Phineas Wish (left) and Nathan Lague will be representing Lamoille Union and the state of Vermont at the National Catholic Forensic League’s Grand National Tournament in Baltimore, over Memorial Day weekend.          Smith photo


by Mickey Smith

      HYDE PARK – Lamoille Union High School fielded a debate team for the first time this year. During the course of the season, October to April, about 10 students regularly took place in the competitions, but two stood out from the crowd, sophomore Phineas Wish, of Waterville, and junior Nathan Lague, of Belvidere.
      Growing up together, the two said they have often engaged in informal debates of subjects, but at the second debate of the season, they decided to team up and see how they could do together. They earned best novice team of the event honors, something they duplicated later in the season.
      High school debate competitions follow the public forum debate style, with two teams of two squaring off against each other. Each month the debate topic changes and competitors have a couple weeks to research the topic and prepare their arguments. The topic comes in the form of a statement that takes a position about something relevant to a current “hot topic.” Both pro and con arguments have to be formulated, as a coin flip determines which side of the argument the person has to argue.
      As a result of making it to the semifinals of the Vermont State Debate Championship, they lost to the eventual winners of the competition, but Wish and Lague were invited to compete at the Grand National Tournament sponsored by the National Catholic Forensic League, held May 26 and 27, in Baltimore, MD.
      Both Lague and Wish agreed it was nice to be able to have a civilized argument, where at the end there could be a winner chosen based on the validity and presentation of the argument.  That’s a situation, they both noted doesn't always happen when arguing with their parents!
      Lague said he has enjoyed joining the debate club, because of the skills in public speaking he has learned and it has opened his eyes to the possibilities of different opinions.
      Wish agreed, noting that he has gone into a debate with one opinion on the subject and after preparing come out with a completely different view.

      by Andrew Martin

      The Town of Wolcott is moving forward with plans to take the next step in the Brownfield Study that was started at the site of the future trailhead parking lot on School Street next to the town offices. The initial portion of the study has been completed, but the town plans to have its consultant run several more tests in order to clarify a few findings from the initial study.
      “The initial study pretty much found what we expected to find with the site being an old railroad property,” commented Lamoille County Planning Commission Executive Director Bonnie Waninger, who is working with Wolcott and the consultant hired to conduct the study, “We found some evidence of railroad exhaust, surface deposits, and small signs of petroleum products.”
      According to Waninger the initial study also found traces of arsenic, which was also expected. She explained that studies like the one conducted at the Wolcott site often find traces of Vermont’s own naturally occurring arsenic and that the traces found at the site were normal for the area. The study also found small traces of lead in the area of the locomotive that was recently removed from the proposed site of the parking lot. The amount of lead found likely came from a small amount of leaded fuel being spilt or lead paint chipping off the engine and is not believed to be harmful.
      The consultant did find one chemical in one sample from the site that was not expected. That find was a small amount of the product TCA 112 [112 trichloroethane], which the consultant believes was present from a small, isolated incident involving someone spraying some kind of product on the site where that particular sample was taken just before the sampling. According to Waninger the presence of the small amount of TCA 112 is one of the main reasons for the town and LCPC moving forward with another round of sampling.
      “The additional testing is just to be safe,” commented Waninger, “Our consultant believes there is no long term risk to anyone right now and we should just be able to remove the soil where the sample was taken from in order to remedy the situation.”
      She further explained that the additional testing that will take place will likely involve soil testing in order to determine how widely the chemical could be spread as well as groundwater testing in order to make certain that the product hasn’t reached groundwater. Even if any of the product has reached the groundwater the consultant feels it is highly unlikely that such a small amount could migrate.
      While no official remediation planning will be made until the second round of tests have been completed the consultant conducting the tests does not anticipate any major issues moving forward. If the tests find that the TCA 112 is not widespread, then there are two simple remediation forms that could be taken either separately or together. Those two processes are removing any contaminated soils and disposing of them and/or building a parking lot over the entire site.
      Waninger further explained that the next step moving forward is for her to give the go ahead to the consultant to conduct the second round of tests. She will likely do so in the coming week, meaning that the actual testing will take place in the next 6-8 weeks. The final results and report will likely be ready sometime in the next 3 to 4 months. Once that report has been filed any necessary remediation steps can be completed. While this work is going on officials in Wolcott are also moving forward with the actual design plans for the trailhead parking area.
      According to Waninger the initial round of preparations and testing for the trailhead site cost approximately $30,000. The next phase of testing is supposed to cost $4,700, a sum that will include writing up the remediation plan for the site. All of the prep work and testing that has been done will be covered by the LCPC Brownfields Program, funding for which is provided by the EPA. While the Brownfields Program will not cover the actual remediation work once that step is reached the LCPC will also work with Wolcott to find other sources of funding for that work.

      by Mickey Smith

      The Vermont Economic Development Authority has announced Butternut Mountain Farm, of Morristown, is among projects they will assist in funding this year.
      Financing for $1.3 million was awarded to Butternut for a 30,800 foot expansion of their Harrel Street facility. It was approved as part of a $32 million distribution of funds, in the form of loan and bond financing.
      Butternut Mountain is a distributor of maple syrup and other maple products. Along with their own syrup, they purchase syrup from producers around New England and New York and Quebec, in all from about 300 producers. Founder David Marvin estimated they work with over half of the sugarmakers in Vermont alone.
      The Butternut expansion was made possible by the extension of the Morrisville sewer line into the industrial part.  By hooking onto the village sewer, Butternut freed up space formally set aside for their septic system and leach field.  The new space will help to expand their receiving, storage, batching and pumping of maple syrup. The expansion is expected to increase their employment from 67 to 79 over the next three years.
      According to the VEDA press release, Union Bank is also providing financing for the project.
     “VEDA is pleased to offer financing support to these exciting development projects,” said Jo Bradley, VEDA Chief Executive Officer.

