The Citizen- 2-29-24

February

A local developer is proposing a new development at 251 Ferry Road near the post office in Charlotte’s West Village — the site that stirred a contentious battle against the Charlotte Family Health Center’s efforts to build a facility at that same property.

Mike Dunbar, who bought the 54-acre property for $500,000 in 2022, is one of the principal owners of Charlotte Crossing, a commercial building that is home to the Backyard Bistro, the Red Onion, Gilded Elephant, Charlotte

Work Club and Junapr.

The project proposes repurposing the existing vacant and dilapidated 4-bedroom single-family house and attached garage on the 24-acre lot into a 3,500-squarefoot office space with 15 employees and 22 parking spaces.

“I don’t know the type of business other than it will be an office space,” project engineer Jacques Larose told the development review board in January. “We have a limited amount of availability on the site as it stands, and I think this is the most efficient use of the available space. I like to think that it’ll look better than this

right now.”

See

Hinesburg residents head to polls for town meeting, face tax hikes

Union High School to discuss items up for voting.

Selectboard candidates

Two Hinesburg selectboard members — Paul Lamberson and Maggie Gordon — are up for reelection to their second terms this year.

Voting will occur via Australian ballot on Tuesday, March 5, but community members will be able to attend the town’s informational meeting on March 4 at 7 p.m., in-person or via remote access, at the Champlain Valley

It is a relatively uncompetitive race — both are running unopposed — so barring a write-in campaign, it seems apparent that the Hinesburg Selectboard will remain the same following Town Meeting Day’s results.

But they’re both running for reelection because, they say, they want to continue contributing and helping in any way they can as the town faces several issues: affordability, development, community policing and other issues.

“There is no end to what there is to learn about running a town,” Gordon said previously. “I just love all the folks I get to meet, and I love being a part of this community. I have been for many

See HINESBURG on page 11

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LIBERTY DARR

STAFF WRITER

news coverage for Charlotte and

BY LEE KROHN Kay Della

Hinesburg residents will have several items up consideration at its town meeting Tuesday, including the town’s $5.4 million budget, as well as two selectboard members up for reelection.

School district keeps budget vote on town meeting ballot

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

School board members with the Champlain Valley School District last week voted to keep a budget vote on the March 5 ballot, declining to take advantage of a new state law allowing districts to push the vote back to rework their budgets amid the current state education chaos.

Districts throughout the state were given the option late last week to postpone their budgets to rework and re-warn them to mesh with H.850, the newest state education finance law that was signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott last week.

The controversial law repeals a key provision that administration officials and school board members in the Champlain Valley had been working with for the better part of three years. When Vermont’s most recent education formula, Act 127, passed in 2022, it allowed for a 5 percent tax rate cap for districts statewide.

Meant to soften the blow for districts that found themselves disadvantaged under the new law — like Champlain Valley — the 5 percent tax cap allowed for a 10 percent per-pupil spending limit, meaning that whether the Champlain Valley school district approved an $88.5 million budget, or a $105.8 million budget would have no difference in its $1.37 tax rate increase, and would cap the tax rate at 5 percent.

But lawmakers, as they began this year’s legislative session, chastised districts in the state that were utilizing the 10 percent spending limit and the 5 percent cap, drawing what they viewed

as excessive funds from the state education fund. Vermont’s education system raises money from town property taxes directly into the state education fund, which then distributes money back to school districts.

H.850 now replaces the 5 percent cap with a discount system limited to districts that lost taxing capacity under the new pupil weighting system.

The Champlain Valley School District is among the most disadvantaged districts under the new weighting system, which seeks to even Vermont’s educational playing field between districts by giving more weight to low-income students, English language learners and students at rural schools.

The Champlain Valley district, which encompasses Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Williston and St. George, lost 17 percent of its weighted pupil share taxing capacity under the law. Only the Norwich School District lost more taxing capacity, according to data published by VTDigger. The North Bennington and Rutland school districts also lost 17 percent.

The Champlain Valley School Board declined to make changes to its $105.8 million budget, instead opting to let the voters decide whether they think the budget was appropriate.

“We do not have the ability as a board to push this budget on anyone. This is the opportunity for the voters to tell us what they think, and that feedback is crucial to us,” Meghan Metzler, the school board’s vice chair and member of its finance committee, said.

Gov. Phil Scott signs law repealing cap on tax increases

ETHAN WEINSTEIN VTDIGGER

Gov. Phil Scott on Feb. 22 signed into law H.850, a bill that repeals a controversial property tax cap and allows school boards to push back budget votes to lower education spending and, in turn, property taxes.

“The changes made in this bill are a necessary step as Vermonters face a projected 20 percent increase in property tax bills, and in some communities, it could be even higher,” Scott wrote in a letter to lawmakers. “But to be clear, this bill does not solve our property tax

problem. These changes will only reduce rates if school boards adjust their budgets accordingly and local voters support those changes.”

The Senate expedited passage of the bill, which it sent to the governor on Feb. 21.

Lawmakers called the “time-sensitive” bill, H.850, a “Band-Aid” in addressing property taxes. But in a spirited floor session last week, many acknowledged the changes wouldn’t be enough.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden Central, said the Legislature would need to come up with “groundbreaking” new ways to contain

public education costs this year. H.850 would repeal the 5 percent homestead tax rate increase cap created by Act 127 — Vermont’s most recent education funding law — and replace it with a tax discount system limited to districts that lost taxing capacity under the new pupil weighting system created by the law. The bill also would allow school districts to alter their budgets as lawmakers hope removing the property tax cap would spur school boards to remove spending, thus lowering property taxes.

School district leaders say the spending increases are needed to maintain the status quo due to inflation, rising staff health care costs and teacher salaries and the increased needs of Vermont’s children, an increasing number of whom are struggling with mental health challenges.

Compared to other U.S. states, Vermont ranks at or near the top in terms of public education spending per student and student-to-staff ratios.

Earlier this year, legislators grew concerned that Act 127’s tax increase cap was encouraging districts to add extra money to their budgets, calling it an “unintended consequence.”

Scott’s finger-pointing at lawmakers has become a repeated refrain as Vermonters face a projected average property tax increase of 20 percent, driven by a predicted 15 percent increase in

PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, speaks as the committee takes testimony on a proposed wealth tax bill at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Jan. 30. See

Charlotte will determine fate of town manager question

LIBERTY DARR

STAFF WRITER

Although it was originally planned that Charlotte would revert to a traditional Town Meeting Day floor vote, after some resident push-back, the selectboard ultimately decided to stick with an Australian ballot vote once again this year.

Voters will decide whether to switch to a town manager form of government and approve both town and school spending plans.

Polls are open on March Town Meeting Day, Tuesday, March 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Charlotte Town Hall.

Town budget

As in years past, the ballot separates the municipal budget and the one associated with Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services. Together the two budgets total $4.2 million.

The town budget is $3.25 million of which $1.54 million would be raised by property taxes and more than $1.71 raised through non-tax revenues.

The largest increase comes with the 49 percent increase in the town’s debt service, mostly allocated for the new town garage and solar installation, which is expected to power most town buildings going forward.

Town Clerk Mary Mead confirmed that the tax rate associated with the budget as it stands right now would be 18.35 cents. The municipal tax rate for the current year is 18.04 cents.

Fire and rescue

Residents are being asked to approve spending $989,087

H.850

continued from page 2

education spending.

The law will also allow school districts to push back budget votes until April 15, as lawmakers hope removing the property tax cap will spur school boards to remove spending. Many districts had planned to put budgets in front of voters on Vermont’s Town Meeting Day, which this year is March 5.

It remains to be seen how much money districts might take out of their proposed budgets with H.850’s prompting. Lawmakers in both chambers have also signaled they will consider increasing revenue sources to the education fund, which would also reduce property taxes.

for Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, a 2.4 percent increase over last year as expenses for the department are anticipated to increase 2.8 percent.

“That’s a product of wages and payrolls and employee benefits moving up about 6 percent each,” president John Snow said at an informational meeting Monday night. “Those two line items, wages, payroll and benefits are about 75 percent of our budget.”

