An Update on Dorset Street
The much-anticipated paving of Dorset Street from Aspen Drive to Kennedy Drive, originally planned for this summer, has been rescheduled for June of 2025. Why the delay? As part of the City and school district’s commitment to student safety, improvements are being planned near the middle and high school. These improvements include installation of pedestrian safety islands, which require cutting into the pavement. By paving after the safety improvements have been completed, the City can reduce costs and help maintain the durability of the new pavement.
2024 Plans
Only Cheesefactory Lane is scheduled to be paved this summer, scheduled for May1st and May 3rd. This year’s paving budget will be carried forward to 2025 to pay for a significant amount of paving next summer, including Dorset Street.
Future Plans
The City is improving how we identify and plan which streets get paved each year. Last summer, The Department of Public Works completed a detailed pavement condition inventory (PCI) of all public streets in the City. This PCI information and the Paver software program will be used to develop a detailed paving plan for many years into the future. DPW is in the middle of this work now and plans to provide information about paving for the next three years in the fall of 2024. To see an overview of the City’s paving plans or review the 2023 PCI Map, visit the Paving Plan section of our website under Public Works.
The Wheelock Shared Use Bridge – Temporarily Closed Until Further Notice
This pedestrian bridge is located on the shared use path along Swift Street. It connects the Wheelock farm area (i.e. the intersection of Swift and Spear Street) to Farrell Park. It also connects Farrell Park to Stonehedge/Szymanksi Park.
 Join the South Burlington Bike & Pedestrian Committee on Wednesday, May 8th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the Allen Road Shared Use Path! The meeting will be held at City Hall, on the third floor in Conference Room 301. This meeting will focus on the alternatives prepared resulting from the Local Concerns Meeting.
Interns Learns with South Burlington Water Quality Department
 The City of South Burlington Water Quality Department hosted Christina Giroux, an intern from the Vermont Works for Women, Trailblazers and Gender Equity Program. Since 1987, Vermont Works for Women has supported women and girls to recognize their potential and explore, pursue, and excel in work that leads to economic well-being. Christina received an overview of the many aspects of Wastewater Management in the City of South Burlington while onsite for the week of April 14th, 2024.
 Public bus fares will resume in South Burlington for all Green Mountain Transit buses in Chittenden County on May 20, 2024. With the fares come new payment options and a new fare capping system that allows unlimited rides, while capping daily and monthly costs to riders.
The new fare collection system, called Ride Ready by GMT, includes:
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Ride Ready by GMT app (available for iOS and Android platforms), with mobile ticketing and trip planning features and automatic fare capping
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Smart Fare Cards, reloadable cards with RFID technology and automatic fare capping
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Contactless Payments, including credit/debit cards and mobile payment platforms like Apple Pay and Google Pay
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Cash (note: this option does not support fare capping)
With fare capping, GMT has phased out weekly and monthly passes. The use of the Ride Ready App by GMT or Smart Fare Cards enable all customers to automatically receive the savings offered by frequent use. These payment modes provide limitless rides for the lower fee without needing to plan ahead with the purchase of a pass.
You can purchase fares on the Ride Ready by GMT app. Smart card users can add cash to their smart card at the Downtown Transit Center, GMT Administrative Office, the Montpelier Transit Center, or online at RideGMT.com. Cash will still be accepted on-board vehicles, however, fare capping is unavailable.
For more information about Green Mountain Transit and its fare collection services, visit https://ridegmt.com/fare-resumption/
Fares: Effective April 1, 2024
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Single Fare
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Regular: $2.00
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Discounted: $1.00
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Daily Fare Cap*
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Regular: $4.00
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Discounted: $2.00
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Monthly Fare Cap*
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Regular: $50.00
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Discounted: $25.00
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*GMT cannot cap cash fares
 A Vermont State Park Visitor's Pass Discount Program For Seniors and Veterans - $2.00 for Life
What is the passport for?
- Free admission to Vermont State Parks (overnight camping and other park fees are excluded)
- Free admission to Vermont State Historic Sites
- Free admission to events that are fully State-sponsored
Please complete the online survey to provide input on the South Burlington Active Transportation Plan. Your feedback is invaluable in creating a plan that will help South Burlington be a great place to walk, roll, and bike!
