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The nonprofit community news source since 1958
Charlotte News
The
Thursday, April 16, 2020 | Volume LXII Number 20
CharlotteNewsVT.org
Charlotte News
The
Vol. 62, no.20 April 16, 2020
The Charlotte News needs your financial help, now more than ever. Our journalists are working harder than ever to inform the community about COVID-19 and the resources available to help us all get through these perilous times. One important story we need to report is this: the businesses that have supported The Charlotte News—some for decades—are facing severe economic uncertainty. As a result, the paper’s ad revenue is seriously threatened. If you can, please made a gift of any size, online at charlottenewsvt.org/donate-tothe-charlotte-news or by check mailed to The Friends of The Charlotte News, PO Box 211, Charlotte, Vermont 05445. No donation is too small. All are greatly appreciated. Many thanks. The board and staff of The Charlotte News
Historic vote postponement leaves budget and trails up in the air Chea Waters Evans
Meeting in surreal circumstances, the Charlotte Selectboard decided during an emergency meeting on April 2 to postpone a scheduled April 7 vote on the town budget and town trail funding. In order to comply with Governor Phil Scott’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the board unanimously agreed that it was in the best interest of Charlotters as well as town election officials to postpone voting until it can be conducted in a safe manner that meets all legal requirements.
Vermont’s oldest nonprofit community newspaper, bringing you local news and views since 1958
Local engineer invents cost-effective ventilator for COVID-19 patients Chea Waters Evans
It’s in the news every day: If hospitals run short on ventilators, health professionals will have to decide which COVID-19 patients get them, essentially deciding who gets a chance to survive and who doesn’t. Complex machines that cost thousands of dollars and are no longer readily available, ventilators assist patients with reduced lung function by enabling them to breathe with mechanical help. Jim Richards, an engineer and inventor from Charlotte, has created, along with a small team of aerospace engineers, a device they call the AeroBreath ventilator. It costs around $100 to make, the components are all easily and readily available, and they hope that sharing it with the world will allow many to live who might not have had a chance. ‘“Gasping for air.” Those words on the morning news a few short weeks ago made my sense of urgency skyrocket. We needed a new approach to aid those suffering most,” Richards writes in a public letter on the Aerobreath website. In his regular life, he’s an aerospace engineer who runs Aerodyme, a firm in South Burlington that focuses on Commander aircrafts. He writes, however, that his curiosity about the way things work has informed his passions in many ways: “From 8 years old in 1962, I have been figuring out how machines work,” he writes. Now, with the AeroBreath Project, Richards, who is the chairman, is taking that drive and putting it to work to save lives. “Through detailed review of a 15-year-old PLV-102b ventilator, I found
that critical functionality could be easily replicated by a very simple machine,” he stated. “No software, no firmware, no electronics, simple check valves and, potentially, no need for power except for a hand crank. Our first working prototype was made from readily available materials in my lab, including a Quikrete tube.” These devices would allow patients who are suffering from the characteristic breathing trouble that comes from COVID-19 infections to receive breathing assistance they might need but not receive due to a shortage of traditional ventilators. Richards said that they consult regularly with a medical team regarding hospitaland patient-specific issues and that he has successfully used the machine on himself. The nonprofit organization hopes to quickly deliver 10,000 AeroBreath devices
where they are needed most and then keep producing them until the market is bolstered to the point where, should another similar pandemic occur, healthcare providers will be in a better position to assist patients. The AeroBreath Project’s web site said there are two instances in which the device would be particularly effective: first, in U.S. hospitals that have negativepressure ICUs, and second, in parts of the world where negative-pressure ICUs are unavailable. (A negative-pressure ICU is one in which there is low-level air suction from the ventilator unit to prevent pathogens from escaping the room.) The site states that in the U.S. the AeroBreath ventilator “will be impactful as see VENTILATOR page 5
Cost-cutting dominates Selectboard meeting Juliann Phelps
The decision was made after Secretary of State issued a directive on the morning of April 3 allowing municipalities to postpone elections that were otherwise mandated by local laws and procedures. It stated, “any municipality that has an upcoming annual meeting or other election that is mandated to be held on or by a certain date, either by charter, article of agreement, other governing document, or by the provisions of 17 V.S.A. §2643 or §2661, may cancel that election and hold it on a different date in the year 2020 as determined by the municipality.”
The April 13 Selectboard meeting marked the third meeting held virtually and moved through a full agenda at an effective clip, spending the majority of its time discussing austerity measures related to the current and next year’s budgets. The board also re-scheduled the Australian ballot vote for the budget to June 23. The informational hearing will be held the night before at the regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting.
Vermont’s Director of Elections Will Senning said that the directive was specifically created with towns like Charlottte in mind. Because of the Town Charter, which sunsets this year, agenda items approved at town meeting with
Selectboard Chair Matt Krasnow opened discussion saying, “The whole idea of austerity – I’ve heard from the board and residents. It’s a good exercise to do.” He said while he had initially broached the topic with Road Commissioner Jr Lewis about possibly deferring some paving and
see VOTE page 4
In this still of a YouTube video, Jim Richards of Charlotte uses the AeroBreath ventilator that he, along with a partner, invented to efficiently and cost-effectively save lives. Photo contributed
Current year budget and ash tree removal contract
trimming the road maintenance budget, he felt “it was important the town look at the budget globally – not just look at one item and call it a day.” The board reviewed an email from Town Treasurer Mary Mead where she noted, “When I look at the entire revenue budget at this point in time, we are approximately $320,000 short; mostly as a result of outstanding taxes.”
Suggestions and observations from board members included keeping legal costs down, reducing seasonal recreation staff and reviewing Senior Center maintenance. After a bit more discussion about road maintenance, Lewis said he was fine trimming the paving budget – which he said hasn’t changed in 22 years. “I am willing to give up some of the paving money, but I don’t want to be the only one taking a hit.” Krasnow said, “If everyone makes a small sacrifice, it will add up in every department.” The board
approved asking every department to withhold five percent of their budgets or provide an explanation why if they can’t make those cuts.
