The Charlotte News | March 19, 2020

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Charlotte News Thursday, March 19, 2020 | Volume LXII Number 18

CharlotteNewsVT.org

Charlotte News

The

Vol. 62, no.18 March 19, 2020

COVID-19

Vermont’s oldest nonprofit community newspaper, bringing you local news and views since 1958

Emergency Selectboard meeting sets course for managing virus and town business Chea Waters Evans

UPDATES & INFORMATION

Different from the flu and requires a different response Nancy Richardson, adapted from a CNN article, information from a former CDC director Symptoms: Covid-19 causes shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. This requires immediate medical attention.

Covid-19 may come on slowly and take several days to get worse.

Influenza causes aches, headache and chills and often, upper respiratory symptoms. Flu symptoms come on abruptly and get worse in a day or two.

Infection rate: Covid-19 is more infectious than the flu, spreading farther and faster.

Mortality: Covid -19 is more likely to cause death than the flu and may kill 1 in 100 people who contract it. This virus causes mortality through Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Vaccine: There is no vaccine for Covid-19 and no treatment.

Immunity: Because Covid-19 is a new virus there is no immunity to it among the general population. Children appear to be at reduced risk, while the elderly are at increased risk.

Actions that limit transmission are the best mitigation efforts against the virus and reduce the chances that we will overwhelm the health system. Eighty percent of persons contracting Covid-19 have a mild to moderate case.

Wash hands.

Avoid touching your face.

Avoid touching surfaces.

Cover coughs.

Stay Home.

The Selectboard convened on Monday night at Town Hall, with a couple speakers in attendance; the black and white duck decoy that presides over the Town Clerk’s office was still there; the chairs were all set up in rows. That’s where the similarities ended.

The emergency meeting had four Selectboard members in attendance plus one on the phone, a representative from fire and rescue was on hand to speak, and Town Administrator Dean Bloch, a meeting regular, was also present. Some stood, some sat, in a circle, all consciously and purposefully six feet apart.

The meeting was to set the course for town action regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

With no precedent for this situation, the Selectboard progressed methodically through the agenda items: figuring out what to do about the upcoming April vote to approve items voted on at Town Meeting, determining when and how town employees would be able to work remotely and what would happen at the town offices in their absence, deciding what to do about town boards, committees, and commissions and their upcoming meetings, and making a plan for Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue to work in tandem with the Selectboard.

One thread ran through most of the discussion: how to minimize spread of the virus, how to keep it from affecting town employees and Charlotters as much as possible, and how to do those things while remaining within the confines of regulations and statutes set forth by state government.

Selectboard members and meeting attendees remained six feet apart—or more—during the entirety of Monday’s meeting.

Photos by Chea Waters Evans

Working remotely Chris Davis, present as the town’s emergency management director from CVFRS, said that the reality of the situation for any town office or gathering is a potential quarantine. “It can happen to any of us at any time,” he said. He recommended that Charlotte take guidance from other towns in the area regarding employees and public access to the building.

Bloch said that it would be fairly easy for employees to work from home, with some online file systems already in place and other communication tools readily available. He said that should employees come to the building, it might make sense to lock the door, post the

town’s phone number on the door, and have visitors call from cell phones, if possible, to figure out what action town employees needed to take. “One [contagious] visitor can trigger a self-quarantine,” Davis pointed out.

To illustrate the potential spread, Davis said that he knows of several college kids, some of many whom were sent home by schools or trips abroad, who just arrived in town over the last week, some by plane, all of whom are back with parents who are probably still going to work. Matt Krasnow, Selectboard chair, said he agreed that the risk was high of “people coming in and contaminating the place.” see SELECTBOARD page 4

CCS and CVSD update Chea Waters Evans

food shelf to support families and community members finding themselves in need.

Following is a letter from the Champlain Valley School District. In addition to the broad communication from the district office, Charlotte Central School Co-Principal Jen Roth said in an email, on behalf of the school, which was open March 16 and 17, “Our CCS faculty and staff have done a remarkable job using the precepts of our school to model the calm necessary for our students to feel safe and to carry on with what they know. At a time with many uncertainties, we need to hold onto what we believe.

If we could reiterate anything to you, it is that we need to model calm. “

We take care of ourselves: self-care, healthy routines of sleep and exercise, managing stress.

We take care of others: being kind and patient, washing our hands as often as feasible and lending a hand where it is needed. Taking care of our own families as they face uncharted challenges--medically, physically and emotionally.

We take care of this place: not only are we extremely grateful for the custodians who keep our school deep-cleaned daily, but we are also thinking about the broader community of Charlotte. We are collecting supplies for the

We appreciate the time it takes for you to fill it out. The information will help us with further planning.

Devices and materials going home

March 16, 2020

CVU students all have their devices already.

Dear CVSD Community,

Students in the preK-8 schools:

We will be sharing regular communications with you as this week unfolds. Recognize that principals, teachers, and District administration have been working to do our very best with this intense situation. Right now, we need our teachers and principals focusing on our students and their well-being over the next few weeks. The CVSD community has been nothing but supportive. This support drives our team forward. Thank you.

•

Chromebooks will be ready and available for grades 3-8 for pick up starting on Friday morning. We will have more details about that in the coming days.

•

Other materials may also be picked up at this time.

We will share information as often as we can.

Today, we hope to gather some information from you and provide answers to immediate questions.

Survey for families We are sharing a confidential, online survey that we ask families to complete and submit as soon as possible. http://bit.ly/CVSDRemoteLearning

Maintenance of Learning •

The leadership team will be meeting on Wednesday.

•

Teachers will continue to be working on this during staff meetings, during earlyrelease Tuesday, and on Thursday and Friday. They will be in communication with families as soon as they possibly can. Please give them the time to do the necessary collaborative planning that a change like this warrants. see SCHOOLS page 3

The Charlotte News • March 19, 2020 • 3

News From The News With coronavirus, we’re all in this together Vincent Crockenberg

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PUBLISHER

The coronavirus is now confirmed in Shelburne, and here in Charlotte the Senior Center, the library and the school are closed, possibly for months. And the worst impacts of the virus are still to come.

How much worse depends in large measure on what we—as individuals and as a community—choose to do over the next days and weeks. As Asaf Bitton, a primary care physician and public health leader in Boston, recently put it in The Boston Globe, “We are only about 10 to 14 days behind Italy and generally on track to repeat what is unfortunately happening there and throughout much of the rest of Europe very soon.” And what is happening in Europe is devastating.

Keep your distance

For the health and safety of our entire community and to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming our capacity to deal with it as it worsens, public health experts generally agree that the most important thing we can do now is to distance ourselves physically from other people. The reasons for doing so are summarized persuasively in Britton’s op ed, “Social distancing in the coronavirus pandemic – maintaining public health by staying apart.”

Everyone should read Britton’s piece and take his recommendations seriously. The Globe has taken down its paywall to allow nonsubscribers access to its coronavirus coverage, as have The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Here at The Charlotte News we will do all we can to help people stay connected in

virtual space and, as long as we can, in print during what are sure to be a challenging next several months. Send us your story ideas and tips, and we’ll pursue them in our print and online editions as well as in our weekly email updates; in the event of significant breaking news, we’ll send out email updates as frequently as needed.

Even while practicing social distancing, be sure to check in with your friends and neighbors (by phone or email preferably) and provide whatever help you can, and wash your hands early and often with soap and water while you sing the Happy Birthday song twice through. If we all take care of ourselves and each other we’ll get through this sooner rather than later, with less illness--and death--rather than more.

Now more than ever, we really are all in this together.

Obituary

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Given the projected increase in the incidence and severity of coronavirus, The Charlotte News may decide sometime in the next several weeks to publish the paper in an online edition only for the duration of the pandemic. If you are currently a subscriber to our email newsletter, you already receive headline links to the paper via your email inbox every Thursday morning.

Once you’re on the website you can click on ISSUU in the top menu bar and read the paper in virtual form.

If you’re not currently a subscriber, you can sign up on our landing page at www.charlottenewsvt.org; scroll down the page and look for “Subscribe to our newsletter” just below “Latest news stories” on the right-hand side.

Or you can sign up on our Facebook page. Signup forms appear on the left-hand side of the desktop version of Facebook, and aren’t accessible from Facebook’s mobile app.

Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Donald Bicknell, M.D. of Ferrisburgh who died March 2nd at the age of 85.

He and his family spent many summers at their camp on Thompson’s Point in Charlotte, beginning when Don was 7 years old. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice.

The Charlotte News Mission Statement The mission of The Charlotte News is to inform our readers about current events, issues and topics, and to serve as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and community volunteer organizations on matters related to Charlotte and the lives of its residents.

Letters, Commentaries and Obituaries Consistent with our mission The Charlotte News publishes letters to the editor, commentaries and obituaries from our readers. All letters, commentaries and obituaries are subject to review and approval by the news editor of the paper and to the following rules and standards: • Letters to the editor, commentaries and obituaries should be emailed to news@ thecharlottenews.org as attachments in .doc format. All letters, commentaries and obituaries must contain the writer’s full name, town of residence and, for editing purposes only, phone number.

• Letters may not exceed 300 words, obituaries 500 words and commentaries 750 words.

• The opinions expressed in commentaries and letters to the editor belong solely to the author and are not to be understood as endorsed by either the Board of Directors or the editorial staff of the paper.

• All published letters and commentaries will include the writer’s name and town of residence.

• Before publishing any obituary, we will need proper verification of death.

• All submissions are subject to editing for clarity, factual accuracy, tone, length and consistency with our house publishing style.

