Chronology 2012

PAGE 12A — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 27, 2012

Innkeeping Ongoing Innkeeping

Since Since

1786 1786 Make a little History of your Own, 20 Park Street • 247-5766 stop in and visit us 20 Park Street • 247-5766

stay@brandoninn.com • BrandonInn.com

Since

1800 Fine food food & & lodging lodging Fine Since Since Since Since Since

1810 1810 1810 Dinner Nightly Sunday Brunch 11-2 Route 125, East Middlebury

Dinner DinnerNightly Nightly••Nightly Sun.Brunch Brunch11-2 Dinner Sun. Sunday Brunch 11-2 11-2 Route125, 125,East East Middlebury Route Middlebury Route Middlebury Route 125, 125, EastEast Middlebury • 388-4015 www.Wayburyinn.com www.Wayburyinn.com www.Wayburyinn.com www.WayburyInn.com www.Wayburyinn.com

Middlebury Inn & Morgan’s Tavern Since

1827 Open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

14 Court Square, Middlebury, 05753 388-2811 • www.middleburyinn.com

Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home Gary C. Stanley, Director

Since Since

1827 1827 Franklin Brandon, VT 2626 Franklin St. St., Brandon, VT 05733 802-247-5704 802-247-5704

he F FirsT irsT NaTioNal TThe aTioNal aNk oF oF orwell BBaNk rwell Traditional Banking Traditional Banking

Since Since Since

1863 1863 1863 Main Street • Orwell • 948-2811

Rt. 22A • Shoreham Main Street • Orwell••897-2265 948-2811 Rt. 22A • Shoreham • 897-2265

Ripton Country Store Since

1879 “The Best Store in Town” Dick and Sue Collitt 388-7328

Chronology 2012 A Year In Review

(Continued from Page 1A) spending increase in four years — a 2 percent hike. Otter Valley Union High School’s board OK’d a budget with a 2.3 percent spending increase to present to voters. In the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union the Mount Abe board put forth a budget with an overall increase in spending of 0.7 percent.

The board representing Middlebury Union high and middle schools was asking for 3.18 percent more spending authority, while also floating a $1 million bond for a new MUMS roof.

While the Addison Central Supervisory Union schools were deep into budgeting they were missing a key player — business manager Paula VanMinos didn’t show up for work for two weeks, then she abruptly resigned. School officials discovered that VanMinos, who they had hired a few months earlier, was involved in what acting Superintendent Gail Conley called “a complicated lawsuit” over her previous job in a New York school district.

Trying to begin the healing process in a different arena were local, state and federal environmental officials, who were meeting to figure out how to repair damage to the Middlebury River in East Middlebury that occurred during Irene the previous Aug. 28 and as a result of the town’s use of earth movers in the riverbed after the tropical storm-induced flooding.

The five-town community was mourning the death of 19-year-old Levi Duclos of New Haven, who died during a hiking trip on the Emily Proctor Trail in Ripton. The 2010 Mount Abe graduate failed to return from an afternoon hiking trip and Vermont State Police, although notified that evening, did not begin a search or call for others to search until the next morning. The tragic event would have ripples throughout the rest of the year.

In Vergennes, Bixby Memorial Library readied a celebration of its 100th anniversary later in the year, but kept an eye on ensuring that the venerable institution remains viable for future generations. On tap were the automation of the library’s card catalog, the implementation of a passel of computer hardware and software thanks to an e-Vermont grant, and the staging of computer literacy workshops.

Technology was on the minds of officials in Middlebury, too, where a group was planning to have public wi-fi available in downtown by summer. For its part, Middlebury College was finalizing its plans to install 34 photovoltaic solar power collectors on the open swath of college land off Route 125 just west of Bicentennial Hall.

Over the mountains in Granville, FairPoint Communications announced that it had made available broadband Internet to customers in the eastern Addison County town.

Eric Andrus, who runs a diversified farm in Ferrisburgh called

1897 1897 1897 1897 1897 1897 1897 Since

Restored Restored1993-2007 1993-2007

Restored 1993-2007 or call 877-6737

or call call 877-6737 877-6737 www.vergennesoperahouse.org For a full or calendar of events visit: or call 877-6737 www.vergennesoperahouse.org or call 877-6737

DOUGLAS ORCHARDS Growing Great Apples for 4 Generations

Since

1898

Rt. 74 • West Shoreham, VT • 897-5043

Since

1907

Jan. 19

MARY HOGAN ELEMENTARY School fifth-grader Suzie Klemmer reads with her mentor, Janice Whittemore, during the Everybody Wins! reading program at the school. More than 60 adult volunteers read with students at the school once a week during the lunch hour.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Boundbrook Farm, was working out the kinks in a new windmill that featured recycled 275-gallon drums spinning in a vertical wooden frame.

He planned to use the power from the windmill in the spring to pump water into a five-acre rice paddy.

Three local women — Andrea Ward, Maria Graham and Kelly Hickey — traveled to Haiti this month to deliver 700 pairs of shoes collected in Addison County as part of the Soles4Souls program. They also took soccer balls, hair ribbons, nail polish, sidewalk chalk and clothing.

Ripton resident Bill McKibben had a right to crow in January when President Obama put the brakes on the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline that would have carried oil from Canada to Texas. The environmental activist and Middlebury College Scholar was a key figure rallying opposition to the pipeline. But instead of patting himself on the back, McKibben continued to stage rallies and protests to ensure the project was truly mothballed.

At its annual meeting, the Addison County Firefighters Association bestowed on Kevin Charbonneau of the Vergennes Fire Department the organization’s Chief Fred Jackman Firefighter of the Year award, and gave Ferrisburgh Deputy Chief Jon Soter the Francis Stokey Chief of the Year award.

The Town Meeting Day election was shaping up to be quite a contest in Middlebury, as six candidates filed papers to run for three spots on the selectboard.

And current Middlebury officials were pleasantly surprised to hear as they were budgeting that the town had a previously unaccounted for surplus of $1.5 million in the town coffers. Keep your eyes on that money.

February After the Jan. 31 deadline for filing petition papers had passed, Vergennes residents found out in early February that they would have races for three seats on the city council come Town Meeting Day. Three multi-term incumbents — David Austin, Lowell Bertrand and Clara “Ziggy” Comeau — would face former city manager Renny Perry, appraiser and Vergennes Partnership President Bill Benton and political newcomer Nelson Sears.

Town Meeting Day would see a contest for a Bristol selectboard seat between incumbent Sharron Compagna and challenger Tim Heffernan.

The ongoing revitalization of Bristol’s industrial park got another big shot in the arm when the Bristol Internal Medicine practice announced it would move into the Bristol Works complex this summer. Another prac-

tice, Mountain Health Center, was also in serious negotiations to relocate into Bristol Works.

2006 Vergennes Union High School graduate Theo Spencer returned to his alma mater this month and shared his story about becoming an acrobat and studying circus arts in Argentina.

Then he gave a demonstration that wowed his audience.

The longest-serving town clerk in Addison County, Jane Grace of Addison, started the ball rolling toward her retirement late in 2012 after 40 years on the job. By giving notice well in advance, the Addison selectboard was able to budget some extra money to train Grace’s replacement before she left.

In the Legislature, lawmakers were looking at ways to preserve the look and character of Vermont, and backed the Working Lands Enterprise Bill. It looks to bolster agriculture, forestry and value-added foods processing businesses by giv(Continued on Page 13A)

Bristol office founded in 1994 35 West Street, Bristol • 453-6600 www.paigeandcampbell.com

crosby family business Since Since

1911 1911

“From Cows to to Couches” “From Cows Couches.”

Bub’s Barn Bub’s Barn

16 New Haven, Rd., Vergennes 16 New Haven Rd., Vergennes 877-2839 877-2839

CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES

Since Since Since

1915 1915 1915

388-7917 388-7917 388-7917 P.O. Box 5890, Middlebury, VT P.O. Middlebury, VT P.O.Box Box5890, 5890, Middlebury, VT www.co-opinsurance.com www.co-opinsurance.com www.co-opinsurance.com

Since

1916 Serving local farmers for more than 96 years.

Since Since Since

Feb. 2

THEO SPENCER SPINS around a loop of fabric hanging from the Vergennes Union Middle School gym rafters during a demonstration of his circus skills. Spencer, a 2006 graduate of VUHS, is studying acrobatics in Argentina.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

1916 1916 1436 Exchange Street 1436 Exchange Street Middlebury • 388-2692 Middlebury • 388-2692 ww.YankeeACA.com www.YankeeACA.com ww.YankeeACA.com

FOSTER MOTORS Since Since

1924 1924

1882

Full Full Service Service Dealership Dealership Chrysler Chrysler •• Dodge Dodge •• Jeep Jeep •• Ram Ram

1 Park Street, Middlebury • 388-2117 www.HenrySheldonMuseum.org

Check Check us us out out at at www.fostermotors.com www.fostermotors.com Rt. Rt. 77 So., So., Middlebury Middlebury •• 388-9961 388-9961

JACKMAN’S INC. of Bristol

Since Since

1887 1887

Since Since

1930 1930

Design, Installation & Service.

We are with you from beginning to end.

Vergennes, VT • 877-3118 Design, Installation & Service.

We are with you from beginning to end.

