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Lake Iroquois declared weed-free

The waters of Lake Iroquois are as clear as they’ve been in decades, according to longtime lakefront homeowner Chris Conant.

Swimmers and boaters return after successful invasive treatment BY JASON STARR Observer staff

For the first time in several summers, there will be no mitigation measures used this season to deal with invasive Eurasian milfoil on Lake Iroquois. That is a testament to the effectiveness of last June’s herbicide application, which appears to have all-but eradicated the problem.

“We had amazing results,” said Chris Conant of the Lake Iroquois Association, which applied to the Vermont Department of Health for a permit to use the herbicide Procellacor. The public beach on the Williston side of the lake now offers unfettered boating and swimming access. In the recent years, the weed overgrowth and noxious smell deterred many visitors. “Some people would get to the beach, pay the fee, then leave because the smell was so bad,” Conant recalled.

According to Lake Iroquois Recreation District Beach Manager Jim Johnson, season pass and day pass sales for the beach are on the upswing. The milfoil eradication is one factor in that, along with fair weather. “The lake looks better and I think that has an effect as people drive by on Oak Hill Road,” he said. Conant agrees “We’ve seen a large increase of paddleboarders, kayakers and canoeers who could not navigate through the weeds in the past five years,” he said. “I’ve had a couple

dozen people in boats come up to my dock and thank us for the work we’ve done to clean up the lake and make it more user-friendly.” The permit application drew staunch opposition from those opposed to chemical measures, but Conant said the Procellacor has had no lingering side-effects. About 20 gallons were used on 40 percent of the lake’s total 247 acres. “It’s widely used throughout the country with great success, specifically targeting milfoil,” Conant said. “The health department has signed off on it, and we

feel it is a very effective and safe product to use.” The permit allows for reapplication over the next four seasons if milfoil returns. The district will conduct a plant survey in the fall to determine if milfoil is re-establishing and whether another application of herbicide will be called for next spring. Diver-assisted removal, which has been employed in the past, is another option for the future. “At this point we are going to sit tight,” Conant said. “We aren’t sure how quickly it will re-establish itself.”

Candidates for county prosecutor debate criminal justice

residents Sarah George and Ted Kenney for the Democratic nomination for Chittenden County State’s Attorney is largely about that idea — what in criminal justice parlance is known as prosecutorial discretion. While George’s efforts to bend the system toward a more restorative and equitable one over her five years as the county’s lead prosecutor has been praised by racial justice and criminal justice

reform advocates, it has also frustrated some in law enforcement and the business community who claim her approach has led to increased crime. Last Wednesday, regional business groups got together to host the only debate between the two candidates ahead of the Aug. 9 party primary election. The winner of the Democratic primary could face a challenger from see CANDIDATES page 24

Weighing compassion and consequences

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Sarah George, left, campaigns at the Isham Farmers’ Market in Williston on Tuesday. Ted Kenney, right, helps out at Green Up Day in May. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

The law is the law, but the state’s attorney holds a lot of sway over which laws are enforced and to what extent. The contest between Williston

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CORRECTIONS • In a photo caption in the June 30 edition of the Observer, a mobile coffee business, far left, was incorrectly named the Coffee Car. The correct name is The Coffee Bus. • A story in last week’s Observer headlined “Parade packs the village,” misspelled the name of the driver of the grand marshal car. The driver’s name is Prineet Amin. • Last week’s Observer mistakenly recognized Crosspoint Church as the parade winner in the Organization/Church category. The winner was the Williston Community Food Shelf, left.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS - JUNE 2022 • Sara Mandeville-Houle bought a condominium on Shirley Circle from Casey Leach for $250,000. • Eric Koepp bought a home on Brennan Woods Drive from John Read for $689,000. • Michael Magliochetti bought a home on North Brownell Road from Chelsea Zwick for $422,000. • Mary McMullen bought a condominium on Old Creamery Road from Shawn Forbis for $345,000. • William Holmes bought a condominium on Cedar Lane from David Dauria for $305,000. • Kearby Shields bought a home on Kirby Lane from Jeffrey Soren for $542,750. • Natasha Anand bought a con-

dominium on Zephyr Road from Jeffrey Ferland for $530,000. • Keith Guglielmi bought a condominium on Ian Place from the Denyse Guariglia Revocable Trust for $650,000. • David Balchunas bought a home on Hillsdale Drive from Phillip Sorrentino for $487,000. • YRC Inc. bought 6 acres of commercial property on Krupp Drive from A Duie Pyle, Inc. for $1.2 million. • Tucker Austin bought a home on Porterwood Drive from Timothy Austin for $165,000. • Thomas Ferris bought a home on Terrace Drive from Jay Spitzen for $920,000. • Phillip Sorrentino bought a home on Wildflower Circle from Kelly Pashby for $630,000.

• Maureen Lemieux bought a home on Honeysuckle Lane from Lisa Marie Rounds for $540,000. • Dennis Viloria bought a condominium on Bittersweet Circle from Cheryl Fischman for $425,000. • Lisa Buch bought a home on Sunrise Drive from Lori Gross for $530,000. • Edwin Goncharuk bought a home on Isham Circle from Dana Pontbriand for $605,000. • Timothy Iacono bought a home on Ledgewood Drive from Sarah Corry for $850,000. • Filipi Wiederkehr bought a home on Mountain View Road from the John J. Lentine Revocable Trust for $470,000. • Maureen Leahy bought a con-

dominium on Kettlepond Lane from Ronald Montalbano for $426,000. • Patricia Larose-Kent bought a mobile home on Stonehill Road from Ann Messier for $177,500. • Hisham Zafari bought a condominium on Eastview Circle from Marin Sarban for $335,000. • 50 Chad Lane LLC bought commercial property on Chad Lane from Paul Carlson for $640,000. • Marin Sarban bought a home on Isham Circle from Michael Sturgis for $725,000. • Brian Ulmer bought a home on O’Brien Court from Nicholas Adams for $563,500. • Cheryl Hawkinson bought a condominium on Zephyr Road from Robert McMahan for $470,000.

• Darlene Ann Ashley bought a condominium on Eastview Circle from Matthew Cottrell for $330,000. • Steven Fox bought a home on 10 acres on Ridge Road from Matthew Yu for $640,000. • Ross Richard Williams bought a home on 2 acres on Jasmine Lane from Bryana Miaanes for $1.08 million. • Phillip Elkodsi bought a condominium on Northview Court from Mary Beth Carroll for $295,000. • Corey Walker bought a condominium on Southview Lane from Graham Tidman for $335,000. • Galaxy HG Burlington LLC bought a hotel on Hurricane Lane from HPT IHG-2 Properties Trust for $5.25 million.

Property Transfers sponsored by Polli Properties.

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Lots of smiles at ‘Annie’

TOP DOWN, left to right: Actors with the Very Merry Theatre perform the musical number ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile’ as part of the production of ‘Annie’ at the Dorothy Alling Library on Tuesday afternoon. The cast takes its final bow. ‘Miss Hannigan,’ head mistress of the orphanage, has a moment with ‘Annie(1),’ her most troublesome ward. ‘Oliver Warbucks’ (far left) comes home to meet ‘Annie (2)’ in red. One of the Very Merry Theatre’s traveling set pieces. ‘Annie (1)’ and understudy perform the signature song “Tomorrow.” OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

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The new Amtrak platform along the waterfront in Burlington, shown here on Thursday, June 16. PHOTO BY SHAUN ROBINSON/VTDIGGER

Getting your COVID-19 booster is a simple and effective way of protecting you and your loved ones from COVID.

Burlington-to-NYC Amtrak ready to roll Tickets are now available for the new Ethan Allen Express train that will run daily service between Burlington and New York City. The inaugural ride will depart at 10:10 a.m. on July 29 from Burlington’s refurbished Union Station. The train will arrive daily in New York City at 5:45 p.m. The northbound train will depart New York City at 2:21 p.m. and arrive in Burlington at 9:55 p.m. The train will offer free wifi

and the option to take a bike (with a reservation and a $20 fee). Tickets are available at www.amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. “Passengers who want to … travel to New York City can now do so sustainably, without traveling in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and while taking in some of the best views in the country,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said. The Vermont Agency of Transportation committed about $115

million in state and federal resources to launch the service. “All of us here in Vermont are grateful for the support of our federal Department of Transportation partners, our Congressional delegation, state legislators and countless rail advocates to bring this service to fruition,” said Gov. Phil Scott. “We are very proud of the collaborative efforts and widespread support to deliver passenger train service from Vermont’s largest city to New York City.”

GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! If you’re older, a booster vaccine can mean the difference between a mild or severe COVID infection. Learn more about the COVID booster and why it’s important to be vaccinated.

