The Essex Reporter: July 19, 2018

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July 19, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 1

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Elderly woman dies from heat exposure Cathedral Square says there was no way it could have prevented 79-year-old woman's death.

By COLIN FLANDERS A nonprofit that oversees senior Vermont housing communities says there’s no way it could have prevented an elderly woman from dying at its Essex Jct. property during the recent heat wave.

Mary Myott, 79, died sometime on the afternoon of July 3. Her official cause of death is listed as hyperthermia, a conclusion reached after she was found dead on the floor in a sweltering Whitcomb Woods apartment. According to her death certifi-

cate, temperatures inside peaked at 115 degrees.

Myott’s death came amid last month’s relentless heat wave that found several other Vermonters succumbing to heat-related illnesses.

But some residents here questioned how this could happen at a senior housing facility run by Cathedral Square, whose website boasts more than 40 years of “healthy homes, caring communities and positive aging.”

Whitcomb Woods is an independent living facility, a distinction that, unlike other senior housing, doesn’t

require licensure.

“Independent living is really just another apartment building,” said Pam Cota, the licensing chief for the Vt. Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living. That means properties like Whitcomb Woods are governed like any other landlord-tenant relationship.

For example, state law requires landlords give 48-hour notice prior to entering a tenant’s premises uninvited – a rule often invoked for inspections or showings – and while they must provide heating, electricity and

water, they don’t have to provide cooling measures.

Whitcomb Woods installs AC units for tenants who purchase their own, and marketing and outreach director Deb Bouton said staff waived the usual $20 installation fee during the heat wave. Bouton noted about a third of the complex doesn’t have AC in their apartments, so staff also set up a temporary cooling station – a room with AC – in the complex’s offices.

Staff had encouraged Myott to See DEATH, page 3

Handy proposes Pearl St. hotel

By COLIN FLANDERS Gabe Handy returns to the village planning commission this week for a final site plan review of a proposal that would completely alter the look of a mostly dormant stretch of Pearl Street.

Thursday’s hearing centers on Handy’s plan to build a 100-unit, four-story hotel and a separate restaurant on properties he purchased several years ago between 92-100 Pearl St. He believes the project can fulfill a need for more short-term lodging in the village.

“It’s all positive,” Handy said of the project, a clear allusion to the pushback he received from his last proposal. “It’s the right location for it, the building is going to fit in nicely with the surrounding areas [and it’s] going to benefit the fairgrounds.

That’s the whole purpose of this.”

Tim Shea, executive director of the Champlain Valley Exposition, agreed with the assessment. He said the hotel would be a great amenity for CVE as it looks to attract people and events during the fair offseason, or the “other 355 days of the year.”

“Anytime you see an investment like that taking place in the village, it’s very encouraging,” he said. “The fact that they’re investing in the village speaks a lot about the potential.”

The village also seems to agree: Staff previously wrote that a small hotel might be a good option for the property given its proximity to the fairgrounds, and last week, development director Robin Pierce recommended the PC approve Handy’s proposal.

“This is a much-needed development proposal in a location that is most appropriate for the village,” Pierce wrote in a staff report.

Handy is switching up from his usual hotel partner, Hyatt, to work with Choice Hotels. He said that helps him diversify his portfolio and not cut into his other businesses; the new hotel will be his fourth, if approved.

A Choice Hotels rep planned to share a presentation on what the market suggests for this area, though Handy expected about half of his units will be extended stay. He noted his new project comes amid a boom in the local hotel market, with more than 400 rooms proposed between Interstate 89 Exits 12 and 14.

“Will I be full every day? No, never going to happen,” he said. But he’s banking on few vacancies for five months of the year and said he’s in a “good position” with

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Nurses and their supporters stand outside the Essex Adult Primary Care facility in Essex Jct. last Friday in protest of the ongoing contract disagreements between the nurses' union and the University of Vermont Medical Center.

LOCAL NURSES STRIKE

In show of solidarity, nurses in Essex hit picket line over ongoing contract disagreements

By AMANDA BROOKS With additional reporting

by COLIN FLANDERS

began last Thursday at 7 a.m. at the Burlington and surrounding campuses, including Essex Adult Primary Care.

The strike was a result of the union and UVMMC’s failure to come to an agreement on contract negotiations, which have been ongoing for five months.

Nurses said they make less than their counterparts in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and their salaries are well behind national averages despite top executives making millions. The union proposed a 24 percent salary increase over three years to reach equity with the national level.

UVMMC countered with a 13 percent salary increase over three years, which it

increased to 14 percent in the final negotiation session last Wednesday night.

In a statement released last Thursday morning, UVMMC chief operating officer Eileen Whalen said she was “disappointed” the parties couldn’t come to an agreement on Wednesday night and believed the hospital negotiated “in good faith” with the union.

While the hospital may have improved its offer, the union maintained it wasn’t enough.

Janice Solek-Teft of Underhill isn’t a nurse at UVMMC, but showed up to the Essex facility to support her friends. She said

Town removes decrepit historic building at Tree Farm

Backstage Pub loses license for week

See HOTEL, page 4

“We are the union! The nurses’ union!

Fighting for our patients! And our community!”

Chants like these could be heard among car horn honks of supporting passersby as nurses, physicians and supporters marched up and down the sidewalk in front of the University of Vermont Medical Center Family Practice in Colchester last week.

The rally was a part of a larger strike of the nurses’ union against UVMMC that

By COLIN FLANDERS

D

iscernibly old, its age has eluded records for decades, a mystery more to blame on time itself than vanity. Best guess is somewhere around 93, though exactitudes are left to those there when the first nails were driven through its wooden frame, before its wonder years disappeared and its image became the subject of scorn.

That all changed last month, when the town demolished the barn at the Essex Tree Farm complex after years of searching for a way to rehab the failing structure. Despite its status as a state-recognized historic building, little fanfare accompanied the barn’s farewell.

Even in its heyday, the twostory barn was somewhat unremarkable. A concise 1994 memo from then-town clerk Rosa Lee See TREE FARM, page 2

See STRIKE, page 3

By MIKE DONOGHUE For The Essex Reporter

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

The town of Essex has removed the barn at the Essex Tree Farm, pictured above, due to structural failings. Though the barn had become a sore sight in its final years, the two-story structure played a vital role in the tree farm's previous life.

MONTPELIER – The Backstage Pub & Restaurant will lose its liquor licenses for seven days because the owner, Vincent Dober Sr. was found intoxicated on the premises, the Vermont Liquor Control Board has ruled.

The board also agreed to renew the annual liquor licenses for the bar at 60 Pearl St. but handed down tight restrictions: Dober will be prohibited from drinking or being under the influence of alcohol or any substance while on the premises, the board ruled.

He also must cooperate fully and submit to a breath or blood test at the request of any law enforcement officer, the board ruled. Failure to comply will lead to revocation of his liquor licenses.

The board also said it wants Dober to appear when it comes time for any future license renewals. Dober, 53, is a former Burlington city councilor and See PUB, page 4

2•

The Essex Reporter • July 19, 2018

LocaL

State Forest Tree Nursery at Essex Junction

LEFT PHOTOS FROM STATE OF VERMONT BIENNIAL REPORT, ABOVE PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Some of the 7,000,000 Trees in the Nursery at Essex Junction

TREE FARM from page 1 Guillette explained its two upper floors once housed poultry, then drying racks, while the basement lodged cows, later giving way to seed process equipment – not exactly the Holy Grail.

But the barn’s utility made up for its lack of pizzazz, and its impact reached far beyond the town line, becoming the go-to source during Vermont’s 20th-century push for reforestation.

The farm’s history can be traced back to 1909, when the first state forest opened in Plainfield. At the time, the forest relied on seedling imported from Germany, underscoring the need for a nursery closer to home.

Thus, in the spring of 1922, the Tree Farm was established.

Two years later, the farm transplanted a total of two million seedlings at a cost of around $1.25 per thousand, according to a biennial report from the commissioner of forestry around that time. The report explains the spot was well adapted for nursery practice.

“The soil is light and easily worked, city water is available, the nursery is within the zone of free collection by the express company, labor is abundant and spring work may be started much earlier than at the higher elevations,” reads the report. Plus, it wasn’t too far from Fort Ethan Allen, where the

LEFT: Photographs from a 1922/24 biennial report from the Vermont commissioner of forestry shows the Tree Farm in its prime, with captions from the 94-year-old document included. ABOVE: Dirt fills in the foundation of the barn's former footprint.

stables constantly churned a necessary component: manure.

A vital cog in the Tree Farm operation was the barn, whose windows – two dozen split in rows between long planks of novelty siding – allowed the sun to throw light onto trays full of pinecones. Known as flaring, this technique heated the cones until they opened to release their seeds. The farm then used them for plantings on location.

“They were into the localvore movement before it was popular,” joked Devin Coleman, a state architectural historian who called the barn a “core” to the farm’s legacy.

Below the windows sat a furnace room, seemingly

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an afterthought the way its small roof jostled for position against a crunched piece of siding, and lining the barn’s gabled-roof peak were three skinny metal ventilators.

Caught at just the right angle, they looked like locomotives passing through the sky.

Over 30,000 buildings are listed on the Vermont State Register of Historic Places, including 107 properties from Essex, as of 2015. The Tree Farm was the most recent local addition to the register, though the property’s historic value depends on who you ask.

In 1999, Robert McCullough, a University of Vermont professor who teaches a graduate program on historic preservation, confirmed the Tree Farm was indeed an “interesting and productive place in its day.”

“But it has been out of production for some time, and integrity may be an issue,” he wrote in an email then. “As a practical matter, if the state doesn’t continue using it as a nursery (and I doubt anyone is going to force them to), the land itself has only marginal significance.”

Town officials seemed equally hesitant to award too much value. Fearing it would face resistance from the state’s historic arm if it needed to remove any of the structures, the town questioned the state’s reference to the property’s historic nature during negotiations for the farm’s sale in the early 2010s, asking if there was any documentation to support the claim.

“There is a significant difference between something having historical value and just being old,” wrote town attorney Bill Ellis in a 2010 email.

But a letter from the

Vermont Agency of Transportation a decade earlier notes the barn is a good example of a “specific agricultural building type.”

