Feb. 25 2016 A section

Events for Adults, Youth and Families Programs, Athletics and Special

Active lifestyle

Top prize

Home ice

Consult the Middlebury Recreation Guide inside and make plans for your spring activities.

The Addy Indy was honored with 20 awards, including the top New England weekly. Page 3A.

Panther women’s hockey won twice and will host a quarterfinal on Saturday. See Sports, Page 1B.

URY MIDDLEB & Recreation Parks

move • grow • connect

Middlebury Parks & Recreation Department

Guide Spring Activity middlebury.com March - May 2016 • www.experience

ADDISON COUNTY

INDEPENDENT Vol. 70 No. 8

Middlebury, Vermont

Thursday, February 25, 2016

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60 Pages

75¢

School unification to be put to the test Addison Central residents to weigh in on unified governance proposal

By JOHN FLOWERS MIDDLEBURY — Addison Central Supervisory Union voters on Tuesday will be asked to endorse a seismic shift in the way their schools are governed, a shift that supporters believe would save taxpayers money and lead to more efficient delivery of public education to students in the towns of Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham and Weybridge.

The referendum in question calls for the ACSU to form one, 13-member Addison Central School District (ACSD) Board to preside over all seven of the district’s elementary schools, along

with Middlebury Union Middle and High schools. A single budget would be crafted for all ACSD schools.

All seven ACSU towns must back the governance change for it to take effect.

This new streamlined governance system would replace the nine boards and ACSU Executive Committee that currently govern Middlebury-area schools. Each of the schools currently has its own budget, and those budgets have been consistently on the rise in spite of declining enrollments throughout the ACSU and most of Vermont.

(See ACSU, Page 11A)

For a third time, Vergennes-area towns to vote on one-board plan

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — For the third time since 2005, on March 1 residents of the five communities that make up Addison Northwest Supervisory Union will decide if one board, not the current five, should run their four schools.

A yes vote on Tuesday in all five towns would create the Addison Northwest Unified School District and a 12-member board

to operate it, effective July 1, 2017, after a year of planning during which the existing ANwSU boards would still call the shots.

Australian ballot voting will take place in each of the five towns.

ANwSU voters will also vote on Town Meeting Day for directors to serve on the Unified (See ANwSU, Page 20A)

Late changes pushing school tax rates higher Lawmakers still tweaking financing numbers

By ANDY KIRKALDY ADDISON COUNTY — When Vermont residents cast their ballots on local school budgets on most Town Meeting Days, they have a pretty good idea of how that spending will affect their property tax bills.

That has been the case even though lawmakers in Montpelier sometimes have had to tweak funding formulas

By the way The 5-Town Friends of the Arts is seeking applicants for its spring season of Community Grants. The purpose of the community grants is to help fund experiences and events n ne rt er orm ng rt c t re and history that reach and enrich t e ve o eo e v ng n r to nco n on ton ew ven n t r oro c t on w c can be downloaded from www. r to r en o t e rt org re e

by March 15 at 25 Main St. in Bristol.

For more information email info@ bristolfriendsofthearts.org.

The Hancock Town Pride Committee is hosting a winter coffeehouse at the Hancock Town Hall this Sunday, Feb. 28, from (See By the way, Page 22A)

Index Obituaries ................................ 6A Classifieds ..................... 10B-14B Service Directory .......... 11B-12B Entertainment ........................ 21A Community Calendar ........ 8A-9A Sports ................................ 1B-4B

in April and May once they know how much statewide school spending residents have approved.

But this year, with recent changes to Vermont education funding laws and legislative procedures, school districts have been frustrated trying to provide accurate estimates of tax rates.

(See Taxes, Page 11A)

THE NEW MIDDLEBURY town offices are nearing completion and the town staff is scheduled to move in late March/early April. Demolition of the old town office building and gym will take place in June. An open house at the town office will take place in April.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Middlebury to throw open its new doors

By JOHN FLOWERS The recreation facility — MIDDLEBURY — Middlewhich includes a team rooms bury officials have scheduled addition for Addison Central Candidates answer the Independent’s questions — see Page 10A. open house celebrations for the Supervisory Union sports new town offices and recreteams — has already been ation facility, and have ordered open for a few weeks. It will an environmental assessment be officially unveiled during an of the current municipal buildopen house slated for Wednesing/gym property at 94 Main day, March 2, from 5 to 9 p.m.

St. in anticipation of demolishMeanwhile, workers are ing those structures this June. nearing completion on the It was in May of 2014 that town office building, which Middlebury residents afwill be inaugurated at an open firmed their approval of a $6.5 house on Friday, April 29, from TERK ARTIM SEELEY NUOVO BAKER million plan to build a new, 3 to 5 p.m.

9,400-square-foot town office The Middlebury selectboard building at 77 Main St. and a new, college agreed to transform a cleared lion construction budget for the two on Tuesday unanimously approved 11,500-square-foot recreation facility 94 Main St. parcel into a public park new community buildings. $9,945 in additional work at the town off Creek Road. The plan also called and relocate its Osborne House from A mild winter has helped contrac- offices that will provide for installation for the town to convey the current 77 Main St. to the 6 Cross St. property tors move quickly toward completion of a sliding glass window for the town town office/gym property to Middle- to make way for the new town office of the two buildings, both of which clerk’s office, rooftop snow guards, bury College, along with another building. The college also pledged to are within budget, according to town and an art display system. The board town-owned parcel at 6 Cross St. The assume $4.5 million of the $6.5 mil- officials.

(See Open house, Page 22A)

Five vie for three Middlebury selectboard seats.

Grassroots democracy on tap Some call it the last bastion of democracy, some say participation is a civic duty and some just like to touch base with their neighbors and take the pulse of their communities.

It is the annual town meeting — a Vermont tradition that we will revisit in Addison County beginning this Saturday in Ferrisburgh and Starksboro and culminating when the gavel falls Tuesday night in Whiting or Granville. Read about the issues in our town-by-town previews for 24 area municipalities, prepare some questions for your public officials, and then take part in the civic life of your community.

★ Addison ★ ADDISON — Addison residents on March 1 will vote by Australian ballot at the town clerk’s office from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on town and school budgets, Addison Northwest Supervisory Union unification (see story, Page 1A), a number of measures to create reserve funds, and on candidates for town and school offices, all uncontested.

At the annual town and Addison Central School meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday in the school gym, voters will also be asked to authorize the selectboard to negotiate a land swap with the

Town Meeting ★ Preview ★ school board.

Town and school officials have been discussing a land exchange that would move along the town’s effort to renovate the now-vacant former Addison Town Hall and use it as the town clerk’s office and community center. Town officials have been studying the idea for a decade.

To do so, Addison would have to build a community septic system on land west of the school, a system that would serve the town hall, the church next to the town hall, and the town’s fire department.

And the town must also clean up a patchwork of land ownership around the town hall, the existing clerk’s office and the central school, something the land swap would handle.

The selectboard is also seeking approval to borrow $50,000 to fund the next phase of developing the community sewer system, an item residents will decide by Australian ballot on Tuesday.

Also to be decided on Tuesday, the selectboard is proposing $325,261 for the town administration budget and $732,236 for the highway department budget.

The selectboard is also asking vot-

ers to back reserve funds for highway equipment, culverts, the town’s service bay/salt shed, and the town hall, all to be “funded with voterapproved budget appropriations” in the next year.

Addison will consider a full slate of candidates, with no major openings, but also no races.

Incumbent Selectmen Roger Waterman and Steven Torrey are both seeking re-election, and will run unopposed, as are Town Clerk and Treasurer Marilla Webb and school board treasurer Jill Bourgeois.

Two newcomers filed for seats on the school board, Jasmine Almeida and Michael Krause; no Addison terms came due on the Vergennes Union High School Board.

As well as making their opinion known on whether ANwSU should unify under one-board governance, Addison residents will also choose who will fill the town’s two seats on the proposed Addison Northwest Unified District Board, which would function only if unification passes; VUHS Board Chairwoman Laurie Childers and ACS Board Vice Chairman George Lawrence filed petitions for those seats.

As for school spending, the VUHS board adopted a $10,026,000 budget proposal for the 2016-2017 school year that represents a 2.23 percent spending cut from current spending.

(See Town Meeting, Page 12A)

CARL COLE STANDS and faces his fellow Ferrisburgh residents during town meeting a year ago.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

PAGE 2A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

VUHS spending plan seeks voter approval Budget is smaller, even with capital fund

THE MIDDLEBURY MOUNTAIN Ayres sing Renaissance madrigals to a rapt crowd at last Thursday’s First Folio Festival at Middlebury College.

Photo by Todd Balfour

Crowds get a taste of Elizabethan England College celebrates Shakespeare folio

By DAVID FUCHS MIDDLEBURY — The First Folio Festival on Feb. 18 transformed Middlebury College’s Mahaney Center for the Arts into a portal to the Elizabethan Era. An estimated 380 people enjoyed an evening of live Renaissance music from The Penny Lane Consort and the Middlebury Mountain Ayres, a theater production from the Middlebury Actors Workshop, and gallery talks by Professors Timothy Billings and James Berg. Yet, despite the lively

program, the real star of the show — locked in a dimly lit, climatecontrolled, immovable Plexiglas case — was a book.

Not just any book, this rare work is the first comprehensive publication of the works of iconic playwright William Shakespeare.

Assembled seven years after his death, the 1623 First Folio of Shakespeare contains 36 of the Bard’s original plays, 18 of which were never published in any other volume during his lifetime. As the exhibit surrounding the folio in the college art museum explains, these 18 plays — which include “Macbeth,” “The Tempest,” “Twelfth Night” and other famous works by

the legendary playwright — would have been lost if it were not for this book.

The folio on display belongs to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., and is temporarily installed at Middlebury College Museum of Art as part of a monthlong exhibit running from Feb. 2 through this Sunday, Feb. 28.

With 82 of the surviving 233 copies of the text, the Folger Library holds the largest First Folio collection in the world. In celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the Folger partnered with the Cincinnati Museum Center and the American Library Association to launch a travelling exhibit

entitled “First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare.” The tour will use 12 copies of the folio to bring the exhibit to 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. AN EVENING TO REMEMBER For the musicians and actors who took part in last Thursday’s festival, being able to perform period pieces in such close proximity to one of Shakespeare’s original published texts was especially exciting.

“The folios, for anybody who’s a Shakespeare buff, are like the bible of Shakespeare,” said Jack DesBois, a recent Middlebury College graduate who gave his final concert as musical director of the Mountain (See First Folio, Page 3A)

THE MIDDLEBURY ACTORS Workshop performed their original piece, “Straight Up Shakespeare,” during the First Folio Festival to give audiences a taste of Shakespeare in action.

Photo by Todd Balfour

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — Addison Northwest Supervisory Union voters on Tuesday will weigh in on a $10,026,000 Vergennes Union High School budget proposal for the 2016-2017 school year that represents a 2.23 percent cut from current spending.

In a separate article, they will be asked to support $100,000 for a capital fund to help take care of longterm building improvement and maintenance needs.

Counting that $100,000, total VUHS spending would be reduced by about $134,000, or 1.3 percent, from the current level of almost $10.26 million, assuming voters approve both measures.

Because of a number of changes that are still ongoing in the Legislature, it is difficult to predict the tax impact in ANwSU of voter support for budgets at VUHS, Ferrisburgh Central, Addison Central and Vergennes Union Elementary schools.

ANwSU officials have made two good-faith attempts at tax estimates. Because the Legislature made changes to Act 46 too late to meet publishing deadlines, tax-rate estimates in local town and school reports are too high.

ANwSU officials then recalculated based on the Act 46 revisions and released new estimates, published in the Independent, that stated rates would drop considerably in Panton and Addison and by fractions of a cent in Ferrisburgh and Vergennes, while rising considerably in Waltham.

Then ANwSU officials learned just recently the Legislature had de-

termined the statewide tax rate and the rate for those who pay on income, not on property value, would not raise enough money for the Vermont Education Fund, and local rates would have to be higher across Vermont. But how much higher remains uncertain.

ANwSU unification (see related story) will not reduce the local property tax burden this year, but will offer a 10-cent discount on ANwSU tax rates in the 2017-2018 tax year, plus smaller discounts in the following four years.

BUDGET DETAILS VUHS officials said despite the cuts they were able to preserve essential programming even with budget pressure from contracted raises, a projected 7.9 percent increase in the cost of health insurance benefits, a dramatic decline in state aid for special education, a decline in the number of equalized students that pushed per-pupil spending higher, and the need to include $254,000 in the budget to pay off part of a past special education funding shortfall.

The VUHS board left the exact nature of many cuts to VUHS Principal Stephanie Taylor and ANwSU Superintendent JoAn Canning, but some of the reductions are clear.

The biggest saving, almost $88,000, will come from eliminating the school’s in-house agriculture program. Canning said with a similar course offered at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center and VUHS enrollment dropping, the course became a victim of numbers as outlined in the board’s class-size policy.

Also on the administrators’ prob(See VUHS, Page 3A)

Middlebury milk truck crash investigated

By JOHN FLOWERS MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury police continue to investigate a Friday afternoon accident in the community’s downtown rotary that led to the capsizing of a tractor-trailer unit carrying 64,000 pounds of milk.

Middlebury Fire Chief Dave Shaw said the truck driver claimed the trailer separated from the truck after he was forced to brake suddenly for a vehicle that had entered the rotary at the same time.

“The trailer ripped the fifth wheel off the truck,” causing the trailer to capsize, Shaw said. He also cited the inertia of the heavy, moving trailer as a factor in its tip-over at the intersection of Cross and Main streets.

The Dumas Trucking vehicle, out of Poultney, was headed to the Agri-Mark/Cabot plant on Exchange Street, according to Shaw.

Officials said the accident was reported at around 2:50 p.m. on Feb. 19. Responders found the truck at a standstill at the Main Street median and the milk tank trailer on its side, hemorrhaging a steady stream of milk. Shaw estimates around 40,000 pounds of milk spilled from the tank, making its way along Main Street and into municipal storm drains located in front of the new municipal building and the Ben Franklin store. Those storm drains lead into the Otter Creek, where the milk ended up.

Shaw called the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and Hazmat to explain the situation. Though the substance in question was simply

milk, the spill was treated as a potentially hazardous incident because of the sheer volume of product involved, according to Shaw.

State officials told Shaw there was no need to take corrective action, and the milk was allowed to dissipate within the Otter Creek water flow, the chief said.

The accident resulted in Main Street being totally shut off for around 45 minutes, according to Shaw. A lane was opened up after the truck cab was moved.

But it took around six hours for officials to move the overturned trailer.

First, fire personnel had to rig barriers around the two Main Street storm drains to prevent further escape of milk into the Otter Creek.

Then, local officials had to follow state protocols for clearing the scene of such an accident. This included waiting for a Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles official to arrive from Colchester to inspect the scene.

Then the remaining milk had to be pumped out of the tank and another vehicle had to be secured to take the milk trailer away once it had been up-righted by a wrecker.

The scene was finally cleared at around 9 p.m., Shaw said.

No charges have been filed at this point as a result of the accident, Shaw said. Middlebury police are conducting a probe that will likely include a determination of whether the truck equipment was sound, officials said.

Middlebury Regional EMS assisted at the scene with lighting.

Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 3A

Fire house drives Bristol budget up Voters to weigh in at Monday meeting

ONLOOKERS EXAMINE THE legendary text the First Folio of William Shakespeare’s works, which is being kept at the Middlebury College Museum of Art in a special alarmed case.

Photo by Todd Balfour

First Folio (Continued from Page 2A) Ayres at the festival. “A couple of the songs that we sang — the ‘Twelfth Night’ song, at least — we wouldn’t have without the First Folio, so to have one here is really, really cool.”

The Middlebury Actors Workshop’s performance of their original creation, “Straight Up Shakespeare,” drew such a large crowd that people had to be turned away. The goal of their show, which combines and connects iconic scenes from a variety of Shakespeare’s best known works, is to serve as an introduction to Shakespeare, said Melissa Lourie, the group’s artistic director.

“We wanted to show people that Shakespeare isn’t that abstract or esoteric. He’s also earthy, emotionally intense, relatable, accessible and very human,” she said. “It was really exciting to have that spotlight on his book and the work and the fact that we’re still doing it.”

ROAD TO MIDDLEBURY The idea of Middlebury becoming the host site for Vermont originated with Professors of English and American Literatures Timothy Billings and James Berg and Director of Special Collections and Archives Rebekah Irwin.

“The process began over a year ago with a room full of people from across the college and town of Middlebury, gathered together in our rare book room, each with an interest in bringing a First Folio here,” Irwin said.

“Each state was allowed to have one host location,” Billings added.

“In the case of Vermont, it wasn’t as though we had a competitor. In fact, UVM considered it and then decided to allow us to do it.”

Although they applied unopposed, Middlebury had to demonstrate that it could meet the Folger Library’s extensive environmental and security requirements in order to qualify to receive the display.

In addition to increasing the number of security guards, the college was required to use the specially designed, alarmed case supplied by the tour. The case maintains the humidity and temperature ranges of the exhibition space within 45 to 52 percent and 65 to 72 degrees, respectively. To protect the fragile, 400-year-old ink and paper, the Folio needed to be stored in a dimly lit environment, containing no more than 70 lumens of UV light and 50 lumens of visible light, Irwin said.

“In general, the college’s rare book collection and museum collections are treated similarly, so we were well-positioned to meet the exhibition requirements,” she said.

Beyond being able to care for the physical safety of the book, the college had to satisfy the Folger Library’s outreach and programming conditions.

“The exhibition requested that all hosts partner with other institutions in order to reach diverse audiences,

and those of us from the college have been fortunate to work, in particular, with the Town Hall Theater, the Ilsley Library, the Vermont Humanities Council, local school districts, and local businesses,” Irwin said. “We could never have created a month-long calendar filled with events for all ages without pulling a village together to make the most of this opportunity.”

With more than 1,000 visitors during the week of the First Folio Festival alone, Irwin is thrilled with the turnout, but noted that the significance of the Folio goes beyond the physical object.

“As a librarian, I’m overjoyed that the Folio drew crowds like this. But, I’ve learned from the talented scholars, performers, and educators who helped to pull-off the Folio’s visit that the book itself is something of a minor character,” she said. “The Folio itself, surrounded by plays, films, music, food and conversation, is permitting thousands of Vermonters to pause for a moment to consider the life and influence of a poet and playwright, the son of a glove-maker, who died 400 years ago.”

This weekend is your last chance to see Shakespeare’s First Folio in Middlebury. The Middlebury College Museum of Art is open Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

More information on the exhibit and its related events can be found at www.middlebury.edu/shakespeare.

Vermonters get a say in presidential contest MONTPELIER — Lt. Governor Phil Scott, Secretary of State Jim Condos, House and Senate leaders, and legislators on Tuesday urged Vermonters not only to participate in town meetings next week and vote in local elections but also to cast their ballots in the presidential primary election on Tuesday, March 1.

The tri-partisan coalition of elected leaders stressed the importance of voter participation.

“For elected leaders to be effective and accountable — and for all of our voices to be heard in the organization of government at every level — we all have a responsibility to vote in our local, state and national elections,” Scott said. “With tools like early voting and absentee ballots, there’s very little reason to miss a vote. And we should all be very grateful for how hard Vermont’s town clerks work to make voting convenient, while dili-

gently protecting the integrity of our elections. Vermont could not do it without them.”

In the presidential primary, voters at the polls choose from a Democratic or a Republican ballot. Then they cast their votes for their choice in that party. Delegates to the national party conventions are apportioned based on the outcome of Tuesday’s voting.

Secretary of State Jim Condos said our system of government works better than any other because all people have a right to participate in its organization.

“Our rights to vote are enshrined in both the United States and the Vermont Constitutions,” Condos said, “and I believe that we should work continuously to protect, and

eliminate unnecessary barriers to, this critically important right.”

Condos added, “Today we are asking every Vermonter to do their civic duty and be fully aware of the upcoming registration deadlines and requirements for participation in Town Meeting Day elections, as well as the state primary in August and the general election in November. And we want you to urge your family members, friends, and neighbors to register and vote as well.”

The last day to register to vote on Town Meeting Day and in the presidential primary was Wednesday, Feb. 24. To find your local polling place visit the Secretary of State’s website or your town website. Get an absentee ballot from your town clerk.

By GAEN MURPHREE BRISTOL — When Bristol voters consider a proposed town budget at their town meeting next Monday evening, town officials will likely be fielding questions about why general fund spending is going up by more than 20 percent.

Town Administrator Therese Kirby says the reason is pretty straightforward — Bristol’s new firehouse.

Bristol voters will convene on Monday, Feb. 29, at Holley Hall, starting at 7 p.m. for the annual town meeting. They will be asked to approve a grand total of $2,480,531 in town expenditures, which represents a 9.95 percent increase in total expenditures from the $2,256,154 approved last year. The largest increase is in the general operating fund, up 21.67 percent. Voters this year are being asked to approve a general fund budget of $938,607 (of which $758,266 is to be raised by taxes), as compared to the 2015-2016 budget of $771,424.

That spending increase, Kirby explained, is largely due to expenditures on the new Bristol fire station.

Voters approved a $3.19 million bond last July to build the station, and payments on that bond begin with the 2016-2017 budget. Also included in the 2016-2017 budget are operating costs for the new fire station, once it’s up and running, such as electricity, heating, water and cleaning. Kirby said that town officers carefully researched estimates for the day-to-day running of the building, including consulting Efficiency Vermont and comparing heating and other costs for similarly sized fire stations around in the state.

Any money budgeted toward dayto-day operations that is not spent in 2016-2017 will go back into the town budget as part of the undesignated fund balance.

is well under the newly increased Act 46 threshold for Bristol Elementary of 2.68 percent, meaning that it avoids the Act 46 tax penalty for spending over the cap.

The state originally limited BES to a 1.78 percent increase in per pupil spending to avoid tax penalties.

On Jan. 30 the percentage cap was raised by 0.9 for all schools statewide and the tax penalty limited to 40 percent for every dollar over the amount. The new per pupil spending growth allowance for BES is 2.68 percent.

At press time, homestead tax rates were still up in the air statewide, as the Agency of Education continues to await clarification from legislators on how Act 46 affects the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead rate.

Voting for the elementary and high school budgets, and for town officers, by Australian ballot will take place Tuesday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at Holley Hall.

In addition to the $5 million spending plan for Bristol Elementary School, Bristol voters will also weigh in on the $13,389,914 proposed for Mount Abraham Union Middle/High School and the $3,521,263 proposed for the Hannaford Career Center.

A special informational meeting for voters in Bristol’s Police Department Special Service District will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, directly before town meeting, at Holley Hall.

Police district residents will consider a proposed budget of $415,999, of which $363,049 would be raised by taxes. The budget represents an increase of roughly 5 percent from the current year’s $396,220. Kirby noted that the police department budget was also affected by increases in the cost of worker’s compensation and liability insurance. Voting on the police district budget will be by Australian ballot on March 1.

Reporter Gaen Murphree is at gaenm@addisonindependent.com.

Addy Indy named best in New England BOSTON — The Addison Independent was honored with 20 awards in the Better Newspaper Contest organized by the New England Newspaper and Press Association. The prizewinners were named at the association’s annual winter convention in Boston this past Friday and Saturday.

Foremost among the awards bestowed on the Independent was first place in General Excellence among large weekly newspapers in the six New England states. The staff of the Addy Indy, which later this year will mark 70 years covering the 23 towns of Addison County, Vt., plus our neighbor Brandon, also garnered top awards for Best Overall Website and Local Election Coverage. The other awards ran the gamut from news stories, advertising, photos, columnists, promotion, and design and layout (See a complete list of awards on Page 18B).

“We are delighted to have our work recognized by our peers, and hope it is a reflection on the value that our subscribers and readers put on our publications,” said Independent News Editor John McCright.

McCright gave a nod to Addy Indy Senior Reporter John Flowers, who not only earned a first-play plaque in Crime and Courts Reporting for his May 2015 story on juveniles flooding into Addison County courts, but he also won two second-

VUHS (Continued from Page 2A) able reduction list are not rehiring a principal’s secretary, which will save $53,700 in salary and benefits; cutting part-time English and science positions, saving about $44,000; reducing $22,000 apiece from extracurricular activities and Community Based Learning program transportation; lowering expected fuel costs by $35,000; and saving $17,500 by not hiring substitutes for custodians.

In order to stay under the original Act 46 spending threshold, the board would have had to cut $1.2 million, a move that would have meant the loss of all extra-curricular activities, including sports and the school’s fall play; music programs; a math teacher; technology purchases; and a technology specialist that helps teachers integrate the latest technology into their classrooms.

But board members declined to do so, and the tax impact of retaining those items was minimized by the Legislature’s first measures to soften Act 46.

Andy Kirkaldy may be reached at andyk@addisonindependent.com.

Another factor, Kirby said, is that worker’s compensation for all town employees is up 14 percent. Bristol gets its worker’s comp, as do most Vermont towns, through the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, she said.

The proposed highway fund budget of $754,789 (of which $652,814 would be raised by taxes), is up 5.71 percent from last year. Kirby attributed most of this increase to the cost of replacing the South Street Bridge.

Voters passed a $300,000 bond to replace the bridge in March 2012.

The bridge was replaced in August 2014. Bond payments begin in 2016, Kirby said, noting that townspeople will be paying toward the $115,000 cost of replacing the bridge, not the amount originally approved for the bond.

Arts, Parks and Recreation spending is nearly identical to that approved at last year’s town meeting; $254,758 is budgeted, of which $173,758 would be paid by taxes.

Of particular note, voters are being asked to advise the selectboard about selling the old Bristol Fire Department building at 32 North St. Although the discussion will be nonbinding, the selectboard wants to hear from Bristol residents directly as to whether they should sell the building or not, whether they should sell the building with no restrictions whatsoever to the new owner, or whether it’s important to sell but place caveats so that the historic structure couldn’t be torn down or so that the exterior would need to remain the same, etc.

School business up before townspeople at Monday night’s meeting includes the opportunity to discuss the proposed Bristol Elementary School budget. The $5,020,933 BES budget represents a 2.1 percent spending increase from the 2015-2016 budget of $4,918,334. It would result in per pupil spending of $14,739, an increase of 1.6 percent from the current year. This number

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place awards for Health Reporting and Local Personality Profile, plus a third place for History Reporting.

Flowers’ long-time colleague Andy Kirkaldy has won many awards for his sports reporting, but this year he claimed first place in Education Reporting.

Staff photographer Trent Campbell earned first place for his photo of an artisan restoring St. Mary’s

Church. Veteran Advertising Representative won a first-place accolade in the Local Display Ads category.

Two outside contributors also won in their categories: Eric Davis for Serious Columnist and Karl Lindholm for Sports Columnist.

No small affair, this year’s competition drew 3,100 entries that were published between Aug. 1, 2014, and July 31, 2015.

Editor and Publisher Angelo Lynn could savor not only the Addison Independent awards, but also the 15 awards (six first-place) won by his other publications: Vermont Sports Magazine, The Mountain Times of Killington and The Brandon Reporter.

“We’re thrilled,” Lynn said.

“And grateful to the hard work of our terrific staff here at the Addison Independent, but also of the Addison County business community and all of our loyal readers who help support this independently owned newspaper.”

PAGE 4A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

A DDIS ON INDE PE NDEN T

Letters

Editorials

to the Editor

Middlebury’s selectboard race:

New choices better for board

Experience is this year’s most valuable asset In the five-way race for the three contested seats on Middlebury’s select board, experience is the most valuable asset candidates can offer voters.

That is particularly true with the $40 million, multi-year project to replace the two railroad overpasses on Main Street and Merchants Row in Middlebury’s downtown. After two-plus years of study and the past year of contentious debate, it is likely the final negotiations on this complex project with the Vermont Agency of Transportation will be hashed out in the next few weeks or months. Having strong board members who know the issue thoroughly, and who are articulate negotiators, will best serve the town.

