F-35 impact zone smaller than anticipated
New airport map sharpens view of fighter jet sound profile
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Back in 2019, airport officials and noise modeling consultants took a stab at predicting what the auditory impacts of the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35 takeoffs and landings would be on residents living near the runway.
But the Air Force fighter jets didn’t arrive at the Guard’s base until a year later. Now, with 20 F-35s in full operation, the airport has updated its noise impact predictions with actual flight data. The result is the Burlington International Airport’s new “noise exposure map,” blessed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and released for public view earlier this month at www.btvsound.com.
According to the new map, fewer residential and commercial properties in Williston are impacted by excessive F-35 noise than was predicted before the jets arrived.
A portion of northwest Williston — including residential areas on Kirby Lane and
White Birch Lane as well as commercial areas on Industrial Avenue and Williston Road — is regularly exposed to 65 decibels or greater during F-35 takeoffs. The FAA considers land exposed to 65 decibels or more incompatible with residential use.
“The big difference between the forecast and our updated map is using at least a year’s
The Vermont National Guard has been conducting fewer F-35 operations than was predicted in 2019.
worth of data associated with real operations,” Airport Aviation Director Nic Longo said.
In 2019, a total of 112 homes in Williston housing 260 people were anticipated to be exposed to 65 decibels. The actual exposure
noted in the updated map is 85 homes and 198 people.
This is not because the planes are less noisy than anticipated, but because the Vermont National Guard has been conducting fewer F-35 operations than was predicted in 2019, according to an executive summary of the map prepared by Massachusetts-based environmental and transportation planning consultant HMMH.
The reduction in affected land means 27 fewer homes in Williston are potentially eligible for federally funded noise mitigation grants (the Noise Exposure Map underpins eligibility determinations for the airport’s Noise Compatibility Program). Homes within affected zones are potentially eligible for grant-funded sound insulation, and in some cases government offers to purchase property. Actual eligibility is determined by testing noise levels inside the home, Longo said.
The noise mitigation program is
A FARM-TO-TACO EXPERIENCE.
Breakfast served Saturday-Sunday, 9-2
Quiet skies continue
Williston and other airport-adjacent municipalities have had a reprieve from disruptively noisy F-35 takeoffs this winter.
The majority of the 20 fighter jets operating from the Vermont National Guard base at Burlington International Airport have been deployed to Japan since early January.
Noise monitors surrounding the airport’s runways, including one on Route 2 in Williston, consistently show decibel readings in the 70-80 range with occasional spikes over 100 during F-35 training flights out of the airport. Noise monitor data is updated at www.btv. aero/about-btv/community.
“We have many jets, pilots and maintainers currently deployed, which is why we’ve had a reduced flying schedule,” Vermont National Guard Spokesman Marcus Tracy said. Their return is expected “in the next few months,” he said, declining to offer more specific timing.
“As our people return, our local flying schedule will return to normal,” Tracy said.
The deployment in Japan involved about 200 members of the Vermont Air National Guard and included joint training exercises in February out of Guam with pilots from Japan and Australia.
“Getting F-35s from three different countries together is a great chance to see how we work as a team, which is exactly what the jet was designed for, helping allies operate under the same playbook,” Lt. Mike Watson of the Vermont Air National Guard said in a news release.
Jason Starr
An F-35 is prepped for takeoff at the Vermont Air National Guard base at Burlington International Airport in January.
PHOTO BY SGT. MICHAEL DAVIS, VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD
Around Town
Redhawks win second straight Scholars’ Bowl championship
The CVU Scholars’ Bowl team won the state academic championship Saturday at the annual Vermont-NEA Scholars’ Bowl in Montpelier, beating South Burlington in the final round. It was the second straight state championship for the Redhawks, who will now advance to the national championships in Atlanta in May. With the win, CVU will receive financial support to attend the national championship. Scholars’ Bowl is a question-and-answer quiz competition that was started in 1983.
First Strides registration opens
Registration is open for First Strides Vermont, a peer-supported program for women in Williston who are beginning or returning to running and/or walking. Sessions are 5:45-6:45 p.m. on Wednesdays at Village Community Park, May 7-July 23. Register online at firststridesvermont.com.
Applications open for Rotary scholarships
Students pursuing education after high school are invited to apply for scholarships of up to $2,000 offered by the WillistonRichmond Rotary Club. Applicants must be residents of Williston, Richmond or
St. George and be accepted at an accredited undergraduate vocational, college or university program. Scholarship decisions will be based on overall achievements and financial need. The application form and instructions can be found at: https://forms.gle/iKWhSrtUrW39NLz89. The application deadline is April 25.
Armory to host scale model show and contest
The Mount Mansfield Scale Modelers and the International Plastic Model Society of Champlain Valley will host the CanAm Con 2025 Scale Model & Contest on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Williston National Guard Armory, 7846 Williston Rd.
This annual event is a judged contest based on workmanship and scale fidelity, as well as a show open to the public. Contest judging takes place from 12-3 p.m. with awards announced from 4-5 p.m. General admission is $5, with children under 12 admitted for free. For more information, visit mountmansfieldmodelers.com.
Williston student honored at STEM Fair
Mater Christi middle-schooler Ella Botten of Williston was recognized with a U.S. Navy Science Award, Mary Hoppe Memorial Award,
Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Award and Vermont STEM Fair Gold Medal Award for her project at the Vermont Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fair at Norwich University, March 16. Botten was one of 14 Mater Christi students selected to participate after the Burlington private Catholic school’s annual Science Fair in February.
