The Essex Reporter: January 24, 2019

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{ Thursday, January 24, 2019 }

School district establishes condom availability protocol Citing AOE guidance, district will provide condoms to any Essex High School and Center for Technology student who asks.

STOCK PHOTO

Superintendent Beth Cobb says the protocol will be in addition to comprehensive sex education curriculum programs at EHS and CTE.

By AMANDA BROOKS

S

tudents attending Essex High School and the Center for Technology, Essex can now access condoms at school for free.

The recommendation for the Condom Availability Protocol came from a 2016 memo from Dr. Harry Chen and Rebecca Holcombe, the former health commissioner and education secretary, respectively.

The memo cited a 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey which found almost onethird of Vermont students from Grades 6 to 12 were sexually active, and of those students, only 58 percent said they used a condom.

Dr. Chen and Holcombe recommended Vermont schools should implement “comprehensive sex education and condom distribution programs” to decrease the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, delay engagement in sexual intercourse and to increase use of condoms.

Essex Westford School District superintendent Beth Cobb said EHS and CTE already have a comprehensive sex education program in the health curriculum, but the schools will now offer condoms for any student that asks. Condoms are available from the health office, health See CONDOMS, page 2

Selectboard trims budget increase to 2.58 percent

By COLIN FLANDERS The Essex Selectboard has warned a public hearing for a $14.73 million Town Meeting Day budget proposal that shows a $370,000, or 2.58 percent, increase over the current fiscal year.

The final offer raises the town’s tax rate by 1 cent, or 2.03 percent, resulting in an increase of $28 over the current fiscal year for the owner of a $280,000 home, according to finance director Sarah Macy.

The selectboard unanimously approved the budget offer on January 14 after a series of work sessions. Members hosted a public hearing and planned to officially warn the March vote on Wednesday after The Reporter’s deadline.

The budget increase is about 1 percent lower than what town staff originally proposed due in large to the selectboard’s decision to keep

See BUDGET, page 3

Mansfield Place pays OSHA violations from CO2 incident

By COLIN FLANDERS Mansfield Place, an Essexbased assisted living and memory care facility, paid a $3,000 fine last fall stemming from an incident in which several employees were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide.

The fines followed a Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation that found the facility failed to maintain adequate ventilation and CO2 alarm systems in its underground parking garage, allowing several employees to come into contact with high levels of the deadly gas.

essexreporter.com

State officials say the May 2018 incident occured after an independent contractor’s street sweeper malfunctioned and emitted large volumes of CO2 while cleaning the garage.

The gas then rose through a stairwell and elevator shaft, spilled onto the first floor and set off an alarm, documents show, forcing the facility’s staff to evacuate. The incident sent four employees to the hospital for CO2 exposure.

Robert Murano, president of Mansfield Housing Group, which manages Mansfield Place, said building code at the time of construction didn’t See VOHSA, page 3

Black Knight comics, anime store comes to Essex

By MADELINE CLARK

FILE PHOTO

Mansfield Place paid $3,000 in fines in connection to a May 2018 incident, pictured above, that sent four employees to the hospital for carbon monoxide exposure.

EssEx REpoRtER | THURSDAY, JAnUARY 24, 2019

Anime enthusiasts rejoice: Last month Essex welcomed Black Knight Comics, an anime-themed retail shop on Kellogg Road.

Essex Town resident and shop owner Valerie Tatro started planning the business in high school and sold comics and memorabilia online for 14 years, but this is her first time behind a counter since leaving a Vergennes storefront in 2004.

The business is a family

See COMICS, page 2

Vol. 18 no. 04

2 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

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COMICS from page 1 affair with Tatro at the helm plus her husband, Laban, and daughter, Allura, on deck to help.

“We’ve always been motivated to reopen a storefront.

Affordability has been what was holding us back,” she said. “This opened up and … it was a perfect fit for what we’ve been looking for.”

Black Knight is Tatro’s passion, allowing her to work around a genre she’s loved since shows like “Robotech” and “Voltron” caught her eye as a child. Anime’s appeal comes from its mature themes and creativity, she said: “It’s a neat exposure to a different culture.”

There are relatively few anime stores in New England, according to Tatro, which made opening the store a no-brainer. Though there are many hobby shops that cater to fans of the genre, Black Knight is the state’s only store dedicated to it.

“We have a little bit of everything as far as anime goes, and we try to have a good selection of gaming on the side,” she said.

Figurines top tables, and video games, DVDs and Bluray videos fill a glass-topped counter. Cards, board games and assorted memorabilia dominate the walls; there’s

PHOTO BY MADELINE CLARK

Valerie Tatro (right) and her daughter Allura pose in their new anime and gaming store on Kellogg Road in Essex.

even an area dedicated to Japanese foodware.

The shop currently has limited hours, but the Tatros will expand operations as the store’s Facebook page and word of mouth increase their clientele.

Black Knight will soon offer a range of event programming. Currently, they hold Weiss Schwarz card game events each Saturday at 2 p.m.

“That was also a big

motivator to get a store,” Tatro said. “Because you can’t [host events] in your basement.”

Events are a large draw for anime and comic enthusiasts alike. Tatro met her husband when he came to a Burlingtonbased comic convention and bought games from Tatro’s booth. “[She] made the mistake of marrying one of [her] best customers,” Laban Tatro joked.

A Dungeons and Dragons player since age 5, Laban Tatro specializes in games.

He enjoys their social element, with many requiring a minimum of two players, and appreciates their intellectual component. Many of the cards and board games sold at Black Knight require more thinking and strategy than traditional games like Monopoly.

Besides the shop, the Tatros peddle their wares at conventions across the U.S. that cater to their niche market. The gatherings are an opportunity to sell goods and restock with distributors,

Tatro said.

The Tatros even founded Vermont’s anime convention, Bakuretsu Con, which is held in Colchester each October and is now in its 17th year. The Tatros hope events like this and collaboration with area clubs will bring more anime and gaming opportunities to Chittenden County and more customers to their store.

“It’s very much a work in progress,” Laban Tatro said as he looked around the shop. His wife smiled at the well-stocked shelves and nearly blank events calendar that were brimming with possibility.

CONDOMS from page 1

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teachers, the athletic trainer, counselors and student peer educators who are trained by Planned Parenthood and the school’s health teachers.

Cobb said sexual health is already taught in the health curriculum and added the aforementioned sources can help students further discuss condom use.

“We do check in with students that come in to get one, but it is brief unless they signal or say to us they want to speak with us,” Cobb wrote in an email to the Reporter.

Cobb said the condoms are funded by a Planned Parenthood STI prevention grant and noted EWSD is hoping to work with community partners to

provide condoms outside of the district’s budget.

Cobb said she supports the program in light of the state memo from in 2016 and the related research that shows well-crafted sexual education programs can delay or prevent sexual intercourse.

EHS principal Rob Reardon said the program was modeled off state recommendations and supplements the health curriculum already in place.

“Any time we can educate our young people and make them aware of choices and behaviors that can reduce infection, that can be a good thing,” he said.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 | 3

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BUDGET from page 1

the highway tax, a .9 cent tick on town-outside-the-village residents that will raise about $165,000 this year. While a majority on the board supported its removal, members felt they should wait and see how the merger talks play out.

Budget increases include salary and benefits, expenses related to aligning the fire departments’ pay and training policies and three new positions: two police officers, one which would start halfway through the fiscal year, and a part-time buildings manager.

Despite the new officers, the Essex Police Department’s budget request is up only $31,000, or less than 1 percent, K thanks to funds previously budgeted for a now-vacant lieutenant position and recent buyouts of two longtime officers.

Staff originally proposed the buildings position be full-time, noting the person would be in charge of nearly 30 municipal buildings with a combined square footage of over 130,000, but a majority of members felt the town should wait and see if it actually warranted the investment. The move represented one of several sticking points during the final work session last week.

