Elected to term beginning in February, Partridge named to fill current vacancy
By Guy Page
A former House committee chair and Democratic caucus leader in the Vermont House of Representatives has been named as a Windham county assistant or ‘side’ judge by Gov. Phil Scott.
Rep. Carolyn Partridge, a seamstress and farmer from Windham, announced this spring she would not seek re-election. The chair of the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee was elected by county voters November 8 to serve as one of the county’s two assistant judges. She served as the Assistant Minority Leader in 2003 and 2004 and Majority Leader from 2005-2008.
Partridge’s term of judicial office won’t begin until February, but Scott appointed her to complete the term of a side judge who had resigned.
The side judge is a uniquely Vermont institution. Not required to be lawyers, they originally provided traveling ‘circuit’ judges with helpful, local information. Modern-day side judges do not pass judgement alone on criminal or major civil cases, but some may sit alone in small claims, uncontested divorces, traffic offenses, and violations of municipal ordinances. They also oversee the courthouse operations and appoint some county officials.
As a member of the Windham School Board in 2021, Rep. Partridge reportedly solicited out-of-town residents to vote in a local school vote. A House panel refrained from censuring her after taking testimony on the incident.
Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website.
Appointments made by the Governor over the last six weeks are listed below:
Clinical Utilization Review Board
- Colleen Horan, Montpelier
Travel Information Council
- Elizabeth Kennett, Rochester
- Francis Heald, Rutland
- John LaBarge, South Hero
Passenger Tramway Board
- Scott Reeves, Stowe
- Kirsten Ericksen, Mendon
- Mike Tarricone, Shelburne
- Tom Buchanan Londonderry
State Program Standing Committee for Adult Mental Health
- Alexis McGuiness, Norwich
Vermont Milk Commission
- Fitzroy Beckford, Burlington
Criminal Justice Council
- Rachel Lawler, Jericho
Elevator Safety Review Board
- Brian Marchegiani, Halifax
Vermont Community Development Board
- Gabriel Lajeunesse, Montpelier
- John Kascenska, East Burke
Vermont Commission on Women
- Annette Mackin, St. Albans
Artificial Intelligence Council
- Philip Susmann, Northfield
Advisory Panel on Special Education
- Tracy Rubman, Shelburne
Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
- Anthony Sgherza, Cabot
Vermont Immunization Advisory Council
- Christine Payne, Peacham
- Deb Doyon, St. Johnsbury
- Ashley Miller, Norwich
- Christine Yates, Morrisville
Vermont Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board
- David Baker, St. Albans
Glastenbury Supervisor
- Rickey Harrington, Shaftsbury
Somerset Supervisor
- Rickey L. Harrington, Shaftsbury
Buel’s Gore Supervisor
- Jacob Perkinson , Burlington
Vermont Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision
- Meredith Pelkey, Waterbury
Vermont Milk Commission
- Mark Magnan, Enosburg
- Randi Muzumdar, Libertyville, IL
- Harold Howrigan, Sheldon
- Paul Doton, Woodstock
Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
- Lisa Elowson, Williston
Community High School of Vermont
- Stuart Recicar, Colchester
- Joan Lenes, Shelburne
- Sarah Flynn, Williston
- Grace Sweet, Waterbury Center
- Heather Weinstein, Montpelier
Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council
- Alan Cook, Northfield
- Adrianne Schulz, Randolph
Board of Professional Engineering
- Gary Dillon, Waterbury
- Jason Booth, St. Albans
- Claus Bartenstein, Rutland
Vermont Veterans’ Home Board of Trustees
- Larry Cupoli, Rutland
State Board of Education
- Richard Werner, East Dover
State Board of Dental Examiners
- Robert Ruhl, Wilmington
- William Koch, Barre
- Lucille Kelly, South Hero
Vermont State Housing Authority
- Linda Joy Sullivan, Dorset
- Jo Ann Troiano, Montpelier
Vermont Real Estate Commission
- Samantha Lefebvre, Orange
Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel
- Stephen Skibniowsky, Vernon
Windham County Assistant Judge
- Carolyn Partridge, Windham