Waterbury Select Board candidate survey
Feb. 18, 2022 | By Waterbury RoundaboutTown Meeting Day is Tuesday, March 1. All decisions will be made by ballot this year, the second in a row where the annual in-person meeting has been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Town officials will hold an informational meeting to discuss ballot items via Zoom on Tuesday, February 22, at 7 p.m. The agenda and details on how to view and participate are online on the town website. The meeting will also be recorded and posted to view afterward.
Voting may be done early at the town clerk’s office through Feb. 28. (Time is running short to request a ballot by mail.) The polling place on March 1 is Brookside Primary School, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Waterbury Roundabout caught up with the five candidates for Waterbury Select Board. We asked them to tell voters a little about themselves and share their thoughts on some of the top issues they are likely to encounter if elected. Here are their answers.
In the only contested race on the ballot, four of the candidates are running for the two one-year seats on the board: Matthew Abair, Alyssa Johnson, Flora Scott and Elisabeth “Lisa” Walton. The seats are currently held by board Chair Mark Frier and member Katie Martin, neither of whom chose to seek re-election.
* Michael Bard is the only incumbent on the ballot and he is unopposed for re-election to a three-year board seat.
Matthew Abair, Courtesy photo
*Michael Bard, Courtesy photo
Roger Clapp, Courtesy photo
Alyssa Johnson, Courtesy photo
Flora Scott, Courtesy photo
Lisa Walton, Courtesy photo
Name, age, occupation (your day job or jobs)
Michael Bard, 64, retired program director VT/NH USDA Rural Development
Flora Scott, 48, reporter/caregiver
Alyssa Johnson, 27, community projects associate at the Vermont Council on Rural Development
Elisabeth "Lisa" Walton, business professional
Matthew Abair, 42, market manager for Brightview Enterprise Solutions; quality assurance inspector in the Vermont Air National Guard
Roger Clapp, 68, Associate Director of Program & Fund Development at PH International in Waitsfield, VT
Have you run for elected office before?
Yes
No - This is my first time as a candidate
No - This is my first time as a candidate
No - This is my first time as a candidate
Yes
Yes
If 'yes' above, what elected offices have you held? And feel free to list other qualifications such as boards, organizations you have volunteered with, education, etc.
Select Board
Chair, Waterbury Planning Commission; Board Member, Waterbury Land Initiative; Former Economic Development Director, Revitalizing Waterbury; Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences, University of Vermont
Ran for Select Board in 2004
Currently, president of Waterbury Winterfest, previously Executive Director of the Vermont Chapter of March of Dimes to improve the health of babies in Vermont, Deputy Commissioner of Agricultural Development in Vermont, and co-founder of the Vermont Fresh Network
Why are you running for a seat on the Waterbury Select Board?
To represent the entire community and hear the opinions of all versus a select few. To manage the funds of the municipality to try to maintain affordability for all residents while managing the infrastructure and expenses. To promote sound growth so that our community thrives. To maintain Waterbury as a great place to live.
I'd like to become a participating member to Waterbury area which I've chosen to call home and offer my services to the community I've come to love.
I am running for Select Board because I love Waterbury, I believe in the power and importance of local government, and I think it is important for the Select Board to include and encourage participation from across our community.
I have been deeply engaged in the Waterbury community for the past several years. From June 2017 to December 2020, I worked as the Economic Development Director for Revitalizing Waterbury, a position funded by the Town. This role allowed me the opportunity to connect with, learn from, and advocate for a range of Waterbury business owners, employees, and residents. I collaborated with volunteer boards and town staff, and I gained an appreciation of the areas where local government has a direct impact on community members. In 2021, I was appointed as a member of the Planning Commission, and later elected chair of the group. As chair, I have collaborated with Planning Commission members from a variety of backgrounds to build consensus about proposed zoning for our community.
I also volunteer as a board member of the Waterbury Land Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to land conservation in Waterbury. I worked as a bartender for two years at Pro Pig brewery, and I have attended dozens of Waterbury board and committee meetings. I love Waterbury, love local government, and am committed to the community’s long term success.
Through my current role at the Vermont Council on Rural Development, I help towns across the state to advance their local community projects. I am excited by the opportunity for greater engagement and leadership in my own community, and to be able to share ideas from my experiences in other towns. In 2022, the Select Board will make important and lasting decisions about local priorities, policies, and leadership. In approaching these decisions, it is critical that the Select Board lead, encourage input, and set direction. As a Select Board member, I will continue my work to make Waterbury a vibrant and welcoming place for all to live, work, and play.
