The Citizen - 2-9-23

Full speed ahead

Hinesburg village’s housing boom 40 years in the making

But concerns over density, floodplains remain

growth in the town.

In 1988, when the Lyman Meadows condominium development was built, the population of Hinesburg’s village area almost doubled, by some estimates.

That housing buildout, one of others to come, may have been the starting point for a plan of growth in the town village — 40 square miles of land off Route 116, wedged between the LaPlatte River and Patrick Brook that for decades has been targeted for economic

Now, those plans are quickly beginning to materialize — seemingly all at once. In the next six to 10 years, more than 400 units of residential housing are set either for approval or construction — “maybe more than that,” town planner Alex Weinhagen said.

Late last year, Hinesburg’s largest housing development in its history, Haystack Crossing, was given final approval after more than eight years of work. It will

See HOUSING on page 9

Charlotte SB advances retooled budget proposal

Board moves to keep Australian ballot vote

LIBERTY DARR

STAFF WRITER

At a special meeting on Feb. 1, the Charlotte selectboard responded to a slew of resident-led backlash over concern for the town’s adopted 2024 budget and whether to keep town meeting vote by Australian ballot.

From the initial budget adoption, the news of a nearly 16 percent increase in spending paired with a $200 million increase in the estimated grand list of total property values due to a townwide reappraisal had residents wondering about the inevitable increase tax increase. For some residents, the worst part is the lack of an in-person town meet-

ing to discuss the issues.

Although the town meeting vote is set to remain by Australian ballot, the selectboard was able to lower its budget to $2,930,908.

In addition, voters will be asked to allocate $965,806 to Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services — a nearly $75,000 increase from last year — and voters will need to approve a $324,356 library budget, a nearly $40,000 increase.

The new total budget of $4,221,070 has an estimated tax rate of $0.228 compared to the previously projected tax rate of $0.242. The budget is offset by non-tax revenues of $1,593,321

See BUDGET on page 12

PHOTO BY AL FREY

CVU’s Alice Kredell battles Essex’s Scarlet Stimson during the 1500 meter run during track and field championships Saturday.

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

In Charlotte

As baby goats died, residents seeking help hit roadblocks

with a DOMINIC MINADEO VTDIGGER

The neighbors reported witnessing baby goats dying on a farm in the center of Charlotte last summer. The kids’ screams were heard next door, and neighbors said they could see carcasses from their property.

Yet while the animals’ plight was in full public view, neighbors said getting officials to respond in a timely manner proved a frustrating task that resulted in more goat deaths — and exposed a deficient state system for reporting concerns of animal neglect.

René Kaczka-Valliere lives with his wife and 17-year-old daughter next to the farm. He said his daughter helped the farmers take care of the goats some days during the summer.

“My daughter was helping, so she would see that they had died,” he said of the goats. “There was kind of a period in there where it was probably three a day.”

Katherine Knox lives in Charlotte and owns about 50 sheep. Responding to concerns she had heard, Knox visited the goat farm at 279 Ferry Road last July. No one lives on the property on which the young goats — numbering in the dozens — were being raised. The farm sits nestled near the town hall, library and senior center, and just up the road from the fire station.

When she arrived at the end of the driveway, Knox said she could “hear these animals just screaming.” She walked to the fence and put her hand out.

“They all just kind of dove at my hand and my fingers,” she said. “They were just looking for something to suck on, something to eat.”

‘Welfare of the animals is deeply in question’

On the day of her visit, Knox said, she brought the situation to the attention of Mary Mead, the Charlotte town clerk, whose office is just a couple of doors down from the farm.

Knox said Mead told her the town had already received numerous complaints about the farm but that any concerns about cruelty to animals should be handled by the Vermont State Police.

“We have an animal control officer, but he just deals with issues with dogs,” Mead said.

Mead also told Knox that state police had said at the time that they did not have the capacity to respond to the goat problem.

“They were directing people to call the town clerk’s office,” Mead recalled, coming full circle to where Knox already was.

Knox said the local humane society was sympathetic but told her the problem was the town government’s responsibility. And when she reached out to Charlotte’s animal control officer, he responded in a July 21, 2022, email that his role was “clearly dictated as canine only.”

The next day, Knox turned to state veterinarian Kristen Haas and Joel Russo, a Vermont representative for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Knox wrote a lengthy text that described how an “extreme population of goats” was being kept at the farm “with no food”; how next-door neighbors could see dead goats from their house; how town officials had received many complaints; and how state police said they couldn’t take on the problem.

“The welfare of the animals is deeply in question,” the text read. “I don’t know where else to turn but this does need to be investigated.”

Haas responded with a long text explaining that the responsibility for such an investigation belongs to the town’s humane officer. She said the humane officer can be the town’s animal control officer, or a local or state police officer, citing state law on the matter.

In a separate text, Haas clarified that the state police served in that capacity for the town of Charlotte and said she had reached out to them.

Three days later, after no further action had been taken, Knox sent another, more frustrated text to Haas and Russo, highlighting how the state police were not investigating.

“This is a case of blatant disregard for life,” Knox wrote. “This system is designed to fail if the only recourse a person has is to notify an

agency who will do nothing.”

She received no reply.

‘There was no one person doing the job’

On the night of July 28, Knox’s daughter, 22-year-old Lark Thompson, got off her shift as a hostess at Waterworks in Winooski and drove south to Charlotte. Instead of returning to her own home near Mount Philo, she navigated down Ferry Road, past the town hall, past the post office to Kaczka-Valliere’s home, which she was house-sitting.

When Thompson arrived, she gathered the family’s dogs and let them outside. That is when, she said, she heard a scream.

The baby goats were calling out for food. Thompson said she walked over to the property and found dozens of them. She said they swarmed her in search of their next meal.

“They were so hungry,” Thompson said. By the next morning, she said, four of the goats were dead.

Thompson took photos and videos of what she saw and sent those to the same agencies her mother had reached out to a week earlier. (Watch the short video at bit.ly/3x2bCsh)

The images apparently prompted a callback: Jim Cameron, the state’s animal health specialist, and JoAnne Nichols, the humane investigator at the Chittenden County Humane Society, both agreed to investigate.

On Aug. 2, 2022, nearly two weeks after Knox first tried to report the problem, Cameron visited the farm along with Nichols, State Trooper Christopher Sweeney and a veterinarian, according to a report of the visit written by Cameron.

The group met up with Mike Dunbar and Robert Mack. In the Agency of Agriculture’s report, Dunbar was listed as the property owner and Mack was named as the goats’ caretaker.

Dunbar is the president of Middlebury Fencing, according to the company website, and he is the owner of Charlotte Crossings, a Route 7 commercial center, according to a 2022 article about the farm in The Charlotte News.

Dunbar declined a request to be interviewed for this article.

According to the story, Dunbar said he had leased his farmland to a partnership of three men — Ko Gyi, his brother Ko Lay, and Mack — who planned to raise goats and

“They all kind of dove at my hand and my fingers ... they were just looking for something to suck on, something to eat.”

— Katherine Knox

GOATS

continued from page 2

pigs and poultry there.