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Nurses, UVM Medical Center reach contract agreement The UVM Medical Center nurses union has ratified a two-year contract with the state’s largest hospital. In addition to base wage increases totaling 20 percent over 20 months, the new contract includes ratification and retention bonuses as well as increased on-call pay and differential pay. A mediator provided by the Federal Mediation and Concilia-

tion Service assisted in moving the talks forward between the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals and the UVM Health Network. “We are proud of this contract, and worked really hard to make it meaningful for our nursing staff,” said Peg Gagne, chief nursing officer at UVM Medical Center. “Nurses are essential to patient care and

they really have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic and the current health care challenges. This contract will continue to move us toward our shared goals of improving recruitment and retention, and bringing stability to our nursing workforce.” The new contract goes into effect as the UVM Health Network, along with all hospitals in Vermont

and others across the country, face expense inflation related mainly to the cost of temporary labor and wage increases to support the fulltime workforce, as well as equipment and supplies. “This is a difficult time for our organization financially, but we must continue to invest in all of our employees as they are our strength,” said Stephen Leffler, president and

chief operating officer of the UVM Medical Center. “We are pleased to get this contract signed and will continue working together to provide the highest quality care to our patients and community. We hope the Green Mountain Care Board, as well as our state and federal leaders, will support our efforts to stabilize our finances and chart a sustainable path for the future.”

Staffing problems cause hospital to seek nontraditional employees BY AUDITI GUHA VTDigger As staffing problems persist, the University of Vermont Health Network has inked a deal with a staffing agency that helps place workers facing systemic barriers. Working Fields, a staffing agency based out of South Burlington, helps people in recovery, those convicted of felonies and other disadvantaged job-seekers the opportunity to return to the workforce while providing them with peer support. The contract relates to the health network’s environmental services team, which involves highly skilled positions overseeing infection control and the cleaning of medical equipment, patient rooms and other areas within health care facilities. It’s being piloted with 15 positions at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, the health network said. There are currently 35 such

openings across the health network’s affiliates. Daryn Forgeron, the marketing director at Working Fields, said the company was founded in 2017 “in response to our founder’s lived experience with recovery and incarceration where he really saw how essential employment is to personal wellbeing and how much it can be a systemic barrier to health and to a fulfilling life.” Even when a client secures a job, they can face hurdles such as transportation or child care, so the agency tries to address those gaps and provide clients a helping hand to get back on track, Forgeron said. At a time when Vermont is facing serious spikes in drug and alcohol abuse especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, Working Fields’ mission aligns with what health systems aim to do, said Robert Patterson, vice president of human resources and clinical oper-

ations at Central Vermont Medical Center.

The entrance to Central Vermont Medical Center. VTDIGGER FILE PHOTO

“Our primary purpose is taking care of patients but we also help the community,” he said. “This contract by itself will not really change how we’re going to staff our hospitals but

it can contribute … And it will help really make a difference in people’s lives.” Slated as a pilot project, the health network will pay Working Fields per temporary employee with the hope that they can transition to permanent positions. “We’re just finalizing a few things right now but we’re very excited to try it. I think it will help us from a labor perspective as well,” Patterson said. Working Fields will provide a candidate to interview for a position and if hired, will cover expenses such as their pay, insurance and liability, while providing them with peer support to help them succeed. After six months, if it’s a good fit, the person could transition to a permanent position at the hospital. Forgeron said Working Fields has already recommended a candidate for an environmental technician role who was once a patient at

CVMC and feels the position would be “very fulfilling.” The health network sees possibilities of expanding the program into other areas that also have shortages such as transportation, nutrition services and couriers, according to Mackin. The model could be “one of the rare win-wins that happen where we’re able to support our community and folks who are in recovery to find gainful employment. At the same time, it really helps the employer as well,” Patterson said. Founded on the belief that individuals who have made mistakes but have accepted responsibility and entered recovery deserve a second chance, Working Fields has several established partnerships with employers across Vermont and New Hampshire including Rhino Foods, Darn Tough, Lake Champlain Chocolates and American Meadows.

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GUEST COLUMN

Williston

Williston’s Community Newspaper Since 1985

www.willistonobserver.com P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499 PUBLISHER Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com 802-489-5499

TO ADVERTISE Submission deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. for next Thursday issue. rick@willistonobserver.com

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SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS Send to editor@willistonobserver.com • Deadline is Monday at noon • News/story tips welcomed • Letters must be 300 words or fewer • Include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author. Phone numbers and street addresses will be kept confidential • Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity • Letters that have been submitted to multiple media outlets may not be printed CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Send to editor@willistonobserver.com Must include • Name of event and organization • Date, time and place of event • Contact information We print submissions for nonprofit groups and organizations only.

The Williston Observer reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions or advertising. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the paper.

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The Williston Observer is mailed to every home and business in Williston and St. George every Thursday. In addition, we provide rack distribution to locations in Williston, Richmond and Essex. Williston Belle’s Café Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Fairfield Inn Gardener’s Supply Green Mountain Bagel Hannaford Healthy Living Williston Home2Suites Korner Kwik Stop Marriott Courtyard Men At Wok People’s United Bank Ramunto’s Rehab Gym Shaw’s Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Simon’s Mobil Williston Simply Divine Café Sonesta Sunoco Station Town of Williston Offices UPS Store Williston Coffee Shop If you would like copies for your location call Rick Cote at (802) 373-2136 or email Rick@WillistonObserver.com

Essex Junction Essex Automotive Five Corner Variety Hannaford (at Essex Shoppes) Inn at Essex Mac’s Market Martone’s Deli Price Chopper Quality Bake Shop River Road Beverage Richmond Cumberland Farms Richmond Free Library Richmond Market Richmond Mobil Mart

This is our moment to lead BY ROXANNE VOUGHT For those of us who envision — and strive each day toward — a just, thriving and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet, the final week of June 2022 was devastating. On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, eliminating a federal constitutional right and body autonomy simultaneously. On June 30, the Court limited the EPA’s ability to reduce climate pollution from power plants, severely damaging our ability to tackle our escalating climate crisis. Either one of these callous decisions alone is enough to crush one’s resolve. But the quick succession of these nationwide gut punches landed unexpectedly hard, even for long-time, savvy and scarred justice advocates. I know I am not the only American who spent this recent Fourth of July weekend wondering “What aspect of independence, what form of liberty will be next?” But as a Vermonter and as the executive director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, I had parallel thoughts that bore a different weight. As our member businesses have long understood, while we are steadfastly focused on prioritizing our employees, our communities and our environment, we only do so in the broader, no-borders context of “people, planet and prosperity.” We know that our

actions have a positive impact beyond our state lines. We recognize — and embrace — our capacity to show leadership outside Vermont. At this moment, we must frame our unique capacity for values-led leadership not just as an opportunity, but as an obligation. We have a duty to inspire. We must be a brave little state because, as public health and human rights are trampled here and elsewhere, others are studying our example as they perhaps never have before. If we want things to improve nationally, it is our job to show them how it is

We must frame our unique capacity for values-led leadership not just as an opportunity, but as an obligation. We have a duty to inspire. done locally, by citizens, by communities, by businesses, by legislators — all acting in good faith for the common good. We can start by doing our part as voters, influencers and advocates to enshrine reproductive rights in Vermont’s constitution this fall. Proposal 5, a proposed amendment, will be on the November general election ballot and can make this happen. As Gov. Scott’s office made clear last week, “Vermont is regarded as having one of the most diffi-

cult constitutional amendment processes in the nation.” In other words, if we can make it happen here, surely other states can find a way. But there’s much to do before we vote this fall. As our partners at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England know, the consequences of denying people their right to abortion will be devastating. The Supreme Court decision hurts all genders, incomes and backgrounds, including workers, businesses and the economy. We must also work to de-carbonize Vermont’s economy, moving toward a more affordable, reliable clean energy future. In keeping with the Vermont Climate Council’s first Climate Action Plan, the Public Service Department is, as of July 5, revisiting many of our state’s most crucial clean energy policies and programs, including our long-outdated Renewable Energy Standard. By contributing to the new Request for Input by Aug. 5, we can put Vermont on track to power our state with entirely clean electricity faster than any other state in the country. We can institute a 100 percent Renewable Energy Standard by 2030 and double the requirement to 20 percent local renewable energy. This change would not only help Vermont meet our emissions reductions requirements but create good-paying jobs, ensuring that the communities, economy and grid infrastructure of the Green Mountain State are more resilient to the impacts of climate change. The keynote address during our Annual Conference this spring was billed as centering on “hope.” After two years of pandemic anxiety, racial reckoning, visible climate change and political upheaval, we needed to have our aspirations revived. Dr. Carolyn Finney took the stage and shared deeply personal stories about growing up black, about socio-economic friction, professional setbacks, family traumas and more. She was in no rush to help anyone feel “hopeful.” But there was a method in her sometimes-unsettling recollections: By sharing her most difficult narratives, she made it clear that the personal is the communal, and the most difficult and frustrating moments in our lives have the potential to, ultimately, be the most hopeful. Her conclusion was both inspiring and pragmatic. Hope only happens when we’re vulnerable and invested with others in the toughest of fights. To paraphrase the end of her see VOUGHT page 7

