January 11, 2014
PSB approves gas pipeline From news & staff reports newmarketpress@ denpubs.com MIDDLEBURY — Vermont is one step closer to begin construction on the natural gas project after receiving approval from state regulators. The notice of approval came on Dec. 23 after Vermont regulators reviewed thousands of pages of evidence and testimony from nearly 50 witnesses. The Public Service Board agreed that Phase 1 of the Addison-Rutland Natural Gas Project is in the public good. Phase 1 of the project will extend the Vermont Gas transmission network further south into Middlebury, bringing natural gas service to towns including Monkton, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Bristol, New Haven, and more. The project will cut heating costs in half for nearby homeowners and businesses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said Vermont Gas. “We are very pleased the Vermont Public Service Board’s thorough review of the project has found it to be in the public interest,” said Don Gilbert, President and CEO of Vermont Gas. “This decision will make it possible to extend the same economic and environmental benefi ts of natural gas service to more Vermonters in Addison County. We look forward to helping more Vermonters to cut their heating bills in half and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, as we have in Chittenden and Franklin counties for almost 50 years.” In the ruling, the Public Service Board said the project “will create substantial CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Serving more than 30,000 Readers Weekly
Fire destroys Bristol farm
YEAR ENDING FIRE
By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com BRISTOL — A fi re at the Choiniere farm in Bristol destroyed most of the operation’s buildings during the afternoon hours of Jan. 4. Only a single silo survived the fi re, according to eyewitnesses; the confl agration was fueled by 200 bales of combustible hay. Barn animals are safe according to a fi re department report. Retired owner Mark Choiniere and current owner Paul Choiniere told news reporters that several generations of the family worked the land at the farm site. A large barn constructed during the 1950s was completely destroyed. Bristol Assistant Fire Chief Brett LaRose told reporters that Choiniere saw a small fi re in the back of the farm and called 911. The fi re spread quickly before fi refi ghters could do much. Five fi re departments from surrounding Addison and Chittenden counties included 55 fi refi ghters to battle the confl agration. Cold and wind were also factors hampering the effort. The fi re was not considered to be deliberately set.
Owen Stolarcyk took this photograph of a big barn fire along the Whiting-Shoreham Road on Monday, Dec. 29, 2013, at 11 a.m. The fire was the last large barn fire of the year for the area. Photo by Owen Stolarcyk
German glider maker mulls Middlebury airport site By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com
Middlebury airport officials hope to lure Stemme, a German-based glider manufacturer, to the area. The goal is to create a local assembly, sales, and maintenance facility at the Middlebury State Airport and create a partnership with the foreign company along the East Coast. The company’s S-10 glider retails at approximately $259,000. Photo provided
MIDDLEBURY — Vermont State Airport 6B0— also known as the Middlebury State Airport—might be seeing some improvements in the next few years. Jamie Gaucher, director of the Middlebury Offi ce of Business Development and Innovation, has been working closely with Mike Vincent, owner of J&M Aviation of Middlebury, on the project, which aims to bring a German-based glider manufacturer to the area. The goal is to create a local assembly, sales, and maintenance facility at the Middlebury State Airport and create a partnership with the overseas company along the East Coast. While the name of the company has not been released, some are speculating that the newcomer may be Stemme, a Strausberg-based motor glider manufacturer. The company’s S-10 glider retails at approximately $259,000. Gaucher could only confi rm that the company has another venue in San Diego, Calif., which is true for Stemme. Middlebury Airport Manager Brian Pinsonault CONTINUED ON PAGE 10