The Other Paper - 02-03-22

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Going downhill

Readers weigh in on upcoming city meeting, other issues

South Burlington alpine team sweeps slalom

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South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977

the FEBRUARY 3, 2022

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VOLUME 46, NO. 5

Incumbents will face challengers for city council

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Housing, land regs, climate top priorities AVALON STYLES-ASHLEY STAFF WRITER

COURTESY PHOTO

The South Burlington Business Association donated $9,800 to the South Burlington Food Shelf. From left, Julie Beatty, South Burlington Business Association coordinator, chairman Mike Keller and food shelf director Peter Carmolli. For more details, see community notes, page 9.

Here’s what’s on the ballot South Burlington city, school district ‘catch up’ services AVALON STYLES-ASHLEY STAFF WRITER

The South Burlington Town Meeting Day ballot is ratified and ready to go, with a rather short list of items needing approval. Retail cannabis shall not grace the city’s ballot, nor any school bonds or special items, leaving budgets in the spotlight.

Come March 1 voters must approve or deny city and school budgets, which both seem to focus on catching up lost services. Growing pains from pandemic recovery

ache at various budget joints, with dollars set aside to replenish staff and programming, upgrade technology and keep other services going.

In addition to budgets, voters will choose who they want representing them on the city council and school board. With two contested council seats and three open school board terms, at least some turnover is in store.

Budget need-to-know On the city side, councilors approved a $52 million budget

Jan. 18. In contrast to last year’s 1 percent budget increase, which left nine staff positions unfunded and kept most other services level-funded, this year’s budget is bursting with pandemic recovery funds, restored jobs and money for hurting parts of the city like emergency service staff.

But with rebounding services comes a bigger tax increase. The overall city budget rose a little over 6 percent compared to the current fiscal year, with a tax rate See BALLOT on page 12

Two challengers hope to win South Burlington city council terms this Town Meeting Day, leaving incumbents to fight for their seats.

All four candidates — Meaghan Emery, Chris Trombly, Linda Bailey and Tim Barritt — seem to share similar values and agree on the big issues: housing is a nightmare, affordability and quality of life are top priorities, climate change is important. It’s on the draft land development regulations where they diverge, some arguing that they restrict housing affordability, others that they’re a leader in environmental activism and smart planning.

Whether voting early or at the polls on March 1, residents will cast their ballot for city council this Town Meeting Day, either sticking to existing reps or ushering in some new voices.

Meaghan Emery, 2-year seat • Day job: Professor of French literature, culture and existentialism at University of Vermont.

• What book is on your nightstand? “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.

• Go-to breakfast: Pancakes with family on Sunday mornings or toast with tea.

Since she was first elected to South Burlington city council in 2008, Meaghan Emery said her

Meaghan Emery

platform has remained the same: keeping South Burlington affordable and bettering quality of life for residents.

From those two guiding principles spring numerous priorities, including increasing the city’s affordable housing stock, improving public transportation, preserving open spaces for recreation and the environment, centering social equity in environmental conversations and viewing all city decisions through a climate change lens.

Fighting climate change As a city councilor, Emery often speaks up for the environment. She’s pledged to view all city decisions through a climate change lens and over the last year she’s helped pass a climate change resolution and create a task force to create an action plan.

“We all need to go and sit in my See CITY COUNCIL on page 2

Page 2 • February 3, 2022 • The Other Paper

CITY COUNCIL

continued from page 1 daughter’s science class,” Emery said, adding that part of the work of adapting to a changing climate needs to be education.

Part of the climate change discussion also needs to center equity, she said, recalling a forum she organized last summer when Abenaki chiefs Don Stevens and Richard Menard joined city officials and residents to talk about land management.

New land regulations Emery also praised the planning commission’s recent work expanding environmental protections in the draft land development regulations, which she commended as promoting “trust” and “transparency,” even though she would make a few edits.

“I believe that they’re going to be a model for the state, if not the region. And they did it in a way that really found a way to bring all these goals that we have as a community together,” Emery said.

Housing crunch Something else she supports in the new land regulations is how they address affordability in the city, one of the tenets of her platform.

“I have steadfastly been a proponent of affordable housing. I have defended it in my own neighborhood and in other neighborhoods, and I have at every step of the way looked for ways to make it come to be in other parts of the city,” Emery said.

Becoming a homeowner in the Chamberlin neighborhood, Emery said she gained a deeper understanding of how important

maintaining quality of life is, from protecting parks and walking trails, to improving the bus system, to keeping the community affordable.

“If we had not found this home, we could not have lived here. There are many people in that situation right now,” she said. “Millennials and Generation Z are two generations that live in debt because of the cost of housing, the cost of health care, the cost of a college education.”

More funds should go to Champlain Housing Trust, Habitat for Humanity and similar entities, she added.

Chris Trombly

Chris Trombly, 2-year seat • Day job: Vice president in loan operations at Peoples United Bank, assisting homeowners and small business owners experiencing difficulties making timely payments, connecting them with resources such as the Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program.

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• What book is on your nightstand? “Hands on the Land: A history of the Vermont Landscape”

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• Go-to breakfast: French toast but he misses hash browns, eggs and toast from the Parkway Diner.

Not a stranger to local government, Chris Trombly volunteers as chair of the affordable housing committee, vice chair of the board of civil authority and tax abatement, as a justice of the peace, and on various school district committees, in addition to statewide groups.

Like other candidates this year, affordability is at the heart of Trombly’s campaign. While he comes from a background in housing finance, the real-life impact of affordable housing scarcity on Vermonters is also a personal issue for him.

Housing crunch “Somebody I know that is close to me, she’s a single mom, she struggled with stable housing.

This summer she was able to move out of a bad situation and take advantage of the hotel voucher program,” he said. But something he learned through the process is that most applicants for housing voucher programs are unable to use them — there’s not enough housing stock.

“I get the feeling that a lot of people have these stories,” he said.

If elected, a top priority for Trombly would be to establish a housing task force, examining data, working with regional partners and convening with the climate action task force to create

an action plan, which the city council would consider and potentially implement.

New land regulations A boost in inclusionary zoning citywide in the city’s draft land development regulations is a step in the right direction and something Trombly recommended to the planning commission as chair of the affordable housing committee.

He offered praise for the draft regulations, including his support for the chapter on environmental protections, but added he’d change some rules around zoning in the southeast quadrant to make building more flexible for developers.

Specifically related to conservation planned unit developments, which requires developers to conserve 70 percent of land in a parcel and build dense housing on the remaining 30 percent, Trombly hopes to ease that requirement to a 50-50 percent split.

But he also is looking past the land regulations, to the healing he feels needs to happen in the community following such a divisive topic so other efforts can refocus on boosting affordability.

Fighting climate change Tackling climate change is another daunting task that Trombly thinks is important to take on — one bite at a time. It should be a regional and statewide approach, in addition to local efforts, and the conversation needs to consider who is impacted by changes, he argued.

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“It’s not just, can we stop climate change, but it is changing and how do we adapt to that?”

Trombly said.

