Municipal leaders press for continued brownfields funding and program fixes to speed housing redevelopment
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Summary
VLCT told the committee brownfield cleanup is costly but productive for housing; they urged continued appropriations, program improvements to shorten deployment times, and operational changes to reduce hauling costs for contaminated urban soils.
Representatives of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns told the General & Housing Committee that brownfield cleanup and redevelopment consistently rank high among municipal uses of ARPA and state funds and that the work has produced housing in center locations when funded.
VLCT said the brownfields program is widely used but slow and expensive; presenters noted a brownfield deployment study that indicated average deployment times around three years and asked for measures to accelerate the process. They also described a recent statutory change allowing stump‑dump transfer stations that accept urban soils so towns need not ship contaminated soils out of state to landfills, which VLCT said could reduce costs and support redevelopment.
Committee members sought clarification about what qualifies as a brownfield and whether the cleanup process or funding levels are the problem. VLCT responded that thresholds and remediation obligations vary by population density and that practical fixes—local transfer options, on‑site engineering solutions, and clearer state guidance—could make projects viable in small towns.
VLCT recommended continued appropriations for brownfield programs and additional efforts by the Agency of Natural Resources to provide implementation guidance and accelerate remediation timelines.
