Voters approve library expansion
School district bond also passes
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
A narrow majority of Williston voters approved a project Tuesday to double the size of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, upgrade the existing library space and improve traffic, walking paths and landscaping on and around the Town Green.
Town Meeting Day turnout of 2,496 (29 percent of total registered voters) was among the highest of the past five years, driven by strong sentiment on both sides of the library expansion question. In unofficial results reported by the Town Clerk on Tuesday night, the $13.9 million bond sale to fund the project was approved by a vote tally of 1,262 to 1,215.
The debt on the bond is estimated to cost property taxpayers $40 per $100,000 of assessed property value, decreasing as the bond is paid off over a period of 25 years, according to Town Manager Erik Wells.
“We need more free, safe places for people to go,” voter Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg said about her decision to support the bond.
Planning for the library expansion began three years ago with a citizen committee collecting public input about community space needs. Expansion of the existing building was chosen over other, more ambitious ideas such as building a new library in the Taft Corners area and co-locating a new library
Voters say ‘yes’ across the ballot
School, town budgets sail through
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
All budget, spending and governance questions passed in Williston and the Champlain Valley School District on Town Meeting Day Tuesday.
with a new community center.
Attention now turns to finalizing the expansion design and putting a construction contract out to bid, with groundbreaking expected in the spring of 2027.
“We are super excited to move forward on this project,”
Library Director Kevin Unrath said. “Our library vision is to create a sustainable library that meets the needs of a growing community, and I think this really helps us move toward that vision, because Williston has been growing.”
“We are super excited to move forward on this project.”
Kevin Unrath Library director
second floor and create private meeting spaces both large and small. Parking will be moved and expanded, and a left-turning lane will be added for cars exiting the library and adjacent Williston Central School.
The largest spending request — the school board’s $107.8 million budget proposal for the coming fiscal year — was approved by a five-town vote total of 4,085 to 2,210. Other school board proposals, including a $13 million school building improvement bond (see related story), a $250,000 bond to finance two school buses and two minivans, and use of $1 million in reserve funds as revenue to offset spending, also passed by wide margins.
“We’ve simply run out of space,” he said.
The expansion will add a
The last library expansion happened in 1998. The town population has grown by 50% since then, and use of the library has nearly doubled, Unrath said.
On the Town Green, an outdoor performance space will be constructed to complement the existing gazebo, along with walking paths and refined landscaping. The project is designed for a multi-generational horizon of 50 to 75 years, Unrath said.
“Being able to have the space
“We are committed to using the resources our community provides us with the utmost care — strengthening student engagement and continuing to honor the stories of every learner in CVSD,” school board chair Meghan Metzler and Superintendent Adam Bunting said in a joint statement. “Because of our
Poll workers, from left, Ashley Dubois, Nancy Milne and Ellie Beckett, distribute Town Meeting Day ballots to voters Tuesday at Williston’s polling place, the Vermont National Guard Armory next to Town Hall.
PHOTO BY JASON STARR
Around Town
Rotary to host snowstorm-themed storytelling competition
Story lovers and storytellers are invited to the Third Annual Rotary Bill Skiff Story Slam on Saturday, March 21 from 6-8 p.m. at the Williston Central School auditorium.
The open-mic storytelling event will feature five-minute personal stories on the theme of “The Snow Storm.” Participants will
compete for gift cards from local businesses.
Celebrity judges include Bernie Peine, Williston sidewalk snowplow operator; Bill Schubart, local author and commentator; and Gary Sadowsky, long-time meteorologist for WCAX TV.
All profits will benefit home heating assistance and other local Rotary charities.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit: portal. clubrunner.ca/1453/page/ bill-skiff-story-slam.
Penguin Plunge to benefit Special Olympics rescheduled for March 14
The 2026 Penguin Plunge will take place on Saturday, March 14 at the Burlington Waterfront to raise money to support over 2,900 Special Olympics Vermont athletes across the state — providing year-round sports training, competition, and leadership opportunities at no cost to athletes or their families. The event was rescheduled from February due to extreme cold.
Special Olympics Vermont programs include: 13 Olympicstyle sports; Unified Champion Schools that bring students with
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
Education and Enrichment for Everyone lecture. 2-3 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington. Speaker David C. Farrington, Jr. gives an update
Tuktu connects
and
and without disabilities together; leadership programs that empower athletes on and off the field; Healthy Athlete initiatives that improve access to health services; and a statewide community.
To register to plunge, fundraise with friends or to make a donation, visit www.PenguinPlunge. org.
