Williston Observer 11/09/2023 by Williston Observer

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NOVEMBER 9, 2023

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Top police lieutenant resigns

Consultant: Department lacks succession plan BY JASON STARR Observer staff

What a kick CVU boys soccer senior captain Charlie Jennings, center, lofts the trophy in celebration after winning the Divison I state championship Sunday night. The top-seeded Redhawks defeated No. 2 South Burlington on penalty kicks at the University of Vermont’s Virtue Field. More on page 10. PHOTO BY PAUL LAMONTAGNE/VTSPORTSIMAGES.COM

Handy family buys Friendly’s parcel

The one-acre parcel in the heart of Taft Corners where the old Friendly’s Restaurant once operated has sold to a Handy family trio that anticipates leasing to a new restaurateur. The building and parking lot that sit at the southeast corner of the intersection of Route 2 and Route 2A has been vacant since the spring of 2022, when Friendly’s closed after roughly 40 years in business. According to Town of Williston land records, a company under the name Mountaha LLC bought the parcel in October. Mountaha LLC is owned by

Williston’s Friendly’s closed last year. The new owner is in talks to open a new eatery business there. OBSERVER FILE PHOTO

Anthony, Charles and Joan Handy, members of one of the Burlington area’s more prominent landowning families. “We have it for lease and there

What’s going on at deer camp?

are quite a few people who are interested in it,” Anthony Handy said of the property. “We are waiting to see who is the best fit.” He said the interested parties are in food service and would likely renovate and add on to the building. Mountaha LLC is listed with the Vermont Secretary of State as a land development company based in Burlington. It paid $1.25 million for the parcel, according to town land records. The parcel had been owned by the Mussen family of Essex, which had leased the land to Friendly’s. — Jason Starr

Josh Moore, who was second in command at the Williston Police Department, resigned in October after being placed on paid administrative leave in June. A separation agreement signed by Moore and Town Manager Erik Wells on Oct. 5 is “a resolution of all issues and claims related to” Moore’s employment with the town. The agreement required Moore to submit a resignation letter and not seek re-employment with the town, and both parties agreed to waive any right to future lawsuits against each other. It is unclear why Moore was placed on paid administrative leave in June. “The town does not comment on personnel matters,” Wells said. Moore was the department’s first and only lieutenant, a supervisor position created by Police Chief Patrick Foley in 2019 in part to develop a succession stepping stone to the police chief job. During his leave, Moore remained under Foley’s direction and continued to receive pay and benefits, but was required to relinquish access to town computer systems and police department equipment and to stop his policing duties, according to a copy of the notice of leave provided to the Observer. Without Moore, the depart-

Josh Moore

ment is left without a clear successor to Foley, who turns 70 this year. The department has never hired a chief from within the organization. “The chief has been around a long time, and you don’t know when he is going to decide it’s time to retire,” said Jim Baker, a consultant the town hired to assess the police department’s structure and needs. Baker delivered his report to the Williston Selectboard on Tuesday, and an unclear leadership future is among his primary findings. Two of the department’s four sergeants are due to retire in the next two years, he noted, and the department, like others in the region, is currently running shortstaffed on officers. At 17 officer positions and one office administrator, the department has not grown with the see MOORE page 7

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Williston Observer

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November 9, 2023

Around Town Church hosts Thanksgiving food drive The Williston Federated Church seeks the community’s help with a Thanksgiving food drive on Saturday, Nov. 11. Food drop-offs will be accepted at the church’s parking lot at 44 North Williston Rd. to provide Thanks-

giving dinner for Allen Brook and Williston Central school families. Thanksgiving meal items are sought, plus staples to supplement needs during school break. Items of need include: potatoes, canned vegetables, pie crust mix, pie filling, evaporated milk, cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy. Donations of a $20 gift card from Han-

naford will help with the purchase of a turkey. Additional food items sought are: peanut butter, cereal, pasta sauce, canned fruit and granola bars. Excess food will be donated to the Williston Community Food Shelf.

Student council Turkey Trot upcoming The CVU student council will host its second annual Turkey Trot fundraising 5K on Saturday, Nov. 18. The event takes place at the high school in Hinesburg beginning at 10 a.m. The run-walk

funds school dance tickets for those who cannot afford them, and other our student council activities. Participators are also encouraged to bring canned items for a food drive.

Christmas Bazaar set for Saturday The Williston Federated Church will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 18. The bazaar runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and features crafts, a bake sale, soups, plants, attic treasures and a silent auction. Local

artist Nancy Stone will be selling her book “Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku.” For more information, contact Carol at (802) 862-7400.

Exploring teen tech use On Nov. 16, the Champlain Valley School District’s ParentIN organization will host an online meeting exploring teen technology use. Erin Walsh of Spark and Stitch Institute will lead the discussion, beginning at 7 p.m. The event is free. Reserve a spot at www.bphc. link/erinwalsh

PROPERTY TRANSFERS - OCTOBER 2023 • Amanda Bent bought a home on Old Stage Road from the Deborah Lee Macdonald Trust for $850,000. • Jozlyn Plummer bought a condominium on Stillwater Lane from Jed Hishmeh for $440,000. • Mountaha LLC bought commercial property on 1 acre on Williston Road from the Ronald D. Mussen Revocable Trust for $1.25 million. • 129 Aspen Lane LLC bought a home on Aspen Lane from

the Estate of Ann H. Leary for $400,000. • Kenneth Douglas bought a condominium on Primrose Lane from Clement Luebke for $630,000. • Heather Lewis bought a condominium on Eastview Circle from Christine Sumner for $430,000. • Mary Rogers bought a home on Chamberlin Lane from Benjamin Kovach for $795,000. • Troy Nowak bought a home on Katie Lane from Martin Vollmer for $685,000.

• Brett James bought a condominium on Westview Circle from Olga Hebert for $353,500. • Olaf Jaehnigen bought a home on 10 acres on Williston Road from the Fred E. Lager Family Trust for $1 million. • Noah Nelson bought a condominium on Whitewater Circle from the Jeannette W. Byington Irrevocable Trust for $450,000. • Matthew Arnold bought a home on 2 acres on Terrace Drive from Gregory Shover for $992,780.

• The Gregory J. Lemieux and Sally A. Lemieux Revocable Trust bought a condominium on Maidstone Lane from the Ellen Wilcox Trust for $607,000. • Joseph Bilodeau bought a condominium on Primrose Lane from the Gregory J. Lemieux and Sally A. Lemieux Revocable Trust for $520,000. • Alice McDermott bought a condominium on Foxwood Circle from Carlos Pino for $358,000. • Michael Bilodeau bought a home

on River Cove Road from William Savage for $410,000. • Eduardo Fernandez bought a condominium on Balsam Circle from Holly Amin for $620,000. • George Coolidge bought a condominium on Eastview Circle from Sharon Bessette for $373,000. Property Transfers sponsored by

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November 9, 2023 •

Empathy in education

Duo brings bullying and suicide prevention presentation to Williston Tom

Murphy

and

Rick

Yarosh of Sweethearts & Heroes returned to Williston Central School this week after a long hiatus to teach about student empowerment and empathy. The

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh, who was severely injured while serving in Iraq, talks with students about empathy and empowerment during a recent school visit. He was in Williston this week with the organization Sweethearts & Heroes. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

duo — director Tom Murphy of St. Albans and Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh who was severely injured while serving in Iraq — offered a presentation to WCS students on Monday and Tuesday, aiming to prevent bullying and suicide with a focus on social-emotional learning. “Sweethearts and Heroes came to present in Williston many years ago, and students got so much out of it,” WCS Principal Jackie Parks said. “We are thrilled to bring this expanded experience to our students, as compassion and empathy are core values that we need to help instill within our students.” Sweethearts & Heroes’ presentation trains older students in bully drills that they, in turn, teach to students in lower grades. “We’re returning to Williston to cultivate compassion and empathy,” Murphy said. “We aim to stop students from making destructive decisions and help them treat each other with kindness. We also make our messages sustainable in schools, so that they have an eventual and sustainable effect on the local community.” For more information on Sweethearts & Heroes, visit w w w.swe et he a r t sa nd he roe s. com.

Williston Observer

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Williston Observer

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November 9, 2023

Exit 14 walk-bike bridge construction to start in 2024 BY LEAH GOLDING Community News Service

A draft design of a pedestrian-cycling bridge over Interstate 89 in South Burlington. COURTESY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON

bike lanes and sidewalks. “We have to do good planning for what happens on both sides of the bridge — does it all match up? Does it all feel comfortable? Is it connected to where people want to go?” said Bryan Davis, senior transportation planner for South Burlington. Blanchard expects the bridge will open in 2026. “It’s going to add to the community on so many levels,” Blanchard said. “It is a very multi-dimensional project. It really creates a strong East-West

travel corridor for people who are walking and biking.” The proposed route would start near the University of Vermont campus in Burlington and cross I-89 close to the Williston Road bridge over the highway, connecting Burlington with South Burlington. The project is partially funded by a $9.8 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant — a competitive annual award from the federal Department of Transportation. South Bur-

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Construction of a walk-bike bridge over Interstate 89 in South Burlington is expected to start at the end of 2024, city leaders say, with a target opening two years later. The $14.5 million project has been in development for years now and aims to address one of the riskiest tracts of road in the state for pedestrians and cyclists. Design work is about 60 percent finished, according to Ilona Blanchard, the city’s community development director, and a study is underway to determine connection points between the bridge and existing walk and

lington is paying a significant amount for the project, said City Councilor Meaghan Emery. Blanchard said officials are still looking to fill funding gaps. The federal grant program gives money specifically to projects that reduce carbon emissions and support underprivileged populations, Emery said. “I feel very strongly that we have to really invest in making it possible for people to get out of their cars and also for people who don’t have cars to be able to get from point A to point B,” said Emery. The project would allow walkers and cyclists to bypass eight potentially dangerous highway ramps on a busy section of Williston Road. In a 2018 survey put out by the city and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, over 75 percent of respondents indicated that they feel “very uncomfortable” walking or biking across the existing Williston Road bridge, which extends over the cloverleaf interchange west of Dorset Street. “I biked across there once and I said, ‘Never again,’” Emery said. “It’s incredibly dangerous to bike down Williston Road. I did not feel comfortable doing it.” Data collected by transportation engineers confirms Emery’s concerns. Four intersections and five roadway segments on this section of Williston Road have been listed as high-crash locations by the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Emery hopes the planned structure’s sleek design will also help put South Burlington on the map. “Oftentimes when South Burlington is noted in the press — like the national press — it shows Church Street in Burlington, so we really need our own symbol,” said Emery.

November 9, 2023 •

Williston Observer

County falls short of housing target BY CARLY BERLIN VTDigger As Vermonters continue to see rents and home prices rise — as well as increased homelessness — the state’s most populous county continues to lag on building more housing. Chittenden County gained 594 homes and apartments in 2022, 110 of which are permanently affordable, according to data collected by the county’s regional planning commission. Those tallies fall far short of a goal set by local leaders to build 1,000 new units of housing — a quarter at affordable rates — annually for five years. That’s according to a recent progress report by the Building Homes Together Campaign, an initiative led by the Champlain Housing Trust, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and nonprofit developer Evernorth to push for more housing. The campaign, supported by a host of municipal leaders, state

lawmakers and business groups, set a target in 2021 to create 5,000 new rentals and owner-occupied homes — including 1,250 units with permanent income restrictions — by 2025. An initial campaign launched in 2016 to reach 3,500 new homes was eclipsed in 2021. Now, two years into the latest push, the county has hit 75 percent of the target for new housing in 2021 and 2022. And, overall, it’s only created about half of the affordable homes the campaign aimed to build. “We need to do more, and we need to do it faster,” said Michael Monte, CEO of Champlain Housing Trust, at a press conference held in Williston in late October to mark the report’s release. The total of 594 new homes in 2022 includes the creation of 358 multifamily homes, 221 single family homes and 32 accessory dwelling units. It also accounts for the demolition of 17 homes. High interest rates and construction costs have slowed new

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Michael Monte, CEO of Champlain Housing Trust, speaks at a press conference on Chittenden County housing production at Zephyr Place in Williston in October as Williston Town Manager Erik Wells and Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Charlie Baker look on. PHOTO BY CARLY BERLIN/VTDIGGER

development, Monte said. Others pointed to regulatory barriers standing in the way of new housing, using the occasion to make another pitch for state-level changes. While the Legislature passed the historic HOME Act earlier this year — which encourages increased residential density

— it focused largely on municipal rules, said Charlie Baker, executive director of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. “One of the unfinished parts of the legislative work is to go back in 2024 and address the regulatory barriers to more housing that exist

at the state level, specifically Act 250,” Baker said, referring to Vermont’s decades-old land-use law. Housing leaders also made a plea for more state funding, particularly for affordable homes. The state has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in housing see HOUSING page 7

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Williston Observer

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November 9, 2023

GUEST COLUMN

Rethinking carbon-cutting zealotry sustainable living as part of our ethos. What does that mean? It means that we value clean water, rich soils, thriving forests and healthy people as much as we value clean air. Our pursuit of each of these goals is not mutually exclusive, but they can be at odds from time to time in the context of how we, as a state, deploy our resources. Here are some examples: • Vermont has finite taxing capacity and finite budgetary pressures. If we continue down the path of throwing more money and regressive financial burden on Vermonters, we risk undermining the health of our social fabric, which we should not take lightly. • Arguably, the water pollution generated by our agricultural fields and municipal wastewater systems has far greater impact (at least locally) on our ecosystem and quality of life. Imagine if we spent the same time and effort on solving that problem that we spend on discussions around reducing carbon emissions? • Zoning rules at the state level incentivize building in compact downtown areas (aka flood zones) while local zoning often restricts

BY BEN KINSLEY

We honor our

Veterans this Saturday, November 11 We appreciate your service. We will remember.

Williston

What is it about climate change that elicits such a panic in us? Perhaps it is the unrelenting force of nature — the overwhelming sense of powerlessness we feel when storms, wind, fire and water encroach upon our lives. In the face of such (un)natural disasters, maybe we clutch to whatever agency we can muster. Or, could it be that the prospect of our grandchildren not experiencing the same planet we do terrifies us. It could be a bit of both, or a whole host of other reasons. Whatever the reason, the myopic focus on carbon mitigation does not serve us well. Yes, of course we should highlight practical everyday steps we can all take to lessen our impact on the planet. However, many of the conversations taking place among policymakers in our state have focused so closely on specific carbon mitigation efforts that other important factors have fallen by the wayside. My guess is that most Vermonters view protecting our environment as an ethical obligation. We also view taking care of our neighbors, self-sufficiency and

density, pushing development to the outskirts of town. The net effect is little new housing, and the housing that is built often disrupts either forest ecosystems or waterways, or both. Yet not building housing harms Vermonters. The point I am making here is that every action we take has an impact on our environment. Some of those impacts can be felt much closer to home than our carbon emissions are felt. I was fishing in St. Albans bay this fall, and the algae bloom was so thick that you couldn’t see the bottom in 2 feet of water. We did that. Vermonters did that. While panic around climate change is understandable, we can’t lose our heads. There are real ecological issues that we should be dealing with that impact us even more directly than carbon emissions currently do. We can balance all of these things, but there is more to being an environmentalist and a humanist than carbon-cutting. Ben Kinsley of Burlington is on the board of directors at Campaign for Vermont, online at www. campaignforvermont.org.

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November 9, 2023 •

Housing

continued from page 5

in recent years, but advocates say still more is needed. “We need to sustain that level of investment over several — if not many — more years, because there’s a lot more work to be done,” said Nancy Owens, president of Evernorth. As housing remains scarce, demand remains high. Chittenden County’s rental vacancy rate has hovered at or below 1 percent since June 2021, while housing experts generally say a 3-5 percent vacancy rate indicates a healthy market, according to the report. The waitlist for federal housing vouchers through the Burlington Housing Authority is nearly 1,700 households long, according to the report. That scarcity poses a wide range of problems, from employers struggling to find housing for their workers, to more and more people entering homelessness, Owens said. “This campaign is continuing to ask that we turn toward the people in need, that we dedicate more funds to housing, that we make it more simple to build that housing, and we expedite the processes so that we can welcome people and buildings into our communities so that life can be better for all of us,” she said. This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public.