      by Andrew Martin

      Drivers in Wolcott could be encountering new safety features sometime in the future. Town officials have agreed to partake in the new High Risk Rural Roads Program (HRRR) that has been developed by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). The agreement means that two roads, the Elmore Pond Road and Gulf Road, could be receiving new safety features sometime in the near future.
      The HRRR program has a goal of reducing major crashes on Vermont’s rural and major highways and rural roads by implementing low cost safety improvements. The Elmore Pond Road, Gulf Road, and the location where those two roads intersect with Route 15 have been identified as an area needing these safety improvements and Wolcott has agreed to work with VTrans to make the area safer for drivers. The two roads and their intersection with Route 15 were selected based upon crash data and anecdotal information gathered by the Lamoille County Planning Commission.
      The agreement between Wolcott and VTrans means that new signage or other traffic control devices could be placed on the two roads in question. Among the possible improvements to the area could be new signs, pavement markings, traffic signals, or guardrails.
      Several more steps must be completed before any actual work is done to the roads in question. The site must be visited by Wolcott Road Foreman Skip Patten along with town officials, and Wolcott must sign a Maintenance Agreement for the work that is done. Whatever work is decided upon for the roads must also be put out to bid before the improvements are installed.

      by Mickey Smith

      In light of an incident involving a student having an alcoholic beverage in a water bottle, the Lamoille Union Middle School (LUMS) has temporarily asked students not to bring water bottles on to the campus.
      For the time being, LUMS Principal Hindes did not believe this would be a long term ban. He said through their positive behavior intervention and support plan, called Lancer Pride, the school is using this as a way to be proactive. They will take a closer look at the issue, and make sure they are able to move forward in a safe and healthy way. During that time, he said they will also reaffirm the principles of Lancer Pride and make sure the students are reminded of the expectations for them, including having positive attitudes and initiating positive actions.
      He said the incident appeared to be an isolated incident and did not believe there was an alcohol problem running rampant at the school.
      Hindes said for now they are asking students not to bring to school either store-bought bottled water or re-useable water bottles.
      He noted this was the first time they have had such a situation on the campus, adding that two or three years ago students were not bringing water bottles to school. But in the last few years, he said, usage has grown rapidly. He estimated 25 to 30% of students are bringing bottles to school.  In the mean time, he said, students can get drinks with their lunch, as well as utilize the water fountains at the school.

      by Mickey Smith

      Each year PAR Springer-Miller Systems (PSMS) in Stowe holds a “Give Back Day” where they go out in the community and lend a helping hand by giving back some of their time.  For the past three years they have been donating their day to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in South Hero, and many employees have started offering additional time on weekends to help the camp for children who have had or currently have cancer.
      While volunteering at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, the folks from PSMS were able to meet one of the campers, who joined them for dinner.
      She stole their hearts with the story of her fight with cancer, and her ability to attend the camp and have an opportunity to connect with others who have or had cancer for many years.
      “She helped us remember our own blessings and very quietly reminded us why Camp Ta-Kum-Ta occupies a very special place in the hearts of our company.  At around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday night, I found myself more physically and emotionally drained than ever before,” said Larry Hall, president and CEO of PAR Springer-Miller Systems, through the company's internal website.
      Dominique Couture, executive assistant at PSMS, has decided to tackle another project to help the camp... finding dresses for their annual formal dance in August.
      “When I was at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, I was lucky enough to see their costume shed which was filled with donations over the years, but I couldn't help wanting to see more current dresses in there for the kids this coming year,” said Couture.
      Couture is planning to run “A Dress Drive for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta” through the month of June, she hopes to collect 100 dresses, be it prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses or other formal cocktail type dresses.
      “I know all of us girls have Prom dresses lying around our houses, in storage units or ones you might be wearing this spring, but when you take off your dress – consider donating it somewhere you can make an instant difference,” said Couture.
      She explained they are looking for gently worn dresses for all sizes and ages. She said during the time leading up to their formal event they have seamstresses on staff that help the girls prepare the dress of their choice.
Currently dresses can be dropped off at WLVB or at Stowe Mercantile.  Couture said she would like to find a dry cleaning sponsor as well to help with sprucing up the dresses for use this August.
      “Some of these girls that attend Camp Ta-Kum-Ta will never be able to see their own high school prom,” said Couture.  “The difference you could make is huge.”

      by Andrew Martin

      A Morristown resident has been arrested and charged in a case involving the inappropriate touching of a juvenile. Seventy-nine year-old Edmund Patnoe was recently arrested by the Vermont State Police and charged with Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child following an investigation into a reported incident.
      The Vermont State Police and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) began an investigation on Wednesday, May 2, after receiving word of an incident regarding the inappropriate touching of an undisclosed juvenile. The incident was said to have occurred sometime in the late summer or early fall of 2005 in Craftsbury.     The ensuing investigation led to the arrest of Patnoe, who confessed to the incident.
      On Wednesday, May 16,  Patnoe was cited to appear in Orleans County Court on Tuesday, June 26, 2012.

