Ward 3 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-09-17
Time: 18:30

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
 Join in person: BCA Center, Lorraine B. Good Room, 135 Church St.
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243

Facilitator: Zachary Cummings
6:30 pm Call to Order | 5 min
 Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules.
6:35 pm Steering Committee Elections | 25 min
 The NPA will elect Steering Committee members for the current year.
 • Romeo Von Hermann, Ward 6 NPA Steering Committee
7:00 pm City Council Updates | 20 min
 An update on the work of the City Council and its subcommittees.
 • Melo Grant, City Councilor, Central District (10 min)
 • Questions & Answer Session (10 min)
7:20 pm Library News & Events| 10 min
 A presentation related to the programs and services provided by the Fletcher Free Library.
 • Mary Danko, Library Director, Fletcher Free Library
7:30 pm Green Mountain Transit (GMT) – Recent Route Changes | 50 min
 A presentation and discussion related to the changes to current GMT bus routes.
 • Clayton Clark, General Manager, Green Mountain Transit
8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min
 An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events.
8:30 pm Adjourn
 Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 1.




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, September 17, 2025
 Lorraine B. Good Room, Burlington City Arts
 Meeting Minutes
1. Welcome & Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:34 PM by Zachary Cummings, Ward 3 NPA
Steering Committee member. A motion to adopt the agenda was made, seconded, and
approved by a voice vote.
2. Attendee Introductions
  • NPA Steering Committee Members:
 ✓ Michelle Borbas, College Street
 ✓ Brooks Cummings, Cherry Street
 ✓ Zachary Cummings, South Champlain Street
 ✓ Darrell Fields, Church Street
 ✓ Christopher Haessly, College Street
 ✓ Charlie Messing, College Street
  • City Officials/Staff:
 ✓ Melo Grant, City Councilor, Central District
 ✓ Sarah Montgomery, Dept of Finance and Administration
 ✓ Barbara Turnbull, Dept of Finance and Administration
  • Presenters:
 ✓ Romeo Von Hermann, Ward 6 NPA
 ✓ Mary Danko, Fletcher Free Library
 ✓ Clayton Clark, Green Mountain Transit (GMT)
  • Community Members/Public:
 ✓ Alan Rubin, College Street
 ✓ Suki Rubin, College Street
 ✓ Trudy Richmond, Elmwood Avenue
 ✓ Gail Welch, Elmwood Avenue
 ✓ Cynthia Ziskie, Cherry Street
 ✓ David Ziskie, Cherry Street
 ✓ George Russell, Cherry Street
 ✓ Ellen Cohen, Cherry Street
 ✓ Kate Sullivan, Cherry Street
 ✓ Emily Dreibelbis, Cherry Street
 ✓ Susan Forester, College Street
 ✓ George Logan, College Street
 ✓ Christopher-Aaron Felker, Park Street
 ✓ Jeffrey Peterson
3. Steering Committee Elections
The annual election for the Ward 3 NPA Steering Committee was facilitated by Romeo Von
Hermann of the Ward 6 NPA.
Process: Mr. Von Hermann explained that to be elected, candidates must receive a majority
(more than 50%) of votes from members present and voting. Members could vote for a
minimum of three and a maximum of seven candidates.
Nominations: The following seven individuals were nominated from the floor and accepted
their nominations to run for the Steering Committee:
 ● Michelle Borbas
 ● Brooks Cummings
 ● Zachary Cummings
 ● Christopher-Aaron Felker
 ● Darrell Fields
 ● Christopher Haessly
 ● Charlie Messing
Candidate Presentations: Each nominee was given one minute to speak. Common themes
included the desire to give downtown residents a voice, address public safety and quality-of-life
issues, foster a diversity of opinions, and create a more useful and meaningful NPA.
Results: A total of 18 ballots were cast, with 10 votes required for a majority. All seven
nominated candidates surpassed the required threshold and were elected to the Ward 3 NPA
Steering Committee for the upcoming term.
4. City Council Updates
Presented by: Councilor Melo Grant (Central District)
 ● Public Safety Data: Councilor Grant encouraged residents to review the monthly reports
 from the Police and Fire Chiefs, which are attached to the Public Safety Committee
 agendas (held the fourth Thursday of each month). These reports include heat maps
 showing that the Central District continues to bear the burden of the most incidents.
 ● Crime Statistics: Citing year-to-date data through August 15, 2025, she highlighted
 significant increases in police activity compared to the 2021-24 average, including an
 84% increase in foot patrols, a 2,268% increase in directed patrols, a 75% increase in