July 14, 2022 •

Vermont State earns accreditation as merger moves forward

Several of the church’s founding members were in attendance at the event. Festivities included a celebration service, creemees, a mini-golf course, an inflatable obstacle course and a variety of other outdoor games. It ended with a catered meal. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Vermont Beer Festival returns

The Vermont Brewers Festival will return this month to Waterfront Park in Burlington after a three-year hiatus. The festival will run from July 21-23. Thirty-seven breweries and 270 different beers are expected at the event, organized by the Richmond-based Vermont

Brewers Association. Attendees can sample the beer variety, listen to live music, play lawn games and enjoy food and gifts from local vendors. Tickets are $47 advanced and $50 at the door. Visit www. vtbrewfest.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Vought

thing, but we are worth it. We Vermonters know a thing or two about dark days and getting stuck, and about lighting the way and helping each other out of the muck. Let’s do our part in showing our nation there are ways to get unstuck and reasons to be hopeful.

continued from page

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pe 1 rat ed Since

Roxanne Vought is executive director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. She lives in Weybridge.

The Dog Days of Summer

Fa mily

keynote: Hope comes when everybody gets involved. We are all here playing the long game and we don’t know who is going to show up with us or how they are going to show up. Therefore, we don’t yet know what will become possible, even in the moments of deepest darkness. Systemic change is lifelong work. You are taking a risk in order to gain something. You are leaning into the actual practice of something. And it will cost you some-

Starting this week, the Williston Police Department will be contracting with the Essex Police Department for supplemental dispatching services. The change in dispatch service will not impact police services or response times, the department said. The public can reach a dispatcher by calling the department’s main line at (802) 878-6611 or calling 911 in an emergency.

The church moved to Williston after its founding in 1972 at Chamberlin School in Burlington. Its first home in Williston was on Route 2A, but it moved to its current campus on Mountain View Road in 1987. There the church campus includes the Little Lambs Preschool and Trinity Baptist School.

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The Trinity Baptist Church community gathered July 2 at the church’s Mountain View Road campus to celebrate the church’s 50-year anniversary.

improvements for our students. “This approval places high confidence in the trajectory of our unification work and the launch of Vermont State University.” Trustees recently hired Parwinder Grewal as VSU’s first president. “Achieving our accreditation is a tremendous accomplishment,” Grewal said. “In the coming months, we will open applications for our inaugural class of Vermont State University, creating opportunities for Vermonters to further their learning in an environment that meets them where they are and holds student success as a core value.” More information is available at www.vermontstate.edu.

•

Essex police to provide Williston dispatch

Trinity Baptist Church celebrates 50 years

Vermont State University — the newly combined college incorporating Vermont Technical College, Northern Vermont University and Castleton University — has received accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education. The combined university will have campuses in Castleton, Johnson, Randolph and Williston. “Achieving accreditation for Vermont State University is monumental,” said Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees chair Lynn Dickinson. “Accreditation … recognizes our strategic planning work, holds us accountable for maintaining high educational standards and ensures we make continuous quality

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July 14, 2022

PaddleSurf Can zoning updates ease housing crunch? Champlain BY ETHAN WEINSTEIN VTDigger

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Amid the hundreds of millions of dollars Vermont is investing to address the state’s housing crisis, a tiny sliver — half a million — will fund zoning bylaw modernization. Although planning experts say zoning updates are no silver bullet, changing a few paragraphs of local bylaws can help streamline desirable development. And as towns simplify their regulations around construction, builders — wary of drawn-out appeals processes — might gain confidence that projects can stay on schedule, and on budget. According to Chris Cochran, director of community planning and revitalization at the Department of Housing and Community Development, zoning in many communities has remained the same since towns adopted boilerplate language in the 1960s and 1970s. “It came to our attention when (trying to do) the kind of stuff we want to do to support our downtowns and villages,” he said. “Say a historic building burns down. In many instances, it can be illegal to put it back, because it doesn’t meet the setback requirements. And it just doesn’t seem to make any sense.” Vermont’s bylaw moderniza-

Construction on a housing project in Colchester in May. FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

tion grant program is part of an ongoing effort to use zoning as a tool to create more homes. In 2019, the state launched its Zoning for Great Neighborhoods project. The initiative created a guide with simple suggestions to amend zoning requirements in ways that promote housing development while maintaining historic patterns of settlement. Yet in Vermont’s volunteer-run town governments, working through the weeds of zoning bylaws can prove a challenge. The modernization grants will help fund the implementation of new zoning recommendations, in many instances paying professional planners to assist local officials through the process.

“These zoning laws are important, but they’re very difficult to understand,” Cochran said. “There’s a lot of vested stakeholders, property owners who are happy with the way things are. Our homes are very valuable to us, and change can add value, or change can harm the value of your property.” PARKING CONSIDERATIONS

Parking requirements, such as two off-street spaces per dwelling, can force developers to use more land for parking, and less land for housing. Kevin Geiger, director of planning at Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, said parking can be one of the more straightforward zoning changes.

“We don’t need to be too creative about parking provisions,” he said. In a downtown area, where a day-use parking lot might abut housing — which typically requires night parking — towns can loosen parking requirements to take advantage of existing spaces, Geiger explained. Having received over $60,000 from the bylaw modernization program, Two-Rivers — led by Geiger — is proposing zoning updates for seven Vermont towns. He’s begun developing zoning language that can apply to any town — “Lego blocks,” he calls them — that municipalities can insert into their bylaws. “It’s not in any way glamorous. Nobody thinks the words zoning and glamor go together,” he said. In the southwestern corner of the state, Cat Bryars, director of planning at the Bennington County Regional Commission, has undertaken a project much like Geiger’s. While two offstreet parking spaces might make sense in a rural area, it’s often more than what’s needed downtown, she said. But while Bryars and other planners can make recommendations to towns, they can’t force them to adopt new bylaws. “We work for the towns,” Bryars said of regional planning see HOUSING page 9

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Housing continued from page

APPEALS

commissions. “We don’t tell our towns what to do. We say, ‘This is what you guys say that you want to do. Here’s some ideas about how to achieve that through your development regulations.’” Earlier this month, Bryars met with the town of Rupert’s planning commission to propose reducing the town’s two-parking-spot requirement in its village center. Ultimately, the commission decided not to pursue the change. “If Rupert in a few years decides that they have enough development pressure that they want to lower that parking requirement, we’re still going to be here. And we’re still happy to support them in pursuing it at that time,” Bryars said. LOT SIZE

“New England has the least developable land in the country,” said Mia Watson, research and communications coordinator at the Vermont Housing Finance Association, yet “we have the largest lot size requirements.” In essence, large lot sizes mean less housing square-footage per property. That ratio can drive up housing costs, forcing wouldbe buyers to buy more land — an expensive commodity — when buying a smaller home. Watson has studied New England’s unique lot-size requirements, and the detrimental effect they have on prices and development. Using census data, she wrote that the size of an average New England lot is more than twice the national average. As a result, land costs account for a larger portion of home prices — 26 percent in New England, compared to 17 percent in the U.S. as a whole. Reducing minimum lot sizes is one simple and effective way to reduce the cost of a house. Another is to view the problem as one of density rather than lot size. In rural areas, many towns want to minimize single-family homes by creating 5- or 10-acre lot requirements, said Geiger, the Two-Rivers planner. “They’re trying to spread the houses out. And you go, ‘Oh, yeah, let’s do that. But let’s not make people buy 10 acres; let’s enable them to buy 1 acre.’” By focusing on density, a farmer looking to downsize could sell one of 10 acres to a prospective homebuyer, and a town’s zoning rules could require only one house per 10 acres of land. A 1-acre plot is far more affordable, and the farmer gets to keep most of her or his land. “You end up with the same amount of houses out there for the same amount of land. You just don’t make people buy big lots,” Geiger said.

