Town Meeting Election Coverage

>>>WATCH TOWN MEETING DAY COVERAGE<<<

Get the Facts You Need Before you Vote on March 2, 2021!
Town Meeting Day is everyone’s chance to weigh in on important issues in our community. To help voters better understand the people and questions on ballots in Burlington, South Burlington, Essex Town/Junction, Williston, and Winooski, Town Meeting TV will present a series of candidate forums, budget presentations, and other election-related programs.

Voters are encouraged to CALL 802-862-3966 to ask the candidates questions during live broadcasts. Questions for Burlington mayoral and City Council candidates can also be submitted here: bit.ly/askbtv2021

STREAM the forums live on YouTube: bit.ly/tmdforums2021

TOWN MEETING 2021 FORUMS SCHEDULE*
Additional forums planned; dates and times are subject to change.
Scroll down to see what's coming up next!

Thursday, Jan 14, 5:30 pm
Essex Ballot Item: The Essex Merger (Pros)
Elected Officials give a presentation and field questions on the Merger ballot question.
Friday, Jan 15, 6:00 pm
Essex Merger: Wait, What? (Still Not the Solution, since 1958)
Essex Voters Irene Wrenner and Ken Signorello present their perspective on the Essex Merger.
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2:00 pm
Burlington Ballot Item - Just Cause Eviction
Brian Pine and Sarah Carpenter explain a proposed charter change that would keep Burlington residents from being evicted without cause.
Thursday, Jan 21, 6:00 pm
Burlington Mayoral Debate
Co-sponsored by VICII, AALV, and The Caroline Fund, this debate will focus on each candidate's hopes and plans to recover, restore, reform, and transform the City of Burlington.
Wednesday, Jan 27
- 12:00 pm, Burlington Ballot Item - IRV
  Burlington City Councilor Jack Hanson explains what Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is and why Progressives think it will give voters more voice.
- 5:30 pm, South Burlington Budget and Ballot Presentation
  Learn more about South Burlington's FY 22 budget from Kevin Dorn and Tom Hubbard.
- 6:15 pm
  South Burlington FY22 School Board Budget Presentation
  Superintendent David Young, School Board Chair Bridget Burkhardt, school board member Brian Minier, and Director of Operations and Financial Management Gary Marckres provide an overview of the South Burlington School District's proposed budget.
Friday, Jan 29
- 10:00 am, Williston Budget and Ballot Item Presentation
  Erik Wells (Town Manager), Terry Macaig (Selectboard Chair), and Shirley Goodell-Lackey (Finance & HR Director) provide a comprehensive overview of Williston's FY 22 budget and other ballot items
- 1:00 pm, Burlington Ballot Item Forum - Thermal Energy
  Darren Springer, General Manager, Burlington Electric Department, Bill Ward, Director of Permitting & Inspections, and Jen Green, BED Director of Sustainability and Workforce Development discuss the Thermal Energy ballot item on this year's Burlington Town Meeting Day ballot.
Wednesday, Feb 3
- 3:00 pm, Burlington Budget and Ballot Items Presentation
  Burlington City Attorney Eileen Blackwood joins Town Meeting TV host Diane Meyerhoff for an overview of the issues on Burlington's Town Meeting Day ballot.
- 5:30 pm, Winooski Budget and Ballot Item Presentation
  Jessie Baker and Mayor Kristine Lott provide an overview of Winooski's FY 22 budget.
- 6:15 pm, Winooski FY22 School Board Budget Presentation
  With WSD Board President Mike Decarreau, Superintendent Sean McMannon, and Board Member Alexander Yin.
Thursday, Feb 4
- 1:00 pm, Burlington Ballot Item - Adding a Winooski Seat to the Airport Commission
- Burlington City Councilor Karen Paul discusses the question of adding a Winooski seat to the Burlington Airport Commission.
- 5:30 pm, Essex Budget Presentation
  With Essex Selectboard member Patrick Murray and Unified Manager Evan Teich.
- 6:15 pm, South Burlington City Council - 2-year term
  Meet David Kaufman and Matt Cota, who are running to represent South Burlington on the City Council.
Friday, Feb 5
- 12:00 pm, Champlain Water District Bond Vote
  Joseph Duncan, General Manager of the Champlain Water District, explains what projects are included under the bond and what passing it would mean for participating towns.
- SPECIAL EVENT -- Friday, Feb 5, 5:30 pm, Burlington Mayoral Matchup 2021
  With Ali Dieng, Will Emmons, Max Tracy, Miro Weinberger, Patrick White, Haik Bedrosian, and Kevin McGrath. Co-presented with Seven Days and moderated by Matthew Roy and Sasha Goldstein. Submit questions here: bit.ly/askbtv2021
Tuesday, Feb 9, 6:30 pm
All Burlington NPA Wards Mayoral Forum
Find out what the mayoral candidates have in mind for your neighborhood.
Wednesday, Feb 10
- 5:30 pm, Burlington City Council - Central District
  Meet candidates Tiki Archambeau (I), Perri Freeman (P, incumbent), and Peggy Luhrs (I).
- 6:30 pm, Burlington City Council - North District
  
