“It came from outer space, but it is probably not targeting you, Champ, so don’t worry,” quipped Maura Kelley of Hinesburg, who shot this photo Oct. 20 of Comet C/2023 A3, better known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, seen here from Mount Philo’s summit overlooking Charlotte and Lake Champlain. “This is the view over the deepest part of the lake at 400 feet — probably where Champ resides.”
Charlotte town administrator reflects on year one
Nate Bareham has had an eventful year after taking the helm as town administrator last October.
From heated town-wide votes to one of the worst natural disasters the town has experienced,
His first months on the job were anything but easy as the town was debating whether to switch to
Selectboard seeks bids for Spear Street repair
Repairs to the portion of Spear Street devastated by the catastrophic rain and flooding earlier this summer are one step closer to being finished.
Charlotte saw nearly 5.3 inches of rain overnight on July 10 as remnants of Hurricane Beryl landed in the Green Mountain State. Among other damage, a 10-foot by 60-foot culvert was washed away on Spear Street, leaving the road completely unpassable.
The town submitted requests for proposals for a contractor to complete the work by April of next year with the hope of beginning some construction before winter comes. Selectboard chair Jim Faulkner said he hopes to see some dirt moving within the next three weeks. The work will include the installation of twin 10-foot diameter culverts with cast-in-place concrete headwalls and wing walls, a debris deflector and road reconstruction.
“There were a couple of big
See BAREHAM on page 7
a town manager form of government and he was thrown into the thick of a difficult budget season as the town — and its neighbors — grappled with increasing costs mostly associated with a change in the state’s education funding formula.
Five bids were received this week, but the selectboard is still determining the qualifications of each of the bidders. Bids ranged
See SPEAR STREET on page 12
PHOTO BY MAURA KELLEY
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Mail-in ballots expected to increase election turnout
JACKIE SPINNELL COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE
Mail-in voting increased turnout in Vermont for the last presidential election and is expected to help this November as well.
In 2020, registered voters in Vermont were automatically sent mail-in ballots for the first time, and turnout surged. This election will be a test of turnout in a post-pandemic world.
Vermont is one of nine states and territories that automatically mails ballots to registered voters. It introduced this policy in 2020 to limit the spread of the COVID19.
It also increased voter turnout and voting accessibility. In 2021, the Legislature passed a law to make mail-in voting permanent.
This policy has helped Hinesburg voters as well, according to Heather Roberts, Hinesburg town clerk and treasurer.
She noted that it not only makes voting more convenient, but it also helps the local office track address changes because an improperly addressed ballot will be sent directly back to the clerk’s office.
“Anecdotally, it does increase voter participation because it puts the ballot in front of every voter and they have the
opportunity to return the ballot early if they aren’t able to make it on election day,” Roberts said.
Hinesburg voter turnout increased between the 2016 and 2020 election. However, Hinesburg voter turnout in the 2022 midterm election was lower than 2018.
There are many factors that could explain this, but Roberts is bullish on the positive effects of the policy.
“If the election was just happening in person, we probably would have a smaller number of people that would vote early and only people that could get to the polls on election day would be voting on election day,” she said. “Now everybody has the opportunity to vote and return their ballot in advance.”
Roberts has already received returned ballots for the upcoming election.
“Our ballots went out on Sept. 30, and we have already received a few back so that shows that people are enthusiastic about this election and that we probably will have a good turnout.”
As of Oct. 21, Hinesburg voters had returned 21 percent of mail-in ballots, according to the data gathered by Commu-
That Away from Me,” the classic Gershwin song arranged for band and vocals by
Van Duyne is a professional performer, choreographer and director, and the theater arts teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School. As a performer, she’s been seen on Broadway, television, national tours and regional theaters all over the U.S. and Europe. The concert will include a mix of choral and band music at the Champlain Valley Union High School at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, with the South County Chorus and the Hinesburg Community Band under the direction of Rufus Patrick, Hinesburg Artist Series founder and music director. The concert is free, but donations are accepted. Learn more at hinesburgartistseries.org.
COURTESY PHOTO
Elisa Van Duyne is the featured soloist in the upcoming Hinesburg Artist Series concert. She will perform “They Can’t Take
Warren Barker.
Areas of both town forests close to encourage hunting
PAT MAINER CONTRIBUTOR
In September, the Hinesburg Town Forest Committee voted to continue encouraging deer hunting in both town forests as a management tool to prevent over-browsing by deer. Sections of both the Hinesburg Town Forest and LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest will be closed to all recreation except hunting between Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Dec. 15. Based on feedback received from different user groups, the committee chose to close a section of the forest for a continuous period. The committee hopes this strategy will serve all user groups by preserving some access to the forests while still encouraging hunting in other areas.
Reducing deer density will reduce over-browsing, which negatively impacts early successional growth and understory regeneration in the forests.
During this period, non-hunting activities like walking, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, ATV use and horseback riding in the Hinesburg Town Forest are restricted to the western section around the Hayden Hill parking areas. The following recreational trails will remain open to all the activities that are normally allowed on them: Maiden, Russell’s Ramble, Sheep Thrills, Missing Link, Back Door, Stealth and a section of the Eagle’s Trail from the trailhead at Hayden Hill West to the height of land at the start of Sheep Thrills.
In the LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest, all trails will remain open as the
BALLOTS
continued from page 2
nity News Service. This is about the same as the state average. (To follow mail-in balloting as the election nears, go to bit. ly/3Ub5utL. Hover over any town to see up-to-date data.)
Vermont has other policies that have helped streamline voting. For example, Vermont has automatic voter registration when signing up for a driver’s license and same-day voter registration.
Thanks to these measures, Vermont is second highest on the nonpartisan Elections Performance Index, according to MIT Election Data and Science Lab. It is the primary index used to evaluate election administration and equity throughout the United States.
Many factors affect voter turnout, so it’s hard to tease out the effectiveness of
to deer hunting from Oct. 26 to Dec. 15. See larger map at thecitizenvt.com
closed area does not have recreation trails.
Maps of the areas closed to non-hunting can be found at photos.app.goo.gl/ wn7BhVn9zx95Pipg6.
Remember that hunting, per state regulations, is allowed everywhere in both town forests regardless of closure.
The committee encourages all users to wear bright-colored clothing while in either forest during deer season.
Pat Mainer is chair of the Hinesburg Town Forest Committee.
any one of them. But it’s true that turnout has generally gone up since voters automatically began receiving ballots in the mail.
Between 1996 and 2016, Vermont’s presidential voter turnout rate averaged about 63 percent. After the policy went into effect in 2020, it rose to 72 percent, the fifth highest in the country.
The 2022 midterms also showed an increase in turnout, from an average of about 50 percent in the two previous decades, to 57 percent in 2022.
Jackie Spinell is a reporter with the Community News Service, a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost.
COURTESY
This map shows the areas open only
CRIME & COURTS
Charlotte Fire and Rescue Services appoints new chief
After a year-long search, Jamie Valyou of Richmond has been named the new director of emergency services for Charlotte Fire and Rescue Services.
He will have overall operational responsibility for all aspects of Charlotte’s Fire and EMS services.
Valyou comes to Charlotte from Burlington Fire Department where he served for more than 25 years. He was most recently a battalion chief and shift commander overseeing 27 people for EMS and fire services.
“We are lucky to have found someone with Jamie’s decades of experience in a multi-function de-partment,”
John Snow, president of the rescue and fire service, said.
“We believe he will provide the hands-on leadership we need to build a stable and efficient response to the emergency needs of the community.”
“This is a great new challenge for me. Smaller commu-
Jamie Valyou
nities like Charlotte have all the same emer-gency challenges as larger towns but often need to respond with fewer resources,” Valyou said.
“I look forward to working with the leadership team to ensure we maintain the high level of service the department has historically achieved.” He will start his new job on Nov. 4. He replaces Justin Bliss.
The Citizen
Serving the community of Charlotte & Hinesburg A publication of Vermont Community Newspaper Group LLC thecitizenvt.com
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Contact: 1340 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 985-3091
State drops charges against man accused of driving over woman
MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT
The state has dismissed criminal charges in Vermont Superior Court in Middlebury against a Shelburne man who state police maintained had driven over a family member during an incident in Ferrisburgh on Aug. 6.
Peter Hoehl, 46, had pleaded not guilty to criminal charges of
aggravated domestic assault and reckless endangerment following the incident, according to court records.
The victim was rushed to University of Vermont Medical Center, where she was admitted with broken ribs, a collapsed lung and fluid in her abdomen, those records detailed. She also received abrasions with imbedded gravel, police said.
Hinesburg Police Blotter: Oct. 16-21
Total incidents: 34
Arrests: 1
Traffic stops: 14
Oct. 16 at 3:51 p.m., police conducted a welfare check on Richmond Road.
Oct. 17 at 3:10 p.m., police helped a motorist with a broken-down vehicle on Route 116.
Oct. 17 at 5:31 p.m., during a traffic stop on Route 116, Emil North, 23 of Starksboro, was arrested for driving with a criminally suspended driver’s license.
Oct. 18 at 4:25 p.m., officers mediated a domestic dispute on
North Road.
Oct. 18 at 7:07 p.m., officers responded to a two-car motor vehicle crash on North Road.
Oct. 19 at 11:59 a.m., police investigated an internet scam.
Oct. 19 at 3:28 p.m., an officer assisted South Burlington police in finding an individual on Mechanicsville Road.
Oct. 20 at 6:08 p.m., police helped a motorist with a broken-down vehicle on Mechanicsville Road.
Oct. 21 at 3:50 p.m., an officer investigated a burglary on Piette Road.
“The injuries correlate to being ran over by a vehicle and the tires spinning on her,” trooper Kelsey Dobson wrote in a court affidavit.
Rutland County deputy state’s attorney L. Raymond Sun said this week the victim did not want to proceed with the case and the state did not have enough to proceed without her.
Defense lawyer Brooks G. McArthur, both in an interview after the arraignment and in recent filings, has maintained the state lacked sufficient evidence to show any intent in the case. He maintained it was an accident.
“Examining the evidence in the light most favorable to the State and excluding modifying evidence, the State has failed to produce substantial, admissible evidence as to the essential elements and therefore the matter must be dismissed,” McArthur and co-counsel Amanda Hemley said in a written motion filed Aug. 16. Sun responded Aug. 30 asking the court to set a hearing to allow him to show the state had “substantial admissible evidence
See HOEHL on page 6
OPINION
Letters to the Editor
Will we face another 20 percent tax hike?
To the Editor:
Here’s an update regarding education spending for this next fiscal year. First, as far as the legislative commission tasked with studying changes to education law in Vermont is concerned, it’s a mixed bag.
There has been a total of 13 meetings, several reports and data presentations by the Agency of Education, some public input and several jam board ideas. I have attended every session. There’s not enough space nor a strong enough pill to prevent brain fade about everything that has been discussed.
Of particular interest and concern are the finance subcommittee meetings because they are tasked to present any short-term cost containment ideas to the Legislature in the fall. School boards will need this information in their budget making as soon as possible. I’m hoping there will be more conservative voices on these committees in the spring following the elections.
The last meeting of the finance subcommittee on Oct. 14 was a four-hour migraine on cost drivers, health care and special education law and costs. Do not attempt to listen to these videos unless your health insurance is paid up.
My takeaway is that the way health insurance policies are written and offered to teachers in Vermont is chaotic. Health care costs are a major cost driver for Vermont school districts and will continue to be so. According to plan directors, they process $6.4 million per week in claims for the 34,200 employees. There are an incredible number of causes for the increases
“I
• West Point Graduate
• MBA Temple University
• Graduate of Army Command and General Staff College
• Georgetown University Graduate Program
• 22 years US Army active duty
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• Husband and Father of 4
in annual costs but hospital inpatient and outpatient services, specialty prescription medications and certain high-risk pools seem to be at the top of the list. The average cost of a specialty medication is $37,000.
Why are special education costs going up? Many reasons but listening to the complexity of current law and regulations makes for more migraines.
Both Gov. Phil Scott, the superintendent of Champlain Valley School District, school leaders and business officials have all raised the red warning flag about potential increases in school spending next year. Also, the town of Hinesburg has also jumped into issue with its own warning. We may be lucky to see another 20 percent increase in our property taxes next year, if not more.
John Clifford Hinesburg
Rodgers deserves a look from moderates, Dems
To the Editor:
Vermonters should vote for John Rodgers for lieutenant governor. For many of us, the race is the only place our vote will make a difference this fall. Unfortunately, it is the only seriously contested statewide race as we know who is going to get Vermont’s three presidential electoral votes.
And in too many districts there aren’t even local contests, although the contested districts certainly deserve voter scrutiny.
Like Phil Scott, Rodgers is a reasonable
See LETTERS on page 6
GERALD MALLOY
ECONOMY
Grow jobs, reduce taxes EDUCATION
Empower parents, support school choice SAFETY
Secure borders, back law enforcement CONSTITUTION
Protect individual rights RELIABLE LEADERSHIP 43 years of proven experience
Last year, Vermonters threw away 71,113 tons of food scraps which ended up in our only landfill. Equal to 242 pounds of food scraps per person per year.
CSWD’s Organic Recycling Facility (ORF) and our six Drop-Off Centers accept food scraps from residents and businesses to keep them out of Vermont’s only landfill.
moderate Republican. Unlike Scott, he was a Democrat when he was in the Legislature.
“The Democratic Party, when I first entered politics in 2003, looked after the working class and poor people,” Rodgers said. “They don’t do that anymore.”
Many of us who usually vote Republican feel that the national party has also moved away from us, especially at the presiden-
tial level. In the Republican primary this summer, Rodgers ran against Gregory Thayer, who told VTDigger that he was “proud” to have attended the Stop the Steal rally in Washington, D.C., that preceded the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He has maintained that he did not, however, enter the Capitol building during the riot.
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Rodgers said: “I would never vote for Trump.” Rogers won the Republican primary and helped set the future of both parties in Vermont with 56 percent of the vote.
Did people who usually vote in the Democratic primary crossover and vote for Rodgers? Almost certainly. Is that a bad thing? Hell, no. I hope those crossovers will stay Republican and, along with Scott and Rodgers, help rebuild a two-party system in Vermont. Notably, although more moderate people ran in some of the local Democratic primaries, they failed in unseating even the most extreme progressives. Hopefully, their supporters will vote for Rodgers and for moderate candidates in those local races that are contested.
Rodgers says he will strongly advocate for policies that will stem unsustainable government spending and fight against the unnecessary increases in property taxes, home heating costs, electricity rates, transportation fees and health insurance premiums.
A vote for Rodgers is not only a vote for some sanity in Montpelier, but it is also a vote against the extreme partisans on both sides of the aisle who serve us so poorly.
Tom Evslin Stowe
John Rodgers best suited to take Vermont’s second top job
To the Editor:
I am writing to express my strong support for John Rodgers as Vermont’s next lieutenant governor of Vermont.
Having previously served as commissioner of Vermont’s Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation for 12 years, appointed by two different governors with a significant legislative portfolio over six legislative biennia, I worked over an extended period with both Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman and Rodgers. The differences between them are real and important and Rodgers emerges clearly as the best choice for Vermont. It’s not close.
During his time in the Senate, he served
HOEHL continued from page 4
as the elements of the offenses charged.”
Sun was asked to prosecute the case because one of the investigating state troopers is a witness in a pending driving while intoxicated case filed against Addison County state’s attorney Eva Vekos.
