Shelburne, O’Brien reach tentative agreement
PATRICK BILOW STAFF WRITER
A new pre-development agreement between O’Brien Brothers and Shelburne is ready for public review.
The project, touted as potentially the largest in Shelburne’s history, has stirred controversy over the last year as the developer, town and residents grapple with interpretations of the HOME Act, a state law passed in 2023 to spur higher-density housing development.
O’Brien Brothers has owned the 175-acre plot in Shelburne, where they want to build hundreds of housing units, for decades. Although the plot is currently zoned as rural, limiting development to five dwellings per acre, the company wants to take advantage of the HOME Act to build more homes.
See O’BRIEN on page 12
Shelburne explores fixing impact fee structure
PATRICK BILOW STAFF WRITER
The Shelburne Selectboard is investing $40,000 to improve its structure for collecting impact fees this year, a topic that has frequently emerged as the town explores how to bring in new revenue and rely less on property taxes.
Impact fees apply to any new development, and the amount depends on the development’s impact on public infrastructure. The idea is to draw in more money for developments that are heavily reliant on things like roads, schools and utilities.
The main impact fee Shelburne collects is from the Champlain Valley School District, however, after 20 years, that fee has expired, resulting in a revenue loss.
“Today it’s much cheaper to build in Shelburne than it was two months ago,” town manager Matt Lawless said. “That’s because we’re in this window where an impact fee has expired, and we haven’t put new ones in place yet.”
Lawless said new impact fees on developments would help fund projects like pedestrian infra-
See IMPACT FEE on page 12
PHOTO BY LEE KROHN
Jaws of life
On Hedgerow Drive Neighbors ask town selectboard to clamp down on apartment house
PATRICK BILOW STAFF WRITER
Residents of Hedgerow Drive in Shelburne were outspoken about their concerns with a neighboring house owned by Vermont Construction Company during a selectboard meeting last week.
The company owns a handful of houses in northwestern Vermont used for employee housing, including 281 Hedgerow Drive in Shelburne. Last week, VTDigger reported that one of the company’s homes in Colchester was cited for “grossly hazardous and unsafe” living conditions, resurfacing complaints about the company from Shelburne that are over a year old.
Fueled with the article, several residents stormed the selectboard meeting last week to reiterate their concerns about the home, where 11 construction workers currently live, including trash spread outside, multiple vehicles that regularly idle in the driveway and what they say are unsafe living conditions for tenants.
Vermont Construction Company purchased the home in 2023 to create employee housing, according to Byron Gokey, Vermont Construction Company’s project manager who supervises the house. The company leases the house to its employees who work in the area.
Since the company purchased the building, neighbors have filed a litany of complaints with the town about behavior at the house, some of which are over a year old, and have contacted the Shelburne Police Department multiple times.
One complaint by neighbor Michelle Kirkpatrick in October alleged that there have been as many as 11 cars parked on the property between the driveway and front and back yards. She also describes a spillover of trash into neighboring yards and multiple instances of tenants urinating
Correction
A comma was left out of a quotation in last week’s story about Passion 4 Paws. The quote should have read: “I think it’s due to inflation, mental health and people just not being accountable for their commitments,” Robin Shover said. The earlier version read “the inflation of mental health.”
outside of the house.
Darla Champine submitted a complaint in October describing constant idling of vehicles on the property throughout the day. Champine claims that the idling is pumping exhaust into her house, creating an unpleasant smell and sickness.
Penny Nichols, who lives directly next door to the house, also complained about parking in an email sent to the town last week, claiming that an overcrowding of vehicles on the property has ruined the lawn and is tracking mud and silt on to Hedgerow Drive.
Older complaints about the house dealt more with trash, with some neighbors alleging that trash bags and other large items like mattresses have been left out in the yard for days.
During last week’s selectboard meeting, many of the same neighbors expressed similar concerns, adding with greater emphasis this time their belief that the tenants are living in unsafe living conditions like those reported in Colchester.
To mitigate the tension on Hedgerow Drive after dozens of complaints and police calls, the town hired mediator Brian Miller to work with the tenants and neighbors. There have been two mediation sessions this year with representatives from the town present for both.
Miller spoke with the neighbors, the town, the tenants and representatives of Vermont Construction separately before bringing everyone into the same room for the sessions.
The first session in February produced mixed results, according to Miller.
Gokey admits he stormed out of the meeting at one point when tensions got high but was eventually coaxed back into the room.
After hours of discussion, the parties came to a few agreements.
Town manager Matt Lawless said the situation on Hedgerow Drive improved slightly after the first mediation.
Vermont Construction Company made some concessions by putting out more trash cans, fencing off the property and laying topsoil to fix damage to the yard. At one point, food was even exchanged between neighbors and the tenants.
But as turnover in the house ensued, the relationship began to unravel again.
A second mediation session with Miller revealed the same
complaints and produced similar results. During last week’s selectboard meeting, the neighbors were adamant that they would not participate in another session.
“I completely understand most of these complaints,” Gokey said, “but some of them are absolutely ridiculous. There’s no law against starting your car before work when it’s cold out. These guys are just trying to make a living.”
After reports that Vermont Construction Company employees were living in abhorrent conditions in Colchester last week, both a state fire marshal and Shelburne’s health inspector visited the home in Shelburne, according to Lawless, who said the town found no violations.
The town did issue tickets to trucks parked at the address earlier this month that were blocking a snowplow from reaching the end of the road.
Fire marshal Jesse Dobiecki confirmed his recent visit to the house but offered no other details.
According to Lawless, past visits by the fire marshal revealed violations, primarily related to fire and smoke detectors.
Gokey said tenants have tampered with fire detectors in the past and he is aware of instances where they made renovations to the house — like adding a wall to create another room — that were not to code.
