The Citizen - 10-19-23

Local jewel

Decisive win

Residents gather to remember Guy Cheng

Girls’ golf team takes Division I champsionship

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Page 11

October 19, 2023

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Weekly news coverage for Charlotte and Hinesburg

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Hinesburg to appeal state sewer conditions

It’s 30 for Pecor

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY AL FREY

Forward Chloe Pecor gets a toe up as she battles for possession in an Oct. 11 game against Mount Mansfield Union. She scored twice in the 3-1 win. On Oct. 14 Pecor scored her 30th goal in a win over South Burlington. The CVU girls remain undefeated. See sports wrap, page 11.

Hinesburg is planning on challenging the Agency of Natural Resources in environmental court, arguing that conditions imposed on the town that forces buildout of a new wastewater treatment facility are overly onerous.

The discharge permit, issued on Sept. 27, is a renewal of an original permit first issued in 2018, requiring the town to reduce the amount of phosphorus and ammonia in its wastewater discharges into the LaPlatte River.

The conditions in the new permit, however — which took effect on Oct. 1 — contain significantly more testing and lower limits than what the previous permit carried, town manager Todd Odit said. Both he and the town selectboard agreed that an See PERMIT on page 8

‘Village visioning’ kicks off

Charlotte Planning Commission picks consultant LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

Charlotte’s planning commission is receiving some outside help from a Randolph-based consulting firm for a hefty two-year village planning project set to take shape this fall.

DuBois & King, Inc. is a professional consulting firm providing planning, engineering and construction services

specializing in transportation, site development, water and natural resources, wastewater and building systems.

The firm was selected from a larger pool of applicants for its familiarity working with other rural towns facing similar issues as Charlotte.

“They presented a really excellent example of a project that they did for the village of Hyde Park, which has a lot of parallels to what

we’re doing here,” town planner Larry Lewack said. “It was really Chittenden County regional staff who indicated a strong preference for Dubois & King, and we felt good about their qualifications, so we were certainly OK with going ahead with this contracting process.”

The consulting firm met last week with members of the planning commission to get oriented on the issues, challenges and

background to start rolling out different elements of the twoyear work plan.

The consultant was hired with a $85,000 bylaw modernization grant and Chittenden County Regional Planning’s Unified Planning Work Program. The draft work plan, which included this project in Charlotte, was approved in April.

The emphasis will focus on points in the 2018 town plan

that call for creating a regulatory framework that is more accomodating to diverse development options in the town’s East and West villages.

The first phase, which the team is calling “village visioning,” will focus extensively on public forums and feedback sessions surrounding changes See CONSULTANT on page 9

Page 2 • October 19, 2023 • The Citizen

Charlotte, Shelburne residents remember Guy Cheng LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

“Life is too short, so don’t sweat the small stuff.”

This was a common phrase that David Sisco said his stepfather, Guy Cheng, used to tell him nearly every day before his death in 1998.

While most Shelburne and Charlotte residents remember Cheng through the jewelry he created for decades out of his unusual silversmithing studio off Route 7 at the base of Mount Philo, dozens of residents packed the Pierson Library in Shelburne Saturday to share their lasting memories of a man who played an integral role in the Charlotte and Shelburne communities in many other ways.

“We all had this incredible relationship with this man that did show us how to love and to live,” said Sisco.

But the story of how exactly Cheng ended up in Vermont is a journey of twists and turns full of hardships, triumphs and chance encounters that would eventually lead to these two Chittenden County towns becoming a place he called home for nearly 50 years.

Cheng was born in the city of Tientsin, China at the turn of the 20th century, although the exact date of his birth is uncertain. His father, Lihing Cheng, was a highly educated and esteemed general with a graduate degree from Yale, and although Cheng had ambitions in higher education following his father, his ultimate dream was to play tennis.

He came to the United States in 1936 to represent China in the Davis Cup where he was offered a full ride to play tennis at Tulane University in New Orleans, where

he later received his master’s in business administration. Although his dreams were finally coming true, this time of his life didn’t come without hardship, especially since he was attending college in the South during the time of Jim Crow.

His time in the South was relatively short-lived after college, and when he decided it was time to get a job, he found an ad in The New York Times looking for a tennis director at Camp Abnaki in North Hero. There he met lifelong connections that would later bring him to Thompson’s Point in Charlotte.

“He sent a resume, and within two weeks, an envelope came with a bus ticket to Burlington,” Sisco said. “The rest is history. He offered tennis lessons in the ’40s and ’50s, right up until the early ’90s every Wednesday morning.”

But his love of tennis was put on the back burner years later when tuberculosis left him bedridden.

“After every big challenge that Guy had, each time something good came out of it,” Sisco said.

“That can’t be undermined, how this was able to germinate within his consciousness.”

It was during his long convalescence in a sanitarium that he developed a love for jewelry making. He purchased an old schoolhouse in Charlotte — known for its iconic red door and unique design — that served as his jewelry and silversmithing studio.

“There was his house with that wonderful red door and modern furniture,” resident Sylvia Palmer said. “Everyone else in town had your basic colonial houses or the new modern ranch house, and then there was Guy’s and his was just

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David Sisco gives a presentation at Pierson Library of his stepfather, Guy Cheng, who is seen in the photo working on his jewelry. A historic photo of Guy Cheng’s iconic jewelry store on Route 7.

so unique.”

He became proficient in jewelry making, specifically Egyptian swirl designs, which was later sold to Tiffany and Co. and other fine jewelers.

“In the New York Times, page three, the top right corner is called the ‘Tiffany Corner’ in advertising,” Sisco said. “There was an ad that was placed with his swirl bracelets sometime in the ’50s.”

Many of his molds, which feature a chunky silver design, are still being cast today by Sisco, who has carried on the family legacy of jewelry making with his jewelry shop in Burlington, Designers’ Circle Jewelers.

“I’ve had my own love affair with making jewelry and selling jewelry,” said Sisco, adding that he owes much of that to Cheng’s influence.

But for residents, it’s more than just jewelry that Cheng is remembered for.

“I used to live across the street from Guy most of my life,” Palmer said. “I have wonderful Guy stories like in 1968 when I had a brandnew baby, and I had a knock at the door and there was Guy welcoming a new baby to Charlotte with a baby ring he made for her.”

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The Citizen • October 19, 2023 • Page 3

Community solar enterprise is coming online in Hinesburg WILLISTON Nov. 1, 2 & 3 ST ALBANS Nov. 1 & 2

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

A community solar project in Hinesburg will soon be up and running, offering financial credits and buy-ins for Vermont Electric Coop customers.

The project was originally queued up with the Acorn Renewable Energy Co-op set to sell the membership to Hinesburg residents, who could then use the project’s net-metered credits toward their Vermont Electric Co-Op bills.

But in April, the company said it was unable to continue with the array after it told the town it couldn’t garner enough membership among residents to continue to pursue the project.