Student art awarded
Williston student Sullivan Campbell came in second place in the Grade 7-9 category of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s “Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest.”
The contest seeks an illustration and essay on a species of fish found in Vermont. About 300 students in Vermont submitted entries.
Winners will receive a fishing rod and reel, and their art will be entered into a selection process to be featured in the department’s Fishing Guide and Regulations publication.
“The Fish Art Contest is a way for Vermont students to use their creativity and strengthen their knowledge and connection with our environment,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Education Specialist Corey Hart.
Student chefs set to face off
Student chefs from Williston Central School and CVU will be among 50 Vermont teams of elementary, middle and high school students to compete at the 17th Annual Jr. Iron Chef contest Saturday at the Champlain Valley Exposition. Teams will create healthy dishes that inspire their school meal programs as part of Farm to School efforts in the state with judges evaluating their efforts.
“Youth love to cook and show off their skills, but most often, we hear from youth that the program helps them with other skills, including leadership, teamwork, problem solving, and meeting new friends,” said Nicole Miller, the executive director of Vermont Afterschool, which organizes the event. “We like to say that Jr Iron Chef VT is a recipe to empower youth.”
The event begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit vermontafterschool.org.
EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
Rotary Club breakfast and speaker ♦
7 a.m., Williston Central School community room. Liisa Reiman of Malia Paddling and Racing Club. RSVP to RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
Rummage Sale ♦ 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Williston Federated Church. Shop gently worn clothing for all ages.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
Big Basket raffle ♦ Williston Families as Partners fundraiser, 6-8 p.m., Williston Central School. Email for info at willistonfap@cvsdvt.org.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
Speed puzzle competition ♦ Teams compete for fastest time completing puzzles for prizes. 10:30 a.m., Home2Suites Hotel. All ages. Presented by Turner Toys. More info at (802) 2336102 or https://bit.ly/4hjzbBJ.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
Village Bylaw and Be Home Act public hearing ♦ 7:45 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda at town.williston.vt.us.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
Rotary Club breakfast and speaker ♦ 7 a.m., Williston Federated Church. Tamira Martel, development director for the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont. RSVP to RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com.
LOCAL SHOP Williston
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
“New Neighbors - The Beavers of Allen Brook” ♦ Screening and filmmaker Q&A, 12 p.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library.
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, APRIL 4-6
“The Student One-Act Plays” ♦ Presented by CVU Theatre students. Tickets at the door at CVU or online at ticketsource.us/cvutheater.
The CVU Scholars’ Bowl championship team, standing from left, assistant coach Kiran MacCormick, Grace Warrington, Zoe Mui, Charles Redmond, Leah Rauch, Wylie Ricklefs, and head coach John Bennett; kneeling, Jacob Graham.
Leave it to the beavers
Filmmaker previews local documentary screening
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
If you’ve ever walked along Williston’s Allen Brook Nature Trail and noticed gnawed-off tree stumps, a curiously placed dam, or a change in the stream’s flow, you’re experience likely mirrors that of Wildflower Circle resident Jim Heltz.
The Williston filmmaker was so fascinated by the industrious work of beavers living on the brook that he devoted a year to filming the animals, and has newly released a hyper-local documentary titled “New Neighbors
The Beavers of Allen Brook.”
Heltz invites residents to view the film at noon Saturday, April 5 at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. He plans to attend the screening and discuss the film with attendees. The event is sponsored by the Williston Historical Society.
The Observer asked Heltz some questions about the film in advance of the event.
Have you ever made a film so close to home, so specific to Williston?
Yes, I have made two
other documentaries that are Williston-centric. “Williston: A Community Portrait” was filmed in 1992. At the time, Williston was on the cusp of great change, transitioning from a rural small town to a major retail center.
Twenty years later I made the documentary “Williston Revisited: A Community Portrait,” which chronicles the changes over the previous two decades. “New Neighbors — The Beavers of Allen Brook” was unique because both my neighborhood and I were part of the story. The Allen Brook nature trail is just down the block from my house, so it is close to home.
Did you ever imagine you’d make a film about beavers?
No, I did not. Making a documentary about beavers was not on my bucket list. In the past I have enjoyed filming nature, but this is my first film to focus on one specific animal. The beaver is a fascinating creature because, like man, it can change its environment.
How did your fascination Above, with the Allen Brook beavers begin?
As I mentioned in the film, I
walked on the Allen Brook nature trail almost daily. When I started having trouble using it without getting my shoes wet, I had some questions for the town. They told me about the beavers. When I saw my first beaver I was hooked. Seeing it swim so quickly with its tail standing straight up was very unusual. It was surprising how graceful the beaver was as it swam in the water. The realization that this 60 pounds of fur could make these dams one stick at a time really captured my interest.
I had to laugh when I saw my first chewed tree stump. It looked just like they do in the cartoons.
In December, my wife, Grace, bought me the book
“Eager — The Surprising Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter” by Ben Goldfarb. It opened my eyes and expanded my view of the natural world and the beavers’ role in battling climate change. That is when I thought there was a film to be made. Plus, if you add in the stories of giant beavers and a beaver-themed church, how can you not be fascinated?