The house is permitted for 11 people, but Gokey said as many as 16 have lived there in the past. Vermont’s Dillon’s Law doesn’t allow municipalities to put a cap on the number of people living in a house, but fire marshals can still set a safety limit.
Gokey said it’s been difficult to monitor the day-to-day situation. He said many of the tenants came to Vermont from Providence, R.I., a hub for immigrant labor in the East.
“They work hard, make good money, send some of it to their families and then leave,” Gokey said. “Nobody else wants to work so they’ve become an important part of our business.”
Vermont Construction Company is drafting new leases that will allow for monthly inspections of the house with notice, according to Gokey, who hopes that will ease tensions on Hedgerow Drive and limit complaints from neighbors.
Although Shelburne does not hold outstanding citations
Charlotte Central, Shelburne Community schools make key leadership changes
Charlotte Central School assistant principal Tim O’Leary will become principal in the new year.
Meanwhile, Beth Slater, the school’s current student services director and a special educator, will become a special services director and assistant principal, and Jen Roth, the school’s current head principal, moves to Shelburne Community School to serve as PreK-4 principal.
“The opportunity to serve as principal at Charlotte Central School is both exciting and deeply meaningful,” said O’Leary, who joined the administrative team at Charlotte Central School this year and has worked in the Champlain Valley School District for eight years. “Stepping into this role inspires me to lead and collaborate within an already high-functioning team that benefits from the strengths and leadership of many. I look forward to building on the strong foundation here and continuing to develop durable and collaborative relationships with the staff and the community, all to support the success of our students.”
Throughout his time in the district, O’Leary has supported digital learning, curriculum development and instructional coaching, and he played a key role in establishing the Virtual Learning Academy, where he served as the middle-level principal during the 2020-21 school year, a pivotal part of the district’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before his work in the Champlain Valley, O’Leary was a high school teacher and special educator.
Slater, an educator with more than two decades of experience, has been at Charlotte Central School for eight years, most recently in a split role as an eighth-grade special educator and as the director of student services. Prior to working in the district, Slater worked in Grand Isle for 14 years, and she holds a master’s degree in special education from the College of Saint Josephs and has completed advanced graduate studies through
Saint Michael’s College.
“Since my start at Charlotte Central School, I see a legacy of community partnerships, innovative educators and our collective love and appreciation in service to the Charlotte youth,” outgoing principal Roth said. “Tim and Beth will be a dynamic team, each leading with their own plethora of skills centered on relationships and the belief that each member of the community has something to enhance our school. They each seek to continuously improve the daily experiences and the future opportunities for students and staff.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Shelburne Farms made its last cheddar of 2024 on Dec. 12, and it was a beer cheddar in partnership with Fiddlehead Brewing Company, also in Shelburne. Fiddlehead IPA is added to the curds. Cheesemaking will resume in mid-January, after some time for regularly scheduled facility maintenance.
COURTESY PHOTO
Tim O’Leary and Jen Roth
Shelburne Police Blotter: Dec. 9-15
Total reported incidents: 62
Traffic stops: 15
Warnings: 14
Tickets: 1
Arrests: 0
Medical emergencies: 22
Mental health incidents: 2
Suspicious incidents: 4
Directed patrols: 44
Citizen assists: 3
Motor vehicle complaints: 1
Car crash: 7
Animal problem: 1
Theft: 2
Vandalism: 2
Property damage: 1
Alarms: 7
Pending investigations: 4
911 Hang-up calls: 1
Dec.9 at 7:17 a.m., an unwanted guest refused to leave the Quality Inn on Shelburne Road, and police escorted them from the property.
Dec. 9 at 11:37 a.m., someone reported a possible homeless encampment near Martindale Road, but police determined it was created by juveniles.
Dec. 9 at 7:31 p.m., an unwanted guest refused to leave the Countryside Motel on Shelburne Road. An officer determined the individual was visiting a friend and agreed to leave the property.
Dec. 10 at 8:52 p.m., officers and the outreach team helped mediate a verbal dispute on
Penny Lane.
Dec. 10 at 4:12 p.m., a caller reported a stray dog running loose on Shelburne Road. The animal was reunited with its owner.
Dec. 10 at 6:03 p.m., a caller reported a theft of items from their vehicle on Harbor Road. The case is under investigation.
Dec. 11 at 12:15 a.m., an officer issued a warning for a car parked on Hedgerow Drive that was violating the winter parking ban.
Dec. 12 at 11:24 a.m., a caller reported a theft from their motor vehicle on Executive Drive. The case is under investigation.
Dec. 12 at 6:18 p.m., a caller reported bright lights in the sky west of Covington Lane and thought it was a drone. Officers determined it was an aircraft on approach to Burlington Internation Airport.
Dec. 15 at 6:04 p.m., an Uber driver reported being assaulted when he dropped off his customer on Dorset Street. The case is under investigation.
Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.
Shelburne News
Serving the community of Shelburne A publication of Vermont Community Newspaper Group LLC shelburnenews.com
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Billing inquiries Leslie Lafountain leslie@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101
Advertising submission deadline: Friday at 5 p.m. advertising@shelburnenews.com classifieds@shelburnenews.com
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Contact: 1340 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 985-3091
PHOTO BY LEE KROHN
Shelburne firefighters use vehicle extraction equipment at a recent training
OPINION
Vermont must stop funding private, religious schools
Guest Perspective
G. Gregory Hughes
Does Vermont still believe in the separation of church and state? This is a question that the newly elected Legislature in Vermont must address.
In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court’s Carson v. Makin decision required states with voucher programs to offer them to religious schools as well as nonreligious schools. The Vermont Agency of Education complied with the decision and told school districts that they cannot withhold public tuition money from schools simply because of their religious affiliation.
However, in Vermont there is a state constitutional provision called the Compelled Support Clause that prohibits the state from using public tax dollars to support religious worship or instruction that is “contrary to the dictates of conscience.”
