Air Guard lease renewed
Councilor sought Tyler Barnes resigns from city council
Burlington OKs 25-year airport extension
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South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the OCTOBER 26, 2023
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VOLUME 47, NO. 43
Jackhammering sparks Senior night concerns over noise COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
Construction on a new housing development in South Burlington is prompting a wider examination of the city’s public nuisance ordinance after residents who live close to the site say that near-constant jackhammering on the property clearly violates the law. For months, construction crews have been using jackhammers to chip away at the bedrock of the site to build basements and water and sewer infrastructure for the new homes. The site is an extension of the JAM Golf development, which in 2015 entered a legal settlement with the city after over a decade of litigation that went all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court. Neighbors in the vicinity like Beth Zigmund, who lives on Golf
Course Road, have called the noise “incessant” and “unbearable.” The hammering continues for at least eight hours a day, she said, and has been going on during the warm months since at least 2020. Zigmund and other neighbors say the noise is a health hazard and have complained of “hearing the noise even when it is not occurring due to the intensity and duration, including during sleep.” “The noise disrupts work, meals, nap times for children, and other activities of daily life. We are absolutely frazzled,” she said in an email to top city officials. “It is a health hazard to be exposed to this type of noise for such a long duration (hours per day, weeks or months on end). Chronic noise exposure can cause hypertension, See NOISE ORDINANCE on page 9
PHOTO BY SLOANE URETTE
Senior Omar Daoudi scores on a penalty kick during the South Burlington boys’ soccer game Oct. 18, which was also senior night. More on page 12.
SB school district infrastructure conversations resurface LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Since April, a South Burlington School Board committee has been exploring a move of the fifth graders to the middle school to alleviate a massive over-enrollment problem in the district’s elementary schools. But after seven months of
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meetings, the committee now says the better question to ask is what should the district do regarding its massive infrastructure needs for all five of its buildings? The fifth-grade transition committee was just one phase in the district’s various capital improvement needs brought on by aging buildings, deferred maintenance and increases in enrollment
and population in South Burlington. “We’d like to maybe take a step back and look at infrastructure,” board member Laura Williams said. “So, looking at a long-term thoughtful, fiscally responsible view of what to do with the five schools.” The group, led by Williams and former school board member
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Bryan Companion, met one time as a group since June, conducted a number of listening sessions with teachers, administrators and community members, and gathered information from neighboring districts that follow a fifth through eighth grade middle school model. Difficulties planning over the summer, as well as the resignation of Companion, compounded the
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committee’s lack of action. However, some parents and community members have voiced their frustration with the board, calling the work a “waste of time” with no roadmap for a way forward. “I appreciate your transparency and saying that you met one time. See INFRASTRUCTURE on page 10
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Page 2 • October 26, 2023 • The Other Paper
Burlington City Council extends Vermont Air National Guard’s lease PATRICK CROWLEY VTDIGGER
The Burlington City Council approved a 25-year airport lease extension for the Vermont Air National Guard Monday night during a marathon meeting that was dominated by debate over the basing of F-35 fighter jets. The measure, passed in a packed City Hall by a vote of 8-4, ensures that the air guard can be headquartered on 281 acres at the city-owned Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport until 2073. All four Progressives on the council — Zoraya Hightower, P-Ward 1; Joe Magee, P-Ward 3; Gene Bergman, P-Ward 2 and Melo Grant, P-Central District — voted against the lease extension. Opponents of the plan rallied outside City Hall near the start of the meeting. The rally was organized by Safe Landing BTV, a climate advocacy group focused on the Burlington airport. Many who took part in the outdoor rally then filed into Contois Auditorium in City Hall and implored the council to use the lease as a lever to stop the basing of F-35 jets at the airport, arguing that the planes made too much noise and emitted too many greenhouse gasses. But those in favor of the lease extension set aside the impact of the jets and instead focused on the air guard itself, saying that it played a crucial role in the community, provided employment and helped with emergency response.
Proponents of the measure said it was necessary to secure military funding for the airport. Department of Defense regulations require more than 25 years remaining on a lease for projects on a base to be funded. According to a press release issued by Mayor Miro Weinberger’s office on Oct. 12, that requirement prompted the air guard to seek this extension. The air guard said during a press event last week that $51 million could be made available for projects at the base. Monday night’s public comment period ran for two hours and featured over 60 speakers, most weighing in on the lease extension proposal. The council didn’t take up the proposal itself until 10:15 p.m. Its members would discuss the proposal for almost two hours. Councilors first heard a defense of the extension offered by Gen. Gregory Knight, adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard; Col. Daniel Finnegan, wing commander of the Vermont Air National Guard; Burlington airport director Nic Longo; and Burlington Fire Chief Michael LaChance. While their comments mostly focused on the role of the air guard in general and left out the subject of the F-35s, Finnegan did acknowledge the jets, offering some assurances that the air guard changes aircraft every several years, so the F-35s may not be a lasting presence. Progressive councilors praised
PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL
Jimmy Leas speaks against extending the lease for the Vermont Air National Guard at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport before a meeting of the Burlington City Council Monday.
the role of the air guard but pushed back on the lease, seeking to use the opportunity to discuss the guard’s mission and F-35s. “This is the one opportunity I have to make good on a promise that I made to my constituents and people across Chittenden County” to try to make a change on F-35s, said Magee. See LEASE on page 13
Halloween weekend events COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
Spooky season is in full swing in South Burlington, with plenty planned for kids for the coming weekend. On Friday, families and kids are invited to join the city’s Community Pumpkin Carving event from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Senior Center in City Hall. Bring your own pumpkins, and the recreation staff will have all the tools you’ll need. “Families can come in, carve out their pumpkins and leave the mess with us, not have to make that mess at home,” said Travis
Ladd with the city’s recreation and parks team. On Saturday, the Community Glow Walk returns for its fourth year. Four hundred glow necklaces will be available for kids at the stormwater pond on Market Street. Kids in their costumes and check out Halloween lights and big inflatables and get candy — and win some prizes — courtesy of the city. No events are planned for the night of Halloween, but spooky decorations are aplenty in many South Burlington neighborhoods including East Terrace, the Chamberlain neighborhood, and others.