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Congressional delegation calls out U.S. postmaster

Vermont’s Congressional delegation — Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint — on Tuesday sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy about the displacement of the Montpelier Post Office since the floods in July. They also levied a broader criticism of DeJoy’s leadership in the

letter, saying his tenure has led to “the intentional undermining and deterioration of service as well as the demoralization of postal workers.” “The problems in Montpelier reflect a failure of national management that has become a pattern in our state,” the delegation wrote. “For years, the Postal Service has

left many of our rural communities unheard and underserved. We have consistently expressed our concerns over ongoing staffing shortages and extreme mail delays across Vermont, as well as the lack of proper resources for the USPS sorting facility in White River Junction.” “Under your leadership, we have seen a persistent deteriora-

Moore

investment to meet the current and future needs of the community. The current staffing, structure and scope does not provide an adequate level of community safety.” Much of the increased need for policing comes from an in-

“The Williston Police Department responses are at times robotic with no strategy to impact these incidents,” Baker wrote in his report. “Staff is tired and frustrated at the pace required to keep up with the activity. The current understaffing only adds to the frustrations affecting staff.” Adding to the frustration is that some national retailers with outlets in Williston have policies against employees reporting theft, Baker said. This, along with a backlogged court system that doesn’t adjudicate theft cases in a timely manner, has created a sense of a lack of consequences for thieves, he concluded. “Retailers … are just willing to write off a certain amount of loss each year,” Baker said. “They are not being good neighbors by not reporting crime.” Baker noted, however, that the community is generally safe, with a crime rate below the national average, and that the vast majority of calls to police (93 percent in 2022) are non-criminal in nature.

continued from page 1

town’s population growth and is not staffed to meet the community’s current needs, Baker said. He recommends the town create 11 new officer positions over the next five years, urging town leaders to fund the new positions even as they are having trouble filling current police openings. As part of the increased staff, the department should be restructured to create two top lieutenants, a data analyst and an investigations (detective) office, Baker said. He also recommends the town co-locate its restorative justice center with its social worker outreach team in a new Taft Corners-area office. “The town is one of the fastest growing communities in the State of Vermont,” Baker, a former Vermont State Police director, municipal police chief and corrections department director, wrote in his report. “The Williston Police Department has not kept pace with that growth and now faces the need for an

“The Williston Police Department responses are at times robotic with no strategy to impact [retail theft] incidents.” Jim Baker Consultant

crease in theft from Taft Corners retailers, Baker said. According to his report, the number of retail theft arrests more than doubled from 2021 to 2022 (54 to 135). There has also been an increase in car thefts and mental health support calls, he said.

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Williston Observer

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November 9, 2023

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As Vermont’s Covid-era motel housing program nears its end in April, Agency of Human Services officials have shared their vision for accommodating the hundreds of households that will lose shelter: by standing up a slate of new emergency shelters, fast. “We are going to propose to establish emergency shelters for those still in hotels at the end of the current program this spring,” Department for Children and Families Commissioner Chris Winters told lawmakers at a Joint Fiscal Committee meeting on Tuesday. “It’s a costly and it’s a temporary measure, but it does represent a critical step toward a more sustainable solution.” Vermont has roughly 430 emergency shelter beds at about a dozen sites scattered across the state. Winters proposes creating four or five more sites, though he said those numbers are preliminary. Lawmakers said they appreciate the sense of urgency around finding a solution to the end of the pandemic-era shelter program. But they expressed some concern over the prospect of setting up so many

new shelters at once, when they often face community opposition, and require service providers to staff them. “If you’re talking about April 1, we’ve got to think about, how do we streamline this?” said Sen. Richard Westman, a Republican representing the Lamoille District. Winters acknowledged that establishing multiple shelters under such a tight timeline would be a tall task, and would require local buyin and additional funding from the Legislature in the new year, though he declined to provide a cost estimate after the meeting. He framed the plan as a form of triage. When lawmakers extended the pandemic-era motel program for some households in June, they tasked officials with tracking and reporting the progress of people exiting it. That progress has been slow: A little over 470 households have left the program since July, and more than 800 remain, according to the most recent update provided to lawmakers. Officials anticipate more people will seek shelter in hotels as the weather gets colder, through a separate and ongoing emergency housing program.

The shelter proposal came as part of a broader housing reform pitch from members of Gov. Phil Scott’s administration, who used Tuesday’s meeting to lay out their 2024 legislative priorities to lawmakers. Their underlying message: While the Legislature has passed historic zoning reforms aimed at encouraging more housing development — and dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to bringing new units online over the last several years — those reforms and investments have not gone far enough to meet Vermont’s acute housing deficit. “Under current regulatory tax policy and economic conditions that have evolved over many decades, Vermont cannot solve our pricing or housing crisis at any level for any population by simply nibbling around the edges on this issue,” said Agency of Commerce and Community Development Lindsay Kurrle. “We must be more bold in our actions.” This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public.

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November 9, 2023 •

Williston Observer

The nuances of forest carbon markets

BY ETHAN TAPPER Special to the Observer

If you are tuned into what’s happening with forests in our region, you may have heard that we can manage forests for carbon and be paid for it. But what are “carbon markets,” and what do they mean for the way we manage our forests? The idea of carbon markets is to create a marketplace where carbon emitters pay for practices that sequester and store carbon somewhere else, thus balancing their emissions of carbon or other greenhouse gasses. The units of carbon that emitters purchase through carbon markets are called carbon offsets. There are two types of carbon markets: regulatory (compliance) markets and voluntary markets. In regulatory markets, such as in California and in Europe, greenhouse gas emitters are issued “allowances” — permits to produce a certain amount of emissions — that can be sold or traded. If they produce greenhouse gas emissions beyond their allowances, emitters are allowed to purchase carbon

offsets to lower their net emissions and bring them into compliance. In regulatory markets, greenhouse gas allowances are gradually reduced, thus lowering overall emissions over time. By contrast, voluntary carbon markets sell offsets to emitters who wish to voluntarily balance their carbon emissions. By purchasing voluntary carbon offsets, a carbon emitter — such as a person, a government agency or a corporation — can claim to have reduced their net greenhouse gas emissions, or even to be “carbon neutral.” Forests naturally sequester and store carbon, so both voluntary and regulatory carbon markets have looked to forests as places to generate carbon offsets. While producing carbon offsets for regulatory markets is more lucrative, it generally isn’t feasible for forests in our region. The forest carbon markets that you’re likely hearing about in Vermont are producing offsets for the voluntary carbon market. In essence, forest carbon markets pay for forest landowners to do, or not do, practices that lead to a higher-than-normal amount of

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carbon being stored in their forest. Practices may include planting trees, reducing deforestation and improving forest management practices, like letting trees grow bigger and older before harvesting them. The higher amount of carbon stored in the forest after the landowners do (or don’t do) these practices, as compared to forests engaged in “business as usual,” is called additional carbon. That’s the amount of carbon that can be sold to someone else as a carbon offset. The trickiest part of these carbon markets is proving that the carbon offset being sold to an emitter represents real, additional carbon stored in a forest that wouldn’t have existed without the carbon market. For instance, if someone doesn’t manage their forest for the next 20 years, they can say that the greater amount of carbon in their forest, compared to other forests in the area that are managed under “business as usual” practices is additional and can be sold as an offset. Unfortunately, forest carbon markets can’t judge intent. If a landowner wasn’t going to manage their forest for the next 20 years anyway, the carbon market hasn’t changed his behavior or led to any more carbon being stored in the forest. In this case, one could argue that the landowner has actually made things a little worse:

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after 20 years, the same amount of carbon dioxide will be in the atmosphere as would have been there anyway. The only difference that the carbon market is allowing an emitter to claim to have lower net carbon emissions. Another concern to be aware of is leakage: storing carbon in one place and emitting carbon somewhere else. If someone starts heating their house with fuel oil instead of firewood from their land — or buying lumber from forests somewhere else instead of engaging in responsible forest management on their own land — their entry into a carbon program has actually caused more carbon to be emitted. Carbon markets may also be a force for good, promoting more carbon-friendly practices in the woods, providing an economic incentive to keep forests as forests and giving landowners money that can be reinvested in the responsible stewardship of their forest. But, like timber markets, the benefits of forest carbon markets will depend on the nuances of how they are applied in our forests. Ethan Tapper is the Chittenden County forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Visit https://linktr.ee/ ChittendenCountyForester for more.

