Essex Reporter: March 1, 2018

March 1, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 1

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School budget shows drop in equalized pupil spending Projected tax hikes due to factors outside EWSD control, district says

By COLIN FLANDERS

The Essex Westford School Board has approved a $76.6 million school budget for fiscal year 2019, representing a 1.77 increase in spending over the current year.

Add in a $1 million capital plan, however, and education spending per equalized pupil is down 1.18 percent. That’s well below the 2.5 percent increase threshold Gov. Phil Scott requested districts like EWSD, which saw a modest growth of 64 full-time equivalents, to maintain this budget season.

“We have a really good budget,” said chief operating officer Brian Donahue. “We are going to be able a lot with this budget for the kids and the staff and the community.”

Less favorable is the projected tax rate increase, Donahue said, which is due to several factors outside the district’s control.

Reductions in the state-determined “dollar yield amount” and a drop in the common level of appraisal across EWSD’s three communities mean that despite a drop in equalized pupil spending, the district’s tax rate will rise more than 5 cents.

The district would essentially have a flat tax rate without those changes, Donahue said.

Still, homeowners who pay based on income sensitivity — about two-thirds of the EWSD community — will see virtually no change to their tax impact compared to last year. Homeowners who pay based on property value, meanwhile, will see about an $87 increase per $100,000 in property value, Donahue said.

Major expense drivers include hikes in estimated costs for outside placements and contracted services related to special education, salary bumps defined by recently signed master agreements and technology infrastructure.

Those costs will be offset by lower health care premium payments, tuition savings from Westford students attending Essex High School and the start of a single audit for the entire district.

Since the committee that recommended merging the school districts promised the move would save $1 million over the first five years, EWSD admin are focused on hitting that target.

The current fiscal year budget saw the district save over $350,000 by eliminating a superintendent, business manager and bookkeeper position.

The district now expects to save $740,000 more in this budget thanks to the elimination of seven additional positions — all through See BUDGET, page 3

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Essex Police Chief Rick Garey looks over staffing data last week. Garey says his department is in a staffing shortage that's impacting proactive policing efforts and jeopardizing a push for better recruitment.

A 'critical' low

By COLIN FLANDERS

Essex’s police chief says years of trying to do more with less has spun the department into a “critical” staffing shortage that undermines proactive policing efforts and impacts employee morale.

Chief Rick Garey said EPD hasn’t added officers in over a dozen years, and the department has tried to assuage this dearth by “work[ing] smarter.” But higher training demands and an increasing population has pushed the department to a breaking point.

"We've tightened our belts as much as we can,” he said.

That’s why he asked for two new officers in the budget Essex voters will judge next week. But according to Garey, those additions represent only a small portion of what’s needed.

EPD has 27 full-time positions, including one vacant slot and three officers now in the academy. Based on a reported population of about 21,200, that puts the department’s officers per capita at 1.27. Similarly-sized Vermont towns, meanwhile, show

Faced with a growing demand and overworked staff, police chief says EPD needs 18 more officers to match towns of similar scale

GoinG Grassroots

an average ratio of about 2, including Burlington (2.2), Rutland (2.1), South Burlington (2.1) and Colchester (1.5), according to 2016 data provided to the FBI. “We're 18 officers under what we should be for the community size and police department size,” Garey said. “But at this point, we'll take whatever we can get.”

He said the department’s minimum staffing – two patrol officers and a supervisor — has become the norm most of the day, forcing officers to bounce from call to call. That leaves little time for mandatory incident reports and even less time for proactive efforts.

One of those officers is Nick Van Winkle. He said he’s only seen the department fully staffed for one six-month period over his eight years on the force.

"You're working more than 40 hours a week,” he said. “Some weeks, I work 60.

There's other weeks I've worked more than that. A lot of times, officers are working double shifts, so they're working 15, 16 hours a day.”

For officers like Van Winkle, the See STAFFING, page 3

Officers use shoe prints, video to nab burglary suspects

By COURTNEY LAMDIN

PHOTO BY NEEL TANDAN

Carol Bennett stands in her backyard on Cushing Drive where her homeowner association sent landscaping contractors to rip up her garden, deemed excessive by the board, in July of 2016. She helped get a bill introduced in the House in January that would give more gardening rights to homeowner.

Essex Jct. woman looks to make gardening a right

By NEEL TANDAN In January, a bill was introduced in the Vermont House that would prohibit a condominium or homeowner association from unreasonably restricting the right to garden.

Essex Jct. resident Carol Bennett was the driving force behind the bill.

In July 2016, landscaping contractors showed up at Bennett’s townhome on Cushing Drive and dug up a section of her garden deemed excessive by her HOA. “I was hurt and very angry,” she said recall-

ing the day of the event. “I was in tears.”

At that point, Bennett had already been sparring with her HOA for a year and a half after she and about 10 other residents were sent notices mandating they scale back their gardens.

After the initial complaint, Bennett said she removed some of the plants in her front yard and pulled in the garden’s perimeter, but left the back and sides alone.

She also requested more information from her HOA as to what state they wanted the garden returned to. Bennett had been adding to her garden for a number of years and had also inherited plants from the previous owners.

She never heard back, she said.

“I got an email from property management saying they were going to come remove See GARDEN, page 2

Milton police were part of a three-agency investigation last month that ended in three arrests for a string of residential burglaries in January.

Local officers aided Vermont State Police in arresting Samuel Blatt, 26, of Milton and Ryan Chamberlain, 25, of Essex on February 13.

Milton police subsequently arrested a third suspect, 26-year-old Nicholas Coons, for possessing property stolen from a Milton victim, Milton Detective Frank Scalise said.

Blatt pleaded not guilty to four counts of burglary – two from Milton PD and one each from Essex and

Jericho – in court last week.

Though police cited Chamberlain for two counts of accessory to a felony, the state charged him with burglarizing an occupied dwelling, Scalise said. He pleaded not guilty in court. Coons has not yet been arraigned, police said.

Affidavits filed in Chittenden County Superior Court – Criminal Division show Milton police began their investigation on January 22, after a resident on Joy Road – a short, residential street off Murray Avenue – reported her home was broken into. Several items were missing, including U.S. Mint coin sets, cash and a safe, documents say.

See BURGLARY, page 2

EWSD addresses social media threats

By COLIN FLANDERS Police have identified a juvenile who allegedly made threats against Essex High School on social media last week, according an email sent to parents.

Police say they received a report of the threats around 7 p.m. February 20. An investigation revealed the threats were a hoax, and there was no danger to the high school at any time. Police say they served a juvenile citation and will be releasing no

further information due to the accused’s age.

Sgt. Rob Hall said police suspected the threat to be a hoax early on but must take each threat seriously until proven otherwise.

“If we felt that this was a legitimate threat, we would have handled it differently than we did,” he said.

Superintendent Beth Cobb first notified parents of the situation in a 6 a.m. message February 21 that said a few Essex High School See THREAT, page 2

2•

The Essex Reporter • March 1, 2018

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Essex Jct. state Rep. Dylan Giambatista has been elected to the Vermont State College Board of Trustees, which oversees the state’s five colleges that serve over 12,000 students.

He was unanimously elected by the Vermont General Assembly on February 15 and will begin his four-year term this Thursday.

“I would not be where I am today without the mentors and without the role models that I met through the state college system,” said Giambatista, who graduated from the Community College of Vermont in 2010 and Johnson State College in 2013.

He joins fellow Essex Jct. resident Christopher Macfarlane on the 15-member board that provides fiduciary and governance oversight for the state college system.

The trustees meet five times a year, once at each state college.

Giambatista said he’s joining the board at an opportune time given the ongoing focus on workforce development in the state.

He said the state college system is central to those efforts, though it’s having to adjust to some of the same changes in student population that are plaguing the K-12 education system — where he also plays a role as a member of the House Education Committee.

A self-described “policy wonk,” Giambatista said he’s looking forward to applying some of his work on the committee to the state college level.

“Part of the challenge we've seen in the state college system is the state has not

BURGLARY from page 1 Nearly three hours later, police responded to a burglary on Red Clover Way in which two piggy banks and a red-and-black backpack were stolen. The next day, a neighbor reported seeing a silver Chevrolet Cavalier on his street. The neighbor approached the occupants, two white men, who said they had pulled over to change their windshield wiper blades, the affidavit says.

On January 24, Scalise spoke with a resident of Milton Falls Court, whose home surveillance system captured footage of the same vehicle. Essex police Detective Chris May told Scalise that Chamberlain, known to engage in criminal activity, drives a Chevrolet Cavalier, documents say.

Later that day, Colchester police investigated a burglary on Sunderland Woods Road. Winooski Officer Chris Mattot had just cleared that scene when he saw the Cavalier run a red light on Roosevelt Highway in Colchester.

Mattot effected a traffic stop and was soon joined by Scalise, who asked Chamberlain why his vehicle was shown on the surveillance footage in Milton. Chamberlain

GARDEN from page 1 everything and they’re going to send me the bill,” she said. “And they did.”

The contractors removed her grapevine, rose and spiraea bushes, delphiniums and columbines, tomato and zucchini plants, her carrots and herbs, along with plants the previous owner put in.

She was told if she didn’t pay the bill, there would be a lien on her property when she tried to sell it, she said.

“I was the only one they did this to,” she said, noting other property owners with gardens much more significant than hers were left alone by the HOA. “It was selective enforcement at the time,” she said.

Bennett hired an attorney to try to secure a small compensation for the plants that were removed that she had not planted, and an apology for what she called unequal treatment.

She was ultimately dissuaded by the financial cost of the case.

Whitcomb Heights HOA president Ron Systo didn't respond to requests for comment before The Reporter's deadline.

That summer, Bennett petitioned other homeowners in the HOA, collecting 95 signatures for what she called the “right to garden.”

A couple months later in September, she sat down with then-Essex Rep. Paul Dame at an ice cream social and gathered neighbors who supported changing the law to require more consistency from the HOA with regard to gardening.

While researching, Bennett said she found a personal agriculture bill passed in California in 2014 that she wanted to use as

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maintained a high level of support, and as a result, that has shifted cost to students,” he said.

“We really have to work to make sure that we're not pricing students out and that we're giving our educators in our colleges the tools and infrastructure to makes sure these kids are getting a world class education.”

VSC board chairman Churchill Hindes called Giambatista a “champion of access” to affordable and high-quality education opportunities. “Dylan believes in the power of education to transform lives,” he said in a news release.

