Williston Observer 9/29/2022

Snyder project modified, still not approved

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Snyder Homes presented re vised plans Tuesday for the first phase of a 341-home neighbor hood called the Annex on the former Essex Alliance Church property off Route 2A.

But the Development Re view Board was not ready to offer approval, instead tabling the discussion until its Oct. 11 meeting. The proposal has been tabled once before, in July. Con ceptual plans were first submit ted in the fall of 2021. Board chair Peter Kelley said the twoweek extension would allow the Williston Department of Public

Works and Fire Department to review the modifications.

“This is a big proposal,” Kel ley said. “They need to weigh in.”

The new plans add a traffic light and left-turn lane to the neighborhood’s primary en

the neighborhood.

“It is a fun and unique park,” said Chris Snyder of Snyder Homes. “I’m pretty excited about what it looks like and how it will be used by the public and those living in the neighbor hood.”

T.J. Boyle Associates. The art will be visible from Route 2A, he said.

“We will engage with local artists to create a sculpture,” said Buscher. “We have some great stone mason artists in Ver mont that are nationally known.”

Car dealer to take prime spot

One of the most visible loca tions in Williston will be revi talized from a vacant lot with a neglected one-story building to a car dealership with an outdoor showcase lot and new building.

MD Motors is currently lo cated in an off-the-beaten-path spot — on Dorset Lane off Route 2A behind the Eco Car Wash. It’s a dead-end road on the far northern fringe of Wil liston near the Winooski River. The new location is quite the op posite, on one of the more traf ficked intersections in Chitten den County, the crossroads of Industrial Avenue and Route 2.

The Development Review Board on Tuesday approved the car dealership’s plans for the lot.

“Anything is going to be an improvement,” DRB member Scott Rieley said of the 4-acre lot that has long been an eyesore near the town border with South Burlington.

trance off Route 2A. They also indicate a public park with art installations at the entrance to

Chris Snyder Snyder Homes

The park was designed by Michael Buscher of Burlington landscape architectural firm

The park will also have nat ural play elements such as boul ders, stumps, balance beams and vertical elements as well as pic nic tables and a shelter. It will be owned by the Annex home owners association but open to the public, Snyder said.

A neighborhood park with an outdoor pool, a poolhouse, gar den and picnic tables will be for

MD Motors sells used cars in a wide variety of brands. It plans a 6,000-square-foot outdoor sales lot fronting Route 2 along side a 5,000-square-foot head quarters on the site. The com pany was formed 12 years ago and purchased the lot last year, co-owner Anastasia Gaina said.

Blair Park hotel takes shape

A hotel that has been un der construction for about two years on Blair Park Road re ceived Development Review

“We have improved the project and I’m very excited about where we landed.”

Townhomes in the proposed Annex neighborhood have been redesigned to include front-facing porches and pitched roofs.

COURTESY OF THE WILLISTON PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT

Garden care

Members of Williston Girl Scout Cadette Troop 30921 have built elevated garden beds for the residents at Memory Care at Al len Brook. From April to June, they designed and built the beds with cedar donated by Longboard Lumber. The girls installed the beds in early July and planted to matoes, peppers and other vegeta bles for the residents.

Prior to moving into Memo ry Care at Allen Brook, several of the residents had kept gardens at their homes. The girls wanted to give them the opportunity to garden again. The residents have been watering and tending to the plants. The project helped the girls advance their woodworking skills and complete the requirements for the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest award a Cadette can earn.

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Median household income surpasses $70K

Vermont’s median household income passed $70,000 last year for the first time ever, according to a monthly update from the Public Assets Institute of Montpe lier. This means half of Vermont households took in more than $70,000, and half got less.

Household income rose by about $5,700 between 2019 and 2021, after adjusting for inflation, according to U.S. Census Bureau numbers released last week. That was the largest two-year increase since 2000. The Census skipped reporting state-level median in come in 2020, when the pandemic interrupted data collection.

OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTOS

New owner takes over Shelburne Country Store

BY PAX LOGIODICE Community News Service

The Shelburne Country Store has a new owner.

Previous owners Steve and Deb Mayfield sold the store in June to South Burlington resident Carmone Austin after 15 years running the shop. The store has been open and operating since 1850, and the recent sale is one of many in times the store has shift ed ownership.

Austin chose to take on the store largely because of her prior experiences with local, communi ty-oriented small businesses.

“I grew up in a general store,” she said, “so this is a very familiar environment to me … This is like coming home.”

More than a decade ago, Austin founded the Village Scoop, an ice cream shop in Colchester. She has

Photos

also run an antique center and a coffee shop. She’s only owned the country store for about a month,

Country Christmas Loft just down the road in Shelburne, said the couple decided to sell so they could put their full attention on the holiday-themed store.

“We’re hoping that if we focus on one thing, we can do it really well,” she said.

She added, “It’s been a real privilege to have the time that I’ve had here and for the people in the area to have welcomed us into their lives.”

Austin wants to maintain what many see as the country store’s role as a hub in the town.

but she already has a strong sense of the store’s character.

“It’s a nostalgic business,” she said. “It brings people back in time, to a time when they were a kid.”

Deb Mayfield, who with her husband Steve still owns the

“It’s maintaining the integrity of the store, and carrying on what has been built here, because I think it’s really important that we carry on the Shelburne Country Store and the way it has served the community,” Austin said. “We are an important business to the com munity at large.”

“It’s a nostalgic business. It brings people back in time, to a time when they were a kid.”

Carmone Austin Owner, Shelburne Country Store

Carmone Austin at the Shelburne Country Store

COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE PHOTO

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Vermont State to cut tuition by 15 percent

BY KORI SKILLMAN VTDigger

Tuition at the Vermont State University will be 15 percent low er, on average, than what students currently pay, according to a news release last week.

The $9,999 yearly undergraduate tuition will take effect in July 2023 and will line up with the launch of the new university. Students at Cas tleton University, Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College — with campuses in Ran

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dolph and Williston — will benefit from the price change. The institu tions make up the Vermont State Colleges System, along with the Community College of Vermont.

The Vermont State Colleges System’s board of trustees unani mously approved the price decrease

earlier this week. It also lowered the base out-of-state tuition rate, which will start at $19,988.

According to the news release, approximately 70 percent of Ver mont State University students are Vermont residents.

“When you set a lower price, you remove a barrier of access and you make college education that much more in reach and that much more attainable to people,” said Katherine Levasseur, director of external and governmental affairs.

Often students are put off by sticker prices on college websites

and make decisions at that moment about whether or not they can at tend, Levasseur said. She also noted that Pell Grant coverage will go fur ther with the new tuition prices.

Current students will see the tuition change reflected in financial aid adjustments, according to the release.

Since 2021, the Vermont Legisla ture has increased the state colleges’ base appropriation from $30 million to $45 million. In the news release, board chair Lynn Dickenson credit ed those “historic investments.”

“Make no mistake, this lower

tuition rate is possible because the state increased their annual financial support of the colleges by 50 percent over the last two years,” Dickenson said.

Vermont historically has had high rates of tuition for in-state stu dents, and school officials pushed for years for more financial sup port from the state. For the last two school years, the college system froze tuition levels.

The tuition change announced last week puts it more in line with the national average of $9,400, ac cording to the news release.

Students at Vermont Technical College and other schools within Vermont State University will benefit from reduced tuition starting next year.

FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

“This lower tuition rate is possible because the state increased their annual financial support of the colleges by 50 percent over the last two years.”

Lynn Dickenson Board chair Vermont State Colleges System

Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force takes shape

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has convened members of the Wil liston Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to form the Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force.

According to a news release, the task force was formed “to address the rapid and disturbing increase in firearm-related violent crime in Chittenden County.”

The Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force is a team of investigators from several agencies who will investigate people who are actively involved in, or associated with, firearm-related violence in Chittenden County. Burlington Po lice Department statistics show that from 2012 through 2019, the average number of gunfire incidents in Bur lington was two per year. In 2020, the number of gunfire incidents was 12; in 2021 it was 14, and so far in 2022 there have been 23 gunfire in cidents, including several homicides involving firearms.

The Chittenden County Gun Vi olence Task Force will pool investi gatory and technological resources to address the increase, facilitating information sharing and creating shared strategies around pursuing the perpetrators of gun violence. The task force includes members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office or the Chittenden County State’s Attor ney’s Office, where criminal cases from the task force will be referred for prosecution.

To support the work, the Bur lington Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is slated to receive a Na tional Integrated Ballistic Informa tion Network station to facilitate the collection of bullet information. The station will be the first of its kind in Vermont and is expected to provide timely investigative leads.

“The formation of the Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force is an important step in addressing the concerning increase in firearm-re lated violence in Burlington and its surrounding communities,” said James Ferguson, special agent in charge of the ATF Boston Field Di vision. “We know that collaboration is an extremely effective tool in the fight against violent crime, and we have already started to see tangible results in Burlington.”

“Tackling the unacceptable gun violence we’ve seen over the

past three years will take a unified strategy,” said acting Chief of the Burlington Police Department Jon Murad. “The BPD’s patrol officers respond to these incidents, and they and our detectives often make great arrests, but there’s more to do if we want to take back the initiative.

“We and all our law enforcement partners need to aggregate foren sic evidence. We need to identify offenders. We need to track trends and develop intelligence. We need to investigate crimes that relate to and sometimes lead to gun violence, like trafficking in narcotics and il legal guns. We need to follow up on gun-violence cases after arrest,

and get prosecutor feedback about what’s making strong cases so we can improve what we put forward. When we do that, our prosecutorial partners need to expedite and dou ble down on these cases.

“Over the past three years we have been to too many incidents, seen too many victims, comforted too many survivors, and watched too many neighbors and neighbor hoods be affected by this scourge. Driving down this violence is our mission.”

Participating agencies include: Burlington Police Department; South Burlington Police Depart ment; Milton Police Department; Winooski Police Department; Col chester Police Department; Willis ton Police Department; Essex Po lice Department; Shelburne Police Department; Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office; Vermont State Police; Vermont Fish & Wild life Department, Warden Service Division; Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations Unit; UVM Police Services.

Federal partners include: Bu reau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Secu rity Investigations; United States

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“This task force will help address the violence in our community and aid in our ability to hold those responsible accountable.”

Sarah George Chittenden County State’s Attorney

Don’t defund the police, consolidate it

BY BILL SCHUBART

VTDigger recently reported on a convocation on “Crime and Punishment” in Burlington City Hall held by a group called “The Keep Vermont Safe Coalition.” This coalition is a mix of conser vatives on the issue of policing and law and order. The event at tracted just over 20 attendees and was moderated by Ericka Redic, a conservative blogger and Lib ertarian nominee for Vermont’s U.S. House seat, and by Christo pher-Aaron Felker, chair of Bur lington’s Republican committee. Panelists included Christina No lan, a former U.S. Attorney for Vermont and Republican U.S. Senate candidate; Michael Hall, executive director of the Ver mont Police Coalition; and Brady Toensing, a former vice chair of the state GOP.

Toensing led former Presi dent Trump’s Vermont campaign committee in 2016 and was then recruited to serve in Trump’s De

partment of Justice.

Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George was, I learned, invited to offer a “dif ferent perspective,” but declined because of a scheduling conflict.

Ironically, and in spite of the recent gunfire incidents and ho micides in Burlington, long-term trends indicate an overall decline in crime in Burlington. Pandemic isolation and increases in poverty and homelessness have increased the number of property crimes and gunfire incidents, but a broad view of police criminal data in Burlington shows a 30 percent decline from a decade ago.

“Crime,” however, is a pow erful political magnet, like “im migration,” “educational curric ulum,” and “high taxes.” If you already know where you stand and have no interest in facts, di alogue, or listening and learning, such topics are effective at rais ing your political bile and looting your pocketbook.

I look at the issue of policing

and public safety from a perspec tive rooted in traditional Vermont thrift.

Does the greater Burlington area, from Milton to Richmond to Charlotte, really need 10 police, fire and rescue departments?

This is the kind of question that causes people to stare at their shoes during Town Meetings.

By my count, including cam pus security, there are upwards of 12 law enforcement agen cies within a 10-mile radius of downtown Burlington. There are roughly 10 fire departments and a similar number of stand-alone or integrated EMS services. State wide, there are more than 60 dis tinct law enforcement authorities, including the State Police. That’s not even counting local police departments. And there is pre cious little state law-enforcement oversight, licensing or regulatory body other than collective inter nal command structures. State Auditor Doug Hoffer’s latest re port indicating deficiencies in the Vermont Criminal Justice Coun cil police oversight and training details shortcomings in their ef fectiveness.

supposedly intended to prevent frivolous lawsuits, the Legisla ture agreed in April to “study” the matter — the usual response to most complex systems or polit ically controversial issues.

Meanwhile, the violent crime rate has held steady, averaging about 750 incidents a year since 1975. According to official crime reports, Vermont averages about 10 murders a year, and according to FEMA, the average number of residential fires has been declin ing for some time.

Indicating promise and cour age, Hinesburg and Richmond are considering consolidating and sharing policing services.

It’s like asking if Mom’s ap ple pie is really better than storebought pie. The citizen who questions fire, rescue and police budget requests for new trucks, gear and buildings to house it in is seen as somehow unpatriotic by some. There’s an old joke that went … “Don’t oppose fire de partment requests unless you live in a stone house.”

“Qualified immunity” pro tects rogue or poorly performing police from accountability and makes it possible for them to be fired from one job for whatever reason and yet be hired for anoth er similar job with no scrutiny of their prior performance record. With growing anger about this special concession to the police,

Questioning duplicative in vestment has nothing to do with the critical value of the services themselves. If someone has a heart attack, a break-in or a fire, we all want a rapid response. The duplication of services question — similar to those being asked in health care, education and social services — addresses cost-effi ciency not value.

Might the greater Burlington area be better served by a single

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Hinesburg and Richmond are considering consolidating and sharing policing services.

Task force

continued from page 5

Marshals Service; Federal Bureau of In vestigation; US Customs and Border Pro tection, Air and Marine Operations; and United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), District of Vermont.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis, and we need commonsense and proactive solutions for gun safety and violence prevention to help save lives,” said Chit tenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George. “This is a shared responsibility, and I am committed to being a part of a joint effort to address the gun violence in our community head on, and from all angles. This task force will help address the violence in our community and aid in our ability to hold those responsible ac countable.”

