Shelburne News

Shelburne

to vote on new wastewater facility

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

Shelburne will vote on a roughly $38 million bond for a new consolidated wastewater treatment plant in November.

Dubbed the largest infrastructure project in Shelburne’s history, the project has been years in the making and is set to cost more than $45 million, which includes a 10 percent construction contingency for inflation.

The project assumes more than 30 percent funding in grants.

Town manager Matt Lawless outlined in a memo to the Shelburne Selectboard that the largest influx will come from Vermont’s Pollution Control Grants, which provide substantial loan forgiveness through the state’s revolving loan fund. Other grant resources include Efficiency Vermont, the federal Northern Borders Regional Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, congressionally designated spending, and dozens of other sources.

The bond assumes an interest rate of only 2 percent for 30

See WASTEWATER on page 10

PHOTO BY BRENDA BERGERON Light and clouds and sun and sky mix

stunning sunset over Shelburne Bay.

Lake views

Little Boosties packs a nutritional punch for kids

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

For a working mom with kids, sometimes it’s just easier to pick your battles. But for Charlotte resident Niccola Milnes, when it comes to the health of her three children, that’s a battle she will always choose to fight.

That’s the basis of her new entrepreneurial adventure, Little Boosties, a “first of its kind” vitamin and daily supplement super gummy for kids.

The whole endeavor is an extension of the legacy of women who came before her, specifically her mother, who is a naturopathic doctor who focuses on a holistic approach to health and wellness. Growing up in an environment focused on health shaped her entire worldview, she said, especially when she started having kids of her own.

“For my mom, that was her love language,” Milnes said, seated at Le Marché Bakery and Cafe in Shelburne after just hopping off a trans-continental flight for her day job. “For my three boys, I was really lucky when they were little, I could always call my mom anytime I had a question about food or an ingredient or supplements.”

Her work has brought her all over the world. Her children were born in Nairobi, Kenya, which is heavily polluted, and that is where she subconsciously started to dream of a product that could do it all.

“(My mom) was always telling me things to give them to help clear their bodies of pollution, toxic chemicals, which we knew were quite high there,” she said. “So, I could always kind of cobble together this sort of regime for them to take.”

But in an oversaturated adult market, she consistently found herself frustrated by the

lack of options available for children when it came to vitamins and supplements.

Her concern intensified last year when Vermont was walloped by smoke from Canadian wildfires and as news alerts and weather updates encouraged parents to keep their kids indoors as the air quality worsened.

With an itinerary of protective supplements and probiotics, she compiled a list of some accessible ingredients and posted the recipes to her social media page, hoping that it might help at least one parent looking for some options.

But, to her surprise, she checked her page hours later and was inundated with messages from parents desperate for more information.

“The word they kept using was that they felt ‘helpless,’” she said. “It’s recognizing that the world has changed. Raising a kid in 2024 is different than 20 years ago. There’s more toxic exposure, heavy metals, pollution, pesticides, even stress.”

Finally, she said, she stopped assuming that existing companies would solve the problem and instead got to work on a product herself, one that packs a whole punch with omega acids, vitamins, minerals, herbs, fruits and veggies, and pre- and probiotics.

But the road to a finished product was far from over once a formula had been created.

“I went to a manufacturer with my amazing formula, thinking I’ve solved the world’s problems. I’m sure you are kind of getting a sense of where this went,” she laughed.

It took over a dozen attempts to find a manufacturer that would take on the challenge.

“Some just never called me back. Some

said, ‘You’ll go bankrupt.’ Then my favorite, I actually have printed it out and taped it to my wall, a manufacturer who said, ‘You seem really nice. This is what I call Frankenstein projects. This will never work. Walk away now.’”

In the end, and with the right team, Milnes didn’t have to compromise on any of her 60 non-negotiable ingredients for a product that actually tastes good — it’s kid-tested, of course.

Little Boosties is set to be available for purchase online on the website (wottongreens.com) in two weeks. Milnes also said she hopes the product will make it onto Healthy Living shelves shortly after.

“I’m so proud of the integrity of the ingredients, because this is where you will lose most people in the details. But for me, it mattered,” she said. “My bar is really high for my kids, and I’m not willing to sell something that doesn’t meet that.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Niccola Milnes and her three boys who helped come up with the name Little Boosties for her vitamin supplements.

PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

Vermont prepares for new wave of COVID-19 vaccines

CHLOE JAD VTDIGGER

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that it has approved and authorized administration of a new COVID-19 vaccine formula, and Vermonters will soon be able to access those vaccinations at primary care offices and pharmacies in the state, according to the state Department of Health.

The vaccine is designed to target currently circulating variants more closely and better protect against serious outcomes of the virus, the FDA said in a press release.

As immunity wanes in the general population, prior vaccinations and exposure to the coronavirus are less effective in preventing future infections, according to Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

“Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention,” Marks said. “These updated vaccines meet the agency’s rigorous, scientific standards

Correction

for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality.”

Vermont’s COVID-19 indicators have been on an upswing this summer, with 17 people dying from the virus so far this month — the most this year since January’s total of 29 deaths, according to the Department of Health’s weekly surveillance report.

Wastewater facilities in Montpelier, South Burlington and Essex Junction have seen an increase in COVID-19 levels recently as well.

The updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are approved

for use in people 12 and older, and other updated versions from the two companies are authorized for emergency use for individuals between 6 months and 11 years of age, according to the FDA release.

Health care providers in Vermont will begin ordering products within the next two weeks, according to Sharon Muellers, senior public health communication officer with the health department.

See VACCINES on page 7

Photos from the recent Diamond Island Regatta were taken by Joe Gannon and Julie Trottier. Last week’s issue omitted the photographers’ names.

Amanda Comolli, right, hands off a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic at the Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury in the fall of 2023.

Grief awareness talk takes place Friday

Join the Pierson for National Grief Awareness Day on Friday, Aug. 30, 6-7 p.m., to explore the many ways people cope with loss and how to support loved ones on their grief journey.

Pamela D. Blair and Bradie McCabe Hansen, co-authors of “The Long Grief Journey: How Long-Term Unresolved Grief Can Affect Your Mental Health and What to Do About It,” will discuss developing grief awareness and its benefits over time. They will be joined by grief specialists Ally Parker and Ali Waltien for a relaxed, open and creative conversation. All attendees are welcome to participate.

Information about grief support opportunities in Vermont will be available, and books will be for sale.

News from Pierson Library

Shelburne Museum book club

The library is partnering with the Shelburne Museum for another Exhibitionist’s Book Club. This month focuses on Colson Whitehead’s fabulist, speculative novel “The Underground Railroad” and takes place on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 6:30-8 p.m.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is an alternate history of the antebellum South that imagines the underground railroad as a real rail transit system. The book pairs beautifully with the museum’s current exhibition, “All Aboard: The Railroad in American Art.”

Book copies are available at the front desk and all book club members get free admission to see the gallery. Come before the discussion to get a copy and a museum pass. The discussion will be led by Kat Redniss

of the museum and Pierson’s Jasper Oliver.

Our growing garden

Volunteer master gardeners through the University of Vermont Extension, led by project leader, artist and UVM painting professor Steve Budington help manage Pierson Library planting efforts.

See what they’re up to and stay posted for great garden-related programs to come.

Try our tryables

You might have heard that the Pierson has curated a new library of things. Come by to check out colorblindness-correcting glasses, instruments such as ukuleles and Moog synthesizers, gold-panning kits, record players, a slew of brand-new vinyl records, and much more.

Shelburne Police Blotter: Aug. 19-25

Total reported incidents: 83

Traffic stops: 34

Warnings: 33

Tickets: 1

Arrests: 2

Medical emergencies: 22

Mental health incidents: 3

Suspicious incidents: 13

Directed patrols: 26

Citizen assists: 3

Motor vehicle complaints: 0

Car crash: 4

Animal problem: 5

Noise disturbance: 0

Unlawful Mischief: 0

Theft: 1

Harassment: 0

Vandalism: 1

Property damage: 1

Fraud: 2

Alarms: 3

Pending investigations: 3

911 Hang-up calls: 0

Incidents:

Aug. 18 at 1:09 a.m., police located a suspicious person near Automaster. The individual was identified and released.

Aug. 19 at 7:59 a.m., police and rescue responded to a Harbor Road home for an unresponsive family member, where Jennifer Bolduc, 62, of Shelburne, was found dead. The officer investigated and determined that the death was not suspicious and the medical examiner’s office was notified.

Aug. 19 at 10:05 a.m., someone on Champlain Drive report-

ed a problem with a dog. The animal control officer was notified.

Aug. 19 at 9:53 p.m., power lines were down in the road near Spear Street and Barstow Road. Shelburne fire, rescue and police were dispatched. Green Mountain Power removed the hazard.

Aug. 21 at 4:39 p.m., police mediated a dispute on Ockert Lane.

Aug. 21 at 8:43 p.m., a stray dog was running loose on Hedgerow Drive. The animal control officer was notified.

Aug. 22 at 1:44 a.m., a suspicious person near Shelburne and Webster roads was identified and released.

Aug. 22 at 1:41 p.m., someone dropped off a puppy found abandoned off a walking trail on Ethan Allen Highway.

Aug. 22 at 7:50 p.m., a caller reported a stray dog running loose on Shelburne and Hullcrest roads. The animal was located and reunited with its owner.

Aug. 22 at 11:25 p.m., police assisted South Burlington police with a possible underage party at Shelburne Road and Laurel Hill Drive in South Burlington.

Aug. 23 at 9:10 a.m., a caller reported a suspicious vehicle

See BLOTTER on page 12

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Why wood debris is good for Vermont’s waterways?

Guest Perspective

Karina Dailey

Concerns from Vermont community members, our own observations as landowners and road crews cleaning up post-flooding damage have raised significant concerns that some activities are causing more harm to Vermont waters and violate Vermont’s laws that protect public waters. As floods become more frequent in Vermont due to climate change, we must respond to these disasters in a way that protects natural resources and does not exacerbate the impacts of flooding.

Drive for a few minutes in any direction in Vermont and you’ll notice the significant changes the rivers have had on the landscape this past year. Guardrails are falling into rivers, streams are flowing over and under roads, sediment deposits of all sizes are

providing nutrients to floodplains and woody debris and upstream garbage has left drift piles in unexpected places. The rivers are actively reshaping communities.

As we clean up and move forward from the disastrous flooding, we need to remember that flooding is a natural process and, because of a changing climate, it will happen again. This is how rivers function. At the same time, maintaining the built environment is critical for our own safety and function. We need to be able to travel along roads and feel safe in our homes, schools, businesses and other buildings.

of all wood, which provides sustenance and helps maintain the integrity of the water cycle. Wood is good for waterways because fallen trees trap sediment and provide anchors around which the river can scour and undercut,

ic macroinvertebrates. Complexity is key.

We need to consider how management of rivers worsens both flooding and ecological health.

shaping deposition, dissipating energy and even regulating water temperature.

It makes sense to remove woody debris that might compromise the integrity of bridges and culverts. However, it doesn’t make sense to devoid the stream

Having a mix of habitat types is critical to river health, structure and biodiversity. Fallen trees act as nurse logs for new islands of growth — algae grow on decaying wood and then traps seeds for native plants to establish. Water that pools around the wood traps small sticks and vegetative matter providing a food source for aquat-

A SHOWCASE OF THE ARTS

Aside from the habitat implications, when a river is dredged, straightened, armored and “cleaned” its velocity increases downstream. We have been making these mistakes for decades, and while this may appear to provide a short-term fix for our backyard or community, it amplifies the stream’s force, causing downcutting that deepens the channel, consequently eroding streambanks and sending faster, more damaging flood waters downstream.

Ultimately, dredging and removing all woody debris exacerbates flood damage and removes an important food source from the ecosystem, together degrading river system health. Leaving

wood in the river and giving the river room to meander helps slow the flow and reduces the force of floodwaters.

In Vermont, we built many communities along rivers, and for our own safety, we all must be stewards of our waterways. We need to consider how management of rivers worsens both flooding and ecological health. Conversely, a thoughtful and well-informed relationship with our waterways can help us live safely alongside thriving rivers, and support the health of this system, which provides us with the clean, cold water that we depend on.

Karina Dailey is a Vermont Natural Resources Council restoration ecologist. This opinion was written collaboratively by the council, Conservation Law Foundation, Connecticut River Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy and Lake Champlain Committee.

From stained glass and card making to watercolor and charcoal, Shelburne Bay is proud to showcase the artistic talents of their community members. Join us for light hors d’ouevres and beverages as you enjoy the showcase.

Guest Perspective

Elayne Clift

“Enough is enough!”

“Never again!”

“Not in my name!”

All fine phrases, but what have these hollow words achieved? Gaza remains a killing field, the United States continues sending massive military and financial assistance to Israel, and embassies around the world have not withdrawn their ambassadors. The media isn’t demanding answers from the administration or individual politicians, nor does it reveal the daily atrocities as social media does.

I can no longer passively bear witness to the unspeakable atrocities taking place in that small strip of land that Israel has flattened. I no longer have words to express my sadness, rage or my utter despair. That’s why I am taking a risk in sharing my sense of helplessness

I know I will receive a heap of blowback, not just from rightwing zealots and Zionists, but also from friends and family whom I love and know to be caring and compassionate — until it comes to Israel. I can handle that. What I can’t quite accept is the fear that I could come to harm because I am a journalist and a Jew as well as an outspoken woman and a liberal activist.

Still, I can’t be silent because “all it takes for evil to prevail is the silence of one good (person).” I don’t want to be that person.

I can’t be silent about the fact that a people who were incinerated in the millions are now ignoring the fact that Israel is killing thousands of people — babies, children, women, men, in schools, shelters, hospitals, homes — in another genocide.

I can’t be silent about children whose young bodies are riddled with shrapnel, kids who

Letters to the Editor

Young reader appreciates columnist’s insights

To the Editor:

I would like to express my appreciation for Carole Vasta Folley’s writing. I have seen her work published numerous times in the Shelburne News, and every time I read one of her columns I am inspired as a budding writer myself to write honest, real and relatable pieces like hers.

I admire her opinion pieces and how observant she is when it comes to noticing sometimes unfair or questionable trends or patterns in society and everyday life, and I appreciate how honest she is in pointing these trends out. I also enjoy reading her writing because it is witty, relatable and keeps me hooked. Keep it coming, Carole.

Quinn Brubaker, age 13 Shelburne

suffer amputations, mothers who weep over their dead children, women who couldn’t protect their daughters from rape, fathers who lost their entire nuclear and extended families. The psychological trauma that will be with these victims, should they survive the war crimes, is unimaginable.

I can’t be silent about the systematic starvation of innocent people, or the refusal to let them drink clean water or receive humanitarian aid, including the most basic medical assistance.

I can’t be silent about the bombing of hospitals, schools and shelters, which violates international law, because of a claim that some Hamas leaders are operating there. Nor do I accept the claim by Israel that it tries to reduce “collateral damage” by which they mean dead bodies.

ican and a Jew, let alone a human being.

