Williston Observer 10/6/2022

CSWD pursues new recycling center

Voters asked to approve $22 million in debt financing

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

General Election ballots are going out to all registered voters through the mail in the coming days. But one $22 million question won’t appear.

The Chittenden Solid Waste District’s (CSWD) request to take on $22 million of debt to finance a new recycling center on Redmond Road in Williston is not eligible for the universal mailed balloting provision the Legislature first ap proved as a pandemic emergency measure in 2020, then made per manent in 2021.

The law allowed the state, cit

ON THE BALLOT

“Shall the Board of Commis sioners of the Chittenden Solid Waste District be authorized to issue general obligation bonds or notes … not to exceed Twenty Two Million Dollars ($22,000,000) for the purpose of (i) funding capital improvements related to the plan ning, constructing, and equipping of a new materials recovery facil ity; (ii) funding a debt service re serve fund; and (iii) paying for as sociated costs of issuance; it being intended that the source of repay ment shall be waste management fees and revenues collected by the District and, to the extent neces sary, assessments to member mu nicipalities in accordance with the District’s Charter?”

Redhawks fly in the face of the Hurricanes

Voters faced with universal broadband question

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Joining Williston in voting whether to form a Communica tions Union District this Novem ber is Essex, Essex Junction, Shel burne and South Burlington. All five of these municipalities’ gov erning boards approved a special election to coincide with the Nov. 8 General Election to determine whether to incorporate what’s be

ing called the Chittenden County Communications Union District (CUD).

If a majority of voters in two or more of the towns/cities vote yes, the district — a standalone governmental entity under the au thority of Vermont State Statute (Title 30, Chapter 82) — would be formed. Other Chittenden County municipalities could join it later through selectboard approval.

The Chittenden County Re

gional Planning Commission worked with the Vermont Com munity Broadband Board over the summer to promote the concept to the various town boards. There are nine existing CUDs in Vermont. Their goal is to hook up every ad dress in the state with high-speed internet. Currently in Chittenden County, only about a quarter of homes and businesses have fiber internet capable of the fastest up load and download speeds. The

majority of homes and businesses have either a mid-speed cable con nection or slower. Countywide, there are about 300 addresses that have no internet access, including about a dozen in Williston.

“High speed internet providers are more likely to be interested in a single entity covering multi ple towns with a greater number of addresses than a single town,” explained Rob Fish, deputy direc

Relief from Arthritis Pain, Bunions & Turf Toe

ON THE BALLOT

“Shall the Town of Williston enter into a Chittenden County Communications Union Dis trict with one or more munic ipalities, under the provisions of 30 VSA chapter 82 for the purpose of improving access to broadband services?”

Candidates converge at WCS for political forum

A plethora of candidates for state and federal elected offic es plan to attend a forum Friday, Oct. 7 at Williston Central School, answering questions and stating their platforms for an audience of seventh- and eighth-graders.

The forum is closed to the pub lic but will be live-streamed by Media Factory, formerly RETN.

“The Williston Candidate Fo rum is an authentic way for our students to learn about democra cy,” said Williston Central School Principal Jackie Parks. “It encour ages students to thoughtfully en gage in the process of educating themselves about relevant issues and asking questions to further their understanding of the topics. Ultimately, we want students to become active in their communi ties, and this learning experience provides them with the foundation to build on as they grow into re sponsible and involved citizens.”

The forum, which has been

held biennially 11 times, is spon sored by the school’s Social Stud ies Committee.

The following candidates are expected to attend:

• Gerald Malloy (R), U.S. Senate

• Peter Welch (D), U.S. Senate

• Liam Madden (R), U.S. House of Representatives

• Becca Balint (D), U.S. House of Representatives

• Phil Scott (R), Governor of Vermont

• Brenda Siegel (D), Governor of Vermont

• Joe Benning (R), Lt. Governor of Vermont

• David Zuckerman (D), Lt. Governor of Vermont

• H. Brooke Paige (R), Vermont Attorney General

• Charity Clark (D), Vermont Attorney General

CVSD seeks input on strategic plan

What constitutes a “good” education? How important are athletics and extracurriculars to a child’s school experience? Who benefits from learning outdoors?

These and many more ques tions are up for discussion as the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) launches a seven-month process to map out the district’s mission and vision for the next five years.

School administrators started this first-time process last spring with the school board’s help. A steering committee consisting of parents/caregivers, students, fac ulty, staff, leaders of businesses and organizations, principals, school administrators, school board members and other com munity members started meeting in September.

This month, the public is invit ed to weigh in at a series of com munity forums: Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m.

CVSD STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMUNITY FORUMS

• Oct. 13 — CVU Library, 6-8 p.m.

• Oct. 15 — Williston Central School Community Room, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

• Oct. 17 — Pierson Library, Shelburne, 9-11 a.m.

the attainment of school improve ment,” a school district news re lease on the initiative states.

The goal is to present a final plan to the school board for adop tion in March.

at the CVU library; Oct. 15, 9:3011:30 a.m. at the Williston Central School Community Room; and Oct. 17, 9-11 a.m. at the Pierson Library in Shelburne.

“A strategic plan is the vehicle that allows an organization to look at its future. Through visioning, developing a mission, examining core values and setting achievable goals, the district moves toward

“CVSD values and invites all members of our community to participate in this process and to help identify our shared values and priorities,” the news release says. “We hope to hear from folks who have students in our schools, as well as those who don’t. We also want to hear from students, employees and local business and government leaders. Our plan for the next five years will be stron ger and smarter with a diversity of voices working together on its creation.”

Thoughts about the process can be submitted through an on line survey at https://bit.ly/CVS DOct22 The survey will be open through the month of October.

Photos from the Williston Observer are available for purchase!

willistonobserver.com

Electrics

Nearly 100 Williston residents attended

sponsored by

of brands,

Fest”

well as the Champlain Valley School

Allen Brook School

electric vehicle

Electric vehicle owners were on hand to

about buying and driving electric, as were representatives from Green Mountain Power and Green Mountain Solar.

Fest was extremely successful, and the attendance exceeded

expectations”

Kevin Thorley, event coordinator and Williston Energy Committee co-chair.

look forward to holding an EV Fest annually in Williston.”

