Shelburne Engine 1 arrived on the scene of a fully involved garbage truck fire on Juniper Ridge in Shelburne on May 16 at 2:54 p.m. Crews deployed two hand lines and promptly knocked down the bulk of the fire from the cab and body of the truck. Although the cause of the fire is still undetermined, fire officials think a mechanical malfunction under the truck’s cab may have caused the blaze. Eleven Shelburne firefighters were assisted by a crew from the South Burlington Fire Department.
Members of Shelburne’s Selectboard and Champlain Housing Trust met earlier this month to talk about how to make Shelburne a more welcoming place for all — including those temporarily residing at Harbor Place.
Located in the former Days Inn at 3229 Shelburne Road, Harbor Place is a motel, owned and operated by Champlain Housing Trust, that utilizes the motel voucher program administered by the state to temporarily house homeless individuals. But Chris Donnelly, Champlain Housing
Trust’s director of community relations, explained that Harbor Place does not exclusively utilize the motel voucher program — it also contracts with the University of Vermont Medical Center and other social service agencies like Steps to End Domestic Violence.
“That’s one thing I want to make sure to emphasize, Harbor Place is a motel, not a shelter. It’s not transitional housing. It’s a motel,” Donelly said.
The motel has been a topic of contention among residents and some former selectboard members
See HARBOR PLACE on page 12
A Champlain Valley Union high school senior was one of two Vermont students recognized for a Presidential Scholar award for academic excellence this year — an ambitious goal that Samuel Yager says has followed him throughout his entire high school career.
“When I was a freshman, I
arrived at (Champlain Valley Union), and on the wall of our gym, we have a ton of banners,” Yager said. “The one that had the least names on it for academics was this Presidential Scholar award. And I thought, ‘Oh, I want to get my name on that banner.’”
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars
See YAGER on page 16
Students from Champlain Valley Union High School are asking administrators to consider implementing a new ethnic studies and social equity credit as a requirement for graduation.
The proposal would require every CVU student to earn a half-credit in a course that focuses on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, according to a presentation given to the Champlain Valley School District School Board.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board are accepting public comment and will hold three public hearings on new proposed regulations for trapping and for hunting coyotes with dogs.
The new proposed regulations come in response to the Vermont Legislature’s passage last year of acts 159 and 165.
Act 159 directed the department to improve trapping safety and the welfare of animals trapped during the state’s regulated trapping seasons. The department’s proposal includes establishing a safety buffer between public roads, state-owned trails and places where traps can be set, and restricting the use of body-gripping traps to reduce the risk
to pets. Act 165 directed the department to create rules guiding the use of dogs to hunt coyotes, a practice that is not currently regulated. The department’s proposal will cap the number of individuals permitted to hunt coyotes with dogs in Vermont to 100 hunters.
It will also restrict the number of dogs involved in each hunt to four or fewer and includes safety provisions like requiring that dogs wear tracking and control collars when hunting.
Complete details on both sets of legislative requirements, the proposed regulation changes approved for public comment by the board earlier this spring, and additional recommendations from the department are available at bit.
ly/42N0qOu.
Public comment will be accepted through the end of June. Comments can be emailed to anr. fwpubliccomment @vermont.gov with the subject line “trapping and coyote regulations.”
Hearings will be held:
• June 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Rutland Middle School, 67 Library Ave., Rutland.
June 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Montpelier High School, 5 High School Drive, Montpelier.
June 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m., online on Microsoft Teams at tinyurl. com/trappinghearing.
Following public comment, revisions by the department, and a final vote by the board, the new regulations are expected to go into effect in January 2024.
“To fully implement the (school district’s) equity policy, CVSD must not only implement curricula which reflect the history and culture of students of all backgrounds, but also make engaging in these experiences a requirement,” Nisha Hickock, a junior at CVU from Hinesburg, said. “This also gives students the opportunity to meet the graduation standard of the responsible and involved citizenship.”
CVU “already has routes to fulfill the equity credit in place,” said Bageshree Blasius, a social studies teacher at the high school and a diversity, equity and inclusion coach. Those include courses in art and activism, global literature and media and society, for example, among other options.
“If we make this credit as a mandatory class, I think that would also motivate us into expanding some of our offerings as well,” Blasius said. “We’re hoping to do both: create new classes and electives and incorporate ethnic studies into required classes like the ninth grade and tenth grade curriculum. That’s one of the equity audit recommendations — a review of the curriculum and doing some work on horizontal alignment.”
The equity credit, students said, could also potentially meet future state recommendations to integrate
ethnic studies and social equity learning. Act 1, signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott in 2019, created a working group tasked with finalizing recommendations to make Vermont schools’ curricula more inclusive, and to better include the history and contributions of underrepresented groups in Vermont’s classrooms.
The curriculum is ultimately made at the local level, but the State Board of Education does set academic standards.
The Act 1 working group has been working to iron out those recommendations, and last year proposed a slate of changes in rules that would require schools to incorporate ethnic studies into pre-K-12 school curricula — although it is now hung up over whether it can apply those standards to private schools, according to a report from VTDigger.
But CVU students are hoping to get ahead of those recommendations to help “manifest the new CVSD diversity, equity and inclusion vision to create and sustain safe, diverse, equitable and inclusive learning ecosystem that would meet individual needs, foster belonging, acknowledge histories, and cultivate and celebrate identities and stories,” Lexi Hall, a junior at CVU, said during a recent school board meeting.
“Students have repeatedly requested more diversity of voice and perspective in our curriculum – mandating an equity credit (and expanding class offerings) would honor our students,” Hall said.
