Jonathan West - Selectboard Manchester VT

Thermal Energy Networks are an exciting opportunity worth exploring for Manchester and the Northshire. Thank you to everyone who attended the recent community conversation co-sponsored by the Manchester Energy Committee, the Manchester Housing Task Force, and the Manchester Planning Commission.

As highlighted in today’s article from the Manchester Journal, finding long-term solutions for affordability is critical — especially in a volatile fossil fuel market. If we can collectively identify ways to make Manchester more affordable, sustainable, and resilient for residents and businesses alike, we should jump at the opportunity to do so.

Thermal energy networks get the deep dive Such networks were the focus of a workshop held at the Manchester Community Library on April 23, sponsored by the Manchester Energy Committee. The town government has given the committee

HAPPENING NOW: Candidate Forum for Selectboard
At Manchester Community Library and on GNAT https://www.youtube.com/live/hXVXDk-3jZY?si=wwLHy2ljt2b_EFyB

This morning, the Selectboard officially warned the upcoming SPECIAL ELECTION on TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026, for the remaining term of an unexpired 3-year term on the Selectboard, and the remaining term of an unexpired term as Trustee of Public Funds.

Thank you to the candidates for stepping up!

Selectboard:
Sean Dillon
Mike Nawrath
Wes Standard
Jackie Wilson

Trustee of Public Funds:
Doug Kilburn

Today is the LAST DAY to file to run for Selectboard!
You need to submit a petition and consent forms by 5pm, at the Town Manchester, VT Town Clerk's office!

manchester-vt.gov

JOIN THE PLANNING COMMISSION, HOUSING TASK FORCE TONIGHT, TALK HOUSING, and BRING THE KIDS! To help accommodate families with children at this meeting, FREE on-site supervised childcare is being offered on the Maple Street School property during this housing workshop event for attendees who complete this Registration Form:
LINK: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd2zfB0f4Jivl.../viewform

Honored to represent Manchester yesterday alongside Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak and The Bank of Bennington for the announcement of Building Up Bennington County.

This $2.5 million partnership is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment we need, offering low-cost loans (up to $200K per unit) to help local builders get projects off the ground and start addressing the more than 1,000 housing units our region needs in the coming years.

Manchester is committed to being part of the solution. Over the past several years, we’ve taken meaningful steps forward, from creating a Housing Task Force to advancing what could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop a 60-acre town-owned parcel, and being selected for the 802 Homes for All pilot to accelerate small-scale infill housing.

But good plans alone aren’t enough. As I shared: programs like Building Up Bennington County are critical because they provide the financial tools to actually move projects forward. When communities and builders have access to affordable capital, it becomes much easier to turn plans into homes.

This is what an “all of the above” approach to housing looks like, and how we make real progress for working families across Bennington County.

Read the entire article: https://www.manchesterjournal.com/local-news/treasurer-and-bank-of-bennington-announce-building-up-bennington-county-program/article_8a9a23d7-0b86-4d0e-91e3-b47d616a0423.html

Happy St. Patrick’s Day 🍀

I want to take a moment to recognize everyone in our community celebrating the heritage and contributions of Irish Americans today.

I know many people were disappointed not to see the Irish flag flying this year, and I was too. When the Selectboard changed the flag policy, I was the only vote against that decision.

Last year, we had a policy in place that allowed flags like the Irish flag to be flown with Selectboard approval, and I would have fully supported that.

The updated policy now limits what can be flown, and this is one of those moments where we are seeing the unintended consequences of that change.

Manchester is stronger because of the traditions, cultures, and histories that people bring to this community. The Irish community is an important part of that story, and it deserves to be recognized.

I’m hopeful we can find a better path forward — one that respects town policy while also honoring the traditions that matter to so many people here. I would love to see the Irish flag flying again at Town Hall in the future.

Wishing everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day. 💚

Hot off the press!

Beattie, West re-elected to Manchester Select Board; funding requests approved MANCHESTER — During Australian balloting voting held on Tuesday, voters re-elected Select Board Chair Ivan Beattie to another 3 -year term, and Jonathan West was elected to a 2-year term.

THANK YOU to everyone who braved the snow today, for the waves, the smiles, and the kind words along the way. It meant a lot.

Going into today’s election without an opponent certainly gave me some confidence, but I never wanted to take that support for granted or simply phone it in. Our community deserves real engagement and accountability, every time.

I’m deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Manchester for another two years. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me! I’m excited to keep building on the work we’ve started together.

Congratulations to Ivan Beattie, Mike Nawrath, Marie Ferrarin for their wins, as well as all the voted appropriations and budgets.

Today is the day, please get out and vote!
Turnout has been slow here in Manchester, but there is still time to make your voice heard. Polls are open until 7 PM.

Today is Town Meeting Day in the Town of Manchester, VT, one of Vermont’s most meaningful civic traditions. It’s a day when neighbors come together to discuss the issues facing our community, ask questions, share perspectives, and vote on the decisions that shape our town.

Town Meeting is democracy at its most direct. Every voice matters, and every vote counts.

If you’re joining us today, I encourage you to review the Town Report, which contains the articles, budgets, and information we’ll be discussing during the meeting.

📘 View the Town Report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cEuGhJ_E0mlGdwQL5s0Xq7n6ya5v_wf1/view?usp=drive_link

Manchester Elementary Middle School Gymnasium @ 1pm.

Also available live on GNAT TV: https://www.youtube.com/live/EoaKvzJllrs?si=FBkF1ahCqUOPwHuA