Vergennes, VT • 877-3118

32 Pine St., Bristol • 453-2381

32 Pine St., Bristol • 453-2381 www.JackmansInc.com

Shoreham Telephone, LLCOTT Communications Since

Shoreham, Vermont 897-9911

Since Since Since Since Since Since

1993-2007 Restored 1993-2007 ForaaRestored full calendar of For full calendar of events eventsvisit: visit: Restored 1993-2007 For fullcalendar calendar of events www.vergennesoperahouse.org www.vergennesoperahouse.org For full calendar of visit: For aaafull of events eventsvisit: visit: or call 877-6737 1993-2007 www.vergennesoperahouse.org call 877-6737 www.vergennesoperahouse.org www.vergennesoperahouse.org For a Restored full or calendar of events visit:

Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History Preserving local history Since

1894

Celebrating aasense Celebrating aasense Celebrating sense Celebrating sense ofofcommunity of community community of community

Feb. 16

MOUNT ABRAHAM UNION High School senior Katrina Camara, center, gets serenaded by Alex Carlton, left, Jordan Dinapoli, Tyler Jewett and Bailey Sherwin as part of the school’s traditional Valentine’s Day “singing valentine” fundraiser. A cappella singers spent the entire day singing to students, teachers, staff and community members.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Addison Independent, Thursday, December 27, 2012 — PAGE 13A

Chronology 2012

Since

1930

Providing, processing and distributing milk and dairy products to Addison County and beyond. Started by Richard and Marjorie James.

In the same family, under the same name for 3 generations.

Footes Insurance Since Since

1938 1938 6 Green Street, Vergennes 877-3351

6 Green Street, Vergennes 877-3351

Jackman Fuels, Inc. Since Since

1945 1945 “As Always, Quality,

“AsSales Always, Quality, and Service.�

Sales 201 Mainand Street,Service.�

Vergennes 877-2661 201 Main Street, Vergennes 877-2661

1945 1945

Originally established asasBakery Bakery Originally establishedas BakeryLane Lane originally established Lane

Middlebury Bagel Bagel 1979 Middlebury Deli since Middlebury Bagel&&&Deli Delisince since 1979 withJim JimRubright Rubright and with andFamily Family with Jim Rubright Family 11 St., 11 Washington Middlebury 11Washington WashingtonSt., St.,Middlebury•388-0859 Middlebury• •388-0859 388-0859

Since Since Since Since Since

1946 1946 1946 Happy Holidays!

HappyHolidays!

Holidays!

Happy Happy Holidays!

58Maple Maple Street MapleStreet Street 58 5858 Maple Street TheMarble MarbleWorks, Works, Middlebury Middlebury The TheMarble Marble Works, Works, Middlebury Middlebury The 388-4944••www.addisonindependent.com www.addisonindependent.com 388-4944

388-4944••www.addisonindependent.com www.addisonindependent.com 388-4944

Ground round L G LeveL eveL C Containers ontainers

Since since since

1949 1949

A Year In Review

(Continued from Page 12A) ing grants and loans to entrepreneurs in those fields.

The Addison Northeast Supervisory Union, anticipating the retirement of Superintendent Evelyn Howard at the end of June, whittled its superintendent search down to three candidates.

The Addison Central Supervisory Union hired Laura Nassau as its new business manager; she replaced Paula VanMinos, who left under a cloud the previous month. At the same time, ACSU officials said they made progress in their search for a superintendent.

But then another key ACSU senior minister tendered her resignation.

Associate Superintendent Jan Willey said she was leaving because of ongoing “turmoil� in the central office.

Hers would not be the last departure in the ACSU this year. And the two finalists for the superintendent’s job didn’t pan out, so the district advertised for a new superintendent and assistant superintendent.

Migrant farm workers, who often work in the shadows of society, saw their artwork bathed in a spotlight when the Vermont Folklife Center hosted a show titled “Invisible Odysseys.� The art by Mexican dairy farm laborers who work in Addison and Franklin counties tells of their journeys a long way from home to work long hours at physically demanding jobs.

The Town Hall Theater this month debuted a new play by Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist David Moats, called “An Afternoon in France.�

Northlands Job Corps came under increasing scrutiny as Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel disagreed with statements made by officials on the timeliness of their reporting of an assault at the federally funded youth job training center. Vergennes police cited two Northlands students for aggravated assault after being notified of the incident 23 hours after it happened.

The Mount Abraham Union High School a cappella singing group continued a 13-year tradition of handing out roses and singing songs of love on Valentine’s Day, in a ritual that adds moments of levity to the school.

In 34 years of tapping maple trees, Starksboro’s Dave Folino said in February that he had seen few winters like this one. In some local spots, temperatures were six to eight degrees above average. “It’s not even winter,� Folino said. “It’s pretty much a perpetual sugar season.� But the sugar content of the sap was low, and despite the fact that many sugarmakers were tapping in February — or earlier — it wasn’t clear how the sugaring season would turn out.

Lawmakers this month were calling for changes in the way authorities prioritize and perform search and rescue missions when people are lost in the woods, in light of the tragic death of Levi Duclos in the Green Mountain National Forest in January.

While legislatures pondered another issue — redistricting — some movers and shakers in Charlotte began to actively resist a move to add the Chittenden County town to the Addison County Senate district (which was already destined to lose Brandon because it was going to be added to the Rutland County district). Some said they would lose influence, other said townspeople’s attentions were naturally focused northward.

For all your insurance needs

Addison AddisonCounty County Commission CommissionSales Sales T.T.G.G.Wisnowski Wisnowski

Founded Founded Founded

1956 1956

Sales Salesevery everyMonday Monday&&Thursday Thursday Route Route125, 125,East EastMiddlebury Middlebury 388-2661 388-2661

Gaines Insurance Agency Since Since

1962 1962 154 MonktonRoad, Road,Ferrisburgh Vergennes 154 Monkton (802)877-2878 877-2878 (802)

March 8

STATE REP. MIKE Fisher speaks about health care legislation at Monkton’s town meeting.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

The Addison Northeast Supervisory Union board chose David Adams as the next ANeSU superintendent.

The current Windsor Southwest superintendent, Adams would bring three decades of experience in education when he started the job July 1.

Middlebury College trustees gave the green light to a plan to replace the 9-year-old temporary athletic facility known as the “Bubble� with a permanent structure. They put the cost of the new gym at $46 million; fundraising is under way.

The MUHS dance team won the state hip-hop title in a competition in front of 1,000 fans in the VUHS gym.

Lincoln residents were wrestling

with who to vote for in the only contested local election there on Town Meeting Day. Three Lincolnites filed papers to run for town treasurer; the winner would replace Larry Masterson, who had held the job for 15 years. Shawn Richards, Lisa Truchon and Linda Daybell each sought the part-time position.

In Shoreham, selectmen decided to ask residents if they would consent to spending $450,000 for a larger town office.

Ten young men, most of them former campers at Salisbury’s Camp Keewaydin, built their own woodand-canvas canoes this winter and readied for the ice to clear on Lake Dunmore so they could cast off and

March 22

LINCOLN COMMUNITY SCHOOL student Kaela Thurber rehearses a scene from the school’s original fifth- and sixth-grade play, “Out of My Mind.� The play was dedicated to disabled former classmate Jesus Rosa-Ivey Jr., who died in December.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

ES T

Since Since Since

1949 1949 1949

Foreign & General Repairs Foreign General Car Car Foreign &&General CarRepairs Repairs 225 FarmRoad Road 225Morgan Morgan Horse Farm 225 Morgan Horse Farm Road Weybridge, VT • 388-7652 388-7652 Weybridge,VT Weybridge, • 388-7652

Law Offices

CONLEY & FOOTE partnershipincluding including aa AApartnership ProfessionalCorporation Corporation Professional

135S.S.Pleasant Pleasant St., St., Middlebury 135 Middlebury 388-4061 388-4061

1955 1955 388-2772

WEYBRIDGE GARAGE

1955 1955

Since Since

For all your insurance needs 1 Washington Street, Middlebury 1 Washington Street, Middlebury 388-2772

1485 Rte. Rte. 7 7 North, 1485 North,Middlebury Middlebury 388-0264 • vtstorageking2@msn.com 388-0264 • vtstorageking2@msn.com

Since since

Laberge Insurance

April 16

ACTOR ED ASNER stands beside a 1927 Packard outside the Town Hall Theater before his one-man performance of “FDR.� The historic automobile, owned by Peter and Liz Markowski of Ferrisburgh, was used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he toured W.P.A. projects in Texas.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

paddle north 1,200 miles to James Bay in northern Canada. In addition to being an adventure — how would you like to paddle the distance from Middlebury to Jacksonville, Fla.? — the trip was also a fundraiser for Keewaydin scholarship money. “It’s like a walk-a-thon. Just really long,� one expedition member said.

Middlebury Beef, Inc. Since Since

1962 1962

Gas ••Diesel Diesel • Propane •• Deli Gas • Propane Deli 3201 Rte. 77South 3201 Route South Middlebury, 05753 Middlebury, Vt. Vt. 05753 388-7114 388-7114

March As March opened, the MUHS girls’ Nordic skiing team was basking in the glow of the school’s first state championship in the sport. The Tigers dominated both the freestyle and classic competitions in Division II; senior Britta Clark won both the 5K classic and freestyle races; and she was joined by Dominique Powers, Lydia Allen and Emma Ryan to claim both 2K relay events.

