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Sep 28, 2008 Thursday Morrisville, VT 05661 Web Edition |
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Manor Seeks Town Help in Refinancing by Amy Kolb Noyes
MORRISVILLE – The Manor nursing home is the only facility of its kind left in town, now that Genesis ElderCare has closed its doors. Now run as a nonprofit, The Manor is bouncing back from fiscal uncertainty. However, there is still some urgency in its need to refinance $6.5 million in debt dating back to The Manor’s construction. This is the picture painted for the Morristown Selectboard by Union Bank Vice President David Silverman and attorney Ed French, who accompanied Manor Executive Director Lynnette Smith before the board this week. They went before the board seeking the ability to borrow some of the town’s preferred-rate borrowing power. The Manor is working with Union Bank and the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) to restructure its loans in 2009. The town was brought into the fold because, as the municipality where The Manor is located, it can allow the nonprofit to use some of the $10 million of preferred-rate borrowing it is allotted each calendar year. Silverman explained the municipal borrowing rate is lower, because the bank is not taxed on income from the loan. Therefore, the bank can pass on the savings by lending to the town at a lower rate. “It’s basically a one time agreement to allow The Manor to borrow part of your bonding authority,” Silverman explained. Attorney French added the town would not be responsible for repayment of the loan under any circumstance. “The reason we can do this is that we can prove to the IRS it’s a benefit to the community,” Silverman continued. While the selectmen agreed unanimously that The Manor provides a vital service to the community, they wondered if the request would limit the town’s ability to borrow the money it needs in 2009. The town is looking at borrowing funds in 2009 to replace the Bridge Street Bridge, make scheduled purchases of highway equipment, as well as its annual borrowing in lieu of taxes. Those items, by the board’s quick calculations, could add up to about $3 million. That would bring the town to within $500,000 of its bonding authority. That figure seemed too close for comfort for some board members. Both sides of the table agreed to take a closer look at the numbers and come back to the table Monday, December 8. In other business, the selectboard appointed Richard Sargent to fill Amy Walker’s unexpired term on the Morristown Conservation Commission and Reeves Larson to replace Lauren Traister on the Morristown Planning Commission. The selectboard also granted River Arts permission to allow CCS to set up a crane in or around the Copley Municipal Parking lot on New Year’s Eve. The crane will be used to drop a countdown ball at midnight as part of the planned Last Night/First Morning celebration.
LARC Still Open by Amy Kolb Noyes
MORRISTOWN – The doors are still open at the Lamoille Area Recreation Center, and the nonprofit’s board of directors is hopeful it will remain in operation at least through the winter skating season. While LARC could not raise the money it owed mortgage holders, Union Bank and USDA Rural Development, in time for its December 1 foreclosure deadline, enough progress was made for the bank to consider it a “good faith effort” and indicate it would extend the deadline another 90 days. LARC is still actively seeking a buyer for the ice rink and recreation center off Bridge Street, in Morristown. “Things are progressing,” said LARC Executive Director Guy Shane. He added, “We are continuing to meet with prospective purchasers.” LARC Board of Directors Chair Sam Guy was hesitant to say the rink has bought itself more time, but did say the doors remain open for now. “We’re hopeful to have an agreement to stay open until the end of ice,” said Guy. He said, for the long term, the board is actively talking with a small group of investors. He added, “We’re proceeding with vigor.”
by Mickey Smith
Vermont has a new Secretary at the Agency of Natural Resources and he's quite familiar with the forests of Lamoille County. Before moving into state government six years ago, Johnathan Wood, of Cambridge, worked for Bell-Gates Lumber for 22 years. During the 1990s he also served as chair of the Lamoille County Planning Commission's board of directors. He has lived in the Jeffersonville area since he was 17, and attended Johnson State College. For the past six years, Wood has been the Commissioner of the Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation. In his new role as agency Secretary, he will oversee that department, as well as Fish and Wildlife, the environmental arm of Natural Resources, and the central office. At Forest and Parks, he worked with a budget of about $18 million and oversaw 160 people. Now, as head of the entire agency, he is administering an $84 million budget and 600 people. He was appointed to the post after the resignation of former Secretary George Crombie. Wood describes himself as an avid outdoorsman, who likes to hunt, fish, ski, hike, and boat. While he knows the new position is an immense challenge, he said his love of the state's resources helps him to better understand the challenges ahead for him in this new role. Typically, he explained, the position of secretary is held by someone with a legal or bureaucratic background. He estimated that it had been since the early ‘80s that somebody with an outdoorsy background has held the position. “I care for Vermont's environment, that is why I live here,” said Wood. While Natural Resources encompasses more than just dealing with wildlife and trees, Wood says his experiences at Bell-Gates give him an understanding of the permitting process and dealing with those aspects from a business stand point. He said while he knows there are aspects he doesn't know about, he is a quick study and looks forward to the new challenges. Having been within the agency for six years will be a tremendous advantage as he knows the people and programs involved. He added he has had a long term working relationship with Lamoille County's politicians, especially Rep. Rich Westman and Sen. Sue Bartlett, and he feels relationships like that will help him get up to speed in the new position. One local issue that has moved to the forefront lately is the potential clean up of the asbestos mine in Eden. Wood said his department’s efforts will be two-fold. He noted they will be working closely with the EPA and Department of Health on the safety aspects, while also providing information to the public about the site and what is going on. “It's very complicated... we need to be very pragmatic,” said Wood. Wood said they are learning stuff all the time about the mine. He described it as a long term issue that will have to be continuously dealt with.
Johnson’s Holiday Festival will be happening December 12 and 13, and the town's Community and Economic Development Coordinator Lea Kilvadyova said many Johnson business owners, craftspeople, and community members have been hard at work. She said, they have planned a delightful, unique, seasonal festival and everyone from near and far is invited to the celebration. “The event will highlight the wonderful shopping, services, art and entertainment available in our village and has three parts: an Old World Marketplace, the Merchant’s Open House, and a Downtown Decorating Challenge,” explained Kilvadyova. Everyone on Main St. has been invited to take part in the Downtown Decorating Challenge to win prizes that include a Raven’s Ledge sleigh ride, Turtle Fur products, maple syrup and more. A special group of judges has been invited to award the prizes, but everyone can look for their own favorite display. The village will be filled with twinkling lights and holiday spirit. Folks can enjoy the show throughout the season, but especially, while walking around town and visiting the Merchant’s Open House and the Old World Marketplace. A special highlight will be the living nativity at the United Church. Programs will be available throughout the village so you won’t miss anything. Look for signs directing you to off-street parking spaces, since the village will be full of people and fun. Most businesses will be participating in the Merchant’s Open House on Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Some fun holiday “extras” will be available, in addition to the extended evening hours for browsing and dining. This will be a wonderful chance to check out your local holiday shopping options like the brand new Sweet Hollow Herbs in the Woody’s Building. The Quilted Lily will be offering demonstrations and “make-n-take” crafts. Marvin’s Butternut Mountain Farm hope enough snow will fall to let them make “sugar on snow”. Amongst the shops holding raffles are Marvin’s, Roo’s Natural Foods, Johnson Woolen Mill, and Tangles where you can also treat your hands to a paraffin dip. Some shops will be hosting other crafters or artisans just for this evening, too. Hear jazz while sipping coffee at the Lovin’ Cup café (and maybe catch a glimpse of Santa) then enjoy cookies at Merchant’s Bank. Gary and Roland Clark will be entertaining at the Hub, where you can also sample a special German mulled wine called glühwein. Sharon Burns will be at Lamoille Valley Insurance with holiday centerpieces, the Plum & Main is providing a space for Partylite Candles, and Autumn Trombley, of Silpada Jewelry, will be near Northern Highlights Salon. Steve Engel will be printing cards with his hand press at Johnson Public Library and you’ll find Sue Lenel’s Wool Folk at The Quilted Lily. The Johnson Historical Society will be welcoming people with an old-fashioned Christmas tree and more. Some of the fun will even continue into Saturday, like storytelling at Ebenezer Books at 2 p.m. Special things will be happening all through the village, so dress for the weather and come prepared to stroll. The Old World Marketplace will bring a bit of German flair to Vermont as a Weihnachtsmarkt is created at the United Church of Johnson. This portion of the event will be open Friday evening and all day Saturday. You can purchase stocking stuffers and gifts while enjoying warm waffles and homemade doughnuts. Tables will be filled with holiday goodies such as jams, jellies, honey, bread and nuts. There will even be some outdoor booths, in the German style. A unique assortment of locally made art and heritage crafts will be found including pottery, photo cards and calendars, handmade diaries, wreaths, baskets, kitchen dolls, wooden toys, incense, organic cosmetics, sculptures, and paintings. Choose from knitted, sewn, woven, quilted and felted items including children’s clothes and things for the home. You’ll find a small town antidote to the frenzy of the city along with a unique opportunity to experience German culture. For more information about the Downtown Decorating Challenge or the Merchant’s Open House, please contact Nicole at 635-2411. For more information about the Old World Marketplace, please call Renate at 635-1339. For general questions about the event, please call Diana at 635-3683 or Lea at 635-2611. Or, visit www.townofjohnson.com for a detailed program.
