The Other Paper - 12-26-25

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Winter Lights brightens Shelburne Museaum at darkest time of the year

New three-school high school hockey co-op starts first season

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VOLUME 49, NO. 52

City needs growth for TIF success LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

even sang as needed. Anderson, a Monkton resident and lawyer, is on a quest to host storytelling events at every library in the state. This year, there were

The South Burlington Tax Increment Financing District is in good financial standing, but according to a recent report, for the city to realize the full benefits of its success, development and growth must continue. The city will hold a “substantial change” hearing next month to update anticipated growing costs in the TIF District Plan and Financing Plan, particularly for outstanding projects, with costs that have exceeded former projections. Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is one of the most powerful economic tools available to municipalities for financing public and private development. It is essentially a way a town or city pays for improvements in a specific area without raising tax rates. Once the area is designated — in South Burlington’s case, it’s a small subset of the 300-acre City Center — the current level of property taxes from that area continues to go to schools and government as usual. The municipality is then able to borrow money to build roads, sidewalks or other public

See STORIES on page 10

See TIF DISTRICT on page 9

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

Samara Anderson hosted the Best of Vermont Storytelling 2025 event in the South Burlington Public Library’s auditorium on Dec. 18.

Libraries host stories in and out of books SOPHIA BALUNEK STAFF WRITER

Samara Anderson has an oft-repeated mantra: “Everyone has a story and everyone has an interesting life.” Emotions shifted from laugh-

ter to wonder to sympathy as Vermonters from nine towns across the state took to the stage of the South Burlington Public Library last Thursday for a Best of Storytellers event. Presenters were tasked with telling true stories, without notes,

between five and eight and a half minutes. The audience was instructed to give “thunderous applause” as each storyteller made their way to the stage and to be present, active listeners. And that they were. The crowd giggled, guffawed, fell silent or

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PHOTO BY MARIE SPAETH

Steamboat Ticonderoga covered in lights at Shelburne Museum on Dec. 1.

Shelburne Museum Winter Lights is in full swing for the holiday season MARIE SPAETH COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

Now in its fifth year, Shelburne Museum’s Winter Lights runs from Nov. 21 through Jan. 4, drawing crowds for its illuminated displays, interactive exhibits and two dedicated sensory-friendly nights that offer a calmer, more accessible experience of the event. Winter Lights becomes the heart of Shelburne Museum’s 40-acre campus during the holiday season, when the museum is otherwise closed. Internal teams such as the visitor experience, design and logistics committees collaborate closely with outside vendors and partners to ensure the five-week

event runs smoothly. The museum estimates ticket sales for Winter Lights generate between $800,000 and $1 million, making up 40% of its annual admissions revenue. Beyond the glowing first impression, the event invites community members inside to explore, discover and learn more about the wide-ranging collection at the museum. “What I really love is that they incorporate elements of what the museum is about: the arts, history and culture. Pieces of these quintessential things from the museum, (are woven) into the display,” Kat Redniss, public programs director at Shelburne Museum, said.

The majority of the attrac- rience the grounds,” Redniss said. tions at Winter Lights decorate the On a typical Winter Lights museum’s most popular exhibits. night, Shelburne Museum Highlights include the Steamboat welcomes between 2,000 and Ticonderoga, 3,000 visithe last walktors. For those “It allows them to be who prefer a ing-beam sidewheel passenger calmer, less present in a way that overwhelming steamer in existence; Locomoenvironment, feels comfortable for the museum also tive 220 and the Grand Isle private offers Sensory them.” rail car; and the Friendly Winter Diamond Barn, Lights during — Kat Redniss the five-week home to a model train installation. run. Attendance “It’s nice for people to explore for these evenings is limited to just if it wasn’t on their radar, or if 200 to 300 tickets, creating a quietthey’re not museum-goers regular- er, more spacious experience. The ly. This is a way for them to expe- first sensory-friendly night took

place Dec. 1 and the next will be held Dec. 15 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. These evenings are designed with accessibility and comfort in mind. Sensory Friendly Winter Lights evenings include know-before-you-go materials and on-site support from the education team to help guests feel prepared and supported. Visitors are encouraged to bring headphones or any personal support materials they may need. While the visual experience remains just as magical as regular admission, the environment is intentionally gentle, with no strobe See LIGHTS on page 9

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The Other Paper • December 26, 2025 • Page 3

SB school board hires superintendent, four-year contract LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY ELLA MCCABE

Red Rocks Park is still full of life, human and wild, even in the winter.

Winter does not stop regular visitors to Red Rocks Park ELLA MCCABE COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

As snow blankets the tall trees and covers the remnants of fall foliage, many Vermonters are preparing to bundle up indoors. However, fans of Red Rocks park often remain loyal to the park as winter descends. Known for its winding trails, scenic views of Shelburne Bay, beach access and dense woods, Red Rocks has established itself as a South Burlington staple. Vermonters, along with their dogs, come to Red Rocks Park all year for its natural beauty and sense of community. The park spans over 100 acres. Trails winding through the property stay open year-round, including when snow blankets the woods, allowing visitors to snowshoe and cross-country ski. It’s a popular destination where nature is intentionally allowed to dominate the landscape. The park “kind of takes care of itself,” South Burlington Park Foreman Dan Gregory said. Though the city only does around an hour and a half of work in Red Rocks each week, said Gregory, its popularity does not go unnoticed by the park staff. “There’s the people that live (nearby) in Queen City, and a lot of them walk there every day,” Gregory said. Along with regulars in the neighborhood, visitors come from the surrounding area. “The parking lot is almost always full,” Gregory said, adding that while visits to other city parks slow down in the

colder months, Red Rocks continues to draw people. “I think it’s about the only park that stays busy all the time,” Gregory said. Fans of the park often take an interest in how it’s managed. “I get a lot of questions and see a lot of people. This park is a good one for that,” Gregory said. “Anytime you turn on a chainsaw, somebody shows up and asks what I’m doing. A lot of people really care about keeping this park nice and natural. So I always have to explain why I’m cutting the tree, and that I’m doing a good thing.” Red Rocks Park was purchased by the city in 1970, and has been used for recreation since. The park is home to the “wolf tree,” a historic and uniquely shaped tree that brings special intrigue to the park. Red Rocks is also home to the city’s only public beach access. Tim Cusick is a regular at Red Rocks. “There’s kind of a community of people that get to know each other and get to know each other’s dogs, so there’s like a social aspect to it. I think the people are a big part of it, too. You get to know the people, and you stop and chat with them, catch up and, yeah, it’s just a special place.” Referring to the small dog guiding him along the trail on a recent day, Cusick said, “he loves Red Rocks beach, so we end up going down there a lot.” The park has an impressive range of animal life given its location, Cusick added. “The wildlife here, for living in