Linda Bailey

Linda Bailey, 3-year seat • Day job: retired, full-time grandparent.

• What book is on your nightstand? Anything in the science-fiction genre.

• Go-to breakfast: French toast with lots of Vermont maple syrup.

A newcomer to city government, Linda Bailey hopes to change some of the attitudes and direction South Burlington is headed, specifically related to the city’s lack of housing and what she describes as a fear of growth.

Housing crunch “Housing is probably one of the biggest reasons that I just went, ‘No, there needs to be another voice on this,’” Bailey said. Now that she’s retired, she has more time to devote wholeheartedly to community engagement and civics.

New land regulations Her opinions on the draft land development regulations factor into her growth- and housing-focused platform, and while she approves of protecting green space, she worries that it comes at the expense of much-needed housing.

“It really worries me that they do seem to appear to make it harder to build housing that is affordable, not just affordable housing, but housing that’s affordable to the nurses at the medical center, the guys on the fire department, the people working in the offices — we need more of the missing middle,” Bailey said.

She hopes to find a balance between protecting the environment and growing in a way that allows people “to reach their potential.” That means building houses close to jobs in South Burlington to cut down on commuting hours and gas and welcoming more Vermonters to become South BurlSee CITY COUNCIL on page 16

The Other Paper • February 3, 2022 • Page 3

Barritt will address climate, quality of life, manage taxes Political Notebook Tim Barritt Tim Barritt has announced he is seeking re-election to the South Burlington City Council. He first ran for council in 2016 and won the three-year seat and was re-elected in 2019.

“The previous three years have been challenging to our city and I feel honored to have been part of city council during difficult times,” said Barritt, who has worked at IBM/GlobalFoundries for over 40 years.

“Our new city hall and library was built and is occupied, we’ve had a change of leadership, Tim Barritt and have exited interim zoning with draft land development regulation changes at hand.

City Center is being built out with senior, affordable and market rate apartments. We need these units to help relieve the low rental vacancy rate. During all of this, the pandemic hit. No one expected that,” he said in a press release.

“The city finally completed its reassessment of property values and unfortunately, the pandemic had a one-two punch on residential owners. Commercial values were reduced because of pandemic effects on their revenues, thus shifting burden to residences, and extraordinary demand for homes caused their values to snap up higher than expected. Fortunately, the board of civil authority was tasked with homeowners’ appeals and my work on that board was very satisfying as we labored to remove outliers created by the valuation process.”

A resident of South Burlington for over

29 years, Barritt and his family first lived in the East Woods neighborhood and now live in the Cider Mill neighborhood. His wife is a retired art teacher, who has been leading the project to paint local utility boxes and murals throughout the city, their son Sam is a doctoral candidate in biology, and their son Julian recently graduated from the University of Vermont.

Prior to his time on the council, Barritt served on the South Burlington Library board of trustees and the development review board, where he served as chair.

Barritt has supported the interim zoning process and the draft land development regulation changes awaiting final approval.

“These changes are especially protective of the southeast quadrant and its natural habitat blocks and forested areas. We need these areas as buffers for climate change adaptation and water quality improvements in the lake,” he said.

If elected, Barritt say he looks forward to three more years of work on helping the city navigate climate change to enhance its resilience, protect open spaces, promote efficiency improvements and maintain sensitivity to tax rates and appropriate investments in the city’s future quality of life.

“I like the discussions within city council and arguing about important issues while being respectful of philosophy differences. City staff need to be commended for their hard work,” Barritt said. “I enjoy working with them and always consider their counsel to be especially insightful. If elected, I will enjoy continuing that relationship.”

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Page 4 • February 3, 2022 • The Other Paper

Crime Briefs Police arrest man for domestic assault

CRIME & COURTS

Police investigate series of burglaries in the city

Police arrested Daniel South Burlington Police are Pascoe, 32, of South Burl- investigating a series of burglarington, for domestic assault ies in the city since early Januand unlawful mischief after a ary, the latest one caught on roommate called police Jan. video.

24 around 6 p.m. to On Jan. 24, police report Pascoe was say a man, described “smashing things” as 5-feet, 10-inches inside their shared tall, wearing a dark apartment. coat and athletic pants After safely and carrying a backremoving two pack, was caught on people, police a Kirby Road homefound Pascoe with owner’s surveila concealed 9mm lance system around pistol. Pascoe went midnight, carrying back into the apart- Daniel Pascoe what appeared to be a ment, where police handgun. said another gun was The man broke in inside. through a back door and stole “He remained communi- electronics. There have been cative which allowed officers five similar break-ins since the to resolve this incident safely new year, police said. through the use of a police Contact South Burlington officer trained in crisis negotia- Police at (802) 846-4111 or tions and our partner agency in Det. Sarah Superneau directly crisis response, the Community at ssuperneau@southburlingOutreach Team,” according to a tonpolice.org with information press release. about these crimes.

South Burlington Police Blotter Total incidents: 185 Alarm: 15 Directed patrols: 12 Car crashes (property damage: 12 Traffic stops: 12 Suspicious events:12 Welfare checks: 12 Threats/harassment: 5 Domestic incidents: 4 Mental health issues: 2 Incidents: Jan. 24 at 6:44 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop near Williston Road and Dorset Street.

Jan. 24 at 10:59 a.m., an officer checked on the well-being of someone on Suburban Square.

Jan. 24 at 1:41 p.m., police conducted a background check at the station.

Jan. 25 at 1:04 a.m., police trespassed someone from Trader Duke’s Hotel on Williston Road.

Jan. 25 at 1:52 p.m., K9 officer,

Rush, assisted officers with a case at Hannaford on Shelburne Road.

Jan. 25 at 6:48 p.m., police assisted responding to a suicide attempt on Sherry Road.

Jan. 26 at 8:39 a.m., someone involved in a car crash on Williston Road and Spear Street left the scene of the accident.

Jan. 26 at 1:58 p.m., police assisted a motorist near Trader Joe’s on Dorset Street.

Jan. 27 at 11:41 a.m., police assisted with a juvenile problem on Proctor Avenue.

Jan. 27 at 7:12 p.m., police responded to a reported overdose on Dorset Street.

Jan. 28 at 8:04 a.m., a case of fraud was reported at the Hannaford near the U-Mall.

Jan. 28 at 11:15 a.m., a car crash causing property damage but no injuries occurred on Dorset Street.

Jan. 28 at 4:50 p.m., police

responded to Villages Green drive for a reported juvenile runaway.

Jan. 29 at 1:20 p.m., police investigated a suspicious event on Williston Road.

Jan. 29 at 4:37 p.m., a car crash causing injuries occurred on Williston Road.

Jan. 30 at 1 and 5 p.m., police responded to two different car crashes involving property damage but no injuries on different stretches of Shelburne Road.

Jan. 30 at 7:59 p.m., a case of larceny was reported at the DoubleTree on Williston Road.

Arrests: Daniel T. Pascoe, 32, of South Burlington, was arrested Jan. 24 with unlawful mischief (misdemeanor) and domestic assault.

Grayson Madsen, 18, of South Burlington was arrested Jan. 29 with aggravated assault.