The Williston Energy Committee can be contacted at Energy@WillistonVt.org.

Williston Observer rack distribution at these locations in Williston, Richmond and Essex

Williston Belle’s Café Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Fairfield Inn

Gardener’s Supply Green Mountain Bagel Hannaford

Healthy Living Williston Home2Suites Korner Kwik Stop Marriott Courtyard Men At Wok

People’s United Bank Ramunto’s Rehab Gym Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Simon’s Mobil Williston

Simply Divine Café Sonesta Sunoco Station Town of Williston Offices UPS Store

Williston Coffee Shop

Essex Junction Essex Automotive Five Corner Variety Hannaford Inn at Essex Mac’s Market Martone’s Deli Price Chopper

Quality Bake Shop River Road Beverage Richmond Cumberland Farms Richmond Free Library Richmond Market Richmond Mobil Mart

Alleged slur prompts CVU team to speak out

BY AUDITI GUHA VTDigger

Field hockey players from Champlain Valley Union High School have penned a letter con demning hate speech within their community and beyond after an opposing spectator allegedly used a homophobic slur during a recent game in Manchester.

The incident comes after the Vermont Principals’ Association pledged to confront discriminato ry behavior following episodes of racist, sexist and transphobic ver bal harassment at games across the state last school year.

But the students, who posted their letter on Instagram on Mon day night, said the issue stretches beyond the field.

“This community loves to preach inclusivity and acceptance of all backgrounds and identities,” they wrote, “but the message is often lost in the halls of our school as slurs are thrown around like slang, etched into the walls of bathroom stalls and whispered among friends at sporting events or just screamed loud and proud with no repercussions.”

“This community loves to preach inclusivity and acceptance of all backgrounds and identities. But the message is often lost in the halls of our school as slurs are thrown around like slang, etched into the walls of bathroom stalls and whispered among friends at sporting events or just screamed loud and proud with no repercussions.”

CVU field hockey players

Speaking on behalf of the school’s varsity field hockey team, captain Miranda Oppenheimer said the letter was sparked by an in cident Sept. 14 at Burr and Burton Academy where a student watch ing the game “used a homophobic slur against one of our players.”

Dave Miceli, Burr and Burton’s athletics director, said he was in the school building when he was alert ed by a Champlain Valley coach that a group of Burr and Burton students “had said something in appropriate” to one of their players just after the first quarter ended.

“The game was at a natural stop, the coach reported the inci dent and we were able to remove the students without disrupting the game,” Miceli said. “The coach certainly indicated that enough was being done that we could con tinue playing because that is an im portant piece of this whole process created by the (Vermont Princi pals’ Association).”

Miceli said he and one of his coaches approached the group of about nine students and walked them across the field to the oth er side of the street. When ques

Slurs

tioned, he said, students denied saying the slur and no one came forward or identified the perpetrator.

He instructed them not to return to the playing field or interact with the CVU team afterwards, Miceli said.

Miceli said he also spoke to other officials present to see if they witnessed the incident. He called CVU activities director Ricky Mc Collum after the third quarter to see if they could do anything else and apologized to CVU head coach Tucker Pierson at the end of the game.

“I told her I don’t want to cause more trau ma by asking your player a bunch of ques tions so please let her know we’re sorry, and also, if she remembers anything that helps us identify this person, please let us know,” Miceli said.

The Burr and Burton captains also came over to talk and apologize to the CVU player after the game, Miceli said.

He said he hadn’t heard back on the matter since and had not seen or heard about the field hockey team’s post.

McCollum, the CVU athletics director, said he heard from coaches of both schools. Protocol was followed and both sides agreed to continue the game, he said. All sides are “satisfied with the outcomes and how things were handled,” he said.

Pierson, the CVU coach, confirmed that “we felt like the situation was handled effec

tively with care and concern.”

She commended her team for writing a “heartfelt and courageous letter” and for “standing up to the complacency that pre vents real change and growth — within CVU and beyond.”

“Sports is the lens through which we are seeing these ugly actions and hateful lan guage, but this is a larger issue that affects everyone,” she said.

NEW RULES

Following multiple incidents last year — which involved abuse reportedly directed at student-athletes playing volleyball, soccer and basketball — the Vermont Principals’ Association instituted a new online report ing form in order to identify and track such

events.

The organization, which governs school sports in the state, also developed a new mes sage to be announced before each game, en couraging good sportsmanship and prohibit ing “hazing, harassment and bullying of any kind.”

“The reporting form is part of a broader effort to raise the bar for all participants at athletic events — including fans,” said VPA president Jay Nichols. “The pregame state ment makes expectations clear.”

Coaches from both schools said the state ment was read before the recent field hockey game. Miceli also completed the VPA online form the organization uses to track these in cidents, he said.

Estate Planning,

All in on pool access

As a mother of a 7-year-old, sister of a swim team participant and proponent of pool rehabil itation after multiple surgeries, I can grasp the benefit of pool access.

Swimming is a vital skill for our young people to learn. Our beautiful state resources cannot and should not be fully experi enced without this skill, and yet it is so very difficult for a par ent to access quality, local swim classes for their children.

Where is CVU’s swim team?

The Champlain Valley School District towns have an excellent tax base. Yet parents must pay to be part of a private swim club for their child to participate in this life-long, life-saving sport.

Our older, less physically able residents struggle to find necessary methods of staying fit, especially during the winter months. As Covid showed us, loss of access to programs can lead to decreased physical mo bility, secondary to loss in mus cle strength and weight gain.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

It is a crying shame that we lost The Edge facility — a fully functional aquatic center in the heart of Williston, since filled in with concrete — a shameful waste of resources that was done to prevent competition without consideration of the possible benefit to the community.

How do we make this a com munity effort? How does one start a fundraising campaign?

I am one of many who believe strongly in this effort, but lack community activism experience.

Allen Brook School is ex ploding with new young fami lies. Having access to quality, local swim lessons may just save the life of one of those young children. Having access to aquatic classes in the winter could prevent one of our seniors from falling and breaking a leg on ice and losing their indepen dence.

The sooner access to such an important resource is created the better.

