SB School District implements new cellphone rules
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
As kids across South Burlington head back to the classroom this week, the school district has instituted new rules for cellphone use.
The phone-free movement buzz has been gaining traction this year with some districts across the
state like Lamoille South Supervisory Union, Harwood Union High School and Thetford Academy implementing a full-fledged ban on pocket devices.
Although South Burlington school district has had cellphone
See CELLPHONES on page 12
On Church Street Marketplace
SB woman arrested for murder in shooting
A South Burlington woman pleaded not guilty Monday to first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a man outside a Church Street Marketplace bar early Saturday.
An altercation between the woman and man inside Red Square, along with the subsequent shooting outside by the front door, were captured on the nightclub’s security video.
Aaliyah D. Johnson, 22, of Farrell Street, is being held without bail at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington.
Police said Teville G. Williams, 30, of Stowe, was shot several times by Johnson after both were ordered to leave Red Square nightclub, which is across from Burlington City Hall.
It appears Johnson spilled or
See SHOOTING on page 5
cortijovt.com
COURTESY PHOTO
Marky the Moose and principal Lissa McDonald greet Rick Marcotte Central School students on the first day of school.
Back to school
MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT
South Burlington Rotary Club donates
$10K to Howard Center
Howard Center was presented with a $10,000 donation from the South Burlington Rotary Club that was raised during its 12th annual Curling Challenge fundraiser last spring.
The event also supported Dragonheart Vermont and other Rotary charitable causes.
The annual, day-long curling event at Cairns Arena featured over 30 teams competing in various categories, including best team name, most creative costume
and most spirited team.
The Green Mountain Curling Club, with assistance from the Rutland Rocks Curling Club, provided instruction and equipment for the participants. The day-long event attracted community involvement, with local businesses, schools and community groups taking part in the competition and spectators gathering to support the cause.
“Our curling event was a fantastic success, and we’re proud
to support Howard Center with this donation,” Nina Borden, president of the South Burlington Rotary Club, said. “It’s a joy to see our community come together in such a meaningful way and to support an organization helping so many people every day of the year.”
The donation will support Howard Center’s client funds program, helping people with their basic needs and offering opportunities for enrichment activities.
Pickleball hours at Szymanski Park reduced
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Following a months-long controversy stirred by resident complaints about pervasive pickleball noise and traffic congestion at Szymanski Park, the South Burlington City Council has reduced the hours of playtime allowed at the park.
Pickleball players are now only allowed to whack their paddles from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The issue boiled over two months ago when a neighboring resident, Jovana Guarino, started circulating a petition about the
noise and safety problems associated with the sport’s growing popularity. Since that time, the petition has garnered more than 75 signatures and council members have been bouncing solutions to the problem.
At a council meeting last week, director of recreation and parks Adam Matth outlined multiple options for sound mitigation barriers to be placed at the park, but those efforts could have cost the city more than of $30,000.
Matth said he frequented the
See PICKLEBALL on page 13
Seven counties receive FEMA disaster declaration
President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Phil Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for seven Vermont counties, according to the governor’s office.
Residents and municipalities in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans and Washington counties are now eligible for federal funding to help recover from floods that swept through the state between July 9 and July 11. The disaster declaration does not apply to damage caused by storms on July 30, according to a press release.
Residents of the seven declared
counties can now apply to FEMA’s individual assistance program, which provides reimbursement for flood recovery expenses that cannot be met through insurance. Rental assistance, home repairs and home replacement are eligible for reimbursement.
To apply for the program, Vermonters can register on FEMA’s disaster assistance website or call 1-800-621-3362. Even if you have previously reported damage to Vermont’s 2-1-1 system, you must register with FEMA to apply for reimbursements, according to the press release.
The FEMA declaration also
See FEMA on page 9
COURTESY PHOTO
The South Burlington Rotary Club recently made a $10,000 donation to Howard Center.
EMMA MALINAK VTDIGGER
Vermont prepares for new COVID-19 vaccines
months and 11 years of age, according to the FDA release.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that it has approved and authorized administration of a new COVID-19 vaccine formula, and Vermonters will soon be able to access those vaccinations at primary care offices and pharmacies in the state, according to the state Department of Health.
The vaccine is designed to target currently circulating variants more closely and better protect against serious outcomes of the virus, the FDA said in a press release.
As immunity wanes in the general population, prior vaccinations and exposure to the coronavirus are less effective in preventing future infections, according to Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
Health care providers in Vermont will begin ordering products within the next two weeks, according to Sharon Muellers, senior public health communication officer with the health department.
“Supply for this year is on par with what we received last season and should support the need,” Muellers said via email.
Kinney Drugs, a pharmacy chain in New York and Vermont, said it expects to open appointments for the updated vaccine early next week, and, along with other pharmacies, is authorized to administer the vaccines to individuals 3 years and older.
Updated COVID-19 vaccine formulas are intended to better target currently circulating variants.
“Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention,” Marks said. “These updated vaccines meet the agency’s rigorous, scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality.”
Vermont’s COVID-19 indicators have been on an upswing this summer, with 17 people dying from the virus so far this month — the most this year since January’s total of 29 deaths, according to the Department of Health’s weekly surveillance report.
Wastewater facilities in Montpelier, South Burlington and Essex Junction have seen an increase in COVID-19 levels recently as well.
The updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are approved for use in people 12 and older, and other updated versions from the two companies are authorized for emergency use for individuals between 6
“As a Pharmacist, I am pleased that the FDA has approved this updated COVID-19 vaccine,” Kinney Drugs’ president John Marraffa said in a press release on Aug. 22. “Incidents of COVID-19 are already increasing throughout both New York and Vermont, so it is especially good timing with students heading back to school.”
Although the federally funded “Bridge Access Program” — which has provided free Covid vaccines to people without insurance coverage or whose insurance didn’t cover the vaccines — ends this month, Muellers said the health department will offer support for local vaccination efforts this fall.
Mueller also noted that this year’s influenza vaccine is trivalent, meaning it protects against three different strains of the flu, and recommended adults ages 75 and older should get an RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, vaccine.
Just like seasonal flu vaccines, the FDA said it anticipates annual assessment of the composition of COVID-19 vaccines, unless a “markedly more infectious variant” emerges.
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THE NON-PROFIT SOUTH BURLINGTON LAND TRUST IS DEVOTED TO PRESERVING THE CITY’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
CHLOE JAD VTDIGGER
PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
Amanda Comolli, right, hands off a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic at the Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury in the fall of 2023.
South Burlington Police Blotter: Aug. 19-25
Total incidents: 261
Agency / public assists: 20
Directed patrol: 27
Traffic stop: 16
Accident: property damage: 10
Alarm: 19
Foot patrol: 23
Suspicious event: 17
Retail theft: 17
Motor vehicle complaint: 8
Welfare check: 6
911 hangup: 5
Trespass: 7
Domestic: 2
Disturbance: 13
Animal problem: 9
Found/lost property: 6
Unlawful mischief: 5
Juvenile problem: 4
Field contact: 4
DUI: 3
Threats: 3
Fraud: 3
Accident: insurance purposes: 3
Leaving the scene: 3
Larceny from a vehicle: 3
Accident: injury: 2
Larceny from a structure: 4
Arrests:
Aug. 17 at 1:44 p.m., Linto B. Ragland, 64, of Burlington, was arrested for unlawful trespass and simple assault on Williston Road.
Aug. 19 at 3:23 p.m., Scarlett R. Tomlinson, 30, of South Burlington, was arrested for driv-
the
ing under the influence, first offense, at Spear and Swift streets.
Aug. 21 at 6:36 p.m., a 19-yearold juvenile was arrested for retail theft on Dorset Street.
Aug. 22 at 4:48 p.m., Deborah M. Bristol, 60, of South Burlington, was arrested for retail theft on Dorset Street.
Aug. 23 at 3:14 a.m., Ian P. Nye, 44, of South Burlington, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Williston Road.
Aug. 23 at 10:47 a.m., Rene Marie Dalley, 46, of Burlington, was arrested as a fugitive from justice at Dorset Street and San Remo Drive.
Aug. 23 at 10:47 a.m., Zachary William Dalley, 42, of Burlington, was arrested on an in-state warrant at Dorset Street and San Remo Drive.
Aug. 23 at 8:18 p.m., Christopher Lyons, 47, of South Burlington, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Shelburne Road.
Aug. 23 at 11:55 p.m., Robert Dennis Pratt Jr., 31, of Rutland, was arrested for simple assault on Kirby Road.
Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.
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SHOOTING continued from page 1
threw a drink at Williams and that he struck her and pulled her hair, police said.
After the shooting, Johnson walked up to police at the scene and surrendered her white purse that contained a loaded Glock .45 caliber handgun, Det. Cpl. Krystal A. Wrinn said in court papers.
Police recounted that Johnson said, “He hit me in my face, pulled my hair.”
When asked if the Williams was the shooter, Johnson responded: “No, it was me, it was me” and added “you can take it” in reference to her unzipped purse with part of the handgun showing, court records said.
“Johnson stated that her gun was legal, and that she carries a firearm downtown because she is scared of men downtown. She also stated that she is just tired of men putting their hands on her,” McGee wrote in his report.
South Burlington Police arrested Johnson for driving under the influence two years ago when she was 20 years old, but there is no record of a conviction.
Williams was found face down on the pavement outside the nightclub, according to multiple pictures included in the court affidavit.
Stowe police were unfamiliar with Williams. The Mountain Road address listed for him is a rental unit that caters to workers at the ski resort.
Williams was dead on arrival at the University of Vermont Medical Center despite life-saving efforts at the scene, first by bystanders and then by first responders, police said.
Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad said in a news release there was an initial altercation inside the bar where Williams assaulted Johnson.
Police said the Red Square staff directed both patrons to leave through separate doors. Williams went out the front door, while Johnson went out a side door and walked toward Church Street, Wrinn wrote in court papers.
Johnson pulled out the handgun and fired multiple shots from less than 10 feet away.
The Burlington city emergency dispatch center received a radio message about 12:28 a.m.
from community service officer Thomas Young, who was on patrol in City Hall Park when he heard seven gunshots near Church Street Marketplace about 12:28 a.m. Saturday.
There was a large bar crowd downtown Friday night due to the return of college students from three local institutions that started fall classes this week.
Murad said police believe the homicide is not associated with the recent series of shootings and fights involving teens and young people.
“While this incident is very troubling, it appears to be an isolated act between two individuals known to each other. The investigation is ongoing,” Burlington Mayor Emma MulvaneyStanak said.
“Acts of violence like this one ripple throughout our community, impacting our sense of safety,” Mulvaney-Stanak said. “Burlington is grappling with complex challenges stressing our community safety system. We are actively working to ensure that we have a community safety system that interrupts cycles of violence, reduces harm to our community, and centers on victims and survivors,”
Red Square posted on Facebook that the nightclub would not open Saturday night so staff members could have the time they needed to reflect and heal.
PHOTO BY JEFFREY TRUBISZ
South Burlingtonian Jeffrey Trubisz shot this August sunset over Shelburne Bay in the city.
Aaliyah D. Johnson
Working Together to Address Vermont’s Health Care Challenges
As Vermont’s population ages and in many places declines, we’re seeing the impact in all aspects of our daily lives—whether it’s housing, education or health care.
What’s the core problem in Vermont’s health care system? At its most simple, the number of people paying for care through commercial insurance is going down (and getting older and sicker), while nationally and locally the demand for care and the cost to provide care is going up.
This trend is unsustainable and to address it, care providers, insurers and government will need to avoid the divisive brinkmanship we see on the national stage and embrace Vermont values of community and collaboration to find the solutions that increase access to care and lower costs overall.
At University of Vermont Medical Center, we know controlling costs is a key part of the above equation and a part of our nonprofit mission. Multiple sets of independent data show that when it comes to administrative costs, we’re one of the financially leanest academic medical centers in the Northeast. This isn’t by accident—as part of UVM Health Network, we’ve put a lot of work into reducing costs through efficiency—sharing administrative staff and as we become unified, even sharing providers. This improves care for patients across our region while controlling costs.
To support our vital work, on August 28, we presented to our regulator, the Green Mountain Care Board, our commercial rate increase request of 7.91% for FY25, which begins on October 1. Our proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes a number of significant initiatives supporting our patients and communities, including:
• Strengthening access to care: We’ve significantly reduced the number of patients waiting for necessary surgeries this year by performing a record number of procedures month after month. We’ve expanded capacity for imaging, added mental health services into primary care offices, and increased the availability of virtual consults. In the coming months, primary care will see significant changes and expansion in terms of access.
• Investing to meet patient needs: As our population ages and grows, demand for more complex services will only continue to increase. We’re working hard to be ready for the needs of our communities. One example of this is increasing available imaging equipment to drive down wait times.
• Investing in our employees: We recently ratified a nursing contract, increasing wages by 23% over the next three years, and we are also investing in nationally recognized workforce development programs to recruit and retain the talented people we need to deliver the highestquality care. The minimum wage at UVMMC is now $20/hour. We have also made investments in childcare and housing to attract and retain our workforce.
• Controlling our costs and addressing affordability: We’ve expanded financial assistance programs to ensure no one is denied care due to financial constraints. Last fiscal year, across our health system, these programs covered more than $22 million in the cost of care and nearly $6 million in prescription drugs for patients in Vermont. We are very focused on doing our best to make sure we are responsible stewards of Vermonter’s health care dollars—including tight cost control and finding alternative sources of revenue to ultimately reduce premiums. This work reduced our FY25 rate increase ask by $31 million.
These efforts are crucial, but they are not enough on their own. We need help from every part of our society to make Vermonters healthier. We need to find new ways to fund health care and we need a stronger continuum of care—especially when we discuss caring for the most vulnerable among us.
We look forward to a continued conversation with our partners throughout the system to leverage every opportunity to take pressure off commercial insurance premiums in Vermont. None of it will be easy, but it can be done. It will take collaboration from our state government, regulator, insurers and the hospital system to make progress on affordability while preserving access to trusted local care.
To learn more about the impact of our work across UVM Health Network, please visit UVMHealthImpact.org. We’re in this together, and by working collaboratively, we can overcome the challenges ahead.
OPINION
New finance committee will address budget transparency
From the School Board
Tim Warren
The South Burlington School Board is excited to welcome students, families and staff to a new school year filled with promise and opportunity. A new academic year always brings a sense of excitement and renewal, and this year is no different. As the community embarks on this year together, we look forward to building on the successes of last year and addressing the challenges of the coming year with resilience and fortitude.