“While at the hospital, (the victim) provided a brief statement to Trooper (Nicole) Twamley in which she stated she believed Peter’s actions to be intentional and had heard Peter put the vehicle in gear just before getting ran over,” Dobson wrote in his affidavit.
McArthur, a former state prosecutor, said the defense follow-up investigation disputed that claim.
Sun filed a one-sentence notice of dismissal on Monday without any explanation.
Hoehl had an alcohol level of 0.142 percent after the incident, Vermont State Police said in court papers.
on two committees with important roles relative to Forests, Parks and Recreation: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy — with jurisdiction over the department’s responsibilities, programs and budget — and the Senate Committee on Institutions, which had jurisdiction over capital appropriations and land transactions. While Rodgers and I certainly differed on some topics over the years, he was a breath of fresh air and a welcome voice of practicality and reality. He listened actively, asked informed and sometimes tough questions (always appropriately and respectfully), and he consistently offered ideas and solutions or at worst, a willingness to work together to find them.
My experience with Zuckerman was very different, characterized and summarized best as Zuckerman doing a lot of talking at me — whether in the Senate Committee on Agriculture or in the hallways in advance of important floor debates in the Senate after he became lieutenant governor. That may seem tough, but it’s fair. I’ve also come to know Rodgers more personally as a friend, affording an expanded view of him as a person and his values and ethics. He is smart, fun, talented, honest, hardworking and reliable. He is committed to his family, friends, land and community. Indeed, watching him delight in engaging with our young daughter says it all — whether when fishing with her or touring her around his farm.
I am grateful for Rodgers’ significant and selfless service to the state and for his willingness to run and serve us as lieutenant governor. When he speaks of unsettling changes in Vermont’s legislative process over the last decade or so — becoming more political and less inclusive — he is spot on. It is real and damaging. Given his experience, personality and commitment to Vermont and all her people, he is best equipped and best suited to bring a different, more realistic and truly effective approach to Montpelier.
Michael Snyder Stowe
McArthur also said there was no driving while under the influence charge filed because the incident did not happen on a public highway. Police said in court papers that DUI was among the charges when Hoehl was taken into custody.
The Vermont State Police emergency dispatch center got a call from Hoehl about 10:18 p.m. and a woman could be heard in the background saying that he had purposely run her over, Dobson said in a court affidavit.
Police initially responded to Grosse Point Road, but nobody was found there, and troopers later located the caller near Driftwood Lane, police said. A police press release listed the incident as near Sand Road.
Police said Hoehl indicated he did not realize that he hit the woman after the first of the two bumps. Police said he estimated his speed at 2 miles per hour.
continued from page 1
questions that were still ongoing. I think the first was really the town manager versus administrator debate that had been an ongoing issue well before I came in,” he said. “That was a time where we certainly received a lot of community feedback and really tried to facilitate healthy discussions coming from both sides and certainly people had strong opinions either way.”
The town also reached a few new milestones over the last year, including the completion of a new town garage that was nearly two years in the making. While a massive accomplishment, balancing a budget that voters would approve, while accounting for new infrastructure project costs, was trying. But, he said, that work wouldn’t have been possible without staff, like town clerk Mary Mead, who helped Bareham learn the ins and outs of budget discussions.
“I think there was certainly a lot of information to take in,” he said. “There was a lot of new infrastructure projects that obviously correlated with an increase in our budget. I think the goal from the outset was to make sure that we were conducting public outreach and moving forward in a way that we communicated expectations clearly to the public in terms of what money was being used for and how it was being allocated.”
In addition to that, the town also began a massive village planning project that is set to modernize the town’s land use regulations pertaining to its East and West villages. Although the work at this point is being done at the planning commission level, new bylaws will ultimately need to be voted on by the selectboard.
This work is one of the most extensive planning projects the town has ever undertaken, and new land use regulations will undoubtedly shift the town in a new direction as it begins to draft a new town plan next year.
“I’m hopeful that the work that’s being done right now will kind of lay that groundwork, and from that, the planning commission can start to do the work of seeing what citizens in town want to have happen and act on it,” Bareham said.
In addition to the changes in the town of roughly 4,000 people, there was also some heartbreak.
He noted the death of longtime Charlotte resident and selectboard member, Louise McCarren, who had been a mover and shaker in the town for decades.
“I think that that certainly hit the town hard, particularly the selectboard and town hall,” he said.
“She has been a cornerstone in the community for a very long time and was one of the first people who introduced herself to me when I came to interview. I think that was certainly a challenge, not only to kind of process her passing, but then also to figure out what the next steps forward should be. That is a difficult person to replace.”
But arguably the most trying time came this summer when the town experienced catastrophic rain and flooding that completely devastated a large portion of Spear Street, a major connector road.
Very quickly, Bareham was forced to learn about managing new disaster relief applications and look for options on how the town could move forward.
From endless work by road commissioner Junior Lewis to neighbors helping neighbors, the work again highlights just how
dedicated town staff and its volunteers are to the community, Bareham said.
“We’re looking at, between general road damage and major infrastructure damage, probably something north of $1.1 million. Certainly, the town hasn’t seen any kind of large-scale damage like that in a long time,” he said. “I think it’s really a testament to all the different groups that we have in town who really came together to make sure everything happened.”
