The Vermont
Senate continues to receive grim news from their fiscal experts about the
state’s unsustainable spending trends. The use of the state’s “rainy
day fund” to fill budget holes in 2010 is being considered. Steve Klein of the
Joint Fiscal Office explained that the fund is used like overdraft protection on
a personal checking account to pay the state’s bills when revenues aren’t
available. The fund currently holds roughly $60 million. Klein explained that
over the next five years, the state is looking at a $1 billion budget deficit
and that it is difficult to know when decreasing revenues will bottom out. If
the Legislature were to use the rainy day funds for fiscal year 2010, it is
possible that the fiscal year 2011 budget could be even worse and there would be
no rainy day funds available. Klein also indicated that the state is expecting
to receive between $175 and $200 million in the Federal stimulus bill for
Vermont’s Medicaid program. He went on to say that those funds will likely help
cover Medicaid budget deficits in FY2009 and 2010, however come FY2011, they
could be faced with a $200 million deficit. He suggested spreading the federal
funding over four years if possible.

Tom Kavet, an
economist for the legislature, described the need for structural changes to the
education system to the Senate Appropriations Committee. He questioned
whether we would design the same system that we have today, knowing that
enrollment levels have declined by ten percent but our spending has doubled over
the same time span. He recommended that all options should be on the table
including looking for efficiencies, spending cuts, tax increases and money from
the Federal government.

Commissioner
of Labor Pat Moulton Powden visited several committees this week to explain the
Administration’s proposal to fix the state’s rapidly decreasing unemployment
insurance trust fund. The proposal contains several changes to employer
unemployment insurance payments, as well as employee benefits such
as:

• Raise the taxable
base wage from $8,000 to $14,000 in 2010
• Raise the taxable base wage from
$14,000 in 2010 to $20,000 in 2011
• Do not relieve employers that do not
respond within 10 days to the Department’s request for information relating to
the employee’s dismissal from experience rating changes
• Institute a 1% fee
on all charges to reimbursable employers (non-profits, local/state governments,
school districts) to cover part of the cost of administering benefits
•
Reduce the maximum weekly benefit for employees from $425 to $409
• Change
how the weekly benefit amount is calculated from 57% of wages paid to an
employee over the last 5 quarters to 50%
• Changes to: the number of weeks
worked in order to gain benefits, annual benefits paid out, and eligibility for
a person fired for misconduct and gross misconduct

The Federal Stimulus
Package is likely to contain some unemployment insurance funding for states,
many of whom are also experiencing dwindling unemployment insurance trust funds.
The Senate Economic Development Committee heard concerns from Vermont retailers
about the projected increase in rates. The retailers described the numerous
increases in costs (energy, fees, insurance, etc.) their businesses are
experiencing at a time when their business volume is declining.

Several
legislative committees dedicated time to learning more about the workforce
development needs of the state to determine if legislative changes could improve
existing programs. John O’Kane, Chair of the State’s Workforce
Development Council, joined Commissioner Moulton Powden to highlight the success
of various programs and to provide recommendations as to how they could be
improved. According to O’Kane, “Vermont cannot compete on the same level with
Iowa or Ohio in attracting new business to our state via incentives, therefore,
we cannot underestimate the importance of workforce skills and development for
our economic future.” Some recommendations discussed by various committees
included the following:

• Hold a forum to
connect laid-off workers with employers and seed/venture capital and technical
assistance providers to encourage new business start-ups and retain people in
Vermont.
• Retool funding allocations prescribed by statute to allow more
flexibility in the disbursement of workforce training funds.
• Eliminate
financial disincentives for high schools to send students to regional technical
centers.
• Create an educational system focused on the success of every
individual and tailored toward their learning style and interests.
• Work to
reduce poverty and mitigate the impacts of poverty.
• Provide funding and
leadership to develop curriculum for green building/energy efficiency and
weatherization techniques that can be used by technical centers or trainers for
people already in the field.