That same weekend VUHS senior Geoffrey Grant beat the 170-pound top seed in an exciting 4-3 final to claim the state wrestling crown in that weight.

About this time, word started circulating about alleged “initiation beatings� taking place at Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes. Informants told the Independent that some officials at the federally funded youth job training program were aware of the beatings but had failed to take steps to halt the violence. “Dorm 21 is not a friendly place,� a source told the Independent.

New scrutiny of Middlebury’s financial records showed that the town actually did not have a surplus of $1.5 million as had been reported.

Turns out some funds had been credited to the wrong accounts. Officials stressed that no money was missing, but the unexpected surplus that had popped up in late January had evaporated by early March.

Two local schools did report windfalls of a sort. Mount Abraham Union High School and Vermont Adult Learning each received $100,000 grants from the Rowland Foundation to develop ways for people to become life-long learners.

The county found out this month that it would have one fewer school next year when the Gailer School, a private institution founded in 1989 for middle and high school students, would close at the end of the school year.

Porter Medical Center President James Daily received a national honor. He was one of 50 hospital administrators to win the Grassroots Champion Award, which is given to a hospital administrator who does the best job communicating with elected officials.

Town Meeting Day arrived in Addison County as usual, and, as usual, in the end residents in several town OK’d a large amount of spending and elected some new local leaders.

One of the largest projects that got a green light was the $4.625-million bond to rebuild both fire stations in Middlebury. Residents in the shiretown also agreed to fund (with Middlebury College and local businesses) a business development fund to attract new businesses to Middlebury and Addison County.

In Middlebury and the six other Addison Central Supervisory Union towns voters agreed to float a $1 million bond to fix the middle school (Continued on Page 14A)

Since Since Since

1964 1964 1964

Complete line line of Complete ofInsurance Insurance 48 Merchants Row, Middlebury 48 Merchants Row, Middlebury 388-4837 388-4837 www.bourdoninsurance.com

www.bourdoninsurance.com

Gary Baker Insurance Since

1966 Business Succession Planning Medicare Supplements

4 Maple St., Middlebury • 388-2636

Quality Service

Since

1968 Landscape Construction • Plantings Perennial Gardens • Patios • Walkways Walls • Stairs • Pool Decks & Veneer Foundation & Stone Restoration

David Palmer • Midd., Vt. • 388-0045

United Way of Addison County was founded in

1969 but we are part of a movement that is celebrating 125 years of improving lives.

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. www.unitedwayaddisoncounty.org

Community College of Vermont

Since Since Since

1970 1970 1970

Vermont’s most Vermont’s affordable college Vermont’s most affordable affordablecollege college 10 Merchants Row,Middlebury Middlebury 10 Merchants Middlebury 10 Merchants Row, Row, 388-3032 www.ccv.edu 388-3032••• www.ccv.edu 388-3032 www.ccv.edu

PAGE 14A — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 27, 2012

We will assist you through the permitting process.

Since since

1970 1970

25West West Street, Street, Bristol 25 Bristol••453-3818 453-3818 www.larosesurveys.com www.larosesurveys.com

Since Since Since

1971 1971 Route Route 77 South, South, Middlebury Middlebury 388-6297 388-6297

Your Bike Shop since Since Your Bike Shop since Your Bike Shop Shop Your Bike Since

1972 1972 1972

74 Main St., Main St.,Middlebury Middlebury 74 74 Main Street, Middlebury••388-6666 • 388-6666 388-6666 www.bikecentermid.com www.bikecentermid.com www.bikecentermid.com

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Addison County Automotive Since Since

1973 1973 Automotive Accessories Automotive Accessories Professionally Installed Professionally Installed 388-7878 388-7878 1 Washington St., Middlebury 1 Washington St., Middlebury

Brown’s Tree, Crane and Rental Service Since Since

1974 1974 ‘Goto tonew new heights heights with ‘Go with Brown’slift lift service.’

Brown’s service.’

275South South 116 Rd., 275 Rd.,Bristol, Bristol,VT VT 453-3351 453-3351

Fire & Ice RESTAURANT & PUB Since

1974 Dinner every evening Lunches Fri., Sat., Sun.

One block off Rte. 7 in Historic Middlebury • 388-7166

Since Since

1975 1975

Chronology 2012 A Year In Review

(Continued from Page 13A) roof. Voters at all local high schools and in the town of Bristol approved budgets with spending increases, albeit small increases.

But in Monkton, voters were once again unwilling to back spending on moving the town hall. For the second time in three years, they sent selectmen back to the drawing board to develop a plan to solve a space issue in the town offices.

And in Vergennes, two of the three incumbent city councilors were thrown out. Real estate appraiser and Vergennes Partnership President Bill Benton and former City Manager Renny Perry both won seats for the first time on the council, and three-term incumbent Clara “Ziggy” Comeau was returned to her seat.

But two-term incumbent Lowell Bertrand and five-term incumbent David Austin both finished out of the money.

Town Meeting Day also saw several long-time selectmen retire. John Tenny wrapped up 17 years on the Middlebury selectboard, Bob Oliver retired after 18 years on the Leicester selectboard, and Jim D’Avignon Sr. bowed out after 30 years on the Weybridge selectboad. All three also served their communities in other ways, as well.

In another chapter in the administrative shakeup in the ACSU, Inga Duktig said she was leaving as principal of MUMS. After 12 and a half years in the job, Duktig abruptly said she would take a leave of absence for the rest of the year and leave leadership at the school in the hands of Assistant Principal Patrick Reen so that she could “transition to the next chapter of my career as an educator.”

The principal wasn’t the only one at MUMS making the news.

Two MUMS seventh-graders were among the 34 students who started out in the Vermont Spelling Bee in Colchester. Fifteen rounds later, defending state champ Meigan Clark and newcomer Ronan Howlett were the only two spellers left in the competition. In the end, Howlett won the competition and the right to go to the national championship by spelling the word “quantitative.” eCorp English, which teaches English language skills to foreign business professionals, came to Middlebury two years ago with high hopes for providing 100 or more jobs. This month the state Department of Labor said it was working with at least five former eCorp employees who have filed complaints against the company for failure to pay back wages. Company officials said the firm was “undercapitalized” and was hoping the launch of its WordFortune learning software later in the year would return eCorp to financial health.

Vermont Gas Systems held three informational meetings in the county to provide the public with information on its proposal to extend its natural gas pipeline from Chittenden County into Addison County. Vermont Gas, a subsidiary of a Canadian firm, sells natural gas produced in Canada.

Ferrisburgh’s Rokeby Museum, which is housed in a former stop on the Underground Railroad that was a hotbed in the 19th-century anti-slavery movement, this month broke ground on a $1.4 million visitor center.

Prompted by a citizen’s ques-

Incorporated Incorporated Incorporated

1976 1976 WashingtonSt., St.,Midd Midd••388-7276 388-7276 Washington

MILL BRIDGE

CONSTRUCTION, INC. Since Since Since

1978 1978

Pulp Mill Bridge Road, Middlebury Pulp Mill Bridge Road 388-3169 Pulp Mill Bridge Road Middlebury • 388-3169 www.millbridgeconstruction.com Middlebury • 388-3169

Since

1978

“Thank you for all your continued love and support, Abby, Liz, Brandi and Kristin.”

April 19

ADDISON COUNTY ASSISTANT Judge Frank Broughton administers the oath of office to longtime Addison County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Don Keeler, who, as high bailiff, will perform the duties of sheriff until the governor appoints someone to serve out the rest of the late Sheriff Jim Coons’ term.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

May 3

HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS from many different law enforcement agencies across the state gathered at Middlebury College’s Mead Chapel for Addison County Sheriff James Coons’ memorial service.

Coons died on April 16.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

tion, Vergennes aldermen opened a months-long debate on whether the city should continue to allow a Christian nativity scene to be displayed on the city green during the weeks leading up to Christmas. In a letter to Mayor Mike Daniels, the citizen said allowing the overtly religious symbol on public property showed disregard for the principle of separation of church and state.

The city council discussed the issue, but sought more citizen feedback at a future meeting.

At the end of the month, former ACSU Superintendent Lee Sease filed a federal lawsuit saying he was unfairly fired last spring.

April April brought some very sad news; longtime Addison County Sheriff James Coons died at age 59 after a long illness. Police and emergency responders from throughout the state showed up at Coons’ funeral to honor the 30-year veteran.

Middlebury planners in April unveiled the newly revised Middlebury town plan and Bristol officials continued their long-running review of their community’s plan.

The sagging economy was also

taking a toll on farmers. After two years of relatively strong milk prices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in April that falling prices had triggered support payments to dairy farmers. It marked the first time in two years that farmers had to receive subsidy payments through the Milk Income Loss Contract, which provides a safety net for farmers when payments for milk fall below cost of production.

Many area sugarmakers rallied behind legislation in Montpelier that would change syrup labeling laws and establish a food safety certification program for manufacturers of maple syrup. Supporters reasoned the voluntary certification program would help sugarmakers in Vermont stay competitive in the industry.

In other agricultural news, the Vermont Public Service Board gave the green light to a major methaneto-electricity facility at the Four Hills Farm in Bristol; Weybridge resident Mark Smith proposed a mobile slaughterhouse to process large animals; and Lars Hubbard proposed a plan to house a whiskey distillery and cheese company at a building in Middlebury’s industrial park.

