(a) When the board, at a regular or special meeting called for such purpose, determines by resolution passed by a vote of a majority of members present and voting that the public interest or necessity demands communications plant improvements, or a long-term contract, and that the cost of the same will be too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the district, the board may pledge communications plant net revenues and enter into long-term contracts to provide for such improvements. A "long-term contract" means an agreement in which the district incurs direct or conditional obligations for which the costs are too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenues of the district, in the judgment of the board. It includes an agreement authorized under 24 V.S.A. § 1789, wherein performance by the district is conditioned upon periodic appropriations. The term "communications plant improvements" includes improvements that may be used for the benefit of the public, whether or not publicly owned or operated.

(b) The pledge of communications plant net revenues, and other obligations allowed by law, may be authorized for any purpose permitted by this chapter, 24 V.S.A. chapter 53, subchapter 2, and chapter 54, or any other applicable statutes. A communications plant is declared to be a project within the meaning of 24 V.S.A. § 1821(4). (Added 2015, No. 41, § 20, eff. June 1, 2015.)