Rep. Sibilia: Oct 16, 2023 Update

Good evening,

I’ve added additional Office Hours in Jamaica through the Fall until the start of the 2024 Legislative Session. I’m still working to schedule office hours in Stratton. Feel free to drop in at any of these – including this week on Thursday in Wardsboro – and share your concerns, ideas or inspirations including !

Office Hours:

Thursday October 19th 6-7 pm at the Wardsboro Library
Saturday, October 28th from 8-9 am at the Jamaica Town Office (updated)
Saturday December 2 11-noon at the Dover Free Library
Thursday December 14 6-7 pm at the Jamaica Town Office
Thursday December 21 6-7 pm at the Wardsboro Library

Rep. Sibilia letter on Act 250 reforms

Vermont currently has three distinct efforts looking at Act 250 reform. One of these efforts is called the “Necessary Updates to the Act 250 Program” and it is being conducted by the Natural Resources Board. Last week I sent a letter to the Steering Committee related to the work I have done to understand what happened with permitting the hardening of the grid, moving our electric lines out of the woods and/or burying them. This is a topic I have referenced several times since the end of the last legislative session in my updates. This summer and fall I’ve spent close to 100 hours researching cases and interviewing the following: Natural Resources Board about the District 2 Environmental Commission, Windham Regional Commission, Agency of Natural Resources and Department of Public Service and Green Mountain Power about what led to permitting delays in excess of three year in our regions.

What I found is that Act 250 does not have appropriate protections for citizens and oversight and that there are huge inconsistencies in its application across the state. For many who have struggled through the Act 250 process, this will not be a newsflash, but for me, the situation here is particularly egregious. A few individuals were able to halt projects that were needed to rebuild our electric lines for 1000’s of Vermonters and to literally keep my neighbors heat on in the winter. I’ve asked the Steering Committee to focus on governance and accountability as it relates to Act 250 and to permanently exempt the rebuilding of critical infrastructure from this permitting process. I’m currently drafting legislation to ensure we take a serious look at how to introduce improvements to both in this law. You can read my letter here. Though I have heard from so many of you about Act 250 over the years, I am happy to hear additional ways in which you’d like to see this legislation improved.

Special Select Board Meeting 10/19 – Dover Proposed Short Term Rental Regulation Discussion

The Dover Select Board will host a special public meeting on Thursday October 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the Dover Town Hall at 189 Taft Brook Rd, East Dover, VT to discuss potential regulations to short term rentals within the Town of Dover based on the recommendations of the Bi-Town Housing Rental Sub-Committee report.

Residents, homeowners and STR owner/operators/managers are encouraged to attend to provide insight and feedback considering the recommendations.

For information on the final agenda suggested regulations, previous presentations, please see the meeting webpage

Button Up Weatherization Wednesday: Heat Pumps 101

Oct 25, 2023 06:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada) Are you considering the switch to a heat pump for your home’s heating and cooling needs? Efficiency Vermont experts will review the different types of heat pumps available and what homeowners should consider when upgrading to a heat pump. register here

2023 State and Local Government Municipal Day

**Town of Wardsboro has a new town website https://www.wardsborovt.gov/**!

The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), in cooperation with Vermont Emergency Management (VEM), Natural Resources Board (NRB), Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD), and the Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (AAFM), invites you to participate in a day-long event that will include workshops, a opening session with Chief Recovery Officer Doug Farnham, and networking opportunities with colleagues from across Vermont. This year, there will be a strong focus on flood recovery to help our cities and towns build back stronger after the summer floods. Check out the workshops offered here: 2023 State and Local Government Municipal Day Agenda.

What: A Day of Workshops for Vermont’s Local Government Officials
When: Friday, October 20, 2023 from 8:30 – 3:45 PM
Where: 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620-3901

Register for Municipal Day here

Highway and Stormwater Grants

VTrans is now accepting grant applications for the SFY 2024 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program (MHSMP) grant opportunities concurrently. This year over $4.3 million of TAP grant funding is available for all eligible activities as described in the Vermont Transportation Alternatives Fall 2023 Application Guide per the link below. Approximately 50% of TAP grant program funds are reserved for pollution mitigation projects relating to stormwater and highways, including eligible salt and sand shed projects. Also, approximately $1.5 million of MHSMP grant funding is available for eligible stormwater pollution mitigation projects as described in the Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program Guide which can be found in link below. Applications for this solicitation can be found at both websites below:

TAP Link: Transportation Alternatives Program | Agency of Transportation (vermont.gov)
MHSMP Link: Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program | Agency of Transportation (vermont.gov)
Applications are due by e-mail by December 8th, 2023.

November 2023 Vets Town Halls

Please join us this November – in Bradford, Brattleboro, Colchester, Rutland, and/or South Royalton – to gather with fellow community members and hear what veterans have to say about what their service means to them. (If you’re a veteran who would like to speak, please reply with any questions you have. You can also find more info at the RSVP link.)

Details are posted – and RSVPs are open! – at the link below. RSVPs are encouraged for all attendees – but only required if you’d like to join us for the pre-Vets Town Hall meals in Rutland or South Royalton. RSVP to this year’s Vets Town Halls! Please share this information with anyone who you think might be interested in attending.

Green Mountain Power Launches First in Nation 2030 Zero Outages Initiative

At each of these events, veterans will be invited to share what their service means to them. Non-veterans are encouraged to attend and listen. Our goal is to increase understanding between local veterans and non-veterans.

