Mayor Weinberger Celebrates Completion of the Shelburne Street Roundabout Project Ahead of Schedule

$7.7 Million Federal Investment for Safer Streets, Pedestrian, and Stormwater Improvements

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced and celebrated the completion of the Shelburne Street Roundabout Project in Burlington’s south end. The Project redesigned the existing rotary into a modern roundabout, provides designated crossing locations with rapid flashing beacons, new sidewalks, and shared-use paths. It was funded through the State of Vermont’s Highway Safety Improvement Program with $7.7 million in Federal Highway Administration dollars.

“This intersection was one of the worst, most confusing and dangerous intersections in the city. Fixing it has been a priority of the neighbors for decades” said Mayor Weinberger. “Through our partnership with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the City was able to deliver these dramatic infrastructure improvements to make travel safer and easier for Burlingtonians and visitors whether they walk, bike, or drive through this gateway corridor.”

Where appropriate, roundabouts have been known to reduce crashes by up to 72 percent per the Federal Highway Administration.

“The roundabout we celebrate today is a marvel of modern road architecture. I am excited for the design that requires low speeds and supports continuous traffic flow, improves user sightlines, will reduce crashes, and shorter crosswalks for pedestrians,” said City Council President Karen Paul. “As well, the renewed gateway appeal is a wonderful plus for our city. While there were many twists and turns to get us here, the smooth curves are a delight to the eye and a win for everyone. There may be other roundabouts but this one is uniquely ours. Many thanks to all who played a role in allowing us to arrive at this special day, the VTrans Team, the entire DPW team, SD Ireland, and many others. It was everyone working together, working collaboratively, with excellent management and design, and a grateful community that were the ingredients to a wonderful outcome. May the roundabout serve us for generations to come.”

"The Shelburne Street Roundabout project has created a safer traveling experience for the thousands of Burlington residents and visitors a day who use this corridor," said Public Works Director Chapin Spencer. "This partnership between the City and the State has delivered an innovative multi-modal solution with a one-lane roundabout at a high crash location. Data, community input and perseverance have led us to this important milestone in the evolution of Burlington's transportation system." 

Street reconstruction for the project included portions of Shelburne Street, South Willard Street, Ledge Road, Locust Street, Gove Court, and Adams Court. Furthermore, the project improved drainage, stormwater runoff treatment, upgraded aging infrastructure, and relocated and consolidated utility transmissions underground. Approximately 700 bulbs were planted in the center of the roundabout, and Burlington City Arts will commission a public art installation.

Background

• This intersection has been identified as a high crash location on the State’s High Crash Listings since the completion of the Shelburne Street Rotary Report in 2002.
• In 2007, the intersection entered the State’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and Resource Systems Group, Inc. was hired to update traffic analysis and create conceptual designs.
• In 2008, the Burlington Public Works Commission and the Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee selected the design of a single-lane roundabout.
• In 2009 the design was approved by the Federal Highway Administration, and the project qualified for 100% federal funding through the State of Vermont’s Highway Safety Improvement Program.
• In May 2021 the project was awarded to S.D. Ireland Brothers for $7.7 million.
• Construction began in August 2021 and was estimated to be completed in the summer of 2023.
• The roundabout first opened to traffic on November 1, 2022, and the installation of the permanent pavement markings this week marks the completion of the Shelburne Street Roundabout Project.

Driver Safety

• Yield to traffic inside the roundabout at each entry point
• Do not stop or yield once inside the roundabout
• In instances in which emergency vehicles enter the roundabout – drivers should exit the roundabout before pulling over
• Be aware of and yield to pedestrians and cyclists at the designated crossing locations

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Mayor Weinberger Celebrates Opening of The Moran FRAME

Friends of the FRAME Announces Plan to Activate the Site

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced the opening of The Moran FRAME, a new iconic Burlington landmark and public space on the Burlington waterfront featuring the revived steel superstructure of the former J. Edward Moran Municipal Generating Station.

“Today we’re celebrating the rebirth of the post-industrial northern waterfront, and the reclamation of this site on the shores of Lake Champlain as a treasure for Burlingtonians and visitors alike to know and enjoy,” said Mayor Weinberger. “The Moran FRAME will stand as a proud symbol of the innovative spirit of this community for generations to come, and will serve as a centerpiece for all the outdoor recreation, community programming, local commerce, food, and art happening in Waterworks Park.”

