Barre City Council Meeting - February 11, 2026

This meeting covered a wide range of city business including approval of consent items, updates from the city manager on homelessness and grants, budget discussions, a public hearing on CDBG-DR grants, and policy changes to payment procedures.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the February 3, 2026 meeting, with a correction to include that council agreed to post an ICE preparedness statement on the website.
• Certified the 2025 TIF annual report.
• Approved the 2026 coin drop schedule.
• Approved city warrants for the week of February 11, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered under visitors and communications.

Discussion Items

• City Clerk's Report: Noted that clerk's office is closed February 16 for Presidents' Day, pushing third-quarter property tax due date to February 17 at 4:30 p.m. Reported 256 absentee ballots sent out so far for the upcoming school budget vote, with requests still coming in. Dog license renewals are due April 1.
• Liquor and Cannabis Control Board: Renewed liquor licenses for Forget Me Not Flowers and Gifts, Walgreens, and Granite City Market, all vetted by police and fire marshal.
• Manager's Updates:
  • A planned protest event was canceled; no participants showed, no incidents.
  • The overnight shelter has been open 24 nights this season (more than double last year's 10 nights), with 12 beds full most nights; threshold for activation is 0°F or below.
  • RFQ for Prospect Heights developers is open; proposals due February 12.
  • City received $3.3 million for Prospect Heights and $591,000 for Gunners Brook from CDS grants.
  • Councilor Spaulding asked about a city walkway between Foss and Berlin Street being plowed in; DPW will address.
  • Councilor Hillgarten reported a non-functioning traffic signal at Hill and Washington intersection, awaiting contractor.
• Public Hearing – CDBG-DR Applications (Round 2): Manager explained that two applications are being submitted for the North End Gateway Project: one for elevations and buyouts (nine buyouts, three elevations remaining after seven dropped due to federal resale restrictions) and one for four acquisitions. Mayor expressed concern about federal rules requiring homeowners to give up equity if they sell within 20 years; he has proposed alternative formulas to ACCD. Council appealed for flexibility.
• Volunteer Appointments: Alexandra Pastor was appointed to the Police Advisory Committee after speaking about her interest in community-police relations. The appointment for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion committee was postponed to the next meeting.
• Fiscal Year 2027 Budget – DPW Review:
  • Streets, engineering, streetlights, traffic signals, and maintenance budget presented.
  • General fund budget currently at $15.8 million, a 7.4% increase year-over-year; amount to be raised by taxes is up 6.66%.
  • Increases driven by personnel, salt ($25,000 more), and pothole repair.
  • Savings (~$12,000) from moving into new garage.
  • Council discussed reducing Green Mountain Transit allocation from $38,000 to $12,500 (a 33% cut). GMT to present on March 17. Councillors expressed concern about cutting a struggling service.
  • Rental registry fee increase from $60 to $100 per unit discussed, generating $82,000; mayor raised equity concerns for renters.
  • Bulky waste event discussed; council favored a cost-neutral event with fees for city residents.
• Budget Survey Results:
  • 84% of respondents were city residents; wards 1, 2, and 3 proportions were not representative (approx. 50% from ward 1).
  • 60% rated city services as excellent or good.
  • Infrastructure upgrades (paving) overwhelmingly rated as top priority for increased spending.
  • Flood resiliency, sidewalks, and downtown foot patrols also rated highly.
  • 53% willing to pay higher taxes for more paving; 20% said none of the above.
  • Council noted the survey validates current budget priorities.
• Discussion of Changes to U.S. Postmark Procedure: Clerk explained that mail is no longer processed locally; postmarks reflect processing date, not mailing date. City proposes to no longer accept postmarks as proof of timely payment, moving to received-by deadline. Extensive public education planned, including partnership with Barre Town. Council supported the change but asked for a grace period and incentives for direct debit/ACH payments. Discussion on flexibility, interest, and penalties. Staff to return in March with a detailed plan.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar items approved (minutes, TIF report, coin drop schedule, warrants).
• Three liquor licenses renewed.
• Resolutions 2026-01 (elevation/buyout) and 2026-02 (acquisitions) for CDBG-DR applications approved unanimously.
• Alexandra Pastor appointed to Police Advisory Committee.
• JEDI appointment postponed.
• Council received DPW budget and survey results; further budget discussion scheduled March 17.
• Policy change on postmark acceptance to be developed; staff to present options in March.
• Special council meeting may be called in the first week of March (not on Town Meeting Day).