Other big issues are on the horizon, including: securing a new roundabout at Exchange Street and Route 7, creating affordable housing, laying the foundation for the most advanced communication networks possible to attract an increasingly mobile workforce, and managing the EDI project behind the Ilsley library to help boost the critical economic activity necessary to maintain a vibrant downtown. Each are vital and require vision and firm leadership.

Voters can turn to past accomplishments to determine which candidates earn their support for re-election or election to a new term. For much of the past decade, three of the five candidates in this race—Nick Artim, Gary Baker and Victor Nuovo (who served on the board for several years then took off the past two years)—have served the town during a time of unprecedented achievement. The town now has a new fire station and police department; after 50 years of getting nowhere, we have a stunningly attractive Cross Street Bridge and a new downtown roundabout that works like a dream; we have a new recreational facility that just opened and a new municipal building that was achieved after a 50-year stalemate.

Many of these were not easy battles and required extensive community dialogue, study and determined resolve and leadership to see them through.

This selectboard has also helped pave the way for the expansion and vitality of the business community on Exchange Street, including accommodating the needs of Woodchuck Cider and several other successful beverage companies that now attract upscale tourism, while also becoming frequent hosts of community events.

Candidate Richard Terk has years of community service under his belt and his background in construction makes him well qualified to discuss many town issues, and businesswoman Heather Seeley has been an attentive citizen communicator of town policy for the past two years, so both bring a knowledgeable base to their candidacies. (For more complete candidate profiles and answers to questions, see Page 10A.) But through much of this past decade, Artim, Baker and Nuovo have been an integral part of the town decisions that have sparked much progress. They have the background, strong character and proven ability to move the town forward as it confronts the crucial issues before it.

Whomever you choose, get involved in Middlebury’s future by taking that first important step: Vote, then stay in touch.

Angelo S. Lynn

As town meeting approaches next week, it is exciting to have new choices in the selectboard candidates. It is wonderful to have new people interested in serving the citizens of Middlebury. Heather Seeley and Dick Terk offer new energy and expertise with open minds and support of transparency and accessibility in government. I hope you will join me in supporting them in their offer to work for our community.

Dick is a longtime resident and has served Middlebury well in his many earlier years on the town planning commission and Addison County Regional Planning Commission. His work as an engineer and in project management would be a huge asset for the town in light of the projects coming soon to our downtown. I appreciate his thoughtfulness and listening ear about town issues.

Heather has many connections to our community through the two small businesses she runs with her husband, the schools and above all her active participation in town committees. Heather serves on the Public Works Committee, is an alternate to the Development Review Board and in recent years has been a regular attendee at the selectboard meetings. She understands our town and how it works and would be a dedicated and openminded addition to the selectboard. It is my hope we will have new voices on our selectboard.

Victoria DeWind Middlebury

Markers GRAVESTONES FILL THE cemetery behind the Whiting Community Church.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Act 46: Vote ‘yes’ to unify As Town Meeting nears, one issue tops all others in Addison County — the unification of the three school districts (ACSU, ANwSU, and ANeSU.) At issue is whether school governance continues to be ruled by separate school boards for each elementary, union high and supervisory union (meaning 9 separate boards for ACSU, for example) or a single unified board for each district.

The pros and cons have been discussed before in this space, as well as through numerous letters to the editor and guest commentaries. (See several more letters in today’s issue.)

But there is an additional reason to adopt unification in this first go-around that is not as well known: the consequence of a member town voting down unification. Consider the seven towns (Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham and Weybridge) within the Addison Central Supervisory Union as an example. Say six of the towns vote for the unification, but one town votes against. The one town that rejects the change temporarily scuttles the unification for all the others. That town and the district can revote the issue before July 1, 2016, and if it passes on the second try, the unification proceeds — but all seven towns in the district lose the 10-cent property tax discount in that first year and will settle for a lesser discount. Plus, the small school grants that many find so crucial to balancing their budgets are lost for that year.

Moreover, if the town or towns that reject unification fail in the second effort, the towns in favor of the measure can choose to form a new consolidated district without the town(s) that rejected it. It is possible, then, that a town currently within the ASCU (say Ripton, or Addison in the ANwSU) could be left out of the district and be at the whim of where the state board of education would place them a few years down the road. That town would also operate without the small school grant.

That’s a big whack on the head for towns that choose not to unify, and it is partially why current school board members in each of the county’s school districts are almost unanimously for unification. Simply said: unification under Act 46 in this first year is in the best interest financially for all schools, but particularly for the smallest schools. Many supporters of the unification move also believe the move will help improve academic performance, as well as improve the cost effectiveness of Vermont’s education system, but it is the ultra-sweetened carrot and menacing stick that are driving the process on most fronts. We agree that’s unfortunate, but gentler measures have tried and failed in years past.

Our elected school board members in every county district overwhelmingly support unification of governance. They see the inefficiencies of the current structure first-hand, and have faith in school administrators and teachers to take a new approach and create improved student outcomes.

Unification is a significant change and it comes with unknown risks, but what we know is the current system is an administrative nightmare that will remain inefficient until it is overhauled. We have compelling incentives to act today, let’s not miss the opportunity.

Angelo S. Lynn

ADDISON COUNTY

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Optimism on Vt.’s ‘climate economy’ When confronted with the latest piece of bad news of the fossil fuel industry, but who are afraid to support about climate change — record-high temperatures, dev- divesting Vermont out of coal because the state treasurer astating floods, the North Pole turned into a giant swim- got upset. The long, sad litany of our slide into inaction ming pool — I’m inclined to respond as the writer Doro- in the face of peril. thy Parker did to many events: So being surrounded by hundreds of Vermonters who “What fresh hell is this?” are determined to build a more vibrant, green economy So it was with surprise and delight that I found 500 left us all smiling. We could sense not the problems, but Vermonters talking this week — not about the possibilities. the latest gloom-and-doom scenario, but The Green Mountain State is no stranger about how a rapidly changing climate can to global warming. We’ve undergone eight be the basis for a new and better Vermont federally declared extreme-weather disasters economy. in just five years. Tropical Storm Irene alone An event called the Vermont Climate took out 500 miles of roads and damaged Economy Summit convened all day Monday 200 bridges. on the hilltop campus of Vermont Technical Happily, the state’s tradition of persistence College in Randolph. With encouraging rein the face of adversity was much on display marks from Sen. Patrick Leahy, U.S. House this past Monday.

Rep. Peter Welch and Vermont House SpeakThe conference was convened by the noner Shap Smith, the conference pondered dozpartisan Vermont Council on Rural Develens of ways to turn crisis into opportunity. opment (vtrural.org). VCRD is a thriving At the heart of the discussion was a sevennonprofit that pulls together various (often point plan created by a committee headed disparate) stakeholders to build consensus

by Bill Sessions, the longtime Cornwall about the “locally defined progress of Verresident and federal judge. The plan’s focus? mont’s rural communities.” In that concep“Advancing our economic future in an age of tion, places like Vergennes, Bristol and climate change.”

by Gregory Dennis Leicester get a lot more attention than BurFor those of us used to confronting climate lington. change with all the cheeriness of an underWhat can Vermont do in the face of clitaker, the very existence of the conference and action mate change? As Paul Costello, VCRD’s executive diplan was a cause for optimism. rector, put it: We’ve grown accustomed to a weary parade focusing “Vermonters have the vision, the strength, the assets on one climate crisis after another: A string of events and the ingenuity to look into the economy of the future, aimed at evicting people from their property so Vermont and gear up for success.

Gas can build a polluting pipeline filled with danger“As we confront climate change, Vermont businesses, (See Dennis, Page 7A) ously fracked gas. Sensible people who see the danger

Between The Lines

Frivolous shopping trip unravels Being both a homebody and a tightwad isn’t always as knew in the Burlington area, though, was the nephew of fun as it sounds. a coworker of mine, and while I’m sure he and his roomLast Saturday, for instance, I had to run an errand in Es- mates would have been nice enough, I had only met him sex. Two hours of driving for a one-minute chore seemed once or twice. I don’t excel at first-person shooter video like a terrible reason to leave the house. It took all my pow- games, so unless he liked to discuss early American home ers of positive thinking — plus persistent glares from my textile production, we wouldn’t have much to talk about. family members — to convince me to look at the drive as Then it came to me: What are two of my favorite hoban opportunity. I’d make a day of it and have some fun in bies? 1. Knitting. 2. Not spending money. a busy part of Vermont I normally avoid.

Yes. I would shop for a high-quality but unattractive Great. So what do people around here typically do when thrift-store sweater to painstakingly unravel and re-knit they head to Chittenden County? into something else.

I had no idea.

Inexpensive? Check. Interesting But I had heard stories. Apparently, and challenging (to me)? Check. Borthey go out to eat. They go to the movderline eccentric? Oh, I don’t know. ies. They go bowling. They shop. In To people who enjoy going to the other words: They spend money. mall (yuck) and purchasing (ugh) So that was the plan: I was going to new and expensive (gah) clothing break up the tedium of driving for two that is no good for anything but wearhours by blowing cash — not because ing, I suppose I’m an oddball. But to I had something in mind worth paying people who like to spend their time By Jessie Raymond for, but because that’s all there is to do tying fishing flies under a microscope around Burlington. or fashioning historically accurate Some plan. chainmail, I guess I’m just your averAnd it wasn’t just the money. Take the movies, for ex- age hobbyist. ample. I can’t sit for that long with nothing to do; I abhor So on Saturday on my way back from Essex I stopped idle hands. (To be clear: I have no problem with an idle at the Goodwill in Williston. I spent a relaxing hour poring body, but if I’m not knitting or otherwise releasing my ner- over the knits, reading tags and examining construction vous energy, I twitch like a coked-up squirrel.) methods. I came away with two well-made but outdated Surely, there was free stuff to do. Maybe I could find one pullovers, both in fine cashmere. Total cost: $14 (plus $2 of the local libraries up there and hang out and read. Read? for an energy bar I had eaten on the way there, because You mean that thing I can do at home with my shoes off, you can’t make good yarn-recycling decisions with low on my own couch, not far from a fridge? blood sugar).

Next idea, please.

Score.

Maybe I could visit a friend. The only person I actually (See Raymond, Page 7A)

Around the bend

Seasoned hands the best options I support Nick Artim, Gary Baker and Victor Nuovo for the Middlebury selectboard. They have the experience, insight and judgment to guide Middlebury through future challenges.

Also, thank you, Dean George, for your years on the selectboard.

Hudson Tilford Middlebury

ACSU merger to help students I am writing to offer my thoughts on the school governance change formally known as Act 46. I believe that supporting Act 46 is the right thing to do for our students because it has the potential to allow for more opportunities for everyone. Although smaller towns may be the ones that will see the most benefit from the tax incentives, students from every town will benefit.

How? Imagine working with seven different captains, in seven different boats, all talking about how to move cargo from A to B. Each wants to set their boat in a slightly different path — with the end goal of arriving at the same port. Although all of the boats may get there, chances are they will arrive with different experiences and knowledge and some are bound to be behind the others.

That is how our students arrive at middle school. You may feel that the children in your own town are getting what they need but the education of all of our Addison Central Supervisory Union elementary students should be important to each of us because eventually they all come together to be taught as one group at Middlebury Union Middle School.

I believe that by coming together as one board we will be unifying not only the infrastructure that supports our teachers and our schools, but we will be moving together as one community that supports and celebrates all kids in the ACSU, from pre-k through grade 12.

Please remember to vote on March 1. Every vote does count in making a difference. Thank you.

Disclaimer: These are my own thoughts and opinions and are not representative of the Bridport school board, of which I am a member.

Suzanne Buck Bridport

Act 46 viewed as anti-local law Act 46 of 2015, the school district consolidation law, is well crafted and well supported and is a big mistake. Many on boards and committees, at the local level, working on this, feel uneasy but believe their hand is forced. One of the successes of the bad law is this forcing, and very few, though often uneasy, vote (See Bernstein letter, Page 5A)

Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 5A

Letters to the Editor

Stepping forward

Selectboard candidates helped Middlebury to grow What a wonderful gift to be born and raised in Middlebury and then to be able to retire here during a time of community revitalization.

Since our return to Middlebury 13 years ago, we have witnessed significant town development: a new town office building, recreation center, fire station, police station, ambulance building, animal shelter, Cross Street Bridge, Town Hall Theater, Elderly Services building, two retirement communities, an expansion of businesses on Exchange Street and more. Many of these

improvements are due to the dedication, hard work and foresight of selectboard members Victor Nuovo, Gary Baker and Nick Artim, who are now seeking re-election.

We have known Victor Nuovo for years and find him to be a caring, thoughtful intellectual who has common sense, vision and a true love of Middlebury and concern for its future. He should be returned to the selectboard as well as long time Middleburian Gary Baker and another hard working selectman, Nick Artim. We support all three of these

candidates.

Middlebury is facing a crucial time with some important decisions to be made, not least of which is the construction of two new railroad bridges and the disruption to the downtown that it will cause. At such a time, we need strong leaders with experience and proven records. Victor, Gary and Nick fit these criteria and we hope that the citizens of Middlebury will vote for them on March 1.

Scott and Marilyn Needham Middlebury

Energy committee conducting transportation survey Middlebury residents, have you checked in with our Energy Committee recently? We are working with Go! Vermont to put together a transportation survey for folks in Middlebury. We’d like to get a better sense of how you go places.

This will help us design and target transportation solutions to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Your answers can help us shift the transportation choices available in order to put money back in your pocket.

The purpose of the survey is to gain

an understanding of your transportation practices and needs.

All Middlebury non-student residents 18 and older are invited to participate in the survey, which should take 10-15 minutes to complete.

To access the survey online, head to middleburyenergy.org/survey.

Paper copies are available now at the clerk’s office at the town offices, and will be available at town meeting on Feb. 29 and at the polls on March 1. The survey will close March 16.

Paper copies should be returned to

the town offices by that date.

Thanks for participating; it’s always great to hear from you. If you have fun ideas, innovative solutions, or just like being a part of the energy conversation come to our monthly Energy Committee meetings, held on the second Wednesday of each month at the town office at 8:15 a.m.

R.J. Adler On behalf of the Middlebury Energy Committee Middlebury

Unified board candidate has solid, diverse background Vote to elect Perry Hanson, Ripton, to the unified Addison Central School District Board Why vote for Perry Hanson?

1. Here’s what I stand for: I believe in student-centered, active learning, and I believe that we can always improve education, that we must educate every child, that we can always work smarter, and that we must support our teachers. I also believe in educating the head, the heart and the hands to teach lifelong learning skills, to internalize compassion and to learn to appreciate the dignity of labor.

2. Here’s what’s important: I know that our local small schools have a particularly good way of reaching every child and are central to community life. I support local small schools because they benefit both students and community, and I will strive to make them the best they can be.

3. Here are my current and recent services to Ripton and Addison Central Supervisory Union (ACSU) communities: Ripton Broadband Co-op Committee (member 20092011; chair 2011-2012); Ripton School Board (vice chair) since 2012; ACSU Negotiations Council (2013-2014): ACSU Strategic Planning Committee (2014-2015); ACSU Charter Committee member (2015-present).

4. Here’s how I am linked to Ripton and the broader community: My family made Ripton and Vermont home in 1951. I went to the Ripton Hollow School (eight grades in two rooms) for fourth, fifth, and sixth grades . Susan and I married in 1962 and lived in Ripton until graduation from Middlebury College in 1964, and then again from 1978 to 1982, when we worked at the college. During this time our children went down the mountain to the College Street

School and the Middlebury Union Junior High School. I chaired Ripton’s first Planning Commission and wrote the first Ripton Town Plan.

5. Here are my experiences before retiring in 2012: Peace Corps volunteer, secondary school teacher in Kenya 1965 and 1966 (after Middlebury College); graduate school (1967-1971); working in higher education (1971-2012); teaching and research (12 years) followed by managing technology and libraries in various capacities as director, vice president, vice provost focusing on supporting faculty in the use of technology in teaching and learning (29 years). During that time I participated on and chaired boards of one regional and two national computing organizations.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve our communities.

Perry Hanson Ripton

Bernstein letter (Continued from Page 4A) against this change. Pushed from above, herded along, they are working at eliminating their work. They, and I, believe there are benefits to eliminating levels of government, and extra bureaucracy.

We have a state population of around 600,000 people. I suspect that about 500 know and understand the provisions and likely effects of this law.

But the intent of government, and the intent of education provided by government, is to produce benefits for as many of us as possible and it is not government in itself that needs to be bettered, and it’s not education in itself that needs to be bettered, it’s our society that needs to be bettered.

Does this bad law do that? I don’t think so. I think it does the opposite and I think its bad effect is largely un-discussed. Much of the problem is that this is seen as an education improvement law when it is actually a governmental change.

To say, as many have, that “the students come first,” is lacking in thought. It is society — for whom we educate ourselves and our students — that comes first. Of course we should aid our students, and we will be hurting them by this law.

The worst of its bad effects will be the largest of its effects. Which is

not to increase educational opportunity — who could argue against this? — or to help, very slightly, to decrease the rate of tax increases to provide for education. Or, even to speed the way for the closing of small schools some few years hence to further help decrease tax increase rates. The law will do all these things. In the big scheme of how we govern ourselves for our own benefit they are small potatoes.

But the largest of its effects, mostly unexamined and undiscussed by its creators and its proponents, will be the worst: to eliminate hands-on and neighborly discussion and decision-making, a New England tradition admired and wondered at by a good deal of the world. By this it will increase, at a measured pace, disinterest and distrust in government, which will result in a further alienation from government and a further feeling of alienation from society.

Many Vermont towns, for example, still govern themselves with relatively successful town meetings at which their local school tax is determined. What happens to these meetings — which need to be strengthened not weakened, and they could be strengthened — when 75 percent of the tax monies needed for their work and the decision making process is taken away?

The meeting will further atrophy of course. And affect not just school governance but the direct participation in governmental decision making that has been a New England small town right for all these years.

Our society, as a mature one, does not have the excitement of a rising sense of achievement but rather often has a sense of being lost. The loss of this long time right that Act 46 moves to ensure will increase both actual loss and the sense of loss. I think we are voting something we own out of existence with this bill, and without thinking.

For the last good number of years a loud voice has been raised for “local”; this law is the opposite of this. One cannot be a “localvore” and desire this law, the benefits of localness are undermined here. And it is not “school” or “education” that is being changed but government, and for the worst, in the wrong direction, in a direction that will hurt and, I predict, without much benefit to education.

I, myself, think it in its bad effects is unstoppable, but I grieve what will be lost with it.

It’s my belief that votes against consolidating school districts at this time will help our society a good deal more than votes in favor of this.

Robert Bernstein Bristol

In a few short days, voters across governance conversations over the five supervisory unions in Vermont course of her tenure on Vermont will go to the polls on Town Meet- school boards, and had documening Day to vote on forming unified tation dating back to the ’60s and school boards. Since the passage of ’70s that reflected a commitment Act 46, which laid out a from communities in path toward unification, Addison County to Vermont school boards form unified boards and communities have in supervisory unions. been deeply engaged in She said that in the crafting plans to form ’70s, people had said unified school boards. that they needed more We have all been a part time, that there wasn’t of the lead-up to this enough information to event, having attended move forward. forums, read informaI was struck by tion, listened to radio this, and realized that programming and heard where we are as a state reports from the Agenhas been carefully cy of Education. We wrought over many have studied and debatyears by heartfelt and ed, and rightly so for a passionate debate on decision of this magnithe merits of governby Peter Burrows tude, on issues that are ing with the current critical to the students separate town strucof Vermont as we work to build ture versus governing as a single stronger systems to support them. educational system. The vision of I was recently talking with a working together on one board has longtime board member from been there for many years, and has Middlebury who shared with me been a deep chord in the leadership that she had been a part of similar of boards throughout Vermont.

On Point in Education

When I see our communities come together and work, I see great strength and collaboration that elevates our ability to leverage the significant resources we have in Addison County. We have worked together on union district boards, county projects, volunteer organizations and countless community initiatives. We know the strength and compassion of our neighbors, especially when it comes to providing the best educational opportunities for our children.

The future harbors the unknown.

It’s impossible to predict how things will feel when we leave the present.

Yet I think that if we look deeply at our past and our history of working together, it’s clear that communities across Vermont are well poised to step forward on Town Meeting Day, carrying that past with them, to establish a formal structure that supports the work they’ve been doing together for students over the course of many years.

Peter Burrows, D.Ed., is superintendent of the Addison Central Supervisory Union and has more than 20 experience in education.

ACSU governance change will be smooth transition We are in the midst of significant political movement in our state as towns continue to deliberate around school funding and school board configuration. In an attempt to follow through with campaign promises about controlling school spending and reducing property taxes, last spring the Legislature passed a rather messy and confusing Act 46.

Board members from our Addison Central Supervisory Union towns quickly established a Charter Committee and set to work drafting Articles of Agreement that met the criteria of the new law while abiding by existing law as well (a feat that was harder than one might think). I believe there were many aspects of this “accelerated merger” process that were flawed, not the least of which was the timeline we were given in which to accomplish this work, review it with local residents, and put it to a vote.

While I sympathize with many ACSU residents who are resistant to and embittered by the “heavy hand” being placed on us to unify our boards quickly so as to take advantage of incentives and prevent the loss of significant state rev-

enue, I also find myself confident that this board unification will not mean the loss of local control nor the quick and imminent closure of small schools. One board, I believe, will allow for the efficient and collaborative management of six elementary, one middle and one high school based largely on the recommendations of a competent superintendent and dedicated team of administrators whose expertise is in making decisions about what’s best for students.

Aside from an adjustment in our tax rate over the next five or so years, I believe few people will even notice the change in school governance, and our schools will continue to operate as they have, providing meaningful, high-quality educational experiences for students in pre-K through 12th grade.

If I believed this move towards school board unification was a oneway ticket to closing our school here in Ripton, I would absolutely oppose it and encourage everyone else to as well.

We, as part of the pro-small schools movement, need to continue to engage with our local politicians and board members (and principals and superintendent) to

ensure that one budget does not mean one bottom line regardless of potential impact to students and families. I also believe that anyone who says small schools automatically mean less access to meaningful opportunities and experiences for kids needs to face tough opposition in the polls; we have the collective power to vote for Vermonters who understand the value of letting the parents, teachers and administrators decide what is best for our kids and that it’s OK to spend money on education.

ACSU is a supervisory union with a long history of supporting its schools and students. Voting to merge school boards into one unified board will not change that.

Electing 13 instead of five board members who share these values will not change that. Change is hard, but we have the power to make great change.

I look forward to working together, as part of the Addison Central School District, to ensure that whatever happens, it is what’s best for all students now and for the years to come.

Tracey Harrington Principal Ripton Elementary School

ANwSU officials see educational benefits in unification Voters in the five towns covered by the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union have the opportunity to unify multiple school districts into a single school district.

Together, we already operate Vergennes Union High School for grades 7-12. Panton, Waltham and Vergennes already operate a union elementary school. We know how to work together to educate our children. Voting to create a single district for all grades preK-12 is the right thing to do for students, taxpayers and our communities.

For the past decade, we have been losing students, which has created upward pressure on perstudent cost and homestead tax rates. In response, our school boards have had to make cuts, which, over time, will create greater inequity between schools and undermine quality.

Joining together will strengthen

our ability to make sure that all students receive similar preparation for middle and high school.

We will be able to broaden educational experiences for our students, particularly in areas such as foreign languages, library media services, physical education and the arts. And we will be able to gain greater equity in access to technology. Over time, it will be much easier for a single district to allow greater flexibility for students to exercise choice among the public schools in the region.

Voting now to unify allows us all to get maximum benefit from available incentives and supports that are provided through Act 46.

Finally, voting now to unify allows us to come together on our own terms and to avoid state action with no benefits. Act 46 gives the State Board of Education in 2018 the authority to mandate

redistricting for areas that have not acted.

We need to unify now in the interest of students, taxpayers and our communities. Please join us in voting yes for unification on Town Meeting Day. Michele Kelly, Addison Central School Board Chair; William Clark, Ferrisburgh Central School Board Chair; Jason Fearon, Vergennes Union Elementary School Board Chair; Laurie Childers, Vergennes Union High School Board Chair; Jeffry Glassberg, Addison Northwest Supervisory Union Board Chair; George Gardner, FCS and VUHS Board Member; Neil Kamman, VUHS Board Vice Chair; Susan Rakowski, VUES Board Vice Chair; Kristine MacKulin, VUHS Board Member

Letters can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A and 19A.

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PAGE 6A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

Obituaries

ADDISON COUNTY

Joseph Philion, 67, formerly of Shoreham HARRISON, Tenn. — Joseph Eric Philion, 67, passed away in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Thursday, Feb. 18. Joe was a husband, father, “Grampy,” father-in-law, brother-inlaw, uncle, friend and coach.

He was born Dec. 7, 1948, in Middlebury, Vt., to Joseph and Oneida (Nita) Philion and lived in Shoreham, Vt., until 8 years ago when he and his wife, Mary, relocated to the Chattanooga, Tenn., area.

He graduated from Shoreham High School where he proudly played on the basketball team. He met Mary Walker in April 1968 and they married later that year on his birthday. They have been holding hands ever since. Joe had a great work ethic and was a dedicated employee of Standard Register in Middlebury, Vt., for 34 years. For many years, he coached youth baseball, softball and basketball at Shoreham Elementary and junior varsity girls’ basketball and softball for Middlebury Union High School.

Despite his health issues, he was always young at heart and in spirit.

He was a great provider; a loving and fun husband and father. Joe loved to watch sports, especially when his children and their friends played. He was a lifelong New England Patriots fan. He was a great and fun coach that many of his former players still fondly remember. He was a proud father and grandfather.

Joe knew no strangers and talked to everyone. He loved to laugh and played jokes and told stories because it made him happy to make others laugh. He loved animals. Some of

the many family pets were rescued from the roadside or other situations.

Joe loved playing pool and card games with his many great friends.

He always loved a great meal and a good time together with family and friends. He will be remembered for his huge heart and warm smile.

He is survived by Mary, his wife and best friend of 47 years, and his children, Jen Abbey, Joseph “Joey” Philion and his wife Lyn, Valerie Gibson and her husband, Mike, and his grandchildren, Bowen, Joseph, Parker, Michelle and Rachael.

A burial service will be held in Shoreham in mid- to late June and will be followed by a picnic for his family and friends to celebrate his life. More details about the service and picnic in Shoreham, will be published later this spring.

In honor of one of the things that was such a big part of his life and brought him so much joy and happiness, a scholarship fund is being established in his name. Additional information can be found at www. facebook.com/CoachJoePhilion.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Shoreham Fire Department, 11 Firehouse Road, Shoreham, VT 05770, c/o Jim Ortuno, Treasurer.

The “Coach” Joe Philion Scholarship donations will be used to increase the number of years or dollars available under this scholarship.

Condolence messages or sharing of fun memories or pictures of Joe (“Coach Philion”) can be shared with his family at www. facebook.com/CoachJoePhilion or CoachJoePhilion@aol.com. ◊

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George Shea, Sr., 81, formerly of Monkton

Ruthena Zeno, 92, Starksboro STARKSBORO — Mrs. Ruthena Zeno, 92, died Thursday, Feb. 18, at home, following a short illness.

She was born to Newman and Mildred (Tarte) Shepard on Nov. 25, 1923. She enjoyed the close neighborhood in “the Hollow,” attending the No. 2 District Schoolhouse; her family; music; and the kitchen dances held at home.

Ruthena met Carroll Zeno in her late teens and they were married on Nov. 25, 1943, her 20th birthday.

After working in Connecticut during the war years, they purchased their family farm in 1949.

She enjoyed all aspects of farm life: raking, baling, canning, caring for her large vegetable garden, sugaring, and she loved to knit, crochet and bake her maple sugar muffins.

