Williston Observer 2/2/2023

Isham, Beckett square off for selectboard seat

Jensen set to take over for Fehrs

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

There will be a contested election for the remaining year of the Williston Selectboard term vacated in December by Gordon St. Hilaire.

Mike Isham, owner of the Isham Family Farm on Oak Hill Road, and Ellie Beckett, planning commission member and daughter of longtime Town Clerk Deb Beckett, both filed petitions by Monday’s deadline to be on the Town Meeting Day ballot.

St. Hilaire stepped down after he was charged with stalking and unlawful mischief for allegedly vandalizing his ex-girlfriend’s car. He has pleaded not guilty. A status conference on the case is scheduled for March 13 in Chittenden County Criminal Court.

In Isham and Beckett, voters are faced with two native Willistonians who have contrasting perspectives and a 30-year difference in age. The election is set for Tuesday, March 7 at the National Guard Armory on Williston Road. Early ballots are available by contacting the Town Clerk’s office.

Isham would join past generations of Ishams who have served on town boards. The family has owned the farm since 1871. He is a past president of the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club but has never sought elected office.

One catalyst for his candidacy was the recent planning commission vote to move forward with consideration of a subdi -

vision of the Glaser property at the corner of Old Stage and Mountain View roads. Isham opposes the decision, because the subdivision application uses a “specific plan” process that overrides the town’s growth management caps on new housing construction.

Beckett, as a member of the planning commission, voted for proceeding with the application.

“I didn’t agree with that vote,” Isham said. “That ignores the town’s growth management plan – which ignores police, fire department, schools, water and sewage allotment. We can’t allow special interests to come in and set policy.

“It’s not a done deal, but the planning commission (vote) was the best place to stop it.”

Managing population growth

and land development are important issues for both candidates.

“There’s ongoing tension between the desire for growth and desire for conservation, and that’s the needle that the selectboard and many of the town committees are constantly trying to thread, and it’s a conversation I want to continue,” Beckett said.

At age 32, she notes that her perspective — one of a young professional who rents her home and does not have a spouse or children — has typically been missing on the selectboard.

“I represent a growing population in Williston of younger people who are earlier in their careers, who are renting, are pre-marriage and kids. All the big life decisions have yet to be made. We have different priorities and struggles when it comes to where we live and what we want the future of the town to look like,” she said. “I want to be on the selectboard to ensure that perspective is considered and brought to the table.”

Increasing the amount and variety of housing is one of her key priorities. Funding public land conservation and supporting business owners are two oth -

Isham Farm sets succession plan

The Isham Family Farm is ready to be passed down to the next generation.

Owner Mike Isham, 62, said he intends to sell the eighth-generation Oak Hill Road farm to his nephew, Jordan Isham, later this year.

“I think this is the time to do it,” Mike said. “I’d rather sell the farm when I’m still at the top of my game, so I can help with the transition, rather than wait until I’m too old. Right now I can still work. I can help my nephew with the transition.”

Jordan Isham is the son of Mike’s brother, who currently lives in Colchester. He used to work on the farm in the summers when he was in high school. A graduate of West Point, Jordan serves in the Army and has been stationed in Kentucky. He spent time in Nashville, Tenn., where his wife went to Vanderbilt.

“They are both more than qualified to take all of this and run with it,” Mike said. The Ishams have built a diverse agricultural operation, with a barn for weddings and events, a weekly summer farmers’ market, a maple syrup store, pick-your-own berries and, more recently, a home for a community theater.

Jason Starr

Ellie Beckett

Mike Isham

The Isham Family Farm on Oak Hill Road will be passed down from the current owner, Mike Isham, to his nephew Jordan Isham.

FebruaryFoodies! is for

Super Bowl Wings 2023!

Jumbo Buffalo Chicken Wings

An oven-roasted bakers dozen with house-made Ranch dip Only $19.75

Special Valentines Day To Go Menu

Prime Top Sirloin Steak

Marinated and grilled with roasted portobello mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, asparagus and a red wine demi glace

Roasted Vegetable and Boursin Cheese Quiche

With asparagus and a charred red bell pepper sauce

Meals include:

Mesclun greens with a citrus herb vinaigrette; baguette & butter

Dessert: Belgian chocolate mousse served with a raspberry coulis

Finale : Local Birnn Chocolates of Vermont dark chocolate raspberry truffles

Around Town

Celebrating 26Years

Theft from vehicles increasing

A door camera caught what appears to be people stealing items from a truck on Jan. 22 in Finney Crossing. The Williston Police Department is investigating and asking for help identifying the people in the video.

The department also reminds residents to remove belongings from their vehicles and lock them due to an increase in theft of items from inside vehicles.

Conversations: “How We Respond to Racism”

Hosted by the Williston Federated Church, weekly discussions explore how we respond to racism, both within society and within ourselves. Over the past two-and-a-half years of these gatherings, participants have wrestled with contemporary issues such as affirmative action and criminal justice reform and conversed with community leaders.

The conversations are intended as a safe space — or a “brave space”— to honestly explore tough questions and to reflect on real-life episodes — even in our own lives — that raise the same question that John Quinones often asks on ABC television: “What would you do?”

Meetings are held Thursdays at 5 p.m. on Zoom. To receive a meeting link, email Pastor Paul Eyer at pastoreyer@gmail.com.

Williston-Richmond Rotary Club lunch meeting, Feb. 9

Community members are invited to join the Rotary club for lunch and a talk from Deputy State Auditor Tim Ashe, who will speak about what the Office of the Vermont State Auditor does to monitor state spending, and about recent reports the office has issued on the areas of corrections and housing.

Thursday, Feb. 9, 11:45 a.m. at Williston Federated Church Fellowship Hall or via Zoom. For a meeting link or to RSVP, email RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com.

Sustainable Williston Social Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.

Sustainable Williston meets every second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Grazers restaurant in Maple Tree Place for drinks and discussion. Topics include climate change, the town’s energy plan, home sustainability projects, electrification, transportation, housing, gardening, recommended books/podcasts/movies and more.

For more information visit https:// www.sustainablewilliston.org.

Community Bank collecting canned foods for donation

Local branches of Community Bank are hosting a canned food drive throughout February to support local food shelves. Williston’s Community Bank branch is located on Cottonwood Drive in the new Cottonwood Crossing neighborhood off Route 2. The Community Bank network across New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont is participating.