Aegis Renewable Energy, the solar array builder, shifted to selling a stake in the project to Peter Ehrlich, a private investor and head of Zero Percent Club, a volunteer organization “dedicated to providing high quality resources and community support to people looking to decarbonize their lives.”

Ehrlich has since started Skylight Solar to operate the array and sell financial credits for customers in Vermont Electric Coop’s territory in a similar manner, effectively offering ownership stakes in the energy to “anybody within Vermont Electric

Co Op territory, not necessarily dangerous chemicals detected in restricted to one group of custom- their drinking water, and efforts to ers or another,” Aaron Lavalle, an remediate are still underway. inside sales manager with Aegis, But plans to buildout the said.

150kW solar array proceeded, “We love the idea of that nonetheless. Lavalle said that the power going project has had locally to Hines“an extra level “We love the idea burg customers,” of engineering” Ehlrich said. built in to ensure of that power going “This array is the array will not in their town, if affect the landlocally to Hinesburg the benefits of fill’s cap. that are going to Acorn had customers. This array local townspeospent time ple, that’s all the marketing to is in their town, if better.” residents to While much buy into its the benefits of that of Hinesburg membership, are going to local is covered by who could then Green Mountain use the project’s townspeople, that’s Power, there are net-metered still pockets of credits toward all the better.”

Vermont Electric their Vermont Coop territory in Electric Co-Op the northern and — Peter Ehlrich bills. After the eastern parts of company fell town. short of the goal, Aegis continAegis and Acorn were origi- ued the project with Ehrlich as the nally brought on in 2019 to fulfill primary investor. renewable energy goals laid out in Lavalle called the new deal Hinesburg’s master plan. with Ehrlich a positive outcome The project hit a snag when it for the solar array project. was discovered the landfill that the “This project has faced a proposed solar panels would sit number of challenges, but in the atop was never properly capped. end it got built, and it’s going to Several private residences near provide a benefit to the citizens of the property — including the Hinesburg as well as the greater town garage — have since had region,” he said.

Obituary

David Duchaine

David Duchaine David Duchaine, 84, a longtime resident of Shelburne, died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia at Birchwood Nursing Home in Burlington on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. He was born in Alburgh on May 6, 1939, son of John and Flora (Pelkey) Duchaine.

David was a proud member of the Green Mountain Boys division of the U.S. Air Force and Vermont Air National Guard. He served 29

1/2 years as a radar technician. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He met the love of his life Janice (Holloway) Duchaine while stationed in Denver, Colo. They were married in 1967.

A lifetime collector, he began mowing lawns at the age of 7, buying box lots at the local auction house, and having sales on his mother’s front porch. He built an antique shop from trees in Alburgh that was open for over 30 years. His local legacy, Shed Sales antiques, is celebrating 50 years of business in Shelburne.

David enjoyed many evenings with his family playing cards and board games, including many competitive games of Parcheesi. David and Jan traveled and collected for many years. They loved dancing and took many trips to Las Vegas to gamble, dine and see shows.

He always had a welcoming smile and friendly hello for everyone he met. David loved to sing and could often be heard boisterously singing his favorite tune or yodeling. He had a beautiful voice

and brought smiles and laughter wherever he went.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice (Holloway) Duchaine; daughter, Irene Sauer; sons, John and wife, Rebecca Duchaine, and Albert Duchaine; grandchildren, Mark Jr., Ryan and Suzanne, Samantha and Michael, Melissa and Austin, Katelynn, Harley and Jon, Jessica and Ernie, Danielle and Adrian, Ashley, Jennifer and Francis and Matthew; great grandchildren, Carson, Wyatt, King and Adeline; sisterin-law, Judy; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Flora Duchaine; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Walter and Irene Holoway; sister, Lottie; brothers, Bud and Doug; sisters-in-law Jean, Joyce, Jean, Delores and Shirley; brothers-inlaw, Albert, Jack, Phil and Gerald; son, Mark Duchaine; and granddaughter, Linda Duchaine.

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion in Alburgh on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, from 1-4 p.m.

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Page 4 • October 19, 2023 • The Citizen

CRIME & COURTS Police investigate weekend crime spree along Route 7 MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT

Vermont State Police are working with police in South Burlington and other law enforcement agencies on a weekend crime spree that involved numerous break-ins to cars and thefts from vehicles, including a shotgun and a credit card that was used at a local convenience store in downtown Burlington.

Four suspects were spotted on security video at Simon’s Downtown Quick Stop Mobil on South

Winooski Avenue across from City Market about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, state police said. They bought gasoline and food at Simon’s with one of the stolen credit cards, state police said.

The crime spree stretched along the U.S. 7 corridor between North Ferrisburgh and Burlington and happened between about midnight and 2:45 a.m. Saturday, according to state trooper Nathaniel Quealy at the Williston barracks.

Preliminary investigation showed four unknown male suspects stole at least four motor

vehicles in Charlotte and North Ferrisburgh during the early morning. At least two other vehicle thefts failed when the suspects got the cars stuck in the yards of the victims, Quealy said.

Initial crime reports came in from multiple people in Charlotte regarding vehicle break ins, stolen property and motor vehicles. One victim reported a stolen credit card being used in Burlington, state police said.

See CRIME SPREE on page 13

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Hinesburg Police Blotter Oct. 10-16 Oct. 10 at 11 a.m., police investigated a motor vehicle complaint involving aggressive driving on Shelburne Falls Road.

Oct. 10 at 11:40 a.m., found property was turned in at the police station and later returned to the owner.

Oct. 10 at 12:28 p.m., officers took a report about a missing dog on Lewis Creek Road.

Oct. 10 at 1:56 p.m., an officer assisted first responders with a medical emergency on Birchwood Drive.

Oct. 12 at 8:08 a.m., officers responded to a single-car motor vehicle crash on North Road.

Oct. 12 at 8:33 a.m., loose dogs were found and later returned to their owner.

Oct. 12 at 1:11 p.m., a report of lewd and lascivious activity is being investigated.

Oct. 12 at 7:11 p.m., an officer

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Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.

Tesla thief sentenced to four years MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT

A Chittenden County man, who made international news after stealing five Teslas valued at over $600,000, was sentenced

in federal court in Rutland to four years in prison.

Michael A. Gonzalez, 34, fraudulently obtained the five See TESLA on page 12

The Citizen

Come learn about Hinesburg’s process of building an accessory dwelling unit, sometimes called an in-law apartment, from a

responded to a citizen dispute on Birchwood Drive.

Oct. 12 at 10:25 p.m., an officer assisted South Burlington police with retrieving stolen property on Hillview Terrace.

Oct. 13 at 2:55 p.m., officers helped a resident with a custody issue.

Oct. 15 at 3:32 p.m., police conducted a welfare check on Aube Ridge Road.

Oct. 16 at 9:37 a.m., an officer assisted first responders with a medical emergency on Walts Way. Oct. 16 at 3:15 p.m., an officer assisted a member of the Community Justice Center with an investigation.

