LAKE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE NOW OPEN TO TRAFFIC
By Lou Varricchio
P.O. BOX 338 ELIZABETHTOWN, NY 12932 POSTAL PATRON
Joined at the bridge Vt., NY officials open Lake Champlain Bridge
newmarketpress@denpubs.com RUTLAND — Central Vermont Public Service has asked the Vermont Public Service Board to authorize a 4.8 percent rate increase under the company’s alternative regulation plan. If approved, the increase would take effect on Jan. 1. “We have worked very hard to control operating costs, which are virtually flat overall,” CVPS President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Reilly said. “The rate change is being drive by a variety of factors, which include new power contracts at competitive, yet slightly higher costs, and investments in our system to improve reliability for customers. Meanwhile, the rate impact was mitigated by a reduction in our allowed return on equity, which will drop from 9.45 to 9.17 percent.” The bill for a residential customer who uses 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month will rise from $82.26 to $86.22, a difference of $3.96. Since 1999, CVPS’s rates have risen at near half the rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. CVPS is in the process of selling the company to foreign-owned Gaz Métro, the parent of Green Mountain Power, with which CVPS will merge next year, if the transaction receives all necessary regulatory approvals. Ironically, the rate increase this week comes on the heels of GMP and CVPS officials promising to provide $144 million in customer savings in the first 10 years after closing the sale.
ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW MARKET PRESS/ DENTON PUBLICATIONS
Serving Addison and Chittenden Counties
Nov. 12, 2011
CVPS seeks rate increase
FREE
Take one
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and New York Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, second from right, celebrate the opening of the new Lake Champlain Bridge Nov. 7 at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Crown Point, N.Y. Photo by Andy Flynn
ADDISON — Motorists crossed the new $70 million Lake Champlain Bridge Monday, Nov. 7 immediately following a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and New York Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy. “The governor is very pleased that the bridge is reopening,” Shumlin spokesperson Susan Allen said Nov. 4. “This is a critical transportation route for so many Vermonters and New York state residents. Reopening the bridge is truly worth celebrating.” In a prepared statement, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “I thank the New York State Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and our partners in Vermont for their assistance in building this bridge, which will help revitalize local economies and strengthen the relationship between our two states." The original Lake Champlain Bridge opened on Aug. 26, 1929, was closed on Oct. 16, 2009, and was destroyed by explosives on Dec. 28, 2009.
ACTR center planned for Creek Road By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com MIDDLEBURY—Addison County Transit Resources (ACTR) will build a new center on lot on Creek Road, across from the MUHS playing fields and adjacent to the VTrans highway shed. A public pre-open house, on the site, was held Oct. 13 According to an ACTR news release, Vermont architect Black River Design of Montpelier is responsible for the center ’s concept. Black River Design staff is led by seven partners and includes 11 registered architects. The firm is also spearheading the new Jay Peak Resort hotel and waterpark project at Jay Peak, Vt. “Our plan is to break ground in spring of 2012 and move in just in
time to celebrate our 20th anniversary in November,” according to ACTR’s Jim Moulton.“This Center will allow ACTR to respond even better to the community’s transportation needs. The improved efficiencies of on-site vehicle maintenance plus adequate administrative space will translate into increased services to meet the growing demand for public transportation in Addison County and beyond.” Moulton noted that the Community Transportation Center will support a combination of “unprecedented ridership growth plus increasing community need for infrastructure”. “The new Community Transportation Center will also better equip ACTR to support local and regional emergency needs,” Moulton added.
Suburban Propane
Architect’s rendering of the new ACTR center on Creek Road in Middlebury. Artwork provided
Take control of your energy costs... Today.
• Payment Plans • 24 Hour Emergency Service • Automatic Delivery • Certified Service Techs & Drivers 388-7212 • 800-591-6604 • 2242 Route 7 So., Middlebury
CON A B SIDER UD N OWG E T ! 28145