Williston voters will have a chance to either re-affirm their support for a library renovation and expansion or overturn their prior approval during a Special
‘Slow down’
Town Meeting set for Tuesday, May 19.
The selectboard set the revote date during their Tuesday meeting, compelled by a successful petition drive from residents. The petition was signed by more than the required 435 registered voters (at least 5% of the electorate).
Under state law, the petition forces a revote within 60 days of its submission at Town Hall, which
Traffic calming considerations for Old Creamery Road
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
From white lines to rumble strips to cautionary signs to speed bumps, Old Creamery Road residents now have a suite of options to consider in their quest to slow traffic and increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Engineer Nicole Fox on Tuesday presented three phases of possible additions to the road — which doubles as a commuter cutthrough from Route 2A to Oak Hill Road and a residential neighborhood. Her presentation was part of a study of options the town initiated last year with the help of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. Fox said 15% of drivers on the road travel more than 10 mph over the posted
35 mph speed limit. There have been an average of roughly two car crashes per year over the past six years, one resulting in an injury, she said.
Fox recommends a first phase of measures that include narrowing the travel lanes with newly painted shoulder lines and painting “optical speed bars” — thick lines that get progressively closer together giving drivers the illusion that they are accelerating.
She also recommends intersection awareness signs placed before each of the several intersecting roads and speed feedback signs that flash “Slow Down” to cars exceeding the speed limit. These are an alternative to signs that reflect a driver’s actual speed because some reckless drivers attempt to increase their speed in reaction to
see TRAFFIC page 3
happened March 30.
A slim majority of voters — 1,262 to 1,215 — approved a $13.9 million bond to finance the library expansion and improvements to the Village Green during Town Meeting Day in March.
Cindy Roy, who helped lead the petition drive, said petitioners are not necessarily opposed to an expansion of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, but they want
smaller-scale options to consider.
The project that was approved at Town Meeting would add a second floor and roughly double the size of the library.
“It was a $14 million project — there was no other option,” Roy said during Tuesday’s selectboard meeting. “(Petitioners) want to do something on a smaller scale that is designed to fit Williston Village. It’s historical, it’s welcoming and
On the bunny trail
it’s quaint and that’s what we love about our village.”
The Library Board of Trustees recommended the original expansion plan after months of gathering public input.
“The community was clear that it wanted more community space,” Library Board of Trustees chair Charity Clark said, noting
Isabel Johnson, above center, reaches for an egg at the annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt sponsored by the WillistonRichmond Rotary Club on Saturday on the Village Green. Jeremy Papazian, right, poses with his find, the Rotary Egg, that earns him a special prize. Many people gathered, below, for the event. See more photos on Page 16. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
Around Town
Gas station robbery leads to arrest of Philadelphia man
The Stewart’s gas station on the corner of Routes 2 and 2A in Taft Corners was robbed at gunpoint last Friday evening, April 3, according to Williston Police. Police reported the arrest of a 38-year-old Philadelphia man after he allegedly threatened a store clerk with a gun before stealing cash and merchandise. Police said he fled the station by stealing a customer’s running vehicle.
According to police, the man was later caught by Burlington Police on Main Street in Burlington with evidence of the crime in the vehicle and on his person. The man was held without bail at the Northwestern Correctional Facility in St. Albans. He was charged with assault and robbery, aggravated operation without consent of owner, criminal threatening and illegal firearm possession.
PROPERTY TRANSFERS MARCH 2026
• Fusco Giovanni bought a home on 15 acres on St. George Road from Kevin L. Armstrong and Philanne Arms for $995,000.
• Daniella Simpatico bought a condo on Seth Circle from Samantha West for $327,000.
• Katie Anderson bought a home on 20 acres on Mud Pond Road from Lynn Kabot for $825,000.
• Elizabeth Vickers bought a condo on Forest Run Road from David Landers for $456,000.
• LM Investment Holdings LLC bought a condo on Talcott Road from Jacob H Properties LLC for $525,000.
• William G. Ross and Joy A. Ross bought a condo on South Brownell Road from 1298 SB Road LLC for $1.5 million.
• Alyssa Dorman bought a mobile home on Porterwood Drive from Joanna Key for $325,000.
• Lauren Richter bought a home on Southfield Drive from Beth Steele for $764,000.
• Charles Boutin bought a condo on Commons Road from Andrew Lawrence for $489,000.
• Matthew Parks bought a condo on Day Lane from the Thu H. Chau Trust for $492,500.
EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
CVU Empty Bowls Dinner and Auction. Benefitting the Williston Community Food Shelf. 6-8 p.m. CVU High School.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 9-11
WCS presents Matilda Jr. 6:30 p.m. April 9; 6:30 p.m. April 10; 2 p.m. April 11. Williston Central School auditorium. willistoncentral. seatyourself.biz.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 10-12
CVU High School Theater One Acts. Students direct and perform Shakespeare one act plays. 7 p.m. April 10; 7 p.m. April 11; 1 p.m. April 12. ticketsource.us/cvutheater.
