[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6397766,"mediaKeyId","2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f","parentId",2091305,"title","Votes at a glance: Council approves consent items, winter parking ban second reading and warns caucus for vacant Ward 2 seat","audioSeconds",4250,"startMs",2745000,"endMs",6995000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f&start=2745&end=6995","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f/thumbnail_2745000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6397766/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-approves-consent-items-winter-parking-ban-second-reading-and-warns-caucus-for-vacant-Ward-2-seat","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6397766-88dff93605950b1e645d2576acb37e64/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050214&Signature=HRmOjPbhfHEcotNpMv9wuXK~xB2gSr9PXvLG8jpTMUfYjDyntI2tbyw252478KokwXh8QSWjJM18RsrqXP~yxuNaA4TG7b1BEuYLXrLWj~kWs5ahAv48KCxKzgIOVmhTM3MwVM4mfTthVw71-RGhusuJXVArgsXbXtmh6BQIjBcL-tnGfVzVXZ5IfUxBGGfufL3ZdjoTlHbpNHxIlbrCSuh-bmBqkmHNi-V-5GAJmjuuVjzxHRQkxESpW~kMJwMZvbMjxOzqWMolcjJx~7gQEdrTdlvISCx6pnmIxxHfJfjbVU-GPDyLf9Dp7Btc-hIsgTFe~CjG1WKn5FzfT~RCrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Barre City, VT","date","2025-01-08T15:01:34Z","article","The Barre City Council approved several items by voice vote and completed a second reading of an ordinance at its Jan. 7 meeting.

On the consent agenda the council approved the minutes of Dec. 30, 2024, authorized Bond Bank representatives as described in the manager's emailed memorandum, and approved city warrants for the week of Jan. 8, 2025. Each consent-item motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; councilors signified approval by saying \"aye,\" and the mayor declared the motions carried.

The council held a second warned reading and then adopted Ordinance 2024‑3, the winter parking ban. After the hearing was closed, a councilor moved and seconded the ordinance for adoption; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The council also voted to declare vacant the Ward 2 council seat held by Councillor Wozniak (seat vacancy effective 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2024) and approved the warning for a Feb. 13, 2025 caucus to elect a replacement from Ward 2. The motion to declare the seat vacant and to warn the caucus was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

What this means: minutes and warrants are routine administrative approvals. The winter parking ban ordinance will govern winter parking rules until amended. The caucus warning sets the schedule for voters in Ward 2 to elect a new councilor.

Ending: The council conducted these votes without a roll-call tally recorded in the public audio transcript; the mayor announced the motions carried and proceedings moved on to committee items and public works reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Barre City Council Meeting - 01/07/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 7 meeting the Barre City Council approved the consent agenda (minutes and warrants), approved a Bond Bank authorization representatives form, completed a second reading and approval of Ordinance 2024-3 (winter parking ban) and declared a Ward 2 council seat vacant and warned a Feb. 13 caucus to elect a replacement.","taxTitle","Barre City, Washington County, Vermont","taxId",68795,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6397771,"Volunteers highlight busy season at Barre City Auditorium; city outlines grant‑funded upgrades",3646,1162000,4808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f&start=1162&end=4808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f/thumbnail_1162000.jpg","/articles/6397771/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Volunteers-highlight-busy-season-at-Barre-City-Auditorium-city-outlines-grantfunded-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6397771-2c4070c2c4eac4887fde268a6fd22e84/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050214&Signature=In4Xq2Iczvz87lSGj5C-v3k6SoqGON9MEJIz9hNT35675SmhXSCr3JiQr~JDWwtbewTdjq4xZeQLggqsCmfONP4uU2kVR6bcKh3me86REgOuIZCQCzGwC~x133k4BDXMo-jbZr3QAhMp95PXO5IQN3YwOvEMwbHVXwWJAoaKCKFq3j7aGpewVeMZIRbZ2lmpIuNlZSUtfYPTQ2whqDEcAmXZgz5lhpluMPxda7DoV7Dt4m20WXqy4rhPxvs79E9RnmQgG1xD3wUhFWz9UEHRLD9uVaiBNdIsecNDGajVxHZX6wH1Xmp7PQtx3QQlG~6fv05MrxMI0JKXRzafH84s0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Organizers and city staff told the Barre City Council on Jan. 7 that the Barre City Auditorium is hosting a growing slate of events and that planned federal and state grants will fund building upgrades.