by Mickey Smith
At Concept 2, Dick Dreissigacker and Judy Geer have always been socially and environmentally conscious. They have again decided to take their vision and put it into practice, having purchased the Craftsbury Outdoor Center on November 7 and plan on turning it into a non-profit facility. Many of the faces remain the same, the biggest change locals who are familiar with the facility might notice is the drop in prices. Dreissigacker said they have kept everyone around and they're getting accustomed to a new mode of business where users of the facility are not looked upon as customers, but as members. He said the staff has found it liberating not to have to worry about “breaking even,” of course the successful businessman in him noted even in the non-profit world that is, of course, the plan. Dreissigacker and Geer have followed their kids' cross country ski exploits around the world. They said they have seen high priced cross country facilities that are run along the lines of the downhill ski resorts, and they have been to places that are built on open lands with a simple honor system donation box at the trailhead. Dreissigacker and Geer felt the latter is more in tune with the cross country ski experience. They explained it's not like the downhill skiing business where you have a lift line to funnel people through to take their money. In cross country skiing, the trails are spread out over large expanses and often have more than one access point, making it more difficult to monitor usage. This vision of how a cross country ski center should be run is shared by both Dreissigacker and Geer and the former owners, the Springs. After a couple of years of talking, the transaction was closed about a month ago and the center changed hands officially. With the staff and infrastructure of the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, something more than a donation box was needed, but Dreissigacker and Geer felt lower prices would better entice more people to the trails. A day's pass at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center now costs just $10, with a year's membership for the entire family being $100. Students and seniors can ski even more cheaply. Participation is the first point of their mission, but, neck-and-neck, is a desire to protect the area. They have already been able to purchase a piece of land contiguous to the main property. This increase in acreage about doubles the size of the center’s main parcel. Much of the center's trail system relies on the generosity of nearby landowners. Dreissigacker and Geer said they are very appreciative of the kindness of their neighbors and look forward to a long relationship. Future changes can be expected as well. Geer is a big supporter of the localvore concept and plans to bring more, local foods to the dining hall. They plan to build on their “green hotel” status and hope to increase their sustainable operations. They are also discussing summer access to the lake. But this, is a bit of a tricky proposition, as they are already near capacity with their sculling program. Geer said they are enthusiastic about the project and happy to be able to provide the area with an affordable cross country skiing experience. They hope they can continue to serve those already interested in cross country skiing – while attracting a new crowd as well.
Local Meetings on Asbestos Mine
The towns of Lowell and Eden will host public meetings to discuss health and environmental concerns related to the now-closed Vermont Asbestos Group mine. Meetings will be held on Thursday, December 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Lowell Graded School, and Friday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the Eden Central School. Residents of the towns surrounding the mine are invited to attend: Albany, Belvidere, Craftsbury, Hyde Park, Irasburg, Johnson, Montgomery, Newport Town, Troy, Waterville and Westfield. At each meeting, Vermont Department of Health staff will discuss a new health study that shows an association between asbestos-related illness and living in towns located within 10 miles of the mine. The health study suggests that residents may have been exposed to asbestos in the past, but cannot tell anything about current exposure. State health and environmental officials will also be joined by experts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR). Officials will explain the state and federal work that has already been done to contain the asbestos tailings left behind by the mining operation — as well as plans for more testing and risk evaluation so that future remediation work, if needed, can start in areas where the risk of asbestos exposure is greatest. Vermont officials are calling for additional investigation of the impact of the mine, and are warning people to stay off and keep pets away.
Editorial by J.B. McKinley 12/4/08 Stowe Rumors
Much has been made of the tidbit of information published recently by Forbes Magazine that former AIG man Hank Greenberg has an itch to buy Stowe’s Mountain Company. That rumor, for whatever reason, wishful or somehow fact related, had been circulating for at least two months. Now, the rumor has apparently been solidified into what seems to be a very small fact that Greenberg is interested. Well, who wouldn’t be if you could get the money? If a cutthroat bargain is in the wind, buyers gather. But the fact was not that an offer had been made, an inspection visit scheduled, or company overtures extended, or even that behind-closed-doors discussions were happening. The tiny schred of Greenberg information expanding to hundreds of words of speculation seems more like fodder for an op ed page than the front page. The hard fact is that AIG has never even said their Stowe operation is for sale. Then there is the fact that the Greenberg interest was not the only rumor. News & Citizen tried to verify an indication back in September that Intrawest, a multinational resort company that owns Stratton Mountain and Steamboat among others, was looking at Stowe. Nothing much has come of that rumor. Emails to the company did not elicit usable information. This is what we received and interpreted as a “no comment” – “Intrawest has a company policy that we do not comment on rumors and/or speculation in the market. When there is news to communicate the media, our customers and the local community we will issue a press release...” As for the Forbes’ piece, we talked with people at Forbes and it appears their reporter has an “in” with Greenberg that allows access to the man. We were assured his interest in Stowe is real, but who ever questioned that – given the man’s history in connection with Stowe? Now, after talking with a number of folks who work in Stowe, it seems rumors of potential Stowe purchasers are rife around town, and range from an AIG needed “fire sale” to buyers in the wings hoping to get a fire sale price. The News & Citizen will wait until things get a bit past the rumor stage for an article. What happens to Stowe, arguably Lamoille County’s biggest economic engine, is too important to cry “Wolf” about. Maybe we’ll follow the Intrawest policy...
