Ward 8 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-06-26
Time: 18:30

Ward 8 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
 Agenda
 Thursday, June 26th, 2025
 6:30pm

 Join in person: 149 Church St, Burlington, VT - Sharon Bushor Conference Room
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/91523077007
 Meeting ID: 915 2307 7007


Facilitator: Tom Carroll Note Taker: TBD


 6:30 Introductions & Announcements | 5 Min

 ● Adopt the agenda
 ● Introductions

 6:35 Public Forum | 10 Min

 ● Please state your full name, pronouns, street, and ward, and follow the NPA
 ground rules.

 6:45 City Councilor Updates | 10 Min

 6:55 Chief Burke |20 Min

 ● Introduction of the new Chief to the Ward 8 NPA followed by a brief Q & A

 7:15 Resolution Strengthening the Relationship between the NPAs & the City | 20 Min

 ● Presentation by Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, W1 NPA Steering Committee Member,
 and W1 Councilor Neubieser about a proposed Resolution to better define and
 strengthen the role and purpose of the NPAs and their relationship with the City

 7:35 Adjourn
● Next Meeting: July 24th @ 6:30pm

 Ward 8 Steering Committee:
 Ryan Nick, vermonter1992@gmail.com
 Tom Carroll, fourthriver@yahoo.com

Ward 8 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA):
 Minutes
 Thursday, June 26, 2025
 Location: Sharon Bushor Conference Room, City Hall
 Link to Watch Meeting Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/5V5IhwYa3dw


Facilitator: Tom Carroll

Others in Attendance: Marek Broderick, Allie Schacter, Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Linda, Dick Raab,
Shawn Burke, Billy Northup, Renee Towers, Diana Everheart, Maddy Posig, James Posig, Bob, Michael,
Lisa Bridge, Jim Cohen, Adam, Christa, Amy, Melo Grant

Adopting the Agenda: The motion to adopt the agenda passed.

Public Forum:

 • Billy spoke about the College St Congregational Church and their work supporting other
 community groups and local businesses. They are concerned about the effects of the
 homelessness crisis and addiction crisis.
 • Lisa spoke about concerns with speeding cars and drug use on College St.
 • Michael spoke about concerns with speeding cars on College St. He would like speed bumps
 installed.
 • Jim spoke about his work on the board of the YMCA on College St. They purchased a building
 next to the Y to preserve some of the neighborhood.
 • Maddy spoke about concerns that College St has increased traffic due to the Main St closure, as
 well as loud and speeding cars in the area.
 • Renee spoke about her work at Champlain Valley Head Start and the challenges of working out
 of the College St Congregational Church in terms of drug use and related issues and its impacts
 on families who utilize the program.
 • Christa spoke about living near many students, noise ordinances for construction work, and the
 challenges of finding affordable housing in the area

City Councilor Updates:

 • Councilor Broderick and Councilor Schacter introduced themselves and provided updates on
 recent City Council business, including the unanimous approval of the City budget, and opening
 Main St on nights and weekends during construction.

Chief Shawn Burke:

 • Interim Chief of Police Shawn Burke introduced himself and described his background in
 Vermont policing. He spoke about police staffing and priorities, and encouraged residents to
 call/submit any crime or traffic reports to BPD so they can address hot spots. He acknowledged
 concerns raised during public forum and emphasized that the police collaborate with other
 departments and human service providers to address these issues. He described ongoing issues
 with police recruitment in Burlington and across the country.

Resolution Strengthening the Relationship between the NPAs and the City

 • Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Ward 1 Steering Committee, began to present a proposed City Council
 resolution to formalize the relationship between NPAs and the City. Due to time constraints, the
 group decided to postpone further discussion & vote until the next meeting.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.