WVTK Local & State News March 23, 2015

Brandon Town Manager Robin Bennett has officially resigned from her position. Chairman Doug Bailey said the resignation was effective “in principal” since the Select Board placed Bennett on administrative leave back on March 9. Bennett’s severance package includes a lump sum payment of $12,778.52. Bennett had previously served as town manager in Southwest Harbor, Maine, and in Barre, where she left office after lengthy negotiations in 2006.

Residents in Starksboro will be re-voting on their school budget. Last week a group of residents submitted a petition to the school board. Those who signed the petition were upset disappointed that voters increased the size of the school’s budget from the floor of the annual meeting on February 28. That makes four of the six Addison Northeast Supervisory Union budgets are going back to the voters. The re-vote is tentatively scheduled for May 2.

Vermont, New York, and Quebec renewed their agreement to protect Lake Champlain. A press release says through a memorandum of understanding, the group agrees to share research and information on water quality and conservation, improve flood resilience of communities in the Lake Champlain watershed, protect natural and cultural resources, reduce polluted storm water runoff and blue-green algae blooms, and protect the lake from aquatic invasive species. The partnership is renewed for five years.

Police in Shelburne are trying to locate a missing woman. Seventy-one-year-old Janice Jordan was last seen walking from the Residence at Shelburne bay Friday afternoon. Family members say they have no idea where she was going, and that it's unusual for her to not contact anyone for this much time. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Shelburne police.

A South Burlington police lieutenant is facing charges after being arrested for DUI. Jeffrey Martel was arrested early yesterday after he was involved in a crash on Route-15 in Colchester. His blood alcohol level later tested at point-one-one, which is above the legal limit to drive a vehicle. Martel has been placed on paid administrative leave by the South Burlington police department as the investigation continues.