Issuu

We salute you

Trick or treat?

Thanking the veterans among us for their service

South Burlington residents decorate their homes for Halloween

Pages 13-22

Page 26

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #217 CONCORD, NH ECRWSSEDDM

South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977

the NOVEMBER 5, 2026

otherpapersbvt.com

VOLUME 50, NO. 45

Incumbents take district Senate and county races

Midterm elections

BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER

by the city year-round and include nighttime illumination as one of numerous safety features. “The whole point of the bridge is to pull pedestrians away from the road and cars. So, if you’re asking if it will increase road safety, absolutely,” said John Christman,

The three Democratic incumbents have won back their seats representing the Chittenden Southeast Senate district. Thomas Chittenden of South Burlington came away with the greatest number of votes at 28,843, Virginia “Ginny” Lyons came in next with 26,375 votes and Kesha Ram Hinsdale of Shelburne took back her seat with 24,859 votes. Republicans Bruce Roy of Williston, Javen Sears of South Burlington and Rohan St. Marthe of Jericho garnered 11,366, 7,728 and 6,916 votes respectively. Starting with the primary, the incumbents for the Chittenden Southeast Senate district ran as a bloc. The three announced their joint candidacy and cross-endorsements earlier this year. However, both the primary and general elections remained competitive. Newcomers Elizabeth Hunt of Charlotte and Joanna Grossman of Burlington had challenged the incumbents in the primary, and then three Republican candidates made for a

See BRIDGE on page 12

See SENATE on page 11

PHOTO BY BRIANA BRADY

Voters for two of South Burlington’s precincts gathered at Tuttle Middle School to cast their votes.

Crews start work on I-89 walk-bike bridge SCARLETT GLAZEBROOK COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

For people traveling on foot, walking along Williston Road over Interstate 89 means navigating the traﬃc barreling on and oﬀ the ramps leading to the busy highway at Exit 14. And with the short, dark days of winter around the corner, reduced visibility adds to the challenges of crossing

the stretch that helps connect Burlington and South Burlington. Now, after decades of enduring the problem, walkers and bikers can see a solution taking shape in the big construction project just south of the overpass. Construction began in late July on the new South Burlington Walk-Bike Bridge over I-89, following a groundbreaking ceremony. When completed in 2028, the bridge will be maintained

DINNERS FOR TWO 2 APPETIZERS, 2 ENTREES 1 DESSERT, 2 PEOPLE Sunday-Thursday • $70-$90 SO ME B LA CKO U T DA T E S A PPLY

BOOK YOUR RESERVATION FARMHOUSETG.COM

Page 2 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

2026 South Burlington

Holiday Bazaars! SATURDAY, NOV. 14 ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH BAZAAR 1250 Spear St., South Burlington • 9 AM - 1 PM Antiques and uniques, bake sale plus Cookie Walk, books, crafts and Christmas, jewelry, raffle, and yard sale items. Proceeds to benefit outreach and other church programs.

FAITH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BAZAAR 899 Dorset St., South Burlington • 9 AM - 1 PM

Cookie Walk, pies, breads, fudge, soup-to-go, holiday décor and lights, garland, wreaths and trees, jewelry, accessories, kitchen gadgets, gifts, toys, games, raffle and ornaments galore! Proceeds to support Common Roots.

Support your neighbors and shop local! FILE PHOTO

Beta Technologies plans to expand its training facility as its first build under its proposed master plan, currently pending approval.

Beta announces its new training center even as city ponders plan BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER

If anyone was holding their breath waiting for Beta Technologies to start rolling out site plans for buildings under its proposed master plan, they wouldn’t have been waiting very long. Even as the city considers the electric aircraft company’s master plan, Beta has already submitted for review the first of its projects to build out more than 100 acres off Williston Road. Alex Gagnon, Beta’s head of real estate and facilities, brought a plan before the South Burlington Development Review Board Oct. 20 for a new 61,000-square-foot addition to one of its existing buildings.

The end result would be a four-story training center and an adjoining aircraft hangar at 430 Davinci Drive. “This is a project we’ve had in the plans for a long time now. It was part of our original master plan submission,” Gagnon said. The company opened its maintenance and training building a couple years ago, Gagnon added, and this has been a long-planned addition. It will also be the first test for how development might proceed under Beta’s new adaptive master plan. The plan, should the city approve it by Nov. 20, would create three different development zones on Beta’s campus and allow the company to develop the areas

Gather with family and friends for a memorable Thanksgiving celebration beneath the Atrium’s glass canopy and enjoy a grand buffet featuring: • A traditional carving station with roasted turkey and gravy • Mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash, stuffing, and all your favorite trimmings

Adults: $55 Children (5-12): $25 Children (under 5): Free Prices do not include taxes or gratuity. An 18% gratuity will be added to parties of more than six.

• Raw bar and chef-attended action stations • Coffee, tea, and juices • A decadent dessert display • Plus live music!

FIRST SEATING: 11:00 A.M. SECOND SEATING: 1:30 P.M.

non-linearly. The training facility is located in Area No. 1, closest to the airport, but following this development, the company could easily move to developing a smaller manufacturing facility in Area No. 3 The training facility, in plans submitted to the review board, would include meeting rooms, office space and a six of Beta’s “ThunderDome” full-scale flight simulators, which the company first introduced for training in 2020. According to Gagnon, all the pilots for the company’s electric fleet will be trained there. “It’s really how Beta is going to be leaning into training pilots, training aircraft mechanics and really growing that programming in a meaningful way,” he said. While it’s unclear in the application how much the program might grow, the company anticipates an additional 146 daily vehicle trips associated with the build — this would be before traffic reduction measures such as bicycle racks, showers and other initiatives. If approved, Beta plans to finish the project in 2028, after a traffic light installation at the intersection of Williston Road and Davinci Drive. Beta’s eagerness to move forward with development and confidence in the approval of its master plan was evident in the company’s choice to return to the board with revisions on the training facility application on Nov. 17 — still days before the city’s decision on the master plan is due. The success of the training facility application is dependent on the approval of the master plan. “I think we’d probably take the risk on it,” Gagnon said.

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 3

Developer pitches city on deferred taxes to pay for road relocation BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER

private developers to take on the debt, rather than the municipality. In this case, after applying in conjuncA local developer wants to apply with tion with the city, O’Brien Brothers could South Burlington for up to $5 million take out up to $5 million from the state to from the state’s new Community and pay for the relocation of the road, a recreHousing Infrastructure Program to fund ation path and a public park. For the next the partial relocation of Old Farm Road 20 years — or earlier, if the debt is paid where it intersects with Kimball Avenue. off sooner — most of the property taxes South Burlington would be one of the paid by the 43 homes serviced by the road program’s earliest applicants — the state would go to paying down that debt. After established it last winter and plans to that, the property taxes from those homes would go back to the state education fund dedicate $200 million a year to it. Moving the northern section of Old and the municipal budget. Some city council members were Farm Road has been part of the plans for the 155-home O’Brien Brothers develop- skeptical, but Langfeldt emphasized that ment, between Kennedy Drive and Potash because the O’Brien Brothers would take Road, since at least 2020. According to on the debt, the financial risk weighs the development plans, the new Old Farm more heavily on the developer. “If our homes don’t sell and we don’t Road, which runs through the development, would intersect with Kimball create that additional increment, we’re on Avenue farther away from Kennedy the hook. We have to keep servicing that Drive, opening space for commercial debt,” he said. Moving the road is a condition of the development. However, of O’Brien Brothers CEO development agreement. According to the agreement, before Evan Langfeldt told the the company can permit city council last month “Unless that road the development’s 125th that, as the company home — it has already makes plans for the last gets moved, that built 115 of them — it phase of building and the must relocate the northroad relocation, it faces whole area is ern portion of Old Farm costs much higher than Road. it anticipated. He said basically in limbo.” “What was borderfunds from the new state line feasible when it was program, if awarded, — Evan Langfeldt levied as a condition would use tax increment really is no longer feasifunding from the last group of 43 homes to pay for moving Old ble,” Langfeldt said in a separate interFarm Road, along with a new shared use view. It’s a bit of a chicken and egg effect. path and nearby public park. He said when O’Brian started the first To build homes affordable enough to sell, phase, some were “selling at a market Langfeldt said, the price can’t carry the cost of the infrastructure. However, to rate” for mid- to high-$300,000s. “That’s unheard of now. We can’t build the last phase of homes at all, the even build at that cost, let alone sell it,” agreement with the city stipulates that the road first needs to be relocated. Langfeldt said. “Unless that road gets moved, that Especially in the last couple of years, he said, construction costs have skyrock- whole area is basically in limbo because eted. Along with inflation and interest we own the area where the road’s going to rates, Langfelt attributes the rising cost go, and the city owns the lots,” Langfeldt of homes to a decline in the number of said. For mixed-use commercial developtradespeople in the state, driving up labor costs. That then gets built into the price ment to go in along Kimball Avenue, he said, Old Farm Road must move over. of the homes. Part of the direction the city council The CHIP program, Langfeldt said, would offset the public infrastructure has given O’Brien Brothers is to come costs, while keeping the home prices up with projections for how much quickfrom soaring out of reach for buyers and er funding the road through the state’s opening up commercial space on Kimball Community and Housing Infrastructure Program would open up those lots and Ave. Tax increment funding, such as with add to the commercial tax base. “If we can repay the taxpayers because CHIP, works by setting aside a portion of the property taxes created by new devel- we’re going to unlock and accelerate opment in order to pay down the debt for commercial development, which grows related infrastructure. However, unlike our commercial tax base, and that’s the city’s tax increment financing district, meaningful and can pay back a chunk of which creates a geographic block eligible that, I would think about this differently. for this kind of financing, CHIP operates So that that to me is a linchpin,” council on a project-by-project basis and allows vice chair Andrew Chalnick said.

Curious About Rice? TALK TO A RICE PARENT

Wednesday, 11/11, 5:30-7pm, Burlington Beer Co. Come meet some of our current parents, ask questions, and find out why they chose Rice. Cash bar & appetizers provided. Please register!

admissions@rmhsvt.org 802-862-6521x2246

Get up to

www.rmhsvt.org

3.50% APY

with our Checking Plus account WHEN YOU MEET THE MONTHLY REQUIREMENTS.

Head to eastrise.com to learn more and get started today.

APY = annual percentage yield and reﬂects the current minimum APY offered. Fees may reduce earnings. No minimum balance required. Rates may change after account opening. $25 minimum opening deposit. To earn dividends with Checking Plus, you must have direct deposit of $1,000 or more, 15 debit card transactions that post and settle to your account each month and been enrolled in eStatements for the dividend period. If the account does not meet these requirements during the dividend period, the account will not earn dividends for that period, and a new period will start over the following month. Checking Plus accounts are tiered rate accounts. For these accounts, the speciﬁed dividend rate for a tier will apply only to the portion of the account balance within that tier. The APYs, which vary depending on the balance in the account, are as follows; for balances up to $15,000.00 earn 3.50% APY, for balances of $15,000.01 and above earn 3.50%-0.21% APY. Federally insured by NCUA.

STAY CONNECTED Anywhere, Anytime

Page 4 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

South Burlington Police Blotter: Oct. 19-Nov. 1

North

ns r city s

OMER AL CUST POSTTA

Sout to S

brings born artist Haitian-born g to SB paint paintin vibrant ga gallery public art

Ring toss

PRSRT STD AGE TA U.S. POST AID PA P #217 PERMIT NH D, CONCOR EDDM ECRWSS

Clean & Green u road ld use We should ca salt with care

Act 127 update

AL CUSTOMER POSTTA PO

PRSRT STD AGE U.S. POSTTA AID PA P PERMIT #217 CONCORD, NH ECRWSSEDDM

For the e birds 977

197Managingg forests School 8 Board offers primer er Since Page P TA POST AL CUSTOMER pap spa on complicated law requires reesiliency 6 NewPage munity mm ’s Com 977 Page 20 Since 197 lington Page 6 a paper Burlin mmunity Newsp South lington’s Comm South Burlin 5 paper Since 19 South Burlington’s Community48,Newsp 977 , NO. Six council candidates view for three seats Page 2

e he th 1 UARY

e he th 8 FEBRUARY

ity may re a orre xplo on registry m short-ter its nttaall un reen

First in flight

th he e

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTTA AGE PA P AID PERMIT #217 CONCORD, NH ECRWSSEDDM

, NO. 6

FEBRUARY 1

Schoo ol district budgeets in lim mbo State tries to rew work education spendding formula

