Ward 2 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-05-14
Time: 18:30

Meeting Agenda
Ward 2 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
May 14, 2026 | 6:30-8:00pm | All are welcome

 Join in person: O.N.E. Community Dinner
 ONE Community Center, 20 Allen Street 5:30-6:30pm | Free | Donations welcome
 Menu: Spiced Parsnip & Sweet Potato Soup, Crostini with
 Join remotely: Ramp Pesto, Ginger Lime Green Beans, and Rhubarb
 https://zoom.us/j/93179389982 Crumble Cake for dessert
 Music: Harold Kaplan
Facilitator: Marc Stannard​ ​ Notetaker: Grace Sherwood
6:30 pm Introduction
5 min Review and adopt/approve the agenda and previous minutes; introductions as time allows.
6:35 pm Public Forum (2 minutes max per person)
10 min Please state your full name, pronouns, street, and ward, and follow the NPA ground rules.
6:45 pm Top 5 Things Going On in Burlington
5 min Hear 5 things that are going on in Burlington, as selected and highlighted by the NPA steering committee.
6:50 pm Budget Vote
5 min Vote on use of funds from the NPA budget.
6:55pm Candidate Introduction- August Primary
5 min Elaine Haney - Candidate for Vermont State Senate
7:00 pm McNeil Plant Presentation
20 min Pike Porter and Nik Persampieri
 Chittenden node of 350VT.org & Stop VT Biomass
7:20 pm Updates from Department of Public Works (DPW)
20 min Robert Goulding - Public Information Manager, City of Burlington DPW
 Learn about DPW's 2026 construction workplan, along with previewing the end 2 key projects.
7:40pm History of ONE Streets
20 min Megan Humphrey
 Learn more about the Old North End through the years.
8:00pm Door prize drawing + Adjourn!
 Our next meeting is Thursday, June 11!



 Scan the QR code (or click here) to: Email us • Go to our website • Watch meeting
 recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Instagram • Request a time slot
 with the request form • Get to all links related to this meeting


 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - May 14, 2026 - Agenda - Page 1
Appendix to the Agenda
Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee
To contact the entire Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee, email ward2npa@googlegroups.com
Name Email Joined Term expiration

Lauren Ebersol lebersol27@gmail.com 2023 2027

Kason Hudson kasonhudman@gmail.com 2024 2028

Charlie Giannoni charliecpg@gmail.com 2024 2028

Marc Stannard Marc.Stannard@outlook.com 2024 2028

Nora Aronds noraaronds@yahoo.com 2025 2029

Grace Sherwood Gsherwood703@gmail.com 2025 2029

NPA Guiding Principles
 ●​ Operate through democratic principles and democratic procedures.
 ●​ Provide a safe and welcoming forum where residents can actively share their voices about issues that
 matter to them, and where they can learn from the voices of others.
 ●​ Cultivate involvement by a diverse spectrum of community members through active outreach and
 through eliminating barriers to participation.
 ●​ Operate in a manner that models respectful, inclusive, culturally, and economically aware practices.
 ●​ Be a fun, creative, and vital organization that provides value and benefit through the multitude of
 perspectives shared by those who participate.


Ward 2 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.
 ●​ 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.




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - May 14, 2026 - Agenda - Page 2
Elected officials representing Ward 2
Mayor
Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak Progressive mayor@BurlingtonVT.gov


City Councilors
Central District (Wards 2 & 3) Melo Grant Progressive megrant@burlingtonvt.gov 802-310-0962
Ward 2 Gene Bergman Progressive gbergman@burlingtonvt.gov 802-598-3602


School Board Members

Central District (Wards 2 & 3) Jean Waltz jwaltz@bsdvt.org 802-355-7856

Ward 2 Polly Vanderputten pvanderputten@bsdvt.org 802-578-8653


Vermont State House Representatives
Chittenden-15 Troy Headrick Independent theadrick@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-15 Brian Cina Progressive/Democrat bcina@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-16 Kate Logan Progressive/Democrat klogan@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-16 Jill Krowinski Democrat jkrowinski@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-17 Abigail Duke Democrat aduke@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228


Vermont State Senators

Chittenden-Central Tanya Vyhovsky Progressive/Democrat tvyhovsky@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-Central Martine Gulick Democrat mgulick@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-Central Philip Baruth Democrat/Progressive pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us (802) 503-5266