Having grown up in Waterbury, I have a deep appreciation of and respect for our town, its history, and our community. As Waterbury moves forward, I want to do my part to help ensure that we work to preserve those characteristics that for so long have made it a great place to live, to work, and to raise a family—while at the same time encouraging positive growth in our neighborhoods and business sectors. Waterbury deserves to have someone fill this seat who is trustworthy, pragmatic, realistic, and unafraid to ask the tough questions. I believe that person to be me.
I want my children to see their parents being active in their community to set an example for them to follow.
With long-time town manager Bill Shepeluk retiring, it's important that the select board have some calm, experienced leadership to guide us through this transition and emerge ready to take on new challenges. I believe in Waterbury as a dynamic community that steps up to new challenges, welcomes diverse voices and remains an affordable and vibrant place to live compared to many of its neighboring towns. As a 22-year village resident, I've developed a strong rapport with business owners and their resident neighbors. As a parent and long-time coach of two kids, I understand the needs of youth, education and recreation. I wasn't born in Waterbury, but I have adopted it as my home. I can listen and I can lead, with civility, compassion and sound judgment. I look forward to the opportunity to serve.
Waterbury is expecting to receive a total of $1.54 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The 2022 proposed budget calls for allocating $600,000 to the Edward Farrar Utility District (EFUD) for improvements to a water system at the Kneeland Flats Mobile Home Park. Article 7 would appropriate $100,000 to the Ice Center to help finance capital improvements there. Do you support these uses of ARPA funds? Why or why not?
Yes I do as well as the others of the Select Board and Town Manager. The Ice Center is an asset to the community. They have never received Town/Village direct funding. They are at a crisis point with needed repairs. They have limited borrowing options and we felt a one time infusion of funds would help stabilize the operation.
As to the water system, there has been an operational problem for years. ARPA funds could be used to upgrade the water system and stabilize the future of the trailer park.
I believe once in a lifetime, one-time monies granted to our town for specific needs should be spent on one-time infrastructure needs.
These projects are worthy choices for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding; they are strategic investments that will benefit many members of our community. In the early guidance about allowable uses for ARPA funding, water and sewer system improvements were highlighted as an explicitly allowable use – so these make sense to do.
Newer guidance means that we will also have the opportunity to be more creative with the remaining ARPA funds, and I am enthusiastic about looking at ways we can use that funding to address longstanding challenges for the community, such as housing availability and affordability.
I believe both of these uses will benefit Waterbury as a whole. On a side note, I think it’s important for the taxpayers to be clear on what role the town intends to play going forward, in its support of the ice rink, from a financial standpoint. It is a valued asset in our community and we need to ensure we are supporting them in the most effective and efficient way possible.
I support the ice center and and their needs. Hockey is like football is to the south here and it provides and great outlet of energy for our kids. The past year has made it hard for this non profit to survive that gives so much back to this community’s future generations.
Yes, I support both. Supplying potable water to its residents is an essential service of the town, especially in high density areas. Waste water treatment is another costly, but essential service that supports both business development and the health of citizens. The development of the Ice Center was a tremendous volunteer effort. Now the town needs to step up to finance these capital improvements for this facility that provides an opportunity for winter sports and recreation for everyone from youngsters learning how to skate to old-timers who still love the opportunity to play hockey. Most importantly, Waterbury residents will continue to have the honor of hosting our Harwood Highlander girls and boys hockey teams in exciting inter-scholastic competition.
What do you think would be good uses for the town to direct the remaining $746,000 of the federal ARPA funds?
I wish it could be used for road improvement as our roadways need work. Unfortunately this is not an eligible purpose under ARPA. We should look at projects that need a one time capital infusion and will not place demands on operating expenses. I am open to hearing community suggestions.
I would like to hear more about the towns needs and how this surplus might could be applied.
The ARPA funding is an incredible opportunity for the community to advance important local projects and priorities. I would be excited to support a more comprehensive community engagement process about how to best use the funding, and to take advantage of the additional flexibility regarding fund usage. There is also the opportunity to learn from other communities across the state tackling this same challenge. Barre City, for example, recently committed 40% of their ARPA funding to a suite of programs to support housing. Waterbury has somewhat different but similarly urgent needs to support housing, and I hope that the community is able to consider strategic investments to support increased housing for all in the community. While it is important to move forward with a plan for the funding in a timely manner, the funds do not need to be committed until 2024, so there is time to incorporate a more holistic and thorough planning process. It will also be important to consider factors such as the proposed changes to assets owned by the Edward Farrar Utility District (EFUD), and how they may impact potential plans. There could be other strategic opportunities to leverage the funding to obtain additional funds, such as using ARPA funding as the matching portion for a larger grant. Some communities have also set aside a portion of their ARPA funding for smaller scale, locally driven, and innovative proposals. I would support devoting a portion of the funds to these types of uses if there was community support. Ultimately, the best uses of the ARPA funding will be ones that align with community input and vision, and are forward thinking, intentional, and strategic.