Residents will also be asked to approve a bond vote for $365,000 for the replacement of the 2014 ambulance.

“We have for some time followed the practice of staggered replacement of the two ambulances, one every five years in order to keep a relatively new and well-functioning one on the front line,” Snow added.

School budget

In an unprecedented school budget year with new legislation around state education funding, most Charlotte residents can expect their school tax bills to go up.

The Champlain Valley School District unanimously approved $105 million in spending, with a hefty tax increase expected for Charlotters. (See related story on page 2)

The fiscal 2025 budget marks a roughly $10 million increase in spending from the current year’s $96 million budget and reflects significant increases in contractually negotiated salaries and benefits, and a double-digit increase in health insurance premiums.

This year’s budget estimated 7.5 percent more in spending and was driven by similar factors, like

salary increase obligations and health insurance costs.

Additionally, residents will be asked to approve a $3.5 million bond to complete previously approved infrastructure projects.

The bond, if approved, would go toward financing a list of capital improvement projects throughout the district’s schools. Residents gave the green light for the projects in March 2022 when they approved $7.5 million bond. But local market pressures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic drove costs up and slowed down the shipment of goods and materials, district officials said.

Residents will also be asked to approve the current fund balance of $3.2 million to be allocated for future revenue costs. The district is also seeking $395,000 for the purchase of three new buses.

Town manager petition

The hot-ticket item on everyone’s mind is whether the ballot to switch to a town manager form of government will pass.

The discussion began last year when a group of residents petitioned to switch the town’s governance model to a town manager form of government after news that former town administrator, Dean Bloch, was retiring.

All year long, the topic has led to heated exchanges at selectboard meetings and public hearings.

School board race

From Charlotte, Meghan Metzler, the current vice chair on the school board and a member

See CHARLOTTE on page 11

Future cost containment measures were actively discussed on Tuesday in the Senate Committee on Finance, as Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, and Sen. Thomas Chittenden, D-Chittenden Southeast, mulled ideas like capping spending or increasing the staff-to-student ratio in schools.

Senators homed in on the complexity of Vermont’s education finance system, which some suggested required systemic reform in order to simplify.

Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin, advocated for bringing back a tax commission that could study Vermont’s taxes as a whole, thinking about potential changes holisti-

cally rather than piecemeal.

He called Vermont’s current tax system “convoluted” and “difficult to understand,” noting that even senators struggle to explain the workings of education finance.

Like Brock, Sen. Russ Ingalls, R-Essex, the only vocal opponent to H.850, called for simplicity.

Act 127 “was really well thought out,” Ingalls said, yet the Legislature “failed so miserably” and “caused so much confusion” that it hadn’t anticipated.

“I can’t go home and tell everybody what we did, what we didn’t do,” Ingalls said, citing the opaqueness of the funding system.

“I just think that we need to be better.”

Hinesburg Police Blotter: Feb. 19-26

Total incidents: 30

Arrests: 1

Feb. 19 at 6:54 p.m., police investigated suspicious activity on Hillview Terrace.

Feb. 20 at 6:45 p.m., an officer assisted first responders with a medical emergency on Route 116.

Feb. 21 at 9:20 a.m., an officer responded to a motor vehicle crash on Commerce Street.

Feb. 21 at 12:48 p.m., police investigated an animal complaint on Ballard’s Corner Road.

Feb. 21 at 1:55 p.m., a citizen was assisted with a civil issue on Hillview Terrace.

Feb. 22 at 4:45 p.m., an officer responded to Lincoln Hill Road for the report of livestock in the roadway.

Feb. 22 at 5:15 p.m., officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Hillview Terrace.

Feb. 23 at 2:58 p.m., police investigated suspicious activity on Green Street.

Feb. 23 at 7:54 p.m., police investigated suspicious activity on Hillview Terrace.

Feb. 26 at 12:05 p.m., police investigated a motor vehicle complaint on Hillview Terrace.

Feb. 26 at 2:03 p.m., an officer investigated a parking problem reported on Kelley’s Field Road.

Feb. 26 at 9:18 p.m., an officer responded to Lincoln Hill Road to investigate a suspicious vehicle. Kyle Bent, 23 of Hinesburg, was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants.

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

The Citizen

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Fire drill

News from Carpenter-Carse Library

69 Ballards Corner Road, Hinesburg.

802-482-2878, carpentercarse.

org To register, reserve books or for more information, reach out to library@carpentercarse.org.

Weekly storytime

Tuesdays in March, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts.

Monthly fiber arts club

Friday, March 8, 3:15-4:30 p.m.

Club for students in grades three to seven. Ever wanted to learn how to knit, crochet, needle felt, embroider and sew? Want to come and share skills you already have others? Sign up at the circulation desk or contact jen@carpentercarse.org.

Saturday storytime and craft

Saturday, March 9, 10-10:30 a.m.

Stories, crafts and singing for young children and their caregivers. Coffee, snacks.

Pokemon club

Wednesdays, March 13, 20 and 27, 2:15-3:30 p.m.

On Wednesdays through April 3, students in kindergarten to grade four play the Pokemon Trading Game and participate in hands-on

arts and craft challenges, group guessing and memory games, making snacks, and trading cards. Registration required; contact jen@ carpentercarse.org.

Family movie Friday

Friday, March 15, 3:30-4:45 p.m.

Popcorn available or bring your own snacks. Not a drop-off event.

Read to a dog

Saturday, March 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Practice your reading skills with Taffy, the very huggable cockapoo. Email Jen (jen@carpentercarse. org) or sign up at the circulation desk.

See CARPENTER-CARSE on page 16

News from Charlotte Library

115 Ferry Road, Charlotte. 802-425-3864. Register at charlottepubliclibrary.org or info@ charlottepubliclibrary.org.

More information and links can be found on the library website.

ONGOING

Preschool free play

Wednesdays in March, 10-11 a.m.

Kids explore the sensory table, sorting, playing with blocks, play dough and more. Ages 2 and over.

Babytime

Thursdays in March, 9-10 a.m.

Unstructured hour for parents, caregivers and babies to play and chat. Explore books and toys and general conversation. Birth to 18 months.

Preschool storytime

Fridays in March, 10-11 a.m.

Preschool stories, crafts and activities. No registration required. Age 2 and over.

Let’s Lego

Saturdays, March 9, 16, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Drop-in for free play. For all ages. Those under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Vermont furbearer display

Thursday, March 7, all day

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department in-depth display of Vermont’s furbearing animals, such as mink, beaver, fisher and red fox. The display will include pelts, skulls, track sets, scat sets and track field guides.

See

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

At the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services open house on Saturday.

Lawmakers must put right equalized student formula

Guest Perspective

Matt Wormser

In 2022 Vermont passed Act 127, with the laudable intent of continuing the state’s commitment to providing a quality education to Vermont kids regardless of zip code. Based upon the impact to school spending and tax rates, the results have been a budgetary disaster.

Education taxes for most Champlain Valley School District communities, where I live, will be up as much as 26 percent, for a proposed budget that is up over 10 percent. A similar story is playing out statewide.

I consider myself an advocate for public education, having volunteered for years at our local parent-teacher association, and served on the school board. I have two kids who spent their K-12 years at Champlain Valley district schools and were very well served there. But I am also passionate about ensuring that Vermont is an affordable place to live for my kids when they hopefully return to Vermont, and with a relatively high cost of living, and among the highest overall tax burdens nationally, there is a finite ability for us to raise additional revenues.

Housing costs drive up the cost of everything from child care to the cost of a Friday night pizza and that means we need to pay staff more than in other parts of the state for the same standard of living. Unfortunately, it is primarily those higher-cost districts that are penalized the most by Act 127.

education are ones we can’t invest in affordable housing, expanded drug treatment, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, climate mitigation or any of a host of other critical priorities. While there is never an absolute either-or tradeoff in public investments, the budget balancing math is ultimately fixed.

The question is what the right amount of school spending is. Based upon U.S. Department of Education data for the 2020-2021 school year, we’re second only to New York among states in per-pupil spending, are roughly 22 percent higher than New Hampshire and Maine, and 50 percent higher than the national average. I am happy to see us investing in our kids, but at this point we are clearly not underinvesting relative to other states.