The Other Paper • October 26, 2023 • Page 3
Tyler Barnes resigns from city council, successor to be named COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
City councilor Tyler Barnes announced his resignation last week just nine months after first being elected. In a prepared statement read at the Oct. 16 South Burlington City Council meeting, Barnes said he had been promoted by his employer and that the new role requires he and his family to move out of Vermont, a “difficult decision” that he said his role as city councilor only compounded. “It is with mixed emotions that I make this decision, but I believe it’s in the best interests of both the organization, community and my family,” he said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our community in this role. Thank you for the opportunities and trust you have placed in me.” In his nine months as councilor, Barnes said he “endeavored to ensure that future generations of Vermonters would have access to the same vibrant community and schools that I’m a product of.” City manager Jessie Baker thanked Barnes for his service. “It takes a lot to run for office and serve in the public eye,” Baker said in a statement. “Tyler was always eager to learn and understand how our government functioned. I wish his family the best in their next adventure.” Barnes’ resignation puts the city on a fast track to find a temporary replacement as the city begins to form its fiscal year 2025 budget. Councilor Meaghan Emery said during the meeting that they hope to appoint somebody “relatively quickly because we do have this budget discussion that this person needs to get up to speed on.” Emery said that she and councilor Andrew Chalnick will review applications for Barnes’ replacement and interview candidates this week. They will then bring candidates to the full council at its next scheduled meeting on Oct. 30,
Correction
In our story last week about the city of South Burlington backing a resident group in its Higher Ground litigation, we incorrectly reported that Burton Corporation owns Higher Ground.
Tyler Barnes
where the council will discuss the candidates either during public session or in executive session before taking a public vote. “If you want to have debate among yourselves about candidates, that can take place in executive session if you choose,” city manager Jessie Baker said. “It’s also an elected official position, so you might want to air on the side of public viewing.” The council said it hopes to have a replacement on the dais by the council’s first November meeting. Whoever is appointed to the seat would serve until the city’s annual meeting in March 2024. Barnes was first elected in March 2023, beating out former councilor Paul Engels by only 212 votes to fill in the seat vacated by Matt Cota. A South Burlington resident for nearly 30 years, Barnes said he was motivated to run for council to “help ensure that the city will provide our children with the same opportunities it did when I was
a child and an aspiring entrepreneur with a young family.” “Given such aims I can’t help from occasionally feeling that my family’s departure and this resulting resignation is at least in part a recognition of the fact that South Burlington is quickly becoming more difficult for many middle-income families to call home,” he said. In his remarks, Barnes urged the council to consider the “existing burdens borne by our city constituents and the city’s immediate pending municipal needs,” calling attention to the significant capital infrastructure needs the city’s school district is facing, as well as challenges facing the fire department, among others. At one point in his remarks, Barnes seemed to question the city’s recent deliberations over its climate action plan and the hiring of full-time staff to tackle emission reduction, and appeared to caution that adding those positions could undermine the city’s financial ability to provide municipal services. “I’m not suggesting that it’s not imperative that we fight the climate crisis, it is, but it is also imperative that we do so in a fashion that doesn’t impair our ability to provide the basic municipal services we promised our citizens,” he said. “Continuing to focus on the climate crisis without also maintaining an eye on our other needs not only jeopardizes the latter but — and this is my real concern — may also result in backlash as it compromises the former.”
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Page 4 • October 26, 2023 • The Other Paper
South Burlington Police Blotter: Oct. 16-22 Directed patrol: 34 Traffic stop: 28 Agency / public assists: 26 Suspicious event: 18 Welfare check: 12 Larceny from motor vehicle: 11 Motor vehicle complaint: 10 Disturbance: 10 Accident: property damage: 10 Foot patrol: 10 Accident: insurance purposes: 9 Found/lost property: 8 Retail theft: 7 Juvenile problem: 7 Fraud: 7 Alarm: 6 Larceny from a structure: 6 Trespass: 5 Field contact: 5 Unlawful mischief: 5 Leaving the scene of an accident: 3 Dead body: 2 Needle pickup: 2 Total incidents: 271 Arrests: Sept. 7 at 8:34 a.m., Leah Ann Martel, 37, of South Burlington, was arrested for driving with a criminally suspended license. Oct. 17 at 2:59 p.m., Joyce A. Audette, 42, of Swanton, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Dorset Street. Oct. 18 at 9:19 a.m., a 13-year-old juvenile was arrested for unlawful mischief and disorderly conduct on Williston Road. Oct. 19 at 11:46 a.m., Amy Lizabeth Bressette, 37, of South
Burlington, was arrested for retail theft on Williston Road. Oct. 19 at 1:36 p.m., Shemar Singleton, 22, of Burlington, was arrested for resisting arrest and unlawful trespass on Shelburne Road. Oct. 20 at 8:59 p.m., Jason R. Brown, 46, of Winooski, was arrested for violating conditions of release on Dorset Street. Oct. 21 at 1:52 a.m., Richard Clyde Chaplin Jr., 50, of Essex, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Williston Road. Untimely deaths: Oct. 20 at 10:22 a.m., police responded to Hinesburg Road for the death of Patricia Defino, 75, of South Burlington. Oct. 19 at 8:43 a.m., police responded to Quarry Hill Road for the report of a death. The name of the deceased has not yet been released by police. The medical examiner’s office is determining cause and manner of each death. Incidents: Oct. 22 at 4:04 p.m., a Quarry Hill Road resident reported a larceny from their vehicle. Oct. 21 at 10:09 a.m., a fraud is being investigated on Medalist Drive. Oct. 21 at 1:19 a.m., someone was stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence at Market and Dorset streets.
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Oct. 20 at 11:23 a.m., a fraud was reported on Kennedy Drive. Police are investigating. Oct. 19 at 9:11 a.m., police are investigating a larceny from a structure on Old Orchard Park. Oct. 18 at 5:50 p.m., someone left the scene of a crash on Hinesburg Road.
Oct. 18 at 2:40 p.m., police performed a welfare check at Williston and Patchen roads. Oct. 17 at 6:06 p.m., a report of stalking on Dorset Street is pending. Oct. 17 at 6:14 p.m., a larceny from a motor vehicle was reported on White Street.
Oct. 16 at 9:41 a.m., police were called to a juvenile problem on Market Street. Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.
Invasive mile-a-minute weed found The invasive mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) has been found in Vermont for the first time. The fast-growing annual vine, originally from India and Eastern Asia, poses a significant threat to native vegetation, young forest stands, habitats in natural areas and agricultural industries such as nurseries, landscaping and Christmas tree farms. It was recently found in Charlotte. Mile-a-minute, introduced to the United States through contaminated nursery stock in the 1930s, has been reported in various regions, including Maine, southern New England, the Mid-Atlantic states, Oregon and British Columbia in Canada. This vine is identifiable by its distinctive triangular leaves and iridescent blue fruits, reproducing through seeds and spreading easily via animals, the nursery trade and waterways. Its rapid growth, up to 6 inches per day, leads to the formation of dense mats that
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Mile-a-minute weed was recently found in Chittenden County, according to the state’s natural resources, agriculture and wildlife departments.
smother neighboring plants, causing stress, weakening and eventually killing the overtopped plant. Mile-a-minute weed has only been confirmed at this single site and it’s uncertain whether other populations exist in Vermont. The infestation consisted of a minimal amount of plant material,
restricted to one specific area. No additional vines were discovered on the property or reported elsewhere. Residents are encouraged to report any sightings to anr. fprinvasiveplants@vermont.org. More information can be found at Vermont Invasives website.