Several
groups representing the tourism and recreation industry appeared before the
Senate Economic Development Committee to describe the importance of this sector
to the State’s economy. Brian Cain, Chair of the Travel and Recreation
Council, described other states’ marketing efforts and investments in promotion
versus the declining amount budgeted for Vermont. He made a case for continuing
to invest in tourism and recreation as visitor spending supports 12% of all jobs
in Vermont and it was one of the few sectors to increase employment and revenues
for the state in 2008. The Committee expressed interest in improving promotional
efforts and asked the Council to come back with additional recommendations as to
how more resources could be dedicated to this sector.

GBIC
President Frank Cioffi presented an outline of ideas to stimulate the economy to
the House Commerce Committee. (See Week 2 at
http://www.vermont.org/chamber/legreports.aspx for more details.) He emphasized
the need for coming together as a state to grow our economy and create an
economic development plan that everyone will buy into and work as partners to
accomplish.

The House
Natural Resources Committee began a review of the Governor’s Permit Reform Task
Force’s recommendations for changes to streamline the State’s permitting
processes. The Land Use Panel of the Natural Resources Board has also
filed its proposed rules package with the Secretary of State. A public hearing
is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at the Natural Resources Board’s
conference room in Montpelier. The deadline for filing public comment is Friday,
March 6, 2009.

To view the package,
please click here:

http://www.nrb.state.vt.us/rulemaking/act250/act2502009.htm

Representative Helen Head (D- So.
Burlington), Co-Chair of the 2008 Basic Needs Budget Technical Advisory Council,
announced the 2008 Livable Wage Rates to the House Democratic Caucus on
Tuesday. The council determined that the average livable wage for a two-person
family with no children is $13.07/hour.

Representative Steve Maier (D-
Middlebury), Chair of the House Health Care Committee, provided the House
Democratic Caucus with an overview of issues they expect to focus on this year,
noting that there is no money to spend. He indicated that the Committee
will look at a Massachusetts-style health insurance mandate, though he does not
expect a vote on that issue this year, as well as the Governor’s proposal to
raise deductibles in the Catamount Health Insurance program in order to reduce
premiums. Representative Maier was also asked about the rumor that Vermont might
be one of five states chosen by the Federal government in the Stimulus Bill to
serve as a single-payer health care reform pilot project. He responded that
there are many people working to get Vermont included in the discussion of a
pilot program on health care reform but that he doesn’t expect anything in the
Federal stimulus bill.

The week began with a sobering presentation by the state’s economists, Jeff Carr and Tom Kavet. The cumulative downgrades in revenue projections total more than $120 million in FY09 and $200 million in both FY10 and FY11. Both experts described the situation as a very dire situation where there is no bottom in sight. Therefore, they expect us to be in a recession for 21 months at minimum with the biggest declines occurring in 2009, which would make this the longest recession since the Great Depression.

Findings from their report include:

• Business expansion is not occurring and new business hires and startups are affecting the unemployment rate, which is not usually the case. Business is dependent on credit, which is difficult to obtain right now.
• Last month, we saw the steepest decrease in retail sales in 40 years. Previous economic stimulus checks were saved or used to pay debt instead of consumption.
• A bright spot was that rooms and meals tax revenue and the tourism/hospitality/leisure industry were actually up in 2009. The industry was up 500 jobs in contrast to construction being down 2,000 jobs and manufacturing down 900 jobs. Meals and rooms revenues have been solid, although it is difficult to predict if this trend will continue- some say people will vacation in Vermont, closer to home, while others say vacations will be reduced or eliminated altogether.
• Corporate tax revenues fell from $80 million in late 2007 to just over $50 million in the most recent quarter and are expected to continue to decline in 2009 and 2010.

Legislators were very interested in the growth of those with higher incomes as it outpaced the growth of lower income groups since 1980. Personal income tax revenues in 2009 and 2010 are expected to decline. Vermont is very reliant on high income households for tax revenue and therefore, a projected 15% decline – the steepest on record – will have a significant impact on revenues. To read the entire report, click here.

Secretary of Administration Neale Lunderville presented the Governor’s proposal to transform the education system to several committees. He explained that one-third of all tax dollars go toward funding education and the teacher’s retirement program. Therefore, the Education Fund should be part of the solution to the state’s fiscal problems. The Governor proposes level funding local education spending for 2010 at fiscal 2009 levels and lowering the household income sensitivity threshold for property taxes from $90,000 to $75,000. Senator Bartlett, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, described the Governor’s proposal as “a sledgehammer,” but also said that in these dire times, it is a conversation worth having. She expressed a commitment to helping the Senate understand the structural issues associated with education funding and the need for sustainability and accountability in the system.