TUESDAY, APRIL 14
Champlain Valley School Board meeting. 6 p.m. CVU High School. Agenda at cvsdvt.org.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
Williston Recreation and Parks Master Plan Open House. 6:15-7:30 p.m. REC Zone, 94 Harvest Lane.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
Williston-Richmond Rotary Club breakfast meeting. Speaker: Wendy de Forest of the Richmond Free Library. 7 a.m. Williston Federated Church. RSVP to rotaryclubofwillistonvt@gmail.com.
CORRECTION
The Can-Am Con 2026 Scale Model Show & Contest that was scheduled for Saturday, April 11 and announced in the Around Town section on Page 3 of last week’s Observer has been cancelled.
Traffic
continued from page 1
those signs, she said.
“‘Slow Down’ takes the fun out of that,” she said.
Fox recommends installing and evaluating phase 1 improvements, at an estimated cost of $100,000, before proceeding with phase 2-3 measures.
Phase 2 ideas include adding speed bumps and perpendicular rumble strips to the road. Phase 3 would involve building a series of buffer islands to separate the two travel lanes. The full cost of all three phases is estimated at $410,000.
Old Creamery Road resident Tim Walker said that speed bumps are the only thing needed to slow traffic, while St. George Road resident Dan Boomhower encourages an increased police presence.
“We can use our own law enforcement as a first step and see if that helps,” he said.
Slowing cars down is a way to make walking and biking the road safer, Fox said.
“This is a pretty heavily used biking corridor,” she said, “much less so for pedestrians … People don’t feel safe walking. Chances are, if (it) felt safer, there would be more walkers.”
Some residents, however, questioned whether walking should be encouraged on Old Creamery Road, given that other roads in
the area are far less travelled and nearby Five Tree Hill Country Park offers walking trails.
“I don’t feel like Old Creamery Road is built for walking,” said Dawn Schneiderman. “Maybe people have to change their behavior and take advantage of the many beautiful walking areas around there as opposed to trying to walk on a very busy road that is dangerous.”
Fox, who works for engineering consultant Fuss & O’Neill, headquartered in Hartford, Conn., is taking public comments on the traffic calming ideas by email at nicole.fox@fando.com. She plans to submit a final report in May to the selectboard, which will ultimately decide which, if any, measures to implement.
Library
continued from page 1
that the town’s population has grown by roughly 50% since the last library expansion nearly 30 years ago.
“We have unquestionably outgrown the library,” she said. “This project was designed to meet the needs of Williston while balancing the burden on taxpayers.”
Town administrators estimate the cost of the project to property taxpayers to be $40 annually for every $100,000 of assessed property value, decreasing over time as the bond is paid off. The library trustees are pursuing private donations to reduce the cost to taxpayers.
Voting on May 19 will take place at the National Guard Armory next to Town Hall. Early voting will be available at the Town Clerk’s office starting April 29, and absentee ballots will be mailed to all those who received them for Town Meeting Day in March.
An informational hearing will be held at 7 p.m. May 18 at Williston Central School. Other informational hearings will take place at the library, including 12-1 p.m. Saturday, April 18; 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 29; 6-7 p.m. Monday, May 4; and 12-1 p.m. Saturday, May 16.
“We certainly want folks to understand the project, its scope, the
Library revote informational meetings
Location: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
Saturday, April 18 12-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 1-2 p.m. Monday, May 4 6-7 p.m. Saturday, May 16 ...... 12-1 p.m.
financial aspects of it and make sure all their questions are answered leading up to the (revote),” Town Manager Erik Wells said. Voters should take note that a ‘yes’ vote on May 19 is a vote to reject the project, and a ‘no’ vote is a vote to reject the reconsideration of the project and proceed with the bond approved at Town Meeting Day. Also, according to Wells, a two-thirds majority of the original 1,262 ‘yes’ votes will need to vote ‘yes’ to reconsider in order to overturn the original approval. The minimum number of votes needed to approve reconsideration is 842. Wells and Library Director Kevin Unrath welcome questions about the project and revote. Unrath can be reached at director@damlvt. org and 878-4918; Wells can be reached at ewells@willistonvt.org and 876-1168. The project website at https://willistonlibraryproject. org also has detailed information.
An island separating travel lanes was presented to the selectboard Tuesday as a way to slow traffic on Old Creamery Road.
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Member:
Notes from the Legislature
BY REP. ERIN BRADY AND REP. ANGELA ARSENAULT
We’ve just come through the flurry of activity that typifies the week before and immediately after the legislative “crossover” date, especially in the second year of the biennium.
The House of Representatives sent many bills to the Senate this session, addressing a wide range of pressing issues, including health care access and affordability, justice reform and public safety, community resiliency, infrastructure needs, education challenges facing students, data and consumer protection, and so much more. We’ll highlight some of the bills here, and welcome your correspondence on these or any of the others.
We also hope you’ll join us for our next Community Conversation at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library on Monday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m.
As we’ve mentioned here previously, the work of our General Assembly is complicated this session by necessary efforts to combat the harmful and capricious actions of the president and many federal government agencies. Sadly, we saw the violent results of current immigration enforcement tactics play out on Dorset Street in South Burlington on March 11. Just a couple days later, the House passed H.849, which would allow Vermonters to file civil lawsuits
if anyone acting in their official capacity as a state or federal government official were to violate a person’s constitutional rights. Thirty-nine House Republicans voted no. The bill is currently under consideration in the Senate.
The House Judiciary Committee, where Rep. Arsenault serves, is continuing work on S.208 and S.209 (law enforcement identification standards and locations in which no civil arrest may be made, respectively). The committee aims to strengthen both bills with added specificity and clarity before hopefully sending them to the House floor, and possibly on to the Governor’s desk.
FY2027 STATE BUDGET
We’re very pleased to report that this year’s budget bill (H.951), just like last year’s, passed out of the House Appropriations Committee on a unanimous vote. The bi-partisan budget then faced challenges on the House floor by Republicans who, among other things, opposed $9 million (.01% of the entire state budget) in one-time funds for Vermonters who have been significantly and negatively impacted by losing federal funds.
This money will go to assistance for deaf and blind people, Vermonters without health insurance, folks experiencing food insecurity, seniors and Vermonters whose communities were denied FEMA funds after experiencing severe flooding in the Northeast
Kingdom. Highlights of the FY27 budget investments can be found on the Joint Fiscal Office website (ljfo.vermont.gov — then click on “Appropriations & Budget”).
As passed, the budget reflects a 1.6% increase over last year’s budget, below an approximate 2.6% inflation rate. The budget fills all statutorily required reserves, meets all pension obligations, and makes essential investments in health care, human services, housing, economic development, education, public safety, and the environment.
The clouds on the economic horizon do not look good, with President Trump and national Republican leadership continuing to run up deficits and waste billions on war and tax breaks for those who don’t need them. The challenges to our state budget will compound.
ANNUAL YIELD BILL
Every year, the Legislature passes a yield bill to set the property tax rates that will fund voter-approved school budgets for the coming fiscal year. While there is much rhetoric around education costs, it’s important to remember that education spending increased by 4.2% this year, well below the rate of major cost drivers outside of local control, including health care, which has risen 35% over the past three years.
The reality is that schools are being forced to absorb these increases, often at the expense of
student opportunities.
After back-to-back years of staffing cuts, we are grateful for the work of the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) board and administrators in crafting a level-service budget that includes a modest 3.5% increase in overall education spending. We are equally grateful to the voters in the five CVSD towns for supporting our schools and students by approving the budget.
The yield bill passed by the House (H.949) uses half of the surplus in the Education Fund in order to provide a significant decrease from the initially projected property tax rate increase. The House bill is also deliberately focused on multi-year fiscal responsibility, not sleight-of-hand tricks to win elections.
If the House had passed the governor’s proposal to use all of the surplus immediately to reduce property tax rates, Vermonters could be facing an average 15% property tax rate increase next year. We will continue to do the work of supporting public schools and the students they serve, while balancing the real strain facing the taxpayers of Vermont.
EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION UPDATE
Last week, the House Education Committee, where Rep. Brady is the Ranking Member, advanced legislation see LEGISLATURE page 5
focused on long-term, sustainable improvements to the state’s education system. The bill, H.955, builds upon the goals of Act 73 (passed last year) and the findings of the Redistricting Task Force, which conducted a rigorous review of Vermont’s educational landscape last fall, drawing on statewide fiscal and enrollment data, research from comparable rural states, public input from more than 5,000 Vermonters, and extensive deliberation among members who were appointed by the governor and the Legislature.
Given Vermont’s rural geography, community identity, months of detailed testimony about the challenges of forced mergers, and limited Agency of Education capacity for major structural change, the House Education Committee focused on a regional approach. A similar strategy is
being used in the health care sector to address our high health care costs.
Key components of the bill include: — Creation of Coordinated Education Service Areas (CESAs): The bill creates seven regional Cooperative Education Service Areas (CESAs) to support school districts. CESAs are designed to streamline services, improve coordination and provide technical expertise across regions. By strengthening regional collaboration, CESAs offer a practical path toward addressing some of the biggest cost drivers in education and can be established quickly without the bureaucratic costs of district mergers. CESAs exist in many other states, and they are a proven concept.
— Support for voluntary, strategic mergers: The second major element of this bill addresses school governance consolidation by quickly resourcing facilitators across the state to start merger
the noise, the schedules and the constant demands. Experience deep relaxation as
study committees. The legislation encourages voluntary mergers where there is a clear educational benefit, alignment with local priorities and fiscal feasibility. Past examples of successful consolidation efforts in Vermont (like in our own school district) demonstrate that, while mergers can yield positive outcomes, they require time, local buy-in and careful implementation.
