[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6165184,"mediaKeyId","5425886-c99f01ce3a49f86b64759759a6525ec6","parentId",5425886,"title","Barre City council backs CDBG-DR application focused on Prospect Heights infrastructure","audioSeconds",530,"startMs",3084000,"endMs",3614000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5425886-c99f01ce3a49f86b64759759a6525ec6&start=3084&end=3614","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5425886-c99f01ce3a49f86b64759759a6525ec6/thumbnail_3084000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6165184/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Barre-City-council-backs-CDBG-DR-application-focused-on-Prospect-Heights-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165184-f30d1dab729d8ee7c5a79930b6260aeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776372706&Signature=C9lSOP6DmgqajDf9tLrX2Tz31pc371FJ1qoKhcZjIEH6IPLkUNb~BWl6Qc5IQpknupf7lG87vexwrAZjKTRO6g-V5JB3Z21zt5X7b9LAXsYemEAEQgnQ24Tq5Rxmq6BuisNXKW8VBBUrej7gHfnBgE7bbpvw-7hX1MKo7g3q10Bu8tUGzZkIaNl4-EYHYufs0PSPd9p5NZSGbRMlvVAZpdfCQIVKeWikD-KmmGCDFNBAv4GAQEiQ2-mNnQiPIhwgLNrYznxzc0SGtXT8L-D7EkYq3FUQYW9niltItPOAMF5Ou4caGv1PYm-e1Yau8PxWD-HHyQFYCzsQ-KCSqxmKDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Barre City, VT","date","2025-07-18T19:06:02.947Z","article","Barre City leaders signaled support for submitting a major CDBG-DR (referred to in the meeting as “CDBG Doctor”) grant package, including a $5,264,063 request to fund infrastructure at the Prospect Heights housing site and a slate of other flood‑resiliency and housing projects.

The city manager and Councilor Guston told the council the Prospect Heights site, previously zoned for 128 units, now is estimated after environmental review to support 91 units (66 multifamily and 25 single‑family), and that the city already has secured roughly $2.88 million from the Northern Border Regional Commission and $750,000 in the state budget. Councilor Guston said the $5.264 million request would cover the remaining infrastructure gap — streets, water, sewer and stormwater — needed to make the site shovel‑ready for private development partners.

Why it matters: Councilors framed Prospect Heights as a way to add a mix of affordable and workforce housing in locations outside the downtown floodplain, and as a way to grow the municipal grand list and increase long‑term property tax revenue. Councilor Guston and the manager said the city would not build housing units but would install infrastructure and then sell or otherwise convey lots to private or nonprofit developers to construct the homes.

Key facts and funding: The manager and staff reported an estimated total infrastructure and site cost in the presentation (shown in the due diligence materials provided to council) of roughly $8.36 million and about $530,000 for engineering and permitting. The Northern Border Regional Commission award was cited in the meeting as $2,875,870; the state appropriation cited by staff was $750,000. The council proposal for CDBG‑DR funding would request $5,264,063 to fill the remaining gap.

Debate and public comments: Residents and developers asked technical questions about stormwater, wastewater, soils and slope stability. Public commenters and councilors pushed for affordability mechanisms such as shared‑equity models, and asked whether the project would create downstream impacts. City staff and engineering consultants said much of the new stormwater would be managed on‑site and that borings and the due‑diligence report showed no landslide‑prone subsoils at the proposed build areas. Speakers also said water and wastewater capacity had been evaluated and that additional on‑site retention would be required by permitting.

Next steps: Councilors instructed staff to proceed with a grant application and to refine the partnership agreement with the Area Development Corporation (ADC) and other partners. Staff said they were drafting an MOU/sponsorship agreement to formalize how the city and ADC will share site control and project responsibilities; staff expected that agreement to be ready for council review in early August. The manager and council also signaled intent to discuss additional CDBG‑DR requests for other projects on the council’s compiled list.

Resident concerns and council clarifications: Speakers from the West Side neighborhood expressed worry about drainage and existing failing detention ponds; councilors and staff said the city is commissioning a comprehensive stormwater system scoping study and would sequence work so that on‑site retention and downstream upgrades are coordinated rather than creating new burdens on older systems. Staff additionally noted that any state or federal grant funding would be tied specifically to the project scope and would not be available if the project did not proceed.

Ending: Councilors indicated broad support to pursue the Prospect Heights infrastructure request as part of a larger CDBG‑DR grant package, while asking staff to continue community outreach, refine cost estimates and identify implementation partners. If the ADC completes its acquisition steps and the MOU is approved, staff said the city would proceed with submitting grant applications for the infrastructure gap.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Barre City Council Meeting - 07/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Barre City leaders signaled support for submitting a major CDBG‑DR request — $5,264,063 — to finance infrastructure at the Prospect Heights site, aiming to unlock 91 housing units and related flood‑resiliency work.","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},6165180,"Council approves appointments, licenses and routine warrants; votes summarized",170,1687000,1857000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5425886-c99f01ce3a49f86b64759759a6525ec6&start=1687&end=1857","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5425886-c99f01ce3a49f86b64759759a6525ec6/thumbnail_1687000.jpg","/articles/6165180/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Council-approves-appointments-licenses-and-routine-warrants-votes-summarized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165180-e9572c9c7cd4437f0502779e33adb565/orig.mp4?Expires=1776372706&Signature=Nw~4Exyu9iIPuV2IPp6XdOqm0pd8kzNct98APyAtg781S5EFM0Yahze55dNl0KrBKKRBv8s~2XuyEykaptO1fTCapmhtMMM9tSs6Hiquw95itR50t2i27R1UNjGGspiqvZi94aCh9DZ8Np5zPl6dtxxmsFyVH3gh7qBrHEUpckX47wpLqStplZDToswQmvt9gkdp1PmalTLCZzJaXlyjoXnN4ikcOHxkXQi-FKZD9cDQMkESmth-VlnZLFbT1KRN3d85BUUfLM9G-fcHWgaeAwQRiUd5x~abgEbJ4RwJ1wzIxehAecmDGUMx856wlFMPqVDcKJVbyudUCQu3xbPFsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the consent and related agenda items, the Barre City Council approved several routine but consequential items, including volunteer appointments, liquor and event licenses, city warrants and a contract for grant‑writing assistance.

