Tuesday, September 23, 2014

WVTK Local & State News September 23, 2014

Residents in Middlebury are being asked to complete a new survey on recycling. The state recently passed Act 148, which places new requirements on municipalities, businesses, solid waste haulers and residents regarding how solid waste is managed, including bans on land filling of recyclables, leaf and yard waste and food residuals by 2015, 2016 and 2020 respectively. Town officials are looking for the public’s input on how to implement the new rules. They ask that you complete the survey online no later than Friday, October 3. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9TBFGTY

The Public Service Board is holding a technical hearing today to address whether Vermont Gas Systems broke a rule in July. The rule, No. 5.409, requires a Vermont utility to monitor and update capital costs on a project until construction is complete. The rule also requires that the utility notify the board and all other parties should the capital costs of a project increase by either 20 percent or $25,000. The hearing comes in response to a VGS announcement in July that the cost of running a natural gas pipeline from Chittenden County to Middlebury increased by $35 million or more than 40 percent.

Vermont's only Congressman wants to loosen regulations that affect lending practices of small banks. Representative Peter Welch says that the smaller banks did not contribute to the 2008 financial collapse and it is unfair to hold them responsible for it. If banks grant loans that are not in line with federal guidelines, they can be sued, though none have been so far. Welch's bill would cover banks with less than $10 billion in assets.

State Police are investigating a burglary in Monkton. According to troopers, someone broke into a home on Sunday and stole several guns, scopes and ammunition from a home on Mountain Road. If anyone has any information about the burglary they're urged to call state police in New Haven.

The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is inviting the public to the annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, next Saturday, October 4. Activities include illustrated talks, live wildlife presentations, and fishing and hunting tips. New this year is a seminar on game preparation and cooking. All the events will take place at the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area on Route 17 west of Route 22A and are free.