THE GAME STARTS TODAY! 2013
SPORTS
The BFA-St. Albans junior varsity cheerleading team performs during Saturday’s Academy Cheer Challenge at the CollinsPerley Sports Center. See Sports, 1B
MESSENGER St. Albans
Monday, February 4, 2013
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Vermont’s Oldest Evening Newspaper BERKSHIRE
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Hot machines, frozen bay
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ST. ALBANS TOWN
Budget plan bit of ‘vanilla’ Town manager goes for clarity By JESSIE FORAND Messenger Staff Writer
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T. ALBANS TOWN — Aside from minor reorganization, St. Albans Town’s proposed annual spending plan for the next fiscal year is neither an exciting nor controversial document, says the town manager. However, the budget does make allowances for six-figure improvements to the bay dock, should grant funding be approved, and will be the last spending plan approved prior to the arrival of big-box store Walmart. For now, however, the next fiscal year’s spending plan amounts to “a pretty darn vanilla budget,” said Carrie Johnson, town manager. Johnson said the town is working to obtain grant funding for dock work through the State of Vermont. The addition money for
Franklin County Snow Raiders Club held its St. Albans Bay Radar Run Saturday with competitors revving up their engines in heats clocked by radar. The event drew a good crowd despite the cold. After all, these are snowmobile enthusiasts. See more photos today on our Messenger Facebook page. GEORGE OUILLETTE photos
Above, Britney Surprenant charges through the course. She passed the finish line in a rush of snow for a posting of 92 mph. Left, Blair Whitney, is seen here with dad, Ryan Whitney, just prior to the Ryan’s first timed radar run clocked at 82 mph. Entrants pay a $10 fee and purchase race slots at five for $20 to try to improve their competition standings.
Warming up for a concert The horn section of the fourth grade beginner band, including Kyle Wilkens (left) and Kalan Kenyon (right), play during the Swanton Elementary winter concert. See more photos, page 11A
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I really just wanted to make this easier for everyone to understand …’
Carrie Johnson, town manager the dock was set aside for matching funds in case that state funding is granted in the amount of $100,000. The budget includes the police contract line item of $513,604, which has been a controversial issue in the past. That contract, however, is firm for this year and not up for reconsideration until next year when it could simply be renewed or put out to bid. A police advisory committee ! See TOWN on page 5A
EDUCATION
Addison Co. schools explore union district Seven towns may vote to adopt RED solution Editor’s Note: The experiences of other Vermont school districts may be of value when and if the area of school consolidation takes root locally. Here is one example of what is happening elsewhere in the state. By JOHN FLOWERS
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IDDLEBURY — A committee exploring ways to streamline operations within the Addison Central Supervisory Union
is recommending that residents in the seven-town school district vote on a referendum that some believe could reduce bureaucracy and create more educational equality and opportunities for students. Specifically, the ACSU Study Committee wants to hold a vote on whether to combine some, or all, ACSU schools into a Regional Education District, known as a RED. Made possible under Vermont’s Act 153, an RED is a new type of union school district that can allow multiple community and ! See EDUCATION on page 11A
BFA begins search for new principal Public input sought
SUZANNE KENYON, Photo
BAKERSFIELD
By MICHELLE MONROE Messenger Staff Writer
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T. ALBANS —Bellows Free Academy (BFA) school board is seeking public input regarding the hiring of a new principal. Dennis Hill, has announced that he will leave to become Missisquoi Valley Union High School (MVU) principal for the start of the next school year. The BFA board has posted a survey asking what attributes community members think are most important in a school principal. Options include creating a clear vision and generating excitement about that vision, creating a
culture of achievement, setting high standards for achievement, and building strong relationships with faculty, students and the community. Respondents are also asked to comment on BFA’s strengths and the challenges they believe the new principal will face. The BFA board is also asking respondents to state what one question they would ask of a principal candidate. The survey will be posted on the BFA Web site (www.bfasta. net) through Feb. 8.
Vol. 155 No. 029 (USPS) (5133-8000)