The Charlotte News | Oct. 9, 2014

Charlotte News The Hometown Paper Since 1958

Volume lVII Number 05

The VoIce of The TowN

Thursday, ocTober 9, 2014

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Feeling the Spirit at Baptist Corners 1 Planners Talk Economy 1 The Power of the Primitive 12 CCS X-Country Makes Its Mark 17

The Charlotte News

Volume lVII Number 05

The VoIce of The TowN

Charlotte Pilot Unhurt After Plane Malfunction

Thursday, ocTober 9, 2014

District Reaches Agreement on New Teacher Contracts CSSU teachers to receive 3.25-percent yearly raise over course of the next three years Brett Sigurdson The charloTTe News

Emma Slater

The charloTTe News At 1:15 p.m. on Sept. 27, the Burlington Airport tower alerted the Vermont State Police in New Haven of a potential plane crash at the Basin Harbor Airport, involving pilot Roger Teese and his wife, Joanne Baker.

Teese, a Charlotter, had recently fueled up his 1958 Piper “Tri-Pacer” fixed-wing prop plane at the Middlebury Airport and was heading to the Basin Harbor Club for lunch with his

Malfunction, continued on page 7

Roger Teese’s 1958 Piper “Tri-Pacer” prop plane sits safely on the ground after a tear in a window seam forced the Charlotte pilot (above) to do an emergency landing in a field.

Keeping the Spirit This year’s Tractor Parade is just one way that East Charlotte continues a rich tradition of community Emma Slater The charloTTe News Most Charlotters have passed through the tightly packed rows of Spear’s Corner Store in East Charlotte, but few realize that they are participating in a tradition

The directors from the five Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CSSU) schools agreed to terms on a new threeyear contract. Among the changes to the existing contract is a 3.25-percent yearly salary increase for teachers through 2017.

The new contract, ratified by CSSU school boards in September—the teachers will vote on it this week—comes on the heels of a July fact-finder’s report that illustrates some key differences between the negotiators for CSSU and for the Chittenden South Education Association (CSEA) representing the district’s teachers. The results of that mediation, heard by fact-finder John B. Cochran, are the bedrock for the new agreement, said Erik Beal, CCS’s representative to the negotiation table.

One of the main differences between the groups was increases to teacher salaries. In its FY2014 budget, salaries and

that extends over 200 years as they walk through the aisles. Whether they knew it as Tenney’s, Marble’s or Spear’s store, and whether they arrived in a buggy, a tractor or an F-150, Charlotters have helped to perpetuate the legacy of Baptist Corners.

According to Around the Mountains by William Wallace Higby, “East Charlotte since an early day has been known as ‘Baptist Corners,’ and will doubtless be so designated in a local way through future years.”

More specifically, Baptist Corners includes the Corner Store and surrounding greens, and was referred

Tractor Parade, continued on page 10

Planning Commission Focuses on Economy, Housing with Final Town Plan Workshop Commission also releases final draft Town Plan chapter on economic development Brett Sigurdson The charloTTe News At the Town Plan Workshop on housing and economic development Sept.

25, over 30 people filled Town Hall to express their thoughts on two of the most pressing issues facing Charlotte: how can Charlotte encourage more demographic growth and how can it become more business friendly? Furthermore, do Charlotters want these?

Yet, throughout the two-hour meeting, attendees looked back more than they looked forward, as much of the discussion at the meeting—the fifth and last of the Planning Commission’s public workshops on the 2015 Town Plan—centered on how the town developed an antibusiness image and a high-priced housing market. By the end of the meeting, two potential answers revealed themselves: Charlotte has had too much planning for

economic development and too little for housing growth.

Economic DEvElopmEnt This fact is made clear in the opening of the draft Economic Development chapter of the 2015 Town Plan, which was released in late September, the final section of the plan to be released for public feedback.

“Over the past few decades, we have successfully responded to the desires for conservation of open land and the need to protect important natural resources, yet we have not succeeded at concentrating residential development in the villages or providing adequate commercial services,” states the language of the plan.

Yet the actual economic picture in Charlotte is fuzzy, explained Brandy Saxton, a planning consultant, at the meeting. For example, the Vermont Secretary of State lists 500 registered businesses in Charlotte, yet some of them

benefits accounted for 75 percent of district expenditures, roughly $5.6 million of the total $7.5 million budget.

According to Cochran’s report, CSEA proposed what amounted to a 4.75-percent yearly salary increase, a figure based on increases of over 4 percent in Burlington and Milton teacher salaries and three to 3.5 percent in all other county districts.

“The Association acknowledges that teacher salaries in the CSSU are highly competitive, which is a reflection of the educational achievements of its students,” wrote Cochran. “Therefore, to continue that record of excellence, it is important for teachers in the CSSU to maintain their relative position among teachers in the county.”

CSEA negotiators argued that the CSSU districts—Charlotte, Shelburne, Hinesburg, Williston and St. George— have the means to pay for the proposed increases, citing figures showing collec-

Teacher Contracts

continued on page 16

if You Go What: easT charloTTe TracTor Parade WhEn: saTurday, ocT. 12, 11 a.m.–5 P.m.

WhErE: easT charloTTe, corNer of hINesburg road aNd sPear sT.

cost: free

Festivities include free pony rides and children’s games, barnyard pets, open air market and music. The annual event kicks off with a dance party fundraiser at the Old Lantern, Friday, Oct. 10. Admission is $5.

Town Plan to be Delayed Beyond March Deadline At the Town Plan workshop Sept. 25, Planning & Zoning Administrator Jeannine McCrumb told the audience the Planning Commission will delay attempts to ready the Town Plan for authorization on Town Meeting Day in March 2015 as originally planned.

“Based on what we’ve heard, we’re thinking we have some more work to do, so we may not make that goal,” said McCrumb. “However, we don’t want to lose momentum on what we’re doing.”

The commission plans to review all of the comments it has received and complete by late November a responsiveness summary detailing the feedback the town has received on the plan.

The Planning Commission will take comments on the first draft until Oct. 15. Comments can be submitted any time by email to townplancoments@gmail.com, by mail to Charlotte Planning & Zoning, Attn: Town Plan Comments, P.O. Box 119, Charlotte, VT 05445, or hand delivered to Town Hall.

are registered at Charlotte addresses while the activity is based outside of the town. Between 25 and 30 percent of Charlotte’s residents work in Charlotte, many of them in home occupations, though selfemployed individuals may not register with the state.

Only a few businesses are located in the designated village commercial districts or light-industrial district.

One picture was a bit more clear for some at the meeting: Charlotte has an unfriendly business climate, something that starts with Charlotte’s strict zoning regulations and an approval process that makes it easy for just a few people to derail a project.

Howard Seaver, a Charlotte attorney,

told the audience he’s had clients interested in opening new businesses in Charlotte, but they came up against too much red tape.

Workshop, continued on page 8

2 • October 9, 2014 • The

Charlotte News

Commentary Secret Service Shortcomings Get Politicized

The Charlotte News PublishEd by and for CharlottErs sinCE 1958 The CharloTTe News is a nonprofit community-based newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues. It serves as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and celebrates the people, places and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique.

Contributions in the form of articles, press releases and photographs pertaining to Charlotte-related people and events are accepted and encouraged from all townspeople and interested individuals. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@charlottenewsvt.com.

The CharloTTe News is published in Charlotte by The Charlotte News, Inc., a Vermont domestic 501(c)4 nonprofit corporation. Distribution is made every other Thursday to all households and businesses in Charlotte and to selected outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh and Vergennes. It relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations. oN The weB aT:

In the wake of a recent series of embarrassing security blunders by the Secret Service—and a very rough session before a congressional committee two days ago— Julie Pierson, the Secret Service director, resigned. Commentator and veteran ABC News correspondent Barrie Dunsmore provides his perspective.

TheCharloTTeNews.org

Editorial Staff

News@CharloTTeNewsvT.Com

802-425-4949 Editor in ChiEf…………………..BreTT sigurdsoN Contributing Editor…………………edd merriTT ProduCtion & dEsign Editor….liNda williamsoN Contributing Editor………………..emma slaTer CoPy Editors………..BeTh merriTT, leslie BoTjer, viNCe CroCkeNBerg, edd merriTT

Business Staff

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Barrie Dunsmore CoNTriBuTor

While covering seven American presidents, I reported on the two threats to President Gerald Ford and on the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. And over the years I had regular interaction with Secret Service agents in the White House detail.

