Williston Observer 02/01/2024 by Williston Observer

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FEBRUARY 1, 2024

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Town Meeting Day candidates set

Dollar Tree coming to former Walgreens spot

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Walgreens agrees to $275K in state fines

All elections for local board positions will be uncontested at Town Meeting Day in March, with incumbents seeking re-election for all but one of the open seats. The deadline for candidates to file petitions with the Town Clerk to appear on the ballot passed Monday. The only newcomer on the ballot will be Sarah Showalter-Feuillette, who is running unopposed to represent Williston on the Champlain Valley School Board. Incumbent Brendan McMahon is Sarah ShowalterFeuillette running for the other open seat. Board member Josilyn Adams is not seeking re-election. Selectboard members Mike Isham and Greta D’Agostino are running for the two open selectboard seats — Isham for a two-year seat and D’Agostino for a three-year seat. Library Trustees Diane Downer and Karla Karstens are running unopposed for the two open trustee seats, and Lauren Koumjian is running to remain on the town Board of Listers. Showalter-Feuillette is the parent of an Allen Brook School kindergartener and a Williston Central School third grader. She is a volunteer with Families as Partners, the Four Winds science program and as a Williston Central School mentor. She learned about the possibility of serving on the school board while participating in the school district’s strategic planning sessions last year. She and her husband moved to Williston in 2021 from California. “I was fascinated and felt like I could be involved in a way that broadened my own view,” she said of working on the strategic plan. “It gave me some perspective on all the different things in our school district that I had no idea about.” She wasn’t exactly recruited to the

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

see CANDIDATES page 3

Verizon’s proposed cellular antennas would be placed inside the steeple of the Old Brick Church in Williston Village. OBSERVER FILE PHOTO

‘Preserve the church’ Residents speak out against Verizon’s plan for Village landmark BY JASON STARR Observer staff If Verizon is going to install cell service antennas inside the steeple of Williston’s historic Old Brick Church, it will have to do so over the objections of members of the Williston Historical Society and several other civic leaders with deep connections to the historic building. The telecommunications company continues to push the idea, first proposed in 2018, as the best way to fill in a dead zone that prevents Verizon users from making calls and accessing the internet on their phones in Williston Village. The Old Brick Church Trustees and the Selectboard both gave informal endorsements when the proposal resurfaced last year. But about 30 community members packed the Town Hall meeting room Monday for a meeting of the trustees, with several expressing their opposition to the proposal. Two Verizon contractors were also in attendance to present the lat-

est design for the project. Built in 1832, the town-owned church is on the National Historic Register. “I just think this is a travesty,” said Williston Historical Society board member and past president Brenda Perkins. “It just is not right to take this church over for a corporate interest.”

“I just think this is a travesty. It just is not right to take this church over for a corporate interest.” Brenda Perkins Williston Historical Society board member and past president

Dave Yandell, who co-founded the weekly Brick Church Music Series that went dormant during the pandemic, also spoke in opposition to the proposal. The town currently rents the church out for special events such as weddings and funerals. “Please don’t change the character of the building,” Yandell said. “It’s fine the see CHURCH page 24

Dollar Tree plans to open its 10th Vermont location with a new store at Cornerstone Drive in Williston. The Virginia-based retail chain is retrofitting the former Walgreens Pharmacy in the Taft Farms Shopping Center into a 9,000-square-foot outlet, according to an administrative permit submitted in November to the Williston Planning and Zoning office. Dollar Tree has roughly 8,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada, including two other Chittenden County locations — in Essex Junction and Burlington. Dollar Tree Vice President of Communications Kate Kirkpatrick declined to comment on the timing of the store opening in an email Tuesday. “We don’t have information to share yet,” she wrote. The permit application was filed by Brian Bertsch of Allen Brook Development, the local owner of the plaza. Bertsch writes in the application that the store will stock “health and beauty products, food and snacks, party supplies, seasonal décor, houseware, glassware, household cleaning supplies, candy, toys, gifts, stationary, crafts, teaching supplies and books.” The store will also sell prepackaged frozen and refrigerated foods like milk, eggs, pizza and ice cream. There will be 3-4 employees per shift, the permit application states. A new sign see DOLLAR TREE page 2

The Dollar Tree location in Essex Junction. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

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Williston Observer • February 1, 2024

Around Town Home heating workshop set for Feb. 7 Do you ever wonder why your roof has so many icicles? Want to know where heat is leaking from your home? Want to learn how to save money and keep your home warmer this winter? You can get answers to these questions and more by attending a Home Heat Transfer workshop on Feb. 7 from 6-8 p.m. at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. The workshop is presented by the Vermont Energy Education Program and sponsored by

the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston Energy Committee and Sustainable Williston. This workshop will help you understand how a building system works, steps you can take to reduce heat loss, and rebates and other financing programs available to help you weatherize your home. Workshop participants will receive free energy saving kits. Register for the workshop online at www.damlvt.org or by calling (802) 8784918.

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Dollar Tree

continued from page 1

application is anticipated. A new dumpster will be placed in the parking lot, serving all the plaza’s businesses. “With the (current) dumpsters often being at capacity, I welcome the additional dumpster and enclosure as additional tenants come into the complex,” Andrew McCanse of nearby Precision Chiropractic wrote in an email to town administrators. “Without the addition of another dumpster location, I would be concerned about the capacity with another large tenant entering into the space.” The Walgreens Pharmacy that used to occupy the space closed last year amid statewide allegations of unsafe conditions for both staff and clients. Last week, the Vermont Secretary of State’s office announced a settlement between Walgreens and the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), with the pharmacy chain agreeing to pay $275,000 in fines. The state’s original charging document — presented by the OPR in response to 70 complaints filed by Walgreens employees and customers, as well as employees from other Vermont pharmacies — outlined dozens of alleged cases of medication and vaccination errors, staffing violations and unexpected store closures that left patients unable to obtain medications. “I am proud of the work our OPR investigators and attorneys have done to hold Walgreens accountable and to ensure safe conditions for patients and pharmacy staff,” Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas said in a press release last Wednesday. “This is a big win for Vermont consumers.” According to one complaint presented by regulators in that document, three children patronizing a Walgreens in St. Johnsbury received Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines that had been mistakenly diluted with an unapproved substance. Such mistakes, state regulators claimed, resulted from untenable working conditions caused by the company’s policies and procedures. They asked the Board of Pharmacy to “revoke, reprimand, condition or otherwise discipline the licenses” of all 32 Walgreens pharmacies then operating in Vermont. The company operated over 25 percent of the state’s licensed retail pharmacies at the time of the complaint, according to statistics provided in the charging document. Walgreens took over the Williston store in 2019 as part of a merger with Rite-Aid. “$275,000 is a drop in the bucket for Walgreens, but we are pleased with the

stipulations and the remediation (efforts),” said Sandra Rosa, vice president of the Vermont Pharmacists Association. In addition to the payment, Walgreens has also agreed to take remedial measures to improve conditions at its remaining Vermont locations, including increasing pay for staff and updating their phone systems so that customers are rerouted to other locations in the case of an unexpected closure. “We are going to remain alert and in contact with our pharmacist members — especially those who are Walgreens pharmacists — to make sure that these things are followed through on,” Rosa said. The Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreens’ parent company, reported approximately $27 billion in gross annual profits for fiscal year 2023, but regulators maintain that the settlement amount is less important than the company’s efforts toward changing its practices. “This was the amount that we could agree upon with them, and this was a significant fine for us,” said Deputy Secretary of State Lauren Hibbert in an interview. She noted that the fine was the largest ever collected by the OPR. “We thought it was ref lective of the work that our team has put in,” she said. “And the goal really isn’t to be punitive — it is to ensure that these remedial practices continue in our state,” said Hibbert. “Of course, if they don’t, then OPR would be able to open complaints if any future unprofessional conduct occurs.” While agreeing to the settlement terms, Walgreens has continued to deny wrong-doing in the case. “Walgreens disputes the accuracy of the state’s allegations and admits no liability; however, we are pleased to have reached this settlement,” said Jen Cotto, a spokesperson for Walgreens, in a written statement to VTDigger. Vermont isn’t the only state where the company has faced charges of workplace and operating hours violations. In 2022, Connecticut’s Commission of Pharmacy fined Walgreens nearly $75,000 for a slew of alleged violations at roughly 20 pharmacies, according to reporting from the Hartford Courant. That same year in Maine, Walgreens paid $68,000 to state regulators for similar alleged violations, the Maine Monitor reported. In the fall of 2023, the company faced widespread walkouts by pharmacy workers at locations across the country protesting staffing issues and working conditions. — Habib Sabet of VTDigger contributed to this report.