Frank Cioffi, President of GBIC, testified before the Senate Economic Development Committee this week to present several economic stimulus proposals developed by our organizations in cooperation with other economic development professionals. The ideas included:

• Collaborative economic renewal legislation including an economic sector analysis
• Creating a strategic employer designation
• Better deployment of Community Development Block Grant funds
• Changes to the state’s growth capital and financing programs
• Support for Governor Douglas’ economic proposals
• Wiring the state via the Vermont Telecommunications Plan
• Realigning and reforming the state’s tax system
• Encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation
• Encouraging higher education to interact with value-added businesses to retain graduating students

The statehouse is buzzing with guesstimates as to how much the federal economic recovery plan will bring to the state and for what purpose. In the Governor’s weekly press conference, he proposed using a significant amount of these funds to assist with a $51 million dollar gap for the current fiscal year. The Senate Economic Development Committee heard from David Dill, Secretary of Transportation, about the Agency’s list of possible federal stimulus projects. The Committee called for projects that would put Vermonters to work and utilize a variety of small contractors. Senator Doug Racine (D-Chittenden Co.) questioned whether larger out-of-state contractors use in-state subcontractors and whether bridge repairs and replacements are typically handled by in-state contractors. Committee chair, Senator Vince Iluzzi (R-Essex/Orleans Co.) asked Secretary Dill whether the project list would look different if other projects had permits in place. Secretary Dill responded that while every project on the “shovel-ready” list is worthwhile, other projects of higher priority would be on the list if not for lengthy permitting delays.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Kevin Dorn presented ideas for permit reform to the Senate Economic Development Committee. The proposals included:

• Expanding the consideration of the concept of public benefit to four other criteria in Act 250
• Allowing on the record review of District Commission decisions at the request and expense of the applicant
• Giving greater weight to Agency of Natural Resources permits
• Expansion of alternatives to traditional individual permitting including permits by rule and self-certification

The House Ways and Means Committee got an overview of Vermont’s tax rates from the Joint Fiscal Office. Much of the Committee discussion had to do with whether Vermont’s personal income tax rates were high in comparison to other states. Members discussed whether Vermont is losing revenue because the top income tax rate is driving Vermonters to declare residency in lower-tax states, and whether there is capacity to raise income tax rates.

Brian Searles, Chamber Board member and chair of our Transportation Study Committee, presented our position statement to the House Transportation Committee. He spoke of the need to reinvent the Transportation fund and its existing revenue sources by reducing our reliance on the gas tax. Mr. Searles advocated for reducing the transfer of funds from the Transportation Fund to the General fund over time as well as improvements to project planning and implementation. At a minimum, in order to address the $150-$200 million funding gap in transportation needs, we have to change the flat per gallon gas tax, and move toward assessing impacts on infrastructure based on the use and weight of vehicles. He noted that if prioritized projects were fully funded and projects were built, this action might help with the deterioration of local roads. Given the prospect of cuts to rail service, Mr. Searles stated that rail on the western corridor is important to the state’s economy particularly when ridership had been increasing. (Public input on the possible substitution of train service for bus service on the Ethan Allen route is being sought.) Committee Chair Westman (R-Cambridge) said he is concerned that the anticipated federal stimulus money will not be available forever, and that we will still need to address our declining revenue sources.

John O’Kane, Government Relations Manager for IBM Vermont and member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, testified before the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee this week. He provided the Committee with an overview of IBM’s presence in Vermont and spoke about the importance of low-cost, reliable electric power supply to IBM’s operations. He noted that IBM Vermont spends an average of $37 million per year on electricity costs.

Legislative consultants provided an overview of several studies relating to the Entergy Vermont Yankee contract renegotiations. Members of the House Commerce and Natural Resources Committees as well as the Senate Natural Resources Committee reviewed information on the Vermont Yankee Plant’s potential economic impact on Vermont over a twenty-year period.

Finally, the legislative Summer Study Committee on Smart Growth met to finalize and approve their report. A summary of the findings will be provided in next week’s edition of our legislative report.

