The Charlotte News | March 20, 2019

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Charlotte News Wednesday, March 20, 2019 | Volume LXI Number 18

CharlotteNewsVT.org

Vol. 61, no.18 March 20, 2019

Charlotte News

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

Voters approve CVSD budget

Slick ride

Chea Waters Evans The Champlain Valley School District budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 passed in all five voting towns at Town Meeting Day on March 5. The budget, which totals $78,901,170, covers all six schools in the district. The district will spend approximately $16, 071 per pupil for this fiscal year.

Town meeting votes added up to 3,390 voters in favor of the budget, with 1,526 opposed. This second year of a consolidated school district shows a marked difference from other years in Charlotte, in which the budget was routinely voted down at town meeting and sent back to the CCS school board for further reductions.

In a presentation prior to the voting day, CVSD Superintendent Elaine Pinckney said that the budgeting process happens throughout the year. “It’s important for the public to realize that we don’t seclude ourselves for a couple months then come to them and say, ‘Please give us this money.”

The CVSD school board, along with budget buddy and former Charlotte Central School principal Rick Detweiler, starts a dialogue with taxpayers in Septmber, and has open meetings in each town to educate voters about the impact in their individual towns as well as the district as a whole.

The district has 3,800 students, six schools, around 1,000 employees, and 450 teachers.

Specific changes at CCS regarding staffing and programming for the upcoming school year fall under the management of Co-Principals Stephanie Sumner and Jennifer Roth. Responding to an email earlier in the year regarding the guidance department at CCS and the re-configuration of the school’s two part-time counselors, Pinckney said, “How CCS admin will organize the learning experiences with the total number of classroom teachers they have is also still being discussed.”

The budget calls for a reduction of one full-time educator, and during a school board meeting in January, Pinckney said the administrators have the opportunity to “use some creativity” while they make that change.

Town Meeting Day also showed voters across all districts approving borrowing $485,000 to purchase five school buses that will be used district-wide. Voters also found in favor of using up to $500,000 of the district’s current fund balance as revenue for the upcoming fiscal year’s fund balance, and up to $1,000,000 of that fund balance for repairs and maintenance projects. The same ballot measure allocated the remaining amount in the fund balance, which is just over $1,800,000, for future operating budgets.

Chris Patton takes a morning ride on Lake Champlain, in south Charlotte.

Photo by Matthew Bijur

Selectboard welcomes new member, sets work plan Juliann Phelps The March 7 and 11 Selectboard meetings, chaired by Matt Krasnow, began with administrative agenda items, a debrief of Town Meeting Day and setting a work plan for the year.

The March 7 meeting was brief and administrative, welcoming new Selectboard member Louise McCarren and welcoming back Frank Tenney. Krasnow was chosen to be chair, and Tenney,vice chair. In addition to determining board structure and leadership, Selectboard organization items included adopting rules of procedure, selecting the newspaper of record for town warnings, schedule of regular meetings and procedure for signing of warrants.

After a brief discussion about the length of time for public comment at the beginning of each meeting as well as during agenda items, the rules of procedure were motioned and approved with minor amendments. The Charlotte News was selected as the newspaper of record, with The Citizen and Seven Days as necessary to meet specific deadlines for other notices. Town clerk and treasurer Mary Mead was present and participated in the discussion around the signing of town warrants.

A debrief of Town Meeting Day was next on the agenda with Krasnow asking the board for feedback. Selectboard member Tenney thought it went smoothly, and Fritz Tegatz said, “No one threw tomatoes at the Selectboard,” to which McCarren replied, “That’s because they are out of season.” The board agreed that while the presentations were short, the question and answer sessions were lengthy. Krasnow asked town administrator Dean Bloch to invite the town moderator to the Selectboard

Selectboard members welcome Louise McCarren to the board at the March 7 meeting.

Photo by Juliann Phelps

meeting prior to Town Meeting “to discuss the structure and come up with a format that is a little more pre-planned.”

The March 11 meeting began with continued discussion on the draft work plan that will include updating the local emergency management plan and meeting with the Recreation Commission on the playground at the town beach and with the new Shelburne police chief to discuss police services. Selectboard member Carrie Spear proposed adding affordable housing to the work plan, and Bloch suggested adding a review of the new state road standards and revisiting the outlined management plan for the Burns property.

During public comment, Bill Stuono asked the Selectboard to consider moving Town Meeting Day to Saturday, which the board took under consideration as a future agenda item. “I’ve seen attendance at town meeting wane, and voter turnout the month after has been going down. The

data is showing that it was a good idea of blending of goals, but it hasn’t panned out,” Krasnow said. “It would be great to get on future agendas.”

Tree warden Mark Dillenbeck presented his request for bids for the removal of ash trees, noting the Lake Road location was chosen for the high concentration of ash trees. McCarren questioned Dillenbeck about the process of removing the trees and what he plans to do if he finds evidence of Emerald Ash Borer. He responded, “If we are at that point, we would change our tactics.” The draft RFP was motioned and passed.

Similarly the agenda item, request for permit to conduct spraying in town highway rights-of-way was motioned and passed with little discussion, noting it would occur at the same locations as last year. see SELECTBOARD page 2

2 • March 20, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Town SELECTBOARD continued from page 1 The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the agenda item: Clark Hinsdale III—proposed Open Space Agreement and Trail Easement on parcel north of Charlotte Solar installation, northwest of intersection of Hinesburg Road and Spear Street. Hinsdale opened with an overview of his proposed open space agreement, which parcels would be included and the history of how the agreement came about. He said, “Together the three forested parcels bulk up to 122 acres. …

There’s been a lot of concern about the fractionalizing of woodland, making them into parcels, into something not economically big enough to do anything with.” He continued, “The other thing

Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor, Congratulations on the thorough coverage of Town Meeting in the March 7 issue. It was a friendly and productive day, and as always, a refreshing chance to experience direct democracy.

There is a correction needed. In the article, I was identified as “head of the Committee on Affordable Housing.”

That is not true. There is no Committee on Affordable Housing in Charlotte at this time. I could be described as a member of the working group formed last May by the Selectboard that was ably chaired by Peter Richardson and that proposed changes to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant making procedures.

As an advocate for affordable and senior housing in Charlotte, I have urged the Selectboard at each of the last three Town Meetings to do something to reactivate the Trust Fund. There have been no grants issued in over three years, leaving $139,000 of taxpayer money sitting idle in the bank. I am hopeful that the Selectboard will take action this year to put it to work.

Nancy Wood

we did, the document says the land will be open space and imposes conditions of managing a clayplain forest.” According to the town administrator’s report, due to a deadline related to Current Use, Mr. Hinsdale would like to convey one of the parcels created by the boundary adjustment prior to April 1. The interested party was present and introduced himself as Steve Schubart. Hinsdale said Schubart would be purchasing the former Bean farm property from him with the intent to raise cattle. McCarren asked, “[The agreement] allows for managed forest plan, who would approve that?” To which Hinsdale responded that the town could be one of the approvers. Tegatz asked if the Planning Commission had “weighed in” on the proposed open space agreement to which Bloch responded “they haven’t acted on it as a body.” The motion passed, with the condition upon Planning Commission approval.

The trails easement portion of the agenda item sparked discussion from two members of the public, as well as the Selectboard. Trails Committee Co-Chair Louise Thompson was in attendance to

field related questions. Hinsdale explained the proposed trail easement runs north and south along two of the parcels in the open space agreement, with the intent of providing access via Spear Street, and east and west along one parcel, with the intent of providing access via Hinesburg Road. Hinsdale said he has been in communication with the Trails Committee regarding the location of the trails easement. Concerns from the public included the safety of the trail exiting onto Spear Street and speeding. Thompson said they looked at sight lines on both roads, saying, “Certainly our preferred alignment would be to go up to Spear Street for safety purposes, but if that cannot happen, then the other easement on Hinesburg Road would have to be a safe second choice.” The trails easement was motioned and passed, with an amendment striking the words “trail bikes” from the document.

The meeting wound to a close with the public work session on the State Park Road portion of the Town Link Trail rescheduled to a later date.

Calendar Events Thursday, March 28

7th Annual “A Show of HANDS” features 100 decorated wooden hands adorning the walls at Penny Cluse Café during March. A silent auction of the hands will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. (bidding ends at 7:45).

The exhibit and auction benefit HANDS, a local nonprofit that provides food for older adults. Penny Cluse Café is located at 169 Cherry Street in Burlington. Hours to view the show are weekdays from 6:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more info or to donate, please go to handsvt.org. Special thanks to sponsors Nick Cowles, Penny Cluse Café, Jan and Mary Jane Rozendaal, and Peter Swift.