The VSC board includes five governorappointed positions, four positions elected by the board and four state legislators elected by the House. There’s also one student trustee that serves a one-year term. David Silverman, president and CEO of Union Bank, was also elected to the board last week.

For Giambatista, the new role comes with a bit of irony: He’s currently occupying the statehouse seat of former-Essex Jct. state rep. Tim Jerman, whose spot Giambatista is replacing on the VSC board.

Their first interaction? An email from Giambatista, then a student, requesting more funding for Johnson State College.

“He got back to me promptly and heard what I had to say,” Giambatista said. “That meant a lot to me at the time.”

responded he’d been looking for work and had turned around in a driveway, the affidavit says.

Vermont State Police later found the Cavalier’s tire tread matched one found at a burglary in Jericho. A search of Chamberlain’s vehicle turned up a digital camera with photos of the Jericho victim’s family and home, court documents say.

Milton officers also consulted surveillance footage of the Milton Hannaford Coinstar machine, which depicted a man wearing a red-and-black backpack, like the one stolen from Red Clover Way. Winooski police informed Scalise that Coons had turned in stolen goods for cash at a residence in Winooski and that Samuel Blatt had been seen there, a supplemental affidavit says.

Scalise learned on February 5 that South Burlington police had detained Blatt, who was wanted on 12 arrest warrants dating back to 2011. Scalise noticed Blatt was wearing the same clothing as the man using the Coinstar machine. Blatt was also wearing Nike shoes whose prints matched those found at multiple burglary scenes, including those in Milton, the affidavit says.

If convicted, each charge of burglary carries a maximum 15-year sentence, $1,000 fine or both.

a springboard for Vermont.

Her state representatives got on board, and in January, Rep. Linda Myers presented the bill to the House. It was taken up by the House Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs and was still in committee as of earlier this week.

The bill looks to put it on the books that a unit’s owner has the right to cultivate plants for personal use “in the immediate vicinity of his or her unit.”

Rep. Myers said the bill didn’t garner too much attention from other legislators or questions from the committee when it was introduced. She described the bill’s chances of passing and going into effect as “slim and none.”

“If the bill hasn’t come out of committee this Friday, then it can’t move,” she said.

Myers did say she feels homeowners should have “a little more leeway” when it comes to gardening around their home.

Bennett also joined her HOA board in December 2017 and has been working to implement a new rule amendment allowing all homeowners a 3-by-10 foot space in which to garden.

But she said unless a bill is passed in the statehouse, the next generation of board members could change the rules back again.

Bennett bought her property with her then-husband in 2008. In 2013, after her divorce, her therapist suggested gardening as a way to help with the breakup.

“I had lived here prior for six years,” she said. “I never knew anybody, and then I’m outside in the garden and I met all these people. It became this wonderful community.”

She said gardening is not just about producing her own food and getting outdoors, but the education and camaraderie.

“It’s healthy all the way around,” she said.

Casey Toof, 524-9771 ext. 125 casey.toof@samessenger.com John Kelley, 524-9771 ext. 105 john.kelley@samessenger.com

March 1, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 3

LocaL STAFFING from page 1 shortage is most apparent not in the major incidents but the calls that often fly under the radar: a barking dog complaint or a minor car crash. Each brings its own round of paperwork, and “all of a sudden they’re adding up, and you’re running, because you’ve got a bunch of stuff you’re trying to accomplish,” Van Winkle said.

The department has used technology to hone the department’s resources over the last decade or so.

For example, speed century units that are a common sight around Essex send data back to the station that can be searched for trends.

Officers then make targeted patrols and enforce speeds during peak hours.

But gadgets can’t drive through neighborhoods and business areas at night to check for broken windows or open doors. Nor can they respond to a bank alarm or any other incident that requires a physical presence.

“There’s some stuff that just takes manpower,” Garey said.

Some departments, including those regionally, have lessened their officers’ workload by cutting services and only accepting online reports for certain crimes.

EPD has resisted that shift because officers value oneon-one interaction with community members, but Garey said he’s now considering whether to shed some non-essential services.

The shortage is impacting more than that, however.

Speeding complaints are on the rise because officers don’t have time to patrol for the rule breakers, Garey said. He pointed to three automobile deaths last summer in which speed was a contributing factor.

Addressing some of the more concerning violations, like passing stopped school buses, becomes a challenge when the department can’t afford to assign an officer solely to the task, Garey said. And at a trustees meeting last December, police also reported an uptick in drivers running red lights;

residents continue to say speeding is rampant in the village.

Resource allocation is not Essex’s problem alone.

Departments around the country are considering ways to do more with less, a puzzle that’s been intensified by the growing scarcity of qualified applicants.

Some blame media coverage of police-involved incidents, while others point to the increasing demands of the profession and a growing job market that offers more career choices.

In response to shallow applicant pools, Chittenden County agencies, including EPD, hosted the firstever joint recruiting day last year, where applicants could take the entrance and fitness exams, speak with agency reps and even interview on-site.

Though collaborative on its face, the event underscored the competitive nature of recruitment: With so many departments feeling the effects, applicants can be choosy. That doesn’t bode well for departments that ask officers to go beyond regular duties.

The now-chief says he’s a prime example. As a captain, Garey oversaw the town’s information technology while also recruiting new officers in a balancing act where the latter suffered. He’s now committed to ramping up hiring efforts – and he’ll need to, given the strong possibility that up to five longtime employees could retire in 2019 alone.

“When we have a candidate come in ... and they hear from officers, 'It's nuts. I can't keep up with my work.’

That's the type of stuff that deters them,” Garey said.

Retention becomes a challenge, too, when officers can move to a different community and make the same pay for half of the workload, Garey said.

The department is also finding it more difficult to fill shifts when people take time off. Garey has come closer this year than ever before to ordering people in on their days off, and EPD has recently hired more part-time officers than he's seen in his three decades here.

Night shifts are a tough

THREATS from page 1 students had reported the threats to police.

She said the district took “precautionary steps” to keep schools operational by increasing security efforts and working with police, who had an added presence at the school Wednesday morning.

In a follow-up email sent around 12:30 p.m., Cobb said police had addressed “plans to make a false threat, suspicious emails and concerning social media postings,” and the responsible party would receive “appropriate consequences” from both law enforcement and school administrators.

“We continue to be so proud of the efforts of those in our school community who have reported any suspicious and concern-

sell for someone with a day job, however, and gaps in the schedule inevitably mean overtime.

For Garey, the challenge lies in the budget: To maintain a level of service the community has come to expect, he needs more officers. But more officers mean more taxes, and Garey said previous chiefs have been told several times new fulltime employees “probably would not fly with the voters" at that time.

This year’s request nearly met the same fate: After a three-hour cut session on the final night of budget workshops, the selectboard debated whether to keep in the department’s two new positions. The hypothetical officers had to compete with three full-time positions in other town departments.

Garey sent backup in the form of a lengthy memo urging members to keep his request intact, arguing that maintaining the status quo could have “significant impacts on the quality and quantity” of policing.

It seemed to do the trick: The board compromised on starting one of the two officers halfway through the fiscal year, with some members referencing Garey’s pleadings when explaining their decision.

It was a small victory in what Garey expects to be a long-term campaign. He still wants to add at least one officer to each shift and remains firm on his target ratio. But he notes the improbability of convincing the selectboard and taxpayers to green light such a bold increase —at least in a timeframe that precedes his own retirement.

He’s now researching some grants that defer salaries over a three-year period to help lessen the blow. And he continues to look for shortcuts, asking employees to share any ideas on how to do the job more efficiently.

What’s clear to Garey, however, is he can no longer ask his cops to work harder.

"Every one of our officers gives us 110 percent,” he said. “Where we're running into problems is we're not asking for 150 and 160.

“It's getting to the point where things are starting to break."

ing behaviors, postings or statements,” she wrote. “It’s clear in this case that your vigilance has strengthened our community and enabled this work.”

She said the district arranged for additional support services at EHS for both students and staff, and asked anyone “in need of support” to contact high school administrator or building principal. She also requested parents to contact EPD if they hear or see “anything unusual” regarding these incidents.

“The safety and welfare of our school community is essential, as any and all threats, credible or not, are taken seriously,” Cobb wrote.

The incident comes 10 months after a false threat sent six Essex schools into a lockdown. Police arrested two juveniles connected to that incident in June 2017.

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

EWSD school board members watch a presentation last month on this year's proposed budget of $76.6 million.

BUDGET

the current year. Donahue said the budget decrease is in response to a reduced enrollment while keeping tuition the same.

The school board’s process went much smoother than last year, considering consultants finalized the inaugural budget after the district’s first CFO resigned.

For Donahue, the budget also represents his first in a school setting after an 11-year gap (he served as CFO and vice president of finance and admin for Vermont Public Radio during that time.) He said he spent much time this year “getting to know” the district and focused on telling the budget’s “story.”

The district’s outreach efforts come amid a budget season where all eyes are glued to education spending, from residents fearful of absorbent taxes to elected officials dedicated to reining in costs.

While Donahue has included those nuts and bolts that will directly impact taxpayers, he also peppered in quick facts about the district. For example: The district reports 45 percent of its employees live in Essex, generating a total salary of $19 million that stays in the community.

Donahue recognizes his approach is a different from the typical budget presentation. But without any context, those “big, thick pages of numbers” have never resonated with him. “They kind of get me detached from what it is we do,” he said.

For those in the education system, a convincing storyline might mean all the difference.

Voters will judge the district’s budget via Australian allot on Tuesday, April 10, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

from page 1 attrition, Donahue said. Several of those employees will remain on in a limited role for the next year.

Donahue said he’s confident the current staff can absorb the added duties, especially since some of the positions are vacant already.

Taking the savings from those 10 positions and employing a “modest” inflation growth of 1.5 percent, Donahue said the district is on track to save $4.87 million in the first five years.

And while he noted the consolidations don’t mean the budget will be a $1 million lower every year, the trajectory of growth will be less than if the districts hadn’t merged.

“With a lot of hard work and a lot of incredible conversations, we've been able to do that,” he said.

At the annual meeting, voters will also be asked to add $1 million into the capital reserve fund. Projects planned for the coming year include connecting Founders Memorial to the municipal sewer system, repairing gymnasium floors across the district, repairs and upgrades to some school-based playgrounds and building improvements.

Voters will also be asked to approve a budget for the Center for Technology, Essex, whose budget is supported by tuition from sending districts, not local taxes.