By combining robust CESAs with community-driven consolidation, the bill advances a shared vision for what more of Vermont’s schools can be. Comprehensive regional high schools can offer advanced
coursework, world languages, technical education, mental health services and extracurricular access, especially in small or rural districts that cannot sustainably provide these offerings alone. This is the kind of targeted work that can make meaningful change if it is done as part of a community engagement process, rather than a forced merger.
We are serious about long-term solutions, which demand systemic reforms, but we must remember that systems are made up of real people. Our students, teachers and school leaders are not a line
Legislature
continued from page 5
that can be moved on a map or column that can be eliminated in a spreadsheet. Change must be done carefully on a realistic timeline.
What we find particularly frustrating in all of this is that Gov. Scott and his administration have had 10 years to tackle the long-standing education funding and scale challenges we face today, yet they suddenly demand that we accept a “solution”
that few (if any) Vermonters actually support and that lacks any clear modeling demonstrating sustained savings.
This bill is now being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee.
Act 73 linked both education policy and tax policy through a complex series of contingencies.
As the conversation around the best path toward newer, larger school districts has played out, updates to those contingencies are necessary, as well as further work on a foundation
formula (such as how to account for very different costs of labor in our region verses other parts of the state) before such a drastic change in how we fund our schools is enacted.
ADDITIONAL INCOME TAX BRACKETS?
We have heard from many of you that you would support a bill to add additional income tax brackets to increase taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters. A couple of proposals are set to be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee soon. We
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support the broad policy under consideration.
Working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and far too many Vermonters are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of health care, groceries, gas and other necessities continues to rise dramatically, all while a dangerous federal administration chooses to reduce taxes on billionaires and illegally withholds congressionally appropriated funds to coerce or punish perceived political opponents.
The American economy is
fundamentally tilted in favor of those already at the top, and we must make efforts to address this in Vermont. Please continue to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. Our email addresses are: ebrady@leg.state.vt.us and angela.arsenault@vtleg.gov.
Erin Brady and Angela Arsenault represent Williston’s Chittenden 2 District in the Vermont House of Representatives.
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Now vote ‘yes’
Thank you, neighbors, for your incredible efforts; you truly make a difference in our community.
The library petition was a huge success. While we only needed 435 signatures, I submitted 623 to the Williston Town Clerk’s office. This achievement demonstrates that our residents, regardless of political status, value financial responsibility and accountability.
In meeting many of you, I heard from seniors, single-income families and young couples struggling with rising property taxes and the cost of living.
To make Vermont more affordable, we must prioritize critical projects and reduce spending. While we already have one of the finest libraries in the area, an overpriced addition is not worth the risk of displacing community members. It is the people, not the buildings, that make our community.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Gov. Phil Scott recently addressed lawmakers regarding the urgent need to address the cost of living in Vermont. We are seeing a decline in population and school enrollment, and we must ensure our spending remains sustainable to address these challenges.
Our work is not over. Please participate in the upcoming Special Town Meeting. Voting “yes” to stop the original proposal allows us to work with the town to explore practical, cost-effective alternatives.
Please note the following for the upcoming vote: A “yes” vote rejects the bond authorization and stops the current library/village green project. A “no” vote authorizes the town to proceed with the bond issuance as originally approved.
Let’s prioritize our residents over unnecessary spending. Please vote “yes” to reject the current project.
David Martel Williston
If not now, when and how?
Opponents of the library expansion seem to have lot of questions.
“Why does it cost so much?” The library is doubling its size. The expansion will last us for decades.
“Why not build somewhere else?” We’d pay more for less.
“Why does it have to be right now?” I understand where this question comes from. Times are tough and I’m not a rich man. I still have to ask: When haven’t times been tough?
Money is an issue for almost everyone I know, going back to the Great Recession. When do the expansion opponents think the right time is going to be? Is it five years from now? Maybe 10?
Some want the town to waste time looking at options they’ve
already spent years exploring. Do the opponents think there’s a magic solution that will make materials and labor cheaper? If anything, waiting will make the project even more costly. They’re just unhappy about another expense.
But what does that expense even look like? If your home is valued at $400,000, you’re looking at an increase of $10 a month. That’s less than most spend on Netflix.
At the town meeting before the vote, someone brought up how Vermont’s population decreased by 1,500 people in 2025. I’d wager that has more to do with the
cost of apartments in Burlington than it does with $10 for a library.
People aren’t just leaving Vermont because it’s expensive. They’re leaving because they’re not getting enough for the cost of living here. Our state has a lack of third spaces where people can go to do things.
“What am I going to do with my kids?” is a constant question for parents — especially in winter.
I’m willing to invest in my community and will be there to support the expansion at the revote.
