The Mountain Times • Sept. 6-12, 2017 • 1
Mounta in Times Volume 46, Number 36
The best things in life are FREE! I flatter myself.
Sept. 6-12, 2017
State sending 20,000 letters to collect alternative sales tax By Morgan True, VTDigger
By Paul Holmes
Skaters to speed down East Mountain Road The (International Downhill Federation) IDF World Cup tour returns to Killington Sept. 8-10. Formerly known as the Downhill Throwdown, this exciting, high-speed downhill skate and luge showdown is now being organized by #EmgeeEvents, to whom Dean Events passed the torch. The Killington World Cup is the final event of the 2017 WC tour, for all the marbles, and is the only North American World Cup in 2017. Spectators can park at Skyeship to be shuttled to viewing areas.
Patriot’s Day is Sept. 11 On Monday, Sept. 11, the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site will observe a day of remembrance. The site is open free of charge on this Patriot Day for those who wish to contemplate or honor heroes from the past and present. The facilities will be open from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The historic site is located on Monument Hill Road, Hubbardton.
Living A.D.E. What’s happening? Find local Arts, Dining & Entertainment Pages 15-19
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The Tax Department is sending close to 20,000 letters to Vermonters telling folks they may owe sales tax for online and other purchases. The letters say residents have until Oct. 31 to pay without interest or penalties. When a seller doesn’t charge Vermont’s 6 percent sales tax, buyers are responsible for paying what’s known as use tax at the same rate. The tax applies to online, phone or mail-order purchases as well as purchases made outside Vermont where the item is brought back and used in the state. The use tax does not apply to food and most clothing. The letters are part of an effort to “change the culture around use tax,” said Kaj Samsom, director of the Tax Department. Many Vermonters believe that purchases in New Hampshire, which has no sales tax, or those made online are tax-free, he said. Use taxes in states across the country don’t have a great track record of compliance, Samsom said. Although Vermont does relatively well, “there’s a lot of room for improvement,” he said. Now the state is alerting consumers to their obligation with a gently worded but firm letter suggesting they pay up. Use tax, page 5
Killington residents vote on land purchase for new public safety building
Region boasts summer of bikes By Evan Johnson
By Evan Johnson
KILLINGTON—On the evening of Thursday, Aug. 31, about 50 members of the Killington community attending an informational meeting in advance of a special vote Sept. 5 to purchase land for a new public safety building. Attendees heard the results of a three-year study into the town’s need for a new fire department, which will be the main feature of the public safety building, and its possible site on Killington Road. Study committee member Steve Finneron laid out the stakes: the current fire department building – in place since 1974 – is not up to code and is deteriorating; rescue workers
By Alex Klein
A rider navigates the Pro GTS course July 30 at Killington Resort.
respond with their personal vehicles and equipment from their homes; and Killington Police Department lacks adequate space, which often necessitates long drives out of town on busy weekends if, for example, someone needs to be brought to a holding cell in Rutland. The hope, Finneron said, is a one-stop-shop for all of Killington’s public safety needs. “We’re looking for a place that can house all of these things,” he said. The proposed new home for Killington’s fire, rescue and police departments is a four-acre lot just southeast of Woods Road, across from Peppino’s and the Mountain
Public safety, page 14
RUTLAND COUNTY—From elite-level races high on Killington Resort to neighborhood trails, it’s been a big summer for mountain biking in Killington and the surrounding area. This past spring, Killington’s Parks and Recreation Department received a $45,000 grant from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The Recreation Trail Program 2017 grant was used to build 5.3 miles of novice to intermediate trails. Alpine Bike Works owner Anthony Accurso said he’s been observing lots of use after a rainy early summer. “It’s been fantastic, everyone’s been loving them,” Accurso said. “We’re seeing a lot of novices working on the skills you need for bigger, more advanced trails.” Just north in Pittsfield, Green Mountain Trails hosted two big events this summer including Gnarly Adventure and 6-Hour Challenge as well as an Enduro World Series Qualifier. The top finishers in the Gnarly Adventure qualified for Leadville 100, a challenging 100-mile cross-country mountain bike race in Leadville, Colo. As part of a $5.5 million mountain bike expansion, Whistlerbased trail builders Gravity Logic and Killington Resort are in
Biking, page 14
Submitted
A group of 20 paddleboarders raced down the Woodward Reservoir at the first Make A Wave race, held Saturday, Aug. 26.
Paddleboard competition raises funds for multi-town bike path
PLYMOUTH—First Stop Board Barn of West Bridgewater hosted its first annual Make A Wave benefit paddleboard race Saturday, Aug. 26. The highly anticipated race was held at the Farm and Wilderness Camp beach on Woodward Reservoir in Plymouth. The goal of the charity event was to raise money for the development of a
multi-purpose bike path that would connect the surrounding towns of Ludlow, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Woodstock, and Killington. At the sound of the cowbell, 20 adults began paddling, making waves as they charged the mile-long course. A minute after the adult start, children launched through the water, racing in their own
category. Coming in with the fastest time of the day, Karen Dalury of Killington Yoga won the event overall. Dalury’s time was 12:28:74. Coming in second place was Nick Johnson with a time of 13:44:44. Third place was taken by Tao Smith, Head of School at the Killington Mountain School, with a time of 13:48:47.