CTE has put forth an $8 million budget that represents a 2.8 percent decrease over

Elaine FOR

VOTE MAR. ESSEX 6TH

Experience. Commitment. Collaboration.

“Elaine is honest and forthright and understands the needs and concerns of the entire Essex community...Elaine will work for every person in Essex.”

—Representative Linda Myers

As an Essex Selectboard Member: ■ ■ ■

I will work to maintain a fiscally responsible budget.

I will uphold ethical standards and foster transparency, and represent all Essex residents with integrity.

I will continue pursuing beneficial consolidation opportunities.

■

■

I will encourage greater collaboration between the Selectboard, Town Staff, and the Essex Community.

I will work to improve communication between the Town and Village governments.

Paid for by Friends of Elaine Haney Sopchak, 4 Pearl St #415, Essex Junction, VT 05452

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The Essex Reporter • March 1, 2018

LOCAL

Robotics tournament all about teamwork

By Neel TaNdaN Last Saturday, 32 teams from all over the northeast converged on Essex High School’s gymnasium for Vermont’s FIRST Tech robotics tournament.

This included 14 teams from the green mountain state. Each team was made up of 10 or more students in grades 7-12.

The Essex Robotics Club was present to compete as hometown favorites, decked out in matching flannel, with a robot they designed, built and programmed over the last six months.

The tournament is an “alliance format,” meaning a pair of teams work together in each match against an opposing pair, capitalizing on each other’s strengths, sharing advice, as well as their score for the round.

Joe Chase, who co-coaches the Essex Robotics Club, said the tasks the robots have to perform change every year. The upcoming tournament guidelines are released in September, and students hit the ground running.

Chase said good engineering is about cooperation, something the tournament underlines.

“It's not like robot battles or anything like that,” he said. “And that's the theme – it's called gracious professionalism. So it's a really unique competition in that people really work at helping each other out.”

With the tournament nearing, the Essex Robotics Club hosted several scrimmages in the high school cafeteria. They invited area teams to come and practice with their robots, pick up pointers and problem-solve with other students.

The gymnasium bleachers were filled with friends, parents and family members chanting and cheering during the matches, some of them wearing blue wigs and hardhats to show support for a particular team.

The scoreboard was displayed near the gym entrance with team names like Gear Ticks, Batteries Not Included and Udderly Supreme. Teams were ranked according to their points and matches played.

Each match happened quickly, announcers in green and yellow tie-dye calling teams to the 12-by-12-foot arena and robots constantly being whisked in and out of the gym.

At times during a match, the students controlled their robots remotely, driving

PHOTO BY NEEL TANDAN

The Essex Robotics Club perform drills and troubleshoot their robot at EHS last week in preparation for the FIRST Tech tournament. At Saturday's tournament, the club finished in middle of the scoreboard and went both face-to-face and hand-in-hand with teams from all over New England. up onto balancing boards or stacking gray and brown foam blocks. Other tasks relied on code written in advance. Team members could only watch nervously as their robot controlled itself in autonomous mode.

Essex Robotics finished the day near the middle of the pack. Co-coach Jim Dirmaier said a win for them is to spread enthusiasm for the sport, and to see more Vermont teams in future tournaments.

“These students are incredibly technically talented, but around the state, most of them just do it on their own and nobody knows,” he said. “They don't get a chance to share their skill.”

This is the sixth year of the Vermont competition and the second year at the Essex High School. Dirmaier, an engineering

teacher at the Center for Technology Essex, praised the club and competition as offering something students can’t get in the classroom.

“What the students get in here has such a bigger effect on them because they have such a direct connection to the results,” he said.

Essex Robotics is funded through a camp each summer, as well as by donations from community members and volunteers donating their time.

Jeff Sprenger is a software mentor who helped the students write code to communicate with their robots, reading censors and controlling motors.

“It’s math, it’s mechanical engineering, it’s electrical engineering, it’s like a multi-

disciplinary engineering challenge,” he said.

The Essex Robotics Club has been in existence for eight years. When it started, it was the only FIRST Tech team in the state.

FIRST is a mentor-based program that has the mission of helping students build STEM skills as well as confidence, communication and leadership skills.

Chase said the club made it to the world championships six years ago and to super regionals three years ago. He looks forward to the tournament each year.

“The impact on students has been amazing,” he said. “We want them to go through the process of the tournament, feel the excitement, but also respond to the challenges.”

Board reaches agreement with support staff

By COlIN FlaNdeRS

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The Essex Westford School Board unanimously ratified a two-year contract with its support staff, closing the door on the school district’s inaugural negotiations 18 months after it began.

“We are so pleased to have a contract that recognizes the important roles our support staff have in the education of the district’s children,” teachers union co-president Jennifer Letourneau said in a news release announcing the settlement.

The new master agreement offers a 3.14 percent increase in “new dollars” salary for 2017-18 and about a 3 percent increase for 2018-19. That, in addition to a move toward more consistent paid holidays, which differed between the former districts, equals about a 3.25 percent average increase for the agreement’s term, the district says.

The agreement also remedies previous contract disparities covering salary and seniority schedules, sick and personal leave and health care benefits. But the agreement’s most notable feature is health care premium

payments. Support staff will now pay 9 percent of health care premiums through June and 11 percent for the following year. They will pay the first $150 in out-of-pocket expenses for a single plan and $300 for a two-person or family plan under a health reimbursement arrangement, plus a share of the remaining out-of-pocket expenses up to $400 for a single plan and $800 for a two-person or family plan.

The premium percentages fall short of the 20 percent target etched into last year’s legislation. The bill aimed to save millions in employee health insurance costs that will cut the district’s revenues by $815,000 over the next two years.

Though the board nearly matched the target in teacher negotiations — starting in July, teacher premium payments will increase from 19 to 20 percent — lead negotiator Kim Gleason said support staff, who previously paid less then 10 percent, don’t have the same ability to absorb the increased costs due to their salary levels.

“We did what we felt was right for that group,” she said.

The board had recently declared

impasse with support staff when it ratified contracts with teachers last October, and as of this January, the two sides were still waiting on a mediator to help move the process along.

But reps managed to reach an agreement without help from an outside party, just like in the negotiations with teachers, Gleason said, thanks to new information from other settlements around the state.

She added savings from drops in overall premium costs in the new plans will help cover some of the difference. The rest will be absorbed in this fiscal year’s budget, according to Brian Donahue, CFO and operations manager.

Although the agreements weren’t Gleason’s first time leading a school negotiations process, she admitted she didn’t fully understand how demanding this round would be, given the task of merging two different contracts.

Gleason said she’s looking forward to a few months away from it all.

And even though she expects to start up the teachers’ negotiations again this fall, she believes the two sides will be in a “really different place.”

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opinion & community Support elaine Sopchak In the Feb. 13 Channel 17 interview of the three select board candidates, Ramona Sheppard described what she felt was an imbalance of representation in the village and town. The idea is that town residents are represented by five selectboard members and village residents are represented by five trustees, and also the five selectboard members. The suggestion is that village residents have 10 representatives and the residents of the town outside the village (or TOV) have only five representatives.

While understandable, this is a false perception. Suppose two companies were considering a merger. If I owned stock in company A, I would have a vote in the matter. If you owned stock in both company A and company B, you'd be able to vote once for each company. Since I don't own stock in company B, I have no standing to object to your two votes.

Town residents own "stock" in the town by way of paying taxes to the town. Residents of the village own "stock" in both the town and village as they pay taxes to both municipalities. As TOV residents don't pay taxes to the village, they do not have responsibility for village assets and debts. This is in keeping with the charters of both the village and town. The only way to change this is to continue the consolidation work that's already happening and start to explore changes in governance.

When I contacted Elaine Sopchak about this, she said, "When you vote for me, you trust that I will represent you at the table."

I do not trust that Ramona Sheppard will faithfully represent the interests of the entire town. Please join me in voting for Elaine Sopchak so that we may continue the progress we have made in bringing the people and services of the town and village together.

Daryl Stultz Essex Jct. Sheppard for essex Selectboard Electing Mona Sheppard to the Essex Selectboard will give Essex Town the dedicated representation that it needs: representation that will be 100 percent focused on town concerns.

Town-focused representation is essential because town concerns cannot be addressed by an outsider from the village any more than a cat can bark like a dog.

Mona’s vision for Essex Town is to preserve our natural resources, to maintain our infrastructure and to protect the public safety all within the framework of keeping our taxes under strict control.

Mona is a longtime town resident, and with over 30 years of experience as a business owner, financial analyst, municipal finance director, controller and HR manager, Mona Sheppard has the leadership and skills to see this through.

Let’s do this. Let’s elect Mona Sheppard. gail ann Konopka Essex Town endorsing elaine With enthusiasm I endorse Elaine Sopchak in her run for Essex Town Selectboard – please join me in voting for her by going to the polls in the town and the village on March 6.

I believe the Essex Selectboard and Essex Jct. Trustees need to improve communication as they negotiate a complex consolidation of services. Using her governing experience and interpersonal skills, I am confident Elaine can serve as an effective bridge. If Elaine can gain a seat on the selectboard and keep her role as a trustee, our communities will have a better chance to fix the overly complex governing structure we live with now.

I remember the role played by Rep. Bernard Parizo over 25 years ago when he was elected to both boards as well as representing Essex Jct. in the Vermont Legislature.

From what I observed then, Bernie served as an effective connecting role at a critical time. I believe Elaine can do the same today.

Remember, absentee ballots are now available. You can visit or call the town offices (81 Main Street / 879-0413) to vote before Election Day. Thank you for considering a vote for Elaine – and thank you for paying attention to the important issues that face our community. greg Morgan Essex Jct Can you say “conflict of interest?"

The Essex Jct. Board of Trustees is the governing, legislative body for the mu-

nicipality of the Village of Essex Jct. Elaine Sopchak is vice-president of the trustees and says she will re-run for that seat in April. Given how often incumbents win, I expect her to maintain that seat and her role as VP. The Essex Selectboard is the governing, legislative body for the municipality of the Town of Essex. Elaine is also running for the Essex Selectboard, a three-year term which would run concurrently with her trustee position.

If elected to both, she would represent our total population of 20,000 on Mondays and then represent an exclusive 10,000-person subset of that population on Tuesdays.

Who would she represent the other days of the year?

A selectboard member whose attention is divided and decisions are clouded by this serious conflict of interest will give short shrift to both populations. She has proven her value on the trustees and presumably has more to offer there.