All community members are encouraged to check their cupboards and pantries for items to donate, or buy an extra item at a store for donation.

“We’re hopeful that with the help of our branches and community members, we can work together to collect food items for this drive to help keep their shelves stocked for weeks and months to come so they can continue providing food to those who truly need it the most,” Community Bank New England Regional President Matthew Durkee said.

Tim Ashe

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLISTON POLICE DEPT.

Vermont falling short of recycling goals

BY FRED THYS VTDigger

Vermont is not meeting its goal of recycling and composting half its waste, according to a new report from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.

“We need to do more with waste reduction,” said Josh Kelly, the department’s solid waste program manager and the author of the report.

Vermonters generate about the same amount of waste as they did 10 years ago, when the state’s Universal Recycling Law was passed, the report says. Meanwhile, the state’s only landfill, in Coventry, has only about 20 years’ capacity left.

“We’re getting buried in our own trash, and this

report from Josh Kelly brings it home for Vermont,” said state Rep. Amy Sheldon, D-Middlebury, chair of the House Committee on Environment and Energy.

In addition, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are threatening recycling, composting and waste disposal, Kelly said. The report proposes halting the production of these chemicals, which are found in many consumer products, from clothes to furniture, carpets and food packaging.

“It’s a sleeping giant that we’re all going to need to deal with in the coming years,” Sheldon said. “It’s highly toxic, and it’s in all of us.”

The report notes it is increasingly costly for municipalities to treat these chemicals in drinking water, wastewater, landfills, recycling and composting.

Recyclables are stacked at the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s material recovery facility in Williston. VTDIGGER

Emergency housing extension bill advances

BY LOLA DUFFORT VT Digger

The roughly 2,800 Vermonters who are living in motels through the state’s emergency housing programs might get a three-month reprieve from being kicked out at the end of March.

The powerful House Appropriations Committee has endorsed a $21 million plan to keep the programs going basically as is through June 30. As it stands, federal funding for the emergency housing programs — which Vermont had dramatically scaled up in the Covid-19 pandemic-era thanks to Congressional aid packages — is projected to run dry March 31.

The money for emergency housing was tucked inside the budget adjustment bill advanced Monday by the budget-writing panel on an 8-4 vote that fell along party lines. Democrats voted for the overall spending plan and Republicans were unanimously opposed — an unusual scenario in a state that often passes budget bills with tripartisan support.

House Appropriations chair Rep. Diane Lanpher, D-Vergennes, said Democratic lawmakers wanted to buy enough

time to give the state another chance to come up with a plan for the state’s unhoused popula -

tion.

“We are going to be running out of money, and these deci-

sions will come soon enough naturally,” she said. “But we think we don’t have to make that

decision today.”

The state’s fiscal year begins in July, and the annual budget adjustment act is a midyear true-up of the current budget.

Traditionally a small, sleepy affair, it has ballooned in size and importance in recent years, as lawmakers have worked at a rapid pace to get unprecedented surpluses and federal aid packages out the door.

Gov. Phil Scott put his version of the budget adjustment before lawmakers earlier this month, which would shift around about $283 million in state spending with proposals ranging from broadband to health care staffing to rural infrastructure assistance. The budget adjustment bill advanced by the House panel funds the Republican governor’s ideas but also pitches more than $86 million in additional general fund spending — the vast majority of which would go to housing.

In addition to the $21 million for emergency housing, House lawmakers proposed giving the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board an extra $50 million. The board distributes much of the money used to subsidize

House Appropriations chair Rep. Diane Lanpher, D-Vergennes, says Democratic lawmakers want to buy enough time to give the state another chance to come up with a plan for the state’s unhoused population.

PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

Housing

continued from page 4

affordable housing developments in Vermont, and the figure would represent a substantial down payment on the $175 million that advocates have asked for this year to sustain an aggressive pace of construction amid Vermont’s historic housing crisis.

Lanpher said her committee preferred to give VHCB funding now instead of waiting until the annual budget bill — typically referred to as the “Big Bill” — as “a signal to keep those developers engaged and on track to keep building.”

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency now estimates the state needs to build 40,000 housing units by 2030 to return the state to a healthier housing market.

The governor had, in his budget adjustment proposal, also pitched an additional $5 million for the Vermont Housing Improvement Program. The state grant program gives landlords up to $50,000 to rehab empty and derelict rental housing if they agree to rent to people exiting homelessness and keep rents affordable for at least five years. The House panel included this in its budget adjustment bill as well.

After housing, agriculture received the biggest spending bump over the gov-

ernor’s recommendations. As endorsed by the House Appropriations Committee, the bill would reserve an extra $9.2 million to subsidize organic dairy farmers (see related story, page 11).

Jason Maulucci, Scott’s press secretary, said that while the governor “appreciates” that his funding proposals have received a thumbs up from the committee, he had “concerns” about the additional spending contemplated by lawmakers.

“We have questions about where that money will come from and what could be cut from (next year’s) budget as a result,” he said, adding that the administration felt some spending ideas would be more appropriately dealt with in the larger state budget bill.

Lanpher countered that nobody is cutting from next year’s budget because next year’s budget does not exist yet. But she granted that if her committee’s proposal makes it into law, the $86 million it is proposing to spend over and above what the governor proposed will no longer be available.

“On the other hand, some of what we’re doing here I feel needs to get done and is urgent,” she said.

The spending bill is scheduled to hit the House floor for a vote from the full chamber this week. Then it will head to the Senate.

Frosty delight

With snow finally falling, Zia and Aniyah Bailey, ages 5 and 11, recently created this creemee snow sculpture outside their home on White Birch Lane. This is an annual tradition in the Bailey family, with past sculptures taking the form of a dolphin, Olaf and Elsa from Frozen and Grogu from Star Wars.

COURTESY PHOTO BY LUANN BAILEY

Williston’s Community Newspaper Since 1985

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Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com

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GUEST COLUMN Notes from town hall

BY ERIK WELLS Williston Town Manager

Greetings Williston community.

The selectboard and I are eagerly preparing for the return to an in-person Town Meeting on Monday, March 6 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Williston Central School auditorium. Following Town Meeting business, a public information hearing will be held in the auditorium to provide an overview of Australian ballot articles, including the town budget proposal. Voting by Australian ballot will take place at the Armory from 7 a.m.– 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7. Interested in voting early or by absentee ballot? Contact the town clerk’s office. Ballots will be available around the middle of February at Town Hall.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) — a common measure of inflation — was 6.5 percent. In the Northeast Region during the same time, the rate was 6.1 percent. The budget proposal falls between both inflation measures.

town facility maintenance.