the city, you see owls and foxes and all this stuff that you don’t see in other places, and you can see them here,” he said. “It just never gets old, I just keep coming back. I go to other places, and then I go, no, I’m going back to Red Rocks Park. It’s just a magical place.” He added: “The town keeps it in wonderful shape.” Another walker that day, Rebecca Cole, has been coming to Red Rocks for five years, and enjoys it year-round. “When I first moved to Vermont I moved to South Burlington, and I’ve been coming here since,” Cole said. “I just think it’s so gorgeous. I love the old wolf tree. You know, that giant one. When I first started coming here I was immediately fascinated by that, and walking up and seeing the cliffs, it’s so gorgeous and just, the view of the lake is so gorgeous.” Cole said that she will continue to walk in the park as the weather gets cold. “In every season, it feels like this park transforms. When I come out here in the deeper winter, and you can see, it almost feels like the tundra on the lake. It’s all cracked and the ice is so gorgeous. And in the summer, of course, it explodes with life. I just love this place. It’s my favorite park around. I actually hate cold weather, which is funny, but I love this park regardless.” Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship for The Other Paper

Joe Clark, South Burlington School District’s new permanent superintendent, came down the stairs of the district’s central office building last week sporting a Grinch-themed lanyard and a Charlie Brown Christmas crewneck. School district employees had just finished a potluck lunch and ugly Christmas sweater day, as most were preparing for the holiday break just days ahead of them. But for Clark, last week held a different sort of celebration. The South Burlington School Board has hired him to helm the district through July 2030. Clark, a 54-year-old Ohio native, has been serving on an interim basis since September, although he made clear early on that he was gunning for the permanent top spot. He came to the position with more than three decades in the field of education and 14 years of experience as a superintendent. The four-year contract includes a $200,000 base salary, with inflation-based adjustments — between 2-5% — made every year, like those outlined in teacher and other staff contracts. Unlike past superintendent contracts, there is no stipulation related to performance bonuses. Instead, school board chair Seamus Abshere said, performance evaluations will be based solely on district policies,

with no extra money attached. Abshere said the competition for the job among the three finalists was fierce, and all of them had relevant experience. Still, Clark came out on top in all cases. At a school board meeting last week, community members and district staff praised Clark. He’s only been with the district for four months but it’s clear the short time has made a lasting impact on some employees, including members of the bus garage. Since being on the ground, Clark said, he has witnessed a slew of positive aspects of the district’s inner workings — including a highly dedicated and professional staff — but he has also recognized there is a ton of work to do on the horizon. Hs motto to the community: “Give me three years.” That’s part of the reason a fouryear contract was negotiated this time around, which is roughly a year longer than the district’s past two superintendents’ contracts. “I want to make sure everything’s accomplished within those four years,” Clark said, adding he didn’t plan on leaving after his contract runs out. Not only has the past four months been a learning curve for the district’s new leader, including jumping on board during prime budgeting season, but it’s also been an important period of hearing from the community about what See SUPERINTENDENT on page 14

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Total reported incidents: 224 911 hang up: 5 Accident: 18 Alarm: 14 Animal problem: 2 Aggravated assault: 1 Simple assault: 2 Agency assist: 7 Public assist: 7 Custodial interference: 1 Directed patrol: 11 Disturbance: 2 Domestic: 2 Drugs: 1 Field contact: 4 Foot patrol: 14 Found property: 8 Fraud: 2 Juvenile problem: 3 Larceny: 8 Mental health: 4 Motor vehicle complaint: 8 Operations: 6 Ordinance violation: 6

Overdose: 1 Paperwork service: 4 Retail theft: 15 Sex crime: 1 Stolen vehicle: 1 Suicidal person: 1 Suspicious event: 5 Threats: 4 Traffic hazard: 3 Traffic stop: 12 Trespass: 20 Unlawful mischief: 1 Welfare check: 17 Arrests/citations: Dec. 9 at 1:55 p.m., Sindy L. Parizon, 40, no residence provided, on an in-state warrant and for retail theft. Dec. 9 and 3:35 p.m., Jeffrey S. Bussino, 36, no residence provided, for violating conditions of release, unlawful trespass, and retail theft.

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Dec. 9 at 10:15 p.m., Thomas Kelly-Hinterberger, 23, of Winooski, for impersonating an officer on Kimball Ave. Dec. 10 at 2:12 p.m., Corey D. Duclos, 32, no residence provided, for unlawful trespass on Garden Street. Dec. 11 at 1:10 p.m., Derrick M. Cusson-St. George, 39, of Charlotte, for retail theft on Dorset Street. Dec. 11 at 3:02 p.m., Dakotah S. Robare, 34, no residence provided, for disorderly conduct on Market Street. Dec. 13 at 5:53 p.m., Julia Kinne, 41, of South Burlington, for domestic assault with the offense committed in the presence of a child, aggravated disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, cruelty to children by one over, and domestic assault. Dec. 14 at 7:49 p.m., Leon Wilson III, of Burlington, for violating conditions of release on Dorset Street. Dec. 18 at 9:43 a.m., Shayne J. Hardy, 35, of South Burlington, for burglary and attempted murder on Farrell Street. Dec. 19 at 6:11 p.m., Christian T. Blais, 37, no residence provided, for unlawful trespass on Market Street. Dec. 20 at 7:58 a.m., Christian S. Carr, 31, no residence provided, for grand larceny on Shelburne Road. Dec. 20 at 7:42 p.m., Jody R. Billodeau, 50, of St. Albans City, for retail theft on Dorset Street. Dec. 20 at 7:42 p.m., Michelle Greenan, 39, of St. Albans City, for retail theft on Dorset Street. Dec. 21 at 10:58 a.m., Melissa J. Davis, 58, of South Burlington, for fentanyl trafficking and violating conditions of release on Dorset Street. Dec. 21 at 12:07 p.m., Samantha A Tonnessen, 38, no residence provided, for retail theft on Dorset Street. Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney office and can be amended or dropped.