www.WillistonObserver.com

Woman pleads guilty in Candidates killing of Williston man

February 1, 2024 •

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Auclair charged with plotting with son to kill husband in Hinesburg BY ALAN J. KEAYS VTDigger

A Bristol woman has pleaded guilty to conspiring with her son to kill her husband more than three years ago, heading off a trial that was set to Angela Auclair begin next month. Angela Auclair, 51, pleaded guilty last Tuesday in Chittenden County Superior criminal court in Burlington to a charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the 2019 death of her husband, David Auclair, 45, of Williston. According to court documents, Auclair was shot and killed at a trailhead in Hinesburg. Other charges that had been brought against Auclair, including aiding in the commission of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice, were dismissed as part of the

plea agreement. The plea deal calls for a proposed sentence of 18 years to life for Auclair, according to court records. Judge Kevin Griffin ordered the state Department of Corrections to prepare a pre-sentence investigation ahead of the sentencing hearing set for April 29. Such reports aid judges in determining the appropriate sentence for a defendant. Auclair had been set to stand trial in the case this month. She has been held without bail since her arrest in December 2019. Auclair’s son, Kory Lee George, 35, who was also charged in the case, reached a plea deal with prosecutors in September. He pleaded guilty to conspiring with his mother to kill his stepfather, and, like his mother, now faces up to 18 years to life in prison. George had agreed to cooperate as a prosecution witness during his mother’s trial, according to court filings in his case. According to documents filed along with his plea agreement, he and his mother had discussed killing David Auclair weeks earlier and then lured him to the trailhead where the shooting took place on July 11, 2019. The victim was shot 11 times, the court filing states.

Let it Snow

position, but she heard from others at the meetings about the upcoming vacancy on the school board. That led to conversations with current school board members, including Adams, who encouraged her to run. Showalter-Feuillette said her initial approach will be to learn what it takes to be a member of the 12-person board, with representatives from five different municipalities. “I hear great things about collaboration among the members of the board,” she said, “not to pretend it’s always going to be easy … I’m aware that there is a lot of work ahead and I’m eager to be part of it.” Her family moved to Williston from the San Francisco Bay area partly because of the opportunity it presents residents to make an impact. “We absolutely love it here. We feel so lucky that we landed here,” she said. “Everybody is sort of invested and involved in what’s going on in a smaller town. You get a sense of how things are working and you feel like you can actually effect change and impact how things are happening.” On the selectboard, D’Agostino is

Greta D’Agostino

Mike Isham

looking to continue her service, which began three years ago. “Our town is growing and I hope to continue using my voice to help that process happen in a thoughtful, sustainable and equitable way,” she said. “We are fortunate to live in a town that cares deeply about our neighbors, our land and the future, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue to represent this amazing town.” Isham is wrapping up his first year on the selectboard. “I have learned a lot and have started having fun with the whole process,” he said. “I believe I can start making a difference by representing the rural part of Williston.” The Town Meeting Day election is March 5. Early ballots will be available by Feb. 14, according to Town Clerk Sarah Mason.

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Residents of Williston Woods reached out to Rep. Angela Arsenault after having trouble accessing state grants because their properties didn’t meet the Vermont definition of mobile home park.

What is a mobile home park?

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

Rep. Arsenault sponsors House bill to change the definition BY BROOKE BURNS Community News Service

Only a third of Vermont’s 20,000 occupied mobile homes qualify for the state’s mobile home park registry, a list often included in criteria for home improvement loans and grants. A House bill introduced last month seeks to include more of those homes, and homeowners, in the list — and give them more financial opportunities. The bill, H.618, aims to expand the legal definition of mobile home parks to include communities of mobile home owners who own their own lots. Currently, state law defines mobile home parks as land with at least two mobile homes or mobile home lots, or adjacent land owned by the same person, according to the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, which runs the registry. Only mobile homes that meet the statutory definition can be on the registry. The bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Angela Arsenault, D-Williston, said in a Jan. 12 House General and Housing Committee meeting that she began looking into the issue when constituents reached out. Some residents of Williston Woods, a 55 years and up community made up of mobile homes, couldn’t access infrastructure grants because their properties didn’t meet the Vermont definition of mobile home park. Some of the community’s lots are owned by individual landowners, with the rest controlled by a coop. Only the co-op properties were considered part of a mobile home park legally, so the individual owners weren’t eligible for the repairs grant. Arsenault and co-sponsor Rep. Curt Taylor, D-Colchester, chair of

Vermont’s Mobile Home Task Force, decided to visit the community. They found no visible difference between the two sections and felt they should both be eligible for the funding. “The folks who were left out of these opportunities are squarely

“(The bill) could have a really substantial and wonderful impact for members of my community.” Rep. Angela Arsenault Williston

within the group of people I believe these assistance programs want to help, want to cover,” said Arsenault in committee. “Williston Woods is a (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)-recognized senior living community with income restrictions, and it is right in that demographic of folks who really should be qualifying for the various assistance programs.” Taylor said in an interview that the proposed changes would give people who own just one mobile home more access to loans and grants. “Most mobile home parks have infrastructure difficulties that they need to address, like wastewater and drinking water and things like that,” Taylor said. “They could use state help or help from other organizations that sometimes say, ‘If you’re not in the registry, we don’t offer you a loan or grant.’” The registry itself is merely data and not meant to be used to determine a community’s eligibility for grants and funding, according to Arthur Hamlin, the state commerce agency’s mobile home parks housing program coordinator. “It’s informational. It’s not a license or a permit of any kind,” said

Hamlin. “But we’re required by the state park law to have all the park owners register their parks with us in September each year and keep a registry database of the parks and periodically publish information, reports or park listings on our website.” The bill is not the only recent attention mobile homes have received from the Legislature. This past summer, legislators in the House set up the task force Taylor now chairs. The goal was to address and produce a report about the ever-changing issues mobile home owners face in Vermont. “It was kind of to get as much information as possible together and understand how motorhomes work in Vermont, what their status is and how many there are, how many are in parks, what their needs are, what data is available on them,” Taylor said. When catastrophic floods hit the state last summer, the task force was forced to pivot and consider flood resiliency plans, such as repairing culverts and levees, creating buffer zones with vegetation or looking at how flood-prone land is zoned. Members are working on a report to put out their findings. “We’re now writing up the report like crazy and hope to have it out in a couple of weeks,” said Taylor. If H.618 is passed, it will go into effect July 1. Arsenault acknowledges the minute details being changed in the definition but emphasized the impact it could have on her constituents. “I’ve been mistakenly saying it’s a really little bill (when it) could have a really substantial and wonderful impact for members of my community,” she said. The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide material for local news outlets at no cost.

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Williston Observer •

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Williston Observer • February 1, 2024

GUEST COLUMN

Notes from the Legislature BY REPS. ERIN BRADY AND ANGELA ARSENAULT The 2024 legislative session began on Jan. 3, and if the first few weeks are any indication, it stands to be a productive and dynamic one. We are thrilled to once again have a Williston eighth grader, Avery Howe, donning the classic green jacket as a legislative page and joining us in the Statehouse for the first six weeks of the session. The Legislature worked diligently over the past three years to maximize federal funds coming into the state to support historic investments in workforce, economic development, housing, broadband and climate action, but many of these investments will take time to come to fruition. This session, we face new challenges as federal pandemic spending winds down while complex needs persist across the state. We must also stay focused on helping the communities that faced devastating floods in July and December. The first portion of the ses-

sion is typically devoted almost exclusively to working in our committees. Angela serves on the House Judiciary Committee and was honored to present the first bill of the session, H. 27, on the House floor. This legislation adds “coercive controlling behavior” to the definition of abuse for the purpose of obtaining a relief from abuse order. This bill does not change anything in the criminal statute, but does expand the circle of protection provided to victims of domestic violence (80 percent of whom are women) by recognizing the types of behaviors that are known precursors to physical abuse, and are often just as damaging on their own. Recent state data shows that 40 percent of all calls to law enforcement for violent crimes are related to domestic violence, making H.27 an important tool in the quest for improved public safety. Erin serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Education, using her experience as a public school teacher of 18 years to inform her unwavering com-

mitment to public education. The education community remains nearly unanimous in its list of the greatest needs in our schools: teacher workforce, school facilities and mental health support for students and staff.