Chapter 1, Article 3 of the Vermont Constitution states, in part, “that no person ought to, or of right can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or erect or support any place of worship, or maintain any minister, contrary to the dictates of conscience.” Note that this is an individual right that is understood to mean that Vermont cannot force a taxpayer or citizen to subsidize religious programming or institutions against their will.
America’s founders understood the importance of protecting the freedom of conscience. James Madison called conscience “the most sacred of all property.” Thomas Jefferson said that no “provision in our constitution ought to be dearer to man, than that which protects the rights of conscience against” the government.
This understanding shaped the First Amendment. The First Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”
These 26 words protect the freedom of conscience — the freedom to believe without coercion and to speak and act consistently with those beliefs.
Vermont’s Constitution reflects a dedication to religion and religious liberty. It also reflects a recognition that freedom of conscience — the freedom to engage in and support religious worship as dictated by one’s own mind, not by the government — is a necessary aspect of religious freedom. Freedom from compelled support for the religion of others is a central aspect of Vermonters’ religious freedom.
To those who drafted the Vermont Constitution, freedom from compelled
support for the religion of others was not in opposition to the free exercise of religion. It was freedom of religion.
Vermont’s tuition program is therefore in a difficult position. A district that declines to provide tuition money to a religious school may violate the U.S. Constitution under the Supreme Court’s decision. However, sending public dollars to that school could violate taxpayer’s “dictates of conscience” and thereby violate the Vermont Constitution.
Because of the Vermont Agency of Education’s directive, Vermont continues to dismantle the wall of separation between church and state that the framers of our constitutions fought to build. We are now sending money to schools to support the teaching and practice of religion. These schools also have admission policies that allow them to deny enrollment based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and religion. Many of these schools have a history of discriminatory practices against our LGBTQ community of students and educators.
Vermonters should recognize the importance and indeed the privilege of having freedom of conscience. Our state was founded on this freedom. The framers of Vermont’s Constitution were willing to fight and die for this freedom and it is worth preserving today. The Vermont Agency of Education should not be allowed to take the freedom of conscience away from our citizens.
Conscience is our ability to discern right from wrong, good from evil. It also includes our ability to act on what is right. Therefore, conscience includes the ability to legislate and budget in the right way. In other words, we have the right to act on what we believe.
When asked, many Vermonters are strongly opposed to sending public money to religious schools in general, and they especially object to sending public money to schools that openly discriminate. They know that it is wrong because it violates the dictates of their conscience.
The Vermont voucher program currently promotes segregation, discrimination and the misuse of public funds. It is also expensive. One of the reasons that Vermont’s property taxes are out of control is that Vermont now supports a public school system, a private school system and a religious school system.
Importantly, the holding in Carson v. Makin does not require that the state pay tuition to religious schools. States can fund only public schools. However,
Thank You Shelburne!
The Shelburne Food Shelf would like to thank Shelburne residents and businesses for their generous financial contributions and food donations during 2024, with special appreciation to Shelburne Market for sponsoring the “round-up” program and to those who participate. Thank you to these Businesses and Organizations for their generosity to the Shelburne Food Shelf
All Souls Interfaith Gathering
Aubuchon Foundation
Aubuchon Hardware
B&R Developers
B&R Electric
Boy Scout Troop 602
Champlain Valley Lions Club
Coffee Enterprises
Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman
DragonHeart Vermont
Employees Community Action Council
Farm Stand Together
Franklin-August Trading, Inc.
Frog Song Farm
Grippin, Donlan, and Pinkham
Growald Climate Fund
HANDS - Helping And Nurturing
Diverse Seniors
Harbour Industries LLC
Head Over Fields Farm
Lions Club
Misty Knoll Farm
Precourt Investment Company
Rice Lumber
Rotary Club of Charlotte, Shelburne, Hinesburg SCHIP, Inc
Shelburne Community School
Shelburne Nursery School
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Market
Shelburne United Methodist Church
St. Catherine of Siena
TJ Maxx Foundation
Town Fair Tire Foundation
Twincraft
US Postal Service
Vermont Commons School
Vermont Day School
Vermont Food Bank
Vermont Zen Center
Vermonters Feeding Vermonters
Village Wine and Coffee
Voices Over Vermont
Wake Robin
Weleda
With special appreciation to the Town of Shelburne and to all our volunteers who support us every day! Thank you all for making Shelburne a wonderful place to live.
Donations to the Food Shelf are tax deductible. https://www.shelburnefoodshelf.org/
To live right, we should contemplate death more
Guest Perspective
Bob Stannard
“The Definition of Faith is acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove,” wrote Dan Brown in “The Da Vinci Code.”
Similarly, Jim Morrison wrote, “Planet Earth; nobody gets out alive.”
As I get older it’s hard to not think about dying. What’s the exit plan for this adventure? Will it be like racing through an airport and just making the plane, or will it be more like an agonizing 25-hour layover? And when you finally board, what’s that flight going to be like? Will it be a smooth ride off into the clouds or perhaps an overabundance of turbulence?
The fact is that I don’t know, you don’t know, nobody knows. We’ve been told forever that there’s a heaven and there’s a hell. If you’re a good person you
go to heaven. If not, you end up in hell for all eternity. Like many of you, I spent my early days going to church. At the age of 14 I was confirmed at the United Church of Christ in Dorset. The Sunday following my confirmation my dad, who was a deacon of the church, asked me if I’d be attending church that day. It was June and the fish were biting. I said, “I don’t know, dad. I think I’d like to go fishing.” His reply was, “I don’t blame you.”
It was one of those moments that did not seem all that important at the time, but as the years have ticked by, I realized that it might’ve been the most pivotal moment of my life — a life that’s been pretty darned full of pivotal moments.
