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Williston Observer May 13. 2021

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Bird bangers heading to Williston

zone around the airport where the Federal Aviation Administration requires bird mitigation. According to the airport’s deputy aviation director, Nic Longo, there are occasional incidental bird-airplane collisions at the airBY JASON STARR port. A worst-case scenario, where Observer staff a bird is sucked into an airplane engine, would be life-threatening. Seagulls are flying from Lake “It really is the safety of what Champlain to the Casella transfer could be 100 to 200 people on an station off Industrial Avenue in aircraft coming in for landing,” Williston, crossing over the main Longo said. runway at Burlington International Longo occasionally sees dozAirport for a reliable source of food ens of seagulls crossing the airat what is the largest trash transfer field to get to the Casella facility. station in Vermont. Borgeson said the trash transfer It’s a potentially disastrous station sometimes has as many as hazard for commercial and Vermont 200 birds on site, especially during Air National Guard pilots as they the spring and early summer when take off and land. Jacob Borgeson birds are rearing their young at is a U.S. Department of Agricul- roosting sites on Lake Champlain. ture (USDA) “The birds biologist workcross the southing with Casella ern end of the and the airport airfield on an to mitigate the east-west patproblem. tern,” he said. It’s gotten “It’s definitely worse over the starting to create past year as the more of a hazpandemic lockard, especially down created for departing — Terry Marron an increase in aircraft.” residential trash Williston resident The noiseand a decrease makers are akin in other food to fireworks and sources from human activity that emit either an extended 110-decibirds typically rely on, Borgeson bel screech, or a single 110-decibel said. He’s ready to deploy the most bang. Casella uses them at their disruptive tactic in the USDA’s landfills around New England, said bird disruption arsenal. Casella spokesman Joe Fusco. In Although noise from the Williston, Casella transfers trash airport is the subject of ongoing from residential pickup trucks to controversy as Chittenden County larger trucks that deliver it to Verresidents absorb increased decibels mont’s landfill in Coventry. The from the Air Guard’s one-year-old transfer happens under an open-air F-35 fighter jet program, Borgeson canopy. proposes adding 100-110 decibel “Wherever you are managing “screamers” and “bangers” to the waste, you attract birds,” Fusco Industrial Avenue neighborhood in said. an attempt to train seagulls to seek Williston resident Terry Marfood elsewhere. ron urged Borgeson to try less imTo do so, a waiver from Wil- pactful bird deterrent tactics, notliston’s noise ordinance is required. ing that the Industrial Avenue area The ordinance allows a maximum has a number of offices and retail of 90 decibels in the industrial activity. zoning district. If the Williston “With the F-35s it’s pretSelectboard grants a waiver, the ty noisy over there as is,” Marnoisemakers would be set off up to ron said. “To be adding another 20 times a day in the early days of 110-decibel noise at random, unthe program, Borgeson told board predictable times … will definitely members last week. The noise de- (be) disruptive to people’s lives. It vices are already used occasional- seems like there could be other ally at the airport itself. The Casella see BIRD BANGERS page 4 facility is within the 3-mile buffer

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Casella trash transfer station creates increasing hazard for airport

‘With the F-35s it’s pretty noisy over there as is.’

Netting a halfton of nutrition

Volunteers at Williston Federated Church helped collect about 1,200 pounds of food Saturday in a food drive for the Williston Community Food Shelf. Volunteers pictured are Ashley and Rebecca Dubois; Shelley Marshall; Heather, Dean, Connor and Trevor Lewis; Carol and Paul Bouchard; Carol Burbank; Dylan and Delainey Leblanc; Derek Allen; and Lauren Vaughan. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY.

Bringing mindfulness to class OBSERVER STAFF REPORT The Champlain Valley School District is making mindfulness practice a regular part of classrooms through a donation from Project HOePpnEr. The donation supports a district-wide subscription to Inner Explorer for all students, teachers and families in the district. Inner Explorer offers daily audio-guided mindfulness practice to give teachers and students the opportunity to practice together and encourage families to practice with their children.

The 5-10-minute sessions guide students through breathing and relaxation exercises, awareness of senses, use of thought and developing compassion. Sue and Joe Hoeppner established Project Hoeppner after their 17-year-old son Paul’s death by suicide. “Initially, our goal was to prevent teen suicide by encouraging teens to ask for help,” the Hoeppner’s said in a news release. “Unfortunately one of the things we realized is that help is hard to find. As we find ourselves further removed from Paul’s death, we realize that preventing teen suicide is more

than identifying and addressing the crisis. It’s providing tools, teaching strategies and creating habits that kids can access their whole lives. “We see Inner Explorer as an important part of an overall strategy to promote health and wellness for kids. We are excited to provide Inner Explorer to the Champlain Valley School District and look forward to expanding it to other Vermont schools.” Local schools are beginning to implement Inner Explorer this spring, with a goal of full use in all schools, kindergarten through 12th see MINDFULNESS page 4


Page 2  •  Williston Observer  •  May 13, 2021

PROPERTY TRANSFERS April property transfers Alan Sholk bought a condominium on Maidstone Lane from Daniel Frazier for $440,000. Matthew Fisher bought a home on Ledgewood Drive from Matthew Durkee for $725,000. Northridge-Williston LLC bought 44 acres of open land north of Harte Circle from William Savage for $675,000. Ryan Thomas bought a home on South Brownell Road from Thanh Nguyen for $258,500. Christie Izzo bought a home on Giovanna Lane from Megan Bachinski for $799,000. Maria Jose Velasco bought a home on Katie Lane from Joseph Gay for $475,000. Brian Thompson bought a home on Ledgewood Drive from Christopher Madison for $735,000. Laura Nace bought a home on St. George Road from Brandon Olson for $395,000.

CVU to host vaccine clinic aimed at students OBSERVER STAFF REPORT

Ruth Stewart bought commercial property on Shunpike Road from the Trustees of the Diocese of Vermont for $250. Charles Fitts-Pratt bought a home on South Road from Deborah Chase for $390,000. Reema Malhorta bought a home on Creek’s Edge Drive from Snyder Creek’s Edge LLC for $474,845. Susan Schlom bought a home on Stoneybrook Drive from Patrick Lawrence for $410,000. Shelley Cleveland bought a home on Foxwood Circle from Charles Fitts-Pratt $267,000. Abram Harrison bought a home on Horseshoe Drive from Zachery Jerome for $426,100. Mary Boguszewicz bought a home on Middlewood Road from Clement Duquette for $160,000. David Costa bought a condominium on Meadowrun Road from Scott Knaepen for $450,000.

Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg will host a COVID vaccination clinic on Tuesday, May 18 that will be open to anyone aged 12 and up. The Champlain Valley School District announced the event Tuesday, one day after the federal Food and Drug Administration cleared the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds. The vaccine had previously been approved only for people ages 16 and older. CVU is one of 40 schools around the state planning to host vaccination clinics for people 12 and over. The CVU clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. An appointment is recommended and can be made at the Vermont Department of Health website: www.healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine. A second dose clinic is scheduled for June 8 at CVU. Parents and guardians will need to create an account on the Health Department website and add their child as a dependent to schedule an appointment for them. Parents can accompany their child at the clinic, but are not required to. According to the Agency of Education, the clinic will have a limited number of doses available on a walk-in basis, but children still need parental consent. Children ages 12-15 will also be able to get appointments for vaccines at Kinney Drugs, CVS and Costco. Health Commissioner Mark Levine called the FDA’s approval “great news” that is based on clinical trials of 2,260 children ages 12-15 years old. “There were 18 cases of COVID-19 in the placebo group and, significantly, none in the vaccinated group — that’s 100 percent efficacy,” Levine said Tuesday. “Side effects were about the same as those seen in people 16 years old and older.” He encouraged parents with questions about the vaccine to talk to a pediatrician or health care provider. “These conversations are the ones that will help you get the fact-based information you need to make an informed decision,” Levine said. With Vermont leading the country in vaccinations,

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Gov. Phil Scott teased the possibility of speeding up the reopening of Vermont. The next step toward reopening is slated for June 1, and the target for broad reopening is July 4. The state has already met its target of at least 60 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of vaccine by June 1. Scott said the July 4 phase could be “accelerated,” but “we need a lot more people vaccinated than are currently registered.” “We’ve said since the beginning that our plan can change depending on conditions, and it could have gone either way, but fortunately, we’re in a very good place,” Scott said. “And if, and only if, Vermonters step up and get vaccinated, we could get out of this sooner than we thought and hoped for.” The Vermont Department of Health reported about 62 percent of Vermonters age 16 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, first in the nation to reach that level. About 43 percent have completed the vaccination process, ranking it third. At the same time, cases continue to drop throughout the state. Vermont reported 381 cases in the past week, compared to 536 cases the week before, said Michael Pieciak, head of the Department of Financial Regulation. In total, cases are down 69 percent from their peak around April 1, Pieciak said. Severe cases of the disease are also dropping. Hospitalizations have fallen 17 percent in the past week and 29 percent in the past 14 days, Pieciak said. Two people have died so far in May. Pieciak cautioned that Maine, with a slightly higher infection rate than Vermont, has a far higher hospitalization and ICU rate than Vermont. Many of those hospitalized are younger Mainers. “Even with our strong (vaccine) uptakes here in Vermont, we remain vulnerable to this type of setback if we don’t see high uptake among all age bands,” he said. — Erin Petenko of VTDigger contributed to this report


May 13, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 3

Rotary offers youth leadership experience Applications due by May 21 BY SUSAN COTE Observer staff May 21 is the deadline to apply to participate in an annual event that bolsters the skills and confidence of high school students interested in developing their leadership potential. Recipients of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) are chosen each year by local Rotary clubs to take part in a three-day summer weekend that includes a host of fun activities focused on areas such as teamwork, public speaking, ethics, conflict resolution and understanding different behavioral styles. The 2021 RYLA program, which takes place June 25-27, will be entirely virtual and is open to sophomores and juniors (ages 1517). Chosen participants will join

students from throughout Rotary International district 7850, which covers the area of southern Quebec, northern Vermont and northern New Hampshire. This year’s online eRYLA program, conducted over Zoom, will include activities and guest speakers focused on communication, critical thinking, problem solving and team decision making through experiential learning, according to the Rotary district website. Students will also receive a participant packet with activity guide, supplies and T-shirt. All

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costs are covered by the local Rotary club. To cap their experience, the awarded students will speak to the Rotary club about what they learned.

In past years, students gathered at what is now the Northern Vermont University-Lyndon campus. The 2020 program was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Julia Herberg, a CVU senior who is headed to the University of Denver this fall, took part in the 2019 event. She found it was a great opportunity to learn communication and leadership skills in a new environment. “When you get out of your own circle, you’re able to grow a lot more than when in your safety bubble,” she said. Students bonded over a team

The Town of Williston has a number of volunteer openings available to serve on Boards and Commissions starting July 1st. Open positions are as follows:

bridge-building challenge, where only non-verbal communication was allowed, and a talent show for which Herberg served as MC, among many other engaging activities. “I was able to meet people from all over, and to this day I’m really good friends with everyone I met,” she said. The Williston-Richmond Rotary Club considers applicants from Williston, Richmond and St. George, regardless of where they attend school or if they are homeschooled. Applications should be submitted by May 21 and are available from school guidance counselors or by emailing a request to Lesley Murray at lesleymotr@gmail.com.

• Historic and Architectural Advisory Committee (HAAC), (2 positions) • Catamount Community Forest Management Committee • Recreation & Parks Committee • Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission — Town Representative • Chittenden Solid Waste District — Town Commissioner • Winooski Valley Park District — Town Representative To apply, please complete an application on the Town website: town.williston.vt.us, under the menu item “Residents/Volunteer Opportunities.” For additional information or to speak with a Town staff member about a volunteer role please contact Town Manager Erik Wells at ewells@willistonvt.org or 876-1168.

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Page 4  •  Williston Observer  •  May 13, 2021

Mindfulness continued from page

1

grade, next fall. “I am thrilled that we have access to Inner Explorer,” said Rachel Petraska, counselor for the school district’s Virtual Learning Academy. “Inner Explorer introduces students to the practice of selfcare, an important skill needed in life. It supports students in learning self-regulation skills, practicing mindfulness and supporting their overall mental wellbeing. “(This) is a true gift to our whole educational community.” Families in the school district will have access to the program for home use on weekends, over the summer and on holiday breaks. “We know that stress and anxiety have increased over the past year,” said the school district’s Children in CVSD classrooms will participate in daily director of integrated wellness, Tony Moulton. “The mindfulness exercises starting this spring and into next school year. PHOTO COURTESY OF PEXELS.COM practice of mindfulness, when offered and applied in a structured, easily accessible format like Inner regulation skills and build resilience. We are so grateExplorer, has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. ful to the Hoeppners for this opportunity.” This tool in the hands of our amazing teachers, eduFor more information, contact Moulton by email cators, students and families can help teach emotional at tmoulton@cvsdvt.org.

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Shakespeare Festival plans outdoor Williston shows

The Vermont Shakespeare Festival last week announced plans for a fusion performance composed of text from each of Shakespeare’s 37 plays. The show will play at five outdoor venues this summer, including a Sept. 11-12 run at the Isham Family Farm in Williston. Visit www.vermontshakespeare.com for more information. This is the second play announced for this summer at the Isham Family Farm. In April, Vermont Stage announced a 10-day run of “Popcorn Falls,” a comedy by James Hindman. “Popcorn Falls” plays from July 28-Aug. 8.

