The Other Paper - 8-3-23

Records case

Judge favors openness in public records suit

Page 3

Reimagining Forest management takes holistic

vision Page 12

the South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977

School board considers shake up

Chair faces backlash from board member

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

At a school board meeting this month, board member Kate Bailey urged the board to consider reorganization after voicing specific concerns with the way board chair, Alex McHenry, has handled board and community relations since the Town Meeting Day vote in March.

McHenry has been with the school board since 2017 and was elected — with an initial nomination from Bailey — to step into the role as chair at the March 8 school board meeting.

But since that time, Bailey said she’s seen a massive lack of communication and structure in how meetings are facilitated.

Celebration of life planned for Chamberland

George Thomas Chamberland, a loving father and grandfather, died on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Annapolis, Md., after a long journey with vascular dementia.

He was born on Jan. 12, 1942, in Schenectady, N.Y., and turned 80 years old last year. Son of the late Earl Joseph and Antoinette (Hebert) Chamberland, he is survived by daughter Bethany (Todd) Swain; son, Aaron (Brianna); as well as four grandchildren, Drew, Evan, Ava and Rowan. He was the former husband of Nancy Chamberland. He is fondly remembered by dozens of nieces and nephews, especially for his

specialty of making M&M pancakes.

He was predeceased by siblings, Therese M. (Thomas) Bergeron, Lorraine Conahan, Earl J. (Jane), Howard A. (Ann), Larry W. (Angie), Arlene A Chamberland and Sr. Rose Marie Chamberland, Congregation of St. Joseph.

He earned his undergraduate degree at St. Michael’s College in Colchester, where he loved watching basketball games and listening to the choir. He later earned a master’s degree and spent most of his career in education, starting out as a driver’s ed instructor at South Burlington High School

and ending as an administrator and guidance counselor at Colchester High School.

George bought South Burlington’s hometown newspaper, The Other Paper, in 1994. He loved technology and was an early adopter, introducing computers into the production process in the late 1990s. He published the paper for about 14 years with the mission of helping build community before retiring in 2008.

George loved ice cream, jazz music and

At the March meeting when Bailey nominated McHenry as chair, she said, “I think there are two key areas of expertise that you need to know as board chair. That’s expertise in Robert’s Rules of Order so that we have meetings that run efficiently smoothly and predictably. Then an understanding of Vermont’s open meeting laws.”

She went on to say that McHenry had the necessary skills to ensure transparency and open communication.

“I look forward to being led through your facilitation skills and keeping us in check,” she said.

COURTESY PHOTO

George Thomas Chamberland, former owner of The Other Paper, in front of the Williston Road office.

After flood, officials monitor for contaminants

DARR STAFF WRITER

Although much of Chittenden County remained relatively unaffected following historic flooding that devastated most of the state this month, officials are warning that conditions in Lake Champlain could begin to worsen as flood waters subside.

What has already been a harsh year for toxic cyanobacteria blooms is likely to intensify as flooded river waters dumped massive amounts of sediments, nutrient pollutants and debris into the lake, said Ryan Mitchell, a communications coordinator with the Lake Champlain Basin Program, a Congressionally designated initiative to restore and protect Lake Champlain and its surrounding watershed.

“One of the big issues is going to be the huge amount of sediment and nutrients, particularly phosphorus that was

discharged in the lake from the rivers, an enormous amount that could potentially set us up for more cyanobacteria blooms later in the summer,” he said.

Phosphorus is one of the nutrient pollutants found in runoff and arguably the greatest threat to clean water in Lake Champlain. Too much phosphorus pollution stimulates excessive growth of algae like cyanobacteria, which can be toxic to pets, people and wildlife environments.

“Early estimations are that Lake Champlain received a year’s worth of phosphorus loading from the event and that some rivers delivered more phosphorus to Lake Champlain during the July 2023 flood than during all of 2022,” Lori Fisher, executive director of the Lake Champlain Committee, wrote in an email to the town of Charlotte.

Cyanobacteria blooms block the sunlight and steal necessary oxygen and nutrients that organisms need to live while

simultaneously releasing cyanotoxins, which are among the most powerful natural poisons known, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no way to tell if a bloom is releasing toxins by just looking at it, and there are no remedies to counteract the effects of the toxins.

“It’s been a bad season for cyanobacteria,” Aaron Brown, the zoning administrator and health officer in Charlotte, said. “I believe I’ve closed lake access points due to cyanobacteria on three occasions already. The increased nutrient content of the water is going to provide food for cyanobacteria. It seems inevitable that warm, sunny weather will cause more algal blooms.”

Mitchell said that the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s scientific staff is still working to try to quantify exactly how many toxins came down the rivers, particularly after a sewer break under the Winooski

River was announced last week in Burlington. More complete data will be collected within coming weeks using discharge data from monitoring stations on many of the lake’s tributaries.

“They’re working to come up with a temporary solution to reduce the effect of that broken pipe in the Winooski by routing a temporary sewer line, and in the short term, the city of Burlington has recommended not swimming within a mile of the mouth of the river,” Mitchell said.

Brown said that it’s difficult to say whether the sewage from this recent line break will directly impact Charlotte, Shelburne or other nearby beaches, but given the tremendous runoff of nutrients and other contaminants, “it’s safe to assume that the lake faces a host of problems. I don’t mean

LIBERTY

Lake Champlain

See LAKE CHAMPLAIN on page 3

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

An Adirondack view from Mt. Philo.

Judge sides with newspaper in suit about police records

TOMMY GARDNER STAFF WRITER

A judge last week ruled that the town of Stowe could not withhold information about a police officer who was terminated last winter just because it sent that information to a statewide political body inclined to keep that kind of thing under wraps.

Judge Daniel Richardson ruled in Vermont Superior Court in Hyde Park that documents the town had sent to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council could not be shielded by the town.

“The fact that the town contributes material that the Council considers and keeps confidential for its own purpose does not extend this bubble of confidentiality to the Town as originator and supplier,” Richardson wrote in his July 26 entry order.

The judge’s ruling effectively ended a public records request that the Stowe Reporter filed against the town of Stowe and a lawsuit the town filed against staff writer Aaron Calvin and the newspaper’s parent company, the Vermont Community Newspaper Group.

Richardson, in noting the “undercurrent” to the case is the need for the public to see how government agencies are performing, quoted the Roman poet Juvenal’s line “Who watches the watchmen?”

“It is openness, public awareness, and access to information

LAKE CHAMPLAIN

continued from page 2

to sound alarmist. I have heard of at least one person who was working in the lake and had an open sore become infected,” he said.

Mitchell said that in the short term, the storm and high-water level circulation knocked down some of the immediate threat of cyanobacteria blooms because the rapid movement of the water helped to break up the algae, but according to the Vermont Department of Health, cyanotoxins from the blooms are released more aggressively when they die and break down.

In addition to cyanobacteria, high levels of E. coli, which is considered to be the best indicator of fecal pollution and the presence of pathogens, are also being reported. The state threshold for determining the safety of water for swimming is a maximum of 235 parts E. coli per

for the benefit of the general public that does this work by dispelling rumor, myth, conjecture, and conspiracy with the cold hard facts of objective reporting and good government process,” Richardson wrote.

“Over too many years, the public and the press have seen too many local officials shielding records that are clearly public,” said Greg Popa, editor of the Vermont Community Newspaper Group, which publishes The Other Paper. “It’s a disturbing trend we will continue to see, that is unless the Legislature gets serious about transparency and clarifies the state’s public records laws. We will continue to fight for the public’s right to know what its public officials are up to.”