I think we need to ask the voters where they’d like to see such a significant amount of money go. The Select Board could come up with a short list of needs along with their estimated costs, and ask voters to rank those needs from least important to most important—while also including a place to write in other suggestions.
I think Waterbury needs to focus on bringing businesses and industry back to the community. There is very little for work in this town compared to what there used to be. People now need to commute a half hour to hour to work and shop
This is a good problem to have and the beauty is we don't have to decide right away. It's a fair chunk of change, so let's be prudent. Like Mr.Shepeluk, I would tend to favor capital investments.
The municipal manager has suggested taking steps to merge EFUD into town government to essentially create a water and sewer department. EFUD’s assets remaining from the previous village municipality such as public loan funds and real estate including Rusty Parker and River Road parks would then be managed by the town government and, ultimately, all town voters. Do you support merging EFUD with the town government?
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Yes
Maybe
Yes
In October 2021, the Waterbury Select Board opted to create a banner that highlighted messaging from the Declaration of Inclusion it adopted in January 2021. The board voted unanimously to hang the banner with the message “Waterbury, Vermont, condemns racism and welcomes all” by the municipal building until Town Meeting Day. Would you support continuing to fly the banner? Why or why not?
Yes I would. I introduced the Declaration of Inclusion and stand by its message. I think the banner proclaims that we are open to all and is representative of the community.
I'll always work to reflect the wishes of the community.
I strongly support the continued and prominent display of the banner. Being a welcoming community means taking steps to actively counter deeply embedded institutional and structural racism. While the banner alone is far from sufficient, it is an important public statement and message. I would also like to thank and acknowledge community leaders from the Waterbury Area Anti-Racism Coalition who were the vital advocates that encouraged the Select Board to pursue an inclusion statement and banner.
Being that policy exceptions were made on multiple occasions both to fly the banner (since it isn’t announcing an event) and to keep it up beyond the two week allowance, I think it only fair that it be taken down after Town Meeting Day.
If we are going to say one group can post a banner and one can’t we are not being truly inclusive. Setting one group of people above another.
Yes, according to a book recently published by the Waterbury Historical Society, Waterbury sent 250 volunteers to fight for the end of slavery between 1861 and 1865. In their honor, and for all those who have fought racism since, even to this day, I believe Waterbury would be well served to proclaim its commitment to inclusion.
Should town government take steps to make Waterbury more diverse and inclusive to welcome more Black, indigenous and people of color as residents and local business owners?
I think the Declaration of Inclusion does that. We in Waterbury want to be welcoming to all. I would welcome members of the BIPOC community to run for office and volunteer for committees. or be on the Board of Revitalizing Waterbury. To encourage BIPOC to be part of our community if they see people who look like them is an important outreach tool.
Of course we all want Waterbury to be culturaly inclusive. I'd like to learn more about any issues that make people feel like it's not inclusive and once identified, work towards addressing them.
Yes. The present and future well-being of the community requires it to be a welcoming place for all. A crucial first step is to ensure that Black, indigenous and people of color community members who are currently part of our community feel safe, welcome, and able to share their ideas and experiences to inform community conversations. Making Waterbury a more inclusive community means listening to and deferring to folks with lived experience. Waterbury is fortunate to have current BIPOC business owners and leaders. The town works to support the business community through a variety of measures, including investments in economic development services. I support continuing these investments, and ensuring that they serve all community members. The support and retention of BIPOC community members, and creation of a supportive and welcoming environment for all, is a moral imperative, and crucial to the long term growth and sustainability of our community.
The Select Board, as well as our community, should continue doing what it can to encourage and welcome anyone and everyone who chooses to make Waterbury their home, for themselves and/or for their businesses.
If we are going welcome one type we need to welcome all, you can welcome people of color just don’t abandon the people who built this town in the process.
Yes, diversity makes us stronger and that is proven daily by the diverse people we have living amongst us already. The true enemy here is fear and ignorance. As someone who worked 8 years in Africa and continues to work internationally today, I can guarantee you that people of all shades and stripes will enrich and revitalize this community.
In 2021, Waterbury voters voted 60% to 40% in favor of allowing cannabis retail businesses to operate in town. The state is working to complete the regulations for this new industry which is expected to commence later this year. Do you support this new business sector for Waterbury? Why or why not?
