The Charlotte News | August 13, 2015

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Vol. 58, no. 2 August 13, 2015

Charlotte News Vermont’s oldest nonprofit community newspaper, bringing you local news and views since 1958

Opportunity awaits?

A look at Charlotte Community Development and its efforts to bring vitality to the town Brett Sigurdson THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

CCS’s new lead principal, Barbara Anne Komons-Montroll, outside of the school.

Photo: Brett SigurdSon

Making a difference by making connections CCS’s new lead principal wants to meet as many people as she can on the way to having an impact at the school Brett Sigurdson THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

O

utside of CCS, construction workers make a racket fixing the school’s roof, providing the facility with much-needed repairs. Inside, the building is also receiving a new look, though perhaps one not as obvious to the naked eye: the school’s administration has taken a new shape with new personnel.

As workers talk on scaffolding outside her new office, Barbara Anne KomonsMontroll moves around boxes yet to be unpacked. She’s been busy since beginning June 1, and the new lead principal at CCS is already taking steps to meet her first goal as the leader of the school: building relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members.

Warm and friendly in person, Komons-

Montroll may be ideally suited for this kind of bridge-building at CCS. After all, she and CCS’s other new administrator, instructional leader Stephanie Sumner, enter their positions under some scrutiny. When the school’s co-principals, Greg Marino and Audrey Boutaugh, both tendered resignations in February, a contingent of Charlotters, citing rising budget costs and a shrinking student body, urged the School Board to restructure the administration or risk defeat of the proposed $7.5 million budget at Town Meeting.

After the budget did fail, the board offered a kind of compromise: the school would keep two administrators, but rather than have co-principals to split oversight of the school’s K-8 grades, the school would hire one lead principal to oversee all grades and an instructional leader to focus on curriculum. The move cut roughly $28,000 from the budget, which passed on the second vote a month later, though

Principals continued on page 4

Selectboard sets tax rate, revisits wage policy John Hammer THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

The Selectboard meeting of August 10 began with the annual setting of the municipal tax rate. This year’s rate is based on a Grand List of $9,560,151.12.

When the calculated surplus of $376.111 was factored in, and a five-percent cushion included, the municipal tax was calculated as 14.39 cents per $100 assessed property value. This is compared to last year’s municipal tax rate of 16.61.

Charlotte’s new wage administration plan has been the subject of the last three Selectboard meetings. Town Clerk/ Treasurer Mary Mead questioned the plan beginning on July 27. Unable to get a hearing because of a full schedule at that meeting, she requested and got a dedicated meeting on August 3.

Selectboard Chair Morrison opened that meeting with a summary of the plan, saying that it is written to recognize that a “job is a job” and that it was not designed as an incentive plan. “Everybody’s treated fairly” according to the specific tasks for which they are responsible. He went on to outline the extensive efforts that the plan’s crafters had made to compare like tasks in seven Vermont towns and as reflected in a comprehensive document by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. One difficulty that arose was there is no commonalty between different towns’ tasks.

Mead’s principal point was that her two-person team performed all the financial functions in the town. In other towns that were studied for comparison, more

Selectboard continued on page 6

With its six acres of colorful flowers surrounding a striking, angular retail store, the Vermont Wildflower Farm on Route 7 has been a landmark in Charlotte since 1981. The wildflower path that cuts through the woods is a popular tourist stop in the summer, and the Seed Shop offers visitors a chance to buy over 100 seed varieties—the largest such supplier in the Northeast.

All of this gives Charlotte some measure of status, not to mention a successful local business. But the town is in danger of losing the Vermont Wildflower Farm, whose business is booming at such a rate that owners Chris and Diana Borie need to expand beyond the means of their current property.

“We have completely outgrown the property as the business is growing at a tremendous rate,” explained Diana, adding, “We need a much larger tract of land.”

The Wildflower Farm property is now listed for sale. Once the building and land have sold, the Bories will begin looking at places that fit their need for a retail store, large warehouse and small events venue.

It’s possible that the next site won’t be in Charlotte.

“Ideally, we would like to remain in Charlotte,” she said. “However, the regulatory environment may play a role as it seems it is very strict and not open to new growth.”

Charlotters have heard this story before: local business wants to grow and stay local but comes up against zoning obstacles and decides to leave.

In 1995, for example, Charlotte-based Country Home Products wanted to expand its operation and turn what is now the Old Lantern into office space for 100 employees. The company withdrew its application after it was clear the project didn’t conform to zoning regulations. The company soon moved to Vergennes.

More recently, Dustin Glasscoe last year moved his Vermont Farm Table operation out of his Charlotte workshop to a 10,000 square-foot space in Bristol due to a lack of space to meet his increased business volume.

It’s a situation Diana Borie herself has seen before. “In my personal opinion, I have seen many folks come and go trying to establish some great business in the town, only to be turned down,” she said.

“Charlotte is becoming ‘vacant’.”

“Charlotte needs to offer a reason for folks to come down to Charlotte,” she added, “whether it be for tourism, to summer here or move here. Right now, there is virtually nothing to entice folks.”

However, there’s a group that has been working behind the scenes for the last year to do just that.

Beyond economic development At Town Party this year, one of the busiest tables beckoned attendees with a big sign asking if Charlotters would like to see the town have a restaurant/pub, grocery store, pharmacy, bakery, community meeting space or bookstore. A total of 74 people responded to the survey, with the majority—66 of respondents—choosing a

Development continued on page 11

A centennial celebration Justine Morrison makes the USA 100K women’s team and will race in the world championships Alex Bunten THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

Justine Morrison grew up in Charlotte and went to UVM. While at university she took a marathon training class but never thought she would even run one.

The fact that she has recently been accepted to be on the USA 100K Team either shows that people can be fickle in their preferences or that running 100K can be really fun. It’s likely the former.

Justine ran her first 100K race (about 62 miles) in 2005. Ten years later, in November 2014, she ran the JFK 50 Mile in 7 hours and 9 minutes and just qualified under the USA Team cutoff time of 7 hours and 15 minutes. Only six female athletes are chosen each year to represent the USA 100K team.

“I was pretty far down the list and was completely surprised when I got the call this week,” Justine said via email. “My training this year has been focused on a marathon, but luckily I have a few more

weeks to get a couple longer runs in which should put me in good shape for race day…I hope.”

On September 12, she will fly with a small group of elite athletes to Winschoten, the Netherlands, and take part in the 2015 World Championships for 100K. She will be representing the USA, Vermont, and even her hometown of Charlotte. Justine is the daughter of Charlotte Selectboard Chair, Lane Morrison.

From her current home in Bethesda, Maryland, between daily runs and while the kids were napping, we caught up with Justine via email.

The Charlotte News: 100K is pretty far. Some people don’t even like to drive that far! When did you run your first and what was it like?

Justin Morrison: I first heard about ultramarathons while at UVM when I took a marathon training class. To be honest, I thought it sounded nuts and I didn’t think I would ever do one. Fast forward four years and I ran my first 50K trail race and it was awesome. Trail ultras are really like hiking in the woods all

Morrison continued on page 9

2 • August 13, 2015 • the ChArlotte News

Voices Tumbling through the history of Kennedy Brothers The Charlotte News 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 Charlotterelated 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 more than 50 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.

Editorial Staff news@charlottenewsvt.com 802-425-4949

Editor in chief: Alex Bunten Assistant editor: Brett Sigurdson Contributing editors: Edd Merritt, Ruah Swennerfelt Summer intern: Lawrence Dee Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Leslie Botjer, Vince Crockenberg

BuSinESS Staff ads@charlottenewsvt.com 802-343-0279

Business manager: Shanley Hinge Ad managers: Monica Marshall, Liz Philip-Morris Circulation group: Valerie Lebensohn

I’d like to tell you a story. It’s not too long, but it has an important point.

And after all, we are a proud supporters of Vermont Reads this year, partnered with the Charlotte Library and the Senior Center, and we’ll be bringing you even more interesting local stories next issue.

Here’s one to start us off. It’s a little disjointed due to tight deadlines, but I think you’ll like it. Lean in.

In February, I found an old postcard addressed to my dad. It was sent from Maine in September 2014, but the picture was of the Kennedy Brothers store in Charlotte.

Perplexed, I thought Kennedy Brothers was in Vergennes.

When my brothers and I were kids, around the holidays we’d go to Kennedy Brothers in Vergennes to rifle through their wooden wares with a couple dollars of allowance money.

I remember it well. The brick building seemed huge and the small shops spread throughout had such an amazing selection of do-dads to eat or play with.

After a little research, I found out that brothers Paul T. and John F. Kennedy (no relation I’m aware of to the late President Kennedy) originally started Green Mountain Wood Crafters on Old Route 7.

They sold all manner of woodcraft (as the name might suggest) and other Vermonty

things like cheese, honey, maple products and souvenirs.

A devastating fire took the building in 1941, but they rebuilt in the same spot, according to Lillian Kennedy, the current co-owner with her husband, Robert Feuerstein. It’s a little hazy here, but at some point Paul and John moved their operation to Bristol for a stint before finally landing in the “little city on the falls.”

The connection here is a couple weeks ago we had a fundraiser on Thompson’s Point, and Lillian, directly related to the founders of Kennedy Brothers, and Robert were there. Lillian’s family has spent summers out on the Point since only tents were there.

As Nancy Wood passed around copies of the first few issues of The News, Lillian noticed that the Kennedy Brothers was one of our first advertisers back in 1958 (see inset).

Because Kennedy Brothers will soon re-open after two years in reconstruction, Lillian thought it only prudent to advertise with us again (page 13) and continue our historical connection.

To make a long, tenuously connected story relatively short, all of the businesses in and around Charlotte help shape our community and build our collective history. Without local business advertising (see list below) and generous donations from locals (donors listed in next issue), The Cha--rlotte News’s nonprofit mission

(Above) The Kennedy Brothers have supported The Charlotte News since we started in 1958. Dorothy Anguish, café manager at the newly opened KB Café in the Kennedy Brothers, wears her Charlotte News hat everyday to work. (Left) A Kennedy Brothers advertisement from the fourth edition of The Charlotte News, August 29, 1958. wouldn’t be possible. We are proud to serve our community and hope you will share your support and patronize the local businesses found in our pages.

And tell them you saw it in The News!

For more about community business developments, be sure to dig into Brett’s article on page 1. There’s a lot to think about there. Let us know what you think in a letter to the editor.

—Alex Bunten Editor in Chief

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contriButorS Mary Recchia Margaret Woodruff Bradley Carelton

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on thE covEr The Green Thumbs Summer Camp visits Philo Ridge Farm. For follow up and more photos, see page 10.

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Next publication date: Thursday, August 27 Contributions deadline: Monday, August 17 by 5 p.m.