Learn how to reduce food waste from 6–8:30 p.m., $25, Richmond Community Kitchen 802-434-3445. Want to prepare healthy meals, reduce food waste and save time and money? Just by making

small changes in your cooking habits, you can do all these things and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. In this inspiring hands-on class, we’ll share the following tips and strategies to become more efficient in the kitchen and reduce food waste: meal planning, how to store foods properly, friending your freezer, loving your leftovers, understanding expiration dates, and no-recipe, batch, and scrap-based cooking. Come learn foodsaving techniques and help the U.S. meet its goal to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030. This is a pilot workshop designed to give Vermonters skills to reduce wasted food. It was developed by Shelburne Farms and Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation. You will be asked to complete a survey at the end to help determine how we can improve the workshop before bringing it to other parts of the state.

Friday, April 12

Annual Rummage Sale, North Ferrisburgh Methodist Church, 227 Old Hollow Road, Friday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 13, from 8 to 11 a.m.

Saturday is also “Take-Whatever-YouWant” day for a flat fee of $5.00 per person.

Proceeds support children and youth attending summer camps and mission trips.

Friday, April 26

Join members of Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services as they celebrate another great year of service to Charlotte and area towns at The Old Lantern, Greenbush Road, Charlotte. Cocktail hour at 6 p.m., dinner and awards at 7 p.m. followed by dancing with music by The Hitmen. Cash bar. Proceeds from ticket sales and a basket raffle will go toward community outreach and training support programs. Call 425-3111 to purchase your tickets. $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

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 experiences of its residents.

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Publisher: Vince Crockenberg Editorial Staff Managing Editor: Anna Cyr (anna@thecharlottenews.org) News Editor: Melissa O’Brien (melissa@thecharlottenews.org) Contributing Editor: Edd Merritt Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Vince Crockenberg Proofreaders: Edd Merritt, Mike & Janet Yantachka Contributing Photographers: Juliann Phelps and Matthew Bijur Business Staff Ad manager: Elizabeth Langfeldt (ads@thecharlottenews.org) Bookkeeper: Jessica Lucia (billing@thecharlottenews.org) Board Members President: Vince Crockenberg (vince@thecharlottenews.org) Vice President: Rick Detwiler Treasurer: Ted LeBlanc (treasurer@thecharlottenews.org) Board members: Bob Bloch, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli, Tom Tiller, Dave Quickel, John Quinney 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 $40 per calendar year.

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ON THE COVER

Mud season begins and Alexandra Phelps spent her morning enjoying the puddles on Friday, March 15.

Photo by Juliann Phelps

The Charlotte News • March 20, 2019 • 3

The other side of college bribery Much has been written recently about wealthy parents bribing college staff and lying about their offsprings’ talents in order to get them admitted to the supposedly hoity-toity, upper-tier schools. “If my daughter wasn’t admitted to Harvard, we have failed. Since we have the wherewithal, we’ll just pull a few strings.” These strings may mean cheating on entrance exams, paying for counseling that directs the applicant how to deal more effectively with admissions staff, promoting the student’s “jockdom” beyond its real level and carrying out nearly any unethical behavior that will help them gain the admission they feel they deserve.

Well, pulling strings for college admission is not a new game. For me it goes back almost 60 years. I didn’t know it at the time, but a friend of my father’s called the admission office of his alma mater to say I was applying, was a pretty good athlete and might be a good admission prospect. Unfortunately, I didn’t know until I got to campus and the football coach

called me to ask why I wasn’t at tryouts that that is what happened.

Fast forward about 12 years. I had just completed a master’s degree and was living in New York City. As part of my graduate work I had interned in a branch of City University (CUNY), and they hired me as an executive assistant to the dean.

As you may know, CUNY has a number of units—community colleges, four-year baccalaureate-granting institutions, and, in my case, an upper-division branch on Staten Island. These are open-enrollment/ open-admission institutions, accepting anyone who has a high school diploma or GED. The student bodies were not composed of advantaged students from wealthy backgrounds. There were those who may never have considered college but now, at the particular point in their lives, recognized that they needed to gain more formal learning. A good number were older than the average freshman and were looking to advance their work careers or learn new ones. Their primary attribute was motivation.

In many respects I served as a mentor

to them, helping them determine classes, meet faculty and use college in a supportive way. If they reached a point where they wondered what they were doing there, I helped them work through answers. I did not want them to bail. It was a most gratifying job for me. My graduate dean talked about a difference between schooling and learning, noting that the latter comes from a constellation of activities, not just in the classroom. Much of my own learning was coming through my students and fellow staff members.

These colleges countered the current fraud that individuals—parents and some college staff and other advisors—are perpetrating to give the institutions and themselves a high level of prestige. I felt that CUNY, although considered less prestigious by some people, generated a sense of learning and purpose among its student bodies, many of whose members were unfamiliar with what college meant when they started. The institutions created an environment specifically for these students, and the results served the city as well.

Planning Commission News discusses old town right of way Charlotte PUBLICATION DATES The

Juliann Phelps

The March 7 Planning Commission meeting included a sketch plan review for a right of way (ROW) located at 95 Inn Road and reconsideration of boundary adjustment for 4190 Mt. Philo Road, adjourning after lengthy discussion with both applicants.

Kim Locke of 95 Inn Road presented her sketch plan with adjacent neighbors and interested parties in attendance. Locke explained that, while she wants to sell her house, it was determined that her property has an existing ROW across it and that the septic mound system that was installed as a condition of her purchase of the property in 2011 is located on said ROW. Town Planner Daryl Benoit said he spoke with the Zoning Administrator and “they don’t necessarily check surveys before going through with the design … and on the ESI map (the waste water site plan submitted to the town by the company) doesn’t show the ROW or property boundaries.”

The Planning Commission then discussed the earlier site visit to Locke’s property as well as the limited historical information regarding the town’s creation of the ROW as a condition of the 1978 subdivision. Chair Peter Joslin said, “I looked at the staff details, and there is a reference to an original ROW that feasibly could be a town road. We don’t have any documentation from the town that this discussion occurred.” Planning Commission member Marty Illick said, “I

see this as a remnant of the past. Whatever we can do as a town to clean this up would be beneficial.” It was determined that the sketch plan review would continue as the commission will request legal counsel to weigh in.

The second agenda item, reconsideration of boundary adjustment, was presented by landowner Gill Barlow.

He requested adjustments to two of three lots he owns on Mt. Philo Road as a “housekeeping” activity. According to Barlow, the boundary adjustments in acreage would allow “Lot 1 to go from 13.338 to 13.293, and lot 2 to go from 9.956 to 10.001.” This application, along with the commission’s previous decision letter to the landowner, resulted in a lengthy discussion among the commission and applicant specifically around building envelopes. Barlow said, “Building envelopes are unwarranted and unprecedented…. And the requirement for building envelopes was not discussed in the final hearing.” Joslin agreed, noting, “We should have brought it up at the hearing.” The motion to close the reconsideration of boundary adjustment was motioned and approved.

In other business, Benoit presented a change to Chapter 2 in the draft Town Plan, suggesting planning-specific language to a section related to areas of high public value. The commission agreed with his recommendation, which will be submitted back to the town for possible inclusion in the draft Town Plan. The commission adjourned for deliberations.

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Sympathy

is extended to family and friends of Ian deGroot who died from cancer on February 27 at the age of 62. A development officer at the University of Vermont and later a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, Ian was also a gifted athlete, assisting his wife, Amy, in coaching the CVU tennis teams. His surviving family includes Amy and their children, Tabor and Kylie, as well as his sister Erica Lustgarten.

A celebration of his life is scheduled for June 29 at the Ira Allen Chapel on the campus of the University of Vermont. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in his memory give to the UVM Cancer Center in Ian’s honor. is extended to family and friends of Levi Brown of Queensbury, NY, who passed away February 16 at the age of 78. A gifted athlete, he received an athletic scholarship to attend UVM where he captained the baseball team. He played minor league ball upon graduation and was inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. His surviving family includes his daughter Tracy Brown of Charlotte.

The family asks that those wishing to make a donation in his memory do so to the Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130, Williston, VT 05495. Donations may also be made online at the family’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising page. is extended to family and friends of Mary Jane Spooner who died March 3 at the age of 90. Following her husband Roy’s service in the Army in Texas, they moved back to Vermont where they operated a dairy farm and raised their family. Mary Jane also worked at the Old Brick Store and later at the Charlotte Family Health Center.

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Around Town

4 • March 20, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Report From The Legislature Your opinion matters Since former Senator Bill Doyle is no longer able to conduct the Doyle Poll, a tradition of Town Meetings in Vermont, Mike Yantachka I decided to create a survey STATE REP. that would help me gauge the opinion of my constituents with respect to some of the issues currently under consideration by the Legislature. About the same number of people as last year took the survey, so I want to thank the 120 folks who shared their opinions this year.

