City announces timeline for choosing Burlington Telecom's new owner

City officials will release details of the four remaining bids for Burlington Telecom next week, Council President Jane Knodell said on Wednesday. 

Knodell unveiled a "new process" for the sale of the utility. By next Monday, the four finalists are expected to have submitted their final letters of intent. The Council will review the final proposals behind closed doors at Monday's meeting. 

More Burlington Telecom coverage:

• Telecom advisory board: 'Serious concerns' about Keep BT Local bid
• "Diverse" set of 4 finalists in the running to buy Burlington Telecom
• City Council hears Burlington Telecom bids — in secret

On Sept. 20, the identities of the bidders will be made public, as will the letters, according to the timeline Knodell distributed.

Mayor Miro Weinberger will call a special meeting of the council on Oct 2. The body will vote publicly to choose two finalists. 

An independent financial analysis of the four bidders is currently underway. Knodell said she expects the document to be released to the public on Sept. 25.

"We can have meaningful public input," she said. The input will take the form of public comment sessions, written comments, and councilor engagement with constituents at neighborhood meetings.

The adjustment in the timeline is a response to concerns from members of the public about a secretive process, Councilor Kurt Wright said. 

"We have heard the concerns from our constituents," he said. "We have been eager, all along, to see this process opened up."

Earlier this summer, Mayor Miro Weinberger said that nondisclosure agreements prevented the city from naming the parties who had made bids to buy the utility. 

The agreements, he said, put the city in a strong negotiating position.

Weinberger did not attend Wednesday's announcement because he was participating in contract negotiations between the city's teachers and school board. His chief of staff, Brian Lowe, made a statement of support for the increased transparency. 

Contact Jess Aloe at 802-660-1874 or jaloe@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @jess_aloe