Toward the end of the meeting, the budget discussion came up again, this time related to the recently signed $19,500 contract for the ash tree removal on Ferry and Greenbush Roads. Selectboard member James Faulkner questioned why the town signed the contract, noting the topic of budget austerity was brought up by the chair in the same meeting last Monday. “The timing was not ideal, given the present situation,” said Faulkner. “I think we could learn something from that.” Lewis agreed, saying, “I think it’s too late, we already okayed them to do it. It should have been stopped at the last meeting.” Krasnow responded with the suggestion to cancel next year’s ash tree removal appropriation. see SELECTBOARD page 3
The Charlotte News • April 16, 2020 • 3
Town
Remote Selectboard meetings become rote Juliann Phelps The April 6 Selectboard meeting focused primarily on activities related to business at Town Hall and recreation, as well as the selection of a contractor for ash tree removal. The meeting, held via Zoom, moved much more smoothly than the previous one, with far fewer audio issues, as the Selectboard became more comfortable with remote participation and discussion. The first order of business was to validate Article 6. While approved on March 3 at Town Meeting, according to Town Administrator Dean Bloch it was left out of the warning published in the Town Report. The town attorney recommended holding a Town Meeting to validate and vote on the article. Selectboard Chair Matt Krasnow accordingly suspended the Selectboard meeting and reconvened as a town meeting, deferring to Town Moderator Charles Russell. Russell, sporting a red bandanna around his neck as the sounds of blackbirds echoed from his front porch, read the warned article and called for a vote. Article 6 passed by a majority voice vote. Ash tree contract awarded After a lengthy discussion by the Selectboard members, with several mentions of “lessons learned” from the previous year, the board selected Teachers Tree Service as the contractor for the removal of ash trees on Ferry and Greenbush roads. Teacher’s Tree Service bid $19,500 and will complete
the project in five to six days. Tree Warden Mark Dillenbeck was present to speak further on his written recommendation, citing the time to completion, references, and past performance as criteria used in his determination. Both Krasnow and Louise McCarren agreed with the additional criteria. James Faulkner recommended going with the lowest bid, Chris’s Lawn Care and Mini Excavating. Road Commissioner Jr Lewis asked, “Why jump over Greg Smith [the second lowest bid]?” He continued, “Just because it takes longer, doesn’t mean they won’t do an excellent job.” Dillenbeck responded he wanted the work to be completed as soon as possible to reduce traffic interruptions “and take advantage of the ferry being closed down.” The differing opinions were represented in the resulting vote: 3-1-1 with Krasnow, Tenney, and McCarren in favor, Carrie Spear abstaining, and James Faulkner opposed. Greg Ranallo of Teachers Tree Service was present for the vote and said he could start as early as next Monday. Trying to keep Town Hall business as usual With the closure of Town Hall and postponement of the April 7 budget and trails vote, Bloch briefed the Selectboard on staff work locations and status. Bloch said that he, Town Clerk/Treasurer Mary Mead and Assistant Town Clerk Christina Boohers were physically present in the building, while zoning and planning, recreation and
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the office of listers were working remotely. The library remains closed, as well as the Senior Center. Bloch and the Selectboard discussed how to ensure that staff have continued access to the internet, computer equipment, voicemail and town files to perform their duties. The board also voted to continue paying town employees during Governor Phil Scott’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” mandate, while encouraging them to incorporate additional professional development into their work hours. The Selectboard also voted to lift the meeting suspension for town committees, commissions and boards. This was based on the recent passage of VT House Bill 681, which allows for town meetings to resume with a remote option. With an eye to Open Meeting Law requirements, the Selectboard requested town committees, commission and boards to post agendas a week in advance in The Charlotte News, in The Citizen and on Front Porch Forum, to review House Bill 681, and to conduct their meetings via Zoom. Planning Commissioner Peter Joslin and Vice Chair Frank Tenney also discussed how to handle the regulations for notifying adjacent landowners for zoning and planning activities, which includes posting notices at The Old Brick Store, Spear’s Corner Store and the post office (while Town Hall is closed). Playground closed, tennis courts open The Selectboard heard from Recreation Director Nicole Conley and Recreation Commissioner Bill Fraser-Harris regarding recent public requests to keep the tennis courts open. Debate about the transmission of COVID-19 on sports equipment as well as social distancing became hot button topics, while two members of the public, Maura Wygmans and Jean Andersson-Swayze, voiced their support for keeping the courts open. The board decided to keep the courts open and to put up cautionary signage. Fraser-Harris offered to communicate the outcome via Front Porch Forum. Other business The Selectboard approved restarting Thompson’s Point dog-waste pick up a month early. They agreed to delay staff performance reviews and discussed the zoning administrator’s issuance of zoning permits and follow up on minor violations. Tenney said, “I wouldn’t take it off the table; Daniel can continue his job as he sees fit.” The board also discussed behavior at Mt. Philo State Park. According to the town administrator’s report, “State park staff has indicated they have received concerns/complaints regarding overuse of the park, lack of social distancing, lack of dog control, and failure of dog owners to appropriately dispose of dog waste.” Fraser-Harris said he put up orange tape to keep cars off the grass and spoke to the state about increasing signage. “They would like the signage to be uniform and for it to come down from the state level,” he said. Last, the Selectboard will take up the FY2021 budget as an agenda item during its next meeting. Krasnow asked the board to consider areas where spending could be restricted, but no decisions will be made. Tenney noted the budget was already passed during Town Meeting, but “if it was voted down [as an Australian ballot], it would give us an opportunity to re-evaluate.” Krasnow noted, “The Selectboard is authorized to underspend the budget.”
The Charlotte News Mission Statement The mission of The Charlotte News is to inform our readers about current events, issues and topics, and to serve as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and community volunteer organizations on matters related to Charlotte and the lives of its residents. Letters, Commentaries and Obituaries Consistent with our mission The Charlotte News publishes letters to the editor, commentaries and obituaries from our readers. All letters, commentaries and obituaries are subject to review and approval by the news editor of the paper and to the following rules and standards: • Letters to the editor, commentaries and obituaries should be emailed to news@ thecharlottenews.org as attachments in .doc format. All letters, commentaries and obituaries must contain the writer’s full name, town of residence and, for editing purposes only, phone number. • Letters may not exceed 300 words, obituaries 500 words and commentaries 750 words. • The opinions expressed in commentaries and letters to the editor belong solely to the author and are not to be understood as endorsed by either the Board of Directors or the editorial staff of the paper. • All published letters and commentaries will include the writer’s name and town of residence. • Before publishing any obituary, we will need proper verification of death. • All submissions are subject to editing for clarity, factual accuracy, tone, length and consistency with our house publishing style. • Whenever editing is necessary we will make every effort to publish each submission in its entirety and to preserve the original intent and wording. We will confer with writers before publishing any submitted material that in our judgment requires significant editing before it can be published. • The news editor makes the final determination whether a letter to the editor, a commentary or an obituary will be published as submitted, returned for rewriting or rejected. Publisher: Vince Crockenberg Editorial Staff Managing Editor: Anna Cyr (anna@thecharlottenews.org) News Editor: Chea Waters Evans (chea@thecharlottenews.org) Contributing Editor: Edd Merritt Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Vince Crockenberg Proofreaders: Edd Merritt, Mike & Janet Yantachka Business Staff Ad manager: Elizabeth Langfeldt (ads@thecharlottenews.org) Bookkeeper: Susan Jones (billing@thecharlottenews.org) Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg (vince@thecharlottenews.org) Treasurer: Ted leBlanc (treasurer@thecharlottenews.org) Board members: Bob Bloch, Gay Regan, Tom Tiller, John Quinney, Jack Fairweather, Christina Asquith, Claudia Marshall, John Hammer (emeritus) Technical advisor: Melissa Mendelsohn, Orchard Road Computers Website: thecharlottenews.org Subscription Information The Charlotte News is delivered at no cost to all Charlotte residences. Subscriptions are available for first-class delivery at $60 per calendar year. Want a subscription? Please send a check payable to The Charlotte News, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445. Postmaster/Send address changes to: The Charlotte News P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 Telephone: 425-4949 Circulation: 3,000 Copyright © 2020 The Charlotte News, Inc. Member of the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the Vermont Press Association.
ON THE COVER The sun was setting and the ferry quiet on Wednesday night. Photo by Chea Waters Evans
4 • April 16, 2020 • The Charlotte News
Letter to the Editor
Vote no on trails funding To the editor:
With the Charlotte population at approximately 3,800, and according to the trail survey the committee did, seven people use the trail daily…that is a staggering .0018421 percent of our population, and of the 200 people who responded to the survey, that is only five percent of the population. Of those 200 or so people, 25 percent said they never use the trails. So it seems to me that a very small percentage is asking a great deal of money from all of us. We already have a trail maintenance budget of $2,800 and trails reserve fund of $5,000 and, under miscellaneous town expenses, trails committee: $1,837. Trail budget creep anyone? But there is another concern here and that is the animals who inhabit the woodlands who are not given a vote. I bet the animals would vote no! According to the Town Plan, AHPV, areas of high public value, are to be protected and these areas, according to Charlotte Tomorrow, “requires an ecological study for the purpose of prevention and mitigation of impacts to wildlife habitats and/or Natural areas.” Not only that, but the trails are in stark contrast to the work
SELECTBOARD
being done by the Charlotte Conservation Commission. If you take the wildlife map and then overlay the trails map, you will see that wildlife stand no chance of survival in Charlotte. The future trail from co-housing to town hall passes through woods that currently show on the wildlife map as animal habitat and movement corridors. Why are we not protecting these areas? Why, when we have so many parks with trails and dirt roads to walk on, do we need to make more trails? The “Vision” has a major flaw in that it only accounts for humans and their incessant need to trample everything. Walking trials should be built off the side of the road and not in the woods. No one is using the trails to get to work, and a majority of people drive to get to the trail. This is just plain nonsense that a super small group of people can hurt the wildlife and our wallets with this unneeded intrusion…oh, and the trails committee stated that families don’t move here because of the lack of trails. Really? Because both my kids couldn’t move here because the taxes are too high and approving this makes them higher and higher in the coming years. STOP funding trails. Vote NO on 5 and vote YES to protecting the wildlife… JMHO. Pete Demick
Opinion Good neighbors in the time of coronavirus Ruah Swennerfelt
I live in East Charlotte, the far southeast corner where a small group of homes has been built and inhabited over several decades. Early on, there was a concerted effort to create a well-connected neighborhood with summer celebrations, potlucks and fun. The outcome of those efforts is a place where neighbors know one another, help each other, and check in with each other on a regular basis. And this was way before the coronavirus came into our lives. Louis and I lived off-grid for a couple of decades, and when the ice storm hit we were the house that still had electricity. So neighbors came to take showers, watch a movie, or just hang out. Now, in the time of coronavirus, we are shopping for one another, picking up orders for take-out meals to help support local restaurants, taking walks (with the required six-foot separation), talking on the phone, and having Zoom chats to help stay
continued from page 1
Appointments and town committees, boards and commissions The Selectboard appointed Richard Tonino to the Thompson’s Point Wastewater Advisory Committee and reappointed Cali Griswold as canine control officer, Mark Dillenbeck as tree warden, Matt Zucker to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Kevin Burget to the Conservation Commission. The board also approved the temporary appointment of Betsy Tegatz as town assessor. The board also revisited the recent meeting notice requirements passed at its April 6 meeting. According to the town administrator’s report, “There was concern expressed that going above and beyond the statutory requirements makes it harder for committees to operate, and this was particularly frustrating during a time that is already difficult.” The Selectboard approved going back to the 48-hour requirement for warning a meeting with an agenda and asked town committees, boards and commissions to draft one year of proposed meeting dates, times and locations so they can be added to the town website calendar. Other business The Selectboard approved a road maintenance plan and renewed the local emergency management plan for various grant requirements. Town Emergency Management Director Chris Davis briefed the board about the plan as well as some of the activities he’s participated in supporting
I hope everyone can create such a place. All it takes is a phone call to begin that journey.