II. Free Curbside Christmas Tree Pick Up – Tuesday, Jan 13th @ 7 am!

III. Operation Snow Shovel Needs Volunteers!

IV. Save the Date for CEDO’s Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service & Celebration

IV. The Climate Action Project Update: Recommendations and feedback welcomed & encouraged!

V. .Neighborhood Planning Assembly Survey – There is still time!

VI. Bicycling and Walking Advocacy Groups to Merge: Singular Group Will Provide Stronger Voice on Local Projects

VII. Vacation Planning – Crime Prevention Message from your Burlington Police Department

VIII. Statement & Invitation to the Community – Community Policing Re-Assessment Process Meeting Information

IX. 4th Annual Holiday Dinner for Seniors

X. Save for Retirement – Save for Your Child’s Education – And Still Get Food Stamps!

XI. FREE Lead Dust and Soil Sampling

XII. BURLINGTON WINTER FARMERS MARKET

XIII. City Positions Available

XIV. Neighborhood Calendar

* * * * * * NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ * * * * * * * *

I. WINTER BUSINESS FAIR

The Small Business Administration and The Community and Economic Development Office invite you to attend the Winter Business Fair on January 15, 2009 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Come to Contois Auditorium in City Hall and get answers to your questions about starting or maintaining a business. Whether it is business planning, borrowing money, marketing or assistance with energy efficiency, this business fair will have it all; in one place for one day, on January 15!

Three free workshops will be held during the Winter Business Fair. Workshops will include: *Commercial Lending from 10 – 10:45AM *Starting Your Own Business with Steve Densham of VT Small Business Development Center and Jerry Johnson of SCORE.

*Energy Efficiency for Your Commercial Space with Chris Burns of Burlington Electric

The workshops will have limited seating, so reserving a space is suggested. Call 802-865-7187 or email mailto:jadamskollitz@ci.burlington.vt.us or contact Vallerie Morse of SBA at:

802-828-4422 x211 or Vallerie.Morse@sba.gov

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II. Free Curbside Christmas Tree Pick Up – Tuesday, Jan 13th @ 7 am!

Turn your tree into fuel for the McNeil Generating Plant!

Trees must be curbside at 7am Only completely bare trees will be collected – no tinsel or decorations No wreaths or garlands Questions? Call 863-9094Let me know if you need anything else.

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III. Operation Snow Shovel Needs Volunteers!

The City of Burlington is pleased to announce the return of Operation Snow Shovel, a referral program that connects residents who need help shoveling with volunteers who are willing to help them out. Assistance is available for Burlington residents who need snow shoveled from their walkways this winter.

This program is offered to only those people who are unable to pay for this assistance, and/or who are physically unable to shovel themselves.

Volunteers are matched with a person in need of shoveling who lives in a location convenient to them. Volunteers commit to shoveling the walk leading up to the front door of their match’s residence within 24-48 hours of each snowfall, when it snows over three inches. Operations Snow Shovel volunteers ensure that the most vulnerable of our citizens who cannot remove snow from their own walkways can get out and otherwise remain independent. It is a great and simple way to give back this winter. At present there are many people waiting to be matched up in the New North End of Burlington, so if you live in that neighborhood, please consider signing up to volunteer.

To volunteer or if you are interested in receiving this service please call 865-7548 or email Abby Knapp at aknapp@ci.burlington.vt.us.

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IV. Save the Date for CEDO’s Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service & Celebration

Burlington, Vt, December 17, 2008– The Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) AmeriCorps*VISTA Team will host the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service & Celebration on Monday, January 19, 2009. CEDO cordially invites community members to join us as we honor Dr. King with inspirational speakers, community projects at area non-profits and enjoy a free community dinner and celebration for all. Event organizers are also seeking service project sites, and businesses to sponsor the evening’s community meal by providing cash or in-kind donations. This is a growing tradition calling Martin Luther King Day to be a “day on, not a day off” for Burlington residents.

