South Burlington City News - October 14, 2021

South Burlington, Vermont sent this bulletin at 10/18/2021 10:45 AM EDT

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October 14, 2021 - Local Government News Direct to You

COVID-19 Message

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation, as the health and safety of our employees and the public is our top priority. We are continuing to employ measures to help limit exposure and spread. Currently, we are encouraging visitors to wear masks in our Public Library & City Hall. See more details about facilities and accessing services.

Message from City Manager

Hello South Burlington,

Over the last two months, the City’s Leadership Team (Department Heads) and Committees have worked to develop a clear and intentional set of priorities for where we are going as a community. We have aligned these recommendations to the City policies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, our goals as a community are to be:

Affordable and Community Strong: Creating a robust sense of place and opportunity for our residents and visitors.
Walkable: Bicycle and pedestrian friendly with safe transportation infrastructure.
Green & Clean: Emphasizing sustainability for long-term viability of a clean and green South Burlington.
Opportunity Oriented: Being a supportive and engaged member of the larger regional and statewide community.

In addition to these goals, we work to ensure our core municipal services are provided in the most effective and efficient way possible and informed by the latest best practices and technology.

On October 30, 2021, the Council and Leadership Team will have a Policy Priorities and Strategies Retreat to review the recommendations that have come forward from the Committees and Leadership Team and set a shared vision for our work for this year. Annually we will revisit these priorities and make sure our work continues to be aligned. Please feel free to join us on October 30^th from 9:00 to 3:00 in the Senior Center at 180 Market Street for this conversation.

As always, if you have ideas to share, please feel free to reach out to me at jbaker@southburlingtonvt.gov.

My best,
Jessie

Kimball Ave Progress Continues

The culvert on Kimball Avenue has been installed and work continues. The road is scheduled to reopen on November 8 to one-way traffic.

Proposed Changes to Land Development Regulations

Planning Commission public hearing on Tuesday, October 26^th at 7:00 pm.

Learn all about what’s in the proposed changes to the City’s Land Development Regulations!

Excellence in City Staff Recognized

Continued Recognition for Exceptional Contributions and Devotion

Tom DiPietro, our Deputy Director of Environmental Services was awarded “The Elizabeth Walker Meritorious Service Award” by the Green Mountain Water Environment Association for his exceptional contributions and has shown exemplary devotion to GMWEA and to water quality in Vermont.

The Green Mountain Water Environment Association Stormwater Award

This award is given to an individual or organization for their outstanding performance in stormwater management and/or education, or other significant contribution to the field. This year’s award went to our very own Joe Gebo, stormwater equipment operator. Great job Joe, we appreciate your hard work!

Vermont Town Clerk of the Year

At the 85^th Vermont Municipal Clerks’ and Treasurers’ Associations annual meeting, Donna Kinville was awarded the honor of being Vermont’s Town Clerk of the Year. In order to be name Clerk of the Year you must be nominated by either a fellow clerk or a member of the select board/city council.

Fire Chief Recieved Life Member Award

SBFD Chief Terry Francis was recently honored by the Vermont Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators – Life Member Award for his dedication and contributions in the advancement of educating the State’s Fire Investigation Community. In his career, the Chief has traveled throughout the State teaching hundreds of Firefighters, Fire Officers and Law Enforcement personnel the scientific approach to Origin and Cause determination of a fire incidents.

Thank you, Chief Francis, for your hard work and dedication to the city!

Public Library & City Hall Featured

The local publication "Best of Burlington" featured the Public Library and City Hall in the fall issue.

Read it here.

City Center Taking Shape—
WCAX coverage

WCAX ran the following story:

The sprawling city of South Burlington has for decades planned around the concept of developing a city center where residents could meet and gather. See more.

Freedom Flag Retirement

As has been the tradition since receiving the 9/11 Remembrance “Freedom Flag”, SBFD newest members retired the flag flown at Fire Station #1 from public display. It will be flown again starting September 1, 2022. Pictured from Lt to Rt are Fire Recruit Candidates Alex McCarthy, Evan Giard and Dan Mullin.

Nationally flags were flown at half-staff on Saturday October 3^rd in honor of National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day. 59 career firefighters have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Preparing for Winter: Reducing Salt Use

There are numerous reasons why it makes sense for communities to reduce use of road salt. This video shares the experience of our DPW and Stormwater teams, as we have been able to reduce salt use and save money through salt tracking and equipment calibration.

Watch the video.

Go Deep with Bob Fischer,
Water Quality Superintendent

Green Mountain Water Environment Association Interviews Bob Fischer our Water Quality Superintendent. Bob talks about his moving career and how he is here working with us at the city.

Read the article
Learn more about GMWEA

Weed Warriors End the Season on October 30

The Weed Warriors will be gearing up for one last formal event on October 30.