“We need this person yesterday, or 20 years ago,” selectwoman Irene Wrenner

said. “This is dire.”

Selectman Michael Plageman echoed her view, saying the selectboard owes taxpayers a fiduciary duty to take care of what they own.

“I don’t think part-time does that,” he said.

But Elaine Sopchak, Andy Watts and Max Levy preferred the wait-and-see approach, with Sopchak noting some department heads already perform some of their own maintenance duties, so asking them to continue the status quo “is not exactly a hardship.”

“They will not be devastated,” Sopchak said. “They will be disappointed, but there are disappointments in the budget process.”

Municipal manager Evan Teich didn’t wade too far into the debate, telling members, “At the end of the day, it just needs to get started.”

Notable changes to the original staff request include the town picking up all costs for the building manager position instead of just a portion, and a $50,000 transfer to the village vis-a-vis half the clerk’s salary and benefits.

The latter arrangement creates a 70-30 split of clerk employee-related costs with the village, helping trustees reduce their budget increase to sub-4 percent, and represents a continued push to achieve tax equity between the two communities.

Brief discussion centered on whether town staff should strive for more tax equity each year, with some members

again hesitant to accept any further village costs prior to finishing merger talks.

The selectboard and trustees expect to see a report next month outlining some potential governance options – the first step toward fullon merger talks – and while no date has been picked for a town-wide vote, officials remain cognizant that November 2020 represents their best chance to get the most voters to the polls.

Before voting to warn the budget, members touched on what’s fast becoming a perennial sticking point: the use of fund balance, or surplus money left over from the prior fiscal year.

After years of using fund balance to offset the tax rate, town officials wish to wean off the practice because they say it leads to unpredictable tax rates year-to-year. This year’s budget shows a $100,000 fund balance transfer, a $50,000 reduction over the prior year, to tamp down the tax rate increase. Staff suggested the number could be even lower next year.

A selectboard policy revised in 2017 says members can assign fund balance to a specific purpose. But any undesignated funds beyond 15 percent of the general fund budget – enough to keep the town running for eight weeks without revenue – must be returned to taxpayers. What the policy doesn’t say is when that must occur.

Selectman Watts has

VOSHA

wasn’t the right time, once again citing the potential merger. Teich, meanwhile, said the money should be used for high-end capital needs, not for artificially deflating the tax rate: “You can do whatever you want, but we have yet to be able to put $100,000 into a roof at Memorial Hall, although you’ve been at it for years,” he said.

In agreement, selectman Plageman offered his own pointed rebuke.

“I stand on my five years of earlier opinions. I don’t think this is a good idea,” he said of Watts’ request. “Put [the $18,000] toward something that we’re in dire need of. I can pick out about five things. It’s spit in the ocean.”

staunchly advocated for the board to not hold onto the money and last week proposed to increase the revenue item in the FY2020 budget by $18,000 so the unassigned fund balance is right at 15 percent. That money has already been designated for taxpayers, he said, so he’d prefer to get it over with so members “don’t have any temptation” to re-allocate it for other uses – what he called a “run-around” to the policy.

Watts has repeatedly pushed for the move to no avail, once voting against the town’s tax rate over his colleagues’ unwillingness to budge, and again received little support this time around.

Several members said while they agree the money should go back to taxpayers, this

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from page 1 require CO2 alarms in the parking garage.

And while the garage does have a ventilation system, it was “overwhelmed” by the of the “extraordinary” carbon monoxide build-up.

The first alarm triggered around 10 a.m., documents show, while several employees told emergency responders that they felt headaches come on more than an hour prior.

Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can cause disorientation, unconsciousness and, in some cases, death. Investigators gauged the vehicle’s emissions at nearly 500 parts per million, while emergency responders found readings of over 200 ppm in the garage and some of the facility’s nearby corridors, stairwells and an elevator shaft, state records show.

OSHA standards prohibit worker exposure of more than 35 ppm averaged during an eighthour time period, or 200 ppm during any given time.

But two Mansfield Place employees were exposed to CO levels of at least 270 ppm, according to state records. One employee reported feeling nauseous and dizzy, with the slightest amount of physical exertion causing her to feel

as if she had “ran a marathon.” Another was exposed to the gas for more than two hours.

The watchdog department categorized the violations under its most serious designation: high severity, with a “greater probability” of permanent injury or death.

The department initially handed down nearly $13,000 in fines but lowered the penalty after meeting with Mansfield Place representatives, who outlined several steps to abate the violations, including more than $13,000 toward two CO2 sensors and an exhaust fan in the parking garage. The facility also posted a safety sheet and will require all employees to take a hazardous chemicals training course, and Murano said his organization no longer works with the independent contractor.

Murano felt the $3,000 fine was more reasonable than the initial penalty. He called the incident a “scary event” but said he’s grateful no one was seriously injured.

“I believe we’ve improved everything and took measures that it will not happen again,” he said.

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EWSD adopts new transportation policy Village to see busing for youngest students in interim contingency plan

By AMANDA BROOKS The Essex Westford School Board adopted a new version of its transportation policy last month in response to the turmoil surrounding the continued lack of bus drivers in recent years.

By recommendation of the board and community members, EWSD administrators will focus on getting

service to the “most vulnerable” students – starting with the youngest grades – once the policy goes into effect July 1, according to chief operating officer Brian Donahue.

“It could mean that if we start the next school year at the same position we are right now, without sufficient drivers, we would need to take services away from older students so that younger students could

be served,” Donahue said.

He noted there are three drivers working to obtain their CDL license and said the administration is now testing preliminary routes to expand service to village schools with as little as two drivers prior to July 1.

Donahue said the sixmonth cushion before the policy goes into effect will allow the administration to develop a plan that reflects the recommendations from the board without finding them out of compliance.

“We would have needed to take sort of drastic measures mid-year through,” he explained. “And it would seem that that would be really

disruptive and chaotic for many of our families, so that was part of the reason why it was decided to have it effective July 1.”

The new policy doesn’t bring much change to the responsibilities and powers of the superintendent, who will still create routes and decide who gets busing. Rather, the policy places more specific requirements on the administration, Donahue said.

“We’ve done a better job at organizing the new revised procedure to really stipulate what is the board laying out … and what are some of the measurables,” he said. “There’s a much more improved delineation of the work and the

expectation.”

One stipulation is the administration must share its new procedures for the current transportation situation

by March 31 so board members have time to comment on and review them. Donahue said he will then continue to report to the board and give them time to for feedback and suggestions.

Though the situation regarding bus driver shortages still looks bleak statewide and throughout the nation, Donahue said the new policy will help inform administration’s decisions regarding who will get transportation in the face of future shortages.

Town looks to make Memorial Hall more efficient

By COLIN FLANDERS

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The town of Essex is searching for cost-effective ways to make one of its oldest and most beloved buildings more energy efficient.

Memorial Hall, built in 1871 to commemorate local Civil War veterans, long served as Essex Center’s town hall before eventually undergoing repairs and alterations in the 1960s to accommodate the Essex Community Players, which still use the building to this day. A bond passed in the late 1980s furthered repairs

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and improvements so it could be used as a community center, and now the town’s parks and recreation department uses the space for some of its programming.

But the old building has historically been the town’s costliest to heat, with bills totaling $4,000 a year in heating costs. The inefficient heating system creates a logistical challenge for town staff, who must try to keep the building properly warmed for an unpredictable schedule.

“It takes so long to heat up that you can’t turn the heat down to 60 degrees at night and expect if you have something at 8 in the morning that the heat is going to come up in time,” public works director Dennis Lutz said.

With some work already going into insulating the roof, the heating costs dipped to around $2,800 last year, but Lutz said more can be done to make the building more comfortable for its users and easier to maintain.

One project focuses on the duct system, from which heat is discharged into the upper

portion of the tall building before being pushed down by fans. For a reasonable price, Lutz said the town could extend the ductwork to the floor and heat the the entire building more efficiently. Other projects carry a hefty price tag, like replacing the old heating system.

