Ward 1 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-05-13
Time: 18:30

Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
 Wednesday, May 13, 2026
 In-person at the Friends Meeting House, 173 North Prospect Street
 And Zoom online: https://zoom.us/j/96245939050 Webinar ID: 962 4593 9050
 Or by phone: +1 929 205 6099 ID = 962 4593 9050

​ Facilitator: Carol Livingston​ ​ Recorder: Jonathan Chapple-Sokol

6:15 - Welcome and Food (Namaste Kitchen Express)

6:30 - Formal Start - project & review agenda & participation guidelines
​ Introductions & Announcements: share events, meetings, activities of interest to Ward 1
 Community.
 (CJ Knudsen - Lake Monsters schedule)
​
6:40 - Speakout - an opportunity to raise concerns & appreciations about Ward 1 community

6:55 - NPA business
​ Vote on slate of Steering Committee members - 5 minutes
​ NPA budget - Vote on spending of balance of 2025-26 NPA funds ($1000) - 15 minutes
​ ​ Steering Committee suggests spending:
 a.​ Neighborhood sign - Colchester Avenue/Patchen Rd/ East Ave
 b.​ NPA informational fliers to disseminate to neighbors in August
 c.​ Our contribution to Zine renewal - $75 - 100
 d.​ Liner for skating rink at Schmanska Park ​
 City says money must be used for:
 1) Promoting the NPA
 2) Providing residents with information about City programs/activities
 3) Gaining input from residents about City needs

7:15 - City Council update - Allie Schachter & Carter Neubieser

7:35 - Burlington School Commission update - Matt Price & Gary Golden

7:40 - 1. Dept of Public Works construction workplan - 25 minutes
 2. VT 350.org and Stop VT Biomass - Lisa Lax & Leendert Huisman - 25 minutes

8:30 - Adjourn
 Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee
 Carol Livingston carol.livingston1951@gmail.com,
 Jonathan Chapple-Sokol chapplesokol.npasc@gmail.com,
 Sam Doherty samcharlesdoherty@gmail.com
 Gretchen Platt gshuman7005@yahoo.com
 Rob Gutman rgutman@gmail.com
 Participation Guidelines:

The Ward 1 NPA is sustained by community involvement and encourages engagement at our
monthly meetings per the following guidelines:
1. We are collectively responsible for following the NPA Meeting Agenda as closely as possible
regarding both presentation/discussion topics and time.

2. Participants at the NPA will act in a positive, courteous manner that respects all of those
present (both participants and presenters/guests) and their differing opinions, experiences and
perspectives.

3. Any attendee requesting to speak who has not yet spoken at a meeting will be called on
before others who have already had a chance to speak. Priority is given to Ward 1 residents.

4. Whenever speaking, please be sure to project your voice and use the provided microphone if
provided.

5. If the facilitator feels the need to redirect activity in the room based on these guidelines, the
facilitator will do so per point number 1 above.

Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
 Wednesday, May 13, 2026
 In-person at the Friends Meeting House, 173 North Prospect Street
 And Zoom online: https://zoom.us/j/96245939050 Webinar ID: 962 4593 9050
 Or by phone: +1 929 205 6099 ID = 962 4593 9050

​ Facilitator: Carol Livingston​ ​ Recorder: Jonathan Chapple-Sokol

6:15 - Welcome and Food (Namaste Kitchen Express)

6:30 - Formal Start - project & review agenda & participation guidelines
​ Introductions & Announcements: share events, meetings, activities of interest to Ward 1
 Community.
 (CJ Knudsen - Lake Monsters schedule)
​
6:40 - Speakout - an opportunity to raise concerns & appreciations about Ward 1 community

6:55 - NPA business
​ Vote on slate of Steering Committee members - 5 minutes
​ NPA budget - Vote on spending of balance of 2025-26 NPA funds ($1000) - 15 minutes
​ ​ Steering Committee suggests spending:
 a.​ Neighborhood sign - Colchester Avenue/Patchen Rd/ East Ave
 b.​ NPA informational fliers to disseminate to neighbors in August
 c.​ Our contribution to Zine renewal - $75 - 100
 d.​ Liner for skating rink at Schmanska Park ​
 City says money must be used for:
 1) Promoting the NPA
 2) Providing residents with information about City programs/activities
 3) Gaining input from residents about City needs

