December 1, 2016 The Essex Reporter by Essex Reporter

Reporter THE ESSEX

December 1, 2016 • The Essex Reporter •1

December 1, 2016

Vol. 36, No. 48

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

Essex PD to buy new guns, gear By COLIN FLANDERS

ssex police department plans to buy new handguns, heavy armor vests and ballistic helmets for all officers with seized assets, Chief Brad LaRose said. The selectboard unanimously approved

the $46,000 purchase from its equitable sharing funds, or money brought in through seized assets from drug enforcement, during its November 21 meeting. “We ask a lot of our force going into dangerous situations,” selectboard chairman Max See GEAR, page 4

Green Mountain Power and GlobalFoundries partner in state’s largest solar project By KAYLEE SULLIVAN

epresentatives from Colchester’s Green Mountain Power gathered at GlobalFoundries in Essex Jct. Tuesday to announce the companies’ partnership in a new solar project. Embracing the renewable energy revolution, the new facility located on GlobalFoundries’ land and

leased to GMP, will produce over 8 million kilowatt-hours per year. This energy will power GlobalFoundries, along with 1,100 Williston homes, GMP CEO Mary Powell said. The 4.7-megawatt project, located on the Williston side of the GlobalFoundries campus, will provide 500 kW to the company. The balance will go toward powering GMP customers in the area, See SOLAR, page 2

Photo by KAYLEE SULLIVAN Harold Bergeron, 101, is Vermont's oldest veteran. Wearing his World War II hat, Bergeron showcases his French Foreign Legion Medal of Honor in his Essex Jct. home last week.

A fountain of youth Vermont’s oldest vet still chuckling at 101

By KAYLEE SULLIVAN

hen Harold Bergeron was a young man, he took a drink from the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Fla. He’s now 101 years old. “I claim that’s the best thing I’ve done,” Bergeron said last week, rest-

ing at the kitchen table of his Essex Jct. home. As a clock ticked in the background, Vermont’s oldest veteran reminisced on the years passed. His time in the military, his job at the local auto garage and Essex Center Grange, memories of his daughter and his marriage – which is 73 years strong – were all of noted importance.

Mary, his wife, is 102 years old, and the two live independently at home. The pair tied the knot in February 1943. Two months later, Bergeron was deployed in the Army. That same year, he took his magical sip from the fountain. Bergeron, of the 66th Infantry See VETERAN, page 3

VTANG preps for short-notice deployment Photo by COLIN FLANDERS A partially burned residence at 57 Park St. is pictured, where Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity plans to build four new homes next spring.

Habitat finds home in Essex By COLIN FLANDERS Four Chittenden County families will have a chance to purchase an affordable home next spring thanks to Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, which plans to build in Essex for the first time in its history, organization officials

A 'few hundred' airmen to be sent overseas By MICHAELA HALNON

said. Habitat recently purchased property at 57 Park St. and plan to tear down what’s left of a partially burned house from a July fire and build a two-story triplex in its place. A fourth home will be inside a carriage house at the back of the property and will be revamped

A few hundred airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard will be deployed overseas in the coming weeks, officials announced last week. The airmen will be sent to the United States Central Command, Major Gen. Steven Cray said at a press conference. That area includes Northern Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

See HABITAT, page 10

See VTANG, page 4

Photo by MICHAELA HALNON Gov.-elect Phil Scott joined VTANG Major Gen. Steven Cray to announce the department of hundreds of airmen in the coming weeks.

Who is ... Dan ChaFetz? Essex Jct. man competes on 'Jeopardy!'

By MICHAELA HALNON

Courtesy photo Essex Jct. resident Dan Chafetz, right, is pictured with host Alex Trebek during his appearance on Jeopardy! this summer. Taped in August, the episode aired Tuesday night; Chafetz finished in third place.

ans of the hit game show Jeopardy! might have seen a familiar face flicker across their screen during Tuesday night’s episode. Dan Chafetz, an Essex Jct. resident, joined host Alex Trebek and two other contestants, answering trivia questions in pursuit of a cash prize. Taped in August, the show aired just this week. Chafetz, a data specialist for the bank JP Morgan in South Burlington, said he finished in third place after missing the Final Jeopardy! question.

Chafetz is a longtime fan of the show and took an online Jeopardy! quiz early this summer. The 50-question test is open to the public and administered every few months. The quiz featured similar categories, and questions were about as rigorous as the televised game, he said. Jeopardy! scouts were impressed with Chafetz’s performance and soon invited him to New York City for a live audition. The mock exercise included buzzers, a second written test and verbal questions. See JEOPARDY, page 12

2• The Essex Reporter • December 1, 2016

local solar from page 1

Powell explained. “Vermont’s largest solar project is being unveiled today at Vermont’s largest manufacturer,” Powell said as the room filled with applause. At about half the price of other solar projects, the new project is the most cost-effective solar generation project in the state, Powell said. With a vision of providing cost-effective, lowcarbon and reliable energy, Powell said the new facility is a large step forward for GMP. A little less than 20,000 panels span the approximate 55-acre project. Within that area rests a four-acre Sandia research training center, GlobalFoundries senior location executive Janette

Above: Courtesy photo / Right: Photo by KAYLEE SULLIVAN Above: The 55-acre solar project made possible by a partnership between Green Mountain Power and GlobalFoundries is shown from an aerial view. Right: Mary Powell, CEO and president of GMP, addresses the crowd at a press conference Tuesday at GlobalFoundries in Essex Jct.

Bombardier said. The site is owned by the U.S. Department of Energy and provides a place for solar research testing. The research center is a bonus for leveraging and optimizing their product, Powell said. The training center will make the project even more valuable in the long run, she said, but

it’s not the main focus of the development. Growing this new project specifically in Vermont is another bonus, she said. “We operate in the state of Vermont as a regulated utility,” she noted. “But because Vermont has in many ways pioneered legislation that has helped facilitate [clean energy],

I would say in this really important energy transformation, we’re lucky that we work in Vermont.” Powell went on to add that Sen. Bernie Sanders pioneered the adaptation of the center, one of five in the nation. He built a relationship with Sandia, convincing them of the importance of studying solar

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in a cold climate, a big factor when it comes to solar. On a bright, sunny day, the panels generate around 60 MW. On a gray, cloudy day like last Monday, generation ranks around 33 MW, or 850,000 kWh at the GlobalFoundries location. Built by groSolar, a Vermont solar company, the facility is welcomed by the town of Williston, town manager Rick McGuire explained to the crowd on Tuesday. “We’re thrilled to have this project in our community,” he said, congratulating all those involved in the partnership. Bombardier said support from the town of Williston and others helped the project go smoothly. The biggest obstacle was when the company made the transition in

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ownership from IBM to GlobalFoundries in July 2015. The new solar project was already underway, but they managed to work through the changeover, she said. Powell commended the collaboration involved in the project, including the town, two companies and others involved. Seth Bowden, vice president of the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation, also expressed his excitement for the collaboration. “We talk about how this could happen in a number of places. But [here,] it’s accelerated and benefited by a partnership with so much experience,” he said. The project became operational last Wednesday, GMP said.