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A Little Something A. Johnson Lumber Adam Dantzscher Brush Hoggin’ Addison County Chamber of Commerce Affectionately Cats of Williston Almartin Volvo Animal Hospital of Hinesburg Antoine Williams Financial Services Archie’s Grill Aristelle ARK Veterinary Hospital Armistead Inc. Ashley Robinson Garden & Landscape Design BauHeim Builders Bobbe Maynes—Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Buccaneer Football Building Energy Camp Sangamon & Camp Betsy Cox Catamount Family Center Central Boiler, Inc. Champlain Valley Compost Champlain Valley Union High School Board Charlotte Central School Board Charlotte Children’s Center Charlotte Family Health Center Charlotte Little League Charlotte Real Estate Charlotte Senior Center Chittenden Solid Waste District Chris vonTrapp—Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Chris’s Lawn Care Church Hill Landscapes Common Deer Darling’s Boatworks Dave Cran Dee Physical Therapy Dottie Waller—Four Seasons Sotheby’s Dovetail Designs Edo Efficiency Vermont

Fat Cow Farm Fenn & Company Foote’s Insurance Agency Fournier Landscaping Furchgott & Sourdiffe Garden Duds Studio Gravel & Shea Green Mountain Access Green Mountain Compost Green Mountain Power Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery Greentree Real Estate Habitat for Humanity Harvestar Horsford’s Nursery Jackman’s Fuels Jamie Two Coats Jane Kiley—Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Kelly Brush Foundation Kennedy Brothers Kiley Landscape Construction La Villa Bistro & Pizzeria Lacey’s Carpetmaster Lafayette Painting Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Lake Champlain Transportation Landshapes Landvest Lewis Creek Builders Liebling Linda Sparks—Four Seasons Sotheby’s Linda’s Apparel & Gifts Mary Pat Palmer—Four Seasons Sotheby’s Mason & Associates McGlaflin Masonry & Tile McLaughlin Hardwood Flooring Mike Cousino Plumbing Nancy Jenkins Real Estate New England Floor Covering Night Eagle NutriMost Vermont Old Brick Store

Patterson Fuels Peace of Mind Designs Pease Mountain Law Pizza On Earth Pleasant Mount Farm Pleasant Valley Landscaping Point Bay Marina Prestons’ Construction & Excavating PTO Charlotte Central QB Solutions RVG Electrical Services Saratoga Olive Oil Company SCHIPs Treasure Resale Shelburne Craft School Shelburne Dental Group Shelburne Supermarket Slater Construction Sport Style Stony Loam Farm Sugarbush Resort Sweet Charity Teresa Canal Meyer, PhD The Galley Restaurant The Weather Hill Company Thomas Tax Services Timber Lane Dental Associates Titus Insurance Co. Trattoria Delia UVM Geology Camp Verdigris Vergennes Animal Hospital Vergennes Opera House Vermont Commons School Vermont Eco-Floors Vermont Sun Fitness Vermont Sun Structures Vermont Symphony Village Cafe Tavern VT Walkways & Stone Preservation VT Terrain Wayne’s Tire Wells Fargo Advisors YMCA Camp Abnaki

The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 3

Community News

Vermont Reads at the Charlotte Library again Margaret Woodruff CONTRIBUTOR

The Charlotte Library has organized the Vermont Reads program five times since 2007 thanks to the generous support of the Vermont Humanities Council. This year we have partnered with The Charlotte News and the Charlotte Senior Center to further develop our programming— building interest in reading, fostering community involvement and spreading local stories.

To get involved, pick up your copy of Salmon Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories at the library or the Charlotte Senior Center. Then join us for our storytelling adventure next week! And look out for more information in

The Charlotte News on August 27.

Refreshments provided to keep us energized.

For more information see the Vermont Humanities website at vermonthumanities. org/vermont-reads/.

Monday, August 17, & Tuesday, August 18, 10 a.m. to noon. Charlotte and the Sea of Stories based upon Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Part I: Participants will read, discuss and digest Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

Wednesday, August 19, & Thursday, August 20, 10 a.m. to noon. Charlotte and the Sea of Stories, Part II: Gather around the wood stove and debate the issues of local and state interest as Charlotters did long ago; imagine what story you might tell.

Friday, August 21, 10 a.m. Charlotte and the Sea of Stories, Part III: “Charlotte and A sign at Cedar Beach warns boaters of upcoming repairs on the boat ramp. the Sea of Stories” presentations will take Photo: NaNcy Wood place at the end of the week at the Shelburne Museum. Visit the Tuckaway General Store for historical relevance, then gather in a classroom to present.

Converse Bay Fishing Access Area to be closed for improvements

Other prOgramming Thursday, August 20, 7:30 – 9 p.m. Book Discussion Group.

Howard’s End. Join us for discussion and refreshments.

Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.

Monday, August 24, 5:30 p.m. Kindergarten Library Card Party. It’s that time of the summer when all new kindergarteners receive their own library cards. Join us for snacks, fun and a chance to meet other new school pals.

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The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has started a renovation project at the Converse Bay Fishing Access Area (locally known as Cedar Beach) on Lake Champlain in Charlotte.

Construction activities began on August 10, but the ramp will remain open through the weekend of August 22 and 23. The boat ramp and entire access area will be closed beginning August 25 and remain closed until mid-October.

“The reconstruction of the Converse Bay Access Area will improve boat launching, offer more organized access and parking, and provide a public facility that meets environmental and ADA

standards so that all recreationalists will be able to enjoy this area of Lake Champlain,” said Mike Wichrowski, facility and lands administrator with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

When finished, the improved access area will feature a longer and deeper launch ramp, as well as ADA-accessible parking and a path down to the ramp and dock area. The improvements will also include green infrastructure upgrades to reduce storm water run-off into the lake.

While the Cedar Beach boat launch is closed, boaters can use the public access at Point Bay Marina on Thompson’s Point Road to launch larger boats and smaller craft. On Converse Bay, canoes, kayaks and other small craft can be launched at Deer Point at the public launch site between the rubble dock and the concrete dock, as well as at Whiskey Beach (more causally known as Dog Beach) off North Shore Road. On Town Farm Bay, canoes and kayaks can be launched at the public landing a quarter-mile down Lane’s Lane from the turn off Thompson’s Point Road. Parking at the Deer Point, Whiskey Bay and Lane’s Lane sites is quite limited.

4 • August 13, 2015 • the ChArlotte News

Principals continued from page 1

by only 11 votes.

Komons-Montroll, however, is undaunted by the difficulty the board has experienced in passing a budget in recent years. As the principal of Doty Memorial School in Worcester, Vermont, she faced the kind of belt tightening that so many other schools around Vermont have faced. “It’s a very important responsibility to find the best way to maximize the dollars that the town allots to the school to provide the best education to the kids,� she said. “Finding that balance—I see that as paramount to my work.�

The key to striking this balance?

Building relationships, Komons-Montroll explained. While at Doty, she attended a community lunch at Worcester’s Town Hall every Wednesday to meet with townspeople to talk about school issues.

At a Town Meeting there, she asked Doty students to speak to voters about how the education budget some townspeople were intent to vote down supports their learning, a move that won over several naysayers. “It involves showing up, the person-to-person, a lot of listening,� she said. “I believe it’s really important to connect the school and the community.�

This personal approach to leading is emblematic of a passion for making positive changes in educational systems.

Komons-Montroll grew up in Yonkers, about how the system of education works, N.Y. She attended Dartmouth, where she how teachers, staff, parents and the entire majored in geography and education. Her school system can have a positive influprofessors embedded in her a sense of ence on a student. “Everything is connectpurpose to open high-quality educational ed,� she said. “If everything is connected, opportunities for all. it makes sense to look at it from a wider “I strongly view and knowing that believe in public one thing will impact education,� she everything else.� said. “I believe In CCS, Komonsin its gifts and Montroll sees another what it offers and opportunity to have a helping improve positive impact on a its ability to meet school, one closer to the needs of every the Burlington home child. And there’s she shares with her always room for husband and two chilimprovement in dren. how to meet the “This is a high-qualneed for every ity school with child so they can high-caliber teachbe the best they ers, engaged parents can be.� and community,� said Stephanie Sumner Upon graduaKomons-Montroll. tion, she taught first “It’s all very exciting.� and second grade at As she gets acquainted Underhill ID School in Vermont. She with CCS, one of the system-wide issues briefly left public education to work on she has to contend with is how she and curriculum at the ECHO Lake Aquarium Sumner will construct the lead principal and Science Center and at the YMCA / instructional leader roles. Right now in Burlington before returning to school they’re developing it, building on the to attain a masters in education leader- proposal that the School Board created ship from UVM. After spending time as but taking a strengths-based approach to the regional director for Building Bright cementing their roles. One thing is for Futures, she became principal at Doty, a sure, she and Sumner have hit it off. position she held for four years. “Barbara Anne and I have worked Throughout her education experiences, together beautifully so far,� said Sumner.

Komons-Montroll has been passionate “We have worked hard this summer to

After School Program

carve out as much time together as possible, and that time has felt very organic and energizing.�

For her part, Sumner is focused on connecting with teachers. She will oversee the continuing implementation of Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Standards as well as personalized learning plans, efforts that will see her lending support to teachers implementing them in their lesson plans.

Said Sumner, “In the short-term, that means a lot of ‘on-the-ground’ support— being available to support teachers with their instruction and assessment and being a leader in the professional development needed to support them. It is essential that we work to find ways that better enable our teachers to focus on student learning in the face of many increasing demands on our time with students.�

For both Komons-Montroll and Sumner, the coming weeks and months are opportunities to make these relationships and more. Komons-Montroll has some ideas for making connections with Charlotters as she moves closer to the first day of classes. Until then, she said, she’s happy to have the opportunity to make a difference at CCS. “It’s exciting,� she said. “I will grow and learn through this process. I see opportunities where I can grow myself, and I will grow with everybody here.�

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The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 5

For secondtime, school board discusses behavioral specialist hire Position will be paid for without additional funding Brett Sigurdson THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

CCS’s new administrative team has wasted little time in getting down to business.

Just over a month after starting, new lead principal Barbara Anne Komons-Montroll and instructional leader Stephanie Sumner asked the school board to consider hiring a full-time behavioral systems and response coordinator, something the school board met to discuss Aug. 6.

This is the second time the school board has considered the position this year. Former co-principals Greg Marino and Audrey Boutaugh requested the position during the budgeting process in January, though school board members ultimately denied the $46,700 request.

During budget discussions, Marino explained the position was necessary because the school was experiencing “an increase in intensity of student behaviors, and increase in complexity in the needs of some students and behaviors.”

What’s more, CCS also has fewer full-time employees supporting students with behavioral issues than any school in CSSU, requiring the school to take a “platoon approach,” pulling teachers, administrators and counselors away from their primary responsibilities.

Student behavioral issues were given more clarity in May, when the school board received a report that showed since September 2014 CCS saw a 43-percent increase in referrals for behavioral issues. In the 2013-14 school year, the school saw a 16-percent uptick in referrals.