by Amy Kolb Noyes
WOLCOTT – About 40 residents turned out for a Special Town Meeting Wednesday evening, November 19, to address construction cost overruns and ponder police coverage options in Wolcott. The primary order of business was to authorize the selectboard to borrow an extra $32,000 over and above the $60,000 Town Meeting voters approved for renovations to the old train depot. After a period of explanation and discussion, the motion was made and passed. Fred Martin was the selectman who oversaw the construction project, and he explained the unexpected expenditures. Martin said about $20,000 extra was needed for foundation work. Other major expenses arose with the septic system and for outside excavators to come onto the job. Most of the work on the project was done by a crew from the St. Johnsbury Correctional Center. The town had a limited time to complete the project, as the space had already been leased to the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union to serve as a public preschool center. As it turned out, the start of school at the center had to be pushed back a week until construction was complete. OSSU has signed a three-year lease for the space, with the option for an additional two years as long as funding and enrollment numbers support the expenditure. There was discussion, raised by Bill Cotten, about making such a decision with a small voter turnout. Town Clerk Linda Martin responded that the town would have to take the money out of the town’s operating budget if the voters did not approve additional loan funds. “We cannot borrow the money without taxpayer approval,” said Martin. She went on to explain the bank has agreed to wait until January to close the loan, pending the outcome of the meeting and the mandatory 30-day waiting period after such a vote. Selectboard Chair Pam Hammel added the board considered sending out a flyer to remind voters of the meeting, but felt it an unnecessary expenditure after recent press coverage of the issue. She added, “We anticipate making a decision on this tonight so we can move forward with the loan on January first.” Hammel also noted the lease term is, in essence, five years – as is the term on the loan. She said she hopes the preschool will be in place for even longer, but it should be there at least long enough to cover the loan payments. “We hope this is a real long-term thing for the people in Wolcott,” Hammel said of the preschool. With that, the question was called and passed on a voice vote. Next, Hammel and the board set about gauging public opinion on what police options should be presented at Town Meeting in March. For several years, Wolcott voters have struggled with the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) budget. In the past, the town’s options have been all or nothing – either be a full-fledged participant in funding the 24/7 department with Hyde Park and Johnson, or walk away and rely upon the minimal coverage provided by the Vermont State Police. This year, Hammel said the town has a third option to consider. Hammel said Sheriff Roger Marcoux said his staffing and the needs of the other two towns are such this year that he can offer Wolcott a compromise. For $80,000 LCSD would cover Wolcott from 4 p.m. until 8 a.m., and the town could get midday coverage from the Vermont State Police. According to Hammel, Sheriff Marcoux said the 2/3 coverage arrangement would work well all-around because Hyde Park and Johnson need more coverage during the day, and most Wolcott residents are out-of-town working during the daytime. In addition, the state police are more available to provide adequate coverage to Wolcott during daytime hours. “According to Roger, what happens out here from eight to four is very little,” said Hammel. She added, if a house is broken into during the day it is often not discovered until after 4:00 when the residents return from work. “He felt that this would be a good time to try this and see how it would work,” Hammel said of Marcoux. Selectman Houle, who has also been working on the Sheriff Department contract, noted both the state police and LCSD have two Lamoille County officers on during the day shift, so the degree of coverage should be about the same. Selectman Arlo Sterner said one difference would be the daytime response to minor auto accidents. He said the State Police have said they would leave it up to the fire department to clear the road after a fender bender. Houle also added this is a one-time opportunity for the town. He said, “They’re giving us a one-year trial period to see if this works for Wolcott.” Houle said if Wolcott voters go for the 2/3 coverage option and decide it is not adequate, they will be able to return to a fulltime contract the following year. He said the LCSD budget is going to be level funded next year, so fulltime coverage would cost Wolcott about $132,000. Houle added Wolcott’s decision would not affect what Hyde Park and Johnson pay next year. “Please talk with your neighbors and friends about this, the ones who aren’t here tonight but will be at Town Meeting” Hammel encouraged those in attendance.
The Village of Johnson Trustees filed for a 13.85% electric rate increase with the Vermont Public Service Board on November 14th. Municipal Administrator, Duncan Hastings, said, “The Board really had no choice about filing for the increase.” Hastings outlined the costs driving the need for the increase: “Increases in Power Supply Costs account for 10.73% of the total increase. Small increases in Operations and Maintenance, Depreciation and Amortization, Taxes and Interest Expense, account for 3.12% or the rest of the increase.” He added, “All of our costs for materials, fuels and oils, insurances and everything else we need to operate and maintain the system have escalated well above 3%. Transformers alone have doubled in price in the last two years.” According to Hastings, the 10.73% increase in Power Supply costs breaks down to a 65% increase in purchased power and a 35% increase in transmission costs. “Hastings said, “For example, one existing purchased power contract costs app $40/mwh for electricity and expires in January of 2009. The replacement cost is app twice that amount, in the $80.00/mwh range. This is what we have to pay for the electricity we provide our customers and these costs simply cannot be absorbed without a rate increase.”
Hastings blames much of the cost increases on what he believes is a failed experiment imposed on the New England Region by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He stated, “This grand experiment called “Standard Market Design” created a “stock market” like structure where electricity is traded on a daily basis (by companies like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley) within specially created “markets” for all aspects of production and sale of electricity. This was promised to spur competition, thereby drive prices down.” It has done just the opposite in fact, and prices have increased twofold since it’s inception. Hastings said, “It’s pretty outrageous, what is taking place, and we should all be contacting our Congressman to ask them to provide greater oversight of FERC and to seek changes to the market system that would help protect the rate payers. There has been a lot of money exchanged, but it hasn’t benefited the rate payer” Hastings concluded by saying, “The Trustees work very hard to provide high quality electric service at reasonable rates, and our rates are still some of the lowest in the state. Most of the state’s utilities are going in for rates cases now or in the near future. It is very difficult to keep prices low when we are constantly being hit with higher charges for purchased power.”
Entrepreneurship and Leadership... Some Additional Skills From GMTCC
by Mickey Smith
It doesn't take much more than a walk through the new front doors for people to realize Green Mountain Technology and Career Center is their father's vocational center. Along with new classrooms and programs designed to incorporate modern technology... GMTCC is looking for new ways to help students be ready to enter the workforce. GMTCC Director Joe Teegarden explained there are more skills to a job than just knowing which wrench to use or what button to push on the keyboard. He said the school is working on giving students skills in how to make it in the working world. Everything from how to present themselves on the job, to things to be thinking about if you want to start your own business. This year, the tech center has begun a “student council” to help design and plan student led and student wanted programs. Teegarden said they did not want to go the route of elections that often seem to become nothing more than popularity contests. He said it was their goal to utilize students who had a sincere desire to work on their leadership skills. Rather than elections, students were asked to “apply” for the positions, including submitting three reference letters. Each applicant was interviewed by a panel of faculty and staff and five students were chosen to be the tech center's first representatives to ACTS (the Association of Career and Technology Students). Lindsay Wheeler was named president, Kelly Marckres was named vice president and Derek Choate, secretary. Charles and Kayla Limlaw also serve on the board, which is overseen by Patti Coultas, the tech center's adult education coordinator, and business teacher Lisa Durocher. The five of them have been charged with coming up with three programs for the students and two community service projects. The first of the student programs was “Entrepreneurship Day” held in GMTCC's Community Education Center. About 100 students signed up to listen to real world advice about starting a business. ACTS arranged for local contractor Brian Jessiman to speak to the students about his green construction business and what he encountered along the way to help prepare him for self-ownership. Dave Rubel, the area business advisor for the Vermont Small Business Development Center, also spoke with students regarding how can you tell if starting a business is right for you. At the end of Rubel's talk, students were encouraged to check under their chairs where they were presented with coupons to Hoagie's Restaurant. Rubel told them this reflected a valuable lesson in the work world, “you have to move your butt, to make a buck.” They also learned about goals, and how you can't expect rules to remain the same. After estimating how many Smarties they could build into a tower. Then they were told, for round two, they would need to use their non-dominant hand. ACTS plans a survey after the event to help determine their next program for the students. In the meantime, they are gearing up to do their first community service effort around the holidays.