32+. sccribes '+. 17 #'+ /33217

NO O. 7

ew federal regs New un ld end the fun uld coul

complicated — especially for )1'$)0'1, '/(', /(" ("% " , (-$%( & , (11% , and warned budgets for the annual %++%0'1,.+, 0', #, ".'%, , )'/,'/%,%++ MCDONALD YM COREY With less than three weeks w until (,-( , (11% ,)!, ,'/(',0/(! % , WRITER TAFF W ST the ti funding f di th state’s t t ’ edu ducation To wn Meeting M ti D Day, l il t legislators her own often laughs at not to nges to the formula. are proposing new chan Rach Noyes Rachel defense, it’s hard “It’s extremely unprecedentstate’s education fundin ng formuI-89 and jokes, but in her driving along I-8 you’re B superla that’s brought head daches for ed,” said South Burlington w gh when laugh 4 7(4 &%22$#4 -+4 4 -.4 75**-+,4 )(' Violett Nichols, who 10/..-, .+* +*0)(-1, '/)1, &%(($#, -%(")! ( , intendent Vi 10/4 .-,+DARR 7654 732210 LIBERTY BY LIBER in the left lane.” 54 # NotThe added that board ds and educators / du South Burlington and Champlain C PHOTO wo the woods 62 #(##5 4 76 74 62 the duo. *-! 4 7627 for - 4 *-!5 (")! , % '$% %-& - , '( )! , Valley school districts’ budgets b in ($%, /(" +7)4 (114 .-,+. +74 )523.4 "*5+7 "*5 date spot +753.7275.4 -+4 35/5+'34 3-,67 e, a favorite '#4 (+4 53$(+7 .4 -+7 limbo. 674 4 )(' She ALD in Shelburn 2754 7-/!57.4 4 2-.5 4 -+4 **2 . 4 4 MCDON Budget season in Vermont Le Marché 14 )('4 627 & 1 at 4 COREY rench. -.-7-+, Wendy 4 (34 & his French. See AC CT 127 on page % , .$%, /(1, )0 -&, %0. %, %"%! il last to his18wife to brush up on +7*)4 335$-+ 4 1((7 4 1(34 5 2$#*5 4 4 76274 ,5+7 TAFF WRITER ST ity Ci Counc #31 seatedd next opportun 4 54 *275 ton City o 22354 2*.(4 as “JP” %+.('-' 1 *( 4 ( + Burling 4 24 $2+-2/4 '74 1 %$1 -'1 (' also known and offers a good know, (74 7(4 3- 54 *-!5 The South1 ,+*)1 +3-.('& 1 +3')-/1 !'()*1 1 ng Mart )('4 +( ght to k ought ul Marton, Paul Noyes " upbringi 1 -// *-" his Jacquesof ctively hilarious. +"1 %$$1 *1 %$1 )031 /-41 objectiv 43321 03/.1 -1 +3&(*)+" emoriess and curator Burlington fond memorie 3') 3') /*1 -+31 creator c Airpo in South .654 33(754765$ 2 ('74776-.4-.4 4 )%1 #+3-)31 40(#01 +% %' -$3 International Airport 4.(4,352742 )"1 +%)%#% onto Book Nook cuisine brings Marton * $3)" )" 65476-+,47627 . atrick Leahy Burlington & 6 tyle Patric 4 $4 (+4 7654 )031 #()" ch-style +% 3+1 French-s regulations Airways flight from 765.54 2+ 4 65+ 4 (1 4 Breeze 3'*!+31 1 *(7 4 2 4 7 dding augural inaug $adding ' .' ugh,” Noyes 4%!/. this photo of the while these, I laugh,” Mike Dean took hway and I see 41.(4,3527 sixth time residentt M highwa being met rental units. was Burlington %$ ,3527 $%+31 765) 35 g Souththe +!4765) 1 3$% ! /31 35 476-+! &$% eting 14-* .2- )"41& .2- meetin short-term 4 -764 76554 .7275 Fla., on Jan. 31. $%+1 -1 #%!1 %%2* 1 Tampa, Ta 1 %#23 4 $2+2,53 )" 4 ('7352/6 5 +('& +54 62*14 Last week’s $)1 3 (+ 6 1 )3 33' to and discussing-1 4 -. /3$) &('& 4 1 ' ()5. 4 0(3$ 1 1 4-* 1 )4 .215 /5 +3 310 7)1 4)03 +)3. 2) 0(10 15'7) )"1,+3 tweeaks 3 1 ) *1 33'1 tw -'.1 ()1 2 ng tweaks $3 1 -'. +74 ,5+/) 1 1 *)-+) 6-,6 )0-)1#()" #-$3 53$(+7 $+331 *(&' ')14 -+ $+ l, making )%4 7654 5 )031 031 *-(. ))('&412-41 3-753 . .('-'# 4 43') 4 )2+4 1 14 3(($ ')3.1)%1 (1 /3- the campus 4332* 1 1 -'.1 !)) the counci #*1 %$1 )031 %+. 1 +3*3' (,576534 -76 4 ( 1 - 3 *1 -+31 +3-., ,+*) ha been1 -'.1 -1 0-/$$ 1 $+% 1 0% 3 0 He has +)3.1(1)% 32+.#(3727-(+ COREY MCDONALD )031 * 3#(,1)031/-414-*1 The Long family, former ') *)-+) 1 +75**-,5+74 322+.#(3- 4 '24 +7 1 )!.3' t as “JP.” 1 -1 .3#-.3 %'31 %$1 )031 03'1 %%2*1 .1 1 *-(.+2## 1 1 )0('2 # 4 7654 2,5+/) . 4 -76 chair Helen STTAFF WRITER "3-+1*('#3 ) , +residen , '/ , - 1 $% , 2 ' -#2 $, %/+1 % 3+ 1 ('1 %%2* $31 -'. 1 4 765) 354 72.!5 4 3- -)coun l ')1 ($3 y counci /" 1 )031 +"1/%#-) its incep- 1 ( ')/" ')3+3*)3. 4 ).75$4 /6-51 l 2.64 7( ( +-+" council. ing to city #!*)%.(-' 1 ( %+)-') $+331/( ce since )%1 )+" 03" +31 (') 1727-(+ -'. 1)031 )!.3' 4 $5..2,5.4 7(4 2 1-1$+ 4 nance 03+3 '.1 )03 perso persona Accord the ordinan +,4 '#4 -76 5 1 +"1 ')1 +753.7275 1 %%+1%$ '& 1 -' ('& -'.1 %+3 , , )" * , 1 %%2 , 1 %% , 1)03 47654-+7 , DARR , , , , high-('& /($-+ 3') season as his owndue said, 1 $!'#)(%' to his42*(+, 4 #'+.4 .-+/54 4$(7(3-+, 1&%)1*% 3)0 TY DA % 031,+*) this year’s budget ( 3+*()" ! 1%' Riehle *%!&0) 53.42.4765) 35 1 ! !'( 4 and grew 0)1 -1 .!-/ -+.*1('1-'1- -+) to LIBERTY ing 55+ says '-' * 7654 .7275 . 3417-+,4 765 3/$$ 1 43 3 ''3*-+ 1 '4 /3217 4 'inghast dwindl and inte 4 -76 across 3.1('1 4+3'' )33+ 1 WRITER WR 31 2'3 +,7(+ 4 622 5403 As 4interest ( 7 2 (34 -...'5. )(%'1 0-* 1*-$3 654)03 )"1*)-'.- up 4 $2 on 4was , , , slid a pastry 33 1 %%2*0 $3)" to code, 1403'1 STTAFF - (*1 3')*-,67 $4+.($5 1 *03/$$ 1 +74 (14 ('76 1 1 - *24 !+( + 1 $+ rne. $'collecti 3$' co '6"75 1(ary 4 24 35.- 5+7 4 1( burne. )('" 4 dedicat y are u + 1 library wor 1'+ -+, -231*!+3 in the city 4 1' '4 &1at%$least $ east 2020. Marton -2 7654 $5..2,5 in 27-(+ $31 /-#3 , , he , 1 , !./3" , )1 working , 1 -*,1 -1/'335+7 enjoyed , , , , 23335+ , Shelbu 5 '/27 4 -**4 5('& 3&-' 4*2 ( 1-1*-$3 1 +3*)%#2 +74 #'3#(.54 (14 safety said 1(' enti+74 corner - 4/($ Marché 4765-') 31%$has ')*1 +%' '2) $'- an entire in years, $$' ,41 -76 5y 0-) Jacqu s-Paul at Lefor Jacque 25 )!.3') 654 #232$('+7 *)! anywhere 1 3% /31-+3LIBERTY DARR 4 52*-+, #%'*)'&1)031'- 1(34 $%+412+ ed into 2. 1 $% ta highway fety 4 '%)('& $ 53.4 1( +7.42+ 47654./6((* 1'% ularr table enhance 31 33' setting 4 /74 .4/(+.7-7'5+7 blossom /31 $+ d French (*4 (23 4 $5$ 2 pa 104 6274$52+.42*537-+, 031*-(. $+331 %%2* -764a6-. 3'*!+31 )0-) hasyet. 103 (-3 4 ./6(( boardss iis to 10- that by struc- the circula 4 3(*54 11( N on page )14%!/. 2- (3 doWRITER 1 5%$1 4 2) is not over TAFF 43$2 2). ST 2) 44 1)0-) work%/%+3. in mastere 4 (2 3 -/5 -)(%' 533 1('( 1 (313'1+%*34 62.cake )%1 -##3**( alities $5 4 +2##4.2) or that 4 557-+, gs or $,)4.5 47-$ 4$) they rent.”municipalities 3. .3.(#-) 352*MARTO ( + 4 nity, but his '()(-)( 1 +%*3 #% 4 ( +'1-+, , 47(,4/( 11753 1+7-+' 4217 /(+7 11535 4 See by(+4 1 )03 (23 build +76. a crash ahead, 4 76274 4 spo sponge (*nk 4 62.4 -11 1 1-' w buildin 6(pink 4 ,$(+7 0%!) 1($+ /6( new (!41( +/-+, Most $31 )0+%!&0 574 .52.(+ - 3**1 0%/. !* rs tthat there’s '3*-+,7( $+3 23 4 2++(' 4 ' ,5 #- 4 ce, 1 ( /31 4()0 & 6-. ordinan ,1 + ,4%1 *33 , & 41*( 1 the 1 557-1, /($3 557 2754 drivers 4 )523 . 03, //1'3*-+, 4 .727 4 654 3(75 (+4 7654 3(2 4 (3 *03 %**( 4 654 ('76 765 )03 1)03 4 -/5 1 th that ( 4 7(+ "3-+* ) % ( ) , 1 4 4 ments whented. This + (' -) ( 1 1 (+ 1 4 *2/! 4 ) # " 1 ' 4 just 5 4 ' *23,5*) / 4 3/$ 6 4 . 27 1 -##3') .527 $2) 4 $2) ou don’t require 7(4 ('76 '3-+/" +75.75 1 4%$, world and you 1 %4'41 )%+)%(*3 )"1%4'3+* 1)031 -*) 3($4 )523.4 #2..7 1' 1 %%2*0 permit 176355 4%-..- 4 '+/(+7 1(3$'*24 76535 )"4 13 $,#3+ +,4 1( % 3+)" 1% 3+ 1 (* )" 4 1-',3527*) 275 4 *2-+5 see thedidacy. 13 - 27 7 4 1'+ -+, ssnow on the ground 27-(+ 1'*** 7-$5 '**4 )('34 tures are 1$3 $+% +%4 2) (+4 1' -+) 5 '/27 4+5 4/2+ 4+)%' $!'.412-' thehimhis candid -76 help ')1 &/-**3* $33*1$+ 2)$4 $! ')14 55+ (+4 ('34 there’ss 2 54 7(4 /2**4 24 35/!534 7(4 #' %'31 !)4 /62 3') 62+,54 -+4 7654 -+, 1 *3/$ 4 6( thatby + 4 62. + %') vacated +,62.7 534 72 4 '3 5+4 4 72 4 2+74 7( -**-+ 7 4 62 1 .3 -+) #%//3#)('& 1 % 3+1 )( 3 76. 4 62, .4 .7-** + % 3 two-year seatlensess 4 )"1 %$1765,34 *2.7ton , 4 , #'77 1 ,+3the 15 , 4 $(+7 4,15 3+*()" +7 +,4 24 $'/64 -,,5 4 & 654 /'335+7 77-+, (4 ' 4 2-*5) ('1 )03for 1(3Burling 4 1( 1 '( 5+ ) 7 2, 4way. 275 3 5 '7) $$1vying 4 4 0 )" 1 4%!/. )3.1 *)-$$ )03 .21 4 #()" (23 /62-3 $($ 4 4 7 .65 + 4 4 765 , 4 -. , the , South , 4 7(4 /($$-74 7(4 7) $'+-7) (23 .4/'335+7 %65 2*1 -+%!'. %/2 7 ( 4 7654 , /($$' page 12 65*.552,4 -**-+,62.7 n pa -'.1 .3.(#- (%'1#"#/3 +/ +74 , +)4 622 54 /2**5 , 4 (+5 , 4, (1 , b seat, ,know , 1('+ 4 7-$5 $ 5+7 +/'$ See VTRANS on three-year h campus 62.4 4 $2+) to her +4 62 4 627 mpus better $%+1-'1('* 3#) 4 )4 7654 '3-+, 4 ' ,574 )523.4 ('764 '3*-+,7( on page 10 running for reelection 13 (4, 2., 4 /6(.5+ page 4 6( HOOL BOARD 335+ See SCHOO 2on 2 4RY , , , , , 4 3) , , )2+4 623 5.7 3 -$ 4 (1 4 6-*5 RE -**- , face AL REGIST AL 654 355.-,+27-(+ 4355*5/- ever faced. TA , 4*2.74,7 (4,)523. 4 1(**( -+,4 765 1(34765 See RENT (23 4 1( 4/*53!,41( 4-.4.55!-+, . (23 $ 553 , +-+,4(+4765, 4753$ , 4, , $#2+-(+4-+4 5#75$ %($# $2-+435$ , , , , , 1(347654(+54)523 , , 7-(+41( LIBERTY DARR AND COREY MCDONALD ST TAFF WRITERS

s public schedule Council month for next hearing

d’’ orld Residents questio on use hee wBoo k Nook ks in th ks of open space UVM bondok ughh U st fun st nnity thro h be / 4 4 /7 The ‘T 472*! 5 mu 75. hens2com + - 2 /2ngt /2+ 23 t4stre City remains in negotiations on Lonng Property

residen re ontested /6((**SB4B (2 eats go uncon rabs, three sea

ats up for Three seat

gra

Our DIGITAL EDITION is Available Thursday at Noon • View a complete online copy of the print edition • Read the latest news • Find out about sales and events