      by Mickey Smith

      The kids at Mud City Kids Childcare Center (with a little help from the staff)  have figured out a new way to raise money for the Lamoille Area Cancer Network.
      The budding artists have put together about 150 works of art, which will be on display and for sale at River Arts on Friday, June 1 from 4 to 7 p.m.
      Tracy Patnoe, director of Mud City Kids, said River Arts generously donated the space for them to show off the talents of the kids who attend the Route 15A childcare center.
      She said each child at the center, that cares for children six weeks old up to the start of kindergarten age, created at least two works of art, even the infants who donated their hand, foot and fingerprints to some of their works of art.
      Mud City Kids has been involved with the annual Cancer Walk since the child care center opened in 2006. Patnoe said they always have a team and in the past have asked for sponsors. They decided to try to come up with something a little different this year, as with the popularity of the event comes competition for those donations.  They will also be selling luminaries at the art show, that people can decorate right there for the cancer walk.

      by Mickey Smith

      MORRISTOWN – A fight early Saturday morning, May 5, at the Corner Pocket bar in downtown Morrisville, appears to have been started by a member of the Aryan Brotherhood gang, according to Morristown Police.
In an affidavit filed by Morristown Police Officer Scott McCullough, Morristown Police allege Eric Kleine, 32, made several comments about being in the Aryan Brotherhood gang. The affidavit alleges witnesses heard him make racist comments at the Corner Pocket, as well as refusing treatment from a “foreigner” when a Copley Hospital nurse from Canada attempted to treat his wounds at the emergency room.
      During the course of the investigation, which involved both the surveillance camera at Corner Pocket and a cell phone recording of part of the fight, it was learned Kleine showed up at the Corner Pocket at about 12:20 a.m.  Several witnesses allege when a black man entered the bar and began speaking to someone else Kleine began making comments about “white power” and other racial slurs.
      According to the affidavit, the bartender told Kleine he would not be served any more alcohol and was asked to leave. The bartender alleges Kleine argued with him for a minute then walked over to the man who had just entered and punched him in the face. Other witnesses backed up this version of the story, and McCullough alleges he was able to see, in the surveillance video which included a time stamp, as the victim walked into the bar at 12:23 a.m. and walked past Kleine toward the pool tables. One minute later, he states, the video shows Kleine standing up shouting something and raising his right hand straight out in front of his body. At the same time, McCullough states, it appears the bartender is arguing with him. At 12:25 a.m., Kleine is seen standing up and walking towards the pool tables, where the victim was last seen in the frame.
      McCullough claims Kleine can be seen “cocking his right arm back and throwing a punch.” McCullough states the victim was standing just out of frame and cannot be seen in the video.
      After this incident, McCullough states the video shows several patrons escorting Kleine out of the bar.
It’s alleged, after being taken outside Kleine  grabbed a claw hammer. A second video, taken with another witness' cell phone is alleged to show Kleine walking toward three patrons before turning and getting into a pick up truck. McCullough alleges this video shows one of the three people, identified as  Robert Preston, confronting Kleine by asking if he thinks he is a big man because he has a weapon and Preston called him a coward.
      The video allegedly shows Kleine hitting Preston in the face with an open left hand and Preston punching the side of his truck. One of the other men can be seen pulling Preston away. McCullough states the video then allegedly shows Kleine raising the hammer and hitting Preston in the face with it before exiting the truck and hitting him a second time with the hammer.
      The three are then seen tackling Kleine and wrestling him to the ground, while an unidentified person comes into view and can be seen striking Kleine in the back while he was being restrained.
      Officer McCullough arrived after this point and found Kleine on his hands and knees, bleeding from an abrasion to his forehead. Preston was about 15 feet away laying “in the fetal position.” The hammer was found about 25 feet away. McCullough states he had to order Kleine to lie down on the ground several times before he complied.
      Both Kleine and Preston were taken to Copley Hospital to be treated for their injuries. While at Copley, Kleine is alleged to have become upset because the person treating him spoke with a pronounced accent. After the nurse said he was from Canada, Kleine began yelling the nurse was “stealing American jobs” and called him a “Dumb [expletive] Canuck.”
      Kleine allegedly had to be physically restrained and placed on the ground, during which time he was spitting.
Morristown Police Officer Jay Lamell and Lamoille County Deputy Sheriff James Sawyer assisted with putting Kleine in additional leg restraints.
      After stating he was in the Aryan Brotherhood gang, Kleine is alleged to have said he was going to stab the first black person he saw when he went to jail.
      The original victim, also checked himself into Copley Hospital and McCullough stated he observed slight swelling below the left temple area.
      After being cleared medically, Kleine was lodged at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility in St. Johnsbury. He was arraigned in St. Johnsbury on Monday, May 7, on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and disorderly conduct.  Preston was also lodged on an outstanding warrant.
      Morristown Police alleged Kleine is believed to have been living in Hyde Park recently with family.  They said he recently was released from federal prison where he is thought to have become associated with the Aryan Brotherhood, a prison gang that espouses white supremacy.
      Morristown Police Chief Richard Keith said this appeared to be an isolated incident and did not feel there were other similar gang activities going on in the area.