Schubart

continued from page 6

command and control authority for police, fire and EMS, with community outposts enabling rapid response. Does each town really need its own management hierarchy, communication system, frequencies, fleets of squad cars, ladder and heavy rescue trucks, and holding facilities. It’s reminis cent of the debate over whether we need 60-plus school superintendencies in a state with 88,000 students.

By all reports, the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations is an excellent mod el for law enforcement cooperation across seven different police departments. Per haps it could become a model for a more sophisticated and cost-efficient delivery of public safety services county-wide.

The Chittenden County Public Safety

Authority, the regional dispatch entity now overseeing several towns in the county, is another innovative example of a union mu nicipal district consolidating resources.

Police, fire and EMS services are pil lars of our small local communities and must remain so in deeply rural areas, but in an area like greater Burlington, where 10 towns and about 60,000 people are con centrated, why duplicate resources? The same can be said for our oth er major urban cores.

As resourc es diminish and populations sta bilize, we will have to waste less energy de bating our tax and regulatory

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burdens and the size and scope of govern ment and seriously consider how we can measure and achieve improved results in education, health care, social services and public safety with the resources we have.

Bill Schubart is a retired businessman and active fiction writer. He is a former chair of the Vermont Journalism Trust, the parent organization for VTDigger.

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Vermont organizations partner to support bees

BY SUSAN COTE Observer staff

“Animal pollinators such as bees, birds, butterflies and bats are essential to the reproduction of nearly 85 percent of the world’s flowering plants. By far the most important of these animals are bees,” according to the National Wildlife Federation.

Bees, specifically, are needed to produce more than a third of the foods and beverages humans consume. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that over 100 crops grown in the country rely on pollinators.

Yet, bee and other pollinator populations are in decline in the U.S. and around the globe mainly due to loss of habitat, with pes ticide use, pollution, disease and changes in climate contributing to shrinking numbers.

Montpelier-based Caledonia Spirits, the maker of Barr Hill gin and vodka, has reason to be con cerned about the fate of bees.

The craft distiller was found ed in 2011 in Hardwick by Todd Hardie, a beekeeper, and Ryan Christiansen, a distiller. The com pany moved to its new, expanded distillery in Montpelier in June 2019. With the exception of a lim ited-edition maple vodka produced from Vermont syrup, Barr Hill spirits rely on raw honey for their unique flavor.

For the past several years, Barr Hill has hosted Bee’s Knees Week, an event intended to create buzz about the importance of bees and the challenges they are facing, while introducing consumers to the unique flavors of the brand’s honey-based spirits.

Barr Hill is partnering with Vermont-based nonprofit Bee the Change for the event, which this year runs from Sept. 23 to Oct. 2. As part of the promotion, the brand commits to planting 10 square feet

of new pollinator habitat in return for posting a cocktail or a Barr Hill bottle on social media and tagging the company.

Bee the Change co-founder Mike Kiernan says the organi zation has a goal of establishing new pollinator habitat in all 252 of Vermont’s towns and cities with in the next few years. Their Our Town Pollinator Project, launched in June, will establish 15 such sites this season.

Visitors to Shelburne Museum this summer will have experienced a dazzling Bee the Change instal lation that combined Nancy Win

How you can

help pollinators

• Create pollinator friendly habitat by planting flowering native plants. Even a small space makes a difference.

• Eliminate the use of neonicotinoids and other harmful pesticides, fungicides and her bicides.

• Support organic farming by choosing organic produce and textiles.

Learn more at

• https://beethechange.earth/

• www.pollinator.org

• www.fws.gov/initiative/ pollinators.

Leigh Samuels, Williston resident and Barr Hill marketing director, shows off a Bee’s Knees cocktail at Grazer’s in Williston during Bee’s Knees Week, an annual promotion to support pollinator habitat.

OBSERVER PHOTO BY SUSAN COTE

BY KEVIN THORLEY

Williston Energy Committee

It’s been almost 12 years since Nissan started selling the Leaf in the United States, ushering in the era of electric vehicles. While adop tion of electric vehicles (EVs) was slow to get rolling, today it’s hard to drive around Williston and NOT see EVs on the road from a variety of manu facturers in a variety of body styles.

Even with U.S. EV sales closing in on a million vehicles yearly, we know that people still have a lot of ques tions and we’re here to help.

Here are some of the most fre quent questions about electric ve hicles, and answers that are specif ic to driving electric in Vermont.

ARE ELECTRIC VEHICLES MORE EXPENSIVE THAN GAS CARS?

Electric vehicles general

An electric vehicle Q&A

ly have a higher manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) or “sticker price” than comparable gas-powered counterparts. But, with as many as 85 percent of new car buyers financing their vehicle purchase, the combined monthly loan or lease payment with lower monthly fuel costs can result in a new EV being less expen sive to own than a comparable gas-powered vehicle. It’s also very import ant to consider the federal and state tax incentives that are available for electric ve hicles. With the recent changes to incentives in the Inflation Re duction Act, not all EVs current ly qualify, but many still do, or will after Jan. 1. Additionally, there may be incentives and free chargers available through your

electric utility. Check with Drive Electric Vermont’s incentive cal culator at www.driveelectricvt. com/incentives for the most upto-date information.

HOW DO I CHARGE AN EV?

Charging an electric car is very different from pumping fuel for a gas vehicle, creating the most confusion for potential buyers and

leading to a lot of misconceptions about EVs.

Charging an EV can be done via

Easy-care floors for busy bodies.

page

three methods: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

Level-1 charging is the simplest and in volves plugging the EV into a standard exist ing 120-volt outlet. As this is the slowest meth od of charging, a typical overnight charge can add 30-50 miles of EV range, which is often enough for many people’s daily driving needs. The advantage is that it requires no special electrical installation at your home.

Level-2 charging is the method used by most EV owners, requiring the installation of a charging station on a 220-volt/50-amp elec tric circuit. As most of the charging happens at home when the car would otherwise be sit ting unused, using a Level-2 station will fully charge a typical EV in six to 12 hours, depend ing on battery size.

Level-2 home EV chargers cost $300$500, plus the cost for an electrician to install it. All EVs can accept this plug or come with an adapter to do so. Level-2 charging stations outside of the home are privately operated by

companies such as ChargePoint.

Level-3 chargers are used when time is of the essence. These chargers run at very high power levels (up to 350 kilowatts), completing a full charge in approximately 45 minutes, or enabling you to pick up enough charge for an other couple hours of driving in as little as 15 minutes.

Unlike Level-1 and Level-2 charging, there are a few different plug standards. The most common is a “CCS” plug; Tesla and the Nissan Leaf use a plug other than CCS). Lev el 3 public charging stations are operated by private companies such as ElectrifyAmerica, EVgo and ChargePoint.

You can find chargers to plan routes, or see where charging stations are available on your usual trips, at www.plugshare.com and www. abetterrouteplanner.com.

CAN I TAKE LONG TRIPS IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE?

Yes! Electric vehicles are a great option for road trips, with newer EV models having driv ing ranges of 200 to 300 miles.

One common misconception is that driv

ing an EV on a road trip requires 45-minute charging stops at Level-3 fast chargers. While a full charge may take 45 minutes, this isn’t the most efficient option. Electric vehicles charge the fastest when the battery is at its lowest, slowing down to a much slower rate as the bat tery fills up. Therefore, a common approach is to make more frequent, shorter stops on a road trip.