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The Citizen • October 19, 2023 • Page 5

OPINION

Capitalism v. nicotine: no real winner here never buy them. I still want to know From the House they’re out there if I need them. Just as it’s the Cheeto Cheetah’s right to be a cartoon Rep. Chea Waters Evans character selling iridescent orange snacks, I don’t drink vodka straight up. This is it’s the legal right of vape companies to because I don’t find the flavor that pleasmake and sell those products. (For the ant on its own. Throw in some olive juice, record, I don’t think at all that cartoon vermouth and an olive or three, and I’m characters should be able to sell nicotine.) delighted: a martini tastes good.

On the other hand, I have three teenSometimes, too, on a summer day agers. They’re angels and are perfectly when I’m mowing the lawn and working behaved at all times, but should they on my tan and age spots, I’ll have one of decide to dabble in flavored tobacco those cocktails in a can, or a High Noon, products, or, God forbid, get addicted to or some other fruity alcohol nicotine, I would be really, really item. These are also delicious. worried and stressed.

They’re also not for children I wouldn’t want them to be or teenagers or anyone under able to get their hands on those 21. And I’d be sad if they were items. Excluding my children, of against the law. course, teens aren’t always well I don’t vape nicotine, but known for their impulse control I imagine it doesn’t taste very or decision-making skills, so if good. I bet the fruit-flavored and those products weren’t availmenthol ones taste a lot better. able to them and their peers in Maybe delicious wouldn’t quite Rep. Chea Waters Evans stores, then it would most likely be the word for it, but this is lead to lower consumption rates where I’m going: those flavors and better health and safety make something addictive more palatable. outcomes for those kids who need guidAdding flavors to alcohol also makes ance and protection. something addictive more palatable.

Teens and tweens are under so much People under 21 are prohibited by law pressure right now and the potential to from having both alcohol and nicotine use addictive and harmful forces in their products, so I’m feeling a little unsettled lives is strong: Even social media has its about a bill coming from the Senate into addictive properties and can cause mental the House this coming session. I’m not and physical health challenges. The last sure how I want to vote. thing we need are yummy tobacco prodS.18 — the S in front means it was ucts that will further impact their mental introduced in the Senate — is an act relatand physical health with all the side effects ing to banning flavored tobacco products that come along with addiction. and e-liquids. This not only applies to Statutes already exist that impose fines fruity stuff, but also to menthol flavors as on people who sell tobacco products to well. underage consumers. Tobacco licenses can The driving factors behind wanting to be suspended or revoked from establishban these products are health care costs to ments that break those laws. Age identifitaxpayers, the addiction and health issues cation is required for purchases, and fines they cause in legal users and their popuand community service penalties apply to larity among teens and young people who people under the age of 21 who attempt to use them proportionally more than they do use fake IDs to buy tobacco or alcohol. non-flavored tobacco products.

If these statutes aren’t working, then Teens don’t smoke cigarettes that much perhaps they should be more rigorously anymore, but many of them use e-cigaenforced, or changed to make the conserettes, also known as vapes. quences more significant.

I don’t think anyone under 21 should It’s hard for me to justify believing be allowed to purchase these, just as I in banning one thing but not all the other don’t think anyone under 21 should be things, even when that one thing is bad allowed to purchase alcohol. The public for anyone who uses it. Who’s to decide health and safety issues associated with where the line is? I guess it’s your state younger people using these products are and federal governments’ collective jobs significant. Nicotine addiction is tough to decide. to beat, and their brains and bodies are After I just argued with myself for developing so rapidly into adulthood in eight paragraphs, I’m really wondering: their teen years that adding any chemical What do you think? I’m happy to hear or dependency into their systems is really, from you any time via text or phone call really bad. at 917-887-8231 or email at cevans@leg.

Yet, capitalism. The slippery slope of state.vt.us. banning things makes me uncomfortable.

Like, you know what else is bad for me?

Chea Waters Evans, a Democrat, Cheetos. But I love them, and I don’t want represents Charlotte and Hinesburg in the Chittenden-5 House district. them to be banned, even though I almost

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Page 6 • October 19, 2023 • The Citizen

A lifesaving test becomes a life-giving quest passwords, I opt for the bag.

One of the many kindnesses I’ll be shown this day is in the Carole Vasta Folley blue johnny top taken straight out of a warming cabinet. It’s Many know the drill. I show up for my appointment and check comforting to put on. I’m remindin. The medical receptionist holds ed to tie in the front and do so with purpose. a plastic wristband and asks me In the waiting room, I sit to confirm the information. It’s among women. Beautiful women. one test I’m sure to ace. That is, Old and young, all clothed in if I can get close enough to read blue. It is a sanctum. These it. Leaning awkwardly over the women are priestesses reception desk like a under wraps, matriarchs wobbly ballerina, I see and daughters of their my name is correct and families, all warriors so, too, my birthdate, meditating in preparaeven though today my tion for potential battle. vulnerability makes my Each has different lives age seem impossible. outside this room, and My eye lands on a yet, for this discrete photograph taped to occasion, we are the cubicle. It’s a cat connected to each other with its paws dainCarole Vasta Folley in a suspended cosmos tily crossed. I’m not of sisterhood. a cat person, but I’m There’s not a magacharmed, welcoming zine in sight. Perhaps they went the momentary distraction from the way of the pandemic, stripped the mission at hand. The bracelet from the room to prevent the is secured around my wrist and sharing of things touched. It helps I’m asked to take a seat. The create this otherworldliness that initial wait is brief. My name is there’s only me and these women called by someone with a smile on a voyage of silent communion. and I follow them to learn my Whenever staff enters, I look fate. up in expectation. Not so much a It’s requested I undress in a “pick me, pick me,” but more an curtained cubicle from the waist acquiescing to the task at hand. up and am handed a paper bag to store my clothing. I could use the Another woman is called, she takes a deep breath, gathers her available lockers with combithings and follows a gracious nation locks, but as someone guide into the unknown. who regularly forgets their own

In Musing

I become aware of the bromidic background music obviously streamed from some easy-listening station. The genre surely must be a misnomer.

There’s nothing easy about the Eagle’s greatest hits played as if this uncertainty were taking place in an airport lounge with the worst piano bar ever. For distraction, I make a game of name that tune, noting the station has moved onto ruining James Taylor singles. As the lyrics, “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain” cross my mind, the door opens again. This time it is me.

I grab my paper bag, noting my bra is tucked underneath my shirt. I wonder why I hid it? Why this part of our bodies has been hoisted, ranked and mistreated our whole lives? Not just by the

bra, but by society itself.

Nodding to the other women in solidarity, I offer a silent benediction for their own journeys, and follow my technician to the procedure that lies ahead. Like many women, I’ve experienced the relief of benign news. Like many women, I’ve sat in a small room and heard the opposite.

Just recently, there was a possibility of recurrence. This time, the biopsy was negative. I’m to return in six months. I am grateful beyond words, but I can’t stop thinking of my sisters in blue. In this month of pink ribbon awareness, I’m reminded of them along with the gifted people in our very own Breast Care Center who magnify care into a super-powered verb with their every interaction.

