Voters in Alburgh pass ballot items

By MICHELLE MONROE
Islander Staff
ALBURGH - Alburgh voters have approved both a broadband project and the sale of recreational marijuana in town. Both were approved by a large margin, with just 114 ballots cast.
The broadband project was approved 75-39 and marijuana sales 76-38.
Under the broadband proposal, the Matrix Design Group would extend fiber alongside power lines servicing most of the town with the intention of connecting residents into a network capable of handling the higher upload and download speeds typically found in urban areas.
In total, the project is currently expected to cost around $2.73 million. The town is responsible for acquiring rights of way which is projected to cost $869,000 which will be recouped from fees on internet subscribers using the network.
Taxpayers will not fund any portion of the expansion.
The vote on recreational marijuana allows businesses to begin selling retail canabis in October 2022. The wording of the article states that any such sales will be “subject to any town ordinances or regulations that the town may lawfully adopt.”
Alburgh is the second town in Grand Isle County to allow for retail sales of marijuana. Earlier this year, voters in South Hero approved allowing retailers to potentially sell marijuana for recreational use.