Charlotte News
The
Charlotte’s award-winning community newspaper
Volume lIX Number 2
The VoIce of The TowN
And I took the road less traveled by...
WHAT’S INSIDE
Municipal Taxes Jump – How High?, page 1
Wastewater Issue Heats up in Town Again, page 1
All the World’s a Stage for Some Charlotters, page 8
Clyde Baldwin Interview – 25 Years in the Hot Seat, page 11 Yellow Iris, a Scourge to Vermont Rivers, page 16
Thursday, augusT 11, 2016
CharlotteNewsVt.org
Charlotte News
The
Vol. 59, no. 2 August 11, 2016
Vermont’s oldest nonprofit community newspaper, bringing you local news and views since 1958.
The Town Plan gets an overhaul
Seguin Bridge laid bare
Planning Commission attempts to make plan more user friendly, invites feedback Geeda Searfoorce THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
property, with its large septic capacity (16,000 gallons per day – GPD) in the ‘90s, led to a town advisory vote in 2009. The vote, to “explore the construction of a public or community facility or facilities for the purpose of providing wastewater disposal for residential and commercial use in West Charlotte Village” led to this 93-page report. Many years in the coming, it may be found at bit.ly/2aNDHeb. Its delay has been fundamentally due to past
The Planning Commission is ready to unveil the updated Town Plan, an eagerly anticipated document that will serve as the bedrock for Charlotte’s future. On August 18, the commission will hold a special informational meeting about the new plan and provide copies and offer context for townspeople as they review it. And on September 15, Charlotters can ask questions and get additional perspective at the public hearing. The new document has been reorganized to be more user friendly and incorporate new data, policies and strategies. “It’s a complete rewrite,” said Planning Commission Chair Jeff McDonald. “The new version is more readable, concise and restructured to meet the needs of the town going forward.” “This is many years in the making,” said Town Administrator Dean Bloch, about the changes to this vital text. McDonald agrees. “We’ve actually been working on this revision since 2012,” he said, “but some of the language in the former version is 20 years old.” Issues addressed include updates to and clarifications about affordable housing specifications, different types of farms and storm water runoff. A groundwater study also has been added. The Town Plan’s structure has been
see SelectboaRd, page 7
see town plan, page 5
The Seguin Bridge off Roscoe Road has been stripped for long overdue repairs. Soon the roof will be removed and set aside on the north side of the bridge to repair the top chords which have been badly damaged by insects. The sides will come off and then the entire floor will be demolished and replaced. This project will cost $431,048, but thanks to the Vermont Historic Bridge Program, will only cost the town $2,000. For more details on the Seguin (or do you call it Sequin?) Bridge restoration project (and to find out which is correct), see Mel Huff’s article in our June 17 issue here: goo.gl/VF6xF0. Photo: Ruah Swennerfelt
Water and fire at Selectboard meeting
The Charlotte Selectboard met twice in early August. Three issues were paramount: setting the tax rate (see below), presentation of the final report on
disposition of wastewater for the West Village and the CVFRS year-end financial report. The lion’s share of the Aug. 8 meeting was consumed with review of the final Report on Expanding Community Wastewater Service in the West Charlotte Village. The report, authored principally by civil engineer Dave Marshall and town planner Dana Hanley, presented an extensive review of the potential use of excess wastewater capabilities in the West Village. The purchase of the Burns
Frisbee there or be square
Tax rate set to increase
John Hammer CONTRIBUTOR
Donations needed to complete 9-hole disc golf course Been to the Town Beach Park lately? If you have, you know you can swim, play volleyball, pickleball, tennis, slide down a slide (or three) and more. Soon, with just a little more community support, you’ll be able to play nine holes of a sport that has been taking Vermont by storm—disc golf. Disc golf players rave about the creative physical challenge and amount of fun, dynamic body movement involved in the sport. And its low price point ensures anyone can play. But the Recreation Department needs donations to secure the last five baskets to complete the course at Charlotte Beach. To donate, contact Bill FraserHarris at billandeva@gmavt.net. Need some inspiration? Ten of the world’s best disc golfers will converge on Smuggler’s Notch for a big tournament in September. More info at smuggs.com.
Pay up! John Hammer | The Charlotte News
Charlotte taxpayers will have to open their wallets a little wider in the coming year. At an August 1 meeting, the Selectboard set the municipal tax rate. This year the rate has been calculated at 17.67¢ compared to last year’s 14.39¢ per $100 assessed property value. The reason for the increase? Last year’s tax rate was lower than normal because it had benefited from a large surplus from the previous year. The total homestead tax rate, which is the sum of both the education and municipal taxes, totals out as $1.8039 ($1.7422 for nonresidents) per $100 assessed property value. Last year’s total tax rates were $1.6584 (resident) and $1.6048 (nonresident). “The municipal tax rate did increase a little more than three cents,” said Town Administrator Dean Bloch. “This was anticipated when the municipal budget was approved at Town Meeting. The main driver in the increase was the state education tax rates.”
PHOTO: HEATHER HAMILTON
Community wastewater conundrum in West Charlotte, CVFRS year-end numbers
Ashley Meecham takes the reins at Steeple Ridge, goes full circle Emma Slater THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
As Ashley Meecham walks down the aisle at Steeple Ridge Farm, dozing horses look up from their hay nets to nicker as she passes. Their affection is consistent with the positive community response to her presence following her purchase of the farm from Mindy Hinsdale on June 6. As the new owner of the distinguished
equestrian program, she has a great tradition to follow and many exciting new ideas. Although New Haven, Vermont, is home for Meecham, she rode with Hinsdale as a high school student and purchased her first horse from her in 2007. Meecham chose to settle in Charlotte because of her positive experience with see Steeple R idge, page 6
Library News 14 • Crossword & Sudoku 15 • Community Events 18 • Around Town 19
2 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
News from The News
Ph.D.s and plays TCN is bursting with pride for former Editor Brett Sigurdson, who will be attending the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis for a Ph.D. in English Literature. Funded for six years, Sigurdson will delve deep into all things lit but fear not—he’s not going too far from news writing. He plans on doing some coursework in journalism during his first semester. Kate Sigurdson, Brett’s wife, will begin work in admissions for the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs next week. No doubt their sweet daughter Sage will give the “City of Lakes” a run for its money. “I’ve followed the Charlotte News closely since leaving the paper last year,”
Talley Isabel Charlson, CCS Grade 6 What a wonderful creature, so gentle and kind, dappled and grey, big dark brown eyes, swishing her tail with so much pride. What a big heart, what a beautiful mind. Talley, oh Talley, she’s one of a kind.
Sigurdson says, “and that won’t change despite my moving halfway across the country. Charlotte will always linger large in my memory, for it’s the first place I called ‘home’ in Vermont. It’s a community to which I devoted energy and enthusiasm and passion as a News editor. For so many reasons, my time in Charlotte will be something I’ll always cherish. While I’ll miss my friends in the community and at the News, I hope to visit often and return to Vermont once my doctorate is in hand. Consider this, then, a ‘see-ya-later’ rather than a ‘goodbye.’” Assistant Editor Geeda Searfoorce is putting a gleam in The News’ eye as well. Her short play, “Safety in Numbers,” will be performed in the ninth annual “TenFest” at the air-conditioned Valley Players’ Theater on Route 100 in Waitsfield, August 18–21. The Vermont Playwrights Circle is presenting 10 ten-minute plays by Vermont playwrights. Tickets are
“Wait, before you leave, watch out for some dangers along the way.” I don’t want to face any more dangers, so I turn around and say, “That’s enough running for one day.” I think I will stick to my normal street from now on.
The Spiderman Birthday Party Seth Boffa, CCS Grade 7
It was August 4th, a warm summer day. It was also my 5th Birthday! I woke up early that morning and rushed into my Running parents’ room. I jumped on their bed and Nellie Karshagen, CCS Grade 6 started yelling, “It’s my birthday! It’s my birthday!” “We know,” they grumbled, rubbing their When I hear the sound of my heart beat eyes in the process. and the sound of my feet, I know that I’m doing well. Here I am running down a hill, Earlier that month, my parents had and I feel like I am going to fall because asked me what kind of birthday party I going down a hill some people fall, but wanted. “A Spiderman party!” I had said I have to try to keep my balance. There, excitedly. So that day we carried out all down the hill with no injuries. My house the Spiderman cupcakes and I put on my is coming up, and I really don’t want to best Spiderman shirt. People started to stop running, so instead of going to my show up, wishing me a happy birthday. house, I go past my house and down a road You know, the usual birthday stuff. But that I’ve never gone down; well, here goes that’s when things started to get different. nothing. My mom rushed out and said, “Everyone, The street is full of branches that look come here! The Green Goblin has been really spooky; it is almost like the street terrorizing this neighborhood and has is haunted. On the branches there are a lot stolen a pot of gold. He has left a trail of of owls and spider webs; it reminds me clues to find it! Do you think we should about, Harry Potter. I want to turn back, follow him? It could be dangerous!” but I don’t want to stop running. I run We quickly and unanimously yelled, one mile then all the sudden I find myself “Let’s get him!” walking, looking at the houses and all So we read our first clue: I like the skeletons. This place is really giving to horse around in this place. We figured me the creeps. Then all of a sudden, I see out quickly that the next clue had to be in light at the other end. I run as fast as I can the barn. We went into the barn and were but then a witch pops out of a tunnel. I am welcomed with the fresh smell of manure so scared that I scream and turn around, and... the next clue: You might learn somebut there are all these witches surroundthing new here. This one took us a little ing me; there is no escape. The witches longer to figure out, but eventually we look like regular old witches: warts on thought it must be at the mailbox (news). their faces, green skin, ugly witches’ hat, Throughout the next half hour or so, brooms, and weird dresses that witches we followed the clues the Green Goblin wear. had left. Finally, we had come to one of Suddenly the witch starts to talk to me. the last clues. It led us right back to our “Can I help you, miss?” the witch in the house. We rushed in the door, expecting tunnel says. to see the pot of gold and the Green “No, I...I... I’m just going out for my daily Goblin sitting there. That was not the run and I don’t want to go home, so I came case. There wasn’t a pot of gold in sight. down this road,” I said. Instead the room was a wreck. Furniture “Hmmm... well, finish your running was knocked over on its side; the jewelry NOW,” The mean witch says. box was empty; plates and glasses were scattered all across the room. In the “OK, OK,” I say quickly as I run off.
