[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6261633,"mediaKeyId","3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414","parentId",3120795,"title","Council approves consent agenda: licenses, reappointments, Semper Bond trust allocation and FY26 fee schedule","audioSeconds",655,"startMs",470000,"endMs",1125000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414&start=470&end=1125","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414/thumbnail_470000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6261633/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Council-approves-consent-agenda-licenses-reappointments-Semper-Bond-trust-allocation-and-FY26-fee-schedule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261633-bc34fdd9b030ebe5638dd878e177022f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153892&Signature=BxENWhtN0r233ndcNtWv3RahK5WWFRPMyeqOJ1x1DkUu-PJV~cUMLzgOOjPgKExjl6sICBYGXrOvlIlQDUN~-fONLL~KIZ2muKVEcbVB-ZGFZZCRx0LwkPwFTbe3Nk9T7gXZP-OEZbgr96e4mepvX00G8vWBdpW~t1jLWi7o0Ba737EUgO47K9kD8c37XT15~pNCDMlZb0oux2MzYdpT9BT5sNXglFSYTxH39MrFnUPcJdBiouurxA86gts3CGnvcvBiiQnUv4jpi5JxDcYzqqwAFZJUJT0o0zNZIJDNUqbq30tdteUFbCge1QTtuVGA0YS~OFQBXVdfL-gPCQ8aoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Barre City, VT","date","2025-04-23T12:45:34Z","article","At its April 22 meeting the Barre City Council approved the consent agenda, which included multiple license approvals, volunteer reappointments, an allocation from the Semper Bond Trust and the fiscal‑year 2026 fee schedule.

The council approved several licenses before the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board portion of the meeting: two second‑class tobacco licenses for Dollar General (Main Street locations), a first‑class liquor license and outside consumption permit for The Meltdown (83 Washington Street), a second‑class tobacco license for Spencer’s on North Main and a second‑class tobacco license for Beverage Baron on North Main. The Liquor and Cannabis Control Board session adjourned after the council approved the package by voice vote.

On appointments, the council reappointed Elizabeth Roode Turner to the Design Review Board, Abby Bloom to the Police Advisory Committee and Art Bombardier to the Transportation and Public Works Committee; the reappointments were presented by the manager as consent items and were advanced without interview per the agenda process.

The council approved allocating $15,000 from the Semper Bond Trust to playground maintenance; staff said a briefing had been included in the council packet. City staff also summarized changes to the FY26 fee schedule: small increases to cemetery internment and non‑resident lot fees, rounding adjustments to permit formulas, elimination of obsolete fire department fees, updated outside‑detail (fire) costs tied to collective‑bargaining increases, new tiered turf rental rates and a new birthday‑party rate intended to encourage facility use. Staff also removed the distinction between a “Barre City child” and a “Berrytown child” for pool season passes and proposed lowering the child season pass from $40 to $30 to boost participation.

The council approved the consent agenda by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Barre City Council Meeting - 04/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved the meeting consent agenda, ratifying liquor and tobacco license applications, volunteer reappointments, a $15,000 Semper Bond Trust allocation for playground maintenance and the fiscal year 2026 fee schedule.","taxTitle","Barre City, Washington County, Vermont","taxId",68795,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261638,"Council backs elevation grant applications and approves stormwater pipe study to advance flood resiliency",0,9176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414&start=9176&end=9176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414/thumbnail_9176000.jpg","/articles/6261638/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Council-backs-elevation-grant-applications-and-approves-stormwater-pipe-study-to-advance-flood-resiliency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261638-c8d7cb53c48460bb314cbd0cd40c2125/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153892&Signature=neqeE34FoGvE3zQfYOXJhIj1fnmi3L6gYEhVsQKAhPRXppw03jLAy~6G6k13Y1gur~MW41U7fbV7YDVBs1MT0Ne47n2geqPjVTbKakdwfALo5-rWclLDUI8s0K1m7z26svD9Ki-RDJNIA8boqWXpKAyRvTIgjW2dXBeFgYA-yiajolGdVEw-ecKQw-ro2yH0HxvH4NZbd8N2ED0TAeA0QoSQgLBF0lS0jry3PFqWQuUZfK~1d~4o9MO-kE1WrPUr6AixdGh7FWAOy8at0Qc5J4D6YifVf4uFdJXUTx7wQfGbD-BBaxpdBFf~6a3r-S9Emvedtyc7pXX8YzuQ-5nlGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Barre City Council on April 22 voted to submit three property applications for a state flood‑elevation grant program and approved a comprehensive stormwater pipe study to model the city’s drainage network.