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December 1, 2016 • The Essex Reporter •3

local

veteran from page 1

Division, shipped to Southampton, England in November 1944. His daughter, Ann, was born one month prior. On December 24, his company took off for Cherbourg, France to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. The ship didn’t make it. “Christmas Eve has never been the same,” he said. Five miles from shore, the S.S. Leopoldville was struck by German submarine U-486. The men on board had two options: Jump into the 48-degree water or attempt to leap onto a rescue destroyer boat. Bergeron couldn’t swim, so he chose the latter. While he sat chuckling in his blue button-up flannel and round-rimmed glasses, Bergeron made light of the memories, but was silenced at points, remembering the men lost. Thirty-two in his company never made it back home. Yet, his company trudged on. “That’s war,” he explained. Bergeron was one of 26 survivors from his platoon. Of the 2,000 or so men, 763 were either killed by the blast or perished in the cold waters, Leopoldville historian Allan Andrade said. One of these men was Bergeron’s company clerk, who carried records for Company C’s 150 men on the ship, fearing others would misplace them. Lost in the wreck, Bergeron was responsible for typing and recreating the records. This was a unique skill. Before deployment, Bergeron took over the typing for his company clerk, who wasn’t as proficient at the task. “It got me out of a lot of drilling,” he joked. Bergeron chalks his typing talent up

Photo by KAYLEE SULLIVAN Vermont's oldest vet Harold Bergeron holds his French Foreign Legion Medal of Honor in his Essex Jct. home last week.

to a commercial course he took before graduating from Essex Jct. High School. Typing wasn’t always an escape though. Across the pond, he typed the letters to the next of kin of his soldiers lost. The Leopoldville disaster was kept a secret from the public for years, Andrade said, to keep morale high for the soldiers overseas. Unless someone received word from a soldier like Bergeron, they wouldn’t have known about the disaster, he explained. A World War II buff, Andrade dug into the Leopoldville’s history upon his retirement from the New York City police department. While he knew he wanted to write something about WWII, Leopoldville wasn’t his initial quest. But he stumbled on the disaster, realizing the lack of research done on the topic. His work resulted in a book, “Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret,” bringing to light the troubled journey of men like Bergeron. “It’s taken me down avenues I never

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“He just couldn’t believe it,” Yandow said. “99 is now his favorite restaurant.” Until recently, Yandow said her father didn’t talk much about his experience overseas. But as he gets older and receives more recognition for his service, she said he’s opening up more. “She’s my right hand man,” Bergeron said of his daughter. While his present days may be spent doing housework, taking care of his wife or enjoying his daughter’s nightly visits, a good amount of his time in the past was spent traveling, he said. When he returned from war – which allowed him to travel through London, Paris and Switzerland – Bergeron joined his wife at the Essex Center Grange. Eventually working his way up to state master, or president, Bergeron and his wife traveled around the country to national conventions. Out of the 50 states, Bergeron said he’s been to about 40. The well-traveled man, with his flannel neatly tucked in, rose from the kitchen table as a train chugged down the nearby tracks and a clock chimed in the living room. “My Fountain of Youth [moment,] that’s my excuse,” he said.

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could have imagined,” Andrade said. The same goes for Bergeron. Recipient of a Bronze Star, a certificate of merit and the French Foreign Legion Medal of Honor, Bergeron is a decorated man. Holding the medal across his kitchen table, he caressed the front and back of it, spreading a sense of pride throughout the room, which was also decorated – but with holiday placemats and knickknacks. Recently, Bergeron showcased the medal at a veterans’ recognition ceremony hosted by the Green Mountain chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. As for the other 20 or so veterans present, “they were a lot younger,” Bergeron said with another grin. Every Thursday, Bergeron takes a trip to the grocery store with his daughter, Ann Yandow, sporting a stitched “World War II Veteran” cap. The lid catches some eyes. “They’re always talking to me,” Bergeron said of shoppers. “I don’t mind. I enjoy talking to them.” A couple weeks ago while dining in the local 99 restaurant, a young man saw Bergeron in his hat and sent a gift card to his family’s table, paying for his dinner.

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4• The Essex Reporter • December 1, 2016

local gear

from page 1 Levy said. “We want to make sure you have the equipment you need to keep your people safe.” The department negotiated with Interstate Arms Corporation to trade Glock .40 caliber handguns for 9mm versions of the same brand, LaRose said. Research shows the 9mm is more accurate and handler-friendly, he said, adding officers’ current weapons are over a decade old. The department ordered 36 guns, including five replacements in case a weapon must be sent back to the manufacturer or entered into evidence after an officer-involved shooting. The bill will be about $10,000 after the swap, LaRose said. He expects to order the guns within the next

few weeks and hopes to set up range dates to certify officers in the spring. The department will also buy heavy armor vests and ballistic helmets for high-level threat situations, purchasing the latter from Essex Jct.'s own Revision Military. The specific helmet model made headlines after saving an officer’s life by stopping a bullet during the June shooting at an Orlando nightclub, which left 50 dead. LaRose expects the gear to be delivered this month. After LaRose’s presentation, selectboard vice-chairwoman Irene Wrenner cited a number of residents who have concerns about the increasing militarization of police forces. “How much closer does this [purchase] put us to militarized force as

opposed to a peacekeeping force?” Wrenner asked. LaRose said it boils down to keeping officers as safe as possible. He referred to an incident last month when officers responded to a Franklin St. apartment complex after an Essex man fired more than a dozen rounds, some hitting the neighboring buildings. Fortunately, the situation was resolved peacefully, LaRose said, yet not all are. “I hope we never have to wear those vests,” he said. When to use the gear will be based on officer judgment instead of a firm policy, LaRose said in a phone interview last week. “You don’t know what a situation is going to bring until it’s over. It’s very difficult to assess,” he said.

Yet LaRose also understands the perception that such gear might escalate a situation. He recalled a resident concerned about the department’s use of long rifles at the scene of an armed standoff in September, when a man threatened to kill any police officers he contacted. LaRose assured the rifles were only along the scene’s perimeter as a worst-case scenario, not near the individual. If the officers aren’t in a position to stop a potential threat, however, then the public could be at risk, he said. “It’s a balancing act,” he added. Police deescalated that situation without incident. LaRose said the department received about $66,000 in equitable sharing funds last year. The balance has been used for

Photo by COLIN FLANDERS A Glock .40 caliber handgun sits on a table in the Essex police station. Police plan to purchase 9mm versions of the same brand.

purchases like speed monitoring units, as well as covering expenditures like rent for the Community Justice Center. Selectman Andy Watts noted a number of Vermont municipalities object to the equitable sharing funds program over fear of potential abuse. He referenced some cases around

vtang from page 1

The mission will likely last for a few months, Cray said. Officials would not specify the total number of local airmen deploying but confirmed at least one Essex resident would be sent on this mission. In 2014, 40 VTANG airmen called each Essex or Essex Jct. home – one of the highest concentration totals in any town in Vermont or New York. The mission is considered “shortnotice,” a non-technical term generally meaning the assignment came less than 30 days before deployment, Cray said. He first got word of a potential deployment a few weeks ago. The mission was confirmed early last week. “I am extremely proud of the wing leadership and our airmen, who have stepped up for a mission that they are trained to do,” Cray said. The fighter wing boasts 1,100 airmen. Around 100 are already deployed

Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard will be deployed overseas in the coming weeks for a shortnotice mission, officials said last Wednesday.

File photo by ABBY LEDOUX

on missions around the world, according to officials. The airmen set to deploy includes pilots, mechanics, intelligence and communications officials. “I asked [the airmen] to find a way to say ‘yes,’” Col. Patrick Guinee said of the upcoming mission. “After that, it was

their choice.” The few hundred deployment slots were filled within hours by volunteers, he added. Governor-elect Phil Scott and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) attended last week’s press conference, offering grati-

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the country where departments failed to return confiscated property despite the lack of a conviction. LaRose said he’s seen the reports but hasn’t heard of any Vermont agencies misusing the program. “We understand we can’t screw this up,” he said.

tude to the airmen and their families. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy sent written statements of support. “There’s never a good, opportune time for the Guard to be deployed, and certainly around the holidays is one of those moments when we reflect on the challenges ahead,” Scott said. “We’re very proud of what the Guard has done for us as a state, and we want to recognize that we’re here for their families while they are away.” After offering his own thanks, Welch took questions from reporters about President-elect Donald Trump, who will take over as commander in chief of the military on January 20. “The American people chose him, so we’ve got to make the best of this,” Welch said of Trump. “He doesn’t have any experience, let’s hope he gets some good advice.” VTANG officials could not confirm whether the upcoming mission would extend beyond Inauguration Day next month.

