Service Changes

Municipal buildings are closed to the public - essential services are maintained w/ minimal staffing. Staff who are able are working remotely. All other non-essential staff are not reporting to work. 

Police, Fire, and Public Works services remain fully operational but at minimal staffing levels. 

City Clerk’s Office - available by appointment only. Please call 802 655 6410 to schedule an appointment for time-sensitive, non-electronic needs. All requests will be responded to within one business day. Time with property records will be limited to two people at a time. All requests that can be done on-line or electronically will be accommodated in that fashion.  We encourage residents to make use of our on-line systems. If you need to make a tax or utility payment, pay a fee or fine, or register for a program, please use our online services. Members of the public must wear a mask or face covering when entering the building while adhering to the 6 Ft. physical distancing guidance.

Policy Commissions – Policy commissions will meet remotely on an as-needed basis and will be publicly warned in advance of each individual meeting.

City Council Meetings – meetings will be held on schedule, remotely – via Zoom. Public participation information will be provided when these meetings are warned.

Code Enforcement Residential and Commercial Inspections – We are suspending all non-essential inspections for the foreseeable future. Housing complaints will continue to be processed.

Utility Disconnections – All disconnections due to utility non-payments are canceled for the quarter. 

Winooski Memorial Library – At this time the Library is closed to the public. We are providing curbside or home delivery services. To request items, please call 802 655 6424 or email the Library: winooskilibrary@winooskivt.gov

Zoning Permit Application Submission – To the extent possible, applications for zoning permits including any supporting documents should be sent via email to evorwald@winooskivt.gov. The required application fee will be calculated after the application is received to ensure accurate payment information is identified. The applicant will be notified of the fee and payment options once the application is reviewed. If applications cannot be sent via email, they can be dropped off using the drop box at City Hall. Please put the application in an envelope with the words “Zoning Permit Application” on the outside. Properties will continue to be posted for the required 15-day appeal period by the City and zoning permits will be sent to the applicant once it is issued. Questions about applications or submission requirements can be directed to Eric Vorwald, at evorwald@winooskivt.gov.

Building Permit Application Submission – To the extent possible, applications for building permits, including any supporting documents should be sent via email to lkeating@winooskivt.gov. If applications cannot be sent via email, they can be dropped off using the drop box at City Hall. Please put the application in an envelope with the words “Building Permit Application” on the outside. The application will be reviewed to ensure complete information is provided. The applicant will be contacted if additional information is needed or to indicate the status of the permit. Once a building permit is approved, the applicant will be contacted to indicate start of construction. The permit card will be sent to the property owner for posting at the property. Questions related to the application or submission requirements can be directed to Captain Liam Keating at lkeating@winooskivt.gov.

Downtown Winooski / Parking and Business Operations – In an effort to support takeout/pickup and short visits to downtown businesses, the City of Winooski has suspended parking enforcement and ticketing at all downtown on-street parking spots. These courtesy spaces are available effective immediately and for the foreseeable future. The parking garage will operate and be enforced as normal. Local businesses are encouraged to share your closures/takeout/virtual class information with Downtown Winooski. downtownwinooski.org/support-winooski-businesses-during-covid-19

Winooski Food Shelf – The Winooski Food Shelf is adhering to the set of standards as outlined by the Vermont Food Bank. Clients must remain outside when receiving items as coordinated by volunteers. Drop off locations for donations are at the Winooski Food Shelf (24 West Allen St.) by phone appointment only: 802 655 9629 and at JJ’s Corner Market (76B W Allen St, Winooski, VT 05404).

Volunteering - Many community members have inquired about volunteering during this difficult time and are interested in helping their neighbors. For the time being, the City of Winooski has postponed all current volunteer opportunities and activities to focus our attention on COVID-19 related requests. If you’re interested in providing a volunteer service related to COVID-19, visit winooskivt.gov/covid-19 or winooskivt.gov/volunteer