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - May 14, 2026 - Agenda - Page 3

Meeting Agenda
Ward 2 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
May 14, 2026 | 6:30-8:00pm | All are welcome

 Join in person: O.N.E. Community Dinner
 ONE Community Center, 20 Allen Street 5:30-6:30pm | Free | Donations welcome
 Menu: Spiced Parsnip & Sweet Potato Soup, Crostini with
 Join remotely: Ramp Pesto, Ginger Lime Green Beans, and Rhubarb
 https://zoom.us/j/93179389982 Crumble Cake for dessert
 Music: Harold Kaplan
Facilitator: Marc Stannard​ ​ Notetaker: Grace Sherwood
6:30 pm Introduction
5 min Review and adopt/approve the agenda and previous minutes; introductions as time allows.
6:35 pm Public Forum (2 minutes max per person)
10 min Please state your full name, pronouns, street, and ward, and follow the NPA ground rules.
6:45 pm Top 5 Things Going On in Burlington
5 min Hear 5 things that are going on in Burlington, as selected and highlighted by the NPA steering committee.
6:50 pm Budget Vote
5 min Vote on use of funds from the NPA budget.
6:55pm Candidate Introduction- August Primary
5 min Elaine Haney - Candidate for Vermont State Senate
7:00 pm McNeil Plant Presentation
20 min Pike Porter and Nik Persampieri
 Chittenden node of 350VT.org & Stop VT Biomass
7:20 pm Updates from Department of Public Works (DPW)
20 min Robert Goulding - Public Information Manager, City of Burlington DPW
 Learn about DPW's 2026 construction workplan, along with previewing the end 2 key projects.
7:40pm History of ONE Streets
20 min Megan Humphrey
 Learn more about the Old North End through the years.
8:00pm Door prize drawing + Adjourn!
 Our next meeting is Thursday, June 11!



 Scan the QR code (or click here) to: Email us • Go to our website • Watch meeting
 recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Instagram • Request a time slot
 with the request form • Get to all links related to this meeting


 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - May 14, 2026 - Agenda - Page 1
 Page 1 of 65
Appendix to the Agenda
Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee
To contact the entire Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee, email ward2npa@googlegroups.com
Name Email Joined Term expiration

Lauren Ebersol lebersol27@gmail.com 2023 2027

Kason Hudson kasonhudman@gmail.com 2024 2028

Charlie Giannoni charliecpg@gmail.com 2024 2028

Marc Stannard Marc.Stannard@outlook.com 2024 2028

Nora Aronds noraaronds@yahoo.com 2025 2029

Grace Sherwood Gsherwood703@gmail.com 2025 2029

NPA Guiding Principles
 ●​ Operate through democratic principles and democratic procedures.
 ●​ Provide a safe and welcoming forum where residents can actively share their voices about issues that
 matter to them, and where they can learn from the voices of others.
 ●​ Cultivate involvement by a diverse spectrum of community members through active outreach and
 through eliminating barriers to participation.
 ●​ Operate in a manner that models respectful, inclusive, culturally, and economically aware practices.
 ●​ Be a fun, creative, and vital organization that provides value and benefit through the multitude of
 perspectives shared by those who participate.


Ward 2 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.
 ●​ 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.




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - May 14, 2026 - Agenda - Page 2
 Page 2 of 65
Elected officials representing Ward 2
Mayor
Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak Progressive mayor@BurlingtonVT.gov


City Councilors
Central District (Wards 2 & 3) Melo Grant Progressive megrant@burlingtonvt.gov 802-310-0962
Ward 2 Gene Bergman Progressive gbergman@burlingtonvt.gov 802-598-3602


School Board Members

Central District (Wards 2 & 3) Jean Waltz jwaltz@bsdvt.org 802-355-7856

Ward 2 Polly Vanderputten pvanderputten@bsdvt.org 802-578-8653


Vermont State House Representatives
Chittenden-15 Troy Headrick Independent theadrick@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-15 Brian Cina Progressive/Democrat bcina@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-16 Kate Logan Progressive/Democrat klogan@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-16 Jill Krowinski Democrat jkrowinski@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-17 Abigail Duke Democrat aduke@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228


Vermont State Senators

Chittenden-Central Tanya Vyhovsky Progressive/Democrat tvyhovsky@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-Central Martine Gulick Democrat mgulick@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

Chittenden-Central Philip Baruth Democrat/Progressive pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us (802) 503-5266




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - May 14, 2026 - Agenda - Page 3
 Page 3 of 65
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

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Page 5 of 65
 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 6 of 65
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 7 of 65
 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 8 of 65
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 9 of 65
 Theory (according to BED):
“Closed Loop” Carbon Cycle




 Page 10 of 65
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 11 of 65
 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.