In some cases, these stops can be as quick as 10-15 minutes before getting back on the road for a couple more hours, then repeating that process. Often these stops overlap well with rest stops, quick breaks for food, coffee, etc.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE?

The cost to charge an electric vehicle de pends on where you charge. Level-1 and Lev el-2 home charging is the cheapest, followed by public Level-2 charging stations, and then Level-3 fast charging.

Home charging is done at the same price as electricity for your home, though in some cas es power companies, such as Green Mountain Power, offer a special EV rate. The month ly cost of charging at this rate (14 cents per kilowatt hour) would be $56 for a 1,200-mile month. The equivalent gas cost in a 30-mileper-gallon car would be $156 at $3.90 per gal lon. This works out to about 5 cents per mile for an EV versus 13 cents per mile for a gas car.

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Charging at a fast charger is more expen sive, with rates currently around 40 cents per kilowatt-hour or 13 cents per mile. A 500-mile road trip (e.g., to Boston and back), starting off with a full charge at home, would have a

Pollinators

continued from page 8

ship Milliken’s “Varied & Alive” outdoor sculptures with expansive colorful flower plantings. Solar fields at the museum and in other locations have provided an ideal set ting for installing pollinator plantings.

Kiernan notes that his group has been in discussions with the Town of Williston about creating a pollinator site; a location and tim ing are still being determined.

total cost of around $50, compared to $65 in a gas car. Charging at a Level-2 charger at your destination can decrease that cost even further.

CAN I DRIVE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN WINTER?

Electric vehicles have less usable range in the winter for a few different reasons. Road conditions and winter tires affect both gas and electric vehicles equally. Other reasons are EV-specific, including using some of the battery to power the heat and the decreased efficiency of lithium-ion batteries in colder temperatures.

The impact of these colder temperatures is real, but often overstated. Over the course of a winter, an EV owner may see a 20 per cent decrease in range compared to the rest of the year, and on the absolute coldest days, you may see a drop of as much as 40 percent. These decreases can often be offset by pre-condi tioning the battery — a capability included in most new EVs — which warms the battery up while it’s still plugged in, allowing it to operate at higher efficiency.

By driving an EV, you can reduce emis sions, enjoy great performance and a quiet ride, conveniently charge at home, and do it all while saving money. Join the Williston En ergy Committee and many local EV owners to learn more at the Williston “EV Fest” on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 1-4 p.m. at Allen Brook School on Talcott Road.

Williston Energy Committee meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Email energy@ willistonvt.org for more information.

says Kiernan, which he hopes sparks com ments and questions from patrons.

“Every single one of those conversations builds some understanding.”

“That’s where a storytelling event like this Bee’s Knees Week is amplifying un derstanding. The number of people who are aware of pollinators and that they are in trouble is going to expand amazingly as they enjoy a cocktail,” he said.

Barr Hill has offset its square footage with pollinator habitat many times over.

To

Along with the Our Town project, Bee the Change also aims to recruit businesses in the state to offset their space by sponsoring a pollinator habitat of equal size. For 11 cents per square foot, a 1,000 square-foot business can support the creation of its area in pol linator habitat with a one-time donation of $110. In return “they’ll get a sign on their wall that says this space loves pollinators,”

“Last year, we planted 200,000 square feet and this year we hope to hit 300,000,” said Marketing Director Leigh Samuels, who is a Williston resident.

Businesses in Williston and throughout Chittenden County are participating in Bee’s Knees Week. To find one near you, or a reci pe to make your own cocktail at home, visit: https://caledoniaspirits.com/bees-kneesweek/.

528 Essex Rd, Williston | 414 Route 7, Milton |

104 Robin Hood Dr, Swanton vermonthabitat.org

Electric vehicle festival in Williston set for Saturday

The Williston Energy Committee will be hosting an “EV Fest” at Allen Brook School on Talcott Road this Saturday, Oct.

1. This free electric vehicle (EV) event runs from 1-4 p.m. and will showcase a wide range electric vehicles, electric bicycles and EV charging options.

See the vehicles and talk with the own ers about their buying and ownership expe riences.

Representatives from Green Mountain Power, Green Mountain Solar, Local Mo tion and DriveElectricVT will be on hand

to share incentives for purchasing electric vehicles and discuss charging options. The Champlain Valley School District’s electric bus will also be there.

“Helping people obtain as much infor mation about electric vehicles, the purchase process and available incentives and rebates is a top priority of the Williston Energy Committee” said Kevin Thorley, energy committee co-chairperson and EV Fest co ordinator.

Email energy@willistonvt.org for more information.

Representatives from Green Mountain Power, Green Mountain Solar, Local Motion and DriveElectricVT will be on hand Saturday for the “EV Fest” hosted by the Williston Energy Committee.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

OBSERVER PHOTO BY TAYLOR ANTONIOLI

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JOSEPH ANTONIOLI

Leaf Peepers

A primer on autumn’s palette

BY TAYLOR ANTONIOLI Special to the Observer

Autumn is the season of change, of re turning to the earth on cushioning breezes and falling into softened soil. It is the season of apple picking and cider donuts, fairs with dizzying rides and sickening sweets. It is the season of rosy cheeks and spooky shadows.

But most of all, it is the season of col or. Not spring with its blooming flowers or summer with its fruitful harvests, not buzz ing bees or swooping birds. This in-between is where color comes from, emerging from the last vestiges of green slipping away. In stead of lush grass tickling our ankles, we now walk through crunching leaves and snapping twigs that pin themselves to our boots and curl around our flannels.

The colors of autumn bring the sweet ness of honey and the crack of walnuts, the smell of fresh ground spices and warm cof fee, the warmth of thick socks and the way

candy melts in your hands.

THE SOURCE OF COLOR

These colors are both indigenous and of our own making, invasive weeds we’ve culti vated in the image of beauty. One of the most common is the Crimson King, whose reds are so deep they appear purple. Also known as the Norway Maple, it is recognized as an invader of Vermont. It is listed as such on the Vermont Invasives website, created by a collaboration between the University of Ver mont Extension, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conserva tion and the Vermont Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. This species turns later in the season, revealing burnt yellows in late Sep tember to the aforementioned false purples of late October.

Earlier in the season, Vermont’s prized sugar maples make their debut in a rainbow

page

The trees at the corner of Old Stage and Mountain View roads show brightly in

Bright leaves, right, adorn the corner of Lamplight

Leaf

Foliage

spectrum. While they prefer October, heavy storms or biting cold can cause them enough stress to induce the loss of chlorophyll early, evidenced by looking out at a spattering of bare branches and splotches of color.

There is also a strong color element in some of the more rare species of trees here in Vermont. The Red Oak is a slowly ex panding member of our forests, to the point that they’ll be a significant portion by 2100, according to Shari Halik’s 2020 article, “Will Red Oak Dominate Vermont For ests in a Warmer Future?” for the Ruben stein School of Environment and Natural Resources. These trees are responsible for

some of the deep burnt oranges and blood reds of the Vermont autumn season.

In juxtaposition to the Red Oak, Birch trees are already a common sight in Ver mont. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2017 “Forests of Ver mont,” what was once one of the most common species in the area is slowly de clining. While the Yellow Birch population had increased by 6.2 percent since 2012, the Paper Birch decreased by almost double that. With a wide variety of colorful leaves, from highlighter yellow to garnet reds, it would be a loss for Vermont to see these species disappear.