The Charlotte News
The Sigurdsons head west for higher education institutions. Congrats from all of us at The News! Don’t be a stranger...
$10, $8 for students and seniors (age 62). Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. For reservations, call 802-583-1674. Info: vtplays. com/blog/tenfest-2016. middle of the mess was the last clue. We gathered and read it together: Look out the window. Almost on cue, we heard a KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Our heads whipped around so fast that we could’ve gotten whiplash. Our eyes widened when we saw the Green Goblin himself with the pot of gold AND the stolen jewelry. “GET HIM!” We ran outside to the bucket full of our “weapons” AKA squirt guns. After choosing our guns of choice, we chased after him. We would shoot until we ran out of water and then proceeded to chuck the guns at him. After a while, we started running out of ammo. When all was thought to be lost, my brother Cole came out with our exercise ball. The Green Goblin had put up a good fight but he had made one crucial mistake. He hadn’t seen my brother waiting around the corner. WHAM! THUMP! Cole had put all of his energy into the blow. He had hit the Green Goblin so hard with the ball that he had fallen over. The rest of us caught up with him and took turns waling on the Green Goblin. After a good couple of minutes, he finally raised the white flag and gave us the “gold” and the jewelry. We let out our vicious 4- and 5-year-old battle cries. But we weren’t done yet. We took green Goblin’s mask and ripped it off his face. I realized then that what I thought was the Green Goblin was actually my dad.
Rhyme/EXCERPT Emmett LaChappelle, CCS Grade 6 There is a man named Pat and he has a cat His cat’s name is Jack and his favorite thing is his pack His pack is red and he sleeps with it in his bed His sheets are plaid and his best friend is Chad Chad’s favorite thing to do is draw and he likes to eat his fish raw His fish are from the seven seas and he also eats peas He gets his peas from John whose favorite place is the salon John gets his hair cut there And his barber looks like a bear His barber’s name is Jerry He is very hairy Jerry likes to eat pasta
The Charlotte News is a nonprofit communitybased newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues. It serves as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and celebrates the people, places and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique. Contributions in the form of articles, press releases and photographs pertaining to Charlotte-related people and events are accepted and encouraged. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@thecharlottenews.org. The Charlotte News is published in Charlotte by The Charlotte News, Inc., a Vermont domestic 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation. Distribution is made every other Thursday to all households and businesses in Charlotte and to more than 50 outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and Burlington. The Charlotte News relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations.
Editorial Staff news@thecharlottenews.org / 425-4949 Editor in chief: Alex Bunten Assistant editor: Geeda Searfoorce Contributing editors: John Hammer, Edd Merritt, Emma Slater, Ruah Swennerfelt Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Leslie Botjer, Vince Crockenberg, Carol Hanley
Business Staff ads@thecharlottenews.org / 343-0279 Ad manager: Monica Marshall Business manager: Shanley Hinge
Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg Secretary: John Hammer Treasurer: Patrice Machavern Board members: Bob Bloch, Carol Hanley, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli
Contributors Seth Boffa, Bradley Carleton, Isabel Charlson, Nicole Conley, Elizabeth Gribkoff, Larry Hamilton, John Hammer, Nellie Karshagen, Emmett LaChappelle, Mark Moser, Mark Nash, Margaret Woodruff
On the Cover Charlotte is known for its scenic vistas. Drivers along U.S. Route 7 can now see the majestic vehicles of industry, as construction along the road continues to cause delays. Townspeople have publicly decried the higher volume of traffic on Greenbush and Mt. Philo roads, which have become unwitting alternate routes for impatient motorists. See page 3 and 6 for more. Photo: Emma Slater
Subscription Information The Charlotte News is delivered at no cost to all Charlotte residences. Effective May 1, 2016, we will no longer offer bulk mail subscriptions. Subscriptions are available for first-class delivery at $40 per calendar year. Want a subscription? Please send a check payable to The Charlotte News, PO Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445.
Postmaster Send address changes to: The Charlotte News P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 Telephone: 425-4949 Circulation: 3,000 copies per issue. Copyright © 2016 The Charlotte News, Inc. Printed by Upper Valley Press. Member of the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the Vermont Press Association. Editor’s A ftErword: Stories you’ll not see in this issue: “The One and Only: Wendy’s Baconator.” Some press releases are just silly. We are very glad to see our friend, Doug Hartwell, back at the office and in the swing of things after his motorcycle accident. Be safe out there, folks!
The CharloTTe News •augusT 11, 2016 • 3
When all else fails, become a Road Warrior
Letters to the Editor
“well-heeled cousin” is going to give her a used car. En route, Marybelle develops a passionate relationship with him that goes beyond that of driver-passenger. Cliff had a tight ritual to which he adheres each time he crosses a state line. More on Route 7 bypass, traffic in our village. We have gone to the It requires him to cite the state flower, otherwise known as Selectboard to complain several times, the state bird, the state animal, the state’s Greenbush Road and we have been assured that we would motto. Then he tosses out the window Once again I must weigh in on the south see increased patrols (this is true to some the appropriate state piece from the U.S. He wear no shoeshine puzzle he’s brought along, hoping that at Greenbush Road speeding situation. As I extent at a cost of $35K to resident taxpayHe got toe jam football some point he could come back, pick up the have often done in past years, I continue to ers) and were told that traffic calming He got monkey finger pieces and put the country back together. observe the speeding and carelessness that measures would be instituted. There He shoot Coca Cola (Damned if I could identify the symbolism drivers exhibit coming into our “down- would be radar speeding signs—Huh? He say, I know you, you know me town” area. Now that Route 7 construction Where? There would be narrowed lanes in in that gesture, but it has to be there.) One thing I can tell you is Philip Caputo in his treatise on The is in full swing, it’s no surprise motorists the village—Really? Where? You got to be free. Well, there is one measure that works Longest Road, after starting from Key are taking the fast alternate route past Come together, right now West, Florida, eventually follows Lewis the whole mess and flying into the West around the clock. In rain, snow and the Over me. and Clark’s route to the Pacific coast and Village to and from their daily commute. hot summer sun. It costs very little and —“Come Together,” The Beatles ends up in Deadhorse, Alaska, on Prudhoe Then add in all the commercial vehicles works very well. Bring on the speed bumps Bay, one of the northernmost towns on the and it takes a bad situation and makes it or speed tables. No need to pay for extra Is it the English literature major embod- continent. worse. patrols, just put them up and watch the ied in me that draws me to certain books Morning and evening rush hours, or results. I have been writing these diatribes Taking off in his pickup, “Fred,” and and not to others? That would certainly be towing his Airstream trailer, “Ethel,” as they pass as such here in Vermont, for far too long. Time for some real a usable excuse when I look at my night- Caputo says he was looking for a reincar- have been ultra-busy this summer with control…as recommended by the Town’s stand and see Bill Schubart, Jimmy Breslin nation of himself, “as I was half a century heavier fast traffic. You’ve read the other Safety Committee a few years ago. and Norman Maclean on one side and a ago, a college dropout under Kerouac’s complaints I am sure. As in past years, my Mark Moser stack of Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld” spell, the ‘rebel nomad with a wayward neighbors and I are totally frustrated with Charlotte novels on the other. wind blowing in his soul.’” A common the lack of permanent fixes to calming While Discworld is held together by phrase after reading that sentence was a turtle in space, the other authors focus something like, “Far out man.” Letters PoLicy: The Charlotte News welcomes signed letters on Little Italy, Minimalist to the editor and commentaries on any subject of interest to the Lamoille County behavior was in community. To allow the publication of a diverse selection of and the land with vogue then, as was views in each issue, please limit letters to a 300 word max. and a river running minimalist clothcommentaries to a 800 word max. Include your full name, town of through it. ing. We clicked our residence and phone number. The editors reserve the right to edit for If not a turtle fingers at a Richie clarity, English usage and length or to publish submissions in full. Commentary shell landing zone, Havens concert Have your say—email news@thecharlottenews.org. what does maintain at the New York’s by Edd Merritt our country-hood? Village Gate instead I asked myself of clapping. Joan that question following Bernie’s presi- Baez rode her bicycle in December and dential bid. I asked it again after reading played her guitar and sang in the basement a couple of books that take the reader on of the house where my date was staying We’ll extend the Peter Coleman Photo a “Kerouac-ian” trip across the country. for Winter Carnival. What I did not admit competition deadline until August 19. Just And I even ask it in regard to reports from to was that while I digested the tunes of after the full moon. Send us your best shot the Charlotte Selectboard wondering what the times, my grades cruised down the and get bragging rights in the paper and the future holds for our small-town way of Connecticut River, much to my parents’ Town Hall! Details here: goo.gl/oV6uA7. life. chagrin—so much so, in fact, that my Email here: news@thecharlottenews.org. Whatever this binding force is, we prob- mother saved all the letters from the dean Good luck! Shoot straight and clear. ably deserve it, and we certainly see it in of the college saying how poorly I was spades as we move around the nation. doing. I didn’t see them until we cleaned For example, take Jim Harrison’s novel out her house nearly 50 years later, and titled The English Major. Cliff, a Michigan they, too, showed a minimalist message: native, finds his marriage in trouble and “Shape up or ship out.” decides to head west to learn and settle his But, it is not simply space that holds us mind. In addition to food at his pit stops, together. Caputo agrees with a lifeguard at he often discovers an attractive woman a swimming hole in Tennessee that while to accompany it. She, in turn, often has a we are parts, we are also greater than the peripheral, but tempting reason, to make sum of our parts and that is what made it his acquaintance. One female friend was good growing up where you’re “not locked drawn to him by his tears as he thought into your own mind.” In his trip across about a recently deceased dog. How senti- country, he hears a variety of opinions mental, she thinks. I made a good pick— about what makes the particular part of this guy has a soul. this land unique and the place to settle His ex-wife calls him with a hint of for the speaker. Afterward, Caputo tries remorse at their parting, but was obvi- to put the parts together to discern what ously far more interested in promoting her people’s thoughts were on the wheels of the real estate business than in fixing their bindery, what keeps “our immense scrammarriage. Then there was Marybelle, a bled nation in one piece.” Interestingly, he former student he meets working in a comes to the conclusion that it is conflict Minneapolis restaurant who wants to ride that keeps us growing as a country, the with him to Bozeman, Montana, where a “perpetual conflict of extremes that generates the binding force.” So, when I hear of conflict generated in our own small community, I wonder at the generating force from the larger nation. We are still part of it (even though I U often favor secession). That whole remains at this point in what we call “belief.” Publication date: Aug. 25 But, Stephen Hawking and Columns/features deadline: Aug. 15 others like him are syntheRESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL Letters due: Aug. 22 sizing facts that produce Ads deAdLine: Aug. 19 greater understanding rather Featuring Environmentally Friendly Flooring Solutions than simply belief. I am left Publication date: Sept. 8 wondering where man’s Hardwood • Bamboo • Cork • Marmoleum • Rubber • Wool Columns/features deadline: Aug. 29 future lies. So now I’m Locally Owned & Operated Letters due: Sept. 5 reading Alan Weisman’s The Ads deAdLine: sePt. 2 World Without Us—yes, “us” being mankind. I’ll keep you 257 PINE STREET, BURLINGTON • www.NEFCVT.COM posted.
