The Charlotte News Volume lVI Number 15
The VoIce of The TowN
Thursday, march 13, 2014
Getting Down to Business The Selectboard wasted no time in setting the tone for its term Monday night. John Hammer
Selectboard members pose for a picture before Monday’s meeting. They are (clockwise from front) Ellie Russell, Chair Lane Morrison, Charles Russell, Matthew Krasnow and Fritz Tegatz.
Photo by NaNcy Wood
THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
A Changing of the Guard
With two new members and a new chair, the Selectboard hopes to change the tone in Town Hall. Brett Sigurdson THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
Even though they were separated by the height of a stage and roughly 200 people seated between them, the tension between Charles Russell and Mary Mead was palpable at Town Meeting, especially when the Selectboard bungled the math during the board’s amendment to reduce the town’s bridge spending. The Town Clerk/ Treasurer, taking a break from the ballot table she was supervising, paced at the back of the room waiting to correct him, which she eventually did to applause from several others who have been critical of Russell.
Such tension and confrontation have become hallmarks at Selectboard meetings in the past two years, much to the chagrin of many. In fact, it’s become so bad that an amendment was made at Town Meeting to hire a mediator to work with the Selectboard and Mead, but it was voted down. However, Town Hall may be hitting the reset button come next week, when Lane Morrison, fresh off an unopposed race for a threeyear seat, takes over as board chairperson. During a recent interview, Russell said he’s well aware that he’s been one of the lightning rods for tensions in Town Hall in the last few years of his ten-year
run as chair. While he notes he isn’t the only one to blame for the acrimony, Russell acknowledged that his communication skills were at times inadequate and that he sometimes didn’t manage Selectboard meetings with sufficient poise. Both of these contributed to the tension with Mead and others, who grew to see him as hot-tempered and unwilling to listen. This notion was reinforced when Russell made a concerted effort to make meetings more “businesslike” in the past year by limiting comments from commu-
The Selectboard meeting of March 10 had a whole new look with opening action being the voting of Lane Morrison into the chair, thus ending the 10-year tenure of Charles Russell in that position. Morrison began by thanking past Selectmen, John Owen and Winslow Ladue, for their service and welcomed Fritz Tegatz and Matt Krasnow to their seats on the board. After his welcomes Morrison got right to work setting up the organization for future meetings. The meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order for Small Boards. All regular meetings for the coming year will occur on the second and fourth Mondays of the week with exceptions made for Memorial and Columbus Days. The Selectboard will set a goal of developing the draft agenda for regular meetings by 2 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday with final agenda and packet being ready by 1 p.m. on the preceding Thursday. Morrison further set forth rules for public participation in meetings. During discussions of contentious and complex issues he will utilize a three-minute egg timer with which to limit individual comments so that all may be heard in the time allotted. The public comment periods are usually scheduled for five minutes at the beginning of the meeting and are there simply for the public to bring items for later consideration by the board. They are not intended to this be taken up by debate. During the public comment period at this meeting, Town Clerk/Treasurer Mary Mead suggested that with the forthcoming vacancy of Planning and
New Board
continued on page 7
Selectboard
continued on page 5
Town Meeting: Selectboard Cuts Budget, Adds to Traffic Enforcement THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
Charlotters last Tuesday passed a $3,114,904 town budget during Town Meeting, a reduction of $165,600 from the original budget proposal of $3,280,504. The savings come from a reduction in the budget for bridge expenses made through an amendment by the Selectboard at the meeting. The $205,000 reduction in the original $283,000 bridge allocation is attributed to a one-year delay in bridge projects that will allow the town to take advantage of state bridge grants, Selectboard
member Winslow Ladue told the crowd. The remaining portion of the bridge fund in this year’s budget, about $77,500, will be used for repairs to the Carpenter Road, Spear Street and Holmes bridges. The Carpenter Road bridge will need the most significant amount of work, particularly a new deck, guardrail and expansion of the west approach. While these projects were expected, work on the Seguin Covered Bridge was not, said Ladue. The bridge on Roscoe Road, sometimes called the “upper bridge,” is infested with carpenter ants, creat-
ing potential structural problems that necessitate replacement of half the support structure. Ladue noted that state estimates for the project range near $600,000, though there will be a 95-percent state grant that the town could qualify for next year—thus the desire to put the project on hold. As part of the amendment to decrease the overall bridge budget, the Selectboard requested $40,000 of the $205,000 reduction be earmarked for traffic enforcement. Vince Crockenberg, a member of the Town Meeting Solutions Committee, discusses the group’s proposed advisory motion to change the town’s budget Town Meeting approval process. The motion was approved on a continued on page 5 voice vote.
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Photo by Emma SlatEr
Brett Sigurdson
The Charlotte News
Report from the Legislature by Representative Mike Yantachka
The Charlotte News PublishEd by and for CharlottErs sinCE 1958 The CharloTTe News is a nonprofit community-based newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues. It serves as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and celebrates the people, places and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique. Contributions in the form of articles, press releases and photographs pertaining to Charlotte-related people and events are accepted and encouraged from all townspeople and interested individuals. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@charlottenewsvt.com. The CharloTTe News is published in Charlotte by The Charlotte News, Inc., a Vermont domestic 501(c)4 nonprofit corporation. Distribution is made every other Thursday to all households and businesses in Charlotte and to selected outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh and Vergennes. It relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations. oN The weB aT:
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Doyle Poll: Charlotters Feel Pressure of Education Costs, Favor Cell Phone Restrictions One of the highlights of Town Meeting Day in Vermont is the opportunity Vermonters have of registering their opinions on a variety of issues in the Doyle Poll, a survey conducted for many decades by Senator Bill Doyle. I want to thank the 179 Charlotters who filled out the survey this year. Here for your consideration is a tally of your responses. Most respondents approve of the bill prohibiting hand-held cell phone use while driving, which was passed by the House a few weeks ago. Two questions pertain to the types of energy being promoted in Vermont, wind turbines on ridgelines and natural gas. In both cases a plurality of respondents favored these types of energy development while a significant number had not yet made up their minds. Several questions relate to the quality of life in Vermont and reveal concerns that the Legislature will need to deal with. The greatest concern was directed at the increasing use of opiates in Vermont. This topic was the focus of Governor Shumlin’s State of the State address in January and is receiving a lot of attention in both the House and Senate. Respondents seem to agree by a wide margin that there is a better way of handling non-violent offenders than keeping them in prison, and the Legislature is currently looking into ways to increase the use of diversion programs to get offenders back on the right track rather than simply incarcerating them. Legalization of marijuana is favored by a slim margin, and comments indicate that feelings are strong on both sides of this issue. With school budgets and property taxes being the hot topic on Town Meeting Day, it is not surprising that strong opinions related to these issues were reflected in the poll. A heavy majority of respondents felt that rising education costs are unsustainable.
Q# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
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Comments added to the poll reflected a desire for the Legislature to come up with a new method of financing education that puts less of a burden on property taxes. A majority of respondents also felt that Vermont is not an affordable place to live, an attitude that is likely related to high property taxes. On the other hand, a majority also believes that Vermont is on the right track with respect to health care policy. While hand-held cell phone use while driving is frowned upon, statewide cell service and broadband is overwhelmingly seen as an important factor in Vermont’s economy. This is not the case for creating a state bank, which has been promoted in some circles recently. North Dakota is the only state with a state bank and is looked upon as a model by the promoters of the idea in Vermont. The idea of labelling genetically engineered foods is still a controversial subject in the Legislature, not because of its popularity as reflected by these poll results as well as by the overwhelming support it received during a Senate hearing in February, but because of the concern that Vermont could be subject to an expensive lawsuit by Monsanto if the bill passes. Nevertheless, passage of the bill in some form seems likely before the end of the session. Finally, more than two-thirds of respondents think that the federal government collects too much information on us. As your representative in Montpelier, I appreciate your input on these and other issues. Your comments help me look at issues from several perspectives, and that is a valuable opportunity for me. You can always contact me by phone at 802-425-3960 or email me at myantachka.dfa@gmail. com. You can also visit my website at MikeYantachka.com.
Question Should drivers be prohibited from using cell phones while driving? Should Vermont legalize marijuana? Should wind turbines be constructed on Vermont ridge lines? Should Vermont increase its minimum wage? Are you concerned about the increasing use of opiates in Vermont? Should we reduce the Vermont prison population via alternatives for nonviolent offenders? Should food products sold in Vermont produced with genetic engineering be labeled? Do you believe that Vermont is an affordable place to live? Are statewide cell service and broadband important to the future of Vermont’s economy? Should natural gas be an important part of Vermont’s economy? Should Vermont create a state bank? Do you believe Vermont health care is moving in the right direction? Do you believe that increasing costs of education are unsustainable? Do you believe that our national government collects too much information on the lives of American citizens?
65%
%No 27%
%Not Sure 8%
48% 45% 67% 92%
42% 32% 23% 3%
10% 23% 10% 5%
79%
9%
12%
76%
12%
12%
28%
56%
91%
2%
16% 7%
50%
29%
21%
24%
38%
38%
50%
32%
18%
70%
20%
10%
70%
15%
15%
%Yes
PUBLIC MEETINGS Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Sometimes they begin earlier; check online at charlottevt.org or with the Town Clerk (425-3071). Chair: Lane Morrison (4252495), Matthew Krasnow (922-2153), Ellie Russell (425-5276), Charles Russell (425-4757), Fritz Tegatz (425-5564). CCS School Board Regular Meetings are usually at 6:30 p.m. at CVU on the third Tuesday of each month. Chair Kristin Wright (425-5105), Clyde Baldwin (425-3366), Susan
Nostrand (425-4999), Erik Beal (425-2140), Mark McDermott (425-4860). Planning Commission Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Chair Jeffrey McDonald (425-4429), Vice Chair Peter Joslin, Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Linda Radimer, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick. Committee meetings are listed on the town website. Check times and agendas online or by phone; for the town: charlottevt.org, Town Hall, 425-3071 or 4253533; for CCS: ccsvt.us, CSSU office, 383-1234.
The Charlotte News
Letters
CCS School Buses Vandalized
Thank you for support Looking for Marty Thank you for electing me to another Williams three years on the CVU school board. I take this responsibility seriously and will continue to work with the other CVU board members to continuously improve our community high school. I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with many dedicated individuals on the common goal of helping our next generation learn the skills they will need in the future. Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions. Thanks again.
Vermont State Police responded to Charlotte Central School Saturday afternoon, March 1, for a report of vandalism to school buses. Two buses belonging to Bet-Cha Transit, Inc. were found with several windows smashed out on each. The damage appeared to have been caused by rocks. The vandalism occurred between Friday, Feb. 28, and the afternoon of Saturday, March 1. Suspects are unknown at this time. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Vermont State Police at 802-878-7111.