Autumn also brings to mind cloudy days and warm fires. But not typically in trees. Pin Cherrys, however, seem to have missed

this as they set themselves alight with deep oranges and dark reds licking through their branches. Another surprise is our Ash trees, which appear to have ignored the forecast and decided to bring sunshine to the world with a gradient of yellows and oranges on every leaf.

COLORFUL MEMORIES

The peak of autumn is one of the best times to take a walk along a path or take a bike ride through town. The air is crisper than an apple and nips at your cheeks, the ground is settling in for a nap underfoot,

and the sky holds a thousand different col ors as the trees wave farewell for now.

Say thank you to our Sugar Maples, for, come spring, their sweet sap will turn to syrup. Compliment a Red Oak on its shape ly leaves, or tell a Birch that you hope to see it around more often.

Take pictures before they’ve disap peared under piles of snow and ice. For Autumn is the season of change, of return ing to the earth on cushioning breezes and falling into softened soil. It is the season of slow walks, so why not enjoy the color while it lasts?

Sunlight illuminates the colors of fall on Old Stage Road. OBSERVER

PHOTO BY TAYLOR ANTONIOLI

Dorothy Alling Memorial Li brary hours: (Take advantage of our eve ning hours.)

• Monday and Wednes day: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Fri day: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Oct. 10 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Visit www.damlvt.org to ap ply for a library card, renew ma terials, access digital offerings and register online for programs. For help accessing materials or services, call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.

STORYWALK

On the Town Green: “Leaves” by David Ezra Stein

In the Park: “The Path to Kind ness: Poems of Connection and Joy” by James Crews

TEEN NIGHTS: DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

Mondays, Oct. 3, 17 and 24, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12-plus. Kick off our first campaign at the library.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME

Tuesdays, Oct. 4 and 11, 10:3011 a.m. Join Danielle for indoor or outdoor (weather-dependent) sto ries and fun.

BABY TIME

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 10:30-11 a.m. Bond with your baby with gentle baby activities.

AFTER SCHOOL LEGO AND BOARD GAME TIME

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2-3 p.m. Play games and build something exciting at the library.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC AND PLAYTIME

Thursdays, Oct. 6 and 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy music with

Linda Bassick, then stay to play.

PLANETARIUM VISIT

Monday, Oct. 11, multiple times at WCS gym. Learn about constellations and more in this traveling planetarium. Registra tion is required.

AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2-4 p.m. Suggested Grades 3-plus. Rat ed PG. It’s creepy and it’s kooky, mysterious and spooky.

LEGO TIME

Thursday, Oct. 13, 3-4 p.m. Build something exciting with the library’s LEGO collection.

TEEN NIGHT: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Thursday, Oct. 13, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12-plus. Discuss library events, opportunities and more. You bring the thought, we bring the food. Registration requested.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS

TELESCOPE NIGHT

Monday, Oct. 3, 7-8 p.m. Step outside to learn how to use the library’s telescope and view the night sky. Rain date, Oct. 17.

READ TO A CAT

Thursday, Oct. 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Call to schedule a 10-minute time slot to read to therapy cat, Oscar.

MOVIE ON THE GREEN

Friday, Oct. 7, 6:15-8:15 p.m. When there’s something strange in the neighborhood, who you gonna call? PG13. Popcorn pro vided.

FRENCH CONVERSATION FOR ALL

Saturday, Oct. 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join us for an informal con versation group. All abilities wel come. Open to adults and youth accompanied by an adult.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

To join a program or for a Zoom link, email programs@ damlvt.org.

AUTUMN SELF-CARE BINGO CHALLENGE

Through Oct. 15, pick up a Bingo card filled with self-care ideas. Complete a row, then re turn the card to the library to be entered into a gift basket drawing. GUIDED MEDITATION (ONLINE)

Fridays in September and Oc tober, 12-12:30 p.m. Reconnect to

your peaceful body and breathe.

MYSTERY DATE WITH A BOOK

Register online through Fri day, Oct. 14. Let us choose a book for you from your choice of cate gory: Cozy, Thriller, or Surprise Me! Book pick up begins Oct. 15.

SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 5-6 p.m. Practice Spanish conversation with Elliot Lafferty.

ADULT CRAFTERNOON: SHIRTSLEEVE PUMPKINS

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2-3 p.m. Up cycle a fall patterned shirt into a cheery pumpkin. No sewing re quired. All materials provided.

MAH JONGG

Friday, Oct. 7, 1-3 p.m. Drop in on your own or bring a friend. All experience levels.

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop by for a discus sion of newsworthy topics.

AFTER HOURS BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. “In Eight Perfect Murders” by Peter Swanson, a bookseller’s blog post becomes the “How To” list for a murderer.

Being a Full Time Caregiver Can Be a Heavy Lift.

1530 Williston Road South Burlington, VT

Call Erin Knox today at 802-861-4003 to schedule a personal tour and learn about our Move-In Special. gazeboseniorliving.com

It’s a Good Thing We’ve Been Working Out. At Gazebo Senior Living, we’ve been providing quality assisted care to Vermont seniors since 1985. Let us care for the ones you love so you can care for yourself.

Annex

from page 1

use only by Annex residents. Homes in the neighborhood will be a mix ture of single family homes, du plexes, townhomes, apartments and senior living units. The townhomes were redesigned in the new plans to create pitched roofs and elevated porches that front the street. Previ ously the porches had been designed off the backside of the homes.

“I think it creates a much better streetscape,” Snyder said.

The revised plans eliminate a road that cut a north-south route through the neighborhood, retain a 10-foot north-south recreation path. The path will create a long-awaited connection between Taft Corners and Five Corners in Essex Junction,

Development

continued from page 1

Board approval for its exterior appearance Tuesday.

The Vermont Hotel Group’s four-story building is substantial ly finished at the corner of Blair Park and Route 2. The board en dorsed a plan for the use of brown porcelain panels and grey stone walls and a grey pitched roof. The board had previously reject ed the exterior plan.

closing a rec path gap through what is now a 54-acre meadow. The path will connect an existing bridge over the Allen Brook that currently deadends at Beaudry Lane to the path at Dunmore Lane, which continues to Zephyr Road and into Taft Corners.

Residents of Dunmore Lane and Chelsea Place to the south of the proposed neighborhood have sub mitted dozens of letters to the town planning office expressing concerns about the traffic impact of the pro posal. In addition to the rec path connection, the Annex will create a new connection for cars travelling between Williston and Essex, one that goes through the Chelsea Com mons neighborhood.

“I would implore you to come up with a better solution than to emp ty out this huge number of cars into our neighborhood,” Chelsea Com

mons resident Craig Tresser wrote in a Sept. 20 letter to town planners. “This situation that is being created is a dangerous one and I would think a better solution can be achieved.”

The board has declined to require a change to the vehicle throughway that the Annex will create.

Snyder said the neighborhood’s designers incorporated feedback from the town’s Historic and Ar chitectural Advisory Committee, Conservation Commission, Devel opment Review Board and Planning and Zoning staff into the design changes.

“We appreciate all the feedback and comments we’ve received,” he said Tuesday, imploring the board to close the hearing rather than tabling it another two weeks. “We have im proved the project and I’m very ex cited about where we landed.”

