Ward 1 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-09-10

Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
 Wednesday, September 10, 2025
 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: Gretchen Platt

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

6:30 - Formal Start - project & review agenda
​ Introductions: name, street
​ Announcements: share events, meetings, activities of interest to Ward 1 community.
​
​ Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee: present Participation Guidelines; info from VJ Comai

6:45 - Speakout - an opportunity to raise concerns & appreciations about Ward 1 community

7:05 - School Commission update - Gary Golden and Matt Price

7:10 - City Council update - Carter Neubieser & Allie Schacter

7:30 - Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee - organizational steps for upcoming year
 -​ Budget for 2025-26: Jonathan Chapple-Sokol
 -​ Calendar for 2025-26: Gretchen Platt, Carol Livingston
 -​ Future topics for NPA presentations - Carol Livingston

7:45 - Discussion with Chief Shawn Burke and Department of Public Works Chapin Spencer
​ Focus on pedestrian safety in Ward 1: crosswalks; challenging intersections; children
 walking to school; traffic calming options; role of BPD

8:30 Adjourn
​
 Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee
 Carol Livingston carol.livingston1951@gmail.com,
 Jonathan Chapple-Sokol chapplesokol.npasc@gmail.com,
 Selene Colburn selene.colburn@gmail.com,
 Sam Doherty samcharlesdoherty@gmail.com
 Gretchen Platt gshuman7005@yahoo.com
 Rob Gutman rgutman@gmail.com
 Participation 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, September 10, 2025
 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: Gretchen Platt

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

6:30 - Formal Start - project & review agenda
​ Introductions: name, street
​ Announcements: share events, meetings, activities of interest to Ward 1 community.
​
​ Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee: present Participation Guidelines; info from VJ Comai

6:45 - Speakout - an opportunity to raise concerns & appreciations about Ward 1 community

7:05 - School Commission update - Gary Golden and Matt Price

7:10 - City Council update - Carter Neubieser & Allie Schacter

7:30 - Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee - organizational steps for upcoming year
 -​ Budget for 2025-26: Jonathan Chapple-Sokol
 -​ Calendar for 2025-26: Gretchen Platt, Carol Livingston
 -​ Future topics for NPA presentations - Carol Livingston

7:45 - Discussion with Chief Shawn Burke and Department of Public Works Chapin Spencer
​ Focus on pedestrian safety in Ward 1: crosswalks; challenging intersections; children
 walking to school; traffic calming options; role of BPD

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




 Page 1 of 3
 Participation 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 3
 Ward 1 NPA Calendar: 9/2025 - 6/2026
 DRAFT

SEPTEMBER
  -​ Organization for year
  -​ Present Ward 1 Budget for October vote

OCTOBER
  -​ Vote on proposed Ward 1 Budget
  -​ If November statewide elections - candidate forum

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER
  -​ Legislators update - plans for upcoming session
  -​ CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) - representative chosen

JANUARY
 -​ Ward 1 Budget check-in
 -​ Burlington School District budget presentation

FEBRUARY
 -​ Candidate forum and Issues information for city-wide elections
 -​ DPW planning for summer work? Sidewalk priorities/traffic calming

MARCH
  -​ Steering Committee election

APRIL

MAY
  -​ Legislators summary of session
  -​ Lake Monster schedule update

JUNE
 -​ Plans for the summer

JULY/AUGUST - no Ward 1 NPA meetings

List of potential additions for yearly checkins - to be determined with people’s schedules
UVM
UVMMC
BPD
DPW




 Page 3 of 3

Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
 Wednesday, September 10, 2025
 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




 Minutes
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvy8idCPOqc&t=2851s

Please note – Any charts for the meeting, beyond those you
Ll find following the minutes, can be found here:
https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8467/files.


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

6:30 - Formal Start - project & review agenda
 Introductions: name, street


Rob Gutman Sophie Quest
Carol Livingston Cindy Cook
Angie Chapple-Sokol Doug Boyden
Jonathan Chapple-Sokol Julie Springer
Mark Demers Marion Price
Allie Schachter Erick Barbic
Carter Neubieser Ana Maria Robu
Katherine Verman Sharon Bushor
Peter Lackowski Tom Derenthal
Matt Price John Heronumos
Troy Hendrick Catherine Bock
Gretchen Platt




 Announcements: share events, meetings, activities of interest to Ward 1 community.

