Montpelier Seeks New Chief of Police
The national search for a new Montpelier Police Chief is underway. Chief Tony Facos will retire this summer after 13 years at the helm. The police chief is appointed by, and reports to, the city manager and is responsible for all police operations, including community policing, crime prevention, policy implementation, training, technology, and officer/dispatcher wellness. Candidates must possess excellent and proven leadership, human resources, interpersonal, communication, and management skills. The final candidate will undergo a complete background investigation as well as psychological and drug testing. Candidates may submit a letter, resume, and list of references electronically by 4:30 pm on March 16 to William J. Fraser, City Manager at wfraser@montpelier-vt.org
Vermont Not on Track to Reach Solar Goal
According to Renewable Energy Vermont, a recent update of the Vermont Solar Pathways Report found that solar progress in Vermont has declined over the past three years. The current annual installation rate is not sufficient to reach the 20 percent by 2025 solar usage goal set by Solar Pathways. The report said Vermont has enough land and sunlight to meet 20 percent of its electricity needs with solar by 2025, and requires only 0.1 percent of the state’s land (roughly the size of Montpelier) to meet this goal.
City Council Declares Climate Emergency
The Montpelier City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution that “declares that a climate and ecological emergency threatens our city, region, nation, civilization, humanity, and the natural world.” The nonbinding statement also says the city will spell out its plan this year on how it intends to meet its 2030 Net Zero energy goals, including metrics to evaluate the success of the plan. A plan for a citywide Net Zero goal for 2050 will be laid out in 2021, the resolution says.