Jim McWilliam, marketing director for the city-owned facility, described the recent winter solstice basketball tournament and other high-attendance events. \"They wanna see the lights on in this building,\" McWilliam said, describing sponsor and community support for programming. He said the auditorium drew near-capacity crowds for recent high‑school games and that the facility will host state semifinal and final high school wrestling championships in late February and early March.

Manager Nicholas Mackenzie briefed the council on funding and next steps for capital upgrades to better support the auditorium as a regional emergency shelter and event venue. He said the city holds a congressionally directed spending grant from Senator Sanders and has also been awarded a Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) grant that is roughly $500,000 in total; the MERP award will allocate approximately half its funds to the auditorium and requires no local match. Mackenzie said the combined grants align on HVAC, electrical and ADA work and that staff are contracting for engineering and design this winter. \"It requires absolutely no match,\" he said of the MERP award.

Why this matters: the auditorium serves as a cultural and economic anchor — drawing visitors who patronize downtown businesses — and also functions as a designated regional shelter during extreme weather and floods. Upgrades to the building envelope, HVAC and lighting are intended to improve the facility's safety, comfort and energy performance.

Councilors and facility staff also discussed pressing maintenance items. A councilor asked about deteriorated concrete and exposed rebar on a rear stairwell used for Sunday-night programs; Mackenzie and staff said they would follow up with the facilities manager to prioritize repairs.

Ending: Staff said they expect to finalize architect/engineering contracts this winter and use the two grants to complete the project scope originally proposed to the federal program; event organizers said the auditorium's sponsorship and programming momentum should help sustain operations while upgrades proceed.","Organizers credited strong local support for the winter solstice basketball event and a busy season of athletics; city staff said two grants — a congressional directed spending award and a Municipal Energy Resilience Program award that covers roughly half the Auditorium work — will fund HVAC, electrical and accessibility upgrades.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6397776,"Barre City outlines priorities to spend $900,000 flood‑elevation award on clustered homes",184,5212000,5396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f&start=5212&end=5396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f/thumbnail_5212000.jpg","/articles/6397776/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Barre-City-outlines-priorities-to-spend-900000-floodelevation-award-on-clustered-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6397776-9646d17af3976dd6b9948d2c7398432b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050214&Signature=N67wq7xzmQ9d4SBW~fBtC-4reYkJ1ZR9YnkELX3xDJ2~9oZBX~uiU5woOSlDk8WkdzA6xg9Ot2eKcUsBuGcakRtqiXgeyHn5tpJjH4C9DW6siHwHyV8fWOYpvIKg4mbUH4xD08EIq1BdYbn19ysoyJGaexGP1eN7YS3DsnqRvz7aBFTdMZMDf~VZKwU-wYuEJXaYdWXpGzCZcpi8mHuWt-DSEbSjz6e1eGD~y6lTd3wSw9Bleqjy~fIpHaYJBqbseocuh-a3E4QS1ArCBbmNQ0X1JzIQ7GKGdUPF7Wt6duVxzyTk8iyxEUUTlutNFVjNf-rOL~aGGyNkz92TffrOZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Barre City Council on Jan. 7 that the city has been notified of a $900,000 award from the state to elevate residential flood‑prone houses and asked the council to approve initial priorities.

Manager Nicholas Mackenzie said program rules cap individual projects at $300,000 and that staff narrowed 13 initial expressions of interest down to nine eligible properties; four clustered properties on Berlin Street, Vine Street and one on River Street rose to the top of the staff ranking. \"Barre City was notified of a $900,000 award under this program,\" Mackenzie said, and staff recommended contacting the four property owners first.

Why it matters: Elevation reduces flood risk to occupants, can lower or eliminate flood insurance, and preserves housing stock in affected neighborhoods. The city must balance maximizing the number of households helped against the program cap per property and unknown engineering costs.

Council discussion focused on stretching the available funds to help more homeowners while preserving complete elevations for selected properties. Councilor Deering asked whether owners who require less than a full award could free remaining dollars for other properties; Mackenzie said the city has flexibility within the funding so long as each approved project does not exceed the $300,000 cap.

Councilor Guston suggested pairing the state award with other local financing — for example, the recently created revolving loan fund administered by a local partner — so the city might assist five or six homes instead of four. Councilors also raised practical limits: detailed engineering and permitting will be required before final scopes and costs are known, and the Agency of Natural Resources had already disqualified one applicant (a property in the floodway) from eligibility.