Did you know about beaverhuman conflicts before making this film?
I wasn’t really aware there were beaver-human conflicts on the nature trail. If I read about it before making the film, it did not sink in. But I am aware now.
FILM SCREENING
WHAT: “New Neighbors The Beavers of Allen Brook” WHEN: 12 p.m., Saturday April 5 WHERE: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
Above, one of the stars of the new documentary “New Neighbors — The Beavers of Allen Brook.” At right, filmmaker Jim Heltz.
PHOTO BY GRACE HELTZ
PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM HELTZ
Stop winter drafts with WindowDressers
BY REED PARKER Williston Energy Committee
This has been a real Vermont winter with the winds howling, creating drafts that run through many of our homes. If you need to stop drafts, improve your comfort and reduce heating costs, now is the time to plan for next winter with WindowDressers insulating window inserts.
create an insulating air space while letting in all the light and views from the outside. Foam weather stripping around the outer edges holds the insert in place by friction, requiring no screws or fittings. This ensures a tight fit, and drafts are stopped. Depending on the efficiency of your windows and home, you could see significant fuel savings with inserts in place.
Volunteers participate in a community build event to fulfill orders for WindowDressers.
WHAT ARE WINDOWDRESSERS
INSERTS?
Far superior to shrink-wrap plastic window covers and much less costly than new replacement windows, WindowDressers
WindowDressers are custom measured and fit tightly to the inside of your existing windows, letting in sunlight and views while stopping drafts and keeping more heat inside your home. Constructed of high-quality materials and reasonably priced, the inserts are built in “community builds” by volunteers. In 2024, the Williston Energy Committee joined the non-profit Burlington area WindowDressers team to build almost 250 WindowDressers inserts for residents in Williston, South Burlington, Essex, Colchester and Winooski.
COURTESY PHOTS
inserts are an effective way to stop drafts. They are custom measured and built out of attractive pine frames, available in clear coat or white paint, and wrapped drumtight with two layers of durable plastic film.
The two layers of very clear plastic
The inserts can be removed at the end of winter and reinstalled the next fall, and with care, should last as many as 10 years. Should the plastic covering be damaged, it can be repaired for a modest price without replacing the frame.
YOUR WINDOWS AND WINDOWDRESSERS
INSERTS
Window inserts work with most double hung, sliding, fixed pane and casement windows. Your existing window
see WINDOWS page 5
frames must have square corners and a minimum of 7/8-inch of interior framing (“jamb”) available for the insert to fit correctly. The inserts may not work in manufactured/mobile homes because of the limited framing around the windows.
Volunteer members from the local WindowDressers team will visit your home and take exact measurements, let you know if the insert will fit your windows and give you the precise cost of the inserts.
WHAT IS THE COST?
As each insert is custom built for your home, costs are dependent on the size of the window. While we are currently waiting on the 2025 prices, in 2024, costs were from $35 for a small window to $65 or more for a large window. We can even create inserts for large picture windows or sliding glass doors. If cost is prohibitive to you, WindowDressers has a program to provide windows at a reduced, or even at zero, cost.
You don’t need to obtain all your inserts in one year as many people obtain a few and add more each year. Renters as well as homeowners are eligible for the WindowDressers program. Information is available for renters to share with their landlords.
A big reason these inserts are so affordable is that you are only charged for materials. Community volunteers are key to the success of the program. Everyone who orders inserts also participates in the community build!
COMMUNITY BUILD LEADS TO SUCCESS
A big reason these inserts are so affordable is that you are only charged for materials. Community volunteers are key to the success of the program. Everyone who orders inserts also participates in the community build! Participation is part of the cost of getting inserts, and it’s a lot of fun.
All community members, whether purchasing inserts or not, are invited to participate in any of the many tasks, including project coordination, window measurement, procurement, construction and installation.
During a community build event held
All community members, whether purchasing inserts or not, can help with the fitting, construction and installation. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
over several days each fall, we ask for participation in one four-hour shift for every 3-5 windows requested. All tools, supplies and training are provided, and there are a range of tasks. There are ways everyone can help. Participating in a community build event is fun and a great way to meet new people in your community. It literally builds community.
HOW DO I GET WINDOWDRESSERS INSERTS?
Your local WindowDressers volunteer team is accepting orders now for the fall 2025 community build season. Once you sign up, trained volunteers will schedule a time to measure your windows for the custom-built inserts. Then, in the fall, you and other community volunteers will gather to build the inserts. You will be responsible for transporting your window inserts home and installing them. You can then begin to enjoy a more comfortable home while reducing drafts and your heating costs.
To learn more and sign up for window inserts, visit https://windowdressers.org. If you have any other questions, please contact your local Window Dresser volunteers at burlingtonwindowdressers@gmail.com.
To participate in Williston’s energy future, reach out to your Williston Energy Committee at energy@ willistonvt.org or attend a public meeting held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The agenda for upcoming meetings is posted on the Town of Williston website (www.town.williston.vt.us). For more information, visit: https:// www.willistonvtenergycommittee.org.
Green tips
How to save money on water heating
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heat ing accounts for about 18 percent of the energy consumed by the average home.
The temperature at which your hot water heater is set can make a big difference in how much energy you use. The default setting for many water heaters is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is recommended to set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees to conserve energy and save money. This has the added benefit of lowering the risk of accidental scalding.