I think it is fair to say they nearly all registered high on the “Gung Ho meter,” as you would expect from those who without hesitation were expected to give their lives for those they were assigned

to protect. They spent a lot of time pumping iron and staying in shape. And while polite, generally kept their distance from reporters.

New technologies and social networks have presented the Secret Service with many new challenges. But high tech also provides them with sophisticated new weapons—as I was to discover shortly after I turned in my foreign correspondent’s raincoat.

As a fellow at the Kennedy School at Harvard, I was working on a research paper analyzing the potential consequences of live television coverage of war. One of my interviewees was the Clinton White House press secretary Mike McCurry. As I no longer had a White House press badge, I went through a full security check at the northwest White House gate.

After being cleared and given a visitors pass, I walked up and into the offices of the West Wing.

After another security check and just as I was about to be taken to McCurry’s office, an alarm went off. I was immediately stopped firmly by a uniformed officer who grabbed my bag and demanded, “Are you carrying something nuclear?”

For a moment, I was totally perplexed. Then suddenly I remembered that the day before I’d had a thallium heart stress test. Thallium is a nuclear isotope. I explained this to the officer, who radioed his superior. Apparently this had

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Board Members Co-PrEsidEnt………………………...Tom o’BrieN Co-PrEsidEnt………………….viNCe CroCkeNBerg sECrEtary………………………….....johN hammer MEMbErs………….…………………...kaThy luCe, louisa sChiBli, roBiN TurNau, raChel CummiNgs, miChael hauleNBeek, meg smiTh, NaNCy wood

Contributors amos Baehr roel BoumaNs Bradley CarleToN Barrie duNsmore larry hamilToN karyN luNde

jim morse aliCe ouTwaTer mary reCChia kerrie Pughe leigh simPsoN margareT woodruff

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happened before, and after some discussion I was escorted to my appointment.

It’s still impressive to me that a miniscule amount of nuclear material in my blood stream was instantly detected in the West Wing. And generally I find it hard to reconcile my experiences with the Secret Service with the kind of Keystone Cops performance demonstrated in recent years— six incidents of fence jumpers, agents carousing while on foreign trips and bullets breaking windows on the Truman balcony but going undetected by agents for four days.

On Tuesday I watched two hours of testimony by Julia Pierson, the first woman director of the Secret Service. The chairman of the House Committee on Oversight is Republican Congressman Darryl Issa who has adopted former Senator Joe McCarthy as a role model. His professed concern for the person of the current president doesn’t exactly ring true.

But the criticisms of Pierson’s leadership were strongly bipartisan. And to be frank, she did not make a very persuasive case for herself or her president. HShPresident Obama is hardly to blame for the Secret Service shortcomings, but in the heat of an election campaign, it’s hiser competence that is implicitly being questioned.

emma slaTer Took This PhoTo of auBe, The NewesT memBer of The sPear’s CorNer sTore family.

NexT issue daTe: Thurs., oCT. 23 CoNTriBuTioNs: moNday, oCT. 13 By 5 P.m. leTTers: moNday, oCT. 6, By 10 a.m.

PUBLIC MEETINGS Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Sometimes they begin earlier; check online at charlottevt.org or with the Town Clerk (425-3071). Chair: Lane Morrison (4252495), Matthew Krasnow (922-2153), Ellie Russell (425-5276), Charles Russell (425-4757), Fritz Tegatz (425-5564). CCS School Board Regular Meetings are usually at 6:30 p.m. at CVU on the third Tuesday of each month. Chair Kristin Wright (425-5105), Clyde Baldwin (425-3366), Susan Nostrand (425-4999), Erik Beal (425-2140), Mark

McDermott (425-4860). Planning Commission Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Chair Jeffrey McDonald (425-4429), Vice Chair Peter Joslin, Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Linda Radimer, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick.

Committee meetings are listed on the town website.

Check times and agendas online or by phone; for the town: charlottevt.org, Town Hall, 425-3071 or 4253533; for CCS: ccsvt.us, CSSU office, 383-1234.

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The Charlotte News • October 9, 2014 • 3

Letters CSSU didn’t answer the call for change Someone asked me what Charlotte has to show for a contract with the teachers for 3.25 percent per year for three years.

The answer is, “Nothing.”

Unless you subscribe to the logic that if you go into a store with a “sale” sign in the window and spend $100 on an item with a tag on it that reads $200, you saved $100. You didn’t “save” $100—perhaps you spent less than you might have on a different day—but there was no “saving.”

You have $100 less than you had before.

In every negotiation the difference in money (for example, in this case) between 2 percent and 3.25 percent is characterized as, “insignificant,” “hardly worth worrying about,” or, my favorite, “bug dust.”

While at a specific point in time these descriptions may be accurate, over time this logic has allowed the cost of the service to go through the roof.

Folks, this is cowardice in the face of adversity. Pure and simple. For decades the same people have been paying homage to the same imaginary belief that everybody is getting along and using this as an excuse for not standing their ground.

Very few have the courage to acknowledge that the reason to stand one’s ground at this point is for the sake of the future— not the present. This short-sightedness/ fear has turned out to be very expensive and counterproductive, because, unfortunately, it gets worse.

The accurate answer to the question of what we have to show for the contract, then, is “Less than nothing.”

The “emperor’s new clothes” mindset that pervades the thinking of the negotiating team (and the CCS board by agreeing), in addition to providing a raise that does not correspond to what the financial fortunes of the community are likely to be for the next three years, has led to a provision that strips the Charlotte board of a critical capacity. Until the CCS board foolishly signed this contract the board controlled the length of the school day.

We are now bound to a uniform work day—a handicap that will have profound

implications for the future, both financially and administratively.

This extremely ill-advised step is spun

by CSSU and the negotiating team as a step toward flexibility.

No. It has long been questioned whether the contracted staff are hourly workers punching a time clock or salaried professionals who realize that some days are longer, some are shorter, and their obligation is to solve the problem at hand as directed by the administration based on existing conditions.

Sadly, the uniform length-of-day proviso confirms the answer: contracted staff are hourly workers. This is the final step in defining the VSEA as a 20th century industrial-style, labor-versus-management union.

Piece by piece the Legislature, school boards of limited perspective and negotiating teams of inadequate resolve have been intimidated into allowing the wellbeing of the community and students to suffer.

Among things NOT placed in the contract which should have been: 1) Reduction in staff by means other than seniority.

2) The administration’s ability to assign a teacher as needed and to require that teacher to work toward whatever new certification may be needed (at the board/ community’s expense).

As has been observed before: pay attention to whom you send to the Legislature and whom you elect to the school board.

Get specific answers from them about specific problems. Ask them, “Who’s going to pay for it, and what are we going to get for the money?”

In addition to the cost of labor there are cost drivers in the form of mandates and regulations that have to be adjusted in order to address the overall problem.

However, at this point in time, the negotiating team/school board did not answer the bell when called upon to deal with the issue before them.

Clyde Baldwin Member, CCS School Board

Thank You, Spear Family I’m writing this message to say thanks to Bid, Helena and family for their many years of operating Uncle Sam’s Creemee stand. My children, now adults, and many of the area children would attend the Red Cross swimming lessons given free at Hill’s Bay each year back in the ‘50s. We

would treat our children to a creemee at Uncle Sam’s if they passed that day into a new group. It became a yearly tradition.

I missed stopping by this summer and was sorry to hear that they had closed. We wish you all the best, and thanks for the many memories.

Florence Vincent North Ferrisburgh

News from The News Saying Good-bye to Gordon Brown I’m teaching a writing course at Champlain College right now, and I often tell my students it’s the little things that make a big difference in writing—a well-placed comma, just the right word, a surprising sentence. The same holds true at this paper. The Charlotte News exists because of a certain selfless spirit exhibited by volunteers who donate their time to get the paper in your hands week after week. There are no small jobs here—every little bit of volunteer help makes a big difference to us.

That’s why it’s with heavy hearts the staff and board of The News shares the passing of Gordon Brown, one of our most dedicated volunteers.

Despite the fact that his main task was affixing mailing labels to issues, Gordon was definitely a difference-maker at The News.

On publication day every other Thursday, Gordon was generally the first to arrive at the Charlotte Senior Center, ready to assist with the newspaper distribution. According to Shanley Hinge, our business manager in charge of circulation, “Gordon made my job a lot more fun, and I always looked forward to working with him on Thursday mornings.

He was so excited to see each new issue, and gleefully shared the paper with anyone who walked into the Senior Center that morning. Gordon took great pleasure in bringing a bundle of papers to The Old Brick store, placing them in a prominent position, amongst the other papers. He helped me to understand how much value The Charlotte News brings to many in our community.”