As a result of that one, terse exchange with my dad — like many exchanges with dad — I never went back to church. I think it was because I’d rather be outdoors roaming the woods or sitting and fishing on the bank of
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the West Branch of the Battenkill. As time went on, I came to realize that it was the woods that would serve as my church. The woods were my spiritual haven, or heaven, if you will. I spent a great deal of time wandering around Owl’s Head, Green Peak and Mother Myrick. Owl’s Head, or as some like to call it, Mt. Aeolus, was my go-to mountain. It’s a lovely bump on which to ponder on the maturations of life.
At 48, thanks to my recently deceased friend and sensei, Jon Bottomms, I entered the world of martial arts. From him I learned that martial arts are not so much about fighting — it’s not about fighting at all — as it is about learning to be aware. Not just aware of any physical danger, but to be aware of living — and dying.
From him I learned that Tibetan monks would spend hours meditating on every conceivable way of dying. I can hear what you’re thinking. “This is really morbid.”
Actually, it’s not. It can be quite comforting. The reason to do this was to show to an attacker
HUGHES continued from page 5
if states choose to fund private schools, then they cannot exclude religious schools.
The Vermont Legislature needs to consider revisions to the state voucher program to get property taxes under control and to address the obvious disregard for the Compelled Support Clause of our Constitution. When taxpayer dollars are used to support private and religious schools, we are publicly funding everything they do. That is what causes the constitutional problems; the segregation and discrimination of students is contrary to the dictates of
that you could not be killed by them, because in your mind you were already dead. You have meditated on death. You have experienced death and therefore death is no more fearful than sitting in a chair.
There is a 500-year-old saying that goes something like this. “When you step out of your house there are 10,000 attackers waiting for you.” Quite a thought, right? I spent many years thinking about this and meditating on every conceivable way to depart this life. I won’t go into the infinite possibilities, but you get the picture.
Once you experience dying through meditation, the actual event becomes almost passé. You have already lived through dying, thus there is no real surprise, mystery or fear of death.
We spend all our time living and practically no time at all contemplating dying, which I do find to be quite amusing. We all die, but we really don’t like to talk about it much, do we? What’s your final day going to be like? What happens when your body’s all done? Some believe,
with no evidence whatsoever, that we go to some happy place and hang out with Elvis. Others pray that they don’t end up burning in hell for all eternity.
No one, not one single person, has any idea what happens. Master escape artist Harry Houdini declared that if there was a way to come back, he’d figure it out. We’re still waiting. We all believe what we want to believe, and it doesn’t matter.
What does matter is the fear of the unknown. It’s fear that holds us back. It’s fear that allows us to be controlled by others; many of whom are driven by non-altruistic motives. Think about how different life might be if we could just overcome our fear of dying.
It’s not an impossible task. It only takes a little courage. Courage to wander off into the woods and meditate and imagine what your last day will be like. From there the rest is easy. Enjoy the ride and happy holidays.
Bob Stannard has been a Vermont political commentator for over two decades. He is an author, musician and former state legislator and lobbyist.
conscience for many citizens. Please consider contacting your newly elected legislators and encourage them to support revising Vermont’s school voucher program. Vermont cannot afford to continue financing three school systems. Limiting the payment of public money to only public schools will do three things: it will decrease property taxes; it will increase the quality of public education; and it will be consistent with constitutional protections.
Rich or poor, Black or white, gay or straight, those with disabilities and those without, everyone has the right to a free, inclusive, high quality, public education. People do indeed have the right to provide their children with a private school or religious school education. However, they do not have a right to have public money fund these alternatives.
The Legislature needs to make a course correction.
We all need to recognize that a good public education is the great equalizer in democracy.
Greg Hughes is a member of a grassroots organization called Friends of Vermont Public Education.
Contra Dance features Tea for Three
PHOTO BY JONATHAN BLAKE
Ben Sachs-Hamilton will call to the sounds of Tea for Three — Abi Sandy, Hadley Stockwell and Crystal Zhu — at a contra dance in Shelburne’s town hall, 5374 Shelburne Road, on Friday, Dec. 27, 6:45-10 p.m. All are welcome, all dances are taught, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring a pair of clean, soft-soled shoes to dance in and a water bottle to keep you hydrated. Masks welcome but optional. Please stay home if you have symptoms. The cost is $12 for adults. Find out more at queencitycontras.com.
News from Pierson Library
Teen writing series
Writers ages 11-16 gather at the Pierson Library on Thursdays to hone their writing skills.
Writers are welcome, but never obligated, to share their work and enjoy an inspiring afternoon with fellow creators. Snacks are provided, and there’s no advance registration.
The next gathering in the series is Thursday, Dec. 19, 3:304:30 p.m.
Poetry salon, open mic
Come out this winter’s eve for a celebration of bold new poetics with featured poets Elizabeth A.I. Powell and Katharine Whitcomb.
Do you have photos you would like to share with the community? Send them to us: news@ shelburnenews.com
After, the library will open the floor for an open mic. Come to share or just to listen on Thursday, Dec. 19, 6-8 p.m.
‘Nutcracker’ storytime
You might have thrilled to Tchaikovsky or even spun Duke Ellington on 45, but you’ve not experienced the full majesty of the “Nutcracker” until you’ve taken in the Pierson Library’s rendition.
The storytime features best-selling author AnnMarie Anderson, a keepsake ornament and a costume craft, all on Friday, Dec. 20, 3:15-4:15 p.m. To register, call 802-985-5124.
COMMUNITY
Community Notes
Shelburne school hosts robotics teams
On Dec. 14, the First Lego League Northern Vermont Regional Championship was held at Shelburne Community School with 23 teams and 400 attendees.
The First Lego League is a robotics competition for fourth to eighth graders around the world. During each competition, teams showcase the results of weeks of intense preparation as they demonstrate their teamwork skills, test their Lego robots, and share their solutions to real-world challenges connected to local and global communities.