Vermont needs a statewide vision for education, and leadership to execute that vision. The work of the Education Committee is shaped by an inherent tension in our system (a tension that may be reaching a breaking point): local school districts retain most authority over schools, yet we have a statewide education fund. We know the tax implications of our statewide education fund

are top of mind for many, and we share concerns about high property tax bills. Vermont’s education funding formula is unique and complex. Each school district’s education spending is determined at a local level, but our resources are pooled in the statewide education fund as a result of a 1997 Vermont Supreme Court decision that found our state constitution requires “substantially equal educational opportunity to all students.” Taxes must be levied in order to raise the funds for all approved school budgets across the state. The estimated 18 percent property tax increase (on households that are not income-sensitized) is not a direct result of actual spending in our district. This is part of what makes it so difficult to understand both local budgets and statewide education funding. Our school district, along with many others throughout the state, is utilizing an incentive built into Act 127 (the Equitable School Funding Law passed in 2022) to cap our tax

rate increase at 5 percent before the addition of the Common Level of Appraisal (CLA). The CLA is intended to adjust the tax rate to correct for differences between the assessed value of properties and their current fair market value. Williston property values have not been reassessed since the pandemic-era property value spike, so there is a sizable difference between the assessed value and market value of properties; the selectboard has already voted to appeal the CLA (currently set at 69 percent). Pressures on education spending are particularly intense this year and do not fit neatly into a headline. Many challenges are all coming to a head at the same time: — Skyrocketing health insurance costs: School districts face a 16 percent increase in health care premiums this year, an increase twice the rate of inflation. These increases occur year after year, and Vermont increases outstrip see LEGISLATURE page 8

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ADVERTISING SPACE DEADLINE Friday at 5 p.m. for the next Thursday issue rick@willistonobserver.com, 802-373-2136 CLASSIFIED ADS Deadline is Friday 5 p.m. There is a fee for business, real estate, help wanted and legal ads. Free classifieds must be 25 words or fewer and are printed on a space available basis.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Another bad drug decision This letter is in response to the Jan. 17 article in the Observer, “Injecting safe spaces into drug policy.” Vermont is adding to the problem by offering incentives to everyone no matter what state they come from. The fact is, Vermont is not deterring drug use at all or reducing the drug addict population. Vermont is luring these addicts from other states, offering free supplies, needles, syringes, methadone, and now looking into providing a safe place to shoot up and no punishment for possession of drugs. The programs Vermont offers should only be for Vermonters, or we will become a haven for drug addicts. And if you’re attracting drug addicts, you’re also attracting drug dealers. Each state should deal with their own issues. Vermont has already tempered the judicial system to be more forgiving and lenient. The system has gone from punishment of jail to counseling and providing needles, syringes, methadone and other substitutes. This isn’t working, Stop making one bad decision after another. If you want to stop the drugs, get serious and hire more law enforcement, and give them the tools to succeed. Start prosecuting with severe sentencing for drug dealers, traffickers and possession. Deport non-United States citizens for first time offences. Your intentions are good but, every time you save a person from a drug overdose with a Narcan shot or you don’t prosecute and imprison a drug dealer, it allows them another opportunity to get someone hooked on drugs. David Martel Williston

challenges: baby bonds, an innovative policy to address intergenerational poverty, foster rural economic development, and retain young people in Vermont. Under baby bonds, babies born into the most impoverished families in Vermont would have $3,200 set aside for them and invested by the Vermont Treasurer’s Office. These children could access their baby bond between ages 18 and 30, with the initial $3,200 investment projected to grow to $11,500 by age 18 and $24,500 by age 30. The funds could be used for four wealth-building activities: (1) purchasing a home in Vermont; (2) starting or investing in a business in Vermont; (3) pursuing higher education or job training; and/or (4) saving for retirement. Last year, Connecticut became the first state in the nation to implement a baby bonds program. The policy will unlock economic opportunity for a generation of young adults and spark investment in local communities. Since the CT Baby Bonds program saw its first eligible babies born on July 1, 2023, we’ve also seen how baby bonds can serve as a powerful message of state government’s commitment to building a more equitable, prosperous future — one that in-

cludes economic participation for everyone. This session in the Vermont Legislature, baby bonds legislation is being led by a broad coalition of support among republicans, progressives, democrats and independents. By investing in our state’s greatest resource — our children — we can support our communities and create a more resilient, fair and productive Vermont economy for all. Mike Pieciak Vermont Treasurer Montpelier

Reaffirming our freedom to read Intellectual freedom is the right of library users to read, seek information and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is one of the core values of the library profession and a basic right in our democratic society; it promotes access to information and guides the defense against censorship. In 1953, the American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers jointly released a “Freedom to Read” statement. This statement

reminded us that, “the freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack.” Now, 70 years later, a resurgence of attacks on the freedom to read again threatens our democracy. Calls for book bans, the adoption of unconstitutional legislation, and campaigns to criminalize librarians for distributing materials protected by the First Amendment threaten our fundamental liberties. Vermont librarians are joining together to emphatically reaffirm their commitment to the values expressed in the American

Library Association’s intellectual freedom documents, including The Freedom to Read statement. We believe all Vermonters deserve free access to materials that function as windows and mirrors, both reflecting individuals’ experiences and providing expanded, diverse views of the world. We also believe that people are only truly free when they can read freely. This letter was submitted jointly by the governing boards of the Vermont School Library Association and the Vermont Library Association.

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Williston Observer • February 1, 2024

Legislature

continued from page 6

national increases, burdening employers and individuals across the state, not just school districts. — Increased social service spending in schools: Districts spent much of the federal pandemic-era funds on behavior interventionists and additional mental health supports. Increased student needs continue to exist regardless of federal funds. By chronically underfunding the state mental health system and human services, Gov. Phil Scott has driven a tremendous transfer of cost to the Education Fund from the state social services budget, and schools are compelled to pick up the tab. — Unfunded facilities needs: The state has gone since 2007 without school construction aid and we are currently the only state in New England without a statewide approach. Districts across the state face hundreds of

millions of dollars of deferred investments in infrastructure, some of which can no longer wait to be addressed. — Tax abatement for property owners who were devastated by last summer’s floods. All of these compounding challenges underscore a message repeated in testimony and other conversations by more than 20 superintendents recently: Vermont needs a statewide vision for education, and leadership to execute that vision. We have to have difficult conversations about right-sizing our system for the students we serve and the future they are preparing for; we appreciate that the Champlain Valley School District did the hard work of consolidating several years ago. Balancing the needs of our children and the needs of taxpayers is a shared responsibility between districts, the administration and the Legislature. Every child

deserves equitable opportunities, no matter where they live or who their parents are. Schools cannot solve the growing inequality in our society, but they are on the front lines of the human costs of disparities in opportunity and wellbeing. It continues to be an honor to serve as your state representatives and our community’s voices in Montpelier. As members of a citizen legislature that convenes from January to May (without any staff), we do our best to understand complex issues and make policy accordingly. Your input helps! We look forward to hosting a community conversation in late February. Please email us at ebrady@leg.state.vt.us and aarsenault@leg.state.vt.us with your questions, concerns or ideas anytime. Erin Brady and Angela Arsenault represent Williston in the Vermont House of Representatives.

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The Winter Renaissance Faire features a variety of performance troupes, including singers, musicians and dancers, as well as medieval living history and fight demonstrations. Dozens of artisans and craft vendors will also be in attendance, offering handcrafted jewelry, woodcrafts, medieval-inspired clothing, leather crafts, swords, armor, mead, and more. Savory and sweet tastings from cultures around the world will also be available. The Winter Renaissance Faire will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Expo, 105 Pearl Street, Essex Junction. Tickets are available at the door or online at: https://sevendaystickets.com/events/sci-fi-fantasy-expo-9-28-2024 Children under 6 get in free.