— Jason Starr

“I very much like what’s been proposed,” said board chair Pe ter Kelley. “There is symmetry. There are nice building materials.”

Restoring Our Faith Summit

An inspiring one day conference with world renowned social scientists, faith leaders and physicians to discuss the importance of science, faith and family in a time of social upheaval.

Tuesday, Oct 25,

a.m.

p.m.

DoubleTree by Hilton

Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403

Featuring Dennis Prager, radio host and other national leaders.

Go to www.restoringourfaithsummit.com to register.

The approved exterior of the hotel under construction at Blair Park Road.

RENDERING BY G4 DESIGN STUDIOS

Welcome to the United Kingdom

From seaside views and rugged areas of land to pop culture powerhouses, the United Kingdom has a lot packed inside it. The Mini Page takes a look at the U.K. this week.

What’s in a name?

The United Kingdom, or U.K., is made up of four individual countries in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Europe. The countries include:

• England

• Scotland

• Wales

• Northern Ireland

The U.K. is often called Britain because England, Scotland and Wales are all located on the island of Great Britain.

Northern Ireland is in the northeastern part of the island of Ireland. It covers about one-sixth of that island. It is not part of the separate Republic of Ireland, which gained full independence from the U.K. in 1948.

The land

The United Kingdom is about the size of the state of Oregon. Because it’s made up of many islands, it has about 20,000 miles of coastline, much of it rocky and jagged. No point on land is more than 85 miles from the sea.

The U.K.’s highest point is Ben Nevis, a mountain in the highlands of northern

BY OLIVIA JAIMES

Next Week: Greenland sharks

Mini Fact: The official name of the U.K. is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Scotland. It lies 4,409 feet above sea level and has 2,300-foot cliffs.

In Wales, 14 mountain peaks rise above 3,000 feet. Northern Ireland is home to the largest freshwater lake in all of Britain or Ireland, Lough Neagh (LOCK NAY).

Moors, or rugged areas of land with few trees and little agriculture, are found throughout England and the U.K. The photo above was taken in southern England in Widecombe-in-the-Moor. England’s mostly flat terrain in the east gives way to hills and valleys in the center, or Midlands, and northern and western regions.

The Britons

More than 67 million people live in the U.K. London is the largest city, with almost 9 million people living in the city and suburbs. Nearly 80% of U.K. inhabitants live in the country of England.

English is the most common language in the U.K., but some people also speak Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic.

Around the world

The U.K. is responsible for 14 overseas territories around the world. These include several groups of islands in the Caribbean Sea and in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. The U.K. was once the center of an empire that went all the way around the globe.

Pop culture

Have you read “Winnie-the-Pooh” stories or works by Charles Dickens? Or listened to the music of Adele, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles or The Beatles? Or watched “Harry Potter” movies, based on the books by J.K. Rowling? Have you heard of William Shakespeare? All of these are examples of British culture, which is popular in the U.S. and around the world.

Sporting

Sports are also important in the United Kingdom. People there and in other countries follow British sporting events, including soccer matches in the English Premier League. The annual tennis tournament at Wimbledon is the oldest, and considered by some to be the most prestigious, or respected, tennis tournament in the world.

A L F G Y

On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPUnitedkingdom

At the library:

• “The Big Book of the UK: Facts, Folklore and Fascinations From Around the United Kingdom” by Imogen Russell Williams

The worldwide bird flu

Founded by Betty Debnam

R

P Y R R A H

T U K

W T E N N I S L O

A V

photo by Dennis Redfield

United Kingdom’s flag

Nancy

Try ’n’ Find

Words that remind us of the United Kingdom are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

ADELE, BRITON, CLIFFS, ED SHEERAN, ENGLAND, FLAG, GLOBE, HARRY POTTER, HIGHLANDS, MOORS, MOUNTAINS, NORTHERN IRELAND, SCOTLAND, SEA, TENNIS, UNITED KINGDOM, WALES.

Mini Spy Classics

Mini Jokes

Ursula: What did the Pacific Ocean say to the Atlantic Ocean?

Uriel: Nothing! It waved.

Eco Note

The worldwide bird flu epidemic that has resulted in the deaths of untold millions of poultry in recent months is also decimating the planet’s wild bird populations. The Guardian, a British newspaper, reports the U.K. has suffered its worstever infections, with more than 300 outbreaks in the nation’s seabird colonies. Birds are also dying in many other areas of the world. More than 2,000 of the world’s approximately 8,000 Dalmatian pelicans have already perished.

For later: Look in your newspaper for articles about the United Kingdom.

Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!

BY DAN THOMPSON

and Fascinations From Around the United Kingdom” by Imogen Russell Williams

E S M O D G N I K D E T I N U

D O W E B O L G G R K N D Q

N U S C

L A N D J P N J

N B R

T T O P Y R R A H

L O

M E A N H S E A D E L E S F F I L C

T H

R N I R E L A N D

Savvy Senior

Free online hearing tests you can take at home

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any good online hearing tests? My husband has hearing loss, but I can’t get him to go in and get his hearing checked, so I thought a simple online test could help him recognize he has a problem.

What can you tell me?

Loud Talking Linda

Dear Linda, There’s actually a growing number of very good online and app-based hearing tests available that will let your husband check

his hearing on his own. These tests are a quick and convenient option for the millions of Americans that have mild to moderate hearing loss but often ignore it, or don’t want to go through the hassle or expense of visiting an audiologist for a hearing exam.

WHO SHOULD TEST?

Hearing loss for most people de velops gradually over many years of wear and tear, which is the rea son many people don’t realize they actually have a hearing problem.

Call today to plan for your future home at The Pines.

Anyone who has difficulty hearing or understanding what peo ple say, especially in noisier envi ronments or over the phone, or who needs a higher volume of music or TV than other people, should take a few minutes to test their hearing.

SELF-HEARING TESTS

Online and app-based hearing tests can serve as a great screening tool. They are not meant to be a di agnosis, but rather to give you an idea of how bad your hearing loss is and what can be done about it.

For most do-it-yourself hearing tests, you’ll be advised to wear ear headphones or earbuds and sit in a quiet spot.

You also need to know that

Honor the memory of your beloved pet.

It’s never easy to say goodbye to a beloved pet, but a well-chosen pet memorial can help soothe some of the pain and keep your pet’s memory alive. Let us help.

Home Care Agency

By Jim Miller

there are two different types of tests available. One type is known as pure-tone testing, where tones are played in decreasing volumes to determine your specific level of hearing loss. And the other type is known as speech-in-noise or dig its-in-noise (DIN) where you’ll be asked to identify words, numbers, or phrases amid background noise.

WHERE TO TEST

If your husband uses a smart phone or tablet, two of my favor ite app-based hearing tests are the hearWHO app created by the World

Health Organization, and the Mimi Hearing Test app. Both apps are free to use and are available through the App Store and Google Play.

HearWHO allows users to check their hearing status and mon itor it over time using a DIN test, while Mimi uses pure-tone and masked threshold tests to give you a detailed picture of your hearing abilities.

There are also a wide variety of online hearing tests your husband can take on a computer. Some top online sites — all offered by hearing aid manufacturers — for speech-innoise or DIN tests can be accessed at ReSound (www.resound.com/ en-us/online-hearing-test) and Mir acle Ear (www.miracle-ear.com/ online-hearing-test).