The search for a new superintendent for the Addison Central Supervisory Union hit a snag in April when a screening committee determined it could not bring forward a finalist that would be a good match for the district’s needs. The committee would soon re-boot the search.

The district did, however, fill a key vacancy when it welcomed Carol Fenimore as its new assistant superintendent.

In other school news, a handful of voters passed a $6.1 million 20122013 spending plan for Mary Hogan Elementary School at the Middlebury school’s annual meeting.

Meanwhile, Vergennes Union Elementary School welcomed a new principal and a familiar face to many in the county: June Sargent, a former administrator at Mount Abraham Union High School in Bristol.

In Vergennes, officials unveiled a new policy regarding the placement of religious displays on the city (Continued on Page 15A)

Main St., Middlebury • 388-6831

Broughton tTom om B roughton Auctioneer Auctions Since • Home • Estates

1979 Commercial • Consignments •

Jct. 22A and 125, Bridport 758-2494 Bridport, VT • 758-2494 www.tombroughtonauctions.com tombroughtonauctions.com

Cousino Financial Services Since Since

1979 1979 Bristol and Life, Disability Retirement Planning 453-2497 Bristol • 453-2497

Maple Maple Landmark Landmark Locally Locally crafted craftedgifts giftsfor forall allages. ages.

Since Since Since

1979 1979 1297 Exchange St., Middlebury 1297 Exchange St., Middlebury 388-0627 388-0627

Since Since

1979 1979 Think aboutit… it…Shea!

Think about Shea!

Rt. Middlebury Rt. 77 South, South, Middlebury 388-4932 388-4932

Since

1980

Telecommunications Sales & Service Data Cabling & Fiber Optic Systems 802-388-8999 John and Jim Fitzgerald

Braces Adults Bracesfor for Children Children &&Adults 9898Court 388-2222 CourtSt., St.,Middlebury Middlebury •• 388-2222

Accent Travel Since

1976

Since

1980 Complete Glass Headquarters Auto • House • Commercial Custom Shower Enclosures

New England’s leading Travel Agency for 36 years!

Boardman Street, Middlebury • 388-9049 Roger, Joanne, Roger Jr., Todd, Joe & Paul

802-388-3125 73 Main Street, Middlebury

Bill Beck Real Estate

Since Since Since

1976 1976 1976 The Premier Real Estate

The Premier Company The Company Premier Real Real Estate Company inEstate Addison in County since in Addison Addison County since 1980 County since 19801980 Seymour 388-7983 Seymour St, Middlebury 388-7983 Seymour St., Middlebury SeymourSt, St.,Middlebury Middlebury •• 388-7983 388-7983 Main Vergennes Main St., St., Vergennes 877-3125 877-3125 www.BillBeck.com www.BillBeck.com

May 24

REVOLUTIONARY WAR REENACTORS march across the Lake Champlain Bridge during a parade that was part of the two-day Grand Celebration of the new span.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Addison Independent, Thursday, December 27, 2012 — PAGE 15A

Chronology 2012

Mackey Insurance Since

1980

Rte. 7 South on Rogers Road Middlebury • 388-6311

Celebrating 28Anniversary! years!

Celebrating our 31st

Since Since

1981 1981

Annand and Bruce Bruce Perreault Ann Perreault WilsonRd., Rd.,Middlebury Middlebury 388-3143 9999 Wilson 388-3143

Marcel Brunet & Sons, Inc.

Windows and Siding Since Since

1981 1981 SidingContractors Contractors Siding

Vergennes,Vt. Vt. •• 802-877-2640 Vergennes, 802-877-2640

Since Since

1981 1981 WhereWhere quality and service quality come come first! first! and service

33Elm 388-2162 ElmSt., St.,Middlebury Middlebury ••388-2162

Since Since Since

1982 1982 1982 “Wecare” care” for “We foryour your land animals. land and animals.

Seymour St., Midd.

388-7000 SeymourSt., St.,Midd.

Midd. •• 388-7000 Seymour 388-7000

A Year In Review

(Continued from Page 15A) green. The policy — which came in response to a letter of concern about the longstanding Christmas nativity scene display — called upon people to apply for permission to place a display on the green. The policy also set forth size limitations and a requirement that the display bear a sign identifying the sponsor.

Addison County residents in search of a family doctor got some good news in April. Porter Medical Center announced the imminent hiring of seven new family practice physicians and an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse to the roster. A local shortage of family physicians had forced some county residents to seek such services in Brandon and other communities outside the area.

In Montpelier, lawmakers made some interesting changes to Addison County’s senatorial district as part of the decennial reapportionment process. Reapportionment calls for a redrawing legislative boundaries to better ensure the Constitutional standard of “one person one vote.”

Lawmakers decided that Addison County’s two-seat senatorial district should swap Brandon (to be reabsorbed into the Rutland County district) for the towns Huntington and Buel’s Gore. Lawmakers had considered adding Charlotte to the Addison County district, but that’s community’s powerful lobby quickly ended that discussion.

Also at the Statehouse, lawmakers voted unanimously in favor of a new bill revamping the state’s search and rescue policy in wake of the tragic death of 19-year-old Levi Duclos on a Ripton hiking trail earlier in the year.

The state Senate, at the recommendation of Sen. Claire Ayer’s Health and Welfare Committee, endorsed a major health care exchange bill as part of Vermont’s insurance reform effort.

Addison County Transit Resources got some good news in the form of $716,000 in federal grants to help finance its proposed $4.2 million headquarters at 341 Creek Road in Middlebury.

County Tire Center, Inc.

May

Since Since Since

1982 1982 1982 under the “Your under the “Your“Your under the car specialists” car specialists” car specialists” 33 Seymour St., Middlebury

33 Seymour St., Middlebury 388-7620 33 Seymour St., Middlebury 388-7620 388-7620

Since since

1982 1982

Middlebury Family Family Restaurant Restaurant AAMiddlebury Pizza.•Pasta Pasta.•Subs Subs .• Soups Soups Pizza Salads.•Calzones Calzones Salads 11Washington Washington St., St., Midd.

Midd. •• 388-3164 11 388-3164

May saw the late James Coons, Addison County’s sheriff for three decades, laid to rest. Hundreds, including former Gov. James Douglas of Middlebury and current Gov. Peter Shumlin, packed Middlebury College’s Mead Chapel for what was a moving service.

Vermont’s Congressional delegation announced in May that it had secured $1.3 million in federal funds to build a community health center in Shoreham offering medical and dental services to patients regardless of their ability to pay.

The 2012 Legislature capped a busy session that included helping communities recover from Tropical Storm Irene; devoting resources to fixing the state’s roads and bridges; and advancing health care reform. In an interview with the Addison Independent, Gov. Peter Shumlin gave high marks to the session, saying the Legislature laid a solid foundation for lower health care costs and job growth in the Green

Brookside Antiques Brookside Antiques

ookside Antiques Since Since

Knowledgeable staff and personalized service Since

1985

The Marble Works, Middlebury • 388-9801

Since since

1985 1985 Creatingnew new memories memories every Creating everyday day 25 Stewart Lane, Middlebury 25 Stewart Lane, Middlebury 388-9925 388-9925

Training & inspiring the people of Addison County to achieve their fitness goals Since Since

June 25

OSSIE ROAD RESIDENT Bob Wells stands at the precipice of a ravine carved by the Middlebury River during the past several years. Wells and several of his East Middlebury neighbors are concerned that recent storms have pushed rocks and debris through the riverbed and have choked off portions of the river, forcing the water down a narrower, more destructive path.

1985 1985

Middlebury & Vergennes in 2010 Middlebury &•Vergennes 388-6888 • 877-2030 vermontsun.com

388-6888 • vermontsun.com • 877-2030

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Mountain State.

With the session concluded, most incumbent lawmakers announced reelection plans while some new candidates stepped forward. Among them, for the Vermont House: New Haven Democrat Ed McGuire in Addison-5 and Salisbury independent Tim Ryan in Addison-2. Former Rep. Christopher Bray, a New Haven Democrat, served notice he would run for one of the county’s two state Senate seats.

His path would be made easier when Democratic incumbent Sen. Harold Giard of Bridport confirmed he would not run for re-election. Longtime Rep. Joe Acinapura, R-Brandon, also announced his plans to step down.

Meanwhile, three-term Vergennes Mayor Michael Daniels confirmed he would not seek re-election to another to another term in March 2013.

Speaking of retirements, several longtime educators announced they would be graduating from their posts at the end of the academic year. They included Middlebury Union Middle School physical education teacher Don McIntosh (after 37 years), Addison Central School teacher Karen Florucci (after 25 years) and Mary Hogan Elementary School teacher Carol Callahan (after 30 years).

Middlebury Area land Trust officials in May entered into discussions with the National Park Service about providing a key pathway link that would finally connect the Appalachian Trail, which runs along the East Coast from Georgia to Maine, and the North Country Trail, which stretches from Crown Point, N.Y., to North Dakota.

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum made plans to mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812 — and specifically the role of U.S. Navy 1st Lt. Thomas MacDonough in defeating superior British forces in the pivotal Battle of Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain. MacDonough built is fleet in the Vergennes shipyard. The museum planned an exhibit, an educational tour by the replica canal schooner Lois McClure, and other activities to mark the city’s role in MacDonough’s feat.

