Williston Observer 4/22/2021

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APRIL 22, 2021

WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985

Town formalizes racial equity partnership

WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM

Lacrosse face-off

BY JASON STARR Observer staff On the day former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in the killing of George Floyd — a tragedy that led to an eruption of protests nationwide about systemic racism — Cristalee McSweeney of the Williston Community Justice Center announced the structure of the newly formed Williston Racial Equity Partnership. The partnership has come together to lead the town’s efforts to address institutional and systemic racism. Its first initiative was to urge the Williston Selectboard to raise the Black Lives Matter flag at Town Hall, which the board approved in March. At that time, the group was an informal collection of like-minded residents. On Tuesday, McSweeney said that she and former Town Manager Rick McGuire, who is the current president of the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club, have interviewed people interested in serving on the partnership’s steering committee and chosen the committee’s makeup. The steering committee met for the first time last week. Applicants who were not selected were assured that their contributions would still be sought on the partnership’s sub-committees. McSweeney will serve as the partnership’s director. Carrie William-Howe will serve as task manager and Dennis Francis and Jay Tanden will be sub-committee leads. Others on the steering see PARTNERSHIP page 5

Pat Brown, a member of the Williston Racial Equity Partnership, raises the Black Lives Matter flag at town hall in March. OBSERVER PHOTO BY EVA BENWAY

CVU’s Tess Everett, right, fights for possession Monday against Burr & Burton during the Redhawks’ home opener in Hinesburg. The Redhawks lost 14-13 after a 9-0 run in the closing minutes of the second half brought them to within one goal of tying the game. Over the weekend, the girls opened the season with a win over Mount Anthony. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

Green Up Day set for May 1

It’s that time of year, when the landscape begs for some TLC and Vermonters are called to get outside and spruce up their communities. The 50-year-old tradition of a statewide spring cleaning, Green Up Day, is scheduled for May 1. Williston’s town planners have begun organizing sign-ups for groups interested in focusing on a particular roadway or park, and they invite residents to a meet-up on May 1 in front of Healthy Living Market to direct individuals and groups to areas that need cleaning. Volunteers will be dispatched across town, filling the provided green bags with trash found on roadsides and other public spaces. Williston Green Up organizer Bonnie Woodford of the town’s planning and zoning office expects interest in stewardship of public spaces to be strong after a pandemic year where more people were frequenting public parks and trails. “People are getting out a lot more and becoming more aware of places that need to be greened up,” she said. “I think participation will definitely rebound this year.” Last year’s Green Up Day was postponed until the end of May and participation was lower than normal.

How to Green Up April 26-30: Green Up bags available at town hall May 1: Green Up bags available in front of Healthy Living To choose your Green Up spot, visit www.bit.ly/greenupsignup

Starting Monday, residents are welcome to go to town hall and pick up Green Up Day bags and claim a park or

section of road to clean. Typically, areas are claimed using a physical map in the town’s planning office. Last year, with the town offices closed, town staff created an online mapping tool where residents and groups can choose their green up areas. Town staff is using the online map again this year. Visit www.bit.ly/greenupsignup to view which portions of town are available. Williston Community Park and Rossignol Park, as well as a handful of roadways, were already claimed as of Tuesday. “It’s something people are just getting used to using,” Woodford said. “It’s always easier to have a paper map. Maybe next year we’ll have both.” Those who don’t sign up ahead of time are invited to the front lawn of Healthy Living Market (alongside Williston Road) to greet town planners, grab Green Up bags and be directed to a spot that needs cleaning. “It’s a way for us to talk to people face to face more than we’ve been able to do in the last year,” Woodford said. Public works personnel will pick up filled Green Up bags and dispose of them Monday, May 3.

Page 2  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

10-day Taft Corners design workshop launches Saturday

Walk this way A sidewalk project to complete a pedestrian loop around Blair Park Road and make a connection to Route 2 is underway. The project includes the installation of two crosswalks that will be raised to slow vehicle traffic. OBSERVER PHOTO BY SUSAN COTE

Conservative leader Charlie Kirk to speak at Williston church BY GUY PAGE Special to the Observer Charlie Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point USA, is scheduled to speak at Ignite Church on South Brownell Road in Williston on June 27. Turning Point USA, a conservative youth activist organization, recently held its first statewide meeting in Vermont and since has organized a University of Vermont chapter. It is dedicated to identifying, organizing and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government, according to Kirk’s website, www.charliekirk.com. Kirk, 28, was the youngest

Charlie Kirk

speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and opened the Republican National Convention as the first speaker in 2020. He’s the author of three books, including “The MAGA Doctrine:

The Only Ideas that Will Win the Future.” He is co-founder of the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty, a Christian think tank at Liberty University working to expand religious freedom and advance conservative principles. He is also a podcaster and syndicated radio show host. The June 27 event will begin at 10 a.m. Visit www.ignitechurchvt.com for more information. Guy Page is the publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle, online at www.vermontdailychronicle.com.

The Town of Williston welcomes all community members to participate in a 10-day workshop to create a vision for the future of Taft Corners. The “My Taft Corners” series begins Saturday and goes through May 3. Saturday’s half-day design workshop will be conducted online via Zoom starting at 9 a.m. Visit www.mytaftcorners.com for information about how to participate. The My Taft Corners project (#mytaftcorners) is focused on developing a form-based code to replace the existing development regulations in Taft Corners. Formbased codes emphasize regulating building and street design, versus the current traditional development regulations that focus on regulating the uses inside buildings. Saturday’s design workshop will be led by the town’s consultant, Geoffrey Ferrell Associates. Attendees will work in small groups led by consultant team members to digitally collaborate, plan, sketch and share ideas about how to make Taft Corners a place of community, vitality and pride. All community members and ideas are welcome. Geoffrey Ferrell Associates will be working continuously through the 10-day period to develop the framework of a form-based code for Taft Corners. This work will be premised on ideas shared at Saturday’s workshop and several community surveys conducted in March and April. The consultant team will offer near-daily updates on project progress via Zoom during the last week of April. For a full schedule of events during the 10-day workshop, visit www.my-

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taftcorners.com. A Zoom meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 3 will culminate the series and summarize the consultant team’s work. It will also provide an additional opportunity to review the ideas and concept the consultant team will use to develop a form-based code for Williston. The May 3 meeting may include a review of a draft illustrative plan, regulating plan and standards for a new form-based code. The Williston Town Plan has long called for Taft Corners to be “a design-conscious, bike/pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use town center that provides convenience, leisure and social uses for employees and residents in the context of a thriving center.” However, the current development regulations for Taft Corners have not guided development in a manner that fulfills this vision and changes are needed, Williston Town Planner Matt Boulanger said. “I’m really excited to be a part of this critical project for Williston’s future,” said Boulanger. “I’ve had a front-row seat to observe changes to Taft Corners over the last dozen years. I’m confident that with the community conversation we’re about to embark upon, and the expertise of our consultant team, we’ll develop regulations that can truly shape Taft Corners into the vibrant, walkable place the town wants it to become.” Geoffrey Ferrell Associates will present a draft form-based code to the town for public review in late summer. Additional opportunities for public feedback will be provided at that time.

April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 3

Rene Sanchez named CVSD superintendent New hire comes to Vermont from Indiana OBSERVER STAFF REPORT The Champlain Valley School District Board of Directors announced Sunday the hiring of Rene Sanchez as the district’s next superintendent. Sanchez is currently assistant superintendent for operations at a 16,000-student school district in South Bend, Ind. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, a law degree from Ohio State and a master’s of educational administration from the University of Texas. He is also currently pursuing a doctorate at Indiana State University. “As a lifelong learner, I‘m excited to become the educational leader for Vermont’s largest district and to work with families and communities and businesses to make sure we’re in a place where we can help all students achieve,” Sanchez said in a press release after accepting the position. He will start July 1, succeeding retiring

Rene Sanchez

superintendent Elaine Pinckney. Sanchez has a connection to Vermont through his wife, Jean, a Vermont native and graduate of UVM. They have three children. “We’re happy that our children are go-

ing to grow up in Jean’s home state,” said Sanchez, who, in his personal time, enjoys cycling, cooking, reading, fishing, golfing and gardening. “We are thrilled to be closer to family and many of Jean’s college friends, who still live in the area.” Before his tenure in South Bend, Sanchez was principal of Houston’s César E. Chávez High School. “This is an amazing time for our district,” school board chair Angela Arsenault said. “We’ve been expertly led by Superintendent Elaine Pinckney for the past 15 years, and we’re poised to benefit from both the deep respect Mr. Sanchez has expressed for CVSD, as well as the fresh perspective he’ll bring to our schools and systems.” Sanchez said he was drawn to the Champlain Valley School District because of its support of diversity, equity and inclusion and its commitment to personalized learning. “Knowing that we’re looking after every student and meeting them where they are is an educational philosophy that I share,” he said. “I welcome the opportunity to help the five towns grow together post-consolidation and become a stronger unified district. “My strength is designing from the

beginning so that we reach all students — even those in the margins,” he continued. “My style complements CVSD’s existing approach ensuring that all students can successfully transition from elementary to middle school to high school and then on to college or career or whatever their pursuit of happiness is.” In his current role in Indiana, Sanchez directs the human resources and transportation departments for a district with an annual budget of over $173 million. He spearheaded an initiative to address the digital divide by equipping a group of school buses with Wi-Fi for students facing long commutes or late-night rides following sports and other extracurricular activities so they could do schoolwork during their trip. This positioned the district to quickly respond to the connectivity challenges of remote learning during the past year. All district buses (235 total) became roving Wi-Fi providers this year, traveling to students in need to deliver both internet service and food. These communication hubs remain parked in designated neighborhoods throughout the school day.