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Williston Observer •

5 tips for viewing the April 8 solar eclipse

BY ERIN PETENKO VTDigger

When I asked experts and scientists about their suggestions for how best to view the April 8 eclipse, many of them started off with the same piece of advice: “Don’t look directly at the sun!” as Scott Whittier, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, put it. Even during a partial eclipse, the sun’s burning rays can penetrate your retinas and cause eye damage in minutes. But the once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch the sun be completely covered by the moon may make it worth finding safe ways to gaze upward. The last time any part of Vermont experienced a total solar eclipse was 1932, said John Perry, an astrophysics professor at the University of Vermont. Another total eclipse won’t come to the state for another five decades, according to NASA, although parts of the United States will experience one in

Page 9

2044 and 2045.

FIND OUT IF YOUR COMMUNITY WILL BE ON THE ECLIPSE PATH

A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely covers the sun from view, causing an effect where the dark moon is surrounded by the hazy glow of the sun’s corona. That effect will only be visible in the northern part of the state, according to maps from NASA. Burlington will experience the total solar eclipse first, from about 3:26 to 3:29 p.m. on April 8. From there, the path of totality will travel diagonally past Montpelier, hitting the Northeast Kingdom at about 3:30 p.m. Areas south of the path of totality — including Barre, Rutland, Bennington and Brattleboro — will experience a partial solar eclipse, according to NASA. The sun’s corona will not be visible, but the sky is still predicted to become darker and the sun would look like a cressee ECLIPSE page 10

The path of the April 8 solar eclipse through Vermont.

VTDIGGER MAP

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Williston Observer •

February 1, 2024

Eclipse

continued from page 9

cent when viewed through safety equipment. The closer you are to the path of totality, the longer the total eclipse effect is predicted to last, Perry said. The very center of it will be a mile or two into Lake Champlain. “You can always rent a boat,” he said. FIGURE OUT A WAY TO VIEW THE ECLIPSE SAFELY

There are several methods to protect your eyes during an eclipse. Perhaps the easiest is to purchase special eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that are designed to block harmful sun rays. Look for glasses that conform to the ISO 12312-2 standard, Perry said. In a pinch, you can also build a pinhole projector out of a box, aluminum foil and a piece of paper, Perry said. This NASA web-

site — https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/ — has a diagram of how to create it. Even a small hole punched in an index card, or an object with lots of holes like a colander, will allow you to indirectly see the crescent shape of the sun as a shadow on the ground. At the very moment of totality, when the moon has completely blocked the sun, it is safe to view the effect without eclipse glasses, according to NASA. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THESE SPECIAL DETAILS

Even on a cloudy day, as the moon starts to block parts of the sun, the entire sky will gradually get darker, Perry said. Animals might begin to react as though it’s twilight. “Furry creatures come out and bump into your legs, you know, stuff like that,” he joked. On a clear day, as the moon covers the sun, it will create a crescent shape followed by bright patterns as the last rem-

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nants of the sun’s rays peek out behind the moon, called the diamond ring effect. Then the moon will completely block the sun, causing the streaming lights of the corona to stand out around it. On a clear day, planets such as Venus and Jupiter might become visible as they would in the evening sky, Perry said. Perry suggested that the best viewing location might be looking westward and downward so that you can watch the shadow of the moon traveling toward you as totality approaches.

The chance of a relatively clear day is between 10 and 20 percent. “It’s a fairly dramatic thing to see, to look down for a moment instead of looking up and see that shadow coming at you,” he said. BE READY FOR CROWDS

Local organizations, businesses and communities have already planned a number of eclipse events and celebrations. Among the places hosting viewing events on April 8 are the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, the Shelburne Museum, the Fairbanks Museum and several local communities, including Alburgh and St. Albans. The eclipse is expected to draw thousands of visitors. Officials across the state are planning for crowds, traffic and other hazards, according to Mark Bosma, a spokesperson for Vermont Emergency Management. Burlington schools are scheduled to

close early that day because of traffic and safety concerns, said Russ Elek, a spokesperson for the school district, via email. He cited estimates from local authorities that the eclipse could draw up to 250,000 people to the area, causing traffic that could last for hours after it ends. Perry said being in a crowd to see the eclipse might be “exciting.” “You’re looking up, so it’s not going to be like in a theater trying to see through the person in front of you,” he pointed out. BE READY FOR CLOUDS

How many people will come to Vermont? What will they see? Those answers are dependent on one important but uncertain factor: The state’s wily and wet spring weather. Meteorologist Whittier is ready for disappointment. He cited data showing that based on historic patterns, the chance of a relatively clear day is between 10 and 20 percent. “If I was putting my eggs in one basket to really wanting to see it at this point … I would probably be down in Texas to see it,” he said. Forecasters won’t have an accurate idea of the outlook for April 8 until a week or two before the event. “It really can vary,” Whittier said. Just last year, early April saw an unseasonable warm spell with clear skies. Perry still has hope. He recalled the partial solar eclipse that occurred last October on a cloudy day. “It was totally cloudy, totally overcast, all right up until the eclipse started,” he said. “And then it magically cleared and we got this great look at the eclipse for about an hour.”

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Williston Observer •

Page 11

Lawmakers look to limit legal battles over new housing BY CARLY BERLIN VTDigger

As Vermont faces an acute housing shortage, lawmakers and members of Gov. Phil Scott’s administration are eyeing a host of measures to clear the path for more residential development. Among the tools they’re considering: reforming how neighbors can challenge a project. Currently, state law allows any 10 people in a municipality to launch an appeal against a project — or a single person “in the immediate neighborhood of a property” who can show potential negative impacts in their personal interest. “You could imagine a lot of scenarios where, if there’s low-income housing coming into a community, 10 folks from the other side of town who can’t even see it could get together and say, we want to band together to appeal this project,” said Alex Farrell, commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development. An administration-backed omnibus housing bill in the House — and a complementary draft bill in the Senate — propose raising the threshold to 10 percent of a municipality’s population. Last year, lawmakers approved a change that bars residents from appealing a zoning permit for an affordable housing

project on the grounds that it affects “the character of the area.” This year, they’re considering measures that go a step further, precluding people from appealing residential projects that contain up to 25 units in areas served by municipal water and sewer infrastructure or ones located in state-designated development areas.

“We have to figure out when to say enough is enough and democracy has been realized. People have had their say, and everything beyond that amounts to extortion.” Sen. Kesha Ram-Hinsdale Chittenden Southeast District

Legislators are also looking across state borders for other models to tackle appeals. Rep. Tom Stevens, D-Waterbury, has introduced a bill to create a new Housing Board of Appeals, modeled after a similar approach that New Hampshire has adopted in recent years. The move would take municipal zoning appeals out of the court system, which Stevens said can be “slow moving

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because of the lack of capacity and the amount of backup that exists.” The bill would create a new body dedicated to handling local-level appeals, and would set a strict timeline: Hearings would need to be held 90 days after the board gets notice of an appeal, and the board would need to make a decision on it within 60 days afterward. “Shortening the appeals process, in terms of time, would allow these projects to get built, and to not have to suffer through re-budgeting, re-financing, and all the things that have happened in the past when projects are delayed,” Stevens said. Lawmakers are also considering an “appeal bond,” patterned after a Massachusetts policy, that would require an appealing party to put up money to the state. If the appeal is denied, the permit applicant would get a chunk of the money to cover the costs associated with a project’s delay; if the appeal is found to be “frivolous,” they’d get a larger payout. “This is really just to encourage folks from tossing in an appeal just because they’re unhappy,” Farrell said, adding that people who couldn’t afford to put up a bond would be able to ask for a waiver. Both the House omnibus housing bill and the draft Senate version spell out

timelines for decision-making on appeals at the municipal and state levels, taking into account the reality that many housing projects must get both local approval and state approval via Act 250. Both bills seek to exempt more housing development from the state’s land use law. “The centerpiece of all of this is deduplication of Act 250 and other permits, so that you’re not experiencing double jeopardy, essentially — you’re not having the exact same argument multiple times with multiple timelines,” said Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D/P-Chittenden Southeast. While some of these appeal reforms might curtail the ability of neighbors to express their opposition, proponents say they in fact uphold democratic values. “We could have a vast majority of a community vote to support a project, and then it can still be appealed,” Ram Hinsdale said. “We have to figure out when to say enough is enough and democracy has been realized. People have had their say, and everything beyond that amounts to extortion.” This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public.