Total reported incidents: 813 Arrests/citations: 24 911 hangup: 19 Crashes: 40 Alarm: 48 Animal problem: 5 Arrest on warrant: 4 Simple assault: 3 Aggravated assault: 1 Agency assist: 14 K9 assist: 1 Public assist: 19 Background: 3 Burglary: 2 Community contact: 68 Counterfeiting: 1 Directed patrol: 29 Disturbance: 16 Driving with license suspended: 1 Domestic: 6 Drugs – information: 2 Possession of drugs: 2

• Stay up to date on local happenings

The Residence at Quarry Hill celebrates 10 years

Headlines and news sent directly to your inbox every Friday at 10 a.m. Sign in and add your weekly newsletter: VTCNG.com/users/admin/mailinglist

OtherPaperSBVT.com

VTCNG.com

the South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977 A publication of Vermont Community Newspaper Group LLC otherpapersbvt.com Advertising Director Judy Kearns judy@otherpapersbvt.com (802) 734-2928 Advertising Wendy Ewing wendy@shelburnenews.com (802) 238-4980 Editor Tommy Gardner tommy@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101 x25

General Manager Katerina Werth katerina@stowereporter.com Billing inquiries Leslie Lafountain leslie@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101 Advertising submission deadline: Friday at 5 p.m. advertising@otherpapersbvt.com classifieds@otherpapersbvt.com

Editorial Assistant Sophia Balunek

Editorial submission deadline: Friday at 12 p.m. news@otherpapersbvt.com

Staff Writers Liberty Darr, Patrick Bilow, Briana Brady, Mari Huglin

Calendar submission deadline: Friday at 12 p.m. news@otherpapersbvt.com

Production/Design Stephanie Manning stephanie@shelburnenews.com Kristen Braley kristen@stowereporter.com

Contact: PO Box 489 Stowe, VT 05672 (802) 253-2101

The Other Paper is published weekly and mailed free to South Burlington residents and businesses, and rack distributed in select high-traffic areas. The Vermont Community Newspaper Group LLC assumes no responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements and reserves the right to refuse advertising and editorial copy.

Restraining order violation: 2 Retail theft: 18 Sex crime: 3 Stolen vehicle: 2 Suicidal person: 1 Suspicious event: 21 Threats: 8 Traffic hazard: 3 Traffic stop: 253 Trespass: 19 Unlawful mischief: 4 Unsecured premise: 1 VIN verification: 1 Violation of conditions of release: 1 Welfare check: 24 Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney office and can be amended or dropped.

News Briefs

VTCNG.com/OtherPaperSBVT/digital_edition Sign up for our Friday EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Embezzlement: 1 Driving under the inﬂuence: 1 Eluding: 2 Field contact: 18 Foot patrol: 10 Found/lost property: 8 Fraud: 2 Intoxication: 1 Illegal dumping: 1 Juvenile problem: 9 Juvenile runaway: 2 Larceny: 15 Mental health issue: 10 Motor vehicle complaint: 26 NCIC: 1 Operations: 14 Ordinance violation: 16 Overdose: 2 Paperwork service: 10 Parking: 4 PGM check: 1 Property damage: 2

On Thursday, Oct. 15, The Residence at Quarry Hill, an LCB Senior Living community in South Burlington, celebrated its 10th anniversary, welcoming residents, families, associates, government and civic leaders, and community supporters to commemorate the momentous milestone. LCB Senior Living, a leading New England senior housing provider, opened The Residence at Quarry Hill in 2016 and has been serving older adults and their families in Chittenden County communities with a commitment to hospitality and personalized support ever since. The celebration featured live music, speeches from community leaders and residents, a guest appearance from Champ the Vermont Lake Monsters mascot and gourmet food stations to punctuate an evening of shared stories and relationships fostered over the last 10 years, acccording to a press release. The event featured notable guests such as State Sen. Virginia Lyons, D- Williston, State Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Shelburne, and Lt. Governor John Rogers, R-Glover, who oﬀered remarks recognizing the 10-year milestone and the importance of building community in South Burlington

over that time. Also in attendance for the celebration were former State Sen. James Leddy and former State Rep. Johannah Donovan. “This is a celebration of every story told, every meal enjoyed, every friendship kindled, and every person who has played a role in Quarry Hill’s success in prioritizing people and fostering community in South Burlington over the last 10 years,” Quarry Hill Executive Director Lydia Raymond said. “We’re marking this milestone alongside the residents and associates who have continuously welcomed new residents and built lasting partnerships with our neighbors, making this community a home for all. They are the heart of Quarry Hill.”

Deer hunting season starts Saturday, Nov. 14 Hunters are gearing up for the start of Vermont’s traditionally popular 16-day regular deer season that begins Saturday, Nov. 14 and ends Sunday, Nov. 29. New rules this year allow hunters with an antlerless deer permit to take antlerless deer during this season. Antlerless permits were distributed by lottery earlier this year. Hunters without an antlerless deer permit cannot take antlerless deer during this season.

Do you have photos you would like to share with the community?

Send them to us:

news@OtherPaperSBVT.com

Vermont hunting licenses include a buck tag for this season and a late season bear tag for Nov. 14-22. Information on the use of tags is included with other rules on Fish and Wildlife’s website home page under White-tailed Deer Hunting. A 2026 Deer Season Hunting Guide can be downloaded from the department’s website. The guide includes a map of the Wildlife Management Units, season dates, regulations and other information. “The greatest numbers of deer continue to be in western regions of the state and other valley areas,” Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s deer biologist Nick Fortin said. “The Green Mountains and Northeast Kingdom oﬀer more of a big woods experience with fewer, but often larger, deer.” Hunters are required to report all deer taken from Nov.14-29 in person at a big game reporting station. This includes archery season deer reported during these dates. Online reporting will not be available. This requirement allows biologists to collect important information from as many deer as possible. Hunters who do not go to a biological reporting station are asked to provide a tooth from their deer. Tooth envelopes and tooth removal instructions are available at all big game reporting stations.

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 5

OPINION

First, make sure the 1%’s tax cut exists Guest Perspective Bill Shouldice

PHOTO BY PAUL ROGERS

Farmer, state representative, and filmmaker John O’Brien moves pastured sheep on the Tunbridge family farm where he was raised.

‘Frozy’ describes the season in between Stories from Stick Season Paul Rogers Editor’s Note: Photographer Paul Rogers each year writes a series of essays detailing his travels throughout the area looking for images to photograph for his ongoing exploration of Vermont’s fifth “season.” Here’s the first of this year’s essays. It had been decades since I’d seen the bumper sticker, but its familiar slogan came back to me immediately: “Spread Fred.” It was on the back of a late model subcompact. Any Vermonter old enough to remember the 1996 film “Man with a Plan,” starring Fred Tuttle — or the unexpected 1998 Senate race starring the same Orange County farmer — would have recognized it. Its presence would have been a bit puzzling, but for additional clues. The car was parked on a hillside sheep farm in Tunbridge, and sported an

official Vermont House legislaIt’s a time when my lens focuses roots in Tunbridge, and was tive plate. It could mean only on the people of Vermont, our no stranger to farm life. She one thing: The car belonged culture and an unadorned landpartnered in the labor of their to filmmaker, farmer and state scape — a search for truth and businesses, which included hostrepresentative John O’Brien. beauty amid the commonplace. ing weddings on their 280-acre My being at the farm was John, an Ivy League graduproperty. not happenstance, for John and I ate, was born and raised on his My arrival had been delayed had met through a mutual friend historically named Landgoes by an accident scene on frosty earlier in the year. We’d spoken Farm. And he was running for Route 110, but thankfully the about late autumn couple didn’t have to in Vermont, which The sheep were familiar with the upcoming follow the strict schedwas the core of ule of a dairy farm. my “Stick Season” Chores were held until pasture shift, congregating at the near project. And he’d my arrival, allowing welcomed my idea their tasks to be my edge of the field even before we arrived. to photograph him photo opportunities. before the snow Bedding forks in Their cooperation would be enticed with flew. hand, John and Emily fresh grain, if needed. I would drive mucked out the horse to meet him on the paddock and provided first Tuesday of November 2024. re-election as both state reprefresh hay for their diminutive, Election Day. sentative and local justice of chestnut-colored pony and large Across most of the state, the peace. So he had a stake in white draft horse. Overcast light foliage season had passed. We the current election. Yesterday’s fell softly on the morning scene. were entering stick season, honk and wave event was the Though the contrast-taming light that liminal time featuring bare last campaigning he’d do for benefited my subjects, the sky branches and bleak landscapes. the cycle. Today, he’d get to itself appeared as a featureless, However one might characterize the village and vote — but only white canvas — so typical of that late-autumn look — dull, after chores were done. November. drab, boring, even frowzy — it The talented man wasn’t would be with us until the arriv- alone in his work. His wife, al of winter’s first lasting snow. Emily Howe, also had deep See STICK SEASON on page 8

With election season here, taxes are all over the news and social media and sometimes it’s hard to know what’s accurate. Recently, I’ve gotten into work in the morning all fired up about something I saw online — so I ask the experts on my staff at the Department of Taxes what they make of it. Most of the time, their answer is a polite version of, “That’s total garbage, Bill, and you really need to stop looking at Facebook so much.” But when a claim shows up often enough, in enough places, it starts to feel true. That’s exactly when it’s worth slowing down and factchecking. Since Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA, in 2025, I’ve seen lots of posts about how Vermonters could be impacted on their federal taxes. One hot take that keeps coming up — and seems to have gotten even more momentum recently — is the idea that OBBBA gives the top 1% of Vermonters an average tax cut of $57,000. This federal tax cut figure is usually paired with a call to make Vermont’s wealthiest pay more state income taxes toward funding new initiatives. After all, they just saw a massive federal tax cut, right? Well, as my staff and the Legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal staff explained this past session, that’s not what actually happened. High-income taxpayers did see a federal tax cut from the first Trump administration’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, back in See SHOULDICE on page 9

Page 6 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

Letters to the Editor Watching leaves fall allows one to embrace the season To the Editor: I took a special pleasure in reading Timothy Nowicki’s “The Outside Story” piece on “Watching A Leaf Fall” in the Oct. 15 edition of The Other Paper. I have lived in Vermont most of my life, but I have never so fully embraced or appreciated the bounty of autumn as I have this year. No surprise my perception(s) centered on the leaves, but the vivid clarity of the author’s

writing reflected my recent epiphanies: how even a gentle breeze can cause leaves to steadily fall through the air as if in a shaken snow globe. Yet even more startling and pleasurable was the sight one early morning of a single leaf fluttering down from on high, only to alight on a branch below where enough of its counterparts remained to catch it before it hit the ground. Ah, the wonders of nature! Doug Collette South Burlington

Community groups and state help people keep and access their benefits Guest Perspective Alison Lamagna, Connie Beal and Tawnya Kristen Recent news coverage has explained the scope and potential impact of new Medicaid rules affecting 50,000 Vermonters, including the added strain they could place on the state’s already stressed health care system. But one important part of the story needs more attention: Vermonters can dial 211 for free, community-based assistance. New Medicaid rules come on top of changes to 3SquaresVT that went into effect earlier this year and have affected Vermonters’ access to food assistance. According to the Public Assets Institute, since H.R. 1 — also known as OBBBA — became law in July 2025, nearly 10,000 Vermonters have lost Medicaid coverage. More than 5,000 have lost food assistance, including almost 2,000 children. Behind these numbers are Vermonters facing complicated notices, paperwork and eligibility rules. A trained benefit assister can help people understand what has changed, identify possible exemptions and take the next step toward maintaining or applying for benefits. Support is available by dialing 211. Some rules affecting immigrants in Vermont took effect Oct. 1. Beginning Jan. 1, additional eligibility rules — including work requirements and twice-yearly reviews—will apply to new applicants and gradually expand to an estimated 49,000 low-income adult Vermonters as they renew their coverage. Grant funding from the

Agency of Human Services is supporting a statewide coalition providing benefit assistance. Vermont 211 serves as the front door, connecting Vermonters with the organization best suited to their needs. Assistance is free, available in multiple languages and offered in trusted community settings where Vermonters already receive other services. The coalition brings together organizations with statewide reach and deep community connections: Vermont Care Partners, Vermont Community Action agencies, Vermont Parent Child Centers, the Vermont Aging Network Consortium, Vermont Network, Connecting Cultures, SASH (Support and Services at Home), Hunger Free Vermont, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, United Ways of Vermont - Vermont 211 and Working Bridges. The Working Bridges program shows how this assistance reaches people where they are. Its resource coordinators support more than 30 workplaces across northern Vermont, meeting one-on-one with employees to explain Medicaid and 3SquaresVT changes, respond to notices and connect with other resources. They also help employers understand the changes and communicate clearly with employees. Together, we are helping Vermonters maintain health coverage, access food assistance and connect to other essential resources. If you receive a notice, have questions about your eligibility, or need help applying for benefits, dial 211 to connect with trained local support. See LAMAGNA on page 9

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.