History was also on the minds of

Middlebury officials who honored Marion Guild for her key role in designing the Emma Hart Willard monument erected in the downtown 71 years ago. Guild had not received the credit she was due for her work, and Middlebury officials held a special event to finally honor her seven decades after the fact.

Veteran lawmakers also stepped forward to take a much-earned bow.

Longtime House Rep. Betty Nuovo, D-Middlebury, feted her 80th birthday with confirmation she would seek another term in office. And former Gov. James Douglas, who had devoted four decades of his life to state government and public service, announced he was penning an autobiography recounting some of his experiences.

Vergennes City Manager Mel Hawley presented the city council with a draft municipal budget that would keep the city tax rate level at 60.3 cents per $100.

The U.S. Postal Services released a list of potential cuts in hours at post offices nationwide, and several Addison County venues made the list.

They included Bridport, Ferrisburgh, Granville, Hancock, Monkton, North Ferrisburgh, Orwell, Salisbury, Shoreham, Starksboro and Whiting.

Warm spring weather prompted people to think about Lake Dunmore activities. And in an effort to keep the lake clearer healthier, the Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association applied for state permission to introduce thousands of tiny milfoil weevils to munch on the nuisance aquatic weeds that volunteers and paid helpers have spent years chopping and pulling.

June June brought word of yet another senior Addison County teacher’s retirement plans. Judy Wiger, a chemistry teacher at Vergennes Union High School for the past three decades, announced she was moving on. Veteran special educator and

Monkton Central School Assistant Principal Mary Gemignani also confirmed her departure after more than 30 years. Gemignani reported she was leaving to help teach at a village in war-torn Liberia.

Hundreds of seniors also bade farewell to their respective high schools in June, leaving after some inspiring words delivered at ceremonies blessed with good weather.

Addison Northwest Supervisory Union teachers agreed to a new twoyear contract that awarded them annual increases of 3 percent and 3.5 percent. Teachers also agreed to contribute more toward their health care premiums. Also striking a deal were teachers in the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union, after a lengthy negotiating process that was aided by a mediator. Details of the fouryear pact were not immediately announced because the full union membership had not formally endorsed it.

Addison County Sheriff Don Keeler reported in June that the department’s 22-bed jail had been empty since mid-May given the expiration of a 15-year contract with the U.S. Marshals Service. Keeler began checking with the state of Vermont and other parties who might be interested in contracting for the jail, which employed several deputies.

Ripton Elementary School embraced the concept, “If you bus them, they will come.” Local school directors agreed to run a new bus service to the Route 100 communities of Hancock and Granville as an extra incentive for families in those towns to tuition their students to Ripton. Ripton’s school enrollment (like that of schools throughout the state) has been dwindling and officials are looking at creative ways to boost the ranks.

Several people turned out to give feedback at a public hearing on Middlebury’s draft town plan. The planning commission heard from people concerned the plan was too lengthy, was too critical of Middlebury Col(Continued on Page 16A)

Since Since since

1986 1986 1986 Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture Landscape Architecture Planning• Graphic Design Planning ••Graphic Design Planning Graphic Design 228 Maple St., Ste.32, Middlebury 228 Maple St., Ste. 32, Middlebury 388-3011•www.landworksvt.com 228 Maple St., Ste. 32, Middlebury 388-3011 • www.landworksvt.com 388-3011 • www.landworksvt.com

Since

1986

Featuring real antiques 100 years old or older & orginal artwork.

Corner Rt. 7 & 116 E. Middlebury • 388-6229

Helping Vermonters give back to their communities

Since

1986

3 Court St., P.O. Box 30, Middlebury 388-3355 • www.vermontcf.org

One of Middlebury’s oldest stores!

25 Yrs!

Nancie Dunn, Proprietor Featuring Nancie Dunn Cards and Bruce Baker’s Jewelry

Since

1987 42 Main Street Middlebury • 388-3353

Since Since Since

1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 Since Since

Since

1983 1983 1983

Since

1983

Decorate the Countryside way!

Decorate the Countryside Decorate the Countryside Decorate the Countrysideway! way!

Paints • •Flooring ••Window Paints Flooring Treatments Paints • •Flooring •Window Treatments Paints Flooring •Window WindowTreatments Treatments

83 Park Avenue-On the Village Green Bridport, VT • 758-2727

16 Creek Rd., Midd.

• Creek Rd., Midd • 388-4050 16 Creek Rd., Midd.

•388-4050 388-4050 1616 Creek Road, Middlebury • 388-6054 16 Creek Rd., Midd • 388-4050

Since Since Since

Serving our community Since

www.countrysidecarpetandpaint.com

83 Park Avenue-On the Village Green Bridport, VT • 758-2727 ark Avenue-On the Village Green Bridport, VT • 758-2727

1983 1983 1983

1988

163163 Revell Vermont RevellRoad, Road, Lincoln, Lincoln, Vermont 163 Revell Road, Lincoln, Vermont 1-800-477-4384• 453-4384 1-800-477-4384 • (802) (802) 453-4384 1-800-477-4384 • (802) 453-4384 www.lagvt.com www.lagvt.com

The Marble Works, Middlebury • 388-3784 187 Main Street, Vergennes • 877-1190 61 Pine Street, Bristol • 453-2999

www.lagvt.com

Since

1983 Frames • Sunglasses • Repair Lab on Premises

1330 Exchange St., Midd. • 388-4456

June 25

STATE AND LOCAL search and rescue teams work in Otter Creek below the falls in downtown Middlebury after a swimmer drowned in the river the previous evening.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

PAGE 16A — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 27, 2012

Since since

1988 1988

Chronology 2012 A Year In Review

Serving farmingneeds. needs.

Servingall all your your farming

JerseyStreet Street South, South, Addison Jersey Addison 759-2562 759-2562

Addison County solid WAste MAnAgeMent distriCt Since

1989

Information on waste reuse, reduction, recycling, solid & hazardous waste disposal.

802-388-2333 Route 7 South, Middlebury, VT 05753 www.AddisonCountyRecycles.org

Since

1989 SERVICE • INSTALLATION • REPAIRS John D. Fuller, Master Plumber Case St., Middlebury • 388-2019

Since

1989

“The Best Sandwich in Town” www.nooniesdeli.com 388-0014 • Marble Works, Middlebury

Since Since Since

1990 1990 1990 125,East East Middlebury Middlebury Rt.Rt. 125, BehindGoodro Goodro Lumber Behind Lumber 388-2903 388-2903

Otter Otter Creek Creek Custom Custom Framing Framing Since Since Since

1990 1990

Established Establishedin in1990 1990as aspart part of ofFrog FrogHollow HollowArt ArtSupply.

Supply.

Owner OwnerBrian BrianLadeau Ladeausince since2004.

2004.

33Park ParkSt., St.,Middlebury Middlebury• •388-2370 388-2370

Since

1991

North St., New Haven • 453-2222 www.oliviascroutons.com

Since

1991

Our greatest pleasure is watching our patients grow.

(Continued from Page 15A) lege and was not friendly enough to business interests.

Candidates for the Vermont House and Senate had to declare their intentions by June 14. That deadline revealed few contests and in particular few Republican challengers. The Addison County GOP did not field a single candidate for one of Addison County’s two state Senate seats, not did it enter anyone in the Addison-1, Addison-4 and Addison-Rutland-1 House districts races. Party officials cited the time commitment involved in running and serving, as well as the shift in party demographics in Addison County’s Senate district.

Through reapportionment, the district swapped conservative Brandon for the more Democrat-leaning Huntington and Buel’s Gore.

Middlebury officials began discussing the concept of a new municipal building/community center, with early estimates placing such a facility at $6 million to $10 million.

The new building would replace the current, deteriorating town offices at the intersection of South Main and College streets. The selectboard has formed several subcommittees that are refining plans for the new structure and gauging repairs for the adjacent municipal gym.

June was a month in which the fury of local waterways came into focus. A Vermont State Police diving team recovered the body of Middlebury resident Yadji Moussa, 55, who drowned while swimming in the Otter Creek near the Middlebury Falls.

Meanwhile, planners continued to debate what could be done to protect residences along the path of the Middlebury River. During major rain events, the river has been jumping and eroding its banks, primarily in the East Middlebury area, and some folks are seeing their backyards wash away.

In Bristol, the Five-Town Health Alliance and Mountain Health Center joined forces in a nonprofit venture to extend health services to people of all economic backgrounds.

The new venture would relocate to the Bristol Works business center by the end of the year.

July July opened with the usual red, white and blue bang — and the establishment of a dynasty on Bristol’s Main Street. Cousins Chris and Kevin Berry steamrolled the competition on the way to their fourth straight win in Bristol’s Independence Day Outhouse Race. From the outhouse to the penthouse for the Berry boys, as the saying goes.

Less fun was being had in some areas along Lake Champlain: Potentially toxic blue-green algae blooms were changing some waters into what one visitor called “thick pea soup.” Experts blamed phosphorus run-off for a problem that caused lake-front parks to close.

In Ferrisburgh, the town’s $375,000 sale of its 34.9 acres at the junction of Routes 22A and 7 fell through after the buyer said contingencies couldn’t be met after 11 months of trying. At year’s end, the parcel was still on the market.