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December 1, 2016 • The Essex Reporter •5

opinion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Special tax districts complicate matters The more I hear about the special tax district being proposed for combining the essex Jct. recreation and Parks and essex Parks & recreation, the clearer it becomes to me that this new form of municipal governance may provide opportunities for other community departments. Why not establish STDs for the fire departments, libraries, public works, planning and zoning? each new STD would have its own budget process, bonding authority and taxing authority, giving them the autonomy to finally get many of their outstanding wants funded. each of these STDs would have its own director, governing board, financial, human resource, and information technology departments and respective operations staff. Given this new trend, citizens would vote for members of each of the five STD boards (recreation, fire, library, public works, planning) in addition to voting for selectboard members, village trustees and school board candidates. voting for the various STD board candidates and budgets and/or bond votes would occur whenever the assorted STD boards decide to warn their votes. The opportunity to possibly vote numerous times throughout the year on such a variety of budgets and candidates has got to excite those who delight in democratic processes. Should the budget vote fail for any of the STDs, opportunities would emerge to vote on revised budgets. “vote early, vote often” could take on a whole new meaning.

Another benefit of more STDs would be more occasions to be involved in the budgeting process instead of having just three (town, village and school) budget constructs in which to participate. This new arrangement would provide even more stratification of the taxing entities we all enjoy. To federal, state, town, village and school, this would add recreation, fire, library, public works and planning. or … Do not create these special interest group STDs but leave these entities (recreation, fire, public works, libraries and planning) under their current respective governing structures. ePr would stay under the jurisdiction of the selectboard and eJrP would return to the village trustees, its home before being loaned to the Prudential Committee. Why create more levels of bureaucracy, when there has been a concerted, successful effort in recent times to consolidate town and village functions? Let the selectboard and trustees do their jobs and create balanced budgets (one each) and one tax for their respective entities. More municipal services will probably continue to consolidate in the future, and as the time is right, one municipal government is likely to emerge with a singular recreation department, residing therein. STDs are not opportunities; they are distractions and complicate matters for taxpayers. Please vote no on December 13.

Reasons to vote no on December 13 The special tax district for recreation and parks has been brought up for a vote, with no serious discussion of alternatives and no explanation why should we have a new government entity that exactly overlays the town. If the essex Junction recreation & Parks is not to be managed by the village anymore, and become a responsibility of the whole town, then clearly it should be merged with the Town's Parks and recreation and managed as a

town department. Setting up the STD instead is unnecessary, inappropriate, unaccountable and wasteful: It would not have oversight by the selectboard and town manager, as all other town functions do. Its separate budget would not reflect trade-offs with other town priorities, and is likely to grow excessively over time. Moreover, unnecessarily, this vote is being held on December 13, a separate day from all our other votes. This is likely to reduce turnout, as has been the result of separate dates for school budget

Hold out for a better rec plan If you’re passionate about one or both of our recreation departments, please study the proposal to create a special taxing district rather than to consolidate both essex Jct. recreation and Parks and essex Parks and recreation under town government. The STD structure introduced by village leaders last winter has fewer checks and balances on recreation's power to set policy and raise taxes. With less oversight and without the context of an overall town budget funded by taxpayers, will the rec budget grow too fast? Will multiple revotes be required when its budget doesn't pass? This proposal has been framed “in the spirit of consolidation,” but it’s actually a merge-andseparate move, unlike any seen before in essex. approval of the STD would create a third municipality, contrary to recent consolidations of town and village departments which have worked toward turning two municipalities into one. Forming this additional entity could hamper ongoing consolidation efforts. This yearlong STD odyssey has already cost taxpayers a small fortune: $16,000 in legal fees, many hours of staff (and volunteer) time, and $8,000 for a special December election. If voters reject the STD, both departments could continue to function collaboratively, with the option of merging someday, as have other departments. Before casting your vote, please familiarize yourself with the backstory by visiting www.PlanBforessex.org. Then join me in voting no on December 13.

Hubert Norton Essex Jct.

PERSPECTIVE

Irene Wrenner Selectboard member expressing her personal opinion Essex Town

Keep consolidation moving forward: Support the recreation district By Max Levy & GeorGe TyLer

ur words represent only our opinions and not necessarily those of fellow board members or municipal staff. For three years, the town and village have collaborated to make local government more efficient by consolidating municipal services when opportunities arise. each opportunity's unique challenges required a thoughtful, evenhanded solution. For example, we moved the village Public Works Department under the administrative umbrella of the town, but allowed the department to maintain its separate identity and have the village trustees recommend its budget. a town employee runs the essex Senior Center, but the village provides the facilities. Community planning will most likely become a town operation, but the village will maintain a separate development review board to evaluate projects in the village. In each case we strove to maintain customer service by understanding each department's culture and operation and preserving the things it does best. above all, we've avoided the traditional town vs. village turf battles. We approached recreation consolidation the same way: How do we maintain what's best in each department, consolidate governance and administration, and blend operations together rather than have one department simply “take over” the other? We appointed a 10-member committee to study the possibilities and recommend a solution. Their answer – to create a union municipal district – is an excellent one. The governance structure allows the town and village

to oversee operations. It gives voters strict control over budgets and, with australian (paper) balloting, encourages greater voter turnout. It keeps all properties and assets in the hands of the essex community, and it offers the best chance of continuing all the recreational leagues, family events, traditions, programs and services that have evolved in the essex community over the last 40 years. Some don't agree with this collaborative approach. They insist consolidation means having the town take over the village department. Period. Never mind political concerns, culture and the complexities of assimilating a larger (village) department with its unique programs and independent history into a smaller town department. They reject the recreation study because it didn't validate their preconceived ideas. Fortunately, all but one of the elected officials in the town and village overseeing the recreation study see the wisdom of finding common ground and trying to preserve what's best in both departments. That's why they agreed to put the question to the voters. That's why they allowed the recreation Governance Study Committee to continue reaching out and answering questions. For the past three months the committee has circulated through the community explaining how they came to their recommendation, how it would work and why it makes sense. Despite their efforts, and the efforts of village and town staff to address concerns, critics of the proposal have only become more incensed. They've tried to “brand” the union district as an “STD” to create a negative impression in voters' minds. They've claimed the study process, which was

monitored by village, town and supervisory union administrative and legal staff, was “rigged.” Despite both recreation departments' histories of prudent budgets and stable finances, they've tried to convince voters that bringing the departments together will suddenly make their budgets spin out of control. Those opponents can't explain why the same governance structure that works for the town, village and school districts won't work for recreation. They decry “creating another bureaucracy” when they know that combining the two departments would, in fact, streamline administrative needs. They change the subject when it's pointed out that a similar town-village union district created essex High School and the Center for Technology. We support the union recreation district proposal not only because it preserves our wonderful recreation programs while controlling costs, but also because it is the best way to keep town-village consolidation moving forward. as we continue with the collaborative process we began three years ago, we might soon approach the question of a complete government merger. Consolidating the recreation departments now in a way that builds mutual trust rather than stirs political tensions will take us one giant step closer to that goal. Max Levy is the chairman of the Essex Town Selectboard. George Tyler is president of the Essex Jct. Board of Trustees. Editor’s note: This op-ed is in response to selectboard vice-chairwoman Irene Wrenner’s Sept. 29 perspective.

votes. To have true democracy in our town, we have to consolidate the voting days. This by itself is a reason to bother and show up and vote no. (you can also vote ahead of that date, at the town office.) This is our only chance to stop the ill-advised STD plan. If it passes, in the future we'll only get to vote on its ever-growing budget (perhaps on some dreary special voting day).