Some good online hearing tests for pure-tone testing are available by Signia (www.signia.net/en/ser vice/hearing-test); Eargo (www. eargo.com/hearing-health/hear ing-check); and MD Hearing Aid (www.mdhearingaid.com/hear ing-test).

All of these hearing tests are completely free to use and take less than five minutes to complete.

WHAT TO DO WITH RESULTS

If the tests indicate your hus band has hearing loss, it’s best to think of that as a starting point. He should take results to his doctor or an audiologist for further evalua tion.

Many insurance providers and Medicare Advantage plans cover routine hearing exams, however original Medicare does not.

If his hearing loss is mild to moderate, he should look into the new over-the-counter hearing aids, which are available this fall online and at retailers like Best Buy, Wal greens and CVS.

Compassionate care warms the heart.

Over-the-counter hearing aids don’t require a prescription or med ical examination for purchase and they’re much more affordable than traditional hearing aids you buy through an audiologist or a licensed hearing instrument specialist.

862-7200

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1789, the U.S. Congress established a regular army, maintaining several hundred troops.

• In 1916, The New York Times reported that John D. Rockefeller, the head of Standard Oil, was almost certainly a billionaire, the world’s first.

• In 1966, the Chevrolet Camaro debuted for sale in U.S. dealerships.

• In 1988, NASA launched STS-26, the 26th Space Shuttle mission and the first since the Challenger disaster of Jan. 28, 1986.

TODAY’S FACT:

• Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” is widely considered to be the first modern novel. It was initially published in two volumes in 1605 and 1615.

ANDREWS

OBITUARIES

Francis G. Duval

Francis G. Duval, devoted husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa, passed away on Sept. 16, 2022 at HarborView Se nior Communities at the age of 103.

Fran was born in Amherst, NH, the son of the late John and Esther (Hicks) Duval, in the same historic home that his mother was born in. Fran began school in Amherst and graduated high school in Manchester, NH.

During WWII, he enlisted in the army and was assigned to the Army Air Corps. He met the love of his life, Jacqueline, through the friendship of his brother and Jackie’s sister.

Fran was well known for his sense of humor and being the life of the party. It was said he would have the whole table laugh ing, especially Jackie. Fran and Jackie were married on February 4th in Amherst, NH. Fran was stationed in Minnesota where Fran and Jackie welcomed their daughter, Sandy. His next post was North Dakota, where they welcomed their daughter, Sheri.

While serving overseas, he was diligent in writing and sending candy to his daugh ters, and the whole family always looked forward to his return. After serving 20 years in the Air Force during World War II, the Korean and the Vietnam wars, Fran retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. The family then moved to Old Lyme, CT where he was employed by General Dynamics/ Electric Boat in Groton, CT as a Contract Analyst until his retirement.

While in Old Lyme, Fran was a mem ber of Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church and over the years served as a Vestry member and Assistant Treasurer. The Duvals lived in Old Lyme for 29 years before moving to Williston, VT to be closer to their children and to watch their grandchildren grow up. Fran served with his wife Jackie as beloved volunteers at Fletcher Allen Health Care for 15 years, found community through participating in Fletcher Allen’s Cardiac Rehab program and was also a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in South Burl ington. Fran and Jackie were once featured in a local TV segment for their dedicated volunteer work.

Fran is predeceased by his parents, John and Esther (Hicks) Duval, brothers Charlie Duval, and Herbert Duval. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jacqueline (Bian

chi) Duval and daughters, Sandra Aldrich of Milton, VT and Sheri Youngberg and her husband Brian of Richmond, VT. He is also survived by four granddaughters, Karin Bell and her husband Ted Myotte of South Burlington, Heather Allen and her husband James of Hardwick, Kelly Youngberg of Richmond, and Pryscilla Youngberg and her spouse Sam of Essex Junction. Fran also leaves behind great-grandchildren: Owen, Milo Francis and John Allen, Colin Myotte, and Wilhelmina Youngberg. Fran is also survived by his brother Harry Duval and wife Irma of Old Lyme, CT and Neph ew David Locke of Palm Springs, CA along with several other nieces and nephews.

When asked how he lived so many years, his response was “I wake up every morning and put my feet down and say ‘Hey, it’s an other day!’”

His family will remember him for his strong will and devotion which he displayed until the very end.

Graveside service were held at East Cemetery in Williston on Sept. 23.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests support for All Saints Episcopal Church. Donations can be mailed to All Saints Epis copal Church, 1250 Spear Street, South Burlington, VT 05403.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Service. To send online condolences to the family please visit www.readyfuneral.com.

Mary Jane (Laramee) Barrett, 74, of South Burlington passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 21, 2022.

She was born on May 31, 1948 in Burlington VT, the daughter of Leo and Evelyn (Parker) Lara mee. Mary spent most of her years in Burlington’s south end, living most of her life just a block from her childhood home on Flynn Av enue until 2011 when she moved to South Burlington.

Mary owned and operated a home daycare for over thirty years. She raised dozens of children, sup ported their families, and kept in touch with them years after they left. She truly raised them like

Why not have a job you love?

OBITUARIES

Mary Jane (Laramee) Barrett

her own children, and it meant the world to her watching them grow into young adults.

Mary loved her time on Lake Champlain and at her camp on Mallets Bay with her life partner, Marvin Guyette. She loved shar ing camp life with family over the years. It was her time spent with her children and grandchildren that was always the greatest joy in her life. From the fun sleepovers at Gram my’s house, attending hockey or basketball games, to walks along the waterfront, and the holidays. That time with her children and grand children meant everything to her.

Mary is survived by her three

children, Scott (and Shelly) Barrett of Colchester, VT, Laura (and Paul) Zuchowski of Williston, VT, and

Sandra (and Greg) Nickel of Idaho; her six grandchildren, Ryan and Nacole Barrett, Adam and Alex Zuchowski and Lillian and Jack son Nickel. Mary is also survived by her siblings, David (and Kathy) Laramee, Adrian Laramee, Eric (and Nanette) Laramee and Bren da Laramee, all of Florida, and Linda Laramee, Steven Laramee, and brother-in-law Skip Ellis, all of Vermont. Mary was predeceased by her son, Steven Barrett, in 1969, her parents, Evelyn Laramee in 1980, Leo Laramee in 1989, her loving partner of many years, Mar vin Guyette, in 2009 and her sister, Gloria (Laramee) Ellis, in 2011.

Visiting hours were held at Ready Funeral Home South Chapel in Burlington on Sept. 26, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial was cele brated at St. Anthony’s Church in Burlington on Sept.27, 2022, with interment following at New Mount Calvary Cemetery in Burlington. Memorial contributions may be made to Howard Center Help is Here, CL200211, PO Box 1307, Williston VT 05495-1307 or to the Vermont Children’s Trust Founda tion, 95 St. Paul Street, Suite 330, Burlington, VT 05401. To send online condolences to her family, please visit www.readyfuneral. com.

Positions include a sign on bonus, strong benefits package and the opportunity to work at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont”.

Service Coordinator: Continue your career in human services in a supportive environment by providing case management for individuals either for our Adult Family Care program or our Developmental Services program. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical, organizational & leadership skills and enjoy working in a team-oriented position. $47,000 annual salary, $1,500 sign on bonus.