Clearly, there is strong support for a 48-hour waiting period for gun purchases, for gradually raising the minimum wage, for a fee to support clean water initiatives, and for a tax-and-regulate system for marijuana sales. The question about whether affordable child care is an issue was answered by respondents of all ages, including many who no longer require child care for their children.

Comments from some of the respondents spoke to the cost of child care and the impact of having to stop working to stay at home. Several persons who answered “No” commented that their grown children find it

Here are the results of the poll in Charlotte.

Q#

Question

Yes %

No %

1 2

Are you satisfied with your internet speed at home?

Should Vermont establish a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program for all employees?

Do you support gradually increasing the minimum wage from the current $10.67/hr to $15/hr over the next 5 years?

Do you think there should be a 48-hour waiting period to purchase a gun?

Would you be willing to pay 4 cents more per gallon of gasoline to maintain municipal roads?

Would you support a fee based on the size of development to fund cleaning up our lakes and rivers?

Do you support a tax and regulate system for recreational marijuana sales?

Do you support efforts to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to address climate change?

Would you support an increase of 4 cents per gallon on gasoline and home heating oil to fund incentives for electric vehicle purchases and home weatherization assistance?

Is lack of affordable child care an issue for your family?

60 54

30 28

Not Sure % 10 18

73

18

9

82

16

2

62

24

14

73

17

10

71

18

11

75

17

8

51

36

13

13

79

8

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

difficult to afford child care.

Establishing a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program for employees was favored by a 2 to 1 margin, but almost 20% were not sure. There are three different proposals under consideration—including a voluntary program favored by the Governor—each with different coverage and costs for employees and employers.

This week the House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee voted out H.107, which is now being reviewed by the Ways and Means Committee.

While 60% of respondents are satisfied with their internet speed at home, the 30% who are not indicates a need for improvement. It was surprising that even some fiber customers were dissatisfied.

Checking internet speed with a speed test application like highspeedinternet.com/ tools/speed-test and conferring with your Internet Service Provider may help identify a problem with your connection.

Questions 5, 8 and 9 were interesting as a group. Four cents per gallon of gasoline is well within the price differences seen on

Shelburne Road, and much smaller than price shifts we can see over a few weeks.

Heating oil prices ranged from $2.75/gal to $3/gal this winter. Respondents were much more accepting of a 4-cent increase to raise revenue for maintaining municipal roads than they were for helping Vermonters reduce fossil fuel consumption in home heating and transportation. At the same time, many of the “No” votes on question 9 voted “Yes” on question 8, supporting efforts to address climate change. It may be easier to relate to the damage being done to our vehicles by potholes and to spend money to fix them in the short term than it is to relate to future economic impacts of a changing climate and spend the same amount. Unfortunately, we are already seeing those impacts in extreme weather events, increasing insurance premiums, longer and hotter summers, and invasive plants and insects in our environment.

As your representative in Montpelier, I appreciate your input on these and other issues. Your comments help me look at issues from several perspectives, and that is a valuable opportunity for me. You can always contact me by phone at 802233-5238 or email me at myantachka. dfa@gmail.com. This article and others I’ve written can be found at my website, MikeYantachka.com.

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The Charlotte News • March 20, 2019 • 5

Town WARNING FOR PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING FOR AUSTRALIAN BALLOT ARTICLE TO BE VOTED AT A SPECIAL MEETING TOWN OF CHARLOTTE The Selectboard of the Town of Charlotte hereby gives notice that a public informational hearing will be held on Monday, April 8, 2019 beginning at 7:15 p.m. at the Charlotte Town Hall, 159 Ferry Road, Charlotte, Vermont, to hear questions regarding Article 3 of the Warning for the Town of Charlotte Special Town Meeting to be held on April 9, 2019, which states: Article 3: Will the Town adopt the Selectboard’s budget of $3,264,779 for the fiscal year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 of which an anticipated sum of $1,881,785 will be raised by taxes and an anticipated sum of $1,382,994 will be raised by non-tax revenues?

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.

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE REQUEST FOR BIDS and BID FORM TO REMOVE POTENTIAL HAZARD ROADSIDE ASH TREES LAKE ROAD FROM THOMPSON’S POINT ROAD TO FERRY ROAD Issued: March 12, 2019 Project Description To remove potential hazard ash trees from the roadside of Lake Road from Thompson’s Point Road to Ferry Road (see spreadsheet).

Deadline for Bid Submission: All bids must be submitted to the Charlotte Town Office by Monday April 8, 2019 at 6:00 PM. Please see bid submission information on the Bid Form.

Complete Bid Package A complete bid packet may be obtained by down-loading it from the Town website at www.charlottevt.org, or at the Charlotte Town Office, 159 Ferry Road, Charlotte, or by calling or emailing Dean Bloch, Town Administrator, at 425-3071 ext. 5 or dean@townofcharlotte.com.

WARNING TOWN OF CHARLOTTE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 9, 2019 The legal voters of the Town of Charlotte are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Charlotte Central School Multi-Purpose Room in said Town on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 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 article as approved at the annual meeting on March 5, 2019: Article 3: Will the Town adopt the Selectboard’s budget of $3,264,779 for the fiscal year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 of which an anticipated sum of $1,881,785 will be raised by taxes and an anticipated sum of $1,382,994 will be raised by non-tax revenues?

Dated this 7th day of March, 2019 at Charlotte, Vermont.

Town of Charlotte Selectboard

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6 • March 20, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Gardening

Composting: the humane alternative

Vera Maloney Houseplants are the bane of many very accomplished gardeners. Perhaps there should be a bumper sticker—Houseplants: Compost Them.

This is the time of year when we look with a mix of horror, sadness and defeat at the plants entrusted to our care. The glories of composting make the inevitable easier.

Seriously, banana peels and apple cores are happy to be composted, so why not

houseplants?

In fairness, Vermont is a tough place for houseplants, especially in the dry interior climate during the winter. Most houseplants are tropical beauties that need warmth and humidity. Like most gardening, celebrate plants that are flourishing and admire the great gardeners who succeed with house plants.

This is a good time to inventory houseplants, and Dr. Kevorkian aside, triage. The sun is at a higher angle and there is generally more light. For the

successful plants, ask what worked. A good location, the right music and not too much news? Pebbles in the saucer to add humidity? The cat did not pee on them?

An option is a severe cut back. An “heleba.” It is amazing how new foliage sprouts from a well-pruned houseplant.

Another option is propagation.

Geraniums and Christmas cacti, among others, are good candidates. Make a clean cut below a node, dip in propagation powder and plant in fresh clean soil and clean pot. Keep moist but not wet.

Though it requires courage on the gardener’s part, composting may be the best alternative. The plant will have a reincarnation and you will feel so much better. That said, there are houseplants that we simply cannot let go of because of the source of the plant such as a loved one, an ex significant other or our stubborn nature.

However, If the plants are invested with mealybug, scale or aphids do not compost but bag and put in the garbage.

Speaking of bugs here are some tips:

Mealybug: Either longtail or citrus appear as a white mess on and under leaves and stems. Use a swab soaked in alcohol to kill them and then rinse the plant in the sink.

Scale: Appears on stem and leaves as raised brown spots. It appears on the veins in the neophyte form as a very light brown.

If the leaf is broad, use a rag in soap and water and wash off. If too narrow use alcohol and swab.

Aphids: UGH!! To prevent spread put a plastic bag over the plant and then take the plant into the shower or the sink and drown the suckers (Well, that is what they are!).

Other basic houseplant advice is to not overwater, change the pot and soil out every other year or so, trim dead leaves and play their favorite music.

Even though my houseplants are now angry at me, they, of course, did something endearing. A begonia just bloomed! The rest of you in my house prepare for reincarnations!

Charlotte Selectboard draft agenda Monday, March 25, 2019 At the Charlotte Town Hall – 159 Ferry Road

Agenda is subject to change—check agenda posted on charlottevt.org on the Friday prior to meeting for final agenda Reasonable accommodation shall be provided upon request to ensure this meeting is accessible to all individuals regardless of disability.

