Equipment & Salaries Drive Up Morristown Costs
by Amy Kolb Noyes
MORRISTOWN - Thanks to extra efforts by Barb Adams, Carol Bradley, and
folks at the Town Clerk's office, the Morristown Annual Report is now in
circulation, despite personnel shortages at the municipal office
building. In its pages, voters have much to consider.
Articles 14 and 15 of Morristown's Town Meeting Warning are sure to
generate much discussion. In article 14 voters will be asked to
authorize up to $233,420 toward a $394,420 project to renovate and
expand the Morristown Rescue Building. Article 15 seeks to raise up to
$125,000 to purchase the Cole property, located across Richmond Street
from the Morristown Centennial Library.
The Morristown rescue Squad is seeking to add a new garage and HazMat
Trailer Shed at the rescue building, on Washington Highway, across from
Copley Hospital. The current garage would be renovated to serve as a
training classroom. The current training room/living room would be
divided into a living room and two bedrooms for squad members on-call
overnight. A small room currently serving as a bunk room will be turned
into office space. The rescue squad is planning to raise $171,000 toward
the project through grants and fundraising.
The town has secured an option to purchase the Cole property for up to
$125,000. That option expires at the end of March. The town paid $10,000
for the option, which would be applied to the purchase price. That
property, and the neighboring Alexander property, would be needed if the
town were to follow through with plans to realign Richmond Street. The
town has a right of first refusal to purchase the Alexander property.
The town first set its sights on the Richmond Street properties when it
began to pursue a town hall project in conjunction with the library's
addition project. Whether or not the Town Hall project moves forward at
that location, town officials say the Cole property would be a good
purchase for the town. An ongoing intersection study suggests the area
where Park Street, Elmore Street, Copley Avenue, Richmond Street and
Summer Street converge could be made safer, in part, by realigning
Richmond Street farther down Park Street. In addition, town officials
said the property purchase would allow for needed library parking.
Town Administrator Francis "Tag" Taginski added repairs are needed to
the sewer and water connection to the library. That project could be
done in conjunction with any work done to Richmond Street.
"The board's feeling is it's still a good investment for the town,"
Taginski explained.
Morristown voters will be asked to approve a town budget that is up 11%
over the current budget. That figure includes double digit increases in
the fire, highway and police department budgets.
Taginski explained the highway budget includes necessary capital
improvements to the town highway garage and the purchase of a front end
loader and a tandem truck. Taginski said the front end loader for the
village garage was scheduled to be purchased last year, but the
selectboard decided to let that purchase slide a year on the vehicle
replacement schedule. The tandem truck, he explained, is needed to haul
gravel at the rate spelled out in the town's Act 250 permit for the
Duhamel pit. Taginski added the use of a tandem truck will free up a
second highway employee.
Salary increases helped to drive up the highway, general government and
police department budgets. Taginski explained the new town employee pay
classification plan and the new police department union contracts both
went into effect this budget year, but those higher salaries were not
budgeted for the current year. Therefore, Taginski said the new salary
contracts "will have a ripple effect into next year."
The Morrisville Fire Department is seeking a 29% increase in its budget
this year. Increases include salaries and wages, schooling/training
aids, other purchased services, building utilities, and repair and
maintenance of trucks and equipment.
While the budget increases are bound to raise the tax rate in Morristown
next year, Taginski said a 1.6% in the town's grand list should help to
"soften the blow."

GMTCC Budget Inches Up
by Alicia Morissette

The Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (GMTCC) budget was sent
in the mail on Monday with its own section in the Lamoille Union High
School and Middle School budget.
GMTCC's budget for 2005-2006 is $2,213,020, with a variance of $75,330
(+3.5%). Last year, GMTCC had a deficit of $7,255, which has been
attributed to facility repairs.
When looking at town assessments, something to keep in mind is that "all
sending high schools pay the same per-student tuition," as Joe Teegarden
made sure to include in his introductory piece to the printed budget.
Consequently, higher enrollment means a decrease in cost per student.
Cambridge tuition revenue is 1.87% of the total budget which shows a
decrease of $2,811 from last year. As for the rest of the towns, Eden
tuition revenue accounts for 2.64% and shows a decrease of $8,605; Hyde
Park tuition accounts for 3.01% with a decrease of $16,397; Johnson
tuition accounts for 2.94% with a decrease of $8,463; Waterville tuition
accounts for 0.86% with a decrease of $612.
Tuition for "Other Districts" also decreased, which makes them
accountable for 11.25% of the total budget, with a decrease of $51,151.
However, one town's tuition did increase: Belvidere. Proposed tuition
for Belvidere totaled $10,988, which means Belvidere will be accountable
for 0.50% of the total budget, which shows an increase of $1,416 from
last year.
Despite Belvidere's increase in tuition, the overall expected revenue
from tuition decreased, while total revenue increased. State and federal
education grants increased by $52,475 and state Vocational Aid increased
by $66,029.
Under expenses, GMTCC added a School Resource Officer (SRO) and School
Operations Manager (SOM), which are shared positions between GMTCC and
Lamoille. The SRO will cost GMTCC $5,566, and the SOM will cost $9,587.
Enrollment for GMTCC is expected to number 300 in 2006, and a chart
showing the capacity of classes reveals that in 2005, 87.5% of GMTCC's
space will be filled. Of these students, Lamoille enrollment is 59%,
with Hazen Union second with 21%.
The increasing enrollment, while good for GMTCC and to decrease town
tuitions, drove GMTCC to propose a bond for renovation and expansion,
which was defeated not long ago. According to Teegarden's introduction,
"the renovations are much needed and a new proposal is expected in
spring." First, the current budget must be voted on.