• Whenever editing is necessary we will make every effort to publish each submission in its entirety and to preserve the original intent and wording. We will confer with writers before publishing any submitted material that in our judgment requires significant editing before it can be published.

• The news editor makes the final determination whether a letter to the editor, a commentary or an obituary will be published as submitted, returned for rewriting or rejected.

Publisher: Vince Crockenberg Editorial Staff Managing Editor: Anna Cyr (anna@thecharlottenews.org) News Editor: Chea Waters Evans (chea@thecharlottenews.org) Contributing Editor: Edd Merritt Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Vince Crockenberg Proofreaders: Edd Merritt, Mike & Janet Yantachka Business Staff Ad manager: Elizabeth Langfeldt (ads@thecharlottenews.org) Bookkeeper: Susan Jones (billing@thecharlottenews.org) Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg (vince@thecharlottenews.org) Treasurer: Ted leBlanc (treasurer@thecharlottenews.org) Board members: Bob Bloch, Gay Regan, Tom Tiller, Dave Quickel, John Quinney, Jack Fairweather, Christina Asquith, Claudia Marshall, John Hammer (emeritus) Website: thecharlottenews.org Subscription Information The Charlotte News is delivered at no cost to all Charlotte residences. Subscriptions are available for first-class delivery at $60 per calendar year.

Want a subscription? Please send a check payable to The Charlotte News, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445.

Postmaster/Send address changes to: The Charlotte News P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 Telephone: 425-4949 Circulation: 3,000 Copyright © 2020 The Charlotte News, Inc. Member of the New England Newspaper and Press Association and the Vermont Press Association.

ON THE COVER Steve Schubart at the Grasscattle Company on Hinesburg Rd. Courtesy Steve Schubart

4 • March 19, 2020 • The Charlotte News

SCHOOLS

continued from page 1

•

The ease-in to distance learning will begin next Monday.

•

There will be continued communication about this from the district, schools, and teachers.

Students on IEPs and 504s: Please see this communication if your child is supported by an Individual Education Plan or 504.

Food CVSD is committed to providing good nutritious breakfasts and lunches to our students who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch during this school closure. Starting on Thursday, March 19th, we will be preparing bagged meals for distribution out of our local schools.

As we move forward, we will consider additional pick-up locations as well as possibly develop a meal drop-off system to increase convenience. We will communicate any updates as they become available.

As a reminder, should your family face economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 you may submit a new free and reduced meal

application. Families may apply for school meals at any point in the school year based on their most current income. Applications can be found on the CVSD website at this link.

We appreciate all of the offers to support others with food needs. At this time, the district feels that we can sufficiently meet those needs. Please consider supporting your local food shelves during this challenging time for families.

Information about the SCS closing today and tomorrow: The details we can share are the following: •

The person is not a student or a staff member

•

The person has worked with students predominantly outside of our building

•

The DOH has done a full case investigation and reached out directly to parties they believe to be directly impacted

We know that this does not satisfy all of your questions, concerns, or worries, but it represents an honest effort to keep you as informed as possible without usurping the rights of the person who has tested positive.

Again, the CVSD community has been nothing but supportive. This support drives our

Spear’s Store is still open Amelie Fairweather

“What are you doing about the coronavirus?” asked Amelie Fairweather, 10-year-old reporter for The Charlotte News.

“One of the things is trying not to worry and to keep a positive spirit when they come into the store. Other than that, I’m washing the door and counter, definitely,” Carrie Spear, owner of Spear’s Store, said.

“Do you plan on staying open?” Amelie asks, “Yes, I do plan on staying open, though I’ll probably close earlie,r instead of 8 more like 7 or when I feel like the locals have everything they need.”

“Are you worried about the coronavirus?”

Amelie continues.

“Only a little bit, I feel like if you spend too much time worrying it’s not going to be very helpful.”

“Are there any less people coming in?”

“There are a few less people coming in, but what’s really nice is that there’s a whole bunch of local people who are coming in more,” she explains.

“Are people buying more or less?” Amelie questions.

“They might be buying a little bit more, I guess so a little bit more, yes,” she tells me.

team forward.

Thank you, The Champlain Valley School District Administration I will add that our CCS faculty and staff have done a remarkable job using the precepts of our school to model the calm necessary for our students to feel safe and to carry on with what they know. At a time with many uncertainties, we need to hold onto what we believe-

of our own families as they face uncharted challenges- medically, physically and emotionally.

We take care of this place- not only are we extremely grateful for the custodians who keep our school deep cleaned daily, but we are also thinking about the broader community of Charlotte. We are collecting supplies for the food shelf to support families and community members finding themselves in need.

If we could reiterate anything to you, it is that we need to model calm.

We take care of ourselves- self-care, healthy routines of sleep and exercise, managing stress.

We take care of others- being kind and patient, washing our hands as often as feasible and lending a hand where it is needed. Taking care

Thank you for your kind words and appreciation of the challenges being faced.

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“Anything you would recommend to do?”

“Well I guess it’s important to keep things washed down and in my world here it’s important to stay open because people are to keep working, there will be people who need gas or medication, or maybe ground beef. I’m proud to be the keeper of the corner, and to always be there for people,” Spear said with a smile.

Amelie Fairweather is a member of the Junior Reporters Club at The Charlotte News. Interested children can email chea@ thecharlottenews.org to participate.

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The Charlotte News • March 19, 2020 • 5

COVID - 19 SELECTBOARD

continued from page 1

The board decided that town offices, pending agreement from Town Clerk Mary Mead, would switch to the new open-office-butclosed-door policy as of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. Regular services will still be open to townspeople, but there could be a delay in responses.

The board also decided that town employees, if they wish, could work from home and possibly alternate being at Town Hall in person so that only one member of each department with institutional knowledge would be there at a time in case another eventually had to be quarantined.

Another, more complicated item of business was what to do regarding Planning Commission and Zoning Board decisions that have already been brought up in a meeting and therefore legally have to be decided within a certain time period. Selectboard Vice Chair Frank Tenney, who is also a member of the Zoning Board, said that he thought meetings could be canceled as long as agenda items were only warned; he thought complications might arise for agenda items that are continuations from other meetings.

April 7 Australian ballot vote

Social distancing In light of a recent recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people not gather in groups of more than 10 people, the Selectboard decided to postpone as many meetings as possible, not accept any new planning or zoning applications for review until they can meet the legal requirements for warnings, and look into postponing this week’s Thursday night public hearing regarding changes to land use regulations and zoning laws regarding parking. This vote will determine whether or not Charlotte Crossings will eventually be able to move their parking lot to the front of their building.

Bloch said he would look into the laws regarding meeting changes, consult with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and report back during an emergency Selectboard meeting on Wednesday, March 18.

“Anything we’re allowed to cancel, we should,” Krasnow said.

The Selectboard decided to check in with sanitation or deep cleaning services should the Town Hall need to be heavily disinfected at some point.

Tuesday, April 7, is the scheduled date for the town-wide vote to approve all budget and budget-related items voted upon at town meeting; per the expiring Town Charter, that vote needs to take place within 30 days of Town Meeting. Krasnow said that Mead estimated there would be 60 to 70 people voting—the remaining 70 or 80 votes she anticipates coming from absentee or early voting. Krasnow said someone emailed him to suggest getting a tent and placing it on the Town Hall lawn for voting booths, since the school, where voting is usually held, will be closed until at least April 6, possibly longer.

Bloch said that, should the location of the vote change, it could render the vote illegal, since the original warning stated that voting would take place at school. After much discussion of the proper protocol regarding who should be the one to figure out what the law is regarding the location change (Selectboard member Carrie Spear thought Mead should do the research; Krasnow thought Bloch would be sufficient to do the job; Tenney originally supported Bloch doing the research but said he was fine with Mead doing it; and board member James Faulkner encouraged everyone to come to a consensus), the board decided that Krasnow would contact Mead in the morning and figure out the process, while still including Bloch.

Bloch pointed out that Mead already offered, via Front Porch Forum, to mail absentee and early ballots to any Charlotter who requests one; the group agreed that encouraging as many people as possible to vote in that fashion would be helpful.

Emergency Management Director Davis said that CVFRS had ordered additional equipment for a potential coronavirus spread in town. The equipment, which includes new masks and protective suits, cost about $1,000 and will be kept in a separate category in the budget in case Federal Emergency Management Agency funds will reimburse the town for the expense. “Responding crews are equipped as well as they could be,” Davis said. He and the fire chiefs will continue to communicate regularly with the Selectboard regarding any information they receive from the Vermont Department of Health and the CDC. The board then postponed at least until April 6, with the possibility of further extension, all meetings of town boards, commissions, and committees, with the exception of the Selectboard and any meetings that are required by statute. They also moved to approve town staff to work remotely when appropriate and available.

The board adjourned after agreeing to ratify these decisions and to continue discussion of the town’s response to the pandemic at another emergency meeting on Wednesday, March 17.

Fun family activities in the midst of a quarantine Chea Waters Evans There are lots of lists online of games, homeschooling schedules, activities, and workout regiments for the whole family, which are fun, but not exactly my style. I decided to make one of my own. Play at your own risk.

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Hide: This game is fun for the whole family, especially mothers. It’s a variation of the classic hide-and-seek, without the part where you find mommy. It works the other way, too—what’s more fun for a child than sitting quietly on the linen closet floor for thirty minutes until she accidentally falls asleep?

Leave the Front Door Open All Night: This is an easy one for kids to play, especially those who live in the country and have coyotes and raccoons living in the woods behind their house. It has the added bonuses of racking up the heating bill and possibly letting a wild animal into the kitchen in the middle of the night.

