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Chittenden County RPC committee approves pipeline safety letter, recommends 2.5% dues increase
Summary
The CCRPC Joint Finance + Executive Committee approved a letter asking the Vermont Public Utility Commission to prioritize safety in proposed changes to the Vermont Gas Addison pipeline, reviewed a roughly $84,000 FY24 surplus, and voted to recommend a 2.5% FY26 dues increase to the full Board.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) Joint Finance + Executive Committee on Oct. 1 approved a letter urging the Vermont Public Utility Commission to ensure proposed changes to the Vermont Gas Addison pipeline meet strong safety standards and recommended the Board adopt a 2.5% municipal dues increase for FY26.
Taylor Newton, Planning Program Director, presented a draft letter on the Vermont Gas, Addison Natural Gas Pipeline application and explained the filing arrived after packet publication; staff nevertheless prepared a letter for committee review. Executive Director Charlie Baker said the letter’s purpose is to request that the PUC ensure the pipeline is “as safe as possible.” Committee members discussed the history of the original proceeding and emphasized safety concerns. Michael Bissonnette moved to approve the letter; Andy Montroll seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Forest Cohen, Business Director, reviewed draft FY24 year-end financials, reporting an approximately $84,000 positive balance at fiscal year end. Cohen attributed part of the positive result to using $100,000 in ACCD funds to match MPO funding and noted direct project costs came in below expectations — roughly 45–50% of projected — citing a shrinking consultant pool and municipal/staff capacity constraints. He said CCRPC’s current reserves equal a little more than one month of expenses, short of the auditor’s three-month recommendation; members asked for a supplemental memo next meeting to provide additional context.
On dues, Cohen outlined three FY26 options (0%, 2.5%, 4.9%) and explained how the proportion is determined for each municipality. Committee members raised concerns about rising grand list values and the potential effects on fixed-income Vermonters. The committee favored the middle option; Andy Montroll moved to recommend the Board approve a 2.5% dues increase, Bard Hill seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Votes at a glance: • Approval of Sept. 4, 2024 executive minutes — mover: Andy Montroll; seconder: Catherine McMains; outcome: approved unanimously. • Approval of CCRPC letter re: Vermont Gas Addison pipeline — mover: Michael Bissonnette; seconder: Andy Montroll; outcome: approved unanimously. • Recommendation to Board for FY26 dues at 2.5% — mover: Andy Montroll; seconder: Bard Hill; outcome: approved unanimously. • Adjournment — mover: Andy Montroll; seconder: Michael Bissonnette; outcome: approved unanimously.
What happens next: The approved Vermont Gas letter will be sent as drafted and the staff will prepare a supplemental memo with additional financial context for the committee’s next meeting. The dues recommendation will be forwarded to the full CCRPC Board for action in October/November, per the committee’s schedule.