Are Vermont students achieving significantly higher results for that investment? Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Assessment of Educational Progress, our fourth-grade reading, and math scores are now statistically identical to the national average, though we happily fare better at the eighth-grade level.

What’s wrong with Act 127?

boards to increase budgets statewide by 10 percent, by ensuring that whether a district increased spending by between 5 percent and 10 percent there would be no penalty for overspending. School boards responded to that incentive and warned their budgets accordingly.

The Senate has now approved H.850, which backs out that incentive, but with the months of planning that have gone into budgets on the part of local boards, many districts, Champlain Valley School District included, are proceeding with their initial budgets.

Second, the updated equalized pupil formula in Act 127 used to determine appropriate spending levels does not take statewide cost of living differences into account, simply assuming instead that it costs more to educate students in rural areas, in small schools, and in districts with a relatively high proportion of English language learners or high poverty rates.

The problem is that in Chittenden County, where a high percentage of Vermont students live, the median house costs two to three times more than in rural parts of the state. Housing costs in turn drive up the cost of everything from child care to the cost of a Friday night pizza and that means we

need to pay staff more than in other parts of the state for the same standard of living. Unfortunately, it is primarily those higher-cost districts that are penalized the most by Act 127.

Where do we go now?

We need to correct the equalized student formula. If equalized students are going to remain as a driver in Vermont education funding, it needs to accurately reflect the cost of living within a district. The 17 percent cut in student weightings that Act 127 brought to our district will directly hurt our students, and in no way reflects the cost of educating our students relative to lower cost areas of the state.

• School consolidation: While earlier education reform efforts consolidated school districts at the administrative level, much more work needs to be done to drive further administrative efficiencies, and yes, school consolidation as well.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Vermont had over 102,000 students in the year 2000. We were down to 83,000 students last year and

See WORMSER on page 6

At this point, dollars we spend on

First, the Legislature, in effect, created a strong incentive for local school

Charlotte fire, rescue needs your help

To the Editor:

This year Charlotte voters are being asked to consider two Town Meeting Day articles that are vital to the support of Charlotte’s fire and rescue capabilities. One, article 3, is the appropriation request for Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services. The other, article 7, is to approve funding for a replacement ambulance.

The sums are significant, and people could be excused for wanting to resist an increase — any increase — even one as modest as our 2.4 percent appropriation request. But before making that decision, we ask you to understand the precarious nature of emergency services in Vermont these days and be aware that the continuity of local services hangs in the balance.

Emergency response throughout the country, and especially in this region, is seriously constrained by the dramatic decline in volunteers. This is part of a long-term national trend and Vermont is no exception. The day

of the volunteer ambulance crew is over.

We have moved to a fully paid staff for our ambulance and other Vermont agencies are in the process of moving that same way. This puts us all in competition for a very short supply of licensed, professional EMS crew members.

Nationally, the turnover for ambulance staff is now 36 percent per year. Unfilled positions average 30 percent for most agencies, and that includes ours. This means our most critical activity is the never-ending effort to recruit and retain qualified staff.

To keep staffing at an acceptable level we must be able to offer prospective employees a competitive compensation package, good working conditions and high-quality equipment. Article 3 maintains our operating plan and is focused on the recruitment and retention of professional staff.

Article 7 supports our commitment to the timely replacement of aging equipment. By supporting these measures, we send the message to all staff, paid and volunteer alike, that their efforts are valued by the community.

Letters to the Editor

Despite many challenges, our fire and rescue team has performed extremely well. We have maintained an enviable record of timely and professional response to the many emergency needs in our community. Please help us sustain that ability with your financial and moral support.

Vote yes on articles 3 and 7.

John Snow President

Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, Inc.

Affordable housing vital to state’s prosperity

To the Editor:

Vermont is facing an epidemic: a lack of affordable housing.

Families in this state, particularly low-income families and families of color, are struggling to make ends meet and are often living in substandard housing conditions.

This has led to a rise in houselessness, cost-burdens on families and out-migration from the state. All these things threaten the future of the state’s economy and

Senator focuses on housing, kids code

From the Senate

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Children truly are our future, and it is our duty to invest in them and support their health and well-being. I felt strongly about meeting the needs of children before, but it hits closer to home now that I am the mother of a 10-month-old who lights up our lives. That is why three of my biggest priorities this session are affordable housing, baby bonds and a Vermont Kids Code.

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

As chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs, I am proud we recently passed a robust affordable housing bill, S.311, with a unanimous vote. It promotes multifamily housing and first-generation homeownership through changes to Act 250, municipal zoning and critical state investments.

It now has several more stops in the Legislature to balance housing and conservation interests, but I am also proud to have the support

of Gov. Phil Scott for this tri-partisan legislation. We also must remember that reducing the property tax burden while maintaining quality education is best achieved by growing the grand list, and that means housing all Vermonters.

It has been a privilege to work with Vermont state treasurer Mike Pieciak on a financial tool that has real potential to close the wealth gap in this state and country. We have been working with national scholars and leaders who have crafted the social policy of baby bonds, which would invest $10,000 in all children born into Medicaid-eligible families. The money is deposited into an interest-bearing account that young people can access to pay for housing, education, training or a business to give them the best possible opportunity to build wealth early in life.

We currently cannot expect the same of social media platforms, even though they are far more regulated in the United Kingdom and European Union. This would give our kids the same digital protections here in Vermont.

tisan movement to regulate online platforms so that they protect children’s privacy and well-being. As a new mom, I expect everything from my daughter’s car seat to crib to learning materials to be making her healthier and safer, not harming her. We currently cannot expect the same of social media platforms, even though they are far more regulated in the United Kingdom and European Union. This would give our kids the same digital protections here in Vermont.

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns. It is a privilege to serve you.

well-being.

According to the Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak, the No. 1 reason that people are leaving the state is due to housing.

Our state has a lack of housing options available for young people who want to start their families and careers in the state. Habitat for Humanity estimates that there is currently a lack of over 7,500 units on the housing market for prospective buyers and renters.

For those looking to buy a home, the cost burden is often too high, and lower-income individuals are priced out. Without a stable, decent home, these families are missing out on opportunities to build wealth and contribute to the state’s economy.

Research has shown a correlation between homeownership and increased wealth, with each year of homeownership tending to be associated with an additional $9,500 in net wealth, on average, according to Habitat for Humanity.

WORMSER

continued from page 5

are projected to continue to lose roughly 1 percent of students per year into the future. There have been no corresponding efforts at school consolidation to right size for a smaller school-aged population, and that needs to change.

Smaller schools are far more expensive to run on a per-pupil basis, and Act 127 expands incentives to avoid necessary consolidation decisions. Those incentives need to be removed. Roughly a quarter of Vermont’s 290-or so public schools have entire grades averaging 15 students or fewer, limiting educational resources for the affected kids, and driving up costs for the system as a whole.

• Administrative efficiencies: Vermont’s population is roughly that of a mid-sized U.S. city, and we need to look to where we can drive administrative efficiencies. Our school administration costs per pupil are the highest among states, and driving more administrative functions to larger entities can help reduce this. This could mean having the state department of education take on a larger role in special education, human resources, curriculum development, transportation or any of a host of high dollar services normally managed at either the school or district level.

Children of homeowners tend to transition to homeownership earlier, lengthening the period over which they can accumulate wealth, and they have homeownership rates 25 percentage points higher than the rate of children of renters.

In recent months we have seen steps toward much-needed change in this state, such as the passage of the HOME Act last year. These laws make it easier for developers and nonprofit developers to build more housing with higher densities.

But we must do more. We need to make progress, so our state can be a place where its residents can afford a safe, decent place to live. This election season, vote with affordable housing in mind.

Ted Johnson

Shelburne

Johnson serves on the board of directors of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity and was its past president.

Finally, I am proud to be the lead sponsor on the Vermont Kids Code, as part of a national, bipar-

Kesha Ram Hinsdale, a Democrat from Shelburne, serves the towns of South Burlington, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Milton, Burlington, St. George, Westford, Underhill, Jericho, Richmond, Winooski, Williston, Essex and Bolton in the Legislature.