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Marker Fights: While frequently played with markers, this game can also be played with books, dining room place settings, Xbox controllers, or anything else you have 150 of.

Simply find something in your house that your family owns copious amounts of that your brother or sister just happens to be using at that moment. Insist that it’s yours, or that you had it first, and then get into a screaming, hair-pulling fight over who’s entitled to use it. This game is fun because it can be stopped for a few hours only to randomly and excruciatingly come up again and again over the course of a day.

do We also an m y d han work and repairs!

Frat Guy: This game is popular in my house, since I have a husband and three boy children.

Simply drink a seltzer or Coca-Cola, smash and twist the can so it has sharp pokey edges, then leave it slightly dripping and sharp on the custom-made fabric ottoman mom ordered because we were deceivingly acting one day

like we could finally have nice things. Cans can be left other places, too, like bathroom floors, in mom and dad’s bed, or under the couch as a surprise for later.

Can I Play a Video Game/Use My Phone/ Watch YouTube?: Easy because it requires no equipment or knowledge or skills of any kind. Kids just walk around the house one foot behind their mother or father, who are usually on a conference call or writing an article for a newspaper or trying to cancel spring break trip plans and have been on hold with the airline for seven hours, and just ask over and over, “Can I do electronics now? Can I have screen time now? What if I stay off the internet and just watch a movie? All of my friends are on Xbox right now and they won’t be later so please just for a minute?”

Cry in the Car: This has many levels for all abilities: if you’re a child and you hate your family because they’re the meanest ever but you can’t go far because you’re supposed to stay six feet away from everyone in the world, you can play. Parents can also play, possibly whilst listening to their prom theme song or wedding song or any Beastie Boys song to remind them of better days.

Eat Everything in the House: Despite reminders that this food could possibly need to last for weeks, this game requires children to devour every food item that you bulkpurchased from Costco last week. Bonus points for the kids who eat all the delicious stuff first, leaving you facing the entire month of April with only expired cans of refried beans and non-frosted mini wheat cereal for food.

I Don’t Care if it’s Snowing and 4 Degrees, Go Outside: If you’ve been at home with your family all week, this one needs no explanation.

Stay healthy, have fun, and hang in there.

6 • March 19, 2020 • The Charlotte News

Report from the Legislature

Vermont COVID-19 ongoing response Rep. Mike Yantachka The ubiquitous news regarding the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to pervade our consciousness. The Vermont Department of Health, Vermont Emergency Management, and the various health care providers around the state continue to take steps to monitor the situation and adopt a coordinated response. Vermonters are advised to keep abreast of the Health Department’s status reports at https://www.healthvermont.gov/ response/infectious-disease/2019-novelcoronavirus or dial 2-1-1. My earlier report on the initial Vermont response can be found at https://www.mikeyantachka. com/2020/03/the-word-in-house3122020-vermont.html.

I am writing this a day after the Vermont General Assembly adjourned for a oneweek hiatus to essentially “distance” members from the Statehouse out of concern that businessas-usual might increase chances for spreading the virus. It is also a day after a state of emergency was declared at both the national and state levels by President Trump and Governor Scott respectively. In order to expedite action on legislation responding to the crisis, three House committees, Commerce and Economic Development, Health Care, and Human Services, worked on amendments to existing bills in order to vote on a COVID-19 response package by the end of the week. As Governor Scott was holding a press conference announcing his declaration, the Vermont House passed two bills and a resolution to provide some economic relief to Vermont employers and employees impacted by the virus and to our health care providers.

Your home is a valuable asset, your real estate agents should be too.

unemployment compensation. Because of the legislature’s care in past years to build up the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, money is available to provide this relief.

The House also amended H.742, a bill to fund training of Emergency Medical Personnel, to assist health care providers during the COVID-19 emergency.

During the state of emergency, in order to preserve the ability of providers to continue to operate, the Secretary of Human services is authorized to waive, modify or postpone the provider tax assessed on hospitals, clinics and others provided that the Secretary obtain the approval of the Joint Fiscal Committee and, if necessary, the Emergency Board.

If the normal operation of health care, long term care, home- and communitybased, and childcare services are impacted because patients or clients are not seeking services due to the virus, the Agency is authorized to provide payments to sustain the services and enable continued operation during the emergency.

In addition, the bill provides for issuing temporary licenses to retired medical professionals or those with valid licenses from other states to join the workforce to supplement the potential loss of workers due to the virus.

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VERMONT

An amendment to H.681, a bill dealing with employment insurance, will hold employers harmless from unemployment insurance rate increases if an employee voluntarily leaves to care for a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 or if the employer must cease operations at the request of a health official or voluntarily if workers were exposed to COVID-19 at the workplace. The affected employee(s) must be rehired by the employer when the employer resumes operations or when the individual has completed quarantine. Help for employees is also included. Employees who leave employment voluntarily do not normally qualify for unemployment compensation.

However, an employee who leaves to care for a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 will be eligible for

Finally, a resolution was passed urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to suspend implementation of the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Rule that revokes the valid immigration status of individuals receiving public assistance. It also urges the Department to refrain from arresting individuals at hospitals, health care facilities, or coronavirus testing sites for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and to issue a statement to that effect. This is a necessary step to encourage persons, regardless of immigration status, to seek necessary care that will help control the spread of the virus.

When the General Assembly reconvenes, this COVID-19 package can be acted on quickly by the Senate. Additional details about any forthcoming relief from the federal government will also inform further action. We are all working in harmony to put the very best package forward to help Vermonters weather this crisis.

I welcome your emails (myantachka.dfa@ gmail.com), phone calls (802-233-5238), or in-person contacts. This article and others can be found at my website (www.

MikeYantachka.com).

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The Charlotte News • March 19, 2020 • 7

Food Shelf News Susan Ohanian Keep Safe Please know that the Food Shelf is taking precautions to help everyone keep safe.

Anyone who has a fever or cough—symptoms that might seem like a cold--should not come to the Wednesday or Thursday distributions.

Also, don’t come if you’ve been in contact with anyone who has these symptoms. Instead, call and leave your name and number. You will receive a call back to arrange for food to be delivered. This procedure will help keep

families and volunteers safe. Call:425-3252

Thursday, 26, April 9: 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Reminder: The best defense against coronovirus is careful and frequent handwashing, but sometimes this is not possible, so we’re including a recipe for homemade sanitizer. Here’s what you need:

Please remember: Don’t come if you have a fever or cough or have been near someone with these symptoms. Call 425-3252 to arrange for food delivery.

• Mix in 1/3 moisturizer such as aloe vera gel.

Warning: Baby wipes don’t work as well as handwashing or hand sanitizer.

George & Pam Darling P.O. Box 32 Ferry Road, Charlotte, VT gdarling@gmavt.net

As a reminder, the Food Shelf has some funds available for emergency assistance with fuel and electric bills. You may contact Pat Rodar at 425-3083 if you need assistance.

• Fill jar with 2/3 rubbing alcohol of at least 70% strength

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that sanitizer is only effective if you cover your dry hands thoroughly and then allow them to dry.

Squirting a few drops into your palms and then wiping your hands won’t help much.

Providing Repair, Refinishing, Restoration and Transport

Financial Assistance

• 1 quart bottle/jar

And remember: washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water is the best protective action. Sing the chorus to one of these songs to make sure you reach 20 seconds: • The Alphabet Song • Happy Birthday (sing twice) • This Land is Your Land • Erie Canal [Low Bridge, Everybody Down] (two verses) These are Golden Oldies: Challenge your kids to find their own verses that will provide a 20-second hand washing cue.

Nutrition Tip for Babies and Toddlers The American Academy of Pediatrics offers this advice: Do not give fruit juice to babies under one year old. Fruit juice for babies offers no nutritional value. For older children juice should be limited. Toddlers ages 1-3 should drink no more than 4 ounces a day. That’s half a cup.

Another warning: Toddlers should not be given juice from bottles or “sippy cups” that allow kids to sip on juice throughout the day. This long exposure can lead to tooth decay. Instead of juice, children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits which offers dietary fiber.

For more information, visit www.aap.org

We are available to all community residents.

Privacy is very important and respected in our mission of neighbor helping neighbor.

Celebrate Spinach!

March 26 is Spinach Day, and Popeye was right! Spinach is good for you. It contributes to heart health and athletic performance by improving blood flow and muscle power. Most health benefits come from eating it raw or steamed.

Boost Your Grocery Budget Thank you to Luna Collins, Outreach Systems Specialist, AmeriCorps VISTA, who is reaching out to make people aware of services offered by the Vermont Foodbank.

3SquaresVT (3SVT also known as SNAP) can boost your grocery budget! Thousands of Vermonters use their monthly 3SVT benefit to purchase more of the foods they love. You may be eligible and not even know it! Call the toll-free HelpLine number for 3Squares VT information or for help applying:855-855-6181. People can also text the keyword VFBSNAP to 85511 to find out if they are eligible. Visit: https://www. vtfoodbank.org/share-food/csfp In Appreciation Thank you to all the coffee drinkers at the Shelburne Market coffee bar and to the market for making this donation happen.

Thank you to Katherine Stockwell for the suicide prevention pamphlets from Howard Center and the art kits for children from Color My World, a non-profit for children.

Thank you for financial contributions from Deborah Cook, Anne Castle, Charlotte Organic Co-op, Kathleen Nolan, and LLC Trustee for Red Hat Matching Funds.

Important Upcoming Distribution Dates at the Charlotte Congregational Church

For emergency food call John 425-3130.

For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel) call Pat at 425-3083.

