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February 18, 2017
VT Gas penalized, feds investigate state oversight of pipeline By Lou Varricchio lou@watchdog.org
MONTPELIER — The Vermont Public Service Board on Feb. 2 penalized Vermont Gas Systems’ earnings for three years due to management shortcomings dating back to early construction of a new gas pipeline running through Addison County. The penalty, which is being imposed on the utility’s income, will prevent Vermont Gas from being able to earn more than 8.5 percent on its capital assets through the end of 2019. Vermont Gas President and CEO Don Rendall admitted that the company failed to “prudently” plan and manage the first phases of the construction project, which spans 41 miles and goes through Addison County. As the project nears its final phase of completion, Rendall told reporters Thursday that “significant challenges” were confronted early on but the pipeline is now “back on track.” Since 2015, the project has been plagued by regular protests against Vermont Gas and the Vermont Department of Public Service. The gatherings, staged mostly in Hinesburg, disrupt construction work in the area and in Geprags Park, a small Continued on page 10
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Changes for Middlebury’s Main Street By Cassandra Loucy cassandra@addison-eagle.com
MIDDLEBURY — Two Middlebury businesses have closed their doors, but not their shops. Rainbow Room and Clementine, both located on Main Street, have closed up their brick and mortar locations and are moving to an online only business model. Home décor and stationery boutique Clementine, owned by Emily Blistein, called Main Street its home for nearly six years. Blistein will now run the business as an online and popup shop. It will feature a changing variety of items, with particular focus on handmade and independent artists. Abby DeGraw-Josey, owner of Rainbow Room — a jewelry, accessories, and gift store — has said the decision to close the physical location was not easy. “I honestly thought I was crazy until I heard Clementine was doing the same thing…I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve laid awake trying to decide what the best option was. Taking a Middlebury staple and closing after 38 years has been the hardest decision of my life. The tears haven’t come yet but they will. The idea of not being able to see all my customers face to face breaks my heart.” Over the past several years, downtown Middlebury has gone through several transformations. The bridge over Otter Creek has been built, a rotary created in the center of town, a park built this past year, and in the near future, more plans are in place to replace and repair railroad tracks. This constant state of transition has had an impact on business owners on Merchant’s Row and Main Street. “All of these have impacted parking and foot traffic — my Continued on page 12
Vermont Tree Goods of Bristol has donated a massive slice from a 130 year old American elm tree that will hang in the lobby of Elm Place, an affordable senior living community in Milton that will open for occupancy in March. Vermont Tree Goods founder John Monks and woodworkers Natt Harkins and Ben Deleiris load the American elm slice into a car for its journey to Milton, where it will hang in the lobby of Elm Place, an affordable housing community for seniors developed by Cathedral Square of South Burlington. Elm Place will open for occupancy in March. Photo provided
Big Brother will be watching motor vehicle inspections By Lou Varricchio Vermont Watchdog
Middlebury auto service station owner Damon Pelkey said he had to pay for new, state-mandated inspection equipment out of pocket. Photo by Lou Varricchio
MIDDLEBURY — After decades of using ink pens and carbon-paper record books for vehicle inspection work, the Green Mountain State is going digital and adopting the Automated Vehicle Inspection Program. The move away from paper inspection records to centralized internet-based data collecting is part of the state’s attempt to reduce inspection fraud and so-called sticker shopping by some vehicle owners. Following a competitive bidding process in 2016, Vermont contracted California-based Parsons, an international engineering services firm, to provide AVIP administration services, maintenance and support, inspection equipment and a technical support hotline for participating Vermont auto service centers. According to Parsons’ website, the company inspects 2.3 Continued on page 11