The Charlotte News | March 12, 2015

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Volume LVII Number 15

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A Look at the New Selectboard 1 • A Local International 1 • Town Meeting Wrap-Up 8-11 • Health Care is a Human Right 17

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The Charlotte News

Volume LVII Number 15

The Voice of the Town

Thursday, March 12, 2015

School Board Moves Forward on New Budget Brett Sigurdson THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

The new Selectboard met for the first time Monday, March 9. They are (from left) Jacob Spell, Matt Krasnow, Lane Morrison, Carrie Spear and Fritz Tegatz.

A New Charlotte Selectboard—In More Ways Than One

With the defeat of Charles Russell months.”

The customer says it’s always good and departure of Ellie Russell, the for government to have new ideas.

Selectboard now has a combined Spear agrees. four years’ experience. A look at –––– the road ahead.

The day before, at Town Meeting, Brett Sigurdson THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

It’s around 5 p.m. at Spear’s Corner Store in East Charlotte and there’s a small rush of people buying food and gas. Carrie Spear is behind the counter, taking both money and congratulations from her customers. Twenty-four hours earlier she defeated 15-year incumbent Charles Russell for a three-year seat on the Selectboard.

The customers ask her how victory feels and what she’s hoping to accomplish during her term. One customer asks her the length of the longest serving member of the new Selectboard.

“Lane Morrison,” she says, speaking of the current board chair. “Nineteen

Selectboard now has a collective governing experience of roughly four years between its five members—a quarter of Charles Russell’s experience and only about half as much as outgoing member Ellie Russell’s tenure on the the CCS multipurpose room was Selectboard. decorated for an upcoming play, but On Monday morning, hours before Charlotters didn’t have to the new Selectboard wait to see a command perwould hold its first formance from one of its own. meeting, Morrison More on Sitting at the Selectboard praised the depth of table atop the stage, Russell Town Meeting work the Selectboard confidently answered quesaccomplished in the pgs 8–11 tions from the floor ranging last year—specifically from the Senior Center’s trash the completed wage contract to the finer points of study and conserving adopting a town charter. Often, Russell the Burns property—much of it accomwas the first—sometimes the only— plished because of the working relaSelectboard member with an answer. tionship he shared with both Russells.

While Russell’s knowledge of town “I like the team play we had with the government runs deep, it wasn’t enough board,” he said, adding, “We have to to secure him another term, as he lost to redevelop that.”

Spear 608 votes to 523. With Spear and fellow newcomer Jacob Spell, who Selectboard continued on page 9 was elected to a two-year seat, the

Last year, the CCS budget passed by 19 votes—so close, the town held a recount. In 2013, a technicality required the budget be voted on in two parts. The first, covering the main budget, passed.

The second part, an additional $270,000, failed by 25 votes. This year, the school board’s proposed $7.4 million budget was rejected by 47 votes, 595 to 548.

But perhaps the most important number this year is “two”—that is, the number of principals at the school, one of the main reasons this year’s budget was defeated, at least according to some of the 40 people in attendance at Monday’s special CCS school board meeting.

There, the school board regrouped to discuss revising the failed budget proposal and to receive feedback from voters who rejected and supported it.

By the time the meeting ended 90 minutes later, school board members did not have a new budget number, though they were hopeful they could trim up to $30,000 from the budget based on salary savings brought on by the departure of co-principals Greg Marino and Audrey Boutaugh.

Tammy Hall, perhaps the most outspoken critic of the co-principal model, spoke against the school board’s decision to pursue another two-principal model, this one with a full-time administrator and an instructional leader, in order to cut costs.

“At the moment, we have a clean slate,” she said. “We have no principal at the end of this year. Let’s find one true leader who can come take us to another level.”

Citing a tax bill that has nearly doubled in the 12 years he has lived in Charlotte, Bob Mesaros lamented the rising tax burden on many families and

Budget continued on page 6

A Local International Howard Seaver looks beyond Charlotte’s rural idle Alex Bunten THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

Big changes in life often start with a book. A respected family member or friend might recommend it, like a prescription for a similar dilemma they faced. Or you might seek it out on your own, braving an unknown author’s mind to alleviate a festering case of curiosity.

For Howard Seaver, that moment struck when he was in his early 40s.

He yearned to see more of the world and thought that living and working in Charlotte made that impossible. He was convinced that the only way was to land a job at a big company.

With high ideals, he called around.

At the end of a conversation with the State Department in Washington, they asked what he did and what he was pos-

sibly trying to escape. After explaining, they said to him, “You would be an absolute fool to do what I’m doing!” “Big Four” companies like Ernst and Young thought the same. “They all wanted to change places with me,” Seaver remembers. They couldn’t understand why he would want nebulous levels of bosses, hard and fast travel, long hours and lots of pressure, just to see the world.

Having set up a successful private law practice, Seaver was his own boss, made his own hours, enjoyed his work, had horses and a few kids to ride them.

He also had worked his way up in the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. What was not to like?

Similar to George Mallory’s reason for climbing Everest, Seaver seemed to want to engage the world, “because it’s there.”

Seaver continued on page 7

Howard Seaver in the reception room of Yaroslavl City Hall in 2012, pointing to pictures taken by Russian visitors to Vermont. Charlotters Dale & Alice Hyerstay can be also seen. Depicted in some of the other photos on the wall are Gail and Ken Albert, the owners of Shelburne Vineyards.

2 • March 12, 2015 • The

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This was the second time I’d participated in Town Meeting here in Charlotte. The first was in 2011.

Both were quite the experience; both with their distinct charms.

In 2011, I went with my younger brother, Craig, and we just sat back and observed. He was a big proponent of attending, but he’s since stopped. I think because of the timing. Don’t most towns have the meeting at night, after work?

We didn’t make any comments about the hot issues—mainly sewage in town if I remember correctly. We just took it all in, grunted “yea” or “nay” at our desired times, fingers on the pulse of direct democracy.

The atmosphere was cordial. Old teachers and coaches asked about work or education, family friends asked about the folks. We got to hear from proud parents (rather than online) where our contemporaries had trotted off to. Not many stayed in Charlotte it seemed. All told, a wholesome community occasion.

This recently passed Town

Meeting wasn’t nearly as easy going, as you might expect for someone in this position. With more background knowledge of the stakes—newbies vs. oldies on the board, the very foundation of Town Meeting, money for the kids’ education, tax rates, etc.—and the people involved, it was a different ball game.

The atmosphere was still as friendly as before, but having seen certain citizens prowling online forums like the early Ides of March before the meeting, I wondered how it would all sugar off (see our online article for the full details: goo.gl/A8CP9h).

This pride of lions got me to thinking why so few people run for office. Is it fear of being attacked by the public?

In speaking to a few folk around town, the conclusion seemed to be that holding public office was too public—it wasn’t being attacked they were afraid of, it was that the constituents wouldn’t leave them alone, regardless of the occasion.

Supposedly, this is also why many teachers have stopped attending school sports events.

It’s not the minimal pay for being a Select person or the piles of necessary reading (usually “legalese” or archaic language), but just having an overly enthusiastic public.

Usually, this is a good thing.

Please correct me if I heard wrong about this, but it still begs the question: If you are a public servant, how

public are you expected to be? Is there a line where asking about your kid’s classes or your tax rate somehow becomes inappropriate?

The same could be said for this position here at The News. Still a bit green after 10 years away, I have a lot to learn.

Standing around our table at Town Meeting a passerby asked if I was the new editor. When I answered in the affirmative, he made a bad-smell face and asked, “How thick is the leather on your back going to need to be?” Thick enough, I hope.

Alex Bunten Editor in Chief Big thanks to all who filled in our “Community Feedback Loop Survey” at Town Meeting. Our theory is that the more we communicate the better we can fulfill our role in the town and reflect community values and interests.

From 50 responses, we got the following averages: How would you rate our paper? 4.33 out of 5 Do we write about issues you care about? 4.22 out of 5 What respondents wanted more of: local profiles, local economy, CCS and CVU coverage, local sports, outdoor recreation

Netanyahu Pushes Buttons in Congress, Iran Talks Still Inconclusive Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scathing critique of America’s Iran policy, what happens next?

Well first, let’s put this into context. Never in the history of the Republic has a foreign leader ever been invited to address the U.S. Congress for the purpose of condemning the foreign policies of the sitting Barrie Dunsmore American president. Israel’s CONTRIBUTOR Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did so with relish.

In describing the international effort to preclude Iran from developing nuclear weapons, Mr. Netanyahu said, “It doesn’t block Iran’s path to the bomb. It paves Iran’s path to the bomb.”

The Israeli leader was rewarded with 24 standing ovations by virtually all of the Republicans and some of the Democrats. Vermont’s two senators—Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders—were among 58 Democrats who decided to boycott the speech. House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi, who was visibly upset throughout the speech, said she was “saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States.”

Washington Post political columnist Dana Milbank wrote, “Her agitation was not difficult to comprehend. It’s a rare thing for the Congress to declare war. And rarer still to do it at the request of a foreign leader.”

Of course, the Israeli Prime Minister did not literally declare war on Iran. But for President Barack Obama, that would be the ultimate consequence of following Mr. Netanyahu’s advice. In defense of the agreement that is evidently close, the president said, “If we are successful in negotiations, this will be the best deal possible to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Nothing else comes close. Sanctions won’t do it. Even military action would

not be as successful.”

Actually, the prime minister didn’t say anything he hadn’t said before. But he has appeared to fortify opposition to the agreement—both in Washington and Tehran.