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Page 4  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

Home sales to out-of-state buyers spiked in 2020 BY ERIN PETENKO VTDigger

Sales of Vermont homes to out-of-state buyers jumped 38 percent in 2020 over the year before, suggesting that the pandemic drove newfound interest in Vermont real estate. According to data collected by the Vermont Department of Taxes and newly analyzed by the Vermont Center for Geographic Information, home sales to out-of-staters reached their highest level in years, despite a slowdown in early 2020. Such sales peaked in late October last year. The analysis covers sales between January 2017 and January 2021. The 38 percent increase in 2020 compares to a 3 percent increase the year before and no change the year before that. The tax department logged 3,795 sales to out-of-state buyers in 2020, compared to 2,750 in 2019. That represents about 27 percent of all residential sales in 2020, according to Deputy Tax Commissioner Rebecca Sameroff. The value of that real estate increased even more: $1.43 billion in residential real estate was sold to out-of-staters in 2020, a 79 percent increase over the $799 million sold the year before. The findings were gleaned from records collected by the state when it taxes property transfers. The data comes with several stipulations. The Vermont Center for Geographic Information excluded from its analysis transactions under $20,000 to account for sales of timeshares and other blips in the data, according to John Adams, the center’s director. The analysis is also based on mailing addresses submitted to the tax department at the time of purchase, but that may not reflect residency. The data nevertheless provides a glimpse at how residential sales changed during the pandemic and suggest that, at some level, newcomers showed new interest in Vermont in 2020. “It’s a proxy. It’s by no means a perfect measure,” Sameroff said. “But there’s certainly an undeniable increase in people buying property from out-of-state addresses.

Coldwell Banker Hickock and Boardman is just one of the real estate firms reporting an increase in sales for Burlington homes. PHOTO BY GRACE ELLETSON/VTDIGGER

Geographic patterns In 2020, residential sales to out-ofstaters were higher in southern Vermont, the Mad River Valley and Lamoille and Chittenden counties, the data show. They were particularly high near ski areas. Stowe led the state with $132 million in sales from 176 transactions. Ski areas dominated out-of-state sales in previous years, as well. The 10 communities accounting for the most in sales were virtually identical from 2019 to 2020. The biggest change came in Killington, which fell from third-highest in 2019 to tenth place in 2020. While the names of the top towns didn’t change much, the numbers did. Each of those towns had more sales in 2020 than in 2019. Stowe, for example, had 120 sales in 2019

and 176 in 2020, a 47 percent increase. KC Chambers, a Realtor at Red Barn Realty in Stowe, said the data aligned with what he’s noticed in clients: a desire to move to the area or to own a home after renting. “They liked it here in the past, did a lot of quarantining here, maybe got a rental here and liked it,” he said. “They could see living here full time, but otherwise they think they could spend a chunk of time here and rent it out when they’re not here.” Chambers’ clients wanted a variety of different types of properties, but they often requested broadband internet, he said. Many also looked for properties with great office space. Asked if he thought his clients would stay long term, he said their continued abil-

‘It’s by no means a perfect measure. But there’s certainly an undeniable increase in people buying property from out-of-state addresses.’ ­— Rebecca Sameroff Deputy Tax Commissioner ity to work remotely could be a driver of whether they would be permanent or temporary Vermonters, particularly in communities that don’t have enough jobs to support their new residents. But Chambers said it was difficult to draw broad conclusions about those moving to town. “Much as people would like to put these new people in one bucket, I don’t think that’s possible,” he said.

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Child survives Charlotte boating accident that kills grandparents BY ALAN J. KEAYS VTDigger Two grandparents died when their boat capsized Monday afternoon on Lewis Creek in Charlotte, according to the Vermont State Police. A young grandchild accompanying them survived. Authorities identified the victims as Martha Illick, 70, and Terrence Dinnan, 71, of Lewis Creek Road in Charlotte. Illick, known as Marty, served as executive director of the Lewis Creek Association, a conservation organization dedicated to protecting the body of water and its surroundings. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington for autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death, according to state police spokesperson Adam Silverman. Authorities received a call Monday afternoon from a fisherman who discovered two bodies in the water, Silverman said. First responders located the victims and learned that a 3-year-old child was missing, he said. An extensive search was launched to find the child. After a little more than an hour, the 3-year-old was found in a car at Illick’s and Dinnan’s house, Silverman said. Investigators were able to piece together that the child and his grandparents had gone for an outing in a small boat on Lewis Creek. The boat capsized for un-

Lewis Creek in Charlotte. PHOTO BY ALAN J. KEAYS/VTDIGGER

known reasons, Silverman said, sending all three into the water. “The child was able to get out. He was wearing a life vest,” Silverman said. “We don’t know the exact circumstances of how he was able to get out of the water.” Illick and Dinnan were not wearing life jackets. “He essentially went to a place that he knew,” Silverman said. “He just went back to the grandparents’ house and got back in the car.” The child was not hurt and was reunited with his parents at the scene, Silverman said. “It’s certainly a very sad and tragic event,” he said.

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April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 5

Partnership continued from page

1

committee are McGuire, former state representative Debbie Ingram, Williston Federated Church Pastor Paul Eyer, Pat Brown, Ingrid Mangold and Lisa Braden-Harder. The group plans to meet monthly and develop a strategy for addressing racism in Williston. It will also create a mission and values statement, McSweeney said. “This is so critical, and I think it’s going to be hard to keep the momentum going,” selectboard member Jeff Fehrs said. “The (Black Lives Matter) flag is the easy first step. The next step is continuing to make progress. It’s going to take perseverance.” McSweeney said addressing systemic and institutional racism in the community is overdue. “I wish I could say we will erase racism, but at least we need to acknowledge that we do have a lot of it in our community and that we need to work together to live up to our community values,” she said. “I’m excited about the work. It’s not easy, but I think we have a great group of people and we’ll work our best to live up to the expectation of

addressing the harms that exist in our community.” Gov. Phil Scott had a similar message in a statement after the Chauvin verdict Tuesday. “Although today’s verdict brings some justice, there is still so much more work to achieve a truly just society,” he said. “We must acknowledge that, over many generations, systemic racism was built into our social systems, our economic systems and everything in between … It will take our nation and our state years of committed work to achieve real and lasting equality for every American.” Town Manager Erik Wells has determined that on days when flags are ordered at half staff, the town will move the Black Lives Matter flag to the Williston Fire Department flagpole and place a sign displaying the Black Lives Matter message on the town hall lawn. Town administrators have found that there is not enough space for the flag, which is displayed under the American and Vermont flags, on the town hall flagpole when flags are at half staff. The Black Lives Matter flag is due to be removed in June, unless the selectboard acts to extend the display.

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Page 6  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

GUEST COLUMN

www.willistonobserver.com A publication of Twin Ponds Publishing, LLC

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Mailing address: P.O. Box 1401 Williston, Vt. 05495 PUBLISHER: Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com EDITOR: Jason Starr editor@willistonobserver.com ADVERTISING: Marianne Apfelbaum 802-872-9000 marianne@willistonobserver.com PRODUCTION: Sue Storey sstorey@willistonobserver.com

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The Legislature’s irresponsibility on pensions

SUBMISSIONS/LETTERS SEND TO editor@willistonobserver.com • News/story tips welcomed • Letters must be 300 words or fewer • Deadline is Monday at noon Include your name, address and a daytime phone number (so 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.

BY DON TURNER The last thing you do in the middle of a crisis is kick the can down the road. Yet that’s exactly what the Legislature just did on Vermont’s mounting pension liabilities. Earlier this year, State Treasurer Beth Pearce delivered a long overdue message to the Legislature, calling for painful cuts in order to keep the state employees’ and state teachers’ pensions operational. This comes years after resisting calls for structural reform to the pension system. The treasurer deserves recognition for having the courage to at least present a plan. Legislators in the House Government Operations Committee later unveiled their own similar plan, which broke promises to state employees and teachers. It called for significant cuts and unfair modifications to arrangements that the state had assured its workers it would cover. Unions, state employees and teachers were rightly outraged. However, instead of considering other options to reform

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the pension system, Legislative leadership caved to political pressure. Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray issued a vague statement criticizing the plan, with absolutely no suggestion for any substantive alternatives. Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint did much the same. And, unsurprisingly, House Speaker Jill Krowinski ditched the plan, effectively throwing her own colleagues in the House Government Operations Committee under the bus. She called for Montpelier’s favorite tool — a “task force” — which really means doing nothing now. In response, Treasurer Pearce noted her disappointment in the Legislature’s inability to come to an agreement. The treasurer is correct. By delaying action this year, the Legislature is only making our problems worse. We can’t break our promises, but we certainly can’t afford to delay action either. There are other options out there, options that don’t break our promises and avoid painful cuts. The Legislature could give state employees an option to switch to less-expensive defined contri-

bution plans (and transition new employees into these plans); move other-post employment benefits into the Vermont health exchange; impose a small tax on retirement allowances until we reach an 80 percent funded ratio (a far better alternative than deep cuts); slightly tweak up the retirement age to match Social Security; and perhaps most importantly, phase in reasonable increases to employee contribution rates over time. I would also encourage modifications to prevent future bureaucrats from gaming the pension system. It is far too common for agencies to promote or move staff around at the end of their career to inflate their retirement pension. Modifying the system to determine beneficiaries pension based on the average of their annual salary over their career versus the highest two years would be more equitable to all and would not allow someone to manipulate the pension system. Put simply, there are other options out there. But instead of considering them, House lawmaksee TURNER page 7