7:15 - City Council update - Allie Schachter & Carter Neubieser

7:35 - Burlington School Commission update - Matt Price & Gary Golden

7:40 - 1. Dept of Public Works construction workplan - 25 minutes
 2. VT 350.org and Stop VT Biomass - Lisa Lax & Leendert Huisman - 25 minutes

8:30 - Adjourn
 Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee
 Carol Livingston carol.livingston1951@gmail.com,
 Jonathan Chapple-Sokol chapplesokol.npasc@gmail.com,
 Sam Doherty samcharlesdoherty@gmail.com
 Gretchen Platt gshuman7005@yahoo.com
 Rob Gutman rgutman@gmail.com




 Page 1 of 44
 Participation Guidelines:

The Ward 1 NPA is sustained by community involvement and encourages engagement at our
monthly meetings per the following guidelines:
1. We are collectively responsible for following the NPA Meeting Agenda as closely as possible
regarding both presentation/discussion topics and time.

2. Participants at the NPA will act in a positive, courteous manner that respects all of those
present (both participants and presenters/guests) and their differing opinions, experiences and
perspectives.

3. Any attendee requesting to speak who has not yet spoken at a meeting will be called on
before others who have already had a chance to speak. Priority is given to Ward 1 residents.

4. Whenever speaking, please be sure to project your voice and use the provided microphone if
provided.

5. If the facilitator feels the need to redirect activity in the room based on these guidelines, the
facilitator will do so per point number 1 above.




 Page 2 of 44
 Ward 1 NPA Meeting 5/13/2026: Budget Discussion

Ward 1 NPA received $3,000 for FY 2025-26.
Total spent for 2026:
 Food (Sept - June) - $1185
 Friends Mtg House - $ 450
 Stickers for signs - $ 105_
​ ​ Total spent - $1740
$3000 - 1740 = $1260

Ideas for use of $1260 balance:

 1.​ Neighborhood sign (Colchester Ave, East Ave, Chase…) - $2420
 ​ ($1450 sign construction; $700 installation)

 2.​ NPA informational flyers - $260 for 300 8.5 x 11 flyers
 ​ (Carter printed 2,000 for Ward 1 households campaign; $1820)
​ NPA magnets - 250 2x3.5 = $145
​ ​ Welcome bags for new off-campus UVM students - 125 needed

 3.​ Ward 1 NPA contribution to revised Zine - $75 - 100

 4.​ Plastic liner for Schmanska Park ice rink (replaced annually) - $200
 ​ Need sign indicating support of NPA

 5.​ BBQ - $300

Jonathan and Carol’s proposal:

 1.​ 500 flyers for outreach to neighbors - $500
 2.​ 500 magnets for outreach to neighbors - $300
 ​ (125 to UVM Welcome bags)
 3.​ Ward 1 contribution to Zine revision - $100
 4.​ BBQ (organizers?) - $300
 5.​ Fall, 2026 - revisit discussion about neighborhood sign




 Page 3 of 44
Freestanding Sign
(1) 32”w x 29”h, double sided, 1” pvc panel, full color digital print with
semigloss lamination, mounted to posts with aluminum flat stock brackets. Ward 1 Welcomes you to
(2) 4”x4”x10’ pt posts stained black, cut for ground clearance. Burlington
 We meet monthly on the 2nd Wednesday




 36 in




 Ward 1 Welcomes you to
 Burlington
 Ground




 We meet monthly on the 2nd Wednesday



 48 in




 !
 Please check for spelling, grammatical errors, size, color and all other details for accuracy.
 One round of edits are included in the initial price quote. Additional changes will be accommodated at $125 /hr.
 Any changes or corrections after this approval is signed will result in additional charges and I agree to those as necessary.
 36 in
 I understand that the design is the property of Sammel Group and may not be reproduced without written permission.