Angela Arsenault, chair of the Champlain Valley school board and a state representative in the Vermont Legislature representing Williston, said that “on this, students and administrators are aligned.”
See EQUITY on page 3
To some, Memorial Day is nothing more than the unofficial start of the summer season, but to others it is a day when all Americans should take a moment to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to country.
Residents of Shelburne will gather for the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Shelburne Veterans Monument Park on Monday, May 29, at 11 a.m. to honor the nation’s fallen heroes.
continued from page 2
“I know that we’ll have a lot to consider, sometime soon, when the Act 1 working group recommendations are actually adopted. This is right in line with a lot of those recommendations, but in a way even better because it’s coming from students asking for this education,” Arsenault said. “I really appreciate that and your willingness to ... share this with us.”
The new proposal comes as the school district has worked to establish work in diversity, equity and inclusion into students’ educational experience. CVU is the largest high school in the state.
The district hired its third director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Dr. Asma Abunaib, in September. Several weeks later, an equity audit found that marginalized groups in the district have not been achieving comparably outcomes compared to their peers.
Those historically marginalized students in the district had graduation rates of 82.6 percent in 2019 and 86.6 percent in 2021, compared to 97.2 percent and 98.3 percent, respectively, for their
Col. Laura P. Caputo, commander of the 158th Maintenance Group, 158th Flight Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, will be the guest speaker for the day.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, throughout her career she deployed many times in support of military operations including Northern and Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, along with supporting several domestic operations. In 2008, Caputo joined the Vermont Air
National Guard where she crosstrained as an intelligence officer.
Her awards and decorations are numerous and include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, National Defense Service, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Award, just to name a few.
Attendees of the service are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
— Staff report
peers, according to the audit.
Two incidents added urgency to the district’s work: in October, a homophobic slur was levied at CVU field hockey players during a game in Manchester. Then, in January, two CVU girls’ basketball games were postponed — one by Rice Memorial High School and another by Burlington High School — after students at the schools learned of a social media video that a CVU player posted last month that included racist language.
Merrill Jacobs, a member of the high school girls’ basketball team, said at the board meeting that “many communities were hurt by my teammate’s actions and if we had that ethnic studies requirement for graduation, we could build an education for students that could prevent future actions like that from happening.”
“We can’t allow students to keep ignoring such a present and ongoing issue in our community and leave high school without the proper knowledge of what those injustices are and how they occur within society,” Jacobs said.
CVU, the students said in their
presentation, has had “over 50 bullying, hazing and harassment incidents this year, most of which are related to DEI issues.”
“Throughout my time at CVU I have had to endure, as well as witness, all kinds of microaggressions: Whether this is a comment on how tan I am, or people want to touch my hair, or just jokes made in the classroom when people think that no one is listening,” Hickock told board members. “Although these may seem like insignificant events to many, these events build up for students of color and leave them feeling like they don’t have a place to belong in our community.”
“What’s most frustrating about these ignorant acts is that they’re avoidable,” Hickock added. “They’re taking place not because students have vicious intentions, or because they want to hurt others, but because they simply don’t know. If they haven’t been told what’s right or wrong, how are they supposed to?”
Arsenault said the board will plan on discussing the proposal among administrators at their next meeting.
Burlington — Construction continues along U.S. 7 (Shelburne Road, Shelburne Street, South Willard Street) to the intersection with U.S. 2 and Alt. U.S. 7 (North/South Winooski Ave, St. Paul Street) to the intersection with Riverside Avenue. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Expect delays. Parking restrictions will be in effect at various times.
Burlington, Shelburne Street
Roundabout — Construction continues on the Shelburne Street
Roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 7 (Shelburne Street, South Willard Street), Alt. U.S. 7 (Shelburne Street), Locust Street and Ledge Road. The entrance to Ledge Road at the roundabout will be closed Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Charlotte-South Burlington
— Roadway resurfacing continues along U.S. 7. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m.-6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Delays may occur, particularly in the evening.
Colchester — Construction continues on the Exit 16 diverging diamond interchange located along U.S routes 2 and 7. Travelers
should expect single-lane closures between 6 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be intermittent stoppages between 6 a.m.-7 p.m. and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for blasting. Wait times should not exceed 10 minutes.
During nighttime hours, motorists should expect lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. along U.S. routes 2 and 7. At least one travel lane will remain open in each direction.
Essex Junction — Work on the second phase of the Crescent Connector project is underway. Motorists should expect flagged traffic and delays on VT 2A (Park Street) near Five Corners. Seek alternate routes if possible.
Williston — Expect a longterm lane shift on U.S. 2 between Gregory Drive, South Burlington and Adams Drive, Williston. Impacts will be minimal, but travelers should be aware that flaggers will be present to allow construction vehicles to move in and out.
Williston Park and Ride —
Construction of a new park and ride facility along Vermont 2A continues, with one-way alternating traffic. Anticipate delays.
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Last week, the 2023 legislative session adjourned. It is important to note this year was quite different in many ways; one-third of the legislature is new, and three-quarters of the chairs of both House and Senate committees are new to their role; and the Democratic Party achieved a supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature after running on a progressive list of priorities.
Many members believe it is their duty to follow through for the voters and accomplish as much as possible. This legislative year focused on working toward increased housing options, permanently housing the homeless, comprehensive child care, paid leave, and real movement regarding climate change initiatives.
This year saw steady continued work on these important issues — Rep. Kate Lalley and me are planning each week for the next month or so to bring you an update on what occurred related to each of these initiatives, as well as an overview of the budget. This first article will focus on the general assistance homeless transition.