 trespass incidents, and a 42% increase in arrests for violations of conditions of release.
 ● Policing Strategy: Chief Burke is working to have Community Service Officers (CSOs) and
 Liaisons (CSLs) respond to non-emergency calls (welfare checks, mental health issues) to
 keep sworn officers available for higher-priority incidents.
 ● UVM MOU: The city is beginning conversations with UVM regarding a new
 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will focus on zoning for student housing,
 housing code enforcement, and ensuring the city receives adequate benefits.
 ● Community Q&A: Discussion topics included the increase in illegal bicycle and
 motorbike use on Church Street, the effectiveness of the judicial system in providing
 consequences, and the process for tracking individuals who are high utilizers of
 emergency services through the multi-agency "Situation Table."
5. Library News & Events
Presented by: Mary Denko, Director, Fletcher Free Library
 ● Library Card Signup Month: September is National Library Card Signup Month, and
 Director Denko encouraged all residents to get a card to access the library's two
 "worlds": the physical building and the extensive online library.
 ● Digital Resources: A library card provides free access to e-books and audiobooks (Libby
 app), movie streaming (Kanopy app), the New York Times, Consumer Reports, historical
 archives, and grant-seeking databases.
 ● Home Card System: The Fletcher Free Library is now part of the Home Card system,
 allowing Burlington library cardholders to borrow materials from other participating
 libraries in Chittenden County.
 ● Building Preservation: The library is undergoing a major, $2 million+ preservation
 project on the original 1904 Carnegie building. Work includes repointing brick,
 terracotta repair, and a full refurbishment of the historic windows. The project is
 expected to be complete in mid-December.
6. Green Mountain Transit (GMT) - Recent Route Changes
Presented by: Clayton Clark, General Manager, GMT
 ● Financial Situation: Mr. Clark explained that GMT, like transit agencies nationwide, is
 facing a fiscal crisis where costs are rising much faster than revenues. This has forced
 GMT to make approximately $2 million in service cuts over the past year to operate
 within its budget.
 ● Service Changes: The most recent changes, effective August 25, have significantly
 impacted Ward 3.
 ● The #11 Bus (formerly the College Street Shuttle): This route is no longer fare-free. Its
 path has been moved from College Street to Main Street. It no longer provides direct
 service to the UVM Medical Center or the Burlington International Airport.
 ● Impact and Alternatives: Mr. Clark acknowledged the hardship these changes create,
 particularly for elderly residents and those with mobility challenges. He strongly
 recommended that affected individuals apply for SSTA Paratransit service, a door-to-
 door, on-demand service available for those who cannot use the fixed-route system.
 The SSTA fare is $4 per ride.
 ● Discussion: A lengthy and passionate discussion followed, with residents expressing
 frustration over the loss of the essential College Street route. They described the new
 route as inaccessible for those carrying groceries or unable to walk the nearly quarter-
 mile distance to the hospital. There was a strong sentiment that the changes have
 disproportionately harmed Burlington's most vulnerable residents while resources have
 been reallocated to other communities.
7. Public Forum
Several members of the community came forward to speak on various topics.
 ● Charlie Messing (College Street): Pointed out that the city's expenditure of $12 million
 on the renovation of City Hall Park has had no effect on the general atmosphere of the
 park and the same people who had driven away families, residents and tourists have
 returned.
 ● Alan Rubin (College Street): Suggested the NPA focus on quality-of-life issues like loud
 motorcycles and speeding. He expressed a feeling that the city has "forgotten what
 public service means."
 ● Trudy Richmond (Elmwood Avenue): Shared positive feedback, expressing her
 excitement and gratitude for the new sidewalks being installed in her neighborhood.
 ● Melo Grant (City Councilor): Advised residents that now is the time to contact their city
 councilors about streets that need repaving so they can be graded and considered for
 the next construction season.
8. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 PM.