Kathryn Hibbert Williston

A dynamic duo

I have been very impressed with both Rep. Erin Brady and Angela Arsenault, who are run ning for state representatives for Williston (Chittenden-2).

Both have shown a commit ment to hearing the voices of Willistonians by knocking on our doors and doing outreach — a preview of their dedication should they be elected.

For me, it is important for my representatives to share my view that access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, is a human right. Erin Brady and Angela Arsenault are the candi dates who share this view. They also understand what it’s like for working Vermonters, care about our schools and children, and will be champions for Williston in the Legislature.

Arsenault has chaired our school board and Brady is an incumbent legislator who also works as a high school teacher. I am grateful that we have such a high-quality pair running to rep resent us, and I will be proudly voting for Brady and Arsenault for state representative.

Charity Clark Williston

Vote of confidence

Vermont desperately needs balance, fresh ideas and open discussion in Montpelier. Bruce Roy will bring 30 years of both selfless military service and se nior business experience to the Vermont House.

I have known Col. Roy from my earliest days as Vermont’s Governor, and I have no doubt he will represent your district with total dedication and the ut most integrity.

You have the opportunity, with a vote for Bruce, to ensure balance, common sense and transparency in the Legislature. I urge the voters of Williston to elect Bruce Roy to the Vermont House of Representatives.

Jim Douglas

Former Vermont Governor (2003-2011)

Middlebury

Following in our footsteps

We need Rep. Erin Brady and aspiring Representative Angela Arsenault to represent us in the Legislature. If you agreed with and supported Reps. Mary Pe

terson, Terry Macaig and myself through the years, you need to know that Angela and Erin share the same playbook.

They are well-informed to meet the increasingly danger ous challenges Vermonters now face.

The climate crisis is a threat to our community and prosperi ty. We cannot afford to delay ac tion. We must move forward to help all Vermonters — individ uals, communities and business es — adapt to the accelerating, costly effects of climate change.

I know Erin and Angela share my commitment to envi ronmental stewardship. They understand the gravity of the climate challenge we must ad dress. They are both endorsed by the Sierra Club.

I am voting for Erin and An gela. I urge you to vote for them, too.

Rep. Jim McCullough Williston

Vote Roy for balance in Montpelier

The citizens of Williston have the unique opportunity to

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SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS

so that we can verify the letter’s author.

elect a representative to the Ver mont House with experiences and skills we have not seen in a long time. With his military and business background, Bruce Roy is the most prepared candi date to deal with our most press ing daily issues.

It is not news that the cost of living and taxes for the average Vermonter are out of control and impact our families every day. With heating fuel and electricity prices predicted to be the high est in decades, with inflation up over 8 percent, health insurance up 12 percent, groceries up 13 percent, and Williston property taxes up an average of 5 per cent, most Williston families are giving up one to two months of their hard-earned income just to buy daily necessities. At this rate, it’s going to be a long, hard winter.

In the midst of this inflation ary madness, our current liberal Legislature attempted to pass a carbon tax that would flow higher prices to Vermonters try ing to heat their homes and drive to work. This is despite Vermont already having the lowest car bon dioxide emissions in the 50 states. The Legislature is also entertaining expanding Ver mont’s sales tax even further, to food and services.

Bruce knows this is just ir responsible taxation and unre sponsive to Vermonters’ needs. Or as he likes to call it, “just nuts!”

Our current progressive leg

islative membership has lost touch with our everyday stresses and priorities. A change is des perately needed in Montpelier for the future of Vermont.

Bruce won’t be part of the political herd mentality that ex ists in Montpelier. He will stand and fight for what is best for our town and state.

Without reservation, I urge all Williston citizens to vote for change, vote for balance and common sense, vote for Bruce Roy for the Vermont House in the Chittenden-2 district by mail or in person on Nov. 8.

Bret Powell Williston

Ready for recycling upgrade

At Gardener’s Supply Com pany, we measure our success in traditional financial terms as well as in our positive impact on our employees, our community and our planet. As such, we wel come Chittenden Solid Waste District’s (CSWD) proposal to build a more efficient recycling facility that can accommodate a wider variety of packaging as an opportunity for us and our fel low Vermont businesses and res idents to conserve more natural resources and reduce our carbon footprint.

LETTERS

Built nearly 30 years ago, the current Materials Recovery Fa cility (MRF) can’t keep up with the fast pace of modern pack aging innovations and is unable to accommodate the recycling needs of today’s Vermonters.

Besides helping us all divert more of our waste stream from the landfill, CSWD’s proposed MRF will provide skilled jobs and improved working condi tions for Vermont workers.

The proposed MRF is a pow erful tool for helping us contin ue to reduce our waste stream. We hope you will join us in sup porting the proposed MRF by voting yes in November’s Gen eral Election for the bond need ed to build this new facility.

Cindy Turcot President and CEO Gardener’s Supply Company

Letting us all down

In the primary election in

August, I wrote in Bruce Roy and Tony O’Rourke on the Re publican ballot for House Rep resentatives. I respect and sup port them both.

But here lies the problem: I also respect and support Ted Kenney running for Chittenden County State’s Attorney on the Democratic Ballot.

What should I have done?

Could I have written in Ted’s name on the Republican ballot?

Our legal system is letting all of us down. People are talking about getting rid of police. I told my kids that would never happen. What stops me from jumping in my car and driving like a bat out of hell down the road? It’s not the thought that I might get in an accident. It’s the fact that a speeding ticket will raise my insurance. And what stops people from steal ing? It’s not always their moral compass. It’s going to jail. Who do you call in a domestic situa tion? When your house is bro

ken into? When your loved one is missing?

The other day at Hannaford, a man in front of me asked if I was from around here. I said yes. He asked me what hap pened to Burlington? He used to live here and wanted to show his wife “beautiful Burling ton.” They were shocked at the graffiti; the city was dirty and run down. I commented that Burlington is having problems with gangs/drugs right now.

But who am I kidding if I think Burlington issues will stay in Burlington?

Essentially, those who vot ed in the Democratic Primary are the few people who have decided the direction of our le gal system for all of Chittenden County. So I am asking, what will happen if me and other people write in Ted Kenney on the November ballot?