I’m voting no December 13 I’m voting no on December 13 for creating a special task district for an “essex Community Parks & recreation,” and I urge you to do the same. Why? Many reasons. Perhaps you have seen the list of pros and cons distributed by the recreation Governance Study Committee. What they fail to tell you is that there is a much simpler way to combine our two recreation departments; one that accomplishes the pros of a combined department and none of the cons, but doesn’t require another tax structure (which will only serve to increase costs, that is, our taxes) nor a separate loosely governed structure. What is that way? Merging the two departments in the same manner the town and village have already merged seven departments (such as police and public works) and plan to merge at least four more. Merging the recreation departments simply follows this already well-paved path. That recreation merger— when it happens—results in this list of pros and cons: Pros: • Ultimately creates one merged recreation department • Maintains current tax structure • Eases into the merged recreation department via a tried and true method • The merged department reports to same municipal manager

Moshe Braner Essex

• The merged department falls under an already functional governance structure • No vying for school space • Doesn’t create resident and taxpayer confusion • Fee structure the same for village and town outside the village residents • Combines parks and recreation governance and dollars under one entity • Aligns with general community direction of consolidating schools/municipal services • Solves the problem immediately, creating no future repercussions • Fairly addresses tax inequity between village and town outside the village • Doesn’t add another budget nor separate voting structure • Public support for merging departments under an existing governing structure • Recreation related funds and fees will be used for recreation as collected and budgeted. Cons: • No special tax district with its attendant separate governance, separate tax structure, separate budget, separate voting structure, all under a loose governing structure. Why create a separate structure when the current one is perfectly adequate and has a solid history of success for all of us? It makes no sense. That’s why I’m voting no. Rich Maggiani Essex Town

Have sometHing to say?

submit your letter to the editor (450 words or fewer) to news@essexreporter.com by Friday at 5 p.m. Please include your name, address and phone number.

Reporter THE ESSEX

ExEcutivE Editor Courtney A. Lamdin

AssociAtE Editor Abby Ledoux

sports Editor Colin Flanders

rEportErs

Colin Flanders Michaela Halnon Kaylee Sullivan Tom Marble 42 Severance Green, Unit #108, Colchester, VT 05446 Phone: 878-5282 Fax: 651-9635

co-publishErs

Emerson & Suzanne Lynn

gEnErAl mAnAgEr Suzanne Lynn

AdvErtising mAnAgEr Wendy Ewing

AdvErtising sAlEs Michael Snook

Email: news@essexreporter.com Website: www.essexreporter.com Published Thursdays

Deadlines: News & Advertising – Friday at 5 p.m. Circulation: 8,800

6• The Essex Reporter • December 1, 2016

EssEx ArEA

Religious Directory

calendar dec. 9

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: 7 p.m., Wednesday evening youth groups, Adult Bible study and prayer: 7 p.m.; FundamentalIndependent. CITYREACH CHURCH - 169 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Behind Subway, on the back side of the building. Pastor Brent Collins. Sunday worship service: 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. A casual, family-focused and friendly Christian Church with practical teaching, great music, a safe kids program (Nursery-5th grade) and an exciting and empowering church experience, www.essexjunction.cityreachnetwork. org; bcollins@cityreachnetwork.org; facebook: CityReach Church - Essex Junction. CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH - Route 2A, Williston, just north of Industrial Ave. 878-7107. Wes Pastor, senior minister, proclaiming Christ and Him crucified, Sundays: 9:30 a.m., www.cmcvermont.org. DAYBREAk COMMUnITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester. 338-9118. Brent Devenney, lead pastor. Sunday service: 10:30 a.m., AWANA: Thursdays twice a month, www.daybreakvermont.org; brentdaybreak@gmail.com ESSEX ALLIAnCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct. 878-8213. Sunday services: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m., www.essexalliance.org. ESSEX CEnTER UnITED METHODIST CHURCH - 119 Center Rd (Route 15), Essex. 878-8304. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. Service 10:00 a.m. with Sunday School and childcare provided. We offer a variety of small groups for prayer, Bible study, hands-on ministry, and studying contemporary faith issues. Please join us for worship that combines the best of traditional and contemporary music and spirituality. We are a safe and welcoming space for all people to celebrate, worship, ask questions and plant spiritual roots. FIRST COngREgATIOnAL CHURCH OF ESSEX JUnCTIOn - 1 Church Street, Essex Jct. 878-5745. Rev. Mark Mendes, senior pastor. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Sunday School: 5th/6th Grade - 1st Sunday of the month, Jr. & Sr. high youth groups - every Sunday. Heavenly Food Pantry: fourth Thursday of the month, 2-6 p.m. except for Nov. & Dec. when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out community dinner: 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Music includes Sanctuary Choir, Praise Band, Junior Choir, Cherub Choir, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella & Ladies’ Acapella groups. UCC, an Open and Affirming Congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person, because we are all created by a loving God. www.fccej.org; welcome@fccej.org gRACE UnITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct., 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / Route 117. 878-8071. Worship Sundays: 9:30 a.m., with concurrent church school pre-K to high school. Handicapped-accessible facility. Adult study group Sundays: 11:00 a.m; adult choir, praise band, women’s fellowship, missionally active. Korean U.M.C. worship Sundays: 12:30 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: 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. Adult study: 9:15 a.m. Visit www.stjamesvt.org; stjamesvtoffice@yahoo.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.

file photo

Wander around the Village and enjoy all it has to offer at the Train Hop and Tree Lighting! As you enjoy model train displays and holiday activities, mark the locations you visit on a provided map. Be sure to stop by the Brownell Library to write letters to Santa with the Essex Reporter staff. See Fri., Dec. 9 listing for more information.

1 ThurSdaY baked beadS Sale

10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1068 Williston Rd., South Burlington. The 11th Annual Jewelry and Scarf Sale features heavily discounted overstock products. Free parking and admission. For more information, visit www.bakedbeads. com/about/clearancesales.

noonTime book diScuSSion

Noon, Essex Free Library. Join us as we discuss "Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins.

read To archie

3:15 - 4 p.m., Brownell Library. Archie loves to listen to kids read and is certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Archie’s owner is Christine Packard, Chair of Brownell Library Trustees. For all ages.

communiTY Soup & bread Supper

4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Covenant Community Church, 1 Whitcomb Meadows Ln., Essex. Choose from a variety of hearty soups and breads and a sweet dessert. Stay and eat with friends and family or pick up to take home. Donations accepted. Call Pastor Steve Anderson at 879-4313 for more information.

children'S STorY Time 6 p.m., Rocky's Pizza, 39 Park St., Essex Jct. Mother Goose stories and Aesop's Fables.

adulT coloring

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

2 fridaY SongS & STorieS wiTh maTThew

10 - 10:45 a.m., Brownell Library. Matthew Witten performs songs about our world

and tells adventurous tales. For all ages; no registration required. Funded by the Brownell Library Foundation. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1068 Williston Rd., South Burlington. (See Thursday, Dec. 1.)

front of the fireplace in the Main Reading Room. She invites adult knitters and crocheters to join her with their projects and engage in conversation. Bring patterns to share if you'd like. For more information, email 6maggie2@ myfairpoint.net.

VinTage moVie maTinee

dungeonS and dragonS

baked beadS Sale

Noon, Bayside Activity Center, 2 West Lakeshore Dr., Colchester. Bring your lunch at noon to meet others or just come for the movie at 1 p.m. Beverages and popcorn provided. This week's movie: "The Maltese Falcon" with Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor.

Teen adViSorY board

3 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Teens connect to plan programs, hang out and give advice. For high school students.

VermonT inTernaTional feSTiVal

5 - 8 p.m., Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Find crafts from all over the world, ethnic and gourmet foods and traditional international music, dance and stories. This annual gala offers a fun environment in which we learn and experience new things and appreciate one another. Tickets: $7/ adults, $5/ages 6-12, free/children under 6, $20/family (two adults and thier children). For more information, visit www.vermontinternationalfestival.com.

magic: The gaThering

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

maggie'S fiber fridaY for adulTS

6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Maggie Loftus, veteran knitter, will be settled in

6:30 - 9 p.m., Brownell Library. Embark on imaginary adventures. Our Dungeon Master, Owen, serves as the game's referee and storyteller. For grades 6 and up.

3 SaTurdaY GRAND ISLE SCHOOL

holidaY crafT Show

9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 224 US2, Grand Isle. A popular stop during the Champlain Islands’ Holiday Hop. Shop local and support your neighbors! For more information, call 343-2740 or email grandislecraftshow@ gmail.com. MALLETTS BAy CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

crafT fair

9 a.m. - 4 p.m., 1672 West Lakeshore Dr., Colchester. Contact Lois Fontaine at 343-9767 or email lannfontaine@ comcast.net. GREEN MOUNTAIN PUG RESCUE

crafT and Vendor Show

10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rice Memorial High School, 99 Proctor Ave., South Burlington. A pug kissing booth with available and alumni GMPR pugs, a raffle, a sales table with pug and GMPR merchandise and over 30 vendors and crafters.

wriTe for righTS! 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Brownell Library. The world’s largest human rights event is held annually on or around International Human Rights Day. Come write, email, text or tweet and help end human rights abuses. Snacks

provided. Hosted by Amnesty International USA in VT.

baked beadS Sale 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1068 Williston Rd., South Burlington. (See Thursday, Dec. 1.)

