The Essex Reporter October 19, 2017

Page 1

the essex

October 19, 2017 • The Essex Reporter • 1

RepoRteR

Prsrt Std ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 266 Burlington, VT 05401 Postal Patron-Residential

FREE Vol. 16, No. 42 essexreporter.com

{ Thursday, October 19, 2017 }

Grants in hand, town may seek more By COLIN FLANDERS After earning a pair of grants worth $1.4 million, the town of Essex is considering how to best leverage its coffers and tackle future stormwater projects amid a ripe funding environment. Issued last month, the grants will help the town and village close one chapter of

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Gene Richards, director of aviation at the Burlington International Airport, speaks to the selectboard Monday night.

stormwater mitigation, completing the 2015 flow restoration plan’s final project at Indian Brook, while supporting the creation of a new joint phosphorus control plan. The grants are the state’s latest step in showing the federal government it’s serious about cleaning up Lake Champlain, public works director Dennis Lutz said.

“They’re almost shoveling [money] out the door,” he said. “Now is the time to get on board with that.” Doing so would require the town to seek additional grants before it has the funds to match them, setting the groundwork for a potential tax increase or bond request. But with the state planning to release new phosphorus re-

quirements early next year, Lutz said competition for these external funding sources is certain to increase. He warned against falling behind the curve. “We’re crazy not to grab the money now,” he said. “We just need to make sure we pick the right projects.” That will be harder than See GRANT, page 2

TOPSOccer

ESSEX ATHLETES FORGE TOPNOTCH BOND

Boards wary of airport fight By COLIN FLANDERS With additional reporting by Michaela Halnon Neither the selectboard nor trustees took an official stance in the fight over who should govern the Burlington International Airport, though meetings this month saw each entertain a much different discussion. The dispute has spilled out of city limits as South Burlington officials seek partners in their push for regional governance of the aviation hub, citing its wide-reaching effect on neighboring communities like the town and village. The airport, which is in South Burlington but managed as a department by the City of Burlington, has caused friction between the municipalities for years. In an August public meeting in Colchester, South Burlington city councilor

A

By KAYLEE SULLIVAN

pplause from almost 200 people repeatedly exploded at Essex Tree Farm last Sunday as young soccer stars with disabilities were called up one by one to receive a trophy and stream of high-fives from coaches and players. The celebration marked Vermont’s 11th season of TOPSoccer, or The Outreach Program for Soccer. The nationwide program, run under the umbrella of U.S. Youth Soccer, matches area varsity high school soccer players with kids with disabilities, ages 4 to 21, for six weeks each fall. Kids learn basic soccer technique for speed dribbling, passing, receiving and shooting, and how to interact socially. Essex High School girls soccer, along with the Rice Memorial High School’s boys team, have been with the program since it started. EHS boys plus the Rice, Milton High School and Colchester High School girls teams have since joined, amounting to 97 varsity players. “Growth is very much secondary to the fact that it is a program that allows children who are normally on the sidelines watching siblings player soccer, get out and play,” Vermont TOPSoccer founder Ed DeMulder added. Despite being rivals, the high-schoolers said working in a friendly environment with other players creates a unique and positive bond. For Essex senior captain Addison Scanlon, the experience is a release from the everyday grind of school and soccer. “It’s about being able to be with my team and play the sport, but also really feel like you’re making a difference,” Scanlon said. Her buddy, 13-year-old Sarah McElree, summed up TOPSoccer in one simple word: “Fun!” With each goal, assist and throw-in, Sarah’s wide smile illustrated sheer excitement, winding up each time to give Scanlon a high-five or two. Just beyond the goal line in fold-up chairs, parents Judy and Lane McElree watched on, just as they’ve done for the past seven years. Prior to that, Sarah played for the local recreation department, but it was too overwhelming

See AIRPORT, page 4

Energy committee buttons up By COLIN FLANDERS The Essex Energy Committee is joining a public outreach campaign designed to promote home energy efficiency improvements. Committee chairman Will Dodge approached the selectboard earlier this month to request its permission to participate in the Button Up Vermont campaign, a project of Efficiency Vermont that focuses on helping residents and property owners reduce their heating bills while addressing other energy-saving opportunities. The selectboard unanimously approved the committee’s participation in the campaign, making Essex the 26th Vermont community to join. Though the campaign started in September, Dodge said the committee plans to “hit the ground running” toward the Dec. 31 end date. “We really do want to make it happen, and I feel like we’ve got some traction,” he told the selectboard Monday night. The energy committee must now host at least two community engagement activities, such as home energy parties, workshops or tabling events. Dodge suggested its first event be the open house at the town offices on Wednesday evening. The committee will also need to distribute a free LED lightbulb to residents

See SOCCER, page 3

PHOTOS BY KAYLEE SULLIVAN

TOP: Kaimal Gumlaw strikes the ball with power last Sunday at the Essex Tree Farm. The practice marked the end of TOPSoccer's 11th season in Vermont. LEFT: Essex High School varsity soccer player Addison Scanlon performs a drill with her 13-year-old buddy, Sara McElree. The program matches area high school players alongside kids with disabilities, aged 4 to 21. Both the Essex girls and boys varsity teams take part.

See ENERGY, page 4

HEart & solE Essex reflexologist debuts new book By MICHAELA HALNON An 80-year-old man came to Geraldine Villeneuve’s reflexology practice in her Essex home as a last resort four years ago. Suffering from chronic back pain, he’d tried nearly everything to alleviate the ache to no avail. Assessing his feet with the traditional metal device seen in many shoe stores, Villeneuve told the man he measured a size 15. With great exclaim, he reported he’d worn a size 12 shoe to the appointment without pain. “Yes, but after this session I’m going

to relax your joints, the muscles that move your feet are going to get relieved from tension and [those shoes] are going to feel very small,” Villeneuve remembers telling him. After the appointment, he looked down at his shoes with astonishment and told Villeneuve he couldn’t bear put them on. He walked out barefoot. Villeneuve, a Vermont native, has practiced reflexology in her cozy home office on Saxon Hill Road for the last five years and sees about 12 people a week, but her involvement in the See REFLEX, page 2

PHOTOS BY MICHAELA HALNON

Left: Geraldine Villeneuve explains the principles of reflexology using a skeletal model. Above: Villeneuve traced her own feet to create this reflexology map.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.