Ward 3 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-05-20
Time: 18:30

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6:30 PM
 Join in person: City Hall, Contois Auditorium, 149 Church St.
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243

Facilitator: Christopher Haessly
6:30 pm Community Dinner | 30 min
 A free community dinner provided by our friends at American Flatbread.
7:00 pm Call to Order | 5 min
 Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules.
7:05 pm Report from Montpelier | 25 min
 Lt. Gov. John Rodgers will provide an update on his work with the Governor and the Legislature.
7:30 pm Open Forum | 50 min
 An opportunity for community members to engage with the Lt. Governor.
8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min
 An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events.
8:30 pm Adjourn
 Our next meeting is Wednesday, June 3.




Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch
meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram •
Request a time slot with the NPA Request Form • Links from this agenda
Appendix to the Agenda

Ward 3 NPA Ground Rules
  • Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and roles.
  • Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on time.
  • Wait to be recognized: Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Listen to others: Make efforts to be an open-minded member of the group.
  • Respect the agenda and the process: Try to remain focused on the issue at hand.
  • Share your opinion respectfully: Speak out, but not over, others’ comments.
  • Treat people how you would like to be treated: Be respectful of everyone, including guests.

Public Forum Protocol
  • Community members will be required to sign up for the Public Forum before the start of the meeting
 consistent with the process used by the City Council.
  • Participants will have up to two (2) minutes to share their thoughts and will speak based upon the
 order in which the requests were received.
  • Participants may speak only for themselves and individual speakers will not be permitted to yield their
 time to other speakers.
  • Personal attacks will not be tolerated and the moderator reserves the right to limit comments that are
 disruptive and/or obscene.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority and, if there is still time, persons who live outside the ward will
 be provided an opportunity to speak.

Question-and-Answer Protocol
  • Please state your full name prior to asking your question.
  • Each participant will have thirty (30) seconds to ask one and only one question.
  • There will be no follow up questions so everyone has a chance to participate.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority.

Discussion and Debate Rules
  • Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Each member will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak on questions before the NPA.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a second time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak once.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a third time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak twice.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 3 NPA - Page 2

