Sun and snow
Yes, growing your own oranges and lemons
Page 4
Mat class
South Burlington High wrestlers make the move from club to varsity
Page 10
The production crew on set for “The Quietest Year,” a 2023 documentary about the impacts of noise pollution.
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The South Burlington school board ratified the renewal of Superintendent Violet Nichols’ three-year contract last week, but the decision had some residents questioning the integrity of the board amidst a challenging budget year.
According to the contract, Nichols’ base pay starting July 30 will start at $216,693, but that number is subject to increase by 3.5 percent annually until 2027, plus an additional 2-4 percent, depending on positive annual performance evaluations.
contract in executive session, the board took no official action in the session — or at least did not come out of the closed session to announce any decisions — prompting some accusations from the public who decried a lack of transparency and a violation of open meeting law.
From noisy neighbors and construction to cars and airplanes, the world around us, at times, can seem incessantly loud. That sentiment is the basis for the 2023 documentary, “The Quietest Year,” which chronicles one woman’s personal quest to curb noise pollution in the village of Stowe that ultimately uncovers
the dire consequences of lax noise regulation which she calls, “an urgent yet overlooked crisis for both public health and civil society.”
The documentary takes viewers on the personal journey of director Karen Akins, who shares her battle with noisy farm animals on the property that abutted her home and, as the film progresses, through a series of other noise-related issues experienced by Vermonters
across the entire state.
The 74-minute film took roughly two years to make and is what Akins has dubbed her “pandemic project,” with most of it filmed, ironically, through what has been called one of the quietest periods of time the world has ever experienced.
This is Akins’ second film
See DOCUMENTARY on page 9
Nichols’ initial three-year contract, which she signed in 2022, had a base pay of $179,000 and included similar annual and performance evaluation pay increases. For the current school year, Nichols’ salary is $209,366.
The new three-year contract, which ends June 30, 2028, was signed by board chair Chelsea Tillinghast on Nov. 20, although it’s still unclear when the board made the official action to approve the contract in the first place.
While meeting minutes for the Nov. 6 board meeting indicate that the board discussed Nichols’
In an email, Tillinghast explained that the board meets in executive session to discuss strategy regarding contract negotiations. The board then authorizes the chair to negotiate with the superintendent on behalf of the board and once the chair and the superintendent have reached a tentative agreement, the chair meets with the board in executive session for a final time before executing the contract.
It is then put on a warned agenda to take official board action, or ratification, in open session. The contract is not valid until it has been ratified by the full board in open session.
“The contract terms were settled in November, and we are obligated by statute to publicly ratify that contract prior the contract taking effect,” Tillinghast
See CONTRACT on page 11
BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
Last Thursday, community members from across the region gathered in the auditorium at the South Burlington public library to hear about Vermont’s new civic health index with Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas.
The presentation in South Burl-
ington was the second of five that Copeland Hanzas and her team are making around the state to get feedback from constituents about the index, which analyzes data about Vermonters’ civic engagement in areas such as voting, volunteering, community, cultural access, and trust in media and government. Overall, the index shows that Vermonters are often more civi-
cally engaged than people in other states, especially when it comes to activities like connecting with neighbors or attending public meetings. However, in the presentation, Copeland Hanzas pointed out that there are some serious gaps in the data.
“A lot of what we want to focus on going forward is gathering more data,” she said. “One of the glaring omissions, or area of core data, is around the experiences of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Vermonters.”
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
With Vermont’s Town Meeting Day just around the corner, the deadline for candidates seeking elected office has come and gone. One newly added school board seat has no one vying for it.
The South Burlington School Board has historically operated as a five-person board, but a charter change adopted by residents at last Town Meeting Day added two additional seats to the makeup.
This year, six seats on the board are up for election with some incumbents vying to keep their spots.
For a pair of three-year seats, incumbents Tim Warren and Laura Williams have cast
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12 • 7:30 A.M.
Meet with City Manager Jessie Baker and Superintendent of Schools Violet Nichols to review the highlights of their FY26 budgets. Engage with officials to discuss how city issues may impact your business.
their bid. Two newcomers, Seamus Abshere and Jennifer Lawrence, have petitioned for the double two-year seats.
But two one-year seats only garnered one petitioner, Dan Boyer.
The one-year terms are left vacant by Chris Trombly and Karen Van Gilder, who were appointed last year to fill the seats after previous board members resigned. Both have decided not to run to finish the terms.
Two seats on the city council are also up for election this year. Incumbent and current council chair Tim Barritt is again casting his bid for another three-year term. Another incumbent, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, is vying for a single two-year term against challenge Lydia Diamond.
The secretary of state’s office partnered with the National Conference on Citizenship for the initial dataset and formed an advisory board of individuals from a slate of Vermont agencies and organizations to help contextualize the numbers. According to a note at the end of the report, the reliance on existing datasets like the Census Current Population Survey meant that the sample size was often too small to reliably break down the data into smaller groups.
For example, while the number of Vermonters who reported talking or spending time with a neighbor was 8 percent higher than the national percentage, it’s unknown whether that remains true across different demographics. Differences in experiences and accessibility amongst Vermonters could inform the steps the office takes to promote civic engagement.
Additionally, while Vermont might have ranked high amongst other states for several indicators, Copeland Hanzas said, that doesn’t mean that there’s no room for growth.
Although the percent of Vermonters who reported contacting a public official was twice that of the nation at large, she said, “we shouldn’t pat ourselves on the back if really only 18 percent of people have contacted a public official in Vermont.”
7:30 A.M. — Coffee and light breakfast / 8 A.M. — Program starts
Sponsored by:
Presented alongside the information from the National Conference on Citizenship were the results from the Youth Civic Health Survey, which the secretary’s office coordinated with the nonprofit UP for Learning and the YMCA. While school systems might help keep certain forms of civic engagement — group participation or volunteering — high among young people, more than a third of young respondents said they did not plan to register to vote when they become eligible.