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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 15 of 65
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 16 of 65
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.
 Page 17 of 65
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 18 of 65
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 19 of 65
Our Vision:




 Page 20 of 65
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 21 of 65
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 22 of 65
Questions
Comments
Discussion



 Page 23 of 65
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
 Page 24 of 65
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
 Page 25 of 65
CHAMPLAIN
PARKWAY
• 25MPH road
• Connects South End with
 Downtown
• Stormwater improvements
• Pedestrian enhancements: signals,
 shorter crossings, new sidewalks
 Page 26 of 65
WHAT’S LEFT TO DO
(tentative schedules below)
Pine Street Champlain Parkway
• Roadway sign installation • Overhead signs
• Signal activation (week of • Roadway signs
  May 4) • Final Pavement
• Pavement (Main Street) and • Line striping
  sidewalk repairs (misc. along • Signal timing adjustments
  Pine) (upcoming weeks)
• General clean up


 Page 27 of 65
MAIN STREET

• A welcoming gateway into Vermont’s
  Queen City
• Wider sidewalks for pedestrians &
  commerce
• More trees & gardens
• Enhanced lighting
• Abandonment of ravine sewer
 Page 28 of 65
WHAT’S LEFT TO
DO
• Sidewalks
• Signals
• Tree plantings
• Paving
• Public Art


 Page 29 of 65
CHERRY ST/RECONNECTING
BANK & CHERRY

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




 Page 30 of 65
Ward
2 Work
Since 2017

*Paving in orange
*Sidewalk in red




 Page 31 of 65
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


 Page 32 of 65
SIDEWALKS: developing a workplan

  • Developed using the City’s 2021 citywide sidewalk inventory
  • Prioritizes based on utilization, location, and sidewalk
 condition .
  • Location considers the sidewalk’s proximity to schools,
 neighborhood activity centers, employment centers, etc .
  • Resident requests, field inspections, and coordination with
 other City projects.




 Page 33 of 65
 SIDEWALKS**




**Short run segments include Manhattan & Intervale Ave
 (not full length sidewalk projects).

 Page 34 of 65
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
 Page 35 of 65
PAVING: developing a workplan
 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
  • 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 may eat into available construction funding




 Page 36 of 65
 PAVING*




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

*Includes patches on lower North Ave, Lake St,
 Archibald St, Intervale Rd
 Page 37 of 65
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

 Page 38 of 65
Page 39 of 65
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR WATER:

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




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



 Page 40 of 65
 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 41 of 65
THANK YOU Page 42 of 65
History of the
Old North End
 (ONE)
 Part 2
 Ward 2 NPA/May 2026

 Megan J. Humphrey




 Page 43 of 65
 Very Special Thanks

Charlotte Barrett, Bob Blanchard, Judy Dow,
Peg Dumas, Kendall Frost, Bill & Clarke
Gravel, John Gravel, Elise Guyette, Laura
Hale, David Hershberg, Intervale Center, Jill
Krowinski, Preservation Burlington, Gail
Rosenberg, UVM Special Collections,
Vermont Historical Society, Frederick
Wiseman, the Gravel Family for selling me
my cherished home, and to Terry for being
the best cheerleader along the way
 Page 44 of 65
  Vermont Central Railroad
• 1853, tracks went right through downtown
• 1861, horseshoe tunnel built to waterfront; only tunnel in
  Chittenden County




 Page 45 of 65
1869 ONE Map




 Page 46 of 65
Corner of North Street & North
 Avenue




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78 North Street




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106-108 North Street




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144-146 North Street




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194 North Street, formerly Mazel’s
 Built 1904




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Front of Mazel’s




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Top of Mazel’s Building




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86 Pitkin Street




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  Corner of North Champlain &
 North
(139-143 North Champlain to the
 left)




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 139-143 North Champlain
Street




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10 North Winooski on the right,
 now Radio Bean




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160 North Winooski Avenue




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294 North Winooski Avenue




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John Roberts Home Design
  69 Mansﬁeld Avenue




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  More John Roberts Homes
79 Hyde Street and King Street




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1869 ONE Map




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13 St. Louis Street




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 Meg & Terry’s 2014 Valentine
Reenactment of the Gravel’s ﬁrst
 car purchase




 Page 64 of 65
  View of the ONE from Downtown,
1954-1958 (Note the missing steeple on
 the Unitarian Church)
 Thank you!




