(Host) In the months since Tropical Storm Irene, people have been weighing in on the future of the flooded state office complex in Waterbury, and where state workers should be located.
Speaking on VPR’s Vermont Edition, House Speaker Shap Smith said that he would like to see a substantial number of state employees stay in Waterbury.
(Smith) Waterbury has been a good steward and a good citizen in housing the state complex as well as the Vermont State Hospital. It has developed into a vibrant community with a great downtown, and it’s done many of the things that we’ve set out as policies with regard to revitalizing its downtowns and trying to make sure it has a strong community, and I want to support it.
(Host) Smith said that, in his mind, "a substantial number" would be 1,000 or more state employees returning to Waterbury. Fifteen hundred worked at the state complex before it suffered significant damage from flooding.
(Smith) I also really do think that it’s appropriate for us to let the process play out. You know, I think that there will be a back and forth between the legislature as well as with the governor.
(Host) In a recent editorial board meeting with the Rutland Herald and The Times Argus, Governor Shumlin said that a number of the displaced state workers will be relocated to a "21st century workspace" in downtown Barre. The Governor is expected to give more details of the proposal in his budget address on Thursday.
Any final decisions about replacing the state office complex will require legislative approval.