David Gale Dave has been a resident of the Town since 197 5. Prior to his retirement, he was the Head of the History Department at Otter Valley High School and Debate Coach. Even though retired, he is currently the School’s Debate Team’s Coach and substitute teaches when called on by the school.

Dave has been very active in our Town’s Government. He has held several positions including Auditor, Lister, Town Moderator, Justice of the Peace and currently, Chair of the Town’s Select board, a position he has held for 25 years. In each of these positions, he has done his best to fulfill their requirements.

David Gale Dave has been a resident of the Town since 197 5. Prior to his retirement, he was the Head of the History Department at Otter Valley High School and Debate Coach. Even though retired, he is currently the School’s Debate Team’s Coach and substitute teaches when called on by the school.

Dave has been very active in our Town’s Government. He has held several positions including Auditor, Lister, Town Moderator, Justice of the Peace and currently, Chair of the Town’s Select board, a position he has held for 25 years. In each of these positions, he has done his best to fulfill their requirements.

A major contribution to the Town was getting the Municipal Forest fine tuned and when Act 60 was passed, he on very short notice, warned a special Town Meeting, the result of which moved the forest land into Municipal ownership. As a result the forest land became tax free. Had this not been done, the Town would have had to pay taxes on this valuable land which could have easily lead to the sale of the property. Today, due to his efforts, the land is managed by a committee dedicated to its preservation and from time to time a timber harvest is carried out. The money generated from these harvests allows the Town to purchase equipment such as a new truck and grader as well as other needed items without bank loans.

Many of his debate skills show up at a Selectboard meeting or Town Meeting where he is able to present facts and figures necessary to accomplish a certain goal or result. Through all of this, he has managed to keep a calm presence and keep the audience agreeable.

Dave also has a certain skill wherein he can find the right people with proper background or experience to sit on a special committee or to do certain jobs to benefit the Town. He is a very frugal money manager, which also helps in keeping the Town Budget under control. Under Dave’s stewardship there has been only one time when the town has had to borrow any money to meet its budget. This money was borrowed from its Municipal Forest. The money borrowed from the Forest is repaid at a very low interest rate. Also in recent years the Town has been able to make upgrades to its infrastructure which includes its buildings and roads.

When not busy with Town business, Dave can be found, depending on the season, either hunting for partridge, trout fishing in one of several area brooks or gathering wood.

The Town is very fortunate in having a person like this in our community.