VermonT inTernaTional feSTiVal

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Dec. 2.)

whole book approach

11 a.m., Phoenix Books, 21 Essex Way, Essex. Calling all kids! Join us for our weekly "Whole Book Approach" story time to explore the ways words, pictures and book design work together to tell a complete story. Call us at 872-7111. 15TH ANNUAL

feSTiVal of choirS

6 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, 73 Essex Way, Essex Jct. The Montpelier Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts the interfaith musical performance featuring several local church and community choirs. Designed to usher in the spirit of Christmas as a community. Free admission; all are invited. For more information, contact Nancy at 8994739.

4 SundaY ST. THOMAS PARISH KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

counTrY breakfaST

8 - 10:30 a.m., St. Thomas Parish Hall, 6 Green St., Underhill Center. Bring the whole family to this buffetstyle breakfast. Includes juice, fruit, eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, home fries and coffee or tea. By donation. All are welcome. Call 899-4632 for more information.

VermonT inTernaTional

December 1, 2016 • The Essex Reporter •7

The Official 2016

Snowflake Bentley Pewter Ornament by

Vermont Snowflakes

calendar

Beautifully Gift Boxed and Ready to Give! $18.50 ea

has the resources to help Old Mill Craft Shop local MeetinGs you find those elusive Route 15, Jericho 899-3225

thurs., dec. 1

6 p.m., town zoning Board, Town offices, 81 main St., Essex Jct.

Mon., dec. 5

6:30 - 9 p.m., ccsu carousel Board, Essex high School Library, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. vailable: Pewter Snowflake Pin $10.00

wter Snowflake Necklace $25.00 ewter Snowflake7:30 Earrings $19.50 p.m., town wter Snowflake Zipper Pull $9.00 selectboard, Town flake” Bentley Charm Bracelet $44.00 “Snowflake”offices, Bentley Brooch $27.00 St., 81 Main

Essex Jct.

tues., dec. 6

5:45 - 6:45 p.m., village tree advisory committee, Location TBD.

festival

10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Dec. 2.)

the Grinch at Phoenix Books

Noon, Phoenix Books, 21 Essex Way, Essex Jct. Children and kidsat-heart will meet Dr. Seuss' meanest and greenest creation when the Grinch himself visits Phoenix Books. All ages are welcome to bring a camera and get a photo taken with the Grinch. The event will also launch Phoenix Books' annual food drive, and attendees are invited to grow their hearts three sizes by bringing a nonperishable donation for the local food shelf.

40Th Army BAND

holiday treasures concert

2 p.m., St. michael’s College mcCarthy Arts Center recital hall, 1 Winooski Park, Colchester. The Vermont National Guard and the office of the Adjutant General are proud to present “Vermont’s own” 40th Army Band. The concert will feature seasonal favorites including Leroy Anderson’s "Sleigh ride," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "Chanukah is here" and a holiday sing-a-long. Free. For more information, call 338-3480 or visit the 40th Army Band on Facebook and Twitter.

full circle: Music for Winter holidays 2 - 4 p.m., Phoenix Books, 191 Bank St., Burlington. Browse for gifts while you enjoy live holiday music from many countries and time periods. Full Circle is a group of five women who play a mixture of medieval, renaissance, Celtic, folk and holiday music on recorder, tin whistle, harp, guitar, hammered dulcimer, percussion and with voices. Their recordings will be offered for sale at the store.

5 Monday droP-in story tiMe

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Enjoy books, songs and crafts each week. All ages.

sPanish Musical

For more information, visit www. www.jerichohistoricalsociety.org / www.snowflakebentley.com vtgenlib.org. 6 p.m., village capital Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10-5

Program review committee, Lincoln hall meeting room, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. 6:15 p.m., recreation Governance Public forum and Q&a, Essex high School, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. Free childcare begins at 6 p.m.

thurs., dec. 8

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

kids

10:30 - 11:15 a.m., Brownell Library. Join Constancia Gomez, an experienced Spanish teacher, for this interactive Spanish musical class for kids. The class will have activities to keep little ones and parents moving.

tech helP With clif

Noon & 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering one-on-one technology help! Bring in your new gadget or gizmo and Clif will sit with you to help you learn its ways. reservation required; please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance.

holiday card MakinG

3 - 4 p.m., Brownell Library. make a greeting card out of recycled cards to send to someone special for the holidays. For all ages.

leGo cluB

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

VErmONT ASTrONOmiCAL SOCiETy

is the sun BiG?

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Brownell Library. When we look at the star that powers our world and neighboring planets, it is hard to think of anything dramatically bigger – 1 million Earths could fit into the sun! however, our yellow Dwarf star is not nearly as big as stars can get. A talk by Joel Greene.

6 tuesday story tiMe for BaBies and toddlers

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

story tiMe for Preschoolers

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

verMont GenealoGy liBrary

3 - 9:30 p.m., 377 hegeman Ave., Fort Ethan Allen, Colchester. The Vt. Genealogy Library

Sun.ancestors. 11:30-4

read to daisy

3:15 - 4 p.m., Brownell Library. Daisy loves to listen to kids read and is certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Daisy’s owner is maddie Nash, a retired school counselor. For all ages.

Middle school Planners & helPers

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. mPh will meet to practice their program for fourth- and fifth-graders the following week. Snacks served.

droP-in knittinG cluB

6:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Bring your current knitting project or start a new one in the company of fellow knitters.

7 Wednesday tech tiMe With traci

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

tech helP With clif

essex rotary cluB MeetinG

12:10 p.m., The Essex, 70 Essex Way, Essex Jct. The rotary Club of Essex is known for offering a superb lunch, featuring speakers on topics of interest to the community at large. Visitors welcome. FirST WEDNESDAy LECTurE:

aMerica in a neW, More danGerous World

7 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Veteran diplomat George Jaeger discusses recent, rapid changes in world power relationships and key challenges America faces: From our perception of our world role and nuclear policy to our critical relationships with Europe, russia and China.

8 thursday noontiMe Book discussion

Noon, Essex Free Library. Join us as we discuss "Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins.

read to archie

read to Mckenzie the

Holiday Open House! Sat. 12/3 & Sun. 12/4 Coupon

Excludes Bentley Limited Edition and Metal Prints

20 % OFF doG

3:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Sign your young reader up for a 15-minute slot to read to our resident r.E.A.D. dog, mcKenzie. McKenzie is a certified therapy and reading dog who loves to listen to stories. reading to a dog is a wonderful way to work on reading skills in a comfortable atmosphere. To schedule a time, call us at 8790313 or email Caitlin at ccorless@essex.org.

children's story tiMe

6 p.m., rocky's Pizza, 39 Park St., Essex Jct. mother Goose stories and Aesop's Fables.

Any One Item

Valid only on 12/3 & 12/4 2016 One Coupon Per Visit

Old Mill Craft Shop Route 15, Jericho

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10-5

899-3225

Sun. 11:30-4

www.jerichohistoricalsociety.org

Join us at the

ESSEX

HOLIDAY FAIR

December 10th, 2016 From 10am-4pm

the Benefits of yoGa

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. As we enter the stressful holiday season, yoga instructor Kelley reagan gives an informative workshop on the many benefits of yoga.

AT THE ESSEX HIGH SCHOOL

9 friday all aGes storytiMe

10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Come listen to picture book stories and have fun with puppets, finger plays and rhymes. For ages birth to 5.

Musical storytiMe

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. rock out and read on Friday mornings with books, songs and instruments. For all ages.

vintaGe Movie Matinee

train hoP & tree liGhtinG

6 - 8 p.m., Downtown Essex Jct. Business and communitiy partners host model train displays or train and holiday related activities throughout downtown Essex Jct. maps are provided to visitors identifying "hop Stations," or participating locations. Wander around the Village and enjoy all it has to offer while marking locations visited on your map. Be sure to stop by the Brownell Library to write letters to Santa with the Essex reporter staff!

10 saturday Whole Book aPProach

11 a.m., Phoenix Books, 21 Essex Way, Essex Jct. (See Saturday, Nov. 26.)

11 sunday WESTFOrD muSiC SEriES

full circle

4 - 5 p.m., uCW white church, Westford Common. An afternoon of medieval, renaissance and traditional music. Free. refreshments will be served.

300± Cars, Trucks, SUVs Expected Saturday, Dec. 3 @10AM Register from 8AM 298 J. Brown Dr., Williston, VT 1-800-474-6132 • 1-802-878-9200 ’14 Nissan Versa ’13 Ducati Monster 796 ’12 Chevy Equinox ’12 Ford Focus ’12 Honda Civic ’11 Ford Crown Victoria ’11 Subaru Legacy ’10 Chevy Impala ’10 Ford E-Series ’10 Subaru Outback ’09 Subaru Forester ’09 Toyota Corolla ’08 Chevy Aveo ’08 Chevy Cobalt ’08 GMC Sierra 1500 ’08 Jeep Compass ’08 Kia Optima ’08 Lincoln Navigator

’08 Saturn Astra ’07 Nissan Quest ’07 Pontiac G6 ’07 Subaru Outback ’07 Toyota Highlander ’06 Chevy HHR ’06 Ford F-150 ’06 Ford Freestyle ’06 Honda CR-V ’06 International DT466, 4300 ’06 Jeep Liberty ’06 Kia Sedona ’06 Nissan Xterra ’06 VW Passat ’05 Chevy Aveo ’05 Chrysler Pacifica AND MORE Subject to Change

Secured Party: Former Burlington College 600± LOTS • Furniture, Fixtures & Equip. Onsite & Online Wed., Dec. 7 @10AM 351 North Ave., Burlington, VT

• Important Book Collection on Film Study Donated by Frank Manchell (one lot) & MUCH MORE! • Office Furnishings & Equipment incl. Hearthstone Hardwood Executive Desks with Granite Tops; Credenzas; Lounge Seating; Conference Room Seating and Tables; Shoretel Phone System, Printers, Desks; Drafting Chairs; Handmade Hardwood Furniture & MORE • Photo & Film Production Equipment Incl. Cameras (Digital, film & 35MM); Printers, Stage Lighting; Tripods; Light meters & MORE • Printers; 24± iMac Computers, HP & Dell Computers & MORE • Cafeteria & Kitchen Equip. incl., SS 3-Bay Sink; Upright Refrigerator & Freezer; Cafeteria Seating; Appliances & MORE • Burlington College Memorabilia • PLUS: Challenge Model 20 Paper Cutter; Commercial Tent (3,600SF); Mosler Vault Doors; Flat Screen TVs; Hardwood Dorm Furniture; Artwork & MUCH MORE! Partial List Subject to Change.

Thomas Hirchak Co. • THCAuction.com • 800-634-7653

8• The Essex Reporter • December 1, 2016

classifieds & jobseekers SERVICES: PAINTING

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TOWN OF ESSEX SELECTBOARD MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016 6:30 PM AGENDA Public Hearing on the VT 15/Allen Martin Drive Intersection Scoping Study This meeting will be held at the Essex Town offices at 81 Main Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452. For information regarding this agenda, call the Municipal Manager’s office at 8781341.

Email snook@essexreporter.com

December 1, 2016 • The Essex Reporter •9

business Directory BaSeMent SpecIaLIStS

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CLEANING SERVICE INC • Residential & Commerical Cleaning • Full Line of Janitorial Services • Fully Insured • Free Estimates

Cedric C Pecor D.D.S

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802-598-5514 • Jason Mercure - Owner

bigmerc@sprint.blackberry.net • WWW.BIGMERC.COM

eState SaLeS & cOnSIGnMent Estate Sales & Consignments New location 67 Creek Farm Rd suite 1 Colchester, VT Creek Farm Plaza (Across parking lot from Partner Tire) 802-238-9574 • antiqueandestatevt.com Now Seeking Consignments

Edward R. Klingebiel D.D.S

Serving the community for over 33 years with the best dental care. Schedule a dental check-up today to maintain that beautiful smile! Most insurance plans accepted. Accepting new patients. miltonfamilydentistryvermont.com 157 River St., Milton • 893-4734

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10• The Essex Reporter • December 1, 2016

LocaL habitat from page 1

as needed, said Catherine Stevens, the organization’s advancement director. “We’re looking forward so much to building in Essex,” Stevens said. “We think it’s a great location for families to be.” Habitat plans to break ground in the spring and hopes to finish construction in 2017, Stevens said. The closing comes four months after the selectboard provided $3,500 as part of the town’s human services funding initiative, the first time the town has funded the organization. A United Way human needs assessment showed affordable housing as the No. 1 issue affecting Chittenden County, where the median sale price for a home this year was $275,750, according to Hickok & Boardman Re-

alty’s most recent market report. Essex hasn’t closely studied affordable housing in over 25 years, dating back to a report by the Affordable Housing Task Force in 1990. Though no longer active, the group concluded the only way affordable housing will be created is through cooperative efforts between the town and developers. That’s where Habitat steps in, selling houses at cost, or at about half the market rate for an identical home. It does so by partnering with local businesses that offer significant discounts and sourcing most of the construction, with an average project seeing upward of 300 volunteers, Stevens said. The prospect of a $20,000 down payment

isn’t realistic for families making near minimum wage, and coupled with exuberant rent prices around the county, affordable housing can seem unattainable, Stevens said. With Habitat, families can purchase the homes with a 25- to 30-year, nointerest loan with no money down. Those payments are then used to construct more homes. A volunteer-based family selection committee will pour over applications before choosing four families for the Essex location. Stevens expects an informational meeting to take place soon, where interested families can attend and begin applying. Families qualify if they make less than 60 percent of the median household income, currently about $50,000 for a

family of four, yet have a stable income to pay for a mortgage. They must also demonstrate a need for the home, for reasons like living in crowded or unsafe environment. Additionally, they’re required to perform 400 hours of “sweat equity,” like helping with their own home, on other construction projects or working shifts at ReStore, a Habitat-owned resale shop. Stevens, who’s been with Habitat for four years, believes many people don’t realize the poor housing environments that exist around Chittenden County. She recalled one recent family who was living in a 45-year-old mobile home with mold and little insulation, and said the need for affordable housing isn’t going away.

“When you own a house, you’re immediately a part of a community,” she said. Habitat’s Chittenden County affiliate is one of seven in Vermont, all part of a global nonprofit that’s built more than 600,000 homes, sheltering more than 3 million people worldwide. The local chapter has built more than 60 homes in Chittenden County. Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity raises all its funds locally, Stevens said, and is excited to break ground in Essex, where a number of donors and volunteers live. Selectman Andy Watts reached out to Habitat after the town’s 2016 plan cited a goal of establishing a partnership with affordable housing organizations.

