HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Report July 01, 2021 - June 30, 2022FISCAL YEAR 2022 ANNUAL REPORT
Grand Opening
Library & City Hall
First Senior Spring Brunch
City of South Burlington
Table of Contents
Description Page Number
City Directory……………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
City Departments
City Manager…………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
City Clerk……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Community Development………………………………………………………………………………… 13
Community Justice Center (CJC)...………………………………………………………………………... 18
Facilities………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20
Fire Department…………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
IT Department…………………………………………………………………………………………… 25
Library………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
Planning & Zoning………………………………………………………………………………………. 30
Police………………………………………………………………………………………...……….… 34
Public Works……………………………………………………………………………………………. 39
Recreation & Parks……………………………………………………………………………………… 46
Committees/Boards
Affordable Housing……………………………………………………………………………………… 52
Board of Civil Authorities………………………………………………………………………………… 54
Bike & Pedestrian ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 57
Common Area for Dogs…………………………………………………………………………………... 63
2 FY22 Annual Report
Development & Review Board (DRB)……………………………………………………………………… 66
Economic Development…………………………………………………………………………………... 69
Energy ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 70
Library Board of Trustees…………………………………………………………………………………. 73
Natural Resource ………………………………………………………………………………………… 75
Planning Commission……………………………………………………………………………………... 76
Public Art……………………………………………………………………………………………….... 81
Recreation & Parks……………………………………………………………………………………..… 83
City Partners
Champlain Solid Waste District (CSWD)…………………………………………………………………… 89
Champlain Water District (CWD).……………………………………………………………………….…. 91
Chittenden County Public Safety Authority (CCPSA)………………………………………………………… 92
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC)……………………………………………….… 93
Green Mountain Transit (GMT)…………………………………………………………………………… 103
South Burlington Food Shelf………………………………………………………………………………. 106
Vermont Garden…………………………………………………………………………………………. 107
Vermont Dept of Health………………………………………………………………………….……….. 108
VT Spay Neuter Incentive Program (VSNIP)……………………………………………………………….... 110
Winooski Valley Park District (WVPD)……………………………………………………………………… 111
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CITY DIRECTORY
CITY COUNCIL
Chair Helen Riehle hriehle@southburlingtonvt.gov
Vice-Chair Meaghan Emery memery@ southburlingtonvt.gov
Clerk Tim Barritt tbarritt@ southburlingtonvt.gov
Thomas Chittenden tchittenden@southburlingtonvt.gov
Matt Cota mcota@ southburlingtonvt.gov
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Jessie Baker jbaker@southburlingtonvt.gov 802-846-4107
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
City Clerk’s Office 802-846-4105 Recreation & Parks 802-846-4108
Community Development 802-846-4123 Planning & Zoning 802-846-4106
CSWD (Champlain Solid Waste 802-872-8111
district) Trash Drop Off
Police (non-emergency) 802-846-4111
Fire Rescue (non-emergency) 802-846-4110
Human Resources 802-846-4107
Library 802-846-4140
Sources of Public City Information
Website: www.soutburlingtonvt.gov
Facebook: @SouthBurlington
Twitter: @SBCityVT
Hashtag: #SoBu
Public Works 802-658-7961
Tax Department 802-846-4109
Water Department (CWD) 802-864-4631
Water Quality 802-658-7964
4 FY22 Annual Report
CITY DEPARTMENT
REPORTS
5 FY22 Annual Report
City Manager
Submitted by Jessie Baker, City Manager
It is my honor to present the FY 2022 Annual Report to the community of South Burlington. FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June
30, 2022) saw a lot of changes for our City. In July 2021, after decades of community visioning and planning, we opened our
City Hall, Library, and Senior Center at 180 Market Street thus anchoring our developing downtown with new community
amenities. We welcomed new leaders such as Public Works Director, Thomas DiPietro and, City Attorney, Colin McNeil.
We saw public and private investment in developing much needed new housing options for our neighbors as well as new
professional opportunities. And we continued to be leaders in innovation through updated land development regulations,
information technology modernization, and body worn camera deployment among many others.
On the following pages, you will find detailed reports from our Department Heads, Committees, and our governmental
partners. There are hundreds of staff, elected and appointed officials, and volunteers who work everyday to further the
vision of our community. Please join me in thanking them for their efforts and allowing me to highlight some of them for
you!
City Center and 180 Market Street
Thanks to so many of you who joined us for the community celebration to open 180 Market Street on July 23, 2021! In our
first year of operations, we welcomed thousands of visitors to our new Public Library, City Hall, and Senior Center. There
were art shows, story times, senior lunches, public meetings and public hearings about the future of our community, and so
much more. In fact, the Library saw a 15% increase in cardholders over the first year in their new space and over 158,000
items were checked out for our neighbors to enjoy at home. Twice a week an average of 25 seniors in our community joined
us for lunch at the Kevin Dorn Senior Center. We hope you are enjoying this new community asset and would love to hear
your ideas for future uses of this new space – including our festival street – Market Street!
Around City Hall, there was a flurry of other activity in City Center this year. UVM Medical Center invested millions of
dollars to build housing and a daycare center in City Center. Taconic Capital Advisors and Eastern Real Estate (proven
national developers of innovative community spaces) purchased the University Mall property in the spring of 2022 spurred
on by the community’s work to develop our Downtown. The City secured a $9.7M federal grant to support the design,
engineering, and construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over I-89. And planning work continued on City Center
Park, Garden Street, and Willison Road in advance of our anticipated final Tax Increment Financing bond authorization vote
on Town Meeting Day 2023.
While not in City Center, the growth of our downtown is also supported by much needed housing built at the O’Brien Hillside
and Quarry Hill neighborhoods as well as the expansion of OnLogic, Beta, and many more small businesses in our
community. The future of our City is bright!
Climate Resiliency
This fiscal year, the Council, Planning Commission, Climate Action Plan Task Force, and many of you spent time thinking
about and planning for the future climate resiliency of South Burlington.
After several years of Interim Zoning, the Planning Commission recommended to the Council and the Council approved major
amendments to the City’s Land Development Regulations. These updates, approved by the Council in February 2022,
included an overhaul of the City’s Environmental Protection Standards, Planned Unit Development, Subdivision, Civic Space,
and Master Plan standards as well as the extension of inclusionary zoning city-wide.
6 FY22 Annual Report
In August 2021, the City Council convened a Climate Action Plan Task Force charged with recommending to the Council “the
adoption of a Climate Action Plan that identifies a series of strategic pathways that most realistically achieve the State and
City’s climate goals for South Burlington.” This Task Force met frequently throughout the year and successfully brought a
Climate Action Plan to the Council early in FY 2023.
Public Safety
Our community continues to be well-served by professional Police, Dispatch, Fire, and EMS professionals who provide for
our community’s wellbeing each hour of the year. This year the Police responded to 10,731 calls for service and Fire/EMS
responded to 4,447 emergency calls (72% or 3,196 of which were medical calls.) This fiscal year, both the Police and Fire
department struggled with staffing levels adequate to maintain the health and well-being of staff as well as respond to the
needs of our community. We continue to follow the national trend of folks retiring from these professions and the upcoming
generations less likely to serve in this way. Both Chiefs put a great deal of effort into recruiting and retaining staff and we
are optimistic that these new colleagues will add a significant value to our team.
Despite staffing challenges, we continue to be at the forefront of progressive public safety service provision. This year we
continued our partnership with the Howard Center Community Outreach Team. This team co-responds to a variety of calls
for service which involve a person suffering from an unmet social service need and ensure their needs are best met. In FY
2022, the Community Outreach Team responded to 482 requests for services in South Burlington.
Additionally, in FY 2022, our Police personnel implemented the use of body worn cameras. This technology (many years in
the planning in South Burlington) improves criminal investigation, allows for more thorough review in use of force situations,
and enhances our transparency and accountability to each other and the public.
FY 2022 saw a great deal of future planning in the Fire and EMS service delivery area. A critical component of this
Department’s work is Fire Prevention which is responsible for enforcing the State’s Building and Fire Safety Codes and
ensuring that new construction meets standards for safety. As you can imagine, in a growing community, this is a big
undertaking. In FY 2022 Fire Chief, Terry Francis, served as both the Fire Chief (chief of department overseeing Fire and EMS
operations) and Fire Marshall (overseeing prevention and building inspections.) In FY 2022, we started planning for
additional resources to support growing demands on both sides of this house which were implement in early FY 2023 with
the addition of Fire Chief Steven Locke. We are thankful that Deputy Chief/Fire Marshall Terry Francis continues to serve
the City and oversee Fire Prevention.
Infrastructure
With a continued focus on maintaining our municipal infrastructure, FY 2022 saw us focusing on the preliminary engineering
needed as we consider significant upgrades to the Bartlett Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility as well as modernizations to
our Airport Parkway Wastewater Treatment Facility and pump stations. This infrastructure is critical as we maintain the
community’s public health and minimize our impact on Lake Champlain.
We crack filled, repaved and line striped all or sections of 19 individual streets in the City and completed a Rapid Flashing
Beacon crosswalk on Kennedy Drive at W Twin Oaks Terrace. And, of course, we completed construction of the Muddy
Brook Culvert replacement on Kimball Avenue at the City’s border with Williston.
Municipal Finances
Prudent financial decisions were made by the previous administration, namely the tremendous leadership of Kevin Dorn and
Tom Hubbard, to build a FY 2022 budget cautiously given the uncertainty COVID-19 presented. As Vermont emerges from
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the pandemic, we saw our revenues rebound faster than anticipated and our permit fees increase. As a result, we ended FY
2022 with just over a $2M surplus. With Council approval, a portion of these funds have been invested in deferred capital
projects with $1.2M allocated for traffic signal improvements needed along Dorset Street. With this surplus and the
investment in capital, we continue to exceed our minimum 8.33% of our operating expenditures in Fund Balance – achieving
9.20% this year.
With another clean audit in FY 2022, the City continues to be in strong financial shape to achieve our shared goals of
excellent municipal operations and continued community investment in the future. For additional information, you can find
the results of our FY22 Audit here: www.southburlingtonvt.gov/departments/finance/audited_financials.php.
Gratitude
On a personal note, FY 2022 was my first full year serving the City of South Burlington. I am humbled and honored by the
warm welcome I received from staff, elected and appointed officials, volunteers, and residents. I learn more everyday from
the stories, anecdotes, and history you all share and I’m excited for the work ahead of us!
In FY2022 our community was well served by our City Councilors who put in hundreds of hours guiding policy work,
attending Council and Committee meetings, and supporting our residents. We are fortunate for the service of Helen Riehle,
Council Chair, Meaghan Emery, Vice Chair, Tim Barritt, Clerk, Thomas Chittenden and Matt Cota.
This year we said goodbye to staff who ably served our City for many years. Please join me in thanking the following
individuals who retired with a combined 114 years of service to the City!
Equipment Operator Daniel Meunier (20 years of service)
Fire Captain Micah Genzlinger (21 years of service)
Police Sergeant Dennis Ward (23 years of service)
Police Lieutenant Shawn Demore (25 years of service)
Police Lieutenant Jeffery Martel (25 years of service)
Finally, I want to thank the City’s Leadership Team. Each of them provides expert guidance to service areas that are critical
for the residents and businesses of South Burlington. I’m thankful to call each of them colleagues and for the wisdom and
commitment they bring to our community
Colin McNeil – City Attorney
Daisy Brayton – Human Resources Director
Donna Kinville – City Clerk
Greg Yandow – Director of Physical Plant
Holly Rees – Recreation & Parks Director
Ilona Blanchard – Community Development
Director
Jennifer Murray – Library Director
Martha Lyons – Assessor & Tax Collector
Martha Machar – Finance Director
Mike Mott – Information Technology Director
Paul Conner – Director of Planning & Zoning
Shawn Burke – Police Chief
Steven Locke – Fire Chief
Thomas DiPietro – Director of Public Works
The City is at a fantastic place in our history because of the hard work of the City Council, committee members,
volunteers, Leadership Team, and all of you and for that I am thankful. Thank you for the time you spend with this FY
2022 Annual Report. If you have questions or ideas you would like to share, I can be reached at (802) 846-4100 or at
jbaker@southburlingtonvt.gov.
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City Clerk’s Office
Department Overview
Main duties of the clerk’s office are land record recordings, elections, dog and cat licensing, issuing of marriage
licenses, certified copies of vital records, liquor licenses, notary, DMV registration renewals, keeper of the records
and assist the tax department with tax installment collection.
Department Staff:
Donna Kinville - City Clerk since 2001, current term ends March 2024
2 full time positions
Deb Woodward (2017)
Pam Correia (2020)
1 part time position currently open
Annual Budget for FY 22-23
Budgeted Revenue $312,000 Actual Revenue $356,324
Budgeted Expenses $261,238 Actual Expenses $246,729
Accomplishments and Events
•The annual town meeting was the only election that was held in this fiscal year. There were 3,195 voters
who participated in the election for 20.05% turnout. The second lowest turnout in the past 10 years for
an annual meeting. Early (absentee) ballot numbers continue to increase every election and 30% of
ballots cast were early ballots.
•Recognized by my peer of Vermont city and town clerks as the Clerk of the Year. I was truly honored to be
considered worthy of such an acknowledgement. I could not be recognized without the support of my
staff who fully embraces the special projects that we have undertaken over the years and without the
support of our citizens.
•Voter Checklist: The voter checklist, every year, is kept as current as we can with the information that we
receive. What is hard to keep updated on our checklists is when a non-homeowner moves, students who
graduate and settle outside the city limits, and those who have deceased while they are out of state.
•Conducted 9th annual Top Dog and First Feline contest with Zoe and Emma the winners. I had the
opportunity to bring Zoe his winnings and he is such a sweet dog, and I enjoyed the time that I spent with
him. This year was difficult finding vendors who were willing to give to our contest. A big thank you to
Pet Food Warehouse and Guy’s Farm and Yard for being a sponsor to our contest for all 9 years. If you
9 FY22 Annual Report
know someone who would like to contribute to our contest, whether big or small, please send them our
way. We gladly welcome anyone with something to offer to this contest from bandanas, treats or toys.
2022 Top Dog Zoe 2022 First Feline Ella
•Land records: We continue to work backwards digitizing our land records. We are currently back to 1965
and are currently working on going back to South Burlington’s beginning in 1865. Our goal is to be
complete by July 1, 2023.
Qualitative Summary
Fiscal year 2022-2023
•As of June 30th, our dog and cat totals increased and picked up another 128 pets since last June 30th.
When other municipalities are continually seeing a decline in the number of dogs registered, South
Burlington stands out by itself as continuing to increase our pet registration every year. As part of the
enforcement process requested by our citizens, we have an anonymous way for someone to report if they
feel that a dog or cat is unlicensed. Simply visit the clerk’s webpage and scroll down to Dog & Cat
licensing and a link will pop up allowing someone to report an unlicensed cat or dog. We will receive an
email from the website with no identifying information from the sender and mail out a letter to that
address.
•We moved into our new city hall in July 2021 and in true South Burlington clerk’s
office tradition, we did not close to the public during the move except for our land
record system was down for one day. Thanks to my staff who manned both locations
and found ways to make this move not impact our citizens. Picture is of land record
books being removed from one vault to be brought over to the new city hall.
•We are now back to April 1965 or book 78 in digitizing the land records for
the city.
10 FY22 Annual Report
Quantitative Data
During the period from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 there were 169 births, 182 deaths and 123 marriages
recorded in the City Clerk’s Office.
Revenue generated by the City Clerk’s Office
Recording & copy fees: deposited to general fund $255,848
Vital Records certified copies $57,752
Civil Marriage Licenses:
127 licenses issued @ $60 $8,520
Paid to state treasurer $7,250
Transferred to general fund $1,270
Animal Licenses:
1,486 dogs
403 cats
Deposited to general fund $27,275
Pet Control Fees: deposited to general fund $4,072
Motor Vehicle Renewals: deposited to general fund $324
Green Mountain Passport: deposited to general fund $412
Beverage Licenses: deposited to general fund $7,870
1st, 2nd class, tobacco licenses, entertainment
11 FY22 Annual Report
FY2023 Goals and Priorities
•We continue to work our way back through the land record books with the goal of having all the land
record books digitized back to the day that South Burlington became a town.
•I am working with our land record software company to put our land records online. However, there are
several factors to consider: our citizen’s privacy and maintaining the revenue for research being the top 2
factors.
•We are also looking into a program that will alert a homeowner, who has signed up to be notified, if a
document is filed in our land records with their name or a variation of their name, on it by email. More to
come on these projects in the coming months.
•There will be 3 elections in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. State Primary in August, State election in
November as well as our annual town meeting in March.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your City Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Kinville, City Clerk MMC, CVC
12 FY22 Annual Report
Community Development
Staff:
Ilona Blanchard Community Development Director 10 years with the city
Total Staff: 1 FTE
FY 22 Interns: Koleigh Vachereau (spring semester and summer); Isabelle Menard (summer - began in June)
Responsibilities
•Administer the City Center TIF district (record keeping, VEPC
reporting, track values/land, support audits)
•Manage projects (secure funding, contracts, public outreach,
consultant/contractor oversight, team communications,
oversee expenditures & track budgets)
•Staff committees
Public Art Selection Committee
Energy Committee
•Manage City Center TIF district capital projects (FY 2022
included 180 Market Street closeout, City Center Park Phase
II - Boardwalk Connection, Garden Street Phase I & II, East-
West Crossing walk bike bridge over I-89, and the Williston
Road Streetscape)
•Manage other projects, liaise, and conduct outreach as
assigned
FY 2022 Budget
•Operational budget is included in City Manager’s Budget.
•$5,000 in CIP Funds for city-wide permanent public art – Public Art Committee issued call in FY2023 to
combine FY 22 and FY 23 funds in one project.
•$800,000 in General Fund revenues transferred to the City Center Reserve Fund.
•Special Fund Expenditures:
TIF District Project Costs (all project combined FY 22 expenditures)
funded with TIF district debt proceeds, City debt proceeds, grants, reserve funds
$1,650,867
Debt Service TIF District Financed Bonds $10.5M (FY22 Principal $10,429,962)
funded with TIF district tax increment revenues
$251,585
Debt Service on City Financed Bond $14.9M (FY22 Principal $14,503,371)
funded by City Center Reserve Fund
$922,729
Accomplishments and Events
•The South Burlington Public Library and City Hall (which opened in FY 22) design by Wiemann Lamphere
Architects received a 2021 Merit Award from the Vermont Chapter of the American Institute of Architects;
the building was also toured by this organization at one of their meetings, separately toured by the
The Public Art Committee kicked off the year with
the first exhibit in the new gallery in the main hall
of 180 Market Street – Opening for “One Degree
of Separation” by Todd Lockwood held Saturday,
August 7.
Photo Credit - Penne Tompkins
13 FY22 Annual Report
Vermont Chapter of Civil Engineers and later toured by the Vermont Chapter of the American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers as part of their respective member enrichment
activities.
•The US Department of Transportation awarded $9.7M in RAISE funds to build the East-West Crossing
walk bike bridge over I-89 at Exit 14 (Williston Road).
•Public outreach for the East-West Crossing concept design was launched with workshops and focus
groups designed to broaden participation by underrepresented communities in June 2022.
•The city was awarded $30,000 from the State of Vermont to plan the first Market Street festival.
•The Vermont Economic Progress Council approved a Substantial Change to the City Center TIF District,
updating the Financing Plan and right sizing the list of projects yet to be built to those four remaining:
Garden Street (Phase I & II), City Center Park Phase II, Williston Road Streetscape, and the East-West
Crossing Walk Bike Bridge over I-89.
Qualitative Summary
Progress was made in advancing public projects within the South Burlington City Center TIF District. The City is
rapidly approaching the conclusion of the term during which TIF District financed debt may be issued (March
2024).
Garden Street, City Center Park Phase II, the Williston Road Streetscape and East-West Crossing projects were all
switched up a gear in order to advance the design on each, with the East-West Crossing requiring the lions share
of capacity in the second half of the year. For this US DOT funded project, a partnership with the Federal Highway
Administration and the State of Vermont for technical and grant administrative support was developed and a
project delivery model was selected. A request for design services qualifications subsequently issued, and,
following a competitive review process, the City Council awarded the contract to a cross disciplinary team of
consultants enabling the City to move the project from scoping into the design concept stage.
East West Crossing Public Workshop participants were not shy about contributing ideas for the walk bike bridge over I-89. Photo credit: VHB
14 FY22 Annual Report
The FY 22 City Center TIF District Substantial Change cleaned up the TIF District Plan approved in 2012 and the
associated Financing Plan to align with the expected TIF District capacity and the City’s planned projects.
The City contracted with an engineering firm to complete the City Center Park concept. This last phase will create
a shared use path connection between City Center Park and Market Street and Garden Street. Over the winter
and into the spring, a survey was conducted, soils tested, and a preliminary alignment was developed.
The Williston Road Streetscape plan was fully revised, and testing completed for stormwater infiltration. The
design is now a shared-use path end to end, with no separated sidewalk.
The Public Art Committee was supported in their success with the opening and operation of the City’s new Public
Gallery in the main hall of 180 Market Street.
The two interns collected data regarding the City’s demographic information, economy, business districts, artists
and arts organizations, with updates made to the city website and Wikipedia to reflect the 2020 census and
recent economic changes.
Organization began for a new winter festival in partnership with Recreation and Parks Department with the
development of a leadership team for the event including the City’s hospitality and craft beverage sector.
In FY 2022 Dover
Place (far left)
opened on Garden
Street and work
began on Union
Place (far right)
Garden Street
Fall 2021
Garden Street
Spring 2022
15 FY22 Annual Report
Quantitative Data
•Secured two grants for a total amount of $9,798,834.
•The April 1, 2021, grand list in the City Center TIF District (the property values against which FY 22
increment is collected) increased by $14,910,900 or 29% with the resulting total increment revenue
collected and held aside in a special fund to make TIF District debt payments amounting to $418,122.
•2 City Center TIF district projects restarted: Garden Street (Phases I & II) & Williston Road Streetscape
•2 City Center TIF district projects kicked off new phases (East-West Crossing Walk Bike Bridge over I-89
and City Center Park Phase II– Boardwalk Connection)
•The final amount debt for the South Burlington Public Library and City Hall authorized by voters in 2018
vote was issued in the amount of $429,962 (at 2.03% interest in TIF district financed debt) and $970,038
(at 2.03% interest in debt serviced by reserve funds). The final breakdown of the 2018 $20.4 M
authorization was thus $5,429,962 in TIF district financed debt and $14,970,034 in City debt serviced with
reserve funds.
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
•Administer the City Center TIF District, including supporting the first State Auditor’s Office audit.
•Begin Right-of-Way acquisition for Garden Street and obtain permission to begin right-of-way acquisition
for Williston Road Streetscape.
16 FY22 Annual Report
•Support the City Council in obtaining authorization to use
TIF District Financing bonding authority to fund the
remaining TIF District projects where for costs not
covered by federal funds.
•Complete construction documents for City Center Park
Phase II – Boardwalk Connection.
•Complete the design concept and initiate the construction
plan set for the East-West Crossing walk bike bridge over
I-89.
•Organize and hold (with Recreation and Parks as the lead)
a new festival in downtown South Burlington (Illuminate
Vermont).