How is it that the U.S. looks away when other developed, democratic countries publicly recognize the monstrosity of a nation so self-righteous that it is considered a pariah country by other governments? How can people who know that genocide is taking place look the other way, or worse, ignore or defend it? What will it take to hold Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu and his radical, fascist colleagues, accountable?

I can’t be silent about the bombing of hospitals, schools and shelters, which violates international law, because of a claim that some Hamas leaders are operating there.

I can’t be silent about the crimes against humanity, the utter cruelty, taking place in Israeli prisons; cruelty that includes tortures like waterboarding, attack dogs, daily beatings, rape, stress positions, enforced sleeplessness and the amputation of hands and feet due to prolonged shackling — all of which have been reported by survivors of the prisons.

Quite simply, I can’t be silent when I feel ashamed as an Amer-

It is important to know, as the American Friends Service Committee points out, that Israeli violence against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank did not begin on Oct. 7. It just got worse when Israel sealed off Gaza after the Hamas attack, beginning with a “hermetic closure (that blocked) access to food, water, fuel, electricity, medical supplies, and other goods” needed for survival.

The Committee also reminds us that last year was one of the most violent in Palestine in over a decade. That’s because Israel confiscated so much land, began mass arrests and attacked Palestinian cities militarily. It also took control of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a deeply important religious site in Jerusalem. Since

then, the handpicked Netanyahu government has increased its violent acts against Palestinian communities to resist any semblance of independence or equality for the Palestinian people, for whom the threat of violence has become a daily reality.

That perspective, and the long history of Israeli occupation and violence against Palestinians, is deeply important to understand because context is the only way to recognize what is happening now. For example, few people realize that “Gaza has been under a violent blockade for almost two decades.”

That means they live daily with travel restrictions, trade restrictions, restricted access to decent education, medical care and jobs. According to American Friends Service Committee, “The effects have been brutal. Eighty percent of people in Gaza have been dependent on international assistance to survive.”

No wonder ordinary Palestinians feel abandoned while living in perpetual, devastating fear and destruction without hope? How many of us could be made to bury multitudes of shrouded family, or suffer slow starvation, continuous migration and unrelenting abuse?

How can we witness such brutality in silence, which speaks volumes. Surely the time has come for our government’s silence to end and for each of us to break our silence. I am relieved to have broken mine.

Elayne Clift writes from Vermont. Read more at elayneclift.com.

Seven counties receive FEMA disaster declaration for July storm

EMMA MALINAK VTDIGGER

President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Phil Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for seven Vermont counties, according to the governor’s office.

Residents and municipalities in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans and Washington counties are now eligible for federal funding to help recover from floods that swept through the state between July 9 and July 11. The disaster declaration does not apply to damage caused by storms on July 30, according to a press release.

Residents of the seven declared counties can now apply to FEMA’s individual assistance program, which provides reimbursement for flood recovery expenses that cannot be met through insurance. Rental assistance, home repairs and home replacement are eligible for reimbursement.

To apply for the program, Vermonters can register on FEMA’s disaster assistance website or call 1-800-621-3362. Even if you have previously reported damage to Vermont’s 2-1-1 system, you must register with FEMA to apply for reimbursements,

VACCINES

continued from page 3

“Supply for this year is on par with what we received last season and should support the need,” Muellers said via email.

Kinney Drugs, a pharmacy chain in New York and Vermont, said it expects to open appointments for the updated vaccine early next week, and, along with other pharmacies, is authorized to administer the vaccines to individuals 3 years and older.

“As a Pharmacist, I am pleased that the FDA has approved this updated COVID19 vaccine,” Kinney Drugs’ president John Marraffa said in a press release on Aug. 22. “Incidents of COVID-19 are already increasing throughout both New York and Vermont, so it is especially good timing with students heading back to school.”

Although the federally funded “Bridge

according to the press release.

The FEMA declaration also includes funding for a public assistance program, which can provide up to 75 percent reimbursement to cities and towns for emergency repairs made to public infrastructure. The governor’s office plans to announce a schedule of briefings for town applicants soon, according to the administration.

State officials have requested that Orange County be added to the declaration, according to the press release. Orange County was examined alongside the other seven counties when FEMA officials visited Vermont last month.

The state has also requested a natural disaster designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would allow the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to extend emergency loans to farmers recovering from flooding. The Scott administration continues to work on a separate FEMA major disaster declaration request for damages related to the July 30 storm, the release said.

“The impact of this storm on communities and individuals has been significant, and while these federal resources won’t alleviate all of those burdens, this financial support is critical to our state’s recovery,” said Scott in the release.

Access Program” — which has provided free Covid vaccines to people without insurance coverage or whose insurance didn’t cover the vaccines — ends this month, Muellers said the health department will offer support for local vaccination efforts this fall.

Mueller also noted that this year’s influenza vaccine is trivalent, meaning it protects against three different strains of the flu, and recommended adults ages 75 and older should get an RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, vaccine.