• Facilities investments: Ironically, despite relatively high overall education spending, we’re among the bottom among states in investing in school facilities. Most states provide cost-sharing funds for school construction and renovation; Vermont does not. Statewide

school construction aid could be tied to consolidation efforts, with construction aid only going to schools above a certain class-size threshold.

• Re-link local decision-making to local tax rates: A revised education formula could set a baseline per-pupil spending level; for example, the New England per pupil average, and have the education fund ensure funding to that level. If communities want to invest beyond that their tax rates would rise in direct proportion to that. One of my frustrations as a school board member was that local spending decisions were so indirectly linked to ultimate tax rates, which is a problem Act 127 has made substantially worse.

So, what do we do this year?

The Legislature has indicated that education funding, and yes spending levels, is a top priority, and that additional legislation is under discussion. That unfortunately is little comfort to voters heading to the voting booths in the near term to decide on school budgets. It is clear that a major reassessment of how we fund education is in order, with a necessary focus on reducing overall system costs. We likewise need a critical focus on ensuring we’re achieving the results our kids deserve from those investments, and how we achieve a balance between education and other essential needs for the state into the future.

Matt Wormser is a member of the Shelburne Selectboard.

Groups differ on approach to wildlife management

S.258 will finally provide acceptable representation on state wildlife board

Guest Perspective

Brenna Galdenzi

The values that the public holds toward wildlife are broken out in four different categories: traditionalists, mutualists, pluralists and distanced. Traditionalists tend to view wildlife as resources for the taking, while mutualists seek coexistence and place greater value on protecting wildlife.

Pluralists prioritize these two values differently depending on the specific context. Those that are distanced are largely uninterested. Results from a Vermont study titled “America’s Wildlife Values,” conducted by Colorado State University, revealed that the highest percentage of Vermonters hold a mutualist perspective, followed by pluralist, with traditionalist being second to last.

Mutualists represent only 5 percent of the staff at the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. Despite the reality that Vermonters’ values toward wildlife have changed to want greater protections, the department and its board have remained stuck in the past. This has grave implications for the public, our shared wildlife and conservation.

The voices of wildlife advocates should matter. However, we have witnessed increased polarization spurred by the very state agency and its board that are tasked with protecting wildlife for the people of Vermont. They continue to draw a political line in the sand and have attempted to discredit, demean and demoralize the wildlife advocacy community and anyone who disagrees with their steadfast support of trapping.

Despite Protect Our Wildlife representing thousands of Vermonters from Bloomfield to Brattleboro, including over 30,000 social media followers, the values of wildlife advocates continue to be devalued and disparaged.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff were predominantly featured in a recent pro-trapping propaganda hit piece produced by a non-profit trapping organization. Fish and Wildlife staff accused the very public — that they are statutorily required to serve — as lying and painted us unfairly as villains. We are biologists, teachers, mothers, fathers and respectful

members of the community who have tried desperately for years to collaborate and work with fish and wildlife leadership, only to be marginalized.

We host educational events at schools, kids’ camps and libraries trying to fill some of the educational gaps that fish and wildlife has ignored, including addressing the gross misunderstanding toward coyotes that leads to wanton killing. We pride ourselves on being a fact-based, credible organization, yet the powerful state agency continues to use its bully pulpit to target all-volunteer, grassroots nonprofits who have differing values.

The commissioner routinely talks about the need to follow the science, yet he has no background in the sciences. In the pro-trapping propaganda piece, he parroted scientifically unsupported claims about coyotes in his support of recreational trapping. His own employee, who oversees the trapping division, actually criticized some of the content in this pro-trapping piece for unnecessary fearmongering and scare tactics.

Why is it acceptable for this all-powerful state agency to continue operating like a private game club, especially given the fact that more and more of their budget comes from the general fund that we all pay into? License fees have declined significantly, but fish and wildlife still refuses to open up the door to the club to those who might otherwise be interested in partnering and helping to augment their funding.

Why did it take an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization to sue the department for its failure to meet legislative mandates?

The legislature is aware of changing wildlife values and the need to modernize this broken system of wildlife governance by updating antiquated and ecologically unsound statutes and instituting measures to promote diversity, inclusion and better democracy. It may take years before we see a properly functioning department, one that respects all members of the public and does more than pay lip service.

The time is now with Senate bill S.258.

Brenna Galdenzi is president and co-founder of Protect Our Wildlife, an advocacy group based in Stowe.

S.258 is a Trojan horse; won’t protect wildlife management in Vermont

Guest Perspective

John Gonter

Some would have you believe that Vermont is at a turning point where change is needed in how wildlife is managed. They say that Vermont Fish and Wildlife should be administered consistently with other state departments. They argue that trapping, hounding and hunting over bait violate property rights and endanger people and pets.

These advocates use angry and emotional rhetoric in meetings and on the internet to press their case. Somehow, they ignore the truth that human development and our vehicles harm far more wildlife, people and pets than all hunting, hounding and trapping combined.

Bill S.258 is an effort to bureaucratize and move binding authority for fish and wildlife management of Vermont from the citizens of Vermont to the government. It is key to know that the legislative branch once held this authority. Due to the decline in expertise in fish and wildlife conservation within the Legislature, the state gave the authority to private citizens on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife board who represent the interests of anglers, hunters and trappers within their county of residence.

Know that the funding for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife department is completely unique among government departments. The majority of the budget comes from federal funds based on excise taxes paid by anglers, hunters and shooters.

A key reason why Vermont has a private board is to keep government from controlling wildlife management that is funded by a subset of taxpayers. The private board best represents the interests of those who pay for most of the funding. It is important to understand the North American Wildlife model and how it supports the current management of fish and wildlife in Vermont.

S.258 seeks to ban coyote hunting over bait and with dogs. These are two effective methods for coyote management at both the local and state level. While coyotes are intriguing animals, and have value to the Vermont biota, they are an invasive species that came to Vermont due to the extirpation of wolves and catamounts by humans.

While their effect on valuable livestock may be limited, they prey on native species like gray squirrel, grouse, wild turkey, mice and voles. These are primary food sources for owls, hawks, fox, fisher and pine marten.

Due to human development, all these species suffer from habitat-related pressures. As a result, humans must actively manage wildlife to balance our impact. Coyotes continue to have healthy populations throughout the state, but farmers and landowners need to be able to control coyote populations locally.

Do not support bill S.258. It is the most damaging proposed bill against anglers, hunters and trappers that the Legislature has proposed in recent years. If you read the text of the bill, you will see language that mimics the terminology that advocates use in their PR. Phrases like “best science,” “non-consumptive use” and “co-existence with wildlife” do not belong in Vermont’s statutes.

S.258 would be a regression in the public-private management structure and laws that protect fish and wildlife management in Vermont. It is a Trojan horse that will take powers from citizens with expertise and give it back to the Legislature who were previously honest in admitting their lack of knowledge in fish and wildlife management.

John Gonter, a former longtime Burlington resident, teaches cooking, foraging, fishing and hunter safety, and volunteers as an instructor with Vermont Fish and Wildlife and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. He lives in Farmington, Maine.

COMMUNITY

‘Into the Woods’ Community Notes

March programs at Charlotte Senior Center

For more details, go to charlotteseniorcentervt.org or call 802-425-6345.

• Ongoing: “Farm & Field” by Margaret McSwain. The series is based on capturing the essence and beauty of Charlotte landscapes, farming spaces and locally grown food. As an oil painter, McSwain is drawn to the pastoral scenes and subtle differences in light and seasonal changes on the land.

• Friday, March 1, 1 p.m.: 2024 total solar eclipse presentation. Free, registration appreciated.

Bridget Kimsey, a NASA solar system ambassador from South Burlington, presents this program for all ages with handson activities. Co-sponsored with Charlotte Library.

• Sunday, March 3, 1-3 p.m., shapenote singing. Free, no registration.

Traditional a capella, four-part harmony sung for the joy of singing. Introduction to shape notes and scales is recommended and offered 30 minutes before each singing. Contact Kerry Cullinan at kclynxvt@ gmail.com to schedule.

• Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27: AARP free tax preparation. Appointments available between 1-4 p.m. Registration required.

• Wednesdays, March 6 to April 10, 5-6 p.m.: Spring into Meditation with Charlie Nardozzi. $60, registration required.

Nardozzi recently returned from a month-long retreat at a meditation center in northern India where he spent dedicated time meditating, walking, chanting, discussing and enjoying the mountains. Hybrid class; join in-person or on Zoom. Contact Nardozzi with questions at cnardozzi124@gmail.com.

• Thursdays in March, 1-2 p.m.: “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus book discussion. Free, registration required.

Elizabeth Zott is a gifted research chemist whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show. Co-sponsored with the Charlotte Library.

• Friday, March 8, 7 a.m.: men’s breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Suggested donation, $6.

Speaker this month is Chris Emberley, who was raised in the towns of Shelburne and Charlotte. He works in the biopharmaceutical industry where he holds a key role as a technology leader. Register at lmorrison@ gmavt.net before Tuesday, March 5.

• Wednesday, March 13, 9 a.m.: birding expedition with Hank Kaestner. Free, registration required.

Join Kaestner, an avid bird watcher, and learn to identify various bird species and habitats in Vermont.

• Thursday, March 14, 5-6 p.m., Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group. On Zoom or in-person.

Monthly support group on the second Thursday of each month. Contact Susan Cartwright at cartwright.susan1@gmail. com.

• Thursday, March 14, 1 p.m.: HomeShareVT. Free, registration appreciated.

Join Ric Cengali to find out more whether home sharing is right for you. Light refreshments provided.

• Thursday, March 21, 1 p.m.: Vermont Association Blind & Visually Impaired. Free, registration appreciated.

Dan Norris, director of adult services at the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, will share both hightech and no-tech solutions to help navigate vision loss.

• Thursday, March 21, 1-3:30 p.m.: play reading. Free.

Join Sue Foley and Wally Gates for 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. Contact Foley at ssnfoley@ icloud.com.

• Thursday, March 28, 9 a.m.: walking/gentle hiking group. Registration required, free.

Walk at a gentle pace with other seniors. Group meets each month for a congenial non-strenuous walk. Location to be determined. Meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the center.

• Thursday, March 28, 1 p.m.: Hiking the Long Trail, Free, registration appreciated.

Can you imagine hiking 280 miles in 19 days? Have you ever been curious about hiking the Long Trail and what’s involved? Join Charlotte resident Carrie Fenn as she talks about her solo adventure hiking the Long Trail.

Help re-envision

Charlotte’s villages

Charlotte’s East and West Villages Project kicks into high gear this month, with two opportunities for residents to influence the shape of things to come.

Share your likes and dislikes for what types of housing, businesses, transportation, parking, community spaces and wayfinding could enhance Charlotte’s two historic village centers in an online visual preferences survey. Access the link at bit. ly/Villages_visual_preference_survey.

Second, a community design workshop will be held on Saturday, March 16 at the Charlotte Congregational Church, from 9 a.m. to noon. All are welcome.

Use your design and community-building skills to guide plans for development in Charlotte’s East and West villages. Coffee, pastries and child care will be provided. RSVP for child care by March 14 to townplanner@townofcharlotte.com.

The project steering committee welcomes ideas, feedback and your inspi-

a journey to reverse the curse and bump into fairytale legends, Cinderella and Jack. It’s a dynamic performance with singing, dancing and storytelling with over 35 students involved in the show. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., Sunday’s show is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adult, $10 for seniors, $5 for students, and children under 11 get in free. Above, Rice

ration. To learn more, visit bit.ly/Charlotte_Villages_project. Sign up to receive project updates at bit.ly/Sign_up_for_notifications.

For more information, contact Larry Lewack, town planner, at 802-425-3533, ext. 206.

Egg My Yard supports UVM Children’s Hospital

The Zeta Pi community sorority, Vermont Chapter, is hosting an Egg My Yard fundraiser to benefit The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital.

Order candy-filled eggs to be delivered to your front yard the night before Easter. The cost for 12 eggs is $15; 24 eggs, $25; 48 eggs, $40; and 96 eggs, $50.

Orders are due Monday, March 18.

To order email Amanda Zetapi at amanda.zetapi@gmail.com.

Burlington Civic Symphony holds spring concert

The Burlington Civic Symphony presents its spring concert on Saturday, March 9, at 7 p.m., in the Elley-Long Music Center in Colchester.

The program features Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” and Felix

Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 (“The Reformation”).

Orchestra’s music director, Daniel Bruce, conducts. For information and tickets, go to bcsovt.org.

Tickets are $20 for adult, $15 for seniors and $10 for children and students.

Enjoy Age Well meals at Charlotte Senior Center

The Age Well meal pickup for Thursday, March 7, is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center features stuffed chicken, gravy, mashed red potatoes, French green beans, wheat dinner roll, butter, apricots with vanilla yogurt and milk.

You must pre-register by the prior Monday at 802-425-6345 or meals@charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

The meal on Thursday, March 14, features beef round, boiled potatoes, cabbage and carrots in beef stock, wheat roll, butter, leprechaun cake with frosting and milk.

The meal on Thursday, March 21, features roast pork with sauce, mashed yams, peas and onions, wheat bread with butter, oatmeal, raisin cookie and milk.

The suggested donation is $5. Check the website for last-minute cancellations at bit.ly/3FfyLMb.

COURTESY PHOTO Rice Memorial High School students will perform three shows of the musical, “Into the Woods,” on March 15-17 at Christ the King School in Burlington. “Into the Woods” is an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. The story follows a baker and his wife who want to have a child but are thwarted by a witch’s curse. The two set off on

Memorial High School junior Lili Diemer of Shelburne is one of the leads in the school’s upcoming musical production.

Shelburne Pediatrics closes after 35 years

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

For many families in Shelburne and surrounding areas over the last 35 years, stepping into Jeanne Kellner’s pediatric office felt a little bit like coming home.

Set on the second story of an old farmhouse, the office is bright and quaint with cozy carpets, making the waiting area a perfect place for kids visiting for their yearly checkup to break out a new coloring book or toy set that Kellner keeps stocked in the corner.

But come March 15, Kellner is hanging up her lab coat and retiring — a bittersweet move, she said through a few tears.

“It’s been a very emotional past couple of weeks. It’s very sad to say goodbye to our babies, patients and my teens,” she said.

Kellner moved to Vermont in 1987 from Illinois, where she received her education, and has been a faithful resident of the Chittenden County area ever since. Upon her arrival, she began her practice with Charlotte Family Health Center for two years before stepping out on her own venture in 1989 in the same building she’s at today.

“I opened here, and I had probably four patients that followed me. I opened with only like two charts,” she said, noting that the move was natural for her since she came from a long line of entrepreneurs. “My parents had their own business. I grew up in a family that had their own business. So, I kind of had that mindset.”

Still focused on a smaller clientele, it’s not rare for patients that she saw when they were chil-

dren and teens to bring their little ones in for checkups now.

Almost everything about Kellner’s practice feels personal, including the famous bearthemed writing pad that she breaks out when hand-writing notes to her clients about what vegetables they should eat, or how many times a day to take cold medicine for a stuffy nose.

It takes a special kind of spirit to be a pediatrician, she said, especially during tantrums and screaming matches when the patient spots the vaccine cart — although, no vaccine is administered without a character-themed Band-Aid to perk up ever tearyeyed child.

The office, rather than cold and bleak, resembles a comfortable space with loads of natural light and a scenic view from the window. And, of course, the comfort of Kellner’s soft voice and nurturing nature make not-sofun visits less intimidating.

“I think it attracts a certain personality because it seems like other pediatricians are fun too,” she said.

Pediatrics was her last rotation during medical school, and she started to get worried since she wasn’t feeling particularly called to any sort of medical practice yet.

“But I got to pediatrics, and I liked the kids and I just like the energy around kids,” she said. “They’re honest and always tell you what they think.”