April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 7

GUEST COLUMN

I-89 study — an opportunity for forward-thinking transportation

OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

Editor’s note: This commentary was hances the livability of our communities and submitted by AARP Vermont, the Conserva- protects our environment, and as members of tion Law Foundation, Local Motion and the the I-89 Corridor Study Advisory CommitVermont Natural Resources Council. tee, we think this once in a generation plan ning study can — and should — do a number Crossing the street shouldn’t mean risk- of things. ing your life. But for anyone biking, walking This study should result in improveor rolling in Burlingments for people who ton or South Burlingare traveling not only ton, the intersection at by car, but by foot, Exit 14 and Williston bike or public transit. Interstate 89 Road is treacherous. It should make an imIt has been identified portant bike/pedesstudy launches as the second most trian connection bedangerous stretch of tween Burlington and 7 p.m. Thursday, April 29 road for bicyclists in surrounding towns Via videoconference the state. safe enough for anyMore information at Fortunately, a one to cross in comconversation about fort. It should provide www.envision89.com potential improvea better transit expements to the interstate rience, enhance livaand interchanges in Chittenden County is bility, minimize sprawl and help us reduce currently underway in the Chittenden Coun- greenhouse gas emissions. ty Regional Planning Commission’s I-89 This will require that decisions are made Corridor Study. with diverse input from all of the communiAs representatives of organizations that ties that will be impacted, to ensure these care deeply about a transportation system plans include all users. All are welcome to that supports people’s independence, en- weigh in at a public meeting 7 p.m. April 29

Envision 89

Turner continued from page

6

ers came up with a rushed, poorly designed proposal, excluding key stakeholders from the process, and then abandoned it and established a measly “task force.” While abandoning a bad plan is a good step, opting for no plan — which will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually — is not an acceptable alternative. I believe everyone involved in this conversation understands what needs to be done to stabilize the pensions. The problem lays with the political fortitude to get it done.

Moving forward, the Legislature should make sure the task force process is inclusive, open and transparent, and considers all ideas. Timing is of the essence. But the very fact that we’re in this situation is a sign of failed legislative leadership. Let’s hope they wise up and incorporate some realistic, substantive ideas for next year. Don Turner is the former minority leader in the Vermont House of Representatives and a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018. He is currently the Milton town manager.

via Zoom. Find more details at www.envision89.com. Two of the options being considered support our vision of connectivity for all modes of travel by making improvements to existing interchanges. One is Exit 14, which has long been a barrier to moving safely between Burlington and surrounding communities by foot or bike, or even by car. The other is Exit 13 (189), an incomplete auto connector route (and another barrier to walking and biking). Some of the improvements under consideration for these exits, such as sidewalk overpasses, multi-use paths and others, would make it safer and easier to get around the area without a car. These are the kinds of changes we think can bring our transportation system into alignment with what we need for a healthy, vibrant, sustainable and equitable future. Another option under consideration is the so-called Exit 12B, an entirely new interchange at Tilley Drive (Rt. 116) in South Burlington. Unfortunately, this would come at great cost both in terms of investment and

impacts on nearby communities. This type of outdated development leads to sprawl, undermines our State Plan on Aging’s goals related to reducing the impacts of isolation and loneliness and undermines our energy and climate goals — along with many other goals and values we have as a state. We need to fix the problems we already have at exits 13 and 14 before we consider costly, disruptive and controversial new projects. The changes recommended in the I-89 Corridor Study will ultimately become part of a long-range plan and guide how future public dollars are spent. The options advanced will define not only how the interstate functions for people who drive, but also for those who can’t drive, or choose not to, which amounts to about one third of Vermont’s population. We encourage you to attend the April 29 public meeting to learn more and express your viewpoints on the future of moving around Chittenden County. This study should envision, define and advance a system that will work in light of emerging trends, not keep us mired in the past.

Page 8  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

Home & Garden

Planting tips for growing success

BY MELINDA MYERS Special to the Observer Increase your growing success by giving your transplants a good start with a few simple planting techniques. Preparing them for the transition to outdoors and planting properly will help you grow your best garden yet. Transplants started indoors from seed or purchased at a local garden center or greenhouse need time to prepare for their outdoor home. Gradually toughen them up with a procedure called hardening off. This process helps

them adjust to outdoor growing conditions, so plants will suffer less transplant shock and establish more quickly. Start by moving the plants outdoors to a sheltered, shady location about one to two weeks before the recommended planting date. Stop fertilizing and water thoroughly when the planting mix is starting to dry. Move plants into an hour of direct sunlight the first day, increasing the time by an hour each day. Make this easier by placing transplants in a wagon, old saucer sled or garden cart. Keep frost protection handy

or move plants indoors when frost is in the forecast. Once the plants are hardened off, move them into the garden. Water the planting mix thoroughly the night before planting. If possible, plant in the morning or on a cloudy day to reduce moisture loss and stress on the plants. Follow spacing recommendations on the plant tags to save money and time. You will need fewer plants to fill the space and allow each plant to reach its full potential. Press on the sides of the pot to loosen the roots and carefully

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slide the plant out of the container. Do not pull the plant out by the stem or you may end up with all stem and no attached roots. Gently loosen any encircling and tightly bound roots. This encourages the roots to explore the surrounding soil and establish a strong root system. Use fingers to tease apart the roots or a sharp knife to slice through the surface roots in a few places. Plant tomato transplants several inches deeper or set long leggy plants in a trench. This encourages roots to form along the buried stem. Remove the lowest leaves that will be covered by the soil and loosen the roots on the hardened-off transplant. Dig a shallow trench 2-3 inches deep. Lay the leggy tomato in the trench and carefully bend the stem so the upper portion remains above ground. Cover the stem with soil and water. Set stakes and towers in place at the time of planting to reduce the risk of damaging roots and stems when trying to secure tall plants. Make sure the support is strong and tall enough for the

plants. Remove any flowers and fruit on the transplants at the time of planting so plants can direct energy into forming roots, resulting in more flowers and fruit over time. If you cannot bring yourself to do this, try removing flowers on every other plant or row at planting. Do the same to the remaining flowers the following week. Water new transplants often enough to keep the soil moist, but not soggy wet. Water thoroughly and gradually extend the amount of time between watering to encourage deep, more drought-tolerant roots. Adding a layer of shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic mulch will help conserve moisture, suppress weeds and improve the soil as it decomposes. Implementing these strategies will help increase your enjoyment and reduce maintenance throughout the growing season. Melinda Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.

April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 9

Home & Garden

Springtime is tool cleaning time

spring can damage plants that have survived a cold winter. While waiting for warmer weather, this is an excellent time to clean your gardening implements and make sure your tools are in good working order. First, inspect your pots and growing containers and clean them. It’s important to disinfect plant containers that were used in the previous gardening season. Disease-harboring debris can build-up inside containers. To disinfect pots, soak them in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water for 10 minutes. Use a scrub brush to clear away stubborn debris. Finish by rinsing pots with clear water. Second, get out your weeders, cultivators and other gardening tools and Spring is the time to clean and sharpen garden tools to keep inspect them. If you disthem in working order. PHOTO BY SUZANNE FREITAS cover some rust, here’s BY SUZANNE FREITAS what to do to get them back in working Special to the Observer order: soak in a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water overnight; then scrub in a circular moWarm days may tempt you to work in tion with steel wool; rinse in soapy water and the garden and remove winter mulch, but then plain water; let dry thoroughly, then rub wait a bit longer. We still could have snow lightly with linseed or mineral oil. and some cold nights. Plants still need proMake sure tools are dried thoroughly tection. before storing. Treating tools with linseed or The freeze and thaw cycles of early mineral oil on a regular basis is the best way

to keep them from getting rusty. Then inspect your pruners, loppers or shears. Pruners should be taken apart and deep cleaned at least once each season. Unscrew the nut that holds them together, and wash all parts separately in soapy water; soak in vinegar and water; scrub with steel wool to remove any rust; rinse and dry; soak in bleach and water to sanitize, then rinse and dry; rub with boiled linseed oil and reassemble. In addition, check the sharpness of your tools. Cutting or pruning with dull blades often results in damaged branches, so it’s important always to keep your tools sharp. Branches that have been ripped or torn apart are more susceptible to disease. Keep your pruners and other cutting tools sharp with a specialized pruner-sharpening tool or a sharpening stone. Other tools such as hoes, shovels and knives can be kept sharp with quick touch-ups from a sharpening file, followed by a sharpening stone. Lastly, do not forget to take care of the handles of your tools. Minor cracks can be

reinforced with heavy-duty duct tape. Or you just might decide that now is the time to replace that old tool. A highly effective tool is a spear-headed spade. The narrow, pointed head lets you dig in beds without disturbing nearby plants. Another handy tool is a drain spade. This is a sturdy shovel, which can slice through compacted soil, roots and sod because it has sharp teeth that provide extra cutting power. A regular maintenance routine will keep your garden tools in good working order and will help them last longer. Tools need to be sharp, but also clean and sterile. Tools that are exposed to plants or soil with bacterial, fungal or insect infestations can spread problems throughout the garden. It only takes a few minutes after each gardening session to take care of your tools and protect your garden the next time they are used. Suzanne Freitas is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from Jericho.