Since 1986, the town has allotted 1 percent of its annual budget toward human services funding. This year’s total was $126,000. Habitat initially questioned the appropriateness of requesting funding, fearing Essex’s high property value would prevent them from purchasing any land, Watts said. But Watts suggested the organization consider its Williston ReStore location as a contribution to Essex. As luck would have it, the property hit the market soon after, and Habitat jumped at the chance, Stevens said. “I am thrilled to pieces,” Watts said. “In fact, I’m going to encourage them to ask for more money next year.”

train hop returns Dec. 9 for holidays The The Essex Reporter joins the fun this year CommerCial CommerCial Corner Corner

By MICHAELA HALNON

Scoop Shop at Maplehurst and the Brownell Library. ll aboard! The Village of New this year is the First ConEssex Jct. is conducting gregational Church of Essex Jct. Prime commercial property in Mayville said. Hoppers can its 8th Annual Trainproperty Hop UCC, Prime commercial in Chittenden County next Friday, Dec. 9. and beyond park their cars at the church or at Chittenden and beyond During this freeCounty holiday event, the Summit Street School for free. partakers can collect a free map Others located outside the from any participating business or downtown region, like YWCA Vercommunity partner and wander mont and Essex Jct. Lions Club, will through several “hop stops,” all set gather in the Lincoln Hall conferup throughout downtown Essex Jct. ence room. At each stop, visitors will find While visiting the Brownell Limodel trains – set up by volunteer brary, kiddos can write letters to train coordinator John Gaworecki – Santa with the staff of The Essex or other holiday related activities. Reporter – we’ll publish a selection Outside, participants can check out in our upcoming issue. It’s our first the Christmas tree lighting and ride year joining in the holiday fun. Prime commercial property in the Roaming The event runs from 6 – 8 p.m., Prime Railroad. commercial property in Chittenden County “We’ve got a lot of thingsand thatbeyond but folks can start the night early County and beyond Prime property will Chittenden appeal to commercial a variety of people,” within specials at area restaurants, said Darby Mayville,County community re- beyond Mayville said. On Tap Bar & Grill, Chittenden and lations assistant for the village. Backstage Pub and Restaurant, The Community members kicked off Essex Grill, Nepali Kitchen, Horthe inaugural Train Hop in 2009, nets’ Nest and Firebird Café will all Mayville said, hoping to revital- offer meal deals to patrons mentionize the neglected downtown area. ing the Train Hop. Just three local businesses joined Hoppers can also opt to dine at in. Eight years later, the number of food trucks parked downtown, inEssex Essex participants has skyrocketed to 19, cluding Nomad Coffee, Mediterraa growth Mayville called tremen- nean Mix and The Good Food Truck. 1,200 SF day care space available for lease Berdas on CenterRoadside Road dous. Eatery will also be 1,200 SF $800 day care for lease on site Center Roadowners plan to donate a in Essex. per space monthavailable plus utilities. Direct access off Many businesses have their on – the in Essex. month plus utilities. access Route 15,$800 greatper visibility, great signage, ample parking. own dedicated stop, including the Direct portion ofoffproceeds to breast cancer Route 15, great visibility, great signage, ample parking. Prime commercial property in Essex Jct. Fire Department, Sam’s research, Mayville said.

The The CommerCial The CommerCial CommerCial Corner Corner Corner

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An ever-growing raffle now includes prizes totaling nearly $500. Mayville said prizes like a summer pass to the Maple Street Pool and tickets to the Champlain Valley Fair are just some of the winnings sure to catch attendees’ attention. It can be hard to predict just how many residents will turn out for this year’s event, especially before seeing a weather forecast, Mayville said. Still, she estimates anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 folks will make their way downtown next Friday. Mayville said organizers are still looking for volunteer conductors. Acting as village ambassadors, the recruits will lend a helping hand by checking off tickets and answering questions at the various hop stops. It’s a post Mayville looks forward to all year. “It makes me so happy to see people coming down here, especially the kids,” she said. “It’s really magical for me and definitely one of my favorite parts of my job.”

File photo Sawyer Judkins poses with Rudolph at the library during last year's Train Hop. Make sure to stop by this year and write a letter to Santa with the Essex Reporter staff – you might see it printed in the paper!

To volunteer, email Darby Mayville at darby@essexjunction.org or call 878-6944. For a full list of Train Hop stops and more information, visit the event Facebook page at http://bit. ly/2gq9p1r.

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ERcommercial property in Prime ELL ERIndustrial Opportunity S L EDindustrial Tin Chittenden County and beyond Fenced property is now available for sale on 13.5 SEL IVA D

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Great opportunity forcan investors developers, orspace Why rent when you own forand less? Great office Great opportunity investors developers, orand someone who to ownand their own home in Malletts Bay.would Thisfor islike a unique opportunity to acquire someone who likeavailable ownon home and sub-divide off awould few lots to some money. Single, spectacular office space intogenerate aown greattheir location with private 1,200 SF day care space for lease Center Road sub-divide off a few lotsdwellings toplus generate some money. Single, double could all be possibilities. parking, atmulti-family a price that makes it more affordable than in Essex.or$800 per month utilities. Direct access off ESSEX JUNCTION: Main Street double or2property multi-family dwellings could all beEssex possibilities. Home on is approximately 2,400 SF with a renting. condominiums available, beautifully finished. Route 15, great visibility, great signage, ample parking. 1,110 sf,on second floor historic Brownell Block. Two large Home property is in approximately 2,400 SFof with a +/mother-in-law apartment onor 2nd floor. Total 7.78 Can be purchased together separately. Hardwood mother-in-law apartment on 2nd floor. Total of1some 7.78 +/acres, location exitviews 18. are floors,great skylights and partial lake just of the offices, reception areanear andI-89 conference room, bathroom. acres, great location near I-89kplantier@vermontrealestate.com exitfor 18.lease manyPlantier great features ofplus these condos. Low utility costs. 1,200 SF day care space available on Center Road Kristin 802-863-8217 x 11 $12.00 per square foot Free municipal parking. Kristin Plantier 802-863-8217 x 11CAM. kplantier@vermontrealestate.com in Essex. $800 per month plus utilities. Direct access off Kristin Plantier 802-863-8217 x 11 kplantier@vermontrealestate.com www.VermontRealEstate.com Kristin Plantier 802-863-8217 x 11 kplantier@vermontrealestate.com 802-879-1117. www.VermontRealEstate.com Route 15, great visibility, great signage, ample parking. www.VermontRealEstate.com www.VermontRealEstate.com

List your property in Essex Reporter, Colchester List your property in Essex Reporter, ER Sun & Milton Independent. Only Colchester $75/week ELL802-863-8217 S Kristin Plantier x 11 kplantier@vermontrealestate.com Sun & Milton Independent. Only $75/week D E total Vfor location, location, location in AT the best www.VermontRealEstate.com I for T total the best location, location, location in Colchester O Chittenden County! Call 802-878-5282 M Chittenden County! Call 802-878-5282 Georgia ER

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December 1, 2016 • The Essex Reporter •11

food

Create a delicious one-pot meal for a crowd W arm, hearty meals including stews, casseroles, soups and chilis make for great comfort foods when temperatures drop. Another advantage to these types of meals is they can easily be expanded to serve extended family. When prepared using a slow cooker, these meals can be easily transported to a friends’ potluck or relative’s home. Beloved for their turnit-on-and-forget-it conve-

nience, slow cookers allow cooks to start meals in the morning and return home at night to have dinner ready and waiting. Busy working families may find the convenience of slow cookers is unparalleled. This recipe for Creamy Ham ‘n Broccoli from “Taste of Home Casseroles, Slow Cooker & Soups” is ideal for a cool fall or winter evening. It’s a delicious meal to come home to after a busy day and also a great way to

make use of leftover ham from a previous meal.

Creamy Ham ‘n Broccoli • • •

• • • • • • • •

3 c. cubed fully cooked ham 1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 1 jar (8 oz.) cheese sauce 1 can (8 oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained 1 1/4 c. uncooked instant rice 1 c. milk 1 celery rib, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/2 tsp. paprika

Baked Sweet potato wedgeS

weet potatoes pack a powerful vitamin A punch – one medium sweet potato provides 520 percent of your recommended daily allowance!

IngredIentS • • • • • • •

In a 3-quart slow cooker, combine all ingredients except paprika. Cover and cook on high for two to three hours or until the rice is tender. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with paprika.

Cooking spray 4 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed, eyes removed, cut lengthwise into 3/4-in. wedges 1 tsp. paprika 1 Tbs. brown sugar 1 tsp. garlic salt 1 tsp. cinnamon Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

dIrectIonS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 2. Lightly spray nonstick baking dish or cast-iron skillet with cooking spray. Spray potato wedges with cooking spray and toss together with

Serves 6 to 8 people.

Share a recipe at news@essexreporter.com.

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all spices in a bowl. 3. Place potatoes in a single layer in the baking dish or skillet. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn over and bake an additional 20 minutes. Recipe courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research. Per serving: 125 calories, 0g fat.

