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Resident warns council about state bills that may limit municipal plant regulations
Summary
Stephen Willie Padnos told the council recent state legislation may preempt municipal rules on plants (except cannabis and hemp), which could affect local visibility triangles, hydrant clearances and rights‑of‑way; he urged staff to review the statutes.
During the public comment period, resident Stephen Willie Padnos alerted the council to language in recently passed state bills that he said will limit municipal authority to regulate plants.
"One of the provisions of H941 is that municipalities are no longer allowed to regulate plants, except cannabis and hemp," Padnos said. He also referenced another citation (read as "44 13") and warned that common local safety rules—visibility triangles, rights‑of‑way and rules around hydrants—could be affected when the laws take effect in July.
Padnos said he is not an attorney and encouraged the city to review the statutory language and coordinate with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, noting that sometimes final implementation language changes before an effective date. Council members acknowledged the concern and said they would look into the matter.