 Page 65 of 65

MINUTES: Ward 2 NPA
Thursday, May 14, 2026, 6:30pm
ONE Community Center, 20 Allen St

Steering Committee members present: Grace Sherwood, Marc Stannard, Lauren Ebersol,
Charlie Giannoni

Steering Committee members absent: Kason Hudman, Nora Aronds


1. Public Forum:

 • Megan Humphrey: Pay what you can for dinner. Thank you to Jess (card
 presentation)
 • Andrea Todd: Come to city market member meeting and thank you to those who
 have been showing up: next meeting is 6PM this upcoming Monday! Meetings
 are mostly zoom
 • Kevin Bloom: running for Sheriff, running on eviction reform–Anti ICE
 • Melo Grant: ONE Clean up clean out May 30 10-2:30
 • Jeffrey Peterson: Running for Vermont rep (intro) Needs ballot signatures
 • Yohannes: (from Ward 3) trying to move houses… his house is on North
 Champlain
 • Lauren- City board listings up, applications due soon
 • Alice - Trout parade May 29
 • Lauren: Candidate forum coming up! TBD - Ward 3 States atty forum next week,
 Ward 1 will do State Senate in June

2. Top 5:
 • Mayor budget aligned
 • Weather good next week
 • Front porch forum good

3. Vote: $100 for comic
Yea: 23
Nay: 0

4. Elaine Haney: Candidate for Aug primary-
From Essex J, Mom of 3, believes in working for good over time– just finished 12th year as
elected official in Essex J, part of team that made new Essex and solved decades long conflict,
is retired roller derby skater–learned when you get hit you go down and stay down or get upright
and keep moving
Not a trump supporter, must protect VTers from fed over reach
Supports legislation that protects Vters from arrests in sensitive places, also supports legislation
that allows law enforcement to be sued if they disobey constitution
Door to door hearing a lot of love for VT but affordability problem that is 3 pronged - education
reform (not consolidation) need alternatives for cost, need regional approach (2) VTers need to
be able to afford healthcare, supports universal primary care, (3) housing; feeling optimistic
(CHIP), need to get rid of duplicative and unnecessary permit processes
5. 350.org Mary Andrews, Kim:
 • Burning wood for electricity is a bad idea: wood is not renewable
 • BED owns 50% of McNiel plant
 • McNiel is largest stationary source of green house gasses in VT - its 42 years old
 (most places like this only last 30)
 • Also emits toxins
 • BED claims McNiel is carbon neutral because it is carbon neutral- this is a myth
 that has been disproven by many scientists - regrowing trees in current situation
 is also not certain
 • Burning wood is NOT good for forest
 • Bioenergy produces most emissions
 • Eco harm; BED claims to burn mostly waste wood but that is not all - they are
 burning a lot of whole trees
 • The BURNING is the issue
 • Large old trees and forests that contain them sequester most carbon
 • Human health; Particulate matter is emmited and released in ONE and
 Winooski– creates high risk for asthma (anyone is CHI county)
 • McNiel is expensive (lost 35 million in last 10 years)
 • Age and efficiency of plant; 26% efficient– BED has not considered other options
 • Flawed policies; BED has been driiving policy; focussed on reducing focil fuels
 rather than CO2
 • To meaningfully reduce green house gasses we need to use power from low
 carbon sources
 • Vision: wind, solar and geothermal energy, safe transit and driving, locally
 oriented future, power sources that are equity focussed
 • Questions:
 • 25 acres of clear cutting, is that per day per year? A; don’t know time
 frame but they say they are not clear cutting and they are
 • What percent if you solarize all buildings, landfills, how much can we
 offset? A; needs to be researched -
 • 1 Pipe going to UVM? A; ordinance passed that said if you build a new
 building and it uses fossil fuels it will be taxed, but wood is considered
 renewable to new medical center is pushed to use wood instead 2 Would
 electric go down if new stuff? A; since McNiel is losing money, we’re not