The court case began when Calvin reported in March and April that former Stowe Police Department patrolman Benjamin Cavarretta had left the department under mysterious circumstances, and the Lamoille County State’s Attorney, Todd Shove, issued a so-called Giglio letter — such letters are issued when an officer’s conduct is called into question.

Shove, in the letter, called Cavarretta “untruthful,” specifically when referring to a Dec. 5, 2022, traffic stop he conducted in Montpelier. (See related story, page 1)

On April 17, Calvin filed a public records request with the town, which the town either

denied, or produced with such heavy redactions that it was impossible to determine what was in them. Calvin appealed the decision and the town of Stowe sued Calvin and the newspaper.

The newspaper’s lawyer, Matthew Byrne, argued in his court filings that the town of Stowe was obliged to produce incident reports involving Cavarretta, specifically documents regarding the Dec. 5, 2022, traffic stop that led to his termination; the termination letter sent to him; any final administrative investigation reports; and court records that the town produced in redacted form.

The latter was particularly egregious, Byrne argued, since those same court records with lines of blacked-out text are easily available, and unredacted, at the courthouse.

“The Lamoille County State’s Attorney said that Officer Cavarretta was ‘dishonest,’” Byrne wrote in his July 5 motion for access filed in Lamoille County Superior Court, civil division. “The people deserve to know why the State’s Attorney drew that conclusion. Yet, the Town of Stowe is hiding the truth behind a mountain of claimed exemptions to the Public Records Act.”

Police chief Donald Hull argued that the town sent “certain documents” regarding the inves-

See LAWSUIT on page 13

Busking, Music & Laughter for the Entire Family!

100 milliliters.

Brown said that Whiskey Bay in Charlotte was over 2,400 parts per 100 milliliters last week and the town beach was over 500 parts. But those numbers frequently fluctuate and are closely monitored by himself and beach staff.

In Shelburne last week, levels were elevated but were still within safe swimming levels under state policy.

“We do not test (for E. coli) every day though, only once a week, so we have been advising swimmers to use caution,” Shelburne’s parks and recreation director Betsy Cieplicki said. “We inspect the water for cyanobacteria on a daily basis.”

Roughly 20 million gallons of water are pumped from the lake each day to supply drinking water to roughly 145,000 people, but Mitchell said that as of now,

there is really no concern over drinking water quality since all the water is heavily treated before being distributed and distribution systems are sealed and there no known breaches.

“Some of the places like camps on the lake that draw their water directly from the lake, that might be a different story depending on how close you are to some of the rivers,” he said.

Both Cieplicki and Brown are urging residents to check town websites before considering swimming as testing is done on a daily and weekly basis.

“This is the time of year when people make fond memories of long summer days spent on the water,” Brown said. “It genuinely breaks my heart to tell people not to enjoy the lake with their families and friends. But I’m afraid that’s where we are.”

CRIME & COURTS

Man who threatened court officials gets 20 months in jail

MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT

A South Burlington man, who authorities said made threats to kill a state judge and defense lawyer and to rape a prosecutor, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for three felony charges involving the intimidating phone calls.

Joshua P. Puma, 36, of Williston Road, called a Vermont Corrections Department reporting line on Sept. 30, 2021, to say he would kill a state judge and a defense attorney, U.S. District Court records show.

The indictment also charged him with making a similar call in October threatening to kill a state judge and to sexually assault a prosecutor. The third charge stems from a phone call in November 20231 to say he planned to kill a state judge.

Puma, formerly of Shelburne, made close to 300 calls to the special recorded phone line that is available for jailed inmates, officials said. Puma made clear that once he was released from prison, he had specific intentions to kill and maim those state officials, along with killing or harming other members of the legal community, according to Assistant U.S. Attor-

ney

Wendy Fuller.

Puma has had ongoing mental health issues and had been ordered hospitalized at least twice by the state court.

While the federal sentencing guidelines had proposed a stiffer penalty, Chief Federal Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford said he would take the defendant’s past mental issues into consideration.

Puma pleaded guilty to the three felony charges in U.S. District Court in Rutland on Feb. 2.

Crawford told Puma, who once punched his public defender in the face, that he will be on federal supervised release for three years after he is discharged from prison.

He could receive up to five years in federal prison on each of the three death threat charges and fines up to $250,000 on each case.

Crawford and Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle both turned down requests from the defense during the prosecution to release Puma from prison while the felony charges were resolved.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in court papers there are no known conditions of release that “would assure the safety of the community, especially the safety of the people

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Puma threatened to kill, assault, and maim.”

Puma has been in custody since about September 2020 when arrested on state charges. The threats came when Puma was detained at the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield after his arrest by South Burlington Police on a stalking case, records show.

Sarah Reed, his state public defender, was the intended target of one death threat, officials said. During Puma’s arraignment, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George was identified as the target for the rape threat.

Puma punched Reed in the

face while she was representing him in state court in September 2019, Fuller has said. The punch caused Reed to fall to the ground and it took five security officers to restrain Puma, Fuller told the court.

He later pleaded guilty to assaulting his attorney and was sentenced to 4-12 months to serve, Fuller said.

In March 2022, Puma was found incompetent to stand trial on state charges for two criminal cases in Chittenden County. Vermont Superior Court Judge A. Gregory Rainville issued a pair of orders of hospitalization for 90 days to further check Puma’s mental status.

Puma was never sent to the state mental hospital in Berlin due to a federal detainer filed against him. The detainer came when a federal grand jury in Burlington indicted Puma on the three felony charges for threatening the public officials during the fall of 2021.

The biggest difference between the federal and state incompetency procedures is how the defendant gets returned to society.

The state has a process that eventually allows the mental health commissioner to privately make the release call. There is no notification requirement for the public.

The federal system normally has the defendant’s case remain in a public court setting and the community is informed about any planned release. Any release conditions for a defendant is a public record.

Puma is well known to police, especially in South Burlington and Shelburne. South Burlington police arrested him for stalking that involved a complaint from a neighbor on Williston Road.

Shelburne police made a welfare check call at his parents’ home in December 2015, records show. Officer Brian Fox reported police responded to a report about a possible suicidal man.

Upon arrival officers found a broken window in the garage area and while checking police spotted Puma through a window with a rifle and a knife in his hands inside the residence, Fox said.

Police got Puma to leave the residence without incident. Puma was taken into protective custody and transported to University of Vermont Medical Center for evaluation, police said. He was later jailed for a probation violation and ordered into court on reckless endangerment and unlawful mischief charges, Fox said.

South Burlington Police Blotter: July 24 - 30

Agency / public assists: 29

Directed patrol: 25

Trespass: 21

Welfare check: 21

Suicidal person: 21

Suspicious event: 13

Accident: property damage: 13

Alarm: 12

Retail theft: 11

Traffic stop: 10

Disturbance: 10

Animal problem: 8

Motor vehicle complaint: 7

Domestic: 6

Larceny from motor vehicle: 5

Total incidents: 269

Arrests:

Richard A. West, 52, of Colchester, was arrested for false pretenses in a May 7, 2022, incident on Shelburne Road.

July 6 at 22:08, Javante Sovey, 24, of Essex, was arrested for domestic assault on Farrell Street.

July 14 at 10:13 a.m., Zackary T. Plante, 33, of Burlington, was arrested for felony retail theft on Hannaford Drive.

July 15 at 6:39 p.m., a 16-year-old was arrested for aggravated

assault on Dorset Street.

