Homeward Bound is partnering with Autumn Gold pg. 3
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Animal adoption fundraiser
VERMONT
February 3, 2018
Published by New Market Press, Inc.
Serving Addison, Rutland & Chittenden Counties
Former selectman: New Haven solar array is in violation By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
NEW HAVEN | A recent victory by solar proponents in the Town of New Haven has a former New Haven selectman hopping mad. Douglas Tolles, who served on the New Haven Selectboard until last year, claims a currently inactive 500 kW photovoltaic solar project in town is in violation of both the new town plan, old town plan, and state regulations regarding net metering. The project, located along the Ethan Allen Highway (U.S. Route 7), was constructed and entered service a year ago. Tolles, who’s now a 2018 Republican candidate for state assistant judge in Addison County, told a reporter that the 500 kW, net-metered New Haven GLC Solar project is in defiance of the new town plan which he helped craft before leaving the selectboard last year. Tolles has been the most vocal opponent of large, commercial solar projects within the Town of New Haven. He is also critical of the project’s developer, Green Lantern Group of Waterbury. Green Lantern is a self-described capital and asset management company. It also set up GLC Solar Fund, which is the first tax-equity green energy fund in Vermont. During the course of the solar project development in » Solar array Cont. on pg. 3
FUN-ON-ICE: The Bomoseen State Park Ice Fishing Festival was held last week along the icy shore of Lake Bomoseen. The Vermont Fish and Game event included free ice fishing and lots of cool fun. Anglers caught largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, rock bass, and crappie under the ice. Pictured: Adam Miller and Nichole Miller. Eagle photo by Cindy Alger
TRUMP TAX PLAN: YOU’RE SAVING ON GMP ELECTRIC BILL
From News Reports THE EAGLE
Area firefighters and others were honored at an annual awards dinner hosted by the Addison County Firefighters Association and held at the Vergennes Eagle Club. Pictured: Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department Officers Tommy Frankovic (driving) and Norman Grenier at Middlebury’s 2017 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Lou Varricchio
Firefighters and emergency personnel honored By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
VERGENNES | Addison County’s firefighters and emergency personnel were honored at an annual awards dinner hosted by the Addison County Firefighters Association held at the Vergennes Eagle Club Jan. 17.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, who has been a guest at the dinner for several years, returned to honor firefighters for their service in 2017. This year’s dinner saw awards presented to the following individuals and organizations serving the community in the Addison County region: Firefighter of the Year Award presented to Jeff Cousino of Lincoln.
Senior Firefighter of the Year Award presented to Peter Bouvier of Bristol. Jenkins Line Officer of the Year Award presented to Corey Collette of Addison Sharkey Chief Officer of the Year Award presented to William Sinks of Weybridge Chief Jackman Youth Firefighter Award presented to Danielle Morse of New Haven. » Firefighters Cont. on pg. 5
RUTLAND | In a filing with the Vermont Public Utility Commission, Green Mountain Power is seeking to lower bills for customers by $6 million. The benefit comes from President Donald Trump’s initiated federal tax law changes that reduce GMP’s corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. This change will be retroactive and take effect Jan. 1 at the start of GMP’s new rate year. The reduction will be applied starting in the February bill cycle and will be returned monthly throughout 2018 as a bill credit. “After the federal tax plan passed, GMP pledged to return 100 percent of the tax benefit to customers, and today’s letter sets in motion our plan to reduce rates to provide those savings to our customers immediately,” said President and CEO Mary Powell. “Keeping energy costs low and stable is a key focus at GMP and this decrease will help offset increased cost pressures in other areas outside of our control such as regional transmission costs.” This rate reduction will help offset the recent rate increase that took effect in January. » GMP Cont. on pg. 5
Congratulations to our “100 Best In The Region” Reader
Ruth Bullock of Middlebury (Winner)
For completing this year’s entry blank to take part in a random drawing, Ruth is the winner of a one-night stay including room, tax, parking and breakfast for two at the
Courtyard Marriott Burlington Harbor Hotel!
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