While not exactly a glowing endorsement, the letter says the barn’s age and unaltered appearance was enough to qualify it for the State or National Register of Historic Places, even after suburban development along Old Colchester Road had somewhat compromised the building’s “setting.”

Coleman said the town’s pushback represents a common misconception about the state’s register: Once a building is listed there, it can’t be touched.

“That’s not really true,” Coleman said. “The listing is a documentation of the historical significance of the property. With that information, then a decision can be made.”

Charles and Lumina LaBelle conveyed the land to the state on Aug. 20, 1963.

The state ran the nursery as a tree farm until 1995, when it closed after three years of operating at a deficit. Selectboard minutes from that year show a presentation by the state reported sales from the farm dropped to 257,000 seedlings in its final fiscal year, down from two million transplants 70 years before.

A handful of town residents expressed concern over the state’s closure, prompting a committee that eventually proposed the town lease the 100-acre property. The town inked that deal at the turn of the millennium, and a decade later, paid $186,700 to own the land outright.

Since then, the town has considered how to remedy the failing barn, implementing temporary fixes while it considered other options, like rehabbing the building for storage, a hot

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But a structural engineer confirmed a full-on fix wasn’t worth the cost, nor were any other potential remedies.

“The building was not, by any sense, structurally sound,” public works director Dennis Lutz said.

A re-examination of the building last fall showed it had given out at the center, one of the walls buckling to the point where any entry was unsafe. The town constructed a chain fence around the barn to prevent any unwanted visitors, since vandals broke in several times over the years to do “whatever vandals normally do,” Lutz said.

In the end, costs to fix the building outpaced the price to take it down, so the town contracted an environmental firm to manage its removal last month. Now, a layer of dirt delineates the former foundation, a spool of chain-link fence lying nearby.

The town plans to restore the site to a grassy, open area. At least for now.

Lutz is now working on next year’s budget, and said the town should consider the best use for that site.

“The problem is as a public investment, you would not go out there and reconstruct that building without an associated use,” he said. “Because all you’re asking for is vandals to come in and destroy it for a second time.”

Coleman said while some old buildings lend themselves to repurposing, the barn’s specific build likely limited any modern use. He’s also aware that much as some want to save all the buildings, sometimes it’s just not economically feasible.

Still, news of the barn’s demise saddened him. He said buildings like the barn, buildings that may be poor in appearance but rich in history, provide a sense of place that’s still so important here. They help people feel like they live “somewhere real,” he said.

“That’s why Vermont is Vermont,” Coleman said. “Our little towns and villages haven’t all been monopolized by discount stores and mini marts – the things you can see all over the rest of the country. You come to a Vermont village, and there’s a little country store that only exists in that village and when you see it, you know where you are.”

Community members in other towns that have torn down historic buildings have even called him to lament the change.

“They just feel lost,” he said. “They’ve lost that visual landmark, and suddenly, ‘Where am I?’”

LocaL DEATH from page 1 head down there, and hours before her death, several family members did the same. But she demurred.

“Everybody’s really sad about it, but people have the right to make poor decisions: free will,” Bouton said. “Unfortunately, in this case, it was clearly a fatal decision.”

Myott’s choice to stay home may seem irresponsible, but it didn’t surprise her friend, Patricia Myott.

“She wouldn’t want to be imposing on anybody or anything,” Patricia Myott said. “She was that sort of a woman.”

Patricia remained one of Myott’s few close friends despite their unique relationship. She is married to Myott’s ex-husband.

Patricia described her friend as a “hard-working lady” who never asked “anybody for anything” despite living a hard life.

Myott began drinking at 16 and continued her heavy alcohol use for decades, holding down a waitress job for most of her adult years, Patricia said. Myott moved into her second-floor apartment at Whitcomb Woods about six years ago after she sold her home at the trailer park across from Fanny Allen, and though she had several close friends, she mostly kept to

herself.

Her death appeared as a blip in Vermont media outlets. Most couched it in broad strokes, describing the heat wave’s toll, and at least one mentioned her chronic alcohol use as a contributing factor – an observation noted on her death certificate.

Patricia said that frustrated her because Myott achieved sobriety in her late 60s and proudly remained so for the last 12 years of her life. Even though a history of drinking made Myott’s final years difficult, Patricia believes more could have been done to prevent her friend’s untimely death.

She understands it would be a major renovation to install central air throughout the Whitcomb Woods property and acknowledged equipping each unit with an air conditioner is probably not cost effective given the rarity of heat waves here. But there are cheaper ways to ensure tenants’ safety, she suggested.

“How hard is it to do a sweep, going down the hallway and knocking on doors?” Patricia asked.

Cathedral Square oversees 29 other senior housing or special needs living facilities in addition to Whitcomb Woods. The organi-

zation houses over 1,100 people, more than 60 of whom live on the Essex Jct. property.

Affordable senior housing organizations are poised to assume an even greater role in the coming decades as the nation’s population ages. That’s doubly true in Vermont, a state increasingly defined

then, the state’s median age is also expected to climb to 44 – five years older than the projected national average.

Whitcomb Woods accepts Section 8 vouchers that allow residents to pay about 30 percent of their monthly income toward rent.

Eligible residents must either be disabled or 62 or older and make an individual income of below $29,400 per year.

Perpetual affordability is vital for seniors like Myott, whose main source of income was Social Security. The federal government says these payments to individuals who live independently hover around $800 per month.

Plus, Cathedral Square has partnered with the Support and Services at Home program in many Vermont communities, offering voluntary, free health services for their senior tenants without having to leave Deb Bouton their home. SASH links parCathedral Square director of ticipants with a coordinator marketing and outreach and wellness nurse, who checks in regularly.

“We don’t just look at the people who live there as by its aging population, and for tenants. We look at them as somegood reason: The Vermont Hous- what of an extended family,” said ing Finance Agency reports that Bouton, the spokeswoman. “The nearly one of every four Vermont- staff really cares about all the resers will be 65 or older by 2030. By idents and makes every effort to

“Everybody’s really sad about it, but people have the right to make poor decisions."

STRIKE from page 1 her colleagues’ shifts are made much more difficult due to the limited number of staff.

“I’m out here to support the care that these nurses provide for us, because they really are on the firing line,” Solek-Teft said.

“If it wasn’t for the nurses, the whole hospital would fall apart.”

She also worried about them leaving the community if conditions don’t improve.

“I have [a] friend that was hired about a year ago with a group of 10; there’s only four left,” she said. “They’re leaving because the pay is so low here, they can’t keep quality nurses.”

Nurses in Colchester also cited staff turnover and low wages that they said threaten the quality of care they can provide patients.

“We don’t have the staff to answer the phones. We don’t have the nursing staff to take care of the patients,” Kim DeForgeCronin, RN, said. “If you call our clinic, you can be assured that you’re going to be on hold for 15 or 20 minutes just to get through to someone.”

Jordanne Vetters, a nurse practitioner, joined Colchester Family Practice about a year ago at a lower starting salary than her previous job at Burlington Health and Rehab, despite having two years of experience.

“I have a hefty student loan bill, and it’s not easy to make that payment every month when you’re barely compensated,” she said.

She added that competitive wages at rehab and long-term care centers are more desirable to newer nurses and will most likely affect UVMMC’s staffing levels if wages don’t increase.

But it’s not just about the money, nurses said.

Local stormwater coordinator wins award Town of Essex stormwater coordinator Annie Costandi received Green Mountain Water Environment Association’s Stormwater Award at its annual Member Meeting and Training Conference at the Killington Grand Hotel and Conference Center, May 24. In presenting the award, Green Mountain Water Environment Association (GMWEA) President Richard Kenney praised Costandi’s outstanding leadership in many municipal stormwater management and clean water initiatives at the local and regional level in 2017.

Costandi, who recently received her certification

Annie Costandi as a municipal stormwater inspector, is responsible for stormwater system inspection, project coordination, pollution prevention, and public education in Essex. She is active in many regional MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer

system) initiatives, and has helped secure five grants worth over two million dollars for stormwater pollution mitigation projects for the town.

GMWEA is a statewide non-profit membership association founded in 1994.

Its 500 members are water, wastewater, and stormwater facility operators, municipal public works staff, water scientists and engineers, and state agency staff active in preventing water pollution. It provides technical trainings required for certification, promotes public awareness of water quality issues, and advocates for best practice water-quality policies.

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“It’s about safe staffing and putting the money where it belongs,” DeForge-Cronin said.

Nurses at the rally voiced their concerns over UVMMC executives’ high salaries despite staffing concerns at the practices. According to UVMMC’s Form 990 for the fiscal year 2016 – the latest available with the IRS – CEO John Brumstead made just shy of $2.2 million. Whalen made over $860,000.

“They don’t spread the wealth,” said Joanne Hunt, RN, at Colchester Family Practice. “A lot of it’s about respect at this point.”

Nurses wonder why some of that money can’t be put toward better equipment, supplies and support staff to ease the already strained nurses’ workloads.

“They could do so much with that money to take care of patients and improve the quality of care,” DeForge-Cronin said.

“There are nurses mopping up floors in-

keep them safe and healthy.”

Patricia isn’t convinced. She said incidents like what happened to her friend are exactly why she’s staved off suggestions to move into a senior housing complex after the death of her husband last summer.

Immediately after learning how Myott died, Patricia called her sister-in-law, who’s currently on a waitlist for senior housing.

Knowing Whitcomb Woods was a potential landing spot, Patricia offered some free advice.

“You really need to get in a safer place,” she said.

Seniors are prone to heatrelated health problems because their bodies don’t adjust as well to sudden temperature changes, spurring a common refrain during summer’s hottest days: check in on the elderly. In a statement issued earlier this month, Gov. Phil Scott urged Vermonters to do just that.

But Bouton said Myott’s death emphasizes that older adults need to be “mindful” of the need to get out of the heat. She said the loss saddened everyone at Cathedral Square, yet confirmed the organization won’t change any policies because it already makes sure people have a safe place to go during weather events.

“You can’t force someone to do something that they don’t want to do,” she said.

stead of taking care of patients. It’s definitely frustrating.”

“For me, ultimately it’s about taking better care of our patients across the board,” added Hunt.

Dr. Alan Ramsay and Dr. Marga Sproul, the founding practitioners of Colchester Family Practice, were at the strike Thursday supporting the nurses. Their major concern was growing healthcare costs caused by the lack of support for primary care physicians.