To safely lower the thermostat setting, follow the instructions in the user manual for your hot water heater or call your local electric or gas company to have them make the adjustment for you.
Other ways to reduce the energy you use to heat water include laundering with cold water, reducing time in the shower and insulating your water heater and pipes.
Find more, including DIY energy saving projects and how to choose a new water heater, at www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating.
FREE! RSVP here: Walk-ins welcome! Presented by: For accommodations, contact fhp@cvoeo.org or (802) 660-3456 x110
Thursday • April 3
Fletcher Free Library 235 College St.
More info & full event calendar: fairhousingmonthvt.org
Burlington
Burlington
5:30-6pm Voices of Home Storytelling Exhibit & Reception 6-7:30pm Deconstructing Historical Patterns & Reimagining the Future of Housing
Featuring Cashauna Hill Executive Director The Redress Movement
Think local for energy independence, resilience
BY PAUL LESURE
I think about energy a lot. I grew up in a drafty house with cold bedrooms, whereas my best friend lived in a modern, passive solar house that was always comfortable. That contrast put the role energy
consumption and efficiency play into clear focus at a young age.
This idea led me to focus on environmental conservation in college and a career in renewables. It also led me to look into the role energy plays in society. Many of our leaders and other great thinkers have
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SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS
Deadline is Monday noon for Thursday issue. News/ story tips are welcomed. Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or fewer and include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author.
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Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com A publication of Twin Ponds Publishing LLC
Member:
discussed the role of energy in society. George W. Bush, in 2006, said, “Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world.”
As we look to address various energy policies, I encourage our leaders to keep these thoughts in mind. Societally, the idea of energy independence is often viewed through the lens of “drill baby drill.”
But I’d challenge that’s not the solution, due to our global markets. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, and global natural gas supplies were disrupted, while at the same time, the U.S. had a surplus.
So what happened? Why didn’t our surplus production insulate us from cost spikes? We live in a global market, and many exporters bought
up all the U.S. supplies they could to reap the benefits of the high prices in Europe. It’s simple economics: When demand goes up and supply stays the same, the price goes up.
With 50 percent of the New England
We love our local syrup, local beer and local cheese, so why not show love to local energy?
grid reliant on natural gas, this hit the grid hard.
On the other side of the table, we now have an administration threatening to put tariffs on Canadian energy imports. As of 2023, over 25 percent of Vermont’s electricity
Look Forward To Coming Home
came from Hydro-Quebec. This puts us in a bind with the global markets.
But there’s a path forward to greater energy independence, and that’s local energy supplies. In Vermont, we love our local syrup, local beer and local cheese, so why not show love to local energy? Vermont has a thriving energy economy with an abundance of companies offering solar and energy storage and supporting local hydro facilities. Some would love to offer wind if it were still allowed. They provide jobs to our friends and neighbors in many forms: excavators, electricians, carpenters, accountants, project managers, marketers, truck drivers, warehouse managers, and so many more. Whereas imported fuels provide jobs elsewhere.
Having spent a decade in the renewables industry and as chair
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The Kismet Building • 373 Blair Park Road • Suite 101 • Williston
Gov. Phil Scott’s recent veto of the Budget Adjustment Act signals the end of one-sided, policy driven bills forced through the Vermont Legislature.
With Vermont voters deciding last November to eliminate the Democrat/ Progressive supermajority in the Vermont General Assembly, we restored the mechanism of checks and balances that ensures bills are honestly and openly discussed and evaluated for the best interest of Vermont.
Gone are the days when the supermajority-led Legislature could simply override and
Lesure
of the board for Renewable Energy Vermont, I’m not going to tell you there’s not a cost. Transitioning our economies is always an investment. The original power grid was costly, the roads were costly, but they provided us a great benefit. Renewables and energy storage provide that, too.
It’s not just about climate change; it’s energy independence and resilience for our state. For every project we install, we insulate our
ignore a governor who received over 71 percent of the popular vote (over 266,000 votes).
Gov. Scott is now doing exactly what he said he would do during the 2024 campaign: make Vermont affordable. The majority party legislators had/have forgotten how to cooperate and negotiate with the state executive branch and across the aisle to find common ground and the best solutions for Vermont. Overriding executive vetoes used to be easy and no discussion or compromise was necessary.
The legislative supermajority didn’t have to acknowledge the ideas of the governor or the minority party — or for that matter those of the voters — in the law making process.
state from the fluctuation of the global supply chain. Yes, there’s an upfront cost, but many of these systems are financed with long-term agreements that offer a stable price for 25 years, no matter what happens globally. Now, will the companies who install and own these projects make a profit? Yes, because that’s how you run any business. But they won’t ship these electrons overseas even if it’s more profitable.
Renewable energy systems are also distributed energy generation resources. They’re all over the state — on houses, libraries,
That is not the case today.
The balance in Montpelier has decidedly shifted to a position where compromise and cooperation are now necessary to affect solid legislation, an unfamiliar position for the General Assembly majority, which no longer has veto override assurance.
I commend Gov. Scott and his efforts to make Vermont affordable through financial common sense and accountability to taxpayers, an approach that continues to be foreign to many Vermont legislators.
Thank you Gov. Scott for your continued commitment to Vermonters.