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Williston Observer •

February 1, 2024

Be on the lookout for maple-loving invasive beetle BY GINGER NICKERSON Special to the Observer

When working in their sugarbush this winter, maple producers are encouraged to be on the lookout for signs of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). This wood-boring insect, native to southeast Asia, will kill many hardwood trees. However, its preferred host is the beloved maple. This highly destructive pest has not yet been confirmed in Vermont. However, there is an active infestation in Worcester County, Massachusetts. The beetle threatens all species of maples, not just sugar maples. It is typically spread through nursery stock, infested wood products or by moving infested firewood. While the summer and early fall are the best times to spot the adult beetles, winter is an excellent time to examine trees for signs of ALB damage. Take photos of any signs and report suspicious trees to http:// vtinvasives.org. Signs include multiple round, shallow indentations with rough edges in the bark. These are dime-sized

The Asian longhorned beetle chews holes in hardwood trees to lay their eggs. The invasive species has not reached Vermont, but an infestation in Western Massachusetts has local foresters on alert. COURTESY PHOTO BY JOE BOGGS, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

spots that the beetles chew to lay their eggs. The spots may ooze sap in the summer and fall when they are fresh. Perfectly round, pencil- to dimesized holes are another indication. These are left when the adults emerge in the summer. The exit hole will be straight and at least 1 inch deep. Stick a pencil in the hole to deter-

mine if it is deeper than a tap hole. There may be bits of sawdust-like material around these holes, in branch crooks or at the base of the tree. Adult beetles are .75 to 1.5 inches long with antennae that are one to two times their body length. These beetles are shiny black with white

spots and antennae with bluish-black and white stripes. They resemble our native whitespotted sawyer beetle. However, the latter has a white spot between its wing covers. In addition to attacking all maple species, ALB also will harm healthy ash, poplar, birch, willow and elm. When ALB is found, all hardwood

trees within a certain radius must be removed and destroyed by chipping or burning to stop the pest from spreading. The infested area should then be quarantined to prevent people from moving wood. The infestation in Massachusetts had probably been in the area for about 10 years before it was found. Over 36,265 trees in a 110-squaremile area in Worcester County have been removed to try to get rid of the beetle. In contrast, Chicago eradicated an ALB infestation destroying only 1,500 trees because the infestation was discovered early. Checking hardwoods, especially maples, for signs of ALB is key to early detection. So, woodland owners, hikers and anyone who spends time in the woods should be on the lookout for signs of this invasive pest. Let’s keep Vermont’s maples ALB free. Ginger Nickerson is the Extension Forest Pest Education Coordinator for the University of Vermont. Visit https://go.uvm. edu/beetle for more information.

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Williston Observer •

Page 13

Managing our forests for birds to thrive BY ETHAN TAPPER Special to the Observer

What does it mean to manage forests for birds? While this may seem like a simple question, it’s actually almost impossible to answer. What we call birds includes everything from ducks and gulls to hawks and herons, from woodpeckers to hummingbirds, from turkeys to turkey vultures. Vermont is home to more than 80 species of breeding birds — one of the most diverse breeding bird populations in the United States. Birds are an immensely diverse group of animals with incredibly variable habitat requirements. For this article, let’s narrow our scope to songbirds. What we call songbirds — known by ornithologists as passerines or perching birds — include birds as big as a raven and as small as a chickadee, as common as a robin and as uncommon as a golden-winged warbler. Our songbirds include both year-round occupants and neo-tropical migrants — birds that overwinter in the tropics and migrate to Vermont to breed in the summer. The first thing that songbirds need is food. Most songbirds are heavily dependent on insects and other arthropods, especially when feeding chicks in the spring and early summer. Our tens of thousands of species of native insects have complex relationships with many species of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, as well as being associated with forests of different ages and structural conditions. Managing for insects in the woods means encouraging forests with tree species diversity and structural diversity — big old trees, a gap-filled forest canopy, dead wood, dead-standing trees (“snags”), cavity trees (trees with holes in them) and areas of young forest. Also key to promoting insect habitat (and thus songbird habitat) is controlling threats to forest diversity, especially non-native invasive plants and deer overpopulations. While insects are a staple of most songbirds diets throughout the year, another important food source is “masts” — seeds, nuts, fruits and berries. Neo-tropical songbirds will feed heavily on mast (especially “soft mast” like berries) as they prepare for migration, as will year-round occu-

pants as they prepare for winter. Birds that spent the summer north of us will also snack on soft mast in our forests as they stop over in mid-migration, fueling up for another long night of flying south. Another important component of songbird habitat is breeding habitat. Just as different species of songbirds utilize different canopy layers (understory, midstory, overstory) for foraging, they also do so for nesting. Managing for structural diversity is key to providing breeding habitat for all of our songbirds. Other important (and often under-appreciated) habitats for songbirds are big, old trees, snags, cavity trees and dead wood. Old trees feature complex bark and canopy structure, providing unique foraging habitat for many birds, especially bark-foragers like nuthatches. Both old trees and snags are important food sources for woodpeckers, which forage for the insects and insect larva that colonize rotten wood. As they forage, woodpeckers create the tree cavities that are nesting habitat for other birds. As old trees, snags and cavity trees fall over, they create nesting and foraging habitat for birds like winter wrens, drumming logs for grouse, and seedbeds for future generations of trees. So, what does it mean to manage forests for birds? We can’t answer this question without also answering a larger question: How do we manage for healthy, diverse forests that are functional, vibrant and rich with habitat for all of our native species? All of the habitat features mentioned here are key to improving habitat for all of our wildlife, and as we manage for them we simultaneously manage for forests that are resilient and adaptable in a changing climate, for old-growth characteristics, for water quality, for carbon and much more. One of the joys of managing forests for songbirds is how by doing so we also create and sustain so many other vital things. To learn more about managing forests for birds, check out Audubon Vermont’s “Foresters for the Birds” program. Ethan Tapper is the Chittenden County Forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Visit him online at www.https://linktr.ee/ ChittendenCountyForester.

Vermont’s songbirds include both year-round occupants and birds that overwinter in the tropics and migrate to Vermont to breed in the summer. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO BY GARY STURGIS

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Williston Observer •

February 1, 2024

SPORTS

Hustle Left to right: CVU’s Chase Leonard looks for holes in a fast break attempt during the Redhawks’ win over the Colchester Lakers last Monday evening in Hinesburg. Ollie Cheer goes in for two points. Russell Willoughby gets into the paint for a hoop. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

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February 1, 2024 •

SPORTS

Williston Observer •

Page 15

Redhawks soar over Comets

CLOCKWISE (l to r): CVU’s Samara Ashooh puts up a short jumper from the paint during the Redhawks’ 57-25 win over the BFA St. Albans Comets on Friday evening in Hinesburg. Elise Berger gets to the hoop with a layup. Nina Zimakas looks to get by her BFA St. Albans defender. Lauren Vaughan gets free for a basket. Rose Bunting drives down the lane for two points. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

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February 1, 2024

05 (24)

Next Week:

Presidents Day Founded by Betty Debnam

Leaders Among Us

Mini Fact:

More than 200,000 Americans, Black and white, gathered for the March on Washington in 1963.

In February, the United States celebrates Black History Month. Since the early 1900s, we have recognized how African Americans have contributed to our society and history. This week, The Mini Pages offers some reading ideas for Black History Month. Check out these titles at your local or school library.

Ruby Bridges

On Nov. 14, 1960, a 6-year-old girl took the brave steps to be the first African American child to attend William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. She had to pass through crowds of screaming protesters, and white parents removed their children from the school. “Through My Eyes” by Ruby Bridges gives readers a personal look at the historical moment Bridges was a part of.

human rights until his death in 2020. “Preaching to the Chickens” by Jabari Asim tells the story of John Lewis’ childhood on his family’s farm in Alabama. Along with Lewis marched with Dr. Martin Luther illustrations John King Jr. and other civil rights leaders in by E.B. Lewis, Selma, Alabama, in 1965. the story shows readers how Lewis learned to speak up for others.