Just like seasonal flu vaccines, the FDA said it anticipates annual assessment of the composition of COVID-19 vaccines, unless a “markedly more infectious variant” emerges.

PHOTO BY JOSH KUCKENS/VTDIGGER

Motorists and pedestrians attempt to pass over high water along Wolcott Street in Hardwick on July 11.

COMMUNITY

Community Notes

Trinity Education Center holds community building event

The Trinity Education Center advocates against alcohol and drug abuse and is raising awareness about mental health. It is holding a community basketball event, Trinity Prevention, on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The word trinity symbolizes the group’s focus on alcohol and drug abuse prevention and mental health awareness.

The event will provide fun, safe and healthy competition in a non-pressure environment for teenagers to socialize. The primary goal of the event is to raise awareness in local communities, discourage unhealthy choices and let kids know it is OK to not feel OK, organizers say.

The event will feature a free throw contest and a 3-point shootout. Four high school students from neighboring districts will be invited to participate. This event is free and is not a fundraiser. The goal is to raise awareness across multiple school districts.

“We believe it takes a village to help our youth navigate challenges, and we invite parents, educators, communities, neighbors, friends, family and business owners to join us on the front line,” according to a press release.

For information, reach out to Dr. Travia Child at tec@trinityedcenter.org.

All Saints Episcopal invites all to a community labyrinth

All Saints Episcopal Church, 1250 Spear St., South Burlington, has a bit of peaceful space to share — its community labyrinth.

Located on the corner of Spear and Swift streets, the labyrinth is a path for walking meditation or contemplation. It is a single winding path from its outer edge in a circuitous path to its center. Labyrinths have been

used worldwide for centuries by many traditions to quiet the mind, calm anxieties, and enhance creativity and life balance.

Open to the community and accessible from the church parking lot, just follow the sidewalk to the left, across the footbridge and onto the grass path that leads to the crushed stone.

Benches surround this natural area.

Wheelchair users would need assistance from a friend.

Grab a meal and go at Shelburne church

Age Well and St. Catherine’s of Siena Parish in Shelburne will provide a meal to go for anyone age 60 and older on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

The meal will be available for pick up in the parking lot at 72 Church St. from 11 a.m. until noon. A $5 donation is suggested.

The menu is stuffed chicken breast with gravy, mashed potatoes, glazed beets, wheat roll, vanilla pudding parfait.

To order a meal, contact Kathleen by Wednesday, Sept. 4, at agewellstcath@gmail. com or 802-503-1107.

First timers must fill out a meal registration. Forms will be on hand at meal pick up. Learn more at agewellvt.org

Growth prompts law group’s relocation

After 24 years on Patchen Road in South Burlington, Peet Law Group is relocating its main office to a new, larger, and more modern facility in Williston.

The new office is at 100 Interstate Corporate Center, Suite 101.

Check Locally First

Chances are what you need is available through local online ordering and curbside pickup or delivery. Our entire community is depending on your support.

These hikers recently took a walk on Mt. Philo, where early signs of fall have begun to emerge.

PHOTOS BY LEE KROHN

Hints of autumn

continued from page 8

“We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our clients, industry partners and community for their unwavering support over the years,” the law firm said in a press release.

The firm’s satellite office in White River Junction will continue to operate and serve clients in southern Vermont.

Peet Law Group consists of seven attorneys and support staff practicing real estate law, including title searches, real estate closings, title insurance and representation for buyers and sellers throughout Vermont.

SCHIP’S autumn grant deadline approaches

The Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg Interfaith Project is a nonprofit upscale resale shop in the heart of Shelburne Village. It was founded in 2003 by a group of local women who shared a common goal: to support various projects and causes that positively impact their neighbors’ lives.

Over the years, the project has raised over $950,000 through resale of locally donated, gently used clothing, housewares and jewelry.

The profits are returned to the community in the form of grants awarded twice a year to eligible organizations, individual entrepreneurs and associations to fund projects that serve the residents of Shelburne, Hinesburg and Charlotte.

SCHIP offers two types of grants: smaller grants for up to $3,000 and major grants for up to $15,000. The major grant is designed to provide seed money for future self-sustaining projects.

To be eligible, the applicant must have 501(c)(3) status or must submit the application through such an organization, and the funded project must serve residents of Shelburne, Hinesburg and Charlotte. The funds cannot be used for annual operating budgets or to cover permanent staffing costs.

In the past, grants have supported various organizations within the communities, including rescue squads, farmers’ coalitions, police departments, day care centers, refugee support services, food shelves, senior support organizations, schools, nonprofit resale shops and disability services networks.

To learn more, visit theschip.org. If

you have any questions, email the group at grants@theschip.org.

Enjoy Age Well meals at Charlotte Senior Center

The Age Well meal pickup for Wednesday, Sept. 4, is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center. The meal features spaghetti and meatballs in marinara sauce, mixed vegetables, wheat bread, grapes and milk.

You must pre-register by the prior Monday at 802-425-6345 or meals@charlotteseniorcentervt.org. The suggested donation is $5. Check the website for last-minute cancellations at bit.ly/3FfyLMb.