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OPINION Preparing for what’s next in the Trump administration your questions. As we close out the year, I have appeared at over 20 town hall forums. On a personal level, these forums served as Charity Clark the most gratifying and rewarding highHaving sued the Trump Administration lights of my work this year. I heard from 36 times in 11 months, I am reflecting on so many of you that, in our describing our the wild ride of 2025 — and preparing work battling for our Constitution and our for what’s next. President Trump began country, you were reassured. It wasn’t hope, his second term with a flurry of executive but faith you felt. I will continue to deliver orders. The first executive orders this faith, because I truly believe — some of which were almost that, with the hard work of attorlaughably shocking, such as neys general and many others, attempts to rename the Gulf of our country will withstand these Mexico — established on Inaugurepeated affronts to our Constituration Day that Project 2025 and tion and our system of federalism. the president’s “to do” list were I have been overwhelmed by one in the same. thank you notes and words of Since that day, we have support and gratitude. “Thank endured attempts to usurp the you,” I hear at the grocery store, at authority of governors, defy summer camp drop-off, at coffee Charity Clark federal judges and — repeatedly shops. For the millionth time, I am — ignore the wishes of Congress. so proud to be a Vermonter where Among the 36 lawsuits we filed people care about their communiin collaboration with two dozen other state ties, their neighbors and their country. It is attorneys general, the Trump Administrayou who deserves thanks for your care and tion repeatedly violated the United States for your patriotism. Constitution, which I swore an oath to Although I believe we are experiencing support, and federal law. a test we will pass, the most trying phase Through this chaotic, disruptive year, of President Trump’s second term is on I committed to visiting communities to the horizon: the congressional mid-term explain our work battling federal overreach elections. Every single member of the and constitutional violations and answer House is up for re-election next year, and

Guest Perspective

currently President Trump’s party governs with a razor-thin majority. Based on history, this narrow margin of majority, and the very low approval rating of President Trump, odds are good for Democrats to take back control in the House in 2026, just like they did in 2018. This would activate the body whose job is, in part, to check the power of the President. It would prevent harmful and destructive laws, like the One Big Beautiful Bill, from passing in the first place. The importance of Democrats taking back Congress can’t be overstated. Of all that I have battled this year, the thing that keeps me up at night is my worry over the President undermining the integrity of the 2026 elections. From his executive orders, requests for election data, history as an election denier and shocking social media statements, President Trump clearly does not believe our free and fair democratic elections are sacred. It will be up to the rest of us to ensure the 2026 elections are fair. We are fortunate in Vermont to have a dedicated and experienced Secretary of State, Sarah Copeland Hanzas, overseeing our elections. I am proud to support Secretary Copeland Hanzas — and she is laser focused on this issue. And our system of town clerks,

justices of the peace and election volunteers protects our elections. As a Democrat, I have looked on with chagrin at the national Democratic Party’s struggle to inspire and mobilize Americans. It is time to recommit our focus on working people and freedom, and it is time to be problem solvers. Donald Trump has presented a tremendous challenge to political, social and legal norms. We are the only ones who can save us. Each one of us has a role to play. At our town hall forums, I encourage each Vermonter to stand up for our democracy. Exercise your fundamental rights and freedoms. Attend a protest. Write op-eds to your local paper, support the free press and buy a banned book. Organize a carload of friends to go volunteer for a congressional race in a purple district. Donate to a local organization doing work that matters in your community. This year, as I reviewed each case, I had an opportunity to revisit and reflect on our Constitution. I found in myself the patriotism and love of our country that burns brighter than the threat of tyranny we are facing. I want you to know that I am going to keep fighting for our country. I am putting my faith in it.

A balanced Legislature will keep the government honest Vermonters ahead of party politics. That balance brought moderation back into state government, and it kept extreme policies Ashley Bartley in check. On Dec. 1, the Vermont Department of Unfortunately, that spirit of collaboraTaxes released its annual report outlining tion has taken a hit. The Vermont Rediswhat Vermonters can expect for the educa- tricting Task Force has failed to follow tion portion of their property tax bills in through on its obligations under Act 73. the coming year. Unfortunately, the news Rather than presenting Vermonters with is not good. Once again, the data shows the new district maps required by law, that without meaningful the Task Force is now action from Montpelier, suggesting voluntary Vermonters deserve families, seniors and mergers; an approach that working Vermonters will sidesteps their responsibetter. We deserve face substantial property bility and creates even tax increases. more uncertainty for a transparent, This trend should not towns, school districts surprise anyone who has accountable process. and taxpayers caught in followed the last few the middle. years of state budgeting. Vermonters deserve However, it should concern all of us, better. We deserve a transparent, accountbecause behind every percentage increase able process; not one that shifts responsiis a household already stretched thin and a bility or tries to paper over problems with community struggling to stay affordable. half-measures. During the 2025 legislative biennium, The path forward for Vermont requires lawmakers proved something importa balanced Legislature, one where no ant: When Montpelier is balanced, when single party can push through an agenda republicans, democrats and indepenwithout listening to the rest of the state. A dents work together, real collaboration balanced Montpelier fosters negotiation, is not only possible, it’s productive. We saw thoughtful negotiation, responsible See BARTLEY on page 7 decision-making and a willingness to put

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Hommage à Grand-mère Elise et sa salade verte For a decade leading up to her moving out of her apartment, we’d parade into her house Bill Schubart dressed in our church finery and encounter the smell of her signaBorn in 1901, Grammie ture pork roast sizzling in her Couture lived over 101 years. new electric oven. Her large farm She was the family matriarch, table displayed her best porcelain the friend we all turned to when china and starched linens. The our lives tipped over. protocols of serving and consumAlthough deeply religious, ing Sunday dinner matched those Grammie bore no judgments. that my brother Mike and I, both We could count on her unqualaltar boys, were familiar with ified love and understanding. serving mass, all very formal. She forbore any comment about Dad would process in from my departure from the Catholic Church at 18, my three marriages the kitchen, bearing the large ironstone platter of charred pork and she was always there for my and mint jelly. Grammie had children and former wives. grown up with a fear of trichFor much of her life, our inosis, so pork was routinely mother battled depression and charred to ensure the eliminawould retire to her bedroom for tion of any parasites. Grammie days at a time. Grammie would would bring in a smaller platter “drop by” with a casserole and of roast potatoes and one of us spend a bit of time tidying up in kids would bring the bowl of Mom’s absence. Her signature canned green beans and another dish and our childhood favorite the saucer of bread and the butter we called “Cheez-Whiz Brocdish. coli.” It could Dad would be prepared in a Dad would slice the slice the pork flash by stirand Grammie ring together a pork and Grammie would serve the box of Minute potatoes and Rice, a jar of would serve the beans, passing Cheez-Whiz and to each of us a a bag of frozen potatoes and beans, full plate. Still broccoli florets. passing to each of us a toddler, our (Combine all sister Claire ingredients in a a full plate.. casserole dish, would sneak a small slab of stir gently and butter and slip it in her mouth bake for 20 minutes at 350.) like fudge. The ‘50s and ‘60s began the This Sunday dinner tradimarket decline of fresh food and tion continued for almost two the birth of the industrial food age. TV advertising convinced us decades. One year, when Mike and I that frozen and canned vegetawere in our teens, Mike asked bles were superior to the fresh Grammie if she ever made green produce available locally. Spam, salad. Velveeta, Junket, Cap’n Crunch “No,” she answered abruptly. cereal and Tang became staples “I ’ave a ’iatal ’ernia and dem as did “Bunny Bread” and leaves gets caught in my t’roat.” oleomargarine, the white bars of which came with a small bladder That ended the salad conversation. of reddish dye to be blended in The following month, the to make it look like butter, even though it never tasted like butter. family trouped in for Sunday I remember going into Patch’s dinner expecting the regular menu. But then to our surprise, Market with a grocery list from Grammie returned to the kitchen Dad. “Half a pound of cheese, and came out bearing a dinner sir,” I intoned to Mr. Patch. “White or yellow?” he answered, plate featuring a quivering even as a large wheel of Vermont dome of green Jell-O in which were suspended canned mandacheddar sat atop the meat case rin orange sections, miniature under a glass cloche. marshmallows, walnuts and On the first Sunday of each multi-colored M&M’s. month after ten o’clock Mass “You like da green salad, so I at Holy Family Church in made one. Mangez-bien!” Morrisville, we’d gather around We all just stared at the green Grammie’s dining room table quivering mass. for Sunday dinner. It was an enduring ritual until one Sunday, Bill Schubart grew up in sporting a blue-black bruise around her left eye, Grammie Lamoille County and now lives announced she could no longer in Hinesburg. He writes about live alone and charged dad with Vermont in fiction, humor and finding her a retirement home. opinion pieces.