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Page 10  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

Trash donations bog down Goodwill ‘Something has changed in the last few years’ Good intentions of the sustainably minded are ultimately hurting Goodwill as people donate more unusable trash than ever before.

Other organizations that accept donations are finding similar trends. Goodwill Northern New England and researchers at the University of Maine recently released data that quantify the problem. “Our grandparents knew

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what to donate to Goodwill, but something has changed in the last few years. There’s a new assumption that every item is valuable to someone, and unfortunately it’s not true,” said Rich Cantz, President and CEO of Goodwill Northern New England. “People want to do the right thing, but when they donate things like broken furniture or used car batteries, it takes away from our programs that need the support.” In the last year, Goodwill says it was forced to dispose of about 13 million pounds of bad donations. That is up 155 percent compared to five years ago, and that doesn’t even include three months last spring when donations were stopped because of the pandemic. Trash disposal costs for Goodwill Northern New England topped $1.2 million in 2020. “We are helping hundreds of people get back to work during the pandemic through our workforce programs. An additional million dollars could help us get so many more people into higher-paying jobs,” said Kelly Osborn, Goodwill’s senior vice president of client services. University of Maine associate professor Cindy Isenhour has been studying Maine’s reuse economy since 2017 with support from the National Science Foundation.

Goodwill has a location on Harvest Lane in Williston. In the last five years, there has been a 155 percent increase in unusable donations at Goodwill store’s throughout New England. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR

“We are hearing very similar stories from all types of organizations that take donations,” she said. “They rely on folks to donate, but increasingly very strange things like broken lamps, Barbie heads, a single shoe come in that can’t be sold. This is partially a problem of products designed to be replaced frequently. But it is really a shame when donations are so low in quality that these charitable groups have

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to pay to dispose of them.” “Everyone wants to do the right thing, but our research is showing that sometimes that good intention can have a negative impact,” said Brieanne Berry, a student working with Isenhour. “When people donate or recycle the wrong things, it still ends up in the trash, but these charitable organizations have to pay for it.” Casella Waste Systems, which has recycling programs throughout New England, sees a similar trend in recycling. “Despite people’s best intentions, not everything belongs in the recycling bin, nor can be reclaimed by Goodwill,” said John Casella, chairman and CEO of Casella Waste Systems. “Our long history and mission to find the best and highest use for every community’s discarded materials has taught us that outreach and education efforts are crucial, and never-ending. For our partner Goodwill and for Casella, keeping trash and other items that contaminate recycling and reclamation efforts out of the material we recover is key to our environmental and community missions, and to the health and safety of our team members.” Goodwill Northern New England is a nonprofit that covers Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. It opened a store in Williston in 2018. It accepts and sells donated items, with revenue going to support workforce programs for people with disabilities and barriers to employment.

April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 11

Spend a ‘Day in the Dirt’ to increase food access

Leahy, Sanders endorse anti-fossil fuel bill

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO Volunteers help improve a community garden to increase food access and reduce food insecurity. Volunteers are needed throughout the month of April. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

Volunteers are needed at gardens across Vermont this month to spend a “Day in the Dirt.” Day in the Dirt is a statewide community and school garden fundraiser and work day to kick off the growing season. The Vermont Community Garden Network (VCGN) is hosting this ninth-annual event to bring volunteers together to build or expand shared garden spaces. Volunteers are needed to help repair raised beds, mulch walkways, construct a fence or prepare a pollinator space. Each project is supervised by a garden site leader and no special skills or tools are required. This year VCGN will support 15 gardens at schools, parks, housing sites, hospitals and food shelves across the state. See the list at www.vcgn. org. “Day in the Dirt has become an annual tradition for

community and school gardens to kick off the growing season, and funds raised from this event support the participating gardens and Gardens for Learning, a program to teach gardening skills and provide vegetables to children at risk of summertime hunger,” said Michelle Gates, VCGN’s executive director. “In Vermont, there are more than 500 shared gardens, which provide food and social connections for thousands of people, including many children and families at risk for food insecurity without access to them.” Day in the Dirt is sponsored by Gardener’s Supply Company, City Market/Onion River Coop, UVM Medical Center, AARP, Earth Breeze and Green Mountain Compost. For more information about the event and volunteer registration, go to www.vcgn.org/ day-in-the-dirt, email michelle@vcgn.org or call 8614769.

Join Audubon for spring bird walks

With the return of spring and the annual northward migration of birds, the Green Mountain Audubon Society is attempting limited excursions to two area birding hotspots — Mount Philo State Park and Little River State Park. Both areas provide the opportunity to view a number of returning species while ensuring enough space to maintain social distance. The Mount Philo date is Saturday, May 1. The Little River State Park Date is Saturday, May 15. Mount

Philo is in Charlotte. Little River is in Waterbury. Pre-registration is required. Birders will be required to wear masks, observe social distancing and to bring their own optics. Group sizes will be kept small. There are three start times for each date: 5:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. For more information or to register, contact Pat Phillips at phillipspatj@gmail.com.

Send your story ideas to editor@willistonobserver.com

‘Keep It In The Ground Act’ would stop extraction on federal land Vermont senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders have joined a group of 21 national lawmakers in introducing the “Keep It In The Ground Act” — legislation to stop new fossil fuel leases and put an end to nonproducing leases for extraction of coal, oil, gas, oil shale and tar sands on public lands and in public waters. The combustion of fossil fuels that have been extracted from America’s public lands and waters currently amount to more than 20 percent of America’s total carbon dioxide emissions. “Climate change is an existential crisis and we must do all we can to take it on as soon as humanly possible,” Sen. Sanders said. “At a time when we are already seeing the clear costs of inaction on climate change, it is completely absurd that we would be giving away our precious public lands so that the fossil fuel industry can spew out even more carbon pollution. We must aggressively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy. There is nothing more important than leaving this country and the entire planet healthy and habitable for our kids and our

grandkids, and we must act now.” The bill’s introduction follows a wide variety of moves taken during the previous administration to open up more public waters to oil and gas extraction in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans and loosen regulations on fossil fuel companies. This year, President Joe Biden has issued an executive order pausing the sale of new leases and directing Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to evaluate the federal oil and gas leasing system. The Keep It in the Ground Act would make the current pause on leases permanent. The legislation is endorsed by Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, Center for Biological Diversity, Food & Water Watch, WildEarth Guardians, Oil Change International, Greenpeace US, 350.org, and New York Lawyers for the Public Trust. “The scientific consensus is clear: To avert the worst human, economic and ecological consequences of climate change, we must aggressively reduce carbon emissions and accelerate our national transition to a renewable energy economy,” Sen. Leahy said. “The cost of inaction is devastating, and we should reject the false choice between public lands conservation, combating climate change and job creation. These commitments are mutually reinforcing. After four years of giveaways to fossil fuel corporations, this bill will protect public lands for the public good.”

Page 12  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

A bar behind Calais general store spurs its survival

JAMIE BUCKLEY Special to the Observer Like many retail businesses, the Maple Corner Community Store in Calais faces financial struggles after COVID-19 disrupted normal operation. But some shareholders of the community-owned store think the Whammy Bar, a 20-seat watering hole in the back of the store that could hold 40 people on a busy night, might be the secret to keeping the nearly two-century-old store running. Some version of the Maple Corner Store has stood in the center of Calais since the mid-1800s.

It began with the Red Shop, then it was a mill in the early 1900s, then it became “Lackey’s Store” in 1925, until it merged with the Adamant Co-op after some financial struggles. Two years later, the store burned to the ground, and it was rebuilt and passed between various private owners until late 2019, when it became community-owned, according to a business plan created at the time. The real deficit that the store is facing now is the Whammy Bar being shut down. Located in the back of the store, the small pub the size of a living room became possibly the most unique live music venue in Vermont. The last private owners of the Maple Corner Store, Artie and Nancy Toulis, are credited for opening the Whammy Bar back in 2012. “The store itself is kind of a break-even venture, and the Whammy Bar is where more of the profit margin is. So even though we had increased sales, we were still losing money,” said Rob Lamb, the store’s board secretary who was part of the founding group that transitioned the store to community ownership. With the way vaccinations are going, Lamb says that the store is planning to reopen the Whammy Bar this summer. In December 2019, the Maple Corner Store had to prove its resilience in a climate where general stores were struggling across Vermont. Afraid of losing their store for good after the Toulises put it up for sale, residents of Calais banded together to purchase shares of what is now the Maple Corner Community Store. And less than three

Calais residents hang a new sign for their renamed general store before the pandemic hit. When the store transitioned to community ownership, the general store became the Maple Corner Community Store. COURTESY PHOTO BY ANNE MARIE SHEA

months later, as the COVID-19 pandemic started to unfold, the store and its community had to prove their resilience yet again. Vermont general stores have always been hardy entities, adapting to the changes in their communities and evolving to overcome whatever the world throws at them. The stores aren’t just a onestop for locals to get groceries or grab a quick cup of coffee, they’re a social crossroad where friends can chat over morning coffee and neighbors can catch up on the latest news. But like most small businesses during the challenging pandemic, Vermont general stores are struggling to keep their doors open, according to Dennis Bathory-Kitsz,