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Times are approximate 6:00 p.m. Interviews for Appointments Dave Marshall—reappointment to West Charlotte Village Wastewater Committee for term ending April 30, 2021

Kate Lampton—reappointment to West Charlotte Village Wastewater Committee for term ending April 30, 2021

Mark Dillenbeck—reappointment as Tree Warden for term ending April 30, 2020

Stephany Hasse—reappointment to the Trails Committee for term ending April 30, 2021

Chris Davis—reappointment as Emergency Management Director for term ending April 30, 2020

Shawn Coyle—reappointment to the Planning Commission for term ending April 30, 2023

Deirdre Holmes—reappointment to the Energy Committee for term ending April 30, 2021

Matthew Burke—reappointment to the Energy Committee for term ending April 30, 2021 6:30 p.m. Request for Bids to Reconstruct Playground at the Town Beach 6:45 p.m. Selection of contractor to replace the westerly section of fence around the Barber Hill Cemetery (West Burying Ground) 7:00 p.m. Adjustments to the agenda 7:01 p.m. Public Comment 7:05 p.m. Opening of bids for mowing and brush-hogging contracts 7:15 p.m. Opening of agricultural lease proposals for Thompson’s Point 7:20 p.m. RaceVermont.com—application 5K, 10K & ½ Marathon on September 7, 2019 on Orchard Road and Lake Road 7:25 p.m. Cycle4CMT—application for fundraising bicycle ride on August 25, 2019 on Greenbush Road, Ferry Road, Lake Road, Spear Street, Hinesburg Road, Mt. Philo Road, Church Hill Road 7:30 p.m. Continuation of Public Hearing for proposed amendment to the Town Plan (primarily related to energy use, generation and siting) 8:30 p.m. Bond for Ambulance 8:45 p.m. Minutes 8:50 p.m. Selectboard updates 8:55 p.m. Approve warrants to pay bills 9:00 p.m. Adjournment Members: Matthew Krasnow, Chair; Louise McCarren; Carrie Spear; Fritz Tegatz; Frank Tenney Town Administrator: Dean Bloch Minute Taker: Lynn Monty Next meetings: April 8 @ 6:00 PM; April 22 @ 6:00 PMMembers: Matthew Krasnow; Lane Morrison; Carrie Spear; Fritz Tegatz; Frank Tenney Town administrator: Dean Bloch. Minute taker: Lynn Monty Next meetings: March 4, 6:30 p.m. Public Informational Hearing for Australian ballot articles @ CCS, March 5, 9 a.m. Town Meeting @ CCS, March 7, 7 p.m. Special Meeting March 11, 7 p.m. Regular Meeting

The Charlotte News • March 20, 2019 • 7

Health Matters Measles: What’s the big deal?

Jim Hyde

The headline in The Guardian on March 1 screamed: “ ‘God knows how I’m alive’:” How a teen defied his parents to get vaccinated. Driven by his own curiosity and facilitated by friends, Ethan Lindenberger turned 18 and asked, “Where do I go to get vaccinated?” Most teens upon reaching the age of emancipation might look forward to a rite of passage such as voting or buying a beer.

Ethan found a clinic and got his recommended vaccines.

He battled his mother for years about her refusal to have him immunized. According to her, vaccines were “some kind of government scheme backed by Big Pharma.” She knew this because of her reliance on Facebook for vaccine information. The State of Ohio further enabled her by allowing her to refuse vaccines for her kids for philosophical or religious reasons. (Vermont currently permits only medical or religious exemptions.) This story occurs against the back drop of 228 confirmed measles cases in the United States since January 1, the majority from five states.

Measles is highly contagious; a single infected person can transmit the disease to 12 to 18 others in an unvaccinated population.

Nor is it trivial. Measles cannot only make someone very sick, it can lead to complications such as swelling of the brain, pneumonia and death. In 1968, I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, and there was a measles outbreak in my village. In a single week three children under five died within sight of my house. The frustrating part is that in 2000 the U.S. was declared “measles free” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to the wide availability of a vaccine developed in the mid-60s and to laws and regulations requiring immunizations for all school-age children.

But vaccines don’t just protect the recipient, they break the chain of transmission of disease in a population. If there are no susceptible people, then transmission can’t take place. In short, people who are vaccinated shield other

family members, neighbors and coworkers through so-called “herd immunity.” Different diseases require different percentages of the population to be immunized in order to avoid disease breakout— usually greater than 97 percent.

As a consequence, small pockets of unvaccinated people can produce major disease clusters. It has been reported that in some of the affected areas with recent outbreaks immunization rates are as low as 70 percent.

So how did we reach this point less than 20 years after measles were declared eliminated?

Part of the answer is complacency; once diseases like measles and polio were eliminated, they fell off of people’s worry agenda. Also important is the re-emergence of the anti-vaccine movement in this country.

(There has been some anti-vaccine sentiment ever since the time of Edward Jenner in the 1790s). But it was the long-debunked allegation by Dr. Andrew Wakefield in 1998 that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine was associated with an increased incidence of autism that caused the virulent re-emergence of anti-vaccination sentiment.

Here it’s worth noting that a major new study published last week in the Annals of Internal Medicine, which followed 657,461 Danish children, found no increased risk for autism, no evidence of “triggering of autism” and no clustering of autism cases. (The story can be found in the March 6 issue of The New York Times.) This study simply re-affirms earlier results published in 2002 that found no greater incidence of autism in 537,303 children, some who were vaccinated and some who were not.

“

All of this confirms what has been long been accepted by the scientific community.

But there is a war going on in the world today for our ears, eyes and minds. Data and facts have been hijacked, weaponized and delivered, using both social and traditional media.

The word “fake” has entered into our lexicon with a vengeance and is now used universally to describe things one does not agree with regardless of the veracity or source. This has led to dismissing, devaluing and demonizing the work of even our most precious democratic institutions. Sadly, it has also undermined the credibility of public health agencies such as the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.

As Ethan Lindenberger tells his story, it was his mother’s reliance on social media as her principal source of information that shaped and solidified her views. As a result of heightened scrutiny of social media platforms, it has been reported that Pinterest is now blocking all searches on vaccination, Facebook is considering removing anti-vaccination content, while YouTube is pulling ads from all anti-vaccine videos.

All of this is well and good, but it is crazy to suggest that censoring certain sites on certain platforms is a solution. For one, a strategy of curtailing access to information in an open society never has worked and never will work. (Clearly, there are some exceptions: child pornography, political dirty tricks, videos of journalist killings.) Who will be the gatekeeper, who gets to decide what information gets through and what does not?

Do we set up and maintain information filters

Vaccines don’t just protect the recipient, they break the chain of transmission of disease in a population. If there are no susceptible people, then transmission can’t take place.

”

for every possible controversial subject from climate science to addiction?

It might be better to teach our kids to think critically about what they see and read.

A more effective and immediate strategy is simply to close the loopholes in existing state regulations. Every state accepts the fact that there are legitimate medical reasons that a child should not receive a particular vaccine. Some states, such as Vermont, have also eliminated the philosophical exemption that allowed parents to simply express their disagreement with the currently recommended CDC immunization guidelines; currently, 17 states permit these exemptions. States that have eliminated the philosophical exemption have seen an increase in immunization rates.

However, the elimination of the philosophical exemption has also led to an increase in requests for religious exemptions.

For example, in Vermont, religious exemption requests jumped from 0.9 percent to 3.7 percent after the philosophical exemption was removed. Vermont H.238, currently under consideration in the Vermont Legislature, would close that loophole. In doing so, we would join California, Mississippi and West Virginia (17 other states are considering removing that loophole). In the case of California, removal of both religious and philosophical exemptions led to an increase of immunizations rates and a “precipitous” drop in measles cases.

No child should be denied access to these lifesaving and effective biologic agents no matter how well intentioned an adult caretaker may be. Neither should our greater society be denied the benefits that come from herd immunity. We live in a pluralistic society in which we are all required to make concessions from time to time for the benefit of all. With rare exceptions, vaccines have been shown to be safe, reliable and effective. Clearly, the state has a compelling interest to act in the best interest of not just the child but of us all.

Jim Hyde is professor emeritus of public health at the Tufts University School of Medicine. He lives in Charlotte.

Hinesburg, VT Homeowner Recommends Bristol Electronics Before we met the great folks at Bristol Electronics, we initially made contact with one of the ‘popular’ solar installers here in Vermont. You may know them. When we finally decided to move on, a recommendation from a neighbor to contact Bristol Electronics caught our attention.

From the moment the Bristol Electronics technician stepped foot on our property and then proceeded to spend three hours looking over our property and answering our questions, I knew these folks were different from the rest. The second site visit to review options sealed it for us. By the time the company owner left, nearly eight hours had been invested in us. No empty promises. No hard sell. Just straightforward, down-to-earth conversation about the best approach. It was really enjoyable to talk to the staff and everyone was so personally engaging. It is an added benefit that Bristol Electronics handles the entire installation from A to Z. No subcontractors to deal with. No multiple layers of staff to get lost among.

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8 • March 20, 2019 • The Charlotte News

On Books Some good reads for your listening pleasure I don’t know what there is about Kevin Hart. I just love him. Since I first encountered him in the movie, Get Hard (my kids laugh at me for how much Katherine Arthaud I went so crazy over that movie), I can’t get enough of him. I mean it; I love him. Imagine my delight when I discovered that he had written a book, I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons. I confess that I didn’t actually read this book, I listened to it; and I would highly recommend that others do the same. It’s narrated by the author, and what could be better than that? The only trouble with listening to it is that I have no pages at hand from which to pull some of the author’s own words.

But please trust me, this book is excellent. Elle called the book “hilarious and heartfelt,” and I couldn’t put it better myself. The story begins in North Philadelphia, where Hart was born

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to two parents who really didn’t want him and were pretty much done with each other, as well. His father was a drug dealer, often in jail. His older brother was a drug dealer and a thief. And his mother (who did the lion’s share of raising him) was jaw-droppingly strict, yet (spoiler alert) he does a whole lot of thanking her near the end. Out of this dubious and difficult beginning sprouts this unstoppable and unique dynamo of humanity who makes his way, step by step—selling shoes, telling jokes, being outrageous, lucking out, making friends, failing miserably, losing friends, performing tirelessly over and over and night after night at various comedy clubs, working hard hard hard—toward stardom. Today his tours sell out football stadiums and his movies have made billions. Hart talks (and shouts) us through the story of his life with non-stop humor and big enthusiasm, and despite all his extravagant and ebullient grandiosity, a generous dose of humility and compassion for others is sprinkled throughout. “These are the stories behind the jokes,” Hart writes in the Introduction, “and a few lessons I’ve figured out about life, success, family, and relationships along the way. Actually, I’m still working on the relationship part but the rest I got down.”

Kevin Hart is The Man. This book is excellent. Funny. Inspiring. Listen up!

I actually don’t know what’s gotten into me lately, but another book I’ve been listening to these winter days, as I drive

back and forth from here to there, is the story of another big star. (I’ve been really Hollywooding lately, I guess...) I have never been a huge Robin Williams fan. I mean, I always liked him fine and have certainly appreciated, at least to some degree, his work over the years (especially his role in Mrs. Doubtfire, one of my favorite movies), but two people whose opinions on books I value and whose taste I tend to share recommended this biography of Williams, Robin—the one by Dave Itzkoff, not to be confused with the numerous other books about Robin Williams that are out there.

It’s excellent, and provides a heartwarming, heartbreaking, eye-opening window into the life of a truly extraordinary (and I really do mean extra-ordinary) member of our species. The more I learn about Williams (I am not yet done listening to this one), the more intrigued I become by his crazily innovative riffs, his ability to spontaneously draw on literature, modern culture, slang, history, politics at the drop of a hat, his frequent inability to stick to a script without spinning out in a frenzy of improvisation— and the more fascinated I become by the rich and complex human being who lived and breathed behind the many masks, riffs, characters and personas he donned and dwelled in over his lifetime.

Williams was kind, complicated, beloved, melancholy, romantic and manic.

He was a genius; sometimes addicted,

sometimes depressive; mesmerizing, and sometimes crazy-making. I was particularly interested to learn about his childhood. He had a strict, disciplined dad and a mom with a sparkle in her eye and a lovely way about her, which (I know) is way oversimplifying things, but that’s just me trying to keep down the word count. Though he often spoke of himself as an only child, it was true that he was the only child of his particular mother and father; he has some half-siblings.

Thus, he spent a good deal of time alone, playing with his armies of toy soldiers, making up dialogues, battle scenes and back stories in a solitary attic room of the large house where his family lived for a time. This is a really interesting, well-developed and wellresearched book. It’s quite detailed, but not at all boring; and it’s long, but not too long. When I am done, I plan to go back and watch some of the movies I have seen before and didn’t fully appreciate (as well as watch some I have never seen), now that I know more about the man and what drove him, and what he loved and feared and wanted and disliked, and how it all played out for him over time. I am so sad to know how the story ends, but I am not there yet.

If you like biographies, I recommend this highly. The Audible version is very well read by Fred Berman.

In keeping with the general movies/ showbiz theme here, I also read this past month a book whose movie counterpart I had already seen. Often I find that I far prefer and value the book over the movie, but in this case, I really loved book and movie equivalently. (A high school math teacher once told our class that the word “equally” is inaccurately and over used, and that the more accurate word would, in most cases, be “equivalently,” which means: nearly, but not exactly, like.) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a young adult read (but don’t let that deter you adults from picking it up), narrated by a 16-year-old girl/young woman named Starr Carter, who lives in a poor black neighborhood and goes to school at a fancy suburban prep school where the students are mostly rich and white. I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who has yet to hear it, so I will leave it at that, but both book and movie do a great job taking on issues of race, income disparity, police brutality, death, courage, the importance of see BOOKS page 11

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The Charlotte News • March 20, 2019 • 9

Charlotte Library News third book in by Robertson Davies. Copies available at the library circulation desk.

Mac Mondays: Personalize Your Computer Monday, March 25, 10 a.m.

Join Melissa Mendelsohn of Orchard Road Computers for a primer on basic settings on your Mac laptop. Learn how to customize your Mac to suit your needs using Mac’s System Preferences. Learn how to “tweak” your desktop and screen saver, dock and notifications. Please bring your Mac laptop and your power cord. Registration required, call 425-3864 or email charlottelibraryvt@ gmail.com.

Margaret Woodruff DIRECTOR

Story Time Tuesdays: Baby Time at 9 a.m.

Join us at the Charlotte Library to share and enjoy songs and stories for babies and their caregivers.

Preschool Story Time at 10:30 a.m.

Drop-in sessions with stories, crafts, songs & fun. For ages 3 to 5.

Walking Each Other Home Book Discussion Mondays, March 25 & April 1, 10-11:30 a.m.

Taken from Ram Dass’s quote, “we are all just walking each other home,” this book shows us “how death gives us an unparalleled opening to cultivate gratitude, compassion, mindfulness, and an abiding joy in the simple beauty of living.” Poet and hospice activist Pam MacPherson facilitates our conversations. Copies of the book available at the Charlotte Library.

Meets at Charlotte Senior Center. NOTE: This is a repeat offering of the January book group.

Drawdown Book Discussion Mondays, April 1 & 8, 7 p.m.

The Charlotte Library joins the New York Library Association for a reading of Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. The book provides our community with the opportunity to come together in conversation around sciencebased solutions that can help them take purposeful action with focus. Co-sponsored with the Charlotte Energy Committee.

Copies of Drawdown are available at the library circulation desk.

Cabin Fever Book Club/Breakout EDU Tuesdays, March 12 through April 2.

Meet up at the CCS Library to share your favorite books and get creative with some fun and crafty book projects. For grades 5-8. Sign up through the Charlotte Central School Library.

Soup Supper: Lewis Mudge: Human Rights & Individual Experience Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 p.m.

Join us at 5:30 in the church vestry for a potluck dinner. This is sponsored by The Charlotte Congregational Church and The Charlotte Library. Please bring your friends and RSVP to charlotteucc@gmavt.net, indicating what you’re bringing.

Men’s Book Group: Killers of the Flower Moon Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.

This month the gents are discussing this true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history.

Coding Club Returns!

Thursday, March 21-April 18, 3:15 p.m.

Art. Design. Coding. Creating art doesn’t always happen with a paintbrush or a pencil. Sometimes, art is made with a computer. Join Coding Club to learn how to create artistic, interactive, and fun computer programs. You’ll spray paint graffiti, make animations, create interactive paintings, make a photo image filter, and more. Beginners welcome! 4th grade & up. Space is limited, registration required.

Please email or call the library at 425.3864.

Library Book Discussion: World of Wonders Thursday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.

We finish up the winter season with he

Japanese Book Binding Workshop Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m.

If you’d like to try your hand at making books, Japanese book binding is a perfect place to start. These books are elegant in their simplicity, don’t require many tools, are endlessly customizable, and are fun to make! We will make models of several different sewing patterns, then use one of the patterns to create a handy, pocket-size travel journal with decorative paper covers.

No prior experience required. Please call the library to sign up.

Windows Wednesday: Personalize Your Computer Wednesday, March 27, 10 a.m.

Join Melissa Mendelsohn of Orchard Road Computers for a primer on basic settings on your Windows 10 laptop. Learn how to customize your computer to suit your needs using Windows 10 Settings. Learn how to “tweak” your system, personalization, and notification settings. Please bring your Windows 10 laptop and power cord.

Registration required, call 425-3864 or email charlottelibraryvt@gmail.com. All library programs are free and open to the public.

Library Project Open House Wednesday, March 27, 5 p.m.

We are very excited about the next phase of the library expansion plan! Please join the Charlotte Library Board of Trustees and the Friends of the Charlotte Library for an informational open house on Wednesday,

March 27, at 5 p.m. John Hemmelgarn, the architect from Black River Design, will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the details.

ParentIng Book Discussion: Beautiful Boy and Tweak Wednesday, March 27, 6 p.m.

ParentIN CVSD and the Charlotte Library are hosting a book discussion featuring two different memoirs, one by a father and one by his son, both recounting the harrowing impact the son’s drug addiction has on their lives. Readers can choose between Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey through his Son’s Addiction by David Sheff or Tweak: Growing up on Methamphetamines

by Nic Sheff. Pizza dinner provided.

Participation is encouraged for ages 16+.