Guest Perspective

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Community builds through food, transportation and lots of dancing Guest Perspective Lorelei Gennett There’s just something about eating a meal with others that makes the food taste that much better. The love of a good meal is a particularly universal experience. For thousands of years, across thousands of cultures, humans have performed the ritual of consuming food together. A dinner party, a potluck, even a quick coffee with an old friend — no matter how it looks, the idea remains the same: community is built through food.

But sharing that meal is easier said than done. For new Americans, the desire for shared meals and community is present, but many barriers exist. An individual might not speak English, might not have any familiarity with American culture or might find themselves in a different climate than they grew up in. They might be isolated from their family and friends, might be unable to find ingredients to cook their cultural foods, or might be unable to find someone willing to share those foods with. Shared communities become lifelines in the effort to rebuild their lives in a new home. Community groups and

partnerships are essential parts of the process in building shared community for new Americans. Here in Vermont, the Association for Africans Living in Vermont strengthens our community by fostering hope, independence and dignity for new Americans. AALV bridges integrated services, helping new Americans with translation; get ready to work; health; counseling; and easing the transition to live and work in Vermont. This mission heavily echoes South Burlington’s equity, food See GENNETT on page 7

The Other Paper • December 26, 2025 • Page 7

GENNETT

continued from page 6 access and active transportation goals. These goals have seen the birth of collaboration amongst nonprofit partners focused on affordable housing, food access and shared transportation. Net Zero Vermont — a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable and people-first downtowns — is one such partner, along with South Burlington’s Common Roots. The collaboration between Net Zero Vermont, Vermont Clean Communities, AALV and Common Roots has produced noticeable community impact, including most recently introducing refugee women to good partners and opportunities in South Burlington to expand community connections and access to local produce. On Dec. 3, refugee women from Kenya, Congo and a handful of other countries of origin gathered at the Wheeler House for a food and dance party. Hosted by Net Zero Vermont and Vermont Clean Communities in collaboration with AALV and Common Roots, the event reflected weeks of collective effort to support these refugee women and their families, many of whom are rebuilding their lives in greater Burlington and the surrounding areas. Volunteers of the AALV and Common Roots community members collaborated in cooking traditional African dishes, and the meals that resulted from that collaboration formed the

heart of the evening. For many volunteers, this was their first time eating and/or cooking these dishes and to them, the experience was just as important as to the women and their families: many said that the feeling of communal joy was something that they cherished. For the new Americans, the night provided the opportunity to spend time with their friends and family and dance to music in their native languages; for volunteers and partners, the event provided the opportunity to expand the boundaries of our cultural experiences and build relationships. But the night was more than about simply community — it was about livelihood. On the day of the event, three women became naturalized US citizens — an incredible achievement that involves many challenges and years of patience. Celebrating their success made the night much more impactful. The night became not an isolated experience, but rather a celebration of the first night of the rest of these women’s lives within our community. Net Zero Vermont and its partners continue to explore opportunities to support all members of our community in a way that makes the barriers to a shared meal and transportation — and a shared sense of health and long-term stability — an expectation rather than an exception. This includes food access

and transportation to the grocery store, health, housing and family needs. Currently, Net Zero Vermont is working to connect AALV families with Common Roots and in turn to South Burlington farms and local produce; to seek grants which support transportation independence and culturally-inclusive food access; provide and find options for community meal gatherings and farm-to-table resources; and build collaborations with food systems partners, including the Intervale and New Farms for New Americans. The success and joy derived from this event, as well as the work done by AALV, Net Zero Vermont, Common Roots and Vermont Clean Communities, proves that a greater Vermont comes not from meals for one, but rather food being accessible and welcoming to all on a shared plate. As we enter the winter months and will very soon find ourselves in 2026, community and togetherness will be more important than ever. We are all someone’s neighbor, and many of our neighbors are looking for any bit of joy possible as the future in our country remains uncertain. Support your local community groups, provide a helping hand where you can, and remember: You never need to dine alone.

education system, Vermonters should remember this: a balanced government isn’t a talking point. It’s the key to restoring affordability and common sense. Montpelier works best when it reflects all of Vermont, not just one political persuasion. If we want a state that protects

working families, seniors and young people trying to build their lives here, then we must protect balance. Because balance is what keeps government honest, responsive and focused on solutions — not partisan agendas. Vermont’s future depends on it.

COURTESY PHOTOS

African women and others gathered Dec. 3 at Wheeler House for food and dancing.

Lorelei Gennett is Net Zero Vermont and Project Coordinator for Vermont Clean Communities.

BARTLEY

continued from page 5 moderation, accountability and collaboration. It ensures that policies are shaped not by ideology, but by what actually works for the communities we call home. As we confront the reality of rising property taxes again, workforce shortages, a housing crisis, and the strain on our

Brand new state-of-the art facility!

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SBHS Music Fundraiser Christmas Tree Pick-up Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026

Trees need to be out at the curb by 10 a.m.* Make your check to ‘SBHS Music’ and attach to your tree in a plastic bag $15 small or medium trees / $20 large trees

Recycle Your Christmas Tree AND Support SBHS Music Students! All prots will be used to fund new instruments and provide awesome musical experiences (clinics, scholarships and lessons)! *If your tree is not picked up by 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, please call Christina at (802) 373‐6937 and we’ll send someone to pick it up! Please note that we nish our pick‐up by 2:30 p.m.

