By Kolby LaMarche

The long-standing confusion over ownership and maintenance of dozens of private and unaccepted streets took center stage Monday night as the Burlington City Council received an update from the Department of Public Works on the issue.

Approximately 89 streets in the city fall into this category — neither formally part of the city’s accepted street network nor clearly dedicated into the public right-of-way. 

Many see regular public use as through roads, yet their unclear status has created a patchwork of inconsistent services and deferred upkeep for decades.

DPW Director Chapin Spencer briefed councilors on the scope of work and a proposed timeline to research ownership, assess road conditions and develop policy recommendations. 

No immediate changes to services were proposed. The presentation focused on planning, communication with residents and a methodical review process, all within a 3-year timeline. 

The challenge traces its roots to development patterns from the 1940s and 1950s, when many of the streets in question were constructed. During that post-war era of suburban expansion in Burlington and across Vermont, subdivisions and neighborhood roads were often built by private developers without formal dedication to the city. 

Some were intended for public use but never completed the legal acceptance process. Others served specific properties or small clusters of homes and remained in private hands.

As the city grew, these streets became integrated into daily traffic patterns in many neighborhoods. Over time, the Department of Public Works provided limited informal services on some — such as occasional snow plowing or pothole patching — even though the roads were never formally accepted. 

That practice created an operational gray area that has persisted for generations, with many residents unaware that their road may be one of those in question. 

Not every private or unaccepted street received the same level of attention, however, leaving conditions to vary widely from OK, to poor, or very poor. Some roads developed significant deterioration, with impacts on safety, emergency access and underground utilities.

The current effort builds on discussions from late 2025 and earlier this year. In December 2025, DPW presented a memo outlining the situation and initial considerations for addressing maintenance responsibilities. 

A January 2026 update to the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee (often referred to by councilors as TEUC) further explored categorization of the streets and options for moving forward. 

Those earlier conversations highlighted the need for clearer policies to ensure equitable service delivery and proper budgeting for long-term maintenance- something which has grown increasingly difficult to anticipate and fund. 

Monday’s briefing outlined next steps in greater detail. 

Later this month, the city plans to mail introductory letters to residents living on the affected streets. The correspondence will explain the status of each road, describe the review process and provide contact information for questions.

In May, staff expect to return to the TEUC with initial results from condition assessments and proposed groupings of streets for further review. Research, including deed searches and surveys, will continue through the summer and fall. 

The first set of potential policy recommendations could reach the full City Council in late 2026 or early 2027, the department said.

Councilors used the opportunity to ask questions about the timeline and the importance of thorough documentation before any decisions on acceptance or discontinuation of services. 

The presentation emphasized that resolving the status of these streets is essential for several reasons. Clear ownership allows for consistent maintenance planning, including paving, snow removal and repairs. It also helps ensure that emergency vehicles can navigate the roads reliably and that utilities beneath them receive proper oversight.

For neighborhoods with streets dating to the mid-20th century, the issue represents more than administrative housekeeping. 

Many of these roads were built during a period of rapid residential growth when record-keeping and dedication processes were less standardized than today. Decades later, the lack of formal acceptance has left both the city and property owners navigating uncertainty over who bears responsibility for upkeep.

DPW officials stressed the importance of a data-driven approach. Condition assessments will help prioritize streets that pose the greatest risks to public safety or infrastructure. Deed research will aim to clarify ownership where records from the 1940s and 1950s — or earlier — may be incomplete or ambiguous due to bankrupt developers, changing subdivisions or simple passage of time.

The city maintains that the goal is a fair and sustainable system. Accepting qualifying streets into the public network would bring them under regular maintenance programs but also add to the city’s long-term budgetary obligations. 

Leaving others as private would shift full responsibility to abutters, an outcome that may require careful legal and practical consideration, the department advised.

Monday’s council discussion reflected broad interest in advancing the review efficiently while gathering necessary information. 

No formal votes were taken on specific streets or policy changes. The focus remained on the research and outreach plan presented by DPW.

As the process unfolds, officials expect continued dialogue with affected neighborhoods. The upcoming letters and committee updates are intended to keep residents informed and provide avenues for input.

Progressive Councilor Melo Grant raised the issue of fairness, arguing that – to some residents, especially new residents, this may come at quite a shock. Grant pointed to the lack of communication on this issue, for decades, before thanking the department for their work thus far.