Who Am I?
My name is Michael Boutin and I am running as a Republican for the State Representative seat for Barre City. We need individuals to represent Barre City and not special interest pushed by lobbyist or personal agendas.
Through the years I have always been involved in politics. In 2010, I was elected to City Council. Last year I ran for School Board and I am currently the School Board Chair.
The shenanigans happening in the state legislature is having a disastrous impact on the city. The veto overrides alone are reason enough to have moderate voices in the state house. I am a moderate voice as shown by my years of service on City Council and the work I do on the School Board.
A vote for me is a vote for a moderate voice in Montpelier.
my history
Ok, confession time… I am a flatlander by birth. My parents moved to Connecticut in the early 70s. In 1980, I was born. It was in the early 80s that my parents got divorced and my mother, sister and I moved into an apartment house in East Hampton. During that time, my mother worked nights and my sister took care of me while she worked. Above is the apartment house and below is the super nutritious meal of uncooked Franco American SpagettiOs from the can.
We moved back to Vermont in the early 80s. My grandmother let us move into their house on Hillside Ave. My mother took ownership in the late 80s and we have lived here ever since. The house on Hillside Ave has been in our family’s possession for a century. I went to North Barre School, Spaulding Graded, and then graduated from Spaulding High School. I was a Barre Cub Scout and Boy Scout. So although I was born in another state… I am a woodchuck by heritage and longevity. ;)
my Public service to Barre
I have served on City Council for 14 years. During that time I have been the council liaison to the Greater Barre Community Justice Center and the Barre Partnership. I have been part of the Big Dig on Main Street, the creation of City Place, Pearl Street Pedway, the flood mitigation on Gunner’s Brook, BOR Turf, and many other projects. As with all cases for councilors, the work is done by staff. We just get to sign on the dotted line and I have done that. In fact I even signed the Prospect Heights Memo of Understanding as acting mayor.
I was elected as a Barre Unified Union School District board member in 2023. I helped facilitate the return of the teacher appreciation breakfasts in 2024 and we recently hired a new superintendent. In March, I became board chair and have been the person in the middle. I have been advocating for our school district and the needs associated. I have been a staunch advocate of briefing memos for the district. It provides a level of transparency that is desperately needed. I have also attempted to bridge the gap between a deeply divided board. I have had some success and with a new superintendent I am hopeful to bring us all together.
On multiple occasions I have donated my service as a balloon sculptor for events in the city. I donate time putting up Christmas lights for the Barre Partnership. As a licensed drone pilot I am always available for the city and have multiple times been called on to fly. But my heart is with the Christmas for Kids program. Follow the link below for more information on Christmas For Kids.