But it wasn’t just his excitement for a new issue—we were all taken by his desire to just help.

I remember once during a phone conversation he suggested I think about using a voice-recognition software to make writing easier. I shrugged it off, halfheartedly told him I’d look into it. He called me back five minutes later with price estimates and a phone number to call for more info. That’s how he was.

“Gordon had many opinions and lots of information to share,” Shanley recalled.

“He might share a tip on iPhone shortcuts, the place to find the best local raspberries, or stories about meeting Betsy Pratt, Mad River Glen’s former owner.”

Indeed, with Gordon’s passing, we’ll miss the little things he brought to The News. They all add up to a big loss.

For Gordon’s obituary, please turn to page 19.

Brett Sigurdson Editor-in-Chief

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4 • October 9, 2014 • The

Charlotte News

Selectboard Talks Town Beach Surveillance John Hammer

The CharloTTe News

CROP Hunger Walk to Follow Tractor Parade CVU students show their spirit for the annual CROP Hunger walk, which, for the first time, will follow the East Charlotte Tractor Parade on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. Participants are asked to gather at Nichols Farm by 12:45 p.m. in advance of the walk. There is a $10 minimum donation to participate in the walk. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Charlotte Food Shelf and other hunger organizations. For more information, visit cwsglobal.org or contact Carol Geske at 802-651-8977.

Eileen Fisher

The Selectboard meeting of October 6 was advanced from that scheduled for the following Monday, and perhaps that’s the reason for so little action. At the meeting, there was an active debate as to whether game or surveillance cameras ought to be deployed to cover town recreation areas.

Numerous acts of vehicular vandalism have occurred at the Town Beach recently.

Selectboard member Matt Krasnow will investigate the privacy issues and potential equipment available and reintroduce the subject at the next session.

State troopers will be asked to provide more coverage of that area in the future.

Also, Trooper Ben Katz, the contact with the town, will be asked to present the State Police quarterly report on its contracted coverage of the town at the next Selectboard meeting.

Another action with impact on the town was granting Race Vermont permission to hold three races on Charlotte roads on June 28, Aug. 16 and Sept. 12 next year.

These races will be much the same as in previous years, starting and ending at the Shelburne Town Beach and spreading onto Greenbush, Orchard, Lake, Ferry and sometimes Thompson’s Point roads.

Police and traffic control will be provided at intersections and Race Vermont, which is a for-profit concern, will pay the Charlotte Recreation Commission one dollar per racer.

Funds were approved to cover the costs of transportation and lodging for Sharon Balaban during Mary Mead’s vacation from Oct. 1 to 11. Mead’s vacation was scheduled before Balaban announced her resignation and move to California. Ms. Balaban will be serving as temporary town clerk/treasurer in Mead’s absence.

Climate Systems Inc. and Patterson

Fuels currently perform annual maintenance on the air conditioning and heating/ boiler systems respectively in the town’s buildings. The Selectboard renewed oneyear contracts for both these firms commencing on Nov. 1.

Two listings were omitted from the published Grand List as the result of a failure to enter the properties into the software program before the list was published. As a result, the Selectboard approved their addition which will precipitate a letter to the owners notifying them of the change.

The contract and deposit for the library roof replacement was deferred once again pending further review and possible additions to refine the conditions of work a bit further. The work will not be scheduled until spring next year. The Selectboard also deferred an action passed at the last regular meeting in which it approved an amount not to exceed $7,500 for a speedsign trailer. The change in heart came after the company added a significant transportation charge, causing the members and public to question whether competition ought to be sought. Action was deferred until the next meeting.

During the Selectboard update portion of the session, Selectman Tegatz reported that it will not be possible to complete the Spear Street bridge guardrails this autumn. Work continues on the planning for the Carpenter Road bridge, with consideration being given to the decking and increased signage. Work continues on redesigning the repair of the Seguin/Rule (upper) covered bridge.

The co-housing segment of the town trail system is virtually complete and will be inaugurated on November 8 at 1 p.m.

The next Selectboard meeting will be scheduled for October 27. It is expected that this meeting will have a very full agenda, and it will begin at 6 p.m.

6 • October 9, 2014 • The

Charlotte News

Presentation Details Benefits of Cold Climate Heat Pumps Heat pumps have been around for decades, running refrigerators by moving heat from food inside our refrigerators to outside them and air conditioners by moving heat from inside to outside our houses. At a presentation at the library on Thursday, September. 25, Bill Kallock explained to an audience of 35 that modern cold- climate heat pumps, using new advances in refrigeration, can now use this familiar process to heat our homes by capturing heat from outside air as cold as -16 degrees below zero.

“What makes cold-climate heat pumps cost effective in Vermont,” said Kallock, “is that, since they are moving heat rather than creating it, they are able to deliver three to four units of

heat for each unit of energy used by the heat pump itself. So the efficiency of the heat pump in terms of energy usage is 300 to 400 percent, much higher than the 65 to 85 percent system efficiencies of fossil fuels and wood and the 100 percent efficiency of electric baseboard heat.”

Because of the higher efficiency of the heat pump, added said Kallock, “you could think of it as providing heat for your house not at 14 cents but at 3.5 to 5 cents per kilowatt hour.”

The event was organized by Charlotte’s Energy Committee and the Charlotte Library.

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From left, Ted Panicucci, who wants to make his old farmhouse on Prindle Road more energy efficient and less reliant on fossil fuels; Suzy Hodgson, chair of the Charlotte Energy Committee; and Bill Kallock, a utility energy efficiency and smart grid consultant and a member of the Charlotte Energy Committee

to life with a combination of live actors and puppets by the Burlington area’s acclaimed puppet theater company, Winnie-thePooh is suitable for all ages.

When the Saints & Poets Production ComWinnie-the-Pooh will pany stages A.A. Milne’s famous tales of run October 10 through Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, it will 19 at the Off Center for count a Charlotter among its cast. Thirteenthe Dramatic Arts in Burlyear-old Stella Pappas stars as Christopher ington. Shows are Fridays Robin, a young friend of the “bear of very at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 10 little brain.”

Charlotter Stella Pappas stars as Christopher a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., The play concerns Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Robin in the Saints & Poets Production Owl and Eeyore, who see the mysterious Tickets are $15 for adults, Company’s Winnie-the-Pooh.

Kanga move to the forest with her son Roo. $10 for children 12 and Their worst fears are realized when Piglet is under. taken into Kanga’s household where he is Tickets may be purbathed (with soap!) and fed spoonfuls of Strengthening Medi- chased by calling 86-FLYNN, online at flynntix.org or at cine. Pooh vows to save his friend...but will the bear’s love of the door. Additional information (including cast and crew sweet honey foil his plans? Brought biographies) is available at saintsandpoetsproductions.org.

The Charlotte News • October 9, 2014 • 7

Malfunction continued from page 1 wife. Although the weather was beautiful, Teese experienced a serious malfunction of a part that may be deemed defective. Three miles out from the landing strip, Teese heard a “pop” and air came rushing into the plane through a split seam along the window. The plane began to buffet in the wind, creating drag and becoming more of a “parachute instead of an airplane.”

“It was obvious after a few minutes that I wasn’t going to be able to make the airstrip,” he said.

Guiding the compromised aircraft over nearby homes and trees, Teese was able to land the plane safely in a field near Basin Harbor. He and his wife were uninjured. After landing, the couple walked through farmers’ fields to the nearby airbase, where they were picked up in another plane that had recently landed. They then taxied with the pilot and shared a lunch altogether at the Basin Harbor Club restaurant before speaking with police authorities.

Overall, Teese said that the incident happened very quickly, and while it was especially disconcerting to pass closely over the nearby homes, it was “a lovely feeling to reach the field.” Although he had never encountered an emergency situation such as this landing, Teese explained that he had practiced simulations with an FAA-appointed examiner. Rather than discouraging him from flying in the future, Teese said the landing made him feel more confident in his ability as a pilot to manage crises.

Antique Beams Stolen from Ferry Road Barn Troopers from the Vermont State Police are currently investigating the theft of approximately 14 antique wood beams that were being stored in an unsecured barn off Ferry Road belonging to Robert Stoddard of Starksboro. The beams, which were going to be used in a home construction project, are approximately 150 years old and are worth between $3,000 and $5,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Andrew Leise at the Williston State Police Barracks at 878-7111.

VNA to Hold Flu Clinic at Senior Center Oct. 22 The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) will offer a flu clinic at the Charlotte Senior Center on Oct. 22 from 1–3 p.m.

