By Kolby R. LaMarche

Something’s off in Burlington, and it has been for a while. Democratic councilors repeatedly claim that Progressive Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak isn’t including them in major decisions, and the mayor seems keen to continue.

Councilors are learning about policies much later through news articles, recorded meetings, or even directly from reporters—not straight from the mayor’s office. Nearly every other month this year, one or more Democratic councilors have publicly criticized the mayor’s office for failing to inform or involve them in significant policy decisions.

Burlington Daily News has compiled the three most recent instances of publicly expressed frustration over the mayor’s alleged lack of transparency:

Warming station and beds at the Robert Miller Center

March: A new rule limited councilors’ access to city-owned buildings, such as the Robert Miller Community Recreation Center, which was then being used as a warming shelter. Then-South District Democratic Councilor Joan Shannon was caught off guard. “We were never told about this policy beforehand; I found out when it was brought up at the meeting. It’s frustrating to be sidelined on access to city programs we’re supposed to oversee,” she said during a council meeting. In response, the mayor told concerned councilors that, while they were restricted from accessing public buildings, they could “still receive guided tours of the warming shelter outside its operational hours.”

Food Not Cops in Burlington’s City Hall Park

May: The mayor requested that Democratic city councilors reconsider their decision to move the Food Not Cops lunch program from the Marketplace Garage, citing safety concerns and a $60,000 drop in parking revenue. Over 150 businesses and residents were vocal, but councilors felt blindsided. Democratic Councilor Evan Litwin said, “Mulvaney-Stanak didn’t inform councilors of her request. They learned of it through a Seven Days article—a recurring issue.” Council President Ben Traverse agreed, stating in a letter that he, too, first read about it in Seven Days, not through a direct request from the mayor’s office.

Sarah Russell, Special Assistant to End Homelessness.

July: A plan to allow 12 homeless individuals to park overnight near Perkins Pier stirred controversy. Democratic Councilor Evan Litwin was frustrated again, telling constituents online, “I’m still having to catch up on this, but just for the record, this was another surprise from the Mayor’s Office with no consultation with the Council despite simultaneously asking for our signatures on a letter…we need clear communication and collaboration.” The policy, uncovered earlier last week by veteran reporter Mike Donoghue, was scrapped late last week after days of public scrutiny.