Lorna Jimerson CVU School Board
Twice Counted, CCS Budget Narrowly Passes Brett Sigurdson and Edd Merritt the Charlotte news Charlotters passed the CCS School Board’s proposed $7.5 million budget by a small margin on Town Meeting Day, giving the go-ahead for the budget 540521. That close vote led to a recount on Monday. The most talked-about line item in the lead-up to the budget vote is a $32,500 expenditure to move from the current hybrid kindergarten model to a full-day model, something that has provoked several discussions at school board meetings between those who favor and those who dispute the educational value of such a move, especially in light of a budget increase. Other items in the proposed CCS budget include hiring two part-time paraeducators to assist with fifth-grade classes ($63,322), a 0.6 full-time equivalent reading/language arts specialist ($51,082, nearly half of which would be offset by Medicaid funds), technology-related expenditures (roughly $32,000) and an assistant cross-country coach ($4,037), among others. These expenditures are balanced somewhat by $240,000 in expected staff cuts
the school board proposed in budget reductions. This includes the reduction of a full-time primary teacher, providing a savings of $77,082, and two middle-level content teachers at a savings of $126,298. Because of these reductions, the school will also see a corresponding savings of roughly $27,000 in full-time equivalent staffing in art, world languages and physical education. While the vote was close, CCS board chair Kristin Wright said the budget’s passage allows faculty, staff and administrators to look toward the future. “I’m thankful that the budget passed,” she said. “A passed budget allows our teachers, administrators and the board to focus on providing the best quality education for our children.” Given the close vote margin, though, at least one person wanted to take a look back at the numbers. Former town auditor Robert Mack asked for a recount. According to Town Clerk/Treasurer Mary Mead, her office must recount ballots if the difference between “yes” and “no” votes falls within a five percent range of all ballots cast on the motion. The original count and the recount showed 540 votes in favor of the budget, 521 opposed, a 19-vote difference.
The News would like to welcome its newest intern, Kim Cribari of Hinesburg. Allow her to introduce herself: I’m Kim Cribari, and I’m excited to be starting an internship with the Charlotte News. I’m currently in my second year of high school at CVU and want to be an English major in college. I’m hoping this internship will help me with that. I have lived in Hinesburg my whole life and love Vermont, but I’m hoping my college years will be a time to do some traveling. I’m really into dancing and take ballet, tap and jazz dance classes weekly. I’m at the dance studio almost every day! Myself and almost every member of my family plays at least a little bit of guitar. My family has always been very musical and artsy. Look for articles by Kim in upcoming issues of the News.
Next issue deadlines ContrIbutIons: Monday, MarCh 17
by
Marvin Ball North Ferrisburgh
I would like to thank everyone who voted in last week’s election. Democracy works best when people get involved. Special thanks to those who worked so hard and supported me. I look forward to serving on the Selectboard and contributing to the community. Please feel free to contact me with any issues or concerns. Fritz Tegatz Selectboard
Special Town Meeting this Fall to Address Changes in Budget Vote Town Meeting Solutions Committee to hold forums on issue
News from The News
It’s sugar season. the Charlotte CongregatIonal ChurCh Is CertaInly ready. Photo by edd MerrItt.
I would like someone to get in touch with me. I am looking for the whereabouts of Marty Williams. I have not been in touch with him since he sold me apples in 1995. If you do know where to find him, call me at 425-3529.
Tegatz appreciates support
5 P.M.
letters: Monday, MarCh 24, by 10 a.M. next PublICatIon date: thursday, MarCh 27.
Town Meeting 2014 resulted in a trend-setting change in how the Charlotte town budget might be voted. The object is to maintain our traditional town meeting while allowing the whole town to vote on the budget. There will be a special town meeting this fall to consider one item: “Shall the voters of the Town of Charlotte adopt their town budget article or articles by Australian ballot not sooner than five weeks after the Selectboard has been directed by the voters at the annual Town Meeting of any changes to the proposed budget?” This plan gives those who value town meeting the chance to hear and amend the proposed budget at the annual Town Meeting as usual. Then the Selectboard will be directed to put that number on a paper ballot so the whole electorate has the final say. Simply put, using the numbers from this year, it
increases the percentage participation of our 3,144 registered voters from 6 percent to 34 percent. The Town Meeting Solutions Committee will be discussing these changes in a number of forums. Most importantly, all interested parties will be able to debate this idea at the special town meeting, the only place where a change in voting procedures can take place. The whole idea can be debated and voted on at that time. You can post and read comments on our web site covering this issue at townmeeing05445.word- press. com or speak to any member of the Town Meeting Solutions Committee: Vince Crockenberg, Joanna Cummings, Valerie Graham, John Hammer, Lynne Jaunich, Patrice Machavern, Abby Rehkugler and Mike Yantachka. The collective email address is townmeeting05445@gmail.com.
The Charlotte News
In It To Make a Difference With Exits of Owen and Ladue from Selectboard, Charlotte Loses Long-Time Public Servants Brett Sigurdson
The CharloTTe News As with the best politicians, John Owen entered town government to right a perceived wrong. Citing the reversal of a decision to build affordable housing on the town-owned Burns property and a decision by the Selectboard to cut funding to Raven’s Ridge, Owen said he wanted to get involved with Town Government to make a difference. “I just got so angry,” Owen recalled. “I said, ‘Hell, I’m going to run.’” Despite never having run for public office and having no idea how to do it, Owen launched a campaign. The only issue: Owen was running against a popular long-time incumbent, Frank Thornton. Owen lost almost two to one. However, he would get a second chance when Thornton resigned from the board midway through his term due to health reasons, and Owen was chosen to fill his seat. From the start Owen made a mark, most significantly in regard to community safety. When a few town constables did not work out, Owen worked with the Shelburne Police Department to devise a contract for periodic police coverage of Charlotte—a contract that is still around—and to establish weekly communication with with Shelburne Police Chief Jim Warden. As a Selectboard member, Owen is very proud of the work the town has
done to improve the Selectboard’s rela- he has grown disenchanttionship with Charlotte Volunteer Fire & ed with the acrimonious, Rescue as well as to help the organiza- disruptive tone of some tion solidify its financial structure over meetings where people the last two years. did not agree. Such expeHis biggest satisfaction has been the riences contradicted the work he did on affordable housing in team-friendly approach he Charlotte, changing zoning regulations experienced as a represento make it easier for affordable housing tative to the library and the to happen and seeing a grant program Senior Center. form. It was long a concern of his, and “They’re examples of he was excited to see his work become what people can do when something. they work together,” he “All of a sudden after years of work- said. “You see what’s posing we got that going,” he said. “It sible. And then you go took a long time. to these It finally hapSelectpened.” b o a r d He also meetings where everyenjoyed working one is fighting and with the Charlotte it’s like two different 250 committee, worlds.” a “very creative More significantly, group” that came Owen decided not to up with a number run for his seat again as of great activihe and his wife will be ties to celebrate moving to South Burthe town’s 250th lington in June. They anniversary. are looking forward to “It was just moving to South Vilvery rewarding,” lage, where they’ll live Winslow Ladue he said of the close to other neighbors. experience. Like Owen, Ladue Yet, people not was a long-time pubgetting along is lic servant who wanted one of the reasons Owen decided to step to make a difference as a Selectboard away from the Selectboard. Owen said member. Ladue was a member of the Planning Commission in the 1980s and was a scoutmaster for the Cub Scouts, balancing volunteer work with his work for state government. For his seven-year tenure on the board, Ladue has much that he looks back upon with pride. His work on a wastewater feasability study for Charlotte’s West Village tops his list, followed by work on town bridges and maintaing the view corridor along the lake side of Route 7. Ladue is also proud of being the only dissenting vote against the town-funded forensic audit of CVFRS two years ago,
“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.”
John Owen
which eventually found there was no inappropriate use of town money. And while Ladue points to a few decisions as being difficult—being the tiebreaker vote for a proposed solar project on Thompson’s Point that did not pass comes to mind—he sees the time he had to devote to the Selectboard as something he would have changed. Given his job with the state Department of Environmental Conservation in Montpelier, he couldn’t devote the attention he would have liked to the town. That’s why he describes his defeat on Town Meeting day “part remorse, part euphoria.” While he’ll miss the opportunity to work for the town, he’s looking forward to devoting time to his family and his personal interests that he couldn’t before. Both Owen and Ladue offered advice to the incoming Selectboard members Fritz Tagatz and Matthew Krasnow, including learning the history of projects before making decisions, utilizing thirdparty experts, noticing the little things and, above all, working together. Said Ladue, “The most important resource we have is the people who can volunteer their time to help make our town a better place. One of the more important jobs of the Selectboard is to support those who volunteer.”