The flu shots are available to adults ages 18 and over and are administered by a licensed nurse. This year the VNA will administer the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which protects against four different strains of the flu—two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. To learn more about the quadrivalent vaccine, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov/flu.

Peg Slagle, R.N., VNA infection control officer, explains, “It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop an immune response.

Get vaccinated now so you will be protected all season long.” She added that recent news reports indicate there may be an increase in cases this flu season. “Everyone should reduce the risk of becoming ill by receiving an early flu shot to protect both themselves and their family,” said Slagle.

A flu shot is especially important for people at high risk of having serious flu-related complications, including: • pregnant women • people 65 and older • people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions • residents of nursing home and long-term care facilities • people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: - health care workers - household contacts of persons in the high-risk population and - household contacts and outside caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age (children who are too young to be vaccinated).

Medicare B or Medicaid cards are required for a vaccine at no charge. Please bring and show your card at registration in order for the fee to be waived.

All others will pay a $41 fee. Cash or checks are accepted. Credit cards are currently being accepted at public clinics.

For more information, contact the VNA at (802) 658-1900 or visit vnacares.org.

Data ColleCtion anD inspeCtion to Begin in QuaDrant 2 Ben Saunders, who works with the Listers as town data collector, is currently in the field completing the data collection and inspection of properties in the first quadrant. In the next couple of weeks he will begin inspecting properties in quadrant 2. This quadrant consists of all properties east of Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7) and north of Church Hill and Hinesburg roads. The east boundary is the Hinesburg town line and the north boundary is the Shelburne town line.

Postcards will be mailed out a week or two ahead of the projected property inspection, and the inspections will take place on Fridays. If no one is at home when Saunders arrives, a card will be left to let you know he was there. If he needs to get into your house or has a question, a card will be left at your house asking you to call the listers office.

If you have any questions about the process, please call the listers office at 425-3855.

8 • October 9, 2014 • The

Charlotte News

Workshop continued from page 1 “Regulations are written to discourage all types of businesses,” he said. He, like others, spoke specifically to the town’s conditional uses. The current land use regulations have 35 conditional uses to 23 permitted uses.

Some cited the former Steve’s Citgo on Route 7 as an example of the effects of the town’s heavy-handed regulations. The town’s current land use regulations allow gas stations only in the village commercial district under conditional use, and a new buyer would be limited to selling gas and to 30-square feet of retail service, provided the Planning Commission okays it.

However, the draft Economic Development chapter addresses this in clear terms. “The necessary balance between conservation and economic activity should be achieved by clearly designating district purposes, permitted uses and review criteria in our zoning districts,” it says. “Proposals for development and other private action that are consistent with those purposes, uses and criteria should be approved with as little review as necessary.”

The draft chapter also calls for adding a development review board, which would review non-administrative applications and consider zoning appeals. This would free up the Planning Commission to dedicate itself to town planning instead of development review and site planning.

But the question at the heart of so much of the talk surrounding economic development in Charlotte came up: how much

development do people want? Many at the meeting acknowledged having more shopping opportunities nearby would make living in Charlotte more convenient for those who live or want to live in town.

Lindsay Longe said that to attract younger generations to Charlotte, which several at the meeting advocated, the town needs businesses that provide essential services.

“It’s almost moot to dwell on affordable housing if those lifestyle desires are not going to be available to those people,” she said.

Housing The night’s other main topic, housing, also centered on a need to make changes at the planning level. According to statistics by Saxton, housing development in Charlotte has occurred primarily in the town’s vast rural district. Between 2004 and 2013, 140 residential lots and single-family homes were created in Charlotte, most of them scattered in no discernible pattern. This runs contrary to the town’s stated objective in the current Town Plan to center growth in the east and west villages.

This trend is linked to the town’s fiveacre minimum parcel size, something that could also be contributing to the cost of Charlotte’s real estate. According to numbers provided by Saxton, the median sale price on a house in Charlotte in 2013 was $430,000, well above the averages for Chittenden County ($250,000) and the state ($180,000).

Thus, a good portion of the conversation centered on how to promote affordable housing in more dense develop-

ments in village areas. One suggestion that has cropped up over and over again at planning workshops is a senior housing development in the West Village.

Others suggested promoting home-sharing or multi-dwelling units. Carrie Spear suggested mobile home units like those near Spear’s Corner Store in East Charlotte, which are affordable and, by their clustered nature, promote community.

For such a development to happen, the town would have to change its zoning regulations from a mandated minimum of five acres, something many in the crowd seemed to agree on.

Seaver noted, however, that many people move to Charlotte for the open space, so simply minimizing zoning would “set up battles between people who want affordable housing versus the people who want large lots and houses and so forth. We can do both.”

Said Planning Commission member Marty Illick, “We should have different districts in town. But where do we want the density to be greater—the village area versus the rural district?”

Before Charlotte can think about more development, it needs to think about infrastructure, said Chris Von Trapp, a real estate agent. He told a story of talking to his daughter in Mumbai, India, on his cell phone.

“I had to warn her I was coming into Charlotte—the town with the biggest per-capita income of every town in Vermont and my phone is going to die,” he said. “I think you’ve got to be really aware of the consumer who does come to your community and they have no reception. They get right back in the car.

You’re done.”

septic By the end of the meeting it became clear the real question for town leaders and taxpayers to answer is, Does Charlotte want to invest in a wastewater system in the east and west villages? For without such investments in infrastructure, talk of more and cheaper housing and increased economic development would likely remain just that.

Currently only the town buildings in the West Village are hooked up to the town’s wastewater system, though a recent study commissioned by the Selectboard reveals Charlotte could support a larger septic system that would allow for more development.

“Because we don’t have the wastewater we’re working from a point of weakness in coming up with a plan to address this,” said Dave Marshall, a member of that committee. “It could be a springboard for everything else.”

Yet Robert Mack noted that the town has vetoed having the Chittenden County Water District move south several times because not enough Charlotters want septic. He suggested putting the issue to the town.

Marty Illick, a Planning Commission member, said 30 years ago she didn’t want septic and water because of the chance of more development, but now it’s different.

“If we want to develop, if we want to enable growth, we have to do it,” she said.

“We have to start with septic in the west village. That’s where it starts.”

The Selectboard is currently in the process of applying for a septic planning grant, which could be the first step in making this a reality, said Town Administrator Dean Bloch.

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The Charlotte News • October 9, 2014 • 9

Charlotte Conservation Currents Managing Our Resources Through Conservation Roel Boumans Contributor

“Penny wise and pound foolish” is an adage that can apply to conservation. Saving ten cents a pound on rice by buying 50 pounds probably makes sense, but saving ten cents a pound on lettuce by buying 50 pounds probably results in a bunch of wasted lettuce. So let’s look at some words that help us to appreciate the character and uses of natural resources and to understand the necessity of different approaches to conservation.

First of all, a resource is something available for use in the future. Resources degrade over time—some fast, like lettuce, and others slowly, like rice. Conservation is about maintaining value over time and is different than efficiency, which is about getting the most out of resources when you finally put them to use. But a failure in conservation is similar to a failure in efficiency because each leads to waste.

In the conventional market-value discussion of resources, the most common adjectives used are “public” and “private.” I want to introduce the terms “excludable” and “rival,” which are used by ecological economists to think more insightfully about resources and their value over time—and allow us in particular to think about how we relate to resources as individuals.

“Excludable” is when the use of the resource can be restricted; for example I put up “no trespassing” signs around my property to prevent others from using it. “Rival” means that if I am using the resource, you cannot. The large fish I just caught and brought home for dinner is not in the lake anymore for you to catch.

The rivalry of resources tends not to change over time. Not so with excludability because that is largely a function of people. Laws, or power, and technology determine what is and is not excludable. At the core of excludability is enforcement.

But “rivalry” and “excludability” raise questions. When is private ownership the best way to go? Is it feasible to manage a particular resource as a public resource? How do private and public decisions impact each other?

Consider the idea of sharing, which has been largely overshadowed by the market perspective of competition. Hip waders can be shared, but not simultaneously. Hip waders are perfectly rival; if I’m using them, you can’t, at least not at the same time. Sunsets, however, are non-rival. Who has not had the “wish you were here” response to a glorious sunset? Or been fortunate enough to share a soft silent smile of recognition with the persons watching the sunset with you. The very nature of value in a sunset is “the more the merrier!”

Now, think of trying to privatize the sunset by controlling all access points to it. The result is obvious: you spend sweat and treasure and ruin it for everybody! Sunsets are non-excludable and non-rival.