Looking ahead, Bareham said early budget conversations are already underway as he works with different department heads and the selectboard to begin crafting the town’s 2026 spending plan. For the first time ever, the selectboard will begin negotiations with town employees who voted overwhelmingly to join a union last month. Bareham will be helping the selectboard with that process.
“I think that we have some opportunities here to streamline our processes and procedures at the town hall level, streamline a few things in terms of how we want to do compensation, benefits and pay scales,” he said.
At a selectboard meeting earlier this month, the board congratulated Bareham on his first year with a cake and a few words of thanks.
“Not only has Nate been a fantastic employee, but he came in at a pretty difficult time, and he came in following somebody that was a really long-term employee,” Devine said, speaking of Dean Bloch, the town’s former town administrator for nearly 10 years.
“In addition to what we were facing then, we faced a bunch of new challenges this summer, none of which are easy lifts, and Nate, you’ve always risen to the occasion.”
Community Notes
Burlington Civic Symphony holds fall concert
The Burlington Civic Symphony presents its fall concert on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m., at the ElleyLong Music Center in Colchester with guest conductor Cole Marino.
The program will feature Gioachino Rossini’s Semiramide Overture, the Karelia Suite by Jean Sibelius and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major. Marino, a classically trained conductor, baritone and keyboardist, graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 2020.
Information and tickets can be found at bcsovt.org.
First Congo church hosts chicken dinner
First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Burlington, 38 South Winooski Avenue, holds a traditional chicken and biscuit dinner on Saturday, Nov. 2, 5-8 p.m.
Tickets are available at the
door for $14 per person; $50 for a family of 4; and $10 for college students. To reserve tickets, call 802-862-5010, ext. 4, for dining room or take-out, or email info@ firstchurchburlington.org with your name, phone, email and your reservation information.
Pickup for take-out is from 4-5 p.m.; reservations are required.
Holiday bazaar
At Faith United Methodist
Faith United Method Church of South Burlington will host its annual holiday bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 899 Dorset St.
Featured this year are a large variety of adult and children’s new and like new winter coats for $10-$20 each, a huge cookie walk, fudge, pies, to-go soup, and lots of holiday and home decor. All proceeds will go directly to the South Burlington Food Shelf.
See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 9
‘Earth to Earth’
Join the Vermont Forest Cemetery in the South Burlington High School auditorium for a screening of the documentary, “Earth to Earth: The Lost Art of Dying in America,” on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Following the film, there will be a Q&A with Vermont Forest Cemetery founder, head cemeterian and natural burial advocate and expert Michelle Hogle Acciavatti. Vermont Forest Cemetery is the state’s first forest cemetery and is in Roxbury. This cemetery offers a place for people to gather, honor their dead and the forest, and participate in outdoor art and learning. For information, call 802-234-1262 or email info@cemetery.eco.
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Irving Rose
Irving Niles Rose of Hinesburg and Micco, Fla., died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Irv was born on April 10, 1944, son of the late Harry H. Rose and Eleanor (Ballard) Rose. Irv married Karen (Zinke) Rose, on Aug. 8, 1992.
Irv served his country in U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, stationed in Alaska and Georgia. Upon returning, he went to Champlain College and received a degree in business administration.
He was a carpenter and fisherman, but in 1970, he began working for Companion Hardware in Shelburne. In 1973 he purchased the store, retiring in 2006.
Irv was a member of the Shelburne-Charlotte-Hinesburg Rotary Club, becoming president for many years. He will be remembered for organizing the Shelburne Halloween parades. He loved fishing and surfcast-
COMMUNITY NOTES
continued from page 8
Faith UMC is accepting donations, including holiday-themed decor, gently used toys, puzzles, jewelry, kitchen/household gadgets and quality re-giftable items on Sunday, Oct. 27, and Nov. 3, from, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church.
Contact Diane at events@faithsbvt.org with any questions or a different drop-off time.
Lecture series focuses on Post-Soviet Russia
“The Politics of the Great Patriotic War in Post-Soviet Russia” will be offered by Michelle Commercio, professor of political science and director of Russian/East European studies at University of Vermont on Friday Nov. 8, 2-3 p.m., as part of the Education and Enrichment for Everyone fall lecture series. The talk takes place at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington. Learn more at eeevermont.org.
Sign
up now for Shelburne grab and go meal
Age Well and St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Shelburne are teaming up to provide a meal to go for anyone age 60 and older on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Meals will be available for pick up in the parking lot at 72 Church St. from 11 a.m. until noon and are available for anyone 60 or older. Suggested donation is $5. The menu includes roast turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sliced carrots, cranberry sauce, wheat roll, pumpkin pie with cream and milk.
ing on the beaches of Florida. In Vermont, he had various favorite spots on Lake Champlain in his boat. Irv also spent many hours playing golf.
He will be remembered for his love of dancing at parties and different events. During his years in Vermont, he enjoyed working outside. He always loved family
and community gatherings.
He is survived by his loving wife, Karen of Micco, Fla., daughters, Stacie Rose and her wife, Christina and their son, Cameron Irving Rose of St. Albans, and Erica Rose and her two sons, Carter and Logan Emilio of Middlebury; and sister, Janice Mulchahy and her husband, Timothy, and brother, Marshall Rose and his wife Patricia, all of Micco.