 Sharon Bushor: On Tuesday Sept 23 planning commission taking up an item that
is technical revisions to neighborhood code. One item being removed is the “4 unrelated”
(number of unrelated people living in one dwelling), read it and look and understand if it makes
us more vulnerable. What about parking in one residence? No minimum but there is a
maximum. Each unit can get up to 3 parking passes no matter what off street parking exists.
 Allie Schachter: Flynn events for public: Playing Fields at Edmunds, AND acrobats
Saturday and Sunday at state house.
 Tom Derenthal: Thank you to Dave Cawley and Marcie Gallagher for putting on potlucks
at Schmanska park over the summer.


Ward 1 Steering Committee present Participation Guidelines—Rob Gutman presented
Suggestion was to add tone setting at the beginning of document that welcomes public,
neighbors input. (amended, see below)

Steering committee brought info from VJ Comai about why city is removing the ash trees. Will
continue this fall. New diversified variety of trees will be planted based on what the city can find
is available. (See Below)

And Winooski bridge and south intersections around the bridge, construction anticipated to
begin 2027. (See Below)

6:40 - Speakout - an opportunity to raise concerns & appreciations about Ward 1 community


(1) Melo Grant: news is showing maybe have VT State Police in the city and this is not official,
WCAX inferred that. Would need to be a robust conversation for this to happen.


6:55 - School Commission update - Matt Price

Matt Price – Start of school year: great capital expenses used including EES, EMS, IAA, and
HVAC work at other schools. High school still on track for opening Fall 2026. Cell phone ban
statewide coming on line, is already in place in EMS and HUNT. Protected populations in state
language. Statewide number of school districts. Aiming for 18-25 (not the proposed 5),serve
4000-8000 students. Encourage us to read and watch for this info. 3 proposals to be brought
from committee to legislature with expected 2028-2029 school year launch. Hard for school
board to plan given not knowing where things will end up. Question about district’s procedure for
cyber bullying.

7:05 City Council update - Carter Neubieser & Allie Schacter
Summer meet every 3 weeks (instead of 2 weeks rest of year)
Allie brought forward resolution to meet with UVM President Tromp for housing MOU and
student housing; this was a bipartisan resolution. Councilors met with President Tromp; she
was welcoming to working on this issue.
Passed a new program called City Circle with City Attorney and conflict resolution. If a person
goes against ordinances they meet right away to try to resolve, then they would proceed
through court system next if needed. Also stretching public services, and targeting resources in
specific areas of the city. Increased police foot traffic up significantly in target areas.
Last meeting brought a resolution to use some funding to pick up trash, needles, etc in
downtown core, used Councilor Initiative Funds for supporting these efforts.
Carter introducing resolution in October to ask financial office to have all candidates disclose
their financials as a means to strengthen local democracy. Mimic what state reps and senators
are required to release in their financial disclosure. Coming up to focus more on housing as
well. Enforcement office for rentals is overwhelmed.
2 more about signage at fueling stations and public vs private parking.
Angie grateful that our 2 councilors are modeling bipartisan positivity.

Carol: Troy met with Dr. Tromp, we have invited her to come to our NPA meeting and she wants
to come, just trying to coordinate. And she is interested, along with mayor, to look at housing
MOU again. Troy is optimistic about Tromp and Emma making MOU move along.

7:30 Steering Committee budget and calendar
 ● NPA’s are on a trial basis being “housed” in the Department of Finance and Administration
 instead of CEDO
 ● NPA budget is $3000 per year- past spent on “room and board,” Namaste Kitchen, about $100-
 150 a month, rest is not allocated. OK what we are spending the money on? And how to spend
 the left over money after room and board. Suggestion: block parties were supported in the past,
 more community gardens, welcome bags to new students, neighbors and how to find them,
 canvassing neighborhoods annually
 ● Calendar:
 ● Future topics: UVMMC come and speak to their development plans. Charles Dillard,
 neighborhood planning session.