      by Mickey Smith

      Two Hyde Park firefighters and one from the North Hyde Park/Eden Fire Department were charged in connection with an attempted practical joke to be played on a juvenile member of the Hyde Park Fire Department. 
The juvenile's name has not been released and probably will not be released.
      The case was turned over to the Vermont State Police on April 26 by the Hyde Park Selectboard and, in turn by Lamoille County Sheriff's Department because of the natural ties to the community fire department. VSP Detective Sergeant Jacob Zorn, of the Bradford barracks, conducted the investigation.
      According to the VSP press release, the three members had allegedly lured the juvenile to the fire station under the false pretenses of setting up for a training. Once he was there, they allegedly shot him  with Airsoft pellet guns and attempted to tackle him. Allegedly they planned to put handcuffs on him, tie him up and put him in the back of a pickup truck, where they would take him to a remote part of Eden and leave him.
      According to the press release, the Airsoft guns caused minor injuries and the juvenile was able to escape and run away before they were able to restrain him.
      The investigation was reviewed by the Lamoille County State's Attorney's office and Sydney Mclean-Lipinski, 25, of Hyde Park; Joshua Kapusta, 24, of Morrisville; and Nate Jobe, 21, of Hyde Park, were charged with simple assault and attempted unlawful restraint. They were issued citations to appear in Vermont Superior Court – Lamoille County criminal division.
      According to a press release from the Town of Hyde Park, the three firefighters were suspended by their departments. The decision to seek a criminal investigation came about after review of the incident by the selectboard and conversations with the parents of the juvenile.

      by Mickey Smith

      In their recent ranking of the best high schools in the nation, Stowe High School was chosen number one in Vermont by U.S. News and World Report.
      U.S. News and the Washington D.C. Based American Institute for Research compiled the list by looking at how schools serve all its students, not just those heading to college, and if the schools can show measurable outcomes of successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.  The study involved looking at 21,776 public high schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia.  Nebraska was the only state which did not have enough data to be included in the rankings.
      A three-step process was used for the rankings, first they determining if students were performing better than statistically expected in the state in math and reading. Schools that met that standard were moved to the second step, which looked at the school's least-advantaged students to see how they compared to similar students around the state.  Those passing both of the first steps were then judged nationally to look at college readiness performance.  Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test data was used in determining success in this area.  The created a “college readiness index” which measured the best college-level achievement for the highest percentage of students.  Most of the information compiled came from the 2009-2010 school year.  Nationwide, 26 schools received a 100.0 college readiness index.
      Along with being ranked tops in Vermont, Stowe High School was ranked 285th in the Nation, making it a gold medal ranked school.  The top 500 schools nationally earned a gold medal.
      Stowe scored 54.0 with their college readiness index, with a math proficiency rating of 2.4 and a reading proficiency rating of 3.4.  Stowe High School had an 86% proficiency in reading and a 57% in math, both of which were higher than the state average. The proficiency percentage is based on combining the number of students who scored proficient or proficient with distinction on the New England Common Assessment Program test.
According to U.S. News' data, Stowe had 66% of eligible students taking part in Advanced Placement (AP) exams, with a passing rate of 76%.
      Peoples Academy and Lamoille Union were also included in the processed, but neither ranked in the top 2,008 schools in the Nation.
      Peoples Academy scored a college readiness index of 29.2, with a math proficiency rating of 1.8 and reading proficiency rating of 2.6.  PA's math proficiency percentage of 23% and the reading proficiency percentage of 70% were both below the state average. PA had a 37% participation rate for AP exams, with a 73% passing rate.
      Lamoille Union scored an 18.3 on the college readiness index, with math proficiency rating of 1.7 and reading proficiency rating of 2.5.  Lamoille Union had a math proficiency percentage of 23% and a reading proficiency percentage of 55%, both numbers below the state average.  Lamoille had a 23% participation rate in AP exams, with a 73% passing rate.

      by Andrew Martin

      Residents in some Lamoille County towns will soon have the opportunity to access Verizon’s 4G LTE (4th generation Long Term Evolution) network. On Thursday, May 10, Verizon Wireless announced that the company’s 4G LTE network will be deployed in 30 northern Vermont communities on May 17. This deployment of the network is the first instance of it being available to Verizon customers in Vermont.
      “Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network will offer tremendous opportunity to northern Vermont residents and businesses to better connect and innovate,” said Christine Berberich, New England Region president for Verizon Wireless, in a press release on the expansion of the network. “As New England’s wireless leader, we continue to invest in and expand our 4G LTE coverage across the region and look forward to bringing these communities on board next week.”
      The decision by Verizon to bring the company’s 4G LTE network to northern Vermont will affect several towns and areas in Lamoille County. The 4G LTE network is scheduled to be available in Stowe, Morristown, and Cambridge. In Cambridge the network is also scheduled to be available in Smuggler’s Notch as well as in Jeffersonville Village. According to Verizon Wireless spokesperson Michael Murphy the 4G LTE network will basically be overlaying the older 3G network with some extra coverage being possible due to the stronger signal strength. Verizon Wireless has a goal of overlaying all existing Vermont 3G LTE networks with 4G by the end of 2013.
      “The mobility and opportunity that the 4G LTE network provides is incredible,” stated Murphy, “Not only will it benefit residents but it will also open things up for businesses much more. Real estate agents can now share information about their properties more quickly and easily, and tourists visiting Vermont will now have the opportunity to stay longer due to their new ability to conduct business on the network without returning home.”
      Having the 4G LTE network available means that anyone with compatible devices such as smartphones, modems, tablets, and mobile hotspots will now be able to download files, surf the web, and share information much faster than on 3G networks. On Verizon’s 4G LTE network customers can expect average data rates of 2 to 5 megabits per second on the uplink and 5 to 12 megabits per second on the downlink. These speeds can be up to 10 times faster than the company’s 3G network.
      Anyone wishing to learn more about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network and the map listing the current markets where it is available can visit the site  http://www.verizonwireless.com/lte, which will be updated with the new coverage areas on May 17.