Ticks & Human Interaction: Be Tick Smart Tuesday, April 2, 6:30 p.m.

The spread of tickborne diseases to humans, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, is on the rise in Vermont.

“Be Tick Smart” and learn about tickborne diseases and how to prevent tick bites with Kate Hammond from the Vermont Department of Health. Presented in collaboration with Carpenter-Carse Library as part of our Supporting a Healthy Community from Head to Toe series.

(Funded in part by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Cooperative Agreement Number UG4LM012347 with the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester.)

Coming in April: It’s Elementary Book Group for Grades 1 & 2, Shakespeare Reading, Poetry Appreciation, Composting and more!

Looking for information about the library addition? Stop in to get the latest details about our plans!

Charlotte Library Information: Margaret Woodruff, Director Cheryl Sloan, Youth Services Librarian Susanna Kahn, Tech Services Librarian

10 • March 20, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Outdoors

Ride the waves and break the ice

Louise McCarren For an adventure and a thrill, ride the Charlotte-Essex ferry when the lake is frozen. Of course you cannot ride waves, because the lake is frozen over and even the weather bureau does not forecast wave heights.

Lake Champlain does not freeze over every year, but this year it has, creating the opportunity to ride the ferry as it cuts through the ice on its way to Essex. Twice in the last month I had the privilege of riding the ferry as a foot passenger on its first run in the morning after particularly cold nights.

By the time you read this the ice, given the warmth and rain, may be broken up.

Park at the commuter parking lot and take a short walk to the ferry. Buy your inexpensive ticket on board. Before you board, take a long look around. The buoys in the bay are frozen in, the lake is a white palette, and the ferry is already groaning as it bubbles the water behind it and puts on steam for the crossing. Look west to the Adirondacks in their first morning light.

Spot Marcy, Dix and Whiteface mountains.

The crew is very friendly and may let you on a bit early to go to the cabin and be warm. If you are very lucky, your crew

Photos by Louise McCarren

Crew member Lea Coggio

will include Lea Coggio, a magnificent ferry persona. She has been captain, crew member and spark of happiness for many years. She walks to the ferry from

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her house. Her legend includes paddling a canoe up the lake in very high waves to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Lake Champlain’s discovery by Europeans. Well, of course, by Samuel de Champlain.

The ferry moans and groans as it warms up. In the aft of the ferry in an open bubble are ducks, the brave and few seeking open water during the winter? Are these the animal counterparts of the humans who do not go south in the winter. The inverse of snow birds?

You can stay warm and look out the windows or brave the cold and be on the deck. Pretend that you are the captain.

There is a clear channel across the lake that has been forged many times, but now has a new cover of ice. Giant chunks of ice line the path but are pushed aside by the ferry.

A frozen landscape as far as you can see

The

looking north to Sloop Island and South to Split Rock. It will (thankfully) not last as the weather warms and the ice rots.

As you approach Essex you will see even more ducks gathered in any open water, many species together. To the north of the ferry dock look for a yellow house that has a bubbler and a mass of ducks gathered there. On one trip there was an eagle in a tree obviously looking for breakfast.

After the ferry docks new passengers will board. During the week it may be school children commuting to Vermont.

Watching them with their musical instruments and energy makes you smile.

On the return trip look east to the Greens and pick out Mansfield, Camel’s Hump and Mt. Abraham.

Go ride the ferry anytime!

Charlotte News

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The Charlotte News • March 20, 2019 • 11

BOOKS continued from page 8 family and community, and telling the truth to power. The movie made me cry. The book is a blockbuster.

A classic. Highly recommend.

Last but not least, I want to mention another book I have read recently: We All Loved Cowboys, by Carol Bensimon (translated from the Portuguese

by Beth Fowler). This is a very unusual read. At first, I couldn’t quite wrap myself around it—it seemed so odd and bleak, somehow—but just a few pages into it, I found I could not put it down. The plot is rather spare: two friends reunite for a road trip through Brazil. Sounds simple enough, but it’s really not simple at all.

Over time, as the two women travel across the countryside visiting obscure, off-the-grid Brazilian towns and villages, their friendship is revealed, little by little, as having a complex and unresolved history.

The author conveys well the anxiety, mystery, shifting power dynamics, and subterranean dramas that are part and parcel of certain relationships. Discomfiting, poetic,

resonant, haunting. I loved this book. “I was driving. Julia had her feet on the dashboard. I could only look at her occasionally. When she didn’t know the words to the song, she hummed instead.

‘You’ve changed your hair,’ I said, glancing at her bangs.

Julia replied: ‘About two years ago, Cora.’ We laughed as we climbed into the hills. That was the start of our journey.” I recommend this one, highly.

Well, that’s enough for now. It’s late and I can feel sleep tugging at me. Tomorrow, hopefully some cross-country skiing. I love snow, and you really have to seize the day when we have some, it seems.

Hope you are all enjoying these late winter/early spring days. Before you know it, we’ll be paddle-boarding and complaining about the heat.

Meanwhile, happy, happy reading, and very best wishes.

Oh, and, as Kevin Hart says, “If life gives you s*&^t sandwiches…don’t open your mouth.”

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12 • March 20, 2019 • The Charlotte News

Sports Winter sports end with wins and losses

You can’t say that CVU’s winter sports teams didn’t give Edd Merritt other Division I schools a good run for their money in several sports.

Women’s basketball, after going undefeated in the regular season, once again faced St. Johnsbury Academy in the state finals, and for the second year in a row the Hilltoppers made them pay.

The Redhawks went into the game ranked #1 but came out at the bottom end of a 42-35 score. Backcourter Josie Choiniere (13 points), Gatorade Player of the Year, Sadie Stetson (12 points), and three-point specialist Neva Bostic (10 points) led the Toppers. CVU on the other hand hit more three-pointers than it did twos in the second half to keep the game within range. Mekkena Boyd’s 10 points led the Hawks, followed by Catherine Gilwee with nine and Harper Mead with six.

Redhawk women Nordic skiers glided second behind Mount Mansfield Union after the final day’s relays. CVU’s scoring totaled 108 to MMU’s 98 and ahead of third-place Mount Anthony’s 168.

The men came in fourth behind Mount Anthony, Brattleboro and BFA-St. Albans.

Emma Strack’s fourth-place finish led the Redhawk women individuals with Finn Mittelstadt behind her in fifth.

Jared Leonard’s fifth place and Jonathan McAuliffe’s 10th were the top individual finishes among the men.

While we’re on the subject of skiing, we’ll turn to the NCAA Championships at Stowe where Charlotter and St. Michael’s student Colby Jordan finished 21st in the men’s slalom. Colby skied against racers from across the country with the top slalom finishers from Denver

E N RI C H TH E LIFE YO U LIV E O UTD O O RS

CVU girl’s Alpine ski team. Back from left to right: Chloe Noble, Annika Socia, Alice Sperber, Binney Patton, Olivia Zubarik. Front row: Anna Casavant, Lena Sauter, Gretchen Kogut, Danielle Cumming, Claire Smith (missing Taylor Blodorn and Margaret Anderson).

Photo contributed

University, Alaska Anchorage and the University of New Mexico.

CVU men’s hockey pulled off a quarterfinal upset over perennial power BFA-St. Albans, knocking off the secondranked Bobwhites in overtime, 1-0 on a goal by Jake Schaefer at 38 seconds into the period. Goal tender Logan Cody stopped 43 shots for the shutout.

CVU’s semi-final loss to Rice was equally close with the tables turned and the Green Knights defeating the Hawks 1-0. This time Cody was called upon to make 25 fewer saves than he did against BFA. With CVU women’s hockey playing in the Division II bracket, the fifthranked Redhawks found themselves facing fourth-ranked Harwood in the

state quarterfinals. The Highlanders broke a 1-1 tie in the second period to go on to a 4-2 victory. Payton Skillen and Alicia Veranneau scored the Redhawk goals, and Kiley McClure stopped 14 shots.

Who gives a JackJump about it?

In the state championship game against St. Johnsbury, Charlotter Maryn Askew (5) shoots over the block of another Charlotter, Ella Woodruff (20).

Photo by Al Frey

The Bunten brothers, Craig and Alex, led the Mt. Philo Jack Jump team to victory in the Mount Snow World Championship for the third year running. Craig topped the race for the men, and his teammate, Callie Douglas, won the women’s title. Other team members included Craig’s brother (and former Charlotte News editor) Alex Bunten and Sean Hirten as well as Callie.

Hirten and Alex took ninth and tenth places respectively. The son of a former Charlotter, Donovan Richardson (father David) also competed.

The race took place at Charlie’s Chase at Mt. Snow and is a tight slalom course.

This year, the race’s 39th, had nearly 60 Jack Jumpers.

Jack Jumping is an old Vermont tradition stemming from lumberjacks building seats out of scrap wood and using barrel staves for skis to “jump” down the mountain. In other parts of the world it may be called “Skibock” or sit ski.