One of our greatest challenges during the last academic year was the school budget. The recent budget cycle was particularly challenging due to a confluence of factors that placed unprecedented pressure on the education tax rate. The district grappled with rising costs associated with inflation, increased staffing expenses and the need to maintain and upgrade facilities.
tion funding formula, technical financial components and the tax implications of budget decisions. We want this committee to play a pivotal role in demystifying the budgeting process to ensure that all stakeholders understand how financial decisions are made and their impact on schools.
In addition to providing educational resources, the committee will serve as a key advocate for South Burlington in conversations with the Legislature, representing the district’s needs and priorities. The committee will also create opportunities for community feedback to gather input and share detailed information about the board-approved budget. Through these efforts, the finance committee will help build a more engaged and informed community, working together to support the success of our students and schools.
Stephen M. Leffler, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer, University of Vermont Medical Center
At the same time, changes to the state’s education funding formula, along with rising property values, created additional stress on the budget and tax rate.
As we approach the next budgeting cycle, the board recognizes that engaging with the community early in the process is crucial, as it fosters transparency, builds trust and ensures that the voices of all stakeholders are heard. Early involvement provides the community with better information to understand the intricacies of school budgeting and an opportunity to share its priorities and concerns, helping us to shape a budget that reflects collective needs and values.
It is to this end that the board is establishing a finance committee dedicated to educating the community about the school budget, the complexities of the educa-
We invite all community members with an interest in the future of our schools to apply for a position on the committee. This is a unique opportunity to play a role in shaping the financial decisions that affect students, staff and the entire community. Whether you have a background in finance, education or simply a passion for contributing to the district, your perspective is valuable.
The board is committed to fostering an inclusive and dynamic environment where every individual can thrive, and the school budget is a reflection of that commitment. Join us in ensuring transparency, advocating for our schools, and helping to guide the budget process. Visit the district’s website (sbschoolsnet) or email Chris Trombly at ctrombly@ sbschools.net to apply.
Tim Warren is clerk of the South Burlington School Board.
SIP & SAVOR
Dinner will be held at 6pm in Ardelia’s Series dates: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, & 10/2
Join us this fall at Basin Harbor for an unforgettable wine dinner series. Enjoy a carefully crafted menu paired with exceptional, older vintage wines that highlight the elegance and depth of each bottle. www.basinharbor.com
Tim Warren
Letters to the Editor
City failing to solve pickleball problem
To the Editor:
After attending the South Burlington City Council meeting last night for discussion of pickleball solutions at Szymanski Park and holding my hand in the air for a full three minutes without the opportunity to speak, I have lost faith in the council.
There was a lot of speculative discussion about planting trees that will take years to grow and putting up soundproofing materials that have not been proven to be effective. No action has been taken in two years to shorten the hours of play, to turn the park lights off before 10 p.m. or to solve parking problems. There are no public bathrooms at Szymanski; rather there is a newly installed doublewide portolet in one of just five parking spaces.
And, there is still too much traffic in that neighborhood because of pickleball. Pickleball players still park their cars in Stonehedge with all four tires on our lawns — every day.
In short, the city should restore the tennis court and find a suitable place for pickleball. Residents were not considered when the decision was made to put four pickleball courts in place of one tennis court. Instead, the council favored the requests of 10 pickleball players. This was a mistake that could and should already have been solved.
I will continue to get signatures on a petition to move pickleball from the park. To date I have 75 residents who want pickleball moved to Veteran’s Park on Dorset Street.
Jovana Guarino South Burlington
What really is in a name, reader wonders
To the Editor:
Without disputing the viewpoint put forth by Carole Vasta Volley in your Aug. 22, 2024, issue, it is worth pointing out that, until recently, men had much more ordinary first names than women. (“First
or last — What’s in a name?”)
Presidents Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris would be easy to identify, but how about this list since 1932: Frank, Harry, Dwight, John, Lyndon, Dick, Jerry, Jimmy, Ron, George, Bill, George, Barack, Don and Joe? Dwight, Lyndon, and Barack are easy, but how about the others? This may change in the future as men’s names become more diverse. Pablo, Kwame?
Harry Orth
South Burlington
Traffic in city center endangers pedestrians
To the Editor:
I use a power wheelchair and am writing concerning the traffic on Market Street, primarily the crosswalk on the corner of Mary and Market streets.
On Aug. 22, I was using this crosswalk to go to Trader Joe’s and a couple of places in the Blue Mall. I was part-way in the crosswalk and three cars drove by me in the lane I was in. The third car even drove around me as I waved to let them know I was there. This isn’t the first time this has happened.
I’ve lived here for six years, and it has gotten worse. People just aren’t paying attention. They stop at the stop sign on the other side of city hall and speed pass to make the light on Dorset Street.