Page 8 • December 26, 2025 • The Other Paper

COMUNITY Community Notes Celebrate New Year’s with Beethoven The Green Mountain Mahler Festival presents Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony for their New Year’s concerts. Conducted by Danial Bruce with Mary Jane Austin as the chorusmaster. Concerts are Jan. 1, 2026, at 3 p.m. and Jan. 2 at 7 p.m., both at the Elley-Long Music Center at 223 Ethan Allen Ave., Colchester. Vocal soloists include Stefanie Weigand, Nessa Rabin, Kartik

Ayysola and Erik Kroncke. Proceeds will benefit the Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity. Tickets $30 adult, $25 senior, $20 student or child. For more information and to purchase tickets visit vtmahler.org.

Fall into your own world The South Burlington Public Art Gallery presents “The World in Our Mind,” on view now through Jan. 29, 2026. “The World in Our Mind”

brings together Vermont-based illustrators exploring imagination, memory and emotion through collage, acrylic, screen print, encaustic and oil. Each artist transforms inner thoughts into visual narratives, creating personal and symbolic worlds that invite viewers to reflect on their own creative and imaginative landscapes. Participating artists include: Misoo Bang, Noah Burns, Jason Chin, Julie Dunigan, Deirdre Gill, Anne Hunter, Matt deForest Jenkins and Athena

Petra Tasiopoulos. The exhibition is free and open to the public, offering an inclusive space for audiences of all ages to experience the playful and thought-provoking possibilities of contemporary illustration. Curated by Maedeh Asgharpour.

Contra dance in Shelburne Contra Dance presented by Queen City Contras at Shelburne Town Hall, 5374 Shelburne Road on Dec. 26 at 6:45 p.m. Tea for Three (Abigail Sandy, Hadley Stockwell, Crystal Zhou) will play. Our caller will be Ben Sachs-Hamilton. All are welcome; all dances are taught; no partner or experience necessary. $12 adults over 18, $5 kids 12-18/low-income, under 12 free. Please bring a pair of clean, soft-soled shoes to dance in and a water bottle to keep you hydrated. Masks welcome but optional. Please stay home if you have symptoms.

Obituary Patricia Tobin Burgmeier Patricia Tobin Burgmeier, loving wife, daughter, mother and friend, passed away at 82 years old on Dec. 15, 2025, surrounded by her husband of 61 years, James Burgmeier; her son Glenn; her daughter Robin; their spouses, Gillian Klein and Matt Pyle; and grandchildren, Colton, Alison and Emily; and her beloved dog, Ginger. Pat was born on March 16, 1943, and was predeceased by her father John R. Tobin and mother Carol Tobin (Cummings). Pat was co-founder of The Other Paper, the South Burlington weekly newspaper. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Trinity College and became a Para-Educator at Gertrude Chamberlin Elementary School, helping

Patricia Tobin Burgmeier

children in and outside the classroom. Pat enjoyed entertaining and always welcomed friends and family in her home. She hosted an annual Truffle Party around the holidays for more than 25 years, rolling fancy chocolates — an

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event that became legendary. Pat was an accomplished artist, painting weekly for years with a small group of friends who called themselves The Monet Mamas. Pat traveled extensively, mostly with her husband, visiting 43 states, seven Canadian provinces, 18 European countries, four African countries and two each in Asia and South America. Pat loved to cook and was notorious for making everything delicious. She was always happy, smiling and upbeat and loved her family dearly. We will be having a celebration of Pat’s life in the summer of 2026, date and place to be determined. Please send her daughter an email with your contact information if you’d like to be included so we don’t miss anyone: robinpyle920@gmail.com.

All Brains Belong hosts a virtual NYE All Brains Belong, a nonprofit dedicated to building neuroinclusive communities, is hosting its 4th annual virtual New Year’s Eve: You’re Not Alone, which is an interactive online event that provides a welcoming, sensory-friendly alternative to traditional New Year’s festivities, offering music, activities and community connection for people of all ages.

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It takes place Dec. 31 from 5-8 p.m. There is no expectation for anyone to outwardly participate. Attendees are welcome to keep cameras off, sit back and observe, or join in as much or as little as feels right. The focus is on connection without pressure, ensuring that everyone knows they are not alone. “So many of us are living with needs that aren’t being met — in healthcare, in community, in daily life. Especially if you’re neurodivergent, or living with chronic illness, it can feel like you’re carrying it all alone,” Dr. Mel Houser, family physician and executive director of All Brains Belong, said. For tickets, more information and/or to register for the raffle, allbrainsbelong.org/new-years. Tickets are by donation.

Celebrate NYE with Dave Keller Hot off the heels of his fiveweek, coast-to-coast U.S. tour, soul/blues musician Dave Keller brings his brand new, all-original “La Brea” album to life, for a special early evening New Year’s Eve concert at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier at 130 Main St. For this intimate, solo performance, singer/guitarist Keller will be performing all the songs from “La Brea,” many for the very first time in Vermont. Doors open at 5 p.m. Concert begins at 5:30 p.m.

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The Other Paper • December 26, 2025 • Page 9

News Briefs Library to open on Sundays The Sou h Bur ng on Pub c L brary w open on Sundays beg nn ng Jan 4 2026 One of he brary’s ongo ng goa s nc uded n he C yP an 2024 s “ o become a more equ ab e and nc us ve commun y resource ” Sunday hours ncrease

access for res den s who may no have me dur ng he week or have o her comm men s on Sa urdays The new Sunday hours w be he same as he curren Sa urday hours 9 a m o 3 p m Curren y here s no forma p an for a ded ca ed Sunday brary program bu a he brary’s forma and nforma spaces w be ava ab e for use or ren a

TIF DISTRICT con nued rom page 1 nfras ruc ure As deve opmen happens proper y va ues r se and genera e ex ra ax revenue Tha ex ra ax money s used o pay back he borrowed money The dea s ha as he nfras ruc ure s bu and mproved a rac s pr va e sec or nves men n new and renova ed bu d ngs and ncreases he va ue of he grand s Sou h Bur ng on’s TIF d s r c was ns u ed n 2012 bu he c y d dn’ ncur s firs deb un 2017 se ng he 20-year ncremen re enon per od n mo on S nce hen he c y has made severa advances n s own pro ec s and n ncen vz ng he pr va e sec or o bu d up C y Cen er Over 650 new homes have been bu n he area a ong w h approx ma e y 80 000 square fee of firs -floor commerc a space N ne y-s x homes are curren y under cons ruc on n he d s r c And h s year he TIF D s r c expend ures and revenues are n ba ance As par of he c y’s overa 2025 grand s he TIF D s r c grand s was $107 8 m on e he th e he th th he e 32+.4was n 2012 h gher han ha area ity may sccribes Schoool district re a xploorre '+. 174#'+ /33217 budge ets in lim mbo — a mos hree mes he 2012 on y registr m short-ter its un na or axab e va ue The c y reennttaall g expec s o add $1 77ldd’’m on o he thhee wor ks inof okks fund by‘TTheh he end he curren fisca st bo best / 4 5 472*!4 /7 /2+ - 2275. /6((**4 (223 4/2+ year more han $600 000 han he pr or year

