Barre City Council Regular Meeting – September 10, 2025

Note: The meeting transcript records the date as Tuesday, September 9, 2025, but the official meeting date is listed as September 10, 2025. This summary uses the official date.

The Barre City Council met on September 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered adjustments to the consent agenda, public comments on private road plowing, approval of routine items, a manager’s update on flood recovery and parking issues, flood resiliency planning, a Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) update, and a vote of support for the police chief’s op-ed on criminal justice accountability. Council also discussed housing vacancy rates and future agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the August 26, 2025 meeting.
• Approved licenses and permits: a one-day opportunity for IHeart Cookies on September 11 at the Barre Auditorium; a dance group event (Moonlight Capor Morris) on September 20 at City Hall Park.
• Ratified the August 26 letter of support for the Good Sam Outreach Team.
• Accepted the resignation of Haley Perro from the Parks and Recreation Committee effective September 30, 2025, with thanks for her service.
• Approved an idling policy for city vehicles (with minor discussion on exceptions and future fleet-wide policy).
• Moved item 8A to become item 4F on the consent agenda (a grant requirement briefing).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sarah Hellman (resident of Fortney Place) expressed concerns about the city’s decision to stop plowing seven private streets (Millen, Aiken, Fortney Place, Thurston Place, Kinney Place, Scampini Square, School Street, Garcia Lane). She asked why plowing is illegal on private roads, who will maintain a turnaround area on city property, and how residents can get the streets accepted as public. She argued that taxpayers deserve the same amenities.
• Manager Brian Baker responded with GIS overlays showing all seven streets lie entirely within private parcels. He noted the city had paid claims for damages on those streets and that the Vermont League of Cities and Towns advised it is illegal to plow private roads. He estimated the cost to bring all streets to city standards at over $440,000 (excluding surveying/legal fees). He offered to follow up on the turnaround area and noted a potential opt-in fee with indemnification used by one other town.
• Councilor Deering suggested a resident opt-in fee and indemnification model; staff will explore.

Discussion Items

4A: Approval of warrants

• Approved warrants for the week of September 10 and ratified the week of September 3.

Liquor and Cannabis Control Board

• Approved a class 2 and tobacco license for Aranda’s Mexican, and an outside consumption permit for a September 19 event.

Manager’s Update

• VEPSE Approval: The Vermont Economic Progress Council approved the city’s TIF plan amendment for the Seminary Street (Stevens Branch) housing project, enabling a November bond vote for public infrastructure improvements.
• Paving Schedule: Grading starts September 15; paving on Prospect, Allen, Berlin, and Quarry streets will be completed by September 23.
• CDBG-DR Public Hearing: Moved to September 24 (special meeting) to meet 15-day notice requirements; hearing at 6:15 PM with virtual option.
• City Hall Parking: Meters bagged on Church Street park side due to vandalism, dog waste, and smoking. Meeting with churches and People’s Health & Wellness planned for Thursday. Councilor Hillgartner suggested temporary parking permits for patients; manager agreed to explore.
• Railroad Crossing Work: State work on South Main Street railroad crossing postponed to late September, lasting through March 2026, will cause lane closures.

Flood Resiliency Plan Update (River Access Task Force)

• Kathy Jameson and Peter Anthony presented on behalf of the Barre City River Access Task Force.
• River Cleanup: Fourth annual river cleanup on Saturday, September 13, 9 AM at Spaulding overflow lot (email barrey.rivers@gmail.com to RSVP). Focus on debris removal from two river reaches.
• Master Plan: Vermont Outdoor Recreation Grant awarded to Dubois & King for a river access master plan. Draft will be presented September 24 at Courier Park for public feedback.
• Trail at Rotary Park: Design underway for accessible trail to view falls.
• Water Quality Monitoring: Fourth year of volunteer sampling for phosphorus, nitrogen, chloride, and E. coli; final report pending. Preliminary data shows hot spots upstream from the treatment plant, suggesting leaky infrastructure.
• Council commended the task force’s work and encouraged public involvement.

CDBG-DR Update

• Manager Baker provided an update on the $67 million CDBG-DR allocation (approx. $54M for Washington County and parts of Lamoille County). First application round due September 30; second round in December.
• Property Owner Feedback: New map of targeted acquisitions (yellow outlines), buyouts, and elevations based on direct outreach to all property owners in the North End “triangle.” Key changes: one property owner on 2nd Street declined interest; added a parcel on 15 3rd Street; new cluster of buyouts near 1st/2nd/Hawes Place; new elevation candidates on 1st and 2nd streets; property at 15 Berlin Street added to floodplain buyout area.
• Infrastructure Projects: Willie Street and Harrington Avenue designs received benefit-cost analyses; included in applications.
• Planning Grants: Stormwater upgrades and Potash Brook projects funded at design/engineering stage (not construction) due to ACCD guidance.
• Redevelopment Plan: Council-appointed committee drafting a 5-page summary of existing plans to support grants; to be approved September 24.
• Council expressed support and discussed housing goals: net gain in housing, preserving neighborhood character, and adjustments to Wabi Park project (likely fewer than 64 units). Proceeded with acquisitions and elevations as viable.

Vote of Support for Chief Vail’s Op-Ed

• Mayor introduced a motion to support the sentiment expressed in Chief Vail’s op-ed, specifically the sentence: “It is time, past time, for the criminal justice system to hold offenders more accountable for their offenses.”
• Councilor Hillgartner raised concerns about using city social media for one side of a pending case, potential conflict with social media policy, and the need for collaboration rather than finger-pointing. Other councilors noted the complexity and the need for broader systemic discussion.
• Manager Baker defended the post as fact-based and reflecting real challenges faced by police.
• Motion passed (voice vote; no dissenting votes audible). Council affirmed support for the principle of accountability while acknowledging the need for further dialogue.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar and warrants approved unanimously.
• Two liquor licenses approved.
• Manager’s updates noted; CDBG-DR public hearing set for September 24 at 6:15 PM.
• River Access Task Force events promoted; cleanup September 13, master plan meeting September 24.
• CDBG-DR applications to proceed with updated property owner feedback; redevelopment plan to be finalized by September 24.
• Motion supporting the sentiment of Chief Vail’s op-ed carried.
• Council committed to future discussions on public safety, housing vacancy (4.6% reported from rental registry, self-reported), and an adopt-a-storm-drain program.