WVTK Local & State News October 3, 2014

State officials have lifted the boil-water order in Fair Haven after eight days. Town officials say that while water no longer needs to be boiled before using, homeowners should flush household pipes by running all cold water faucets on full for at least five minutes. Contents of automatic ice makers should be discarded, as should the next three batches of ice they produce, and the ice bun should be wiped down with disinfectant. Disposable water filters should be replaced.

An environmental group has lost its bid to intervene in a proposal by Vermont Gas Systems to build a pipeline between Colchester and Middlebury. The Public Service Board has denied the Vermont Public Interest Research Group's request to intervene in a re-evaluation of the approval granted to Vermont Gas. The board said VPIRG wanted to argue natural gas shouldn't be permitted because it's produced through hydraulic fracturing. The project was appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court and sent back for re-evaluation September 11. The board hasn't yet issued an order on whether to reopen Vermont Gas' application for a certificate of public good.

Vermont State Police say a horse that ran onto a road died after being struck by two vehicles. Police said 38-year-old Eric Baker of White Hall was traveling northbound on Route 22A in Bridport at about 3:30 this morning. He called police, saying he thought he had hit a moose. Before the call was placed, the horse was hit by a second vehicle. Both vehicles were damaged but able to be driven away and the drivers were not injured. Police said it's believed the horse died quickly upon impact.

Hunter will be taking to the woods this week for the start of deer season. Tomorrow is the opening day of the two-part archery deer season. Experts say a less abundant supply of food sources this year could mean a strong harvest.

Restaurant servers, busboys and other tipped workers are expected to weigh in as a New York state board considers whether to mandate that they be paid the minimum wage. The state wage board is reviewing whether to eliminate the so-called tip wage of about $5 an hour given to servers and other tipped workers. State law allows restaurants and hotels to pay those workers less than the state's $8 minimum wage, as long as their tips make up the difference.