Sou h Bur ng on’s commun y deve opmen d rec or and unoffic a TIF d s r c guru I ona B anchard o d he c y counc as mon h ha wh e he TIF D s r c s performng we pro ec on mode s show ower revenues and a deeper need o cush on he TIF D s r c fund f no fu ure deve opmen occurs “Sus a ned and cons s en m xed-use or compac hous ng deve opmen w br ng he TIF D s r c n o ba ance over he ong run and resu n h gher overa annua revenues ” B anchard wro e n a memo “Ongo ng effor s o encourage add ona deve opmen are prom s ng nc ud ng recen ac ons o upda e zon ng regu aons bu perm s have ye o be fi ed ” B anchard’s “break even forecas ” es ma es ha 56 ren a apar men homes need o be added each year o resu n a pos ve ba ance a he end of he TIF D s r c ’s fe — fisca year 2038 — w h no surp us revenue

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Page 10 • December 26, 2025 • The Other Paper as she told a sarcastic tale about knowing more about a rat than a boyfriend she had in her 20s.

Storytellers’ favorite stories

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

Hinesburg resident and storyteller, Bill Torrey, shares a favorite book of his after telling a gripping story about what hunting means to him.

STORIES continued from page 1 10, and one storyteller from each was chosen by the respective librarian and invited to last week’s event, a Best of 2025 Library Storytellers reunion of sorts. Brattleboro lawyer Raven Rae was called back after telling a career story at a law-themed event earlier this year. However, the story she told last week was personal, more vulnerable. “This one’s about me, so the stakes are a little different,” she said. Rae went in cold, but when she got to the heart of her story, her comfort on stage increased and the emotions of her memory came through sharp and clear. She told the story of the first time, at the age of six, she felt extreme heartbreak and betrayal. Her mother sent her to ballet class, much to her chagrin — that is, until she met the teacher. She was bubbly, graceful and encouraging — everything little Rae needed. Then, she found out she had to perform at a recital for other people. “I was dancing to get out of the house. I was dancing for love. I was dancing for fun. I was dancing for this teacher who I adored. I was dancing for me. I was not dancing for an audience. I was certainly not dancing for my mother,” Rae said. Rae is not a storyteller by trade and the invitation was unexpected, but she pushed herself to do it for personal growth. Since the first event, she’s sought opportunities for sharing and hearing stories and wants to create more spaces for storytelling.

“You pass people on the street, and you meet them in your work life,” Rae said, “And it’s these tiny little stories, these little vignettes. You really start to see, kind of, who people are and what they’ve gone through, and how they got to be who they are.” Anderson also attributes much of her own storytelling skill to being a lawyer. She said being in front of a jury requires telling a story. “They want to connect to the story, and they want to feel something,” she said.

Regular people, regular stories The people who participate in these events are regular people, community members, neighbors. Some may be professional storytellers, but many had never done something like this. “I think being able to get up in front of an audience and share anything is very empowering to people,” Anderson said. “It brings a whole different intimacy to it,” audience member Carol Talley said. She said she found the stories rich and made her wonder what stories everyone is carrying. “They are regular people all the time and there’s these little bubbles floating around over them (with) their stories.” One narrative was about a woman, a rabbit and a dream of a new life. Kim Lipinski, of Hardwick, took a deep breath before speaking and continually surprised the audience, her tale touching on being a 20-something yearning to be an artist, divorcing

an un-ambitious men, and throwDevout audience members and ing her pet crocodile in the L.A. Hinesburg residents Ruth Ann river and rabbits on planes — Rhodes and John Pendris have making one wonder how many traveled to seven of the 10 events other stories her life has to tell. so far. Rhodes enjoys them for the “I took my bunny out, put him “variety of stories” where “some on my lap and dreamed of my new are very touching and some make life,” was Lipinski’s closing line. you laugh.” They are both lovers Between speakers, Anderson of storytelling and supporters of provided poetic quips, asked the libraries, and they even met each audience questions like “Who other at a library-hosted event. was raised on a farm?” or “How With his right hand outstretched many of you are crying?” and read for emphasis, Bill Torrey of Hinesfrom slips of paper filled out by burg told a gripping tale of deer audience members with vignettes hunting with old-school Vermontof their own, often in the form of er phrasing such as, “I’m starting suspenseful one-liners. to shake like a dog passing a pineThe evening cone.” But with included a a cadence that “We’re all humans, new storytellhung on every er arrangeword, he spoke right? We’re all ment, a father of his passion and two-son for hunting, meant to experience trio called The something that Three Dudes, mesmerizes him all the emotions.” or alternatively, and connects the Courgettes. him to the land, — Samara Anderson all while breakJeremiah, Abraham and Manny ing his heart — Breer, of Cabot, told the story of making it all the more sacred. a hiking trip gone bad. The father Other stories had a humorled, re-living the story of one son ous lightness to them, like Peter breaking his arm on the way down Burns, who was chosen from Mount Pisgah and the treacherous the Waterville event and talked walk down, requiring assistance in a deadpan funny way with from anyone who passed by. Each strict enunciation. He spoke son chimed in with critical detail. about buying a bespoke suit with The story was told with humor, bike spokes on the inside for his the way a kid would, but it shift- daughter’s wedding that included ed to a relatable seriousness when the line, “There was a major deciJeremiah got to the part when he sion to be made, pocket square was driving 35 mph on the inter- or no pocket square. Naturally, I state and someone rolled down consulted my therapist.” their window and asked, “Are you Megan Price, of the Vergennes ok?” and he just erupted into an event, was very relaxed behind emotional breakdown. the mic, and the room giggled