VTCNG

WHY GO LOCAL?

Buying and shopping locally helps independent businesses, which in turn helps all of us shape our community’s distinct flavor, personality and character. We’re all in this together.

The Other Paper • Shelburne News • The Citizen • Stowe Reporter • News & Citizen

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 7

WE’LLPRICES GIVEFROM YOUTHETHECROWD! COAT STAND OUT

NOW OPEN IN COLCHESTER

OFF OUR BACKS! SLASHED!

Attention Vermonters

GET BACK TO FEELING LIKE YOURSELF

ONCE IN A LIFETIME PRICING!

Expert Spine Care and Pain Treatment

More Options When Other Treatments Have Not Worked Accepting New Patients Without Long Wait Times Call 518-324-7246 for an Appointment. 463 Mountain View Drive, Suite 103, Colchester, VT 05446 Learn More:

champlainspine.com

There’s

Romance in Stick Season! THURSDAY

Nov. 12 6 pm

Romantasy Book Club with Virginia “The Knave and the Moon” FRID by Rachel Gillig No AY

v. 13

6 pm

Sale on all handmade 100% wool area rugs !

Sale onHANDMADE all handmade 100% wool rugs ! 400 100% WOOL RUGS! OVER 400 RUGS-ALL SIZES &area STYLES

OVER 400 RUGS-ALL SIZES & STYLES

TRIBAL • KAZAK SERAPI ASK US• KILIM ABOUT FREE IN HOME•TRIAL

AT SHOCKINGLY LOW PRICES! HURRY,SALE ENDS NOV. 26th! ASK US ABOUT IN HOME HURRY, SALEFREEENDS DECTRIAL 2! YOU MAY BE EMBARRASSED TO PAY SO LITTLE!

65% OFF

30-50% off AREA RUGS

40% off

all sofas, loveseats, chairs, sectionals, sleepers (special orders included)

our entire selection of bedrooms and dining rooms (including Vermont made!)

FROM AROUND THE WORLD JOIN US FOR ANNIVERSARY CAKE every day!

The coolest, most affordable modern furniture in Vermont.

Conversation and book signing with Jess Turner author of newly released “The Only Catch” and author Amber Roberts.

27 Market St., Williston • 802-755-5986 Sun-Wed: 8 am-6 pm • Thurs-Sat: 8 am-8 pm

AREA RUG SHOP 1515 Shelburne Road (across from Toyota) 2915 Shelburne Road 802.985.8487 Mon-Sat Sun&12-4 www.moderndesignvt.com Open 10-5, Friday Saturday only 12-4:30PM *Excludes Items Price Controlled By Manufacturer.

MODERNDESIGNVT.COM

Untitled-40 1 2V-moderndesign112719.indd 1 2V-MDRug102826.indd 1 Untitled-2 1

*initial retail prices *Initial price on handmade rugs

11/17/17 3:39 11/22/19 5:13 PM

10/23/26 1:55 PM 1/5/18 3:31 PM

Page 8 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

Premium Compassionate Care for Your Pets because LOYALTY DESERVES DIGNITY We understand the love you have for your pets and the importance they hold in your life. Pet Funerals Cremation Services The Island Your Pet is Always in Our Care Memorial Dignified Pet Transportation from Your Home or Vet Difference Immediate & Witness Cremation Available Full Line of Pet Loss Products

FOR OVER 50 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN DEVOTED TO HONORING PETS THROUGH THEIR FINAL MOMENTS

802.316.2284 | islandmemorials.com | 1176 Main St. Fairfax VT | 57 Main St. Essex Jct. VT A Member of the A.W. Rich Funeral Home Family | awrfh.com

Be sure to visit our advertisers and tell them: “I saw your name in The Other Paper.”

STICK SEASON

continued from page 5 There were eggs to gather from their small flock of chickens; apple treats and snuggles to be offered Mooki Betz, their long-horned Scottish Highland rescue; and sheep to be moved to fresh pasture. The sheep were Romneys, originating from Kent, England, and now common here in the States. Known for their wool — and tolerance of wet, cold climates — they’re the breed of choice on the Landgoes farm. The sheep were familiar with the upcoming pasture shift, congregating at the near edge of the field even before we arrived. Their cooperation would be enticed with fresh grain, if needed. Pail in hand, John approached and swung open the large wooden gate. At that moment, the elements of an interesting picture came together: sheep filtering past me after their queue, the heavy foundations of a stout fence and a lone farmer at the gate. Facing away from the camera, the man was no longer John O’Brien, but someone anonymous, representing every farmer — it was a stick season motif that had surfaced before. The day would prove rich with such scenes. Chores finished, and “having a sufficient, evident, common interest with, and attachment to the community,” John and Emily drove to the village to exercise their rights under Article 8 of the Vermont Constitution. “Vote Here,” read the signs at the circa 1840 Tunbridge Town Hall. The all-white municipal building shone bright in partial sunshine as overcast skies began to break. The couple headed inside after pausing to chat with a handful of friends gathered along VT. Route 110, the town’s main street. Voter check-in, ballot marking and casting took place in the modernized basement of the building. Sixteen voters at a time could do their business in openair booths under the glare of fluorescent lights. A handful of citizens were there at noon hour, black pens in hand. Vermont’s official voter turnout report would later reveal the statistics for Tunbridge: Of 1,170 registered voters, 76% would participate in the election, half of them voting in person at the town all. John would be reelected in both of his races. Red, white and-blue My Vote Counts stickers were available at the checkout table after vote casting. So adorned, John and Emily walked me upstairs to the main hall, which hosted a variety of events throughout the year — from town meetings from contra dancers. As I prepared to photograph the couple in the well-preserved room, John grabbed Emily’s hands for a silent dance on the old wooden floor, full sunlight now streaming in from several floor-to-ceiling

windows. The scene was better than any I could have staged. An invitation for lunch brought me back to the farm. John prepared a green bean salad — garnished with diced tomatoes and boiled eggs — alongside a bowl of homemade soup. Their dog Brock, a lumbering massif, snoozed on the floor of the old farmhouse, as if he was the one who had been up early for chores. Over the fresh meal, we discussed diverse topics: apple varieties, the Tunbridge Fair, photography, cinema and tragic-hero farmer Romaine Tunney. Fred Tuttle’s name also came up, of course. In addition to having a stock of bumper stickers from “Man with a Plan” — which would celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026 — John also possessed a cap from the late local film star. He retrieved the artifact from storage so I could photograph it in his hands. Even more understated than the bumper stickers, “FRED” was all the hat needed to say. Lastly, I photographed the filmmaker himself, using a short telephoto to achieve shallow depth of field. Used in this way, the lens blurred background details and cut a swath of focus through John’s tousled gray hair, blue eyes and along the contour of his face. A portrait of the son of Tunbridge. I was appreciative of our time together and thankful for the images that would rest in my archives, slipping into history with each passing day. John had promised to send me a postcard of a certain Vermont historical figure. I found it in my mailbox the following week. On it he had written, “I finally found this postcard after thumbing through about a thousand in my desultory heap of a collection.” The card featured not Fred Tuttle, but Romain Tunney, whose life ended in 1964 after refusing to give up his beloved Weathersfield farm to progress. That farmer’s ultimate protest against the new interstate highway — which we all now take for granted — is an essential lesson from history. Not just for local school children, but for all of us who call this state home. John also wrote that he had enjoyed the distraction of my stick season visit. Seems he’d been given “a new appreciation of frowzy November.” I admit to needing the dictionary’s help on that one, “frowzy:” disorderly, untidy, unmethodical. Without a plan, one might say — the late autumn counterpoint to Tunbridgians John O’Brien and Fred Tuttle, whose names still appear on silver screens, bumper stickers and Vermont ballots at this time of year. Paul Rogers lives in Stowe.

OtherPaperSBVT.com

Get the News of South Burlington 24/7

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 9

SHOULDICE

Christ Transformation Church

continued from page 5 2017. During the 2018 legislative try. Even at ten million dollars are one of just twelve states in session that followed, Vermont of income, that person is still the country with an estate tax, legislators responded — raising paying more in Vermont than which is the only type of tax state income taxes on those top they would in Massachusetts. that truly applies to accumulated earners to “recoup” or “claw But, unlike Massachusetts wealth. back” some of those federal tax and other high tax states like I get it — taxes are confusing cuts. What the OBBBA did last New York and California, and who really wants to go deep year was extend Vermont just on tax policy? No doubt it’s a those existing doesn’t have the lot easier to take a headline or a A surcharge on the tax cuts rather kind of industry social media post and run with than let them where people it — I have certainly been guilty highest income filers expire. That earn that kind of that. But to have productive popular $57,000 of income on a conversations on improving our will not necessarily figure actually regular basis. tax system or paying for new relates to the In a given initiatives, we need to separate hit “the wealthy.” average tax year, Vermonters the facts from the spin. Vermont increase high with income over voters and taxpayers deserve that earners would have seen if the $500,000 currently pay about a from us. 2017 Trump tax cuts had expired. third of all the income taxes the Getting specific: Vermont’s state receives. The top 10% pays Bill Shouldice IV was highest earners don’t suddenabout 65%. The bottom 50% of appointed commissioner of the ly have $57,000 in their bank filers contribute a little less than Vermont Department of Taxes accounts that they didn’t before 3%. Overall, Vermont has one by Gov. Phil Scott in February the OBBBA happened. And if of the most progressive state tax 2025. He and his wife live in we want to fund a new initiative systems in the country. We also Stowe. here in Vermont, the truth is that it will require a new and very real tax increase on Vermonters. How much to tax high earnLAMAGNA ers is a debate worth having, but continued from page 6 the facts are important. For one, wealth and income aren’t the This is not simply a state are essential to ensuring individsame thing, and a surcharge on uals and families can access the the highest income filers will not government concern or a problem only for the Vermonters resources and support they need. necessarily hit “the wealthy.” In By working together, we can Vermont, our tax data consistent- directly affected by benefit changes; it is a critical moment identify gaps, reduce barriers, ly shows that high income tends for our communities. The and strengthen the systems that to be a one-time event — like decisions and changes unfoldsupport the health and economic selling a business or farm. ing now will have far-reaching vitality of our communities. In fact, of all the Vermonters implications for both economic who earned enough to make it stability and individual health Alison Lamagna is executo the top 1% in the past decade and well-being. tive director of United Ways of (reporting income of roughly No single organization or Vermont/Vermont 211. Connie $500,000 or more), almost half sector can address these chalBeal (United Way of Northwest reached that income level only lenges alone. Strong partnerships Vermont) and Tawnya Kristen once over the ten-year period. among health care providers, (Green Mountain United Way) Only about 700 filers hit that community-based organizaoversee Working Bridges, a joint mark every year. program of their two respective For many Vermonters, selling tions, employers, human service agencies and other local partners United Ways. their farm or business is their retirement plan. So when advocates call to tax “the wealthy,” they are really proposing that the state take an even larger bite out 104 Robin Hood Dr., Swanton 528 Essex Rd/Route2A, Williston of the money older Vermonters 414 Route 7, Milton are counting on to support them vermonthabitat.org for years to come. @greenmountainhabitat Shop local. Help local. (802) 857-5296 Whether we’re talking about “one-time events” or one of the 700 consistently high-income individuals, these Vermonters are already paying some of the highest income taxes in the country. Some people point to the 4% surcharge on income over a million dollars that Massachusetts enacted in 2023 and claim that Vermont should try something similar. Well, you might be surprised to learn that a Vermonter making a million dollars in 2026 is already paying about $30,000 Couches, tables, chairs, dressers, and more! Your furniture donations help power more in state income taxes than affordable housing in Northwest Vermont. they would in Massachusetts, even with their new “millionaire Bring Your Furniture Donations to Green tax.” In fact, they already pay Mountain Habitat for Humanity ReStores. more than they would in all but four other states in the coun-

Nice table, can we have it?

