Ward 6 NPA

Ward 6 NPA Meeting Agenda Thursday, March 5, 2026 Location: Department of Public Works, 645 Pine Street Or on zoom: https://zoom.us/j/81027856568 6:00 Community Dinner – join us for great (free!) food and a chance to connect with your neighbors 6:30 Call to Order, • Introductions • Announcements • Public Forum 6:45 City Council Reports, Becca Brown McKnight and Buddy Singh, invited 7:00 Report out on Community Survey about overdose prevention center, Theresa Vezina, 7:30 How to reduce fossil fuel use in your home, Jacob Flanigan 8:00 Future NPA topics -- what issues do you think we should be addressing? Let us know and we’ll make it happen! 8:15 Adjourn What is the NPA? Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs) are grassroots, neighborhood organizations that were established in each of Burlington's wards to encourage resident participation in City government. Working as neighborhood advocacy groups, Neighborhood Planning Assemblies help improve communication between the residents of Burlington and City government through regular meetings scheduled in each Ward. For more information, click here. Page 1 of 44 Overdose Prevention Center Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 1 Page 2 of 44 Introductions and Overview • What is an Overdose Prevention Center (OPC)? • What is the status of the OPC in Burlington? • OPC Services Assessment • Tonight’s Listening Session Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 2 Page 3 of 44 Tonight’s Listening Session Preliminary survey results Evaluation next steps • What positive impact do you hope the OPC will bring to our community? • What are your concerns or questions Discussion with Residents related to the OPC? • What would you like to see for ongoing communication once the OPC opens? Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 3 Page 4 of 44 Services Assessment Overview Evaluation Activities to Date • The City of Burlington contracted with In-person surveys with Pacific Institute for Research and people with 49 people Evaluation (PIRE) to inform the Services with living experience* Assessment report required by the OPC Online community Guidelines. survey completed with over 1500 responses* • Purpose is to engage people with living experience and the wider Burlington Ongoing tracking of professional and residential community community engagement to help inform the City and VCJR in the activities implement of the OPC. *Preliminary findings only include quantitative data. Qualitative (open-ended) data will be shared in final report Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 4 Page 5 of 44 Who did we hear from? 49 individuals 1505 respondents completed the in-person completed the online PWLE Survey community survey All respondents used an illicit substance 75% of survey respondents within the past 30 days identified as Burlington residents, 45% work in Burlington, and 2% are Burlington 84% of respondents reported not having business owners a stable place to live, with 80% unsheltered 8% identified as a person who used to use 86% used drugs at least once per day or currently uses non-prescription opioids or stimulants 43% used drugs alone most of the time or always 47% had at least one overdose in the past year. Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 5 Page 6 of 44 Where are people using drugs in Burlington? Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 6 Page 7 of 44 Utilization and Perception of the OPC PWLE utilization of the OPC Of the 49 respondents, 92% responded that they would consider using the OPC once it opens, with 73% responding that they would use the OPC always or most of the time. Community Perception of the OPC On scale of 1 (least helpful) to 10 (most helpful), the most selected answer was 10, the median answer was 7 and the average answer was 6.3 Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 7 Page 8 of 44 Respondents’ Preferred OPC Location PWLE survey: How likely would you be to use Location Factors an OPC at various locations? (from community survey) Community survey: Where should an OPC When asked which are important be located in Burlington to be most effective? factors when considering the vicinity of the OPC: • Downtown Burlington was the most Accessibility for potential clients selected response on both PWLE and was the most common response (52%), followed by proximity to community surveys schools/playgrounds (40%), • The ONE and Riverside/Intervale area were other support services (40%), and transportation (38%) a the 2nd and 3rd choices on both surveys Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 8 Page 9 of 44  Access to the OPC (PWLE survey) 68% of PWLE responded that Time PWLE are willing to they would be likely or very travel to access an OPC: likely use a free shuttle if it 68% were offered between downtown 5-15 minutes 60% and the location of the OPC 15-25 minutes 23% 75% of PWLE responded that they would be likely or very 75% likely to use the OPC if it was 25-35 minutes 13% a mobile van that traveled around Burlington. Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 9 Page 10 of 44 Security and Safety at the OPC (PWLE Survey) How would a security guard How would a security guard inside the OPC make you feel? outside the OPC make you feel? More safe 53% More safe 47% Less safe 19% Less safe 19% Neither more safe or Neither more safe or less safe 28% less safe 34% Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 10 Page 11 of 44  1. Prevent overdoses and save lives Public Health 2. Reduce the number of people using drugs Outcomes outdoors and in public spaces 3. Help connect people to drug treatment and health and social services Community survey respondents ranked the 4. Less burden on emergency rooms, police, order of importance of fire, & EMS by reducing overdose-related seven identified public calls health outcomes 5. Reduce crime in the area surrounding (in order of most the overdose prevention center importance to least) 6. Reduce number of syringes or other litter related to drug use discarded in public 7. Reduce HIV and hepatitis C transmission due to syringe sharing Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 11 Page 12 of 44 Services and Supports • The majority of PWLE respondents reported that proposed OPC services such as medical care, STI testing, bathrooms and showers, peer support, drug checking, on-site buprenorphine, mental health and drug treatment referrals, and support with basic needs are important or very important • Community survey respondents ranked possible OPC services: Referrals to drug treatment, Mental health services or referrals, on- site buprenorphine treatment, bathrooms, and peer support were noted among the most important services to offer at the OPC Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 12 Page 13 of 44 Ongoing Community Conversations Community survey: How would you want to engage in community conversations around the OPC? Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 13 Page 14 of 44 Next Steps • Continued engagement at NPA meetings, focus groups, attendance at community meetings, and interviews with people with living experience • Final report with findings to inform the Services Assessment in April • Hiring OPC Project Manager • Link to Annual Progress Report Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 14 Page 15 of 44 For More Information Link to Annual Progress Report Theresa Vezina Special Assistant on OPC Implementation tvezina@burlingtonvt.gov 802-735-8358 Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 15 Page 16 of 44 Discussion Questions • What positive impact do you hope the OPC will bring to our community? • What are your concerns or questions related to the OPC? • What would you like to see for ongoing communication once the OPC opens? Burlington Overdose Prevention Center 16 Page 17 of 44 Fossil Fuels How to stop burning them in your home Page 18 of 44  Why it is Important Fossil Fuel appliances are: Big ticket items ○ They last a long time (hopefully) ○ Locks us in to that fuel for a long time Stuck With It Just need 1 appliance that uses fossil fuels and we are stuck maintaining the infrastructure for that fuel. ○ There is a cost just maintaining access to a fuel ○ Incentivises using that fuel for more than one appliance Page 19 of 44 Why make a plan to replace them Now? Great Options Lots of great options and Incentives that weren’t available before Otherwise, Emergency! Most people replace these appliances when they break ○ When it is an emergency it is hard to change to something else Page 20 of 44 The Things What are we talking about? In Your Home (4) ● Dryer ● Stove ● Hot Water Heater ● Furnace/Boiler Outside Your Home (~2) Other Important things we won't talk about ● Car ● Efficiency ● Lawn equipment ● Biofuels Page 21 of 44 Heatpump, Heatpump, Heatpump How much heat Could a heatpump heat If a heatpump Could pump heat Page 22 of 44 Incentives Burlington Electric Department (BED) Rebates ● To switch from fossil fuels appliances to Electric ● To switch to more efficient electric appliances Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Tax Credits ● Renewables, Heatpumps, insulation, electrical upgrades, EVs Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Electrification Rebates for Low/Moderate Income (LMI) ● VT gets $58,555,020 to dole out ● Not available yet! Still working out procedures Page 23 of 44 Dryer Electric Dryer ● If you already have one your already done! ● If you are replacing a gas dryer ○ Purchase cost is the same as a gas dryer ● No Incentives ○ Need an electrician to install a 240V outlet ○ Could trigger need for an electrical service upgrade Page 24 of 44 Dryer Clothesline ● By far the cheapest option ● Takes some more time ● No Incentives ● Need space inside in the winter Page 25 of 44 Dryer Heatpump dryer ● Looks and feels like any other dryer ○ Works like a dehumidifier ● Many can plug into standard 120V outlet ● No vent needed ● Often come as washer/dryer combo Makes it a great ● Has condensate that needs to be emptied option for apartments ● Takes longer to dry Let’s talk about the $ ● Uses ~40% less electricity than conventional electric dryer ● Likely don’t need any electric upgrades ● $400 Rebate from BED BED ● $860 LMI Incentive from IRA - Still pending ● Costs twice as much as electric or gas dryers ● $200 - Hybrid Heatpump ○ But BED rebate gets us back down to striking range ● $400 - Full Heatpump IRA Page 26 of 44 ● *up to $860 LMI Incentive from IRA Stove Electric Stove ● If you already have one your already done! ● If you are replacing a gas stove ○ Purchase cost is the same as a gas stove ■ Starts ~$500 ○ No CO emissions into your home ○ Need an electrician to install a 240V outlet ○ Could trigger need for an electrical service upgrade ● No Incentives Page 27 of 44 Stove Induction Stove ● Knocks the socks off gas and tradition electric ○ Cooks faster ○ More responsive ○ Can set to lower temperatures Because surface never ○ Even heat gets super hot you can ○ Easy to clean clean spills while still cooking ○ Safer ● If you are replacing a gas stove ○ Costs twice as much as electric or gas stove ○ No CO emissions into your home ○ Need an electrician to install a 240V outlet BED ○ Could trigger need for an electrical service ● $200 upgrade IRA ○ Requires the use of steel or iron pots ■ If a magnet sticks to the bottom they ● *up to $840 rebate for LMI work Page 28 of 44 Stove Induction Hot Plate ● Inexpensive $60-$200 ● Works on 120V outlet ● Can supplement use of existing stove ● Portable, can use in other locations ● No Incentives Page 29 of 44 Stove Other ways to Cook without fossil fuels Can usually find one for free when college students leave, or for cheap at a reuse store ● Microwaves ○ super efficient! ● Electric Kettles ○ Fastest way to heat up water! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpoXFk-ixZc) ● Toasters ● Toaster Ovens ○ more efficient/faster than heating up a full size oven ● Air Fryers ● Crock Pots ● Rice Cookers ● Bread Machines ● No Incentives Page 30 of 44  Heatpump hot water heaters BED Hot Water Heater ● ● $500-$800 (depends on efficiency), +$400 for LMI ● +$300-$600 through contractor (depends on efficiency) Types of Electric Hot Water Heaters IRA ● Resistive ● *30% of cost tax credit ($2000 cap/yr) ○ Cheap to buy, expensive to operate, fast reheat incentive from IRA ○ Needs 240V circuit ● *up to $1750 rebate LMI Incentive ● Hybrid (both resistive and heatpump) from IRA ○ More expensive to buy, less expensive to operate, fast reheat ○ Needs 240V circuit ○ Some dehumidification ● Heat Pump ○ More expensive to buy, cheap to operate, slowest to reheat ○ Can plug into 120V outlet ○ Some dehumidification Heatpumps heat water up slower than electric resistance or gas so to compensate a larger tanks size and/or setting the What determines how much hot water I have? tank to a higher temperature is used to achieve the same ● Tank size amount of hot water. ● Re-heat power -higher tank temperatures don't mean scalding tap temperatures. ● Water temperature Modern Heat pump hot water heaters have mixing valves so that extra hot tank temperatures are mixed with cold water so tap temps are within expectations (if set correctly). Page 31 of 44 Lease/On Bill Financing More E and I xciting th mage a sugg n the Title ests! ● VGS leases Heatpump hot water heaters ○ Lease payments are added to the gas bill ○ VGS owns it and therefore if it breaks they fix it (and it is usually faster for them to come out to your house than a plumber) ○ Great option for landlords/renters ● VGS Also leasing Hybrid centrally ducted heatpumps ○ But only the ones that still have backup gas and aren’t cold climate rated, aka don’t do much :( ● BED