•Support the Public Art Committee in commissioning a
city-wide public art project, management of the public
gallery, and securing funding for a cultural plan.
•Support the Energy Committee and City energy/climate
change initiatives including by pursuing and incorporating sustainable elements into projects.
•Support the Economic Development Committee in developing and making data available.
•Improve outreach and engagement opportunities to provide equitable access throughout South
Burlington’s stakeholders and communities.
•Support a response to community-wide indoor recreation needs.
•Continue to build connections and otherwise support community development in South Burlington.
Location diagram with Dorset along the left
and Market Street top left with the City
Center Park Phase II alignment (in yellow) of
a boardwalk connection over the wetland and
paved shared use paths from the boardwalk
to Garden Street, Market Street, and Barrett
Street (bottom right).
17 FY22 Annual Report
Community Justice Center
Department Overview
The mission of the South Burlington Community Justice Center is to create and enhance the sense of community
in South Burlington by fostering relationships, honest dialogue, respect, and healing. We strive to prevent and
address crime and conflict in South Burlington by working with those involved through shared decision-making to
make things right.
Staff: 1 full-time, 3 part-time
Other members of the CJC team: 7 sub-contractors and 20 volunteers
Programs/Services:
o Restorative Justice (RJ) Panels
o Parallel Justice (for crime victims)
o Mediation & Conflict Assistance
o Safe Driving (for Chittenden County)
o Community Dialogue, Education & Forums
FY 2022 Budget $169,170.65
Accomplishments and Events
•We continued to offer RJ Panels and Safe Driving classes online and transitioned back to in person
meetings in April.
•We navigated through staffing changes with a new Director, Victim Liaison and Panel Coordinator. We
stabilized staffing and have been consistently providing service to the community.
•We received $2500 in funding from the Town of Shelburne in FY21 to begin offering Parallel Justice
services for crime victims in Shelburne. Outreach for the town of Shelburne is now being conducted for
the first year.
New Projects for 2022
•We worked with Community Justice Centers statewide to discuss broadening Restorative Justice principles and
practice to DV/SV work.
•We worked with Chief Burke to develop PR-322 (an internal policy) to streamline workflow through the
CJC and expand Restorative Justice applications.
•We partnered with Officers to coordinate and conduct community events such as “Feeling Safe In Your
Home Space”.
•We collaborated with law enforcement from Chittenden County, Chittenden County Community Justice
Centers and the Vermont State police to host a training for the law enforcement community on
Restorative Justice.
18 FY22 Annual Report
Quantitative Data
•Restorative Justice Panel cases (new referrals) = 68
•Restitution paid to crime victims from Panel offenders = $13,580.32
•Mediation & Civil Panel Cases (new referrals) = 10
•Parallel Justice Cases (outreach to crime victims) = 762
•Volunteer Hours = 223.5
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
•Work with statewide CJCs to begin the process of expanding Restorative Justice work to Domestic
Violence cases.
•Continue to work on staff stabilization by training and onboarding our new panel coordinator.
•Conduct additional “Feeling Safe in Your Home Space” community events.
•Organize equity trainings for volunteers.
•Expand partnerships with community business and agencies to expand resources available for individuals
who are affected by crime.
19 FY22 Annual Report
Facilities Department
Departmental Overview
Staff:
Greg Yandow Director 1 year 8 months with the city
Eric Strong Facilities manager 5 months
2 employees assigned to City Hall & Public Library
Department Responsibilities:
Maintain City’s buildings including:
•City Hall and Public Library at 180 Market Street
•Wheeler House
•575 Dorset Street and Fire Station #1
•Fire Station #2
•19 Gregory Drive (Police Station)
•Airport Parkway Water Treatment #1
•Bartlett Bay Water Treatment #2
Maintain City’s building infrastructure and manage the daily operations of building improvements, building
maintenance, contracts and scheduling contractors, safety and cleaning.
Accomplishments and Events
•Acted as main contact with leased spaces (SBSD, CSWD and TBD spaces.) Oversaw the re-
engineering of our solar field on the roof at 180. Sun Common removed and re-engineered solar
panels due to wind damage.
•Worked with NEAS (New England Air Systems) to over hall antiquated control systems linked
controls to 180 Marketplace for HVAC control comfort.
•Pained Police bathrooms.
•Installed of 3 new interior doors at FS #1.
•Installed lactation room at FS #1.
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
•Add charging stations withing the city buildings (Fire and Police, and DPW).
•Continue to build facilities department from the ground up.
•Bring all city buildings under the same facilities management umbrella
(contractual and maintenance, limiting redundant costs) removing underperforming contractors.
•Replacing reactionary maintenance with proactive maintenance which will lessen budget.
20 FY22 Annual Report
Fire & Emergency Medical Service Department
Department Staff:
Steven A. Locke, Fire Chief
33 Fire & EMS personnel
FY 2022 Budget
Budget $3.6M Revenue $1.4M
Accomplishments and Events
I would like to take a moment to introduce myself as your new Fire Chief. In July 2022, I was appointed to the
position after a combined 30-year career spanning time in Hartford and Burlington. It is an honor to work for the
City of South Burlington and with the men and women of the South Burlington Fire Department. A special thanks
to Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Terry Francis for his work leading the Department these last few years. The
following report is a summary of their work.
Personnel
In FY22 the department promoted Lieutenant Bradley Dattilio to Captain and Senior Firefighter Nick Perkov to
Lieutenant. Additionally, Alex McCarthy and Dan Mullin were hired as entry level firefighters while Captain Sacha
Lascala retired after many years of dedicated service.
Fire Suppression – Special Operations
In FY22 the department responded to a total of 4,447 emergency calls for service. This represents more than an
11 percent increase in calls from the previous year and almost a 48 percent increase from 10 years ago. While
most of the calls for service are for medical incidents, the department responded to 1,251 calls being for fires,
hazardous conditions, service, alarm activations or other non-medical types of incidents. The chart below shows
the calls for service over the past 10 years.
21 FY22 Annual Report
Emergency Medical Services
The department operates a two-tiered response system that deploys the closest fire suppression unit and an
ambulance for every medical incident. All personnel are trained at a minimum as Emergency Medical Technicians
with the majority being licensed at the Advanced or Paramedic level. These highly trained personnel are
committed to delivering the highest level of care to our citizens.
In FY22 the department responded to 3,196 medical calls for service. This represents approximately 72 percent of
the total call volume and an increase of almost 16 percent over the medical calls from the previous year.
The department currently staffs one ambulance and as calls for service continue to increase, there is a greater
reliance on the use of mutual aid from neighboring communities to provide an ambulance for patient transport. In
FY22 the department required the use of a mutual aid ambulance 723 times but provided aid outside of the city
less than 30 times. The chart below shows the increase usage of mutual aid ambulances within the city.
There does not appear to be any reduction of the medical call frequency on the horizon. This is a national trend
where more and more people are utilizing the 911 system for all types of pre-hospital medical concerns. There is
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 FY 18 FY 19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22
Call Volume FY13 -FY22
Total Incidents Medical Incidents
Linear (Total Incidents)Linear (Medical Incidents)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 FY 18 FY 19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22
Mutual Aid Ambulance
MA Ambulance
22 FY22 Annual Report
little doubt that both the mental health system crisis as well as increased substance abuse are driving factors to
our increase in service demands. This is significant challenge that will tax our services for years to come.
Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO)
The Department’s Prevention Division is responsible for enforcing the State of Vermont’s Building and Fire Safety
Code as well as the City of South Burlington’s Fire Safety ordinances. These rules are applied to all new and
existing commercial properties, businesses, multi-family homes (2 or more dwelling units) and all rental dwelling
units. The Prevention Division works in close coordination with the Planning and Zoning Department and are in
the field everyday ensuring that buildings under our purview are being built and wired correctly.
The Prevention Division completed the following activities in FY 22.
Electrical Inspections: 1,205 inspections
356 permits issued
3,222 - requests for information and service
Building Inspections: 2,047 inspections
232 permits issued
3,242 requests for information and service
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
Fire Suppression – Special Operations
The department is in the process of implementing a new records management system (RMS). The current system
is outdated and no longer supported. The department uses the RMS system not only to track emergency incident
data, but also information on inspections, investigations, and inventory control. The department is also looking
forward to the return of the ladder truck which has been out for rehab for almost 11 months. The work on the
truck should extend the unit’s usable life for several years. Finally, we will be creating our first strategic plan
that will help us to develop our goals and priorities for the next five years.
Emergency Medical Services
The department is concerned with our ability to meet the service demands of our community and is looking to
increase personnel for a second staffed ambulance. The growth of the city as well as the increased reliance on
the 911 system for pre-hospital medical services is putting a tremendous strain on our existing services. The
department has ordered a new ambulance to replace our 2012 truck, however, supply chain issues have
increased delivery times to over two years. Finally, the department has secured a combination of grant funding
along with general fund dollars to support three members attendance at paramedic school. This is a major
milestone for the department as we have not been able to send employees to this level of training in over 14
years. It is our hope that we will continue to support employ attendance at paramedic education for years to
come.
23 FY22 Annual Report
Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO)
The Prevention Division is committed to the continued delivery of high-quality services to our customers. Our
inspectors work every day with property owners and those in the construction trades to ensure the relevant
building, electrical or fire safety codes are being followed. These inspections ensure the safety of the residents
and our firefighters, while reducing property loss or injury should a fire occur. The division works hard to
balance the desires or the building owner or architect while confirming any design meets the requirements of
the applicable codes.
I would like to take a moment to thank our city manager Jessie Baker as well as the members of the City
Council. We would not be successful without their support, and we understand well that there are many
competing priorities within the city. I would also like to thank the citizens of this community for their continued
support. Finally, a huge thank you to the men and women of the South Burlington Fire Department. They work
extremely hard every day to deliver the highest quality services to those in need. I am fortunate to work with
you; your work does make a difference.
24 FY22 Annual Report
Information Technology Department
Department Staff
Mike Mott IT Director 2 years with the city
Larry King System Administrator 3 years with the city
Franco Salese System Administrator 6 months with the city
Department functions and responsibilities
•Implement and maintain technology utilized by City staff in day-to-day operations
•Respond to IT support requests in an efficient manner
•Make recommendations regarding technology and tech policy
•Plan for resiliency and reliability for all City data and technology services
FY 2022 Budget
The IT Dept had a budget of $271,001
Accomplishments and Events
•Completed the Office 365 migration project with minimal disruption to services. The city now has access
to a full suite of tools like Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and many others. These
products will enable efficiencies and improve collaboration city wide.
•Migrated City endpoints to a next-gen Anti-Virus solution which improves our security posture and gives
greater insight into potential malicious activity on our network.
•Enabled multi-factor authentication for City email and network access. This is the most important
improvement in security an organization can make as it will end password compromised accounts.
•Rolled out our IT ticketing system which will improve our ability to track issues. It’s also enabled us to
gather metrics about intake and performance.
•Hiring of a third full-time IT staff member. Another full-time IT staff member will allow us to be more
responsive to staff needs and to enable us to focus on project work and innovative solutions.
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
•Integration of PD IT infrastructure with City Hall infrastructure. By using existing City servers and storage
to provide PD IT services we will reduce overall IT expenditure. This is a large project with multiple
phases, and, with FY24 budgetary approval, we will spend much of the 2nd half of 2023 completing the
work.
•Revisit IT policy and procedures so that they are clear and comprehensive and will also meet best practice
guidelines for a municipal IT dept.
•Create a knowledgebase for Office 365 related material. As we continue to roll out products like
SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive, we’ll need to provide instructional support to City staff so they can
successfully leverage the products.
25 FY22 Annual Report
• Expand our data backup efforts to cover our Office 365 cloud data. This will involve setting up a new
storage server and integrating our cloud data.
• Improve the meeting space experience in 180 Market St. Now that we have used the meeting spaces for
a year, we have a better understanding of how they are used and where they might be lacking. We’ll plan
to address some short-falls and improve documentation for the more complex spaces.
26 FY22 Annual Report
South Burlington Public Library
●The library staff work together over the following areas: Children’s Services, Adult Services, Circulation and
Cataloging.
●Jennifer Murray is the Director (7 years with SBPL). Her Leadership Team includes Kathryn Plageman, Circulation
Librarian (20+ years of service), Kelly Kendall, Children’s Librarian (4 years of service), and Mira Geffner, Adult
Services Librarian (started in November of 2021.)
●Number of staff in FY21: 18, six 18 hours and under, three 19-28 hours, 9 FT.
●“The South Burlington Public Library strengthens our community through abundant resources, including books;
information; and opportunities to learn, share and grow.” The library fosters individual inspiration, community
connection, self-directed learning, and access to technology and information.
●Annual Budget for FY22 was budgeted for $814,254.67. $763,114.00 was the actual, due in large part to vacancies.
27 FY22 Annual Report
Accomplishments and Events
Qualitative Summary
● The first days of FY 2022 saw library staff preparing the new library building for the public. Excitement
was mounting as we prepared for our soft opening and the Grand Opening a week later. 400 people
visited on the big day and hundreds of visitors stopped by in July and August, many getting new library
cards, many more writing positive comments in our guest book.
● With the Board of Trustees, staff brainstormed towards a new 5-year strategic plan, which includes
inviting people and organizations in to create and participate in programming. With that in mind, staff
collaborated with Veteran’s organizations on programming and creating a space for telehealth
appointments; partnered with school employees to bring families for whom English is a second language
to the library; enhanced our large print collection by borrowing from the Dept. of Libraries; invited middle
school youth in for craft and cooking programs; created a “Behind the Headlines” display; added the
Mango language learning service; hosted a Drag Queen Storytime and visited the Senior Center to
describe programs and services.
● The Trustees are also members of the Library Foundation, a 501-C-3 that spent the year raising money for
the Capital Campaign. A grants committee also worked closely with staff to establish library needs
towards making specific donor requests. Many spaces in the library honor individuals and businesses who
agree that a fabulous library is critical to a growing city.
● Thanks to a library school intern, library staff were surveyed about their onboarding process and a new
outline of orientation and onboarding activities were created. New staff have been very responsive to the
updated system of integration.
● During this year final touches were made to the building and items that had been overlooked were
ordered, like additional tables for the Activity Room and window shades to keep the glare off the public
computers. Still to come are additional bulletin boards for community notices on both floors and
directional signage.
● Several staff attended three-week classes in diversifying collections and becoming more inclusive.
Outcomes include more community outreach, an audit of collections, hundreds of new books that feature
other cultures and a focus on identifying and eliminating racism. Staff also participated in the City-wide
equity group.
● The Marabella KidSpace has been discovered! Storytimes for babies and toddlers are extremely popular,
and varied craft and reading programs attract older children. In June staff kicked off the first in-person
summer reading program in 3 years and the public was excited to visit, to attend programs together, and
to read, read, read. All programs that bring in large groups of people are served as well by the Circulation
Desk staff who assist with checkout while offering stickers, book recommendations, and a friendly smile.
28 FY22 Annual Report
Quantitative Data
● Cardholder total was 10,027 at the end of FY22, a 15% increase over our first year in the new building.
● Library visits came in at over 75,880 for the year. Manual counting indicates that our method of counting
people is not catching up to 25% of the people who come in groups for large programs. A new technology
will be investigated.
● A total of 158,176 items were checked out to visitors during FY 22, with physical item circulation divided
fairly evenly between adult and children’s checkouts. That’s almost double the circulation from the
previous year, which was still affected by reduced hours and Covid-19 concerns. FY22 checkouts were
13% higher than those in 2019, our last full-service year before Covid-19. We continued to offer self-
service holds and take items to people in the parking lot as needed.
● Ebook circulation was stable; eaudio book increased by 12% in FY22.
● Library programs were up 24%, serving 8,068 attendees.
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
• Be an engaged community leader by offering programs and materials to support an understanding of
current affairs.
• Enhance inclusion by actively invite people and organizations from diverse cultures to create and
participate in programming.
• Improve the use of digital tools by expanding web site accessibility.
• Identify and eliminate barriers to service.
• Support staff with ongoing training and development in safety and security.
29 FY22 Annual Report
Planning & Zoning Department
Departmental Overview
Department Staff:
Paul Conner Director 14 years with the city
Marla Keene Development Review Planner 5 years
Kelsey Peterson City Planner 1 year
Betsy Brown Planning & Zoning Assistant 9 years
Dalila Hall Former Zoning Administrative Officer Departed at end of FY ‘22
Marty Gillies Development Review Planner I Joined in FY ‘23
Department Functions and Responsibilities:
•To provide long-range planning services to the community on subjects such as land use & development,
resource conservation, transportation, housing, and economic development
•To provide development review & permitting services for development projects of all sizes
•To provide support to the City’s Planning Commission, Development Review Board, and Task Forces as
established
FY 2022 Budget:
Expenditures: FY 22 Budget: $402,954 FY 22 Actual: $457,660
Revenues: FY 22 Budget: $353,100 FY 22 Actual: $666,847
Accomplishments and Events
Fiscal Year ’22 was a big year in the city and for the Department. In early July 2021, the new Library / City Hall / Senior
Center opened on Market Street in the heart of City Center. This investment by the community, for the community, will serve
a centerpiece of the City’s burgeoning downtown for decades into the future. We are elated and proud to have the honor of
serving the community each day from this facility.
I encourage everyone to read the related annual reports of the Development Review Board, Planning Commission, and the
Climate Action Plan Task Force, which our department staffed; their reports provide excellent summaries of the tremendous
work they have done on behalf of our community. I will do my best not to repeat their work in my summary below. Some key
areas of work for our Department in FY ’22:
•Permitting and Development Activity: [see the Development Review Board’s report for a more complete discussion of
their work]
o Activity in City Center: Construction and occupancy of buildings in City Center moved ahead at a strong pace, on
Garden Street, Market Street, Williston Road, and Quarry Hill Road. Together these buildings, combined with recent
work establishing City Center Park, opening the Library / City Hall, and infrastructure work are building South
Burlington’s long-envisioned City Center.
o Commercial/Industrial activity. Final approval was issued, and construction began on two large manufacturing
facilities in the City: a second OnLogic building in Technology Park, and a second Beta Air facility at the south end
of the Airport.
30 FY22 Annual Report
o Kennedy Drive / O’Brien neighborhood. Construction continued on the O’Brien Hillside neighborhood, with much of
Phase I now complete. The next phase, consisting of multi-family homes and a road connection to Kennedy Drive
north of the first phase, received approvals and is expected to have its first two buildings under construction in FY
’23. The following phase, O’Brien Eastview, received its preliminary approval from the Development Review Board
in FY ’22 and had begun their final plat review for 155 homes, mixed use & industrial lots, and park space.
o Residential conservations. A trend of conversions of existing buildings continued this year. Among the, the former
comfort suites hotel off Shelburne Road received approval and began construction on a conversion to 74 homes.
•Planning Projects. [See Planning Commission and Climate Action Plan Task Force Report for additional detail]
o Climate Action Plan. Early into FY ’23, the City Council adopted its first-ever Climate Action Plan, setting sector-by-
sector targets and identifying High Impact Actions to meet the Council’s resolution committing the community to
the goals of the Paris and complement the State’s Climate Action Plan. This Plan was the result of tremendous
work of a volunteer Task Force, consultant work by the CCRPC, and City staff input and participation throughout.
o Amendments to the Land Development Regulations: See the Planning Commission’s Report for a detailed
discussion of the substantial overhaul of several sections of the City’s Land Development Regulations. In brief,
however,o The City Council adopted an overhaul of the City’s Environmental Protection Standards, Planned Unit
Development, Subdivision, Civic Space, and Master Plan standards in February 2022.
o In May 2022, the Council adopted a further amendment establishing a “General PUD” type applicable in
mixed-use and industrial areas, and established Site Amenity requirements for new development
o In June 2022, the Planning Commission advanced the next round of amendments to a public hearing:
expansion of the City’s Transfer of Development Rights Program to extend receiving areas to mixed-use
areas within the City’s Transit-served area [this amendment was later adopted by the Council in November
2022]
o Comprehensive Plan. Towards the end of FY ’22, the Planning Commission and staff began work to update the
City’s Comprehensive Plan. The bulk of this work will be done in FY ’23 in preparation for re-adoption of the Plan
prior to February 2024.
o All Hazards Mitigation Plan. City Staff from multiple departments collaborated with other towns in the Region to
update the multijurisdictional all-hazard mitigation plan.
o Bicycle & Pedestrian Infrastructure Planning. Staff from multiple departments worked with the Chittenden County
Regional Planning Commission to complete scoping studies for bicycle-pedestrian projects at several locations
throughout the city.
Qualitative Summary & Data
FY ‘21 FY ‘22
All Issued Permits 1028 952
Zoning Permits 458 460
•The Planning and Zoning Office issued a total of 952 permits and certificates of compliance / occupancy in FY 22.
Zoning permits were approximately equal to FY ’21 in numbers, though the types were somewhat different. Fewer
Certificates of Compliance, which are issued at the time of sale or refinance of a home were sought, reflecting the
tight housing market and beginnings of increased interest rates.
•Residential construction increased this year compared to the previous year. In FY ’21, the department issued
permits for 135 new homes, a figure just slightly below our 40-year average. In FY ’22, this figure jumped to 312
homes, one of our highest years every. Below is a table of new homes’ permit (by calendar year) from 1980 to
present:
31 FY22 Annual Report
•Types of housing: The majority of the City’s new housing, for many years now, has been multi-family (3+ homes in a
building). The table below shows how over the past 20 years, multi-family housing has grown from about 30% of
our total to close to 45%, while single family homes have dropped by two-thirds of our total to just shy of 50%.
Each year we remind residents of the need to obtain a zoning permit when making repairs or renovations which exceed
$5,000 OR if you are changing the footprint of your home (deck, porch, sunroom, etc.) regardless of cost, as well as any
accessory structure (shed, detached garage, etc.) also regardless of cost. If you have any questions about whether your
project requires a permit, please contact the Planning & Zoning office at planning@sburl.com or call 846-4106.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Net Added Homes Annually
By Zoning Permits Issued, CY 1980-2022*
*Through November 2022
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
As of
2000
20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Housing Types as a Proportion of Citywide Total Homes
Multi-Family Duplex Single-Family Congregate
32 FY22 Annual Report
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
•Continue to provide top-level customer service for all users
•Provide consistent, objective, and thorough development review and enforcement services
•Prepare update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan for completion in early FY ‘24
•Update to the City’s Land Development Regulations including expanding Transfer of Development Rights receiving
areas, update transportation demand management standards, adjust City Center Form Based Codes as needed, and
identify areas from recent amendments that need modification
•Complete adoption and begin implementation of Climate Action Plan
•Complete and adopt Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan
•Complete update to the City’s Transportation Impact Fees
•Continue to foster smart development in the City Center area
•Develop integrated work plans across committees & departments using the Comprehensive Plan as the foundation
•Provide staff and Board training to assure we maintain the top department in the State
•Continue digitization of documents and processes
•Support capital project scoping, design, and permitting
A Final Note:
I would like to personally thank each and every person who we have worked with this past year. The effort to provide the full
spectrum of services and be nimble to meet the unique challenges of the pandemic was, and remains, herculean. To our
staff, Kelsey Peterson, Marla Keene, Betsy Brown, Dalila Hall (who we were sad to see go in June ’22) and Marty Gillies
(who we welcomed in September ’22), thank you. Your dedication, professionalism, and caliber of work are second to none.