Right after the speech, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell said he planned an immediate debate on legislation that would make any agreement reached with Iran subject to congressional approval. That could spell its doom. As things currently stand, President Obama has the authority to make such an agreement, although Congress would eventually have to lift the specific Iranian sanctions it had imposed.

In Tehran, there were reports that given the Netanyahu speech—and the enthusiastic congressional reaction— Iranian hardliners will now argue against any further concessions in the talks, on the grounds that President Obama will not be able to deliver on any deal.

The deadline for a framework agreement is March 24, with a detailed pact to be ready by the end of June. It is no exaggeration to suggest that if the nuclear deal falls apart at this late date, a major Middle East war to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power is the most likely alternative.

N. B. Since this commentary was broadcast March 5, President Obama said on CBS’ Face the Nation that Iran was offered “an extraordinarily reasonable deal.” And he hinted that an agreement is in sight.

Meanwhile Senate Democrats stopped Republican plans to push through legislation that would require Congressional approval of any Iran deal—at least until after there is an actual agreement. However on Monday, 47 Republican senators issued an open letter to Iran, warning that if it is to last beyond the Obama presidency, any nuclear agreement will require Congressional approval.

Inevitably, this will encourage Iranian hardliners.

This commentary originally appeared on VPR on March 5, 2015. Barrie Dunsmore is a journalist who covered foreign affairs for ABC News for 30 years. His commentaries are also featured in the Rutland Herald/ Montpelier Times Argus. He lives in Charlotte.

The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 3

Cheap Words on CCS Budget I am writing this two days after Town Meeting Day when the citizens of Charlotte voted down the Charlotte Central School budget. I am deeply disappointed in this result, though I certainly understand the pain of high property taxes. (I get pretty darn grumpy around mid-November also.)

However, the budget presented by the CCS Board was an increase of only 1.12 percent—far below the average 3 percent increase of other school budgets across Vermont. This was a really tight, no-frills and responsible budget.

I realize that a number of Charlotte residents were against the budget because of the inclusion of two principals. Though the co-principal model had been modified

by Town Meeting Day, some individuals clearly believe CCS needs only one administrator, not two, no matter what “model” is used.

Unfortunately, this inflexible belief of “only one principal” was encouraged and spread by maverick board member Clyde Baldwin in the last issue of The Charlotte News. His missive implored Charlotters to vote down the budget because of the inclusion of two administrators.

Clyde’s opinions were “justified” however, by a number of misleading and frankly inaccurate statements designed to illustrate how loose CCS and Chittenden South central office administrators and board members are with taxpayer money.

First, he stated that “there are in excess of $270,000 dollars in our budget for the co-principal administrative model.” Huh? Does Clyde’s ambiguous phrasing imply that having the co-principals cost us an additional $270,000? This is quite misleading. No. Having two instead of one principal (as required by the state) cost us about $130,000 more—and actually less than that for the currently proposed “hybrid” model.

He then followed up with a statement

Much ado about…

Voices

that Charlotte’s portion of the CSSU core budget is over $2,100,000 “which is nearly 100 percent administrative cost.” Yes…Charlotte’s portion of the core CSSU budget is about $2,100,000.

However, that number includes all special education costs for students residing in Charlotte—primarily for special education teachers. That expense (now shifted to the CSSU ledger) is over $1,521,000 for Charlotte. These are not administrative costs. These are expenses necessary to educate children who have some type of disability as defined by the federal government.

This same tone continues throughout Clyde’s commentary. It contained multiple inaccurate and misleading statements. Clyde tends to present his opinions as facts. In the section where he urged voters to vote “No” on allowing the board to use the $180,000 leftover General Fund balance for the budget, he states that it is “counter productive.” Oh? I thought it made sense to return tax dollars to Charlotters, especially since this still leaves a significant amount for emergencies.

I realize that some Charlotters will vote against the proposed budget no matter what. However, if you are someone who decided to vote No after reading Clyde’s commentary, then I ask you to reconsider.

Words are cheap—our children’s education is not. Let’s remember what this is all about. We owe it to our next generation of Charlotte children to be thoughtful, caring and truthful.

Legislative Report

by Representative Mike Yantachka

Doyle Poll: Charlotters Want Background Checks on Guns, Concerned About Opiates The 50th annual Doyle Poll attracted 179 Charlotte respondents on Town Meeting Day this year. I am grateful to those who took the time to fill out the survey. To Senator Doyle’s selection of 15 questions I added a 16th on an issue that I wanted to know your opinions about. Since it was printed on the back of the survey, however, only 140 people responded to it. Here for your consideration is a tally of the responses.

Lorna Jimerson

CVU Board member CSSU Board member

Thanks for your support

As much as I despise mud slinging, I A hearty thanks to all those who supthink the two commentaries (Toensing/ Russell in last issue) were a good thing. ported me in my unsuccessful run for It is important to show the underbelly of re-election to the Selectboard.

It has been an honor to serve the town. small town politics once in awhile.

In general I would like to see human Best wishes to the new Selectboard. interest pieces on people in town and what is going on around town more from a news Charles Russell point of view. For family activities, there Charlotte is a really good website called findandgoseek, and KidVT also does a good job of covering family stuff. Perhaps letting people know what is going on for adult and family in Vergennes and Middlebury would be a good direction, since north of us is covered rather well.

Jorden Blucher

Charlotte

Questions 2 and 9 appeared in last year’s survey; questions 5, 9, 11 and 15 appeared two years ago. The opinion on marijuana legalization shifted from positive to slightly negative, but otherwise opinion is evenly divided. The opinion on taxing sugar-sweetened beverages remained unchanged from two years ago with 53 percent in favor. While opinions of the importance of natural gas have diminished somewhat from the previous surveys, it is still seen as important. Overwhelmingly, respondents continue to consider cell service and broadband Internet to be essential to Vermont’s economic growth. The big switch is in Governor Shumlin’s numbers. He went from a 48- percent approval and 30-percent disapproval in 2013 to a 26-percent approval and 51-percent disapproval this year.

Interestingly, Shumlin’s Doyle Poll numbers in Charlotte were slightly worse than those of an independent VTDigger-Castleton Polling Institute survey released this week, where 47 percent disapproved of the job he’s doing compared to 41 percent approving. The Charlotte Doyle Poll results for other questions also lined up with those from the VTDigger-Castleton survey within a few percentage points, including support for taxing sugar-sweetened beverages, taxing carbon and requiring background checks on private sales of firearms. (The VTDigger polling results can be found at: goo.gl/3rPzWa.) As your representative in Montpelier, I appreciate your input on these and other issues. Your comments help me look at issues from several perspectives, and that is a valuable opportunity for me. You can always contact me by phone at 4253960 or email me at myantachka.dfa@gmail.com. You can find my website at MikeYantachka.com.

PUBLIC MEETINGS On the cover

Direct democracy in action at the Charlotte Town Meeting, March 3, 2015.

Photo: Alex Bunten

Next issue deadlines Next Issue Date: Thursday, March 26 Contributions: Monday, March 16, by 5 p.m.

Letters: Monday, March 23, by 10 a.m.

Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Sometimes they begin earlier; check online at charlottevt.org or with the Town Clerk (425-3071). Chair: Lane Morrison (425-2495), Matthew Krasnow (922-2153), Carrie Spear, Jacob Spell, Fritz Tegatz (425-5564).

CCS School Board Regular Meetings are usually at 6:30 p.m. at CVU on the third Tuesday of each month. Chair Kristin Wright (425-5105), Clyde Baldwin (425-3366), Susan Nostrand (425-4999), Erik Beal (425-2140), Mark McDermott (4254860).

Planning Commission Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Chair Jeffrey McDonald (425-4429), Vice Chair Peter Joslin, Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Linda Radimer, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick.

Committee meetings are listed on the town website.

Check times and agendas online or by phone; for the town: charlottevt.org, Town Hall, 425-3071 or 425-3533; for CCS: ccsvt.us, CSSU office, 3831234.

10 • March 12, 2015 • The

Charlotte News

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The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 11

OutTakes Commentary

by Edd Merritt

Shall We Gather at the River?

Yes, we’ll gather at the river, The beautiful, the beautiful river, Gather with the saints at the river That flows by the throne of God Robert Lowry

T

own Meeting—ah yes, an annual day for the ages every March. It is an opportunity for some to vent their praise or rage on selected neighbors who (we hope, wittingly) agreed to serve as governors of our community. Not only that, but the meeting calls for the board to sit on stage and dodge rotten fruit thrown from the audience for a good two hours. This year most of that audience, however, agreed with Martha Perkins’ commendation of Moderator Schwarz for his ability to keep things rolling. This allowed those wanting to talk to do so without rehashing the same subjects over and over and, as the uncontested votes would indicate, confirms the Selectboard’s clear presentation of issues and the paths it took in order to reach its conclusions and recommendations.