Irv was predeceased by his parents, and his aunt and uncle, Mimi Rose and Harold B. Rose.
A celebration of life in Vermont will be held in the summer of 2025.
Irv’s family asks that in lieu of flowers to consider a donation to the Charlotte, Shelburne and Hinesburg Rotary Club, PO Box 156, Shelburne VT 05482.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family and friends at bradyandlevesque.com.
To order a meal contact Kathleen at agewellstcath@gmail.com or 802-503-1107. Deadline to order is Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Shelburne holds blood drive on Nov. 19
St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Shelburne is hosting a Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, Nov. 19, noon-5 p.m., 72 Church St.
To give, call 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter Shelburne to schedule an appointment. Appointments are strongly recommended as walk-ins cannot always be accommodated.
Did the Dollar Store sign get your attention?
Are you interested in Hinesburg’s future and how new development will shape it?
With revisions to the town plan and Hinesburg’s zoning ordinances underway, now is a great time to meet other like-minded individuals to exchange ideas. The annual meeting of Responsible Growth Hinesburg is Sunday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. at the Goldsmith residence, 10760 Route116, Hinesburg. Bring a friend and enjoy homemade refreshments.
Shelburne church, Age well host July luncheon
St. Catherine of Siena and Age Well are teaming up to offer a Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday, Nov. 20, for anyone 60 or older in the St Catherine of Siena Parish
Hall, 72 Church St. in Shelburne. Check-in time is 11:30 and the meal will be served at noon. There is a $5 suggested donation.
Entertainment will be provided by Gerry Ortego on guitar.
The menu is roast turkey and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sliced carrots, wheat roll, pumpkin pie with cream and milk.
You must register by Wednesday, Nov. 13, with Kerry Batres, nutrition coordinator, 802-662-5283 or email kbatres@agewellvt.org.
Violinist gives concert at senior center
Senior residents at Sterling House in Richmond last month enjoyed a violin concert by Laura Markowitz, who offered a variety of selections from classical works to Irish reels and more.
The audience, touched by the violinist’s interpretation of Bach’s original piano melody of “Ave Maria,” asked her to play it again. Markowitz earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Indiana University. Upon moving to Vermont in the 1990s, she joined the music scene, including the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and Eleva Chamber Players.
She teaches music to students in Browns River Middle School and Rutland and plays at choral and church groups and occasionally at English country dances. She also presents violin concerts at local senior communities.
A resident of Jericho, Markowitz has a music studio in Richmond. — Margery Sharp
Irving Rose
SPORTS
Undefeated CVU footballers head to postseason
LAUREN READ
CORRESPONDENT
The Champlain Valley football team had about as good a regular season as you could imagine, undefeated at 8-0, three shutouts and an average of over 40 points on offense.
But starting Friday when the Division I postseason kicks off, they are starting from scratch.
“You’re one and done in the postseason, everybody’s all out,” CVU coach Rahn Fleming said. “We’re going to prepare for each week as if it’s the most important game we played all year.”
Champlain Valley wrapped up the regular season on Friday with a 33-0 win over the SeaWolves, the Burlington-South Burlington co-op football team, to finish undefeated and earn the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
“That shift to the playoffs set in before we left the end zone at South Burlington,” Fleming said. “It was great job, 8-0, not a bad day at the office. Now it’s a new season and let’s get after it.”
The Redhawks will take on No. 8 Mount Anthony (4-4) in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 1 p.m.
“We have just got to keep on working and keep the culture, the mentality that we have,” CVU senior Nolan Walpole said. “Hopefully, we can get all the way and have a whole season undefeated.”
The Champlain Valley offense got things started in the first quarter with a drive that chewed up nearly seven minutes on the clock and was capped off with an 8-yard touchdown from Walpole.
Quarterback Orion Yates doubled the lead in the second quarter when he hit Jacob Armstrong with a 38-yard touchdown pass. CVU then added another six on its first play from the line of scrimmage in the second half as Walpole ran for a 44-yard touchdown.
Yates added a 2-yard TD rush for the Redhawks, who also had a safety and a field goal.
“We knew we weren’t going to have big points coming out of the first quarter, but the points that we had were points that happened with calculation and with the effect of trying to wear down our opponent,” Fleming said. “We were able to become more confident.”
The effort on both sides of the ball was indicative of CVU’s strength this season. The Redhawks had their third shutout
of the season defensively and the offense scored more than 30 points for the seventh time this season.
“I’m beyond proud of these guys. They have worked hard,” Fleming said. “This class, by virtue of its size and by virtue of the variety of their talents, is particularly gifted.”
Champlain Valley celebrated the 8-0 regular season after the game, but quickly turned the page to focus on the next part of the season.
With 19 seniors on the roster, the Redhawks have set their sights on winning the program’s second title in three years.
“Our team motto all year long from our opening meeting last August, has been play 11 and win the last one,” Fleming said. “We want to make our senior year the best it can possibly be and in competitive terms, the best it can possibly be is to still be playing on Nov. 9.”
PHOTOS BY AL FREY
Above: CVU’s Sean Kennedy watches as South Burlington’s Ahmed Diawara goes down in last week’s in the Redhawks’ 33-0 win. Both teams are headling to the playoffs.
Below: South Burlington’s Jackson Bernier tries to block a kick from two Champlain Valley players, Jacob Armstrong (No. 6) and a teammate.