The town included some funding toward these features in its fiscal year 2019 capital budget, but Lutz said the exact work plan is still up in the air.

He planned to meet with the Essex Energy Committee in the coming weeks to discuss the projects.

For Lutz, the challenge is knowing that while the town could spend a “whole ton” of money to make the building more efficient, the payback might not come for several decades. He said his goal is to balance what he can do at the lowest cost to still get some benefit out of it.

“If you’re only saving a few hundred a year, and you’re putting $10,000 into fixing it, it’s not a good investment,” he said. “Where do you find that magic balance?”

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The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 | 5

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To engage, inspire and empower our youth!

Youth on

Board

By DAVID VOEGELE Executive direector of ESSEX CHIPS It is that time of year again, for a joyous recreational activity the whole family can enjoy. No, I’m not referring to sledding, ice skating, or skiing.

There’s a whole winter for those seasonal favorites in Vermont. No, I’m talking about the 2nd Annual Vermont Birdie Bash, a festive family event scheduled for this coming Sunday (January 27th) in Essex.

“Birdie” is a variation of badminton, with a few quirky but fun rules. Enthusiasm for this unique family event has been growing for months. “The Vermont Birdie Bash is finally here again, and I’m so excited…I can’t wait to play and compete with my friends and neighbors on Sunday!” said Averi Preston, age 17.

The Bash consists of three separate tournaments for players of all ages (i.e., age 7 to 97, give or take a couple years). The emphasis is on familyfriendly fun. Although there will be trophies for the

first and second place teams for each tournament, there will also be “wild card” trophies awarded as recognition for extraordinary spirit and enthusiasm.

These awards are at the discretion of the tournament Czar, based upon a secret formula passed down for one generation of Czars to the next. In the past, “wild card” trophies have gone to youth and adults for cool costumes, terrific team effort, and fanciful footwork. Yes, dancing is allowed at the Birdie Bash.

The presence of a tournament Czar is one of several Birdie Bash traditions that make the day fun. Other traditions include the “Charging of the Courts,” the “Raising of the Rackets,” and the solemn “Taking of the Pledge” (to have fun - and not hurt anyone with words or rackets). More than 100 players are expected to enjoy this year’s event – for which there is no registration fee. All donations received or pledged will support the programs operated by Essex CHIPs. The tournament schedule for the day is: the Early Birds from 10-11am; the Brunch Birds from 11:45am-12:45pm; and the Snow Birds

from 1:30-2:30pm. Players must arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of their tournament. Rackets will be provided.

For the first time ever, the Vermont Birdie Bash will include nearly $1,000 of raffle prizes, including gift certificates from several area businesses. Each player will receive 1 raffle ticket, and each player who raises at least $30 in donations/pledges will receive an additional 3 raffle tickets. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased at the event.

There is still time to register in advance at www. essexchips.org. There are only 108 player slots available, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. If you don’t have a full team, you can register as an individual - and the Czar will match you with other players without teams.

In addition to being a wonderful way for family and friends to spend a couple warm hours together on a wintry day, the Bash will raise funds for important youth programs serving area youth. Hope to see you there!

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6 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

OPI NI ON

Perspective Essex Conservation Committee News The Essex Conservation and Trails Committee had a busy year in 2018 which culminated in its 5th Annual Fall Clean-Up Day at Indian Brook Park last September on a cloudy but warm Sunday afternoon.

The committee, along with approximately 40 volunteers and Boy and Girl Scout Troops, worked in groups to clean and ready the trails for the winter and to continue efforts to eradicate invasive species, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. In all, 133 buckthorn plants were removed. Refreshments were provided by event sponsors Sweet Clover Market, Hannaford, Price Chopper and an anonymous donor.

The committee will hold its Spring Clean-Up Day on

April 28.

The conservation committee also presented its Street Tree Management Plan to the selectboard which was adopted in June. The plan was the result of a collaboration between the Town of Essex’s Planning Department, the Essex Conservation and Trails Committee, the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program of the University of Vermont Extension, Chittenden County forester Ethan Tapper, and others. The plan was created using data from a street tree inventory conducted in July of 2016 and collected by volunteers. The Plan will be used to make judicious decisions regarding the anticipated invasion of the emerald ash borer, to pursue a Tree City USA designation for Essex, and to advise on developing standards to ensure a healthy street tree

population. The plan is available for review on the town’s website.

Other initiatives in 2018 included the approval of a conservation fund at the last Town Meeting Day, the relaunch of the volunteer Essex Trail Keepers Program, and adoption of an updated Indian Brook Forest Management Plan, written by county forester Ethan Tapper. For more information on the Conservation committee and what it does, please attend one of the meetings held on the second Tuesday each month at 6:30 p.m. at the town offices at 81 Main St. The meetings are always open to the public and we welcome your ideas and thoughts on how best to serve our community. For more information, contact town planner Darren Schibler at 878-1343 or by e-mail at dschibler@essex.org.

SCHOOL

COURTESY PHOTOS

LEFT: Hiawatha students part of the Third Grade Student Council visit the Village Trustees on December 19 to present their ideas on increasing the number of recycling bins for public use. RIGHT: Mountaineer fifth graders at Fleming have knit hats for babies that they are donating this year directly to the NICU in Burlington.

Essex Elementary EES Second Graders Learn Math Through Art: For the past five years, second grade students at Essex Elementary School have been incredibly fortunate to participate in a Math Through Art program taught by Essex artist and mathematician Nancy Benefore.

Benefore covers math concepts such as geometry, measurement, place value and multiplication through innovative and exciting art projects.

This hands-on creative and visual approach to math reaches and teaches all students, while supporting a variety of learning styles. Benefore and the second grade teachers meet throughout the year to plan a timeline for the art projects so they support the classroom curriculum.

Place value and building an understanding of the base 10 structure of numbers is one of the most important second grade math concepts. The place

value Golden Rod Wheel was designed by the entire second grade and was instrumental in making this challenging concept concrete.

Concentrically from the middle out, each piece of the wheel demonstrates 1’s, 10’s, 100’s and 1,000’s, made out of little pieces of golden rod stem.

This is one of several place value math art projects we have worked on, but certainly the one that we consider our masterpiece.

EES second graders are truly blessed to have access to this amazing learning experience and we look forward to many more second grade classes participating in this program.

Thomas Fleming Knitting Hats for Babies: Mountaineer fifth graders at Fleming have knit hats for babies that they are donating this year directly to the NICU in Burlington. Such a warm and cozy skill for this time of year, nearly every

student has learned to knit on a loom.

Their next set of hats will be given to the Children’s Hospital; if anyone would like to donate yarn or funds for yarn, please contact the school.

Hiawatha Hand-To-Hand Sale: Hiawatha hosted its annual Hand-To-Hand sale before the break. All of the money raised from the sale was used to purchase items for a local food shelf, which the students also delivered. The Handto-Hand sale is a Hiawatha community event in which all students participate by bringing in items to donate and by then shopping for gifts for family and friends at the sale. The school collected small, well-cared for, unwanted items and the first graders worked to sort and organize those received, advertised for the sale, and were in charge of selling the items. Most of the items were sold for 10 cents apiece.

Recycling Bins: Hiawatha stu-

dents who are part of the Third Grade Student Council visited the Village Trustees on December 19 to present their ideas on increasing the number of recycling bins for public use. The purpose of the council is to help make the school, community, and the world a better place.

Essex Westford School District Join Us For a Community Celebration: Voices for Education held a community forum on equity and belonging on Dec. 1. With nearly 80 participants in attendance, the group shared different experiences and perspectives about the community that they live in.

Hear key themes and ideas from the forum, while helping VFE and community partners in developing plans for a better, more welcoming community. The celebration will take place on Monday, January 28 from 7-8 p.m. at the Essex Middle School.