Donations The Charlotte Food Shelf Inc. is a nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Our organization is run by volunteers, and so all donations made to the Food Shelf go directly for nutritious food and/or assistance to our local neighbors in Charlotte and North Ferrisburgh. Should you wish to honor someone with a donation, a special acknowledgment will be sent to that person.

Checks may be mailed to: Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance, P O Box 83, Charlotte, Vermont 05445 Donated food drop off locations All non-perishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, The Charlotte Congregational Church vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings. Please check the expiration date. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf before the Wednesday distribution hours or before 7:30 a.m. on the Thursday distribution mornings.

The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Distribution days/times are posted on bulletin boards in the Charlotte Congregational Church Hall, at the Charlotte Library, and at the Charlotte Senior Center.

You may also call the Food Shelf number (425-3252) for a recording of the distribution times.

Wednesday, Mar. 25, April 8: 5-7 p.m.

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8 • March 19, 2020 • The Charlotte News

Junior Reporters Junior reporters interview… Ideas on keeping ourselves busy; small businesses over the phone are under stress Amelie Fairweather

The coronavirus is not dampening people’s spirits. Anica Gruber is one of those people.

She is a ninth grader at Champlain Valley Union High School and we came to her with questions.

How are you feeling about having no school?

Well, super happy, I like being home from school.

What do you think would be the best course of action?

Probably just closing everything for three weeks, it’s helping a lot, so yeah. It’ll probably keep everyone healthy.

What are you doing and what do you recommend for the homeschooling situation?

My school is doing an online thing that we’re starting next Monday, so all kids should do the online programs that the school gives them, so they won’t be behind on anything.

Any tips?

Just stay indoors and avoid contact, for sure.

What would you tell someone with the coronavirus?

“Conversations are not canceled, Relationships are not canceled, Love is not canceled.”

Here is the entire text of this, which was sent and read over the intercom on Monday by CVU Principal Adam Bunting:

Conversations will not be cancelled.

Relationships will not be cancelled.

Love will not be cancelled.

Songs will not be cancelled.

Reading will not be cancelled.

Self-care will not be cancelled.

Hope will not be cancelled.

May we lean into the good stuff that remains.

How do you feel about this quote?

I don’t know, I just thought I’d remember it, it feels like it’s also good to know that everything’s not canceled, delayed, and that hope isn’t lost, like we’ll get past this.

Do you have a relatable situation?

I have like older people I know with mental injuries, and I talk to grandparents over facetime a lot.

How do you stay in contact with people like teachers?

I take lessons with my violin teacher over skype, and that definitely helps.

We’ve just started this unexpected break and I’m already searching for things to do. Three weeks and not going in public don’t exactly mix. We need things to keep us busy!

Meanwhile, all we’re doing to prevent more cases is working. Staying out of contact is best for our health, even if it may be lacking excitement. Local businesses are taking disinfectant seriously. Everyone stay happy and healthy for now, and come up with some ideas to entertain yourselves.

Reed and Hayward Herlihy

We interviewed some families, and learned that most kids would rather be at school than at home. For example, 4th grader Parker Trono hasn’t gone anywhere except outside. Most kids are either building Legos, drawing, playing with Lexia, bike riding, or being homeschooled. 4th grader Sawyer Jennings and his family have been to trails in both Shelburne and Charlotte VT, as well as baking cupcakes and cakes. Parker and 3rd grader Ava Ringler are both writing graphic novels. 4th grader Charlie Adams has been jumping on his trampoline and learned chess this week. Most of the kids we interviewed find the great pandemic interesting, but also a little bit scary.

Parker is “Staying home to help the people that could get really sick.” Sawyer says “It’s scary, but we’re all going to be okay. It’ll be over one day.”

We also spoke to Dale Carreiro of Rise ‘N Shine. Her husband Peter is very busy.

Instead of about 8 hours delivering, he’s been delivering 10-12 hours each day.

They’re feeling rushed because they have more business than normal but it’s good for them. They usually sell milk and eggs. But they’ve been selling out and need to order more. They get their milk from Hatchland Farm, just over the border in New Hampshire; Hatchland Farm is one of the only farms in the area that bottles their organic milk in glass and can supply a large amount of milk at one time. Peter and Dale are driving there to buy more milk than normal for the next week. People are stopping the milkman truck in neighborhoods and asking if they can buy off the truck. But there’s usually not extra, so he can’t do that. There is a backlog of customer orders. They’re giving priority to existing customers that have been supporting them for years, but they’re also doing their best to fill all new customer orders. Just go to their website at risenshine.biz to sign up.

Reed and Hayward are members of the Junior Reporters Club at The Charlotte News, and met with their editor via Zoom yesterday for a meeting.

Interested children can email chea@ thecharlottenews.org to participate.

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The Charlotte News • March 19, 2020 • 9

Town

The family that quarantines together, stays together. Really together.

Chea Waters Evans Just a month ago, Paige and John Reynolds were settling into life with no kids at home; six months before that, their last child had left for college. One college student abroad, one in another state, and one coronavirus later, not only are the chickens coming back to the nest, but there’s a self-imposed quarantine and two family members are moving into the barn. This is the reality of life with college kids during a pandemic.

The Reynolds’ son Brad is a junior at the University of Southern California. He was on a semester abroad in Athens, Greece, through the College Year in Athens program abroad program when he got a call from his parents at around 4 a.m. Athens time. President Donald Trump had just announced that travel would be restricted from Europe—forgetting to mention that U.S. citizens would be exempt from this— and Paige and John had already booked Brad a flight home, and he had to pack up and leave within a matter of hours.

“He was totally disoriented,” Paige said. “He was like, ‘What is going on in the world?’”

Soon, as he checked the news on his phone and his roommates started straggling out of their rooms as their parents called, he got it. “It was shocking,” Brad said.

Paige had been monitoring the coronavirus situation for weeks and watching as it slowly

spread across Europe. She said as infection numbers climbed, and abroad programs in other countries were being cancelled, she kept a sharp eye on the news. By the time Trump’s announcement came on, around 10 p.m. eastern time, she was ready to buy Brad a ticket home. She had suspected that his in-person classes would be cancelled, but, she said, “I was fine with him doing online classes in Greece, but not with him being stuck there in quarantine.”

Meanwhile, in New Orleans, the Reynolds’ daughter Caroline was in the middle of her first year as a student at Tulane University. (They also have a son, Jack, who is out of college and lives in Utah.) Like many college students, Caroline and her friends were isolated from the severity of the situation. She said that at first, when the university announced that all classes should have a trial online class just in case, she was thinking they were overreacting. A week later, she was packing to come home for the rest of the school year; school would be all online for the remainder of the semester.

“The day they released that email, everyone went straight to happy hour at the college bar,” Caroline said. “It was the last hurrah.” She said her peer group and others she spoke with were mostly thinking about the impact of the virus on their social lives and college experience—it took time before they realized what was really happening in the rest of the world.

When Brad arrived in Boston, where he from

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Because Brad had already done a good deal of Caroline Reynolds said hello to her mom and brother through traveling this semester, the window after arriving home from Tulane on Tuesday. Paige including to Austria and and Brad are in quarantine after he came home from a semester Israel, the Reynolds family abroad.

Photo contributed by Paige Reynolds decided to quarantine. As they made their way home Life at home, stuck inside with his mom, isn’t from Boston, John packed up and moved into that bad, Brad said, with his mom cooking the family’s barn, which luckily was already a and taking care of him. “I try to help her out, livable space. Caroline, who was on her way but she also is an amazing cook and wants home on Tuesday, gave an interview from to cook,” he said. “A lot of home cooked the Detroit airport, where she said her plane meals…I can’t complain about it.” from New Orleans was half full, most people had masks on, and she suspected her flight to Though he’s disappointed about missing Burlington would be sparsely populated. She out on the rest of his time abroad, Brad said has a week off and begins online classes next that he’s passing the time playing Xbox and week. John will be working from home. finishing his classes through the CYA program.

Paige said she feels bad for him, so is trying to Caroline said she will spend the week not make the most of the time with him. doing much. I’ll probably just be hanging out with [my dad], and I guess we’re allowed to go She is also refinishing the master bathroom, on walks in the back yard with my mom and about which, Caroline commented, “Of course my brother,” she said. “I’m kind of nervous she is.” actually that I’ll bring it back to my dad; an “I pulled out the sinks, I’m refinishing the article just came out saying that New Orleans countertops; there’s plenty to be done around is a city with one of the most cases per capita. here,” Paige said. “I’ve pulled the double There’s nothing we can do though but stay at sinks out, I’m sanding and refinishing and home and wait it out, I guess.” varnishing and now I’ve got to figure out how Paige said it’s important to the family that they to put it all back together. You’ve got to be take potential community spread seriously. busy, right?”

“We have a responsibility now to react as Though things didn’t turn out quite how they if we were in one of those highly infected planned this spring, the Reynolds family all countries,” she said. She said Brad was fine feel grateful that they get this time together, with being quarantined in the house with her, and that they are all home safe. Along with despite his disappointment at missing out copious amounts of junk food and some on the rest of his semester abroad. “I think healthy stuff thrown in for good measure, some of it has to do with the fact that one of Paige said this time in quarantine, however my best friends has cancer, and is in chemo, strange, is precious. and is immunocompromised,” Paige said.

“We don’t want to be in a situation where it’s “To be perfectly honest, once you just accept about further compromising someone in that it, it’s like a total silver lining,” she said. “I’m situation. For me, it’s about what can we do thrilled to have my kid back…it’s been really proactively to help prevent the spread.” nice.”