Following 30 years of stalled efforts to reimagine the site of the long-abandoned former coal plant, the Moran FRAME represents significant transformation of the northern waterfront and a testament of the City’s long-held commitment to the conservation of public spaces, as well as to energy transformation. The building was first commissioned in 1952 by then Mayor Moran as a coal fired plant, converted to wood chips in 1977, and ultimately decommissioned in 1986. In 2014, the City of Burlington became the first in the nation to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, and in 2019 Mayor Weinberger announce a plan to achieve Net Zero by 2030.

As the first phase of redevelopment at this site wraps up a new, independent, non-profit organization, Friends of the FRAME, has been established to support the sustained use of this site as an ever-evolving, four-season, public space focused on facilitating high-quality, inclusive public programming and support ongoing stewardship of this place. The City and Friends of the FRAME are currently piloting a partnership that will bring a series of initial activations to the site, the first one being the two swing benches facing the lake developed in partnership with Generator.

"Our ultimate hope for The FRAME is that it never loses that intangible sense of possibility and promise that eventually led us to this moment,” said Zach Campbell, founder and Director of Friends of the FRAME. “And that for decades captured the hearts and imaginations of countless dreamers – inspiring bold ideas, and bringing people together in substantive, meaningful ways. That is the true energy future of this power plant, and when that energy can be harnessed into action there is almost no limit to its potential."

"BCA is committed to the idea that public art contributes to a city’s well-being in countless ways,” said Burlington City Arts Executive Director Doreen Kraft. “From inspiring ideas and reflection and beautifying public spaces to supporting local artists financially and helping to draw creative businesses to a community that values culture and the arts. We look forward to working with local artists and businesses to bring this wonderful, unique, and lasting work of art to life."

Background

• Past efforts to revive or redevelop the former coal-fired plant were pursued from 1986 to 2017 and spanned everything from a full adaptive reuse of the building to complete demolition.
• Within his first 100-days in office, Mayor Weinberger announced a “NoGo” Decision on the prior administration’s plans for commercial development of the building.
• In early 2014, Mayor Weinberger announced a slate of projects for the Waterfront Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, ultimately approved by the City Council and Burlington voters, bringing $9.6 million in TIF funds to leverage additional investment.
• Following the public vote in March 2014, the City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Moran, Inc. in August 2014, giving the nonprofit company the exclusive opportunity to redevelop the Moran Plant.
• In 2017, the City and New Moran Inc. ceased redevelopment efforts. The Mayor cited feasibility concerns, saying, “it is time to turn the page on this effort and find a reuse of the site that expands and complements the major progress on the northern waterfront that we have enjoyed over the past five years.”
• In February 2020, the City Council approved the administration’s proposed Phase 1 investments.
• In August 2020, the City broke ground on the Moran FRAME.

Investments Completed in Phase 1 of the Moran FRAME Project

• Removal of the brick and concrete exterior of the Moran Plant, avoiding the significant expense of stabilizing the bricks, and revealing the steel frame beneath;
• Stabilized the steel frame;
• Abated and remediated hazardous building materials, including asbestos, lead paint, and PCB paint, in order to make the site stable and safe for the public;
• Completed remediation of the soils at the Moran site and, in so doing, finished remediation of soils throughout the Waterfront Access North area;
• Created an at-grade, level grassy area at the site and accessible paths through and around the FRAME making connections to Waterworks Park and the Burlington Greenway;
• Introduced sub-grade utilities to provide lighting and support future, additional investment at the Moran FRAME, and
• Painted the steel superstructure, restored the iconic “City of Burlington” letters added new interpretive signage, installed dramatic LED lighting for nighttime use;  
• The project budget was $6.55 million, funded by $3.559 million from the Waterfront TIF district, a $2 million redevelopment loan from the federal Agency of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and $950,000 from the Burlington Electric Department for environmental remediation.