City staff reported that initial outreach to owners left three viable participants for the state program; a fourth owner withdrew. Staff recommended moving forward with the three applications rather than adding a fourth property because expanding the application pool would reduce the per‑project award and risk underfunding full elevations. Staff said agency partners in Montpelier had signaled that award levels were likely to be tightly budgeted, and overly stretching the application risked incomplete projects.

Manager Stuart Locastro told the council that Advance review by the state’s hazard mitigation office (A & R in the packet) had given provisional consent to the proposed properties. Councilors voted to authorize staff to file the applications on the city’s behalf.

On a separate but related item, the council approved a stormwater pipe study by the same consultant performing a new hydrology analysis. The consultant’s scope includes setting up a hydraulic model of the city storm system, surveying culverts and pipes and identifying capacity constraints. Staff recommended authorizing up to $100,000 for the work to ensure the model scope is complete; the bid presented to council was approximately $95,565. The manager said the preferred funding source is the Special Projects Fund, which had about $495,000 available before the council’s other commitments.

Councilors and residents said the modeling work is critical: property owners in bowl‑like areas and downstream neighborhoods have raised repeated concerns about capacity and drainage during heavy storms. “Getting our arms around what our capabilities are … of inestimable importance,” property owner Peter Anthony told the council. Staff said the model will serve as a technical tool for permitting and for negotiating developer upgrades to conveyance capacity.

Both the elevation application authorization and the funding for the pipe study passed on voice vote.","The council authorized submission of state elevation grant applications for three properties and approved a $95,565 stormwater pipe study to build a city‑wide drainage model. Staff said the work will support future mitigation and developer review.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261643,"Barre City Council extends city manager’s contract for five years, citing need for continuity",70,1318000,1388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414&start=1318&end=1388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414/thumbnail_1318000.jpg","/articles/6261643/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Barre-City-Council-extends-city-managers-contract-for-five-years-citing-need-for-continuity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261643-6050ae40331dc9504e5b62a104bde30f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153892&Signature=AKIPKvUd1hVDP6-86twAAQQ1e1tNKmmqaNJcf3Y1XkrauB~8DQ2bhO6kDWp7DrCng8fZoRyBZhdXtNQmuKwkkGBvd9jhr8mUOKwqp0QmZxUcH0ER17K3SQJeEaMmlYjtEqxbaH9ANc~plaVcjSUw9Ci19hkFjmBE55r3Q3arb6-vlbyfRND8s87TekUvNrlhACq7jX56ok3PNpPs0EEiHBtq15tUcIxGPL6SOVfnr05pPg~j-mVPa1NIyrhbVItULXPIAHRh~IjXC~ksXd~zHnXAl47WrJeIAP2EFHm9yijtTJTNKRmx6kbNBSIFkyIJOKGDefk2AugCLo5rfhGmgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Barre City Council on April 22 voted to approve a five‑year employment contract for City Manager Stuart Locastro, whom councilors said provides continuity at the top of municipal administration.

Council discussion during the meeting noted that negotiations had been protracted and that major points had already been circulated to members. Manager Locastro previously sought a four‑year term; the council countered with five years and settled the terms in recent weeks. The mayor had exercised executive authority to sign a version of the agreement prior to the council vote; the council motion formalized and authorized execution of the final contract.

Councilors said continuity at the leadership level was a priority. “What was most important to the council was continuity of management, continuity at the top,” Mayor Ozma said when introducing the item. The vote to approve the contract was presented and carried by voice vote.