On Monday, January 19, the King federal holiday, family, friends, community members and fellow VISTAs will gather from 12pm until 7pm to honor the life and teachings of one of our country’s greatest civil rights activists, Dr. King. The day will open with at City Hall’s Contois Auditorium, 149 Church St., Burlington where fellow community members will choose service projects and spend the afternoon helping at various sites. Participation in these service activities help celebrate and commemorate the life of service led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All ages are welcome; feel free to stay for a few hours or the whole day! Participants should contact Annie Reinhart for more information at 701-430-9430 or areinhart@ci.burlington.vt.us.

Earlier this month, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden and their families will participate in service on the King Holiday in the Washington, D.C. area. We also anticipate that the President-elect will urge Americans to serve on the King Holiday. This involvement from President-elect Obama, which continues a tradition started by former President Clinton and continued by President Bush, will add significant momentum to what was already shaping up to be the largest King Day ever. We urge Vermonters to spend the day in service and community in honor of a man that spent his whole life serving others.

“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” Martin Luther King Jr.

The tentative schedule for Monday January 19 is:

1:00pm Sign Ups for Community Service Projects, please wear suitable work attire

Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall

1:30 – 4:30 Community Service Projects, at sites around Burlington and neighboring communities

5 pm Keynote speaker- Oliver Barkley, local activist and comedian

Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall

6 – 7 pm Free Community Dinner and Celebration, with Urban Flava Step Team and Very Merry Theatre Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall

A list of community service projects will be finalized and distributed shortly. Sign-ups for projects will take place in the Contois Auditorium at 1pm.

Last year’s project sites included:

The Turning Point Center of Chittenden County

Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program

ECHO Lake & Aquarium

Winooski Family Center

VEIC Change a light Winooski

VEIC Change a light Burlington

VNA Family Room

Flyering in Burlington Neighborhoods

Operation Snow Shovel

Bike Recycle Vermont

Welcome Baby Program

Riverside Housing Area

Franklin Square Apartments

Humane Society of Chittenden County

Joseph’s House

C.O.T.S.

The service project will be one of hundreds of activities held in states and cities nationwide to honor the legacy of Dr. King. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, directing the King Center and the Corporation for National and Community Service to carry out a day of service reflecting Dr. King’s life and teachings. Please join this commemoration of Dr. King’s Life and Legacy in Burlington.

CEDO’s Center for Community and Neighborhoods (C-CAN) is home to a broad spectrum of programs that improve our city through community participation and citizen action. CCAN works to engage residents in partnership with the public and private sector. We work together to shape municipal plans, allocate resources, respond to crime, resolve conflict, and improve neighborhoods. Each year over 4,000 citizens are involved in innovative activities from study circles on racism to neighborhood planning and problem solving, from graffiti removal to restorative justice panels, and in a variety of community improvement projects.

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IV. The Climate Action Project Update: Recommendations and feedback welcomed & encouraged!

The Climate Action Plan update team – composed of dozens of residents, business leaders, non-profit representatives, city staff and others – wants to hear from you! Since September, this team of 8 working groups has collected over a 100 ideas and recommendations on how to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Please take a moment to review this initial work and weigh in with your own ideas, feedback or recommendations by visiting http://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/cap.html . The success of the final product depends on broad citizen input and participation – so thank you for your time and input!

For additional information on the Climate Action Plan, please contact Sandrine Thibault, Comprehensive City Planner, at sthibault@ci.burlington.vt.us (tel: 865-7193), or Jennifer Green, co-coordinator of the Burlington Legacy Project at jgreen@ci.burlington.vt.us (tel: 865-7532).

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V. Neighborhood Planning Assembly Survey – There is still time!

Burlington’s Neighborhood Planning Assemblies are looking for help from you! Please take 5 minutes to complete this Neighborhood PLanning Assembly Report Card:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=PwTNBtkSkp3ZHYDdFDt42g_3d_3d

Thanks,

Your NPA Steering Committees, Staff and City Council

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VI. Bicycling and Walking Advocacy Groups to Merge: Singular Group Will Provide Stronger Voice on Local Projects

Walking and biking advocates in Burlington will soon be able to offer a stronger, unified voice on Burlington projects. Beginning in 2009, the Burlington Bicycle Council (BBC) and Burlington Walking Work Group (BWWG) will merge into a single walking/bicycling advisory council.