10 • March 19, 2020 • The Charlotte News

Faith

We will get through this: stay connected, be a helper, find comfort Katherine Arthaud “No one had any doubt that the bombers would come,” writes Erik Larson in The Splendid and the Vile (A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz). “Britain’s military leaders saw the world through the lens of the empire’s experience in the previous war, the Great War … Since then, the bombs had grown bigger and deadlier, and more cunning, with time delays and modifications that made them shriek as they descended.”

On November 10, 1932, then deputy prime minister of Great Britain Stanley Baldwin gave a forecast of what was to come: “I think it is well for the man in the street to realize that there is no power on earth that can protect him from being bombed. Whatever people may tell him, the bomber will always get though.” “‘The atmosphere is something more than anxiety,’ wrote Harold Nicolson in his diary on May 7, 1940. “It is one of actual fear.’” He and his wife (the writer Vita Sackville-West) had made an agreement to commit suicide rather than be captured by Germans. “Oh my dear, my dearest, that we should come to this!” Ms. Sackville-West wrote her husband on May 28.

Larson wondered how anyone could have endured the German aerial assault on London in 1940-1941—“fifty-seven consecutive nights of bombing, followed by an intensifying series of nighttime raids over the next six months.” How did Churchill and his family and friends stand it?

Larson set about finding out what it was like, and soon came to realize “that it is one thing to say, ‘Carry on,’ quite another to do it.” His book goes into fine detail about how Churchill and others of his time went about surviving on a daily basis—“the dark moments and the light, the romantic entanglements and debacles, the sorrows and laughter, and the odd little episodes that reveal how life was really lived under Hitler’s tempest of steel.”

This is the book I was reading (am still reading) when I was asked to write a piece about finding comfort and peace in the current environment with this dastardly pointy-covered virus going around and felling humans right and left, bringing normal daily life to a screeching, moaning halt, and trapping us home to wonder

when it’s all going to go away or when someone will come up with a vaccine or medicine to mitigate the wreckage and turmoil. I couldn’t help but make the connection. London in 1940 and us today. Fear. Anxiety. The unknown. A powerful, unseen enemy. The mystery of who will escape and who will fall. The pervading sense of powerlessness. Anxiety.

I don’t know about you but I’m not feeling so well myself. I have a cold that is unlikely the dreaded virus but it’s hard not to worry. I’m shut into a lovely house with fields and woods nearby to walk in; I’m playing a lot of games and trying to do some work from afar; two of my kids are here, along with a couple of rapidly shedding dogs (who can’t believe their good fortune that we are not rushing out in cars every five minutes and leaving them behind) and a cat who seems calmly indifferent to much. How about you?

Are you home? Are you alone? Are you feeling okay?

“Keep calm and carry on,” goes the slogan you see everywhere these days. But this is really weird. It’s hard to stay calm, right? It’s unsettling. Occasionally terrifying. What are you doing to stay sane? Connected? Healthy?

I have found some things that have helped me. One is to be a part of the solution, not the problem. Maybe I could have evaded this Enemy Number One by taking my annual pilgrimage to see my parents in paradisiacal Florida, but for my own health and the good of the public in general and in the best interest of my elderly parents, I canceled.

I am not gathering anywhere, except outside, at a good distance from others, and particularly now that I have cold symptoms, I’m staying home. I have stocked my pantry pretty well, but I am not binge-buying or hoarding. I’m trying to play by the rules that health experts say will maximize public health, and not make things worse. There is some peace of mind in that. I read somewhere that survivors of past disasters have later had a lot of regrets about how they behaved during the crisis, when they reacted out of fear, not love. They have shame about that.

I don’t want to live with that. I am trying to be generous and not a dick.

but I make and take a lot of calls during the day. I check up on people. This helps me feel less isolated and anxious. I have also learned: self-centered fear is not good for me. It is much better for me to get out of myself and reach out, do some work, pray for the world, and share than sit around taking my temperature every ten minutes and worrying about my symptoms and how long this pandemic thing will last and who I might lose in its wake.

It is important for me to be one of the “helpers,” in whatever ways I can. Games are good too.

My daughter just achieved world domination in a two-day game of Risk, and unfortunate as that was for my son and me (we are not speaking to her), it took my mind off things and was fun.

Playing with the dogs has been helpful, too.

Our house is covered in hair. Did I mention I cancelled the cleaners?

I read somewhere that we could also treat this time as a kind of Sabbath. Slowing down. Not going anywhere. Getting outside in nature.

Saying no to social opportunities. Eating at home. Keeping things simple. It’s a good time to meditate, practice some yoga, pray. I’m trying all that, too. It’s sporadic, but hey.

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May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options.

Winston Churchill wrote in his eulogy for Neville Chamberlain, “It is not given to human beings—happily for them, for otherwise life would be intolerable—to foresee or to predict to a large extent the unfolding course of events.”

True enough. But please know that I wish you all the very best. I wish you love, health, and peace for your soul. You are not alone. We are not alone. And we will get through this. This too shall pass. And it is amazing and kind of inspiring, really, to ponder the fact that this virus affects all humans, all over the globe—all races, colors, political affinities, and demographics.

Maybe if nothing else it will help us see that it’s time we really work together to keep us all safe and well, as one people, one planet.

Here are two prayers I have found that I think are helpful in this time.

“’Where is catastrophe?’

In the street of Your love.’

‘How do you travel there?’ He asked.

‘With integrity,’ I said.

Silence. If I were to utter more, you would be completely gone, left without a door or roof.

God acts within every moment and creates the world with each breath.

God speaks from the center of the universe,

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And here is another one that has been making the rounds:

A friend of mine recently asked me why we should pray when it doesn’t seem to prevent bad things from happening. Another friend of mine told me about a man he knew who stopped believing in God when he observed both opposing football teams praying for victory. It’s hard to explain but I don’t think prayer prevents bad things from happening necessarily and it doesn’t mean you always get to win, but I do know that it helps connect us to one another and to a higher power, which might (I heard recently) be defined (if you have problems with the idea of a supreme being) as “a life force that I can cooperate with.” I love that. I think prayer helps me stay connected to eternity, the never-ending story, the wider universe that is our forever and ever home.

The first is Psalm 93 (translated by Stephen Mitchell):

I am staying connected. I haven’t figured out Zoom yet and am not a big fan of FaceTiming,

in the silence beyond all thought.

Mightier than the crash of a thunderstorm, mightier than the roar of the sea, is God’s voice silently speaking in the depths of the listening heart.

Human beings have been through worse, and we will get through this, too.

I just opened to a poem by Rumi. Here is the tail end of it. A good place to end, for now.

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The Charlotte News • March 19, 2020 • 11

Selectboard

Selectboard tackles coronavirus, rec department roles, and other business Juliann Phelps The March 9 Selectboard meeting covered a range of topics, including an update on the Mount Philo State park parking expansion, an update on the security agreement with the Champlain Valley School District, and discussion about the roles of the recreation director and Recreation Commission. There were also related agenda items about the COVID-19 virus – from consideration of a personnel policy for town employees working from home and a briefing from CFVRS Fire Chief Rob Mullen.

Town Administrator Dean Bloch discussed the Mount Philo State Park parking lot expansion, including the site plan review recently presented to the Planning Commission in February. Bloch said he outlined some concerns to the state prior to their application, saying, “It addresses needed changes adding queuing…but there is a known problem on Mt. Philo Road, which includes speed.”

Krasnow said he hasn’t seen any data related to the safety issue and recommended Bloch’s concerns be brought up to the Planning Commission. Peter Joslin, the chair of the commission, agreed with Krasnow, saying, “Discussions about access should be brought up during sketch plan review.” And while he wasn’t aware of specific speed issues, Joslin said the town planner is in the process of writing up the sketch plan review letter. Newly elected Selectboard member James Faulkner asked that Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service be involved in the discussion as well, as it related to the turning radius of the proposed access and material used for the roadway.

Krasnow provided an update regarding the agreement with CVSD regarding use of

Charlotte Central School for elections. He proposed that two Selectboard members, he and Louise McCarren, “move forward directly with the district, take the concerns and interests of board members, and come back with updates and discussions every meeting until we come to a MOU that works.” The board agreed.

Krasnow opened discussion on the roles of Recreation Commission and recreation director by saying it was “a discussion about positions and not personnel.” The board reviewed a recently unearthed historical document which outlined roles of the recreation commission and the previous recreation coordinator job function. While the board reviewed the document, Krasnow provided Faulkner with background, noting that the role of recreation coordinator has evolved into a director position with increased responsibilities.

The clarification of roles and formalized communications between the Recreation Commission and the director have been discussed by all involved parties in previous meetings, but no formal recommendations have been made or implemented yet.

Selectboard Member Carrie Spear asked Recreation Director Nicole Conley what she thought of the information. She responded that “the position has been evolving.”

Spear recommended using the document to “implement something very quickly. It’s time to move on from this subject.” Krasnow agreed and said the board would dedicate time in subsequent meetings and have something finalized by the end of April.

Coronavirus and COVID-19 were next on the agenda. The board heard from Town Administrator Dean Bloch and Senior Center board member Lane Morrison on the town personnel policy. Bloch said, “It’s become more recently relevant in terms of coronavirus

and the potential for the need for employees to work from home if they do need to quarantine.” Morrison said the policy is “silent on the issue” and the Senior Center director has been allowed to work from home one day as week. He requested a “clean up” of the policy. Krasnow responded they would take up the issue in a future meeting, noting, “If the policy doesn’t mention it one way or another, it would be up to each supervisor’s discretion [to telework].”

