January 22, 2025

Meeting Notes - January 22, 2025

1. Bill Updates and Introductions:

- Michelle: Proposed a bill for a second two-bed mental health respite facility in rural Vermont.

- Ela Chapin: Introduced H40 regarding licensing structures for freestanding birth centers.

- Herb Olson: Discussed two bills—one on the importance of rural schools and another on housing in rural Vermont.

- Jonathan Cooper: Proposed a bill for tax exemptions for the logging community to match neighboring states.

- Sarita: Expressed concerns about public transportation inequities between urban and rural Vermont.

- Additional Bills Discussed:

- Tax fraud forgiveness for senior Vermonters.

- Property tax relief.

- Exemptions for small food manufacturing establishments and home kitchens.

- Community paramedicine and support for communities losing primary care.

2. Rural and Healthcare Issues:

- Need for public transportation studies.

- Challenges with clinic closures in rural areas.

- Importance of having medical personnel during after-school hours for athletic events.

3. Housing and Infrastructure:

- Discussion on Act 250 exemptions for rural towns with proactive planning and zoning bylaws.

- Challenges faced by towns without water or sewer infrastructure.

4. Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD):

- Denise Smith introduced VCRD and its initiatives, including community visits, technical assistance, and the Working Lands Coalition.

5. Future Actions:

- Plan a public forum to hear from rural Vermont residents.

- Invite housing experts to discuss the impact of last year's housing legislation.

- Consider ideas submitted for potential bill support.

6. Administrative Notes:

- Upcoming meeting with Communication Union Districts (CUDs) for brief introductions.

- Bill submission deadline reminder: January 28th for requests.

Next Steps:

- Members are encouraged to submit their bill ideas via the provided form.

- Continue discussions on housing and infrastructure with a focus on rural challenges.

- Plan for an upcoming public forum to engage with rural communities.

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 08:45am.

Meeting Recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YPH0jfNI_O2euY8RqiB1erdb1wW-IQja/view?usp=sharing