Chris Bohjalian says that the meeting

is an appropriate preface to the food nearly 30 years ago. We were four that follows. We in Charlotte may not strong at the time, now two. But we two greet the end of the meeting with culi- have been devout attendees at Town nary delights, but we do have Stephen Meeting. Over these years I discovered Brooks’ Cemetery Commission Report that the meetings themselves were more in our Town Meeting Report to quench than just a gathering of those who hapour literary hunger. For example, this pened to be in the neighborhood. They year we learned that the town has not have developed their own culture. kept up its care of cemeteries and a People sit in the same seats year “carousel of previous Commissioners after year. Those with like ideas tend to have failed to demonstrate an appetite cluster together, and this year we didn’t or capacity to overcome this unfortu- have the single, soft “No” voiced from nate culture, faced the back of with daunting the auditoritasks of remediaum on nearly tion.” I do hope every budget that this carousel I have been around long enough request. can come around will to feel that meeting face-to-face beIt interestand help the with neighbors … needs to be ing to see commissioners grasp the brass encouraged through a continuing whether the ring. And speakstructure such as Town Meeting. Selectboard ing of carousels, method or how about buildfocus will ing one near the change with Town Green, the plethora symbolic of the of new memCharlotte town circus? bers. (I think I stole “plethora” from Mr. If every report writer partook of Brooks. See how we learn by reading Stephen’s melodic journalism, imagine others’ writing?) where the trails in town would lead us, Although the moderator calls the the pictures the Trusted Lands would meeting to order, it is usually not until paint for us, the literary gems that would Ms. Perkins enjoins the rest of us to tend climb out from the lower shelves of the clearly that our thoughts truly focus on library. Fortunately, our tree warden, town business. She often does this lighttoo, transmits a wealth of little known heartedly, which helps the rest of the yet fascinating facts about town horti- audience swing easily into the meeting’s culture through regular articles in this pitch. I personally prefer discussions paper. (It is how I learned where in that resemble knuckle balls rather than Canada the wood for my hockey sticks straight fastballs. The point at which came from and what makes ash baseball I’ll call it a Preacher Rowe, after the bats crack as they do.) famous knuckleballer, is when you say My family and I moved to Charlotte to yourself, “Oh yes, now I understand

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what he’s getting at.”

The majority of this year’s discussion was whether and how to combine Town Meeting with an Australian ballot. Mike Russell said he wants to save this “quirky little activity” called Town Meeting.

Valerie Graham said that although there are those who respond to the question of whether it is necessary with a scornful description of it as “just a social occasion,” she is one who says, “Well yes, and social occasions are important.”

I have been around long enough to feel that meeting face-to-face with neighbors, given the change in Charlotte toward a more “sub-urban” lifestyle, needs to be encouraged through a continuing structure such as Town Meeting.

So, start planning now for next year.

Dan Rosen, get back to the chair behind me. Martha, keep livening up those bleachers. John Rosenthal, hide yourself to this side of the lake. And cooks, maybe a little Fat Cow for a chaser.

@charlottenewsvt

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The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 5

Selectboard Kicks Off New Season with Fresh Faces John Hammer THE CHARLOTTE NEWS

The Selectboard meeting of March 9 had a younger look about it with two new members, Carrie Spear and Jacob Spell taking their places. The opening action was to vote Lane Morrison into the chair for his second year. The vote was 4-1 with Selectman Spell voting against. Spell noted that before the election he learned that “the voters had said very vehemently that there was a definitely (Sic) needed change within the town, leadership wise, across the board...” He had nominated Matt Krasnow for the position.

Morrison got right down to work setting up the organization for future meetings.

Meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order for Small Boards and Vermont’s Open Meetings Law. All regular meetings for the coming year will occur on the second and fourth Mondays of the week. The Chair and Town Administrator will attempt to publish the agendas by noon on the Thursday prior to regular Monday meetings. He warned the Selectboard that henceforth they should only use their town email addresses in electronic correspondence that addresses town business. The newspapers of record will continue to be The Charlotte News.

Morrison remarked that he would like to keep the meetings flexible thus allowing for more open discussion. He warned, however, if discussions become too intense, he would exercise more control.

The Selectboard was quick to approve the amendment of a conservation and

agricultural easement with restrictions in changing the boundaries of two lots owned by Sara Shea on north Spear Street.

The amendment redraws open space to better accommodate agricultural access for a subdivided parcel and increases a stream buffer strip.

In the matter of town bridges, the board approved the submission of an application for a construction grant for the Carpenter Road Bridge (#30). The grant will provide $208,000 for renovations of the bridge.

Similarly, the board went on to approve an agreement with the state for the financing and maintaining the Seguin (Upper) covered bridge.

When the matter of the reappointment of volunteers to town committees, commissions and boards was brought up, Stephen Brooks was joined with many others in the audience to suggest that rather than automatically reappointing the incumbents whose terms were up, all those positions should be opened up for potential new members. The point was made that while many of the incumbents were willing to serve again, here was a chance for others to apply. A procedure will be drawn up by March 13 to advertise the openings, giving potential volunteers 30 days to apply. The board did, however, reappoint Cali Griswold as Animal Control Officer for a one-year term ending in March 2016 because of her recent selection as Deputy Health Officer, a related position.

Town Meeting’s Article 6, covering the drawing up of a limited town charter to change voting procedures on the Town budget, was briefly discussed. Morrison volunteered to liaise with the Town

Meeting Solutions Committee, the office of the Secretary of State and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns in the matter.

At the request of Robin Reid, a Charlotte citizen, the procedures leading up to a charter vote will be conducted more formally and in public. Two public meetings will be held before a vote by Australian ballot is held, probably in the fall of this year. If passed, the charter will have to be approved by the State legislature before it would become effective.

Administratively, the board, acting as

the Liquor Control Board, approved a second-class liquor license for Whit’s End, LLC, doing business as the Old Brick Store. The store will change hands later in March. The new owner will be native Charlotter Whitney Williamson Finley.

A request from the Lake Champlain Committee was approved for changes to their Paddlers’ Trail Site Guide. The board also approved a site use agreement for the Charlotte Town Beach.

Information on the guide may be found at bit.ly/1E2L8BS.

Town Meeting 2015 Final Election Results Town Ballot Auditor (for 3 years) Jason J. Pidgeon – 676 Charles Russell – 393

Cemetery Commissioner (3 years) Stephen Brooks – 804 Library Trustee (5 years) Danielle Conlon Menk – 871

Town Moderator (1 year) Jerry L. Schwarz – 967

Town Clerk (3 years) Mary A. Mead – 863

School District Moderator (1 year) Jerry L. Schwarz – 946

Town Treasurer (3 years) Mary A. Mead – 838

CCS School Ballot

Lister (for 3 years) Betsy R. Tegatz – 895 Delinquent Tax Collector (1 year) Mary A. Mead – 888 Road Commissioner (1 year) Hugh Lewis Jr. – 1042 CCS Director (3 years) Clyde E. Baldwin – 729

Article V: CCS Budget Yes – 548 No – 595 Article VI: $409,000 Bond Yes – 700 No – 437 Article VII: $180,000 Fund Transfer Yes – 777 No – 350

CCS Director (2 years) Erik Beal – 854

Voter turnout: 1165

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The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 7

Seaver

continued from page 1

Queue a book

Nowadays, if you Google “How to create an international career” there will be half a billion hits in .46 seconds. Back in the late 1980s, noodling through the Dewey decimal system might have only turned up a few books. International Careers: an insider’s guide—coincidentally, published by Williamson Publishing Co., a former Charlotte company—would have been one of them, but it would have likely been checked out to a local lawyer’s library card.

Still unsatisfied after reading the book, Seaver decided to make one last exploratory call to the author, David Win. He elaborated the same life story as before, and Win said, “My advice to you is to look in your own community. I bet you will find things there that will satisfy your interests.” Baffled, but thoughtful, Seaver scaled back his search. Where was the world in Charlotte?

Working with the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce—as a board member and even the president for several years—Seaver ran in some of the same circles as then-Mayor Bernie Sanders. In an off-chance conference meeting, Sanders approached Seaver, “I’m going to set up a sister city relationship in the Soviet Union. Would you be interested in going on the first delegation

as a representative from the business community?”

He agreed and in 1988 took his first trip to the Soviet Union and the first step in what is now a 27-year cooperation with Yaroslavl, Russia. And it was right under his nose—not directly in Charlotte, but in his own community.

Charlotte in the world

Seaver went on to establish connections with a variety of countries around the world. To name a few: in the early 1990s, he helped set up the Vermont International Trade Committee within the Chamber of Commerce and participated in trade delegations to South America.

After his father passed away, he worked with his mother to trace some of her family’s roots back to Lithuania and Israel, later finding and establishing a strong connection with distant relatives in Uruguay. It was like the “domino effect,” but less political and far more positive.

And through it all, Howard and his wife, Barbara, always took the kids, Abby, David and Kate. “They learned early on about going to strange places and feeling comfortable there.” They also had to be comfortable with visitors from around the world coming to Charlotte. The most frequent exchange programs were with Yaroslavl. Although the relationship is rooted in Burlington, people from surrounding towns are often involved since the city of Yaroslavl has about the same population as all of Vermont.

Over the years, Sister City exchanges have involved all corners of society: mayors, firefighters, high school students, nurses,

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librarians, medical students and many others. They even had the Yaroslavl Torpedoes (currently Lokomotive) ice hockey team over to play UVM (an unfortunate occasion for UVM).

The most recent participants in the Sister City program have been Charlotters Lucas Adler and Ken French—a jazz drummer and film producer. After a successful fundraising concert series, Adler flew with his band Eight 02 to Yaroslavl on March 8 for the “Jazz over the Volga” festival. They were accompanied by French who was shooting a documentary of the trip for VPT and VPR.

Citizen diplomacy

Although largely retired, Seaver is still an active member of the Sister City board and keeps in touch with all his counterparts in Yaroslavl, most recently visiting in 2012. After 27 years though, he feels it’s time for new blood to take the reins as “citizen diplomats.” In light of the current strife between Russia and the U.S., there seems to be a need for more alternative diplomacy.