CVFRS Fire Chief Rob Mullen asked to speak to the Selectboard “to try to alleviate some fears out there [about the COVID-19 virus].” He continued, “We are taking no extra precaution at CFVRS,” but are receiving regular updates about it at the state level and “are treating it like a respiratory illness.” He said they have supplies in stock; however CVRFS attempted to purchase additional supplies and equipment and found it to be sold out. He said he would also post similar information on Front Porch Forum.

Other Business The Selectboard reviewed and approved their work plan and board member assignments for the year, finalized the town employee performance review process, and signed an engagement letter with Sullivan, Powers and Co., P.C. to perform an audit of the town’s financial statements for FY20. They also amended and readopted the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge “Ordinance Regulating Conduct” to include language in accordance with 24 VSA §§2291 & 2295, and delegated a Selectboard member to open mowing and brush hogging bids on March 16.

The board also received a presentation from Bob Stock, U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist. He provided an update on the 2020 Census and said people will be able to respond to the survey starting this Thursday. He gave

an overview of the demographics of Charlotte and highlighted a data dissemination program available to the public.

March 5 meeting, post-town meeting debrief During the Thursday, March 5 meeting, the Selectboard undertook several procedural actions related to the makeup of the new board, which included newly elected member Faulkner and re-elected member Krasnow.

The board motioned and approved Krasnow as chair and Frank Tenney as vice chair. The Charlotte News and The Citizen were selected as newspapers of record and the schedule of meetings, and the Selectboard liaisons to committees, commissions and boards were selected.

The board also approved the warning for the Australian ballot vote on the FY21 budget for Tuesday, April 7, 2020 and the warning for a Special Town Meeting on Monday, April 6, 2020 – the same night as the informational hearing on the budget. The special meeting is to, according to the agenda, validate action on Article 6 of town meeting, which was warned incorrectly.

The Selectboard discussed and debriefed Town Meeting Day, which included subjects such as attendance, advisory motions during other business at the end of the meeting, moving town meeting day, and questions related to a town response to the COVID-19 virus.

The Selectboard approved several change orders related to the Charlotte library addition and approved the request to engage Stizel, Page and Fletcher, PC as legal counsel to assist the Delinquent Tax Collector Mary Mead with all tax sales scheduled for 2020.

The next regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting is March 23 at 6 p.m.

Planning Commission schedules hearing for land use regulations per Charlotte Crossings petition the Charlotte Land Use Regulations.

Juliann Phelps

The Thursday, March 5 Planning Commission meeting was the last for member David Kenyon while work continued on updates to

The commission continued discussion on the land use regulations as they specifically relate to performance standards applied to accessory on-farm businesses (Act 143), the proposed

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East Charlotte Village Commercial district, and other general, suggested amendments.

Those included requests by the Planning Commission to clarify the glossary definitions for required agricultural practices, shipping containers, and outdoor storage. According to meeting minutes, the commission intends to vote on the changes as “three votes in the next meeting.”

The commission heard from landowner Jason Hutchins, then motioned and approved a two-lot minor subdivision and three-lot minor subdivision amendment for property located at 328 Riverview Drive (PC-20-19-SD Hutchins).

Former member James Faulkner is now on the Selectboard, leaving two open positions on the Planning Commission.

Next Thursday, March 19 will be the public hearing to repeal a portion of the land use regulations. This hearing is the result of a petition initiated by the owners of Charlotte Crossings on Route 7, signed by five percent of registered voters and submitted to the town clerk in mid-February. It seeks to repeal Section 5.5 regarding “parking, loading and service areas.” Currently the section indicates parking shall be located on the side and rear of buildings and prohibited within the front yard setback unless there is no alternative location on the lot.

In a previous Planning Commission meeting in December, one of the owners of Charlotte Crossings presented three revised parking lot designs during a sketch plan review – one of which included parking spaces in the front of the building. According to their application (PC-19-214-SK Gemini Properties, LLC), the redesign would “allow for access of emergency vehicles to the front of building; provide a shorter, safer access route for front entry of building for all; replace the long ADA path through front yard with direct ADA access and physical ramp; and add an additional ADA parking space in front of building.”

According to the Planning Commission Reporting Form posted on the town website, the commission does not support the repeal.

“The Planning Commission feels that reducing this Site Plan Review standard does not set a good precedent because any future application within the Town promoting front-yard parking design will compromise the Town’s long standing intent to maintain aesthetic character of the area, and alter it into a strip-mall style of development.” The form also cites references to the Town Plan to preserve vistas and Route 7 as a scenic travel corridor.

The hearing, intended for public comment, will begin at 8 p.m. It is part of the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting which begins at 7 p.m.

12 • March 19, 2020 • The Charlotte News

Town

Energy in the forest

On March 14, the Charlotte Energy Committee co-sponsored a walk in the Hinesburg Town Forest with a discussion by the Chittenden County Forester Ethan Tapper (fourth from right in this photo), and Dr. Tony D’Amato of the University of Vermont. They talked about forest growth, timber harvesting, carbon storage, and how active management creates healthier forest systems. Over 40 people took advantage of the beautiful day and the rare opportunity to congregate outdoors. In this particular area where the group gathered, a 2009 windstorm had blown down a plantation of red pines that were about 80 years old.

The wind disturbance opened up a new area of regrowth for more native species and biodiversity — 135 bird species have been identified in this spot.

Photos by Rebecca Foster and Suzy Hodgson

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The Charlotte News • March 19, 2020 • 13

Outdoors Spring!

Elizabeth Bassett With the vernal equinox on March 19, spring arrives. Snow could bury us any day, yet birds serenade at all hours and steam rises from sugarhouses. Crocuses and snowdrops elicit smiles. On warm rainy nights amphibians venture from winter homes to breeding territory- bodies of water. Wood frogs and peepers will soon announce their courtship to all within earshot. Ah, spring.

Did you know that four species of Vermont frogs can freeze in winter? As fall arrives their livers produce sugars that serve as antifreeze, keeping cells from bursting. With the advent of warm weather, frogs thaw and migrate to water to lay and fertilize eggs.

Wood frogs are among those that can freeze—some are even found above the Arctic Circle. At Raven Ridge our monitoring team will be on the lookout for wood frogs, an indicator species for vernal pools. If wood frogs are present the body of water is likely ephemeral, meaning it disappears during drier months. Wood frogs are very vulnerable to predators like fish and turtles that need year-round water to survive. The absence of predators in a vernal pool allows wood frogs to lay eggs in peace and for their tadpoles to swim until metamorphosis.

Wood frogs emerge early from hibernation, as soon as the first week or two of March.

(On a recent warm and wet evening, wood frogs were spotted crossing local roads.) This timing gives them an advantage; if vernal

pools dry out early in the summer, tadpoles will have metamorphosed to frogs that do not need water to survive.

At our vernal pool, an acoustic monitor is recording three times each day, in the hope of capturing the breeding songs of wood frogs.

Much as we yearn for spring, warm weather brings challenges. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is offering free workshops devoted to two summer menaces, cyanobacteria and aquatic invasive species. On June 2, Lake Champlain Committee Executive Director Lori Fischer will train volunteers to monitor, measure, and combat cyanobacteria, a toxin harmful to humans and pets. On June 26, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Kim Jensen leads a hands-on workshop to learn to identify, monitor, and control aquatic intruders. Register at lcmm. org/Workshops.

Now for some good news: a new coalition, Burlington Wildways, is working to preserve and promote some of the Queen City’s most spectacular natural areas. Burlington Wildways, burlingtonwildways.org, does not build new trails. It consolidates existing networks, eliminating duplicate and informal social trails, creating a network of marked trails that are navigable, well-signed, and respectful of the habitats through which they pass.

Burlington Wildways Executive Director Zoe Richards says, “[Our goal] is to make fewer trails, in the right places, which are more ecologically sensitive and easier to

find.”

The group has restored wetlands at Oakledge Park, is reforesting a new park along North Avenue, and has created a 5.5-mile unified trail along the Winooski River from Salmon Hole in Winooski to Ethan Allen Park in the New North End. I look forward to walking the latter on a fine spring day!

Be on the lookout, on warm sunny days, for harbingers of spring.

Painted turtles spend the winter beneath the ice, with a body temperature averaging 43 degrees.

In order to be active, they must raise their internal temperature to 63°–73° F. Turtles bask on rocks and logs to warm up and to capture Vitamin D that allows them to metabolize calcium to grow and solidify their shells.

Only when temperatures are reliably warmer will these turtles resume activity and begin eating again.

Fungus, this one on a log at Raven Ridge last week, is another sign of spring.

Red-wing blackbirds are populating local marshes, males shrieking and squabbling to claim the best territory. In the understory hepatica may bloom as early as snow melts. A perennial whose leaves can photosynthesize from the first sunny days, the plant does not need energy to re-grow each spring. It can produce early flowers, a spectrum of white, pink, blue, or violet

peeping above the leaf litter. Other early bloomers include snowdrops and coltsfoot, the latter usually found on roadsides as soon as the snow melts.

Keep your eyes and ears open for signs of spring!

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14 • March 19, 2020 • The Charlotte News WARNING TOWN OF CHARLOTTE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 7, 2020

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO TOWN OF CHARLOTTE ORDINANCE REGULATING CONDUCT IN THE CHARLOTTE PARK AND WILDLIFE REFUGE The Selectboard of the Town of Charlotte does hereby ordain: Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §§872, 1971, 2291 and 2295, the Ordinance Regulating Conduct in the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge (“Park”) adopted in July 1998, which sets forth rules for and regulates conduct in the Park, as well as establishing penalties for violations of the Ordinance, is hereby amended and re-adopted in its entirety as follows: Section 1 of said Ordinance is revised as follows: Section 1: Purpose- This ordinance is enacted to insure use of Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge (“Park”) in Charlotte by the public in a manner consistent with the goals of maintaining the Park as a wildlife preserve and for passive recreational activities that do not impact wildlife or the plant communities existing within the Park.