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The Charlotte News this year’s budget—salaries for Town Clerk/ Treasurer Mary Mead and her assistant, Sharron Balaban, provided the impetus for the debate. According to Chair Russell, Mead asked continued from page 1 the town for a $15,000 pay raise for herself and $8,000 for Balaban. Because the list of With the increased amount for traffic enforce- job duties Mead provided did not go beyond ment, the town is reserving a total of $70,000 to basic statuary requirements the board denied it, combat speeding. Prior to Town Meeting Day, Russell said. In January, Mead went back to the the Selectboard had raised the allocation for board with a request for a roughly $10,000 raise traffic enforcement from $25,000 to $30,000, for her work as town treasurer, Russell said. largely due to an expected increase in the That was also denied. cost of services provided by Shelburne Police Mead told the audience she had not received Department, which a raise beyond a cost-of-living currently provides increase since 1996, when she eight-and-a-half received a merit raise. Mead’s hours of service per request for a pay increase came week. after she conducted research Aside from into what other clerk/treasurers increased police in similarly sized towns made, presence, the money she said. will be used for bet“Honestly, I didn’t think ter signage and trafmy request of the Selectboard, fic control measures which I had requested for sevoutlined by a recent eral years was that unreasonreport from the able,” she said. Community Safety Chair Russell, though, noted Committee (CSC). Mead received a 10.8 percent The CSC, which raise in 2000 and 2001, a recently became three-percent raise between a standing com2007 and 2009 and a 3.1 mittee, will be in percent increase between charge of offering 2011 and 2012. Indeed, recommendations since 2000, Mead’s salary to the Selectboard has increased from $36,902 about how to spend in 2000 to $62,916 in the that money to make FY2014–15 budget. Charlotte’s roads In looking at what other Moderator Jerry Schwarz calls on a voter safer. towns the size of Charlotte “We’re counting during Town Meeting March 4. are paying their town clerk/ on them to tell us treasurers, the members of the what’s most effecSelectboard noted that Mead tive,” said Selectboard chair Charles Russell. is paid at the upper level of salaries. A handout The Selectboard would have final approval over on chairs throughout the multipurpose room how the money is spent, he added later in reply produced by the Selectboard showed that, at to a question concerning a new committee being $67,511, Mead is paid near the top of 18 compain charge of taxpayer money. rably sized towns for her work as clerk, treasurer The town does receive revenue in the form and delinquent tax collector, and well above the of traffic tickets to offset its traffic enforcement average of $51,046. Only Hartland’s town clerk costs. This year, the town has received $6,700 is paid more ($68,020). The average compenin ticket revenue. sation for all of the town clerks’ offices was $75,285 compared to Charlotte’s at $103,890, Salaries according to the numbers the Selectboard proA question from Jill Lowrey regarding the vided. parity of pay raises in this year’s proposed budAccording to Chair Russell, the town has not get sparked a discussion of the town’s rationale had a consistent salary policy for town staff. for setting salaries and raises. While the discussion centered on all town-paid positions—which Town Meeting received a 1.5-percent cost of living increase in continued on page 10 Photo by Emma SlatEr
Town Meeting
Selectboard continued from page 1 Zoning Administrative Assistant Gloria Warden, a redistribution of responsibilities be carried out among present staff members for greater savings, efficiency and unity of purpose. The Selectboard will consider her suggestion at a future meeting. The Selectboard also scheduled a special meeting for Monday, March 17, from 4-6 p.m. to hear and consider the selection of the private auditing firm that will conduct the Town Audit for this fiscal year. The quarterly meetings with the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (CVFRS) will be scheduled for April, July, October and January. The next meeting will be held jointly at the regular Selectboard meeting on April 28 tentatively at the CVFRS’s fire hall. A popular issue was resolved at this meeting when the Selectboard amended the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulation Ordinance to set a maximum speed limit of 45 miles per hour on Spear Street north from the Hinesburg Road to the Shelburne town line. In another highway item, a curb cut was granted with conditions for Colin Rehkugler at 939 Dorset Street. The Selectboard also licensed the installation of a utility line under Dorset Street at that location. With the intent of making Town Meeting more productive, Morrison opened the floor to discussion on what might make it happen. Some of the ideas mentioned were to allow town committees and departments a short time early on to describe their activities and requirements, separate out major budget items for discussion, identify sources of handouts, and increase town participation in budget discussions before Town Meeting. Much of the latter half of the meeting was taken up with assignments to town committees and commissions. The following were reappointed to the entities indicated: Tree Warden and Fence Viewer—Larry Hamilton; Town Service Officer – Lucia Plante; Energy Committee – Bill Kallock, Jennifer Chiodo, Suzy Hodgson and Rebecca Foster; Planning Commission – Paul Landler and Donna Stearns; Recreation Committee – Judy Hill; Trails Committee – Lisa Barnes, Jordan Blucher, John Limanek and Kevin Burgett; Thompson’s Point Design Review Committee—Robin Coleburn; Zoning Board of Adjustment—Jonathan Fisher, and Animal Control Officer—Cali Griswold. Along with the above assignments, Selectboard priorities were set and liaison responsibilities assigned. After the March 17 meeting, the next regularly scheduled meeting will be on March 24.
The Charlotte News
Mayfly to Perform at Mt. Philo Inn March 28
Summer of Walter Hacks to Screen in Monkton
Group features Charlotter Julia Wayne; Hokum Bros also to perform Mayfly, an old-time-meets-new-folk duo whose music is intertwined with haunting melodies and southern fiddle tunes, will play a CD release concert at the Mt. Philo Inn on Friday, March 28, beginning at 7 p.m. The duo features Julia Wayne of Charlotte and Katie Trautz of Montpelier. They perform old-time New England and Appalachian music, as well as original songs on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo and vocals. Mayfly intersperses close harmony singing with strong instrumentals influenced by blues, ballads and American roots music. Their 2007 album won “Best Traditional Album of the Year” in Vermont. Mayfly’s 2014 follow-up, Sweet is
the Morning, was recorded with the help of Dirk Powell, Louisiana-based old-time and Cajun musician. The album crosses genres and integrates the old with the new. Included on the album are a couple of shape-note hymns, original folk songs, a cappella close harmony and old-time fiddle tunes with a banjo contribution by Powell. They bring to the record a maturity and grace easily recognized in the confidence of their voices. The band will be touring the East and West coasts to support the album. Hokum Bros, featuring Charlotter Woody Keppel, will open the show. A donation of $15 is suggested. For more information, visit mtphiloinn. com.
friday film
The duo Mayfly, featuring Charlotter Julia Wayne (right) and Katie Trautz, will perform March 28.
Folk Art Flicks
MARCH
Home Movie: An American Folk Art. A documentary short from 1974 that examines the tradition of home movies. The Museum shares some of its own, as well, with a group discussion about the recording of memories and experiences. 7:30 p.m.
MARCH
Folk. Feature length documentary that follows
14 21
three singer-songwriters, ages 30 to 60, as they make their way through the quirky sub-culture of American folk music. 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10; Members $8. Tickets sold at the door. sponsored by:
6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Vermont
Charlotters are up for a rare treat as the award-winning, Vermont-made feature film The Summer of Walter Hacks is set to screen at the Monkton Central School on Friday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. “We’ve been aware of this film for some time, many of us have seen it elsewhere in the state, but we wanted to bring it here to our community,” said Monkton resident and organizer Kathy Boyer. The Summer of Walter Hacks was filmed in Vermont and features many familiar faces and places from the area. Some scenes were set in the Quinlan schoolhouse and on the Greenbush Road Railroad Bridge. Among the film’s stars are Charlotters Jennifer Blanchard and her daughter, Francesca. The film is about an 11-year-old who loves western movies and has a rich imagination. It is set in 1952 and was shot in black and white with
99 percent of the locations in Vermont. The film was directed and co-written by Waterbury Center dairy farmer George Woodard and co-written and produced by Gerianne Smart from Ferrisburgh. Both George and Gerianne will be present at the screening to answer questions. The Summer of Walter Hacks has screened over 30 times with many shows selling out or at near capacity and has captured an award and critical acclaim in the process. “Independent films can have a longer ‘life’ in theaters whereas fully distributed film may only see the big screen for as little as 60 days before being turned into DVDs,” explains producer Smart. “We do not have plans to make DVDs of the film, so the only way to see our film is at events like this, projected on a large screen, with a good sound system, just like the old westerns of the 1940s and ‘50s were shown.” Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 at the door to help support future Monkton community events. The screening was made possible by funds provided by the Monkton Community Coffeehouse. Refreshments will be made available at the event by local Girl Scout Cadette Troop #30166. For more information about the screening, contact Kathy Boyer at 802453-6067 or email weg@gmavt.net. Information about the film can be found at http://www.pastureproductions.com or on the film’s Facebook page.
The Charlotte News
New Board continued from page 1 nity members, a move some felt was akin to censoring opposing views, he said. Despite the belief by Russell’s critics that his board was opaque, Russell himself is proud of how much more transparent the Selectboard has become in his 14 years on it, particularly through the town’s website. He’s also satisfied with the way the Selectboard has mended relationships with town commissions, which had been fractious early in his tenure. In fact, communication was a hallmark of Russell’s tenure as chair, said Winslow Ladue, who served on the board for the past seven years. “Charles always listened, always tried to make a decision based on consensus,” he said. Russell also devoted a “tremendous” amount of time to the position—more, Ladue added, than he ever could. But like several who spoke at Town Meeting, Russell has grown tired of the animosity within Town Hall, which lately has grown to such a boil it almost led to physical altercations between him and others, Russell noted. “That’s just wrong,” he said. “It’s too bad it’s gotten to that point.” Given the focus on him as a player in that tension, Russell is okay with stepping aside. “If stepping down helps, then that’s fine,” he said. “If it’s in the best interest of the town, then so be it.” Russell still has one year left of his three-year Selectboard term, and he says it’s too early to know if he’ll run again. In the meantime, he’s planning to work closely on the Town Plan with the Planning Commission as the Selectboard’s liaison, as well as take on other duties in the Selectboard’s work plan. For his part, Morrison sees planning and communication as the cornerstones of the Selectboard going forward under his leadership. He wants to have the Selectboard agenda and packet available to the community by Wednesdays instead of Fridays. He plans to discuss any financial decisions with Mead prior to any Selectboard meeting. Morrison
also plans to delegate more duties to other Selectboard members. Morrison is thinking creatively, too. For example, he’s hoping to hold the Selectboard’s quarterly meeting with Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue Service in the fire hall so Charlotters can see the new ambulance and other equipment. Morrison is even looking to next year’s Town Meeting, where he hopes to make it easier for people to discuss the budget by breaking up segments of it into individual articles and have committees requesting town money speak to
to make business decisions,” Tegatz said in an interview after Town Meeting. “You have to take all the facts and make the best decisions. You have to be able to agree to disagree. Personalities shouldn’t be a factor.” Such a philosophy was born from his experience both as a civil engineer and as the proprietor of a horse boarding business in southern California for 25 years. Between building high-rises and growing his boarding business—which at the time he left was caring for 400 horses and employing upward of 30 people—Tegatz has gained a practical, even-handed approach to managing big operations. He’s also gained skills both tangible and not that should be an asset to town government. With his civil engineering background, Tegatz has experience writing and managing contracts, administering them and the bidding process, all skills he sees lending themMatthew Krasnow Fritz Tegatz selves to upcoming town projects such as the library roof their requests. and bridge repair projects. All of this is meant to make Town But Tegatz sees himself as a bridge Meeting next year—and each Selectboard builder in other ways. He cites the clienmeeting running up to it—a lot less divi- tele of his former horse boarding busisive, Morrison noted. ness, some very wealthy and others “We ought to be working together,” he struggling to get by, and the need to said. “We can iron out differences before- meet all their needs as lending itself to hand, make everyone part of the process, governing in Charlotte, which has similar so that meetings can go smoother.” demographic challenges. Helping out will be two new members, In terms of issues he’s interested in Fritz Tegatz and Matthew Krasnow. tackling within Charlotte, Tegatz is Tegatz defeated incumbent Winslow looking forward to analyzing issues of Ladue for a three-year seat on the employee compensation and getting Selectboard. Krasnow won a two-year involved with the town’s construction seat. With their ascendency come prom- projects. Beyond these things, he’ll take ises to make the Selectboard more trans- the lead from Charlotters. parent and more accessible, while also “My vision is to do what the townsmore welcoming. people want to do,” he said. “It shouldn’t Tegatz, who moved to Charlotte just be the place for the Selectboard to say over three years ago, ran on the slogan who does what where.” “Leave it at the door.” He describes this For this reason, Tegatz wants to as a pragmatic approach to governing, be open and accessible. He implores one that puts reasoned judgment above Charlotters to call him and he’ll listen. everything else. “Everybody should be heard,” said “Regardless of anything, you’re there Tegatz.