Elmore to Reconsider Grader
by Amy Kolb Noyes

ELMORE - Elmore residents will again be asked to purchase a used grader
for the town on Tuesday, March 1 - Town Meeting Day. Voters in Elmore
will also grapple with rising costs in road maintenance, emergency
coverage and schools. Overall, the proposed Elmore town budget is up by
seven percent and the school budget is up five percent.
Town Clerk Sharon Draper said there is a proposed $17,500 increase in
Elmore's highway fund, due to "increased demand and increased material
costs." In addition, voters will be asked to authorize spending up to
$80,000 to purchase, and finance as necessary, a used grader for the town.
Last July, Elmore held a Special Town Meeting to consider that same
purchase. At that time, voters directed the selectboard to further
research the issue before purchasing a used grader. Some voters said the
town should buy a new grader while others did not think Elmore needs to
own a grader at all.
Elmore currently owns a 1979 John Deere grader. The town purchased it
for $12,000 in 1999. Draper said the selectboard plans to retire that
grader and replace it with a newer, used piece of equipment. She said
the board wants to make the purchase now because the town will make its
final payment on its truck this year. She added Elmore will need to
purchase another truck in a year or two, so this would be a good time to
pay for the grader.
Draper estimated the town would need to secure an eight to 10 year loan
if it were to purchase a new grader. If the voters decided to turn down
the used grader article in favor of purchasing a new grader, Draper said
that purchase can- not be authorized at Town Meeting. Elmore will have
to warn and hold a special Australian ballot for a purchase of that
great an expense.
In other areas of the town budget, the Elmore Fire Department/Fast Squad
is requesting an additional $3,000 in its budget. Draper said the funds
would be used to pay a per-call stipend to the volunteer emergency workers.
Emergency dispatch services through the Lamoille County Sheriff's
Department are up nearly 25%, from $17,838 to $22,260. In addition, the
selectboard has estimated police coverage for the town will cost an
additional $2,000. The town currently pays $8,500 for extra coverage by
the Vermont State Police.
Article 11 of the Elmore Warning asks voters to approve spending up to
$20,000 from the school district's existing reserve fund to replace and
renovate the school playground. In December, resident Alan Deuso donated
$1,450 to the playground fund from the sale of Christmas trees donated
by Dana Wildes and himself.

Sheriff's Budget Increases To Thwart Crisis
by Alicia Morissette
The Lamoille County Sheriff's Department (LCSD) patrol and
communications budgets have increased to alleviate the vast difference
between its pay scale and other law enforcement agencies.
The patrol budget alone increased to $574,201.30, a difference of
$99,509.65, and the communications budget is up to $630,936.42, a
difference of $124,518.46 from the last fiscal year. Most of these
increases are due to much needed salary and retirement changes.
Each town will see an increase in its share of the communications
budget. Belvidere is expected to contribute $6,220.30, which will
account for 0.99% of the total budget. The rest of the towns are
expected to contribute the following amounts: Cambridge $86,837.95
(13.76%), Eden $23,645.40 (3.75%), Elmore $22,260.54 (3.53%), Hyde Park
$59,237.62 (9.39%), Johnson $60,833.36 (9.64%), Morristown $118,072.97
(18.71%), Stowe $210,445.64 (33.35%), Waterville $14,216.74 (2.25%) and
Wolcott $29,165.90 (4.62%).
As for the patrol budget, it has been split based on population and Hyde
Park has been asked to contribute $215, 751.76, Johnson $248,110.74 and
Wolcott $110,338.80. These values reflect a 20% increase from last
year's budget.
Sheriff Roger Marcoux Jr. stated, "there will be a point in time in
which we will not be able to sustain" services. According to Marcoux,
LCSD beginning and part-time employees are currently paid $11.50 per
hour, but Marcoux is trying to offer more competitive wages by
increasing wages to between $15 and $16 per hour.
There is also the added competition of shift differentials. Marcoux
discussed how the Morrisville and Stowe police departments offer an
additional 25-50 cents more per hour for night shift. This pay
differential, lower overall salaries and wages and lesser retirement
benefits has resulted in a loss of four or five slots in dispatch,
according to Marcoux.
In an effort to gain applicants, LCSD had to increase wages and
retirement, and has advertised open positions on the radio. Due to these
efforts, Marcoux stated that LCSD has had "fully trained applicants"
applying for positions.
The patrol budget has also increased, because "grants are drying up,"
and places must wait until they are offered, explained Marcoux. The COPS
grant is an example. This federally funded matching grant requires towns
to pay for 25% of the salary during the first year, 50% the second, 75%
the third, and the entire salary during the last year. This year happens
to be the last year of the grant.
So far, Sheriff Marcoux has spoken with many town selectboards, and
"people understand and support" the budget changes, said Marcoux. He has
also been working with county legislative representatives to raise wages.
One name mentioned was that of Senator Susan Bartlett, who Marcoux has
described as being very supportive of increasing wages "to attract more
people." Marcoux is very appreciative of everyone's support. If the
budget goes through, LCSD may relinquish its postion as the "lowest paid
station in the county," according to Marcoux, and step away from its
borderline "crisis situation."

