Council approves short-term funds to help Christchurch host encampment

The Montpelier City Council instructed city staff to find $600 per month for three months to help Christ Episcopal Church support people camping on the church’s parking lot, a request the council approved after public testimony from clergy and church volunteers.

The church asked for the funds to cover trash removal, cleaning supplies, laundry vouchers, porta‑toilet rental and related incidentals for roughly 18 people staying on-site. Reverend Walter Brownridge, priest at Christ Church, told the council the funds would “bridge to winter” and help meet immediate humanitarian and public‑health needs while longer-term solutions are pursued.

Why it matters: The vote addresses an urgent public‑health and safety situation as temperatures fall and the number of people without shelter in the city has increased. Councilors and staff said the decision is an immediate, limited response rather than a long-term shelter program.

Public testimony and council debate

Reverend Walter Brownridge, who identified himself as priest at Christ Episcopal Church, described the church’s efforts to host and manage a small encampment and asked the council for $600 per month for three months. He described basic needs — trash removal, cleaning supplies, laundry vouchers and porta‑toilet rental — and emphasized that the church had voluntarily opened its lot to provide a monitored space.

City staff said the request is modest and could be accommodated by reallocating existing funds if council directs staff to do so. Council discussion focused on immediate public‑health needs (porta‑toilets and trash) and the importance of a coordinated response for winter shelter. Councilor Ben (surname not specified) moved to fund $600 per month for three months; the motion passed on roll call.

Follow-up and context

City staff and the church agreed to continue coordination with social‑service providers and the recently convened “situation table” (a cross‑sector coordination group) to pursue shelter capacity and wraparound services for people living unsheltered. Staff said longer‑term sheltering or day‑center solutions would require further planning and partnership with nonprofits and regional partners.

Councilors and church leaders cautioned that this is an emergency, short‑term measure and that the city needs a systematic plan for winter shelter and for ongoing support to people without housing.