At the library, the overview of the index was followed by
Region SY25 LTADM
Champlain Valley Region 34105
Northeast Region 10175
Southeast Region 11849
Southwest Region 12580
Winooski Valley Region 14660
Five District Model:
School Boards: Shared responsibility of students across communities, one school board for each district, elected, part-time board members, one central office for each district
State officials unveiled the broad strokes of Gov. Phil Scott’s education proposal last week, a plan that includes sweeping changes like consolidating Vermont’s dozens of school districts to just five and adopting a foundation formula.
“We know that the work that we’re describing here is going to be really challenging,” Zoie Saunders, Vermont’s secretary of education, said in a briefing before the entire Legislature. “I ask you to join us so we can be bold together.”
Scott, a Republican, first hinted at the proposal during his inaugural address earlier this month, including a shift to a foundation formula and a change in school governance structures. In a foundation formula, districts are provided a base amount of money per student.
The proposal eliminates the
concept of “supervisory unions,” suggesting instead five regional districts. Those districts would be the Champlain Valley region, Winooski Valley region, Northeast region, Southwest region and Southeast region. Each district would have roughly 10,000-15,000 students, except for the Champlain Valley district, which would have closer to 34,000.
Vermont’s current system lacks “incentives” for districts to save money, and is “too complicated for people to understand,” said Craig Bolio, Vermont’s tax commissioner, who joined Saunders in making the presentation.
Democratic legislative leaders expressed positive initial reactions to the wide-ranging proposal.
“The Legislature and the Governor are aligned in the belief that we must take on the serious task of transforming our education system so all Vermont kids have the oppor-
tunity to thrive,” House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden Central, said in a joint statement. “The details matter and we need to get it right.”
The unified call for education finance reform arrives after education property taxes rose an average of 13.8 percent last year. This year, the tax department has predicted a 5.9 percent increase in property taxes.
Scott has said he will put forward a plan to prevent any property tax increases this year. Officials last week did not address how that will be achieved, but documents provided to legislators said it would involve “infusing other State funds on a one-time basis.”
While the administration’s
Total reported incidents: 220
Crashes: 15
Alarms: 11
Animal problems: 6
Agency assists: 9
Directed patrols: 7
Disturbance: 9
Domestic calls: 8
Field contact: 7
Foot patrols: 20
Motor vehicle complaints: 12
Retail theft: 9
Suspicious events: 12
Traffic stops: 12
Trespass: 11
Welfare check: 10
Arrests:
Jordan Dupuis, 23, of Colchester, for false pretenses and bad checks, following an investigation into an Aug. 8, 2024 incident on Kennedy Drive.
Donald P. Raab, 32, of Burlington, for leaving the scene of a crash on Oct. 26, 2024.
A juvenile, 15, for retail theft, following a Dec. 12 incident on Dorset Street.
Kenny K. Whitehouse, 36, of Burlington, for retail theft, following a Jan. 10 incident on Dorset Street.
Jan. 20 at 11:54 p.m., Ethan B. Mattice, 30, of South Burlington, for driving under the influ-
ence, on Quarry Hill Road.
Jan. 21 at 7:17 a.m., Anastasia M. Rose, 36, of Burlington, on an arrest warrant at the University Mall. Rose was also cited for unlawful trespass and violating conditions of release.
Jan. 22 at 9:19 p.m., Christopher J. Lovell, 43, of South Burlington, for violating an abuse prevention order.
Jan. 22 at 9:35 p.m., Taylor J. Harris, 33, of South Burlington, for DUI, leaving the scene of a crash and negligent driving. Harris also had a warrant out for their arrest.
Jan. 24 at 12:19 a.m., Travis Anthony McGurran, 48, of Middlesex, for driving with a criminally suspended license.
Jan. 25 at 1:13 a.m., Catherine A. Limoge, 57, of Burlington, on an in-state warrant.
Jan. 25 at 2:27 a.m., Colby E. Lathrop, 21, of Starksboro, for DUI on Link Road.
Jan. 25 at 1:45 p.m., Harvery Trinidad, 61, of Johnson, for retail theft at the University Mall.
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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AMY SIMONE UVM EXTENSION
Imagine having sunny orange, bright yellow and luscious green fruit growing in your home, especially during this gray, cold time of year. While we do not associate citrus plants with our northeast climate, there are several varieties that can be grown as indoor/ outdoor houseplants.
Native to Southeast Asia, citrus plants have been cultivated for over 4,000 years. Their fruit is actually a type of berry with a leathery rind called a hesperidium. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions that offer them warmth, lots of humidity and sandy, slightly acidic soil.
Consistently hot temperatures are needed for citrus fruits to produce sugar, something that our climate cannot offer them. Therefore, sour citrus fruits such as lemon, limes and small orange varieties like Satsuma and Calamondin are among those best suited to growing as houseplants.
In their natural environments, citrus trees can grow to a height of 20 feet, which is certainly not manageable as a houseplant. Thankfully, there are dwarf varieties like tangerine (Satsuma orange), lemon (Ponderosa or Meyer), kumquat (Fortunella species), citron and Calamondin orange. These will reach a more reasonable height of 3 to 5 feet.
Plant your citrus in a well-draining pot filled with cactus or citrus soil mix or use regular potting mix
BY
amended with perlite. Fertilize with a high-nitrogen fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, and only while the plants are actively growing and flowering, generally from April through October.
In the winter, place your citrus plant in a sunny south-facing window away from cold drafts and ensure that it receives at least six hours of direct sun per day. Supplement with artificial light if needed. Wipe the leaves periodically to remove dust. Group several houseplants together to create more humidity or run a humidifier near your citrus plant.
As temperatures consistently reach above 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring, move your citrus plant outdoors gradually, protecting it from direct sun at first. After
a few days, place it in full sun and pay attention to its watering needs, which will be more frequent than when it was indoors.
Depending on your citrus variety, you may get flowers only in the spring or from spring to fall. Dwarf citrus varieties are mostly all self-fertile, meaning that you do not need a second plant for pollination to occur.