Public Parks -  Following the Governor’s announcement on 5.6.20 regarding increased access to outdoor recreational activities, the City of Winooski will be taking the following steps to re-open our parks for safe, responsible use by Vermont residents.  As always, if you are feeling sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, please stay home to help keep your neighbors healthy!  Also, it is important to remember that physical distancing (maintaining 6 feet of space from people outside your immediate household) and maintaining small group sizes (gatherings of no larger than 10) are still recommended. If we find that maintaining these guidelines is difficult in certain areas, we may adjust access to maintain public safety. We also encourage park users to follow the "Arrive. Play. Leave." approach when using our parks, and ask users not to congregate or gather before or after activities, especially in our parking areas. Effective Friday, May 8, 2020, the following adjustments to park access in Winooski will be going into effect:

Landry Park

• The tennis court will be open for use.  
• The Skate Park will be re-opened with group sizes of no more than 10, and physical distancing practices in effect.  
• The softball field is "open" for informal use by groups of 10 or fewer, however no leagues or organized events will be occurring at this time.
• Per the Governor’s order, playground equipment will remain closed at this time.
• We will not be installing portalets at Landry Park at this time due to challenges with sanitation, so please plan accordingly.

Basketball Courts - Per the Governor’s restriction on "contact sports", we will not be re-opening our basketball courts at this time.   

Playgrounds - Per the Governor’s order, playground equipment will remain closed at this time.

West Allen Street Dog Park - Our Dog Park will be re-opened, with a limit of 10 creatures gathered at any time.  All human creatures are asked to wear masks and observe physical distancing as possible.

Community Gardens

• Our Community Garden program is open for the season, and gardeners are asked to limit group sizes to 10 or less, observe physical distancing when gardening, and wear a mask when in the garden with others.
• We will not provide access to shared tools this year, so gardeners are asked to bring their own tools as needed.  

The City’s many parks and trails remain open, however, the need for courtesy and respect among users is even more important during this pandemic than it is in normal times. Please refrain from gathering or congregating at parking areas or trailheads, and please give each other plenty of space (including on our trails), whether masks and other protective measures are utilized or not.  Lastly, per City ordinance, please keep dogs on leashes at all times when they are in public places.

On Monday, May 18, 2020, Winooski City Council approved a resolution that extended and amended the ordinance (Chapter 30 - Emergency Ordinances) originally adopted April 20 to ease the financial burden for residents and businesses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Taxpayers and utility payers who cannot pay their property tax and utility payments due to COVID-19 may find relief in the adopted provisions.

Water and Sewer Payments

Payments were originally due May 15, 2020. This has been extended to June 15, 2020.

All penalty and interest payments on late water and sewer charges from FY20 Quarter 4 will not start accruing until July 16, 2020, 30 days from the extended due date.

Property Tax Payments

For late Quarter 4 property tax payments penalty and interest will not start accruing until June 16, 2020, 30 days from the payment deadline of May 15.

Please note that the ability to waive interest was approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on May 14^th.

Tax Sales

All tax sale processes for non-property tax payment will be suspended immediately and through June 30, 2021.

The Emergency Ordinance timeline is as follows:

You do not need to demonstrate proof of financial hardship to utilize any of these new due dates. It is assumed that all late payments for Quarter 4 are a result of COVID-19. With that in mind, we are asking that if you can, please pay on schedule. This enables the City and School to continue to provide essential services such as public works, public safety, and education services. If you previously have signed up for direct debit and need to make a change, please contact City Hall at 802 655 6410 between 7:30 and 4:30 Monday to Friday or email our Finance Director, Angela Aldieri: aaldieri@winooskivt.gov.

Remember, all payments can be made online at winooskivt.gov/pay

For more information on this Emergency Ordinance,

• Click here to view the resolution
• Click here to view the enacted ordinance
• Call the City Clerk’s Office with questions about your utility bill or property taxes: 802 655 6410
• Email the Finance Director, Angela Aldieri, with questions about this Emergency Ordinance: aaldieri@winooskivt.gov
• And always feel free to reach out to the City Manager or Mayor:
  • Jessie Baker, City Manager, jbaker@winooskivt.gov
  • Kristine Lott, Mayor, mayor@winooskivt.gov

Health and Safety

• Center for Disease Control
• VT Department of Health
• UVM Health Network
• Vermont211.org or Dial 211
• Coping with COVID-19
• Substance Abuse Help
• Local Mental Health Support 
  • 802 488 7778 - select Winooski extension