 sure how electric bills are low – BED rates have been historically low, they
 have a lot of low cost hydro power, they are a publicly owned utility so
 they don’t have to put shareholders into rates, they sell things from wind
 solar and biopowers that they buy out of state for cheap and they make a
 lot of money by doing this – it’s not the McNiel plant – McNiel releases
 PM2.5 (this is very tiny soot that leads to a myriad of problems from
 physical to mental)
 • What is the ask? What should we do moving forward? Need to come up
 with an alternative. A; sign up for more info, contact city counselors, any
 study needs to be independent from BED
 • Can’t turn off power until we have a substitute–what do we do? A; we
 have state support to go greener but we need a plan and right now there
 is no plan. BTV shut down the Moran plant, we can do it again.
6. DPW: Robert Goulding on 2026 construction plan
 • 2 big projects downtown are expected to wrap up on time and on budget (late
 June/July) - Main street and Champlain parkway
 • Champlain parkway; a few things left on Pine st and Champlain parkway side,
 signals are on on pine and maple
 • Main st; sidewalks, signals, tree plantings, paving, public art is left to do
 • Cherry st/reconnecting bank and Cherry; Cherry is on hold right now, may
 resume in 2027
 • Ward 2 Work A decade of Progress: Sidewalks; began on Manhattan dr with $1.6
 million contract,
 • Side walks last about 40 years with upkeep every 3 years
 • 5-7 yeards 130 miles of sidewalk is accessed in Burlington, sidewalks
 used more and in most dire state score higher
 • Top Streets for sidewalk repair:
 • N. Willard from Archibald to North
 • Wilwood Dr
 • Woodlawn rd
 • N Willard St from North to Henry
 • Holly Ln East side
 • St Paul St; Crosswalk enhancement
 • Etc
 • Paving:
 • $1.7 million and about 3.5 miles planned for year
 • This years paving is largely funded by TMD 2025 bonds
 • Workplan similar to sidewalks – cold winters enhance issues, this
 winter was very cold
 • Colchester ave
 • Cumberland rd
 • Green st
 • Park St
 • Saratoga Ave
 • Rivermount Terr
 • Bennington Ct
 • Scarff Ave
 • Depot St
 • Water project
 • Wastewater bond approved on TMD,
 • This will help with a lot of things including bacteria in lake
 • Sign up for stormwater assessment
 • Reach out by going to see click fix (best way to let DPW know
 about routine maintenance), emergency line for emergencies (new
 urgent alert feature, VT alert for texts from city
7. History of ONE Part 2 with Megan Humphrey
 • VT central rail road - only tunnel in CHI county, build through the sand on North
 ave - its narrow and horseshoe shaped - in 1853 tracks still went downtown
 • 1869 ONE map; some houses North of North - Elmwood ave was Locust st –
 Union was called Maiden st – Battery st was Water St – Manhattan was North
 Bend - Bright Street was Cow Alley - Riverside was Lower rd – many triangles in
 ONE because they kept accidentally building them
 • Corner of North st and union - was Dep store owned by Colognis, also was a
 grocery store and was Burlington College and is now a COTS shelter - they say
 the shopping cart was invented at this grocery store
 • 78 North st - shoe repair, a grocery store, a luquer store, a beer garden, a barbar
 shop and an ice cream shop
 • 106-108 north st - NY fashion, AMP company (OG building burned in 70’s)
 • 144-146 - was IGA grocery store (now JR’s)
 • 194 North st - Maisals dep. Store - building built 1904 -
 • 86 Pitkin st - was Harold Misters grocers
 • 139 - 143 North Champlain - was barber shop, private school, first national
 grocery store
 • 10 N Winooski (now radio bean) -
 • 160 N Winooski - was Jellanos pastry shop
 • 294 N Winooski ave - was Facets bakery
 • 69 Mansfield Ave - John Roberts home - JR born in essex, built more than 50
 homes in BTV in queen annes style
 • 79 Hyde st and King - more JR homes (Many homes burned in the fire)
 • 1869 ONE Map - no st. Louis st,
Burlington does not have a historical society!