Carroll and Ruthena always made time for the Saturday night square dance.

She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Starksboro.

She was predeceased by her husband, Carroll Zeno Sr., her parents and seven siblings.

She is survived by sons Carroll Jr. (Peggy), Paul (Debbie), Brian (Susie) and Maurice “Moe” Horn, a foster child who spent 11 years with the family; eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; brother-inlaw Harland Zeno; sisters-in-law Rollande, Joyce and Louise Shepard and Nancy Zeno; and many nieces and nephews.

RUTHENA ZENO The family would like to thank her many caregivers: TLC (Katrina); Addison County Home Health and Hospice nurses Anne and Heather; the many volunteers; the Hospice singers and harp music; and family members Susie, Michelle, Ashley, Trixie and Becky.

Memorial contributions may be made to ACHHH or Starksboro Rescue, 3902 North Route 116, Starksboro, VT 05487.

A service will be held in May at a date to be published in a later edition of the paper. ◊

SUGARCREEK STATION, Pa. — George J. Shea, Sr., 81, formerly of Monkton, Vt., died Sunday night, Feb. 21, 2016, at Sugarcreek Station in Franklin, Pa. He was born in Monkton on March 19, 1934, to the late George L. and Dorothy (Coates) Shea.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 through 1954 during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion in Vergennes.

Mr. Shea was of the Catholic faith.

George enjoyed hunting and fishing when he was not working as an arborist and district manager for Davey Tree Co. in Connecticut.

He was married Sept. 22, 1959, to Mary T. O’Shea, and she preceded

him in death on June 11, 2001.

Surviving are four children, George J. Shea Jr. (Lori), Daniel Shea, Maureen Ortiz (Angel), and Rebecca O’Shea; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bob Shea (Dodie) and Larry Shea (Lynn); a sister, Marilyn Utter (Charlie); a sister-in-law, Nancy Shea; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a brother, Rodger.

Funeral services were held in Pennsylvania; interment will be in Vermont.

To express condolences to the family online, please visit www. hilebest.com. ◊

Charles Stanton, 73, Ferrisburgh FERRISBURGH — Charles Peter Stanton, 73, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, at his home in Ferrisburgh.

He was born Dec. 2, 2016, in Middlebury, the son of James and Edith Curler Stanton.

He worked for the city of

Vergennes on the road crew. He enjoyed his tractors and loved animals.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Linda Malloy, 62, Middlebury MIDDLEBURY — Linda M. Malloy, 62, passed away Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

She was born July 17, 1952, in North Ferrisburgh, the daughter of Walter H. Malloy Sr. and Hazel Stearns Malloy.

She enjoyed being with her dogs and cats and spending time knitting and crocheting.

Linda is survived by her brothers and sisters, Margaret D’Avignon, William Malloy and wife Penny, Arnold Malloy and partner Patti, Marlene LaRose and husband Albert, Walter Malloy Jr. and wife Jacqueline, and Jane Aubin and husband Mark; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, sister-in-law Joan Malloy and brother-in-law Clement D’Avignon.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 3, at BrownMcClay Funeral Home in Vergennes from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will

VERGENNES LIONS CLUB President Chuck Burkins, and Lion Gary Russell are surrounded by the final load of food items collected for the Bristol and Vergennes food shelves during the Lions’ annual food drive.

City Lions collect over two tons of food for food shelves LINDA MALLOY be held 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Homeward Bound Animal Shelter, Boardman Street, Middlebury, VT 05753. ◊

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VERGENNES — The results are in: The Vergennes Lions Club’s 2016 Food from the Heart food drive on Feb. 13 brought in over 2,400 pounds of food and $489 in cash donations for the Bristol and Vergennes food shelves.

The Lions, stationed outside Champlain Discount Foods in Vergennes and the Shaw’s supermarkets in Bristol and Vergennes, asked shoppers to consider donating an

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item or two for the local food shelves.

Their efforts yielded 60 boxes of food, which food shelf personnel said came at a good time, given that shelves were less than half full.

The Lions expressed their gratitude to the many area folks that donated food and cash to the drive.

They also thanked the Vergennes Boy Scouts who helped by handing out “pink slips” with food shelf needs to Vergennes shoppers.

New Obituary Guidelines The Independent will publish paid obituaries and free notices of passing. The free notice of passing is up to 100 words, subject to editing by our news department. Paid obituaries cost 25 cents per word and will be published, as submitted, on the date of the family’s choosing. Paid obituaries are marked with ‘◊.’ Photos with either paid obituaries or free notices cost $10 per photo.

Obituaries may be emailed to obits@ addisonindependent.com, or call 802-388-4944 for more information.

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Caryn Etherington ................... 388-4882 ext. 3 Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Nancy Tellier, CMT ......................... 388-4882 ext. 1 Therapeutic Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Ortho-Bionomy®, Soul Lightning Acupressure Donna Belcher, M.A. ............................ 388-3362 Licensed Psychologist - Master, Psychotherapy & Hypnosis Charlotte Bishop ....................... 388-4882 ext. 4 Therapeutic Soft & Deep Tissue ...or 247-8106 Neuro Muscular Reprogramming JoAnne Kenyon, NCTMB, LMT(NM)..... 388-0254 Be your best! Energy Balancing: Brennan Healing Science®, Quantum Touch®, Matrix Energetics®. Relaxing Integrative Massage. www.joanne.abmp.com Karen Miller-Lane, N.D., L.Ac. .............. 388-6250 Naturopathic Physican, Licensed Acupuncturist, CranioSacral Therapy.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 7A

Letters to the Editor Police presence unwarranted at PSB proceeding I’m not sure how to even start this but I feel I need to let you know how I felt when I attended the Public Service Board hearing on Friday.

I went to show my support for the Cuenos who are facing the challenge of eminent domain.

I walked into the vestibule and was confronted by three armed policemen.

It is a small space and they seemed intent on not letting me pass freely.

They asked why I was there and they checked me over like bomb-sniffing dogs. I inquired what was going on because the tension was palpable. I received no answer.

I took the elevator up and tried to control my angst over that brief encounter. When I opened the door to go to the hallway, I saw six sheriff’s department officers. I fearfully approached the end of the hall. There I was overwhelmed by the state police presence. The state police completely lined the wall that runs parallel to the hearing room.

I took a deep breath and walked into the hearing room where the furniture had been arranged to form a blockade of tables between the public seating area and the hearing participants and board. There was a human wall of armed police on the other side of the tables facing me (in addition to several others elsewhere in the relatively small room) standing hands on

their weapon belts and at the ready ‌ as if they were expecting an assault from the public seating.

I was so frightened and I asked what was going on. Maybe I was in the wrong place. I told them I was there for an eminent domain hearing. I have never seen such a show of force.

I have attended countless hearings in that room and I have never witnessed anything that would give cause for this amount of firearms and intimidation. I kept asking for answers to my uncontrollably growing panic. Am I in the right place? What is going on? Why officers from Lamoille and Washington counties along with Montpelier police and an army of state police?

Finally, an officer told me I was in the right room but he wouldn’t explain why they were all there. I sat down alone and shakily thought about leaving. With all the news about innocent people being shot by police, I felt my fears were justified. I told them all that I was not there to do any harm and asked that they not hurt me.

No response.

People started filling the room and I was relieved not to be alone anymore. Let me explain how great my fear was. I saw a paperclip on the floor under the table in front of me.

My instinct was to pick it up but as soon as I shifted in my chair, I felt the

eyes of all these armed men on me. I left it there. I did not want to die for a paperclip. I can laugh now as I write this and I can see my tombstone now, “She died while saving a paperclip from being vacuumed up.�

I will continue to attend these hearings. Their intimidation tactics will not stop me. These are public hearings after all. They should not be dominated by police. I do not understand what the point was if not to deter us from witnessing the unjust actions of the board. That was a terrible use/ waste of our resources and tax dollars.

I thought I live in Vermont, not a fascist police state where the power is used to dominate and control citizens mentally and physically. They may scare the bejeezus out of me but that won’t stop me from attending. Thanks to them, I am getting stronger.

Mary Martin Cornwall Editor’s note: The subject of the public hearing was an eminent domain easement for the Addison Natural Gas Project pipeline in Williston. The hearing was halted after more than 70 opponents of the pipeline sang for 30 minutes drowning out officials trying to carry out the business of the meeting. It was the fifth time an eminent domain hearing was halted in this way in the past two months.

ACSU unification process rushed, undemocratic In spite of many gung-ho statements by those involved in the process, I view the move to consolidation of our school district, Addison Central Supervisory Union, as a real decline in democracy. While none of the towns were interested in forming a “regional educational district� just a few years ago, we now have an essentially forced merger being put into effect. The significant monetary incentives push us to make it happen immediately with little opportunity for reflection.

I was shocked, when attending an informational meeting in my town, to hear that there would be a vote this spring. The district committee had not even completed their proposal. Initially each town was to elect its representative(s) to the new consolidated board, but the state rejected that plan since Middlebury — the most populous town — did not have proportional representation.

This seemed odd to me, as Vermont is similarly represented compared to other states in the U.S. Congress.

However, the proposal was re-submitted so that all towns in the district would elect all of the representatives from the seven communities.

I thought, “Well, they better set up lots of public forums in all the towns so people will have an idea of who they are voting for. How am I supposed to be aware of the educational views of people I have never met or even heard of?� Nothing like that ever transpired; just glossy brochures about how wonderful things will be and yard signs promoting unification.

Then I saw the reason: Of the 13 positions representing all seven towns to oversee the education of our students, only two races are contested — one in my town of Ripton, one in Bridport. Even here, there have been no candidate forums, letters or other communications as to these three candidates’ views. If that hasn’t even been presented to this small, local community, how does the wider population have the information needed to cast their votes?

One might say that elections to local school boards are frequently uncontested, but at least locally one can fairly easily keep track of positions, discussions, policies, etc. How easy will that be with this new board?

Further, if people in one community feel they are NOT well represented, how do they project their voice when

they do not even have any say over who is on the board from their community?

I believe that the Legislature did a great disservice to our citizens by putting so many financial incentives into place to push communities to accomplish consolidation this year. I want to know who I am voting for. It is not merely a question of whether they will support my town and my town’s school. All over this country there have been situations where school board members wreaked havoc with community values, educational goals and even civil rights.

When we lose the opportunity not only for choice but even for information, we put our whole system of democracy in jeopardy. Maybe it is time to value that more than we value money. Maybe we need to leave some of those financial incentives on the table and take the time to do this thing properly, if we have to do it eventually. Maybe we need to vote “No� now, until a system is in place that will allow us to know what and who we are voting for.

Laurie Cox Ripton

Language is misleading on school budget ballots This year (at the voting booth in the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union) “More is Less.� That means, even though per pupil spending is calculated as being MORE, the property tax rates are actually LESS than last year.

Act 46 now requires all schools to add additional language to the ballot that was not there in the past, which will be confusing to read. Specifically, the Vergennes Union High School (VUHS) budget ballot will show this added language: “education spending of $18,290.68 per equalized pupil.

This projected spending per equalized pupil is 10.7 percent higher than spending for the current year.�

Reporting a 10.7 percent increase may make voters think a “yes� vote will create a property tax rate increase. Not the case this year. More is Less this year. The property tax calculation has changed and ANwSU is estimating that a 10.7 percent increase in “per equalized pupil spending� will nevertheless produce an average reduction in homestead property taxes for the towns in ANwSU. Please see anwsu.org (scroll down on the first page) for the estimated homestead tax rate comparison

for each town.

The driving force behind the percentage increase is a significant loss of equalized pupils. Despite VUHS’ significant staff and other budget reductions over the last three years, our cost per equalized pupil has increased because of the reduction of students.

Here’s a simple example (as simple as can be) that may help.

Let’s say our total budget for running the school is $100 for the year and there are five students in the school.

That means our “per equalized pupil spending� is $20 per student (100 divided by 5). If we lose two students (and now only have three students) and our budget is reduced by 10 percent of $100 (to $90), then our “per equalized pupil spending� is now $30 per student (90 divided by 3). So, in this simple example, even with the budget reduced by 10 percent, the “per equalized pupil spending� increased by $10 per pupil. This would then allow the state to say, “This projected spending per equalized pupil is 50 percent higher than spending for the current year.� So, even if the tax rate declines for the year, there is per pupil increase.

However, over time, even the

“per equalized pupil� statistic can be improved. In particular, if the unification being considered by voters on Town Meeting Day passes it will give us more ability to manage costs and education programming. Unification is essentially being mandated by Act 46. If we don’t pass unification by voting “yes,� the state will come in and do it for us; and we will not benefit from the significant tax rate reduction available had we voted to implement it ourselves.

I know this can be confusing. If the school directors had their druthers it would not be communicated this way. But, we must deal with what we have. So, when you are in the voting booth and considering the school budget vote, please remember that More is Less this year in ANwSU. Vote YES for your school budgets.

Vote YES for the unification.

If you need more information contact your school board representative or join your annual school meeting.

The students, staff, administrators and the school boards thank you for your time and consideration. Please vote on March 1.

Laurie Childers Addison

Dennis (Continued from Page 4A) far from being the problem, are the answer. They are modeling creative solutions, expanding efficiencies, building green, developing energy.

These are public goods, but also good for the bottom line. “We have a great story to tell. In an age of climate change, when all carbon emissions will be scrutinized, and all creativity mitigating climate change rewarded, Vermont has the skills and the people to compete successfully. The best way to do that is to lead in practice and lead in brand reputation.�

But if Vermont is to go beyond the brand reputation of what one attendee called “apples, maple syrup,

cows� — how do we do it?

The council headed by Judge Sessions recommended seven key steps.

Probably the most controversial (and the most effective) would be to put a specific new price on carbon emissions. Other recommendations include new ways to fund the revitalization of our picturesque, villagescale downtowns and to market the state nationally as a “climate economy leader.�

Matt Dunne, who’s running for governor this year, is promoting several similar ideas as part of his campaign. He’s gaining attention for just the kind of innovative thinking that dominated Monday’s conference.

So good was the vibe by day’s

end, in fact, that Casella executive Joe Fusco compared it to the warm feeling in “the kitten room at the humane shelter.�

Of course there’s a lot of hard work to be done if we are to truly become a national leader on climate issues.

For now, though, the Vermont Council on Rural Development, along with 500 Vermonters gathered on one big day this week, has given us all reasons for hope.

Gregory Dennis’s column appears here every other Thursday and is archived on his blog at www.gregdennis.wordpress.com. Email: gregdennisvt@yahoo.com. Twitter: @ greengregdennis.

Tangled weave SWAMP GRASS COLLAPSES under the weight of freezing rain in Middlebury recently.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

ACSU merger offers flexibility for all types of learners Recently, I have been working alongside fellow school board members, administrators and members of our community to wrestle with all of the various aspects of unifying the governance of our elementary schools. This work has been grueling, challenging, invigorating and tedious.

But it also represents an exciting opportunity to re-envision how we educate our kids. Some of you, who may remain unconvinced that this is the right path, the right moment, the right place, may already be skeptical of what I have to say. Please, stay with me. Because, really, I hear you.

In each of the towns that make up our supervisory union, there are passionate folks who have worked tirelessly to create wonderful learning environments for our children. Each community cherishes its school. And, each community has to tackle the increasingly difficult task of figuring out how to pay for the schooling we want for our kids. At each elementary school, you can see how the community expresses its own priorities, values and pride through its school.

Some of you might say, “Wouldn’t it be tragic for that identity to be lost by moving to one board?� Or, “We love our small schools, we don’t want them to close!�

I hear you. I grew up in a small, central Vermont mountain town, in a school with fewer than 100 students.

It was the idyllic small, community school. I know what a small school means for its students and the com-

munity that supports it.

More than that, I love the sentiment behind that concern. It’s an expression of deep commitment to great education. Except that it’s the wrong concern. Here’s why ‌ The real tragedy, the one that is already impacting our kids, is our persistent inability, working alone, to deliver the kind of education we really want for our children. Our schools work hard to provide the best education they can for our students.

But with the limited resources each community has, that still means compromises every hour of every day.

Our small communities may have great schools, but even the most generously funded still has to apply small community resources to teach each of its students. For some students, the compromises we make might work really well. For others, it may be the least effective learning environment.

What then, for those students? Is private school the best and only option?

It’s time to think bigger, and better.

Together, we can leverage our shared resources to creatively re-imagine how we deliver education to our kids.

We can have the flexibility not only to keep all our schools operating, but to provide a true system of education that can support excellence for every type of learner. Some children may thrive in a 20-student classroom.

Some may need more experiential learning. Some might be yearning to develop a particular talent.

In our current system of loosely

connected, separately funded schools, we do what we can with what we have and that means those options are limited or nonexistent. Instead of spending so much time, energy and money figuring out how to make each student fit into the boxes we can afford separately, we can, together, offer opportunities that work for different learners. This is not to say that we will no longer have to compromise, or that our resources will be unlimited. But working together will surely make us stronger.

Do I have concerns? Of course I do. Making this kind of bold change actually work will require energy, leadership, dedication and thoughtfulness. I’ve had the good fortune of working with the current slate of community leaders who are stepping up to this task, and I am comforted that the leadership is there, ready and willing.

Is this the moment we might have chosen, on our own, absent the push from Montpelier? I don’t know. But it’s the moment we have. We can choose to use it to aspire to something better, or we can watch it pass us by and continue to struggle through an increasingly difficult fiscal environment.

On Town Meeting Day, you will decide what path you think is best.

For me, that choice is for opportunity.

I hope you can join me.

Jason Duquette-Hoffman ID-4 (Mary Hogan School) Board

rounded by clumps of cashmere spaghetti that are good for nothing but making a soft and luxurious lining for the trash can.

Frankly, to this tightwad homebody, that still sounds like more fun than bowling.

Raymond (Continued from Page 4A) And, unlike with clothes shopping, where the remorse starts when you leave the mall and the joy ends after the first wearing of the new item, for me the fun hasn’t even begun yet.

Soon I will gather my implements — a seam ripper, a pair of strong reading glasses and a bright light — and get to work on the first sweater.

With any luck, I will pull a thread and the whole thing will unravel in cartoon style until I have a giant ball of cashmere yarn at a fraction of what it would have cost in a shop. Eventually I will knit it into a soft and luxurious scarf or shawl, and when I get compliments, I will brag about all the work it took and how much money I saved (because that’s what we cheapskates do).

There is a slight chance, however, that I will run into knots, and that the yarn will come apart in short, unusable segments. After an hour, I will find myself jabbing away at the sweater with the seam ripper, sur-

Letters can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A & 19A. Progress and principles – Working together for Middlebury VOTE FOR

NICK ARTIM HHHHHH Reelect Nick for a 3 year term on the Middlebury Selectboard. – Paid for by Nick Artim –

mSFTBGF!HNBWU OFU t

PAGE 8A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

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2016 ADDISON COUNTY

RABIES CLINICS A number of rabies vaccination clinics are being sponsored by the Addison County veterinarians during the month of March. Each clinic is open to all residents of all towns. Dogs should be leashed and cats in carriers for the safety of all. To avoid confusion and delay, please bring a copy of the pet’s most recent Rabies Certificate. Payment by CASH only, please no checks.

PLACES, DATES & TIMES BRISTOL • Bristol Animal Hospital . Weds., March 9 . 5:30PM – 6:30PM . $15 GOSHEN • Goshen Town Clerk’s Office . Sat., March 12 . 10AM – Noon . $12 LEICESTER • Leicester Town Office . Tues., March 15 . 5PM – 6PM . $12 VERGENNES • Vergennes Animal Hospital . Tues., Mar 15 . 5:30PM – 7:30PM . $15 SALISBURY• Salisbury Town Office . Tues., March 15 . 6:15PM – 7:15PM . $12 WHITING • Whiting Firehouse . Thurs., March 17 . 6PM – 7PM . $12 LINCOLN • Lincoln Town Offices . Sat., March 19 . 9AM – 10AM . $15 BRANDON • Brandon Fire House . Sat., March 19 . 10AM – Noon . $12 STARKSBORO • Starksboro Town Clerk’s Office . Sat., March 19 . 9AM – 11AM . $15 NEW HAVEN • New Haven Clerk’s Office . Sat., March 19 . 1PM – 2PM . $15 MONKTON • Monkton Town Fire Department . Tues., March 22 . 6PM – 7PM . $15 ORWELL • Orwell Firehouse . Fri., March 25 . 5PM – 7PM . $12 BRIDPORT • Bridport Firehouse . Sat., March 26 . 10AM – Noon . $12 SHOREHAM • Shoreham Firehouse . Tues., March 29 . 6PM – 8 PM . $12

Celebrate!

Bristol Fitness is 16! this month.

Begin a membership in our birthday month and SAVE! Pay only $16 to join (regular $49.95) and receive a free month(s) when you buy 6 or 12 months of membership.

New Classes: Intro to Strength and Wellness • NIA Dance Strength Express • Interval Mashups • Yoga Pilates Fusion

Remember, Consistency is the Key to Change!

community

calendar

28, 2 p.m., Platt Memorial Library. Deborah Harte Felmeth, author of “Syria, Remember Me,� talks about her book and her experiences in pre-war Syria, 1991-2011.

Winter Carnival Ice Show at Middlebury College.

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m., Kenyon Arena. This year’s theme is “Dreaming Out Loud.â€? The annual ice show is a fun and music-ďŹ lled event featuring skaters of all ages and abilities, including nationally competitive guest skaters. Tickets $6.

One Act Plays in Brandon. Sunday, Feb. 28, 2:30 p.m., Otter Valley Union High School. OV’s Walking Stick Theatre presents ďŹ ve short plays (four by OV seniors). Tickets $7 adults, $6 students/seniors. Info: jhull@rnesu.org.

Candidates’ forum in Salisbury. Sunday, Feb. 28, 4 p.m., Salisbury Congregational Church. Come meet the candidates for town ofďŹ ces. Potluck follows at 5 p.m. in the church basement; bring a place setting and utensils.

Selected scenes from “Will,� a new play at Middlebury College. Sunday, Feb. 28, 5 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts. Members of the Vermont Shakespeare Festival perform scenes from “Will,� Jon Glascoe’s new play in which Shakespeare, accused of treason, must revisit key parts of his life, from his humble beginnings in Stratford to the glory of Hamlet. Light refreshments follow. Free. Info: DRUMMER JEFF SALISBURY and his band bring rockin’ blues and R&B to 51 Main in www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

Middlebury on Friday, Feb. 26, at 8:30 p.m.

Chicken and biscuit supper in Middlebury. Sunday, Feb. 28, 5-6 p.m., Middlebury United Methodist p.m., Hancock Town Hall, Route 100. Annual event Church. All-you-can-eat homemade meal, includof the Community Church of Hancock and Granville, ing side dishes and desserts, served buffet-style. featuring prime rib, mashed potatoes, vegetable, Suggested donation $8 adults, $5 children 5-12, free Neighbors, Together community garden salad, roll and butter, beverage and dessert. for children younger than 5. forum in Middlebury. Thursday, Feb. To-go available. Adults $24, children 12 or under $12. “Truthâ€? screening in Middlebury. Sunday, Feb. 28, 7 25, 6-8 p.m., St. Stephen’s Church. This Reserve by Feb. 14 by calling 767-9157, 767-9034, p.m., Town Hall Theater. “A newsroom drama detailgroup, which has formed to address how the town 767-3742 or 767-3662. ing the 2004 CBS ‘60 Minutes’ report investigating can thrive and survive during the upcoming railroad Republic Town Committee meeting in New then-President George W. Bush’s military service, bridges construction project, will meet for Forum 2: Haven. Saturday, Feb. 6:30-9 p.m., New Haven and the subsequent ďŹ restorm of criticism that cost “Developing an Action Plan.â€? Info: anchor Dan Rather and producer Mary Mapes neighborstogethervt@gmail.com. their careers.â€? Starring Robert Redford and Cate Black & White Cabaret in Blanchett. One of four ďŹ lms in the 2016 MNFF Winter Vergennes. Thursday, Feb. 25, Screening Series. Tickets, $12 each 6:30 p.m., Vergennes Union High MIDDLEBURY STUDIO SCHOOL — Adult: Figure Drawing- or $40 for all four ďŹ lms in the series, School middle-school gymnasium.

Joe Bolger, Book Making, Wire Jewelry, Weds AM Paint, Weds. available at the THT box ofďŹ ce, Beautiful music will be performed or www.townhalltheater.

Midday & PM Wheel, Thurs. Hand Building, Thurs. Drawing, Mon. 382-9222 by student soloists and combos, the org.

Commodore Jazz Ensemble and the Oils, Pastels, Mon. Acrylics. Children: Build your own Tree House, Community chorus rehearsal Commodore Singers. Desserts and Thurs. Clay hand building, Mon. Wheel, Weds Young Artists & at Middlebury College. Sunday, beverages will be served. Suggested Clay hand building. Contact Barb at 247-3702, ewaldewald@ Feb 28, 7 p.m., Mead Chapel. The donation $5. Proceeds beneďŹ t Music Middlebury College Community aol.com, middleburystudioschool.org Department scholarships.

Chorus prepares for its new season.

Vergennes Partnership Social in Open to all without audition. Info: Vergennes. Thursday, Feb. 25, conductor Jeff Rehbach, 989-7355.

5-6:30 p.m., Vergennes Opera House. Come hear Congregational Church. Representatives of the from the Vergennes Partnership Board of Directors Cruz, Kasich and Rubio campaigns will speak. Light about the partnership’s accomplishments so far and refreshments and a chance to meet with the speakplans for the future. The partnership’s mission is to ers for questions and answers. make Vergennes an even better place to live, work, “The Opulence of Integrity� dance performance in Legislative breakfast in Bridport. shop, dine and visit. Cash bar and hors d’oeuvres.

Middlebury. Saturday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m., Town Hall Monday, Feb. 29, 7-8:45 a.m., Bridport Followed by the Downtown-Basin Plan Open House.

Theater. Christal Brown’s four-movement, eveningGrange Hall. Breakfast at 7, program at 7:30 Downtown-Basin Plan Open House in Vergennes. length dance work inspired by Muhammad Ali’s a.m.

Thursday, Feb. 25, 6:30-8 p.m., Vergennes Opera career as a boxer and his life as a social activist, Town Meeting Dinner in Lincoln. Monday, Feb. 29, House. The Vergennes Downtown-Basin Consultant public martyr and human being. Tickets $20 adults, 4:45-5:45 p.m., Burnham Hall. Enjoy a hot homeTeam, having been listening to Vergennes resi$15 students. Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or made supper before town meeting. Bowl of soup, dents, tourists and businesses, will share its latest 802-443-3168. salad and drink: $6. Desserts priced a la carte. work, survey results and concepts for improving and One Act Plays in Brandon. Saturday, Feb 27, 7 Hosted by the Lincoln Library. connecting the downtown and Otter Creek Basin p.m., Otter Valley Union High School. OV’s Walking area.

Stick Theatre presents ďŹ ve short plays (four by OV Maiden Vermont guest night in Salisbury. Thursday, seniors). Tickets $7 adults, $6 students/seniors. Info: Feb. 25, 7 p.m., Salisbury Community School. The jhull@rnesu.org. Runs through Feb. 28. popular women’s barbershop chorus invites women “Great Escapes!â€? storytelling event in Bristol.

Election Day Bake Sale in Lincoln. who like to sing, can sing on pitch and can carry a Saturday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m., Bristol Bakery. The next Tuesday, March 1, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Burnham part to meet, mingle and rehearse with the singers. event in the “Let’s Hear It for Holley Hall� fundraising Hall. Coffee, tea and a variety of baked goods, Info: 388-1012 or www.maidenvermont.com. effort to improve the acoustics of Holley Hall. At this quiches and soups-to-go for sale. Hosted by the Singer/songwriter Amy Speace in concert in “Moth�-style event, hosted by John Elder, storytellLincoln Library. Bakers are needed; stop in at the Middlebury. Thursday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m., Town ers are invited to share tales of great escapes from library or call 453-2665 to volunteer.