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The Other Paper • February 3, 2022 • Page 5

OPINION Letters to the Editor Interim zoning a missed collaborative opportunity To the Editor: In November 2018 South Burlington adopted interim zoning bylaws for nine months, but they were then extended until the maximum time allowed by the state for a total of three years, ending last November.

The catalyst for interim zoning was housing growth and development in the southeast quadrant. This wasn’t rampant unchecked growth. The growth was occurring in areas served by utility infrastructure, at a rate that was anticipated and outlined by the city’s comprehensive plan. Intelligent and responsible people spent a long time anticipating what the city’s needs would be.

That’s what the planning process is for, and it seemed to be working well.

Some didn’t like what they saw. Many were neighbors who lived near the developments. They liked things fine just the way they were. A short commute, some space and views and the status quo. They spoke loudly and adroitly used the system to delay development and persuade the city council that it was time for a change, or better yet, to stop change.

The world changed rapidly and dramatically during interim zoning’s three years.

Most notably, COVID-19 caused worldwide impacts. The stresses created by the pandemic and political change laid bare many of the inequities in our country. Our differences have never more apparent.

Reconciling those differences has never been more difficult — and more necessary —if we are to live in peace and save the planet.

Interim zoning could have been an opportunity for collaboration and reconciliation. Most would acknowledge the mutual importance of both the housing and environmental agendas, their interconnectedness and reciprocal reliance on one another. It seemed reasonable and even necessary that inviting stakeholders to collaborate and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes was the way to go.

But that’s not what happened.

Studies were done without connecting these two mutually important agendas.

Conclusions and recommendations were made. When housing advocates expressed concerns and did their own study, it was disregarded. In fact, some city councilors didn’t even read it because it didn’t fit the environmental narrative.

Actually it did, but not enough for those preoccupied with a short commute, views and the status quo.

So, after three years, in addition to all the changes to land development regulations that will protect our environment and stop global warming moving forward, it has also been determined that to do this very little housing should be constructed in our largest undeveloped areas, which are served by utility infrastructure and are a few miles away from work centers and service providers.

There’s certainly not room for any affordable housing. This reduction in housing opportunities will actually create more housing unaffordability and will create adverse impacts on the environment.

Yes, people will still gravitate to Chittenden County, and if they don’t find desirable housing in South Burlington, they will go elsewhere — further from the efficient core, increasing the costs of living and burning more fossil fuels.

Imagine hundreds of other communities in our country, driven by similar economic, political and environmental considerations?

Imagine them all determining that the most effective way to support the environment was to reduce housing opportunities close to a pre-existent infrastructure core? To protect the environment? I don’t think so.

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“Meaghan Emery has demonstrated at every level a deep connection to our South Burlington community. She has a unique ability to see the forest for the trees on key issues, while constantly finding the balance between quality of life, affordability and financial stability.” Linda McGinnis, Economist

Michael Simoneau South Burlington Michael Simoneau is a housing advocate and former member of the South Burlington Affordable Housing Committee. He also owns and operates Geri Reilly Real Estate.

Let’s focus on better, not bigger To the Editor: A few weeks ago, Sen. Thomas Chittenden wrote a letter to the editor welcoming our “thoughts on what priorities (we) want senators to have.” Thank you for this opportunity. (“Senator wants input on upcoming session,” Dec 23, 2021) My highest priority, and the one I want Sen. Chittenden to prioritize, is to address the climate crisis. Why? Because the climate crisis threatens our future and the futures of our children. If we don’t dramatically change our policies and actions, the effects of climate change, which are becoming more frequent and more severe, could end human life on earth. This is our highest priority.

But Chittenden never mentioned it.

Rather, he wrote, “The best thing state government can do is to foster economic activity … to build transportation infrastructure that streamlines the free flow of goods, services and people throughout our state.”

He wrote about “growing our housing stock,” “inviting more economic activity to Vermont,” “adopt(ing) policies that create more taxpayers,” “want(ing) the next IBM to lay their roots (here)” and “attract(ing) more Vermonters, more investment, more housing, and more opportunity.”

Regretfully, his priorities will cost us more and will only make the climate crisis worse. He said population growth and housing increases will reduce taxes. The data says otherwise. For example, South Burlington’s population and housing has increased significantly, but our taxes didn’t decrease. They increased.

Taxes from additional people rarely See LETTERS on page 6

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Page 6 • February 3, 2022 • The Other Paper

Legislator will vote yes on both upcoming constitutional amendments in any form are prohibited.” While Vermont was the first state in the nation to outlaw slavery, the Rep. Ann Pugh wording in its Constitution is not absolute.

There are two proposals to Passing Proposal 2 sends a amend the Vermont Constitution strong and clear message about before the Legislature this year how all Vermonters deserve to be and if passed by the House this week they will go before the voters treated. I will be voting yes.

Proposal 5, which in November for their solidifies personal ultimate decision as to reproductive liberty whether the Constitution within the Constitution, will be amended. will be voted on in the I believe it is imperHouse on Tuesday, Feb. ative that we allow 8. It would add Article Vermont voters to have 22 of Chapter 1 of the the last word. Every voter Vermont Constitution, should have the opporand would read, “Article tunity to make these two 22. [Personal reprodecisions for themductive liberty] That selves, their family, their Rep. Ann Pugh an individual’s right to community and state. If personal reproductive we truly trust our fellow autonomy is central to the liberty Vermonters, how can we not bring and dignity to determine one’s own these important decisions to them? life course and shall not be denied Proposal 2, which clarifies the or infringed unless justified by a prohibition on slavery and indencompelling State interest achieved tured servitude, is being voted by the least restrictive means.” on in the House Friday, Feb. 4. It In Vermont, we have long would change Article 1, Chapter 1 recognized that decisions relatof the Vermont Constitution, striked to reproductive health care, ing language that states no person including whether and when to can be bound by law to serve as a become a parent, use temporary slave “after arriving to the age of or permanent birth control or seek twenty-one years, unless bound abortion care are deeply personal by the person’s own consent, after and private and are best left to an arriving to such age, or bound individual and their health care by law for the payment of debts, provider. damages, fines, costs, or the like.”

Given the now unreliable These exceptions would be replaced with language stating that protections found in the U.S. Constitution, in Prop 5 we can “slavery and indentured servitude

Legislative Update

protect that. I will be voting yes.

The amendment procedure is clearly outlined in the Vermont Constitution and requires approval by the General Assembly in two consecutive bienniums, followed by voter ratification. According to the Constitution, only the Senate may propose constitutional amendments, and if passed by two-thirds of the Senate, the amendment then goes the House.

The House may not amend the Senate’s proposal and it requires a majority of its members to vote to pass. In both cases, the House did.

A committee of jurisdiction (House Committee on Government Operations for Prop 2 and House Committee on Human Services for Prop 5) then votes on whether to bring it to the House floor. In 2019 both proposed constitutional amendments passed the House.

They are then considered by the Legislature again in the next biennium, in this case 2021 and 2022.

