[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6269305,"mediaKeyId","3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344","parentId",3044586,"title","Council adopts amended long-term control plan; approves loan amendment for Holden (Hobart) Park CSO project","audioSeconds",493,"startMs",3166000,"endMs",3659000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344&start=3166&end=3659","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344/thumbnail_3166000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269305/St-Albans-City/Franklin-County/Vermont/Council-adopts-amended-long-term-control-plan-approves-loan-amendment-for-Holden-Hobart-Park-CSO-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269305-72487f3a2ac987bb3a1b7e6c04659c3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776506810&Signature=MZhR2P5Qoly2C~8qoNqZ6gHh-N5FaSbup0j-8J-nd4bQ2N9A4nEqtrv7OJHHA3KkvLrE3hhPyYiY-6pxT0iDnzWeqFBTKTuTjsK3GG3f14ASZ32TnSQYkm~vetxHJcLN7eJG3dLCvyGeTA0Q-~ATQxwK9xLE9v~946EAoZ5w6WtW86mDY10u10xf7tIX4r6m9D5I5B22MwV0kp475GTl1gBmkEIl8ALaVDuH521qUAQjBAHNc9QkXzqK9rpQXMsLswe75LQ4HUSE5PQKBEroEetfHLJE3htq9af5jCqjqVJ07PmnpqkfN-4xdLFEzwB~j2pLtDraCbiORYxhmeEohA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Albans City, VT","date","2025-04-18T01:00:39.083Z","article","The St. Albans City Council approved an amended long‑term control plan (LTCP) for combined sewer overflows and authorized a loan amendment to finance the Hobart (also referenced as Holden/Hope) Park CSO storage project.

City staff and the municipal engineer told the council the LTCP was updated after a review of alternatives and legal/coordination issues with the railroad. The principal change is removal of a previously planned Federal Street separation project and a pivot to a below‑ground, offline storage tank at Hobart/Hope Street sized to store roughly 500,000 gallons of combined flow. Staff said Stebbins Street separation work completed last year is already reflected in the updated plan.

Reid Winter, a design consultant with Aldrich & Associates (presentation), described the Hobart/Hope Street project as a final‑design‑stage plan that includes a 500,000‑gallon storage tank, new screening, a sewage pump station, sewer piping and a new outfall to accommodate overflow only in rare, very large events. The engineer said the outfall design was necessary because of elevation constraints and that the project will route the majority of the historical overflow through storage and treatment rather than into Stevens Brook and downstream receiving waters.

Councilors asked about overflow frequency and volumes; staff pointed to data showing a small number of storm events producing several large overflows (some exceeding half a million gallons) and said the proposed storage would intercept the majority of those events because the city’s CSO discharges from a single overflow point. Staff also noted the project’s environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state funding requirements, including an environmental assessment and an associated public hearing. The project team said the state review is underway and that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) would be sought after the assessment.

At the meeting the council voted to accept the amended LTCP as presented (motion by Councilor Eric, second by Trudy Coffey) and later approved a loan amendment to finance the Hobart/Holden Park CSO project through the State Revolving Fund program. Both motions passed by council voice vote; the clerk recorded the LTCP acceptance and the loan amendment votes as 6–0 in favor.

Separately, the council held the required public hearing on the Fulton Clark CSO environmental assessment (related NEPA public‑hearing step). The consultant explained that the Fulton Clark/Fulton Clark (sometimes referenced as Fulton Clark/Holden) project will also include a 500,000‑gallon offline storage tank, screening and pump station and that the new outfall is only for the rare instance when the tank itself overtops. The consultant said the footprint will be below ground and that construction impacts to park surface use and vegetation will be minimized; staff said they will provide more detailed surface‑restoration plans to neighborhood stakeholders and sports‑program users.

Councilors and staff discussed related projects (Hungerford stormwater treatment on the trunk line, future separation segments after Hobart storage, and monitoring systems for pumps and alarms). Staff said construction timing will require right‑of‑way work and further design, with right‑of‑way acquisition targeted for the coming year and construction anticipated in 2027–2028 depending on funding and permitting schedules.