  Approval Signature 								 Date



 8 0 2 . 879. 3 3 6 0 • 20 MORSE DRIVE, ESSEX JUNCTION, VERMONT 05452 • S A M M E L G R O U P. C O M

 Copyright © 2026 Sammel Group. All Rights Reserved.
 Page 4 of 44
 20 Morse Dr., Suite C
 Essex Junction, VT 05452
 +18028793360
 hello@sammelgroup.com




 ADDRESS SHIP TO CONTRACT # 1963
 DATE 04/30/2026
 Jonathan Chapple-Sokol Jonathan Chapple-Sokol
 Burlington Ward 1 Burlington Ward 1



 PROJECT NAME
 Freestanding Sign



  ITEM NAME DESCRIPTION QTY RATE AMOUNT

  Design Administrative, Design and Production File Preparation 1.50 125.00 187.50
  S ig n 32”w x 29”h, double sided, 1” pvc panel, full color digital print with 1 1,450.00 1,450.00T
 semigloss lamination, mounted to posts with aluminum flat stock
 brackets.
 (2) 4”x4”x10’ pt posts stained black, cut for ground clearance.
  Installation Installation 1 700.00 700.00
 ZONING TO BE HANDLED BY OTHERS



 SUBTOTAL 2,337.50
 TAX 87.00
 TOTAL
 $2,424.50


 Accepted By Accepted Date




 Approval Signature 								 Date


A deposit of $1212.25 and signed contract are required to begin work.
Production time of 4-6 Weeks, from receipt of deposit, signed contract and approved artwork.
Balance is due upon invoice, when work is picked up or installed if included above.
By signing above I accept the above prices, specifications and conditions in this contract are satisfactory. Sammel Group is authorized to
perform work as specified. Changes after this approval is signed may result in additional charges. Payment will be made as outlined by check,
cash or credit card. Interest and attorney’s fees will be the responsibility of the client for collection for non-payment. Sammel Group reserves
the right to use photographs of above work for advertising purposes. Proposal is valid for 30 days.



Sammel Group Date 5/1/26
 Page 5 of 44
DPW:
2026 CONSTRUCTION
Our Mission is to steward Burlington's
infrastructure and environment by delivering
efficient, effective, and equitable public services.

Chapin Spencer, Director
Cspencer@burlingtonvt.gov/802 - 863 - 9094
Robert Goulding, Public Information Manager
RGoulding@burlingtonvt.gov/802 - 881 - 2278
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THE TWO BIG PROJECTS
Main Street & the Champlain Parkway are
both anticipated to wrap up in early summer.

Both projects are on - time, and on - budget.

These projects are unlocking the potential for
additional housing & commerce while providing
enhanced infrastructure for residents




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CHAMPLAIN
PARKWAY
• 25MPH road
• Connects South End with
 Downtown
• Stormwater improvements
• Pedestrian enhancements: signals,
 shorter crossings, new sidewalks
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WHAT’S LEFT TO DO
(tentative schedules below)
Pine Street
• Roadway sign installation
• Signal activation (week of May 4)
• Pavement (Main Street) and sidewalk repairs (misc. along Pine) (upcoming weeks)
• General clean up
Champlain Parkway
• Overhead sign structure installation (continues)
• Roadway sign installation (starting next week, continuing)
• Final wearing course of pavement onto I - 189 and the ramps
• Pavement markings and line striping installation
• Traffic signal modification intersection of Home Avenue at the Champlain Parkway
• Full Parkway opening logistics (early Summer)
 • Signal timing adjustments for final condition along Champlain Parkway


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MAIN STREET

• A welcoming gateway into Vermont’s
  Queen City
• Wider sidewalks for pedestrians &
  commerce
• More trees & gardens
• Enhanced lighting
• Abandonment of ravine sewer
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WHAT’S LEFT TO
DO
• Sidewalks
• Signals
• Tree plantings
• Paving
• Public Art


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CHERRY ST


Near final design
Construction could start in 2027, though may begin later




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Ward 1
Work Since
2017

*Paving in orange
*Sidewalk in red




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SIDEWALKS

The season has started!
$1.65M contract + additional work with in - house
crew
3.1 miles planned overall - hitting our annual target
Contract largely funded by 2025 Town Meeting Day
Bond


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SIDEWALKS
• Developed using the City’s 2021 citywide sidewalk inventory,
• Prioritizes based on utilization, location, and sidewalk condition.
  Utilization refers to both the expected level of use and the types of
  users.
• Location considers the sidewalk’s proximity to schools, neighborhood
  activity centers, employment centers, etc.
• In addition, staff review resident requests, perform field inspections,
  and coordinate sidewalk improvements with other City projects.
• This information is combined and considered to create a work plan
  that makes sense for effective mobilization of a contractor