Ko Gyi, an immigrant from Myanmar, told VTDigger in an interview that he owns the goats. He said his plan was to raise them for slaughter under halal restrictions for the Muslim community.

Ko Gyi attributed some of last summer’s goat deaths to coyotes. When asked about allegations of starvation on the farm, he said, “Starvation? I don’t know, man. There were too many.”

Mack is a former Charlotte Selectboard member and a prominent farmer in town, according to the Charlotte News article.

Mack told VTDigger he and Ko Gyi had been friends for 15 years. He said he was “not at all” involved with the caretaking of the goats over the summer, except for providing them with hay.

“There were too many goats there at the time,” Mack said in response to the deaths. “There was no one person doing the job.”

But the Agency of Agriculture report from Aug. 2 lists Mack as the only caretaker of the goats. Kaczka-Valliere, the neighbor whose daughter helped Mack take care of the goats over the summer, said that Mack did have “a few people doing shifts,” but that he was primarily the person looking after the goats.

The agency’s report includes certain findings from the farm, among them that some goats may have had diarrhea and coccidia, an intestinal tract infection. But they also found that the goats “had good shelter and were dry,” and that there were “no deceased animals observed at the location.”

The report outlined a list of recommendations for Dunbar and Mack, such as getting a private veterinarian, instituting a treatment plan and ensuring goats were getting adequate milk replacer powder in their formula and starting a “grain ration” for them.

The report concluded by saying “overall (agriculture) practices were acceptable” and that the property would be monitored by the Chittenden County Humane Society “for continued cooperation.”

A Vermont State Police report of the same visit conducted by Sweeney states that “some improvements need to be made but nothing of major concern.”

Thompson estimates at least half a dozen goats died in the five days before the visit. She said the state didn’t find any dead goats on the property because they notified Dunbar before the visit.

Thompson said that “after the state police and all these people started getting involved,” Dunbar asked her to work for him in order to take better care of the goats.

By mid-August, Thompson found a veterinarian who

dewormed the goats and treated some for pneumonia. She also implemented a feeding schedule and a group chat to ensure the goats were being fed and watered daily.

Asked whether the case rose to the level of animal cruelty, Haas wrote in an email that the Agency of Agriculture serves a “consultative role to the responding humane officer” and that the agency “does not bring animal cruelty charges.” That is left to law enforcement or the humane officer, she wrote.

Sweeney, the state trooper, reported on Aug. 21 that he had received new information in emails from people involved with the farm and that he would discuss the case with Chittenden County Deputy State’s Attorney Sally Adams, according to state police records. His records included the photos and video that Thompson sent in July.

After reviewing the reports, Adams instructed Sweeney to follow up with the humane society investigator and visit the farm “to see if improvements have been made,” and if not, “the farmer should be cited into court,” according to police records.

The follow-up visit occurred on Aug. 30, according to police records, and revealed that the farm “showed significant improvements,” and that a person previously involved in the farm was no longer involved. The name has been redacted in public records.

“No charges will be filed,” the state police report concluded.

‘Nobody is taking complete ownership of it’

Haas, the state veterinarian, said the Charlotte goat case was “one of many where it kind of has highlighted the deficiencies in the process that currently exists.”

“There are statutes that define what category of human being can serve as a humane officer,” she said. “Where the variability comes in is that that’s different from municipality to municipality as to which positions, either in the town or at the state level, are serving in that role.”

Haas said “endless conversations” have occurred for more than a decade about how to fix the current process of reporting issues involving animal welfare.

Wilda White, a policy and training consultant for the Department of Public Safety, said in an interview the current system is “all over the place.”

“Nobody is taking complete ownership of it,” she said. “So that’s why people get tossed around.”

In a report released to the Legislature Jan. 26, White recommended that Vermont adopt a “dedicated” animal welfare program, similar to what exists in Maine.

“It’s got a director, it’s got humane officers across the state, it’s got a vet assigned, it’s got a planning and research person assigned. It’s got a home, basically,” she said.

The report recommends to the Legislature that a “Division of Animal Welfare” be constructed within the Agency of Agriculture, with its own director in charge of creating a “comprehensive program that upholds the animal welfare laws.”

The director would be advised by an “Animal Welfare Advisory Council” consisting of 14 members, each appointed by the governor. The director of the division would also be able to recruit law enforcement officers to aid in the investigation and enforcement of animal cruelty laws, according to the report.

On Dec. 22, 2022, almost four months after the initial investigation, the Department of Fish & Wildlife paid a visit to the farm. That came after the Vermont State Police announced that Fish & Wildlife would take charge of animal cruelty investigations, as part of a reorganization among state agencies.

According to public records, a game warden and a game warden trainee visited the farm, where they were met by a University of Vermont grazing specialist, Amber Reed.

According to Fish & Wildlife’s report, “the goats appeared to have feed, water and shelter.” But Reed

outlined three requirements for the farm, including making sure the water in the enclosures did not freeze, that hay feeders be used and that some of the enclosures be better ventilated, the report said.

“This case will be monitored for the next three or more years by Fish & Wildlife to make sure this won’t happen again,” Reed said in an interview.

The game warden, Sgt. Dana Joyal, did not respond to multiple phone calls requesting comment.

Six months after Thompson first discovered the starving goats, she said things are different now at the farm. She said about 30 of the original 50 or so kids remain, and they’re now healthy. They’re old enough that they don’t need to be

bottle-fed, and they have transitioned to grain.

Thompson said the goats need only to be fed and watered twice a day. Dunbar goes to the farm in the morning, and Ko Gyi goes at night, according to Thompson.

“They are getting tons of grain,” she said. “I mean they are huge now, compared to where they were.”

Thompson said she is much more optimistic about the situation now that Fish & Wildlife officials have committed to monitoring the farm. But she also reflected on her frustration with the sluggishness of the state’s system for responding to concerns of animal neglect.

“My goal,” she said, “is to have the animals’ best interest at heart.”

LARK THOMPSON

Video of sick goats was posted to social media after neighbors feared for the animals’ health.

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News Editor Tommy Gardner

Staff Writers Aaron Calvin Corey McDonald Liberty Darr

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Clemmons Family Farm creates Black history lessons

Clemmons Family Farm is releasing “Two Bessies on Two Wheels,” an African American history curriculum package for students in kindergarten through fifth grade in honor of Black History Month.

The package, which is available online as part of the Vermont nonprofit organization’s “Windows to A Multicultural World” K-12 program, features two women who were pioneers in air and motorcycle travel: Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American to obtain a pilot’s license, and Bessie Stringfield, the first African American woman to ride a motorcycle across the United States.

Both women broke through significant barriers of gender and race discrimination to pursue their joy of freedom, travel and adventure.

The online curriculum includes lesson plans and curated resources from trusted sources for teachers and parents, with downloadable worksheets, coloring pages and art projects that enrich students’ learning as they create collages, songs and poems about the two African American women pioneers.

Clemmons Family Farm approached Vermont singer-songwriter KeruBo to commission a new song that would help bring to life the stories of the two African American women. After reviewing the curriculum, KeruBo wrote “Vroom!” which Clemmons Family Farm used to produce an animated video.

The song is also the subject of a statewide contest for kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms, who are invited to create and submit music video storyboards for

“Vroom!” during Black History Month. The classroom that produces the winning storyboard, selected by a panel of judges, will work with KeruBo to co-produce and co-star in the music video.

The “Two Bessies on Two Wheels” curriculum and “Vroom!” music video storyboarding contest, all available through the online curriculum, are intentionally designed to mobilize the arts to help catalyze learning and dialogue about African American history in classrooms, homes and communities.

Register and enroll at bit.ly/3RHzJpT.

Editor/Publisher Gregory Popa gpopa@stowereporter.com

Billing inquiries Leslie Lafountain leslie@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101

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Contact: 1340 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 985-3091

PHOTO BY NANI CLEMMONS KeruBo, a Vermont singer-songwriter, created the song “Vroom” for the “Two Bessies on Two Wheels” curriculum at the Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte.

Collage art by Kia’Rae Hanron, inspired by Bessie Coleman.

Vermont decides whether to gamble on sports wagering

From the House

The big bill in front of my committee right now would legalize online sports wagering in Vermont. As we hear testimony from people from different industries and perspectives, my thoughts on the bill have changed from, “Why on earth would we ever do this?” to “I understand how this could be a good idea.” I’m still not 100 percent yet,

though.

The Sports Betting Study Committee had members from various legislative and commission backgrounds: Wendy Knight, the commissioner of the Department of Liquor and Lottery chaired the committee, which also consisted of Christopher Curtis, designee for the office of the attorney general; John Gortakowski, designee for the department of taxes; Chris Winters, designee for the secretary of state; Tayt Brooks, designee for the Agency

of Commerce and Community Development; Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale; Sen. Dick Sears Jr.; Rep. Carol Ode; and Rep. Matthew Birong.

The committee’s final recommendation was to legalize online sports wagering in Vermont. Their rationale was that people are crossing state lines to place these bets anyway as we’re surrounded in Vermont by states and a province that allow it, so the revenue would be better supporting our state budget. Plus, we would

have consumer protection laws in place.

From the House

I want to thank the many of you who have reached out to me through my legislative email (ppouech@ leg.state.vt.gov) with questions or concerns. It has been helpful to hear your thoughts and questions.

The pace of work at the Statehouse has quickly increased since the start of the session. There have been almost 200 bills introduced in the House in just four weeks. Once introduced (first reading), bills are assigned to the committee that best matches the content of the bill, where they are reviewed and amended as appropriate.

Among the bills making their way from introduction in the House or Senate to committees are three significant bills:

H.96: An act relating to affordably meeting the mandated greenhouse gas reductions for the thermal sector through electrification, decarbonization, efficiency and weatherization measures.

H.91: An act relating to medical leave for a serious injury, or better described as universal

Two weeks ago, a math problem led to our misstating of the total value of the Charlotte grand list. It is $944,407,800.

medical leave.

S.46: An act relating to child care and early childhood education.

The Transportation Committee on Transportation, of which I am a member, now has 16 bills under consideration. Our committee, which is both a money and policy committee, has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation in Vermont. This includes aviation, highway, rail, pedestrian and bicycle, and public transportation. According to non-partisan studies, transportation is responsible for nearly 40 percent

of the state’s total carbon emissions. So, as we consider bills, we must ensure transportation policy decisions meet Vermont’s commitment to the Global Warming Solutions Act.

The committee has spent most of its time taking testimony including from the Agency of Transportation, the climate action office, and the Vermont National Resource Council. We reviewed the administration’s recommended mid-year annual budget adjustment act for transportation related issues.

The Budget Adjustment Act, H.145, was one of the first bills to pass through the House. It

I didn’t know there was such thing as a geofence—basically, there’s an electronic “fence” around the state that prohibits Vermonters from logging into gambling sites and apps. A study showed that were about 18,000 attempts in a year to do so, so it seems like Vermonters are certainly trying to get online and bet. The problems that lead to a need for consumer protection come up when people try to get around the geofence and use illegal, offshore and unregulated sites. I think we can all agree that it’s a terrible idea to fork over your bank account information to an illegal gambling web site.

Honestly, though, I still feel kind of gross about it. I worry about addiction, about adolescents somehow getting access to these sites even when the legal age will probably be 21, and about the societal repercussions. I’ve been known to put a couple bucks down on the Kentucky Derby, so I understand the fun of it, but I also have seen how devastating a gambling addiction can be for a family.

A sizable chunk of the tax revenue that comes into the state from sports wagering would go to funding gambling addiction assistance and mental health supports, which actually don’t

really functionally exist in the state right now. As it’s written, the law would also allow for people to self-exclude themselves from the gambling sites, essentially having the ability to ban themselves from betting.

I joke that we need a self-exclusion policy for the cookies in the Statehouse cafeteria, but the reality is that once a person realizes they’re not in control, they can remove the temptation permanently.

The legalization of sports betting has been compared to the legalization of cannabis: by bringing it above board, it offers regulation and stability that protects consumers. It will leave my committee for the Senate over the next week or two.

So, in the meantime, how do you feel about it? Are you excited to potentially be able to place bets on next year’s Super Bowl? What are your concerns? I’d love to know everyone’s thoughts, and if you’re interested in reading more about it, here’s the link to the study committee report: bit. ly/3REJIfo.

As always, please reach out with thoughts, questions, opinions, concerns: cevans@leg.state. vt.us or (917) 887-8231.

Rep. Chea Waters Evans

Rep. Phil Pouech

Chea Waters Evans, a Democrat, represents Charlotte and Hinesburg in the Chittenden-5 House district.

Lawmakers make mid-year budget adjustments, introduce hundreds of bills

Rep. Phil Pouech

Rep. Chea Waters Evans

Do think twice, it’s alright

In Musing Carole Vasta Folley

We humans can’t help but judge. It’s as if our eyes themselves have opinions. Much of the time, we unconsciously categorize what we see, feel or experience by labeling it as good or bad, right or wrong, like it or don’t like it, and so on. These evaluative thoughts are instantaneous, flowing whether we like it or not. But what if our first thoughts aren’t accurate, helpful, or even what we truly believe?

I see these automatic thoughts as my internal radio station, always tuned in, even if I don’t recognize it at the moment. Its broadcast covers all topics from the weather, dinner, politics, my hair, the ending of “The White Lotus,” news headlines, what my sister said, what your sister said, an upcoming deadline, a recent event, how my pants — or your pants — fit to the book I’m reading.

These opinions are unbidden and endless. Uncontrollable, really. But that’s OK because there’s something even better waiting in the wings. The power of our second thought. That’s what matters. What we think next.

Let’s face it, often our first thought is negative. Probably tracks back to our origins where we were constantly having to think what life-threatening danger awaits, like an attacking tiger. Or a Smilodon, a saber-tooth cat. You see, my first thought was tiger, but then my second thought was, “Were there even tigers in prehistoric times?”

So, I Googled it and learned about Smilodons. Isn’t that the entire point? Question your first thought. Consider your second thought as Googling your own self as an investigation into what you actually believe. And, even better, being willing at times to reach for bigger understandings or deeper truths.

If the first thought is primal and reflexive, the second thought is chosen and created. That’s where mind-blowing potential exists. A second thought can bring

POUECH continued from page 5

contains significant one-time investments to meet the urgent needs of Vermonters across the state. It reaffirms a continued prioritization of investment in Vermonters from all walks of life and our values around increasing access to affordable housing, investing in broadband to close the digital divide, high-quality child care, the environment and natural resources and agriculture.

The budget adjustments were minor, so the committee approved to incorporate the adjustments into the 2023 act.

Among the bills currently under consideration in our committee is H.100, an act

accuracy, understanding, growth, kindness and, at the very least, self-awareness. All in one remarkable second thought. After all, getting to what we genuinely think is much better than letting a first thought lie.

I notice many of my first thoughts are judgments born of worry, fear and anxiety. I realize that’s human. But if I want to be a human being, second thoughts are the ticket. Listening to them often guides me to a more caring way to see something, including myself.

In these days of (hopefully) rising consciousness of injustice and hate in all forms, the ability to have second thoughts is a skill worthy of encouragement. Ultimately, we are all conditioned to think about things the way we’ve always thought about them. For example, if someone was never taught about implicit bias and privilege, their first thoughts would not only be antiquated, but unfortunately hurtful to their community and detrimental to their own growth.

For me, being willing to question my first thoughts has been life changing. I remember, in my ignorance, thinking, don’t all lives matter? Or using phrases that I didn’t know were hurtful to various groups of people for their historical and cultural context.

I am profoundly grateful for the many second thoughts I’ve had about all of these. Being able to see beyond a first thought has been one of the most expansive, empathetic and constructive practices of my life. There is always something new and vitally important to learn. About ourselves. And each other.

Inevitably, this brings us to what’s next: third thoughts. Author Terry Pratchett describes them as ones “that watch the world and think all by themselves.”

My first thought to that quote was, “Huh?” Thank goodness for my second thought: Perhaps Pratchett is speaking to the possibility of melding life’s contradictions into heightened knowingness and humanity. A grand second thought, isn’t it?

And my third thought? Wouldn’t that be nice.

Carole Vasta Folley’s In Musing column has won awards from the Vermont Press Association, The New England Newspaper & Press Association and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

relating to public safety. I think Hinesburg would benefit from this, which would allow the town to increase pedestrian safety on Route 116 by installing crosswalk signs in the road and reducing the speed limit within the village to 25 mph.

As always, I am available to all my constituents, so feel free to contact me with your concerns or issues. It is best to reach me on my legislative emailppouech@leg.state.vt.gov.

Carole Vasta Folley

Phil Pouech, a Democrat, represents Hinesburg in the Chittenden-4 House district.

Super ‘woke’ Jesus joins football marketing teams

Guest Perspective

Walt Amses

As an anxious nation busies itself elsewhere, counting the hours until next Sunday’s Super Bowl 57 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles my own growing distaste for football in general, and the NFL in particular, has reached an apex.

I’ve stopped watching completely.

Among the fluctuating menu of reasons, the first one I remember clearly was that it began feeling like a three-hour time suck, often on a beautiful autumn afternoon, with not much tangible benefit. Back when I was a dependable rather than rabid fan, my allegiance was to something else entirely: Sunday afternoons were just another excuse to drink.

Alcohol and I agreed to a trial separation that’s lasted almost 40 years so far and during the interim my perceptions of almost everything changed dramatically, especially what I did with my time. Although I still watched, I gradually reclaimed Sundays and tried to strike a balance, limiting football to afternoons when outdoor activities were curtailed by weather.

When the DVR arrived, allowing viewers to record games and watch at their leisure while scrolling through commercials, the realization hit me with a dull thud: The actual football of an NFL game took up approximately 10 minutes of the more than three hours the game took to play out on TV.

Then there’s the intoxicating amalgamation of ballet-level athleticism and car wreck violence that happens on almost every play, illuminating one of the sport’s many contradictions: it’s hard to watch but sometimes impossible to turn away.

Several years ago, I wrote of the league raking in “billions annually peddling a sport that’s systematically killing its participants as well as endangering their wives and girlfriends,” noting how traumatic brain injury, common in the NFL, had been determined a major factor in domestic violence after a highly publicized spate of incidents involving players. Much of the league’s success is rooted in having perpetuated a series of illusions over the past decades, perhaps the most egregious being that the game is safe.

When Buffalo Bills’ corner-

back Damar Hamlin dropped dead during a late season Monday night game with the Cincinnati Bengals after what was by any measure a routine tackle, the league’s public relations machine kicked in almost as quickly as the sideline medical unit that saved Hamlin’s life, coming awfully close to patting themselves on the back for his survival.

The big bucks motivated cognitive dissonance regarding player injuries, concussions in particular, has been the driving force behind the NFL’s becoming an American institution complete with honor guards, flag ceremonies and military flyovers, conflating a national obsession with something close to patriotism.

And right when you think it can’t get any weirder, in walks Jesus. Yup. Jesus.

In the ad lineup with gallons of Bud Lite, platters of gooey nachos and $100,000 pickup trucks, courtesy of an evangelical group with a cool billion dollars to spend over the next three years, messiah marketing depicts the son of God as a tolerant hipster, cool to the max.

It’s no secret that mega churches have been hemorrhaging parishioners for years despite complimentary Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and presumably this initiative is designed to recapture apostates no longer kicking into dwindling coffers and maybe dredge up a couple of converts along the way.

The overarching message — and I think unintended consequence of the slickly produced,

Hinesburg Police Blotter

Total incidents: 53

Traffic Stops: 10

edgy, 30-second black-and-white spots — is that in stark contrast to the prevailing far right narrative, Jesus, who the ads claim “gets us,” is so “woke” he’d be illegal in Ron DeSantis’ Florida. Running the gamut from “turning the other cheek” to dysfunctional families of every imaginable ethnicity, “rebels” include skateboarders, BMX bikers, LA low riders, gang bangers, activists, street protesters and even immigrants. This messiah “gets all of us.”

How this plays with conservatives, much less armchair quarterbacks after 27 hot wings and a gallon of brew remains to be seen, but the campaign’s chief goals to “increase the respect and personal relevancy of Jesus” as well as encouraging Christians to “follow his example in how they treat other people” have mostly drawn yawns save some pushback from fundamentalists themselves, largely because the ads fail to emphasize the savior’s “divinity.” The usual suspects on the secular left cringe at any thoughts of in-your-face religious promotion no matter how palatably produced.

Next Sunday, the Chiefs, Eagles and Jesus will be banging, bouncing and pontificating for dominance — or maybe dominion — in the country’s living rooms with no prediction of who will prevail, rising above the others. But a miracle finish cannot be ruled out.

Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m., officers responded to North Road for the report of a citizen dispute.

Jan. 31 at 9:50 p.m., officers responded to Route 116 for a single car motor vehicle crash.

Feb. 1 at 2:09 a.m., an officer investigated the report of a violation of a relief from abuse order on North Road.

Feb. 1 at 7:41 a.m., an officer investigated a reported custody dispute on Hayden Hill West.

Feb. 1 at 9:07 a.m., a motor vehicle complaint on Mechanicsville Road was investigated.

Feb. 1 at 12:01 p.m., an officer assisted Williston Police with attempting to locate an individual who fled from police in St. George.

Feb. 1 at 4:40 p.m., an officer investigated a vehicle off the roadway on Lewis Creek Road.

Feb. 1 at 7:03 p.m., a 911 hang up on Pond Brook Road was investigated.

Feb. 1 at 7:15 p.m., an officer assisted a stranded motorist on Route 116.

Feb. 2 at 9:45 a.m., officers responded to Lantman’s Market to investigate damage to property by a motor vehicle.

Feb. 2 at 12:15 p.m., found property was turned into the police.

Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. officers

responded to Champlain Valley Union to assist staff with a student issue.

Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. a citizen was assisted with fingerprinting for employment purposes.

Feb. 2 at 6:37 p.m., a fraud was reported and investigated.

Feb. 2 at 9:35 p.m., officers investigated the report of a vehicle off the roadway on Magee Hill Road.

Feb. 3 at 7:31 a.m., officers responded to a residence on Burritt Road to investigate a reported burglary.

Feb. 3 at 9:15 a.m., suspicious activity on Place Road West was investigated.

Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m., a citizen was assisted with fingerprinting for employment purposes.

Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m., an officer investigated a reported two-car motor vehicle crash on Route 116.

Feb. 3 at 9:40 p.m., an officer responded to Hillview Terrace to investigate the report of an attempted burglary.

Feb. 4 at 10:45 a.m., suspicious circumstances on Ballard’s Corner Road were investigated.

Feb. 4 at 2:35 p.m., a burglary alarm activation at CVU was investigated.

Feb. 6 at 2:02 p.m., an officer responded to a citizen dispute on Kailey’s way.

Feb. 6 at 6 p.m., a stray dog was turned into the police department and later returned to its owner.

Walt Amses is a writer. He lives in North Calais.

CAMP ABNAKI

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Community Notes

Enjoy Age Well meals at Charlotte Senior Center

The Age Well meal pickup for Thursday, Feb. 9, is from 10-11 a.m., Charlotte Senior Center, 212 Ferry Road, and features stuffed chicken with ham and cheese, mashed potatoes, baby beets, potato dinner roll with butter, applesauce birthday cake and milk.

You must have pre-registered by the prior Monday with Kerrie Pughe, 802-4256345 or kpughe@charlotteseniorcentervt. org

The meal on Thursday, Feb. 16, features Swedish meatballs with sauce, rotini noodles, Brussel sprouts, French green beans, wheat dinner roll with butter, pineapple tidbits and milk.

The meal on Thursday, Feb. 23, features oven fried chicken, red mashed potatoes with sour cream, Capri blend vegetables with lentils, wheat bread and butter, pumpkin custard with cream, and milk.

The suggested donation is $5. Check the website for last-minute cancellations at charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

Garden Club presents Tapper talk on forests, environment

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington, Ethan Tapper will speak on how forests play a crucial role in preserving the environment. How do we become stewards to protect our forests on our land and elsewhere?

Tapper is the Chittenden County forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. After graduating with a forestry degree from the University of Vermont Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, Tapper

worked as a consulting forester with Fountains Forestry of Montpelier.

In June 2016, he became the county forester in Vermont’s most populous county.

Knights of Columbus host pancake breakfast

Join the Knights of Columbus DeGosbriand Council # 279 on Sunday, Feb. 12, for an old-fashioned all-you-care-to-eat pancake breakfast, 9–11:30 a.m., in the parish center of St. Joseph’s cathedral, 29 Allen Street in Burlington.

The feast will feature bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, blueberry pancakes, French toast, coffee, juice, butter and maple syrup. Admission is $10 and $25 for a family of four. Breakfast benefits seminarians or religious aspirants. Contact David Ely, davidely1986@gmail.com or 802-862-5109, for more information.

Energy network hosts ‘Basics of High Performance’

On March 8 and 15 at the Center for Technology Essex from 3:45-7:45 p.m. the Sustainable Energy Outreach Network will deliver its course, “Basics of High Performance,” by Chris West, one of Vermont’s thought leaders on high-performance building.

For years, builders have done their best to follow the best practices in new construction and renovation but were rarely exposed to the science of how a building performs.

To register go to bit.ly/3jkq77K. For further information contact Guy Payne at 802-376-9262 or guy@buildingscience. org. Space is limited.

The Y’s Community Partner

A unique summer camp for boys, ages 10-14 located in Vermont’s Green Mountains

COURTESY PHOTO

Katherine Boucher, Caroline Heer and Louisa Behnke pack up for a day on the trail.

HOUSING

continued from page 1

bring 176 housing units to the west side of Route 116 just north of Kinney Drugs.

And this year, final approval is underway for the Hinesburg Center 2 project, adjacent to Haystack Crossing across Patrick Brook — a continuation of the development that brought Kinney Drugs, the Parkside Cafe, and housing units to town several years ago. That project, when approved, will bring in 73 new homes.

Across the street, to the west of Route 116, 46 acres of land has been donated to the town earmarked for 100 homes, 60 percent of which will be perpetually affordable. Further to the east, on property off Mechanicsville Road owned by Joe Laster, some 55 housing units are planned.

Then there’s Meadow Mist, 24 condo units in five different buildings under construction near the community school — not to mention the housing that’s already been built: Kelley’s Field, which is also planning a continued expansion of its senior housing units, and the Green Street development, 22 units of affordable housing built by Snyder Homes and sold to the Champlain Housing Trust.

“Hinesburg’s going to look a little different in 5 to 10 years,” Weinhagen said.

As housing — the extreme scarcity of which continues to exacerbate a statewide homeless crisis and a workforce shortage — comes to a head in Vermont, Hinesburg is beginning to see plans that have been etched in town documents for decades come to fruition, bucking trends in neighboring towns like Shelburne, where proposed developments have led to fierce battles at zoning meetings.

“Now that, really, the biggest project ever to come to Hinesburg is now ready to launch ...

people like myself and others are not surprised, because this was the plan,” Phil Pouech, Hinesburg’s new state House representative and outgoing selectboard member, said. “That’s basically been the vision.”

A significant zoning regulation overhaul in the late 2000s, preceded by change in Hinesburg’s town plans in the early 1990s, has set the town on the path of growth — by some estimates, a 20 percent increase in population.

But “it’s not just kumbaya over here about village growth,” Weinhagen said. “There have been, and still are, a significant chunk of people in this community that are pretty concerned about what all this new development is going to do to the character of the village area.”

“We definitely have a very progressive vision, and we have been planning for growth for a long time,” he said. “But it’s not like everybody in the community is cheerleading for it.”

Mud season forums

In 1989, in response to a very rapid growth rate in the 1980’s, the town planning commission initiated a state-funded resident participation project for public input on planning issues facing the town, according to town plan documents.

Those community forums — the “mud season forums” — began a community conversation about community change, where it wanted it to happen and what it wanted it to look like.

That place was the village — the area of town between the Hinesburg Community School to the south and the Champlain Valley Union High School to the north.

“Forty years ago, the town plan started to evolve — emphasizing

that we wanted a strong village center surrounded by rural land,” said Andrea Morgante, a Hinesburg resident of 45 years and a former selectboard member who served for 27 years. “The town plan said that for many years, but it took a much longer time to adopt zoning regulations that would allow that to happen.”

Those zoning regulations changed in the 2000s, when Joe Iadanza was on the planning commission. Another long-time Hinesburg resident, and member of the planning commission for more than 20 years, Iadanza and others worked to change the village’s zoning regulations — some of which still had land zoned for agriculture — to allow for higher density.

“We had a set of circumstances that really pushed us to do what we’re doing,” he said. “The school population falling, the (Saputo cheese factory) leaving … the need from the town and the larger community was that we needed housing. We needed a way for people to come into the community to support our tax base, our water costs — which are rearing their head right now.”

“We very much wanted to be a community that was vibrant, and growing, but at the same time have some amount of control and keep as much of the character of Hinesburg that we could,” he said.

The growth has not been as rapid as it seems, Iadanza said. The post-recession years, for example, put a damper on things.

But the growth plan was not unanimous. Morgante, who said she is supportive of growth in the village, had concerns back then that remain today — floodplains that lie just west of the area.

“I am supportive of the growth in the village,” she said. But “what

didn’t happen was strong enough regulations to protect the floodplain and the wetlands within the village area and to recognize that the town needed to be a little stronger in what would be open spaces within these developments.”

The village area is directly adjacent to the LaPlatte River on the east side of town — the Haystack and Hinesburg Center 2 properties are just to the east of the river — and south of the Patrick Brook. Data from the state shows that much of the area on the west side of the village is in a Federal Emergency Management Administration special flood hazard area.

Morgante, a member of the Hinesburg Land Trust who has worked on conservation efforts throughout the town, has for years said that these floodplains in the village are susceptible to flooding, and many of the land was classified as wetlands before being converted to agricultural land.

“We have not recognized the impacts of climate change, how we’re going to get more frequent and higher volume storms that are going to cause flooding, and Hinesburg village is expanding exactly where it shouldn’t be,” she said. “But it’s just a lack of resources on the part of the town to fully evaluate the impact of allowing development to continue in places within the village where, historically, they were wetlands.”

“It’s not a question of if it’s going to flood, it’s a question of when it’s going to flood, and taxpayers will pay for it,” she said.

The village core

Other questions remain as well. The character of the neighborhood after 400 new people have moved into town and the density of the village — and whether the town has the water and sewer infrastruc-

ture to support all the new growth.

Part of the reason the Haystack Crossing project and Hinesburg Center 2 project was held up for so long, Weinhagen said, was because the developers and town needed to drill a new well to service the area.

“We ran out of water — our water supply issues were really problematic for several years,” he said. “These projects got their initial approvals and then were stuck in limbo, because we just didn’t have water capacity.”

“We’ve largely resolved that, even though we still have some limitations on our water supply,” he added. “But it took a while. And new wells were drilled.”

In some ways, officials said, Hinesburg’s slow creep toward development has been a blessing — allowing them the opportunity to take their time.

“You drive through Williston, and you see what’s happened. They turned the switch on early, without a lot of long-term thought and Hinesburg was fortunate enough to not have the development pressures — enough distance away from the highway that the big developers with the big eyes passed us by for a while,” Pouech said. “It’s hard to hold back, being this close to Burlington, so Hinesburg has been very fortunate in that that pressure got delayed for a number of reasons, and that we’ve been able to get our ducks in a row, I think, so that as it comes, we’re ready for it.”

For Iadanza, growth has been slower than he expected.

“I expected things to happen faster than they are,” he said. “I don’t necessarily think that we’re growing too fast, as long as we grow in the right areas, and we do it thoughtfully. I don’t have problem with village core that’s growing and vibrant.”

CVU tops all for weekend with wins in three sports

Gymnastics

Boys’ hockey

Champlain Valley 3, Colchester 0: The Champlain Valley boys hockey grabbed a win over the Colchester team Monday night.

Travis Stroh, Trevin Keefe and Brady Jones each had a goal for the Redhawks.

With the win, CVU moves to 7-6-3.

Girls’ hockey

Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield 6, Rutland 1: Six different goalscorers found the back of the net as Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield beat Rutland on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Megan Rivard, Tess Everett, Georgia Bruneau, Evie-Mai Buford, Samara Tucker and Miles Brien each had a goal for the Redhawks, while Karina Bushweller and Mackenzie Rivard each chipped in two assists.

Ella Gilbert got the win in goal for CVU, who move to 11-4-1.

The Champlain Valley gymnastics team faced Randolph on Saturday and swept the top positions in each event.

Warner Barbic took the top spot on the vault while Jasmine Dye and Jilli Diehl tied for first in the bars. Cadence Haggerty was top on the beam and Ruby Opton came in first in floor exercise.

Diehl earned the win in the all-around competition with teammate Gabriella Serafini finishing as second.

Boys’ basketball

Champlain Valley 66, BFA-St. Albans 45: Champlain Valley opened the second half with a 23-8 run to pull away from BFA-St. Albans for a win on Monday, Feb. 6.

Kyle Eaton led the Redhawks with 14 points, including 3 three-pointers in the first quarter. Alex Provost added 12 points, while Tucker Tharpe added seven points and 12 rebounds.

With the win, CVU moves to 14-1 this season.

LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Runners from a variety of schools compete at the state track and field championships at University of Vermont on Saturday afternoon. Below, CVU’s Matthew Servin sprints out to a lead in the boys 1,500-meters.

Mark David Williamson

Mark David Williamson, 75, of Charlotte, died on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in the presence of his loved ones at University of Vermont Medical Center.

Mark was recognized for an infectious smile, unmistakable voice and quick wit. He was a hard-working man who found joy in the simple pleasures in life whether it be a slow afternoon in the hammock or a cold beer on the water with friends. He was a loving and steadfast father, husband, brother, cousin and uncle who brought relentless compassion to every relationship he held. On top of his laidback nature, Mark was a furiously hard worker who valued the 43 dynamic years of his career at Fletcher Allen, now UVM Medical Center.

Mark was born Jan. 9, 1948, in Burlington, to Harold and Eleanor Williamson of Bristol.

He is survived by his wife, Gretchen; his two children, Kyla, 28, and Tyler, 26; many extended family members who loved him dearly, including his three surviving brothers, Jack, Bruce and Chris.

In his youth, Mark was elected the Governor of Boy’s State in June 1965 and later affectionately called the Mayor of Charlotte. After completing all the courses at Bristol High, he transferred to Champlain Valley Union High School in the fall of 1965 where he was elected class president. He graduated in June 1966.

After completing high school, Mark attended UVM and held a variety of interesting jobs. Mark became a legend at ski mountains across the state, working as an instructor at Okemo and a patrolman at Sugarbush. After his time on the patrol, he spent the rest of his years skiing at Bolton, Mad River and Sugarbush, where he skied his final day.

In 1973 Mark joined the UVM Medical Center where he spread joy, laughter and kindness to everyone he touched. He then graduated from the University of Vermont in 1984 while continuing his career at Fletcher Allen. One of Mark’s lifelong goals came to fruition when he settled at Cedar Beach, where he

lived for over 50 years, the remainder of his life.

He was commonly found sharing a laugh and drink with his family and friends, out on the lake in the summer, or tearing up Mount Ellen in the winter. In his children’s youth Mark would be found cheering them on through their many sports games, school events and successes.

He will be dearly remembered and greatly missed. His legacy will live on in the stories he told and the lives he affected. Those who knew him will carry with them the sound of his voice and the passion for life he always held and cherished.

A funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Charlotte, with a reception to follow at Backyard Bistro.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Three Peaks Medical Clinic at Sugarbush Mountain Resort.

Candis Perrault

Candis Ann Perrault, 65, of South Burlington, and formerly of Charlotte, lived a remarkable life through her positive attitude, enthusiasm, faith, fearlessness and courage.

Candis died with her heart full of joy and peace on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Candis was born prematurely on Dec. 17, 1957, and placed in an incubator until adopted a month later as the daughter of Frank and Jan Perrault. She grew up in South Burlington and graduated from South Burlington High School with the Class of 1975.

After high school, she pursued a double major in social work and psychology at the University of Vermont where she graduated on

Obituaries

the dean’s list and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1979. She received service and spirit awards in high school and college. Her passion for her community and pride in her schools never faltered. She could often be found attending UVM soccer and basketball games whenever they played at home.

Candis decided at the age of 16 after a summer exchange program to Hamelin, Germany that she wanted to create an international life for herself. Upon the successful completion of her undergraduate studies, Candis immersed herself in Up With People, a six-month performing arts and community service program where she lived, worked and became friends with people of diverse backgrounds from many countries while traveling throughout Mexico. This experience fueled her confidence in her abilities to be self-reliant, create meaningful relationships and empower others.

Candis trail-blazed her way from Vermont to Fairfield County, Conn., in 1981. In 1982 she founded an executive search business. Through her force of will and illimitable intuition, she developed clients in management consulting, financial services and consumer packaged goods.

Candis moved back to Shelburne in 1992 with a desire to spend more time with her family and to give back to her community. She made several contributions to local organizations, joined a long-standing book group of friends, and served as a co-founder of the Relay for Life in Chittenden County. She continued to carry this volunteer effort forward for four years while serving as a board member of the American Cancer Society. The society created the Candis Perrault

Research Grant in 1995 in honor of her leadership and spirit.

In 1997, she married Don Kjelleren with whom she shared many outdoor interests and travel adventures to national parks in the United States and Latin America. They skied the Canadian, Craftsbury and Stowe Nordic ski marathons. Both participated in cycling tours to Europe and Candis joined the Vermont Iowa Medalists for RAGBRAI before the birth of their beloved son Hayden in 1998. Candis actively supported Hayden throughout his upbringing and he was her proudest accomplishment.

Music was the passion of a lifetime for Candis. She sang and performed with the Mystic Chorale of Boston, the Middlebury College Community Chorus, the Hinesburg Artist Series, the Lake Champlain Waldorf School Community Chorus, All Souls Interfaith Gathering Choir, St. Catherine’s Folk Group, the Emerging Universe Oratorio premier concert and the Main Line Orchestra and Choir in Philadelphia.

Candis believed that being diagnosed with an end-of-life illness in an area where one can find love and support with an extended community on a regular basis was a privilege. Gratitude was a best practice to her doctors, the nursing teams and the administrative staff whom she praised over and over for their enormous dedication to serving humanity and saving lives. Doctors Carlos Marroquin, Joe Shields, Anat Bhave, Chris Anker, Debra Rubin, Patti Whitney, Stephen Ades, Farrah Khan, Jennifer Lisle,

David Lundardini, James Slauterbeck, Matthew Perchlimedes, Mitch Moreau and David Krag, physical therapist Jean Sturm and many others always supported her in the University of Vermont Medical Center hallways.

In remembrance of Candis, a small stone memorial has been placed in the Shelburne Cemetery on which the words “SPIRIT LIVES” are inscribed. Her spirit continues to inspire all who knew her.

She is survived by her mother, Jan Perrault; brother, Kyle Perrault; son, Hayden Kjelleren; husband, Don Kjelleren; extended family members; and many loving friends.

Candis’ memorial service will take place at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Shelburne on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. Lunch and remembrances to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society’s Chittenden County Relay for Life.

Candis Perrault

Mark David Williamson

BUDGET

continued from page 1

which leaves $2,627,749 to be raised by property taxes.

Questions were directed to the selectboard which, according to selectboard chair Jim Faulkner, “received a lot of emails and phone calls about why we aren’t meeting in a town meeting.”

To which selectboard member Lewis Mudge jokingly responded, “I liked the one where they called us dictators, whoever that was.”

After the governor signed H.42, the bill that allowed towns to hold town meeting by Australian ballot for another year, selectboard members unanimously voted to hold the meeting that way to ensure that all Charlotte residents could be

Why not have a job you love?

Positions include a sign on bonus, strong benefits package and the opportunity to work at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont”.

included.

“We want to maximize the number of residents who can participate in this decision,” board member Louise McCarren said.

Residents flooded the Feb. 1 meeting both in person and on Zoom to air grievances regarding the decision.

Peter Richardson said, “What you’re doing in an Australian ballot is you’re forcing a conclusion on thoughtful people to vote it down.” While this may seem to be a way to increase voter turnout, “there are others who won’t participate because there is no way to affect the conclusion,” he said.

“I don’t see Covid changing in the next

couple of years, people who are vulnerable to getting seriously ill and dying, that’s going to continue,” Patrice Demarco said. “I really don’t want to not have town meeting anymore because of this virus, I miss that opportunity as a town’s person to engage in that kind of conversation about the budget.”

Many residents shared the concern over rising taxes due to the reappraisal saying that the first way to remedy the increase is to “let people be involved with looking at the budget in a town meeting,” said Brown Adsit. “Why do we have to keep the tax rate the same when the appraisal has gone up considerably, why don’t we maybe moderate it a little bit and not whack the taxpayer so hard.”

Although the selectboard has held open public meetings to discuss the town’s budget since August, residents expressed that they still feel ill prepared and uniformed to make an educated vote.

For some, “town meeting was the way the budget got looked at and now we have a reason not to have it in some people’s

minds but there’s got to be a way to still have it for those that want to go,” Adsit said.

The board contemplated hybrid meetings and member Matt Krasnow even motioned to delay the votes by three months in order to have town meeting outside, but the board ultimately landed on the decision to remain with an Australian ballot vote.

Town clerk Mary Mead encouraged the selectboard to keep with the decision for the sake of “equity, fairness and safety.”

“We ended up with a budget that was high, we aren’t happy with that at all and we did our best to bring it down,” said Faulkner, “but we are just going to have to do a little bit better.”

By the end of the nearly four-hour meeting, the selectboard managed to shave off nearly $160,000 from its previously adopted $3,093,908 municipal budget.

The board will review the municipal budget and the Champlain Valley School District budget on Monday, Feb. 13, but there can’t be any further changes.

The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Charlotte Town Hall & Town Office, 159 Ferry Road in said Town on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 to vote on the following articles by Australian ballot to begin at seven o’clock in the forenoon and to close at seven o’clock in the afternoon.

Service Coordinator: Continue your career in human services in a supportive environment by providing case management for individuals either for our Adult Family Care program or our Developmental Services program. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical, organizational & leadership skills and enjoy working in a team-oriented position. $47,000 annual salary, $1,500 sign on bonus.

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

Direct Support Professional: Provide 1:1 supports to help individuals reach their goals in a variety of settings. This is a great position to start or continue your career in human services. Full and part time positions available starting at $19/hr, $1,000 sign on bonus.

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

Shared Living Provider: Move into someone’s home or have someone live with you to provide residential supports. There are a variety of opportunities available that could be the perfect match for you and your household. Salary varies dependent on individual care requirements. $1,000 sign on bonus.

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

Make a career making a difference and join our team today!

https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT

Article 1: Will the voters of the Town vote, pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 4773, to have Property Taxes payable on or before November 15, 2023 and to have payments made to the Town Treasurer as receiver of taxes?

Article 2: Will the voters of the Town approve the Selectboard’s budget of $2,930,908 for the fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 of which an anticipated sum of $1,337,587 will be raised by property taxes and an anticipated sum of $1,593,321 will be raised by non-tax revenues?

Article 3: Will the voters of the Town approve an allocation of $965,806 to Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, Inc. for the fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, to be raised by property taxes?

Article 4: Will the voters of the Town approve an allocation to the Charlotte Library for the fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 of $324,356, to be raised by property taxes?

Article 5: Will the Town provide notice of the availability of the annual audit report to the voters of the Town by publication in the paper designated annually by the legislative body at least 30 days before the annual meeting instead of mailing or otherwise distributing the report to the voters of the Town, pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §1682(a)(2)?

Article 6: To elect Town Officers.

Article 7: To elect one (1) Champlain Valley School District director for a term of three (3) years beginning March, 2023.

Dated this 2nd day of February, 2023 at Charlotte, Vermont.

Town of Charlotte Selectboard

“What you’re doing in an Australian ballot is you’re forcing a conclusion on thoughtful people to vote it down.”

— Peter Richardson

Assistant Town Clerk and Treasurer - Town of Hinesburg

The Town of Hinesburg is seeking an individual to serve as the Assistant Town Clerk and Treasurer. This position provides administrative, technical and clerical support to the Town Clerk & Treasurer. This position is responsible for maintaining town records, processing and recording documents, issuing licenses, assisting with elections, property tax administration and water & sewer billing and administration. Ideal candidates will be self-motivated, demonstrate a high degree of trustworthiness, attention to detail, customer service skills and the ability to safeguard confidential information.

This is a full-time position with a starting pay rate of $21.50 - $23.50 depending upon qualifications. Benefits include: health, dental and disability insurance; paid time off; pension plan; and 13 paid holidays. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Todd Odit, Town Manager at todit@hinesburg.org. A job description is located under “employment” at www.hinesburg.org. Applications will be accepted through February 17, 2023.

The Town of Hinesburg is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring to create a diverse workforce within the community.

A busy newspaper office producing award winning weekly newspapers is hiring.

PART-TIME GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION

• creating advertisements for print and web

• newspaper page layout

• loading web & social media content

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

• attention to detail is a MUST

• willingness to tackle tedious tasks when appropriate

• a team player with a positive attitude

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

Community Bankers

Chittenden County

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS

There is no better time to join our Team!

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

Job Responsibilities & Requirements

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

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

Opportunity for Growth

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

What NSB Can Offer You

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

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

Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com or Northfield Savings Bank Human Resources | PO Box 7180, Barre, VT 05641

Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC

ARIES

March 21 - April 20

Excessive spending in recent days may have you feeling nervous about your nances, Aries. In addition to bills, you could be waiting to be reimbursed. Be patient.

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Taurus, you may have been working so hard you haven’t had time to spend with family and friends lately. Clear your calendar and make some time for recreation.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 21

This week you may lock yourself behind closed doors and enjoy some alone time for a change, Gemini. Relax with a good book or binge watch some television.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

A friendship could be tested when you get into a quarrel over money, Cancer. You each have different philosophies on spending. Try to see both sides.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 23

Philosophy and religious principles are of interest to you lately, Leo. Explore the metaphysical and dive into these subjects with all of your energy.

VIRGO

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

Virgo, you could be longing for a vacation, so why not make it happen? If you’ve socked away some cash, put it towards a trip to recharge and relax.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Make an effort to reconnect with someone you have known a long time who has become absent from your life. Resolve to maintain this connection in the years ahead.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

Honest communication can take you through a rough patch you might be having with your romantic partner, Scorpio. Speak openly and honestly to resolve the issue.

SUDOKU

Here’s How It Works:

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can gure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Keep your eyes focused on the future, Sagittarius. It’s easy to dwell on what happened in the past, but that won’t matter much in the grand scheme of things.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

A miscommunication could nd you spending money you just don’t have right now, Capricorn. This may be an instance when you need to seek a professional to sort it all out.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18

Aquarius, a project that has been on the calendar for some time nally gets completed. It has been a long time coming, but the results are better than you expected.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Go through some old photos and reminisce, Pisces. It can be a quiet way to spend a day or two and enjoy the memories.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Functions

5. Records electric currents associated with contractions of the heart

8. Trigonometric function (abbr.)

11. Secret political clique

13. Type of gibbon

14. Nocturnal S. American rodent

15. Famed American playwright

16. Mesopotamian goddess

17. Abba __, Israeli politician

18. Long ridge of gravel and sediment

20. A place to stay

21. Actor Idris

22. One who behaves in a rebellious way

25. A way to measure movement

30. Distinguish oneself

31. Type of drug (abbr.)

32. Basketball great Baylor

33. Masses of salivary matter

38. Calls balls and strikes

41. Plant that grows along the ground

43. A recreational activity in the air

45. Consumes too much

47. Island nation

49. Pistol

50. Mixtures of soul and calypso

55. Ancient Greek City

56. Similar

57. Roughly trimmed tree trunk used in a Scottish game

59. Semitic fertility god

60. Born of

61. Frogs, toads, tree toads

62. School in the northeast (abbr.)

63. Soviet Socialist Republic

64. “__ the Man” Musical, baseball player

CLUES DOWN

1. Fiddler crabs

2. Discount

3. Partner to “ ows”

4. Ethnic group of Laos

5. Beloved “Seinfeld” character

6 .Book of tickets

7. The last name of “Hermione”

8. Type of TV package

9. Helps to heal a cut

ANSWERS

10. Town in Galilee

12. Actor Horsley

14. “Hocus Pocus 2” actor Ed

19. Bird-loving group (abbr.)

23. They respond when someone is sick

24. Emerged

25. Midway between south and southeast

26. Monetary unit of Afghanistan

27. Unit of work or energy

28. Indicates near

29. Famed river

34. For each

35. News organization

36. CNN’s founder

37. They __

39. Areas off to the side

40. Satis es

41. A spare bed

42. Legendary singer Diana

Frothy mass of bubbles

A kind of sorcery

River in South Africa

Philippine Island

County in China 51. S. American plant

Beverage containers

Edge

Protein-rich liquids

Moved quickly on foot