Bruce Roy Williston
businesses, town halls, in local fields, and in our rivers. These distributed resources provide energy security to our state because they are decentralized. If one system goes down due to an extreme weather event or, god forbid, a bad actor, the others often stay operational. When the grid goes out, these systems, when paired with energy storage, can also provide backup power.
As our Legislature debates the future of renewable energy policy, the question can’t just be about what’s cheaper or more affordable today. America is the number one
Our library luck
National Library Week is April 6-12. The library Friends and Trustees would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for our amazing library staff!
The Town of Williston is very fortunate to have such a competent and caring group of people working in our library. Whether it’s recommending a book, helping with research, organizing programs, or maintaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere — they are terrific!
We encourage library patrons to let the staff know how wonderful they are.
producer of oil and gas in the world, but we still face the volatility of the markets. We need to think about the long term, the value of investing in our local economies, and in the stability of our energy costs for all our citizens.
Let’s also support our local energy providers for a more resilient and energy-independent Vermont.
Paul Lesure of Hinesburg is a partner at Green Mountain Solar and chair of the board for Renewable Energy Vermont.
Ann Park Friends of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
continued from page 1
administered by the City of Burlington and began insulating homes in 2021, based on the 2019 map. So far, noise insulation has been completed on 14 homes in South Burlington, according to the consultant report. A total of 68 homes have been evaluated and approved for mitigation, none in Williston, Longo said.
“We have to start closest to the airport and work our way out,” he said. “We’re still in the South Burlington area, and later this year we’ll be in Winooski, then we’ll go from there.”
The new map shows about 2,400 homes potentially eligible across South Burlington, Winooski, Williston, Colchester,
Essex and Burlington. There is enough federal funding to insulate about 50 homes per year, the report states.
Noise monitors that have been placed in recent years around the airport are not used in mapping decibel levels, Longo said. Instead, noise impacts are modeled from radar data and what is known about how F-35s power up on takeoff.
The FAA doesn’t allow noise monitor data to inform a noise exposure map, Longo said, due to the possibility of interference from ambient noise.
“The noise monitors are a completely separate program,” he said, allowing residents to monitor aircraft noise in near real-time. That data is posted to www.btv. aero/about-btv/community.
Maj. Jacob Dubie of the Vermont Air National Guard shakes hands with Sgt. Shoi Semba of Japan during joint F-35 training exercises in Guam in February.
PHOTO BY SGT. KYLE KING, VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD
Beavers
continued from page 3
Between the interviews Grace and I conducted, the research, and the 70-plus times I filmed among the beavers, I learned so much.
What do you hope residents learn about the Allen Brook and its ecosystem?
The Allen Brook is always evolving. The beavers’ presence has made positive changes to the brook. Because of them, there is a wider variety of birds and a diversity of animal species. For example, last week I saw a mink swimming in the Allen Brook.
As I explained to someone the other day, yes, there were ducks before the beavers returned to the Allen Brook, but now there are a variety of duck species and an increase in the amount of sightings.
I hope those who view my film “New Neighbors — the Beavers of Allen Brook” will come away with an appreciation for our most misunderstood keystone species, the beaver.
The Williston Community Food Shelf is now seeing 350 families every month.
Top needs include peanut butter and jelly.
Thanks for your support!
When you shop for yourself, Remember the Shelf!
WILLISTON COMMUNITY
FOOD SHELF
400 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130, Williston Mail Donations: PO Box 1605, Williston, VT 05495
Hours: Tuesdays 5-6:30 p.m. Thursdays 9-11 a.m. | Saturdays 9-11 a.m.
Donating to the Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity ReStores helps support a ordable housing construction. Our ReStores are locally run and bene t VT families! We accept furniture, hardware, appliances, electronics, and more. Donate at one of our three locations or schedule a FREE donation pick-up for large items or large quantities of goods. Donate your new or gently used items today!
Florida is a southeastern state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. About two-thirds of it is a peninsula, or a piece of land that juts out into the water.
Florida is our 27th state and was admitted to the Union in March 1845. Today, more than 21 million people live there.
Florida history
Sunny Florida
Mini Fact: The Kennedy Space Center at Merritt Island is the main launch site for American spaceflight.
farthest south of the 48 contiguous, or connected, states.
Famous Floridians
Next Week: U.S. ambassadors
• Author Carl Hiaasen was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has written several middle-grade books, including the Newbery Award-winning “Hoot” and “Wrecker,” which is set in Key West, Florida, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida was claimed for Spain by explorer Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513. He named it “La Florida,” or “land of flowers.”
Before Europeans arrived, Native American tribes lived in the area for about 14,000 years. These tribes included the Apalachee and the Mayaimi — names that are now found in the Florida place names Apalachicola and Miami.
With Spain in control of Florida, many native people died from diseases brought from Europe, for which they had no natural immunity.
Florida was admitted to the United States as a slave state, and it seceded, or separated, from the U.S. in 1861, becoming one of the first Confederate States of America. After the Civil War, Florida rejoined the Union in 1868.
Natural Florida
Florida’s peninsula stretches north and west into a panhandle. The state lies the
Try ’n’ Find
Most of Florida is at sea level, which means the land barely rises above the level of the ocean. The land is mostly flat, with the highest point being just 345 feet above sea level.
The state is home to palm and mangrove trees, marshes and freshwater lakes. Alligators, Florida panthers, otters and deer are just some of the animals who live in the hot, humid climate. It’s common to see brown pelicans and seagulls flying by when visiting the coasts.