The loan amendment and LTCP acceptance move the city forward on meeting its state order and on securing State Revolving Fund financing for construction; councilors asked staff to continue neighborhood outreach and to return with detailed restoration plans and a public schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Albans City Council Meeting | 04/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The St. Albans City Council voted to accept an amended long‑term control plan for combined sewer overflows and approved a loan amendment to finance a roughly 500,000‑gallon underground storage tank and related work at Hobart/Hope (Holden) Park.","taxTitle","St. Albans City, Franklin County, Vermont","taxId",69030,"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},6269310,"Council gives Daisy the pit bull until May 5; owners must vaccinate or city will confiscate dog",2258,696000,2954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344&start=696&end=2954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344/thumbnail_696000.jpg","/articles/6269310/St-Albans-City/Franklin-County/Vermont/Council-gives-Daisy-the-pit-bull-until-May-5-owners-must-vaccinate-or-city-will-confiscate-dog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269310-6f43665a39f303856d7f931da416f1c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776506810&Signature=XN8nlzYJmfaTme3fmTG97ffIq5xiquB1zTiw23GGRYnGhQzyKE7YiZIjphUET~99umEwMYRm3AiZso8CnrDQqUYPPNrxGCqW8FJhFRjl9XQXwyZ3jNpGDmdmSA1Kdiw0y0xa7p0MC8MQpe4T6fdxJ8vtSRxpulP1zz4GNqxIizWHBIs4AxntGaMdpFEdSCI70-YF82SzrMgCsAeX3pYa3Kuomzvi4YkpJw4py4GMew0XEZhB7I2P2s4LfygnbA-dG67X7BLsA~AjRDq6c9r7j3R3D89hwRhmDJ4PBnqN5djQ0SZdVq4zf0-nmlXK~6nluvVP711KIS9DztXY4ghabQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Albans City Council held a public vicious-dog hearing concerning Daisy, a 5‑year‑old pit‑type dog with a multi‑year history of incidents, and voted to allow the dog to remain in the city on a conditional timetable.

Police and animal-control testimony summarized multiple complaints dating back to 2021, including attacks on pets that caused veterinary euthanasia and instances in which people walking leashed animals were injured when Daisy attacked. City animal-control records presented at the hearing showed multiple warnings and tickets for the dog and its owner for licensing and running-at-large violations.

After hearing from witnesses, neighbors and the owners, the council made a motion to allow Daisy to remain in the city through May 4 and ordered that Daisy must be out of the city by May 5. The council required the owners to make a vaccination appointment at a local veterinarian within 24 hours and directed the city to cover the vaccination and licensing costs. The council added that any complaint or incident between now and May 5 would be a “deal breaker” and would trigger immediate confiscation of Daisy by police; if Daisy remained in the city on May 5 the city also would confiscate the animal and seek rehoming.

The motion, made by Trudy Coffey and seconded by Councilor Eric, included these specific requirements: owners must schedule a rabies‑vaccination appointment within 24 hours, obtain proof of vaccination and license, and keep Daisy muzzled, leashed and under control whenever outside; the city will pay for the vaccination and license. The motion also directed staff to check compliance on May 5 and to confiscate Daisy immediately upon any new ordinance violation (for example, running at large) prior to that date.

Owners William Smith and Sarah Mayo told the council they plan to move to Florida within about a month and said they are arranging additional locks and other measures to secure Daisy; they also described financial strains and veterinary costs for the dog. Former animal‑control officer David McWilliams and other neighbors urged removal or rehoming, citing repeated incidents and potential city liability. Police and animal‑control staff recommended removal if compliance was not immediate.

The motion passed (voice vote) and council members reiterated that the council could revisit its action if the owners failed to comply or if another incident occurred before May 5.","After a public vicious-dog hearing, the council allowed Daisy, a pit-breed dog with multiple prior incidents, to remain in the city until May 5 provided owners obtain rabies vaccination and license within 24 hours and meet other conditions; the council voted to confiscate the dog immediately on any new incident before that date.",{"_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},6269314,"St. Albans council holds first reading to define and limit smoke shops",278,80000,358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344&start=80&end=358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/6269314/St-Albans-City/Franklin-County/Vermont/St-Albans-council-holds-first-reading-to-define-and-limit-smoke-shops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269314-7429c3d53ed54671716d24efe8c072e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776506810&Signature=VBkUn119IgljYcoaWlQUd3gQZUd1P6ap1gH2tUp5nNIBiAKXiOpQeWlo~CQEh-5aXdnC9u8U9ae66WAWwnPojOJA46Cns-NQTmdVeM2Ad60VEtyuXbrAJx3SOxR4tMre~cPUUmOtfwaCWAggH7CP~q4GIdi4~WZAL8CUpQ0TEs5mSRLAaCwahJevFXgEKCYlMJtS1oIz0bLmwnUPNwwA0dhqvwZXd6zKv9TgsfzDP5J1XRzjKV36YMHnv6Ft-8v5P-VRhuBnBSh~EbOYYzfjWrBadLOjWB5icwaJf62MlFHEXdVA32XxGBx0BNua~1L1WAp7wumGB3Z8cDQn5c-3Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Albans City Council held a first reading of proposed zoning bylaw changes that would create a new definition for \"smoke shop,\" confine new smoke-shop businesses to the Service Industrial District and reduce allowable signage for those uses.