“Vermonters are not going to be able to afford health care unless we invest more in nurses, physicians and nurse practitioners that provide primary care,” Ramsey said.

“Unless you value this side of the healthcare system, we’re all going to be in trouble.”

While the two-day strike ended last Friday and nurses returned to work over the weekend, talks between the hospital and the union will resume next week.

4•

The Essex Reporter • July 19, 2018

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“The pie is getting smaller and smaller, but if we all just sit back and do nothing, then it will be a shortage again of rooms like it used to be eight to 10 years ago,” he said.

The proposal is Handy’s first to hit the village PC after a long and arduous process to greenlight his senior housing proposal on Park Street. With his nearest neighbors being the railroad and the Dollar Tree building, which he owns, he expected an easier path to approval this time.

A pair of local business owners hopes that’s the case.

“All the venues that come to the fairgrounds all year long, all the people that show up to be here, they go to Burlington, they go to Williston, they go to South Burlington and Colchester,” said Larry Bissonnette, co-owner of the BBQ food truck, Still Smok’n Vt. “Why not keep the revenue right here in Essex?” he asked.

Handy called the duo a good prospect to take up residency in his new restaurant. The Bissonnettes seemed interested in the idea, especially given the proximity to the hotel and the fact the restaurant would go up right where their food truck is now.

Still, they need to hear more details about the project and its timeline, they said. What’s clear to them is Handy’s project is needed.

“It’s a perfect spot,” Phillip Bissonnette said.

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

If approved, Gabe Handy's hotel will go up in this vacant lot beside the Dollar Tree.

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PUB from page 1 was on its licensing committee. He has owned the Essex bar for about five years.

The board’s eight-page decision said when bar owners drink at their own establishment, “it creates difficulties, if not impossibilities, in liquor law enforcement. The line between employee and patron is too easily blurred.

“We have now found that Mr. Dober’s intoxication has led to violations stemming from his role as both employee and patron of his licensed establishment,” the decision continues. “These infractions cannot continue if licensee wishes to remain licensed.”

The suspension is scheduled to go into effect August 1.

Longtime Burlington lawyer Norm Blais, who represents Dober, said Tuesday an appeal was unlikely. Dober has 30 days to appeal.

“We feel they were rea-

sonable conditions to be imposed considering the circumstances, and he will live with them,” Blais told The Essex Reporter.

The decision comes after a series of events at the bar located on the backside of a major shopping center in the village. One case involved whether Dober was impaired at his bar, and the other allegation was he failed to fully disclose his criminal record.

The town of Essex has said it would postpone any possible disciplinary action until the state resolved its case. Assistant town manager Greg Duggan said Tuesday the staff is proposing some discussion – but not a hearing – at the Aug. 6 selectboard meeting.

Essex Police had reported there were 26 incidents at Backstage between Jan. 1, 2017 and April 4, 2018 that generated some kind of police response. These included at least seven documented cases of driving while under the influence;

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the other complaints were for assaults, intoxicated persons, disorderly conduct and a non-fatal drug overdose.

During the state board hearing May 16, Dober tried to dispute the testimony of liquor investigator Jay Clark. The veteran investigator testified the bar owner was intoxicated, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet the night of April 28.

Clark was called to the bar after getting two anonymous tips that Dober was intoxicated, the board said.

The board found Clark’s testimony “credible in all respects,” it said.

Dober had testified he wasn’t drunk but rather had a respiratory illness.

Two days after the encounter with Clark, Dober said he sought medical care and was diagnosed with bronchitis. The board said Clark was qualified to tell the difference between the signs for intoxication and for a cold.

“A liquor license is a privilege and not a right,” the board noted in its decision. “At the forefront of the board’s duties, we are charged with ensuring public safety. Determining whether a license can be granted and to whom a license may be granted is a matter entrusted to this board and is not a matter to be taken lightly.”

Blais was able to get a third misconduct charge – failing to provide a breath test – tossed out by the board on a 3-0 vote. There was some confusion whether the breath test requirement imposed earlier by the liquor board was enforceable only when Dober was working at the bar or anytime he was present.

Clark testified Dober tried several times to give a breath test but failed to complete blowing into the machine. Dober attributed it to his sickness.

Dober maintained he was not working the night Clark asked for the test.

Clark testified the on-duty

bartender, Kelly Clifford, indicated she never served Dober, but he had at least four Bud Light drafts, the board wrote. Clark said Clifford indicated she thought Dober was intoxicated.

The doorman, who got to work at 9 p.m., also thought Dober was drunk, the board said. He said if Dober had been any other patron, he would have removed him from the premises, but he feared losing his job, the board said.

The breath test condition was added to Dober’s license in April following an earlier incident in which he was found tending bar with a .172 percent bloodalcohol level. He paid a $350 fine for the infraction, and Backstage’s license was suspended for three days due to an intoxicated patron on the premises that same night.

The other main charge centered on a Sept. 20, 2017 traffic incident in Addison County by the Champlain Bridge connecting Vermont and New York.

Numerous firearms, including two loaded guns, were on the front seat console of Dober’s vehicle, police said. Dober, who said he’s a longtime marksman, testified he thought he was charged with six felonies and seven misdemeanors in New York, but in the end, he was convicted of two gunrelated misdemeanors and an alcohol violation, records show.

On his license renewal the previous year, Dober disclosed the conviction but failed to provide any detail, including which court and what offense. The notation led DLC to uncover Dober’s alcohol-related offense.

The board decided this didn’t amount to misrepresentation but noted the “licensee application could have been more forthcoming about the totality of the events leading to his arrest.”

The board did say it would consider the alcoholrelated conviction in Dober’s next license renewal, including whether conditions should be imposed.

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JULY 18–28

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opinion & community

July 19, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR town did wrong by Wrenner There are some things you just don’t expect to happen in Vermont. The Town of Essex’s grossly inadequate response to a recent claim of sexual harassment is surely one of them. At every turn, the town did the wrong thing.

Apparently following the Harvey Weinstein playbook, the Town of Essex has engaged in the following negligent and intentional offenses Failing to provide a harassment-free work place; Failing to hire an appropriate independent investigator to objectively and professionally look into harassment claims once made; and instead of doing a proper investigation, choosing to conduct a sham investigation that not only deprived the accuser of any due process, but further victimized her by refusing to provide a female investigator, all while lining the pocket of the town attorney who was paid to oversee the investigation of his good friend, the accused harasser.

Adding fuel to an already dangerous fire, when asked to account for the manner in which the investigation was conducted, the town took the position that its documents were not public records subject to inspection.

The town literally claimed that it “had no responsive documents” regarding any investigation, and when questioned further about the ludicrous nature of that claim, the town argued that, because the documents were physi-

cally stored in the town attorney’s office, rather than the Essex Town Offices, they weren’t “public” records.

The town didn’t even want to list what records exist. This violates countless legal principles.

The town is trying to hide the existence of the evidence of its own wrong-doing, and we’re paying for this.

As a town taxpayer I’m frankly ashamed of such activity being done in my name. What an incredible waste of our tax dollars.

Allegra C. Carpenter Essex Jct. Good-old-boy network is alive and well I’m deeply concerned about the cavalier approach the Town of Essex has taken concerning the allegation of sexual harassment raised by selectwoman Irene Wrenner, who happens to be a member of my congregation. And while one might expect a person in my position to show partiality toward a parishioner, it shouldn’t minimize the flagrant lack of sensitivity displayed in the process by which the town has addressed this matter.

As a former denominational executive who has dealt with allegations of sexual misconduct between pastors and parishioners, I would have wanted the town to follow a standard protocol in dealing with this allegation. This would include offering the alleged a paid leave of absence until the matter is resolved, selecting an impartial

team of women and men to investigate the allegation, and then rendering a judgment or recommendation to the Town based on its findings.

The following facts suggest that the Town of Essex had no intention of seriously considering the selectwoman’s complaint: 1) The identity of this town official, who allegedly harassed selectwoman Wrenner and perhaps others, remains undisclosed; 2) The investigation of the allegation was neither impartial nor pursued to the satisfaction and trust of all parties involved; and 3) The attorney responsible for directing the investigation was himself an associate of the alleged.

The Bible tells the parable of a woman who persistently demands justice from an unjust judge until she finally wears him down enough to relent (Luke 18:1-8).

Wrenner’s lawsuit against Essex is a similar act of persistence – a natural consequence of the Town’s gross neglect, and an effort to discourage the prospect of further abuses in a town where clearly the good-old-boy network is alive and well.

Rev. Dr. Arnold isidore thomas Good ShepherdL utheran Church, Jericho thank you to firefighters On behalf of our family, I am writing this note to express my deepest appreciation for all the more than 50 firefighters that worked to extinguish the fire that

brought our home in Essex Jct. to a complete loss on July 3.

We always hear about that volunteer firefighters are dedicated, hardworking and brave men and women. But that Tuesday, at Fairview Farm, as part of one of the many incredible communities in Chittenden County, we experienced this first hand. These brave, smart, strong, heroic, selfless firefighters from Essex Jct., Essex, Williston, Colchester, Jericho-Underhill and St. Michael's College, fought fearlessly. Our house, unfortunately, is virtually destroyed by the fire and the water used to fight the blaze. Most importantly and remarkably, one of our family members only suffered minor injuries and is fully recovering.

As well, we are very thankful that no properties were affected by the side effects of the fire – we must say that our next door neighbors had part of their siding melted due to the intense heat – fighting the fire on that 90-plus degree temperature day was a herculean effort.

We are saddened but will get through this challenging time..

Our most heartfelt gratitude for these crucial members of our community who are almost all volunteers for their amazing effort, dedication, and their display of professionalism. God bless them all. the Wakim Family Essex Jct. We don't deserve indictment On the narrow issue of forc-

ibly removing a child from its parent, how could anyone disagree with that? However, I disagree that "this cruelty indicts us all," as Mr. Mayer claims in an op-ed published in last week's Reporter.

Many Americans feel that illegal immigration needs to be directly confronted and dealt with. Further, many (if not most) of those Americans are also opposed to separating children from their mothers. We do not all deserve indictment.

Mr. Mayer urges "action", not words. But exactly what action is it that Mr. Mayer urges us to take?