Bird bangers continued from page

1

ternatives looked into. I would really like to see less noise pollution in Williston.” Borgeson said other bird mitigation methods are already in use at Casella, such as anti-perching devices and silent scare tactics. Noisemakers are the most effective technique, he said.

“Just as the birds will educate themselves to the food, they will become educated negatively to the discharges of these pyrotechnics,” he said. Borgeson hopes to start the program as soon as possible. The selectboard put off a decision on the noise ordinance waiver until a future meeting and plans to seek input from the Williston Conservation Commission.

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May 13, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 5

Hinesburg hires first town manager Former Jericho, Essex official takes the helm BY MADDY HOLDEN Special to the Observer Todd Odit started in April as the first manager of the Town of Hinesburg. Prior to this role, he was administrator of the Town of Jericho. The town manager position is new to Hinesburg, which has only had town administrators in the past. The position was created by a vote on Town Meeting Day. “Being the first town manager in Hinesburg, I’d like to prove that the town manager form of government was the right step,” said Odit. When Odit applied for the position, Hinesburg voters had not yet weighed in on the ballot item that would determine its form of government. The Hinesburg Selectboard began its search for a manager prior to Town Meeting Day. Candidates like Odit came into the interview process knowing that the position could be either town administrator or town manager. On March 10, following the Town Meeting Day vote to install a manager at the helm, the board offered him a two-year contract “The town manager brings a little extra responsibility in terms of statutory author-

ity,” Odit said. “It really shifts a lot of the responsibility onto the manager so the selectboard can focus on policy.” Odit has 18 years of municipal government experience, but being a town manager wasn’t always his plan. He went to Vermont Law School for a master’s degree in environmental law. “My thought was always that I would go into state government and environmental policy,” said Odit. “But right after graduate school, I got a job with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns as a senior legislative associate for municipalities and found it to be really interesting.” Odit said that a lot of the issues municipalities find themselves involved in are related to the environment, so his education is applicable. “I think the biggest help was probably my graduate degree,” he said. “There are a lot of laws to work within and it is important to understand the regulations.” In 2005, Odit got the opportunity to be the assistant town manager in Essex, where he says he gained a lot of valuable experience. “Shortly after I got there, they were talking about merging the town and village of Essex,” said Odit. “This required a deep dive into local governance. It was a good experience looking into how municipalities operate, their differences, how you might be able to

bring them together, consolidate services and create efficiencies. I also gained experience negotiating union contracts with the police department, as well as the other employees who were covered by a separate union.” Odit went on to become town administrator of Jericho in 2009, the position he held prior to Hinesburg manager. In that time, he also participated in the competitive Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. “I really enjoy leading a town, helping boards figure out what it is they want to accomplish and how to accomplish it, and overseeing the operations,” he said. Todd Odit “I really like working in smaller towns and getting to know people,” he continued. “Hinesburg just seemed to be

Maddy Holden is a reporter with the Community News Service, a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.

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Page 6  •  Williston Observer  •  May 13, 2021

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Deck seems stacked on hunting, trapping bill BY MIKE STANNARD For a few weeks this winter, I would end my day by checking the Vermont Legislature’s page to see if H.172 — “an act related to hunting and trapping” — had made it out of committee. On the evening of crossover (the deadline for moving bills from one chamber to the other), it seemed like this piece of proposed legislation must have been too extreme for the committee to have taken up as part of its 2021 agenda and was pigeonholed. Like most Vermont outdoors people, I am not a bear houndsman or a trapper and do not aspire to either. I do respect the history of trapping in Vermont and can see the merits of bear hunting. Both of them fit into our management plan quite well, as is. More importantly, I realize that what befalls these two categories of the outdoors community is a harbinger of the fate of other less controversial outdoor sports, from waterfowling to bass fishing. There are multiple pieces of Fish & Wildlife-related legislation in the House Natural Resources Committee that should be of grave concern to anyone in the outdoor community, not just bear hunters and trappers. H.172 includes language that would ban the hunting of bears with hounds, and is only one word away (bears) from the banning of hunting any game animal or waterfowl in Vermont with dogs — a serious

concern for the future of waterfowl, grouse and rabbit hunting. The bill also includes language to remove the bear tag from a youth hunting license and end trapping as we know it in Vermont. This is an obvious first stab at ending the “generational transfer” of our hunting culture to the next generation. I was relieved that this was the final time I would need to check the progress of these bills, as though I were checking my lottery numbers, to see if we would get to keep our heritage for another year. But, a few days later, many of us in the Vermont hunting world started picking up chatter from online communities that these bills were still being discussed in committee and that testimony was being stacked six-to-one in favor of some of the very organizations that pushed the drafting of the bill in the first place. I have watched portions of the House Natural Resources Committee meeting streams and heard testimony from a very select group of anti-hunting and anti-trapping interests. There have been no trappers or bear hunters as witnesses. Nor has there been any testimony from anyone on the Fish & Wildlife Board or from anyone focused on the wildlife management model used in Vermont (and all of North America) or the science behind trapping and its guidelines. I am perplexed why there seems to be a real frontloading of “anti” testimony (i.e., Protect Our

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Wildlife). Even if there is a strong push among the majority to get this bill to the House floor, it has long been the Vermont way to provide ample opportunity for those whose vested interest lay in the balance to get their opportunity to speak their position. It appears there is a strategy in effect by the committee chair, Rep. Amy Sheldon (bill co-sponsor), and vice chair, Rep. Jim McCullough (bill co-sponsor), to shelter committee members meeting viewers. Testimony from an articulate and informed Vermonter could make them question the legitimacy of the bill. Rep. Kari Dolan (bill co-sponsor) said she had cross-referenced hundreds of emails coming in against the bill, through the Secretary of State’s Office, and that “a share of” the emails were from outof-staters, and that she “found that interesting.” I found it “interesting” that mostly anti-hunting and anti-trapping, out-of-state-influenced special interest groups were the lion’s share of a very small showing of witnesses for legislation that would end 300 years of Vermont tradition and outdoor heritage. No Vermont trapper, bear houndsmen, scientist or Fish & Wildlife official was given the opportunity to provide testimony in committee. I am calling on all hunters, fishers and trappers to get involved with this legislation as soon as possible — this session. We need to act as the biggest lobby group in Vermont and get the word out to our own representatives, the speaker of the House, the House Natural Resources Committee and the governor that we demand better representation from witnesses, and that those with a contrarian take on this legislation should be heard. It could be our most valued outdoor pastime that is next on the chopping block. We must see to it that no parts of Vermont’s outdoor culture we value are stripped from us and future generations, without so much as a chance to defend their merits. Mike Stannard is a high school science teacher, fly fishing instructor and father of three Vermont youth hunters and fishers. He lives in Fair Haven.