Krasnow, who beat out two challengers for a two-year seat on the Selectboard— Bonnie Christie and Ed Stone—also promised to make the Selectboard more open and engaged in the run-up to Town Meeting Day. Krasnow, who declined to be interviewed for this story, citing in an email message a desire to get experience on the Selectboard prior to discussing his goals as a representative, wrote in a February Front Porch Forum post announcing his candidacy that he sees “a need for the process and information to be made more public.” “When neighbors feel either out of touch or out of the discussion, I hear a call for the Selectboard to solicit more input by adding modern access to our local government,” he wrote, adding that he sees an opportunity for technology to help bridge this gap. A lifelong resident of Charlotte, Krasnow in his candidate announcement attributes his interest to being a “proud observer” of local democracy, which he practiced through studying town reports and listening closely at town meetings. He took this interest in the political arena from his experience as an intern for Gerry Krasnow, his uncle, and as a volunteer case manager for former Senator Jim Jeffords. Like Tegatz, Krasnow views himself as a bridge builder between different factions within the town. “I feel some parties to the town process have shifted away from cooperative engagement,” he wrote, “and I’d like the opportunity to bring this back into focus so we can continue to provide and receive the important life-saving and recreational services our town and its officers provide. This requires working through inevitable challenges together.” Despite not wanting to discuss his goals in print, Krasnow did note in his candidate letter an interest in addressing invasive species and agriculture in Charlotte. He wrote that he’s also interested in taking the lead from Charlotters about what issues are important. “I will add a new perspective and a fresh set of eyes, with the time, consideration and drive to commit to the work,” he wrote. Krasnow can be reached at 802-9222153. Tegatz can be reached at 802-425564.
Boy Scout
Charlotte Troop 615
All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast And Silent Auction Sunday March 30 8 am –11 am at
The Old Lantern
Greenbush Road, Charlotte General Admission - $7.00 per person
The Charlotte News
Lucky You Live in Charlotte Celebrate Larry Hamilton Contributor The statement “Lucky you live in Vermont” is a fairly common expression here. And also “Lucky you live in Charlotte!” It is true. Charlotte is a fine place to live. As tree warden, I am especially aware of the natural environment, which is a big part of why it is true. It’s the trees. And more than just trees, it’s the forests and other associated natural areas. A recent study of forestlands in nearby Massachusetts by Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution produced an interesting report on “Forests as Infrastructure.” Assessment of four possible scenarios of rural development, based on a predicted 4°F increase and a five- to seven-percent precipitation increase in 50 years, showed forest retention as the most desirable strategy. Keeping forestland intact, either protected or as sustainably used, plus more concentrated housing development, was best for nature and best for people. The forest’s benefits include watershed protection as precipitation increases and carbon fixation to reduce the carbon dioxide-caused increases in temperature. Compared to the increasing (now almost unbearable) heat and increasing aridity being experienced by many sections of our country, Vermont and Charlotte are looking like good bets for immigration into our verdant landscape by those seeking relief. Under such a scenario, what will happen to our forests? More pressure for more houses in the woods, no doubt. Our Town Plan describes the vision we hope to achieve, and a key element of this vision is to maintain and enhance the integrity and continued viability of natural and cultural features with high public value, such as wildlife habitat and other ecologically important natural areas. Some of our very richest wildlife habitat, which also happens to provide some of our most important ecological functions, are our blocks of native forest, especially the larger blocks. These have been mapped by the Conservation Commission and documented in the 2008 Significant Wildlife Habitat Map. As one drives or walks along the roads of our town, there appears to be a goodly amount of forestland being maintained. But, if one flies over the
town or looks at an air photo, the sad truth is revealed. Many of these forests are penetrated by roads and have house sites in their interiors. This fragments and degrades the forest. Moreover, these houses that poke holes in the forest are not good prospects for solar panels, unless the house envelope is incredibly large—and on-site solar is the bright path ahead for energy. This kind of ill-advised housing development has more negative impact than we realized 20-30 years ago. Fortunately, state and regional studies have now documented the scope and significance of negative impact from human infrastructure (such as houses and roads) on the wildlife and life-supporting ecological functions. The prestigious Wildlife Conservation Society has found that negative impacts on wildlife can extend 600 feet due to noise, nighttime lighting, pets running free, pesticides and physical changes to the forest. In other words, a house in the forest has a “wildlife shadow” of 15 to 30 acres! The road to the house adds to this, particularly as a conduit for invasive plant and animal species. While new openings and edges may attract or increase the generalist species such as sparrows, blue jays and raccoons, the forest species such as pileated woodpecker, wood thrush, bobcat and fisher disappear or are reduced in numbers. We need to maintain our forests in good condition and especially keep our remaining blocks of forestland from being fragmented and their unique values lost. This means we need to guide new housing into existing villages, hamlets and clusters as a key way to promote good stewardship of not only our forests and other wild land but also our farms. So, lucky you live in Charlotte. We already know the many private and public benefits of a rural, ecologically rich landscape with small village and hamlet clusters of housing, sustainable agriculture and close intimate contact with nature. This is the vision. It starts with intact blocks of native forest, with viable linkages to other natural communities such as wetlands, streams, shrubland and other forests. Larry Hamilton is Charlotte’s volunteer tree warden.
Bluemle’s Book with Big Bash March 25 The Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne is thrilled to be hosting the release of coowner Elizabeth Bluemle’s fourth book, Tap Tap Boom Boom. This newest book, published by Candlewick Press, is a beat-rich poem about a thunderstorm in the city for kids to read and perform. G. Brian Karas’ sophisticated and warm illustrations perfectly capture the glorious chaos and community of the narrative. What happens when city folks get caught in a storm? Lots of funny things, helpful things and some magical moments highlight this wonderful book and make it a winner for all ages. The Flying Pig Bookstore is celebrating in a huge way with a blow-out party. This family-friendly event will take place at Arts Riot on Pine Street in Burlington from 4:30–7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. All of Elizabeth’s books will be available for purchase and signing. There will be food, cash bar, live music and best of all, Elizabeth will read her new book, which has already gotten a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The Flying Pig Bookstore is located at 5247 Shelburne Road in Shelburne. The store was selected by Yankee Magazine as the best children’s bookstore in New England in its May 2013 issue. Please RSVP for this event by calling 985-3999 or by emailing FlyingPigEvents@ gmail.com.
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The Charlotte News
Tuition Available for Children’s Center Preschool Program The Charlotte Children’s Center has openings in the Voyager preschool program that meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 a.m.– noon, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 28. An extended day option until 1:30 p.m. will also be available. The Voyager program is play-based and provides a strong foundation in early literacy and language development and the self-help skills that children need to successfully enter kindergarten. The center maintains a ratio of one teacher for five children so that each child is able to have individual attention. Enrichment activities such as music and art classes are also offered. Tuition for this program is eligible to be reimbursed by the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union as well by the Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CSSU) through the Early Learning Partnership Program. Tuition reimbursement is awarded to
families who have children who turn three by Sept. 1, 2014, and reside in one of the school districts. Applications for the publicly funded preschool program are available at the center’s website charlottechildrensctr. com or by contacting CSSU. To learn more about the Voyager Program or the Charlotte Children’s Center please call Nancy at 425-3328 or email the center at ccc@gmavt.net. The Charlotte Children’s Center located at 116 Ferry Road and the Charlotte Children’s Center Extension located at 403 Church Hill Road are both 5 STAR facilities recognized by the Vermont Department for Children and Families and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The center provides the highest quality childcare and early education services for young children in Chittenden and Addison counties.
CVU Presents Student-Directed One Acts Charlotte resident Seamus Buxton (right) performs in a oneact titled The Actor’s Nightmare.
Charlotter Sabrina Davis (right) in a scene with Max Chlumecky from The Actor’s Nightmare, directed by CVU senior Zoey LaChance.
Vermont Credit Union Announces Educational Scholarships Vermont Federal Credit Union will be awarding four $2,000 educational scholarships to students with a history of strong academic achievement and service to the community. Vermont Federal Credit Union is accepting scholarship applications from now until April 11, 2014. Two $2,000 scholarships will be granted to graduating high school seniors who have been accepted to an accredited undergraduate program at a college, trade school or university for the fall of 2014 or spring of 2015. Two additional $2,000 scholarships will be offered to students of any age who have been accepted to or are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program at a college, trade school or university for the fall of 2014 or spring of 2015.
Applicants are asked to write about their student and community leadership activities and what factors led them to selecting the school they plan to attend, and also to answer an essay question. The complete application and eligibility requirements can be found at vermontfederal.org. Recipients will be notified by June 30 and will be selected based on their academic achievements, enthusiasm for their planned field of study, and service to the community. Vermont Federal Credit Union’s Scholarship Committee has provided high school students with scholarships for more than ten years and is excited to be able to provide this benefit to its membership.
CCS Kindergarten Registration Opens April 3
The CVU Theater Program will be presenting four student-directed oneacts for its spring play on Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. in the CVU theater. The four plays will be Porch, directed by Charlotter Maggie Haesler, Lettice and Lovage, directed by Shannon Fahy, This Is a Test, directed by Katie Garra, and The Actor’s Nightmare, directed by Zoey LaChance. Charlotters Sabrina Davis, Lucy Pappas, Meg Young, Seamus Buxton, Leo Garbos, Dylan Paul and Noa Urbaitel are part of the cast of actors and crew performing these comedies. Tickets are $5 for students and children and $7 for general admission. Tickets can be reserved by calling 482-6991 and will also be available at the door.
Children 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2014, are eligible to attend kindergarten at Charlotte Central School. Kindergarten registration for the 2014/2015 school year will take place April 3 and 4. Once you have called to make an appointment indicating your child will be coming to CCS, you will receive a registration packet. For more information, call Naomi Strada at 425-6600.