What is "the decent thing" we are supposed to do? We just had an election less than two years ago, and a certain candidate told us in no uncertain terms exactly what he was going to do about illegal immigration. We elected him.

That happens in democracies.

The world is literally full of mothers willing to hoist their children, present themselves at America's borders, and request asylum.

They may all be "deserving." How many should we admit? From where? Who else, besides asylum seekers? Who decides, and how do they decide? These are not easy issues, but they need to be dealt with.

Lastly, it's rather a stretch, to say the least, and it almost borders on an insult, to compare the current immigrant situation to the Holocaust.

Ed shoop Essex Jct.

OBITUARIES & IN MEMORIAM

MARY AbAtiEllO thOMAs Aug. 13, 1929 - July 8, 2018 “You know Mary Thomas? She died you know.” This is what our dear mother Mary wanted for her obituary. Sorry, Mom. We can’t let

GERAlDiNE FOllANsbEE Geraldine Cole Follansbee, 92 years young, a retired owner and president of the Credit Bureau of Haverhill, Inc. and avid sponsor of Haverhill basketball and

GARY W. GREENWOOD ESSEX JCT. – Gary W. Greenwood, 82, passed away at the VNA Respite House in Colchester on Sunday, July 8, 2018. He was born in Burlington on Feb. 8, 1936 to Henry J. and Wilma (Steeves) Greenwood.

Gary graduated from Essex High School in 1955 and went to work full-time

you off that easy! We have some “bragging and loving rights” about you we need to share.

She was one of a kind.

Mom’s entertaining sense of humor, humility and high energy captivated friends and family. She was both practical and generous beyond measure. She loved deeply and unconditionally and made those around her feel incredibly special. One was always welcome at her home and at her table where delicious meals from old Italy were the norm. Her spirituality, daily walking and gathering of friends and family provided a balance in life that is one of our loving takeaways. She was the matriarchal loving glue that all great mothers seem to mysteriously possess.

Our Mom was born Aug. 13, 1929 in Rutland. She died peacefully on a Sunday morning at her son’s cabin overlooking a quiet and beautiful Lake Champlain.

Her parents, Carmine and Stella Abatiello, who played amazing roles in her life, immigrated from Italy to begin their new lives in Vermont.

She married our father, A. Richard (Dick) Thomas, on Nov. 18, 1950. The life they shared was one of joy, respect, love and laugher.

The challenges in life were met with faith, love, and yes, the hard work that accompanies such things. We miss them both and they now dance together again, among their family and friends gone before.

She is survived by her

four sons and one daughter: Frank Thomas of Salt Lake City, Rick and Patricia Thomas of Newport, N.H., Grant and Marilyn Thomas of Westford, daughter, Carmen, and Doug McSpadden of Bozeman, Mont., and son, Mark Thomas, of Essex, who lived with and cared for Mom for many years. Of course we cannot forget to include Abby, her most faithful dog who always provided her comfort and laughter.

Importantly, to all our family, she also left behind her very close sister and remaining sibling, Mafalda Mangeri, of Rutland. The loving comfort and guidance provided by Mafalda to my Mom, and all of us, is more than can be put into words. Her nieces and neph-

ews, grandkids and greatgrandkids, her close friends within the community, the Holy Family Church, and the Quality Bake Shop brought her much happiness throughout the years.

Our mother is predeceased by her loving husband, Dick, by her sisters and their husbands Clementine and Bud Lewis, Theresa and Larry Bauchamp and Alice and Angelo Gianakos; her brother, Peter, and his wife, Barbara Abatiello; her brother-in-law, Nicky Mangeri; her sister-in-law, June Acker; and her grandson, Mickey LeClair.

Please join us in celebrating the life of Mary Abatiello Thomas with mass scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 21 at the Holy Family Church in Essex Junction.

The mass will be followed by a graveside service at the Holy Family Cemetery and a subsequent celebration luncheon at the Catamount Country Club in Williston.

A note of thanks to all her friends and family who have provided her with immeasurable love throughout her life and so much support to our greater family.

Mom is smiling, embraced by your kindness. We all love you Mom and thank you immensely for what you have given us.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Holy Family Church, 4 Prospect St., Essex Jct. VT 05452 and Mom’s high school, Mount St. Joseph Academy, 127 Convent Ave., Rutland, VT 05701.

softball teams, died on May 29, 2018 at Birchwood Terrace in Burlington following a long illness.

Born in Haverhill, Mass., she was the wife of the late Somerby C. Follansbee Jr. for 49 years, the mother of deceased daughter, Martha Ruth Follansbee; a daughter of the late E. Earle and Alice (Sargent) Cole, and sister of the late Alan Cole. She grew up in Bradford, Mass. and graduated from Haverhill High School in 1943. Geraldine began her business career in 1947 in her family’s business, Credit Bureau of Haverhill, Inc. When her father passed away in 1956, Geraldine assumed full control of the business. Geraldine re-

ceived numerous awards and was president and charter president of the Haverhill Chapter of Credit Women International/Credit Professionals and secretary of New England Collectors.

She also held positions in the Associate Credit Bureaus in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She was honored by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce as a nominee in the YMCA Haverhill First Annual Tribute to Women in 1990.

In addition to running a business, Geraldine raised a family and was actively involved in her community as a corporator of the Pentucket Bank. She participated in American Cancer Society fundraising efforts and conducted budgeting seminars

for Community Action. In March 2009, she relocated to Essex to be close to her three grandchildren, daughter Geraldine Eva and son-inlaw, Toby. Geraldine attended numerous concerts and sporting events to support her grandchildren. Geraldine was an active member of the Essex Senior Center and passionate bridge player for years at the senior center, which was a weekly highlight for her. Geraldine taught her grandchildren about the joys of playing chess and played chess into her 90s. Geraldine is remembered for her love of family and friends, her leadership in the credit reporting and collection industry, her love of York Beach and the joy of dancing with her

husband and children and playing with and reading to her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Steven C. Follansbee, of Gainesville, Fla.; daughter Janice A. Follansbee of St. Petersburg, Fla. and daughter Geraldine E. Stewart and her husband, Toby C. Stewart, of Essex Jct.; granddaughter Melissa F. Stewart; grandson, Benjamin D. Stewart; and granddaughter Heidi E. Stewart, all of Essex Jct. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Geraldine’s doctors, nurses and care providers for the exceptional medical care they and

their teams provided to Geraldine during her residency in Vermont. Her medical team always went the extra mile to assist Geraldine and bring a smile to her face.

You truly all blessed her life!

Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Those who wish to honor her memory can best do so by donating to Alzheimer’s and Brain Research Center, Alzheimer’s Association, or Essex Alliance Church of Essex, Vt. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.

sanding floors for his father, Henry J. Greenwood, a business he began in the late 1930s, Greenwood Floor Services. After his father’s passing, Gary owned and operated the family business for 44 years.

In 1960, Gary met and married Shirley (Johnson) Greenwood whom he loved dearly for 58 wonderful years. Between 1958–1962 he served in the U.S. Army and the Vermont National Guard. He was a Mason for over 50 years and was affiliated with the National Wood Flooring Association for over 20 years. Gary and Sally enjoyed traveling throughout the USA to the NWFA conventions but were always eager to return to Vermont. He was a true Vermonter!

Gary’s love of hunting began when he was a young boy squirrel hunting with

his dog, Pal. He and his Dad were avid deer hunters. In the 1960s, he included black bear, coon and bobcat hunting. If Gary wasn’t working, he was hunting.

Gary is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sally; his daughter, Kelly Greenwood Leav, and husband, David Leav; and granddaughters Wilhelmina and Davita; nieces and nephews Henry F. Greenwood, and wife, Cathleen, and their sons Ian and Eric; Pamela Adams and husband, Mike, and Pam’s daughter, Barbara Fortier; Michelle Miller and husband, Trey, and their children James, Michael and Nicole; Danielle Greenwood and her son, Ace Greenwood-Campbell; Therese Mason and husband, Scott, and their son, Samuel; and Mathieu Greenwood and wife, Gunita. Also surviving is his hunting companion

of 40 years, Gary Riggs, and many dear friends too numerous to mention.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, Henry J. and Wilma Greenwood; brother Carl, infant brother Charles and nephew Thomas Greenwood.

A gathering of Gary’s family and friends will held Saturday, July 28 at the Garden Barn at Lang Farm, 45 Upper Main St., Essex Jct. from 2- 6 p.m. There is plenty of parking available. Casual dress please, and bring a story or remembrance to share. Interment will be private and at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the VNA Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446 or to Essex Rescue, 1 Educational Drive, Essex Jct., VT 05452.

THE ESSEX

REPORTER EXECUTIVE EDITOR Courtney A. Lamdin

CO-PUBLISHERS Emerson & Suzanne Lynn

REPORTERS Colin Flanders Madeline Clark Amanda Brooks

GENERAL MANAGER Suzanne Lynn

NEWS & SPORTS CLERK Ben Chiappinelli

69 Main Street P.O. Box 163 Milton, VT 05468

893-2028 news@essexreporter.com www.essexreporter.com

ADVERTISING John Kelley CLASSIFIEDS Gail Wells BUSINESS OFFICE St. Albans Messenger 281 North Main Street St. Albans, VT 05478 524-9771 (office), 527-1948 (fax)

Deadlines: Fridays at 5 p.m. | Published Thursdays Circulation: 8,800 The Essex Reporter is owned by Vermont Publishing Corp Inc. and is a member of the Champlain Valley News Group

6•

The Essex Reporter • July 19, 2018

calendar

ESSEX AREA

Religious Directory

July 24

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.

COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCH - 1 Whitcomb Meadows Lane, Essex Jct. 879-4313. Rev. Jeannette Conver, pastor. Adult bible class: 9 a.m., Sunday service: 10 a.m. with fellowship following. Infant through pre-K childcare provided, cccpastorjeannette@gmail.com; Facebook page: bit.ly/2rDz4NE DAYBREAK COMMUNITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester. 338-9118. 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. Summer Service 9:00am with nursery 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; Website: www.fccej.org ; Email: welcome@fccej.org Senior Pastor, Rev. Mark Mendes, Assoc. Pastor, Rev. Josh Simon. Summer Worship One Service 9 am, June 3 – September 2. Communion: first Sunday of every month. School Year Faith Formation. Jr. & High School Youth Groups. Heavenly Food Pantry – second Monday, 5:30-7:30pm; fourth Thursday, 2-6pm, except for Nov & Dec when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out Community Dinner – 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7pm. Music includes Sanctuary Choir, Finally @ First Band, Joyful Noise, Cherub Music, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella and Ladies’ Acapella groups.

GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct., 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / Route 117. 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 phoTo

Looking for a way to beat the heat and enjoy time with your friends and neighbors? The Maple Street parking lot transforms into an ice cream social every Tuesday this summer with food trucks and Dudley's Delights ice cream offering their wares. See the listing for Tuesday, July 24 for complete details.

19 Thursday Food shelF

9 - 11 a.m., Aunt Dot's Place, 51 Center Rd. Essex Jct. A community resource for neighbors in need. Aunt Dot's Place is happy to serve the communities of Essex, Westford, Jericho and Underhill. Visit auntdotsplace.com for more information.

summer sTrengTh and CondiTioning

9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Essex High School, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Jct. Strength and conditioning is a crucial part for athletic development as well as human development! This program will focus on reaching athletes sound technique, while being in a physically challenging environment. Organized

by Essex Junction Rec and Parks.

yoga games wiTh danielle

10:30 - 11 a.m., Essex Free Library. Play with yoga games and movement and stretch out with instructor, Danielle Brown! For grades K - 3

musiCal makerspaCe: Tambourines

1 - 2 p.m., Essex Free Library. Make your own tambourine at the library, then jingle all the way home!

Very merry TheaTer presenTs "Cinderella"

Noon, Deborah Rawson Memorial Library, 8 River Rd., Jericho.

See this classic fairy tale perfromed on the library lawn. All ages; no registration required.

senior wii bowling

2:30 - 4 p.m., Essex Area Senior Center, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. Join the fun and see if you can beat your friends!

Maybe we’ll start a league. Can be played seated or standing.

karaoke parTy!

3 - 4 p.m., Brownell Library. Come try out our new karaoke machine and sing your hearts out! For grades 5 and up.

TruCks, Taps and Tunes 5 - 8 p.m., HammerFit parking lot, 21 Essex Way, Essex Jct. Come to a family-friendly community food truck event featuring local food trucks, live music and craft brews. This food truck night happens every Thursday starting through August 30; check the Facebook event page for weekly updates on music, food

trucks and more at facebook.com/essexvt.

noFa-VT pizza soCial

5:30 - 8 p.m., Jericho Settlers Farm, 22 Barber Farm Rd., Jericho.

Enjoy farm-fresh pizza and a celebration of Jericho Settlers Farm!

Jericho Settlers is a diversified farm producing organic vegetables and herbs for their year-round CSA and farms stands. They also produce pasture raised lamb, pork and chicken.

Come and enjoy dinner baked in NOFA-VT's wood-fired pizza oven, followed by a farm tour.

Free; $10 suggested donation. RSVP requested but not required; call 434-4122.

open miC nighT

5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex CHIPS Teen Center, 2 Lincoln St., Second Floor, Essex Jct. Join the open mic performance at the teen center stage, where you can listen to local musicians perform and take turns sharing their own music or spoken word (e.g. poetry slam)! We will have a pizza dinner and any additional materials performers might need.

Free; open to youths of all ages.

lang Farm Family ConCerT series

5:30 - 8 p.m., Lang Farm, 45 Upper Main St., Essex Jct. Talented musicians performing, delicious local food for sale and plenty of space for roaming and playing! Includes an activity center for children and a cash bar for adults. Performing this week will be Shellhouse.

yoga

5:30 - 6:45 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Essex Jct. New to yoga? Returning? Come sit with Jonah and practice a gentle sequence to integrate the mind, body, and soul. In each session, we will focus, breathe, build heat, strengthen and relax. Wear comfortable, nonrestrictive clothing. Bring a mat or borrow one. Donations welcome, but not required.

Firearms disCharge ordinanCe publiC Forum

6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Essex Middle School, 60 Founders Rd., Essex Jct. An opportunity to reconvene in person before the online public comment forum closes.

Participants will have a chance to review preliminary reports and trends resulting from the

online engagement tools and share impressions of the public comment. The public comment period on PlaceSpeak will officially close at midnight on Sunday, July 22.

mounT mansField sCale modelers

6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library, Essex Jct. An informal gathering of scale model enthusiasts and model builders encompassing all areas of skill level. Show off projects, discuss modeling tips and techniques and gain inspiration from fellow modelers. Call 8790765 after 6 p.m. for more information.

20 Friday mysTery word Challenge For kids and Teens ends

All week, Brownell Library. (See Monday, July 16 for details.)

summer sTory Time

9:30 - 10 a.m., Brownell Library. Listen to picture book stories, sing, dance and create a craft. For children ages 2 - 6.

mah Jongg

10 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. The Center has three Mah Jongg sets which are available for anyone who would like to come in and play.

Newcomers are always welcomed! Members play free, non-members for $1.

musiCal sTory Time

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

Rock ‘n’ read together on Friday mornings with books, songs, and instruments. All ages.

wildliFe roCks!

4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Meet some live animals!

Museum educators will bring five or six live animals native to New England for an up close look at their amazing skills and adaptations. They'll touch on Vermont’s history, ecosystems and how all of our wild creatures work together to keep the Northeast rockin’!

For ages 3 and up.

essex eaTs ouT

5:30 - 7 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, St. James Pl., Essex Jct. Free community dinners for all! Essex Eats Out seeks to build on this shared value by providing healthy, free meals in a warm, safe, and inclusive atmosphere. If you need a ride, please let us know with an email

to essexeatsout@gmail. com.

Family moVie: "CoCo"

6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Enjoy this month's free movie, Pixar's "Coco," in which a boy journeys into the Land of the Dead to seek forgiveness from his ancestors and lift a curse. Walt Disney Pictures, 2017; 109 minutes; rated PG. Free popcorn and drinks!

CommuniTy swim meeT

7 - 8 p.m., Maple Street Pool. Join Annie Cooper and friends as they offer the opportunity for people of all ages (kids, teens, and adults) to hop in the pool for a fun yet competitive swim. You pick your event(s) and how many you want to participate in. We will group swimmers by age and heat as best as we can. Spectators are welcome to come and cheer! Swim ribbons will be given to every participant. Events may include 25/50 butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 100 individual medley. $7 per swimmer; pre-registration encouraged but not necessary. Visit ejrp.org for more information.

21 saTurday seCond annual porCh sale

9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Heavenly Cents Thrift Shop, 39 Main St., Essex Jct. Rain or shine come check out the bargains!

blood driVe

10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Essex High School, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Thank you for supporting our community and the American Red Cross!

weekend sTory Time

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

Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

22 sunday annual essex halF maraThon

8:30 a.m., Essex High School, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. Enjoy the biggest and best out and back loop half marathon that Essex has hosted! Starting and finishing at EHS, runners will be cheered on by friends, loved ones and fans as they sprint to the finish. Contact the EJRP at 878-1375 to sign

July 19, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 7

calendar LOcaL MeeTINgS ThuRSday, JuLy 19 6 p.m., Village planning commission, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

MONday, JuLy 23 6:30 p.m., Village bike/walk advisory committee, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

TueSday, JuLy 24 6 p.m., Town Zoning board, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct. 6:30 p.m., Village Trustees Meeting, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

ThuRSday, JuLy 26 6:30 p.m., Town planning commission, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

up and for information regarding fees, packet pick up information, course route and other questions.

23 MONday LegO FuN

10 - 11 a.m., Brownell Library. Participate in fun and friendly building with LEGOs. For kids entering K and up. (Kids under 5 are welcome to participate with parental supervision.)

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

Reservation required.

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

SuMMeR cheSS cLub

4 - 5 p.m., Brownell Library. Join other Chess players to learn the game and hone your skills. For ages 4-12.

MuSIcaL MONday: "gReaSe"

6:30 - 8:30 p.m, Brownell Library. Watch this musical about a goody two-shoes from Australia who falls in love with a greaser over a summer. When her family moves to the boy's hometown, and she enrolls at the same high school, they have a difficult time maintaining their relationship.

Paramount pictures, 1978; rated PG; 110 min. Free popcorn!

24 TueSday SuMMeR STReNgTh aNd cONdITIONINg

9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Essex High School, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Jct. (See Thursday, July 19 for complete details.)

SuMMeR STORy TIMe

10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Picture books, sign language, songs, rhymes, flannel stories and early math activities.

dINNeR & Ice cReaM IN The paRk

3 - 7 p.m., Maple Street Park. Tuesdays this summer there will be dinner and ice cream in the park! A dinner food truck and Dudley’s

Delights ice cream truck will have items to purchase each week, in the Maple Street Park parking lot. Enjoy a night in the park and support your community as some of the proceeds from sales go directly to providing program scholarships. Food Truck Nights are weather dependent. Check facebook.com/EJRec for updates

LIbRaRIeS ROck! STeaM pROgRaM SeRIeS

3 - 4 p.m., Brownell Library. What's that sound? Read a story and record sounds around the library for others to guess. Bring a recording device or borrow one of ours. For ages 5-12.

VeRMONT geNeaLOgy LIbRaRy

3 - 9:30 p.m, 377 Hegeman Ave, Colchester. The library will be open for research on Tuesdays throughout the month of July.

ukuLeLe cLub

6:30 - 7 p.m., Essex Free Library. Tuesdays become Tunes-days this summer! Learn to play the ukulele and strum some uke tunes with other young musicians!

For ages 7 and up; registration required by calling 879-0313.

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!

MagIc cLub

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex CHIPS Teen Center, 2 Lincoln St., Second Floor, Essex Jct. Teens will play games, trade cards and talk about strategies of the game. Fruit will be provided as a healthy snack for the event.

Open to grades 4-10.

25 wedNeSday Tech heLp wITh cLIF

Noon - 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance.

cLaSSIcaL MuSIc eNcOuNTeRS

1 - 2 p.m., Essex Free Library. This initiative by EHS sophomores Henry and Nathan Wu has the goal of introducing a wide range of audiences to the power and creativity of classical music through perfor-

dOg dayS OF SuMMeR

mances and talks. They are excited to share their love of classical music with everyone. and will be playing piano, violin and cello selections by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms and Glière.