To our volunteers through various boards and committees, your service to the community, is hugely appreciated. And to all of
our community members, thank you for your support; it remains an honor and a pleasure to serve this great City.
33 FY22 Annual Report
Police Department (Including Dispatch)
Department Overview
The police department celebrated the retirement of key members of the senior leadership team in FY 22. We also
said farewell to our long time Community justice Center Executive Director Lisa Bedinger. The department has
faced severe staffing shortages related to vacancies, injuries, and deployment. All of these factors led to a
consolidation of some duties in terms of “divisions” of the police department.
The department is currently functioning within the following structure: Patrol Division, Administration, and the
Community Justice Center.
The patrol division is led by Lt. Chris Bataille who has been with the organization since 2011. The patrol division is
staffed with eighteen employees who provide police services to the city twenty-four hours per day each day of the
year. The patrol division is carrying five vacancies due to the aforementioned reasons.
The administration division of the police department is led by Lt. Gregg Jager who has been with the organization
since 2004. The administration division of the police department is responsible for our Emergency Dispatch
Center, Records Division, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Youth Services, Training and Recruitment and a Human
Trafficking Case Manager. The administration division is carrying three vacancies.
The Community Justice Center is led by Josef Lavanway who began in his role in May of 2022. The Community
Justice Center provides restorative practice to resolve crime and disorder, parallel justice for those community
members effected by crime, and conflict mediation services.
The department responded to 10,731 total incidents in FY 2022 and operated within the approved budget of
$5,273,261.62.
Accomplishments – Qualitative Data
Recruitment and retention of staff was a priority in FY 2022. As mentioned above, the department celebrated a
number of retirements but at a time when police applicants were few. The police department recruits for and
facilitates the hiring processes for police officer and dispatch candidates. The department was able to hire three
police officers and one dispatcher during FY 2022. For reference, dispatch remained adequately staffed, the
number of sworn officers hired simply did not keep pace with attrition.
34 FY22 Annual Report
The following graphic illustrates the workforce challenges we experienced related to sworn officer staff. These
trends are consistent with those seen nationally in policing:
The department also invested in our employee wellness program during FY 22. The department trained additional
peer support employees and made a major investment in the gym located within police headquarters. These
investments have proven valuable as it relates to maintaining a healthy and resilient work force.
Lastly, the department launched a body worn camera program in FY 22. Body worn camera technology has
improved criminal investigations, provided keen insight to use of force applications, and enhanced transparency in
operations. The success of our body worn camera program can largely be attributed to how our professional staff
embraced the technology. This technology has brought the department fully into the realm of 21st Century Policing
and will serve a major role in meeting community expectations – nationally, body worn camera footage has
become ubiquitous.
Quantitative Data
In April of 2022 diminishing levels of sworn officers led to a process, aimed to identify the most effective patrol
schedule in terms of deployment and work life balance. Department management and the bargaining unit
identified a 12-hour patrol schedule which offered the desired staffing levels on each shift while providing a fixed
days on / days off rotation. The parties entered into a MOU and the new patrol schedule was operationalized.
35 FY22 Annual Report
This operational shift has been positive, and this schedule will remain in effect until FY 2024. Prior to the 12-hour
schedule patrol officers worked a 10-hour work schedule. The 12-hour schedule does create hardships for some
employees and the organization is committed to filling the ranks of the department to best deliver on our
commitment to providing excellent work life balance for our team.
The department has experienced a number of changes in operational demands and incident types over the past
four years. In terms of raw incident count, the agency has seen an overall decrease in the number of incidents and
arrests:
The reduction of raw incident numbers and arrests appear to be related to two things: officers’ available and the
complexity of prevailing incident types. Both factors cut drastically the amount of time officers have for proactive
enforcement. Nearly every incident originates in patrol. Despite the reduction in incidents, the incident per officer
rate has increased 8% over the four-year period due to low staffing.
The following illustrations show the trends related to criminality and investigations over the previous four fiscal
years:
FY Incidents Arrests
FY 2019 13401 1085
FY 2020 13307 1033
FY 2021 12394 886
FY 2022 10731 698
36 FY22 Annual Report
As illustrated, the department is responding to more complex crime and disorder which consumes bandwidth, e.g.
33% increase in retail theft and 35% increase in larceny incidents in FY21-22. The instances of stolen vehicles,
retail theft, larceny, domestic violence, and assault are prevailing and consume resources in patrol and in many
cases involve detectives for follow up.
Traffic operations have been affected over the last four years by three major factors; a reduction in the officer(s)
assigned to the Traffic Safety Unit, patrol officer’s availability to spend time on discretionary enforcement in
general, and the controversy around traffic stop data as it pertains to racial disparities.
40 18 38 48171633 28272360 87
286 258
354
545
323 269 286
370
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Investigation Required
Burglary Death Investigation Stolen Vehicle Larceny Retail Theft
148 131
174 176
44 37 50 63
6 16 33 17
0
50
100
150
200
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Crimes Against Person
Domestic Assualt Sex Crimes
37 FY22 Annual Report
The organization has seen a drastic reduction in the number of traffic stops conducted FY 19-22. This reduction
accounts for lower arrest statistics when the data is examined for the number of DUI arrests and arrests for
driving with a suspended license. What is becoming more of a concern, the potential correlation between reduced
traffic stops numbers and a rising crash rate. This area of operations is under scrutiny with the objective of looking
for strategies to increase our traffic enforcement in ways that are consistent and legitimate in the eyes of the
community - this work still hinges on the availability of officers to carry it out.
FY 23 Goals and Priorities
The department is focused on recruitment and retention of staff. We aim to recruit six new police officers in FY
23. In terms of retention, the department is focused on training opportunities and other investments we can make
in our current team. These investments serve to feed the intrinsic motivations of our staff and enhance the
expertise of the police services we provide the community.
The department is also committed to leadership development. The retirement of several senior leaders gave way
to both opportunities and challenges as succession planning was not adequate enough. The department has
engaged in a leadership development path and will evaluate the rank structure with an eye on both succession
and efficiency planning.
Recent call data analysis and development in the city has identified a need to look at the current size of the police
department. The department aims to evaluate the size of the police force through an evidence-based process.
Lastly, the department aims to refine our 21st Century Policing practices and continue to deliver excellent service
to the community. It is my distinct honor to serve the City of South Burlington as your Police Chief, your feedback
is always welcome via our web site compliment complaint link.
Respectfully submitted,
Shawn P. Burke
Chief of Police
1703
2059
1042
472
811 703 516 656500398354316
61 85 47 31
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Traffic Operations
Traffic Stops Crashes MV Complaint DUI
38 FY22 Annual Report
Department of Public Works
Departmental Overview
Department Managerial Staff:
Tom DiPietro Director 16 years with the city
Adam Cate Deputy Director of Operations 12 years
Dave Wheeler Deputy Director of Water Resources 7 years
Erica Quallen Deputy Director of Capital Projects Started with City in July 2022
Bob Fischer Wastewater Superintendent 7 years
Jay Nadeau Drinking Water Superintendent 14 years with CWD
Marisa Rorabaugh Stormwater Superintendent Started with City in Nov. 2022
Department Divisions and their Responsibilities:
Highway Division - 14 employees
•Maintain the City’s public infrastructure including roads and sidewalks, traffic signals,
streetlights, wastewater collection system, street signs, and pavement markings.
•Conduct field inspection of all roadway construction work in the city
•Maintain the City’s fleet of vehicles and equipment
FY22 Expenditures: Budget: $3,221,317.45 Actual: $2,862,913.16
FY22 Revenues: Budget: $1,550,386.00 Actual: $1,171,630.89
Parks Division - 5 employees
•Maintain the City’s parks and shared use paths
•Manage the City’s urban forest and forested parks
•Support the Recreation Department as their operational staff
FY22 Expenditures and Revenue line items included under Highway Division
Stormwater Division - 5 employees
•Maintain the City’s stormwater infrastructure and manage the daily operations of the
Stormwater Utility
•Design and construct stormwater treatment projects and other improvements
•Comply with federal, state, and local stormwater regulation
FY22 Expenditures: Budget: $6,019,628.95 Actual: $5,274,228.46
FY22 Revenues: Budget: $6,019,629.00 Actual: $5,470,390.88
Wastewater Division - 7 employees
•Operate the City’s two wastewater treatment facilities: Airport Parkway and Bartlett Bay
•Perform lab analysis of each facility’s treated effluent to ensure permit compliance
•Maintain three dozen sewer pump stations and miles of pressurized sewer pipe
39 FY22 Annual Report
FY22 Expenditures: Budget: $4,934,246.84 Actual: $5,312,118.26
FY22 Revenues: Budget: $4,873,744.00 Actual: $5,523,007.03
Water Division - 8 employees
• Contracted employees from Champlain Water District serve as our Water Division
• Operate the City’s water system, including lines, hydrants, valves, and lift stations
• Maintain compliance with federal and state drinking water regulations
FY22 Expenditures: Budget: $2,968,326 Actual: $2,884,177.98
FY22 Revenues: Budget: $2,968,326 Actual: $2,956870.90
FY22 Department Budget Summary – Overall the DPW’s FY22 budget was $17,143,519 and expenditures came in
at $16,333,437.
Accomplishments and Events
Sewer Division:
• Continued with preliminary engineering work related to upgrade of the Bartlett Bay Wastewater
Treatment Facility. State regulations require engineering analysis of existing facility and upgrades
every twenty years. The Bartlett Bay facility was last upgraded in 1999 and current plans
anticipate that the next upgrade will occur in 2025.
• Valley Ridge pumpstation was completely rebuilt with new pumps, controls, and related
components.
• Wastewater flowing to the Airport Parkway and Bartlett Bay wastewater treatment facilities carried
with it 83,169 lbs of phosphorus (P). The treatment plants discharged only 319 lbs of P to the
environment. This equals only ~0.015 lbs of P discharged per resident.
• The Van Sicklen pump station was upgraded with new pumps and control panel.
• The Oak Creek Village pump station was upgraded with new pumps and larger diameter pipe to improve
flows.
• The Wastewater division received five awards during 2022. The Airport Parkway Facility and Bartlett Bay
Facility were both awarded the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Gold Peak
Performance Award, Will Sheffer was awarded the Green Mountain Water Environment Association
(GMWEA) Wastewater Operator Excellence Award and Bob Fischer was awarded the American Public
Works Association (APWA) Professional Manager of the Year in Water Resources for the New England
Chapter and the National Association.
Highway Division:
• Despite an increase in the price of asphalt, the highway division managed to crack fill, mill, re-pave and
line stripe all or sections of: Barber Terrace, Peterson Terrace, Lynn Avenue, Airport Parkway, Queen City
Park Road, Spear Street, Green Mountain Drive, Swift Street Extension, IDX Drive, Arbor Road, Larch
Road, Newton Avenue, Whatley Road, West Twin Oaks Terrace, Lyons Avenue, Gregory Drive, Whiteface
Street, Mountain View Boulevard, and Victory Drive.
40 FY22 Annual Report
• Public Works began the process of replacing Ash trees in the City right of way in advance of the emerald
ash beetle’s imminent arrival.
• Purchased and placed a new full size plow truck with salt saver plow into service.
• Construction was completed on the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crosswalk on Kennedy
Drive at W Twin Oaks Terrace.
• Engineering design work continued for shared use path projects on Spear Street between Swift Street
and the UVM Agricultural Science building and on Dorset Street from Sadie Lane to Old Cross Road.
Water Division:
• Continued with the installation of radio read units connected to all water meters to reduce the amount of
time required to manually read meters, avoid misread meter reporting, and provide more real time
readings.
• Completed required routine maintenance including operating over 1,500 main line water gate valves and
flushing all fire hydrants in the city.
• Worked toward completing an asset inventory of all water infrastructure including over 950 fire hydrants
and nearly 1,500 gate valves.
• Inspected new development plans and construction of water infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable
water distribution.
• Responded to water leaks in a proactive manner to avoid unnecessary water loss and greater
infrastructure damage.
• Upgrade of almost all meters over 3” in size to ensure better meter reading accuracy.
• Replacement of many customers’ outside shut-off valves that have failed due to age
Stormwater Division:
• Completed construction of the Muddy Brook Culvert replacement project on Kimball Avenue at the City’s
border with Williston.
• Received two grants for the construction of the Burlington Country Club Gravel Wetland project. One grant
was obtained from the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the other was a Clean Water
Design/Implementation Block Grant, administered by the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission.
• Received a Design/Implementation Block Grant for the design of distributed stormwater infiltration
systems to treat the stormwater runoff from Logwood Street, Forest Street, Mills Avenue, Airport Road
and a section of Williston Road.
• Received additional funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the design of stormwater
treatment systems that will bring 12 sites into permit compliance with the recent 3-9050 permit (aka the
3-Acre rule).
Qualitative Summary & Data
A main focus of the Department of Public Works’ winter operations over the past few years is to monitor and
reduce the amount of salt that we need to use during winter storm and road de-icing events. Past investment
allows us to accurately track the amount of salt that our fleet uses when plowing and salting roads. On-going
investment in technology and equipment has allowed us to drive down the amount of salt and liquid de-icer used
41 FY22 Annual Report
in order to ensure the safety of the traveling public. This also saves the City money on salt. Figure 1 shows the
cost of road de-icer used by lane mile travelled each year.
Figure 1 – Cost of De-Icer Per Lane Mile Travelled
At this time, the city has 9 trucks capable of applying liquid de-icer at the salt spinner, 6 trucks that have plow
blades equipped with rubber cutting edges, and 3 trucks outfitted with “Salt Saver” plows behind the main plow.
As we move forward, we plan to replace older trucks with new vehicles that have these improved technologies
and further drive down the amount and cost of salt needing during the winter.
The South Burlington Stormwater Utility (SBSU) continues to successfully engineer and construct capital
improvement projects that capture and treat stormwater runoff. The SBSU also repairs and replaces undersized
culverts in the city. This work is achieved using the stormwater fees paid by all developed property in the City.
SBSU staff has also been very successful at obtaining grant funding to support these efforts. To date, the SBSU
has been awarded over $12.6M in grant funding (Figure 2).
42 FY22 Annual Report
Figure 2 – Grant Funding Obtained by South Burlington’s Stormwater Utility Since its Inception
South Burlington wastewater division staff take great pride in the operation of the City’s two wastewater
treatment plants and three dozen pump stations. Regular maintenance and upgrade of pump stations ensures that
wastewater generated from South Burlington’s residents and businesses reach one of our treatment plants
without incident. Investment and upgrade at our treatment facilities ensures that the wastewater received is
treated to the highest level before discharging to Lake Champlain. During 2021 (half of the City’s FY22 fiscal year)
83,169 lbs P arrived at one of our treatment plants, but only 319 lbs were discharged to the environment (Figure 3).
$12,668,857.00
$0.00
$2,000,000.00
$4,000,000.00
$6,000,000.00
$8,000,000.00
$10,000,000.00
$12,000,000.00
$14,000,000.00
2005 2010 2015 2020
CUMULATIVE GRANT FUNDING RECEIVED
BY SOUTH BURLINGTON STORMWATER UTILITY
43 FY22 Annual Report
Figure 3 – Phosphorus Removed by South Burlington Wastewater Treatment Facilities
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
• Begin final engineering of the Bartlett Bay wastewater treatment plant refurbishment project. Provide
information to the public for a bond vote in support of this project.
• Complete a rate study to evaluate wastewater and drinking water rates in South Burlington.
• Begin work to inventory all drinking water service lines in South Burlington and identify any lead
piping. Completion of this inventory is a new federal requirement.
• Complete preliminary engineering work related to an increase in water storage in the City’s high
service area.
• Continue to upgrade radio water meter-reading units with the goal of completing the program in
2024.
• Continue to upgrade all water meters over 25 years old. Complete upgrading aged and large water
meters that contribute to water loss.
• Continue to replace aging water assets including fire hydrants and main line gate valves.
• Work toward the development of a formal asset management program within the Water Division.
• Continue to assist South Burlington property owners as they work to comply with the State’s 3-9050
stormwater permit. Many of South Burlington’s neighborhoods have expired stormwater permits and
treatment systems that will require upgrades based on the recently released Vermont 3-9050 permit.
• Continue the design of twelve (12) projects designed to achieve compliance with the new 3-9050 (3-
Acre) stormwater permit.
44 FY22 Annual Report
• Complete construction of the Burlington Country Club Gravel Wetland and the Lindenwood
Stormwater project.
• Put three stormwater projects out to bid, including the Kennedy Drive Pond 2 Stormwater Upgrade
Project, the Kennedy Drive Pond 7 Upgrade Project, and the BBSTS Expansion Project.
• Secure construction funding for the Irish Farm Stormwater Project.
• Develop a plan for installation of electric vehicle charging stations at the DPW building.
• Complete upgrade of traffic signals on Dorset Street from Williston Road to Kennedy Drive.
• Update the City’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) data.
• Develop an initial draft of a public works standards and specifications document.
45 FY22 Annual Report
Recreation and Parks Department
Departmental Overview
Department Staff:
Holly Rees Director Hired 2011
Brett Leonard Recreation Specialist Hired 2015
Travis Ladd Special Projects Coordinator Hired 2016
Rebecca Isham Senior/Adult Recreation Specialist Hired 2021
Nick Pillsbury Recreation Specialist Hired 2022
Function/ Department Vision:
The mission of the Recreation and Parks Department is to enhance positive community connections by providing
quality active/passive recreation space and programs for the community to play, learn and grow. We aim to foster
a supportive and constructive environment that embrace equity through inclusive decision making and mindful
daily actions.
FY 2022 Budget
Budget Actual +/-
Revenues: $243,100 $132,000 -$111,100
Expenses: $642,000 $520,000 -$122,000
CIP: $35,000 *$65,000 + $40,000
*Decision to create pickleball facility in addition to the court renovation with an accrual of $20K from FY21 CIP
Accomplishments and Events
Launched Senior Center: The Senior Center had a soft opening in September with the first meal being served in
October. The program supports two weekly dine in meals as well as daily fitness, leisure arts and social
opportunities. While the meal is provided through donation, we care committed to keeping nearly all daily
offerings of the senior center free; though there will be nominal fees for trips and special events/activities.
Launched new registration platform: Built and launched a new registration platform that would pair seamlessly
with our website. This intuitive software is proven to be user friendly; requiring less assistance directly to the
public. Through a variety of fun and engaging community outreach opportunities; we were able to grow our user
list from 0-3,600 registered participants on the new Civic Rec platform.
46 FY22 Annual Report
Filled staffing vacancy: A second Recreation Specialist programming position had been vacant since in inception
of COVID. In February we hired Nick Pillsbury to support ongoing youth and athletic programs as well as support
specialty events.
ACCD Grant- Illuminate Vermont: Awarded a $35K grant in February for the creation of a new regional event to
draw visitation to the city and highlight area businesses. Concepts for a two-day outdoor winter festival to take
place in December of 2022.
Qualitative Summary:
Indoor Recreation Space
•Refreshed presentation to City Council in October
•Public feedback shared concern of location:
o Needing to be on a bus line
o Explore rehabilitation of exist structure
•Stayed on the project list but not a priority project for coming FY23
Reconcile Long Deferred Capital Improvements
•Presented to City Council in December; $1.5 million in deferred maintenance projects
•Coordinated project management for completion of park projects to include:
o Overlook Park Plantings
o Szymanski Court Rehabiliation
Detail and Fund Sustainable Structure for Department
•Determined that the Welcome Center position(s) would support administrative functionality and serve as
first point of contact for the department. Supports with walk in questions and registrations as well as
phone support
•Title changes in the Department from Special Projects Coordinator to Operations and Event Specialist
•Reviewing needs of structure after dual Recreation Specialist positions have been filled for one year
Improve coordination of Parks Maintenance through Recreation and Parks Department
•Worked with DPW staff to advocate for additional full-time maintenance staff in FY23 budget
•Directed workflow of athletic maintenance staff to ensure customer expectations
•Advocated for the need of maintenance plans for all our parks
•Coordinated with DPW staff to review any new park opportunities and evaluated the ability to take on
more responsibility without more staff
Increase Larger Community Engagement Opportunities through Sponsorship
•Applied for and received ACCD grant for winter community event
•Preparations for Illuminate Vermont (Dec 16 and 17- Market Street)
Enhance Senior Center Engagement
•Build out schedule for Mon-Friday programming 8:30-4:00
•Two meals per week with an average of 25 in attendance
•Specialty events calendar to include Harvest Meal, Holiday Meal, Spring Brunch, Summer BBQ
•Built sustainable volunteer program to support Wednesday and Friday meals
47 FY22 Annual Report
Collaboration with Library for Comprehensive Community Program Inventory Outreach
•Shared event of star gazing
•Worked together on a proposal for join remote service delivery van
•Coordinated marketing efforts; library staff come to one senior lunch per week
•Defined programmatic divisions of Senior Center
•Share in patrol policies and supporting underserved populations
•Installation of little lending libraries at four parks
Purchase and Implement New Registration Platform
•Built platform
•Completed training with IT
•Launched platform
•Marketed to Community
•Grew registration user group from 0-2,500
Dog Culture
•Worked with Friends of Dog Park Group to support events
•Further developed plan for Wheeler Dog Park
•Reviewed needs for improvements at Farrell Dog Park
•Developed and implement dog education signage around pathways
•Poop Fairy Event
•April Stools Day Event
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
Indoor Recreation Center
•Advocacy
•Location
•Funding
•Ballot Initiative
Reconcile Deferred Maintenance in the CIP
•Advocate for Bond
•Increase Annual CIP contribution expectation
•Seek alternative funding sources/grants
•Coordinate Project Management
Enhance Maintenance in Parks
•Develop annual safety audits
•Creation of weekly and monthly workflow check lists
•Implement Annual Spring Audit of Parks
48 FY22 Annual Report
•Identify national standards for FTE per developed acre of park land vs. open space
•Institute Parks Superintendent Position
Increase Community Event Inventory
•Creation of adult tournaments for scholarships: Cornhole and Kickball
•Additional Family Events: Dive in Movie at The Edge, Family Skate Night at Cairns
•Large Scale Engagement: Summer Farmer’s Market and Spring Parade
Implement Phase 2 of Senior Center Programming
•Implement driver program
Community Service Collaboration
•Coordinate Marketing efforts with Library
•Continued participation in Pop Events at CHT facilities
•Launch remote service delivery vehicle program in partnership with library
•Take lead in Green Up Day Initiatives with Service Groups celebration event
Passive Recreation Programs
•Initiate Parks Master Plan Process
•Creation of permanent story walk within recreation path inventory
•Research locations and funding for disc golf, sand volleyball, horseshoes & pump track
•Trails Identification and Promotion Plan- Internship Opportunity
Develop Positive Dog Culture
•Work with Friends of Dog Park Group to support events
•Opening of Wheeler Dog Park
•Improvements to long standing water issues/fencing at Farrell Dog Park
Program Inventory Growth
•Preschool: Tykes Scramble event and gymnastics, dance, art, karate programs
•Youth: Creation of Positive Youth Sports Alliance
•Teen: Creation of Recreation Teen Council with SBHS
•Adult: Indoor and Outdoor League Play, Trivia Nights, Paint and Sips
•Nature; Hikes, Talks, Walks, Kayaking
•Engage in robust intern program to support program implementation
49 FY22 Annual Report
Equity
•Increase scholarship funding through the budget
•Fundraising efforts to enhance scholarship fund
•Review Program Pricing Pyramid to include level of free programming
•Collaborate with special Olympics for specialized programming
•Ensure new park amenity developments have accessibility measures
•Begin planning for “playground for all”
Support Community Access of Facilities and Resources
•Senior Center Rentals
•Support Marketing Wheeler House Rentals/Events
•Promote Bandshell and Pavilion Rentals
Increase Community Garden Capacity
•Identify additional sites in the community
•Work with Parks Staff to ensure capacity to install and support additional gardens
•Create official Community Garden Handbook with FAQ’s
•Create volunteer job description for Garden Stewards
Recreation and Parks Contributions to the Comprehensive Plan
•Review existing comprehensive plan
•Recommend changes/additions from Recreation and Parks perspective
50 FY22 Annual Report
BOARD & COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Affordable Housing Committee
Committee Overview
The Affordable Housing Committee’s mission is to increase the availability of safe and affordable housing in
the city, particularly for households with incomes no greater than 80% of the median for the region. To this
end, it provides guidance and policy recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council,
educates the community about housing needs, and collaborates with regional municipalities and housing
partners. For additional information, please visit:
https://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/government/city_committees_boards/affordable_housing_committee.p
hp
Members: Term
Janet Bellavance 2024
Leslie Black-Plumeau 2024
Vince Bolduc 2023
Sandra Dooley (Vice-Chair) 2025
Ariel Jensen-Vargas 2024
Patrick O’Brien 2022
Darrilyn Peters 2024
Minelle Safur-Adu 2022
John Simson 2023
Chris Trombly (Chair) 2023
Thank you to Minelle Safur-Adu and Patrick O’Brien for volunteering their personal time and contributions to make
South Burlington a more affordable place to live.
