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Burlington City Council president and finance board members chosen: Who are they?

Two new councilors have officially taken their seats on Burlington's City Council. Democrats Ranjit "Buddy" Singh and Allie Schachter are now representing the South and East districts, respectively. Ward council seats were not up for election this year, but the five district seats were. North District's Mark Barlow and Central District's Melo Grant were both re-elected. The West District remains open, with no individual running for the seat this year. The councilors were sworn in by Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak April 7, which she then followed with her State of the City Address, one year after her own swearing in as Burlington's first woman and openly LGBTQ mayor. She spoke about her administration's accomplishments over the past year, and the focus on community safety, housing and climate. Incumbent President Ben Traverse was challenged for his seat this year by Ward 1 Progressive Carter Neubieser. The City Council president sets the agenda for the meetings and presides over said meetings. They often have to maintain order and focus during those meetings. They also serve as a key liaison between the council and the mayor. Traverse has held the position for a year and will continue to as he won the majority vote with seven "yes" votes. Neubieser and other Progressives were hoping to gain some point of power in a now unbalanced council, with Democrats gaining majority in the recent election. A new Board of Finance is voted in every year. Made up of councilors, the Board of Finance plays a major role in shaping the city's budget. The board approves spending decisions before they go to the full council, and work closely with the mayor's administration on financial planning. Out of the five-person board, the mayor and the City Council president make up two seats. The other three council members voted to the board were Neubieser, Barlow and Ward 4 Democrat Sarah Carpenter. Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@ This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Burlington City Council president named, mayor gives State of the City