Sweet potatoeS or yamS?

Americans sometimes call darkskinned sweet potatoes “yams,” which are actually a different plant species from the sweet potato. Neither the dark-skinned nor the lightskinned sweet potatoes widely available in the United States are yams. Yams, which may have skin ranging in color from off-white to dark brown and flesh from off-white and yellow to purple and pink, are popular in South and Central America, the West Indies and parts of Asia and Africa.

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12• The Essex Reporter • December 1, 2016

local

esseX PoLiCe rePorTs emergency: 911 • non-emergency: 878-8331 • 81 Main st., essex Jct., VT 05452 • www.epdvt.org Monday

1:06 a.m., Traffic Hazard on I 289 7:29 a.m., Accident on Browns River Rd. 7:33 a.m., Suspicious on Pearl St. 8:14 a.m., Motor Vehicle Complaint on School St. 10:42 a.m., Suspicious on Pearl St. 11:44 a.m., Citizens Dispute on Kimberly Dr. 12:31 p.m., Accident on Old Stage Rd. 1:35 p.m., Noise Complaint on Colchester Rd. 2:10 p.m., Welfare Check on Whitetail Ln. 4:16 p.m., Accident on Jericho Rd. 6:38 p.m., Intoxicated Person on Athens Dr. 8:32 p.m., Suspicious on North St. 10:54 p.m., Suspicious on Saybrook Rd.

Tuesday

8:30 a.m., Citizens Assist on Main St. 10:06 a.m., Citizens Assist on Center Rd. 12:35 p.m., Phone Problem on Maple St. 4:17 p.m., Citizens Assist on Maple St. 5:29 p.m., Vandalism on Franklin St. 7:55 p.m., Citizens Assist on Susie Wilson Rd. 10:16 p.m., Suspicious on Central Rd.

saTurday

November 21-27 9:51 p.m., Suspicious on Pearl St.

Thursday

5:08 a.m., Accident on Brigham Hill Rd. 8:52 a.m., Welfare Check on Park St. 10:52 a.m., Found Property on Hayden St. 11:24 a.m., Theft on Susie Wilson Rd. 12:45 p.m., Parking Problem on Ethan Allen Ave. 8:06 p.m., Citizens Assist on Susie Wilson Rd.

2:21 a.m., Traffic Hazard on Maple St. 11:40 a.m., Citizens Dispute on Sand Hill Rd. 12:34 p.m., Assisted the Fire Department on Lincoln St. 1:06 p.m., Phone Problem on Carmichael St. 1:28 p.m., Suspicious on Joshua Way 3:16 p.m., Accident on Osgood Hill Rd.

Wednesday

Friday

9:59 a.m., Untimely on Carmichael St. 12:19 p.m., Animal Problem on Rustic Dr. 12:56 p.m., Citizens Assist on Maple St. 4:56 p.m., Citizens Dispute on Maple St. 5:37 p.m., Assisted Rescue on Center Rd. 6:49 p.m., Suspicious on Jericho Rd. 7:54 p.m., Traffic Hazard on Fort Parkway 8:37 p.m., Phone Problem on Tanglewood Dr.

12:20 a.m., Suspicious on Market Pl. 12:54 a.m., Assisted the Fire Department on Dalton Dr. 4:19 a.m., Family Fight on Densmore Dr. 6:41 a.m., Vandalism on Main St. 7:01 a.m., Motor Vehicle Complaint on Colchester Rd.

1:17 a.m., Suspicious on Gardenside Ln. 10:04 a.m., Accident on Susie Wilson Rd. 10:53 a.m., Juvenile Problem on Frederick Rd. 12:17 p.m., Suspicious on Fuller Pl. 12:50 p.m., Theft on Pearl St. 1:48 p.m., Found Property on Pearl St. 2:06 p.m., Theft on Colchester Rd. 2:07 p.m., Vandalism on Central St. 2:52 p.m., Citizens Assist on Upper Main St. 4:13 p.m., Assisted Rescue on Central St. 4:23 p.m., Accident on I 289 7:01 p.m., Citizens Assist on Londonderry Ln. 8:49 p.m., Citizens Assist on Village Glen 10:12 p.m., Noise Complaint on Pearl St.

sunday

3:36 a.m., Accident on Franklin St. 9:34 a.m., Agency Assist on Densmore Dr. 12:49 p.m., Suspicious on Lamore Rd. 8:24 p.m., Noise Complaint on Main St. 10:29 p.m., Citizens Assist on WIlleys Ct. Tickets issued: 6 Warnings issued: 32 Fire/eMs Calls dispatched: 54

jeopardy from page 1

That setup, Chafetz said, helps producers weed out show-hopefuls who may have consulted a few outside sources during the preliminary online quiz. He left his audition feeling increasingly confident. “I knew I did really well on the mock game,” Chafetz said. “After that, I didn’t know for sure, but [I thought] the odds of getting on definitely went up.” Chafetz’s instincts were correct. By late August, he was on a plane to Culver City, Calif., ready to tape a real episode at Sony Studios. Jeopardy!, now in it’s 33rd season, films on the same lot as other popular game shows, including Wheel of Fortune. Chafetz prepped for his showing by studying old episodes. When a question stumped him, Chafetz said he gave himself an “introductory course” on the subject.

He also spends his free time listening to podcasts and audiobooks and always keeps up on current events. Unfortunately, Chafetz said his prep work wasn’t enough to net a win. “I got a pretty tough ‘Daily Double,’ and I wagered pretty heavily on it,” he said, referring to a special question contestants’ sometimes face. “I was wrong. It was pretty hard.” Chafetz said he continued on and answered several questions accurately. But in the last round, he drew a blank. George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” was the answer to “Final Jeopardy!” Chafetz said he is very familiar with the book – he even owns a T-shirt depicting the cover art. Under pressure, he couldn’t come up with the title. “I was pretty disappointed,” he said, noting his knowledge of the liter-

ature made the loss even tougher to swallow. Although he didn’t walk away with an abundance of cash winnings, Chafetz said the experience was surely one to remember. The super-fan was excited to see several behind-the-scenes moments and even got to watch the tapings of other episodes as an audience member. Many aspects ran as he expected, Chafetz said. Others were a bit of a surprise, like the intense security enacted to prevent cheating. All contestants had to turn in their cell phones and other electronics before even entering the building, he said. “There are a lot of things you don’t know going in,” he said. Chafetz planned to watch his appearance first with coworkers Tuesday night before heading to his parents’ South Burlington home for a celebratory party.

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REGULAR GAMES @ 2:00 PM

GIVE-AWAYS: Lots of Gift! Good neighbors on Right & Left SANTA WILL VISIT W/GIFTS…..HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD? *3 MYSTERY PLAYERS PLAY FREE! LETTER I WILL PAY 90% OF TAKE IN *TOTALLY FREE MONTH OF BINGO WITH CHC – Includes Admission, Warm–ups, Packet of Specials and 4 Super Jackpots (3-on) *BINGO GIFT BAG FULL OF BINGO ITEMS *LARGE DECORATED WREATH and other Christmas Items **LOTS OF OTHER GIFTS (Gas cards--Food Gift Certs--Games—Toys COME AND WIN SOME EXTRA CASH AND GIFTS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION – WE PLAN A JOLLY OLE TIME FOR ALL!

Reservation for Parties of 8 or more only – call 860-1510 133 Broadacres Drive, Colchester

Lakeshore Vermont is located on Malletts Bay in Colchester with beautiful views of the lake and the famous Green Mountains. Enjoy one of three large one-bedroom suites furnished with a king size bed, fully equipped kitchen, cable and Wi-Fi. Each suite sleeps four comfortably. Stroll on the private sandy beach and dock. Boaters welcome. Come fish, swim, skate, slide, bird watch and so much more on iconic Lake Champlain right in your back yard! Vacation with family and friends, host events or take the short trip to Burlington to see all of what Vermont has to offer. Call for availability - book today!

(802) 448-3170 lakeshorevermont@gmail.com lakeshorevermont.com lakeshorevermont.com