Accomplishments
Committee met 16 times in the fiscal year 2022.
Policy recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council:
●Issued policy recommendation to Planning Commission and City Council regarding the impact
of the proposed land development to housing affordability.
●Testimony at Planning Commission and City Council meeting regarding Land Development
Regulation rule changes and the impact to housing affordability.
●Participation in the Climate Action Task Force with appointed member
●Advocacy to re-legalize housing up to quadplex in Southeast Quadrant after they were
downsized as part of Interim Zoning/Land Development Regulations. Maximum density on
small SEQ lots were reduced from 4 units per acre to 1.8 units per acre with no discussion.
●Workgroup tasked with reviewing zoning barriers to develop vacant and underutilized
properties within transit overlay district.
●Review ARPA rules and how other communities have implemented.
52 FY22 Annual Report
● Joint development with the Housing Trust Fund to create an RFP from Affordable Housing
builders to leverage $1mm in ARPA fund awarded and make an high impact and transformational
investment in South Burlington.
Educates the community about housing needs:
● Received update from Planning Director on Land Development Rules and Interim Zoning
● Receive update on Summit Property affordable housing construction on Kennedy and Kimball.
● Received update from Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission – Regina Mahoney
on the ECOS report outlining housing, transportation, and health needs in the county.
● Received update on anti-racism bill in the House from bill author Minelle Safur-Adu
● Amendments for applicability of the Conservation, Infill, and Traditional Neighborhood
Development PUDs – Paul Conner
Collaborates with regional municipalities and housing partners
● Received updated from CVOEO on housing committee best practices
● Received update from VHFA and Habitat for Humanity regarding the merits of a Land Bank
program.
● Memo to Chittenden County Reginal Planning Commission “How to craft zoning regulations
that promote equity and address both the climate and housing crises.”
53 FY22 Annual Report
Board of Civil Authority & Board of Abatement
The governance and responsibilities of the South Burlington Boards of Civil Authority and Abatement are
established by state statute. The Board of Civil Authority hears appeals of assessed real estate value and
conducts all elections. The Board of Abatement hears requests from taxpayers for tax abatement under any of
seven criteria set out in state statute. The two most frequent abatement criteria used in South Burlington are for
fire loss and inability to pay. Inability to pay requests have been rarely granted and even then they are temporary.
These two Boards operate under quasi-judicial rules, acting to hear evidence from the City and the citizen and
render a decision in writing after a closed, deliberative session.
Board of Civil Authority and Board of Abatement are made up of all elected officials in the City:
Members
Justices of the Peace
Chris Shaw – Chair
Chris Trombly – Vice Chair
Carol Callea
Al Gross
Barbara Gross
Jason Kirchick
Maurice Mahoney
Patrick Mahoney
Bob Nowak
Kate Nugent
Corey Santorello
Michael Sirotkin
Michel St. Germain
Lynn Vera
Cecile Wagner
City Councilors
Tim Barritt
Tom Chittenden
Matt Cota
Meaghan Emery
Helen Riehle
City Clerk (Clerk of the Board)
Donna Kinville
54 FY22 Annual Report
Accomplishments and Events
• The Board of Civil Authority met 1 time during the fiscal year for election preparations and
election training.
• The Board of Civil Authority oversaw 1 election in FY 2022 which was the Town’s Annual Town
Meeting. The Board continued some COVID-19 restrictions and will keep them for all future
elections. Pens will be handed out at the check-in table and sanitized after each use. The flow of
the voters will continue to be one way to reduce everyone’s contact, and hand sanitizers and
masks are available at the polls.
• The Board of Civil Authority received 94 property value appeals and met 23 times to hear those.
The Board successfully heard all appeals that were not withdrawn by the appellant. Two of the
decisions made by the Board were appealed to the State Appraiser who upheld the Board’s
decision.
Qualitative Summary
The City of South Burlington Vision and Goal of “Affordability and Community Strong” to ensure transparent and
accessible government applies to both Boards. To accomplish this, the goals for the 2 boards include:
• Increasing the commitment of Justices of the Peace to Board responsibilities;
• Increasing Board member understanding of Vermont statutes related to the function of the
Boards;
• Ensuring appellants understanding of the appeal’s process;
• Providing comment on Board related legislation;
• Ensuring well-staffed and managed elections;
• Ensuring adequate financing for Board responsibilities, especially elections
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
• Completion of the Property Tax Assessment Appeals for residential and commercial parcels
• Assist the City Clerk with the Town Meeting Day election
• Acquire and maintain a Dominion Voting Systems high-speed scanner
• Explore expansion of the number of Justices of the Peace (presently 15) due to increased election
demands – through legislative action
• Encourage new legislation to streamline the time-consuming write-in tabulation on election days
so that excessive time is not spent on minutiae in the counting/tabulating process.(possibilities:
declared “write-in” candidacies, minimum count of all write-ins does not exceed lowest vote-
getter, “unknown” candidates-not-counted other than as “blank” (JP determination)).
55 FY22 Annual Report
• Advocate for essential funding and support for the City Clerk in the election, appraisal, and
abatement processes.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to the City Clerk Donna Kinville and her office. There has been incredible heavy-lifting amid the
movement of records and personnel to the new building! All is secure in a wonderful new facility. The Board
handled the extra work from the reappraisal process and sees continuing fluency with the elections as we
understand the new Dominion Voting Systems tabulators.
City Councilors, including Helen Riehle, Meaghan Emery, Tim Barritt, Matt Cota and Thomas Chittenden, were
indispensable help in the many hours and miles of the reappraisal appeal process – thank you so much!
We also wish to acknowledge the diligence and service of Justices of the Peace who are not continuing through
to next year. Corey Santorello has moved out of town. Kate Nugent has her hands full now as the newly-elected
Representative to the General Assembly from Chittenden-10 – congrats! Michael Sirotkin, after many years
representing us in the State Senate, gave up his space to a newcomer. Michael St. Germain was ever-present –
appearing for many last-minute needs of the Board. Carol Callea was equally solid in serving on the Board with
her fine legal mind. Thank you to these five especially as their talents and commitment will be missed.
56 FY22 Annual Report
Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
Committee Overview
The South Burlington Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee (SBBPC) is charged with advocating for the City’s new and
existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure including shared use paths, sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and
trails. SBBPC also advises City Council on matters concerning bicycle and pedestrian safety, policies, and current
and future operational needs. The SBBPC mission and duties has shifted in recent years and, as such, they have
adopted an updated Committee Charge which was adopted by City Council on November 21, 2022.
Members
Havaleh Gagne (Chair), Bob Britt (Vice Chair), Nic Anderson (Clerk), Amanda Holland, Ann Ellen Mason, Dana Farr,
Donna Leban, Doug Goodman, Joel Klug
City Staff Liaison: Erica Quallen, DPW Deputy Director of Capital Projects
Accomplishments and Events
Project Progress in FY22
•VTrans grant received to design and install 2 crosswalks on Williston Road at Pine Tree Terrace and near
Mills Ave.
•4 scoping studies received funding from the CCRPC through their Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
to be undertaken in FY 23. SBBPC meetings will be utilized as the platform for public meetings for 2 of
these projects.
•Crosswalk with RRFB on Kennedy Drive at W Twin Oaks Terrace was constructed.
•3 crosswalks were installed on Hinesburg Road at Ruth Street, Prouty Parkway, and the Awasiwi Trail
Crossing.
•Upper Allen Rd shared use path was constructed from Spear Street to Baycrest Drive.
•Kimball Ave shared use path over Muddy Brook was constructed during bridge reconstruction.
Progress Towards FY22 Priority Areas
Priority Area #1: Cultivate and maintain a network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that provides a safe and
accessible connection for all residents.
•Participated in FY23 CIP process and made recommendations on allocating Penny for Paths funds.
•Safety recommendations were made to DPW Staff and City Council, and DPW has responded by updating
striping and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) throughout the City.
•Members participated in the Queen City Park Road Scoping Study
57 FY22 Annual Report
• 10 bicycle and pedestrian projects currently ongoing, with at least 1 beginning construction in 2023.
Priority Area #2: Strengthen communication with the South Burlington community on bike and pedestrian network
needs, priorities, and successes.
• Committee members continue to attend meetings of other committees across the City and participate in
local and regional bicycle and pedestrian events
• Advised City Council on ways to improve interactions between vehicles and bicyclists
• Advocated to City Council in support of adding $30,000 budget line item for bicycle and pedestrian
maintenance.
• Published 32 articles in The Other Paper related to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and use.
• Hosted public meetings for multiple ongoing bicycle and pedestrian projects.
Priority Area #3: Promote a culture of using the bike and pedestrian network as a pleasant, safe, and easy
alternative for transportation to school, work, recreation and activities of daily living.
• Planning has begun for committee members to continue undertaking Safe Routes to School initiatives.
• Collaborated with Recreation and Parks Department to improve wayfinding on recreation paths.
• PeopleForBikes ranked South Burlington 82nd out of 565 Small Cities (85th percentile) in 2022. The
community received a Community Score of 48, with the average score of all 1,105 cities being 24.
Quantitative Data
Bicycle and Pedestrian Network
• Approximately 30 RRFBs were upgraded
• 148 crosswalks were inventoried by committee members
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
Goals
From the Comprehensive Plan: Create a bicycle and pedestrian friendly City with safe transportation infrastructure.
Priorities
Priority Area #1: Cultivate and maintain a network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that provides a safe and
accessible connection for all residents.
58 FY22 Annual Report
• ACTION: Engage closely with City Staff on the allocation of the Penny for Paths Fund as well as a
strategic plan for implementing priority projects.
• ACTION: Annually participate in the CIP process to ensure alignment with the Committee’s bike and
pedestrian infrastructure priorities.
• ACTION: Meet regularly with Dept. of Public Works to drive alignment on safety, maintenance and
network priorities.
• ACTION: Coordinate with the Recreation & Parks Dept. and appropriate City Committees to ensure City
trails are accessible and maintained.
• ACTION: In coordination with City Staff, monitor the condition of the bike and pedestrian network (paint,
signage, surface condition) and report maintenance concerns.
• ACTION: Participate in scoping studies, planning efforts, and development review applications that impact
bike and pedestrian modes of travel and monitor the integration of the preferred alternative or permit
condition through to construction.
• ACTION: Advance new crosswalk locations by working with City Staff to determine level of design and
funding necessary for installation.
• ACTION: Annually review and provide updates to the mapped data of bike and pedestrian infrastructure
(existing and proposed GIS datasets) to maintain an accurate record of the system.
Priority Area #2: Strengthen communication with the South Burlington community on bike and pedestrian network
needs, priorities, and successes.
• ACTION: Increase awareness of South Burlington as a bikeable, walkable city through community
outreach, digital/paper maps, signage and community surveys (People for Bikes and League of American
Bicyclists surveys).
• ACTION: Provide guidance to City Staff on the development and deployment of the Recreation Path
wayfinding package and regulatory signage.
• ACTION: Communicate bike and pedestrian network needs, priorities, successes through announcements,
events, meetings, digital/paper maps, and publicity.
• ACTION: Support City Staff in conveying the progress of projects funded by the Penny for Paths Initiative
with signage and announcements to indicate infrastructure improvements “coming soon” or completed.
Priority Area #3: Promote a culture of using the bike and pedestrian network as a pleasant, safe, and easy
alternative for transportation to school, work, recreation and activities of daily living.
• ACTION: Partner with Energy Committee and South Burlington schools to increase bus, public transit,
bicycle and pedestrian commuting for students, staff, and residents (statewide Way to Go School
program, Safe Routes to School program and Committee's Neighborhood to Schools Greenway pilot).
o Partner on efforts to annually promote and support the statewide Way to Go School Program and
schools registered with the Vermont Safe Routes to School Program.
o Continue the design and deployment of the Neighborhood to Schools Greenway Pilot to create a
safe route by foot or bike for middle and high school students to get to school from the Mayfair
Park and adjacent neighborhoods.
o Promote Bike to Work Week to encourage non-car transportation.
59 FY22 Annual Report
o Promote walk/bike to City Center (as building continues).
• ACTION: Collaborate with state and local agencies to explore novel ways to increase bicycle and
pedestrian safety by deprioritizing automobile transportation.
• ACTION: Participate on the City’s Climate Action Plan through a Committee liaison, cognizant of the
important role micro-mobility devices will play in a carbon-neutral future.
• ACTION: Identify partnerships to aid the education of all modes of travel (automobile, e-assist devices,
and non-motorized) on the rules of the road and use of the South Burlington network.
60 FY22 Annual Report
Climate Action Task Force
Mission:
The Climate Action Task Force is a task-oriented body stood up for the sole purpose of working with the
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) and the Vermont Climate Council to develop a Climate
Action Plan for the City of South Burlington. It is aligned to Resolution #2017-14A “City Council Resolution on
Climate Change” and Resolution #2022-10 “Resolution for Policymaking to Reduce Carbon Emissions and
Counteract Climate Change.”
Task Force Members:
Andrew Chalnick (Energy Committee/Planning Commission), Ethan Goldman (Energy Committee), Donna Leban
(Bike and Ped Committee), Michael Mittag (Planning Commission), Darrilyn Peters (Affordable Housing
Committee), Sriram Srinivasan (Economic Development Committee), Bill Wargo (Natural Resources and
Conservation Committee), Paul Conner (Non-voting City staff liaison), Helen Riehle (Non-voting City Council
liaison)
Chairperson: Ethan Goldman (Chairperson), Andrew Chalnick (Vice Chair)
Meetings: Met regularly from November 2021 through September 2022, typically twice per month.
Accomplishments
• Developed science-based targets for South Burlington’s community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions for the Climate Action Plan based on guidance from CCRPC consultants Melanie Needle
and Ann Janda, who utilized analysis from ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.
• Established a comprehensive list of recommended climate goals, pathways, and actions in the following
categories: Buildings/Thermal, Transportation/Land Use, Renewable Energy, Natural Areas, Non-energy
Sector (Waste), Government Operations, Small Engines, Adaptation and Resilience, and Agriculture/Food
Systems. The full list can be found in Appendix C of the Climate Action Plan.
• Prioritized a set of “high-impact actions” for each category as the primary focus for the city’s efforts.
• Adopted a GHG emissions inventory and reductions targets for the largest categories, based on
recommendations from the CCRPC consultants and their analysis in the ICLEI Clear Path tool.
• Reviewed multiple drafts of the Climate Action Plan from the CCRPC consultants and provided feedback
and edits.
61 FY22 Annual Report
• Gathered feedback from the public regarding the draft Plan, focus areas, and sentiments towards climate
change in general. This included in-person outreach at events such as SoBu Nite Out, Champlain Housing
Trust BBQs, and a presentation at City Hall. We also conducted an online survey, promoted through local
media channels, that received more than 100 responses.
• Approved a final version of the Climate Action Plan as prepared by the CCRPC consultants and submitted
to City Council. [Council then adopted the Plan in October 2022]
• Presented a summary of the Climate Action Plan to the City Council and, following adoption by Council, to
the City’s Staff Leadership Team.
• Provided two detailed priority action recommendations to the City Council: an ordinance to require
renewable heating systems in new buildings and a charter change to allow the city to regulate fossil fuel
use in existing buildings.
Upon Adoption of the Plan by Council, the charge of the Task Force was completed.
195,712
GWSA requirement: 26% reduction below 2005 levels by 2025
GWSA requirement: 40% reduction below 1990 levels by 2030 (SBT for 2030)
GWSA requirement: 80% reduction below 1990 levels by 2050 (SBT for 2050) -
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060Metric tons CO2 equivalentSouth Burlington's Historical GHG Emissions and Future Requirements
Science Based Target Scenario Business As Usual Scenario
62 FY22 Annual Report
Committee for Common Areas for Dog
Committee Overview
The Committee on Common Areas for Dogs shall be defined as any facet of community life pertaining to: the
interests, health and safety of dogs and citizens, including their presence in parks, on trails and in open spaces as
deemed appropriate, by approval of the South Burlington City Council.
Committee Members:
Betty Milizia Chair (3 yr term/ 2024)
Justin Palmer Vice-chair (3 yr term/ 2024)
Molly Besio-Joy (3 yr term/ 2024)
Linda Chaison (2 yr term/ 2023)
Muriel More (2 yr term/ 2023)
Mike Simoneau Rec & Parks liaison (1 yr term/ 2022)
Lisa Yankowski NRCC liaison (1 yr term/ 2022)
Accomplishments and Events:
•Provided staff with input on Wheeler Dog Park site application revision
•Received final Development Review Board approval of Wheeler Dog Park
•Met and provided input to local developer re. private dog park
•Submitted written “Recommendations for LDR/PUD “Site Amenities” requirements” to P&Z staff for PC
consideration (no further action taken)
•Drafted preliminary CCAD workplan for FY 22
•Developed guidelines for collecting data on “dog incidents” complaints
•Met with staff to:
o problem solve winter maintenance issues at Farrell Park (staff addressed)
o discuss possible strategies for mitigating water and facility issues (staff developed 2 options for
construction work. (Timeline TBD)
•Revised “dog park” rules to be used at Wheeler and Farrell Parks
•Adopted strategy to address sanitation issues associated with dog waste on public spaces:
o Reviewed strategies adopted by municipalities nationwide
o Conducted inventory and locations of city’s current dog waste bag stations
o Determined additional locations based on public spaces visited by people with dogs, as well as,
multi-use paths and trails they frequent
Quantitative Data:
Suggested Language for LDR’s and PUD’s
Residential developments/ neighborhoods/ apartment complexes:
63 FY22 Annual Report
• There is public signage communicating rules, expectations for dogs and people;
• The development includes amenities such as: common areas, open space, civic spaces, parks, trails,
recreation paths;
• The development has adequate open space to accommodate a dog park and/or pet waste stations;
• Single family home lots have adequate private space to accommodate dog waste;
• In smaller developments < 20-30 residences, there is common area (possibly a bench/ pocket or snip-it
park) shared by residents where dog waste station(s) can be located;
• Multi-unit, multi-level, residences have dedicated outdoor spaces “doggie bathrooms” and dog waste
station(s), if not, a small area dedicated to dogs, is provided;
• HOA is responsible for maintenance of common areas (including dog waste stations).
• Dog waste stations are amenities located in common areas, civic spaces, parks, trails, walking paths
where dogs and people are likely to be present;
• Dog waste stations are located on trails, recreation paths that intersect with neighborhood;
Commercial developments/ businesses:
• There is signage regarding the legal requirements / expectations for dogs visiting the business or
location;
• Outdoor areas where dogs are allowed, are encouraged to include a dog waste station;
• In the case of “infill” or re-development, a new dog park could be considered.
Dog “Mutt Mitt” Station Recommendations to City Council
The Committee on Common Areas for Dogs (CCAD) recommends the city increase the inventory of dog “Mutt Mitt”
(MM) stations in South Burlington, based on our current inventory, history of complaints and established practices
by municipalities across the nation. Studies estimate that dog waste is responsible for 20-30% of the bacteria
found in urban watersheds. It can also get into the air we breathe. Forty-three % of the Potash Brook Watershed
flowing into Lake Champlain travels through South Burlington. Addressing dog waste should be a priority for its
environmental impact, not dismissed as a minor nuisance.
While people should be responsible for cleaning up after their dogs, it is nearly impossible to “police” or “fine”
those who don’t. The most effective and manageable strategies adopted by municipalities nationwide are,
locating “MM” stations in frequently visited common areas and well-traveled pedestrian routes, along with waste
receptacles nearby. Many municipalities do educational campaigns. But nothing proves as effective as having
waste bags readily available and a receptacle to place them in.
In addition, municipalities, nationally, are encouraging private developers, businesses, HOAs to assume
responsibility for these amenities through zoning regulations and incentives. Despite, having no policy or
regulations to follow, here in South Burlington, the Eastwoods apartment complex on Farrell St provides residents
a small dog park to enjoy. Another is planned for the Hillside at O’Brien Farm on Old Farm Road. In addition, the
O’Brien apartments provide at least 1 bag dispenser in their neighborhood. Our community must to encourage new
residential developments to include neighborhood dog parks or relief areas. We must develop policies that provide
guidance as to what is appropriate for the various types of developments.
64 FY22 Annual Report
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
• Work toward increasing the amount of space available to off-leash opportunities for dogs.
• Develop plan for community education (signage, public meetings, media, classes).
• Gather community input on needs (targeted surveys, public meetings & events).
• Develop neighborhood groups/ stewardship (“Friends” groups, Park Rangers, etc.).
• Work with staff to revise and develop city ordinances and policies that support responsible dog
ownership, plan for dogs in public spaces, that ensure safety for everyone, sanitation to ensure enjoyment
for all.
• Assist in identifying the necessary resources to accomplish goals.
65 FY22 Annual Report
Development Review Board
Overview
Mission: The Development Review Board’s mission is set forth in State Statutes. It is responsible for holding
public hearings to consider proposals for land development, including applications for subdivisions, planned unit
developments, site plans, variances, and miscellaneous application, and to hear appeals of decisions of the City’s
zoning administrator. The Development Review Board’s objective is to determine compliance of proposals with the
city’s Land Development Regulations.
Members: Dawn Philibert, Chair; Dan Albrecht, Vice-Chair; Mark Behr, Clerk; Quin Mann, Frank Kochman, John
Stern, Stephanie Wyman. Members who served during the year but whose terms ended prior to June 30, 2021:
Elissa Eiring, Jim Langan.
Accomplishments & Events
Beginning August 3, 2021, the Board returned to in-person meetings with a remote participation option.
Beginning in June, 2022, and due to an increase in the number and complexity of Development Review
applications, the Board began to allocate a specific meeting review time for each application. This is intended to
ensure that all applications on the agenda are heard by the board during the meeting. Those that cannot be
adequately reviewed during the allocated time will be continued to a later date.