Sandy Barber Williston

the environment

Amid controversy, Richmond raises fluoride in town water

BY DOMINIC MINADEO VTDigger

Following the revelation that a town employee had unilater ally set the level of fluoride in Richmond’s public water supply at less than half the level rec ommended by the state, a town board voted unanimously Mon day night to meet the state’s standards.

In a contentious meeting of the Richmond Water and Sewer Commission at the town cen ter, dozens of residents debated Water Superintendent Kendall Chamberlin’s decision to, for three years, set fluoride levels far lower than community mem

bers realized.

In a prepared statement de livered remotely, Chamberlin on Monday offered his “sincerest apology to the citizens of Rich mond” and promised to ensure “nothing like this ever happens again.” When asked specific questions during public com ment, the water superintendent remained silent.

Chamberlin came under fire after a Sept. 19 meeting of the commission, during which it was revealed that he had set Richmond’s fluoride levels to 0.3 milligrams per liter rather than 0.7, the measurement re quired at the time by the Ver mont Department of Health and

Bag Riders, Red Cross

drive

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is not mandatory for a town to opt into the state’s fluorida tion program, according to Rob in Miller, who leads the state health department’s Office of Oral Health. But the state does have requirements for towns that participate in the program, and one of those is that they must comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards on fluoride levels.

“This is the first experience that I’ve had in my role here that a town has opted into the pro gram but not fluoridated with in the optimal range,” Miller told the board. When asked by

a member of the public whether the town had been out of com pliance for the past three years, she responded, “Yes.”

The motion to participate in the state fluoride program would mean raising the fluoride levels in Richmond from 0.3 back to the amount set by the state, ac cording to Town Manager Josh Arneson.

“The motion before us is to essentially put in writing what we already thought we were do ing,” commission member Jay Furr said, referring to the fact that he and his colleagues on the commission had only recent ly learned that Chamberlin had lowered the levels.

All five members of the com mission voted in favor of the motion.

When it came to Chamber lin’s role in the matter, mem bers of the public argued for and against his decision.

“I’d first like to say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for Kendall,” said Katy Mather, a former commission member. “However, making a decision to go below a state minimum for fluoridation should have been a policy change he brought to the water and wastewater com mission, the selectboard and the town.”

Attendee Erik Bailey defend

VOTE

Erin Brady (D) & Angela Arsenault (D) For State Representative

two PROVEN Williston community leaders to the Vermont State House

Re-elect Rep. Erin Brady

Angela Arsenault

Sports Redhawks defend against the Hilltoppers

Green scenes

CLOCKWISE from top left: CVU’s Camden Ayer hits out of the sand on the 7th hole during the Boys NVAC Golf Championship held at the Williston Golf Club Sept. 28. Bryce Bortnick makes his approach shot to the 4th green. Kaiden McClure putts on the 4th green. Jack Byran hits one off the tee on the 7th.

CLOCKWISE from top left: CVU’s Stella Dooley battles for possession during the Redhawks’ game vs. the St. Johnsbury Hilltoppers on Monday afternoon in Hinesburg. Zoe Klein chases down the loose ball during the game. Ezra Dzjurzynski steps in front of her St. Johnsbury defender. CVU won the game 5-0.

OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Sports

Redhawk rush

CLOCKWISE from top left: CVU’s Christian Hathorn makes a diving catch during the Redhawks’ game vs. the Hartford Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon in Hinesburg. Brayden Trombly breaks a tackle on his push down field. Max Destito takes the snap during the Redhawks battle. CVU won the game 31-19.

We Can Take It!

From air conditioners to x-rays, check our A-Z list and learn how to dispose of, recycle, or reuse items and materials you no longer want.

Now serving you with eight Drop-Off locations in Chittenden County.

Visit cswd.net for locations and materials accepted.

Fall

Leaf Peepers

Post-foliage crafts to brighten late fall

BY TAYLOR ANTONIOLI Special to the Observer

When autumn ends and fall begins,

When trees are bare and the ground covered,

When rakes are needed and piles are made,

The color still warms and dares not fade.

Toward the end of the season, the beauti ful leaves fall onto our lawn. However, that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop.

QUICK CRAFTS MADE EASY

Decorations for fall can be expensive, even creating your own if you’re buying plastic accessories. Why not make leaf gar lands from pressed leaves?

After pressing for a week or more, you can decorate the leaves themselves with a white or silver Sharpie, or leave them sim ply pressed. Tie, glue or tape the stems to a length of rope or a stick from your backyard and hang anywhere you see fit. Or make “stained glass windows” with transparent contact or tracing paper and the best leaves right off the ground. Simply use Mod Podge or glue to get the leaves to stick and place in

front of a window with plenty of natural light.

While you might be annoyed with the little critters digging holes in your yard, you can make your own kid-friendly versions that are much nicer to your grass. All you need is some brown paper, a black marker, glue and the right sized leaves. Cut the paper into a relatively oval shape, stick on your leaves leaving space on one end for a face drawn in marker, and you’re done.

FOR THOSE WITH TIME AND PATIENCE

For those with more experience crafting, or the time and patience to do things carefully, these crafts also make excellent ideas for fall decoration. They also require more materials, but those can be customized to your needs and preferences.

DIY “leaf stamps” can be used in a multitude of ways. Looking to decorate anything made of canvas, some gift tags or even pumpkins? Aside from your growing collec tion of leaves, all you need is some crafting paint, a paintbrush, some wax paper, and if you’re planning on stamping a flat item, a rolling pin.

Spread a thin layer of paint over the leaf and gently lay it on the item you wish to decorate. Cover it with wax paper (to help prevent sliding) and press. If on a flat surface, use a rolling pin instead of your hand for a more even application.

If you’re looking for a larger wall piece and have the power tool know-how to hang it, this is the idea for you: Take a slab of wood of any size, at least 2 inches thick for hanging, and stain to desired color. Once dry, draw an outline of the design you wish to create in pencil, which you will then fill in with dried leaves using either Mod Podge (preferred) or hot glue. Add stick elements to your preference and place in the desired location.

Or, if your door is looking bare but you’re not ready for Christmas, make yourself a leaf wreath. You can use any sized crafting wreath from a store, or create your own version with wire. Hot glue a mul titude of fresh leaves and hang for a friendly entrance to your home.