You do, however, need insects to pollinate the flowers. If your citrus plant is indoors during flowering, you get to play pollinator. Use a clean, dry paintbrush or cotton swab to collect pollen from one flower and rub it on another. In the fall, acclimate your citrus
General Manager Katerina Werth katerina@stowereporter.com
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Contact: 1340 Williston Road South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 985-3091
Councilor Corner
Our amazing city is blessed. We are nationally recognized as a safe city to live in, committed to climate action, and a “quality of life” front-runner. All this comes as no surprise to those who live here.
But we also need to lead in another category: improving affordability. For that, all of us — the city council, city staff, and, most importantly, our residents — must have a frank discussion.
tenden County municipalities. The question is, how do we keep it that way?
Our residents rightly are opposed to a significant residential property tax, a cut in municipal services, or jettisoning the lofty ambitions of the 2024 City Plan. I ran for city council to balance these goals. To achieve that end, we need to formalize a revenue growth strategy.
The good news is South Burlington’s residential and commercial property tax, utility rates, and fees rank in the middle of the pack for Chit-
One-time budget fixes are not a sustainable solution. The proposed 8.2-percent property tax increase in last year’s budget was avoided by using $1,117,000 in one-time funds, namely Federal COVID19 and fund balance reserves, to support one-time capital projects.
Nevertheless, the reduced tax rate of 5.39 percent was approved by the smallest vote margin in recent memory. The message was clear: pressures on taxes — both city and school — and the cost of living meant significant increases in residential property tax rates to fund the city budget had hit its limit.
This year, the council, with its three new members, worked with the city manager and staff to reduce the 7.3-percent tax rate needed to maintain services to 3.33 percent, about the rate of projected inflation. Again, one-time savings were used, such as renegotiating the stop-loss insurance coverage and pension contributions, as well as the remaining federal COVID-
See SCANLAN on page 12
Rep. Kate Nugent
Over the past few weeks in the state Legislature, Vermont swore in 150 state representatives and 30 state senators; we elected the Speaker of the House; we affirmed the voters’ will to elect Lt. Gov. John Rogers and welcomed Gov. Scott into the House chamber to hear his opening speech.
Legislators found their seats and were assigned to their committees and bills were introduced. I was again assigned to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. We have already seen two charter change requests and heard from Legislative Counsel about the House of Representatives’ constitutional obligation to resolve the issue of the Bennington District-1 election challenge.
structure in the state (See related story, page 3). The governor’s plan is to reduce administration, school districts, and general overhead costs by dividing Vermont into five districts with one central office and one school board for each district.
Rep. Kate Nugent
Districts would be outlined geographically, and four of the five districts would have between 10,000-14,000 students, with the “Chittenden Valley” region at around 34,000. Funding would be distributed through a foundational formula.
The presentation provided by the Agency of Education included data that framed the current situation, challenges, and opportunities. The governor’s administration stated it would be providing a budget to show how this is intended to work and be funded. We are eagerly anticipating further information.
Order by Tuesday for Wednesday pickup at The Mill Market and Deli 1580 Dorset Street South Burlington ALGANESH
The governor’s administration also revealed its plan to address property taxes through the creation of a new education
It is unfortunate that some politicians also, despite our state’s rural nature, and despite our need to work together, continue to paint Vermont as a place divided by “rural” and “urban.” I think
most people in Vermont greatly value the rural nature of the state, including the people who live in the less densely populated parts.
We should not disparage places that are less densely populated but value them for what they provide for our state and, at the same time, be practical about how to serve people best. Just as New York City could not exist without the Catskills from which it gets its water, Vermont provides natural resources for a much larger area than its own square mileage.
Not only is our education system a statewide issue requiring statewide support with local knowledge, so is our housing stock — most people seem to understand Vermont needs to develop more housing in places that make sense. Although some may associate more housing with population growth and, especially, more students, this has also not been true in Vermont.
Global and national trends show that there is not going to be a sudden influx of hundreds of thousands of people into Vermont and that the housing shortage we
See NUGENT on page 7
Guest Perspective
Roland Groeneveld
As we kick off the new year, it is an opportune time to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing South Burlington’s families and businesses. Our city’s strong reputation for excellent schools and a high quality of life is well-earned, still rising costs present significant hurdles for residents and businesses.
The rising cost of living is a major concern for many South Burlington families.
Tackling these challenges requires teamwork and focus on solutions that bolster our local economy and community’s well-being.
The South Burlington Business Association, which consists of hundreds of dedicated residents of South Burlington, is committed to being part of the solution by working towards policies and initiatives that make our city more affordable for its residents and allow businesses to grow and thrive.
My family and I chose to locate and grow our business, OnLogic, here in South Burlington because we love this place. Our kids attended schools here because we love this place, and we intend to stay here because we love this place. Along with so many others, we are fully committed to doing our part to help South Burlington and its residents and businesses succeed.
The rising cost of living is a major concern for many South Burlington families. Property taxes, in particular, have become a significant burden for working
families, seniors, and young professionals trying to establish roots in our city. While state officials have the lead role in addressing systemic cost drivers, South Burlington must focus on local solutions. The city’s recent budget proposal reflects a responsible approach, balancing the need to keep costs manageable while investing in critical infrastructure and community priorities.
The South Burlington Business Association supports these efforts and encourages a continued focus on fiscally responsible policies to alleviate pressures on residents and businesses.
Housing availability and affordability remain a critical issue. The demand for housing that is within reach for middle-income families far exceeds what’s available on the market today, driving up costs, exacerbating inequality, and making it nearly impossible for young and lower-income families to get their financial footing.
South Burlington has demonstrated leadership in addressing housing challenges through initiatives such as City Center, which promotes mixed-income development and integrates housing with community spaces and services. We must build on this progress with more housing. We are committed to collaborating with policymakers and community stakeholders to create housing solutions that ensure South Burlington remains a welcoming place for all.
Aging infrastructure and
poorly maintained roads diminish the quality of life and create economic inefficiencies that affect local businesses. South Burlington’s roads require significant investment to meet current and future needs. We know there is constant demand for new amenities and enhancements which add value. However, we urge the city to prioritize the maintenance of existing infrastructure alongside new development.
Importantly, public safety is essential to our businesses’ success and residents’ well-being. Recent increases in petty crimes and retail theft across the state, often tied to substance misuse, highlight the need for comprehensive solutions both locally and statewide. The South Burlington Business Association supports increased resources for firefighters and public safety personnel and initiatives that address root causes, such as expanded access to treatment and mental health services.
At the same time, we must hold individuals accountable. Taken together, this will improve public safety in our community.
The issues we face are interconnected, and progress will require collaboration between residents, businesses, local government, and state leaders. We encourage all community members to participate in shaping South Burlington’s future by engaging in city budget deliberations, attending public forums, and voicing their priorities. Together, I know we will make meaningful progress.
Roland Groeneveld is the co-founder of OnLogic and Chair of the South Burlington Business Association.
If GOP wants young people, leave room for moderates
To the Editor:
Over the past year, I have seen many of my peers in school form their own opinions on national politics. A super-majority of these have shown their disapproval of Republican president Donald Trump, for various reasons. This has also unfortunately led to their disapproval of the GOP itself, causing Republicans to lose valuable votes.
Republicans need to make room to bolster more moderate politicians if they want to win young Vermont voters.
It’s no surprise to me that this is happening as we have seen the president repeatedly make hot takes about the issues that young Vermont voters care about, such as climate change, healthcare, LGBTQ rights, and fair elections. The majority of my peers support the Democrats and moderate Republicans standing on these issues.
Trump has also exhibited controversial statements and behavior — for example, the Springfield pet-eating claims he made and the name-calling of his opponents, not to mention his multiple indictments and numerous scandals.
Many young Vermonters do not realize that the GOP isn’t all extreme right-wing ideology. The GOP is also made of moderate voices that condemn the extreme ones. For example, our moderate Republican Gov. Phil Scott voted for Harris over Trump last year, the same year he got the highest approval rating of any U.S. state governor.
If the Republicans want more young Vermonters, and even more young Americans, in their tent, they need to make way for more moderate voices. Give moderate Republicans a chance to lead the party on a national level. Let
moderates speak at major Republican events. Let moderates promote their policies during campaigns. And give more attention to moderate politicians in the Grand Old Party.
Republicans who are more open-minded than extreme can still lead the country to success on a path of conservative principles, while simultaneously working on solving issues that the youth, other parties, and their opponents care about.
This in turn would lead young Vermonters to realize the GOP does care about them, and not all Republicans are extreme. This way, the GOP can stay true to its values and win over the youth.
Om Shukla
South Burlington
Om Shukla is a freshman at South Burlington High School.
Superintendent tackles job with optimism, passion
To the Editor:
I am writing in support of Superintendent Violet Nichols, following the harsh and largely uninformed commentary that took place at the school board meeting on Jan. 22, as well as in other public forums.
As the school district’s senior director of finance and operations, I work more closely with Violet on a day-to-day basis than almost anyone else, across a wide range of mutual responsibilities, including the generation of the budget. I joined the district just over two years ago, after moving back to my hometown. I am an alumnus of the South Burlington school system, a resident, taxpayer, and parent of two children currently enrolled at South Burlington High School. My current job was naively intended to be a post-retirement
See LETTERS on page 7
opportunity to make a positive contribution back to my community, following a 35-year career as a global senior executive in the financial sector. It has turned out to be one of the most challenging jobs I’ve ever had, largely because of the bureaucracy and politics.
I have served under some of the most talented leaders imaginable and find Violet to be among the most supportive. I strongly believe that the public at large, including many of those working inside our schools, have little idea how truly complex and taxing the day-to-day job of the South Burlington superintendent is, especially during the agonizing financial and political times we find ourselves in.
My frequent observation of Violet is that she cares passionately about her 500-plus staff and, especially, the desire to promote positive outcomes for all our students. She needs to gracefully balance this against a tide of public opposition, too much of which is communicated with a highly disrespectful and uncivil tenor.
I believe she genuinely seeks and values input and collaboration, but the interests of her diverse constituencies, both within the schools and the outside community, are in such conflict that she is forced to make very tough decisions that prove by default to be unpopular to many.
I’ve told Violet many times that I can’t believe how demanding and thankless her job is under these circumstances, yet she approaches each day and works around the clock with renewed optimism, passion, and a sense of purpose. In my opinion she is an outstanding public servant and the negative criticism being levied on her is unfounded, lacking an appreciation of the broad scope of her responsibilities and the unforgiving environment in which she must operate.
Tim Jarvis
South Burlington
Tim Jarvis is the South Burlington School District’s senior director of finance and operations.
To the Editor:
We bought a home on Brewer Parkway in 2001 because of the community and its reputation for the best schools in the state. We moved to Canada in 2015, returned three
continued from page 5
are experiencing is for the people who are here now. Immigration and in-country-migration are two factors that could change this, but so far, have not.
At a time when we can all agree we need to work together, and that that’s what Vermonters want us to do, we should not be trying to divide people. Division distracts and keeps people from trusting each other. Leaders should be leading us away from the outrage that is stirred up by social media that exaggerates and takes what people say and do out of context.
We need less division and more trust-building, which starts with finding and honoring the humanity in everyone,
years later and bought the house across the street, again, because we love this community, and it allowed our children to attend South Burlington schools.
In twenty years, I have never once voted against a South Burlington school budget. Until now.
That decision is not because of the financial strain it places on our community members who are on fixed incomes although I acknowledge the burden. I don’t base that decision on the elimination of critical programs to learners who don’t fit into the traditional educational model which the current administration has chosen to cut — specifically, The Big Picture program that has been life changing, if not lifesaving, for many students including our neighbor’s daughter.
It is not because of the three-year contract negotiated behind closed doors for our superintendent, who was originally placed in that position without a proper national search, the same person who continues to receive significant pay increases and bonuses while funds are being diverted away from student’s critical needs and academics.