At the Aug. 6 School Board meeting, Komons-Montroll presented a decision packet that stated the position was needed to “meet the needs of the growing number of students with complex behavioral challenges,” while moving away from a potential over-reliance on paraeducators to meet behavioral challenges.

In the decision packet provided to the school board and four people at the meeting, KomonsMontroll noted the consequences of not approving the position will be continued strain on the system while not meeting the emotional needs of the students.

Making the expenditure perhaps easier for the school board to back this time, KomonsMontroll proposed paying for the $45,000 position without any additional, un-budgeted funding.

According to her decision packet, roughly $36,000 allocated in the 2015-16 budget is redundant or unnecessary. Roughly $18,000 was allotted for Common Core materials that the school already has. The other $18,000 was earmarked for an unnecessary training expense. The final $9,000 would be saved from the resignation of a Spanish teacher.

The board did not take action on hiring the position at the Aug. 6 meeting. It will meet on Aug. 14 at 7:30 a.m. at CCS to vote on the matter.

What do you think about this story and others? Send us a letter: news@charlottenewsvt.com

CVU gets state and national honor Niche.com, in its 2015 rankings of American high schools, ranks Champlain Valley Union High School as the best public high school in Vermont and the 38th best—and third safest—high school in the United States.

In its academic ranking of CVU, Niche cited in particular the school’s high graduation and college attendance rates, its high ACT and SAT scores, and its unique Graduation Challenge requirement that “allows all seniors to dedicate much of their final year to a personalized research project.”

Niche was founded as a startup company by Carnegie Mellon

University students in 2002 to help parents and professionals choose neighborhoods, colleges and K-12 schools. In rating K-12 schools, Niche uses information from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, databases maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is located within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences.

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6 • August 13, 2015 • the ChArlotte News

Selectboard

continued from page 1 than two persons performed the same or equivalent functions. She concluded that the work she and her staff performed was not adequately recognized, and thus they were underpaid for what they did.

The upshot of the extended discussion on August 10 was that, as the plan now stands, “overall (all employees are) at equity, but some questions have come up.” These will be re-evaluated at a review on the one-year anniversary in January 2016.

Also discussed was the need for a grievance policy that would allow employees to resolve their concerns over pay policies. Selectman Krasnow intends to craft a policy to resolve this shortcoming.

In another action, the Selectboard recognized the fact that Christina Booher, the assistant town clerk/treasurer, had not been paid at the rate that was agreed when she was hired. Her pay was adjusted retroactively.

The remainder of the August 10 meeting was taken up by a number of administrative actions. Among these was the approval for the use of the Charlotte Town Beach as the site of the finish for the second annual Lake Champlain Open Water Swim. The race will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, September 13. The weather delay date will be on

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Stanley and Gayle Lane were granted permission to drill a well on Thompson’s Point Lot 203 at 153 Lane’s Lane. Diane and David Nichols re-applied for and received a Charlotte Housing Trust grant for up to $20,000 to repair two dwellings at 3314 Spear Street. The aim of the Charlotte Housing Trust is to encourage and support the adaptation of town properties for use as “perpetually affordable housing.” It should be noted that the landowner must match these funds.

The J.D. Powers Painting Co. was awarded a bid for painting the side offices and meeting rooms in the Town Hall. The contracted amount may not exceed $3,000 and is limited to labor only. In another town contract action the Selectboard approved the distribution of a request for bids to repair the concrete rail posts and curbing on Spear Street Bridge #14 over the LaPlatte River. Bids must be received by August 27.

Matt Krasnow noted that the radar speed cart had been actively deployed on South Greenbush Road. The Community Safety Committee will meet shortly to discuss other locations for deployment.

In a final action, the contract with Civil Engineering Associates was renewed to oversee the service agreement for the Thompson’s Point wastewater system.

The contract is effective for the calendar year 2015.

The next regular Selectboard meeting will be held on August 24.

WEb Editor

As our general web-ninja, you will be responsible for the content and images used on our website and social media. You should be creative, web savvy and be able to work in a team.

Interested? To receive the full job description and application form, send an email to Alex Bunten at news@charlottenewsvt.com.

SHARE YOUR MILESTONES Births Awards Recognitions Marriages Engagements Anniversaries Retirements Deaths news@ email: charlottenewsvt.com edd@charlottenewsvt.com

The Charlotte beat

Some numbers from the Vermont State Police and its work around the town Compiled by: Alex Bunten

The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 7

CCS students give compost shed tour to UVM class Usually older students help teach younger ones. On August 4 the tables turned, and a group of CCS students got the chance to show off their knowledge in science.

Former Alpha-6 students Courtney McDermott, Elyse Martin-Smith, Stella Martenis and Molly Rubin gave a tour of the CCS compost shed to the UVM Composting Ecology and Management class from the Department of Plant and Soil Science.

Students discussed the management of the shed during the school year and fielded questions from the group, with support from Abby Foulk, community volunteer and coordinator of the sustainable project, and Christa Duthie-Fox, 6th grade CCS science teacher. Also present for the tour was Lake Champlain Waldorf School teacher, Rebekah Hopkinson.

“The students handled these questions well,” Foulk said, “noting that the moisture, nitrogen and carbon levels of what they added weekly to each bin would change according to what kids

were served and didn’t eat that week. The constants were the use of leaves, manure bedding and wood shavings, but food was the variable.”

Foulk took the Plant and Soil Science course two summers ago to help her determine the feasibility of building a compost shed on site. Duthie-Fox took the course last summer to help her pilot a Next Generation Science Standards curriculum. Her goal was to deliver deep content to her students while they worked with Foulk to operate and manage the shed throughout the school year. The UVM Composting Ecology and Management course is taught by Lynn Fang, a plant and soil science master’s degree student.

According to Foulk, the students were interested in this project because it involved learning about a real world problem—overuse of landfills and resulting emissions—which they were helping to solve locally.

Next year the responsibility for keeping the compost shed working will fall to the incoming 6th graders.

The CCS compost shed got a visit from the UVM Department of Plant and Soil Science on August 4. Back row (from left): community member Abby Foulk, UVM undergraduate student Mike Clark, continuing education students Rachel Stein and Rose Garritan, CCS teacher Christa Duthie-Fox. Front row: CCS students Elyse Martin-Smith, Stella Martenis, Courtney McDermott and Molly Rubin, Waldorf School teacher Rebekah Hopkinson, UVM instructor Lynn Fang.

Forget the Bolshoi, head down to the Philo Ridge Farm Farm to Ballet comes to Philo Ridge Farm, a benefit for the Vermont Land Trust The Farm to Ballet Project is a dance endeavor intended to celebrate Vermont’s farming culture while expanding classical ballet’s audience. Philo Ridge Farm, a diversified farm in Charlotte, is excited to host the Farm to Ballet production on August 15, in a celebration of food, farms and the arts. Ticket proceeds will benefit the Vermont Land Trust’s Farmland Access Program, which provides farmers with opportunities to purchase or lease affordable farmland, helping to generate or expand agricultural businesses.

Philo Ridge Farm is located on the property of the old Foote Farm in Charlotte. Farm tours will be offered between 4 and 6 p.m. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a farm-raised pork dinner prepared by the Hindquarter Food Truck or wood-fired flatbread. Please bring cash—dinner is not included in your ticket reservation. The performance will begin at 6:15 p.m.

The project, directed by Chatch Pregger, is a full-length production that reinterprets classical ballet choreography to tell the story of a Vermont farm from spring to fall. The production starts with the geese returning for the spring, followed by the stages of planting, irrigating, tending and then harvesting the farm’s produce. The farmer takes a detour from the crops to work with the animals and celebrate their contributions to local foods. The production wraps up with a celebratory farm-share pickup scene before the geese fly back south for the winter.

Charlotte Hardie, of Charlotte, is one of the dancers involved in the program. She began dancing at Colorado College and fell in love with the form.

Farm to Ballet will be performed throughout Vermont during the summer of 2015. The production is intended to be performed outside against the beauty of Vermont farms and their surrounding landscape.

More information is available at farmtoballet.org.

Megan Stearns of Burlington is one of several ballet dancers who will perform at Farm to Ballet at Charlotte’s Philo Ridge Farm. Photo: Courtesy

CorreCtion: Mark LeBarr is a wildlife biologist at Audubon Vermont. He is not the board chair as stated in our photo caption (July 30 issue, page 12). Also the photo used was not of a golden-winged warbler but rather of a common yellowthroat.

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8 • August 13, 2015 • the ChArlotte News

Third annual Diamond Island Regatta returns to Charlotte On August 22 the Royal Savage Yacht Club and Point Bay Marina of Charlotte will host the third annual Diamond Island Regatta. Regatta entry is free, while proceeds raised through the sale of “swag bags” and donated items from local businesses will be donated to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

The regatta is part of the Lake Champlain Championship Series, a summer-long series of races in which clubs from all over the Vermont and New York shores take part. Results will count towards toward the LCCS Cannon Series as well as the Championship Series. The event kicks off with a free breakfast and registration for racers at the RSYC tent starting at 8:30 a.m. The race starts at 11 a.m. with the awards ceremony and lobster fest commencing at 6 p.m.

The event includes separate classes

for boats flying spinnakers, mainsail and jib. All boats will sail the same course, chosen from several options on the day of the race, based on the wind direction and speed. The courses range in length from 6.6 to 13.8 nautical miles, from Charlotte and Essex, N.Y., in the north to Basin harbor in the south.

Visiting sailors are welcome to join the post-race festivities for the RSYC member price of $25 per person. Purchase of this admittance fee gets participants a whole lobster, steamers, corn and all the fixings.

Details and registration info for the regatta can be found at rsyc.org/diamond-island-regatta. Learn more about the LCCS at lcchampionshipseries.org.

To reserve your place for the lobster fest, please sign up by August 18 at the RSYC website: rsyc.org/shop.

(Left) The ‘jib and main’ fleet starts during the Diamond Island Regatta last year.

(Right) Last year, RSYC race director Wendy Friant presented the first-place trophy for Spinnaker A class to Bob Turnau, co-owner with Bill Fastiggi of Buffalo Theory, the first boat to finish overall in the Diamond Island Regatta.

Photos: Courtesy

Get Involved in the Town!

The Selectboard is looking for interested citizens to fill the following vacancies:

The following committees currently have unfilled seats: • Lister—to be appointed until next town election • Planning Commission—1 vacancy with a term ending in April 2018 • Community Safety Committee—1 vacancy with a term ending in April 2017 • Recreation Commission—1 vacancy with a term ending in April 2017 • Design Review Committee—1 vacancy with a term ending in April 2016 • Charlotte Park & Wildlife Refuge Oversight Committee—1 vacancy Interested applicants should contact Dean Bloch by email (dean@townofcharlotte.com) or phone (425-3533) or stop by the office for more information.

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Setting Sail at Dusk Chris Falk submitted this photo of osprey at rest in their nest as the sun fell near the intersection of Ferry and Lake roads. Have a picture you’d to share with our readers? Send it to news@charlottenewsvt.com.