Florida living
• Singer Gloria Estefan was born in Havana, Cuba, and lives in Miami Beach. She’s the winner of three Grammy Awards and is known as the queen of Latin pop music.
• Olympic surfer Caroline Marks was born in Boca Raton, Florida. She won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. She’s the youngest woman to qualify for the women’s championship tour in surfing.
While Tallahassee is the capital of Florida, Miami is the largest city, with about 6 million people. Most Floridians live in cities and within 10 miles of the coast.
Tourism is important to the economy of Florida. Orlando is home to Walt Disney World, Harry Potter World and EPCOT. The warm climate and beaches draw many visitors to the state’s coasts.
Florida also is home to aerospace industries and military bases. Agricultural products include oranges, mangoes, tomatoes, sugar, strawberries and more.
Words that remind us of Florida are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward. See if you can find:
PANTHER, PENINSULA, SECEDE, SOUTH, TALLAHASSEE.
On the Web:
• nasa.gov/learning-resources • bit.ly/MPFlorida
At the library:
• “Florida Is for Food” by Jillian R. Childs
• “Otto’s Special Mission in the Florida Everglades” by Travis Hoefle
Fanny: Where do pianists go for vacation? Frank: To the Florida Keys!
populations
Founded by Betty Debnam Issue 13, 2025
photo by NASA/Joel Kowsky
Carl Hiaasen
Gloria Estefan
Caroline Marks
photo by Marc Averette
photo © Elena Siebert
Try ’n’ Find
industries and military bases. Agricultural products include oranges, mangoes, tomatoes, sugar, strawberries and more.
Words that remind us of Florida are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward. See if you can find:
ALLIGATOR, BEACH, COAST, CONTIGUOUS, FLORIDA, GULF, MANGOES, MANGROVE, MARSH, OCEAN, ORANGES, PALM, PANHANDLE, PANTHER, PENINSULA, SECEDE, SOUTH, TALLAHASSEE.
Cook’s Corner Orange Beets
You’ll need:
• 1 (8.25-ounce) can beets, drained
• 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons butter
What to do:
1. Place beets in bottom of an 8-by-8-inch casserole dish.
2. Place orange pieces evenly on top.
3. Pour orange juice on top.
4. Dot with butter.
5. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20 minutes. Serves 4.
7 Little Words for Kids
Use the letters in the boxes to make a word with the same meaning as the clue. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in the solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.
1. very fast (5)
2. make less hard (6)
3. not very deep (7)
4. pair (6)
5. disagreeing (7)
6. colorful part of a plant (6)
7. give respect to (5)
WILLISTON POLICE
Mini Jokes
Fanny: Where do pianists go for vacation?
Frank: To the Florida Keys!
Eco Note
You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.
soften, shallow, couple, arguing, flower, honor.
Feb. 16 at 1:08 p.m. — Car off the roadway on Marshall Avenue. Vehicle was towed away and operator was given a courtesy ride.
Feb. 16 at 2:09 p.m. — Vehicle slid off the road. Female operator was issued a citation to appear in court for suspicion of DUI.
Feb. 17 at 3:29 p.m. — Car broken down on Oak Hill Road. Car was eventually moved.
Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. — Car stuck in a snowbank on Brennan Woods Drive. Tow truck came and pulled the car out.
Feb. 18 at 11:15 a.m. — Suspicious
vehicle at park-and-ride. Owner was contacted and came to remove the vehicle.
Feb. 18 at 7:32 p.m. — Female in Best Buy concealing items. Female had an active arrest warrant. She was transported to the correctional facility and issued a notice of trespass.
Feb. 19 at 5:35 p.m. — Retail theft reported at CVS. Female suspect was gone before officer’s arrival.
Feb. 19 at 10:05 p.m. — Report of an irate customer at Texas Roadhouse. Customer was issued a notice of trespass and left the premises.
Urban rat populations are rising in many of the world’s major cities, a trend researchers at the University of Richmond in Virginia link to global warming. Analyzing data from 13 U.S. cities as well as Tokyo, Amsterdam and Toronto, they found rat numbers increased the most in cities that have warmed the fastest. San Francisco, Toronto, New York, Amsterdam and Washington, D.C., saw the highest growth. The researchers suggest that securing food waste to limit the pests’ access to it is the most effective way to curb rat populations.
For later:
Look in your newspaper for articles about Florida or Floridians.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
Feb. 20 at 5:38 p.m. — Report of an erratic operator driving on Old Creamery Road. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.
Feb. 20 at 7:28 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. Case is still under investigation.
Feb. 21 at 11:23 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a citation to appear in court for driving with a criminally suspended license.
Feb. 21 at 1:28 p.m. — Report of retail theft from Lenny’s. Male and female left before officer’s arrival. Case is still under investigation.
Feb. 22 at 10:03 a.m. — Following a traffic stop, male operator was issued a citation for driving with a criminally suspended license.
Feb. 22 at 3:35 p.m. — Report of a male attempting to enter houses on Stillwater Lane. Male was located and moved along.
Officers also conducted 25 traffic stops and responded to six alarm activations and eight motor vehicle crashes during this time frame.
