In Burlington, poll workers and an education non-profit kept watch for federal immigration agents during Town Meeting Day voting.
Two towns close schools/ ICE feared at non-citizen voting polls/ Woodstock votes new school
Rutland voters rise above write-in chaos, pick Donahue as mayor
Donahue, following a long career in public life in Rutland, notably gained an endorsement from Governor Phil Scott.
Town Meeting: School budget votes mixed, first VT black mayor elected
Meanwhile, residents in Waterbury overwhelmingly approved spending more than $4.3 million on a flood mitigation project aimed at protecting homes, businesses and infrastructure from future disasters.
Readers: I need YOUR help with Town Meeting issue this morning
If you know if your local school budget passed or failed, email results and (if you have them) totals RIGHT NOW to news@vermontdailychronicle.com.
Chief Swanson demotion hearing shrouded in secrecy
Ground rules are out for hearing; Trustees plan to keep decision a secret
Vote to close school in Windham County
Small town faces small school closure at Town Meeting.
Delinquent taxes spike town tax rate despite budget cuts
The Town of Cambridge cut municipal spending, but paying taxpayers are still looking at a big tax hike.
Rutland Mayor Election Focus: Tom Donahue, Robert Reynolds talk growth, taxes
Donahue: longtime alderman, endorsed by Gov. Phil Scott. Reynolds: electrician and entrepreneur. Just two of the candidates in the all-write-in election for Rutland mayor.
Gov. Scott will vote no on Town Meeting school budget
“At this point I will be voting no,” Scott said, citing a projected increase of $250/$100,000 of home values.
Barre battles State over secret fishing tourneys on its reservoir
When the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife issued permits for fishing tournaments on the reservoir for the 2026 season—without notifying the city that relies on it for drinking water—Barre officials were caught off guard. When they protested, state officials reportedly offered a creative solution: tournament participants could technically “parachute in” to avoid trespassing on city land.
Dave Allaire joins Rutland mayoral write-in shocker
A risk with so many of Rutland’s big-name politicians running on a write-in ballot on March 3 was laid out by Ray LaMoria, a retired Rutland police detective, on Facebook in response to Allaire’s decision. “I’m concerned that there (are) so many good candidates including yourself for Mayor that it is going to split the vote and provide the opportunity (for) someone who shouldn’t be mayor (to) get elected. Too bad you guys couldn’t coalesce around one candidate with the same values for this one-year position.” A reported 13 candidates will also be on the ballot for five open Board of Aldermen seats.
BREAKING: Two Chittenden County towns name permanent police chiefs
Two Chittenden County communities – Hinesburg and Shelburne — have new permanent police chiefs.
Judge rejects Colchester eminent domain bid, calls taking “bad faith, pretextual”
Supreme Court rejects Town appeal
Bradley: Falsehoods, misrepresentations and guns in Burlington bars
The apathy rate of Burlington voters is high, just like the city’s crime rate.
More property taxpayers not paying
Delinquent property taxes are becoming a significant problem in some communities already grappling with tight budgets, rising costs, and uncertainty over future education finance reforms.
Deep-dive audit for embezzlement would cost big money, Williamstown voters told
The town manager reportedly stole $180,000 from the Vershire Fire Department. A forensic audit of the town’s books would cost up to $250K, and wouldn’t guarantee any stolen money would be returned.
Selectboard passes anti-ICE resolution, faces social media backlash
In particular, one Facebook commenter said the resolution would have no effect on ICE except to draw federal attention to Williston as a sanctuary town. “It equates to the drunk driver that thinks he’s smart for throwing his beer cans/packages out the window so they’re not in his car if he gets pulled over. That pile of cans on the side of the road equates to putting up a big sign that says, ‘I drive drunk on this road, please patrol here more,’” Frank Williams said.
Chittenden County school district under federal investigation for allowing biological boys to play girls’ sports
A Vermont school district is under federal investigation amid allegations that its policies discriminate against girls by allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports. “These policies jeopardize both the safety and the equal opportunities of women in educational programs and activities,” OCR said in a statement announcing the investigations.
Hundreds of drivers pass stopped Vermont school buses daily — New camera program aims to end the free-for-all
A new initiative in Bennington County signals a major shift in how Vermont enforces school bus passing laws, but the full legal framework won’t be in place until August 2026.
As Brattleboro moves to close homeless encampments, opponent claims ‘hobophobia”
After years of coping with rampant drug use, vandalism, littering, unsanitary conditions, crime and panhandling that downtown business owners say drives away customers, the town selectboard on January 6 resolved – almost – to remove encampments – a policy first proposed three years ago.
Planning grants awarded to 47 communities
Newport City was awarded nearly $30,000 to explore thermal energy networks that could lower housing and energy costs using existing sewer infrastructure and Lake Memphremagog’s ambient temperatures.