The meal on Wednesday, Sept. 11, features stuffed chicken breast with gravy mashed potatoes, glazed beets, wheat roll, vanilla pudding parfait with blueberries and strawberries and milk.

The meal on Wednesday, Sept. 18, features chicken and wheat biscuit with mashed cauliflower, peas and carrots, apple berry crisp and milk.

The meal on Wednesday, Sept. 25, features roast pork with gravy, boiled potatoes with parsley, butternut squash, wheat bread, cookie bar with dates and Craisins and milk.

Age Well, St. Catherine team up for luncheon

St. Catherine of Siena and Age Well team up to offer a luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 18, for anyone 60 or older in the St Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St. in Shelburne. There will be entertainment by Gerry Ortego on guitar.

The check-in time is 11:30 a.m., and the meal will be served at noon. There is a $5 suggested donation.

The menu includes chicken cordon bleu with panko and sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, broccoli florets, wheat roll, blueberry crumble, applesauce and milk.

Register by Thursday, Sept. 12, with Kerry Batres, nutrition coordinator, at 802-662-5283 or kbatres@agewellvt.org. Tickets are also available at the Age Well Office at 875 Roosevelt Highway, Suite 210, Colchester.

Be someone who matters to someone who matters; become a mentor

Learn how to change a child’s life in less than one hour a week.

The Shelburne Community School has numerous opportunities for volunteers in two different mentoring programs.

Everybody Wins! is literacy-based and matches elementary students with adult mentors for a power hour of lunch and reading together. Pairs meet on Tuesdays or Wednesdays during the student lunch hour. The goal is to share a love of books and create a warm relationship.

The Connecting Youth Mentoring Program is relationship-based and matches mentors with fifth through eighth grade students who would benefit from the friendship of an additional adult in their life.

Pairs meet for about 45 minutes, at a

time that works around the mentor’s schedule. The goal is for each adolescent to grow a strong relationship with a caring adult. In both programs, each mentor meets weekly with their mentee at the school during the school day. Adult mentors are provided with training and continual support. The commitment is for one school year.

This volunteer opportunity is a great way to be engaged with the school community and to truly make a difference in the life of a child, school officials say.

Interested in learning more? Contact Sarah Wannop, EW! Mentor Coordinator, at shelburne@everybodywinsvermont.org or Alice Brown, CY Mentor Coordinator, at abrown@cvsdvt.org.

Working Together to Address Vermont’s Health Care Challenges

As Vermont’s population ages and in many places declines, we’re seeing the impact in all aspects of our daily lives—whether it’s housing, education or health care.

What’s the core problem in Vermont’s health care system? At its most simple, the number of people paying for care through commercial insurance is going down (and getting older and sicker), while nationally and locally the demand for care and the cost to provide care is going up.

This trend is unsustainable and to address it, care providers, insurers and government will need to avoid the divisive brinkmanship we see on the national stage and embrace Vermont values of community and collaboration to find the solutions that increase access to care and lower costs overall.

At University of Vermont Medical Center, we know controlling costs is a key part of the above equation and a part of our nonprofit mission. Multiple sets of independent data show that when it comes to administrative costs, we’re one of the financially leanest academic medical centers in the Northeast. This isn’t by accident—as part of UVM Health Network, we’ve put a lot of work into reducing costs through efficiency—sharing administrative staff and as we become unified, even sharing providers. This improves care for patients across our region while controlling costs.

To support our vital work, on August 28, we presented to our regulator, the Green Mountain Care Board, our commercial rate increase request of 7.91% for FY25, which begins on October 1. Our proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes a number of significant initiatives supporting our patients and communities, including:

• Strengthening access to care: We’ve significantly reduced the number of patients waiting for necessary surgeries this year by performing a record number of procedures month after month. We’ve expanded capacity for imaging, added mental health services into primary care offices, and increased the availability of virtual consults. In the coming months, primary care will see significant changes and expansion in terms of access.

• Investing to meet patient needs: As our population ages and grows, demand for more complex services will only continue to increase. We’re working hard to be ready for the needs of our communities. One example of this is increasing available imaging equipment to drive down wait times.

• Investing in our employees: We recently ratified a nursing contract, increasing wages by 23% over the next three years, and we are also investing in nationally recognized workforce development programs to recruit and retain the talented people we need to deliver the highestquality care. The minimum wage at UVMMC is now $20/hour. We have also made investments in childcare and housing to attract and retain our workforce.

• Controlling our costs and addressing affordability: We’ve expanded financial assistance programs to ensure no one is denied care due to financial constraints. Last fiscal year, across our health system, these programs covered more than $22 million in the cost of care and nearly $6 million in prescription drugs for patients in Vermont. We are very focused on doing our best to make sure we are responsible stewards of Vermonter’s health care dollars—including tight cost control and finding alternative sources of revenue to ultimately reduce premiums. This work reduced our FY25 rate increase ask by $31 million.

These efforts are crucial, but they are not enough on their own. We need help from every part of our society to make Vermonters healthier. We need to find new ways to fund health care and we need a stronger continuum of care—especially when we discuss caring for the most vulnerable among us.

