The storms in 2024 shocked our community – the June storm was a million plus in recovery; the July event was more. The municipality has a FEMA application pending for disaster relief funds, with no timeline as to when the town will receive those funds and for how much. What helped the us most with the immediate recovery was the town’s access to gravel. An investment to extend the life of the Nebraska Valley gravel pit has paid for itself many times over. It’s this kind of strategic investment that needs to be made to strengthen our extreme weather recovery capabilities. What we learned from this past year must inform the town’s priorities for infrastructure investment and many of the items I refer to below. There’s no question climate action is a priority for Stowe.
Infrastructure: The reality is the town needs to invest in infrastructure that’s built to withstand increasing storms and extreme weather events. The municipality must increase capital investment in our roads and bridges. In parallel, accelerate our culvert upgrade program and identify funding sources to support. Pending FEMA disaster relief funds will help the town do more. Additionally, it’s vital that the municipality incorporates robust stormwater run-off management and infrastructure standards into all future development in Stowe.
Local, renewable energy is essential for Stowe’s future: The town must explore every viable option—solar, thermal, hydro, and others—and pursue all potential funding sources. The Energy Commission’s exploration of thermal energy’s feasibility is a promising avenue, and I eagerly anticipate learning more about their findings in the coming months. Stowe Electric (SED) has developed a comprehensive plan for energy efficiency and has received a significant $6 million award from the PACE program. This funding will bolster their efforts to enhance grid resilience and expand local renewable energy sources. SED’s existing rebate program, offering incentives for electric vehicles, e-bikes, electric mowers, and other energy-efficient technologies, is a valuable tool for encouraging adoption. Furthermore, the municipality must strengthen energy-related site development standards through our zoning bylaws to ensure new construction and development prioritize energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy systems.
Energy efficiency: Retrofits, new construction – it all needs to be energy efficient. The municipality needs to incentivize it and make it easy. I’m particularly interested in discussing how the town can best integrate climate-resilient energy standards into our local regulations. I support building smaller footprint homes with more energy-efficient building envelopes and believe we need to educate our community about the benefits of energy-efficient building and the resources available to them. I believe the town should also lead by example, prioritizing energy efficiency in its own buildings and operations.
An improved and expanded transportation system: An improved and expanded transportation system is crucial for Stowe. While increased EV charging access, including rapid charging options across town, is a good start, it’s not enough. I advocate for and support investments in public transportation and bike paths that connect our neighborhoods, not just the recreation path. I also strongly advocate for a more walkable and ADA-friendly Stowe. Furthermore, the town needs dedicated, phased investment in its Equipment Fund to efficiently transition the town fleet and equipment to electric power. In my final term on the Selectboard, I led the decision to eliminate the Equipment Fund deficit using $800,000 of undesignated surplus funds, creating an opportunity for more structured funding for electric vehicle and equipment purchases.
Protecting what makes Stowe, Stowe, is paramount: Our landscape—our forests, open spaces, and waterways—plays a critical role in defining our community’s character and ecological health. Preserving these natural assets is vital, particularly for their role in carbon sequestration, which is essential for mitigating climate change. Investing in riparian buffers and green infrastructure is also crucial for protecting water quality, preventing erosion, and mitigating flood risks. Smart land use planning that prioritizes open space protection is a key priority. Stowe needs zoning bylaws that encourage more efficient building patterns, such as small, compact residential development that is walkable and connected to public transportation. These strategies are essential not only for preserving Stowe’s unique landscape but also for ensuring its long-term environmental and economic sustainability, safeguarding the very qualities that matter most to our community.
Billy Adams for Stowe 