WVTK Local & State News September 10, 2010

Construction continues on the Cross Street Bridge. Grand opening day of the bridge is Saturday October 30th! Vehicles are not allowed on the bridge at this time and it’s very important that you NOT walk on the bridge either. The temporary wooden railings are not designed to protect pedestrians especially children. Your patience and understanding is much appreciated by the town!

Prep work for paving on Route 30 between Middlebury and Whiting continues. Sections from Cornwall village north will also be widened to accommodate bikers and runners. Be ready for some delays throughout the construction zone and be aware that the speed limit has been reduced to 40 MPH with fines doubled for speeding in work zones.

Addison Central Supervisory Union teachers are back to work without a new contract for the second year in a row. Negotiators remain optimistic an accord will be reached with the benefit of renewed talks. For the first time ever all of the school unions are negotiating as a single collective bargaining unit. The unresolved issues relate primarily to salaries, health insurance and working conditions. There are no new scheduled talks at this point but teachers are willing to return to the bargaining table.

Teachers and Addison Northwest Supervisory Union officials have come to a tentative agreement on a new two-year contract. Pending approval by the supervisory union board the contract will maintain the status quo on salary and benefit levels for teachers at the Vergennes-area schools, with the addition of the already budgeted salary increases.

The Lincoln Community School building committee has recommended major renovations and expansions to the aging school. After further study of the options and a public comment period, the full school board plans to seek voter support on Nov. 2 for a bond of between $3.5 and $4.2 million to pay for the work.

A judge says the public can learn the identity of Rutland city employees who were investigated for allegedly viewing pornography at work. Employees of the police and public works department were investigated for allegedly viewing pornographic images on the job. The employees were suspended without pay. The city is appealing a superior court judge's ruling that the names of the employees should be made public.

The Coin and Jewelry Road Show Buying Fair will be in the Ticonderoga area on Tuesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 15. Roger and Tom from R&T Antiques will be at the Best Western offering top cash prices for gold jewelry, large diamonds, gold and silver coins, sterling silver items, old paper money, pocket watches, military collectibles, and fine antiques. They have been visiting the Ticonderoga area for years and have paid thousands of dollars to many satisfied area residents.

Fort Ticonderoga hosts its annual Revolutionary War Encampment this weekend. Events will be held 9:30 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday. More than 600 re-enactors are expected to bring the American Revolutionary War experience to life for visitors during the weekend. A full schedule and information on events, including the Revolutionary War Encampment, can be found at www.FortTiconderoga.org.

The 2011 town budget isn't due for months, but the Ticonderoga town board has started work on the spending plan. They’ve asked all department heads to submit their requests for next year while keeping increases a 0 percent. As part of the budget process the town is beginning talks with its employee unions on new contracts.

Five wild animal attacks in Rutland over the last few days have city and state officials warning about rabies. According to the Community Relations Officer one fox has already tested positive for the virus that can be transmitted to humans and animals. The most common rabies carriers are foxes, skunks, raccoons, possums and bats. Any wild animal that appears thin, lethargic, confused, displays lack of fear or aggression toward humans or constant head bobbing should be considered rabid and reported to the police.

Central Vermont Public Service will purchase two-thirds of the output of Iberdrola Renewables’ planned Deerfield Wind Project in Readsboro and Searsburg, Vt., under an agreement announced yesterday. CVPS will purchase 20 megawatts of the project’s planned 30-megawatt output for nine years. Deerfield Wind is proposed to be built on U.S. Forest Service land, near the existing Searsburg wind project, in Readsboro and Searsburg.

The recounting of ballots from the Democratic Gubernatorial Primary is nearly finished. Only Windsor and Chittenden counties remain, and that's likely to be finished today. WCAX reports so far, there has been no significant change in numbers.

An Illinois-based gas distributor is warning officials in 12 states that some propane deliveries may have lacked enough of an odorant needed to alert homeowners of possible leaks. The company said the propane could have been shipped to more than a dozen states including New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The company said it's ceased shipments from the facility while it investigates.

Vermont Democrats say Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie and the Republican Governors Association coordinated the filming of a TV commercial on his behalf, skirting Vermont law restricting such expenditures. In a letter to state Attorney General William Sorrell, a party spokesman asked for a civil investigation into expenditures by the RGA, saying the parties may have violated Vermont campaign finance laws by working together on producing the commercial.

Vermont is getting $300,000 in a multi-state settlement with Publishers Clearing House over allegations its mailings deceived consumers. Thursday's development followed allegations that PCH's mailings in recent years violated an earlier order settling states' consumer fraud allegations. A total of 32 states are receiving $3.5 million.

The Essex County Board of Elections was busy yesterday, packing and sending electronic voting machines to communities across the county. Next week, for the first time, all voters in the Empire State will use the scan machines for an election. So far, only people with disabilities have used them. On Primary Election Day next Tuesday, the polls are open from 12-9 p.m. statewide.

New York students now have more protection against bullies. Gov. David Paterson has signed a new law protecting public school students from discrimination and bias-based bullying. Schools now have to set up programs to prevent such incidents. They also must report bullying incidents to the state if they occur on school grounds or at school functions.