Williston Road, S. Burlington (802) 862-8666 burlingtonpodiatry.com
SAVVY SENIOR
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the risk factors for kidney disease? My mother died from kidney failure a few years ago at age 75 but didn’t even know she had a problem until it was too late.
Inquiring Daughter
Dear Inquiring,
Anyone who has diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems or a family history of the disease is at increased risk for chronic kidney disease, a condition in which the kidneys can no longer effectively filter your blood.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 37 million U.S adults have chronic kidney disease, and millions more are at risk.
That’s because kidney disease develops slowly over many years before any symptoms arise. But left untreated, the disease can
eventually require people to spend hours hooked up to a dialysis machine or get a kidney transplant. Even mild kidney problems can double a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as cause anemia and bone disease.
The reason kidney disease has become so widespread today is because of the rise of obesity, type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which all strain the kidneys.
Another factor is the increasing number of people who take multiple medications, which can overtax the organs. People over age 60 are especially vulnerable both because they tend to take more drugs, and because kidney function normally declines somewhat with age.
GET SCREENED
Because kidney disease is often symptomless, it’s usually undiagnosed. The only way to catch it before it advances is to have a routine blood and urine test by your doctor. Anyone who has diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, or is age 60 or older, needs to be tested annually.
If your lab tests show a decline in kidney function for more than three months in a row, you might be diagnosed with kidney disease and referred to a nephrologist. You also need to know that while kidney damage cannot be reversed, there are a number of effective lifestyle
steps and treatments that can help contain the damage, including:
Control your blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, get it under 130/80. If you need medication to do it, ACE inhibitors and ARBs are good choices because of their proven ability to protect the kidneys.
Control your diabetes: If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Diabetes medications called SGLT2 inhibitors have also shown to be effective in helping slow the progression of kidney disease, even in non-diabetic patients.
Adjust your diet: This usually means reducing the amount of protein and phosphorus you eat and cutting back on sodium, sugar and possibly potassium. Your doctor can help you determine an appropriate eating plan, or you may want to talk to a dietitian.
Watch your meds: Dozens of commonly used drugs can damage the kidneys, especially when taken in high doses over long periods — most notably NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications taken for heartburn and GERDS, and herbal supplements, can also be problematic. Talk to your doctor about all the prescription, over the counter and herbal products you take to identify potential problems and find alternatives.
Exercise and lose weight: If you’re overweight and inactive, start an aerobic fitness routine (walk, swim, cycle, etc.) that gets your heart pumping. This will help lower blood pressure, control diabetes and help you lose excess weight, all of which will help your kidneys.
Stay hydrated: Dehydration can affect kidney function, so try to drink at least six to eight glasses (8-ounces) of water per day.
Quit smoking: If you smoke, quit. Smoking damages the kidneys and doubles the rate of progression to end-stage renal failure.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1794, the U.S. Congress passed the Act to Provide a Naval Armament, establishing the force that would become the U.S. Navy.
• In 1915, Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary, was quarantined on North Brother Island in New York City.
• In 1964, the strongest recorded earthquake in U.S. history (magnitude 9.2) struck Alaska, killing more than 120 people.
• In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra, a medication to combat impotence.
TODAY’S FACT:
• Silver prices plummeted on this day in 1980 when brothers Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt attempted to corner the silver market and failed.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library hours:
• Monday/Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Tuesday/Thursday/ Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card and to register for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org.
Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.
TEEN NIGHT: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
Friday, March 28, 4:30-5:55 p.m. Ages 12-18. Campaign is currently full.
SATURDAY MUSIC
Saturday, March 29, 10:3011 a.m. Start your weekend with Linda Bassick’s preschool music.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Tuesdays, April 1 and 8, 10:30-11 a.m. Drop in for stories and fun.
BABY TIME
Wednesday, April 2, 10:3011 a.m. Ages 0-18 months. Enjoy gentle social and bonding activities with your little one.
AFTER SCHOOL GAMES
Wednesday, April 2, 2-3 p.m. Have fun with different board games after school.
MUSIC AND PLAYTIME
Thursday, April 3, 10:3011:30 a.m. Come for music with Linda Bassick, then stay to play. (No music on April 10.)
SATURDAY STORYTIME
Saturday, April 5, 10:3011 a.m. Start your weekend off with Cindy’s storytime.
STEM ADVENTURE
Monday, April 7, 3-4 p.m. Suggested ages 6-plus. Explore science with family friendly, hands-on activities and experiments.
AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE
Wednesday, April 9, 2-3:35 p.m. PG. Being a villain can’t prepare you for the mayhem of
Auction Under Self-Storage And Operators Lien U-Haul of Williston 5010 Williston Rd Williston, Vt . 05495
On April 8th, 2025 at 9:00 am on www.storageauctions.com
The contents of the following units consisting of furniture, household goods and miscellaneous personal property will be SOLD to satisfy the lien of U-HAUL as selfstorage operators. This Sale Is Held Under The Uniform Commercial Code Section 16a, Paragraph 7-210 Enforcement Of Vermont Self-Storage Lien.
fatherhood.
LEGO TIME
Thursday, April 10, 3-4 p.m.
Build something exciting with the library’s LEGO collection.
MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS AND ADULTS
Saturday, March 29, 12:302:30 — 12:30-1:30 p.m. How to be a Dungeon Master. Interested in running your own campaign? Learn how to plan a campaign and manage a group of players. 1:302:30 p.m. How to Play Dungeons & Dragons. Unsure of where to start? Join this workshop to learn more about the game of D&D.