Send a clear message with your vote for Mona Sheppard on March 6 that the selectboard deserves a member who gives their attention to those duties every day of the week.

Dawn Mcginnis Essex Jct. Vote elaine Sopchak on March 6 It is with great enthusiasm that I ask you to join me in supporting Elaine Sopchak for selectboard. I’ve worked with Elaine in several capacities including the creation of the Five Corners Farmers Market and for the last six years as trustee. In both of these endeavors she was, and is, instrumental in diving into the financials of our organizations. She understands we have a commitment to provide core services to our residents while eliminating wasteful spending.

She is unequivocally fair and transparent in all her work in our community. Elaine is committed to the entire Essex community, serving as a trustee for the village but also actively working on several bi-community workgroups such as the Essex Governance Group and Public Works Review Committee. Elaine understands the value of our communities working together while recognizing the unique qualities of each.

I’ve heard people question Elaine’s capability to serve effectively as both trustee and selectboard member – given the time commitment of each. This is absolutely not a concern of mine. Witnessing first hand Elaine’s work commitment, her organization skills and enthusiasm for our entire community, I know Elaine will be thoroughly engaged as both a selectboard member and trustee member. In the past six years Elaine has not held the trustee role in a vacuum. She has served on other boards and work groups through the entire 6 years. As someone who is currently serving as state representation and trustee, I know Elaine will succeed at the dual role.

Please vote on March 6, and please vote for Elaine Sopchak. lori Houghton Village trustee, Essex Jct. We need Mona Sheppard I want to express our need for Mona Sheppard on our selectboard for the town of Essex to expose the truth about the Town of Essex financial situation and her ability to agree to disagree with the status quo on how our existing board handles public concerns!

She will listen to all sides and explain diplomatically the pros and cons of an issue! She will deflate the balloon of deception and present the facts on why Essex Town is in the driver’s seat because she will not only expose the position of the people, but will foster their voices at select board meetings so they have equal opportunity to be heard.

That’s the kind of change in transparency we need from our selectboard members, that we vote into office.

Thanks for voting for Mona Sheppard!

Patty Davis Essex Town Financial management questions I watched the video of the Essex Selectboard Candidate Forum on Channel 17.

Ramona Sheppard talked a lot about transparency, and a lot about how the town needs better financial management. She said she has many years of financial management experience, and works as the finance manager for Underhill.

So I went online to look at Underhill’s budgets. It was very difficult to locate this information. She says she’ll make us more transparent, but she doesn’t say how. If she

wants to make Essex’s media services more like Underhill’s, we’ll be taking a big step backwards.

I looked at last year’s budget for Underhill. Their operating budget was up 8.2 percent from FY17 with a corresponding tax rate increase of 3.49 percent. In the past four years in Essex, the tax rate increase was never that high. The highest tax rate increase we’ve had in Essex in the last four years was last year, and that was only 3.15 percent. Our average tax rate increase over the last four years has been 2.7 percent.

Their capital improvement plan states “financing for highway equipment can be acquired by either bank loans or leasing contracts.” Currently Essex plans out over many years into the future how much it will spend on capital improvements. That’s smart financial management. That’s being responsible with taxpayer money. I don’t think its bad financial management like Ramona Sheppard says it is. erika Baldasaro Vote sensibly – vote Mona The municipal tax is approximately $14 million. This is in addition to the millions needed to finance our schools, all of which is paid with property taxes. The impact to families is real, and for some, the continued increase in taxes is seriously limiting their ability to “get ahead.”

There are numbers of issues the selectboard will be addressing that affects not only property taxes, but the quality and financial solvency of our community. For this reason, election to the board should not be a popularity contest, us against them mentality or the good old boy syndrome. We seriously need to elect an individual that will enhance the depth and knowledge of the selectboard, someone capable of assisting in addressing and evaluating the legitimate needs of the community.

We have an opportunity to elect an individual with a proven record as a financial director, a senior account manager and a financial analyst. Mona Sheppard has held both commercial and municipal positions of responsibility. Mona is familiar with federal and state compliance laws and has hands on experience interfacing with state and federal agencies.

Someone with Mona Sheppard’s credentials does not come along very often.

Mona is an outstanding candidate, and to miss an opportunity to add her experience and skills to the selectboard would be most unfortunate. Please consider Mona when you cast your vote.

Paul austin Essex Sopchak will stop divisiveness The time has come where we must stop the divisiveness that exists within our community of town versus village as it becomes a barrier to properly legislating within our community. The town and village school districts figured out how to work together and even merge. Our children go to one high school where they look at each other as peers and not town or village residents.

Our children participate in recreational sports with each other. Why do adults not follow the suit of our children? Calling any member of our community an “outsider” is ludicrous, ignorant and flat out wrong.

Elaine Sopchak understands that we are all Essex residents. Elaine has demonstrated this through her work with Essex Heart and Soul, Essex Governance Group, and most recently when she chaired the Essex Public Works Consolidation Committee, a committee of selectboard, trustee members and a resident expert, to deal with the complexities around consolidating public works departments. The recommendations from Elaine’s committee were unanimously approved of by both the selectboard and trustees. Elaine is the only candidate with the legislative experience who can hit the ground running on day one.

Electing Elaine to the selectboard will further help with town and village consolidations and help to break down barriers.

When you go to the polls on March 6, please keep in mind that we are all a part of one Essex and that Elaine Sopchak is the best qualified candidate. andrew Brown Essex Jct. Sopchak doesn't walk the walk Among statements made last week by Essex Selectboard candidate Elaine Sopchak were references to transparency issues. She

OBITUARIES

Carol W. Mauger ESSEX – Carol Weltzin Mauger, 59, passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2018 in Burlington.

She was surrounded by her mother, husband and children when she lost her courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Pottstown, Penn. on June 21, 1958 to Fredrick and Mary Weltzin.

Carol was a bright, caring and compassionate woman. She graduated from Springford High School and Western Montgomery County Vocational Technical School in 1976. She was a licensed cosmetologist who previously worked at and managed a hair salon.

John's mother met Carol while getting her hair done and told John, “I have a girl you have to meet.” John and Carol were married on March 24, 1979 and moved to Vermont in 1980. Her first child, John, was born the next year in 1981, with Jeffery following in 1983 and Mary in 1984. She raised her children to be as car-

ing and compassionate as she was. Carol was a Cub Scout den leader and Little League baseball coach. She was her children's biggest cheerleader attending every event, race or game. Carol was an active member of her church, serving in various ways including singing in the choir and a term as a deacon. She enjoyed adventures with John such as vacations to bicycle around Cape Cod. Carol made her name locally as a stage manager working with Essex Community Players and Shelburne Players theater groups.

Carol is survived by her loving husband, John Mauger III; her mother, Mary Weltzin, of Crosskeys, N.J.; her children John Mauger IV and his wife, Kel-

March 1, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 5

ly, of Jefferson, N.J.; Jeffery Mauger of Essex and Mary Mauger of Colchester; and her grandchildren Aurora, Lorelai, Wyatt, Christina, Quinn, Everett and Cullen.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful nurses and staff on the UVM Medical Center Shepardson 4 who treated Carol like she was a family member.

Services were held on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 at the First Congregational Church, 39 Main St. Essex Jct., VT 05452. Memorial contributions can be made in Carol's honor to First Congregational Church of Essex Junction. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com

stated that elected officials “must model high ethical standards,” that “how we communicate needs improvement,” and she “will work to foster open communication from the staff and the selectboard.”

Since October 2017, when the first complaint of harassment against a village official was filed, Ms. Sopchak has followed other Essex Jct. Trustees in suppressing information legally available to the public.

Personal names of those involved may be subject to privacy considerations. But the fact of the complaint being filed, and the amount of taxpayer funds spent on legal and investigative fees, were not subject to privacy laws.

This Essex resident thanks The Reporter for using the Freedom of Information Act to acquire town and village documents and to publish all facts on the harassment complaint legally open to the public. Village trustees could have released these facts long since. Instead the trustees, including Ms. Sopchak, suppressed this information. And except for the chair, other selectboard members were not told about what happened, though thousands of dollars in town funds went for legal expenses.

Talking the talk about high ethical standards, improved communication and fostering open communication to the voters has no meaning if Ms. Sopchak does not walk the walk when a major issue such as the harassment complaint happens. Her focus on maintaining collegiality clearly shows that as a trustee, going along with the majority outranks the principle of open communication to tax payers.

Ms. Sopchak has not walked the walk.

Voters will have to decide whether talk about open communication which is not carried through in action qualifies someone for election to the town selectboard.

Paula DeMichele Essex look beyond town-village politics I'm very pleased that my good friend and colleague Elaine Sopchak is running for town selectboard. Through her efforts working with the other elected town and village officers over the last five years, Elaine has become well acquainted with the finances, internal operations and staff of town government. She's uniquely qualified to represent the interests of everyone in the Essex community, as the town charter requires all selectmen to do, regardless of where they live in the town. I can say from years of experience working with her that Elaine loves this town and will be a tireless, fair-minded leader. Those who question her capacity to serve two boards need only consider her community service last year when she chaired the public works study committee, chaired the Channel 17 board on which she also represented Essex, and served as vice president of the village trustees. Elaine is also active in the Essex Governance Group, which is advocating for higher voter turnout in local elections.

The selectboard and trustees have made great strides in consolidating municipal services because we've moved slowly and gotten to know and trust each other. We know consolidation won't work if voters in any part of the community feel they've been disadvantaged. It's disappointing to see some people suddenly trying to poison the well by inserting town-village rivalry back into the process. It tells me they haven't paid attention to the many hours of joint meetings between the selectboard and trustees in which we've worked openly and collaboratively. It also tells me they haven't paid attention to the way we've reconfigured the manager's office, administrative services, and public works, which now requires us to work as partners, not as rival boards with competing interests. Elaine was involved in hiring our new unified manager. He'll be far more effective if we strengthen the alliance between town and village governments by having Elaine serve on both boards. It will also help all of us better understand how a consolidated governance board can work for everyone's benefit, not just one group or another. Elaine has a kind heart and a strong mind. She'll be a champion for town families and taxpayers. A vote for Elaine to serve on both boards is a vote to rise above the usual town-village politics, and say yes to a united, forward thinking community. george Tyler Village trustee president

THE ESSEX

REPORTER EXECUTIVE EDITOR

CO-PUBLISHERS

Courtney A. Lamdin

Emerson & Suzanne Lynn

SPORTS EDITOR

GENERAL MANAGER

NEWS & SPORTS CLERK

ADVERTISING

Colin Flanders

Suzanne Lynn

Ben Chiappinelli

Casey Toof John Kelley

REPORTERS

Colin Flanders | Michaela Halnon Kaylee Sullivan | Neel Tandan 69 Main Street P.O. Box 163 Milton, VT 05468 893-2028

news@essexreporter.com www.essexreporter.com Published Thursdays

Deadlines: News & advertising – Fridays at 5 p.m.