Over the weekend, three teams from Shelburne, each coached by Shelburne Community School teacher Joey Adams, advanced to the Vermont championships, which will be hosted next Saturday at Norwich University.
Hockey helps collect for SB Food Shelf
Calling all South Burlington residents: Unite the community to
fight hunger this holiday season by participating in a food drive for the South Burlington Food Shelf at Cairns Arena, 600 Swift St.
Drop items through Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.
Get your gifts wrapped at
University Mall
The gift wrap booth in the food court at University Mall in South Burlington is back this season, with all proceeds from the service benefitting the homeless services agency at ANEW Place.
Bring your gifts to be wrapped by volunteers in quality papers and gift boxes, decorated with bows and ribbons. Drop off any item of any size and chill out in the food court or pick them up later.
The gift wrap booth is open from Friday, Dec. 6, through Christmas Eve during mall hours. ANEW Place’s mission is to help create lasting change in the lives of the homeless. Learn more at anewplacevt.org.
COURTESY PHOTO
Shelburne Community School fourth graders Tristan Pol and Leo Samuelson participate in a robotics competition at the school.
Rebecca R. Benes
Dear wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, Rebecca Randall Beneš, 34, of Jericho, died on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, with her husband and mother by her side.
Rebecca will forever be known for her strong will, unwavering faith, perseverance, radiant smile, dedication to family and true love for life.
She leaves behind her husband, Joshua; her young sons, Luke and Zachary; parents, Jim and Ginger Calder of Shelburne; fatherin-law, Peter; siblings, Daniel and Amanda; grandmother, Peg Randall; several cousins, aunts, and uncles; and her best friend, Alice Hasen.
Rebecca was born on Jan. 30, 1990, during a winter blizzard. True to her biblical name, she grew to become a peacemaker, bringing her family closer together. She embraced her family’s love of gardening and developed a passion for animals.
At the age of 5, she held a calf’s halter for the first time and fell in love with cows. Her family enrolled her in 4-H at Shelburne Farms, where she trained and showed Brown Swiss heifers at local fairs. She cherished her days out at the dairy barn, her friendships with other 4-H members, and the competition in the ring. She also volunteered and later worked in the Shelburne Farms’ children’s farmyard, where she delighted in educating visitors about livestock.
Rebecca and her best friend, Alice, were co-valedictorians of their high school class. Rebecca received a Green and Gold Scholarship at the University of Vermont and majored in animal science with a pre-veterinary focus. At UVM, she became deeply involved in the Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management program, managing a 34-cow herd with her peers and later serving as a student herd advisor. She also worked in a research lab, contributing to several dairy science projects.
During her senior year, she met Josh, her future husband and soulmate. He was captivated by her compassion for animals, love of nature, beautiful smile and commitment to making the world a better place. The two quickly fell in love and persevered through a four-year, long-distance relationship when Rebecca started veterinary school at Cornell University.
At Cornell, Rebecca immersed herself in the food animal curriculum, made lifelong friends and earned a reputation for her ambition and can-do attitude. She was active in the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Pet Loss Support Hotline. She participated in vaccine clinics to give back to the community while getting more practice with exams and vaccines. She also worked part-time milking cows at the vet school dairy barn.
During her third year, Rebecca was inducted into the veterinary honor society Phi Zeta. Her dedication to gaining diverse experiences led her to riding alongside veterinarians across the U.S. and even in Colombia, South America.
OBITUARIES
Upon graduation, Rebecca accepted a position as a mixed animal practitioner in Central Wisconsin. She predominantly cared for cattle, but also treated cats, dogs, sheep, goats and pigs. She was known for supporting farmers in aligning care for their animals while improving their businesses.
Rebecca and Josh married shortly after she began her job, returning to Vermont for a fall wedding at the First Baptist Church in Burlington, followed by a reception at the West Monitor Barn in Richmond. Afterward, Josh joined Rebecca in Wisconsin, where they spent several years kayaking, hiking, skiing and enjoying the outdoors. Their first son, Luke, was born in December 2019. In 2021, longing to be closer to family, they moved back to Vermont, where their second son, Zachary, was born.
That same year, Rebecca began work as a veterinarian at Malletts Bay Veterinary Hospital in Colchester. She appreciated the balance this new position provided her between her professional and family life, and she loved caring for people’s pets while demonstrating compassion for their owners. She also loved working with the incredible team of veterinarians and support staff at the clinic.
Rebecca found immense joy in spending time with Josh and their sons. Together, the family went camping, explored nature and frequently visited Rebecca’s favorite place, Shelburne Farms. She delighted in teaching her boys about the world, gardening and watching them grow.
In June 2022, Rebecca’s life took a devastating turn when she suffered a seizure at work and was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma. After a series of surgeries and medical treatments, her disease became stable, and the cancer started to shrink. She and Josh decided to move forward with building their forever home on a subdivided parcel next to Josh’s parents’ house in Jericho.
Together, they moved into their new home in September 2023. When she wasn’t at medical appointments, Rebecca spent her energy planning out an ambitious and extensive network of gardens and fruit trees. In 2024, she worked with her family to complete a full gardening season, which brought her immense joy. Unfortunately, by November, the cancer became uncontrolla-
ble.
Rebecca passionately loved being a wife and mother. She also inspired her friends and family to utilize life’s tragedies and challenges as an opportunity to grow, enjoy life more fully and identify ways to serve others. We know that she would encourage us to reframe our grief as a force to nourish our faith and help make the world a better place.
Rebecca’s celebration of life will mark the beginning of a new chapter for us all. It will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Burl-
ington. A reception will immediately follow at the same location.
For those who are interested, the family will go for a walk/snowshoe at Shelburne Farms to visit the Brown Swiss cows after the celebration and reception. In lieu of flowers, information about donations in her memory to organizations she cared about will be shared at the celebration and on social media in January.