Appointments and resolutions: The council appointed Jamie Bauer to a seat on the Transportation and Public Works Committee (member present for a brief interview) and appointed Sean Warner as the city representative to the CB Fiber Board; council also approved resolution 2025‑15 supporting the Warner appointment, as presented.

Licenses and permits: The clerk presented several event and liquor license requests: a fireworks event by Berry Partnership (July 26), a Turning Point candlelight vigil (Aug. 31), and class‑2 liquor renewals; the council approved the licenses as presented. The clerk noted one license was approved contingent on the applicant providing final documentation to the police chief and the Department of Liquor and Lottery.

Warrants and contracts: The council approved city warrants for the week (week of 7/16/25 and ratification for prior week), with an abstention recorded on the motion (abstaining member not recorded in the roll call transcript). Council also authorized the manager to execute a contract with Eastview Incorporated for grant‑writing services related to CDBG projects.

How the votes were taken: Most of these items were handled as part of the consent agenda and passed by voice vote. Several motions were moved and seconded; the transcript records voice votes of “aye” and occasional “nay” with one abstention noted on the warrants item. No formal roll‑call tallies (by name) were read into the record for the consent motions in the transcript.

Ending: The council wrapped up consent business and moved on to committee items and presentations.","The city council approved volunteer appointments, liquor and catering licenses, and city warrants during the consent portion of the meeting. Council also authorized a contract for grant‑writing services and ratified other routine matters; several votes were taken by voice and roll call.",{"_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},6165182,"Council approves Quarry Street for 2025 paving; staff outline stormwater and Prospect Street drainage work",101,1875000,1976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5425886-c99f01ce3a49f86b64759759a6525ec6&start=1875&end=1976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5425886-c99f01ce3a49f86b64759759a6525ec6/thumbnail_1875000.jpg","/articles/6165182/Barre-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Council-approves-Quarry-Street-for-2025-paving-staff-outline-stormwater-and-Prospect-Street-drainage-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165182-193ee772f236095ffe2fa9ef9c6067b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776372706&Signature=BIFhxrcH3RxeKr0lUAQkl0OgGyEcaCvaMpwBtGLUNWreB4tinzDgvviqUFq39HqETSkNxYS4PtnCo~~92qfQOHlx8pXTTMsaY7ZhExvFJ0EWF1JZiajnfSNwOBfFRhIuMD7DrtXShPlpPDlVvFZFK8mavKijkxZniqV1c~UI~hdRCbG5Ux~lrfFMW8miKrtfRaFVHf3E0ygXIA5GNRHZQiLcFXB~MGei9qhVyTkTFgb0WKP3wHTD9JWZy6lQqmJF-XTxjM4EvT~FO90N80t50V8cDWhYYICnM-7-vm-RMuwFRkUHAhnmja8tdeU9kHDG02PxU1DY6KrmJqNGcYlsEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barre City staff told the council they plan to use recently increased paving funds to pave Quarry Street from Main Street to the town line and presented a multi‑year paving map showing planned 2025 work on Berlin, Allen and Prospect streets.

Public Works Director (referred to in the meeting as Brian) and the city manager said Quarry Street was chosen because its pavement condition is poor but the site requires relatively less ancillary utility work to be ready for paving. The presentation emphasized clustering longer stretches of work to reduce contractor mobilization costs and gain more paving per dollar.

Staff noted the city raised the annual paving budget by roughly $130,000 this year to reach approximately $600,000; the mayor and council signaled intent to consider further increases to avoid falling behind on road conditions.

State roads: Staff and council discussed state‑owned routes within city limits, including Route 62 and North Main Street, and noted those repaving schedules are controlled by the state. Councilors asked staff to annotate maps to show which roads are state responsibilities so residents better understand why the city cannot repave those segments.

Stormwater and Prospect Street: Councilors and residents raised persistent drainage problems on Prospect Street and other hills. Public works staff said they are doing targeted sewer work, cutting ditches, installing underdrains and adding drainage features on Prospect Street where problem areas were identified. The manager and public works director said repaving provides an opportunity to pitch roads properly and reset drainage structures, which extends pavement life.

Timeline and follow up: Staff said the contract/paving work is scheduled in coordination with major infrastructure preparation and that smaller patch repairs are not shown on the long‑stretch paving map. Councilors asked for a future version of the map to indicate which segments are state highways and to provide simple year‑to‑year metrics (for example, feet paved) to show progress.

Ending: Council approved the paving selection and encouraged staff to continue work on drainage upgrades and to return with more detailed timelines and a map that clearly shows state versus city paving responsibilities.","City staff said extra paving funds will be used this year to repave Quarry Street and showed a multi‑year paving map; public works staff also described targeted drainage work on Prospect Street and plans for larger stormwater upgrades.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Barre City council backs CDBG-DR application focused on Prospect Heights infrastructure

Council approves appointments, licenses and routine warrants; votes summarized

Council approves Quarry Street for 2025 paving; staff outline stormwater and Prospect Street drainage work