SMArt Flicks: Muppet Mania Join us as we celebrate all things Muppets. From viewing “The Muppet Movie” to making sock puppets. It’s not easy being green, but we will do our best. 1-4 p.m. March 15. Free with Museum admission. smart programs are sponsored by:
6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Vermont
Photo by Emma SlatEr
He told the crowd there were several years in his tenure on the Selectboard in which town officers received an increase well above the cost of living. Much of the town’s decisions regarding what to pay town employees comes from comparing the town’s pay rate to those in equivalent positions in other towns. Responding to Lowrey’s suggestion that the town work with a human resources consultant to address its salary administration and competitiveness, Selectboard member Ellie Russell told the audience the town plans to help Charlotte restructure its pay polices over the course of the next year. Chair Russell pointed to the Town of Richmond’s salary policy, which is structured according to steps, as a model toward which Charlotte could move. Salary-related discussions also focused
Town Clerk/Treasurer Mary Mead speaks at Town Meeting.
Photo by Emma SlatEr
Town Meeting
continued from page 5
on the increase in the library’s salary line for Library Director Margaret Woodruff. Bonnie Christie, library board chair, explained that the increase is not a pay raise; rather, it’s remuneration that’s reflective of the increased hours Woodruff is currently working, roughly moving her from a salary for a 35-hour week to 40 hours a week. The increase is indicative of the library’s increasing popularity and its place as a center of programming and activity in town. The youth librarian will also be paid for the increased hours she’s working on additional programs. A new line item for three hours weekly of local history library service is meant to support the increased use and development of the library’s local history materials. “Essentially, people are asking for this level of service,” said Christie. “We need to compensate for it.” Despite the debates, no changes were made to salaries in the budget.
About 200 people attended Town Meeting this year. Voter turnout was 1,070. Town Tension Underlying the debate over salaries was the growing acrimony between Mead and members of the Selectboard, which showed a few times throughout the meeting. When the Selectboard made an error in its math on the overall savings of its amendment to reduce bridge expenditures, Mead sternly corrected the incorrect numbers, something that drew applause from several in the crowd. When the Selectboard provided the handout comparing town clerk/treasurer salaries, Mead told the audience she was taken off guard by the move. “It’s not really nice to never show me anything and then put it on everybody’s chair when I come into Town Meeting to set up,” she said. Several audience members took the debate over salaries as an opportunity to express frustration over the negativity in Town Hall as well as express support for members of the Selectboard. Said Martha Perkins, “None of us benefit from this. I’m hoping it’s going to change. It’s not only the numbers. It is about the people, the people on the Selectboard who work so hard, the Town Clerk and her assistant who work really hard and get a lot of good stuff done. We have a good town, but right now it’s burning in Town Hall and we need to put that fire out.” Valerie Graham made an amendment to add $4,500 to the town budget for a mediator, a move which ultimately failed on a voice vote. “I want the town clerk/treasurer and person who collects our taxes to be able to speak his or her mind,” said Alice Hyerstay, adding, “We do not need a mediator. If we’re going to spend more money, let’s give it to Mary.” Selectboard member Lane Morrison, who on Monday was named chair of the Selectboard, told the audience he’s hopeful these issues will work themselves out in the near future with a new board. “There’s a good chance there will be different personalities on board who will
establish priorities over what needs to be worked on when the next meeting comes about,” he said. “I’m hopeful the adversarial situation will work itself out.” A new Town MeeTing? An advisory motion recommending the Selectboard hold a special town meeting in the fall to address changes to the structure of Town Meeting proposed by the Town Meeting Solutions Committee passed on a voice vote at the close of the meeting. If the Selectboard follows through with the nonbinding motion, the town would hold a special town meeting in the fall to discuss changing the date of Town Meeting to make it easier for more people to attend. Also under discussion would be changes to how the town votes on the budget. Under the committee’s proposal, the Selectboard would present its budget for discussion and amendment at the regular Town Meeting. However, it would be voted on by Australian ballot roughly 30 days later after the Selectboard makes changes. The recommendation was based on a year’s worth of survey results, research, and discussions with Charlotters and legal experts. According to the committee, neither Vermont’s director of elections nor the senior attorney at the Vermont League of Cities and Towns see any legal impediments to the proposal. Some spoke out against it changing the dynamic of Town Meeting. But Valerie Graham, a member of the committee, talked about how it would bring the community closer together. “As much as I trust the Selectboard to do its best, I think it’s very important that we meet as a community and find out collectively what our values are, what our priorities are,” she said. “It’s not just the money, it’s what the budget stands for.” While the Selectboard is not mandated to follow the advisory motion, the Town Meeting Solutions Committee is exploring the next steps in making this recommendation a reality.
The Charlotte News
OutTakes Commentary by Edd Merritt
Change with the times Change with the times Wake up and look around Change with the times — Van McCoy, “Change with the Times” Having been on the Champlain Valley Union High School board when the audience voted to set the school’s budget by Australian ballot rather than through a meeting vote, I saw what happened when neighbors stopped listening and talking to one another about what the budget meant in terms of education. Discussion in an open yet moderated setting went down the proverbial tube. New ideas remained unborn. Thoughtfulness resulting from questions and reasoning walked out the stage door. One year we were addressing queries from a theater full of residents from the CSSU school district. The following year only reporters from area papers seemed interested in gaining insight into the derivation of the numbers. Their questions echoed throughout an all-but-empty auditorium. I was one of the very few in the audience. This experience made me interested in and pleased with what the Charlotte Town Meeting Solutions Committee recommended to this year’s Town Meeting audience. It reminded me of my 30-plus years of Town Meeting experience in Vermont, beginning in Johnson, where Red Hooper asked for our vote because he milked cows, to numerous ones in Charlotte, where my
Tying Together Town Meeting, Town Budget and Australia role as town agent has required little more than what it takes to clean the ashes from the wood stove. The committee, rightfully, I believe, felt the gains from open discussion of issues were invaluable. Closing the door on the opportunity for discussion bugs me. New England has prided itself on its town meetings serving as cogs in the wheels of democracy. It has claimed to display to other parts of the country the beauty of small-scale municipal governance. Unfortunately, the practice has not nestled into the business community to the extent I believe it should. With one day per year devoted to discussion of how we should live and operate together as communities, too many businesses have not encouraged their employees to leave the office and head for Town Meeting. It is either that or employees have used work requirements as a handy excuse for not attending. Major Vermont corporations like IBM could take an important and respected lead in this incentive to their employees. So when I hear people say they’d like to go to Town Meeting but can’t because they have a job, I’m not altogether sold on the rationale. Moreover, I’m not willing to use it as the pri-
mary excuse for determining everything by paper ballot. (Not only do absentees miss out on discussion, they also lose the humor that moderator Jerry Schwartz has stored up over the years in regard to Martha Perkins’ soul-felt comments from the western bleachers.) I must admit to enjoying the personalities that emerge year after year at Town Meeting. I’m particularly saddened by the loss of Spin Richardson, who regularly brought to the floor either a new topic or a fresh perspective on an old topic. And unless my aging ears missed it, I did not hear Dale Garvey’s heartfelt “No’s” in response to tax increases. Even though he knew his might be a lone voice, for years he made his wishes heard. Had I been that vocal in public, I would have gotten a glowering look immediately from my wife. In point of fact, town meetings have taught me a valuable lesson. I now test my comments on my wife before mumbling them out loud in the meeting – even though the only people to hear me are those around us who have heard them before because seating seems to be inherited year after year. I know, for
In point of fact, town meetings have taught me a valuable lesson. I now test my comments on my wife before mumbling them out loud in the meeting
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example, that Dan Rosen behind us is less impeded by similar boundaries and is often willing to vocalize his thoughts. We may not always agree, but I have learned to listen to him because his opinions are grounded in reason. John Rosenthal in the seat in front reaches for chocolate the minute he loses interest in the speaker. And, I give thanks to Bob “Call-the-Question” Chutter, whose sensitivity to long-windedness often brings a sigh of relief from the audience. It is this kind of learning I would hate to lose if meetings were to dissolve. I studied under a noted educational historian who believed that learning came through a constellation of activities, not just schooling. Town meetings are part of that constellation. I hope they don’t disappear behind clouds of paper ballots. But back to the committee’s recommendation for two parts to the budget approval process: it’s a good one. It incorporates opportunity for an increased number of voters to cast ballots while maintaining open discussion beforehand. Let’s also ask businesses to become stronger advocates of democracy. Ask them to encourage employees to bag the office for all or part of the day and hit the town meeting trail without being penalized. If, however, we do go fully Australian, could we fly in our votes and reward the best paper airplane design? Are drones on our voting horizon? Will candidates win by Googles? Are bad races stuck in a blog? Glances into the future send my mind a-Twitter.
Enter Charlotte News Fiction Contest
Comediennes Josie Leavitt & Sue Schmidt Perform in Stowe The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center is pleased to present the hilarious comediennes Josie Leavitt and Sue Schmidt as part of the Peak VTartists series on Saturday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Stowe. Charlotter Josie Leavitt has been performing stand-up for longer than she can remember. Getting her start in New York City, she played at StandUp NY, Caroline’s, the Comic Strip and many other clubs. Since moving to Vermont, Josie has performed all over the country, and her two one-woman shows were sold-out successes. In 2007, she created the wildly popular showcase “Stand-Up, Sit Down and Laugh,” the longest running series in Flynn Theatre history. Her comedic stories treat very personal, adult themes in an accessible, universal way. Sue Schmidt performs comedy throughout the country, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Florida and Alaska. She is one of the newest members of the Vermont Comedy Divas and the co-founder of the “Divas Do Good” initiative that connects female comedians with nonprofit organizations. In her other life, Sue is a licensed mental health counselor. When not on stage, Sue can be found drumming with boy bands and writing material in the
Entries due March 31
lawn and garden section at Lowes. The goal of the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center’s Peak VTartists is to strengthen the region’s community of artists. The series will host musicians, singer/ songwriters, Josie Leavitt dance companies, comedians, physical offers world-renowned comedians entertainment as well and family as emerging artists and entertainers performers from around with Vermont the region, state, nation roots. Artists and world. will be preTickets are $20 in sented in a advance and $25 at relaxed conthe door and may be cert environpurchased by visiting ment, tailored SprucePeakArts.org or Sue Schmidt to the size of calling the box office at the audience 802-760-4634. appropriate for The Spruce Peak their work. Performing Arts Center is located at The Spruce Peak Performing Arts 122 Hourglass Drive in Stowe, at the Center is a not-for-profit arts orgatop of Mountain Road and the base of nization dedicated and committed to Spruce Peak. entertaining, educating and engaging our diverse communities of Stowe and beyond. The multi-use theatre, which opened in December 2010,
Attention all wordsmiths, seasoned and new. It’s time again for the Charlotte News fiction contest. Twice a year, we ask you to submit a story of 1,000 words or less in response to a prompt we provide. The prompt for this contest: “I gotta get out of this place.” Any style or subject matter is welcome. The only requirement is that the prompt itself must appear verbatim in the story. The contest is free and open to all Charlotters who want to test their writing mettle. Boiling a story down to 1,000 words is no easy task, but whoever does it best will achieve local fame and glory as a published writer. And what better way to make productive use of the final dog days of winter than to write the story of needing to escape from the weather, the local sheriff, the local mad dog or from an uneasy state of mind brought on by an impetuous act that led to preventable harm. Entries—double spaced, please—are due by Monday, March 31, and should be emailed to vince.crockenberg@gmail. com with the words “Fiction Contest” in the heading. Entries will be read by Denise Shekerjian, Jim Manchester and Vince Crockenberg, joined by Jed Pauls, the winner of last fall’s contest,. The winning story
will be published in the April 24 issue of the News. Have fun and good luck. We look forward to reading your work.