The location and time of day is TBD, but participants will have the opportunity to learn about invasive plant removal in the fall and winter. Stay tuned for more information.

Fire Department Receives Timely Water Donation

Timing is everything!

On Thursday, September 30^th Farrell Distribution Inc. donated a pallet of water to our City Fire Department. The water was promptly used while our department was called to an accident near Exit 14 south bound on Interstate 89 along with other 6 other local teams.

Learn more.

If COVID-19 has caused you economic hardship, assistance is available.

The 2021 Vermont COVID-19 Arrearage Assistance Program (VCAAP II) provides financial support to customers who may face disconnection of service because of past-due balances for their electric, landline telephone, Vermont Gas (natural gas), water or sewer/wastewater charges. Learn more.

School District Events & News

School Board Meeting

October 20 | 7 pm

The agenda can be found at www.sbschools.net

Connecting with the School Board

Join School Board Chair Bridget Burkhardt for drop-in Zoom chats Mondays at noon! Link on the District website.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

For a complete list of meetings & events, please visit the calendar at www.sbvt.gov.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, October 18 | 6:30 pm | Hybrid
Auditorium, City Hall, 180 Market Street
Virtual Option: see info below

Discuss next steps related to indoor recreation center
Review the draft TIF District Substantial Change Request
Review application for a Solar Field

Access agendas and minutes.

VIRTUAL OPTION
Want to attend the meeting virtually? You can join from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://www.gotomeet.me/SouthBurlingtonVT/city-council-meeting10-04-2021

Phone (audio only): (571) 317-3122
Access code: 486-774-133

Here are some etiquette guidelines:

Keep your camera and microphone off.
During invitations for the public to speak, you should turn your camera on to be recognized.
If you are having audio issues using your computer's audio, we find it works best to watch the meeting on your device AND dial in to the phone number directly.

Watch the Last City Council Meeting Recording

Want to see what happened during the latest City Council meeting? Can't attend the live session online? We've got you covered. You can watch the recorded October 4f meeting here.

Community Hike at Red Rocks Park

October 23
10 AM – 12 PM

Join Ethan Tapper, the Chittenden County Forester, for a walk through Red Rocks Park. Capacity is limited and you must register.

Learn more.

RECREATION AND PARKS

Soccer Season in Full Swing

Our soccer season is in full swing. We’ve met for two weeks with this past Saturday being our first official weekend of games. There are over 225 participants across 16 teams and 2 clinics. We have 5 coed teams of KinderPros, 8 coed teams of 1^st and 2^nd graders and 3 teams of boys in 3^rd and 4^th grade. There are also parent child clinics for both 3 year and 4 year old players. Needless to say, Veterans Memorial Park is quite busy on Saturday mornings. Read more.

Ready to Bounce into Basketball Season?

Registration is now open for all youth basketball! You can access the registration portal at https://bit.ly/2XOZAnK

Deadline is fast approaching; don’t miss out!

SoBoo Spooktacular Events

Family Night Hike
Tuesday, Oct 19 | 6 pm

Community Pumpkin Carving
Friday, Oct 22 | 6-8pm

Community Glow Walk
Saturday, Oct 30 | 6-8pm

Learn more about these events.

Sponsored by SeaComm Federal Credit Union

YOGA FOR YOU

Thursdays | Oct 7 to Nov 18 | 9:30-10:30 am

Resident $78 | Non-resident $93

Senior Center Activity Room, 180 Market Street

Registration required.

Kevin L. Dorn Senior Center

Location: First floor, 180 Market Street

Check out the activities for October!

View and download the pdf.

Looking for Volunteers

Do you like to help others? Are you looking for something to do in your free time? Do you have a hobby or activity you would like to teach others?

We are looking for volunteers for a variety of activities. Contact Rebecca Isham (923-5545) for more information.

PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Public Library is open:

Monday - Thursday 10 am - 7 pm
Friday 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

Check out the many events happening.

You Can Check Out Garden Tools!

As Fall turns to windy days and floating leaves, gardeners are putting their gardens to bed. People who have been involved with the Seed Library may have saved some seeds to use and share in the spring. All will be looking forward to the catalogs that come in the dark of winter.

The City of South Burlington is Hiring!

Looking for a Full and or Part time job? The City of South Burlington is looking to hire great people to join our team. Here are a few of the positions:

Finance & Payroll Specialist - Full Time

The Finance/Payroll Specialist is responsible for maintaining financial and accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and procedures, state statutes & legislative requirements, supporting municipal operations, and the general ledger. Position maintains the integrity of record keeping related to the City Center TIF District, including the electronic postings from connected accounting functions (modules) along with the processing of related grant reimbursement submissions, updating & maintaining the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and processing of City-wide ADP payroll. Works in support of entire city financial operations and other related work as required. Learn More

CLICK HERE for our most current openings.

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