WVTK Local & State News November 4, 2014

It’s Election Day, the polls are open in Vermont and New York. In Vermont, polls are open until 7 p.m. Voters will decide on a number of statewide races, including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. New York polls open until 9 p.m. tonight. Voters are deciding on a number of key leadership positions, including governor, attorney general, and comptroller.

Representative Willem Jewett of Ripton, announced today that he will not seek re-election as House majority leader. Jewett saying he wants to return as a rank-and-file member of the Vermont House of Representatives to devote more time and energy to specific issues and constituent services. He said he has found being House Majority Leader rewarding, exciting, and at times very challenging but it one of those positions that people should cycle in and out of. Jewett is running unopposed for re-election representing the Addison-2 district, which includes the towns of Cornwall, Goshen, Hancock, Leicester, Ripton and Salisbury..

Officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a series of meetings in Vermont to outline plans to improve the water quality of Lake Champlain. Federal officials say they want to update the public on the phosphorous reductions that are necessary and discuss the timeline and a proposed framework for monitoring progress. Meetings are scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. November 17 at the Rutland Free Library and November 18 at the St. Albans Historical Society. Evening meetings are scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. November 17 at the Twilight Room in Middlebury and on November 19 at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington.

New Haven says no to two solar farms, citing the ruination of their view and a section of the comprehensive plan that forbids large energy installations. The Select Board voted down two proposals for solar farms. There are 14 pending approval. However, the state's Public Service Board makes the final decision, regardless of what the town wishes.

The sale of Burlington Telecom is now complete. Yesterday afternoon, the Public Service Board unanimously approve a deal with local investor Trey Pecor to provide a six million dollar bridge loan, which will help the city settle its legal battle with Citibank. Under that agreement, the city gets out of a 33-million dollar lease deal for about 10-million. Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger says taxpayers will only be responsible for paying around one million of that.