I went to talk to city manager Jessie Baker, and she took time out of her busy schedule to talk to me without an appointment. We talked for 20 minutes. She’s very concerned about the traffic on Market Street and around the area.
Not only are we having problems with cars but there’s an increase in bike traffic on sidewalks, especially electric bikes. There’s one guy who goes really fast, almost hitting people. Hopefully once the construction is complete and people are used to the area things will get better.
Baker is open to suggestions to alleviate the problem.
Kathy Alarie South Burlington
COMMUNITY
THURSDAYS
5:30 - 7:30 PM
FOOD • YARD GAMES • MUSIC • BREWS
SEPTEMBER 5 - MARKET ST./GOOSE POND | TRIVIA NIGHT
SEPTEMBER 12 - BAY CREST PARK | CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
SEPTEMBER 19 - WHEELER HOMESTEAD | 5K
SEPTEMBER 26 - HUBBARD REC. & NATURAL AREA | PAINT & SIP
Community Notes
Trinity Education Center holds community building event
The Trinity Education Center advocates against alcohol and drug abuse and is raising awareness about mental health. It is holding a community basketball event, Trinity Prevention, on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The word trinity symbolizes the group’s focus on alcohol and drug abuse prevention and mental health awareness.
The event will provide fun, safe and healthy competition in a non-pressure environment for teenagers to socialize. The primary goal of the event is to raise awareness in local communities, discourage unhealthy choices and let kids know it is OK to not feel OK, organizers say.
The event will feature a free throw contest and a 3-point shootout. Four high school students from neighboring districts will be invited to participate. This event is free and is not a fundraiser. The goal is to raise awareness across multiple school districts.
“We believe it takes a village to help our youth navigate challenges, and we invite parents, educators, communities, neighbors, friends, family and business owners to join us on the front line,” according to a press release.
For information, reach out to Dr. Travia Child at tec@trinityedcenter.org.
SB Land Trust holds bird walk at Wheeler
Mid-September is the peak of fall bird migration in Vermont and the Wheeler Nature Park is a great place to see the wonderful diversity of birds that migrate through Vermont.
Join Allan Strong of the South Burlington Land Trust on a leisurely bird walk through the park on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 9 a.m. at the park’s Wheeler House.
Strong will talk about the basics of bird identification, the ecology of birds of the Wheeler Nature Park and some of the conservation challenges these birds face. Look for warblers, thrushes, tanagers and other avian gems on a walk through varied habitats.
There will be some binoculars available for use but bring your own if you have them. The trails can be wet after a rain, so wear shoes that can take a little mud.
Growth prompts Peet Law Group’s relocation to Williston
After 24 years on Patchen Road in South Burlington, Peet Law Group is relocating its main office to a new, larger more modern facility in Williston.
The new office is at 100 Interstate Corporate Center, Suite 101.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our clients, industry partners and community for their unwavering support over the years,” the law firm said in a press release.
The firm’s satellite office in White River Junction will continue to operate and serve clients in southern Vermont.
Peet Law Group consists of seven attorneys and support staff practicing real estate law, including title searches, real estate closings, title insurance and representation for buyers and sellers throughout Vermont.
All Saints Episcopal invites all to a community labyrinth
All Saints Episcopal Church, 1250 Spear St., South Burlington, has a bit of peaceful space to share — its community labyrinth.
Located on the corner of Spear and Swift streets, the labyrinth is a path for walking meditation or contemplation. It is a single winding path from its outer edge in a circuitous path to its center. Labyrinths have been used worldwide for centuries by many traditions to quiet the mind, calm anxieties, and enhance creativity and life balance.
Open to the community and accessible from the church parking lot, just follow the sidewalk to the left, across the footbridge and onto the grass path that leads to the crushed stone.
Benches surround this natural area. Wheelchair users would need assistance from a friend.
Epic A.J. by Grayson Dailey
FEMA continued from page 2
includes funding for a public assistance program, which can provide up to 75 percent reimbursement to cities and towns for emergency repairs made to public infrastructure. The governor’s office plans to announce a schedule of briefings for town applicants soon, according to the administration.
State officials have requested that Orange County be added to the declaration, according to
the press release. Orange County was examined alongside the other seven counties when FEMA officials visited Vermont last month.
The state has also requested a natural disaster designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would allow the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to extend emergency loans to farmers recovering from flooding. The Scott administration continues to
work on a separate FEMA major disaster declaration request for damages related to the July 30 storm, the release said.
“The impact of this storm on communities and individuals has been significant, and while these federal resources won’t alleviate all of those burdens, this financial support is critical to our state’s recovery,” said Scott in the release.
COURTESY PHOTO
Local kids enjoy a visit from the Vermont Lake Monsters and the University of Vermont mascot, who were on hand for South Burlington Rec’s final Recreation on the Go event this summer.
Pee the change: urine cycling
nutrient pollution, but it also contributes to climate change.