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

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The Essex Reporter • March 1, 2018

calendar

EssEx ArEA

Religious Directory

mar. 5

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.; FundamentalIndependent.

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.

DAYBREAk COMMUnITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester. 338-9118. Brent Devenney, lead pastor. Sunday service: 10:30 a.m., AWANA: Thursdays twice a month, www.daybreakvermont.org; brentdaybreak@gmail.com ESSEX ALLIAnCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct. 878-8213. Sunday services: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m., www.essexalliance.org.

ESSEX CEnTER UnITED METHODIST CHURCH - 119 Center Rd (Route 15), Essex. 878-8304. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. Service 10:00 a.m. 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 - 1 Church Street, Essex Jct. 878-5745.

Rev. Mark Mendes, senior pastor. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Sunday School: weekly at 10:15 a.m. 5th/6th Grade youth group: first Sunday of month.

Jr. & Sr. high youth groups: every Sunday. Heavenly Food Pantry: second Monday of the month, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and fourth Thursday, 2 – 6 p.m., except for Nov. & Dec. when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out community dinner: 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Music includes Sanctuary Choir, Praise Band, Junior Choir, Cherub Choir, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella & Ladies’ Acapella groups. 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. www.fccej.org; welcome@fccej. org gRACE UnITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct., 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / Route 117. 878-8071. 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. 8784014. 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.

cOurTesy illusTraTiOn

The Vermont Astronomical Society will be presenting on summer viewing options in 2018, including a close encounter we will be having with Mars. This summer the red planet will be nearer to earth than it has been in over 15 years. Learn what you will be able to observe with a 4" - 8" telescope at this event on Monday, March 5. See calendar listing for complete details.

1 Thursday aarP Free Tax helP

9:15 - 11:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Tax help provided by volunteer AARP foundation certified tax preparers Tak and Dorothy Ng. This service is for taxpayers with less than $60k annual gross income, with special attention to those over 60 years old. If married, both spouses should (but do not have to) be present during an income tax counseling session.

Qualified patrons will need to have received and make available all information and documents necessary. Relatively complex returns may be advised to seek professional assistance.

Call 878-6955 or visit the library to make an hour-long appointment.

library OlymPic Games

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Let the games begin! Join us for challenging and active indoor winter games.

hOmeschOOl skaTinG

Noon - 1 p.m., Essex Skating Facility, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. Come enjoy skating open to the homeschooling families at our state-of-the-art community center. For times and rental information visit www.ewsd.org/ domain/130.

Free cOmmuniTy sOuP and bread suPPer

4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Covenant Community Church, 1 Whitcomb Meadows Lane, Essex Jct. Choose from a variety of hearty soups and breads, plus a sweet dessert. Stay at the church to eat with friends and family, or pick up to take home.

For more information, call Pastor Jeannette Conver at 879-4313.

Donations are welcome, but not expected.

adulT cOlOrinG

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Come join the fun of adult coloring! Bring your own books or choose from a variety of printed pictures supplied by the library.

essex cOmmuniTy Players PresenTs "dOubT: a Parable" 7:30 p.m., Essex Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. ECP is pleased to announce its winter production of John Patrick Shanley’s "Doubt: A Parable," a powerful and provocative drama of suspicion and certainty, of faith and distrust, of fact and conjecture set in the Bronx in 1964. In keeping with ECP’s “Essex Gives Back” charitable donation program, all monies from concession will be donated to the Chittenden Children’s Advocacy Center. Adults $18; seniors, $16. See essexplayers.com or call 878-9109 for ticket purchase and box office hours.

2 Friday bOOk and bake sale

9 a.m. - noon, Grace United Methodist Church, 130 Maple St., Essex Jct. Please call Jane at 878-4078 for more information.

PreschOOl yOGa 10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell LIbrary. Come sing songs, hear stories and do yoga with Danielle. Ages 2 & up.

musical sTOry Time

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

Teen adVisOry bOard

3 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. We will preview the teen summer video, finish up logistics and do a practice run for our second annual Pun Off. Celebrate the Irish with green snacks. All 9-12 graders welcome.

leGO club

3 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Build awesome creations with Legos!

maGic: The GaTherinG

6 - 8 p.m., Brownell Library. Whether you know the game or are curious to find out more, come have tons of gaming fun!

kniT niGhT

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.,

Brownell Library. Adult knitters and crocheters are invited to settle in front of the fireplace in the Main Reading Room to knit, share projects and patterns, and engage in conversation.

essex cOmmuniTy Players PresenTs "dOubT: a Parable" 7:30 p.m., Essex Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, March 1 for complete details.)

3 saTurday bOOk and bake sale

9 a.m. - noon, Grace United Methodist Church, 130 Maple St., Essex Jct. Please call Jane at 878-4078 for more information.

sTOry Time

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

sPanish sTOry Time

10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Spanish stories and games for preschoolers!

usinG The TOOls aT ancesTrydna

10:30 a.m. - noon, Vt. Genealogy Library, Fort Ethan Allen, 377 Hegeman Ave., Colchester. Ed McGuire will explain all of the major features AncestryDNA provides including DNA matches lists, DNA circles, new ancestry hints and, most importantly, the shared matches. Ed will discuss how best to contact genetic cousins, how to identify networks of DNA matches who are likely to all share a piece of DNA with you and how to stay organized as you explore this new genetic landscape. He will also clarify the limitations of each tool and demonstrate some advanced techniques that just might allow to you breach a brick wall or two. $10; visit vtgenlib.org for more information.

sTOry Time

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Free.

PreschOOl OPen Gym

3 - 4:30 p.m., Building

Bright Futures of Essex, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct. Come run around inside during the cold winter months at our open gym, sponsored by the Essex Rotary. Free.

essex cOmmuniTy Players PresenTs "dOubT: a Parable" 7:30 p.m., Essex Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, March1 for details.)

4 sunday GrieF share suPPOrT GrOuP

10 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct. If you have lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you are invited to attend.

Weekly through May 13. For registration and information, contact Ron Caldwell; ron_caldwell@comcast. net.

essex cOmmuniTy Players PresenTs "dOubT: a Parable" 2 p.m., Essex Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, March 1 for details.)

arT exhibiT and recePTiOn

2 - 4 p.m., Emile A Gruppe Gallery, 22 Barber Farm Rd., Jericho. There will be a reception for the exhibit, "What Did the Rock Say? Part 1," an exhibition of a two year collaboration of artists Dianne Shullenberger and John Snell. Thirteen middle school students participated in an organized hike to Libby’s Look in West Bolton to find inspiration for the art on display in their respective mediums: photography, writing and drawing. The hike was documented by Snell and will be on display as part of the exhibition.

diVOrce care suPPOrT GrOuP

5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Bluewater Ctr., 145 Pine Haven Shores Rd., Shelburne. Divorce is a tough road, but there is life afterward. Led by people who have already walked down that road, we'd like to share with you a safe

March 1, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 7

calendar hours in advance.

lOcal MEETINGS ThURSday, MaR 1 6 p.m., Town zoning Board, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

committee, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

ThURSday, MaR. 8

MONday, MaR. 5

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

TUESday, MaR. 6

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

7:30 p.m., Town Meeting, Essex Educational Ctr., 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. 6 p.m., Village capital program Review

place and a process that can help make the journey easier. Weekly through May 13. Call Sandy to register or for information at 4257053.

5 MONday STORy TIME

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Enjoy reading, rhyming, and crafts each week! All ages.

TEch hElp wITh clIf

Noon and 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering one on one technology help. Reservation required. Please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance.

lEGO clUB

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Build awesome creations using our collection of Legos!

chESS clUB

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Come and play chess with a friend and solve the chess puzzle.

GO clUB

5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Come learn and play this 4,000-year-old strategy game. For grades 1 and up.

TOwN MEETING cOMMUNITy dINNER

6:30 p.m., Essex Educational Ctr. cafeteria, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. Come enjoy a free dinner prior to the start of Town Meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Free child care will also be available during Town Meeting.

VERMONT aSTRONOMIcal SOcIETy

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Brownell Library. "Summer Viewing 2018: The Perihelic Opposition of Mars, Part 1 of 2" by Gary Nowak.

Every two years and 50 days, Mars and Earth have"close encounters" with each other. Approximately every 15.7 years, Mars has a closer than typical approach to Earth. In the summer of 2018 Mars will have one of these closer approaches called a Perihelic Opposition (described in more detail in the talk). At that time, amateur size telescopes will have some reasonable views of Martian surface features.

This talk is designed for visual amateur observations through telescopes of 4" - 8" aperture and will cover all aspects of observing Mars. Observing tips and techniques will be shared to help bring out the most of your telescope observations of Mars.

6 TUESday TOwN MEETING day VOTING

7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Essex Educational Ctr., 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. or Essex Middle School, 58 Founders Rd., Essex Jct.

STORy TIME fOR BaBIES aNd TOddlERS

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

STORy TIME fOR pRESchOOlERS

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

lEEp

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Library Elementary Event Planners practice STEAM activity of journal making. Then compete in "Minute to Win It" St. Patrick's Day style. All 6-8 graders welcome!

dROp-IN KNITTING clUB 6:30 - 8 p.m., Essex Free Library. Bring in your current knitting project or start a new one in the company of fellow knitters!

7 wEdNESday BaBy playGROUp

10 - 11:30 a.m., Sunset Studio, 71 Center Rd., Essex Jct. Free.

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.

STORy TIME

10 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Enjoy timeless tales and new adventures with your little ones.

TEch TIME wITh TRacI

10 - 11 a.m., Essex Free Library. Need some tech help? Drop in with your device and your questions.

lIBRaRy OlyMpIc GaMES

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Let the games begin! Join us for challenging and active indoor winter games.

TEch hElp wITh clIf

Noon and 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering one on one technology help. Reservation required. Please call 878-6955 at least 24

REad TO daISy

3 - 4 p.m., Brownell Library. Daisy loves to listen to kids read. She is certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont.