We look forward to a continued conversation with our partners throughout the system to leverage every opportunity to take pressure off commercial insurance premiums in Vermont. None of it will be easy, but it can be done. It will take collaboration from our state government, regulator, insurers and the hospital system to make progress on affordability while preserving access to trusted local care.

To learn more about the impact of our work across UVM Health Network, please visit UVMHealthImpact.org. We’re in this together, and by working collaboratively, we can overcome the challenges ahead.

Stephen M. Leffler, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer, University of Vermont Medical Center

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years. Construction on the plant is expected to be complete in 2028 with debt repayment starting in 2029.

The town currently operates two aging treatment plants, one on Turtle Lane and one on Crown Road. The town has undertaken extensive studies around the options to either renovate or combine the facilities.

In spring 2023, the selectboard approved a project plan, choosing to consolidate at the Crown Road site to achieve more efficient operations, greater environmental compliance and the sustainability of Shelburne’s utilities through the 21st century.

One major obstacle to consolidation at the Turtle Lane site would be discharges into the McCabe Brook, which has little capability to handle wastewater and faces stringent restrictions. On the other hand, the Crown Road plant discharges into Shelburne Bay, where state effluent limitations — restrictions on the quantities or rates of chemical concentrations in water quality — are more forgiving.

The new plant, said Wayne Elliot, the primary engineer with Aldrich + Elliot working on the project, will have newer technology that makes the removal of chemicals like phosphorus more efficient.

“The systems are going to be more efficient than what you have now. It’s a similar type of treatment process. But for example, it’s got new cloth media, and that technology is now tried and tested. It’s been out there for 25, 30 years,” he said. “So, the new plan is going to have the capability to do better at those removals than the two existing plants do individually.”

Only sewer customers will pay for the debt service of this project, Lawless said, and the costs go into future wastewater budgets and appear on the sewer bills of

households and businesses.

But the selectboard said at the meeting on Aug. 13 that it is urging all voters to participate in the election.

“We want a true reading of what people want,” board member Luce Hillman said. “The more people that vote, the more we get a real accurate feel for if people want to do this or not.”

What about sewer bills?

According to estimates from Lawless, customers can expect a 3 percent rate increase next year, and similar increases in the future.

A small household that uses roughly 20,000 gallons per year, which currently would pay $389, might increase to $401 next year, then another $11 every year. A larger household that utilizes 70,000 gallons per year might see bills rise roughly $32 per year.

“The town raised rates in recent years to build up reserves and reduce the impact of change. So now, revenues will not need to rise as steeply, and the wastewater fund budget can stabilize. If the town is highly successful with grant applications, debt service will be less,” Lawless said. He also explained that growing local business and adding new customers would also reduce residents’ bills with the new facility’s capability assuming an increase of up to 75 new homes per year.

“The town’s underwriting plan for the bond includes known approved development projects such as Champlain Housing Trust’s Bay Ridge,” he wrote. “Then a conservative growth estimate assumes 1 percent growth in gallons of water sold per year.”

Annual Kelly Brush Ride returns Sept. 7 for 19th run

This year’s Kelly Brush Ride is Saturday, Sept. 7, and will be the largest in the ride’s 19 years, with more than 1,000 participants.

The Kelly Brush Foundation expects to raise more than $1 million to help people with spinal cord injuries participate in adaptive sports or purchase adaptive equipment.

The event is known for its fun atmosphere and attentive on-course support and safety. Riders can choose from four road distances from 11 to 102.5 miles. There’s also a gravel route for more adventurous riders.

This year, organizers are excited to have Paula McNeil of Mendon return to ride. Paula lives with a spinal cord injury and got her first piece of adaptive sports equipment, a handcycle, via a foundation grant more than 15 years ago. More recently, it helped her purchase an updated handcycle that lets her ride on gravel roads with friends.

“Biking is my favorite activity in the summer because I can ride with anyone. I ride with girlfriends and family,” McNeil said. In the winter, she skis using a sit ski but prefers riding because she can keep up with friends or ride independently. On the slopes,

she needs more assistance.

McNeil has worked at Killington/Pico Resorts for the last 30 years. In addition to being a part of the Kelly Brush Foundation’s community, she is active with Green Moun-

tain Adaptive Sports and Vermont Adaptive. Of the Kelly Brush Ride and participating in sports with other people with disabilities, McNeil said, “It is just awesome to hang out with other disabled folks who are simi-

larly physically challenged because I always learn something new, and I feel that I teach newbies something new to make their lives better in some way.”

Learn more at kellybrushfoundation.org.

COURTESY PHOTO

Paula McNeil of Mendon is returning this year to participate in the Kelly Brush Ride. McNeil first received a Kelly Brush Foundation grant more than 15 years ago.

South Burlington School District

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

Interventionist: Provides educational and personal support to PK-12 students. Associate’s degree or 60 college credits preferred. Training provided.

Bus Drivers: Transports students over established routes and special trips. Commercial Drivers license (CDL) class B, Senior Vermont Operator’s license with Vermont School Bus Endorsement required. CDL training provided to otherwise qualifying candidates.

