Hello Winooski,
As Mayor, my main focus is always on Winooski, but I do want to take a moment to comment on the shameful and unacceptable events that took place in this week in Washington DC. Protest and dissent should never reach the level of undermining our entire democracy. These are challenging times, and although I share your frustration and hope that those involved will be held accountable, I want to reassure you of how respectfully politics are handled in Winooski.
I appreciate that our neighborly conversations and civil debates are so often focused on what's good for our community and that we don't waste time arguing over divisive rhetoric and ideologies. My fellow councilors and I remain committed to due process, community engagement, kindness, and respect in our local decision-making process. Please continue to connect with us, even if we don't agree on policy decisions or direction.
In other challenging news, COVID cases have been rising statewide and right here in Winooski. The City has been working diligently with the Vermont Department of Health and local organizations to bring resources and support to our community members and offer daily testing at the O’Brien Community Center. Please read our latest COVID update for details on testing, cases in Winooski, and how we are working to curb the spread.
Remember, we have the power to keep ourselves and each other safe by following the guidance of the CDC and Vermont Department of Health:
- do not go into other’s homes to socialize
- wear a mask around people that don’t live with you
- stay 6 feet away from others when at work, in a store, or enjoying a park
- wash your hands often
We also know many of our neighbors have been financially harmed by COVID. We know residents were making use of state funding programs to help with bills and unemployment, but as Federal relief money ended on 12/31/20, and new relief has yet to arrive, a gap in support is leaving some families unable to pay their rent or mortgage. If you are looking for ways to help your neighbors, these trusted organizations will use donations to help Winooski families stay housed and fed:
As for City Council updates, we met on Monday (1.4.21) to continue the fiscal year 2022 (FY22) budget planning process. This meeting focused on our Community Services budget. We spent a lot of time discussing our Thrive after school program and how to continue providing this critical service to Winooski families in a financially sustainable way through potential grant funding, rate increases, state subsidy payments, and moving the program’s budget into our general fund for long term funding. View the Community Services budget presentation here. Click here to watch the recorded meeting. Winooski City Council will meet every week in January to complete budget discussions including:
- Public Safety on Jan. 11
- Overall budget discussion on Jan. 19
- Final budget and warning approval for Town Meeting Day on Jan. 25
For full details, budget information, and past meetings (like public works and general overview), please visit https://www.winooskivt.gov/fy22. Your voices are important so please join these meetings or watch live/recorded via Town Meeting TV to understand how your tax dollars are being spent. You can also reach out to me any time to share thoughts or ask questions, about the budget, the city’s COVID response, or any other local issue.
Please stay safe and healthy, we will get through this together.
Mayor Kristine Lott - klott@winooskivt.gov / 802 766 1988