Yes I do mainly for the tax revenues it will bring to town. As long as the Development Review Board considers not sighting a store near a school or other sensitive area, I am for it. Otherwise adjacent communities will have this category of store and reap the tax revenue.
Waterbury voters have spoken and I support their vote.
Waterbury is fortunate to have a robust array of businesses, including restaurants, manufacturing, retail, and service enterprises. As a Select Board member, I would work to create an environment that supports and allows all business to thrive, including cannabis retailers. Local regulation, such as zoning or other mechanisms created by the state, will allow for community members to provide input on how these businesses operate in the community. As with all local regulations, it will be important that the regulations balance addressing potential community concerns with being transparent, user friendly, and not overly onerous for business owners and operators. This type of balance is something the Planning Commission is also working to address as part of the ongoing rewrite of Waterbury’s Unified Development (zoning) Bylaws.
Although I have concerns about the long term ramifications of legalizing the recreational use of cannabis-- particularly where it relates to minors— I would support those businesses just as I would all others. Listening to and respecting the wishes of the voters is the duty of our elected leaders.
This type of business is a slippery slope but if done right and safely it could work, but we need to use caution to keep our community safe at the same time.
Yes, if we allow beer to be sold in a place called the Prohibition Pig, then Waterbury should be able to manage a retail outlet that legally sells cannibis products. The end of the world may be coming, but this will not be the cause.
Affordable housing is in high demand across Vermont and poses a challenge for people to settle and remain in the state. What could Waterbury do to help support more affordable housing opportunities in the community?
I worked in Vermont affordable housing for 31 years. I believe the best way to promote affordable housing in zoning that does not restrict these developments. We are working on a zoning rewrite by the Planning Commission that must promote these initiatives. Waterbury has limited open/town-owned land to foster affordable housing development.
By putting the proper infrastructure in place to encourage and support affordable housing.
Housing affordability and availability at all price points is a critical issue for Waterbury, and one of the areas I have been most excited to address in my work in the community.
Addressing housing challenges is a complex, long term, and multifaceted problem, and a place where the Select Board can provide important leadership. The Select Board and Planning Commission have previously expressed support for a Housing Task Force, but one has yet to be formed. I support creating a local group to begin the work of understanding options to address housing on the local level, and to be a landing place to help coordinate and lead some of this work. A key component of this work can be learning from other communities across the state to understand how they are addressing housing, and if those solutions can work for Waterbury. The ability to strategically leverage ARPA funding, as well as some of Waterbury’s other assets, could be a piece of the puzzle. Partnerships with local affordable housing providers are another important consideration, and a place where strong local leadership from the Select Board and a local Housing group is highly important.
Waterbury is incredibly fortunate to have the asset of existing water and sewer infrastructure, which can allow for the development of denser housing in areas served by these systems. The Unified Development Bylaws (zoning regulations) that are currently being drafted by the Planning Commission, as well as the Interim Bylaws adopted by the Select Board last year, both allow for increased housing density, particularly in the downtown. I support continued and efficient work to advance these updates to the regulations in a timely manner to enable strategic growth in the downtown area. I also support administrative updates to Waterbury’s current Bylaws to make them as user friendly as possible for those working to develop housing in the community.
As a renter in Waterbury, I am constantly aware that my ability to remain a resident of a community that I love is a result of the luck, privilege, and anomaly of having found an apartment that I could afford, with a roommate, in 2018. It is disheartening that the current housing market offers incredibly limited opportunities for a community member like me to become a homeowner, but I am encouraged by the growing awareness of the importance of increasing housing opportunities for all in order to create a thriving community. I am excited to engage in this work.
Consider reducing or waiving property taxes to the developers of affordable housing for 3-5 years, and expedite the permitting process.
Part of the problem with housing is the restriction placed on building making it difficult to add more housing. These need to be visited first before we can really add more housing and make it affordable.
I think we could reach out to the Champlain Housing Trust and explore financing options that will give home-owners the equity they need to retire and first-time home buyers the opportunity to own their own home. There are some solutions to this affordability crisis, we just need to be innovative and help residents become better informed and live comfortably.
Article 8 on the Town Meeting Day ballot would allocate $50,000 for recreation master planning focusing on Hope Davey Park and River Road Park near the Ice Center. The aim would be to envision improvements and expansion of the town’s recreation infrastructure. Do you think investing in recreation amenities is important for Waterbury’s future?
Yes. We are seeing many use conflicts at Hope Davey Field. A skatepark is a town asset that needs a new home. The funding would be a combined planning effort to assess the resources we have and plan for future. We need to deal with the conflicts as these have been ongoing concerns at Select Board meetings.