July 20 at 9:24 a.m., James A. Porter, 31, of Burlington, was arrested for retail theft on Hannaford Drive.

July 20 at 9:24 a.m., Robert Benjamin Eley, 40, of Burlington, was arrested for retail theft on Hannaford Drive.

July 26 at 12:49 p.m., Charles P. Smith, 35, of Milton, was arrested for retail theft on Dorset Street.

July 26 at 12:49 p.m., Kenneth Keh Whitehouse, 34, of Burlington, was arrested for retail theft on Dorset Street.

July 27 at 12:06 p.m., Ashley R. Skidmore, 36, no address provided, was arrested for unlawful trespass and violating conditions of release on Dorset Street.

July 27 at 4:16 p.m., Brian K. Leclair, 42, of Colchester, was arrested for operating without consent, possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine on Community Drive.

July 28 at 4:22 p.m., Jonathan R. Narbonne, 34, no address

provided, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Williston Road and Dorset Street.

Incidents:

July 24 at 9:11 a.m., police responded to a Lime Kiln Road address for a report of a suicidal person, one of 20 calls to the same location.

July 25 at 9:45 a.m., a larceny from a vehicle was reported on Brookwood Drive.

July 26 at 9:29 a.m., property damage was reported on Shelburne Road.

July 26 at 4:51 p.m., police dealt with a mental health issue on Spear Street and the I-89 overpass.

July 27 at 9:35 a.m., a juvenile problem on Market Street.

July 27 at 9:32 p.m., a Harbor View Road residence reported suspicious activity.

July 29 at 1:36 a.m., investigation continues into a person who attempted to elude police on Hinesburg Road.

July 30 at 1:17 p.m., police are investigating a report of domestic assault on Lime Kiln Road.

Joshua P. Puma

Community justice centers empowered to help victims of violence

GRACE SHERWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

With the Legislature’s passage of Act 11 last session, survivors of sexual and domestic violence can now take matters to a nearby community justice center.

Before the new law, those cases would have only been allowed to go through the traditional criminal justice system. In Vermont, sexual and domestic violence cases were the only cases outlawed from being referred to a community justice center. Act 11 updates the law governing the centers to give survivors an alternative to lengthy, taxing trials — or the chance to find closure by talking with the person who has harmed them.

Stakeholders say it’ll take about a year before there’s a process in place to make that happen, though.

A community justice center is a place where victims can meet with the person who committed a crime against them after being referred by prosecutors, the court or other authorities. The victim has the opportunity to explain how the crime affected them and can then request action from the offender with the aim of mending the harm and preventing further offenses. Rather than the state punishing the perpetrator, the process allows the victim to advocate for what they believe will help them most.

“Agencies were finding folks didn’t want to go through the court system — they just wanted folks to stop the abuser or

take accountability for it,” said Rep. Karen Dolan, D-Essex Junction, lead sponsor of the legislation.

Survivors can go through the court system and take part in this kind of peacemaking process, called restorative justice, broadly. But “that conversation doesn’t always happen in court,” Dolan said. “That can happen now that this law is in effect.”

There are 17 centers across the state, in every county but two, though those missing counties are served by centers in neighboring ones.

The biggest piece of this legislation is giving victims a choice; the restorative justice method is there if they want to use it. A case can be taken to a community justice center at any point in time: instead of a criminal court case, along with a criminal court case or even years after a crime has been committed, Dolan said.

Act 11 says both parties must agree to bring it to a community justice center and commit to the restorative method.

“Restorative justice isn’t restorative if it’s mandatory, if it’s being forced,” Dolan said. If one of the parties declines to participate, a community justice center can send a referred case back to the criminal system. Trying to take the restorative route with an uncooperative offender “causes more harm and trauma for the victim,” Dolan said.

Centers are not yet taking referrals for sexual and domestic violence cases. The new statute requires each of the state’s centers to draft and agree to a memorandum of under-

standing with a local member of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Each may differ county to county, and the entire process is being overseen by the Vermont Attorney General’s office.

The agreements aim to make clear to everyone involved what exactly the given community justice center can do. The agreements must include protocols to ensure survivors’ safety, train staff and establish confidentiality standards, among other requirements.

“The idea was it’ll probably take about a year for these MOUs to take place — for the attorney general’s office to get set up to be this central oversight agency, for relationship building and for training of staff and volunteers and for fundraising,” Rachel Jolly, director of the Burlington Community Justice Center, said.

Jolly said step one will be finding the money. “Right now, we don’t have any money that is backing this concept even though it’s allowable because of Act 11,” she said.

Erin Jacobsen, assistant attorney general and co-director of the state office’s community justice division, said the legislation

came with no appropriations. Until legislators decide to fund the work, Jacobsen said, leaders will look to federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs.

Jacobsen said her office supported Act 11 (then H.41) from the start.

“There’s a lot of research now about how victims express the difference between the traditional criminal justice approach and when they had a restorative option and how the restorative option just feels so much more like justice,” Jacobsen said. “We’re very interested in seeing how this shifts things in terms of helping people who are harming others stop harming people, helping people understand what the harm was, how to stop that kind of behavior and also to get the resources they need so they can do that.”

Learn more about the South Burlington Community Justice Center at bit. ly/3QkzAd8.

Grace Sherwood is a reporter with the Community News Service, a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost.

“There’s a lot of research now about how victims express the difference between the traditional criminal justice approach and when they had a restorative option.”

— Erin Jacobsen

Get the skinny on making your home energy efficient

Clean & Green

Amanda Gerlack

Energy efficiency is important whether you have an older home or are building or buying a new one.

Energy audits: Audits or energy assessments are examinations of a home’s exterior construction or envelope and the systems within the home. Audits measure the amount of energy a property uses and identify why and where energy is being lost.

Frequent causes of energy loss are leaky windows, a poorly sealed attic, ductwork tears and invisible cracks. An audit can help determine how much energy a home uses, where a home is inefficient, and which problem areas and fixes to prioritize to save energy and improve the comfort of a home.

How audits work: Professional auditors rely on various tools, including blower door tests and thermographic inspections to examine the whole house to find

air infiltration or loss; pinpoint hidden, hard-to-reach spots where insulation is lacking or failing; and assess performance of a home’s systems.

An energy auditor will start by looking at the exterior of your home to find any major issues or leaks from windows, walls and eaves. Then they will check the attic to ensure it is insulated properly and electrical lines are properly sealed. They will examine your furnace and water heater. They may check lightbulbs to make sure you are using the most energy efficient bulbs. These tests require around four hours. An auditor uses data and utility costs to identify the improvement projects that will boost a home’s efficiency. Once the audit is complete, the auditor will provide a report outlining energy consumption, a final energy grading, and suggestions to cut energy costs on energy bills.

Benefits: By making recommended upgrades following a home energy assessment,

homeowners can save between 5-30 percent on energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. And repairs aren’t always costly. For instance, some upgrades, such as air sealing and insulation, can be completed using a do-it-yourself approach. For examples, visit energystar. gov or energy.gov.

Prepare for an audit: List your home’s problems, including drafty spaces, hot rooms and sweaty windows. Be prepared to give copies of utility bills to the auditor. For a professional to reach different parts of your home, you may need to do some advance work to ensure they can gain access to heating equipment, basement, attic and other areas. To prepare for an audit, close all windows and doors, extinguish wood burning appliances and make a list of all appliances and their energy source.

They’ll also want to know your habits, including:

• The number of residents living in the house and whether people are home during the day.