For those who don’t have a lot of time, or are worried about the mess paints and glue can make on your table, there’s another easy touch you can use to bring color

A leaf wreath is a beautiful way to hang onto the colors of fall.

into your house. Grab a pair of gar dening clippers and carefully cut a select few branches off any of your colorful trees. Set in a vase to cre ate a bouquet, or tie with twine to create a centerpiece you can add to with your own creative ideas.

And of course, there’s always the one true classic of raking your yard into one big pile and throw ing yourself on top! It just isn’t fall without it.

nd

Fall Home Garden

Moving house plants back indoors for winter

BY DEBORAH BENOIT Special to the Observer

Did you know that most house plants sold in stores are actually tropical perennials? That’s right.

The spider plant (native to Afri ca) and peace lily (native to the rain forests of Venezuela and Colombia) that make themselves at home in your home originated in tropical cli mates. So did the Boston fern, native to Central and South America, Afri ca and the West Indies.

worth the effort.

First, check your plant for any problems. Give it a gentle shake to dislodge any loose debris. Trim off any dead or dying foliage, and check for any obvious pests.

Get out the garden hose and give it a good shower, not just a misting from above, but a good spray to top and bottom leaf surfaces and the stem to clean off pollen, dust and anything else that’s settled there.

When moving spider plants, peace lilies and other houseplants indoors for the winter, first isolate them for a short period

any pests brought in are not transferred

other indoor plants.

It is no surprise they don’t like the cold of our New England winters and there fore will not survive outdoors af ter the first frost.

Check for any unwelcome tag alongs as you gently wipe off the leaves and examine all surfaces.

Welcome them home

with a little TLC and plenty of light, and they’ll bring a bit of green indoors while the garden outside takes its winter nap.

As tem peratures (particular ly those at night) drop into the 50s, the time has come to bring houseplants back in doors. While it can be as simple as moving your plant from its location outside to a winter home indoors, for the best results for the plant, you and other houseplants in your home, tak ing a few precautions will be well

Any pests, including eggs laid in the top layer of potting soil, can be come an in door annoy ance and a problem for other house plants al ready inside.

If your plant has grown considerably over the summer, this is a good time to repot. Use a pot one size larger, and be sure to use quality potting soil. If you don’t need to or don’t want to re pot, top dress the soil instead.

Remove any debris, such as fall

COURTESY PHOTO BY DEBORAH J. BENOIT

Plants

foliage, from the soil surface along with the top layer of soil, being careful not to disturb the roots. Apply a fresh layer of potting soil and give your plant a good drink if it needs wa tering. It may not if it’s already had a shower.

When you move a plant inside, keep it sep arate from any always-indoors plants for a few weeks in an enclosed porch or spare room to avoid any pests or problems that might not be readily apparent. Short term isolation will al low time for any problems to become known and be dealt with before they can spread to other plants.

Providing similar light conditions will help

lessen the shock from a sudden change in envi ronment. If the plant was growing in full sun, find a place near a sunny south-facing window and consider using supplemental grow lights to be sure it continues to get sufficient light. If your plant was growing in full or partial shade, placement in a north-facing window or near a sunny east or west window is a good choice.

When selecting a location, be sure the foli age won’t come in direct contact with window glass. The cold will damage the foliage.

Likewise, avoid placing houseplants close to a heat source such as a radiator or stove. Both the resulting direct heat and its drying effect can damage foliage.

Take your time and enjoy reacquaint ing yourself with your houseplants as you bring them indoors. They’ve been on vaca

tion. Welcome them home with a little TLC and plenty of light, and they’ll bring a bit of green indoors while the garden outside takes its winter nap.

Deborah Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from North Adams, Mass., who is part of the Bennington County Chapter.

locally owned gift

Week: What’s NaNoWriMo?

Great Greenland Sharks

Earlier this year, an unusual shark was found off the coast of Belize. What made this discovery so special was that it was suspected to be a Greenland shark, which usually lives in the cold water of the Arctic Ocean.

In Central America, where temperatures are hot, researchers were puzzled why this shark would show up in the warmer water off its coast.

The Mini Page learns about Greenland sharks this week.

Age

Greenland sharks can live to be more than 400 years old. Scientists have been able to find out more about the age of Greenland sharks by examining their eye lenses, which have soft tissue that grows similar to the rings of a tree as the sharks get older.

Scientists use a special process that involves studying the innermost part of a shark’s lens for a specific protein that doesn’t change with age. In one study, researchers found that out of 28 Greenland sharks, the age range was between 252 and 512 years.

Cold

According to the National Ocean Service, one theory about why Greenland sharks live so long is that they live in freezing cold temperatures. This slows down their metabolism, which is how bodies convert food and liquid into energy.

Greenland sharks are known to move, grow and age slowly. They’re so slow, in fact,

BY OLIVIA JAIMES

AGE,

Mini Fact: Greenland sharks can dive more than 7,000 feet deep.

Cold water

Greenland sharks aren’t only found around Greenland, but also in the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean of Canada, Norway and Iceland.

These sharks can live in such frigid waters because they are cold-blooded, or have body temperatures that depend on their environment. The North Atlantic and Arctic oceans often have chunks of ice floating around.

that their average swimming speed is less than 1 mile per hour.

Food

Since Greenland sharks aren’t quick animals, they’ve adapted to eating whatever they can find, making them scavengers. They are carnivores, which means their diets mostly consist of meat.

Researchers have found many things in the stomachs of Greenland sharks, including parts of polar bears, fish, squid and carrion, which is the decaying flesh of animals. In one case, the entire body of a reindeer was found in the stomach of a Greenland shark.

Size

If their stomachs can hold an entire reindeer, how big is one of these slow-moving ocean creatures?

Greenland sharks grow to an average of 8 to 14 feet long. However, females are larger than males and can reach up to 23 feet in length.

W hen fully grown, these ocean creatures can weigh more than a ton, which is 2,000 pounds.

The Greenland shark is the only shark that can survive year-round in the 28.8-degree temperatures of the Arctic Ocean.