It is none of those things, specifically. It is because the South Burlington School Board continues to lack transparency, honesty and follow through. It is because our school board continues to claim to want public input but ignores concerns from community members, students, teachers and support staff who are brave enough to come in person and give voice to their concerns.
It is because of an administration that boast “students’ first” but repeatedly acts in a manner that does not reflect that value. It is because of those behaviors, and, if I’m honest, all the items I listed above, as well. It is because it is finally time for our community to stand up and say enough. It’s past time.
The school board blames its governance policy — implemented in 2009 and never revised — for its behavior. If the public has lost faith in how our schools are being administered, it is time, past time, to change the policies.
Until the South Burlington School Board and administration significantly change the way they do business, I will not support any budget proposal put forward by the current team and I urge others to do the same.
Mark Gabel South Burlington
MORNING: Thursday, 2/6 from 8:15-9:15am
EVENING: Tuesday, 2/11 from 5-6pm
Explore the Rice academic curriculum and see what sets Rice apart. You’ll have the chance to meet current students, take a tour, and ask questions in a no-pressure setting. RSVP using the QR code below. We look forward to meeting you!
About 40% of families qualify for financial aid!
bessette@rmhsvt.org
802-862-6521x2246
rmhsvt.org
being transparent about what we know and do not know and by listening to each other and asking questions. The technology we have access to may have exploded in sophistication in recent years, but human biology and psychology has not changed much at all for a very long time. We thrive when we are connected.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or anything I can help you with.
Middlebury College presents Wilson’s “Two Trains Running”
New York-based ensemble The Acting Company returns to Middlebury College on Thursday, Feb. 13 with its production of August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running.”
Part of Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning 10-play Century Cycle — which also includes “The Piano Lesson,” “Fences,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — “Two Trains Running” tells the story of Memphis Lee, a diner owner in Pittsburgh in 1969 who must decide if he should allow the government to take over his building or sell the property to a ruthless businessman.
The Acting Company’s production, helmed by award-winning director LiliAnne Brown, is the first touring production authorized by the Wilson estate, and comes to Middlebury as part of a year-long exploration of the playwright and his work. The performance will be followed by a Q&A with the artists.
Education enrichment series kicks off with health talk
Here’s the February lecture schedule for Education Enrichment for Everyone talks in South Burlington. The talks are held on Fridays from 2-3 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington.
A Zoom webinar is also available for members. Non-member walk-ins are welcome at the church. Fee: $8.
For more information, go to eeevermont.org.
• Friday, Feb. 14: John Brumsted, former and first president and CEO of the University of Vermont Health Network, presents “Why Is Healthcare So Expensive?”
• Friday, Feb. 21: Bobby Farlice-Rubio, former science educator at the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium and former Vermont state representative, with “The Outer Limits: Exploring the Extremes of Astronomy” Friday, Feb. 28: Sarah Copeland
Hanzas, Vermont Secretary of State, with “Civic Engagement in Vermont: Our Civic Health Index”
Old Spokes Home invites cyclists to share stories
The Old Spokes Home invites folks of all ages to come out on a chilly winter evening to hear and share some fun stories of lives lived on bikes, Feb. 11 at 6:30 a.m., Old Spokes Home, 331 N Winooski Ave, Burlington.
Hear experienced bike tourers, super-commuters and casual riders alike share stories that entertain but also enlighten. Share wisdom arrived at thanks to time on, with or around bikes. For those who feel inspired on the spot, there will also be an open-mic portion of this event.
This event is free but seat reservations are encouraged.
church, Age Well host February luncheon
St. Catherine of Siena and Age Well are teaming up to offer a luncheon on Feb. 11 for anyone 60 or older in the St Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church Street, Shelburne.
The check-in time is 11:30 a.m. and the meal will be served at noon. Suggested donation: $5.
Feb. 11 menu: wheat spaghetti with meatballs, marinara and parmesan cheese, spinach, wheat roll, mandarin oranges in orange Jello and milk.
The deadline to register is Feb. 5. This will be the only Age Well luncheon in February.
For more information, contact Molly BonGiorno, nutrition coordinator, at 802-662-5283 or by email at mbongiorno@agewellvt.org
Tickets are also available at the Age Well office, at 875 Roosevelt Highway, Ste. 210; Colchester.
Restaurant tickets will be available for distribution for a suggested $5 donation.
related to public health and social justice issues. Her first go at documentaries began in Mexico with “El Susto,” released in 2019, which explored the politics of sugary drinks and diabetes in the country.
But this film was something much more personal to her.
“I didn’t intend to make another film, but when I was stuck in Vermont during the pandemic, I had my own personal noise issues, which you’ll learn about when you watch the film, and I was like, ‘Here is something that’s a very overlooked health issue,’” Akins said. “I decided to record myself during the pandemic because I honestly thought I was going to be having to enter into a lawsuit with my neighbor.”
While no legal action ensued, the humorous short film she made during that time ultimately evolved into the award-winning documentary seen today. The dispute did, however, land itself on the front page of the Stowe Reporter more than once, partially since Akins took the hot topic to the local selectboard with the hopes of passing some sort of noise ordinance that would remedy the issue.
It just so happened that one of the leading experts in studying noise and its relation to health, Les Blomberg, was located just a few miles away from her home at the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse in Montpelier.
“It kind of snowballed and I kept reaching out to other experts and learning who the real thought leaders were in the field, and who was doing the most cutting-edge research on noise and health,” Akins said. “And it led me on this path, and slowly over the pandemic, I interviewed people that were both sufferers and experts.”
One of those people was Michael Shank, a former Brandon resident whose lifelong dream to operate an animal farm sanctuary was shattered by the lack of noise ordinances, which allowed his neighbors to continually fire off assault weapons, subjecting him to the sound of near-constant gunfire.
“I saw that, even with my own problems, if your elected officials are totally deaf to how harmful this would be to experience this, and I’m not just talking about me, it is
a pattern,” Akins said. “I’m not just saying it was me and my personal problems.”