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4 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
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The CharloTTe News •augusT 11, 2016 • 5
First Charlotte, then the world Jody Sunna, a Charlotte native, makes the top 40 under 40 list of public relations executives Alex Bunten THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
When the nose goes to the grindstone in New York City, Jody Sunna isn’t standing around watching. Originally from Charlotte, the daughter of Dave and Dottie Waller, Sunna has recently been recognized by PR Week as one of 40 PR execs under 40 doing things right. “Jody is an organizer, motivator, and all-around PR professional whose enthusiasm and energy have contributed greatly to the success of Havas PR,” says Ravi Sunnak, the agency’s executive vice president of corporate and executive branding and global. Going from strength to strength, Jodi started at Kelliher Samets Volk after college then headed to the Big Apple to taste the city’s fruits. And the past seven years at Havas PR North America have been sweet. She’s been promoted four times and is now in charge of the New York office and the consumer marketing practice as deputy managing director. One of her more impressive feats of
Town Plan
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turned on its head as well, according to McDonald. “The old version proceeds from Charlotte as it was yesterday to today to tomorrow,” he said, referring to the way the document offers the reader a linear view of the town’s historical narrative followed by current statistics and policies and procedures as they might look in the future. “By reversing the order and revising the language,” McDonald said, “we aim to create a document that can serve as a go-to reference for policies and strategies as they will be developed, but still offer context about our town.” Members of the Planning Commission universally agreed upon the need for an overhaul. “A Town Plan is a source document from which decisions about the town’s growth and change can be made,” McDonald said. He cites a case in South Burlington in which the development of a golf course was denied because it conflicted with the Town Plan. The most recent amendment to the old Town Plan, adopted at Town Meeting Day on March 1, 2016, was “needed as a ‘stop-gap,’” Bloch said, “because of the many energy siting applications the town has received.” Some of those applications include solar arrays at the foot of Mount Philo and at Fisher’s Landing near the Charlotte Ferry. McDonald said having a rock-solid Town Plan will help steer decisions about how projects are green lighted. “We have to be better set for the future,” he said, “and a modern Town Plan will go a long way towards guiding new energy installations and other development.” Affordable housing, another major concern for Charlotte as populations shift and the economy changes, is another area of focus that will benefit from updated language in the Town Plan. “We want to make sure that the language allows for planning and zoning issues to be addressed in conjunction with the town’s conservation ethic and to preserve the rural and agricultural character of Charlotte,” McDonald said. The possibility of retrofitting existing structures to become duplexes, for
$116.7 million this year—up from $45.7 in 2014. Impressive. The Charlotte News caught up with this home grown high-flier for a brief interview.
1. PR Week starts its article about you by saying, “If Havas were giving out an award for the person most likely to run the world, Jody Sunna would run away with it.” That’s high praise. To what do you account your success? Bikram yoga? Kombucha? Teambuilding trips to Vegas? Jody Sunna: I grew up playing competitive sports, and I think that that dedication to sticking with something and learning how to practice, learning how to overcome failure and learning how to keep pushing forward when something’s challenging created a solid foundation to my work ethic today. 2. You started your PR career after college at Kelliher Samets Volk in Burlington. How did that experience influence your trajectory to New York? JS: It was my first real PR internship and then first job so it was vital. It taught me Jody Sunna with her daughter, Stella, at the Havas “Take Your Kid To Work Day.” everything about the creative industry and gave me a safe atmosphere to learn. I look Photo: Courtesy at a lot of people who enter PR today who don’t understand the advertising world late has been helping to lead the 2015 or how media buying works and I think #GivingTuesday PR campaign that raised how lucky I was to start in a full-service instance, and re-examining lot size within and outside of village centers will be more on the table as the town grows. The text of the document isn’t the only thing that has been overhauled. The land use map is getting redrawn as well. The new map will take a broad look at different areas and become a reference that will be used when clarifying zoning issues. “Currently it looks like a zoning map,” McDonald said, “when it really should be the other way around.” After the public hearing on September 15, the Selectboard will host at least one additional hearing, if not more. Then the new Town Plan will go back to the Planning and Zoning Commission and be a source for the commission as it tackles land use regulations and continues to help shape Charlotte as the townspeople want to see it. McDonald and Bloch are united in
boutique agency where I was able to team with all areas to help our clients. 3. How many times do you check your phone every day? What helps you unwind after a long day? JS: Constantly. From 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. I’m checking email, news and social networks. But I try to I leave my work phone behind on the weekends and shut off for a few hours at night to have dinner with my family. My family helps me unwind. My daughter Stella, who will be three in November, forces me to, really. When I walk through the door until she goes to bed she’s my No. 1 focus and I love it. 4. If you could take a piece of Charlotte to the Big Apple, what would it be? JS: Lake Champlain. Agh, what I’d give to have the lake here to jump into in the summer or to skate on in the winter! 5. What would you say to someone that wants to get into PR? JS: Go for it! It’s a career that mixes creative thinking with business acumen. And, no matter what industry or field you’re interested in, there’s a need for strong communicators. Read the full PR Week article here: goo.gl/ljgxLC.
their appreciation of how the old Town Plan has served the town thus far, and are thrilled to see the new one nearing finalization. “There have been so many volunteers working on this,” McDonald said. “They’ve put their hearts and souls into it. It may have taken us longer than we expected,” he said, referring to staffing changes at Town Hall that have diverted energies in recent years, “but it’s ready now, and I’m excited to move forward.” Bringing it to the wider public in this next phase will lay the groundwork for this Vermont town’s evolution. Copies of the plan will be available at the informational meeting on August 18 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall and available online at charlottevt.org. The public is invited and encouraged to attend both the August 18 and September 15 meetings. Contact: Geeda@thecharlottenews.org
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6 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
Steeple Ridge
continued from page 1
the locals. “It’s nice to have a community that’s really respectful and open to brand-new adventures,” she said. “Some people are nervous about a 22-year-old owning a large operation. It’s hard, but my dad and my uncle 100 percent support me and have my back.” Her uncle, Patrick Palmer, is known by many for his service running the trash pick-up route in Bristol with a team of draft horses. He taught Meecham from a young age about natural horsemanship, specifically the importance of listening to the body language of a horse. He continues to offer her advice gained over years of practical experience. Working with horses is a family tradition and was an important part of Meecham’s childhood, but it was not the future she envisioned for herself only a few years ago. After being accepted to several nursing schools, Meecham was touring soccer programs when she was encouraged by a coach to reconsider pursuing her passion for horses. Two weeks before college deposits were due, she decided to take the leap, and she applied to a program for equine management. “It was the best choice,” Meecham said. “I like going into a job where it’s a new thing every day, meeting new clients
A happy rider at Steeple Ridge Farm. Photo: Courtesy and new horses.” Her position at Steeple Ridge is a natural extension of her talents and skill set. During college she rode competitively, winning first place in her region as a freshman. She also placed fourth in the region and was voted captain of the year as a senior. Meecham has trained young horses, including a draft horse that went on to become part of a mounted police force, and a four-year-old thoroughbred from the Suffolk Downs racetrack. She graduated this May from Mount Ida with a degree in business and equine management. Two weeks after graduation, Meecham closed a deal with Mindy Hinsdale, the previous owner of Steeple Ridge,.
“Everyone was having their graduation parties and doing the typical college thing, and I was here being a business owner,” said Meecham. Mindy Hinsdale is another important person in her corner; Meecham describes her as “her biggest supporter in the horse industry.” The sale of Steeple Ridge took about eight months during Meecham’s senior year of college, during which time she was driving up from Boston on the weekends, even through finals. “Mindy has been absolutely amazing through this entire process,” said Meecham. “I talk to her every single day. She’s my mentor.” Hinsdale will continue to be around the barn, assisting in lessons, shows and
programs, to ensure a smooth transition over the next year. She also plans to focus on spending time with her two new grandchildren. These next few months will be busy at Steeple Ridge with the addition of a second outdoor arena and more paddocks. The current maximum capacity is 42 horses, and there are 30 boarded, so Meecham is looking forward to taking on new clients and expanding the business with the resident trainer of Metro Stables. Part of this effort will include working with sponsors to build up the show circuit and hosting the VHAA Finals in October. Although Meecham looks forward to building up the existing physical structures, she intends to maintain the signature supportive and welcoming environment of Steeple Ridge. The majority of her students are between the ages of three and 12, so she finds that keeping lessons playful and engaging is essential. “I keep my training very positive,” she said. “Every single time one of my students goes out in the ring I tell them, ‘have fun.’ You know, no matter what happens, have fun on your horse and we’ll work on it.” This fall, the fourth year of the IA riding team for middle and high schoolers will recommence on September 1. Meecham is also coordinating with Nicole Conley at the Charlotte Department of Recreation to offer an after-school program, starting in mid-October. For more information contact Ashley Meecham at steepleridgefarm@yahoo.com or 425-3535.