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Williston Observer

• November 9, 2023

SPORTS

Redhawks return to the top

CVU wins overtime shootout at UVM BY LAUREN READ Observer correspondent

Last season, the CVU girls soccer team made some history, becoming the program with the most state championships after grabbing a 20th state title. This year, the CVU boys joined them at the top. The top-seeded Redhawks defeated No. 2 South Burlington on penalty kicks on Sunday night at the University of Vermont’s Virtue Field to win the Divison I state championship — the program’s 20th overall and first since 2019. “It’s been four years since we won a state championship, so it’s not a very long drought or anything but it always feels great finishing the season with a win,” said CVU coach Rob Cole. “Only one team gets to do that.” The path to their 20th title was not without drama. After 80 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time, the two teams were tied 2-2 and headed to a shootout to decide the state title. After the two teams trad-

Above, the boys soccer team poses with its hard-won trophy after defeating South Burlington to claim the D1 State Championship on Sunday night at UVM’s Virtue Field. CVU senior captain Charlie Jennings,right, celebrates the game-winning penalty kick. PHOTOS BY PAUL LAMONTAGNE/ VTSPORTSIMAGES.COM

sed goals through the first two rounds, there was some confusion on CVU’s third attempt. South Burlington goalkeeper Will Goyette appeared to make a save on the Redhawks’ shot attempt, but the goalie did not hold onto the ball and it trickled into the net. The two teams traded celebrations after the attempt, with the Wolves initially thinking they had taken a lead, then CVU realizing the two teams were still tied. South Burlington stepped up next on its fourth attempt and hit the crossbar. That slight opening was all that the Redhawks needed. Mick Menard nailed his attempt to consolidate the lead, and senior captain Charlie Jennings clinched the win with his final shot. “I know it’s kind of a cliche thing to say, but it’s always been a dream of mine,” Jennings said. “I knew one day I’d be here representing my school, my team, my family, and being in this moment just is so joyous. I’m so grateful for this moment.” After a scoreless first half, the action picked up dramatically in the second half. Less than five minutes into the second see SOCCER page 13

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November 9, 2023 •

SPORTS

Williston Observer

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Page 11

V E R M O N T

Meat & Seafood M A R K E T

Still taking Thanksgiving turkey orders! CVU’s Samara Ashooh puts up the block on Essex’s Anna Towne during Redhawks’ 3-0 straight set Volleyball Championship loss to the Essex Hornets on Sunday afternoon at St. Michael’s in Colchester.

Net nemesis upends Redhawks BY LAUREN READ Observer correspondent

The CVU girls volleyball team faced off against top-seeded Essex in the Division I state championship for the third season in a row on Saturday in Colchester. And for the third season in a row, the Redhawks walked off the court as D-I runners-up. Essex won in straight sets — 25-14, 25-21 and 25-10 — to clinch its third straight title. “To beat them, you have to play your very best for the whole match,” said CVU coach Joey O’Brien. “You can’t let up for a moment.” The first set saw CVU trade points and runs with the defending champs. The two teams went back and forth until midway through the first set, when Essex used a 9-0 run to pull ahead. After a couple of traded points, the Hornets then went on another quick 5-0 run to finish out the set. The second set went much the same, with both teams trading leads up until the end, when Essex’s Hannah Knickerbocker took over from the service line, securing three points and giving her team a 24-20 edge. Two quick points sealed the win for the Hornets. “That’s part of what makes them such a good team. They play at a high level and they play very, very consistently at a high level,” said O’Brien. “We were able to match that for some parts of the match, but it’s very tough to maintain that level over the course of a best-of-five sets. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to match it.” After the first two sets, CVU seemed to fade, and the Hornets’ experience took

over. Essex quickly jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the third set, then kept pushing the advantage until they sealed the win, and the

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trophy, with a 25-14 third-set victory. For the Redhawks, it was their sixth appearance in the D-I girls volleyball title game. After trading titles with Essex — their opponent in every one of those six matchups — CVU has lost the last three to the Hornets. “I’m incredibly proud of all the individuals on this team,” O’Brien said. “The culture that they set. They work hard, they have defined success and, you know, it hurts to lose in the state championship, but they’ve worked so hard to be here and the fact that it hurts so much just shows how much they care.”

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Williston Observer

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November 9, 2023

SPORTS

Defending champs fall in semis The CVU football team’s push to defend its Division I state title ended on Saturday with a 34-27 semifinal loss to Burr and Burton in Manchester. The Redhawks finished the season with an 8-2 record. Burr and Burton took a 20-0 lead in the first half before CVU launched a comeback to tie the game 27-27 in the fourth quarter. But the Bulldogs pulled

out the win with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Jack McCoy to Zakariah Chani, then two key defensive stops. McCoy finished the game with 215 passing yards, two touchdown passes, 130 rushing yards and one rushing TD. Chani had two touchdown catches for the Bulldogs, who advanced to their first D-I championship game since 2019. — Lauren Read

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November 9, 2023 •

Williston Observer

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SPORTS Soccer

continued from page 10

half, South Burlington struck first. Milo Schmidt got on the end of a free-kick to put the Wolves up 1-0. CVU responded just three minutes later, when a free kick was served into the 18-yard box. Jennings got ahold of the ball and tapped it to Menard, who banged it into the back of the net for a 1-1 score. The Redhawks then took the lead with about 16 minutes remaining in regulation. After making a run down the right side, Caleb Greenslit centered the ball into the box. A quick pass from Julian Sicotte got the ball to George Charlson, who put the shot past Goyette for a 2-1 lead. Goyette had entered the game about a minute prior after South Burlington starting goalie Oliver Payson went out with an injury.

The Redhawks tried to make the goal stand up, but South Burlington was not to be denied and scored with just under three minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game. CVU almost got the winner in extra time, with the Redhawks getting three quick shots on goal that Goyette and defender Romaric Mahe cleared off the line. But that was the best of the chances for either team in extra time and the two teams headed to penalty kicks. “It’s kind of an epic game to go all 30 extra minutes and get to PKs,” Cole said, “They’re all tired and I just encouraged them to just focus and clear their minds and just try and execute one more kick. We did that well enough that we ended up winning.” Luke Sampson, Chandler Turner, Henry Frost, Menard and Jennings each got goals in PKs for the Redhawks.

Making bigger strides in distance sports Hey Woodski! I’m not that tall, which I’m fine with, but are there exercises to lengthen my stride? Hopeful Strider, age 16 (female, track and Nordic skiing) Dear Hopeful Strider, Yes! If your goal is to be faster, then these tips may help. First, let’s talk about mindset. Mindset is key, because when you focus too much on the results (stride length, winning, etc.), you forget that techniques, skills and flexibility are how you get

there. When you work on your techniques, your stride length should naturally improve on its own. Athletes who over-think their stride often find themselves over-striding, which can slow them down and lead to injury. So how do you know if you’re making progress? Ask your running coach to help you assess and improve your “stride rate” (often called cadence). You’ll want to find the best cadence for you. This will vary between runners. In Nordic skiing, ask your coach to assess your weight transfer and forward leg drive. Then

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ask for tips to improve both. As your technique gets better, you’ll naturally lengthen your stride. As with running, communicate with your coach before, during and after you make adjustments. If following your coaches’ directions is not helping, then your hips, hamstrings or glutes may be overtight or out of balance. Make an appointment with a physical therapist who has experience with athletes, especially skiers and runners. The best athletes have a support team to help them hit their stride.

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Williston Observer

• November 9, 2023

Killington opens for season, preps for World Cup races Killington Resort became the first ski area to open in Vermont last Saturday when the K-1 Express Gondola and North Ridge Quad chairlift began taking skiers to the Rime and Reason trails. Killington plans to remain open daily, weather permitting. The resort is also preparing to host the annual Stifel Killington Cup, the only East Coast stop on the Audi FIS Ski World

Cup Tour. The best women ski racers in the world will compete in Giant Slalom and Slalom races Nov. 25-26. A kickoff party is set for Nov. 24. The weekend will have a festival feel with music from Matisyahu, Young the Giant and others. Visit www.killington.com/worldcup for ticketing information and schedule details.