A significantly revised set of Land Development Regulations was adopted in February 2022, which seems to have
had the effect of shifting applications not involving subdivision of land from Planned Unit Development (PUD)
applications to site plan applications. PUD applications require a three-step review process within increasing
level of detail provided at each stage of review, while site plans are reviewed in a single application, requiring a
plan to be fully finalized before submission.
Below are some notable projects reviewed by the DRB over the past fiscal year.
Commercial Projects
•On December 21, 2021, the DRB reviewed sketch plan application #SD-21-27 for 835 Hinesburg Road.
The DRB provided the direction that the project was not compliant with the LDR warned November 10,
2021 and therefore concluded the meeting without discussion. The applicant was notified that if the draft
regulations were rejected, the Board would review the sketch plan application in more detail at the
request of the applicant.
•The DRB approved a master plan application of Beta Air, LLC for a four-phase PUD, including a 344,000-sf
manufacturing and office building, a 37,800-sf office and retail building, a 15,600-sf commercial building,
and an 85,000 sf flight instruction and airport use building on 37.6 acres. The approval included
stipulations as to order of phases in order to comply with parking regulations in effect at the time of
approval.
•The Board approved a preliminary and final plat application of Beta Air, LLC for the first phase of a master
plan, consisting of a 344,000-sf manufacturing and office building and approximately 2,400 ft of private
road.
•The DRB approved a minor expansion to the Beta Air, LLC hangar/office building at 1150 Airport Drive.
66 FY22 Annual Report
• The DRB began review of a site plan application of Beta Air, LLC for the second phase of a master plan,
consisting of a 24,000-sf hangar representing portion of the phase including at 85,000 sf flight instruction
and airport use building at 430 da Vinci Drive.
• The DRB approved site plan and conditional use application of the Burlington Tennis Court to add a third
platform tennis court.
• The DRB approved a site plan application of Reperio Properties to demolish an existing light
manufacturing and retail complex and construct a 4,480 extension to an existing childcare facility on the
adjacent lot at 1459 Shelburne Road.
• The DRB reviewed a sketch plan application of South Burlington City Center, LLC to subdivide the lands
south of Market Street and west of Garden Street into three lots.
• The DRB approved a final plat and a site plan application of Greenfield Capital, LLC to consolidate three
lots for the purpose of building a 130,790-sf manufacturing, warehouse and office building on the
resulting 19.81-acre lot at 443 Community Drive.
• The DRB reviewed a sketch plan application of UVM Medical Center to construct a one and a half story
84,000 square foot medical office on a 13.5-acre lot at 119 Tilley Drive.
• The DRB approved a minor building expansion for an existing auto sales building at 1795 Shelburne Road.
Residential Projects
• The Board approved a preliminary plat application of 600 Spear FJT, LLC, for 32 homes in four-family
buildings on 8.66 acres at 600 Spear St.
• The DRB reviewed a sketch plan application and approved a preliminary plat application of Rivers Edge
Building Development, LLC for 14 homes in two-family buildings in the 3.6 acre “Park Road Area” phase of
the Golf Course PUD.
• The DRB approved a final plat application of Green Mountain Development Group, Inc., for the
construction of 94 homes, of which are proposed to be inclusionary housing, in two multi-family buildings,
and construction of two City streets, at 255 Kennedy Drive. The approval is part of the O’Brien Hillside
development.
• The DRB upheld the decision of the Administrative Officer in an appeal of a zoning permit for site
improvements on a single-family lot at 410 Golf Course Road.
Municipal Projects
• The DRB approved a miscellaneous application of the City of South Burlington for a dog park on the
northwest corner of Wheeler Nature Park. The project involves impacts to Class III wetlands and wetland
buffers.
• The DRB approved a miscellaneous application of the City of South Burlington for stormwater upgrades
within a Class III wetland and wetland buffer at 239 Spear Street.
67 FY22 Annual Report
Quantitative Data
Decisions Issued Decisions Issued
Conditional Use (CU)1 6
Site Plan (SP)2 16
Subdivision (SD) 13
Subdivision (SD), Sketch 7
Master Plan (MP) 1
Design Review (DR) 0
Reconsiderations 1
Miscellaneous (MS) 2
Appeal of Administrative Officer (AO) 1
1. Includes 5 combined conditional use and site plan applications
2. Site plans issued by the DRB only.
514,481 sf of new commercial square feet approved
6 new lots created via final plat
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
• Provide input to Planning Commission and City Council in the effort to create clarity and consistency in
South Burlington’s land development regulations.
• Adapt to a new agenda format that allocates a specific amount of Board review time to each application
on the agenda. This will ensure that all applications on the agenda are heard.
• Continue to provide a timely review of applications
• Provide an impartial review of applications based on their compliance with the LDRs.
The Board is aware that residents of South Burlington have a range of perspectives about the balance of
preserving the natural environment with the need for adequate and affordable housing. As a quasi-judicial body,
the Board must apply the current LDR’s when making decisions about proposals. During the various steps of each
proposal’s review, the Board strives to provide feedback to applicants that will ultimately guide and shape the
evolution of proposed projects to be the best they can be consistent with the regulations. Public comments
provide useful input to the Board to consider in providing direction to applicants.
68 FY22 Annual Report
Economic Development Committee
The Economic Development Committee’s mission is to create a diverse and vibrant economy built on quality jobs,
employment centers along with a supportive educational and research system. The committee works in concert
with other committees, boards and economic development organizations to advise the council on ways to attract
new enterprises and maintain a diverse and vibrant economy. To this end, the committee provides guidance and
policy recommendations to the City Council, educates the community about economic initiatives, and collaborates
with regional municipalities around economic issues. The committee meets monthly to discuss economic
development issues and make recommendations.
Members: John Burton (Chair), Thomas Bailey, Michael Biama, Ken Linge, Linda Norris, Sriram Srinivasan,
Charles Johnston
Activity Summary:
●Provide input regarding proposed changes to the Land Use Regulations. Passed motion to encourage an
economic impact study to determine long-term effects.
●One member participated on the Airport Rezoning Taskforce and another participated on the Climate Action
Taskforce.
●Received periodic updates from the City Manager and other city committees.
●Participated in the Chittenden County Regional Planning Committee workgroup regarding a possible change to
Interstate 89.
●Provided input to the new owners of the University Mall regarding future improvements
●Made recommendations to the City Council on best use of ARPA funding
●Provided input on TIF program changes
●Worked with Ilona, UVM intern, UVM and CCRPC to started development of an economic dashboard to assist
with decision making and city planning. Encouraged City to hire future interns for data preparation and
research.
●Increased communication and dialog with area businesses and the South Burlington Business Association
●Considered economic issues of commercial cannabis and recommend a city vote to determine level of
community interest
●Initiated efforts to recruit and retain clean energy businesses
69 FY22 Annual Report
Energy Committee
Mission: to promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy resources among the
city's residents, businesses, and in municipal affairs.
Committee members: Andrew Chalnick, Kate Bailey, Steve Crowley, Keith Epstein, Ethan Goldman (Chair through
December 2021), Marcy Murray (Treasurer), Tim Perrin (Chair January 2022 forward), Ken Pulido, MJ (Mary Jo)
Reale (Vice-Chair January 2022 forward) and Sam Swanson. Andrew Chalnick and Linda McGinnis resigned from
the Committee during the fiscal year.
City staff: Ilona Blanchard staffed the committee and Lou Bresee (Energy Project Manager) was present at
meetings.
Chairperson: Ethan Goldman served July 2021 – January 2022. Tim Perrin served February 2022 – June 2022.
Meetings: met regularly from July 2021 – June 2022. In addition to regular monthly meetings, two special
meetings were held.
Accomplishments
Climate Action Plan (CAP) – two committee members, Ethan Goldman and Andrew Chalnick served on the
CAP Task Force. The Energy Committee received updates and provided feedback on Task Force progress and
CAP elements as needed.
Weatherization – a weatherization event was held in January with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic
Opportunity. The Committee coordinated with CVOEO and publicized the event in print and digitally.
Participation was online and in person at City Hall. The presenter relayed that participation compared well
with other events he has done.
Energy Efficiency
●Energy tracking – The Committee
worked closely with Energy Project
Manager to help identify projects to
pursue and best ways to assess
project success. The group worked
to determine ways to gather the
most precise data for tracking in
order to maximize taxpayer dollars
used for those projects that will
likely yield the greatest long-term
dollar and/or emissions benefits.
●Equipment Demonstration –
Committee supported a Vermont
Clean-Cities Coalition and Mow
Electric Vermont demonstration of
electric yard care equipment for
municipalities and commercial landscapers hosted in South Burlington’s Veterans Memorial Park.
Participants tried out new, commercial grade all-electric powered mowers and other lawn care
equipment.
Public Works (shown here: Adam Cate) tried out all-electric
equipment at the Electric Mower Demo Day in October 2021.
70 FY22 Annual Report
● Developments – The Committee weighed in on municipal energy projects managed by the Energy Projects
Manager, including the Honda Clarity lease energy calculations, monitoring the solar array on City Hall &
Library, and the Wheeler House heating upgrade that is now in the preliminary phase.
● POWER-D.city – Members of the Committee introduced this to City staff and the Committee offered its
unanimous support for the City to engage in the MOU to explore this software solution to help South
Burlington aggregate and track energy usage data for the community.
Community Engagement
● Solar Bike Shelter – a research project was undertaken with middle and high school students to gauge
interest in a solar powered bike shelter. Of the 127 SBHS survey respondents, 7.1% said they currently
bike to school, and 24.8% who don’t currently bike said they would if there were covered bike storage. Of
the 86 FHTMS respondents, 16.3% said they currently bike to school, and 37.8% who don’t currently bike
said they would if there were covered bike storage.
● Climate Action Plan support – Developed plans for community outreach at SoBu Nights out and senior
recreation events. The committee coordinated with City staff. Committee members and CAP Task Force
members were recruited as volunteers for the events. The goal is to let the community know about CAP
development and ask for their opinion on certain things.
● Website and Facebook -Committee transitioned Facebook from the Energy Prize page to a page with the
name South Burlington Energy Committee. The Energy Prize website was taken down and the committee
created a plan with city staff to migrate content to the city website under the “Sustainability” section.
ARPA Funds – the committee began the process of analyzing options for best uses of the ARPA funds. The
group created an overarching list of options on how to use the funds and worked to narrow down the
suggestions with the plan to produce a document to present to the City Council.
Revolving Fund and Work Plan – The Committee consistently monitored the balance of the Revolving Fund
and work plan for other potential projects that could be pursued utilizing the Fund. Revolving Loan Fund
started at -$61,000 to start the fiscal year and ended at +$59,000.
The Energy Revolving Fund balance was able to move from $ -60,000 to $60,000 due to proceeds from the
Landfill Solar Array netmetering on city meters and efficiency savings returned to the fund. By the close of the
fiscal year, the actual balance was $10,000 above the expected balance.
71 FY22 Annual Report
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
● Develop strategies, projects, and outreach that the committee will undertake to minimize energy usage by
residents, businesses, schools, and municipal departments by driving (a) energy efficiency of new and
existing buildings, (b) renewable energy generation and (c) low- and no-carbon transportation initiatives.
● Support the collection, analysis, and reporting of historical citywide greenhouse gas emissions. Support
development of or subscription to tools to track, compare and evaluate future emissions on a citywide and
project-by-project basis.
● Support more community events – weatherization events, energy education, etc.
● Expand communication (print and digital) to community about what energy committee and others are
doing to support CAP implementation, environmental stewardship, and energy efficiency.
● Support and facilitate a solar bike shelter at the high school or middle school.
● Outreach and education to low income and multifamily residential building owners to connect property
owners with resources they need to weatherize and solarize their properties.
One of six public two-port electric vehicle charging stations (total capacity: 12 chargers) that opened in FY
2022 - all installed at the new South Burlington Public Library and City Hall to expand accessibility to public
charging stations in the new downtown – supported by a state grant application driven by the Energy
Committee and secured in prior years.
72 FY22 Annual Report
South Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees
The South Burlington Library Board of Trustees is an appointed body that works closely with the Library Director to
develop goals and policies ensuring the library is meeting its mission and addressing community needs. This past
year, the Board was active in mapping out a strategic operational budget for the libraries new space and resulting
staff needs, supported staff through the transition into 180 Market Street and the reopening, assisted the Director
in updating policies to better fit the new situation, raised awareness of the programs and offerings of our public
Library, and led the charge on the annual appeal in collaboration with the South Burlington Library Foundation.
The Board meets monthly, and Trustees also serve on one of the following committees: Advocacy, Governance &
Nominating, Evaluation, or Finance. The Trustees also make up the South Burlington Library Foundation Board.
Trustees: Stacey Pape (Chair) – 2025, Patrick Leduc (Past Chair) – 2023, Ted Lenski (Vice Chair & Treasurer) –
2024, Margery Vagt – 2023, Lee Freeman – 2025, Anne LaLonde – 2023, Lauren Ballard Hatch – 2025, Penne
Tompkins – 2024, Kevin Morgenstein-Fuerst – 2025, Donna Swartwout (Secretary) – 2024, Rebecca Stazi – 2024,
Holly Painter – 2025
Accomplishments and events
In FY22, the Library Board met the following goals:
•Completed the Library’s Strategic Plan
•Supported staffing and operation needs to increase access to library and services. Ongoing
•Created several promotional videos for social media
•Formalized the annual giving campaign to support the library’s ongoing needs
•Evaluated possible large scale community events suitable to be hosted by the Public Library as a way to
increase engagement and bring additional value to the community. Library will participate with the Green
Mountain Book Festival and participate in Illuminate VT.
73 FY22 Annual Report
Quantitative Data
• As the Library Foundation, transferred $250,000.00 from the capital campaign to the city to assist in
covering costs for the new Public Library.
• Submitted an operating budget that met the financial goals of the City Council.
• Ran a successful annual campaign, with the help of the South Burlington Library Foundation, in support of
library projects.
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
• Plan a communications framework to take advantage of amplification opportunities
• Design and distribute a strategic plan brochure
• Support staffing and operation needs to increase access to the library and services
• Work closely with Foundation working group to engage the community in support of the library through an
annual fundraiser
• Review and update library policies
• Assist as needed with library events
74 FY22 Annual Report
Natural Resources and Conservation Committee
The mission of the South Burlington Natural Resources and Conservation Committee is to promote community
awareness and recommend policy, on behalf of natural resources, which contribute to the health, wellbeing, and
quality of life of current and future generations within the South Burlington community.
The Natural Resources Committee is guided by the following principles:
•Advise the City Council, Planning Commission, and Development Review Board on natural resource related
issues;
•Maintain awareness of the current status of our natural resources;
•Expand our knowledge base of conservation related issues;
•Monitor planned development or projects which may affect the status of our natural resources;
•Participate in natural resources policy development;
•Collaborate with other city-sponsored advisory bodies, community organizations and institutions;
Committee Members
TERM ENDS
Jean-Sebastien Chaulot, Chair 2025
Larry Kupferman, Vice Chair 2023
Lisa Yankowski, Clerk 2022
Linda Bailey 2023
Andrew Shatzer 2023
Michele Korpos 2025
John Bossange 2024
Katherine Boyk 2024
Accomplishments and Events
•Reviewed and provided recommendations on the LDR updates related to Environmental Protections
Standards & Conservation PUDs.
•Developed an outline for an Open Space Plan, including an inventory of open spaces.
•Participation in Weed Warrior Events
•Other Natural Resource & Conservation initiatives worked on:
o Reviewing LDRs as they pertain to Topsoil Conservation
o Updating Tree Ordinance to focus on tree canopy preservation/increase
o Land Acknowledgement
o Met with State to discuss use of Herbicides in railroad rights-of-way
o Met with City Arborist to discuss Emerald Ash Tree Border and Spongy Moth infestations
•Developed Strategic Work Plan
FY23 Goals and Priorities
•Support efforts to implement the Climate Action Plan.
•Review the Hubbard Recreation and Natural area
•Review Conservation opportunities
•Update Tree Ordinance
•Finalize Open Space Plan
•Develop an Ash Borer Mitigation Plan
75 FY22 Annual Report
Planning Commission
Overview
Mission: The Planning Commission’s mission is set forth in the City Charter and State Statutes. Among its powers
& duties are to prepare a plan and proposed bylaws for consideration by the City Council, undertake capacity
studies and make recommendations on matters of land development, transportation, economic & social
development, urban design improvements, historic & scenic preservation, and the conservation of energy &
natural resources, and to undertake projects requested by the City Council.
Meetings: Planning Commission meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at
7:00 PM. Multiple special meetings were added to this schedule to accomplish more work as enumerated below.
At the beginning of FY22 the Commission continued to hold all meetings virtually under the State’s emergency
open meetings law, and in August 2021 began to meet in person with a digital option available as well. The dual
format has been more flexible for public participation and allowing for Commissioners to more fully participate
when traveling or otherwise not able to attend in person.
Members: Jessica Louisos, Chair (4-years, 2024); Bernie Gagnon, Vice-Chair (3 years, 2024, served until April
2022); Monica Ostby, Clerk (3 years, 2025); Ted Riehle (4 years, 2024), Paul Engels (4 years, 2023), Duncan
Macdonald (4 years, 2023), Michael Mittag (3 years, 2023), Andrew Chalnick, (3 years, 2024, joined April 2022).
Accomplishments
Our community visioned the City we should be in the Comprehensive Plan, and although it is not fast, we are
changing our Land Development Regulations and City policies to reflect those visions. Listening to our citizens
and balancing the current and future needs of all our citizens is something our committee is proud to strive
for. There are many competing goods that take thoughtful planning to accomplish. Our small steps in each
recommendation for change to our laws are all moving toward our city having a better more thoughtful
future. The principles of Smart Growth do not always align with our traditional ways of doing things and that
change may not always be comfortable, but we are trying to move the City in the right direction.
The Planning Commission’s primary focus in 2022 was completion of work related to the City Council’s Interim
Zoning Bylaw, and specifically, updated Environmental Protection Standards, Planned Unit Developments
standards, subdivision, master plan, and related standards. This long project started in previous fiscal years and
has multiple interconnected parts. Land Development Regulation (LDR) changes adopted this year are as follows:
LDR amendments Adopted February 2022:
•LDR-20-01: Replace Surface Water Protection Standards with Environmental Protection Standards, including
existing 100-year floodplain, river corridor & stream buffer, wetland & wetland buffer, and stormwater
management standards; establish standards regarding 500-year (0.2%) floodplain, habitat block, habitat
connector, steep slope, and very steep slope standards; establish criteria to evaluate undue adverse effect;
and related amendments referencing the above-listed resources.
•LDR-21-02: Generally amend or replace existing Subdivision, Master Plan, Planned Unit Development (PUD),
Site Plan, Conservation PUD, Traditional Neighborhood Development PUD, Civic Space Types, Street Types,
Building Type, and related zoning district, procedural, and site plan standards
•LDR-20-08: Modify required setbacks applicable to arterial and collector roads
76 FY22 Annual Report
• LDR-21-04: Modify Southeast Quadrant sub-district boundaries including and between Natural Resource
Protection, Neighborhood Residential, and Village Residential
• LDR-21-05: Change zoning of land to the west of Hinesburg Road, immediately south of I-89, from Industrial-
Open Space to Residential 7-Neighborhood Commercial
• LDR-21-06: Modify Commercial 1- Residential 15 and Residential 4 boundaries in vicinity of Lindenwood Dr to
follow property lines more closely
• LDR-21-07: Update city-wide stormwater standards, including for consistency with state regulations
• LDR-20-10: Establish maximum building envelopes for allowed development in the SEQ-NRP subdistrict,
modify allowed building types
• LDR-20-17: Extend Southeast Quadrant zoning district residential building design standards city-wide, update
standards
• LDR-21-01 Require Solar-Ready Roofs for new buildings subject to Commercial Building Energy Standards
• LDR-19-07 Modify landscape requirements to allow for Solar Canopies in Parking Areas
• LDR-20-22: Update to comply with Act 179 pertaining to accessory dwelling units, existing small lots, and
conditional use criteria for multi-family housing
• LDR-20-25: Increase maximum allowed area of accessory structures and update for consistency with Act 179
• LDR-20-28: Expand inclusionary zoning, offset, and bonus provisions city-wide, replacing existing bonus
standards where existing
• LDR-21-03: Allow for “limited neighborhood commercial use” within a larger residential building for
neighborhoods with Master Plan
• LDR-21-07: Exempt the conversion of a dwelling to a licensed childcare facility from housing preservation
requirements
• LDR-20-21 Minor and technical amendments
LDR Amendments Adopted May 2022
• LDR-22-01: Establish a General Planned Unit Type for new PUDs and amendments to existing PUDs
• LDR-22-02: Establish Site Amenity requirements for new development, expansions, or residential conversions
subject to site plan review; add additional allowable Site Amenity types, and allow partial credit to Site
Amenity and Civic Space requirements for nearby publicly accessible civic spaces & parks
• LDR-22-03: Augment Site Plan review standards of Relationship of Structures to the Site, and of Relationship
of Structures and Site and to Adjoining Area
• LDR-22-04: Minor and technical amendments
LDR Amendments Warned for Public Hearing by the Planning Commission June 2022
• LDR-22-05: Update the regulation of Transferable Development Rights (TDRs), including, but not limited to,
expanding the receiving areas for TDRs, assigning value for TDRs, updating process for sending and receiving
TDRs, and clarifying existing applicability in receiving areas
• LDR-22-06: Minor and Technical Amendments to Bicycle Parking, Performance Bonds, Submission
Requirements, and Section numbering
77 FY22 Annual Report
In addition:
• Began planning and discussions for the 2024 Comprehensive plan updates starting with the long-term
vision and goals, outreach planning, and scheduling. Discussions of data needs, known data, and
approach were started.
• The Airport Rezoning Task Force was convened as a temporary subcommittee of the Commission. The
ARTF examined possibly rezoning of approximately 11 acres near Airport Parkway and Kirby Road
Extension to allow for additional airport and commercial uses. Through that process of approximately 6
months, the ARTF held public listening sessions, worked with a consultant to produce a report on the
possible rezoning, and recommended against rezoning. The Commission concurred with the Task Force’s
conclusion.
• The Commission considered, held a public hearing, and advanced recommended changes to the Official
Map to the City Council, which included replacing a planned roadway connection from Swift Street
Extension to Hinesburg Road with planned recreation paths, and removing a planned roadway connection
between IDX Drive and Deerfield Ave. As well as to add a bike/pedestrian connection at planned I-89
bike/pedestrian bridge.
• The Commission served as the primary public body on review of possible improvements to the
Swift/Spear Intersection and endorsed a roundabout as the preferred alternative to advance to the next
step.
• The Commission received information on the Climate Action plan, with a focus on how to begin pursuing
implementation actions to meet the Plan’s objectives.