If we want to derive the most benefit from what we have, we need to ask whether the value of a resource increases or decreases when we share it.

Nowhere is the need to share clearer than with respect to the atmosphere, as Peter Barnes argues in Who Owns the Sky? We must learn to share the sky by setting limits on how much each of us can burn—or more people will die from the effects of global climate change, literally. Right now the atmosphere is largely non-excludable, yet it is inherently rival, because when I burn carbon dioxide into the air, there is less capacity for you to burn. Both as individuals and collectively we can’t use the atmosphere as a dump and keep breathing it.

But simplistic public/private ideologies are not grounded in sharing, and a competitive market perspective will doom us to failure. But how do you stop the other guy from dumping, assuming, of course, that you are willing to stop dumping yourself? Questions of rivalry and excludability are rife in the global debate about carbon footprints and climate change.

The Charlotte Conservation Commission’s legal role is to advise the Planning Commission on the impact of its decisions on the social and natural resources of the town. This new perspective of rival and excludable bears directly on important questions here in Charlotte, questions ranging from invasive organisms and preserving viewscapes to agricultural land use and carbon capture.

Only, when we recognize that property values are as dependent on reducing environmental degradation as they are on a fresh coat of paint, and that conservation is like preventive maintenance, can we avoid being property wise and environmentally foolish, ruining real estate development for ourselves and others.

Amos Baehr contributed to this article.

Roel Boumans is co-chair of the Conservation Commission.

birdseye building

Karyn Lunde submitted this picture of a praying mantis on a leaf outside her home recently. Have a picture you’d like to share? Send it to news@ charlottenewsvt.com.

Personal Service, Professional Results Michael T. Russell — Member Attorney Serving Charlotte for 15 Years Business Formation & Consulting Construction, Development & Subdivision Real Estate Transactions Wills & Trusts (802) 264-4888 www.peasemountainlaw.com mrussell@peasemountainlaw.com 823 Ferry Road, Suite 100 Charlotte, Vermont

10 • October 9, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Tractor Parade continued from page 1

10% off to Charlotters in October

to as such until an address change was recently made for emergency identification. Carrie Spear, who has owned the Corner Store since April 2001, was concerned that Baptist Corners was losing its identity with this change and felt that she needed to help sustain the spiritual legacy of the area.

The Corner Store has existed in various forms since 1797, according to Carrie. The store has had many shopkeepers since then, each making additions to the physical property and surrounding community. The store was first called “Marble’s Store,” under the ownership of the Marble family, in 1969. The following two owners, Ellen Sheehan and Leo Perez, kept this name as well. Although Carrie changed it to “Spear’s Store,” with the permission of the original Marble family, she is passionate about retaining the integrity of their community-minded business.

“I was drawn to this area, to this store. I felt spiritually called,” she said.

Carrie described the “Spirit of Baptist Corners” as a sense of happiness and community felt by both the employees and the customers who are drawn to it. Although the store has changed shape at the hands of many different shopkeepers over time, this social atmosphere is a common thread that connects each of them.

In fact, visitors to the Corner Store have often described a similar calling

The Charlotte News • October 9, 2014 • 11 to the store that Carrie herself experienced.

Specifically she refers to her “grayhaired angels,” older friends with wisdom who always seem to show up at the store when Carrie needs help. These include Terence Tenney, the “Tractor Parade ladies” and many of the wonderful volunteers who help make the Tractor Parade possible.

Carrie also remembers a special supporter of Baptist Corners, Carrie Spear at Spear’s Corner Store in East Gerald Aube, a friend Charlotte. who passed away in February 2013. Aube was a blessing in the Just as Gerald Aube helped the everyday life of the Corner Store shop- Sheehan family, he also aided Carrie’s keepers, whom he helped daily and transition into her ownership of the behind the scenes for almost 50 years. Corner Store. One day, just a few A tall farmer who lived just off of weeks into her new role, Carrie was sitSpear Street, friends remember how he ting down to rest when Aube remarked, would drive a car filled with “anything “Helen never sat around.” “That was and everything” around Charlotte at the end of that,” and Carrie joked that an even 30 mph, pulling over for other she “hasn’t sat down since.” drivers to pass. Carrie also described The hardworking nature that Aube how “he loved cats, and they loved mentioned was one of Helen Sheehan’s him.” He would often leave in the eve- identifying traits. Carrie recognizes ning saying, “Gotta go feed the cats!” Sheehan as the reason she first stopped She imagines now that Aube is look- in at the Corner Store, and explained ing down at them from heaven, in the how much she is missed, as she was same way that the shopkeepers were a “family lady” and “loved by every“blessed with him in and out of [their] one.” Carrie also remarked that Helen daily lives.”

Sheehan’s granddaughters continue the

tradition of their grandmother’s work at the store.

As for her own mark in the Baptist Corners legacy, Carrie Spear is known for advocating the development of East Charlotte and for her dedication to creating a family environment within the store. Although Gerald Aube is no longer around, Carrie has commemorated his friendship and contributions to the store by naming her new kitten in his memory. Carrie says that “Aube,” a little orange kitten, “makes so many people happy here.” The kitten already has a large following at the store, fulfilling his role as a “mascot” of Baptist Corners and spreading its spirit with his playful personality.

L

Since 2001, the first year of her ownership, Carrie has hosted the annual Tractor Parade.

“There’s not a sad face in the crowd on Tractor Parade day,” according to Carrie. As a platform for celebrating generations of the farming heritage, it serves to remind the community of its roots in agriculture. Although it started as a small event, it has drawn visitors from all over New England to share in the spirit of Baptist Corners.

This year the East Charlotte Tractor Parade will take place October 12 from 11:00 a.m.5:00 p.m., preceded by a dance party at the Old Lantern on October 10 from 7 to 11 p.m. to benefit the parade. Admission is $5 and families are welcome.

This photo, from Around the Mountains, shows Baptist Corners facing south from Hinesburg Road around 1910. What was once the Charlie Johns store on the immediate left is now Spear's Corner Store.

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12 • October 9, 2014 • The Charlotte News

The Power of the Primitive Bradley Carleton Contributor

As I sit in my tree stand in a mature maple 20 feet above the ground, I am in awe of the beauty around me.

The light filters through the gold and red canopy above me, spilling onto the musky forest floor. It feels like I am in a cathedral. I am sitting here practicing being still and mindful only of my surroundings, but I am overcome with gratitude and wonder.

I begin to think ancient thoughts—thoughts about how humans have connected to nature and how in the beginning man learned everything we needed to know from animals. We learned to make calls imitating birds and studied the movements and patterns of four leggeds.

We learned to hunt by watching larger carnivorous animals. And ultimately, we learned that we needed them if we were to survive.

This need translated to a closer connection. In order to eat, primitive people had to understand the animals or plants that they could use for nourishment and often times learned from experience those organisms could kill them via tooth and fang or via the stomach.

I hypothesize that primitive man was in some way “grateful” for his successful hunt, although he probably didn’t sit around and pray about it. He just felt it. Food is good. I need food to survive. Therefore I need animals and

plants, so they become important to me.

I rely on them.

As I am pondering these possibilities I drift into my own analysis of why I hunt now, when it would be so much easier to go to the grocery store and purchase the vegetables and meat I need. But do I feel any connection to this food? Am I grateful for it? I may be grateful that I have enough money for the purchase, but am I grateful for the animal or plant? Have I studied its habitat and patterns? Do I honor and respect its life?

When I hunt, I feel love. Love for the woods. Love for the breeze. Love for the sunset and the trees. Love for the sound of the geese flying high overhead. Love for the animal I am seeking.

I am filled with an appreciation of all that surrounds me and for who I am as a part of it. I am both insignificant and valuable at the same time. My value is not greater than and not less than that of the animals, the plants and the sun that warms my face. I am at one with A view from the author’s tree stand during last year’s deer hunt. my universe. It is then that the universe rewards me with what I need.

A doe steps into the open space beneath my stand. She looks over her Behind an old oak I see a head lift, and the sun glints off shoulder with a maternal glance. Following her is a of a set of gorgeous antlers. smallish fawn, no doubt delivered late in the spring. The Another stomp and blow. The buck is looking right at fawn follows its mother directly under my tree. I watch my tree. He is out of range for my bow. in utter amazement as they work their way past my ladHe lifts his head up into the pillar of light and scans up der. I am invisible. the tree until our eyes are locked on one another.