      by Mickey Smith

      As part of an investigation of a Fish And Wildlife complaint, a Vermont State Game Warden alleges he found 107 marijuana plants at a house on Almeron Drive, near Lower Elmore Mountain Road in Morristown.
      According to a press release from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Game Warden Jason Batchelder was investigating a complaint in April when he smelled what he believed to be marijuana coming from a window in the house. Batchelder and Hardwick Police Officer Mike Glodgett and his dog “Atos” confirmed the smell leading to a search warrant being obtained.
      With assistance from the Morristown Police Department and Hardwick Police Department, Vermont Game Wardens searched the house where, according to the press release, “an elaborate marijuana cultivation system was discovered along with 107 marijuana plants and more than 27 ounces of processed marijuana.”
      Kenneth Ross, 48, of Morristown, was charged with three felony counts, including cultivating, possession and distribution of marijuana.  His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20, in Vermont Superior Court – Lamoille County criminal division.

       by Mickey Smith

      Colchester Police allege a 55-year old Cambridge man was driving drunk Friday, May 11, when he was stopped – while taking his daughter to a soccer game of a team he coached.
      Garry Loomis was stopped in Colchester for allegedly driving erratically and through turn signals.  While being processed for DUI, the CPD alleges Loomis attempted to disarm an officer as well.
      He was charged with driving while under the influence, endangering a child and for the attempt at disarming the police officer.

      by Andrew Martin

      MORRISTOWN – The dedication ceremony for the Morristown Veterans Memorial is upon us. The event is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 28, at Academy Park in Morrisville at the fork of Rtes 15A and 12. The dedication ceremony for the monument will actually kick off at 10:30 a.m. when the Memorial Day Parade will be held. The parade will begin at the Oxbow, travel up Portland Street before turning onto Main Street and ending at the monument. The actual dedication ceremony is scheduled to commence at 11:00 a.m. following the completion of the parade.
      The ceremony will kick off with the singing of the national anthem, which will be followed by an address from Speaker of the House Shap Smith. A demonstration by the United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team will take place after Speaker Smith’s words. The Honor Guard Drill Team will be traveling all the way from Washington D.C. to take part in the event.
      Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott will also speak at the event following the demonstration by the Honor Guard Drill Team. The monument will then be officially dedicated by members of the Lamoille County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9653. Member Paul Griswold will then present the memorial back to the residents of Morristown. The ceremony will conclude with Echo Company of the Vermont National Guard giving a salute while a bugler from the Vermont VFW also performs.
      Morristown Town Administrator Dan Lindley will be the Master of Ceremonies for the dedication ceremony. Along with the Lamoille County VFW members of the American Legion Post 33, who co-sponsored the monument, will also be in attendance. Everyone in the Morristown community is invited to attend, as are the veterans whose names appear on the monument and their families. 

      by Andrew Martin

      The Town of Hyde Park will be receiving some state aid with regard to work on town roads in the coming summer – but not as much help as was initially hoped. The town applied for a number of different grants and has received word that one of the applications has been approved while two others were denied.
      According to Town Administrator Ron Rodjenski, Hyde Park has been notified that their application for a Better Backroads Roadway Drainage/Capital Budget Grant has been approved. The grant, which will total $4,000, will be used to update a 2005 study which identified different erosion and streambank issues on town roads. Rodjenski explained that the 2005 study identified several sites needing work and that work on most of those sites has been completed since the study took place. The new study will aim at re-inspecting those old sites, while also identifying new ones that should receive attention in the future.
      “The project involves any sites where erosion could take place that require work beyond what is normally done as a part of summer maintenance,” explained Rodjenski, “The study will help the highway department plan their workload for the coming summers and help them identify what extra work will be necessary.”
      Rodjenski went on to explain that the town is currently waiting for the final go ahead from the Better Backroads program before actually hiring the consultant who will conduct the study. Once the green light is received then the town will move forward with the project later this summer.
      While Hyde Park’s application for a Better Backroads grant was approved, the town was not so lucky with regard to several other grants. Town officials applied for a Class 2 Paving Grant for Ferry Street as well as for a Town Highway Structures Grant that would be used on the Beaver Lake outlet culvert on the Garfield Road. Both grants were for large amounts of funding that would be used to complete those projects without a heavy use of town dollars set aside for summer maintenance.
      However, it appears that both projects will have to wait since each application was rejected. When applying for grants like the Class 2 Paving Grant and Town Highway Structures Grant Hyde Park is a member of a 29 town district, and only the towns at the top of the state’s ranking system receive funding. For the current year Hyde Park was ranked 25 out of the total of 29 towns, meaning that not only did the town not receive the grants that were applied for this year but that it is unlikely the town will move high enough on the list to acquire any funding in the near future. Each year the order of the list changes as towns that received funding the year before move back to the bottom of the list.
      The denial of both of the grant applications submitted by Hyde Park means that the Ferry Street project and Garfield Road culvert project will likely be put on hold for at least a year. As for paving, there is currently $140,000 in the town’s summer highway budget that is earmarked for paving. However, warned Town Administrator Ron Rodjenski, a total closer to $300,000 would be needed yearly to keep up with the roads that actually need repaving in Hyde Park.
      “We are short on our paving budget for the upcoming fiscal year,” commented Rodjenski, “The selectboard is committed to looking at the issue in next year’s budget. We can only get state help every four or five years, and the ranking of 25 out of 29 was a sobering realization that a lot of taxpayers, not just in Hyde Park but around the state, are going to have to deal with the deteriorating roads in their towns and keeping them up to date.”

