Title: Re: Fairfax Looking For A Part Time 1st Constable
Post by: trussell on April 29, 2015, 07:53:46 AM
This is basically an honorary position, correct? If I remember correctly, it was voted to remove law enforcement duties from the Constable, and since the animal control duties are covered by an Animal Control Officer... Is there really anything left for the Constable to do?
Title: Re: Fairfax Looking For A Part Time 1st Constable
Post by: mkr on April 29, 2015, 09:30:58 AM
This is confusing because they did remove the Law Enforcement I thought during the votes.... I will have to ask Stacy
Title: Re: Fairfax Looking For A Part Time 1st Constable
Post by: kpplus2 on April 29, 2015, 01:09:19 PM
Article 4 in the voting results shows 391-345 in favor of removing the law enforcement powers of the constable.
Below is VT's description of what a constable can do. Some towns select board can modify the duties as necessary.
All constables, whether full- or part-time, first or second constable, appointed or elected, have powers specifically enumerated in 24 V.S.A. § 1936a (b). These include the power to serve civil or criminal process (12 V.S.A. § 691), destroy animals (20 V.S.A. Chapter 193), kill injured deer (10 V.S.A. § 4749), assist the health officer in the discharge of his or her duties (18 V.S.A. § 617), serve as a district court officer (4 V.S.A. § 296), remove disorderly people from town meeting (17 V.S.A. § 2659), and collect taxes when no tax collector is elected (24 V.S.A. § 1529). Any additional authority constables have is determined by the municipality they serve. For instance, municipalities, through their selectboards, may direct their constables to enforce civil ordinances. Selectboards may also direct their constables to enforce criminal ordinances if their constables have law enforcement authority.