MONDAY EDITION
ADDISON COUNTY
INDEPENDENT
Vol. 28 No. 45
Tragic love story in song • ‘Rusalka,’ the operatic story of a water spirit in love with a man, will be broadcast at THT. See Arts Beat on Page 10.
Middlebury, Vermont
Monday, February 20, 2017
36 Pages
$1.00
Porter directors endorse affiliation
Partnership with UVMHN requires one final vote
By JOHN FLOWERS MIDDLEBURY — The Porter Medical Center (PMC) and University of Vermont Health Network (UVMHN) boards on Thursday voted unanimously to sign an affiliation agreement, a
move that would result in reduced independence for Addison County’s hospital but net it greater financial stability, some key capital improvements and a more diverse menu of health care services for local patients. Thursday’s board votes were a monumental step, but the affiliation move still hinges on some changes to Porter’s organizational bylaws. Those changes must be approved by voting
members of the PMC corporation at the organization’s annual meeting on March 15. Officials are not anticipating a negative vote, as the prospect of affiliation with UVMHN has drawn mostly positive comments during a series of public meetings during the past year at which the merger idea was unfurled. Porter CEO Dr. Fred Kniffin, in a statement (See Porter, Page 23)
FFA students get hands-on learning
• See what our local agriculture students are up to for National FFA Week on Pages 14-16.
Playoffs arrive for Panther hoop
• Both Middlebury teams hosted quarterfinals Saturday. See the results on Page 18.
Tubing time
AFTER A DEARTH of big snowstorms over the last two years, the county finally saw some significant snowfall last week. Daniel Likun and his six-year-old daughter, Penny, took advantage of the snow and a snow day for area schools last Monday to go tubing down a hill in Middlebury. Independent photo/Trent Campbell
Skiers let it rip at the Snow Bowl • Middlebury College hosted its Winter Carnival this weekend. See photos on Pages 18-20.
Unified Addison Northeast steps into its future with first gathering By GAEN MURPHREE BRISTOL — An atmosphere of pride and excitement permeated the first organizational meeting of the newly formed Addison Northeast School District, held at Mount Abraham Union High School last Thursday. The district is the result of a vote last November by the five towns of the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union to
unify budgeting and governance in accordance with Act 46. “It took a lot of work to get to this evening,” said Superintendent Patrick Reen. Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe commended the ANeSU Act 46 Study Committee for “the tremendous amount of work” they did. (See District, Page 22)
Opera house thriving in 20th year of revival
By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — On Feb. 14 the Vergennes City Council heard an upbeat report from Friends of the Vergennes Opera House President Gerianne Smart about the financial and artistic health of the historic theater. The VOH has several big shows lined up for the coming months and is (See VOH, Page 7)