Join the Rich Earth Institute at an upcoming workshop with the South Burlington Energy Committee in September to learn about the paradigm-shifting practice of peecycling: reclaiming human waste as a resource to protect the Lake Champlain Basin watershed, support local farms and grow regional climate resilience.
Farming and sanitation systems are typically connected in a linear fashion, where farms import nutrients to feed communities who then flush excess nutrients down the toilet. From there, the nutrients travel through sewer or septic systems and, unless expensive nutrient removal technology is added, often enter local water bodies. Although urine constitutes only 1 percent of the volume in wastewater, it contains a disproportionate amount of nutrients — 80 percent of the nitrogen and 55 percent of the phosphorus.
In Lake Champlain, these nutrients contribute to harmful algal blooms and fish kills, posing severe threats to aquatic ecosystems and public health.
Not only does this linear arrangement result in watershed
Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer production alone accounts for 2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, while wastewater treatment contributes another 3 percent.
This linear paradigm is also increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Vermont, historic flooding has devastated wastewater treatment plants and inundated septic systems across the state.
A lack of space and funding for new wastewater treatment systems is also limiting the ability of rural villages to implement smart growth, or compact village settlement. This is a key planning strategy for many Vermont villages, who are aiming to increase housing in village centers to prevent rural sprawl, protect wildlife habitat, house climate migrants and increase the access of residents to vital resources in town.
A growing global movement is calling for a change. Circular sanitation tools like urine diversion and compost toilets can offer a climate-friendly solution to managing human waste in an affordable, decentralized way.
Instead of becoming pollution, urine can be recycled as a safe, effective fertilizer for farms and
gardens. By completing the food nutrient cycle upstream, communities can protect their downstream neighbors and grow an abundance of food from locally sourced nutrients. This fosters regional nutrient sovereignty and strengthens local food systems, making communities more resilient to climate and economic challenges.
For over a decade, the Rich Earth Institute, a nonprofit based in Brattleboro, has been advancing urine nutrient cycling through research and practice. Their community-scale program involves over 240 urine donors who contribute approximately 12,000 gallons of liquid gold each year, which Rich Earth sanitizes and provides to local farms.
The Rich Earth Institute is working to support other communities in adapting and adopting this model. Their spin-off company, Brightwater Tools, produces technologies to facilitate large-scale urine nutrient recycling. Burlington-area start-up Wasted* now uses these technologies to recycle urine collected from their portable toilet service.
On Monday, Sept. 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., the South Burlington Energy Committee will host a presentation by the Rich Earth Institute at South Burlington City Hall Auditorium. This workshop will cover Rich Earth Institute’s unique community peecycling program, leading edge research, as well as step-by-step instructions for reclaiming the power of pee in home gardens. With funding from the Lake Champlain Basin Program, the institute is also free offering peecycling kits to gardeners, allowing individuals to participate in this sustainable practice. Together, we can pee the change.
Julia Cavicchi is the education director at the Rich Earth Institute. You can reach her at julia@ richearthinstitute.org. 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.
COURTESY
Tuttle Middle School football starts
Tuttle Middle School in South Burlington will field a padded flag football team that will compete as part of the Vermont Principals’ Association this fall.
The goal of the Tuttle program is to serve as a safe bridge between flag and tackle football. Another goal is to teach South Burlington kids the life lessons that playing football offers while taking away tackling to focus on learning to play safely.
Most important, it’s for kids to have fun and learn with the goal of having them continue to play football at South Burlington High School.
The program’s coaches, all USA Football certified, have both coached and played football at various levels of youth, high school, collegiate and professional levels
Each player will receive new USA Football certified equipment that will include helmets, shoulder pads, padded pants and more.
The team will play a minimum of eight games against other VPA schools throughout Vermont this fall.
Visit sbschools.net/tuttlefootball to learn more. Questions? Contact Aaron Harris at aaron@balleriq.com or 802-777-4811.
Green Mountain Bike Club September rides
All riders must sign an annual waiver. Cyclists should sign up for each individual ride so ride leaders know how many people to expect.
For club rules and to join, visit gmbc. com.
Sunday, Sept. 8
Addison Ambler: This route travels south from Vergennes to Weybridge on Route 125 and then west to Bridport and West Addison and back to Vergennes on quiet roads. The short ride is 45 miles, and the long ride is 60 miles with roughly two miles of dirt roads as an alternative to riding on Route 22A from Bridport to Shoreham. Meet at 9:15 a.m. at Vergennes Union High School, Monkton Road, east parking
lot. The leader is Brian Howard, 802-3040610 or bjhowd@gmail.com.
Sunday, Sept. 22
Century Day: three rides, all following the same route for the first 25 miles, with a food stop in Bristol. The Metric Century is 62 miles via Bristol and Vergennes. The full Century is 100 miles to the Crown Point Bridge that returns through the Champlain Valley. Those looking for an extra challenge can do the Double Gap Century — 113 miles — which includes the Middlebury and Appalachian gaps.