• The Commission received and provided feedback on several issues / topics in the community
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
The Commission’s first objective in FY 23 is to complete and send the draft Comprehensive Plan to the City Council
for adoption. All items included on the Planning Commission’s work plan are as follows:
Project Description FY 23 Commission Role / Action
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ITEMS:
2024 Comprehensive
Plan Development
Update of Comprehensive Plan as required
by State Law
Full Process - outreach, drafts, review,
hearings in August/September 2023
Internal review of policies and goals by City
departments and committees for inclusion
in 2024 Comprehensive Plan
Engage with committees and
departments for review of subject areas
Planning Commission review of
Comprehensive Plan policies and update
Include policy updates as needed
Iterative process of review and update to
drafts of sections and complete draft as
produced
Review and edit drafts of
Comprehensive Plan prepared by Staff
Comprehensive Plan
progress check-in
Review status on achieving objectives and
implementing strategies from 2016 Comp
Plan
Full status update from Staff, PC, and
committees as part of 2024 Plan
process
Targets, Projections,
and Data
Identify targets, projections, data, and other
information we have and information that
we need to form the foundation of 2024
Comprehensive Plan policy
Review 2016 plan for existing
information, locate and review updated
information from other sources, and
update 2024 Comp Plan
78 FY22 Annual Report
Industrial Zoning Comprehensive look of space for future
industrial-only areas
Task to EDC for initial review of
Industrial-zoned areas; Adjust Comp
Plan Land Use
Climate Change
Mitigation
Review recommendations from Climate
Action Task Force; determine how or if to
include in regulation; adopt regulations
Review and incorporate
recommendations from Climate Action
Task Force in 2024 Comprehensive Plan
for future regulation
Housing Policy
Examination
Review diversity of housing types available
and set goals for missing or
underrepresented types; review home
ownership and set pol
Collect information about existing
housing, discuss and add policy
statements regarding housing
development and needed housing in the
2024 Comprehensive Plan
REGULATORY
ITEMS:
Address specific
public comments on
draft LDRs
Consideration of exempting restoration
projects
Decide on exemption and update LDRs
Exempt parcel from Master Plan
requirement if subdividing only for
conservation
Decide on exemption and update LDRs
Street types Refer to Bike/Ped Committee
Tree ordinance and soil conservation Refer to Natural Resources Committee
Density Calculations
in SEQ
Address "1.8 acre" issue in SEQ Review and determine if changes are
needed
Change name to Land
Use Regulations
Consider change to the name of the
regulations
Adopt name change after legal review
Updates to City
Center FBC and
Official Map
Continually consider regulatory barriers for
implementation and build out of the FBC,
including updates to Official Map
Address issues that arise, open
dialogue with developers and DRB
regarding FBC function
Clean up of 2022 LDR
amendments
Identify any functional issues with the LDRs
and correct as the issues arise, including
addressing specific public comments from
draft LDRs and post-adoption
Address issues that arise
POLICY ITEMS:
Update to Official
Map with land use
around I-89 Bridge
Connections
CCRPC UPWP Project for review, study, and
planning of the land uses and zoning around
the landing areas for the I-89 bike/ped
bridge
Work with CCRPC and review land uses
Review of Uses in
Commercial Districts
and Industrial
Districts
Explore possibilities of adding uses,
clarifying definitions, changing boundaries,
etc. to facilitate innovative commercial
uses, including review of residential uses
Examine Mixed I-C district allowed
uses (including definitions) for any
updates; examine Industrial-Open
Space for compatibility with additional
residential use
Parks Master Plan Identify Function of existing parks and
needs for future parks.
Support Rec & Parks Committee; Task
initial review and development to the
Rec & Parks Committee; possible
79 FY22 Annual Report
review and implementation in City
Official Map
Climate Action Plan Respond to Climate Action Task Force
Report and take regulatory action to
implement recommendations
Receive and review Climate Action
Task Force Report
Solar Requirement on
new buildings
Second half of the recommendation for
commercial buildings to include a minimum
solar
Review staff recommendations; adopt
minimum solar requirements if desired
Replace
Transportation
Overlay District with
Transportation
Demand
Management (TDM)
Replace the existing traffic overlay district
that sets a cap on rush-hour vehicle trips
along major roadways with new tools to
encourage multi-modal investment and
changes in travel modes.
Adopt TDM
Scenic Views Establish scenic view protection overlays,
including a methodology, analysis of
priorities, and standards for foreground,
middle ground, and background
Define project goals and information
needs, engage consultant(s)
Acknowledgements:
The work of the Planning Commission would not be as extensive or as well achieved without the tremendous
support we have received from the Planning and Zoning staff. Their positive attitude, strong technical knowledge,
and work ethic make our planning work possible. On behalf of the entire Planning Commission, we would like to
acknowledge and commend the efforts that the staff has dedicated to accomplishing the Planning Commission’s
goals. The staff has gone above and beyond to make a non-normal year smooth and successful. The transition to
virtual meetings would not be possible without the dedication and support we receive from staff.
We also thank the hard work of the many City committees and their dedicated volunteers and staff that are
helping to bring together the pieces of the puzzle, and the many South Burlington residents that attend our
meetings and workshops to participate in our planning efforts.
80 FY22 Annual Report
Public Art Committee
Purpose
The purpose of the Public Art Committee is to a) make recommendations at the request of the City Council on
the selection of artists and acquisition of permanent public art located on property owned or controlled by the
City including public facilities; b) advise the City Council on planning and policy matters related to art; and c)
conduct, organize or engage in activities that support art and artists as a path to strengthen, transform and
foster community within our diverse, growing and evolving City.
Members
Amanda Holland (2024)
Denise Townsend Resigned in August 2021
Jean-Sebastien Chaulot Vice Chair (2025)
Jessica Manley Appointed in April 2022 (2024)
Michele Bailey Appointed by the Vermont Arts Council
Penne Tompkins Chair October 2021 forward (2023)
Sophia Babbitt Appointed in April 2022 (2025)
Trice Stratmann Chair through October 2021 (2023)
Ilona Blanchard Committee Staff, non-voting
Dave Wheeler Public Works Staff, non-voting
Accomplishments and Events
Met thirteen times between July 1, 2021, and June
30, 2022.
•Mounted the first two shows in the new
Public Art Gallery at 180 Market Street
(Todd Lockwood’s photography in “One
Degree of Separation”, Lynn Cummings,
Martin LaLonde, Lauren Wooden, Joey
Bibeau, and Alice Eckles’s paintings in
“Hometown Watercolorists”) and the
fourth gallery show (Gregg Blasdel,
Kimberly Bombard, Sara Katz, Kate
Longmaid, and Dianne Shullenberger’s
works “In the Garden”).
•Appointed the first gallery curator, Daniel Zeese, who curated the third gallery show of works by
Harlan Mack
•Made recommendation to embed an artist within the design team for the East-West Crossing Walk
Bike Bridge public project to fulfill the percent for art requirement for City Center projects
Hometown Watercolorists was the second show to
be mounted in the Public Art Gallery located in the
main hall of the South Burlington Public Library and City Hall. Photo credit: Penelope Tompkins
81 FY22 Annual Report
• Recommended the City Council expand the
Committee charge (approved November 2021)
and rename it the Public Art Committee (from
Public Art Selection Committee)
• Created new City website content for the public
art pages
• Welcomed new committee members Jessica
Manley and Sophia Babbitt
• Issued an RFP for permanent public artwork to be
located in a to-be-determined site in South
Burlington (not in City Center).
• Consulted with Beta Technology regarding their
process for a public art piece sited at their new
location
• Dedicated the "Season’s out of Time" clock
commissioned for the South Burlington Public
Library and City Hall in June 2022
Quantitative Data
Meetings: 13
Gallery Shows: 4
New Members Welcomed: 2
Consultations: 1
Commissions Dedicated: 1
Calls Issued: 1
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities:
• Hold public art dedication for Gooses on Market Street
• Mount four or more shows in the Public Art Gallery
• Select a curator for the South Burlington Public Art Gallery
• Begin the public art selection process for the Williston Road Streetscape
• Populate the Public Art page on the City’s website
• Recommend a piece of art to be commissioned and installed by the City Council for a site outside of
City Center
• Issue a Call to Artists for FY 24
• Secure funding for development of a cultural plan
• Establish a protocol to serve as a resource for the Development Review Board
Philip Godenschwager speaking at the dedication of his
work, Season's Out of Time in the Public Library. Photo
credit: Sophia Babbitt
82 FY22 Annual Report
Recreation and Parks Committee
Committee Overview:
Committee Charger Per City Council:
The committee shall be called the City of South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee.
The mission of the Recreation and Parks Committee is to support the Recreation and Parks Department in their
goals and efforts to provide recreation and program opportunities; and to acquire and maintain recreation facilities
and open space. We do this in concert with the NRPA pillars of recreation: Conservation, Health and Well-being,
and Social Equity.
The Recreation and Parks Committee is appointed by the South Burlington City Council to serve the residents of
South Burlington by acting in an advisory capacity to the Recreation and Parks Department and the City Council.
Members:
William Barber Chair
Lauren Wedam Vice- Chair
Christy Pilsucki Clerk
Mike Simoneau
Jon Pence
William Sudbay
Caroline Henne
Ravi Venkataraman (Mid Term Placement -January 2022)
Oliver Pierson (Mid Term Placement -January 2022)
Committee Accomplishments
Indoor Rec Center
•City Staff Presentation to City Council in September
•Feedback from some community members to rehabilitate an existing structure and not disturb grass at Vet
Memorial
•Public comment to ensure Rec Facility is on a bus line; equitable access for all.
•City Council decided to keep on the project list but not prioritize next phase at the moment.
DRB Review
•Committee discussed concern of adopting recreation infrastructure within private development as city
amenities without planned public access and parking and shared the need for evaluation and of and
planning for a work force that could sustain additional park amenities, as the current inventory is not
maintained as it should be.
•An official position was drafted against accepting private development park assets unless plans were
vetted through the committee, approved by the staff, supported through sustainable
management/maintenance plans, and had sufficient adjacent parking that intentionally welcomed the
greater community. Otherwise, the Recreation and Parks Committee was not supportive of HOA park
amenities being deeded to the city for perpetual maintenance/liability.
83 FY22 Annual Report
Social Equity
•Garden Committee came to speak of their needs.
•DEI discussion in May
•Recommendation of pricing changes for upcoming budget
•Common Roots partnership continues to flourish as the committee supports their food production at
Hubbard, summer camp education through the Recreation Department, community events on the land at
Wheeler and sustained donations to the food shelf.
•Support of Recreation Department Pop Up summer/fall events at the various housing authorities.
•Support of service delivery vehicle for Rec on The Go Programming in collaboration with the library for
book mobile remote services
•Supportive of little libraries installed in four of our parks.
NRPA matrix review
•The Recreation and Parks Department staff inputted data to the system in December.
•Committee needs to do comparative analysis from 2022 data.
Open Space Management
•In August 2022 Advocated for seat at the table for Climate Action Task Force; membership was denied.
•In October co-hosted Hubbard Park Phase 1 Public Feedback:
o Community Advocated for Minimal design
o Phase 1 is parking, paved path, viewing area, signage, and low-level lighting for safety.
o Concern was shared about pathway surface materials; request to investigate a non-pavement
application
o Consider buffering immediate neighbors with vegetation
o Conceptualize a fix for water sheeting off farming slope
o Opportunities for storm water treatment to support this property and adjacent properties
o Red Rocks Management Plan reviewed in March and adopted in April
o In May Open Space Project Manager, Ashley Park, left employment with the city. Position
remained vacant for the remainder of the fiscal year
Park Asset Management
•October- presented the deferred CIP at 1.5 million to City Council.
•Review of new development infrastructure dedication: See DRB review notes.
•Wheeler dog park permitting design and permitting completed in January for spring construction. A fall
opening is planned.
•ARPA fund discussion in April
•Conversation with SBLL- May baseball fields
•Project success: court facilities at Szymanski began in June.
84 FY22 Annual Report
FY 2023 Goals and Priorities
The committee’s themes remain consistent year after year, supporting our mission, the Recreations & Park
Department, and our community. The following is our prioritized work list; though it ebbs and flows with the
current city needs and capacity. We are poised to act on all as the City Council desires.
PARK ASSET MANAGEMENT
•Evaluating Park Facilities- The Committee will begin an annual seasonal park inspections (with forms
and schedules to be developed) with the goal to create a priority list for annual maintenance. The
Committee will establish an on-site training day this spring and establish a calendar for evaluating each
park and assigning a member to complete the evaluation. * Early spring 2022
•Supported Department Structure- Formalize process, structure, and expectations of park maintenance
from the perspective of the committee and of the community that visit our parks. Supporting collaboration
between both Recreation and Parks and DPW to achieve this task. Concepts include moving Parks Staff
under Recreation and Parks umbrella, Facilities umbrella or creating a Superintendent of Parks position
that would report directly to the Director of Recreation and Parks.
•Deferred Maintenance- Supporting a bond vote for $1.5million in deferred maintenance for our parks
system once a sustainable project management structure has been established in DPW.
•Trails Program- Support to formalize, maintain, sign, and promote the City’s network of trails. This is an
underutilized asset that should be articulated in a thoughtful and intentional way. * This includes input in
the development of the new trails system at the Auclair Property in collaboration with Bread-and-Butter
Farm.
•Park Maintenance Plans- Development of annual parks maintenance plans for all parks should be
completed to ensure standards can be met with current staffing standards; advocating for additional staff
as needed.
•Supports with Green Up Day initiatives within the park.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INPUT
As the City dives into the next re-write/update of the Comprehensive Plan, the Recreation and Parks Committee
desires to be at the forefront of this revision; noting that the last plan was updated without proper vetting through
all committees and a last-minute effort to make edits fell short of the committees’ goals.
•Review current plan and identify areas of weakness.
•Propose language amendments and/or additions.
•Participate fully in all committee, council, and public process.
OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT
•Continue to have a perspective and voice in the use of South Burlington’s open space.
•Ensure application of existing management plans, updating as required. Create timeline for drafting
additional open space management plans.
•Advocate for recreational access for all in our community on city owned property; specifically, Hubbard,
Auclair Parcel and other municipal owned assets. *See trails development section for more detail.
•Bees and Trees- Investigate potential for apiaries within the park system as well as provide lectures,
classes, and educational information.
85 FY22 Annual Report
SOCIAL EQUITY
Prioritize social equity and the role that the committee has in providing recreation and parks access for all
members of our community. The need to evaluate and plan for equidistant park access for all sectors and abilities
as well as intentional recreation of programmatic and both passive and active park opportunities for all
demographics.
•Connect to funding source for FY 2023 for project completion in FY 2024.
•Community Gardens Program: Support current conversation at the airport property about installation of
community gardens. Look to add inventory at Jaycee Park for community garden site and consider
additional raised garden beds at the food shelf.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/EDUCATION
•Ensure Recreation & Parks Department has opportunity to present to the City Council at least annually.
Proposed this happen in July as it is Parks Month
•Increase in Events inventory to include targeting community and regional draws.
•Increase program offerings nature/conservation and age specific pockets.
•Collaborations with other city opportunities: Library, Schools, Food Shelf, Infinite
•Committee & Departmental outreach around education & advocacy
o Sharing the recreational and park needs, priorities and accomplishments.
o Consider monthly writing for TOP
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Provide ongoing review and input to development projects in the community that promote opportunities or
potential opportunities for recreation that serves all members of the community; on-going.
•Consider official committee liaison to work with RDB. This Liaison would have the support of the
committee to work with the RDB and developers with the expectation that some of the projects will need
to be presented to the committee. Work is needed to outline this committee position, responsibilities,
and expectations.
•Evaluation and determination of deeded recreational assets to the city vs. privately held amenities
through HOA/Developers.
INDOOR RECREATION CENTER
Continued focus on creating an Indoor Recreation Facility for the future in South Burlington as determined by City
Council that this is a priority for FY23.
•Education
o Initial advocacy around education that the March 2020 vote was not against an indoor facility but
rather an increase in taxes to support this project.
o Community Support
o ARPA surveys indicated that COVID impacts were felt hard by many and needing affordable and
accessible spaces to recreate was highlighted.
•On-Going Support
o The committee remains enthusiastic about the need for and development of an indoor recreation
center and is poised to lend its supports are needed when efforts are initiated by the City Council
to advance this plan.
86 FY22 Annual Report
NATIONAL STANDARDS
Research and document South Burlington’s Recreation & Park Department in comparison with appropriate
national data. Using annual update from NRPA study to identify trends in benchmark communities. * Data entered
by staff in Jan- reviewed by sub-committee when released (usually March/April)
87 FY22 Annual Report
CITY PARTNER
REPORTS
t
CSWD Fiscal Year 2022 Summary
Thanks to conservative budgeting and significant belt-tightening, the Chittenden Solid Waste District
remained on strong financial footing in Fiscal Year 2022 (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022). The District’s FY22
total operating expenses were $12,336,755 and operating revenues were $16,569,666 for a net surplus
of $4,232,911. This surplus was applied to CSWD’s reserves following the Board-approved prioritization
schedule (see “Budget Memo” under FY2023 Budget on the Financial Information page of cswd.net.)
The residents, businesses, and institutions of our 18 member towns and cities generated an estimated
305,389 tons of materials to be managed in calendar year 2021, compared with 270,207 tons in 2020,
with the increase likely due to increased construction and overall economic activity. Chittenden County
continues to be among the national leaders in landfill diversion, with an estimated 66.7% of those
materials recovered in 2021 via composting (food scraps, leaves, and yard trimmings), anaerobic
digestion, and recycling of Blue-Bin materials, Special Recycling, and Construction and Demolition
materials. (The 2021 Diversion Report will be posted in October 2022.)
This foundation enabled CSWD to focus on strengthening our infrastructure and our commitments to
our members, staff, and our mission: To reduce and manage the solid waste generated within
Chittenden County in an environmentally sound, efficient, effective, and economical manner.
STRENGTHENING CSWD’S INFRASTRUCTURE
Preparing for a New Materials Recovery Facility
In March 2022, the CSWD Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of CSWD submitting a
bond request to the voters of Chittenden County in the November 2022 General Election enabling
CSWD to borrow $22 million to build a new Materials Recovery Facility.
Organics Diversion Facility: Phase 1 work completed, foodware ban implemented
The first phase of a three-part expansion of CSWD’s Organics Diversion Facility (or ODF – where Green
Mountain Compost is made) was completed in FY22. This phase included implementation of a windrow
turner that replaced four pieces of heavy equipment and reduced windrow-turning time from two
weeks to three hours. The completion of a new curing and sales area enabled staff to remove all sales
traffic to a separate gate, decreasing congestion and increasing safety for all facility users.
Due to increased contamination from non-compostable materials, the ODF began accepting only food
scraps, paper towels and napkins, and newspaper, paper bags, and certified compostable bags used for
lining food scrap collection containers as of January 1, 2022. CSWD provided just shy of a year of notice
to vendors, commercial and institutional consumers of compostable products, food scrap haulers, and
the public. A blog post on the drivers for this decision is on the CSWD website.
New Administration Building approved
COVID-19 demonstrated the necessity of healthy and safe working facilities and the shortcomings of
CSWD’s Administration offices at 1021 Redmond Road in this regard. CSWD’s Board of Commissioners
approved planning for new offices to be pursued into FY23.
Other operational changes included the end of CSWD operation of the Drop-Off Center in Richmond
after almost 30 years. CSWD submitted a bid for continued operation of the facility, but the Richmond
Select Board voted to award the contract to Casella Waste Systems when CSWD’s lease expired on
December 31, 2021. Though it was not the outcome we desired, the removal of this facility reduced
CSWD operating expenses, enabled us to deploy experienced staff to other sites, and provided an
opportunity for CSWD to re-evaluate our community’s needs.
STRENGTHENING OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYEES
CSWD was not immune to the labor shortages experienced across Vermont, and the Board of
Commissioners convened an Ad Hoc Committee to review employee compensation and benefits,
ensuring the District is competitive in the labor marketplace and the compensation structure is clear
and fair.
The Board adopted a Declaration of Inclusion at their May meeting, with staff forming a Justice, Equity,
Diversion, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee devoted to ensuring and exploring opportunities for
implementation of the Declaration’s principles.
The CSWD Board passed resolutions recognizing retiring employees Nancy Plunkett (30 years) who
implemented mandatory recycling in Chittenden County in 1993 and expanded CSWD’s education and
research programs, and Lee Tuure (29 years), who transformed “town dump” locations into CSWD’s
beloved Drop-Off Centers. The Board also recognized the volunteer service of Commissioners Abby
Foulk (Shelburne-nine years) and Doug Taff (Hinesburg-12 years).
CSWD staff reported on the 2021 (biannual) Household Solid Waste Survey Report, with key findings
including that 93% of respondents reported a favorable impression of CSWD, and strong support for
bonding for a new MRF. The survey also revealed opportunities for CSWD to provide more
communication on appropriate materials management, particularly to new residents. Staff began the
process for amending the CSWD Solid Waste Management Ordinance, which will wrap up in FY23.
Overall, FY22 proved an extremely busy year as CSWD staff and Board of Commissioners rebooted
projects stalled by the pandemic and looked ahead to opportunities to build on the District’s 35 years
of public service to Chittenden County.
Paul Ruess
Chair, Board of Commissioners
Sarah Reeves
Executive Director
403 Queen City Park Road ~ South Burlington, VT 05403Telephone: (802)864-7454 ~Fax: (802)864-0435
CHAMPLAIN WATER DISTRICT
Dedicated to Quality Water & Service
First In The Nation ~ Excellence In Water Treatment, Partnership For Safe Water
MANAGEMENT LETTER – FY 2021‐2022
Champlain Water District (CWD) is a regional municipal organization supplying drinking water and fire protection to the following
(12) municipal water systems since 1973: South Burlington, Shelburne, Williston, Essex, Essex Junction, Village of Jericho, Winooski,
Milton, Colchester Fire District #1, Colchester Fire District #3, Colchester Town, and the Mallets Bay Water Company. This past year
CWD celebrated our 23rd anniversary of continuing to maintain the Partnership for Safe Water Program’s Excellence in Water
Treatment Award criteria. CWD was the first water supplier in North America to receive the Excellence in Water Treatment Award in
1999, and is presently one of 16 water utilities that have attained this level of water treatment optimization, which signifies continuous
performance protective of public health. CWD has maintained this level of excellence through successful submission of a
comprehensive annual report that is reviewed for water quality test results, as well as demonstration and documentation of the
operational tenacity toward continued quality improvement as required by the Partnership for Safe Water Program. The Partnership
for Safe Water program utility membership collectively serves a total population of over 100 million people, or two‐thirds of the U.S.
population using surface water as their source of drinking water. In June of 2015, CWD was chosen as the People’s Choice Award
winner as the best tasting drinking water in North America at the American Water Works Annual Conference and Exhibition.
Over the past year CWD has steadily continued its efforts toward completion of its Ten‐Year Master Plan (2016‐2026). CWD’s
accomplishments over this past fiscal year are as follows:
Continued Phase II of a water transmission pipe condition assessment plan, titled Pipe Integrity Program (PIP), toward
potential replacement of aging underground infrastructure using a GIS based risk prioritization scoring matrix and satellite
leak detection.
Partnered with other water systems nationally through Isle Utilities to identify and understand the current state of pressure
monitoring and leak detection solutions.
Continued to manage a long‐term asset management contract with Veolia for on‐going inspection, maintenance, and
rehabilitation of (15) of CWD’s welded steel water storage tanks and (3) of CWD’s non‐welded steel water storage tanks.
Instituted a program to monitor tank temperature stratification in our tanks to analyze tank turnover and water quality. The
data will be used to identify measures and improvements to continue to provide high quality drinking water.
