Video summary
The August 20, 2026 meeting of the Ward 5 Neighborhood Planning Assembly brought together local residents, volunteers, and community leaders to discuss civic engagement and neighborhood improvement within Burlington. Led by steering committee members including Nate, Laura, Anya, Gary, and Farid, the group serves as a primary vehicle for South End-specific issues that often fall outside the scope of standard city government operations. The assembly operates with an amorphous structure, relying entirely on volunteer effort to organize events such as community barbecues and presentations from legislators. A central focus of this gathering was a community budgeting activity designed to gather input on how to best utilize the group's modest $3,000 budget. Attendees were encouraged to write ideas on sticky notes across four categories ranging from low-cost "people-powered projects" to high-cost "dream big" initiatives, ensuring that spending reflects the actual desires of the neighborhood rather than being spent arbitrarily.
The public forum portion of the evening provided a platform for residents to voice concerns and share personal stories regarding safety, politics, and local development. One speaker, Ari Moskowitz, addressed serious allegations of discrimination and anti-Semitism he faced from city officials, including an incident involving the mayor's security guard, while also highlighting his advocacy work and his intention to run for mayor despite political barriers related to his Zionist identity. Another resident, Greg, raised specific safety concerns regarding speeding cyclists on local bike paths and questioned the planning commission's role in approving venues like Higher Ground near One Lane Bridge, noting the lack of public input on these decisions. These discussions underscored the assembly's goal of bridging the gap between grassroots concerns and official city actions, with representatives from other wards offering support on issues ranging from housing to climate change.
In addition to addressing immediate safety and planning concerns, the meeting served as a recruitment drive for direct democracy efforts through Proposition Zero, a project led by volunteer Farid aimed at bringing initiative and referendum powers to Burlington. Farid explained that while Vermont towns typically allow residents to place questions directly on the ballot, Burlington currently only permits advisory questions that the city council can block. The group is seeking 800 additional petition signatures to qualify for the March ballot and is actively looking for volunteers to help collect these signatures during the November election. The assembly also extended an open invitation to any Ward 5 residents who wish to join the steering committee, noting that they are currently below capacity and need more members to effectively serve the community.
The event concluded with a reminder that future meetings will typically take place on the third Thursday of every month at the DPW conference building, where results from this budgeting session will be shared. Organizers emphasized that ideas generated during the night would be considered for implementation, whether through small-scale fun projects or larger initiatives requiring higher funding levels. By maintaining an inclusive atmosphere with free meals provided by People's Kitchen and encouraging participation from diverse groups like the bocce league, the assembly continues to foster a sense of connection among neighbors who might otherwise not attend formal civic meetings. Ultimately, the gathering reinforced the group's commitment to listening to residents, utilizing their limited resources wisely, and empowering the community to shape its own future through direct engagement and collaborative planning.
Read the full video transcript
Um, but welcome everybody to the August
uh edition of the Ward 5 Neighborhood
Planning Assembly. Thank you all for
being here. Uh my name's Nate. I'm one
of the steering committee members for
the Ward 5 Neighborhood Planning
Assembly. Um, I'm also joined by Laura
and Anya and Gary and Farid. And we're
your local Ward 5 steering committee.
Um, just kind of as an introduction of
the Neighborhood Planning Assembly,
we're the main kind of neighborhood
level civic engagement group that exists
within the city. So,
um we are really kind of one of the only
existing groups that focus on these
South End specific issues um that exist
within uh the city government. So,
um but we're all neighbors, we're all
volunteers. Um, we have like a kind of
amorphous purview and we're trying to
figure out the best way that we can
serve the community. Um, so sometimes
these are just regular meetings where we
have presentations from
uh legislators. We were we're joined by
one tonight. Um,
not as a presentation, just as a member.
Um,
uh city councilors, city officials,
local community groups. Um, and and the
steering committee we're responsible for
putting these together. Um,
so it's it's an interesting group. Um,
but uh we are interested in trying to do
some different dynamic stuff with it.
And one of them um that is kind of
within our purview and I'll introduce
the activity. Um, and then after that
I'll introduce public forum where that's
just an opportunity for anybody that
would like to share um really kind of
anything. Um,
we'll start with with South End
residents when when we get there. But um
anybody is welcome to the to the public
forum.
But the activity is is this idea around
community budgeting. And um the
Neighborhood Planning Assembly has a
very small budget, but a real budget.
Um, and we pay for things like these
community barbecues, um our new banner.
Um, we've done sponsorships of small
community projects.
Um, and and really the legacy has
changed over time. Um, and since we've
been
bestowed with this mighty $3,000 budget,
um
>> [laughter]
>> we really want to make sure that um you
know, as we do spend it, um we're
getting some kind of input from the
neighborhood and since Oakledge is part
of our neighborhood, we figured this is
a place to kind of collect some folks
that maybe wouldn't attend otherwise in
one of our other meetings
and
so really we're just looking for some
input from you all so that we have some
guiding. It's not a binding idea.
We just want to get some some thoughts
on what you all would like to see. So
there's four categories over there
and feel free to just stop by
with a sticky note one or two. If you
see one that you like, you can star
someone's
you know, whatever kind of ideas you
have.