Stew Shearer Williston
BY JESSIE DORF Community News Service
Dozens of skiers and snowboarders lined up in 4 inches of fresh snow at the Cochran’s Ski Area rope tow on Friday, March 20. The powder was a bonus, but they were really there to give back to the ski community through the Rope-a-Thon fundraiser.
The goal: For participants to ski 4 million vertical feet on the rope tow over the weekend at the nonprofit ski area and raise $175,000.
Kids, parents and ski racers held on tight to the rope as it whizzed up the 250-vertical foot hill. Some kids were aiming for as many as 300 laps up and down over the weekend, said Chester Page, who works as the ski area kitchen coordinator. Their “arms and most of their body is going to be Jell-O,” he predicted.
Freddie Hall, a longtime volunteer ski patroller, said he prefers the T-bar to the rope tow and is impressed by the determination of anyone who can get in more than 10 laps. His recommendation for Rope-a-Thon success: Pace it “slow and steady” and “bring a few pairs of gloves.”
Riding the rope tow is a true testament of grip and forearm strength. With no rest, laps can be completed in two minutes, a feat that many young athletes accomplished that snowy day.
For the challenge, Cochran’s counted the trip up the rope tow and down the slope toward the vertical goal, with each lap counting as 500 vertical feet. To get to 4 million required 8,000 trips up and around
on the rope tow. Participants started fundraising in February, many of them gathering pledges from friends and family to keep the ski area operating and help keep the sport alive.
The ski area started in 1961 when Mickey and Ginny Cochran built the small facility up the hill from their house. All four of their children became Olympic skiers, with Barbara Ann Cochran winning a gold medal in 1972. Continuing the tradition, Barbara Ann Cochran’s son Ryan Cochran-Siegel brought home a silver medal from the Olympics in February. He also took silver at the 2022 games.
Cochran’s eventually became a nonprofit and has remained fueled by a passionate and committed ski community. More than half of its budget comes from donations, which helps keep prices affordable despite the costs of insurance, labor, electricity and snowmaking, according to Jim Cochran, the ski area’s general manager and a past Olympic competitor.
The mission of Cochran’s is that no child will be denied the opportunity to ski or ride.
“We’re going to give passes and tickets to people that need them,” Jim Cochran said, “and our hope is that the generosity comes back this time of year.”
The initial total from the Rope-aThon fundraiser was $152,650. Check out cochranskiarea.com for more information on tickets, donations, lessons and more.
Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.
A policy for school districts should ICE come knocking
BY COREY MCDONALD VTDigger
Last year, the Winooski School District became the first in the state to enact a “sanctuary school” policy protecting students and families from federal immigration enforcement actions.
The policy, crafted by Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria, restricted immigration agents’ access to school grounds and prohibited school staff from collaborating with immigration authorities.
Lawmakers have since taken notice. S.227, considered by House Education Committee members Tuesday, borrows from the Winooski School District to standardize policy across Vermont’s 119 school districts and 52 governing units.
The bill passed unanimously
out of the Senate last month
One of the bill’s lead sponsors, Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, P/D-Chittenden Central, told House lawmakers Tuesday that she introduced the bill after hearing from families who were keeping their children out of school because of their fears of immigration raids.
“It became very apparent to me that every student, regardless of what school district they are in, deserves that level of safety and security in their learning environment,” she said.
“While it is not typical that the state comes from on high and says ‘You must implement policies like this,’ I felt like we are not in typical times.”
Under the legislation, only a school district’s superintendent, or their designee, would be permitted to allow federal agents to
“…without intentional protocols and widespread training, a single mistake by an untrained staff member can become a life-changing tragedy for a child.”
Wilmer Chavarria Superintendent, Winooski School District
enter a school’s premises.
Federal immigration officers could enter the premises only with a judicial warrant. Absent a warrant, school officials would be under no obligation to provide any information.
That distinction is important.
Immigration agents have used administrative warrants to enter homes and businesses, warrants that are, in this case, signed by a Homeland Security officer or other department officials.
School officials could decline immigration officers’ requests for information or to enter the premises with an administrative warrant, Rik Sehgal, with the Office of Legislative Counsel, told House lawmakers.
Schools would also be prohibited from collecting or requesting citizenship or immigration status information from a student or their family members under the legislation.
Vermont Agency of Education officials Tuesday said they support the intent of the bill, and said the policy, if adopted, would align with policy that the Agency of Education
already has in place.
Schools also currently have no obligation to collect information about students’ or families’ immigration status, said Emily Simmons, the Agency of Education’s general counsel. And if they don’t collect the information in the first place, then they won’t have it for federal officials to demand.
Chavarria, Winooski’s superintendent, told senators in February that the policy was about being prepared for worst case scenarios.
“And our schools in Vermont are unprepared,” he said. “Even with a large number of well-meaning educators, without intentional protocols and widespread training, a single mistake by an untrained staff member can become a life-changing tragedy for a child.”
Spring’s Beautiful Blooms
In spring, many flowers begin blooming on the ground and in the trees. Have the trees in your neighborhood burst into bloom yet?
