BCA-BTA
BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY
The town clerk, selectboard members and justices residing in a town shall constitute the board of civil authority of such town. Meetings of the board shall be called by the town clerk, or by one of the selectboard members, on application, by giving written notice to each member, and by posting a notice in two or more public places in the town at least five days previous to the meeting. The board shall choose a chair, and the town clerk shall be its clerk. The act of a majority of the board present at the meeting shall be treated as the act of the board, except that when the board is dealing with election issues, 17 V.S.A. § 2103(5) shall control. (Amended 1979, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 118.)
BOARD OF ABATEMENT
A board of abatement is made up of the board of civil authority (town clerk, the selectpersons, and the justices of the peace), the listers and town treasurer. 24 V.S.A. § 1533. In cities, the board consists of the mayor, city clerk, alderpersons, justices of the peace, and assessors. In villages, it consists of the trustees, clerk, justices of the peace, and listers. 24 V.S.A. § 1537.
Conducting Business and Taking Action Requires a Quorum. “Quorum” is the minimum number of members of a board that must be present in order for that board to hold a meeting or take an action. Quorum for the board of abatement is either: (1) the majority of the total number of members on the board; or (2) the treasurer, a majority of the listers, and a majority of the selectboard members. The law allows for decisions to be made by a majority of a quorum of the board members present at a meeting. 24 V.S.A. § 1533.