Transformation of the Northern Waterfront

The Moran FRAME is the final of six projects approved by voters in 2014 to strengthen and revive the northern waterfront. These projects were recommended by a public committee through the Public Investment Action Plan (PIAP) process, and funded through the Waterfront TIF district, leveraging federal and private funds, without any impact on current property taxes. The six project are:

• The Moran FRAME;
• The new home for the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center;
• The new Water Works Park which increased access to the water’s edge through a wooden boardwalk, benches, fishing pier, and many native shrubs, grasses, and trees;
• Improved landscaping, environmental remediation, and utility relocations in the Waterfront Park and the entire northern waterfront;
• New parking amenity, solar canopy, rain gardens, and public art at ECHO; and
• Expansions to the Burlington Harbor Marina along with publicly accessible amenities like bathrooms and parking.

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Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced the appointment of Kimberly Carson as the City’s new Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Kim most recently served as the Director of Education and Human Capital Development for the Iowa Judicial Branch Leading Judicial Education and Professional Development for nearly two thousand judicial branch employees and providing strategic leadership for diversity and equity initiatives across the agency.

“Since creating this position within the Administration in the fall of 2019, the REIB Department has gone through tremendous growth and taken on numerous critical initiatives to advance equity within our local government and throughout the Burlington community,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Kim’s appointment to this critical role on our leadership team comes after a nationwide search. Kim comes to us with extensive experience in government and has the right skills, energy, and vision to take the REIB Department forward and to continue the urgent work of ending racial disparities and fostering a sense of belonging in Burlington for all.” 

“The opportunity to call Burlington home and to continue the critical work entrusted to the REIB Department is a great honor and responsibility that I do not take lightly," said Carson. To build upon the previous efforts of the community, and leadership, with the ongoing support of the Mayor and the City Council, together we will continue our efforts to be at the forefront of equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts in Burlington and beyond through strategic leadership focused on measurable and sustained outcomes. I look forward to listening and learning from my new neighbors and friends and making Burlington our new home.”

Carson’s Background

Kim has served in multiple roles in the Iowa Judicial Branch, starting as a Juvenile Court Officer and ultimately serving as the Director of Education of Human and Capital Development. She brings extensive experience to the role in training, social justice advocacy, and organizational cultural change. She holds a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies from Louisiana State University, and is pursuing a Masters in Organizational Leadership and Learning from George Washington University.

Prior to 2007, Kim worked as a collegiate track and field coach in Iowa and for USA Track and Field. Kim has been inducted into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame and competed at the 1996 US Olympic trials.

Kim plans to relocate with her family to Burlington in December.

Search Process and Next Steps

The national search for a REIB Director was led by Kerin Durfee. The Search Committee reviewed applications from many qualified candidates from across the country and advanced three finalists to the Mayor for consideration. The committee included:

• Kerin Durfee, HR Director
• Vanessa Santos Eugenio, Human Resources, Talent, Development & Diversity Manager
• Ali Dieng, Ward 7 City Councilor
• Kara Alnasrawi, Director of Business Support and Workforce Development
• Thea Heck, REIB Digital Content Manager
• Mohamad Jafar, REIB Racial Equity Trainer
• Jabulani Gamache, Police Commissioner
• Patrick Brown, Director of the Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center
• Marlon Fisher, Community Member
• Luis Calderin, Community Member

The Mayor will bring forward the appointment for approval by the City Council at their regular meeting on Monday, November 7. If confirmed, Kim will begin work on November 8.

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Burlington, VT – The Burlington Electric Department (BED) today, joined by Mayor Miro Weinberger, ARC Industries Founder and CEO Robert Monteith, and leaders from Burlington International Airport (BTV) and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, announced a partnership with ARC Industries to pioneer ARC’s new, leading-edge wind turbine – The Orb – at BTV in pursuit of Burlington’s goal of becoming a Net Zero Energy City by 2030. The Orb, tagged with model number ORB-A-001, will be ARC’s first-ever deployment of its new energy technology and will provide BED with the opportunity to pilot a potential means of further diversifying its renewable energy offerings in Burlington’s urban environment.

“As Burlington boldly pursues the nation’s most ambitious climate goal, we continue to look for new tools to provide community members to help them on the path to Net Zero Energy,” stated Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Burlington already generates the most solar energy per person of any City in the Northeast, and rooftop wind is an exciting new frontier in renewable energy. We are excited to pilot this innovative, new technology with ARC Industries right here at the Burlington International Airport.”