Mackenzie said staff will begin outreach to the four prioritized homeowners and continue to explore whether a combination of awards, loans and other resources could extend assistance to additional eligible households.

Ending: Council members supported moving the prioritized outreach forward while asking staff to test financing permutations that might expand the number of homes served; no final binding allocation beyond contacting prioritized owners was approved at the Jan. 7 meeting.","Staff recommended using state award money to elevate four closely clustered homes (Berlin, Vine and River streets) as a first tier; councilors urged exploring loans or other funds to stretch the program to help more households.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6397778,"Barre City staff proposes resident budget survey to inform FY26 planning",717,3679000,4396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f&start=3679&end=4396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2091305-9bdca6a97dd7aac9a27095b12687504f/thumbnail_3679000.jpg","/articles/6397778/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Barre-City-staff-proposes-resident-budget-survey-to-inform-FY26-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6397778-0a69142520fe2c3e408f2c49e7368866/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050214&Signature=RuIHY0nsrNlZrgE-6w1ttw30XPXFHRjVoVZcJ7ohkpl9E1dSjpnL0kAcwFbGR10gmASXU4ESIx9q70jhhuxWq2xuF6EsK1bkoD7ZijIR4M-5PUiXiTYNP1DJvb6iy~ih0FnvVmDZ5s8soXOjmW49HF2BNOLoXbaA-yNVvqP~JfjY~41DlM9Ob8sGu0MtvhnGkYRzk0Nh1VdwdjZDCBEC4AhGm-cU2z0wDvhMUEtcYzy-xMbXo0TPFWovPPFpBeuhHqO7mISP-bB~5KYMqsW0eiqu9qr2W6omYPBKXTYqxke7AgejHba1FJhgHTUnEU6~R4EbW0RdeptfF5320axrtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Nicholas Mackenzie told the Barre City Council on Jan. 7 that staff plans to issue a resident survey to gather priorities and help shape the fiscal year 2026 budget.

Mackenzie said the goal is to have survey results in time for a baseline budget discussion at the council meeting on Feb. 11. \"We'd like to get some direction from the council about where we should go,\" he said, and warned that much of the city's budget is fixed: \"75% of our expenses are pretty much gonna be the same no matter what we do in this room.\"

The nut graf: the survey is intended to focus limited resident attention on discretionary services and trade-offs — for example, bulky-waste pickup, pool hours and cemetery maintenance — rather than infrastructure or personnel costs that are largely fixed by contracts and state rules.

Councilors and members of the public suggested design and outreach ideas. Councilor Guston and others praised a concise example in the packet (the Port Hope survey) as easy for residents to complete and useful for communicating priorities back to the public. Several councilors asked staff to include a geographic breakdown so results can be filtered by area; Councilor Guston specifically recommended presenting results by ward or neighborhood so representatives can see local patterns.

Residents and councilors also raised concerns about data quality and access. Manager Mackenzie and councilors agreed the survey should include a simple method to confirm respondents live in Barre City (or otherwise identify their relationship to the city) so results are not skewed by duplicate or out-of-area responses. Amy Galford and other participants urged a short, digestible survey and suggested paper copies or staffed sessions at the library for people who need help with online tools. Danielle, a resident who spoke later in the discussion, recommended exploring the Vermont League of Cities and Towns for help designing a statistically representative instrument.

Councilors discussed whether to restrict the survey to city residents or to collect parallel responses from business owners, workers and nonresident property owners. Mackenzie said staff can collect that information and then filter results so the council can view resident-only responses. He also said staff will explore survey tools that reduce duplicate responses without publishing private data.

Mackenzie said staff will prepare a draft survey and bring it back to the council; the target is to have results to inform the Feb. 11 budget baseline meeting.

Ending: Councilors agreed on the value of a short, well‑publicized survey with clear instructions about who should respond. Mackenzie said staff will draft language and outreach plans, including options for paper access and neighborhood-level reporting, and return with a proposed instrument for council review.","City Manager Nicholas Mackenzie asked the council to approve a resident survey to gather priorities ahead of a February baseline budget meeting; councilors favored a short, accessible survey with ward/neighborhood breakdowns and protections to reduce response skewing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Council approves consent items, winter parking ban second reading and warns caucus for vacant Ward 2 seat

Volunteers highlight busy season at Barre City Auditorium; city outlines grant‑funded upgrades

Barre City outlines priorities to spend $900,000 flood‑elevation award on clustered homes

Barre City staff proposes resident budget survey to inform FY26 planning