by Amy Kolb Noyes
The Vermont Board of Education has named Armando Vilaseca, 51, to replace Richard Cate as the state’s Education Commissioner. Before the decision went to the Board of Education for its 6 to 2 vote in favor of Vilaseca, three finalists for the position were interviewed by a roundtable panel last Monday, November 17. Among the panelists was a handful of student questioners, including three who attend Peoples Academy. Sophomore Collin Craig, junior Nicole West and senior David Chiaravalle spent all day Monday, November 17, at a hotel conference room in South Burlington. Collin and Nicole were there representing the Peoples Academy Change Department (PACD), a student governance group charged with recommending areas of improvement to school administration. PACD is part of a four school initiative facilitated by Helen Beattie. High schools in Winooski, Windsor and Montpelier are also involved in the project, called Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together. The Vermont Department of Education reported more than 20 candidates, from both in and outside Vermont, applied for the commissionership. The three finalists included former Deputy Commissioner of Education Brian C. O’Regan; Betty J. Sternberg, superintendent of schools in Greenwich, CT and former Connecticut State Commissioner of Education; and Vilaseca, who, until now, served as superintendent of Vermont’s Franklin West Supervisory Union, in Fairfax. The students were involved in a “focus forum” that also included parents, teachers, administrators and education and business leaders. After reading through resumes and brainstorming questions, the panel interviewed the candidates individually, for about an hour each, then spent time as a group reflecting on the interviews. Nicole said the students’ line of questioning was intended to get at the candidates’ view on students’ roles in shaping their education. How would they change the system to give students more of a say in their own education and the governance of their schools? “It was a good experience to meet them and be part of the process,” said Collin. After the interviews were over, the group went into a final executive session to express their thoughts and concerns before taking a vote. Collin picked the winner as his favorite. He said Mr. Vilaseca came across as more personable and the “most interesting character.” Nicole preferred Ms. Sternberg, saying she came across as “more student-oriented.” It was with feedback such as this in mind that the Board of Education made their decision later in the week. Morristown Budget Schedule
by Amy Kolb Noyes
MORRISVILLE – The Morristown Selectboard has begun its budgeting process for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The budget process will take up much of the board’s time over the next couple months. The following is a budget meeting schedule released this week; all meetings will be held on Monday evenings, at the Morristown Municipal Office Building, on Portland Street. Unless otherwise noted, meetings begin at 6 p.m. November 24 Special Meeting Budget Review for Revenues, Fire & Police December 1 Regular Selectboard Meeting & Budget Review for Highway & Fields & Parks December 8 Special Meeting Budget Review for Capitol Budget, 4th of July and Recreation December 15 Copley Trust Meeting 5:30 PM Regular Selectboard Meeting & Budget Review for Library December 29 Regular Selectboard Meeting January 12 Regular Selectboard Meeting- Review Warning for Town Meeting January 26 Regular Selectboard Meeting- Adopt Warning for Town Meeting
by Amy Kolb Noyes
MORRISVILLE – Despite investment concerns the Trustees of the Alexander Hamilton Copley Trust Fund, this week, approved a request of just over $33,000 to pay for the accessibility lift at the River Arts Center. The decision was split 5 to 2 in favor of the expenditure, and the trustees agreed to hold a discussion with the fund manager before granting any more requests. The Copley Fund, like most other investment funds, has seen a significant decline in its value in recent months. The fund is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of the Morristown Selectboard and two members at large. It was trustees Todd Yando and Gloria Wing who favored tabling the River Arts decision until speaking with the Merchant’s Trust manager who controls the Copley Fund’s investments. Trustee Dick Sargent spoke up in favor of the River Arts request. “This is a vibrant organization in our community,” said Sargent. “We can just screw everything and count our pennies or we can help out.” Trustee Dave Yacovone, who made the motion to approve the request, supported Sargent’s sentiment. The Copley Trust Fund is currently worth roughly $1.1 million. River Arts has raised nearly $820,000 to renovate the old Lamoille Grange Hall to house office, classroom and performance spaces. The local arts organization took out a loan to complete interior renovations, including a lift to access the second floor. Executive Director Steve Ames said the $33,083.53 appropriated by the Copley Fund for the lift will go to pay off the portion of that loan spent on the lift. The Copley Fund had previously granted $64,150 to renovate the main room on the first floor of the River Arts Center, which has been named the Copley Common Room. Ames said River Arts is currently fundraising to complete renovations and start an endowment for ongoing building maintenance expenditures. They are working on matching an anonymous $75,000 challenge grant, $50,000 of which is earmarked for the endowment. Other major grants for the project have included $35,000 from the Preservation Trust of Vermont and $36,000 from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. Ames said the next big phase of the project should come next spring when exterior painting is scheduled to begin. Ames said that portion of the project will cost approximately $30,000 due to required lead paint remediation and historical renovation requirements such as restoring, rather than replacing, original clapboards.
Severance Named Emergency Manager of the Year
Cambridge's David Severance was honored by Vermont Emergency Management, as more than 350 emergency responders and planners from around Vermont came together for the first time. They gathered recently at the first annual Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee. The conference was an opportunity for local, state, and federal agencies to connect on issues of mutual aid and preparations for emergencies. It was co-sponsored by Vermont Emergency Management, Vermont Homeland Security and the Vermont Department of Health. Cambridge Emergency Management Director David Severance was honored as the Vermont recipient for the Northeast States Consortium’s Emergency Manager of the Year. The honor recognized his years of service and continued contribution to the safety and readiness of his community. Severance helped found Cambridge Rescue, developed the town’s emergency response plans, and served as a leader in emergency management for his and surrounding towns. Dave was nominated by his selectboard and community members. Emergency responders from fire departments, ambulance crews, the Vermont National Guard, special rescue teams and police departments sat side by side with town clerks, local emergency management directors, and other emergency planners to hear how they all interconnect and how that partnership can be helped by state and federal resources. Speakers from Vermont Emergency Management, Vermont State Police, Vermont Hazardous Materials team, and others explained the state’s emergency infrastructure and what resources are available to towns in a time of disaster. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Administrator Arthur Cleaves spoke of the federal aid process and how the federal government can help local jurisdictions pay for disaster recovery and prevention. Those presentations were accompanied by talks from local officials from Barre City, Cambridge, Lincoln, and others who shared their own experiences in disasters, including successes and important lessons learned and how they have used those lessons to better prepare for the future. Severance talked about the heavy rain and tornado that ripped through his community in July and the unique challenges he faced in responding. “Emergency management doesn’t focus solely on responding to a disaster. Other phases of emergency management include preparedness, recovery and mitigation.” Vermont Emergency Management Director Barb Farr said. She added, “At times, several state agencies come together to respond to an incident, but towns can also take steps to prepare for and mitigate the effects of a disaster. This conference allowed towns to look at how they can help themselves and help each other; it also showed them what the state and federal government can do in all stages of emergency management. Hopefully we have better equipped everyone to protect the public in future disasters.” The conference also served as a forum to recognize those in the emergency response community who have gone above and beyond in keeping citizens of individual towns and the State of Vermont safe.
by Amy Kolb Noyes
MORRISTOWN – Stove manufacturer HearthStone is growing, adding jobs, adding product lines and, the Town of Morristown hopes, adding onto its building. The alternative is to move out of town altogether, which would pose quite a blow to the local economy. That’s why when HearthStone manager Dave Kuhfahl came before the Morristown Selectboard this week, the board essentially agreed to his every request. Kuhfahl will be traveling to Spain next month to address the Board of Directors of HearthStone’s parent company, Hergom. He hopes to convince the corporate board to invest in HearthStone’s current location, despite the temptation to move the company somewhere that might offer lower taxes, existing infrastructure and more convenient shipping options. Kuhfahl went to the selectboard seeking some “carrots” that might help him plead his case. Lamoille Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Art Sanborn accompanied Kuhfahl before the board. He offered to help facilitate one major hurdle – how to quickly bring Village sewer services to HearthStone. The selectboard promised HearthStone they would make that happen two years ago, and Kuhfahl said it needs to happen in the spring. “We’d like to get that underway because that would certainly clear some hurdles for us,” said Kuhfahl. He noted HearthStone currently employs about 65 people and is having to regularly pump its septic system. “It just doesn’t make sense,” said Kuhfahl. The selectboard renewed its pledge to find a way to bring the sewer line to HearthStone’s property line. From there the company would pay to hook onto the system. Town Administrator Dan Lindley said he would be meeting this week with LEDC, HearthStone and others to work on the issue of how to pay to bring the sewer infrastructure to the HearthStone facility. Lindley said the line extension will present an opportunity to hook up other properties, such as the Engine House and beyond. “This line should be properly sized, should there be anything to the north,” said Lindley. He said the new line should be eight inches, rather than four inches, to accommodate future growth. Selectman Todd Yando said the Village of Morrisville, which owns and operates the sewer system, also needs to be involved in the process. “They really have to get on board because they’re the ones who are going to reap the benefit of getting it constructed,” said Yando. Sanborn agreed to approach Morrisville Water & Light with the selectboard’s request for involvement. In addition to action on the sewer line, Kuhfahl also asked the selectboard to agree to a five-year tax stabilization proposal, should HearthStone expand on site. If built, he said the 28,800 square foot addition will cost HearthStone two to three million dollars. In order to help absorb that cost, Kuhfahl asked the selectboard to waive local zoning permit fees, hold off on new personal property taxes for the first five years, and phase in additional property taxes on the new portion of the building over five years. Because zoning fees are based on a percentage of the project cost, Kuhfahl estimated Morristown’s fees for the HearthStone project at about $5,000. He said the personal property tax abatement would amount to $2,500 and the property tax stabilization would save HearthStone $4,000. Selectman Dave Yacovone responded he didn’t think that was a high price to pay for the number of jobs HearthStone plans to add – which could be as many as 30 new employees. HearthStone currently pays about $32,000 a year in town and state property taxes, as well as $2,500 in personal property tax. Kuhfahl noted HearthStone has been located in Morristown since its inception 30 years ago. The company went bankrupt in 1988, then sold to its current Spanish parent company and reopened at its current location the following year. Since then the company has added 28,000 square feet onto the building. It is now looking to mirror that addition on the other side of the building, should the company stay in Morristown. The extra space will be needed to manufacture a new line of pellet stoves HearthStone has developed, and plans to bring to the market next year. Kuhfahl said pellet stoves are so popular right now, HearthStone could have added 50 jobs this year if they were already in production. Kuhfahl said his company, this year, sold over 1,000 stoves wholesale in Vermont. “I think HearthStone’s an important part of Vermont,” he told the selectboard. He said he hopes it will continue to be so.
Giant Map Makes Local Stop by Mickey Smith
If during the past week you have overheard a student saying she walked from Vermont to California at school, they might not be fibbing. As part of National Geography Awareness Week, the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center arranged to have the National Geographic Society's “Giant Traveling Map” in the area. A 26'x35' foot map of North America has been in the county, making stops at the Bishop Marshall School, Cambridge Elementary, and GMTCC. This map is one of five roaming around the country, stopping at schools. Along with another North American map, there are also maps of Asia and Africa of similar size making the rounds. Accompanied by a trunk of accessory games and learning tools, the North American map includes directions for placing Hawaii the correct distance from the mainland. The original plan was to unfold the map in the new Community Education Center of the tech center, and allow schools to come to the map. Transportation costs became a concern, so the tech center offered to bring the 101 pound map around to the schools. Once at the schools, the map could be set up and shoeless students (strict stocking feet only rules apply) could walk around on the continent while playing a variety of games designed to improve their grasp of geography. Dan Beaupre, director of Education Partnerships for National Geographic, was the co-creator of the maps. A Vermont resident, he came to the tech center on Monday, November 17, to see his maps in use. He explained, by making the map large enough to traverse, National Geographic is trying to show how small the world has become. Beaupre said they are working on creating lighter but just as durable maps. He said the life expectancy of the maps is three years, although the original is still being sent around in its fifth year. Each year they plan to introduce new continents.
State Fund Helps Keep Barn Standing
HYDE PARK – Over the past 17 years, the State of Vermont has helped to preserve over 225 historic barns and other agricultural buildings by granting over $1.4 million to farm owners through its Barn Preservation grant program. The owners, at a minimum, matched the state funds. Many of them invested much more of their own money to keep the historic structures standing and a part of the landscape. One of the Vermont Barn Preservation program’s most recent investments occurred off Brook Road in Hyde Park, at Gus and Mary Elfer’s farm. Gus calls his place an “obsolete dairy farm, still in farming.” One of the farm buildings on the Elfer’s property is a turn-of-the-century “Mow Barn.” It is a dairy barn designed at the end of the loose hay era, with an upper story hay mow (rhymes with cow), or storage area. The barn was built in 1902 by R.A. Holbrook, against a hillside with exposed ledge and clay soil. Over the years, the barn has undergone a series of foundation repairs to fight its inclination to slide downhill. The first major foundation repairs were completed in 1921. Over the years a series of piers, patches and cement pours have helped keep the building standing. While the barn has seen a number of upgrades, there were no major changes to its design. Because the milking parlor is on the second story Gus said it’s no longer legal to use as a dairy barn, but he still stores hay in the mow. The cows reside in a modern barn, built in 1974. In order to keep the old barn standing through its second century, Gus needed to invest approximately $22,000 in drainage and foundation work. That’s a lot of money to put into a building that’s no longer serving its main purpose. The Elfers turned to the highly competitive Barn Preservation Grant program. State Architectural Historian Nancy Boone, who helps administer the grant program, said the Legislature appropriates $15,000 to $200,000 to the program each year, which is enough to fund 20 to 25 grants. The matching grants can run up to a maximum of $10,000. At first the Elfers were told they were not chosen for this past grant round. However, as some other applicants dropped out of the program, more funds became available. The state offered the Elfers $6,200, although they had applied for $10,000. After Gus sharpened his pencil and started to work on a scaled-back restoration project, the state came through with more money – a total of $9,950, just $50 short of the maximum grant amount. The Elfers added $12,000 of their own savings and the project was on. Waterville contractor Mike Lanphear came in with a crew to jack the barn and Jan Lewandoski, of Greensboro Bend, provided technical assistance on the project. Mark Myette, of North Hyde Park, operated the heavy equipment on the jobsite while Phil Moran, of Eden, poured a new foundation wall. Gus completed most of the drainage work himself, which was about a quarter of the overall project. “All of these guys were really reasonable and came in right on the money with their estimates,” said Gus. He was pleased with the work, and the money well spent on a barn that remains a piece of Vermont history.
VEC Seeks Rate Increase
JOHNSON – Vermont Electric Cooperative is seeking a 9.24% rate increase, effective the first of the year. VEC submitted its request last week to the Vermont Public Service Board. At the same time the company proposed an alternative regulation plan to minimize the impact of large swings in future transmission costs. The alternative regulation plan would give VEC the flexibility to adjust its rates on a quarterly basis, according to transmission costs. Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service already use alternative regulation plans. Such plans allow the utilities to pass along costs and savings to customers without having to go through the rate case process with the Public Service Board. According to the Co-op’s CEO Dave Hallquist, each rate case costs the utility approximately $300,000. “While we recognize that these are challenging economic times for our members, we would not ask for a rate change unless necessary to maintain and improve safe and reliable service while ensuring the continued financial stability of the Cooperative,” Hallquist stated. “As a cooperative our commitment is to VEC members, who are both consumers and owners of this organization.” Hallquist said the two major components contributing to the current request are increased regional transmission costs and capital improvement expenditures. Other factors include higher payroll and related costs, property taxes and vegetation management costs. “About half the rate case is for capital improvements,” said Hallquist. He noted VEC has designed a 10-year infrastructure investment plan to keep the system running smoothly. He likened the investment plan to the maintenance of roads and bridges. While 50% of the requested rate increase is for local infrastructure improvement, Hallquist said another 30% is intended to cover the costs of regional system improvements throughout New England, which are reflected in transmission costs. He explained Vermont utilities belong to a regional group, ISO New England, where utilities share the costs of upkeep on the transmission system region-wide. Due to recent improvements in the regional system, VEC’s transmission costs have been increasing at a rate of about 30% per year. However, Hallquist says he anticipates those costs will start to go down in a couple years, once recent regional transmission improvements are paid for. VEC’s last revenue increase was two years ago, when rates rose by 7.15%. If the current request is approved, the monthly bill for an average residential member using 600 kWh would increase by $9.01, from $97.48 to $106.49. Hallquist added that energy conservation remains one of the best ways for members to reduce their electric bills. “Even with the higher costs, there are steps members can take to conserve energy and reduce their bills,” said Hallquist. “We encourage members to contact Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990 or www.efficiencyvermont.com for more energy efficiency information.”