Frederick Douglass

In 1818, Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland. He learned to read and write, and from newspapers he learned to question slavery. When he was 20 years old, he escaped from slavery and fled to New York City. Douglass preached, published newspapers and spoke out against slavery. “Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History” by Walter Dean Myers is a detailed look at the decisions Douglass made throughout his life that helped him gain his liberty and help others do the same. Illustrations by Floyd Cooper bring the scenes in the book to life.

John Lewis

At only 23, John Lewis was one of the keynote speakers at the 1963 March on Washington, where civil rights leaders called for jobs and freedoms for Black citizens. In 1986, he was elected to Congress, representing Georgia. Rep. John Lewis fought for civil and

Try ’n’ Find

Barack and Michelle Obama spent eight years in the White House as president and first lady. Barack was the first Black president of the United States. He served from 2009 to 2017. Both Barack and Michelle graduated from Harvard Law President Barack Obama, School, becoming first lady Michelle, and their two daughters, Sasha and lawyers interested Malia, with their dogs, Bo and Sunny, at the White House. in civil rights. The Obamas have many shared goals: the best educational opportunities for everyone, help for the homeless, affordable heath care for all and equal treatment for people around the world. The Obama Foundation’s mission is “to help people turn hope into action — to inspire, empower, and connect them to change their world.” To learn more about Michelle and Barack Obama, you can check out the books “The Story of Michelle Obama” by Christine Platt and “Who Is Barack Obama?” by Roberta Edwards.

Resources On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPFeb23 • bit.ly/MPFeb24

At the library:

• “Black Heroes” by Arlisha Norwood • “Things Kids Should Know About Black History” by Educational Parade

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of Black History Month are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: BOOKS, BRIDGES, CELEBRATE, DOUGLASS, EDUCATION, FAMOUS, HISTORY, HONOR, LEWIS, LIBERTY, MARCH, MONTH, OBAMAS, RIGHTS, SCHOOL, SOCIETY, STORIES.

The Obamas

photo couresy Obama Library

Issue 05, 2024

B Q O U O R K I S G U H Q T S S

X Y T R E B I L

S L S F B L S K O G S H A R C H T I L K I O O S G G E N R T U E T O I O O A Y R E R D F N I S Y

L H V S K L H V

N Y A F X O C U A Y I M O M V T O B O S A N A U C C T M S H U H A I O D X S W O

James: What do you call two birds in love? Jenna: Tweethearts!

Eco Note A recent study suggests that the world may have crossed a “tipping point”

called for jobs and freedoms for Black citizens. In 1986, he was elected to Congress, representing Georgia. Rep. John Lewis fought for civil and

made throughout his life that helped him gain his liberty and help others do the same. Illustrations by Floyd Cooper bring the scenes in the book to life.

At the library:

• “Black Heroes” by Arlisha Norwood • “Things Kids Should Know About Black History” by1, 2024 Educational Parade February • Williston Observer • Page 17

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

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

L H V S K L H V C R

James: What do you call two birds in love? Jenna: Tweethearts!

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

Eco Note A recent study suggests that the world may have crossed a “tipping point” that will make solar our main source of energy before 2050. The study by the University of Exeter and University College London says that challenges still exist, including the variability of solar power by night and day, weather and the seasons. But upgrading power grids and connecting different regions will help. Increasing wind power potential will also be key, the researchers added.

Mini Spy Classics

Mini Spy Classics appear in the first issue of each month. Based on materials originally produced and/or created by Betty Debnam.

• key • safety pin • letter A • number 3

• coffee pot • sailboat • number 8 • funny face

• number 7 • fly swatter • letter E • puppy face

• peanut • word MINI • heart

adapted with permission from Earthweek.com

Hey Mini Spy Fans! Order your Mini Spy Booklets (Volumes 1, 2 and 3) with 48 of your favorite puzzles! Visit MiniPageBooks.com, or call 844-426-1256 to order. Just $4 plus $1 shipping.

Mini Spy and her friends are watching fireworks. See if you can find the hidden pictures. Then color the picture.

For later:

Look in the newspaper for articles about Black History Month.

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

Page 18

• Williston Observer • February 1, 2024

SAVVY SENIOR Keeping older drivers safe on the road Dear Savvy Senior, What safety tips can you recommend for older drivers? My 86-year-old mother, who still drives herself, had a fender-bender last month and I worry about her safety. Back Seat Daughter

By Jim Miller

Dear Back Seat, With more and more older Americans driving well into their 70s, 80s and beyond, there are a variety of things your mom

can do to help maintain and even improve her driving skills. Here are some recommendations by driving rehabilitation specialists that work with older drivers. EVALUATE

Get an eye exam: Because about 90 percent of the information necessary to drive is received through our eyes, this is a good first step in ensuring your mom’s driving safety. So, get your mom’s eyes checked every year to be sure her vision and eyewear are up to par. Get a physical or wellness exam: As people age, it’s also very important to monitor changes in overall health as it relates to driving. Medical conditions like arthritis, dementia, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, sleep apnea and stroke can all affect driving. In addition, many seniors also take multiple medications or combinations of medications that can make them drowsy or lightheaded, which can impair judgment or affect reflexes or alertness necessary for safe driving. So, an annual physical or wellness examination

and medication review is also a smart way to verify your mom’s driving safety. Take a refresher course: AARP and the American Automobile Association (AAA) both have older driver improvement courses that can help your mom brush up her driving skills and understand how to adjust for slower reflexes, weaker vision and other age-related physical changes that can affect driving. Taking a class may also earn her a discount on her auto insurance. To locate a class, contact your local AAA (www.AAA. com) or AARP (www.AARPdriversafety.org, 888-227-7669). Most courses cost around $20 to $30 and can be taken online. Make some adjustments: Adjusting when and where your mom drives is another way to help keep her safe and behind the wheel longer. Some simple adjustments include not driving after dark or during rush hour traffic, avoiding major highways or other busy roads, and not driving in poor weather conditions. Evaluate her driving: To stay on top of your mom’s driv-

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ing abilities you should take a ride with her from time-to-time watching for problem areas. For example: Does she drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate or drift between lanes? Does she have difficulty seeing, backing up or changing lanes? Does she react slowly, get confused easily or make poor driving decisions? For more evaluation tips, AAA offers a senior driver self-rating assessment exercise that you or she can access at www.Exchange.AAA.com/safety/senior-driver-safety-mobility. If your mom needs a more thorough evaluation, you can turn to a driver rehabilitation specialist who’s trained to evaluate older drivers and offer suggestions and adaptations to help keep her safe. But be aware that this type of assessment can run anywhere between $100 and $500 or more. To locate a professional in your area, visit www. ADED.net or www.AOTA.org and search “driving practitioner directory.” SUPPORT

When it gets to the point that your mom’s driving isn’t safe anymore and she needs to quit, you may need to help her create a list of names and phone numbers of family, friends and local transportation services that she can call on for a ride. To find out what transportation services are available in your mom’s area, contact the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116), which will direct you to her area agency on aging for assistance. 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.

Speak up! Send your letters and story ideas to email editor@ willistonobserver.com

February 1, 2024 •

Williston Observer •

Page 19

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 21

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1861, a Texas state convention voted 166-8 in favor of a measure to secede from the Union. • In 1884, the first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary was published. • In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. and more than 250 others were arrested at a protest in Selma, Alabama. • In 2003, the U.S. space shuttle Columbia broke apart shortly after entering the atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, killing its sevenmember crew.

TODAY’S FACT:

• Harvard scholar Carter G. Woodson pioneered “Negro History Week” in 1926 and designated the second week in February for its celebration, to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Negro History Week was later expanded to include all of February and renamed “Black History Month.”