Another major highlight of the film focuses on the arrival of the F-35 fighter jets at the Air National Guard Base located at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in 2019 — a battle South Burlington residents know well. The noise, four times louder than its predecessor, the F-16, rendered many neighborhoods unsuitable for residential use and even prompted officials at the airport to introduce residential soundproofing programs for homes located within a certain proximity to the base.
The issue, Akins said, at one point almost dominated most of the film, forcing her to scale some of the discussions back because she didn’t want a movie solely about the effects of the jets.
The battle, however, has been at the
forefront of local issues since 2009 and has sparked years of vehement opposition from residents in its flight path due to “bone-jarring” noise and undue environmental impacts caused by the military aircraft.
“We kind of zoom out to a bigger picture where you’re looking at impacting the whole community,” Akins said.
Despite the personal accounts showcased in the film, it is strange to think that Vermont, known to most of the country as a sparsely populated rural place, could be subject to such noise pollution problems. And the root of that issue was one Akins couldn’t quite put her finger on initially.
“It reminds me of a canary in the coal mine,” she said. “That’s the thing, if we’re having these problems even in Vermont, imagine what the rest of the country is dealing with. You can’t even get away from it by
moving to Vermont.”
Subjects in the film liken Vermont’s lack of noise regulation to “the wild west of noise ordinances,” particularly in towns that resist any form of regulation from local government. Akins was met with staunch resistance and even personal attacks circulated online and in town when attempting to petition her local municipality for change.
For Shank, the backlash ultimately forced him to sell his home and move out of town.
While the issue, Akins said, mostly stems from the lack of regulations in many municipalities and on the state level, it could also be the drastic change of Vermont’s landscape from mostly rural and agricultural to now, a place that proved to be a haven for the mass flock of people who moved to the state during the pandemic.
“Maybe it’s what happens when you start out being a mostly rural place where everybody lives on big farms as far apart. You don’t have a culture of having to regulate noise because you don’t have that many densely populated places where people are bothering each other,” she said.
Another part of the problem is that Vermonters hold tight to the tradition of simply working out the issue with neighbors directly. The truth is, Akins said, sometimes you just can’t.
Since filming, she said she has commissioned a full professional noise study of Maple Street in Stowe and hopes to bring the information to local leaders.
The film will air on Vermont Public’s “Made Here” on Feb. 6 and South Burlington residents can see a showing at the library on Thursday, Jan. 30.
The airing coincides with ongoing debates surrounding the F-35 program. Three municipalities — South Burlington, Burlington and Winooski — recently passed resolutions calling for Vermont’s Congressional delegation to request that the Air Force change the mission of the Vermont Air National Guard to one that is compatible with surrounding communities.
Retired Air Force Col. Rosanne Greco, a key voice in the opposition, offers insights in the film.
LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
When the results from the annual Vergennes wrestling tournament were released, there was a new name among the 24 competing schools: South Burlington.
The Wolves joined the ranks of Vermont high school wrestling teams this season and are looking to make a splash as the state’s newest team.
“I am lucky that, before I graduate, they got a wrestling team,” South Burlington senior Aaron Merrill said. “For most of us, it’s new, we are all just learning, having a good time and giving it our all. It’s really fun, we have so much potential.”
South Burlington wrestling started off as a club last season, with athletes garnering interest in the sport and starting to spread awareness of wrestling.
This year, the club became a full team, competing in dual meeting, tournaments and, soon enough, the Vermont state tournament.
“We have a really good team,” sophomore Sam Zuchman said. “The competitiveness, the whole culture, I like that when you are out on the mat, you are all by yourself.”
The team has 12 high school students wrestling this season, along with five middle schoolers. With that group, Carney has hopes of setting a high bar for the start of the program.
“I think we’re going to have a handful of all-state wrestlers on this team,” Carney said. “I want to be one of those teams that goes to New England’s every year because we always have a guy in the top three. That’s kind of the bar that I’ve set.”
The Wolves already made a splash at the most recent tournament in Vergennes, plac-
Gomer & Gunther
ing 12th among the 24 teams and placing two wrestlers in the top four for their weight class — Sam Zuchman, who was third in 106-pound class, and Orion Hoffer, who was fourth in the 144-pound class.
“Last year, we had a couple of dual meets that we were just outmatched in, and we weren’t serious enough about it yet. I think that kind of showed people this is where we want to be,” Carney said. “This year, we’ve had a couple of dual meet wins and we’re starting to put them together and realize what hard work and dedication can get you.”
South Burlington will spend the rest of the season getting ready for the state meet on Feb. 28 and March 1, where the wrestlers will really be able to see where they stand against the top teams in the state.
“We’ve just been trying to get more matches because there’s no substitute for experience and being in the moment when everybody’s looking at you and you’re in an evenly contested bout” Carney said. “We work pretty hard in here and we’re pretty dedicated, just getting more matches for ‘em just so they can experience to get used to handling the anxiety and the nerves and the things that come before and after.”
After this season, plans will turn to the future and how this program can grow going forward. Carney is focused on the future, including getting more equipment at the high school, hosting meets and bringing more athletes into the program.
“I want to have a senior night where we honor the kids who have dedicated a lot of time and hard work,” Carney said of his hopes for next year. “I am a little biased, but I think they work harder than any of the athletes around. They’re very dedicated to becoming successful.”
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South Burlington 124.85, Middlebury 100.6: South Burlington came out on top against Middlebury Saturday in a high school gymnastics dual meet.
Kelsey Adams led the way with a firstplace finish in all four disciplines (vault, bars, beam and floor) and the top spot in the all-around competition.
Julia Vandernat came in third the all-around, along with a with a second place in finish on the floor and third-place finishes in vault and bars.
Abby Frazier was second in the bars, second on the beam and third on the floor to earn second place in the all-around.
Girls’ basketball
St. Johnsbury 68, South Burlington 32: The South Burlington girls’ basketball fell team to St. Johnsbury on Saturday.