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author of “Country Stores of Vermont: A History & Guide.” Usually kept alive by tourists looking for a taste Vermont, general stores have had to adjust to keep their businesses running in a time when no one is traveling. In March of last year, when COVID-19 hit, the Maple Corner Community Store halted in-store shopping and switched to curbside pickup only. The store drastically increased their inventory in an effort to save locals the hassle of leaving town to get their groceries. Since many felt safer buying food through the store, its sales rose exponentially, but the store still faced a steep overhead, primarily because of higher payroll from an increase in essential staff. “Everything is obviously just that much harder during a pandemic,” said Olivia Gay, who grew up right next to the Maple Corner Store and now serves as an advisory board member and shareholder of the store. “So I think it’s hard to tell if some of the bumps that the store has hit is related to the pandemic or if they’re just ordinary bumps for a transitioning business.” And while the Maple Corner Store reopened to in-store customers in the beginning of July, the store still faced a slow summer compared to years past due to the lack of outsiders passing through Calais. Gay said that without the usual traffic from summer visitors and no fellow Vermonters driving out to visit Curtis Pond or walk the loop in Calais, business was slow. Anne Marie Shea, the general manager through much of the pandemic as well as assistant manager of the store for almost 10 years, believes the transition to community ownership has played a critical part in the store’s successful operation, especially in comparison to many other Vermont general stores cur-

rently struggling. “Artie and Nancy have said specifically that they could have never done what we did through this,” she said. “And I’m not sure that’s totally true, but I do think that with the community having a little bit of reserve that we could lean on was a big deal. And also having more people involved in brainstorming ways we could stay open, brainstorming ways we could feel safer was super helpful.” Even through COVID-19, the Maple Corner Community Store has remained a central hub for residents of Calais. But some worry community support may be insufficient to keep the doors open. “I am a little concerned for the future,” said Rob Lamb. “Our biggest concern is the unknown of when the Whammy Bar will open, and when it does, will people feel safe going there? It’s a tiny little space and that’s part of what makes it so intimate and wonderful, but that doesn’t mix well with people feeling safe about their health.” Anne Marie Shea is a bit more optimistic. “I’m not worried about the future of the store because I think that whether they’re on the right track or not, they’ll find it. But I do think they’re headed in the right direction,” Shea said. Gay is hopeful the store’s community backing, and relatively good luck, will continue. “We’ve just been so lucky, so fortunate, so blessed,” Gay said, “I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t continue to be able to manage a project like this. I know we will.” Jamie Buckley is a reporter with the Community News Service, a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.

April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 13

Duke on a mission: bringing comfort, helping people BY KAREN STURTEVANT Special to the Observer Where do you find comfort? Is it in a trusted family member or friend, at the bottom of a pint of ice cream, during a sweaty physical workout or perhaps after a good cry? When I was a toddler, my mother gave me “red blankie.” I carried that thing everywhere, giving me comfort. My anxious rescue dog takes her choice of stuffed animals with her when we venture into the world. Whether it’s a pink primate we named Creepy Monkey or a small white cat called Kitty Kitty, she’s comforted with her little buddy. Dog lovers know the value of having a cherished companion in our lives. With a wagging tail and soulful eyes, they are always happy to be with us. Never judgmental, always endearing. The bond created is much like that of child and parent. Simply being near a friendly dog brings solace. When the possibility of pioneering a comfort dog program in the Williston Police Department arose, Officer Matthew Cohen, a 10-year department veteran, was intrigued. When Williston Police Chief Patrick Foley gave the green light for the program, the search for the perfect canine began. The functions of a comfort dog are to provide interaction during situations involving children and adults impacted by violence, tragedy or traumatic events and to reduce anxiety and increase communication between the victim/witness and investigators. The pursuit would conclude in May 2020 when Officer Cohen drove to the highly regarded Boonefield Labradors in Rindge, N.H., to welcome an eight-week-old fluffball. Known for their charity and quality of English Labradors, owners Peggi and David Brogan have gifted several puppies to law enforcement agencies. Duke was number eleven. I recently met with Duke and Officer Cohen to learn what this pup’s first year has been like, the triumphs and challenges. We greeted at the gazebo in front of Williston Central School, where Duke has been a regular guest. On this sunlit day, Duke was wearing his official neon green-and-black dog-intraining vest along with a shiny gold badge affixed to his collar. Gone was the furry puppy. In his place, a mature, blocky-headed handsome canine. Duke busied himself with chewing sticks and tree bark pieces while trotting from person to person. Photographer Kelly Hinds made duck sounds to get his attention and snapped photos — lots of photos. Despite restrictions due to the pandemic, the past year has been productive. The team has been in attendance with regular training sessions at Thin Blue Line K9 under the supervision of owner Tom Radford. First came basic puppy obedience, then agility activities to build confidence and finally exposure training intended to confront any fears. “We have a very confident, young

The Williston Police Department comfort dog, Duke, with Officer Matt Cohen on the Williston village green. PHOTO BY KELLY HINDS

dog here,” Officer Cohen said. A goal for Duke is to receive certification in therapy dog work. Potential therapy dogs are screened, evaluated and trained in

order to attain certification. Deb Helfrich at Gold Star Dog Training has been preparing the team with lessons in developing new skills needed for his designation.

Duke will be asked to show his skills in obedience and basic commands, conduct impulse control with other dogs and control his tendency to be overly excited when people approach him. The Golden Rule: four feet on the floor. Boonefield Labradors is an affiliated partner with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, an international registry of certified therapy dog teams. Officer Cohen and Duke may travel to Duke’s birthplace for their testing. Duke’s primary job is to be himself and in doing so, bring smiles and help relieve stress in upsetting situations. The comfort dog is a valuable tool in fostering dialog and communications between the police department and the community. Duke’s first mission was to visit the Vermont National Guard and Vermont Food Bank while the staff was issuing ready-to-eat meals to the public. He’s helped children feel loved after their parent was arrested, soothed the nerves of crash victims, consoled first responders after the loss of one of their own and helped relieve tensions of students and staff as they returned to school in the fall of 2020. “Just for a few minutes of taking someone’s mind off what just happened, what they just witnessed, is important,” Cohen said. “Sometimes he acts like a goofy Lab, other times he’s stoic and calm and just there. It’s very interesting as his handler to watch.” Being the first law enforcement agency in Vermont to offer a comfort dog program is uncharted territory. Cohen keeps records on Duke’s accomplishments and training. The first year of service was active with 117 total deployments (29 school visits, 68 community engagements and 20 emergency responses). One noteworthy case involved Duke see DUKE page 20

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Page 14  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

SPORTS

Twice bitten

Redhawks championship train derailed again

uncertainty about the state of the pandemic. “All we could do is get in the gym and work, and these girls were willing to do that,” Otley said. “I was saying, ‘we don’t know what’s going to happen, but if there is a season, do we not want to be the most in shape, the most skilled, the most strong team there is in the state?’” The team did as many individual workouts as they were able and then worked on conditioning and skills while they waited for the go ahead for full practice and games. “I didn’t have to spend a day working on fitness,” Otley said. “We went right into the drills. We went right into it and they were so skilled. I have to say, this group of girls shot the ball awesome this year because of all the shooting and all the individual skill work we had done since the summer. “They came ready to go.” As the players put more distance between themselves and the end of the winter season, they can reflect back on what the season meant for them — despite the way it ended. “I don’t really know what I would do without basketball, and the whole team is such an amazing social outlet for me,” said CVU captain Catherine Gilwee. “I’ve never been part of a program that’s so tight knit. I was very appreciative of the time that we could have together. Even though we didn’t get to finish it off, you know, I don’t know what else I would be spending my time doing and enjoying it.” As the disappointment fades, CVU will remember not the end of the season, but all the moments in the middle of it. “All I remember are the great passes and the great shots and how fired up Josie got her team during shell drill,” Otley said. “I wouldn’t trade that even with the disappointment of not getting to play at the end. Like, that’s a bummer, okay. Whatever I’ve already forgotten it. “I’m not going to forget how awesome these guys were this season.”

BY LAUREN READ Observer correspondent For the last nine years, the CVU High School girls basketball team has ended the winter sports season in one place: the Division I state championship game. For the last two seasons, the Redhawks seemed to be on track for two more visits to the D-I finals. With undefeated records and the No. 1 seed, it seemed like nothing could derail the team’s quest for more state championships. But the coronavirus pandemic had other ideas. As the beginning of the pandemic hit Vermont in March of 2020, the end of the girls basketball playoffs were cancelled and a four-way championship was shared among CVU, Essex, Rutland and Mount Mansfield. It had the team ready for another shot at the title in 2021. “I remember when the summer started and we were allowed to do one person at a basket with a ball by themselves, and nobody was allowed to come within like 15 feet of each other,” said CVU coach Ute Otley. “We had so many girls sign up for those slots that I was there for like four hours a day because I wanted every kid to get a chance to get in the gym if they wanted to come into the gym.” The Redhawks got themselves back in position to contend for a championship this spring with a 9-0 regular season record and another top playoff seed.

CVU’s Jade Leavitt drives to the basket during a March game against St. Johnsbury. The girls basketball team entered the postseason undefeated but its playoff run was cut short because of COVID precautions. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY

Then, a positive COVID-19 test before the D-I quarterfinals forced the Redhawks to withdraw from the tournament and ended their title hopes. “It just sucks, ending like that and then thinking that this year was going to be our time, this year was our closure for last year,” said CVU captain Josie Pecor. “We were that number one seed because we hadn’t had a game closer than 15 points. All we wanted was to compete and keep going to the end. “I don’t know which year was more devastating.” Two years in a row and the perennial contenders were on the outside looking in.