For background: From March 2020 through May 2022, we invested $908 million — mostly federal stimulus funding — into expanding the affordable housing supply and providing housing assistance. In the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget, we added more than $220 million to this year’s spending levels — in both base and one-time funding including an additional $12.5 million identified during the conference committee process, the time when the Senate and the House get together to work out differences on bills.
This $12.5 million in one-time funds was added specifically to help community partners working with the state to transition people to more permanent housing. These funds can be used very flexibly for everything from rental assistance to car repairs to medical expenses. At the same time, Vermont’s Agency of Human Services is working to set up emergency shelters, much like there would be in a natural disaster, as a landing place for individuals most at risk.
It is important to note that federal funding (American Rescue Plan Act money) would not allow for purchase of hotels or property. This one-time assistance from the federal government was specifically targeted at shelter for the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. Any additional money that the Legis-
lature puts into the hotel-motel program essentially robs Vermont from being able to invest in more permanent solutions.
This issue is complex. People’s needs are diverse and so the approach must be diverse. To address the many issues presented by the homeless in local communities, we need to consider everything from building affordable housing, mental health needs, addiction resources tied to the emergency housing program, expanding shelter capacity and increasing rates to providers who have the expertise to work with these families.
The second piece is the language in the budget on this issue. We know that local shelters, housing providers, community action agencies and others at the local level will continue to be on the front lines. The budget conference committee is requiring an “all hands on deck” approach at the top levels of state government. We are also making sure that those with the most critical needs are addressed through coordinated care teams and utilizing the existing process to assess and elevate those needs.
Finally, what has become extremely clear is that the housing component of the general assistance program lacks sufficient transparency to the public. It is reliant on policy and not on rules, meaning that the Department for Children and Families can change it at any point without public input. The House Committee on Human Services, which I serve on, will need to address these concerns next year; this will become an important focus of our 2023 work.
Remember, I am available along with Lalley and senators Tom Chittenden, Ginny Lyons and Kesha Ram Hinsdale on the fourth Monday of every month from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Shelburne Pierson Library in the Community Room to listen to concerns, answer questions and strategize together on important legislative work.
On June 26, we have invited Sen. Seth Barlow, vice chair of the House Committee on Environment and Energy to join us at our community meeting to discuss the S.5, the Clean Heat Standard, and S.100, the affordable housing legislation.
Both these bills have passed the Legislature and are set to become law after July 1.
You can also always find more information on the legislative webpage at legislature.vermont.gov or reach out to me at jbrumsted@leg.state.vt.us.
Rep. Jessica Brumsted, a Democrat, represents voters in St. George and Shelburne in the Chittenden 5-2 district.
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From the Senate Sen. Ginny Lyons
On May 12, the Senate and House adjourned after a productive legislative session. We provided solutions to many of Vermont’s important problems. Issues such as investing in child care, affordable housing, opioid addiction and response to climate change received significant media attention. Legislation covering other areas such as mental health, access to medication, public health and suicide and workforce initiatives have received less. I am sharing a few of these less publicized topics.
Many hospital and other care facilities have unused prescription drugs that are left when patients are discharged. I have worked with the Department of Health to determine how we might rescue these drugs for other patients who need them. The legislation we passed this session should be signed into law soon.
It will allow for a Vermont unused prescription drug repository to be established. Vermont will work with a program already established in another state. This will save considerable time and money. Unused prescription drugs that are securely wrapped will be catalogued and made available through a repository for Vermont patients.
The pandemic left many children and adults with anxiety and or severe mental health issues, potentially leading to suicide. Last session we dedicated $3 million to mental health programs. That bill was identified as a model by the national afterschool program. Recovery will take more time, planning and resources.
H.481, when signed into law, will result in statewide model protocols for suicide prevention. It is disturbing to know that there is a high rate of suicide among service members and veterans. The bill will help identify best practices for family
members and others to provide support for this group.
The bill also recognizes a need to explore research about how social and other media have adverse effects on young people, perhaps leading to suicide. The bill includes reference to prior legislative work on eating disorder treatment and prevention. Afterschool programs can help prevent suicide and help with other mental health issues.
The budget includes $4 million for such programs. These initiatives and others are greatly needed to turn the tide on critical areas of Vermont’s mental health crisis.
Last year, Chief Justice Paul Reiber and others in the Vermont judiciary invited me to participate with a statewide group of public safety officials, state’s attorneys, public defenders, and others to improve judicial procedures for those with mental health issues. My subcommittee recommended that I introduce S,91, an act relating to competency to stand trial and insanity as a defense.
committed a severe crime. The facility is designed to provide the medical and counseling services needed for people in these situations.
Our reduced health care workforce is a continuing issue. This session we passed several bills that will allow for physical therapists, psychologists, counsellors and audiologists to access temporary licenses in Vermont or other compact states. Vermont will join compacts with other states that allow these professionals to work in all these states. Hopefully, Vermont can benefit by drawing professionals into the state for needed permanent health care jobs.
In addition to these bills, the Legislature continues to invest over $70 million in state college forgivable loans, critically needed health profession scholarships (including nurses), small business technical assistance, Adult Basic Education, a sustainable jobs fund, and others.
The budget includes $4 million for such programs.
The law will shorten the length of time it takes for the judiciary to work with someone who is accused of a crime who may be incompetent to stand trial or who wishes to use insanity as a defense. House and Senate judiciary committees, as well as House and Senate health care committees, acted on the legislation to ensure that competency to stand trial is determined before someone is evaluated for insanity related issues.