But what role can programs like this play in building common understanding between cultures? Seaver believes “the value of these international relationships falls in two categories: disintegrating myths and building interest.”

There are certainly a lot of myths and misunderstandings around Russia—an immense but hidden country, home to many juggernauts of arts and sciences, stalled by their inability to communicate an inclusive historical narrative. If complexity is a premise for potential interest, it should be easy to find “citizen diplomats” ready for adventure.

The wider world sometimes feels far removed from the rural reality of Charlotte, but it’s surprising how close it is if you look. As Seaver discovered, it’s best to start by looking in a few books— or by poking around the community.

If you are interested in getting involved in the Burlington/Yaroslavl Sister City program—meeting or hosting visiting delegations, helping to organize events, or travelling to Russia—visit its website burlingtonyaroslavl.com.

8 • March 12, 2015 • The

Charlotte News

Town Meeting: Time For a Change?

With Article 6, Charlotters engaged in a deeply felt discussion about the future of Town Meeting last Tuesday.

now the majority does not rule.”

In 2013, a group of Charlotters dubbed the Town Meeting Solutions Committee came together to find this balance. After a year of work, they offered an advisory article for voters to consider at Town Meeting.

Brett Sigurdson As written in the warning, Article THE CHARLOTTE NEWS 6 called for developing a limited town charter that would mandate voting on the When Bob Mesaros stood to speak budget in two parts. The first part would at Town Meeting last week, he cited resemble the current model, in which Norman Rockwell’s famous “Freedom voters can discuss and add amendments of Speech,” which portrays a lone man to the Selectboard’s proposed budget. standing resolutely among his neighbors. With that number finalized, the second It is a venerated painting, largely because part would require passage of the proit captures something of the spirit of Town posal by Australian ballot.

Lynne Jaunich and Vince Crockenberg, both members of the Town Meeting Meeting—the power of the individual to The move is meant to enfranchise Solutions Committee, discuss Article 6 at Town Meeting. The committee spearaffect change each year. more voters, said Vince Crockenberg, For Mesaros, however, Rockwell’s who, as a member of the Town Meeting headed the effort to bring the advisory article to voters. painting and the sentimental vision of Solutions Committee, helped research your voice heard and your vote counted.” prayer.” local democracy it captures have come and write the article.

As the discussion proceeded, audience “There’s nothing to back this up,” she to capture less an ideal and more an members reshaped the original article said.

“It’s an unknown.”

“We want to be able to protect that as encumbrance. In Charlotte, a fraction of well as protect the direct democracy of with two amendments. One made the Yet others felt the move would effecresidents partake in the town budget dis- Town Meeting,” he told the audience in a audience’s vote on the budget at Town tively enfranchise more Charlotte voters. cussion and vote.

Meeting binding rather than advisory.

Mesaros noted, “Democracy is a messy presentation prior to the vote.

“The objective is to balance the right of The other revised the time between process, but we owe it to ourselves and Lynne Jaunich, another member of free speech with the majority shall rule,” the committee, told the audience that last Town Meeting Day and the vote, requir- our town to try this. Let’s not vote it down said Mesaros of Town Meeting. “Right year 141 voters ballot—about four percent ing the Selectboard to schedule the because we want to hold on to something of the town’s 3,200 regis- vote within five weeks. Originally, the of the past that doesn’t work.”

Teena Flood agreed, calling the move tered voters—approved the motion called for holding it five weeks or Article 6 more after Town Meeting Day, the time “an excellent opportunity to pursue a new town budget on a floor vote required to warn an Australian ballot vote approach,” one she thought represented at Town Meeting compared Shall the Selectboard explore the adoption of a legislative with 1,061 who voted on the by statute. “democracy at its best.” charter for the Town of Charlotte that would authorize the CCS budget via Australian Perhaps unsurprisingly, Article 6 Given the deeply felt opinions on both Town to vote its budget by Australian ballot at a subsequent ballot. aroused the most debate during the four- sides of the Town Meeting issue, it seems date as soon as legally permissible after the voters have bound appropriate Article 6 came down to a “Everyone in town should hour meeting. the Selectboard at the annual Town Meeting?

Most of the discussion centered on paper ballot vote. As voters moved section have the chance to voice their whether the proposed change would negaby section toward a ballot box at the front opinion on the budget,” she Yes 124 tively alter Town Meeting.

Some cited of the stage, friends and neighbors shook said. “We also felt really No 51 changes made to the CCS school budget hands and hugged, chatted and joked. It strongly that if you are payvote, which was until recently discussed was a scene both social and democratic— ing taxes you should have and passed on the floor. Now that it’s messy and direct and engaging, just like voted on by Australian ballot, some feel Town Meeting itself. It was a moment disconnected from the school budget pro- that called to mind the spirit of Norman cess entirely.

Rockwell’s painting.

Nancy Wood noted that something of Article 6 passed by a ballot vote of 124 the community spirit of Town Meeting to 51, putting Charlotte among the first Day would be lost if the budget wasn’t in the state to move forward on such a passed on the floor. change to Town Meeting. The Town of “I’m a die-hard town meeting advo- Essex is also exploring the change. cate,” she said, noting she’ll oppose this.

After the event, Crockenberg said the “I’d hate to give it up.”

Town Meeting Solutions Committee “If you do away with the Town Meeting would begin working with the Selectboard with how we have it today, you are going right away on the charter language, which to lose a lot of Charlotte, of its history would have to be approved by Australian and what the town of Charlotte stands ballot in the fall. The charter would also for,” said Shirley Bean, who noted how attempt to address questions raised at the she had attended town meetings since meeting, specifically what happens if the they were held at the current Charlotte budget fails on the second vote.

Historical Museum. “I don’t want to see If the charter passes, the town will Town Meeting done away with. You can submit it to the Legislature for its approvget here if you really want to. I am defi- al, likely in January 2016. Given that nitely against having Town Meeting Day the town must warn Town Meeting five changed.” weeks before the event, the Legislature Citing the fact that no other Vermont would have to act on the proposed chartowns have tried to make such a change, ter change in the first few weeks of next Jane McCullough noted the effectiveness year’s session for the change to go into of the change is based on “a hope and a effect for Town Meeting 2016, he said.

The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 9

A Town Meeting First? Selectboard Budget Passes Unanimously

continued from page 1

Brett Sigurdson

tackle this year. Chief among them are working with CVFRS to cut costs while THE CHARLOTTE NEWS maintaining its high level of service.

What has been a protracted, sometimes Other projects include work on draintempestuous town budget discussion in age at the Town Green and repairs to the the past was quite tame this year. In fact, library roof, the Senior Center entrance when the Selectboard’s proposed $3.45 and the rear doors for the fire hall.

• Nancy Wood asked about the million budget Selectboard’s lack passed unaniof funding for the mously on a Affordable Housing voice vote, some Committee, which in the audience has been defunct laughed at the the last few years. lack of conflict.

Currently it has Before the vote, $154,000 in its Selectboard budget. Outgoing Chair Lane Selectboard memMorrison told ber Ellie Russell the audience the said she urged the budget was up new board to put over $67,000 reconvening the this year, though A paper ballot from Town Meeting committee at the he noted this top of its priority number would list. likely be offset by the revenue from tax sales of five Charlotte properties for • At the end of the meeting voters which taxes have not been paid for more passed an advisory motion urging state officials to retain full funding for the than four years.

“The amount you will pay in property tax Community High School of Vermont. As on your November tax bill will be equal part of the state’s efforts to make up an $18 million deficit, Gov. Peter Shumlin to or less than the prior year,” he said.

The biggest drivers of the increase were has recommended cutting the school’s a $46,000 increase in Charlotte Volunteer $4.5 million budget almost in half to $2.1 Fire & Rescue’s (CVFRS) budget and a million. John Howe, author of the motion, $455,000 increase in bridge costs, though said the program has made a huge differ90 percent of this will be offset by state ence in the lives of the students it serves at state correctional facilities. and federal grants.

Related to the budget, voters authorized • Four CCS sixth graders shared their the Selectboard to create a highway capi- efforts to combat waste through managtal reserve fund for money to be used to ing the school’s compost system. In the address any future road, bridge and high- last three years, students have diverted 90 way project costs over $5,000. Voters tons of compostable materials and food also authorized moving $72,500 from the scraps from the landfill. This year alone, highway fund to the new highway capital they hope to turn 1.5 million pounds reserve fund. This amount is left over of food scraps into compost at CCS’s from the $150,000 voters appropriated for recently built compost shed. Because bridge repair at last year’s Town Meeting. of the students’ efforts, the Selectboard created an ordinance mandating that all Both passed unanimously. town-sanctioned events have compost buckets. The students received a standing Other business Other events and discussions of inter- ovation from many in attendance.

• Jr Lewis and Ellie Russell also est to voters at Town Meeting include: • Lane Morrison offered a preview of received standing ovations for their sersome of the issues the Selectboard will vice to the town.

For Morrison, who will lead a Selectboard tasked with tackling issues raised by a recent town financial audit, rising costs of fire and rescue service and a new Town Plan, the relative youthfulness of the board means that Charlotters can likely expect less from the board in terms of spearheading big projects this year.

“I think the new board will do oversight rather than creating the policies,” he said. “We’ll seek more advice from professionals rather than have it from our own members.”

As an example, Morrison cited the recent report by auditing firm Sullivan, Powers & Co. that recommended changes to the Charles Russell town’s financial policies and procedures. Rather than attempt to develop a new manual through the work of its members, the Selectboard will likely work with its accountant and the League of Vermont Cities and Towns to accomplish this, noted Morrison.