“Both the local and state review processes can add significant time. And in construction, time is money,” said Watson, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency researcher. Act 250 is Vermont’s most well-known development review process. The sweeping land-use law requires people who are building commercial and industrial projects in certain areas to obtain permits certifying that they’ve considered and mitigated the impacts of their work. That can lead to a lengthy judicial process, adding unexpected time — and costs — to construction. But Act 250 is far from the only review process that can block or delay the creation of housing. At the municipal level, permits lead to appeals, and zoning language creating “conditional uses” can open up a project to arduous review. According to Bryars, the Bennington County planner, if a use — say, apartment buildings— is permitted conditionally, it means a town wants to assess the use on a project-by-project basis. “Best planning practice is to limit discretionary review to provide clarity for developers, as well as the community, about what development they can reasonably expect to happen in a given area,” she said. Even changing the minimum units triggering conditional-use review from three to five can streamline development, removing an unknown from the construction process. ACCESSORY UNITS

Accessory dwelling units are an oft-mentioned means of assuaging Vermont’s housing crunch. They are a second dwelling unit on a house lot, such as an in-law apartment or a converted garage. State law requires towns to allow one accessory dwelling per home, so long as it conforms to certain requirements. Yet as a permitted process, accessory units face public scrutiny and the potential for appeal. “To me, the easiest way to avoid that is to not have a permit, because then you don’t have an appeal,” said Geiger, the Two-Rivers planning director. Geiger has suggested that accessory dwelling units inside existing structures could be excluded from a permitting process. If those accessory units don’t create a new bedroom, they have no new burden on the sewer and water systems. Sometimes, creating an accessory unit is as simple as installing a new door, Geiger said. “For many reasons, why do we want to run this through a permit process? Just, ‘you’re exempt from our zoning. Off you go. Have a nice one,’” he said.

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Historical society explores Black history in Burlington The Chittenden County Historical Society will hold its annual meeting, election of officers and board members, annual report hearing and award presentations on Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m at the Richard Kemp Center, 372 North Winooski Ave., in Burlington. Refreshments and a presentation entitled “The Pates and Kings of Archibald Street” presented by Elise Guyette, histo-

rian, and Rebekah Mortensen, educator and descendant, will follow. The presentation will discuss a new historic marker going up in Burlington’s Old North End to commemorate The Pates, Vermont’s longest running entry in the Green Book. That book (1936-1966) helped black motorists find places to stay, eat and gas up their cars, among other things,

during the pre-Civil Rights era. The presentation will cover the history of the Pates, and the Kings who ran the establishment on Archibald Street for many decades. Descendants of the family and a woman who worked for the establishment will be present for a question-and-answer period. Call (802) 985-3581 for more information.

Page 10 •

Williston Observer

• July 14, 2022

Good ‘ole times at the market with food, farmers and fun

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Williston Observer

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Page 11

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Florida F-35s join Vt. Guard for training

The Vermont Air National Guard will host a group of F-35 fighter jets from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida from July 12-28, the Guard announced Monday. The planes will be taking off and landing from Burlington International Airport between 9:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. during three stretches — July 13-15, July 18-22 and July 25-28. “We’re happy to accommodate our active duty counterparts from Florida,” said Col. Michael Blair, 158th Operations Group commander. “This is a great opportunity to demonstrate interoperability within the total force.” The guard invites the public to an open house of the air base on Sept. 11. Visit www.vtng22.com for more information.

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Biologist discovers native lady beetle, thought to be extinct in Vermont

Williston Observer

•

July 14, 2022

BY EMMA COTTON VTDigger When Julia Pupko pulled a little red bug out of her sweep net in late June, she doubted it was the two-spotted lady beetle. No one had seen the species in Vermont since 1996, and biologists feared it was extinct in the state. Upon closer inspection, she saw that she had, indeed, captured the tiny, elusive creature. What’s more, another wriggled beside it in her net. “I was really excited,” she said. “I ended up photographing them for so long that my phone died.” Pupko, an ECO AmeriCorps member and the community science outreach naturalist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, had been on a specific mission to find rare lady beetles when she ventured out that day. While the center has a team dedicated to chronicling various types of species all around the state, called the Vermont Atlas of Life, it has also endeavored to create a separate atlas specifically for lady beetles. More than 450 species of lady beetles — also commonly called ladybugs — exist across North America. In Vermont, 45 species have been identified, including 36 native species, but 12 have been missing from the state since the 1970s. Staff members wanted to know whether the species were truly gone from the state.

Julia Pupko with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies caught this two-spotted lady beetle on June 19. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIA PUPKO

Many lady beetles have beneficial niches in the ecosystem, eating aphids and other types of insects that can damage plants and crops when their

populations grow too large. The two-spotted lady beetle is one of those beneficial species. “This was one of those native species that was really, really

important in terms of agricultural pest management, in addition to it being really important for natural forested and edge habitat ecosystems,” Pupko said.

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While it was once one of the most common types of lady beetle, with a range that spanned the United States and Canada, it began to decline in the 1970s and 1980s, Pupko said, likely due to the introduction of several non-native lady beetle species. It’s currently listed as a species of greatest conservation need in New York, though it is not yet listed as threatened or endangered in Vermont. Because the species hadn’t been seen in decades, the center’s staff members decided to hunt for it, along with three other species. The two-spotted beetle had been identified in a backyard in Massachusetts last winter, and that proximity had given them a sense of its possible existence in Vermont. During the 2019 and 2020 field seasons, the staff at the center invited Vermonters to document any lady beetle species they could find. In the last year, the staff members narrowed their approach, dividing the state into 3-by-3-mile grid squares. Selecting a number of them, they asked citizen scientists to “adopt a plot” and attempt to identify the most elusive species. When she found the two-spotted lady beetles, Pupko was sampling in Mills Riverside Park in Jericho, sweeping her net across plants and wildflowers at the edge of a field. Moments later, she caught an esteemed sigil lady beetle, which has been seen only sparingly in Vermont. These aren’t the first rediscoveries to occur in Vermont this year — in late May, a Vermonter found nine federally threatened orchids, later confirmed by botanists at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Pupko said the presence of the rare species may indicate a healthy ecosystem — and hope for the resilience of biodiversity in Vermont. “There's so much doom and gloom surrounding climate change and ecosystem loss, biodiversity loss, etc., but native ecosystems are still so, so resilient,” Pupko said. “So many of these native species, even if they're not doing too hot, are still here. There is still time for us to support them by supporting native ecosystems and thinking about how we can collectively be in the right relationship with the land.” Anyone interested in participating in the lady beetle atlas project can visit the Vermont Center for Ecostudies website (https://val.vtecostudies.org/).

SPORTS

July 14, 2022 •

Williston Observer

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Page 13

Lake Monsters banging out one big hit after another

The Lake Monsters’ Connor Bowman, left, and Brian Schuab, right, both get a piece of the ball during Vermont’s Futures Collegiate Baseball League game vs. the Nashua Silver Knights on Wednesday evening at Centennial Field in Burlington.

Out in the field, Sean Matson, left, snags a swinging bunt, Sean Matson, right, throws one in as the starting pitcher and George Cooper, below, at second keeps his eye on a bouncer. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Page 14 •

Williston Observer

• July 14, 2022

Managing garden pests with pollinators in mind BY MELINDA MYERS Special to the Observer

Every garden season is filled with beautiful and tasty surprises, along with a few challenges. One challenge gardeners face each year is managing insect pests while keeping the pollinators safe. Fortunately, only a very small percent of insects in our landscapes are harmful. The rest help pollinate plants, feed upon or parasitize bad insects, or help decompose plant debris. Proper identification of the plant-damaging culprit is the first step in managing problems. Often the insect that is most visible is not the one causing the damage. You can find lots of helpful information and images online. Look for websites hosted by your local university, extension service or botanical garden. They often provide timely tips on pests in your area. Once identified, you will need to decide if control is needed. Some insect damage is just cosmetic, meaning the plant’s health and longevity are not adversely affected — it just looks bad. In these cases, control is done for us, not for the health of our plants. Consider tolerating the damage and masking it with nearby plantings or garden art. In other cases, the damage is done, and the insect is no longer present. Revenge spraying may make you feel better but does nothing to fix the problem. Make a note on next year’s calendar to watch for and manage the pest if you feel control is really needed. Finding pest problems early makes hand removal easier and

may be all that is needed. Often when we see the damage on our plants, control will not help. Many galls, unusual growths on plants, are caused by insect feeding. When we see the gall, the insect is either safely living inside the gall or it has fled to complete another stage of its life. At that point, control will not work and in most cases, this is a cosmetic issue and control is not needed. Work with nature to help manage pest problems. By tolerating some damage, you provide the food that attracts nature’s pest controllers to the garden. Watch

Revenge spraying may make you feel better but does nothing to fix the problem. for aphid eating lady beetles and green lacewings that eat hundreds of these pests each day. Invite songbirds to your landscape with seed and berry producing plants and a clean, fresh source of water. Ninety six percent of terrestrial birds feed their young insects. And then there are those non-stinging, parasitizing wasps that lay their eggs in other insects. When the eggs hatch, the young feed on the host. Avoid pesticides and provide water and shelter to attract and support insect eating toads and frogs. Enlist help from the youngsters in your life. Try the “pluck, drop and stomp” method. Teach young gardeners to identify problem in-

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sects, pick them off the plants by hand, drop them to the ground and stomp. What a great way to teach kids about nature and help them burn off some of their excess energy. Handpicking or knocking insects like Japanese beetles into a can of soapy water is a great way to manage small populations of pests. A fellow horticulturist uses a small hand vacuum to capture Japanese beetles. Just be sure to empty the insect-filled vacuum contents into a can of soapy water before storing. If you decide you need to lend nature a hand managing garden pests, look for more ecofriendly options. Barriers of floating row covers — fabrics that allow air, light and water through — can keep cabbage worms, onion maggots, Japanese beetles and some other insects from laying their eggs on their favorite plants. Cover the plants with the fabric at planting, anchor the edges and leave enough slack for plants to grow. No construction is needed. Covering squash plants at planting until flowering begins can help reduce the risk of squash bugs and squash vine borers. Covering cucumbers at planting until 10 days after flowering begins helps reduce the risk of cucumber beetles infecting these plants with the bacteria that causes wilt. The row covers also prevent birds from dining on the seeds and seedlings. Cover late plantings of susceptible plants as needed this season. Then make a note on next year’s calendar to enlist this method for controlling these types of pests for your first planting next year.

