ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage
PAID
Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
RECIPE INSIDE! MAY 19, 2022
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
Housing growth on pace to overwhelm Allen Brook School
rate ramifications are going to be if we get to the point where we have to put additions on our Increased student enrollment schools,” board member Josilyn from new home construction over Adams said. the next five years will overwhelm Including Williston Central capacity at Allen Brook School, School, the town’s K-8 system will likely requiring an addition to see an increase of 152 students by Williston’s K-2 building. 2031, according to the study. By That is the conclusion of a de- contrast, in the previous 10 years, mographic study the Champlain enrollment declined by 110 stuValley School District commis- dents. sioned in March. The results were The birth rate in Williston delivered Tuesday to the Cham- has been steady over the past ten plain Valley School Board. years, with new births averaging Study author Richard Grip about 77 a year. The study does not projects that total enrollment in predict an increase in births. Raththe five-town district will increase er, the increased student populaby about 400 students over the tion will come from new housing next 10 years, reversing a trend of construction and people moving decreased enrollto Williston ment from the with school‘The appeal of a previous 10 years aged children. (there are 120 “ Y o u good school district fewer students in have a lot of draws families into the district this inward miyear than in 2012 gration, parthe community.’ — a 3 percent ticularly of Richard Grip decline.) parents movStatistical Forecasting LLC Allen Brook ing in with School (ABS) is their kids just already at capacbefore kinity, according to d e r g a r t e n ,” district Chief Operations Officer Grip said. “This … is typical in Jeanne Jensen. The district has school districts with excellent hired an architect who is studying reputations, because the appeal of how to add learning space there. a good school district draws famiThe results of the demographic lies into the community.” study add urgency to that work. School board member Erin Williston is projected to add Brady welcomes the increased roughly 55 ABS students in the student population and said exnext five years. panding schools is a good chal“We already have a problem lenge to have. in that building,” Jensen said. “To me, this is really exciting “There’s no way it’s going to take and hopeful information,” Brady another (55) kids.” said. The student population is foreNew housing projections casted to stabilize after five years. were based on projects that are Grip has more confidence in his both approved and under confive-year projection than the full sideration with the Development decade because, within five years, Review Board. In Williston, the the study can rely on actual birth study predicts 753 new homes in counts to project incoming ele- the next 10 years, taking into acmentary school students. count new neighborhoods at the Jensen said any addition to Catamount Golf Club, the former ABS would require not just new Essex Alliance Church property classroom space, but also ex- (now Snyder Homes), Cottonpanded student support services, wood Crossing, Trinity Baptist and that taxpayers should expect Church and the low-income and school construction funding re- transitional housing project at the quests on the horizon. former Marriot hotel in Taft Cor“We should make sure the see ABS page 9 town understands what the tax BY JASON STARR Observer staff
OBSERVER PHOTO BY SUSAN COTE
May flowers Adams Apple Orchard marks its 50th year in 2022 and the trees appear to be celebrating by adorning themselves in clouds of blossoms under the dramatic storm clouds gathering above them on Monday. What started as an orchard of 20 trees in 1972 now includes vast rows of trees numbering 900. Apple blossoms bring the promise of a bountiful crop come fall.
OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
OBSERVER PHOTO BY SUSAN COTE
The Adams bring in bees each year to assist with their pollination.
OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY