The Citizen - 5-4-23

Hinesburg Artist Series

Chorus, band host Mother’s Day concert

Page 11

Charlotte passes budget

Second vote sees 26 percent turnout

The retooled $2.7 million Charlotte town budget passed 496-354 in the revote Tuesday night that brought 852 of the 3,329 registered voters to the polls — a 26 percent turnout rate, just 3 percent lower than the 29 percent seen on Town Meeting Day.

After nearly four weeks of budget workshops, the selectboard managed to knock more than 5 percent off the $2.9 million budget that was shot down by 35 votes in March. The new budget of $2,780,713 represents a decrease of $150,196 in spending, mostly represented by employee benefits and salaries.

Alongside a slew of other cuts, including Charlotte Senior Center expenses, planning and zoning, traffic calming measures and donations, members of the selectboard also voted to nix the 2- to 3-percent annual employee salary increase outlined in the town’s salary administration policy, in addition to $20,000 in

See BUDGET on page 13

Petal power

CVU gets the win Berger victorious in pitching debut

Hinesburg wastewater bids top $15 million

Hinesburg town officials are experiencing some sticker shock after three bids to build out the town’s wastewater treatment facility came in over $15 million.

Three bids were received in April: one from Neagley & Chase for $15,078,575; another from Penta for $15,906,000; and a third from Kingsbury for $15,066,870, according to town documents.

Now, town officials will have to figure out how to proceed.

Voters in 2020 approved borrowing funds for the facility but only approved up to $11.7 million.

“Given the bid prices, which were way above what was estimated, we need to do some figuring out,” Todd Odit, Hinesburg’s town manager, said. “We can’t go forward with a project if it’s going to require more borrowing than what the voters had approved.”

Hinesburg is one of a string of towns in Vermont that are facing million-dollar upgrades or renovations to their wastewater treatment plants.

In South Burlington, voters this March approved a $33.8 million bond to fund upgrades to their Bartlett Bay Wastewa-

See WASTEWATER on page 16

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

April’s showers have indeed brought May flowers, including this mid-bloom display of purple and violet.

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

Broadband buildout in Charlotte makes headway

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

After Charlotte’s selectboard approved using $43,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds last year to bring fiber broadband service to more households in town, the plan is moving forward.

Construction for underserved areas will begin soon under the town’s agreement with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom.

The project received a boost in late 2022 through a $360,000 state grant from the Vermont Broadband Board and the remaining $2.9 million will be funded solely by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom.

Costs for bringing broadband are higher than some areas inVermont because of a higher percentage of underground utilities in Charlotte.

“Obviously, it was a new process,” said Kurt Gruendling, vice president of marketing and business development for Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. “The timeline took a little bit longer than any of us would hope to be able to secure those grants, but that’s part of the process. It still took some time to get all the contracts and paperwork. These grants are a little bit different than

some of the others meaning that it’s not like we get a check right up front. We are reimbursed at certain milestones in the project.”

Approximately 70 percent of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom customers in Charlotte are currently served by fiber optic cable with approximately 740 addresses that still need to be converted from copper to fiber.

Fiber cable is currently available to a large portion of Charlotte, including most of Route 7 from Lime Kiln Road south, Dorset Street, Spear Street and the southern portion of Mount Philo Road. The majority of Lake Road, the Cedar Beach area, Wings Point and Higbee Road were also recently completed.

Construction starting this spring will begin with the north section of Charlotte, including the northern portions of Mount Philo and Greenbush roads along with the northern section of Lake Road, Orchard Road and Hills Point, as well as the rest of Spear Street and Lewis Creed Road.

Gruendling explained that because there are so many moving parts, “it’s hard to forecast those pieces, but we do have people working in Charlotte right now because there’s a ton of permitting, fielding work, pull attachments to

make ready, all that stuff that has to be done to complete the engineering design and all the preliminary pieces before we can get a contractor in there to start pulling strand and cable and doing the aerial installations.”

He said all the work is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

At this year’s annual town meeting, other neighboring Chittenden County towns — Shelburne, South Burlington, Essex, Essex Junction and Williston — approved the creation of a communications union district meant to introduce high-speed fiber-optic connections. However, the Charlotte selectboard felt it would be better to partner with telecom company directly rather than be part of a communications union district, Dean Bloch, the town administrator, said.

“We had been communicating with Waitsfiled and Champlain Valley Telecom, and felt that it would be more efficacious to continue working with them rather than be part of a district, which would take time to organize and might or might not be aligned with the Town’s interest,” he said in an email. “It appears it was the right choice, as Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom is proceeding with the installation of fiber townwide.”

An Open Letter to our Valued Members, Customers, and All Vermonters:

For more than 40 years, our nonprofit health plan has had a simple, powerful mission: make health care work better for all Vermonters. To fulfill that mission far into the future and better respond to rapid changes in health care, we plan to affiliate with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to best meet the needs of Vermonters.

We will remain a local, financially independent organization. Affiliating with a fellow nonprofit Blue Cross plan will allow us to share resources and expertise, reduce the cost of future investments in technology and operations, and provide innovative benefit programs and enhanced services. Making these necessary investments, at the scale and speed required, would simply not be feasible on our own without increasing pressure on premiums.

We arrived at this decision through a rigorous evaluation of our options. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is an industry leader in developing new technology and innovative products that directly benefit members. Our member-first philosophies and commitment to local values and leadership are keystones of our decision to affiliate. Our organizations have a history of successful collaboration. We share a claims processing system to streamline administration and partnered to launch Vermont Blue Advantage for Medicare beneficiaries.

While this affiliation has many clear benefits, there are very important things that won’t change:

• We will remain a Vermont organization, keeping our name and Berlin headquarters.

• Our local leaders and more than 400 employees will continue serving our neighbors.

• Members and customers will experience the same excellent health coverage, and our local relationships and extensive network of providers will remain in place.

• All premiums, financial reserves, and health care decisions will remain in Vermont.

• The grants and investments we make to support local organizations, charities, and our state’s public health initiatives will continue to be as strong as ever.

Looking forward, this affiliation creates a clear path to serve Vermonters with greater strength, stability, and innovation. As we work with local leaders and regulators through this process, we want to keep you informed. We invite you to visit www.BlueCrossVT.org/Together for more details.

Sincerely,

Don George

President & CEO

Whether you’re considering clear aligners, retainers or today’s braces, an orthodontist is the smart choice. They have 2 to 3 years of education beyond dental school. So they’re experts at helping you get a great smile—that feels great, too. DRS.

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Hinesburg pursues local option tax

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

Hinesburg is beginning the process to join 25 other towns in Vermont that have a local option tax, which could potentially add needed revenue to the town that saw its non-tax revenues decline last year.

The town selectboard has begun the process of forming a charter committee, the first step to changing the town’s charter to allow the town to adopt such a tax.

A local option tax allows for a 1 percent additional tax on Vermont’s sales, meals, rooms, and alcohol beverage taxes, which the town could use as revenue for the municipality.

Town officials have been exploring the idea for months now “because it would add revenue to the town and lighten the tax burden for residents,” selectboard Chair Merrily Lovell said. “It’s a way to bring in some income and lift a little bit of the burden from the taxpayers.”

“It sounds like a really important tool at this point,” selectboard member Paul Lamberson said.

More than 80 percent of Hinesburg’s budget revenue comes from property taxes, and the town saw less than expected non-tax revenue last year.

Shelburne most recently joined several Vermont municipalities in March in adding an option tax, and other neighboring Chittenden County municipalities like South Burlington and Williston already have one on the books.

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 SUZIE MCCOY

An ornamental flamingo seems to take shelter from the spring rains with the help of some dapper daffodils.

Daffy hat

HOME bill strikes right balance, but tuning continues

From the House Rep. Chea Waters Evans

The last two weeks of the 2023 legislative session are here. For me, that means a lot of time in the Stateouse — some of it frantically working and trying to figure things out, and some of it sitting around for hours, bored and snacking, waiting for a bill to move or an amendment to be written and then getting whirled up in the chaos again. This week I’m going to touch

on the housing bill, also known as S.100, also known as the HOME bill. HOME stands for Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone. This acronym seems like shoving a chubby baby into some tiny pajamas, but it works. This bill is an excellent example of how a bill can change significantly as it moves through the legislative process. Introduced in the Senate early in the session, it looked very different then than it does now. As I write this on Tuesday afternoon, the bill worked its way out

of the Senate and is now in its third committee in the House.

This is how it’s listed on the current House calendar: bit. ly/42iWVPi. You can always log on to the Vermont General Assembly website and search for a bill to find out where it is at any moment. This is a good time to give a little lesson about reading a bill. If you’re looking at the text of a bill and there’s just regular type, that’s statute (law) that already exists. If you’re reading a bill and the text is underlined, that’s new text — in essence, the stuff that’s going to be added to the bill. If you’re reading text and there’s a strike through like

We all deserve health care Legislature just gave itself

Guest Perspective

Kelly Cummings

With lightning speed. That’s how quickly S.39 — an act relating to compensation and benefits for members of the Vermont General Assembly, including health insurance — passed in the Senate. It didn’t hang on the wall or get sent to another committee to die, there were no hearings or studies done.

Heck, the legislators didn’t even have to rally on the Statehouse steps to get their own attention. Leadership must have liked S.39 because, as we all know, there’s not a bill that goes anywhere without their OK.

I really want to support S.39. Truth is, it’s the access to health insurance that’s the problem for me.

I can’t help but think of all the years Vermonters have been desperately trying to get the members of the Vermont General Assembly to help them with their health care needs.

We have rallied on the Statehouse steps for their attention. We have attended hearing after hearing — telling desperate stories ranging from bankruptcy to death and have endured study after study only to end up with a majority turning a blind eye and a deaf ear.

Then, there are the excuses, always the excuses.

For years we have watched health care bills hang on the wall or be sent to committees to never be heard of again. In fact, there are two hanging on the wall right now. These are H.156 and its companion bill S.74 — an act relating to incremental implementation of Green Mountain Care.

These bills phase in a universal health care system, starting with universal primary care.

H.156 has almost 60 sponsors.

Senators Ruth Hardy and

Becca White wrote an opinion piece in VTDigger on April 14 arguing that many people can’t afford to be state legislators. They say that “while over 95 percent of Vermonters have health insurance coverage, some state legislators do not.”

It’s meant as a sales pitch I guess, but it’s a poor one at that because the reality is — health insurance is not necessarily good

this, that’s text that was either old law that’s being removed, or new language that used to be part of the bill but is now being removed.

As far as S.100 is concerned, I know there has been talk that this bill is going to remove the ability of local voters to decide on their town’s land use regulations. This is not part of this bill; if it was, it’s gone now. The municipal parts in general don’t affect Charlotte too much, since most of the zoning changes apply to towns that have municipal water and sewer, which we don’t have.

Keeping in mind that this could change later today or at any point before the end of the session, one difference that will apply to all towns, including Charlotte, is that a duplex will be allowed from a zoning standpoint in any place where a single-family home would be. This doesn’t mean you can put a duplex with eight bedrooms on a place where you could build a four-bedroom house; it means the zoning rules would all still apply but that the structure could be divided into two separate residences.

So, if you were allowed to build a four-bedroom home in a spot, this would allow you to build a duplex with two two-bedroom units. The dimensions allowed would remain the same.

S.100 also removes the 10-person requirement for an aggrieved person to petition against a municipality and allows

SPRING OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, May 7th

a single person to do so. However, the law adds that “a particularized interest shall not include the character of the area affected if the project has a residential component that includes affordable housing.”

The character complaint can be perceived as a sort of secret code for discriminating against people based on socio-economic, racial or other reasons; specifically stating that it’s not a reason to appeal the approval of affordable housing removes one of the roadblocks toward achieving more diverse housing in villages.

As it stands, I feel like the good outweighs the unknowns in this bill. I support it as it currently stands, but of course there are a couple more committees it’s going to go through — who knows how many amendments — plus a vote in the House and then to the governor. I’ve been assuring folks who reached out over text, email and phone that I’m definitely not in the business of restricting voters’ right to weigh in on important matters, and I’m not in favor of any bill that would give too much power to one municipal board or committee. This bill doesn’t do that, so I’m good with it.

As always, reach me at cevans@leg.state.vt.us or 917-887-8231.

Rep. Chea Waters Evans

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

Let’s make Vermont less expensive to live, work, play

Guest Perspective

Joan

Goldstein

It’s fair to say we are living in an unusual economic environment. Historically high interest rates and inflation are creating challenging conditions for businesses large and small, and impacting the wallets of individual Vermonters. You don’t have to work in economic development to see how squeezed folks are feeling — just go grocery shopping.

These new challenges come after a lengthy pandemic wreaked havoc on health care, hospitality, education, arts and cultural institutions and the small business community. This exacerbated our pre-existing labor shortage, housing shortage and added supply chain disruptions that persist across all sectors of the economy.

With this economic environment as the backdrop, the Legislature is currently considering: $117 million payroll tax for mandatory paid leave; $100 million tax increase for child care; $20 million in Department of Motor Vehicle fee increases; and $30 million in property tax increases for school meals.

When people point out to me just how expensive it is to operate a business here or to live here, I usually say “we do not compete on price.” However, these latest initiatives have their costs: one proposal to increase the corporate income tax by 10 percent to pay for child care would make us one of the most expensive places to do business in the nation.

While the Legislature considers these spending plans, which would increase costs on workers and employers, they are also hard at work ordering studies to limit the only economic development tools we have for the state to grow its revenue through job growth and economic revitalization without raising taxes. These economic development tools that are currently under the microscope total less than $3 million

per year — 100 times less than the spending increases they are proposing.

According to Stanford University’s Institute for Economic Policy Research, taxes do affect a company’s hiring decisions. Even if a company can pass along payroll or other taxes to employees in the form of lower wages, increased taxes affect their ability to compete against employers in states with a lower tax burden, including neighboring states, like New Hampshire. It also impacts their decisions on where to invest when expanding and locating facilities.

This isn’t just about businesses because less business translates to fewer jobs and less opportunity for our youth — who we are trying so hard to retain. Stanford also notes that “people tend to leave high-tax areas and move to areas where taxes are lower.”

More out-migration also means fewer people to share the enormous tax expense of these well-meaning benefits for our residents. It’s a vicious cycle, because fewer people make it harder for our businesses to grow — or even survive.

The impact of these costs will also fall directly on workers. According to data from Bureau of Labor Statistics and the MIT living wage calculator, 81 percent of Vermonters already earn less than living wage of $68,000. An increase in payroll tax will decrease take-home wages for all working Vermonters and have an outsized impact on those below the living wage. Add increased income taxes, property taxes and DMV fee increases on top of the payroll tax, and it is easy to see how these proposals will continue to squeeze those folks who are already struggling.

The Scott administration hears daily about the financial strain families and businesses are having, but we need to get this message to many in the

Legislature.

So, if you feel that you can personally handle more taxes or your business can leap yet another hurdle — adding to inflation, supply chain disruption, workforce and housing shortages and

In Musing

Carole Vasta Folley

I am a human being conditioned to want extra. I’m hooked on it. Extra cream in my coffee? Extra cheese on my pizza? Extra pickles on my sandwich? Or the very apex of extra-ness, extra crispy fries? Yes, please! More, more, more. I mean, extra must be better than no extra, right?

Case in point, you can now buy “Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Flavor Blasted” with “an extra sprinkle of oomph.” Who wouldn’t want extra oomph? Or if you prefer your snack not resembling marine-life, buy “Cheez-It Extra Cheesy Cheese Crackers.” Not only will you get extra cheese, but cheesy-cheese. How extra is that? Personally, I never thought to describe cheese as cheesy, but you better believe me, the next time I’m in the supermarket I’ll be on the lookout for meaty meat, milky milk, and fishy fish. OK, maybe not that last one. Let’s face it, I use extra virgin olive oil every day — without smirking. You’d think the “extra virgin” status came from some sovereign papacy, but no. It’s called extra virgin because it’s made from pure, first-pressed olives. Judged “preferred and of the highest quality,” I blanch at the inference. Number one, is there any such thing as more virgin? And number two, I feel

the complicated, expensive and restrictive permitting process — then do nothing.

If the rising tax burden is jeopardizing your ability to live, work, play or own a business in Vermont, share your concerns

with your state legislators. Let’s make sure all voices are heard in the democratic process.

Joan Goldstein is the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development.

bad for the un-pure olive that may have been pressed more than once. Let’s not shame the olive, people.

The Wrigley Company blew past any attempt at nuance and simply named their entire product “Extra.” You know, just in case us dumb-dumbs, namely me, missed the ultra-potential of their gum. But really, what do you expect from a company who came up with “Hubba Bubba?”

Hygiene products are another area rife with extras. Extra-fresh toothpaste, extrabody shampoo, and extra-strength lotion to name a few. I actually buy extra-smooth razors. Why select the “extra-rough” ones? That’d be like pooh-poohing extra-soft toilet paper for the cheap stuff, as if someone would want to sandpaper their privates.

After all, there are times when extra is eminently better, like “Double Stuf Oreos.” Why in heaven’s name do they even sell the regular ones? Oh, I know, my husband likes them. But he’s the kind of guy who considers half an apple dessert, so really, does his opinion count?

Sorry to inform you there’s no double the stuff in “Double Stuf.” According to a news-breaking, no-kidding, study, these supposedly twicestuffed cookies contain only 1.86 times the creme as the original. A whopping 7 percent less than expected. Oh, the shame of it all. Perhaps to make amends,

the company created “Mega Stuf Oreos” and “The Most Stuf Oreos.”

Even I, a connoisseur of extra, think that’s a filling too far. Besides, with all this “extra” business going on at Nabisco, you’d think they’d get some extra f’s so they could spell stuff correctly.

Appliances are also in on this extra craze. My dishwasher offers “Extra Heat,” my washing machine, “Extra Spin.” Absurdly, Maytag currently sells a washer with comically giant “Extra Power” button. Seriously, are our clothes dirtier today than 10 years ago? Besides, if I get that washer, I’ll have to buy their accompanying “Extra Power” dryer. How else to dry my extrawashed clothes?

All these extra options probably came from boardrooms where wheeler-dealers conspired to concoct more and more bells and whistles in order to sell more and more products. These marketing and design wizards know what they’re up to. Of course, I’m going to use the extra “A Bit More” button on my toaster. Later, I’ll chomp on my burnt toast not even noticing the ridiculousness of it all.

Even our own lovely state produces the finest, and my extra-favorite, extra-sharp cheddar. Do not ask me to give that up. It’s the cheesiest-cheesy-cheese there is.

Carole Vasta Folley is an award-winning columnist and playwright. More at carolevf. com.

‘Extra, extra, read all about it!’

Carole Vasta Folley

CUMMINGS

continued from page 5

or helpful to many Vermonters, it’s just expensive. I couldn’t help but wonder if they understand that health insurance is not the same thing as health care.

I have health insurance, health insurance with a deductible more than $14,000. Do I have health care? I would have to say no. I do not use my health insurance; it’s only an expensive safety net if something goes terribly wrong. I don’t go to the doctor unless it is absolutely necessary.

I wonder how many potential health problems Vermonters could avoid if they had health care instead of health insurance? Senators Hardy and White forget to mention how many, out of that “over 95 percent,” are underinsured.

According to the 2021 Vermont Household Health Insurance Survey, almost 44 percent of privately insured Vermonters, under age 65, are underinsured. That means, their insurance is not sufficient to cover current medical costs. Not good. Not helpful.

The thing is, I understand legislators are concerned about their health coverage. Who isn’t? What I wish they wanted, instead of health insurance for themselves, is health care for all of us.

Ironically, this could have already been achieved. The solution has been right there in front of them, just hanging on the wall, all these years. Instead, as a majority, they have continually rejected the pleas of Vermonters for a health care system that is affordable, accessible and covers everyone. The health insurance plan sena-

tors Hardy and White want for legislators is the same as the state employees insurance plan. It’s one of the best insurance plans available and is quite generous with a minimal co-pay and deductible, a plan many Vermonters cannot afford for themselves and their families. Ultimately, they are asking us to pay for their significantly better health insurance plan while at the same time we can barely afford to pay for our own inadequate plans. It just doesn’t square.

Senate bill 39, as it stands now, leaves a sour taste in my mouth. The health insurance component feels hypocritical and unprincipled. It feels disrespectful to all those who have put in years of work to improve health care for everyone, not just legislators and especially to all those voices telling all their stories in vain.

If S.39 remains unchanged, becomes law and the members of the Vermont General Assembly get their raise, their perks and their health insurance benefit, then surely, the first thing on next year’s agenda will be to take H.156 and S.74 off the wall and then, with lightning speed, pass these bills for the benefit of everyone.

It seems to me it would be only fair that the Vermont General Assembly help all Vermonters as they have helped themselves.

Health care is and always will be a necessity for all.

Kelly Cummings lives in Fletcher.

DEBORAH J. BENOIT UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT EXTENSION

Spring may be upon us, but the chilly rains are reluctant to let go. In the meantime, we’re all eagerly awaiting the time when we can head back to our gardens and get them into shape for the coming growing season.

If you didn’t do so during garden downtime in January and February, now is the time to order seeds, plants, shrubs and trees online or make a to-get list for shopping at your local nursery. While you’re at it, sketch out plans for new beds or additions to existing garden plots.

Temptation is all too real when browsing garden catalogs. The old adage that begins with “a place for everything” can help keep random purchases and dreaming too big under control.

Before the ground is workable, take some time to clean out and organize your garden shed or greenhouse. Make an inventory of garden supplies and tools in particular. If you didn’t do so in the fall when you stored them for the winter, clean tools and perform any needed maintenance.

Do you need to replace hoses, or are you planning on putting in new beds? Make a note of anything that needs to be replaced and put those and any new items on your shopping list.

Now is also a good time to consider what additional gardening supplies you may need. Are

you planning on growing crops that require support such as tomatoes?

A wide variety of tomato cages and trellises are available. If you decide now, you can put supports in place at the time you plant to avoid disturbing the roots later on.

Once you have access to your garden, prune trees and shrubs as needed, but leave those that bloom in spring alone. If you prune spring-blooming shrubs such as lilacs and azaleas now, you’ll be cutting off this year’s flowers. Wait to prune those shrubs until after they’ve bloomed.

Even though you’ll be tempted to clean up the garden when the snow clears, wait until after daytime temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit for about a

week before removing leaves and flower stalks that weren’t dealt with last fall. That will give beneficial insects that have been overwintering in the garden time to emerge.

If you don’t already have a compost pile, now is the time to start one. It’s the perfect way to recycle food scraps and yard waste with many options available for container size and type of composting. For more on composting, see bit.ly/3ZTEpff.

While you’re cleaning up the garden, watch for signs of perennial weeds and newly emerged annual weeds popping up in beds and along pathways. Remove them now while they’re young.

They’ll only hold on tighter the longer you wait. A few minutes of weeding now is far easier than spending an afternoon fighting established weeds once warm and sunny spring weather has settled in.

Spring also is a good time to divide or transplant perennials. Take note of which plants need dividing and where you’d like to put them. Prepare any new beds.

Build, repair or replace trellises and other plant supports. Consider using tree and shrub prunings from the garden to build your own.

If you’re planning on starting seeds indoors, check to see if you have all the supplies you’ll need. Seed packets should include information on when to start those seeds. For more on starting seeds indoors, see bit.ly/40gNjDG.

Before you know it, the garden will be awake, and it will be time to venture outside and get down to work.

Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM Extension master gardener.

Invasive jumping worms can deplete nutrients in soil

DEBORAH J. BENOIT UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT EXTENSION

You may have heard of jumping worms, sometimes referred to as snake worms. Worm castings that resemble coffee grounds on the soil’s surface are likely the first thing you’ll notice.

Jumping worms pose a threat to home gardens, agriculture and woodland areas. Their presence disrupts the soil structure and chemistry, depletes nutrients in the soil and can result in loss of plant vigor or death.

Jumping worms thrash violently when touched. An adult can be up to 8 inches long and 1/5- to 1/3-inches wide. Their most distinctive feature is the clitellum, the pale, flat band that entirely encircles its body. By contrast, the clitellum of common earthworms does not extend completely around the body and is darker and slightly raised.

Adult jumping worms don’t overwinter in Vermont, but their cocoons do. The small and difficult to see cocoons hatch in spring when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Adults will be present in summer, producing more cocoons. As temperatures drop in the fall, adult worms die.

As we add plants, expand garden beds and tidy things up with fresh mulch, jumping worms, in their various stages of life, can arrive in soil, compost, mulch and manure delivered to our gardens. They also hide in the soil of potted plants. The cocoons can easily be moved on the soles of garden shoes.

Unfortunately, there are currently no approved pesticides or other treatments to prevent or eradicate jumping worms. Prevention is the most effective action, and there are several things you can do to limit their presence in your garden.

Any organic materials should be solarized prior to being introduced into the garden. To do so, make a pile 6 to 8 inches high of organic material on a clear plastic sheet, allowing plenty of uncovered plastic on the outer edges. Cover with another piece of plastic, pull up the edges from the bottom and tuck the upper piece below the bottom to prevent worms from escaping.

Leave the enclosed pile in the sun for two to three days. The internal temperature needs to exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the jumping worms and their cocoons. Materials purchased in plastic bags can be solarized right in the bags.

When ordering plants, shrubs and trees, consider ordering them bare root. If buying potted plants, jumping worms or cocoons may be in the soil. Even when buying plants at annual plant sales of local organizations where the plants are grown nearby, jumping worms and cocoons may be present.

To avoid introducing them into your home garden, remove the plant from its pot and wash its roots. Fill two buckets with water. Remove as much soil as possible, and then submerge the roots in the first bucket of water, gently swishing.

When most of the soil has been removed, inspect the roots for worms or cocoons.

UVM offers gardening help

The University of Vermont Extension master gardener helpline is now open to respond to gardening questions from across the state.

Gardeners who have questions about fruit and vegetable gardening, ornamental plantings, insect and disease identification, lawn care and backyard composting are invited to contact the helpline, which is staffed by master gardener volunteers.

To speak with a volunteer by phone, call the helpline at (802) 656-5421 on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and noon. The helpline phones are staffed until Thursday, Oct. 26.

For a faster response, questions also may

be submitted online anytime throughout the year at bit.ly/3Ni632r. You may include up to three clear photos, which will be helpful in diagnosing the issue.

Soil tests for home gardens are available through the University of Vermont Agricultural and Environmental Testing Lab. For information, visit bit.ly/41sEhEC.

Commercial growers of vegetables, berries, tree fruit and related crops should contact the UVM Extension commercial horticulture team at go.uvm.edu/hort.

The helpline is a free public service offered by University of Vermont Extension’s community horticulture program.

We keep YOU gardening!

Rinse the roots in the second bucket to remove any remaining bits of soil. Repot in fresh soil that has been solarized.

Solarize any soil removed from incoming plants before adding it to your compost or garden. For more information on preventing jumping worms, see bit.ly/3zTqNp4.

Growing from seed or taking cuttings to root are other options that will prevent including jumping worms when adding plants to your garden.

If you do find jumping worms in your

yard, you can hand pick and destroy them by dropping them in a bucket of soapy water. While hand picking worms won’t eliminate the problem, it can reduce the number of adult worms present, which will in turn reduce the number of cocoons and future generations of jumping worms.

For more information on jumping worms, see vtinvasives.org.

Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM Extension master gardener.

Day!

Hanging Baskets, Rose Bushes or can’t decide? Surpise her with a Gift Certificate

•

•

Essex Jct: 802.857.5976

Jericho: 802.899.5200 Shelburne:

PHOTO BY JOSEF GORRES/UVM DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE

An adult jumping worm, with its distinctive clitellum — the pale, flat band entirely encircling its body — can grow up to 8 inches long and 1/5- to 1/3-inches wide.

Hinesburg holds Green Up Day

Mark your calendar and make plans to join neighbors, friends and family to Green Up Hinesburg. Pick up bags at the town hall and library before Saturday, May 6 and Green Up any time up to and including that Saturday. Community lunch will be available at the town hall on Saturday.

A number of supporting activities need volunteers of all ages, including helping to set up and serve the community lunch at 11 a.m. and final pickup of roadside bags from 1-4 p.m.

If you have any questions, want to suggest or work on a special project or just need to get more information, call Phil Pouech at 802-497-4095 or Rocky Martin at 802-355-6847.

Charlotte hosts annual Green Up Day

Charlotte’s annual Green Up Day is just around the corner and it’s time to sign up for cleanup.

Sign up early for a roadside route to clean up at bit.ly/44l BM8H.

Bags will be available at the Old Brick Store, Spear’s Corner Store and the town hall.

Sustainable Charlotte joins Green Up Day

Sustainable Charlotte will once again coordinate electronic items collection at Charlotte Central

Community Notes

School in conjunction with Charlotte’s Green Up Day on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Good Point Recycling will be collecting the electronics and will make sure they are recycled.

All electronic devices, including computers and their components, DVD players, VCRs, stereos, phones, record players, radios, televisions, laptops, video machines, microwaves, small kitchen electronics and their various chords and chargers will be collected. Appliances such as air conditioners, stoves, refrigerators, washers and

dryers are not accepted. Contact ruahswennerfelt@ gmail.com or 802-922-2259 with questions.

Step right up: Rescue, fire services need you Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services is holding a recruitment open house on Saturday, May 13, 9 p.m.-1 p.m. at its headquarters at 170 Ferry Rd. in Charlotte.

See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 11

COURTESY PHOTO Shelburne hosts music and poetry featuring Jane Kittredge on May 10. More at piersonlibrary.org.

Patrick,

Hinesburg Artist Series hosts

Mother’s Day concert May 14

As part of its celebration of 25 years of local performances, the Hinesburg Artist Series will present to the community a spring concert on Sunday, May 14, at 4:30 p.m. in the Champlain Valley Union High School auditorium featuring the Hinesburg Community Band and South County Chorus, both under the direction of Rufus Patrick.

“Spring is such a delightful time in Vermont, and the music

COMMUNITY NOTES

continued from page 10

Hinesburg firefighters hold spring craft fair

Join the Hinesburg Firefighters Association for its spring craft fair, on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hinesburg Fire Station.

The event includes local crafters as well as outside business consultants and many home-craft businesses. If you are interested in a space, contact dbarber7541@ gmail.com. Proceeds benefit The Hinesburg Firefighters Association.

Rokeby Museum holds benefit concert

The Rokeby Museum is excited to host Music with the Museum, an evening of food and music with renowned musicians Paul Asbell and Bob Stannard at the historic Ferrisburgh Town Community Center on Thursday, May 25, from 6-9 p.m.

A silent auction will also be held to raise funds for Rokeby Museum’s exhibition fund, which supports the institution’s dedication

we are performing expresses that feeling beautifully,” Patrick said.

“This concert will be a wonderful way for families to enjoy a Mother’s Day activity together.”

The Hinesburg Community Band will present selections by Robert Sheldon, Brant Karrick, Steven Reineke and a great arrangement of Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.”

The South County Chorus will sing selections by Joseph Martin,

Eric Whitaker, Mark Hayes, David Lantz, Jacob Naverud, Mac Huff and highlights from “Porgy and Bess” by George and Ira Gershwin.

Shostakovich waltzes will be performed by Brooke Carleton on flute, and Margaret Roddy, clarinet and Evan Allen, piano.

The concert is free or by donation.

Visit bit.ly/3Npse6C for additional information.

20% OFF APPRAISALS

Performed by Our Graduate Gemologists

to sharing the stories of the people who lived and worked at Rokeby. Thanks to the generosity of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation,

funds raised will be matched up to $10,000.

For more information and tickets, visit bit.ly/3VmUuZE.

COURTESY PHOTO

Rufus

at right, conducts roomful of rehearsing musicians ahead of the Hinesburg Artist Series concerts on May 14.

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Community Bankers - Chittenden County BUILDERS I MAKERS I 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!

Job Responsibilities & Requirements

This frontline position is crucial in creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience for NSB customers. The successful candidate 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 mail to:

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PO Box 7180, Barre, VT 05641

Berger wins debut on the mound

LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Softball

Champlain Valley 13, Rutland

11: The Champlain Valley softball team scored four in the fifth inning to come back and beat Rutland in a high-scoring affair Saturday.

Shelby Companion sparked the comeback effort with a home run in the fifth inning. Kate Boget and Amber Reagan each went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while

Alex Wemple also drove in two runs.

Juliette Chant won in the circle, striking out five in seven innings of work. Chant, Lily Mincar and Morgan Gallup each drove in a run.

CVU moves to 2-3 with the win.

Baseball

Champlain Valley 5, Rutland

0: Elise Berger won in her Champlain Valley varsity debut as the Redhawks beat Rutland 5-0 on

GARAGE SALE

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SCHIP is seeking two candidates to join our dynamic team:

• Part Time Warehouse/ Merchandise Associate beginning immediately

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For full job details and to learn more about our mission visit TheSchip.org

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SALE: May 5 and 6, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 500 Oak Knoll Road, Williston. Antiques, jewelry, quilts, children’s clothes, toys, rubber stamps, ink pads, collectibles.

Saturday, April 29. Berger pitched five innings and gave up no runs on three hits. Travis Stroh paced the CVU offense with a home run and two RBIs, while Lewis Kerest and Declan Cummings each scored. With the win, the Redhawks move to 5-0.

CVU also won Thursday, beating Mount Mansfield 8-5 with a four-run second inning effort.

Christopher Robinson was the winning pitcher after giving up one run on one hit and striking out four. Declan Cummings went 2-for-4 and had two RBIs, while Robbie Fragola had an RBI.

Shop local and please remember our advertisers!

CHARLOTTE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

Will hold a public hearing on the following application during the Development Review Board’s regular meeting of Wednesday, May 24, 2023:

7:05 PM 23-052-SD Hutchins – Final plan review for proposed 5-lot subdivision at 363 Riverview Dr.

For more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Office at 802.425.3533 ext. 208, or by email at: pza@townofcharlotte.com.

A nonpro t upscale resale shop in the of Shelburne Village

PHOTO BY AL FREY

A Mt. Mansfield runner gets safely back to first as CVU’s Lewis Kerest readies for the throw. CVU won 8-5.

continued from

employee benefits.

With no clear roadmap to where exactly that money will come from, the selectboard is currently working on a plan to create an employee compensation working group tasked with finding a way to ensure both a fair market and equitable employee compensation, while also identifying viable cost savings.

Although budget workshops were mostly comprised of residents’ disapproval of the market analysis done by Gallagher, Flynn & Company, which the town hired to look at how salaries for Charlotte’s municipal salaries stacked up against other towns, some residents said that the hefty budget wasn’t a result of employee compensations, but instead represented a deep-rooted problem that the town has had for some time.

“We’re one of the richest, most successful towns in all of Chittenden County. We should have an abundance of riches, but we stifle any attempt of growth in our town. And so, of course, this is the end result,” Eli Lesser-Goldsmith, CEO of Healthy Living Market and Café, said at one of the budget meetings.

“Imagine if we had a doctor’s office, a gas station, housing in the village, all those entities would be paying new taxes. But instead, let’s squeeze our hard-working town staff on salary. This is sad in my opinion,” he said. “Not one bit of talk about how we can

change things in our town, add new taxpayers and new taxes.”

Other residents who voiced disapproval of the original budget rallied on social media and in meetings as tax-burdened residents desperate for solutions, with some claiming they are left deciding whether to pay for food or pay their taxes.

“These taxes are hurting people,” resident Rosemary Zezulinski at the March 14 board meeting said. “There’s people deciding whether to pay for their food, pay for their medicines,

pay for their taxes. We need to be compassionate because I don’t believe our greatest asset is our town employees, even though they’re all wonderful. Our greatest asset is our residents.”

Employees, on the other hand, expressed concern for the changes that in large hinged on their compensation.

“We appreciate all that the selectboard has done to adjust our wages to fair and equitable ones within our profession,” tech librarian Susanna Kahn said. “We also appreciate the benefits pack-

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age that makes it possible for us to work in the town we live in. We are concerned about budget reduction efforts at the expense of town employees’ benefits that will make a minimal difference on homeowners’ tax bills.”

The new budget is offset by $1,176,329 raised in prop-

erty taxes with the remaining $1,604,321 to be raised by non-tax revenues. With this, residents can expect a tax rate of $0.2139, although the official rate will be set in August. This means for every $100,000 of property value, residents can expect to pay somewhere around $213.90.

BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®

There is no better time to join our Team!

Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!

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. Consider joining our team as a Temporary Community Banker!

Relevant Skills:

• Customer Service

• Cash Handling (we’ll train you!)

Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!

If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team!

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

RABIES BAIT

continued from page 2

The week-long bait drop is a cooperative effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.

saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.

So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its

According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their normal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays – even baby animals.

SHELBURNE continued Home Care Health & Fitness

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ARIES

March 21 - April 20

Aries, even though you have been making great progress, you have some more work ahead of you this week. Overcome any distractions that get in your way.