When I learned that breast in Old English means “the seat of the emotions,” it caused me to reassess how I want to experience this lifesaving test. As the imaging technology compresses my body to inspect my innermost tissue, I want to look into myself as well. Surely this “seat of emotions” is wanting a peace treaty with my own body. After all, I am tired of requiring more of it. I’m exhausted from holding my image up to the lens of pop-culture (or others) for affirmation. Instead, I’ll look to the sisterhood in blue to remember that we are all beautiful warriors.

Carole Vasta Folley is an award-winning columnist and playwright. Visit carolevf.com for more info.

Letters to the Editor Jewish leaders condemn Burlington protest To the Editor: We, the undersigned leaders of our respective Jewish communities in Vermont, are appalled to see that the Party for Socialism and Liberation would host an event in City Hall Park this Saturday with a call to incite violence against the people of Israel for defending themselves from Hamas.

It is unconscionable for this group and other event co-sponsors to support the terrorist organization Hamas and its compatriots of hatred. In no world is a “counter-offensive by Palestinian resistance forces” comparable to people who use terror and atroc-

ities to advance their political goals.

“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is a statement directly from the Hamas charter and is a call to eradicate any Jewish person living in the land of Israel. This kind of public hatred is unacceptable in our beloved community of Vermont and we stand in firm opposition to its message.

We call upon Party for Socialism and Liberation and all event co-sponsors to immediately condemn terrorism and publicly condemn the atrocities committed

by Hamas in the name of innocent Palestinian people against our Israeli families, friends and allies.

We are praying for peace.

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To the Editor: I want to express my gratitude to the two folks — a woman from Shelburne and a man from Charlotte — who helped to pick me up from a bad fall after missing the curb in front of Walgreens on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

They stayed beside me and ministered to me until the Shelburne ambulance arrived. Kudos to them, too.

Joan Madison Shelburne

The Citizen • October 19, 2023 • Page 7

COMMUNITY Community Notes Free workshop focuses on PFAs in Vermont

las and flan, for both carnivores and vegans — ice cream too. Costumes are optional.

Marguerite Adelman, coordinator of the Vermont PFAS Coalition, offers a free class on PFAS on Monday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m., at Champlain Valley Union High School, 369 CVU Road, Hinesburg.

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of 14,000 man-made chemicals discovered during the Manhattan Project, are persistent, non-biodegradable, bio-accumulative and toxic.

The class will provide information about health problems associated with PFAS, the many products that contain them, and how to research contamination in Vermont and your own community. Finally, the class will provide tips on how to protect yourself and your family from PFAS, and how to find out if PFAS is in our water, blood, soil, air, and products that we purchase.

Adelman, a Winooski resident, is a retired non-profit administrator in education, nonprofits and government.

The class is being offered through Access CVU. Register for the free class at bit. ly/3PHUMrI.

Turkey luncheon set at St. Catherine of Siena

Enjoy Age Well meals at Charlotte Senior Center The Age Well meal pickup for Thursday, Oct. 19, is from 10-11 a.m., Charlotte Senior Center, 212 Ferry Road, and features pork cutlet with peppers and onions in sauce, mashed cauliflower, beets, wheat roll, applesauce and milk.

You must have pre-registered by the prior Monday at 802-425-6345 or meals@charlotteseniorcentervt.org The meal on Thursday, Oct. 26 features beef steak, barbecue sauce, Italian risotto with diced tomatoes and vegetables, Italian vegetables with black beans, berry crisp with cream and milk.

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

Come one, come all to Hinesburg block party Hinesburg’s having a block party and you’re all invited.

On Sunday, Oct. 29, from 3-5 p.m. in Lyman Meadows, enjoy authentic Mexican samosas and tacos, chips and salsa, quesadil-

Charity Sale

25

Saturday, October 21st

% OFF

STOREWIDE

Young and old

St. Catherine of Siena and Age Well are teaming up to offer a Thanksgiving turkey luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16, in the St Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St., in Shelburne.

Check-in time is 11:30 a.m. and the meal will be served at noon. There is a $5 suggested donation. There’ll also be entertainment, 50/50 raffle and door prizes.

The menu is roast turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, carrots, cranberry sauce, wheat roll, pumpkin pie with cream and milk.

Register by Nov. 10 with Kerry Batres, nutrition coordinator at 802-662-5283 or kbatres@agewellvt.org.

Tickets are also available at the Age Well Office, 875 Roosevelt Highway, Suite 210, Colchester.

October programs are plentiful at Charlotte Senior Center The Charlotte Senior Center, 212 Ferry Road, hosts a variety of special events in October. More information at charlotteseniorcentervt.org or 802-425-6345. Some events require registration.

• Play reading with Sue Foley and Wally Gates, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2-4:30 p.m.

This is table-reading fun. No tryouts, no rehearsals, no critical reviews. The group meets monthly and is for people who enjoy reading plays aloud or listening to others perform. Questions? Contact Foley at ssnfoley@icloud.com.

• “The Long Grief Journey” book discussion, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1 p.m.

Grief can be messy and does not follow a specific timeline. Join co-authors Pamela Blair and Bradie Hansen as they discuss their book, “The Long Grief Journey.” Co-sponsored with the Charlotte Library. Registration recommended.

• Internet safety basics, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1-2 p.m.

In this hands-on workshop learn strategies to stay safe when visiting websites and receiving email, what makes a strong password, and how to avoid scams. Registration required.

• Walking and gentle hiking group, Thursday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m., location to be

LEE KROHN PHOTO

A leaf-peeping duo trek through the trails at Shelburne Farms.

determined.

Come walk at a gentle pace with other seniors. The group will meet monthly for a congenial non-strenuous walk. Meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot at Charlotte Senior Center.

Bring sunscreen, bug spray and water. Questions? Contact Penny Burman at 916-7537279.

• AARP Smart Driver course, Thursday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The AARP Smart Driver course is designed especially for drivers aged 50 and older, will help you refresh your driving skills, and may even help you save on your auto insurance. Register by Monday, Oct. 16 as class size is limited to 15. Cost: $25 or $20 for AARP members.

• Annual meeting of the Friends of Charlotte Senior Center, Friday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m.

Join the conversation and hear the highlights of this past year and what’s planned moving forward. Update on financial position and election of board members.

• Kirtan with Heidi Kvasnak and Charlie Nardozzi, Sunday, Oct. 29, 4-6 p.m.

Kirtan is an ancient yoga gathering where musicians play traditional instruments and sing simple chants. Some chants are call and response and others are singalongs. You can also simply sit, listen and enjoy. Song sheets provided. All are welcome and no experience is necessary. Questions? Contact Nardozzi at cnardozzi124@gmail.com. Suggested donation is $5-$15. Register by Friday, Oct. 27.

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Page 8 • October 19, 2023 • The Citizen

garden

real

estate

design

The best local guide to home, design, real estate and gardening

PERMIT

continued from page 1 appeal could help improve the town’s situation.