• Average thermostat settings for summer and winter and during the daytime and evenings.

• Unused rooms.

Costs: The cost of a professional audit depends on a home’s size and location, and it’s often possible to get free or low-cost audits through your utility

Check Locally First

company. Talk with the auditor to learn what rebates may be available. Consider hiring a certified home energy rater.

Locate professionals:

• Vermont Gas, vgsvt.com

• Efficiency Vermont, efficiencyvermont.com

• Building Performance Institute, bpi.org

• Energy Star, energystar.gov

• Residential Energy Services Network, hersindex.com

• Energy Saver, energysaver. vermont.gov

When building a new home, you will want to follow Vermont’s residential building energy standards. Initially passed by the Legislature in 1997, these are minimum standards of energy efficiency that have been applied to virtually all new residential construction in Vermont since July 1998, with regular updates through 2020.

The Vermont residential energy code encompasses two requirements: A technical requirement (minimum standards for energy-efficient building components and construction practices); and a certification requirement for reporting compliance. It is one of the few energy codes in the country where someone can self-certify compliance. The law recognizes that it is the builder’s responsibility to understand the code, to build to the minimum technical efficiency standards, and then to certify (on a one-page form) that the building complies with the law.

Plan reviews or final inspections may be required by building

code officials. However, an air leakage test by a certified inspector is now required for all homes.

The following buildings must comply to these standards: Detached one- and two-family dwellings; multi-family and all other residential dwellings three stories or fewer in height; additions, alterations, renovations and repairs to existing residential buildings; factory-built modular homes not on a permanent chassis; residential buildings commencing construction on or after Sept. 1, 2020. More at bit. ly/44Wd8v0.

Real estate agent Amanda Gerlack of South Burlington holds a National Association of Realtors’ green designation. Clean & Green is a regular feature, initiated and managed by the South Burlington Energy Committee, and will feature a variety of perspectives from members of city committees and commissions, city staff and outside organizations on environmental issues facing the city. Letters

Neighbor supports yes vote on Hubbard path

To the Editor:

I am writing to support the South Burlington City Council’s vote to pave the existing bike and walking path in Hubbard Park. I live adjacent to the park, so I am a very interested home owner.

Hubbard Park has some of the most scenic areas in the city. The views of Lake Champlain are spectacular, and the sunsets can be so beautiful.

Because this park is so unique, I think it should be made accessible to all South Burlington residents — young, old, in between and those of us who have some difficulty walking on grass and

hard gravel paths.

I do not think the park should cluttered with structures and play areas. However, I do support placing some benches along the path so that people can sit and enjoy the views. The benches can simply sit on the grass beside the path; no added enhancement is needed.

Any paths off the main path should be kept to a minimum and remain grass. Parking lot should be kept to a minimum — maybe 6 or 8 vehicles. Any lighting for the parking area should be low level lighting with some shielding for the adjacent housing.

John Stewart South Burlington

Energy audits or energy assessments are examinations of a home’s exterior construction or envelope and the systems within the home.

Flood recovery will need fast and slow thinking

the Senate

Last week, the House Committee on Commerce and Senate Committee on Economic Development had a heavy, but enlightening hearing about the economic state of the families, small businesses and downtowns in our communities affected by the floods.

What became clear is that this current moment is highly consequential. We are in a race against the clock as mold overtakes buildings, deadlines loom for federal relief and families and businesses are asked to make major decisions that deeply impact their future while they struggle through grief and trauma. Still, in this context, many are asking us to maintain a longer time horizon and seize this pivotal moment to build resiliency and ensure we can and will recover stronger.

Here are some of my major observations and takeaways:

Thinking fast

Families and businesses are already leveraged from the pandemic and cannot absorb high interest loans.

• Help is here and more is on the way, but the need for grants and zero interest loans is much higher than the amount of capital available in that form.

• Small Business Administration loans can carry up to 8 percent interest after the first year.

Regardless of the outcome, Vermonters

should file for any federal or state aid for which they may be eligible to document the need and bring them into the flow of information and resources.

• Of the $733 million accounted for in Irene recovery, over $500 million was from federal sources.

• The more need demonstrated, the greater case the federal delegation can make for supplemental disaster relief.

• Most impacted Vermonters are eligible for either regular unemployment insurance or Disaster Unemployment Assistance and should make a claim in the next 30 days.

Unique challenges of this disaster include workforce shortages, housing crisis, interest rates and mold.

• There will need to be a massive marshaling of labor or no recovery can take place.

• We lost 4,000 units of housing in an already existing crisis and will need to expedite availability of temporary and permanent housing.

• High interest loans are far more expensive to buy down in this lending market.

• Many communities experienced level three contamination that will require significant mold remediation and health inspections.

Thinking slow

Lessons from Irene have resulted in climate resilient infrastructure and more efficient disaster response where rebuilding occurred, but the road to recovery was and is long, and those at the margins are more likely to experience life-altering, compounded impacts.

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

From

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

PHOTO BY SEN. KESHA RAM HINSDALE

A scene of downtown Montpelier, one of the hardest hit towns during July’s flooding.

Debate over income inequality is finally settled

Guest Perspective

John McClaughry

The evil of inequality has always been a rallying point for advocates of socialism. In 2013 the publication of “Capital in the Twenty First Century” by French economist Thomas Piketty stimulated a new wave of debate.

The title was a takeoff from Karl Marx’s seminal “Capital,” published in three volumes between 1867 and 1894.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a proud socialist, has raged against income inequality throughout his adult life. In 2015, running to be the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, Sanders told voters that “the most important issue facing the American people is the grotesque level of income and wealth inequality.”

His speeches almost inevitably demand that inequality be remedied by having the government force the unworthy rich to pay

“their fair share,” although I can’t recall Sanders ever offering an actionable definition of fair share beyond lots more.

The debate following the appearance of Piketty’s book featured heated attacks and counterattacks among socialist and free-market economists. The most telling counter argument focused on Piketty’s use of income inequality without considering the value of government transfer payments and government reduction of income via taxes.

Now comes Phil Gramm to conclusively settle the debate, at least in the U.S. Gramm was professor of economics at Texas A&M for 12 years before serving 23 years in Congress and chairing the Senate Banking Committee.

He enlisted two acknowledged first-rank experts in U.S. economic statistics, Robert Ekelund and John Early. They set out to plunge into the official economic data compiled by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics

to find out just how much inequality of income exists in our economy. They quickly discovered that the data from those agencies is unfortunately not in agreement.

The result of their research — exhaustively documented — is, in three admirably succinct paragraphs, this: “Remarkably, the Census Bureau chooses to count only $0.9 trillion of that $2.8 trillion in government transfer payments as income for the recipients of those transfers, counting only eight of the more than one hundred federal transfer programs and only a select number of state and local transfer programs. Excluded from the measurement of household income are some $1.9 trillion of government transfers — programs like refundable tax credits, where beneficiaries get checks from the Treasury; food stamps, where beneficiaries buy food with government debit cards; and numerous other programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, where government

directly pays the bills of the beneficiaries.

“Americans pay $4.4 trillion a year in federal, state and local taxes, 82 percent of which are paid by the top forty percent of household earners. Even though most households never see this money, because it is withheld from their paychecks, the Census Bureau doesn’t reduce household income by the amount of taxes paid when it measures income inequality…”

“In this book (‘The Myth of American Inequality’) we will show that when all transfer payments, not counting government’s administrative costs in making the transfers, are counted as income of the recipients of those payments and when all taxes paid are counted as income lost to the taxpayers, the measurement of income inequality in America is profoundly altered. Accounting for all transfer payments and taxes yields a measure of income inequality that is only one fourth as large as the official Census measure … The ratio of income for the top 20 percent of households to the bottom 20 percent is 4.0 to 1 rather than the 16.7 to 1 ratio found in official Census numbers.”

