ES211 Service Learning Project
Maintaining Middlebury: Is Middlebury Threatened by Sprawl?
Erin Doherty – Middlebury
‘05
Jean Hamilton - Middlebury
‘04
Deb Brighton – President,
Ad Hoc Associates
December
2, 2003
Technological advances and social changes continue to make living further away from a central compact community more convenient and appealing. These changes are encouraging urban sprawl throughout the United States. Sprawl occurs when populations shift from living in a compact centralized area, or downtown, to living in outlying suburban or rural communities. As people move out of the city and town centers, they demand the clearing of previously open and undeveloped spaces. Also as people move away from the pedestrian convenience of the city center, the use of automobiles greatly increases. Many small town centers, like Middlebury, do not have proper infrastructure for increased automobile travel; they lack ample and convenient parking and maintain confusing traffic circles and intersections. Towns like Middlebury are losing their vibrancy as sprawling populations seek greater car convenience and consumer variation. Since people already must drive from their suburban homes to the town center, they are not inconvenienced by driving farther to bigger cities and towns that are designed for heavy car traffic. This phenomenon not only increases our demand and use of fossil fuels but also threatens the social and economic viability of our local Middlebury community.
As members of the Environmental Policy Class at Middlebury College, we sought to explore the presence and effects of urban sprawl in and around the town of Middlebury. We compared the demographics, housing values, incomes, tax rates, daily commute times, and the school population of Middlebury and several of the neighboring towns. With this information, we have gained a better sense of how the populations are shifting and how these changes are affecting the town and the community. We hope these data will be helpful in promoting and deepening community discussion about urban sprawl in Middlebury.
While population continues to climb in
Addison County, there are noticeable demographic shifts and trends occurring
within the seven towns that we sampled.
Although it remains the most populated among its six immediate
neighbors, the town of Middlebury is experiencing the most rapid decline in population. Between 1990 and 2000, Middlebury lost 392
people, approximately 4.6% of its population.
While Middlebury’s population is declining, all six towns except
Salisbury experienced a slight gain, among which New Haven demonstrated the
highest absolute gain. Parts of these
gains may be attributed to the migration of Middlebury residents. What are some reasons that cause Middlebury
residents to move out?
Other issues associated with a diminishing population include a shifting age structure of the local community. Because a significant portion of the out-migration is school aged children, schools in Middlebury face a decrease in enrollment. An aging population may also infer a higher demand for elderly and health care services. Local commerce also may have to adjust to an evolving market.
Travel Time to Work
Census data on
“travel time to work” offer a visually compelling indicator of outward
migration from the town. The data show
that the proportion of Middlebury’s working population that travels less than 5
minutes to work has decreased from 15% in 1990 to 9% in 2000, while that
traveling 10 to 15 minutes has increased from 18% to 24%. The number of people spending more than 40
minutes in their cars every day is also starting to climb. People in Middlebury are living farther and
farther away from their jobs.
Housing Statistics
(Chart 3 - year owned units were built)
(Chart 5 - year rented unit built)
(Chart 6 - year renter
moved in)
The Housing statistics from the 2000 census by the US Census Bureau revealed some very interesting data suggesting that in the past twenty years, people have been moving into and building in other towns compared to Middlebury. The charts reveal that a greater percentage of Middlebury’s rented units and owned units were built years ago, with very little current construction. The charts also reveal that the percentage of renters and owners moving into units is currently less in Middlebury than in the past, and has increased in other towns. After talking with several people, it was evident that several people thought that Middlebury was one of the most expensive places to by a house. However, the data for the median house value show that Middlebury median value is higher than some towns, though it is less than both Cornwall and Weybridge where populations continue to grow.
Whether through examining census data or talking to residents, it is apparent that taxes on properties are also influencing the population shifts away from Middlebury. Chart 8 shows each of the towns’ tax rate multiplied by the median house value. Apparently, Middlebury residents pay the highest taxes, matched only by Weybridge. These high taxes may be driving populations to less highly taxed towns such as Leicester and Ripton. Because Middlebury’s median house value is lower than median house value in Weybridge, Middlebury residents are paying higher tax rates than any other town.
These data imply that people may be moving from Middlebury to towns such as Cornwall and Weybridge because they can build higher valued houses at lower tax rates. Chart 9 demonstrates the annual tax for $100,000-$150,000 dollar houses at the current tax rates in Middlebury, Cornwall, and Weybridge. Residents in Cornwall pay nearly the same tax for a $150,000 house than Middlebury residents for a $100,000 house. Weybridge and Middlebury are more comparable, though Weybridge is consistently about $300 lower for each of the three values.
School enrollment and tax rates
(Chart 9 - changes in school enrollment)
(Chart
10 - school enrollment and taxes)
Unfortunately, it is apparent that school age children are moving away from Middlebury. It is not clear what are the primary reasons for families moving away, however this movement is having a tangible effect on Middlebury residents’ taxes. Chart 10 demonstrates the decline of school enrollment in Middlebury, compared with the steady or increasing enrollment in the neighboring towns. Middlebury school enrollment dropped by approximately 100 students.
Besides
the social implications of Middlebury’s declining school enrollment, Middlebury
residents are experiencing direct tax implications. Chart 11 illustrates the current enrollment and budget for the
2004 fiscal year. With a 987-student
enrollment Middlebury residents pay a tax rate of $1.83. Middlebury schools
could accept 30 more students without adding new infrastructure (new teachers,
classrooms, etc.). We have alotted
$50,000 in extra funds in case the hypothetical 30 additional students have
special needs. Even considering the
special needs funding, the Middlebury tax rate would drop $0.05, because
spending per student would decline as Middlebury schools reached capacity. $0.05 may sound negligible, though that
change in the tax rate translates into $69.00 on the tax bill of a $150,000
property.
We have enjoyed this opportunity to unveil these data so that the town of Middlebury and its citizens may be informed and take action to discourage the effects of sprawl. As Middlebury is already a member of the state of Vermont’s Downtown Program, it has the opportunity to receive a variety of incentives and benefits which not only discourage sprawl but also help communities maintain vibrancy. If you are interested in any of this information, contact your Selectboard to encourage them to take more advantages of the Downtown Program. You may also visit the Vermont Forum on Sprawl at www.vtsprawl.org. If you have comments or suggestions, we look forward to hearing them. Enjoy the holiday season!
Questions to consider
1.
What are some
major reasons that have impelled you to migrate in or out of Middlebury? (For
example: land value, property taxes, environmental and recreational amenities,
downtown life and convenience, the presence of Middlebury College, distance to
school and work, etc.)
2.
Are you
satisfied with what the Middlebury downtown offers? Where do you usually do
your grocery shopping and other types of shopping? (For example: clothing,
personal and household supplies, electronics, utilities, gifts,
athletic/recreational supplies, etc.)
3.
What kind of
changes would you like to see taking place in the town of Middlebury?
4.
Are you
concerned about the environmental, social, and economic effects of sprawl in
the Middlebury community?