Vermont

Waterbury Select Board’s youth is unique for Vermont — Waterbury Roundabout

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2025

Waterbury Select Board’s youth is unique for Vermont — Waterbury Roundabout

Waterbury currently has three millennials on its five-person select board: Chair Alyssa Johnson, 30, Vice Chair Kane Sweeney, 31, and member Ian Shea, 40.

Meanwhile, three of the five candidates on the ballot Tuesday for Waterbury Select Board are under 40. Sweeney is running unopposed for a three-year term. Meanwhile, deli clerk Evan Karl Hoffman, 28, and attorney Tori Taravella, 32, are two of the four candidates running for two one-year seats. The others are incumbent Mike Bard, 67 and retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and write-in candidate Sandy Sabin, 61, a municipal accountant.

This is unusual for Vermont where almost half of local government officials are over 60, according to a 2021 study by the Center for Research on Vermont.

Waterbury’s youthful membership on the select board is not unique to the current crop of board members and candidates. In the past decade, others in a younger demographic than what the UVM study found include past Chair Mark Frier, past Vice Chair Dani Kehlmann, and Katie Martin, who served two years in her mid-20s.

These young leaders overcame the challenges that often prevent people like them from participating in town government, especially a lack of money and time.

“Trying to get younger people to serve on these positions will continue to be a challenge as long as boards, legislatures, and councils are all volunteer,” said Sweeney, who works as a chef at The Reservoir and has been on the board for two years.

As Vermont’s population ages, it’s important to convince young people to become involved in town government. But young adults face financial pressures that older generations did not, especially the growing cost of housing, health insurance and education. For example, child care for two young children in Vermont now costs more than $26,000 a year.

“Vermont has a long history of volunteer government, for better or for worse,” Sweeney said. “For people to find the time for work and child care, it becomes straining to take up volunteer positions in government.”

While everyone in local politics brings representation to the table, Sweeney thinks this is especially important to his generation. “Millennials and Generation Z want to see people who look and talk more like them on their boards,” he said.

Having younger people in town government encourages other young people to run for office. This is due to the role model effect. As individuals see characteristics and attributes of themselves in the elected officials who represent them, they are more willing to run for office.

Additionally, creating mentorships can help build self-confidence in younger people, which in turn makes the likelihood of running for elected offices greater.

This is an issue that’s been on Johnson’s mind. In October, she moderated a panel for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns about young professionals and local government. It was part of a town fair event encouraging youth participation in public service. “It’s really important to think about how we can support the next generation in stepping up into these roles,” Johnson said. “and doing that early, while there’s still opportunities for mentorship and learning.”

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Vermont

Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont, April 8-15 | Seven Days

Published

6 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont, April 8-15 | Seven Days

Perfectly Seasoned

Sunday 12

You know TV personality Alton Brown as the quirky host of hit reality cooking shows such as “Iron Chef America” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.” Now the culinary commentator and author takes the stage solo at Rutland’s Paramount Theatre for a no-frills show of his talents, trading the glitz and glamour of Hollywood for a more intimate showcase of food science, humor and heart.

Girl Almighty

Friday 10

Diana Whitney Credit: Courtesy of Beowulf Sheehan

Queer author and educator Diana Whitney launches her patriarchy-smashing poetry collection, Girl Trouble, in conversation with fellow writer Eve Alexandra at Next Stage Arts in Putney. Listeners hear unflinching takes on growing up female, adolescent trauma, rape culture and modern movements of resilience before roaring onto the dance floor to channel the grit and grace of feminism.

Fun Facts

Thursday 9

It’s no surprise that we stan Local News Day (see page 13). Journalism leaders and advocates fill Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library for a fact-forward fête celebrating the value of civic transparency and trusted community information. A documentary screening and a panel discussion explore media ecosystems and spur dialogue about how to sustain an essential public resource.

Role Models

Saturday 11

Scale model makers and Lego lovers connect at CAN-AM Con at Williston’s National Guard Armory, where seminars and vendors complement a display contest honoring late Japanese producer Shunsaku Tamiya. Junior builders and veterans show off their finest constructions from any Tamiya kit for consideration in categories such as Best of Class and People’s Choice.

Saturday 11

Disco Inferno

The Current — Stowe’s center for contemporary art — invites philanthropic partygoers to the Lodge at Spruce Peak for Gala ’54: After Hours. The annual fundraiser boasts silent and live auctions, a cocktail reception, and chef-crafted food stations, all inspired by New York City’s glamorous Studio 54 era. Then revelers hit the dance floor to boogie oogie oogie in their flashiest disco dress.

See gallery listing at sevendaysvt.com/art

Piste de Résistance

Saturday 11 & Sunday 12

Music and winter culture festival Gather Outdoors takes Stratton Mountain Resort by storm with a superlative lineup of jam bands and electronic artists, including Philadelphia legends the Disco Biscuits and rising star Karina Rykman. The high-energy mountainside affair fuses plein air recreation with an immersive club atmosphere for an unforgettable end to the ski season.

Reading the Room

Tuesday 14

Vermont poet laureate Bianca Stone continues her “State of Poetry” tour with a stop at Phoenix Books in Burlington. Stone leads an analytical deep dive into the craft of late Nobel Prize-winning writer — and the nation’s 12th poet laureate — Louise Glück, underscoring the vital cultural impact of her contributions to American literature.

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Vermont

Aly Richards announces run for Vt. governor

Published

18 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Aly Richards announces run for Vt. governor

NEWBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – A new face joins the race for Vermont governor.

Aly Richards, the former CEO of Lets Grow Kids, will hold her campaign announcement on Monday morning.

Richards has spent the last decade advocating for affordable child care in Vermont, including pushing for the state’s landmark child care law.

Richards’ campaign announcement will take place in her hometown of Newbury at 11 a.m.

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Vermont

Vermont ends cold weather hotel assistance for 160 households

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Vermont ends cold weather hotel assistance for 160 households

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – About 160 households will no longer receive hotel rooms following the end of cold weather rules for the state’s General Assistance program this week.

Anti-homeless advocates said last year the federal government authorized Vermont to use state Medicaid funds for a program that could supplement rent for people at risk of homelessness.

State leaders this week said that is not an option as Vermont is still building the program.

Vermont Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson said at a press conference this week the waiver gives the authority, not the funding or infrastructure to build the program.

“The state would need to put up significant investments including enrolling housing providers, landlords, developing and building IT systems,” Samuelson said. “These steps require significant time and resources.”

The state legislature and Governor Scott’s administration have been trying to wind down the use of hotels and instead ramp up shelters to get people back on their feet.

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