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The CharloTTe News •augusT 11, 2016 • 7
Selectboard
continued from page 1
Selectboard inaction. The report sets forth a master plan in two phases. Phase I incorporates an area generally located along Ferry and Greenbush Roads. Phase II represents properties outside the Village ‘core’ area which might be included in later allocations (see map, right). Town buildings within the Phase I area are estimated to generate 3,962 GPD and are already serviced by a low-pressure collection system to the Burns septic field, currently permitted for 4,999 GPD. The plan recommends that the permit, issued by the Town, be raised to 6,499 GPD. Anything over that amount would have to go through the State with significant expenditure in funds and administrative effort. Were the Town to increase the permitted capacity to 6,499 GPD, it would free up the excess capacity of 2,537 GPD for 10 potential residential or commercial users • How to value the assets to the Town in the Phase I area. Such an expansion that are represented by the septic might easily be accommodated through capacity. connections into the existing low-pres• Allocations to be reserved for sure collection system. Phase I suggests municipal uses. that the permit immediately be raised to • Allocations of unreserved excess 6,499 GPD and the remaining capacity be wastewater disposal capacity. allocated to properties that are considered • Metering, operating and mainneedful of this service. The fees collected, taining expectations for use of the an estimated connection fee of $65.69 per wastewater system. GPD design flow, might be used to apply • Connection fee policy. for the State permit to further expand the • Budgeting for the wastewater system to properties in the Phase II area. system. All of these actions will require a great deal of public discussion on policies Two aspects were energetically debated governing the system. They include but are among the audience. The first was how not limited to: to determine the asset value of excess
capacity. The very fact that a property may connect to the municipal system represents a potential increase in the value for that private or commercial property. There was concern as to how a decrease in available capacity might impact future needs of the Town itself. An area of special concern was how to treat the plan so that it does not increase costs for Charlotters not benefiting from the program. The second question hotly debated was how the connections would be allocated. Concerns were raised that some systems in the village may already be failing and thus present a threat to wells or even an outright health hazard. There was general agreement that these and other policy issues need to be thoroughly debated in public and that transparency was essential. The Selectboard will plan an extensive series of meetings to discuss all the issues that might be raised. The first such session will be within a month to six weeks. John Snow, Corporate President of the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (CVFRS) presented the end-ofyear financial review. Full, unaudited financial sheets are available at: bit.ly/2aBj5Cp. He was happy to announce that there was a small net operating surplus for FY 2016 of $16,529. He attributed this to income being almost exactly right, while there was a savings of 1.7% in expenses. The wages/salaries line item came in about $25,000 over budget, but this and
other overages were balanced out by under expenditures in benefits, fuel and insurance. The Wages/Salary line resulted from the need for more overtime workers to cover vacancies. The CVFRS expects a second full-time paramedic to report in September. The two consolidated financial sheets came under fire when Mr. Snow could not easily or quickly answer selectmen’s questions about these documents. He pointed out that “the budgets for everything but the operating accounts are nothing but a placeholder and a fiction.” Furthermore, he said, “We do not believe that this consolidated budget sheet is a useful document and we do believe it is misleading. We will continue to provide it because you’ve asked us to.” This generated a debate on the importance of the items noted. Mr. Snow doesn’t consider these documents useful because they make comparisons between budgeted operational lines and other lines that are not based on a budget but on estimations. An example can be found on Line 10, Equipment, of the Management Financial Report (Consolidated). It shows a budgeted amount of $140,670 of which only $80,578 was spent. The Equipment line comes from a multi-year schedule, which is not covered strictly under the annual budgeting process. One element of Line 10 was the planned purchase of replacement self-contained breathing apparatus’. Grant funding had been requested but denied this past year, thus the consolidated sheets reflected that amount as not expended. Mr. Snow’s argument notwithstanding, the Selectboard requested continued submission of these sheets. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2016.
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8 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
All Charlotte’s a stage
eft, and Kate LaRiviere ene at auditions for k in Shelburne.
Rob McCarthy (left) and Kate LaRiviere read through a scene at auditions for “Rumors� last week in Shelburne.
Liz Fotouhi among new cast at Shelburne Players After working through auditioning sessions last week, Director Jamie Polli has chosen a cast and begun rehearsals for the Neil Simon play, Rumors, presented by Shelburne Players in September. Charlotte’s own Liz Fotouhi, expanding on her 12 years of working for the Haunted Forest in Williston, will play Officer Welch, described in the script as “a city police officer having a rough night. Does not tolerate lying. Sees through the façade that these high-society types put up.â€? Rumors opens at a large, tastefully appointed Sneden’s Landing townhouse, where the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples gathered for a tenth wedding anniversary are about to experience a severe attack of farce. Other cast members include Perry Vasta and Dick Hibbert of Burlington, David Belvedere of Winooski, Geri-Ann Higgins of Essex, David Harcourt of Hinesburg, Kimberly Rockwood and Rob McCarthy of South Burlington, and Kate LaRiviere of Starksboro. Rumors will be performed at Shelburne Town Center, 5420 Shelburne Road, on September 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 and October 1. More information is available at shelburneplayers.com.
Mary Scripps (right), of Charlotte, with Roberta Harold (left), and Marion Palmiero (center). The photo shows a typical day in the stormy ‘Boston marriage’ relationship between Anna (Harold), Claire (Scripps), and their hapless parlor maid Catherine (Palmiero).
Charlotters bring Mamet’s Boston Marriage to the stage August 11–27 Charlotters Bob Carmody and Mary Scripps light up the stage at the annual Vermont Theatre Festival at Unadilla this month. Carmody directs Boston Marriage by David Mamet, a wickedly funny comedy about upended social structures. Set in a late Victorian Boston drawing room, the play is powered by the backbiting wit of Anna (Roberta Harold, Montpelier) and Claire (Scripps). Anna is being kept by a married man, but she prefers the company of women. Claire, Anna’s lover, has become infatuated with a much younger woman whom she hopes Anna will help her seduce. As the two women exchange barbs and take turns taunting Anna’s hapless parlor maid, Catherine (Marion Palmiero, East Montpelier), Claire’s young crush suddenly appears, setting off a crisis that puts both a valuable emerald and the women’s futures at risk. Mamet’s trademark tart dialogue and impeccable plotting, mixed with double entendres and vernacular expressions, explore the relationship between the two women and their maid. Through humor and nuance, the play explores the negotiation, conflict, compromise and reconciliation that arise in their relationship. Founded by Bill Blachly in 1979, Unadilla Theater is located on Blachly Road in Marshfield, Vermont. Performances of Boston Marriage run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from Aug 11–27 at 7:30 p.m. For advance reservations, call 802-456-8968, or email unadilla@pshift.com. More information is available at unadilla.org.
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The CharloTTe News •augusT 11, 2016 • 9
THANK YOU! To all that have donated to The News this summer! Whether it be your time, funds or moral support. We couldn’t do it without you.
But don’t forget, it’s never too late to donate if you haven’t already. Send your tax deductible donation to: Friends of The Charlotte News P.O. Box 211 Charlotte, VT 05445
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In the Charlotte News!
If you answered YES to any (or all) of these questions, The Charlotte News wants YOU to be the next Outwater Intern. Be inspired to... • Explore local history • Meet new people • Learn about community journalism • Think outside the box The Charlotte News is looking for a motivated, news-savvy fall semester intern with strong writing skills and a natural curiosity about the local area. Candidates should be creative, outgoing, dependable and comfortable in a fast-paced environment. A driver’s license and access to a car are highly desirable. This is a 10-15 hour per week position that will start in mid-September and run through the end of December. Interns who finish their working commitments will be paid a modest stipend on a per issue basis. The position can be extended for suitable candidates. The position will be open until filled. Email a letter of motivation to Alex Bunten at news@thecharlottenews.org. Stipends for this internship were made possible by a generous donation from Alice D. Outwater, and in memory of her husband, John Outwater.
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10 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
Funding for local youth park attendant continues in honor of William Hagedorn On July 16 more than 70 guests attended the second annual Pheast for Philo fundraiser. They enjoyed perfect weather and amazing views for sangria and an authentic paella dinner cooked to order, along with music from the Dupont Brothers, a silent auction and a serenade of “Taps” at sundown. The fundraiser was in support of the Mt. Philo Forever Fund, established in 2013 in the memory of William Hagedorn, a Charlotte resident and park attendant, who died unexpectedly. Will had just graduated from college and often spoke of how much he enjoyed working at Mt. Philo for park rangers John and Kim Frigault. His family decided they would create a similar opportunity for another Charlotte youth in his honor. This year the recipient was Thomas (Above left) Thomas Robinson, this year’s Mt. Philo Forever Fund recipient. (Above Robinson, a 19-year-old from Charlotte. right) A memorial photo of William Hagedorn displayed at the event. (Below left) A “Everything about this night was sunset rendition of “Taps.” (Below right) William as a young lad with his dog.