Rep. Martin LaLonde’s column in the May 18 edition of The Other Paper provides a solid description of that bill.
The statewide group also supported S.89, which will establish a secure forensic facility for those with a mental illness or disability who may have
The combined support for professional education and workforce development, with the state’s investment in housing, can help Vermont become more economically sustainable.
To attract and keep workforce, the budget includes $50-plus million for supportive and general assistance housing, over $100 million for affordable and emergency housing, including a possible $10 million for the missing middle category of worker force housing. This upfront investment is critical to Vermont’s economic growth.
These are a few of the issues we have debated and supported during the session. I look forward to continuing our productive work next January.
Ginny Lyons, a Democrat from Williston, represents South Burlington, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne and several other towns in the Chittenden-Southeast Senate district.
Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington has won a Vermont Interfaith Power and Light Energy Saver award for a years-long project that has cut 40 tons of annual carbon emissions.
Over 17 years the church has reduced its carbon footprint by 60 percent through energy-saving measures — upgrading lighting, heating and cooling and ventilation systems, insulating the buildings and purchasing solar from a community solar farm.
“The New England Synod is delighted that Ascension Lutheran Church has been selected as a cool congregation,” Rev. Steven Wilco, associate to the bishop,
New England Synod, said. “The people of Ascension have long been leaders among Lutheran congregations in matters of environmental action and advocacy.”
Ascension Lutheran, a 120-member congregation, was built in the 1960s and was in serious need of energy upgrades. It was poorly insulated and weather-sealed and had inefficient heating and lighting systems.
Beginning in 2005, the Caring for Creation Committee started a process of energy audits, applying for utility and Vermont Interfaith Power and Light grants and embarked on a 17-year progression of energy improvements. This process raised
See CHURCH on page 9
Junapr, a public relations and communications firm, has acquired Standing O, an event firm in Vermont.
Both businesses operate from Charlotte.
Nicole Junas Ravlin, founder of Junapr, will become the CEO of the parent company, Junas Ravlin LLC.
In her new role, Ravlin will oversee the operations of Junapr and Junas Ravlin LLC.
Antonia Hinge of Shelburne, the founder of Standing O, will continue the role of president of Standing O and vice president of Junas Ravlin LLC.
“I am excited to welcome Standing O into the Junapr family,” said Ravlin, who lives in Shelburne.
The merger is expected to create three new full-time jobs.
Vermont Federal Credit Union was named a 2023 Best of the Best winner by MemberXP, a customer experience program offered through CU Solutions Group.
Annually, the Best of the Best award is given to credit unions that consistently provide extraordinary service as reported by their own members. More than 300,000 member surveys were completed in 2022,
providing data on financial experiences, such as opening an account or applying for a loan. The award winners represent the best-in-class of customer service for the industry.
Vermont Federal Credit Union received the award for best online banking experience, mobile banking app experience.
“We strive to provide our members with easy and efficient access to their accounts, and our online and mobile banking offerings are a critical component to providing the service and access our member’s desire,” said Vermont Federal Credit Union CEO Jean Giard.
The most luxurious portable restroom trailers in Vermont! Our units are perfect to supplement your restroom needs during your special event. We promise to serve up a memorable experience with our Pretty Potty grace and style.
COURTESY PHOTO
On May 11 the audience in the Shelburne Town Hall was treated to the voices of the New Creation Choir from Adult and Teen Challenge program. An informational presentation followed the choir, filling the audience in on the addiction epidemic in the U.S. and the faith-based program’s work with addicts. The program has facilities in Johnson and Hardwick. For more information call 802-760-8147 or email director@tcvermont.org.
and Go meal
Age Well and St. Catherine’s of Siena Parish in Shelburne are teaming up to provide a meal to go for anyone age 60 and older on Tuesday, June 13.
The meal 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 is meatloaf with brown sauce, mashed potatoes. Mixed vegetables, wheat bread, apple crisp with topping and milk.
To order a meal contact Kathleen at agewellstcath@gmail.com or 802-503-1107. Deadline to order is Wednesday, June 7. If this is a first-time order, provide your name, address, phone number and date of birth
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is hosting a reception for the state’s business leaders to honor the career of Sen. Patrick Leahy on Thursday, June 8, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the University of Vermont’s Dudley H. Davis Center.
“Throughout his illustrious career, Sen. Leahy, alongside his wife Marcelle, has left an indelible mark on Vermont’s economic landscape, supporting innovation, research, higher education, transportation and manufacturing,” according to a chamber
press release. “From advocating for policies that foster business growth to championing initiatives that protect the environment and uplift local communities, Sen. Leahy’s tireless efforts have shaped Vermont’s prosperity and future.”
Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. More at vtchamber.com.
Charlotte resident, author of “The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation,” prevention coach at Sana at Stowe, and a mother in substance use recovery for the past 10 years, Jessica Lahey is giving a local talk on preventing substance at Champlain Valley Union High School on Thursday, May 25, at 7 p.m.
Lahey will talk about risk, prevention and setting family and community standards around substance use.
“It can be a scary topic but the more we talk about it, the easier it gets,” Lahey said.
The talk is free and open to the public. Sign up at bit.ly/3pUU8hg.
The ninth annual Cancer Survivors Social will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2-4 p.m., at the Inn at Shelburne Farms.