Rebecca R. Benes
John Leonard
SPORTS
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LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Boys’ basketball
Coach: Ernie Duncan
Last season: 18-4, lost in the Division I semifinals
This season: 0-1
Key returnees: Jacob Armstrong, senior, guard; Luke Allen, senior, forward; Jackson Dubois, senior, forward; Adrian Paliling, sophomore, guard.
Key newcomers: Owen Scott, sophomore, guard; Connor Dubois, sophomore, forward; Alex Jovell, sophomore, guard; Charlie Charron, sophomore, guard; Prodige Bikule, sophomore forward; Tyler Simons, sophomore, forward; Blake Companion, junior, guard; Brady Gangl, first year, forward.
Outlook: Champlain Valley will take the court this season with a new coach, Ernie Duncan, and many players needing varsity experience. The team will rely
on senior leadership from Jacob Armstrong, Luke Allen and Jackson Dubois as it starts the season and gets the rest of the lineup used to the varsity game.
“We have one or two that played sparingly on varsity last year and the rest will be getting their first meaningful minutes at this level,” Duncan said. “It will definitely be a work in progress where we hope to be hitting our stride come playoff time.”
The Redhawks have been to the final four at Patrick Gymnasium five years in a row and will rely on their shooting strength to get them there this season.
Up next: Saturday, Dec. 21, versus Mount Anthony at 3 p.m.
Girls’ basketball
Coach: Dom Bryant
Last season: D1 state champions
This season: 1-0
Key returnees: Zoey McNabb, junior, guard; Kait-
lyn Jovell, senior, guard; Lauren Vaughan, senior, forward.
Key newcomers: Sophia Zada-Silva, first year, guard; Sarah Skaflestad, first year, guard. Outlook: The defending state champions will have a few question marks to start this season, as Champlain Valley welcomes new coach, Dom Bryant to the program. Bryant has some big shoes to fill in for his predecessor, Ute Otley, who led the Redhawks to eight titles and 10 final appearances.
CVU will also have to replace a group of seniors, including Miss Basketball, Elise Berger, but will look to seniors Kaitlyn Jovell and Lauren Vaughan at the start of the season.
“I am excited for our team and all of the hard work they have put in each day,” Bryant said. “Our goals are to fight through adversity and play CVU basketball every
PHOTO BY DWIGHT MAZUR
Stowe’s Lily Bucklin
Yates named Gatorade Vermont Football Player of the Year
LAUREN READ
CORRESPONDENT
Football
Champlain Valley quarterback Orion Yates has been named the 2024-25 Gatorade Vermont Football Player of the Year.
The sophomore led the undefeated Redhawks to the Division I state championship this season and passed for 2,056 yards and 29 touchdowns. He threw for four total touchdowns and passed for 177 yards in CVU’s 41-14 win over Rutland in the state final.
He also added 51 tackles on defense, six sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.
“Yates is great in all facets of the game,” Tom McCoy, head coach at Burr and Burton Academy, said in the press release. “He has a strong arm, he’s well-composed and he’s a great kid who’s a leader. He can beat you by throwing or with his feet. What sets him apart is that he’s equally as impressive on the defensive side of the ball.”
Yates, who is a sophomore at CVU, joins his father, Steve, as Gatorade Player of the Year. The elder Yates was the 1986 Vermont Gatorade recipient who starred at Burlington High School.
Cross country
The Champlain Valley girls’ cross-country team competed in the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 7, coming in 19th overall.
Alice Kredell led the way for the Redhawks, finishing in 109th. Audrey Neilson was next in 117th, Lydia Donahue followed in 135th and Charlotte Crum was 138th, Annalise Wood was 185th, Livi Neilson 195th and Justyna Amblo
rounded it out in 198th.
CVU made its fourth appearance in the national competition and its first since 2018.
Girls’ basketball
Champlain Valley 58, Rutland 32: The Champlain Valley girls’ basketball team opened its season on Saturday, Dec. 14, defeating Rutland in the North-South tournament.
The Redhawks, playing their first game under new coach Dom Bryant, moved to 1-0 on the season.
Zoey McNabb led the way with 15 points and Kaitlyn Jovell added 13 points for CVU. Sarah Skaflestad (eight points) and Sophia Zada-Silva (seven points) also tallied for the Redhawks.
Girls’ ice hockey
Champlain Valley/Mount Mansfield 4, Stowe 0: The Champlain Valley girls’ ice hockey team opened its season with a shutout win over Stowe on Saturday.
Sophie Brien had two goals to lead the CougarHawks (1-0), while Abby Bunting and Maeve Gilbert each added a score.
Lucia Brochu and Megan Rivard each had an assist, while Ella Gilbert stopped 18 shots on goal to get the win.
Boys’ ice hockey
U-32 5, Champlain Valley 0: Champlain Valley’s offense struggled in a loss to U-32 on Saturday in high school boys’ ice hockey.
The Redhawks fell to 0-1.
Boys’ basketball
Rutland 52, Champlain Valley 40: Champlain Valley opened the season on Saturday in the North-South tournament, fall-
ing to Rutland 52-40.
Connor DuBois had 12 points for CVU, and Jacob Armstrong added 11.
CVU is 0-1 on the season.
PHOTO BY AL FREY
Champlain Valley Union quarterback Orion Yates looks for his receivers in an Aug. 31 game against Hartford.
O’BRIEN
continued from page 1
Under the law, areas served by municipal sewer and water can build at higher densities. The northern part of O’Brien’s property is technically outside of Shelburne’s municipal service district, but the company argues its proximity to municipal infrastructure should justify a boundary expansion. There is an 8-foot town sewer line and manhole on the property and a water main connection less than 50 feet away.