The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 9 moving your body from point A to B.

Morrison

continued from page 1 day. The pace and intensity is very slow and easy. I ran my first 100K in December 2005. It was in the mountains of Virginia and started at midnight in freezing temps.

It was without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ll never forget it.

CN: Ultramarathons are popping up all over the country. What do you think is behind their relative popularity? Is 100K the new marathon?

JM: Yes, ultras are becoming very popular! Maybe people are realizing how fun it is to spend a day in the woods/ mountains. Add in the challenge of a race and it’s so fun and exciting. It’s also a relatively easy and cheap way to stay fit and active.

When I was working in an office full time I couldn’t wait for a long run on the weekends just to spend time outside in the wilderness. At least that is what draws me to it; everyone has different reasons. I’m not sure it would be the new marathon, but maybe. There is an element of discomfort to an ultra that some people will just not enjoy. But there is a very satisfying feeling of accomplishment about simply

CN: How often do you train and what motivates you to get up and out each time?

JM: Right now I am running every day, but I don’t do a ton of miles, maybe 50-60 a week. I’ve always loved running and staying active so I’m generally pretty motivated. But nothing gets me pumped up to train like signing up for a race! I’m a competitive person so that helps.

CN: Do you have a favorite training route in Charlotte?

JM: Yes, I LOVE running in Charlotte.

From my dad’s house on Lake Road, I turn right, head to Greenbush, take a left on Ferry Road down to the ferry, and Converse Bay Road back home. That is about 7 miles and one of the favorites. It has everything, some mountain and lake views, also both flats and hilly sections, even a little dirt road.

CN: As a nationally recognized athlete in this sport now, what advice would you give to someone that aspired to run or race 100K? JM: What I’ve learned is that consistent training is the best way to get in shape.

You have to listen to your body and build up mileage VERY slowly, but get that run in every day and it will pay off.

Justine Morrison at the Vermont City Marathon. She was recently accepted to the USA 100K Team and will compete at the World Championship 100K race, this year in Winschoten, the Netherlands, on September 12. Photo: Courtesy

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10 • August 13, 2015 • the ChArlotte News

Green thumbs and warm memories

Tai Dinnan CONTRIBUTOR

Charlotte Green Thumbs Summer Camp wrapped up its second summer session on August 7. Organizers Tai Dinnan and Stacy Carter were very happy with how the program rolled out.

The pictures also seem to show all of the children happy in their summer toil. Tai wrote in with so much enthusiasm, she nearly forgot to use a period: “What a week! We ate SO many colors and flavors from the garden! We made quick work of gardening chores, made new friends, harvested a rainbow of veg-

gies, fruits and flowers from the garden, did lots of running and heavy lifting, watered the plants and ourselves, created wonderful garden journals with covers of paper we made ourselves, and cooked afternoon snacks enjoyed by all. We also had a wonderful trip to Philo Ridge Farm (formerly Fifth Fence Farm) where we petted and observed the sheep flock, collected duck eggs and visited the garden.

We’d call that a success!�

You can read more about Charlotte Green Thumbs Summer Camp at Tai’s blog, growingstories.wordpress.com.

PhotoS: tai dinnan/CouRtESy This week’s recipe is mine. I don’t know about your garden, but mine is filled with broccoli and tomatoes, and this recipe is a great way to use them!

Pasta with Broccoli and tomatoes

The Charlotte News Recipe Box EditEd by Ruah SwEnnERfElt

1 lb fresh broccoli Salt, to taste 2 large ripe tomatoes ½ lb spaghetti or penne pasta Ÿ cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped ½ tsp red pepper flakes 6 Kalamata olives, pitted and quartered ½ cup coarsely chopped parley Freshly ground black pepper

Freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese Cut broccoli into small flowerets with about an inch of stem. Peel the remaining stems and dice into small pieces.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Add salt and submerge tomatoes for about 10 seconds. Remove, peel and seed tomatoes: cut into large pieces. Add broccoli to boiling water and cook 3 – 4 minutes, until just tender. Remove and plunge into a basin of cold water to stop cooking and to retain the bright green color. Drain and set aside. Add the pasta to the boiling water and stir. While the pasta is cooking, warm oil in a skillet

with garlic and red pepper flakes. When hot, add tomatoes. Stir gently and cook for several minutes.

When pasta is just about done, return the broccoli to the water to warm, then pour pasta and broccoli into a colander.

Transfer to a warm serving bowl. Add the tomato mixture, olives, parsley, black pepper to taste, and toss. Serve with plenty of the grated cheese. Serves 2 to 3 generously.

Send us one of your favorite recipes (one you’re willing to share): news@charlottenewsvt.com. Be sure to add a little story about your recipe.

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Development continued from page 1

restaurant/pub.

This is no surprise to Mike Russell, Dana Hanley or Karen Frost— three of the dozen or so Charlotte business owners, professionals and interested citizens who make up Charlotte Community Development (CCD), an independent group that has been working quietly for the last year to help make economic opportunities become a reality in Charlotte.

“The restaurant/pub idea is very popular,” said Hanley, a professional planner and former Planning Commission member.

Russell, Hanley and Frost make up a subgroup of the CCD they’ve called “Building Community Momentum,” whose task is research and public outreach, and they recently spoke to The Charlotte News about the group’s efforts.

According to Russell, CCD’s work was sparked by The News’s Charlotte’s Web series, which examined population and economic issues facing Charlotte as town officials work on a revision of the town plan. With only a few members, the then-unnamed group began talking with business owners in Charlotte and Chittenden County about how to make Charlotte more friendly for business owners and housing seekers.

The group’s work has become more focused since then. At Town Party, CCD members shared their three main priorities: 1) amending the town’s land use regulations, 2) pushing the town to adopt a wastewater ordinance and 3) attaining a Village Center Designation for the East and West villages.

All of these are projects or goals that have been worked on by prior committees, but they haven’t been seen to completion. For example, a 2011 Charlotte Wastewater Committee study urged the town to develop an ordinance for the West Village that would create a policy for wastewater use and growth. Yet town officials have not acted on the group’s recommendation, one reason for a dearth of activity in the West Village.

“In a way, our work is really easy because it’s really just reminding people we talked about this, we worked that out, we know how this works, we know what people want,” said Russell.

“The language in town plans going back until at least 1990 supports the concentration of growth and activity in the two village centers,” added Hanley. “That is so clearly expressed in the Town Plan in several different areas that we feel it’s the kind of issue that has had so much community support over the decades that we’re just a group that’s trying to push it along in the right direction. We just want to help boards and commissions in the town and act as an independent advisory group to help them in their decision making.”

All three point to several reasons why the town has not carried through on these initiatives: other town-wide priorities have shifted town officials’ attentions, elections and personnel changes on boards, a lack of follow-through on the part of boards. But now there seems to be some momentum among community members, says Frost.

“Over the years, it feels like there has been so much good work done and things have not come to fruition,” she said.

“Demographics are changing, what people want is changing. We see places that are under-utilized and see what we can do to help them be more productively used.”

In early June, the CCD submitted a packet of recommendations to the Planning Commission that offered a level-headed critique of the town’s progress on economic development, as well as recommendations for a path forward. They start with amending the town’s land use regulations, which Hanley describes as “conservative,” adding, “We could use some regulations that are a little more nimble in so far as attracting some good commercial development here.”

“Our progress toward meeting some critical goals of the [Town Plan] concerning commercial uses, has been halting at best,” according to the CCD, “and in some cases we are further from meeting them today than when the plan was initially adopted.”

The difficulty in establishing such businesses isn’t from lack of demand—the CCD cites several surveys that indicate Charlotters want more businesses and services. Rather, according to the CCD, it’s “the difficulty in obtaining permits to establish businesses, in general, in Charlotte.”

The main issue stems from land use regulations that classify most commercial enterprises as “conditional use” rather than “permitted uses.” In the language of planning, a permitted use is allowed by right. A conditional use, however, is for projects that stand outside established zoning standards, requiring deliberation between planning officials. While this process gives towns greater flexibility, it also allows for more subjectivity from citizen planners, especially when it comes to addressing a common planning conundrum in Charlotte: maintaining the character of the town.

“If we can get rid of subjective assessments regarding the character of the area, the more the better,” said Hanley. “You just don’t have to do that if it’s a permitted use, and it’s more attractive to not have to go through that layer of review.”

The group is careful to point out that it’s not promoting growth out of scale with the town. Rather, the predominance of conditional uses in the town has hurt businesses in Charlotte already more than those that may want to come to Charlotte—effectively cutting off economic growth from within.

“I don’t want to give the impression that we think lots of outside money and outside developers need to come to Charlotte,” said Russell. “Some of the anecdotes we can tell you, almost all of them involve local businesses that have considered expanding in Charlotte and have decided that other towns are more attractive because the likelihood of getting approval is higher.”

In order to meet the Town Plan’s goal of a vibrant West Village, the CCD has recommended expanding the language of the land use regulations to allow more permitted uses, including retail space, a restaurant, inn, veterinary clinic, grocery store and financial institution.

But the CCD also sees a lot of potential in the light industrial district on Ferry Road. Most of the two large buildings there are in “disrepair and not anywhere near fully occupied,” states the recommendations.

The measures and the changes the CCD proposed will add “clarity to the uses in the village commercial district and the West Charlotte village district that will make it easier for prospective businesses and developers to understand our regulations and attempt to come to town,” said Hanley.

“Businesses need certainty and they’re going to go where they can find certainty,” Russell added.

One important part of the group’s recommendations is a more open adaptivereuse policy, which would allow property

owners the flexibility to redesign homes and structures in the village to support business uses, something that is currently a conditional use.

“That could open a world of opportunity for small-business creation or expansion within the villages,” said Hanley.

At a Planning Commission meeting in July in which the CCD’s recommendations filled the agenda, Selectboard member Fritz Tegatz shared his concern that discontinuing conditional uses will dilute the town’s ability to regulate devel- The Vermont Wildflower Farm on Route 7 in Charlotte. opment. However, The owners are looking to expand the facility elsewhere.

Town Planning and Photo: News File Photo Zoning Administrator Jeannine McCrumb Hinesburg, Richmond and other noted that the shift from conditional use Chittenden County towns have—comes to permitted use would still require a site with a list of benefits such as tax credits plan review—giving the town power in on improvements to buildings and houses the planning process—but would make it within the designated areas, priority coneasier to start a business in town. sideration for state grants and the potential Before any of these changes to the for state assessment districts, which could Land Use Regulations can be codified, “raise funds for both operating costs Charlotters will have to vote on them, and capital expenses to support specific likely in November. Prior to that, voters projects in the designated village center,” will be able to voice their opinions in at according to state documents. least two public hearings, neither of which “This effort isn’t to suburbanize has been scheduled as of publication.

Charlotte in any way that people would find objectionable,” said Hanley. “It’s to fortify our rural village. There are state everything from wastewater At a Planning Commission meeting programs that give incentives that we can in June, Dave Marshall, a CCD member avail ourselves of that will help us in our who also served on the 2011 Charlotte efforts.”