While most of her spare time is spent attending conferences and looking to grow her knowledge within the field, she said that her heart has always been in a holistic approach to medicine,

which is exactly the reason she loves working with kids so much.

“That’s really what pediatricians are all about, I think, keeping people healthy and helping people have healthy habits. That’s why I love pediatrics because you start out with a bit of a clean slate. I feel like parents and adults would do more for their kids than they would for themselves,” adding that a lot of her focus now has been on nutrition and studying food science. “Food is medicine.”

Her staff has remained relatively small throughout the years with one office manager, Paula Mathewson, and one nurse practitioner one day a week.

Mathewson, who’s the friendly face that checks families in for their appointments, explained that throughout the past three months since notifications have been sent to patients about the impending closure, families call to say things like, “‘But you were one of the first people that held our baby,’ or the 9-year-old

patient who heard the news of the closing from his parents and said, ‘But, I’ve been going there my whole life.’”

For now, Kellner plans to use retirement to travel and see her own family, master more recipes, and maybe even join another book club. But the families she has served over the years will remain close to her heart forever.

“I feel like my practice is my little family,” she said, a few more tears filling her eyes. “I truly hold them on my shoulders.”

PHOTO BY LIBERTY DARR

Dr. Jeanne Kellner sits in her exam room holding her famous “bear pad.”

SPORTS

Girls’ basketball looks to repeat last year’s championship

LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Girls’ basketball

Division I Quarterfinals

Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.

TBA at No. 1 Champlain Valley (19-1)

The Champlain Valley girls’ basketball team is set to defend its Division I state title. The Redhawks have earned the top seed in the playoffs and a firstround bye in the tournament.

The team will take on the winner of No. 9 Brattleboro vs. No. 9 Mount Mansfield in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Hinesburg. The Redhawks faced Brattleboro once — a 50-28 win — and beat Mount Mansfield twice, including a 58-27 win in the final game of the regular season.

CVU, which has won eight games in a row since losing its only regular season game to St. Johnsbury, is looking to advance to the program’s 21st semifinal with a win over its opponent.

A rematch with St. Johnsbury would occur in the D-I final if both teams advance through the brackets, pitting the teams against each other once again in the state championship game.

Girls’ hockey

Division I Quarterfinals

Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m.

No. 7 Champlain Valley/ Mount Mansfield (3-14-2) at No. 2 Kingdom Blades (16-2-1)

While the results in the win column may not be what the Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield co-op girls’ hockey team hoped for this season, the hardworking group has earned a reputation for not giving up.

Boys’ basketball

CVU-MMU will take that pesky attitude into a D-I quarterfinal matchup with the No. 2 seed Kingdom Blades — another one of the state’s girls hockey co-ops — on Tuesday after press deadline. The CougarHawks lost the two regular season matchups with the Blades, 3-1 and 4-2.

Sophie Brien and Eva Mazur will lead the way offensively for CVU-MMU, while Ella Gilbert will look to backstop the team in goal.

If the team pulls off the upset, it will advance to the semifinals to face the winner of the game between No. 3 Burlington-Colchester and No. 6 Essex.

Boys’ hockey

Division I Quarterfinals

Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 4:15 p.m.

No. 8 Champlain Valley (6-123) at No. 1 South Burlington (18-2)

The team relied on their offense in the playdowns Saturday and hoped to carry that momentum into the quarterfinals on Tuesday after deadline.

CVU beat Essex 5-2 in the playdowns, getting goals from five different skaters. Alex Zuchowski led the way with a goal and two assists while Nick Menard and Calvin Malaney each added a goal and an assist.

The Redhawks now take on top-seed South Burlington, which beat them in both regular season matchups, 3-1 and 3-2. After dropping the last six games of the regular season, CVU is hoping to peak at the right time as the team heads into the quarterfinals.

If they beat the Wolves, CVU would take on the winner of No. 4 Brattleboro and No. 5 Mount Mansfield in the semifinals.

CVU loses to Seahorses in quarterfinal matchup

LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

There is a reason behind the old adage “it’s hard to beat a team three times in a season.”

That was a lesson the Champlain Valley boys’ basketball team learned the hard way on Monday in the Division I quarterfinals at the University of Vermont’s

Patrick Gym. After beating No. 6 Burlington by double digits twice in the regular season, the second-seeded Redhawks found themselves in a very different game in the playoffs.

Burlington came out on top in a back-and-forth game, beating the defending champs 59-56 to advance to the D-I finals and, once again, proving how hard it is to

beat a team three times in a season.

“They got healthy certainly, there were three guys that were out in the first matchup and two in the second matchup,” said CVU coach Mike Osbourne of the difference with the Burlington squad this go around. “Just having them whole, it gave them the depth that they needed. Their full complement of guards was just that much more

disruptive defensively.”

The topsy-turvy game saw the Seahorses pull away for good with about two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Burlington’s Ngang Ateny hit a layup to break a 49-49 tie. The senior then took a pass from Pascal Munezero in the corner and hit a three-pointer to give the Seahorses a 54-49 lead.

“(Ateny) played well and he’s

been our anchor kind of all year,” Burlington coach BJ Robertson said. “He plays the post on defense, then he plays out on the wing on offense. He’s very versatile in his game and he’s a coach’s dream because he does exactly what we want him to do.”

PHOTO BY AL FREY

CVU’s Ollie Cheer makes a basket during the overtime period as the Redhawks’ battle out a 50-48 win over the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites on Feb. 24 in Hinesburg.

BASKETBALL

continued from page 10

The Redhawks desperately tried to mount the comeback, with Ollie Cheer and Kyle Eaton hitting big shots to keep the game close. But Burlington’s Sawyer Judkins, a first-year, went 5-for-6 from the free throw line to clinch the game.

Burlington will now face No. 1 Rice on Thursday at 8 p.m. at UVM’s Patrick Gym in the championship game.

“Proud isn’t a strong enough word for what I feel about these eight seniors,” Osbourne said. “I can’t ask for more in terms of effort, in terms of attitude, in terms of leadership.”

CVU started out the game well, capitalizing on some early turnovers to score in transition and settled into a 20-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But the Seahorses found their rhythm in the second frame, ending the half on a 8-0 run to take a 32-30 lead into the locker room. Ateny was again key, hitting a three-pointer, finding Khamis Ali on a breakaway and then scoring on a layup in the final three possessions of the half for Burlington.

“We knew the Burlington ball pressure was going to be disrup-

HINESBURG

continued from page 1

years, and it feels good to be able to support it in whatever ways I can.”

Lamberson said wanted to continue to “contribute based on what I’ve learned.”

“We’re so lucky to have a really skilled town manager and assistant town manager, great employees, great town staff and certainly the colleagues on the board made it easy to step into the role,” he said.

Also on the ballot are folks running for several town officer positions.

Frank Twarog is running for a one-year term as the town moderator as well as a three-year term as the Peck Estate trustee; Mary Jo Brace is running for a three-year term as a cemetery trustee; and Aimee Frost, town clerk Heather Roberts and Melissa Ross are each running for a three-year term as a trustees with the Carpenter-Carse Library. All are running uncontested.

Town budget

Hinesburg residents will be asked to approve $5.4 million in spending, broken up into various articles for the general government budget ($2,012,928), the highway department budget ($846,806), the police department budget ($633,944), the fire department ($560,748) and the Carpenter-Carse library budget ($256,200).

Residents will also vote on the

tive,” Osbourne said. “It clearly was. We were looking to kind of spread around the ball-handling responsibilities some and initially I thought it looked OK.”

The two teams came out in the second half and Burlington tried to pull away early. But the Redhawks started attacking the basket and got to the free throw line. CVU went 6-for-9 from the foul line in the third quarter to enter the final frame trailing by one.

“We wanted to put pressure on the rim all night long. It’s kind of been our MO all year long,” Osbourne said. “We’ve been able to go out all year long and shoot a lot more free throws than our opponents typically. We wanted to get the ball to the post.”

CVU kept pushing early in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 49 behind more solid shooting from the free throw line. But Ateny went to work with around two minutes to go and the Redhawks could not find the answer.

Eaton finished the game with 22 points to lead all scorers, while Tucker Tharpe added 12 points, including an 8-for-10 performance from the free throw line.