Sight

Most Greenland sharks are at least partially blind because of pinkish-white parasites called copepods that grow up to 1 inch long and attach themselves to the sharks’ corneas. Once the copepods attach themselves, they destroy the tissue on the cornea. Greenland sharks rely on other senses to scavenge for food.

On the Web:

At the library:

Founded by Betty Debnam

bit.ly/MPGreenlandsharks

“Can’t Get Enough Shark Stuff” by Andrea Silen and Kelly Hargrave

“The Ultimate Book of Sharks” by Brian Skerry

Resources

photo by Christopher Michel

photo by Markus Trienke

and liquid into energy.

Greenland sharks are known to move, grow and age slowly. They’re so slow, in fact,

Try ’n’ Find

W hen fully grown, these ocean creatures can weigh more than a ton, which is 2,000 pounds.

Mini Jokes

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

AGE, ARCTIC, COLD, CARNIVORES, CORNEA, EYE, GREENLAND, METABOLISM, NORTH ATLANTIC, OCEAN, POLAR BEAR, SCAVENGER, SHARK, SLOW, SIGHT, TON, YEARS.

Cook’s Corner

Cinnamon Graham Treats

You’ll need:

• 10 to 12 whole graham crackers

(1 package from box)

•1/2 cup butter

•1/4 cup brown sugar

What to do:

•1/4 cup white sugar

•1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 cup pecans, chopped

1.Break graham crackers in half; arrange with edges touching in a jelly roll pan.

2. Melt butter in a separate pan over medium heat; stir in sugars, cinnamon and pecans.

3.Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

4.Pour sticky mixture evenly over graham crackers.

5.Bake in a 375-degree oven for 12 minutes.

6.Cool before serving. Serves 5-6.

7 Little Words for Kids

Use

1.Pooh’s friend (6)

2.hair above the lips (8)

3.cutting part of a knife (5)

4.ten plus five (7)

5.not very long (5)

6.uncooked bread (5)

7.expensive, sparkly rock (7)

an adult’s help with this recipe.

*You’ll

Grant: Where do sharks go on vacation?

Gracie: Fin-land!

Eco Note

Japan’s whaling industry appears to be struggling to stay in business due to cutbacks and younger Japanese people eating less of what was once a staple food. The industry was criticized for pretending to hunt the marine mammals for scientific research. But experts say whale-meat companies are having to sell their product at costs that will not allow them to continue in business. “Even the Japan Fisheries Agency has now abandoned any pretense that commercial whaling can be profitable,” said Patrick Ramage, head of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

For later: Look in your newspaper for articles about sharks.

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

BY DAN THOMPSON

Brian Skerry

F C I T N A L T A H T R O N T R N A H C Y N K R A H S N O S A A W G F Y E A R S K U N H Z E E S I E F W A E N R O C G Y B C Y S Y S E R O V I N R A C R O A R C T I C D Z L G N H D A X M E T A B O L I S M T O O L R E G N E V A C S O W O L S O A H Q I C O L D E Y E R I B P D N A L N E E R G T G A S O

DE DIA BLA PIG

MOND FIF STA

RT LET SHO

DOU GH CHE

By Jim Miller

Savvy Senior

Auto aids that make driving easier and safer

Dear Savvy Senior,

Do you know of any car gad gets that can help older drivers?

I drive a 12-year-old car and have arthritis in my neck, back and knees, which limits my mo bility, making it more difficult to get in and out of the car and look over my shoulder to backup.

Almost 80

Dear Almost,

To help keep older drivers safe and extend their driving years, there are a number of in expensive products you can pur chase that can easily be added to your vehicle to help with many different needs. Here are some popular auto aids to consider.

ENTRY AND EXIT AIDS

For mobility challenged se niors who have a difficult time entering and exiting a vehicle — especially cars that are low to the ground or high vehicles such as SUV’s or pickup truck’s — there are a variety of support handles and special seat cush

ions that can help.

Examples include the Stand er (www.stander.com) “Handy Bar” ($40), which is a portable support grab bar that inserts into the U-shaped striker plate on the doorframe, and the “Car Caddie” ($20), a nylon support handle that buckles around the top of the door window frame. Stander also has an “Auto Swiv el Seat Cushion” ($40), that ro tates 360 degrees to help drivers and passengers pivot their body into and out of their vehicle.

REAR VISION IMPROVEMENTS

To help those with neck and back range of motion problems,

which makes looking over the shoulder to back-up or merge into traffic difficult, there are special mirrors you can add as well as back-up cameras.

To widen rear visibility and eliminate blind spots, Verivue Mirrors (www.verivuemirrors. com) offers the popular “Univer sal 12-Inch Panoramic Rearview Mirror” ($13) that clips onto ex isting rearview mirrors, along with a variety of “Blind Spot Mirrors” ($5 for two), which are small convex mirrors that stick to the corner of the sideview mirrors.

Another helpful device is the “Auto-vox CS-2 Wireless Back up Camera Kit” ($120, www. auto-vox.com). This comes with a night vision camera that attaches to the rear license plate, and a small monitor that mounts to the dash or wind shield. When the vehicle is in reverse, it sends live images wirelessly to the monitor so you can see what’s behind you.

SEAT BELT EXTENDERS

Peripheral Neuropathy?

Green Burials

For plus-sized people or those with mobility problems, there are seat belt extension products that can make buck ling up a little easier. For ex ample, Seat Belt Extender Pros (www.seatbeltextenderpros. com) offers vehicle-specific “Seat Belt Extenders” ($13 to $26) that fit into the seat belt buckle receiver to add a few inches of length, making them easier to fasten. They also sell a “Seat Belt Grabber Handle” ($8), which is a rubber exten sion handle that attaches to the seat belt strap to make it easier to reach.

GRIPPING DEVICES

If you have hand arthritis that makes gripping difficult or painful, consider the “SEG Direct Steering Wheel Cover” ($17) that fits over the steering wheel to make it larger, soft er and easier to grip. And for help twisting open tight gas caps, the “Gas Cap & Oil Cap Opener by Gascapoff” ($17) is a long-handled tool that works like a wrench to loosen and tighten gas caps.

Many of these products can

TODAY’S HISTORY

• In 1927, “The Jazz Singer,” the first feature-length motion picture with synchronized dialogue, premiered in New York City.