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Williston Observer

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Burlington explores Memorial Auditorium redevelopment proposal BY PATRICK CROWLEY VTDigger The Burlington City Council has taken a first step toward a public-private partnership with developers to redevelop the “Gateway block” around the shuttered Memorial Auditorium. The council unanimously approved a resolution Monday night giving the city the go-ahead to explore the potential redevelopment. A letter of intent between the city and two developers, Eric Farrell and Joe Larkin, outlines an early course for a possible deal. The letter lists a set of visions and goals for a reimagining of the full city block, which also includes the Central Fire Station, Fletcher Free Library, Congregational Church, and

the parking lot at the corner of Main Street and Winooski Avenue. Among the ideas contemplated in the letter are a 100-room hotel, 200 units of housing with affordable units, an underground garage and a pedestrian “streetscape” connecting the block. A central focus of the block is Memorial Auditorium, the 1927 cityowned building erected as a memorial to World War I veterans. The letter states that a new public assembly space would replace the ailing building but that it could include a portion of the historic structure. The letter does leave the door open to a total demolition of the auditorium, as long as a veterans memorial is included with future plans. Brian Pine, director of the city’s Community and Economic Develop-

ment Office, told the council that his department is still in the early stages of the proposal and that Monday night’s vote did not necessarily mean that anything in the block would be knocked down or built. “There is no foregone conclusion,” Pine said. “I just want to be clear this is essentially an agreement to explore the redevelopment opportunities and to gauge public sentiment around those redevelopment opportunities and to see that we can find a way to advance the multiple goals that the community has in a way that is cost-effective.” The city has been trying for years to find new uses for Memorial Auditorium. Last year the city issued a request for proposals from private companies to redevelop the building and received pitches for housing

and an immersive art space. The art space was chosen as a proposal, but the company, Babaroosa, backed out of the deal due to concerns over the feasibility of renovating the auditorium, according to Samantha Dunn, assistant director for city works at the city’s development office. In 2021, Burlington voters voted down a proposed bond that included a Memorial Auditorium redevelopment. The University of Vermont considered a new arena at the site in 2016 but eventually dropped the idea. Also in 2016, the Greater Burlington YMCA was exploring a move to the auditorium with a pitch to build student housing on other parts of the block, but that proposal was unsuccessful due to resistance from property owners of an adjacent plot. Now, Dunn said, those property

owners are on board with the prospect of development, removing one of the previous barriers to a larger project on the block. Another barrier was a ravine sewer that runs underneath the area. That ravine is expected to be relocated during the forthcoming Main Street project, Dunn said. Another aging building within the block is the Central Fire Station. The city previously studied a possible relocation of that firehouse, and Dunn said part of a future development proposal could include studying that idea again. Following the council’s approval on Monday night, the economic development office is expected to begin negotiations with the developers to reach an agreement. Opportunities for public engagement and input on the development will be scheduled for next year, Dunn said.

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Page 16 release • Williston Observer dates: Nov. 11-17, 2023• November 9, 2023

45 (23)

Next Week: Thanksgiving turkeys

Founded by Betty Debnam

60 Years Since Dallas

A young girl prays outside Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas as people wait for news about the president’s health.

photo by Eamon Kennedy, courtesy Dallas Times Herald Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Do your family members remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001? People who live through historic moments such as the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City often have vivid memories of where they were and how they heard the news. Sixty years ago this month, another historic day touched the lives of U.S. citizens. On Nov. 22, 1963, at 12:30 p.m., President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, or murdered, as he rode in an open car in Dallas, Texas.

The world watched

photo by Abbie Rowe, National Park Service. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston

Adults and children in the United States and around the world were shocked by President Kennedy’s death. It had been almost 62 years since a president had been killed. (President William McKinley was shot in 1901.) For the first time, people could watch TV to follow the news and see the funeral a few days later. Remember, there were no cellphones or internet in 1963. Compared to today, there were very few television stations. People didn’t often see the president on TV. For that reason, many children in Dallas were excused

from school that day to see the president on the parade route.

Motorcade

President and Mrs. Kennedy were in Texas to visit five cities. They were trying to improve his relationship with Texas Democrats and do some early campaigning for his 1964 reelection effort. The president’s motorcade, or group of cars, left the airport and headed for the Dallas Trade Mart, where a luncheon was scheduled. Along the 10-mile route, more than 150,000 people lined the streets to have a look at the president and Mrs. Kennedy, riding in the open car.

The president is shot

As the motorcade moved through an area called Dealey Plaza, witnesses heard three shots fired. The first shot struck President Kennedy in the back of the neck. Another shot hit him in the back of the head, above his right ear. Gov. John Connally of Texas, who was riding in the front seat of the president’s car, was also shot. He survived the shooting.

A grieving nation

Two days later, President Kennedy’s casket was placed in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, where people could pass by and pay their respects. On Nov. 25, the president was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery after a service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

President Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy became the U.S. president on Jan. 20, 1961. He was the youngest man ever elected president, and he was the first Catholic president. Before becoming president, Kennedy was a U.S. The president and his family. senator from Massachusetts. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kennedy was the second of nine children. He had three brothers and five sisters. His older brother, Joe Jr., was killed in World War II. Their father had hoped Joe Jr. would become a politician. After Joe Jr.’s death, Joe Sr. encouraged John to run for Congress. He won and served for six years.

photo Abbie Rowe, National Park Service. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston

Issue 45, 2023

Kennedy’s murderer

Kennedy’s accused murderer, Lee Harvey Oswald, was in police custody by 1:40 p.m. on Nov. 22. But before he could stand trial or explain his actions, he was shot and killed on Nov. 24 by a man named Jack Ruby. Ruby was later convicted of murder.

Resources On the Web:

• jfklibrary.org/JFK/ Life-of-John-F-Kennedy.aspx • jfk.org/go/about

At the library:

• “The Assassination of John F. Kennedy” by R. Conrad Stein

“WeTry are’n’ notFind here to curse the darkness, but to Mini Jokes Words that remind us of John F. Kennedy are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

light the candle that can guide us through the ASSASSINATED, CAR, CASKET, CATHOLIC, DALLAS, DEATH, FAMILY, MOTORCADE, PARADE, PRESIDENT, RESPECTS, ROTUNDA, SENATOR, SHOT, TELEVISION, TEXAS.

R A R C A S K E T

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

Jenny: What is the cutest season of the year? Josh: Awwwtumn!

C C J H B X T E D T N S T W D A A A Eco Note A R G E L L — John F. Kennedy R C A D E L Marine scientists say the R A P K P A record ocean heat in the P S E R T D Florida Keys this summer is the latest V I S I O N environmental challenge threatening the T E X A S X

darkness to a safe and sane future.”

were very few television stations. People didn’t often see the president on TV. For that reason, many children in Dallas were excused

On Nov. 25, the president was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery after a service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

At the library:

• “The Assassination of John F. Kennedy” byNovember R. Conrad Stein • Williston Observer • Page 17 9, 2023

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of John F. Kennedy are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ASSASSINATED, CAR, CASKET, CATHOLIC, DALLAS, DEATH, FAMILY, MOTORCADE, PARADE, PRESIDENT, RESPECTS, ROTUNDA, SENATOR, SHOT, TELEVISION, TEXAS.

R A R C A S K E T L

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

H T A E D K R I A H

Jenny: What is the cutest season of the year? Josh: Awwwtumn!

B X N S A A L L E L P A T D O N S X O T

Eco Note Marine scientists say the record ocean heat in the Florida Keys this summer is the latest environmental challenge threatening the region’s famed coral reefs. The waters have been far hotter than the 73-83 degrees Fahrenheit more common during July, which could cause native coral to bleach. Researchers have been cultivating in nurseries more hearty coral that can withstand the heat and other stresses, and then planting them around the Keys.

Cook’s Corner

7 Little Words for Kids Use the letters in the boxes to make a word with the same meaning as the clue. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in the solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

1. school cleaner (7) 2. break into small pieces (7) 3. house made of ice (5) 4. what you use to dig (6) 5. where you look up words (10) 6. people watching a show (8) 7. place to shop (5)

JANI

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adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

For later:

Look in the newspaper for articles about presidents.

Teachers: Follow and

interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!

You’ll need: • 1/2 cup green pepper, • 1 (8-ounce) package crescent rolls diced • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened • 1/2 cup red pepper, • 1 (8-ounce) carton light sour cream diced • 1 packet ranch dressing mix • 1/2 cup shredded • 1/2 cup broccoli, chopped cheddar cheese • 1/2 cup matchstick carrots What to do: 1. Spread crescent rolls on a 12-inch pizza pan evenly, pressing out seams to form one big crust. Bake according to package directions. 2. Mix softened cream cheese, sour cream and ranch dressing mix in a bowl. Spread on cooled pizza crust. 3. Spread vegetables and cheese on top. 4. Cut into wedges or squares. Makes 8 servings.

* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.

Veggie Cream Cheese Pizza

Brevity BY DAN THOMPSON

Answers: janitor, crumble, igloo, shovel, dictionary, audience, store.