The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Charlotte Central School Multi-Purpose Room, 408 Hinesburg Road in said Town, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 to vote by Australian ballot to begin at seven o’clock in the forenoon and to close at seven o’clock in the afternoon.

BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT The following articles as approved at the annual meeting on March 3, 2020: Article 3:

Will the voters of the Town approve the Selectboard’s budget of $3,451,157 for the fiscal year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, in addition to those monies raised pursuant to Article 4 and Article 5 if any, of which an anticipated sum of $1,991,349 will be raised by property taxes and an anticipated sum of $1,459,808 will be raised by non-tax revenues?

Article 4:

Will the voters of the Town approve raising the sum of $57,000 by property taxes, in addition to those monies raised pursuant to Article 3 and Article 5 if any, to be allocated to the Trails Reserve Fund?

Article 5:

Will the voters of the Town approve raising the sum of $0 by property taxes, in addition to those monies raised pursuant to Article 3 and Article 4 if any, to be distributed to the not-forprofit organizations identified on page 21 of the Town Report specifically as requested by those organizations?

Section 3 of said Ordinance is revised as follows:

Section 3: Applicability- This ordinance shall only apply to Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge as designated by the Selectboard, consisting of approximately 250 275 acres located between Vermont Route #7 and Greenbush Road.

Section 5. of said Ordinance is revised as follows: E. Firearms of any description, air rifles, gas weapons, slingshots, bows and arrows, firecrackers, fireworks, and explosives are prohibited shall not be used or discharged within the Park, except those used by persons acting under direction of the Selectboard to conduct a managed hunt in accordance with Section 4.C..

J. No person shall disturb the peace, endanger the public safety, or prevent the use of the Park by others.

Dated this 5th day of March, 2020 at Charlotte, Vermont.

Town of Charlotte Selectboard

Section 6 of said Ordinance is revised as follows: Section 6. Enforcement-Any person who violates a provision of this civil ordinance shall be subject to civil penalties as set forth below for each day that such violation continues.

The Selectboard shall designate an individual to enforce this ordinance who shall be authorized to act as the Issuing Municipal Official to issue and pursue before the Traffic and Municipal Ordinance Judicial Bureau a municipal complaint. Each day a violation continues shall be a separate offense.

/s/ Matthew Krasnow, Chair /s/ Frank Tenney, Chair /s/ Carrie Spear /s/ Louise McCarren /s/ James Faulkner

Section 7 of said Ordinance is revised as follows: Section 7. Waiver Fee- The Issuing Municipal Official is authorized to recover a waiver fee of Twenty One Hundred Dollars ($2100.00) for each offense that constitutes a violation of this Ordinance for any person who declines to contest a municipal complaint and pays the waiver fee.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING FOR AUSTRALIAN BALLOT ARTICLES TO BE VOTED AT A SPECIAL MEETING TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

Section 8 of said Ordinance is revised as follows: Section 8. Civil Penalties- The Issuing Municipal Official is authorized to recover a civil penalty of Fifty Two Hundred Dollars ($5200.00) for each offense that constitutes a violation of this Ordinance.

Adopted this 9th day of March, 2020.

The Selectboard of the Town of Charlotte hereby gives notice that a public informational hearing will be held on Monday, April 6, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Town Hall, 159 Ferry Road, Charlotte, Vermont, to hear questions regarding Articles 3, 4 and 5 of the Warning for the Town of Charlotte Special Town Meeting to be held on April 7, 2020, which states:

Town of Charlotte Selectboard

Article 3:

Will the voters of the Town approve the Selectboard’s budget of $3,451,157 for the fiscal year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, in addition to those monies raised pursuant to Article 4 and Article 5 if any, of which an anticipated sum of $1,991,349 will be raised by property taxes and an anticipated sum of $1,459,808 will be raised by non-tax revenues?

Article 4:

Will the voters of the Town approve raising the sum of $57,000 by property taxes, in addition to those monies raised pursuant to Article 3 and Article 5 if any, to be allocated to the Trails Reserve Fund?

Article 5:

Will the voters of the Town approve raising the sum of $0 by property taxes, in addition to those monies raised pursuant to Article 3 and Article 4 if any, to be distributed to the not-for-profit organizations identified on page 21 of the Town Report specifically as requested by those organizations?

/s/ Frank Tenney, Chair /s/ Carrie Spear /s/ James Faulkner This Amendment to the Town of Charlotte Ordinance Regulating Conduct in Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge shall become effective on May 8, 2020 [60 days after adoption], unless a petition signed by not less than 5% of the qualified voters of the Town requesting a town meeting vote on the question of disapproving the amendment is filed with the Town Clerk or Selectboard on or before April 22, 2020 [44 days after adoption]. The full text of the Town of Ordinance Regulating Conduct in Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge may be viewed at the Town Clerk’s office.

For more information, contact: Dean Bloch, Town Administrator, Charlotte Town Hall, 159 Ferry Road, P.O. Box 119, Charlotte, VT 05445, (802) 425-3071 ext. 5 www.charlottevt.org.

WARNING TOWN OF CHARLOTTE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 6, 2020 The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Charlotte Town Hall, 159 Ferry Road in said Town, on Monday, April 6, 2020 at 6:45 in the afternoon to act upon the following article in accordance with Title 17 Section 2662, Vermont Statutes Annotated.

Shall the action taken at the meeting of this town held on March 3, 2020, in spite of the fact that the posted Warning did not include Article 6, and any act or action of the municipal officers or agents pursuant thereto, be readopted, ratified and confirmed?

Dated this 6th day of March, 2020 at Charlotte, Vermont.

Town of Charlotte Selectboard /s/ Carrie Spear /s/ Louise McCarren /s/ James Faulkner

The public informational hearing is being held as required by 17 V.S.A. §2680(g). Town officials will be present during the public informational hearing to answer questions regarding the articles.

The Charlotte News • March 19, 2020 • 15

Sports Edd Merritt

Sport seasons end in light of coronavirus CVU women’s basketball will not be able to top off its tenth state championship because of the Corona virus pandemic spreading the globe. Undefeated this season, the Redhawks were ranked number 1 going into the semi-finals. However, the remaining games will not occur, along with all other sports contests presently scheduled.

Coach Uta Otley was quoted in the Free

Press saying that she “did not think a global pandemic” would have been one of the reasons for cancellation. But, even though, “it’s not a fair way to end the season, what are you going to do?”

Upon further review of its decision to end the season, however, the Principals’ Association decided to name co--state champions for Division I -- CVU, Essex, Mt. Mansfield and Rutland.

is on schedule for August 1st at Castleton University. CVU’s Zachary Gamelin and Clayton Thorpe are on the Green Mountain roster. Although they have won only a third of the games, Vermont had a three-game wining streak going into last summer’s contest, before losing 21-9. Whether Corona virus will affect playing the game is yet to be determined.

Vermont Shrine football roster carries two Redhawks

Spaulding finished the first-ever undefeated women’s hockey season by blanking CVU/ Mount Mansfield 4-0. Spaulding’s offense and the Cougar/Hawk’s penalty-killing

An all-state soccer player in the fall, Olivia is also an accomplished Alpine skier, winning the Northern District Giant Slalom at Burke Mountain with the fastest two-run combined time.

likely have to be moved, as well. This is akin to juggling eggs while blindfolded.

HEALTH REMINDER

The 67th Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl football

Charlotte Senior Center Carolyn Kulik SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR “The secrets are in the plants. To elicit them, you have to love them enough.”

~ George Washington Carver “The green matter of plants. . .We propose to give the name of chlorophyll.” ~ Pierre Joseph Pelletier, 1817 __________________ Spring is just an idea in these parts, and my neighbors still have their snow shovels next to their front doors. But it will come, that is for sure – just not as soon as we may like. In the last issue, the quotes were about mystery. And now we are living in a mystery – of a different sort, unfortunately. The fog of uncertainty makes this health crisis even harder to weather.

As you probably know by now, because of the current coronavirus outbreak, the Charlotte Senior Center Board has decided to close the building and suspend all meals, courses, events and presentations until April 30. At that time, the Board will re-evaluate the situation.

Even though this was obviously the correct call, it was hard for everyone - since so many folks really depend on the meals, courses, and activities, as well as the many friendships that they have developed over the years. Updates will be posted on the website when they are available, and right now we are looking into the possibility of adding some videos of courses and presentations to the website. We

are all aware that that is not a substitute for actually coming to the Center – and the video idea will not work for some – still, it is a work in progress.

The Spring Schedule had just got up and running - only to be stopped in its tracks.

After all the hard work of planning and negotiating that went into its construction, it’s like inheriting the favorite vase of your grandmother’s—and then just as you are putting flowers into it for the first time, accidentally dropping it to have it smash into pieces.

The Wednesday talk on April 4, by Don Porter on “Ocean Currents, The Gulfstream and Sailboat Racing” had wonderful, animated visuals and was very informative and entertaining. As usual, the audience had plenty of questions, comments and shared their experiences. The following week, on April 11, Jody Crosby presented “Sign Language Explained!” to an attentive group which was introduced to the intriguing way signs are constructed for American Sign Language. Do you know the audiences at the Wednesday events are known for being informed and engaged?