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The CharloTTe News •augusT 11, 2016 • 11
A principled man Clyde Baldwin reflects on 25 years as a school board member – “not always liked, but trusted” Alex Bunten and Geeda Searfoorce THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
For the past quarter of a century, the town of Charlotte has had Clyde Baldwin watching over its children’s education. He started his tenure on the school board in March 1991 and is now one of the longest serving members in living memory. However, on June 13 this year, Baldwin divested himself of this heavy responsibility. He announced his move away from the board in The Charlotte News, saying: “The reader should not interpret this as some sort of protest. Had I been going to resign in protest over something or other that would have happened a couple decades ago. This is a simple acknowledgement of the marked disparities between my
perspective on education and the perspective which will determine the course of events going forward.” Baldwin certainly had his fair share of disparities with other members of the board. The News caught up with Baldwin in a recent interview. “People have told me,” he said, “‘I don’t really like you, but I trust you.’ But, see, it’s more important to be trusted, I think.” Asked how others might describe him, he offered: “Cantankerous.” School board chair Mark McDermott chose a different word. “We didn’t see eye to eye on everything,” he said, “but the word I’d use about Clyde would be ‘dedicated.’” Baldwin’s dedication has persevered through many changes over the years, and is matched by his inimitable style. Beyond his personality, lengthy experience and outspoken nature, Baldwin will likely be remembered for his other quirky traits— wearing a climbing rope belt, driving a monstrous amphibious vehicle or showing up at Town Meetings with a stalk of wheat hanging from his smiling face, above his
Clyde Baldwin reitred from the Charlotte School board after 25 years on June 13. He was one of the longest serving school board members in recent history. Photo: Alex Bunten sauntering barrel chested presence.
jeopardizes the ability for communities to access a longer collective memory that On principle and prOblems can help improve decision making over time. “One of the big problems with school Though his parents didn’t engage boards,” Baldwin said, “is that people in public service, Baldwin’s grandfa- show up, they serve, then they move on.” ther served as a school board member in Stanhope, New Jersey, for 32 years. Here The gOOd Old days in Charlotte, before his children were even old enough to play Little League baseball, Describing the early days of his time Baldwin got a taste for volunteering in the on the school board, Clyde Baldwin gets Charlotte Community when he coached little nostalgic. “It was more personal and the Red Sox, one of several teams in town. had more authenticity,” he said. “We would (Full disclosure: this editor, first baseman discuss mission statements, contracts, for the Tigers in the mid 1990s, remem- curriculum, policies. The nuts and bolts of bers him as an arch nemesis.) After that, education. Those sessions would go until 1 Baldwin was hooked. or 2 a.m.” When asked about his motivation for Baldwin doesn’t hide his disappointstaying on the board beyond when his chil- ment about how recent shifts in educadren were in the school system, Baldwin tion, in his opinion, have eliminated that said, “principle.” “Like everybody, I ‘personal’ feel. “Now, the conversation started out because my kids were there,” is going to be around, ‘Have we created a he said. “I thought, ‘This is something I policy that the superintendent can use?’ It’s ought to do.’ I had the time, so I could make all much less detailed.” whatever the contribution is. You work at Coming on the heels of the passage of it for a while and you learn about what’s Act 46, which brings about school consolgoing on and have insights. Then it tran- idation and reduces the number of board scends from just thinking about yourself members to two representatives from to an obligation to the community based Charlotte on a larger unified school district on the knowledge you’ve gained from the board, Baldwin says he “doesn’t know insights you have.” what he’s resigning from.” That accumulation of insight and expeThis coming year will be a transitional rience, Baldwin thinks, is an asset to board year, as the new structure is defined. service and, ultimately, to communi- Baldwin’s belief in education is at odds ties. But it is not necessarily prevalent in with the anticipated structure, a fact he today’s world. Volunteerism is changing, has been vocal about from the beginning. and townspeople aren’t necessarily able “I think a really important part of having to make the time to serve—because of a good education system is that people schedules and economic shifts. This shift are pleased with it and they’re willing to pay for it and, most importantly, that they feel they have some voice in it. Down the road I think the greatest downside of Act 46—other than just the flat increase in costs—will be people’s feelings of powerlessness.”
lessOns fOr The fuTure Baldwin hopes that the potential for “no sense of ownership” doesn’t come to fruition and derail what he sees is the true purpose of education. “Children should understand that, as part of the process of getting educated, they are subject to a demand to achieve excellence. That’s the root. Whatever their path is, children should strive for excellence in that thing.” He adds traits like curiosity and perseverance to the list of things an education should instill in students. And he hopes that others find ways to pitch in, in the new structure. “I encourage people to get involved,” he said. “It was something I could do and it was worth doing.” As Charlotters bid farewell to school board member Clyde Baldwin’s tenure, they can celebrate his dedication and find a way to express their principles with their own voices. Contact: Alex@thecharlottenews.org
12 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
Sports
Edd Merritt Sports Roundup Vermont wins first Shrine Football game in 16 years August 2016 will go down in Twin-State football history as Vermont’s comeback from the year 2000. That’s right, the Granite State has prevailed for the last 16 years. However, Vermont came back
and came back strong, whipping New Hampshire 50-2. Charlotte natives and recent Redhawk graduates Rich Lowrey III and Kienan Kittredge played for Vermont in the game at Castleton University. Twenty-one different schools were represented on the Green Mountain roster, and the money raised from attendance went to the Shrine Association. Quarterback Ryan Alexander from Fair Haven threw five touchdown passes in the first half, and it was not until the game’s waning minutes that New Hampshire got on the board with a safety. Five sacks of the Granite State quarterback, two recovered fumbles and three intercepted passes helped the Vermont defense solidify the victory. Lowrey and Kittredge were two CVU Participants from the British Soccer camp pose with their coaches and world flags. footballers who also played for the north- Photo: Courtesy ern squad in the November North/South Senior Bowl.
Rich Lowrey, car racer, car artist
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Besides football and stock-car racing (he came in 21st in Thunder Road’s Late Model Stock races at the Times Argus’ Mid-Season Championships in Barre recently), Rich Lowrey was featured in the newspaper for his design of vinyl decals on racing cars. What began as a hobby to supplement his driving has turned into a small business. Rich is not only doing designs for cars, he has also done boats and some commercial vehicles. He makes his designs through the FlexiSign computer program with a connected cutting machine that traces out the images. While teaching himself the techniques, he is also interested in learning more about entrepreneurship, which he will be studying at Quinnipiac University in the fall.
Rec News by Nicole Conley
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Class Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays Start Date: September 20 End Date: November 11 Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m. Registration Fee: $690 Location: Charlotte Central School
aFter-School horSeback riDing leSSonS
Dates: Thursdays, Sept. 8 – Oct. 13 Time: 3:30–5 p.m. Cost: $120 by Sept. 5 Grades: K-8 The registration fee is $45 and the Location: Livery Stables registration deadline is August 19. After (601 Lavigne Hill Rd., Hinesburg) August 19 please add the $25 late fee to creative Dance claSS your payment. If your athlete already has a Charlotte Rec (RED with white “C”) shirt you can subtract $5. Practices will Thursdays after school start the week of September 5; games Session 1: September 8 – October 6 start September 10, then every Saturday Session 2: October 20 – November 17 morning ending October 8. The practices Grades K-3, 3–4 p.m.; for the teams will be set by the coaches Grades 4-8, 4–5 p.m. based on their availability. Please make Fees: $55 ($11 per class) a note on your child’s form if there are Location: CCS certain times your child is unavailable to big little Yoga practice. Soccer registration ends Friday, September 2. (Yoga for caregiver and baby, aFter-School Piano leSSonS 6 weeks-early walkers) Tuesday Mornings (Start Date: Sept. 13) Dates: September 7 – December 21 Time: 8:15 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Time blocks: (1) 3–3:45 p.m., (2) Cost: $11 per class 3:45–4:30 p.m., (3) 4:30–5:15 p.m., (4) Location: CCS 5:15–6 p.m. Mini creative Dance claSS Fees: group lessons $204; semiprivate lessons $312 Tuesday Mornings Payment in full is due by Session Times & Fees: $55 ($11 per class) Tuesday, September 6. Session 1: September 13th – October 11th Session 2: October 18th –November 15th Ages: 3-4 Time: 9:30am-10:15am Location: CCS
Fall Soccer
beginner guitar: Dates: October 10, 17, 31 Times: 3–4 p.m. Ages 7-12 Cost: $36 ($12 per session) Location: CCS Full and partial scholarships are available for all youth recreation activities. You can find additional information on all of our programs as well as registration forms on our town website at charlottevt. org under the Recreation tab or contact Nicole Conley by email, Recreation@townofcharlotte.com, or by phone, 425-6129 ext. 204.
The CharloTTe News • augusT 11, 2016 • 13
Setting roots, shading the community Larry Hamilton CHARLOTTE TREE WARDEN
Charlotte’s roadsides are increasingly benefiting from the establishment of new shade trees. These will replace the many roadside trees that formerly graced our landscape, but which over the years have disappeared or currently are in active decline. The Dutch elm disease wiped out our stately American elms. Old age, salt injury from road salting, deeper and wider ditches and diseases are gradually eliminating our roadside sugar maples. Few landowners are emulating our forbearers who planted these venerable trees that served us well, but which in some cases are becoming hazards due to decay. Envision our roadways without trees! It was this situation that triggered the Town’s Roadside Tree Restoration Project starting in 2008. Thanks to several generous grants from the William Rutter family, together with a host of donations by community members, the Tree Warden has been able to plant a total of 440 trees of native species along our roads. Currently the project focuses on maintenance of these trees and replacement where necessary. I stated that few landowners are planting roadside tree rows, but there are indeed some who have done so recently. In a column about four or five years ago, I cited as public benefactors three landowners who had done this. Within the last two years a few others have “stepped up to the plate.” Among them are: • Christy and John Hagios at 1981 Greenbush Road, who, following the removal of an old lighting-struck sugar maple, planted three young sugar maples on their land. • Peter Swift and Diana McCargo at Philo Ridge Farm planted hundreds
of trees along fencerows at the farm, including roadside trees on both sides of Mt. Philo Road running north from Hinesburg Road. • The Charlotte Congregational Church, looking toward the day when the large sugar maple veterans will have to be removed, planted two young sugar maples. • Last fall, we found homes for the 20 trees that had to be removed from East Thompson’s Point Road or face further damage from a farming operation. Thirteen of these now stand on the land of Richard and Cheryl Corley on the south side of Thompson’s Point Road, west of the railroad crossing. The other 12, plus four others, are on the property of Leslie and Junior Lewis on Ferry Road. Thanks to both couples for this action. • One should also mention the trees planted along Hinesburg Road whose purpose is to screen the solar farm. The original planting had largely failed, and we now have a row of red maples, whose future is still in doubt due to delayed planting and drought. We will see. A heart-felt thanks to these folks and to others whom I have not recognized in this article, but who have performed this fine service. But when thanking public tree benefactors, I cannot let pass another opportunity to express the gratitude of the town to Alice Outwater who provided a generous grant to permit the recent planting of nine shade trees at the Town Beach playground. I am reminded of an old Scottish admonition (apologies for my fractured Scot’s brogue): “Aye laddie, if ye can be doin naught else, ye can be for aye plantin a tree.”