Hall Theater. Speace, who was discovered by Judy destiny, danger or daily life. Bring a story or come just Free foot care/blood pressure clinic in Vergennes.

Collins in 2005, has released several albums. Her to listen. Suggested donation $10.

Tuesday, March 1, 9 a.m.-noon, Armory Lane Senior song series “How to Sleep in a Stormy Boatâ€? won Zephyr in concert in Brandon. Saturday, Feb. 27, 7:30 Housing. For Armory Lane residents 9-10 a.m., open four stars from Mojo magazine and was featured on p.m., Brandon Music. Addison County-based quartet to the public 10 a.m.-noon. Bring your own basin and NPR’s “All Things Considered.â€? Tickets $20, availwith harmony-rich, lyric-oriented, roots Americana towel. Offered by ACHHH. able at the THT box ofďŹ ce, 382-9222, www.townhallsound. Tickets $20. Reservations recommended at Blood pressure/foot care clinic in Brandon. Tuesday, theater.org or at the door.

802-247-4295 or info@brandon-music.net.

March 1, 9:30 a.m., Forest Dale Senior Center. Foot Winter Carnival Ice Show at Middlebury College. clinic $10. Info: 802-775-0568.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m., Kenyon Arena. This “Art Deco in France and Its Global Impactâ€? lecture year’s theme is “Dreaming Out Loud.â€? The annual ice at Middlebury College. Tuesday, March 1, 4:30 show is a fun and music-ďŹ lled event featuring skaters p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts, Room 125. “Fry-dayâ€? night Lenten ďŹ sh fry in of all ages and abilities, including nationally competiGeorge H. Marcus, art historian at the University of Vergennes. Friday, Feb. 26, 5-7 p.m., St. tive guest skaters. Tickets $6. Also on Feb. 28.

Pennsylvania and former director of publications at Peter’s Parish Hall. Battered baked haddock, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, will speak. Free. fries, macaroni and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, Reading series in Vergennes. Tuesday, March 1, 6 rolls, punch, milk and coffee. Adults $11, children p.m., Bixby Library. Participants in the library’s writing under 12 $6, immediate family $32. Info: 877-2367. workshops, with help from actors and other writers, Public breakfast in Vergennes. Sunday, Middlebury Community Music Center beneďŹ t show will read from their works. For this meeting, Carolinne Feb. 28, 7:30-10 a.m., Masonic Lodge, 54 in Middlebury. Friday, Feb. 26, 6-9 p.m., Marquis “Ninaâ€? GrifďŹ n will share her play “Oona,â€? based on School St. Only $8 for eggs, bacon, sausage, Theater. Performances by the Station Mountain Band the life of Oona O’Neill, daughter of celebrated playpancakes, blueberry pancakes, wafes, French and MCMC guests. There will also be a “Mothâ€?-style wright Eugene O’Neill. Learn more at bixbylibrary. toast, home fries, corned beef hash, sausage gravy storytelling event and a rafe. Info: 802-989-7538 or org/adult-programs. Refreshments served. Free. and biscuits, juice, coffee and tea. Proceeds support www.mcmcvt.org/events.html.

Info: 802-877-2211, ext. 208, or muir.haman@bixbvarious local community needs and organizations. “The Opulence of Integrity� dance performance ylibrary.org. in Middlebury. Friday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., Town Hall Author talk on Syria in Shoreham. Sunday, Feb. Story Matters storytelling class in Middlebury.

Theater. Christal Brown’s four-movement, eveningTuesday, March 1, 6:30-8 p.m., Ilsley Library. The length dance work inspired by Muhammad Ali’s ďŹ rst in a four-part, four-week free mini-course on career as a boxer and his life as a social activist, storytelling. The course culminates with a storytelling public martyr and human being. Tickets $20 adults, session for friends and family in April. Sign up at the $15 students. Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or library or email david.weinstock@gmail.com.

802-443-3168. Also on Feb. 27. “Riverwalk� slide show and talk in Lincoln.

One Act Plays in Brandon. Friday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 7 p.m., Lincoln Library. Sonia Otter Valley Union High School. OV’s Walking DeYoung shares images and stories from her sixStick Theatre presents ďŹ ve short plays (four by OV day, 25-mile walk meeting the people who live seniors). Tickets $7 adults, $6 students/seniors. Info: along the New Haven River. Info: 453-2665. jhull@rnesu.org. Runs through Feb. 28.

Blues veterans

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14 School Street, Bristol VT • 453-5205

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Call 453-5205 for more information

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Feb

28

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27

SUNDAY

SATURDAY

GMC nature walk in Ripton. Saturday, Feb. 27, Spirit in Nature Trails, time TBA. Easy 2-3 miles of gently rolling terrain at a moderate pace. Contact leader Ruth PenďŹ eld for meeting time at 802-388-5407 or ruthpenďŹ eld@ gmail.com. More info at www.gmcbreadloaf.org.

Art sale in Brandon. Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Compass Music and Arts Center. Third annual event.

Artists will sell unwanted art supplies, materials and artwork, such as watercolor paper, frames, paint kits, how-to books, and prints and original “seconds,� all at reduced prices. Sellers may reserve a table through Feb. 25 at www.cmacvt.org or 802-247-4295. “Things Come Apart: A Maker Program� in Lincoln.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Lincoln Library.

Bob Lang and Mark Mulqueen will help all ages take apart machines such as remotes, pencil sharpeners, coffee makers and more. Space is limited. To reserve a space or get on the waiting list, call 453-2665 or email lincolnlibraryvt@gmail.com.

Sister-to-sister pool party at Middlebury College.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 1-3 p.m., Middlebury College pool. Free for all local middle-school girls. Meet at 1 p.m. at entrance. Info: sistertosister@middlebury. edu or khanta@middlebury.edu. “Leviathan� screening at Middlebury College.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 3 and 8 p.m., Dana Auditorium.

A dispute over land in a remote Russian township casts cataclysmic ripples through a family and a community. In Russian with English subtitles. Free.

Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

Prime Rib Dinner in Hancock. Saturday, Feb. 27, 6-7

2

They got away JOHN ELDER HOSTS “Great Escapes!� a “Moth�-style evening of storytelling at Bristol Bakery on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. The event, at which speakers will share tales of great escapes from destiny, danger or daily life, is a fundraising effort to improve the acoustics at Bristol’s Holley Hall.

“The Impressionistsâ€? documentary screening in Middlebury. Wednesday, March 2, 11 a.m., Town Hall Theater. A major new ďŹ lm offering a fresh perspective on the Impressionists, through the life and work of the man who introduced these artists to the world, Paul Durand-Ruel. Tickets $10/$5 students, available at the THT box ofďŹ ce, 382-9222, www.townhalltheater. org or one hour before show time.

New facility open house in Middlebury. Wednesday, March 2, 5-9 p.m., Middlebury Recreation Facility, 154 Creek Road. Come see the town’s new rec facility and gymnasium. There will be a Zumba class; unicycling; tot play time; pickleball, tai chi and Bone Builders presentations; swing dance and yoga demonstrations; and more. Snacks and beverages available. “Building Monticello� talk in Middlebury.

Wednesday, March 2, 7 p.m., Ilsley Library.

Dartmouth College senior lecturer Marlene Heck explains Thomas Jefferson’s lifelong project, Monticello, which he called his “essay in architecture.�

A Vermont Humanities Council First Wednesdays event. Info: www.vermonthumanitiescouncil.org or 802-262-2626.

Celtic jam in Middlebury. Wednesday, March 2, 8-10 p.m., 51 Main. A student-led music session. All are welcome.

Mar

3

THURSDAY Senior meal in Bristol. Thursday, March

community

calendar

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Whale of a tale IN “LEVIATHAN,� A dispute over land in a remote Russian township casts cataclysmic ripples through a family and a community. This thinly veiled political parable about Vladimir Putin’s controversial regime will be screened at Middlebury College’s Dana Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 3 and 8 p.m. It’s free.

3, noon, First Baptist Church of Bristol. Arrive at 11 to socialize. Menu: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, carrot casserole and peach cobbler. Suggested donation $4. Sign up at 453-5276.

Lenten noon recital in Middlebury. Thursday, March 3, 12:15-12:45 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Organ recital by George Matthew Jr., playing works by Dietrich Buxtehude, Thierry Levaux, Jean Bernard Lemoine, Oskar Lindberg and Phillip Hammond. You may bring a light lunch. Part of St. Stephen’s annual Lenten recital series.

Introduction to “Peter and the Wolf� for kids in Vergennes. Thursday, March 3, 6-6:45 p.m., Bixby Library, Otter Creek Room. Kids in grades K-12 are invited to hear the story, listen to the music and be introduced to the musical instruments featured in this classical piece for children. This is a preparation for a March 6 concert at the library. Info: 877-2211 or rachel.plant@bixbylibrary.org.

Twist O’ Wool Spinning Guild meeting in Middlebury. Thursday, March 3, 7 p.m., 49 Wilson Road. General meeting and show-and-tell, followed by a spin-in/knit-in and/or a double-knit study group.

Info: 453-5960.

Mar

4

FRIDAY

Senior luncheon with live music in Middlebury. Friday, March 4, 11 a.m., Middlebury VFW. CVAA invites seniors to its monthly First Friday luncheon, this month a noon meal of corned beef, cabbage and carrots, boiled potatoes, macaroni and cheese, dinner roll and St. Patty’s Day cake for dessert. Middlebury’s own Oh’Anleigh will perform Irish-American music. Bring your own place setting. Suggested donation $4.

Reservations required: 1-800-642-5119, ext. 1070.

Free transportation with ACTR: 388-1946. Info: www.cvaa.org.

Lenten ďŹ sh fry in Bristol. Friday, March 4, 5-7 p.m., St. Ambrose Church. Seventeenth annual Lenten ďŹ sh fry. All-you-can-eat meal includes fried or baked haddock, French fries, coleslaw, beverage and dessert. Adults $12.50, children 9 and under $6, immediate family of ďŹ ve $37. Info: 453-2488.

Exhibit opening reception in Brandon. Friday, March 4, 5-7 p.m., Brandon Artists Guild. Celebrating the opening of “Out on a Limb,� a guild members’ show that focuses on the unique spirit and sculptural form of trees. Exhibit runs through May 3. “NER Out Loud� live readings at Middlebury College. Friday, March 4, 8 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts. Middlebury College student orators will read selections from the New England Review literary magazine. “S’more Readings� reception follows.

Free. Info: 802-443-6433 or http://go.middlebury. edu/arts.

Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band concert/ dance in Middlebury. Friday, March 4, 8 p.m., Town Hall Theater. Wright’s sultry and gritty voice is backed by a rock-solid rhythm section, a powerful three-piece horn section and a brilliant electric guitarist. Tickets $15, available at the THT box ofďŹ ce, 382-9222, www.townhalltheater.org or at the door.

Mar

5

SATURDAY

Green Mountain Club cross-country ski outing in Ripton. Saturday, March 5, time and meeting location TBA. The GMC Bread Loaf Section offers a moderate 3-hour crosscountry ski with rolling hills and moderate inclines.

Bring water, ski gear and snack. Wear layers.

Contact leader Anne Christie for details: achristie1026@gmail.com or 802-388-4347. More info: www.gmcbreadloaf.org.

Met Opera live in HD in Middlebury. Saturday, March 5, 1 p.m., Town Hall Theater. Live broadcast of Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut,â€? the French tale, set in 1720, of a beautiful young woman destroyed by her conicting needs for love and luxury. Run time: 3 hours, 33 minutes, with two intermissions. Free pre-show talk at 12:15 in the Byers Studio. Tickets $24/$10 students, available at the THT box ofďŹ ce, 382-9222, www.townhalltheater.org or at the door. “Girlhoodâ€? screening at Middlebury College.

Saturday, March 5, 3 and 8 p.m. Dana Auditorium.

Fed up with her abusive family situation, lack of school prospects and the “boys’ law� in her neighborhood, Marieme starts a new life after meeting a group of free-spirited girls. In French with English subtitles. Free. Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

Eric Davis Memorial Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction in Monkton. Saturday, March 5, 5-7 p.m., Monkton Central School. The Monkton Boy Scouts’ annual fundraiser, featuring regular and gluten-free spaghetti, homemade sauces, tossed green salad, fresh bread, homemade desserts and beverages.

Silent auction closes at 6:30 p.m.

Line dancing lesson in New Haven. Saturday, March 5, 6-8 p.m., New Haven Town Hall. Addison County Line Dancers present the ďŹ rst in an ongoing series of line-dancing lessons. Cost $5, all ages welcome. Info: 802-989-6701 or Facebook.com/ ACLineDancers. Classes will meet weekly. “Wagon Wheel’s a-Rollin’â€? children’s play in

Vergennes. Saturday, March 5, 7-9 p.m., Vergennes Union High School auditorium. The Ferrisburgh Children’s Theater presents this play by Tim Kelly.

Tickets $6 adults, $3 children, available at the door.

Carnevale Vergennes fundraiser in Vergennes.

Saturday, March 5, 7-11 p.m., Vergennes Opera House. An unusual evening of entertainment, costumes, ourish and air. This year’s theme: “Marco Polo Returns,â€? with Asian-style fare and Italian-style desserts. Cash bar. Entertainment by Woody Keppel, internationally known performer, acrobat, juggler, actor and comedian, as well as the Hokum Brothers. Limited tickets available, on sale March 1. Tickets $50, available online at www. vergennesoperahouse.org or in advance at Classic Stitching, Everywear for Everybody and Malabar.

Connor Garvey and Sorcha Cribben-Merrill in concert in Ripton. Saturday, March 5, 7:30 p.m., Ripton Community House. The Ripton Community Coffee House welcomes this duo for an evening of acoustic folk. Refreshments. The community house is wheelchair-accessible but the bathrooms are not.

Admission $10/$3 children, or $15 generous admission. Info: 388-9782.

Mar

6

SUNDAY

Pancake breakfast in Cornwall.

Sunday, March 6, 7-10 a.m., Cornwall School. Pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs, as well as hot and cold drinks. All you can eat.

Ages 2-12 $4, ages 13 and older $9. To beneďŹ t the school’s farm-to-school programming.

Auditions for old-time radio plays in Brandon.

Sunday, March 6, 2 p.m., Brandon Senior Center, Route 73. Actors with good speaking voices are encouraged to audition for a June 4 performance of old-time radio shows such as “Burns & Allen� and “Dick Tracy.� Info: 247-6720. Also on March 13.

Windsong Woodwind Quintet in concert in Vergennes. Sunday, March 6, 2 p.m., Bixby Library.

The quintet performs “Peter and the Wolf� and other short classical pieces. Refreshments follow. Info: 877-2211 or jane.spencer@bixbylibrary.org.

Aurora School beneďŹ t gala in Middlebury. Sunday, March 6, 2-6 p.m., Town Hall Theater. Aurora School in Middlebury celebrates 20 years with live music by the Grift, Zephyr and others; food and drink; and silent auction. Family friendly. Tickets $20 adults, $10 children 12 and younger, $50 families. Info and tickets: www.auroraschoolvt.org or 388-2637.

Pianists Diana Fanning in concert at Middlebury College. Sunday, March 6, 4 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts. A concert celebrating Fanning’s 40 years of teaching piano at the college. Program features Brahms’ Variations, Handel’s Fugue on a Theme and more. Free. Info: www.middlebury.edu/ arts or 802-443-3168.

Community dinner in Vergennes. Sunday, March 6, 5-6:30 p.m., St. Peter’s Parish Hall. Enjoy a homecooked meal. Free. This month’s menu: beef stew with Yorkshire pudding (pastry-like popovers), peas, applesauce and angel food cake with berries and topping. Gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free servings available.

Mar

7

MONDAY

Legislative breakfast in Ripton.

Monday, March 7, 7-8:45 a.m., Rikert Nordic Center. Breakfast at 7, program at 7:30

a.m.

Grant-writing workshop in Middlebury. Monday, March 7, 2-4:30 p.m., Vermont Folklife Center. The Vermont Arts Council is hosting a free workshop for Vermont nonproďŹ t organizations and municipalities interested in applying for FY2017 Cultural Facilities Grants. Grant deadline is May 2. Info: www.vermontartscouncil.org.

Mar

8

TUESDAY

Blood drive in Middlebury.

Tuesday, March 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Middlebury American Legion, 49 Wilson Road.

Appointments: redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767.

Mar

9

WEDNESDAY

ACSU early education screening in Middlebury. Wednesday, March 9, 9 a.m.-noon, Junebug Mother and Child.

Children who live in Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham or Weybridge who were born between Sept. 2, 2011, and Sept. 1, 2013, are invited with their parents for a developmental screening. Appointments: 382-1760. Also on March 10.

Free foot care/blood pressure clinic in Bristol.

Wednesday, March 9, 10:30 a.m.-noon, American Legion, 10 Airport Drive. Bring your own basin and towel. Offered by ACHHH. “Release the Writer in You� writing class in Vergennes. Wednesday, March 9, 6-8 p.m., Bixby

Library. The ďŹ rst in a ďŹ ve-week series of writing classes, led by Kristen Johanneson. Participants will explore plot, setting, conict and more, and study short ďŹ ction, eventually creating their own inventive narratives. Space is limited. Register at 802-8772211 or muir.haman@bixbylibrary.org. “Difretâ€? screening at Middlebury College.

Wednesday, March 9, 7 p.m., Dana Auditorium.

When 14-year-old Jirut is abducted in her rural village’s tradition of kidnapping women for marriage, she ďŹ ghts back, accidentally killing her captor and intended husband. Part of the Education Studies Program’s spring ďŹ lm series. Free. See www.difret. com.

Book club meeting in Bridport. Wednesday, March 9, 7 p.m., Bridport Highway Department Conference Room. This month’s title: “The Moviegoer� by Walker Percy. Info: 758-2858.

Mar

10

11

FRIDAY

“Off the Wall� art discussion and luncheon at Middlebury College.

Friday, March 11, 12:15 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts Room 125 and Lower Lobby.

Gennifer Weisenfeld, professor of art history and visual studies at Duke University, presents “Saito Kazo’s ‘Synthetic Art’: New Designs for Modern Japan.� Further conversation over a light lunch.

Free to college ID cardholders; $5 suggested donation from others. Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

Global food insecurity conference at Middlebury College. Friday, March 11, 12:30-5:45 p.m., Robert A. Jones ’59 House Conference Room. Day two of a three-day conference titled “Food Insecurity in a Globalized World: The Politics and Culture of Food Systems.â€? For speciďŹ c session times and topics, visit go.middlebury.edu/foodinsecurity.

LI VEMUSIC Jeff Salisbury Band in Middlebury. Friday, Feb. 26, 8:30-10:30 p.m., 51 Main.

The Band Rowan in Middlebury. Saturday, Feb. 27, 8:30-10:30 p.m., 51 Main.

Dave & Billo in Middlebury. Friday, March 4, 8:3010:30 p.m., 51 Main.

Anthony Santor Jazz Group in Middlebury.

Saturday, March 5, 8:30-10:30 p.m., 51 Main.

The Blackberry Bushes Duo in Middlebury. Friday, March 11, 8-10 p.m., 51 Main.

BandAnna in Middlebury. Saturday, March 12, 5-8 p.m., 51 Main.

See an extended calendar and a full listing of

ON GOI NG NGEV E V EN ENTS TS

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THURSDAY

ACSU early education screening in Middlebury. Thursday, March 10, 9-11 a.m., Junebug Mother and Child. Children who live in Bridport, Cornwall, Middlebury, Ripton, Salisbury, Shoreham or Weybridge who were born between Sept. 2, 2011, and Sept. 1, 2013, are invited with their parents for a developmental screening.

Appointments: 382-1760.

Free foot care/blood pressure clinic in Middlebury.

Thursday, March 10, 9 a.m.-noon, The Commons, Buttolph Drive. For Commons residents 9-10 a.m., open to the public 10 a.m.-noon. Bring your own basin and towel. Offered by ACHHH. Blood drive in Middlebury. Thursday, March 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Vermont Hard Cider, 1321 Exchange St. Appointments: redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767.

Lenten noon recital in Middlebury. Thursday, March 10, 12:15-12:45 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Trio recital by vocalist Ellie GebarowskiShafer, utist James Berg and organist George Matthew Jr. You may bring a lunch. Light refreshments served. Part of St. Stephen’s annual Lenten recital series.

Global food insecurity conference at Middlebury College. Thursday, March 10, 4:30-8:30 p.m., Robert A. Jones ’59 House Conference Room. Day one of a three-day conference titled “Food Insecurity in a Globalized World: The Politics and Culture of Food Systems.â€? For speciďŹ c session times and topics, visit go.middlebury.edu/foodinsecurity.

Wandering Reel Traveling Film Festival screening in Middlebury. Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m., Marquis Theatre. Screening of “A Call to Action.â€? This festival showcases compassionate and artful cinema for communities with limited access to such ďŹ lms.

Followed by community discussion and Q&A led by festival director Michael Harrington. Info: www. wanderingreel.org.

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Middlebury College Winter Carnival Presents 2016 Skating Show

PAGE 10A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

Five candidates campaign for three Middlebury selectboard openings

M

iddlebury voters face the task of choosing three of five candidates for three open three-year seats. The vote will be

by Australian ballot at the municipal building between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 1.

The three highest vote-getters will be elected.

Running for re-election are incumbents Nick Artim and Gary Baker. They are joined by former selectman Victor Nuovo, Richard Terk

and Heather Seeley for a third seat vacated by long-time chairman Dean George.

Of the many issues facing the selectboard in the upcoming years, the Independent asked five questions of each candidate and asked them to limit their responses to 100 words or less per question.

The questions focused on: economic growth, the proposed Economic Development Initiative

1) Job growth: Comment on what the town is doing and if you think it’s doing enough to attract new jobs. What would you do differently?

Middlebury is a market town and county seat, and as a center of public education from kindergarten through community college, it is well prepared to train a work force. Its well-being depends upon the well-being of surrounding towns. We prosper together and so we should work together to produce good jobs close to home. For example, I suggest cooperation between the Town’s economic development office and Planning Commission, ACEDC, the Planning ComVictor Nuovo missions of surrounding towns, and the Regional Planning Commission. The goal should be a master plan for economic development whose chief goal is sustainable and long-term job growth; the plan would identify types of industry that are mutually sustaining, promising development sites, and a collaborative marketing scheme.

The best way to maintain job growth is first to support the businesses we currently have and help them be as competitive as possible. This includes working to stabilize our taxes by controlling costs in local government and working with the school systems to control costs, despite the mandates that exist. Secondly, we should promote the quality of life we all enjoy to lure the right kind of businesses to Middlebury.

Dick Terk

Heather Seeley

I have been encouraged by Middlebury’s efforts to attract new jobs. Although, I feel we have made some progress, the results are not as significant as I had hoped. I think we are at a good point for a thorough re-evaluation. I would like to explore what other changes might result in more obvious job creation.

From my own experience, Vermont can be a difficult place to start and maintain a successful business. I would encourage more effort and coordination with our Montpelier representatives to make Vermont as business friendly as it can be.

In cooperation with Middlebury College, we established the position of Director of Business Development and Innovation, and now after a few years of effort, the benefits are about to be realized. Importantly, the entire town staff realizes that they have a role to play in Middlebury’s ability to attract and retain jobs by providing clean water, good recreational and library opportunities, safe streets and sidewalks, and reliable emergency services.

Nick Artim With respect to “are we doing enough?” the answer must always be “No” because we can always do better and if we ever stop reminding ourselves of this, we risk complacency and missed opportunities. Therefore it is not so much a matter of what should be done differently, but how we must stay focused on achieving success. This means constant monitoring of our efforts, making adjustments and refinements when appropriate.

We have two development offices in town: The Middlebury Business Development Fund with executive director Jamie Gaucher and the Addison County Economic Development Corp. run by Robin Scheu. I think they are doing an adequate job and would continue to support those efforts.

Gary Baker

3) Is the proposed EDI project behind the Ilsley Library a reasonable way to stimulate the downtown?

Heather Seeley

Gary Baker

I believe in the idea of a critical mass of activity as a benefit to the downtown and I think events like the Chili Fest, Very Merry Middlebury and The Festival on the Green are great examples. I am not convinced that the current EDI property proposal will encourage new activity. The last developable downtown property must become something new, fresh and exciting. I hope it isn’t just new space for existing businesses.

I hope we seize the opportunity to create something exciting; something that brings people downtown. Then we will be closer to reaching that critical mass of activity.

I support the EDI project so far. We have asked a responsible group of local business people for site development ideas. The ideas, if properly executed, could provide a combination of medium income, in-town residences, retail space and professional offices, parking and also possibly house CCV. I think proper growth in town — be it Route 7 South, Exchange Street or downtown — is going to contribute to the vibrancy of the downtown.

Since I have been closely involved with this project, the answer to this question is absolutely “Yes.” This is a valuable and underutilized parcel of land that provides an incredible opportunity for a town center enhancement that adds to Middlebury’s vitality.

With input from many individuals, we worked to create a general vision for the parcel and then underwent an extensive effort to find a developer who could make the vision a reality.

Nick Artim This project demonstrates how we are a dynamic town willing to address present and future needs, while retaining the quality character of Middlebury’s town center.

Victor Nuovo

I support the EDI project. It is a work in progress. The consortium selected to submit plans for the development of the site consists of responsible local businesspersons, who have long-term interests in the project. Still, it requires careful oversight by the Select Board and permitting agencies. If done right it will prevent sprawl, provide affordable in-town residences, as well as new offices and retail opportunities downtown, and overall contribute to a vibrant downtown district.

I was born in New York City during the Great Depression, and have lived in Middlebury since 1962. I taught philosophy at Middlebury College from 1962 until 1994. Since then I have been an independent scholar and have published books and articles on the English philosopher John Locke. I am married to State Rep. Betty Nuovo.

We have two sons and four granddaughters. I served on the Middlebury selectboard from 2005 until 2013. I am running for the selectboard because it is my civic duty and because I have deep respect for our system of government.

Middlebury’s greatest shortcoming is our high taxes. Many businesses and residents are struggling and we need to do whatever we can to stabilize this. We need to make all town and school departments as efficient as possible. We have an incredible town and enjoy a quality of life that many envy, but we need to be able to control costs so residents and businesses can be successful. We also have the infrastructure to support reasonable growth. We need to protect one of our biggest assets—our water supply— and spend wisely to take care of our infrastructure.

Dick Terk Current Work: VP and Project Manager of Engelberth Construction in Colchester for the past 20 years. Prior to that Terk was a project manager for JP Carrara & Sons in Middlebury for 22 years.

Family: Married to Isabelle for 45 years and have 2 grown children. They have lived in Middlebury for 40-plus years.

Community service: Member of Middlebury Planning Commission for approximately 10 years, and Chairman for many of those years.

He served as Middlebury’s delegate to the Addison County Regional Planning Commission for three years.

Heather Seeley I am currently the business manager at Seeley Earthmoving, Inc. I manage the financial aspects of the business and also assist my husband, John, on the job by running equipment and driving dump trucks. I have been a part of Seeley Earthmoving since 2000. We have two kids together, Benjamin and Rebecka. Ben is a 4th grader and Becka is in kindergartener at Mary Hogan. I have served on the Public Works Committee since 2014 and I have been the Development Review Board Alternate since July 2015.

An important aspect of Middlebury’s economic needs is to insure there are good employment opportunities close to home. We need to continually do what we can to help our employers thrive.

Our citizens should not have to work multiple jobs and commute to distant places in order to live here. These are also some of the same people who give countless volunteer hours serving on volunteer emergency services, coaching Nick Artim children’s sports teams and scouting groups, and are active in many ways that make Middlebury a better place. They are only able to provide these benefits if they can work close to home.

