Seat seeker
North to South
Julian Keenan joins crowded race for city council elections
Haitian-born artist brings vibrant painting to SB public art gallery
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South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the FEBRUARY 1, 2024
otherpapersbvt.com
VOLUME 48, NO. 5
City may explore a registry on short-term rental units Council schedules public hearing for next month COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
The South Burlington City Council last week held a first reading of an ordinance to create a registry of all rental units in the city, which proponents of the law say would ensure proper safety protocols are being met while adding regulations onto short-term rental units. Last week’s meeting was the sixth time that city fire Chief Steven Locke was before the council, making tweaks and discussing the specifics of the ordinance. It’s been a year since the law was first presented to the council. According to city council chair Helen Riehle said, the ordinance since its inception has sought a dual function: to try and make sure safety standards in an apartment anywhere in the city are up to code, and to ensure “that people are in a safe place when they rent.” Most municipalities do that by setting requirements when new buildings or structures are permitted. This ordinance, by collecting fees from property owners in the city, would, over time, self-fund an office and dedicated staff in the fire department for an inspection cycle. See RENTAL REGISTRY on page 13
PHOTO BY LIBERTY DARR
Book Nook creator and curator Jacques-Paul Marton, also known as “JP” seated next to his wife Wendy at Le Marché in Shelburne, a favorite date spot for the duo. The French-style cuisine brings Marton fond memories of his upbringing and offers a good opportunity to brush up on his French.
‘The best books in the world’ SB resident strengthens community through UVM Book Nook LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Jacques-Paul Marton slid a pastry across the circular table at Le Marché in Shelburne. “La vie en rose,” he said, noting the name of the pink sponge cake in a mastered French accent. “To see life through rose-colored glasses.” His own tortoise shell frames hold lenses that help him see the world just that way. Folks around the University of Vermont campus better know the South Burlington
resident as “JP.” He has been the campus custodian for over a decade and a half, and more importantly, the backbone of the university’s Book Nook, a free library located in Brennan’s Pub, on the first floor of the Dudley H. Davis Center. What began as a tiny “free” bookshelf, has blossomed into an entire corner dedicated to accessible free books for students on campus — an initiative that would have been nearly impossible without the dedication of Marton over the past 14 years. “Someone put an empty bookshelf at the
cafe, and it was left empty for a couple of weeks,” he said. “I started bringing books from home and putting a free sign there. When books started to leave, I went to Student Life and I said, ‘Students are reading, and they’re interested in books. I think we’ve got something here.’” As interest grew and as his own personal library collection was dwindling due to his constant restocking of the shelf, he knew See MARTON on page 10