Learn about Richmond’s Riverside Farm
Join the Richmond Historical
on Burlington Square (formerly CityPlace). www.eeevermont.org.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
Richmond Historical Society presents Riverside Farm history. 3 p.m. Richmond Free Library.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Williston-Richmond Rotary Club breakfast meeting. Speaker Becky Martell, WCS Connecting
Society on Sunday, March 8 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Richmond Free Library Community Room for a program on the history of Riverside Farm, one of Richmond’s primary landmarks. Members of the Conant family — owners of the farm since 1854 — will share stories and history spanning generations.
The afternoon will begin with a brief Historical Society meeting, including the election of officers.
Youth Mentoring Program, 7:15 a.m. Williston Federated Church. RSVP to rotaryclubofwillistonvt@gmail. com.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
American Red Cross Blood Drive. CVU High School main gym. Hinesburg. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. To make an appointment, go to redcrossblood. org and search by zip code, or call 800-733-2767.
Riverside Farm in Richmond.
OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
we need now and into the future is an investment …that I believe Williston, as a growing community, deserves,” Unrath said.
Of course, more than 1,200 Williston voters disagree. During the Monday night annual Town Meeting at Williston Central School, several residents spoke in opposition to the project.
“Please reign in our spending,” Roberta Tracy told selectboard members at the meeting, “and seriously consider the difference between what is wanted and what is needed.”
“I find it really difficult at this point in time to support the amount of money that is being requested for this library,” she added. “I want a bigger library. I do not think this is the time for it … We cannot afford this.”
Her comments were greeted with some applause among those gathered for the meeting in the WCS auditorium. Unrath acknowledged that the cost of the expansion will include increased staffing and maintenance expenses that will be included in future town budgets in addition to the debt repayment on the bond.
“Affordability is an issue,
and nobody seems to be understanding that,” said one voter who opposed the bond question Tuesday.
A subcommittee of the Library Board of Trustees has undertaken a private fundraising campaign to offset the cost to property taxpayers. It has raised $650,000 so far, with a goal over the coming year of $1.5 million.
“I don’t think folks who voted no didn’t like the project,” Unrath said. “They felt like the tax burden was simply too high to justify it at this time.”
Meanwhile, voters in the Champlain Valley School District — which includes Williston, St. George, Hinesburg, Shelburne and Charlotte — approved a $13 million bond for maintenance and upgrades across four of the district’s school buildings. Projects include a new gym floor and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) at Williston Central School; a new roof, HVAC and fire alarm system at CVU; and a variety of projects at Charlotte Central and Hinesburg Central schools.
According to school district administrators, the bond will not raise property taxes because the debt will replace older debt that the district has paid off.
“Birthday parties aren’t fun.”
Some kids just need support and practice to learn how to connect with others. The Stern Center gets it. Our caring specialists help your child develop new understanding so fun times can be fun for them, too.
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now and for summer.
Above, voters gather Monday evening for Town Meeting in the Williston Central School auditorium for an opportunity to listen, learn and ask questions prior to casting their votes on Tuesday.
Ramona Janowetch casts her ballot on Tuesday at the Williston Armory.
OBSERVER
Budgets
continued from page 1
community’s support and our hardworking educators, our schools and students will continue to thrive.”
Property owners in Williston can expect the new budget to raise school property tax rates by about 8.7%, according to school administrator estimates. The increase would be reduced if the state Legislature moves dollars from the general fund into the state education fund, as it has in recent years to soften education tax increases.
The new budget carries a 5% spending increase over the current year, resulting mostly from an increase in staff salaries and the cost of health insurance.
Williston’s new education tax rate will take effect in July and is estimated to come in at $2,030 for every $100,000 of assessed property value — an increase of $138 per $100,000 over the current fiscal year.
Williston voters approved a town budget of $17 million for the upcoming fiscal year (1,472 to 973), an increase in spending of $1.1 million (6.75%) over the current fiscal year. The majority of the spending increase comes from increases in staff salaries and benefits.
The new estimated municipal tax rate to take effect in July will be $414 for every $100,000 of assessed property value, an increase of $24 for every $100,000 (6.2%) over current tax bills.
Town spending accounts for roughly 17% of property tax bills, while school district spending accounts for about 83%.
In addition to the budgets, voters also approved the elimination of the town’s board of listers — leaving all property assessment decisions and Grand List approval to the town’s assessor department staff — and funded the town’s Environmental Reserve Fund for land conservation at $5 for every $100,000 of assessed property value.