“Burlington Electric Department is proud to partner with ARC Industries to demonstrate this new wind energy technology that offers the promise of adding a new rooftop renewable energy option for our customers in the future,” stated Darren Springer, General Manager, Burlington Electric Department. “Burlington Electric has a long history of supporting wind power, including through long-term contracts with multiple wind energy projects. This project today is a great example of the success of Burlington Electric’s participation in the DeltaClimeVT business accelerator program and highlights a welcome opportunity for collaboration between our 100 percent renewable public power utility and a seed-stage renewable energy business.”

“The Orb offers a fresh, new take on renewable energy,” stated Robert Monteith, ARC Industries Founder and CEO. “With The Orb – our rooftop wind turbine – we deliver wind power that is affordable and accessible to everyone, requiring little to no maintenance. We are thrilled to be partnering with Burlington Electric Department and the City of Burlington to deploy our very first product, The Orb, and look forward to expanding upon this exciting pilot program.”

ARC Industries, headquartered in Bridgewater, MA, earned a top award during the 2021 DeltaClimeVT business accelerator program that serves startup and seed-stage ventures focusing on energy and climate economy innovation across multiple industries. Through that award, BED is partnering with ARC on a pilot program for the purpose of exploring expanded deployment of newer rooftop wind generation technologies. After one year of electricity production, BED has the option to extend the term of the contract, purchase The Orb, or have ARC remove The Orb.

The ARC Industries Orb, a vertical access wind turbine, produces 3.0 kilowatts of power and is ideal for commercial, industrial, and residential rooftops. The eight-foot tall and six-foot in diameter Orb was installed last week in the southeastern-most corner of the BTV parking garage rooftop. Key features of The Orb include: ability to deploy in compact spaces; built to last in all climates and weather conditions; generates power in even the lightest breeze; requires virtually no maintenance; projected 25+ year lifespan; projected to pay for itself with electricity savings in five to 10 years.

“At the Airport, we’re elated and grateful to have the opportunity to be the first airport in the country to host The Orb,” stated Nic Longo, Aviation Director, Burlington International Airport. “The Orb is a great complement to the existing 500-kilowatt solar array and aids BTV in our goal of becoming the nation’s greenest airport. This renewable energy source expansion is one of the first steps in what is to come at BTV.”

“ARC’s innovative approach to wind energy is a great fit for Vermont, where solar may not be a viable option at all locations” stated Geoff Robertson, Managing Director, DeltaClimeVT. “Within the bigger goal of accelerating the best ideas available to address climate change, it’s exciting to find companies that are the right fit for Vermont.”

“DeltaClimeVT has generated 20 pilot programs in Vermont, giving promising climate economy companies like ARC a launching pad to address global issues,” stated Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. “Vermont's size and the fact that we can access leaders from the energy industry to mentor startups like ARC mean we can help move companies faster toward implementable solutions."

Over the course of one year, The Orb is expected to produce an amount of electricity equivalent to power 1.5 residential homes. For comparison purposes, approximately 25 of the 1,840 panels that make up BTV’s 500-kilowatt solar array would produce the same amount of electricity as The Orb.

Burlington was recognized in 2014 as the first city in the nation to source 100 percent of its power from renewable generation and has continued to do so. BED not only sources 100 percent of its power from renewable generation, but also is 100 percent renewable after accounting for renewable energy certificate (REC) sales and purchases.

In 2019, Mayor Miro Weinberger and BED released the Net Zero Energy Roadmap to guide efforts to strategically electrify in the thermal and ground transportation sectors and to make other efforts to reduce emissions in service of the City’s 2030 climate goal.   

For further information about ARC Industries and The Orb, please visit www.arcindustries.co or email info@arcindustries.co.

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HUD Officials Join Mayor Weinberger to Celebrate Burlington House America Commitment and Discuss Goals to Address Homelessness and Increase Affordable Housing

House America leverages American Rescue Plan and other federal resources to immediately re-house and build additional housing for people experiencing homelessness

Burlington, VT - Today, HUD New England Regional Administrator Juana Matias joined Mayor Weinberger at the site of Elmwood Emergency Shelter Community to discuss Burlington’s success in reaching their 2022 House America goals and talk about the city’s future goals to address homelessness and increase affordable housing supply.