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At the summit of Mt Snow. Left to right: Alex Bunten, Callie Douglas, Craig Bunten, Sean Hirten, Donovan Richardson, Dave Richardson.

Photo contributed

The Charlotte News • March 20, 2019 • 13

From The Bench State Court divisions demystified Helen Toor Last month I talked about the different categories and detailed what the different state court divisions do. To remind you, each county has a Superior Court with four divisions: Criminal, Civil, Family and Probate. There is also a statewide Environmental Division and a statewide Judicial Bureau. This month I am going to talk about the Criminal Division.

The Criminal Division The Criminal Division used to be a separate court called the District Court.

With reorganization of courts in 2010, the District Court was renamed the Criminal Division of the Superior Court.

Criminal cases are what most people think of when they think of trials. A criminal case almost always involves a written law (called a statute) that makes some activity a crime. The Vermont criminal laws are passed by the Vermont Legislature and are part of a large set of written laws available in a multi-volume set of books entitled The Vermont Statutes Annotated. These are often referred to as “the Green Books” because their covers are green and are available online. The laws are separated by category into what are called “Titles.”

Most of the criminal laws appear in Titles 13, 18 and 23. Each section of a law has a number for the title and a number for the section in that title.

For example, the basic law making burglary a crime is in Title 13 and is referred to (or as lawyers call it, “cited”) this way: 13 V.S.A. § 1201. Section 1201 then has subsections defining some of the words used in the law and stating the range of penalties available for violating the law. It also says that someone convicted of burglary can be imprisoned up to 15 years and fined up to $1,000, but if the burglary is into a home, the sentence can go as high as 25 years. If the person burglarizing a home is carrying a weapon, even if they don’t actually use it, the sentence can go up to 30 years in prison.

Now, these are all maximum sentences, not mandatory ones. So when you read in the paper that someone is facing a potential of 30 years in prison, it doesn’t mean that is necessarily the sentence they will get.

In fact, it is rare that someone gets the maximum sentence available. There are a few crimes where there is a mandatory minimum sentence, such as some DUI cases and sexual assault cases. That means the judge may have discretion about how long the upper end of the sentence should be, but has to impose at least the minimum stated in the law. For example, for a second DUI conviction there is a mandatory 60 hours in jail or 200 hours of community service; for sexual assault there is a mandatory minimum of at least three years in jail.

Here’s how sentencing works.

Everyone charged with a crime (called a “defendant”) has a right to a jury trial, and that means the jury decides guilt or innocence. However, in most cases the jury plays no role in deciding the sentence—that is up to the judge. The maximum possible sentence is the one stated in the statute, but there are many things to consider when deciding a fair sentence. We look at the person’s previous criminal record: is this the first time they have ever been convicted, or the fifteenth

time? We look at whether there was any violence involved. We look at the reasons the person committed the crime: a different sentence might be appropriate for a person who stole to feed their hungry children as opposed to someone who stole because they were angry at the person they stole from. We also look at whether the person will be a danger to the public if they are not imprisoned for some period of time; whether they need mental health counseling or drug/alcohol treatment; whether they need to be penalized as a lesson to them; whether they need to be penalized so others will see that it is not worth doing this sort of crime. We also consider the views of any victims of the crime.

The options for sentencing include jail, probation and fines. So even though there is a maximum of 15 years in jail for a burglary into a building that is not a residence, a defendant might get only probation or a shorter jail term, depending upon all the factors that apply to his or her case. A 19-year-old burglarizing a shed to steal a shovel to dig his car out of a snow bank, who has never been in trouble before, is not likely to go to jail. A 45-year-old who has ten prior convictions for burglary who broke into a bar to beat up the owner and steal $20,000 is probably going to jail for a while. The charges are the same, but the sentences can be very different.

When someone is put on probation, it means that they will have a probation officer whose job it is to supervise them to try to keep them out of trouble and assure that they follow whatever rules (“probation conditions”) the judge imposed. For a young person with a drug problem, the probation conditions might include getting drug counseling, staying in school, not using drugs (and being tested randomly to make sure of that), and

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not getting any new criminal charges. The idea of probation is to try to address the problems that led the person to commit the crime. Probation can also be a way to have the person do something positive to make up for the crime, such as volunteer work or a letter of apology.

Unlike a probation sentence, when a judge imposes a jail sentence she has no authority to order the defendant to do things like counseling in jail. Instead, it is up to the Department of Corrections to review the defendant’s crime and history to decide what they need in the way of counseling or educational programs while in jail.

Fines are also an option if a person has enough money to afford a fine. The money from fines goes to the state’s overall budget, not to the courts. Judges generally will not impose a fine on someone who is already struggling financially. That being said, there are some fees imposed by the Legislature that generally get imposed on everyone who is convicted of a crime, and those are mandatory even if the defendant really can’t afford it. Those are called “surcharges,” and the amount that applies depends upon the crime. For example, there are some special surcharges that apply to DUI cases, but not to other cases.

There is one other financial order that can be imposed, called “restitution.” This applies if someone took money or caused

other financial harm to the victim of their crime—for example, if the victim was injured and incurred medical bills not covered by insurance. In this situation, the judge will generally order the defendant to repay the money to the victim, even if it will take a long time to do it. There is also a state restitution fund that sometimes can repay the victim right away, with the defendant repaying that fund over time.

All of these different sentencing options can be used together, too. For example, a judge can sentence someone to spend a year in jail, then be on probation for three years, pay a $500 fine, and pay the victim $1,000 in restitution. Another important thing to know is that in Vermont, judges imposing just a jail term have to impose a minimum sentence and a maximum sentence. That means a judge cannot impose a set 5-year jail term, but must instead impose a 1-5 year term, or a 4-5 year term, or a 4-year-and-10 months to 5-year term. When the defendant actually gets out of jail is sometimes a complicated calculation that depends upon Department of Corrections rules and various laws about things like credit for good behavior—and those rules change over time. Often a defendant who has behaved well in jail can be released after serving her minimum sentence if the Department concludes that she is not a danger to the public and has an appropriate residence to go to. For example, for someone with a history of alcohol abuse who assaulted someone, this might mean a home where the victim is not living nearby and no one else in the home drinks alcohol.

Many people are released from jail before they have served the maximum sentence the judge imposed. However, if a defendant is behaving badly or refusing see COURT page 15

14 • March 20, 2019 • The Charlotte News

SENIOR CENTER MENUS Suggested donation for all meals: $5

Monday Munch

11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

No reservations required.

March 25

Greek Cheese & Spinach Squares Roasted Carrots & Cauliflower Apple Coffee Cake

Student of Lynn Cummings' watercolor class.

Carolyn Kulik SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR

“Music comes from an icicle as it melts, to live again as spring water.” ~ Henry Williamson Just today, a friend of mine in Washington, D.C., emailed me a photo of daffodils growing. . . outside. Shocking! We live in such different worlds and barely give it a thought. My friend enjoyed her years working in Singapore because she prefers a hot and humid climate, so I just love to impress her with those farbelow-zero windchills from our winters. But I am SO over that—and am loving those rivers of musical icicles.

FREE Events, Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m.

Today, 3/20, join Marty Morrissey and Robert Resnick of the Highland Weavers Band along with songster Patty Shannon for Irish Music, a slightly belated celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. They will probably sneak in some other music, as well—for a fine, fun performance.

On 3/27, the twice-delayed slideshow history and discussion of Cuba After Fidel will be presented (at last) by Vince Crockenburg. His look at Cuban-American relations—including the numerous American attempts to destroy popular support for the Castro regime— will cover from 1959 through the first year of Miguel Diaz-Canel’s presidency.

On 4/4, garden designer Charlotte Albers will return to the Senior Center with images of English Gardens of the Cotswolds from her tour last spring of England’s National Trust Hidcote Manor, Sezincote, and the garden designed by Rosemary Verey in Gloucestershire. See why the region’s wool production and historic villages create a top

tourist destination.

Other Events and Courses Today, Wednesday, 3/20, our popular Birding Expeditions with Hank Kaestner begin again with Trip #1. The group carpools and meets 10 min. before departure at 9 a.m.

Registration is required in case of weather changes. Other dates for this season are 4/3, and now 5/8 and 5/22. (Note the revision, and the one for 5/15 is cancelled.) When you register, please be sure to indicate all the dates you are interested in. No fee.

Want to start writing or get back into the practice? Consider signing up for our new writing course: Write Now! It has been rescheduled to begin Thursday, 3/21, and it will run for 6 weeks. Instructor Laurie MacMillan guarantees a supportive and stimulating environment for everyone. She will use writing prompts, art visuals and useful writing tips. There will be time for in-class writing, sharing work and discussion. Course meets from 1-2:30 on 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, (no class on 4/11), 4/18, 4/25 & 5/2. Registration required. Fee: $68 for the 6-week series.