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY!
 Excerpt from the Green Up Guide, contributed by Betty Milizia
Green Up Day launched Vermont’s environmental ethic and has been a strong and continuing influence in generating support for the environmental movement in Vermont.
In March of 1969, Robert S. Babcock, Jr., a reporter for the Burlington Free Press, arrived at the Statehouse to meet with Governor Deane C. Davis. Sharing his concern for the devastating effects of spring runoff and unsightly litter he viewed traveling to Montpelier, he proposed the inauguration of a statewide effort to be supported by the State Highway Department and large groups of volunteer citizens to clean up the highways of the State. Intrigued by the idea, Governor Davis assigned Ted Riehle, Jr., Vermont’s first planning director, to coordinate the first Green Up Day with Bob Babcock, who had come up with the innovative idea.
To ensure the success of that first Green Up Day, it was decided that it would take place a year later, on April 18, 1970. News of the project spread and enthusiasm grew. Support came from all areas of the State, community groups, students, teachers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs and many others. When the day arrived, over 70,000 Vermonters were out on the roads picking up trash. The Vermont Interstate Highway was closed from 9:00 a.m.–12 noon with a State Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, or a member of the local police force present. Some travelers were upset, but were immediately cooperative when the project was explained. A Green Up litterbag and literature was given out.
The Governor flew over the state highways and town roads in a helicopter during the day, touching down wherever a group of workers was spotted to talk and lend support. The results of the day went far beyond expectations. Four thousand truckloads, comprising 20,000 cubic yards of trash were removed from the Interstate and other State roads (2400 miles) and another 20,000 cubic yards were removed from town roads (8300 miles).
It is believed that this was the largest statewide, voluntary, unified citizens’ effort ever organized in Vermont. It greatly enhanced the pride of Vermonters in our state. It inspired travelers to refrain from thoughtless littering on our highways. It set the stage for continuing clean up programs that have resulted in Vermont highways being known as the cleanest in the United States. It helped pass the bottle bill and a whole long list of other environmental legislation. It helped set the tone for what we proudly call our Vermont “Special World.”
Green Up Day still survives. Now a private undertaking through the establishment of a private non-profit corporation, Vermont Green Up, Inc. provides Green Up Day literature and bags to communities and promotes anti-litter education, galvanizing our ongoing commitment to “Vermont’s environmental ethic.”
Green Up Vermont | Donate today to Green Up Vermont 2024
Green Up Day - Pick up Bags Today!
May 4 | 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
577 Dorset Street
Green Up Day is right around the corner! Bags are now available for pickup at the Clerk’s Office at City Hall during regular business hours. Green Up Day drop-off will be located at 577 Dorset Street! Swing by on May 4th from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. The Vermont Maple Creemee Company will be in attendance, and the South Burlington Lions Club will be grilling free food from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. for those participating.
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South Burlington Police Department Service Upgrades
The South Burlington Police Department is upgrading its phone system to improve the safety and reliability of emergency services in our community. During this work, there will be no disruption to our emergency communication center, and all calls will be received as usual. If you have any trouble reaching us for non-emergency reasons while the system is being upgraded (currently scheduled for May 5 from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), please call us at 802-658-1050. Remember, in an emergency, always dial 911.
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Wildlife Workshop
April 24 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
City Hall Lobby
Do you know what to do if this baby falls out of their tree into your yard? Join members of the SB Natural Resources Committee, a Game Warden, and a Wildlife Rehabilitator to learn more.
All ages are welcome. The library is ADA accessible; patrons are asked to call 802-846-4140 in advance if special services are required.
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Avoid Further Late Fees - Register Your Dog or Cat Today!
 Any dog or cat that is 6 months of age or older must be registered by the City.
This process needed to be completed by April 1st to avoid additional late fees as established by the City Council. Please note that these late fees increase another $15.00 after May 1st. To avoid these additional fees, please complete your registration with updated rabies certification today!
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