Manager’s Message – September 2024

Greetings Williston Community –

I hope this message finds you well as we settle into the fall season. There are several updates to share with you from Town Hall this month.

Special Town Meeting – November 5^th

On Election Day, November 5^th, a Special Town Meeting will also be held to consider bonded debt up to $400,000 for improvements and expansion to the parking lot behind Town Hall. This project has been identified for several years, and its primary purpose is to address safety needs in the parking lot. The parking lot needs subsurface and drainage improvements to address ongoing issues with pooling water and ice in the winter months. In addition, there is very limited lighting, creating a dark area for the public and town staff, especially in the winter months. This project will address these safety concerns and will increase parking capacity for the future at the municipal campus and events in the Village. Conduit will be run underground for the lighting improvements, and that will allow the Town in the future to add electric vehicle charging stations for the Town fleet and the public to use. Charging stations are not part of this project scope. The overall area of the project is about 32,000 square feet.

A bond for this project was not supported last March at Town Meeting, and since then the Town has been able to adjust the overall cost. A $200,000 grant was received from the State of Vermont Downtown Fund in April for the project. In addition, project changes have been made to reduce the overall cost by $60,000. The Town has also committed $200,000 of local funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for this project. The estimated project cost is now $790,000. Authority to bond for up to $400,000 for the project would close the remaining funding gap.

All active Williston voters will receive a General Election Ballot in the mail from the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office by October 1^st. The parking lot bond question will be on the back of that ballot to vote. A Public Information Hearing on the project and bond will be held on Monday, November 4^th at 7 PM at the Williston Central School Auditorium. If you have questions about the project, please reach out to me at ewells@willistonvt.org or at my desk at 802-876-1168.

Library Renovation & Expansion Project Update

A Schematic Design Committee has been working over the summer with architects from Black River Design on the design for a renovated and expanded Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. The committee has also explored the building’s interaction with the Town Green space, and the opportunity to enhance that public space as part of this project. This design stage is the next step in the Williston Community Spaces project that began in 2022, to explore the future community space needs. The scoping study was finalized in fall 2023, which led to the current next steps of library project design and site exploration for a future community/recreation center. The scoping study and the schematic design work has been funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received by the Town. An update on the library design work is being shared this month with the Library Board of Trustees and the Selectboard. Another update is planned before the end of the year that will also include the project cost estimate. Thanks to the many community members who have volunteered their time and talent as part of the scoping study committee and the schematic design committee. This is an exciting project for Williston.

Industrial Avenue Pedestrian Bridge

During a routine inspection last month the Town received an assessment that the pedestrian bridge on Industrial Avenue has structural concerns due to rusting and the conservative approach would be to close it. Given this assessment in consultation with Public Works the bridge has been closed indefinitely. The Town is working to obtain a quote to replace the bridge, and the Selectboard is reviewing funding options. Earlier this month Public Works created a temporary pedestrian crossing on the adjacent roadway bridge, using barriers to create two 11-foot travel lanes on the bridge. The Town will continue to review solution options to repair the bridge, and I will plan to provide an update once more is known. 

Upcoming Events

The Williston Energy Committee will be hosting an Energy Fair on Saturday, September 28^th from 1 to 4 PM in front of the Williston Central School. This event will be a great chance to see a wide range of electric vehicles, talk to owners about the buying and ownership experience. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the Williston Energy Committee, Green Mountain Power, VGS, solar companies and local weatherization and heat pump contractors. There will be raffle prizes and free ice cream!

The Williston Housing Committee and Community Justice Center are hosting a free screening of “Just Getting By” a film by Bess O’Brien on Sunday, October 6^th at 7 PM at the Majestic 10 Theater. It is a sweeping, and yet intimate look at the lives of Vermonters who are struggling with food and housing insecurity. A Q&A with the director and panel discussion will follow the screening. Doors at 6:30 PM. Reserve a seat by visiting the Event Brite page at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/just-getting-by-a-new-documentary-film-by-bess-obrien-tickets-1003167459877

Enjoy the fall season – see you around Town.

-Erik