Daisy's owner is Maddie Nash, retired school counselor. For all ages.

fIRST wEdNESday lEcTURE

7 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. "Transatlantic Traumas: Endangering the West." The West has been challenged

by President Trump's policies, Russian covert actions and domestic politics. Stan Sloan, visiting scholar at Middlebury College and author of "Defense of the West," asks if a perfect storm of external threats and internal politics is undermining Western values and interests.

aMERIcaN cIVIl waR dIScUSSION

6:30 p.m. Brownell Library. Free; not suitable for younger children. Contact stannardcamp@gmail.com or 871-5236 for more details.

8 ThURSday BROwNEll lIBRaRy clOSEd fOR STaff INSERVIcE fROM 9 a.M. - 1 p.M. hOMESchOOl SKaTING

Noon - 1 p.m., Essex Skating Facility, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. Come enjoy skating open to the homeschooling families at our state-of-the-art community center. For times and rental information visit www.ewsd.org/ domain/130.

fIRST wEdNESday lEcTURE ENcORE

2 - 3 p.m., Brownell Library. "Not for an Age: Shakespeare’s 400-Year Career" A day time screening of Middlebury College Professor Timothy Billings picture of Shakespeare’s life, poetry and stagecraft over the course of an evolving career with an emphasis on the uncertainties, pleasures, challenges and surprises they have held for generations of readers and audiences since his death four centuries ago this year.

Recorded at Brownell Library on Jan. 6, 2016.

First Wednesdays are a program sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council.

RaBBI Max B. wall lEcTURE SERIES

4:30 p.m., Roy Event Room of Dion Family Student Ctr., St. Michael's College, 1 Winooksi Park, Colchester. The program will include commentary from Rabbi Amy Small of Burlington’s Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.

EVENING BOOK GROUp

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Please join us for a discussion of "The Boston Girl" by Anita Diamant.

9 fRIday MUSIc wITh Raph 10 - 10:30 a.m.,

Brownell Library. Come sing and play with Raph.

All ages.

MUSIcal STORy TIME

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Rock out and read every Friday morning with books, songs and instruments. All ages.

fREE phySIcal ThERapy day

Noon - 6 p.m., Danform Shoes, 104 Heineberg Dr., Colchester. Get a 15 minute evaluation with a professional PT from Timberlane Physical Therapy. 56 appointments available.

Call 863-2653 to reserve your time; for additional details visit DanformShoesVT.com.

Want to see your ad here?

Contact our team!

Casey Toof 524-9771 ext. 125 casey.toof@samessenger.com

John Kelley 524-9771 ext. 105 john.kelley@samessenger.com

Send event listings to calendar@essexreporter.com

laRp

3 - 5 p.m., Brownell Library. Live Action Role Play is open to all middle and high school students who want to have adventures in a mythical land.

SINGlE adUlTS' VOllEyBall, GaME aNd pIzza NIGhT

6 p.m., Essex Alliance Church Community Center, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct. $5 suggested donation; call Ginny at 899-4160 to RSVP or for more information.

dUNGEONS & dRaGONS

6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library.

Embark upon imaginary adventures. Dungeon Master serves as this role playing game’s referee and storyteller.

For grades 6 and up.

Pets of the Week MAGNOLIA

BlUE SpRUcE GRaNGE STaTE lEGISlaTIVE NIGhT

6:30 p.m., Essex Jct. Congregational Church Hall, 39 Main St., Essex Jct. Come for a potluck dinner and then stay for a question and answer session afterwards.

Email adaley1204@ comcast.net with questions. Open to the public.

10 SaTURday wEEKENd STORy TIME

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

Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

STORy TIME

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Enjoy timeless tales and new adventures with your little ones.

haRRy pOTTER clUB

2 - 3 p.m., Brownell Library. Harry Potter dragon game, discussion, craft and snack. All Ages.

11 SUNday GRIEf ShaRE SUppORT GROUp

10 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct. (See Sunday, March 4 for complete details.)

dIVORcE caRE SUppORT GROUp

5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Bluewater Ctr., 145 Pine Haven Shores Rd., Shelburne. (See Sunday, March 4 for complete details.)

1 1/2 years old Spayed female Arrival Date: 10/16/2017 Breed: Mixed breed Reason here: Magnolia was found as a stray Energy Level: High Size/Weight: Medium - 51 lbs.

Miss Magnolia is a sweet and social girl who just adores being with people! She is perfect for all that Vermont has to offer: lots of outdoor activities and plenty of fantastic places to explore! She’ll make a great hiking buddy, she likes to play, and she’s one smart cookie! Ms. Mags has been in the shelter since October of last year and has not received a lot of interest. We would love to see her find her new home soon! Are you the perfect match for this bubbly baby girl? Come down and find out!

Dogs: Magnolia needs to be the only dog in her new home.

Cats: Her history with cats is unknown.

Children: Her history with children is unknown.

Humane Society of Chittenden County 802-862-0135

Lumber

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HARDWOOD FLOORING 3/4” finished thickness. Random length 4’ - 12’ (some longer)tongue and groove, recessed back (not end matched). MAPLE, CHERRY, OAK, BIRCH Price & availability can vary. Call ahead to confirm.

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8•

The Essex Reporter • March 1, 2018

classifieds & jobseekers USPS

TOWN OF ESSEX LIST OF POSTED ROADS FOR MUD SEASON 2018 Name of Road

From

Bixby Hill Road Brigham Hill Lane Brigham Hill Road Catella Road Chapin Road Colonel Page Road Curve Hill Road Discovery Road Fleury Road Gray Way Hanley Lane Indian Brook Road Lamore Road Lost Nation Road McGee Road Naylor Road Old Pump Road Osgood Hill Road Pettingill Road Sawmill Road Saxon Hill Road Sleepy Hollow Road Towers Road Ext. West Sleepy Hollow Road

Browns River Road Brigham Hill Road Old Stage Road Osgood Hill Road Towers Road Old Stage Road Lost Nation Road Lamore Road Towers Road Old Pump Road Osgood Hill Road Old Stage Road Gentes Road Old Stage Road Lost Nation Road Weed Road Sleepy Hollow Road Browns River Road Browns River Road Town Line Route 15 Weed Road Old Stage Road Browns River Road

EARN $75

We are seeking

RURAL CARRIER ASSOCIATES

To

Research Project on Decision Making

Salary Range:

End of Road End of Road Town line End of Road Town Line Chapin Road Town Line Lost Nation Road End of Road End of Road End of Road Indian Brook Reservoir Lost Nation Road End of Road End of Road Route 15 Town Line Town Line Town Line End of Road End of Road Old Pump Road End of Road End of improved road

Group will meet on:

$17.78 per hour, paid bi-weekly

Saturday, March 17, 2018 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

To learn more

about this exciting opportunity, visit our website at:

Complimentary food and beverages will be served.

Burlington area. 18 years or older.

www.usps.com/careers and search for RCA

CONTACT: researchvt@gmail.com (802) 777-3032

Vermont’s premier sitework and concrete contractor, S.D. Ireland is looking for experienced and enthusiastic people to join our team. We have immediate openings for the following positions:

• Precast Concrete Plant Manager - Williston, VT • Concrete Batch Plant Dispatcher/Operator - Montpelier/Berlin, VT

Date Posted: February 20, 2018

NFI VERMONT “Make a difference in the life of a child!”- NFI Vermont, a leader in specialized trauma and adolescent development, is looking to expand our team of innovators. Competitive wages, training opportunities, flexible work schedules and family oriented culture. Excellent benefits with tuition reimbursement offered for positions of 30 or more hours per week. Visit our career page at http://www.nfivermont.org to learn more! We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and celebrate the diversity of our clients and staff.

Clinical Case Manager Looking for an exciting new opportunity? NFI has one for you!

Community Based Services in South Burlington is seeking a full time Clinical Case Manager to join our amazing team of mental health professionals and our positive and supportive work environment.

Responsibilities include working with children, adolescents, and families with mental health challenges both in the community and in their homes. Ideal candidates work well both autonomously and collaboratively on treatment teams, have a Master’s degree in mental health or social work, have related work experience, have a valid driver’s license, and have reliable transportation. Come be a part of our positive culture with includes a generous benefits package, tuition

reimbursement, paid time off, and more. Please send a cover letter and resume to Brandiecarlson@nafi.com.

End Date: 1 May 2018 unless relieved earlier by the Town

Summer Employment Malletts Bay Boat Club Would you like a fun summer job on the water? Are you at least 17 years old and have some kind of boating experience? Come join our boating community at the Malletts Bay Boat Club in Colchester. We are looking for friendly polite Stewards to transport members to and from their boats and help the smooth daily upkeep of the club.

Contact Lynn Gardner lynn@mbbc-vt.org - 802.318.6480

• Fork Lift Operators - Williston, VT • Grader Operators - Various jobsite locations throughout Vermont • Concrete workers & Sitework Operators - Various jobsite locations throughout VT We offer highly competive wages, great benefits, including health care, dental, paid time off, and a 401(k) plan.

Please apply at 193 Industrial Avenue in Williston, VT to fill out an employment application, mail your resume to P.O. Box 2286 South Burlington, VT 05407 or send via email to kbarrett@sdireland.com. Employment Applications are available on our website at www.sdireland.com S.D. Ireland is an Equal Opportunity Employer

-Federal 1040 VT III

-Free Electronic Filing for Tax Refunds Fast!

-Prep fees can be deducted from refund.

THOMAS TAX SERVICES Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat 9am-1pm; Evening & Weekend appointments

Showcase of

Homes

ELECTROMECHANICAL TECHNICIAN We are currently looking to fill a position in our maintenance department at our packaging facility in Morrisville, VT. The ideal candidate would be experienced in low voltage controls, PLC programming, and come from a food processing environment maintaining and repairing packaging equipment. Skills with single and three phase power, boiler and building maintenance is a plus. When necessary, must be able to work a flexible schedule. This position requires frequent standing and lifting at times up to 50 pounds. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment is a must. Pay is based on experience.

We offer the opportunity to work with a terrific group of people, and enjoy a generous benefit package.

If you’d like to join our team, please respond with a cover letter and resume to vmscjobs@gmail.com.

AUTO

ToToadvertise advertiseyour your listings listingscontact contact your yourad adrep reptoday! today!

802-878-5282 802-524-9771

Casey Toof x 125 Michael Snook x x208 George Berno 103 snook@essexreporter.com casey.toof@samessenger.com george@samessenger.com

Auctions 300± Vehicles Weekly Repos, Trades, Donations & More!

