ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS
PARTS & SERVICE DEALS!
PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron
ROUTE
22A Phone: (802) 758-2477
Bridport, Vermont
8-5 Mon.-Fri., 8-2 Sat.
219057
Published by Denton Publications, Inc.
June 1, 2019
Serving Addison, Rutland & Chittenden Counties
Local towns State sites open to receive this week banking help From Staff & News Reports THE EAGLE
MONTPELIER | Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced last week that the Boston Fed and state will collaborate to launch the Working Communities Challenge, an initiative aimed at strengthening Vermont’s rural towns and smaller cities. The challenge works to create economic opportunity for lower-income regions and residents by supporting collaborative efforts that build vibrant, healthy economies and communities. This unique three-year grant competition is sponsored by the Boston Fed, the State of Vermont, national and local philanthropy and private sector employers. Scott’s administration, under the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, has committed $100,000 toward program implementation and played a leadership role in recruiting other partners, who’ve pledged over $1 million to support Vermont communities. As part of the initiative, communities across Vermont can apply for funds to address local economic issues that affect lower-income residents. Applicants are encouraged to focus on sustainable development, increased economic opportunities, poverty reduction and better social outcomes for residents. » Banking Cont. on pg. 2
Seven Vermont state-owned historic sites opened their doors for the season last week. The sites offer 80 historic structures along with over 1,000 acres of forest and farmland. Pictured: Mount Independence in Orwell. File photo By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
ADDISON | Seven Vermont state-owned historic sites opened their doors for the 2019 season. This collection of sites offers 80 historic structures along with over 1,000 acres of forest and farmland.
CATAMOUNT PARK MIXER:
“These sites house impressive museum collections and feature educational exhibits that chronicle the story of our region beginning with the first inhabitants who settled the area approximately 9,000 years ago,” said Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer Laura V. Trieschmann. “Historic sites across the state, including prehistoric camps, Revolutionary War sites, and the homes of U.S. Presidents all shed light on the remarkable history of Vermont.” » Sites open Cont. on pg. 2
2019 tax season just a memory now By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
Addison County Chamber of Commerce members attended a recent social-business mixer at Counseling Service of Addison County’s Catamount Park office in Middlebury. Doorprize winners included Amy Young of Four Seasons-Sotheby’s Real Estate, Mark Bradley of Town Hall Theater, Robin Bentley of Milne Travel, Jennifer Wagner of Marsh & Wagner, Champlain Valley Creamery, Middlebury Agway, R.K. Miles, Vermont Coffee Company and Vermont Sun, and Joanie Praamsma of Pregnancy Resource Center of Addison County. The company drawn for the pot of gold was Collins Aerospace. Photo provided
MIDDLEBURY | Tax season is behind us now and many late-filing Vermonters are receiving their tax refund checks this month. However, some Vermonters were surprised to pay what amounted to a hidden income tax in 2019. Steve Cairns, owner of Advisor Tax Services in Stowe, said some of his clients found out that a tax increase had been lurking in their 2019 tax filing. Changes to U.S. tax law prompted a $32 million increase in Vermont taxes, this year. Cairns discovered the stealth change earlier this year when he examined several documents prepared by the Vermont Legislative Joint Fiscal Office — but few know about the increase. “In 2015, Vermont removed the deduction entirely, then capped the remaining deductions to 2.5 times the federal standard deduc-
tion,” Cairns said. “Last year, they got rid of it all. It was a three-step process.” In Vermont, changes to state itemized deductions have been going on for some time. In 2009, Vermont limited the state income tax deduction to $5,000 on the income tax return. In 2015, the legislature limited the deduction again. Some residents found out how much more they paid in 2019 when they opened their new property tax bills earlier in the year. According to Cairns, new Vermont tax legislation (Act 11) was allowed to go into law unsigned by Gov. Phil Scott in 2018. The act contained numerous changes affecting income tax and property tax. Cairns said taxpayers who itemized their tax deductions — those who don’t take the standard deduction — ended up deducting what they paid in certain state and local taxes. These deductions included property, income and sales taxes. ■
Low Maintenance Fencing Is Here! Vinyl Fence Picket, Privacy, 2-3-4 Rail, Scallop Picket.
Cedar Fence Beauty & Quality. Provides privacy & security. Ornamental Aluminum Fencing
Store Hours: M-F 8-5 • Sat. 9-2 • Closed Sun. • 394 Shunpike Rd., Williston, VT 802-862-6691 • 802-862-6650 • Website: fehartfence.com • e-mail: fehartfence@aol.com
218509