If you'd like to connect and talk over coffee, I'll be at Espresso Bueno this Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30. Stop by, support an outstanding local business, pull up a chair and say, "Hi". Let's start a conversation.

In Case You Missed All the Good News in Barre:

VT Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas surprised Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes with a Medallion Award from the National Association of Secretaries of State at City Council. Thank you, Secretary, for helping recognize Carol's decades of dedicated service!

The City Council approved City Manager Storellicastro's & Public Work Director Baker's $1M paving plan, more than doubling the past rate of investment in city streets. It's a big deal. Times Argus Reporter Dave Delcore reported the plan as 'Pave Me Now'. It's going to take awhile to catch up with the backlog, but the City is certainly 'paving the day'.

City Manager Storellicastro and I were presented Vermont Bond Bank's Capital Plan of the Year award by Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak. I ran for City Council three years ago with a number one priority: the adoption of a capital plan to guide long-term investments in buildings, facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. A hearty congratulations goes to Barre City's department heads, who worked very hard to implement the voters' steadfast desire for long-term capital planning based on data, assessment, and prioritization of shared values.

With record-breaking meeting attendance, Council authorized negotiation of the sale of the Wheelock House to Fox Market, which would welcome a vibrant new business to our downtown, maintain an historic asset on the national historic register, grow the grand list, and increase activity downtown. Council heard loud and clear how important this building is as an historic resource, and the importance of good terms that make sure changes are done right.

I also want to thank The Barre Partnership for their hard work -- with events coming this spring and summer, from the Farmers Market to Concerts in Currier Park. They will always have a home downtown, and I know many people in City Hall (me included) are keen to support them in the transition.

In related news, the City has recently been awarded more than $120,000 in funding for downtown improvements planning. This funding will help Barre envision changes to make downtown even stronger. More on this to come.

Downstreet Housing & Community held its annual meeting in Barre City this week with a dedicated mention for Barre City's Council and citizens, thanking them for support of the Ward 5 School rehabilitation. Work is expected to begin later this year. This will restore another historic building and provide 9 homes affordable for Vermonters in perpetuity. This will move forward as the City's Planning Commission takes a look at the City's development regulations to see what rules may need adjusted to welcome new homes in Barre.

If you can, please stop by and support the Friends of the Aldrich Library's Book Sale on Saturday from 10-1. Our Library is the gem of central Vermont because of these volunteers, staff & trustees.

Looking ahead, Green Up Day is May 6th, and led by BUUSD Staff Guin Fredrickson. This is wonderful way to spruce up the city, build pride of place, and educate our community about the negative impacts of single-use plastics and littering. Stay tuned for details.

In the meantime, I know a lot of folks are excited to get their yards spruced up and ready for a year of gardening. Barre City residents can dispose of Yard Waste Disposal on Upper Holden Road (across from the Rock of Ages Visitors Center) these upcoming dates:
-April 29, 2023 Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
-May 2, 2023 Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
-May 6, 2023 Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Leaves, brush, grass and other vegetative matter must be deposited in the designated area. Maximum brush size is 5" in diameter; larger tree branches and trunks may be left in the designated firewood area. Prohibited materials include: metal, animal manure, animal carcasses, household garbage, kitty litter, large trash items, paper/plastic bags, boxes, rope, string, plastic, dirt, stumps, lumber, pallets, stones, bricks, blocks, tires, concrete and asphalt.

The School Budget is back on the ballot on May 9th; the polling place is the Old Labor Hall at 46 Granite Street. Those who received an early absentee ballot for the March 7th town meeting election will automatically be mailed a ballot for the budget re-vote. Others can request a ballot by calling the clerk's office at (802) 476-0242, by emailing the clerk's office at cdawes@barrecity.org, or by visiting the My Voter Page website: https://mvp.vermont.gov/. I'm so thankful for the work of School staff and the new School Board in preparing this revised budget. Mark your calendar.

Last but least, the AUD is getting looked over by engineers and architects from Norwich U for fix-ups!

We're turning the corner.

May 18, 2024, 2 to 4 PM

May 19, 2024, 2 to 5 PM

May 19, 2024, 4 PM