Substitutes: Bus Drivers, Van Drivers (no CDL required), Teacher and support positions also available.

Please apply through SchoolSpring.com (Keyword: South Burlington School District) or contact Elissa Galvez, HR Employment Specialist, (802) 652-7247 or egalvez@sbschools.net.

We’re proud to be Community Bankers!

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is honored to be one of the largest local banksin Vermont. We are committed to providing a work environment where all individuals feel welcomed and appreciated. You belong at NSB!

Join the Commercial Bankingteam in ourChittenden County Region as a Commercial Banking Administrator ! For the BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS® out there–make your final career move to NSB!

On average, NSB employees have over nine years of service!

When you join the NSB Team, you become part of an energetic andtalented groupthat strivesto strengthen the communities we serve every day.

Summary & Requirements

Support the lending teams by performing a variety of administrative functions. Build strong customer relationships and support the execution of commercialloans.

High School Diploma, General Education Degree (GED) or equivalent andone to two years’ related experience is required. Why NSB?

We provide a supportive and diverse work environment where employee contributions are recognized and valued. Compensation packages are competitive based on experience. We provide a well-rounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing! Excellent retirement 401(k) & ROTH employer match program. Volunteerism, Community Events, and Employee Engagement! Apply today!

NSB is actively seeking to create a more diversified workforce because we believe our team is stronger with different perspectives and experiences. We welcome and encourage applications from a wide range of candidates.

BLOTTER continued from page 4

parked near Locust Hill. Officers located the vehicle and occupants, who were identified and released.

Aug. 23 at 11:35 a.m., a caller reported a suspicious vehicle

YARD SALE

267 MARTINDALE

ROAD: Sunday, Sept. 1, 9

a.m. to noon. Multiple families. Great deals!

parked at Pet Food Warehouse.

Aug. 24 at 1:04 a.m., police helped South Burlington police with an intoxicated person on Hinesburg Road.

Aug. 24 at 9:37 a.m., police mediated a dispute between family members on Nashville Road.

Aug. 24 at 12:32 a.m., an unwanted visitor refused to leave Harbor Place. Police escorted him off the property.

Aug. 24 at 7:31 p.m., a home was reportedly vandalized on Bay Road, and the case is under investigation.

Aug. 24 at 9:54 p.m., the animal control officer was notified after a report of a strange-acting skunk near Hedgerow Drive.

Aug. 25 at 4:05 a.m., a man who refused to leave someone else’s room at the North Star Motel was arrested on an outstanding warrant. William Fuel, 35, of Burlington, was later jailed.

Aug. 25 at 5:03 p.m., a theft at Tractor Supply is under investigation.

Notice of Request for Statements of Qualifications for Engineering Services

August 26, 2024

For compliance purposes with the State’s Clean Water State Revolving Loan program, Shelburnewood Cooperative seeks Statements of Qualifications from qualified engineering firms detailing the firms’ qualifications, capacity, references, and related prior experience in manufactured home parks. Procurement is in accordance with 40 U.S.C. § 1101- 1104. Submittals are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 6, 2024.

For a complete RFQ, please contact lcurry@commonlandsolutions.com. Shelburnewood is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Town of Hinesburg, Vermont seeks qualified applicants for the following positions:

Highway Foreperson

This is a supervisory position that is responsible for overseeing and participating in the maintenance of the town’s highway infrastructure. A valid VT issued CDL Class B license is required. Required skills include proficient operation of a road grader, excavator, front-end loader, backhoe, and tandem plow truck. Starting pay is $34.00 - $40.00 an hour depending upon qualifications.

Highway Maintainer

This is a semi-skilled position of moderate complexity in highway maintenance and equipment operation. A Highway Maintainer 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 $25.00 - $28.00 an hour depending upon qualifications.

Send an NSB Application &Resume in confidence to: careers@NSBVT.com

Both positions provide health, dental, vision and disability insurance; paid time off; pension plan; and 13 paid holidays. Detailed information and an application form can be found at www.hinesburg.org under the employment tab. Applications can be mailed or delivered to Todd Odit, Town Manager, 10632 Route 116 or emailed to todit@hinesburg.org.

The Town of Hinesburg offers a comprehensive benefits package and very competitive pay. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted until the position is filled.

CLASSIFIEDS

The Arbors at Shelburne undergoes big renovation

The Arbors at Shelburne has completed a significant renovation to its senior living residential care home.

Renovations to the memory care assisted living community include updates to the main and private dining rooms, lobby, new common areas, and an expanded lounge. New furniture, lighting, flooring, millwork, paint, window treatments and accessories were added throughout the facility.

“Modern furniture features a design and fabric that is appealing to those with memory

impairment and helps maximize their comfort,” said Wendy Brodie, executive director of the care home. “This is our residents’ homes, and we want it to be comfortable and feel like it in every way.”

The renovations also feature artwork of local landscapes and scenes to help create an familiar environment for those with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, dementia and other forms of memory loss.

The Arbors’ entrance has also been reconfigured to create a better flow in the lobby area.