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The Other Paper • October 26, 2023 • Page 5
OPINION Uncivil war breaks out on the SB recreation path Guest Perspective Janet Franklin I want to commend Nora Senecal for her timely, polite and well-reasoned letter, “Unleashed dogs remain problem in dog parks,” in the Other Paper’s Oct. 5 issue. I would like now to express a more visceral reaction to the suggestion of unleashing dogs on the rec path (trails and parks aside): Yikes! I have a small dog that I walk regularly on the rec path. On at least four separate occasions I have had large, unleashed dogs jump up on me when I picked up my dog to keep him out of harm’s way and I had to kick the dogs off me. All four of the dog owners then yelled at me for kicking their dogs — who were jumping up on me to get at the dog in my arms. More recently, a pit-bull-type dog tore across a field in Symanski Park so fast that I did not even have time to pick up my dog and then I had to dance between my chihuahua and a persistent pit bull trying to get at my dog until the owner came running up. She did not even have a leash on her and had to drag the dog away by his harness. While the Committee on Common Areas for Dogs “recognize and respect the legitimate concerns regarding off-leash dogs,” one wonders just how tolerant they would be of the idea of unleashed dogs on the rec path if they were subject to this kind of behavior themselves. (“Committee creates survey on topic of unleashed dogs,” Sept. 21, 2023) More disturbing, as pointed out by Senecal, was the biased nature of the questions on the survey being run by the committee. For example, one question on the survey asks if there should be off leash dogs: • Allowed in public spaces, parks, trails and natural areas anytime. • Located in a portion of public parks and natural areas. • In specific dog parks, dog runs and exercise areas. • In existing public parks and natural areas on specific days and specific hours. None of these choices allow for the survey taker to indicate that off-leash dogs should only be allowed in fenced dog parks. The third choice comes closest to allowing such an opinion to surface but links it carefully with the vaguely worded “dog runs and exercise areas,” which really could amount to anything. The rest of the choices assume that dogs should be off leash in some fashion. The whole leaning of the survey was to bolster the concept that dogs should be off leash in public areas. My concern is that the results of this survey will be used to persuade South Burlington residents that everyone is in favor of letting dogs off-leash everywhere, when, in fact, the survey was far from objective and actually prevented
negative responses to the idea of unleashed dogs. South Burlington now has two dog parks, one of them quite large. Burlington also has two large dog parks, one of them approximately 5 miles away. Currently, dogs run off-leash (illegally) at Hubbard Recreational Area off Spear Street, East Woods off Swift Street, and the University of Vermont cornfield below the corner of Swift and Spear streets. Yet, this is not enough for those who cannot motivate themselves to take their dogs to a dog park. They must let their dogs run loose on the rec path as well. So, what would a decision to allow unleashed dogs on the rec path amount to? For one thing, part of the rec path runs from Spear Street to Stonehedge Drive and then cuts off from Stonehedge Drive down to Route 7. This means that unleashed dogs along that route will spill into the Stonehedge condominiums along Stonehedge Drive. This condo association does have a leash law and now it will have an ongoing and easily foreseeable conflict with the city over unleashed dogs from the rec path on Stonehedge Drive. Also, walkers, joggers and bikers — not to mention small children — will now have to be prepared to do possible battle with unleashed dogs as they exercise. Those with small dogs, such as myself, will now have to walk armed with mace and a riding crop. Will the city be immune to lawsuits resulting from dog bites since it has legalized the unleashing of dogs? That remains to be seen. Finally, I object to the statement by the committee that the leash law is unenforceable. Obviously, if the city was willing to spend the money the law could be substantially enforced. Aside from that, the only protection I currently have on the rec path is the ability to tell people with unleashed dogs that South Burlington has a leash law. After doing so, people usually put their dogs on leashes. Simple. Take that away and I am stuck with mace and a riding crop. The idea that because the leash law cannot be enforced so, therefore it should go, is like saying that because people are still being killed by drunk drivers, we should obviously encourage more people to drink and drive. Not everyone who drinks and drives ends up killing people — some people drink and drive without hurting anyone — but it only takes one unfortunate accident for someone to end up dead. In the same way, it only takes one irresponsible dog owner, who misjudges the character of their dog, to cause real pain to someone else, regardless of how many other dog owners can responsibly handle their off-leash dog. Janet Franklin lives in South Burlington.
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Page 6 • October 26, 2023 • The Other Paper
Burton issue is framed in terms of legal rights, not community impact Guest Perspective Dana Walrath In New Zealand — a place that surpasses even our beloved Green Mountain State for its varied natural beauty — rivers, mountains and trees have legal rights that protect them from development. This is thanks to the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, who have worked long and hard to embed their values into the legal systems that British colonizers brought with them 200 years ago. Not so here in Vermont, or within any of these United States. Here, our legal systems, similarly rooted in the laws of British colonizers, mediate between financial interests of developers and the potential individual harm development might cause to the people living next door. We’ve had no tempering influx of values that steward and protect the shared resources of this Earth, such as a public park. This seemingly abstract and faraway contrast sheds light on every step of a very local issue: the community efforts to stop Burton Corp.’s placement of a 1,500-seat concert venue directly across the street from 100 acres of treasured parkland under the jurisdiction of a separate municipality. After the recent Environmental Court decision, it will now be up to Vermont’s Supreme Court to decide whether Burlington’s Burton will be allowed to place this massive alcohol-serving, latenight venue across the street from South Burlington’s Red Rocks Park. From permitting to the court proceedings to press coverage, this issue is framed solely in terms of
legal rights instead of the longterm impact on communities. Community is defined solely in human terms, omitting the Earth that sustains us. While Vermont’s Act 250 provides a “quasi-judicial process for reviewing and managing the environmental, social, and fiscal consequences of development,” it is most effective for new developments in single municipalities. It proved inadequate for repurposing a structure already zoned as industrial across the street from parkland in a separate municipality. Priceless parkland lies outside of the fiscal realm that Act 250 was designed to review. Our legal systems give no explicit rights to a shared natural resource such as a river or mountain or cliffs, and limit testimony by individual citizens on behalf of these resources. All this allows Burton and its business partner Higher Ground to falsely cast this misguided development project, one that threatens Red Rocks Park, as a matter of a few residents looking out for themselves instead of as a matter of protecting and stewarding a vital natural resource. Spread along the shore of Lake Champlain (another shared resource that was frequently closed for swimming on account of the high levels of E. coli that extreme flooding released this summer), Red Rocks Park is a rich ecosystem of stunning red cliffs, native plants and wildlife. It is home to wildflowers such as massive stands of white trillium, colorful wild columbine, and Dutchman’s Britches. Bald eagles, barred owls and peregrine falcons nest here. Mammals, in addition to the many humans and their canine friends who walk the park’s trail, include racoons, fox, deer,
beavers, otters, badgers and fisher cats. The northwestern tip of the park faces the stone form of the ancient Abenaki spirit Oodzee-hozo emerging from the lake waters. According to Abenaki legend, Oodzee-hozo turned himself into stone after seeing the beauty of the place he had sculpted with his hands so that he could be a part of this place forever. Forever. This summer’s floods, the heat and smoke wafting down from fires in Canada, and our overwatered muted fall colors can serve to remind us that today, the
very notion of forever is under threat. These weather extremes can remind us that development, jobs and human fun must be planned and scaled carefully while keeping the impact of development on the environment and community paramount. Relying upon laws designed to protect individual interests instead of shared resources are inadequate. It is easy to see that, though I would be within my legal rights to place a shed 10 feet from my property line but right in front of my neighbor’s living room window, doing so would be disrespectful,
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Dana Walrath is a writer and medical anthropologist who lives in South Burlington.