House America is a national partnership in which HUD and USICH invited mayors, county leaders, Tribal nation leaders, and governors to use the historic investments provided through the American Rescue Plan to address the crisis of homelessness through a Housing First approach by immediately re-housing and building additional housing for people experiencing homelessness.

“House America began with a call to our local leaders to address the nation’s homelessness crisis with the historic ARP investments and other federal, state, and local resources,” said HUD Regional Administrator Juana Matias. “And Mayor Weinberger and Burlington answered that call. So today we are reaffirming that commitment and celebrating the progress we’ve made in re-housing homeless individuals and creating more affordable housing for the community.”

“We have set forth a goal to effectively end homelessness in the City of Burlington by 2025,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Nearly one year into that work, the achievement of meeting our more immediate commitments to House America is an early, important indicator of progress toward that goal. With such strong alignment between our City and State and Federal governments I am confident we can do what is required to in the months and years ahead to fulfill the promise of housing as a human right in Burlington.”

In December 2021 Mayor Weinberger announced 10-point Action Plan to Fulfill the Promise of Housing as a Human Right in Burlington, each initiative of the plan supports two overarching goals: to double the rate of housing production and to end chronic homeless. In February, Mayor Weinberger also signed on to House America and committed Burlington to produce 8 new units dedicated to the formerly homeless and to re-house 66 homeless households in 2022. Between May and September, 108 households were placed in permanent housing in Chittenden County, and 7 new homeless dedicated units have been created. The City expects another 20 units to become available by February 2023 through the Vermont Housing Improvement Program, managed by the State of Vermont Housing and Community Development department, which provides direct financial support for private landlords to improve existing rental properties.

Another 39 homeless dedicated units are anticipated to come online between now and 2025 as part of planned private housing developments. The City and Champlain Housing Trust continue to work toward the late November opening of the ARP-funded Elmwood Emergency Shelter Community which will host 30-35 emergency beds.

House America is the federal government’s direct response to the crisis of homelessness, which was rising even before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March of last year, HUD released its 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 to Congress, which found that more than 580,000 people experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night in January 2020, prior to the pandemic. COVID-19 has created greater urgency to address homelessness, given the heightened risks faced by people experiencing homelessness. At the same time, COVID-19 has slowed re-housing activities due to capacity issues and impacts on rental market vacancies.

To learn more about House America, visit: www.hud.gov/house_america.

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Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced that Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) will manage and operate the Elmwood Emergency Shelter Community. The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity will provide services for the guests. The Shelter, projected to open in November, will play an essential role in addressing homelessness in Burlington.

The Elmwood Emergency Shelter Community is comprised of 30 climate-controlled modular shelters; 25 shelters for individuals and five shelters which will accommodate two people.

“I am grateful to the Champlain Housing Trust for stepping up in a spirit of partnership to make this innovative concept of providing shelter a reality,” Mayor Weinberger said. “I want to thank CEDO and the City team for their tireless work to make this announcement with CHT possible. I also want to thank the Vermont Agency of Human Services and Secretary Jenney Samuelson for making this project a high priority. Together, we will continue working to end homelessness in Burlington.”

Founded by the City and community activists in 1984, CHT owns and manages 2,500 affordable rental homes and 650 permanently affordable owner-occupied homes. A little over 20% of CHT’s apartments are serving people who were previously homeless.

“We recognize that this Emergency Shelter, alone, is not a solution to our crisis in homelessness. But it is an essential community resource that will provide safe, temporary shelter, offering low-barrier access to critical support services and resources, which will enable people to move toward stable and affordable permanent housing. We are creating this temporary facility to respond to the acute housing pressures the community is facing today in the wake of the pandemic.  I am pleased to share that the City and CHT are both committed to exploring in the months ahead an agreement to develop permanent affordable housing on this City-owned site approximately three years from now.  This exploration will include engaging neighbors, the Public Works Commission, the City Council and other Old North End stakeholders,” Mayor Weinberger said.