Essex Junction approves master plan for nine-story buildings and major urban transformation
The most transformative aspect of the newly adopted plan is the authorization of significantly taller buildings along the city’s major corridors.
Lowell voters deadlocked over solar project
Never think your vote doesn’t matter…the original tally was 87-86, but one ballot – a Yes – was spoiled because it was signed by the voter.
SoBu cop to appeal firing
State’s Attorney Sarah George said she would not take any more cases from Officer Wilson.
Walch: Shadowy outside groups hijack Vermont town meetings
There is a shadowy international group behind Dan DeWalt’s proposed ballot items.
Pro-lifer elected chair of city Justice, Equity, Diversity and Belonging Committee
Toborg’s election to chair this month was not without hesitation and misgivings by the other members.
Soulia: Towns push back against murky ‘Enhanced Energy Plan’
The debate in Pittsford wasn’t about personalities or local politics. It reflected a broader question confronting nearly every town in Vermont: Where does state law end and agency preference begin?
UVM to build statewide network of weather monitoring towers
UVM intends to seek permits for additional towers as the program expands over the coming years, with full network completion potentially taking up to ten years.
10-year redistricting roadmap focuses on change for small, rural schools
“We face hard choices,” the document continues. “Some people in Vermont are going hungry and going without health care. Others are taking vouchers away from the academies and public schools to fund taxpayer funded ski schools that require parents to ‘top off’ the tuition…”
Town manager resigns after embezzlement charge
A Vershire woman arrested last week for embezzling $186,000 from the Tunbridge Volunteer Fire Department over the last decade has been forced out as town manager in Williamstown.
Burlington eyes shifting property tax burden to business, wealthy
Charter Committee hits pause on tax fairness measures, ponders advisory vote
Central Vermont Career Center bond vote defeated
The results were announced shortly after noon today.
Voting yesterday: Yes in Barre, no in Berlin, career center results unknown
In off-year voting yesterday, Washington County voters said no to a Berlin Rec Center, yes to housing and public works garage in Barre. Results on the Central Vermont Career Center won’t be available until Thursday.
Central Vermont to vote on $149 million career center
The bond vote will be across 18 Washington County towns including Montpelier, Waitsfield, Barre City and Barre Town. Northfield and Woodbury are not included in this vote nor the district. You can read the full list of towns here.
Why did Montpelier pay a broker up to $50,000 for a $1 land sale?
On October 8, 2025, in a late-night meeting, the City Council voted to approve a one-year, sole-source brokerage contract with White + Burke to manage the recruitment of a developer for the property.
New video showcases Newport’s assets, community spirit in revival bid
A promotional video released Friday by Newport Downtown Development showcases a city attempting to rebuild trust and economic vitality years after a fraudulent development scheme left downtown with an empty construction site and disillusioned residents.
Northfield resident demands accountability amid Police Chief resignation
Following the resignation of the Northfield Police chief over alleged racial discrimination within the community, a Northfield resident has posted a list of alleged severe operational failures by the chief including zero traffic stops in two years, a refusal to wear a police uniform, and breaking public information laws.
Village violates open meeting law, meeting on demolishing homes had to be canceled
A public meeting planned for Wednesday to discuss plans by the Woodstock Resort Corp. to demolish two historic homes on South Street by the Woodstock Inn was postponed after the Village failed to comply with the Vermont Open Meeting Law.
Fire destroys clubhouse at Sugarbush Resort Golf Club overnight
No injuries were reported. However the Clubhouse and Hogan’s Pub suffered irreparable damage.
The full story behind the Shaftsbury Solar decision
Why the elected town government, acting on behalf of all its constituents, would trade its opposition for nearly a quarter-million dollars in annual revenue and other benefits.
Appointments for seven deputy sheriffs never filed
Deputy involved in fatal shooting among them
Rutland school employee condemns Kirk, calls GOP racist
So another question arises: Should taxpayers be expected to keep funding an employee who openly disparages a large portion of the very community he serves?
Newport Elementary completes green infrastructure project to improve water quality
The project, first identified in the 2016 Memphremagog Stormwater Master Plan managed by the Memphremagog Watershed Association, is now known as the Newport City Elementary School Green Schools Initiative. It supports ongoing efforts to meet Lake Memphremagog’s Total Maximum Daily Load requirements for phosphorus reduction and the Tactical Basin Plan workplan for the watershed.
Plans for a municipal septic system are underway in Jericho
Reliance on on-site septic and well water signifies that a place “is frozen in amber, ain’t nothing gonna happen here again, it is what it is, nothing’s gonna change,” said Chris Campany, executive director of the Windham County Regional Planning Commission.