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Charlotte Senior Center
the cAfé menu
by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator
Join Hank Kaestner for a birding expedition on Wednesday, March 26, from 10 a.m.–noon in search of waterfowl (ducks, geese, grebes, loons). Good views will be had through Hank’s “Oh-my-God” telescope. Please plan to meet at the Center, where we will then all carpool to the location Hank has scouted for optimal viewing of the birds. Register your interest. While we have chosen a date, due to bird migration and weather, we will call you if we need to adjust the day. Registration required. No fee. –––– Do you love theater? Do you appreciate the spoken word? Our play reading group will meet on Friday, March 28, from 1–3:30 p.m. and is for people who enjoy—or suspect they might enjoy— reading plays aloud with others. As a participant or a listener, there is no experience necessary, scripts are provided, and all are welcome to join us as we continue to broaden our exposure to this rich and poignant form of literature. Parts have been assigned for this reading, but please let us know if you would like to be given a part for our next reading on Thursday, April 24. –––– Spring Splash, a watercolor class with Lynn Cummings, will be held Tuesday mornings from 9:15 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. on April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 6. Brilliant spring flowers and the greening, blooming landscapes of Vermont will be the subjects for this watercolor class. From beginning watercolor painters to those with some experience, all participants will enjoy exploring fun and interesting ways of painting colorful spring subjects in this supportive class environment. You will be encouraged
to loosen up and use this wonderful, sometimes unpredictable medium to its advantage! Please pick up a materials list at the Center prior to the first class. Registration required. Fee: $96 for first four classes, $144 for all six. –––– In this “next step” beginning drawing class you will learn to “see like an artist” through a series of fun, easy exercises that will unlock your artist’s brain. This class is taught by Elizabeth Llewellyn and will be held Thursday mornings from 10–11:30 on April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 8. She will include discussion and uses of a variety of drawing materials: pencil, charcoal, ink, and the different supports available. Students will learn how to draw on toned paper with colored charcoal and will explore the use of the blending stump and the kneaded eraser as drawing tools. Students will be amazed at their progress in this relaxed, supportive environment. Please pick up a materials list at the host desk. Registration required. Limit 10. Fee: $72. ––––
A collection of lectures, performAnces & speciAl events
Please join us Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m. for a showcase of the diverse interests in our community. No registration or fee. March 19: Navigating Your Way In and OUT Of the Hospital with Karen Fromhold, M. D. Currently employed by Porter Hospital and practicing at Little City Family Practice in Vergennes, Karen will be joined by Jeanne Comouche from Bayada Hospice to talk about staying out of the hospital as well as ways to empower
MONDAY, MARCH 17: Upside-down shepherd’s pie, salad surprise and apple turnovers. yourself if you are admitted. Knowing you have choices, having clear “goals of care” established, understanding the different teams of physicians who care for you, and knowing when to say, “Enough, I want to go home,” will be the focus of this discussion. March 26: “Piecework: When We Were French,” courtesy of Sylvie Butel and Micheline Tremblay, Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region. Based on oral histories from local Americans of Franco-Canadian descent collected by writer/actress Abby Paige, the Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region contributed to the production of a film of the one-woman show Abby created from her research. The play explores the legacy of French-Canadian immigration to New England and how their stories, memories, and secrets make them who they are. In English, Sylvie and Micheline will be delighted to facilitate a casual discussion afterward. April 2: Helping You Shine! with Mary Catherine Graziano. Out walking at night, even for a short period of time? Did you know that a thumbsized piece of reflectivity is much more visible than wearing all white? Local
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19: Chicken schnitzel, spaetzle, sweet and sour red cabbage, homemade dessert. MONDAY, MARCH 24: Vegetable barley soup, Caesar salad, variety of breads and frozen dessert medley. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26: Tourtiere, roasted winter vegetables, inside-out dacquoise.
senior luncheons are held every Wednesday at noon. Reservations are necessary in advance and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 425-6345. A $4 donation is requested. Reservations are not required for the Monday Munch.
Motion’s Outreach and Training Coordinator joins us to talk about strategies for being more visible to motorists at night and will send you home with free reflective safety gear!
to come and would love to hear your suggestions, ideas, criticisms and comments. Upcoming at the library Lunchbox Story Time for Preschoolers, Wednesday, March 19, 12:15 p.m. Full STEAM ahead as we explore everything from tornadoes to toads during this discovery time just for three to five year olds. Pack your lunch and join us for a library adventure every Wednesday. Registration required. Please call or email the library to sign up: 425.3864 or charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com.
by Margaret Woodruff
Thank you from the library staff and board. We appreciate your support for our budget request at Town Meeting and your ongoing support and enthusiasm for the programs, collections and other aspects that make up the Charlotte Library. We look forward to seeing more of you through our doors in the months
s
Mystery Book Group, Monday, March 17, 11 a.m. This month we’re delving into Dorothy Sayers with Whose Body? This classic whodunit features “Lord Peter Wimsey, the original gentleman sleuth.” Join us for coffee and treats as we discuss this and other tales set in between the World Wars by period and modern authors. Copies of Whose Body? are available to borrow from the library prior to book group.
ummmer camps
Kinder Afterschool! Wednesday, March 19, 3:15 p.m. Who knows what Cheryl will cook up for the latest kindergarten escapade? Whatever the topic, it’s bound to be full of fun. Hop on the bus and hop off at the library for a springtime adventure, indoors or out. Charlotte Seed Library Seed Starting Workshop, Saturday, March 22, 11 a.m. Joan Weed, Master Gardener and expert in residence at the library, helps us get a jump on spring planting by showing us how to start seeds indoors. All materials provided, including seeds from our own Charlotte Seed Library! Snapshot Serengeti with Zooniverse, Wednesday, March 26, 3:15 p.m. Explore the wilds of Tanzania in our first-ever Zooniverse program. We’ll venture on a virtual safari, learn how to become citizen scientists, and help wildlife biologists to classify all the different animals caught in millions of camera trap images. Suitable for grades three
and up. CCS students may take the bus from school with a parent note. Registration required, please call or email the library to sign up: 425-3864 or charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com. Stay tuned for: Money Smart Week, 6 for 6 Reading Challenge, and Maker series opportunities for all ages! Did you know? The library has state and federal tax forms available, and our staff can assist you with downloading forms as well. library board meeting Meeting: Thursday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m. Board members: Jonathan Silverman, Member-at-Large; Bonnie Christie, Chair; Vince Crockenberg, Treasurer; Emily Ferris, Vice-Chair; Dorrice Hammer, Secretary.
The Charlotte News
SPORTS
Sadie Otley drives toward the net during the D-1 championship game. CVU wins state championships in four sports Make room in the trophy case for the Redhawks’ state championships in women’s basketball, men’s ice hockey, women’s Nordic and men’s Nordic skiing. The red and white have been a delight this winter. Basketball final is a nail biter CVU and Rice are without a doubt the two best women’s high school basketball teams in the state and so evenly matched that the outcome of the final contest came down to free throws in the final seconds of play. Amanda Lougee scored the first and last points for the Redhawks to propel her team to a 35-34 defeat of Rice. Cold shooting on CVU’s part was countered by tight defense, which kept the game close, so close, in fact, that neither team led by more than four points, with the lead changing seven times in the fourth quarter. Rice was up 34-33 with just under half a minute to play. As they had been doing successfully for much of the game, the Green Knights denied Emily Kinneston, CVU’s leading shot maker, an opportunity to get the ball. Instead, Lougee was the receiver. She drove the baseline, put up a shot and was fouled in the process. Even though Rice called time outs before each of her free throws, hoping to break her attention span, she hit both from the line for the win. Charlotters Laurel Jaunich and Sadie Otley scored seven points apiece behind Lougee. This was the fourth consecutive year that these two teams have met in the state final. Nordic skiers sweep the trails Holding on to their leads gained in the opening freestyle races, the CVU men’s
and women’s Nordic teams moved to Mountain Top for the day-two classical races where they captured overall team honors. Autumn Eastman and Charlotte’s Cally Braun finished second and third with Cally’s sister Tatum and Rachel Slimovitch at twelfth and thirteenth in the 5K race. The CVU relay team topped the field in the 4x2K event. Among the men, Thomas Clayton in fourth and Cooper Willsey in 13th, along with a 4x2K relay squad that edged out Mount Mansfield by six-tenths of a second— thanks, in part, to Clayton’s holding off a Cougar charge in the anchor leg—led to the team victory and a double call to the podium for men and women.
by Edd Merritt
his stick from Alex Bulla. Prior to that, defensemen Drew Pitcher and Kaleb Godbout boomed slap shots from the point past the Essex goalie. Sound positioning and strong physical play, earmarks of this year’s Redhawks, were abundant when it counted.
Wrestlers finish among top ten in the state Mount Anthony Union High School was the site of the Vermont State Wrestling Championships this year. Twenty-one teams appeared, with the home school winning the tournament and CVU placing ninth. Senior Grant Poston was the lone Redhawk winner at 170 pounds. In doing so he moved on to the New England Championships in Providence, R.I., where he came in third. Grant is the first CVU state champion in the last 12 years. Charlotte sophomore Kienan Kittredge lost a close decision in the 195-pound state finals, and he, too, advanced to the New England meet. The Leggs, junior Alex and freshman Jarett, placed fifth in their weight classes, while junior Brandon Tieso came in sixth. The Vermont Referees Association selected Connor Gobeille for the Sportsman of the Year Award.