After telling their tales, storytellers, whether because of relief or adrenaline, often needed to be reminded that they weren’t quite done. This being a library event, they needed to display their favorite book and share why they love it or why it resonated with them tonight. “We’re trying to include all the voices that are available in South Burlington and beyond,” Bree Drapa, South Burlington Public Library director, said of hosting the event. “This is a diverse group of people coming from other places, and we’re welcoming them here in South Burlington.” Burn’s book of choice — his daughter’s childhood favorite — was “The Runaway Bunny” by Margaret Wise Brown. He said books brought him closer to his daughter and “libraries and books are still close to my heart.” Lee Krohn of Charlotte, after telling a story of the way cameras write stories both in front of and behind the viewfinder, remarked on his background in public service and local government helping him realize the importance of storytelling when convincing people of ideas. “You have to get beyond the law or the technicalities of things to reach people more emotionally. Why you feel something is important, and why you’d like others to share that belief,” he said. One story brought the room tears. Teacher Steve Holmes of Vergennes told a moving tale of how a 7th grade boy in his class instead taught this teacher to cherish life. “It’s the range of emotions,” Anderson said. “We’re all humans, right? We’re all meant to experience all the emotions.” Anderson has gained a following of speakers and listeners. “When I host these events and go to all these little towns, what I see is just amazing connection and support,” she said. “We listen to understand. We don’t listen to change people.” The night closed out with a cyclical, multi-decade story about fatherhood and masculinity and the quest to be better. Paul Yoon from Essex spoke with a narrator’s voice, held a Bic razor in his hand, and bookended his story by singing a line from a “Hamilton” song with a little help from the audience: “Someday, someday, yeah you’ll blow us all away.” As Anderson’s two-decade tour of Vermont’s 187 libraries continues, she will be visiting Georgia, East Corinth, Hyde Park, Randolph and Killington in the first half of the new year.

The Other Paper • December 26, 2025 • Page 11

OUTDOORS

Native hollies offer more than holiday cheer The Outside Story Colby Galliher Few plants evoke winter holidays in the north more dependably than the Christmas holly (Ilex aquifolium). The plant’s handsome evergreen leaves and red berries have enjoyed a sacred place in European cultures, from the British Isles to the Mediterranean, since classical antiquity. Today, it remains the member of the holly family (Aquifoliaceae) most likely to festoon mantels and doorways in celebration of the season. But while Christmas holly originates across the Atlantic, our region has two native holly species of which to boast — and they do much more on the landscape than brighten homes and spirits at yuletide. You can find northern New England’s hollies in their preferred habitat in bogs, swamps and other waterlogged areas. The two shrubs — mountain holly (Ilex mucronata, formerly Nemopanthus mucronatus before genetic testing prompted a reclassification) and common winterberry (I. verticillata) — are common in wetland complexes or their edges, where they can reach 15 feet tall. The species tend to intermingle in these settings, which can make distinguishing them a challenge. Luckily, there are several differences between the two that can help aspiring holly honchos tell them apart, even in the cold months. One is the specific locations in which they grow. Though both are wetland plants, mountain holly can tolerate drier conditions than its counterpart; in wetlands hosting both species, you might find mountain holly along the periphery, rather than in standing water like winterberry. You may also come across mountain holly, as its name suggests, growing at higher elevations than winterberry. Another key distinction lies in the fruit of the two species. Both plants are dioecious, meaning that every individual is either male or female. When fertilized by the pollen of a nearby male, females of both species produce the attractive red berries — technically drupes, or fruits consisting of skin and

ILLUSTRATION BY ADELAIDE MURPHY TYROL

flesh that surround a pit containing the seeds — for which the holly family is widely known. But mountain holly berries are about 1/3-inch wide, hang from thin stalks like cherries, and according to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, are usually snapped up by wildlife before winter rolls around. Winterberries, meanwhile, grow in clusters tight to the shrub’s branches and rarely exceed 1/4-inch in width. They almost always persist far beyond fall, firing winter’s drab palette with spellbinding pageants of red. That is, until non-human eyes discover them. It is a delightful annual ritual to behold the bedlam of a hungry flock of robins dropping out of the sky into the humble grove of winterberries in a swampy area of my yard. Males and females dangle from the waist-

high shrubs like top-heavy ornaments, their wings flapping for balance, and gobble up the berries in their immediate vicinity before contorting themselves to pluck those on neighboring branches. Berries go down the robins’ speckled gullets in one gulp — first pinched in their beaks, and then, with a toss of their heads, sliding into their bellies. What remains after these raiding parties will feed a suite of wildlife. In addition to robins, 47 species of birds eat winterberries, among them northern mockingbirds, cedar and bohemian waxwings and eastern bluebirds, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The little morsels are comparatively spartan pickings compared to seeds and insects, but when winter deepens and those calorie-dense

foods diminish, winterberries offer a critical nutritional backup. (Hungry hikers tromping through a snow-covered bog should look but not eat; winterberries are mildly poisonous to humans.) Sated winged and four-legged diners, which include mammals from bears to squirrels, propagate the species by spreading the seeds over the landscape in their droppings. Twigs of both shrubs are also fodder for deer and rabbits. Alas, this impressive wildlife value cannot neutralize our two native hollies’ aesthetic Achilles heel. Christmas holly’s leaves persist through the winter alongside the berries, creating the eye-pleasing combination associated with year-end holidays. Mountain holly and winterberry, on the other hand, are deciduous; they drop their leaves in the fall.

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Though leaf-drop accentuates the spectacular display of berries, it puts our native Ilex species at a disadvantage when competing for decorating prominence with the red-and-green allure of Christmas holly. Still, winterberry and mountain holly crack on, outside, as stalwarts of northern New England’s winter ecology. More native berries for the birds! Colby Galliher writes about conservation, ecology, and environmental policy. To learn more about his work, visit colbygalliher.com. Illustration by Adelaide Murphy Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: nhcf.org.

Page 12 • December 26, 2025 • The Other Paper

SPORTS CVU and SB girls’ hockey form a co-op D1 team, Chittenden Charge LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

For many years, players from Champlain Valley and South Burlington have faced off against each other on the ice. This season, the two schools will team up — along with Mount Mansfield — to form a high school Division I girls ice hockey team, the Chittenden Charge. “It was a real tragedy that South Burlington didn’t have a season last year,” Charge coach Matt Bunting said. “The ambition was not to be reactive in the moment, but to be proactive and take a look at how we can get as many kids out there skating, playing hockey. “Administrators at the highest levels, community members, coaches, players, have been sort of in this conversation for months about how we can make this whole thing work, and the Chittenden Charge was born in that way.” South Burlington had to abruptly cancel its season last year, right before practices were set to begin, due to low numbers. Facing similar issues this year, the school started exploring other options to get its players on the ice. Enter the Champlain Valley and Mount Mansfield co-op hockey team. The two schools have been playing as a co-op team for years, under the CougarHawks umbrella. The three teams will now form a single entity — the Chittenden

Charge — with a new look and new logo. And things are off to a good start for the Charge. They beat Woodstock, 8-0, in their season opener. “I think everyone is fired up to be on the ice, and there is a really great energy with the team,” Bunting said. “We have, as coaches, been trying to do a lot of team building and getting everyone together and trying to create as much trust as possible on and off the ice. I’m really fired up by the energy on this team.” With 11 players from South Burlington, 12 players from Champlain Valley and four players from Mount Mansfield, it is a true collaborative effort this season on the ice. “None of it has been super easy, but there’ve been just so many committed parties working together to make it work,” Bunting said. “It’s been an honor to be a part of it.” While a team up between these three teams is new, co-op teams are not new to girls’ hockey in Vermont. The Burlington-Colchester team won a Division I state title two years ago and the Kingdom Blades (which is a co-op between Lyndon, St. Johnsbury and North Country) have been in the mix since 2018. Helping the team transition to this new format has been the addition of coaches from South Burlington. Courtney Barrett and Julia

PHOTO BY AL FREY

Three area high schools have formed a cooperative girls’ hockey team called Chittenden Charge.