on-bill financing for commercial customers ○ For ventilation, emergency swap outs, facada alterations. (limited fed covid money) ● VHFA - Weatherization Repayment Assistance Program (WRAP) ○ Pay on your utility bill ○ Can add in costs for heat pumps and hot water heating to a weatherization project Page 32 of 44 Furnace/Boiler Types of Electric Heating Systems ● Resistive ○ Cheap to buy, expensive to operate, fast reheat ○ VT efficiency code prohibits resistance heat for most applications ● Hybrid (both resistive and heatpump) ○ More expensive to buy, less expensive to operate, fast reheat ○ Includes Air Conditioning ● Heat Pump ○ More expensive to buy, cheap to operate, slowest to reheat ○ Includes Air Conditioning Page 33 of 44 Electric Resistance Heaters ● Baseboard ○ Electrician installs ○ Except in special cases, not allowed by VT efficiency code ● Space heaters ○ Super cheap to buy $30-$100 ○ Super expensive if heating whole house ○ Really great to heat one room ● No Incentives Page 34 of 44 Heatpumps So Many different kinds! ● But the outside compressor probably looks something like this ● Cold climate models rated to work in -15F temps ● Can integrate electric resistance backup Page 35 of 44 Window Unit ● Like your window AC but can provide heat as well ○ Options for 120V (normal wall outlet) and 240V ○ $500-$3000 ○ Great option for renters/trailers/smaller areas ○ Not super common yet. More and better options are coming to market ■ Efficiencies/capabilities can vary greatly model to model BED ● Typical style ● $100 (energy star most efficient) ○ Likely cheapest, somewhat loud IRA ● Saddle style ○ More efficient and quiet. Also leaves more of your ● *30% of cost tax credit ($2000 window for use cap/yr) incentive from IRA ● “Portable” style ● *up to $8000 rebate LMI Incentive ○ Works in windows the other two can’t fit in from IRA ○ Louder and less efficient (the double hose versions are more efficient than the single hose versions) Page 36 of 44  BED ● Mini Split ● $1350-$5450 (depends on tons) +$500 for LMI ● +$1000-$2000 through contractor (depends on tons) ● Most common ● Most efficient IRA ● Typically just one room but can do multiple rooms as well ● *30% of cost tax credit ($2000 cap/yr) incentive ● Don’t work well with small rooms (<10’x10’) from IRA ● The one most contractors are used to ● *up to $8000 rebate LMI Incentive from IRA Page 37 of 44  Furnace Replacement (Centrally ducted) ● Straight swap in replacement for a gas furnace ● Fewer experienced contractors ● Existing ducts may need to be upsized BED ● $1250-$6250 (depending on efficiency) ● +$400 for LMI ● +$1000-$2000 through contractor (depending on efficiency) IRA ● *30% of cost tax credit ($2000 cap/yr) incentive from IRA ● *up to $8000 rebate LMI Incentive Heatpump Heat Old Furnace Replaced With from IRA Exchanger Page 38 of 44  Boiler Replacement (Hydronic - baseboard or radiant floor) ● swap in for a gas boiler ○ Likely need to swap out radiators as well ● Very few experienced contractors in VT ○ More common in UK BED and Australia ● $2000/ton ● +$400 for LMI IRA ● *30% of cost tax credit ($2000 cap/yr) incentive from IRA ● *up to $8000 rebate LMI Incentive from IRA Page 39 of 44 Questions Resources/Thanks To ● Burlington Electric Department ○ https://www.burlingtonelectric.com/rebat es ○ Brian ● Rewiring America ○ https://www.rewiringamerica.org/app/ira- calculator ○ Great compilation of the IRA incentives ● Technology Connections Youtube ○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVL LNjSLJTQ&t=2s ○ Great resource explaining how this technology works and its pros and cons ● Mr. Electricity ○ https://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/ ○ Outdated but awesome website explaining how you can save on utility bills ● Energy Action Network ○ https://eanvt.org/annual-report/ ○ Incredible organization that, among other things, tracks VT’s progress in reducing GHG emissions Page 40 of 44 https://www.fossilfuelfreeequipmentpledge.org/ Page 41 of 44 Insulation ● Plastic windows Heat flows 3 ways ● Window Inserts 1. Conduction ● curtains ● Latch windows 2. Convection ● Caulk window trim 3. Radiation ● Spray foam holes ● Door seals ● Threshold sweep ● New windows ● New doors ● Basement insulation ● Attic insulation ● Wall insulation ● White roof Page 42 of 44 Special Loans ● Efficiency Vermont - Home energy Loan ○ Low to no interest for low and moderate income households Page 43 of 44 NPA 2&3 march 2024 presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbRU01bRKvU&list=PLljLFn4BZd2N95y-kUze wx0ZN0Tf8rLo_&index=2 Page 44 of 44