Meeting covers how Waterbury is preparing for eclipse visitors
March 22, 2024 | By Sandy Yusen | Correspondent 
Illustration by Maya Whitehair
With the total solar eclipse less than three weeks away, Waterbury town government and business leaders met this week to go over preparations that are underway with a goal of having things “operate as close to usual as possible” on April 8.
That was how town Recreation Director Katarina Liasius put it, addressing the group that included the town manager and public works director, several business owners, and representatives of the community and economic development organization Revitalizing Waterbury. About 20 other community members attended in person and via Zoom for a chance to hear about eclipse preparations and to ask questions.
“We know we will have a lot of visitors and we want them to have a good time while they’re here,” Lisaius said.
As the town staff member leading the coordination ahead of this extraordinary event, Lisaius shared that the state of Vermont anticipates 100,000 visitors for the eclipse. She estimated Waterbury might expect 10,000 visitors—comparable to a busy leaf-peeper weekend in the fall.
Revitalizing Waterbury Executive Director Karen Nevin admitted that this is a number “we picked out of a hat.” Estimates that state and local officials are using are based on experiences in other parts of the country during similar events, in particular the total solar eclipse in August 2017 that was not visible in Vermont.
Nevin relayed that local lodging establishments are booked, but that crowd size will depend heavily on weather, or “cloudage”—a term coined by Stowe Street Emporium’s Larry Murphy. Lisaius agreed. “Our fingers are crossed on being able to see the eclipse on that day. Not everything is in our favor in early April in Vermont,” she said.
Updates from the meeting included the following:
The town website has a special eclipse page with local details such as safety preparations, parking and viewing areas, events, and other updates. A map will be added prior to April 8 displaying local viewing locations, public portable toilets, and open businesses. The town offices also will have a world map for visitors to come by and mark where they are from.
Town leaders emphasized the importance of eye protection during the eclipse, citing reports of eye damage sustained by viewers during past eclipse events. The town has more than 5,000 sets of eclipse glasses, available for free at the town offices, the Waterbury Public Library, and Brookside Primary School. Local businesses can request glasses to give out as long as they do not charge.
Portable toilets and trash and recycling receptacles will be placed in local parks and various locations around town. Weather permitting, the Waterbury Public Works team will be sweeping sidewalks prior to April 8. The town crews also plan to turn off most street lights downtown during eclipse totality for better viewing.
Waterbury Fire Department and Waterbury Ambulance Service are reviewing emergency preparations that involve the town’s two fire stations. First responders also will be working to coordinate with other Central Vermont emergency services.
Only one road closure is planned in Waterbury ahead of April 8. The Select Board on Monday approved closing River Road to the Ice Center overnight on Friday and Saturday. Ice Center board member Jonathan Siegel requested the closure given that hockey activities are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday and the parking lot at the Ice Center will be needed to accommodate participants. Concerned that eclipse visitors to town may attempt to use the spot for overnight camping with large vehicles, the Ice Center requested that the board approve closing off River Road overnight Friday and Saturday nights. Overnight camping is not allowed on town property and the board approved taking the extra step to discourage conflicts over parking lot use on the weekend. After Sunday’s hockey activities are over, Siegel said, the road would remain open to the Ice Center and the area would be available on Monday for eclipse viewing.
No road closures are planned due to the eclipse. However, as mud season in early April can impact roads, road closures due to road conditions will be posted on the eclipse website as well as the town’s website and social media.
Parking will be available in public lots and paved areas of local parks. Lisaius said state officials have said public parking will be available in the State Office Complex as the state is recommending employees work from home on April 8.
Waterbury residents may request laminated “no parking signs” from the town to preserve personal parking spots at their residences if needed. Contact the town offices or Lisaius if interested.
The parking lot at 51 South Main Street will be reserved for employees of downtown businesses. Owners of restaurants and other open businesses should work with Revitalizing Waterbury to request space in this lot.
The town will place signage on select public roads, such as Railroad Street, where parking is not permitted, to ensure traffic can pass through safely.
Hope Davey Park Disc Golf Course and Nature Trails are closed for mud season and will remain closed on April 8. Temporary signs will be placed in all parks prohibiting overnight parking and camping. The Little River and Waterbury Center state parks will be open for viewing with limited parking. Facilities in both parks will not be open for the season yet, although portable toilets will be available.
The Green Mountain Club recommends avoiding backcountry trails due to variable weather, limited cell service, and expected demands on rescue and first responder resources. The club has a list of eclipse-viewing tips on its website: greenmountainclub.org.
Businesses are encouraged to stay open, particularly on Sunday, which is expected to be a busy day in town for visitors. Businesses and organizations hosting events should notify Katerina Lisaius at klisaius@waterburyvt.com for posting on the town’s website and the Discover Waterbury website. Currently, local events include an event on safe eclipse viewing with the Vermont Astronomical Society at the Waterbury Public Library on March 25; an eclipse-themed storytime on April 6 a the Library; a pinhole camera workshop hosted by Waterbury Recreation on April 6, an art show and sale at MakerSphere on April 7, and more.
Lisaius is available to accommodate requests from school groups, the news media, photographers, and others looking to visit Waterbury and find unique ways to experience the eclipse.
In addition to these details, it was confirmed at Monday’s Select Board meeting that there will be one of Waterbury’s assigned Vermont State Police troopers on duty in town on April 8.
Town Clerk Karen Petrovic also has a notice posted on the town website that the Town Clerk’s office on April 8 will not be open for dog licensing, notary services, vital records and land records research. The clerk will be available for calls and emails to assist with public inquiries.
Harwood schools to close April 8
In a separate development on Thursday, local school students and their families got word that public schools in the Harwood Unified Union School District will now be closed on Monday, April 8, due to the expected traffic and strain on emergency services during the eclipse. The district previously had planned on an early dismissal that day.
Superintendent Mike Leichliter said state and local emergency management officials have recommended that schools in the areas of the total eclipse be closed for the day. “Vermont is predicting anywhere from 30,000-200,000 additional people will be entering our state on this day,” Leichliter wrote in a message to staff and families.
In addition to schools in Chittenden, Franklin and other counties to the north, Central Vermont districts including Harwood, Barre, Washington Central, and Montpelier-Roxbury will be closed on April 8, he said.
No further community meetings are scheduled in Waterbury ahead of April 8, but town officials will continue to post updates on the town’s eclipse website, on the town’s Facebook page, and on Front Porch Forum. New information will also be posted here at Waterbury Roundabout.
Revitalizing Waterbury will provide more specific information for businesses prior to April 8 through its Facebook page. The state of Vermont also has a special eclipse website with extensive information about visiting around Vermont for this event.