Join us Sundays at 10 a.m. for our Thanksgiving Series

Nov. 8 • Grateful for Christ’s Obedience Nov. 15 • Grateful for Christ’s Death Nov. 22 • Grateful for Christ’s Resurrection Nov. 29 • Grateful for Christ’s Promised Return

73 Thompson Street, South Burlington • 802-878-9036 For information about Christ Transformation Church, visit ChristTransformation.org.

Your Local Team for Home Health Care.

When you’re recovering from surgery or managing a health condition, UVM Health – Home Health & Hospice nurses and therapists help you recover safely and manage your care right at home. You have a say in who provides your care. Ask for UVM Health – Home Health & Hospice.

Home Health & Hospice 802-658-1900 | UVMHealth.org/HHH

Page 10 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

South Burlington residents support proposed amendments ROBERT STARK AND SCARLETT GLAZEBROOK COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

With the rain coming down, South Burlington residents came out to the polls to vote in Tuesday’s election. Chris Shaw, one of the election officials at the City Hall Senior Center and a South Burlington resident since 2000, has been volunteering at the polls since 2008. This year, the race for governor was at the top of voters’ minds, Shaw suggested. “The governor’s race is of interest, and seemingly polling-wise, close. I just don’t know how they’re getting polling in this day and age,” said Shaw, citing difficulties in measuring votes before they are cast. Vermont Rep. Bridget Burkhardt, D-Chittenden 8, and her Republican opponent, Mitchel Cypes, stood outside the doors leading into the polling location, greeting voters and neighbors alike. At 11:40 a.m., with 7 hours and 20 minutes left to vote, the City Hall Senior Center had a ballot count of 1,662. Amanda Janoo, the Democrat/ Progressive candidate for governor, stopped by the polling place. She said casting her ballot earlier that morning in Burlington was a surprisingly emotional experience. Janoo said she supports Proposal 3 and Proposal 4, two proposed constitutional amendments on this year’s ballot. Prop 3 would protect employees’ rights to join a union. Prop 4 would enshrine equal protection clauses into the state constitution. “My understanding is that we

have equal rights in our constitution, but we don’t have explicit equal protections. Looking at our federal administration, it is feeling really important to make that clear,” Janoo said. At F.H. Tuttle Middle School, a nearby polling place, Janet Uhal came out to vote. She said she voted for Janoo and yes to Props 3 and 4. “I mean, she has a degree in economics. That’s the biggest issue here in Vermont,” Uhal said of Janoo, also sharing concerns for housing affordability for younger adults moving to the state. Syliva Sprigg said she also voted for Janoo, but has voted for Gov. Phil Scott in the past because she felt there was no particularly great alternative. This election she felt confident voting for Janoo and criticized Scott for not standing up to President Trump effectively, she said. Scott “made an effort, but it was not real. Like our secretary of state or attorney general when they were defying orders. I think it’s time for a little bit of a change,” Sprigg said. Molly Gray, the Democratic candidate for Vermont lieutenant governor and a human rights lawyer, stopped by the polls and spoke in support of Props 3 and 4. “The positive impacts of our unions and collective bargaining, it’s not a hypothetical; it’s deeply personal,” Gray said. Multiple South Burlington residents who said they voted for Scott denied requests to be quoted by name in CNS interviews.

BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER

Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont internship program

Democrat Bridget Burkhardt of South Burlington won re-election to the Vermont House of Represen-

PHOTO BY BRIANA BRADY

While Vermont sends absentee ballots directly to voters’ homes, there were still lines at the South Burlington polls on Tuesday.

Burkhardt wins re-election in city’s sole contested House race

ELECTION 2026

Chittenden SE Senate

County

Candidate

CHI-8

CHI-9

CHI-10

CHI-11

CHI-12

Total

Thomas Chittenden

1,577

1,649

1,541

1,402

1,959

28,843

Kesha Ram Hinsdale

1,216

1,368

1,292

1,225

1,678

24,859

Virginia “Ginny” Lyons

1,261

1,435

1,386

1,254

1,744

26,375

Bruce Roy

671

491

539

322

580

11,366

Javen Sears

525

382

421

284

475

7,728

Rohan St. Marthe

373

271

308

200

318

6,916

tatives with a vote of 1,717-819 to represent the Chittenden-8 district, which covers the southeast corner of South Burlington and part of Williston. Burkhardt beat out Republican challenger Mitchel Cypes, also of South Burlington. The Chittenden-8 district was the only contested Vermont house race in South Burlington this election. The Democratic incumbents in the other four seats sailed through the general election without competition. Burkhardt, the Democratic incumbent, ran for a second term, having been elected for the first time in 2024. In campaigning, Burkhardt referenced not only her professional background in finance — she has served on the House Committee on Ways and Means and holds legislative interest in developing tax code — but also her years serving on the South Burlington School Board.

Cypes campaigned with a focus on bringing down the property tax burden on residents. His ideas ranged from keeping a percentage of property taxes local, rather than heading to the state education fund, and lowering commercial tax rates to try to encourage business and competition, especially in health care. In an interview with The Other Paper, Burkhardt said that education was among her top priorities should she be re-elected. Chief among her concerns was getting cost-of-living considered in the development of the state’s new education funding formula. Chittenden County is more expensive than many other places in the state, she said, and that needs to be part of the funding calculus to ensure that teachers can live near where they work. See HOUSE RACE on page 11

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 11

SENATE

continued from page 1 full slate of candidates in this week’s general election. Despite the competition, the incumbents won by a greater margin than in 2024, when Roy and St. Marthe were also on the ballot. This election, Lyons, Chittenden and Ram Hinsdale garnered very similar counts to what they received in 2024, although Lyons and Ram Hinsdale saw a small jump of 1,500 and 3,000 more votes a piece. Roy, who came out ahead of the other Republicans, earned more than 4,000 less than the 16,000 votes he received in 2024. Throughout the lead up to the election, healthcare, affordability, and education took center stage as candidates discussed the issues at forums and debates, with the incumbents focusing on topics such as reference-based pricing to bring down health care costs and how the state might implement the newly legislated secondhomes tax to bolster the state’s education funding. While Chittenden was the top vote-getter, Lyons will be returning to the legislature again after more than 25 years as a state senator. “I look forward to continuing the work of making Vermont a more affordable and welcoming place to live, work, raise a family, build a home and to build a busi-

ness,” Chittenden said after the win.

County races Democrats, many of them incumbents, swept the county-wide races in Chittenden County Sarah George, D-Colchester, beat out Jace Laquerre for State’s Attorney with 59% of the vote. Dan Gamelin of Colchester, running unopposed as both a Democrat and a Republic took 77% of the votes in his election — 20% of the ballots in his race remained blank. Amy Payne, D-Burlington, won the race for high bailiff over Paul McManus, R-Williston, and Sean Miller I-Burlington, with 53% of the vote. Payne had previously won over McManus in the Democratic primary for the position as well when McManus had first run as a Democrat. Gregory Glennon of Burlington, running as both a Democrat and Republican, was elected as probate judge. Connie Cain Ramsey, D/R-Burlington, and Anne Nichols Williams, D/R-Burlington, will be the county’s assistant judges. Both judge races had significant numbers of blank ballots. With almost a quarter of voters opted out of voting for probate judge and more than a third left the line for assistant judge blank.

HOUSE RACE

continued from page 10 Burkhardt said that another of her top priorities was housing and homelessness, adding that there’s a role for the state to help communities create shelter and connect people to services — something she said is lacking in the hotel-motel program.

Uncontested House winners South Burlington’s four other Democratic incumbents won their

races with voters still showing up to support the candidates. The percentage of votes not earned by the candidates in these races are from blank ballots and write ins. • Emilie Krasnow, Chitteden-9 earned 83% of votes. • Kate Nugent, Chittenden-10 won 80% of the votes in her race. • Brian Minier, Chittenden-11 got 83% of votes. • Martin Lalonde, Chittenden-12, garnered 81%.

PHOTO BY BRIANA BRADY

Political signs crowded the lawn in front of the polling place at Tuttle Middle School.

Vermonters favor familiar faces in top places TOMMY GARDNER STAFF WRITER

It’s a tough employment market out there, and Vermonters on Tuesday voted to let nearly all the statewide and federal office seekers keep their jobs. Even in the one race where voters unseated an incumbent, the challenger got her old job back. Incumbent Gov. Phil Scott, R-Berlin, was re-elected to a record sixth straight term, but it was his hardest gubernatorial fight since his first one, back in 2016. Challenger Amanda Janoo, D/P-Burlington, finished about 6.5 percentage points behind Scott, who had 52% if the vote, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s office. Scott has in the previous three election cycles enjoyed the support of 68-73% of Vermonters. Molly Gray was re-elected lieutenant governor, insofar as she was elected to the post she previously held for two years, 2021-

2023. Gray handily bested incumbent John Rodgers, R-Glover, a former Democrat, with more than 60% of the votes. Those were the races perhaps seen as closest going into Election Day. Elsewhere, statewide and federal-level incumbents comfortably sailed through. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Brattleboro, was re-elected to Vermont’s sole House seat in Congress, with 63% of the vote compared to Republican challenger Gerald Malloy of Weathersfield. In the contest for state auditor — the one statewide race for an open seat — Tim Ashe, D-Burlington, beat Ivar Kronick, R-Poultney. Ashe, the deputy state auditor, won with 65% of the vote. Treasurer Mike Pieciak, D-Winooski, pulled nearly 60% of the vote, with Stowe Republican Lynn LaFleur earning just

Prop-ped up Vermonters also approved a pair of constitutional amendments. Proposition 3, which provides a constitutional right to collectively bargain, passed with 74% approval. And Proposition 4, which guarantees equal protection under the law, was approved by 79% of voters.

Vermont Lt. Governor

ELECTION 2026

Vermont Governor

over 30% of the vote in her first try at statewide office. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, D-Bradford, was re-elected Secretary of State, with 56% of the vote. Perennial statewide office-seeker (of all kinds) H. Brooke Paige, R-Washington, had just under 32%. And Attorney General Charity Clark, D-Williston coasted to re-election with 64% of the vote. Republican Edwin Kemon had 31%.

ELECTION 2026

CHI-8

CHI-9

CHI-10

CHI-11

CHI-12

Total

District

Molly Gray

June Goodband

1,238

CHI-8

1,423

674

2,097

Amanda Janoo

870

1,165

1,178

1,088

1,419

141,467

CHI-9

1,562

520

2,082

Brian Judd

2,612

CHI-10

1,560

554

2,114

Dean Roy

1,135

CHI-11

1,371

378

1,749

Phil Scott

1,258

940

964

680

1,161

161,853

CHI-12

1,931

612

2,543

Statewide

Candidate

John Rodgers

Total

District

Page 12 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

BRIDGE

continued from page 1 South Burlington deputy fire chief who will immediately see the benefits. Especially the people living of fire prevention and EMS. The latest work on the project on one side of the bridge or the involves placing mechanically other,” said Haveleh Gagne, chair stabilized earth walls and working of the South Burlington Bicycle and Pedestrian on placing pier Committee. footing, according “South Burlington Both sides of to city constructhe bridge will tion updates. has a fragmented be located in The roughSouth Burlingly $27 million path system right ton, but the west project has been side is close to on the drawing now. ” the Burlington board for years line. People who and came togeth— Haveleh Gagne go back and er with the help forth between of federal transportation grants including the the two cities are taking stock of Rebuilding American Infrastruc- the project. Oumar Haidara said he ture with Sustainability and Equity will use the bridge when in the area program and the Reconnecting or when going to shows at Higher Communities and Neighborhoods Ground in South Burlington. “I’m pretty positive about program. The current phase of the proj- something like that. It reminds ect will connect Williston Road me of my cities back home. In and the University Mall. The next Connecticut, there’s a lot of overphase of construction has not been pass bridges where people can awarded contracts yet. As the bull- walk. It’s pretty cool,” said Haiddozers and construction workers ara, a resident of the Burlington make progress, the long-discussed area for almost seven years. Gagne said the bridge could idea is translating to reality. “Change comes gradually and help address the affordability I think there will be some people struggle surrounding rising gas

COURTESY PHOTOS

Construction began on the South Burlington Walk-Bike Bridge over I-89 this summer, to be completed in 2028.

prices, giving people an alternative to motor vehicle- based transportation. “South Burlington has a fragmented path system right now. That is one of the biggest areas where we are missing a link, but we have a lot of other links that are

going to be built in the next few years,” Gagne said. The city is currently in the process of envisioning new sections of path where residents could walk or bike more easily from South Burlington’s growing city center to downtown Burling-

ton and points in between. Residents can subscribe to project updates through the South Burlington government website. Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont internship, for the Other Paper

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 13

HONORING m or ia em

or ia

The Veterans Among Us

CPL. HENRY V. ATHERTON US Air Force, 448th Bomb Group Aircraft Armorer B-24’s Station 146, Seething, Norfolk, England November 1943 - July 1945