With respect to strengths, I repeat that we should always assume that we can do better and never become complacent.

Heather Seeley

Gary Baker

We have an excellent Town Manager with a great staff, including our superior police and fire departments. We have new buildings that will reduce maintenance costs dramatically. We have an excellent recreation program. We also have superior elementary and secondary schools. In addition we have great mental health facilities with attendant substance abuse programs.

Weaknesses: We have a housing shortage in the median income range as well as for down-sizing seniors. We also have a drug problem.

4) What new initiatives should the town undertake?

No new initiatives are needed; current list is long enough including an upgrade of the town’s water/sewer system, some of which is over 50 years old. We also must prepare for a major 20-year upgrade of our sewer plant in 2020. We are starting to consider the realignment of the Rt. 7/Monroe St./Charles Avenue intersection to help solve traffic problems there. We must get through the next few years of the railroad bridge replacement with a minimum Gary Baker of disruption to the downtown. We have many good people working on this and I am confident we can pull it off and that the town will be much better for it. One other thing: We need an independent grocery store to replace Greg’s Market.

A number of initiatives have been started that strengthen Middlebury while retaining its character. These have included the establishment of the Director of Business Development and Innovation, enhancing the town’s infrastructure, improvements to Middlebury’s public buildings, updating the Town Plan, working to improve transportation and recreational opportunities, and continuing the excellent working relationship with Middlebury College. At this point, I do not believe that we Nick Artim need to start new initiatives, but rather focus our efforts on making sure that the initiatives we have are properly done, making adjustments and refinements to insure success. If, however, a viable new initiative is presented, we should not miss an opportunity.

Victor Nuovo

Heather Seeley

Gary Baker Born and raised in Middlebury. I have lived and worked in Middlebury and surrounding towns in the insurance business for 50 years as of June 1, 2016. I am divorced and have a son and daughter. I have served Middlebury variously, since 2003, on the Planning Commission, Development Review Board, Board of Listers and currently as a member of the selectboard.

Our aging infrastructure and the need for more storage space are two immediate shortcomings I feel need to be addressed. Another pressing issue I’d like to see addressed is the decommissioning of the old waste water treatment plant. The old treatment plant land is great asset I’d like to see used to benefit the Town. I think Middlebury has numerous strengths; the Ilsley Library and MCTV come to mind quickly. Our Town Staff is also an important strength and I’d like to continue to see them supported and encouraged.

The Town is well managed by a dedicated staff; we have new facilities for town government, a new gym, and an excellent recreation program.

Weaknesses: we have not succeeded in overcoming poverty or providing sufficient affordable housing for hardworking families of modest income. There is a danger that the town will become over-gentrified. We have a drug problem threatening health and public safety. We have an aging inVictor Nuovo frastructure that needs attention; and we must be always diligent about our water supply. We have lost the memory of our distinguished past, which fosters local pride and public commitment: Emma Willard’s founding of women’s higher education and the struggle against slavery that led to the founding of the party of Lincoln.

I do agree with developing a critical mass of activity for this project. However, it is essential that we get businesses in this area that will add to the grand list. This is a critical area and should be used for shops and businesses that complement the existing downtown.

Dick Terk

Victor Nuovo

project behind the Ilsley Library, identifying the town’s shortcomings and strengths, and discussing any new initiatives the candidates would propose. We also asked them to identify “the biggest single opportunity in Middlebury in the next 5-10 years.”

The questions and their responses are below, with a brief profile of each candidate at the upper right side of this page.

2) What shortcomings does the town need to address; what strengths could it enhance?

Dick Terk

Who’s running

We need two new roundabouts: at the intersection of Exchange Street and Route 7 for safety, but also better access to our industrial center. For similar reasons we need a roundabout where Route 7 meets Creek Road to facilitate safe access to the new Town Gym. We need more sidewalks and well marked bicycle lanes. Finally, we must insure our clean energy future and be diligent in making responsible adjustments to climate change; these are not new, but always-renewable opportunities.

I think Middlebury has a very full plate for the next 3-5 years with the replacement of the railroad bridges, potential EDI property development and furthering its economic initiatives. I think continuing to support and maintain a vibrant downtown should remain a top priority. I would also like to undertake some planning initiatives regarding our aging infrastructure and maintaining our current assets.

An important part of that planning will be how to pay for it.

Nick Artim Work: President of an international consortium of independent fire protection and security engineers that specialize in the protection of cultural heritage properties. These include numerous local, national and international museums, libraries, and historic sites. One of these is the building that is on the back of the U.S. nickel. I have been doing this for 30 years.

Community service: Before serving on the Select Board I served for several years on Middlebury’s Public Safety Committee, and was a member of the fire department’s Battell Hose Company board. I have been involved with several volunteer projects including helping to manage the restoration of Mary Hogan’s Kids Space in 2000. On the Select Board, I continue to serve in Public Safety, as well the Local Project Management Team for the upcoming bridge replacement project, the Economic Development Initiative (downtown development) and Director of Economic Development oversight board.

Family: I am married to Diane Hermann-Artim who is an Assistant Academic Dean for the Community College of Vermont and is based at the Middlebury site. We have two children who were raised in Middlebury’s school system. David graduated from the University of Vermont’s Engineering School and is an airframe engineer with Cirrus Aircraft Company in Duluth, Minnesota. Christine graduated with a Chemical Engineering Bachelors Degree from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute and is now a Chemical Engineering PhD graduate student at Cornell University.

5) Tell us what you think is the biggest single opportunity for Middlebury in the next 5-10 years?

Nick Artim

I fear the potential harm the town faces over the next 5 years, unless the railroad bridge project is completed with minimal disruption to local institutions—in particular, to our Town Hall Theater, retailers and restaurants. We have the opportunity to do it well, without delay, with sensitivity to the integrity of the downtown. This will be a great achievement.

Beyond this, we should strive to be the sort of town that anyone who loves peace and friendliness would long to dwell Victor Nuovo in. And, finally, we must endeavor to make this town affordable to all, especially to working families. These are constant challenges and opportunities.

Heather Seeley

Dick Terk

I think there are several great opportunities coming up, like gracefully weathering the railroad bridge construction, possibly expanding the Ilsley Library and the potential EDI property development. Hopefully there are also more opportunities in the next 5 to 10 years that we haven’t even envisioned yet. Although, it is hard for me to pick just one, I think the biggest opportunity is the development of the EDI property. I am hopeful that the potential developers and the community can work together to create the best possible outcome for all involved.

Ironically, I think one of our biggest opportunities is right in front of us with the railroad project. Despite the pain we will all go through during the construction process, the end result will enable Middlebury to possibly have a train station that will bring people to Middlebury and will put people right in our downtown area and should bring tourist dollars to Middlebury as well as provide a valuable means of transportation for Middlebury residents and Middlebury College.

The biggest single opportunity for Middlebury in the next 5-10 years is to somehow get the roundabout at Route 7 and Exchange St. completed. This will allow for complete development of Exchange St. with attendant buildings and job growth.

I do not have any specific new initiatives other than doing the best we can for the people and businesses of Middlebury to keep the quality of life we have and do the best we can to keep costs under control.

Dick Terk

The continued transition of this wonderful town from those of us who have been caretakers to our next generation of stakeholders. Some of these are our children who grew up here and seek to be fully employed so that they can contribute to the town’s success, and raise their families here, and some are the many new residents who value Middlebury and want to contribute. I see incredible ideas, innovativeness and solutions coming from them and, if allowed, they will do great things — and the great things should have a “Made in Middlebury” label on them.

Gary Baker

Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 11A

Taxes

ACSU

(Continued from Page 1A) because of the thresholds in Act 46,” Voters cannot rely on estimates Sharpe said. “And also we changed published in many town and school the methodology.” reports because the Legislature CHANGES changed provisions in the state’s The basic differences have been new education funding law, Act 46, two-fold, Sharpe said. The first is too late for town meeting publication softening of Act 46 threshold penalty deadlines. provisions that changed some fundThen lawmakers realized that the ing rules after local budgets were statewide homestead education tax adopted. rate of $1 and the 2 percent rate at The second, he said, was that now which homeowners are taxed who the $1 homestead rate and 2 percent pay based on their income, rather income-payer rate are fixed. Previthan the value of their ously, lawmakers homes, would not would tweak those raise as much money rates after the session for the Vermont Eduto raise enough money cation Fund as they to cover local spendhad expected. ing approved on Town That fact will place Meeting Day. more of a burden on Now, Sharpe said, if local tax rates to make those rates do not yield the Education Fund the expected amount, whole, meaning that the Education Fund even estimates updatmust be made whole ed after the tweaks to from other sources, Act 46 are wrong — local property taxes specifically that they among them. are too low.

“The Education House Education “It’s not exactly Fund pays every votCommittee Chairman working the way ed budget no matter Rep. David Sharpe, we figured, and what. We write the D-Bristol, acknowl- we may have to check,” he said. edges that local homeIn December, revisit it again.” stead tax rates will be Sharpe said, the tax — Rep. David Sharpe higher than originally commissioner reportthought, but by how ed those rates would much lawmakers cannot pin down be adequate. yet.

Since then, he wrote in an email, Districts expecting big tax cuts “This amount has been amended will probably still see them, Sharpe several time due to various realities said, while districts expecting level regarding how much the Education tax rates will face increases.

Fund could support in base amounts.

“I’d say yes,” Sharpe said. “Many Part of that is the expected penalties districts were projecting … as much resulting from school districts exas a 6 percent tax cut. So maybe it ceeding the spending thresholds in will be a 3 percent tax cut.”

Act 46. In addition, with the relaxDistricts such as Addison North- ing of the thresholds and the efforts west Supervisory Union, for exam- of local school boards to stay under ple, have found the situation frus- the spending thresholds we have trating. ANwSU had seen a reduction in the to send out reports in yield.” late January that statWith the homestead ed, because Vergennes and income-payer Union High School rates fixed, Sharpe said spending would be in an interview, lawover the original Act makers’ conversation 46 threshold, tax rates has turned instead to would increase. the “amount of money Then, after law(local) tax rates will makers tweaked Act raise to support local 46, ANwSU officials budgets.” spent a week recalDistricts and schools culating tax estiunder the Act 46 mates using the best threshold limits, such information possible Addison Northeast and announced rates “It’s been and Addison Central would go down in extremely supervisory unions, four of five towns, will still see tax rate challenging significantly in two increases, Sharpe said, and by less than a cent to chase the but no changes will information and in two. threaten their threshold Now, it looks like get as accurate standings. rates could rise in as possible But the uncertainties three of five ANwSU information out to will persist. As is the towns.

Superintencase every year, final dent JoAn Canning people.” rates are months away.

— ANwSU said the situation, no “They may yet Superintendent change again after doubt similar to others JoAn Canning town meeting when we across Vermont, has made it virtually imsee what communities possible to communicate effectively actually vote,” Sharpe said. with district residents.

And tweaks to the overall system “It wasn’t just business as usual. could also be in the works. Sharpe We were all trying to respond to said lawmakers might take another a law, and then the actual bill got look at this winter’s practice of fixing changed early in the session. This the statewide tax rates in advance. was after all the budgets had been “It’s not exactly working the way published and communicated. And we figured, and we may have to rethen to have another change, and visit it again,” he said. we’re about to head into March 1st?”

Sharpe also noted the lawmakCanning said. “It’s been extremely ers used $20 million “over and challenging to chase the information above the required reserve in the and get as accurate as possible infor- state Education Fund” to reduce mation out to people.” rates for the upcoming fiscal year, Sharpe said final rates have never and lawmakers heard that many been known until later in the spring. local districts used fund balances “They have changed every year and reserve funds to dodge Act 46 I’ve been in the Legislature. We try threshold penalties while adopting to have a preliminary one out of the budgets.

House before Town Meeting Day, He expects the Legislature and and then the Senate, based on ac- local boards to have to make more tual votes made on Town Meeting tough choices for Fiscal Year 2018.

Day, does a modification of those, “We expect that amount of revand then the bill is passed and then enue will not be available in FY18,” signed by the governor,” he said.

Sharpe said, “and it will require some But Sharpe also agreed this winter very difficult decisions in FY18.” has been different.

Andy Kirkaldy may be reached at “It is a more complicated session andyk@addisonindependent.com.

(Continued from Page 1A) Locally, only Middlebury has recently seen a bump in its elementary school population.

“This is the trend we have seen since 2005,” Ruth Hardy, co-chair of the ACSU Charter Committee, told participants at a Feb. 21 unification forum sponsored by the Independent, the ACSU and Middlebury Community Television. “We also have unequal spending per pupil between the highest and the lowest spending district in our supervisory union. There is more than a $5,000 difference in what we spend per pupil.”

ACSU is one in a handful of supervisory unions (including Addison Northwest) statewide that will be considering the transition to singleboard governance on Town Meeting Day. It is a move encouraged by Act 46, passed by the Legislature last year.

Act 46 provides financial incentives for school districts that consolidate their governance, seen as a tool in containing the rising costs of public education. School districts at this point are simply being encouraged to unify their governance; but the state has served notice that it will compel all districts to join the unification effort by 2020.

Carol Eckels, former ID-4 board chairwoman, noted at the Feb. 21 forum the ACSU has been exploring governance consolidation since 1963. Eckels quoted from several merger studies conducted throughout the years, noting all of the reports point to two advantages of unification: increased efficiency and greater accountability.

“The evidence suggests … that if you have a board that looks at all the children all the time, like the UD-3 board, they tend to form a working relationship together, and work for the benefit of all kids,” Eckels said, noting the individual boards within the ACSU are more focused on their own schools and students.

It was in 2010 that the ACSU began its latest exploration of unifying its governance structure and resources. A Regional Education District (RED) Committee studied the prospect of combining some, or all, of the ACSU schools into an RED, which was envisioned as a new type of union school district that would allow multiple community and secondary schools to operate under one board with a common budget with shared resources.

The ACSU’s RED Committee held forums to solicit input for a report. The report included examples of the benefits of consolidation, but concluded ACSU towns were not yet ready for a unification referendum.

Still, the ACSU took steps to centralize its student support and special education services and forged, with teachers, a master contract placing all of the supervisory union’s educators on an equitable salary scale.

With the passage of Act 46 last spring, the ACSU formed a Charter Committee to gauge support for governance unification and to map out how it could be accomplished.

The Vermont Agency of Education approved the ACSU’s proposed governance merger plan last December, paving the way for Tuesday’s Aus-

VOTE FOR

GARY BAKER Re-elect Gary for another 3-year term on the Middlebury Selectboard.

Paid for by Gary Baker

Email it to: LETTERS? news@addisonindependent.com

tralian ballot voting on unification and membership of the single board.

Supporters stress that voter approval of the governance unification and new ACSD board would not mean schools within the district would close. If the unified board sometime in the future determined that a school should close, it would take approval of at least 10 of the panel’s 13 members to bring that initiative forward to the public. If a school does close and is no longer used for educational purposes, it would become the property of the town in which it is located.

UNIFIED BOARD The new 13-member ACSD board would be roughly proportional to the populations of the forming towns, based on the U.S. Census. Middlebury would receive seven seats at the table, with one each for Bridport, Cornwall, Salisbury, Shoreham, Ripton and Salisbury. Board members would be elected to three-year stints, though the initial election would feature staggered terms.

All 13 board positions will be elected at-large during Australian ballot voting on March 1. That means voters in each ACSU town will not only cast ballots for their own representatives, but also for all 13 positions up for grabs. Here are the ACSD board candidates who will appear on the ballot: • Suzanne Buck and Rick Scott will be vying for Bridport’s one-year term on the board.

• Three candidates are vying for one three-year term representing Ripton: Bryan Alexander, Perry Hanson and Jerry Shedd.

• Peter Conlon is the lone candidate for Cornwall’s two-year term, as is Jennifer Nuceder in Salisbury, Nick Causton in Shoreham and Christopher Eaton in Weybridge.

• There are seven candidates running for Middlebury’s seven seats: Lorraine Morse, Josh Quinn and Steve Orzech are seeking three-year terms, Jason Duquette-Hoffman and Ruth Hardy are up for two-year terms, and John Rees and Victoria Jette are up for one-year terms.

FINANCIAL PLUSES SEEN Under Act 46, ACSU communities voting this March on school governance mergers will receive financial advantages.

Most notably, those include including a discount of 10 cents on their education property tax rate during the first year of the governance merger, followed by 8 cents in year two; 6 cents in year three; 4 cents in year four; and finally, 2 cents in year five.

The participating SUs will also receive a one-time “transition facilitation grant” of $150,000 and the ability to retain their Small Schools Grants, which for ACSU schools amount to a combined total of $470,000 annually. Officials say retaining those grants are important in keeping small schools open.

ACSU Charter Committee members have estimated that school governance unification would bring cumulative, five-year savings of $1.80 on Bridport’s tax rate; $1.60 on Cornwall’s rate; 80 cents for Middlebury; $2.30 for Ripton; $1.60 for both Salisbury and Shoreham; and

Vermont Arts Council to host free Cultural Facilites grant workshops MONTPELIER — The Vermont Arts Council is hosting a free workshop for Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities on Monday, March 7, from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury. It is one of three workshops being held statewide for organizations interested in applying for FY2017 Cultural Facilities Grants.

The Cultural Facilities program awards grants of up to $30,000 to assist Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities in expanding the capacity of existing buildings to pro-

vide cultural activities for the public. Projects such as wiring, heating, adding ADA accessibility features, lighting, and stage improvements are eligible for consideration. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 2.

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$2.80 for Weybridge.

According to the estimates, the cumulative five-year savings on a $200,000 home would be $3,600 in Bridport, $3,200 in Cornwall, $1,600 in Middlebury, $4,600 in Ripton, $3,200 in both Salisbury and Shoreham, and $5,600 in Weybridge.

These incentives would become less generous, however, if the governance merger is not approved by this July, or if one or more towns in the proposed union reject it.

Hardy explained that a revote could be petitioned in any of the seven towns that might reject (or approve) the ACSU governance merger. But anything less than a unanimous endorsement by all seven towns would put the new ACSD board on hold and trigger a new discussion of different governance structures that could win voter approval.

Charter Committee members noted that ACSU towns that choose not to become members of the new ACSD would not only lose the merger tax incentives and Small Schools Grants, they could also eventually be placed by the state into a governance structure that might be less to their liking.

While the financial benefits are clear — especially to the six smaller communities in the ACSU — not everyone is on board with unification.

Some residents, during public meetings, have expressed concerns about a potential loss of local control by no longer having their town’s school board.

Other residents have touted new education possibilities that a unified ACSD could afford, such as the potential for students to attend different elementary schools within the union based on specialized programming.

DETAILS School districts that become a part of the new unified district would convey to the ACSD, for the sum of $1, all of the real estate and personal property owned by them — including all land, buildings and contents — by June 30, 2017.

Schools would also transfer all of their fund balances and capital debt to the new ACSD, so a larger proportion of taxpayers would thus absorb that cumulative debt.

Records currently show Bridport carrying around $350,000 in debt through 2025, ID-4 carrying around

$500,000 in debt through 2021, Ripton carrying around $300,000 in debt through 2033, and Shoreham carrying around $100,000 in debt through 2020.

UD-3 is carrying around $1 million in debt that the seven towns already share.

Schools will, however, be able to keep and use any special funds currently used for educational purposes.

Lawmakers and school officials have said governance consolidation would stem the rate of school budget increases. In the ACSU, officials expect to see approximately $175,000 in immediate savings from greater sharing of staffing and school facilities, and from fewer board-management, business, financial and audit costs.

As a unified district, budgets and tax rates would be consolidated under one system, which would provide greater clarity and transparency in the budget process, according the ACSU Charter Committee’s final report on unification.

“It would make it easier for our communities to engage in the process of understanding the myriad of financial formulas that are currently displayed in both local and union budgets,” the report states. “Rather than sifting through a number of different tax rates, voters would be presented with one budget and one tax rate from that budget. Administrative staff would be able to spend more time on improving services, providing clearer reports, and developing strong communication with our communities.”

Rep. Dave Sharpe, D-Bristol, is chairman of the House Education Committee and was among those present at the Feb. 21 forum. He gave kudos to the ACSU for pursuing unification.

“The comments, the energy and the possibilities that I see here in this district are really exciting and give me energy to go back (to the Statehouse) and keep working on things for kids,” Sharpe said.

Reporter John Flowers is at johnf@addisonindependent.com.

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Ripton’s representative to the consolidated ACSU board

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unifyACSU.org

A Single School District, A Common Mission Thursday, Feb. 25th - Vergennes Opera House 5 - 6:30pm Vergennes Partnership Social

A cash bar and hors d’oeuvres provided. Meet the Board of Directors of the Vergennes Partnership and hear about our plans for making Vergennes into an even better place to live, work, shop, dine and play.

Share your ideas, offer your help, or just listen.

6:30 - 8pm Downtown-Basin Plan Open House

Vote on the ideas you like best and see what people are talking about!

The Downtown-Basin Consultant Team have been listening to our residents, tourists and business community. We will share our latest work, survey results, and concepts for improving and connecting the Downtown and Basin Area.

Go to www.vergennes.org for the latest information on this project.

PAGE 12A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

Salisbury Bristol Waltham Granville Monkton Weybridge Ripton Vergennes Log on to: addisonindependent.com Addison Orwell Tuesday night as we live Panton Cornwall Bridport blog town meeting results.

Ferrisburgh Whiting Starksboro Shoreham Hancock Middlebury Lincoln Brandon New Haven Leicester

Town Meeting Preview

(Continued from Page 1A) Including also a separate $100,000 capital fund line item that voters will weigh in on, VUHS spending would still be reduced by about $134,000, or 1.3 percent.

The ACS Board adopted a $1,606,375 budget proposal that would make few changes to the elementary school’s program and would raise spending by 4.12 percent, or about $63,000.

That increase is almost entirely driven by contracted raises and an expected hike of roughly 8 percent in health insurance benefits, officials said.

The school board decided to use $100,000 of a projected fund balance from the end of the current school year to keep spending under the original dollar-for-dollar Act 46 penalty threshold.

★

★ Brandon ★ BRANDON — On Town Meeting Day Brandon voters will consider a municipal budget that would require the town to collect about 2 percent more in taxes than it did last year.

Brandon’s annual town and school district meeting will take place on Monday beginning at 7 p.m. at Neshobe School. Voting on town and school budgets and officers will take place Monday at the school from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The proposed 2016-2017 spending plan, if approved, will raise $2,486,822 in taxes, a 2.11 percent increase over the current spending plan. Included in the proposed budget is a $20,000 bond payment on a $816,430 bond question the board also approved for the Town Meeting Day ballot. The 20-year bond is being proposed to raise the matching funds needed for the Neshobe River overflow culvert, the Segment 6 upgrade of Route 7 through downtown Brandon, and the rehabilitation of Bridge 114 on Center Street at the foot of West Seminary Street.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is funding 75 percent of the culvert project with 25 percent — or $487,430 — coming from Brandon. For the Segment 6 matching funds, the town needs $245,000, and for Bridge 114, $84,000 is needed for the town’s match. Voters will be asked to approve a 20-year bond, which would incur a payment of $20,000 from the town in the first year. However, it will be possible to pay ahead on the loan.

Brandon voters will see a request for floating a $680,000 bond for a wastewater pump station, but last week a consultant told the selectboard that, even if this is passed, ratepayers will not see a rise in rates because Brandon has paid off other debt related to the sewers.

Brandon voters also will be asked to approve the use of $18,000 from the Town Farm Fund to pay for the sidewalk project on Union and Maple streets. The board discovered last year that the town had accepted state funds for the project almost a decade ago, but no work was ever done. If the sidewalk is not done, the town will have to pay the state back $78,000.

The Town Farm Fund was established in 1940 with the sale of the Town Farm, there is currently $33,274 in the fund.

Fourteen articles on the Town

SALISBURY RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE in last year’s town meeting held in the Salisbury Community School gymnasium.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Meeting Day ballot will seek approval for spending on various agencies and charities, including $85,500 for the Brandon Free Public Library, $13,500 for the Brandon Senior Citizens Center, and not more than $100,250 for paving 12 village streets.

For the first time, voters in the new Otter Valley Unified Union school district will vote on a budget that encompasses school costs in Brandon, Goshen, Leicester, Pittsford, Sudbury and Whiting, as well as at Otter Valley Union High School. Proposed spending for fiscal year 2016-2017 is , which represents education spending of $14,495 per equalized pupil.

Because the OVUU unified district wasn’t approved until just this winter, towns had to warn budgets for their town school and OVUHS (in case voters petitioned to reconsider the unified district by Feb. 19, which they didn’t). So Brandon voters will also be able to cast ballot on the Neshobe School budget ($5,470,056) and OVUHS budget ($10,752,257).

As long as the Otter Valley Unified Union budget passes, those votes will be irrelevant.

There is only one race in Brandon this year. Brandon Economic Development Officer and Recreation Director Bill Moore has filed a petition to run for town moderator and school moderator against incumbent Hanford “Skip” Davis for the oneyear seat.

Several incumbents running unopposed are: Devon Fuller, selectboard, three years; Doug Baily and Ethan Swift, selectboard, two oneyear seats; Sharron Kenney, trustee of public funds, three years; Sharron Kenney, Brandon Free Public Library trustee, two years; Jeff Guevin, town agent and grand juror, one year.

★ Bridport ★ BRIDPORT — Bridport voters at their town meeting will help decide a race for their town’s representative to a new Addison Central School

District (ACSD) board, and they’ll also be asked to approve a $315,000 replacement project for the Crown Point Road Bridge.

Competing for the town’s oneyear spot on the new, 13-member ACSD board are longtime educator and Bridport School Board Vice Chairwoman Suzanne Buck and Rick Scott, chairman of the Addison Central Supervisory Union (ACSU) board and Bridport representative to the UD-3 school board.

It should be noted that all 13 members of the ACSD board will be elected at-large, meaning that residents of all seven ACSU-member communities will be able to vote in all races for the new panel. The new ACSD board would govern all schools within the ACSU under a single budget (see related story, Page 1A). The election of the new board is contingent on ACSU voters — including Bridport residents — approving unification of their school governance, which will be a separate question on the Town Meeting Day ballot.

There is one other contested election on Bridport’s Town Meeting Day ballot this year: David Bronson and Joan Huestis are vying for a three-year term on the selectboard.

Those running unopposed for local office this year include Earl Audet, selectboard, two years; Valerie Bourgeois, town clerk, one year; Irene Zaccor, town treasurer, one year; Paul Plouffe, Bridport school director, one year; Rick Scott, UD-3 director, two years. There are currently no takers for a two-year spot on the Bridport School Board.

The proposed, combined townhighway budget for 2016-2017 will require a property tax levy of $947,144. That’s up from the $939,963 in taxes approved by voters for the current year’s budget.

Bridport Selectman Leonard Barrett said the town has applied for up to $175,000 in state grants to help pay for the replacement of the Crown Point Road Bridge, also known as the Sunderland Bridge. The success of the grant application will determine

how much of the $315,000 price tag local taxpayers will have to absorb.

Other articles on this year’s town meeting warning seek: • Up to $217,000, in the form of a five-year loan, for the purchase of a new grader.

• $10,750 for the purchase of a wood chipper.

• A change in the town charter that would allow the selectboard to appoint the town clerk and treasurer.

Those positions are currently elected and the candidates must reside in Bridport. The charter change would allow candidates from outside of Bridport to apply for the positions.

Anyone who holds those jobs would not be able to run for any elected positions in town, according to the proposed charter change — which would have to be approved by the state Legislature. Barrett said the current town clerk and treasurer will be invited to continue in their respective jobs if the charter change is approved.

• $12,500 for the Bridport Fire Department.

• $8,000 for the Town Line First Response.

• A combined total of $23,023 for various charities and nonprofits that benefit Bridport residents.