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Vermont House votes to make mail-in voting permanent The Vermont House of Representatives on Tuesday voted 119-30 for a bill (S.15) that expands universal vote-by-mail to all future general elections. The bill will now be sent to the Senate to consider the House’s amendments. “Making universally-mailed ballots a permanent feature of Vermont general elections will help increase access and options for all voters,” said Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Conservation Voters. “We, along with the environmental community, identified S.15 as one of our key priorities for this year, because we recognize that a healthy democracy is essential for a healthy environment.” Vote-by-mail had a profound impact on Vermont’s democratic participation in the 2020 election, with nearly 45,000 more votes cast in the general election than in any election in the state’s history. In that election, 73 percent of the votes cast were by absentee ballot. A poll conducted in February by the independent firm Lincoln Park Strategies

found that 68 percent of Vermont voters wanted to keep mail-in voting, while 29 percent opposed it. Voters appreciated the additional time to research candidates and the ability to take their time filling in their ballot and make thoughtful decisions when voting from the comfort of their home, Hierl said. In addition to expanding vote-by-mail, Vermont’s new legislation provides a way for voters to “cure” defective ballots after mailing them in. A common example is when a voter fails to sign the inner security envelope when returning their ballot. S.15 provides remedies to help ensure a voter can fix a defective ballot and make sure their vote counts. “In a tumultuous year when preserving personal and community health was of paramount concern, vote-by-mail ensured that Vermont’s 2020 election carried on safely, simply and securely,” said Sheldon Goodwin of Vermont Conservation Voters. “We are pleased to see this successful policy made permanent for all general elections going forward.”

May 13, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Funnel funds to affordable housing Vermont is a beautiful place to call home, but the biggest barrier to having more people do just that is the high cost of our housing. My niece, for instance, has a college degree and a decent-paying full-time job at UVM Medical Center, and she still cannot afford rental housing by herself in Chittenden County. She lives in Waterbury and commutes to South Burlington. On behalf of the thousands of Vermonters like her, the social justice organization Vermont Interfaith Action is urging our state legislators to take advantage of the once-ina-lifetime federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act and allocate what Gov. Scott is asking for: an additional $90 million to move the homeless folks who were housed in motels because of COVID into supportive housing, and an additional $147 million in construction funds to build 5,000 more units of affordable housing over the next three years. Many Vermonters cannot survive the delays the legislature is asking for. The transition out of motels needs to take place for hundreds of people by July 1, and the construction of units, which takes years, needs

to start today. Please join me in emailing or calling our legislators today. Debbie Ingram Williston Vermont Interfaith Action executive director

Grateful pedestrian My husband and I are residents of Falcon Manor Senior Housing off Blair Park Road. We are sure we speak for many of the residents here, as well as for the other two senior residences on Blair Park, when we say a huge “thank you” to the Town of Williston and the workers for the new sidewalks being installed as we write this! Hopefully, the raised speed bumps will slow people down around our circle, since it’s been a raceway for far too long. Not to sound ungrateful, however, walkways on both sides of the road would have been perfect. As long as the speed bumps work, we’ll have a fighting chance to get across to the new sidewalk to go down to the post office and take a safe daily walk around the circle. Again, we are sincerely appreciative. Les and Kathleen Langlais Williston

Send your letters to editor@willistonobserver.com

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Page 8  •  Williston Observer  •  May 13, 2021

UVM and faculty union sign new contract

BY KATYA SCHWENK VTDigger After more than a year at the bargaining table, the University of Vermont and its faculty union inked a new four-year contract Monday. For months, bargaining had been deadlocked as the university administration pushed for cuts in faculty salaries and benefits, citing financial hardship. But ultimately — with the help of a federal mediator — an agreement was reached, avoiding any pay reductions. The agreement won support

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from an “overwhelming” majority of faculty, union leaders said. “This was the most difficult negotiation we’ve ever had. I think both sides would say that,” said Julie Roberts, president of United Academics, which represents nearly 700 full-time faculty at the university. University administrators had come to the table with a proposed 10 percent cut in base salaries — an unprecedented move, Roberts said. “No administration has ever come in with a salary decrease,” she said. But the new contract secures much of what the faculty had sought,

including a 5.5 percent salary increase by 2024, and preservation of retirement and sabbatical benefits. In a press release Monday, the university touted the contract as one of “fiscal prudence.” “UVM continues to face multimillion-dollar revenue shortfalls,” the release said, and “constraining salary increases is necessary in order to restrain the university’s spending.” The university’s release notes that full professors at UVM are paid an average of $127,380, slightly above the average salary of full professors across New

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reversed. Restoring positions and pay is preferable to leaving cuts in place, Roberts said. “But at the same time, it puts people who are affected by them through hell for months on top of the pandemic,” she said. Despite projections for record enrollment in the liberal arts this fall, the university still plans to carry out its reorganization of the College of Arts and Sciences, which will terminate or consolidate programs the university has deemed low-enrollment. The university also faces a union drive among its clerical and technical workers, which became public last month. The group will formally vote on unionization later this month for the third time in a decade. Ballots will be counted May 19.

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England universities, which was $121,000 in 2018. That number, however, excludes the 78 percent of union members who are not full professors. The median salary of UVM’s full-time faculty is $85,012, according to figures provided by the union. The news of the contract comes days after the university announced that it would offer reappointment to three senior lecturers in the liberal arts, citing unexpectedly high fall enrollment. The three had been laid off in the fall. For Roberts, the development was just the latest chapter in a challenging year. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the university has pushed a slate of austerity measures, including cuts in programs and salaries. Some of those cuts have also been

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Senate approves $100 million for broadband BY XANDER LANDEN VTDigger A $100 million broadband expansion bill was approved unanimously Tuesday by the Vermont Senate. The plan would funnel federal dollars both to the state’s communications union districts (CUDs) and small internet service providers to bring fiber to areas with no high-speed broadband. Boosting internet access has been a priority for both lawmakers and Gov. Phil Scott during the COVID-19 pandemic, when children have needed broadband to learn remotely and parents to work from home. An estimated 60,000 addresses in the state still don’t have an internet connection, or have access only to low-quality service. Among the problems that resulted: Some teachers spent hours each day in their cars, delivering lessons via the broadband service at their town library, and some families had to schedule shifts for using their homes’ minimal internet access. “This is a complicated system, it has a lot of working parts, but we feel confident that we have established in this bill a system that will have us ready to move forward and to, in the near future, have high-speed broadband accessible to every home in Vermont,” Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said on the virtual Senate floor. The broadband bill, H.360, relies on funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in March. The windfall of federal money has given state officials an unprecedented opportunity to invest in internet expansion. Sen. Alison Clarkson, D-Windsor, the Senate’s majority leader, said broadband has been “one of our top priorities” for her entire tenure. “And I think we may be close to actually fully getting it right and, enabled by the (American Rescue Plan Act) money, we’re