Letters to the Editor City council seeks input on rental registry To the Editor: Since we began discussing a rental registry more than two years ago and an ordinance regulating short-term rentals a year-and-ahalf ago, the South Burlington City Council has sought to respond to an acute housing crisis affecting much of Chittenden County and the call for more oversight of rental properties. This past summer, we took up a draft ordinance and are hearing from concerned landowners, including those who use short-term rentals as a source of revenue and residents who live adjacent to these properties and are upset by the loss of their neighborhood and community feel. Loss of property value is also a concern from some of these residents. The council needs to hear from you as we determine what shape the final ordinance will take. Our next meeting at which we will be
reviewing and potentially approving an ordinance is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 6. Our meetings typically start at 6:30 p.m. The agenda will be published the preceding Friday, and you may of course reach out to any of the councilors prior to that date. Meaghan Emery Vice-chair South Burlington City Council
SB School Board: Take down BLM flag To the Editor: The Black Lives Matter flag does not represent truth, justice, peace, safety or community. Take it down from the flagpoles of South Burlington schools. As demonstrated over the last several days some independent chapters of the Black Lives Movement support terror actions against Jews. Additionally, as seen on its
website, they support civil anarchy and are advocates for discrimination against anyone or any organization that disagrees with them or even attempts to engage in non-confrontational dialogue. The BLM flag represents a movement that advocates using racism to combat racism. It represents discrimination in its vilest form. It resurrects segregation at the expense of victories won in the ongoing battles for integration, and it represents dismantling of communities purely for the sake of destruction of what they don’t like. Black Lives Matter flag does not represent Dr. King’s hope that “little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” South Burlington School Board: Take down that flag. Paul Lyon South Burlington
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shortsighted, and bad for the community. By ignoring a neighboring natural resource, Burton is similarly myopic and self-focused. Respect for the greater community — one that goes beyond individuals to include the trees, stones and all wildlife — along with a long view of time could lead Burton toward a plan to repurpose its empty warehouse space that will be generative and life-giving for all.
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The Other Paper • October 26, 2023 • Page 7
Filmmaker Craven wins this year’s Lockwood Prize Vermont film director and impresario Jay Craven from Barnet received the 10th annual Herb Lockwood Prize in the Arts on Oct. 21 at Burlington City Arts Center. Craven received a $10,000 cash award. The prize recognizes artists who produce significant work in the areas of visual arts, music, writing, drama, dance, film and fine woodworking, while also having a beneficent influence on the Vermont community. Craven created Catamount Arts in 1975. It was an unusual acorn to plant, and in stony soil. At that time, performing arts were not prized in rural areas for their ability to build and foster community, nor for their capacity to strengthen a local economy. Craven was literally ahead of his time. What began as a staging and production idea has become a vast enterprise with the central venue of the Community Arts Center in St. Johnsbury, and with connections to more than 40 other arts organizations around the region. A partial list includes the Tap into Film 48-hour Student Film Slam, the Levitt AMP Music Series, First Night North, plus arts education programs at every school in the region, from open mic events for teens to violin intensives designed to lift children out of poverty. Add the countless arts interns from Vermont State University campuses in Johnson and Lyndon, and elsewhere, and Catamount Arts engages with thousands of students every year. The acorn has become an oak. But Craven didn’t stop there. He formed Kingdom County Productions in 1991 and has made 10 dramatic films. The titles are as familiar as the names of some Vermont towns: “Where the Rivers Flow North,” “A Stranger in the Kingdom,” “Northern Borders” and many more. While cinema is one of the most expensive forms of art, Craven managed to work with tight budgets and generally local funding, squeezing six cents out of every nickel. The resulting films all shared one important element, as a direct result of all the collaboration and inclusion, a form of cinematic gold the major studios can only dream of: authenticity. There were stars, many in fact: Kris Kristofferson, Genevieve Bujold, Rip Torn,
PHOTO BY TODD R. LOCKWOOD, 2007
Jay Craven
Jacqueline Bisset, Martin Sheen and Tantoo Cardinal. Yet the aesthetic core was to celebrate Vermont, and to mine its artistic riches. “Cultivating this sort of village of talent is central to who Herb Lockwood was,” according to a press release announcing the prize. “He was a person who gathered artists of every stripe and kind, connected them, inspired them, and watched how they lifted one another’s work.”
Herb Lockwood Prize The Herb Lockwood Prize was founded by his brother, Todd R. Lockwood, and some like-minded friends from the Vermont arts community. The prize has no application process, and artists do not know they are being considered for it. Nominations are provided by an anonymous network of arts advisors in Vermont. Its purpose is fourfold: to validate the work of the recipient, to energize that artist’s future, to encourage other artists to work ambitiously, and to honor Herb Lockwood’s memory by continuing his inspirational influence. Prior recipients include fine artist and typographer Claire Van Vliet, filmmaker Nora Jacobson, author Howard Frank Mosher, puppeteer and artist Peter See CRAVEN on page 10
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Page 8 • October 26, 2023 • The Other Paper
COMMUNITY Community Notes South Burlington attorney made committee chair Brian Sullivan, a lawyer from Burlington-based MSK Attorneys, has been appointed chair of the Vermont Bar Association Immigration Law Section. Vermont Bar Association committees disseminate the work of substantive law sections to its members, public and the Legislature, and help to educate its members and others about developments and needed changes in the law. Sullivan lives in South Burlington.
ham, followed by an opportunity to “meet the bees” at Dancing Bee Gardens in Middlebury. To prepare for the field trip, Holzberg-Pill held two workshops with the teens to explore ingredients and flavors. The group baked an apple cake and apple cheddar scones, tasted local fruit and braided honey-filled challah. Holzberg-Pill is the founder and an instructor for the Outdoor Technology Program at the Northwest Career and Technical Center in St. Albans. This place-based sustainable agriculture and forestry program focuses on regenerative land stewardship and community service.