“I’ve been struggling with whether we just roll over and play dead or we advocate,” Odit told the town selectboard. “We need to try advocating one last time.”

The town has been preparing to build a new wastewater treatment facility on Lagoon Road after receiving the first discharge permit in 2018. Voters in 2020 approved a borrowing capacity of $11.7 million for the new facility by a vote of 1,810 to 98. The town has already spent $2 million on site work at the Lagoon Road site.

At the time of the vote, officials estimated a new facility could be operational by 2025.

But in May this year, the town received three multi-million-dollar bids to build the facility, all well over the borrowing capacity approved by voters.

All three bids were rejected by the selectboard at its June meeting. The facility, as proposed in the bids, would have cost the town well over $20 million.

The town put the facility plans on hold as an engineering firm, Aldrich and Elliot, tries to find alternatives in the facility’s engineering and works to reduce overall costs in the design.

While the need for a new facility will likely remain, Odit said that an appeal could lead to “some sort of negotiated settlement where we get some improvement in the permit,” adding that he has “no intention of this turning into a battle against the railroad and salt sheds.”

“Successful appeals have real value long term,” selectboard member Paul Lamberson said. “It’s not something we just want to walk away from.”

Town attorneys have 30 days from Sept.

27 to file the challenge in court.

During a public hearing on the new permit in June, town officials and other residents pushed back on the new conditions

imposed on the town, arguing that there was not enough — or, in some case, any — field work conducted to determine the permit’s new limits.

The LaPlatte River’s ultimate oxygen demand, for example, was found by the agency to have a lower assimilative capacity based on their modeling. But Randy Bean, a wastewater consultant hired by the town, noted that the agency “didn’t do any field work to confirm their analysis.”

The screening model used by the state “is not an accurate scientific basis for such a reduction nor is it consistent with the agency’s historical use of this type of screening assessment to establish ultimate oxygen demand effluent limitations.”

The state, in written response to comments at the public hearing, said that if the town “believes these data are not representative of the discharge or receiving water, the town may collect or hire a consultant to collect the field data to rerun the … screening model.”

Additional permit stipulations require that the town monitor the river once a month from June 1 through Oct. 31. The town argued that the “burden to undertake this type of sampling falls on the agency to obtain the funding and to train staff to undertake this type of sampling to bolster their programs.”

The town currently has one employee on hand for river sampling and testing. The permit conditions, Odit said, would continue to increase that employee’s workload, “and it’s going to just add to the cost of operating the system, which will then just be passed on to the ratepayers.”

“This project itself, already, just the construction cost of it, is going to impact their rates pretty significantly,” he said.

In its updated permit, the state has required that the town have an operational wastewater treatment facility by Oct. 31, 2027.

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The Citizen • October 19, 2023 • Page 9

‘Home’ is home for bats this Halloween The onset of fall sends Vermont’s bats into motion, which makes it an important time for conservation-minded Vermonters to help conserve the state’s nine native bat species.

If you have noticed bats roosting in your attic, barn or office over the summer, fall and spring are the perfect times to safely evict these uninvited guests from your property. Bats migrate between winter and summer roosts during the fall and spring and do not have vulnerable young at these times.

Learn how to safely evict bats from your building and how to help bat restoration efforts at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website.

Locations with rare colonies of endangered little brown bats are eligible for free bat houses from Vermont Fish and

Wildlife.

Bat houses provide an alternative location for safely evicted bats to remain in your yard and continue eating huge quantities of insects that may be forest, agricultural or human pests.

Variety is important, so placing several bat houses with variable solar exposure to help bats find the right temperature ranges throughout the summer helps bats raise their young successfully.

Bat houses can be put up any time of year but do require some simple maintenance. Late fall or winter is the time to look up inside your bat house and make sure all the bats have left before cleaning out any abandoned wasp nests and performing any needed caulking or repainting.

“Fall also means Halloween, and scary images of bats, but this presents an opportunity to

bring positive attention to bats as well,” Alyssa Bennett, Vermont fish and wildlife small mammals biologist. “We celebrate Bat Week in the days leading up to Halloween.”

Bat Week takes place Oct. 24-31 and aims to raise awareness about the vital ecological functions of bats and to dispel the many myths and misinformation about them.

Anyone interested in learning more can visit the official website, batweek.org, or email alyssa.bennett@vermont.gov.

Bennett will be leading a forest hike to discuss bat habitat and forest management in Bolton on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The hike is hosted

by Women Owning Woodlands and is open to all. Register on the Vermont Woodlands Association Events Page.

CONSULTANT continued from page 1 residents would like to see within connections is probably essen- has ever done and will ultimatethe village centers with the hope tial to actually fulfilling most of ly coincide with the creation of of spurring more the things that the new town plan that will be public engagepeople would introduced in 2025 for adoption “Our town plan ment for those probably say by 2026. who don’t usually they’re going “Our town plan has been based has been based attend municipal to want from largely on a farming community,” meetings. a more dense- planning commission chair Charlargely on a farming When the ly developed lie Pughe said. “Well, there’s no planning commisvillage centered farms left in Charlotte. Other community. Well, sion attempted to in both villag- than a handful of large hay farms, address some of es,” Lewack most of the farming that happens there’s no farms left these issues with said. in town today is done on reladevelopment in A l t h o u g h tively small plots of land. At this in Charlotte.” the past, they’ve Charlotte has point when we rewrite the town been met with undertaken two plan, we’re going to be getting — Charlie Pughe similar stud- into a much bigger conversation opposition by residents.

Two ies in the past, about what does the future of proposed amendments to the this is expected to be the most Charlotte look like? Because I town plan and zoning bylaws extensive bylaw work the town think it’s going to change.” in March 2021 that would have enhanced housing opportunities in the East Village were adamantly rejected by Charlotte voters, which Lewack says underlines a need for a much more intense public engagement process, espe* cially when dealing with development.

“We realized that if we were With significant up front savings, W I L L I S TO N going to bring forward anything you may be able to qualify for more 28 Cottonwood Dr | 802-865-1900 like that, in the future, we really needed to take a couple of steps AND have more resources to better SOUTH BU RLINGTON back and have a much deeper compete in todays market. consultation and engagement 1309 Williston Rd | 802-862-6491 with town residents about what 929 Shelburne Rd | 802-863-3105 they really want to see in our two Stop by your local branch or visit us historic village centers,” Lewack HINESBURG online at cbna.com/noclosingcosts said. “So, that’s the focus of this to learn more.

26 Ballards Center | 802-482-2923 two-year project.”

But with this comes even bigger questions about bringing municipal sewer and water systems to Charlotte.

“Building infrastructure capacity in the form of commu* Certain conditions and restrictions apply. Ask for details.

Member FDIC nity wastewater treatment and water system or water system

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Page 10 • October 19, 2023 • The Citizen

HONORING OUR

VETERANS

On Nov. 9, The Citizen will be honored to publish photos of the men and women who have unselfishly served our country.

