Gov. Peter Shumlin says he does not support the creation of a governor’s residence at the Redstone mansion, the former Secretary of State’s office in Montpelier, at this time.
Jeb Spaulding, secretary of the Agency of Administration, issued a memo to the Legislature on Tuesday, stating that while the governor supports the eventual renovation of the Victorian mansion on Terrace Street, he does not believe the proposal as submitted is “appropriate in our post Irene world.”
Spaulding wrote that Shumlin was not briefed about a design concept proposal for renovating Redstone that included the creation of a residence for the governor.
In the one-page letter, Spaulding told the House and Senate Institutions committee the governor feels strongly that philanthropic efforts would be better focused on “providing assistance to Vermonters in need.”
The Legislature approved a feasibility study of the residence in last year’s capital bill. Michael Obuchowski, commissioner of the Department of Buildings and General Services, gave a report to House Institutions last week outlining the proposal for public conference rooms on the first floor and a four-bedroom apartment on the second floor.
Spaulding anticipates that state employees from the Department of Mental Health will continue to occupy the former offices of the Secretary of State for some time to come.
Read the Spaulding memo