One ecofriendly way to manage small populations of Japanese beetles is to knock them into a can of soapy water. PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.MELINDAMYERS.COM

Enlist the help of the naturally occurring soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to protect plants from certain pests. Different strains of this bacteria control different insects. Bt kurstaki only kills true caterpillars. Using this on members of the cabbage family won’t harm other butterflies since these plants only attract the

cabbage worm moths. Bt galleriae will control Japanese and other beetles. Use a strong blast of water to dislodge mites and aphids. These pests suck plant juices and secrete a clear sticky substance called honeydew. Extensive feeding can cause distorted growth, speckling, yellowing and browning of the leaves. If more control is needed, look for help from one of the organic contact insecticides like Summit Year-Round Spray Oil, a lightweight horticulture oil. These products kill the insects they contact but leave no residue on the plants that can harm beneficial insects that visit the plants later. Whenever using any product, even natural and organic, be sure to read and follow label directions. This will ensure the best control and least negative impact on beneficial insects and the environment. Take a few notes on pests you encounter, any management strategies used and the results. This will help when encountering problems in the future. With minimal time and a bit of creativity, you can keep your garden looking good all season long. Melinda Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

July 14, 2022 •

Williston Observer

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Page 15

Golfers Wanted! Join us at:

Golfing4Life 2022 July 21, 2022 The Williston Recreation and Parks Department is located at the Annex Building at 7878 Williston Rd. For online program registration, visit www.willistonrec.org. For department information, email recreation@willistonvt.org or call 876-1160.

THANKS

Thank you to everyone who helped or participated in one or more of the Independence Day events this year. Thank you to all the town employees who setup and took down the different events. Thanks to the Police Department for directing traffic and keeping everyone safe, the Fire Department for being on call for emergencies and at the fireworks, and to those who participated in so many was to make this celebration a success. Thank you to the organizations that held an event this year. There was the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club’s 5K Race, The Williston Federated Church Ice Cream Social, the Town Band’s Concert, the Friends of the Library Book Sale, the Historical Society Stovepipe Corners Schoolhouse Open House and the Fire Department Open House. Also, thank you to all the vendors on the Village Green. A special thank you to Adams Fam Market for sponsoring the food trucks in the evening and to Crosspoint Church for sponsoring the activities after the parade and prior to the fireworks. Thank you to Holly Amin for the donation of a car for the Grand Marshal vehicle. Thank you also to the parade lineup organizers, the Lamb family. Thank you to the Johnson Family for use of their driveway and field for the parade lineup. And finally, thank you to anyone who we might have missed who took part or helped out, and to the community and our visitors for helping to make this celebration a fun and safe one. We hope to see everyone at next year’s celebration. FALL PROGRAMS

We are currently working on fall program offerings. A listing of them will be in the Williston Observer in mid-August. INSTRUCTORS WANTED

The Recreation Department is looking for Instructors to offer programming this fall to kids in pre-school through high school seniors. If you have a program that you are offering or would like to offer to the community, please email recreation@willistonvt.org. We would love to collaborate with you to bring your program offering to the community of Williston. A Program Proposal Form can be found at www.WillistonRec.org.

SOCCER PROGRAMS

Registration is now open for all programs for 3-5-year-olds and kindergarteners through fifth-graders. Register at www.willistonrec.org. There is an early registration discount before Aug. 28. Soccer Shorts — Ages 3-5. These programs teach the fundamentals of soccer using a fun and energetic curriculum that has been tailored to the age group. All sessions are held in a fun and positive environment, where

players are encouraged to learn and play with a parent and each other. This is a child/parent program — a parent or other adult is required to be on the field with their child. Saturdays, Sept. 10- Oct. 8. Mini’s (age 3), 9:45-10:30 a.m. Mights (age 4-5), 10:40-11:30 a.m. Instructors: Rec Department staff KinderRec Soccer — For children entering kindergarten this fall. Youngsters will be provided with the opportunity to learn, practice and develop their skills. Each Saturday will consist of a half-hour practice followed by a half-hour scrimmage. Volunteer coaches are needed. The program relies on parents and community members to volunteer their time to work with groups of children that are looking for a positive soccer experience. Please sign up to coach when you register your child. Saturdays, Sept. 3-October 8, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Instructors: Rec Department staff Youth Soccer — Grades 1-5. Youth Rec. Soccer is geared for those who want to learn, play and experience the game of soccer in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. More information is available at www.willistonrec.org. Programs are offered for grades 1-2 (coed) and 3-5 boys and girls teams. Volunteer coaches are needed. Please sign up to coach when you register your child. Starts Sept. 3 with practice one night per week and games on Saturdays.

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Page 16 •

Williston Observer

•

July 14, 2022

release dates: July 16-22, 2022

29 (22)

Next Week: Seashells

Founded by Betty Debnam

Tasty Watermelons

Varieties

Mini Fact: A typical watermelon is made up of 92% water.

photo by Harsha K R

As the days get warmer, people often seek ways to stay cool. One thing many people enjoy during the hot summer months is a juicy slice of watermelon. The Mini Page takes a look at watermelons this week.

Fruit or vegetable?

History

Nearly 5,000 years ago in Africa, an ancestor plant of the watermelon was of great importance to the people in this hot, dry environment. People in the area of the Kalahari Desert depended on the plant to store water. This desert region is extremely dry, and water can be hard to find, so people who live there take great care to store it. While scientists don’t know exactly what

Watermelons are most often enjoyed during the summertime because they grow best in hot conditions. People eat watermelons in many ways, but here are a few ideas you might haven’t thought about. Some people add lime juice, salt, chile pepper flakes or even black pepper to their slices. As a main dish, some people add watermelon to fresh salads or even to sandwiches in place of a tomato slice.

photo by Marco Verch

Ways to enjoy photo by John Munt

People have debated for a long time whether watermelons are fruits or vegetables, and botanically (buh-TAN-ic-ly) speaking, they’re a fruit. Botanically means “relating to plants.” Watermelons form from flowers that are pollinated by bees, and melons contain seeds, so that’s what makes them a fruit.

the ancestor plant was, we do know that it had bitter flesh and that people would roast it and eat its seeds for nutrition. Romans and Greeks used watermelon for its medicinal value. If a child got heatstroke, physicians placed a wet, cool rind on the child’s forehead in order to lower their body temperature. Watermelon was popular in India as far back at the 7th century. And by the 1600s, watermelons were grown in much of the warmer parts of Europe. Watermelons showed up in America around 1570, when they found a new home in Florida.

If you ever visit a garden with watermelons growing, you might notice how they grow on a vine. Some might be small and others large, depending on their type, age and health. The heaviest watermelon was recorded in 2013. It weighed in at a whopping 350.5 pounds! Weight can depend on the varieties, or types, of watermelons. Since these tasty treats are grown all over the world, there are many types suited to grow best in a particular area. There are more than 50 varieties. However, watermelons are often grouped into four general types: picnic, seedless, icebox and yellow/orange fleshed. Picnic: Larger, 16-45 pounds. Seedless: Actually do have tiny seeds. Icebox: Smaller, usually 5-10 pounds. Yellow/orange fleshed: Can be both seedless and seeded. Like the name tells us, these melons have flesh that is yellow to orange in color. photo by Momo

Issue 29, 2022

Resources Mini Jokes On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPwatermelon • kidskonnect.com/science/watermelon/

At the library:

• “Watermelon Bellies” by Jennifer Nwokeji

Nancy

BY OLIVIA JAIMES

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

Words that remind us of watermelon are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: BEES, COLOR, DESERT, FLORIDA, FRUIT, ICEBOX, INDIA, PICNIC, POLLINATION, RIND, SALAD, SEED, SEEDLESS, SLICE, STORAGE, VARIETY, VINE, WATERMELON.