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“It was completely out of our control,” said CVU captain Madison Reagan. “I think that was a thing that was really hard to comprehend just because you couldn’t do anything about it. We just had to move on and we did that together.” The team is still reeling from the abrupt end of the season, but the group’s leadership is looking back with pride at the season they had. “It was incredibly dissatisfying for us to not get to play, but we defeated every opponent we got to play,” Otley said. “We know we were still undefeated. Every opportunity we got to play, we ended up being successful by a wide margin. We feel good about the basketball we played.” The overall success of this season speaks to the strength of the Redhawks program, as the team worked through a fitful start to the season, an early COVID scare and constant

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April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 15

SPORTS

Redhawk athletes receive postseason awards

CVU sophomores Karina Bushweller, left, Tess Everett, center, and Riley Erdman, right, were named to the Vermont Coaches All-League Team for the winter sports season.

Several of CVU High School’s winter athletes in hockey, basketball and skiing earned awards for their success during the season. In girls basketball, three CVU Redhawks were named to the senior all-star team: Catherine Gilwee, Josie Pecor and Madison Reagan. Shelby Companion was named one of the “Dream Dozen,” a list of underclassmen standouts. On the boys side, Devin Rogers was named to the senior all-star team. In hockey, CVU goaltender Jack Averill was named to the Division I first team, while teammate Cam Saia was named to the third team. With the girls hockey season shortened, each coach nominated deserving players from their teams. From the Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield co-op team, Karine Bushweller, Riley Erdman and Tess Everett were awarded for all-league honors. Alicia Veronneau and Katherine Veronneau were named academic all-stars. The CVU alpine ski team not only won a state championship, but also received several individual accolades. Dicey Manning and Olivia Zubarik were named to the allstate team on the girls side, with Charlotte Couperthwait earning an honorable mention. On the boys side, Peter Gilliam and Sean Gilliam were namd to the all-state team and Seth Boffa and Ari Diamond both earned honorable mentions. The CVU Nordic ski teams also took home some individual awards, with four skiers earning spots on the all-state list: Esther Cuneo, Geo DeBrosse and Finnegan Mittelstadt were named to the all-state team and Emma Crum was an honorable mention.

Gorman tapped for Shrine classic

Shane Gorman of Williston has been selected to play in the Shrine Vermont All Star Football Game against all starts from New Hampshire. Gorman was a football captain and linebacker at CVU this school year. He also played varsity hockey and is the captain of the CVU lacrosse team. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO

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Sisters Alicia and Katherine Veronneau were the only two seniors on the CVU-MMU combined girls hockey team this season. They were both named academic all-stars and made the Senior Rotary Hockey Classic. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTOS

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Page 16  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

SPRING TRAINING

CVU’s Ollie Pudvar throws a pitch during a Redhawks’ intra-squad scrimmage.

New CVU boys’ varsity lacrosse head coach, Tom Garvey goes over some finer points with his team.

Redhawk Zachary Mjaanes sets up for a backhand return at CVU boys’ tennis practice.

CVU’s Nigel Wormser makes a nice running catch at last week’s Redhawk boys’ Ultimate Frisbee practice.

CVU’s Gretta White gets off a shot on goalie Clare Stackpole-McGrath during the Redhawk girls’ lacrosse practice.

Redhawk Storey Merrill makes the play at shortstop during the CVU girls’ softball practice.

CVU’s Ema Comeau (L) and Kyle Toland (R) get in some doubles practice at Redhawk girls’ tennis practice.

Redhawk Mary McNamar makes a throw during the CVU girls’ Ultimate Frisbee practice..

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April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 17

POLICE BLOTTER

April 4-10

April 4 at 12:28 a.m. — Williston Police Department assisted Williston Fire Department with a brush fire on Hill Road. April 4 at 1:45 a.m. — An officer conducted a motor vehicle stop, as well as a commercial vehicle inspection on Interstate 89. April 4 at 2:31 a.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop and cited the operator for driving under the influence on Interstate 89. April 4 at 3:37 a.m. — Williston Police assisted Vermont State Police in responding to a report of suspicious behavior on VT Route 116. The officer could not locate anyone. April 4 at 5:32 a.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle collision on West Main Street. There were no injuries or hazards at the scene. April 4 at 10:25 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Brickyard Road. April 4 at 1:27 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a noise disturbance on Porterwood Drive. Upon arrival, the officer did not observe any noise disturbances warranting police involvement. April 4 at 1:55 p.m. — Police took a report involving theft on Harvest Lane. April 4 at 5:06 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity on Leroy Road. Upon arrival, they found the source of the alarm and notified the business. April 4 at 5:46 p.m. — Police re-

sponded to a report of suspicious activity on Williston Road. Upon arrival, no suspicious activity was observed. April 4 at 8:41 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity on Meadowbend Road. Upon arrival, there was no suspicious activity observed. April 5 at 3:00 a.m. — Williston Police assisted Williston Rescue with a patient on Wildflower Circle. April 5 at 7:00 a.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity at Maple Tree Place. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with the individual and advised them to move along. April 5 at 8:43 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle collision on Essex Road. April 5 at 11:14 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Boxwood Street. April 5 at 11:43 a.m. — Police completed a background check for employment. April 5 at 11:49 a.m. — Williston Police assisted Essex Police with serving a no-trespass notice. April 5 at 12:45 p.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Cypress Street. April 5 at 2:55 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle complaint on Williston Road. Upon arrival, the officer did not observe a reason for police involvement. April 5 at 7:52 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity on Stonybrook Drive. Upon arrival, the officer did not

observe any suspicious activity. April 5 at 11:16 p.m. — Williston Police assisted Williston Rescue with a medical call on Hickory Hill Road. April 6 at 8:13 a.m. — Police conducted a background check for local employment. April 6 at 12:21 p.m. — Police responded to a report of vandalism on Zephyr Road. The complainant was advised to report it to their insurance company. April 6 at 8:22 p.m. — Police assisted Williston Rescue with a medical call on Harvest Lane. April 7 at 9:04 a.m. — Police assisted a citizen in getting their property returned. April 7 at 11:03 a.m. — K9 Duke conducted a foot patrol on Harvest Lane. April 7 at 12:38 a.m. — Police took a report of theft on Lamplite Lane. April 7 at 2:01 p.m. — Police assisted a citizen regarding town ordinances and directed them to the Town. April 7 at 2:41 p.m. — Police responded to a report of littering on Butternut Road. April 7 at 3:17 p.m. — Williston Police assisted Chittenden County Sheriffs Department in checking a residence on Tyler Way. April 7 at 5:23 p.m. — Police assisted with a medical call on Harvest Lane. April 7 at 8:51 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity on White Birch Lane. Upon arrival, no suspicious activity was observed. April 8 at 7:16 p.m. — Police responded to take custody of found property on Harvest Lane. Police returned the property to its owner. April 8 at 7:51 a.m. — An officer

conducted a motor vehicle stop on East Main Street. The operator was found to be driving while under suspension and was cited. April 8 at 3:42 p.m. — Police responded to a motor vehicle collision on Harvest Lane. There were no injuries or hazards at the scene. April 8 at 9:58 p.m. — Police conducted a motor vehicle stop in response to an incident on Williston Road. The operator was given a warning. April 9 at 10:47 a.m. — Police assisted a citizen with information regarding ordinances and directed them to Vermont Fish and Wildlife. April 9 at 3:01 p.m. — Police responded to a report of suspicious activity on Market Street. Upon arrival, no activity was found that required police involvement. April 9 at 8:35 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a noise disturbance on Falcon Manor. Upon arrival, the officer did not observe a disturbance. April 9 at 11:34 p.m. — Williston Police assisted Vermont State Police in responding to a report of a disturbance on Borden Street. The officers made contact with the citizens and they went inside. April 10 at 12:09 a.m. — Police provided a case number for property damage on Harvest Lane. April 10 at 1:32 a.m. — Police responded to assist Williston Fire Department with a fire alarm activation on Day Lane. April 10 at 4:03 a.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Retail Way. Upon arrival, the alarm was observed to be false. April 10 at 9:10 a.m. — Police took a report of a disturbance on Southview Lane. April 10 at 11:04 a.m. — Police

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took a report of lost property on Zephyr Road. The property was later found and returned. April 10 at 1:59 p.m. — Police conducted a welfare check on St. George Road. April 10 at 4:27 p.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Talcott Road. Upon arrival, the alarm was found to be false. April 10 at 6:04 p.m. — Police responded to an alarm activation on Talcott Road. Upon arrival, the alarm was found to be false. April 10 at 7:09 p.m. — Williston Police assisted Vermont State Police with a report of a motorcycle collision on Interstate 89.

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Page 18  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021 CAMPS Registration is open for summer day camp and enrichment camps. For payment, use the drop box at the back entrance to the Town Hall Building at 7900 Williston Rd. The Williston Recreation and Parks Department is located at the Town Hall 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. ADULT PROGRAMS AT ONTA STUDIO Fighter Fitness, MMA for Nerds, Street Fighter 9000 and Tai Chi Form. Sessions begin the week of April 26. Different days

and times offered. Register at www.willistonrec.org. STRENGTH TRAINING — VIRTUAL Online live with Toni Kunker, Age 50 -plus, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free to seniors. Go to www.willistonrec. org, click on the ‘Programs’ icon, then click on the ‘Strength Training’ button for directions how to join the program. GENTLE/SEATED YOGA — VIRTUAL Online live with Toni Kunker, Age 50 -plus, Fridays, 10:3011:30 a.m. Free to seniors. Go to

www.willistonrec.org, click on the ‘Programs’ icon, then click on the ‘Yoga’ button for directions how to join the program. DANGEROUS GIRLS Age 14-plus, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. April 28-May 19. $60. ONTA Studio. BOATERS SAFETY Age 12-plus. The course provides the opportunity to earn the certification necessary to legally operate a boat on Vermont’s waterways. Course can be taken online at any time at www.boat-ed.com/ vermont.

