State of state
Growing pains
Scott challenges Democrat’s spending
Author’s new book tackles grief and growth
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South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the JANUARY 11, 2024
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VOLUME 48, NO. 2
City eyes Long land for conservation, some housing units Family previously had plans for development COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
South Burlington is in active negotiation to purchase property on Spear Street formerly owned by the Long family, and says it plans to conserve most of the property but include a small mixed-income neighborhood. Little details are known so far about the potential purchase. City manager Jessie Baker said that the city remains in active negotiations with the current landowners, Tom and Janet Bellavance, but said she “thought it was important that we come to you and present some
work that city staff and the Bellavance’s are working on.” The shared goal of the city and the Bellavances, Baker said, is to “conserve the majority of the acreage” at the properties. “This would be done through a third part conservation easement that would be executed at the time of sale,” Baker said. “Additionally, there’s a shared goal around using some of the acreage, a small portion of the front of the acreage along Spear Street, to partner with a development partner to build See LONG PROPERTY on page 9
Council chair will not run for reelection Caps a 12-year tenure on the council COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
Helen Riehle, the chair of the South Burlington City Council, announced she would not be seeking a fifth term on the council in March and would be ending her 12-year tenure. Riehle, who was first elected to the South Burlington City Council in 2012, said she felt it was “time to pass the baton to another resident.” “Participating in local govern-
ment has been the highlight of my community service and the most satisfying part of my public career,”Riehle said, acknowledging the “consistently dedicated and talented city employees, two extremely competent city managers, their excellent leadership and, most importantly, the respectful and wonderful fellow councilors with who I have served.” “I sincerely thank you for See RIEHLE on page 2
PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke testifies before the House Judiciary Committee at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Jan. 5.
House panel weighs legislation to increase retail theft penalties SHAUN ROBINSON VTDIGGER
Heather Tremblay, who manages the University Mall in South Burlington, worries that repeated cases of retail theft are driving away badly needed staff — and shoppers. In her more than three decades in the retail business, “I have just never experienced the incidence of retail theft and threatening behaviors that I’ve seen over the past few years,” she said on Jan. 5, speaking to members of the House Committee on Judiciary. Tremblay and Shawn Burke,
the South Burlington police chief, told lawmakers they’re not focused on people who make one-off decisions to steal from a store. But they’re concerned about people who are stealing regularly or violating court-imposed orders when they do so. The judiciary panel took up two related bills Friday aimed at curbing a reported increase in theft at retailers across the state. H.534 and H.579 would both increase penalties for people convicted of retail theft — though the bills would take different approaches. The panel hasn’t settled yet on one or the other.
Under current law, retail theft can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of property that a person steals. If that figure totals $900 or less, the charge is a misdemeanor of up to six months in prison or a $500 fine. But if it surpasses $900, the charge bumps up to a felony, carrying up to 10 years in prison or a $1,000 fine. Rep. Martin LaLonde, a South Burlington Democrat who chairs the judiciary panel, told his colleagues that this See RETAIL THEFT on page 3