Conservation Commission chair Dave
Westman said the 1,830-to-571-vote approval for the Environmental Reserve Fund is “a clear indication that Williston residents want to invest in the future of their town and protect the public lands and landscapes we love. The Conservation Commission will continue to work hard to put these funds to the highest and best use for public enjoyment and environmental value, and we are deeply appreciative of the ongoing support from our community to accomplish this important goal.”
Voters also agreed to create a new town fund for the future training of emergency medical technicians and re-elected several incumbents in uncontested elections, including: Sarah Mason (Town Clerk), Liz Royer (Champlain Water District representative), Stephen Perkins (Library Trustee), Jeanne Jensen (Selectboard) and Erin Henderson (Champlain Valley School Board). Newcomer McKew Devitt was elected to the selectboard, replacing Mike Isham who did not seek re-election.
Chris Roy is elected moderator for the Williston Town Meeting.
OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
The Williston Selectboard and Town Clerk Sarah Mason (left) listen to a voter’s concern at Town Meeting on Monday in the Williston Central School auditorium.
OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
Arrested Williston ICE protesters won’t face prosecution
State’s Attorney declines to bring the cases to court
BY AUDITI GUHA VTDigger
Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George has declined to prosecute charges against the 13 people cited by Vermont State Police for criminal trespass during a civil disobedience action in a Williston business park on Feb. 9.
“Our office protects the community by focusing on solving problems and meeting needs instead of simply obtaining convictions,” George wrote in letters dated Feb. 25 to Vermont State Police Detective Trooper Brandon Degre.
The participants were non-violent and have limited or no criminal histories, and there is no indication tenants complained or that the protest was disruptive, the letters state. Prosecuting the charges “would not serve the ends of justice or the best interests of the residents,” George wrote.
“The most significant impact of the protestors’ actions appeared to be due to the property manager’s choice to lock down the atrium,” she wrote.
The property manager did not
“Our office protects the community by focusing on solving problems and meeting needs instead of simply obtaining convictions.”
Sarah George Chittenden County State’s Attorney
immediately respond to comment.
The White Cap Business Park at 426 Industrial Ave., houses a digital surveillance office run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and protesters
have demanded that the landlord cancel the lease.
It is one of two Williston ICE facilities that have seen a series of protests in recent months in response to the federal government’s escalated immigration enforcement nationwide.
Eleven of about two dozen protesters ages 21 to 83 were charged with trespassing on Feb. 9, and two protesters were issued citations by state troopers and released after they declined to leave the private property.
Vermont State Police will continue to enforce criminal trespassing violations per state law, said spokesman Adam Silverman, adding that what prosecutors do is entirely their prerogative.
Julie Macuga, an organizer who attended the protests, said the participants intend to continue protesting there. She is pleased the protesters are not being prosecuted.
“The charges were never going to deter us from continuing the campaign, but it’s welcome news,” she said in an email.
A demonstrator is arrested at a protest at ICE’s National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center in Williston on Feb. 9.
PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
Act 181 is ending small farms — and most Vermonters don’t even
BY NEIL RYAN
Rural Vermont is more than a “forest block” as defined by planners via GIS maps and rulemaking. Rural Vermont is a human institution created by generations of men and women who loved the land and their way of life.
I am a third-generation Vermont farmer who has called three different farms in three Vermont towns home. Each of those farms would be impossible under Act 181 and the emerging Act 250 revisions. Most Vermonters have no idea what’s coming.
My family started farming in Starksboro in 1981 with a dairy cow and a tent on an abandoned hill farm. My grandparents raised Highland cattle and Christmas trees, and built for multi-family living. My aunt and uncle created Highland Sugarworks — pioneering specialty glass bottles for Vermont maple syrup and helping establish organic standards for the industry.
They didn’t have to spend thousands navigating bureaucratic mazes. They simply did the hard work of farming.
Under Act 181, it never would have happened. The multi-family housing would require navigating new Tier 2 and Tier 3 designations. The road would trigger the 800-foot rule. The diversified operation would run afoul of restrictions on accessory farm businesses.
Starting out 20 years ago as a young farmer, I homesteaded on affordable land in Roxbury. I built a road, constructed a barn on the footprint of a 140-year-old foundation, and drew water from a prior generation’s stone-lined well. Under Act 181, a young person could not do this. Act 181 ends opportunities for the next generation to homestead on the only affordable land left to them.