The board approved delaying the start of the town mowing contract to May 1 to honor the contractor’s request to institute safe procedures for employees, including providing one truck per employee and equipment cleaning. The Selectboard approved Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom’s request to place conduit for underground fiber optic cable along Dorset Street near the intersection of North Olde Carriage Road; approved KR Properties’ license agreement to install utilities under Mount Philo Road to serve a development and an amendment to the Road Naming Ordinance to include the naming of a private road into the Parkview Place development; and approved Addison County Relocalization Network’s request to use town highways for the Tour de Farms fundraising bicycle ride on September 19. Convening as the liquor control board, the board also reviewed and approved liquor license renewals for PBM Acquisition, LLC d/b/a Point Bay Marina, Tenney Enterprises, and Whit’s End, LLC d/b/a Old Brick Store. The next Selectboard meeting is scheduled for April 27 at 6 p.m.
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connected. For those who live alone, this can be a great lifeline. We’re also a bit of an aging group, so we can make sure everyone is safe and healthy. I feel blessed to be surrounded by these loving neighbors. I’ve been active with the Transition Town Movement, both locally and nationally, whose emphasis is on supporting healthy and happy neighborhoods. I’ve been very influenced by the rightness of this effort. It includes creating a strong local economy, weaning ourselves from over-consumption, caring about our effects on the environment, and searching for ways to reduce our carbon footprints. So it seems so natural and right to live in a neighborhood where we know each other well, are welcome in each other’s homes, and where we care enough to help out when help is needed.
emergency management locally and statewide. The board approved a request for authorization to drill a well to serve Lots 194-197 on Thompson’s Point. After further discussion the board also agreed to not approve any further request for wells drilled on Thompson’s Point and added it to their work plan for future discussion.
Designing relevant college, work, and gap year plans
A lot of stunned students are adapting to on-line coursework, physical distancing, and being at sea with their usual activities. Most juniors have been stymied in their college search and application process. But time marches on. And with college application deadlines starting in the fall, you will want to be prepared.
These free 1-2 hour workshops are designed to help you figure out what you care about, find out what is available, and start your focused application and essay. College Essay Writing Workshop Tuesday, April 21, 1:00pm
Get started working on an essay at the beginning of the week. Understand what makes you stand out and what makes a good college application essay. Become familiar with two styles of essays and begin (or continue) writing a compelling essay.
Creating a College List Workshop Wednesday, April 22, 1:00pm
Learn preferences, resources for searching, how to identify best fit colleges, and how to narrow your list over time.
College Application Workshop Thursday, April 23, 1:00
Decide what you want your application to say about you and strategize how to convey this through the Activities List, Additional Information section, and the Essay (Personal Statement).
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VOTE
continued from page 1
a voice vote must be confirmed by Australian ballot at a later date. Per the warning issued by the town of Charlottte after Town Meeting Day, the town’s FY20/21 budget and a funding item for the Charlotte Town Trail, which were both preliminarily approved at town meeting, will not be approved until there is a town-wide Australian ballot vote. The new directive gave the governor, along with Vermont’s secretary of state, the ability to alter the election process for the rest of the year, Senning said, and after the directive was issued, he said, “The first exercise of that authority was this directive, and it was exactly for these situations. It’s common, mostly among villages, for towns to have mandated election dates.” “Election law doesn’t actually have a lot of guidance on cancelling; it doesn’t mention it,” Senning said, but for most towns in the state, there’s some wiggle room, in case there’s a snow storm, for instance, or the town hall burns down. “But I couldn’t even apply that general guidance to municipalites… like Charlotte.” He said the new directive allowed Charlotte to “close the loophole” created by the charter mandate, and that in his discussions with Town Clerk Mary Mead and members of the Selectboard, he recommended that they postpone the vote. Despite the state of Wisconsin needing to get the Supreme Court involved for a similar decision and deciding to forge ahead with voting, the Charlotte Selectboard held a decisive, surreal, and fairly short meeting in the parking lot of Spears’ Store to address the
same situation and reach a different decision. Though the vote had already been warned, many absentee ballots mailed, and provisions were in place for a modified voting scenario, the board ultimately decided to follow the state’s recommendation. Present at the meeting were members of the trails committee, some of whom wondered if ballots already submitted could be saved for a later vote, or if the town could do mail-only ballots; both suggestions were deemed out of the bounds of laws that mandate fair and equitable elections. Selectboard chair Matt Krasnow read, and the board voted to approve, a motion that postponed the vote and acknowledged, “The Selectboard would also like to recognize the hard work put in by the Town’s election officials Mary Mead and Christina Booher. They have been pivoting constantly for the past three weeks in an effort to salvage the election in the face of mounting constraints imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the mitigation responses to it… The Town will continue to be in discussion with the Secretary of State’s Office and as soon as the Selectboard receives guidance on how to safely conduct an election, we will set a date, time and place for the budget vote and notify everyone about any changes in procedures (if any) that may need to be made to ensure a safe vote.” Thank you for understanding and for requesting so many absentee ballots this year. Stay well and be safe.” At Monday’s meeting, the Selectboard set a new election date of June 23.
School
The Charlotte News • April 16, 2020 • 5
CVSD school board holds special meeting to review COVID-19 policies and practices Nancy Richardson On April 7, the Champlain Valley School District board met to discuss the evolution of the district’s plan for remote learning. Major topics discussed were the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on the budget, provision of meals to students, mental health and special education services, internet and technology services, and overall equity among schools. CVSD Chief Operations Officer Jeanne Jensen reported that the expenses for the incremental costs associated with the shutdown will largely be covered by state and federal programs. However, district income will be hit harder due to a significant loss of rental fees and in food service and transportation grant income. The hit to general fund revenue will be from $800,000 to $900,000. It is not clear whether the federal $2 trillion CARES Act will provide assistance to schools that suffer revenue shortfalls or whether the state has plans to deal with suffering school budgets. The state education fund has lost $89 million. Food delivery The board spent a substantial amount of time on the matter of food delivery. Children 18 and under are eligible for two meals a day, six days a week. The concern for some members of the board was how the meals should be delivered. A few members suggested that the delivery system be changed to one in which CVSD buses run their routes through neighborhoods, delivering meals. Board member Lynne Jaunich reminded the members that the board’s role is to ensure that meals are provided to students and how that is accomplished is the administration’s role. Superintendent Elaine Pinckney stressed that the administration weighed the safety recommendations of the state and other
concerns in developing a system of pick-up sites paired with individual delivery for families who cannot get to those sites. Jensen emphasized the sacrifice that the food service workers are making by coming to school kitchens to cook and box meals. The district is making every effort to ensure their safe work environment. Internet availability for remote learning The discussion of an internet provision for remote learning highlighted the innovative work of the district technology department in ensuring that students have internet capability. Comcast has agreed to provide free internet access, but a backlog of work means that there will be a delay of weeks to gain access. The district has purchased internet hotspots and is innovating solutions to address the lack of bandwidth in some homes that have minimum service, and district technology staff experts have identified those families that have service problems and are working with each family to ensure access. In the area of mental health services, teachers and guidance staff are working with families individually to connect them to supports. Special-education case managers are meeting remotely with each family and providing student learning plans that can be accomplished at home. But the district recognizes that this system will not meet all the needs of special education students. Because many special education programs are based on small group or oneto-one instruction, evaluation of student progress will be made and compensatory services provided. The question of what students will have lost over this period of home schooling is an important and necessary question for implementing student Individual Education Plans.
see CVSD page 5
6 • April 16, 2020 • The Charlotte News
Town CVSD
Sports
continued from page 4
highlight best practices, and identify problems in the system.