Bridport Central School directors are proposing a 2016-2017 spending plan of $1,562,807, representing a 1.7-percent increase compared to this year. As the Addison Independent went to press, the Vermont Agency of Education was still awaiting clarification from legislators on how Act 46 will affect the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead education property tax rates in all local school districts.

Prior to this confusion, ACSU officials were forecasting that Bridport’s homestead education tax rate would go down roughly 10 cents — from $1.853 to $1.748 — if the budget were to pass.

Bridport town meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, in the Bridport Community-Masonic Hall.

Australian ballot voting will take place the next day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

PANTON TOWN MODERATOR Doug Dows presides over a small crowd at town meeting on Town Meeting Day 2015.

Bristol

★

BRISTOL — Bristol voters will convene on Monday, Feb. 29, at Holley Hall starting at 7 p.m. for the annual town meeting, followed by the school meeting. Voting by Australian ballot will take place Tuesday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at Holley Hall.

At Monday night’s meeting, Bristol residents will weigh in on 21 articles, 15 for the town and six for Bristol Elementary School.

Bristol voters are being asked to approve a $2,480,531 in town spending, which represents a 9.95 percent increase in total expenditures from the $2,256,154 approved at last year’s town meeting.

Residents will consider a budget with a whopping 21.67 percent increase in general fund spending — voters will be asked to OK a general fund budget of $938,607, (of which $758,266 is to be raised by taxes) compared to the 2015-2016 budget of $771,424. Town Administrator Therese Kirby explained that the increase is largely due to expenditures on the new Bristol fire station; the first payments on the $3.19 million firehouse bond approved last July are coming due in the 2016-2017 budget. Also included in the 20162017 budget are operating costs for the new fire station.

Another factor driving the budget is a 14 percent increase in worker’s compensation premiums for all town employees.

The proposed highway fund budget of $754,789 (of which $652,814 would be raised by taxes), is up 5.71 percent from last year. Kirby attributed most of this increase to replacement of the South Street Bridge, which took place in 2014. Payments on a $300,000 bridge replacement bond, OK’d in March 2012, begin in 2016, Kirby said. She noted that townspeople will be paying the $115,000 cost of replacing the bridge, not the amount originally approved for the bond.

The Arts, Parks and Recreation budget is nearly identical to that approved at last year’s town meeting: $254,758, of which $173,758 would be paid by taxes.

At Monday’s meeting, residents will be asked to advise the selectboard about selling the old Bristol Fire Department building on North Street. Although the discussion will be nonbinding, the selectboard wants to hear opinion on whether they should sell the building or not, and whether they should impose restrictions on the buyer so that the historic structure couldn’t be torn down or the exterior changed.

Residents at Monday night’s meeting will have the opportunity to discuss proposed Bristol Elementary School spending of $5,020,933, though voting on the budget will take place by Australian voting the next day. The spending plan represents a 2.1 percent increase from the 2015-2016 budget of $4,918,334, and would result in per-pupil spending of $14,739, an increase of 1.6 percent. This number is well under the Act 46 threshold for Bristol Elementary of 2.68 percent, meaning that it avoids the Act 46 tax penalty.

At press time, homestead tax rates were still up in the air statewide, as the Agency of Education continues to await clarification from legislators on how Act 46 affects the “property

dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the rate.

In addition to voting on the BES budget, Bristol voters on Tuesday will weigh in on the $13,389,914 proposed spending for Mount Abraham Union Middle/High School and the $3,521,263 proposed spending for the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center.

The ballot for town officers features one contested race for a threeyear seat on the selectboard: current chair Brian Fox faces challengers Joshua Clark and Ted Lylis.

Those running unopposed for local office this year include Peter Coffey, selectboard, two years; incumbent Jen Stetson Myers, town clerk and town treasurer, one year; Allison Sturtevant, Bristol Elementary School Board, three years; Colleen Bouvier Wedge, BES Board, one year; incumbent Chris Scrodin, BES Board, one year; Sturtevant, Mount Abe school board, three years; incumbent Carol Eldridge, Mount Abe board, three years.

There are currently no takers for one Mount Abe school board seat.

People who live in the Bristol Police District (primarily the village) on Town Meeting Day will consider a proposed budget of $415,999, of which $363,049 would be raised by taxes; a special information meeting will be held at Holley Hall on Monday at 6 p.m. The budget represents a roughly 5 percent spending increase from the current year’s $396,220. Kirby noted that the police department budget was also affected by increases in the cost of worker’s compensation and liability insurance.

★ Cornwall ★ CORNWALL — Cornwall residents at their town meeting will help elect a new, 13-member board to govern all schools in the Addison Central Supervisory Union, and they will also be asked to approve the borrowing of up to $250,000 to be used to renovate their town hall.

Voters in Cornwall, like residents in all seven ACSU towns, will also vote on Town Meeting Day whether to approve consolidation of the ACSU into a new Addison Central School District (ACSD), which would unify governance of all district schools under one board and have one budget for all of those schools (see related story, Page 1A).

The new ACSD board would include one Cornwall resident — current UD-3 school board Chairman Peter Conlon. Conlon is running unopposed for the two-year term.

All ACSD board members will be elected at-large, meaning residents of all seven Addison Central towns will vote on candidates for all 13 positions.

The $250,000 loan being sought to renovate the Cornwall Town Hall would be paid back through future appropriations to the town’s Capital Building Fund.

Town selectboard members are proposing a 2016-2017 general fund budget of $460,946, down from this year’s spending plan of $486,610.

Cornwall Town Clerk Sue Johnson said a reduction in the legal services budget is a major reason for the smaller, overall general fund request. She noted that Cornwall no (See Cornwall, Page 13A)

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 13A

Vergennes Bridport

Salisbury

Granville

Monkton

Waltham

Starksboro

Shoreham

Hancock

Weybridge

Log on to: Ripton addisonindependent.com Tuesday night as we live Panton Cornwall blog town meeting results.

Ferrisburgh Brandon New Haven

Town Meeting Preview

Orwell Whiting

(Cornwall continued from Page 12A) longer has to defend itself against a natural gas pipeline project that was scuttled last year.

The proposed highway budget comes in at $403,050, compared to the $400,250 in place for this year.

Other articles on Cornwall’s town meeting agenda seek: • $63,900 to help operate the local fire department.

• $4,000 to help subsidize the Cornwall Free Public Library.

• A combined total of $22,929 to support various charities and nonprofits that benefit Cornwall residents.

There are no contested elections on this year’s Town Meeting Day ballot. Those running unopposed include Cy Tall, town moderator, one year; incumbent Magna Dodge, selectboard, three years; Brian Kemp (who was appointed when Selectman Dave Sears died last summer), selectboard, one year; and Sarah Kemp and Gabe Hamilton, three years and two years, respectively, on the Cornwall School Board.

Local voters will be asked to approve a 2016-2017 Bingham Memorial School budget of $1,479,162, representing a decrease of $18,136, or 1.21 percent, compared to this year’s budget of $1,497,298. This budget represents an overall decrease of 2.59 percent in education spending and a 1.67 percent decrease in education spending per pupil. As the Addison Independent went to press, the Vermont Agency of Education was still awaiting clarification from legislators on how Act 46 will affect the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead education property tax rates in all local school districts. Prior to this confusion, ACSU officials were forecasting that Cornwall’s homestead education tax rate would go down roughly 6.5 cents — from $1.643 to $1.579 — if the budget were to pass.

Cornwall’s annual town/school meeting will be held at the Bingham School on Monday, Feb. 29, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Australian ballot voting will occur the next day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Cornwall Town Hall.

Bristol

Middlebury

District Board that will be created if all five ANwSU towns back unification on Tuesday. They are current FCS director Laurie Gutowski; current Vergennes Union High School and FCS board member George Gardner; resident Finn Yarbrough, a newcomer to school board service; and MacKulin, also a member of the ANwSU unification study committee.

The FCS board adopted a $3,432,273 budget that cuts almost $155,000 from the school’s current spending level as board members worked hard to avoid a potential Act 46 spending threshold penalty.

The VUHS board adopted a $10,026,000 budget proposal for the 2016-2017 school year that represents a 2.23 percent cut from current spending.

Including also a separate $100,000 capital fund line item voters will weigh in on, VUHS spending would still be reduced by about $134,000, or 1.3 percent.

PANTON SELECTBOARD MEMBER Beth Tarallo confers with Town Moderator Doug Dows during town meeting last year.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

★Ferrisburgh★ FERRISBURGH — When Ferrisburgh residents gather at Ferrisburgh Central School on Saturday at 10 a.m. for town meeting, they will decide whether to back or amend the selectboard’s $1,803,427 budget proposal, buy a pickup truck, and make the delinquent tax collector an appointed and salaried position.

Voting on March 1 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Route 7 town offices will allow residents to register their opinion on Addison Northwest Supervisory Union unification (see story, Page 1A) and school spending, and decide two races for town office — a three-way battle for delinquent tax collector featuring prominent current and former town officials for the next year, and a two-way contest to replace longtime town moderator Don Bicknell. Rep. Warren Van Wyck, R-Ferrisburgh, will present Dr. Bicknell, who has been modera-

tor for 20 years, a resolution from the General Assembly in recognition of his service.

Other races are uncontested.

The Ferrisburgh selectboard’s roughly $1.8 million town budget proposal would increase spending by about $46,000 and, including charitable contributions voted on by residents, total $1,834,267.

Residents are also being asked to approved $40,000 more, to be spread over four years, to buy a three-quarter ton pickup to be used mostly for plowing small areas.

If all municipal spending is approved, officials said the impact on the tax rate would be less than one penny.

Ferrisburgh Central School Board chairman Bill Clark and Paul Hoffman are both seeking to replace Bicknell.

And the job of delinquent tax collector has drawn three candidates.

Vying for that post are incumbent Sally Torrey, a former longtime selectboard member; former longtime

town clerk and delinquent tax collector Chet Hawkins, who lost his job to Torrey in a two-way race in 2015; and town treasurer Garrit Smits.

Officials said the winner will serve for one year if residents back the measure to make the post one that is filled by selectboard appointment.

However, the measure to pay the delinquent tax collector a salary or an hourly wage rather than via fees or commissions would take effect immediately, town officials said.

Two incumbents will run unopposed for the selectboard, current chairman Steve Gutowski and former longtime chairwoman Loretta Lawrence.

Newcomer Katherine Yarbrough handed in paperwork for the FCS board, and VUHS board incumbent Kristina MacKulin, who was appointed to the board late in 2015, is seeking to fill that seat for the remainder of a three-year term.

Four candidates stepped forward to fill Ferrisburgh’s four seats on the proposed Addison Northwest Unified

spending for fiscal year 2016-2017 is $22,604,806, which represents education spending of $14,495 per equalized pupil. Goshen residents will vote on this figure by Australian ballot on Tuesday.

Goshen is the only town in the OVUU that would see education taxes rise if that spending plan is approved, according to a estimates developed by the RNeSU business manager. That estimates projects that the homestead property tax rate in Goshen would rise from $1.19 this year to $1.29 next year.

Because the OVUU unified district wasn’t approved until just this winter, towns had to warn budgets for their town school and OVUHS (in case voters petitioned to reconsider the unified district by Feb. 19, which they didn’t). So Goshen voters will also vote on the Goshen School District budget of $233,975 and the OVUHS budget ($10,752,257).

As long as the Otter Valley Unified Union budget passes, those votes will be irrelevant.

Australian ballot voting will take place at town hall from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. In addition to voting on the proposed OVUU spendGOSHEN — Residents of tiny ing plan of $22,604,806, Goshen Goshen will be considering some (See Goshen, Page 14A) relatively large increases in the highway and town budgets at their annual town meeting next Monday evening.

When voters gather at the town hall at 7 p.m. (a potluck dinner will precede the town meeting at 5:30 p.m.) on Feb. 29, they will consider a proposed general fund spending plan of $233,173, which is about 10 percent larger than the $211,898 general fund budget they approved last March. They will also be asked to OK $191,200 in spending on highways, which is 40 percent more than the $136,200 approved last year.

Percentagewise that highway funding would represent a big change, but in absolute figures it is a $55,000 increase. And, while it is a larger request than in some years, as recently as 2013 Goshen voters approved a $228,483 highway budget.

For the first time, voters in the new Otter Valley Unified Union school district will vote on a budget that encompasses school costs in Brandon, FERRISBURGH ROAD FOREGoshen, Leicester, Pittsford, Sud- MAN John Bull answers questions bury and Whiting, as well as at Otter at town meeting last March.

Valley Union High School. Proposed Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

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PAGE 14A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

Vergennes Bridport

Granville

Salisbury

Bristol

Monkton

Waltham

Log on to: Ripton addisonindependent.com Tuesday night as we live Panton Cornwall blog town meeting results.

Ferrisburgh Brandon New Haven

Town Meeting Preview

Orwell Whiting

Starksboro

Shoreham

Hancock

Middlebury

(Goshen continued from Page 13A) residents will vote on a slate of town officials, though there are no contested races. Among those incumbents up for election are Selectman David McKinnon, Town Clerk Rosemary McKinnon, Treasurer Vickee Whiting, second constable Shawn Martin and town and school moderator Kevin O’Classen.

★ Granville ★ GRANVILLE — Legal voters in Granville will meet in the town hall on Tuesday evening to transact town and school business — the annual school meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and the town meeting is slated for 6 p.m.

The selectboard is asking Granville voters to approve a town spending plan of $360,787, which is $61,000 more than the figure that was approved at last year’s town meeting. That represents a 20.4 percent increase.

Town officials will also discuss paying back expenses to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and provide a figure that they would like to borrow to make that payment; voters will have the ultimate say on whether and how much the town borrows.

Residents will also be asked if they wish to set aside $5,000 for building maintenance, $5,500 for fire protection in East Granville, $2,000 for the Plunkton Road culvert, and $2,500 for current and future conservation projects.

Granville residents, who tuition all students to schools out of town, will be asked to OK a plan to spend $623,031. That represents an increase of $42,000, or 7.2 percent, from the $580,935 approved for the current year.

Residents will vote from the floor to elect eight town officials. Among those up for election are a threeyear term on the selectboard (Cheryl Sargeant’s term is expiring) and a three-year term as town clerk (Kathy Werner is the sitting clerk). They will also vote on whether to change the term of the town treasurer from one year to three years. If it passes, that will take effect immediately. Werner is up for renewal as treasurer, too.

Only three school positions will be voted on: moderator, treasurer and one school director, who will serve three years. School board member Trina Service’s term expires on Tuesday.

★ Hancock ★ HANCOCK — On Town Meeting Day residents of Hancock will vote on town and school spending plans as well as a number of individual appropriations. The meeting is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall on March 1 with town business first, followed by school business.

For the town’s general and high-

FERRISBURGH TOWN MODERATOR Donald Bicknell kicks things off with a smile at the start of town meeting 2015.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

way funds, residents will vote on a $417,460 spending plan, which represents a decrease of 5 percent from the $441,653 approved last year.

Hancock lacks it own school and pays tuition for local children to attend schools in other towns. This year, voters will say yea or nay on a school budget of $965,213. The proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $17,314 per equalized pupil, which is 2.7 percent lower than the current year.

In several larger individual appropriations, voters will decide on $70,000 for repairing and repainting the Hancock Town Hall; $19,374 for services from the White River Ambulance; $2,583 for the QuinTown Senior Center; and $1,475 for the Visiting Nurse Association of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Town offices are filled at town meeting, some by paper ballot. Voters will elect at least one new selectboard member. Shelley Twitchell is stepping down from her position on the board and leaving town, so a candidate to fill out the year remaining on her term is being sought.

Separately, Monica Collins’ term is expiring and she could be re-elected to a three-year term or a newcomer could take her place; Daniel DeLorm, a lifelong Hancock resident, said he will seek that selectboard position.

Hancock will also elect people to 14 other offices including town clerk, treasurer, lister, constable, auditor, delinquent tax collector and representative to Valley Rescue. In town school district elections, voters will elect a school board director for a three-year term.

Weybridge

★ Leicester★ LEICESTER — Leicester residents will start their town meeting at 7 p.m. at the Leicester Meeting House on Monday, Feb. 29, to weigh school and town budgets. Voters will decide on a municipal spending plan of $595,192, which represents an increase of $20,908, or 7 percent, over the $574,283 spending plan approved last year.

The municipal budget is warned in two parts: general expenses and highway expenses. The selectboard has asked for $272,856 for general expenses with $235,338 to be raised by taxes, and $322,335 for highway expenses with $241,857 to be raised by taxes. Compared to the budgets approved last year, these figures

BARRIE BAILEY SHARES a laugh with fellow Salisbury residents during town meeting in the Salisbury Community School gymnasium last year.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

represent slight increases of $900 in general expenses and $20,000 in highway expenses.

Residents will also vote on an additional $20,000 for road paving, $20,000 for future culvert and bridge requirements and $1,885 for Addison County Transit Resources.

Voters will vote on a motion to eliminate the office of town lister and replace it with a professionally qualified assessor who would have the same powers and responsibilities.

In local elections, voters will elect 10 officers including two selectboard members, one to a three-year term, another to a two-year term.

Incumbent selectboard members Diane Benware and Kenneth Young’s terms are both expiring March 1.

Voters will also elect a delinquent tax collector, two constables, a town grand juror and a town agent. Voting will be done by Australian ballot on March 1 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Leicester Town Offices.

Immediately following the town meeting, voters in the Leicester school district will decide on a $1,057,260 school spending plan, which represents a decrease of $96,298, or 8 percent, from the previous year. The proposed budget is estimated to result in education spending of $14,303 per equalized pupil.

For the first time, voters in the new Otter Valley Unified Union school district will vote on a budget that encompasses school costs in Brandon, Goshen, Leicester, Pittsford, Sudbury and Whiting, as well as at Otter Valley Union High School. Proposed spending for fiscal year 2016-2017 is $22,604,806, which represents education spending of $14,495 per equalized pupil. Leicester residents will vote on this figure by Australian ballot on Tuesday.

The Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union business manager this week released tax estimates that show Leicester school taxes would decrease slightly if this budget is approved.

Because the OVUU school district wasn’t approved until just this winter, towns had to warn budgets for their town school and OVUHS (in case voters petitioned to reconsider the unified district by Feb. 19, which they didn’t). So Leicester voters will also vote on the Leicester School District budget and the OVUHS budget, but as long as the Otter Valley Unified Union budget passes, those votes will be irrelevant.

★

Lincoln

★

LINCOLN — Most of the 31 articles before Lincoln residents at this year’s town meeting will be voted from the floor on Monday, Feb. 29, at Burnham Hall, starting at 6 p.m.

Overall, the total proposed for both general fund and highway department spending remains almost identical to fiscal year 2016. The selectboard is asking voters to approve a highway budget of $978,445, down $15,985 from last year. The $341,269 proposed general fund budget is up by $15,720, due in part to the hiring of an administrative assistant for the selectboard in January. Overall, the $1,319,715 in total proposed municipal spending for fiscal 2017 is $264 less than the $1,319,979 approved for the current year.

Officials budgeted $775,352 to be raised by taxes for the highway fund and $256,665 for the general fund.

Most appropriations proposed for various Lincoln organizations remain identical to last year’s town meeting: • $5,000 for Lincoln Cooperative Preschool.

• $44,000 for the Lincoln Library.

• $2,000 for Lincoln Sports.

• $55,896 for the Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department.

The exception is the $5,000 proposed for the Lincoln Cemetery Association. Last year the association did not request town funds and so was not on the agenda. The association has been budgeted between $2,500 and $5,000 in recent years.

Appropriations proposed for agencies outside of Lincoln remain identical to those proposed at last year’s town meeting, with the exception of the amount proposed for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, which is asking for $490, compared with $375 last year. The total appropriations sought from outside agencies is $17,760 — which is $115 more than last year.

Lincoln voters will be asked to approve a Lincoln Community School budget of $2,198,722. That works out to spending $15,217 per equal-

ized pupil, a 2.09 percent increase from the $14,902 budgeted for the current year. The budgeted increase in per pupil spending is less than both the original Act 46 threshold for Lincoln Community School of 2.10 and the recently amended threshold of 3.0 percent, meaning that the budget as proposed avoids the Act 46 tax penalty for spending over the cap.

At press time, homestead tax rates were still up in the air statewide, as the Agency of Education continues to await clarification from legislators on how Act 46 affects the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead rate.

Voting by Australian ballot to elect all town and school officers will take place Tuesday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at Burnham Hall.

In the only contested race on the Town Meeting Day ballot in Lincoln, Matthew Collins is challenging incumbent Mark Truax for second constable.

Three Lincoln selectboard members are running unopposed: Will Sipsey for a three-year seat, James Needham for two years, and Oakley Smith for one year.

Lincoln Community School board Chair Rebecca Otey is running again for a three-year seat. Vice Chair Mary Beth Stilwell is running again for a two-year seat.

Sally Ober, Lincoln’s town clerk since 2006, is running unopposed for a one-year return to that office.

Lisa Truchon, first elected treasurer in 2012, is running unopposed for a one-year return.

Lincoln residents will also vote by Australian ballot to accept or reject the proposed $13,389,914 spending plan for Mount Abraham Union Middle/High School and to accept or reject the $3,521,263 proposed for the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center.

SALISBURY TOWN MODERATOR Wayne Smith controls the 2015 town meeting in the Salisbury Community School gymnasium.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

★Middlebury★ MIDDLEBURY — Town meeting in Middlebury will include a five-person race for three spots on the selectboard (see Page 11A) and the election of a new, 13-member Addison Central School District (ACSD) board that would govern all of the public schools in the Addison Central Supervisory Union under a single budget.

The five candidates vying for three available three-year terms on the selectboard include current board Vice Chairman Nick Artim, current Selectman Gary Baker, former Selectman Victor Nuovo, Middlebury Public Works Committee member Heather Seeley, and Richard Terk, leader of the Middlebury Airport Neighborhood Association. Longtime selectboard Chairman Dean George — to whom this year’s town report is dedicated — is not running for re-election this year.

Middlebury will have seven representatives on the new ACSD board.

Seven Middlebury residents are running unopposed for terms ranging from one to three years. They include Lorraine Morse, Steve Orzech and Josh Quinn, each for three years; Jason Duquette-Hoffman and Ruth Hardy, each for two years; and Victoria Jette and JP Rees, each for one year.

All ACSD board members will be elected at-large, meaning residents of all seven Addison Central towns will vote on candidates for all 13 positions.

Election of the new board is, of course, contingent on ACSU voters approving unification of their school governance, which will be a separate referendum on the March 1 ballot.

(See Middlebury, Page 15A)

Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 15A

Vergennes Bridport

Salisbury

Granville

Monkton

Waltham

Weybridge

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(Middlebury continued from Page 14A) There are no other contested races on the Middlebury ballot. Those running unopposed include James Douglas, town moderator, one year; Jason Duquette-Hoffman and Ruth Hardy, three years each, for the ID-4 school board; Lorraine Morse, UD-3 school board, three years; and Catherine Nichols, Ilsley Library Board of Trustees, three years.

Middlebury voters at their town meeting will decide a proposed 20162017 municipal budget that will not require an increase in property taxes.

The proposed spending plan would raise $6,943,658 in property taxes. If OK’d by voters at town meeting on Feb. 29, this would translate into the same municipal property tax rate of 98 cents per $100 in property value that residents currently pay for town services.

Mary Hogan Elementary School (ID-4) directors are proposing a 20162017 budget of $7,391,279, which represents a 9.08 percent increase in the bottom line, but only a 0.6-percent increase in equalized per-pupil spending compared to this year. The tax impacts of the proposed spending plan would be somewhat offset by an anticipated 11-percent boost in equalized pupils, from the current 415 to 460. District voters will also be asked, at their annual meeting on Feb. 29, to apply $150,000 in fund balance to offset taxes.

This is the first year that the ID-4 budget will be decided by Australian ballot (on March 1), following an informational meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29, in the municipal building. Historically, the budget has been voted at the ID-4 annual meeting.

The proposed ID-4 budget includes a Spanish language teacher for grades 3 through 6. The salary for the new Spanish instructor would be offset by the elimination of a classroom teaching position that will be vacated due to an impending retirement. Also influencing the ID-4 budget: the state’s universal pre-K requirement. All school districts will be given state assistance to ensure families have access to pre-K programming for their

Bristol

Starksboro

Shoreham

3-, 4- and 5-year-olds. Families can use their pre-K allowance within their local school or to help pay for tuition at a separate, certified program.

As the Addison Independent went to press, the Vermont Agency of Education was still awaiting clarification from legislators on how Act 46 will affect the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead education property tax rates in all local school districts.

Other items on the Middlebury town meeting warning seek: • Permission to take out a fiveyear, $242,000 loan to bankroll a police cruiser and related equipment, a pick-up truck and related equipment for public works, a sprayer and power-drive unit for line painting for public works, and a trailer for public works.

• Authority to collect local property taxes in three equal installments, due Aug. 15, 2016; Nov. 11, 2016; and March 15, 2017.

• To set the penalty charged by the tax collector for delinquent tax payments as follows: No penalty for all payments made prior to the due date for the third and final installment; 1 percent on any balance not paid by the due date for the third and final installment; and an additional 7 percent on any balance not paid within 10 days of the due date of the third and final installment.

• Elimination of the elected office of auditor. This position has not been drawing candidates, and the accounting chores in question have been delegated to a professional firm.

• $6,500 for the Charter House Coalition to support the nonprofit’s emergency housing and daily food programs for people in need.

Middlebury’s annual meeting, to be held (for the last time) in the town’s soon-to-be-demolished municipal gym on Monday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m., will also include discussion of the following topics: • Progress on the town offices and recreation center projects. The recreation center on Creek Road is now open, with an open house scheduled for March 2.

• An update on the downtown rail bridges project.

Hancock

Middlebury

MARY BURCHARD LISTENS intently to debate about budget overages at Salisbury’s town meeting last year.

• An opportunity for candidates for local offices to introduce themselves.

Australian ballot voting in Middlebury will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the municipal gym.

★ Monkton ★ MONKTON — For the first time, Monkton will hold its annual town meeting on the Saturday preceding Town Meeting Day rather than on

the first Tuesday in March. Monkton townspeople will convene for the town meeting on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Monkton Central School at 10 a.m.

The Monkton Annual School Meeting will be even earlier. Monkton folks are invited to the Central School on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. for that event.

Voting by Australian ballot for some town and school issues and candidates will take place Tuesday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Monkton Fire Station.

At the March 2015 town meeting, Monkton residents amended a proposed article to move town meeting to the Monday immediately preceding Town Meeting Day and instead voted to hold town meeting on Saturday in hopes to build greater participation.

Bridport, Panton, Whiting, Granville and Hancock are among the handful of Addison County towns that continue to hold town meeting on the official Town Meeting Day. At Saturday’s meeting, the selectboard is asking voters to approve

ndependent le photo Trent Campbell

$1,250,194 to pay for municipal and road expenditures. The largest component of that budget is $790,132 for highway expenses; and $348,512 would be earmarked for salaries and general expenses. Other expenditures would be: • $36,000 for the Monkton Volunteer Fire Department.

• $20,150 for Russell Memorial Library.

• $900 for the Monkton Museum and Historical Society.

• $4,500 for the recreation fund.

(See Monkton, Page 16A)

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PAGE 16A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

Vergennes Bridport

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(Monkton continued from Page 15A) • $20,000 for the agricultural and natural areas fund.

• $30,000 for the highway capital equipment fund.

Overall, these municipal expenditures are up 6.9 percent from the current fiscal year’s total of $1,169,920, with increases in expenditures to salaries and general expenses, highway expenses, the fire department, and the agricultural and natural areas fund.

Proposed spending for social service agencies remains identical, with the exception of an increase for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program from $285 to $400 and a new funding of $300 for the Monkton Mentors Program. The total proposed for social service agencies is $22,539, up $415 from last year.