Special projects educator staffs S. Burlington office
Noted expert speak Jacob Holzberg-Pill is the new on faith, Christian Science
University of Vermont Extension 4-H educator for special projects. He will work from the Extension’s South Burlington office. Holzberg-Pill will handle special projects, including collaborating with AALV (formerly the Association of Africans Living in Vermont) as part of a new grant, Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America. Vermont 4-H will receive approximately $1.6 million over a five-year period. “I am developing a new program with underserved teens, partnering with AALV to embark on a yearlong exploration of Vermont food and agriculture,” Holzberg-Pill says. The first field trip was to Champlain Orchards in Shore-
“How spiritual perception brings healing,” a talk by Alex Fischer, a practitioner of Christian Science and an international speaker, takes place in the South Burlington Public Library auditorium, 180 Market St., on Saturday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. His talk will focus on universal healing precepts found in the Holy Bible, especially in Christ Jesus’ life and teachings, showing how they are available for anyone to understand and experience through the lens of Christian Science. The talk is free, open to the community, and sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Burlington. Sharing examples of healing from his own life and professional practice of Christian Science, Fischer will explain why Chris-
Brian Sullivan
Christopher Pearson
Jacob Holzberg-Pill
tian Science is both Christian and scientific, meaning that people can prove its effectiveness for themselves, as fully described in the book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” written by the founder of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy. Fischer travels from his home in southwest France to speak to audiences around the world as a member of the religions board of lectureship. There will be a question-and-answer period in both English and French.
The series will explore structural and cultural issues that affect voter attitudes and election results. The first program presents former state senator Christopher Pearson, who will discuss Electoral College and national popular vote. He is secretary of National Popular Vote and a member of its board. More at lwvofvt.org.
with food insecurity, according to the Lions. All food donations should be non-perishable. High-nutrition foods such as canned tuna, chili, stews, peanut butter, soups and complete meal kits are in high demand, as well as kid-friendly foods in single-serve packs — applesauce, oatmeal, ramen noodles, trail mix. Household cleaners and personal care item are also appreciated, including detergents, soaps, shampoo, hand sanitizer, diapers and feminine hygiene products. The Champlain Valley Lions will also accept used eyeglasses in good condition, which will be refurbished and donated to people in need. For more info, or to assist with the drive, contact Mark Hanna at lionmark2000@outlook.com.
Lecture series tackles elections, democracy The League of Women Voters of Vermont, in partnership with Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., in Montpelier, presents the first in its 2023-24 lecture series on elections and democracy on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7-8:30 p.m.
Lions Club holds Thanksgiving food drive The Champlain Valley Lions Club will host a pre-Thanksgiving food drive on Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Hannaford Market on Dorset Street in South Burlington. The club aims to collect more than 600 pounds of non-perishable food, household and personal care items, all of which will be donated to the Burlington Food Shelf. Cash donations will also be accepted and delivered to the food shelf. One in seven Vermonters lives
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Eleva Chamber Players present ‘Baroque Effect’ The Eleva Chamber Players will explore the influence of Baroque music through the ages by performing Telemann’s Concerto in F for 3 Violins, Respighi’s Ancient Airs & Dances Suite 3, Vivaldi’s “Spring” from “The Four Seasons” and Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite in C Major (Op. 29, No. 2). The concerts will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Waterbury Congregational Church, 8 North Main St., and Sunday, Nov. 12, at The Inn at Round Barn Farm, 1661 East Warren Road, Waitsfield. Both concerts are at 3 p.m. “Eleva seeks to answer the question of how Baroque music has lasted for over 400 years. Its form, rhythms and use of string instruments have influenced composers over the centuries and its popularity continues to grow,” Willie Docto, founder of the Players, said. See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 9
The Other Paper • October 26, 2023 • Page 9
COMMUNITY NOTES continued from page 8 The Eleva Chamber Players is Central Vermont’s only professional string chamber orchestra with the mission of elevating the human spirit through music. More at elevachamberplayers.com.
City recognized for safety, living standards for women South Burlington recently received two awards from the personal finance outlet wallethub.com. The city was rated the second-best city for women in America for 2023. According to the website, “In order to determine the best places for women to thrive, WalletHub compared 182 cities across 15 key indicators of livings standards for women. Our data set ranges from the median earnings for female workers to the quality of women’s hospitals to suicide rates for women.”
South Burlington was also rated the third-safest city in America for 2023. WalletHub compared 182 cities across 41 key indicators of safety, including home and community safety, natural- disaster risk and financial safety to determine where Americans can feel most secure. Read more at wallethub.com.
Feeding Chittenden welcomes food access coordinator Nora Lindberg has been named food access coordinator for Feeding Chittenden. She will oversee the distribution and delivery of groceries. Lindberg, who received a bachelor’s degree in food systems from the University of Vermont, previously worked at the Intervale Community Farm. “I want to make people feel comfortable
and be that stable piece in their life,” Lindberg said. “I can see the change in people when I repeat deliveries and see the trust build every day. She will also help to expand the reach of Feeding Chittenden throughout the Champlain Valley.
Church holds holiday bazaar extravaganza Faith United Methodist Church of South Burlington hosts its annual holiday bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 899 Dorset St. There’ll be a cookie walk extravaganza — 100-plus dozen cookies— dozens of fresh pies, cakes and breads, mouth-watering fudge, 10 or more different homemade soups in ready-to-go containers, holiday decor, homemade quilts and afghans, jewelry, children’s games and toys and lots of new items great for gift giving.
All proceeds from this fundraiser will support the Vermont Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The Vermont chapter regularly builds beds and provides the wooden frames, mattresses, pillow sand bedding to Vermont families in need. Every child deserves to sleep in a bed. For information, email events@faithsbvt.org.
Shelburne Players put on ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ Join The Shelburne Players for its fall 2023 production, “Circle Mirror Transformation,” set in the fictional Shirley, Vt. Show dates are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10-11, 7 p.m., with a matinee Sunday, Nov. 12, matinee at 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18, 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets and information are available at shelburneplayers.com.
NOISE ORDINANCE continued from page 1 sleep disturbance, exacerbations of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, exacerbation of psychiatric disorders, and — of course — annoyance.” Zigmund and Doug Angwin, another resident on Golf Course Road, asked the council for assistance in developing a solution. “We’re asking for some help,” Angwin said. “It’s been years and why hasn’t there been anything done to prevent this?” In a letter sent to residents this week, the city’s director of planning and zoning, Paul Connor, said the city notified the contractor to “evaluate and implement several mitigation actions.” The developer told the city that there is no viable alternative for removing bedrock at the site other than hammering. Blasting is not an option because of stipulations laid out in environmental court. “It really leaves the hammering as the only methodology that can establish ... building the structure as permitted, which is their right to do,” Connor said. But the city asked the developer to limit the duration of the hammering — keeping the period from the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and until 3 p.m. on Fridays. The contractor has said they would investigate relocating the homes to an area in the parcel with less ledge to clear, would possibly eliminate the amount of square footage dedicated to the homes’ basements, and would install bends in water and sewer lines to avoid removal of intact bedrock. To limit the frequency of the noise, the contractor also told the city they would manage the work so the hammering would happen in “spurts, with breaks in between to load the spoils and remove them from the site, rather than concurrent hammering and loading (and) hauling as would occur at a typical construction site.” Still, residents say the noise remains a health hazard. Angwin and Zigmund said the noise often tracks in at over 90 decibels, well over the World Health Organization’s recommended noise exposure threshold of 70 decibels over a 24-hour period and 85 decibels over a 1-hour period.
