Senate Institutions unanimously grants BGS short extensions for three reports, including Windsor land-transfer review

The Vermont Senate Institutions Committee on Jan. 17 granted the Department of Buildings and General Services short extensions to file three reports due to the 2025 General Assembly.

The extensions covered: (1) a site-location report on a proposed women's reentry and correctional facility (requested for filing on or before Feb. 7); (2) a report from a proposed state building naming study committee (requested for filing on or before March 10); and (3) a report to evaluate potential transfer of portions of the former Southeast State Correctional Facility property to the Agency of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife) (requested for filing on or before March 10). The committee approved each extension by voice vote.

Commissioner, Buildings and General Services, told the committee the department "did not meet the filing deadline. I'm requesting an extension on or before February 7th." The commissioner said the department had drafted material but needed time to ensure it addressed four specific items the committee wanted included. Chair Wendy Harrison pressed for detailed site information, saying she wanted "to present the site, the acreage, the location, specific on, the area or the state." The commissioner replied the department would "respond to your report" and return with any requested clarifications.

On the state building naming study, the commissioner said turnover in the department left staff unable to complete the work on the statute's timelines and asked for the March 10 filing date to allow meetings and review with partner agencies. The commissioner said, regarding the naming study, "It is about making a recommendation. Should there be another committee? Should there be a committee naming? Should we change? Should we leave the statute the way it is?" The committee moved and approved the requested extension.

On the Windsor/Southeast State Correctional Facility matter, the commissioner summarized prior transfers of roughly 800 acres into land management and described unsettled questions about remaining acreage, property boundaries, right-of-way issues and whether buildings should be winterized or demolished. The commissioner said the department had "sent the language to the interim commissioner" at Fish and Wildlife and was doing outreach so the agencies could align before filing. Senator Joe Major, whose district includes Windsor, moved the extension for that report; Senator Douglas seconded; the committee approved it by voice vote.

All three extension requests were approved by unanimous voice vote. The committee did not take final action on any of the underlying proposals (site selection, naming policy, or land transfer) during the Jan. 17 meeting; each request was solely for additional time to file statutorily required reports.

The committee asked BGS to provide maps and site delineations in the forthcoming filings and indicated it expects substantive responses rather than brief statements. The commissioner agreed to supply additional detail and indicated the department would refile if initial submissions were incomplete.

Votes at a glance

- Extension for women’s reentry facility site-location report (requested filing on or before Feb. 7): motion moved by Senator Douglas, seconded by Senator Joe Major; outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote. - Extension for state building naming study committee report (requested filing on or before March 10): motion moved by Senator Douglas, seconded by Senator Plunkett; outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote. - Extension for report on potential transfer of land at the former Southeast State Correctional Facility to Fish and Wildlife (requested filing on or before March 10): motion moved by Senator Joe Major, seconded by Senator Douglas; outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote.

The committee indicated it will expect more detailed filings (site maps, acreage, delineations, and clear statutory-response language) when the reports arrive.