In Middlebury, the town and the owners of the Lodge at Otter Creek settled an assessment dispute in which more than $200,000 of an-

1992 1992

453-4760 • www.wallacere.com

Since

July 12

CORNWALL FARMER LISA Roberts talks with Jeff True while the Roberts’ oldest Brown Swiss looks on. Lisa and John Roberts hosted a visit from farmers attending the Brown Swiss Association National Convention.

1993 43 Center St., Brandon, VT 247-5004

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

nual tax revenue was at stake. The sides settled at a $17 million valuation, less than the town’s $20 million figure, but much higher than the Lodge’s original position of roughly $11.3 million.

In a star cluster far, far away — OK about 570 light years — Waltham native and Vergennes Union High School and Harvard University graduate Sam Quinn helped find two Jupiter-sized planets. A paper announcing the discovery was co-authored

by Quinn and published this past summer.

In July it became official: The Vergennes City Council approved a policy that will allow the much-beloved Christian nativity scene to be displayed on the city green during the holiday season. It will also allow other groups to apply for and receive permission to put up displays on the green. Aldermen also passed new zoning laws in Vergennes after the planning commission’s three-year effort to craft them.

Down the road apiece on North Main Street, a buyer emerged for the Kennedy Brothers Factory Marketplace property, one who hopes to put a grocery store in the building in the Vergennes landmark. By year’s end, however, the deal had yet to be consummated.

Summer is road construction season. In Middlebury, for example, workers finally finished the longdelayed Buttolph Drive project and were still working on the Pulp Mill Bridge rebuild; it remained closed.

Quarry Road and Butternut Ridge road improvements seemed to be moving along, even if traffic was sometimes slowed.

Meanwhile, work on the length of Route 17 between Routes 7 and 22A in New Haven, Waltham and Addison was ongoing all summer, and some residents complained about its pace and the condition of the temporary road surface. Some feared it would hurt attendance at the Addison County Fair and Field Days. State officials said the whole thing would be wrapped up by November.

In Bristol, David Adams took over as the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union superintendent. He replaced Evelyn Howard, whose 12-year tenure was unusually long for a position that often sees turnover in Vermont.

since Since

1993 1993 Boat • Snowmobile • ATV Boat • Snowmobile • ATV Sales & Service Sales and Service

Route 30, 462-2468 Route 30,Cornwall Cornwall ••462-2468

A Department of Porter Hospital

Benjamin Rosenberg, MD • Eric Benz, MD Trina Wilson, PA-C • Luc Dupuis, PA-C

Since

1993

802-388-3194 1436 Exchange Street, Middlebury

M i d d l e b u r y

Since

1993 Opening New Doors EverdayTM

Aug. 9

EAGER PATRONS SAMPLE a variety of local cheeses at a Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op table at the Midd Summer Fest in Middlebury. This year’s event drew about 1,500 people.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

In Ferrisburgh, tragedy struck: A Vergennes man, Conrad Bell, 40, was killed at an evening bonfire party on a friend’s property when he tried to break up a fight. Police arrested Joseph Bolduc, 25, of Burlington, and alleged that Bolduc fatally struck Bell with a tire iron.

As July concluded, more than 100 citizens, law enforcement officials and social workers met in Bristol’s St. Ambrose Church to learn more about and discuss possible answers to what police say is a growing drug crime problem in the Bristol area. It was the first of several 2012 meetings devoted to the topic in Bristol, and topics included individual experiences as well as the issues of lack

Since

1992 69 Industrial Avenue • Middlebury 388-0108 • BeauTiesLtd.com

Serving County, Serving Addison Serving Addison County, ServingAddison AddisonCounty, County, Manchester, Mt. Manchester, Mt. Snow Manchester, Mt. Snow, Manchester, Mt. Snow, Snow Ludlow, Bellows Falls Rutland Ludlow, Bellows Falls & Rutland Ludlow, Bellows Falls Rutland Ludlow, Bellows Falls &&& Rutland

Since Since Since Since Since

www.littlephonebook.com 388-8458 • •www.littlelphonebook.com www.littlephonebook.com 388-8458 www.littlelphonebook.com

Since

Since

Classically Confident Ties

Sept.13

That’s MY Soap!

616 Exchange St. • Middlebury 388-4302

Jack Mayer, MD • Tawnya Kiernan, MD Kate McIntosh, MD • Lauren Young, FNP 44 Collins Drive, Midd. • 388-1338 • www.Rainbowvt.org

1992 1992 1992

Vermont Soap

STAN PRATT PICKS up crates of apples at Kent Ridge Orchard in New Haven. Pratt is leasing the orchard to supplement his crop at Middlebury’s Happy Valley Orchard, which was hit by spring frosts and a damaging summer hail storm.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

of treatment facilities and the challenges facing law enforcement.

Also in Bristol, it was learned the town’s annual Three Day Stampede raised more than $100,000 to fight Cystic Fibrosis. In its 22 years, the Stampede has raised more than $1 million for the cause.

August As August arrived, Addison Northwest Supervisory Union homeowners got some good news: Their school taxes would decline this year. Rates in Ferrisburgh and Addison dropped by 10.6 and 27 cents, respectively, for example.

Of course, August means Addison County Fair and Field Days. And rain.

A fierce thunderstorm struck on the Thursday of fair week and did hurt attendance at the popular No. 1 Auto Parts Demolition Derby, which went on with a backdrop of lightning strikes.

But despite the weather and the ongoing Route 17 reconstruction project, organizers decreed the fair a success once again.

Crowds also flocked to Middlebury’s second annual Vermont Beer, Wine and Cheese Festival, and organizers said the strong turnout cemented its place on the calendar for future years.

Less fortunate news arrived in Middlebury in the form of layoffs: RetailVision announced it would close up shop in town, meaning 25 local jobs would be lost.

Vermont’s U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, expressed worries this month about the probability that Congress would not pass a federal farm bill, a law that would determine five years of agriculture and nutrition policy. He was particularly worried that milk price (Continued on Page 17A)

66 Court Street, Middlebury • 388-1000 268 Main Street, Vergennes • 877-3232

Mr. Mike’s

CLEANING SERVICE local since localservice service since since local service

1993 1993 Insured & & Bonded Bonded Insured

Brookside Drive, Drive, Middlebury Middlebury •• 388-6427 388-6427 33 Brookside email: mrmikescleaningser@comcast.net mrmikescleaningser@comcast.net email:

The Reporter covering

Brandon • Pittsford • Proctor • West Rutland

Lake Dunmore, Leicester, Whiting, Sudbury, Goshen

Since

1994 P.O. Box 51 • Brandon, VT news@brandonreporter.com • 247-8080

Since Since

1994 1994

91 Middlebury 91Main Main Street, Street, Middlebury 388-2811 • www.middleburyeye.com 388-2811

Addison Independent, Thursday, December 27, 2012 — PAGE 17A

Community Investment Counselors

Since Since

1995 1995

Advising Planning InvestmentInvestment Advising•Retirement

Chronology 2012 A Year In Review

Retirement Planning Securities offered through Portfolio Management Triad Advisors, Inc.

Securities offered through Triad Advisors, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC Member FINRA/SIPC

63Maple Maple Street, Street, Suite 63 Suite25 25 Middlebury ••388-1357 388-1357 Middlebury

Hardware & Building Supply

Since Since Since

1995 1996 1996

Rte. Middlebury 388-9500 Rte. 7So., So., Middlebury •• • 388-9500 Rte. 7 7So., Middlebury 388-9500 68 68West WestSt., St.,Bristol Bristol •• 453-3617 453-3617 68 West St., Bristol • 453-3617

Since

1997

Providing quality footwear and clothing for the whole family.

Hannaford Plaza, Midd. •388-4399

Since

1997 Owners Bruce & Brenda Grove Welcome You!

71 So. Pleasant St., Middlebury, VT 388-7512

Since

1997 Get Midd Fit!

middleburyfitness.com 175 Wilson Rd. • Midd • 388-3744

Since Since Since

1998 1998 61 Main Street, Middlebury 61 Main Street, Middlebury 388-6788

388-6788

FUEL OIL • KERO • DIESEL

Since Since Since

1998 1998 1998 Bridport, Bridport,VT VT••758-3835 758-3835 Bridport, VT ••247-9500 758-3835 Brandon, Brandon,VT VT • 247-9500

Brandon, VT • 247-9500

(Continued from Page 16A) support programs would end without seeing any support for Vermont dairy farmers to replace them.

Bristol 17-year-old Brianna McCormick traveled to Knoxville, Tenn., to win the World Girls’ Horseshoe Championship on Aug. 11, faring one place better than her aunt, Debra Brown.

Brown was second in the women’s A division.

A new experimental program called Support And Services at Home (SASH) aims to give Medicare recipients help in accessing services and wellness programs in hopes of keeping them living independently and therefore out of more costly nursing home and hospital settings. SASH is being piloted in Vermont over a three-year period thanks to a $10 million federal grant through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Vermont is one of eight states to get such a grant.

The Search and Rescue Strategic Plan Committee, instituted by the Legislature after the tragic death of New Haven 19-year-old Levi Duclos last January, continued to meet and hear testimony in order fulfill its mandate to propose ways to restructure search and rescue management in Vermont. In August, tensions remained high over the ultimate question for the committee’s consideration: Whether the lead agency for search and rescue in the Green Mountain State should remain the Vermont State Police, which presently funds that role primarily through its overtime budget, or whether that role should be transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Department game wardens.