[Please note that these dates are accurate; unfortunately, the printed calendar omitted 3/21.]

Join the free Intro to Feldenkrais® on Tuesday, 3/26, from 1-2 p.m., to get a taste of how the gentle, mindful movement of this practice can bring self-awareness to increase ability, move from pain to pleasure, and feel greater ease and vitality. In April, the 5-week Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® course begins on 4/2 at the same time; lessons will address getting up from the floor unaided. Fee is $75 for the series.

Registration is required.

Please remember that the Center’s eight other exercise classes all welcome new participants at any time. It is possible to start whenever you wish and pay per class—or for an entire session of several weeks. Some are

Philo Ridge Farm serves up lunch to Charlotte seniors

Pictured from left to right are: Ruth Whitaker, Senior Center lunch leader; Mollie Hadwin, assistant to pastry chef, Philo Ridge; Meg Dawson, pastry chef, Philo Ridge; Sean Richards, head chef, Philo Ridge; and Bert Baker, Senior Center dessert chef. Photo by Peggy Sharpe The Charlotte Senior Center would like to extend a sincere thank you to Philo Ridge Farm and its staff for the delicious soup and bread they donated to us. Their help with food prep and serving for our lunch on March 4 was enjoyed by all who attended. It was a pleasure to have them join us, and we really appreciate their generosity. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with Philo Ridge Farm on lunches and community projects in the future.

Photo contributed

free, most are $8 or $10 each visit. The Center also welcomes potential students to watch or participate for one class with no charge. Please check the printed Spring Schedule or visit our website, CharlotteSeniroCenterVT.org, for more details.

Don’t forget that if you would like to learn Mahjong, the group meets on Tuesday afternoons and is happy to teach you.

Duplicate Bridge always welcomes new, experienced players, and there are other groups that play cards in the afternoon on Wednesdays and Sundays. Do call for more information about them.

Mindfulness Practice, on Wednesdays from 9-10 a.m. is free and will continue through 3/27. On Wednesday, 4/3, the time will change to 2:30-3:30 p.m., and instructor Jill Abilock will begin teaching an eight-week course titled Mindfulness for Life. It offers a personal toolkit of techniques to help you meet life’s challenges with strength and ease and deepen fulfillment from all of life’s joys.

Beginners welcome. Fee: $20 for the 8-week series. Registration required.

Meanwhile, Aerobic Spring Tune-Up, Spanish Grammar Review, French for Travelers and French Conversation have all gotten off to great starts and will still welcome newcomers. Lynn Cummings’ Watercolor Exploration that begins 4/2 for 6 weeks is now adding names to the waiting list. Her 3-week Acrylic Adventures course in May still has space; it also meets on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Spring Road Hike #1, with Marty Morrissey, is on Tuesday, 4/30, but before that you have the option to try out Strolling in Charlotte, each Wednesday at 10 a.m. The idea is a self-guided walk on the flat, gravel, Town Link Trail with the goal of meeting up with others at the Senior Center to carpool.

Sign up for the dates you are interested in and see who shows up. No minimum number, and you decide about the weather—there are no ‘official’ cancellations. No fee. Call in or stop by to register in advance for each week.

On 4/18 is Living with Chronic Pain from the UVM Health Center. It is for those with chronic pain for more than 3–6 months, including musculoskeletal (neck, shoulder, back, etc.), neuropathic and post-stroke pain, fibromyalgia, and more. The six-week workshop benefits those with Crohn’s disease, IBS, diabetic neuropathy, or severe muscular pain from conditions like MS. There will be techniques to deal with frustration, isolation, fatigue, poor sleep; exercises to improve strength and endurance and to pace yourself; and tips for discussing pain. It is held Thursday afternoons from 1-3:30 for 6 weeks and there is no charge. Registration required for the 6-week series.

Art Shows The March Art Exhibit featuring Cindi Robinson’s photography continues to the end of this month. Her subjects are primarily landscapes or cityscapes, and, as with most exhibitors, Cindi’s pieces are available for

April 1 Turkey Chili & Cornbread (compliments of Philo Ridge Farm) Cottage Cheese & Fresh Veggie Sticks Cranberry Bog Bars Wednesday Lunch All diners eat at noon.

Reservations required.

March 20 Chicken Cordon Bleu Steamed Broccoli Homemade Dessert March 27 Beef Bourguignon Homemade Dessert April 3

Meatloaf & Roasted Potatoes Steamed Asparagus Homemade Birthday Cake & Ice Cream

Thursday Gents Breakfast

7:30–9 a.m.

Reservations required.

March 28 Menu: TBA Topic: TBA

(Keep up to date on Menus with Front Porch Forum, as they sometimes change.)

purchase. When you plan to visit the show, be sure to note the best times to see Art Exhibits below since the Center’s exhibition space is used for many other events and classes and could be unavailable to visitors.

The April Art Exhibit will be “Potpourri,” a variety of works in watercolor, acrylic and mixed media by Lynn Cummings and her students. The May Art Exhibit will feature the dramatic bird and insect photography of Peter Riley.

Best times to see Art Exhibits in March: Tues. after 2:30, Wed. after 2:30 (March only), and Thurs. & Fri. after 12:30. You might also catch a quick peek at about noon on Mon. and Wed. Please call the Center during the week to check on Sunday afternoon availability.

There is still more to come later in April and May: There are 8 more very varied Wednesday events at 1p.m.; as well as Pastel Painting, Play Reading, more Road Hikes, more Birding Adventures, more Shape-Note Singing, and the Annual Plant Sale. Whew.

(No time for bingo!)

And, I almost neglected to mention great food (as usual) on Mondays at 11:30 and Wednesdays at noon—along with the Gents Breakfast on alternate Thursday mornings at 7:30. In particular, on April 1 (no fooling), Philo Ridge folks will be returning to the Center’s kitchen to prepare Turkey Chili and Cornbread as part of Monday Munch. Yum! Shush. . .Listen, do you hear the musical icicles now?

The Charlotte News • March 20, 2019 • 15

COURT continued from page 13 to participate in a program the Department of Corrections feels he needs before being released, he may not get out until he serves the whole sentence.

Any discussion of criminal cases would not be complete without talking about plea bargains. Most criminal cases in Vermont and everywhere else in the country get resolved with plea bargains instead of trials. These are agreements between the prosecutors and the defense attorneys (or in some cases defendants who have no attorney). The agreement usually is that the defendant will plead guilty to the crime, and both sides will ask the judge to impose a specific sentence. Sometimes the deal will include the prosecutor lowering the charge in exchange for the defendant pleading guilty. Sometimes the deal will not be to an exact sentence, but to a range.

In other words, the prosecutor might agree that, although the maximum sentence for the crime could be 10 years in jail, they will not ask the judge for more than eight years.

A judge does not have to agree to the deal the parties propose in the plea agreement, and sometimes the judge will say no. This could be because she believes the proposed sentence is too harsh or too lenient or that it does not adequately address the victim’s concerns. One thing the judge does have to do before accepting a plea agreement is to have a dialogue in

the courtroom with the defendant to make sure he is actually admitting that he did the crime. This is required by a specific rule, Rule 11 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure, and convictions can be reversed if the judge fails to do this properly. The idea is that we do not want people pleading guilty if they did not do what they are accused of doing. We need to be sure they understand what the state would have to prove to win at trial, and that they are sure this is what they want to do.

However, a person can also enter what is called a “no contest” plea, where they deny that they did the crime but agree that they would rather take the sentence that is being proposed than go to trial.

If a defendant does this, she still has a conviction for the crime. Why would someone do that? Sometimes it is because the person decides that the risk of going to trial and getting a more severe sentence is not worth it, and the lower charge and lower sentence being offered is a safer bet.

Sometimes it is because the defendant just wants the whole case over with and does not want to have to come back to court for a trial and all the steps of the case that precede a trial.

There are many philosophical debates about whether plea bargaining is a good or bad thing, but it is always up to the defendant to choose whether to agree to such a plea or go to trial. Everyone in Vermont is entitled to a jury trial (with 12 jurors) for any criminal charge, although they can waive that right and ask the

judge to do the trial without a jury. If the sentence for the charge is potentially going to be more than a fine, defendants who are below a certain income level are entitled to have a lawyer appointed to represent them for a very low fee.

The charge is often as low as $50 for the whole case. You may have heard news stories about cases in other states in which lawyers with no criminal law experience were appointed to represent people in such situations and did a very

poor job. Thankfully, in Vermont we have experienced criminal defense attorneys, called “public defenders,” who do this full time.

There are a lot of steps in criminal cases that I haven’t touched on here, such as arrests, citations, bail, conditions of release, arraignments, motions, jury selection, appeals, and post-conviction relief petitions. Those will have to wait for another column!

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