The Mini Page celebrates Arbor Day, April 24, by taking a close look at the beautiful trees of spring.
Blooming time
Most trees bloom in the spring. However, some trees, such as the hazelnut, bloom in late winter. Others, such as some magnolias, bloom during the spring and the summer. Trees might also bloom when something goes wrong with their environment. For example, hurricanes can strip the leaves off many trees. Afterward, some of these trees may start to flower, even if it’s the wrong season for blooming.
Sometimes during mild winters, trees flower early. But if snow and ice come after the flowers are out, these flowers may die. When it warms up again, trees can start growing leaves, but they may not be able to produce fruit.
Reproduction
All trees have flowers. It is the flowers that make the seeds. Pollen is a fine golden dust from flowers. In order for a flower to make seeds, pollen from the male parts (the stamens) must reach the female part (the pistil). This is called pollination (pah-luhNAY-shun).
After the pistil receives the pollen, it can make seeds. Some tree types have male and female flowers on the same tree. Others have only female flowers or male flowers.
Fruits
Mini Fact: This wisteria tree grows in South Africa, where it blooms between August and January.
Arbor Day
Next Week: Thank a teacher!
Arbor Day celebrates the importance of trees. National Arbor Day falls on the last Friday in April. Each state also has its own Arbor Day. Many states in the southern United States celebrate it in February or March. Many northern states celebrate it in May.
Arbor is a Latin noun meaning tree.
Arbor Day history
Arbor Day was started in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, a journalist and politician in Nebraska. At that time, the state had few trees, and settlers missed them.
Morton urged Nebraskans to have a tree-planting holiday. On the first Arbor Day, the people in that state planted more than 1 million trees.
Trees need a way to spread their seeds. One way they do this is to grow a fruit that encloses their seeds. Animals carry away the fruit, or they might eat the fruit and the seeds pass through their bodies.
The sugary food in juicy fruits, such as apples and oranges, helps new seeds get a good start. Not all fruit is sweet and juicy. A nut is actually a dry fruit with a hard, dry fruit ball around the seed.
Helping the environment
Flowering trees help the environment and the economy in many ways. Trees:
• create beauty;
• attract tourists;
• provide shade and cooling;
• help keep waterways clean;
• make food for people and animals;
• provide shelter for animals;
• produce oxygen;
• provide fuel for cooking and heating.
In 1885, Nebraska named it a legal holiday, to be celebrated on April 22, Morton’s birthday. In 1970, President Richard Nixon declared that Arbor Day would be celebrated nationally on the last Friday in April. Words that
Founded by Betty Debnam
photo by Bernard Dupont
Flower buds on an apple tree.
Community members plant trees together in Baltimore.
photo by Markus Bernet
photo by Scott Kashnow image courtesy Arbor Day Foundation
Williston
stamens) must reach the female part (the pistil). This is called pollination (pah-luhNAY-shun). • produce oxygen; • provide fuel for cooking and heating.
Try ’n’ Find
Words that remind us of Arbor Day are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
• 4 cups water • 2 vegetable bouillon cubes with herbs or sea salt
What to do:
Mini Jokes
Tyrone: What kind of tree can fit in your hand?
Tara: A palm tree!
Tina: How do trees get on the internet?
Tony: They log in!
Eco Note
1. Rinse lentils really well in a fine-mesh strainer, then place all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a big bubbly boil for a minute or so.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes until lentils become soft and mashy.
3. Turn off heat, then stir and mash well with a wooden spoon. Make it thinner if you like by stirring in 1 cup water. Soup will thicken overnight. Serves 4 to 6.
Scientists have found evidence that great apes can engage in pretend play, a cognitive skill once thought unique to humans. Experiments led by Johns Hopkins University researchers showed that a language-trained bonobo named Kanzi could track imaginary objects, correctly identifying the location of pretend juice and grapes in most trials. Kanzi still consistently chose real food or drink when given the option, indicating he could distinguish imagination from reality. The study suggests that the ability to form mental images of things that are not physically present may date back 6 million to 9 million years to a common human-ape ancestor.
For later:
Look in your local newspaper for events related to Arbor Day in your area.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the absolute lowest-cost smartphone plans for seniors who mainly talk and text but need a little cellular data for email and occasional use? I’m currently paying $40 a month and hoping to cut that down.
—Looking to Save
Dear Looking,
You’re asking a smart question. Many seniors pay far more for smartphone service than they actually use. If most of your phone activity is calls, texts, email and light web browsing, there’s
Low-cost smartphone plans
usually no need to spend $40 or more a month. The good news: Plenty of low-cost carriers now cater to light users who want reliable service without the extra cost.
The cheapest plans today mostly come from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) — smaller carriers that lease coverage from major networks like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Because they don’t run their own towers, MVNOs can offer basic service for a fraction of the cost of major carriers, while still providing nationwide coverage.
Here are some of the best options available now.