The social is free for survivors, caregivers and cancer-related providers. Enjoy lemonade, iced
Join Shelburne artist Casey Blanchard in the opening of the exhibit, “Change the Story,” Thursday, June 1, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Shelburne Vineyard. “‘Change the Story’ asks us to restructure and revision the systemic beliefs that guide our actions and decisions,” said Blanchard. “My hope is that we reinvigorate our love of ourselves, of our planet, of our interconnectedness and of our better angels.” The show will be on display through mid-July. A portion of any sales will be donated to World Central Kitchen. “When disaster strikes, World Central Kitchen’s relief team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need,” she said. Above, a canvas by Shelburne artist Casey Blanchard.
tea and healthy, local hors d’oeuvres with produce from Shelburne Farms. It’s a special time, place and day to celebrate survivorship — June 4 is National Survivors Day — and to connect with other survivors and caregivers.
Since space is limited, so registration is required. Go to give. uvmhealth.org/survivorssocial.
The social is hosted by the Eleanor B. Daniels Fund at the University of Vermont Cancer Center.
Would you like to volunteer at the Pierson Library?
The library is actively looking for a few book shelvers on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, and one opening that is flexible to fill in for vacationing volunteers.
Essential duties and responsibilities include shelving books, DVDs, CDs; organizing maga-
zines and newspapers; assisting with upkeep and order of shelves; and making sure books are in proper order.
The position requires attention to detail and a love of order and organization. Volunteer must be able to maneuver carts or baskets of books and lift light to medium weights. Dewey Decimal System training provided. Volunteers
continued from page 7
their members’ consciousness regarding climate change and the need to reduce their carbon footprint at the church and in their daily lives.
Ascension’s first step was to get an energy efficiency assessment from Interfaith Power & Light, followed by a variety of measures including replacing incandescent lightbulbs with energy efficient fluorescent and LED bulbs and replacing two aging refrigerators.
In 2011, Ascension was awarded a $11,100 Vermont Community Climate Change Grant from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and then committed $16,000 of its own funds and another $2,750 in incentives from Vermont Gas and Efficiency Vermont to renovate its existing gas heating system, including replacement of a 40-year-old boiler.
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State and federal officials will hold a special bait drop this month to address a local wildlife rabies outbreak in Chittenden County.
This effort is in addition to the statewide bait drop that occurs annually in August. Beginning Thursday, May 11, rabies vaccine — in the form of a sweet-smelling oral bait that is attractive to raccoons and skunks — will be dropped from a low-flying helicopter and placed by hand in residential areas.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals and without post-exposure treatment is fatal to both humans and animals. In Vermont, rabies is usually seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats and woodchucks, but pets and livestock can also get the disease if they have not been vaccinated for rabies. The virus is spread primarily through the bite of an infected animal.
Since March 2022, 28 animals tested positive for rabies in Chittenden County, including 19 raccoons, seven skunks and two bats. In October, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services responded to the uptick by hand vaccinating more than 700 raccoons, skunks and foxes before releasing them back into the wild.
“We typically expect to see only one or two rabid animals in Chittenden County in a year, most commonly in bats,” Natalie Kwit, state public health veterinarian for the Vermont Health Department, said. “This bait drop will help prevent further spread of rabies among wildlife, protecting people and domestic animals who may come into contact with them.”
Officials are still learning why more animals are testing positive for rabies but said ample alterna-
tive food sources in urban areas like greater Burlington present challenges in enticing the animals to eat the oral vaccine.
The spring oral rabies vaccine bait distribution will continue through approximately Friday, May 19, in Chittenden County. Residents of Colchester, Malletts Bay, Starr Farm Beach and the New North End of Burlington, Milton, Brookside and Essex may see low-flying helicopters dropping the bait. This effort will distribute approximately 37,800 baits before being repeated in August as part of a larger rabies baiting project.
The bait packs are not poisonous and are not harmful to people, pets or wildlife. If you find a bait pack, please don’t touch it unless necessary. Leave the bait undisturbed so it can be eaten by wildlife. If the bait must be moved, use gloves or a plastic bag. If your pet eats a bait, or if a child brings one home, let officials know by calling the Vermont Rabies Hotline
Jen Ellis, author of “Bernie’s Mitten Maker,” is coming to Shelburne’s Pierson Library on Thursday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m.
Ellis was a teacher and crafter when the mittens she sewed for Sen. Bernie Sanders became the inspiration for millions of memes. Originally from South Portland, Maine, Ellis’s teaching career spanned nearly two decades in public schools in North Carolina and Vermont.
She is a songwriter, beekeeper and still sews the occasional pair of mittens for local nonprofit fundraisers. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Vermont.
This is Ellis’s debut publication.
She lives in Vermont with her wife and daughter. Books and mittens will be available to buy.
at 1-800-4-RABIES (1-800-4722437) or call the toll-free number printed on the bait.
If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound very well with soap and water and contact your health care provider immediately.
If your pet or farm animal was bitten by a wild or stray animal that might have rabies, contact your veterinarian. State law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated for rabies — even barn cats. Always feed pets inside the house and keep them indoors at night. If they are outdoors during the day, keep them on a leash or in an enclosed space. Pets that roam free are more likely to be exposed to rabies.
If you see a wild or stray animal acting strangely, or are concerned about rabies exposure, call the Vermont Rabies Hotline. Do not touch or pick up wild or stray animals — even baby animals — or try to make them into pets.
To learn more about rabies in Vermont, visit bit.ly/3O27O47.
continued from page 8
help with a wide variety of tasks and services.
To be considered, fill out a volunteer application at piersonlibrary.org.
All volunteers will also be asked to fill out a background check application.
Crosspoint Church, 237 Commerce St., in Williston is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, May 31, noon-5 p.m.
Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org with the word crosspoint.
All donors at this drive will receive a limited-edition Red Cross beach towel. Quantities limited.
Marlie Cartwright added two goals and an assist.
Girls’ Ultimate
Champlain Valley 15, Burr and Burton 2: Champlain Valley snapped a two-game losing streak with a decisive victory over Burr and Burton Monday, May 22.
Grace Thompson paced CVU with six goals and three assists. Samara Ashooh and Abby Bunting each tallied twice for the Redhawks, while Stella Ewald and Ruby Opton each added three assists.
Greta Friesan, Abby Niquette, Kate Sayre, Skyler Gade and Elizabeth Parent had goals for the Redhawks, who moved to 4-5.
Burr and Burton 11, Champlain Valley 8: The Champlain Valley girls’ lacrosse team suffered just its second defeat of the season, falling to Burr and Burton Monday.
Stella Dooley led the Redhawks with three goals, while Dicey Manning added a goal and an assist. Amelie Scharf, Emerson Rice, Tess Everett and Grace McNally each chipped in with a goal.
Ava Medici and Clare Stackpole McGrath combined to make five saves in goal, now 11-2.
CVU won on Saturday, May 20, beating Mount Mansfield 19-10.
Bibi Frechette, Everett, Scharf and Dooley all had hat tricks and
Passes can be purchased at the beach entrance starting June 19, daily from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. or at the recreation office beginning Tuesday, May 30, from 8:30 a.m.4 p.m.
Season passes are for sale to Shelburne residents only; be prepared to show proof of residency. The pass is a sticker that will be placed on the front bumper of your car by a staff member.
Passes are $30 for the first car, and $10 for each additional car in a household. For seniors, the cost is $15 per car. All groups of 20 or more people must schedule with
Champlain Valley 5, South Burlington 2: Champlain Valley nearly swept the singles matches in boys’ tennis as it beat South Burlington Monday.
Oscar Anderson, Ziggy Babbott, Jacob Braham and Nolan Sandage all won in singles for the Redhawks, while Fernando Tejera and Zach Vincent teamed up for a win in doubles.
Baseball
Champlain Valley 8, Essex 5: Champlain Valley won its second game in a row on Saturday, beating Essex on the back of a strong pitching performance from Jack Richburg.
Richburg allowed five hits in six innings of work, while Kyle Tivnan went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Travis Stroh had a double and drove in two runs, while Calvin Steele and Steve Rickert each added an RBI.
CVU moves to 10-1 with the win.
Champlain Valley 10, Essex 5: The boys won two in a row, beating Montpelier on Saturday and then grabbing a win over Essex on Friday, May 19.
DJ Steinman had three goals and Jacob Lepple added four assists in the win Saturday.
Lepple had two goals and two assists to pace the Redhawks on
the department in advance.
No dogs or other pets are allowed at the park or on the beach at any time.
The deadline is Friday, June 16. The Shelburne Recreation Soccer League is for students entering grades one through six in the fall. All teams will be assigned one practice night during the week and will compete in games on Saturdays. First to fourth grade teams will play all games at Shelburne Community School on Saturday mornings. Fifth and sixth grade
Friday. Quinn Bagnato and Zach Spitznagle each added two goals, while Tom Roberts and Charlie Garavelli each chipped in with two assists.
CVU moves to 7-1.
Champlain Valley 6, Woodstock 4: Champlain Valley rebounded from its first loss of the season with a win over Woodstock Friday.
BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS®
There is no better time to join our Team!
Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!
teams will play other town recreation teams at home and away. Travel in the area is required. Games may be any time on Saturdays, morning or afternoon. The fee is $40 before June 16, and $55 after that date. A uniform shirt is required; the cost is $25. Please order when registering if your child does not already have one. Uniform orders must be placed by June 16 to guarantee preferred size.
No registrations will be accepted after Aug. 4. Kids will be placed on a wait list and put on a team only if space allows after this date.
Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. Consider joining our team as a Temporary Community Banker!
Relevant Skills:
• Customer Service
• Cash Handling (we’ll train you!)
Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we encourage you to apply!
If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team!
Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to:
Careers@nsbvt.com
HARBOR PLACE
continued from page 1
with many conflating a perceived increase in crime to the people living at Harbor Place. In an attempt to renew the sometimes fraught relationship the town has with the housing trust, selectboard members Cate Cross and Andrew Everett met with CEO Michael Monte to discuss a better partnership moving forward.
“We know that past selectboards and management in Shelburne were not really friendly when it came to sitting down with (Champlain Housing Trust),” Cross said. “There is such a wound from past experiences on their part where they felt really backed into a corner and it didn’t feel like a constructive way for them to hear feedback. They felt like people were just angry and coming after them.”
Monte said the meeting was a way for leadership to “restate their commitment to meet with (police
chief, Mike Thomas), the town manager and individuals on the selectboard as we work through any issues at Harbor Place,” he said. “We indicated that we like our discussions to be fact-based and will rely on (Thomas) and police to assist us in identifying issues where a law has been broken or where behavior has been an issue.”
Cross said that the group agreed to meet on a monthly basis with Thomas to discuss any trends in police data because “we don’t have enough data to go off of to say, ‘Hey, this is a problem’ or Here’s a weak point that we can work with you to build.’”
Everett, who is also a board member of the Shelburne Craft School, said, “I think there’s a feeling in town that bad things happen and Champlain Housing Trust just doesn’t do anything about it and that couldn’t be further from the
There is no better time to join our team!
Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont. We are committed to providing a welcoming work environment for all. Are you looking to start or continue a career in the finance industry? Consider joining our team as a Community Banker!
Job Responsibilities & Requirements
This frontline position is crucial in creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience for NSB customers. The successful candidate for NSB customers. The successful candidate will have exceptional customer service and communication skills.
The Community Banker will be responsible for receiving and processing customers’ financial transactions as well as opening and maintaining customer accounts and services. We are looking for someone who can develop and maintain relationships with our valued customers, protect bank and customer information, and uphold customer confidentiality. A high school diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent is required. If you have customer service, previous cash handling, or banking experience we encourage you to apply!
NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and assist with professional development within our company. The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes growth, join our team!
Competitive compensation based on experience. Well-rounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work-Life balance!
We understand the importance of having evenings and weekends with our friends, families, and the communities we serve!
Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com or mail to:
Northfield Savings
Bank Human Resources
PO Box 7180, Barre, VT 05641
truth.”
Although there is no data that links crime to individuals at Harbor Place, residents have flooded public comment at past selectboard meetings to air grievances about the motel and the housing trust. At a selectboard meeting last summer, business owners took to the mic to express the “unsustainable environment” that the motel voucher program creates for businesses that are located in the town of Shelburne.
“Currently the situation, in my opinion, is out of control, with the state of Vermont and the Champlain Housing Trust just throwing millions of dollars at a problem with no plan or solution,” Tim Williams, a Shelburne resident and the owner of Exterus Business Furniture, Archies Grill and the Scoop, said at the time.
In 2020, the trust also faced vehement resident opposition when looking to build affordable housing at the site of the former Champlain Lanes Bowling Alley, with some residents expressing disapproval of affordable housing in town altogether.
At a planning commission meeting in 2020 to discuss the development, one resident said, “The opinion of a lot of people really comes down to not wanting
low-income housing near them.”
Another resident chimed in, “I drove by (Harbor Place) on the way here and there was a Shelburne (police) cruiser parked right out front. My car gets broken into since they moved in and never before. Now they are buying another property in my neighborhood, and I’m having a hard time with this.”
More recently, the subject came again to the selectboard table after a man at the motel caused substantial damage to a room and assaulted a member of Shelburne Rescue and a Shelburne police officer.
Monte explained that background screenings for individuals coming into the motel are limited due to the nature of their contract with the state. But at the moment, the trust does not allow anyone who is a registered sex offender and if someone commits a petty crime, “we will give one warning, and ask them to leave if it occurs again.”
He said the trust is currently “working to get approved as an agency that works with the vulnerable so that we can use a background check service to screen for violent individuals.”
But Cross and Everett explained that the meeting was mostly meant to reestablish Shelburne as a place
Highway Foreperson
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.
Highway Maintainer
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.
Both positions provide health, dental, vision and disability insurance; paid time off; pension plan; and 13 paid holidays.
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.
that welcomes diversity while working to dismantle the negative stigma many residents and town officials have placed on Harbor Place.
“They’re not going anywhere,” Everett said. “They’re part of Shelburne, and it’s important for the leaders of Shelburne to just be neighborly and say, ‘this is part of the community and how can we make them feel welcome?’”
“It’s easy to make people who are different than ourselves seem ‘othered,’” said Cross, who is also a member of the town’s diversity and equity committee. “I think we all, in our families or among our circles, have loved ones who have struggled with drug abuse, alcohol abuse, mental illness and even homelessness. So to think about how we can diversify our community and welcome folks in who need an extra hand really is a driving factor for me.”
With pandemic-era funding for the state’s motel voucher program expected to dry up by July 1, nearly 1,800 households currently housed in hotels and motels across the state are expected to be without shelter.
The state has a contract with Champlain Housing Trust for a block of rooms dedicated to those utilizing the housing programs.
Donnelly explained that the motel currently houses 55 adults and 13 children, and in any given year can service more than 600 people over the 12-month period. Because of its set contract with the state, the motel will still be utilized by those using the voucher program after July 1, but now the criteria for those entering the program will revert to pre-pandemic guidelines on a much stricter basis.
“Things like: Do you have a child under six? Are you in your third trimester of pregnancy? Are you older?” Donnelly said. “There’s a certain level of criteria, and then you qualify. Depending on your situation it allows a certain number of days.”
Although the voucher program is ending, he explained that Harbor Place is still expected to maintain at full capacity in coming months.
“Harbor Place will still be used as a motel for people who don’t have another place to go,” he said. “I think the real effects going to be on the people that are staying in the motels and communities that will be trying to support them. That’s the real issue.”
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“It’s easy to make people who are different than ourselves seem ‘othered.’”
— Cate Cross
March 21 - April 20
You may struggle to get going this week, Aries. But once you do, it will be full speed ahead. In fact, you may need to slow things down to let others catch up.
April 21 - May 21
Taurus, if you are feeling a bit scattered as of late, take some time out of your schedule to meditate and re ect on what is most important to you. Then follow that path.
May 22 - June 21
Gemini, give yourself permission to move slowly this week. If you racing through things, you’re apt to make mistakes. Set your own pace and let things play out as they may.
June 22 - July 22
Deadlines could make for a heated week, Cancer. It’s best to remove yourself from any situations before they get out of hand. Offer advice when things cool down.
July 23 - Aug. 23
Routines are boring you lately, Leo. You may need to shake things up. If you work a set schedule, see if you can go to ex time and look for ways to change.
Aug. 24 - Sept. 22
Do not let drama that doesn’t involve you sneak into your orbit, Virgo. If you need to distance yourself from others for a while, then do so.