      by Andrew Martin

      The Town of Morristown will be getting about $65,000 for a sidewalk project on Park Street. The town recently submitted an application to the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s (VTrans) Accessibility Improvements Assistance Program for funding for the project, and one portion of the application has been approved.
      The sidewalk project will take place on the north side of Park Street and will involve repairing the current sidewalks, which are in disrepair. New curb ramps will also be installed, as will several crosswalks. Morristown’s application for the funds for the project was actually split up into three parts, Priority 1, 2, and 3. The entire project would have involved replacing 1,078 feet of sidewalk, but only Priority 2 of the application was approved. The approval of Priority 2 means that VTrans will cover the entire $64,790 that the project is estimated to cost.
      Priority 2 of the project involves replacing the sidewalk from the Richmond Street intersection down Park Street to the Lamoille View elderly housing apartments. Approximately 610 feet of sidewalk will be replaced and new curb ramps will be added, as will detectable warning surfaces and crosswalks. The crosswalks will be located 52 feet down Park Street from the corner of Richmond Street. The new sidewalk will also be built to better allow snow removal during the winter.
      Not only will the completion of the Park Street project ensure that foot traffic on that street will be safer, but the new crosswalks will also ensure that pedestrians can safely make their way to Copley Avenue. VTrans will handle the process of putting the project out to bid and run the construction process, meaning that Morristown town employees should not have to be involved, and the town will not have to provide any other form of matching funds. The project, which is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2013, should be fairly easy to start since it will take place in the town’s right-of-way and will not disrupt any existing utilities.

       by Andrew Martin

      The investigation is still ongoing into the shooting by a Vermont State trooper of a Stowe resident in Cambridge. On Monday, April 30, Jonathan Martel was shot and killed by Vermont State Trooper Dustin Robinson while he was attempting to elude arrest by officers from the Vermont State Police and Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department. The 40 year-old Martel died enroute to the hospital after being shot, according to police. Following the shooting, the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded to the scene and was able to determine the events that led to Martel’s shooting.
      Police began looking for Martel when the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department was called to investigate an in-progress burglary at 5 Sargent Drive in Johnson just before 12 p.m. on Monday. The son of the homeowner confronted Martel in the house after he entered, and Martel subsequently fled the scene. However, the individual who confronted Martel was able to give deputies a description of the black Volkswagen Jetta with Florida plates that Martel was driving. Using the description, deputies spotted the car on Route 15, where it was traveling west. A chase ensued, but Martel was able to elude officers and escaped somewhere near Pumpkin Hill Road in Cambridge at roughly 12:18 p.m. A Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department cruiser was damaged during the chase that Martel led police on, but no one was injured.
      Following Martel’s escape the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department requested the aid of the Vermont State Police in locating Martel and the car. By approximately 12:30 p.m. officers received information that a car similar to Martel’s had been spotted on Westman Road in Cambridge. Officers responded to the area, and Martel’s car was soon found abandoned on the nearby Iron Gate Road. A Vermont State trooper (not Trooper Robinson) and Chittenden County Sheriff’s deputy then began tracking Martel with the aid of a K9 dog while other officers began setting up a perimeter near Martel’s car.
      While setting up a perimeter Senior Trooper Dustin Robinson encountered the suspect at roughly 12:45 p.m. about a quarter mile off the road in the woods. Upon seeing Martel, Trooper Robinson repeatedly told the suspect to stop moving and to show his hands. Martel, who had his back to Robinson, began fidgeting with his waistband before turning around, assuming a shooter’s stance, and pointing a metal object at Robinson.
      Seeing the object and believing it was a gun, Robinson then fired seven rounds from his .40 caliber weapon at Martel. Following the shots, Martel moved out of sight over a knoll. Trooper Robinson gave chase and encountered Martel for a second time at the top of the knoll, again ordering him to stop and show his hands. Martel again assumed “a shooter’s stance” while pointing the metal object at Robinson. The “shooter’s stance” phrase has not been defined as one or two-handed. Robinson then fired a single round at Martel and took cover behind a tree. While under cover Robinson saw Martel fall to the ground. It is currently being reported that the single shot fired by Robinson in his second encounter with Martel was the one that proved fatal, although one or more of the previous shots fired may have nicked him.
      According to the Vermont State Police press release Trooper Robinson then rendered medical assistance to Martel and called for an ambulance. That’s when Trooper Robinson noticed that the metal object that Martel had been pointing at him was a cell phone. When Robinson asked Martel why he was pointing the phone at him, Martel responded by saying that “I wanted to die.”
      Detectives have learned via several interviews after the shooting that Martel had been struggling with cocaine addiction and had been suicidal for several weeks. The cell phone was recovered at the scene of the shooting and is still believed to be the object Martel pointed at Robinson. No weapon has yet been located at the scene.
      Following the arrival of an ambulance, Martel was loaded and began the journey to Fletcher Allen Medical Center. However, he died enroute to the hospital as a result of the injuries he sustained. The early reports from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner stated that the entry wound for the bullet appeared to be in Martel’s lower back. A full autopsy has not yet been completed, and a ballistic analysis will also be conducted by the Vermont Forensic Laboratory whenever, or if, the projectile is recovered from Martel’s body.
      Senior Trooper Robinson, who has been a member of the Vermont State Police since January of 2009, was placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting, a practice that is customary following an officer-related shooting. At a press conference on Tuesday, May 1, Colonel Tom L'Esperance, the Director of the Vermont State Police, stated that Martel’s criminal record included a forgery conviction in Vermont as well as several convictions for minor crimes in Florida.
      The investigation into the shooting is currently on-going. The Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department is also continuing their investigation into the burglary on Sargent Drive that led to the shooting. At this point it is unknown if Martel actually stole anything from the residence. Additionally, the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department is investigating whether or not Martel was connected to an earlier theft of a 9mm pistol from a house on Pine Meadow Drive in Hyde Park.
      "We will await the completion of the investigation and the review from Lamoille County State's Attorney's Office and the Attorney General's before drawing any conclusions about yesterday's events," said Colonel L'Esperance said in a statement on Tuesday, "The vital decision to use deadly force is something that will stay with our trooper, throughout his career. And we will provide support to our member, as needed."