Opi ni On

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 | 7

THE ESSEX

REPORTER

Letter to the editor Citizens create civility Thoughtful moderation is a gift.

Thank you, Annie Cooper, for your deep understanding of civil discourse and social media. Essex VT (on Facebook and in real life) is a better place because of you.

Thank you, Patrick Murray, for your commitment to providing accurate information and to answering questions about education, transportation and the EWSD. This kind of leadership is what we need to build relationships in our community and to be able to engage in meaningful

conversations about the things that matter most to the people who live and work in Essex.

Liz Subin Essex

MESSAGES FROM MONTPELIER chittenden 8-3

chittenden 8-2

REP. LINdA MyERS (R)

REP. dyLAN GIAMBATISTA (d)

REP. BOB BANCROFT (R)

lindakmyers@comcast.net, 878-3514

dylan@vtdylan.com, 734-8841

bancroft.vt@gmail.com, 879-7386

REP. MARyBETH REdMONd (d) marybethredmond@comcast.net, 488-0531

houghton.lori@gmail.com, 373-0599

By REP. DYLAN GIAMBATISTA Vermont’s 2019 legislative session began on January 9. I was honored to take the oath of office to start my second term representing the Village of Essex Jct. The November election caused major changes in the makeup of the State House, with an unusually high number of new citizen lawmakers elected to their first terms. New faces, coupled with federal uncertainty and a partial government shutdown, are the backdrop as Vermont’s 2nd-term governor, House speaker and Senate pro tem start the new year.

The first weeks of the legislative session are a time of adjustment when Vermont’s 150 representatives and 30 state senators get organized and begin new committee assignments. I was pleased to be reassigned to the House Education Committee and was excited to see that our five-member Essex House delegation landed on committees of significant importance. All told, Essex representa-

tives cover policy areas that span the state budget, health care, human services, economic development and education.

The first year of Vermont’s legislative session typically lasts about 18 weeks.

That puts us on track to finish our work sometime in mid-May, around the time we begin to see green grass and spring flowers. I’m hopeful that we can work to find consensus on the big issues facing our little state.

For my part, I’ve introduced two pieces of legislation so far this session, a bill to protect our environment and a bill to address bias and harassment in our education system. H.9 proposes to create a “Be a Water Champ” license plate to raise awareness of, and funds for, cleaning up our polluted waterways. I am hopeful this bill will kickstart the conversation about how we address lake pollution and protect the $2.5 billion tourism generates for Vermont annually. H.3 proposes a collaborative process to review how we can integrate curriculum that represents people

CHITTENdEN COUNTy SENATORS Tim Ashe (D/P), Phil Baruth (D), Debbie Ingram (D), Ginny Lyons (D), Chris Pearson (D/P), Michael Sirotkin (D) email: firstinitial.lastname@leg.state.vt.us

and groups who have been historically marginalized. This legislation has broad support and is the first step in a process that we hope will reduce bias, harassment, and disproportionate patterns of discipline of students from non-dominant social groups in Vermont schools.

Many, many bills are introduced each year. You can follow updates about the session in weekly updates in the Essex Reporter, through Front Porch Forum posts and at forums we hold for community members. Our next community meeting will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17 at Sweet Alchemy Bakery and Cafe.

Join us!

You can also always reach me for updates by visiting my website, www. vtdylan.com, following my Twitter and Facebook pages, or by emailing me at dgiambatista@leg.state.vt.us. Please keep in touch and let me know where you stand on the issues. I look forward to seeing you soon.

ORRY SELBY Orry A. Selby, 82, of Underhill passed away unexpect-

news@essexreporter.com www.essexreporter.com facebook.com/essexreporter twitter: @essexreporter

for many years.

He leaves his daughter, Lisa, and husband, Scott Gokey, of Essex Jct. and his son, David Selby; grandchildren Amy Barup and her family of Florida; Rusty Belanus and his daughter of Middlebury; Nicole Belanus and her family of Burlington; Stacey Payne and her family of Virginia; Darren Gokey and his family of South Burlington; sister-in-law Sherry and her husband, Uvaldo Rangel, of California and their family; brother-in-law James Leavens and his husband, Eric, of Arizona; and brother-in-law William Leavens and his partner, Gloria, of Derby; and his mother-in-law, Doris Leavens,

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Courtney A. Lamdin courtney@essexreporter.com SPORTS EDITOR Josh Kaufmann josh@samessenger.com REPORTERS Colin Flanders colin@essexreporter.com Madeline Clark madeline@essexreporter.com Amanda Brooks amanda@essexreporter.com NEWS & SPORTS CLERK AND CALENDAR Ben Chiappinelli ben@essexreporter.com

BUSINESS OFFICE CO-PUBLISHERS Emerson & Suzanne Lynn emerson@samessenger.com GENERAL MANAGER Suzanne Lynn suzanne@samessenger.com

Obituary edly at his home on Jan. 2, 2019. He was born in Holland to Dalton and Ilva (Burroughs) Selby on Feb. 8, 1936.

Orry was a man of many talents and interests: silversmithing, leathermaking, hunting, reading painting, drawing to name a few. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958. He had an active Masonic career. He was a member and past Master of the McDonough Lodge No. 26, now known as the Mt. Mansfield Lodge No. 26, in Jericho for 52 years. He was a past member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Burlington and a Shriner with Mt. Sinai Shriners #3. He was also an active member of the Civil Air Patrol

EDITORIAL: 893-2028 ADVERTISING: 524-9771

EDITORIAL

chittenden 8-1

REP. LORI HOUGHTON (d)

281 North Main St. St. Albans, Vt. 05468

of Newport. He also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife, June, of 59 years in October 2018.

Special thanks to all the people involved in helping Dad and Mom over the past years when they needed it, especially their neighbors.

Per Orry’s request graveside services will be held at a later date for himself and his wife, June.

Memorial contributions in Orry’s memory can be made to: Essex Rescue, Inc., 1 Educational Drive, Essex Jct., VT 05452.

ADVERTISING John Kelley john.kelley@samessenger.com CLASSIFIEDS & LEGALS Gail Wells gail@samessenger.com Ben Letourneau ben.letourneau@samessenger.com

DEADLINES Fridays at 5 p.m.

Published Thursdays Circulation: 8,800 The Essex Reporter is owned by Vermont Publishing Corp Inc. and is a member of the Champlain Valley News Group.

8 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

Jan 24 24 Thursday Food shelF

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH - 61 Main St., Essex Jct., 878-8341.

James Gangwer, pastor. Sunday School: 10 a.m., Worship Service: 11 a.m., Sunday evening worship: 6 p.m., Wednesday evening youth groups, Adult Bible study and prayer: 7 p.m.; Fundamental-Independent.

CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH - Route 2A, Williston, just north of Industrial Ave. 878-7107. Wes Pastor, lead pastor, proclaiming Christ and Him crucified, Sundays: 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., www.cmcvermont.org.

COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCH - 1 Whitcomb Meadows Lane, Essex Jct. 879-4313. Rev. Jeannette Conver, pastor. Adult bible class: 9 a.m., Sunday service: 10 a.m. with fellowship following. Infant through pre-K childcare provided, cccpastorjeannette@gmail.com; Facebook page: bit.ly/2rDz4NE DAYBREAK COMMUNITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester. 338-9118. Jesse Mark, lead pastor. Sunday service: 10:30 a.m., www.daybreakvermont.org; brentdaybreak@gmail.com ESSEX ALLIANCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct. 878-8213. Sunday services: 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am, www.essexalliance.org.