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 SIDEWALKS**




**Short run segments include Wilson and Colchester Ave
 (not full length sidewalk projects).

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PAVING

Asphalt plants are open!
$1.7M contract + remaining work from CY 25
Total ~3.5 miles planned for the year
Largely funded by 2025 TMD Bond
Larger workplan being developed for 2027 - 2030




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PAVING
BACKGROUND
 • Street network consists of over 96 miles of streets.
 • Classified as Primary/Arterial, Secondary/Collector and Tertiary/Residential.
 • Each street type has different anticipated lifespan generally based on average daily traffic
 volumes.
 • In order to keep pace with the anticipated lifespan of the Burlington Street network,
 minimum target is 4 miles/year.

PRIORITIZATION
 • There are a number of factors DPW Staff consider when selecting streets to pave and
 patch.
 • Funding, street condition, street type/traffic volume, nearby projects and resident requests

HEADWINDS
While this year we had our most competitive bid environment in awhile, inflation & fuel
prices have eaten into available construction funding




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 PAVING*




 Remaining 2025 contract
 streets
 College Union - Willard
 Pearl Battery - Winooski

*Includes patches on lower North Ave, Lake St,
 Archibald St, Intervale Rd
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WATER WORKS!
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
 • Stage 0 remains on target for completion this summer/fall. This
 is a major first step to begin comprehensive upgrades funded
 by 2025 TMD bond
 • Screening & grit equipment being installed at all 3 plants

Water main improvement project
 • Includes: Pine St (from S Crest to Home Ave), Summit St (Maple
 to Main), and all of Bennington Court (coordinated with paving)

Manhattan Ave Stormwater Outfall: late summer/early fall




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Page 21 of 44
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR WATER:

 https://vt.adopt-a-drain.org/




 https://seagrant.w3.uvm.edu/blue/



 Page 22 of 44
 STAY INFORMED
 STAY IN TOUCH
 Maintenance Construction Customer
 Requests Impacts Service




 • Front Porch Forum
 See Click Fix: 802 - 863 - 9094
 • Signage
burlingtonvt.gov/dpw • VT - Alert:
 dpw - pinecustomerservice
 burlingtonvt.gov/
 @burlingtonvt.gov
 construction

 Page 23 of 44
THANK YOU Page 24 of 44
Burlington’s McNeil Plant:
 A CASE FOR CLOSURE
 A presentation to Burlington’s NPAs
  By 350 Vermont’s Chittenden Node & Stop VT Biomass




 SPRING 2026

 Page 25 of 44
Page 26 of 44
McNeil Plant Basics

• Commenced operation June 1984
• Located in Burlington’s Intervale
• Burns wood to generate electricity
• 50 MW (largest electricity generator in Vermont)
• Jointly owned by Burlington Electric Department (BED) (operator
 and 50% owner),Green Mountain Power (31%) and Vermont
 Public Power Supply Authority (19%)
• Provides 32-45% of BEDs total power supply (FY 2015-2023).



 Page 27 of 44
The Case Against McNeil Plant

• Largest stationary source of greenhouse gas emissions in VT
• Harmful to health - particulate matter and other pollutants
 which leads to or exacerbates health conditions
• Negative impact on forest ecosystems and the benefits they
 provide.
• It costs a lot- the power it produces is expensive.
• It’s old and inefficient




 Page 28 of 44
 McNeil’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions


 “Burning wood to generate electricity emits more carbon
  dioxide per kilowatt-hour generated than fossil fuels- even
 coal, the most carbon intensive fuel.”
-John Sterman, William Moomaw, Juliette N. Rooney-Varga & Lori Siegel, Does wood
 bioenergy help or harm the climate?, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Vol 78, No. 3
 (2022) 130.

  McNeil emitted 316,405 tons of CO2 in 2025 (EPA). It also emits
 lesser amounts of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide.
Fossil-fuel powered equipment and vehicles used to pull wood feedstock
from the forests and transport it to the plant emits additional greenhouse
 gases.