This, they say, is a “flagrant violation” of the city’s noise ordinance, which says that noise should be considered unreasonable when it “disturbs, injures or endangers” the peace or health of a person or when it “endangers the health, safety or welfare of the community.” “Why are developers allowed to flout these ordinances and laws?” Angwin said. “It amounts to 100 shallow cuts instead of one deep one,” Zigmund said. “We’re going to be subjected to this noise over and over again, season after season, until they’re finished construction over there.” At least one city councilor agrees with them. “When I read our ordinance, it doesn’t appear to me that a Development Review Board permit gives anyone the right to violate the nuisance ordinance,” city councilor Andrew Chalnick said. “It’s clear to me that they are in violation. You can’t even stand on the sidewalk, it’s so unbearable.” Connor during the meeting last week acknowledged that this was “not a fun situation for anyone,” and said the project’s background and legal history “makes it a difficult project.” “The challenge here is striking a balance between the right to construct and methods of construction that can work,” he said. “Our enforcement team has worked with them to have it be less incessant. Of course, that does mean it will be a longer total period of time, but it will be less constant.” It amounts to a stalemate for the city and the nearby residents, and the developer — who has the court-granted Act 250 and local development review board permits that allows for the construction in question. Chalnick, nonetheless, said the city should “ask the developer to stop what they’re doing until we figure out a solution.” “This is illegal (and) in violation of our ordinance,” he said. “If they can’t find another way, I don’t see how that’s the city’s issue. I don’t see how we give someone a pass to violate our ordinance because they have a DRB permit to build a house.”
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INFRASTRUCTURE continued from page 1 I think that’s something that should be the takeaway from this,” South Burlington resident Erin Sutherland said. “I just think it’s a little bit of a waste of everybody’s time.” She added that the past two committees also discussed moving the fifth grade. The committee’s work scratched the surface of a decades-long conversation about what the district should do with its more than 60-year-old buildings that teachers and administrators say have become a bad learning environment for students. “There’s an enrollment issue happening obviously in South Burlington now and that’s kind of why the focus changed to the elementary level,” said architect Lee Dore with Dore & Whittier, who has been working with the school on infrastructure projects since the 1990s. “We’ve started and stopped and changed our focus around but it has always been the fact that the buildings really don’t fit the type of education that’s delivered today. They were built in the ‘60s.” The fifth-grade transition committee plans to present a finalized official report to the board, but superintendent Violet Nichols said she believes the next move should be
to create an infrastructure committee, which she currently putting together.
History of problems In April 2022, the education committees in both the Vermont House and Senate commissioned an independent analysis titled “Vermont School Facilities Inventory and Assessment” submitted by the secretary of education that reviewed a broad range of facility-related factors in 54 school districts across the state. The study utilized a Facility Condition Index to measure the aggregated depletion percentage of facilities for each district. The higher the percentage, the greater the need for infrastructure replacement or upgrades. The average for the districts participating in the study was 71.4 percent, which reflected a considerable amount of concern for the overall condition of school infrastructure across the state. However, the calculated percentage for South Burlington district was more than 81 percent, the 11th highest district in need of action to address its infrastructure needs, and the second highest in Chittenden County.
In 2018, an independent feasibility study and building assessment was completed for the city’s middle and high schools that showed all of its school buildings were in need of major renovations or full replacement. Deferred maintenance costs at that time were estimated to be well over $30 million for just the middle and high schools and are now estimated at over $60 million. Those estimated costs were also only to extend the life of the buildings and did not address space issues of outdated design or functionality. “The high school in particular is very difficult to renovate just because of the way it was designed structurally,” Dore said. “All of the interior classroom walls are bearing walls, so it gets really cost-prohibitive to start changing those around. The middle school is more flexible since it’s a steel frame building, but it was designed as a junior high school, not as a middle school model. So to get that back to the way you guys want to make that work, it is a pretty significant change on the interior layout of that building.” Many options were considered, including renovation to the facilities and adding space as needed, but in 2020 the school board ultimately endorsed a $209 million bond article for the construction of a combined new middle and high school to be located on the existing campus. The bond failed on a 3-to-1 margin. Brian Minier, a member of the school board in 2019 and now a current member of the House Committee on Education representing South Burlington, said the hefty price tag was one of the major reasons he believes it was shot down. “The impact on folks was estimated to be a 25 percent hike in their property taxes. I mean, that’s huge,” he said. “Also, you look
at the buildings and you say, They’re ugly, and they need a roof, but how can it possibly be that expensive?’ But, once you go in and do something like the boiler, which you have to do, that triggers all sorts of codes that we’ve been grandfathered under previously.” After the loss and as the district grappled with the onslaught of a worldwide pandemic, infrastructure needs took a backseat to the other problems facing the district. In 2021, the district administration switched its focus to the elementary schools that, at the time, exceeded the state-recommended 85 percent capacity by more than 100 students. An enrollment committee pushed for zero-emission modulars (ZEMs) as an immediate solution to handle the projected increase in enrollment for the next five to seven years. A bond vote for nearly $15 million was passed at last year’s Town Meeting Day to cover $6 million of the costs of implementing eight modular classrooms and $8.55 million for various capital improvements that include roofing, HVAC systems, window replacements, bathrooms, and work to parking lots, sidewalks and kitchens. In a presentation by Dore & Whittier in May, the team reintroduced renovation plans similar to the plans outlined in 2019 that show the temporary classrooms as a way to buy time for the district to reassess its needs, but now, “time is of the essence,” said Dore, adding that this impending massive infrastructure project would be the largest South Burlington has ever faced. “You’re getting to a point where you just spent $8.5 million dollars on a capital improvement bond to extend the life of the See INFRASTRUCTURE on page 11
CRAVEN continued from page 7 Schumann, musician and public radio host Robert Resnik, dancer and choreographer Hannah Dennison, Latin Jazz musician and teacher Ray Vega, and poet McCadden. According to prize officials, Herb Lockwood, who died in a Burlington workplace accident in 1987 at age 27, made an enduring impact on the region’s arts and artists, gaining recognition in a variety of art forms:
cartooning, painting, writing, woodworking, sculpture, storytelling and tai chi. Mostly, though, Lockwood was a musician. Formally trained on classical guitar, his musical inclinations knew no bounds, whether adapting ancient Irish jigs to a baritone bouzouki, creating a new vocal twist on an old standard, or ripping out riffs on a jazz guitar.