Some of the six upended talks, set through April 29, will be moved to the summer months if presenters are available. It looks like this year we will miss the CCS Music Concert by the middle school’s Ukulele Band and Concert Choir led by Monica Littlefield originally for April 15. The remaining four events in May are still in place, but it is looking like they will

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CVU/Mount Mansfield women’s hockey loses D-II state finals

The new, exciting Movie Classics Discussion Series comprised of 4 films with the theme of ‘happiness’ was supposed to start in April with its first 2 showings. Now, it will either begin in May, instead, or be rescheduled for the summer. Popcorn and homemade cookies will be included.

Art News The March Art Exhibit showcased works from our friends at Wake Robin and included pieces in oil, watercolor, acrylics in both representational and abstract styles. The wide range of subject matter and styles made for some interesting viewing – and it is really unfortunate that it was cut short; plus, John Hammer so worked hard pulling to together and hanging it—with the expert assistance of Judy Tuttle. Perhaps the artwork will be back another month to make up for the lost display time.

requirements led to the C/Hawks’ difficulty getting the in the goal. In the final period, they no longer marked players around the ice and tried, instead, to move shooters in closer to the Spaulding goal.

Olivia Zubarik named Free Press high school “Athlete of the Week”

In the past 14 days, have you: •

Returned to Vermont from China, Italy, Japan, or South Korea or Western Europe?

•

Returned to Vermont from a domestic area where the infection rate is high, e.g. California, New York, Washington?

•

Travelled on a plane, bus or train?

•

Been in contact with a person infected with coronavirus/COVID-19?

•

Been to a health care facility where people infected with novel coronavirus/ COVID-19 are treated? (hospital, walk-in clinic, emergency room)

•

Had any of the following symptoms in the last few days: cough, high fever, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, please consider

___________ Do visit our website, CharlotteSeniorCenterVT.org, for more information about the Center and what is scheduled for May, tentatively. If you have questions, would like to register, or ask about volunteering - please call 425-6345 and leave a message. Be sure to speak slowly and clearly when giving your name and phone number.

You can also drop us a note at PO Box 207, Charlotte. Please note that the building is now closed to visitors until further notice.

The Senior Center’s mission is to serve those 50 and up. Residents from other communities are always welcome. There are no membership fees. Usually we are open from 9-4 on Mondays through Fridays.

What can you do to manage in this crisis?

• Take walks. Observe everything carefully.

quarantining yourself at home for 14 days and/or contacting your health provider for your own safety and that of others.

• Identify the things which bring you pleasure – and look for them.

• (Clouds. Sunsets. Birds flying in formation.)

• Play or listen to your favorite music.

• Sing a lot.

• Establish a daily schedule and follow it.

• Keep a diary.

• Meditate. Or sit quietly – not thinking.

• After the toilet paper – stockpile chocolate.

• Buy flowers.

• Be careful. Stay well. But mostly, be kind. _______________ Charlotte Senior Center 802-425-6345

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16 • March 19, 2020 • The Charlotte News

Library News

Classifieds

Margaret Woodruff In keeping with the Governor’s order to close public schools this week, the Charlotte Library will close on Monday, March 16 and remain closed until Monday, April 6. We regret that we cannot stay open to provide “personal” services to our community members. However, we will provide the following to help make the prescribed closing easier: 1. Materials for pick up: Please call or email the library to let us know specifically the resources (books, dvds etc..) you are looking for. We will package this up and leave on the porch with your name. If you are in a position where you are unable to leave your house, we will also offer home delivery. Library phone: 802.425.3864 and library email: info@charlottepubliclibrary. org.

2. On-Line: There will be additional digital offerings available on Libby, the app for audiobooks and ebooks for use with your library card.

3. Library Cards: For those living in Charlotte who do not have a library card, we will make cards available remotely.

Please call or email to request a card.

This will allow you to access all digital materials as well as request print materials and DVDs from the library’s actual collection.

Reach your friends and neighbors for only $12 per issue.

(Payment must be sent before issue date.) Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email ads@thecharlottenews.org.

MT. PHILO INN A unique hotel with panoramic views of Lake Champlain and private road to Mt. Philo. 1800 sq. ft. 3-bedroom suites with 2 bathrooms and a complete kitchen. By the day, week and month.

Privacy, space, tranquility. Bigger on the inside. MtPhiloInn.com, 425-3335. information about the digital offerings available through the library, including Libby as well as a selection of educational sites and periodicals, please visit the library website: www.charlottepubliclibrary.org.

Please be in touch with any questions or concerns you may have. The library building may be closed but we are still open as a community resource.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate this crisis together.

Margaret, on behalf of Charlotte Library staff and board

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The beach attendant will be responsible for the maintenance of the beach area and the facilities located near the beach (e.g. tennis court, playground, volleyball court and picnic area). Dependent on the shift, the beach attendant will be responsible for set-up or clean-up of the beach. During their shift the beach attendant will supervise the parking area and manage the sale of all parking passes. There will be daily responsibilities to help maintain the cleanliness of the beach and its facilities.

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The Charlotte News is looking for a few DRIVERS TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME on the day our newspapers are issued to help drop them at various locations within Charlotte, Shelburne, Ferrisburgh and Hinesburg. If you have some spare time and want to help distribute our

Charlotte Congregational Church (charlotteucc.org) is seeking a PARTTIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (approx 20 hrs/wk). This position reports to the Pastors and will work cooperatively with the wider congregation. Responsibilities will be in the areas of general administration, communication, facilities, and publications. Please contact Rev. Kevin Goldenborgen at rev.kemg@gmail. com to receive full job description and qualifications.

Town of Charlotte Beach

4. Circulation: All circulated materials will automatically renew so no need to call or go online to update your checked-out items.

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local newspaper please send an email to treasurer@thecharlottenews.org.

Work Conditions: Work is outside, generally during good weather conditions. Some lifting will be required.

Please submit a job application with three references to the Charlotte Town office. Applications can be found on our town website or you can fill one out at the town offices. The Recreation Director will be reviewing applications and will be contacting individuals’ mid-April. Should you have any questions please the email or phone information listed below.

Nicole Conley, Recreation Director Email: Recreation@townofcharlotte.com Phone: (802) 425-6129

Helpful coronavirus updates and procedures Staff report From Charlotte Health Officer Daniel Morgan: In the past few days, our office has received a number of questions and concerns regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). At a time when misinformation, false links, and misleading headlines/half-truths spread rapidly, as the Town’s Health Officer, it was of great concern to me that you all received a comprehensive and unified response from the Town of Charlotte as to the current guidance from the State of Vermont.

Guidance for Vermonters When to call?

• If you have questions about COVID-19: Dial 2-1-1 • If you are returning from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea or Japan: Call Health Department Epidemiology at 802-8637240 • If you are ill, have symptoms, or concerned about your health: Call your health care provider Guidance for Specific Groups People At Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19 Some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness, including older adults and people with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes or lung disease. According to the CDC, these people should take extra precautions including: • Stocking up on supplies • Avoiding crowds • Avoiding cruise travel and non-essential air travel • Staying away from others who are sick Read the CDC’s full guidance on People At Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19.

Additional Resources The Vermont Department of Health website contains guidance and answers to frequently asked questions, including: • What does “monitoring” mean?

• Information for people under monitoring • What does close contact mean?

• How can I protect myself?

• Should I wear a face mask when I go out in public?

• Guidance for travelers returning to Vermont from an affected area • Where is it safe to travel internationally?

• I am returning from an affected area.

What should I do?

• Who can get tested for COVID-19?

• What should people planning large gatherings in Vermont do?

• What is the turnaround time for testing?

• Where can I find translated materials?

• Can the Health Department provide documentation that I can go to work?

• Guidance for specific groups: o Businesses o Communities o First Responders o Health care professionals o Long-term care facilities o Schools, child care programs and colleges THE ONLY LINKS THAT SHOULD BE ACCESSED FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE AND VERIFIED INFORMATION ARE AS FOLLOWS: healthvermont.gov/covid19 Vermonters can also dial 2-1-1 for information.

Vermont State Police issued a press release that read, in part: “Under the procedures currently in effect, Vermont

In other cases, such as minor motor vehicles crashes, vandalisms and thefts, the state police may take reports from the public over the phone. State police members are making these response decisions in consultation with supervisors.

The Vermont State Police encourages people who are victims of these types of crimes to report them over the phone rather than by walking in at a barracks.

Additionally, state police members are evaluating the necessity of trainings and travel and will curtail or reschedule those events as appropriate.

The public should rest assured that our services remain available. We are continuing to function as a lawenforcement agency should under the unusual circumstances we all are facing,” said Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police. “The state police is taking prudent precautions to ensure we can continue to respond to calls for service, as Vermonters rightfully expect us to do.”

These procedures have been developed

by Commissioner Schirling and Col. Birmingham in consultation with health experts. Additional steps, if necessary, will be determined by these same individuals, with the continual goal of ensuring the protection of the lives and safety of all Vermonters.”

U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 05482 PERMIT NO. 9

The CDC is regularly updating its guidance at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019nCoV/summary.html.

State Police barracks are staffed, and members are continuing to respond to calls. In some cases, the agency will change the way it handles those calls.

For instance, troopers will physically respond to major case investigations such as homicide, and to calls regarding crimes in progress, motor vehicle crashes with injuries, missing persons cases and domestic assault, as a few examples. As needed, troopers may take precautions such as social distancing, consulting with medical first responders, and using personal protective equipment.

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Everyday Preventive Measures Person-to-person spread of the virus is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Much is still unknown about how the virus spreads. Take these everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs: • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and

water are not available, use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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