• In 1973, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur.

• In 1981, Egyptian president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Anwar Sadat was assassinated.

• In 2000, Serbian and Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milosevic, who had been indicted by the United Nations in 1999 for crimes against humanity, resigned.

• In 2010, the Instagram social networking app was launched.

• TODAY’S FACT

• George Westinghouse formed more than 60 companies to market his inventions, which were collectively estimated to have been worth $120 million in 1900.

Savvy

be found in your local auto sup ply stores or online at the man ufacturer’s website or at www. Amazon.com. Just type the product name in the search bar to find them.

PROFESSIONAL HELP

If you need more assistance,

consider contacting a driver re habilitation specialist. These are trained professionals who eval uate elderly drivers and provide safety and driving equipment suggestions.

In addition to the types of aids mentioned in this column, there’s also a range of adaptive driving equipment that can be professionally installed on a ve hicle — like swing-out swivel

seats, pedal extenders, hand con trols and more — to help people with various disabilities. To lo cate a driver rehabilitation spe cialist in your area, visit www. ADED.net or www.MyAOTA. aota.org/driver_search.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

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.

Flouride

ed Chamberlin, arguing that

water quality

daily fluoride re

approved by the town

reviewed by the Department of Health.

“So it’s not just one guy do ing what he wants,” Bailey said, referring to Chamberlin. “He’s bringing these reports to his boss who signs them.”

The meeting ended with an executive session involving the “evaluation of an employee,” ac cording to the agenda. After the closed-door session, Arneson said that “there is no decision at this point” when asked about disci plinary actions for said employee.

However, during the meeting, Arneson and commission mem bers agreed that supervision over water quality needs to be better in the future.

“I think I can speak for the board or at least for myself that we will be reviewing those numbers much more closely in the future and frankly, we should have all along but we weren’t,” Furr said.

The Office of Oral Health also plans to impose new strategies in response to this incident, Miller said.

“Rather than just sending the site visit report to the superin tendent, we will send it to the superintendent and that person’s supervisor going forward,” she said. “That’s kind of a process improvement that we’re making based on the situation.”

Oct 25, 2022

- 4 p.m.

by Hilton 870 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403

ies, towns and school districts to mail ballots unsolicited to all voters, but did not include separate municipal districts like the CSWD. So while voters can expect their general elec tion ballots to arrive for the statewide election without asking, participation in the CSWD special election will have to be done the old-fashioned way.

Voters can complete the ballot at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 8, at the National Guard Armory at 7846 Williston Rd. They can also make an online request to the Secretary of State’s office (at www.mvp.vermont.gov) to have a ballot mailed, or pick one up at the Town Clerk’s office before Election Day.

“It surprised everyone,” CSWD Commu nications Manager Alise Certa said about the district’s inability to place the question on the general election ballot.

The total cost of the new facility is estimat ed at $26 million, according to CSWD Execu tive Director Sarah Reeves. The district plans to bond for no more than $16 million (less than the $22 million the bond vote would autho rize), take out a separate $6 million loan and use $3.5 million of its existing funds. Smaller grants would cover the rest of the cost.

The bond would be repaid over 25 years through normal operating revenue, Reeves said. The district serves 18 member cities and towns and handles solid waste for about 165,000 people. While it has the authority to charge the cities and towns for its services, it has not done so in the last 30 years and does not expect the bond debt to change that.

“CSWD has several other ways to raise

CUD

tor of the Vermont Community Broadband Board. “By working together as a commu nications union district, the towns are more likely to attract a provider, negotiate a bet ter deal for residents and ensure account ability.”

Ballots are currently being mailed to county residents. Voting can take place by mail or at the polls on Nov. 8. An informa tional meeting on the CUD ballot question will be held at Town Hall during the Wil liston Selectboard’s Nov. 1 meeting (7 p.m. start).

According to the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), state statute shields taxpayers from liability for the new district.

“A CUD has no taxing authority and must fund the build-out via grants, loans, gifts or private investment,” a fact sheet from the commission states. “Membership in a CUD poses no financial risk to the town or individual taxpayers.”

Forming a CUD is the first step in a multi-year process of building a high-speed internet network. If it is incorporated, each

the funds to repay the bond before we would need to assess our member towns,” a fact sheet about the special election states.

Reeves made the case for the new recy cling center at Tuesday’s meeting of the Wil liston Selectboard. The existing recycling cen ter, known as the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) located in Williston on Avenue C, was built in 1993. It is one of the few recycling cen ters in the country that still relies on people to hand-sort recyclables.

“We are 15-20 years behind the times,” said Reeves.

A new facility would be built with ma chine sorters, freeing up employees to focus on quality control, and allowing the center to react to future changes in materials through software updates. The new facility would also be able to handle about 40 percent more material than the current facility, Reeves said and there is room off Redmond Road to ex pand if necessary.

The entrance to the facility would be across from the GlobalFoundries entrance, well before the entrance to the CSWD dropoff center at the end of Redmond Road. Reeves said the district plans to contract with Casella Waste Systems to operate the new facility, as it does with the existing MRF. If the bond passes, planning would be finalized through an approval process with the Williston Devel opment Review Board over the coming year, construction would take place in 2024 and the facility would open in 2025, Reeves said.

Ahead of the vote, the district is offering public tours of the existing MRF (357 Avenue C) at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 12 and 19 as well as an informational meeting at Williston Central School on Nov. 1 starting at 5:30 p.m.

member municipality would appoint a rep resentative to serve on the CUD board. The board would then work with the Vermont Community Broadband Board to develop a feasibility plan for building the network and raising funds to construct it.

“The main function of the CUD would be to deliver public funds to the providers to build the network and to provide pub lic oversight to ensure broadband service is provided to underserved locations,” the CCRPC fact sheet states.

Universal high-speed internet would equalize the community’s access to data-in tensive services like tele-conferencing for work, school or health care, and streaming video.

“A communications union district is the best option we have right now to bring high-speed broadband internet ac cess to members of the community who cannot access it today,’ Williston Town Manager Erik Wells said. “Being able to connect to reliable broadband is critical in today’s world. By working together through a communications union dis trict, we have the ability to make this a reality.”

