By Kolby R. LaMarche

Burlington’s City Council President, Democrat Ben Traverse, fired back Tuesday morning after Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak called for the Council to reconsider the resolution regarding free meals, a measure passed on May 19. 

Backed by all seven Democrats, the resolution demands a plan by July 14 to relocate Food Not Cops’ free lunch program from the Marketplace Garage. The Mayor’s Office, tight-lipped on which parts they want reworked, has fueled the frustration from both elected officials and community members.

The Council President decried the “unnecessarily divisive” rhetoric, rejecting claims that the resolution attacks mutual aid. 

“No one on the Council or in the business community ever called for mutual aid services to end,” the letter declared. The resolution, softened from a June deadline, builds on the Mayor’s reported ongoing relocation efforts, pushing for a nearby site with proper facilities like water and bathrooms. Council Democrats even backed, in the final version of the resolution, limited city funds to ease the move. 

But the Mayor’s reconsideration plea has sparked a showdown. The Council President warned of “respectful disagreement,” noting the garage’s food service raises public health concerns and ties to downtown issues hurting businesses. Over 150 small businesses, residents, and visitors have demanded action, with the Mayor’s Office flagging the garage as a safety “hot spot.” Declining parking revenues, about -$60,000 according to the City, and rising security costs have only deepened the financial hit.

According to Democratic Councilor Evan Litwin, Mulvaney-Stanak didn’t inform councilors of her request. They learned of it through a Seven Days article—a recurring issue, Litwin noted. President Traverse, in his Tuesday letter, also stated he learned of the Mayor’s request from a Seven Days article.

Tensions exploded at a recent REIB Committee meeting, where councilors sparred over the lunch program, as reported by BDN. 
Traverse ended his letter, making the Democrats position clear, stating “our downtown cannot afford to walk this back.”