ESSEX CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 119 Center Rd (Route 15), Essex. 878-8304. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. Service 10:00 am with Sunday School and childcare provided. We offer a variety of small groups for prayer, Bible study, hands-on ministry, and studying contemporary faith issues. Please join us for worship that combines the best of traditional and contemporary music and spirituality. We are a safe and welcoming space for all people to celebrate, worship, ask questions and plant spiritual roots.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ESSEX JUNCTION - UCC, an Open and Affirming Congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person, because we are all created by a loving God. 1 Church Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Telephone (802) 878-5745; Website: www.fccej.org Email: welcome@fccej.org Senior Pastor, Rev. Mark Mendes, Assoc. Pastor, Rev. Josh Simon. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 and 10:15 am. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Faith Formation meets weekly at 10:15 am. Jr. & High School Youth Groups on Sundays. Heavenly Food Pantry – second Monday, 5:30-7:30pm; fourth Thursday, 2-6pm, except for Nov & Dec when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out Community Dinner – 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7pm. Music includes Sanctuary Choir, Finally @ First Band, Joyful Noise, Cherub Music, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella and Ladies’ Acapella groups.

GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct., 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / Route 117. 8788071. Worship Sundays: 9:30 a.m., with concurrent church school pre-K to grade 6. Handicapped-accessible facility. Adult choir, praise band, women’s fellowship, missionally active. Korean U.M.C. worship Sundays: 12 p.m., come explore what God might be offering you!

HOLY FAMILY - ST. LAWRENCE PARISH - St. Lawrence: 158 West St., Essex Jct. 878.5331. Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m.; Sunday Morning: 8:00 a.m. Holy Family: 36 Lincoln St., Essex Jct., Sundays: 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. For more information visit www.hfslvt.org.

MT. MANSFIELD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP - 195 Vermont Route 15, Jericho, the red barn across from Packard Road.

899-2558. Services are held 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from September through June. Visit www.mmuuf.org.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 4 St. James Place, Essex Jct., off Rt. 2A at the Fairgrounds Gate F. 878-4014. Rev. Kim Hardy. Holy Eucharist, Sundays: 10 a.m. Visit www.stjamesvt.org; office@stjamesvt. com.

ST. PIUS X CHURCH - 20 Jericho Road, Essex.

878-5997. Rev. Charles Ranges, pastor. Masses: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. & Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Confessions: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. or please call 878-5331 for an appointment.

9 - 11 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Aunt Dot’s Place, 51 Center Rd. Essex Jct. Serving the communities of Essex, Westford, Jericho and Underhill. Visit auntdotsplace.com for more information.

Preschool PlaygrouP

9:30 - 11 a.m., Maple Street Recreation Center, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct. Join other caregivers and children for play time.

We ask that you bring a drink and indoor shoes.

seaTed yoga

10 - 10:30 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center. Seated yoga is a gentle form of exercise, designed to increase flexibility and balance and help reduce stress.

Class is free for EASC members, $2/session for non-members. Please call 876-5087 to register.

Woven Wall hanging WorkshoP

10 - 11 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center. Beat the winter doldrums with a “back from the 70s” woven wall-hanging! Beth Abustan from the Essex Junction Lions Club, a self-taught weaver, will show you several basic weaving techniques to complete a sampler wall hanging.

heavenly PanTry

2 - 6 p.m., First Congregational Church, 39 Main St., Essex Jct. The Food Pantry is open to residents of Essex Junction, Essex Town and Westford.

Clients will need an ID for each member of the household and a utility bill. Clients may only visit the Pantry once in each calendar month.

Community

Modern WesTern sTyle square dance 7:30 - 9 p.m., Maple Street Park. “If you can walk to music you can learn to square dance.”

Email Wayne or Susan Pierce at sewpie@aol. com.

25 Friday Music WiTh raPh

9:30 - 10 a.m., Brownell Library. Come sing, dance and play with Raph. All ages.

Mah Jongg

10 a.m. - noon, Essex Area Senior Ctr. Members play for free. Nonmembers pay $1/visit.

Newcomers are always welcomed!

Musical sTory TiMe

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Rock ‘n’ read with Caitlin on Friday mornings with books, songs and instruments. All ages.

kniTTing and crocheTing

1 - 2 p.m., Essex Area Senior Ctr.

sTeaM Fridays

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Create and explore with science, technology, engineering, art and math. This month: print making and magic milk, air pressure experiments, design cardboard cars and paddle power.

Call 878-6955 or check online for program details. For grades 1 and up.

essex eaTs ouT

5:30 - 7 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, St. James Pl., Essex Jct. Free community dinners for all!

If you need a ride, please email essexeatsout@ gmail.com.

Jct. Get creative and caffeinated in the heart of the village. Enjoy music from The Smokey Newfield Project, artisan donuts and crafts for the kids. Coffee and treats on site.

Weekend sTory TiMe

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

naTional cake day

Noon - 2 p.m., Green Mountain Harley, 157 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Come celebrate cake day with samples from local vendors of northern Vermont.

sWing aWay The WinTer blues

5:30 p.m., Essex High School Cafeteria,2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. Enjoy this annual spaghetti dinner and dance with music provided by the EHS band program.

See any band student to purchase tickets or email hfinlayson@ewsd.org. $10; kids under 6, free.

FaMily oPen gyM

7 - 8:30 p.m., Essex High School, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. raft activities, board games, basketball, volleyball - something that every member of the family can enjoy! Free.

27 sunday birdie bash

9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Essex CHIPS, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. Come participate in this badminton tournament to fundraise for Essex CHIPS. Visit Facebook.com/EssexCHIPS for complete details.

iTalian buFFeT dinner

2:30 - 5:45 p.m., Essex CHIPS, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. Open to students attending ADL and EMS. Free; open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

6:30 - 9 p.m., Brownell Library. Embark upon imaginary adventures.

Our Dungeon Master serves as the game’s referee and storyteller.

Grades 6 and up.

4 - 7 p.m., St. Thomas Church, 6 Green St., Underhill Ctr. The proceeds benefit The St. Thomas Church Maintenance Fund. Currently, the Parish Hall is only accessible by stairs. For questions, please call 899-4632.

Cost is by donation and take out is available.

lego club

26 saTurday

28 Monday

Free ice Fishing day

Mah Jongg

Teen cenTer

3 - 4 p.m., Essex Free Library. Step up to the weekly LEGO challenge and build awesome creations!

Field guide To social securiTy

5:30 - 7 p.m., Maple Street Park. Helping answer some of the common questions you may have about social security and how it could benefit you. Free.

dungeons and dragons

All day, statewide.

Anyone, with or without a license, is allowed to go fishing in Vermont on this day. Visit vtfishandwildlife.com for suggested locations and tips.

coFFee house Music series

9:30 - 11 a.m., Essex Hub, 9 Main St., Essex

10 a.m. - noon, Essex Area Senior Ctr.

sTory TiMe WiTh eMily

on-one technology help.

Reservation required.

Please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance.

bridge

12:30 - 3:30 p.m, Essex Area Senior Center. Make new friends as you rotate tables and play with different partners and opponents throughout the afternoon. New players invited!

TWeen cenTer

3 - 5:45 p.m., Essex CHIPS, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. Throughout the school year, students attend to play, relax, visit with friends and receive homework help under the supervision of our lovely staff and volunteers.

Open to students attending Thomas Fleming School. Free.

checkMaTes square dancing

6 - 9 p.m., Maple Street Park. Advanced and challenge level. Participants must have completed the plus style of Western Style Square Dancing.

Call Fred or Betty Smith at 891-9677 for more information.

29 Tuesday verMonT FarM shoW

9 a.m. - 5 p.m., CV Expo, 105 Pearl St. Essex Jct. meet with vendors, preview products and machinery, attend trade association meetings, seminars and network within the greater agricultural community all under the same roof. Free.

sTory TiMe For Toddlers

9:10 - 9 :30 a.m., Brownell Library. Picture books, songs, rhymes and puppets for toddlers with an adult.