District office and individual schools working together
Elaine Pinckney emphasized that the CVSD was organized on the principle that each school sets its building processes. This is true during the current shut-down period. The district is setting system guidelines based on district goals, particularly in the area of equitable services. She stated, “There may be several ways to address these issues,” but schools choose how they will implement guidelines. This is true in the area of communication as well. There is no one right way to accomplish this design and build implementation. Best practices will be identified and shared widely, communication will be transparent, and the district will be ready for the future, which promises to be challenging.
Jeff Evans, director of learning and innovation for the district, presented an overview of the academic planning and delivery work being accomplished. He described the process as a “big lift” for teachers and principals. In moving from the maintenance of skills to lesson plans and delivery, a foundation for teaching and learning must be in place. The goals will be connecting, engaging, and learning. Periodic assessments will be important for all students. District administrators are meeting three times a week with teachers and principals to evaluate progress,
VENTILATOR
continued from page 1
a transitional device to be used by patients who have overcome COVID-19 in the ICU, are now testing virus-free, but may need to be weaned off a ventilator over a period of 1-2 weeks. Currently, the hightech ventilators must be sent with these patients, thus reducing the number of those devices available to new ICU patients.” In regions of the world “without access to negative-pressure ICUs,” the site said, AeroBreath devices “can be utilized prior to a patient becoming critical, in order to give them more oxygen and strength to fight the virus.” With FDA approval in the works, patents and trademarks filed, and plans already in place for production and delivery, the
AeroBreath Project engineers hope to get their devices into the hands of medical professionals as soon as possible. They’re currently working on expanding clinical trials and developing partnerships to help distribute the devices. “We have been fortunate to receive significant early support from forward thinking and compassionate individuals and organizations,” their website said.
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The Charlotte News • April 16, 2020 • 7
COVID - 19
We’re all in this together… As we start the next phase of Stay Home, Stay Safe, __a group of Charlotte citizens were brought together into a virtual brainstorming session to see how we could best help all residents of our town during this challenge. As we shared thoughts and ideas, it was apparent that a number of avenues are already in place to help individuals and families with various needs but that everyone might not be aware that these opportunities exist, what they provide, and/or how to access them.
at 425-3252.
And so we have compiled a list of places, opportunities, people available for anyone to access. And what better vehicle than our own Charlotte News to disseminate the information! All of these services are provided free of charge.
They can be reached by phone at 4252781.
Looking for spiritual direction or guidance?
Medicare and most other insurers are now covering appointments by phone for those who cannot do telehealth visits.
Father David Cray, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Jude’s Catholic Church, is available by phone or email for spiritual guidance or counseling. He can be reached at 425-2253 or dgcray@gmail.com. Catholic mass can be seen online at vermontcatholic.org. Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen, senior pastor at the Charlotte Congregational Church, can be reached directly at 425-3176 or via email at rev.kemg@gmail.com. He is also leading this group of folks and would welcome anyone wanting to join the group. The Charlotte Congregational Church has Sunday online worship by Zoom at 10 a.m. All are welcome to join the service. See the church website at charlotteucc.org for login information. Rev. Goldenbogen can personally talk via phone or Zoom with anyone wanting some pastoral counseling or spiritual guidance or has questions/needs around basic needs like food, bills, etc. The CCC works with a variety of local and state agencies to help Charlotte residents and families. Contact Rev. Goldenbogen for further information. Looking for help with food or personal care items? No one need go hungry.
If you have food to donate, please email Cindi Robinson at cindirobinson@gmavt.net. Looking for medical assistance? Charlotte Family Health Center is accepting new patients without a prior primary care provider. If indicated after consultation, COVID-19 testing is performed at the Williston location.
If you are an existing patient, please do not cancel appointments and “wait it out.” They have telehealth and remote visits by phone.
Reach out to elderly friends and neighbors. If you can, contact them weekly. Looking for internet assistance, equipment, technical assistance? The Charlotte Library has a myriad of resources for you to access… o Need internet access? Free public Wi-Fi is available 24/7 from the library parking lot at 115 Ferry Road. Sit in your car and select network on your device, then Library Guests. At the prompt, accept the library’s wireless policy. No password required! o Need a device? The library has eight Chromebooks, four laptops with Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, one projector, one Kindle (older version). Call 425-3864 or email info@charlottepubliclibrary. org to learn how to access any of these. Messages and emails are checked and answered daily. o Need technical assistance with your device or setting up an online meeting, downloading a book or contacting friends and family online? Call or email Susanna Kahn to set up a one-on-one remote consultation. Phone is 802-734-1694 or email susanna@charlottepubliclibrary.org.
For general information and the schedule for the Charlotte Food Shelf call Karen Doris
Left to right: Louisa Langfeldt, Coleman Jennings and Sawyer Jennings spent a day painting signs that they later posted on Pease Mt. Road. Photo by Elizabeth Langfeldt
Looking for a book or something to read or homeschooling resources?
o Prekindergarten Education and Continuity of Learning
The Charlotte Public Library’s website at charlottepubliclibrary.org offers the Libby app for downloading free eBooks and audiobooks, as well as links to a variety of fun and informative sites for all ages.
o Vermont.gov/volunteer
Other questions regarding the resources from the library? Call Margaret Woodruff, director. Phone is 802-338-2598. Looking for emergency management information or State of Vermont resources? Chris Davis, town emergency management director, can be reached at cdavis@meachcovefarms.org. He has sent these reminders to all of us: o Stay at home and stay safe until at least May 15. o Stay at least 6 feet away from people not in your family/friend circle. o Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or mask when you are in public areas. You don’t need to wear one when exercising outdoors as long as you are at least 6 feet away from other people. o If you become ill, call your health care provider. o If you do not have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 and an operator will direct you to an agency that can help you. o Do not go to the hospital unless you are experiencing a medical emergency or are having difficulty breathing. The following websites have valuable information:
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o healthvermont.gov/response/coronaviruscovid-19 o https://vem.vermont.gov o mentalhealth.vermont.gov/Corona-MH o Howard Center Crisis Line 1-802-4887777 (Crisis Line) o Counseling Service of Addison County 1-800-388-7641 (Crisis Line) Bus route modifications: ridegmt.com/ covid-19-update Assistance for businesses, independent contractors, sole proprietors o accd.vermont.gov/ SchoolNutritionProgramsCOVID19FrequentlyAskedQuestions Volume 3
Lodging establishments can now accept reservations for stays and events occurring after 6/15/20 although this date could be extended. Suspension of in-person real estate transactions includes sale by owner. Motor vehicle inspections due in April 2020 are extended for 60 days (exception: school buses and motor buses). Looking for any new resources, or want to stay abreast in between published issues of The Charlotte News? Sign up for the email newsletter from The Charlotte News that comes out in between regular published issues by going to charlottenewsvt.org/contact. The signup is on the right-hand side of the page. Looking for a way to connect? If you know folks or maybe know your neighbors, set up a Zoom meeting at zoom.us. Neighbor groups have gotten creative during this challenge and ordered meals from a local restaurant as a group, distributing it to each other’s houses via “drop off” on the porch or front steps. Looking for homeschooling ideas? If you have done some creative lessons with your kids and are willing to share with other parents, send them to alchemy@gmavt. net and they will get posted (with or without public authorship, your choice) in the next column. One creative and fabulous idea: a lesson around science, math and kindness. The kids make cookies (science and math) and when done make porch deliveries of cookies to the neighborhood (kindness). If you know of other resources that are available that we have not listed here, please send them to Trina Bianchi, alchemy@gmavt. net, and we will include them in our next listing. This group is planning to meet virtually on a regular basis as we continue down this path. If you would like to join us, please contact Rev. Goldenbogen. In the interim, know that we are all in this together. If you know someone who is struggling, please reach out and offer assistance as best you can or contact one of us and we will reach out. Stay home and stay safe now, so we can all be together later!
