Seating Seton
Paddles up
Shelburne Museum fleshes out its collection of early American art
The Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival, was held Aug. 8
Page 3
Page 8
Volume 55 Number 34
POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #217 CONCORD, NH ECRWSSEDDM
shelburnenews.com
August 20, 2026
Capital plan highlights budget pressures
Gather round
BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
separation agreement have been amicable. “I’ve also had some chang-
After years of putting off projects, Shelburne has devised a proposed schedule of capital improvements over the next eight years that, if everything is completed — from bridge repairs and historic building renovations to equipment replacement — would cost an estimated $63.7 million. However, as the town enters budget season this fall and plans its finances for the years to come, the impending cost of those projects is also in tension with rising operating costs and concerns about over-burdening taxpayers. The selectboard acknowledged it will have to make some difficult choices. “I think most people in town don’t realize we have more than 120 capital projects on our inventory, and a good chunk of them, and very significant ones, are in critical need — they have to be done for public safety, public
See LAWLESS on page 15
See CAPITAL PLAN on page 15
PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK
Shelburne Day festivities on Saturday included live music, sales at local stores, booths for town organizations and more in addition to the regular farmers market. See more photos, page 10.
Shelburne town manager announces his resignation BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
Matt Lawless, Shelburne’s town manager since 2023, has submitted his letter of resignation,
although he may end up staying on in his role through Town Meeting Day next year. Lawless cited the need to be closer to his family as the motivation for his eventual departure —
SouthernInSpIred dIner ClaSSICS BreakfaSt, lunCh, dInner
he moved from Charlottesville, Virginia, when he took the job in Shelburne. Both the conversation around Lawless’ resignation during an Aug. 11 selectboard meeting and the text of the
have dInner at the dIner!
drInk SpeCIalS - $3 Sundays, Margarita Mondays & Wicked Wednesdays SandwICh SpeCIalS - Tuesday Hot Plates & $12 Sammie Thursdays Buy one, Get one - Weekend Dinners - Fry Baskets & Hot Plates 189 Bank Street, Burlington • 802-497-1668 • burlsdowntown.com