going to be able to finance it,” she said. The legislation would require the CUDs and private internet providers receiving money to expand to bring high-speed fiber-optic service to all residences lacking internet in a given region. The House broadband bill, passed in March, would allow CUDs to receive money to expand fiber networks, but leave out all private internet service providers. The Senate added small private providers, believing CUDs couldn’t do the job alone. CUDs, community-owned fiber-optic networks that serve multiple towns, are dedicated to building out service to rural areas of Vermont. The Legislature gave them the authority to form and operate for that purpose in 2015. House members said they want to avoid giving federal money directly to private providers. They argued that private companies have avoided extending high-speed fiber to rural areas, where homes and businesses are so far apart that the buildout isn’t very profitable. But the Senate opted to include small telecommunications companies, saying they’re poised to boost service in some areas where CUDs haven’t been formed. Cummings said Vermont has more than a dozen CUDs, and three or four are ready “to put fiber out this year.” The others are still setting up and making plans. Until now, Cummings noted, the state hasn’t had “the significant funds to capitalize these CUDs.” Even with federal funding, it could still take years for CUDs to extend fiber to some areas of the state. The Senate’s broadband bill was expected to pass on a second vote Wednesday, and then return to the House. In the final days of the legislative session, House and Senate lawmakers will have to reach a final agreement on the bill before it heads to Gov. Phil Scott’s desk.

May 13, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 9

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Page 10  •  Williston Observer  •  May 13, 2021

OBITUARIES Michael L. Pressey

Michael L. Pressey of Williston, VT and Murrells Inlet, S.C., passed away peacefully surround-

ed by family on April 23, 2021 after a brief illness. There will be an open house celebration of life at the Catamount Country Club, 1400 Mountain View Road, Williston, VT from 3-5 p.m. on May 23. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. May 24 at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 487 Furnace Road, Randolph. To view a complete obituary and leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.corbinandpalmer.com. Arrangements are in care of Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction, VT.

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There will be a graveside burial service for friends and family of Larned Ketcham, former teacher and assistant principal in the Williston school system. An open service will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Hinesburg Cemetery. Reception will follow at the home of Matthew and Tammy Ketcham, 5418 St. George Rd., Williston. Call 233-5133 with questions. Arrangements by Corbin & Palmer Funeral Services in Essex Junction.

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Charles Erdelyi

Charles Karoly Erdelyi, 83, a long-time resident of Essex, passed away at his home in Williston on May 5, 2021. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday May 11, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at A W Rich Funeral Home — Essex Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday May 12, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church with Reverend Charles Ranges S.S.E. officiating. Burial will follow in the family lot in St. Thomas Cemetery, Underhill. The family invites you to read his full obituary and share your memories by visiting www.awrfh.com.

Visit www.williston observer.com


May 13, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 11

SENIORS

Medicare coverage options for retirees eager to travel

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the best Medicare coverage options for COVID-vaccinated retirees who are eager to travel? My wife and I will both turn 65 over the next few months and would like to know which Medicare plans are best for extensive travelers. Almost 65

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If you and your spouse are planning to travel domestically, original Medicare may be the better option because it provides coverage everywhere in the U.S. and its territories as long as the doctor or hospital accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage Dear Almost, plans, on the other hand, The best Medicare which have become very plans for retirees who popular among new enplan to travel will vary rollees, may restrict your depending on your desticoverage when traveling nations. But, before you throughout the U.S. This book a trip, make sure is because most Mediyou know the current care Advantage plans are CDC COVID-19 travel HMOs or PPOs and rerecommendations (see quire you to use doctors, www.CDC.gov/coronavihospitals and pharmacies rus/2019-ncov/travelers), that are in the plan’s netand research your destiwork within a service area nations so you know if reor geographic region. So strictions apply wherever BY JIM MILLER if you’re traveling outside you’re going. that area, you may need to Medicare Review pay a higher fee, or your services may not be covered at all. Before we dissect how Medicare works If you do decide to enroll in a Medicare for travelers, let’s start with a quick review of Advantage plan, be sure you check the benthe different Medicare options. efit details carefully to see what costs and One option is original Medicare, which rules apply when travelcovers (Part A) hospital services and (Part B) ing outside your service doctors visits and other medical services. If you choose original Medicare, you area.

original Medicare, you can still get some coverage abroad through a Medigap policy. Plans D, G, M and N will pay for 80 percent of medically necessary emergency care outside the U.S. to new enrollees, but only for the first 60 days of the trip, and you have to meet an annual $250 deductible first. There’s

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may also want to get a Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan (if you don’t already have coverage) to cover your medications, and a Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy to help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Or, you could get a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan instead, which is sold through private insurance companies and covers everything original Medicare covers, plus prescription drugs and extra services like vision, hearing and dental care. To help you evaluate your options, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see www.ShiptaCenter.org), which provides free Medicare counseling. You can also shop and compare Medicare health and drug plans and Medigap policies at www.Medicare.gov/find-a-plan. Whatever Medicare plans you choose to enroll in, if you find they are not meeting your needs or your needs change, you can always switch to a different plan during the open enrollment period, which is Oct. 15-Dec. 7.

also a lifetime limit of $50,000, so you’d need to cover any costs above that amount. Some beneficiaries, regardless of their Medicare coverage, purchase travel medical insurance for trips abroad, which you can shop for at www.InsureMyTrip.com or www.SquareMouth.com.

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Traveling Abroad If you’re planning to travel abroad, a Medicare Advantage plan may be a better option because many Advantage plans offer emergency care coverage outside the U.S. But be sure you check before you choose a plan because not all plans offer it. Original Medicare, on the other hand, does not provide coverage outside the U.S. and its territories except in rare circumstances (see www.Medicare.gov/coverage/travel), and Medicare drug plans will not cover prescription drugs purchased outside the U.S. either. If you do choose

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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Page 12  •  Williston Observer  •  May 13, 2021

Donovan leads coalition urging Facebook to abandon ‘Instagram Kids’ Citing concerns about the safety and well-being of children and the harm social media poses to young people, Attorney General T.J. Donovan has co-led a coalition of 44 attorneys general urging Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13. In a letter sent Monday to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the coalition contends that social media can be detrimental to children for many reasons and

that Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms. “The attorneys general have an interest in protecting our youngest citizens, and Facebook’s plans to create a platform where kids under the age of 13 are encouraged to share content online is contrary to that interest,” the letter states. “It appears that Facebook is not responding to a need, but instead creating one, as this platform appeals

primarily to children who otherwise do not or would not have an Instagram account.” The letter expresses various concerns over Facebook’s proposal, including research that social media can be harmful to the physical, emotional and mental well- being of children; concerns about cyberbullying; use of the platform by predators to target children; Facebook’s checkered record in protecting the welfare of children on its platforms;

and children’s lack of capacity to navigate the complexities of what they encounter online, including advertising, inappropriate content and relationships with strangers. At a Congressional hearing in March, Zuckerberg dismissed the idea that social media is harmful to children, despite strong data and research that has shown a link between young people’s use of social media and an increase in mental distress, self-injurious behavior and suicidal-