Other articles to be voted on from the floor include $34,000 for the purchase of a replacement dump truck body for the road crew.

When voters go to the polls on Tuesday, they will be asked to approve a Monkton Central School budget of $2,813,920, a decrease of 0.1 percent from last year’s $2,816,780 spending plan. This year’s proposed budget represents spending per equalized pupil of $15,137, a 3.9 percent decrease. The state had originally assigned Monkton an Act 46 allowable growth percentage of 1.43 percent; this was then raised to 2.33 on Jan. 30. Both before and after the change in legislation, the proposed budget avoids the Act 46 tax penalties.

At press time, homestead tax rates were still up in the air statewide, as the Agency of Education continues to await clarification from legislators on how Act 46 affects the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead rate.

Monkton residents will also vote

by Australian ballot to accept or reject the proposed $13,389,914 budget for Mount Abraham Union Middle/High School and the $3,521,263 proposed spending for the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center.

There are no contested local elections on this year’s ballot.

On the selectboard, incumbent Roger Parker is running again for a three-year seat, and incumbent Henry Boisse is running again for a two-

Salisbury

clarification from legislators on how Act 46 affects the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead rate.

Highlights of the town budget proposed by the selectboard include $1,160,249 for the road fund budget, with $527,301 to be raised by taxes; a general fund budget of $737,737, of which $484,825 is to be raised for taxes; and spending $165,000 from the road equipment fund to purchase a new truck and body to replace the aging 2002 International truck used to handle snow, sand, gravel and other heavy-duty tasks.

Funding for outside agencies, which are voted by separate article and not included in the proposed general fund budget, total $23,902.25.

Allocations for each individual agency remain identical to the levels of support voted for at last year’s town meeting.

★

PANTON RESIDENTS VISIT after last year’s town meeting.

year seat.

All candidates for the Monkton Central School Board are also unchallenged incumbents. Robert Radler is up for a three-year term; and both Marikate Kelley and Sarah Rougier are running again for one-year terms.

Dawn Griswold, chair of the Mount Abe board, is running unchallenged for a second three-year term on that board. Otto Funke, who was appointed to the Mount Abe board to replace Shawna Sherwin after she resigned last October, is running to complete the remaining two years of Sherwin’s original term.

Sharon Gomez is running unop-

posed for another one-year term as town and school clerk. William Joos is running unopposed for another one-year term as town and school treasurer and another one-year term as delinquent tax collector.

★New Haven★ NEW HAVEN — New Haven’s 254th annual town meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 29, at the New Haven Town Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. Voting by Australian ballot will

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

take place Tuesday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at the town hall.

Residents of New Haven will consider 27 articles for the town and seven for Beeman Elementary School, plus vote on the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center and Mount Abraham Union Middle/High School budgets. Most of New Haven’s articles will be up for discussion Monday night and voted on by Australian ballot on Tuesday.

Both of the New Haven selectboard seats up for a vote this year are being contested, with five candidates vying for the two positions.

Kathleen Barrett, currently chair of the selectboard, will stand for a three-year seat against New Haven Planning Commission member Dan Monger. Selectboard member Carole Hall is running against Bridget Kipp and John Roleau for a two-year seat.

Beeman Elementary School board member Ed McGuire is running unopposed for re-election to his threeyear seat.

Also running unopposed in local elections this Town Meeting Day will be Pamela Kingman for a threeyear term as town clerk and Barbara Torian for a three-year term as town treasurer and a one-year term as trustee of public funds. Torian has served as New Haven’s treasurer since 1996.

Returning to the ballot this year is the position of town auditor, which was eliminated in 2013 and then reinstated at last year’s town meeting.

New Haven officials noted the many benefits of having elected auditors to “triple check” the town’s financial statements, alongside the profes-

BUY PHOTOS

Orwell

★

ORWELL — Town officials in Orwell shouldn’t have to field a lot of questions about the municipal budget proposal they are putting before voters at town meeting next Tuesday morning, but another item on the town meeting warning will likely draw a good deal of discussion.

Residents will consider a $978,950 municipal budget that is only $4,000 (less than half a percent) larger than the spending plan voters approved last year. They will also weigh a request for $160,000 for a tandem dump truck to replace an 11-year-old truck currently used by the Orwell road crew — those in the know said that extra money for the dump truck will raise some questions.

That discussion at the Orwell Town Meeting, which begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Orwell Town Hall, will follow discussion of the proposed school budget at the annual school meeting, slated for 7 p.m. on Monday at the town hall. A major point of consideration at that meeting will be the school spending plan, pegged at $1,942,025. That represents an increase of $132,619, or 7.3 percent, over the figure approved for the current school year.

Orwell residents will see only one contested election in Australian ballot voting at the town hall between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Selectman Bob Fields is running for re-election to a two-year term, and is being challenged for that spot by James A. Oldenburg Sr. and Daniel Redondo.

Selectman Walker James is running unopposed for a three-year term on the selectboard. Elizabeth “Betty” Walker, who was appointed town clerk late last fall after Susan Ann Arnebold retired after 20 years as Orwell town clerk, will seek voter approval to remain in that post.

sional audit done by outside CPAs. As elected officers rather than hired hourly assistants, the auditors have a more independent position from which to oversee the town’s financial transaction, advocates for the post argue, and as town residents, elected auditors know the town intimately and thus might be able to flag items that could go unnoticed.

All three candidates have been serving the town the past year as hourly auditor’s assistants. Polly Darnell and Iva Menard are running for the three-year and two-year auditor positions, respectively. Angie Dunbar is conducting a write-in campaign for the one-year auditor position.

The Beeman Elementary School board proposed a budget of $1,884,124, with spending per equalized pupil at $14,376. Last year New Haven voters approved a Beeman budget of $1,821,607 that spent $15,323 per equalized pupil. The school budget that New Haven voters will consider features per-pupil spending costs that are 6.6 percent lower than last year, thus keeping the proposed Beeman budget well below the tax penalties in Act 46.

Along with Tuesday’s vote by Australian ballot on the proposed $1.9 million spending plan for Beeman, New Haven residents will cast ballots on the $13,389,914 proposed spending plan for Mount Abraham Union Middle/High School and on the $3,521,263 proposed Hannaford PANTON — Panton residents will Career Center budget.

At press time, homestead tax rates decide on town spending and officers were still up in the air statewide, from the floor of town meeting at 10 as the Agency of Education awaits (See Panton, Page 17A)

★

Email us at: photos@addisonindependent.com

Panton

★

Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 17A

Ripton

Bristol

Waltham

Monkton

Weybridge

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(Panton continued from Page 16A) a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, at Panton Town Hall, and cast votes from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the same site on school spending and Addison Northwest Supervisory Union unification (see story on ANwSU merger).

Two town officials’ terms are set to expire on Town Meeting Day, those of Selectman Howard Hall and Vergennes Union Elementary School Board member Jason Fearon.

According to town office officials, Hall, who was appointed to the selectboard in 2015, is interested in being nominated from the floor of town meeting, while Fearon was also believed to be interested in serving at least another year.

No one filed paperwork for Panton’s seat on the 12-member Addison Northwest Unified District Board that would be created if all five ANwSU communities back unification on Tuesday. ANwSU officials said Panton’s selectboard would appoint the town’s representative if necessary.

The Panton selectboard proposed a $643,423 general fund budget that residents can approve or amend from the floor of town meeting.

The board is also recommending placing $59,000 into five capital funds, including $20,000 each into highway capital equipment and project funds and $15,000 into the Town Hall Restoration Fund.

The Vergennes Union High School Board adopted a $10,026,000 budget proposal for the 2016-2017 school year that represents a 2.23 percent cut from the current spending level.

Voters are also being asked to support a separate $100,000 capital fund line item for VUHS. VUHS spending would still be reduced by about $134,000, or 1.3 percent, if that article passes.

Panton residents will also vote on a VUES spending plan of $4.75 million that would increase elementary school spending by 1.05 percent, or about $50,000.

★

Salisbury

★

RIPTON — Ripton residents at their town meeting will decide a contested race for their selectboard and vote on membership of a new Addison Central School District (ACSD) board that features a threeperson race for Ripton’s lone spot on that 13-member panel.

Resident Perry Hanson is challenging incumbent Selectman Richard Collitt for a three-year term on the selectboard.

Hanson is also in the running for Ripton’s seat on the ACSD board.

Competing with him for that threeyear term are Ripton School Board member Bryan Alexander and UD-3 school board member Jerry Shedd.

The new board will be elected atlarge, meaning residents of all seven Addison Central towns will vote on candidates for all 13 positions.

The ACSD board would govern all elementary and secondary public schools in Addison Central under a single budget (see related story, Page 1A). Election of this new board is, of course, contingent on ACSU voters approving unification of their school governance, which will be a separate referendum on the March 1 ballot.

There are no other contested races on the Ripton ballot. Candidates running unopposed include Alison Joseph Dickinson, town clerk, one year; Carolyn Smith, town treasurer, one year; Kathleen Smith, delinquent tax collector, one year; Timothy Hanson, town moderator, one year; and Giles Alexander and Bryan Alexander, three years and two years, respectively, as Ripton school director.

Residents will be asked to approve a 2016-2017 general fund budget of $263,601, down from the $282,900 that was approved for this year. The highway budget proposal comes in at $313,100, up from the $294,100 OK’d by voters for this year.

School directors are requesting a budget of $953,106 to fund Ripton Elementary next year, which reflects a roughly 5.13-percent increase in spending compared to this year. But school directors are projecting a decrease in equalized per-pupil spending for Ripton compared to this year.

As the Addison Independent went to press, the Vermont Agency of Education was still awaiting clarification from legislators on how Act 46 will affect the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead education property tax rates in all local school districts.

Other articles on this year’s warning seek: • $36,000 for the local fire

Starksboro

Shoreham

Hancock

Middlebury

★Starksboro★

DEBBIE BRACE AND Rich Rathbun talk in the Panton Town Hall after the adjournment of town meeting last year.

department.

• Approval of a locally funded agreement to reduce the property tax for the Silver Towers Camp owned and operated by the Vermont Elks Association Inc., to 33 percent of the total taxes that would be due.

• A combined total of $19,214 for various charities and nonprofits that benefit Ripton residents.

Ripton’s annual meeting will be held at the Ripton Community House at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29. Australian ballot voting will take place the next day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at the community house.

★ Salisbury ★ SALISBURY — Salisbury voters at their town meeting will decide a race for their selectboard and discuss the prospect of closing their municipal landfill.

Residents will also participate in a governance unification vote for the Addison Central Supervisory Union and help determine the composition of a 13-member board that would oversee the unified district and a single budget for all public schools within the ACSU. Jennifer Nuceder is running unopposed for Salisbury’s one-year term on the new board. The new board will be elected at-large, meaning residents of all seven Addison Central towns will vote on candidates for all 13 positions. Election of this new board is contingent on ACSU voters approving unification of their school governance, which will be a separate referendum on the March 1 ballot.

The selectboard race for one twoyear term features Jonathan Blake and Ramona “Pedie” O’Brien.

There are no other contested elections on the ballot. Candidates running unopposed include Wayne Smith, town moderator, one year; Susan Scott, town clerk, one year; Paul Vaczy, selectboard, three years; and John Nuceder, Salisbury School Board, three years. Write-in campaigns or appointments will be needed to fill a two-year spot on the Salisbury school board and a threeyear term on the UD-3 school board, as those positions currently have no takers.

Salisbury currently operates the only unlined landfill in the state of Vermont. Town officials believe state rules governing the Salisbury landfill will only become more rigorous and costly during the coming years, and they want local residents to weigh in on the notion of keeping it open or closing it. Closing the landfill would mean joining the Addison County Solid Waste Management District and establishing a trash/recycling transfer station in town.

Salisbury school directors are proposing a spending plan of $1,765,719, representing a 4.41-percent increase compared to this year.

It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, would result in education spending of $17,211 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per equalized pupil is 6.62 percent higher than spending for the

current year. As the Addison Independent went to press, the Vermont Agency of Education was still awaiting clarification from legislators on how Act 46 will affect the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead education property tax rates in all local school districts.

Officials are proposing a 20162017 general fund budget of $194,573, down slightly from the $200,097 in spending authorized last year. The proposed highway budget comes in at $443,494, up slightly from the $442,587 that was endorsed for this year.

Other articles on Salisbury’s town meeting warning seek: • Rescission of a prior community vote to eliminate the office of town auditor.

• A combined total of $73,015 for various charities and nonprofit programs that benefit Salisbury citizens.

Around $35,000 of that total is earmarked for the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, and $19,000 is to be used for the Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association’s milfoil prevention program.

Salisbury’s annual meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29, at the Salisbury Community School.

Australian ballot voting will take place the next day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the town office.

★Shoreham★ SHOREHAM — Shoreham residents on Town Meeting Day will participate in a governance unification vote for the Addison Central Supervisory Union, and help determine the composition of a 13-member board that would oversee all public schools in the new unified district. All schools in the unified Addison Central School District would be covered by a single budget.

Nick Causton is the lone candidate for Shoreham’s two-year term on the new board. The new board will be elected at-large, meaning residents of all seven ACSU towns will vote on candidates for all 13 positions.

The future of this new board is contingent on ACSU voters approving unification of their school governance, which will be a separate referendum on the March 1 ballot.

Residents will be asked to support a 2016-2017 town highway budget of $681,890, up from the $653,323 in spending that was approved for this year. The general fund proposal comes in at $287,479, up slightly from the $281,009 that was OK’d for this year.

Shoreham school directors are proposing a spending plan of $1,567,125, representing a 4.4-percent increase compared to this year.

But Shoreham’s homestead education tax rate is expected to go down.

As the Addison Independent went to press, the Vermont Agency of Education was still awaiting clarification from legislators on how Act 46 will affect the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead education property tax rates in all local school districts.

School directors are also seeking

to use surplus funds to replace the school boilers and purchase a mobile computer lab.

Other articles on Shoreham’s town meeting warning seek: • $13,150 from the town’s general fund balance to put into a “reserve fund for fire/rescue vehicles and equipment.”

• $20,000 from the town’s general fund balance to put into a “building and grounds repair reserve fund.”

• $20,000 from the 2015 highway fund balance to put into the “highway equipment reserve fund.”

• A combined total of $22,295 for various charities and nonprofit services that benefit Shoreham residents.

There are no contested elections

WITH THE ADDISON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Bridport

Granville

DISCOVER & EXPLORE

Vergennes

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

on the Shoreham ballot this year.

Running unopposed are Will Stevens, town moderator, one year; Julie Ortuno, town clerk, one year; Kathleen Brisson, town treasurer, one year; Steven Goodrich, selectman, three years; Karen Shackett and Will Stevens, each for two years, on the Shoreham selectboard; Tanya Scuteri and Lance Wood, for terms of three years and two years, respectively, on the Shoreham School Board; and Laura Siebecker, library trustee, five years.

Shoreham’s annual town meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 29, at 6 p.m. in the Shoreham Elementary auditorium. Australian ballot voting will take place the next day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the town offices.

STARKSBORO — Starksboro’s annual town meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Robinson Elementary School, starting at 9 a.m.

Voting by Australian ballot will take place Tuesday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at Robinson Elementary.

The Starksboro selectboard expects a robust discussion on a number of items on this year’s town meeting agenda. Among the most noteworthy, said Selectboard Chair Susan Jeffries, is the proposed sale of 13 acres at the north end of the town’s gravel pit on Route 116 to the owners of the adjacent Sentinel Farm for $15,000. The proposed purchase and sale agreement is available for review at the town office.

Jeffries explained that, in accord with Vermont law, the selectboard entered into a sale agreement, which it then posted, and that a citizen’s petition then moved that item to a direct vote on the floor of town meeting. Jeffries noted that the gravel pit itself is about 37 acres in total, and that the town has mined the gravel out of the 13 acres in question. Both the Starksboro gravel pit and Sentinel Farm lands are preserved through the Vermont Land Trust, so any sale agreement would have to go before the Land Trust, as well.

Another article likely to set off intense debate asks whether the selectboard should expand from three to five members. Jeffries said that if residents declare themselves in favor of the expansion, the selectboard would then hold a special meeting in December to officially vote on the change in time for new candidates to run for office a year from now.

Jeffries explained that Vermont law stipulates that once residents vote to increase the selectboard from three to five, the official size of the board increases instantaneously, meaning that the “interim” three-person board would have to vote in unison to effect any decision.

The proposed $1,049,094 general fund budget for 2016-2017 is up by $308,884 from the current year’s, roughly 42 percent. Jeffries noted (See Starksboro, Page 18A)

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PAGE 18A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

Vergennes Bridport

Granville

★Vergennes★ VERGENNES — With no contested races on the Vergennes ballot on Tuesday, city residents’ major decisions will be whether to support school spending and two measures backed by the city council: to reroute northbound truck traffic via Route 17, and to confirm the council’s ability to use the Water Tower Fund to support capital improvements to city facilities and economic development in Vergennes.

Vergennes residents will also weigh in on Addison Northwest Supervisory Union unification (see story on Page 1A).

Voting will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the city’s Green Street fire station, and residents can gather to discuss issues at 7:30 p.m. on Mon-

Bristol

Monkton

Waltham

Starksboro

Shoreham

day at the Vergennes Opera House.

The truck bypass measure is one simple sentence that probably needs no further explanation: “Shall the voters support the City Council to encourage the Vermont Agency of Transportation to consider a proposal that would create a northerly truck route from Route 22A, east along VT Route 17, to U.S. Route 7?”

The Water Tower Fund question is more complex. City officials point out they have been able to use the roughly $100,000 a year to leverage grant money, often netting $75 for every $25 spent, to, for example, complete downtown handicap-access and sidewalk projects.

That money comes from cellphone companies who pay to hang broadcasting equipment on the city’s former water tower, next to city hall.

The council is establishing a policy on how the money should be used, and is seeking citizen approval.

The article reads: “Shall the City of Vergennes establish a reserve fund pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 2804 under the control and direction of the City Council for the purpose of funding capital improvements of City-owned facilities or for the purpose of economic development with the revenue derived from current and future agreements with cellular companies for their respective equipment on or in close proximity to the water tower located behind City Hall?”

On the ballot, as well as a number of charitable requests, are a number of candidates running unopposed for office.

Four candidates are seeking as many seats on the city council: elected incumbents Renny Perry and Lynn Donnelly; Mark Koenig, who was appointed in December to replace Joe Klopfenstein; and newcomer Matt Chabot, a South Maple Street resident.

No one filed for one vacancy on the Vergennes Union High School Board. That vacancy was created when longtime board member Neil Kamman decided to step down. Barring a successful write-in candidacy, the city council will make an appointment.

John Stroup, who has not served previously on a school board, filed for a vacant seat on the Vergennes Union Elementary School Board.

Stroup is also one of four candidates for the four Vergennes seats on the Addison Northwest Unified District Board that will be created if unification passes in all five ANwSU communities on Tuesday. The others are current VUES board member Sue Rakowski, Koenig, and current VUHS board member Christopher Cousineau.

Aldermen will adopt the city’s 2016-2017 budget in June.

The Vergennes Union High School Board adopted a $10,026,000 budget proposal for the 2016-2017 school year that represents a 2.23 percent cut from the current spending level.

Voters are also being asked to support a separate $100,000 capital fund line item for VUHS. VUHS spending would still be reduced by about by about $134,000, or 1.3 percent, if that article passes.

The VUES board adopted a $4.75

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Weybridge

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Orwell Whiting

(Starksboro continued from Page 17A) that the increase is largely due to construction costs on the new town garage, which voters approved last May. This year’s payment on the loan to build the garage will be $104,780, of the $1.65 million in total costs. The other big-ticket item in the spending plan is resurfacing of States Prison Hollow Road; it is budgeted at $200,000, of which $160,000 would be paid for by a state grant.

Although challenged in a town vote last August, Starksboro will continue to vote its school budget from the floor. Increases to the Robinson Elementary School budget voted from the floor last year set off passionate debate on both sides and led to a petitioned revote on the elementary school budget at a special meeting last May. This year residents are being asked to approve a Robinson Elementary School budget of $2,921,471.

The Robinson budget represents the greatest percentage reduction in spending per equalized pupil across all Addison Northeast Supervisory Union towns. The Agency of Education had originally set Robinson an Act 46 allowable growth rate of 1.56 percent, and the board lowered spending per equalized pupil by 7.6 percent, putting per-pupil spending at $15,717.77 for 2016-2017.

At press time, homestead tax rates were still up in the air statewide, as the Agency of Education continues to await clarification from legislators on how Act 46 affects the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead rate.

Starksboro will have no contested races on its Town Meeting Day ballot.

Tony Porter is seeking a three-year term on the selectboard. Caleb Elder is seeking a three-year term on the Robinson Elementary School Board.

Jodi Bachand is running for re-election to the Mount Abraham Union High School Board.

Townspeople will also vote by Australian ballot to accept or reject the proposed $13,389,914 budget for Mount Abe and the $3,521,263 proposed spending plan for the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center.

Salisbury

PANTON RESIDENT JASON Fearon speaks about his role as a member of the elementary school board during town meeting in 2015.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

million budget that would increase VUES spending by 1.05 percent, or about $50,000.

★ Waltham ★ WALTHAM — Waltham residents will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday at Waltham Town Hall to decide on town officers and a two-tiered spending plan, and then return to the same site on Tuesday to cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on school budgets and Addison Northwest Supervisory Union unification (see story, Page 1A).

Three Waltham incumbents’ terms are set to expire on Town Meeting Day: appointed selectboard member Tim Ryan, Vergennes Union Elementary School director Steven Flint, and Vergennes Union High School director Jeffry Glassberg.

Ryan and Flint reportedly would like to be nominated from the floor of the Monday meeting to serve again, but Glassberg will step down after years of service. Tom Borchert has indicated his willingness to serve on the VUHS board, according to town officials.

Town Clerk Mary Ann Castimore and Treasurer Lucille Evarts would also like nods to remain in their posts.

The selectboard has decided to make a switch from Waltham’s current calendar year budgeting process, and that means residents will consider two sets of spending plans, one for the first six months of this year, and one for Waltham’s first fis-

cal year, 2016-2017.

For this January to June, the board is recommending $54,751 in administration and $42,625 in road spending. The board is also suggesting that residents approve $28,740 “from the carryover balance” to offset taxes in the current six months.

For the fiscal year, July 2016 to June 2017, the selectboard is proposing $98,254 of administrative spending and $144,525 of road spending.

There are also the usual charitable requests, most in one article totaling $3,809. The Bixby Library request for $9,205, based on Waltham’s population compared to the other towns it serves, is a separate line item from the other requests.

Tuesday’s balloting will include selecting Waltham’s representative on the Addison Northwest Unified District Board that will be formed if unification passes in all five ANwSU communities. Borchert is on the ballot for that post.

The VUHS board adopted a $10,026,000 budget proposal for the 2016-2017 school year that represents a 2.23 percent cut from the current spending level.

Voters are also being asked to support a separate $100,000 capital fund line item for VUHS. VUHS spending would still be reduced by about $134,000, or 1.3 percent, if that article passes.

The VUES board adopted a $4.75 million budget that would increase VUES spending by 1.05 percent, or about $50,000.

Waltham residents will vote on those budgets by Australian ballot on Tuesday.

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★Weybridge★ WEYBRIDGE — Weybridge voters at this year’s town meeting will decide two contested selectboard races and determine whether the community should become a full member of the Lemon Fair Insect Control District (LFICD).

Residents Robert Foster, T. Charles Jordan and Megan Sutton are competing for a three-year term on the selectboard. Separately, T. Charles Jordan and Alix O’Meara are vying for a one-year term on the panel.

There are no other contested local elections on the Weybridge ballot.

Daniel James is running unopposed for a two-year spot on the selectboard; Spence Putnam is running for a one-year term as moderator; and Justin Perdue and Jennifer Richmond are assured terms of one year and three years, respectively, on the Weybridge Elementary School Board.

Christopher Eaton has no rivals in his bid for a three-year term on a proposed new Addison Central School District Board. Weybridge and the other six towns in the Addison Central Supervisory Union will be voting to fill all 13 slots on this new board, which would govern all schools within the ACSU under a single budget (see related story, Page 1A).

The election of the new board is, of course, contingent on ACSU voters approving unification of their school governance, which will be a separate question on the Town Meeting Day ballot.

Local residents will be asked if

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they want Weybridge to become a full member of the LFICD. The town has thus far been receiving insect control services as a client of the district. The road to full membership includes a requirement that Weybridge continue to pay $10,000 annually for services “until such time as (Weybridge’s) investment equals Cornwall and Bridport’s initial contributions of $40,000,” according to article 9 of the town meeting warning. “By 2019, the annual payment will go down to match the other towns.”

The selectboard is seeking support for a 2016-2017 highway budget of $413,436, up from the $397,710 that voters approved last year. The general fund proposal comes in at $119,913, up from $81,383. It should be noted that this year’s general fund budget is down around $17,000 compared to the 2014-2015 spending plan of $98,838.

Other articles on the Weybridge town meeting warning seek: • Permission to apply $179,294 in surplus funds toward the purchase of a new municipal truck and/or tractor with roadside mower for the town’s highway department.

• $128,000 to purchase a John Deere 6110M roadside mower for the highway department.

• $25,000 to support the local fire department.

• $13,000 to continue Weybridge’s volunteer recycling program.

• A combined total of $21,600 to support various nonprofits and charities benefitting Weybridge and other Addison County communities.

Weybridge residents will be asked to support a 2016-2017 local elementary school spending plan of $1,177,459, representing a 7.19-percent increase compared to this year.

But it is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in a 14.38-percent reduction in per-pupil spending compared to this year.

As the Addison Independent went to press, the Vermont Agency of Education was still awaiting clarification from legislators on how Act 46 will affect the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead education property tax rates in all local school districts. Prior to this confusion, Weybridge’s homestead education tax rate had been pegged to go down by roughly 8 cents — from $2.078 to $1.93 — if the budget were to pass.

Weybridge’s annual meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29, at the Weybridge Elementary School.

Australian ballot voting will occur the next day, at the town clerk’s office, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

★ Whiting ★ WHITING — Whiting residents will gather on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. at Whiting Town Hall to decide town spending and fill several town offices, all from the floor of town meeting.

Up for discussion and approval is the selectboard’s proposed town budget of $365,202. That is a hike of about $65,000, or 22 percent, over the town budget that was approved as warned at last year’s town meeting.

Residents are also being asked to provide a $40,000 property tax exemption to disabled veterans.

A Whiting Elementary School budget of about $642,000 is also on the warning, but is a moot point because of the successful vote to unify the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union under the governance of a single board.

For the first time, voters in the new Otter Valley Unified Union school district will vote on a budget that encompasses school costs in Whiting, Brandon, Goshen, Leicester, Pittsford and Sudbury, as well as at Otter Valley Union High School. Proposed spending for fiscal year 2016-2017 is $22,604,806, which represents education spending of $14,495 per equalized pupil. Whiting residents will vote on this figure by Australian ballot, which will be available all day Tuesday until 7 p.m.

According to estimates developed by the RNeSU business manager and released this week, Whiting would see its education property tax rate fall by 7 cents to $1.44 if the OVUU budget passes.

A number of nominations will be sought to fill vacancies coming up for town positions, most notably a three-year term on the selectboard.

Residents will also be asked to choose, among other positions, a lister, an auditor, a delinquent tax collector, a library trustee, a road commissioner and constables.

Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 19A

ACCT thanks supporters for generous donations

Letters to the Editor Support sought for Brandon’s annual fireworks show The Brandon Independence Day Celebration Committee is a small, fluid group of volunteers who organize and raise funds for Brandon’s two-day Independence Day celebration. In its 40-year history, this event has evolved into a major attraction for thousands of tourists, our citizens, neighbors and friends.

The Brandon Parade is considered to be the best small town parade in Vermont. It is held on the first Friday and Saturday of July; in 2016 that will be July 1 and 2, and we expect it to be bigger and better than ever.