Sept. 23 - Oct. 23
Libra, others feel you’re giving off some highstrung vibes this week, and they wouldn’t be wrong. Something is weighing on your shoulders. Figure out what it is and lighten the load.
Oct. 24 - Nov. 22
Scorpio, you’re dishing out all sorts of sage advice but it may be frustrating if others don’t want to take it. All you can do is offer and let others lead their lives.
Here’s How It Works:
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can gure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
Nov. 23 - Dec. 21
Things may be a little rough around the edges lately, and you’ll need to gure out the ways to smooth things over, Sagittarius. Find a few friends who are in your corner.
Dec. 22 - Jan. 20
Capricorn, emphasize a slow and methodical approach to a problem with an elusive solution. Slowing things down has a tendency to provide substantial clarity.
Jan. 21 - Feb. 18
Disagreements on how to move forward could bring tension at home or work this week, Aquarius. Everyone needs to put their ideas on the table and whittle down the best answer.
Feb. 19 - March 20
Don’t compare yourself to others, Pisces; otherwise, you may downplay all of your wonderful attributes. Be proud of who you are.
CLUES ACROSS
1. Wear away by friction
7. Insecticide
10. Elicited a secret vote
12. Beef
13. Disagreement
14. __ Crawford, supermodel
15. Jeweled headdress
16. Digits
17. Trillion hertz
18. Snap up
19. Classical portico
21. Residue after burning
22. Large integers
27. Free agent
28. Where ballplayers work
33. Blood type 34. Scottish city
36. Google certi cation (abbr.)
37. Serbian monetary unit
38. Make a sudden surprise attack on 39. Wood or metal bolt 40. Relaxing attire 41. Famed neurologist
44. Dullish brown fabrics
45. Member of ancient Jewish sect
48. Grif th, Rooney
49. Lawmakers
50. Government lawyers
51. The arch of the foot
CLUES DOWN
1. Non owering aquatic plant
2. Britpop rockers
3. National capital
4. Consumed
5. The habitat of wild animals
6. Sun up in New York
7. Cygnus star
8. Male parents
9. Talk to you (abbr.)
10. A place to clean oneself
11. Southwestern US state
12. South Korean idol singer
14. Pirate
17. Pituitary hormone (abbr.)
18. Mistake
20. Promotions
23. Prepares
24. Partner to owed
25. State lawyer
26. Patti Hearst’s captors
29. Pound
30. Electronic data processing
31. Sports player
32. Treats with contempt 35. Apprehend 36. Excessively talkative 38. Highways 40. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid 41. College organization for males
42. Any customary observance or practice 43. Employee stock ownership plan 44. Male parent 45. The 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet 46. Female bird
RABIES BAIT
continued from page 2
The week-long bait drop is a cooperative effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.
saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.
service directory to advertise call 985-3091 or email advertising@shelburnenews.com
Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its
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So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons.
SHELBURNE HY P ER RE L IC
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YAGER continued from page 1
selects students annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership. The 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one male and female student from each state, as well as 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.
Created in 1964, the program has honored over 8,000 of the nation’s top-performing students. Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2023 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by state school officers.
Yager, who has dreams of becoming an astronaut, has placed a strong emphasis on his academic achievements throughout high school — his SAT score was 1540, just shy of a perfect score of 1600. But Yager said his SAT score was only a small first step to being considered for the award.
“That’s only to determine who gets into the initial pool. I think there were around 50 (students)
for Vermont. From there, they send out an application that you fill out and you write tons of different essays on different topics, then you have to send in your grades, recommendations and a bunch of other stuff.”
On top of his skills in math and physics, Yager said he helped create robotics teams throughout the entire district with the help of robotics coach Olaf Verdonk, who he says he owes much of his success. Verdonk also brought CVU’s Scholars Bowl team — Yager is on that too — to victory with the 2022 Vermont State Championship, the second state championship for CVU since 2007.
“That’s actually one of the reasons I got this thing is because (Verdonk) recommended me for it. Then he’s helped me get a lot of the milestones along the way that have led up to this,” he said.
Yager explained that the staff in the district helped cultivate his talents while also creating a safe and welcoming environment to ask questions and get help when needed.
“One thing that’s great about CVU is you can find time to get help in any class if you need it,” he said. “I’ve never had a class where
I couldn’t talk to a teacher after or during class and find time to work on an assessment that didn’t go well. But also, they’re all just people there. They’re not just this higher-up person that teaches me. They’re someone I can talk to you have a conversation with and get help from.”
Yager plans to attend Purdue University in the fall for aerospace engineering with the hope of one day walking on the moon. But for now, he is looking forward to his next Ultimate game, and of course, seeing his name among the other select few on the Presidential Scholar banner.
“It shows me that I can do anything. To the kid who told me, way back in the day, ‘Oh, that’s really hard, you’re not going to get that award.’ I proved him wrong,” Yager said. “I did it. But it also is super encouraging because it’s been more than 10 years since anyone at my schools won. So it’s huge for our school, and even just the community in general. It’s an honor.”
Jennifer Bickel-Hayes, Yager’s high school counselor for the past four years, described him as an “exceptional individual and student.”
“He has strong goals for the
future and most certainly has the skills and abilities to make them come to fruition,” she said. “While I know that Sam is much smarter than I’ll ever hope to be, he never makes you feel less than. He is
kind and friendly, asks appropriate and well-thought-out questions, shows interest in others, and offers his opinion when appropriate. I have no doubt that I’ll be reading about Sam someday in the news.”