Background

• In December 2021, the Mayor announced a ten-point Action Plan to Fulfill Housing as a Human Right in Burlington, which included the goal for the City to invest in shelter pods and related infrastructure to create a new low-barrier facility for 2022. Mayor Weinberger’s Action Plan seeks to end chronic homelessness in Burlington by the end of 2025.
• The City developed the Elmwood Emergency Shelter Community plan after securing City Council approval in March. In June, the Development and Review Board approved the zoning permit.
• The City held numerous public meetings to ensure that the project is planned and developed in a way that has the best outcomes for the occupants and the surrounding neighbors. Public engagement efforts included holding two presentations at Neighborhood Planning Assemblies and four Community Neighbor Conversations at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington.
• Prior to the pandemic, in January 2020, the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count, administered by the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance, reported 261 people experiencing homelessness, including 10 unsheltered individuals, in Chittenden County. In January 2022, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased nearly 3-fold -- to 668. Local outreach teams estimate the number of unsheltered individuals has increased to nearly 70 across the county in the summer of 2022, with the vast majority unsheltered within the City.

Jenny Samuelson, Vermont Agency of Human Services Secretary: “CEDO’s Elmwood Avenue Emergency Shelter Community meets a critical shelter need in our state, and in Burlington particularly. We appreciate the efforts each community has made to address the challenge of homelessness. It is exciting that this project is able to move forward, with the management of Champlain Housing Trust. This is a critical component of our state's efforts to ensure that Vermonters have access to flexible options and services that address their diverse needs.”

Michael Monte, Champlain Housing Trust CEO:  “Champlain Housing Trust is a committed partner in the City and State’s work to end homelessness. This new initiative will provide a better path forward for dozens of our unhoused community members, and the program we will put in place on Elmwood Avenue will be grounded in privacy, security and safety for both the neighborhood and those staying in the shelters. We are appreciative of the City’s responsiveness to the concerns raised by the community, resulting in a comprehensive management plan.”

Paul Dragon, Executive Director of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Development (CVOEO): “CVOEO is ready to partner with the City of Burlington and other community organizations to bring critical services to people experiencing homelessness as we collectively support them on their path to permanent housing.”

In the coming weeks, The City will form a committee that will provide feedback, and advice and help build a greater sense of community with people living in the shelter and nearby residents and businesses. Those who are interested should call CEDO at 802-865-7144 or send an email to: cedofd@burlingtonvt.gov.

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Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the appointment of Nicolas Longo as Director of Aviation.

“After a rigorous and competitive search, I am proud to announce Nicolas Longo as Burlington’s next Director of Aviation,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Through his nearly decade-long career here at the Airport, and at every step of the selection process, Nic demonstrated that he has the skills, expertise, vision, and commitment to lead the next chapter of growth and success for the Airport.”

Weinberger thanked the selection committee for their hard work, the committee brought forward three strong candidates for the position, as well as the Airport Commission and Airport employees for their support and leadership throughout the search process.

"Thank you to so many for your guidance, support, and unwavering commitment to me and this airport,” said Longo. “I look forward to the BTV team continuing to grow with our partners - to make the experience transcendent for passengers, airlines, general aviation, tenants, and airport employees the best in the country, while proving that we can also be creative and grow responsibly for our future generations, by striving to be the greenest airport possible."

The appointment will be before the Burlington City Council for confirmation at their regular meeting on September 19. If confirmed, Longo’s work as Director of Aviation would begin immediately.

Background

Longo first joined the Airport team in 2013 as Office Assistant and Grant Administrator, later taking positions as the Director of Planning and Development, Deputy Director of Aviation Administration, Deputy Director of Aviation Operations, and has served as the Acting Director of Aviation for the last year. A licensed pilot, Longo began his career in aviation at Wiggins Airways in Manchester, New Hampshire in 2006, and previously worked as an Air Traffic Control Specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration in New York State.

Longo holds a Bachelors in Aviation and Air Traffic Management, and in 2015 received Certified Member accreditation from the American Association of Airport Executives.

Dedicated to public service, Longo also serves as on the Colchester School Board and is a Tee Ball coordinator, coaching both Tee Ball and Baseball in Colchester. He lives in Colchester with his wife Sara Longo, two sons Nico and Theo, and daughter Ady.

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Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the City of Burlington is launching a grant program to support the work being done by non-profit organizations in the City of Burlington to support individuals, households, and industries that were disproportionally impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

 “We still have a lot of work to do to repair the economic and social damage of the pandemic,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “This program will empower key local partners to lead this recovery and help us build a stronger, more equitable future.”