Sunday, November 5th at 1pm
Brattleboro’s American Legion Post #5
Emceed by Tristam Johnson. Thank you to the attendees and organizers of the American Legion Post 5 Tuesday coffee hour, for hosting the event. Snacks will be available. RSVPs are optional but encouraged. (Photo is Maureen Dwyer, speaking at a previous Vets Town Hall.)

Vermont Minimum Wage Increasing

Beginning January 1, 2024, Vermont’s minimum wage will become $13.67 per hour. This is an increase of $0.49 from the current minimum wage of $13.18.

This annual adjustment also impacts the minimum wage for tipped employees. The Basic Tipped Wage Rate for service, or “tipped employees,” equals 50% of the full minimum wage. On January 1, 2024, the tipped minimum wage will increase from $6.28 to $6.84 per hour.

Business Climate Change Adaptation Assistance

ClimateReadyVT is a FREE program designed to help small businesses in Vermont adapt to our changing climate and prepare for the next climate-related business disruption.

Over eight virtual sessions and one in-person session, participating businesses will complete a climate risk assessment, identify hazard mitigation strategies, become familiar with relevant government resources and professional services, understand how best to support their teams during businesses disruptions, learn about methods for sustaining mental health, and develop a customized “Road Map to Resilience” for their business.

Any business located in Vermont with 50 employees or fewer is eligible. Priority will be given to businesses that are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and woman owned/managed, as well as those located in rural Vermont. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday 10/17.

Rural Caucus Public Meeting: What is needed for rural Vermont?

The Rural Caucus invites Vermonters to share thoughts on what is necessary for rural Vermont to recover, adapt, and increase resilience in the wake of the July floods.

When: Wednesday, October 25th, 5:30–7:00pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Register for Zoom Info: https://bit.ly/ruralcaucusrecovery
Who: Vermonters with constructive ideas to share.

We need to hear from you! We’re looking for actionable ideas and insights from rural Vermonters as to what can be done legislatively to help our rural communities recover from the flood and be more resilient in the future. This meeting will provide insight and perspective that will help guide the work of the Rural Caucus in the upcoming session and beyond.

While it is helpful to hear about the impact on the flood in your community or sector, it’s most helpful for us to hear about concrete policy recommendations to address the challenges all rural communities face. Participants will have 2 minutes each, so please be focused and concise in your remarks. We’d also welcome your written remarks as well (or instead). Send written testimony to mpriestley@leg.state.vt.us.

Space is limited so please register online at https://bit.ly/ruralcaucusrecovery.

How Is Healthcare in Vermont going?

The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) at the direction of the the Legislature is hosting a series of meetings across the state and is anxious to discuss the following questions with you and your constituents:

Is the healthcare system serving you and your family?
Are you able to access and afford the care you need?
What do you want to see more of in your community?

Susan Barrett, the ED of the GMCB, sent a letter to Legislators on October 12 inviting us and our constituents to participate in local meetings. Each of our 14 hospitals in the state will have 2 meetings. The initial one is virtual for data gathering. The second is in-person for discussion and review. More attendance will lead to a more robust discussion. The GMCB and their consultant will then analyze the results and report back to the Healthcare Committee in January on what actions can be taken to improve access and outcomes and to reduce costs in our healthcare system. Even if your or your constituents healthcare is not received in Vermont, please attend a meeting anyway, as that is important information for us to know.

In our area, meetings will be held at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Grace Cottage Hospital and Springfield Hospital.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital: Thursday, November 2, 4-6 PM

To register: https://owg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItce6opzIvHNMGaoSwG84UgS6C2dq9UGlP#/registration?os=ipad

Grace Cottage Hospital: Friday, October 27, 4-6 PM

To register:

https://owg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtdOusqTsuHtY51Ri4-LNgbeqIWn3-FGmU#/registration?os=ipad

Vermont’s Energy Transition

Next week, I’ll be participating in a forum to explore how to best transition Vermont’s energy needs from largely fossil fuel-based sources to one based primarily around renewable energy sources. The forum will be held at the Manchester Community Library on Thursday, Oct. 26.

Other panelists include Neale Lunderville, the president and CEO of Vermont Gas Systems, Julie Moore, the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and Jared Duval, the executive director of the Vermont Energy Action Network. We will discuss the issues involved in making the transition happen and how best to overcome obstacles.

Vermont has set for itself a series of ambitious energy and climate goals, which include meeting 90 percent of the state’s overall energy needs from renewable sources by 2050, and reducing Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent from the 1990 baseline level by 2028, and by 75 percent from the 1990 level by 2050.

One of the primary goals of the forum is to engage all sides of the energy and climate debate and hear from all points of view in a respectful way.

A moderated panel discussion will kick off the forum, followed by a question-and-answer segment from the audience.

The forum is being sponsored, organized, and hosted by the Sunderland Energy Committee. All those interested in energy and climate transition questions are encouraged to attend.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude by 9 p.m. It will be recorded by GNAT-TV for later viewing.

Finally, like you, I am disturbed and saddened by the massacre of innocents in Israel and the ongoing loss of lives in this conflict. This violence underscores for me how important it is for us to find and see the humanity in one another other. I am so sorry for those who may be personally impacted by these events. If I can be of some assistance to you or a loved one, please reach out to me.

As always, if you have suggestions, concerns or critiques please be in touch so we can schedule time to discuss. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us. Follow my regular posts online at http://www.laurasibiliavt.com

It is an honor to represent our district in the legislature. Thank you!

Rep. Laura Sibilia – Dover, Jamaica, Somerset, Stratton, Wardsboro