DANE C. BACON United States Air Force Sergeant October 1976 - October 1980

ALBERT “SKIP” BALTZ United States Air Force (Ret.) Ch (Col) 1978-2010

BETTY BANDEL Woment’s Army Corps Air WAC Division Lieutenant Colonel 1942-1945

WILLIAM AGNEW United States MC Corporal 1980-1983

ARTHUR J. BLAINE United States Air Force (Ret.) Master Sergeant 1954-1976: France, Germany, Vietnam, Thailand and Guam

BRIAN N. BLANCHETTE USNR 1965-1971 active duty 1967-1969

CHESTER L. BODETTE WWII Germany/Japan USAAF/USAF/VTANG 1944-1987 CMSGT

A. RICHARD BOERA United States Navy Lieutenant (J.G.) World War II July 1943–September 1946

BRUCE BOOZAN United States Army SP/4 Vietnam/Korea 1968–1969

RUSSELL D. CHASE Army Air Corp 2nd Lieutenant (Ret.) 1942–1946, 1950–1967

ROBERT D. BRUECKNER United States Army

DONALD JOHNSTONE United States Army WWII Sargent Tech/ 30th Infantry Div. 1943-1945

m ia

or In

em M In

em or

or ia

em or

ia m

LEONARD ROBERGE United States Navy; WW II Yeoman First Class 1942–1945

MARK EVNIN Corporal US Marine Corps Scout Sniper Born 5/10/81, Died 4/03/03

WALTER J. LUCHINI United States Army, SP 4 Years of service: 1963 - 1966 United States and South Korea

MSGR. JOHN R. MCSWEENEY United States Air Force 1st Lieutenant 4750th Air Defense Wing Yuma, Ariz. 1953 - 1956

ELEANOR ALEXANDER Jacobson (In Memoriam) United States Navy, WAVE Yeoman Third Class September 1944–June 1946

ROBERT A. MILLETTE United States Navy; WW II Seaman 1st Class 1944-1946

GEORGE R. NATTRESS United States Marine Corps Pacific Theater

BILL OAKES United States Army Corporal 1952-1954

DEBBIE OAKES United States Army Sergeant 1977-1980

LAURIE JACQUES USCG and ARNG 1994-2005

DENNIS JOHNSON A2C USAF 1959 -1963

WILLIAM F. LADD United States Air Force Airman 1st Class 1955-1959

ROBERT K. LAMONDA United States Army PFC 43rd Division 1941-1945

or ia m em FLORENCE M. MACALISTER United States Marine Corps Sergeant | WWI 1918-19 HQS, US Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

KYLE GRAY United States Army Private First Class

ROBERT ALLSTON LACLAIR United States Navy Quartermaster April 1943- April 1946

ROSANNE M. GRECO United States Air Force (Ret.) Colonel | 1973 - 2003 Strategic Intelligence Officer & Nuclear Arms Control Negotiator Postings across the US, Europe and Far East

or ia m

MORTON A. LORD United States Air Force Captain Feb. 1962–Jan. 1969

RICHARD ARVID JACOBSON United States Navy Yeoman 2nd Class October 1943–June 1946

or ia m

Page 14 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

ROGER L. BOURGEA United States Navy Armed Guard Gunners Mate Third Class Served on Tankers and Liberty Cargo ships Dec. 1942 - Jan. 1946

THOMAS R. KLEH US Merchant Marines United States Navy Captain 1943-1977

RAYMOND ‘RAY’ LEBLANC United State Air Force Strategic Air Command Alert Force Feb 1960 - Mar 1968

ROBERT ‘BOB’ LEBLANC United States Air Force 1st Lieutenant, F-100D Pilot Mar 1956 - Dec 1958 Lost on classified mission Posthumous burial Arlington National Cemetary

or ia m em

JUDITH A. COHEN Captain, Nurse Corps, USNR-R Reserve service 1973-2004 Active duty 1975-1978 National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

W. DONALD DALTON, SR. United States Navy 1942–1946

C. LOUIS “LOU” DEFORGE United States Army Captain 1967 - 1971

TIMOTHY J KEEFE United States Marine Corps Corporal May 1976 - May 1980

WM DAVID GERNS, JR ICC(SW) United States Navy (Ret.) 1st Class Petty Officer

FABIAN ANDERSON HERBERT United States Army Sergeant First Class (Retired) 2008-2022

HENRY JOSEPH GIROUX III United States Navy Chief Petty Officer

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel 1965-1985

ROBERT ERNEST KAIGLE United States Navy World War II, 1943-1945 Korean War, 1950-1951

GORDON KEARNS United States Army WWII

DAVID W. GARVEY USMC, Sargent EOD Specialist 1985-1993

JAMES M. KEHOE VT Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant 158th FW DET 1 at Langley AFB

TRAVIS J. KEHOE VT Air National Guard Technical Sergeant

DEAN KIRBY United States Air Force A1C Viet Nam 1970

DAVID R. LECLAIR United States Marine Corps Corporal 1976-1980

PIERRE LEMIEUX United States Marine Corps 4th Marine Infantry Regiment Sergeant, Vietnam Veteran July 23, 1963–October 14, 1966

LOU LERTOLA US Army, US Army Reserve & VTANG 1960–1994 Command Sergeant Major 40 years military service

CHAD LEWBER (w/daughter Leanne) VTANT/US Marine Corps Sargeant, Flight Medic Served in Iraq

or ia

FELIX F. COWEY, JR. Col. Ret. United States Army Korea 1949, 1951-52 West Point 1946

or ia m

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 15

em or

EDWARD E. GARVEY United States Air Force S/Sgt, Communications Specialist 764th Radar Squadron, St. Albans Headquarters, 31st Air Division, MN

or ia m

Page 16 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

JESSE W. ROBERTS United States Army, WW II 1st Lieutenant 2nd Armored Div. 1942–1945

JOHN CHARLES ROBERTS United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, 1930–1960 Pearl Harbor Survivor President Vermont Chapter

FLOYD SHEPARD USN Nov 1944 - July 1946 ANG Jan 1951 - October 1952

EDWARD SCHIRMER United States Air Force 50 combat missions; Korea 1951–1955

MICHAEL N. SPARGO US Marine Corps 1994-2002 US Air Force Reserve 2002 to Present Lieutenant Colonel USAF, Staff Judge Advocate Kuwait and United Arab Emirates Veteran

BERNHARDT SMYLE VT National Guard/ United States Army 43rd Infantry Division, Retired Captain 1969

JIM SORRELL United States Air Force Strategic Air Command 1968–1972

JOHN WILLIAM STOCKS United States Army Intelligence Chief Warrant Officer 4 [P] Afghanistan

ALBERT V. STONE United States Army PFC World War II Purple Heart

RAYMOND R. UNSWORTH U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant j.g. July 1942–December 1945 Atlantic & Pacific

SSGT. JOHN HERNANDEZ U.S. Navy 1979-1984 U.S. Army National Guard 2001-2016 Iraq & Afghanistan Deployments

ROGER W. ABARE United States Navy USS Ingersoll Seaman First Class March 1944-March 1946

ROBERT VOGEL United States Army Corporal T5 1943-1945

THEODORE M. RIEHLE, JR. United States Navy Commander 1943–1983

EDWARD “ED” W. STEELE United States Army, SP5 3 years active duty, Germany, 1 year Vermont Army National Guard, SB.

or ia m

MICHAEL G SMITH United States Army Command Sergeant Major

JEANETTE MARTIN SMITH United States Army Sergeant

ROBERT WALSH United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) 1955–1976, Vietnam Veteran

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 17

DENNIS E. LUTZ Retired Colonel, Army 1967-2004 Vietnam 1969-1970 VT National Guard Brigadier General 1999-2004

PAUL G. MAYER United States Marine Corps Corporal 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, Lima Company March 1967- April 1968 Vietnam

FRANK F. PARIS US Army - CE SGT First Class Feb. 1951–Feb. 1954

DAVID L. MAGNAN United States Navy Seabee Vietnam 1968-1969

ED MARCEAU Army Dentist 1942-1945

MICHELLE MARCEAU Navy Aerospace Physiologist 1992-1997

DR. TRAVIA CHILDS United States Navy Lieutenant 2010 - 2011

DANIEL L MEUNIER Vermont Army Nat’l Guard Sergeant | 1975-1995 Operation Desert Storm, 1990-1991

JEFFREY PHILBIN United States Army 1st Lieutenant Current station: Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA

RALPH PAQUETTE United States Air Force Captain, B-52 pilot/aircraft commander; 1969–1976

CLAYTON H. PORTER United States Navy RMSN Korean Conflict Oct. 1950 - Feb. 1952

GARTH L. PETERSON United States Air Force Captain February 1964–July 1969 Vietnam Veteran

MICHAEL PAPARIELLO LTC - United States Army Deployed as MAJOR Afghanistan 2010

RYAN D. POIRIER United States Marines Corporal 1st Marine Division 2004-2008

TERENCE PAQUETTE (with son Gavin) United States Army Staff Sergeant

DAVID J. ROBERTS United States Army Ordnance 2nd Lieutenant 1971-1973

JESSE W. ROBERTS, JR. United States Army Intelligence Captain 1966-1973

JIM RUBLEE Lt. United States Navy, Ret. US Navy 1962 - 1981 Vietnam 1964-1965

Page 18 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

DONALD BOYLE U.S. Marines, 8 years Sergeant World War II & Korea Battle of Iwo Jima, Age 18

SHIRLEY BOYLE U.S. Navy-Wave Petty Officer 2nd Class 8 years World War II & Korea

ARTHUR R. ZIENER U.S. Army, PFC World War II, 1941-1945

ROBERT A. CHRISTOFFEL U.S. Army, E5 Sergeant 1968-1974, Vietnam

RICHARD G. CARTER U.S. Navy WWII 1943 (left) U.S. Army Korean War 1951 (right)

JOSEPH GONYAW United States Navy Petty Officer 3rd class

FRANCIS BOYLE U.S. Navy, 30 years Chief Petty Officer World War II & Korea

VINCENT N. MERCADANTE U.S. Army Air Corp Corporal WWII (1942-1946)

PAUL BOYLE U.S. Air Force, 21 years Master Sergeant Hospital Administrator Operation Iraqi Freedom

JERRY MERCADANTE U.S. Navy Seaman 3rd Class WWII (1942-1945)

PAUL MERCADANTE U.S. Army Private WWII (1943-1945)

WILLIAM BLANCHETTE United States Army North Africa, European Theatre EX POW

JOSEPH BOYLE U.S. Marines, 30 years Gunnery Sergeant 3 Tours Vietnam Died: Agent Orange

THEODORE GONYAW United States Navy Petty Officer 1st class

DOUGLAS (DOUG) BOYLE United States Air Force Master Sergeant February 1957 – April 1979

KARL R. GABBEITT U.S. Army, PFC World War II 13th Airborne Division 676th Glider Field Artillery 1943-1946

RICHARD T. NOWAK U.S. Navy Commander USNA

CRAIG H. SUTHERLAND United States Army Sergeant 1985-2020 Afghanistan, 5 years

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 19

GEORGE H. AGNEW PFC Army 1958-1960

PAUL DEGRECHIE United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Thunderbird F-16 aircraft mechanic

DAN DESLAURIERS VT Army National Guard 186th VTANG Brigade Sergeant

DAVID DESLAURIERS SR. United States Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class USS Grand Canyon, AR-28 1974-1978

JEFF DESLAURIERS VT Army National Guard 186th VTANG Brigade Specialist

CHARLES F. BOUDREAU U.S. Navy Second Class Petty Officer Fire Controlman 4 Years Vietnam War

MAUREEN L. DWYER U.S. Army Nurse Corps Captain 67th EVAC Hospital, Vietnam 1967-1970

MURRAY EDELSTEIN United States Navy Submarine Service EN3 June 1948 – December 1953

PAUL A. EDWARDS Vermont Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major Afghanistan & Iraq Veteran

KURT P. EIFLING, M.D. US Navy Afghanistan Lieutenant, Surgeon 3rd Battalion 8th Marines 2010-2013

LEONARD S. MERCIA United States Air Force Crew Chief, T/Sgt. World War II Jan. 13, 1942 - Jan. 11, 1946

CHARLES KOWALEWITZ United States Army Corporal World War II

ALDEN “DUKE” EHLER United States Air Force Master Sergeant Korean War

PAUL GODARD Staff Sergeant Vietnam 1967-1971

SEL YARGICI Sergeant First Class (Ret.) United States Army 1999-2022 Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Afghanistan

DANIEL P. MENARD US Navy EM3 Sept. 1973 - Oct. 1977

JOHN C. BOYD United States Army (Retired) Major General 36 years of service

or ia m

ROBERT E. KAIGLE Gunners Mate Third Class Navy WWII - April 1943 - Nov. 1945 Korean War Aug. 1950 - Dec. 1951

Page 20 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

PAUL LEO COUTURE U.S. Army Specialist 3 1955-1958

ROBIN WING VT Army National Guard Staff Sergeant 1997 to present

ANDRE MCKENZIE US Army 1998-2009 Two tours in Iraq

CHARLES H. MUNSON United States Navy CT2 Vietnam 1960-1966

WAYNE BRONSON United States Army Sergeant Afghanistan

R. HARRY ORTH U.S. Army Corporal 1951-1953

ARTHUR S. KUNIN US Army Private First Class 1943-1944 Purple Heart and Bronze Star