Page 14 • November 10, 2022 • Shelburne News

HONORING The Veterans Among Us

If you have a veteran who you would like us to honor, please mail or email your photo and the following information by

ROBERT F. WHITEMAN, SR. U.S. Air Force E6 1959-1979

LORENZO P. BUSHWAY, SR. April 28, 1960 Active Duty: Feb. 1953-Feb. 1955

ROBERT S. BORKOWSKI Sergeant (SFC) Medic VT Army National Guard 1982-2005

PVT. HENRI DE MARNE & PVT. CLAUDE DE MARNE Henri de Marne and his brother Claude, Patton’s 3rd army, WW2, 1944 following French resistance before liberation.

PETER PAUL ZUK U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Served 1955-57 Japan and Korea

DAVID F. LELAND United States Navy Lieutenant WWII 1944-1955

ROLAND W. WILBUR United States Army T/4, 14th Armored Division WW II 1942-46

PERRY D. MELVIN U.S. Navy, HM 3 3rd Marine Regiment Vietnam War

BRUCE NUNZIATA 1st Infantry Vietnam 1967-68

THOMAS C. GIBSON Royal Air Force Squadron Leader 1947-1952, Malaya

MICHAEL W. LYNCH U.S. Navy, Lt.J.G. Civil Engineer Corp 1967-1975 VT Air Guard 1976-1979

PETER GADUE US Army and VTARNG 1970-2009

SHANNON B. BLAKE U.S. Army, Major 1986-2006 Afghanistan War Veteran

DAVID WINER Corporal, Marine Corps March 1944-July 1946 Peleliu Campaign

WILLIAM A. READ JR. U.S. Navy Commander Gunnery Instructor Patrol Squadron 101 Southwest Pacific

THURSDAY, NOV. 2 Please include: • Name of veteran • Branch of service • Rank • Years of service • Town of residence

EMAIL PHOTOS AND TEXT TO: news@thecitizenvt.com OR MAIL TO: The Citizen, P.O. Box 489, Stowe, VT 05672 If you have submitted a photo in a previous year, you do not need to resubmit.

The Citizen • October 19, 2023 • Page 11

SPORTS

CVU girls’ golf team wins state championship LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

After losing by just three strokes at last year’s Division I girls’ state championship, Champlain Valley was determined not to come up short again.

On Oct. 12 in Rutland, the Redhawks did just that, dominating the field to capture the program’s first state championship.

“At Rutland Country Club this year, when the last foursome finished their round, and the scores became official, it was great to see the smiles on the faces of the players,” coach Christopher Hood said.

“It’s a gift when a team can cross the finish line with the championship trophy. It’s not a requirement for a fulfilling season, but it sure does feel good.”

Champlain Valley left no mistake about who was this season’s top team, placing four golfers in the top 10 even though only the top two scores counted.

The Redhawks finished with a 175, 42 strokes ahead of second-place Burr and Burton at 217.

Ryan Sleeper led the pack with an 85, good for second overall, and teammate Stella Rakochy was right behind in third place with a 90. CB Stackpole-McGrath finished in fourth with a 101 and

Rylee Makay was seventh with a 107.

“Any of the four starters could have contributed to the lowest two scores, but on this day these two came through with the lowest two scores,” Hood said. “Starting with long drives off the tee, and finishing with nice touches on the green, Ryan Sleeper shot a 39 after nine holes .. and Stella had a very strong finish to the regular season, and she brings a competitive intensity to any course that she’s on.”

Depth was one of the Redhawks’ strengths this season, with 10 players on the squad and five golfers who could shoot below 50 on a nine-hole course. The team was fortunate to be able to get on the course, driving range and putting green at the Cedar Knoll Country Club regularly, getting in lots of practice and preparing for Thursday’s tournament.

“As rewarding as that is to connect with a beautiful drive, it’s not always necessary depending on the hole and course, especially when you end up out of bounds or in a hazard,” Hood said. “Learning better golf course management has been an area where our players can make some serious improvement.”

With the two top scorers from the championship round returning next season — Sleeper is a junior

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER HOOD

The Champlain Valley Union girls’ golf team decisively won the Division I state championship.

and Rakochy is a sophomore — CVU has high hopes for the program in the future. But Hood is quick to point to the senior leadership of Stackpole-McGrath and Elizabeth Parent as setting the tone for the team both this season

and beyond.

“I really appreciate their leadership, organization and positive vibes,” the coach said. “Starting with our first August practices, our captains and all team members have been supportive, committed

and brought a positive perspective to matches and practices. It’s been an honor to work and play with them. We have confidence we can return next year as a serious contender to defend the title, and bring home a second title.”

Cheer throws for two TDs, team moves to 6-1 LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Football Champlain Valley 49, Colchester 7: The Champlain Valley football team opened a 42-7 lead after the first half as it moved to 6-1 this season.

Quarterback Ollie Cheer threw for 132 yards and two TD passes.

Brian Rutherford had a 37-yard touchdown catch, while Jacob Armstrong grabbed a 22-yard pass for a score. Jacob Bose added

two rushing TDs, while Anderson McEnaney returned a 75-yard kick for a touchdown.

Dylan Frere and Nolan Walpole each added a rushing touchdown.

Girls’ soccer Champlain Valley 2, South Burlington 1: Chloe Pecor scored her 30th goal and the Champlain Valley girls remained undefeated after beating South Burlington on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Pecor scored a goal in each half, with her second tally setting

the 30-goal mark. Rienanna Murray added an assist for the Redhawks, who moved to 11-0.

Anya Johnson earned the win in goal for CVU.

Boys’ soccer Champlain Valley 3, South Burlington 2: Champlain Valley scored with under 2.9 seconds left in regulation to beat South Burlington on Friday, Oct. 13.

Nick Menard scored the game winner for the Redhawks, who moved to 11-1. It was Menard’s second goal of the game. Luke

Sampson added one goal and one assist, while Miles Bergeron and Chandler Turner each chipped in an assist.

Ziggy Babbott made 12 saves in goal for CVU.

Field hockey Champlain Valley 2, Mount Mansfield 0: Two different scorers found the back of the net for the Champlain Valley field hockey team in a win over Mount Mansfield on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Bibi Frechette and Lonne Kolkman each scored for the

Redhawks, who moved to 8-3-1.

Cordelia Thomas and Claire Marcoe each had an assist.

Sophie Comeau stopped two shots to earn the shutout.

Girls’ volleyball Champlain Valley 3, St. Johnsbury 0: The girls’ volleyball team won its ninth game in a row, beating St. Johnsbury 3-0 on Thursday.

The Redhawks won the first See SPORTS WRAP on page 12

Page 12 • October 19, 2023 • The Citizen

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Former World Cup mogul skier Dr. Kelsey Albert, above, has joined our team

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE NOTICE FOR PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING FOR AUSTRALIAN BALLOT ARTICLES TO BE VOTED AT A SPECIAL TOWN MEETING The Selectboard of the Town of Charlotte hereby gives notice that, in accordance with 17 V.S.A. §2680(g), a public informational hearing will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Town Hall, 159 Ferry Road, Charlotte, Vermont, to discuss and hear questions regarding the articles to be voted by Australian ballot at a Special Town Meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Town officials will be present during the public informational hearing to answer questions.