Continued to manage a long‐term asset management contract with Veolia for on‐going inspection, maintenance, and
rehabilitation of (3) Adsorption Clarifiers and (8) Multimedia Filters at CWD’s Water Treatment Facility.
Rehabilitated Adsorption Clarifier #2.
Began an annual partnership with Chittenden Solid Waste District for disposal of our drinking water treatment residuals
(DWTRs) at their composting facility in Williston where the DWTRs are mixed with topsoil.
Continued our annual transmission system valve replacement program.
Began an annual replacement program for valves and actuators at CWD’s Water Treatment Facility.
Continued investment with Efficiency Vermont to optimize daily energy usage and reduce overall annual electrical costs.
Continued implementation of a long‐term asset management database system for all CWD property, plant, and equipment
Completed construction of the Colchester South Tank Loop project.
Continued construction of the Essex West Pump Station project, which includes the new Essex West Pump Station and
rehabilitation of the existing Essex East Pump Station. Construction is anticipated to be completed in FY22‐23.
Installed security fencing around the perimeter of CWD’s Water Treatment Facility utilizing a Homeland Security Grant.
Began planning for future improvements: Water Treatment Plant HVAC Improvements, Chemical Feed and Storage Addition,
Lake Water Pump Station Improvements, South Filtered Water Tank, and SCADA Improvements.
We thank our employees and elected officials for their effort, support, and dedication in allowing CWD to be proactively managed
and operated to supply a drinking water product protective of public health. As always, we welcome anyone who wishes to tour our
facility. Please call 864‐7454 to arrange a tour, or if you have questions, or need further information on CWD.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bob Shand, Chair CWD Board of Water Commissioners
Joe Duncan, CWD General Manager
91 FY22 Annual Report
FY2022 Annual Report South Burlington
The Chittenden County Public Safety Authority (CCPSA) was established in 2018 to serve as the regional organization to consolidate public safety dispatch centers. This initiative was
supported by the voters in Burlington, Colchester, Milton, South Burlington, Williston, and Winooski. However, the town of Milton has opted not to participate at this time but is monitoring the progress of the project. The discussion about consolidating emergency communications in
Chittenden County has been a topic for well over 50 years.
The consolidation of five local public safety dispatch centers into a single center will eventually
lead to decreased response times, increased sharing of limited resources and better services to our communities. This will happen through increased staffing, use of technology and serving as a public safety answering point (PSAP).
In Fiscal Year 22, the CCPSA Board of Directors made significant progress securing grant funds to help with the cost of consolidation. This includes a $750,000 Congressional directed grant to purchase equipment and more than $400,000 in homeland security grants for dispatch consoles. These grants are extremely helpful to the success of the project. We remain optimistic we will receive a $750,000 grant from the State of Vermont later in FY23.
The CCPSA has identified a preferred space for the new dispatch center in the same building as
the South Burlington Police Department and will be working with the city of South Burlington on the details of a lease. The space is an open floor plan on the second floor and would be well suited for a dispatch center.
In FY23 the CCPSA anticipates hiring an architectural firm to design the proposed dispatch center and begin construction/remodel. This will allow the installation of the equipment and
ensure operations in FY24. This is an exciting project that will have a positive impact on the member communities for years to come.
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FY2022 ANNUAL REPORT
South Burlington
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) is a political subdivision of the State
created by the municipalities of Chittenden County in 1966 for the development of policies, plans and
programs that address regional issues and opportunities in Chittenden County. Its vision is to be a pre-
eminent, integrated regional organization that plans for healthy, vibrant communities, economic
development, and efficient transportation of people and goods while improving the region’s livability.
The CCRPC serves as the region’s federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) and is
responsible for comprehensive and collaborative transportation planning involving municipalities, state
and federal agencies and other key stakeholders in Chittenden County. The CCRPC works to ensure
implementation of the regional transportation plan and provides technical and planning assistance to
its member municipalities, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans).
The CCRPC is governed by a 29-member board consisting of one representative from each of the
County’s 19 municipalities; transportation representatives from VTrans, Green Mountain Transit
(GMT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Burlington
International Airport (BIA), and a rail industry representative; and, at-large members representing the
interests of agriculture, environmental conservation, business, and housing/socio-economic. The
legislative body of each Chittenden County municipality selects its own representative and alternate.
The full CCRPC selects the at-large representatives.
The CCRPC appreciates the continued opportunity to work with its municipal members to plan
appropriately for the region’s future to protect and improve the special quality of life that is shared
throughout Chittenden County. In FY22, the CCRPC invested approximately $5.9 million in regional land
use, transportation, emergency management, energy, natural resources, public engagement, training,
and technical assistance. The program leverages more than $4.5 million in Federal and State
investment with $250,400 in municipal dues and another $175,000 in local match for specific
projects—a more than 10:1 return on local investment.
South Burlington representatives to the CCRPC Board and other committees in FY22 were:
CCRPC Representative: Chris Shaw | CCRPC Alternate: Meaghan Emery
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): Justin Rabidoux (Tom DiPietro FY23)
Planning Advisory Committee (PAC): Paul Conner
Clean Water Advisory Committee (CWAC): Dave Wheeler
Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC): Fire Chief Steven Locke, Fire Marshall
Terry Francis
Specific activities the CCRPC is engaged in with South Burlington, as well as CCRPC’s regional activities,
are discussed in the following sections.
110 West Canal Street, Suite 202
Winooski, Vermont 05404-2109
802-846-4490
www.ccrpcvt.org
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In FY2022, the CCRPC provided assistance to South Burlington on the following projects and
initiatives:
Zoning and Town Plan Assistance: CCRPC staff started an initial review of the South Burlington
Comprehensive City Plan. CCRPC staff have also continued with assistance to South Burlington
on zoning-related support including revisions to the Official Map, Zoning Map and Natural
Resources map, and wetlands and steep slope regulation amendments.
Queen City Park Road Bike/Ped Scoping: The goal of this scoping study was to develop bicycle
and pedestrian connections between the Hannaford Plaza on US Route 7 in South Burlington,
along Queen City Park Road and Austin Drive to the Island Line Shared Use Path in Burlington.
The study developed and evaluated numerous alternatives, conducted outreach to residents
and other stakeholders, and identified a preferred alternative that was approved by the City
Council. The final report was completed in June 2022:
https://studiesandreports.ccrpcvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/QCP-Austin-Final_24-
June-2022.pdf. Total consultant budget: $85,000
South Burlington Bike/Ped Mapping Phase II: The City & CCRPC recently completed a mapping
inventory of the city’s bicycle path segments including type, side of the street, and location of
existing and anticipated connections. Phase II of this project added data fields and catalogued
existing conditions in preparation for future infrastructure improvement projects. Specifically,
data collected included bridge condition, path width and condition, and street/path integration.
Total consultant budget: $10,000.
Kimball Ave Path Feasibility Study for Crossing of Potash Brook: This feasibility study
evaluated options to connect the Kimball Avenue shared use path over the Potash Brook
stream crossing. In 2006, the City of South Burlington endorsed a preferred alternative for a
shared use path along Kimball Avenue to connect shared use path systems in Williston and
South Burlington. While some sections of the path have been constructed, this study provided
more detailed alternative design options and updated cost estimates for a shared use path
crossing over Potash Brook. The final report was completed in May 2022:
https://studiesandreports.ccrpcvt.org/wp-
content/uploads/2022/07/Final_PotashBrk_PathCrossingFeasibility.pdf Total consultant
budget: $20,800.
Mary Street Pedestrian Feasibility Study: This study investigated the feasibility of providing
pedestrian facilities on Mary Street between Market Street and Williston Road. With significant
new residential development in the immediate area, the need to enhance pedestrian access
along Mary Street is a priority. Final report is available here:
https://studiesandreports.ccrpcvt.org/wp-
content/uploads/2022/08/20220608_MaryStPedestrianFeasibilityStudy.pdf Total consultant
budget: $10,000.
Climate Action Plan: CCRPC Staff worked with the City’s appointed Task Force to develop a
multisector Climate Action Plan that provides a blueprint for the City, its residents, businesses,
and partners to take action to meet the City’s climate goals. The Climate Action Plan was
South Burlington Activities
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approved by the City Council on October 3, 2022. A more detailed transportation sector
implementation plan (with consultant assistance) is scheduled to kick off in FY23. Cost to be
determined.
Traffic Overlay District Replacement (Phase 2): Following completion of the project to replace
the City’s Traffic Overlay District with citywide transportation standards, this Phase 2 work will
quantify planned Tier 1 Zone improvements. After initial planning discussions in FY22, this
project was shifted to FY23. Total consultant budget: $28,000
Water Quality Planning Assistance: The CCRPC continued to provide assistance with Municipal
Roads General Permit (MRGP) compliance. Staff reviewed and sent REI updates to the DEC data
portal before the April 1st, 2022, deadline.
Emergency Management – LEMP: CCRPC staff offered assistance in the preparation of the
annual Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP), to ensure that South Burlington identified a
chain of command for efficient response in the event of an emergency.
Chittenden County Brownfields Program: CCRPC obtained a $400,000 EPA Brownfield
Assessment Grant in FY16; and a $300,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant in FY18 and a
$99,000 Vermont ACCD Assessment Grant in FY22. Since the fall of 2016, using these grants the
program has provided $586,488 to assess perceived or real contamination issues in various
municipalities, including South Burlington at 600 Spear Street (south of UVM Farm Barn). For
more information, visit: https://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/economic-
development/brownfields/.
Traffic Counts: Traffic counts conducted in support of South Burlington’s transportation
projects and studies can be found here: (http://vtrans.ms2soft.com/).
Geographic Information Systems: CCRPC staff developed a map on behalf of the Champlain
Valley Conservation Partnership to conceptually show the focus areas for future conservation in
South Burlington and completed a GIS inventory of on-street parking spaces in the South
Burlington City Center.
Elders and Persons with Disabilities (E&D) Transportation Program: The E&D Transportation
Program supports community members through affordable transportation to medical
appointments, access to grocery stores, and social visits with friends and family. In our region,
Green Mountain Transit (GMT) contracts with the Special Services Transportation Agency
(SSTA) to provide the service. The program uses a combination of lift-equipped vans, sedans
and minivans, along with volunteer drivers to give rides to E&D users. While still adapting from
the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the E&D program continued to deliver vital
transportation to older adults and persons with disabilities in South Burlington.
Technical Assistance: CCRPC staff provided a variety of technical assistance to the City,
including:
o Provided support to the South Burlington Affordable Housing Committee.
o Reviewed the Act 250 materials for the South Village Communities in South Burlington
(4C1160R-11) and drafted a letter.
o Conducted STOP sign warrant analyses and drafted recommendations for the
intersections of Pine Tree Terrace/Myers Ct/Gilbert St and Midland Ave/Bower St/Catkin
Drive.
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The TIP (http://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/our-plans/transportation-improvement-program/) is a
prioritized, multi-year list of transportation projects in Chittenden County. To receive federal funds,
each transportation project, program or operation must be authorized through the TIP. South
Burlington projects included in the TIP are listed below. These projects are also identified in the FY22
Vermont Agency of Transportation Capital Program for design or construction.
I-89 Exit 14 Area Signal Upgrades: $1.3 million project to upgrade signals at Exit 14.
Implementation scheduled to begin in 2023.
I-189 Concrete Pavement Repair and Paving: $2.55 million for pavement repair and paving
completed in 2021.
US7 Signal Upgrades, Webster Road to Swift Street: $4.7 million for upgrades to 16 traffic
signals. Construction completed in 2021.
Bartlett Brook Stormwater Treatment System Expansion: 2018 Municipal Highway and
Stormwater Mitigation Program award of $123,988 federal and $251,732 state funds.
Construction scheduled for 2022.
Woodcrest/Deane Street Stormwater Infiltration and Detention System: $242,000
Transportation Alternatives award in 2018. Construction completed in 2021.
Expansion of Kennedy Drive Stormwater Pond 7: $300,000 Transportation Alternatives award
in 2018. Construction scheduled for 2023.
Kennedy Drive Gravel Wetland Retrofit, Pond 2: $83,693 federal and $169,923 state Municipal
Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program award in 2019. Construction scheduled for 2023.
Linwood Drive Closed Drainage System and Stormwater Treatment: $115,358 federal and
$188,216 state Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation award in 2019. Construction
scheduled for 2023.
Williston Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements: $2.4 million project for bike and
pedestrian improvements on Williston Road between Dorset Street and Midas Drive/White
Street. Partially funded with a 2017 VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program award ($800,000).
Construction scheduled for 2024.
Kimball/Marshall Avenue Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities over Muddy Brook: $300,000
Transportation Alternatives award in 2020 to construct a shared use path adjacent to a culvert
replacement project. Construction completed in 2022.
US7 Paving, Charlotte (north of Higbee Road) to South Burlington (Swift Street): $9.7 million
paving project to begin in 2022.
Airport Drive Infiltration Project: 2021 Municipal Highway Stormwater Mitigation Program
award for $365,200. Construction scheduled for 2024.
Dorset Street Path – Old Cross Road to Sadie Lane: 2019 VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian
Program award for $661,600. Construction scheduled to being in 2024.
East-West Alternative Transportation Crossing: $9,768,834 RAISE grant to construct a bicycle
and pedestrian bridge over I-89 near Exit 14. Construction scheduled to begin in 2023.
South Burlington Projects in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
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Spear Street Bike/Ped Improvements: 2021 Transportation Alternatives award for $300,000.
To be construction in 2026.
VT116/Cheesefactory Road Intersection Improvements: New Traffic and Safety Program
project. Construction schedule to be determined.
Project Name Brief Description Total Budget
South Burlington
Planning Technical
Assistance – General
Planning
Provide support for planning & land use
projects, with an anticipated focus on
development and implementation of the
City’s priority planning and mapping
projects in its FY 23 work plan.
CCRPC staff will provide
assistance as a fee for
service project for $3,000
from the City.
South Burlington Climate
Action Plan Technical
Assistance
Provide support for planning & land
use projects, with an anticipated focus on
development and implementation of the
Climate Action Plan and its component
parts.
CCRPC staff will provide
assistance as a fee for
service project for $25,080
from the City.
Multi-site Crosswalk
Assessment: Four
Intersections for
Connectivity
Analysis of possible installation of
pedestrian crosswalks at Songbird Road
and Dorset Street; Nicklaus Circle and
Dorset Street; Pheasant Way and Spear
Street; Patchen Road at Jaycee Park.
$20,000 budget which
includes a $4,000 local
match.
Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
over I-89 Study
Study of the landing areas, transportation
connections, surrounding land uses, and
integration into broader transportation
network for the recently- funded bike
and pedestrian bridge connecting the
Quarry Hill area to the University
Mall/Dorset Street area of South
Burlington.
$90,000 budget which
includes a $18,000 local
match.
ECOS Plan Implementation: The CCRPC continues to implement the strategies of the 2018
Chittenden County ECOS Plan (http://www.ecosproject.com/2018-ecos-plan). The ECOS Plan
(Environment; Community; Opportunity; Sustainability) is the regional plan for Chittenden
County and combines three plans into one: The Regional Plan, the Metropolitan Transportation
Plan, and the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The 2021 ECOS Annual Report
summarizes progress toward the goals set in the ECOS Plan:
(http://www.ecosproject.com/2021-annual-report). In addition, the ECOS Scorecard monitors
the accomplishments and indicators depicting progress towards all 17 of the ECOS goals
(https://embed.clearimpact.com/Scorecard/Embed/8502).
Regional Activities
FY2023 CCRPC Work Program
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Chittenden County Municipal Legislative Briefing: On December 7th, the CCRPC hosted a
legislative briefing to serve as a forum for municipal representatives and legislators to connect
on important topics for the upcoming legislative session. The focal areas for the 2021 briefing
included: Smart Growth Investment; Economic Recovery; Governance & Funding
(http://www.ccrpcvt.org/about-us/commission/policies-positions/).
Public Engagement & Racial Equity: Achieving a healthy, inclusive, and prosperous future for
Chittenden County is the vision of our Regional ECOS Plan. However, the ECOS partners know
we cannot achieve that future without addressing the systemic racism in our community. While
addressing inequity has been one of the eight key strategies in the ECOS Plan since 2013, there
is much work to be done. The 2014 Public Participation Plan (PPP: http://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-
work/our-plans/public-participation-plan/) guides our program and policy outreach and will be
updated in FY23 with a renewed focus on analyzing inequities in all sectors of our work to
ensure that we actively eliminate barriers and foster an inclusive and meaningful public
engagement for all planning and policy work we do – this meaningful engagement is the
foundation that leads to actions that meet the needs of our diverse community. In FY22 the
CCRPC continued to address issues related to racial and economic disparities through the
following actions:
o Continued working with equity consultant The Creative Discourse Group (TCDG) to address
racial equity within CCRPC. Their work included an Organizational Equity Assessment of
CCRPC with recommendations.
o Established a CCRPC Racial Equity Leadership Team (ELT) which has evolved into a newly
forming Equity Advisory Committee (EAC) to guide the CCRPC’s equity work.
o Facilitating, providing, and/or taking advantage of educational opportunities for our staff,
municipalities, and other local and regional partners that address inequities and advance
anti-racism efforts.
o Strengthening existing relationships and partnerships and forging new ones with Vermont
organizations working to advance anti-racism efforts.
o In partnership with TCDG, hosted a Planning for Equity Summit as way to engage outside
individuals and external partners in examining our organization's policies, practices, culture,
and services through the lens of anti-racism and white privilege to ensure they reflect our
commitment to racial justice.
Building Homes Together: The CCRPC, Champlain Housing Trust and Evernorth concluded the
first Building Homes Together campaign, which has been a five-year outreach, education, and
advocacy effort focused on the production of much-needed housing in Chittenden County. The
campaign set a goal of 3,500 new homes from 2016 to 2020, with 700 of them permanently
affordable to low-income households. Over the five years, 3,659 net new homes were built, but
only 536 of them are permanently affordable, achieving 77% of the affordable housing goal.
Following the conclusion of the first campaign, the Building Homes Together 2.0 campaign was
launched last fall with the goal of building 5,000 homes by 2025 for people of all incomes,
including at least 1,250 affordable homes. To review the latest housing data, infographics and
press releases, more information can be found at http://www.ecosproject.com/building-
homes-together/.
Emergency Management: The CCRPC helped the State transition from regional Local
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Emergency Planning Committees to a statewide LEPC starting in July 2021. Concurrent with that
change a Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC) was formed consisting of two
representatives from each municipality and others involved in emergency management in
Chittenden County. The purpose of the REMC is to coordinate and support regional all-hazard
emergency planning and preparedness activities to improve the region’s ability to prepare for,
respond to, and recover from all disasters. CCRPC staff participate in a wide array of emergency
management-related workshops and exercises to support our role in the SEOC when called
upon. The CCRPC also served as the local liaison between municipalities and the state to collect
damage assessment information after significant storm events, helped with emergency
preparedness for hazardous materials incidents, collected information from each municipality
on annual implementation of hazard mitigation activities, and worked with municipalities to
complete Local Emergency Management Plans. Finally, CCRPC assisted IEM, a national
consulting firm, with drafts of the 2022 Chittenden County Multi-Jurisdictional All-Hazards
Mitigation Plan (https://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/emergency-management/hazard-
mitigation-plan/) and its municipal annexes.
Regional Energy Planning: The CCRPC continues initiatives to support the Region’s Enhanced
Energy Plan (http://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/our-plans/regional-energy-plan/). The CCRPC
hired an energy project manager in September and participated in implementation activities
funded by ACCD, which included a Button-Up Vermont event, statewide RPC roundtables, a
resource to towns for addressing climate change in land use policy
(https://www.ccrpcvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Climate-Change-and-Land-
Use_Standard-Resolution_20220427.pdf), energy committee roundtables, technical assistance
to energy committees and municipal staff, promotion of CVOEO low-income weatherization
program, and electric vehicle, energy storage, heat pump, and weatherization education
webinars.
Chittenden County Park and Ride Plan Update: This plan assesses existing park and ride
facilities in Chittenden County, identify opportunities for improvements to the existing facilities,
and evaluate the potential for new facilities that will benefit commuters and residents
throughout the CCRPC region and adjacent communities. This plan also evaluates recent travel
trends and establishes a methodology and process to determine whether there is demand for
new facilities and where new facilities may be warranted. The plan will be finalized later this
fall.
Chittenden County I-89 2050 Study: The CCRPC in collaboration with VTrans, municipalities,
and other interested parties completed the I-89 2050 Study. The study evaluated existing
multimodal conditions along the I-89 Corridor and its interchanges; assessed numerous new
and improved interchange alternatives; conducted extensive outreach to the public including
underserved populations, municipal officials, and other stakeholder groups; developed and
analyzed bundles of multimodal corridor improvements, and created an implementation plan
that will guide the corridor toward the project’s vision over the next 30 years. For more
information, please visit the project website: https://envision89.com/.
Transportation Demand Management (TDM): In partnership with VTrans, CCRPC staff
managed the transition of the Way to Go! School Challenge into Park Your Carbon
(https://www.connectingcommuters.org/parkyourcarbon). The COVID-19 pandemic impacted
the effectiveness of Way to Go! which was a school-focused K-12 program to encourage
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sustainable transportation and demonstrate the environmental and financial benefits of non-
single occupant vehicle travel. Park Your Carbon was created to pandemic-proof this TDM
program and create a fun, engaging brand with easy participation by all Vermonters. Since the
transportation sector is the largest contributor to statewide greenhouse gas emissions,
educating and encouraging a shift in transportation behavior away from driving alone can help
Vermont meet its climate and energy goals. The CCRPC participated in CATMA’s Employer
Transportation Coordinator (ETC) Network program and events to learn from other ETC
Network members about employee TDM benefits and programs. The CCRPC also continued to
collaborate with regional TDM partners to evaluate strategies and policies to encourage
sustainable modes of transportation such as walking, biking, ridesharing, vanpooling, transit,
bikesharing and carsharing. TDM partners include: the Chittenden Area Transportation
Management Association (CATMA), CarShare VT, the University of Vermont, Green Mountain
Transit (GMT), Local Motion, Greenride Bikeshare, Go! Vermont/VTrans, and United Way.
Public Transportation Planning: The CCRPC remains engaged with GMT in a wide variety of
public transit planning projects and initiatives to support the continued development of a
transportation system that is efficient, equitable and environmentally sustainable. In FY22, the
CCRPC staff participated in Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) meetings
(https://www.actweb.org/), continued to participate in Tri-Town Transportation Committee
meetings to review community-based solutions to enhance mobility in Jericho, Underhill and
Cambridge, served as a stakeholder for the Vermont Clean Cities Coalition’s Future of Rural
Transit Project (https://vtccc.w3.uvm.edu/projects/future-of-rural-transit/) and managed the
Transit Finance Study that developed transit financing options for the Legislature to consider
(https://studiesandreports.ccrpcvt.org/wp-
content/uploads/2021/12/Transit_Funding_Report_Dec2021.pdf).