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November 9, 2023

SAVVY SENIOR

Misleading Medicare Advantage ads

What to look out for

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m currently enrolled in original Medicare but have been thinking about switching to a Medicare Advantage plan during the open enrollment period. Many of the Medicare Advantage ads I’ve seen offer lots of extra benefits beyond what traditional Medicare offers and no monthly premiums. What are your thoughts? Considering a Switch Dear Considering, Be very leery of the Medicare Advantage ads on TV, radio, social media and that come in the mail. While many of these ads may tout free vision, hearing, dental and other benefits with zero monthly premiums, they aren’t always what they claim to be. ADVANTAGE BASICS

Medicare Advantage or MA plans (also known as Medicare Part C) are government-approved health plans sold by private in-

surance companies that you can choose in place of original Medicare. The vast majority of Advantage plans are managed-care policies such as HMOs or PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors in a geographic area. You can sign up for one of them during open enrollment season from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. MA plans have exploded in popularity in recent years as insurers have flooded the airways with advertisements, often by celebrity pitchmen, that promote low-cost options with lots of extra benefits. But be aware that the federal government has deemed many claims in MA ads fraudulent and misleading. Some ads imply that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services endorses or prefers a specific plan. Others promise more cost savings than you really get. And if you choose the wrong plan, your doctor may not be a member of that plan’s network, or you may end up paying out of pocket for medically necessary care.

By Jim Miller This past September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began cracking down on these ads, but you still need to practice self-defense. Here are some tips to help you make a good decision. Cover your needs: When evaluating MA plans, make sure the ones you’re considering cover the doctors you like and the health care facilities you normally go to.

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dental benefits that are not covered by traditional Medicare, but these benefits are often limited. For example, a plan that offers free dental coverage may cover only cleanings and x-rays. Extensive procedures such as root canals or caps may not be covered, or the plan may limit the dollar amount it pays. Find out the coverage details so you’re not surprised later. Get help: Reach out to your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at www. ShipHelp.org or call 877-8392775. These are nonprofit programs that provide unbiased oneon-one Medicare counseling and assistance. You can also report any misleading MA claims to the Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center at www.SMPResource.org or by calling 800-447-8477. 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.

OBITUARIES

We’re listening.

• Pre-arranged Funeral Planning

Also, make sure all of the prescription medications you take are on the drug plan’s formulary. To help you compare plans, a good first step is to call the office managers of the doctors you use and find out which Advantage plans they accept, and which ones they recommend. Then go to the Medicare Plan Finder tool at www.Medicare.gov/plan-compare to compare plans in your area. Understand the details: Some MA plans promote no monthly premiums, but the reality is that you are still responsible for your original Medicare costs, including your Part B premium and deductibles and copays for covered services. Moreover, you may have to pay more out of pocket if you see a doctor outside the network. Also, if the plan is an HMO, it generally doesn’t cover non-emergency care out of network, so an individual may be responsible for full costs. A PPO on the other hand, allows people to go out of network, but they generally have to pay more to do so. Do some digging: Many MA plans tout free vision, hearing and

Audrey J. Provost-Hall On Sept. 19, 2023, at the age of 90, Audrey J. Provost-Hall (Sargent) passed away peacefully with her daughters at her side at Birchwood Terrace Healthcare in Burlington after a long battle with dementia. She was born in Johnson, Vermont on July 22, 1933, the

daughter of Frank and Marion (Hooper) Sargent. She is predeceased by her first husband, John M. Provost, in 1986, her sister Fran, brother Sam Jr., and her second husband, Dana Hall. She was employed at Sears & Roebuck where she met her first husband, John. For a number of years, she was an LPN at Clark’s Nursing Home in Vergennes, and then later a dorm mother at Northland Job Corp, where she met her second husband, Dana. Audrey was a devoted, selfless, and loving mother, wife, and grandmother. She lived for many years in Winooski and Vergennes/Ferrisburg before moving to Essex Junction. In her earlier years, she and John enjoyed spending time with their many friends, and later, traveling throughout the country with Dana. She adored her many dogs, enjoyed bird watching, was passionate about tending to her

beautiful flower gardens, and loved Sunday visits with her family. She is survived by daughter Pam Provost (Danny Plouff), daughter Cindy Provost, and son Daniel Provost (Mary), sister Virginia O’Brien, and granddaughters Erin Wildman, Allison Provost, and Mia and Mykala O’Farrell. The family of Audrey wishes to extend their sincerest appreciation to Birchwood Terrace Memory Care for their thoughtful and compassionate care, as well as Bayada Hospice for the companionship they provided. A private ceremony and burial will be held for family at the Lamoille View Cemetery in Johnson, Vermont. In remembrance of Audrey’s life, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County or the American Diabetes Association.

November 9, 2023 •

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CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 23

Almanac ANDREWS

MCMEEL

TODAY’S HISTORY: • In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt visited the Panama Canal, becoming the first sitting president to make an official trip outside of the United States. • In 1938, the Nazis launched a series of national pogroms, later dubbed “Kristallnacht,” against Jewish people in Germany and Austria. • In 1965, a massive blackout left much of the northeastern United States and the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada, without power. • In 1989, the wall separating West Berlin from East Berlin and the rest of East Germany fell. TODAY’S FACT: • The 1965 power grid blackout left an area of 80,000 square miles, and at least 30 million people, without power.

SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 23

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Williston Observer

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Oct. 20 at 12:24 a.m. — Officers engaged in a pursuit with a stolen vehicle. Officers terminated pursuit after several minutes. Vehicle was later recovered in Starksboro unoccupied. Oct. 20 at 2:18 a.m. — Assisted numerous police agencies with tracking a group of juveniles that were stealing vehicles and breaking into vehicles. Oct. 20 at 7:59 a.m. — Retail theft at Walmart. A female, age 37, was issued a citation to appear in court. Oct. 20 at 4:14 p.m. — Suspicious female in Marshalls parking lot. A

November 9, 2023

female, age 43, had an active arrest warrant. She was transported to the correctional facility. Oct. 21 at 1:29 a.m. — Report of stolen vehicles on Porterwood Drive and Oak Hill Road along with several vehicles in the area that had been gone through and items stolen. With the help of other agencies, both vehicles were recovered and returned to their owners. This incident lasted several hours. Oct. 21 at 8:22 a.m. — Drugs located at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Officer disposed of them properly.

30 YEARS

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

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Oct. 26 at 5:49 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at Healthy Living. Male was located and issued a notice of trespass. Oct. 27 at 8:28 a.m. — All Metals Recycling looking for assistance on trespassing a female. The female was located and trespassed. Oct. 27 at 1:20 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at Walmart and Marshalls. Suspects left in a stolen vehicle. Vehicle was later recovered in Middlesex with stolen property in it. A male, age 36, was issued a citation to appear in court. Oct. 27 at 3:07 p.m. — Male causing a disturbance in Best Buy. Male was trespassed and moved along. Oct. 27 at 4:27 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at Shaw’s. A female, age 32, was issued a citation to appear in court. Oct. 27 at 6:38 p.m. — Retail theft reported at CVS. A female, age 33, was issued a citation to appear in court. Oct. 27 at 10:01 p.m. — Report of cars being broken into on St. George Road. Oct. 28 at 2:29 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at Marshalls. A male, age 23, was issued a citation to appear in court. Oct. 29 at 2:45 a.m. — Assisted Vermont State Police with a stolen vehicle that was located abandoned in Hinesburg with stolen weapons inside. Car was seized by State Police for processing. Oct. 29 at 9:41 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. A female,

age 40, was issued a citation to appear in court. Oct. 29 at 5:04 p.m. — Retail theft at Home Depot. A male, age 35, was issued a citation to appear in court. Oct. 30 at 4:01 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. A male, age 54, had an active arrest warrant. He was transported to the correctional facility. Oct. 31 at 4:58 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at LL Bean. Case is still under investigation. November 1 at 2:24 a.m. — Responded to a car that hit a tree. A male, age 27, was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI. Nov. 1 at 8:26 a.m. — Assisted Williston Rescue with a male who overdosed. Male refused transport to the hospital. Nov. 2 at 1:35 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Old Navy. A female, age 45, was issued a citation to appear in court. Nov.2 at 1:45 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. A male, age 22, had an active arrest warrant. He was transported to court. Nov. 2 at 2:44 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. A male, age 48, was issued a citation to appear in court. Officers also responded to five alarm activations and 15 motor vehicle crashes and conducted 11 traffic stops during this time frame.

