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South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the APRIL 21, 2022
City crosses fingers for federal funding
otherpapersbvt.com
VOLUME 46, NO. 16
The good fight
AVALON STYLES-ASHLEY STAFF WRITER
South Burlington officials are asking the feds for some big bucks, potentially up to $4 million, to help push a few local projects over the finish line. The next development phase of Garden Street, including an overhaul of a nearby Williston Road intersection to fix traffic flow and add bike lanes, among other upgrades, is the most expensive ask. Officials describe the project as a crucial piece in the city’s downtown vision. The spending requests come as Vermont’s congressional delegation, Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch, opened their annual call for projects worthy of funds in federal appropriations bills being crafted for next fiscal year. They called for “high-impact projects” that can be completed with the extra boost of federal money, explained deputy city manager Andrew Bolduc at a city council meeting Monday, which is why he and staff recommended three projects for consideration: City Center Park connection, Garden Street phase two and Bartlett Bay wastewater treatment facility upgrades. The city project director was “literally standing by as Congressman Welch’s application is due by midnight tonight,” Bolduc said, drawing some laughter from councilors before they greenlit the proposal. The other two applications are also due this week. Both the City Center Park project and phase two of Garden Street fall within the city’s tax increment financing district, or TIF, meaning the city could use voter approved TIF financing as a local funding match should Congress include the projects in the budget. Otherwise, both are still on the draft list to go before voters sometime this year or next, as South Burlington residents must See FUNDING on page 17
COURTESY PHOTO
Vermont Rep. Peter Welch hosted a press conference April 18 at the Howard Center Chittenden Clinic in South Burlington to highlight more than $1.15 million in congressionally-directed funding, which will help create an innovative approach to treat opiate abuse by increasing access to medication-assisted treatment in the state. “What we have been able to secure is this grant that’s going to facilitate Vermont Cares and the Howard Center doing the work for many of our citizens ... I’m very happy to play this small role in getting this $1.15 million,” Welch said.
SB grapples with ‘blind spots’ as veteran cop retires AVALON STYLES-ASHLEY STAFF WRITER
One of South Burlington’s longest serving police officers is hanging up his hat. That’s good news for veteran officer Lt. Jeffrey Martel, who got his start in law enforcement over three decades ago when police departments were stacked with cops and giant mustaches ran wild. It’s not good news for the South Burling-
ton Police Department, where, like departments across the state and country, the dwindling number of applicants combined with retirements of seasoned officers has meant enormous pressure on a team stretched thin. “He’s going to be a big loss. We always have to celebrate someone who’s dedicated 25 years to South Burlington, but any time someone steps away with that kind of institutional knowledge, there’s going to be a huge vacuum,” police chief Shawn Burke
said. He seems torn between well wishes for Martel, who he described as more than a coworker, but a “really strong leader,” and his concern over the future of the department. Martel retired last week as one of the most senior officers in the department, with 25 years under his belt in South Burlington and nine years in the Burlington Police See MARTEL on page 17