Development

South Burlington Development Review Board 02/06/2024

For more information on the South Burlington Development Review Board and current procedures and meeting dates, please visit southburlingtonvt.gov/government/city_committees_boards/development_review_board_drb.php.

Burlington Mayor's Press Conference: Kick-off Construction of the Great Streets Main Streets Project 02/05/2024

From the Mayor's Office:

Mayor Miro Weinberger and community partners gather to announce and kick-off the start of construction on the transformative Great Streets Main Street Project. Joined by Chapin Spencer, Director of Department of Public Works, City of Burlington; Hannah King, Ward 8 Burlington City Councilor; Peggy O’Neill-Vivanco, Chair of the Public Works Commission; and Jay Wahl, Executive Director, The Flynn.

For more information visit: https://greatstreetsbtv.com/main-st-construction

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Environment and Energy - Discussion of H.755 Communication Union Districts 02/02/2024

Discussion of H.755 Communication Union Districts at the House Committee on Environment and Energy.

On Wednesday, the House Environment and Energy committee discussed H.755 which would amend Vermont law as it pertains to communications union districts, particularly with regard to mergers, governance, and business practices.

H.755 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Environment/Bills/H.755/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20Legal%20Documents/H.755~Maria%20Royle~as%20Introduced~1-31-2024.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Government Operations - Review of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law 02/02/2024

Review of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law at the House Committee on Government Operations.

On Friday, the committee reviewed the latest draft of the bill from Leg Counsel - version 2.1. One of the primary additions was some terminology around the requirements for retention of audiovisual recordings, with the following language inserted: “For a minimum of 30 days following the approval and posting of the official minutes for an electronic or hybrid meeting, the public body shall retain the audiovisual recording of the meeting and shall post the recording in a designated electronic location.” The Committee also discussed the sequencing of effective dates, but no decisions were made. They will discuss the bill again next Wednesday for possible markup and vote.

S.55 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Metamorphosis: Reimagining the Bones of an Old House 02/01/2024

Interview with Tom Locatell conducted by Dan Higgins at the O'Brien Center in Winooski. From The Photo Lounge Archives.

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Finance - Testimony of S. 181 Community Media Public Benefit Bill 02/01/2024

Testimony of the Community Media Public Benefit Bill S.181 at the Senate Committee on Finance.

On Thursday, Senate Finance heard testimony from Legislative Counsel Maria Royle regarding some of the assertions made by industry witnesses opposing S.181. She was asked to respond to alleged legal and market concerns, and offered her legal opinions.

S.181 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0181/S-0181%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Finance - Discussion of Communication Union Districts 01/31/2024

Discussion of Communication Union Districts at the Senate Committee on Finance.

On Wednesday, the CUDs were in the Senate Finance Committee to give an update on their status and answer questions from the committee.

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Government Operations - Testimony of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law 01/31/2024

Testimony of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law at the House Committee on Government Operations.

On WEDNESDAY, the committee had discussion and took additional testimony on S.55. The committee heard from the Vermont Association of Planning & Development Agencies, the Rutland Regional Planning Commission, the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association, and the Attorney General's office.

S.55 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Governor Phil Scott: Press Conference - Celebrate Winooski’s Successful TIF District 01/31/2024

From the Office of Governor Scott:

Governor Phil Scott holds his weekly press conference in Winooski to celebrate the pending closure of Winooski’s successful 20-year TIF District. Joining the Governor will be Mayor Kristine Lott, Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Economic Development Commissioner Joan Goldstein, Representatives Daisy Berbeco and Taylor Small, former Mayor Clem Bissonette and community partners.

Burlington Progressives TV: City Councilor Candidates Joe Kane, Lena Greenberg, and Dan Castrigano 01/30/2024

From Burlington Progressives TV:

Host and city council candidate Gene Bergman (P)* (Ward 2) is joined by city council candidates Joe Kane (P) (Ward 3), Lena Greenberg (I) (Ward 5), and Dan Castrigano (P) (Ward 4) to discuss their campaigns.

For more information about their campaigns and elections visit: www.genebergmanforcitycouncil.org | www.joeforburlington.com | www.greenberg.vote | www.danforburlington.com | www.burlingtonvt.gov/CT/Elections

Useful Voting Links/Contacts:

Register to vote, voting info, polling places: www.burlingtonvt.gov/CT/Voter-Registration-Info
Not sure which ward you are in, or if you’re already registered to vote? Call the City Clerk’s office at (802) 865-7000 during business hours.
New: all legal residents may vote in Burlington’s local elections, regardless of citizenship status. Register to vote using this form: City of Burlington All Legal Resident Voter Registration Form
Local election info translated into French, Arabic, Burmese, Nepali, Somali, and Swahili: www.burlingtonvt.gov/ct/language-support

Featured Story

CCTV Receives NEH Grant to Support Community Archives

CCTV Center for Media & Democracy is pleased to announce receipt of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant alongside 32 peer archival institutions across the country. This $49,927 grant award will support efforts to preserve and expand access to audio/visual community history materials in the CCTV Archives. Read more about this opportunity here!