Today I raise beef cattle on 200 acres in Corinth and Orange that the regional planning commission designated “Rural — Conservation: Land set aside to
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protect natural resources” without my input. This land — slated for Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions—was Governor Deane C. Davis’s boyhood farm. Ancient roads through the farm connected to a Norwegian commune, a brick kiln, and the early 20th century Maplewood Hotel with its bowling alley and swimming pool. My land has three vestigial sugarhouses, stone sheep pens from the 19th-century sheep boom, and barbed wire fencing from when milk was shipped to the creamery. Planners call all of this a “forest block.”
This is the profound ignorance at the heart of Act 181: Distant planners with computer models decided they know better than the people who work the land. They see static categories — “forest blocks,” “habitat connectors”
Distant planners with computer models decided they know better than the people who work the land.
— drawn on screens. I see 200 years of human stewardship creating a biodiverse mosaic of field and forest.
Beginning Dec. 31, 2026, any construction in Tier 3 areas — including potentially a single-family home — will require Act 250 permits. Want to build a house for your children? Prepare to spend thousands of dollars and wait a year or two to hear “yes” or “no.”
The accessory farm businesses that keep small farms viable? Farm stays aren’t clearly exempt. Events require permit review. Processing farm products could leave you in violation if 51% of a batch of applesauce came from your neighbor’s apples.
The mathematics are brutal: Small diversified farmers cannot afford the permits, the time, the lawyers, or the uncertainty.
Act 181 creates exemptions in Tier 1A and 1B areas making it easier for corporate developers to build housing. The burden of restriction falls on rural landowners least able to bear it. We’re being asked to subsidize development goals with our property rights while being denied the opportunities the wealthy enjoy.
This is cultural genocide
through regulation. Rural Vermont culture — the knowledge of working with land, the social patterns of multi-generational continuity — is being driven to extinction. When you make it insurmountable for new people to start farms, you break the chain of cultural transmission. When you lock rural land into regulatory categories, you erase human history and treat rural people as a problem to be solved.
Vermont had 3.3 million acres of farmland in 1925. Today we have a little over 500,000 acres. Act 181 makes it harder to farm.
WHAT LEGISLATORS MUST DO
Repeal Act 181 or amend it radically. Exempt working farms enrolled in Current Use from Tier 3 restrictions. Repeal the 800-foot road rule or raise the threshold to prevent actual sprawl, not farm access.
Restore full Act 250 exemption for all accessory farm businesses — stays, events, education, processing. Require landowner consent before Tier 3 designation — make it opt-in, not imposed. Provide compensation for
regulatory takings. Extend timelines and improve notice. Many landowners don’t even know their land has been restricted. Ground decisions in reality by walking the land before mapping it; cur rent draft maps are inaccurate.
WHAT VERMONTERS MUST DO
Attend Land Use Review Board hearings. Demand to see if your property has been mapped as Tier 3. Ask your representatives: Do you want farms in Vermont or a playground for the wealthy? Do you want rural communities with -
due until September 2026, but jurisdiction begins Dec. 31. Most landowners don’t know what’s coming. By the time they do, it will be too late.
Please help us pass this land down to the next generation with its possibilities intact.
The final Tier 3 rules aren’t
Small farms are a way of life that has sustained Vermont for generations and could sustain it for generations more — if we act now.
Neil Ryan is a third-generation Vermont farmer and brand consultant in Corinth. Learn more about Act 181’s impacts at www.act250.vermont.gov.
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COMMUNITY SKI/RIDE DAY
Saturday, March 7, starts at 10 a.m. at Cochran’s Ski Area. This is a fun opportunity for skiers and riders of all ages to show off their skills and enjoy a day of free skiing or snowboarding. Spend a Saturday connecting with your family and community. All ages and skill levels.
ADULT PROGRAMS
JAZZERCISE CARDIO SCULPT
Ages 16-plus. Offered Mondays
at 5:45 p.m. at the R.E.C. Zone. The program is Cardio Sculpt High (high impact, high intensity).
BARN QUILT PAINT PARTY
Ages 18-plus. A hands-on Barn Quilt Paint Party where creativity rules, perfection is optional, and everyone leaves with a stunning barn quilt painted on a board. No barn or experience required, just show up ready to have fun. Instructor: Kimberly Hess. Saturday, April 4, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., $125-$225 (Cost depends on size of board chosen).
Aging in place… Safely!
Are you currently functioning independently in your home?
Paula Smith and Scott Bushweller, long-timeVermonters and physical therapists, want you to remain active and live in your home safely for the long term...