Mt. Philo Park Rangers devote themselves to rescue dogs— and Hotel Vermont helps Burlington’s Hotel Vermont is hosting a benefit for the Vermont-based Long Trail Canine Rescue on Saturday, August 27 from 6–9 p.m. The partnership, based in a mutual love of animals, emerged naturally between one of Hotel Vermont’s owners, Caroline Canning, and Kim Frigault (pictured right), director of Long Trail Canine Rescue. Kim and her husband, John, have been the park rangers at Mount Philo State Park for the past five years. From May to October, days are hectic, on-duty 24/7 tending to the park and its 70,000 summer visitors. It can be peaceful after sunset (unless there are rowdies in the campground), but there is always other work to do. All summer, John and Kim live in the tiny ranger cabin on the summit, with their rescue dogs, Philo and Seeger, a hint to the other work they dedicate their lives to— rescuing dogs—before bedtime. Kim and John, with their friend and rescue partner, Lisa LaFlam, are prominent in the world of stray and rescue dogs. Their tireless, all-volunteer, nonprofit outfits—Long Trail Rescue in Vermont and Hope for a Street Dog in Junquillal, Costa Rica— enable about 120–150 dogs a year to find their way from “kill shelters” in southern U.S. states and Costa Rica to new, loving homes in Vermont. They know how to operate on a shoestring. “We raise money from small donations and try to make it go as far as we can to help as many dogs as we can,” Kim said. “We donate our own time, and we never say no.”
Locally, there is some help on the way. “Caroline and Hotel Vermont offered to help raise funds and awareness for our mission, and we are thrilled that the community will come out to help our dogs and to learn more about what we need. In addition to funding for transportation and vet bills, we need people to foster dogs as they navigate the transition to new homes,” said Ranger John last week while surveying a flock of children hiking atop Mount Philo before sunset. At Hotel Vermont, the evening of Saturday, August 27, will feature music by rescue pup owner Josh Panda and a lively auction emceed by Tim Kavanaugh. Featured speakers include Lya Battle who is the founder of the Land of the Strays Dog Sanctuary near San Jose, Costa Rica, who will travel to Vermont for the event. The 1,000-acre compound where over 900 adoptable dogs run free awaiting new homes has been featured worldwide on television and on electronic and social media, including the Daily Guardian in the UK and The Huffington Post. Tickets, available at Flynntix.org, are a $25 donation that will go directly to Long Trail Rescue. For more information, visit longtraildogs.org.
(Above) Three new sugar maples at Hagios property on Greenbush Road. (Below) A few of the trees planted at Philo Ridge Farm, with a portion of the farm stand. Photos: Larry Hamilton
14 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
Upcoming @ The Charlotte Library Margaret Woodruff LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Saturday, August 13, 10:30 a.m. Lego Saturday: Join in our building challenges as we see who can create what! All ages.
Books To Enjoy In A Hammock With A Tall Glass Of Lemonade
Tuesday, August 16, 10:30 a.m. SPECIAL EVENT: BOOK RELEASE PARTY! Join us to celebrate the release of Emerson Barks! This delightful picture book sets the stage for kid-powered canine capers and delicious doggie-style treats. The first book written and illustrated by Charlotte’s own Liza Woodruff has garnered winning reviews. School Library Journal says “Emerson’s enthusiasm and good intentions will have readers rooting for him. A fun read-aloud for storytime and small group sharing.” Don’t miss the fun!
Adult Books
Wednesday, August 17, 9 a.m. Baby Time, Story Time. A library get-together for littlest ones and their families. Run together with Building Bright Futures. No registration needed.
Youth Books
Monday, August 29, 5:30 p.m. Kindergarten Library Card Party! Sign up for your very own library card and check out our cool new back-to-school books! Refreshments and recreation on the lawn, weather permitting.
L
Siracusa by Delia Ephron Sweet Tomorrows by Debbie Macomber The Great Reckoning by Louise Penny (August 30 publication) Paradise Lodge by Nina Stibbe Shattered Tree by Charles Todd (August 30 publication) Smooth Operator by Stuart Woods
One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom (picture book) Ruby’s Wish by Shirin Bridges (picture book) Scorpion Mountain by John Flanagan (juvenile series) Goldfish by Nat Luurtsema (young adult)
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The CharloTTe News • augusT 11, 2016 • 15
Puzzles
Local Business Directory
Puzzles in 2016 have been underwritten by
Homeport Vermont
PO Box 101, Charlotte, VT, 870-3481
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Rick Gomez
Master Electrician for over 25 years
4281 Shelburne Rd. P.O. Box 476 Shelburne, VT 05482
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Office: 985-2453 Fax: 985-8620
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Educational Consultants
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Across
Down
1. Craving 5. Parsley bit 10. Annul 14. “Mi chiamano Mimi,� e.g. 15. France’s longest river 16. Escape, in a way 17. It was redone in ‘04 20. Agnolotti, e.g. 21. Saint Petersburg, once 22. Whimsical 24. Exploit 25. Tend to, as a bad lawn 29. Quip 31. Mozart’s “L’___ del Cairo� 34. At any time 35. “Agreed!� 37. Snake or mathematician, at times 39. William Thornton designed it 42. Nice goodbye? 43. Persuaded 44. Mercury, for one 45. ___ soup 46. Rimbaud, for one 48. Early word form 50. Money in Moldova 51. Costa Rican peninsula 52. Shortcomings 57. Mediterranean evergreen 62. The Temple of Zeus was its model 64. Healthy berry 65. Upload ___ 66. Manhattan eatery 67. Boxing prize 68. Case type 69. Case type
1. Arctic native 2. Water-soluble compound 3. Some are deadly 4. Red arachnid 5. Arch 6. Tom’s aunt 7. Bank of Paris 8. Persia, now 9. Einstein, e.g. 10. Grammar topic 11. Warm, so to speak 12. Hindu god 13. Kind of column 18. Thief’s obstacle 19. Set up (var.) 23. Variety of taro 25. Go over 26. Get around 27. Artist’s hue 28. Port city 29. Cascade of ruffles 30. Jewish month 31. Disgrace 32. Literary work 33. About 1% of the atmosphere 36. Besides 38. June 6, 1944 40. City where Elvis was born 41. Bad day for Caesar 47. Nix 49. ___ Bell 50. Allowed 51. Buddhist lecturer, Tendzin, and others 52. Middle-age scourge 53. Houston university 54. Cancer kind 55. Details 56. Eastern prince 58. Spirited horse 59. Stir, with “up� 60. They may be sown 61. Smudge 63. Fulfilled
Crossword and sudoku by Myles Mellor. answers to our puzzles Can be found near the Classifieds.
16 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
Feeling all the feels Mark Nash CONTRIBUTOR
“You’re overreacting. calm down!” Has there ever been a phrase more likely to do the opposite of what it’s intended to do? Something has happened that’s got you upset, and some well-meaning soul has decided that the best thing to say in this situation is that, essentially, you shouldn’t be feeling what you’re feeling. Now, if we were entirely rational people, we might say, “Oh, of course you’re right, my emotional experience should be in line with what you think it should be. I’ll just shift my reaction so that it is more moderate and therefore more comfortable for you.” But we’re not entirely rational. We have feelings. Sometimes they’re pretty strong. And we’re not always in control of them. In fact, at least in our initial reaction we’re not in control at all. We feel what we feel. And as hard as that may be for those around us—and even for ourselves—accepting that truth goes a long way toward enhancing our mental and emotional well-being.
reaction vs. response Let’s back up and take a look at some definitions. When we experience an event, we often have an emotional reaction. We literally feel something in our body, such as increased muscle tension, a sudden flush or a knot in the pit of the stomach. And we associate these physical experiences with an emotion. According to most psychological research, that emotion is always some version of one of the five universal human emotions: anger, joy, fear, sadness or disgust. Feeling frustrated or annoyed? That’s anger. Nervous or anxious? Those are forms of fear. And so on. (For a great overview of all the emotions and their related forms, with a really cool graphic interface, check out atlasofemotions.com.) And here’s the thing about those emotional reactions: we can’t control them. They happen automatically, without thought or volition. The intensity of how each of us reacts to any given situation is a unique mix of our own personality and psychological make-up, which is why something that makes one person sad may not have much of an effect on another person. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less valid. So being told you’re overreacting, or that you shouldn’t feel a certain way, is sort of like saying you’re wrong for preferring chocolate ice cream over vanilla. It’s not a conscious choice, it’s how you’re built. It may seem surprising to suggest that
we have no control over our emotions, but here’s where we need to make an important distinction: we can’t control our emotional reactions, but we can (usually) control how we respond to those emotions. That’s a distinction we’re often not taught to make. We usually believe they go hand in hand. Being angry means you yell, being sad means you cry. And since you can (usually) choose not to yell or cry, that must mean that we can choose whether to feel angry or sad. I say “usually” because there are times when the reaction is so strong that the response is nearly impossible to moderate, such as when we are suddenly informed of a tragedy and we burst into tears. However, we can learn to shape our responses to even the most intense emotional reactions because our responses are based on our thoughts and beliefs, and we can change those. But when we or someone else won’t make the distinction between our reaction and our response, it can feel like we are being told that how we feel is wrong, when what’s probably really going on is that how we are responding may be problematic. For example, when a friend does something you strongly disagree with you might feel a rush of anger. Nothing wrong with that since it’s not under your control. However, if you choose to respond with violence (verbal or physical), that could be an issue—and that’s something you could learn to control. Or if you are seeing a response in others that you find challenging, it’s perfectly fine to tell them you don’t like their behavior, but it doesn’t make much sense to tell them that what they’re feeling is wrong. Behavior can be changed. And over time even emotional reactions can change, if we come to see situations with a new perspective. But in the moment, we feel what we feel. We can only affect the response to that feeling. So the next time you think or someone else tells you you’re overreacting, remember: there’s no universal right way to feel about something. You’re allowed to feel exactly how you feel. At the same time, if you find that your response to how you feel is harmful to you or those around you, you may want to examine the thoughts and beliefs that lead to that response and make some changes. Mark Nash is a Charlotte resident with a mindfulness-based psychotherapy practice in Burlington. If you have a comment or a questions about this article, contact Mark through his website, marknashvt. com.