But that's it. That's really our whole
thing.
Um
Enjoy the meal. Thank you Farid from
People's Kitchen for
um
one of many many many community meals
served by Farid in the People's Kitchen.
So always good to support him today and
in the future.
So that's all. That's all for me. Um we
have our really our one budget budget
agenda item which is public forum here.
So floor is open. If anybody would like
to say anything in public forum.
Now is the time.
I can add in one item and just say that
um
Hi, I'm Nate Ward 5 resident.
>> [laughter]
>> Um if you all are looking for something
to do on Saturday,
there's a waterfront cleanup happening
starting at 8:00 at Skatepark at 10:00
and then just fanning out through the
Arms Reserve. And that's just another
volunteer driven effort.
I think there's going to be some really
good turnout and I think hopefully we
can make some good progress. So that's
on Saturday at 10:00
and you can find more info at
volunteerbtv.org.
It's a website that I run.
That's all.
Would anybody else like to speak in
public forum?
If not, we can wrap it up and just get
on. Yeah?
Come on up.
Yeah, just introduce yourself, where you
live, and
>> Hey everyone. Uh my name is Ari
Moskowitz. Um I live right over here
actually, about 1,000 ft away from here.
Uh I moved here 11 years ago with my
wife and and um I have two children
here. And um a business owner and um my
wife's a dermatologist and some of you
may have heard me in in the news. Uh
mayor had me arrested uh for merely
trying to have a conversation with her.
Um
the mayor's security guard Do you have a
time What's the next time usually
around?
>> 3 minutes.
>> 3 minutes, okay.
Um the mayor's security guard I gave
multiple seats speeches in City Hall and
the mayor's security guard targeted me
in a horrible anti-Semitic way, started
sending me messages, why am I coming to
City Hall when I could be killing brown
kids myself because that's my
birthright.
And I tried to
do it the regular way, filled out
paperwork, tried to speak with public
officials, and
they refused to speak to me. And it took
10 months for Jessica Brown, our
attorney, to get back to me and offering
her an apology.
The mayor still refused to speak to me
actually. The last time I was at NPA 5
Ward meeting, um
really just went up there. I said, "Hey
mayor,
I'm willing to move past this if I'm
willing to actually sign a document
saying that I won't sue the city if you
just apologize." And a Palestinian
activist decided to insert himself
between me and the mayor.
And she claimed that I blocked her door
and stalked her
by starting a social media page. And
this is utterly false. Uh my social
media page is called Truth in Vermont,
where I've had millions of views in the
past few months alone.
Um and I'm here because I really love
Burlington. I came here as an addict 11
years ago
and to recover. And I'm seeing what's
happening downtown is
it It me. Pains me deeply because I was
there 11 years ago and a a person was
stabbed and it took 15 hours for the
Burlington police to notify the public.
And there's a very very well-known
politician's family member who passed
away and the Burlington police, the
mayor, everyone's covering it up now.
And I think I'm going to run for mayor
even though I'm not politically
um
identified with one party or another and
I'm a Zionist which is a big no-no in
Burlington because Zionism means merely
just supporting the state of Israel.
That's a big no-no and that's why I was
discriminated against.
And I have no fear, really. I have no
fear
to speak up and I encourage everyone to
speak up and and talk about the issues
downtown because there is a big problem
here about people unwilling to speak up
because of fear of retaliation. So,
thank you so much for having me and
appreciate it.
Oh, sure.
Thank you, Lori.
My apologies.
>> [snorts]
>> Thank you, Mari. And and would anybody
else like to speak during our public
forum section?
Yeah? Well, come on up.
Yeah, just introduce yourself and which
ward you live in and uh
floor is yours about 3 minutes.
Sure.
So, my name is uh Greg. I live in Ward
5.
I live about 2,000 ft away.
Uh and um
I appreciate everything that people with
the Ward 5 have done.
I've um
been in a number of commissions
uh
in uh for the city of Burlington, the
airport commission and the redistricting
commission.
Uh I agree with Ari. Is that your first
name? Agree with Ari that safety is
important. Uh so, a couple of things
that concern me about safety
um
is the bike path
and um
the idea that
uh there are a lot of
uses of that bike path that may not uh
that may impact safety. I don't It's
hard to sort of say
what that is, but I just know that
speeding on
high
sort of uh
fast
bicycles may may not be the best way for
safety and and I don't know how to
regulate that, but I know that
it's best to get a head of the curve on
it and
some areas uh are trying to do that and
I would encourage
since uh the bike path sort of starts
here
uh I would encourage us in Ward 5 to
uh send the message to the City Council
concerning that.
I think that's one of the purposes
of the different wards is to
try to provide some input
from the grassroots
>> [snorts]
>> to uh City Council. Obviously, they have
the power to make that decision.
The other thing that I'm wondering about
is
what's happening at Burton.