Z X O B E C I F Y X

S A L A D W G R T G

S N F T W K P U E T

K U L R A N I I I V

E R O E T O C T R I

N E R S E I N G A N

S C I E R T I C V E

T I D D M A C P T S

O L A W E N A X E C

R S S W L I I E L O

A D E Y O L D Y U L

G R E Z N L N Q B O

E I B Q E O I V T R

N N J S Q P I R B K

O D S S E E D O O G

Wyatt: How did the watermelon farmer feel after winning the lottery? Whitney: Like a “melon” bucks!

Eco Note An international study of reptiles by more than 900 scientists across six continents finds that more than a fifth of all species are threatened with extinction. “If we remove reptiles, it could change ecosystems radically, with unfortunate

water can be hard to find, so people who live there take great care to store it. While scientists don’t know exactly what

As a main dish, some people add watermelon to fresh salads or even to sandwiches in place of a tomato slice.

At the library:

• “Watermelon Bellies” by Jennifer Nwokeji July 14, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 17

Try ’n’ Find

Mini Jokes

Z X O B E C I F Y X

S A L A D W G R T G

S N F T W K P U E T

K U L R A N I I I V

E R O E T O C T R I

N E R S E I N G A N

S C I E R T I C V E

T I D D M A C P T S

O L A W E N A X E C

R S S W L I I E L O

A D E Y O L D Y U L

G R E Z N L N Q B O

E I B Q E O I V T R

N N J S Q P I R B K

Wyatt: How did the watermelon farmer feel after winning the lottery? Whitney: Like a “melon” bucks!

O D S S E E D O O G

Eco Note

You’ll need: • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/2 cup water • 3 cups watermelon juice • 2 teaspoons lemon juice What to do: 1. Cook water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer 3 minutes. 2. Remove from heat. Add watermelon and lemon juice. Mix well. 3. Fill ice trays with mixture. 4. Freeze until mushy. Place a wooden stick in each cube. Freeze until firm. Makes about 36 treats.

Brevity

Frozen Watermelon Treats

* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.

Cook’s Corner

An international study of reptiles by more than 900 scientists across six continents finds that more than a fifth of all species are threatened with extinction. “If we remove reptiles, it could change ecosystems radically, with unfortunate knock-on effects, such as increases in pest insects,” said researcher Neil Cox. While many reptiles are found in arid regions, far more live in forests, where they are threatened by climate change, logging and expanding agriculture. adapted with permission from Earthweek.

For later: Look in your newspaper for articles about summer fruits.

Teachers:

Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!

BY DAN THOMPSON

Page 18 •

Williston Observer

•

July 14, 2022

SENIORS

How to find and claim your family’s forgotten assets Dear Savvy Senior, A while back I read an article about some online tools that can help people search for lost or forgotten money left behind by their deceased relatives, but I’ve misplaced it. Can you help me with this? My mom, who passed away in January, was always bad about keeping up with her money, so I’m wondering if there was anything she left behind. Searching Son

WHERE TO SEARCH

Dear Searching, Forgotten or lost money is actually very common in the United States. According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, there are literally billions of dollars in unclaimed funds sitting in state treasuries and other agencies just waiting to be found. These unclaimed funds are from accounts that are inactive or whose owners, or their heirs,

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cannot be located. Unclaimed funds can include things like lost or forgotten saving or checking accounts, stocks, utility security deposits, tax refunds, life insurance policy proceeds, un-cashed dividend checks, matured savings bonds and much more. This typically happens because of a change of address (the owner moved), a name change (the owner got married or divorced) or the owner dies and the estate was unaware of the money — or the heirs could not be located. By law, companies and financial institutions that can’t find the owner or their next of kin within two to five years must turn the property over to the state where it’s held indefinitely.

About 10 percent of all Americans have some unclaimed money out there waiting to be found, so it’s very possible your mother had some too. To start your search, go to www.Unclaimed. org, which has links to all state programs that will let you do a state benefits search online for free. Or you can do a multi-state search in 39 states at wwwMissingMoney.com. Be sure to check every state in which your mother lived, worked or did business. Also, make sure to check under your mom’s maiden name. And if she had a frequently misspelled name, search those misspellings too. Using her first initial and her last name is also encouraged to make sure everything comes up. Every state can tell you immediately if your mom has some unclaimed money, as well as how to go about collecting it. LOOK HERE TOO

In addition to state treasuries, here are some other resources that can help you look for unclaimed money that may have been overlooked. Forgotten retirement benefits: To search for lost or forgotten 401(k) funds your mom may have left behind with an old employer, use the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits at www.UnclaimedRetirementBenefits.com. Or, to search for lost pension benefits, use the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

trusteed plan search tool at www. PBGC.gov/search-trusteed-plans. Lost life insurance: To track down a lost or forgotten life insurance policy, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, an insurance regulatory support organization, offers a free policy locator service at https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator. Unredeemed savings bonds: It’s very common for people to lose track of U.S. saving bonds because they are often given to children as gifts, then forgotten before the bonds reach maturity. To find out if your mom had any, the U.S. Department of the Treasury provides an online search tool at www.TreasuryHunt.gov for finding matured, uncashed savings bonds over 30 years old and no longer earning interest. Federal tax refunds: Each year thousands of refund checks totaling millions of dollars are returned to the IRS by the post office. To look for lost federal tax refund checks, go to www. IRS.gov/refunds or call 800-8291954. 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.

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Williston Observer

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SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 21

July 14, 2022 •

Williston Observer

•

Page 19

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 21

Almanac ANDREWS

MCMEEL

TODAY’S HISTORY: • In 1789, the French Revolution began with the storming of the Bastille in Paris. • In 1881, infamous outlaw Billy the Kid was shot to death by Sheriff Pat Garrett near Fort Sumner in New Mexico. • In 1965, NASA’s Mariner 4 began its flyby of Mars, taking the first close-up photos of the planet. • In 2015, NASA’s New Horizons probe became the first spacecraft to explore Pluto. • In 2016, a truck was driven into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, killing 86 people. TODAY’S FACT: • NASA’s New Horizons probe is currently nearly 5 billion miles from Earth, traveling at 32,000 mph through the Kuiper Belt.

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Page 20

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Williston Observer

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Speak up!

Send your letters and story ideas to email editor@ willistonobserver.com Williston

July 14, 2022

OBITUARIES Richard “Dick” Brousseau

Richard “Dick” Brousseau, 75 died unexpectedly July 3, 2022 at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born on October 14, 1946 in Norton, VT the son of Mederick and Simonne (Morrisette) Brousseau. He graduated from Winooski High School and had a lifelong career as a talented builder/craftsman with great attention to detail. He was a passionate outdoorsman with a love of fishing and hunting. He was a proud veteran and served his country with pride and dignity. He loved his family and enjoyed spending as much time with them as they would give him. Dick was also a member of many clubs throughout his life (the Moose, American Legion, Regular Veterans Association, VFW Post, and others) to which he dedicated many hours of his time doing carpentry jobs, volunteering at cookouts, fish fry’s or maybe even organizing a “MEAT Bingo”, all in the name of raising money for various charitable organizations. Many will remember him by his nick name “DickyBro”. He is survived by his son and best friend Travis Brousseau and his wife Tammy of Grand Isle, his daughter Angela Racine and her husband Christopher Racine of Colorado, by his grandchildren Kayla, Kyle, Ben, Corey, Nikki, Tiffany (Dylan Louko) and Jessica. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Hailey, Grayson and Austin, his sister Sue

Cooper and husband Lou Cooper of Williston and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Donald Brousseau, grandson James Racine and former wife and mother of his children Veronica “Ronnie” LaBelle (Julien). A memorial service will be held on Saturday October 8, 2022 at Jacksons Lodge in Canaan, VT at 12:00 noon (www.jacksonslodgevt.net). The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to: Hunt of A Lifetime Foundation, 6297 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, PA 16421, in Memory of Richard “Dick” Brousseau. A special thanks for the kindness shown by the staff at the Respite House. “May Dad Rest in Peace.” If you would like to express sympathy to the family or share memories of Dick, visit https://www.gregorycremation. com/obituaries.

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Christina Lee Tatro

Christina Lee Tatro, 39, passed away at her home in Williston on July 3, 2022. She was born in Burlington on June 7, 1983 daughter of Thomas Tatro and Sandra McGrath. Christina brought a kind and calm light to every person she met. She had an internal drive to please those around her and make sure everyone was cared for. In particular, her favorite person in the world was her nephew Ryan. Ryan was her world and she was happiest around him taking him on adventures. Christina expressed herself through art with the love of painting and taking photos. Her excitement to give gifts often led to a surprise exposed too soon. Despite the struggles the world threw at Christina, she continued to show love and care. Her family mourns the tragic loss of a life gone too soon. Christina is survived by her best friend and nephew Ryan Tatro Prim; mother Sandra McGrath and partner Dave Bessette, her father Thomas Tatro, two sisters Jessica Monaghan and husband Matt; Melissa Tatro; Nana Betty Tatro; Uncle Shawn, Aunt Wendy, Aunt Mi-

chelle, Uncle Perry, Aunt Jonna, Uncle Matt, Uncle Mark, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Kirk, several cousins including a special cousin Ben. She was also predeceased by her Meméré and Popa. Visiting hours will be held on Monday July 11, 2022 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at A W Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel. Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Christina’s memory may be made to Williston Rescue, 645 Talcott Road, Williston, VT 05495. Please visit www.awrf h.com to share your memories and condolences.