Things Look This Way to Me Editorial by J.B. McKinley 11-20-08 Buy Locally for Our Own Good
I haven’t written it, though it’s high time. The banks that do business in Lamoille County are to be commended. Perhaps you’ve noticed that there haven’t been any headlines about Union Bank or TD Banknorth or any of the others having made a high proportion of “toxic” loans. Apparently Yankee common sense put the brakes on maneuvering financial instruments like a teenager on a joy ride. What was the result of that fiduciary caution? No bank failure, no begging for handouts, money still available to loan, no run on your bank – that’s what. Congratulations, bankers! And “thank you.” So, let’s extrapolate from the banks to the rest of our local businesses – maybe they are all doing a pretty darn good job of being there for us, too? Right now, I know everyone is bugging us to shop and buy locally. Nevertheless, because I think the cause is worthy, I’m adding my voice to the fray. With our economy sailing close to a rocky shore, it’s time to help ourselves. Heck, the big rats have already left the ship with a lot of cargo, it’s almost desperately true that the mice need to hoist a sail and get on course again. Buy locally if you can. Send every relative out of state a local product for Christmas. Help the businessmen and women who are our neighbors. Take a moment to consider that they might be putting a brave face on things, maybe they need a little boost. It’s true that if they make a profit, it’s much more likely to be spent locally than if you head to Burlington to drop a bundle in a chain store. Let’s stay close and spur our local economy by spending our dollars closer to home. It can’t hurt and it may help a lot. In the meantime, you won’t be paying for shipping and then discovering you could have bought the same thing in town for almost the same price. You will be saving about 50 cents each mile you don’t drive and acting “greener,” too. So, Black Friday, next week, skip the migration to the box stores, where the crowds will be horrible, and spend a few bucks in Lamoille County.
by Mickey Smith
A rabid skunk was found on the Camp Road (that runs parallel to Route 12) in Elmore last week. Vermont State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Robert Johnson said a resident observed the skunk acting strange and aggressive. The skunk was dispatched and collected for testing, resulting in a positive test. Dr. Johnson said this animal did not come into contact with pets or people, but residents should remember rabies is still in the area and it is good to watch for such situations. For more information about rabies call the rabies hotline at 1-800-4RABIES or check out their website at http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/rabies/Rabies_fact.aspx.
by Mickey Smith
Champlain Oil has agreed to join forces with Price Chopper for their Fuel AdvantEdge program. According to Price Chopper spokesperson Barbara Page, Champlain Oil will be changing their gas station, located at the corner of Congress and Main Street in Morrisville, from a Citgo station to a Sunoco station within 10 days of Monday, November 3. After the changeover customers will be able to redeem their savings at that station. The station was closed on Monday, November 10, for the changeover. Brian Cairns, of Champlain Oil, said the changeover only takes a day or two. He said Champlain Oil has partnered with Sandri, the Sunoco provider in Vermont, in about five locations where there is a Price Chopper and not a Sunoco station. Cairns said the partnership will run as long as the program is in place. Price Chopper and Sunoco have teamed up to offer a discount on a fill-up based on the amount of groceries purchased. Using Price Chopper’s AdvantEdge cards, customers can get 10 cents per gallon off their gas purchase for every $50 spent on groceries. There is a limit on the gallonage. For details check out Price Chopper literature. Page said signage will be affixed to the pumps explaining the mechanics of the program.
by Mickey Smith
The Johnson Fire Department unveiled their new 2009 International 4400 series engine on Saturday, November 8. The truck replaces a 1974 pumper purchased from Rhode Island after the department’s disastrous fire. “This is the final piece of the puzzle as far as getting us back to full power after the fire,” said Johnson Fire Chief Gordon Smith. Johnson Firefighter Daryl West said the truck was purchased as part of their capital budget, which is built into the overall town budget. Firefighter Arjay West said the truck has a 1,500 gallons per minute Hale pump on it, with a 1,250 gallon capacity tank of water. The truck also carries 1,000 feet of 4” hose and four SCBA breathing units, along with an assortment of rescue tools. He described the truck as being a workhorse for the department and it is designed with a rescue style body. The truck this one replaces has been sold to the Wolcott Volunteer Fire Department.
LAMOILLE COUNTY – Stowe Town Clerk Alison Kaiser thought she could help give local food shelves a boost going into the holidays if she could encourage some of her fellow Town Clerks to collect nonperishable food items on Election Day. Boy, was she right! With the cooperation of all 10 of Lamoille County’s Town Clerks, nearly 4,000 pounds of food was distributed to three food shelves in the county. “It was my goal to overwhelm the food shelves with this collection effort, especially before the holiday season begins,” stated Kaiser. “The thought of someone going without is heart-breaking. I thought, if I can spare a can or two without breaking my budget to help someone else in need, than so can a lot of other people. They just need to be reminded once in a while.” The Election Day drive was a resounding success, netting 3,000 pounds of food for Lamoille Community Food Share, 400 pounds for the Cambridge Food Shelf and over 500 pounds for the Johnson Food Shelf. Lamoille Community Food Share spokesperson Deb Krempecke was thrilled with the response. “It was great,” said Krempecke. She said her volunteers commented that it’s like Christmas to have so many extra things to put on the shelf. Krempecke added it’s one thing to have peanut butter on the shelf to give away, but to be able to offer crunchy peanut butter so someone who prefers it is really great. She said she’s not surprised by the community’s response, but she is quite pleased. “It was just overwhelming,” said Krempecke. “It was well worth the effort.” Food shelf volunteers picked up voter donations from Lamoille County Town Clerks’ offices Wednesday morning and delivered the goods to the food shelves. Morristown Town Clerk Mary Ann Wilson said voters in her town truly responded to the call. “The food really poured in on Election Day,” Wilson commented. “We were their first stop on Wednesday morning, and we pretty much filled the bed of the pickup truck.” Wilson called the effort an easy way to collect donations, and suggested the Town Clerk’s office might be an effective drop-off site for other food drives, and possibly a Halloween candy drop to help take the burden off Village residents who, in Morrisville, see hundreds of trick-or-treaters. “My office will always be willing to be a repository,” stated Wilson. She added she believes most other Town Clerks would feel the same.
Visioning a Business Office Park
MORRISTOWN – Over the past several months, as the Morristown Planning Commission has updated its Town Plan and begun reviewing its zoning bylaws, the subject of creating a business office park has become a major topic of conversation. The idea of creating a business office park on the outskirts of the Village has been on the books in Morristown since the 1990s. In an effort to further define the concept of such a park, to be located near the Bishop Marshall School, the selectboard has agreed to pursue a $15,000 municipal planning grant from the state. Chip Sawyer, of the Lamoille County Planning Commission, is preparing the grant application. “This grant would provide an opportunity to make use of stakeholder involvement and momentum and provide planning for much-needed infrastructure in one of Morristown’s designated economic development areas,” the grant application states. “Municipal sewer and water service is a zoning requirement for all development within Morristown’s Business Office Park (BOP) zoning district. However no such infrastructure currently exists within the BOP, aside from the parcels along Route 100. Citing the lack of infrastructure as one of the major impediments to development within the BOP, the Town of Morristown, the Morrisville Water and Light Department, BOP landowners, and other stakeholders, including the Lamoille Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), have begun a conversation about the possibilities for providing infrastructure in the same model as an industrial park. In light of this effort, and in recognition of the BOP’s economic local and regional economic development potential, the Morristown Planning Commission and selectboard have decided to seek funds from the Municipal Planning Grant program to match local municipal funds toward infrastructure planning in the BOP.” The BOP would provide space for offices and possibly light industry, but would not accommodate retail. The downtown group MACC has raised some concerns with the Planning Commission about the possibility of a BOP drawing business away from the downtown. If funded, the planning grant would be used to hire a consultant to further define the park’s uses as well as develop specific strategies for infrastructure such as water, sewer, roads and other utilities. “This application finds its roots within local support for good planning,” the application states. “The Town, BOP landowners and other stakeholders all recognize that having one comprehensive plan for infrastructure in the BOP will be a much more responsible and effective way of moving forward than by having landowners and developers construct infrastructure on a project-by-project basis.” Sawyer said Morristown is applying for the maximum municipal planning grant of $15,000. He said the town should know by the end of the year if the application was successful. If funded, the town will have until May 2010 to complete the project.