1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Brownell Library.

Enjoy some quiet time or practice your reading skills by reading with our two therapy dogs, Archie and Daisy.

kNITTINg cLub

heaVeNLy paNTRy

3 - 4 p.m., Brownell Library. Come learn to knit with needles or looms. All skill levels welcome. For ages 7 and up.

FIVe cORNeRS FaRMeRS' MaRkeT

4 - 7:30 p.m., Five Corners, 3 Main St., Essex Jct. Visit the new location for the return of the farmers' market! Market vendors offer produce, meat, specialty food, agriculture, prepared food, crafts and there will also be a featured community table. The market will also host a wide range of talented musicians. For a full list of vendors and musicians, to learn more and volunteer, please check out our website: 5cornersfarmersmarket. com and facebook.com/ 5CornersFarmersMarket.

LgbT+ dROp-IN gROup

5 -6 p.m., Brownell Library. LGBT+ teens and allies are welcome to drop by the library to socialize with peers. For grades 8-12 and recent grads.

SheLbuRNe pLayeRS' audITIONS

6 - 9 p.m., Shelburne Town Center, 5420 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne. For the fall production of "Sleeping Indoors" by Jim Holt.

For more information please email shelburneplayers@aol.com, bryon.j.schmidt@gmail. com or dharcourt@ gmail.com; visit www. shelburneplayers.com for more details and character descriptions.

cLaSSIcaL MuSIc eNcOuNTeRS

2 - 6 p.m., First Congregational Church, 39 Main St., Essex Jct. The Food Pantry is open to residents of Essex Junction, Essex Town and Westford. Clients will need an ID for each member of the household and a utility bill.

Clients may only visit the pantry once in each calendar month.

TRuckS, TapS aNd TuNeS 5 - 8 p.m., HammerFit parking lot, 21 Essex Way, Essex Jct. (See Thursday, July 19 for complete details.)

LaNg FaRM FaMILy cONceRT SeRIeS

5:30 - 8 p.m., Lang Farm, 45 Upper Main St., Essex Jct. Performing this week will be Roy and the Wrecks. (See Thursday, July 19 for details.)

27 FRIday MuSIc wITh Raph

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

MuSIcaL STORy TIMe

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

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.

SheLbuRNe pLayeRS' audITIONS

7 - 8 p.m., Brownell Library. (See earlier event for Wednesday, July 25 for details.)

6 - 9 p.m., Shelburne Town Center, 5420 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne. (See Wednesday, July 25 for details.)

26 ThuRSday

duNgeONS & dRagONS

SuMMeR STReNgTh aNd cONdITIONINg

9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Essex High School, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Jct. (See Thursday, July 19 for complete details.)

exORdIuM: a SOuNd INVeSTIgaTION

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

Join Exordium for a hands-on, audience-participation demonstration and learn all about the science of sound!

TeeNS VOLuNTeeR FOR SeNIOR ceNTeR LuNch

11 a.m - 1 p.m., Essex CHIPS Teen Center, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. Eat lunch, tell stories and play games with seniors in our community. Before attending lunch at the senior center, the youth will begin at the teen center to participate in the meal preparation for the lunch that all will enjoy. Open to youth of all ages!

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.

on its 125th Anniversary, Essex Community Historical Society will sponsor a cemetery walk prior to the block party. Tim Jerman of ECHS will lead the tour and highlight the lives of key men and women who helped shape our history.

loon art and a bounce castle. There will be a large variety of food from local restaurants, and you can dance in the street to music by the X-Rays. Free.

bLOck paRTy aNd STReeT daNce

IThIeL FaLLS caMp SeRVIceS

5 - 9 p.m., Railroad Ave. and Lincoln Place.

Come and meet your friends and neighbors in the heart of our historic downtown. Activities include face painting, Roaming Railroad, bal-

29 SuNday 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Ithiel Falls Camp, 3662 Hogback Rd., Johnson. Worship Leader Dan King leads a praise service in this beautiful, rustic setting.

Pets of the Week SISTER BUNNIES

~10 month old Spayed Females Arrival Date: 01/18/2018 Breed: Domestic Rabbits Reason here: We were left on someone’s front porch These super cute bunz can usually be found binkying around their pen and nibbling on some hay (with the occasional carrot, of course!). They are highly social buns that love to romp around together! These sister bunnies have been together their whole lives and must go home as a duo. Their hobbies include snuggling together, taking naps, exploring new spaces and climbing on their boxes and toys. If you’ve been looking for a friendly duo to add to your family, we highly recommend these two, nice ladies!

Come in and meet them today, give ‘em a treat and they’ll be your friends for life!

Humane Society of Chittenden County 802-862-0135

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

Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

SheLbuRNe pLayeRS' audITIONS

1 - 4 p.m., Shelburne Town Center, 5420 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne. (See Wednesday, July 25 for details.)

VILLage ceMeTeRy waLk 2 p.m., Village Cemetery, Main St., Essex Jct. To celebrate the history of Essex Junction

Kiln Dried 6-8%

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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.

HARDWOODS ROUGH Hard & Soft MAPLE, CHERRY, Red & White OAK, ASH, BASSWOOD MAHOGANY, WALNUT & YELLOW POPLAR. No quantity too small.

ALMOST WHOLESALE 500’ BF pkgs of lumber - Hard Maple, Yellow Birch, Cherry & Red Oak. Select & better. Ask Ken for details.

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8•

The Essex Reporter • July 19, 2018

classifieds & leGals

FOR SALE

NINTENDO GAME Farm Equipment SYSTEM, comes with paddles and games, BARN FAN, LARGE, good condition. $35. electric. $50. 802-309Call 802-868-7613 4062 PHONE, VERIZON, LG, with charger and OtterBox. Like new, great condition. $125.

You pick up - St. Albans Area. 802-582-5557

Firearms,Bows, Etc

BOW, HUNTER INDIAN, right handed, comes with soft case.

Asking $15. Call 802WII GAME SYSTEM, 868-7613 comes with Wii Fit BOW, LEFT HANDED, game, balance board, Bear, comes with hard and other games, good shell case, 70 pound shape. $50. Call 802- draw. $25. Call 802868-7613 868-7613.

XBOX GAMING SYS- TRADITIONS, 50 CALITEM, good condition, BER, 3-9 scope, camo comes with paddles nickel plated.

Shot and games. Asking $35. once. $250.

802-868-7613 WINCHESTER MODEL 120, 20ga. pump. Nice Exercise/Sporting shape. $200. 802-933Equipment EXERCISE BIKE, STA- 6219

good condition.

802-272-5445

$50.

SOFA’S, (2), LARGE, very good condition.

Priced low, $50. each.

802-249-7505 Furnishings ALEXANDRIA LIGHTHOUSE SHELF, metal, from 7th Avenue Catalog sold for $179.95.

19.5”d X 80”h. Never used. Great gift. Asking $75. 802-868-7613 Lawn/Garden

BISTRO TABLE, WROUGHT Iron with two chairs. Hampton Bay. Brand new, still in box. Paid $159.99, selling for $85. obo. Moving, must sell! 802-5787606

is half Maine Coon Cat. 802-527-1998, 802582-2327 Pet Supplies

DOG CRATE, LARGE, 36”L x 24”W x 30”H, good condition. $20.

SCREEN HOUSE, 802-524-4538 CONVERTIBLE, four Wanted to Buy zippered screen entrances. Can be drawn BUYING ANTIQUES bac for a canopy. All ny- Complete households, lon zippers, tent stakes most anything old/of and drawstring carry good quality. 45+ years bag included. Center buying! Fair prices paid! height 98”, wall height Call Ed Lambert 74”, eave 94”x94”, size 802-528-5651 or 10.5’ x 10.5’. Never 802-782-1223 used, still in box. $70.

St. Albans 802-848-3336 FREON R12 WANTED: T R I M M E R / E D G E R , CERTIFIED BUYER will CORDLESS, B&D PAY CA$H for R12 cylGrasshog, comes with inders or cases of cans. extra battery, great con- (312)291-9169; dition. $40. Call 802www.refrigerant 868-4158 finders.com Musical Items

GUITAR, ACOUSTIC, A D I R O N D A C K OSCAR Schmidt brand, CHAIRS, (4), white. great shape. $90. Call Brand new, still in box- 802-524-4538 es. Value of one is $60., Pets selling for $50. each, or all for $185. obo. Mov- KITTENS, (3), FREE, ing, must sell! 802-578- six weeks old, beautiful, 7606 litter box trained. Mother

SERVICES

PAINTING SERVICES

GUITAR WANTED! LOCAL musician will pay up to $12,500 for pre1975 Gibson, Fender, Martin, and Gretsch guitars. Fender amplifiers also. Call toll free!

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leGals

FOLLOW US! @essex reporter

TIONARY Marcy Brand, Furniture low impact, good shape. $45.

Call 802-524-4538 AIR CONDITIONER, BED, DOUBLE, MAWINDOW mounted, re- HOME GYM, TOTAL PLE, like new mattress conditioned. $50 each. Gym brand, good condi- and box spring. $145.

Call 802-868-3515 tion. $45. Call 802-524- 802-272-5445 4538 Electronics/CamCHEST OF DRAWERS, eras/Etc. TREADMILL, LIKE (3), very solid. $100. for FLATSCREEN TV, 32”, NEW, Proform GTS all three. 802-309-4062 Emerson brand, comes Crosswalk, used briefly. NEWPORT GLIDER with remote. $100. 802- $100. Call 802-999- ROCKER, brown color, 782-4184 6133 with matching ottoman, Appliances

EMPLOYMENT

the essex

RepoRteR

Colchester Sun

July 19, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 9

business directory & police log concRete

caRpentRy

High Standards, LLC

H.S.

Carpentry

Remodeling, Rot Repair, Decks, Windows and Doors

Drywall, Siding, Finish Work, Pressure Washing

dentist

Dan MenarD

Concrete Construction, Inc. “Where Quality Comes First�

Cedric C Pecor D.D.S

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

Poured Foundations • Poured Floors & slabs residential • Commercial • agricultural Fully InsureD - now HIrIng

24/7 ON CALL • Free Estimates • Fully Insured (802) 355-8193 Matt Levee • highstandards802@gmail.com

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estate planning

landscaping

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

Bethany K. Fitzgerald D.D.S

Call 802-868-3876

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

Edward R. Klingebiel D.D.S

legal HEHIR LAW OFFICE, PLLC Brian Hehir, Attorney

Wills–Trusts–Estate Planning–Medicaid–Elder Law–Probate

Serving the area for 22 years.