Saturday, March 3 @ 9AM

(Register to Bid for Free from 7:30AM)

298 J. Brown Dr., Williston, VT

COUNTRY, BUT CLOSE TO TOWN If you are looking for a home in a peaceful setting with wooded DUPLEXlook no further!

COOL acreage but yetCOLCHESTER minutesCONTEMPORARY from conveniences, Beautifully renovated home with updated kitchen, flooring Located in Essex, this home will satisfy all your needs. versatile floor Excellent condition inside and out.

2nd floor unitAbaths, over 1100 sq. and anaccommodate addition with walls offull windows andkitchen vaulted ceiling.

Wood ft. Both offer 3 bedrooms, bath, large eat-inwith kitchens fully plan to your lifestyle, wonderful granite and stove, finished basement and One-half more! Great Essex location and offered applianced acre lot. occupied S/S appliances.plus Two laundry. story vaulted ceiling living roomOwner with woodstove, at $379,700. available. a great opportunity. amazing master suite, Carol Audette, CRS, loft and more. 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 car Offered at $325,000. garage and more!www.carolaudette.com Offered at $429,000.

802-846-8800, carol@carolaudette.com Carol Audette, CRS, Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman

Carol Audette | (802) 846-8800 | www.carolaudette.com 802--846-8800 www.carolaudette.com Coldwell carol@carolaudette.com Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

HERE

ESSEX POLICE REPORTS

Butternut Mountain Farm is a leader in the maple industry providing maple products throughout North America and around the world.

Simulcast Bidding Available on Lane 3 ’16 Jeep Patriot ’14 Ford Fusion Energi Titanium ’14 Subaru Legacy ’12 Honda Fit ’12 Hyundai Sonata ’12 Massey Ferguson Upcoming Auctions 1533, 4x4, Bucket ’12 Nissan Versa ’12 Subaru Outback ’11 Kia Sedona ’11 Nissan Murano ’10 Ford Escape ’10 Mazda 3 AND MORE! Subject to Change

Thomas Hirchak Company THCAuction.com • 802-878-9200

Emergency: 911 • Non-emergency: 878-8331 • 145 Maple St., Essex Jct., VT 05452 • www.epdvt.org

Feb. 19 - 25 MonDay, Feb. 19

6:47 a.m., MV Complaint on I-289 7:44 a.m., Animal Problem on Park St. 9:21 a.m., Lost/Found Property on Sand Hill Rd. 9:50 a.m., Suspicious on Main St. 11:14 a.m., Suspicious on Old Colchester Rd. 11:22 a.m., Animal Problem on Colbert St. 12:48 p.m., Animal Problem on Park St. 1:37 p.m., Agency Assist on Park St.

TueSDay, Feb. 20

6:33 a.m., MV Complaint on Old Stage Rd. 6:50 a.m., Agency Assist on Educational Dr. 7:09 a.m., Assault/Intimidation on Founders Rd. 10:05 a.m., Suspicious on Baker St. 10:06 a.m., Animal Problem on Park Terr.

12:17 p.m., Suspicious on River St. 12:46 p.m., MV Complaint on I-289 3 p.m., Suspicious on Wolff Dr. 4:10 p.m., Larceny on Essex Way 7:05 p.m., Suspicious on Old Stage Rd.

WeDneSDay, Feb. 21

1:05 a.m., Citizen Dispute on Susie Wilson Rd. 8:47 a.m., Suspicious on Educational Dr. 8:49 a.m., MV Complaint on Old Stage Rd. 9:33 a.m., Larceny on Loubier Dr. 11:26 a.m., Animal Problem on

Oakwood Ln. 12:46 p.m., Threatening on Educational Dr. 1:16 p.m., Suspicious on Pearl St. 4:39 p.m., Traffic Hazard on Pearl St. 7:03 p.m., Suspicious on Pearl St.

ThurSDay, Feb. 22

12:24 a.m., MV Complaint on South St. 1:32 a.m., DLS on College Pkwy.

10:44 a.m., Fraud on Sand Hill Rd. 3:20 p.m., Suspicious on Maple St. 6:01 p.m., Suspicious on Drury Dr. 7:09 p.m., Suspicious on Loubier Dr. 8:34 p.m., Suspicious on Ethan Allen Ave. 9:32 p.m., Suspicious on Rosewood Ln. 9:46 p.m., Assault/Intimidation on East St.

12:06 p.m., Animal Problem on Brickyard Rd. 12:36 p.m., Vandalism on Loubier Dr. 12:44 p.m., Citizen Assist on Maple St. 2:04 p.m., Citizen Assist on Logwood Cir. 2:41 p.m., Animal Problem on Sand Hill Rd. 2:59 p.m., Vandalism on Fuller Pl. 3:21 p.m., Suspicious on Loubier Dr. 3:50 p.m., Vandalism on Fuller Pl. 3:51 p.m., Vandalism on Fuller Pl. 3:52 p.m., Vandalism on Fuller Pl. 4:21 p.m., Welfare Check on Maple St. 4:44 p.m., Suspicious on Railroad Ave. 5:35 p.m., Animal Problem on Hillside Cir. 7:50 p.m., Agency Assist on Raceway Rd. 10:41 p.m., Citizen Dispute on Park St. 11:09 p.m., Alarm on Pearl St. 11:57 p.m., 911 Hang Up on River Rd.

FriDay, Feb. 23 EMAILED ADVERTISEMENT

11:05 a.m., Suspicious on Pearl St. 12:09 p.m., Citizen Assist on Pearl St. ADVERTISING INSERTION ORDER 12:42 p.m., Directed Patrol on Pearl St. 8:24 a.m., Animal Problem on Essex Thomas Hirchak Company Way 1:39 p.m., Citizen Assist on Pearl St. FROM: Terra 8:39 a.m., Accident on Susie Wilson 1:42 p.m., Citizen AssistKeene on Upper Rd. 802-888-2211 Main St. 800-634-7653 • Fax: Phone: 9:40 a.m., Medical Assist on Saybrook 3:21 p.m., Larceny on Brickyard Rd. Email: Advertising2@thcauction.com 4:26 p.m., Citizen Assist on Franklin St. Rd. 10:59 a.m., Utility Problem on Susie 5:25 p.m., Citizen Assist on Pearl St. TO: Gail Wells Wilson Rd. 8:03 p.m., Animal Problem on 1:48 p.m., Suspicious on Loubier Dr. COMPANY: Tanglewood Dr. CVNG 10:03 p.m., Fraud on Baker St. Papers: ER, MI, CS, SAM 3:13 p.m., Alarm on Educational Dr. 10:39 p.m.,1C=1.155; Alarm on Founders2C=2.39; Rd. Class: 3C=3.62; 4C=4.85

SunDay, Feb. 25

10:54 p.m., Suspicious on Central St.

TickeTS iSSueD: 17

TODAY’S DATE: 02/23/18 WarningS iSSueD: NAME OF FILE: VEH_CVNG SaTurDay, Feb. 24 DATE(S) RUN: 03/01/2018 12:05 a.m., CORTO Violation on Maple St. 17 7:26 a.m., Vandalism on Loubier Dr.

Fire/eMS callS

9:54 a.m., Vandalism on Loubier Dr. SIZE OF AD: 2x4 11:19 a.m., Larceny on North St. DiSpaTcheD: 56 EMAILED TO: gail@samessenger.com 11:47 a.m., Vandalism on Loubier Dr.

SECTION: CLASSIFIED AUTO This log represents a sample of incidents in the date range. For more information, call the non-emergency number: 878-8331

March 1, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 9

business directory & police log AUTO REPAIR & SERVICE T Day’s auTo RepaiR & seRvice Right off Exit 17!

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CONCRETE

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Small Engine Repair

Cedric C Pecor D.D.S

Bethany K. Fitzgerald D.D.S

Edward R. Klingebiel D.D.S

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Serving the community for over 33 years with the best dental care.

16 Krupp Drive, Williston VT 05495

Schedule a dental check-up today to maintain that beautiful smile!

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Most insurance plans accepted. Accepting new patients. miltonfamilydentistryvermont.com 157 River St., Milton • 893-4734

FITNESS

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LANDSCAPING

LEGAL HEHIR LAW OFFICE, PLLC Brian Hehir, Attorney Serving the area for 22 years.

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ADS 2.5 cord loads. DeliverYour professional Roofing Contractor ies throughout NorthAntiques Asphalt Roofs Asphalt Roofs ern Vermont. Call for 862-1500 Buying CARPENTERS or selling a Metal www.BlueSkyRoofingvt.com Standing Seam Metal Standing Seam TOOTHBRUSH AND price in other areas.

Frame & Finish homeSlate this spring?

Guards Slate & & Snow Snow Guards CUP Holder, Antique 802-868-9225 Tired of short work 4 Park Street, Essex Painting Ask about our Lafayette Low Roofs Low Slope Slope Roofs Ironstone, holds six weeks, no overtime FREE upgrade can make your property 802.662.4334 Furniture Skylights & Sun Tunnels brushes, wall mounted, and layoffs? Then join NOW- Seamless www.ElGatoCantina.com stand out with a profes- Gutters Firewood/Lumber/ SERVIC perfect condition. $25. RECLINER, IN GREAT our company today. EMPLOYMENT sional, clean paint job.

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10 •

sports

The Essex Reporter • March 1, 2018

Nascar this week

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

ATLANTA

1. Truex watch Not wanting to get too technical, but did NASCAR somehow wipe away Martin Truex Jr.’s advantage he enjoyed in 2017? Truex’s No. 78 Toyota failed inspection and did not qualify at Atlanta. His car chief was expelled from the garage last Friday. Seven of Truex’s eight wins last year were on 1.5-mile ovals, including the one Vegas race last spring.

Truex mentioned “these new rules” in passing at Atlanta. Keep an eye on this.

THREE THINGS WE LEARNED

2. Vegas, Part 1 Las Vegas Motor Speedway used to be a one-and-done on the NASCAR Cup Series.

This year it has a second date, and that race kicks off the Cup Series playoffs. Look for race teams to gather as much data as possible on their first visit as a prep for the more important second date in September. Vegas got the date at the expense of sister track New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

It took Kevin Harvick 17 years to make his way back to Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Victory Lane.

[AP/JOHN BAZEMORE]

1. Harvick’s house Kevin Harvick has dominated Atlanta Motor Speedway for five years, but scored only his second career victory there Sunday. His first win there was a few weeks after replacing Dale Earnhardt early in the 2001 season.