>> [laughter]
>> I remember a few years ago um
you know, it seemed like the whole idea
of Higher Ground and I've been to Higher
Ground. I like music. I'm not opposed to
that, but
you know, the whole idea of uh Higher
Ground music venue
near One Lane Bridge just didn't seem to
make a lot of sense, but it was just
quickly
agreed upon that it was
uh that it was okay. And I and I don't
know
what the planning commission, by its
name planning commission, it sounds like
it is focused on planning.
And I don't know
what their role was in terms of that and
what their role is now and I don't know
what's going on at Burton now. And
again, I'm not opposed to Burton. My
wife
worked at Burton.
And she recently passed away, but she
was concerned about that situation also.
Um
So, those are the two things that
that I'm concerned about is the bike
path
and what's happening at Burton in terms
of traffic safety.
>> Thank you, Greg.
All right, would anybody else like to um
participate? Welcome.
>> Thank you.
My name is Bram Kleppner. I live in Ward
6 and uh represent wards 5 and 6 in the
legislature. And I am noticing that
having this monthly meeting in a park
with a barbecue
draws a different group than in the
small conference room in the
public works department building. Um and
I just wanted to introduce myself since
there are some people who I don't
believe I have seen before.
And say that uh I'm happy to talk about
any of the many issues that uh you may
be concerned about that the state is
grappling with from public safety to
housing and education and climate change
and
all all the stuff. So, I'm happy to
happy to talk to anyone who'd like to
talk.
>> Thank you.
Anybody else uh for public forum.
Farid.
>> Hi everybody. Thank you for coming. My
name is Farid. I live in the Five
Sisters.
I'm also a volunteer for a project
electoral project called Proposition
Zero. The goal of this project is to
bring direct democracy to Burlington.
Um
if you were not familiar with direct
democracy, the idea is
that voters should be able to propose uh
ballot questions for the whole town like
to to be to be voted on. And this is
kind of like uh
cherished tradition in Vermont the
grassroots decision-making and other
towns have it except for Burlington. In
Burlington we only have advisory
question that we could petition and even
then that's up to the city council
whether or not to put it on the ballot.
So what we're trying to do is we want to
bring what everybody else in Vermont has
which is
initiative that's when uh
we want to put a proposal for an
ordinance for for a law to be enacted
referendum which is
repeal of existing law or existing
decision by the city council and also
the advisory question that city council
can't block.
Which is I think it's a democratic right
for every community. So there is we need
to get to 2,000 petition signatures
to get on the March ballot and we're
also looking for volunteers who can help
us collect signatures at the November
election. We are I believe at like 1,020
1,200 so we we need like 800 more
signatures. So if you haven't signed it,
please consider signing it and if you
are available to volunteer on election
day, uh let me know
because we could really use the help.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Farid. Anybody else for
public forum?
Oh.
Here's the clipboard if anybody want Did
you want Yeah.
Here you
Um and if you have joined us since I did
the introduction, welcome. Thank you for
coming from the bocce league. We're glad
to have you.
We're just doing a community budgeting
activity. So, we got some categories
over here. Feel free as you have ideas
on what you'd like to see with our
little bit of money.
Just feel free to put ideas up as at
your leisure. But that's all. That's the
That's our whole scheduled program for
the night.
We
We have the space until 9:00, so no rush
to get you all out of here. Please enjoy
enjoy company.
Participate. We'd love We'd love if you
participate. Otherwise, we'll just spend
our money willy-nilly.
Um
>> [laughter]
>> Just kidding.
So, that's all. We'll probably have a
meeting next month
and where we will share some of the
results of
what we are hoping to do tonight.
So, thank you.
Our meetings are the third Thursday of
every month typically at the DPW
conference building.
Um Thank you, Barbara.
Yeah. Carolyn.
>> Excuse me, I just wanted to know that if
we
come up with an idea past tonight
>> Yeah.
>> that we can write it somewhere else
give them
ideas.
>> Yeah, hopefully. So, that's kind of
>> What did you know what someone that
thinks are that this neighborhood has
done in the past?
>> We do. So, we I can just add in that
this is kind of it's a little bit of a
follow-up to an activity that was done
in 2024
where we did similar thing. It was
called the neighborhood doing assembly
and really trying to figure out how can
we do things with our this body.
So,
the categories up here kind of break it
down into like things that we can
realistically do within our our
but also things that would need
higher elevation.
Yeah. Oh, well, I can read them to you
here. Um it is
uh people powered projects, ideas within
our $3,000 budget, fun, connection, and
friends, um and dream big if we had
magic.
So, those are kind of our different
ideas, things that are free, things that
cost a little bit of money, and things
that cost a lot of money.
That's all. Now, I don't have to say
anything else.
>> [laughter]
>> Oh.
Yeah, I guess Well, I think we didn't
win the election. Yeah. Yeah, I guess
this is an open invite if anybody um is
a Ward 5 resident and would like to join
the steering committee,
um
that's always a possibility. We're we're
below our uh capacity, so um that's
always an open invite uh to any folks.
But, even if it's not tonight, um you
can think about it.
You just need someone to nominate you.
And that's all. And if you don't live in
this ward, check out your local ward. Um
there's probably a free meal there, too.
Well, that's all. That's all for me. Um
thank you, everybody.
Yeah.