Police chief haircut video raising tempers in Woodstock
Last Woodstock chief demoted in part for his haircuts
Two water main breaks plague Montpelier — one shot water above the tree line
“It was a straight up geyser,” said Tim Sinnott of Parkside Drive, who was checking out the site with his family. Sinnott said water shot 120 feet into the air.
Judge says Woodstock can’t name new police chief
Vermont Superior Court Judge H. Dickson Corbett ruled Friday afternoon that the five Woodstock Village Trustees — Chair Seton McIlroy, Vice Chair Jeffrey Kahn, and members Brenda Blakeman, Frank Horneck, and Lisa Lawlor — had failed to properly follow the law.
Orleans County Conservation District secures $600,000 for local projects
This year, over 40 community members and 11 partner organizations participated in Local Working Groups to identify the top three funding priorities. Each priority will receive $200,000 through separate Local Fund Pools.
Ex-Burlington Police Chief Murad appears to be out of the running for SB Police post
Baker said the city received 14 applications to replace Chief Shawn Burke, who resigned, effective in March, to take a two-year post as the interim police chief in Burlington.
In Montpelier, the pit and the jellyfish
What do a pit and a jellyfish have in common? Find out by reading ‘The Big Pit on State Street.’
Feds DOGE $4 million earmarked for City of Montpelier
The city was notified that $2.5 million for water main replacement and $1.5 million to elevate a 20-unit building on Elm Street damaged by 2023 floodwaters will not be funded.
Vermont Granite Museum asks local taxpayers for support
Voters will decide whether to provide $15,000
How local towns are handling the emerald ash borer
The bugs have been spotted in 96 out of Vermont’s 247 municipal areas, the state says
Klar: Public school gaslights community after disciplining student for conservative tee shirt
A Vermont superintendent and an attorney for a public school that prohibited a young student from wearing a shirt that states “There are only 2 genders” now claim the school did not discipline her, and that it has consistently “[done its] very best to protect free speech in schools.” These officials are using local media to gaslight the Vermont public and the school community. The school’s own emails reveal what actually occurred.
Hartford hit with reappraisal sticker shocker
Hartford recently announced major construction is needed for the high school building after learning PCB levels are considered dangerous and in need of remediation, with no help coming from the state. A lawsuit against Monsanto may be the only thing available outside of increasing taxes.
Another contaminated high school needs big renovation
On the hook for the bill will be either Hartford taxpayers or Monsanto. The State of Vermont, which requires testing for PCBs in buildings built before 1980, has already stated it will not be giving any financial assistance.
Party-line Senate vote approves gun ban in Burlington bars
Brennan presented the flip-side of Vyhovsky’s public safety argument: that responsible people carrying guns makes them, and the community, safer.
Comment about ‘gangster’ police chief prompts DEI training in Northfield
A citizen had asked the selectboard on April 8, “Why isn’t he wearing [his uniform] so he looks like a police chief and not a gangster off the street that’s just driving our cruisers around?”
Warner: Hartford is becoming lawless
It is becoming lawless and it will reap what it sows.
Contractors provide much of services approved at Town Meeting
On the lower end of the scale, Andover’s budget is a relatively small $1.24 million, while South Burlington’s comes in at a much larger $55.8 million.
Warner: Mary, Mary quite contrary
She clearly rejects our long-established unity in favor of the tools of division.
Soulia: Residents consider recount and revote after school budget passes by one vote
Otter Valley Unified Union School District residents are weighing their options after the district’s proposed $28 million budget was approved by just one vote.
Watson: Thetford vote ignores ‘death to Israel’ pledge
If Hamas stopped fighting, there would be no war. If Israel stopped fighting, there would be no Israel.
Plainfield greenlights reserve fund for future housing
Residents voted 130-30 to pass Article 13, which proposed a reserve fund dedicated to expanding the community.
Klar: Morristown student punished for “there are only two genders” shirt
Even though the school had relented, the student was threatened with discipline yet again by a teacher when M.P. next wore the shirt to school the next week.
Richmond cans Police Chief Anthony Cambridge before he begins work
After a half hour closed door meeting Monday evening with the Selectboard, the town manager announced the town was headed in a different direction.
Charlotte keeps traditional Town Meeting, but more towns adopt secret ballot
Rejected proposals would have put budget, town issues to voters by secret ballot
West Rutland to vote on $2.3M wastewater treatment facility upgrades
Officials say that the facility requires replacing control systems, mechanical and electrical components, and making structural repairs and improvements.
Iadarola: On the FY26 Slate Valley Unified Union school district budget vote
The current model of education funding is inefficient and unsustainable. There are clear areas for significant saving that will make VT more affordable for all.
Soulia: 10 acres for $1. $12M in debt. And a quiet vote.
A proposal to build a $12.1M Valley Community Center (VCC) is moving forward across multiple towns, with funding to come primarily from taxpayer-backed bonds.