Earlier this summer, O’Brien Brothers filed an official petition with the town to expand the district and allow the company to build more units, sparking months of selectboard discussions, thousands of dollars spent in legal review and plenty of public input from disapproving neighbors.
authority, the town hired the law firm McNeil, Leddy and Sheahan in October to deliver a second opinion.
The firm wrapped up its work earlier this week and confirmed the selectboard’s authority to amend the service district. The firm presented its findings to the selectboard during a regular meeting Tuesday.
After hearing feedback from many Shelburne residents on an earlier version of the agreement, town manager Matt Lawless said he is confident that the new agreement addresses their concerns.
The main point of debate is whether the selectboard has the legal authority to amend the district’s boundaries.
After weeks of legal review with Shelburne’s lawyer, which found that the selectboard has the
The new pre-development agreement, also presented Tuesday night, expresses the selectboard’s desire to amend the district, although an official decision on the matter — and the town’s signature on the agreement — won’t happen until January, after the opportunity for more public input, according to town manager Matt Lawless.
The document etches in stone certain agreements between the town and O’Brien, should the project ever break ground, and does not undermine the normal review process with Shelburne’s develop-
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ment review board.
The new version of the agreement asks more of O’Brien Brothers than its predecessor, including more affordable housing, public access to parks and paths on the property and reimbursement of town legal fees related to the project.
After hearing feedback from many Shelburne residents on an earlier version of the agreement, Lawless said he is confident that the new agreement addresses their concerns.
The new agreement boosts the number of inclusionary housing units from 41 to 45, or 12 percent of the 375 potential dwellings, and
APARTMENT
continued from page 2
against the house, the selectboard discussed how it could create tougher ordinances to limit certain behaviors during last week’s meeting. That discussion extends beyond Hedgerow Drive to other neighborhoods where disputes have surfaced.
“That truth is we have nothing on the books to enforce right now,” said selectboard chair Michael Ashooh, referring to a lack of town ordinances for neighborhood issues, like parking, noise, animals and other types of
expands the area-median income for homes from 80 to 120 percent to 80 to 150 percent to address the “missing middle” of housing development.
O’Brien would also incorporate more sustainability measures, including blower door tests once homes are built, car share parking and public electric vehicle charging stations.
The community would also have greater access to any public parks, paths or trails that O’Brien builds on the property and the company would contribute $40,000 toward a Fall Road Village Area pedestrian infrastructure study.
One of the biggest differences
behavior.
The selectboard has regularly discussed the need to adopt ordinances that resemble those in urban areas, rather than rural towns, where ordinances are less strict.
During the pandemic, noise complaints related parties at rental houses were frequent and, in another neighborhood in Shelburne, neighbors are sparring over whether roosters should be allowed.
The selectboard broached
between the agreements is a new clause requiring O’Brien to reimburse the town for legal fees related to the project, including future costs. So far, the town has amassed $35,000 in fees and is expected to spend another $50,000 during the development review board process.
Lawless said the new pre-development agreement is available for public review on the town’s website and there will be opportunities for public input during selectboard meetings after the new year.
O’Brien Brothers did not respond to a request for an interview before the Shelburne News’ press deadline.
the subject of drafting new ordinances last week, but the project would ultimately take months, said Ashooh.
In the meantime, Lawless said the town is monitoring the situation on Hedgerow Drive. Neighbors could also enforce vague neighborhood laws that were unearthed by the town’s lawyer, but that would be their responsibility and could be costly.
“I think there’s a misconception that town hall is the place to hash out these neighborhood disputes, but ultimately this is an issue between neighbors,” Ashooh said. “Obviously we want to know if people are living in unsafe situations, but right now this is a question of how Vermont Construction can be a better neighbor, because they aren’t good ones right now.”
IMPACT FEE
continued from page 1
structure, which Shelburne is constantly seeking to build more of, and a costly new fire station in the future.
“These are big expensive items, and we feel like new developers should have a skin in the game to make sure we do this well,” he said.
The $40,000 will fund a study for a new impact fee ordinance, which would identify projects for impact fees and an appropriate fee structure for those projects.
Lawless said the study will take a few months, but that it’s a priority for next year.
“It would behoove us to have this in place before any major developments break ground,” he said, referring to projects like the one proposed by O’Brien Brothers to build up to 375 new housing units.
The project has not yet appeared before the development review board.
Middlebury Town Hall Theater celebrates solstice
For millennia, people across the globe have recognized and celebrated the solstice. Across hundreds of cultures all around the world, traditions have been created, and myths have been formed to honor the changing seasons and the power of the sun and the moon.
In Vermont of all places, the turning point where the days reach their shortest and then begin increasing again is especially joyous to many. This December is especially unique astronomically, as it contains two new moons, an anomaly referred to as a black moon. Come to the Town Hall Theater, 68 South Pleasant St., Middlebury, on Saturday, Dec. 21,
at 2 p.m., for a time to appreciate and reflect on the peak of darkness and the beginning of winter.
Throughout the month of December, two classes of students, ages 5-8 and 9-12, have been exploring the story of the Great Race, which explains how the Chinese calendar was created to depict an animal each year in cycles of 12 years. At 2 p.m. on the Dec. 21, you can see actors Nolan Amstrand, Vivenne Rafferty, Tenlyn Wetzel, Bodhi Kenna, Matilda Boyce, Pippa Amidon and Isaac Rivera perform the story of the Great Race, in a version that they collectively crafted over the course of this month.
You will also see the younger
class put on a show that specifically focuses on the story of the Dragon and the Rabbit and their journey within the Great Race. You will see Pepper Bright, Finleigh and Elbie Jones, Ferdinand Kelly-Smith, Miles Poff and Iris Young act out the bond these two animals form. Led by Barbara Paulsen, this class has been working on puppeteering and their portion of the show will feature puppets created and operated by the kids, complete with a 20-footlong snake!