MORRISTOWN – As it turns out, Morristown has some pretty big trees! We know this thanks to the first annual Big Tree Contest, conducted throughout the summer and fall by the Morristown Conservation Commission. Last week, commission members Steve Rae and Jim Pease visited trees that were entered into the contest by local residents, to verify their size and species. Rae said trees in both the town and village were entered. Winners were announced this week, and were presented with a quart of Vermont Maple Syrup. John and Sarah Guillot, of Stagecoach Road, submitted a 74-inch circumference (over six feet around) White Ash. That tree won the category Most Unique Tree Find in Town.” Stacey Heuer won for the Largest Silver Maple in Town, with her submission of two maples, which sit majestically in front of the Langdell Farm on Route 15, east of town. The largest of Stacey's two trees boasts a circumference of 168 inches, or 14 feet! A Silver Maple on the property of Carolyn Levis won the largest Silver Maple in the Village category. Carolyn's son, Robert, made the entry on her behalf. “The interesting fact about this tree is that it was planted when Carolyn and her husband moved to their house on Paine Avenue in the 1950s,” Rae reported. “It is remarkable that this Silver Maple with a 12 foot circumference has grown so large in one person's lifetime.”
This year’s winning trees will set a standard for enterprising individuals
to locate bigger and
Theft at Aubuchon's by Mickey Smith
The Morristown Police Department is looking for information regarding a shoplifting case at Morristown's Aubuchon Hardware. On Friday, October 31, at about 4:23 p.m., an unknown male entered the store and stole merchandise from within the store. The person was captured on the store's security system, and the police are asking for the public's help in learning the identity of this person. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Morristown Police at 888-4211 or the anonymous Central Vermont Crime Stoppers tipline at 1-800-529-9998.
Potential Superfund Site – Potential Risks?
by Mickey Smith
In light of a new Vermont Department of Health report that found a potential for increased asbestos-related health risks for people who have lived near the Vermont Asbestos Group (VAG) mine in Eden and Lowell, state officials reiterated the need for additional investigation of the mine's impact on its surroundings. Human Services Secretary Cynthia D. LaWare and out-going Natural Resources Secretary George R. Crombie, have said Vermont is pursuing all available avenues to control the environmental and health impacts of the mine, and is working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice. The EPA is dealing with the problem both through cleanup and legal actions. They are in the early stages of evaluating the VAG site for potential listing on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), which would make it eligible for federal funding for a comprehensive cleanup of the site. EPA is also seeking a federal court order against the parties responsible for the contamination to require immediate steps to abate the current risks. In August, following the state’s request for assistance, EPA completed a $2 million cleanup effort to reduce the offsite migration of asbestos-laden tailings. The Vermont Department of Health has completed a preliminary epidemiological analysis that suggests a potential risk of increased asbestos-related illnesses. A major limitation of the study is the lack of information about an individual’s exposure – whether people inhaled asbestos, and if so, where and in what setting, how much, over how many years and other determining factors. The study cannot determine the source of illness, or if exposure to asbestos continues. “Our findings are statistically significant and cautionary, but we need to know more,” said Health Commissioner Wendy Davis, MD. “It is extremely important that Vermonters stay off the mine, and we recommend that you contact your health care provider if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to asbestos.” The Health Department’s analysis of hospital discharge records, Vermont Cancer Registry data and death certificates for the years 1996 to 2005 found statistically significant associations between illness (asbestosis and lung cancer) and residence in towns within a 10-mile radius of the mine, including the towns of: Albany, Belvidere, Craftsbury, Eden, Hyde Park, Irasburg, Johnson, Lowell, Montgomery, Newport Town, Troy, Waterville and Westfield. The health reported noted, “the odds of dying with asbestosis are more than 12 times as high... among people living close to the mine compared to people living further away from the mine.” The report also noted “an approximate 60% increased odds of developing lung cancer.” No significant findings were found for pleural malignancy, peritoneal malignancy, or mesothelioma. The study goes on to list the limitations of the study, including a lack of exposure information. “Residency close to the mine is used as an exposure surrogate, but residency may be a poor indicator of actual non-occupation asbestos exposure,” said the report. “In light of this new information from the Health Department, we intend to aggressively pursue all available resources to ensure we continue to thoroughly investigate all environmental and health concerns,” said LaWare. “The report makes clear that a more comprehensive, in-depth health risk assessment must be conducted.” Among their recommendations is a more complete health risk assessment including activity-based sampling, perimeter air sampling, and data to better understand the off-site migration of the asbestos. As the assessment work is carried out, the Health Department strongly recommends that people and their pets stay off the inactive mine, which closed in 1993, to minimize direct exposure to the asbestos tailing piles. Despite posted “No Trespassing” signs, the mine has been routinely accessed by the public for recreational use, such as collecting rocks and geological artifacts, skiing, hiking, hunting and riding all-terrain vehicles. Trespassing on the site also poses a high risk for injury due to the instability of the tailing piles. The Agency of Natural Resources began investigating the site in 2004 and has conducted biological and chemical assessments of 23 locations within the two affected watersheds as well as additional sediment and water sampling downstream from previous study locations. “We have requested that EPA and other federal agencies take the lead in continuing to address the environmental and health impacts of the mine,” said Crombie. “This is a high priority for us. The immediate measures to address the health risks and the long-term cleanup of this site will require significant financial resources, and we support the Department of Justice’s efforts to also bring in the parties responsible for creating the mess.” The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday, November 5, filed pleadings in federal district court in New Jersey, seeking injunctive relief against G-1 Holdings, the former owner of the Vermont Asbestos Group mine in Eden and Lowell, seeking, among other things, additional investigation into the potential impacts of asbestos on locations off of the mine property. The Health Department report was included in this filing. This is the latest in a series of efforts by state and federal agencies to pursue all available resources for the cleanup of the now-closed mine. The Attorney General’s Office has already filed suit against the current owner in state court. Officials from the Department of Health and Agency of Natural Resources will meet with local select boards in coming weeks and plan to hold community meetings in early December. According to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources' waste management division, the two most significant tailings piles contain about 29-30 million tons. From the early 1900s until 1993 when the mine was closed, white asbestos (chrysotile) was mined from open pits. VAG purchased the mine in 1975. VAG is currently a cooperative owned by the former employees of the mine, with Howard Manosh, of Hyde Park, who owns 2% of the company, serving as elected president.
ELMORE – Elmore resident Robert Burley has been selected to fill out the unexpired term of Selectman Bob West, who recently resigned. West also served as Elmore’s Road Commissioner. Resident Brian Shackett was appointed to fill the Road Commissioner post. Selectman Burley was appointed this month after a competitive bid for the post. He is a Vermont native and a 20-year resident of Elmore. Burley’s resume states he spent 25 years as a high tech executive and worked as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He served as an officer and a pilot in the United States Air Force, including combat in Vietnam. Burley is also a commercial pilot and a Masters alpine ski racer, competing internationally. Shackett is in charge of the prisoner work crew for the St. Johnsbury Correctional Center. He was one of a handful of applicants for the Road Commissioner position. Both appointments are in effect until Town Meeting Day in March, when the positions will be up for election. West served on the selectboard for 22 years and acted as Road Commissioner for the past 11 years. West cited personal reasons for his resignation, noting he had achieved his goals for the town and the time was right for “a new set of eyes and ears.”
by Mickey Smith
MORRISTOWN – Three teenagers have been charged in connection with burglaries and vandalism around the area, as a result of an investigation by the Morristown Police Department. Adam Warner, 19, Anthony Snell, 19, and Sean Horgan, 19, were charged with burglary and unlawful mischief related to burglaries at two local businesses, as well as several incidences of vandalism to buildings and motor vehicles, where windows were broken and tires slashed. The incidents occurred between August 31 and October 21. Included in the vandalism were several smashed windows, including glass on cars and Manosh trucks, in the H.A. Manosh parking lot area. As a result of the investigation, Morristown Police allege Warner and Snell were found to be responsible for smashing windows at the Wolcott Elementary School earlier this summer.