The town is now at work pursuing this Wastewater Committee with Hanley, explained that the town has the potential designation. A state representative will to triple its septic capacity in the West visit the villages on August 20 at 5 p.m.

Village with some infrastructure invest- to examine the boundaries of potentially ment. With more septic capacity, the town designated areas. A presentation with could support a restaurant/pub and other the Planning Commission will follow at 7 p.m. businesses and homes.

But in order to get to this point, the CCD is urging a wastewater ordinance looking long term that would not only identify the projects If the Vermont Wildflower Farm leaves town officials could encourage but also Charlotte, Diana Borie will look back at how much they would charge for use of her time in Charlotte fondly. town septic. That money could be used “We are sad to leave this particular to pay for maintenance and upgrades to property,” she said. “It is one of a kind, the system. beautiful and has been our baby for 10 According to Russell, right now the years. A lot of time and effort has gone next step is to have the Selectboard recon- into it.” stitute the wastewater group and make it a However, Russell has reached out to standing committee. the Bories with ideas of where they could “Having that group formally in place, expand in Charlotte in an effort to keep interacting with the Selectboard on a reg- their business local. ular basis, pushing this work along, is a If he and the CCD are successful in critical part to that,” said Russell. helping pave the way for the Wildflower Wastewater is the single biggest Farm to stay in Charlotte, it will be one of resource that could encourage growth in many victories they hope to have, starting the West Village, say CCD members. with their three initiatives.

With an ordinance in place, it could pro“These things we’re working on are in voke a bevy of activity. and of themselves a really big deal,” said “We really feel that the commercial Hanley. “If we can check these things off service, the vitality of the village, is ripe that would be really great.” and ready,” said Russell. “Because of the Until then, the members of the CCD work of the wastewater committee there’s will continue their efforts to work with the a clean line of sight from where we are town, business owners—they’re hoping now and where we think we could be.” to schedule a monthly business breakfast in the coming months—and interested parties now and into the future. revitalizing the villages “We see this as a long-term communiIf growth is to be centered in the villages, the CCD is urging the town to attain ty development group,” said Frost. “We the state’s Village Center Designation. want to be a force for good for the foreThe program is meant to help towns revi- seeable future.” talize village centers through programs that help diversify a town’s economic What do you think about business develdevelopment activities, improve public opments, or lack thereof, in Charlotte? infrastructure, and promote development Voice your support or concerns—submit that meets housing needs while maintain- a letter to the editor at News@charlotteing the historic settlement patterns of the newsvt.com. The CCD can be contacted at info@charlottecommunitydevelopment. community.

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12 • August 13, 2015 • the ChArlotte News

The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 13

A lament for the Old Lantern elms Larry Hamilton CHARLOTTE TREE WARDEN

On June 19 in The Charlotte News I wrote about the Dutch elm disease’s (DED) lethal assault on our nation’s wonderful American elms. I also mentioned the new disease-resistant elms now being propagated and planted in a restoration movement. In our Roadside Shade Tree Restoration Project in Charlotte, we have included some of these new promising trees, mainly the “Princeton” elm, since we have so many sites characterized by poor drainage, and elms are adapted to that. One of our prize plantings was 13 elms planted in 2007 along the west side of Greenbush Road in front of the Old Lantern.

Around June 20 Deputy Tree Warden Sue Smith asked me if I had noticed the dying elms in front of the Old Lantern. I was thunderstruck, but it was true! One dead and three dying—confirmed as DED by the state tree health specialist and by Ralph Fitzgerald of Horsford’s Nursery

(see photo below). Now I and many others are puzzled since this is the first instance of trouble in Horsford’s long experience with the Princeton variety. The Nature Conservancy of Vermont is also concerned, since these have been a major component in their floodplain restoration program.

The trees were immediately cut down, thanks to Junior Lewis, our stalwart road commissioner, and burned in a safe place.

Unfortunately, one of these (closest to the Old Lantern sign) had been gifted to Dick Weed as his “special birthday tree.” We will replace Dick’s tree and the others in the fall, possibly with swamp white oak. Stay tuned for further developments regarding the DDED (the Dreaded Dutch Elm Disease). Take-home message: “Resistant trees are not immune trees.”

Honoring/talking to trees Scientists have now shown that trees “talk” to each other. For instance, they will warn other trees of an insect or disease attack so that these other family

Deputy Tree Warden Sue Smith with two of the four disease-resistant elms that are dead or dying from Dutch elm disease. Photo: LarrY haMiLton

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Annemie Curlin leads a ceremony honoring Charlotte’s Millennium Tree during Town Party. Photo: Mike Yantachka

members can mount chemical defenses.

Other social scientists have shown that people benefit in both mental and physical health by being close to trees. I am sure that there are real benefits from humans “talking” to trees.

In Melbourne, Australia, about 3,000 emails have been sent to individual trees in the last two years. This didn’t start out as an exercise in sentiment but a hard-headed attempt by the Melbourne City Council to manage an urban forest in decline—by 2009 as a result of drought, 40 percent of the 77,000 trees in Australia’s “garden city” were struggling or dying.

Sample messages reported by the city arborist: “Dearest golden elm tree, I finally found you! I see you every day on my way to uni, but I had no idea of what kind of tree you are. You are the most beautiful tree in the city and I love you. It always makes me so happy to see you standing there minding your own business. I have to say, you have the most beautiful canopy, and I love how the light green leaves

on your branches contrast with the darkness of your trunk. We really should have more trees of your kind in our city.”

“Stay awesome.”

“Hugs!”

“As I was leaving St. Mary’s College today I was struck, not by a branch, but by your radiant beauty. You must get these messages all the time. You’re such an attractive tree.”

It may be of interest to know that a group 15 of otherwise normal Charlotters gathered around a tree during the Town Party, speaking to it, nourishing it with a drink or patting the stem. Annemie Curlin, a tree steward for the town, read a poem to honor this tree and all trees. She is also the artist who painted the tree of life banner hanging on the tree. This specimen is our Charlotte Millennium Tree, a bur oak, planted in 2000, so this is its 15th birthday from planting in this location. Now watch it thrive even more than it has until now.

Perhaps you have a tree or trees that could benefit from some personal TLC? You might feel better too.

14 • August 13, 2015 • the ChArlotte News

Volunteers help to net the purple loosetrife on which the Galerucella beetles were already multiplying and eating the plants. The beetles act as a type of biocontrol against the invasive plant. Photo: SuSan Smith

Beetle helps control invasive plant in Charlotte Susan Smith CONTRIBUTOR

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a non-native invasive wetland plant.

We are fortunate that there is a biological control so we don’t have to wade into wetlands and pull out plants to control them. A beetle called the Galerucella beetle is being used effectively to control the growth of purple loosestrife. Beetles lay eggs on the plants and the larvae eat the plant.

Over the years, several beetle releases have happened around Charlotte. Some may recall the corner of Ferry Road

and Rt. 7 having tall purple loosestrife plants. Ditches in Charlotte were full of these plants. It is now pretty much under control.

There are two spots in Charlotte where purple loosestrife has been growing recently. One location is the wetland area in the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge.

The other is a wetland in Williams Woods that can be seen from Greenbush Road.

Ryan Crehan of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service brought us purple loosestrife plants on which the Galerucella beetles were already multiplying and eating the plants. How did they raise these beetles? The plant is dug in the wild in early spring, potted and grown in a greenhouse.

Then beetles are captured from areas where they were previously released and placed on the greenhouse plants. To keep them from roaming, bug netting is placed around the individual potted plants.

These plants were delivered to our sites. Jenny Cole from the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge and Susan Tucker, steward for The Nature Conservancy’s Williams Woods, were eager to learn about this process and help place the potted plants in the purple loosestrife-invaded wetlands.

Ten potted plants were carried into the center of the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge. We nestled the potted plants among the wetland plants and removed the netting so the beetles could move onto the purple loosestrife plants at the site. Ryan recorded the placement of each plant with his GPS. Seven potted plants were placed in the wetland at Williams Woods.

As we were placing the plants we noticed a wide variety of native plants such as Joe Pye weed, touch-me-not, cattails and goldenrod. As the beetles eat the non-native invasives these will diminish and the native plants will have more space to flourish.

Sometimes it is hard to be grateful for what you don’t see! We can thank the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or helping to keep purple loosestrife from being a dominant feature in our wetlands.

CorreCtion: The photo caption of Jen Cole and Sue Smith on page 7 of the July 30 issue was wrong. Jen and Sue were placing purple loosestrife plants that were carrying a biocontrol among the already-present purple loosestrife plants in the refuge and in Williams Woods.

Poultry owners encouraged to prepare for HPAI Vermont’s State veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Haas, is encouraging poultry owners to prepare for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which is expected to impact the East Coast in the fall of this year or spring of 2016. While the HPAI outbreak has not yet been identified in Vermont, poultry producers should be familiar with the disease, how it is spread, and preparedness efforts that they can engage in now.

Risk factors for the disease include: • Poultry housed outside • Ponds or other water-fowl attractants on the farm • Debris located close to poultry areas • Introduction of poultry from other farms without a quarantine period • Lack of personal protective equipment such as dedicated coveralls and boots • Sharing of equipment between farms.

Poultry owners should familiarize themselves with signs of illness in their birds and call the State Veterinarian’s Office if the following symptoms are seen: nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, lethargy, a drop in egg production or sudden death. It is important to keep logs of poultry imports, exports and visitors on the farm to determine the source of an outbreak.

Bird owners are encouraged to report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State officials, either through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture at (802)828-2421 or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Visit agriculture.vermont.gov/animal_health for more information.

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Free Press top 15 high school sporting teams should have been “top 17”

A couple of weeks ago the Burlington Free Press named the top 15 high school sports teams, including four from CVU. What it failed to mention (and what coach Amy deGroot graciously pointed out) was that women’s tennis should have been included. This writer agrees and would also add Redhawk women’s basketball to the list.

The tennis team has won its divisional title six of the last eight years and appeared in every one of the state finals over that time. Kathy Joseph, an upcoming senior, won the individual singles’ title the past two years and was a finalist as a freshman. Her younger sister is not far behind her. Both tennis and basketball contribute to CVU’s dominance in athletics in Vermont. What was formerly “soccer central” has grown into “sports hub.”

three individual events, placing 8th in the 200-yard freestyle, 13th in the 100yard backstroke and 23rd in the 100-yard individual medley. The Burlington Tennis Club team placed third overall in Division I behind the EDGE and the Town of Essex teams. Until 2014, the Tennis Club had won eight consecutive state championships. The daughters of Hoyt Barringer, the twins will be 7th graders at Charlotte Central School in the fall.

New Hampshire gains another Shrine Football victory

Castleton University stadium saw New Hampshire extend its dominance over Vermont in the 62nd annual Shrine Maple Sugar Twin State football game. This year it looked as though Vermont might have a chance for victory, pulling a third-quarter lead behind a fourth-down touchdown pass and a stingy defense. New Hampshire, however, spliced in some fancy plays and pulled away for a 27-12 win before over 4,000 fans. CVU graduate Sam Lewis, an offensive lineman, represented the Redhawks for Vermont. Hartford High’s halfback, John Bielicki, led the Green Mountaineers with 74 yards on 14 carries, his longest a 20-yard run.

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Two weeks ago in White River Junction, the Barringer sisters competed in the top division of the Burlington Tennis Club’s swimming team at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center. Twins Lucy and Celi each swam a number of races, as individuals and as members of relay teams.

In all, five divisions of 20 teams and 774 swimmers competed. Luci won two freestyle sprints for 11- and 12-year-olds at 50 and 100 yards. She placed 11th in the 50-yard butterfly and 3rd at 100 yards. As a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay team along with her sister, Celi, the team placed fourth with Luci swimming the anchor lap, a position she also swam for the Tennis Club’s 200 yard medley-relay team that finished third behind the EDGE and the Vermont Swim Team. Celi swam

Lowrey wins first race

Rookie racecar driver Richard Lowrey III is following in his father’s footsteps on local road tracks, as well as another Redhawk, Dillon Machavern, who has traveled from the East to the Midwest and back recently. Lowrey captured his first career victory in West Haven, Vermont, at the Devil’s Bowl on a 30-lap late model feature. Following behind the leader for 27 laps, Ritchie passed him to take the lead and the race by outrunning Steve Miller to the finish.

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The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 17

The end of summer, autumn’s bounty Bradley Carleton

dotted in blue, red and green. They are imitating nature’s beauty to stimulate CONTRIBUTOR their spawning run.

Against the far edge of a field, sitting he end of August and the beginning like a Buddha on her haunches, a black of September mark the most colorful bear munches on blackberries while her changes of the seasons. The fairs and field days have passed, and families are cubs roll in the second-cut hayfield. They languishing in the last of summer’s free- bat at one another, mock fighting and dom. The dog days of August exhale the wrestling as if their summer would never last breath of summer heat, and the eve- end.

Whitetail deer tiptoe out to shaded nings begin to soften with cooler breezes openings on the edge of another field, testfrom the northwest. Tomatoes ripen into ing the moist grasses bright reds and yelas the sun sets over lows. Peppers display the Adirondacks. the heat of the summer A doe and her now Against the far edge sun and turn bright yelmature fawns flick low, green and red. of a field, sitting their tails from side Yet the changes in our backyards pale like a Buddha on her to side, asking if it is okay to step out into in comparison to the haunches, a black bear the field a bit furintensity of the woods They look back and waters. munches on blackber- ther. over their shoulders Squirrels, with their ries while her cubs roll at something still in mouths chock-full of the trees. ripening acorns, can be in the second-cut hayAs the last glimheard chipping off the field. They bat at one mer of sunlight husks in the canopy of below the tree oaks. In the distance, another, mock fighting slips line, he steps out— a thwap-bap-bap-bapbap echoes through the and wrestling as if their his head high and ears twitching. He undergrowth as a parsummer would never lifts his nose into tridge beats his wings the air and breathes against his chest. I like end. in deeply. The frato call them “partridge” grance of ripe apples even though they are tantalizes him and technically Bonassus umbellus, or ruffed grouse. I do it just to he stretches his neck further forward. As he does, the last glint of sunlight catches irritate the gentry.

Families of turkeys, with their poults his tines. They glow a polished russet running to keep up with the hens, dart brown. Eight distinct branches rise off of across dirt roads and dine on the late his main beam. The two brow tines in the afternoon hatch of insects and grubs. The center are at least eight inches high. The poults are pint-sized and tawny brown, symmetry of the rack is punctuated only and still learning the ropes from the hens. by the width of the spread.

He is the dominant buck in this area.

In the mountain streams, the water temperatures begin to drop from a series Two others step out behind him with of cool evenings, and the brook trout adapt beautiful but lesser racks. They will hope their colors with extraordinarily bright to overthrow the monarch before breeding orange fins tipped in white, their flanks season.

As the light begins to fade, a distant

T

A brook trout caught in Stowe shows it’s autumn colors. Editor’s note: Unfortunately this page is in black and white, but I assure you the spots on the fish are a wonderful green, yellow and orange. Photo: Bradley Carelton

honking grows. In just a few seconds, Canada geese are flying over at treetop height, wings cupped and heads craning from side to side, scanning the bay for a landing zone on the leeward side of the breakwater. Feet down and moaning, they pitch into the bay to roost for the night.

The light continues to filter into a heliohorizon and finally fades into the murky mountains to the west.

September 1 is the opening day of resident Canada goose season. Lest anyone not understand the proliferation of these majestic fowl, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, in an attempt to manage the overpopulation of these birds, has chosen to open the season before Labor Day and increase the bag limit from five birds per day to eight per day for 25 days.

No hunter ever expects to be able to hunt all 25 days, and it is a rarity that a few can actually shoot a limit of birds on any day.

Ethical hunters will appreciate this and

honor the animal by taking only what they can use to sustain and nurture their family and friends.

If you’re lucky, and you happen to be at Spear’s Store in East Charlotte after a successful hunt, you may be able to try our tamari-marinated smoked goose breast.

A hunters cheer to all! Autumn’s bounty has arrived!

Bradley Carleton is executive director of Sacred Hunter.org, a 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.

What do you think about this story and others? Send us a letter: news@charlottenewsvt.com

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Get back to moving after back pain event, it can be episodic, occurring every couple of months, or it can be chronic, where you have daily pain. Recurrent back pain is a big problem. When patients with a first-time episode of back pain were followed for a year, two-thirds of Justine Dee MS, PT them reported additionCONTRIBUTOR al episodes of back pain You notice a small ache in you back during that 12-month after weeding the garden or mowing the period. Many of these lawn. It’s not a bad pain, and you ignore patients will go on and the symptoms expecting them to go away have chronic problems. with a day or two of rest. Instead you This is costly in many wake up the next day unable to move. The ways. Businesses are pain shoots across your back and perhaps less productive if workdown your leg. It hurts to sit, bend over ers are out with injuries. or sneeze. You think something must be Workers lose wages, seriously wrong, requiring strong medica- which affects home tions and special diagnostic testing. When finances. Chronic pain you see your doctor they tell you to take can hinder a person’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen, use ice and ability to see friends, keep moving. They must be joking, right? take care of their family, No. Instead they are following rec- perform usual daily tasks ommended and appropriate guidelines and engage in recreationestablished by the American Pain Society al hobbies. Depression and the American College of Physicians. and anxiety from an inability to manage These guidelines use available scientific home and life roles can further affect the evidence to help clinicians evaluate and person’s back pain—depression, fatigue manage acute and chronic low-back pain. and chronic pain are linked.

At this time, we can’t predict who will Well-established guidelines for “routine” go on to develop chronic low-back pain. nonspecific low-back pain stress conserThe consensus in the medical community vative management. Although your pain is to try and minimize this progression. does not feel “routine,” the majority of Patient education regarding pain control, cases will improve with this conservative body mechanics, ergonomics, specific care. Typical healing time frames are exercise and general conditioning can between six weeks and three months, with help patients resume their usual activities an individual seeing weekly improvement sooner and with less pain. in overall function and in pain levels.

Special imaging is not recommended Low-back pain can be a one-time for routine lowback pain. With improvements in imaging technolShelburneAdultandChildPsychology.com ogy, you would think that it is Teresa Canal Meyer, Ph.D. easy to observe a pathology in the Psychoanalysis/ Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy spine, link it to the patient’s pain and Come to know yourself then quickly come and your relationship with others up with a fix. This is not the case.

For appointment: 985-8549 Low-back pain can

develop in a person without any changes in the radiographic (X-ray) appearance of the spine, and people with moderate to severe back pain can have entirely normal MRI and CT findings. Conversely, several studies have reported that people who have no back pain or sciatica can have abnormal imaging results showing evidence of herniated or bulging discs, disc degeneration, degeneration and enlargement of the spine facet joints and nerve root compression. In many cases, then, imaging may not be helpful in determining a cause or a treatment for your back pain.

If you do have back pain, my recommendation is that you see your doctor, take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and see a physical therapist. Although you may not feel like moving when your back hurts, not moving can make conditions worse. Immobility and deconditioning can have detrimental effects on muscles and joints, perversely making it harder to move freely and without pain. Physical therapists can teach patients safe ways to move, minimizing pain and improving overall function while allowing tissues to heal and swelling to subside.

A study published in “Spine,” a medical journal, in 2012 found that early rather than later referral to physical therapy in patients with back pain was associated with reduced health-care costs: patients who received PT needed fewer MD visits and fewer spinal injections, less spine surgery, and less use of opioid medications to manage the back pain.

Back pain is scary and really hurts.

When we hurt, the tendency is to not move, and to rest. In the case of nonspecific low-back pain, this is not the best strategy. Try taking short walks and use ice on the painful area. Avoid repeated bending and twisting activities that stress the spine. See your medical provider for advice. Understanding what you can do to minimize symptoms and improve movement will help the healing process and get you back to your daily life faster.

Justine Dee, an orthopedic clinical specialist, treats clients at Dee Physical Therapy in South Burlington, VT, and also teaches full time in the physical therapy program at the University of Vermont. She lives in Charlotte.

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The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 19

Very Merry Theatre Presents

The Sound of Music

Performers from Charlotte’s Very Merry Theatre on August 4 performed “The Sound of Music� on the Town Green in Charlotte.

The Very Merry Theatre is a theater arts company owned and operated by Executive Director Don Wright. It originally got its start as a summer camp opportunity for kids in Charlotte and Burlington. Over the years, however, the theater has developed into much more, having established itself at the 333 Stage Performing Arts Center in the Old North End of Burlington, while also touring around northwestern Vermont visiting schools during the school year.

During the summer the Very Merry Theatre group travels from park to park performing theater out of its portable stage wagon.

Shows performed by the Very Merry Theatre are mainly selected from the classics with a few tweaks made here and there to the length and content of the script/performance.

Kids from the age of 5–18 are welcome to participate, with opportunities ranging from performing and singing, to set design, costume and makeup work. All children are welcome regardless of their experience with theater, as the mission of the Very Merry Theatre is to create fun, healthy opportunities for children to practice the art and build their self-confidence.

For information on performance dates, volunteering, sponsorship or getting your child involved, visit verymerrytheatre.org.

Actors and actresses from the Very Merry Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music� perform at the Charlotte Library on August 4.

Words and pictures by Lawrence Dee

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Charlotte Senior Center

The Café Menu

by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator

Monday, augusT 17 Tomato/squash/red pepper gratin Green salad deluxe Blissful blueberries

Please look for the new fall program of activities as an insert in the next issue of The Charlotte News. Until then, we close out our summer days with these additional offerings to the regular weekly schedule.