If a majority of both the Senate and House pass the amendment, it goes to the voters. The House committees of jurisdiction are required to again hold a public hearing, which they both did.

If the House then passes the proposals, they automatically go to the voters for the General Election, this year on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Rep. Ann Pugh, a Democrat, South Burlington 7-2, chairs the House Committee on Human Services

LETTERS

continued from page 5 cover the increased cost of services they demand. More people will consume more, produce more trash, use more fossil fuels, pollute more and add more greenhouse gases to the environment. While he uses the lens of growth in every conversation, that growth exacerbates the climate crisis.

The senator asked what we want him to focus on. I want to make the climate crisis the lens though which he evaluates all actions. I want him to oppose any policy or action that will use more fossil fuels, produce more greenhouse gases or destroy nature and the natural resources. I want him to prioritize policies that promote renewable energy sources, that eliminate the use of fossil fuels and that favor land conservation over construction.

I want him to prioritize preserving trees, fields, waterways and soils, which are essential to our health and to surviving the climate crisis. These natural resources clean and cool our air, purify our water, provide our food, as well as absorbing the greenhouse gases we produce. “This pandemic is a reflection point for us to rethink how we pay for our transportation infrastructure,” Chittenden wrote. What? I think this is a time for us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and understand and be grateful for its life sustaining benefits. Being in nature and walking in the woods and fields during this pandemic restored my physical and mental health.

Bigger and more is not better.

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Sometimes growth, like a cancer, is deadly.

Better is what we should strive for — better stewardship of our finite natural resources rather than destroying them, and better maintenance of the existing built environment rather than constructing new buildings and adding more impervious surfaces.

Please prioritize and focus on issues that restore rather than ravage our natural resources.

Please stop focusing on growth and start focusing on sustaining and preserving what we have.

Please prioritize better, not bigger.

Rosanne Greco South Burlington

Legislators fail F-35 test in survey To the Editor: I was saddened to see in your last two editions that not one of the 10 legislators who answered your survey saw fit to identify the continuing presence of the F-35s as an ongoing issue.

It certainly is an ongoing issue for their constituents, who are required to tolerate the disruptive roaring of these war machines multiple times a week. I live three miles from the airport and can’t hold a conversation outside when the F-35s are taking off.

In addition to the directly deleterious effect on the quality of life in affected communities, there are the indirectly deleterious effects: the ridiculous cost, over $110 million per airplane, an overall budget for the program of $1.7 trillion; and the pollution and contribution to global warming, as each plane pumps vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere for every hour it flies.

Local media has documented the negative impact upon Vermont National Guard morale of the F-35 program. To top it all off, F-35s are militarily useless, contributing nothing to our ability to prevail on any battlefield where we are likely actually to be engaged in the future.

What does it say about our representatives that they don’t consider any of this worthy of comment in The Other Paper?

Seth Steinzor South Burlington

Support Chris Trombly for city council To the Editor: I write to share my endorsement of Chris Trombly’s candidacy for South Burlington City Council and to encourage you to See LETTERS on page 7

The Other Paper • February 3, 2022 • Page 7

LETTERS

continued from page 6 cast your vote for him on town meeting day March 1.

Trombly’s vision for South Burlington is for a community that addresses our most pressing needs —increasing affordability, acting to combat climate change, conserving precious natural resources and making progress toward greater equity — in a manner that does not advance one priority over another.

I have seen Trombly do this in action as chair of the city’s affordable housing committee.

In a letter to The Other Paper, two of the committee’s newest members described the committee as follows: “We believe that it is important for our fellow citizens to know that the members of this committee hold divergent viewpoints on the vital issues of affordable housing and natural resource protections, as well as the most productive strategies for increasing affordable housing. Vigorous and informed debate on these issues is important to the future of our city.”

Trombly’s leadership of this committee makes it a place where members with divergent views work together amicably and effectively.

Why would I endorse a challenger over an incumbent? The current city council’s non-management of the three-year interim zoning period convinces me of the need for change. With effective management — in particular a plan — interim zoning could have been shorter and accomplished more of its goals.

Council leadership never asked for a plan stating specific dates when land development regulatory changes had to be completed under interim zoning and ready for public hearing. Interim zoning was initially approved in November 2018 for a 9-month period. It was voted on again seven more times with assurances given that the work would be completed within the additional amount of time approved.

Not once did the council stop and consider that their approach might need to change so that each extension would not lead to still another extension. Not once did someone say, perhaps, we need to request a plan and designate someone responsible for keeping track of the plan and whether the work products are getting completed on schedule.

And so, after three years the interim zoning period came to its state-mandated end. Only two of the four planned unit development types have been completed.

Developers with no planned unit development type that applies to their development have been left in limbo. And recall that work on new planned unit development

regulations began years before this interim zoning period, yet the job is still incomplete.

It gives me no pleasure to point out the non-management of the interim zoning process. It was painful to observe.

So, my choice is between Chris Trombly and a city councilor with 12 years of experience in the job, who never recognized that this important undertaking was not getting done via an apparent laissez-faire approach, that change was needed, and that our city and its residents deserve better.

My choice is Chris Trombly.

Our city council needs new blood.

Sandy Dooley South Burlington

Burton founder makes appeal for Prop 5 passage To the Editor: Like most American women, the issue of abortion is personal to me. A year before I met my husband Jake Burton in Londonderry, and started on a journey to help pioneer the global sport of snowboarding, I had an abortion.

I think about how my life story would have been different had that not been a safe and legal option for me. I remember thinking at the time how unfair it was that my life’s dreams might have to be put on hold, while my boyfriend could simply go back to college as if nothing had happened.

What I realized then, on a

personal level, was that the right to a safe and legal abortion is fundamental if women in our society are to reach their full potential.

I am sharing this story publicly for the first time, to bring home the urgency of Vermont passing the Reproductive Liberty Amendment, also known as Prop 5 or Reproductive Liberty Amendment, which would enshrine every person’s right to make their own reproductive decisions in our strongest legal document, the Vermont Constitution.

If our House of Representatives passes the amendment in its upcoming vote, we as Vermont voters will have the opportunity to voice our support in a 2022 General Election ballot measure.

There are so many reasons Jake founded Burton in Vermont and why we chose to stay here and build our company and our family.

Vermont has always shared our ethos of individual entrepreneurialism combined with a dedication to community. That’s how we survive and thrive during a Vermont winter — through individual resilience and the support of our community.

Most important, Vermont sets the standard for what’s right.

At a time when the fundamental right for people to choose their own destiny is now threatened in approximately half of the United States, Vermont is once again a beacon of light and hope.

Please join me in asking your local representatives to pass the Reproductive Liberty Amendment.

Join me in asking other Vermont businesses to join us in this

advocacy. Vermont has the chance to lead the nation toward a better future. Let’s not let this opportunity pass us by.

Donna Carpenter Stowe Donna Carpenter is co-founder, owner and chair of the board of Burton Snowboards. She lives in Stowe.

Advocacy group forms to save natural resources To the Editor: The upcoming election is critical and could determine the fate of the remaining natural resource lands in South Burlington.

