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Voters defeat parking lot project
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
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Voters arrive at the Vermont National Guard Armory in Williston on Tuesday to cast ballots in the General Election.
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Town’s statehouse representation remains mostly unchanged BY JASON STARR Observer staff Williston voters had hyperlocal and national questions to answer Tuesday as 79 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the General Election — either by mail or in-person at the polls. Voter turnout nearly matched the record 82 percent of the last presidential election, in 2020. On the most pressing national question — who should be president of the United States? — Williston voters favored Kamala Harris over Donald Trump by a vote margin of 4,603-1,501, according to unofficial results posted by the Vermont Secretary of State’s office. Support for Trump, who won the presidency on Tuesday, declined in Williston compared to 2020, when 1,699 voted for him. Locally, voters rejected a request from town leaders to borrow up to $400,000 for expansion and improvements to drainage, lighting and electric vehicle infrastructure in the parking lot behind Town Hall. A similar question was defeat-
ed in March at Town Meeting Day. The town has since received a state grant contribution of $200,000, lowering the amount of borrowing the project would have required. Still, voters rejected the idea by a vote margin of 3,339-2,922. “I plan to reevaluate the project with staff and the selectboard,” Town Manager Erik Wells said Wednesday after digesting the results. “The grant funds are available to the town for a couple more years. If they are not utilized, the town will have to decline the funding.” Williston voters also chose their representation in the Vermont Legislature for the next two years on Tuesday. Republican Bruce Roy mounted a challenge to three incumbent Democrats for one of three seats in the Chittenden-Southeast Senate District, placing fourth. His 16,080 votes across the 11-municipality district represented 12 percent of the vote, putting him behind incumbents Thomas Chittenden of South Burlington, Ginny Lyons of Williston and Kesha Ram Hinsdale of Shelburne.
The Democratic trio will return to the Senate for new two-year terms. “Thank you for your consideration and your votes,” said Roy, a resident of Williston. “I am disappointed by the outcome, but I truly appreciate all the interactions I’ve
$400K Town Hall parking lot bond ❒ NO: 3,339 ❒ YES: 2,922 had with the good people of Williston and Chittenden County over the last months. “My intent in running was to offer change and a new voice for Chittenden County residents,” he continued. “The most respectful, honorable and powerful voice is your vote. The district has spoken and I accept and respect the results.
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My thanks to everyone who voted.” Williston’s representation in the Vermont House of Representatives was uncontested, with incumbent Democrats Erin Brady and Angela Arsenault winning new two-year terms. “Thank you for the opportunity to continue representing our community in Montpelier,” Arsenault said. “Education, housing and health care will be three of our top priorities in the House, and I hope you’ll share your thoughts so that I can add them to the conversation. “The disappointing result of the presidential election only furthers my resolve to protect our most vulnerable neighbors,” she continued. “Fear and anger have gotten us here. Courage and compassion will move us forward.” In a statement Wednesday morning, Brady said she remains committed to confronting Vermont’s “complex, interrelated challenges … including growing pressures on education funding and property taxes, skyrocketing healthcare costs, shortage of affordable housing and the impact of climate change.”
“I care deeply about the future of our community and our state, and in my four years of legislative service now, I have certainly been struck by that common value among legislators even when we disagree,” Brady added. “I am honored to continue to represent Williston and committed to the hard work ahead.” In the Chittenden 8 District shared by portions of Williston and South Burlington, first-time Democratic candidate Bridget Burkhardt won an uncontested election for a House seat. She will replace Noah Hyman, who did not seek re-election. In other statewide contests, Williston voters favored Bernie Sanders over Gerald Malloy for the U.S. Senate by a vote tally of 4,717 to 1,820, and Becca Balint over Mark Coester for U.S. Representative 4,575 to 1,532. Both Sanders and Balint won re-election. Williston also voted for the re-election of Gov. Phil Scott by a vote tally of 5,326-1,305 over Democratic challenger Esther Charlestin. Scott won re-election with 72 percent of the vote statewide.
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