A kick-off celebration will be held Monday, January 12, 5:00 p.m. in the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts, downtown Burlington. The group – so new they have yet to determine their official name – will promote walking and bicycling in city and regional transportation projects; make recommendations on bicycle and pedestrian-related policies, programs and plans; promote safety for all transportation modes; and encourage public input on bicycle and pedestrian issues.

There is wide support among members of the two groups for the merger. A shared sentiment is that a combined bicycle/pedestrian advisory council will offer a stronger, unified voice on city projects that could potentially affect walking and bicycling. The recent “No Biking on Sidewalks” stencil project on downtown sidewalks is an example of a completed collaborative project. The merged group will also continue providing comments on local plans, such as the Burlington Transportation Plan.

The merged group will continue to enjoy broad support from agencies and organizations such as the City of Burlington, Local Motion, AARP Vermont, Burlington’s Community & Economic Development Office, Campus Area Transportation Management Association, Vermont Department of Health, and Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Meetings will be held the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Center for Community and Neighborhoods (CCAN) offices at 125 College Street, 2nd floor and food will be provided. The new advisory council will also have an elected steering committee to lead programs and projects, but everyone who attends the open meetings will have a vote in matters, similar to Burlington’s Neighborhood Planning Assemblies.

The BBC was established by the Mayor’s office in 1990 when the Department of Public Works was directed to identify and create a comprehensive system of bike lanes and routes. The ad hoc BWWG grew out of the 2006 Pedestrian Summit calling for more focus on the City’s walking environment.

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VII. Vacation Planning – Crime Prevention Message from your Burlington Police Department

Planning a trip for vacation, business or other is often stressful. So many details need to be addressed prior to travel. Thinking about crime prevention usually isn’t a priority, but when your away for an extended period of time, your home is even more vulnerable to crime. Dark windows, driveway not plowed, lawn not mowed, absent vehicles in the driveway, trash left at curbside, a build up of mail or newspapers all advertise your absence to a potential burglar. In today’s world, we must now also consider what we post on the internet. Be careful not to post too many details regarding your departure and return plans when asking for house sitter referrals, car sharing, etc. For other crime prevention tips, please visit the Burlington Police Department website at www.bpdvt.org

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VIII. Statement & Invitation to the Community – Community Policing Re-Assessment Process Meeting Information

The Burlington Police Department has provided law enforcement services to the Queen City since 1865. Since 1999 we have operated using community policing as our primary methodology. Described succinctly, community policing is a model of community safety in which all members of a community play a role in ensuring a safe, healthy, and self-reliant city.

The role of the police department, in addition to providing emergency response and criminal investigation (key parts of traditional policing), is to foster and facilitate community engagement and partnerships, and to be a foundational player in problem solving initiatives community-wide.

As we approach 2009 and the ten-year anniversary of our contemporary community policing efforts, we believe it is time to assess what strategies have been successful, which require improvement, and what lies ahead for Burlington’s community policing efforts. To that end, with the assistance of an Advisory Board made up of seven representatives from around the City, we have designed a community engagement process that will be deployed in January and February of 2009.

The primary goals of this process are three-fold. First, we hope to have an opportunity to discuss the future of policing with a sizable number of Burlington residents and businesses. Next, working from a list of ideas about future partnerships, initiatives, and programs we seek to gain the community’s assistance in refining and prioritizing these ideas. Finally, working from the discussions and the ideas we present, we will solicit new ideas from throughout the Burlington community.

To obtain meaningful feedback during this process, we will use a variety of strategies, including public forums, focus groups, and surveys. Meetings are to be held:

January 19 at 6pm

Burlington Police Department

1North Avenue

(Central location)

January 28 at 6pm

Greek Orthodox Church

600 South Willard Street

(South location)

February 2 at 6pm

Heineburg Senior Center

Heineburg Road

(North location)

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IX. 4th Annual Holiday Dinner for Seniors

With the help of Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, Burlington Parks & Rec, Burlington Food Service and lots of local businesses and volunteers, we’re planning a FREE ham dinner for both delivery and a sitdown dinner on Christmas Day at 1:00 p.m. at Burlington High School so that senior citizens won’t be alone for the holiday. We’re hoping to deliver and serve 250 dinners and hand out that many giftbags.

There’s free transportation, too!