Find the 7 words to match the 7 clues. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in each solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

CLUES

SOLUTIONS

1 bear created by Michael Bond (10) ___________ 2 Joni Mitchell’s 1969 morning (7) ___________ 3 playing a trumpet, say (7) ___________ 4 tony Connecticut town (9) ___________ 5 Triple Crown race, for short (7) ___________ 6 Roger Federer won it 8 times (9) ___________ 7 vex (6) ___________

GRE

DON

GTON

WIM

HAR

PAD

ICH

ENW

ING

BLE

LMO

SEA

DIN

ROW

SUDOKU • SOLUTION ON PAGE 21

2/4

Today’s Answers: 1. PADDINGTON 2. CHELSEA 3. TOOTING 4. GREENWICH 5. BELMONT 6. WIMBLEDON 7. HARROW

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Page 20

• Williston Observer • February 1, 2024

OBITUARIES

Elsa Lofgren Millhouse Elsa Lofgren Millhouse (May 6, 1923 – January 14, 2024) of Concord, New Hampshire, and formerly of Williston, Vermont, a beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on January 14, 2024. Elsa was sharp-witted, feisty, and full of life until the day she died. She was exceptional, with a unique energy and zest for life that kept her going. Elsa was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1923. Her parents were immigrants of Danish and Swedish origin, and she was forever proud of her Scandinavian heritage. She spent her depression-era childhood moving from

one place to another as her father looked for steady work. By high school graduation, Elsa had lived in more than thirty places. She never stopped moving. A graduate of New England College and Boston University, Elsa served in the Navy as a radar technician stationed in Rhode Island during World War II. There she met her husband, Frank. Their life was filled with adventure. Frank’s job kept them busy entertaining and moving from one beautiful locale to the next. They loved sailing in their boat Tophat, and skiing in Vermont and Quebec. Elsa was forever an athlete and enjoyed almost 30 years of retirement in Vermont skiing and playing golf and tennis. She lived close to her daughter Kathy Erickson, husband Mark, and her grandchildren Sara and Max Erickson and always shared that Vermont was where her heart was. Elsa’s children and grandchildren were the light of her life. In her final three years, she lived in Concord, New Hampshire, to be near her daughter, Sherry Hieber, and her grandchildren Edward and Jana who helped care for Elsa in her final years. The entire family and friends celebrated her 100th birthday in May 2023, which was a lovefest! A Celebration of Life for Elsa will be held in July in Vermont.

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 and to register for programs which require registration. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@ damlvt.org.

YOUTH PROGRAMS Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age. INFINITY CUBE CRAFT

Friday, Feb. 2, 5-5:45 p.m. Make your own infinity cube fidget. SATURDAY STORYTIME

Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend off with Cindy’s storytime. KIDS’ YOGA

Monday, Feb. 5, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Try out this toddler/preschool yoga program with a GROW instructor. STORYTIME

Lawrence Caron Lawrence “Larry” Caron, 77, of Williston, Vt. passed away of a heart attack on January 23, 2024. He owned and operated Caron’s

East End Auto family business for nearly 50 years. One of his passions was successfully racing stock cars at Thunder Road, Catamount and many other New England tracks. He is survived by his wife Cindy, sons Jay, Michael and Karen Tucker, daughter Amy and husband Erik Daenitz along with grandson Senna, 3 brothers Dennis, Richard, Gary and wife Patty, 3 sisters Patty Atwood, Janice Bolio and Judy Mayville. Larry was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Elizabeth Caron. Visitation was held at A.W. Rich Funeral Home 1176 Main St., Fairfax, Vt. on Monday, January 29 from 2 -5 pm. A graveside service with interment will be held in the spring at St. Luke’s Cemetery, Fairfax, Vt.

Tuesdays, Feb. 6 and 13, 10:3011 a.m. BABY TIME

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 10:30-11 a.m. Enjoy gentle activities with your baby. AFTER SCHOOL BOARD GAMES & LEGO TIME

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2-3 p.m. Play with games and LEGOs. PRESCHOOL MUSIC AND PLAYTIME

Thursdays, Feb. 8 and 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sing and dance, then stay to play. LEGO TIME

Thursday, Feb. 8, 3-4 p.m. KIDS IN THE KITCHEN (ONLINE)

Thursday, Feb. 8, 4-5 p.m. Learn to make fortune cookies from the comfort of your own kitchen with Joanne Heidkamp,

registered dietician. Preregistration required. TEENS DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Friday, Feb. 9, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12-plus. Join our campaign. FRENCH STORYTIME

Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Enjoy stories read in French. LITTLES DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Saturday, Feb. 10, 1-2 p.m. A mini session of D&D for ages 6-8. No experience required. Adults should stay to help their campaigner(s). Preregistration required. POKÉMON CLUB

Monday, Feb. 12, 4-5 p.m. Enjoy themed activities. AFTER SCHOOL STEAM FUN ACTIVITY

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2-3 p.m. Have fun with science.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS MEET AN ASTRONOMER (VT READS)

Monday, Feb. 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Join us in-person or online. Sethanne Howard specializes in black holes and galaxies, and her hobby is the history of women in STEAM. This event is part of our Vermont Reads programming. FRENCH CONVERSATION

Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:45-11:45 a.m. MONTHLY CRAFT CIRCLE *NEW*

Monday, Feb. 12, 5-6 p.m. Bring your own craft and enjoy the company of others. READ TO A DOG

Thursday, Feb. 15, 3-4 p.m. Register for 10-minutes to read to a dog. VERMONT READS

“Last Night at the Telegraph Club” — sponsored by Vermont Humanities. Pick up a copy at the library.

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

www.WillistonObserver.com

ADULT WINTER READING CHALLENGE

Through Feb. 29. Grab a reading bingo card at the library or on our website and return the completed card to be entered for a prize. PUZZLE SWAP

All of February. Swap a gently used puzzle (500-plus pieces). LOVE AT FIRST SENTENCE

Through Feb. 14, check out a book identified only by its first sentence from our wrapped selections. ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)

Fridays in February, 12-12:30 p.m. Online guided meditation. MAH JONGG

Fridays, Feb. 2 and 9, 1-3 p.m. Drop in. CHOCOLATE BARK WITH DELNA

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 4-6 p.m. Design your own treat. Preregistration required. SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 5-6 p.m. All abilities. VERMONT EDUCATION ENERGY PROGRAM

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6-8 p.m. Save money by limiting home heat transfer. Hands-on demos. Co-sponsored by the Williston Energy Committee and Sustainable Williston. TECH TUTOR

Monday, Feb. 12, 10:30-12:30 p.m. Call to register for a session. CURRENT EVENTS

Wednesday Feb. 14, 10:30-12 p.m. Discuss current topics. LIFE STORIES (ONLINE)

Wednesday Feb. 14, 2-3 p.m. Prompts will guide the group. AFTER HOURS BOOK CLUB

Wednesday Feb. 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. “The Last House on Needless Street” by Catriona Ward. MOCKTAILS & GAME NIGHT: PINEAPPLE MINT FAUX MOJITOS AND SCATTERGORIES

Thursday, Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. Learn about and taste mocktails.

February 1, 2024 •

Jan. 12 at 12:09 a.m. — Reported car off the road. Male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI. Jan. 12 at 4:44 p.m. — Following a traffic stop, it was discovered that the operator had an active arrest warrant from another state. Male was taken into custody and transported to the correctional facility. Jan. 13 at 5:37 p.m. — Report of a suspicious female at Marshalls. Female was offered help with resources and was moved along. Jan. 14 at 9:31 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. Suspect was gone before officer arrival. Jan. 15 at 4:46 p.m. — Report of an intoxicated male in Walmart. Male was gone before officer arrival. Jan. 15 at 5:23 p.m. — Report of a female walking in the middle of the road at Maple Tree Place. Female refused services and was moved along.

Jan. 16 at 2:15 p.m. — Report of two females trying to steal at Walmart. Both females ended up purchasing items. Jan. 17 at 5:09 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at Marshalls. Suspects were gone upon officer’s arrival. Jan. 18 at 12:14 p.m. — Intoxicated female at Shaw’s. Female pulled a knife on officers. She was transported to the hospital for further evaluation. Jan. 18 at 2:51 p.m. — Assisted Williston Rescue with intoxicated female. Female was transported to the hospital. Jan. 18 at 4:51 p.m. — Report of a runaway juvenile. Juvenile was located on Jan. 22 in Plattsburgh, NY. Jan. 18 at 6:12 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Male was issued a citation to appear in court. Jan. 19 at 7:57 a.m. — Stolen vehicle recovered on Oak Hill Road.