Another difference from the year before: the Selectboard will likely meet less, owing in part to Spear’s and Spell’s full-time jobs, said Morrison. After the 2014 elections, the Selectboard met 12 times in its first two months together.

In total, it met 75 times in the year since Town Meeting 2014. That’s nearly twice as much as any Selectboard in the last ten years—another testament to the workload of the most recent Selectboard.

Despite his more measured expectations for the new Selectboard, Morrison is looking forward to getting down to business.

“Change is always good,” he said.

“Let’s see how it unfolds. Let’s see if we can make great progress throughout out year.”

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Selectboard 2-Years

Jacob Spell 611

Frank Tenney 421

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Carrie Spear 608

Back at Spear’s Corner Store, the evening rush has settled down, though every person who trickles in offers Spear a congratulations. She invites many of them to attend Selectboard meetings in the future, and all say they will.

It’s part of her goal to bring new ideas to the Selectboard along with Spell, who did not return repeated requests for an interview for this story. “I want to bring fresh eyes, a fresh mind, and a fresh start to a town that my husband’s family has been a part of since it was founded,” she says.

To claims made before the elections that she has missed meetings and been unreliable, Spear merely shakes them off.

“My record will show I’m doing this for the right reasons,” she says.

As for those reasons, Spear doesn’t have an agenda for her term, she says— only that she wants to bring more young families to Charlotte and address the view corridor on Route 7.

She says she’ll rely on her experience dealing with customers and her store’s place as a Charlotte meeting ground to gain an understanding of issues on the Selectboard’s agenda. Outside of that, she’ll do her best to learn the issues from experts.

One final customer enters the store and asks how she feels about winning. She offers congratulations to Spear and tells her to enjoy the victory.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be fun or not,” Spear says in reply. “We’ll find out.”

12 • March 12, 2015 • The Charlotte News

SPORTS

by Edd Merritt

CVU women’s basketball holds on to face Essex in state finals

CVU held on to make it 70 straight wins. The latest one, over Rice, lasted into a second day, as the Green Knights’ coach collapsed with less than a minute to go and the game had to be completed five days later. As has been the history of recent playoff games against Rice, the Redhawks were pushed to the limit.

Last year’s Division I championship was a single-point victory for CVU; this year’s semi-final an only slightly greater three-point victory, 30-27, in which both teams’ defenses played significant roles. The game ended as it began and was played throughout, with both teams running the court only to be stymied by their opponent’s defense.

CVU classic racers top the Nordic fields

From left: Charlotters Erin Zubarik (CVU), Anna Schibli (Rice) and Natalie Franklin (CVU) happy with their results after the GS at Okemo.

Both Alpine ski teams finish sixth in the state

Okemo Mountain was the site of the state Alpine Ski Championships on March 3, and CVU’s down-hillers, men and women, finished sixth among all schools, with Woodstock capturing both titles. Redhawk Emma Putre was the lone woman to finish among the top ten individuals in the giant slalom, coming in seventh, but only slightly over one second behind the leader. Two men were among the ten fastest, with Caden Frost in fifth place and Nate Coffin in ninth. Neither a male nor a female CVU racer placed among the top-ten in the shorter-gated slalom race.

CVU ranked near the top of

Vermont teams at the end of February and qualified for the state tournament through its placements in the Northern Vermont Alpine championships. Both men and women placed two racers among the fastest in the giant slalom: Abby Harrington and Emma Putre for the girls, Nate Coffin and Ted Hadley for the boys, and as teams, took third and first place respectively.

Five kilometers must be just the right distance for CVU cross-country skiers Charlie Maitland and Rachel Slimovitch. Charlie’s first place in the 5K classic led CVU to its fourth state championship in the last five years, and Rachel’s first place helped the girls reach second. Other top-ten Redhawks were Ben Carnahan in eighth place among boys and Aidan Corcoran in tenth among girls. The CVU men’s and women’s classic relay teams both took seconds. The classic races maintained the patterns set the week before in Craftsbury with the freestyle races, in which Maitland again placed first among individuals.

Hockey and basketball are out of the state races Redhawk men’s hockey and basket-

ball lost in playoffs for state championships. However, the hoopsters did not go down easily, as they dominated the first half against higher-ranked Middlebury and went on to win 70-46. Their luck ran out, though, against fourth-ranked Rutland as they lost by 16 points, 60-44.

In both games, Chris Reiss scored 17 points for the Redhawks.

It took a breakaway goal in the second overtime for BFA-St. Albans to finally de-throne defending state champion CVU in men’s hockey, 2-1.

Wrestlers gain a respectable eighth place in the state Twenty-two teams sent wrestlers to Middlebury for the high school state championships. CVU placed six among the top six in their weight classes. The Legg brothers led the way with Alex placing third at 138 pounds and Jarrett placing fourth at 120. Other top finishers included Troy Bergeron, fourth at 152; Jacob Griggs, fifth at 170; Cooper Bouchard, sixth at 126; and Kienan Kittredge, sixth at 182.

Bond vote for artificial turf playing fields fails again

Asked to approve $700,000 in general obligation funds to replace natural turf on its athletic fields with an artificial counterpart, voters in CVU towns defeated the proposal by 96 votes out of 5,586 votes cast. The school estimated that the total cost of the project would run in excess of $2.5 million with, according to a Free Press article, $700,000 to come from taxes and the remainder from donations. If a donation drive fails, the school is prepared to renovate two of the fields with natural turf and better drainage systems.

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The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 13

Winter News from the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge Susan Smith and Jenny Cole

Information about identifying and controlling invasive plants can be found at vtinvasives.org. The Charlotte Park and In January, Church Hill Landscapes Wildlife Refuge Oversight Committee removed a huge amount of honeysuckle and the Charlotte Invasives Collaborative and buckthorn from the northern edge (CHIC) provide volunteer opportunities of the woods surrounding the Turkey and information to landowners. Visit the Lane trail in the upper part of the park. Town of Charlotte website at charlottevt.

Volunteers and work crews have been org or stop by the Charlotte Town Hall removing invasive plants from the for contact information.

Non-native, invasive plants such as the “Turkey Lane Woods” for several years.

Great progress has been made, but when ones described above tend to be, well, we reached this area of dense buckthorn invasive. They start growing earlier in and honeysuckle, it seemed a daunting the spring than our native plants, so they task. This is the perfect kind of job for a get a jump on them. They reproduce prolandscaper with a mini excavator, chain lifically. They hold their leaves longer in saw and the ability to identify plants in the fall—another competitive advantage.

Before our native trees the winter. put out leaves, spring Winter can wildflowers, such as be a great time hepatica and trillium, to improve your Wildflowers and ferns can bloom because woods by remov- are dormant and not as sunlight is able to ing invasive plants. reach the forest floor.

Frozen ground easily disturbed. The with a small layer leaves are off the shrubs, But if non-natives take over the forest of snow proand leaf out before tects plants from so a better view of the the spring ephemermachinery and work area is available. als have a chance to other trampling. bloom, the forest will Wildflowers and lose its spring flowers. ferns are dormant and not as easily disturbed. The leaves are off the shrubs, so a Similarly, the seeds of native trees will better view of the work area is available. not have enough light to germinate in an Herbicide can be used in the winter. invasives-dominated understory forest.

So, getting back to working in the From fall through winter, plants are “drawing down” into their roots. In the woods, clearing invasives in the winter spring the energy is reversed, and sap can be a good way to rejuvenate your starts to rise to bring the plant back to forest. Consider giving your woods a life. Think of maple trees when their helping hand in winter! sap starts flowing. To prevent sprouting, herbicide can be applied to cut stumps Susan Smith and Jenny Cole are coof trees and shrubs when the conditions chairs of the Charlotte Park Oversight are right and there is no sap flow. This Committee. is a good way to manage honeysuckle, buckthorn, Norway maple, Amur maple, barberry and burning bush.

CONTRIBUTORS

One for the Girls Bradley Carleton CONTRIBUTOR

I’ve just returned home from a long weekend with 60 women. They had been seeking a connection to the outdoors by learning traditional skills at Vermont Outdoor Woman’s “Doe Camp” in Fairlee. Gray Stevens of Vermont Outdoor Guides Association coordinates this event twice a year, in September and Cheryl Frank Sullivan oversees a Doe March. It was an outstanding weekend— Camper muscling a 10-inch power auger. one of my favorite of the past year. The winter session offers these adventurous and learned about one another for three women a chance to explore things like hours. dog sledding, primitive biathalon, naviThe thing I am most impressed with gating with a map and compass, outdoor about these women is their empathy for campfire cooking, critter calling and ice animals—fish, minnows and maggots fishing, which I was there to teach along included. They were genuinely respectful with Cheryl Frank Sullivan of Underhill. toward the fish we caught and the bait Cheryl is a member of the Vermont Fish that was used to catch them. A few times, and Wildlife Board of Directors rep- one of the women would “bless” the bait resenting Chittenden County and is an before lowering it down the hole, wishing expert pike fisherwoman and huntress. that this life might be given with respect Cheryl and I worked together to pres- to sustain another. ent two classes on ice fishing. Each class Honoring the bait and honoring the fish had two parts. The first was how to use we released led to some beautiful discusa power auger and drill holes through 24 sions about the sacredness of all life. inches of ice, then rig tip ups with min- Perhaps because women bring life into nows and put the bait under the ice to this world they are uniquely connected tempt toothy pickerel. The second half, to it in a way that men have to learn in my piece, was to teach the ladies how other ways. to drill a hole with a hand auger, bait a I feel honored to have been in the presbibbit-style lure with small minnows or ence of such thoughtfulness and respect maggots, and jig a small ice rod over the for life and the circle in which we are all hole. participants.