Our 10th Annual Charlotte Senior Center Community Art Show will hang in the great room for the month of September and is open to all “creative spirits,” 50 years or older, in our community. Registration forms with specific details are on the table in the front foyer with an August 21 deadline for submission.

As always, a reception will be held for the artists, friends and relatives on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 1 p.m.

Join Hank Kaestner on Wednesday morning, Aug. 19, for another Birding Expedition as we try to record 100 species of birds in one year! Meet at the center a little before 9 a.m. so we can carpool together to the location Hank has scouted for spectacular bird watching. Please register for this event so if we have to change the date due to bird migration or weather, we can call you. No fee.

We hope you can join us to celebrate the lazy, hazy days of summer at our Annual BBQ on Friday, Aug. 21, beginning at 5 p.m.

Bring your family and friends for a great time.

Rain or shine, the party will begin with appetizers at 5 p.m. and dinner “hot off the grill” at 6. Registration required. Fee: $12 per person.

Wednesday, augusT 19 Kefta (grilled Moroccan beef patties) Moroccan carrot and chickpea salad Homemade dessert

Monday, augusT 24 Corn chowder Kale salad Bread Dessert surprise

Wednesday, augusT 26 The other taco salad Homemade dessert

Senior Luncheons are held every Wednesday at noon.

Reservations are necessary in advance and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 4256345. Our Monday lunch is served beginning at 11:30 a.m., and reservations are not required.

Angela Manno’s Outdoor Pastel Painting Workshop took participants into the great outdoors. Photo: Courtesy

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The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 21

A Taste of Summmer The Italian job Lawrence Dee THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

It’s Monday afternoon at La Villa Bistro & Pizzeria. Co-owner and front of the house manager Jill Spell takes pickup orders and welcomes new customers. Her husband and head chef, Adam Spell, talks with his kitchen staff about the new specials for the night, as well as what ingredients and produce are in stock. Soft Italian jazz plays over the speakers in the warmly

the sCooP What: La Villa Bistro & Pizzeria When it’s open: La Villa is open seven days a week for dinner from 4 – 9 p.m. and Monday through Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

What you’re eating: Adam recommends the fettuccine Bolognese and Misty Knoll bourbon glazed chicken. Pizza Provencal is also a classic choice.

What you’re drinking:

Your favorite boutique wine from “Enoteca,” right next door. La Villa also has a variety of local Vermont beers on tap and in bottles, including Switchback, Otter Creek, and Citizen Cider.

What you’re doing:

Listening to smooth jazz in a rustic Italian bistro atmosphere, enjoying a pizza and glass of vino with your loved ones.

Where to find it: 3762 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne (in the plaza where Showtime used to be, for those who need historical reference points) More information info@lavillabistro.com

lit interior of the dining room. The red and yellow walls are decorated with artwork and bottles of wine, cultivating the rustic Italian bistro atmosphere that La Villa has maintained since its origins back in 1995.

The Spells moved to Charlotte shortly after opening La Villa, where they still currently live with their two children.

As customers begin to file in for dinner, the room starts to buzz with excited conversation and blissful laughter. Over this hum of excitement, Adam walks me through the menu and fills me in on the hot-ticket items of the summer, “The fettuccine Bolognese and Misty Knoll bourbon glazed chicken are flying off the shelf right now. Our pizza Provencal has always been popular.”

“Although we do have our popular items,” Adam says, “being in the restaurant business is about finding new ways to add depth and other dimensions to the menu and restaurant itself. A few years ago we expanded into the space next to our restaurant, opening our very own wine retail outlet, Enoteca. Not only that but last fall we started to make our own gelato.”

Jill later explained that, as they were looking for areas where La Villa could expand and broaden its horizons, adding gelato to the menu just seemed to make sense. “We were thinking of doing frozen yogurt; however, we wanted to keep the focus on an Italian-influenced dessert, and with gelato being a much healthier alternative to ice cream and other desserts, we began to research recipes and secrets to making a high-quality gelato.”

After almost a year, the gelato menu now consists of up to 15 different flavors, including Oreo cookie, raspberry, and salted caramel.

“Our plan is to turn Enoteca into both an outlet for fine boutique wines, as well as a gelato shop. Customers will be able to watch the entire process of the gelato being made, from the ingredients being mixed and spun right in front of their eyes, all the way up to their favorite flavor being placed in a container and brought home for the rest of the family to

The staff at La Villa cooks up fresh Italian dishes like pizza from scratch. Photo: Courtesy

enjoy,” said Adam as we walked through the adjacent building.

La Villa has also taken a step into the catering world, booking almost every weekend this summer for family parties and weddings around the greater Chittenden County. “We just recently catered a nonprofit event tied to the Maritime Festival in Burlington called, ‘Stand Up for the Lake,’ which was a huge success for us,” said Adam.

La Villa also features a 35-person private dining room, which has been used for a wide variety of events, including wedding rehearsals and graduation parties.

“Over the years we’ve had our regulars.

Families who come time and time again.

We’ve seen their kids grow up right here in front our eyes. Being able to offer them a memorable experience to celebrate their children’s high school or college graduation has been a truly special part of owning the restaurant for us,” explained Adam as he looked out the front windows of the now 20-year-old restaurant.

For Adam and Jill, La Villa has become a second home, spending a majority of their time working towards developing and maintaining the success which La Villa has seen over the past two decades. This dedication to fine Italian cuisine, along with the warm feeling that overcomes anyone who walks through the door, helps contribute to La Villa’s

consistent customer basis as new faces, as well as old, continue to return, hungry for more.

THE GALLEY at Westport Marina 518-962-4899

memorable lakeside dining menu & music:

westportmarina.com/galley open Father’s Day to Labor Day 20 Washington St., Westport, NY 12993

Jackman Fuels, Inc.

Call now for our pre-buy and budget pricing LP Gas and Ultra-Low Sulfur Heating Oil and Kerosene

205 Main Street, Vergennes, VT www.jackmanfuels.com 877-2661

Fresh Salads • Pasta Steak • Seafood • Gourmet Pizzas Reservations Online www.lavillabistro.com Shelburne • Rt. 7 • Tenneybrook Square

985-2596 • 985-8339

22 • August 13, 2015 • the ChArlotte News

Community Events Charlotte Meetings

Charlotte events (or featuring a Charlotter)

August 13–27

Selectboard: August 24, 7 p.m.

Planning Commission: August 20, 7 p.m.

CCS School Board: August 14, 7:30 a.m.

CVU School Board: None Zoning Board: August 19, 7 p.m.

Conservation Commission: August 25, 7 p.m.

august 13 thurSday

ART EXHIBIT: Charlotte’s Susan Raber Bray’s ceramics will be exhibited August 12 – 19 in ArtStream: Artists of Frog Hollow Traveling Exhibit. 85 Church St, Burlington.

Info: froghollow.org.

Meeting times are subject to change. Check the town website for more info: charlottevt.org

have your say LOCAL GOVERNMENT

EDITOR’S PICK—DEMO: Grab a disc and watch it fly from tee to hole. Come by the Charlotte Beach Friday evening at 6 p.m. for a demonstration of disc golf—the newest and prospectively best yearround addition to our Charlotte Beach recreation area in years. Richard Steele—the man responsible for clearing the nine-hole course—and John Sudarsky of the Vermont Disc Golf Association will show us how it’s played and the discs used in this exciting game. With contributions from community members to date, we’re now over one-third of the way to a completed year-round nine-hole course.

Info: gbmainesmith@gmail.com.

august 15 Saturday

DINNER: Celebrate vibrant Vermont farms with Adam’s Berry Farm and the Intervale Center! Join us at the berry farm for a family-style dinner cooked

by Chef Phillip Clayton of Guild Tavern, featuring ingredients sourced from farms that the Intervale Center has incubated or assisted with business planning. Dessert will be prepared by Andrew LeStourgeon of Little Sweets at Hen of the Wood. And, of course, there will be berries! $50/ticket includes dinner, drinks, and dessert. All proceeds benefit the Intervale Center’s work sustaining farms, land and people. Six to 9 p.m. at Adam’s Berry Farm, 985 Bingham Brook Rd, Charlotte. Info/ tickets: goo.gl/Bmx49q, 802-578-9093.

PERFORMANCE AND DINNER: Farm to Ballet at Philo Ridge Farm: a benefit for the Vermont Land Trust.

The Farm to Ballet Project is a dance project that celebrates Vermont’s farming culture while expanding classical ballet’s audience. Philo Ridge Farm is located on the property of the old Foote Farm in Charlotte. Farm tours will be offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a farmraised pork dinner, prepared by the Hindquarter Food Truck, or woodfired flatbread. Please bring cash— dinner is not included in your ticket reservation. Performance begins at 6:15 p.m. 2766 Mt. Philo Road, Charlotte.

Tickets: philoridge.eventbrite.com.

august 16 Sunday

EVENT: Rokeby Museum Pie & Ice Cream Social, 1 to 4 p.m. Grab a friend and head to the Rokeby Museum for music, chat—and pie! This great tradition features homemade pies of every type—plain or a la mode— served in the museum’s shady back

| Selectboard MeMberS | Chair, Lane Morrison, 425-2495 Matthew Krasnow, 922-2153 Carrie Spear, 425-4444 Jacob Spell, 425-6548 Fritz Tegatz, 425-5564

A Japanese beetle has a colorful

lunch on the corner of Lake and Ferry road.

photo: ChriS falk

yard. Proceeds support the Museum’s work, so have a second piece! Info: er.champlain@gmail.com.

august 27

august 17–21

EDITOR’S PICK—CONCERT: Paige Thibault, 14, a recent graduate of CCS, will perform an hour-long set of original music with vocals and piano accompaniment at Radio Bean, 8 North Winooski Ave, Burlington. It’s her “first real gig” so come and support this budding artist as she shares what she loves most—music. 7–8 p.m. Free.

monday–friday

EVENT: Charlotte Reads Salmon Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories. Pick up a copy of the book beforehand at the library or the Charlotte Senior Center. Free. Info: 425-3864 or charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com.

Monday, August 17, & Tuesday, August 18, 10 a.m. to noon at the Charlotte Library: Charlotte and the Sea of Stories, Part I: Participants will read, discuss and digest Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

Wednesday, August 19, & Thursday, August 20, 10 a.m. to noon at the library: Charlotte and the Sea of Stories, Part II: Gather around the wood stove and debate the issues of local and state interest as Charlotters did long ago; imagine what story you might tell.

Friday, August 21, time 10 a.m.

Charlotte and the Sea of Stories, Part III: “Charlotte and the Sea of Stories” presentations will take place at the end of the week at the Shelburne Museum.

Visit the Tuckaway General Store for historical relevance, then gather in a classroom to present.

august 22 Saturday

SAILING: Diamond Island Regatta benefits Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Many of the top sailors and fastest boats on Lake Champlain will be taking part in the third-annual Diamond Island Regatta, hosted by the Royal Savage Yacht Club (RSYC) and Point Bay Marina, 1401 Thompson’s Point Rd., Charlotte. Breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m., registration from 8:30–9:30 a.m. and a skippers meeting at 9:30 a.m.