 Page 29 of 44
The Carbon Neutrality Myth

BED claims that McNeil is carbon neutral because BED engages in
sustainable forestry and the carbon dioxide emissions from its stack are re-
sequestered by trees as they regrow.
This is a myth. When trees are burned the carbon dioxide is released
immediately creating a carbon debt which takes decades to centuries to
eliminate through tree regrowth.
Also, regrowth is uncertain. Harvested areas may be converted to other
land uses or trees may succumb to insects, disease or drought.
 John Sterman, et al.; EU Bioenergy, Bioenergy Accelerates Climate Change,
https://www.eubioenergy.com/the-5-issues/it-accelerates-climate-change/




 Page 30 of 44
 Theory (according to BED):
“Closed Loop” Carbon Cycle




 Page 31 of 44
Reality:
Wood burning power plants
emit more CO2 per unit
energy and also degrade the
forest carbon sink.
The result is higher
atmospheric CO2
concentrations.




 Page 32 of 44
Ecological Harm


• Burlington Electric claims: “McNeil’s wood supply is primarily 88.4% in-
  woods chips/residues such as the tops and limbs left over from
  higher-value wood products, with an additional 9.7% from sawmill
  residue and 1.6% from waste-wood yard wood.” (Bold added)
 - McNeil, Climate and Forestry, BED website.

• The reality: McNeil’s burns “Whole Tree Chips,” which include chips
  generated by cutting down and chipping whole trees.
-PUC Dkt. No. 4450, Certificate of Public Good for McNeil, 9/14/81 § 87; 6/22/83 Order Amending Certificate of Public Good.

• The plant burns 400,000 tons of woodchips per year
 -April 29, 2022 VEIC Summary Memorandum.
 Page 33 of 44
  This impairs forest ecosystems and
 erodes important benefits forests
provide, including flood protection, & has
a destructive impact on forest ecology
 and wildlife.


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Carbon Rock Stars: Large, Older Trees & Forests
 How many oak trees does it take to store 8 tons of carbon?




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 Human Health

 McNeil emits particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur
dioxide, volatile organic compounds, including benzene and
 formaldehyde, and other pollutants which are known to be
 harmful to human health.
McNeil releases these pollutants in proximity to racially diverse,
 low and middle-income neighborhoods of Burlington’s Old
 North End and Winooski, whose residents face greater
 environmental risks than residents of other areas.


 Page 36 of 44
 $ $$
Expense

• BED Financial statements show that McNeil has generated losses for 8
  of the last 10 fiscal years (2016-2025) totaling more than $34 million
  over the 10-year period. (This figure includes depreciation, but does not
  include interest.)
• As 50% owner, BED bears 50% of these losses.
• The average real-time price for wholesale power in New England in
  2024 was $39.50 per megawatt-hour. www.iso-ne.com/about/key-stats.
• Wholesale prices were forecast to increase to $55/MWH in 2025.
  U.S. Energy Information Administration.
• The net cost of generating power from McNeil was $96.42/MWH in
  fiscal year 2025 and $98.70/MWH in fiscal year 2024. McNeil Joint Owners
  Operating Committee Materials.
 Page 37 of 44
Age & Efficiency of the Plant

• The plant is 26% efficient. (April 29, 2022 VEIC Summary Memorandum)
• It runs only about 50-60% of the time, and is frequently off-line for planned
  maintenance, repairs due to operational problems, or because of market prices.
• BED has invested in capital improvements to extend operation of the 42-year-
  old plant beyond its anticipated useful life.
• In 2023, BED obtained City Council approval to move forward with District Energy
  Project which would depend on McNeil.
• Additional capital expenditures are planned or under consideration.
• BED has planned all of these major expenditures without evaluating whether
  the plant should continue to operate or whether alternative sources of power
  would be more effective.