Preschool PlaygrouP

9:30 - 11 a.m., Maple Street Recreation Center, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, Jan. 24)

sTory TiMe For Preschoolers

10 - 10:45 a.m., Brownell Library. Picture books, sign language, songs, rhymes, flannel stories and early math activities for preschoolers.

bingo

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Drop in for stories, songs and a craft.

12:30 - 3:30 p.m., Essex Area Senior Ctr. Every card costs a penny, so if you play 10 cards, each game costs a dime.

Tech helP WiTh cliF

yoga WiTh Jonah

Noon - 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering one-

5:30 - 6:30 p.m., First Congregational Church,1

yCalendar Church St., Essex Jct. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing.

Bring a mat or borrow one at the event. Donations welcome, but not required.

inTernaTional PoTluCk

5:30 - 8 p.m., Founders Memorial School, 33 Founders Rd., Essex Jct. Join the annual International Potluck hosted by Leonora Dodge. Bring a dish to share; maybe an old family recipe or your family’s favorite dish!

droP-in kniTTing CluB 6:30 - 8 p.m., Essex Free Library.

30 wednesday VermonT Farm show

8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., CV Expo, 105 Pearl St. Essex Jct. (See Tuesday, Jan. 29)

TeCh Time

10 - 11 a.m., Essex Free Library. Drop in with your device and your questions!

sTory Time For PresChoolers

10 - 10:45 a.m., Brownell Library.

senior lunCheon

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Essex Area Senior Center. Bring a dish to share during our January birthday program.

roTary CluB oF essex Noon - 1:15 p.m., The Essex, 70 Essex Way, Essex Jct. Visitors are always welcome.

TeCh helP wiTh CliF

Noon - 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering oneon-one technology help.

Reservation required.

Please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance.

oPen sTudio

3 - 4 p.m., Essex Free Library. The library supply the materials, you bring the creativity.

read To daisy

3:15 - 4:15 p.m., Brownell Library. Daisy loves to listen to kids read. She is Certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. For all ages.

undersTanding oPiaTe addiCTion

5:30 - 8:15 p.m., Essex High School, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. In response to the impact of the opiate crisis on families and communities across Vermont, the

Vermont Adult Career and Technical Education Association seeks to offer a proactive course on the topic that supports and empowers people to make a difference. This is a three week workshop.

ehs eighTh grade ParenT orienTaTion 6:30 - 9 p.m., Essex High School auditorium, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. Please make every effort to attend this important and informative program on all curricular and academic areas.

31 Thursday VermonT Farm show

9 a.m. - 4 p.m., CV Expo, 105 Pearl St. Essex Jct. (See Tuesday, Jan. 29)

PresChool PlaygrouP

9:30 - 11 a.m., Maple Street Recreation Center, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, Jan. 24)

seaTed yoga

10 - 10:30 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center. (See Thursday, Jan. 24)

woVen wall hanging workshoP

FEB 3 loCal meeTings Thursday, January 24

monday, January 28

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. This month discuss “Good Morning, Midnight” by Lily BrooksDalton.

1 Friday PresChool yoga

10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell LIbrary. Come do simple yoga poses, hear stories, and sing songs with Danielle! Best for children 2 to 5 years old. No registration required.

mah Jongg

10 a.m. - noon, Essex Area Senior Ctr.

musiCal sTory

FREE Personal Consultation and NO CHARGE for Installation! www.budgetblinds.com

6:30 p.m., school Board Budget meeting, Essex High School Library, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct.

Time

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library.

kniTTing and CroCheTing

1 - 2 p.m., Essex Area Senior Ctr. For more information call Lou Ann Pioli at 876-5087.

sTeam Fridays

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. (See Friday, Jan. 25)

essex eaTs ouT

5:30 - 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Jan. 25)

6 - 8 p.m., Brownell Library. For adult knitters and related crafters.

Note: this is not an introduction to knitting program.

eVening Book disCussion

Shutters • Draperies • Wood Blinds • Cellular Shades • Roller Shades Vertical Blinds • Valances • Woven Wood • Motorization and more!

Tuesday, January 29

lego Fun

3 - 4 p.m., Essex Free Library. Step up to the weekly LEGO challenge and build awesome creations!

NO QUESTIONS ASKED WARRANTY

7 p.m., Town selectboard, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

Fish Fry

lego CluB

AFFORDABLE AND CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS THAT FIT YOUR STYLE AND BUDGET!

6:30 p.m., Town Planning Commission, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

10 - 11 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center. Beth Abustan, a self-taught weaver, will show you several basic weaving techniques.

3 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Come build creatively with Legos and see what others build. Children under 8 years old must bring a responsible caregiver.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 | 9

6 - 7 p.m., VFW Post 6689, 73 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Open to the public.

FirsT Friday kniT nighT

magiC: The gaThering

6 - 8 p.m., Brownell Library. Come play the role of planeswalker: a powerful wizard who fights others for glory, knowledge and conquest.

Your deck of cards represents weapons in your arsenal, spells you know and creatures you can summon to fight for you. Grades 6 and up.

2 saTurday weekend sTory Time

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

CreaTe your own ComiC: From sTarT To Finish 1 - 3 p.m., Brownell Library. Learn about the process of comic making with local artist Stephanie Zuppo. Recommended for Grades 3 and up (adults

Donate Your...

are welcome, too).

Donate Your...

PresChool oPen gym

3 - 4:30 p.m., Maple Street Park Recreation Center. Come run around inside during the cold winter months. There will be a bouncy house, balls, trikes, a play hut, a mini-slide and push toys for ages 5 years and younger.

Car, Boat, Car, Boat, Trailer/Camper

Trailer/Camper

...and homes! ...and helphelp buildbuild homes!

3 sunday 12:30 - 4:30 p.m., Champlain Valley Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Win some cash and support the Mt. Sinai Shriners of Vermont.

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VermonT genealogy researCh

Tuesdays, 3 - 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vermont Genealogy Library, Fort Ethan Allen, 377 Hegeman Ave., Colchester. The library will be open for research throughout the year. Please visit vtgenlib. org or call 310-9285 for more info.

sTiCk and PuCk Time

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Essex Skating Facility, Educational Dr., Essex Jct. Stick and puck time provides players the opportunity to practice things they cannot practice during public sessions and other hockey related ice times. A helmet and gloves are required to play. Stick and puck times may be divided into different age groupings with some rules that apply specifically to those age groups. Before joining a session, please read the complete Stick and Puck rules on our website, ewsd.org/domain/130 or call 857-7300.

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10 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

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PAINTING SERVICES For 42 years, Lafayette Painting has provided top quality, fairly priced, painting services for Chittenden County.

This winter, schedule your free estimate and see why we were voted the Best Household Painting Company in Vermont.

Call 802-863-5397 or visit lafayettepaintinginc.com

ELDERLY CARE CHITTENDEN COUNTY ELDERLY Caregivers Available If you need a helping hand, we are here for you! All shift coverage available. With over 30 years experience. Experience in end of life care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Medical background, excellent references. We are a small group of elderly care providers and not associated with an agency. We work together as a team to help elderly live in their home. Betsy MaGee (802) 5858188 or lionbetsy2000@yahoo. com

ANTIQUE SALE Antiques Market Sundays, Jan. 27, Feb. 10 & 24 March 10 & 24, April 14 The Canadian Club 414 East Montpelier Road (Rt 14), Barre, VT 8:00am -1:00pm Call Don Willis Antiques for info (802)751-6138 www.montpelier antiquesmarket.com Early Buyers $5 (8am) General $2 (9am)

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The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 | 11

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12 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

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IngredIents 11 ounces shallots (about 8 shallots) 5 cloves garlic (about 1.15 ounces) 8 ounces celery (3 ribs) 2 medium McInstosh apples (about 9 ounces) 1-1/4 pounds parsnips 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2-1/2 tablespoons curry powder, divided 2-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 6 cups water

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Cats: No thank you! I lived with cats before and would like to be your only feline friend.