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Highway Department Superintendent e Town of Stowe, VT, seeks its next Highway Department Superintendent. Responsible for the leadership, direction and supervision of the Highway Department, which operates, maintains and repairs approximately 95 miles of town highways, 25 bridges, 3 miles of sidewalks, related stormwater systems and miscellaneous facilities. e position requires an advanced understanding of the principals, practices and techniques of highway maintenence and construction and the ability to work well with a diverse group of people, including the general public. e position also requires on-call availability, after regular working hours, for emergency response typically associated with severe weather events or natural disasters. A high school diploma or equivalent and ten years minimum of experience in highway/site construction and/or maintenance with a minimum of five years of experience in a supervisory capacity, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job, is required. Must possess a valid Vermont driver’s license. A working knowledge of VTDEC Municipal Road General Permit requirements would be highly desirable. is is a full-time exempt position with excellent benefits, which currently include health, dental and disability insurance, earned time off and a retirement plan. e starting salary is anticipated to be $74,892 to $84,292, depending on qualifications and experience. A job description and employment application can be obtained on our website: www.townofstowevt.org. Submit employment application, letter of interest, resume and contact information for three references to: Town of Stowe, c/o Susan Moeck, P.O. Box 730, Stowe, VT 05672 or email townhall@stowevt.gov. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. e Town of Stowe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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weekly newspaper serving the Mad River Valley as well as Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, is looking for a staff writer. The ideal candidate will possess a curious mind, exceptional writing skills and an appreciation for small-town life. While a background in journalism is not required, the ability to write concisely and accurately is. This person will report on the people, places and events of the Mad River Valley, including local politics, education, sports, recreation, agriculture, business, craft beer, the environment and more. Must be detail and deadline oriented. A flexible schedule is required; the individual will attend public meetings on some nights and weekends. Photography and social media skills required. Send a cover letter, resume and two to three writing samples to lisa@valleyreporter.com

FoodScience is growing and we are looking for people to join our amazing team. Positions open in Williston: Machine Operators, Picking & Packing, Customer Care Representative Mon– Fri, flexible shifts available FoodScience’s mission is to help people and pets live healthier lives every day. We are known for the great care we take with clients and employees alike. We consider it a privilege to lend our minds, our hearts and our hands to the work of helping people and pets. It’s what drives us to be pioneering in all the ways that lead to new and better nutritional supplements and products. Working at FoodScience is not just another job but a chance to make a real difference in people’s and pets’ lives and advance your career. FoodScience offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k Profit Sharing, paid time off, paid holidays, paid one week plant shutdown, plus many other great benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer. To apply, please go to: https://www.foodsciencecorp.com/careers

ity. Instagram has been frequently flagged for increasing suicidal ideation, depression and body image concerns in children, according to Donovan. The attorneys general contend that young children are not equipped to handle the many challenges that come with having an Instagram account, including that they often lack a developed understanding of privacy. There is also a risk that predators may exploit children online and cloak their identities. The attorneys general also cast doubt on Facebook’s ability to protect children on their proposed Instagram platform and comply with relevant privacy laws such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. They point out that the company has a record of failing to protect the safety and privacy of children. For instance, Facebook’s Messenger Kids app contained a glitch that allowed children to circumvent restrictions and join group chats with strangers. Co-leading Monday’s letter along with Donovan are the attorneys general of Massachusetts, Nebraska and Tennessee. The letter is joined by the attorneys general of 41 other states and U.S. territories.

Part-Time Production Designer Williston’s community newspaper is seeking a production designer to join our collaborative team. Enjoy the challenge and reward of putting out a vibrant, quality newspaper every week to serve the needs of our valued local readers and advertisers. The successful candidate will offer graphic design and layout expertise along with a high degree of organization and effective communication skills. Must be proficient with InDesign, Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat applications. Experience in a newspaper environment desirable, but not required. Position is remote, 20-25 hours/week, primarily Mon-Wed. For a full job description, please email Susan Cote, susan@willistonobserver. com or call 802-489-5499.


May 13, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 13

CULINARY CORNER

CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 15

Add protein to your coffee A new way to enjoy coffee has grown in popularity. This “proffee” trend got its name from a protein and coffee combination that adds nutritional benefits to coffee drinks. One way to add protein is by making a chocolate latte. You can enjoy the benefits of coffee, but with protein, vitamins and the addition of delicious chocolate notes. Or, for another warm coffeehouse-style option, you can take advantage of the many health benefits of curcumin and turmeric with a golden turmeric vanilla protein latte. A sprinkle of pepper may sound odd in your latte, but the pepper can actually improve your body’s absorption of the turmeric. To learn more, visit www.premierprotein.com.

Chocolate Latte 1/2 cup hot brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso 1 Premier Protein 30g High Protein Chocolate Shake 2 teaspoons cocoa nibs In large 14-16-ounce mug, prepare espresso or coffee. Pour chocolate shake on top to combine. Top with cocoa nibs.

Golden Turmeric Vanilla Protein Latte 1 Premier Protein 30g High Protein Vanilla Shake 2 shots espresso 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 dash black pepper Froth vanilla shake using frother on warm setting. If you don’t have a frother, simply shake in container 45 seconds, pour into mug and microwave 45 seconds. Add espresso to 14-16-ounce mug then top with frothed shake, turmeric, cinnamon and black pepper; whisk to combine. — Family Features

EMPLOYMENT

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58. Shut up 59. Take advantage of 60. Not round 62. Big media to-do 66. Remote button 68. Top show, for short 70. Unearthly 71. Prefix for graph 72. Beloved family member 73. Mississippi, e.g. 74. Schedule position 75. Overcast 76. Greenhouse plot DOWN 1. With a discount of 2. Impressive entrance 3. Paraphernalia 4. Mortarboard 5. Shades 6. Articles 7. Full of holes 8. It might offer Swedish or Thai massages 9. Breathing 10. TV, radio, etc. 11. Painter’s stand 13. Surly in manner 14. A chorus line

21. Special way of doing something 23. Film set worker 26. Mere 28. Genetic material 29. Droid downloads 30. Group, as of votes 31. Word with cracker and pop 32. Truck’s wheelprint 36. Genders 38. Winter sport equipment 39. Slant 40. Makes like 43. Screenwriter’s writing 46. Regular record 47. Water sport 49. Cereal grass 51. In possession of 53. Records 54. Speed ___ 55. Routine 56. Earlier style back in fashion 57. Parked highway patrolman’s gun 61. Like a recluse 63. Middle East dweller 64. Festival locale 65. Listen to 67. Lunch on 69. Set (down)

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Page 14  •  Williston Observer  •  May 13, 2021

LIBRARY May 17. Pick up a kit from the vestibule and create a colorful spring bouquet using washable markers, coffee filters, water and pipe cleaners. While supplies last.

Starting on Monday, May 17, the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library will be re-opening for in-person visits, including: • Browsing by appointment. Patrons may book a 30-minute appointment by visiting www.damlvt.org or calling the library at 878-4918. • Holds pickup. Patrons may drop by any time during library hours to pick up reserved materials. • Public computer use. Williston and St. George residents may drop in to use the library’s public computers (limit one hour per patron), space permitting.