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Oct. 21 at 2:43 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Suspect has not been cited. Oct. 22 at 3:00 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at Walmart. Officers located suspect, recovered the merchandise and issued a notice of trespass. Oct. 22 at 3:31 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at Walmart. Suspect was located and issued a notice of trespass. Oct. 22 at 3:57 p.m. — Stolen vehicle located at Marshalls. Operator of the vehicle, a female, age 35, had active arrest warrants. She was transported to the correctional facility. Oct. 23 at 5:45 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Officers unable to locate suspect. Oct. 24 at 10:05 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Home Depot. A male, age 41, had several active arrest warrants. He was transported to court. Oct. 25 at 12:52 p.m. — Report of an employee stealing money out of the till at Domino’s. Employee was issued a citation to appear in court. Oct. 25 at 3:53 p.m. — Report of an intoxicated male in Petsmart. Male was moved along. Oct. 26 at 9:57 a.m. — Report of a retail theft at Walmart. A male, age 30, and a female age 28, both had active arrest warrants. They were both transported to court. Oct. 26 at 1:30 p.m. — Assisted Williston Rescue with an overdose on Zephyr Road. Female was transported to the hospital.

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The Williston Observer is mailed to every home and business in Williston and St. George every Thursday. In addition, we provide rack distribution to locations in Williston, Richmond and Essex. Rehab Gym Price Chopper Williston Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Quality Bake Shop Adams Farm Market Simon’s Mobil Williston River Road Beverage Belle’s Café Richmond Simply Divine Café Chef’s Corner Cumberland Farms Sonesta Dorothy Alling Memorial Richmond Free Library Sunoco Station Library Richmond Market Town of Williston Offices Fairfield Inn Richmond Mobil Mart UPS Store Gardener’s Supply Vermont Meat & Seafood Green Mountain Bagel Williston Coffee Shop Hannaford Essex Junction Healthy Living Williston Essex Automotive Home2Suites Five Corner Variety Korner Kwik Stop Hannaford Marriott Courtyard Inn at Essex Men At Wok Mac’s Market People’s United Bank Martone’s Deli Ramunto’s If you would like copies for your location, call Rick Cote at (802) 373-2136 or email Rick@WillistonObserver.com

November 9, 2023 • AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2-4 p.m. PG. What happens when you find out your dad rules the sea? Join Camp Half-Blood to find out! Dorothy Alling Memorial Library hours: Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card, access digital offerings and to register for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@ damlvt.org.

copy. Thanks to the community for all the thoughtful input shared during this process and for your support of the library. We are paying close attention to the suggestions and feedback that emerged during both phases of community engagement.

Thanksgiving schedule: The library will close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and remain closed Nov. 23-24.

POKÉMON CLUB

COMMUNITY CENTER AND LIBRARY ASSESSMENT PROJECT

The presentation of the scoping study looking at the Community Center and Library Assessment Project was well-attended on Oct. 30. The report is available in the library if you’d like to read a print

YOUTH PROGRAMS

PRESCHOOL MUSIC AND PLAYTIME

Thursday, Nov. 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy music, then stay to play. TEEN NIGHT: ESCAPE ROOM

Thursday, Nov. 16, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12-plus. Escape the Werewolf Experiment in under an hour. This escape room will take place at the library. FRENCH STORYTIME

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

Saturday, Nov. 18, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Drop in for stories read aloud by a native French speaker.

Monday, Nov. 13, 4-5 p.m. Stop in for activities and show off favorite cards. STORYTIME

Tuesdays, Nov. 14 and 21, 10:30-11 a.m. Drop in for stories and fun. BABY TIME

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 10:30-11 a.m. Enjoy gentle activities with your baby.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS WRITE-IN

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 4:305:30 p.m. Are you writing for “NaNoWriMo” (or any other reason)? Challenge yourself to write for a full hour at the library. All ages welcome. READ TO A DOG (ROCKO)

Thursday, Nov. 16, 3-4 p.m.

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Call to register for a 10-minute time slot to read to or hang out with Rocko the therapy dog.

ADULT PROGRAMS For online programs, email daml@ damlvt.org for Zoom link. PUZZLE SWAP

All through the month of November, bring a gently used puzzle (300-plus pieces) and take home one that is new to you. ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)

Fridays in November, 12-12:30 p.m. Join our online guided meditation. MAH JONGG

Fridays, Nov. 10 and 17, 1-3 p.m. Drop in to play or learn this popular tile game. All levels welcome. CURRENT EVENTS (SPECIAL DATE FOR NOVEMBER)

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m. -12 p.m. Drop by to discuss newsworthy topics. COOK THE BOOK

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 12-1 p.m. Join us for a potluck featuring recipes from “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sher-

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man and Beth Dooley and “New Native Kitchen” by Freddie Bitsoie and James Fraioli. Stop by the library to copy a recipe to share at the potluck. TECH TUTOR

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Call to reserve a time slot for 1-on-1 help with your technology. SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 5-6 p.m. Brush up on your language skills with our teacher, Elliot Lafferty. HOW TO MAKE A PIE CRUST

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 6-7:30 p.m. Expert chefs Sally Datillio and Liz Young demonstrate good crust-making techniques. Bring a pie plate and rolling pin, if you have one, and take home a pie crust that is ready to fill and bake. Ingredients supplied. Register at www.damlvt.org. FRENCH CONVERSATION

Saturday, Nov. 18, 10:45-11:45 a.m. All levels welcome. BOOK CLUB BUFFET (ONLINE)

Tuesday, Nov. 21, 12:30-1:30 p.m. “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman.

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November 9, 2023

NOW HIRING The Stowe Reporter is looking to fill positions in:

Champlain Valley School District Food Service Prep/Server Do you want to work a school schedule with weekends, nights and most major holidays off? February and April School Break paid for and up to 5 paid personal days and a $250 per school year uniform and Wellness Reimbursement. Other benefits available as well. Come work in a safe, structured environment where your efforts are appreciated.

AD TRAFFIC and GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION

Detailed job description available upon request or at interview. Please request an application or apply at schoolspring.com

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

Questions, contact: Leo LaForce,llaforce@cvsdvt.org or call 802-482-7172 Scott Wagner, swagner@cvsdvt.org or call 802-871-6198.

For more information, email: katerina@stowereporter.com

SHELBURNE Stormwater Coordinator $26 - $32 hourly DOQ Full-time position with specific training available and excellent local government benefits. The Town of Shelburne team has grown to require a dedicated stormwater professional. The Town has a new stormwater utility, ordinance, and regulations. Help our community achieve environmental excellence, working with a wide range of partners. This coordinator will support other departments and contractors with mapping, grants, construction management, and agency reporting. The ideal candidate has related education and experience in stormwater work, with a mix of technical and people skills. We have opportunities to grow, and to shape this position to the skills and interests of the right candidate. The work is both indoors and outdoors in the beautiful environment of Shelburne. Visit www.shelburnevt.org/jobs to see the full job description and application. To apply, email scannizzaro@shelburnevt.org. Review of applications begins immediately. The Town of Shelburne is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CVSD is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring that all of our students achieve our mission - which means we are also committed to developing a faculty and staff that represents the inclusive, welcoming environment we seek to develop for students and families. We seek applicants with diverse experiences who share this commitment and strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates to apply. CVSD Equity Policy

GIVE

LOCAL n o t s i ll Wi

Williston

The Observer published a list of groups and organizations in our area who would welcome the support of the community through donations and volunteers in the Nov. 2 edition.