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There were many external pressures faced in developing the budget this year due to inflation, while balancing community needs to arrive at a fiscally responsible spending plan for the town. The budget maintains the current level of municipal services the town provides. The cost of providing these services has increased.

The proposed budget (Article 5) represents a 6.3 percent increase over the current budget, about $830,000. We are in challenging economic times, and through December 2022, the 12-month average increase in the

Most of the increase in the town’s proposed spending plan is connected to wage and benefit costs, which make up over 60 percent of the budget. The town strives to provide a competitive wage for staff, and, like most employers today, is looking to retain our staff and attract new employees when openings do occur by remaining competitive in a challenging job market. Benefit costs continue to increase, especially the cost of health insurance. Inflation is affecting operating expenses throughout the budget inclusive of professional services, vehicle fuel, utilities, materials, capital equipment and many other items necessary to provide municipal services.

The budget contains a limited number of expansions to existing staff hours that are tied to increases in demand being felt for services. These items include elevating the assistant library director position from part-time (28 hours per week) to full-time; additional hours for finance/treasurer parttime support staff; and elevating a seasonal buildings and grounds position to full-time during the year to meet increased demand on

Among the duties of the position will be providing winter maintenance services on the town’s sidewalk and path network. This will provide the town with staff capacity to clear all existing sections of sidewalks and paths throughout the winter months, a practice that is unable to occur today. The town is in the process of purchasing a second sidewalk plow using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

To balance the budget, the revenue plan relies on a variety of sources, including property taxes, local option taxes, municipal fees, state aid and the strategic uses of reserves and ARPA funds to provide the municipal services reflected in the spending plan. The tax rate for FY 24 will be set in June following the finalization of the grand list. Growth of the grand list is estimated at 0.25 percent.

The budget proposal includes an estimated increase in the tax rate of just over 3 cents per $100 of assessed property value, or, looking at it another way, $32 per $100,000 of value. For a median assessed Williston home ($300,000) the estimated increase is $98 for the tax year, or about $8 per month.

The town has seen continued strong receipts from its 1 percent local option tax on sales, rooms, meals and alcohol. A benefit of the local option tax is to reduce the revenue necessary to raise through property taxes. Williston has the second lowest property tax rate in Chittenden County, and the local option tax accounts for about 26 percent of the revenue raised to support the budget.

Article 6 is to consider whether the town should purchase a solar array on the roof of the Public Works Facility using $125,000 of unspent proceeds from the 2013 sale of bonds to construct the facility. The solar array is currently owned by a third party and the town has a purchase option this year. Purchasing the solar array would allow the town to retain the full amount of net metering credits produced by the solar array that would in turn reduce annual electricity costs.

Article 7 may look familiar as see WELLS page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The wrong side of the law

The Williston Police Department sends our sincere condolences to Tyre Nichols’ family for their tragic loss. The agonizing video depicting the vicious beating and subsequent murder of Tyre, by those who took an oath to protect and serve, shocks the conscience and defies everything this profession stands for.

Wells

continued from page 6

it relates to financing the purchase of a new ambulance. Voters approved a similar article at Town Meeting 2022, allowing the town to borrow funds up to $280,000 to finance the new ambulance (expected delivery summer 2023) over seven years. This article is requesting authority to fund this purchase through the issuance of bonds or notes, allowing greater flexibility to reduce financing costs. The current bond market may allow a lower interest rate than financing through a financial institution.

Please visit the town website (www.town.williston.vt.us/townmeeting) for complete materials related to articles being considered at Town Meeting, including the budget by line item. If you have a question, please send me an email at ewells@willistonvt. org or give me a call at my desk at (802) 876-1168 in Town Hall.

I’ll also be holding informal drop-in chats leading up to Town Meeting to talk about the budget proposal or any questions you have about how your local government works. Here’s where to find me:

• Feb. 2 (10:30-11:30 a.m. at library lobby)

• Feb. 13 (5-6 p.m. at Town Hall meeting room)

• Feb. 15 (11 a.m.-12 p.m. at library lobby)

• Feb. 22 (11 a.m.-12 p.m. at library lobby)

• Feb. 23 (5-6 p.m. at Town Hall meeting room)

• Feb. 28 (12:30-1:30 p.m. at library lobby)

• March 2 (5-6 p.m. at Town Hall meeting room)

I look forward to connecting with you now or another time during the year.

Remember to vote!

The release of the body worn camera footage will no doubt be met with outrage, disdain and frustration. Those officers who are responsible for the death of Tyre Nichols have been fired, arrested and charged with his murder.

The behavior of those officers charged with Tyre’s murder goes against every principal of the law enforcement profession and is in direct contradiction of the dedication and sacrifice of the vast

majority of our law enforcement communities who strive to protect and serve.

The Williston Police Department strives each day to build trust, and events such as this are a sobering reminder of how quickly that can be lost. We remain committed to protect and serve and to maintaining a safe and secure community in Williston.

Patrick T. Foley Williston Police Chief

Winter Renaissance Faire returns for sixth year

The Winter Renaissance Faire returns to the Champlain Valley Exposition this weekend, Feb. 4-5, with merriment and fun for the whole family.

In its sixth year, the Winter Renaissance Faire is an event for all ages, featuring a sundry of performance troupes including singers, musicians and dancers, as well as medieval living history and fight demonstrations.

With over 60 artisans and craft vendors — including over a dozen new to the faire — you can discover handcrafted jewelry, woodcrafts, medieval-inspired clothing, leather crafts, swords, armor, mead and

more. Patrons can also indulge their appetites with treats from cultures around the world.

The Faire is produced by Vermont Gatherings, a Williston-based company that also puts on the Vermont Renaissance Faire in Stowe, the new Spring Market and the upcoming Vermont Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo.

Tickets for the Faire are available at the door or online at: https://www.vtgatherings.com/

Kids under 6 get in free. For more information call (802) 778-9178 or email info@ vtgatherings.com.

4.50 4.65

The Winter Renaissance Faire features performance troupes, singers, musicians and dancers as well as medieval living history and fight demonstrations. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Too frigid to plunge

With subzero temperatures and dangerous windchills predicted in the Champlain Valley on Saturday, the annual Penguin Plunge into Lake Champlain to benefit Special Olympics Vermont has been pivoted to an all remote event.