Elders and Persons with Disabilities (E&D) Transportation Program: The Chittenden County
E&D Transportation Program supports community members through affordable transportation
to medical appointments, access to fresh food at the grocery store, and social visits with friends
and family. In FY22, the E&D Committee held four quarterly meetings to discuss program
funding, volunteer driver utilization and opportunities to enhance transportation equity within
our region. In coordination with VTrans, the CCRPC hosted the 3rd Annual E&D Transportation
Summit in Burlington. More information about the event can be found here:
(https://vtrans.vermont.gov/public-transit/E-and-D). The CCRPC also managed the E&D, ADA &
Medicaid Call Center Feasibility Study: (https://studiesandreports.ccrpcvt.org/wp-
content/uploads/2022/08/GMT-SSTA-Call-Center-Draft-Final-Report.pdf).
Active Transportation Planning: The CCRPC began updating the 2017 Regional Active
Transportation Plan (ATP, https://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/our-plans/regional-bikeped-
plan/), which serves as the active transportation element of the long-range Metropolitan
Transportation Plan (MTP). The ATP includes recommended priority corridors, programs and
policies to support active transportation throughout the region. CCRPC staff collaborated with
TDM partners and local municipalities to expand the Greenride Bikeshare system and convert
the fleet to electric assist bicycles (www.greenridebikeshare.com). The CCRPC also promoted
TDM strategies and provided bike/ped-related technical assistance to municipalities and
businesses, assisted municipalities with bike/ped grant and UPWP applications, managed
bike/ped-related UPWP projects, and conducted bike/ped counts on paths, designated bike
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lanes, and other roadways. The CCRPC also continued to host the 2021 webinar series from the
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycling Professionals for municipalities and regional partners.
Clean Water: The CCRPC’s water quality initiatives help to safeguard our clean drinking water,
support our recreation and tourism industry, and make our municipalities more resilient to
flood events. The CCRPC continues to host the Clean Water Advisory Committee and the MS-4
Sub-Committee (https://www.ccrpcvt.org/about-us/committees/clean-water-advisory-
committee/) and provide guidance for the Vermont Clean Water Fund. CCRPC staff also joined
the Lake Champlain Sea Grant Program Advisory Committee, and managed Design
Implementation Block Grant projects on behalf of select towns to design stormwater treatment
practices. The CCRPC also supported education programs such as the Rethink Runoff
(http://www.rethinkrunoff.org) on behalf of nine of our municipalities, assisted with watershed
resiliency mapping, participated in water quality-focused policy discussions. As the newly
designated Clean Water Service Provider (CWSP) for the Northern Lake Champlain Direct
Drainages, Basin (5). CCRPC worked to seat the Basin 5 Water Quality Council which will assist
the CCRPC as it oversees the development and implementation of non-regulatory water quality
improvement projects that reduce phosphorus loading into these streams and Lake Champlain.
Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP) Compliance and Water Quality Planning Assistance:
CCRPC staff continues to work with all Chittenden County municipalities on meeting their
MRGP obligations. This includes evaluating segments through Road Erosion Inventories (REIs),
tracking and documenting upgraded segments and outlets, and reporting to DEC. Staff also
assists municipalities with the State’s Grants in Aid (GIA) program, which allocates funding to
participating towns for stormwater improvements related to the MRGP. In FY2022, 13
Chittenden County municipalities signed up to participate in the GIA program. An estimated 38
non-compliant segments will be upgraded using the allocated $253,000.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy: With federal funding from the US Economic
Development Administration, CCRPC continued work on a Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS) for our region in concert with the Addison, Rutland and Central
VT regions -- collectively called the West Central Vermont CEDS. This document will help
identify priority economic development strategies and projects and will be used by a variety of
federal and state funding programs when making grant decisions. The project will be completed
in late 2022.
VTculverts: CCRPC staff worked with a consultant to upgrade the VTculverts website
(https://www.vtculverts.org/). The new website allows easy in-the-field bridge and culvert
inventories to be conducted. VTculverts is a great tool to visually see town-maintained bridges
and culverts on a map or chart. Between the new website and training, municipal use of the
website has increased.
Regional Technical Assistance: This includes, but is not limited to, municipal technical
assistance for various transportation issues, GIS mapping, and bylaw revisions, Act 250/Section
248 application reviews, grant administration and grant application assistance for plans,
projects and initiatives at the local level that help advance the ECOS Strategies, Metropolitan
Transportation Plan (MTP), and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Lake Champlain Byway: Chittenden County includes eight of the Byway’s 22 communities:
Milton, Colchester, Winooski, Essex Junction, Burlington, South Burlington, Shelburne, and
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Charlotte. CCRPC staff maintained the Byway website (https://lakechamplainbyway.com/)
including a helpful Interactive Map (http://map.ccrpcvt.org/lcbyway/). Additionally, CCRPC
continues to host the Byway's audio stories App & Phone line
(https://lakechamplainbyway.com/explore-our-regions/mobile-story-app/).
For further information about the CCRPC, please visit http://www.ccrpcvt.org/ or contact CCRPC
Executive Director, Charlie Baker: cbaker@ccrpcvt.org.
102 FY22 Annual Report
101 Queen City Park Road, Burlington, VT 05401 | T: 802-864-2282 F: 802-864-5564
6088 VT Route 12, Berlin, VT 05602 | T: 802-223-7287 F: 802-223-6236
375 Lake Road, Suite 5, St. Albans, VT 05478 | T: 802-527-2181 F: 802-527-5302
FY22 Annual Report
Green Mountain Transit (GMT) operates public transportation services in
Chittenden, Washington, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille and Orange Counties. The
mission of GMT is to promote and operate safe, convenient, accessible,
innovative, and sustainable public transportation services in northwest and
central Vermont that reduce congestion and pollution, encourage transit-
oriented development, and enhance the quality of life for all.
FY22 Ridership: GMT provided 2.05 million passenger rides in FY22 with 1.7 million
of these rides occurring in the Chittenden County service area. In addition to
fixed route bus service GMT operates, or contracts for, demand response services
(ADA, Medicaid service and Elders & Disabled), Weekly Grocery Shopping
Shuttles and seasonal tourism routes in Stowe and the Mad River Valley.
The lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were reflected in our FY22
ridership. While some local routes, such as the Williston and Essex Junction routes,
saw increases over FY20 and FY21, they still remained lower than our pre-
pandemic service. GMT’s LINK Express and Local Commuter routes didn’t
experience significant ridership gains and in some cases, were 70% below FY19
ridership.
GMT depends on volunteer drivers to provide Medicaid and Elders & Disabled
transportation services. Volunteer drivers are reimbursed for miles driven at the
IRS standard mileage rates. If you, or someone you know, would like to consider
helping your community volunteering to transport community members to
medical appointments and other life activities please contact GMT at 802-540-
2468.
Fleet Update: To provide maximum passenger comfort, increase service reliability
and to lower operating costs GMT has started a multi-year sustainable fleet
replacement plan. GMT took delivery of 9 new vehicles in FY22.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI): GMT created a JEDI committee made
up of internal staff, GMT Board Members and the members of the public. This
committee meets monthly and led a request for proposals (RFP) process for
consulting services to provide staff and Board training, complete an
organizational assessment and establish a data collection and analysis plan to
103 FY22 Annual Report
101 Queen City Park Road, Burlington, VT 05401 | T: 802-864-2282 F: 802-864-5564
6088 VT Route 12, Berlin, VT 05602 | T: 802-223-7287 F: 802-223-6236
375 Lake Road, Suite 5, St. Albans, VT 05478 | T: 802-527-2181 F: 802-527-5302
measure the current landscape in regard to diversity within GMT and provide a
baseline for accountability and to measure progress.
Financial Information:
GMT ended the year with a total operating surplus of roughly $458K and a
positive change in net assets of $2.3M. With an operating surplus of roughly $128K
and positive change in net assets of $2.6M on the urban side and roughly $329.9K
operating surplus and negative change in net assets of ($310.2K) on the rural
side.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the Authority’s funding mix has relied heavily
on Federal support. The availability of covid-relief funds, such as CARES, CRRSAA,
and ARPA, which require no non-federal match elevated the proportion of
federal funding as a percentage of overall revenue in FY22. This is clearly
reflected in Figures 1-2, and resulted in a lower proportion of state support and
operating revenues, with the decline in operating revenues largely the result of
the continuation of fare-free in all service areas.
Figure 1
104 FY22 Annual Report
101 Queen City Park Road, Burlington, VT 05401 | T: 802-864-2282 F: 802-864-5564
6088 VT Route 12, Berlin, VT 05602 | T: 802-223-7287 F: 802-223-6236
375 Lake Road, Suite 5, St. Albans, VT 05478 | T: 802-527-2181 F: 802-527-5302
Figure 2
GMT ended FY22 with a total Fund Balance of roughly $2.48M (unaudited). GMT’s
Fund Balance Policy includes a benchmark equal to 2 months of operating
expenses. At the end of FY22, GMT had approximately 1.48 months of fund
balance on hand, or 73.8% of its target benchmark.
For more information on GMT’s finances please visit ridegmt.com/finance-
department/.
105 FY22 Annual Report
Since the South Burlington Food Shelf opened on November 1st, 2019, we have
continued to receive incredible community support.
Over the past year, from 11/1/2021 to 10/31/22, we have had 2,062 visits by
customers or around 40 visits per week. The contributions of labor, time, energy,
and finances that come from community members, youth, organizations, and the
City of South Burlington has allowed us to help 380 distinct households and over
839 individual people during this period. A tremendous example of neighbor
helping neighbor.
The South Burlington Food Shelf has been the recipient of 949 separate donations
of food and supplies in the last 12 months weighing in at 47,044 lbs. And that
does not even include the donations from Trader Joe's, who donated 65,079 lbs
themselves or Common Roots and the VT Foodbank who we estimate has
donated several tons of healthy and nutritious food.
We feel fortunate to live in a community that has whole-heartedly embraced our
effort to help our neighbors in need and we thank each and every person and
organization for every donation and every effort no matter how small or
large. Every bit helps!
We are also thankful for our amazing volunteers that commit their time week after
week. Their joyous commitment and welcoming attitude make our South
Burlington Food Shelf a dignified and respectful place for all who enter.
In a typical week: About 20-30 volunteers commit about 45-50 hours a week in total. We’ll get
anywhere from 15-20 donation drop offs in a week, and the volunteers will organize and stack
the various donations in preparations for our customers. We’ll see about 40 customers in an
average week and about 4-5 of them will be new to us. We welcome them and assist them in
getting the lay of the land and what they need.
Our community Food Shelf is open on Thursday from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Friday from 8:00am to
10:00am, and Saturday from 8:00am to 10:00am.
On behalf of all of us and those who use our services, Thank you!
ANNUAL REPORT for 2022, and BUDGET REQUEST for 2023
Vermont Garden Park
1100 Dorset Street
A UVM Extension Master Gardener project with the Burlington Garden Club and
unaffiliated volunteers (does not include the Community Garden plots – a separate entity)
In 2022 the volunteers planted, maintained, and did fall clean-up in the gardens every
Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. from April 12 to November 2.
Total hours donated by volunteers for the 2022 season: 662 (Document attached)
Value: at the minimum wage expected in 2023 – $13.00 hour = $8,606.00
Gardens include the Cottage, Butterfly, Grandma & Grandpa's Heirlooms, All America
Selection award winners Display, the Berm, and Children's Gardens.
The annual flowers and vegetables for the gardens are grown from seed by Jan. Value of
the donated annuals is about $500.00
Amount of vegetables donated from the Grandma & Grandpa's Garden to the South
Burlington Food Shelf on Dorset Street -- 408 pounds. The Growing Young Gardeners program
under Burlington Garden Club leadership was held in the gardens every Thursday morning from
May until the end of August.
Budget Request for the 2023 season
3 cu.yds. Compost from Champlain Valley Compost Co. -- $226.00
Almost every day there were children & parents in the Tea Table play area, the DinoLand and
SandDunes sand play areas, and Frontier Land. The gardens provided play and education for
children, donations to the food shelf, a beautiful place for public and private events, video shoots
of garden information by Charlie Nardozzi for WCAX-TV, a place for photographers, artists, and
Tai Chi, credit hours for Master Gardener interns, and a sense of accomplishment by the volunteers to create this beautiful and useful space for the community.
Submitted by Jan DeSarno
Volunteer Coordinator 4 Ladd Point, Grand Isle, Vt. 05458
cell: 802-343-0847
e-mail: jandesarno@gmail.com
107 FY22 Annual Report
Learn more about what we do at https://www.healthvermont.gov/local/burlington.
[phone] 802-863-7323
[toll free] 888-253-8803
HealthVermont.gov
State of Vermont
Department of Health
Burlington Local Health Office
108 Cherry Street, Suite 102
Burlington VT, 05402
Local Health Office Annual Report 2022
Twelve Local Health Offices around the state are your community connection with the Vermont Department
of Health. Your district office is at the address and phone number above. We provide essential services and
resources to towns in order to protect and promote the health and well-being of people in Vermont. For
example, in the past year and beyond, we:
Protected communities from COVID-19:
Since the pandemic began three years ago, our doors
have remained open and we’ve been able to serve
communities thanks to individuals, families, schools,
businesses, first responders, and countless others that
worked with us to meet the needs of local towns. We
provided vaccine, testing, and information, along with
other key public health services.
In collaboration with community partners, since
COVID-19 response efforts began, the Burlington Local
Health Office hosted over 200 COVID-19 vaccination
clinics and provided over 20,000 COVID-19 doses.
Since August 2021, local health offices across Vermont
have documented and helped manage over 8,000
COVID-19 related situations, including over 1,200 COVID-19 outbreaks. Learn more at
https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/covid-19.
Ensured local preparedness for future emergencies:
We worked with partners like schools, hospitals, and emergency personnel to ensure effective pandemic
response and support preparedness to distribute medicine, supplies, and information during public health
emergencies. This year, we responded to the emergence of human monkeypox virus by sharing information
and providing vaccine to community members. As of November 2022, over 90 vaccine doses have been
administered.
Supported student health and youth empowerment:
According to the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey,
most youth in the South Burlington School District agree or
strongly agree that they “believe they matter to people in
their community” (see chart on right). Regionally, efforts
like mentoring and afterschool enrichment programs help
to ensure youth feel valued and included.
Stayed attentive to people and communities most
underserved:
We provided services and resources to people who are
more likely to experience adverse health outcomes due to
health inequities. For example, we provided vaccine at schools
without access, shelters, meal and food distribution sites, farms, and more.
71%64%
Middle Schoolers High Schoolers
Percent of South Burlington youth
who feel like they matter to their
community
Burlington Local Health Office, 2022
Learn more about what we do at https://www.healthvermont.gov/local/burlington.
[phone] 802-863-7323
[toll free] 888-253-8803
HealthVermont.gov
State of Vermont
Department of Health
Burlington Local Health Office
108 Cherry Street, Suite 102
Burlington VT, 05402
Promoted health in all policies:
Health is not just individual behaviors and access to care, it’s also housing, transportation, food access,
education, natural resources, and other social determinants of health. We worked with towns, schools,
worksites, healthcare providers, and other community organizations to establish plans, policies, and
programming that improve health and wellness. To achieve health, we must continue to work together to
improve opportunities for health across all sectors and periods of our lives.
Provided WIC services and resources to families and
children:
WIC enables families to save on groceries so they can have
more to spend on other things their family needs,
empowers families with breastfeeding/chestfeeding
support, and provides referrals to other health and nutrition
services. Learn more at www.healthvermont.gov/wic.
Collaborated with Town Health Officers around environmental health:
To help Vermonters better understand the relationship between their environment and their health, we
worked with towns and other local partners to share information about lead, cyanobacteria (blue-green
algae), food safety, drinking water, climate change, healthy homes, and healthy schools. Learn more at
www.healthvermont.gov/environment.
3,128 people
were provided WIC
nutrition education and
support by the Burlington
Local Health Office
Timeframe: July 1, 2021– June 31, 2022
TIME TO SPAY & NEUTER CATS AND DOGS!
The VT Spay Neuter Incentive Program (VSNIP), under Vermont Economic Services
is administered by VT Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society. Funded by a
$4.00 fee added to the licensing of dogs, this monetary resource is limited by the number of dogs licensed, required by law by 6 months of age.
Puppies and kittens can have their first rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age.
If unable to schedule an appointment with a veterinary office for a rabies
vaccination, Tractor Supply stores hold monthly Rabies Clinics. Call for schedules.
After the rabies vaccination, contact your town clerk and provide proof of this
vaccination to license your dog. By statute, unlicensed dogs can be seized. Rabies IS in Vermont and it IS deadly.
Licensing a dog:
1)Identifies your dog if lost when the registration tag is on the collar.
2)Provides proof a dog is protected from rabies in the event your dog is
bitten by a rabid animal - but would still need immediate medical
attention.
3)Protects your animal if they bite another animal or person – which could
result in the quarantine of your dog or cat, or possibly euthanized to testfor rabies if not proven to be currently vaccinated.
4)Pays for VSNIP addressing an over population situation.
For an Application for VSNIP and a List of Participating Offices, send a S.A.S.E. (10” Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope) to: VSNIP, PO Box 104,
Bridgewater, VT 05034. Indicate if it’s for a cat, dog, or both. Once fully
completed mail it back to the same address.
If approved, you will receive a Voucher(s) and instructions. If not, a list of low cost
spay neuter resources will be provided. Also, several humane society shelters host
spay neuter clinics open to the public you may want to call.
The cost for the VSNIP surgery to you is only $27.00, providing there are no
complications. Fellow Vermonters pay the balance of your animal’s surgery from
funds collected at the time of dog registration. Please be SURE your cat or dog is
completely flea and tick free before the visit, or you will be charged. No free loaders
are welcome at offices! UN-neutered animals are more prone to forms of cancer.
Thank veterinarians for their participation in this important program. If your
veterinarian is not a participant, please encourage them to join. A number of
veterinarians have retired, leaving a reduced number of participating offices. We
need them. Thank you for asking, on behalf of the animals that can’t thank you, I
do!
Sue Skaskiw, Administrator 1-800-HI VSNIP (1-844-448-7647)
110 FY22 Annual Report
Winooski Valley Park District
Ethan Allen Homestead
Burlington, Vermont 05408
Tel: (802) 863-5744 Email: info@wvpd.org www.WVPD.org
Winooski Valley Park District
Annual Report: FY2022 July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Nick Warner – Executive Director
Tim Larned – Parks Superintendent
Lauren Chicote – Operations Manager
The Winooski Valley Park District’s mission is to plan, acquire, and manage lands
and waters within the boundaries of its member municipalities for purposes of
conservation, preservation of natural areas, establishment of parks, and resource-
based education and recreation.
WVPD’s 1781-acre portfolio features over 13 miles of shoreline and offers 25 miles
of trails across 19 parks in the lower Winooski River Valley. In South Burlington,
this includes Muddy Brook Park, Muddy Brook Wetland Reserve, Winooski Gorge,
and Valley Ridge. Dave Crawford is South Burlington’s representative and serves
as Treasurer.
The sharp increase in outdoor recreation that emerged during the COVID-19
pandemic continues. In response, WVPD has enhanced management of its trail
systems and water access points, is conducting multiple capital improvements,
acquiring significant grant resources, working to expand its’ park portfolio, and
creating new revenue streams through facility leasing and contracted work.
FY22 Park Improvements and Activities in South Burlington:
Goodrich Parcel – Working with the Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership
(CVCP), WVPD joined the City, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Audubon Vermont,
and volunteer groups removing and treating invasive species and planting trees and
shrubs at Muddy Brook Wetland Reserve and adjoining Goodrich parcel. This is part
of a multi-year effort to improve Golden Winged Warbler (and other nesting bird)
habitat.
Muddy Brook
Wetland Reserve –
WVPD crews
performed invasive
removal and
coordinated a
riparian planting
with a group from
South Burlington
Rotary Club. A
second invasive
removal day was
then held and
promoted through
the CVCP.
WVPD’s Parks
Colchester Pond
Natural Area
Delta Park
Derway Cove
Derway Island
Nature Preserve
Donohue Sea Caves
Essex Overlook Park
Ethan Allen Homestead
Heineberg Wetlands
Macrae Farm Park
Mayes Landing
Muddy Brook Park
Muddy Brook
Wetland Reserve
Old Mill Park
Riverwalk Trail
Salmon Hole Park
Winooski Gorge
Wolcott Family
Natural Area
Woodside Park
Valley Ridge
111 FY22 Annual Report
Financial Sustainability:
To maximize the investments made by member communities, WVPD enhances revenues by providing
contracted park maintenance and trail construction services for municipal clients, leverages resources and
obtains grants, sponsorships, donated labor, supplies and expertise for park acquisitions and major
projects, while leasing buildings, farm fields, and a picnic shelter.
Parks are maintained by a professional crew, supplemented with hundreds of volunteer hours each year
from local schools, businesses, non-profits, and community organizations. Volunteers remove invasive
plant species, assist/sponsor programs and events, build and repair trails, plant trees and shrubs, and
provide expertise to WVPD staff.
Onsite partner organizations/tenants include the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, Vermont Indigenous
Heritage Center, Burlington Forest Preschool, New Farms for New Americans, Janet Munt Family Room,
Vermont Community Gardening Network and others using the park system for programs, studies and
events.
To achieve its’ broader mission, WVPD works closely with conservation non-profits, land trusts,
conservation commissions, and philanthropic organizations to build the park portfolio and organizational
capacity over time in a sustainable manner.
Activities for Residents and Tourists:
WVPD’s 19 regional parks are all managed for permanent conservation and free public access. Featuring
nature trails, scenic overlooks and wildlife viewing, hiking trails, picnic facilities, cross-country skiing
and snowshoeing trails, canoe/kayak launches, fishing accesses, community and specialty gardens, and
various forms of agriculture, the growing park system continues to serve the recreational needs of area
residents and visitors. Two parks – Ethan Allen Homestead and Colchester Pond Natural Area – host
resident caretakers who open and close park gates and provide security in return for reduced rent.
In the 1930’s era “Museum Barn”, three organizations provide important public services – and funding
streams for WVPD. The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum (providing tours of Ethan and Fanny Allen’s
1787 restored farmhouse, historic lectures, programs, and special events) and the Vermont Indigenous
Heritage Center (expanding to provide museum displays, educational programs, and events) provide a
broad range of experiences, cultural enrichment, and public education. The Burlington Forest Preschool
provides licensed, nature-based educational programming year-round.
Programs at WVPD Parks:
Area school groups, Colleges and Universities, and other conservation focused organizations utilize
WVPD’s parks regularly, which are also the focus of numerous collegiate and post-graduate studies. The
Burlington Area Community Gardens, the Vermont Garden Network, The Janet S. Munt Family Room,
and New Farms for New Americans lead educational gardening and sustainable agriculture programs at
WVPD’s Ethan Allen Homestead. WVPD is working to expand these opportunities through building new
partnerships and enhancing existing relationships.
More than ever, people need natural areas to stay in touch with the local landscapes that sustain them. In
turn, natural areas need protection and management to assure people and wildlife can peacefully coexist.
In an era of forest decline and water quality challenges, WVPD will continue to prioritize high value
conservation properties for acquisition and management. WVPD has and will continue to provide services
in park planning and park maintenance. WVPD’s presence in South Burlington greatly enhances
education, conservation, and recreation. South Burlington’s annual support makes it possible for
thousands of Vermonters and tourists to explore our ecologically diverse system of natural areas
embedded within the most developed county in Vermont. Thank You!
112 FY22 Annual Report
CIty of South Burlington, 180 Market Street, South Burlington, Vermont 05403
www.southburlingtonvt.gov