Public may participate in the hearing in person or via electronic means (Zoom)—see the link, phone number and meeting information below. The Zoom link, phone number and meeting information will also be posted on the Town’s website: www.charlottevt.org.

Please contact Nate Bareham or Dean Bloch, Town Administrator (425-3071 ext. 5; or at townadministrator@townofcharlotte.com), with any comments, questions or suggestions regarding the accessibility of this meeting.

Link to join meeting online (via Zoom): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82246907998?pwd=QnVqWUdhMTh0dlFXamN2QnhCYVFRdz09 Phone: 1-929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 822 4690 7998 Passcode: 963551 Please see information for participating in Selectboard meeting by clicking here: https://is.gd/7oPSt6 The following articles are to be voted by Australian ballot at the Special Town Meeting: Article 1: Shall the voters authorize the acquisition of solar energy equipment and its installation on the roof of the Town garage in an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Eighty-two Thousand Five Hundred Ten and 00/100 Dollars ($282,510.00) to be financed with debt instruments other than bonds over a period not to exceed ten (10) years (the “Solar Project”)?

Article II: Shall the Town amend the Town of Charlotte Land Use Regulations at Sections 2.4 (Commercial/Light Industrial District definitions of Permitted and Conditional Uses), 2.5 (Rural District definition of Conditional Uses), 3.12 A) 3) and 6) (Performance Standards), 4.3 (Adaptive Reuse of an Existing Structure), 4.17 (Temporary Structures), 4.20 (Cannabis Establishment) and 10.2 (Definitions) for the purposes of defining “cannabis establishment,” specifying where such operations may be located, and specifying relevant performance standards for the operation of a “cannabis establishment”?

GONZALEZ continued from page 4 Teslas valued at about $607,000 from car dealerships in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Florida and brought across state lines to Vermont in 2018 and 2019.

One Tesla was destroyed during a suspicious fire after he drove it onto a frozen portion of Shelburne Bay on Lake Champlain in February 2019, the U.S. Secret Service said. Gonzalez torched the luxury car when he was unable to sell it, records show.

An insurance claim to GEICO was denied when Gonzalez failed to appear — twice — to give his statement under oath, records show.

Gonzalez, who has lived in South Burlington, Colchester, Hinesburg and Burlington in recent years, was scheduled for a jury trial earlier this year, but he opted to plead guilty to all five felony counts without negotiating a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Each charge carried a possible 10-year prison sentence.

Chief Federal Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford told Gonzalez during the sentencing last week that once he is discharged from prison that he will be under three years of supervised release monitored by the U.S. Probation Office.

Crawford ordered Gonzalez to pay $493,044 in restitution to Tesla. The judge also ordered Gonzalez to forfeit $231,900 to the government for the gross proceeds Gonzalez received from selling three of the stolen cars.

Gonzalez will get credit for about 12 months he has already served in prison, records show.

The chief U.S. Attorney in the case, Michael P. Drescher, sought a prison term of 51 months, while Gonzalez’s defense attorney, Chandler Matson, called for a sentence of time served.

Drescher said Tesla was not the only victim as Gonzalez placed others in danger, including

Shelburne volunteer firefighters who had to go out onto the ice to battle the car fire.

Gonzalez “co-opted a girlfriend he had abused to sign the paperwork” for two of the five fake purchases, Drescher wrote, while three buyers had no idea the cars were obtained fraudulently, and Gonzalez lied repeatedly on forms for the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Gonzalez made initial down payments of $2,500 for each of the five Teslas and then arranged for electronic transfer of funds to cover the balance of each vehicle, but the accounts lacked sufficient money or were from phony accounts. The 20-page indictment maintained an elaborate sequence of events to create the alleged fraud.

He took delivery of each of the five cars before Tesla discovered his failure to complete the final payments. Gonzalez resold or attempted to resell four of the five vehicles.

Gonzalez never received the proper paperwork to resell the fifth car, which later burned on Shelburne Bay.

‘Pizza Boy’ Gonzalez is well known to police in Vermont for a wide range of cases.

The 20-page federal indictment revealed an elaborate sequence of events in the theft of the five Teslas, including Gonzalez’s 2019 sale of one of them to a person in South Burlington. He provided the new owner with the certificate of origin, but never paid Tesla the $141,700 balance.

Gonzalez bought one of the Teslas in Florida but ultimately was never able to get a certificate of origin for the car, and re-sell it.

That’s when he drove the car onto a frozen section of Shelburne Bay, and claimed claimed the car began to hiss and catch fire.

Shelburne firefighters responded but the Tesla was already engulfed in flames.

SPORTS WRAP continued from page 11 set 25-13, the second set 25-14 and the wrapped up the win with a 25-15 victory in the third set.

The Redhawks moved to 10-1 with the win.

Cross country The Champlain Valley boys’ cross-country teams came out on top on Friday in the NVAC Metro Championships at Missisquoi, while the girls came in second.

The boys finished in first place after placing six runners in the top 10. Dan Knight came in first

place overall, while Owen Deale finished in second place. Kody Guiterman came in fourth place, Treason McEnaney was fifth, Ethan Morris finished in sixth and Charles Garavelli rounded in out in seventh.

For the girls, Isabella Gravina-Budis came in second place for CVU. Senja Erickson finished in seventh place, Kate Kogut was 10th and Justyna Amblo finished 12th. Maeve Parker-Clarke and Anna Queiros came in 13th and 14th, respectively.

The Citizen • October 19, 2023 • Page 13

CRIME SPREE continued from page 4 During the investigation in Charlotte troopers from Chittenden County learned about additional incidents in Addison County from trooper Ryan Anthony of the New Haven barracks.

The case soon spread to crimes reported further north in the cities of South Burlington and Burlington, police said.

At least three of the stolen cars were recovered in South Burlington — two at 370 Farrell St. and the other nearby, city police said.

At least seven other motor vehicles were broken into with at

least five having property stolen, police said. Among the items stolen were a .410 shotgun and a bright-orange colored flare gun, police said.

Troopers said on Saturday they anticipated additional victims would come forward in the Charlotte area after owners checked their vehicles.

South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke said the city has seen “an unusually high number of cases” in recent weeks involving larcenies from cars and also in stolen vehicle reports.

Burke said many of the stolen cars were left unlocked outside residences and also had the keys left inside or in the ignition.

Police are urging people not to leave anything of value in motor vehicles whether hidden or in plain view.

The chief said the group suspected in many of the recent South Burlington cases may be tied into the thieves that state police are attempting to identify from the crime spree last weekend.