Derek Libby of the Burlington Fire Department, in consultation with the National Weather Service, advised against holding the event this weekend.

“Participant and spectator safety are of utmost importance and there are significant concerns that these temperatures will present an unsafe environment,” Libby said. “While we wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Penguin Plunge and the great work of Special Olympics Vermont, we share these public safety concerns as a means to protect the participants, spectators and support staff throughout the entire event.”

The event typically attracts nearly 1,000 participants who jump into the lake each February as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Vermont.

For the remote plunge, participants are asked to jump in any time before Feb. 20 and email video to events@vtso.org.

Tickets on sale

The Vermont Flower Show will come to the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction on March 3-5 with a Winnie the Pooh theme — “Out of Hibernation! Spring Comes to the 100-Acre Wood.”

Tickets are on sale at Gardener’s Supply in Williston and Burlington. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Highlights of the Vermont Flower Show include:

• A 15,000-square-foot garden display of flowering bulbs, shrubs, trees and water features.

• Keynote speaker Kelly Norris: “New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden.”

• Live painting by local artists.

• A marketplace with up to 100 vendors.

• Educational seminars and hands-on workshops.

• A plant sale.

for flower show

The Vermont Flower Show is produced by the Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association.

A scene from the 2019 Vermont Flower Show at the Champlain Valley Expo.

FILE PHOTO BY STEPHEN MEASE

Brighten the winter with microgreens

BY ANDREA KNEPPER Special to the Observer

What could be better than fresh greens during the dreary winter months? What if you grew and harvested them yourself?

Growing microgreens in your home is easy, cost-effective and satisfying. All you need is some soil, seeds and a sunny spot.

Microgreens are immature plants that can be ready to harvest in one to two weeks. They are nutrient-dense, with some varieties having up to a 40 percent greater concentration of some nutrients, according to researchers at the University of Maryland. Any seeds can be used for microgreens, but because they are harvested at an early stage, they should be untreated and organic.

Plants that are quick to sprout are good options for microgreens. Radishes, broccoli, cabbage, peas and sunflowers are popular choices, as are the spicy flavors of mustards, basil and cilantro. Microgreen blends also are available from most seed suppliers.

To get started, find a container. Take-out containers, plastic produce containers, cardboard juicecartons and seed-starting trays will all work.

Choose a light, indoor potting soil or seed-starting mix. Put about 2 inches of the soil in your container.

Spread your seeds over the soil. The seeds should form a dense layer but not cover each other. Loosely cover the container with its lid or an unsecured layer of plastic wrap. Or lightly cover the seeds with more soil.

Use a spray bottle to mist the seeds thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout.

When the seeds have sprouted,

remove the cover. New seedlings need at least four hours of direct sunlight. Grow lights can be used if you don’t have a windowsill or counter that receives enough sunlight.

Microgreens will be ready to harvest when they have one set of true leaves. Seed leaves, or cotyledons, are the first to develop after the seed sprouts.

Keep tending your seedlings until more leaves appear. These leaves will look different. They are the true leaves and will resemble the adult leaves of the plant. Your microgreens are now ready

to harvest.

You can plant new seeds over the clipped stems. Lightly cover the seeds with fresh potting soil, and repeat the process for another harvest.

Give your microgreens a wash, and they are ready to enjoy. Add fresh microgreens to salads and sandwiches. Use them in place of lettuce in tacos and burgers. Garnish dishes or blend into smoothies for a nutritional boost.

Microgreens can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Just make sure that they are completely dry before storing.

For a step-by-step guide to growing microgreens at home, go to https://go.uvm.edu/microgreens.

Andrea Knepper is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from Bolton.

Freshly harvested microgreens can be used for salads and sandwiches, as a garnish for dishes or added to smoothies for a nutritional boost.

COURTESY PHOTO BY ANDREA KNEPPER

Growing microgreens in your home is easy, cost-effective and satisfying.

Organic dairy farmers ask for $9.2 million helping hand

BY ABBY CARROLL Community News Service

Eleven organic dairy farms in Vermont closed in 2021. The next year, 18 more followed. And this year, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont expects to lose another 28 farms.

That data — compiled by a state dairy task force and described to legislators recently — is why the association wants to see $9.2 million sent to organic dairy farmers in this year’s state budget.

Association leaders asked legislators for the one-time payment during a joint meeting of the House and Senate agriculture committees last Thursday. That total would compensate organic farmers for losses they have experienced because of fluctuating dairy prices, which the association says have grown only more chaotic in recent years.

The $9.2 million sum would be the equivalent of $5 per hundredweight payment for all organic

Sen. Bobby Starr Senate Committee on Agriculture

producers’ production in 2022. Hundredweight is a measurement used in dairy markets that equals 100 pounds of milk.

Those testifying in support of the request did not specify at the hearing how the money would be distributed.

Farmers have been receiving $8-10 per hundredweight below the cost of production, according to the organic farmers association,

leading to farms going out of business.

Jen Miller, the group’s farm services director, described in an interview how that trend — coupled with rising feed, fuel and labor costs since 2021 — has left many farmers unable to pay their bills or make payments on their loans.

Organic dairy farms started seeing lower payments in 2017, said Miller when speaking to lawmakers. That year farmers saw a decrease of $2-3 per hundredweight, and that continued to drop into 2020.

Last year, farmers’ situations were exacerbated by drought, inflation, rising production costs and supply chain issues.

“We’re getting to the point where the best managers are not able to squeeze more income or cut their expenses any more than they already have over the past five years,” Miller said in an interview.

Farm managers have tried de -

creasing herd sizes and increase how much milk they milk from each cow to lessen the burden of the economic challenges, but they are running out of ways to stay afloat, Miller added.

“The loss of these farms to the state represents an economic loss, but it also represents a loss in terms of a culture, a way of life, and also a huge loss in terms of climate resilience,” said Maddie Kempner, the organic farming as-

sociation’s policy director.

The Vermont Dairy Task Force found that, in 2021, when 11 farms closed, the state saw an economic loss of more than $41.5 million. In 2022, another $67.9 million was lost when 18 farms closed.

Along with the $9.2 million requested this session from the state, organic farm advocates want to see federal officials create a version of the U.S. Department see FARMERS page 14

“I hear more from farmers about the low price they’re being paid than from consumers about the high price they’re paying.”

