Opinion: Our City Deserves Closer Attention

As a personal and business taxpayer in Montpelier, I have been very interested in the status of our rivers (which we love and sometimes hate) and how they impact our lives. 

I joined a book club last fall composed of professional river experts and interested parties, and we have morphed into a wide-ranging group that meets regularly and learns a lot about our waterways and rivers. 

Last week I was surprised to hear something that I likely already knew but either chose to ignore or simply didn’t understand: The upcoming work on the flood plain over by Agway (at 5 Home Farm Way) will not functionally help our downtown flooding situation. It is very important in the bigger scheme of things, but won’t positively improve the potential for flooding in our downtown.

So, I asked what would help us and was given a fast reply … the state-owned parking lots along State Street, and removal of the impervious asphalt that allows no water to seep into the land below them.

The preservation of our downtown from further flooding is far more valuable to Montpelier, and certainly more appreciated, than empty parking lots. And I am told there are plans that have been considered to allow for some state parking along with flood plain development. So let’s revisit those plans and put pressure on our state representatives and leaders to do the right thing and change this situation. Montpelier is a precious commodity that needs to be preserved.

We need to make our voices heard! It doesn’t take that many voices to effect or halt change, several hundred should be able to make the case. Please reach out to our state representatives, city manager, mayor, Resilient Montpelier, city councilors, and, of course, speak to your neighbors and ask them to do the same. Our city deserves this effort from us.

Lauren Parker is a Montpelier resident and owner of the North Branch Cafe on State Street.

The material presented here represents the opinion of the author and does not reflect the opinions of The Bridge. Commentaries may be submitted to editor@montpelierbridge.com. Preference is given to submissions by those who live in central Vermont. Submissions are encouraged to be 500 to 750 words in length.