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Flawed Policies
Flawed Policies

BED has directed the course of Burlington’s overall climate policy, leading to
flawed policies.
• These call for reducing fossil fuel use rather than reducing GHG emissions from
  all sources (such as the McNeil Plant).
• The Net Zero Energy Roadmap defines “net zero,” as eliminating fossil fuel use in
  the heating and ground transportation sectors, yet calls for pursuit of the District
  Energy Project, which would perpetuate McNeil’s massive GHG emissions to
  produce electricity.
• The Carbon Pollution Impact Fee is applied to heating systems powered by
  fossil fuels but not to “renewable” systems and fuels with significant greenhouse
  gas emissions.
 Page 39 of 44
  This undercuts the potential benefits of
electrification of buildings and vehicles. To
meaningfully reduce GHG emissions through
electrification, we must electrify and obtain
  power from low carbon sources, such as
 hydropower, solar and wind.


 Page 40 of 44
Our Vision:




 Page 41 of 44
Advocate!

Burlington City Government Should:
• Place responsibility for development of the city climate policy in a
 city department or official independent of BED.
• Develop a plan to close the McNeil Plant, preferably by June 2028.
 The plan should include measures for a just transition to other
 employment for affected employees, a plan to keep electric rates
 stable, and ensure adequate energy for future needs.




 Page 42 of 44
Actions We Can Take


• Connect with our city councilors (email, phone calls, in person
 conversations).
• Write to Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak.
• Attend a city council meeting and speak during public comment.
• NPAs to consider a resolution to send to City Council on this issue.
• Attend Electric Commission meetings and speak during public
 comment.
• Get involved with VT 350.org or Stop VT Biomass.



 Page 43 of 44
Questions
Comments
Discussion



 Page 44 of 44

Ward 1 NPA (05/13/2026) Richard Hillyard
 Zoom AI with J Chapple- Caryn Long
 Sokol Kathy Olwell
 Angie Chapple-Sokol
 Minutes Jonathan Chapple-Sokol*
 Carol Livingston*
 Attendees Catherine Bock
 Gretchen Platt* Erhard Mahnke
 Rob Gutman* Jean Hopkins
 Carter Neubieser Sophie Quest
 Allie Schachter Tom Derenthal
 Breck Bowden Mark Demers
 Linda Bowden Kevin for Sheri
 Julie Springer Lisa Lax
 David Cawley Leendert Huisman
 Sharon Bushor Sharyl Green
 Troy Headrick Peter Lackowski
 Tim Ashe Deborah Kraft
 Elaine Haney Charlie Giannoni
 Katherine Verman Barbara Turnbull
 CJ Knudsen

Votes
Steering Committee Slate (slate marked with *asterisks, above, plus Sam Doherty); Moved
Angie, Seconded Kathy; Approved by voice vote, no opposing votes

Motion to entrust spending of remaining NPA funds to Steering Committee, with consideration
for the opinions of the group assembled. Moved Lisa, Seconded by Richard; Approved by voice
vote, no opposing votes

Poll of assembly (with votes)
Schmanska Rink Liner (12)
Stickers (11)
Zine (contribute to All Wards project) (10)
Flyers for targeted distribution (7)
BBQ (7)
Magnets (2)
Re-investigate city entrance sign in the fall (13)




Quick recap (Links are to documents referenced in the meeting)

This Ward 1 NPA meeting covered several key topics including the Lake Monsters' summer
schedule, budget allocation decisions, and updates from city o icials. The steering committee
discussed how to spend the remaining $1,260 of their $3,000 annual budget, with options
including neighborhood ﬂyers ($100), magnets ($300), zine updates ($75), ice rink liner ($300),
and a neighborhood welcome sign (postponed to fall). City Councilor Carter Neubieser
provided updates on tax reform proposals including a homestead exemption and property
transfer tax, while Allie Schachter discussed the Burlington-Winooski Bridge project and the
SECORD housing development in the South End. The Department of Public Works presented on
infrastructure projects including the Main Street and parkway improvements, and Lisa Lax and
Leendert Huisman delivered a presentation about concerns with the McNeil wood-burning
power plant, advocating for its closure due to environmental and economic concerns.

Summary

Lake Monsters and Neighborhood Updates

The meeting covered several key topics including the Lake Monsters' summer schedule,
neighborhood updates, and NPA business. CJ Knudsen from the Vermont Lake Monsters
announced their upcoming season starting May 30th, highlighting a ordable family tickets and
community initiatives. David shared concerns about the Burlington-Winooski Bridge project,
noting that a planned bike path under the bridge has been dropped from the design. Sharon
Bushoir suggested community involvement in ﬂower planting to support the new parks director
and proposed inviting him to a future steering committee meeting. The group discussed
candidate forums for the upcoming State Senate election, with a forum planned for the June
10th meeting. Finally, the steering committee slate was approved, and the group reviewed
budget allocation options, including the possibility of spending the remaining $1,260 on a
neighborhood welcome sign.