They sense no threat from me and thus their sixth I wait. Measured breathing, not blinking. We are sense accepts my presence as something natural. They joined in a primitive moment. wander off behind my stand, and I say a prayer of thanks I can see his chest expanding and contracting with to the Great Spirit for their visit. mine.

At the edge of the field that abuts the woods, a gray Suddenly, his tail swishes from side to side. He turns squirrel squeals loudly at something I cannot see. A twig his head to the west and begins to slowly walk away snaps. My heart races. from me toward the field.

I practice breathing like I had The sun sets and the birds get quiet. I sit down in my never done it before. In through the seat and take a deep breath. I say out loud, “Thank you, nose. Out through the mouth. Con- Great Spirit, for my brother’s visit.” I have received a scious of every breath. Through the gift of beauty and wonder this evening that will remain tangles that envelop the ditch lead- as a memory for the rest of my life. And I am grateful. ing to the field, I catch a glimpse of motion.

Bradley Carleton is executive director of Sacred Hunter.

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The Charlotte News • October 9, 2014 • 13

Charlotte Senior Center

The Café Menu

by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator Just a reminder that the meeting time for the strength-maintenance class has been changed from 12:30–1:30 p.m. to 11:00–noon.

–––– The Center is pleased to host the American Red Cross Blood Drive for this much-needed community event on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 2–7 p.m.

The comfortable atmosphere and great snacks make giving the “Gift of Life” at this site most pleasurable.

–––– New sessions of our old favorites chair yoga, gentle yoga, Pilates and tai chi, begin the week of Oct. 13. Please call the Center for more information or to register. Not sure which class is right for you? Please feel free to give one a try.

–––– The viewing time for The 30 Greatest Orchestral Works from the Great Courses Collection is also changed from 1:45–3:15 p.m. to 12:30–2 p.m., still on Tuesdays. Dates remaining are Oct. 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 4 and 11, noting that each lecture is able to stand on its own.

Professor Robert Greenberg of San Francisco Performances takes you on a sumptuous grand tour of the symphonic pieces he counts as being among the very greatest ever written—inviting you to an in-depth contemplation of what makes these works so memorable and why they live at the center of our musical culture.

These 30 masterworks form an essential foundation for any music collection and a focal point for understanding the orchestral medium and deepening your insight into the communicative power of music. Details of each lecture are available at the host desk. Registration required. No Fee. –––– Marty Morrissey’s last fall hike in the Champlain Valley will be on Tuesday, Oct. 14, to Little River State Park. The Stevenson Brook trail at Little River is 2.5 miles long with a 750-foot ascent; it joins the Dailey Loop trail for a 1.5 mile return down the hillside. The Cotton Brook trail is accessed from Moscow at the northern end of the reservoir and

MONDAY, OCT. 13: Chicken mulligatawny soup, green salad, apple harvest cake WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15: Catch of the day, homemade dessert MONDAY, OCT. 20: Pumpkin black bean soup, green salad, roasted apple sundaes WEDNESDAY, Oct. 22: Beef stew, 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.

The last Martin boat trip of the season was on a cold and gray Sept. 18. Many gathered on the banks of the Otter Creek in Vergennes to thank the Martins with cake, balloons and lots of stories about their travels on the Nancy Ann, sponsored by the Senior Center. is a state forest road that ascends 1,470 feet and is part of an 11-mile loop. We can pick the distance to go up and then retrace our steps. Please bring water, food and good hiking or walking shoes for departure from the Senior Center at 9 a.m. Registration required. No fee.

–––– Join Hank Kaestner for another birding expedition on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 9 a.m. in search of shorebirds, ducks, herons and migrating land birds.

Good views are guaranteed through Hank’s “O-my-God” telescope. Please meet at the Center so we can carpool together to the location Hank has scouted for spectacular bird watching.

Register for this event; if we have to change the date due to bird migration or weather, we will call you. Registration required. No fee.

–––– Elizabeth Llewellyn will lead a colored pencil open studio on Thursdays from 10–11:30 a.m. on Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13 and 20, and Dec. 4 and 11.

This class is designed for the more experienced color pencil artist.

Each student will be responsible for providing reference pieces and will

work independently with guidance from the instructor. As colored pencil fans we will enjoy learning from each other in a relaxed, supportive environment. Open to artists with previous colored pencil experience. Registration necessary.

Limit 10. Fee: $80.

–––– Please join us Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 for a collection of lectures, performances and special events that showcase the diverse interests of our community. No registration or fee.

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Oct. 15: The Human Jukebox: Peter Rosenblum – Singer/Guitarist Peter’s playlist includes nearly 200 of your favorite oldies from the ‘50s to the ‘70s, from ballads to blues to rock ‘n’ roll. Performing spontaneously by request, his engaging singing and guitar work creates a lively interplay with all who join the fun.

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14 • October 9, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Photos by Karyn Lunde

SPORTS

The boys CCS cross country team celebrates a first-place win at the CVU Invitational. They are (from left) William Berkowitz, Aidan Devine, Brody Flynn, Riley Marchand, Seth Boffa, Ben Sampson, Henry Bijur, Sean Gilliam, Ben Wetzell and Fritz Wetzell.

CCS Soccer Players Hustle Against Williston At a recent CCS soccer match against Williston, 7th grader Aydan Forando (left photo), a member of the A team, dribbles the ball. His teammates, 8th grader Evan Beal (left) and 7th grader Ben Vincent (back), showed similar hustle as they chased down the ball.

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Leigh Simpson Contributor The Charlotte Central School cross country team led the way in the Champlain Valley Union Invitational race last Friday.

The race drew 150 runners from Charlotte, Shelburne, Hinesburg, Williston and Endeavor School. Under sunny skies, and encouraged along by the CVU team (perhaps eyeing some future teammates), the runners pushed through a difficult two-mile course filled with long hills.

The boys’ team captured first place, led by 7th grader Ben Wetzell who placed an impressive second overall. Sean Gilliam, Henry Bijur and Sam Stirum all had top ten overall finishes.

Rounding out the top Charlotte finishers were Fritz Wetzell, William Berkowitz, Sam Knox, Ben Blackmore, Seth Boffa and Ben Sampson.

The girls’ team placed second overall. Seventh grader Sadie Holmes led the girls team with a strong second place finish overall. Chloe Silverman and Finnegan Mittelstadt also had

top ten finishes. Taylor Vincent, Malinn Sigler, Carolina Sicotte, Olivia Hagios, Alyssana Lasek, Madeline Haydock and Evelyn Emmons rounded out the top Charlotte finishers.

Thirty-nine CCS students in grades 5 through 8 are running cross country this year (remarkably, about 20 percent of middle school students), coached by the “dynamic Daves,” Parmelee and Baird. Coach Parmelee notes that the team’s results are particularly impressive because seven of the team’s top ten girl runners are 5th graders, and five of the boys’ top ten runners are 5th and 6th graders.

A bright future is in store!

The best of cross country running was on display Friday— great individual effort on a tough course motivated by the collective team that supports each runner from the very first to the very last.

The middle school cross country season culminates on Oct. 14 with the Chittenden County Championships at Shelburne Museum. Good luck to all the runners.

The Charlotte News • October 9, 2014 • 15

Taking Care

by Alice D. Outwater, Ph.D.

How an Eagle Family Bound My Own As a child with four older siblings I always longed to be more grown-up. Their lives brimmed with excitement, enticing experiences and privileges beyond my reach. Louise, my younger sister, and I were the “bookends” who dealt with boring bedtime rules and knowing we’d never catch up.

Mine was a generation when the postman delivered mail twice a day. We were abundant letter writers, and the two black stand-up phones in our large house were used judiciously. The world moved at a slower pace than it does today. Rapid change appeared overnight due to the Internet, cell phones and television.

Food Shelf News Kerrie Pughe CONTRIBUTOR

Thank you to Dr. and Mrs. Stetson for the donations of seven apple pies from the pie sale. The pie sale is a popular fundraiser for the Charlotte Congregational Church held on Wednesdays and Fridays 4–7 p.m. during apple season.A special thanks to all those members of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and the Charlotte Congregational Church who have been filling our drop baskets weekly.

We appreciate the support from Jim and Kathleen Manchester and from Jeanette

Well, I finally did grow up. Now I’ve become the elder. Two generations have died and I feel compelled to carry on family traditions. Being the oldest aunt suggests serious responsibilities to keep us in touch with each other.

My inspiration comes from our New England history dating back to the late 1700s. The offspring were educated at eastern colleges, with the men becoming lawyers, bankers and doctors. All married appropriately. During holidays many gathered at our ample Remsen Street house in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

Since the early 1900s cousins had spent summers at the family compound on Sebec Lake, Maine.