  Meet candidates Mark Barlow (I) and Kienan Christianson (D/P).
- 7:15 pm, Burlington City Council - South District
  
  Meet Grace Ahmed (I) and Joan Shannon (D, incumbent)
Thursday, Feb 11
- 4:30 pm, Burlington Ballot Item: Opposing the Just Cause Eviction
  Amanda Skehan, Elizabeth Allen-Pennebaker, and Councilor Chip Mason explain why they oppose the Just Cause Eviction ballot item
- 5:30 pm, Essex Selectboard - 3-year term (1 seat)
- Meet candidates Tracey Delphia and Elaine Haney (incumbent)
- 6:15 pm, Essex Selectboard - 1-year term (1 seat)
  Meet candidates Dawn Hill-Fleury (Incumbent) and Mark Nadeau

Friday, Feb 12, 5:30 pm
Winooski City Councilors, 2-Year Term (2 seats)
Meet Jim Duncan (incumbent), James McCormick, Sam Myers, Dallas Wheatley, and Bryn Oakleaf.
Monday, Feb 15
- 5:30 pm, South Burlington School Board - 2-year term
  Meet School Board candidates Travia Childs, Scott Bronson, and James Johnson, Jr.
- 6:30 pm, South Burlington School Board - 3-year term
  
  Meet School Board candidates Stephanie Stec and Rebecca Day.
Tuesday, Feb 16, 6:30 pm
Essex Selectboard Meeting & Public Hearing on Plan of Merger
Wednesday, Feb 17, TBA
AARP Burlington Mayoral Forum
Burlington Mayoral candidates meet in this forum sponsored by AARP.
Thursday, Feb 18, 6:45 pm
Williston Selectboard 2-Year and 3-Year Seats
Hear from incumbents Gordon St. Hilaire and Terry Macaig, both of whom are running unopposed for Selectboard seats.
Friday, Feb 19
- 12:45 pm, Winooski School Board 3-Year Term
  Meet Steven Berbeco and Kamal Dahal.
- 5:30 pm, Burlington School Commissioners East, Central, South, and North Districts
  Meet Kathy Olwell, Jean Waltz, Jeffrey Wick, and Kendra Sowers.
Saturday, Feb 20, 5:30 pm
VT New American Advisory Council Burlington Mayoral Forum
Monday, Feb 22
- 5:30 pm, Winooski School Board 2-Year Term
  Incumbent school board candidate Alex Yin is running unopposed.
- 5:50 pm, Winooski Mayor 3-Year Term
  Mayor Kristine Lott is asking voters for three more years. She's running unopposed.
- 6:10 pm, Burlington City Council - East District
  Incumbent City Councilor Jack Hanson is facing no opposition.
Tuesday, Feb 23
- 1:00 pm, Burlington School District Budget Presentation
  With Superintendent Tom Flanagan and Burlington School District Communication Specialist Russ Elek.
- 5:30 pm, South Burlington City Council - 3-Year Term
  Learn about the issues facing South Burlington from incumbent City Councilor Helen Riehle.

*Confirmed 2/17/21

WATCH DEMOCRACY IN ACTION on YouTube, Comcast channel 1087, or Burlington Telecom channels 17 & 217. Don't miss our LIVE ELECTION RESULTS COVERAGE at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 2nd!