8 • April 16, 2020 • The Charlotte News
Report from the Legislature
Town Meeting survey results Rep. Mike Yantachka It’s been more than a month since Town Meeting, and oh, what a month! In past years I published the results of the Legislative Survey, which 140 Charlotters filled out this year, within a week or two of the meeting. This year we have all been preoccupied with something else called COVID-19. Unfortunately, that little problem has sucked all the oxygen out of the legislative chamber and reset our priorities for the rest of the session—and rightfully so. Nevertheless, I appreciate everyone who took the time to fill out the survey. Fossil fuel consumption While we are now focused on one existential crisis, the novel coronavirus pandemic, which is an immediate threat, we mustn’t forget about the other existential crisis of climate change. Ironically, the former crisis is having a mitigating effect on the latter. The abrupt and broad economic shutdown is resulting in a significant reduction in transportation fossil fuel consumption, which had been the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont and the United States. I think we could all agree that this is not the way we would have liked the reduction to occur. (Is Mother Nature telling us something?) A preferable approach would have been a controlled reduction by making a conscious choice to wean ourselves off fossil fuels by transitioning to cleaner electric energy with incentives to do so. That, however, would require what I consider to be a small sacrifice in the cost of transportation and heating fuels to generate revenues for weatherizing homes, electrifying transportation and actually saving consumers money in the long run. Climate change Three of the questions in the survey tried to assess the support for that approach in our community. While 90 percent of respondents consider climate change to be an important problem, only 76 percent seemed willing to spend an extra 2 cents per gallon to generate revenues that could be reinvested in fossil fuel reduction. While 78 cents of every dollar spent on fossil fuels, or $1.95 of every gallon, leaves the state, the two cents per gallon
would generate $15M that would be spent in state. Marijuana sales There’s pretty strong support for a taxand-regulate system for recreational marijuana sales, but Charlotters are pretty evenly divided (39 percent Yes, 37 percent No) on whether we should allow sales in Charlotte. A significant percentage (24 percent) were undecided. Paid family leave Establishing a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program for employees was favored by a 3 to 1 margin, with 11 percent not sure. Ironically, the COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress contains funding for paid family leave during the emergency. This could be a catalyst for continuation of the program beyond the emergency. Gasoline tax Because the efficiency of the country’s vehicle fleet has been increasing as a result of the EPA vehicle efficiency standards, which the current EPA just set aside, the state Transportation Fund has experienced a decline in revenues. There is less money each year to support our roads and bridges, including municipal infrastructure. Increasing the gas tax, a move supported by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, would help fund municipal roads. Slightly more than half of respondents are willing to pay four cents more per gallon for this. Flavored vaping products Finally, there is strong support for banning flavored vaping products, which appeal to young users and increase addiction to nicotine after decades of successful reductions in youth smoking rates. I included the last two questions regarding composting and appeal of electric vehicles to assess respondents’ attitudes on those policies. As your representative in Montpelier, I appreciate your input on these and other issues. Your comments help me look at issues from several perspectives, and that is valuable to me. You can always contact me by phone at 802-233-5238 or email me at myantachka.dfa@gmail.com. This article and others I’ve written can be found at my website: www.MikeYantachka.com.
Q#
Question
Yes %
No %
1 2
Is climate change an important issue for you? Are you aware that 78 cents of every dollar spent on fossil fuels (gasoline, natural gas and heating oil) leaves Vermont? Would you support a 2 cent per gallon increase on fossil fuels to support programs in Vermont to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the major contributor to climate change? Do you support a tax and regulate system for recreational cannabis (marijuana) sales? Should Charlotte allow recreational marijuana sales in town? Should Vermont establish a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program for all employees with a 0.2% premium payroll deduction (20 cents per $100 of wages)? Would you be willing to pay 4 cents more per gallon of gasoline to maintain municipal roads? Should flavored vaping products be prohibited in Vermont? Do you compost or pay a hauler to compost your household organic waste? Do you own or are you considering buying an electric vehicle (EV) in the next two years?
90 25
8 67
Not Sure % 2 8
76
19
5
69
20
11
39 67
37 22
24 11
54
36
15
83 77
9 21
8 2
42
48
10
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The Charlotte News • April 16, 2020 • 9
Around Town Edd Merritt I was eight years old and running with a dime in my hand Into the bus stop to pick up a paper for my old man I’d sit on his lap in that big old Buick and steer as we drove through town He’d tousle my hair and say son take a good look around This is your hometown . Your Hometown – Bruce Springsteen Over the years of The Charlotte News, the “Around Town” section has addressed issues that impact people and organizations of our community. Although something we call community will likely exist, the COVID-19 pandemic will produce changes in how that community displays itself. As our representative Mike Yantachka noted in the last News issue, we are faced with the unexpected and have to “adapt our lifestyle quickly.” How that adaptation will appear is difficult to say. How will future generations define fellowship, learning/schooling, belief and religion, supply and demand, and all other elements of what now we take for granted? As journalists we have to help others
People The dance goes on, even in isolation
understand what’s happening through the use of language. That requires some understanding of ourselves before passing it along. However, to paraphrase Mark Twain, he never knew what he was going to say until he wrote it.
Judith Tuttle
Well, not that “Around Town” will produce Life on the Mississippi, it may, however, define the currently indefinable.
From childhood, square dances with my family and ballet lessons taught me to appreciate involvement in dance. As an adult, Middlebury College dances and Waltz Nights with my husband only increased my love of dance—all kinds of dance. When my husband died, I cast about to find a way to continue, and about 20 years ago I joined a dance group in which competition became the means to partner dancing. For the last 12 years I have traveled to Montreal for lessons each week—until, that is, the studio closed and travel across the border into Canada was forbidden because of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, we are sticking to our existing format. Congratulations to Ava Rourbaugh of Charlotte, whose poem “Where am I?” appeared in the Young Writers section of the April 10 Burlington Free Press in response to the challenge of “lost.” Ava suggests that being lost in place or even body is not unnatural. While she waits for a map to help her make sense of where she exists, she will droop herself over her brain and be lost in herself. Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Mary T. Dawson of Shelburne who died April 3 at the age of 77. She married her husband, Robert, in 1963, and the couple moved to Charlotte where they lived and raised daughters Kimberly and Michelle. The family says that no public services are planned at this time.
Before the virus, I practiced daily at Charlotte Central School early mornings before the students arrived, and when being at the school without the students was forbidden because of school shootings, I practiced at the Senior Center. How does an 81-year-old woman practice dance in times of social isolation? She moves the furniture back, puts on her heels, turns her telephone to music and carefully dances across one living room, through a vestibule and into another living room. She squeezes what used to take the whole space of a large gym onto an arc of 32 feet. She steps briefly over thresholds onto bare floor and onto rugs again. She spins from a large room through a six-foot doorway, continues to spin 10 more feet through another sixfoot doorway and into the second living room.