The city’s undeveloped natural resource lands provide vital environmental services, recreational opportunities and can support local food production. With the climate changing, the need for these services will only grow.

Yet, most of South Burlington’s original natural resource lands are gone and the remaining natural resource lands are under intense pressure from profit-hungry developers. We know that residential development on natural resource lands is fiscally unsound.

Some may worry that conserving natural resource lands and providing good quality affordable housing are in conflict, but they are not. There are infill and redevelopment opportunities in South Burlington in and around City Center and along the public transit lines of

Shelburne and Williston roads that are a win-win for the environment and affordable housing.

To avoid destruction of South Burlington’s remaining natural resource lands a group of folks have formed a political action committee called Voices of the Environment — South Burlington. (voices-environment-sb.com) The committee has delivered the questions to the candidates that are on its website and is awaiting their answers. Then, members will decide which candidate(s) to endorse and support.

If you agree with the mission of Voices of the Environment, visit the website and help.

Paul Engels South Burlington Engels is a former city councilor and current planning commissioner, and whose views do not represent the South Burlington Planning Commission.

Meaghan Emery deserves your vote for city council To the Editor: I am writing in support of Meagan Emery for South Burlington City Council. She has a proven track record of hard work, good judgment, integrity and genuine concern for everyone who lives and works in South Burlington.

Meagan tackles the tough issues with a thorough analysis See LETTERS on page 8

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Page 8 • February 3, 2022 • The Other Paper

LETTERS

continued from page 7 of the data and research available for each aspect of an issue. She asks many questions of experts and advocates on all sides, and she seeks out and listens to the people who might be most affected by a proposed action.

I know all this from my involvement in two areas, affordable housing and climate change.

Emery advocated for the creation of the affordable housing trust and the affordable housing committee. She supports building permanently affordable housing throughout the city, while also protecting irreplaceable natural resources. I share that commitment.

I attended the meetings of the affordable housing committee for about a year before applying to serve. I wanted to advocate more strongly for smart growth by urging the creation of a redevelopment subcommittee to promote

building affordable housing in currently built areas, where plenty of concrete already exists, as well as ready access to services and parks.

Emery understands this effort and offers her ideas and support to it.

I serve on the recently created climate action plan task force and understand the gravity of this issue and urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. So does Emery.

She has long been an advocate for action and vigorously supported the creation of this task force.

But she didn’t just talk the talk, like so many. She walks the walk, literally.

Recall The Other Paper photo of Emery with her new shopping cart carrying her groceries down a city sidewalk? You may have spotted her all over the city on her bicycle. You should also know that Emery and her family live in

the Chamberlin district, the most affordable housing area in South Burlington.

Please join me in voting for Meaghan Emery for city council.

Darrilyn Peters South Burlington

South Burlington benefits from Emery’s leadership To the Editor: I am delighted to support the candidacy of Meaghan Emery for the South Burlington City Council where she has been providing inspirational leadership for our community on a range of critical issues.

Emery truly understands the balance between protecting our environment to address the climate crisis and using the guidelines given to us from smart growth to develop a variety of hous-

ing options for both renters and owners.

Her support of the Vermont Paris Climate Pledge and the Building Homes Together Campaign 2.0 speaks volumes for her candidacy. Her leadership has been instrumental in helping South Burlington remain one of the most affordable of all municipal communities in Chittenden County, and she knows the job isn’t done.

She pledges to continue promoting the construction of perpetually affordable neighborhoods in a well-defined city core which at the same time provides homes to young people, families and seniors and protects our fragile natural habitats and wildlife corridors. These latter areas are always in the sights of developers eager to build and make a quick profit.

Emery’s recent support of the common sense and forward think-

ing amended land development regulations illustrates her understanding that we need to allow for smart growth development while also addressing the urgency to protect our remaining and fast disappearing natural lands and open spaces to help mitigate the climate crisis.

She understands why people move to Vermont and want to settle in South Burlington. We are in the center of the Chittenden County job market, and we have a newly designed city core with plenty of room for housing for all income levels — thanks to her advocacy — wonderful schools, park lands and opens spaces for all to enjoy.

Now more than ever, South Burlington needs Meaghan Emery to remain in office.

Lynne Poteau South Burlington

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The Other Paper • February 3, 2022 • Page 9

Community Notes SB business group donates $10K to local food shelf The South Burlington Business Association and its member businesses donated $9,800 to the South Burlington Food Shelf in December.

The association started this initiative in 2020 when COVID-19 kept the group from regular in-person networking and educational sessions. The food shelf had recently opened in South Burlington and the business community wanted to help with their mission of feeding those in need. Member businesses jumped on-board, and the results were so successful that they did it again this year.

The association has over 100 members committed to fostering South Burlington’s business environment through regular educational meetings, communications and deliberations on issues affecting the business community. The group welcomes new members.

Businesses considering membership are welcome to attend a meeting for free.

For more information, contact Julie Beatty at sbbabiz@gmail.com or visit sbbabiz.com.

The theme of this year’s Vermont Holocaust Memorial education competition for students is “How does the story

of one Holocaust survivor inspire you or give you hope in the face of today’s challenges?”

Submissions from a variety of media, including video, art, prose or poetry will be accepted.

Deadline for submissions is

Monday, March 7.

Cash prizes include $100 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third in three age categories.

For details and contest rules go to holocaustmemorial-vt.org.

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Agent joins Nancy Jenkins Wendy O’Brien has joined Nancy Jenkins Real Estate as a buyer specialist. A native Vermonter, O’Brien lives in South Burlington with her husband and two children. She enjoys gardening and DIY projects.

Obituary Jacqueline Ann Brown Jacqueline “Jackie” Anne (Drew) Brown, 89, died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. Jackie was born in Newport on Oct. 23, 1932, to Floyd and Marjorie (Cole) Drew.

She was a 1950 graduate of Glens Falls High School in Glens Falls, N.Y. Jackie enjoyed sewing, knitting and baking, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her Berkley Street home in South Burlington for the past 58 years was a place where the family gathered, and everyone was always greeted with a smile, a hug and a full jar of cookies.

Left to cherish the memory of Jackie are her sister, Jean Drew (Vern) Hoppman of Fond du Lac, Wis.; her children, David (Louise) Brown of Grand Island, Fla., Timothy (Cindia) Brown of Bennington, and Wendy Brown (Greg) Munsell of Hinesburg; her grandchildren, Stephanie Brown (Sam) Claro, Travis (Briana) Brown, Aaron (Kush) Brown, Cassie Munsell (Cameron) Coltharp, Tony (Christie) Munsell, Melissa (Luis) Sanchez, Matthew (Preethi) Brown, Jaimee Brown and Logan and Hannah Brown.

Jackie also leaves her 19 great-grandchildren, whom she cherished: Kira Dooley, Delia

Holocaust Memorial offers essay contest

Jacqueline Ann Brown

Savio Coltharp, Dylan Coltharp; Reed and Anna Claro; Neill Bullis and Ada Munsell; Mia and Reya Brown; Ryleigh Wilson, Raelynn and Reign Niester and Lincoln Wright; Noah, Noel, Jael and Mila Sanchez; and Jacqueline Ward Brown and Aidan Brown.