Mastering the factual argu-

FROM THE SENATE

continued from page 7

• Waterbury, Brandon and Brattleboro are examples of communities that were devastated in Irene but rebuilt their infrastructure and public buildings with hydraulic pressures and floodplain management in mind.

• Renters, immigrants and mobile home park residents are in danger of being left behind once again as resource flows are designed and disseminated without them at the table.

• A lack of clarity, misinformation and malicious scams are causing additional stress and confusion, and the antidote is access to patient, informed, in-person support with appropriate lingual and cultural translation services.

• We cannot dismiss deep socioeconomic disparities during a crisis — in fact, that is when we must lean into identifying and closing them.

We can be a national model for rural resilience in our climate adaptation, inclusion and nimbleness as we anticipate continuing to face numerous crises in quick succession.

• Our sense of community and volunteerism already puts us

ment supporting this copiously documented conclusion is difficult going for non-economists, but the conclusion is iron-clad, and needs to be kept clearly in mind when Sanders and his allies declaim against “obscene” income inequality.

Some of the book’s policy recommendations are, of course, debatable. What is not debatable is the need for government to start reporting income inequality correctly. In this book, the important question of wealth inequality is only glancingly addressed. The co-authors propose to reduce income inequality, not by confiscating the earnings of the unworthy rich and bestowing them on the poor, but by reshaping policies and programs to promote self-sufficiency. (Forgive me for mentioning that in 1990 I wrote a book describing the Oregon Full Employment Plan to do just that.)

As Gramm and his co-authors put it, “When we as individuals lend a helping hand, we help others up. But if all our government does is provide subsidies to those who have fallen, it is letting them down and too often keeping them down.”

ahead of most places in terms of compassionate disaster response.

• Recovery will take years of investment in assessing, planning, and building differently.

• We have an opportunity to rebuild our communities and infrastructure in a climate-friendly, recovery-friendly and inclusive way.

• We need to move resources to our flood-affected communities to allow them to be experiment stations for the future of rural resilience.

Our committee is looking at a hearing in mid-August on housing and one further out on climate resilient infrastructure, and we look forward to partnering with all stakeholders to meet the enormity of this moment. As I will continue to say, the challenge is great, Vermonters are greater.

Kesha Ram Hinsdale, a Democrat from Shelburne, serves the towns of South Burlington, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Milton, Burlington, St. George, Westford, Underhill, Jericho, Richmond, Winooski, Williston, Essex and Bolton in the Legislature.

John McClaughry is vice president of the Ethan Allen Institute.

Brooklyn Beamish of South Burlington graduated from St. Lawrence University. Beamish majored in psychology.

Caitlin Erb of South Burlington graduated from St. Lawrence University. Erb majored in biology and anthropology.

Christopher Bialas of South Burlington made the dean’s honor list at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Bialas is studying mechanical engineering.

Nora Clear of South Burlington made the dean’s list at Providence College.

Savana Goslovich of South Burlington has been named to the Siena College dean’s list for the spring semester.

Ava Hamme of South Burlington earned dean’s list honors for the School of Business at the University of Connecticut.

Madeleine Magnant of South Burlington made the dean’s list at James Madison University.

Claire Vincent of South Burlington is among this year’s Green & Gold Scholarship recipients at the University of Vermont.

The following students from South Burlington made the dean’s list at Tufts University for the spring semester: Joe Balkan, Cora Kakalec and Nadia La Cora Kakalec of South Burlington graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in community health from Tufts University

The following students from South Burlington graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in May: Ethan Klesch, biomedical engineering; Sydney Ferro, applied mathematics; Megan Harton, business administration; Julien Chaulot, game design and development; Regan MacKay, finance; Moss Morgan, visual arts.

Rebecca Kayembe made The University of Hartford’s dean’s list for the spring semester.

The following students from South Burlington have been named to the Champlain College dean’s list: Salma Badra; Garrett Brayman; Jaden Cypes; Alena Demirovic; Mohammed Hussein; Kim Le; Alanna Nguyen-Kenney

The following students from South Burlington have been named to the Champlain College trustees’ list for the spring semester: Carly Laudenslager and Angela Luman

The following students from South Burlington have been named to the Champlain College president’s list: Jaren Brigham; Jordan Butterfield; Carly Laudenslager; Angela Luman; Alexander Travis; Eli Zhou

The following students from South Burlington earned bachelor’s degrees from the University of Vermont this spring: Yusuf Abdi, political science; Lana Al-Namee, business administration; Owen Amsden, film and television studies; Adam Blair, chemistry; Sophie Bock, community-centered design;

Student Milestones

Macalaster Bunders, anthropology and classical civilization: Justin Conklin, computer science, cum laude; Seth Cournoyer, economics; Ashley Darling, psychological science; Kaitlyn Desranleau, public communication; Lauren Donovan, elementary education K-6; Basmala Fadel, neuroscience; Michaela Forgione, molecular genetics, cum laude; Philip Fretwell, mechanical engineering; Gabriel Frigo, mechanical engineering; Molly Gaboriault, health sciences; Lena Ginawi, religion; Katherine Hall, psychological science; Emma Havers, business administration; Ahmad Ilu, engineering management; Jay Hwasung, computer science; Nicholas Knudsen, data science; Claire Le Duc, neuroscience; Andrew Little, social work; Nickolas Lyman, business administration; Katelyn Marcoux, biological science, cum laude; Olivia Matthews, arts education; Anika Miner, data science; Anya Olmstead-Posey, individually designed program; Bishnu Pokhrel, biology; Sabrina Redzic, biology; Madeline Reilly, environmental science; Cheten Sherpa, biological science; Meika Shuman, neuroscience; Benjamin Smith, computer science and Japanese; Adam Sobczak, civil engineering; Jonathan Thomas, computer science; Seth Vagt-Bendoski, psychological science and anthropology; Tyler Willard, secondary education: social science; Ann Wong, biology; Yawen Wu, business administration; Nabeeha Yusuf, microbiology; and Jackson Zagursky, business administration.

The following students from South Burlington were named to The University of Tampa’s dean’s list: Lucas Gales and Catherine Davis

Harysh Magesh of South Burlington earned the distinction of faculty honors for spring semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The following students from South Burlington were named to Emerson College’s dean’s list for the spring semester: Casey Richards-Bradt and George Karnedy

Gregory Knowles of South Burlington graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Castleton University.

Ayoob Musanovic of South Burlington made the dean’s list at Castleton University for the spring semester.

Regan MacKay from South Burlington made the Rochester Institute of Technology’s dean’s list for the spring semester.

The following students from South Burlington made Clark University’s dean’s list for the spring semester: Lauren E. Bostwick; Isabella M. Herrera; and Amanda H. Pettengill

The following students from South Burlington made The University of Rhode Island dean’s list for the spring semes-

ter: Marin Edmunds; Maddie Gallagher-Strauss; Emma Kelley; Olivia Prue; and Natalie Straw

Liam Boyd of South Burlington graduated with a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of Maryland Global Campus in the spring.