Council members said the amendment defines a smoke shop as any business whose product displays or sales floor devote 20% or more to tobacco-, vaping- or paraphernalia-related items, and also includes any business that self-identifies as a smoke shop.

City planning staff told the council the draft amendment would list smoke shops as a conditional use only in the Service Industrial District, the same approach the city uses for adult-entertainment businesses. The draft would also forbid home occupations or home industries from operating in a manner that “resembles a smoke shop or adult entertainment establishment,” language staff said was added following court decisions in other towns to preserve enforcement options.

The proposal would limit signage for smoke shops and adult-entertainment establishments to 50% of the square footage normally permitted under the city’s signage rules, ban flashing or integrated lighting on those signs, and require signs to use non-integrated down-lighting. Staff noted signs visible inside a shop but not attached to a window or wall are not treated as external signage under the rule.

The council and staff discussed grandfathering: an existing smoke shop on Fairfield Street would be allowed to continue operating but would be subject to the new rules if it made substantial changes (for example, replacing a sign or expanding into adjoining space). Council members and staff also discussed outreach to the current business to encourage voluntary compliance, and flagged proximity to the high school as a principal public-health concern mentioned by students and community advocates.

The amendment was presented as a first reading; no action or vote was taken. Council members asked staff to prepare the ordinance for a future public hearing and to circulate notice to affected property owners.

Amy Brewer, coordinator for the Franklin County Tobacco Prevention Coalition, spoke during public comment and said she supported the changes, telling the council the new rules would help protect high-school and middle-school students from tobacco- and vaping-related influences.

If and when the council schedules a public hearing, staff said they will return with a final draft, statutory citations and recommended placement of the new use in the zoning table.","Council held a first reading of proposed zoning bylaw amendments that would define \"smoke shop,\" limit new smoke shops to the Service Industrial District and tighten signage rules; the item was informational only and no vote was taken.",{"_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},6269295,"Council approves façade sign grant, Ralston purchase agreement and several redevelopment items",61,5343000,5404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344&start=5343&end=5404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344/thumbnail_5343000.jpg","/articles/6269295/St-Albans-City/Franklin-County/Vermont/Council-approves-façade-sign-grant-Ralston-purchase-agreement-and-several-redevelopment-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269295-99adfea26a3d16ce854f495e7282b686/orig.mp4?Expires=1776506810&Signature=AgYuyl~RRL~dEPu0M538Lb6f0hGPwsSa0PPSk5pIm-RulL2xyH~NShO7ctHHLk3DfkT3U79AoNvtYjnu~kyh-2NTmgD~jIqTCy59vVF9p0H0muuj3663XZo~yzTtW0Tah4Qxw~YzWLwOlWYxzotRMneISt5j9V2NsxJcZHhyWWIXAM4vPt3flgNkAD1rh0hRsWr91Qu~6X0kgKElz6b7ElyzRUBYV~AZy98Qcr2WcA2~2fQc0ugAiDDrCbS3hCnx9KESOOsrQOiqzC7ZH~U06Un0lWrx5RfjT0JKWjp5UMONQuV2TrnqHFuSLSP~F2L3F0PIoHgy2NsjHhalnN9-Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Albans City Council approved several redevelopment and downtown‑improvement items, including a partial sign‑cost grant, authorization for a purchase agreement on a proposed development project, and two grant decisions.

The council approved a matching grant to help cover the cost of a new projecting storefront sign for 71 North Main Street (Thirsty Thrifters), authorizing up to $13,532 toward sign fabrication and installation to help balance the façade after a tenant change. The motion to approve the sign grant was made by Judy and seconded by Chad; the clerk recorded the vote 6–0 in favor.

Council also authorized the city manager to sign a membership‑interest purchase agreement for the Ralston development project; the motion passed by voice vote after a second from Councilor Eric. The packet materials presented to council included protections for the city in the proposed purchase agreement; councilors discussed the affording of protections and the motion authorized the city manager to sign the agreement consistent with those terms.

