WVTK Local & State News January 31, 2011

Over the holidays, the Middlebury College Solar Decathlon team received an anonymous donation of $150,000, putting the group one step closer to reaching its $500,000 fundraising goal. Middlebury College’s President said the donor considered the gift an opportunity to recognize the power of liberal arts education in projects such as this one. The college’s Solar Decathlon team is the only group from a liberal arts college chosen to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011.

Vermont's U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders returns to Washington D.C. today after making some big news last week. Sanders received attention after convening the first meeting of a new senate group whose aim is to protect Social Security from critics. Sanders says he wants to defend Social Security from critics who want to cut benefits, raise the retirement age or privatize the program. New York Senator Chuck Schumer is also part of the group.

More people than ever may be eligible for what's called the earned income tax credit. To qualify, you must work and meet certain income levels. With that credit, some Vermont families are automatically eligible for food benefits through 3SquaresVT. But you must file a tax return, even if you don't have a filing requirement.

Rutland County is slated for a million dollars’ worth of new places to walk or bicycle. The Vermont Agency of Transportation announced $2.9 million in transportation enhancement grants Friday, of which just more than $1 million is earmarked for projects in Rutland County. Rutland and Castleton got $300,000 each, while Killington got two grants totaling $285,120 and Pittsford pulled in $140,369. The grants are federal money disbursed by the state and require a 20 percent local match.

Facing difficult budget choices, the Ticonderoga Central School board of education is asking for help. The board is forming a budget advisory committee that will include representatives of stakeholder groups. The Ti budget advisory committee is expected to meet once a month or more, if needed, until the budget vote May 17th. The Ti district, like many others, has made cuts to staff and programs the past several years, leaving little wiggle room in the budget process.

The Ticonderoga, New York Police Department wants to keep a better eye on the town. This Spring, the town plans to install a number of cameras in strategic places downtown and near the town's park. It's an effort to cut down on crime and prevent loitering. The police department will monitor the video regularly. The system is expected to cost $6,000.

WinterFest in Ticonderoga is growing. The second annual day of outdoor activities will be held this Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM in Ticonderoga's Bicentennial Park. The day of outdoor activities will be sponsored by a host of community organizations. WinterFest will feature snowshoeing, sledding, ice-skating, snowman building, snow sculpting, broomball, snowmobiling and other activities. There will also be refreshments, door prizes and a raffle of two Gore Mountain lift passes. People are encouraged to bring their own equipment, although some equipment will be available for use.

The city of Burlington and unionized police officers have reached a tentative agreement on a new, four-year contract. Newly recruited officers will be subject to more restrictive pension eligibility requirements than current officers are. The contract includes pay raises of 1.75 percent in its first year, 2 percent in the second, and 2 to 4 percent in the last two years.

Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, who has embarked on an "everyday jobs" initiative, will work with Green Mountain Power Corp. crews today, helping with underground cables and a transformer at The Lodge at Shelburne Bay. He plans to work in different jobs a few times each month to find out how state government can better help businesses.

Bolstered by billions in federal stimulus money, an effort is under way around the country to expand broadband Internet access to rural areas. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $7.2 billion for expansion of broadband access, believing it will spur economic growth, boost educational opportunities and create jobs.

A Vermont college student is going to do an internship this spring at the White House. Brian Morrice, of Granville, Ohio, a student at Bennington College, will take part in the program, which is designed to make the White House accessible to future leaders from around the country and prepare them for public service and leadership positions.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department officials are encouraging shooting range operators to apply for grants to improve their facilities. Developed last year to enhance safety, the Shooting Range Improvement Grant Program will make $75,000 available this year. Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry says the program encourages hunters to be better shots, and safer when shooting. The deadline for applications is April 1.

Vermont lawmakers will consider bills to bolster, but also repeal, Vermont's pioneering bottle law during the new legislative session. Two bills were introduced to expand the law. If passed, they would require the bottle law to also include wine and all carbonated and noncarbonated drink containers, and to force beverage companies to use the money from unclaimed deposits to support environmental programs. Another bill would enact a solid waste program under which producers would have to set up and pay for a program to collect, recycle and dispose of certain types of packaging. The bill would also repeal the beverage container redemption system.

With so much success on the books over the first three years of operation, Clinton County leaders are looking to undertake a major expansion of Plattsburgh International Airport. If all goes well, the expansion could begin sometime in 2012 and be completed in 2013. The project would include doubling the terminal size.

The depressed state of the economy means more people than ever are getting help from local food banks. The Ticonderoga-Putnam Food Pantry Coordinator said they served 3,000 people in 1,100 families last year. The Employees Mutual Association Club of Ticonderoga is stepping up to help. The group will be hosting a public benefit concert at 7 PM Friday, February 11th. People attending must bring a donation of canned or dry goods, cereals, jams, canned juice, paper products, soaps, detergents or shampoos for the Ticonderoga and Hague food shelves.

Many Vermont military families who had Saturday off spent a little time relaxing on a snowmobile. Hundreds of people turned out in Waitsfield for the 3rd annual Military Appreciation Event. It's put on by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers or VAST. There were activities for everyone including snowmobile rides for kids.