Aug. 28 was primary day in Vermont, and like the rest of the state Addison County backed Democratic incumbent Attorney Gen. William Sorrell, who won a tight race with challenger T.J. Donovan. In the only other contested race, Windsor’s John MacGovern defeated H. Brooke Paige, also of Windsor, in the county and statewide for the right to get trounced by incumbent Independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in November.

The proposed $32 million rail spur that would be used to alleviate truck traffic between Omya’s quarry in Middlebury and its calcium carbonate plant in Pittsford was put on hold indefinitely because of the sluggish economy and lack of funding. The proposed railroad track from near Route 7 south of Middlebury, across town roads and protected natural habitat was the subject of long-running opposition from many, including those whose lands would be affected.

The end of the month brought to an end Bill Finger’s 13-year tenure as Middlebury’s town manager. In a pre-planned move, Finger handed over the reins to the town’s former assistant manger, Kathleen Ramsay, on his last day on the job.

One year after the terrible floods produced by Tropical Storm Sandy, towns around the state were tallying up what they had spent, seeing what repairs remained to be done, and taking stock of lessons learned. In Hancock, for instance, emergency management coordinator Jill Jesso-White said the everyone is much more prepared for the next natural disaster.

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PAUL RALSTON, FOUNDER of the Vermont Coffee Co., has started a new business at his Middlebury facility called Vermont Sweet Maple Kindling. The new company sells 10-pound boxes of premium kindling.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Sept. 27

STEVE SMITH, LEFT, John Baker and Lynn Coale check on a pot of gravy before the annual chicken pie supper in Weybridge.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

cumbed to Eastern equine encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease that, according to state officials, is fatal about one-third of the time. Extensive anti-mosquito spraying and state advisories followed.

The United Way of Addison County kicked off its annual campaign with a $700,000 goal, one the organization’s leaders said was both more modest and more realistic than its target in recent years given tough economic times.

Porter Hospital also did some belttightening, cutting about $466,000 from its roughly $69 million budget after state regulators gave only a conditional approval to its initial spending plan.

Bristol held its second drug forum, which drew a crowd of 70 and led to the formation of a number of steering committees focused on specific issues.

New York has Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center; Paris has the Louvre and the Place de la Bastille. Middlebury, Vt., has the Mahaney Center for the Arts at Middlebury College.

In September the college kicked off a yearlong celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the institution that has hosted thousands of events featuring internationally acclaimed artists.

The apple crop came in low at some orchards around the county and high at others. Growers said that

2012 was a year of bizarre weather phenomena, from the wildfires in the Mountain West to the melting of nearly all of Greenland’s surface ice. Closer to home, the effect of unusual weather played out in more nuanced ways, though it is often no less devastating. An warm spell in early spring caused apple trees to blossom, and a hard frost in May killed many of those blossoms.

The town of Middlebury announced it had struck a $150,000 deal with Co-Operative Insurance Companies to buy a 38-acre parcel on Chipman Hill’s southeastern flank, funded by the town’s Land Conservation Trust Fund. The Battell Trust will manage the land, which is adjacent to other conserved land, and the town’s deed restricts the parcel’s uses to conservation, public park and recreation.

In mid-month eCorp’s downward spiral finally concluded with the announcement the six-year-old English language training firm would shutter its doors in Middlebury and other offices around the world, ending initial hopes for 100 local jobs. The state’s $175,000 loan to the firm may never be recovered and former employees are suing the company and its founder. The action came after months of reports of vendors not being paid and payrolls not being met.

As the month wound down, the VUHS board came up with its first

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proposal for a bond to upgrade its auditorium, kitchen and cafeteria; put new roofing on some parts of the building; install a turf field and a sixlane track around it; and make a series of smaller improvements inside and outside of the school. The price tag was $6.5 million, and the vote was set for Nov. 6.

The Middlebury selectboard heard a suggestion from its town office steering committee that officials might want to aim a little lower in designing a municipal office building.

The board also talked about capping taxpayers’ contribution to funding a new building at a 2-cent increase to the Middlebury’s tax rate, which officials said would raise about $2 million toward its cost over the length of a bond.

After the Bristol selectboard held its final hearing on a proposed town plan and setting a public vote on the plan for Nov. 6, some in town started asking what should be done with the prominent gravel pit at Bristol’s western gateway behind Mount Abraham Union High School.

As the month ended the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center was ready to launch a new program aimed at beefing up the state’s meat processing industry. A new program developed with Vermont Technical College aimed to produce more skilled butchers and meat cutters.

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October October is always a busy month during election years, and 2012 was no exception. As the election season heated up, the race for state treasurer was particularly tight, as incumbent Beth Pearce faced a well-financed campaign from Republican Wendy Wilton, who was bankrolled by Vermonter’s First, the state’s first “super PAC.” Addison County’s dairy farmers experienced a rough start to the month, with several feeling the financial strain of keeping their operations up and running. When the U.S. House of Representatives failed to produce a new Farm Bill before it adjourned on Sept. 28, farmers across the country lost a federal safety net, causing some small, familyrun farms to question whether or not staying in business was worth their while.

In other food and agriculture news, proposed changes to Vermont’s maple grading system were met with some resistance, as some manufacturers felt that standardized grades would diminish Vermont’s distinctive brand.

On Oct. 23, Middlebury-based Vermont Hard Cider Co., maker of Woodchuck hard cider, sold for a whopping $305 million to an Irish company called the C & E Group.

Woodchuck President and CEO Brett Williams assured the public that the company would remain based in Addison County, keep all of its employees for the foreseeable future, and continue its plans to build a new plant on Exchange Street in Middlebury.

In local political matters, the Vergennes Union High School board set an Election Day vote on a $6.5 million bond for facility improvements; few residents showed up at informa(Continued on Page 18A)

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PAGE 18A — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 27, 2012

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(Continued from Page 17A) tional meetings to ask questions or raise concerns.

Local lawmakers backed the idea of setting aside funding to examine the outbreak of the mosquito-borne illness Eastern equine encephalitis in light of the death of two local men from EEE. The Middlebury selectboard continued to tweak an update to the town plan that had been forwarded by the Middlebury Planning Commission.

The board had the option of making minor changes and OK’ing the document, or making major changes and holding more public hearings. Debates largely centering on the issue of a cap on the size of retail businesses to stop big-box chain stores from setting up shop in the town and possibly driving smaller retailers out of business. Some members of the public urged selectboard members to add an explicit 50,000-square-foot limit for retailer to the town plan, but some board members said that limit was already in the zoning laws, which was good enough for them.

Construction was completed on the East Middlebury firehouse. The previous out-of-date structure was razed and a new one was erected.

Work continued on the major addition to Firehouse No. 1 on Seymour Street, and was expected to wrap up this winter.

Lifelong Bristol resident Gertrude Lathrop said she could still recall when the town’s roads were unpaved and ice was cut from ponds and stored in sawdust-lined containers until summer time. She should know, she celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 13 The town of Bristol continued to hold community forums to discuss a generally perceived increase in drugrelated crimes. Coincidentally Dean C. Heffernan of Bristol was sentenced in U.S. District Court this month to 33 months in prison for his role in a 2011 shooting incident that apparently revolved around a heroin deal gone bad in Bristol. Heffernan was initially charged with attempted murder, but eventually entered a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to one count of using a controlled substance while in possession of a gun.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation committed to putting in passenger rail service between Middlebury and Rutland by 2017. A VTrans official also confirmed an impending agreement with the town of Middlebury to manage the replacement of two deteriorating railroad overpasses in its downtown.

The month was also marred by tragedy. George Demarais, 57, was killed in a shootout with police at his Case Street home in Middlebury after a six-hour standoff, in an apparent “suicide by cop.”

A series of burglaries in Monkton included the theft of an urn containing the ashes of an infant child.

On Oct. 4, a former Addison County assistant prosecutor pleaded innocent to charges of negligence for driving recklessly while an 8-year-old child ran alongside her vehicle.

On Oct. 13, the annual Youth Soccer Jamboree ended when a driver apparently overcome by a medical emergency crashed his car into some kids and an adult on the soccer field at Mount Abraham Union High School.

Thankfully, there were no fatalities.

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Oct. 8

STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE the scene off Route 116 in Middlebury where a 57-year-old man was killed during a gunfight with police.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Local schools had an exciting October, as the Lincoln Community School wrapped up its six-year, $2 million makeover and celebrated with an open house and dedication ceremony on Oct. 18.

The Aurora School in Middlebury announced that it would expand into seventh and eighth grades, creating a new area middle school.

Educational opportunities were also afoot on Lake Champlain during the month of October. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s Lois McClure, the museum’s replica canal schooner, brought a piece of history to Vergennes by recalling the city’s heroic role in the War of 1812. Later that month, Middlebury College dedicated the R/V Folger, a new research vessel that is the most technologically advanced maritime craft that Lake Champlain has seen yet.

An exciting visit from the Dalai Lama, who spoke of non-violence and harmony at Middlebury College on Oct. 12 and 13, spurred many other community events around the county.