Gutterson rink echoes with Redhawk victory chants Hard-nosed ice hockey was the game CVU men came ready to play in both their semi-final match with Colchester and in the final against Essex. Colchester, in fact, proved to be the tougher opponent, although one would not suspect that from action in the opening period. CVU came out steaming, their own-zone breakouts working well and their forechecking holding the Lakers inside the blue line for much of the period. The Redhawks led by eleven shots moving into the second frame Two days finish off Alpine ski but had yet to score a goal. Although CVU championships Day one at the Middlebury Snow did not dominate play as thoroughly in the Bowl followed by a second day at Burke second stanza, Cam Rivard’s two goals Mountain saw CVU down-hillers place minutes apart proved to be all that was sixth among men and tenth among needed as CVU defeated the Lakers 2-1. women. Mount Mansfield Union skier The Redhawk scoring machine began Ali Chivers won both slalom and giant quickly in the Metro Division final against slalom events with CVU’s Emma Putre Essex. Ten minutes into period one, placing seventh in giant slalom. freshman Thomas Samuelsen demonstrated that the way to score was to shoot high inside the post. Again, CVU’s depth of talent paid off as four different players (all underclassmen) lit the lamp in a 4-2 win. The final goal was scored by Elliot Mitchell, the lone Charlotter on the team, who found himself open Charlotte's Kienan Kittredge was state runner up at the in front of the Hornet net, Vermont State Wrestling Championships March 1 and a finalwith a pass on ist for the New England Championships.
Sports Shorts by Edd Merritt Cora and Halvorson selected for Vermont Twin-State football team Two CVU students from Charlotte have been selected to represent the Redhawks on the Twin-State football team that will challenge New Hampshire in the Shriner’s Bowl this summer. Running back and linebacker Jason Cora and offensive lineman Tim Halvorson will head to Dartmouth College’s Memorial Field on August 2. Cora’s is an interesting story. For 12 years he came to Charlotte to stay with the Jordan family through the Fresh Air Program. Two years ago he asked to live there for the school year while attending CVU and playing football. This year, as a senior, he was the leading ball carrier for the Redhawks. Kurt Weidman snowboards in California Mammoth Mountain, Calif., provided the second stop on the Rev Tour for snowboarders on Feb. 24 and 25. Stratton Mountain School sent a team that included Charlotte junior Kurt Weidman who placed fifth among the men the first day. On day two he boarded in slopestyle competition, placing 83rd among 105 racers. Day three’s half-pipe races were cancelled due to inclement weather. Lawrence Dee on St. Mike's lacrosse team Lawrence Dee, St. Michael's College sophomore from Charlotte, is a member of this spring’s Purple Knight lacrosse team. An attack forward, the team is looking to him for his offensive strength. The Knights lost their opening games of the season, 12-4 at the hands of New York Institute of Technology and 12-6 to Molloy College.
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When I was a young man I was initiated into a world of hunting and fishing that was clearly delineated as “a man’s world.” It resembled the classic boy’s clubhouse mentality, characterized in “The Lil’ Rascals ‘He-Man Woman Haters Club.’” At the time, society seemed to want to pigeonhole women into a stereotype of domestic servitude. I wanted, more than anything, to be accepted into the brotherhood of men. Upon completing my initiation to this fraternity, I began to notice how men behaved in the absence of the feminine persuasion. Some of it was good and some of it I questioned. I believe that occasionally the sexes need to be separated to embrace their
own essence. I cherish my weekends of “men only” at deer camp, but I also feel deep respect for the women’s groups centered on finding their Inner Goddess. Both sexes have so much to offer the world in their healing powers and honoring their inner beings. Men seem to have an “Inner Beast” that craves connection to the earth through what are seen as dominating actions; in actuality, these actions form a really a complex paradoxical spiritual connection to animals and the earth. Women have, historically, connected to the Earth through passive rituals of nurturance and life-affirming actions. Both are to be honored. But since the first publication of sport fishing was written by a woman, Dame Juliana Berners, titled The Treatise of Fishing With an Angle, we must acknowledge that not all women were born to be domestic goddesses. In fact,
outdoor society is evolving into a beautiful melting pot of both genders. In 1996 Vermont Fish and Wildlife started a program called Vermont Outdoors Woman to introduce women to the traditional outdoor pursuits centered on hunting and fishing. In 2000 Vermont Outdoor Guides Association (VOGA) took over the program and has expanded it into semi-annual weekend retreats featuring everything from outdoor survival skills like shelter-making, self-defense and cordage to archery, snowshoeing, dog sledding, Nordic skating, primitive biathlon, ice fishing and critter calling. I have just returned from the most enjoyable winter weekend at the Hulbert Outdoor Center on Lake Morey in Fairlee, where Cheryl Frank Sullivan and I taught ice fishing. We joined approximately 80 winter campers—most in warm cabins and a gorgeous lodge, but
some brave souls camped out in a tipi! The women we met ranged in age from 15 to 82 and all of them brought with them the spirit of their outdoor goddess. Courage, bravery, perseverance and an openness to try new things were the attributes that these women embraced in their daily challenges. I was awestruck at their strength and open-mindedness. Cheryl and I had one young lady, Liz, in our ice fishing class who wanted so badly to catch a pickerel through the 30-inch thick surface. Three times she hooked up with a toothy predator and three times she lost him. Then on the fourth try she did it! The fish put up a great fight, pulling the nylon braided line through her gloved hands. When she finally dragged him up through the ten-inch hole she was all smiles. She then returned him to the depths. What care and respect for life! Let’s face it. Times have changed and
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The Charlotte News
'All Shook Up' Comedy Night April 5
the outdoor community needs women and children to participate. It’s no longer a “man’s game!” The outdoors has wonder and beauty for everyone – not just hunters and fishermen. The next “Doe Camp” session is Sept. 19-21 at Jackson’s Lodge in Canaan. For more information visit the website at voga.org/vermont_outdoors_woman.
Join Partners in Adventure for a night of comedy to benefit scholarship fund On Saturday, April 5, at 8 p.m. at the FlynnSpace in Burlington, Charlotte comedienne Josie Leavitt and the Vermont Comedy Divas team up for an unforgettable laughfest to raise scholarships for the Joe Shook Scholarship Fund. The fund sends campers with disabilities to camp at Partners In Adventure (PIA), which lost a dear friend, Joe Shook, at the age of 20. Joe’s enjoyment of all the programs that PIA had to offer was equaled by the pleasure he gave by his presence. “Joe had a huge sense of humor,” said Debbie Lamden, the founder of Partners In Adventure, “He would have loved having a comedy night
Bradley Carleton is Executive Director of Sacred Hunter.org, a federally recognized nonprofit that seeks to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature and raises funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring.org, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.
Liz Clark of Randolph poses with a 30-inch pickerel she caught during a recent “Doe Camp weekend.
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in his honor!” Partners In Adventure, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that offers camps and social programs for children and young adults with disabilities, partnered with their non-disabled peers. The camps are held throughout Chittenden County. PIA addresses the life challenge of social isolation for disabled children and adults through carefully crafted programs that emphasize inclusion and integration. There will be a 7 p.m. meet, greet and cash bar. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at flynntix.org or 802-863-5966. To find more information about Partners In Adventure visit partnersinadventure.org.
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Long Point, North Ferrisburgh Built in 2006 for easy living, this maintenance free 3 BR, 2 bath seasonal cottage has pine floors and walls, cement board siding and Trex porch decking. A gas stove warms the house in fall and spring. Shared lakefront across from cottage. Lakefront and summer fun activities abound at Long Point. $339,000.
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Renovated Charlotte Barn A Rare Offering Sited on 7.5 acres and This fully updated and recently renovated, this 4 renovated four bedroom is bedroom, 3 bathroom home located on 295’ of private Lake is loaded with the warmth Champlain shoreline. Superior and charm you would expect. lake and mountain views. country kitchen with exposed Original exposed posts, beams Large 1 acre lot. Call for a wooden ceiling. New Haven. and stone. A must see. private showing. Ferrisburgh. $759,000 | MLS# 4339103 $695,000 | MLS# 4312672 $1,075,000 | MLS# 4339031
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Places To Go & Things To Do THURSDAY, MARCH 13 PTO Meeting, 8:30 a.m., CCS cafeteria. Planning Commission Special Meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall. For more info and agenda: charlottevt. org. Warblers in a Working Forest, 6:30 p.m., Richmond Free Library. Vermont’s forests are home to the highest concentration of breeding bird species in the United States. In this program Audubon Vermont’s Jim Shallow will give us an overview of these birds and discuss Audubon Vermont’s efforts to promote a working landscape to assure that Vermont remains a world class warbler nursery. Free. Parking is available on site. For more information call 878-4132 or send an e-mail to gmas@greenmountainaudubon. org. Starting & Running a Successful Small Architecture Practice, 6 p.m., Burlington City Arts Gallery. Panelists include architects from five successful firms, an attorney and an insurance agent who will discuss topics such as how to attract clients, choose the appropriate legal structure, establish a business plan, and hire employees. The event begins with a social, including appetizers and cash bar, at 4:45 p.m. American Institute of Architects members and students: $15 /Nonmembers: $20. Register at : https://startingarchbus.eventbrite.com. A Golden Jubilee: The VYO Celebrates 50 Years Young, 5:30 p.m., St. Michael’s College. A special evening honoring the Vermont Youth Orchestra founders. Join us for hors d’oeuvres, a basket raffle, and VYOA students and alumni performing works by Vivaldi, Bellini and Haydn. All proceeds from this event go to support VYOA ensembles and outreach programs. Tickets: $50. Purchase tickets online at www.vyo.org
FRIDAY, MARCH 14 CVU Theatre Program Presents Student-Directed One Acts, 7:30 p.m., CVU. Several Charlotters fill out the cast and crew of four one-act plays directed by CVU students. See story on page 9. Tickets: $5 for students/faculty, $7 general admission. Also 3/15 at 7:30 p.m. and 3/16 at 2 p.m. O’hAnleigh: A Celtic Celebration, 8 p.m., Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. Town Hall Theater wears the green for St. Patrick with O’hAnleigh: A Celtic Celebration, featuring Tom Hanley and Cindi Hill, with special guests Doug Riley on cittern and vocals, Margie Beckoff on harp and Steve Bentley (of the UK’s Greenman Rising) on bodhran and vocals. Cash bar, with Guiness, available. Tickets, $15, are available by calling 802-382-9222, at townhalltheater.org or at the box office Monday-Saturday, noon – 5 p.m. SUNDAY, MARCH 16 1814: The Battle for Lake Champlain, 2 p.m., Ethan Allen Homestead. Join Art Cohn, underwater archaeologist and historian from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, as he presents on local events and his discoveries while exploring and cataloging shipwrecks. Free. More info: 865-4556. MONDAY, MARCH 17 Board of Auditors Meeting, 3 p.m., Town Hall. For more info and agenda: charlottevt.org.