The manager thanked the council after the vote. No salary or specific financial terms were detailed during the public discussion beyond the information distributed with the council packet and the contract that was provided to members for review.","The council approved a five‑year employment agreement for City Manager Stuart Locastro, emphasizing continuity of leadership. The mayor had already signed an earlier version; the council voted to ratify and authorize execution.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261646,"Barre City Council approves security camera policy and authorizes purchase after extended debate",5705,2442000,8147000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414&start=2442&end=8147","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3120795-1634302cc5573da256aab01b532c0414/thumbnail_2442000.jpg","/articles/6261646/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Barre-City-Council-approves-security-camera-policy-and-authorizes-purchase-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261646-eed57fe3a7b752a3536187b04dda8c03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153892&Signature=kLHVDsCdnPaLU~~sS7HBUJjhxjSxfGGQDhvAJxF4Z1mWT2fKQJsyFM2YCBQz8j8iRF6Cg1o6RbJczO7CKWI4d~L6rz42o46b80aiWUHOJGmCn5tJ6qEEpNIpuylm4rOGfos92bd9g7ZVkd-5o9gmYkRCwc5KzeX3Zw58j2B4S~6HGA16qweXQgJhHemqUwtSqnX9T-5Ye-er78BDNGiwoZc54DgTFOEsnmDMiZ3QXBUEDkGYXX6~Gy6-4C6GSzszN7o60u7Rs4oTdejK4vwxRA1p2Dc3339LRYSm0Thsv7MtDd-e26ib8VQpDczhFsUCo2f9E7rnF5uHWIImcdDPuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Barre City Council on April 22 approved a citywide policy for public security cameras and authorized a $10-year purchase and licensing agreement for a multi-site camera system.

City officials framed the vote as a response to rising quality‑of‑life complaints downtown and a tool to give officers “pre‑arrival intelligence” and evidence for investigations. “If you get a call of a disturbance … the dispatch staff can open up the camera system and give that intelligence to officers responding to the scene,” Chief Cushman, the city’s police chief, said during the presentation.

The policy approved by the council includes limits on use and retention: footage is retained a maximum of 30 days by default and will be released only under Vermont discovery rules or public‑records law. The policy also forbids using camera footage to collect information about protected categories, including immigration status, and reiterates Vermont’s statutory ban on facial recognition technology. “These images that will be collected will not be used for the purpose of collecting or maintaining information about any political, religious, or social views … unless such information directly relates to a criminal investigation,” Cushman read from the draft policy.

Supporters — including downtown business owners and several residents — said cameras would deter misconduct, speed investigations and reduce time officers spend chasing leads. “Within 10 minutes, we knew who that was,” Rich McSheffery, a downtown property and business owner, said of previous instances where private camera footage helped clarify incidents. Several other business owners and residents said cameras would make customers and employees feel safer.

Opponents, including privacy advocates and community members, urged caution. They cited research showing limited crime‑prevention effects unless cameras are monitored in real time, and raised security concerns about the vendor under consideration. “This is a dangerous company to choose to work with,” said Jeremy Spirowind, who briefed the council on public reports of past security lapses and corporate practices at the vendor. Public commenters and some councilors also pressed for stronger contractual restrictions so footage could not be used for AI training or facial‑recognition purposes if data were shared with a third party.

Council discussion referenced operational details the policy will require: where cameras will be sited, signage warning the public where cameras operate, who may access footage (dispatch, the police department, limited IT and city management roles) and rules for third‑party contractors. City staff said they would add explicit contract language to prohibit any vendor use of footage for facial recognition or AI training.

The council voted to approve the policy “as amended” and later voted to authorize the purchase and 10‑year licensing, hardware and installation package proposed by city staff. The package covers cameras at City Hall, the Public Safety Building and four high‑traffic outdoor locations identified by the police department, plus interior cameras for municipal buildings and training and installation costs. Staff said annual licensing would be paid from the general fund and hardware from the capital improvement fund; the vendor quoted a 10‑year licensing cost of roughly $5,700 per year and a multi‑year equipment cost of about $9,600, with an estimated one‑time electrical/installation contingency of about $5,000.

The purchase vote passed after public comment and council debate; one councilor recorded opposition to the purchase, citing lingering vendor‑security concerns and urging stronger contractual guarantees.

What’s next: staff will return the final contract and amended policy language to the council for the record and implement the project schedule; the chief said the department will track metrics so the council can assess camera efficacy over time.","After months of discussion and a lengthy public hearing, the Barre City Council approved a written public-space camera policy and authorized a 10-year camera and licensing purchase. Supporters said cameras will aid investigations and public safety; opponents raised privacy, vendor-security and cost concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda: licenses, reappointments, Semper Bond trust allocation and FY26 fee schedule

Council backs elevation grant applications and approves stormwater pipe study to advance flood resiliency

Barre City Council extends city manager’s contract for five years, citing need for continuity

Barre City Council approves security camera policy and authorizes purchase after extended debate