James L. Hemond

The family of James L. Hemond, age 72, announces that he passed away peacefully, June 25, 2022, in Saint Albans. He was born in St. Albans, January 18, 1950 to Bernard and Wyona E. (Abare) Hemond. James married Linda McCrea, March 16, 1985. Jim worked for Champlain Farms for over 30 years as their Master Electrician. He also worked at the University of Vermont for 25 years as the third shift technician. Jim enjoyed going for rides around the islands, and loved to ride on his zero turn mower. He loved to go to auctions and was a collector of many things. He is survived by four children, Jamie Hemond of Clearwater, FL, Matthew McCrea (Nicole) of Sheldon, VT, Ashley Chamberlin (Zachary) of Cambridge, VT, and Justin Hemond of Georgia, VT; five grandchildren, Lincoln McCrea, Addison, Olivia, and Declan Chamberlin, and Trinity Hemond; and three siblings, Bernard Hemond (Linda) of Williston, VT, Dianne Steele (George) of Saint Albans,

VT, and David Hemond (Sue) of Allentown, PA. He is preceded in death by his parents, and one son, Joshua Hemond. At Jim’s request, there will be no funeral services. As an alternative to flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, where fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family and friends at: www. bradyandlevesque.com.

www.WillistonObserver.com

July 14, 2022 • sponded to a motor vehicle complaint on Library Lane. June 29 at 3:53 p.m. — Police assisted Community Outreach with a mental health call at Maple Tree Place.

June 26 at 3:51 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a noise disturbance on South Brownell Road. Upon arrival, the officer did not hear any excessive noise. June 26 at 3:55 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious circumstance on Mountain View Road. Upon arrival, the officer met with the citizen to resolve the problem. June 26 at 8:34 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious behavior on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the vehicle had already left the scene and could not be located. June 27 at 6:41 a.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Boxwood Street. Upon arrival, the alarm was confirmed to be false. June 27 at 8:42 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious event on Central School Drive. Upon arrival, the vehicle had already left the scene and could not be located. June 27 at 10:27 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a noise disturbance on Commerce Street. Upon arrival, the officer did not hear the noise and found that it was not repeated. June 27 at 11:15 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, the vehicle was not on the scene. June 27 at 2:39 a.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on Essex Road. The officer was unable to locate the animal in question. June 27 at 2:57 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Industrial Avenue. Upon arrival, Williston Fire Department arrived to evaluate the operators. June 27 at 4:25 p.m. — Police documented a possible scam on Stonybrook Drive at a citizen’s request. June 27 at 4:37 p.m. — Police responded to a report of retail theft in progress at Maple Tree Place. Upon arrival, the officer issued a citation and a notice of trespass accordingly. June 27 at 6:55 p.m. — Police completed a VIN verification at a citizen’s request. June 27 at 9:49 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Fire Department with an alarm response at Falcon

June 27 at 10:00 p.m. — Police responded to assist Williston Fire Department with a medical call at Taft Corners Shopping Center. June 27 at 10:53 p.m. — Police responded to a 911 hang-up on Marshall Avenue. Upon arrival, the officer met with the citizen and provided them with a courtesy ride home. June 28 at 6:46 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Marshall Avenue. June 28 at 7:25 a.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation at Lawrence Place. Upon arrival, the alarm was observed to be false. June 28 at 10:26 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious event on Williston Road. Upon arrival, the officer identified the individual and after investigation, cited them accordingly. June 28 at 11:05 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a noise disturbance on Wildflower Circle. Upon arrival, the officer did not hear or observe anything suspicious. June 28 at 11:16 a.m. — Police assisted the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department by providing requested information. June 28 at 2:15 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a scam on Commerce Street. June 28 at 5:42 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a traffic hazard on Williston Road. Upon arrival, the officer picked up debris in the roadway. June 28 at 7:50 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious person on Spruce Lane. Upon arrival, the officer could not locate the individual. June 29 at 12:37 a.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Dorset Lane. Upon arrival, the alarm was confirmed to be false. June 29 at 2:38 a.m. — Williston Police assisted Vermont State Police with a traffic stop on Interstate 89. June 29 at 4:57 a.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Blair Park Road. Upon arrival, the alarm was confirmed to be false. June 29 at 10:06 a.m. — Police assisted employees on Market Street by providing an escort. June 29 at 12:04 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Harvest Lane. Upon arrival, there were no injuries or hazards reported on the scene. June 29 at 3:17 p.m. — Police re-

June 29 at 5:07 p.m. — Police completed a requested welfare check on Shirley Circle. June 29 at 5:43 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a disturbance on Eagle Crest. Upon arrival, the involved parties agreed to resolve the issue the following day. June 29 at 7:07 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious person on Isham Circle. Upon arrival, the individual had left the scene and could not be located.

July 1 at 12:28 p.m. — Police completed a requested welfare check at Falcon Manor. July 1 at 1:02 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on Williston Road. Upon arrival, there were no injuries or hazards reported on the scene. July 1 at 1:13 p.m. — Police completed a requested welfare check on Seymour Street. July 1 at 3:19 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Fire Department with a medical call on Harvest Lane.

June 30 at 4:47 a.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Blair Park. Upon arrival, the alarm was confirmed to be false.

July 1 at 11:02 p.m. — Police responded to a 911 hang-up on Day Lane. Upon arrival, there was no emergency.

June 30 at 7:34 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a traffic hazard on Williston Road. Upon arrival, Green Mountain Power was on the scene and working on resolving the issue.

July 1 at 11:25 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious circumstance on Marshall Avenue. Upon arrival, the individual could not be located.

June 30 at 8:25 a.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Interstate Corporate Drive. Upon arrival, the alarm was confirmed to be false. June 30 at 10:01 a.m. — Police completed a background investigation for local employment. June 30 at 2:23 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on St. George Road. Upon arrival, there were no reported injuries or hazards on the scene. June 30 at 5:58 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Retail Way.

•

Page 21

July 2 at 12:42 a.m. — Police found an open door on Hawthorne Street. The officer secured the area. July 2 at 12:50 a.m. — Police completed a requested welfare check on Porterwood Drive. July 2 at 12:37 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Hanon Drive. July 2 at 6:30 p.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem at Maple Tree Place. The officer informed the owner of the dangers of leaving a dog in a vehicle on hot days. July 2 at 7:29 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Hanon Drive. The incidents above are not a full recount of police activity, rather a highlight of some of the events that occurred. Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorneys Office and can be amended or dropped.

PUZZLE FOUND ON PAGE 18

June 26 at 3:37 p.m. — Police responded to a request for assistance on Hawthorne Street.

Manor. The alarm was confirmed to be false.

July 1 at 12:04 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Marshall Avenue.

SUDUKO SOLUTION

June 26 at 3:33 p.m. — Police responded to a vehicle collision on St. George Road. Upon arrival, there were no injuries or hazards reported on the scene.

damage on Retail Way.

Williston Observer

June 30 at 7:04 p.m. — Police processed a set of fingerprints at a citizen’s request. June 30 at 7:05 p.m. — Police responded to a lockout on Essex Road. The officer was able to gain access to the vehicle for the operator. June 30 at 7:06 p.m. — Police responded to a report of an animal problem on Retail Way. Upon arrival, the vehicle had left the scene. July 1 at 12:59 a.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 2A for driving over the speed limit. Upon investigation, the operator was taken into custody for driving under the influence. July 1 at 3:33 a.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop after observing multiple signs of impaired operation. Upon investigation, the operator was taken into custody for driving while under the influence. July 1 at 9:43 a.m. — Police took custody of property found on Wright Avenue. July 1 at 11:24 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property

CROSSWORD SOLUTION PUZZLE FOUND ON PAGE 19

Page 22 •

Williston Observer

•

July 14, 2022

LOST CAT — Geno has been missing since Wednesday, June 1st from Talcott Road near the Williston Fire Department. He is a 13 lb orange cat with white on his nose, mouth and chest. He has been an indoor cat since he moved to Williston and does not know the area. Please check cameras and sheds and garages and reach out to Susie at susiesnowvt@gmail.com with any sightings.