Sunday, he led 181 of 325 laps, including the final 25.

2. Earnhardt tribute After winning Sunday, Harvick slow-rolled his No. 4 Ford past the grandstand holding three fingers out the window in tribute to Earnhardt. The No. 3 (Earnhardt’s car number)

won the Daytona opener, and Harvick got his second win at Atlanta. “It’s just how it’s meant to be,” Harvick said.

3. Fords rebound Team Ford went to Daytona with high expectations, but left without the big trophy. At Atlanta, Ford drivers swept the top-three finishing positions and led the most laps.

“Yeah, we looked pretty good, but Atlanta is a unique beast,” Ford driver Joey Logano said.

“There’s only one Atlanta.”

— Godwin Kelly, godwin. kelly@news-jrnl.com

DOES YOUR CAT URINATE OUT OF ITS LITTER BOX?

speed freaks A few questions we had to ask ourselves How much emphasis do you put on Harvick’s Atlanta dominance?

GODSPEAK: A bunch. This was nothing short of a statement win for the 42-year-old driver, who wants to bookend that

3. Weird stuff Everything always feels a little different at the start of a Cup Series season. Take the driver standings as an example. Joey Logano is leading with 89 points followed by another 20-something driver, Ryan Blaney, who has 83 points. Meanwhile, Toyota has not won in its first two outings. The highest finishing Toyota at Atlanta was fourth-place Denny Hamlin.

Hamlin was the only Toyota among Daytona’s top-10 finishers.

— Godwin Kelly, godwin. kelly@news-jrnl.com

2014 Cup title.

KEN’S CALL: We already suspected he’d be in the championship mix this year, but a Saturday-Sunday sweep sets that tone early. I put a lot of emphasis on it.

Are you OK with a 36-car field?

GODSPEAK: Oh, how I miss those days of the

SNOW REST FOR THE WEARY

start-and-park drivers. Maybe NASCAR should offer up a few more charters if it wants more car participation.

KEN’S CALL: No, they should force people to spend tons to race for ounces, in order to fill out the full field. On second thought, yes, I’m fine with it.

I’d be fine with 26, actually, if they’re quality.

Hornets' nordic teams end the season with a pair of 10th place finishes at states

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If you check your calendars, you will see the month of March arriving this week. That fact coincides with post-season high school playoffs and state championship contests.

Buckle your seat belts for this ride. ADL Tourney champs were crowned last week. Silver for the wrestlers! Gold for our U.S. women's hockey team and men’s curling team. MLB spring trading games are underway. The Pink Zone Night earned well over $2,500 toward breast cancer research.

The wrestlers flexed their muscles last weekend in states. Congratulations to the team and coaches as Essex High School finishes as state runners-up. Top five teams saw Mt. Anthony win its 30th consecutive title with 274.5 points. Essex finished 2nd scoring 168 pts. St. Johnsbury, Mt. Abraham, Spaulding ended up 3rd, 4th, and 5th at 120.5, 105.5 and 69. The Hornets earned four individual titles and two 2nd place finishes. Individual results are in our scoreboard. Coach Ira Isham was honored to share Coach of the Year with Brian Coon of Mt. Anthony. Next year is the 50th official State Tournament, which will be hosted by the Hornets. The New England Tourney is in Providence, R.I. this weekend.

The Nordic skiers competed in states last week. Charles Martell was the top Hornet to finish as he placed 8th in the

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boys' race on Thursday. The guys' relay was 9th while the girls skied 10th in day one.

The results of the ADL tourney went this way: girls’ champion FHT of South Burlington best ADL in the finals, and Edmunds beat Colchester Middle School for the boys’ championship. Tournament hosts, workers and volunteers did a great job. You can also see our story about the ADL B teams success on our website at essexreporter.com.

The hottest show on ice is our girls’ hockey team who extended their winning streak to 13 games with two wins over BCHS (3-2 and 2-1) and stands 17-3. In the first matchup Hannah Palmer's two goals and another from Olivia Miller-Johnson sealed the deal. In game two Hannah Barrett and Abby Robbins scored while Sophie Forcier stopped 26 shots. They blanked Northfield 5-0 behind Maddy Young’s two goals, Kaitlyn Butkus’s goal and assist and goals from Palmer and OM-J. Forcier made five saves. They own the top seed in the postseason and host all games they play.

The Hornet boys are almost as hot as the ladies. They had a 7-2 win over Stowe and a 3-1 win over Spaulding to close out their regular season at a sparkling 16-3. Ryan Young scored twice while Grady Cram, Jonah Janaro, Willem Barwin, Sam Gibbs and Isaac Johnson all had goals vs Stowe. They should be the second seed in the D-I playoffs and host a quarter-final Saturday at 3 p.m.

The girls’ basketball team bounced Rice last week 6445 in their biggest offensive game of the winter. Emmalee Smith knocked down 28 pts., Olivia Duncan had 15, Sarah Coulter had 9 and Kylie Acker scored 8 in the senior night rout. They fell to CVU 38-32 in their finale (their second close encounter with the reigning D1 champs and state number two seed) and closed the winter 11-9. Acker and Smith scored 9. VPA rankings slot the girls 8th hosting Burlington this week. The jv’s are 16-4 closing their season with a big win over the Green Knights and a loss to CVU. The team had an outstanding winter and hopes to play a hand in some varsity wins next year. Excellent job!

The boys’ basketball squad team went 2-0 this week to end 6-13, beating the Falcons and the Lakers. Anthony DeCarvalho canned 23 points in Essex' big win over North Country 72-55. Robby Meslin and Grant Robertson added 15 and 14 points respectively. In their 54-42 win over CHS, Robertson had 21 with Meslin and Big AD contributing 9.

The jv's edged NCUHS 51-49 and are 9-7. They end the season against CVU and SHS this week.

The bowlers competed in their individual state championships last weekend. Highlights include Reese Meunier bowling into the Final Four and finished 4th averaging 190 on the day. Alex Prim, the number two seed, rolled the high game of the day at 258 and made it to the Sweet 16 while Emily Harvey and Makenna Thorne fell in the round of 32.

Alpine ski states were the GS on Monday and slalom on Tuesday.

Happy Birthday to my niece Stacey Gonillo, Jill Shumway, Charlie Vile, Mason Smith, Ben Ferris, Brian Walsh, Fla.’s John Tobin, Marisa Vanacore, Emily Danis, Sarah Tallman, Roland Noel, Amber Drabble, Sarah Dahl Perkins, Lexie O'Sullivan, Kari "Swish" Lavalette, Rob Jones, and Timmel Albertson. RIP BIlly Graham. Belated congratulations to retiree John Summerville; for the ex-dentist it's drill and fill no more.

March 1, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 11

Athlete of the week

EssEx HigH scHOOl's

ATHLETES

WEEK

OF THE

PrESEnTEd by

the essex

RepoRteR

Boys BasketBall 2/22 2/26 3/1

Colchester W 54-42 CVU L 50-62 Playdown at Spaulding, 7 p.m.

GIRls BasketBall 2/20 2/23

Rice Memorial W 64-45 CVU L 32-38 Finished the regular season in 8th place

BoWlING 2/24

Individual State Tournament

CheeRleadING 2/17

State Championship - second place finish

Boys hoCkey 2/21 2/22

Stowe W 7-2 Spaulding W 3-1 Finished the regular season in 2nd place 3/3 Quarterfinal vs. TBD, EHS, 3 p.m.

GIRls hoCkey

2/21 BHS/CHS W 2-1 2/23 Northfield Finished the regular season in 1st place 3/3 Quarterfinal vs TBD, EHS, 1 p.m.

Boys Nordic

2/22 & 2/26 state Meet

10th place team finish

Girls Nordic

2/22 & 2/26 state Meet

10th place team finish

WRestlING 2/23

Varstiy State Tournament Hornets place 2nd in the state (1) Jack Carney (third title of his career),160 lbs.

(1) James Danis,182 lbs.

(1) Noah Bonning, 120 lbs.

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(3) Alex Rizvanov, 182 lbs.

(6) Luke Williams,152 lbs.

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The Essex Reporter • March 1, 2018

SCHOOL & SpOrtS

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

Hornets fly over the Lakers to capture late season win heading into playdowns PHOTOS BY KYLE ST. PETER

LEFT: Senior Hunter Smith finds himself trying to move the ball through a veritable sea of Cochester players during last Thursday night's game.

BELOW LEFT: Senior captain Jordan Hines collects his group on the floor to set up the game plan. BELOW RIGHT: Senior Anthony Hope rises above a wave of Lakers to take the shot. The Essex boys soured the CHS senior night with a decisive 54-42 victory. Their first playdown game will be at Spaulding High School on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. Also look for more photos online at essexreporter.com.

Albert D. Lawton Winter Olympics: ADL hosted its second Winter Olympics starting on February 8-9. The Olympics were a school-wide event designed to promote school unity by spending time together as a school community. All students, staff, and faculty (about 445 people) were divided into 10 countries, each featuring a blend of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. The events were planned to meet the varied interests of the school population and ranged from volleyball and paper airplanes to relay races and hockey.

ADL Visits CTE: 12 ADL students took over the CTE Professional Foods

kitchen and restaurant with the help of the Pro-Foods instructors. They planned and prepared a meal for 50 family members, doing everything from deciding on a

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menu, scaling recipes, figuring out the per person cost, making infographics about their dishes, as well as the cooking and serving of the meal.

Essex Middle School Essex Middle School team Aspire learners, Izzy (right) and Adowyn, presented their experience with personalization at the LearnLaunch Conference in Boston recently.

They were selected to be amongst a group of 20 student projects from across New England to share at the Learning Innovation Showcase.

Let us help you spread your wings

Westford During the week of January 22-26, Westford School students participated in the Great Kindness Challenge.

The week began with a pep rally performance from the Westford School Chorus (accompanied by music teacher Becky Nowak on guitar and teacher Dave Goss on drums), while students also received a kindness checklist that challenged them to complete 50 random acts of kindness.

Each day began and ended with a stu-

dent reading a kindness quote over the intercom. Parent volunteers helped to staff a kindness station in the cafeteria so students could participate in daily kindness crafts and activities. Students also collected food for the Westford Food Shelf.

This week was so helpful to remind our entire school to bring our attention to showing kindness to each other. Thank you so much to our generous PTO for all of their support making kindness week a success.

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