Charlotte News
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She dances tango and Viennese waltz, samba, foxtrot and jive one after the other for the same 45-minute practice time
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How does a woman practice dance in times of social isolation? She moves the furniture back and puts on her heels. Photo courtesy Judith Tuttle
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10 • April 16, 2020 • The Charlotte News
Food Shelf News Susan Ohanian The Food Shelf is now open every Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. for curbside service. John Vincent creates beautiful prints ranging in sizes from postcards to posters on letterpress with handset type at Revolutionary Press in New Haven, Vermont. Two of his creations seem especially apt for this month. This comes from Gathering Moss by Robin Kimmerer. Look in a certain way and a whole new world can be Revealed And as we are still marveling at the appearance of moss on rocks recently covered with snow, we realize that tulips are next. Revolutionary Press offers a beautiful poster with some words from Thomas Merton, The Courage for Truth: Up with the revolution of tulips. Tulips are not important, they are essential. Yes, sing. Love and peace, silence, movement of planets. And dandelions are also beginning to make their appearance. Here’s the beginning of a tribute by Vachel Lindsay, known as the founder of what he called “singing poetry” because he felt his poems were meant to be sung or chanted O dandelion, rich and haughty, King of village flowers! Each day is coronation time, You have no humble hours…. Dandelion leaves, by the way, are a good addition to salad. Fanny Farmer suggests adding bacon. Alice Waters recommends shallots, fennel, small red radishes, and lemon zest. During the 19th century the dandelion root, roasted and ground, was used as a substitute for coffee. Community In this time of great stress, great need, great sacrifice, we are happy to offer one more report of great community, echoing Kimmerer, Merton and an old Sioux proverb that reminds us that “With all things and in all things, we are relatives.” The Food Shelf sends out special thanks to people who have been helping with our distributions over the past few weeks. Hadley Abernathy from the Charlotte Congregational Church has been signing up one or two church members each week to help the regular food shelf volunteers maintain the weekly distributions. Thank you to: Mark Gabel, Chris Hopwood, Glen Findholt, Adel and son Peter Holoch, Rachel Stein. And, of course, thank you to our longtime distribution volunteers: Pat Rodar, Liz
Deslauriers and daughter Noelle, John Lavine, Rosemary Raska and son Sam, Kelly Bothwell, and Cindy Tyler. Thank you to Jonathan Couture for the hand sanitizer, to Katherine Stockman for the “Color My World” art kits for kids, and to Backdoor Bread for loaves of fresh bread baked from wheat grown right here in Charlotte. We offer many thanks for generous financial contributions from Benjamin and Josephine Kaestner, Janet Morrison, Teresa and Richard Pete, Susan and Hans Ohanian, Lynn and Greg Cluff, Cynthia Marshal, Barry Finette and Sharon Mount, Susan and James Hyde, Tanya Kanigan, Stuart Lollis and Elizabeth Hunt, Meg Berlin, Kerry Pughe, Julia Gilbert and Nathan Cleveland, Remo and Donna Pizzagalli, VT Food Bank. Keeping safe The Food Shelf continues to take precautions to help everyone keep safe. Anyone who has a fever or cough—or symptoms that might seem like a cold— should not come to the distributions. Also, don’t come if you have been in contact with anyone who has these symptoms. Instead, call 425-3252 and leave your name and number. You will receive a call back to come up with a plan. We need to help families and volunteers stay safe. We are now open every Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. This is curbside service only. Cars pull up to a sign that says “Please wait in car.” A volunteer offers a checklist for patrons to select the items they need. A volunteer packs the items and then another volunteer carries the bags out, setting them beside the car. Financial assistance Reminder: The Food Shelf has some funds available for emergency assistance with fuel and electric bills. Contact Pat Rodar at 425-3083 if you need assistance. For emergency food call John at 425-3130. Donations The Charlotte Food Shelf, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. Our organization is run by volunteers, and so all donations made to the Food Shelf go directly for nutritious food for or assistance to our local neighbors in Charlotte and North Ferrisburgh. Should you wish to honor someone with a donation, a special acknowledgement will be sent to that person. Checks may be mailed to Charlotte Food Shelf and Assistance, P.O. Box 83, Charlotte, VT 05445. The Charlotte Food Shelf is located at the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Call the Food Shelf number (4253252) for a recording of the distribution times.
We are open from Thursday through Sunday, 10am to 3pm for take out and grocery sales only. We are encouraging guests to place orders online, pay over the phone and pickup curbside.
For our menu, ordering options, and more information, please visit philoridgefarm.com or call (802) 539-2147.
The Charlotte News • April 16, 2020 • 11
Easter and Passover Strange times, sweet celebrations It was a weird one, but families managed to make the best of their distance and celebrate Easter and Passover in a new way. Photos by Annie and Ross Montgomery, Audrey Ziter, Zach Williamson, and Jen Novak.
Jack and Susan Williamson, in Charlotte, celebrated Passover last Wednesday with their family—some in Burlington, some in New York, and some in Massachusetts.
Above: Brewster and Mason Montgomery hid their faces and found eggs at the family Easter egg hunt, wearing masks to protect their grandparents, who observed from the driveway.
Though the gathering was smaller than usual, the Ziter family’s Passover table upheld their traditions.
The Ziter family celebrated Passover with their family via the internet.
Beatrix and Annie Montgomery bring fashion to the facemask situation.
Ben and JP Novak rocked the jammies—and ate lots of candy—all day on Easter Sunday.
Tim, Charlotte, and Malcom Ziter (mom Audrey took the photo) were all smiles for Passover.
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12 • April 16, 2020 • The Charlotte News
Outdoors Stay safe and get outdoors Elizabeth Bassett We dress like bank robbers to grocery shop. We can’t visit or hug our loved ones. Too much screen time anyone? Fear. Confusion. Isolation and loneliness for some; way too much togetherness for others. Getting outdoors can help us stay sane—and healthy! Herewith are some ideas, prohibitions, constraints. Governor Scott’s Stay Home, Stay Safe guidance encourages outdoor exercise, with social distancing and within 10 miles of home. In and near Charlotte we are blessed with vast outdoor resources. But be very careful when venturing into the outdoors— this is not the moment to visit a hospital for an x-ray or stitches. Mt. Philo State Park Mt. Philo State Park is not officially open for the season, but visitors can use the road. Park trails are currently closed. One recent weekday morning, at 7 o’clock, 22 cars were parked in the lot. For social distancing of six feet consider that the two-way road is 16-18 feet wide; the one-way roads a mere 12 feet. Please be courteous and walk single file when meeting others; walking two abreast, socially distanced, can force oncoming walkers off the road. And please, please, leash your dogs and clean up after them. Town Link Trail Never has there been a better time to explore the Town Link Trail! With completion of the Route 7 underpass, it’s possible to walk or bike 3.6 miles round-trip on the Co-Housing and Melissa and Trevor Mack sections of the trail. There are several dedicated parking spots on Common Way, which is 1.3 miles south of the village off of Greenbush Road. Look for signage for Charlotte Link Trail. There are also a few parking spots on Lower Old Town Trail, near the Route 7 underpass. Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge Despite some muddy stretches in the lowlands, this spectacular property is open to walkers without dogs. Views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks from the upper trails are spectacular. “Beavers are back in the park,” said Sue Smith, co-chair of the town oversight committee, “and we are delighted! We’re looking forward to a new ecosystem that may include ducks, otter, mink and amphibians.” There is a parking lot off of Greenbush Road. To avoid the muddy sections, you might park on Old Route 7. Cross Route 7 very carefully and enter the property by the Thorp Barn. Town forests Chittenden County has a dozen town forests, some of which include logging roads wide enough for social distancing. Whether you walk single file or two abreast, these properties include hundreds of acres.
LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest on Gilman Road in Hinesburg is, according to Google Maps, a mere 9.6 miles from our home in Charlotte. A little farther away is Hinesburg Town Forest on Hayden Hill Road West. Trails can be muddy as they are not maintained as walking paths. Conservation land in Charlotte The Nature Conservancy has closed its preserves until further notice. In Charlotte these include Raven Ridge and Williams Woods; in Shelburne, the LaPlatte River Marsh Natural Area. The Vermont Land Trust has not closed preserves that are ordinarily open to the public. On the west side of Route 7, just south of Ferry Road, there is a 22-acre tract of conserved clayplain forest, one of the finest examples of this ecosystem in the state. There are a few parking spots and an old farm road that leads to pedestrian trails that wind beneath the towering shagbark hickories and oaks. Charlotte Recreation Playgrounds at both the school and the beach are closed. Tennis courts are currently open with conditions. Social distancing of six feet is necessary at all times except for members of a household. Please use hand sanitizer before and after play—and remember that no restrooms are available. Both disc golf and horseshoes may only be used by family groups. Recreation Committee Chair Bill FraserHarris reminds us, “Our well-being is enhanced by healthy outdoor activity. We are all responsible for keeping ourselves and each other safe. If our facilities are not used appropriately they will need to be closed.” Upper LaPlatte Natural Area, Shelburne This 65-acre preserve, accessed from the Zen Center at 480 Thomas Road, is part of an effort to improve water quality in tributaries to Lake Champlain, drinking water source for 60,000 people. Walking trails circle the riverside property. No dogs are permitted. Dirt roads An early spring has resulted in good surfaces on dirt roads. Charlotte and neighboring towns have miles of dirt roads, kinder on feet and backs than pavement. Greening up Because of COVID-19, Green Up Day 2020 has been pushed to May 30. But there is nothing to prevent you from greening up now—you might just have some time on your hands! Black flies have not yet emerged nor has the grass grown much, making it easier to find roadside detritus. The nicest thing that happened to me this week was this: I had just filled a second bright green bag with roadside trash. A car slowed and the driver opened his window. With a lilting French Canadian accent the man said, “I always give a pint of my maple syrup to people who green up.” This was none other than Charlotte treasure, grower
of thousands of roses, Yvan Plouffe! Casting social distancing to the wind I accepted his offer (with my double-gloved hands). I’ve been smiling ever since. Thank you, Yvan! Some rules of thumb If a parking lot or trailhead is crowded, consider another location or another time of day.
Carry hand sanitizer. Don’t expect restrooms to be open. Stay out of the mud. Keep dogs, if permitted, leashed and close to you if you pass others. Wash your hands as soon as possible. If you feel sick, stay home! Get outdoors. Be safe and smart! Enjoy!
The Charlotte News • April 16, 2020 • 13
Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You can not withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.’
WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER This is a moment that will define us. We can string up one set of lights, shining for a few hours each evening, as a symbol of our community solidarity and hope. Thank you to everyone who is working to keep things going in these trying times.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS
14 • April 16, 2020 • The Charlotte News
Library News Margaret Woodruff
With the Stay at Home order extended to May 15 we’d like you to know that the library is still here for you. Below is an update of programs and new resources available to you while our physical location is closed. The Virtual Library keeps growing as more resources and ideas become available. Visit the Virtual Library Join us for a celebration of National Poetry Month. Look for the daily poem on Facebook or Instagram and be sure to share your favorite with us! Do you recognize the building pictured here? More local history fun to come in future mailings and social media! Behind the scenes. We’re still working! • • •
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Georgia and Cindi are working towards library certification with online coursework. Cataloging work continues for Georgia as she updates the inventory. Cindi’s hard work at the Food Shelf ensures that all Charlotters are getting the food and other needs met. She also works to keep in touch with library patrons in and out of the internet world. Jenny works online and at home to get our Vermont collection shipshape and organize artifact display from Charlotte History Museum. Cheryl is working on summer reading plans with plenty of monster and dragon crafts to complement the fairy tale theme as well as grant opportunities for new library resources. Margaret continues work on virtual offerings as well as plans for the new library space, development of programs, and our community connections. Susanna continues to work on keeping the Virtual Library up to date, providing technology support, hosting Coding Club, and working on other tech program offerings.
When we’re not “at the library” Cheryl is knitting and baking and taking lots of walks in Vermont’s fresh air; rereading Nemesis by Philip Roth about the 1944 polio epidemic in Newark, NJ, as well as new DCF books; and listening to my new feelgood podcast Some Good News with John Krasinski. Cindi is getting ready for spring gardening with plants from Red Wagon, where orders are delivered on a cart by masked and gloved
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staff… (“a well-oiled machine!”); dining on local delights, including fabulous Easter lamb from Philo Ridge; and taking turns driving the new-ish Mini around town. Georgia is sewing masks and matching dog collar covers for family members and their four-legged friends; re-reading historical fiction favorites: Lonesome Dove (Larry McMurtry), Restoration (Rose Tremain) and Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett); and recommends Beecham, the new series on PBS, and Legomasters on FOX. Jenny is navigating the world of social distancing, which has kept the family busy—and problem solving with each new challenge; enjoying working from home, mostly on projects related to local history (a recent question sent in to the library website about an 1880 Vermont crime brought about some interesting research); and seeing friends and neighbors on a walk to the Charlotte Beach, which was great fun! Margaret has been enjoying the chance to get outdoors and see springtime come to the backroads near her home; designing a new plan for vegetable garden; indulging in old favorites, especially the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries; and baking lots of bread with revived sourdough starter that was hiding out in her fridge. Susanna walks with her dog, which brightens her day, especially when she sees familiar faces and early spring wildflowers; drawing and doodling with inspiration from Zentangle class; and reading and listening to Adrian McKinty and Sophie Hannah mysteries on the new hoopla service (see below). Virtual book clubs • •
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The Men’s Book Group met Wednesday, April 15, for conversation via zoom about Elephant Company. Mystery Book Group is meeting via zoom. Join us next Monday to discuss A Test of Wills, the first Ian Rutledge mystery by Charles Todd. Better Together Book Club met last week and will check in again on Wednesday, May 13, time to be determined. Keep any eye on our calendar for next month’s picks. Email for an invitation to any or all three at info@charlottepubliclibrary.org.
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Coming soon • • • •
Tuesday is still story time through the Virtual Library on the Charlotte Library
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conversations. Ensure the invitations you receive for video meetings are sent from a trusted source. Use the ‘Lock the Meeting’ feature which allows you to block any unwanted guests into your meetings once all your attendees have arrived.
Our tech librarian, Susanna, is available for one-on-one online consultation if you need additional help: Susanna@ charlottepubliclibrary.org. As Cheryl says, “Take care, everybody, and I miss checking out great children’s books to you all.” We all hope to see you soon at the library! Feel free to reach out to any of us in the meantime; we would love to hear from you.
Computer clinics with Melissa Mendelsohn, Drawing together with Margaret (and Ed Emberley) Live story time sessions. Take a quick survey and let us know what else we can do for you! https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/N57ZJXD
New resources Hoopla is available on your desktop, phone, tablet, Alexa devices, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV and Android TV. Download the app to take your borrows anywhere. Get started at hoopladigital.com. Instantly borrow free movies, TV series, music albums, eBooks and audiobooks anytime with your library card. No waiting or holds! TumbleBooks’ databases are easy to use and feature unlimited access from home. Read as many books as you want, when you want, on any device. There are no log-ins, check-outs, holds, or downloads. Use these direct links to start reading: • • • • •
TumbleBookLibrary: K – 6 children’s ebook database TumbleMath: K – 6 math ebook database TeenBookCloud: 7 – 12 grade ebook database AudioBookCloud: all ages audiobook database RomanceBookCloud: a huge collection of romance novels
Tech Corner Security Tips for Zoom
Youth services •
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website. Stay tuned for some guest readers in the coming weeks. Look for Cheryl’s daily Front Porch Forum with suggestions of great websites and fun things to do at home. Coding Club has taken to the airwaves. Join the crew on Thursdays for coding with Scratch. “Seeing” kids at coding club is a highlight of Susanna’s library week. New Dorothy’s List and Red Clover books available at the library when we re-open. Some are currently available on Libby, which you can download now. Get Reading: https://gmlc.overdrive. com/gmlc-charlotte/content/ collection/1068652
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Keep your app software up to date. Use passwords or waiting room features to keep uninvited parties out of your
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The Charlotte News • April 16, 2020 • 15
Charlotte Senior Center Carolyn Kulik SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR “Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops - at all. . .” Emily Dickinson ~ excerpt from “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” __________ The big questions on everyone’s minds these days are when? And how? It looks as though they will not be answered for at least a while. While Gov. Scott has extended the quarantine to May 15, that is very possibly not going to be the final word on the topic. Is Vermont really looking at a re-opening day in May? Or June? Or sometime after that? No one knows for sure at the moment. Another big question is whether the re-opening date will be different for a place like the Senior Center with our older population. In the meanwhile, staying at home is the best idea, and if that is not possible, then wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing are essential. Once the quarantine is lifted, the inclina-
The Peace of Wild Things When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars Waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. ~ Wendell Berry
tion to hug people whom you haven’t seen for a while is probably going to be hard to resist. Still, it looks like social distancing will continue for quite some time. Perhaps someone will devise some funny – but useful – way to signal a hug at a distance. Of course, it would not feel the same. AND - Don’t neglect these ways to stay safe About that 6-foot distance: It’s as long as
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a twin-sized bed; two yardsticks; longer than a refrigerator lying on the floor; a foot longer than a clawfoot bathtub; the height of a newborn giraffe – which has also just fallen 6 feet out of its mother – on its head. Just imagine a baby giraffe lying on a twin bed between you and that other person.