Jackie was predeceased by both of her parents; son, Gary Thomas Brown; sisters, Judy Drew and Joan Drew (Louis) Toulis; and her former husband, Donald C. Brown.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at the McClure Miller Respite House for their kindness and loving care in Jackie’s final days.

There will be no formal services held. A memorial in Jackie’s honor will be held in the late spring.

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Page 10 • February 3, 2022 • The Other Paper

SPORTS South Burlington alpine ski team goes one-two-three in slalom race LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Alpine skiing The boys’ alpine ski team captured first place at the Burlington High School slalom race at Cochran’s Ski Area on Jan. 24.

Rex Jewell, Justin Shafritz and Patrick Sweeney went 1-2-3 to lead the Wolves. Jay Eagle rounded out the team scoring with a 21st-place performance.

In the girls’ race, Alyssa Cady came in 24th, Sage Bennett was 44th and Gracie Lawrence finished 57th.

The Wolves also got the win at the Middlebury Snow Bowl in

a Jan. 10 slalom. Jewell was first in the race, with Shafritz in fourth place. Swenney came in 10th place and Eagle was 15th.

On the girls’ side, Cady came in eighth, while Penelope Harm followed in 13th place for South Burlington.

Girls’ hockey Burlington-Colchester 5, South Burlington 1: The South Burlington girls’ hockey team dropped its fourth game in a row, falling to Burlington-Colchester on Saturday.

Jordan Larose scored the lone goal for the Wolves in the third period, with Sabrina Brunet and Ava Hershberg each adding an

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BFA-St. Albans 3, South Burlington 0: The boys were shutout for just the third time this season in a loss to BFA-St. Albans Saturday.

James Bradley made 32 saves in goal for the Wolves, who fall to 3-7-1.

Girls’ basketball Mount Mansfield 54, South Burlington 42: After taking a 23-20 lead into halftime, the South Burlington girls’ basketball saw Mount Mansfield come back for the win Saturday, Jan. 29.

Greta Heldman led all scorers with 17 points for the Wolves, while Aleah Staley added nine.

South Burlington also lost to Champlain Valley, 51-7, on Jan. 27.

With the two losses, South Burlington falls to 6-5.

The South Burlington gymnastics team took the top spot in a meet at the Green Mountain Training Center on Saturday.

Ella Maynard was the top finisher for the Wolves, coming in first place in the floor exercise and third place in the uneven bars.

South Burlington finished with 113.74 points, while Champlain Valley was just behind with 110.75 points.

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South Burlington 50, Burlington 47: Khalon Taylor scored 22 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to help the South Burlington boys’ basketball team to a narrow win over Burlington Jan. 28.

Taylor added seven rebounds, while Deng Aguek had five points and eight rebounds.

On Jan. 27, South Burlington beat Colchester 55-42.

Taylor led the way with 18 points, while Alex Gordon added eight points and Taysean Metz chipped in seven.

With the two wins, the Wolves move to 5-5.

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The Other Paper • February 3, 2022 • Page 11

Policy is means to ‘the ends’ for students, school district four parts.

The first is the disposition for lifelong learning. Our schools Alex McHenry aim for all students to continue learning throughout their lives, The first policy in the South and this policy guides education Burlington’s policy manual toward ensuring that is the ends policy, graduates can work which means that the with varying demands, school board and its process new informaschools are responsible tion, consider options for making sure that and other points of view students are ready for and solve problems. the next step in their The second part of lives, whether it’s the policy is academtheir career, continued ic proficiency, which education or any other is measured through productive form of Alex McHenry test scores as well as participation in society. qualitative measures, It is called the such as transferrable ends policy because it focuses skills, rigorous and diverse course on preparing students for what offerings and the opportunity to comes after the end of their personalize learning through a public-school careers. The ends student’s personalized learning policy is broken down into

From the School Board

plan.

The board considers many test scores and analyzes trends to ensure that its schools are serving students as effectively as possible. The district’s recovery plan is a response to the deep data disaggregation that has never been done before at South Burlington as evidence of our response to students’ academic needs.

The third part of the ends policy is personal development, which requires us to educate students to be self-aware of their academic performance, interpersonal skills, responsibility to make healthy decisions and build good relationships with others.

The final part is citizenship. This policy instructs the district to ensure students have a good understanding of history and government and can work

respectfully and be a productive es detailed summaries of the part of society. academic workload and curricThese four components are ulum, test scores and analysis further detailed of trends and in the policy details of how The citizenship policy manual. well different The board’s crosssections instructs the district to role in the ends of students are policy is to monidoing. ensure students have a tor measurable The board is results of the likely to discuss good understanding of schools after the the impact of school year is history and government the pandemic completed. The on all measurand can be a productive able goals of school administration has the policy, and part of society. worked since test scores may the summer to reveal how present to the board evidence that academic performance has been the ends policy is being impleaffected. mented properly, and the board is considering that evidence in Alex McHenry is a member January and February. of the South Burlington School That evidence comprisBoard.

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Page 12 • February 3, 2022 • The Other Paper

BALLOT

continued from page 1 of 46 cents. staff, $30,000 was specifically alloThe average homeowner will cated for recreation path paving, pay about $118 more in taxes while body-worn cameras and new tasers the average condo-owner’s tax bill for $90,000 were approved for the will rise about $79, per estimates police department, IT services got from assistant city an extra $54,000, manager Andrew and community “I do not hear Bolduc. programs at the Part of the library received any appetite from increase — about a $24,000 boost, 1 percent overall among other the public for — comes from things. jumps in the city’s Before city those pennies to open space fund councilors be meddled with. and Pennies for approved the Paths, which each budget, they They’ve made their levy one cent had hoped to on top of the tax add funds to the decision and that rate and rose 31 climate action percent following plan reserve, the was some time ago.” indoor the recent property recrereappraisal. ation center and That’s a little — Meaghan Emery, to film planover $20 dollars ning commiscity councilor sion meetings more than last year for the average via CCTV, but homeowner and a little over $13 those three line items ended up on more for the average condo-owner, the chopping block as the tax rate according to Bolduc. climbed.

Federal pandemic recovery While some councilors funds, largely from the American expressed interest in rethinking the Rescue Plan Act, account for much funding formula for the city’s open of the city’s non-property tax reve- space and Pennies for Paths funds, nue, which clocks in about $1.1 minds changed at a Jan. 18 meeting million higher than last budget before final approval. The funds are cycle. The total amount to be raised staying the same, meaning should by taxpayers is about $17.9 million. another reappraisal, recession or Some quick highlights: Anoth- other economic change dramaticaler $50,000 of federal pandemic ly affect the grand list, both funds recovery funds will go to support will rise and fall with the tide. fire and emergency medical service “I do not hear any appetite from

the public for those pennies to be meddled with. They’ve made their decision and that was some time ago,” councilor Meaghan Emery said.

Like the city budget, the South Burlington School District budget largely represents a case of catchup heading into a third pandemic year: federal aid flowing in would fund mental health needs for staff and students, while local dollars will add positions like an executive director of equity and two assistant elementary principals to support overcrowded schools.