Residential Program Manager: Coordinate staffed residential and community supports for an individual in their home. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a team-oriented position, have strong clinical skills, and demonstrated leadership. $45,900 annual salary, $1,500 sign on bonus.

Direct Support Professional: Provide 1:1 supports to help individuals reach their goals in a variety of settings. This is a great position to start or continue your career in human services. Full and part time positions available starting at $19/hr, $1,000 sign on bonus.

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Shared Living Provider: Move into someone’s home or have someone live with you to provide residential supports. There are a variety of opportunities available that could be the perfect match for you and your household. Salary varies dependent on individual care requirements. $1,000 sign on bonus.

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Champlain Community Services, Inc.

https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

Immediate Openings for

House Managers

The Flynn is looking for House Managers to join our front-of-house team as we begin our season of fabulous shows! We’re looking for people with energy, management skills, and enthusiasm for the arts to keep show-nights running smoothly and give patrons an excellent experience. Must be at least 18, reliable, great at problem solving, upbeat, and able to be on your feet for extended periods of time.

$17/hr, Part-time, variable schedule, evenings and weekends

Detailed job description and more information on our website: https://www.flynnvt.org/About-Us/Employment-and-InternshipOpportunities

No phone calls, please. EOE

Make a career making a difference and join our team today!

CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE

MOUNTAIN BIKE — Super Aspen 7-speed mountain bike for sale; brand new; $275. Call Carl at (802) 857-8091

BAZAAR & CRAFT SALE

WILLISTON WOODS BAZAAR & CRAFT SALE —Held at the Williston Woods Activity Center on 126 Williston Woods Rd., Saturday Oct. 8,

from 9 - 3. Craft tables, bake sale, Gift basket raffle, plants, White elephant sale. Take out lunch of homemade soups and sandwiches Watch for the signs on North Williston Rd.

Stanley J. Titus, 87, passed away at Mansfield Place on Sept.1, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Stanley was born on Nov. 17, 1934, at Grassland Farm, the fami ly homestead in Stowe Hollow, VT, where he grew up. He was the 10th child of Ralph and Flossie (Gibbs) Titus.

Stanley graduated from Stowe High School in 1953. He volunteered for the draft in the US army in 1954 and retired in March 1956 with an honorable discharge. His career be gan with New England Telephone Company as a lineman, from there the business office, telephone equip ment sales, both as a communication

OBITUARIES

Stanley J. Titus

retiring in 1990, after 35 years with the company.

Stanley’s service memberships included The Burlington Lions Club, Burlington Elks, Washington Lodge #3, Smugglers Notch Ski Patrol, and football and golf.

consultant and manager. His last post was that of Branch Sales Man ager of Yellow Pages for Vermont,

Stanley’s greatest love was flying in his many different airplanes, the last and favorite was a Beech Bonan za. He always felt closer to God in his airplane. He flew the entire East Coast, Maine to Florida and West to St. Louis, MO. Stanley and his best friend Bob spent many hours sail ing “Gold Dust” and racing on Lake Champlain. In later years, Bob, Kay and his wife Anita chartered sail boats in the Virgin Islands for 14 years. After sailing, they traveled by power boat from Malletts Bay to Delray, FL, via Lake Champlain, thru the locks, down the Hudson to the ocean, into international Coast Way. An unforgettable adventure!

Williston Serving our community since 1985

MARKETING & ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER

The Williston Observer is hiring a sales professional to help local businesses succeed with print and online newspaper advertising and to support our local journalism.

Job Description:

• Steward existing accounts

• Generate sales from qualified leads

• Work with clients and graphic design to craft effective ads and strategies

• Contribute ideas and energy to our dedicated team

Qualifications:

• Professional experience in sales and marketing

• Exceptional customer service skills

• Ability to tailor solutions to customer needs

• Personal drive to deliver results

• Demonstrated collaboration and communication skills

• Fluency with Microsoft Office applications

• Familiarity with print and digital advertising, including methods and measurement, is a plus.

• Preference for candidates with knowledge of the local towns, businesses and communities served by the Williston Observer.

We offer:

• Training and mentorship for success

• The opportunity to play a big role on a small team

• A generous base salary plus commission with great earning potential

• Flexible hours - Both part-time and full-time candidates will be considered.

If you would like to be part of our growing, mission-driven business, please send your resume and cover letter to: Rick Cote, Associate Publisher – Sales & Marketing, Williston Observer, PO Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495.

Or email to: rick@willistonobserver.com

WE ARE HIRING

Full-time position for an all-around jack-or-jill-of-all-trades for busy newspaper office. Graphic artist skills required as you’ll spend half of your time creating advertisements, loading the web, designing pages, and more.

Then employ your customer-service skills to provide general office support, ad management and traffic flow, some basic website data entry, and other office-related duties.

Computer skills required. Familiarity with page layout programs, Word/Excel preferred. Flexibility and welcoming disposition a must.

Send a resume and cover letter to: Stowe Reporter, POB 489, Stowe VT 05672; or katerina@stowereporter.com. No phone calls please.

Most important to Papa was fam ily. He was proud of all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchil dren, and took great pride in watch ing their games and success in sports as well as their success in life.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years Anita (Shelton) of Essex Jct.; his daughter Denise Burns and hus band Tom of Williston; sons Michael Titus and wife Patti of Sheffield, VT/ Gloucester/MA, Dan Titus and his fiancé Laura Wheatley of St. Albans; Grandchildren - Ryan Hipp of Den ver, CO, Allyson Kinsman (Devin) of Jericho, Luke Titus (Tausha) of Col chester, Nick Titus (Olivia) of South Burlington, Austin Titus of Glouces ter, MA and Bailey Titus (Nick) of Gloucester, MA; Step Grandchildren Tommy Burns (Jaimey) of Essex Jct. and Nate Bouffard (Erica) of Col chester; Great-grandchildren - Zoe and Grayson Kinsman, Calvin and Violet Titus and Step Great-grand children - Thomas and Meredith Burns. Also surviving are his two sisters Aletha Kolonair of Morris ville, Joyce Sumner of Montpelier and brother-in-law Bucky Shelton (April) of Glover; along with several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother Flossie Gibbs in 1942 and his father Ralph Titus in 1987; broth ers Glendon, Floyd, Clifton, Don ald, and Eli; two sisters Glancy and Alma Percy.

In accordance with Stanley’s wishes, there will be no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held graveside for family and friends at a later date.

Sports

Turf wars

CLOCKWISE from left to right: CVU’s Lauren Knudsen tangles with South Burlington’s Sophie Woodward during the Redhawks’ game vs. the Wolves on Friday afternoon in South Burlington. CVU’s Anna Morton and South Burlington’s Oakley Machanic battle for possession of the ball. CVU’s Zoe Klein and South Burlington’s Elsa Nygaard-Ostby race to reach a loose ball. CVU’s Riley Erdman beats out the Wolves’ Rachel Kelley. CVU’s Chloe Pecor gets by South Burlington’s Reese Gordon.

OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Stick tricks

CLOCKWISE from left to right: CVU’s Tess Everett turns the corner on Burlington’s Maria Worden during the Redhawks’ game vs. the Seahorses Saturday morning in Burlington. The Redhawks celebrate a goal on their way to a win over the Seahorses. A couple of Redhawks guard fellow player Miranda Oppenheimer as she moves the ball down the field. CVU’s Lindsey Auriemma works along the sideline.