By the 1920s a few black sheep had left the fold for circumstances long since forgotten. Now we rarely gather together for vacations or even holidays.

My own children are far flung, ranging from California to Tanzania, Africa.

Some cousins have settled in Paris, London and Amsterdam.

Recently I published two memoirs of our immediate family, 82 Remsen Street: Growing up in Brooklyn Heights and Revisiting Remsen Street. Everyone in the extended group received copies so they’d have a sense of our roots through shared grandparents.

To foster cohesion, I sent out monthly emails announcing birthdays. I encouraged everyone to dispatch a greeting and add a few sentences about their own lives.

This got off to a reluctant start with just Happy Birthday. Better than nothing, I reasoned, but so uninteresting. The next year I recommended writing a haiku plus personal news. I even concocted lively examples. That also fell flat.

At last another family showed us how.

My generous niece Biri, the owner of the summer property, welcomed us all to Sebec Lake. For a second year she had noticed a nest of bald eagles high in a pine tree a few feet away from the cottage.

Maine Wildlife Rangers rushed over to check out the twins born in early spring.

Email reports flew back and forth.

Personal news and pictures were often included. New bonds seemed to be forming. Even black sheep resurfaced.

Soon the bird babies were nearly adult size and fairly bursting out of their nest.

The parents hustled back and forth with tasty fish flapping from their talons. The youngsters screeched outlandishly all day, turning the once-peaceful setting into a raucous nursery.

One night a windstorm flung the nest and one twin to the ground. The adults flew off. The other twin clung to a

tree branch high up. When the parents returned they continued to feed only that baby. The favored sibling stepped on the fish to pull it apart for easy eating.

Morsels often fell to the ground. Despite the risk from prowling raccoons and lack of enough food the eaglet on the ground managed nicely, adding frogs, crickets and smaller insects to its diet. It became the larger one. Biri kept us all entranced with photographs and reports.

Finally the time arrived for the eaglets to practice flying. Their comical false starts entertained us, but they eventually gained height. Then the day arrived: their strengthened wings flapped up and down, suspending them sufficiently to reach a nearby cove. Everyone on the porch waved goodbye, grateful they took their raucous noise and teenage behavior with them.

Connecting our cousins has been rewarding as I detect energy increase between family members. Hopefully the momentum will continue and build.

It took these eagles to remind us what research shows: families who keep in touch thrive more throughout their lives.

Thibault. Thank you to Remo and Donna Pizzagalli for filling in our wish list.

p.m. there will be a service of song and prayer. All are welcome. Thank you for the wonderful chili and bread served in September.

distribution.

We hope you will plan to join us for the holiday basket set up at the Charlotte Congregational Church. See our Important Dates insert for dates and times. We hope you will plan to include the Food Shelf in your holiday giving plans, perhaps a donation in honor or memory of a friend, family member, co–worker or teacher?

The Charlotte 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. 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.

For more information call Karen at 425–3252 or visit our website at https:// sites.google.com/site/charlottefoodshelfvt/.

AnnuAl meeting We held our annual meeting at the Senior Center on Sept. 25. We discussed finances as well as plans for the coming year. Our donations this past fiscal year totaled $39,050. This includes private donations, Shelburne Supermarket coffee bar proceeds, a SCHIP grant, as well as matching funds from the Feinstein Challenge. Expenses totaled $37,793, which include items such as food purchases, the Shoe In Program, holiday gift cards to include in baskets, emergency fuel and children’s clothing. For more details you may contact Karen Doris. trAnsition town ChArlotte gArden Thank you to Transition Town volunteers and the staff at the library for the fresh bounty from the garden. spACe for grACe On the last Wednesday distribution each month, a meal will be served by the Congregational Church at 6 p.m. At 6:30

grAnge Clothing drive This year the Food Shelf partnered with the Charlotte Grange to collect and distribute clothing to families in need (children’s winter boots, coats, etc.). We appreciate all the donations, and we thank all of those who volunteered to help with collection and distribution.

CAlling All knitters We love those hand- made gloves and hats. If you have some spare time and yarn, now is a good time to start the knitting so we have a good supply by cold weather. new volunteers Welcome to Andrea Harvey, who will be helping with food shopping, Jerry Schwartz, who will be helping with distribution and the heavy lifting, and Elaine Edelman, who is helping harvest the church garden and assisting with food

Alice Outwater is a part-time Charlotte resident and author of the books 82 Remsen Street and Revisiting Remsen Street.

16 • October 9, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Teacher Contracts continued from page 1 tive per capita income at eight percent above the statewide average and annual wages collectively at 16 percent higher than state averages. CSEA officials also contended the district towns have low unemployment, are planning new business and housing developments and have low tax rates after income adjustments are factored.

According to the report, negotiators for the district proposed a two-percent increase as a “fair and equitable salary increase that reflects the fiscal challenges facing it.”

At CSSU negotiators cited consumer price index figures that show that consumers experienced only a 1.5- to 1.7-percent increase in buying power since 2012, that median adjusted gross income for CSSU families increased only between 0.5 and 1.6 percent a year between 2006 and 2011, and that no other public or private employees in the state received that high a raise.

But these numbers were also tied to something else—pushback from the voters.

“The Board asserts that public support

for schools is eroding because of increases in school budgets, which are caused largely by increasing salary and benefit expenditures,” states the report. “At the same time, teachers in the CSSU are among if not the highest paid in the county and have received recent raises that far exceed the average taxpayer and the CPI. Therefore, the sizable salary increases sought by the Association are simply unreasonable and unsustainable.”

In trying to reach a compromise Cochran determined 3.25 percent per year a fair wage settlement, adding that, with inflation factored in, the salary increase would actually be in the realm of 1.75 percent.

Beal noted CCS was “one of the strongest voices for lower salary increases.”

For evidence, Beal pointed to the ballot box, where Charlotters have voted down or narrowly passed previous school budgets.

“Charlotte tax rates have been trending higher and that has made passing our school budgets increasingly difficult," he said. "It’s not just salary increases locally that affect our taxes, but thanks to Act 60, we bear a share of the burden of school budget increases happening elsewhere in Vermont.

Our board is forced to compensate by cutting other parts of CCS’s budget.”

Despite the CCS board’s position, Beal acknowledged the difficulties of the pro-

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cess of negotiating as part of a collective.

In the end, the board voted 4-1 to ratify the agreement.

“We understood that Charlottes are concerned,” said Beal. “From day one we advocated for restraint. But given the salary increases in other Chittenden county towns and a fact-finding system based on comparables, 3.25 percent was about as good as we could get out of that process.

In the end we carefully considered our options and voted to ratify.”

Not all board members agreed, however. In a letter to the editor in this week’s News, board member Clyde Baldwin—the only member to vote against ratifying the agreement—blasted the decision on the grounds that CSSU has allowed too many little increases to add up over time.

While the increase in salaries will increase the school’s baseline budget going forward, Cochran advised against other proposals that would have raised spending for the districts. For instance, to improve teacher competency and training, CSEA negotiators proposed a five-percent increase to the district’s professional development pool, at a district cost upwards of $34,000, noted CSSU negotiators. Further, CSEA’s insurance buyout proposal that teachers receive a higher payment for not participating in the school’s insurance plan was

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also denied as being too costly. The same applied to a CSEA proposal to increase a severance payout from $5,000 to $7,500.

The fact-finder’s hearing in early May followed the impasse reached by CSSU and CSEA negotiators on its previous agreement, in effect from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014.

In the end, the new agreement represented a victory for everyone involved, said Lisa Bisbee, chief negotiator for CSEA. “The agreement represents hundreds of hours of discussions, negotiations and ultimately concessions by both parties,” she wrote in an email message. “I believe the final agreement will be a contract that is good for the community, the students and the teachers in CSSU. We are lucky to have a strong master contract that has been refined for the past 15 years. As schools change, the contract needs to reflect those changes.”

She added, “While we did not get everything we wanted, we were able to find the areas where compromise was needed and we represented the teachers’ interests consistently.”

Bisbee noted CSEA teachers are scheduled to receive a summary of the tentative agreement from their negotiating team on Oct. 8 and will have a chance to ratify it then.

She is confident the agreement will pass.

The Charlotte News • October 9, 2014 • 17

Grass to Trees, Lawn to Woodland Larry Hamilton Contributor

Well, you surely have cut the grass for the last time this year. Time to put the mower into storage, cleaned and possibly sharpened, drained if it’s gaspowered. It’s possibly also a good time to think about whether you really do wish to devote so much time, labor and cost to maintaining the greensward next year and thereafter.

