Thanks to everyone who we were able to meet and talk to during our initial petition phase. Unfortunately, we fell about 100 signatures short of the threshold we needed to reach to put a prison question on the 2025 Town Meeting Day ballot. We will have another opportunity when/if the requested zoning changes pass through both the Planning Commission and Select Board in the coming months. We learned a lot through this process and were able to meet a number of people eager to help collect signatures, so we're optimistic about being able to bring this to a vote.
Please send by Wednesday!
community-development@essex.org
The Planning Commission will be reviewing a letter from the VT Department of Buildings and General Services regarding the zoning request, as well as a number of emails and letters sent to the Planning Commission. Over the course of the last two meetings, the PC has received testimony both for and against this proposal. While canvassing, we heard so many reasons why this correctional facility should not be in Essex, so please take some time in the next few days to write an email. Your voice can have a huge impact!
February 13th, 2025 at 6:30pm
81 Main Street, Essex Jct
See full agenda
I know it is hard to make it to these meetings, but maintaining a presence throughout this process can go a long way toward ensuring transparency and open communication between the community and our elected officials. Although our Planning Commission is not in closed door meetings in Montpelier talking about this project, the agencies, non-profits, lobbyists, and prison advocates are. These meetings are happening. There is a lot of money, influence, and political pressure driving this thing. Any decision to shut this down is going to be very tough, if our Planning Commission decides to reject these changes, it will be crucial to really show up in numbers througout the process, to support them in making this difficult decision.
Like we said while gathering signatures, we are at the beginning of a very long process. The Planning Commission does not seem interested in proceeding much without a lot more answers from Montpelier. This doesn't necessarily mean we have to wait for this standoff to be resolved. Based on how long the zoning amendment process takes, we have a window, at least a couple months wide, to be planning for the second petition phase (if we can't convince the PC to reject the proposal in the mean time). Please stay tuned for opportunities to talk about canvassing, meeting engagement, and other opportunities to participate in the democratic process. Please also spread the word with your neighbors, and ask them to sign up for our mailing list.