• In-Home Age-Appropriate Fitness Screening
• Fall Prevention Education
• Develop Physical Activity Plan
• Community Resource Opportunities
• Financial Scam Education
Paula Smith and Scott Bushweller Longtime Vermonters and physical therapists
Visit our website to learn more: OneStepAheadAtHome. clientsecure.me
scottbushweller@gmail.com | 802-922-4642 | Williston
ARGENTINE TANGO INTRO
Ages 18-plus. Learn about tango as a walking and turning collaboration with another dancer. There will be 30 minutes of teaching and one hour of dance. Instructor: Michael Kiey. Monday, June 1, 6:30-8 p.m. $5.
R.E.C. ZONE PROGRAMS
(94 Harvest Lane)
TAI CHI INTRO
Ages 50-plus. Mondays, 9:3010:30 a.m., Free. Instructor: Adina Panitch.
BONE BUILDERS
Ages 50-plus. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11 a.m., Free. Instructors: Ann Naumann and Joyce Oughstun.
SENIOR STRENGTH & FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY
Ages 50-plus. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-10:45 a.m., Free. Instructor: Jazmine Averbuck.
ZUMBA GOLD
Ages 50-plus. Fridays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., $10 per visit. Instructor: Ciara Gregory.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
YOUTH LACROSSE
Grades K-8. For grades 3-8, there are separate programs for boys and girls. Register by March 11. Teams practice on weekdays, and games are on weekends. The season starts March 30. $74. For ages 4-5 sessions are Fridays, May 1-29, 5:15-6:15 p.m. $36. For grades K-2, sessions are Saturdays, May 2-June 6, with boys from 8-9 a.m. and girls from 9:10-10:10 a.m. $43.
FOUNDATIONS OF MAGIC
Grades 3-6. Led by magician Billy Martin, participants will learn the foundations of classic sleight of hand and beginner friendly magic with props. Mondays, March 16-April 14, 2:50-4:15 p.m. $160.
INDOOR SOCCER
Grades 3-5. This program will focus on playing different types of soccer games and scrimmages. Teams will be remade each week. Open to all levels of experience. Wednesdays, March 18-April 15, 1:50-3:15 p.m. $30.
SAFE AT HOME
Grades 4-6. This program teaches youngsters how to practice
safe habits, prevent unsafe situations, and what to do when faced with dangers to prepare youngsters to care for themselves. Thursday, March 19, 2:30-4 p.m., $30.
LEGO MOTION
Grades 3-5. Explore forces and motion using LEGOs. Create an obstacle course, compete in a race, bobsled competition and hockey game. Instructor: Wicked Cool For Kids staff. Thursdays, March 26April 16, 2:50-4:15 p.m. $117.
SUMMER CAMPS
The updated Camp Grid is available on the Recreation website: www.willistonrec.org.
Camps offered: Woodworking & Technology, Kids Kitchen, Baking Fun, Advanced Baking, Tennis, Fun with Food, Designer Art, Artist Studio, Comics & Manga, RECO Robotics, Character & Cartoon Cuisine, Horse Camp, Minecraft Mania, Safe Sitters, Culinary Advanced, Slimescapades, Hogwarts Express, Archery and All About Clay.
O.U.R. Camps: Summit Scramble, Park Around, Beach Bonanza, Aqua, Discover Vermont. R.E.C. Camp: Mornings and Afternoons.
Roderic K. Hood
It is with sadness that our family notes the passing of Roderic K. Hood on Feb. 22, 2026.
Rod was born in East Longmeadow, Mass. on Dec. 7, 1935, son of Kermit Hood and Alice Perkins. Despite his birth outside of Vermont, he was proud of his Hood lineage to the Green Mountain State in the areas of Groton and Topsham, going back many generations. His sixth birthday was marked by celebratory ice cream, followed by news of the Pearl Harbor attack.
Rod was a graduate from Montpelier High School, Class of 1953, during which time he discovered his love for automobiles, tinkering with engines including his first Model A Ford, and dashing downhill as part of the high school alpine team on the hills close to the National Life building.
Rod enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and later served in the Vermont National Guard. During this time, he gained innumerable skills and opened this young Vermonter’s eyes to the rest of the world as part of his extensive travels in the military.
After graduating from the Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Rod returned to Montpelier, where he worked for Taylor Appliance. It was during this time that a young Eleanora Buley and her family needed an urgent refrigerator replacement at their Greenwood Lake camp. Luck and fate would bring Rod to meet Eleanora that day, due to the appliance delivery, and a date was soon set to go waterskiing at the Waterbury Reservoir.
