WARDLY NEWS
August 2025 🌞
Can you believe it? School is almost here, with just a few weeks before the kiddos head back to classrooms. Our second annual summer block party was a hit, with neighbors enjoying food, games, and community spirit despite the heat. I’m already planning next year’s event and hope you can join us!
As your elected city councilor, I’m addressing both community events and neighbors’ concerns about city services, which I’ll share below.
➤ ➤ Traffic Safety Concerns – Neighbors have raised alarms about speeding vehicles and drivers ignoring stop signs in our residential areas. This reckless behavior puts our children, pets, and residents at serious risk. Our neighborhood streets are not speedways—they’re where our families live and play. I’ve been requesting increased traffic enforcement throughout the city & ward, focusing on problem areas. Please remember that arriving somewhere a few seconds earlier is never worth risking a life. Thank you to everyone who drives carefully and respects our community’s safety.
➤ ➤ Pet Waste Management – I’ve received multiple complaints about dog waste left on sidewalks and cat waste in gardens and driveways. As city residents living in close proximity, we share a responsibility to maintain clean, healthy neighborhoods. If you walk your dog, please bring bags and clean up after them. For cat owners, please be mindful of where your pets roam and consider solutions to keep them within your property when possible. Pet waste isn’t just unpleasant—it creates health hazards for everyone. Thank you for being considerate neighbors.
➤ ➤ Parking at Everett Park (Barlow Street School) – I’ve asked the city to add restricted parking times for the area along Upper Welden Street and the park behind the Barlow Street School to the nighttime parking ban. Recently, we’ve experienced problems with illicit activities and garbage dumping in this area after dark. Adding these locations to the existing ordinance will give our police officers another tool to address individuals who may be engaging in illegal behavior or littering in our ward.
📢 CITY NEWS 📢
LOWER WELDEN & MAIN LIGHTS
The city has installed new traffic lights at the end of Federal Street where it meets Lower Newton, coordinating with the Fonda plant development project. Drivers should note that turning right on the new red arrow on Main Street heading south is prohibited unless signage permits it, as per Vermont law.
> 23 V.S.A. § 1022, Traffic‑control signals – “No motorist shall turn right when facing a red **arrow** signal indication unless a regulatory sign is present that permits this movement.”
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PROPERTY REASSESSMENTS Q&A
Vermont law (32 V.S.A. § 3481) says towns have to keep property values up to date so everyone pays their fair share in taxes. If the state finds that our local property values are off by too much—specifically, if they’re more than 15% too high or too low compared to what homes are actually selling for—then we’re required to do a full reassessment. This helps make sure taxes stay fair for everyone. Have questions? We’ll have time set aside to talk about it at the next City Council meeting on Monday, August 4.
JOIN A BOARD #GetInvolved
The most effective City Councils depend on commissions and advisory groups to provide guidance that aligns with our community’s desires and needs. Information about these boards can be found on the city website here: stalbansvt.com/boards. Check out the current board openings at: stalbansvt.com/index.asp?SEC=B3C46B2E-6B0B-40D0-8F53-88D776D64DD0
⭐ UPCOMING EVENTS ⭐
Check out some of the upcoming events in our great city.
– NW FARMERS’ MARKET – Every Saturday until October 25, Taylor Park
– ST ALBANS BAY FARMERS MARKET – Every Thursday, 4:30-7:30 PM, St. Albans Bay Park
– NATIONAL NIGHT OUT – Tuesday, August 5, 5-8 PM, Taylor Park
– BASH AT THE BAY – Saturday, August 9, 12-4 PM, St. Albans Bay Park
– TAYLOR PARK GARDEN TOURS – August 19, 6-7 PM, Taylor Park
– SUMMER CONCERT SERIES – Wednesday Evenings until August 27, Taylor Park
Every month I attempt to highlight some of the upcoming events, activities, and community opportunities that are open to the public, are hosted by a non-profit organization or city department, and don’t hold any political or religious biases.
🏛 CITY BOARD HIGHLIGHT: Parks & Recreation Commission 🏛
The Parks & Rec Commission oversees Taylor Park, Houghton Park and the Barlow Community Center Park. They review all parks improvement projects and share comments to the City Council for approval.
Join a Board: https://stalbansvt.com/index.asp?SEC=B3C46B2E-6B0B-40D0-8F53-88D776D64DD0
✅ GET INVOLVED ✅
Have a question, concern, or suggestion for our ward? Reach out to me at erik@ward5vt.com. I’m here to listen!
Note: This newsletter is shared by me as a neighbor and engaged community member. It is not an official release from the City Council and does not represent the Council’s official positions or views.