CVU soccer teams both clinch No. 1 seeds in playoffs
LAUREN READ
CORRESPONDENT
Girls’ soccer
Champlain Valley 3, Essex
0: Champlain Valley beat Essex on Friday, Oct. 18, to wrap up the regular season and clinch the top seed in the playoffs.
Rieanna Murray tallied twice for the Redhawks (13-0-1), while Kate Roberts added a goal. Anya Johnson stopped two shots on goal.
With an unbeaten record, CVU earned the No. 1 seed for the eighth season in a row. It earned a first-round bye and will face the winner of No. 8 Burr and Burton and No. 9 Burlington on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. in the D-I quarterfinals.
In three meetings with potential opponents — two with Burr and Burton and one with Burlington — the Redhawks won all three.
Field hockey
South Burlington 1, Champlain Valley 0: Champlain Valley surrendered a goal in the fourth quarter to fall to South Burlington on Friday.
Sophie Comeau stopped five shots in goal for the Redhawks, who finished the regular season with a 9-4-1 record.
Champlain Valley now moves to the postseason, where it earned the No. 5 seed and a spot in the quarterfinal round.
The Redhawks will take on No. 4 Colchester on Saturday at noon. The Lakers beat CVU 1-0 in their only meeting so far this season.
Boys’ soccer
Champlain Valley 2, Essex 0: Champlain Valley won its sixth game in a row on Saturday, Oct 19, beating Essex 2-0 in high school boys’ soccer.
Ethan Revoir had a goal and an assist for the Redhawks, who finished the regular season at 12-2. Gavin Prada also scored for CVU, while George Charlson added an assist.
Ziggy Babbott made four saves in the shutout.
On Oct. 17, CVU beat Colchester 2-0. Miles Bergerson and Sebastian Bronk each had a goal for the Redhawks.
The late season wins helped CVU clinch the top seed in the Division I postseason and earn a bye into the quarterfinals. The Redhawks now await their opponent — the winner of No. 8 St. Johnsbury and No. 9 Rutland — on Friday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m. at home.
CVU beat the Hilltoppers in both regular season meetings this season but have yet to take on Rutland.
Boys’ volleyball
The boys’ team wrapped up the regular season with an 11-3 record and clinched the No. 2 spot in the D-I playoffs.
The Redhawks will take on No. 7 BFA-St. Albans on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
CVU beat the Bobwhites in its first meeting of the season, 3-0 but needed a fifth set to beat them a second time, 3-2.
Girls’ volleyball
The Champlain Valley girls’ volleyball team finished the season with a 10-4 record, good
Brendan McGinley spikes the ball past two Champlain Valley Union players in the Wolves’ straight set win Oct. 19.
Burlington team is the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Division I playoffs.
enough for the No. 5 seed in the D-I tournament. CVU took on No. 12 Mount
Anthony on Wednesday after press time in the quarterfinals at home at 3 p.m.
The Redhawks beat Mount Anthony 3-1 in both regular season meetings.
PHOTO BY AL FREY
The undefeated South
SPEAR STREET continued from page 1
from $550,000 to $900,000.
The selectboard in August had contemplated a new clear-span bridge as a possible solution, but most members were in favor of moving forward with the culvert. The town submitted the permit for the work to the Agency of Natural Resources but is still waiting on its approval before any construction can officially begin.
“It sounds to me that we’re in a good place,” town administrator Nate Bareham said.
He explained that the funding for the project will come from the Federal Highway Emergen-
cy Relief Program, which should provide the town with up to 100 percent reimbursement for the project. But under the guidelines, the work must be completed 270 days from the emergency event, putting the town on a strict construction timeline.
Preliminary work for an additional repair project just south of the Spear Street culvert replacement is also being done. Roughly nine to 10 feet of Spear Street that crosses Muddy Hollow Brook eroded off during the storm. That project will also require the selectboard to go out to bid.
Wheels for Warmth:
Stacking tires keeps people warm, environment clean
Wheels for Warmth keeps tires out of the environment, transportation secure and homes warm with its annual tire recycle and resale event.
Invest in community
Buying
If you’ve attended Wheels for Warmth, the myriad stacks of tires will be no surprise. What you might not know is just how many ways the event offers everyone a chance to make an impact. Attendees can purchase ready-to-roll, DMV-inspected tires at discounted rates.
These sales directly fund important statewide programming that keep people warm through the winter. Additionally, recyclable tires not viable for resale will be donated for agricultural use.
“When I started this program 19 years ago, I had no idea it would have such a positive impact in many areas. By taking donated tires and reselling them at an affordable price, we’re keeping our riverbanks free of tire debris and Vermonters warm this winter,”
said Gov. Phil Scott. “And we can’t do it without tires, so if you have used tires in good condition, consider dropping them off. It’s a great way to help your neighbors and our communities”
Tires are sold at two events on Saturday, Oct 26. Event proceeds directly support emergency heating assistance throughout Vermont provided by Capstone Community Action, BROC Community Action and Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.
Since 2005, Wheels for Warmth has raised over $720,000 for emergency fuel assistance, sold 27,000 safe donated tires and recycled 53,000 unsafe tires. The event has also hosted over 1,100 volunteers from over 120 companies or organizations, resulting in over 25,000 volunteer hours.
