Advocacy Alert!
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On September 2, 2025 the Board of Alderman rejected the Mayor's nominee to the planning commission, our fellow houser Clair Purcell. Clair recently completed her first project, twelve units of market rate apartments in downtown Rutland.
The letter reflects our commitment to creating a maximum opportunity to solve our community's housing crisis.
Though we call it a housing crisis, the challenges to housing people in our current time offers a significant opportunity to reinvigorate our local economy and create solidarity.
The open seats on the Rutland City Planning Commission present the opportunity for a new iteration of the commission that represents all key constituents of the housing ecosystem.
A Planning Commission with representation made up of citizens, business leaders, developers, landlords and other housing professionals does not create a conflict of interest. The board of alderman vote of September 2, 2025 against the appointment of Claire Purcell, local developer and fellow ‘houser’ member of Partners In Housing, is a mistake. Board President David Allaire alluded to her contribution to Mayor Mike Doenges election campaign (not a conflict of interest). Alderman Matt Whitcomb indicated his reason for voting no related to the lack of a strong conflict of interest procedure for the city.
To be clear, conflicts do present themselves, most notably when a public commission is charged with allocating money or approving a project. To demonstrate, if a member of the commission were to benefit directly from the vote, that member must recuse themselves.
The city’s lack of a procedure is no reason to prevent qualified candidates from participating. It’s the responsibility of the city to properly administer the laws and procedures present in our system. Eluding to conflicts that don’t exist but may score political points does nothing to solve our housing crisis.
Partners In Housing steadfastly supports a better housing ecosystem through the full participation of everyone with authority to weigh in on housing. With full representation from those developing, managing and investing in Rutland housing, the Planning Commission will help to realize the goal set by our current administration of 1000 units of housing in five years.
Partners in Housing is committed to creating stability for all citizens through housing and to growing our local economy. A goal that’s value is cheapened when we prevent relevant voices from being heard.
Scott M. Graves
Partners In Housing