The Other Paper • October 26, 2023 • Page 11
INFRASTRUCTURE continued from page 10 buildings,” he said. “At some point, you’re going to get to, “Why do we keep putting more money in?’” But some board members felt leery about restarting that larger conversation. “I’m a little shy at getting back into something as big as this,” said board member Alex McHenry, who was also on the board in 2019. “Certainly we can talk about it and think about it, but something would have to be done differently, even for a much smaller bond.” But high school teacher Erin Buzby emphasized the unworkable conditions of the high school and urged the board to persist. “We have at least five kids here who go to the high school, and it is not a workable building. It’s really bad and they deserve better,” she said. “You should not be afraid to take it on again because it really is not an acceptable situation for our community what these kids go to school in.”
Statewide issues For decades, Vermont provided state money to cities and towns to build or renovate schools, but the state shut down its school construction aid fund in 2007. The program used to fund up to 30 percent of a school infrastructure project. “You have to remember that it was right before the 2008 recession,” said Chittenden County Sen. Ginny Lyons, who was involved in these infrastructure conversations in the Legislature in 2007. “A discussion was had about finding savings and reducing property taxes. So historically, there were good intentions about helping people with their property taxes, but the bad outcome is that it put significant pressure on school boards to find additional money when schools were failing.” Vermont is now the only state in New England without a school construction aid program, along with the second oldest build-
ing stock of school buildings in the country, said Jill Briggs Campbell, the Agency of Education’s operations director. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that those buildings are going to be in poor condition if they’ve been well maintained, it’s all about ongoing maintenance and operations,” she said. “It’s more that we have a huge backlog of deferred maintenance, and school districts have not been able to budget appropriately for ongoing maintenance and operations.” Through Act 72 of 2021, the state restarted a conversation about setting standards for school facilities —which the state does not currently have — for things like training and certification standards for facilities managers at a district level and doing a thorough comprehensive facilities assessment for every public-school building in the state. “That work is being completed now,” Briggs Campbell said. “We’re getting the final reports in. That also allows us to do
modeling on what the need is with dollar amounts attached to it. So we’re going to have a better sense of the actual condition of our school facilities.” All this is meant to inform the work of the State School Construction Aid Task Force, which was created in the appropriations bill of this last session, Act 78. It creates a 17-member group co-chaired by the Agency of Education and the Vermont treasurer’s office, which will present a proposal to the Legislature in January on a reinstated state school construction aid program. “What we’re looking at is a proposal to restart in this next legislative session and the question, of course, will be balancing the needs that we’re identifying with the funding resources available,” Briggs Campbell. “We’re at this pivot point. At the agency level and on my team, it is our understanding that if the mission is equitable access to high-quality education, that includes facilities.”
NOV. 9
Page 12 • October 26, 2023 • The Other Paper
SPORTS PROPOSED SOUTH BURLINGTON MUNICIPAL PLAN CITY COUNCIL FIRST PUBLIC HEARING Thursday, November 16, 2023, 6:45 p.m.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the South Burlington City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 6:45 P.M. to consider the City’s Draft Municipal Plan (known as CityPlan 2024). Participation options: • In Person: City Hall Auditorium, 180 Market Street • Interactive Online: https://meet.goto.com/SouthBurlingtonVT/specialcitycouncil meeting11-16-2023 • Phone: (872) 240-3212; Access Code: 131-909-485 The Purpose of this hearing is to consider the readoption of the City’s Municipal Plan pursuant to 24 VSA § 4381-4387. This draft Plan affects all areas within the City of South Burlington. A table of contents for the draft plan is as follows: Guiding Principles; Introduction; People & Population; Housing; Economy; Energy; Environment; Transportation; Community, History, & Culture; Recreation; Community Services; Water & Utilities; Land Use Plan; Appendix A & B Act 174 Enhance Energy Plan Data and Assessment Copies of the proposed Plan are available for inspection at the Department of Planning & Zoning, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 180 Market Street, South Burlington, between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday except holidays, and on the city website at www.southburlingtonvt.gov. Meaghan Emery, Vice-Chair
October 26, 2023
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SOUTH BURLINGTON LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS City Council Public Hearing Monday, November 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 20, 2023, 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 Auditorium, 180 Market Street • Interactive Online: https://meet.goto.com/SouthBurlingtonVT/citycouncil-11-20-2023 • Phone: (224) 501-3412; access code: 137-431-053 The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following: • LDR-23-03 Multiple Principal Structures on a lot – Mobile Home Parks • LDR-23-04: City Center FBC: Buildings on Outside of Road Corners and Interstate Façade Standards • LDR-23-05: Minor and Technical Amendments Copies of the proposed amendments are available for inspection at the Department of Planning & Zoning, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 180 Market Street, and on the city website at www.sbvt.gov. Meaghan Emery, City Council Vice-Chair
October 26, 2023
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Hammad Ali scored and had two assists as the Wolves beat Burlington 3-2 on senior night. The team defends its title on Saturday.
Wolves wrap up fall season as title games get underway LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Boys’ soccer South Burlington 3, Burlington 2: Three different play-
ers found the back of the net for South Burlington in a win over Burlington Friday. Connor Watson, Omar Daoudi and Jackson Adams all scored for the Wolves, who wrap up the regular season with a 12-2
Girls’ soccer
IT Network & Telecommunications Systems Administrator JOB SUMMARY Do you want to put your computer technical skills and networking/telecommunications experience to work and join a fantastic team of professionals? Do you enjoy communicating with customers and helping them improve processes and systems? The City of South Burlington is searching for an IT Network and Telecommunications Systems Administrator who will use these talents to oversee the day-to-day operation of our network and telecommunications infrastructure. This position is responsible for the configuration, design, installation, support, repair, and regular maintenance of the phone and network infrastructure, computers, software applications and audio-visual equipment for the city. This position also provides internal customer service for day-to-day IT and phone functions of the City.
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record. Hammad Ali had two assists and Oliver Payson made seven saves. South Burlington earned the No. 2 seed in the DI soccer tournament.
Review of applications will begin on November 6, 2023, and will remain open until filled. To learn more detail about this job opportunity, see a detailed job description and to apply, please visit our job opportunities website at southburlingtonvt.gov/jobopportunities. The City of South Burlington is an EOE.
South Burlington 4, Burlington 0: The South Burlington girls soccer team struck for three quick goals in the first half and closed out the regular season with a win over Burlington on Friday, Oct. 20. Rachel Kelley tallied twice for the Wolves, while Elsa Ostby and Diane Larrow each added a goal. Oakley Machanic had two assists, and Alisa McLean earned the assist in goal with four saves. With a 6-6-1 record, South Burlington captured the No. 6 seed in the upcoming Division I playoffs.