PETER VAL PREDA Captain 8th AF POW 1944-1945 PH B24 Purple Heart Air Medal

JOSEPH W. LANE JR. United States Navy Radioman Second Class 1971-1975

RYAN COLBY BURT United States Air Force Captain 158 Fighter Wing F-35 Lightning II Fighter Pilot 2014-present

GEORGE THOMAS DI FERDINANDO United States Army Private First Class 1943-1946

ia m

SARINA CAPORLINGUA United States Navy - WAVES Apprentice Seaman 1943 - 1945

em or GEORGE J. ELLWOOD Lt. Col. U.S. Army Vermont National Guard Vermont State Guard 1943-1999

BARRY R. YOUNG United States Coast Guard Radioman 3rd Class Petty Officer 5 years of service

M In RICHARD GARROW United States Navy Torpedo Man

ARTHUR R. ZIENER JR. United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer 1970-1996

JOSEPH W. LANE SR. United States Navy Airman Technical Second Class Petty Officer 1950-1954

em or

ia m em or M In

em or

ia m

HORACE BRONSON United States Air Force

ia m

or ia

BRIAN BARROWS United States Army, Iraq and Afghanistan Captain 2004-2014

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 21

KEITH MARSTON Staff Sargent Air Force Strategic Air Command 1952-1965

DONALD WHITNEY US Air Force (Retired) Lt. Colonel 1968-1991

DOUGLAS LEE PRIOR US Army Military Police at Fort Dix in Trenton, New Jersey Private First Class 1957-1959

FRED E. SMITH US Army Quartermaster Corps 1st Lieutenant 1956-1957

HENRY G. BOYCE JR United States Army, SP4 1966-1969 Vietnam

VALERIE HENNESSEY Sergeant United States Air Force Edwards Air Force Test Center 1976-1982 & 1984-1986

TIMOTHY HENNESSEY Sergeant United States Air Force Edwards Air Force Test Center 1976-1982

RICHARD A. BESSETTE SPC/4 United States Army 1968-1970 Vietnam/2nd/320th Artillery 101st Airborne

RALPH WARREN SHAW Lieutenant United States Army 1944-1946

JAMES D. TAYLOR Sergeant World War II Vermont Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant 33 years

RITA M. TAYLOR Sergeant World War II

DR. JOSEPH A. MESSINA United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Submarine Medical Officer George Washington Carver 1967-1969

JACQUELYN TOLEDO Sergeant United States Marine Corps 2005-2012

MICHAEL MCCONKEY Sergeant United States Marine Corps 2004-2011

or ia

JOSEPH M. FINNIGAN US Army SP/5 1965-1968 Vietnam Veteran

CHRISTOPHER T. RUGGERIO United States Army Vermont National Guard Lieutenant Colonel

JAMES C IRISH U.S Army Sargent First Class 23 years of service

KENNETH A. DATTILIO Vermont Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class 1970-1995 25 Years

JAMES S. CHITTENDEN United States Navy, 1952-1956 Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal

Page 22 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

HONORING In

or ia

The Veterans Among Us

JASEN R. BOYD Vermont Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel 29 years of service

ORWELL C. TOUSLEY U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class 1942-1946 Orwell went through two of McArthur’s South Pacific campaigns as a corpman

KEITH PILLSBURY United States Army Lieutenant 1969-1971

LAWRENCE PRICE United States Air Force Master Sergeant (Ret.) 1989-2012

TOM GROCKI United States Navy AE3 1982-1988

KEVIN ZAETZ NH Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel SBHS class of 1993

LEIGH C. DOLIN United States Air Force Major 1974-1977

PETER TOUSLEY United States Air Force Staff Sergeant 1968-1975 Vietnam, 1972-1973

BRUCE W. COTE United States Air Force Sergeant 1966-1970

ALBERT P. FARRINGTON U.S. Army Engineers 1st Lieutenant March 1965 – March 1967

HILTON H. BROOKS United States Navy Reserve Seaman 1st Class USS Arkab Seabees 1943-1945

FRED EUGENE AUSTIN U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer E7 20 years of service Top recruiter, Montpelier recruiting station Served with distinction during Korean conflict

KEVIN M. ANTONICCI United States Coast Guard BM Petty Officer 2nd Class 1991-1995 Saint Petersburg and San Diego

SILVESTRO R. ORFE United States Army PFC 1950s, Germany

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 23

COMMUNITY Community Notes Police drummer says ‘Too Much’ Spruce Peak Arts, 122 Hourglass Drive, Stowe, presents Stewart Copeland, “Have I Said Too Much?” Sunday, Nov. 15. Copeland, drummer and founding member of The Police, will bring his first American spokenword tour to the stage. The Grammy-winning musician and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member has also composed film scores, video game music and operas, and worked as a writer and filmmaker. The performance will cover his career and experiences in his characteristic humorous and sharp style.

Author uncovers evidence about VT’s only battle South Burlington author Skyler Bailey’s new book, “Nothing But Honor: Eyewitness Accounts of the Battle of Hubbardton,” offers new evidence and a fresh historical analysis of Vermont’s only major battle. At dawn on July 7, 1777, elite British Light Infantry and Grenadiers attacked the rear-guard of the American army retreating from Fort Ticonderoga. Two hours of ferocious, close-range fighting left both sides badly bloodied. Yet for all its drama and strategic significance, Hubbardton remains one of the American Revolution’s most misunderstood battles. “Nothing But Honor” brings new evidence and a fresh analysis to reconstruct the battle through the eyes of those who fought it. Eyewit-

ness accounts from journals, letters, pension files, and post-war interviews drive new conclusions about how and where the action unfolded. Contemporary sources and modern field work overturn long-accepted narratives. The release of the book comes in time for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Hubbardton during the Revolutionary War.

High schoolers huddle up for mental health Stowe High School seniors Garnet Matson and Max Deruzza, co-founders of the mental health club Postgame Huddle, are teaming up with South Burlington High School’s Alex Chagnon’s Men's Mental Health Club for a Charity Flag Football event on Thursday, Nov. 12 starting at 4:30 p.m. Initially created to break the stigma around mental health for male athletes, Postgame Huddle has grown into an inclusive space for all students. By collaborating across school districts, these student organizers aim to build statewide community support and remind peers that “Storytelling Saves Lives.” The event is free, sponsorships available, donations highly encouraged. Contact Garnet Matson at garnetacematson@gmail.com for event and sponsorship details. Highlights include a guest speaker, half-time field goal contests, and community scrimmages. See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 24

B UFFET

COURTESY PHOTO

The first annual Vermont Crafters Expo is Nov. 7-8 at the Champlain Valley Exposition.

YOUR N E W HOM E I S

R E A DY F OR YOU NEIGHBORHOODS IN WILLISTON AND SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT

ations Reserv d! e Accept 809 76-7 (802) 8

QUICK MOVE -IN HOMES 202 Cornerstone Drive AromasOfIndiavt.com M- W. 11 am - 2:30 pm | 4 pm to 9 pm Th - Su 11 am - 9 pm

Experience Authentic Indian Cuisine

F I N D YO U R H O M E H E R E S N Y D E R H O M E S V T. C O M |

Page 24 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

Earn up to

4.50% APY

with an EastRise Money Market account. Head to eastrise.com to learn more and get started today.

APY = annual percentage yield and reﬂects the current minimum APY offered. Fees may reduce earnings. Rates may change after account opening. Limit one Essential Money Market account per person. Minimum balance of $1,000 is required to open the account. Essential Money Market accounts are tiered rate accounts. For these accounts, the speciﬁed dividend rate for a tier will apply only to the portion of the account balance within that tier. The APYs, which vary depending on the balance in the account, are shown for each tier. For balances up to $2,499.99 earn 4.50% APY, for balances of $2,500.00-$4,999.99 earn 4.50% to 4.00% APY, for balances of $5,000.00 to $9,999.99 earn 4.00% to 3.25% APY, for balances $10,000.00 and above earn 3.25% to 0.32% APY. Federally insured by NCUA.

COURTESY PHOTO

Samantha Fish performs at the Barre Opera House on Friday, Nov. 13.

COMMUNITY NOTES continued from page 23

Samantha Fish shreds opera house Guitarist Samantha Fish will perform at the Barre Opera House Friday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m. One of the notable guitarists of her generation, Fish blends traditional blues with rock, soul, funk and Americana. Tickets are $46-$57. For tickets, call 802-476-8188 or visit barreoperahouse.org.

STEM showcase offers science activities for youth University of Vermont students will lead hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities for local youth Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the UVM campus. Vermont students in grades 3-9 who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math can register for the Fall 2026 STEM Showcase. Each semester, UVM STEM Ambassadors develop programming based on their majors and interests and present it to local youth. The program aims to introduce students to STEM fields through handson learning and connect them with UVM resources through on-campus events. This fall’s showcase will feature four workshops: “DNA Detectives: Uncovering the Helix;” “Zap! Crackle! Think! Explor-

ing the Nervous System;” “Surviving the Splash: Tsunami Science;” “Power from the Pantry: Building Food Circuits.” Participants can register online and select two of the four workshops.

Champlain Valley Lions hold Monday Meeting The Champlain Valley Lions invite community members to attend a meeting Monday, Nov. 9, at Allard Square, 146 Market St., in South Burlington. A pizza social begins at 6 p.m., followed by the club meeting at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in making a positive difference in the community is encouraged to attend and learn more about Lions service. The Champlain Valley Lions provide handson volunteer support throughout Shelburne, South Burlington and the south end of Burlington. Recent club activities have included completing this year’s vision screenings of more than 3,000 local schoolchildren, hosting a barbecue for people experiencing homelessness, serving homemade treats to travelers at the Vermont Welcome Center in exchange for charitable donations, helping at the Pierson Library book sale, learning See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 25

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 25

COMMUNITY NOTES

continued from page 24

about efforts to support children with cancer at UVM Children’s Hospital and marching in the local Halloween parade.

are available at the door before each public performance. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students. Cash only.

CVU theater presents ‘Spamalot’ next weekend

Charlotte historian says historians under threat

Champlain Valley Union High School’s theater program will present ‘Spamalot’ Nov. 13-15 in Hinesburg. The irreverent spoof of Arthurian legends won the 2005 Tony Award for best musical. Created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, the show is based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The production features nutty knights, a mighty diva, flatulent Frenchmen, singing and dancing showgirls, a bloodthirsty bunny and plenty of puns. The musical includes its signature song, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” The show pokes fun at religious and social institutions, including Broadway, with humor and affection. Tickets are available at ticketsource. com/cvutheater.

Bill Fox, a Charlotte resident and trained historian, worries that “history and historians are under threat” from certain powerful politicians. Speaking about his new book, “Envoy to the Archives: Ruth Anna Fisher and Hidden Transatlantic History,” at the Charlotte Public Library recently, he cited what he considers abuses against the profession, including President Donald Trump’s early dismissal of the nation’s archivist and the appointment of Marco Rubio as a replacement. The book tells the story of Ruth Anna Fisher, a Black archivist and the daughter of a formerly enslaved person. Fisher knew W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington and other prominent figures on both sides of the Atlantic. She helped transform the field of U.S. historical documentation but received insufficient recognition for her achievements during the Jim Crow era. Fox’s book seeks to address that oversight. The book combines biography and memoir. Fox knew Fisher as a family friend while growing up in Washington, D.C., during the 1950s and ‘60s. Calling her his “de facto godmother” in the preface, he writes that “In her quiet way, she both influenced my love of history and broadened my perspective of different places and people.”

Hinesburg school brings Shrek to stage Hinesburg Community School’s middle school theater program will present “Shrek the Musical JR.” Nov. 20-21, featuring students in grades 6-8. Based on the DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical, the 60-minute production brings the world of Duloc and

COURESY PHOTO

Vermont students in grades 3-9 who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math can register for the Fall 2026 STEM Showcase.

Shrek’s fairytale swamp to the stage. The student cast and crew have created the production, including handmade costumes, musical numbers and choreography. The story celebrates identity, self-acceptance and the idea that beauty is in the eye of the ogre. The story follows Shrek, whose peaceful life is interrupted when Lord Farquaad banishes a group of fairytale characters

to his swamp. With the help of Donkey, Shrek sets out to rescue Princess Fiona and reclaim his home. Along the way, he discovers unexpected friendships and the importance of acceptance. Public performances are Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 21, at 2 and 7 p.m. In-school preview performances for Hinesburg Community School students and staff will take place Nov. 19 and 20. Tickets

EARLY DEADLINES

THANKSGIVING ISSUE DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 25

BANG and Combo Ads DEADLINE: Thursday, Nov. 19, 5 p.m. Display and Classified Ads DEADLINE: Friday, Nov. 20, Noon Editorial Submissions DEADLINE: Friday, Nov. 20, Noon STOWE REPORTER • NEWS & CITIZEN THE OTHER PAPER • SHELBURNE NEWS • THE CITIZEN

Page 26 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

Every day is Halloween Homes in South Burlington were spookily and scarily decorated for Halloween this past weekend, ready to frighten trick or treaters that dared to enter their facade.