Special Selectboard Meeting, 4 p.m., Town Hall. For more info and agenda: charlottevt.org. TUESDAY, MARCH 18 The House I Live In, 6:15 p.m., Winooski. CCVWinooski presents this film by Eugene Jarecki about the war on drugs. Discussion led by Representative Suzi Wizowaty, director of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform. Free. More info: http://ccvwinooski. blogspot.com. THURSDAY, MARCH 20 The Women’s Movement in Jordan: Pioneering Voices, 7 p.m., Lawrence Library, Bristol. Jordan’s women, their contributions to their country and their ongoing struggle for inclusion and rights will be described by Jordanian Fulbright scholar Rula Quawas at this month’s program of the One World Library Project in Bristol. Quawas, currently a Fullbright Scholar at Champlain College, will devote her talk to giving voice to Jordanian women who have faced obstacles in achieving rights and who have fought long and hard to combat violence against women and for legal reform for gender justice. The program will give a glimpse of Jordanian women’s hopes and fears, of their inclusion and seclusion, of their silence and speech, and of their sense of the past and their picture of the future. Free. More info: lawrencelibrary.net.
FRIDAY, MARCH 21 Kobo Town, 7:30 p.m., UVM. The UVM Lane Series will present the Calypso-Indie fusion band Kobo Town—a band on the Charlotte-based Cumbancha record label— in the Southwick Hall (Music Building) Ballroom. A pre-concert talk will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: Tickets are $22 adults/$15 students. More info: uvm.edu/laneseries Deb Brisson & the Hay Burners, 8 p.m., Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. Deb Brisson & the Hay Burners release and perform their first album of original music, Heart Shaped Stone. The performance will be followed up by a dance party with musical guests including Ten Rod Road, The Horse Traders, Clint Bierman and more. Tickets: $15. Available by calling 802-382-9222, at townhalltheater.org, or at the box office Monday-Saturday, noon – 5:00 pm.
SATURDAY, MARCH 22 If It’s Snowy and You Know It Clap Your Paws! Sledding Party, 11 a.m., Shelburne Post Office. The Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne is hosting a sledding party to celebrate friend of the Flying Pig Liza Woodruff’s newest book If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws! The bookstore will be celebrating the book with a sledding party and a special story hour. Everyone will meet with their sleds at the hill behind the Shelburne post office. When toes are cold, all will return to the bookstore to warm up with hot chocolate and to hear Woodruff read the book. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Free. Please RSVP for this event by calling (802) 985-3999 or by emailing FlyingPigEvents@gmail.com. Sugar on Snow Party, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington. When the steam rises from the Green Mountain Audubon Center’s sugarhouse along the RichmondHuntington Road, you know it’s time to visit its birdfriendly sugarbush to take part in a sweet Vermont
St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 4:30 p.m. Community Alliance Church, Hinesburg, Gathering Place, 9 a.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m., Worship, 10:15 a.m. Information: 482-2132. Charlotte Congregational Church, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 10 a.m. Information: 4253176. Lighthouse Baptist Church, 90 Mechanicsville Rd., Hinesburg, 10:30 a.m., Evening Service, 6 p.m. Information: 482-2588. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mass, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Information: 425-2637. St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 9:30 a.m. Information: 482-2290. North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, Hollow Road, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. Information: 425-2770. Cross Roads Chapel, Relocated to the Brown Church on Route 7, Ferrisburgh. Worship, 11 a.m. Information: 425-3625. Assembly of God Christian Center, Rtes. 7 and 22A, Ferrisburgh, Sunday worship, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m. Information: 8773903. All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne. Sunday Service 9 a.m., Evensong Service 5 p.m. 985-3819 Trinity Episcopal Church, 5171 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 9:15 10:15 a.m. “Space for Grace” (educational hour), 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist (with child care and Sunday School). 985-2269. United Church of Hinesburg, 10570 Route 116. Sunday service 10 a.m. September through June; 9 a.m. July through August. Sunday School during services. 482-3352
tradition – a Sugar on Snow party. Celebrate the sugaring season with sweet sugar on snow, sugaring demonstrations and delicious samples of maple syrup. The Green Mountain Audubon Center is excited that this is its 50th anniversary, which makes for another reason to celebrate. Free. More info: vermont@audubon.com. MONDAY, MARCH 24 Selectboard Meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall. For more info and agenda: charlottevt.org. TUESDAY, MARCH 25 Tap Tap Boom Boom Reading, 4:30–7:30 p.m., Arts Riot, Burlington. Blowout celebration for Elizabeth Bluemle’s book. Free. For more info, see story on page 8. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 Special Planning Commission, Zoning Board Joint Meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall. For more info and agenda: charlottevt.org.
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ONGOING EVENTS MONDAYS Senior Center Café, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Featuring soup, salads, bread and dessert. No reservations necessary. Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7–9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. Call 425-3997. WEDNESDAYS Charlotte/Shelburne Rotary Club, 7:30–8:30 a.m., Parish Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne. Newcomers Club of Charlotte, Shelburne and sur-
rounding area meets once a month on the third Wednesday from September to June. Variety of programs, day trips and locations. Information: Orchard Corl, president, 985-3870. AA Meeting, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 7 p.m. Senior Luncheon, Senior Center, noon. For reservations, call 425-6345 before 2 p.m. on previous Monday. Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., 7:30 p.m., Fire Station. Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7-9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. Call 425-3997 for information.
THURSDAYS Food Shelf, open from 7:30-9:30 a.m. March 13 and 27. Lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Information: Karen at 425-3252; for emergency food call John at 425-3130. FRIDAYS AA Meeting, Congregational Church Vestry, 8 p.m. Charlotte Playgroup, 9:30–11 a.m., CCS MPR. Free, ages 0-5.
The Charlotte News
Around Town Congratulations to Sam Darling, a cadet at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass., who earned selection for the annual “Master Award Every Sea Term.” Selected by the captain of his Every Sea Term vessel, Sam received the award based on recommendations from department commanders aboard his ship as a cadet who stood out among his peers. to Louise McCarren, who was elected by the board of directors to chair Campaign for Vermont (CFV). Bruce Lisman, a co-founder of CFV, said, “I am confident that Louise and the entire Board will successfully lead CFV to achieve significant progress that will surely benefit Vermonters for years to come.” Campaign for Vermont is a 501c(4) organization that looks at and advocates public policy changes that will “improve Vermont’s economic landscape to one of shared prosperity by reconnecting middle-class Vermonters to their government.” Louise has held a variety of positions in public service, including the commissioner of the Department of Public Service, Vermont state president for Verizon and CEO of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, a regional forum headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is charged with promoting electric service reliability in western Canada and the western U.S. to Jason Garvey and Grant Manning, Charlotte’s direct connection to the 2014 Olympics through their work at Burton Snowboards. Garvey, the Proto Shop Supervisor and Manning who works with him, helped design and build the prototype of the board that Shaun White used to finish fourth in the half pipe competition. In fact, according to Manning, Burton built threefourths of the boards used in the Olympics this year. He said that the staff in his area held their collective breaths as they watched White’s board bend dramatically coming off one of the jumps. Fortunately, he said, it bent but did not break, much to its builders’ relief. YouTube video “Shaun White’s Birth of a Board” shows Jason helping to cut and plane the board. to several Charlotters who received awards from Green Works/Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association at the association’s winter meeting and trade show held in the University of Vermont’s Davis Center last month. Tricia King of Distinctive Landscaping won an Honor Award for Large Scale Residential Design with an alluring cottage garden; Charlie Proutt, also of Distinctive Landscaping, won an ExceedsExcellence Award for Small Scale Residential
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Buying or selling a home this spring? Lafayette Painting can make your property stand out with a beautiful, fresh paint job. Our professional, experienced crews are ready to help. Call 863-5397 or visit LafayettePaintingInc.com. (-116) NEW AT THE MT. PHILO INN: Overnight accommodations, spacious 2-3 bedroom suites available by the day, week or month. Adjacent to Mt. Philo State Park, with panoramic views of Lake Champlain. Each "wing" in the historic inn has a private entrance, full kitchen, laundry and porch. MtPhiloInn.com 802-425-3335.
Design with a small city garden; Ashley Robinson of Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer, won an Honor Award for Small Scale Residential Design through backyard expansion; Sarah Stradtner of Distinctive Landscaping won an Exceeds-Excellence Award for Small Residential Build through her small city garden. Leo Roberts of Horsford Garden and Nursery was awarded the Green Works/VNLA Horticultural Achievement Award, given to a person over 40 years of age whose accomplishments have advanced the industry through education, plant development, literature or through “outstanding personal effort.” It is the most prestigious award given by Green Works/Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association. Leo’s nomination said that he has “done it all – from growing annuals in the greenhouse, potting plants, digging trees and shrubs, to landscaping and sales,” as well as teaching “hundreds of employees and thousands of customers.” to Larson and John Berkey on the birth of their son Hartley on January 26 at Fletcher Allen Hospital. to Erick Crockenberg and Tad Cooke, whose plan for conversion of the Moran Plant on Burlington’s waterfront was approved by the voters of Burlington. To view a video of Mayor Miro Weinberger’s support for the project, see his talk at the recent Arts Riot on Vimeo.com/87765758. Fellow Charlotter and author Stephen Kiernan likens Tad and Erick’s opportunity to a similar chance for two other young Vermonters several decades ago. The two were a couple of ice cream enthusiasts named Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Geneva Olive Holbrook of Vergennes who passed away March 2 at the age of 84. Her surviving family includes her son Robert Enos and his wife, Janey, as well as their children Miranda, Amy, Rob and John of Charlotte. is extended to family and friends of James Delisle, Jr. of Colchester who passed away on March 7 at the age of 75. He is survived by his son Mark and Mark’s wife, Susan (Enos) Delisle, and their children, all of Charlotte. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory be given to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495.
For Sale: Mud & Snow Tires- Nearly New, On 5-Hole 205/70R/15 96T Buick Rim Ready to Go. $300.00. Call Ellie 802-425-3529 DRIVERS/DOCK WORKERS: YRC Freight is hiring FT & PT Casual Combo Drivers/ Dock Workers! Burlington location. CDL-A w/ Combo and Hazmat, 1yr T/T exp, 21yoa req. EOE-M/F/D/V. Able to lift 65 lbs. req. APPLY: www.yrcfreight.com/careers. (-16) FOR SALE: Nike Fuel Band - Brand new, unused, black- great for measuring all kinds of information related to body movement and activity, especially useful for athletes in training. Please call 922-1924 for more information. $100. (-15) “FRUIT TREE PRUNING SEASON” Call Dave Webb, 453-4992, davewebb@gmavt.net.