The race begins at 11 a.m. Awards ceremony at RSYC Lobster Fest at 6 p.m. Registration: rsyc.org/diamondisland-regatta/

thurSday

Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. If you would like to bring an issue to the attention of the Selectboard, contact the board chair or administrator Dean Bloch at 425-3071, ext. 205.

| ccS School board | Chair, Mark McDermott, 425-4860 Vice Chair Erik Beal, 425-2140 Kristin Wright, 425-5105 Clyde Baldwin, 425-3366 Susan Nostrand, 425-4999

| cVU School board-charlotte | Lorna Jimerson, ljimerso@wcvt.com Marilyn Richardson, mkrichardson1520@gmail.com

| Planning coMMiSSion |

Regular Church Services SATURDAYS St. Jude Catholic Church, Mass, Hinesburg, 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAYS 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: 425-3176.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mass, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Information: 4252637.

St. Jude Catholic Church, Mass, Hinesburg, 9:30 a.m. Information: 4822290.

North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, Hollow Road, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 9:45 a.m.

Information: 425-2770.

Cross Roads Chapel, Ferrisburgh Ctr. Rt. 7, Sunday Worship 10 a.m.

Information: 425-3625.

Assembly of God Christian Center, Routes 7 and 22A, Ferrisburgh, Sunday worship, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m. Information: 877-3903.

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.

Administrator, Jeannine McCrumb, 425-3071; jeannine@townofcharlotte.com Chair, Jeffrey McDonald, 425-4429 Vice Chair, Peter Joslin Members: Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Linda Radimer, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick

| Vt goVernMent | vt senate (Chittenden distriCt) Tim Ashe, D/P-Burlington, 318-0903, tashe@leg.state.vt Philip Baruth, D-Burlington, 503-5266, pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston, 863-6129, vvlyons@leg.state.vt.us Michael Sirotkin, D-South Burlington, 999-4360, msirotkin@leg.state.vt.us Diane Snelling, R-Hinesburg, 482-4382, dsnelling@leg.state.vt.us David Zuckerman, P/D/W-Hinesburg, 598-1986, dzuckerman@leg.state.vt.us verMont house Mike Yantachka, D-Charlotte, 425-3960, myantachka.dfa@gmail.com

| US goVernMent | us senators Patrick Leahy, 863-2525, leahy.senate.gov Bernie Sanders, 862-0697, sanders.senate.gov us CongressMan Peter Welch, 652-2450, welch.house.gov

Calendar Compiled by ruah Swennerfelt Send your eventS to newS@CharlottenewSvt.Com with event in the SubjeCt line.

The CharloTTe News • augusT 13, 2015 • 23

Around Town NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED TOWN CHARTER TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

Congratulations to Genia and Robert Curler of Charlotte who had a son, Levi Gibson Curler, on June 16.

The Selectboard of the Town of Charlotte hereby gives notice that a public hearing will be held on September 14, 2015 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Town Office, 159 Ferry Road, Charlotte, Vermont, to consider adoption of a Charter for the Town of Charlotte, which contains the following sections:

to Vicky and Donald Morgan of Charlotte who had a son, Matthew Donald Morgan, on June 17. to William Kiernan, a student at Union College, Schenectady, New York, who earned placement on the dean’s list for the spring semester, 2015. Kiernan will be a junior in the fall and is majoring in psychology.

Section 1: Corporate Existence Section 2: General Provisions Section 3: Adoption of Annual Budget and Budget Related Articles Section 4: Separability Section 5: Amendment Section 6:Effective Date The Charter in its entirety is available for inspection at the Charlotte Town Office during regular office hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Charter is also available for review on the Town’s website at charlottevt.org.

to John “Jack” Heaslip, who was incorrectly referred to as James in our July 30 issue. Jack not only received a degree from the University of Rhode Island in mechanical engineering but also in German. Jack will be returning to ZF Friedrichshafen AG in Germany in October to begin a 15-month trainee program. to Greg Beldock, CEO of Bullrock Corp. in Shelburne, who has entered into partnership with Deutsche-Eco, a leading German solar company, to create Bullrock-Deutsche-Eco Solar. The newly formed company recently completed installation of the largest solar carport in New England for the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven located in Woodbridge, Connecticut. to Erick Crockenberg and Tad Cooke who continue to receive positive press on their modification plans and fundraising efforts for the New Moran project on the Burlington waterfront. Their latest report contained estimates of rental charges for clients at $19.94 per square foot in the market and office sections of the complex and $14.41 per square foot for the Turbine Hall conference space. The developers plan to relay on five sources of funding according to a July 30 Free Press article.

These are federal tax credits, charitable donations, tax incentive financing, low-interest loans and tenant fit-up capital.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Town of Charlotte Congratulations to Faith Thompson of Hands & Heart Farm in Charlotte, who received the Supreme Ewe award with her Border Leicester, “Smiley,” at the youth show at the Addison County Fair and Field Days. During the open show the next day, Smiley was designated as the Supreme Ewe again while competing against 17 other breeds of sheep.

Smiley also placed with Best Fleece during this same show. Faith is an upcoming 12th grader at the Lake Champlain Waldorf High School. Photo: Courtesy

flowers, donations in her memory go to KidSafe Collaborative, 45 Kilbourn Street, Burlington, VT 05401. is extended to family and friends of Dora Mills of Port Charlotte, Fl., who passed away July 19 at the age of 66. Her surviving family includes her cousin Peter Trono of Charlotte. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory be made to the Humane Society, SPCA or the American Heart Association.

Sympathy

is extended to family and friends of Michael Mahe, chef and owner of five restaurants in the Chittenden south and Addison County area. Michael began the Starry Night Café in North Ferrisburgh in 1999. Later he went on to found the Black Sheep Bistro, Park Squeeze, the Bobcat Café and the Bearded Frog. His most recent start was the Lobby in Middlebury in 2014. All his restaurants are known for their fine foods.

is extended to family and friends of Barbara Boyd of Shelburne who passed away July 28 at the age of 84.

Originally from New Jersey, she and her husband moved to the Charlotte area in 1995 to be near her daughter who lives in Williston. Barbara was an active member of the Charlotte Congregational Church. The family asks that, in lieu of

is extended to family and friends of James Henry Lane of Essex Junction who passed away August 7 at the age of 74. James was the son of Henry James Lane and Marion W. Lane of Charlotte, and he was a long-time Charlotte resident, driving a school bus for Chittenden South School Union from 1998 until 2014. He volunteered at Charlotte Fire & Rescue and was treasurer of the Masonic Lodge in

Charlotte. His surviving family includes his son John Henry Lane and John’s wife, Linda, along with their children, Samantha and Thomas. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. is extended to family and friends of Kimball Blanchard of Burlington who passed away July 22 at the age of 94. His surviving family includes his sister-in-law Marianne Blanchard and niece Francesca Blanchard. The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial gift consider doing so to the South Hero Land Trust, P.O. Box 455, South Hero, VT 05486 or to Local Motion at Executive Director, Local Motion, 1 Steele Street, #103, Burlington, VT 05401. coRRection: In our July 30 issue, Linda Foote’s obituary was edited to include only surviving members of her family living in Charlotte. We apologize if this seemed say she is only survived by them.

Linda is survived by her husband, John Foote, of Hinesburg; daughters, Christy Foote of Charlotte and Johanna Foote of Chicago, Ill.; granddaughter Morgan Boss of Charlotte; two brothers, Arthur Denton and wife, Kristi, of Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Kenneth Denton and wife, Marcia, of Cabot; and several nieces and a nephew.

Thank you to Nancy Savins for bringing this to our attention.

Project Description Exterior painting of the Charlotte Town Hall.

Please see the Specifications below. The Town would like the project to be completed in 2015; however, bids to undertake the project in 2016 are welcome. Bid may be submitted for both 2015 and 2016.

Deadline for Bid Submission: Thursday August 27, 2015 @ 4:00 PM. Please see below for bid submission information.

Bid Opening: Thursday August 27, 2015 @ 4:00 PM at the Charlotte Town Hall Specifications Siding and trim preparation is to be completed without pressure washing.

Bare spots are to be primed.

Two topcoats of mid-grade latex above contractor grade are to be applied by brush or Lin Complete RFP: The complete Request for Bid is available at the Town Office and at the town webs-site: www.charlottevt.org.

Town Contact Questions may be directed to Dean Bloch, Town Administrator at 425-3071 ext. 5 or dean@townofcharlotte.com.

coRRection: In the wedding announcement for Matt Nola and Wanda Handel (July 30 issue), who were married on Wright’s Mountain in Bradford, Vermont, we made it sound as though the mountain was Vermont’s highest peak as opposed to being Bradford’s highest peak. Rick Brokaw was quick to point it out to us, and we apologize to Mansfield, Camel’s Hump and other mighty peaks.

Str8ts Solution

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7 8 6 4 3 5 8 5 6 7 7 5 6 5 6 7 2 3 4 1 4 2 3 1 2 2 1 8

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Classifieds

The Charlotte News classifieds: Reach your friends and neighbors for only $7 per issue (payment must be sent before issue date). Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email us ads@charlottenewsvt.com.

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, 425-3335.

Since 1977, Lafayette Painting inc. has been providing the best interior

painting service available. Let our experts transform your space. Call us at 863-5397 and see our work, references and more at LafayettePaintingInc.com

information or to schedule a tour call 802-658-7400.

Need a yard service or exterior painting? Call PLeasant VaLLey LandscaPing for quotes at 425-3737.

MaxiM outdooR Wood PeLLet fuRnace by Central Boiler adapts to existing heating systems & heats with renewable wood pellets. Boivin Farm Supply 802-475-4007

Redstone Affordable small office spaces available on Ferry Rd. Starting at $250.00 including all utilities. For more

indePendent contRactoR specializing in Interior/Exterior Painting, Taping, Drywall and Remodeling (light

duty carpentry, flooring etc.) Discounts available for booking winter jobs ahead. Kris Rushford. 802-377-9559.

Srushford2013@gmail.com Visit Essex, NY, Saturday, Aug. 1st, 10am-4pm - rain or shine. 36th Annual “Town-wide Market Day.” 50+ exhibitors. Art, collectibles, farm stands, strawberry shortcake, music, food, more! Half price ferry 10am-12 -”walk-ons” only.

(518) 963-7494.

The

Charlotte News

A Local Design-Build Contracting Company

Charlotte’s award-winning community newspaper

www.bauheim.com 802-922-1191

Volume lVIII Number 2

The VoIce of The TowN

Thursday, augusT 13, 2015

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CCS’s New Administrators 1 Opportunity Awaits in Charlotte? 1 Compost Kids Spread Knowledge 7 Lamenting Old Lantern Elms 13

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