Meeting time is 7:30 a.m. at the Wheeler lot, Veterans Memorial Park, South Burlington. The leader is Brian Howard, 802-3040610 or bjhowd@gmail.com.
The Town of Hinesburg, Vermont seeks qualified applicants for the following positions:
Highway Foreperson
This is a supervisory position that is responsible for overseeing and participating in the maintenance of the town’s highway infrastructure. A valid VT issued CDL Class B license is required. Required skills include proficient operation of a road grader, excavator, front-end loader, backhoe, and tandem plow truck. Starting pay is $34.00 - $40.00 an hour depending upon qualifications.
Highway Maintainer
This is a semi-skilled position of moderate complexity in highway maintenance and equipment operation. A Highway Maintainer performs a wide variety of manual and automotive equipment operation tasks involved in municipal road maintenance. Work extends to responsibility for maintenance and servicing of assigned automotive equipment, requiring strong mechanical and trouble shooting skills. A valid Vermont issued Class B CDL is required. Starting pay is $25.00 - $28.00 an hour depending upon qualifications.
Both positions provide health, dental, vision and disability insurance; paid time off; pension plan; and 13 paid holidays. Detailed information and an application form can be found at www.hinesburg.org under the employment tab. Applications can be mailed or delivered to Todd Odit, Town Manager, 10632 Route 116 or emailed to todit@hinesburg.org.
The Town of Hinesburg offers a comprehensive benefits package and very competitive pay. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted until the position is filled.
Last year, Vermonters threw away 71,113 tons of food scraps which ended up in our only landfill. Equal to 242 pounds of food scraps per person per year.
CSWD’s Organic Recycling Facility (ORF) and our six Drop-Off Centers accept food scraps from residents and businesses to keep them out of Vermont’s only landfill. For information
CELLPHONES
continued from page 1
and smart watch guidelines in its student handbooks for years, the district has taken a stronger step in the “right direction” this year.
Students in grades 6-8 will now be required to put their phones in cases known as “phone homes” at the beginning of each day and can retrieve them at day’s end. Smartwatches are also not allowed. Students in grades 9-12 must put their phones in their lockers at the start of each class and can retrieve them before heading to the next one.
At a board meeting last week superintendent Violet Nichols said a conversation on cellphone use during the school day has been ongoing since last spring with some teachers saying that phone use is one of the greatest threats to the classroom environment.
She noted data and research outlined in a bestselling book by Jonathan Haidt, “The Anxious Generation, How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” which has been quoted by several administrative teams when implementing new cellphone rules.
“What I heard is an acknowledgment that there’s cellphone addiction and that we’re going to have to work through that, and it’s on the part of parents and students,” Nichols said. “One thing that I really want to stress is that we know we need to all have shared communication. So, it is the administration, teachers, students, parents, it’s me, it’s us all being on the same page.”
In letters to parents, acting high school
principal John Craig and Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School principal Suzanne Greundling are also encouraging parents and guardians to support the new rules by refraining from texting students during classroom hours
Board member Laura Williams has firsthand experience with the effects of cellphone use in classrooms as a teacher in a neighboring district. She said the pervasive problem is going to be the thing that ultimately drives her out of the profession.
“Because I can’t do my job anymore,” she said.
With phones buzzing nearly 25 times in the span of an 80-minute class, she said she has yet to hear from a teacher who doesn’t think this is a problem.
“I’ve been collecting phones for nine years when the kids were recording me and putting me on Snapchat, and I’ve never gotten over it. It was actually kind of a terrible experience,” she said.
In her experience, she said, most kids are compliant with new rules, and when it comes to those pertaining to cellphones, she’s seen students be relieved.
Similarly, neighboring district Champlain Valley School District is also studying what role phones should have in a school setting. Interim superintendent Adam Bunting has also heard the call for stricter mandates come from students.
See CELLPHONES on page 13
FALL HOME, GARDEN & DESIGN PROJECTS
JULIA MAGUIRE
New “phone homes” will be available in classrooms for grades six to 12 as a new measure to limit distractions from personal devices.
CELLPHONES
continued from page 12
“You also hear from students who’ve gone on phone diets and just how different and positive they feel when they’ve had some space from social media and some space from their phones,” he said.
In South Burlington, the new rules instituted by Nichols are not yet a new district policy. That would happen at the school board level.
Nichols said the board is grappling with whether an internal process on how the district handles devices is sufficient or whether it needs a full-blown policy.
Throughout this school year, the school board will continue to seek feedback from the community and look forward to seeing the outcomes at the end of the school year, both socially and academically.
Most of the new cellphone rules in other districts have been instituted on an administrative level rather than a board policy.
Statewide ban?
In the Legislature this year, the Senate Committee on Education passed S.284, which would mandate statewide phone-free school standards.
Although the House educa-
PICKLEBALL
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park 14 times at various times of the day to catch decibel readings for the noise from three different areas across the park. Outside the courts, he said, on average, the sound reading was 63 decibels. From the parking lot, that number dipped to an average of 46. Outside of the park was slightly higher at 51.