Mindfulness Meditation (Wed./1:30 p.m.),
About handwashing: You know the recommendation to recite the alphabet twice – or sing happy birthday twice – making sure that you wash for 20 seconds. Have you noticed that, at first, those 20 seconds seemed like a really long time? But no more – suddenly, now that you have more time, it doesn’t seem that long at all!
Italian Language & Culture (Fri./1:30 starts 4/17-5/22).
Avoiding touching your face: Did anyone have any idea how much face touching goes on? This realization has been truly shocking. It’s all about becoming mindful of what you are doing in order to change the habit. The current motivation certainly helps. __________ Zooming So, here at the Senior Center, we’ve taken the bag of lemons and made a lot of lemonade: CSC has taken the plunge and shifted into a new online Zoom reality for as long as the quarantine continues. Already, there is an impressive collection of courses – and there may be a few more to come. One of the advantages of being online is that in addition to the regular students, some of the snowbirds who have not made it back to Vermont yet are talking part from FL, NM and CA - and who knows where else. Let’s hear a BIG round of virtual applause for all the instructors, Susan Hyde (technical advisor and webmaster), and all the participants who have taken a leap and entered a Brave New World of online courses/classes. And, what was that saying about old dogs?
Pilates (Thurs./8:30 a.m.) Essentrics on Fri. (9:30 a.m.), Writing Your Life Story (Fri./11:30-1, starts 4/24-5/22),
How to register Please email your name, address, phone number, and name of the course(s) you want to take to CSCZoom@gmavt.net. You will receive a confirmation that you are enrolled. Reduced fees For Zoom classes, the fees for courses are suggested at $5 per class—however, classes are open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. It is not about money—it is all about community and caring in this time of uncertainty. Prepayment is not required, and we are happy to operate on the honor system. We would love it if you tally your class participation and just send a check at the end of the month; note the class on the check. Checks should be made out to CSC and mailed to PO Box 207, Charlotte, VT 05445. If you have any questions, please send them to CSCZoom@gmavt.net. Do visit CharlotteSeniorCenterVT.org for more information about the Senior Center and course descriptions. __________
Current Zoom classes
The Senior Center’s mission is to serve those 50 and up. Residents from other communities are always welcome. There are no membership fees. Feel free to leave a message on the Center number anytime: 425-6345; voicemail is checked daily.
Gentle Yoga (Mon./11 a.m.),
Be careful. Stay well. But mostly, be kind.
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Sports Edd Merritt
Redhawks selected to Free Press All-state girls basketball team Although the season ended without a Division I state champion, CVU continued its unbeaten streak, and five of its members were voted all-state by newspaper readers. Senior guard Mekkenna Boyd and her back-court partner, junior Catherine Gilwee, made the first team, with senior forward, Julia Blanck, a second team selection, and guards Maryn Askew and Quinn Boardman gaining honorable mention. Right: Quinn Boardmann hits for the three against Burlington. Photo by Al Frey
Classifieds Reach your friends and neighbors for only $12 per issue. (Payment must be sent before issue date.) Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email ads@thecharlottenews.org. MT. PHILO INN A unique hotel with panoramic views of Lake Champlain and private road to Mt. Philo. 1800 sq. ft. 3-bedroom suites with 2 bathrooms and a complete kitchen. By the day, week and month. Privacy, space, tranquility. Bigger on the inside. MtPhiloInn.com, 425-3335. Want a great start to 2020? LET LAFAYETTE PAINTING will give your home a beautiful, fresh look. Our painters can do a lot in a day. Lafayettepaintinginc.Com or call 863-5397 to hear about our winter discount.
The Charlotte News is looking for a few DRIVERS TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME on the day our newspapers are issued to help drop them at various locations within Charlotte, Shelburne, Ferrisburgh and Hinesburg. If you have some spare time and want to help distribute our local newspaper please send an email to treasurer@thecharlottenews.org. MCCAFFREY’S SHAMROCK PAINTING Interior and exterior work, lift certified, clean, neat work, decent rates, 35+ years experience. If you are serious about wanting paint work done, call us for an estimate. 802-877-2172
The Charlotte News would like to remind the community to
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Nothing shaky about ShakeyGround Farm Vera Moroney ShakeyGround Farm on Converse Bay Road near the Charlotte Ferry is not shaky in any way. Started by David Beckwith, it is now run by Megan Bookless and Becca Burke. Becca says the place spoke to her. Megan and Becca’s farm stand is a cornucopia of wonders. They raise “grass-fed meats, pastured poultry and certified organic produce…” They have Icelandic sheep, Belted Galloway cattle, free-range chickens, veggies, and cut flowers, among other offerings. They work to use every part of the animals, so in the stand there are imaginative uses for horns, hoofs and hides. The horns and hoofs are turned into planters with bromeliads. The hides provide luxurious pelts of various colors that call out for napping on. There is yarn from the sheep for decorating or for knitting. The stand also has large cutting boards
SCHIP grant deadline extended
The spring deadline for SCHIP (Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg Interfaith Projects) grant applications has been extended to Friday, May 15, due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our communities. Since SCHIP began making grants, many nonprofits have used their awarded funds to continue their mission to improve the lives of our neighbors and strengthen our communities. Grants range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Grants may not exceed $3,000 per request, and only one grant can be received within a year by any one entity. Applicant requirements:
The meat, which comes frozen, is sublime. It is hard to find the right cuts of beef and beef bones for stock, but they have that and it makes for outstanding stock. It will be cold for a while longer, and since we are all home it is an excellent time to cook. When Megan was asked about happy surprises, she cited the support from complete strangers who knitted items for her and thanked her for the stand and all her hard work. She has also received help and support from other small farms in Charlotte. A big challenge is the unpredictable weather. (We can all agree on that!) Megan cites great help and support from the Vermont Extension Service and the New England Organic Farmers Association, especially in the quest to use integrated pest management (IPM)
for crops. IPM strives to minimize the use of pesticides through the introduction of beneficial organisms and constant scouting for harmful ones. This is particularly important in closed environments such as hoop houses and greenhouses.
Megan and Becca’s vision for the future is to continue to maintain the high quality of their products. They may be more expensive but will provide true value. This is a place to support by our patronage. You cannot go wrong. You can find ShakeyGround meat and produce (in season) at the Shelburne and Vergennes farmers markets, Shelburne Market, Philo Ridge Farm and Rise ‘n Shine. In order to keep our community safe, Megan and Becca are currently providing only online purchases for pick up. Their website, shakeygroundfarm.com, does a good job of showing their offerings, including fresh spinach from Unity Farm and goat and cow cheeses.
Hello neighbors, stay safe Kayden O’Connell and her grandmother, Kathy O’Brien, planted signs instead of flowers last week. With a little time on their hands, the family made encouraging posters for their neighbors and put them out on the roadside to cheer up passers-by. Photo by Kirsten O’Connell
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U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 05482 PERMIT NO. 9
To obtain an application go to the “Contact” link on the SCHIP’s Treasure website at SCHIPSTreasure.org.
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Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization or submit the application through one. • Projects must serve residents of Shelburne, Charlotte, and/or Hinesburg. • Funds may not be applied to annual operating budgets or permanent staffing. • Applications are limited to one per organization per calendar year Grants deadlines are now May 15 and October 15 until further notice.
made from local hickory that make you want to sharpen your knives and chop and slice, if you can bear to actually use these beautiful boards. This author has two of them.
Th