In mid-January, school board members approved the $58 million budget, which runs $2.7 million higher than last year with overall education spending rising a little over 3 percent. Over $1.6 million of proposed additions come from grants and federal aid from the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Act, or ESSER, while the rest comes from education property tax revenue.

South Burlington should opt in. al 1 percent tax on top of the sales Some criticized the committee’s tax, upping potential revenue. last-minute recommendation and Shayne Lynn, executive directhe lack of data accompanying it. tor of CeresMED, formerly known “I’m just disappointed. I as Champlain Valley Dispensary, thought that they would do some of hoped the city would hold the vote the legwork to give us some of the ahead of his efforts to open a retail pros and cons and then the council location in town, but it looks like a could move forward in a thoughtful March vote is out of the question. and informed way, versus here it is Bridget Conry, director of brand and it’s a values judgment. I think experience at CeresMED, argued there’s more to it than that,” coun- that allowing recreational cannacil chair Helen bis sales would Riehle said. Offimake it safer and “Alcohol doesn’t seem better regulated cials suggested the general elecfor Vermonters. to be a value-based tion in November “It’s not just as another opporabout transitionissue. It’s a regulated tunity for the city ing the illicit to ask voters the market into a business in Vermont, cannabis queslegal market. tion.

It’s not just and cannabis is With over 20 about consumer municipalities safety. It really another regulated already opting is about social in as of last year, business in Vermont.” justice,” Conry including neighsaid, adding that bors Winooski — Meredith Mann, people of color, and Burlington, specifically Not a high time South Burlington South Burlington Black and Latinx people, have What won’t make it onto the could be missing ballot? Dope. Or as the suits call it, out on potential resident and owner been disproporeconomic gains tionately affected retail cannabis.

The economic development should it linger of Magic Mann by drug-related crime and incarcommittee, which was charged last behind the pack.

The cannabis control board ceration — not opting in poses just year with evaluating the issue, made an informal recommendation that estimates state economic gains to another barrier.

Essex Junction recently ratified voters should consider the question, reach $250 million with about half but councilors agreed unanimously of that in Chittenden County, based its Town Meeting Day ballot to that they need more information on population. Every municipality give voters a chance to allow retail and March is too soon to decide if opting in also can levy an addition- cannabis in town. That’s where South Burlington resident and business-owner Meredith Mann runs her CBD store and cafe, Magic Mann, although her dream is to open a location in her hometown.

When the time comes, she hopes South Burlington residents will be educated on the issue and have the chance to vote.

“If you can’t leave it up to the people, you have to ask yourself what you’re scared of, and then you have to step back and ask, ‘What am I missing?’” Mann said, arguing that it’s more of a zoning issue than anything else. “Alcohol doesn’t seem to be a value-based issue. It’s Join our team of professionals providing case management a regulated business in Vermont, for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. In this and cannabis is another regulated position you will work with individuals to create and realize business in Vermont.” goals while supporting them in maintaining a safe and healthy Magic Mann donates a portion lifestyle. of proceeds to a fund for Indigenous peoples as one of its social equity efforts. For Mann, a top Compensation package is $45k annually plus mileage and on priority as more communities call stipend; and includes affordable health insurance, paid time choose to sell recreational cannabis off plus 12 paid holidays, retirement match, dental plan and so should be to lift up small business much more. In addition, CCS has been voted as one of the Best owners and growers, as well as Places to Work in Vermont for three years in a row. engage the community in education around cannabis. She sees engageContinue your career in human services in a compassionate & ment and education as part of her fun environment. Join us today and make a career making a job and hopes to have that chance difference. in South Burlington should the city hold a vote later this year.

Send resume to Karen Ciechanowicz at staff@ccs-vt.org “It is up to each one of us to break that stigma and wholeheartccs-vt.org edly open up this industry,” she EOE said.

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The Other Paper • February 3, 2022 • Page 13

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE VCDP IMPLEMENTATION GRANT (2022) Tuesday, February 22, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

The City of South Burlington is considering making application to the State of Vermont for a VCDP Implementation Grant (2022) under the Vermont Community Development Program.

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. at the South Burlington City Hall, 180 Market Street, South Burlington, VT, and virtually at: Online: www.gotomeet.me/SouthBurlingtonVT/city-council-meeting02-22-2022 By phone: +1 (224) 501-3412 (Access Code: 597-189-581) The purpose of the public hearing is to obtain the views of citizens on community development, to furnish information concerning the amount of funds available and the range of community development activities that may be undertaken under this program, the impact to any historic and archaeological resources that may be affected by the proposed project, and to give affected citizens the opportunity to examine the proposed statement of projected use of these funds. The proposal is to apply for $1,000,000 in VCDP Funds which will be used to accomplish the following activities: Summit Properties plans to develop 94 new mixed-income apartments in two separate 47-unit buildings located on lots 10 and 11 of the Hillside at O’Brien Farm community in South Burlington, with current address of 255 Kennedy Drive (the “Development”). Each building will include 4 stories of apartments with parking underneath.

This application will provide financing for the construction and acquisition of the Development.

A draft copy of the proposed application will be available for public review by February 7, 2022, at South Burlington City Hall, 180 Market Street, South Burlington, VT and may be viewed during the weekday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Should you require any special accommodations, please call Paul Conner at South Burlington City Hall, 802-846-4106. For the hearing impaired please call (TTY) #1‐800‐253-0191.

South Burlington City Council

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CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT 2022

ANNUAL MEETING The legal voters of the City of South Burlington School District are hereby notified and warned to meet at their respective polling places at the Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School on Dorset Street, the Orchard School on Baldwin Avenue and the Gertrude Chamberlin School on White Street on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 7:00 o'clock in the morning, at which time the polls will open, until 7:00 o'clock in the evening, at which time the polls will close, to vote by Australian ballot on the following articles: ARTICLE I ELECTION OF OFFICERS To elect three (3) Directors to the South Burlington School District Board of School Directors, one (1) Director for a three (3) year term, one (1) Director for a two (2) year term, and one (1) Director for the remaining two (2) years of a three (3) year term as required by law.

ARTICLE II BUDGET Shall the voters of the City of South Burlington School District approve the School Board to expend Fifty-Eight Million Three Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Six Hundred Two and 00/100 Dollars ($58,344,602.00), which is the amount the School Board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year? It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $17,419.41 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per equalized pupil is 3.70% more than spending for the current year ARTICLE III AUTHORIZATION TO USE ANY SURPLUS FUNDS FOR NON-REIMBURSED COVID EXPENSES Shall the voters of the City of South Burlington School District authorize the School Board to use any surplus from the 2022 fiscal year to support unanticipated expenses in the 2023 fiscal year which are due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic?