Field hockey Champlain Valley 1, South Burlington 0: South Burlington gave up the only goal of the game in the third quarter and See ROUNDUP on page 13
The Other Paper • October 26, 2023 • Page 13
Volleyballers, field hockey, soccer teams head to playoffs LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Girls’ soccer Division I playdowns No. 11 Rutland (3-10-1) vs. No. 6 South Burlington (6-6-1), Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. The girls took on a new opponent as they began the postseason. The Wolves faced No. 11 Rutland Tuesday in the playdowns. The two teams did not meet in the regular season. If the Wolves win Tuesday (after press time), they will No. 3 Mount Mansfield in the quarterfinals. The two teams split their two regular season matchups with South Burlington winning the first and the Cougars getting the victory in the second.
Girls’ volleyball Division I playdowns No. 9 Mount Mansfield (8-6) at No. 8 South Burlington (9-5), Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m. After defeating Mount Mansfield twice in tight matches — both went to a decisive fifth set — the South Burlington girls’ volleyball team looked to get a third win in the DI playdowns on Wednesday after the newspaper went to press. The Wolves faced a tough test as very little separated them from
the Cougars in the regular season. If South Burlington won, it will likely face No. 1 Essex in the quarterfinals.
Boys’ volleyball Division I quarterfinals No. 7 BFA-St. Albans (0-12) vs. No. 2 South Burlington (11-3), Friday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. The boys enter the DI tournament in their best position ever after securing the No. 2 seed with a 11-3 record. The Wolves will take on winless BFA-St. Albans Friday in the quarterfinals, looking to advance to semifinals for the second year in a row. South Burlington won both regular season matches with the Bobwhites, the first 3-0 and the second 3-1. If the Wolves win, they will face the winner of No. 3 Essex and No. 6 Rice.
Field hockey Division I quarterfinals No. 1 South Burlington (13-1) vs. TBA, Saturday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. The South Burlington field hockey team lost only one game during the regular season, and it came in the final matchup on the schedule. But that didn’t stop the Wolves from securing the No. 1 seed in the Division I playoffs.
The Wolves will face the winner of a matchup between No. 8 Rutland and No. 9 Burlington on Tuesday after press time. South Burlington faced both Rutland and Burlington during the regular season, beating the Raiders 5-2 and the Seahorses 3-0. If the Wolves advance past their quarterfinal opponent, they will face either No. 4 Colchester or No. 5 Bellows Falls. Division I quarterfinals No. 2 South Burlington (12-2) vs TBA, Saturday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m. The boys will begin their DI title defense this weekend although they still don’t know who they’ll face in the quarterfinals. With only two losses and after earning the No. 2 seed, the Wolves will face the winner of the game between No. 7 Mount Mansfield and No. 10 Essex. South Burlington faced Essex twice and won both times. The Wolves beat the Cougars 4-3 in their only matchup. If the Wolves advance past the quarterfinals, they will likely face No. 3 Burr and Burton in the semifinals, an opponent they haven’t seen since the first week of the regular season.
South Burlington 3, Essex 1: The South Burlington boys’ volleyball team won its fourth game in a row, beating Essex 3-1 Friday to end the regular season.
The Wolves jumped out to a lead with a 27-25 win in the first set and a 25-20 win in the second set. South Burlington sealed the win with a 25-22 victory in the fourth. South Burlington finished the regular season with a 11-3 record.
council meeting. Both motions fell by votes of 8-4. Ben Traverse, D-Ward 5, pushed back on the five-year option, calling it “unrealistic.” “If I felt it was a realistic option, that’s something that I would likely support,” Traverse said. Hightower responded, saying that she was hearing from Democratic councilors that the council
both lacks the power to change the mission but also has “devastating” power to disrupt the military funding. “Both of those can’t be true,” Hightower said. During the debate, Bergman said he wasn’t done talking about F-35s. He stated his intention to introduce a motion to change the mission of the air guard at a future meeting.
Boys’ volleyball
LEASE continued from page 2 Later, both Grant and Hightower questioned whether the lease extension needed to be a full 25 years. In response, Finnegan urged caution, saying any change to the lease language could derail federal funding. Despite that, Hightower introduced a motion to change the extension to five more years past 2048, but the motion failed, as did a motion Hightower made to postpone the lease vote to the next
LEARN MORE To learn more detail about these job opportunities, see detailed descriptions and to apply, please visit our job opportunities website at southburlingtonvt.gov/jobopportunities. The City of South Burlington is an EOE.
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ROUNDUP earned the top seed in the DI postseason.
• IT Network & Telecommunication Systems Administrator • Highway Maintenance Worker (2 positions) • Highway Mechanic • Recreation and Parks Maintenance Worker • Horticultural Specialist • Firefighter • Police Officer
Boys’ soccer
continued from page 12 could not find an equalizer in a loss to Champlain Valley on Friday in field hockey action. Amber Rousseau had one save in goal for the Wolves. It was the first loss of the season for South Burlington, which finished the regular season with a 13-1 record and
The City of South Burlington has the following position openings:
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Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we Relevant Skills: you Customer Service, Cash Handling (we’ll train you!) encourage to apply! Even better… if you have prior banking experience, we youortoolder apply!and have a high school diploma, Ifencourage you are 18 general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider If you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma, joining the NSB Team! general education (GED) degree, or equivalent, consider joining the NSB Team! Opportunity for Growth NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and Opportunity for Growth assist with professional development within our company. NSB has training opportunities to engage employees and The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If assist with professional development within our company. you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes The average years of service for an NSB employee is 9! If growth, join our team! you’re looking for a career in an environment that promotes joinOff our Whatgrowth, NSB Can erteam! You What NSB Can Offer You Competitive compensation based on experience. WellCompetitive compensation based on experience. Wellrounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. rounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing opportunity. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Excellent 401(k) matching retirement program. Commitment to professional development. Opportunities Commitment to professional development. Opportunities to volunteer and support our communities. Work-Life to volunteer and support our communities. Work-Life balance! balance! Please send an NSB Application & your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com Equal Opportunity Employer / Member FDIC
Build / Remodel
Page 14 • October 26, 2023 • The Other Paper
SERVICE DIRECTORY Email judy@otherpapersbvt.com or call 802-864-6670 to place an ad
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TO ALL OF OUR CLIENTS, THANK YOU!
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Buying Sports and Collectible Cards DEE.PT.bC
service R ELIC
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an m an it. an
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Antique Textiles Wanted
Bear Ridge Home Improvement
continued from page 2 Roofing Spring Cleanup & Mulch Siding Lawn Maintenance The week-long bait drop is a cooperaRenovations Landscape Design tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. Painting Stonework & Planting Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services DecksExcavation toMini stop the spread of the potentially fatal
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DEE.PT.bC
The Other Paper • October 26, 2023 • Page 15
Horoscope October 26, 2023
ANSWERS FROM THIS ISSUE
Weekly Puzzles
Page 16 • October 26, 2023 • The Other Paper
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