Maintaining lawns of exotic (nonnative) grass species produces some environmental harms. There is noise and air pollution from mower engines (among the worst emitters of internal combustion engines). This can be obviated by a switch to battery electric power, especially good if you are generating your own solar or windderived electricity. Second, there is groundwater and surface-flow water pollution from lawn treatment chemicals (fertilizers and herbicides).

$281,000 Below Assessment!

Lawns are really biological deserts needs to successfully feed and raise compared to other natural vegetative its young—phenomenal numbers! covers. The typical suburban lawn is a Chickadees will feed 380-590 insects highly simplified community consisting per day to a clutch. That’s 6,000-9,000 of a few species of non-native plants insects needed before the chicks fledge! that provide neither He has rated woody food nor shelter for and herbaceous the animals we like plants in terms to see and whose of their support habitat we have of insects, using taken over. This butterflies and includes butterflies, moths as surrogates pollinating insects for all insects since and songbirds— they provide the particularly insectmost abundant data. eating warblers The top insectand neotropical hosting trees are migrants. Native oaks, black cherry, insects, those “little willow and birch, things that run the in that order. world,” are the Herbaceous plants protein plant-eating leading the list are base of higher goldenrod, asters, trophic levels of A lawn—or "biological desert"—out- sunflowers and joe our native animals. side of Charlotte. pyeweed.

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A revolution, however, is occurring.

For instance, there is a “Lawn to Woodland” movement abroad in the land. For those weary of so much lawn care and who love to have trees, I have placed bulletins in the Town Hall on selecting tree species for planting, planting techniques and early tree care.

Technical help is also available from vtfpr.org/urban (go to Vermont Tree Selection Guide). There is also a shift by thoughtful homeowners to “pollinator and wildlife friendly vegetation” instead of labor-intensive grass. Just Google “pollinator friendly gardens” and see the extent of technical help available. One good source is Pollinator Partnership at pollinator.org/guides.htm For those wishing to re-landscape away from grass to wildlife and pollinator friendly native shrubs, trees and ground cover, there are excellent local landscape businesses to work with. You can eliminate a large area of difficult mowing or simply reduce the sheer size of your grass area, converting it to a pleasing mixture of beautiful and useful plants, while retaining enough grass to keep your battery-powered mower from rusting.

Larry Hamilton is Charlotte’s volunteer tree warden.

18 • October 9, 2014 • The Charlotte News

Places To Go & Things To Do

Regular Church Services SATURDAYS

St. Jude, Mass, Hinesburg, 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAYS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 Selectboard meeting, 8:30 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda and more info at charlottevt.org.

Vinyasa Flow Community Class, 4–5:15 p.m., Yoga Roots, Shelburne. An invigorating Vinyasa Flow to stretch the body, mind, and spirit! This class is open to all levels. Suggested donation: $5-10.

More info: yogarootsvt.com or 985-0090.

Opening Reception: Of Land and Local—A Statewide Exhibit of Contemporary Art, Shelburne Farms, 5–8 p.m. Exhibit runs through Oct. 26. More info: oflandandlocalvt.org.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 Tractor Parade Dance Party, 7–11 p.m., Old Lantern. Help raise money for the annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade. Music by Night Moves Entertainment, cash bar and a la carte menu.

Admission: $5.

AARP Smart Driver Course, 12:30–5 p.m., Wake Robin, Shelburne. The 4.5 hour refresher course is open to all drivers 50 and older. The curriculum addresses the normal physical changes brought on by the aging process and how these changes can affect driving ability and then offers ways to compensate for those changes. The course also addresses changes in vehicles, regulations and roads.

Participants will also learn how to interact with other road users, including truckers, bikers, pedestrians and distracted drivers. Cost: $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. More info: 802-264-5107.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 Arts & Crafts Open House/Fall Celebration, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington. Celebrate fall with us! Woodcarvers, scavenger hunts, outdoor meadow games, soap carving, refreshments, craft tables and more. Even some “Put a Bird On it” face paint! Volunteers welcome! Schedule of events will be posted on site, and on our website if possible. Cost: Free for members, $5 for non-members.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

To Know About Money. 6:30–8 p.m., Shelburne Vineyards. Christine D. Moriarty, certified financial planner and president of MoneyPeace, Inc., brings her years of financial planning and work with couples for a special presentation. The event is designed to be a fun night out for couples who want to learn specific money strategies while creating more financial intimacy in their partnerships. Cost: $25 per couple or $15 per person. To register, go to moneypeace.com. Space is limited.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda and more info at charlottevt.org.

Presentation: “Now More than Ever: The Imperative to Provide Hospice to More Vermonters,” 7–8:30 p.m., Colchester. See story on page 5.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 Library Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Charlotte Library.

Planning Commission Meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Agenda and more info at charlottevt.org.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 Tien Hsieh, 7:30 p.m., UVM Recital Hall. Pianist Tien Hsieh is acclaimed for her exceptional pianistic temperament, personal expressiveness and insight, and she has enjoyed a wide-ranging career as a recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician.

Cost: $25 adult/$10 student. Tickets: flynntix.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 VNA flu clinic, 1–3 p.m., Charlotte Senior Center.

For more info see page 7.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 Presentation: Artful and Designing Men, with Gary Shattuck. 2 p.m., Ethan Allen Homestead.

The author of the “Black Snake Affair” returns with another tale from the critical period between the end of the Revolutionary War and the creation of the Constitution. This is the tale of a charismatic farmer and militia captain from Groton, Massachusetts, who went on to be a leader in the event history calls “Shay’s Rebellion.

East Charlotte Tractor Parade, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. See story on front page.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14

Charlotte School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., CVU, Room 162

Presentation: Five Things Every Couple Needs

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. Send to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email your ad to ads@charlottenewsvt.com.

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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, Mass, Hinesburg, 9:30 a.m. Information: 482-2290.

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

Cross Roads Chapel, Relocated to the Brown Church on Route 7, Ferrisburgh. Worship, 11 a.m. Information: 425-3625.

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

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

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Mt. Philo to Close for Hill Climb Oct. 17–19 The Mt. Philo mountain road and hiking trails will be closed to the general public from 8 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. on both Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19 for the Sports Car Club of Vermont's (SCCV) annual hill climb. The park will also be closed to cars at noon on Friday, Oct. 17, while the SCCV sets up safety equipment on the hill. A hill climb is a speed event up the mountain road with drivers racing against the clock. Those interested in driving or working may check out SCCV.org. cants must be organized, committed to customer service, have a clean driving record, and possess an ability to work independently as well as part of a team. This job requires being part of an on-call rotation. Benefits include competitive wages, 401k, and health insurance.

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The Charlotte News • October 9, 2014 • 19

Around Town Congratulations

Sympathy

to

Michael and Arielle Nurczynski of Weston, Mass., who had a son, Charles Richard, on Sept. 18.

Charlie is a beautiful brother for Mika and grandson for Rich and Lynn Nurczynski of Guinea Road in Charlotte. to Tom and Zoe Williams of Charlotte, who had a baby boy, Arlo Thomas, on Sept. 15.

to the family and friends of George “Gordon” Brown, who passed away on Sept. 27. Gordon lived in Charlotte since 2005 at the home of his son, Cameron, and his family. Gordon was an active member of the Charlotte community, volunteering at the Charlotte Senior Center, the Charlotte News and for various town committees and functions. He cherished his time in Vermont dating back to his many years of skiing and helping his son Stuart run a dairy farm in Hinesburg. Gordon enjoyed being with his family, traveling to Bermuda and spending time with his dear friends in Charlotte. He had a wonderful sense of

humor, always welcomed interesting and intelligent conversation and encouraged lively political debates.

Gordon is survived by his sister, Marjorie, and her husband, Jack, of Port Richey, FL; his four children, including his son, Gordon, and his wife, Joyce, of Mission Viejo, CA;, son Cameron and his wife, Jodi, of Charlotte, VT; son Stuart and his wife, Michelle, of Durango, CO; and daughter Nancy of Charlotte, NC. He also leaves 14 grandchildren and another due in January, as well as three great grandchildren with another due in November. A memorial service will be held for his friends and family at the Charlotte Senior Center on Sunday, October 26, at 4:30 pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations please be made to the Charlotte Senior Center.

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Charlotte News The Hometown Paper Since 1958

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Feeling the Spirit at Baptist Corners 1 Planners Talk Economy 1 The Power of the Primitive 12 CCS X-Country Makes Its Mark 17