The following students from South Burlington made the dean’s list from the University of Connecticut for the spring semester: Davis Cota; Ava Hamme; Rebecca Tudor; and Catherine White

Olivia Crocker of South Burlington made the spring semester dean’s list at Roger Williams University.

Kianna Ladue of South Burlington made president’s list at Norwich University for the spring semester.

The following students from South Burlington have been recognized on the dean’s list at Norwich University for the spring semester: Christina Cinti; Sara Gosselin; and Jessica Magister

Christopher Bialas of South Burlington made the dean’s list for the spring

semester at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Sarah Shiman of South Burlington earned president’s list recognition at Utah Tech.

Caroline Desautels of South Burlington graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in May.

David Lestrange of South Burlington made the dean’s list for the spring semester at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Andrea C. Pinga of South Burlington graduated summa cum laude with a degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Maren Altadonna of South Burlington made the dean’s list for the spring semester at Furman University.

Kristen Varin of South Burlington has been selected for membership into the St. Lawrence University chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honorary society.

Lizzie Cornett of South Burlington has been named to the Champlain College dean’s list for the spring.

Get your bikes out at SB Nite out Aug. 10

Join South Burlington Recreation & Parks, Local Motion and the South Burlington Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee for a bikethemed evening of family fun at SB Bikes Out at SB Nite Out on Thursday, Aug. 10, 5-8 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

Ride your bike to the park and receive free bike adjustments and a bike light if needed. In addition, you can enjoy valet bike parking and e-bike demos. Those cycling to the event will also receive a free raffle ticket for bike-themed prizes to be given away from 6-7 p.m.

The bicycle and pedestrian committee will also be sharing information about Penny for Paths projects — completed, in progress and planned — and asking the public for feedback on where they would like to see a shareduse path, sidewalk or crosswalk constructed. Included will be a kids’ bike helmet decorating table.

Food trucks and live music from Sticks & Stones will be there.

For added fun, short group rides, or bike trains, to Veterans Memorial Park will be departing from Szymanski Park, the Butler Drive and Marcy Street intersection, and the Prouty Parkway and Beechwood Lane intersection at 5:15 p.m. Participants are asked to find their own way home, as people will want to leave the event at various times in the evening. Neighborhoods not located near any of the above routes are encouraged to create their own bike trains to the event. For more details about the planned routes of the bike trains or for guidance on creating your own neighborhood bike train, visit localmotion.org/ events.

This event is also supported by the energy and recreation and parks committees and the South Burlington Public Library.

Shelburne Trinity Church presents a puppet show

On Saturday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m., Hinesburg puppeteer Peg Jarvis will present a show about Anansi the Spider who, although a beloved folk hero, is a mischievous rascal who plays pranks on his animal friends.

The show is free for all and will be performed in the McClure Room, Shelburne Trinity Church, 5171 Shelburne Road. Children under six should be accompanied

COMMUNITY

by an adult.

Not only does Jarvis direct and perform in the shows but she makes the puppets, prepares and paints the set, designs the costumes and, together with help from her husband Jim, builds her stages. She was 6 years old when she and her mother together learned the ancient art of puppeteering at a School for the Deaf in Bangkok, Thailand.

She also has given many workshops in schools, libraries and churches.

Substance abuse summit returns to Essex Junction

The second annual Coming Together substance use addiction summit will be held Friday, Aug. 11, at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction.

The summit takes place from 10-11:30 a.m., with informational, resource booths and breakout rooms from noon to 4 p.m. Booth and breakout rooms cover the science of addiction, addiction and corrections intersection, recovery family support and more.

The event is open to the public and no registration is required.

Speakers include health commissioner Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont Department of Health; Matthew Prouty, Project Vision; keynote, Maureen Cavanagh, author of the book “If you love me”; Peter Mallary and Jeff Moreau, Vermont Alliance for Recovery Residences; Greg and Dawn Tatro, Jenna’s Promise; and others.

Rokeby Museum holds pie, ice cream social

Having a great day will be as easy as pie at Rokeby Museum’s annual pie and ice cream social, Sunday, Aug. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Yards and yards of homemade pies, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, live music from Bob Recupero and Young Tradition Vermont, raffle baskets, croquet and badminton on the lawn will be part of the day, and historic house and museum exhibitions will be open to the public.

cream and $1 for beverages. At the end of the event, if any pies are still available, they will be sold Page 10 • August 3, 2023 • The Other Paper

COURTESY PHOTO Rokeby Museum holds an ice-cream, pie social on Aug. 13.

for $20. There will also be a prize raffle. More at rokeby.org.

The Vermont Philharmonic will play its annual outdoor Summer Pops Concerts at Moose Meadow Lodge, 607 Crossett Hill Road in Duxbury, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 4 p.m., and at Shore Acres Inn in North Hero overlooking Lake Champlain on Saturday, Sept. 2, also at 4 p.m. Led by music director Lou Kosma, the orchestra will offer selections from musicals such as “The King and I,” film (“Lord of the Rings”) and orchestral classics such as “Hungarian March” from Hector Berlioz’s “The Damnation of Faust.” The program will also feature two works by young Vermont composers, Chase Ehrlich’s “Spirit of the Sky” and Callum Robechek’s “And in a Moment,” along with audience favorites “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The program concludes with “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Tickets and information: vermontphilharmonic.com.

Summer Pops Community Notes

Age Well nutritionist wins award from USAging

Age Well’s therapeutic meals and diabetes intervention program and its nutrition director, Chris Moldovan, has received a 2023 Aging Innovations Award from USAging.

Age Well is among 16 aging programs nationally to receive innovations honors during USAging’s recent annual conference in Salt Lake City.

Age Well offers eight different home-delivered meal options to support older Vermonters in managing their chronic health in their homes, including the regular heart-healthy diet, as well as diabetic-friendly, renal-friendly, lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and texture-modified meals.

In addition to a home-delivered meal, program participants also receive a snack, and take part meeting with a registered dietitian to help navigate the best strategies to support the management of their health condition.

“Everyone at Age Well is proud of Chris for receiving this distinct honor from USAging. This award highlights the importance of nutritious food in achieving long-term wellness for food-insecure individuals with a history of chronic illness. We are grateful for her expertise and dedication,” Jane Catton, Age Well’s CEO, said.

Union Bank pledges $100K to help flood victims

Union Bank has pledged $100,000 to help local individuals, families and businesses

Business Notes

affected by catastrophic flooding in July.

Lamoille County, where Union Bank has been headquartered since 1891, sustained heavy flood damage. Flooding was so severe in the county that it impacted many properties without flood insurance because they were outside the 100-year flood zone and were not required to have coverage.

“The flooding in our home market of Lamoille County was substantial,” said David Silverman, president and CEO of the bank. “We don’t know how long it will take for FEMA grant funds to become available but expect that these funds will not provide all that is financially needed for the

flood victims.”

The $100,000 to be split between the United Way of Lamoille County, the Vermont Community Foundation and other local nonprofit organizations responding to flood victim’s needs. The United Way contribution will include a direct donation of $25,000 as well as an additional $25,000 to be used as matching funds to help spur additional donations.

Union Bank’s contribution to Vermont Community Foundation will be made through the American Bankers Association, which is mounting a national effort to raise funds for Vermont flood assistance.

Milestones

Couple celebrates 45 years

Michael L. Rustad and Chryss J. Knowles of South Burlington will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary on Aug. 6. Michael is a law professor and scholar.