      by Andrew Martin

      ELMORE – It appears that the ongoing questions surrounding the enrollment at the Elmore School are finally coming to a close. On Monday, April 30, the Elmore School Board held a special meeting at 5 p.m. at the school with the goal of finalizing plans for enrollment at the school for the upcoming school year. The meeting was attended by a number of community members from Elmore, and it ended with the board deciding to move forward with a concrete plan of deciding which students will attend the Elmore School in 2012-2013 and which will be sent to Morristown Elementary.
     

      The meeting began with the Elmore School Board and Lamoille South Supervisory Union Superintendent Tracy Wrend discussing the visit by Wrend and School Board Chair Penny Jones to Vermont Department of Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca. Along with visiting the Commissioner and telling him more about the Elmore School, Wrend also submitted a request for a waiver of the School Quality Standard that required an average of less than 20 students per licensed teacher. The request for a waiver for the Elmore School asked that up to 21 students be allowed to attend the school in the upcoming school year, although the current plan is to keep 20 students at the school, instead of 21. The goal of 20 students would keep the total number of individuals in the building at any time under or at the limit of 24, since there will almost always be three staff members at the building with the possibility that an additional adult could be present at times depending on what is being taught. The 20 student total was also a figure requested by the staff at the Elmore School.
      Although the request for the waiver had not yet been granted at the time of the meeting in Elmore, both Wrend and Jones felt confident that Commissioner Vilaseca would grant the waiver and were planning to move forward accordingly. Their confidence was well placed, as on May 3 Commissioner Vilaseca granted the waiver for the 2012-2013 school year.
      Now that the waiver for more students at the Elmore School has been granted, the board can move forward with the process of determining which students will be staying in Elmore and which will be going to Morristown Elementary. The board is anticipating that there will be 28 students in grades 1-3 next year from Elmore, meaning that a total of eight students will likely be transitioning to Morristown early.
      In order to determine which students will be transitioning to Morrisville, the staff at the Elmore School will be meeting with the parents of many of the students in the coming weeks in order to discuss the strengths and needs of the students. In order to keep a larger number of third graders in Elmore it will not be just members of that class who will have the opportunity to transition to Morristown Elementary early. The board and staff will also be meeting with the parents of any rising first or second grade students who wish for their children to begin attending Morristown Elementary early. According to Wrend, the board has already received a request from the family of one current kindergartener that  would prefer their child be allowed to continue attending school in Morristown.
“We are interested in supporting educational best practices while also understanding the strengths and needs of the students in the Elmore School District next year,” stated Wrend.
      Once the board, staff, and families have determined which of the eight Elmore students will be attending Morristown Elementary, then the students will move forward with the normal transition activities, such as school visits. According to Superintendent Wrend most transition activities occur in late May into June, so the board and staff at Elmore are aiming to have the process completed in the next few weeks.
      “We would like to make the decision as soon as possible in order to allow students and families time to plan,” commented Wrend, “I really appreciate the community interest and involvement with the process that we have recently undergone. It has facilitated an opportunity to have the conversation regarding both the short and long term needs of the students at the Elmore School. It was also a good opportunity to share information on what makes the Elmore School so special, especially with Commissioner Vilaseca.”

      Press release from Town of Hyde Park

      Hyde Park– The Hyde Park Selectboard has requested the assistance of the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) to investigate an alleged hazing incident that occurred near the beginning of April at the town’s municipal Hyde Park Fire Station on Centerville Road. The incident resulted in injury to an underage Hyde Park firefighter allegedly caused by two members of the department and one member of the North Hyde Park / Eden Fire Department acting on their own and without the knowledge of fire department officers.
      The incident was initially dealt with directly by the fire chiefs of the Hyde Park Fire Department (HPFD) and North Hyde Park/Eden Fire Department, resulting in the suspension of three firefighters. However, after review by the [Hyde Park] Selectboard on April 12 and communications with the parents of the underage firefighter, the selectboard requested the assistance of the Sheriff’s Department who promptly began a criminal investigation. Following two subsequent selectboard meetings on April 30 and May 3, the board instructed the Hyde Park Fire Chief Edwin Webster to reinstate and extend the suspensions until the selectboard reviewed the results of the police investigation.
      Sheriff Roger Marcoux informed the Board that he has asked for the assistance of the Vermont State Police due to the close working relationship of the LCSD and HPFD. The North Hyde Park / Eden Fire Department is a private corporation and not under the direct control of the Hyde Park Selectboard therefore the selectboard has sent a letter to the North Hyde Park / Eden Fire Chief Eric Aither recommending that their firefighter’s suspension be similarly extended.
      The selectboard has been in contact with the parents of the underage firefighter and the board will continue to inform the parents of the progress in the investigation. Selectboard Chair David Gagnier reaffirmed the board’s appreciation for the excellent service provided to the town by both fire departments, and pending the outcome of the investigation, the board will be reviewing existing policies and bylaws, as well as possible training opportunities, to ensure that similar incidents are not repeated in the future. The next Selectboard meeting is May 10, 2012, but this topic is not on the agenda at this time, pending the outcome of the police investigation.
      Both fire departments serve the towns of Eden and Hyde Park with a combined population of approximately 4,000 residents.