NEW CAMPS ADDED Baseball Camp and art camps have been added to the camp lineup for this summer. Baseball Camp is for kids age 7-12, July 26-30, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Art camps are for kids age 6-15; June 28-July 2 — Bookarts and Fairy/ Gnome Houses; July 6-9 — Mudflat City and Mosaic/Sculpture. YOUTH TENNIS Smaller courts, shorter racquets and balls that bounce lower. Players will learn basic stroke technique. A game-based approach is used for teaching. Wednesdays, April 28-June 2: grades K-2, 2:30-

3:30 p.m.; grades 3-5- 3:30-4:30 p.m. $90. The Edge at Essex. INTERMEDIATE GAME DESIGN Advance your game design skills. Make a robot moonwalk and respond to different kinds of messages. Build Paint Racer, a pen-drawing game, and learn about angles, color, direction and positioning. Grades 3-5, Thursdays, May 6-June 10, 3:30-4:45 p.m. $142. Instructor: Wicked Cool for Kids. NINJA KIDS PROGRAMS Four different programs offered for different age groups: 4-9; 7-10; 10-15; and 13-17. Different days and times offered. Sessions start the week of April 26. $60. ONTA Studio. CHESS FOR KIDS Age 6-12, online live with Chess Wizards. Register at www. chesswizards.jumbala.com.

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April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 19

SENIORS

Could you have prediabetes?

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about prediabetes, and how can you know if you have it? My 62-yearold husband, who’s in pretty good shape, was recently diagnosed with prediabetes and didn’t have a clue. Could I have it, too? Wondering Spouse

Dear Wondering, Underlying today’s growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes is a much larger epidemic called prediabetes, which is when the blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, but not high enough to be called diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 84 million Americans today have prediabetes. Left untreated, it almost always turns into type 2 diabetes within 10 years. And, if you have prediabetes, the long-term damage it can cause – especially to your heart and circulatory system – may already be starting. But the good news is that prediabetes doesn’t mean that you’re destined for full-blown diabetes. Prediabetes can actually be reversed, and diabetes prevented, by making some simple lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising, eating a healthy diet and cutting back on carbohydrates. Or, if you need more help, oral medications may also be an option.

Get Tested Because prediabetes typically causes no outward symptoms, most people who have it don’t realize it. The only way to know for sure if you have it is to get a blood test. Everyone age 45 years or older should consider getting tested for prediabetes, especially if you are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) above 25. See www. CDC.gov/bmi to calculate your BMI. If you are younger than 45 but are overweight, or have high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes, or belong to an ethnic group (Latino, Asian, African or Native American) at high risk for diabetes, you should get checked, too. To help you determine your risk of diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has a quick, online risk test you can take for free at www.DoIHavePrediabetes.org.

Diabetes Tests If you find that you’re at risk for prediabetes, there are three different tests your doctor can give

Savvy Senior BY JIM MILLER

you to diagnosis it. The most common is the “fasting plasma glucose test,” which requires an eight-hour fast before you take it. There’s also the “oral glucose tolerance test” to see how your body processes sugar, and the “hemoglobin A1C test” that measures your average blood sugar over the past three months. It can be taken anytime regardless of when you ate. Most private health insurance plans and Medicare cover diabetes tests, however, if you’re reluctant to visit your doctor to get tested, an alternative is to go to the drug store, buy a blood glucose meter and test yourself at home. They cost around $20. If you find that you are prediabetic or diabetic, you need to see your doctor to develop a plan to get it under control. The ADA recommends losing weight and doing moderate exercise – such as 150 minutes a week of brisk walking. And when lifestyle changes alone don’t work, medication might. The ADA recommends the generic drug metformin, especially for very overweight people younger than 60. For more information on diabetes and prediabetes or to find help, join a lifestyle change program recognized by the CDC (see www.CDC.gov/diabetes/prevention). These programs offer in-person and online classes in more than 1,500 locations throughout the U.S. Over the course of a year, a coach will help you eat healthier foods, increase your physical activity and develop new habits. 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.

Leahy visits Richmond classrooms, highlights federal funds

$400 million incoming to Vermont schools

Sen. Patrick Leahy recently visited Richmond Elementary School to see how the school has adapted to COVID-19 by using outdoor classrooms and discuss federal funding coming to Vermont to help schools respond to the pandemic. The state will receive $443.3 million in funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. “I was delighted to see how Richmond turned to its beautiful natural environment to create a safe, effective and dynamic space for its students to learn,” said Leahy, who chairs the Senate Appro-

priations Committee. “Not only is Richmond weathering the pandemic, but teachers and students have added a rich new learning experience as a permanent feature of their curriculum.” To allow students to safely return to in-person learning this school year, parents, teachers and students in Richmond came together to construct six outdoor classrooms. Each classroom is named after a different animal habitat and contains different sensory tools for students to engage with their outdoor environment. Leahy toured several of the classrooms and spoke with students and teachers during their lessons. Principal Jeremy Rector led the tour. Vermont’s schools have balanced the health and safety of students and staff with learning

throughout the school year. The Vermont departments of Health and Education have emphasized the importance of returning to full in-person instruction, especially for younger students. The ESSER fund was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 to provide resources to school districts to address the impact of COVID-19 on K-12 institutions. The most recent allocation passed in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is intended to help school districts safely reopen schools and address learning loss. It also directs money toward student mental health services and supports, education technology and afterschool and summer programs.

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Page 20  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

EMPLOYMENT Hannaford Williston

Job Fair

Sunday, May 2, 2021, 10am-1pm We will be doing on the spot interviewing and have multiple Full AND Part time positions available in most departments. Currently available: Meat Cutter Sign-On Bonus!! If you are 18+, and can pass a Hannaford Meat cutting test , you may be eligible for our NEW Meat Cutter Sign-On Bonus!

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JOB OPPORTUNITY!

Transitions PT is seeking a Receptionist/Care Coordinator. Transitions Physical Therapy is looking for a of the Position entails managing the day-to-day operation Coordinator to attention work in our frontReceptionist/Care desk area. Must have exceptional to detail office Minimum HS diploma. and physical the abilitytherapy to multi-task. Associates or college diploma ideal. Compensation $17$18/hour, health insurance, paid time-off, paid holidays. 40 hours a week. To learn more visit www.transitionspt.com

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Duke continued from page

13

rendering comfort on the side of a road. After a driving-under-the-influence stop where a parent was arrested, Duke stayed with two children who were passengers in the car. Duke remained with the children roadside until the other parent arrived. Upon follow-up by the Vermont Department of Children and Families, the children recall interacting with Duke, not the arrest of the parent. “You can’t put a number on how much that interaction helped those kids though that process. What could have been a traumatic event with a parent being arrested became a positive interaction with a dog,” Cohen said. Police work is anything but predictable. The same can be said for Duke’s daily schedule. He and Cohen find themselves in a variety of locations. Duke was utilized with staff and students at Williston Central School after the untimely death of a student. The team continued ongoing support for three days. They have visited vaccination clinics, the emergency department at the University of Vermont, numerous classrooms, first responder meetings and homes to provide support to both adults and children during times of grief. Victims or witnesses leave the experience feeling better than when Duke arrived. “Most of policing is negative reinforcement. You do something bad, you get a consequence. This is positive reinforcement. Police show up, Duke and I interact with someone and they leave feeling happier,” said Cohen. The program is fully funded through donations. Along with complementary training from Thin Blue Line K9, Guy’s Farm & Yard is donating a lifetime of food, Mountain View Animal Hospital provides medical care at a discounted rate and Community Bank has donated funds. For Duke’s first birthday, Cohen streamed the party live. With a seemingly endless pile of toys and treats, it was obvious Duke had reached celebrity status. It was at the end of the party that Police Chief Patrick Foley awarded Duke his badge. “This program is what some agencies see as a luxury. Others, like ours, see it as a need. There is a need to get to that crisis response. There is a need to get to first responders after they’ve witness a fatal car crash to help them work though it. There’s that need. There are a lot of unseen benefits,” said Cohen.

Williston Police comfort dog Duke. PHOTO BY KELLY HINDS

‘Most of policing is negative reinforcement. You do something bad, you get a consequence. This is positive reinforcement. Police show up, Duke and I interact with someone and they leave feeling happier.’ ­— Officer Matt Cohen Williston Police At the end of each shift, Duke rides home with Cohen. His leisure time is spent acting as a shadow and playmate to Cohen’s 4-year-old daughter. Big brother Cooper provides canine interaction while Duke decompresses into domestic dog bliss. Duke and Cohen have gently interwoven themselves into the heart of this community. Duke is the top ticket performer; Cohen is the manager. The first comfort dog program in Vermont has been an astounding success. I still have my “red blankie” now, with more holes and tatters than actual blanket. I sometimes still wrap myself in it on difficult days. For times calling for more than a cotton blanket, Duke will be there. One dog cannot save the world from tragedy. He cannot undo a terrible circumstance. But Duke can offer the best of himself with his gentle nature and sweet disposition — gifts that will stay with the recipient long after Duke has left to begin his next comfort mission.