Real Estate, including: • Sales and Purchases • Landlord/Tenant • Boundary Disputes • Zoning • Subdivision.

Peace of mind for your family & loved ones

Also: Wills, Probate, Injury and Business Matters.

239 South Union St., Burlington 802-862-2006 • www.hehirlaw.com

26 Railroad Ave. / Essex Jct., VT (802) 879-7133 / unsworthlaplante.com

painting CUSTOM SCREEN PRINTING FULL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Residential & Commercial

pavement painting

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Call TJ for your FREE ESTIMATE $100 off any job of $1000.00 or more, $250 off of any job802-540-0088 $2000.00 or more. EXCLUDES MATERIALS

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SEAL seal COATING coating

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CHAMPLAIN VALLEY SEAL COATING, LLC s 3EAL #OATING s $RIVEWAYS 0ARKING ,OTS s (OT 2UBBER #RACK &ILLING s 2ESIDENTIAL #OMMERCIAL Discounts for multiple driveways in same neighborhood.

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Run in the Business & Service Directory in the Milton Independent Only or Milton Independent, Colchester Sun & Essex Reporter Emergency: 911 • Non-emergency: 878-8331 • 145 Maple St., Essex Jct., VT 05452 • www.epdvt.org all for these low rates.

ESSEX POLICE REPORTS

July 9-15

8 weeks

Tuesday, July 10

MI only $160 / MI, CS & ER $360

12:48 a.m. Lost/Found Property on Pearl St

12 weeks MI only $225 1:38 / MI, CS & ER $480 a.m.Suspicious on River Rd 6 months MI only $360 3:22 / MI, CS & ER $840 a.m. Suspicious on Laurel Dr

Monday, July 9

5:12 a.m. Missing Person on Carmichael St 1 year MI only 8:13 a.m., Larceny on Sugartree Ln $650 / MI, CS & ER $1500 10:57 a.m. Agency Assist on River Rd 8:26 a.m., Agency Assist on Brooks Ave 11:11 a.m. Larceny on Sugartree Ln 8:52 a.m., Abandoned Vehicle on Pettingill Minimum of 8 weeks required.

11:29 a.m.

Larceny on Franklin St Rd Standard size: 3 1/4� x 1 5/8�

11:32 a.m. Fraud on Main St 9:58 a.m., LarcenyPre-paid, on Autumn Pondads Way run consecutive 5:09 p.m. Welfare Check on Pearl St 10:46 a.m., Larceny on Seneca Ave without change. weeks 5:59 p.m. Citizen Dispute on Baker St 1:45 p.m., Fraud on Crestview Rd 8:35 p.m. Suspicious on Londonderry Ln 2:03 p.m., Citizen Dispute on Drury Dr 8:37 p.m. Citizen Dispute on Center Rd 4:18 p.m., Property Damage on Kiln Rd 11:11 p.m. Suspicious on Carmichael St 4:28 p.m., Welfare Check on Pearl St 11:22 p.m. DUI on West St 5:16 p.m., Citizen Assist on Lincoln St 5:56 p.m., Suspicious on Upper Main St 6:14 p.m., Suspicious on Center Rd Wednesday, July 11 8:47 p.m. Suspicious on Arlington St 4:37 a.m. Suspicious on Pearl St 8:54 p.m. Suspicious on Chestnut Ln 7:57 a.m. Family Disturbance on Carmi11:43 p.m. Attempt to locate on Pioneer St chael St 11:06 a.m. Agency Assist on Maple St

11:08 a.m. Agency Assist on Maple St 12:10 p.m. DUI on Ivy Ln 12:53 p.m. Vandalism on River Rd 2:05 p.m. Larceny on Park St 2:06 p.m. Larceny on Pearl St 2:47 p.m. Intoxicated Person on Pearl St 4:23 p.m. Welfare Check on Sherwood Sq 6:05 p.m. Family Disturbance on Central 6:19 p.m. Family Disturbance on Railroad St 6:55 p.m. Larceny on Sugartree Ln 7:40 p.m. Suspicious on Pearl St 8:51 p.m. Stolen Property on Wenonah Ave 9:02 p.m. Medical Assist on Bashaw Dr 10:06 p.m. Agency Assist on Susie Wilson Rd 10:17 p.m. Family Disturbance on Kellogg Rd

Thursday, July 12

12:52 a.m. Welfare Check on Pearl St

3:20 a.m. Assault/Intimidation on Maple St 6:23 a.m. Citizen Dispute on Drury Dr 7:43 a.m. Suspicious on Jericho Rd 9:57 a.m. Trespass Violation on Center Rd 1:29 p.m. Larceny on Essex Way 2:29 p.m. Threatening on Morse Dr 6:51 p.m. Family Disturbance on Railroad St 7:08 p.m. Suspicious on Pearl St 11:32 p.m. Suspicious on Upper Main St

Friday, July 13

12:10 a.m. Suspicious on Pearl St 1:53 a.m. Property Damage on Pearl St 4:11 a.m. Suspicious on Pearl St 6:44 a.m. Suspicious on Pearl St 7:24 a.m. Suspicious on Maple St 8:21 a.m. Agency Assist on Carmichael St 9:21 a.m. Suspicious on South Down Ct 12:01 p.m. Suspicious on West St

12:34 p.m. Welfare Check on Weed Rd 1:06 p.m. Property Damage on Susie Wilson Rd 2:18 p.m. Family Disturbance on Sand Hill Rd 3:54 p.m. Citizen Dispute on West St 4:26 p.m. Welfare Check on Park Ter 5:36 p.m. Lost/Found Property on Joshua Way 6:07 p.m. Larceny on Center Rd 7:32 p.m. Suspicious on Central St 7:52 p.m. Welfare Check on Sand Hill Rd 10:28 p.m. Unsecure Premises on Pearl St 11:40 p.m. DUI on Park St

saTurday, July 14

2:33 a.m. Agency Assist on Park St 5:23 a.m. Aggravated Assault on Jericho Rd 8:32 a.m. Family Disturbance on Sherwood Sq

5:30 p.m. Larceny on Greenfield Rd 8:08 p.m. Animal Problem on Pearl St 9:15 p.m. Suspicious on Iroquois Ave Rd

sunday, July 15

1:25 a.m. Suspicious on Pearl St 5:27 a.m. Suspicious on River Rd 1:40 p.m. Family Disturbance on West St 2:29 p.m. Alarm on Main St 5:45 p.m. Agency Assist on Central St 7:36 p.m. Family Disturbance on River Rd 8:01 p.m. Intoxicated Person on Central St

TickeTs issued: 25 Warnings issued: 59 dispaTched: 51

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

10 •

LOCAL

The Essex Reporter • July 19, 2018

Hoague returns to Essex PD as captain

By MIKE DONOGHUE For The Essex Reporter St. Albans Police Capt. Ron Hoague is stepping down after 10 years with the city to accept the No. 2 position with the Essex Police.

Hoague ends his employment with St. Albans on Friday afternoon, and said with a laugh, he “gets Saturday and Sunday off ” before beginning Monday as a captain in Essex.

Essex had two captains, but Rick Garey was promoted to police chief in January.

Detective Capt. George Murtie retired in

November, and both seats have been vacant for at least six months.

Hoague, 48, of Fairfax said the new job will be a chance to work for Garey, an old friend, and also return to his old department.

Attempts to reach Garey were unsuccessful on deadline Tuesday.

St. Albans Police Chief Gary Taylor said Hoague will be missed for all the hard work he gave the department and city.

Hoague began with St. Albans Police in 1991 and jumped to Essex in 1993. He moved to Florida in 2000 to join the Marion County Sheriff ’s Department in Ocala and

WILLS–TRUSTS–ESTATE PLANNING–MEDICAID–ELDER LAW–PROBATE

The towns of Essex and Jericho plan to re-address all Old Pump Road properties to prevent another mixup like last month’s that saw emergency responders arrive at the wrong house.

Most of Old Pump Road falls within the town of Essex, but a small section of the 1.8-mile road, just before it meets Route 15, is in Jericho. Because of that, some residents of the neighboring municipalities have identical numbers, and a recent emergency call found Essex Rescue

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Hoague has been a major force in helping getting impaired drivers off Vermont highways. He became a drug recognition expert in Florida and brought those skills back to Vermont, where he’s taught DRE and drunken driving enforcement classes.

Hoague said because Essex has been without two captains for many months, Garey has told him to be prepared to hit the ground running. He said Essex has many of the same problems as St. Albans: shortage of personnel, traffic issues and illegal drug use.

St. Albans has 26 full-time officers, and Essex has 30, Hoague said.

Town to renumber Old Pump Road

By COLIN FLANDERS

Peace of mind for your family & loved ones

to be near his sister. He spent four years as a deputy sheriff there, focusing on driving under the influence cases.

He said he had a chance to return to Vermont in 2008 when there was an opening in St. Albans for a patrol sergeant and won the post. He was elevated to lieutenant in January 2010 and captain in February 2017.

Hoague was with the city department as it expanded a few years ago into covering St. Albans Town. The department in the past year created a Street Crimes Unit that has been making a dent in the drug problem in the community.

SCHEDULE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT TODAY! John Kelley, x 105 John.Kelley@samessenger.com

personnel arriving at what they thought was the right house. Turns out, they were in the wrong town.

Hearing this, the state asked the two towns to remedy the problem before another issue arises. Staff told the selectboard earlier this month if members chose not to follow through with the re-addressing plan, the town would need to assume liability for all future incidents involving these mix-ups.

In the name of fairness, staff is now working with Jericho and the state to completely renumber the road so “everybody hurts the same,” deputy town manager Greg Duggan said.

Jericho and Essex use a 50-foot numbering system for Old Pump Road, meaning houses numbered 100 are about a mile down the road, according to Tyler Hermanson, a Geographic Information System specialist with the state.