A courtship and a 1962 marriage soon followed and a framed invoice of that refrigerator sale still hangs in the Hood Williston residence as a reminder of their first encounter.
The union, love and mutual respect between Rod and Ellen was always a constant during their 60+ years of teamwork. In an early sign of their work ethic, they spent countless hours
in their first Montpelier home digging out a dirt basement, bucket by bucket.
Before the completion of Interstate-89, Rod traveled round-trip to Essex via Route 2 for his new job at IBM in the 1960s. Rod’s engineering mindset was the driving force behind several inventions and patents during his multi-decade tenure at IBM. Time after work was spent building the family home in Williston, as the family farms were just starting to transition to suburban neighborhoods.
The Hood Family eventually grew to five children and the days were spent by the kids benefiting from strong public schools and enjoying a free-range environment exploring the outdoors, playing sports and learning how to safely ride motorcycles.
Rod and Ellen were passionate about their own motorcycle touring and enjoyed many happy hours and adventures with their camper.
Rod was always an enthusiast of all things car-related and he could tell you the model and year of every car he ever owned. He was especially proud of the complete restoration of his 1931 Model A Ford and a 1967 Austin Healey.
Rod gave back to the community and was proud of his work on the Williston Zoning Board, as a Little League Coach and as an active member of the Brownell Mountain Ski Club. Rod and Ellen enjoyed 20 years at their camp at Isle La Motte. They enjoyed a good camp fire and watched the sunset over the NY Adirondacks with neighbors and a glass of wine.
The Hood Family would like to thank Dr. Goodyear from Richmond Family Medicine for his incredible support and wisdom, and for all of the help from the UVM network of providers over the past few years. In addition, we are grateful to Loving Home Care for all of the incredible services provided to Rod and our family.
Rod is survived by his spouse Eleanora, and children Dana (wife Brenda), Douglas (wife Melissa McKay), Richard, Christopher (wife Karen Quinn) and Jaclyn Faestel (husband Paul), grandchildren Cameron, Henry, Nevin, Logan, Walter, Warren, Annie, and Vanessa, nephew David Spooner, and cousin David Perkins.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rod’s name may be made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Williston, 7415 Williston Rd, Williston VT 05495, or to UVM Home Health and Hospice, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.
A funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Williston. Per Rod’s request, there will be no visiting hours or reception.
OBITUARIES
Jefferson (Jeff) Lewis Wilson
Jefferson (Jeff) Lewis Wilson of Williston, Vt. passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 22, 2026, while traveling in Australia with lifelong friends.
Jeff’s life was defined by quiet kindness, steady devotion, and a remarkable ability to make others feel valued simply by being in his presence. His passing leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
Jeff was born on Aug.17, 1960, in Kittery, Maine, to Luke Wilson and M. Hilda Wilson. He was predeceased by his parents and his older sister, Beth Allen.
Jeff’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Beth Ann (Bergeron) Wilson; his beloved son, Jackson; his brother, Rick Wilson of Nokomis, Florida; and cherished nieces and nephews, including Luke Wilson Allen, Sarah Wilson Bolanos, and Katie Lynn Wilson as well as great nieces and nephews; Lucia Bolanos, Lorenzo Bolanos, Reese Allen and Nolan Wilson. Nothing brought Jeff greater pride or happiness than time spent with his family and the lifelong friends he treasured deeply.
Jeff graduated in 1978 from R.W. Traip Academy, where he excelled in basketball, cross country, football and track & field. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Maine at Orono in 1982 and was a proud member of Theta Chi fraternity. He later received a Master’s degree in computer science from the University of Rhode Island in 1991. That same year, Jeff and Beth moved to Vermont, where he began a distinguished career at IDX in South Burlington as a product manager in laboratory systems.
Throughout a career of more than 30 years in health care technology, Jeff helped advance electronic health record systems that made a lasting difference for patients and providers alike
before retiring in May 2025.
Jeff will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering loyalty, and extraordinary kindness. Soft-spoken yet deeply thoughtful, he never wasted words and never spoke unkindly of others. His wit and dry humor brought laughter to every gathering.
Jeff embraced life with curiosity and gratitude. He loved history, sailing, golfing, canoeing, and spending time on the water, especially at the family’s beloved camp in Isle LaMotte. He could best anyone at trivia or charades and was always ready for an adventure.