April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 21

CULINARY CORNER

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 22

Healthy breakfast in 10 minutes These pancakes are so easy to make and only require two pieces of equipment: a blender and a pan. These pancakes make a filling, delicious breakfast — quick and easy.

Blender Banana Pancakes 2 bananas 2 eggs ¾ cup oats 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp cinnamon Salt 1 tbsp oil for cooking Add your ingredients to a blender and blend for a minute until the mixture is fully combined and looks like a smooth batter. You want your batter to be liquidy and pourable, but not too runny. If the batter seems too runny, add an extra 1/4 cup of oats and blend to combine. Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the batter. Cook for 2-3 minutes. The edges of the pancakes should start to look dry. If you want, add toppings like blueberries or chocolate chips before you flip. Cook for another 1-2 minutes and serve with maple syrup or whatever you like. — Eva Benway

Share your recipes! Do you have a tasty recipe you would like to share? We welcome reader contributions for publication in our weekly Culinary Corner.

ACROSS 1. Storied horse 5. “Take ___!” 9. Croupier’s cubes 13. Certain Dover fish dish 14. Foot-long sandwich 15. Graphic symbols 17. Play on the green 18. Furniture trees 19. Wait on 20. Posting at JFK 21. Midsection 22. “Attack!,” to Rover 24. Impart color 25. Boldness 27. Present moment 29. Very busy worker in December 31. Bugling beast 33. Rear part 37. “Father Knows __” 40. Engrossed with 42. Smell 43. First lady in the Bible 44. Post-op therapy 46. United 47. Headed for overtime 49. High protein soy 50. Burst 51. “Not only that ...” 52. Idiot 53. To the right

55. ‘My -- Sal’ 57. Be harmonious 61. Wood used to make guitars 64. Conclude, with “up” 66. Like some alibis 68. Stat for Clemens 69. 60-minute periods 71. Grand 73. “Oh, woe!” 74. Pool problem 75. Fast time 76. Detective’s job 77. Fender problem 78. Runners 79. Regarded DOWN 1. Skier’s mecca 2. Beat 3. “I do” location 4. Trifecta, e.g. 5. 10 C-notes, for short 6. Kind of wave 7. Biblical transport 8. Pregame flip 9. ‘’Saturday Night Fever’’ milieu 10. Kind of pack or pick 11. Parachute pull 12. Jealousy 16. “Here’s the proof!” 21. Goopy hair product

23. Printer’s purchase 26. Chow checker 28. “Tommy” singers 30. Douglas ___ tree 31. Character of a culture 32. Bread block 34. False god 35. Opposite of “all” 36. Took a card 37. Test release 38. One side in an eternal battle 39. Regards 41. Mesh traps 45. Virus 48. Follow tirelessly 50. Implore 52. Bar order 54. Have some cake 56. Black-ink item 58. Racing event 59. Make blank 60. Comforted 61. “So it’s you!” 62. Gone 63. Colossal 65. In good health 66. Unwelcome auto noise 67. Intermissions separate them 70. Sought a seat 72. ___-wee Herman 73. Unhittable serve

Please email submissions to editor@willistonobserver.com. Please include a photo of the finished dish if possible.

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Page 22  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS

EMAILED ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISING INSERTION ORDER Thomas Hirchak Company FROM: Lisa Rowell Phone: 802-888-4662 LEGAL NOTICE Email: Advertising@THCAuction.com

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TOWN OF WILLISTON Selectboard NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING To: Marianne Apfelbaum Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 7:15 PM

131 Dorset Lane, Williston, VT

Paper: Williston Observer

Pursuant to 24 V.S.A., Chapter 59, and Section 4 of the Town of Williston Sewer Allocation Ordinance, the Williston Selectboard is considering the adoption of amendments to the Sewer Allocation Ordinance referred to as “Attachment A” - an existing ordinance TODAY’S DATE: 04/16/2021 pertaining to the allocation of public sewerage. Upon adoption, this attachment will NAME OF FILE: 1292_WO designate the portion of the uncommitted reserve capacity that will be available for use during the next year12/05/19 which starts July 1, 2021. DATE(S) TOfiscal RUN: The public hearing on this matter is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 7:15 P.M. OF will AD:be1/16 pageremotely (2” x 5”) TheSIZE hearing conducted due to COVID-19. To participate in the hearing visit the website https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89773997780 or call 1-646-558-8656 and enter the meeting ID 897-7399-7780#. Comments can also be submitted to Town Manager TO: Marianne@Willistonobserver.com ErikEMAILED Wells at ewells@willistonvt.org prior to the hearing. Below is the proposed Attachment A.

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RABIES BAIT

Allocation Category

Amount (gpd)*

New commercial/industrial

7,500

New Residential

11,650

Residential Additions

1,500

Affordable Housing

4,750

Planned Public Facilities

0

Pollution Abatement

1,500

Specific Development

10,000

Reserve

75,600

Total Allocated

112,500

SECTION: Classified Auction PO# 1292

Champl zen center yard 4x5 4 Daily Studio Updates April 26 - 29 | 7:00pm Zoom Meeting ID 203 172 6412

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, April 27, 2021 – 7:00 PM Zoom Meeting ID 823 369 798 on zoom.us/join or call 1-646-558-8656

“Ask a Planner” at Green Up Day Saturday, May 1 | 8:00am - 1:00pm Healthy Living (Williston Road side near bike path) Work-In-Progress Wrap Up Monday, May 3 | 7:00pm Zoom Meeting ID 203 172 6412

HP 21-03 Nayo Ogilvie requests a Certificate of Appropriateness and administrative permit to replace some windows and install a door and fire escape stairs at 38 Slate Barn Drive in the National Register Historic District within the Village Zoning District (VZD).

To join Zoom meetings, go to www. zoom.us/join or call 1-646-558-8656 and enter meeting ID 203 172 6412. For help connecting to Zoom, accessibility accommodations, or general questions contact Emily Heymann at 802-878-6704 ext 3 or eheymann@willistonvt.org

DP 18-06.2 J & J Vermont Property, LLC. C/O Jin Zhang requests a Master Sign Plan amendment for 34 Blair Park in the Business Park Zoning District (BPZD).

FOR SALE

DP 20-02 Abby Dery of Trudell Consulting Engineers, on behalf of Nick and Aerwen Stagers, requests a discretionary permit to demolish the existing dwelling and construct a 2-story mixed-use building with a dentist office and 3-bedroom dwelling unit with garage, parking, and related appurtenances at 5063 Williston Road in the Gateway Zoning District West (GZDW).

FUNCTIONING REFINISHED AND REFURBISHED ELECTRIC DUO ART PLAYER PIANO. Valued at $4,000, selling for $1,000. Comes with 200 + ( new and old ) music rolls as well as a reproduced in 1956, Duo Art Reproducing Piano service manual( copyright 1927 ). Contact for pictures and more information. carpenterg@myfairpoint.net. Title subject “player piano.“

Project details and site plans are available online, go to bit.ly/DRBagendas. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-878-6704

Dining Table - Walnut with 6 chairs and a bench 33 x 55, 55 x 55 opened, asking $325. Call 578-6258.

saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost al- RABIES BAIT Motorhome - 1996 Bounder, new roof CROSSWORD SOLUTION *gpd = gallons per day and2 tires, fully equipped, asking $12k, continued from page 2 continued from page ways fatal in humans and animals. However, LEGAL NOTICE OBO. Call 578-6258. Attachment A may become effective 60 days,with after thethe publicrabies hearing byvaccine vote of the is nearly treatment Selectboard. If you have any questions, please contact Planning Director Matt Boulanger The week-long bait drop is a coopera- 100 percent effective when given soon after MY TAFT CORNERS WORKSHOP The week-long bait drop is a cooperaat mboulanger@willistonvt.org. SERVICES SHELBURNE DAY SCHEDULE tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. a any tive effort from between and the U.S. person bythereto a rabid animal. Notice is hereby given that ordinanceisorbitten amendment adopted by the continued page Vermont 4 The Town of Williston welcomes all PAINTING Need a fresh startServices in 2021? Let Town of Williston may be disapproved by a vote of a majority of the qualified voters at an Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services Department of Agriculture Wildlife So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont community members to participate in Lafayette Painting give your home a beauannual or special meeting as provided in 24 V.S.A. §1973. #mytaftcorners newthe look. Our painters can do afatal lot in a to stop the spread of the potentially fatal have tested positive for rabies, andthe14 stopworkshop the spreadtifulof potentially of to 10-day beginning on Saturday, April 24, 2021! For day. LafayettePaintingInc.com orhave call 863- a Shelburne Historical Society will Copies of the entire text of the proposed Attachment A are available for review on disease. disease. those have been raccoons. details, please visit mytaftcorners.com. 5397 to hear about our spring discount. the Town’s web page at http://town.williston.vt.us. display and president Dorothea Penar will Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the According to wildlife officials, rabid Dated at the Town of Williston, Vermont this 15th day of April 2021. lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food venbrain that infects mammals. It is most often animals often show a change in their nor-Visit brain that infects mammals. It is most often www.willistonobserver.com Erik Wells dors round out the event with everything seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether Town Manager from coffee and lemonade to burgers and but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also an animal has rabies simply by looking at but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also creemees. Kids will meeting animals get rabies. The virus is spread through the it. People should not touch or pick up wild get rabies. The virusenjoy is spread through the from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and bite of an infected animal or contact with its animals or strays – even baby animals. bite of an infected animal or contact with its

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April 22, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 23

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Page 24  •  Williston Observer  •  April 22, 2021