The event will include a luminary parade after the play starting on the theater steps. For tickets, go to townhalltheater.org or call 802-382-9222.
OBITUARIES
continued from page 9
John Leonard
John Marcus Leonard (“Jack”), 81, of Shelburne, died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. He was born to Marcus and Helen (Emslie) Leonard on July 6, 1943, in Barre Vermont.
Jack graduated from Burlington High School, Class of 1961, and shortly thereafter he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Jack was honorably discharged in 1964 and then enrolled at Champlain College where he graduated in 1966. Following graduation Jack started and developed a successful residential contacting business in the Burlington area.
During his younger years in the winter, Jack enjoyed skiing the mountains of Vermont and, in the summer, sailing his boat on Lake Champlain. Jack had fond memories of his sailing days not only on Lake Champlain but also vacationing on a sailboat in the Caribbean. Jack was also an avid golfer and enjoyed his time with friends at Kwiniaska Golf Course and Vermont National Country Club.
Jack may be best known for his love of antique MG cars, their restoration and constant care. Later during his retirement years when Jack was not still working on his now award-winning MGs, you
could find him at the Shelburne Shell station leaning on the counter with a coffee, chatting up anyone who would listen and making the occasional pot of coffee to help when it got busy or more likely when he finished it off.
Jack is survived by his beloved cat, Sergio, who now resides with Jack’s sister in Tucson; daughter, Holli-Jo Atwood and her husband, George and his grandsons, Morgan Gamboa and Logan Atwood of Fredericksburg, Va.; sister, Jane Leonard-Jack and her husband, Alan of Tucson, Ariz.; niece, Chelsea Olds and her husband, Matt and their daughters, Leighton Whitlatch and Addison Olds of Tucson; and a cousin, Karin Vogel of Essex Center. Jack also had an extensive circle of close friends who would stop by his home for a coffee and maybe a smoke but most of all a friendly chat.
Per his wishes, Jack was cremated and interred at Hope Cemetery in Barre. If you wish to donate in Jack’s name, please send it to the University of Vermont Health Network-Home Health & Hospice.
Arrangements were entrusted to Ready Funeral & Cremation Service. To send online condolences, visit readyfuneral.com.
Town of Shelburne Public Notice Adoption of an Updated Ethics Rule
At its regular meeting on December 12, 2024, the Shelburne Selectboard voted a approve an updated Ethics Rule. The rule clarifies the Town’s Ethics Ordinance and removes conflicting or confusing provisions with new statewide ethics laws adopted as Act 171 of 2024.
The new rule, and the existing ordinance, are posted on the ordinances page of the Town website, www.shelburnevt.org. Under Vermont statutes (section 1973), the public has certain rights to disapprove a rule. A petition signed by not less than five percent of the town’s qualified voters must be presented to the Selectboard or to the Town Clerk within 44 days of the rule’s adoption.
Town Manager Matt Lawless can answer public questions or receive comments on the rule, by phone at 802-985-5111, or by mail at PO Box 88, Shelburne VT 05482, or by email at mlawless@ shelburnevt.org.
PHOTO BY STEVE JAMES
A solstice dragon will be part of a winter celebration at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury.
WINTER PREVIEW continued from page 10
day.”
The team started off well, winning its first game to start things off.
Up next: Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Brattleboro at 7 p.m.
Girls’ ice hockey
Coach: Matt Bunting
Last season: 3-15-2, lost in the quarterfinals
This season: 1-0
Key returnees: KB Aldrich, senior, forward/defense; Miles Brien, senior, defense; Sophie Brien, senior, forward; Mackenzie Rivard, senior, forward; Megan Rivard, senior, forward; Abby Bunting, senior, forward/defense; Ella Gilbert, junior, goalie; Alex Walpole, junior, defense; Cadence Tessier, sophomore, defense; Eva Mazur, sophomore, forward.
Key newcomers: Devin Taylor, first year, forward; Madeline Bessette, first year, defense; Maeve Gilbert, first year, forward.
Outlook: Last year, the Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield co-op team had a smaller roster and a lot of players who got a lot of ice time. This year, the CougarHawks will see the benefit of that experience as a host of players return.
They started off the year with a 4-0 win, showcasing a stronger offense to kick off the season. Importantly, the CougarHawks will have experience in goal (Ella Gilbert) and a strong roster of returning defenders.
“After a year with fewer numbers and a trial by fire for many members on the team, the CougarHawks hope to be competitive,” CVU-MMU coach Matt Bunting said. “They have depth and experience in all three zones.”
Up next: Saturday, Dec. 21, versus Burlington at 4:45 p.m.
Boy’s ice hockey
Coach: JP Benoit
Last season: 6-13-3, lost in the quarterfinals
This season: 0-1
Key returnees: Ted Connery, senior, defense; Jameson Yandow, junior, forward; Brady Jones, junior, forward; Eric Weinberg, sophomore, forward; Zavier Barnes, sophomore, forward; Tommy Barnes, junior, goalie.
Key newcomers: Ethan Whitcomb, first year, defense; Sawyer Wellman, first year, defense; Zyler Yandow, first year, forward; Ezra Ziter, first year, forward.
Outlook: With just four seniors on the team, the boys are looking to find chemistry and consistency as the season gets underway. But coach JP Benoit is very excited about the talent the group has and how focused the players are on team performance over the individual.
“I think this group will take time to find its stride but could be one of the more special teams in recent memory,” Benoit said. “A strength is how great this team already gets along. They are very focused on the team aspect over individual performance.”
CVU will work to build that team chemistry and look to peak as the playoffs roll around.
Up next: Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Spaulding at 7:15 p.m.
The second part of our winter sports preview will appear in January.
PHOTO BY DWIGHT MAZUR
CVU-MMU forward Eva Mazur gets ahead of a Stowe defender during Saturday’s 4-0 home opener.