CHEAPEST WIRELESS PLANS
According to Consumer Reports, Mint Mobile is a top value among low-cost smartphone plans. For $15 per month, you get unlimited talk and text plus 5 gigabytes (GB) of data. The catch: You pay for a full year upfront — $180
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
Volunteer Appreciation week is April 20th - 24th and we have fun opportunities to get involved!
plus taxes. But for seniors comfortable paying annually, it’s a smart way to lock in savings. Mint runs on T-Mobile’s network and works with most unlocked phones.
If you want a similar plan without the upfront commitment, T-Mobile Connect is worth a look. For about $15 per month, you get the same 5 GB of data and unlimited talk and text with no contract and the flexibility to switch plans month to month. It’s an easy, low-commitment option on the same reliable T-Mobile network.
For seniors who barely use their phone, Ultra Mobile’s PayGo plan is the absolute cheapest option right now. At just $3 per month plus fees, it includes 100 minutes, 100 texts and 100 MB of data, with extra usage costing only a few cents per minute, per text or per MB. It’s ideal for anyone who mainly needs a phone for emergencies, and it also runs on T-Mobile’s reliable network.
Donations are coming in daily, and we need your help sorting, stocking, and organizing. No retail experience is necessary, just a willingness to have fun!
Construction Site
Our homes are built by volunteers of all skill levels. Build sites are welcoming, judgment-free places to learn, with all training, tools, and safety equipment provided!
When you volunteer at Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, you are giving us more than just your time. You’re supporting our mission to build affordable, energy-efficient housing in Northwest Vermont.
Tello is another flexible option, with plans starting at $8 per month for 300 minutes, unlimited texts and 2 GB of data. You can easily add more minutes or data in small, inexpensive increments, making it ideal for seniors who want control over their costs.
Finally, US Mobile offers a plan starting at $10 per month (paid annually) for unlimited talk and text plus 4 GB of data. Simple, affordable and straightforward, it’s a solid choice for seniors who want coverage without extra bells and whistles.
LIFELINE PROGRAM
If your budget is especially tight, be sure to check into the federal Lifeline Assistance Program. Lifeline provides a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service.
You may qualify if you receive benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), Supplemental
Scan the QR code to learn more, or contact volunteer@vermonthabitat.org
Security Income (SSI), public housing assistance, or Veterans Pension. You may also qualify based on income alone if your household income is below 135 percent of the federal poverty level — currently $21,546 for one person or $29,214 for two.
To learn more or apply, visit lifelinesupport.org. If approved, you can choose from participating providers in your area, and in some cases even apply the discount to service you already have, if your provider participates.
Before switching plans, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the new carrier’s network. A quick compatibility check on the provider’s website can help ensure a smooth transition and keep your savings on track.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.
• In 1940, Germany launched Operation Weserubung, invading Norway and Denmark.
• In 1959, NASA announced the selection of the first astronauts, whom the media dubbed the “Mercury Seven.”
• In 2003, Iraqis celebrating the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime destroyed a 20-foot statue of Hussein in Baghdad’s Firdos Square.
TODAY’S FACT:
• The “Mercury Seven” were Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard and Donald “Deke” Slayton.
Hours:
• Monday and Wednesday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Visit www.damlvt.org to register for programs. Call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.
STORYTIME
Tuesdays, April 14 and 21, 10:30-11 a.m. Drop in for stories, songs and fun.
BABY TIME
Wednesday, April 15, 10:30-11 a.m. Suggested ages
0-18 months. Enjoy gentle literacy, bonding and socializing activities.
AFTER SCHOOL CRAFT
Wednesday, April 15, 2-3 p.m.
Beaded plants. Create a decorative beaded plant for your home.
MUSIC AND PLAYTIME
Thursdays, April 16 and 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Drop in for music, and stay to play.
PRINCESS STORYTIME
Saturday, April 18, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend off with Cindy’s Storytime.
MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS
READ TO A DOG (LOLA)
Thursday, April 16, 3-4 p.m.
Call to sign up for a 10-minute session to read to (or hang out with) Lola the therapy dog.
ADULT PROGRAMS
For online programs or to join a book club, email daml@damlvt.org.
TEA CLUB: ASSAM TEA
Stop by for a free sample, while
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
Puzzle found on page 13
SUDOKU SOLUTION
Puzzle found on page 13
supplies last.
PUZZLE SWAP TABLE
Bring in your gently used puzzles (300-1,000 pieces).
ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
Friday, April 10 and 17, 1212:30 p.m. Join our guided meditation to relax and re-center.
MAH-JONGG
Friday, April 10 and 17, 1-3 p.m. All skill levels welcome.
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Saturday, April 11, 10:4511:45 a.m. All abilities welcome.
SPRING TEA AND BOOK EXCHANGE
Saturday, April 11, 12-1 p.m.
Bring a beautifully wrapped book that you would like to pass on and wear your weekend best as we sip a selection of teas and nibble on treats. We’re breaking out the fine china teapots for this!