7:45 Chief Burke, Chapin Spencer and Laura Wheelock
High points: traffic safety is very important to them within upcoming projects, and build a more
multimodal transportation system. We have not maintained our assets over time and we are
going through a generational reinvestment. THANK YOU! Champlain Parkway done, Great
Streets/Main Streets coming along, Rotary on Route 7, University Place. Burlington walk/bike
council, BPD, and other partners. Pavement and street reconstruction and sidewalks.
What is coming: city wide kicking off a new transportation plan, Winooski River bridge, Pearl
and Prospect streets intersection, Main Street grant for bike way to intervale, buy Kismayo
building to prevent slide and make green space.
Shawn Burke: Interim Chief: Number of challenges, building relationships, traffic enforcement
has cooled, DelPoso was not focusing on traffic, but more on officers on foot and getting to
know people and form relationships. City Hall Park and marketplace challenges. Only police
officers can conduct traffic stops. His focus is on downtown and city hall park. All in on City Hall
Park with available officers (5 on day shift, 5-6 on night shift) spending their discretionary time
making relationships, focusing on causes of behaviors. Mental health crises, open drug use,
people who just like to be disorderly and this is tricky with our bail laws in VT. Violent assault
they can be held without bail. City has no control over bail law. Now with City Circle we have
another way to approach those who are not following our ordinances. And Situation Table
weekly: a case or 2 is presented and reviewed and an intervention team goes out to help the
person in the case. Very focused on recruitment and retention of officers, recently made a deal
to improve benefits to officers. And working with Police Commission to prepare foundation for
new leadership. BPD has an excellent record in making more police leaders.


Question from Sharon about use/relationship with UVM police. Chief Burke does have
relationships with the 2 heads of the UVM police.


Safe walking to school: they meet with schools regularly, what about motorized vehicles on
sidewalks, scooters, etc. work is being done around this. Main street project has a bike lane
behind a curb and including motorized vehicles, scooters, etc. Connect with UPTO for parent
input, traffic lights at College and Willard, etc. What about connecting to Drive Well Vermont.
Possibly use other sources, cameras, etc. for traffic control. What about AI as far as signaling
with pedestrians, bikes, and cars. State law says cannot collect license plate data so can’t use
cameras for traffic control. What about soft deterrents like lights flash your speed limits, etc.
Unfortunately people get desensitized to them and then stop seeing them. These do get moved
around city to combat this.
Carter and Angie both shared their gratitude for the leadership in both the BPD and city
engineers.

8:30 - Adjourn

 Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee
 Carol Livingston carol.livingston1951@gmail.com,
 Jonathan Chapple-Sokol chapplesokol.npasc@gmail.com,
 Selene Colburn selene.colburn@gmail.com,
 Sam Doherty samcharlesdoherty@gmail.com
 Gretchen Platt gshuman7005@yahoo.com
Participation Guidelines:

The Ward 1 NPA is sustained by community involvement and encourages engagement at our
monthly meetings per the following guidelines:

We are collectively responsible for following the NPA Meeting Agenda as closely as possible
regarding both presentation/discussion topics and time.

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.

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.

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

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.
Greetings Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly,

On behalf of the Burlington-Winooski Bridge Replacement and Intersection Improvement
Project Team, we are reaching out to share information about the ongoing Project.

The overall project will include replacing the bridge and improving the intersection immediately
south of the bridge in Burlington, involving Riverside Avenue, Colchester Avenue, Mill Street,
and Barrett Street. The intersection improvements will generally consist of roadway
reconstruction and traffic signal modifications to improve safety and mobility for all users.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.

We encourage you to visit the Project Website for more detailed information and updates.
Community outreach to date has included:

 • Public Information Meetings were held on September 19, 2023, January 23, 2024, and
 on December 11, 2024, the project team hosted a Public Open House.
 • The Project Team has presented at multiple city council meetings in Winooski and
 Burlington, receiving approvals in both cities on the Base Technical Concept for the new
 bridge.
 • Additional coordination has included meetings with transit providers, emergency
 services, and other key stakeholders.
 •
To continue our efforts of community outreach, we’re excited to announce an opening for a
Community Liaison to help support and engage the local business community during
construction. This part-time role will be key in the implementation of business-focused
communication and outreach strategies. If you would like to learn more about the role, see the
attached flyer and job description, or visit our project website.
We invite you to:

 • Share this opportunity with your networks and constituents.
 • Participate in upcoming engagement sessions—more opportunities are being planned
 for 2025 and will be announced soon.
 • Sign up to receive project updates (link).
 • Reach out with any questions or feedback!


Best,
Claire

Claire Schenck
Public Outreach Coordinator
Burlington-Winooski Bridge Project
Email: cschenck@hntb.com