Many who attended the talks by the leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a Nobel Peace Prize winner spoke of the joy and laughter that emanated from Tibet’s exiled leader.

Four Middlebury College students posing as a “Dalai Lama Welcoming Committee” circulated a fake press release declaring that Middlebury College would divest from fossil fuels to state and local media outlets.

The students later revealed their true intentions: to spark a public dialogue about divestment, which indeed continued in the coming months.

The month ended with frenzy over Superstorm Sandy, which wiped out power and coastline along the eastern seaboard. Vermont was thankfully spared much damage. Few Addison County homes lost power, and those that did were restored within days.

November The month of November kicked off with the General Election on Nov. 6, though in Addison County there were few contested races. In-

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MESSIER HOUSE MOVERS pull the Vergennes train depot across Route 22A to deliver it to its new resting place at the end of the park and ride lot. The building had to cross the highway and then make some tight turns into the parking lot.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

cumbents held off challengers in House races in the Vergennes area, New Haven area and Ripton and surrounding towns.

Incumbent lawmakers around the county also kept their seats, many by large margins. Statewide, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders kept his seat by a substantial margin, as did Gov. Peter Shumlin, who immediately set about changing his senior staff.

Votes were also cast on two important non-personnel issues in. Residents in Bristol adopted their town plan, ending an eight-year process that had stalled several times over is-

sues of resource extraction.

In Vergennes and the other Addison Northwest Supervisory Union towns voters soundly rejected a $6.5 million bond to improve facilities at Vergennes Union High School. Voters said no by 57.6 to 42.4 percent to a plan that included improvements to the school’s auditorium, installation of a six-lane track and an artificial turf playing field, upgrades to its kitchen and cafeteria, roof repairs to several areas of the building, and parking, sidewalk and traffic-flow improvements. School (Continued on Page 20A)

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PAGE 20A — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 27, 2012

Chronology 2012 A Year In Review

In one notable crime incident, three individuals in Hancock were arrested in the county’s first meth bust.

Community groups geared up for the holidays: Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects (HOPE) solicited donations for its annual giving tree.

Two tragic car accidents occurred the end of the month. On Nov. 24, 86-year-old Ann Roscoe of Bristol was struck by a car and killed at the intersection of Pine and North streets in downtown Bristol. Less than a week later on Nov. 30, 65-year-old Rep. Greg Clark of Vergennes was killed on Route 7 while scraping his windshield. The community mourned the losses of both citizens with moving funeral services.

December

Nov. 8

WEYBRIDGE POLL WATCHER John Meakin instructs voter Lisa Thompson how to cast her ballot during the 2012 election. Voter turnout was above 70 percent in many county towns.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

(Continued from Page 18A) board members said some things, like the roof, couldn’t wait, and they regrouped to find a solution.

Early in the month, Addison County EMTs and first responders heroically traveled to areas in New Jersey devastated by Superstorm Sandy, including Ceredwyn Alexander of Ripton and Elizabeth Clark and Ann Rivers of Vergennes.

In honor of Veterans Day, several vets told inspiring stories of their service, from the beaches of Normandy during World War II to service in today’s wars.

Middlebury College put the five students who had posed as a “Dalai Lama Welcoming Committee” on trial in the college’s first public hearing in nearly six years. The students were found guilty but no formal action was taken against them.

In local political news, Middlebury’s selectboard “got an earful”

early in the month from residents about the draft of the town plan; the debate centered on the issue of setting a 50,000-square-foot cap for retail stores. Some wanted it in the town plan to ensure big-box retailers didn’t drive smaller local firms out of business; but most selectmen said the cap was already in the zoning regulations and that would serve the purpose.

Vermont Gas Systems’ pipeline project advanced in November, announcing plans to ask the Vermont Public Service Board to approve pipeline extension in Middlebury and Vergennes.

Middlebury appointed a new Parks and Recreation department head. Terri Arnold, 55, is coming from Langley, Wash., where she served as director of South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District.

The UD-3 school board is considering a 3.8 percent hike in spending for Middlebury Union Middle School

and Middlebury Union High School.

Vergennes aldermen, meanwhile, picked a location for proposed new police headquarters, at the former Vergennes Auto Sales on North Main Street.

On Nov. 14, the long-serving town clerk of Weybridge, Karen Brisson, stepped down after admitting to embezzling town funds. The state’s attorney was waiting for an audit of town books to be completed before deciding whether to charge Brisson with any crimes.

The town of Panton led the charge to expand the Lake Champlain Byway from Vergennes through Panton and Addison to the Lake Champlain Bridge and back to the Little City.

The Environmental Court approved construction of a controversial gas station and restaurant on Route 7 in Ferrisburgh, and rejected the proposed Fenn gravel pit on Route 116 in Middlebury.

Nov. 12

CONSTRUCTION, TOWN AND state officials, above, cut the ribbon on the $3.3 million Pulp Mill Bridge project. The span that connects Middlebury and Weybridge over Otter Creek then opened to foot traffic and later vehicle traffic. Pictured are, left to right, Bill Patenaude, Jim Ligon, Mark Sargent, Dean George, Peter James and John Weaver.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

December kicked off with an exciting announcement by the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board at the American Legion in Middlebury. The board, in conjunction with the Agency of Agriculture and the Department of Forestry, announced that it was releasing $1 million in grants for new and existing businesses that develop and cultivate the state’s working lands.

Entrepreneurs weren’t the only ones to land a windfall early in the month: Addison County Transit Resources (ACTR) won an $8,000 grant from the Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation in Burlington. The bus and public transportation agency will put the funds toward the development of the Addison County Community Transit Center, which is being erected at a Creek Road property in Middlebury.

Additionally, the Vermont Chapter of the Society of Neuroscience announced that Lisa Bernardin, who founded the Vermont Brain Bee, had won a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation for her inspiring work with high school neuroscience clubs.

Early in December, it came to light that Briarwood Manor, the former nursing home at 1 Alden Place in Vergennes, could soon be home to a treatment facility for teenage girls battling substance abuse and self-injurious behaviors. Officials at Valley Vista, a private Bradford-based facility, said they had “fallen in love” with Briarwood and the city of Vergennes.

Though there were initially some concerns about security, Valley Vista has a good track record in Bradford and city officials and some residents seemed receptive.

Bristol went public with internal findings that Chief of Police Kevin Gibbs may have mishandled a grant application over the course of several years, costing the town over $9,000 in funds that town officials had fronted for the police department under the expectation that the money would be reimbursed through the grants. After a disciplinary hearing, the selectboard reprimanded Gibbs for not filing grant applications in a timely manner and ordered him to pay the town for the funds he failed to get.

Dec. 6

VERGENNES POLICE CHIEF George Merkel escorts Greg Clark’s widow, Eileen, out of the Vergennes Congregational Church after Clark’s memorial service. Clark, a state representative and long-time Mount Abraham Union High School teacher, was killed in a motor vehicle-related accident on Nov. 30.

Independent file photo/Trent Campbell

Bristol selectboard members also heard plans to improve safety conditions at the downtown intersection of Main Street, West Street, North Street and South Street. The Vermont Agency of Transportation thinks its width makes it unsafe. The study for a solution continues.

Weybridge began audits of the embezzlement case that had rocked the town in November.

A lengthy and sometimes heated debate over a cap on retail spaces in the Middlebury town plan came to an end when the Middlebury selectboard on Dec. 11 voted 6-0 (with one selectman absent) to pass the plan without a retail cap. Some worried that opened the door for a big-box retailer to set up shop in town and drive local firms out of business; but selectmen said the cap was already in town zoning regulations and didn’t need to be in the town plan, as well.

After Addison Northwest Supervisory Union voters rejected a $6.5 million bond for repairs to Vergennes Union High School on Election Day, school board members said they plan to put a version of the bond back to voters in February. They will be asked to first vote on $4.2 million in repairs; if that is approved, a separate ballot item will ask whether an additional $2 million in athletic facilities improvements would be favored.

Middlebury College announced it would open discussions on the issue of divesting itself from companies involved in fossil fuels. The announcement from college President Ron Liebowitz came after a semester of student protests to raise awareness of the issue, and a month after Schol-

ar-in-Residence Bill McKibben launched a national campaign urging colleges to divest from fossil fuels through his climate activism organization, 350.org.

Five-term incumbent Rep. Willem Jewett, D-Ripton, was overwhelmingly voted in as House Majority Leader by fellow Democrats.

Discussion of Vermont Gas Systems’ proposed natural gas pipeline through Addison County stirred up some controversy. Monkton was opposed to VGS’s proposed route near homes along Monkton Road, and asked that it instead run along an established utilities corridor.

The Bristol selectboard then said it would weigh in with VGS, too.

Deer season was successful for more than 800 local hunters, but the number harvested was nowhere near the 1,026 deer bagged in 2008. The average weight of deer measured at county weigh stations continued to rise — it was 146 pounds.

ANwSU Superintendent Tim O’Brian announced that he would retire following the 2013-2014 school year, and that he had received approval to work part-time (60 percent of full-time) next year.

Addison Central School Principal Wayne Howe will serve as assistant superintendent the remaining 40 percent of the time next year.

The Addison Central Supervisory Union is still looking for a superintendent to replace Lee Sease, who left in June 2011. After three failed searches, the ACSU interviewed two very qualified candidates the week before Christmas.

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