“It’s been so much darn fun to be around for the last four years,” Osbourne said of his senior class, including Eaton and Tharpe.

“Phenomenal leaders and phenomenal guys and I miss them already.”

It was the fifth year in a row that Champlain Valley advanced

to the D-I semifinals, including capturing the program’s first state championship last season, and it has cemented itself as one of the state’s top D-I programs. It is a level they hope to return to next season with the returning players.

“It’s not easy to get here and

it’s certainly not easy to advance on from here,” Osbourne said. “I think the mindset of the rest of the group is the expectation is to get back here and give ourselves a chance.”

CVU finished the season with an 18-4 record.

approval of capital transfers worth $722,483, and on the approval of $41,450 in funding to various organizations, including the Steps to End Domestic Violence, Red Cross, Hinesburg Community Resource Center, and other organizations.

In developing the budget, town officials sought to keep expenses as level funded as possible. The budget does still include a roughly 13 percent increase in expenditures from the town’s current year budget, but selectboard members said previously the budget is bare bones.

The town is trying to draw the line between keeping the budget as level funded as possible while ensuring that the town’s spending matches the actual expenses of the town.

Town manager Todd Odit has noted through months of budget deliberations that the town has said “the cost of the government is this, but we’re decidedly not raising enough money to cover those expenses, so that if we have expenses that are more than we even expected, than guess what, we’re depleting our reserves by even more.”

“We can’t count on reserve funds to be paying our operating expenses,” he said.

The budget, assuming a 1 percent increase in the town grand list’s value, would result in a 4.3

percent town tax rate increase, equaling a $25.90 increase per $100,000 of assessed value, according to budget documents.

School budget

Hinesburg residents can expect to see much of their tax bills allocated to the school budget this year, as in other years.

The Champlain Valley School District unanimously approved $105 million in spending, marking a roughly $10 million increase in spending from the current year’s $96 million budget.

The spending reflects marked increased in contractually negotiated salaries and benefits, and a double-digit increase in health insurance premiums.

The budget will include hefty school tax rate increases for Hinesburg residents, but what the exact tax rate will be is yet to be determined. The district will have to wait until the state education fund’s yield — or the overall draw on the state’s education fund — is set, which, given the fact that many districts are now delaying their budgets, may not be set until May or at the end of the legislative session.

District officials estimated that, under the currently warned budget, Hinesburg residents could face anywhere from a 23 to 30 percent tax rate increase.

Additionally, residents will be

asked to approve a $3.5 million bond to complete previously approved infrastructure projects. The bond, if approved, would go toward financing a list of capital improvement projects throughout the district’s schools. Residents gave the green light for the projects in March 2022 when they approved $7.5 million bond. But local market pressures resulting from the

COVID-19 pandemic have driven costs up and slowed down the shipment of goods and materials, district officials said.

Residents will also be asked to approve the current fund balance of $3.2 million to be allocated for future revenue costs.

The district is also seeking $395,000 for the purchase of three new buses.

CHARLOTTE

continued from page 3

of the finance committee, is running unopposed for reelection to her second term.

She said she decided to seek reelection as the district navigates a new education funding formula known as Act 127, and she says she has the right skill set to do it. As a certified public accountant, she said, “I bring a lot of that that perspective to the board.”

“I really believe in the work that this district is doing,” she said. She said she has spent nearly two years learning the ins and outs of Act 127 and has been a part of devising a way to “land the plane in

a spot that’s comfortable for everyone, so that we don’t fall of the fiscal cliff.”

Selectboard race

Two Charlotte candidates, including newcomer Natalie Kanner, are vying for two open selectboard seats on Town Meeting Day this year.

Kanner, who had originally been running against former board member Louise McCarren before her death last week, is running for the two-year seat.

Incumbent Frank Tenney is running uncontested for re-election to the three-year seat.

PHOTO BY AL FREY

The CVU student section and the Redhawk bench cheer on their team as they take the lead in extra time during their 50-48 overtime win over the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites Friday night in Hinesburg.

The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Charlotte Town Hall, located at 159 Ferry Road in said Town, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 to vote by Australian ballot to begin at seven o’clock in the forenoon (7:00 A.M.) and to close at seven o’clock in the afternoon (7:00 P.M.).

The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are further notified and warned that a public informational hearing to explain and discuss the Australian ballot articles set forth below will be held on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the Charlotte Town Hall, located at 159 Ferry Road in the Town, beginning at six thirty o’clock in the afternoon (6:30 P.M.). The public may attend the informational hearing in person or on Zoom at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84047650499?pwd=bDVMOXhFUEJrUzZvNTlVZmdmc1I2dz09

Meeting ID: 840 4765 0499

Passcode: 798972

ARTICLES TO BE VOTED BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT

Article 1: Shall the voters authorize the payment of property taxes, with the payment due on or before Friday, November 15, 2024, and to have payments made to the Town Treasurer as provided in 32 VSA § 4773(b)?

Article 2: Shall the voters approve total fund expenditures, as set forth in the Selectboard’s budget, of $3,252,147 for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, of which an anticipated sum of $1,540,380 will be raised by property taxes and an anticipated sum of $1,711,767 will be raised by non-tax revenues?

Article 3: Will the voters of the Town approve an allocation of $989,087 to Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, Inc. for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, to be raised by property taxes?

Article 4: To elect Town Officials.

Article 5: To elect Champlain Valley School District Officials.

Article 6: Shall the voters authorize the Town to submit to the General Assembly of the State of Vermont a proposal to adopt a municipal charter which contains the following sections:

Section 1: Corporate Existence

Section 2: General Provisions

Section 3: Town Manager/Road Commissioner

Section 4: Separability

Section 5: Amendment

Section 6: Effective Date

The official copy of the Charter proposal, in its entirety, is on file and available for public inspection at the Charlotte Town Clerk’s Office, 159 Ferry Road in said Town, during regular office hours, MondayFriday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Copies thereof are available to members of the public upon request.

SCHOOL

BUDGET

continued from page 2

The budget, she said, “represents what we do have control over as a district” and continues programming and support services “that have served our students well.”

“There is nothing in this budget that we consider to be irresponsible or unneeded spending,” she said.

Districts like Champlain Valley that were expecting only a 5 percent increase were in January walloped by the common level of appraisal figures, which added a 13 percent tax rate hike onto the projected 5 percent increase due simply to the housing market conditions in the state.

The common level of appraisal compares the assessed value of properties on a town or city’s grand list to actual property sale prices considered to represent their fair market value. It is used in the state’s education finance formula to determine district’s tax rates.

Because of these factors, much uncertainty remains in an unprecedented budget year for the Champlain Valley as well as districts across the state.

H.850’s new provision leaves the district worse off than it was under the 5 percent cap, but exactly how worse off is unknown. The district won’t know the exact tax rate it will have to set for residents until the state education fund’s

yield is set, which, given the fact that many districts are now delaying their budgets, may not be set until May or at the end of the legislative session.

“There are still some unknowns in this process, so we cannot tell you with certainty what the final tax impact will be until the state sets the final yield number later this spring,” district Superintendent Rene Sanchez said. “However, we do know that this community supports our schools so that we can support our children. For that, we will always be grateful.”

A second option would have cut spending to $103.6 million but would have had no substantial impact on tax rates for the district’s member towns.

Gary Marckres, the district’s chief operating officer, said it’s impossible to know what the tax rate would be, but said their best guesses range anywhere from a 19 percent tax rate in Shelburne, to as much as a 30 percent tax rate in Hinesburg.

Under the current budget up for a vote, Charlotte could face anywhere from a 21 to 28 percent change from last year; Hinesburg could face a 23 to 30 percent change; and Shelburne could face a 19 to 26 percent change.

The second option would have

See SCHOOL BUDGET on page 13

Article 7: Shall the voters authorize the Town to issue general obligation bonds or notes in an amount not to exceed Three Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars and 00/100 ($365,000.00) to purchase a new ambulance to be financed over a period not to exceed 10 years?

Dated this ___ day of January, 2024 at Charlotte, Vermont.