Translation/New American Resources 

• Multilingual Coronavirus Task Force Videos
• AALV
• CVOEO: How to Get Financial Help
• Green Mountain Bhutanese Organization
• Multilingual Coronavirus Task Force Videos
• New Americans in Vermont
• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants - Vermont Office
• UVM Medical Center

Governor’s Office

• COVID-19 Response
• Press Releases
• Press Conferences

School District

• COVID-19 Updates
• Meal Distribution

Food

• 3SquaresVT
• Hunger Free Vermont
• Meals on Wheels
• Winooski School District Meals
• Winooski Food Shelf
• WIC
• Vermont Food Bank

Family

• Childcare for Essential Persons
• Family First COVID-19 Act
• Community Services Remote Resources
  • Thrive
  • Library
  • Rec. & Parks
• VTDH: Schools and Child Care Resources

Seniors

• Age Well
• AARP
• CDC Guidance
• Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
• Meals on Wheels
  
• Winooski Senior Center Remote Resources

Businesses

• Agency of Commerce and Community Development
• Federal Assistance
• Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
• VTDH: Businesses and Employees
• Small Business Guidance & Loans
• Support Winooski Businesses
• Winooski Business Portal
• Winooski Small Business Loan Fund COVID-19 Relief Loans

Employment

• Department of Vermont Health Access Benefits
• Federal Stimulus and Tax Information
• Social Security Recipients
• Vermont Department of Labor
• VTDH: Businesses and Employees
• Vermont Health Connect
  
• Vermont Legal Aid Information and Resources 

Volunteer

• City of Winooski Volunteer Portal
• Governor Scott’s State of Vermont Call to Service

Vermont Multilingual Task Force Videos

• Keeping Our Communities Safe
  Arabic | ASL | French | Kirundi | Mai-Mai | Nepali | Somali | Swahili | Vietnamese
• Info on COVID-19
  Arabic | Bosnian | Dinka | French | Kirundi | Lingala | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
• Info from the City of Winooski
  Arabic | ASL | Burmese | French | Kirundi | Maay Maay | Nepali | Swahili | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
• COVID-19: What it is, Hygiene, Social Distancing, and Symptoms
  Arabic | ASL | Burmese | Dinka | French | Kirundi | Kikongo | Maay Maay | Nepali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
• Masks: Why we Wear Them, How to Make/Take Care of Them
  Arabic | ASL | Bosnian | Burmese | French | Kirundi | Maay Maay | Nepali | Spanish | Somali | Swahili | Vietnamese
• Crucial Information from UVMMC’s Dr. Green about how to take care of someone with COVID-19
  Arabic | Burmese | French | Kirunidi | Maay Maay | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese 
• Governor’s Orders May 3 - 8
  Arabic | Burmese | French | Kirundi | Somali | Swahili | Maay Maay | Nepali | Spanish | Vietnamese
• Governor’s Orders May 11- 15
  Arabic | Burmese | Kirundi | French | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Maay Maay | Nepali | Vietnamese
• The COVID-19 Pandemic Isn’t Over: Dr. Andrea Green of UVM Medical Center
  Arabic | French | Kirundi | Maay Maay | Nepali | Somali | Swahili | Spanish | Vietnamese
• Getting Tested for COVID-19
  Arabic | French | Kirundi | Maay Maay | Nepali | Somali | Swahili | Spanish | Vietnamese

Vermont Department of Health Documents

• COVID-19: What to do if you are a health care worker
  Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese 
• How to Self-isolate for COVID-19
  Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
• Tips to Help Keep COVID-19 from Spreading
  Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
• Using Cloth Face Coverings to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
  Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
• What to do if you are a close contact of someone who is diagnosed with COVID-19
  Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese 
  What to do if you are diagnosed with COVID-19
  Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
• What You Need to Know About COVID-19
  Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
• Using Cloth Face Coverings to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
  Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
• I’ll protect you, you protect me
  Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese

Vermont Legal Aid Resources

• COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments
  Arabic | Burmese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili
• Unemployment Benefits
  Arabic | Burmese | English | French | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity

• How to Get Financial Help
  Arabic | Burmese/Keran | French | Nepali | Somali/Mai Mai | Swahili