To access this information please visit our website: willistonobserver.com and search for the GIVING GUIDE.

g n i v Gi uide G

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL

TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, November 28, 2023 – 7:00 PM Town Hall Meeting Room (Town Hall, 7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Meeting ID 846 5863 3532 on zoom. us/join or call 1-646-558-8656 DP 24-07 Pre-App WSW Investments, LLC requests pre-app review for 2 additions totaling 26,900 SF at the existing industrial use at 34 Commerce St in the IZDW and to locate 100 parking spaces adjacent to that use at 5190 and 5222 Williston Rd in the GZDW and RZD. Project details and site plans are available on the website, town.williston.vt.us, under “Public Records and Documents”, then “Agendas & Minutes”, and “Development Review Board”. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org

LEGAL TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – 7:00 PM Town Hall Meeting Room (Town Hall, 7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Meeting ID 846 5863 3532 on Zoom.us/join or call 1-646-558-8656 DP 23-11.1 Jared Enterprises requests discretionary permit review of a proposed amend. to DP 23-11, which require an endof-trip facility for the limited service eating place at 21 Commerce St in the IZDW. DP 23-11.2 Jared Enterprises requests discretionary permit review of a master sign plan for 21-67 Commerce St in the IZDW. DP 24-04 Timothy Brisson requests discretionary permit review of a boundary line adjustment to transfer 5.27± ac from a 10.37± ac lot to an adjacent 8.36± ac lot resulting in (1) 5.1± ac lot and (1) 13.63± ac lot and create road frontage for a landlocked parcel at 2268 Mountain View Rd in the RZD. DP 24-06 Pre-App Rivers Edge Building Development Co., LLC requests pre-app review of a proposed subdivision on a ±97-ac parcel owned by Jacob and Caitlin Glaser at the SW corner of Mountain View Rd and Old Stage Rd in the RZD. The application includes (3) concept layouts. Plan 1: 130 proposed dwelling units; Plan 2: 180 proposed dwelling units; Plan 3: 109 dwelling units per Glaser Specific Plan (requires approval from Williston Selectboard). Final Plan Review for DP 21-18 Phase 1 of a 276 residential unit and 65-unit senior housing facility development. Located on a 54.2± ac site at the Essex Alliance Church property on Beaudry Ln and Alpine Dr, north of Knight Ln/Chelsea Pl/Dunmore Rd in the TCZD. Project details and site plans are available on the website, town.williston.vt.us, under “Public Records and Documents,” then “Agendas & Minutes”, and “Development Review Board”. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt. org

To place a classified ad, email rick@williston observer.com or call 802-373-2136 Deadline for classifieds is Monday.

November 9, 2023 •

PUZZLE FOUND ON PAGE 19

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HELP WANTED PART TIME FARMER WANTED — Our dairy farm is looking for a reliable

animal lover to help with afternoon chores. Weekday and some weekend afternoons 3-6 p.m. $18 per hour. Attitude more important than experience. 802-238-5781.

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

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Page 24 •

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November 9, 2023

2023/2024

NOVEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY

WINTER PROGRAMS

VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED:

Coaches are needed for Youth Rec. Basketball. Sign up to coach when you register your child, or if you don’t have a child in a program, fill out a “Volunteer Form,” which can be found on the Rec. Website. Basketball season is December-February.

REFEREES NEEDED:

Basketball Referees for 1st-8th grade games in January and February needed. No experience needed; we will teach you all you need to know to have fun refereeing. Adults, high school students, or others can apply. Fill out a Volunteer or Employment Application to apply.

INSTRUCTORS WANTED:

Do you have a special talent or unique skill that you would like to share with others? Are you a business that would like to partner to bring your offerings to the community? If so, please contact the Recreation Department to discuss the possibilities.

SPECIAL EVENTS HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST

ADULT PROGRAMS PICKUP BASKETBALL PROGRAMS

Watch for information on this year’s Holiday Decorating Contest in December. It is a great event, and we hope more families will enter. If you are a business and would like to donate a gift basket as a prize, please contact the Recreation Dept.

Pickup programs are by registration and payment Only. There are still openings for Men’s 30+, and Women’s 19+. Programs meet once a week October- May. Register on the Rec. website.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE- COED

SNOWMOBILE SAFETY

Age 12+. The course provides the opportunity to earn the certification necessary to legally operate on Vermont’s Statewide Snowmobile Trails System. Course can be taken online at any time. An in-person course will be offered in December.

DANGEROUS GIRLS CLASS

Age 14+. This is a Women-only cardio- kickboxing class that combines strength and conditioning with practical combat skills. Learn trips and throws, bounce to Beyoncé, hit hard, laugh a lot. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff

PROGRAMS AT THE R.E.C. ZONE

94 Harvest Lane, Williston. Check the Recreation website for days, times, fees, and more information on each.

GET FIT W/JAZZY

Age 18+. This high energy dance and core sculpting class combines aerobic dance and core stability along with a curated playlist of Latin, house, and rock style tunes. Everyone welcome! Impact levels can be modified!

JAZZERCISE- CARDIO SCULPT LOW

Age 50+. Low Impact, Low to Moderate Intensity. Dance and sweat to your favorite workout with easy to follow dance aerobic moves, strength training and flexibility. Use of a chair is optional. Geared toward adults 50+ but open to everyone.

JAZZERCISE- CARDIO SCULPT LOW/HIGH

Age 50+. Low Impact, Moderate to High Intensity. In this class you can take your cardio up a notch or 2 with intensity and work your muscles more with low impact. Geared toward adults 50+ but open to everyone.

RETRO DANCE CARDIO & CORE

Age 50+. Get up and move to some of your favorite hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. All fitness levels are welcome as there will be modifications for low impact and high energy! Geared toward adults 50+ but open to everyone.

TAI CHI

Age 50+. In this beginner class, you will learn a series of basic Sun-Style Tai Chi movements, each flowing into the next. Each movement will be broken down and practiced in a slow and gentle manner emphasizing the health and well-being aspects of tai chi.

www.WillistonRec.org

to teach the fundamentals of the game. Each week youngsters will be introduced to a new skill and fun activities that will enhance their learning. This program meets on Saturdays in January and February. Instructors: Rec. Staff

1ST-2ND BASKETBALL

Age 18+. The league offers two sessions- Fall and Spring, each finishing with a double-elimination tournament. A coed team requires two or more females on the court at any time regardless of substitutions. Contact Tim Armstrongwillistonvolleyball@gmail.com.

There are separate boys’ and girls’ programs offered if numbers allow. The program provides the opportunity for youngsters to learn the game, improve their skills, and enjoy playing. The program meets on Saturdays in January and February. The hour session will consist of a practice and scrimmage. Parent volunteers are needed to coach. Sign up to coach when registering your child.

DOG TRAINING: BASIC/ESSENTIALS

3RD -4TH BASKETBALL

Age 18+. This 6-week program covers the essentials to having a well-behaved companion. Includes obedience, manners, social skills, and understanding behavior. Instructor: Deb Helfrich, Gold Star Dog Training

DOG TRAINING- BEYOND BASICS

Age 18+. This 5 week program continues to build a foundation of manners, training, and social skills that were started in the basic course, working on making responses to commands consistent and reliable. Instructor: Deb Helfrich, Goldstar Dog Training

THERAPY DOG ACADEMY

Age 18+. This 6-week Program gives dogs and handlers the necessary skills for not only passing the test, but also for working successfully as a therapy dog team. Instructor: Deb Helfrich, Gold Star Dog Training

TAI CHI INTRO

Age 18+. Come strengthen your body, regulate, and build physical energy, and cultivate your mental concentration and spirit with this gentle and nourishing practice. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff

SELF DEFENSE INTRO

Age 18+. Self Defense is a countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm. Great program for those who want to learn to defend themselves and feel safe. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff

YOUTH/TEEN PROGRAMS LEARN TO SKI/RIDE

Registration is now open. Be sure to register before the early bird discount to save- December 17. There will also be two fitting dates for equipment. You must register your family for a fitting time. Info is on the registration page.

KINDERREC BASKETBALL

Ages 5-6- Coed. This is a parent/child program designed

802-876-1160

There are separate boys’ and girls’ leagues offered if numbers allow. Leagues provide the opportunity for youngsters to play and improve their skills. Teams meet twice a week with a weekday practice and Saturday game. Parent volunteers are needed to coach. Sign up to coach when registering your child.

5TH-6TH BASKETBALL

There will be separate boys’ and girls’ leagues offered if numbers allow. The leagues meet twice a week for 1 hour each time- 1 practice and 1 game. Separate boys’ and girls’ leagues offered if numbers allow. Parent volunteers are needed to coach. Sign up to coach when registering your child.

7TH-8TH BASKETBALL

There is a league for boys’ if the numbers allow. The team meets twice a week for 1 hour each time- 1 practice and 1 game. Parent volunteers are needed to coach. Sign up to coach when registering your child.

NINJA KIDS INTRO

Age 4-8 or 7-11. The play-based curriculum increases strength and self-confidence, while moving meditation helps children manage their emotions and develop the connection between mental and physical well-being. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff

NINJA TEENS INTRO

Age 9-15. The play based curriculum increases strength and self-confidence, while moving meditation helps children manage their emotions and develop the connection between mental and physical well-being. Instructor: ONTA Studio Staff

NINJA SCIENCE CAMP

Ages 5-10. February Break. This camp unites the body and mind by combining martial arts, tumbling, and parkour with environmental science education. We help children realize their potential in an environment that is playful. Instructors: ONTA Studio Staff

recreation@willistonvt.org