Yellow flag iris: Vermont’s next wetland scourge? Elizabeth Gribkoff CONTRIBUTOR
Plant life abounds in the silver maple-sensitive fern forest along Lewis Creek in the Little Otter Creek Wildlife Management Area in Ferrisburgh. This area includes ferns, sedges and saplings, along with ephemerals that form a multihued swath of green botanical eye candy after winter’s slow departure this year. Standing amidst the verdant forest understory with Hinesburg resident Robert Hyams, my eye was drawn to the majestic yellow and blue three-tongued iris flowers. As we walked away from the creek toward a bulrush marsh, Robert pointed at a large cluster of irises with sword leaves and hundreds of yellow flowers. “Here, I saved this stand for you,” he said. I snapped a few photos, and he dead-headed the flowers. The floral massacre was somewhere in between sad and deeply satisfying. Yellow flag iris (Iris pseduocorus), originally brought to the U.S. as an ornamental flower, is now considered a noxious weed in Vermont. A plant that “likes to get its feet wet,” yellow flag can be found in wetlands and lake shores, creating a thick mat with its roots that make it difficult for native species, like Green arrow-arum, to grow. In recent years, yellow flag iris has become increasingly common in wetland and shore areas, with suspected negative impacts for these natural communities. The Lewis Creek Association, a local watershed organization, has been leading a successful, largely volunteer-run program to remove another invasive species, European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsusranae), in the Kimball Thorp Wetland and Lower LaPlatte River. Since 2009, LCA and volunteers have pulled out small but persistent populations of water chestnut
and 58 tons of frogbit, creating higher quality habitat for native aquatic species. As Marty Illick, executive director of the Lewis Creek Association, said: “Because wetlands are such biodiversity hotspots, they are one of the highest priority areas for conservation investment. We want to remove invasives so our most special wetland natural communities can thrive.” Managing one wetland invasive species wasn’t enough for the Lewis Creek Association. With funding from the Lake Champlain Basin Program in 2014, LCA hired Robert Hyams of Habitat Restoration Solutions, to conduct a two-year study about yellow flag iris populations and management options in two wetland areas along Lake Champlain. The study will help LCA and other land managers determine an appropriate response to yellow flag iris infestations. Hyams said: “We often do not take notice of exotic invasive plant populations until they begin to really disrupt the ecology, impair recreation, or impact property values. We want to tackle yellow iris before it gets to that point.” As yellow flag iris flowers for a short window of time in June, Hyams has been visiting all his study sites this past month. In sections of wetland in full sun, Hyams has found iris stands with over 500 flowers that can rapidly create a monoculture of 32 square feet. Under forested canopy, plants are often smaller and less likely to flower, but still make-up a significant part of the understory, with the number of flowers in some stands doubling from last year. As Hyams said: “Even though iris doesn’t always flower and produce seeds in the shade, floodplain forests change constantly. One downed tree can create a sunny patch for iris to take over.” Hyams will prepare a summary report for LCA to share with the public and to decide how to approach stewardship work in these local and state significant natural areas near Lake Champlain. So far, findings show that small stands (up to a4 plants) can usually be removed with a shovel. Managing invasives early on and before they become well established requires ongoing and regular visits to these spectacular natural areas. The full yellow iris report with stewardship recommendations will soon be available in the LCA library at www. lewiscreek.org. This Lewis Creek Association project was funded by an agreement awarded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
The CharloTTe News • augusT 11, 2016 • 17
On competitive hunting Bradley Carelton CONTRIBUTOR
This is an opinion. My disclaimer is that if you disagree, do so respectfully and I will respect yours. I do not like competition in my outdoor sports. Maybe that came from not being very good at baseball, football, basketball, hockey or any team sport. I was always the last guy chosen for pick-up teams. On the other hand I was in fierce competition with myself as a freestyle skier in the 80s. But I didn’t like “measuring” success with numerical values. When I found that my heart sought refuge in the outdoors, I realized that I wasn’t “hunting” for recognition, but for connection. While my friends were intent on bragging about how big the racks were on their bucks, or how many rabbits they’d shot, I was driven to learn about the intimate details of how my prey lived. It was never about killing—although that was a part of the process. I found that I wanted to feel my own heart beat in unison with the deer I was watching. I wanted to breathe the same air, share the same mystery of its wildness. My first and greatest love has always been waterfowling. To me, the beauty of communicating with a big greenhead mallard and coaxing him in to my decoy spread is paramount to seeking nirvana. Becoming at one with the bird, I seek to understand the intricacies of his language. What does it mean when he purrs before he lands, red legs down in the turgid water? How does the hen seduce the drake to come to her little puddle? What dulcet tones ring out from her sage green bill to attract the wary male? I study Canada geese relentlessly; I ponder the meaning of what their body posture means to others in their flock. I watch the sentinel’s head crane about, taking responsibility for the entire flock’s safety. I wonder at the soft moans of a feeding flock and marvel at the stretched neck as an active feeder pushes others away from his feed. I hunt because I seek connection, not because I seek recognition for how many birds I shoot in a season or how big my buck is. There are those who hunt for trophies only, often to challenge themselves. Many trophy hunters are finely honed and skilled outdoorsmen. Heck, you have to be, to find and select only the most dominant genes in the pool. It takes great restraint and planning. I respect those who choose to hunt this way. And believe it or not, many of them are still humble. Those are the type of trophy hunters that I respect. They do it not for their ego but for the challenge. We have one or two of those men in our town. They are quiet, unassuming men of character. They contrast to the road hunters who seek to brag about the 10-pointer they shot from 300 yards after spotting it from their vehicle in the last minutes of daylight. One of the greatest deer hunting families in history, the Benoits of Duxbury, have shot more trophy bucks than anyone else, and yet, they have never had any of them “scored” by the Boone & Crockett Club. They never believed that an animal
should be assigned a numerical value to its body or antlers. In my 37 years of waterfowling, I have shot many ducks and geese, but each one of them is a trophy to me in its own way. I remember certain shots and certain pieces of land, particularly swamps, where I watched flocks of whistling teal dive-bombing the decoys at jet-fighter speeds against a sunrise that was indescribably beautiful. I have slogged through mud two feet deep for hundreds of yards just to retrieve a drake wood duck with its pontifical crown. I do so, not so that I can brag about the shot or my calling prowess, but to relate to the bird on its most intrinsic level. We are both of the same energy. We share the air we breathe, the water we swim in, the same sunrise and the same love of the mysterious migration that happens each year. I am never going to be a trophy hunter. That said, I would not pass up a trophy if it stepped in front of me, but it is not what defines my love of hunting. With the utmost respect for those who do, and who do so out of the same love and admiration as I, I honor you. Not for your scores on the mountain goat you shot from 500 yards, but for the love and drive that it must take to climb 10,000 feet up a mountain to set your sights on a perfect specimen. It is this love of the animal and the desire to become one with it that exemplifies what it means to have a hunter’s heart.
The author with a “trophy” drake greenwing teal. Photo: Courtesy
Bradley Carleton is Executive Director of SacredHunter.org, a nonprofit that seeks to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature, and raises funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.
Lincoln, VT Homeowner Recommends Bristol Electronics Have you been thinking you want to go solar? Bristol Electronics is the place to call. Over a year ago we met with another company and were so frustrated by the whole process that we decided to forget all about solar power. But when we met Bristol Electronics staff at the Bristol Harvest Festival they encouraged us to rethink it. We’re glad we did. Everyone at Bristol Electronics is friendly, courteous, professional and efficient. They are patient with questions and concerns and they go beyond what they have to do. The price was fair, the installation was completed on schedule, and even the cables and wiring were neatly done! The design met our power needs, gave us the latest, most powerful panels available, and the panels are barely visible high up on our rooftops but they are up there working away - - - LOVE watching the meter go backwards! We wanted to invest in our property, instead of the stock market; and even though it was early winter when the installation was complete, we began to see a reduction in our power bill right away. We are looking forward to this summer and having zero electric bills! Patricia & Bob – Lincoln VT
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18 • August 11, 2016 • the ChArlotte News
Community Events
upComIng publIC meetIngs Selectboard: August 22, 7 p.m. Planning Comm: August 18, 7 p.m. Energy Comm: August 10, 7 p.m. Conservation Comm.: August 23, 7 p.m. We make every effort to give correct meeting times, however they are subject to change. Check the town website for more info: charlottevt.org.
haVe your say | Selectboard MeMberS | Chair, Lane Morrison, 425-2495 Matthew Krasnow, 922-2153 Carrie Spear, 425-4444 Jacob Spell, 425-6548 Fritz Tegatz, 425-5564 Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. If you would like to bring an issue to the attention of the Selectboard, contact the board chair or administrator Dean Bloch at 425-3071, ext. 205.
The Diamond Island Regatta is the headline sailing event each year for the Royal Savage Yacht Club, based at Point Bay Marina in Charlotte. Each year, the regatta attracts some of the best sailors and fastest sailboats on Lake Champlain. This year’s regatta, the fourth annual, will once again be part of the club’s effort to raise money for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Last year, the club contributed $1,000 to the LCMM. The regatta takes place on August 20, 2016, with a skippers meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the RSYC tent at Point Bay Marina, the race starts on Town Farm Bay at 11 a.m., and the awards ceremony starts at 6 p.m., part of the club’s annual Lobster Fest dinner. For more information, check out the regatta’s web page at rsyc.org/diamond-island-regatta. Photo: Brandon Johnson FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 Exhibition: Women in The Men’s Room. The Men’s Room in Burlington will host an exhibition featuring Charlotte ceramic artist Susan Raber Bray, among others. It is a collaborative exhibit featuring female artists and the beauty of diversity. Info: mensroomvt.com.