Dogs: No thank you! I need a home without other animals.

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Irish Curried Parsnip & Vegetable Soup

By NANCY MOCK, hungryenoughtoeatsix.com DIRECTIONS 1. Dice the shallots, garlic, and celery. Peel and core the apples, then slice them into small pieces.

2. Peel the parsnips and then slice them into small pieces, about 1-inch sized pieces. Set the cut parsnips aside.

3. Heat the olive oil in a large soup or stock pot over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add in the diced shallots, garlic, celery and apple. Stir to coat everything in oil. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the curry powder and 2 teaspoons of the salt.

Stir the spices into the mixture. Sauté everything for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables and apple are soft.

4. Add the water and cut parsnips to the pot, stir, and raise the heat to high. Bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat to keep the soup at a simmer. Keep the soup simmering for about 10 minutes until the parsnips are very soft. Remove the pot from the heat.

5. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup in the pot, until the soup is very smooth. A blender can also be used to purée the soup – just remove the small cap from the lid and cover the hole with a clean dish towel, to let steam vent out as you process it.

6. Once the soup is puréed in the pot add in the remianing 1/2 tablespoon of curry, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and the black pepper. Stir and simmer the soup over medium heat for about 5 minutes more and then remove it from the heat.

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The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 | 13

LOCA L

Report confirms child care capacity declining statewide Chittenden County families, educators suffer

By AMANDA BROOKS A new report from the Joint Fiscal Office shows the availability of child care and pre-kindergarten in Vermont is declining.

Released in November, the “Child Care and Pre-Kindergarten Capacity Baseline Report” compiled statewide and county data from December 2015 through June 2018, reporting a decline in registered home-based child care providers in the face of a growing population of newborn to 2-year-olds.

The report shows the greatest reduction in child care capacity came from registered home providers: In the time period analyzed, these providers decreased by 26.6 percent statewide, amounting to 1,800-plus individual slots. In Chittenden County, that number was just over 30 percent, or 372 slots.

Licensed centers and school-based child care had less of a shift, with a 1.8 percent decrease statewide and 2.3 percent in Chittenden County. However, slots actually increased by about 161 statewide and 40 in Chittenden County, reflecting the increase in available pre-qualified pre-K programs, the report shows.

Stephanie Barrett, who co-authored the report with Chloe Wexler at JFO, said these numbers were unsurprising to the Vt. Department for Children and Families, which licenses child care facilities, because it’s seen similar results in its own data.

“What would be interesting to know … is to understand the reasons people are going out,” Barrett said.

The JFO report suggests more older providers retired without a successor, or rigorous requirements drove them to close. Potential providers could have been lured to better jobs, it says. Barrett said a statewide survey, the results of which will come out at the end of the month, will be able to tell a more nuanced story.

Home-based centers in particular have closed more than they’ve opened in the last decade in Vermont and nationwide, said Janet McLaughlin, interim CEO of Let’s Grow Kids, a state campaign to ensure affordable child care.

She attributes this to new regulations for licensed and registered homes that became effective in September 2016. These required providers and staff to meet higher educational qualifications and demanded upgrades to homes – guidelines some providers couldn’t keep up with.

Laura Butler of Milton has been a registered home provider for almost 28 years and said she had to make some costly changes to her home to comply with the new rules.

Butler has to get creative with sourcing educational and other materials for the kids, like scouring garage sales and exchanging with other providers, to stay in business.

“The most difficult is actually charging what your service is worth,” she said. “The cost of child care is already difficult for most. How can I ask for more?”

McLaughlin said the new regulations, which hadn’t been updated in 15-plus years, maintain quality and safety but argued the state hasn’t allocated enough funds to help many home-based providers stay in business.

“The lack of investment in early care and learning systems is really what’s putting the downward pressure on programs in terms of capacity,” McLaughlin said. “Families can’t afford to pay more, and early educators can’t afford to make less.”

Essex High School alum Kel Carpenter and her family just moved back to Essex from Michigan, primarily for the good school system and to be closer to family. She said all the local providers she met with were professional and passionate, but the high cost made it impossible for her to enroll her child.

“Child care is a huge barrier for employment, only accessible for the elite or those who qualify for Head Start,” she said. “Most young families do not fit that mold, so between that, lack of access to affordable housing and the weak transportation infrastructure in this area, families like mine are leaving this area to pursue better opportunities.”

To compensate, Carpenter took a part-time remote job just so she could stay home to

care for her child. But juggling work and child care is difficult, she said.

The legislature passed Act 166, or universal prekindergarten, in 2014 to provide families access to publicly funded pre-K education. For the 2019-20 school year, the state will pay just over $3,300 in tuition for a child to attend a pre-qualified pre-K program for 10 hours a week, but these part-time hours make it logistically challenging.

Meredith Breiland lives in Milton but sends her children to Little Feats Too in Colchester due to its close proximity.

She wishes her children were in the Milton Early Education Program, but the lottery-style system of enrollment and parttime hours make it impossible for her family’s 9-to-5 schedule.

“We’re grateful for Act 166 funding, but it doesn’t cover much,” Breiland said.

Families with qualifying income can also get government subsidies through DCF’s Child Care Financial Assistance program. But Dawn Francis of Essex, an early educator in South Burlington who volunteers for Let’s Grow Kids, said even when families qualify for 100 percent of these subsidies, it doesn’t always cover 100 percent of the care.

“We need funding for families to actually be able to use the money that’s there,” she said.

With more funding, Francis said, providers could get their staff qualified, reduce turnover and continue to expand their capacity, or new providers could open in the first place. The decrease in capacity shown in the JFO report puts other stressors on families, including long wait lists and parents compromising their jobs or well-being to take care of their children.

Samara Fogel of Colchester said her daughter spent six months at a child care facility that was less than ideal with an extremely high turnover rate in teachers and directors, making for an unstable environment. But she couldn’t take her daughter out until a space opened up at another facility.

“A six-month waitlist for care in Chittenden County is awful,” Fogel said. “Knowing that you’re sending your child to a place that isn’t safe or stable for six months feels horrible. I wish there were more child care options here so that

long waitlists for good care didn’t exist.”

Fogel’s daughter had a speech delay and really needed to be with children her own age to work on her speech. A larger child care center could provide this separation of age groups, while a home-based center, Fogel said, would put her daughter with younger children, possibly delaying her daughter further.

Conversely, Emily Peters of Colchester said she relied on a home-based care provider for its small environment, close interactions and flexibility. When the provider died, Peters had to send her kids to a larger center, which ultimately didn’t work out.

“One of my youngest was diagnosed with a food allergy, and as new to navigating that, we felt safer with him one-onone or at home,” Peters said.

“My middle [child] also had a hard time there with other kids … we didn’t want him to be bullied, and we wanted him to thrive, so we moved him.”

Peters said an au pair

cares for all three of her kids, which provides flexibility on vacations and school days, as well as close, personal care.

She said the costs were the same as sending her children to a larger center, even during summer vacation.

“Wouldn’t it be amazing if parents felt like they had a bunch of great options and could make a choice that was right for their family?”

McLaughlin, the Let’s Grow Kids CEO, posited. “Instead of feeling like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is a crisis that I’m going to have to solve for my family?’”

McLaughlin said her organization is lobbying for more funding for families and child care providers to potentially solve these issues. She said the legislature introduced a bill last week that she hopes will be passed this session.

“We are also trying to do the on-the-ground work within the state to support programs to address this capacity need directly,” she said. “We’re not just waiting for action elsewhere. We’re doing it directly.”

News tip? Email us at news@essexreporter.com

14 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

SPORTS

Hosting Hornets win Baker Tourney for first time in decades

Photo by JOSH KAUFMANN | ESSEX REPORTER

Members of the Essex Hornets wrestling squad raise their pointer fingers in celebration of their overall victory in their home tournament, the Michael J. Baker Classic. Over 200 teams from 26 schools across the tri-state area competed in the 50th annual event, and it was the Hornets’ first championship showing in 26 years. Joe Gonillo breaks down the results in his Sport Shorts on page 15, and we will have more pictures online at EssexReporter.com.