“From my time at the park, frequency of usage, and areas of complaints (traffic/parking lights and noise), I do not feel like the park currently warrants this financial contribution,” he said about the sound barriers.
More conservative alternatives the city could explore would be to plant natural sound barriers like trees. The city council ultimately moved not to invest any funds yet but instead took an initial step with reduced hours.
“I assume also when we go forward to have a review of our open space, we will be considering what is the demand for pickleball use in the city, and how we, in a proactive way, make decisions that will minimize the inconvenience that may exist or is at least perceived by some who live in proximity,” councilor Mike Scanlan said.
The council did clarify that although pickleball hours are reduced, the park remains open from dawn until dusk.
tion committee has not yet taken it up, Angela Arsenault, a member of the Champlain Valley School District School Board and Williston representative, said that she plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session that would call for every district in the state to develop and implement a phonefree, bell-to-bell policy.
“There’s an additional provi-
sion that would prohibit schools from communicating directly with students via social media, which is something that happens and shouldn’t,” she said.
Although she’s a member of the House Committee on Judiciary, she said she has heard support from the education committee and hopes to get the bill “across the finish line” next year.
CLIMATE ACTION MANAGER
JOB SUMMARY
Are you passionate about environmental sustainability and ready to lead the charge in climate action? The City of South Burlington is seeking a dynamic and innovative Climate Action Manager to join our dedicated team. This is your chance to make a tangible difference in our community and help shape a greener, more resilient future.
As the Climate Action Manager, you will be at the forefront of our city’s strategies and programs addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. You will report directly to the City Manager and will be a member of the Leadership team.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Public Policy, or a related field required, plus at least 3 years of professional work experience in climate action planning, sustainability, or a related field required, equivalency considered. Master’s degree and professional accreditation are preferred.
SALARY RANGE: $70,000-$80,000 (annually)
APPLY NOW
Review of on-line applications will begin September 16, 2024. To apply, learn more about the position, and see a complete job description and our Climate Action Plan, please visit: government jobs.com/careers/southburlington. The City of South Burlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: SOUTH BURLINGTON ADELPHIA CABLE POND RETROFIT SCOPING STUDY
General Information: The City of South Burlington Stormwater Utility is requesting proposals for a scoping study for the Adelphia Cable Pond Retrofit project located at 43 Comcast Way in South Burlington, VT, funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration and the City of South Burlington, through the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Municipal Assistance Section (MAS).
The Request for Proposal (RFP) states the overall scope of work desired to be covered under this study.
All proposals shall be accepted by email by the City Stormwater Project Manager prior to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024. The email submission shall be titled “Adelphia Cable Pond Retrofit Scoping Study.” Failure to submit on time may be cause for rejection of the proposal.
The full RFP document and Addendum No. 1 can be found on the City of South Burlington’s website under Bid & RFP Opportunities, or at: www.southburlingtonvt.gov/businesses/bid_and_rfp_opportunities/index.php
Before submitting a proposal, the consultant shall carefully review the scope of work outlined in the RFP, as well as the submission requirements.
All questions are due to the Stormwater Project Manager by August 30, 2024.
Contact: Monika Ingalls, Stormwater Project Manager, 802-658-7961, ext. 6108, or moingalls@southburlingtonvt.gov
CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The City of South Burlington has several exciting positions openings:
Climate Action Manager
Highway Maintenance Worker
Highway Mechanic
Police Officer
To see detailed job descriptions and to apply, please visit our job opportunities website at governmentjobs.com/careers/ southburlington. The City of South Burlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We’re proud to be Community Bankers!
Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867, is honored to be one of the largest local banksin Vermont. We are committed to providing a work environment where all individuals feel welcomed and appreciated. You belong at NSB!
Join the Commercial Bankingteam in ourChittenden County Region as a Commercial Banking Administrator ! For the BUILDERS | MAKERS | DOERS® out there–make your final career move to NSB!
On average, NSB employees have over nine years of service! When you join the NSB Team, you become part of an energetic andtalented groupthat strivesto strengthen the communities we serve every day.
Summary & Requirements
Support the lending teams by performing a variety of administrative functions. Build strong customer relationships and support the execution of commercialloans.
High School Diploma, General Education Degree (GED) or equivalent andone to two years’ related experience is required. Why NSB?
We provide a supportive and diverse work environment where employee contributions are recognized and valued. Compensation packages are competitive based on experience. We provide a well-rounded benefits package. Profit-Sharing! Excellent retirement 401(k) & ROTH employer match program. Volunteerism, Community Events, and Employee Engagement! Apply today!
NSB is actively seeking to create a more diversified workforce because we believe our team is stronger with different perspectives and experiences. We welcome and encourage applications from a wide range of candidates.
Send an NSB Application &Resume in confidence to: careers@NSBVT.com
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557-7492
HONORING OUR VETERANS