SELF LOVE

Fast lanes

CLOCKWISE (l to r): CVU’s Maddie Bunting pushes the fast break by South Burlington’s Miranda Hayes during the Redhawks’ win over the Wolves Thursday in South Burlington. Addi Hunter gets off a jumpshot over South Burlington’s Clara Margulius. Wolves’ Miranda Hayes takes on Kate Boget as she drives into the lane. Elise Berger brings the ball up the court. Elise Ayer gets fouled as she goes in for a layup.

OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY

SeaLakers swamp Cougarhawks

CVU-MMU’s Miles Brien, top left, partially blocks Burlington-Colchester’s Camryn Poulin’s shot during the Cougarhawks’ loss to the SeaLakers on Saturday at Leddy Park Arena. Samara Tucker, top right, races across the blue line. CVU-MMU’s goalie, Ella Gilbert, below, dives to cover the puck.

Dorothy Alling Memorial Library

hours:

Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card, renew materials, access digital offerings and register online for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@ damlvt.org.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.

TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE LIBRARY STORY TIME

Saturday, Feb. 4, 10:30-11 a.m. Celebrate National Take Your Child to the Library Day with a story time and craft.

POKÉMON CLUB

Monday, Feb. 6, 4-5 p.m. Enjoy themed activities, show-and-tell or stories and crafts.

FINGERPRINT VALENTINES

Monday, Feb. 6, 5-6 p.m. Learn about our unique fingerprints and make cards with your own fingerprints.

STORY TIME

Tuesdays, Feb. 7 and 14, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Danielle for stories and fun.

TWEEN TIME

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 3-4 p.m. Craft or write and chat. Suggested ages 9 to 13.

AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2-4 p.m. Rated PG. What are pets up to when no humans are around?

PRESCHOOL MUSIC AND PLAYTIME

Thursdays, Feb. 9 and 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy music, then stay to play.

LEGO TIME

Thursday, Feb. 9, 3-4 p.m. Make something exciting with our LEGO collection.

FRENCH STORY TIME

Saturday, Feb. 11, 10:15-10:45 p.m. Drop in for French story time. Caretakers should expect to stay with their children.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN (ONLINE)

Monday, Feb. 13, 4-5 p.m. Learn to make delicious crepes from the comfort of your kitchen with dietician Joanne Heidkamp. Register in advance.

PJ STORY TIME

Monday, Feb. 13, 5:30-6 p.m. Get comfy and come to story time for evening fun.

AFTER SCHOOL STEAM FUN ACTIVITY

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2-3 p.m. Experiment with science at the library.

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS

VERMONT READS

Pick up a copy of “The Most Costly Journey” by Marek Bennett et al. and join us for upcoming events. Email bonnie@damlvt.org if you are interested in recording a short personal story for the associated podcast (collaboration with Brownell Library). Vermont Reads is presented in partnership with The National Endowment for the Humanities.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

To join a book club or for Zoom link, email programs@damlvt.org.

GUIDED MEDITATION (ONLINE)

Fridays, Feb. 3 and 10, 12-12:30 p.m. Reconnect to your peaceful body and breath.

MAH JONGG

Fridays, Feb. 3 and 10, 1-3 p.m.

WRITE TIME WITH MARY ANN FULLER YOUNG

Series starts Saturday, Feb. 4, 12-2 p.m. Explore the craft of writing under the guidance of a trained associate of Amherst Writers & Artists.

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

LIFE STORIES WE LOVE TO TELL (MONTHLY SERIES ONLINE)

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2-3:30 p.m. Maryellen Crangle will provide a prompt to guide the group in choosing a story to share.

AFTER HOURS: AUTHOR TALK

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Author Catherine Drake discusses her novel “Treehouse on Dog River Road” and writing in the romance genre.

AGE WELL INFORMATION

Thursday, Feb. 9, 12-2 p.m. Age Well’s Pam Scanlon will answer questions about resources such as the 4 Squares program.

FRENCH CONVERSATION FOR ALL

Saturday, Feb. 11, 10:45-11:45 p.m. Practice French conversation.

COOK THE BOOK: SOUP SWAP

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 12-1 p.m. Browse our highlighted cookbook or use a favorite recipe. Bring in a pot of soup and leave with recipes and samples.

VERMONT HUMANITIES: BEARING WITNESS AND THE ENDURANCE OF VOICE

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Lucy Terry Prince, author of the oldest known poem by an enslaved African-American, fought for her rights in Vermont. Hear her story as told by Shanta Lee, writer and photographer.

TECH TUTOR

Thursday, Feb. 16, 4-6 p.m. Book a time slot for help with your technology.

of Agriculture’s Dairy Margin Coverage Program for organic dairy farms.

The program allows farmers to sign up for risk management insurance through the government. The government pays farms when the difference between the national price of milk and the average cost of feed falls below a certain level.

The program doesn’t account for organic feed costs and organic milk prices, so when only organic farms are struggling, the program doesn’t provide any support.

Sen. Bobby Starr, D-Essex/Orleans, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said in an interview that the situation isn’t an easy one to figure out.

Starr said one idea his committee could

look at would be creating a program that would kick in when milk prices dropped below a certain level. When that happens, it would cause processors — companies that buy raw milk to make other products — to pay the difference between the cost of production and the commercial price.

Starr also floated the idea of starting a board made up of farmers, consumers and milk processors to help determine who can pay what during price fluctuations. It would be similar to the Northeast Dairy Compact Commission, which ran from 1997 to 2001.

The commission, formed by Congress, allowed New England states to set the price of fluid dairy products.

“I hear more from farmers about the low price they’re being paid,” Starr said, “than from consumers about the high price they’re paying.”

Family Fun Page

The

Our justices

The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the United States’ highest court. The justices must decide how laws are followed and whether our laws agree with the U.S. Constitution. This is called judicial (joo-DISH-uhl) review

This week, The Mini Page learns more about the highest court in our nation.

An appellate court

In the United States, the Supreme Court is an appellate court. This means that all cases must first be heard by lower courts, but if those rulings come into question, the Supreme Court has the final say.

For example, in the mid-1960s, two high school students in Des Moines, Iowa, wore black armbands to school to protest against the Vietnam War. School officials suspended them.

The students and their families sued, or took legal action against the school district. They believed the First Amendment, which promises the right to free speech, protected their protest.