Tori Griffin had 15 points for the Wolves, who fell to the undefeated Hilltoppers. Lexi
Paquette added 10 points for South Burlington (1-8).
Rice 5, South Burlington 1: South Burlington fell to defending Division I champions Rice on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s title game.
Christian Butler had the lone goal for the Wolves, who moved to 7-4 with the loss. Lucas Van Mullen added an assist and Alex Chagnon stopped 32 shots in goal.
South Burlington 70, Burlington 68 (OT): Deng Aguek scored second points in overtime to help South Burlington hand Burlington its first loss of the season on Thursday.
Aguek finished the game with 18 points, including the go-ahead basket in extra time, to lead the Wolves.
Paul Comba added 17 points and 11 rebounds for South Burlington, who moves to 8-5. Oli Avdibegovic chipped in with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Hunter Johnson scored nine points.
said. “Between the contract being executed in executive session and the open ratification in the public process, that just needs to take place before the contract would take effect. So, there are no open meeting law violations in that sense.”
Last week, the board defended its position on the ratification and noted that the public critiques of the superintendent actually reflect the fault of a board that is not well practiced at communicating with the community. Tillinghast said this is mostly due to the newness of many of the board members.
Tillinghast alluded to the instability the board has experienced since 2022. Since that time, Nichols has had to partner with four different board chairs.
“I would like to point out that I’ve spent a significant portion of my board chair time in the last year onboarding three new members,” Tillinghast said. “If our community is to be served by a board that is being transparent and proactive and efficient with communications, we need a board that retains that team for a long period of time.”
Tillinghast also gave the community a short lesson on policy governance, under which the board operates under. Although some community members voiced concerns over the lack of stakeholder engagement when evaluating Nichols, Tillinghast said that isn’t the way the superintendent should be evaluated under the board’s policies.
She said normal evaluation of the superintendent is conducted annually and includes feedback from every board member. Topics include board communica-
tion, vision, leadership, strategy, management, communications, state and federal regulations, goals from the board, which are outlined by the board each October, and space for additional comments.
There are opportunities for the board to meet in executive session, both with and without the superintendent present, to discuss these evaluation points.
The superintendent’s performance is measured publicly in board meetings through the board’s evaluation of monitoring reports that the superintendent prepares and submits throughout the year. These are an opportunity for board members to highlight any issues or concerns and to hear directly from the superintendent about the strategy for addressing the ongoing needs, operations, and data about the district.
“It would be inappropriate for the school board to be interviewing staff or parents or community members, because that is not our governance model,” Tillinghast
said. “The community would not be well served by evaluating the superintendent based on how popular her decisions are.”
Tillinghast noted that the job of a superintendent is difficult and oftentimes demands long days and thankless hours, and for Nichols particularly, “incredible messes to clean up.”
Since that time, Tillinghast said Nichols and her central office team have led the district into compliance in a number of areas, expanded support for historically marginalized students in the district, implemented school zones, and was able to pass a bond to get Zero Energy Modulars installed at two of the district’s elementary schools
to address enrollment issues — 93 percent of which are paid for by new development impact fees.
“I can personally attest that superintendent Nichols is one of the most caring, compassionate and committed professionals I have ever worked with,” board member Tim Warren said. “I am proud to serve on the board with her and want to recognize her for the many hours she has given up with her family in support of ours.”
But for some community members, the contract and annual increases are not fiscally responsible during a time when the state grapples with increasing educational costs with no concrete end in sight.
While some questioned whether the board would consider renegotiating the contract, one community member, longtime resident and bus driver for the district, Mark Gabel, told the board this is just part of the reason he will be voting no on the school’s Town Meeting Day budget vote for the first time.
“I’ve never once voted against the South Burlington School budget, until now,” he said. “If I’m honest with myself and with all of you, it’s because it’s finally time for our community, teachers, support staff, parents and students to stand up and say, enough is enough. Frankly, it’s past time.”
19 funds.
I hope our residents approve the 3.33-percent property tax increase this March to maintain our services. At the same time, I am conscious that the one-time fixes in the past two years to hold down the tax rate cannot be repeated nor reduce rate increases going forward.
Cost-containment alone won’t ensure affordability or sustain services in South Burlington. Increasing commercial property revenues by attracting more businesses to our city is a way to reduce the residential tax burden. This approach avoids raising
property tax rates while fostering economic growth, creating good jobs to draw in young workers, and expanding revenue streams to align with the 2024 City Plan.
Last year, only 8.7 percent of the buildings on our grand list were commercial, but they generated 34.7 percent of our property tax revenues. The good news is this can be expanded with additional business development in the city’s existing areas zoned for commerce.
Moreover, the positive media buzz around Tech Hub, BETA, and OnLogic, if complemented by a generally business-friendly
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The South Burlington Development Review Board will hold a public hearing in the South Burlington City Hall Auditorium, 180 Market Street, South Burlington, Vermont, or online or by phone, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. to consider the following:
1. Reconsideration of conditional use application #CU-24-07 of Cosentino and Manning to amend a previously approved conditional use approval for a single family home. The amendment is to increase the amount of the building that is proposed to be set back less than five feet from the side lot line, 11 White Place.
2. Final plat application #SD-25-01 of Beta Technologies Inc., to subdivide an existing 901.6 acre lot developed with an airport complex. The subdivision consists of creating three lots of 3.01 acres (Lot A), 0.92 acres (Lot B), and 0.14 acres (Lot C) for the purpose of leasing the lots to Beta Technologies, and retention of the parent lot. The project does not involve land development, 1150 Airport Drive.
Board members will be participating in person. Applicants and members of the public may participate in person or remotely either by interactive online meeting or by telephone:
Interactive Online Meeting (audio/video): https://zoom.us/join By Telephone (audio only): (646) 931-3860
Meeting ID: 875 8009 6721
A copy of the application is available for public inspection by emailing Marla Keene, Development Review Planner, mkeene@southburlingtonvt.gov.
January 30, 2025
environment, will help attract like-minded companies that produce products and services that can improve energy performance and reduce the environmental impact.