Neighborhood Outreach Strategy Discussion

The group discussed various options for neighborhood outreach, including a neighborhood
sign, informational ﬂyers, magnets, a zine, and a plastic liner for an ice rink. They reviewed
costs and potential e ectiveness of each option, with particular focus on a $2420 installed
price for a sign and concerns about the low number of magnets needed (125) for o -campus
students. The group recommended pursuing updated zines at $75 and potentially revisiting the
sign project in the fall, while expressing skepticism about the e ectiveness of paper ﬂyers and
noting that a barbecue initiative would require someone else to step forward due to bandwidth
constraints.

Tax and Housing Updates Meeting

The meeting covered several key updates and decisions. Carter provided an update on the Tax
Fairness Committee, discussing two main proposals: a homestead exemption with a cuto at
$400,000 in property value, and a property transfer tax on homes over $1 million to fund the
A ordable Housing Trust Fund. The committee aims to reach consensus and get proposals on
the November ballot. Friends also discussed the Burlington-Winooski Bridge project,
mentioning an upcoming site walkthrough and condemnation hearing on May 21st. The council
recently approved a development agreement for the SECORD housing project in the South End,
which will include a 204-unit mixed-income building as its ﬁrst phase.

Student Housing and Infrastructure Updates

The meeting covered two main topics: student housing development and public infrastructure
projects. For the housing development, it was clariﬁed that while CHIP funding (approximately
$8 million) would support the project, it was not TIF-funded, and the developer Jonathan Rose
Companies was committed to creating a ordable housing units. The public works department
provided updates on two major road projects - the parkway and Main Street - both expected to
be completed by late spring or early summer, along with details on sidewalk and paving work
across the city, including speciﬁc projects in Ward 1. The discussion also addressed how
project priorities are determined, including mechanical assessments of the sidewalk network
and an activity-based scoring system that considers factors like pedestrian tra ic and funding
availability.

Burlington Infrastructure and Construction Updates

The meeting covered updates on road construction and infrastructure projects in Burlington.
The city reported progress on paving projects, including Colchester Avenue, and discussed a
patching list resulting from the challenging winter. Wastewater bond money will go to treatment
plant upgrades, including tertiary treatment for phosphorus removal to help clean Lake
Champlain. The city also announced upcoming stormwater outfall repairs and encouraged
community involvement through programs like Blue BTV and the Adopt-a-Drain network. During
Q&A, a participant expressed disappointment about not implementing a roundabout at a
gateway to the city, to which Rob Goulding explained that grade challenges and space
constraints made it di icult to design a functional roundabout that would work for pedestrians
and bicyclists.
McNeil Plant Closure Advocacy

The presenters advocated for closing the McNeil plant, Vermont's largest electricity generator,
citing its signiﬁcant greenhouse gas emissions, environmental impacts, and ine iciency. They
challenged the claim of carbon neutrality, explaining that while burned wood's carbon is
eventually sequestered by new trees, this doesn't account for emissions from multiple
harvesting and burning operations in the interim. The presenters also highlighted concerns
about human health impacts from particulate matter emissions and the high operational costs
of the 40-year-old plant, which has generated losses for eight of the past ten years. They
criticized current city climate policies, arguing they emphasize reducing fossil fuel use rather
than reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and called for transitioning to low-carbon power
sources like hydropower, solar, and wind.

McNeil Power Plant Closure Discussion

The meeting focused on concerns about the McNeil power plant and its environmental impact.
The presenters advocated for the plant's closure by June 2028 and called for investing in green
power alternatives. They emphasized the need to place climate policy development in a city
department independent of Burlington Electric Department (BED) due to perceived conﬂicts of
interest. The discussion included questions about replacing McNeil's power with ISO grid
sources and the economic implications of closing the plant. Participants also debated the
environmental beneﬁts of wood burning versus fossil fuels, with arguments made about carbon
sequestration and the role of forests in climate mitigation.