These ladies, many of the gentrified For more information on Vermont metropolitan type, braved the bitter cold Outdoor Woman’s “Doe Camp” visit winds blowing over the icy landscape voga.org and click on the button “For of Lake Morey and never complained. Women” or contact Gray Stevens at 802They wrestled with heavy 10-inch power 425-6211. augers and handled tip ups in icy water with tremendous gusto. But when it came time to bait the hooks with maggots (we Bradley Carleton is executive director of call them “spikes” so they aren’t associ- Sacred Hunter.org, a nonprofit that seeks ated with the vulgar image of the wrig- to educate the public on the spiritual gling masses that infest trash cans in the connection of man to nature and raises summer), I really expected them to cringe funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring. in disgust. No such luck. These women org, which mentors at-risk young men in faced their anxieties and embraced the outdoor pursuits. challenge fearlessly.

After, we sat in a shanty and talked about the intricacies of good jigging and how to incite a fish to bite. We laughed

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14 • March 12, 2015 • The Charlotte News

Food &Field Michael Haulenbeek The Charlotte News

Old barns and farm buildings are a defining characteristic of our landscape in Charlotte and around Vermont and New England. Walk into an old barn and it has a story to tell about the people who built it and the farm that once surrounded it, or perhaps still does. Old barns speak a language, and the Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings, by Thomas Durant Visser, helps translate that language into a coherent history of farming and place, unique to each individual barn. Better understanding how to “read” old farm buildings has increased my appreciation of the history of farming in our area and the cultural value these old structures hold.

One of the first questions one might ask upon entering an old Charlotte barn is, When was this barn built? Before the early 1900s, the main method of constructing any building, from barns to houses to churches, was the timber frame, where beams are joined together by mortise and tenon and wooden pegs. After the 1920s, balloon and stud framing, which uses many smaller structural members as opposed to fewer larger ones, became

Learning the stories of Old Charlotte barns

the norm for barn construction due to the prevalence of larger sawmills and the new ability to mass produce metal nails.

Several aspects of an old timberframed barn can help narrow its construction date further. For example, if the beams are hand hewn with irregular grooves and chips from a broad axe, the frame was likely cut before the mid-1800s—before circular-saw mills were widely available and powerful enough to cut large tim- The barn at the old Foote Farm on Mt. Philo Rd. is a classic example of an English bers. Regular, arced kerf marks from threshing barn. a circular saw indicate the beams of individual beams are less critical. corner of Mt. Philo and Hinesburg roads were likely cut after around 1850.

The way that barn roofs are con- is a classic example of an English threshAnother clue to dating a barn is the way structed reflects the settlement patterns ing barn. Its uses have changed more the beams are joined together. The oldest of the first colonists in New England than once since its original construction and rarest barn frames in New England and the influences of their native regions in the early- to mid-1800s, but signs of are joined using the “scribe rule,” where in Europe. The land west of the Green those changes are still clearly evident every joint is scribed and cut to precisely Mountains, and the Champlain Valley inside. Joint pockets that supported the meet the unique contour of its adjoining in particular, was primarily colonized long-since removed grain storage loft are mate. Many barns using this method also

by English settlers who constructed barn clearly notched in the horizontal handinclude “gunstock posts,” which widen roofs using many vertical rafters joined hewn beams, and empty mortises inditoward the top to account for complex at the peak and supported mid-span by a cate where one section was divided into joinery where the posts meet the rafters. large horizontal purlin. East of the Green livestock stables. At one time, structural This was the primary, if not only, method Mountains in Vermont, New Hampshire members were removed from high up of joining beams in Europe and America and southern Maine, settlers from other in the hayloft to make way for a trolley prior to the early 1800s. Barns built after parts of Europe used a system of fewer, system at the peak of the roof that carried around 1810 typically employ the newly larger primary rafters, with horizontally loose hay from one end of the barn to the invented and more efficient “square rule” arranged purlins spanning between them other. method of joinery, where beams meet at to support the roof.

The record of our local cultural hericommon angles and are housed to a conOne of the most common barn designs tage is contained in old barns and farm sistent depth, and the irregular contours in our region is the English threshing buildings, from changing building techbarn (see photo). English threshing barns niques and evolving technologies, to the have a footprint of around 30’ x 40’ and history of Vermont farms over generaare divided into three sections. The mid- tions, to the one splintered beam that a dle section usually includes a thick wood restless draft horse chewed to pass the floor where newly harvested grain is time over 150 years ago. threshed by beating the seeds away from Next time you walk into an old barn, their stalks against the floor. There are take a moment to look around and “listen” typically large front, and sometimes rear for the unique stories it might be telling. doors that open to this section, allowing A little understanding can go a long way loaded carts to move in and out to unload toward appreciating the value that these grain, as well as a loft for storing grain fast-disappearing structures embody. above the threshing floor. On either side of the threshing floor is a haymow for animal feed and stables for livestock.

The barn at the old Foote Farm on the

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The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 15

Charlotte Senior Center

The Café Menu

by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator

Monday, March 16 Lentil Bolognese over spaghetti squash, Corn and tomato salad, Dessert surprise

A new Spanish Conversation class with Maria Acosta begins on Tuesday mornings from 11 a.m. to noon. Dates: March 17 through May 5. Challenge your brain! With an eye toward speaking and understanding the language better, this group comes together to “chat” about the week’s activities or interests with a goal of improving their fluency through listening and speaking. A fun, no pressure way to meet some new folks, sharpen your mind and practice your Spanish. No fee.

Wednesday, March 18 Catch of the day, Potatoes Fontecchio, Homemade dessert

Monday, March 23 Broccoli cheddar soup, Kale salad, Bread, Cookies Wednesday, March 25 Mulligatawny stew , Homemade dessert

_____ Join Hank Kaestner on Wednesday morning, March 18, for another Birding A collection of “party goers” that includes many of the folks in the play-reading Expedition as we try to record 100 spe- group who helped put on the Oscars event. cies of birds in one year! Please meet at the Center a little before 9 a.m. so we first class. Registration required. Fee: required. No fee. can carpool together to the location Hank First four classes, $96; all six, $144.

––––– has scouted for spectacular bird watch–––– ing. Good views are guaranteed through A Healthy Diet with Shekhinah A collection of lectures, perforHank’s “Oh-my-God” telescope. Please Cluba, M.A. nutrition and board-certimances and special events showcasing register for this event—if we have to fied health-care practitioner, begins on the diverse interests of our community change the date due to bird migration or Mondays from 1–2 p.m. Dates: March continue on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. weather, we will call you. No fee.

23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27.

March 18: Chair Yoga ––––– Demonstration with Tiny Sikkes Week 1—Where We Begin Elizabeth Llewellyn begins a Drawing with Charcoal class on Thursday mornings from 10–11:30 a.m. Dates: March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23. Charcoal is one of the world’s oldest drawing materials.

It can be a wonderfully expressive, if somewhat messy medium. In this class we will focus exclusively on drawing with charcoal. We will work with Vine charcoal to create soft washes, compressed charcoal and charcoal pencils for detailed drawings, and even colored charcoal on toned paper. This beginning drawing class is open to all skill levels and anyone who isn’t afraid of getting a little messy. Registration required. Limit 10. Fee: $80.

–––– While our First Annual Oscar Celebration has passed, there are several other nominated films that it is our privilege to enjoy. Mark your calendars for a showing of Imitation Game, Friday, March 20, from 1–4 p.m. Registration

Week 2—Foods to Eliminate and Why Week 3—Alternatives Week 4—Meal Preparation for One or Two people (with recipe demonstration) Week 5—Foods to Integrate and Why Week 6—Cleansing Each one-hour session will include basic foundational information.

Registration required. No fee.

––––– A spring watercolor class with Lynn Cummings, titled A Riot Of Color, will be held Tuesdays from 9:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Dates: March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28. Another season, another set of fun, colorful projects for painting in watercolors. In a supportive environment, students will be provided with photographs or still lifes of spring flowers and household objects, see demos, and have time for questions and painting. What have you been waiting for? Sign up today as this class usually fills quickly. Be sure to provide your email address, as the instructor will send information shortly before the

After practicing for many years, Tiny decided to become a yoga teacher and share the benefits she experienced. It helped clear her mind and cope with stress.

Yoga taught her to relax, strengthen and be aware of her body and to accept its limitations. Chair yoga is a form of yoga designed to benefit anyone with physical limitations by enhancing their mobility, balance and peace of mind. A chair is used for seated and standing poses, breathing exercises are included, and the class finishes with a deep relaxation. Her class at the Senior Center meets one hour

Monday, March 30 Manhattan clam chowder, Green 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 425-6345. A $4 donation is requested. Reservations are not required for the Monday Munch. per week. It is wonderful for her to hear how important the class becomes to her students, a highlight of the week. Come give it a try.

April 1: Hear Smarter, Love Better with Julie Bier, AuD. Hearing affects everything! Come enjoy a presentation and Q&A on hearing health and how your brain is involved in the hearing process.

Dr. Julie Bier of Better Living Audiology will follow her presentation with a complimentary on-site hearing screening or a hearing aid check of your existing equipment. Registration required.