DUNBAR

continued from page 1

The Charlotte Planning Commission approved that project in July 2021, but residents — including former zoning board member Ronda Moore, who later resigned from the board — filed an appeal to try and stop the new facility.

“The proposed office and parking are relatively low-impact, and the office is arguably a beneficial use of an otherwise abandoned building in a designated village center.”

Ultimately, the practice announced in September 2022 that it was dropping its plans to build in Charlotte and would instead consolidate operations at two other offices, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors in the health care market.

“The appeals of the site plan approval and apparent opposition

SCHOOL BUDGET

continued from page 12

lowered those ranges a bit, but double digits increases would remain: Charlotte residents would have faced a 16 to 23 percent change, Hinesburg residents 18 to 24 percent, and Shelburne residents 15 to 21 percent.

Board members mulled over the possibility of reworking the budget — including using a fund balance and cutting positions that were previously funded through federal grants — but noted that the district was unable to make any impact to the tax rate, school board member Brendan McMahon said, “without completely redoing how we deliver education to our children.”

Angela Arsenault, the chair of the school board, pushed for the board to trim as much as they could as a good faith gesture to taxpayers.

Calling it a “really terrible situation that we’re in,” Arsenault said that it was the school board’s “responsibility to see what we can

by some residents of Charlotte also contributed to but are not in and of themselves the reason for this decision,” wrote the group in September. Tina Heath with the state wetlands program told the new development team that while this plan is certainly an improvement from the proposed doctor’s office, she suggested some additional mitigation efforts before applying for a state permit. The team is working to conserve a rare clay plain forest community on the southernmost end of the property.

“It has the characteristics of a wetland, however, it’s a very low-value wetland,” Larose said. “The wetland program is very thorough, and do not want us negatively impacting wetlands and that’s the whole purpose of the permit process. We’ve done our best to limit impacts to the existing lawn that would be considered a buffer area.”

The proposal also includes a potential location of public trails on the property.

According to the staff report, “The proposed office and parking are relatively low-impact, and the office is arguably a beneficial use of an otherwise abandoned building in a designated village center.”

The town is currently undergoing what it’s dubbed the East and West Villages Project, which is billed as a “deep dive” into land use regulations, identifying and removing zoning barriers to development and evaluating infra-

structure to enable higher density development in the two historic villages.

In addition to local permits, the proposed project needs a few state permits, including wastewater and potable water supply, wetlands and Act 250.

It is anticipated state permits

may take up to four months to obtain. As a result, construction sitework would start in late spring. Interior renovation of the structure could take up to six months to complete.

“We’re doing our best to work with what we have in the area that we have available,” Larose said.

Community Bankers

do to trim the budget.”

“I think that we have an opportunity to make trims before we have to make massive cuts and I would rather see us do that,” she said. “I do believe we could arrive at a different number that would still allow us to serve out students, our employees and try to help our taxpayers a bit.”

The school board ultimately voted to keep the March 5 budget, with only Arsenault voting no. Before the vote, Metzler noted that “even if we trim, the burden is still double digits.”

“They’re all numbers that are hard to stomach,” Arsenault said.

The move by the school board leaves the district and community holding their breath to see whether voters will approve the controversial budget.

At least one Hinesburg resident said they would not be voting for the budget. Bill Baker, a Hinesburg resident and former member of the Champlain Valley

School District, said he would not be supporting the budget but not because of the district’s actions: “We got to tell the state we can’t take it anymore,” he said.

Keith Roberts, a board member from Hinesburg, called the budget process “by far the most frustrating” he had seen on his years on the board.

“Our education finance system is broken,” he said. “My plea to our community is, no matter what we do ... there is a large tax increase on the table pretty much no matter what through no fault of our own, through the fault of inflation and increased costs and because of our completely messed up statewide education financing system.

“Please don’t hold our schools, faculty and staff, and most importantly our students, hostage by voting down the budget because you’re angry about those things that are completely outside of our control,” he said.

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CHARLOTTE LIBRARY

continued from page 4

ADULTS

Dog communication program

Monday, March 11, 5:30-7 p.m.

Is a yawn always just a yawn? Why does a dog shake off even when it’s not wet? Why is a growl a good thing? Is a tail wag always friendly? Demystify dog communication, reveal some common dog-human misunderstandings and explore how we can all live safely and happily together. Registration appreciated.

Book chat

Wednesdays in March, 3-4 p.m.

Join Margaret Friday on Zoom to discuss new books, old books and books missed.

Crochet and knit night

Wednesdays in March, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Stillwater meditation

Saturdays in March, 9-10 a.m.

Poetry and meditation. All invited for quiet reflection, contemplation and gentle meditation instruction. For beginning and experienced meditators.

Thursday book group

Thursday, March 7, 7:30-9 p.m.

Get the Zoom link at the library’s website.

Sustainable book group: ‘Saving Us’

Wednesdays, March 13, 20 and 27, 7-8 p.m.

In “Saving Us,” Katharine Hayhoe argues that when it comes to changing hearts and minds, facts

are only one part of the equation, and that we need to find shared values to connect our unique identities to collective action. Copies of the book at the circulation desk. Co-sponsored with Sustainable Charlotte. Zoom link on the library’s website.

Pollinator program

Thursday, March 14, 7-8:30 p.m.

Join local pollinator enthusiast and leader of the Pollinator Pathways project in Charlotte, Julie Parker-Dickerson for an informative program on who is pollinating what and why native pollinators are so important.

St. Patrick’s Day Music with Beeswing

Saturday, March 16, 10:30 a.m.-noon

Join Mike Walker and “beeswing” for an informal music session at the library to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. For all ages.

Mystery book group:

‘Mr. Campion’s Farewell’

Monday, March 18, 10-11 a.m.

A quintessentially British mystery, but there are appearances too from all of Margery Allingham’s regular characters, from Luke to Campion’s former manservant Lugg, to his wife Lady Amanda Fitton and others. Copies at the circulation desk.

‘Rooted’

Wednesday, March 20, 7:30-9 p.m.

Men’s book group.

‘Beaverland’

Tuesday, March 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Allaire Diamond, Vermont Land Trust ecologist, leads a

discussion of “Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America.” One in a series of books talks in advance of Leila Philip’s presentation next month at Shelburne Town Hall. Copies available at the circulation desk.

Better together discussion: ‘Never Enough’

Wednesday, March 27, 7-8:30 p.m.

“Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It” by Jennifer Breheny Wallace. The definitive book on the rise of “toxic achievement culture” overtaking our lives, and a new framework for fighting back. Copies at the circulation desk.

Water quality in Charlotte

Thursday, March 28, 7-8 p.m.

CARPENTER-CARSE

continued from page 4

Mid-grade book club

Thursday, March 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

For students who like to read and discuss books that are past or current Golden Dome Book Award nominees or winners. For those in the 9-to-12-year-old age range. Contact jen@carpentercarse.org.

ADULTS

Hands and needles

Mondays in March, 10 a.m.-noon

Bring whatever project you are working on — quilting, knitting, embroidery, etc. No registration required.

Join Lewis Creek Association and the Charlotte Conservation Commission for a presentation about water quality in Charlotte and how it affects Lake Cham-

plain’s health.

Email lewiscreekorg@gmail. com if you’d like to attend via Zoom instead of in person.

No commitment book club

Thursday, March 7, a.m.-noon

Join like-minded readers on the first Thursday of the month to chat about books you’ve enjoyed, been frustrated by or have lingering questions about.

Folk Jam with SongFarmers of Hinesburg

Thursday, March 7, 6-8 p.m.

Do you play an acoustic instrument or just love to sing along to old time, blues, country and folk music? Join SongFarmers during its monthly gathering and participate in a live music offering. Free and open to the public in the library’s community room.

Personal technology help group

Fridays, March 8 and 22, 10:30-noon.

Kenneth Russell leads a group exploration of facing the common frustration points in using personal technology: smartphones, computers, tablets, smart TVs, etc. Bring your devices.

Contact rachel@carpentercarse. org to RSVP.

Mystery book group

Wednesday, March 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Informal group meets second Wednesday of each month to chat about a book together.