“First come, first served” is on pause along with in-person registration’s pause), but in cases when enrollment exceeds space, members from Montpelier and Supporting Towns are given priority in our lottery drawings.