CRAFT CIRCLE
Monday, April 7, 5-6 p.m. All ages. Bring a project and work on it in the company of other crafters.
ADULT PROGRAMS
For online programs or to join a book club, email daml@damlvt.org.
APRIL SPICE CLUB – MAHLAB
Pick up this month’s sample with tasting notes, suggestions for use and a few recipes to try. While supplies last.
ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
Fridays, March 28 and April 4, 12-12:30 p.m. Join our guided meditation.
TECH TUTOR
Tuesday, April 1, 1-4 p.m. Call the library to schedule a one-hour appointment for personalized help with your devices. see LIBRARY page 15
Section 4 of the Town of Williston Sewer Allocation Ordinance, the Williston Selectboard is considering the adoption of amendments to the Sewer Allocation Ordinance referred to as “Attachment A” - an existing ordinance pertaining to the allocation of public sewerage. Upon adoption, this attachment will designate the portion of the uncommitted reserve capacity that will be available for use during the next fiscal year which starts July 1, 2025. A public hearing on this matter is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM in the Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room in the Williston Town Hall located at 7900 Williston Road. A remote option using Zoom is available via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85235986965
Below is the proposed Attachment A. Allocation Category Amount (gpd)*
= gallons per day
Attachment A may become effective 60 days, after the public hearing by vote of the Selectboard. If you have any questions, please contact Planning Director Matt Boulanger at mboulanger@willistonvt.org.
Notice is hereby given that any ordinance or amendment thereto adopted by the Town of Williston may be disapproved by a vote of a majority of the qualified voters at an annual or special meeting as provided in 24 V.S.A. §1973. Copies of the entire text of the proposed Attachment A are available for review on the Town’s web page at https://www.town. williston.vt.us.
Dated at the Town of Williston, Vermont this 25th day of March 2025.
Erik Wells Town Manager
Library
continued from page 14
ADULT CRAFTERNOON — ANIMAL PORTRAITS
Tuesday, April 1, 2-3 p.m.
Use egg carton remnants to make adorable spring animal pictures. Register online.
SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)
Wednesday, April 2, 5-6 p.m.
Join us to brush up on your language skills.
ADULT RPG
Thursday, April 3, 6-8:30 p.m.
Join our fantasy role-playing game for adults. Register online.
‘NEW NEIGHBORS: THE BEAVERS OF ALLEN BROOK’ — DOCUMENTARY AND DISCUSSION
Saturday, April 5, 12-1 p.m.
Local documentarian Jim Heltz
STEWART’S
IMPROVEMENTS
will show his short film on Allen Brook beavers, highlighting the origin of the species, their effect on the landscape, and the role they play in the climate crisis. Sponsored by the Williston Historical Society.
MAH JONGG
Friday, April 4, 1-3 p.m. All abilities welcome.
CURRENT EVENTS
Wednesday, April 9, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in to discuss timely topics with other community members.
LIFE STORIES (ONLINE)
Wednesday, April 9, 2-3:30 p.m. Share a story from your own life. Email daml@damlvt.org for prompts to choose from.
SERVICE DIRECTORY
VERMONT READS: ‘GATHER’ BOOK DISCUSSION
Wednesday, April 9, 6-7:30 p.m. Join a facilitated book discussion of this year’s Vermont Reads selection, “Gather” by Kenneth Cadow. Come in person or email daml@damlvt.org for a Zoom link. Copies of the book are available by request online or at the library.
Photos from the Williston Observer are available for purchase!
Russians research Redmond Road recycling
BY DANIEL EGLESIA
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article appeared on Page 1 of the March 23, 1995 issue of the Williston Whistle, the community newspaper that is now called the Williston Observer.
A delegation of Russians from the city of Nizhnii Tagil toured the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s facilities on Friday, March 10, and later said they had obtained new information concerning the recycling of solid waste.
Through a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), the Russian delegation came to Vermont after first visiting Washington, D.C., and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Their aim has been to obtain technical
assistance and training that will enable Russian citizens to identify and address health and environmental problems.
The city of Nizhnii Tagil has a population of 438,000 and is located on the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains. It has been declared an “environmental emergency zone,” under Russian Environmental Law, since becoming a major center for mining and manufacturing with little or no participation in environmental activities. A local health service in Nizhnii Tagil has reported that the city has the highest rate of lung and stomach cancer in Russia and only four percent of the children are considered healthy. It is to be noted that the majority of the city’s previous enterprises were in the defense sector.
Russians taking part in the tour of the CSWD facilities included the mayor of Nizhnii Tagil, Nikolai Didenko and vice-mayor Nikolai
Petrov.
After they had visited the Recycling Center, Landfill, Materials Recovery Facility, and the Biosolids Processing Facility, an overview of the CSWD’s operation was presented by CSWD Facilities Manager Anthony Barbagallo, with a detailed explanation of the decomposition process.
“We have visited several other countries in Europe to learn what we could about recycling,” Ivan Soloboev said, “but we’ve never seen solid waste being separated the way it is here.”
Soloboev explained that very little recycling, other than bottles for water, currently takes place in Russia.
After departing Williston, the delegation was headed for the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources in Waterbury and was later expected to be entertained by ISC board members in Montpelier.