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, May 20, 2026
 Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall
 Meeting Minutes
1. Welcome & Call to Order
The special meeting was called to order by Chris Haessly, Ward 3 NPA Steering Committee
member. A brief welcome and introduction were provided. The primary focus of the special
meeting was a presentation and Q&A session with Vermont Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers.
2. Attendee Introductions
  • NPA Steering Committee Members:
 ✓ Christopher Haessly, College Street
 ✓ Charlie Messing, College Street
  • City Officials/Staff:
 ✓ Melo Grant, City Councilor, Central District
 ✓ Barbara Turnbull, Dept of Finance and Administration
 ✓ Charlie Giannoni, Town Meeting TV
  • Presenters:
 ✓ Lt. Governor John Rodgers, State of Vermont
  • Community Members/Public:
 ✓ Robert Bristow-Johnson, North Cove Road (Ward 7)
 ✓ Romeo von Herman, University Terrace (Ward 6)
 ✓ Bobby Sand, Lake Street
 ✓ Sean Selby, Saint Paul Street (Ward 5)
 ✓ Allegra Williams, North Avenue
 ✓ Patrick Murphy, North Avenue
 ✓ Jill Lesh, College Street
 ✓ Evan Flynn, Church Street
 ✓ Stephen Le (South Burlington)
 ✓ Arya Sapre, College Street
 ✓ Michelle Borbas, College Street
3. Report from Montpelier & Q&A with Lt. Gov. John Rodgers
Lt. Gov. John Rodgers provided an overview of his background in dairy farming and the trades,
followed by an open discussion on legislative priorities and state issues.
Agricultural Resilience & Deep Soil: Lt. Gov. Rodgers advocated for building deep organic soil
as a primary method for flood resilience and climate change mitigation. He expressed
opposition to placing solar panels on prime agricultural land, preferring built infrastructure. He
also emphasized the economic importance of growing more food locally to meet the region's
"30 by 30" agricultural goals and keep capital within the state.
Trades & Workforce Development: Rodgers highlighted the critical shortage of tradespeople.
He stressed the need to promote apprenticeships and vocational training over a default push
toward four-year college degrees, arguing that rebuilding the trades workforce is essential for
constructing entry-level, affordable homes and addressing the state's aging demographics.
Affordability, Taxes, & Education: In response to attendee concerns regarding the viability of
retiring or raising a family in Vermont, Rodgers acknowledged the state's high property taxes,
healthcare premiums, and electricity rates. He expressed deep frustration with the legislature's
failure to bend the property tax curve, noting a 40% increase over the past five years. He
argued that rising education and healthcare costs are draining funds from transportation and
affordable housing initiatives.
Housing & Homeownership: Chris Haessly raised the issue of Burlington's housing market,
noting that 60-70% of the city are renters and that true generational wealth requires affordable
homeownership (starter homes) rather than just affordable rental units.
 • Rodgers agreed, noting the negative impact of out-of-state buyers and the high rate
 (25%) of second homes in Vermont. He also expressed concern over family
 neighborhoods being converted into college rentals.
 • Councilor Melo Grant emphasized the need for tenant protections, such as Just Cause
 Eviction, noting that homeownership is out of reach for many and stable rental
 environments are essential for community building.
 • A community member discussed the harsh realities of living on a fixed income, spending
 high percentages of social security on rent, and the rapid gentrification and vacancy of
 luxury apartments in the downtown area.
Cannabis Market: Responding to a question on the federal reclassification of cannabis, Rodgers
expressed hope that it would bring relief to local cannabis businesses, which currently suffer
from severe tax burdens (due to a lack of deductions), high banking fees, and insurance hurdles.
UVM & Student Housing: Attendees discussed the pressure the University of Vermont places
on the local housing market. Councilor Grant highlighted the lack of transparency in UVM's
enrollment numbers and issues with deferred maintenance in dormitories. Rodgers advocated
for using state pressure to encourage UVM to take responsibility for housing its students to
prevent the takeover of family neighborhoods.
State Relationship with Burlington: Councilor Grant raised concerns about Governor Phil
Scott's perceived disdain for Burlington, despite the city being the economic driver of the state.
Rodgers reaffirmed his belief that "Burlington is Vermont's city" and committed to spending
time in the city, supporting local businesses, and focusing on the positive turnaround regarding
public safety.
4. Public Forum (Immigration & ICE Discussion)
The public forum segment was dominated by a discussion regarding recent federal Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the Burlington area and the subsequent community
protests.
Personal Responsibility & Employment: Romeo von Herman shared his perspective as a first-
generation immigrant who navigated the legal citizenship process. He argued that adult
individuals bear personal responsibility for maintaining their legal status, and that employers
must be accountable for ensuring their workers have the proper paperwork to avoid putting
both the business and the individual in vulnerable positions.
Impact on Agriculture & Tactics: Lt. Gov. Rodgers condemned the tactics used by the federal
administration, noting that targeting individuals based on race or country of origin is
unacceptable. He highlighted that Vermont's agricultural and construction sectors would
collapse without migrant workers. He recounted his recent efforts working with Migrant
Justice to support farm workers who were detained in Richford.
Fair and Impartial Policing (FIP): Councilor Grant expressed deep concern over ICE's
lawlessness and the failure of local and state law enforcement to adhere to FIP policies,
specifically failing to review warrants before assisting federal agents. She noted that the fear in
the community is legitimate, as individuals are being detained at routine court hearings.
Community Fear: Several attendees noted that the current climate has caused immense fear
among legal immigrants and professionals of color, many of whom now carry their passports
daily and avoid traveling.
5. Adjournment
Chris Haessly thanked Lt. Gov. Rodgers for his attendance and engagement with the
community, and thanked the residents for their participation.
Next Meeting Announcement: The next Ward 3 NPA meeting is scheduled for June 3rd.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.