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16 • March 12, 2015 • The Charlotte News

Food Shelf News Kerrie Pughe Contributor

Each year the Feinstein Challenge starts this month and runs through the end of April. However, the Feinstein Foundation has temporarily suspended its annual $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger for 2015 until further notice to concentrate on its ever increasing number of Feinstein Jr. Scholars (now over 150,000 strong), who have pledged to help better the lives of others.

Started in 1998, the annual Feinstein giveaway has generated over $2.5 billion to feed the hungry, from thousands of donors throughout the country and overseas. It is likely the largest amount

of money ever raised by any grassroots effort to fight hunger. The Food Shelf thanks the Feinstein Foundation for its generosity over the years.

In the past, the Feinstein Challenge months were our second biggest donation months (after holiday giving). We hope you will continue to send in your generous donations (monetary and food stuff) during this particularly tough winter. As we mentioned in our last article, our holiday donations were down quite a bit compared to last year, and we fear, with the suspension of the Feinstein Challenge, donations could be down even further.

Will you consider a donation today?

Your local Food Shelf is run entirely by volunteers so all donations go directly for food or assistance to our neighbors in need. If you are a customer of yourfarmstand.com, you may make a donation to the Food Shelf as part of your online order, otherwise checks may be mailed to: Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance 403 Church Hill Road P. O. Box 83 Charlotte, VT 05445 The Food Shelf has been distributing eggs, butter, milk, whole chickens and hot dogs along with lots of beans and canned

Business Directory

veggies this season. We have restocked our shelves with flour, sugar and other items such as toilet paper and dish soap.

Thanks to all our anonymous food donors for the nonperishable food items.

During Lent, Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishioners will be filling grocery bags with food to Feed a Neighbor in Need for a Day. Thank you! And thank you to Don and Hope Schultz for the support.

For emergency food call John at 4253130.

For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel) call the Food Shelf at 425-3252.

For more information call Karen at 425-3252.

Visit our website at https://sites.google. com/site/charlottefoodshelfvt/.

Donated food drop-off locations: All nonperishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf by 7:30 a.m. on the distribution mornings or before the Wednesday distribution hours (see the “Ongoing Events” calendar).

The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry.

Distribution days/times are posted in this newspaper and on the bulletin board in the Charlotte Congregational Church Hall. You may also call the Food Shelf number (425-3252) for a recording of the distribution times.

We are open to all community residents. Privacy is very important and respected in our mission of neighbor helping neighbor.

Upcoming Charlotte Food Shelf Distribution Dates Wednesday, March 18, 5–7 p.m.

Thursday, March 19, 7:30–9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 1, 5–7 p.m.

Thursday, April 2, 7:30–9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 16, 5–7 p.m.

Thursday, April 17, 7:30–9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 29, 5–7 p.m.

Thursday, April 30, 7:30–9:30 a.m.

The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry.

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The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 17

What I Know: Health Care Is a Human Right Carlanne Herzog CONTRIBUTOR

In 1978, my husband and I turned down a request by Carl’s boss to move to London. My emotions were frayed by having been through a surgery with an infant, our son, Michael, born with a mild form of spina bifuda. My world was so reduced to just a hospital room, praying with fervor, that at 13 days of age, our son would have a successful surgery to alleviate the built-up fluid in his head. How could I possibly consider another international relocation, having just repatriated three months earlier, heavily pregnant, from five years in a Libyan oil camp?

In early 1979, however, Carl’s boss once again asked that we relocate internationally. We accepted, and by November we were living in a temporary flat in London. With some apprehension, I made an appointment with a specialist doctor at The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. He advised me to see one of the junior neurologists at the hospital, who align themselves, by government requirement, with the NHS, or National Health Services. Further confusion occurred when I went to write a check to Mr. Robert Black. I must have looked aghast as the receptionist said, “We call our senior doctors, ‘Mr.’” Not long after we bought a home south of London, Michael experienced difficulties with his draining tube. Our

local family doctor called through to the hospital, assuring me we would be efficiently taken care of when we got there. Even in my own country, where I would have a high level of confidence in a recommended surgeon, I would be assailed with apprehension with such a small child being taken into surgery. Imagine my foreboding with our first surgery in a foreign setting! Knowing, though, the worldwide acclaim for Great Ormond Street, Carl and I trusted we were in good hands. We prayed a lot and our local pastor even traveled into the city—an hour’s round-trip commute—to lend support. We were touched and grateful.

Following the surgery, our son was taken into a communal recovery room with perhaps a dozen other children.

I experienced a real epiphany with witnessing how well the children interacted with each other and lent support, as best they could, for one another’s recovery. Here in the U.S., most of us feel the best situation is to have a private room. After a few days, we received the “all clear” to take Michael home.

We all know what would follow in the U.S. for surgery and hospitalization: massive bills with incomprehensible calculations worked out by the insurance company. We received not one bill—this was our first experience with the NHS. We were foreigners, but because we’d been in Britain long enough and paid taxes to the British government, we had full rights to their health care system.

We were repatriated in 1986 for a brief two years before we moved to Stavanger, Norway, on the North Sea. Michael was 11, and his hydrocephalus had been kept in check with the draining shunt. He lived a normal and healthy life, and we felt confident that moving to Norway was a reasonable decision.

We’d been in Stavanger a few years when the tell-tale signs of a malfunctioning shunt accosted Michael. Within hours, we had an appointment with our neurologist, who explained that we needed to go to Bergen because the hospital in Stavanger did not have the surgical set-up to replace a shunt. The doctor’s office took care of making arrangements. That evening, Michael and I packed our suitcases. The next morning Carl took us to the airport, promising to fly up over the weekend.

Norwegian social services paid our airfare. In Bergen, an ambulance drove us to the hospital where we were met

by a nurse who quickly took us to our rooms; Michael had a private room and I stayed next door. We waited only a short while to be seen by the neurologist, who told us Michael needed a CAT scan. It was scheduled for later that evening. I remember taking the elevator down several flights into the depths of the hospital to have the scan.

Michael seemed to handle it all well; I was pretty stressed, as always, with the likely need to have a new tube inserted.

In the morning the neurologist told us that the drainage tube which fed into Michael’s stomach had come loose, and he was scheduled that afternoon for surgery! I called Carl, and he flew up that afternoon.

Throughout this four-day ordeal, the skill and professionalism of the Norwegian medical personnel were reassuring to our family. And when it came time to check out, we were given, with apologies, a bill for 100 NoK; converted, this was U.S. $14! We never knew what the charge was for.

Our family has been fortunate over

the years to be able to afford good employer-sponsored health care.

However, in both Norway and England, I came to realize that the residents of both countries, no matter where they worked or whether they could afford private insurance, did not suffer the stress associated with deciding whether to purchase medicine, have a surgery, or pay the rent and buy food.

Five years later we were back in Houston. Michael was headed to Cornell, and we thought he should take a baseline scan with him to college.

There was no surgery or hospitalization involved. After insurance, we paid close to $1,000 for the service.

Michael completed college, went on to obtain a master’s degree in library science and has had no further surgeries. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife and son.

Carlanne is a resident of Charlotte and wrote this piece in a memoir writing group at The Charlotte Senior Center.

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18 • March 12, 2015 • The Charlotte News

Book Review

The Literary 'Lotte

Stranded Janie Hardy - CCS - Grade 7 Contributor

It was 2007. I was five years old. It was a dark, foggy night, probably about 6:00. My family and I were heading home from visiting our family in New Hampshire. We were in what looked like a deserted town. In other words, I didn’t see many people or cars pass by.

When I was younger and I was mad at my sister while we were in the car, I would slide my hand behind her back then pinch her lightly. The reason I never got in trouble for this is because I would do it so slyly and sneakily neither of my parents would ever notice.

They would just think my sister was making something up.

But on this car ride home, my sister was especially annoying me. So, very sneakily (or so I thought), I slid my hand behind her back and pinched her.

“OW! What was that for!?” my sister exclaimed.

The Magician’s Lie: A Novel Greer Macallister Georgia Edwards CONTRIBUTOR

Soon after she had yelled at me, I heard my mom’s voice. “Janie!” she said sternly.

I turned around and saw her looking at me, and I realized that I was in trouble. She had caught me in the act.

My father pulled over at a closed ice cream stand and took me out of the car.

He gave me a stern look.

“You need to think about your actions,” he said.

Then my family drove off.

At first, I just sat there, shocked that they had actually left me there.

I had been dropped off on the driveway before, but never somewhere I had never seen before. Soon, I started bawling. It felt like I was alone for two hours, but it was probably in the span of about five minutes. Once I opened my eyes from the sobs, I saw the familiar shape of my family’s car. As they pulled up, I got in as quickly as possible. For the rest of the car ride, I was dead silent. That was the last time I ever pinched my sister in the car.

“Tonight I will do the impossible.

The impossible is nothing new to me.

As I do every night, I will make people believe things that aren’t true.”

It is 1905 and Ada Bates, known as “The Amazing Arden,” is the most famous female illusionist of her time.

Her traveling magic show leaves audiences spellbound as it tours towns and cities across the country. Vaudeville was once only a man’s world, but Ada has broken that barrier with her matchless talent and powers.

One night in Waterloo, Iowa, all of this will change. On this night, Ada decides to perform her notorious “Halved Man” act with a variation: she wields an axe instead of a saw. The audience goes wild as her unharmed assistant emerges from the box, but under the stage lays a murdered man, said to be her husband.