Vehicle was returned to owner. Jan. 19 at 8:34 a.m. — Walmart looking to have a male trespassed due to vaping in the store. Male was issued a notice of trespass and moved along. Jan. 19 at 5:14 p.m. — Motor vehicle crash on Essex Road. Two vehicles fully engulfed in flames. No injuries. Jan. 19 at 10:51 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. Male was issued a notice of trespass. Jan. 20 at 9:25 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Female suspect has been identified but has not been located. Jan. 20 at 2:47 p.m. — Report of a possible break-in on St. George Road. House was cleared, no one found inside. Jan. 20 at 9:06 p.m. — Report of a retail theft at Marshalls. Male was located and had an active arrest warrant. He was transported to the correctional facility. Officers also responded to two alarm activations, 16 motor vehicle crashes and conducted 28 traffic stops during this time frame.

Williston Observer •

SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 19

CROSSWORD SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 19

Photos from the

Williston Observer

are available for purchase! Visit willistonobserver.com to see current and past photos of Williston events, school sports, nature shots and more! Digital and prints are available.

AlFreyPhotography.com Place your order online or email afrey202@gmail.com

In print and online:

we’re your neighbors, committed to keeping you informed on what’s going on in Williston.

Page 21

Page 22

• Williston Observer • February 1, 2024

Comprehensive Dentistry Quality Care for Your Entire Family

Gentle, Expert Dental Care for your Beautiful Smile ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Emergencies seen promptly. We now contract with all major dental insurances.

NBC5 anchor Stewart Ledbetter is calling it quits after 41 years reporting the news from Vermont and beyond. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

165 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT

802-860-3368

www.dorsetstreetdental.com

Veteran Vermont journalist Ledbetter to retire after 4 decades on-air BY PAUL HEINTZ VTDigger

SHELBURNE Human Resources Assistant $23-$26/hr., DOQ This is a full-time administrative position responsible for providing comprehensive and efficient human resource support and services to the Town of Shelburne employees. The HR Assistant will be responsible for recruitment and onboarding, records management, benefits administration, HR reporting, training and development, and other HR related projects. We are looking for a self-motivated problem solver who is resourceful and organized with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. We are excited to shape this position to the skills and interest of the right person who will be energized by working in the public sector. The Town of Shelburne offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package. Visit www.shelburnevt.org/jobs to see full job description and employment application. To apply, submit application and resume to Susan Cannizzaro at scannizzaro@shelburnevt.org. Review of applications begins immediately.

One of Vermont’s best-known and most respected journalists is preparing to call it a career. After 41 years in broadcast journalism in the state, NBC5 anchor Stewart Ledbetter plans to sign off on Feb. 16, the station announced Monday. “It’s been a great run,” Ledbetter said Tuesday. “I did not foresee when I started that it would provide such a wealth of opportunities to cover politics in Vermont.” A former news director for the South Burlington-based station, Ledbetter has most recently anchored its 5:30 p.m. newscast and hosted its Sunday public affairs program, “NBC5 In Depth.” He’s also known for his tenure as moderator of “Vermont This Week,” the Friday roundtable aired on what is now called Vermont Public, from 2007 to 2023. The son of a former state banking and insurance commissioner and U.S. Senate candidate, Ledbetter grew up in the Manchester area and graduated from the University of Vermont. He began his career as a radio reporter in 1983

and joined the station now known as NBC5 the next year, covering Burlington City Hall and then state government and politics. Ledbetter remained in Vermont throughout his career — save for a year in Plattsburgh, N.Y., where the station was based at the time. Though he occasionally considered leaving the state for new professional opportunities, he said he’s glad he stayed put. “What stands out to me is how rich Vermont politics turned out to be,” he said, citing some of the significant stories he had the opportunity to cover: the creation of civil unions and legalization of same-sex marriage; the defection of then-U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords from the Republican Party; the decommissioning of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant; and the presidential campaigns of former Gov. Howard Dean and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. “What an experience to see thousands of people come out in places like Seattle and Chicago and New York for your small-state governor,” he said of Dean’s 2004 run. “And it was just as exuberant for Bernie Sanders.” Ledbetter noted that he had

covered seven New Hampshire presidential primary seasons, though he sat out this year’s. Throughout his career, he was repeatedly recognized for his reporting, winning a national Edward R. Murrow Award and a place in the Vermont Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame. “There are very few people who can provide the wealth of knowledge Stewart has when it comes to state politics,” NBC5 news director Michael LaFlesh said in a written statement, noting that Ledbetter might return to the station from time to time as a political contributor. “We’re grateful to know we’ll still have access to a valuable resource to provide our community with his insight.” Ledbetter said he’d been considering retirement for several years and had started to ask himself the question, “What are all the other things you’d like to do?” His answers so far are to travel more (Australia is on the list), hike, ski and relax. “I might write a guide to the best and worst gas stations in Vermont,” he said with a laugh. “Because I think I’ve been to most of them.”

CLASSIFIEDS

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Please take notice that World View, LLC, whose mailing address is 355 Main Street, Ste 500, Winooski, Vermont 05404, is applying to the Vermont Brownfields Reuse and Environmental Liability Limitation Program (10 V.S.A. §6641 et seq.) in connection with the redevelopment of property known as 662NXT South Brownell in the Town of Williston, Vermont. A copy of the application, which contains a preliminary environmental assessment and a description of the proposed redevelopment project is available for public view at the Town Clerk’s Office and at the

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation offices in Montpelier. Comments concerning the application and/ or the above referenced documents may be directed to World View, LLC C/O Nathan Dagesse at (802)683-9967 or at ndagesse@ eivtech.com. Comments may also be submitted by mail to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Waste Management Division, 1 National Life Drive – Davis 1, Montpelier, VT 05620; attention: World View, LLC C/O Nathan Dagesse.

February 1, 2024 •

SERVICE DIRECTORY CREDIT CARD PROCESSING

Williston Observer •

Page 23

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Page 24 •

Williston Observer •

February 1, 2024

Bill Skiff Story Slam

2024

A friendly, competitive storytelling event on the theme of “Hope” TICKETS

February 10 SATURDAY

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includes refreshments

5 p.m. (Doors Open - 4:30 p.m.) Williston Federated Church

Fellowship Hall | 44 N Williston Rd.

All profits to benefit home heating assistance for neighbors in need.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.clubrunner.ca/williston-richmond

Club of Williston-Richmond, Vermont

Verizon contractors Louis Hodgetts, left, and Andrew Davis speak to Williston residents and the Old Brick Church Trustees on Monday at Town Hall about a proposal to install cellular antennas in the steeple of the Old Brick Church. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

Church

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way it is, and I don’t think this is an appropriate use.” Louis Hodgetts, an engineer with Dubois and King in South Burlington who is working on the project for Verizon, explained the latest design Monday. It would involve replacing the wood in the steeple with fiberglass and placing three antennas behind the fiberglass, with a fourth antenna above that. None of the antennas would be visible from the outside, Hodgetts said. A storage space would be constructed attached to the back of the building with telecommunications equipment to serve the antennas and cooling fans and air conditioning accompanying the equipment. The steeple is Verizon’s best option to improve its coverage gap in the Village, Hodgetts said. “The goal of this project is to improve coverage in this area,” he said. Lisa Elowson, a resident of South Road, would welcome the improved cell service. The inability to use mobile phones where she lives is a safety concern, she said. Selectboard member Mike Isham pointed out, however, that wireless phones without a signal can still place calls to 911 for emergency services. Elowson also noted that the town is not currently making much use of the church. According to Town Manager Erik Wells, the town would receive about $25,000 a year in a lease for the steeple space with Verizon. Several residents encouraged

the company to look elsewhere for wireless infrastructure in the Village. They also noted that there are other cell service provider options — T-Mobile and AT&T. “Preserve the church,” resident Ginger Morton implored the trustees. “There are lots of other avenues that haven’t been explored.” Kurt Oughstun, a Williston resident and UVM engineering professor, raised concerns about the health implications of cellular infrastructure, noting the proximity of the church to Williston Central School. “I’m very concerned with the children being exposed to this on a daily basis,” he said.

“The goal of this project is to improve coverage in this area.” Louis Hodgetts Engineer, Dubois and King

The trustees plan to vote during their March 6 meeting whether to recommend approval of the project to the selectboard. Any lease with Verizon would need selectboard approval. The time and location of the March 6 meeting has not yet been set. Residents wishing to provide the trustees with comments before the meeting can write them to town staffer Erin Dickinson by email at edickinson@willistonvt. org or by mail to: Erin Dickinson c/o Old Brick Church Trustees, 7900 Williston Road, Williston VT 05495.