MORRISVILLE – Despite appearances to the contrary, the Bridge Street Bridge is not yet under construction. When a crane appeared in the parking lot of Tomlinson’s Store earlier this week and workmen entered the river on Tuesday, many people believed the bridge was undergoing repairs or being prepped for replacement. Morrisville voters, next week, will cast ballots on whether to replace the bridge. In fact, this week’s work was a project of the Village of Morrisville Water and Light Department. MW&L is in the process of repairing erosion around the concrete encasement of a sewer line crossing the Lamoille River in the vicinity of the bridge, according to MW&L General Manager Craig Myotte. Myotte explained the erosion was discovered last year, during an inspection by divers. He added the repair is needed to prevent the rupture of the sewer line and the discharge of untreated wastewater into the river. “The repair consists of three primary steps,” Myotte explained. “The first step is to shore up the eroded space around the existing concrete sewer line encasement with rock material. The second step will be to inject concrete into the void after it is partially filled with rocks. Finally, larger rock material will be placed upstream of the repair to protect it from future erosion.” The repair work began on Tuesday, October 27 and is expected to be complete by the end of the week. Myotte estimated the cost of the repair to be $60,000.
Accident at Elmore Park
ELMORE – Three Vermont Youth Conservation Corps workers had a rough night their last night on duty at Elmore State Park. They crashed the park pickup truck at about 11 p.m., Friday, October 17, sending one occupant to the hospital with minor injuries. State Regional Ranger Supervisor Nick Caputo said it was an unfortunate way to end the season but added, “We were very lucky that nobody was [seriously] hurt.” Caputo said Park Manager Elizabeth Doyle, 28, of Augusta, ME, was driving the truck with two other VYCC park employees inside when the accident occurred. Caputo said they reported seeing someone enter the park, which closed for the season on Columbus Day. The three park workers drove up the road that leads to the hiking trail up Mt. Elmore, but didn’t find anyone. On their way back down the mountain, where the road is still dirt, they reported a deer ran out in front of the truck. Doyle swerved to avoid the animal and the passenger side tires caught the edge of the road, causing the vehicle to roll off the road. Caputo said the state is looking into the matter, but has no reason to doubt the reports of those involved. The smashed truck, a 2000 Chevrolet S-10, parked in view of the entrance to the park fueled local rumors about the incident. When asked about the rumor that the VYCC workers were partying in celebration of their last night at the camp Caputo said, “I think that’s just a rumor. We don’t have any reason to believe they were fooling around.” VYCC President Thomas Hark adamantly denied the rumor. “There clearly was no drinking or partying going on,” he commented. Hark also noted any illicit substances would have been detected by the hospital. He said one occupant of the vehicle was taken to the hospital that night and another went the following day, as a precaution. The people involved were also interviewed by police, the parks service and VYCC personnel. “We have very clear and strict safety protocols in everything we do,” said Hark. He added the VYCC has been staffing state parks since 1991 and this is the first accident in all that time. “We take this very, very seriously,” said Hark. Hark said the VYCC employees were going after someone they thought was headed up to party on the mountain. That person was never found, and it is assumed he or she went to a different part of the park.
by Mickey Smith
MORRISTOWN – Everyone has started to buzz about Price Chopper's advertised savings on gas program, but around Morristown the big question of “where can I participate” is still looming. Price Chopper and Sunoco have teamed up to allow customers to save 10 cents per gallon (up to 20 gallons) on gas for every $50 they spend at Price Chopper, meaning somebody spending $150 will save 30 cents per gallon of gas the next time they fill up the tank. But, the problem is that Morristown does not have a Sunoco gas station! Barbara Page, a spokesperson for Price Chopper, said they are working on finding a different gas station to take part in the program in the Morristown area. She expected a station should be found in the next couple of weeks. She said, in the meantime, Morristown shoppers can use their fuel advantedge savings at other participating Sunoco stations around the state if they wish. On the back page of this week's Price Chopper flyer, is an advertisement explaining the deal. Listed in the ad are locations were the savings can be redeemed. The address listed in Morrisville is the location of the Price Chopper store. Page explained that was included as a place-saver for when a participating gas station is found. The program is scheduled to run through the end of the year.
by Mickey Smith
A strange acting raccoon, noticed in the Sweetser Lane area of Stagecoach Road, has tested positive for rabies. Stowe Police Officer Elizabeth Rankin said the raccoon had been observed, acting more and more strangely for a few days, before an officer was finally able to locate it October 23. Rankin said she and other officers made a couple of trips to the area before the raccoon was found.
WOLCOTT – The Wolcott Selectboard has warned a Special Town Meeting for Wednesday, November 19. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m., at the town office building. Voters are being asked to authorize an additional $32,000 “for cost overruns on renovations to the railroad station” that is now being leased to the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union to serve as a preschool center. At Town Meeting last March, Wolcott voters, by a vote of 65 to 29, authorized the selectboard to borrow $60,000 for the project. The renovation was done over the summer with labor provided by the St. Johnsbury Correctional Center work crew. The cost overruns are primarily attributed to foundation and septic issues. The selectboard is also asking voters to remain after the meeting for a “public discussion” on police coverage. The Warning states the board will present three options for future police coverage. Currently, Wolcott, along with Hyde Park and Johnson, contracts for fulltime coverage through the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department. The cost of that coverage has been a major discussion at Town Meeting in recent years. “This will be an opportunity for the voters to gather information and have a discussion on what they would like to have for police coverage in our town,” the Warning states. “The discussion will also help the Selectboard make decisions when they start working on the 2009 Town Budget.”
MORRISVILLE – Student leaders at Peoples Academy spent Tuesday, October 28, going over numbers in Union Bank’s boardroom. They weren’t training to be bankers; they were analyzing data from the 2007 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey is administered every other year to Vermont students in grades eight through 12. In 2007, more than 90% of Vermont schools participated in the survey. This year students from five schools, including PA, were afforded the opportunity to analyze the data for their school, and compare it to the state numbers. The PA effort is being led by Student Assistance Professional Counselor (SAP Councilor) Drew Farrell. With the help of referrals from teachers, counselors and students, Farrell identified high school students in every grade to assist in the project. He said the students chosen were identified as leaders in their classes who make healthy decisions. The students from all five schools involved in analyzing the data (PA, Mt. Abraham Union High School, Mt. Mansfield Union High School, South Burlington High School and Vergennes Union High School) recently got together for a daylong training with Helen Beattie, the project coordinator for the state. This week, Beattie joined the PA kids in Morrisville. “This is their data and this is a good opportunity for them to bring meaning to it,” Beattie explained. The students spent Tuesday pouring over the data and identifying their school’s strengths and weaknesses. They then discussed ways to build on the strengths and improve on the weaknesses, and drafted an action plan to that effect. This winter, the students will host a Community Dialog Night to present their ideas and gather feedback from the greater community. By springtime, the group hopes to involve even more students in addressing the problems identified at their school. Abby Fitzgerald, Sara Jones and Katelyn Dewey were the first students to commit to this project. They have been meeting weekly with Mr. Farrell to manage the effort. The girls agreed it is interesting to look at PA’s data and compare it to the state averages. Most exciting, they said, is the opportunity to improve their school. “We can change the numbers,” Abby said. Sara completed her thought adding, “Try to make a difference.” The girls all reported they were surprised by some of the numbers, including drug and alcohol use among younger students (grades 8-10), the number of respondents who said they have purposefully hurt themselves, and the number who have reported having sexual experiences with which they were uncomfortable. Katelyn said their main goal is to raise awareness about the problems, so they will be addressed. “If we can make a difference, that’s what matters,” Sara added. Freshmen Sam Loh and Dillon Quad said survey topics such as drug use, drinking, smoking and sexual activity are big issues for their class. Sam said of the 500 or so students who took the survey at PA, about 170 were thrown out because they were deemed not to be truthful or would otherwise adversely affect the data’s accuracy. He added he was surprised by the number of people who were not honest when taking the anonymous survey. “It’s a pretty personal survey,” Dillon noted. |