Investing in recreation amenities is important for Waterbury’s youth and young families. I would want to look into what the incurred tax burden would be on citizens before making any decisions.
Recreational resources and amenities are already an incredible part of Waterbury, which is acknowledged in formal town planning documents, as well as more informal measures of community sentiment and reputation. My first quote in the former Waterbury Record as Economic Development Director was about the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, which is a state program explicitly focused on the connection between recreational resources and economic growth. I’ve had many conversations with both residents and visitors who were drawn to the community because of these resources. Planning is one of the best investments a community can make. A clear, comprehensive vision is important part of community projects, especially those that may require grants or other funding resources. Planning is also an important way to measure community support, and build investment in a unified vision. The properties in question have been discussed at a number of local meetings, and having a plan that was created through a comprehensive planning process would be informative for all of the groups that are engaging with project. Having a clear plan for future use would be very helpful in considering proposed uses and determining appropriate next steps. It will be imperative to ensure the planning is done in conjunction with the town’s existing Recreation Department, Recreation Committee, and other stakeholders, as well as community members.
Yes. As someone who very much enjoys being active—I believe maintaining and expanding on recreational activities should always be valued in the community.
Our parks do need some attention.
Well, there is that sign near the roundabout proclaiming this to be the recreation crossroads of Vermont, but the real value of this initiative is that it will attract further investment from private and public sources to develop new, healthy opportunities for our residents, our kids and the next generation. The other reality is that there are competing interests whether it's abutting land-owners, neighboring sport enthusiasts or various recreational clubs. This funding will allow us to get past the bickering and develop a set of plans that the town can proudly promote. I think many of us recognize that this is a special place and with a commensurate investment in planning, we can welcome new investment, new opportunities and enrich our lives in the process.
Finally, fill in the blanks for the next two statements.
The best thing about Waterbury is _____________.
The variety of assets we have for such a small community including the spirit of our residents.
that it is rich in culture while being able to maintain a close knit, small town feel.
The dedicated and welcoming community members, awesome array of local businesses, and incredible natural resources.
I get to call it home...
The willingness of the community to help
The ice cream - World's Finest. I think the coffee gave it a good run, and the beer is really second to none. Socks are darn tough and this new technology is nothing to sneeze at. Our seniors are valiant. Every time one passes away another steps forward to do something amazing. Those of us who are still working for a living are resilient but don't mind the occasional dip in the reservoir. Finally, it's the kids who remind us of the joys of living and why we bother with all the rest.
And, Waterbury would be a better place if ______________.
Increased respect for others and not being an us-versus-them community
We continue supporting its revitalization.
All community members felt safe, welcome, and able to share their ideas and experiences to inform community conversations.
We could find a way to lower the property taxes, of course!
We had more things for family to stay closer
We could get past this Covid thing and reopen the Green Mtn Visitors Center at the train station.Those up in the center may feel the same way about their general store. . . I see people at KC's Bagels, the Village Market and some of the downtown watering holes, but I used to love the mix of locals and out-of-towners who'd join me in chasing down a rich cup of coffee and a bit of chat at the train station. Brightens up the day.
Please add anything else you'd like people to know about yourself and your ideas. Thank you for taking the survey!
Fiscal responsibility, listening to all parties concerns and sound decision making is what I can offer Waterbury.. Lets smile more once we are able to rid ourselves of masks and be kind to our neighbors.
The EFUD merger is a very complex issue with a long history that I'd like to become more knowledgeable about before taking a position
Waterbury has a wealth of volunteer organizations, including municipal committees and other nonprofits organizations that provide important services to the community. I am excited to explore how the Select Board can provide leadership to help the community understand and engage with the work of these committees and organizations more effectively.
I invite community members to contribute their ideas about Waterbury, or ask questions; there is a form to submit ideas on my website, https://bit.ly/AlyssaForWaterbury, and you can email me at AlyssaForWaterbury@Gmail.com. Most importantly, thank you to you, and all the community members that take the time to inform themselves and participate in local elections, as well as to the community staff and volunteers who make our local elections possible. I hope that you visit the town website for more information about voting – and I hope that you vote for me, Alyssa Johnson, to serve on the Waterbury Select Board.
If you haven’t read my brief introductory letter in the Waterbury Roundabout—I’d ask that you please do so. It’s a small glimpse into who I am and what I stand for. Thank you for your consideration!
If you made it this far, I think you've got it. All of us have some pretty good ideas. If we can find consensus and gather the resolve, we can make good things happen. Democracy is becoming a rare gift. I believe Waterbury can continue to demonstrate its power and I'd like to be part of that.