Our activities include Friday night street dance and food vendors in Central Park; Friday and Saturday Silent Auction in Fellowship Hall; Saturday pre-parade activities,

including food vendors and music in Central Park, plus family activities behind the Brandon Inn; our famous Brandon Independence Day Parade; live music after the parade in Central Park; the traditional Great Ball Race over the falls at Green Park; and the annual fireworks display at dusk at Park Village.

This requires a great deal of organization, hard work — and funding. The overall cost of the two days is $18,000-$20,000 per year.

In addition to paying for entertainment before and after the parade and marching band units in the parade, we also must pay for porta-potties, Dumpsters, prizes and awards, postage, police and firemen.

The biggest single expenditure is the fireworks. We are eternally

grateful for the generous support we receive from the community for our fundraising efforts, primarily the Silent Auction, Boot Drop, business and individual donations and the Great Ball Race. However, a key component to our ability to produce this event is the appropriation of $6,000 that we receive annually from the town. This appropriation covers the fabulous fireworks display that provides the magical ending to the most memorable event of the summer in Brandon.

Please vote “YES” for the BIDCC. Debbie Boyce, Chairman Susan Stone, Treasurer Brandon Independence Day Celebration Committee

Experienced school director seeks unified board seat My wife Robin and I have been active members of the Bridport community for the last 15 years; the two youngest of our five children are currently Middlebury Union High School students. The Bridport position I seek is a one-year term that coincides with the first and formative year of the new district.

The work of this board during the first year will be critical to its future success. The board will be establishing policy, negotiating new contracts, establishing a budget and addressing known and yetto-be-discovered issues associated with this transition. I believe the experience I have earned as a business owner and as an active school board member will be valuable in this endeavor.

I have served on Addison Central Supervisory Union school boards for the past seven years, I’m currently serving on the UD-3 (Middlebury Union middle and high schools) board, where I sit on the facilities committee, and as a delegate to the ACSU board. I am currently chairman of the ACSU board and the Executive Committee.

The ACSU board has responsibility for all centralized operations

including curriculum and special education. We are the first stop in policy adoption for all districts, and are responsible for recruiting, hiring and evaluating the superintendent of schools.

My experience has been further bolstered by my past and current committee work. I was first elected to the Bridport board in 2009; I assumed the role of vice chair and ACSU delegate. In my second year I was elected chair of the Bridport board. For the ACSU, I chaired an exploratory committee to consider whether we should form a study committee to consider unification. I went on to chair the RED study committee and led that group through a broad public engagement process that brought over 350 of our neighbors together to discuss our expectations and hopes for public education.

Ultimately the committee decided it wasn’t the right time to pursue consolidation. However, the findings of the committee have informed the work of the current Charter Committee and have contributed to the development of our Strategic Plan.

I have helped develop our current mission and vision statements and

have served as a member of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee.

I’m currently chairman of the ACSU Negotiation Council and the ACSU representative to the Addison/Rutland Regional Bargaining Council, work that is has direct implications for the new district.

In unification, I believe we have a tremendous opportunity to take our students to new heights. I’ve been thinking about this for much of the last seven years, and the possibilities are exciting and inspiring. The goals we aspire to meet: achieving educational equity across elementary schools, closing the achievement gap, and preparing all of our students to be engaged and productive citizens will become much more attainable as a single district.

I believe in public education and have gladly devoted abundant time, energy, intellect and heart to this work. I look forward to continuing to do so and believe I can contribute greatly during this transitional year.

Voters in every ACSU town are eligible to vote for candidates in every town; I will very much appreciate your vote on March 1.

Rick Scott Bridport

ACSU candidate has strong unified board background I am running for a seat on the proposed Addison Central School District board.

I am a seventh-generation Vermonter who also has decades of experience with single-board public schools in New York state, both as a student and as a teacher.

I have been a member of the UD-3 school board (a unified board) since 2005. I have served on committees on finance, facilities, policy and contract negotiations. I wrote UD-3 policies on student outcomes, the first such policies in ACSU. In 2009 I founded the ACSU Policy Committee, and have been its chair ever since. This committee has provided policy drafts and advice to ACSU’s nine boards, increasing the number of policies with identical language across all boards, as well as keeping required

policies up to date. That said, I’d be delighted to toss out all that work, because changing to a single board eliminates the need for policy coordination.

I have often attended the Vermont School Boards Association annual state conference, conferring with fellow board members, helping to represent UD-3 in the VSBA Annual Meeting, and learning about the board role in public education.

I have been an advocate for a single board for many years. I have testified before both the Vermont House and Senate education committees on the subject.

I have been active in our community in other ways as well, serving as president of the Middlebury Actors Workshop board, treasurer of the Ripton Historical Society, conductor of the Middlebury Commu-

nity Wind Ensemble, and frequent teacher at Elderly Services.

I know first-hand the emotion that Vermonters have about their towns. But I was raised also knowing the Vermont tradition of practicality. ACSU has actually been a unified education system for a long time, with a single superintendent and a single graduating class. Governance at the secondary level has been unified for decades.

I am excited about the idea of elementary boards joining — about the evidence-based possibilities for creativity, efficiency and enhanced student opportunity such a union will bring. I offer my experience with unified boards and policy to contribute to our new board from the beginning.

Jerry Shedd Ripton

On behalf of the board and staff of the Addison County Community Trust (ACCT), I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many generous community members who helped us celebrate ACCT’s 25th anniversary by contributing over the past year.

Thanks to this amazing community support we reached our $25,000 fundraising goal.

I would also like to extend special thanks to Cheryl Mitchell and Ken Perine for co-chairing our end-of-year annual appeal.

Ken and Cheryl’s dedication to ACCT’s mission not only enabled

us to reach our goal, but was personally inspiring to staff and board members as we embarked on this first-time effort.

In 1990, a group of like-minded community members founded ACCT in order to address the challenge of homelessness and affordable housing in our area.

Twenty-five years later, ACCT serves over 600 of our neighbors by providing affordable apartments, mobile home parks, and single-family homes. Among the successes the community helped us achieve in 2015 are 22 new and preserved apartments at Peter Coe

Village in Middlebury; funding commitments to break ground on 14 new net-zero modular homes in Waltham; and expansion of our “Support and Services at Home” (SASH) program to over 100 area seniors.

With the continued support of private and public partners, we face the task addressing Addison County’s affordable housing needs for the next 25 years with confidence and conviction.

From all of us at ACCT, thank you.

Elise Shanbacker Vergennes

Support H. 261 and ‘fair chance hiring’ to rebuild lives I’ve been the chef/owner of 3 Squares Café in Vergennes for 9 years. At 3 Squares Café, we strive to have an inclusive work environment. When a position becomes available, we interview and hire employees based on their ability to meet the needs of the position.

What we don’t do, is ask about prior criminal convictions on an application.

I believe that a criminal conviction should not prevent someone from obtaining future jobs and sustaining a good quality of life.

With increasing incarceration rates, especially with nonviolent offenders, more of our citizenry is finding themselves at a disadvantage. Once released from corrections they already face many challenges upon re-entering the community. Their ability to positively transition and not reoffend is linked to many of these challenges, including ability to find employment.

People that are truly trying to put their lives back on track often only need an opportunity to prove themselves. I have employed and befriended many individuals that policies like this negatively impact and I myself would be subject to this screening process. By no means do I feel that employers should lose the right to look into the background of prospective hires but

simply be asked to wait until the prospect arrives at stage two of the interview process.

Most of the job opportunities we are speaking of are middle- to low-income and entry level. I have found that in the cyber-driven world we live in, with information at our fingertips, these background concerns can be answered with a Google search. That being said, people trying to rebuild are up against so much and this legislation is the least we can do to help prevent them from passing back through the “revolving door” and eventually lead to being institutionalized.

Currently in Vermont, H.261 is being considered in House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs. This bill would prohibit employers from requesting information about criminal convictions on an initial application for employment but would not prohibit employers from requiring applicants to disclose conviction history in subsequent employment applications or interviews. That way, employers are deciding if an employee is the right fit for the job based on their qualifications and character, and not on their previous criminal convictions.

Prohibiting employers from

asking questions about criminal history on an initial application would open more doors for people working to rebuild their lives after being released from corrections.

So far, over 100 cities and counties and a total of 20 states across the country have adopted policies to “Ban the Box” or support “Fair Chance Hiring.” Last April, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed an executive order to ban the box for state jobs. This would remove questions about criminal records from the very first part of job applications for any job in state employment, with exemptions for law enforcement, corrections, and a few other positions. Agencies will continue to conduct background checks, but only after an applicant has otherwise been found qualified for the position.

Ban the Box policies give all people a fair chance at employment by preventing applicants from being immediately screened out of jobs because of their past and add roadblocks to the future that they are attempting to build. I support H.261 and hope the Legislature will as well so that we can ensure that all Vermonters have a fair chance at employment and the happiness we all seek.

Matt Birong Vergennes

Spilled milk, on Main Street and in Washington Just Milk The milk truck’s tipped over, lying on its side. One Justice lies inside his court’s Great Hall. Inside his velvetlined, satin carton. Before the police and fire department arrive, we citizens kneel curbside, dragging our pails in the milky gutter. Partially a line I’ve taken from Seidel’s leaking poem. A poet the First Amendment seems to be drafted for, the poetry he writes so recently hated.

Police unroll their yellow plastic line.

Firefighters stir sand into the curdling.

To absorb as much of the spill as the sand can from a town shed.

Although the driver, embarrassed and chagrined, double-dosing himself with guilt, indicates we can take home as much milk as we can hold in our hands, lean down to drink. As if we were on the bank of Otter Creek, here in Middlebury.

And, at the same time, paying our respects, to judgment’s family Justice, some of my neighbors and I freely disagree with.

In the late afternoon light, to raise a glass to.

Gary Margolis Cornwall

Proposed remedy for city truck traffic earns support For over 30 years, we, as a community, have attempted to alleviate the serious problems surrounding the ever-increasing size and quantity of trucks passing through our beloved Vergennes on its Main Street, Route 22A. Incredibly, after all of our cumulative efforts, someone comes forward, casually, with an enlightened, albeit partial, solution to the problem. Our enthusiasm for the proposal is unequivocal.

We wish to add our wholehearted support for Vergennes Mayor Bill Benton and the city council’s efforts to relieve the longstanding and everincreasing truck traffic dilemma in downtown Vergennes.

As Vergennes residents, as well as residential and commercial property owners along Route 22A, Main Street, Vergennes, for over these same 30 years, we feel that we are uniquely positioned to offer our perspective on the nature of the truck traffic problem and to respond to their proposal, as presented.

We have observed, first-hand, the ever-present rumbling and destructive vibration to the Vergennes Opera House/City Hall, to the Bixby Library, to the residential and commercial buildings of the extensive

National Historic District, as to our own historic home and rental property at 125 Main St., directly across from the Opera House/City Hall.

We have observed our schoolchildren narrowly avoid the trucks barreling through our narrow city streets as they make their way home through our residential community each afternoon.

We have observed neighbors and visitors to our community defy the trucks as they attempt to make their purchases within the commercial center or attempt to communicate while attempting to partake a relaxing meal with one another over the ear-splitting cacophony of truck rumblings.

We have observed, mid-winter, multiple chemically laden oversized trucks with hazardous materials skidding back down the Main Street, returning onto the bridge over Otter Creek with its incline of 10 percent, in violation of the 7 percent standard of safety.

As a result, we have held our breath each time a fire truck or emergency vehicle wails its terrifying call, fearing that this time a truck driver has had a misstep, resulting in spilled pollution throughout the city center, or an explosion

of volatile fuel, exterminating a portion of our populace.

Along with hundreds of other residents, we have taken our turn to count the enumerable numbers of trucks laden with flammable and toxic chemicals illegally travelling in caravan through our residential street at all hours of the days and nights.

Over the years, we have participated in the enumerable fact-finding studies and in resultant proposals for traffic calming, alternative routes and restrictive measures to minimize inevitable human and material destruction of our community.

We have offered solutions for naught.

Today, Mayor Benton and the City Council have come forward with a proposal that makes sense for this time and place. It is not a total solution, but it is progress and has the potential for implementation. For this reason, and for our trust in their judgment, we lend our names and support of their proposal.

We strongly encourage our entire Vergennes community to turn out on March 1 and to do the same.

Faith and Stephen Terry Vergennes

Town Meeting Letter Policy Town Meeting Day is coming up and the Addison Independent wants to give everyone a chance to have their voices heard in our letters forum. We encourage citizens

to discuss and debate issues and candidates on which they will cast ballots. To ensure that we have room to publish a letter to the editor from any local resident who wants

to share their opinion we will limit each individual to one letter of no more than 800 words on a single topic during the six weeks leading up to Town Meeting Day.

ADDISONINDEPENDENT.COM

PAGE 20A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

Anniversary gathering MEMBERS OF THE Middlebury and Vergennes Rotary clubs gather to celebrate the 111th anniversary of the founding of Rotary International Tuesday night at the Middlebury Inn.

Independent photos/Trent Campbell

Mt. Abe seeks to maintain programs

ANwSU (Continued from Page 1A) District Board, four each from Vergennes and Ferrisburgh, two from Addison, and one each from Panton and Waltham. There are no contested races for those seats. Panton is lacking a candidate, and if unification passes the town’s selectboard will appoint a director.

Also according to the Articles of Agreement on which residents will vote on Tuesday, on July 1, 2017, towns’ schools and school property would also transfer to the new unified district — with a provision that real estate be returned, or at least offered back to, the towns if no longer used for education. Existing debt would also be assumed by the greater union.

Each school within the unified district will remain open for at least four years unless its host town votes to close it. After four years, a school can be closed by a majority vote of the Unified District Board.

Those provisions are similar to those in previous unification plans, although according to ANwSU officials more tightly worded this time around.

ANwSU officials also say the state-offered incentives found in Act 46 are better this time around, while the law also could by 2018 order districts like ANwSU to consolidate without offering any of the benefits that would come with a voluntary merger this year.

MARSHA HOFFMAN TALKS with David Clark at a gathering Tuesday night celebrating the 111th anniversary of the founding of Rotary International. Members of the Middlebury and Vergennes clubs gathered at the Middlebury Inn to celebrate.

As far as the incentives, Act 46 provides for 10 cents off the local residential school tax rate in the first year after an approved merger, 8 cents in the second year, 6 cents in the third year, 4 cents in the fourth year, and 2 cents in the fifth and final year.

City Manager Mel Hawley recently said the best way for residents to look at the tax-rate incentive would be as a discount on the otherwise approved rate.

ANwSU officials estimate that under unification: • Addison’s school tax rate would be 15.2 cents lower in the 2017-2018 tax year, and savings in the following year would be 13.3 cents.

• Ferrisburgh’s school tax rate would be 14.8 cents lower in the 2017-2018 tax year, and savings in the following year would be 12.9 cents.

• Panton’s school tax rate would be 5.7 cents lower in the 2017-2018 tax year, and savings in the following year would be 3.6 cents.

• Vergennes’ school tax rate would be 4.4 cents lower in the 2017-2018 tax year, and savings in the following year would be 2.3 cents.

• Waltham’s school tax rate would be 5.1 cents lower in the 2017-2018 tax year, and savings in the following year would be 3 cents.

In all five communities, the tax

rates in the following three years would be 16.7, 14.9 and 13.0 cents, respectively, lower with unification than without, according to the ANwSU estimates.

Act 46 also provides for a $150,000 grant to help districts plan the transitions, and allows them to keep Small Schools Grants. Addison Central School currently receives such a grant of about $80,000 a year.

Officials also expect up to $70,000 in annual savings from consolidation, citing items such as fewer board insurance policies and audits.

Officials also said they would have greater flexibility to share staff among elementary schools if there were one single contract with a Unified District Board, a situation that could save money and help students.

They also say it would be easier under a unified governance structure to ensure that all ANwSU elementary school students share the same curriculum and extra-curricular benefits, thus helping them to enter Vergennes Union High School on an equal footing.

Addison, Ferrisburgh and Vergennes municipal and school officials are working with school boards to deal with land issues in each community that they believe can be settled before town school property would be transferred on July 1, 2017.

Andy Kirkaldy may be reached at andyk@addisonindependent.com.

By GAEN MURPHREE 743.48 in 2016-2017. As Tuesday BRISTOL — On Town Meeting night’s discussion highlighted time Day, March 1, voters in the five Ad- and again, this little understood dison Northeast Supervisory Union number — “equalized pupils” — is towns will decide on a $13,389,914 one the state arrives at by, in simpliproposed Mount Abraham Union fied terms, balancing grade level and High School spending plan for the different categories of need, such as 2016-2017 school year. That budget income level and being an English represents a roughly 1 language learner, and percent decrease in total then averaging differing spending from the curcategories of enrollment rent year’s $13,947,738 figures over two years. budget that voters apVilaseca also stressed proved on a third vote that the board worked last June. hard to keep the budget At the Tuesday, Feb. under the Act 46 allow23, MAUHS annual able growth percentage meeting, Interim Suand thus avoid Act 46 perintendent Armando education tax penalties.

Vilaseca stressed that this “We were given a taryear’s Mount Abe budget through Act 46 of get, while bare bones, cut a 1.35 percent increase spending and protected prior to the change, so VILASECA taxpayers from the Act the board from the be46 tax penalties while maintaining ginning was very much aware and level programming for students. looking at staying below that cap “This year the board and adminis- while still maintaining programs for tration has done a great job of main- students,” Vilaseca said at Tuesday’s taining the programs for students annual meeting in Bristol. while reducing the overall budget,” He also emphasized that the board said Vilaseca. was partly able to maintain proHe went on to note that “the chal- grams, cut the budget by roughly lenge that the board faced this year half a million dollars, and avoid the was how do we address the fact that Act 46 tax penalties because there enrollments are going down while was a surplus to carry forward. still trying to maintain services for The warning for the Mount Abe all students.” annual meeting pegged spending Given the different ways that the per equalized pupils at $15,610, a Agency of Education calculates stu- 1 percent increase from the 2015dent numbers, Mount Abe’s student 2016 budget. An updated worksheet body could be said to be stabilizing from ANeSU Chief Financial Officer or declining. Actual students enrolled Howard Mansfield available at Tueson Oct. 1, 2015, were counted at 661. day’s meeting put per pupil spending Actual enrollment is projected to go for 2016-2017 at $15,319. up to 671 for 2016-2017. The equalOn Jan. 30, legislators raised the ized pupil count, however, is going Vermont school spending threshold down from 795.41 in 2015-2016 to by 0.9 percent for all schools state-

wide, bringing the Mount Abe allowable threshold to 2.25 percent, and limited the tax penalty for going over the cap to 40 percent for every dollar over the amount. Both before and after the change in legislation, the proposed budget avoids the Act 46 tax penalties.

Mount Abe Interim Principal Carol Fenimore reinforced Vilaseca’s message of trying to maintain and do more on a bare bones budget.

“We wanted to be sure that we could offer just as much as in prior years and if anything take the faculty that we have and be able to improve our service to the students,” Fenimore said. “What was very clearly important was not to reduce staff. It’s all about how we deploy our faculty. We have the same faculty, they’re working really hard, and we’re doing what we can for kids with new ways to reach them. And I find that our faculty are very open to doing more for kids.”

At press time, homestead tax rates were still up in the air statewide, as the Agency of Education continues to await clarification from legislators on how Act 46 affects the “property dollar equivalent yield” used to calculate the homestead rate.

Voting by Australian ballot on the 2016-2017 Mount Abe budget and on Mount Abe school directors will take place in each of the five ANeSU towns on Town Meeting Day, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Contact your town clerk for the place of voting.

Copies of the Mount Abe 2015 Annual Budget Report with the Proposed 2016-2017 Budget can be found at any of the ANeSU school offices, town clerk’s offices, at the ANeSU central office in Bristol, as well as online at www.anesu.org/ district-reports.

Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016 — PAGE 21A

Fanning fetes 40 years teaching with a concert MIDDLEBURY — Pianist Diana Fanning will celebrate 40 years of teaching piano at Middlebury College with a solo recital in the Robison Hall of the Mahaney Center for the Arts on Sunday, March 6, at 4 p.m.. The program will include beautiful and unusual works by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, and Janáček. The concert will also feature Brahms’ magnificent Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, one of the great masterpieces of the Romantic era.

Fanning has toured extensively

throughout the U.S. and in England, France, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Holland and Germany. After a concert in Munich, a critic wrote that “Diana Fanning stunned her listeners with the rich spectrum of subtle colors and tonal nuances she revealed. Her recital seized the audience with a veritable deep magic.”

Fanning has performed on numerous occasions as a concerto soloist with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Vermont Public Television featured her in a program of works

Movie Review By Joan Ellis Where to Invade Next; Running time: 1:59; Rating: R What a surprise. An audience streaming out of a Michael Moore documentary is usually arguing before it gets to the exit door — a sure bet that liberals and conservatives have been re-stoked in their hardcore positions.

Not this time. At a showing of “Where to Invade Next,” the audience laughed, sighed in approval, and stood to clap as the credits rolled. What has happened to you, Michael Moore?

In a timely burst of insight, Moore made a list of problems facing America, and because those problems are universal, he decided to visit other countries to see how they deal with them. His list: Italy, to discuss labor; France, health; Finland, education; Slovenia, quality of life; Germany, work; Portugal, crime; Norway, human dignity; Tunisia, women’s health; and Iceland; women.

It’s easy for us to say that these are smaller countries, that our problems are too big to solve in any definitive way. That’s too facile an answer. The attitudes expressed by the leaders, officials, protesters and criminals in these countries are rooted in an honest search for solutions. If you feel like raising an eyebrow when human dignity is offered as the basis for a solution to grave problems, at least think of this movie as an invitation to look at how other countries do things. You may be surprised.

It is precisely because of the determination of national leaders to build on such concepts that our own skepticism is suddenly dimmed, if not extinguished. America ranks 29th in the world in education. Listen to the Finns explain how they did it. You say they have a homogenous population? That it can’t be done here? Try to open you mind to their underlying concepts, to those generalizations that we tend to dismiss. The results in Finnish education are not only compelling but deeply appealing.

And then the big surprise. Nearly every one of these countries tells Michael Moore that they built their turnarounds on some version of an American principle. And they wonder why we can do it in our own country in the 21st century. And when one says, “You play more solo,” he hands us the

thought that rolls around in our heads for a long time after we leave the theater. Yes, we do play solo, but haven’t we come to the point where we have to devise solutions that will affect many?

If it’s a stretch to say that the strident Michael Moore we all know has become an optimist, it’s a revelation to hear him say “The American dream is alive and well everywhere but America.” Almost everyone he talked to said they have based their new systems on an American idea.

So put aside your annoyance at his disheveled appearance, his gimmicky flag plantings, and especially at his past movies that annoyed you. Just ask yourself if we just might be able to steal back our own ideas in working to change our habit of fighting among ourselves. American problems, American solutions.

by Scarlatti, Ravel and Chopin. Radio audiences hear her frequently over Vermont Public Radio, and she has performed live on “Morning Pro Musica” (WGBH-FM, Boston) and on WNYC, New York City.

Fanning has been a guest artist with the Takács, Jupiter and Alexander string quartets, and with ensembles from Point CounterPoint Music Camp, which she owned and directed for 10 years with her husband Emory Fanning. Her Duo with the outstanding Dutch cellist Dieuwke Davydov has performed widely

in the U.S., including a Carnegie Recital Hall debut, and they will embark on their eighth concert tour in Europe in 2017.

Fanning’s CD of works by Janáček, Chopin and Debussy received enthusiastic reviews in England and the U.S. Her principal teacher has been Ruth Geiger of New York City. She is an Affiliate Artist of the Middlebury College Department of Music.

The March 6 concert is sponsored by the Middlebury College Music Department. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

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Thanks for a Successful 7th Annual FOOD from the HEART Food Drive 2400 lbs. of food and $489 were collected to support Food Shelves in Vergennes and Bristol!

Many thanks to these donation locations for their help in making this event possible: SHAWS of Bristol • SHAWS of Vergennes CHAMPLAIN DISCOUNT FOODS of Vergennes Also, special thanks to BOY SCOUT TROOP 539 & CUB PACK 539 who worked side by side with Lions Club members!!!

And, of course, thanks to all the shoppers who contributed so generously.

It was a wicked cold day, but there were lots of WARM HEARTS!

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THE IMPRESSIONISTS AND THE MAN WHO MADE THEM Fri 3/4 8pm $15

KAT WRIGHT AND THE INDOMITABLE SOUL BAND The sultry songstress rocks out with her funky, soulful seven piece band.

PAGE 22A — Addison Independent, Thursday, February 25, 2016

Open house (Continued from Page 1A) also agreed to lease some temporary storage space in the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, and elected to spend: • $14,292 and $19,196, respectively, for security cameras at the town office building and recreation center.

The cameras are being provided by the company Pro-Tech.

• $5,558 for a floor scrubber for the recreation facility. Unused funds in the recreation facility budget will be used for the purchase. The town will look at buying a smaller scrubber for the town offices.

Both buildings were constructed according to rigorous energy efficiency standards, according to Middlebury selectboard members. Officials believe Middlebury’s will be only the second net-zero town office structure in the country (the other is in New York state). The town has invested in solar arrays to count toward the office building’s net-zero rating. A net-zero building consumes no more energy than it produces.

“This is a great achievement for the town,” said Selectwoman Laura Asermily. “These are definitely buildings that accomplish the town’s goals of energy efficiency.”

Local officials are thanking local civic organizations and businesses that

have helped finance extra amenities for the new buildings. The Middlebury Rotary Club approached the town last spring with an offer to make $10,000 in upgrades to the small conference room. From this offer, a subcommittee developed a policy and a list of items approved by the selectboard. In addition to the small conference room upgrades, donations have been secured from Middlebury American Legion

By the way (Continued from Page 1A) 6-8 p.m. Come listen to live (and lively) music by over a dozen musicians while enjoying homemade desserts and beverages. Free-will contributions will support Hancock’s 2016 summer concert series on the town’s new bandstand.

Otter Valley Union High School’s Walking Stick Theater will present an evening of One Act Plays this Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 28, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $6 for students and seniors. The five plays will be “The Intruder,” “I Couldn’t Travel Both,” “A Private Affair,” “That’s Not How I Remember It,” and “Inevitable.” “Inevitable,” directed and written by Jeff Hull, will also be performed for competition at the district festival. The other four plays are directed by Otter Valley seniors.

The New Haven Republican Town Committee will hold a meeting on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the New Haven Congregational Church. Representatives from the Cruz, Kasich and Rubio campaigns will be on hand. Following their presentations, there will be an informal time for light refreshments and a chance to meet with the representatives.

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Post No. 27 and the Junior Legion for two scoreboards and relocation of the current flagpole to the new recreation facility. The Downtown Improvement District Committee has made donations for landscaping for the town offices, and an anonymous gift will pay for a west elevation gable decorative screen on the town office building.

Contributions to date have also paid for seven benches for outside seating

at the town offices. A community volunteer has also offered to build some complimentary picnic tables.

Donations are still being sought for a new, lighted flagpole (estimated at $10,000) for the town office building and two or three benches to be placed along the walkway between the Ilsley Library and the town offices. The benches, estimated at around $3,000 each, will be purchased as donations

allow, according to Middlebury Town Manager Kathleen Ramsay.

Ramsay said she and other municipal staff will move into the new municipal building in late March/ early April. Attention will then turn to removing the old town offices/gym and transforming the property into a public park. Middlebury College will head up that task. To that end, the selectboard on Tuesday agreed to pay

Otter Creek Engineering $23,725 to conduct a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment in preparation for June demolition. That assessment, among other things, will key on potential site contamination, including petroleum products. The company will use a variety of testing methods to sample soils, groundwater and air around the site.

The college will reimburse the town for this study.