The case was presented in the U.S. District Court, where the verdict, or decision, agreed with the school. The case eventually went to the Supreme Court, which overturned, or changed, the verdict.

Justices

There are nine justices who work at the Supreme Court. The U.S. Constitution allows

justices to serve until their death. They can also resign, retire or be impeached, or removed from office.

When a seat on the court opens, the president nominates someone to be a new justice. The U.S. Senate must confirm, or approve, the new justice. How the

court works

On the first Monday in October of each year, the Supreme Court begins its new term. The Supreme Court usually hears cases that will decide important legal principles. Out of thousands of requests received each year, the court may choose about 150 of them.

Once the Supreme Court has accepted a case for review, the two sides present their arguments to the justices. Each justice works with young law school graduates who study cases and discuss them with the justice. They may also examine all the records from the case and ask questions of the people involved.

The justices meet with each other to talk about the case. Sometimes this takes months. Then they offer their opinion.

At least five votes are needed to make a decision. One of the justices writes a summary of the opinion. A justice who dissents, or disagrees, may write an opposing argument.

Next Week: Presidents Day

Our current justices are listed in the order of how long they’ve served (with the exception of Chief Justice John Roberts).

• Chief Justice John Roberts, 68, was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He was appointed by President George W. Bush. Time in office: 17 years.

• Justice Clarence Thomas, 74, was born in Pin Point, Ga. He was appointed by President George H.W. Bush. Time in office: 31 years.

• Justice Samuel Alito, 72, was born in Trenton, N.J. He was appointed by George W. Bush. Time in office: 17 years.

• Justice Sonia Sotomayor, 68, was born in New York City. She was appointed by President Barack Obama. Time in office: 13 years.

• Justice Elena Kagan, 62, was born in New York City. She was appointed by Obama. Time in office: 12 years.

• Neil M. Gorsuch, 55, was born in Denver, Colorado. He was appointed by President Donald Trump. Time in office: five years.

• Brett M. Kavanaugh, 58, was born in Washington, D.C. Trump appointed him. Time in office: four years.

• Amy Coney Barrett, 51, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Trump also appointed her. Time in office: two years.

• Ketanji Brown Jackson, 52, was born in Washington, D.C. She was appointed by President Joe Biden. Time in office: seven months.

Mini Fact:

first woman justice on the Supreme Court was Sandra Day O’Connor. She retired in 2006.

Try

’n’ Find

Founded by Betty Debnam Issue 05, 2023

release dates: Feb. 4-10, 2023 05 (23) On the Web: • bit.ly/MPcourt Resources M D P T R U O C I C E E T O E U E J U D I C I A L N M E P S F U J A P P E L L A T E O P S

photos by Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

Kentanji Brown Jackson is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Justices

There are nine justices who work at the Supreme Court. The U.S. Constitution allows

Try ’n’ Find

summary of the opinion. A justice who dissents, or disagrees, may write an opposing argument.

Words that remind us of the Supreme Court are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

APPELLATE, APPOINT, ARGUMENT, CASE, CONFIRM, CONSTITUTION, COURT, DISSENT, JUDICIAL, JUSTICE, OVERTURN, RETIRE, SENATE, SUED, SUMMARY, SUPREME, TERM,

Mini Spy Classics

Mini Jokes

Sue: When words break the law, what happens?

Steve: They get sentenced!

Eco Note

Representatives attending the world’s largest wildlife summit have voted for the first time to regulate the hunting of sharks, which kills millions of the fish each year to meet the huge demand for shark fin soup. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora signed an agreement to regulate the commercial fishing of 54 shark species, including tiger, bull and blue sharks, which are the most targeted for the fin trade.

For later:

Look in your newspaper for articles that mention the Supreme Court.

Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!

DAN THOMPSON

By Jim Miller

How to cover dental care in retirement

Dear Savvy Senior, I had dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired and joined Medicare. Where can retirees find affordable dental care?

Uninsured Al

Dear Al,

Unfortunately, about twothirds of U.S. retirees don’t have dental insurance today. Without coverage from traditional Medicare, and with private dental insurance typically costing too much to be feasible, most seniors are stuck paying full outof-pocket prices every time they visit a dentist. While there’s no one simple solution to affordable dental care, there are a variety of options that can help cut your costs. Here’s where to look. Medicare Advantage: While dental services are mostly excluded under original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans do provide coverage for dental care, but it’s usually very limited. Medicare Advantage plans are government approved health plans (usually HMOs and PPOs) sold by private insurance companies that you can choose in place of original Medicare. To shop and research Advantage plans in your area, visit www. Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 800-633-4227.

Dental insurance: If you have gum problems and need extensive dental care, a dental insurance plan may be worth the costs versus paying for care yourself. Monthly premiums for individual plans range from

about $20 to $80. A typical plan includes two or three cleanings and checkups per year, but these plans will likely have a waiting period — anywhere from a few months to a few years — before coverage for more expensive procedures kicks in. To find dental plans in your area, see www.eHealthInsurance.com.

Dental savings plans: While savings plans aren’t as comprehensive as insurance, they are a good option for those who don’t have dental insurance. How this works is you pay an annual membership fee — around $80 to $200 a year — in exchange for 10 to 60 percent discounts on service and treatments from participating dentists. To find a savings plan, go to www.DentalPlans.com (or 888-632-5353), where you can search for plans and participating dentists, as well as get a breakdown of the discounts offered.

Veterans’ benefits: If you’re a veteran enrolled in the VA health care program or are a beneficiary of the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMP VA), the VA offers a dental in surance program that gives you the option to buy dental insur ance through Delta Dental and MetLife at a reduced cost. The VA also provides free dental

care to vets who have dental problems resulting from service. To learn more about these options, visit www.VA.gov/dental or call 877-222-8387.

Cheaper dental care: Because prices can vary by dentist, one way to ensure you get a good deal on your dental care is to call multiple provides and compare prices. To get an idea of what different dental procedures cost in your area, see www.FairHealthConsumer.org. If you’re paying cash, it’s also perfectly reasonable to ask your dentist for a discount.

There are also a number health centers and clinics that provide low-cost dental care to those in need. And all university dental schools and college dental hygiene programs offer dental care and cleanings for less than half of what you would pay at a dentist’s office. Students who are supervised by their professors provide the care. See www. TeethWisdom.org to search for a center, clinic or school near you.

