Spring home improvement special pg. 7
ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron
Tips for getting spring projects done
Published by Denton Publications, Inc.
March 30, 2019
Serving Addison, Rutland & Chittenden Counties
Choudhury to head Porter From News Reports
U V M-PORTER MEDICA L CENTER
DUNMORE ON ICE: It may be the start of spring on the calendar, but Lake Dunmore is still locked in winter as seen
in this “stitched” digital panorama taken from the lake’s north end. The lake is three miles long and nearly one mile across. Dunmore’s primary source of water is Sucker Brook, where its small population of salmon breed; the lake is drained by the Leicester River. Photo by Lou Varricchio
When your oil tank is ‘red tagged’
Red tagging: An oil furnace made in the 1970s and still in use today by many Vermont homeowners such as Doug and Pat Richmonds. Public domain image By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
Gasoline prices continue to rise By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
MIDDLEBURY | Unless you’re among Vermont’s growing group of charged-up E.V. motorists, you’re probably noticing gasoline prices are on the rise in the Green Mountain State, once again. Gasoline prices in Vermont are the highest among the northern New England states although they are below the national average. Vermont’s average current price is $2.55 per gallon, which is six cents higher than the previous week, and 16 cents higher than a month ago, as reported by AAA Northern New England. “As the weather warms, more people are driving, which is causing an increase in demand for retail gasoline and at the same time supplies are shrinking as refineries go offline to prepare
MIDDLEBURY | Last week, when retired homeowners Doug and Pat Richmond of Underhill were told by an official of their home fuel-oil dealer, Patterson Fuels, that their basement fuel tank was being “red tagged” — which meant all fuel deliveries were being suspended to their house until suspected problems were fi xed — they went nearly apoplectic. “No oil leaks were found, and none were even suspected,” according to Doug Richmond in a recent True North Reports story. “But my basement oil tank dates back to 1973. Sure it shows a little rust, but it’s in a heated, protected space and it looked to me to have a long lifespan ahead of it. Now I am being told it has to be replaced.” The Richmonds were told a number of other things about their oil-burning system: the vent pipe has to be equal in size to the fill pipe, and the placement of the line in the foundation needing replacing, too. With two-thirds of the tank still filled with heating oil, the Richmonds are sure they can keep warm until they get a new tank, now required by law. » Red tagged Cont. on pg. 3
for the manufacture of summer-blend gasoline,” according to Dan Goodman, spokesman for AAA, AmericanAutomobile Association of Northern New England. “With spring, refinery maintenance season getting underway, drivers can expect retail gasoline prices to continue to rise. Goodman noted that “Baker Hughes Inc. reported that the U.S. lost one oil rig last week, bringing the total to 833... .” For various reasons, the price increase is in effect for yet another week;the increase reflects crude oil prices which topped the $60 mark. “At $2.59, the national gas price average is seven cents more expensive on the week and 22cents more than last month,” Goodman said. » Gas prices Cont. on pg. 2
MIDDLEBURY | Officials of the UVM Health Network-Porter Medical Center announced that Dr. Seleem Choudhury, DNP, MBA, R.N., CEN, FAEN will be the hospital’s new president/chief operating officer as of June 1. Choudhury will follow Fred Kniffin, M.D., who has led Porter since March 2016. Kniffin will return to practice in the Porter Emergency Department where he has served Porter since 1990. As Porter’s president for three years, Kniffin led the organization through the process of becoming an affiliate of the UVM Health Network in April 2017. “After an exhaustive search and reviewing many qualified candidates, we are very pleased to be welcoming Seleem to our Porter community and we are confident that he will build upon the incredible reputation that our organization has in providing essential health care services to the people of our region since 1925”, said Sivan Cotel, Porter board chair. » Choudhury Dr. Seleem Choudhury. Cont. on pg. 3 Photo courtesy of N.E. Vermont Regional Hospital
ISSUES AND ANSWERS: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott was the center of attention at a legislative breakfast held at the American Legion Post in Middlebury on March 18. The audience, which consisted largely of college students and over-50 citizens, expressed concerns along two lines: health care and climate change. Questions to Scott from audience members voiced concerns about doing more to reduce climate change effects in the state and getting government to do more in providing health care for all. The event was sponsored by the Bridport Grange and Addison County Farm Bureau. Photo by Lou Varricchio
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