Cambridge Rescue Has Accident
by Alicia Morissette

On Saturday, January 29, the Cambridge Rescue Squad (CRS) had a
collision of its own. According to Dave Severance, of CRS, they were
transporting a patient to Fletcher Allen Healthcare when they were
struck by another vehicle in Underhill.
The collision occurred at "1:48 in the afternoon...and there were no
injuries," stated Severance. CRS called on Essex Rescue to finish
transporting the cardiac patient to Fletcher Allen.
Vermont State Police Trooper Greg Campbell said the rescue truck was
westbound on Rt. 15 when the eastbound driver, Israel Bourget, 30,
veered into the left lane, sideswiping the entire driver's side of the
Cambridge vehicle. Bourget was cited with DWI.
Damage was done to the CRS vehicle. According to Severance, the estimate
CRS has received to fix the vehicle is between $25,000 and $35,000. No
more information is available as the incident is still under investigation.

Great Change for the Johnson Fire Department!
by Alicia Morissette

JOHNSON - On Friday, January 4, the Johnson Fire Department (JFD)
received its long awaited rescue vehicle. Funded via a Johnson bond
vote, the new vehicle will be able to provide faster and better service
to people in an emergency.
The whole project began approximately 11 months ago when JFD came up
with a "wish list" and submitted it to Chuck DeGrandpre of Emergency
Vehicles of Maine, Inc., according to DeGrandpre.
The new Ford 550 Super Duty vehicle was designed to "move personnel to
fires and rescues," stated DeGrandpre. The all wheel drive automatic
transmission diesel vehicle has special LED (Light Emitting Diode)
lights that simultaneously use less electricity and provide greater
visibility.
It also carries support for the Jaws of Life, with a Honda 3,500 watt
generator. The vehicle also has a special radio system, which includes
the standard fire radio which connects with the department and dispatch,
a police radio, and a new "low band" radio designed to communicate with
Vermont Emergency Management (VEM), which is statewide.
Inside, pre-mounted air packs are available to strap on in case of a
fire, hand tools are mounted on a tool board, and traffic directing
lights are easily accessible. Also, the JFD truck will carry a thermal
imager, a machine used to see through smoke. All of these features save
valuable time in an emergency.
Outside the vehicle, there is a lot of storage space for things such as
a backboard, signs, spare compressed air and fire extinguishers. The
Jaws of Life equipment is also readily available, requiring no set-up,
and the generator needs only to be pulled out and turned on. This saves
valuable time.
However, JFD also recently received a new four-wheeler for their
Wilderness Rescue Unit. The new four-wheeler was purchased with a
conversion kit so it can be used in both summer and winter weather.
JFD received the all-terrain vehicle due to Troy Charette's hard work,
Joe Lendway's family and the Long Trail Tavern. First, Charette wrote
and received a grant from VAST (Vermont Association of Snow Travelers),
that would cover half the cost for new equipment. Then, when Joe Lendway
passed away, his family donated money to JFD in his memory. Finally, the
Long Trail Tavern chipped in the extra $9,400.
The Water Rescue Department also received new equipment. Around late
February or early March, after the station burned down, JFD received a
grant that replaced their diving equipment and provided them with a new
trailer to carry the equipment. JFD has enough equipment to outfit a
team of 12, according to diver Will Jennison.
However, JFD has a grander project still to come: a new fire station.
Fire Chief Gordy Smith said that the big pile of snow, currently at the
location of the burned fire station, has a purpose. The snow was placed
there to "keep frost out of the ground" so digging can begin in April,
according to Smith.
The plan is to hire local contractors and use local building suppliers
as much as possible and, according to Smith, bids are coming in now. The
cost for the completed station was $1.1 million, but JFD needs an extra
$100,000 to finish the station.
In addition, there will be a four foot stained glass window with a
Maltese Cross in the front of the station in memory of honorary
firefighter Roger Parsons who passed away several months ago. This will
cost an additional $5,000. However, JFD has managed to raise $500 toward
the window so far.
To help, some work will be done by village crews, which would include
utilities and trucking. The volunteer firefighters themselves will also
be donating a lot of their time and labor to various portions of the
station's construction.
JFD is also fortunate to have a full roster of 27 active members and
five junior members, as well as one person on a waiting list. With this
many people helping, the new station is not going to cost as much as it
potentially could. However, Smith stated it is "hard for families" - for
firefighters to donate so much time.
If anyone wants to make a contribution to JFD, especially the stained
glass project in memory of Roger Parsons, it can be sent to the Johnson
Fire Department, Box 25, Johnson, VT 05656.