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 23

Almanac

TODAY’S HISTORY:

ANDREWS MCMEEL

• In 1790, the Supreme Court of the United States convened for the first time.

• In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the war between the United States and Mexico.

• In 1887, the first official Groundhog Day celebration was held at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

• In 1913, the current Grand Central Terminal opened in New York City.

• In 1943, the Russian victory at Stalingrad was concluded when encircled German forces surrendered to the Soviets.

TODAY’S FACT:

• Since the release of the popular movie “Groundhog Day” in 1993, crowds of up to 30,000 have visited Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania each year on Feb. 2 to see whether Punxsutawney Phil observes his shadow.

MISSING CAT – Whisk — REWARD for safe return —

Drive (off North Williston Road) and near the Williston Golf Course. She is friendly, mostly gray with some white on her chest and legs, and has double paws in the front. She is very tall and thin. We were fostering her from the humane society and loved her so much that we recently adopted her. Our family is devastated that she has not come home for this long. Please reach out to Carolyn with any sightings. carolyn@trapeni.com or text at 802-881-9902.

Watch the setup for Iroquois Ice Out challenge

The Lake Iroquois Association invites the public to watch as a pallet and cinderblock — attached to a clock on shore — are placed on the ice of Lake Iroquois for the third annual IceOut Challenge at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6. Association board member Ernie Rossi will set up the pallet and clock to record the ice-out date and time. Last year’s ice-out date was April 2. Participants in the Lake Iroquois Ice Out Challenge pay $1 per ticket to guess the date and time a concrete block mounted on the pallet will break through the ice on Lake Iroquois. Tick-

ets for the Ice-Out Challenge are available until March 1 at www. lakeiroquois.org. Ice out dates recorded on Lake Iroquois since 1987 can be found on the site.

All funds raised by the IceOut Challenge are used to improve water quality and protect the lake from invasive species, including a greeter and boat washing station at the state fishing access.

Parking on Monday is available at the Rossi’s home, 802 Beebe Lane in Williston — either in front of the house or across the road from it. Beebe Lane is accessed from Oak Hill Road.

Community Bankers

Chittenden County

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS

There is no better time to join our Team!

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. Are you looking to start or continue a career in the finance industry? Consider joining our team as a Community Banker! To see all our available positions, please visit www.NSBVT.com/careers/open-positions.

Job Responsibilities & Requirements

This frontline position is crucial in creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience for NSB customers. The successful candidate will have exceptional customer service and communication skills. The Community Banker will be responsible for receiving and processing customers’ financial transactions as well as opening and maintaining customer accounts and services. We are looking for someone who can develop and maintain relationships with our valued customers, protect bank and customer information, and uphold customer confidentiality. A high school diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent is required.

If you have customer service, previous cash handling, or banking experience we encourage you to apply!

Opportunity for Growth

NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!

What NSB Can Offer You

Competitive compensation based on experience. Well-rounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work-Life balance!

We understand the importance of having evenings and weekends with our friends, families, and the communities we serve!

Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com or Northfield Savings Bank

Human Resources | PO Box 7180, Barre, VT 05641

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC

Whisk has been missing since Monday, January 9 from Tamarack

NOW HIRING

AD TRAFFIC & GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION

Part-time & Full-Time options

Ad Traffic/General Office Support

• ad booking/data entry (display ads & line classifieds)

• liaison between sales and production departments

• running reports for sales reps to keep them on task

• processing tear sheets for advertisers

• general office support & customer service

• attention to detail is a MUST

• general computer skills - Microsoft Office: Word & Excel

• willingness to tackle tedious tasks when appropriate

• a team player with a positive attitude

Graphics/Production

• creating advertisements for print and web

• newspaper page layout

• loading web & social media content

• design/layout software (Adobe Creative Suite, Quark)

• attention to detail is a MUST

• willingness to tackle tedious tasks when appropriate

• a team player with a positive attitude

If one or both of these positions appeal to you, we want to hear from you.

Send a resume and cover letter to: Stowe Reporter, POB 489, Stowe VT 05672; katerina@stowereporter.com. No phone calls please.

A busy newspaper office producing award winning weekly newspapers is hiring. We are looking for help with

Recycling

continued from page 3

It calls the Vermont law to ban PFAS in food packaging — which takes effect July 1 — “a good first step.”

In addition, Kelly said, the cost to municipalities of collecting household hazardous waste, such as paint, paint thinner and pesticides, has skyrocketed over the past five years. He said when a resident brings a carload of these chemicals to the dump, it can cost a municipality up to $400 to recycle them.

The report also says rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are causing fires at solid

Why not have a job you love?

waste and recycling facilities. The department supports including them in the Vermont battery recycling program, which it calls one of the most successful in the country.

Kelly said the market for recycling in general has dropped considerably. Recently, he said, there has been a push to include bottles containing water, flavored water, tea drinks and juice in the state bottle law, which charges a five-cent deposit for every bottle sold. The problem, Kelly said, is that redemption centers do not have the space to sort these additional bottles. In recent years, he said, they have also struggled to hire the staff needed to handle the volume.

Positions include a sign on bonus, 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, $1,500 sign on bonus.

Residential Program Manager: Coordinate staffed residential and community supports for an individual in their home. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a team-oriented position, have strong clinical skills, and demonstrated leadership. $45,900 annual salary, $1,500 sign on bonus.

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, $1,000 sign on bonus.

Residential Direct Support Professional: Provide supports to an individual in their home and in the community in 24h shifts including asleep overnights in a private, furnished bedroom. You can work two days, receive full benefits and have five days off each week! Other flexible schedules available, starting wage is $20/hr, $1,000 sign on bonus.

Shared Living Provider: Move into someone’s home or have someone live with you to provide residential supports. 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. $1,000 sign on bonus.

Join our dedicated team and together we’ll build a community where everyone participates and belongs https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

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Currently, bottles are sorted by brand, which means they end up in more than 100 different sorts, Kelly said. That is done to charge each brand for the number of its bottles that are recycled, he said.

“That means that employee needs to keep in their head 100 or more brands and sort them by brand in order for the system to work,” Kelly said. He said if the bottle law is expanded to include additional beverage bottles, it would not work without other modifications.

Kelly said both recycling and the expansion of the bottle law could be supported by making manufacturers cover the cost of collecting recyclables. He suggested changing

the system so that bottles could be sorted by material, such as glass, plastic or aluminum, rather than by brand.