As we have seen with our current companies in this category, they are partners in building bicycle and pedestrian paths, adding electric vehicle chargers and setting climate standards as laid out in our city plan, as are the developers that build the housing to accommodate the workforce.
The city’s initial small, positive steps in this direction resulted in commercial properties incrementally accounting for a larger proportion of the property tax revenues. Of the property tax component of this year’s General Fund Budget, which is 61.39 percent, it is estimated that residential taxpayers will pay 61
percent of the taxes raised (city and school), commercial properties will add 36 percent, and utilities 3 percent That’s compared to 63 percent, 33 percent and 4 percent four years ago.
The growth of non-property taxes is another opportunity. Over the last three years, non-property tax revenues have increased 27 percent. This year, our general fund budget will be $36.1 million. Based on the 2024 grand list, 61.39 percent will be paid by property taxes, 38 percent by other revenues such as the local option tax and fees like impact fees, ambulance fees, and other permit fees.
This diversification of revenues reduces the burden on residential property owners while maintaining funding for essential services.
The local option tax itself constitutes 15 percent of the general fund budget’s revenues
and can be expanded. I appreciate my colleagues’ support in directing our city manager to seek from the state detailed data on local option tax payments. South Burlington receives 70 percent of this state-processed 1-percent city sales tax.
With more detailed data, the city can more precisely forecast economic development strategies to further grow local option tax revenues.
The council’s support this year of the South Burlington City Center Collaborative is a step to increase the commercial vibrance of our evolving City Center, which will also add to our local option tax revenues. The same holds true for supporting the redevelopment of the University Mall.
We also need to continue partnering with Green Mountain Transit, the Air National Guard, and the airport to provide services and build infrastructure.
The continued building out of the tax increment financing district must remain a priority, as it will generate $1.25 million in annual tax revenues when done.
My goal is to jump start a discussion here about affordability. I am confident that, under the direction of our capable city manager, our talented city staff can develop a sustainable revenue growth strategy. If so, that will help us add affordability to the long list of comforting accolades properly bestowed on South Burlington.
Michael Scanlan is a South Burlington city councilor.
continued from page 4
gradually to move back indoors before the outside temperatures go below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t be alarmed if your citrus plant sheds some of its baby fruit. Potted plants cannot support that much fruit and will naturally shed the extra. However, fruit drop is also associated with temperature extremes, so take care to avoid those.
Dropped leaves are the plant’s response to overwatering. Flower drop will occur if the soil becomes too dry.
Most importantly, add a little patience to your citrus care routine, as young plants may take years to flower and produce fruit. Lemons and limes can take six to nine months to ripen, and oranges can take up to a year. Those colorful and delicious fruit cheering up your home will be worth it.
Amy Simone is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from South Burlington.
continued from page 3
presentation heralded the beginning of a push for their education omnibus package, some key details remained scarce.
Officials did not specify what the base payment per student would be under the proposed funding formula. But Saunders said it would be “very generous … compared to spending in other states,” calling the decision “the most critical part” of the funding change.
During a short press conference following the briefing, officials indicated the base would be greater than that outlined in an October 2024 report, which suggested the state could save $400 million on education by totally changing the footprint of its public school system.
The exact number would arrive in the “coming weeks,” according to Saunders. The funding plan would also account for students
continued from page 2
a panel discussion with representatives from Vermont Humanities, University of Vermont’s Master of Public Administration program, UP for Learning, and CCTV Center for Media and Democracy. Attendees then broke out into groups discussions
Both the panel and group discussions focused on what participants imagined the next steps to be, whether that be gathering more data or investing in arts and culture. The small group discussions spurred recommendations about making meetings more
who are more expensive to educate, including English language learners and economically disadvantaged students.
Districts, in the new system, could choose to raise limited additional funds through local property taxes.
Bolio, during the press conference, said there would be a “cap” on additional spending, though the exact cap would be a “policy choice.” Speaking to the mechanism for raising additional funds, he said there would be a “state guarantee to make sure the disparities between property wealth is accounted for in the system.”
To address consolidation, schools will “be assessed based on financial viability and educational quality,” according to the documents, and “schools that fall short of these standards will be offered a range of options, including resource sharing or merging, with
support from the AOE.” The plan also draws a distinction between “small due to necessity” and “small by choice,” a distinction that Saunders said would be “practical and intentional.”
Following the briefing, Saunders indicated decisions related to school closures and consolidation would be a state decision.
“What we’ve been hearing is, historically, we’ve been pushing down a lot of these really hard decisions at the local level,” she said. “Districts are working to think intentionally around how they can consolidate to provide different resources for students, but they often tell us that they lack cover from the state to be able to make those important decisions.”
The plan calls for “regional comprehensive high schools, central middle schools, local elementaries,” according to the documents. Currently, Vermont has 52 supervisory unions and supervisory districts — the overarching administrative units that often include multiple boards and school districts.
The five districts would have part-time elected school board members who would be paid. To make up for the reduction in local control, the plan proposes “school advisory councils.” The councils, composed of caregivers, educators and students, would have input on budget development and strategic planning.
A proposed and preliminary timeline included in the plan documents suggests adopting the foundation formula for the 2026-27 school year. The following year would “fully move to (the) new funding and governance system.” The 2028-29 school year and into the future would involve “(rescaling) the school portfolio.”
Not everyone thought positively of Scott’s ideas. The state’s teachers union, the Vermont NEA, panned the plan’s lack of specifics.
“Today’s risky proposal is big on rhetoric but short on the details. And the details matter — a lot,” Don Tinney, the union’s president, said in a statement.
accessible, creating welcoming communities, to simplifying the language used to communicate about governing.
“This is really the starting point of conversation that I think is critical for Vermont to be engaged, because we don’t know whether the data is accurate, really, until we give people an opportunity to look at it, read it and react,” Copeland Hanzas said.
Before the end of February, Copeland Hanzas will also be stopping in St. Johnsbury, Barre, and Rutland.
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