Winooski school tax to drop
“Making some compromises to keep the spending increase in check”
Soulia: The Rutland Forward enigma
A PAC with missing money, unfiled reports, and unanswered questions
New bill seeks “fair standards and fair process” for school closures
A new bill seeks to formalize the always-controversial process of closing a community’s public elementary school.
Fed up with Vermont’s “Supermajority,” Paul Clifford fights taxes, crime from Rutland
“People cannot sustain continued tax increases, especially in the light of an upcoming city-wide reappraisal” of real estate valuations that could lead to yet higher taxes, according to a Clifford campaign statement this month.
25-school district proposal targets class size of 18
There can be exceptions to these numbers when concerning for example students who fall into special education categories that require more attention and resources.
‘Shock value’: Proposed school district size baffles local education officials statewide
To ensure a degree of local input, Scott is calling for creation of local school advisory councils, to “promote high levels of community engagement.”
Cabot task force ready for flood-protection upgrades
Engineers’ recommendations revolve largely around the construction of two new bridges on Main Street across tributaries of the Winooski River.
Burlington residential ‘impact fees’ may jump $1-3K per unit
The Burlington City Council January 13 covered police department concerns, proposed changes to impact fees, and a land use agreement with UVMMC.
Newport City Councilor Rick Ufford-Chase launches mayoral campaign
Ufford-Chase also serves as executive director of Newport Downtown Development. Current Mayor, Linda Joy Sullivan, will not be seeking a second term.
Soulia: Bureaucracy gone wild
VT legislators propose local zoning Board of Appeals
Keelan: An outsider’s point of view
While we have no voice in the operation of the town government, nor should we, the functioning of the town is so critical to those of us who frequent it.
Duffy blocks public release of report about Woodstock Police Chief
Woodstock residents are not being permitted to read the investigative report they are paying for concerning management concerns within the village PD.
A Colchester community reflects on its first year as a village
It’s been a year since the Westbury mobile home park in Colchester became the Village of Westbury, the first village established in Vermont in nearly a century.
School Board to principals: Recite Pledge of Allegiance every day
The Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District Board (SVUESD) voted shortly before Christmas to have the Pledge of Allegiance recited every day.
Jesse: What we need from a new Essex-Westford school superintendent
They will have to focus on student academic achievement by setting specific measurable goals and focusing district resources on meeting those goals.
ST J pays disputed $25K reward to cop shooting informant
After offering a reward leading to arrest, the selectboard learned the FBI recommends offering rewards leading to the conviction of the apprehended suspect.
‘No confidence’ vote for police chief prompts hire of private detective
According to the contract with the town, the investigator has been asked to investigate employee concerns based on town policies and procedures.
Girls in Montpelier sexually harrassed by street people
As with many of Vermont’s urban centers, Montpelier is struggling with problems caused by street people.
Woodstock petitioners want answers on why Chief Swanson remains on leave
Citizens question how Municipal Manager Eric Duffy has handled the paid administrative leave he ordered for Police Chief Joseph Swanson in October.
Winooski officials eye old National Guard armory for new housing site
Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner emphasized three goals city leaders are looking at: affordability, multi-bedroom units and putting units up for sale.
Truth & Reconciliation Commission wants paid consultants
In the last legislative session, lawmakers approved a $1.1 million budget for the Commission.
Stormwater build at South Burlington schools needs Act 250 permit
South Burlington School District’s middle and high schools have had to play the waiting game for their planned stormwater project.
Bradley: Is Burlington gun ban above the Law?
By banning guns in bars Burlington has broken State law, namely 24 VSA 2295, better known as the “pre-emption statute.”
‘Missing middle’ housing needed in Newport
Strong support voiced for the draft Master Plan, despite many remaining questions.
Burlington Council bans guns in bars
If the city voters approve this initiative in March, Vermont’s new ‘purple’ legislature, with more Republican representation in both the House and Senate, will ultimately decide along with the governor if this will become law.
ACLU suing Northeast Kingdom sheriff for records of him talking with ICE
“Colby said he would likely call immigration authorities after a traffic stop if he thought the people in the car were undocumented….Colby estimated his department had relayed about 20 cases to immigration authorities in the last year, not a particularly high figure in his mind,” the news story said.
Montpelier bike path safety concern grows as harrassment increases
“What I’ve heard and documented are fairly consistent experiences of girls, aged 11–16, being sexually harassed by men gathered on the bike path. In several cases, girls have been followed and pursued.”
State mulls expanding county government
Does Vermont need a thicker layer of county government between state and municipal?
Woodstock police chief on leave after fracas involving his husband
The highly decorated police chief, a Woodstock native, is on leave after an automotive incident involving his husband, a local lawyer.
Town Meeting petition to ban geoengineering
The Town Meeting resolution would prohibit the intentional injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight.”
