Development

Governor Phil Scott: Press Conference - Affordability & Renewable Energy Standard Bill 03/20/2024

From the Office of Governor Scott:

Governor Phil Scott and Administration officials hold their weekly press conference.

VICII: Demolition of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - A Matter of Religious Accommodation? 03/20/2024

From VICII:

Judge granted the Catholic Church the green light for demolition despite opposition from preservation groups.

Join VICII, the Vermont Institute of Community and International Involvement, Attorney John Franco, and Citizen Journalist Sandy Baird Esq., in analyzing why the destructon of the Cathederal is considered a matter of religious accomodation, and what legal frameworks are involved in the balance between religious autonomy and preservation efforts.

Winooski Main Street Revitalization Project Public Meeting 03/20/2024

From the City of Winooski:

The City of Winooski is improving the roadway along the Main Street (U.S. 2/7) corridor, starting at the New England Central Railroad bridge near the intersection with Maple Street and extending to the Winooski-Colchester town line near the Winooski School District. The Winooski Main Street Revitalization project will reconfigure the road layout to accommodate all roadway users.

For more infromation visit: https://winooskivt.gov/mainstreet

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Progressive Caucus - Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law 03/19/2024

Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law at the House Progressive Caucus.

On Tuesday, S.55 was briefly discussed in the House Progressive Caucus. Senator Vyhovsky said the bill could have been (and was at one point) stronger but the Vermont League of Cities and Towns strongly opposed a strong version of it - she did not expand on this. She then gave a high level overview of the bill.

S.55 as Passed by the Senate:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Unofficial.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Floor - Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law 03/19/2024

Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law on the Senate Floor.

On Tuesday, S.55 was on the Senate Floor for second reading. Senator Hardy reported for the Senate Government Operations & Military Affairs committee and did a walkthrough of the bill. While presenting the bill, Senator Hardy specifically named VAN as an example of a member of the working group. Senator Hardy offered a floor amendment requiring that members of the working group appointed by the VT League of Cities and Towns and Vermont clerks and treasurers shall represent municipalities of differing populations and geographically diverse areas - the amendment enables a broad swath of the state and small/big towns to be represented. The amendment passed unanimously (and it is linked below). Third reading of the bill was ordered.

S.55 as Passed by the Senate:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Unofficial.pdf

Burlington Mayor's Press Conference: Net Zero Energy Roadmap Update 03/19/2024

From the Mayor's Office:

Mayor Miro Weinberger and Burlington Electric Department (BED), joined by partners, announce significant progress toward the City’s goal to achieve net zero energy by 2030 and exciting new programs and incentives to accelerate electrification. Guests include Darren Springer, Burlington Electric Department General Manager; Ben Edgerly Walsh, VPIRG Climate & Energy Program Director; and Amy Demetrowitz, Champlain Housing Trust Chief Operating Officer.

South Burlington Development Review Board 03/19/2024

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 Development Review Board 03/19/2024

For more information on the current procedures and meeting dates for the Burlington Development Review Board, please visit burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/DRB/Agendas.

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Appropriations - Walkthrough of H.657 Modernize Vermont’s Communications Taxes and Fees 03/18/2024

Walkthrough of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the House Committee on Appropriations.

On Monday, House Appropriations had a walkthrough of H.657. Representative Scheu was shocked the state has not collected the right of way fee since 2007. Chair Lanpher said the committee would “park this for now” - no final decisions were made.

H.657: As Introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Appropriations/Bills/H.657/H.657~Maria%20Royle~As%20Introduced~3-18-2024.pdf

Senator Bernie Sanders: Sanders, Welch, and Balint Announce Millions in Federal Funding for Vermont Communities 03/18/2024

From the Office of Senator Bernie Sanders:

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and a representative from the office of Congresswoman Becca Balint (Vt.-AL) hold a press conference to announce millions in federal funding that the Vermont Congressional Delegation secured on behalf of Vermont projects to address critical needs across the state.

The funding for the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects was included in the first package of Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills that passed the U.S. Senate and was signed into law by President Biden. The $460 billion package was passed in time to avoid a government shutdown of many key federal agencies.

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Summer Video Production Internship - Applications Open

Town Meeting TV is hiring two paid interns to join our production team for the summer! The program will run from Monday, June 24th until Friday, August 16th (8 weeks). $17 an hour, approximately 8 hours per week. We are looking for folks who have basic or intermediate experience with video recording and editing on Adobe Premiere. Interns will work with the Town Meeting TV Co-Directors to pick stories or events that they would like to cover in our community, practice outreach skills, then shoot and edit video that will be broadcasted on Town Meeting TV's YouTube and cable channels. Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter (including why they are interested in this position and any relevant experience) to Jordan at jmitchell@cctv.org. Applications close Friday, May 24th at 5:00PM. For more information, please contact outreach@cctv.org or call 802-862-3966.