KEITH WHITCOMB JR.

Staff Writer

POWNAL -- After an executive session Thursday, the Select Board voted to pay for the contributions of three employees to a pension fund the town had overlooked.

The board announced in June that it was notified by the Vermont Department of Labor that employees working over 20 hours per week are entitled to be enrolled in a retirement fund in which the town and employees are to contribute.

Board Chairman Stephen Kauppi said that because the board overlooked the pension plan entirely, it would pay the employees’ share, about $11,611 total. He said it covers one lister, the constable, and the transfer station manager.

In other business, Kauppi said he and board member Dale Palmer visited the site where Animal Control Officer Dominick Yarnal holds animals he collects. The board had been notified last week of a complaint made to the state Food Safety and Consumer Protection Division, Animal Health Section alleging the animals had inadequate food, shelter, and were being euthanized before the required 14-day holding period was up.

Kauppi said the facilities at Yarnal’s home are adequate, but the town has room to improve. He said the dogs have shelter, food, water, and ones that don’t get along with others are kept farther away.

The board also voted to allow the delinquent tax collector to go forward on putting 11 properties up for tax sale auction. There is currently $203,743 in delinquent property taxes owed to the town, said Kauppi, with $23,790 being interest. The total owed in delinquent sewer taxes is $41,274. Of that, roughly $5,500 is interest and penalties.

Contact Keith Whitcomb Jr. at kwhitcomb@benningtonbanner.com or follow him on Twitter @KWhitcombjr