PHOTOS BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 27

SPORTS While other seasons end, football travels to semifinals LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Field hockey (3) Essex 2, (2) South Burlington 1: South Burlington mounted a late comeback effort but ultimately fell to Essex in the Division I field hockey semifinals on Wednesday. Ellie Bailey scored with just over three minutes left in regulation to halve the score to 2-1 but could not find the equalizer. Clara Calcagni had the assist for the Wolves. Phoebe Barnes stopped 13 shots on goal for South Burlington, who wrap up the season with a 12-5 record.

Football (5) Burlington-South Burlington 15, (4) Essex 7: The Burlington-South Burlington co-op football team scored twice in the first quarter and then held off Essex to get a win in the Division I quarterfinals on Friday night. Quarterback Kyle Knoth opened the scoring for the SeaWolves, running it in from the one-yard line, to give the team a 7-0. After the SeaWolves recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Knoth found Colton

Bramhall with a 42-yard touchdown pass and then added a two-point conversion to go up 15-0. Essex scored late in the fourth quarter, but the SeaWolves were able to hold off the Hornets and clinch the win — the program’s first playoff win as a co-op. The SeaWolves will travel to take on top-seed St. Johnsbury in the semifinals on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Hilltoppers got a 43-7 win in their regular season meeting.

Boys’ volleyball (1) Essex 3, (4) South Burlington 0: The South Burlington boys volleyball team fell to top-seed Essex on Tuesday in the Division I semifinals. The Wolves dropped the first set, 25-7, the second set, 25-16, and the third set, 25-13. South Burlington finishes the season with an 8-7 record.

Boys’ soccer (3) Champlain Valley 4, (2) South Burlington 3: The South Burlington boys’ soccer team gave up two late goals to rival Champlain Valley in the Division I semifinals on Tuesday. Sam Harm scored early in the second

PHOTO BY AL FREY

South Burlington’s Miles Daily looks to intercept the ball from CVU’s Creston Lea-Simons during last week’s Division I semifinal.

half to give the Wolves a 3-2 lead but then the Redhawks came up with a goal with 12 minutes left to tie the game and CVU scored the game winner on a breakaway.

Raja Badibanga scored two goals for the Wolves, while Adam Kett had three saves. South Burlington finished the season with a 12-3-1 record.

The local stories that shaped your week — emailed to you every Friday morning.

A FAMILIAR READ FOR YOUR FRIDAY. Before the weekend begins, take a moment with the news that knows your community. Our weekly email newsletters deliver one-page roundups of headlines from the Lamoille and Chittenden County papers — easy to read, easy to trust, and easy to make part of your Fridays.

VERMONT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

Page 28 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

Snapchat

Lifespan of 10 seconds.

Facebook

Lifespan of a day? Two? Until your “friends” hide your posts?

Really? Unless you are a celebrity or living through an international crisis, who’s seeing your stuff?

It’s a bulletin board!

Instagram

Awww... look at the pretty pictures. See Facebook, above.

The Other Paper — Your life’s milestones become a part of history.

Social media is fun. The newspaper is forever.

Send us your milestones, and while you’re at it don’t forget to send us your meetings, events, new hires, etc. news@otherpapersbvt.com

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 29

Horoscope November 5, 2026

ANSWERS FROM THIS ISSUE

Weekly Puzzles

Page 30 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

THE OTHER PAPER

SERVICE DIRECTORY To advertise in the service directory email judy@otherpapersbvt.com or call 802-734-2928

We will custom build, too!

STORAGE SHEDS - GAZEBOS GARAGES - WOODSHEDS HORSE BARNS - RUN INS CHICKEN COOPS 2083 N Wolcott Rd., Wolcott, VT

802-888-7012

• Basement Waterproofing • Crawl Space Repair • Sump Pump Systems • Foundation Repair • Egress Windows

1111-855-DRY-TIME • www.northernbasements.com

Covering Your Life’s Journey

Bob & Jessica Trautwine

Call/Text 802-233-1451 • Hyperreliccards@gmail.com

802-862-1600 • info@turnbaughinsurance.com 188 Allen Brook Lane • Suite 1 • Williston, VT 05495

By appointment only www.hyperrelic.com • Insta: hyperrelic

Availability for Winter/Spring 2027 Plan Ahead! Lock in Prices!

3762 Shelburne Rd • Ste 3 • Shelburne, VT

ANTIQUES WANTED Decluttering? Downsizing?

We can help you discover, learn about and sell: WATCHES • JEWELRY • COINS • SILVER • ARTWORK

TOM TAVARES RESIDENTIAL PAINTING South Burlington, VT 802-598-3598 tavares.tom56@gmail.com

Brian Bittner • 802-489-5210 • info@bittnerantiques.com Wednesday-Friday, with walk-ins to sell Thursdays

INSURED/REFERENCES • SINCE 1977

bittnerantiques.com • 2997 Sh helburne Road • Shelburne

RNR Cleaning

TRANSFER STATION

Relax & Rest

ROLL OFF BOXES

Cleaning made easy for your busy life

DEMOLITION

CAR PICK UP

Invest in community WHY GO

LOCAL? 802-793-5363

Sports Collectibles and Memorabilia R ELIC

Home • Auto • Motorcycle • Watercraft Business • Contractor

SCRAP METAL

All Metals Recycling Hardwick

YPE

Check out our large inventory in Wolcott.

Buying locally is a commitment to investing in your community. If you don’t do it, who will?

Vermont Community Newspaper Group: Stowe Reporter • The Other Paper • Shelburne News • News & Citizen • The Citizen

The Other Paper • November 5, 2026 • Page 31

The American Sycamore is the Titan of the tree world The Outside Story Laurie D. Morrissey One fall day in Concord, Dave Anderson, a forester, and three friends gathered at the base of a giant tree with patchy gray, tan and white bark. Joining hands, they formed a ring around the trunk of New Hampshire’s largest American sycamore. They estimated the tree’s age to be more than 300 years; its height and crown each spread more than 100 feet, and its circumference was 18 feet. It is not New England’s biggest specimen. That honor may belong to the Pinchot Sycamore on the bank of the Farmington River in Connecticut or the Buttonball Tree in Sunderland, Massachusetts. Platanus occidentalis is the largest deciduous hardwood in North America, native to eastern and central United States. It is easily recognized not only by its size and peeling bark, but also by its seed balls, aggregates of achenes, which hang from single stalks like Christmas tree ornaments. These give the tree its common names: buttonball or buttonwood. “American Sycamores are native trees, but their range is limited,” Anderson said. “They’re specialized as a riparian species, confined to alluvial soils along major rivers such as the Merrimack and the lower Connecticut River. They can’t stand to be constantly flooded and will die if inundated for long.” These trees occur singly or in small groves, often in the company of moisture-loving species such as red maple, willow and cottonwood. The sycamores you see in urban settings are most likely not native; they are probably London planetrees, a hybrid between P. occidentalis and P. orientalis, a species native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. London planetrees were widely planted along city streets because of their rapid growth and tolerance of air pollution. While the hybrid can look similar to the American sycamore, it has more olive-green bark, seed balls that come in pairs and deeper cuts between the leaf’s lobes. The reason for the sycamore’s unusual habit of peeling is that its bark lacks the elasticity that allows it to stretch as it grows. American sycamores are fast-growing, adding up to two to three feet in height per year in the proper conditions. “Sycamore bark doesn’t expand as fast as the tree grows, so outer layers flake off in irregu-

lar patches,” Anderson said. “The white color you see on the tree’s upper trunk and branches is the newly exposed inner layer.” Because exfoliation happens on the young upper branches, which are expanding faster than the brown-gray lower trunk, a mature sycamore almost looks like two different trees stacked one on top of the other. In the fall, sycamore leaves turn yellow gold, then dull brown. The leaves are similar in shape to those of maple trees, and roughly the same size as those of silver and sugar maples. They are irregularly toothed and have three to seven lobes separated by shallow notches. After the leaves fall, the beauty of the trees’ creamy upper branches is clear to see. Besides being impressive to look at, sycamores are ecologically important. The dangling fruit balls that persist through the fall and winter contain thousands of high-protein seeds, which are dispersed by the wind in early spring and provide food for small birds. The sap is favored by yellow-bellied sapsuckers, which create wells in the bark. These wells in turn trap insects in the sap, which are then dined upon by hummingbirds, porcupines and other animals. Caterpillars feed on the foliage, and the bark is browsed by deer, porcupines and beavers.

And beyond just nutrition, sycamores offer shelter. Their heartwood is prone to injury and decay, so mature trees develop cavities that birds and mammals can inhabit. “These giant trees are often hollow, which doesn’t necessarily mean they are dying,” Anderson said. “It’s just concentrating its strength on the outside.” Woodpeckers, owls, cavity-nesting ducks, flying squirrels, raccoons and even black bears take up residence. The cavities are perfect for chimney swifts. These birds cannot perch well on branches but can roost by clinging to the rough vertical surface inside the hole. According to many legends, these hollows have even sheltered human beings; stories tell of travelers and deserting soldiers seeking safety in them. Whether these stories are fact or folklore, I can’t help wondering what Concord, New Hampshire’s enormous American sycamore would tell me if it could speak. Laurie D. Morrissey is a writer who lives in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Illustration by Adelaide Murphy Tyrol. The Outside Story is assigned and edited by Northern Woodlands magazine and sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: nhcf.org.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SOUTH BURLINGTON LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS PUBLIC HEARING — TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2026, 7:00 P.M. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 7:00 P.M., to consider amendments to the Land Development Regulations. The amendments affect all parts of the City unless otherwise specified below. The hearing will be held in person and remotely via Zoom. Participation options: In Person: City Hall, Room 301, 180 Market Street Interactive Online: https://zoom.us/j/98699977064 Phone: (646) 931 3860 Meeting ID: 986 9997 7064 The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following: 1. LDR-26-12: Minor and Technical Amendments • Reconnects references and applicability between Article 8 (Form Based Code) • and Articles 13 (Supplemental Standards), Article 14 (Site Plan and Conditional • Use) invertedly removed during a prior round of amendments [Section 8.02, • Articles 13 & 14] • To comply with State statute amendments passed in 2026, removes requirement • for properties containing an Accessory Dwelling Unit to be owner occupied • [Section 3.11] Note: principal sections / articles affected or modified by the amendment are listed above; however, amendments are located throughout the regulations. A complete table of contents of the articles is as follows: 1 Purpose and Title; 2 Definitions; 3 General Provisions; 4 Residential Districts; 5 Commercial Districts; 6 Industrial and Airport Districts; 7 Other Districts; 8 City Center Form Based Codes District; 9 Natural Resource Protection District; 10 Selected Overlay Districts; 11.A Street Types; 11.B Civic Space Types; 11.C Building Types; 12 Environmental Protection Standards; 13 Supplemental Regulations; 14 Site Plan & Conditional Use Review; 15.A Subdivisions; 15.B Master Plans; 15.C Planned Unit Developments; 16 Construction and Erosion Control Standards; 17 Administration and Enforcement; 18 Housing Standards; 19 Transferable Development Rights; Appendices; Maps Copies of the proposed amendment are available for inspection at the Department of Planning & Zoning, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 180 Market Street, and on the city website at www.southburlingtonvt.gov. Jessica Louisos, Planning Commission Chair

ILLUSTRATION BY ADELAIDE MURPHY TYROL

Page 32 • November 5, 2026 • The Other Paper

:K\ ZDLW PRQWKV ZKHQ \RX FRXOG KDYH \RXU 05, WKLV ZHHN" ¢ƖåƖĎͲŜĦͲƖĮĎͲåƂƖ΄Nőåħĳœħ iĳœĳőåŉ΄ÎåĳƖ΄¯ĳőĎƊ ŜőſĎƖĳƖĳƵĎ΄ Ƃĳāĳœħ

kĎƶ΄¢ĳĎőåœͽƊ΄iåħœĎƖŜő΄¢Ŝŉå΄ƶĳƖĮ΄ ĳŜiåƖƂĳƻ΄¯ĎāĮœŜŉŜħƼ

$VN \RXU SURYLGHU DERXW VFKHGXOLQJ \RXU 05, DW &RSOH\ +RVSLWDO $VN $V N \R N \ XU SUUR RYL YLGH GHU GH U DE U DERX RXW RX W VF W V KH KHGX GXOL GX O QJ \RX OL XU U 05 0 , DW &RSOH RS SOH OH\ \ +R \ +RVS VS SLWWDOO :DVKLQJWRQ +LJKZD\ 0RUULVYLOOH 97 :D :DVK :DVK VKLQ LQ QJW JWRQ RQ Q +LJ LJKZ KZD\ D\ 0R D\ 0 UU UULV LVVYL Y OO OOH H 97 H

Readers are at the heart of this paper. With every copy picked up, every page turned, every story shared — you keep local news alive.

Thank you for being part of our story. VTCNG VERMONT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER GROUP