Meditation For Kids Wednesdays, May 19 and 26, 1:15-1:45 p.m. Join us via Zoom. Ages 8-14. Email programs@ damlvt.org to register.

The library is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. To comply with the state’s Universal Guidance, patrons and staff will be required to wear a properly fitting mask at all times in the library, respect social distancing guidelines and sanitize their hands upon entry. To place holds, apply for a library card, get updates on programming and access all of the library’s digital offerings, visit www. damlvt.org. Public wifi is available 24/7 from the library patio. YOUTH PROGRAMS Storywalk in the Park: The Magical Yet May 3-31. Enjoy a stroll and a story at the Williston Community Park. “The Magical Yet” by Angela DiTerlizzi is a rollicking picture

Preschool Music On The Green Thursdays, May 20 and 27, 10:30-11 a.m. Dance, wiggle and sing along with musician Linda Bassick. Masks required. Register at www.damlvt.org.

book that encourages kids of all ages as they learn new things. Located east of the soccer fields. After-School Program in a Bag: Coffee Filter Flowers Available starting Monday,

MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS Spanish Conversation Tuesday, May 18, 4-5 p.m. Whether you’re fluent or a beginner, join us for conversation en Español. Teens and adults. Email programs@damlvt.org for a Zoom invitation.

Summer Reading 2021 Summer is right around the corner! Preregister starting on June 1 for the Summer Reading Challenge on our Beanstack site at www.damlvt.beanstack.org. The challenge is open to Williston and St. George residents and runs from June 19 to Aug. 14. We have opportunities for all ages, babies through to adults, so everyone can get involved in the fun. PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Online programs are held via Zoom. Email programs@damlvt. org or call 878-4918 to sign up for a program. Origami Cranes Installation Stop by the library to view the window display of origami paper cranes (orizuru) that members of the community created. The project will be on display through the month of June.

Guided Meditation Fridays, May 14 and 21, 12:30-1 p.m. Maryellen Crangle leads a short meditation online. New Perspectives: ‘The Five Love Languages’ Tuesday, May 18, 12-1 p.m. Join us to discuss ‘The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. Print copies are available to borrow from the library. Brown Bag Book Discussion Tuesday, May 25, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Come discuss Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist.” eBook and eAudiobook formats are available in Hoopla. Print copies are available to borrow from the library. Current Events Wednesday, May 26, 10-11:30 a.m. Connect with others for informal conversation about newsworthy topics during these interesting times.

SERVICE DIRECTORY BASEMENT SYSTEMS BASEMENT SYSTEMS

HOME INSPECTION

ANTIQUE SHOP ANTIQUE SHOP

HOUNDDOG HOME INSPECTION

IVE CORNERS ORNERS FIVE CORNERS FFIVE C ANTIQUES NTIQUES ANTIQUES A

Tim Walker Licensed Inspector

A Multi Dealer Shop A Multi Dealer A Multi Dealer Shop Shop

802.878.6167 802.878.6167 802.878.6167

11 Maple Street, Street, Essex Junction, VT VT 11 Maple Essex Junction, 11Open Maple Street, Junction, VT Mon SatEssex 10-5 Sun 11-4 Open-Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4 Open Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4 5CornersAntiques.com 5CornersAntiques.com 5CornersAntiques.com

www.hounddoghomeinspection.com timjwalker52@gmail.com (802) 876-7878 • (860) 248-9361

POWER WASHING POWER WASHING

Spring House Washing

REAL ESTATE Your Williston Neighbor

Specializing in Low-Pressure Vinyl Siding Washes

Washing Decks, Driveways, Walkways & More!

Owner operated - Call Greg Mack

802-310-6379 AUTO DETAILING

CARPENTRY

High Standards, LLC Remodeling, Rot Repair, Decks, Windows, Doors

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

TREE SERVICE

Carpentry

Drywall, Siding, Finish Work, Pressure Washing

24/7 On Call – Free Estimates – Fully Insured

802-355-8193

Matt Levee • HighStandards802@gmail.com

RUG CLEANING

Adam’s Tree & Yard Professional auto detailing and showroom conditioning for your car, truck or SUV.

Tree & Stump Removal Yard & Brush Pile Clean Up Insured

MAKE YOUR VEHICLE NEW AGAIN

Serving Chittenden County and beyond.

802-879-7777 www.vermontautodetail.com

Adam Hall • 802-309-8971


May 13, 2021  •  Williston Observer  •  Page 15

CLASSIFIEDS

RABIES BAIT

RABIES saliva. If left BAIT untreated, rabies is almost al- saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost alcontinued from page 2and animals. However, ways fatal in humans and animals. However, ways fatal in humans GARAGE SALE - Lamps, hometreatment decor, Acting Zoningvaccine Administrator with 200 +the ( newrabies and old ) vaccine music - 1996 Bounder, new the with is MOTORHOME nearly treatment with rabies WANTEDis nearly clothing, games, coffee maker, frames, roof and tires, fully equipped, asking rolls as well as a reproduced in 1956, The week-long is aandcooperaGARAGE SALESbait drop The week-long bait drop is asoon coopera100 percent effective when given after 100 percent effective DAY when given soon after cooking bakeware and much more! $12k, OBO. CallSHELBURNE 578-6258. Duo Art Reproducing Piano service Saturday, May 15 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at WANTED TO BUY - Vermont tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. a person is bitten by a rabid animal. manual( copyright 1927 ). Contact a person isfrom bitten by4a rabid animal. YARD SALE - Top-of-the-line freezer and continued page 594 Zephyr Road (in the back of the collector will pay cash for all wooden for pictures and more information. storage containers. Canning jars, quilt Department of Agriculture Wildlife townhouse), Services Williston. Department Agriculture Wildlife Services SERVICES So farcarpenterg@myfairpoint.net. thisofyear, 23 animals in Vermont So far this year,bird23carvings, animals Vermont goose,in duck and Title books, cookbooks and miscellaneous shorebird 802-238-1465. to stop the to stop the spread offor therabies, potentially fatal have tested positive and 14 of have tested positive items. May 29 & 30. 9spread a.m. - 4 p.m.of 3068the potentially fatal subject “player piano.“ for decoys. rabies, and 14 of Shelburne Society will have a Oak Hill Rd., Williston. FOR SALE those PAINTING - Need a fresh start inHistorical 2021? disease. disease. have been raccoons. those have been raccoons. Let Lafayette Painting give and your home DINING TABLE - Walnut with 6 display presidentSend Dorothea Penartowill classifieds TWO-FAMILY - Saturday, viral disease of the RabiesYARD is SALE a deadly Rabieschairs is and a to deadly disease the new look.According According wildlife officials, rabid aof beautiful Our painters can to wildlife officials, rabid a bench 33viral x 55, 55 x 55 FUNCTIONING REFINISHED AND May 22, 9am-noon. Kids bike, exercise a cemetery tour marianne@williston at 1 p.m. Food vendo a lot in a day.lead LafayettePaintingInc. opened, asking $325. Call 578-6258. ELECTRIC DUO equipment, games, books, office brain that infects mammals.REFURBISHED It is most often brain that infects mammals. It is most often animals often show a change in their noranimals often show a change in their norcom or call 863-5397 to hear about our ART PLAYER PIANO - Valued at observer.com supplies, and more. 426 Lamplite Lane, dors round out the event with everything seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, andforbats, seen behavior, in raccoons, foxes, bats, mal but skunks, you cannot telland whether mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether Williston. $4,000, selling $1,000. Comes spring discount. from coffee and lemonade to burgers and but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also an butanimal unvaccinated pets simply and livestock can also has rabies by looking at an animal has rabies simply by looking at creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals get rabies. The virus is spread through the it. getPeople rabies.should The virus is spread through the it. People should not touch or pick up wild not touch or pick up wild from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and bite of an infected animal or contact with its animals bite of anorinfected or contact with its animals or strays – even baby animals. strays –animal even baby animals. continued from page 2