State police in Williston said

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE, VERMONT SPECIAL TOWN MEETING OFFICIAL WARNING NOVEMBER 7, 2023 The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte, Vermont, are hereby notified and warned to meet at Charlotte Town Hall, 159 Ferry Road in the Town of Charlotte on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, between the hours of seven o’clock (7:00) in the forenoon (a.m.), at which time the polls will open, and seven o’clock (7:00) in the afternoon (p.m.), at which time the polls will close, to vote by Australian ballot upon the following Articles of business: ARTICLE I Shall the voters authorize the acquisition of solar energy equipment and its installation on the roof of the Town garage in an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Eighty-two Thousand Five Hundred Ten and 00/100 Dollars ($282,510.00) to be financed with debt instruments other than bonds over a period not to exceed ten (10) years (the “Solar Project”)?

ARTICLE II Shall the Town amend the Town of Charlotte Land Use Regulations at Sections 2.4 (Commercial/ Light Industrial District definitions of Permitted and Conditional Uses), 2.5 (Rural District definition of Conditional Uses), 3.12 A) 3) and 6) (Performance Standards), 4.3 (Adaptive Reuse of an Existing Structure), 4.17 (Temporary Structures), 4.20 (Cannabis Establishment) and 10.2 (Definitions) for the purposes of defining “cannabis establishment,” specifying where such operations may be located, and specifying relevant performance standards for the operation of a “cannabis establishment”?

(A copy of the Land Use Regulations showing all proposed additions and deletions is available for review at the Town offices and on the Town’s website at www.charlottevt.org.)

The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are further notified that voter qualification, registration, and absentee voting relative to said special meeting shall be as provided in Chapters 43, 51 and 55 of Title 17, Vermont Statutes Annotated.

The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are further notified that an informational hearing will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023, at the Town Offices in the Town of Charlotte and electronically on the Zoom platform beginning at six-thirty (6:30) in the evening (p.m.), for the purpose of explaining the proposed project and the financing thereof. The details concerning access to and participation using the Zoom platform will be specified in the warning for the public informational hearing.

Adopted and approved at a meeting of the Selectboard of the Town of Charlotte duly called, noticed, and held September 25, 2023.

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE SELECTBOARD /s/_________________________ James Faulkner, Chair /s/_________________________ Kelly Devine /s/_________________________ Lewis Mudge

/s/_________________________ Frank Tenney, Vice Chair /s/_________________________ Louise McCarren

Received for record and recorded in the records of the Town of Charlotte on September 27, 2023. /s/_________________________ Mary Mead, Town Clerk

the Charlotte investigation uncovered seven counts of unlawful mischief, five counts of petty larceny from a vehicle, two felony counts of aggravated operation of a vehicle without the owner’s consent, two misdemeanor counts of attempted operation without the owner’s consent, two counts of illegal possession of a credit card, and one count of credit card fraud.

Initial cases reported from

Addison County include one count of felony grand larceny, one felony count of aggravated operation of a vehicle without the owner’s consent and a misdemeanor charge of operation of a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Anyone whose motor vehicle was damaged or who is missing property should contact state police in Williston.

CHARLOTTE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD Will hold a public hearing at Town Hall, 159 Ferry Rd., Charlotte, VT on the following application during its regular meeting of Wednesday, November 8, 2023: 7:05 PM 23-162-VA Ulmer – Variance review to build a garage within the setback at 2225 Spear Street For more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Office at 802.425.3533 ext. 208, or by email at: pza@townofcharlotte.com.

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RABIES BAIT

Health Insurance

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

Acupuncture Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the & Massage brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, Champlainwellness.com but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also 802-989-9031 RABIES BAIT get rabies.

The virus is spread through the Felipe Toro, LAc continued from page 2 VTor contact 527 Ferry Road bite of an infectedCharlotte, animal with its Empowering people to achieve their best health and wellbeing

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Build / Remodel Construction

Page 14 • October 19, 2023 • The Citizen

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The week-long bait drop is a cooperaBrush Vermont Hogging and the U.S. tive effort between Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially Will rototillfatal disease. garden Rabies is a deadly your viral disease of the brain that infects mammals.

It is most often or brush hog seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, your fields. but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies. The virusCall is spread through the Frenchy bite of an infected animal or contact with its

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 Antiques by a rabid animal.

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

Downsizing?

According to wildlife officials, We can help you discover, learn about and sell: rabid WATCHES • JEWELRY • SILVER animals often show• COINS a change in• ARTWORK their normal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at saliva.

IfBittner left rabies is almost alBrian •untreated, 802-489-5210 • info@bittnerantiques.com it. People should not touch or pick up wild Showroom at 2997 Shelburne Rd • Shelburne ways fatal humans andtobaby animals.

However, Open Wed-Fri, with–walk-ins sell everyanimals.

Thursday. animals orin strays even www.bittnerantiques.com treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bittenCollectibles by a rabid animal.

So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont P E positive for rabies, and 14 of haveYtested those have been raccoons.Sports and Buying According to wildlife officials, rabid Collectible R animals often show a change inCards their norC E I L mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether HyperhasRelic an animal rabiesSports simply byCards looking at Bob & Jessica Trautwine it. People should not touch or pick up wild Cell/Txt:or 802-233-1451 • Office: animals strays – even baby802-497-1681 animals.

continued from page 2

SHELBURNE DAY

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Tenney’s BottleSociety Redemption Shelburne Historical will have a

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continued fromBottle pageRedemption 4 bulk bottle returns & bottle drives

display and president Dorothea Penar will Snack Bar • Creamee Window • Hard Ice Cream lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food ven10 Flavors of Milkshakes dors round out the event with everything Propane Fill Station from coffee and lemonade to burgers and Mon.-Sat. 9am-6pm • Closed Sun. creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals 802-425-2180 from Shelburne Farms, projects, and 76 Jackson Hill Roadcraft • Charlotte (at Spear and Hinesburg-Charlotte Rd)

SHELBURNE DAY

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Construction continued from page 4

bu he th Go de from coffee and lemonade to burgers and lan for rates: call 985-3 creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals Ro email advertising from Shelburne Farms,orcraft projects, and • Basement Waterproofing Shelburne Historical Society will have a • Crawl Space Repair display and president Dorothea Penar will • Sump Pump Systems lead a cemetery tour at 1• Foundation p.m. Food venRepair dors round out the event• Egress withWindows everything

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The Citizen • October 19, 2023 • Page 15

Horoscope October 19, 2023

ANSWERS FROM THIS ISSUE

Weekly Puzzles

Page 16 • October 19, 2023 • The Citizen

Pastured Pork

Wholes/Halves • Roasts • Steaks Sausage • Ribs • Bacon • And More

Certified Organic Beef

HEIRLOOM PORK SHOP LeBlanc Family Farm 1547 Hardwick Street East Hardwick Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm

leblancfamilyfarm@emypeople.net

802-595-3607

91 MAIN STREET, STOWE ~ 802.253.3033 STOWE@F ERROJ EWELERS.COM @FERRO_JEWELERS_STOWE ~ FACEBOOK.COM /F ERRO.J EWELERS WWW.F ERROJ EWELERS.COM