CHAMBERLAND

continued from page 1

making people laugh. He volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house in Burlington and drove for the visually impaired. He enjoyed interacting with the young people in the apartment building he owned, and the circle of friends he had coffee with each morning. He valued relationships with everyone on his journey and even liked to pay his bills in person to have those connections.

George spent his final years in Annapolis, where he moved to be close to grandchildren and get support from Bethany.

To celebrate his life, friends and family are invited to stop by the new South Burlington Senior Center in Vermont on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. Be ready for jazz music and some of his favorite foods, including garlic knots from Marco’s.

The family would like donations to go to The Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area (hacacares.org/donate), which supports people impacted by bleeding disorders through advocacy, education and awareness, including his grandson.

COURTESY PHOTO

Age Well’s Chris Moldovan, second from left, receives a 2023 Aging Innovations Award.

COURTESY PHOTO

Reimagining forest management takes holistic vision

Into the Woods

Ethan Tapper

When I walk in the woods with people, I often invite them to reimagine the forest. Whether you are a forester or a forest lover, we all tend to focus on trees. While there is no question that trees are a vital component of forests, they aren’t everything. Reimagining forests means broadening our definition of the forest from “a bunch of trees” to a dynamic and diverse community of trees, plants, animals, insects, fungi and more.

When we allow ourselves to reimagine the forest, we can see that the way that the trees in a forest are growing is as vital as the trees themselves. We can see the importance of the composition (different species of trees) and structure (different sizes and ages of trees) of the trees in the forest, the importance of having some big trees (including big trees that are declining, dying, hollow and full of cavities), dead-standing trees (snags), lots of dead wood on the forest floor and healthy soils.

Each of these conditions is vital to the function of the forest community, its resilience and adaptability, the natural processes that make it work and the way that it changes over time. Each is a condition to which the tens of thousands of species that comprise the reimagined forest have adapted to for millennia, and each is underrepresented in our modern forests.

As we reimagine what forests are, we also need to reimagine what it means to take care of them. Reimagining forest management means understanding that the job as a forester is to care for the reimagined forest in its entirety — not just its trees. My success as a forester should be measured not by my ability to keep every tree in the forest alive, but by my ability to support and enrich the forest community.

While forest management includes many different tools and techniques, one of the most powerful ways to help the reimagined forest recover from the wounds of the past, endure the challenges of the present and move into an uncertain future is through the thoughtful and strategic cutting of trees.

If we think of forests as “a bunch of trees,” the cutting of the tree is a loss. If we reimagine forests, we can see that the cutting of a tree — as part of a holistic forest management approach — can be as profound a gift to the forest as its life. Following forest management, gaps in the forest’s canopy will become foraging habitat for birds and bats; the understory will bloom with a diverse mix of plants, shrubs and young trees; the trees and treetops on the forest floor will become rich communities of mosses, invertebrates and fungi to benefit soil hydrology and help build richer soils.

In the reimagined forest, the death of trees can help young forests become more like old growth forests, can help create habitat for species which are declining and under threat, and can help us actively respond to the many threats that our forests face.

If we reimagine forest management as a

means to care for this reimagined forest — as it is often applied in Vermont today — the fact that forest management can be commercial is one of its greatest assets and the mills, markets, foresters, loggers and truckers that make commercial forest management possible are vital to forests’ biodiversity, integrity and resilience.

Forest management is the only form of ecosystem restoration that can pay for itself and can even generate income that landowners can use to pay property taxes and other

costs associated with keeping forests intact and healthy. As such, it can be applied on a much larger scale than any other form of restoration. In a world of non-local, non-renewable resources that cause harm to peoples and ecosystems across the globe, forest management is also the only form of ecosystem restoration that generates local, renewable resources.

Reimagining forests and forest management means forming a more holistic and expansive vision of what forests are and what

it means to truly care for them. Doing what is necessary to protect forests, and all their pieces and parts, will often require us to make compromises as bittersweet as cutting a tree to enrich a reimagined forest.

Ethan Tapper is the Chittenden County forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. See what he’s been up to, check out his YouTube channel, sign up for his eNews at linktr.ee/chittendencountyforester.

PHOTO BY GARY STURGIS

A yellow warbler.

SCHOOL BOARD

continued from page 1

A condition of her recommendation was that the board undergo robust training in policy governance and create annual goals and a work plan but said that process was “unnecessarily delayed and not taken seriously between March and now.”

She also critiqued the way McHenry has communicated with the community saying information is often incomplete, delayed or discussed in unnecessary executive sessions.

While she said she had examples to illustrate her concerns, “I don’t need to belabor the details here.”

Her other issue concerned making meetings accessible.

“I think there is a pattern of canceled meetings that is really

LAWSUIT

continued from page 3

tigation into Cavarretta to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, and thus couldn’t even confirm or deny such documents existed.

That was despite his initial revelation to Calvin that there was indeed such an internal investigation, “before the lawyers got to him,” as Byrne put it.

The Vermont Criminal Justice Council is a 25-person body currently headed up by former attorney general William Sorrell and a half dozen other governor-appointed council members, along with the state commissioners for Vermont’s public safety, corrections, motor vehicles, fish and wildlife and mental health departments, as well as representatives from various law enforcement, human rights and municipal assistance organizations.

Its job, by statute, is two-fold. One task is to assist local, county and state government with law enforcement training.

The other is to maintain professional conduct standards for law enforcement officers by tracking complaints, adjudicating charges of misconduct and imposing sanctions on bad cops.

It is not, Byrne argues, an “escape hatch” for police departments and towns to send internal investigations to shield them from the public seeking such infor-

SALES EXECUTIVE

concerning to me, particularly when it comes to city school relations and in our union negotiations,” she said. “I think we’ve had more executive sessions than necessary, and we’ve made little progress on being consistent and clear about our public comments process. None of what I’m sharing is particularly new.”

Vermont school and municipal boards are allowed to enter an executive session but can’t take votes or make decisions in secret. Most executive sessions address personnel or contract matters.

Bailey said she’s had extensive one-on-one phone calls with other members of the board who also felt board meetings featured an inconsistent structure and communication barriers. She said

they’ve also suggested she step up as chair.

McHenry said little at the meeting, other than to pose basic procedural questions about how the board would move forward. Members will consider appointing Bailey as chair at its Aug. 2 meeting after The Other Paper went to press.

“I would like to ask her folks to vote for me as board chair and reorganize the board and ask you, Alex, to step down because I think that the status quo is not working for us,” Bailey said. “I think we need a change in our meeting structure and accessibility and predictability of our meetings, communications and our training and I think that I’m prepared to do that.”

Award-winning group of community weeklies with offices in Stowe, Morrisville and South Burlington seeks a sales person. Ideal candidate should have a basic knowledge of the local towns, business and communities we serve. A proven track record in sales and an ability to offer topnotch customer service is a required. In addition to servicing established accounts, candidate must be able to generate sales from qualified leads as well as establish new ones. Our company offers health benefits, vacation time, and provides on the job training in newspapers sales. Generous base salary during training and ideal hours (few nights or weekends). If you possess these qualifications and would like to be considered, please send your resume and cover letter to: Bryan Meszkat at bryan@newsandcitizen.com.

mation. He noted that Vermont law only places a confidentiality requirement on the Vermont Criminal Justice Council and its staff.

“The plain language places no limitation on the Town of Stowe and what it can do with the material that the Stowe Reporter seeks,” Byrne wrote.

Stowe was seeking a ruling on whether Vermont state law regarding the Vermont Criminal Justice Council also applied to the town.