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Why not have a job you love? Join our dedicated team and together we’ll build a community where everyone participates and belongs. Positions include a $500 sign on bonus, a strong benefits package and the opportunity to work at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont”. Service Coordinator: Continue your career in human services in a supportive environment by providing case management for individuals either for our Adult Family Care program or our Developmental Services program. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical, organizational & leadership skills and enjoy working in a team-oriented position. $47,000 annual salary. Residential Program Manager: Coordinate residential and community supports for a considerate, resourceful, wheelchair-using man with a budding talent for photography and political activism. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a team-oriented position, have strong clinical skills, and demonstrated leadership. Two overnight shifts are required for this position. $45,900 annual salary Direct Support Professional: Provide 1:1 supports to help individuals reach their goals in a variety of settings. This is a great position to start or continue your career in human services. Full and part time positions available starting at $19/hr. Residential Direct Support Professional: Work two days, receive full benefits and have five days off each week! Provide supports to an individual in their home and in the community in 24h shifts including asleep overnights in a private, furnished bedroom. Starting wage is $19/hr . Shared Living Provider: Open your home to someone with an intellectual disability or autism and open a whole world to them, and to you. There are a variety of opportunities available that could be the perfect match for you and your household. Salary varies dependent on individual care requirements.

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brain infects mammals. It is most often animals 52that Consecutive Weeks $18.00/week $936often show a change in their norseen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also an animal has rabies simply by looking at get rabies. The virus is spread through the it. People should not touch or pick up wild SERVICE DIRECTORY bite of an infected animal or contact with its animals or strays – even baby animals.

lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food ven- Golf dors round out the event with everything depe for rates: calland 985-309 from coffee and lemonade to burgers July 14, 2022 • Williston Observer • Page 23 land creemees. Kids will enjoy meetingadvertising@ animals Rota or email from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and

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Nancy Marconi

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Kitchens & Bathrooms Sunrooms & Garages

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service directory Monkton, VT

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or email Intro Offer for New Clients

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CORBIN VALLEY, & PALMER PLEASANT INC.

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Funeral / Cremation

ANTIQUES ANTIQUE SHOP

PT, MS, DPT

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www.DeePT.com Owner operated - Call Greg Mack

802-238-3386

1/9/14 9:12 AM

Visit our website for more information www.vtlandmaintenance@gmail.com Brian Washburn 802-434-4533 • 802-373-1755 (cell)

BASEMENT SYSTEMS

PT, MS, DPT

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LANDSCAPING

1/9/14 9:12 AM

ANTIQUES

ANTIQUES WANTED Decluttering? Downsizing? Settling an Estate? We can help you discover, learn about and sell:

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www.kingfishvt.com/1-802-345-4280

WATCHES • JEWELRY • COINS • SILVER • ARTWORK We can field questions, review photos and coordinate estate work. Contact Brian Bittner 802-272-7527 802-489-5210 bittnerantiques@gmail.com info@bittnerantiques.com

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REAL ESTATE Your Williston Neighbor

Michelle Desautels REALTOR®, PSA (802) 846-9503

Fa La La Sto

802

Insurance

Tim Gould South Burlington 23 San Remo Drive tel 865.0010

www.ussteamer.com

Forestry Mulching Services for private and commercial projects Driveways, Ponds, Land Clearing, Trails, Farms, Ski Areas, Natural Disaster Recovery, Logging Cleanup, Invasive Vegetation, Excavation

MassageWorksVT 4281 Shelburne Rd Office: 985-2453 802-985-8984 Deep Tissue, Hot States Stones United Steamer PO Box 476, Shelburne Cell: 363-0590 cell 338-7001 & Swedish Massage “The Carpet Cleaner” titus@titusinsurance.net Fax: 985-8620 (800)286-1441•(802)372-8444 Intro Offer for New Clients

Since 1988

DEE.PT.bCARD.2.4x1.5FINAL.indd 12

LAND MAINTENANCE

64 Steeplebush Road Shelburne

Tim Gould

CAT RESCUE

5CornersAntiques.com

Certified Massage Therapist

Since 1988

Health

Family owned and operated since 1921 A Multi Dealer Shop A Multi Dealer A Multi Dealer Shop Shop Pre-planning services available 802.878.6167 802.878.6167 802.878.6167 11 Maple Street, Street, Essex Junction, VT VT 11 Maple Essex Junction, 209 Falls Road,11Open Shelburne, VT Maple Street, Junction, VT Mon SatEssex 10-5 Sun 11-4 Open-Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4 Open Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4 5CornersAntiques.com (802) 985-3370 5CornersAntiques.com

advertising@

Nancy Marconi

DEE.PT.bCARD.2.4x1.5FINAL.indd 12

CORBIN & PALMER FCREMATION IVE CORNERS ORNERS FIVE CSERVICES ORNERS FUNERAL HOME &F IVE C ANTIQUES NTIQUES SHELBURNE FUNERAL ACHAPEL NTIQUES A

802-985-8984 rates: call 985-309 cell 338-7001

Talk to more potential clients! Place a service directory ad. Email rick@willistonobserver.com or call 802-373-2136

Fa La La Sto

802

Page 24 •

Williston Observer

•

Candidates continued from page

another political party in the November general election, but no other candidate has yet to announce a bid. The debate was sponsored by the Vermont Retail Grocers Association, the Burlington Business Association, the South Burlington Business Association and the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce. It was held over a lunch hour with the candidates and participants zooming in remotely. Stewart Ledbetter of the local NBC affiliate served as moderator. “Members of the organizations hosting this event have expressed dismay over the current state of affairs,” Ledbetter said, summarizing questions he received from business owners for the candidates. “They feel unsafe and unsupported as victims of harassment, theft and, in some cases, assault.” George has worked as a county prosecutor for more than a decade. Her experience has convinced her that the current criminal justice system is “incredibly

July 14, 2022 flawed.” “I have found very clearly that our system does not work for a lot of people who come through it — victims, witnesses and people who are charged,” she said. “I am working to change the way our system does things, working to change the status quo and implement policies that actually impact people’s lives in a hopefully better way.” She doesn’t dispute that crime is on the rise, but blames the inter-related issues of lack of child care, food insecurity, homelessness and drug abuse — exacerbated by the impact of Covid. “Prosecution … in a lot of these cases is not going to solve the problem,” she said. “What those folks need is services in this community. They need help. And of course they need accountability but that looks different for each person.” Kenney, a former criminal defense attorney, described his approach as “restorative justice with consequences.” “There needs to be more consequences,” he said. “That is not necessarily throwing people in jail right away, but it is making

sure these people are put into the criminal justice system more than they are now … I’m running to give people hope that there is

‘It’s an interesting race. There’s a lot the candidates agree on… Sarah seems more (convinced) that equity requires not enforcing laws, while Ted is more about enforcing laws equitably.’ Austin Davis Government Affairs Manager Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce

public safety and compassion in the system. They are not mutually exclusive. “There does have to be actual consequences that are worse than the thing that you get by committing the crime. Otherwise, from a cost-benefit analysis, there’s no

reason not to commit the crime.” The candidates debated George’s policy of declining to prosecute charges that stem from police officers stopping drivers for minor traffic offenses. While Kenney argued that minor traffic stops can lead to police taking drunk drivers off the road, George said they target people of color at a “massively disproportionate rate.” “The bias is there, and we need to find ways to limit the number of people of color being pulled over,” George said. “It’s very easy for some people to say it’s not a big deal to get pulled over for a traffic violation, but for some people it is. They are disproportionately impacting and traumatizing people of color in our state.’ The Chamber won’t endorse a candidate, Government Affairs Manager Austin Davis said, but will release a summary and analysis of the debate before the primary. The full recording of the debate is available at www. lccvermont.org. “It’s an interesting race,” Davis said. “There’s a lot the candidates agree on. They’re both

committed to criminal justice reform … Sarah seems more (convinced) that equity requires not enforcing laws, while Ted is more about enforcing laws equitably.” In closing, Kenney, who is the vice chair of the Williston Selectboard, pledged, if elected, to try new policies, and tweak or change policies if they are not working. “We have a new situation with the increased rate of crime, and different kinds of crime require new solutions,” he said. George defended her approach and asked for support to keep working to reform the criminal justice system. “My policies may not be super popular to everybody, and I understand that, but they are based on evidence and data, and the real fact that people of color and poor people in our community are disproportionately impacted by our system, and it is harming them and it is actually making all of us less safe,” she said. “Our community needs to step up and give people the basic needs that they are severely lacking. That will make all of us more safe.”

We Can Take It! From air conditioners to x-rays, check our A-Z list and learn how to dispose of, recycle, or reuse items and materials you no longer want. Now serving you with eight Drop-Off locations in Chittenden County. SCAN CODE FOR A-Z List

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Visit cswd.net for locations and materials accepted.

5/13/22 2:14 PM