Jeff’s legacy lives on in the love he shared, the lessons he quietly taught, and the countless lives he touched through his generosity and compassion. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered — in stories, in
laughter, on the water, and in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Visiting hours for Jeff will be held on Thursday, March 12 from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at Ready Funeral & Cremation Service, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday March 13 also at Ready Funeral & Cremation Service, South Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Champlain Housing Trust in Jeff’s name, www. findahome.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Service. To share memories and send online condolences to the family, please visit www.readyfuneral. com.
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Welcome to Ireland
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, is a national holiday in Ireland. It celebrates one of that country’s special saints.
It is not a national holiday in the United States, but many Americans celebrate anyway. Even people who have no Irish ancestors like to pretend they’re Irish for a day!
St. Patrick
St. Patrick was a missionary in Ireland during the fifth century. He was taken there as a slave when he was a teenager.
After he returned to his home in Britain, he believed he was called to go back to Ireland and spread Christianity.
Irish folklore
Ireland is famous for its folklore, or traditional stories that are passed down from generation to generation.
A favorite symbol of Ireland is the leprechaun (LEP-ruh-kawn). To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, The Mini Page learned about this crafty little fairy.
Meet a leprechaun
A leprechaun is a mysterious or magical being. According to Irish legend, leprechauns live in the countryside with humans, but they’re rarely seen by people.
Most pictures of leprechauns show jolly little elves with pink cheeks and smiles. You might see these on items for sale around St.
Try ’n’
Find
Patrick’s Day, or on cereal boxes. Folklore experts say leprechauns are indeed small, but their clothing is usually untidy and old. They might wear an old blue or green coat, short pants, woolen stockings and a wide-brimmed hat or stocking cap.
Instead of being happy, leprechauns are more likely to play tricks on humans. In fact, Irish people used to leave milk, cheese, bread or other foods on their doorsteps at night to keep the local leprechaun from making mischief, or trouble, at their homes.
Leprechauns are also thought to be miserly, or greedy for money. They make their homes in abandoned barns or churches, or in the woods or in caves.
Leprechauns at work
Leprechauns are thought to be shoemakers. They make and repair shoes for other fairies, who wear out their shoes quickly with all the dancing they do. Some people believe that you can tell when you’re close to a leprechaun’s home because you can hear the tapping of his little hammer as he works on shoes.
Other legends tell of leprechauns being builders and stonemasons, metalworkers and even bankers. Leprechauns also love music and can remember old tunes that have been forgotten by humans.
Words that remind us of Ireland are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
More about Ireland
The Republic of Ireland is an island country in Europe. It shares the island with Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Ireland is also known as the Emerald Isle because of its lush green hills and fields.
A long history
Experts believe Ireland has been inhabited by people for more than 8,000 years. Many of the traditions that are still honored in Ireland began with some of these early people.
The Celtic harp
In the 1500s, King Henry VIII added the image of a harp to the currency, or money, of Ireland. Since then, the Celtic harp has been a symbol of that country.
Today, all Irish currency has the Celtic harp on it. “Eire” (AIR-uh) is the Irish word for “Ireland.”
Mini Jokes
Sean: What’s a leprechaun’s favorite music?
Siobhan: Shamrock ‘n’ roll!
Phelan: Pinch Charming!
Patty: Who was Cinderella’s date on St. Patrick’s Day?
Mini Fact: The famous Cliffs of Moher are on the west coast of Ireland.
Next Week: Marsupials
Founded by Betty Debnam
Most pictures of leprechauns show jolly little elves with pink cheeks and smiles. You might see these on items for sale around St. even bankers. Leprechauns also love music and can remember old tunes that have been forgotten by humans.
Try ’n’ Find
Words that remind us of Ireland are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
CELEBRATE, CURRENCY, ELF, EUROPE, FAIRY, FOLKLORE, LEPRECHAUN, MAGIC, MISCHIEF, MISERLY, MISSIONARY, MUSIC, MYSTERY, PATRICK, SAINT, SHOEMAKERS, SYMBOL, TRADITION.
At the library: • “Leprechauns and
5, 2026
Mini Jokes
Sean: What’s a leprechaun’s favorite music?
Siobhan: Shamrock ‘n’ roll!
Patty: Who was Cinderella’s date on St. Patrick’s Day?
Phelan: Pinch Charming!
Eco Note
Some unusually gifted dogs can learn the names of new objects simply by overhearing their owners talk, according to a study published in the journal Science. Austrian and Hungarian researchers found that so-called “gifted word learner” dogs correctly identified new toys after listening to conversations in which humans named the objects without directly addressing the dogs. In tests, these dogs performed at least as well as when they were taught words directly. The behavior closely mirrors language learning seen in human toddlers around 18 months old.
For later:
Look in your local newspaper for items about St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in your area.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
After watching the coverage of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, I’m worried about my own elderly mother who lives alone in another state. I want to make sure she’s safe without being intrusive. Are there simple, affordable ways to check in on her from afar?
— Concerned Son
Dear Concerned, You’re not alone. High-profile cases like this often heighten fears, especially for adult children
whose parents live alone and may be vulnerable. The good news is there are several free or low-cost ways to stay connected and gain peace of mind without infringing on your mother’s independence. Here are some options to consider.
CHECK-IN APP
If your mother uses a smartphone, a simple solution is Snug (snugsafe.com), a free app that checks in daily to confirm she’s OK. It’s used by tens of thousands of older adults who live alone and want their loved ones alerted quickly if something goes wrong.
Here’s how it works: After downloading the app, your mother selects a daily check-in time. Snug sends several reminders leading up to that time, prompting her to confirm she’s OK by tapping a large green button on her screen. If she doesn’t check in within 10 minutes after her scheduled time, the app automatically notifies her
BILL SKIFF
SAVVY SENIOR
emergency contacts and shares her last known location so help can be sent promptly.
For added peace of mind, Snug also offers a Dispatch Plan ($20 per month or $200 per year) that includes multiple daily check-ins. If she misses one, Snug will call her directly to see if she’s OK. If there’s still no response, they can request an in-person wellness check by local authorities, who will visit her home to make sure she’s safe. The app works with both iPhone and Android devices.
CHECK-IN
CALLS
If your mother doesn’t use a smartphone, a daily check-in call program can provide similar reassurance. Many police or sheriff’s departments nationwide offer telephone reassurance programs, often free of charge.
Typically, an automated system calls at a set time each day. If she answers, all is well. If she
Slam
doesn’t pick up after repeated attempts, or the call goes to voicemail, her emergency contact is notified. If that contact can’t be reached, backup contacts are called. As a last resort, local police or emergency services may be dispatched to her home.
To see if this service is available in your mother’s community, call her local police department’s non-emergency number, or the Area Agency on Aging at 800677-1116. If no local program exists, private companies like CareCall or ConfirmOK offer similar services for a monthly fee.
TECHNOLOGY AIDS
You might also consider simple home technologies to enhance her safety. Monitored medical alert systems are among the most common. These are wearable “help buttons,” some with fall detection, that allow her to call for help 24/7 while immediately notifying you.
These typically cost around $1 per day.
Other options include motion or contact sensors placed around the home to track daily routines and alert you to unusual activity, or a small security camera with night vision, motion detection and two-way audio that allows you to check in visually and even speak directly with her.
Basic sensors and cameras can cost under $35, though they require Wi-Fi and do raise privacy considerations, so it’s important to discuss them with your mother beforehand.
While no solution can eliminate every risk, these tools can provide meaningful peace of mind for both you and your mother, while preserving her independence.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1770, British troops fired into a crowd of Americans, killing five, in what became known as the Boston Massacre.
• In 1946, Winston Churchill used the phrase “Iron Curtain” during a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, an event often regarded as marking the beginning of the Cold War.
• In 1970, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty went into effect following ratification by 43 nations.
TODAY’S FACT:
• John Adams, who would later be the second U.S. president, served as the attorney for the British soldiers who took part in the Boston Massacre and successfully defended them on murder charges.
SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 14
DP 19-11. 9 dwelling units at 35 Caroling Court in the RZD: Not participating, applicant plans to proceed to Discretionary Permit as an Inclusionary Zoning project
Project details and site plans are available on the website, town.williston.vt.us, under “Public Records and Documents”, then “Agendas & Minutes”, and “Development Review Board”. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt. org
TOWN OF WILLISTON TREE PLANTING RFP The Town of Williston has issue an RFP for Spring Tree Planting. The RFP can be found by visiting the town’s website at www.town.williston.vt.us/ and clicking on “General Information.”
CLOCKWISE from left: CVU’s Camden
Ayer gets the advantage over his opponent from Colchester and wins by fall at 138 lbs. during a consolation match at the Vermont State Wrestling Tournament on Feb. 28 in Hinesburg.
Darien Haselton pins his Fair Haven opponent at 120 lbs.
Ryan Caroll goes on the offensive against his Essex opponent but loses at 215 lbs.
Jameson Wilhite-Keene works to break free from his Rutland opponent during a loss at 150 lbs.