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We’ll have tons of pictures from this week online, including gymnastics, basketball, hockey and more wrestling! See all the action from EHS on the EssexReporter.com.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 | 15

livia Ball Senior: Gymnastics

B

all helped the Hornets to a slim victory over St. Johnsbury academy Jan. 19, 138.75134.4, with breakthrough performances in uneven bars and floor exercise, scoring 9.3 on both to win both — tying all-around winner anna Cushing of St.J for floor honors. Those efforts helped Essex post its highest score of the season to win. Ball was also a close second to Cushing for all-around honors, 35.3-35.1. “livia is one of the hardest workers on the team and it was very exciting to see all her hard work pay off this weekend,” coach Mary Krug said.

Dylan JEnoT Senior: Wrestling

J

enot didn’t have to win his 285-lb. final for Essex to take the Charlie Baker Memorial Tournament championship for the first time in its 26 years. But the senior’s determined, sudden pin in the last match of the day was the perfect finish to the weekend, which saw Essex cruise to the title by a 255.5-173 margin. Jenot was close to victory when time expired in the second period, but he got right back to it in the final period and moments later the Hornets had their second individual win of the 16-team tourney.

SPORT SHORTS

By JOE GONILLO

Snow, snow, and more snow. Shovels, snow blowers and plows working? Using your skis, sleds, snowmobiles and snowshoes? Enjoy it if you love it. If not - gotta move. Michael J. Baker Classic another huge success. Exciting, too, as Hornets earned an historic championship! Nordic ski team hosted their annual Essex Classic as well. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honored one of the most revered men in history. Sadly, I still remember the night he was shot.

Congratulations to Hornet senior Maddie Folsom who last week was named Vermont’s high school girls’ volleyball player of the year by Gatorade. She is a 6’ middle hitter and the second straight EHS player to earn the award, which obviously recognizes “outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement, and exemplary character both on and off the field.” She captained the Hornets championship team in the fall.

The 2019 version of the prestigious Mike Baker Classic is in the books. 26 schools and 200+ athletes from three states invaded the Essex gym Friday afternoon through Saturday evening for a highly competitive tournament.

The Hornets won their own tourney for the first time in 26 years. Scoring for the top three teams look like this: 1. Essex High School - 255.5 points; 2. Mt. Ararat/Brunswick HS, ME - 173 points; 3. Queensbury HS, NY - 171.5 points; SHS, Mt. Abe, CVU, MMU and VERG took places 6-10. The Essex Place Winners include two individual champions. Here are the Hornets who made the podium: 99 lbs. Elliot Powell - 2nd and William Einhorn - 3rd; 106 lbs. Christian Stygles - 3rd; 113 lbs. Ben Stewart - 2nd; 120 lbs. Jake Sunderland - 4th; Eli Bonning - 6th; 126 lbs. Noah Bonning - 3rd; 132 lbs. Calvin Leo - 3rd; 145 lbs. Luke Williams - 3rd; 152 lbs. Gil Stawinski - 4th; 170 lbs. Seth Carney - 2nd; 182 lbs. James Danis - 1st; 285 lbs. Dylan Jenot - 1st. Congrats to athletes and coaches.

The team and staff would like to thank all the parents, volunteers, and athletic admin for their help running a great tourney. They have a busy three-match week on the road at VERG, Otter Valley and then the VERG tourney Saturday.

Six teams competed in the Essex Nordic Classic at Craftsbury Outdoor Center Saturday. The Hornet boys were second, scoring 38 pts. MIDD won the race with 12 pts., with BHS 3rd at 40 pts. Charles Martell finished 3rd, Patrick

Herrin 10th, Nathan Wu 12th, and Ethan Boutin 13th. BHS dropped the Hilltoppers 34-16 behind 12 from Cindy Sheertook first in the girls’ race totaling 12 pts., MIDD was next an. The JV-B squad destroyed St. J 57-12, with a solid effort, 22 pts., and EHS 3rd with 61. Emma Legg placed 10th, Emma great D and a team win from start to finish. Two games this week at BHS on MLK Day then Rice home Thursday. A visit Chadwick 14th, Emma Brott 18th, and Abby Monahan 20th.

The JV boys were third with Walter Stapleton 4th. The gals to Hinesburg is set for Monday evening. skied in second (by a pt) with Madeleine Moino placing The bowlers picked up their first weekend win Saturday in Claremont, N.H. Hartford placed second with second overall. Friday’s race is at Sleepy Hollow.

The gymnastics team won twice last week and is now Bratt third. They bowled 1461 - 692/769 - in the two matches.

Sam Buell 167 and Tyler Elias 237 (personal record) were 5-1. The Hornets drubbed Milton 131.2 – 107.4 then edged St. J Saturday before the snow hit 138.75 – 134.40. The biggest game-high respectively. They’ll hit Champlain Lanes this story in the win was the season-high 138+ pts the team weekend. scored in the meet. Might be one of, if not the, highest point The track and field team had a meet at Harvard posttotal in Vt. this winter. Here’s a look at the results: Vault: 1. poned. Plymouth State is the place this Saturday. Then no Ella Lesny 8.6; 3. Abby Gleason 8.5; Bars: 1. Livia Ball 9.3; 3. meets until states...strange schedule.

Abbey Gleason (E) 8.5. Beam: T1. Anna Cushing (SJA),Ella Happy Birthday Jackson Mead, Ashley Correia, Bullet Rob Hazen, Scott Brown, Judge Dave Barra, Officer David Lesny 9.2; 3. Emily Moll-Colis 9.1. Floor: T1. Anna Cushing (SJA), Livia Ball 9.3; T3. Ella Lesny, Abbey Gleason 9.2.

Bowers (always remembered for his clutch javelin throw to All-around: 1. Anna Cushing (SJA) 35.3; 2. Livia Ball 35.1; cement an Essex TF state championship) and Mike Anto3. Emma Stelzner (SJA) 34.65. They are home next week vs niak.

MIDD on Jan. 30.

The girls’ hockey team is now 8-1 after their 7-1 pounding of the MVU T-birds. Four goal in the first period from Courtney Himes, Sage Amaliksen, Abby Robbins and Amaliksen again began the barrage. Molly Bruyns and two from Maddy Young concluded the scoring. Young dished out five assists, Olivia Miller-Johnson had four, Bruyns, Robbins and Grace Wiggett had one apiece. GK’ers Sophie It shouldn't cost a fortune Forcier made three saves, Isabelle Seguin two to sell your home! and Megan Ginnett two saves. The Hornets put 38 shots on goal. They have allowed a mere six goals this season while scoring 47! Next game is down in Rutland on Saturday at noon.

The boys’ hockey is now 7-1-1 with a 7-1 hammering of Rutland and a 3-0 W over Rice Saturday. Chuck Weigand scored twice and Owen Young in the latest win. EHS has scored 41 goals and given up 13. Away then home vs SB and MIDD. The latter Saturday at 4:30.

Boys’ basketball is still 4-4. No games last week but a travel game in St. J, then a home game vs NCUH. A home date with CVU looms Tuesday. JVs holding steady at 7-1. The frosh 68 Randall St, are 9-0 with Rice and MMU this week and SB Monday at home.

South Burlington, VT 05403 Girls’ basketball is now 6-4 following a donald@vtdwellings.com 56-24 loss to St. J. Essex fell behind early and My Mobile: 802.238.7634 could never quite catch up. Olivia Noyes and Office Phone: 802.654.8500 • www.VtDwellings.com Noelle Lyon scored six pts. each. The JVs and JV-B teams are 9-0 and 3-0 respectively. The JVs

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16 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

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