Hudson have joined Bunting’s staff to give the former Wolves players some familiarity. Adding to the familiarity is the team’s home rink — Cairns Arena. The longtime home of both CVU and South Burlington hockey, all the players are familiar with their home base and for many South Burlington players it marks a

return home after a year away. “We all lived together at Cairns Arena, and so there’s a lot of bumping into one another and connecting with one another,” Bunting said. “And when the whistle blows and the puck drops, we all want to win. Everyone is just excited to be there and wants to get better.” With the logistics out of the

way — including a new name, new logo and new uniforms — and with the puck dropped on the 2025-26 season, the Charge are excited to hit the ice and see what they can do. “I think that everyone is excited to see what’s possible here and what we can all do together,” Bunting said.

Wolves dominate in basketball barnburner LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Girls’ basketball South Burlington 52, Enosburg 32: Kayla Cisse scored 22 points — all in the second half —and led the South Burlington girls’ basketball to a win on Friday night. Lexi Paquette scored 14 points for the Wolves, who move to 2-1 with the win.

Boys’ ice hockey

PHOTO BY AL FREY

While South Burlington and CVU’s girls now play for the same hockey team, the boys’ rivalry remains.

North Country 3, South Burlington 1: South Burlington fell to North Country on Saturday in high school boys’ ice hockey, their third loss in a row. Trey Smith had a goal for the

Wolves, while Alex Chagnon made 14 saves in goal.

Girls’ ice hockey Chittenden Charge 7, Harwood 2: Six players found the back of the net for the Chittenden Charge as the new cooperative team beat Harwood on Saturday. Leah Schut had two goals and one assist for the Charge, while Hadia Ahmed, Lilly Poquette, Devin Taylor, Sydney Bernier and Mae Arnoldy all added a goal. Maddie Roy made nine stops in goal. The Charge fell, 2-1, to Hartford on Friday, giving up two goals in the third period. Leah Schut had the lone goal for the Charge, who are 2-1.

The Other Paper • December 26, 2025 • Page 13

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December 26, 2025

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Page 14 • December 26, 2025 • The Other Paper

SUPERINTENDENT

continued from page 3

they want to see in the district and, “They want written policies. more importantly, from a superin- They want specific training. It tendent. seems like that might not have been Since October, Clark has a priority in the recent past,” he met with nearly 300 community said. members from 30 different groups In addition to asking questions through what he has called his “3Q and gathering feedback, he has meetings.” The premise is simple, also spearheaded a new superinhe said, and involves three simple tendent curriculum committee and questions: What do you like about has plans for others — including a South Burlington finance commitschools? What tee, a student “Hang around with can we do better? superintenAnd what do you dent advisory kids and you really expect from the committee, a superintendent? diversity, equity have a bright hope Clark said his and inclusion philosophy is the committee and for the future.” community owns a special educathe schools, and — Joe Clark tion committee. he is simply the He said commitfacilitator. He tees like these added community trust has been have been commonplace in other broken in recent years, and repair- districts he has worked but were ing it is at the top of his to-do list. missing from South Burlington. “It’s all about really empowHe also hopes to launch a ering the community,” he said. “I new strategic plan to help address think that our schools are better different actions that ultimately when we get feedback and input will help the district to meet its from the stakeholders.” “Ends policy,” which outlines what In addition to community students should be able to do upon trust, he said, he’s hearing from graduation at the district. employees who are thirsting for “We’ll get a large group of more direction or leadership, like people that will include folks from in curriculum and in special educa- every stakeholder group, board tion. members, administrators, teachers,

students, community members, to go through a really robust process where they’re analyzing all the data, they’re prioritizing what our goal should be, and making sure the goals align with what the Ends are that the board wants,” he said. Saying the work goes far beyond ensuring the district is functioning efficiently and effectively, Clark also hopes to make a lasting impact on the students who walk the district’s halls. He has even taken to sending personalized letters to

students, and it’s likely you’ll see him sitting up on the bleachers at a sports game or in the audience for the high school musical. “If you sit around too much watching TV or watching the news or whatever, you get depressed,” he said. “And then you hang around with kids, and you really have a bright hope for the future. I think, in general, kids are more empathetic and more gracious and more grateful than the general population. They’re just inspiring to hang

out with.” There may be a lot to clean up, but that’s been part of the fun for Clark, who says he thrives on making order out of chaos. And he’s hoping to show the community that the best is just around the corner for the South Burlington School District. “I love coming to work. It’s a fun job and I feel like I’m making a difference,” he said. “I think we have the right people in place to do it.”

The project was initially put out to bid in May, but when bids came back, both came in significantly higher than previously anticipated. As this project is shovel-ready, the city is “value engineering” the project to rebid the project for construction, perhaps this winter, while also working to obtain an estimated $3.5 million of gap funding. “We’re squeezing down that initial cost as much as we can, and we’ll be looking for more grant money,” Blanchard said, noting the project will likely be broken

into phases. “We’re keeping the overall designs but there are a few things that will change.” Other outstanding projects include the second and third phases of Garden Street, the City Center Park Phase 2 recreation path — connecting Market and Garden streets to the City Center Park — and the Williston Road Streetscape, which improves bicycle and pedestrian access on one of the city’s busiest corridors at the south side of Williston Road between Dorset Street and Midas Drive.

TIF DISTRICT

continued from page 9 and the city’s municipal buildings —already complete. But the costs for those projects are increasing. Most notable is a proposed bike and pedestrian bridge over Interstate 89, where the estimated cost has increased by nearly $13 million since 2021. The project is 30% eligible for TIF District Financing. The city has received two major federal grants for the project, totaling $17.7 million, in addition to the roughly $70,000 in federal funds expended during the scoping period of the project.

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