The grant program uses up to $1,000,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and grants will range in size from $10,000 to $150,000. Applicants must be registered with the State of Vermont as a non-profit organization and must use the funds for work within the City of Burlington to address public health and economic impacts on households, populations, or groups that experienced or continue to experience pandemic impacts.

Kara Alnasrawi, Director of Business and Workforce Development for the City of Burlington, said her staff has already begun outreach to area organizations and expects a diverse and competitive applicant pool.

“Our goal is to deploy these federal relief dollars as effectively as possible to support an equitable recovery,” said Alnasrawi. “By partnering with direct service providers in the non-profit sector who already have established relationships and programs in our community we will be able to reach the families and businesses that were most impacted by the pandemic with the support they need.”

Initial applications will be accepted until November 15th, 2022, and can be submitted online here. Full details of the grant program can be found here. Additional applications may be accepted after November 15th based on funding availability.

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Burlington, Vt. – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger issued the following statement on the vandalism which occurred this morning in Burlington.

“This morning’s mass vandalism caused widespread destruction and fear in this city that Burlingtonians should not have to endure. It is highly frustrating that the suspect has previously been arrested numerous times by Burlington police, but neither the criminal justice system nor the mental health system has taken the actions necessary to either support Mr. Mafuta or prevent this crime from occurring. Burlington needs help from our law enforcement and mental health partners to sustain the peace and safety that this community has long enjoyed.”

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Burlington, Vt. – Tonight, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the successful negotiation of a three-year contract with the Burlington Police Officers Association (BPOA), which provides a much-needed component to the City’s effort to rebuild the Burlington Police Department, while also making important progress on high priority police accountability issues.

The police union contact was ratified by the City Council during its July 25 special meeting. The contract, which includes 20 percent base pay increase over three years, builds upon the BPD Rebuilding Plan, which was approved last month by City Council as part of the FY 23 budget. The contract was approved by the City Council 10-1, with one Councilor not present.

“This contract represents major community progress at a time when we are facing serious public safety challenges and an urgent need to rebuild the Burlington Police Department,” said Mayor Weinberger. “I am grateful to the City Council, the BPOA, and our officers for recognizing this and finding a way to come together and avoid an extended, damaging, labor dispute.  I am also grateful to the City’s negotiating team and City Council President Karen Paul for their hard work to get to tonight’s strong Council ratification of the contract.”

Summary of Major Contract Terms

As part of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget process, Mayor Weinberger identified that a strong contract with the BPOA would be a critical step to rebuild the BPD back to the 87-officer authorized cap (there are currently 62 officers on staff).

The negotiated contract achieves that goal by offering police officers a 20 percent base pay increase over three years, including a 12 percent increase in the FY 23 (in years two and three the increases mirror the terms of the recently approved AFSCME contract). This increased compensation puts the Burlington Police Department in a very competitive position with respect to other Vermont police departments, including the State Police, improving the City’s ability to attract both new recruits and  lateral transfers of officers from other agencies, and to prevent improve the retention of current officers.

The City also successfully negotiated important police accountability provisions, including:

• Increasing the time the City can retain disciplinary records, and clarifying that some records may be retained permanently. Under the agreed upon contract, records regarding use of force violations and other serious policy violations can be retained by the Department permanently; records will now be retained for non-disciplinary files and letters of reprimand for two years; and records for suspensions will be retained for four years;
• Changing the disciplinary interview process to be consistent with best practice from police oversight advocates;
• Clarifying and enhancing the Police Commission’s and Mayor’s access records during misconduct investigations, and codifying that the Police Commission can play both an advisory role to the Chief prior to the issuance of a disciplinary decision, and serve as an appeals body.
• New contract provisions that prevent officers that have been fired for disciplinary reasons in other law enforcement agencies from being hired by the BPD.

The City has now ratified contracts with three of the City’s four unions, including: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) on July 18; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) contract on June 27. Negotiations have begun with the Burlington Firefighters Association and bargaining is ongoing.

Since first being elected, Mayor Weinberger has sought to reach agreements with the City’s unions at the negotiating table, instead of through binding arbitration. With the Council's approval of the BPOA contract tonight, Mayor Weinberger’s administration has succeeded at this for the last 11 contracts dating back to 2014.

To read City Council’s Resolution, click here

To read the BPOA Contract, click here 

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