POLLING PLACES ARE THE FREDERICK H. TUTTLE MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 500 DORSET STREET, THE ORCHARD SCHOOL AT 2 BALDWIN AVENUE, AND THE GERTRUDE CHAMBERLIN SCHOOL AT 262 WHITE STREET. VOTERS ARE TO GO TO THE POLLING PLACE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT. The legal voters of the City of South Burlington School District are further warned and notified that a virtual public information meeting will be held to discuss Articles I, II, and III on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. via GoToMeeting. The link is below: Electronically/Virtually: https://www.gotomeet.me/SouthBurlingtonVT/city-council-meeting-sm0228-2022sm Dial in: United States: +1 (669) 224-3412 Access Code: 296-671-597 In Person: 180 Market Street, South Burlington - Auditorium - Main Floor

The legal voters of the City of South Burlington School District are further notified that voter qualification, registration, and absentee voting relative to said annual meeting shall be as provided in Chapters 43, 51 and 55 of Title 17, Vermont Statutes Annotated.

Dated at South Burlington, Vermont this 14th day of January, 2022.

South Burlington School District Board of School Directors

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Received for record and recorded this 14th day of January, 2022, in the records of the City of South Burlington.

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The Other Paper • February 3, 2022 • Page 15

CROSSWORD

ARIES

LEO

March 21 - April 20 It is time to slow down a little, Aries. Even you cannot keep up a hectic pace for very long. Invest time in relaxing pursuits like yoga or reading to unwind your brain.

TAURUS

July 23 - Aug. 23 Someone from the past comes back into your life and you will not know how to react, Leo. First assess what this person wants and how you left off years ago.

VIRGO

April 21 - May 21 Taurus, you may feel it necessary to prove your point at all costs. Stubbornness will get you nowhere right now.

Listen to what others have to say.

GEMINI

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22 Virgo, it might be time to accept the help or advice that someone is offering to you. You don’t always have to forge new paths to prove your worth.

LIBRA

May 22 - June 21 There are two sides to every story, Gemini. It is best not to attach yourself to one version of the tale just yet. Hear everyone out and then come to an informed conclusion.

CANCER June 22 - July 22 There is no time like the present to turn over a new leaf, Cancer. Think about the areas of your life that can use some improvement and focus on the steps to get there this week.

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 Libra, if you are thinking about making a major lifestyle change in the near future, start fleshing out the plans this week. Gather feedback from the ones you love.

SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 Scorpio, past mistakes provide opportunities to learn. Continue to forge a new path. Recognize that others have made mistakes and can provide support.

SUDOKU Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 A big idea is blooming, but you need to get a handle on how you can finance this endeavor, Sagittarius. It may be worth seeking investors.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 It is time to mend fences that were broken a few years ago, Capricorn. Holding on to past issues will not prove fruitful.

Sit down and work through your issues.

AQUARIUS Jan. 21 - Feb. 18 You certainly catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Aquarius. Focus on being warm and welcoming in conversation and your points will be well-received.

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 Something regarding your health may be on your mind, Pisces. Schedule an annual physical and discuss your concerns.

CLUES ACROSS 1. __ de Mornay, actress 8. Surrenders 13. Omission 14. The white poplar 15. They become butterflies 19. Used to chop 20. Select 21. Volcanic craters 22. Consumer price index 23. Utilize 24. “True Blood” actress Paquin 25. Got up 26. Sank in 30. Retail 31. Giants 32. Most bald 33. Changes color 34. Unit of loudness 35. Undresses 38. Fathers 39. Learned skill 40. Remove qualification 44. Covered with frost 45. Speak up 46. Nowhere to be found 47. Part of surgery (abbr.)

48. Type of wrap

49. Church seating 50. Mathematical figure 51. College football conference 55. Turkish officer title 57. Organized body of knowledge 58. Smooth and glossy 59. Left CLUES DOWN 1. Get back 2. Pass or go by 3. Having a sharp taste 4. Midway between east and southeast 5. Cairo Regional Airport 6. Peace officer 7. Brings to life 8. Automotive vehicles 9. One point south of due east 10. Football position 11. Goes by 12. Most attractive 16. Road divisions 17. Not the sea 18. Small, faint constellation 22. Cabbage

ANSWERS

25. Least frequent 27. Change slightly 28. A country in NE Africa 29. Metric units of measure 30. More coherent 32. Make uninteresting 34. Nausea 35. Institution of Oceanography 36. Of little value 37. Hindu model of the ideal man 38. Biblical exclamation 40. You throw it at a board 41. Be about to happen 42. Brutal 43. Opened one’s mouth widely 45. 19th letter of Greek alphabet 48. Saturate 51. The woman 52. Someone who is highly skilled 53. A way to launch an attack on 54. Where golfers begin 56. Atomic number 58

Page 16 • February 3, 2022 • The Other Paper

CITY COUNCIL

continued from page 2 ingtonians.

“It has the space to grow. In the past, they planned for growth with infrastructure going out to all sections of the city. It’s time to use it; time to take advantage of the planning that was done in the past,” she said.

Fighting climate change Bailey thinks the new regulations must also make space for people that live in South Burlington and people that “should be living here.” The city is “part of the pack” but doesn’t need to be at the front, she said.

“We don’t live in a bubble.

What we do here affects not only us but the people around us and vice versa. We have to look at the whole picture, not just the South Burlington piece,” she said.

Current efforts to protect forested areas in town, including Wheeler Park and other parks, she thinks contribute to quality of life, and

she looks forward to the work of the climate action committee, which is set to deliver a report by June.

“I’m looking at my grandchildren and looking at the world as it is and going, I want to pass onto them something that’s good,” Bailey said. “I was to pass it forward to them as a place that they can live and work and grow in.”

Tim Barritt, 3-year seat • Day job: IT engineer at Global Foundries.

• What book is on your nightstand? “Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.

• Go-to breakfast: Shredded wheat biscuits with granola, milk and blueberries.

Tim Barritt has served on South Burlington City Council for six years and he hopes to contin-

Tim Barritt

ue adding his independent-leaning voice to city decisions.

His top three issues focus on approving the land development regulations as they are today, keeping an eye on the tax rate as the city budget is reviewed and passed and improving the quality of life for all citizens in the city.

Housing crunch As an avid biker, Barritt noted important health and wellness benefits from having open spaces and walking trails — something necessary to bettering quality of life as the city plans future infrastructure and housing.

Yes, the city needs to build more homes, he said. But city officials also need to consider what types of homes to build.

“The only way to build more units is to build them in compact places like in apartment buildings or condo buildings, in areas where we have that density where it fits well within the city,” Barritt said.

That’s something he supports in the new land development regulations, which he extolled for rezoning some areas and emphasizing dense development.

New land regulations The regulations keep climate change in mind by not freezing

development, but “squeezing on it to reduce it so that we are able to conserve more of the natural spaces,” Barritt said.

“I think that climate change is forcing our hand and showing us that we need to preserve more of the natural areas,” he said, adding that as the city builds denser housing, that will result in less impervious spaces — a win, win.

Fighting climate change The elephant in the room when it comes to all these different conversations is climate change, Barritt added.

“Every community in the world concerned about climate change needs to take some responsibility and take actions so that they reduce their carbon output,” he said. That means preserving natural spaces and supporting infrastructure like stormwater ponds or energy efficient building practices.

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