Tires can be donated Thursday, Oct. 24, and Friday, Oct 25, 2-6 p.m., at Vermont Granite Museum, 7 Jones Brothers Way, Barre; Casella Waste Systems,
PHOTO BY LEE KROHN
Late fall foliage hangs on as colder weather looms on the horizon.
Orange brick road
PHOTO BY GORDON MILLER
Volunteers help collect tires for Wheels for Warmth, an annual tire recycle and resale event.
CLASSIFIEDS
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 20, 2024.
7:25 PM DRB 24-162-CU Charlotte Village Partners – Conditional Use review for proposed office space greater than 3,500 sq. ft. in existing building at 251 Ferry Rd
For more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Office at 802.425.3533 ext. 208, or by email at: pza@townofcharlotte.com.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
PATRICK LEAHY BURLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2024, 6:30-8:00 P.M.
CHAMBERLIN SCHOOL, SOUTH BURLINGTON
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024, 6:30-8:30 P.M.
WINOOSKI HIGH SCHOOL
Notice is hereby given that Public Meetings will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at 6:30-8:00 p.m. (South Burlington Public Meeting) at Chamberlin School, and Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Winooski Public Meeting) at the Winooski High School.
These meetings will provide an overview of the DRAFT NOISE EXPOSURE MAP REPORT that has been prepared on behalf of Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. The meetings will be workshop style with various stations for individuals to review the information and ask questions. There will be no formal presentation. Comment sheets will be available for the public to leave their comments.
The draft report can be found on the Airport’s noise program website: btvsound.com. Physical copies of the draft report are also available for review at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport administrative offices located at 1200 Airport Rd, South Burlington, VT, Suite 1.
Public comments can be submitted at the meetings or via email to btvsound@jonespayne.com
The public comment period will close Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Additional comments and questions regarding the noise program can be submitted at any time.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARNING
Informational Meeting
Highway Positions Available
November 4, 2024
Special Town Meeting
November 5, 2024
Town of Hinesburg, Vermont
To advertise in the service directory email: Advertising@thecitizenvt.com or call 985-3091
Informational Meeting November 4, 2024 In-person and via Remote Access
Highway Foreperson
The legal voters of the Town of Hinesburg, Vermont are hereby warned and notified to meet in-person and remotely in said Town of Hinesburg, on Monday November 4, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. at the Hinesburg Town Hall, 10632 Route 116, Hinesburg, VT 05461, for an informational meeting on the articles to be voted upon by Australian Ballot on Tuesday November 5, 2024.
This is a supervisory position that is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the town’s highway infrastructure. A valid VT issued CDL Class A license is required. Required skills include proficient operation of a road grader, excavator, front-end loader, backhoe, and tandem plow truck. Starting pay is $32.00 - $38.00 an hour depending upon qualifications.
This Informational Meeting will be held in-person and remotely. Available options to watch or join the meeting:
• Attend in-person in at the Hinesburg Town Hall.
• Join the meeting via Zoom using the log-in information above.
• For the purpose of recording minutes, you will be asked to provide your first and last name.
This is a semi-skilled position of moderate complexity in highway maintenance and equipment operation. The Highway Maintainer II performs a wide variety of manual and automotive equipment operation tasks involved in municipal road maintenance. Work extends to responsibility for maintenance and servicing of assigned automotive equipment, requiring strong mechanical and trouble shooting skills. A valid Vermont issued Class B CDL is required. Starting pay is $22.00 - $25.00 an hour depending upon qualifications.
• HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE: There is no deadline to register to vote. You can register by going to olvr.vermont.gov to register on-line, by going to the town clerk’s office and filling out a paper registration form, or on election day at the polls.
Both positions provide health, dental, vision and disability insurance; paid time off; pension plan; and 13 paid holidays.
• EARLY BALLOTS: The State is automatically mailing ballots to all voters the week of September 23rd. You can check the status of your ballot request on your My Voter Page at mvp.vermont.gov. If you don’t receive a ballot and believe that you should have, please contact the Town Clerk’s office by phone, in person or via email at hroberts@hinesburg.org or kfrazier@hinesburg.org.
A highway application can be found on the town’s website www. hinesburg.org under “employement.” Applications can be emailed to Todd Odit, Town Manager at todit@hinesburg.org.
Special Town Meeting Tuesday, November 5, 2024 via Australian Ballot
The legal voters of the Town of Hinesburg, Vermont are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Town Hall at 10632 Vermont Route 116 in Hinesburg, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 to transact the following business by Australian ballot. Said voting by Australian ballot will begin with the polls opening at 7:00 A.M. and closing at 7:00 P.M.
ARTICLE I: Shall the Town assess a one percent (1%) tax on sales pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §138(b)?
ARTICLE II: Shall the Town assess a one percent (1%) tax on rooms pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §138(b)?
ARTICLE III: Shall the Town assess a one percent (1%) tax on meals & alcohol pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §138(b)?
Signed and dated this 1st day of October 2024, and as attested to by:
Merrily Lovell, Chair
Maggie Gordon, Vice-chair
Michael Loner Dennis Place
Paul Lamberson
Attest: Heather Roberts, Town Clerk
in the service directory email: Advertising@thecitizenvt.com or call 985-3091