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Taurus, you may want to avoid crowds this week. Use this opportunity to enjoy some quiet, alone time to recharge. There will be time for socialization in the weeks ahead.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 21

You may be called in as a mediator this week, Gemini. It may be challenging to remain impartial, as you are friendly with both people involved. Tread carefully.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Cancer, there are a few decisions that you will need to make in the days to come and they are not to be taken lightly. Give each ample time and consider all angles.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 23

An opportunity all but falls into your lap, Leo. Make sure you jump on this because opportunity may not knock again. The bene ts are too big to pass up.

VIRGO

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

There is not much more help you can lend to a situation, Virgo. This week you may have to accept that you have simply done all that you could do. Move on and focus on the future.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Sagittarius, a deep focus on health may compel you to get around to making some changes you’ve been planning. Embrace this newfound resolve.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

Capricorn, allow others to take the lead when a project ends up coming across your desk.You could learn something from the expertise of others if you emulate their actions.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Expect some strange things to happen to you this week, Libra. The unexpected could be the breath of fresh air you need, especially if your schedule has been stagnant.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

Scorpio, assist a loved one as much as you can this week. You may need to be a devoted caregiver or a listening ear. Whatever the case, handle it with undivided attention.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18

Aquarius, you have left no stone unturned in a situation that involves relocation. Now it is just a matter of wait and see. Give it a few weeks, then move on.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Pisces, others have very positive things to say about you, especially during the course of the next few days. Relish in their attention.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Dull and at

6. Baking measurement (abbr.)

9. Education-based groups

13. Not behind

14. Runners run them

15. Japanese ankle sock

16. Grave

17. Japanese industrial city

18. People of southern Ghana

19. Particular designs

21. Device tted to something

22. Infections

23. Pirates’ preferred alcohol

24. Expression of sympathy

25. Rock guitarist’s tool

28. Neither

29. Ancient city of Egypt

31. You __ what you sow

33. Ruined

36. Narrations

38. Body art (slang)

39. Fencing sword

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

41. Apartment buildings 44. Type of missile 45. Fathers

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!

46. Extremely high frequency 48. Type of school 49. Incorrect letters 51. Two-year-old sheep 52. Nasty manner

54. One who accepts a bet

56. Indian prince

60. Asian country

61. Rhythmic patterns in Indian music

62. “Uncle Buck” actress Hoffmann

63. Detailed criteria

64. Son of Shem

65. Talked wildly

66. Discount

67. Not good

68. Growing out

CLUES DOWN

1. Actor Damon

2. A call used to greet someone

3. Part-time employee

4. Emaciation

5. “Westworld” actor Harris

6. Gains possession of

7. Relaxing spaces

8. 23rd star in a constellation

9. Northern grouse

10. Monetary unit of Bangladesh

11. Manila hemp

12. Unites muscle to bone

14. Makes deep cuts in

17. 18-year period between eclipses

20. Member of a people

ANSWERS

inhabiting southern Benin

21. Synthetic rubbers

23. Unwelcome rodent

25. Expression of creative skill

26. Some is red

27. Seems less in impressive

29. Harry Kane’s team

30. Gland secretion

32. Action of feeling sorrow

34. Disallow

35. Deceptive movement

37. More dried-up

40. Crimson

42. Actress Ryan

43. Adherents of a main branch of Islam

47. Accomplished American president

49. Side of a landform facing an advancing glacier

Sheep breed

Appetizer 53. Broadway actress Daisy

In uential lm critic

NY Giants ownership family 57. Type of script 58. Assist

London park

Bar bill

In reply indicator

WASTEWATER

continued from page 1

ter Treatment Facility. And in Shelburne, voters approved a $1.1 million bond to replace city residents’ outdated water meters during their annual meeting — but will soon face a price tag of well over $30 million to revamp two treatment plants and consolidate operations into one.

In 2018, town officials in Hinesburg received a discharge permit requiring them to reduce the amount of phosphorus and ammonia in its wastewater discharges to the LaPlatte River, putting them on the hook for a new facility to comply with those regulations.

The new facility would help meet those limits, as well as meet the needs of new developments expected to come online in the next several years.

Voters in 2020 OK’d the $11.7 million bond by a vote of 1,810 to 985 to build the new facility on Lagoon Road. The town has already spent $2 million on site

Bleeding hearts

work at the Lagoon Road site. Officials at the time estimated the buildout could be completed by 2025.

Nearly $6.3 million of the bond has since been covered through a mix of federal and state grants, officials said previously. The remaining debt is being financed over a 30-year period.

The town will pay out $33,333 for the first phase of the loan installments and will have to pay annual loan payments of $182,033 once the construction of the plant is complete.

What the town will do now is not entirely clear. Officials have 60 days to respond to the bids, and the selectboard will address the issue at its May 17 meeting.

The bids “cost way more than we have money for,” selectboard chair Merrily Lovell said.

But residents are already beginning to see rate increases because of the debt payments for

the project.

The town last year approved a 3.7 percent increase in the water and wastewater budget that included annual increases to customers’

wastewater rates of anywhere from $120 to $145 per year, and those are expected to continue increasing over the next several years.

Those new rates will cover

half of the treatment facility’s first $33,333 loan payment, while the other half of the loan payment will be covered by connection and allocation fees from new users.

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

Spring flowers start their show as temperatures warm and the rains come.

“We can’t go forward with a project if it’s going to require more borrowing than what the voters had approved.”

— Todd Odit