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Formerly the Rutland Tribune. A New Market Press Publication.
Community News, Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Food for Rutland and Southern Vermont
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Vol. 3 No. 7 • February 16, 2011
Chester barn collapses under heavy snow By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com
Rutland bridges are falling down By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com Rutland may yet push aside that old “London Bridge is Falling Down” nursery rhyme. A new city report reveals that 10 of the city’s 28 bridges are in serious danger of falling down—literally. Last week, the city’s Department of Public Works reported that a list of in-city bridges are at “high risk of complete failure”. The list included dangerous and storm culverts , too. Considering the DPW’s report, on a day when dismal weather dumped more snow on the city, the reaction of resident taxpayers has been—well—numb. Commissioner Alan Shelvey reported that the most critical spans are the Ripley Street, Forest Street, and Dorr Drive bridges. Fortunately, this trio will be replaced soon under the Vermont Bridge Program. However, 10 of the city’s 28 bridges and storm culverts have also been placed on a new watch list by Rutland DPW. “High risk” bridges abound in the city—they include the Church Street, Grove Street and the West Street bridges. These spans appear to be at higher risk for failure in the next five years. The target spans and several culverts were placed on a schedule that starts in 2011 and ends in 2025. Shelvey said the West Street Bridge’s decking needed to be replaced. The span’s abutments and steel structure were deemed strong. The substructure, piers, and decking of the River Street Bridge could also face closure if not repaired soon. The Lincoln Avenue’ Bridge above Tenney Brook has already shows evidence of failure. The Park Street Bridge across Mussey Brook is also on the high-risk watch list. Funds to repair the bridges will ultimately be paid by the taxpayers.
Page Listings • Rusty Dewees ............. 4 • Local Flavor................ 5 • 100 Best .................8-13 • Sports ........................ 15 • Classifieds ............18-20
TO HAVE AND TOO COLD—Bride and groom Dawn Jablonski and Greg Paige from New York are all bundled up for their nuptials. The couple eloped and exchanged wedding vows at the Mount Holly overlook on Okemo Mountain in Ludlow. Carolyn Gauthier, P.A., performed the ceremony. After the wedding, the bride and groom spent the remainder of the day skiing. Photo by Don Dill
Firefighters and rescue personnel from several Windsor County fire departments worked to rescue more than 40 cows at the Roman Way Farm in Chester Feb. 8. The farm is owned by veterinarian Dr. Roy Homan. The 200-foot-long free-stall structure gave way late Feb. 7 when a quarter of it collapsed due to heavy snow on the roof. Fire Chief Steven Locke said at least 40 cows had been under the collapsed roof buried in snow and debris. More than 20 cows were rescued by noon Feb. 8. Dr. Roger Osinchuk, a Chester vet, was on the scene and told reporters that the trapped animals were unable to stand. Crews from Brattleboro, the Chester Fire Department, Rutland, Springfield, and Urban Search & Rescue from Hartford, were on the scene. “Farms have lost livestock to the barn collapses,” Deputy Agriculture Secretary Diane Bothfeld said. “There has been no loss of human life, but there are often farm workers in the barn throughout the day and there is a real safety concern for them if a roof collapses while they are working.” Heritage Deli, Jiffy Mart, and Lisai’s Market in Chester picthed in to help the Homan family farm with food and drinks. American Red Cross of Vermont and the Green Mountain Chapter-Disaster Action Team personnel also arrived on the scene to provide aid. Guidance for what constitutes a safe load of snow on your roof is based on a number of factors so is not the same for every dwelling. It depends on the age of the roof, the amount of snow on the roof, and the weight of that snow. Warm temperatures on Sunday and Monday have added to the weight of the snow. John Wood, director of the Vermont Division of Fire Safety says strange noises, cracking, or visible movement of rafters should be signs that your roof is headed for a collapse. However, he does caution that those signs won’t necessarily be there before a collapse. When clearing snow from a roof, work to ensure an even unloading from both sides at a time. Always work in pairs and use a safety line when clearing steep pitched roofs. The center of the rafters and the center of the building are the weak points. It is advised to keep some 4x4 or 6x6 poles on hand to place under every fourth rafter, or along the center of the roof line. This will provide additional strength to the roof.
Cortina Inn reopens with alpine look, new owners By Mary Moeykens & Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com
The Cortina Inn—a Vermont resort for all seasons—reopened with fanfare on U.S. Route 4 in Mendon last week. The formerly troubled inn, located near Killington and Pico ski resorts, closed in 2008 after three cases of Legionnaires disease were linked to the facility’s hot-water tank. The inn’s highly publicized problems and bankrupty in 2008 faded away like yesterday’s news on Feb. 10. Owners, guests and Outlook reporters were on hand to inspect the beauti-
fully refurbished four-season—and four-star— alpine inn. In 2009, former inn owners held a public auction in the hope of finding a buyer for the overinflated $10 million property. The effort failed quickly when auctioneers realized no takers were in the offing. However, by mid 2009, the inn was still up for sale, but this time for a song—so entered a Florida business couple that saved a bundle and revitalized a much-loved Rutland County landmark. The couple picked up the property for a tad over $1 million—a real steal, if you’ll pardon the ...Turn to page 5 to read more on this article
Co-owner Sudha Bhakta with Howard Popp Jr., Lois Popp, and co-owner Ravi Bhakta. Vermont tourists Howard and Lois have been coming to the Cortina Inn for 40 years. They were thrilled to return to their favorite Vermont inn. The “flatlanders” are from Bucks County, Pa. Photo by Mary Moeykens
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