“We have a consumer economy that doesn’t require producers to be responsible for the products they are selling or even the packaging that is related to those products,” Sheldon said.

Sheldon’s committee is hearing testimony this week on a hazardous waste bill that would make producers fund reclamation programs that solid waste management districts run. Kelly is scheduled to testify.

“There seems to be agreement that this is an urgent matter that we can do something about,” Sheldon said.

OBITUARIES

Ann Elizabeth Everleth Wilcox Harwood

Ann Elizabeth Everleth Wilcox Harwood (88) passed away quietly in her sleep on January 24, 2023 at Mansfield Place Memory Care in Essex Junction, Vt.

She was born in Albany, NY in 1935. She earned her BS/Ed at Plattsburgh State Teachers College in NY and her MS/Ed at Central Connecticut State College. Ann worked as an elementary school teacher at Vernon Elementary School and later as a reading consultant at Center Road School in Vernon, Ct.

In retirement she volunteered at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library in Williston and at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, Vt.

She worshiped and served at the Stowe Community Church and also at UCC in Burlington and Williston Federated Church.

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ADVERTISING INSERTION

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She enjoyed traveling with her daughters, sailing, cooking, gardening, reading and caring for her many pets. She served as the president of the Hartford Whalers NHL hockey team’s booster club and was a member of Eastern Star. She was always friendly and kind with a ready smile and a fondness for her own and other peoples’ pets.

FROM: Dakota Ward

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Ann lived in Vernon, Ct for many years followed by residences in Gouverneur NY, Chestertown MD and Stowe and Williston, Vt.

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She is survived by her daughter Sue Conte and her husband Mico Bursac of Brookline, Ma; her daughter Gayle Wilcox of Williston, Vt as well as her daughter Carol Wilcox Schein and her husband Jack von Behren and her 2 grandsons Tim Schein and Dan Schein all of Waterbury Center, Vt along with her brother Richard Everleth and his family of the Delmar/Albany, NY area. She is predeceased by her husband Stephen Earl Wilcox of Vernon, Ct and her parents Raymond and Ruth Everleth of New Baltimore, NY.

SIZE OF AD: 1/16

EMAILED TO: Rick@Willistonobserver.com

Publishes in Williston

SECTION: Auctions

PO# 02032023

A private family burial and memorial will take place at a later date. The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.

“We have a consumer economy that doesn’t require producers to be responsible for the products they are selling or even the packaging that is related to those products.”

Rep. Amy Sheldon Middlebury

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BUILDING

BEAGLE

Selectboard

er areas she is eager to work on.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time on the planning commission and I’m excited by the opportunity to jump into a board with even more responsibility and a broader view of the issues impacting Williston,” Beckett said.

Isham, 62, also believes he would bring a unique perspective to the board, advocating for the priorities of rural Williston.

“Williston needs to retain its rural character, that’s so important,” Isham said. “When people from New Jersey come up here to visit, it’s not because they want to go shopping at Walmart.

“I hope I can add a human perspective to the selectboard and town offices, not just a business side,” he continued. “I’ll be more interested in the social aspects of what’s going on than just strictly business.”

Beckett’s mother passed away in 2020 after an exemplary 20-year career as town clerk and treasurer and volunteer on several town boards. The room in Town Hall where the selectboard meets was renamed in her honor after her passing.

Beckett draws inspiration from her mother’s civic involvement.

“It has always been important to me to be a useful member of my community actively engaged in making it a better place,” she said. “The importance of being part of the solution was instilled in me from a very young age by my mom, by the example she set on a daily basis.”

FEHRS STEPS AWAY; JENSEN STEPS UP

Longtime selectboard member Jeff Fehrs will not seek re-election this March. But the board will welcome a community member with civic experience that rivals Fehrs’ to take his place.

Jeanne Jensen will run unopposed for the three-year seat currently held by Fehrs.

Jensen was most recently the chief operations officer for the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD), in charge of a nearly $100 million annual budget. She retired last year but has continued to work for the district as a contracted consultant.

Jensen previously served for a decade as Williston’s volunteer representative to the CVU School Board, which has since been merged into the CVSD board. She was also a founding member of the Williston Community Food Shelf, where she served as treasurer and president.

She has lived in Williston since 1995, except for a few years in Hinesburg. She has plans to transition away from school district consulting and focus on town issues.

“I have some time, I have the interest

Summer Camps

2023 GUIDE

Promote your program in our Summer Camps guide for targeted exposure to a local audience of kids and parents as they make plans for the upcoming summer season. This advertising section is a go-to guide for summer camp and recreation researchers, making it the ideal place to outline your offerings and secure more early enrollments.

Publication Dates: February 9, March 9 and April 6

Deadlines: Thursdays before each issue Contact: Williston Observer at 802-373-2136 for information or to advertise your camp (ask about multi-paper, half-price color and Burlington Area Newspaper Group deals).

ton on the board. Like Brady, Henderson has a teaching background.

“I’ve wanted to get involved a little bit more in the community for a while,” Henderson said. “I thought this would be a good place for me to go because of my background.”

A native of Bristol, Henderson has lived in Williston for 10 years. She has two children who have graduated from CVU and another who currently attends the high school. Henderson has worked as a teacher in New Hampshire, California and overseas. She currently works for the Vermont Agency of Human Services.

She has never sought elected office before.

“I’m a product of Vermont public education and I think I bring a variety of perspectives — as a parent, as a former teacher, as a taxpayer,” she said. “I’m really excited to do the work.”

and I think I have the background, so I’m excited to get started,” Jensen said.

Fehrs could not be reached to comment on his decision to not seek re-election.

ERIN FOR ERIN ON THE SCHOOL BOARD

With Erin Brady recently announcing she won’t seek re-election to the Champlain Valley School Board, another Williston mother will be on the Town Meeting Day ballot to take her place.

Erin Henderson is running unopposed for a three-year term representing Willis -

ROUNDING OUT THE FIELD

All other candidates up for election at Town Meeting Day are running unopposed. Selectboard chair Terry Macaig is running for a two-year seat on the board; Charity Clark is running for a five-year library trustee term; Linda Levitt is running for a three-year term as lister; Sarah Mason is running for a three-year term as town clerk; and Liz Royer is running for a three-year term representing Williston on the Champlain Water District board.

The Secret to Your Summer Camp’s Success

To learn more or reserve your space, talk to us today!

Jeanne Jensen