      by Mickey Smith



      A fast moving fire kept local firefighters busy in North Hyde Park on Monday afternoon,  April 30.
North Hyde Park/Eden Fire Department Assistant Chief John Savage said the call came in at about 12:50 p.m. of a possible structure fire on Thompson Hill Rd. A passer-by, on his way back to work from his lunch break, noticed smoke at the Jeff Morin residence and stopped at a neighbor's house to report the fire. Savage said the column of smoke was visible when he left his shop on Johnson Plains after the tone had been sounded.
      When the fire department arrived, the back of the residence had flames showing. The fire quickly spread throughout.  Savage said the building was constructed from two trailers being put together and an approximate 4 inch gap between the two provided a chimney causing the fire to rapidly spread through the entire home. He said three roofs on the structure also provided a lot of spaces for the fire to hide. He estimated it was two hours before the fire was under control.
      Hyde Park Fire Department normally jointly responds with NHP/Eden and Johnson and Morrisville were also called to the scene. Savage said they wound up bringing in Cambridge's air trailer to help refill airpacks as well.
“The mutual aid system worked very well,” said Savage, also noting Lamoille Dispatch did a great job, especially considering they were also dealing with the State Police shooting incident in Cambridge at the same time.
      While the frame remains standing, Savage said the building was a complete loss inside as the fire had a good start before they arrived. He said because of the design, they put more water on this fire than they might use on a larger house.
      The department wrapped up from the fire at about 8:15 p.m.
      The cause was not determined, but he said they did rule out arson. No one was home at the time of the fire.

      by Mickey Smith

      Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux Jr. said at this point no charges are being filed in the night long standoff, which occurred on Friday, April 27, at the building on Route 100 housing the North Hyde Park Post Office.
       Sheriff Marcoux said the person involved is receiving medical treatment, but because no charges are being filed, police have asked the person’s name not be used.
      The standoff, involving a 19 year-old male who had locked himself in his bedroom with a high powered rifle, started at about 11:40 p.m. and lasted for about six hours.
Nearby residents were evacuated and the Route 100/Ferry Street intersection was cordoned off while police attempted to talk with the individual.
      After an initial conversation with the individual, no other contact could be made until shortly after 6 a.m. when he appeared on the porch and turned himself in – without incident after the law enforcement used sirens and a flash device to gain his attention.

      by Mickey Smith

      Vermont State Police allege a man brandished a gun at another driver, leading to a Jeffersonville man being charged for the Saturday night, May 5, incident.
      Walter Ward, 42, was cited with aggravated assault with a firearm after he allegedly pointed a gun at  another driver, at about 8:11 p.m.,  while traveling east on Route 15 near GW Tatro, Inc.
       According to a Vermont State Police press release, other drivers reported the incident and the Vermont State Police were able to locate the black Audi being driven by Ward.
      He was taken to the Lamoille Outpost in Morristown, where he was arrested and processed.  He was cited to appear in Vermont Superior Court – Lamoille County criminal division on Wednesday, May 9.

      by Andrew Martin

       MORRISTOWN – Recreationalists in Lamoille County and the surrounding area may soon be noticing several improvements to the recreational facilities in Morristown. The current round of improvements center on mountain biking and cycling and will be put into place in the remainder of the spring.
      “I am very excited about all of these improvements and feel that it is just the beginning of a variety of recreation improvements,” commented Morristown Recreation Coordinator Tim Scandale, “With all the recreation assets in town, Morristown can become a recreation destination.”
      One of the improvements that has already been implemented is a new trail kiosk detailing Morristown’s Trail system that was installed at the parking lot near the Cady’s Falls Nursery, on May 2 and 3. The kiosk was built using funds from a Vermont Recreation Trails Program mini-grant. The structure was designed, constructed, and installed by the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) class at U-32 High School. The plexiglas that will cover the kiosk has not yet been installed, but once completed trail rules and best conservation practices will be posted on the structure, as will seasonal and special information. Along with the VYCC class at U-32 the Morristown Recreation Commission and Chuck’s Bikes were involved with the kiosk project.


      The Cady’s Falls Trail system will not be the only  municipal site to receive improvements this spring. Park benches and a bike rack will be installed at the Oxbow and community playground, and a hitching post style bike rack will also be placed in front of the Tegu building. According to Scandale the benches and bikes were purchased using grant funds from the Lamoille Valley Fit and Healthy Council and they will be installed sometime later this spring by the town. The Lamoille South Supervisory Union was also involved with planning the improvements at the community playground.
      Anyone interested in volunteering or getting involved with the recreation activities in Morristown can do so by attending the monthly Recreation Commission meetings, which occur on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Tegu building. They can also contact Tim Scandale at  timothy.scandale@morrisville.org or at 1-802-505-0434.