More information is available at www. ccrpcvt.org/broadband.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Why not have a job you love?

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.

Residential Direct Support Professional: Provide supports to an individual in their home and in the community in 24h shifts including asleep overnights in a private, furnished bedroom. You can work two days, receive full benefits and have five days off each week! Other flexible schedules available, starting wage is $20/hr, $1,000 sign on bonus.

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.

Join our dedicated team and together we’ll build a community where everyone participates and belongs https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

Make a career making a difference and join our team today! https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

Champlain

FOUND!!

Geno went missing June 1st from Talcott Road near the Williston Fire Department. After 4 months of being gone his family has found him, a little skinnier but in good shape. They wish to thank everyone who reached out with possible sightings and ideas while he was away.

WE ARE HIRING DESIGN & BUSINESS

Spend half of your time in production, creating advertisements, designing pages, loading the web, and more.

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.

Graphic design skills and knowledge of design and page layout programs required. 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.

LEGAL

TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT

AGENDA

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 – 7:00 PM

Hybrid Meeting: Town Hall Meeting Room, (7900 Williston Road) or Zoom Meeting ID 846 5863 3532 on zoom. us/join or call 1-646-558-8656

DP 22-01 Pre-App Trinity Baptist Church (c/o Randy Boardman) requests pre-application review to participate in Growth Management in March 2023 for their proposed residential subdivision located on a 19.6acre parcel (forms part of a larger subdivision that includes development at the school and alterations to the site plan on a 27.9acre parcel). Located at 300 Trinity Drive in RZD.

NEWSCITIZEN

Williston

&

Serving our community since 1985

MARKETING & ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER

DP 23-02 Pre-App Trinity Baptist Church (c/o Randy Boardman) requests pre-application review for their proposed 2-lot residential subdivision on an 8.7acre parcel to create 1 new dwelling unit located at 425 Mountain View Road in the

Project details and site plans are available online, go to bit.ly/DRBagendas. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org

To place a classified ad, email rick@williston observer.com or call (802) 373-2136

Williston Observer is hiring a sales professional to help local

succeed with print and

Job Description:

newspaper

Deadline for classifieds is Monday.

Join Our Auto Auction Team

Qualifications:

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 looking for a DYNAMIC to keep our Williston Auto Auction running smoothly.

OPEN POSITION: Auto Auction Yard Crew

Full time position working Mon–Fri 8-5 & 1 Sat. a month. The position is fast-paced, requires computer skills, working in all types of weather & working with customers.

Tasks include; filling out forms when customers bring in cars, jump starting cars, driving auto & manual cars, taking pictures, assigning lot numbers, uploading to online auction platform, & more.

Please submit a letter of interest, resume and current references to Eric@THCAuction.com.

CARPET

Slurs

Nichols confirmed that the incident was reported using the new tool but said that any investigations are typically left to schools, unless one side appeals or there is an “extenuating circumstance.”

VPA launched an equity initiative in 2019 and started using an anonymous on line reporting tool last school year that recorded 58 reports from October to June. Five reports have been filed since Septem ber, including this recent incident. Four in volve fan conduct, two are racial in nature, two are sexist or misogynistic and one is listed under other aggressive language and behavior, according to Nichols.

“We want to see this stuff be eradicat ed. Maybe it won’t be eradicated in our lifetime but we’re just going to keep trying to make progress as best we can and make expectations clear,” he said.

IT GOES BEYOND SCHOOL

Oppenheimer, the field hockey captain, said the incident at Burr and Burton was compounded by recent instances of ho mophobic language being used by CVU students.

The field hockey team’s social media post states, “It is frustrating as we realize that this community has changed oh so

little internally from the time our parents attended high school, and it is also empow ering as we take a stand against it all.”

CVU officials — including Christina Deeley and Bageshree Blasius, who are diversity, equity and inclusion coaches at the school — said they continue to work on the issue.

“Homophobic slurs are never accept able. Not in our schools, not on our sports fields, not in our communities,” the pair said in a writ ten statement.

CVU Principal Adam Bunting said he and his leader ship team are trying to figure out a way to help the student community learn more about the im pact of discrimina tory language and to repair harm.

He responded to the students, faculty and staff with a letter Monday night that reads: “While coaches and the leadership team have followed up on all of the inci dents of which we are aware, this letter represents students defining themselves to their peers and to their community at large. I’m proud of them for their courage

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and values.”

Since the incident in Manchester, the staff has held restorative circles for the field hockey team to voice concerns and discuss issues freely.

“We want it to be a safe environment for them to share their voices,” Bunting said.

While he declined to share details, Bunting said they are also working with the students who have been identified as responsible for discriminatory re marks in person or online in the last couple weeks to ad dress this behavior.

“We’ve made a commitment that when we have evi dence that students have used harmful language that we are going to follow up on it and we are going to hold peo ple accountable, but we’re also going to provide education for those students,” he said.

A cellphone policy instituted this year, partially in an attempt to combat social media harassment, has students silence and put away cell phones and other devic es in lockers, bags or at a docking station

during class and in other learning environ ments, among other measures.

‘WE NEED REAL CHANGE’

In a second letter to students, staff, fac ulty and families Tuesday, Bunting said he sees the field hockey team’s post “as a call to be inclusive and aware of impact no mat ter the context” and “an expression of how people feel when they are marginalized because of the actions, words, jokes, posts, and more that reject a person’s identity.”

Oppenheimer agreed and said, on be half of her team, the entire community needs a genuine apology from all people who use discriminatory and derogatory slurs, especially from those who target students from minority groups.

During the 2021-22 school year, the high school of almost 1,400 students recorded 24 sexual harassment cases, 16 harassment cases that targeted LGBTQ+ students and nine incidents of racial harassment, accord ing to data Bunting shared.

Oppenheimer, on behalf of the team, said the student-athletes feel emotionally supported by the administration but also feel that they are unsure of what to do next. “And that responsibility should not … be put on me and my team or the students at this school.”

“We need support, but more important ly we need real change.”

sponsored by Efficiency Vermont

“Homophobic slurs are never acceptable. Not in our schools, not on our sports fields, not in our communities.” Christina Deeley and Bageshree Blasius

CVU diversity, equity and inclusion coaches