Knowing she is the prime suspect, Ada flees into the night but is caught

by Deputy Virgil Holt. If she is found guilty, she will hang. Ada has until sunrise to perform the ultimate trick of her career: convincing Holt to save her life.

Scripts & Quips

Quote submitted by Beth Merritt

She tells Holt that she will reveal everything about the murder, but first he must listen to her story. It is the tale of a troubled childhood, the crushed ambitions of a teenage girl and the freedom she finds after escaping her past.

Can she be trusted to tell the truth, or is her version just smoke and mirrors— an expected ploy from a cunning woman?

As Holt is suspended between doubt and belief, so is the reader.

What is truth and what is deception? What is real and what is illusion? Did Ada commit murder? There are no reliable answers, and the reader is in the same predicament as Holt.

“Arden” is a master.

She has made trickery an art form. Like quicksilver or sleight of hand, if one blinks, certainty is gone.

Some reviewers have compared Macallister’s novel to Water for Elephants or The Night Circus. While The Magician’s Lie may share some similarities, it stands by itself. The author’s descriptive writing transports the reader to turn-of-the-century America and captures the colorful world of vaudeville. The lights, costumes and ambience are vividly imagined, and the ageless wonder of a magic show is recreated.

Macallister has done her research on early vaudeville—while the magic is fascinating, it is just as intriguing to learn the explanations behind it.

Some readers may find parts of the book to be implausible, but this is, after all, a story about trickery and illusion. The reward is an entertaining read with a surprise ending that only a magician could conjure.

The Charlotte News presents

Pens on the Land: A Contributors’ Workshop

Generously hosted at the Mt Philo Inn Time and date to be confirmed.

All welcome—young and old, newbies and newshounds!

•

Meet the editor and some fellow writers • Get some writing tips • Find out how we work • Pitch projects

For more info, sign up here: eepurl.com/be8rZr or send us an email: news@charlottenewsvt.com

The Charlotte News • March 12, 2015 • 19

Position Available Do you like to know what’s going on around town? Are you interested in events for all ages? Want to get some experience working with a dynamic nonprofit news team? The Charlotte News is looking for an EVENTS EDITOR to put their ear to the ground and help brighten up the community social life. This is a volunteer position. For more info, email Alex at news@charlottenewsvt.com.

ONGOING EVENTS MONDAYS Senior Center Café, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Featuring soup, salads, bread and dessert. No reservations necessary.

Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7–9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. 425-3997 for info.

WEDNESDAYS Charlotte/Shelburne Rotary Club, 7:30–8:30 a.m., Parish Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne.

Newcomers Club of Charlotte, Shelburne and surrounding area meets once a month on the third Wednesday from September to June. Variety of programs, day trips and locations. Information: Orchard Corl, president, 985-3870.

AA Meeting, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 7 p.m.

Senior Luncheon, Senior Center, noon. For reservations, call 425-6345 before 2 p.m. on previous Monday.

Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., 7:30 p.m., Fire Station.

Charlotte Multi-Age Coed Pickup Basketball Open Gym, 7-9 p.m. at the CCS gym. High school students welcome. Call 425-3997 for information.

Food Shelf, open from 5–7 p.m. June 11 and 25. Lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Information: Karen at 425-3252; for emergency food call John at 425-3130.

THURSDAYS Food Shelf, open from 7:30-9:30 a.m. June 12 and 26. Lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Information: Karen at 425-3252; for emergency food call John at 425-3130.

FRIDAYS AA Meeting, Congregational Church Vestry, 8 p.m.

Charlotte Playgroup, 9:30–11 a.m., CCS MPR. Free, ages 0-5.

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: 4253176.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mass, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Information: 425-2637.

St. Jude Catholic Church, Mass, Hinesburg, 9:30 a.m. Information: 482-2290.

North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, Hollow Road, Worship, 10 a.m., Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. Information: 425-2770.

Cross Roads Chapel, Ferrisburgh Ctr. Rt. 7, Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Information: 425-3625.

Assembly of God Christian Center, Rtes. 7 and 22A, Ferrisburgh, Sunday worship, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday School, 9 a.m. Information: 8773903.

All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne. Sunday Service 9 a.m., Evensong Service 5 p.m. 985-3819 Trinity Episcopal Church, 5171 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. “Space for Grace” (educational hour), 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist (with child care and Sunday School). 985-2269.

Around Town Congratulations to Barry Finette, M.D., Charlotter and UVM pediatrician, whose work treating sick children in some of the world’s poorest countries was featured in an article in the March 4 Seven Days. Because of the severe shortage of physicians in these countries, Finette, who is director of the University of Vermont’s Global Health and Humanitarian Program, decided it would be helpful to create an easily accessible mobile computer application that “replicates what a board-certified pediatrician would do to treat a child in life-threatening circumstances.” His program, called MEDSINC (Medical Evaluation and Diagnostic System for Infants, Newborns and Children) provides users who may have little medical training with a series of questions to ask when they are trying to determine a child’s condition and options for treatment.

According to Seven Days, MEDSINC is a recent app, beginning two years ago. Working with his colleague Barry Heath, director of inpatient and critical care services at UVM’s Children’s Hospital, the two approached the Physician’s Computer Company of Winooski to help design and build the software.

MEDSINC is not yet available for sale in this country, and Finette is uncertain at this point whether it will require Federal Drug Administration approval beforehand. He says that it is understandable why the U.S. lags behind less wealthy countries in licensing the app, given the fact that in the U.S. children under 5 years old seldom die from not getting assessed and treated successfully. to Chris Nunnink, M.D., an attending physician in medical oncology at the University of Vermont Medical Center and associate professor at the Vermont Cancer Center and College of Medicine, who was elected to the board of directors of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Nunnink, who earned his medi-

cal degree at UVM, has lived in Charlotte for 22 years. to Alexandra Orben Small and Michael James Kavouksorian who announced their engagement to be married in June. The daughter of Nancy Small of Summit, New Jersey, and Jeffrey Small of Charlotte, Alexandra earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Vermont. Her husbandto-be, also a registered dietician at UVM, is the owner of Switchback Farms in Jericho where the couple will live. to Charlotte students at Rice Memorial High School who earned honors for the second quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. First Honors: Moira Brown, Connor Gorman. Second Honors: Henry Atkins, Daniel Boardman, Hana Couture, Emma Hudziak, Avery Kidd, Anna Schibli. Honorable Mention: Saige Alpeter. to Ned Castle, whose work as the development coordinator of the Vermont Folklife Center (VFC) in Middlebury was featured in an article in the Art Section of the January 28 Seven Days. A photographer by profession, whose work has been on display in a number of settings in Vermont (including on the sides of buildings in downtown Burlington), Ned (who grew up in Charlotte) works with Greg Sharrow, the Folklife Center’s co-director and education head, to select pieces that appear in the center’s Vision & Voice Documentary Workspace.

The motivation behind the space is the center’s mission to present

and preserve the “cultural traditions of Vermont and the surrounding region.” The documents and photography are selected to tell stories, often about what may be referred to as marginal populations in Vermont.

Seven years ago, in fact, Ned posted an exhibit titled “In Their Own Words” that featured portraits and written pieces by Vermont’s refugee populations. The VFC mingles various types of communication in its exhibit—audio, visual and written interviews along with photo images, feeling that the variation “enhances the viewer’s experience.”

Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Richard “Dick” Harris of New York City who passed away February 25 at the age of 79. His surviving family includes Tracy Harris and partner Gina D’Ambrosio of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to honor Dick through a contribution do so in his name to the Central Park Conservancy at centralparknyc.org. is extended to family and friends of Dona Halvorson Walker of Hinesburg who passed away March 4 at the age of 85. Her surviving family includes her brother Larry Halvorson of East Charlotte. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date to be announced.

Kindergarten Registration April 6 & 7 Children who will be five years old by Sept. 1, 2015, are eligible to attend kindergarten at Charlotte Central School next fall. Registration for the 2015/2016 school year will take place on April 6 and 7. Please call Naomi Strada at 425-6600 for a registration packet. We are looking forward to meeting your child.

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, 4253335.

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING: If you're looking for quality painting with regular or low-VOC paints and very reasonable rates, call John McCaffrey at 802-999-0963 or 802-338-1331. (-18) FRUIT TREE PRUNING SEASON: Better distribute sun, flowers, and fruit. Minimize pests and storm damage, get back to a little each year. Dave 453-4992 (-16)

MAXIM OUTDOOR WOOD PELLET FURNACE

by Central Boiler. Clean, safe and thermostatically controlled. Boivin Farm Supply, 802-475-4007. (-15) For over 37 years, Lafayette Painting has been transforming the interiors of homes in Chittenden County.

Allow our experts to give your space a new look in just a day. Call 863-5397 or visit LafayettePaintingInc. com (-15 & -16) KFConstruction LLC - Available now for your winter projects. Roofing and siding specialist with lots of experience in construction. Perfect time to finish your garage or take care of those repairs around the house.

Call me Ken Fitzgerald @ 343-6647 to schedule your free estimate. (57-14) EASTER SINGERS WANTED: The Charlotte Congregational Church needs a few extra singers for our musical celebration on Easter this year (April 5).

Come check us out! Contact Julia Blocksma, choir director, at julia.blocksma@gmail.com, or call 802 989-8376. (57-15)

Charlotte News The Hometown Paper Since 1958

Volume LVII Number 15

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A Look at the New Selectboard 1 • A Local International 1 • Town Meeting Wrap-Up 8-11 • Health Care is a Human Right 17