On redevelopment grants, the council voted to table consideration of a $10,000 request from Artists in Residence for roof replacement (motion to table by Chad, seconded by Trudy) and separately approved a $10,000 grant from the redevelopment fund to Jeff’s Maine Seafood for building improvements and fit‑out. Both votes were recorded in the meeting minutes as carried by the council.

Councilors said they will continue to review redevelopment requests in the coming weeks and requested staff follow up on project timelines and any required matching funds or conditions.","Council approved a sign‑grant application for 71 North Main Street, authorized the city manager to sign a membership interest purchase agreement for the Ralston development project, tabled one $10,000 grant request and approved a $10,000 grant for a seafood business.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269300,"Council hears Federal Street multimodal plan, approves new city street and related traffic work",1064,4007000,5071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344&start=4007&end=5071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044586-1922b164e830bd661566d6b4ead24344/thumbnail_4007000.jpg","/articles/6269300/St-Albans-City/Franklin-County/Vermont/Council-hears-Federal-Street-multimodal-plan-approves-new-city-street-and-related-traffic-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269300-8d3d03d78920a262f4b823ae97000806/orig.mp4?Expires=1776506810&Signature=k8Rr4IUXTbYUfymGpH6pd6feQUtaX~zhqJ5UYKgOQ4xwhAyd~nOkHOoa~QSl6~S9~h5l6O5tgukpnPHOZddBqi4ahJU3cHcDDI3undoJ0f2BXZ1JGC3YaMiSV0tCF9Z8UBPGndCpQZL8syKjVzLdEXkO7D87WKNw3kAyAhQNjfv-4huIY7CSSEKHIa8n5bclsugpxd1S3aqs1fUWcyPJpjpKaqpPcwGZ7sEmTCJV7hqUjbzNWzf6JmX5wAXzq5oWhBoXfrmzGOWQ~5tOThnXFL8~jSDtIO8e7GAv2BINPmisCnkrfkloUJcRpdklNHGBnGUnatPJq58yvLPnKAbZbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a progress update on the Federal Street multimodal corridor project and the council approved certification to open a new city street that will form part of the planned North‑South corridor.

Staff described a corridor concept that includes a new traffic signal where the state highway meets South Main Street, a proposed new north‑south city street linking the state highway to Mason Street/Lemma Drive, sidewalks on Lemna Drive, and an eight‑foot multi‑use path on the east side of Federal Street. The plan also proposes a roundabout near the railroad tracks to maintain corridor flow where several tracks and gates make traditional stop controls impractical; staff said they are in preliminary discussions with the railroad about right‑of‑way impacts.

Councilors and members of the public raised operational questions about roundabout capacity during train gate closures, whether a two‑lane approach could be required to allow bypassing vehicles, and the possibility of coordinating signal timing with railroad activity. Staff said advanced radar and detector technologies and potential radio ties to signals could mitigate some railroad‑related queuing but that coordination with the railroad is complex and may increase cost.

Staff said trees removed for construction will be addressed as part of restoration plans and that some tree replanting is planned; they also flagged pedestrian-safety measures such as signalized crosswalks where appropriate. The project team described a phased schedule: right‑of‑way work targeted in the coming year, with construction tentatively planned for 2027–2028, depending on funding and permitting.

The council then approved a certificate accepting and opening the new public street created in the corridor (motion by Eric; second by Marie); the clerk recorded the vote as 6–0 in favor. Councilors asked staff to continue reviewing safety and operational design details and to return with refined crosswalk and traffic-control plans as engineering advances.

The update also covered planned streetscape improvements downtown, connection to the rail‑trail and replacement of some signal hardware paid for earlier work; staff said the city will reuse upgraded signal equipment in the corridor design.","Council received a public update on the Federal Street multimodal corridor — including traffic signal, a proposed roundabout, sidewalks and an 8‑foot multi‑use path — and approved certification to open a new city street created as part of that corridor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts amended long-term control plan; approves loan amendment for Holden (Hobart) Park CSO project

Council gives Daisy the pit bull until May 5; owners must vaccinate or city will confiscate dog

St. Albans council holds first reading to define and limit smoke shops

Council approves façade sign grant, Ralston purchase agreement and several redevelopment items

Council hears Federal Street multimodal plan, approves new city street and related traffic work