The state standard, meanwhile, uses a 1,000-permile standard, so if your address is, for example, 1000 John Smith Way, you’re a mile down on the right side of the road.

Hermanson said that method provides more numbers to choose from and limits the chance for duplicates. He said about 80 percent of the state now uses that system, most of which adopted it decades ago when 911 first came on board in Vermont. Then, towns were given a choice: Follow the state standard or keep using whatever increment the town already had in place.

Essex and Jericho chose the status quo. But the real problem here is the two towns numbered the road from its perceived start. That means starting from Route 15 in Jericho, houses along Old Pump Road begin with 1 and go to 94, while starting out in Essex finds houses that begin with 4 and end at 92.

Hermanson said there’s four or five Old Pump Road houses that now have the same number in towns.

The solution in some towns facing such a scenario is to fiddle with the impacted house numbers, but many times most numbers are already taken.

The ideal scenario for any road is a continuous

numbering system, Hermanson said. He and the state often help facilitate readdressing projects, and in recent years have modified entire towns. For example, Alburgh re-addressed about 90 percent of its business and residential properties last year, resulting in changes to about 1,800 locations, Hermanson said.

The impacted properties aren’t as many here: Jericho has about 30 homes on Old Pump Road, and Essex has 18 with an additional three now in construction.

The selectboard authorized the town to continuing working on the project and start alerting homeowners of the expected changes. Residents will have six to eight weeks to change their mailing address before the new system goes into effect.

Selectboard chairman Max Levy asked if there were any other roads in town with a similar problem. Staff said they would find out.

“If there are,” Levy said, “let’s do those before there’s a situation.”

State treasurer announces record year as 17k claim missing $6.7 million database rounded to the nearest hundred.

• Burlington – 45,700 • Rutland – 23,000 • South Burlington – 18,700 • Essex Junction – 17,100 • Brattleboro – 15,100 • Colchester – 13,400 • Saint Albans – 13,300 • Barre – 12,700 • Bennington – 11,700 • Montpelier – 10,200 As part of a multistate partnership, the Treasurer’s Office receives property that is remitted for safekeeping while staff works to return property to its rightful owner. $13.1 million of new property was received last year, increasing

The Vt. State Treasurer’s Office announced today that a record 17,665 unclaimed properties totaling $6.7 million were returned to their rightful owners in the fiscal year ending June 30. The number of dollars paid out rose 24 percent over the previous year, setting a new record. With a growing list of Vermonters claiming their missing money, Treasurer Beth Pearce reminded residents that it only takes moments to visit MissingMoney.

Vermont.gov to check to see if you or a loved one have unclaimed property.

Below are the top 10 Vermont communities with the largest number of individual listings in the

the total amount on hand to $88.5 million. “Unclaimed property” describes assets like uncashed checks, lost valuables, forgotten security deposits, misplaced insurance policies, investments or estates. The Treasurer’s Office’s unclaimed property holds more than 485,000 individual properties that are waiting to be claimed.

The Treasurer’s Office’s unclaimed property program is a consumer protection initiative to benefit all citizens.The service is free. Vermonters can easily search the State unclaimed property database by visiting MissingMoney.

Vermont.gov or by calling 1-800-642-3191.

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July 19, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 11

FOOD

Exhibit open thru September 3!

Locally sponsored by

Cinnamon Blueberry Icebox Pie with a Snappy Crust

By NANCY MOCK HungryEnoughToEatSix.com

Ingredients • • • • • • • •

4 cups gingersnap cookies 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 cup whipping cream, cold 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar 1-1/2 cups cold milk 1 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding & pie filling 1 teaspoon cinnamon Saigon cinnamon is my favorite 1/2 cup Easy Blueberry Sauce chilled

•

Instructions: •

•

•

•

Have a 9" pie plate ready, and a place in your fridge ready for where the assembled pie will chill.

Place the bowl and whisk attachment from your stand mixer into the freezer for 30 minutes to chill.

Grind the gingersnap cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or mini chopper. (You can also use the bottom of a heavy glass or mug to crush them by hand.) Stir the melted butter into the crumbs and mix until the crumbs are thoroughly moistened.

Remove 1 tablespoon of the crumbs, and seal them in a small covered dish. Keep these in the fridge until it's time to serve the pie.

Press the rest of the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of the

•

pie plate, into an even layer. Set this in the fridge for now.

Once the bowl and whisk attachment are chilled, assemble them on your stand mixer.

Pour in the whipping cream and turn the mixer on high. Whip the cream for about 5 minutes, then pause the machine to add in the confectioner's sugar.

Beat the cream on high for another 5 minutes or so: check the cream often. Beat it just until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat! Set the whipped cream aside.

Pour the cold milk into a medium-sized bowl.

Sprinkle the instant vanilla pudding & pie filling mix over the top.

Whisk the two together by hand for 2 minutes: the pudding should be creamy and beginning to thicken. Add in the cinnamon and whisk it fully into the pudding. Add half of the whipped cream into the bowl and gently fold it into the pudding.

Assemble the pie: •

Spoon half of the Easy Blueberry Sauce over the gingersnap crust and gently spread it evenly over the crust.

•

•

•

•

•

•

Spoon half of the pudding mixture over the Blueberry Sauce layer, and spread it evenly.

Spoon the rest of the Blueberry Sauce evenly over the pudding. Then top this with the rest of the pudding.

Scoop the remainder of the whipped cream onto the top of the pie, spreading it to cover the entire surface.

Loosely cover the top of the pie with plastic wrap, and place the pie in the fridge to chill, for at least four hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, remove the pie from the fridge and remove the plastic wrap. Use the gingersnap crumbs you set aside in the fridge and sprinkle them over the top of the pie. Scatter some fresh blueberries over the top before cutting and serving, or, add a few blueberries to the top of slices after they are cut. Serve immediately.

Makes 8 servings. The leftover pie can be wrapped and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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12 •

SPORTS

The Essex Reporter • July 19, 2018

Essex Jct. 10-12 baseball team wins third-straight district 3 title

COURTESY PHOTO

The Essex Jct. 10-12 baseball team defeated Northwest 5-4 on Sunday to win the District 3 tournament. EJ was forced into the losers bracket and needed to defeat Northwest twice to secure the title. They won the first game by a score of 15-3 and capped off their defense of last year's title with Sunday's win, marking the third year in a row winning the district. The team now moves on to the Vermont State Tournament at Schifilliti Park, taking on South Burlington on Saturday at 11 a.m.

July means summer. Has the weather been great. Sun, heat, swim meets, pools, beaches, and vacations all enjoyable. All-

FIRST

Star break includes HR Derby and MLB game. Futures game was Sunday.

TEST continued its winning ways on the summer swimming circuit. Last week our swimmers bounced BCC 352-143 Tuesday and defeated an improved Vergennes squad 298-170. Huge meet at SHP Thurs-

SWEET CORN OF THE SEASON NOW AVAILABLE

Pick your own Strawberries, Raspberries & Blueberries!

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135 Poor Farm Rd., Colchester 879-0102 ~ Open 7 days, 7am-8pm

Women’s Soccer League Standings Vt. Energy Legs 5-1-0 Shenanigans 4-1-1 2 Sisters 4-1-1 Huff N’ Puff 4-2-0 802 Cross Fit 3-3-0 ESDI 1-4-0 Tha Warriors 0-4-0 NE Kingdom Warriors 0-0-5 Only 2 weeks left in the regular season.

Check out their website vtwomenssoccer. com for more information.

Notable/local golfers who competed in the 112th VT Amateur Tourney last week: Troy Goliber 9th, Jake Orr 17th, Brock Paquette and Eric Jarvis also played.

Spent Saturday reffing.

Began the morning in Stowe officiating girls' youth Lacrosse. Worked games involving Mass, NH, CT, but no VT teams. Kids were great; playing hard and really trying. Mass coach was a bit excited early but calmed down.

Most parents were fine, but a handful hand no concept of the rules. Spent the early afternoon watching 802 U-16 played extremely

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HERE

By JOE GONILLO

well and finished 3rd winning the consolation game. Essex Abby Robbins and CVU's Sydney and Madison Peet along with players from BFA, LHS were fun to watch. Drove home through the notch road, took a quick break at home, then headed over to UVM to ref in the 3rd annual Stefan Pierson Soccer Tourney. Worked an Essex CVU match in the consolation round. Liam Donahue's goal accounted for the only score of the game as Essex won 1-0. They fell to MMU 1-0. BHS flushed SB 4-2. Members of the Essex Alumni squad include: Connor Fulton, Paul Federico, AJ Whitney, Matt Lyon, Jordan Calhoun, Danilo Salgado, Brennan Goodrich, Austin Lee, Nate Miles, Liam Donahue, Brayden Nielsen, Luc " I Still Got It" Leblanc, Justin Beauchemin, Luc Martin, Paul Bianchi, Carter Lincoln, Jake Orr, and Amar Kapic. Thanks to SB's David Martin for organizing refs. Huge job. Hope UVM hosts again next year.

Sox look great heading into the All-Star Break ... sadly.

Also took in the 1st of 6 summer concerts on Thursday evenings at the Lang Farm Barn. John and Debbie Lang were gracious hosts. The Tenderbellies performed, food trucks sold delicious items, and lots of space for chairs, kids, and crowd.

Shellhouse is up Thursday.

Happy Birthday to Kyran McNulty, Wakely McNulty, Jude Olson, Nate LaMarche, Carrie Casselman Crews, Amanda Liguori, Emily Scott, Chris Isham, Jennifer Lovell, Sean Riell, Jack Pringle. Happy Anniversary to my wife of 29 years! Love you more than ever. Randy Kay and Dale Lavalley celebrating 19 year; Katie White and Ryan Robitaille 2 years. Just realized I was at all 3 weddings.

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SPORTSHORTS

day against arch-rival The Edge. The following TEST Swimmers/Sandhill Pool Lifeguards competed for Green Mountain Aquatics at New England Senior Championships at Brown University: Oliver Austin, Jacob Crock, Ross Macy, Cameron Marcus, and Jake McIntyre. Ben Haddock, another TEST swimmer, competed at the New England 10& under Championships at Harvard NE Seniors was July 12 - July 15. The NE 10&under champs was July 14th and 15th.

League meet will be at Sand Hill Pool next week on Friday and Saturday. The pool will obviously be closed.