In a series of motions over the past month, the town’s lawyers — John Klesch and Beriah Smith of the firm Stitzel, Page & Fletcher — attempted to slow down the proceedings, arguing that the newspaper waited two months

after its initial records request to file a public records act “enforcement” lawsuit and was asking the court to “jump the PRA suit to the front of the line,” ahead of the town’s countersuit seeking declaratory judgment.

The town was seeking a ruling on whether Vermont state law regarding the Vermont Criminal Justice Council also applied to the town.

The lawyers argued skipping that part could “unnecessarily expose” the town to paying the Stowe Reporter’s attorney’s fees.

STAFF WRITER

Come work where you play! e Valley Reporter, a local, weekly newspaper serving the Mad River Valley as well as Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, is looking for a sta writer.

e ideal candidate will possess a curious mind, exceptional writing skills and an appreciation for small-town life. While a background in journalism is not required, the ability to write concisely and accurately is. is person will report on the people, places and events of the Mad River Valley, including local politics, education, sports, recreation, agriculture, business, cra beer, the environment and more. Must be detail and deadline oriented. A exible schedule is required; the individual will attend public meetings on some nights and weekends. Photography and social media skills required.

Send a cover letter, resume and two to three w ritin g samples to lisa@valleyreporter.com

SHELBURNE

Assistant to the Town Manager

Join

Shelburne has an outstanding culture of volunteerism and a full suite of public services, from parks and police to sewage and streets. The Town Manager’s team implements the vision of the Selectboard and leads the Town government. This position requires interpersonal, administrative, and project management skills. They support everything from the Town’s Annual Report to committee meetings, grant reports, procurement, and community events. This is local government at its best!

The Assistant to the Town Manager must be a versatile administrator with both technical and people skills. We are looking for a mix of education and experience showing strong communication and organizing skills, multitasking, and understanding of local government context and ethics. Government experience is a plus, but skills from the business, nonprofit, and education sectors transfer well.

Our pay range for this position is $22 to $27 hourly, depending on qualifications. The Town’s strong benefits include excellent healthcare and pension, leave and holidays, and more.

A complete job description is available at www.ShelburneVT. org/Jobs To apply, send a Town application and/or resume to SCannizzaro@shelburnevt.org. Our review begins immediately. Equal Opportunity Employer.

RABIES BAIT

continued from page 2

The week-long bait drop is a cooperative effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.

Spring Cleanup & Mulch

Lawn Maintenance

Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its

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ARIES

March 21 - April 20

Aries, someone in your life says they’re making changes, but when you look closely it seems like much of the same. A little encouragement on your part can help this person along.

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Tread lightly if you broach a dif cult conversation with someone close to you, Taurus. These are tricky waters you are navigating and you want to maintain the relationship.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 21

Problems may seem to you to be bigger than they really are, Gemini. Step back, take a few breaths and then look at things from another perspective. Ask for a second opinion as well.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Look for the double meanings in conversations you’re having with coworkers this week, Cancer. They could be trying to tell you something, so read between the lines.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 23

Leo, you are typically good at reading others’ moods, so use that skill this week when placed in a sensitive situation. It will help guide you on what to say and what to keep quiet for now.

VIRGO

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

There is a lot of socializing going on in your life right now, Virgo. Enjoy the excitement while it lasts and maximize all of the events you can attend. Things may start to slow in a few weeks.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

It’s probably best to keep your head down for the next few days and just go about your normal routine, Libra. Don’t get pulled into anyone’s drama or offer your take on things.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

Scorpio, it is time to be more proactive about getting what you want. Make a list of the things that most interest you right now, and then devise a plan to make things happen.

SUDOKU

Here’s How It Works:

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can gure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

CROSSWORD

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Figure out which stance you want to take right now, Sagittarius. Are you seeing the glass half full or half empty? Perception can affect your daily life in many ways.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

Good news is on the way, Capricorn. This will leave you oating on air for some time afterwards. Surround yourself with the people you love this week so that they can share the good fortune.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18

There is a lot that you have been juggling for some time, Aquarius. Unless you take a break or ask for help, one of those balls are going to fall and that could have a domino effect.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Pisces, you have every right to express your opinions. Others will just have to accept what you say even if they don’t agree with it.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Indicates tire pressure

4. Request

7. Clairvoyance

10. 007’s creator

11. Adult male

12. Scandinavian god of battle

13. Cloths spread on a cof n

15. Breeze through

16. Lady sh genus

19. It’s good to take them

21. Noble-governed territory

23. Members of U.S. Navy

24. Card game resembling rummy

25. Affected by injury

26. Member of a Semitic people

27. Left 30. Woman’s cloak

34. S. American plant

35. Prohibit

36. Offense

41. Dish soap brand

45. Ottoman military commanders

46. Ancient Greek City

47. Makes unhappy

50. Discuss again

54. Medical instrument

55. Promote

56. A beloved carb

57. Tag the base runner to get him out

59. Prehistoric people

60. Large African antelope

61. Vehicle

62. Georgia rockers

63. Scienti c instrument (abbr.)

64. A major division of geological time

65. Attempt

CLUES DOWN

1. Plant of the nettle family

2. Fit to be sold

3. Rather

4. Collected

5. A baglike structure in a plant or animal

6. Patella

7. Ageless

8. Lists of course requirements

9. Pokes at

13. TV network

14. They __

17. Cooking hardware

18. U.S. Army title

ANSWERS

20. Iron-containing compound

22. Swiss river (alt. spelling)

27. Former French coin

28. Electronic countermeasures

29. Taxi

31. Helps little rms

32. Woeful

33. Midway between northeast and east 37. Glowing 38. Tasks which should be done

39. An informal body of friends 40. Intrinsic nature 41. Neural structures 42. Brews 43. Where ships unload cargo 44. Singer 47. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 48. Southwest Scotland town 49. Most worthless parts 51. Viscous 52. Put to work 53. Old world, new 58. Swiss river

Leave boulders, logs in rivers to help trout, fish populations

After the recent flooding, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking recovery efforts to prioritize river resilience and help affected fish populations when possible.

“The first priority in flood recovery is human safety,” aquatic habitat biologist Will Eldridge said. “During Tropical Storm Irene, we learned that retaining and recovering river habitat that buffers against future floods and helps impacted fish populations rebound lines up with that human safety priority.”

Rivers with features like fallen trees, large boulders and winding channels provide better fish habitat and are more resilient to floods. These features reduce flood impacts for landowners and downstream communities by slowing floodwaters.

They also provide fish with shelter and places to forage that can be the difference between successful recovery and lasting impacts for fish populations.

“After Irene some recovery efforts removed trees and boulders from rivers and ended up making rivers more vulnerable to floods and slowing fish popu-

lation recovery,” Eldridge said. “We are asking Vermonters to leave downed trees and boulders and in rivers and streams whenever doing so does not create a risk for people, roads or infrastructure. These features will help fish populations recover and help our rivers weather future floods.”

Impacts to Vermont’s fish populations and river habitats from the July flood will take time to assess. But based on data from Tropical Storm Irene, the department says that trout populations in some rivers may be significantly reduced by this year’s flood.

“Trout populations can drop by around 50 percent after extreme events like we saw this month, and can take two or three years to recover,” Eldridge said. “How badly trout in a given river are impacted and how well they recover has a lot to do with habitat.”

Landowners, businesses, and towns planning recovery work in rivers and streams are required to follow protocols from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. For more information on flood recovery resources, visit anr.vermont.gov/flood.

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

A bee collects pollen on a recent sunny day in the Champlain Valley.