Rokeby Museum will host their annual social from 1-4 p.m., with homemade pie and music. All proceeds support the Museum’s work. The museum is located at 4224 Route 7, Ferrisburgh. Info: 802877-3406
Intervale Road in Burlington. Admission: Free. Info: abby@intervale.org.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 Event: Launch Party for Liza Woodruff’s “Emerson Barks.” Local illustrator Liza Woodruff is releasing her new book, which is the first that she has both written THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 and illustrated. Come to the Flying Pig Concert: Summervale. Come see Bookstore in Shelburne at 11 a.m. to TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 Charlotte resident Francesca Blanchard celebrate, eat cake and read with Liza. perform at 6 p.m. with local food, live County Fair: Addison County Fair and Field Days. Vermont’s largest agricultural music and activities for kids. Summervale Ages: 2-7 years. Free. Info/RSVP: 9853999 or flyingpigbooks@gmail.com. fair features live entertainment, exhibits, takes place every Thursday through crafts, 4-H workshops, racing pigs, stunt August 25 from 5:30-8 p.m. at 180 dog shows, a demolition derby, tractor pulls, a fireworks display (August 13) FLY LIKE A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY, and amusement park rides from noon KNOW THE BUZZ LIKE A BEE? to 11 p.m. The fair takes place through The Charlotte News is looking for an Events Calendar Editor to help August 13 at the Addison County spread the word about goings-on in town. You would work directly with Fairgrounds in New Haven, and is the editor, helping to gather and format all events submitted to The News. open from 8 a.m. to midnight. Info: You should have word processing software and a computer or be able to AddisonCountyFieldDays.com. come to the office to work. It takes about two hours every other week. SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 Event: Pie & Ice Cream Social. The
Regular Religious Services Monday through Friday Vermont Zen Center, Shelburne, sittings 6 a.m. Info: 985-9746, vermontzen.org.
Fridays IslamIC soCIety of Vermont, Colchester, Jumu’ah prayer 1 p.m. Info: 655-6711, isvt.org. ohaVI Zedek synagogue (Conservative), Burlington, Kabbalat Shabbat services 6 p.m. Info: 864-0218, ohavizedek.org. temple sInaI synagogue (Reform), South Burlington, traditional worship 7:30 p.m. Info: 862-5125, templesinai. org.
Send inquiries to Alex Bunten at news@thecharlottenews.org.
Saturdays haVurah, the JewIsh CongregatIon of a ddIson Country, Middlebury,
morning Shabbat services 10 a.m. Info: 388-8946, havurahaddisoncounty.org. ohaVI Zedek synagogue, Burlington, Shabbat morning services 9 a.m. Info: 864-0218, ohavizedek.org. temple sInaI synagogue (Reform), South Burlington, Shabbat morning services 10:00 a.m. Info: 862-5125, templesinai.org. st. Jude CatholIC ChurCh, Hinesburg, Mass 4:30 p.m. Info: 482-2290, stjudevt.org.
Sundays all souls InterfaIth gatherIng, Shelburne, morning meditation 9 a.m. Info: 985-3819, allsoulsinterfaith.org. Ascension Lutheran Church, South Burlington, worship 10 a.m., Sunday school 9 a.m. Info: 862-8866, alcvt.org. assembly of god ChrIstIan Center, Ferrisburgh worship, 10 a.m. Info: 877-3903, agccvt.org. burlIngton frIends meetIng
(Quakers), Burlington, worship 11 a.m. Info: 660-9221, burlingtonquakers.org. Charlotte CongregatIonal ChurCh, Charlotte, worship 10 a.m. Info: 425-3176, charlotteucc.org. CommunIty allIanCe ChurCh, Hinesburg, worship 9:30 a.m. Info: 482-2132, hinesburgcma.org. Cross roads Chapel, Ferrisburgh Center, worship 10 a.m. Info: 425-3625, facebook.com/CrossRoadsChapelVT. north ferrIsburgh unIted methodIst ChurCh, North Ferrisburgh, worship 10 a.m. Info: 425-2770, nfumchurch.org. our lady of mount Carmel, Charlotte, Mass 8 a.m. Info: 425-2637, olmcvt.org. st. Jude CatholIC ChurCh, Hinesburg, Mass 9:30 a.m. Info: 482-2290, stjudevt.org. the ChurCh of Jesus ChrIst of latter day saInts, South Burlington, sacrament worship service 10 a.m. Info: 860-2884, lds.org. trInIty epIsCopal ChurCh, Shelburne, Holy Eucharist 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Info: 985-2269, trinityshelburne.org.
| ccS School board | Chair, Mark McDermott, 425-4860 Vice Chair, Erik Beal, 425-2140 Clerk, Jeff Martin, 425-4319 Kristin Wright, 425-5105 Susan Nostrand, 425-4999
| cVU School board-charlotte | Lorna Jimerson, ljimerso@wcvt.com Lynne Jaunich, lmjau@gmavt.net
| Planning coMMiSSion | Zoning Administrator & Deputy Health Officer, Joe Rheaume, jrheaume@townofcharlotte.com Town Planner, Daryl Benoit, dbenoit@townofcharlotte.com Chair, Jeffrey McDonald, 425-4429 Vice Chair, Peter Joslin Members: Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Charlie Pughe, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick
| Vt goVernMent | Vt senate (ChIttenden dIstrICt) Tim Ashe, D/P-Burlington, 318-0903, tashe@leg.state.vt Philip Baruth, D-Burlington, 503-5266, pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston, 863-6129, vvlyons@leg.state.vt.us Diane Snelling, R-Hinesburg, 482-4382, dsnelling@leg.state.vt.us Michael Sirotkin, D-South Burlington, 999-4360, msirotkin@leg.state.vt.us David Zuckerman, P/D/W-Hinesburg, 598-1986, dzuckerman@leg.state.vt.us Vermont house Mike Yantachka, D-Charlotte, 425-3960, myantachka.dfa@gmail.com
| U.S. goVernMent | u.s. senators Patrick Leahy, 863-2525, leahy.senate.gov Bernie Sanders, 862-0697, sanders.senate.gov u.s. Congressman Peter Welch, 652-2450, welch.house.gov
The CharloTTe News • augusT 11, 2016 • 19
Classifieds
Around Town Congratulations to Ceal Moran (pictured left), who hosted the seventh annual Genealogy Day Open House on August 9 at the White River Craft Center in Randolph. The event works to “honor and remember loved ones” and was officially recognized by the state last year. The event happens every year on August 9. You can find out more information by going to the website: finalfreedom.com/ genealogy.
Congratulations to Janine Shows and Jacob Perrault whose daughter Jadelyn Lynn ShowsNurlburt was born June 22, 2016, at the University of Vermont Medical Center. To Stephanie and Charles Allison of Charlotte, North Carolina on the birth of their daughter Mackenzie Porter Allison on August 5, 2016. Stephanie is the daughter of Susan and Craig Sim of Charlotte. to Adam Bates and Erin Hall on the births of their twins, Ivy and Remy, on July 8 in Rutland. The son of Tom and Lorna Bates of Charlotte, Adam and his wife Erin are both physicians at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. Adam graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 1988. to William Pinney and Simone Edgar Holmes of Charlotte who earned selection as “Academic All-Stars” in the July 31st Burlington Free Press. William is the son of William and Deborah Pinney. Simone is the daughter of Deirdre Holmes and Jacob Edgar. Both are recent graduates of CVU. Simone plans to travel through Europe before returning home to volunteer at Charlotte Central School and enter Middlebury College in February. William will enter the Massachusetts Institute of
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Technology in the fall. to Ezra Miller of Charlotte and CVU, who was one of 460 Vermont high school students who attended the Governor’s Institutes this summer. Ezra studied “Information Technology and Digital Media,” one of nine institutes held this year. Students apply through their high schools and selection is a competitive process. to Birgit Deeds of Charlotte, a volunteer and supporter of the garden restoration project at Shelburne Farms who was pictured in a July 31st article in the Burlington Free Press, outlining the history and advancement of the gardens at Shelburne Farms. Designed by Lila Webb in the early 1900s behind what was the Webb summer home and is now Shelburne Inn, the gardens are being restored and open to the public through tours and educational programs. to Rob Niccolai of Charlotte who recently joined the Mobius board of directors. Now in its fourth year as Vermont’s Mentoring Partnership, Mobius supports more than 140 adult-to-youth mentoring program sites that serve 2,300 mentor pairs throughout the state. Niccolai said, “I’m
excited to join Mobius and support those committed to mentoring in Vermont. Being a positive role model and sharing what we know is transformational. We all have that one person who made all the difference.” Niccolai is currently president and principal of KSV, a Burlington-based advertising agency that specializes in energy efficiency and sustainability.
Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Shirley Bruce of Williston who passed away August 1 at the age of 78. Shirley’s parents Albert and Odiana LeBoeuf and her brother Richard LeBoeuf, all from Charlotte, passed away prior to her death. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation in her name be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 140 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403. is extended to family and friends of Ernest Matton of Burlington who passed away August 6 at the age of 87. His surviving family in Charlotte includes his son, Norm and Norm’s wife Patricia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the Vermont Respite House c/o the VNA of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties.
Notices TOWN OF CHARLOTTE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED TOWN PLAN Pursuant to 24 VSA Chapter 117 the Charlotte Planning Commission will hold a Public Information Meeting on Thursday August 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Offices, 159 Ferry Road on the proposed draft of the 2016 Charlotte Town Plan. The purpose of the meeting is to present an overview of the proposed Town Plan to the public. This meeting is preliminary to a Public Hearing, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday September 15, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Offices, 159 Ferry Road, Charlotte. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comment on the proposed Plan. Comments may also be submitted in writing in advance of the hearing. The Town Plan includes development policies for the Town, and provides a basis for bylaws and other municipal ordinances which implement the Town Plan. The proposed Town Plan affects all land within the Town.
The Table of Contents for the proposed Town Plan contains the major topic headings: 1. Charlotte Tomorrow: 1.1. Vision and Goals 1.2 Future Land Use 1.3 Regional Context 1.4 Natural Resources 1.5 Lake & Shoreline 1.6 Agriculture & Forestry 1.7 Historical & Cultural Resources 1.8 Demographics & Housing 1.9 Economic Development 1.10 Utilities, Facilities, & Services 1.11 Transportation 1.12 Energy 1.13 Implementation 2. Charlotte Today/Community Profile: 2.1. Natural Resources & Physical Conditions
2.2. Historic & Cultural Resources 2.3. Demographics 2.4. Housing 2.5. Economic Conditions 2.6. Utilities, Facilities & Services 2.7. Transportation 2.8. Energy 2.9. Existing Land Use 3. Charlotte Yesterday 4. Glossary 5. Appendices An electronic copy of the proposed Town Plan will be available 15 days prior to the scheduled public hearing on the Town’s website at: charlottevt.org. Hardcopies of the proposed Town Plan will be available at the Town Clerk’s office, the Planning and Zoning office, and the Town Library during regular business hours. Questions and comments can be submitted to Daryl Benoit, Town Planner at dbenoit@townofcharlotte.com.
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