SERVICE DIRECTORY

ANTIQUES

LANDSCAPING

LOCAL MEATS

SH face contT burn She head disp the lead Gol dors dep from land cree Rot from

ANTIQUES WANTED

Pastured Pork 17 kinds of pork sausage

Decluttering? Downsizing? Settling an Estate?

Certified Organic Beef (reg. burger $7lb, lean $5lb) Pastured Lamb • Pastured Chicken, Duck

We can help you discover, learn about and sell:

HEIRLOOM PORK SHOP

WATCHES • JEWELRY • COINS • SILVER • ARTWORK

service service directory directo We can field questions, review photos and coordinate estate work.

Snowplowing • Salting • Scheduling Fall Cleanups now!

for rates: call 985-30 Contact Brian Bittner 802-272-7527 bittnerantiques@gmail.com or email advertising@

Edging and Mulching • Walkways, Patios and Walls

1547 Hardwick St. E. Hardwick (802) 472-5557 leblancfamilyfarm@emypeople.net

Available at our farm and at Richmond Market

FULLY INSURED • www. kingfishvt.com (802) 345-4280

www.bittnerantiques.com

Call today to get on our 2021 calendar!

Build / Remodel CONSTRUCTION

Health Build / Remodel LANDSCAPING

PLEASANT VALLEY, INC.

PLEASANT VALLEY, INC.

Roofing Siding & Trim Work Siding Carpentry Repairs Renovations Painting & Staining Painting Decks & Porches Decks Outdoor Structures 802-343-4820 802-343-4820 www.pleasantvalleyvt.com www.pleasantvalleyvt.com

Health CARPET CLEANING

Nancy Marconi

Roofing Certified Massage Therapist 10/08/2019 Spring Cleanup & Mulch Siding Lawn 64 Steeplebush Road 3.25Maintenance x 2 AD for Williston Observer Renovations Landscape Design Shelburne Painting 52 Consecutive Weeks $18.00/weekMassageWorksVT $936 Stonework & Planting 802-985-8984 Deep Tissue, Hot Stones Decks Mini Excavation United States Steamer cell 338-7001 & Swedish Massage “The Carpet Cleaner” 802-343-4820 802-343-4820 (800)286-1441•(802)372-8444 Intro Offer for New Clients www.pleasantvalleyvt.com www.pleasantvalleyvt.com www.ussteamer.com

HOME MORTGAGE LOANS

Funeral / Cremation

FuneralHealth / Cremation PROPERTY PROPERTY MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE

Insurance Health BUILDING SERVICES

CORBIN & PALMER

CORBIN & PALMER

BEAGLE BUILDERS, LLC

FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES

FUNERAL HOME & 1988 CREMATION SERVICES Since

willandget yousince home. Family owned operated 1921 We specialize in service, customer education, and experience in the industry. We are proud to serve you Pre-planning services available Jeff Teplitz and your family with a phenomenal home loan experience. Loan Officer 209 FallsContact Road, Shelburne, VT me today for your home loan needs! NMLS #184421 jeff.teplitz@academymortgage.com P: (802) 448-7935 (802) 985-3370 Corp NMLS #3113 | Equal Housing Lender MAC322-1474155

LAWN MOWING MOWING | MULCH/SOIL DELIVERY WEEDING | PRUNING SPRING/FALL CLEANUP | HAUL A-WAY

Lawns by Adam 802.578.8347

Adam Dantzscher | adamdantzscher@aol.com

ALL TYPES OF SIDING

MINISHELBURNE EXCAVATOR FUNERAL • TRACTOR SERVICES CHAPEL Tim Gould — Snow Plowing —

Family Thumb owned and operated Lawn since Care 1921 PT, MS, DPT Hydraulic Site Work Shelburne Custom Carpentry Pre-planning services available South Burlington Stump Driveway Grading 23 San RemoRemoval Drive 166 Athletic Drive 209 Falls Road, Shelburne, VT tel 985.4440 233-6938 www.DeePT.com (802) 985-3370 Free Estimates! tel 865.0010

yardjacks.com

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

Vinyl/Wood/Composite Tim Gould Windows PT, MS, DPT

& Doors • Decks & Porches

Kitchens & Bathrooms 4281 Shelburne Office: 985-2453 South Burlington Rd Shelburne Sunrooms & Garages

PO Box 476, Shelburne Cell: 363-0590 Monkton, VT beaglebuilders@gmavt.net titus@titusinsurance.net Fax: 985-8620 www.DeePT.com 23 San Remo Drive tel 865.0010

166 Athletic Drive tel 985.4440

802-453-4340 CALL US!

1/9/14 DEE.PT.bCARD.2.4x1.5FINAL.indd 9:12 AM 12

To place a classified or service directory ad, email marianne@williston observer.com

De &S

PL

& Additions SinceRemodeling 1988

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

SHELBURNE CHAPEL OurFUNERAL experience

M

Fa La La St

428 PO 80 titu ww

1/9/14 9:12 AM


Page 16  •  Williston Observer  •  May 13, 2021

SPORTS

1

3

2

Your locally-owned hardware store! Village Hardware Williston

We have the Julia Rose Itoh Peony (pink) and the Bartzella Itoh Peony (yellow).

4 We are taking mulch orders for delivery! Two yard minimum, plus additional delivery fee.

364 Essex Rd. (Route 2A), Williston 878-3301 www.willistonvillagehardware.com

CVU celebrates win over Colchester 1. CVU’s Ryan Eaton dives back to first. 2. CVU’s Oliver Pudvar winds up to throw a pitch.

3. CVU’s Asa Roberts fouls off a pitch. 4. CVU celebrates its seventh-inning walk-off victory OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY.


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