If you’d like to help out, please spread the word to seniors that you may know in your neighborhood. Folks can call the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging at 865-0360 to reserve a meal.

To donate to the giftbags, here’s the list of things we still need—-we’re really looking for basics in a tough year (PLEASE, NO

candles or sugar candy):

> Small giftbags

> Scotch tape

> Food items: peanut butter, canned soups, canned fruits or vegetables, tuna, meals in a can, packages of peanut butter and crackers, granola bars, etc.

> Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, kleenex, hand lotion, etc.

> Socks

> Hats

> Gloves

> Scarves

> Fleece blankets

> Sugar-free candy

> Crossword puzzle books

> Magazines

> Stationery

> Handmade cards with non-denominational “Happy Holidays” themes

> Simple decorations for the tables—it would be nice if they were a generic theme of “Winter”

> $10 giftcards for such things as CCTA bus passes, local grocery

> stores, businesses that seniors frequent, etc.

Thank you for making someone else’s holiday nicer!!

Happy Holidays!

Cheers,

Megan

864-7528

meganh@sover.net

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X. Save for Retirement – Save for Your Child’s Education – And Still Get Food Stamps!

Food Stamp Rules Have Changed

In the past many people could not get food stamps because they had too much savings. Now you can have retirement and education savings accounts and still get the help you need, even if you have been denied before.

The Food Stamp Program is an important federal nutrition program that helps make sure people have enough food to be active and healthy. Households that participate can also receive other benefits like free school meals for your children and phone bill assistance!

For a food stamp application, call 1-800-287-0589 or visit www.vermontfoodhelp.com. For help with your application, dial 2-1-1, free from anywhere in Vermont, and ask to be connected to your nearest Community Action Agency.

If you are a senior, call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119.

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XI. FREE Lead Dust and Soil Sampling

Imagine a free service where a technician came to your home and tested for the presence of toxic lead paint dust so that you got a clear picture about the safety of your home.

FREE Lead Dust and Soil Sampling is now available through the City of Burlington’s Lead Program to all Burlington residents. This free service will help parents keep their children safe from lead poisoning by making sure you are aware of potential lead hazards.

Burlington has over 10,000 housing units with lead-based paint hazards. Take advantage of this FREE testing to keep your children safe from the life-long health, social and behavioral problems associated with lead poisoning.

For more information, or to set up an appointment please call Burlington Lead Program at 802-846-0149 or 865-LEAD (5323).

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XII. BURLINGTON WINTER FARMERS MARKET

Burlington Winter Farmers’ Market will be held the third Saturday of each month all winter, December through April (December 20, January 17, February 21, March 21, and April 18).

Fresh eggs, cheeses, wines, maple syrup, veggies and much, much more, straight from local farmers, artists, and bakers. A great place to shop for the Thanksgiving meal or get a start on holiday shopping.

For more information www.burlingtonfarmersmarket.org or info@burlingtonfarmersmarket.org.

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XIII. City Positions Available

Open

Burlington Electric Department

Distribution Engineer

Full Time

$57,390/yr – $94,083/yr

DOE

Open

Burlington Electric Department

Senior Distribution Engineer

Full Time

$62,475/yr – $102,418/yr

DOE

Open

Burlington Police Department

Application & Technology Support Specialist

Full Time

$37,772/yr – $42,029/yr

DOE

Open

Burlington Police Department

Police Officer**

Full Time

$41,503.00 – $49,269.00/yr

DOE

For more information about these and other positions with the City of Burlington, visit: http://www.hrjobs.ci.burlington.vt.us/joblist.html

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XIV. Neighborhood Calendar

Monday, December 29

-Special Meeting of the Board of Airport Commissioners

-To discuss: Airport Parking Garage Project

-4:00p.m., Burlington International Airport

-Special Meeting of the Board of Finance

-To discuss: Business Matters of the City

-5:00p.m., Conference Room 12, 1st floor of City Hall

-Special Meeting of the Planning Commission Joint Institutional Development Committee

-To discuss: Champlain College Zoning Requests and Future Meeting Dates

-6:30p.m., Conference Room 12, 1st floor of City Hall

For more information, please visit http://www.ci.burlington.vt.us/events/