Building business
Field of dreams
South Burlington group brings leaders together
Rice unveils new playing turf
Page 9
Page 13
POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #217 CONCORD, NH ECRWSSEDDM
South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
City Council distributes $1.3 million surplus
otherpapersbvt.com
VOLUME 48, NO. 39
Stick work
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The South Burlington City Council faced a good problem at last week’s meeting: where to allocate nearly $1.3 million in surplus money? Finance director Martha Machar said the city received a lot of requests from different department heads but was able to narrow the list down to six items, including adding to the city’s fund balance — money kept in reserve should an emergency arise. Projections were conservatively estimated during the fiscal year 2024 budget process, said Machar, but the actual biggest revenue drivers — the local option tax, inspection fees, interest-earned income and ambulance billing services — significantly outperformed budget projections. Revenues from the local option tax, a 1 percent tax on rooms, meals and alcohol came in $251,000 over budget, and revenues from ambulance billing services brought in $240,000 more. Interest-earned income brought in almost $1 million more while fire and electrical inspection fees totaled roughly $57,000 more than was budgeted. The council last week — in a 4-1 vote See SURPLUS on page 11
PHOTO BY AL FREY
South Burlington’s field hockey team celebrates its 4-2 win over Champlain Valley Union on Sept. 18. Oli Roy, Rosa DiGiullian and Sawyer Bailey all scored in the come-from-behind win, with Roy netting two. The Wolves scored all their goals in the second half.
Residents appeal Wheeler Park decision to supreme court LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The future of a 7-acre slice of land next to South Burlington’s Wheeler Nature Park will be determined by the state’s highest
court after residents opposing a housing development on the property appealed a lower court’s decision. The appeal comes after the Vermont Environmental Court ruled in favor of the development in August following a six-day
trial earlier this year. The project calls for 32 mixed-housing units directly adjacent to the park, at the See WHEELER PARK on page 11
BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER ORDER ONLINE GetBlissBee.com
Shelburne Road, South Burlington • Maple Tree Place, Williston