COOK THE BOOK
Wednesday, April 15, 12-1 p.m. “Family Thai and Perfectly Golden.”
SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)
Wednesday, April 15, 5-6 p.m. All skill levels welcome.
ADULT CRAFTEREVENING — BEADED BRACELETS
Wednesday, April 15, 6-7 p.m.
Make some spring bling. This craft requires a higher degree of manual dexterity. We will be working with small beads.
Q&A — VILLAGE VIBRANCY LIBRARY PROJECT
Saturday, April 18, 12-1 p.m. Town officials and volunteers will be available to answer questions about the Village Vibrancy Library Project and the reconsideration vote process. You can also learn more at www.WillistonLibraryProject.org.
BOOK CLUB BUFFET (ONLINE)
Tuesday, April 21, 12:301:30 p.m. “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters.
CURRENT EVENTS (HYBRID)
Wednesday, April 22, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop in to discuss a variety of topics with community members.
CLASSIFIEDS
LEGAL
Town of St. George, VT Request for Proposals (RFP) –Engineering Services Issue Date: April 6, 2026
Responses Due: Wednesday April 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
Project Description – The Town of St. George (“Town”) is seeking highway engineering, project permitting, right of way, utility, and 90% design services (“shovel ready”) for four cross culvert locations on Willow Brook Lane. In addition, the Town will be considering longterm on-call arrangement for engineering support during and after the four sites are designed. The four designs are funded by a VT Agency of Transportation town highway structures grant #BC2287.
List of Projects – 90% design to be completed (or site classified as replace same) by December 31, 2026 per VTrans Grant Conditions #BC2287:
• WB #2 – Willow Brook Lane Culvert 36-inch – H&H and 90% Design
• WB #6 – Willow Brook Lane Culvert 3-ft x 5-ft squash – Confirm size, reset inlet
• WB #7 – Willow Brook Lane Culvert 4-foot – H&H and 90% Design
The contact for this project is:
Scott Brooks, Road Commissioner 21 Barber Road, St. George, VT 05495 Phone (802) 482-5272
Email: roads@StGeorgevt.com For the full RFP go to stgeorgevt.com
LEGAL
TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – 7:00 PM
Town Hall Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Webinar
Joanie A. Maclay
Joanie A. Maclay, 87, died March 22, 2026 at home.
Joanie was born on Dec. 11, 1938 in Rutland, the daughter of Parke H. Austin and Harriet E. Lyons.
ID 813 6162 7981 on www.zoom.us/join
DP 21-19.3 GPA, LLC c/o Nicholas Smith requests discretionary permit review to amend the architectural design and adjust the retaining wall grades at 19 Clif’s Court in the IZDW.
DP 10-03.1 Christ Memorial Church, Greg Burton requests discretionary permit to realign the western parking lot to the new curb cut along Route 2A in the RZD.
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: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org
LEGAL
TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – 7:00 PM
Town Hall Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Webinar ID 813 6162 7981 on www.zoom.us/join
DP 26-09 The Charlotte Isham Marcotte Rev. Trust and Andre & Susan Parent request a discretionary permit to transfer 4.96 acres from a vacant 204-acre parcel to 73 Caboose Lane in the ARZD.
DP 21-18.3 Snyder Properties, LLC request a discretionary permit for the addition of a community building and swimming pool at 259 Alpine Drive in MRZD.
DP 26-02.1 Blair Knowles and Matt Parisi request pre-application of a 3-unit development at 7997 Williston Road in the VZD. The existing structure will remain 1 dwelling unit and a commercial office. 2 new dwellings constructed in the rear of the lot. Continuation of March 24 DRB Hearing.
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: 802-878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt.org
Joanie worked for veterinary offices in both Connecticut and Vermont before being hired as a Laboratory Technician at the State of Vermont’s Health Department Laboratory. She held this position for 25 years. She was an active member of the Vermont State Employees’ Association and served as President of the Retirees Chapter after retiring.
She had a life-long passion for horses (especially the Morgan horse) and generously shared this passion with her niece. Joanie was a member of the Vermont Morgan Horse Association and served as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Champlain Valley Fair. An avid reader, bargain hunter, and recipe collector, Joanie was a proud Vermonter and a one-of-a-kind character. Her family, friends, and coworkers will miss her kindness, thoughtfulness, and sense of humor.
Joanie is survived by her niece Kimberly L. Cook, Kim’s husband Douglas P. Cook (of South Strafford, VT), and their family.
The family will honor the life of Joanie privately and will not be holding a public service or gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Vermont Morgan Horse Association, Treasurer: Barbara Estey, 1641 Spoonerville Road, Chester, VT 051433.
Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home of Essex Jct. is in charge of the arrangements. Online guestbook is at https://www. vtfuneralhomes.com/about/ corbin-and-palmer-funeral-home.
LAND MAINTENANCE
Forestry Mulching Services for private and commercial projects
