WVTK Local & State News May 31, 2011

Vergennes honored veterans in a big way yesterday as thousands showed up for the state's biggest Memorial Day parade. People of all ages lined the streets, proudly waving American flags. Martin Casey has been helping put on the parade since 1946 and he says it's a bittersweet reminder of his past and an acknowledgment of present sacrifices made by our service men and women.

Tax rates in some Addison Northeast Supervisory Union towns likely will increase in the coming year by a penny more than they otherwise would have. School directors are currently working to get operating deficits under control in all six district schools. Two recommendations have been made to begin reducing these deficits that include using Federal money from the Education Jobs Fund for each school and increasing tax rates, except for Bristol Elementary. Although voter’s approved school budgets on Town Meeting Day the boards still have room to make changes.

Last week Vergennes aldermen got their first look at a draft 2011-2012 budget that City Manager Mel Hawley said should mean no increase in the municipal portion of the city tax rate if they adopt it as proposed in the weeks to come. And Vergennes homeowners might be looking at a lower tax rate overall. The current municipal tax rate rounds to 60.3 cents. The 2012 school tax rates have not been finalized yet, but according to Addison Northwest Supervisory Union estimates the city’s school rate could drop by 6 cents.

Emergency response officials from throughout the region turned out in full uniform last Thursday to celebrate the life of Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association founding member George “Wedge” Murdoch, who passed away on May 22 after a long illness. His colleagues recalled him as a dedicated and caring man with a wry sense of humor.

The town of Bridport will be throwing itself a big birthday party in June, and you are invited. Bridport is one of 10 Addison County communities that will be marking the 250th anniversary of their town charters this year. Many towns will mark the occasion with special ceremonies, potluck dinners and displays of old photos and other historical memorabilia.

Addison Northeast Supervisory Union recently hired school finance veteran Edward Gomeau to take over as its business manager. In July, He will take over an operation that has been plagued with deficits over the past two years. He is currently in his fourth year as director of finance and operations for New Haven Public Schools in Connecticut.

The Rutland Area Prevention Coalition is reviving a debate in Castleton over open container laws. The organization has posted an online survey asking town residents and visitors for their views on the issue. The survey is linked to on the coalition’s website.

The town board has adopted Ticonderoga’s “nuisance” property law. The "nuisance" property law, which has been in the works for several months, is an attempt by the Ti town board to spruce up dilapidated buildings, clean up garbage, eliminate junk and make the community more attractive. The town board hopes residents will voluntarily clean up properties, but are preparing to deal with "nuisance" properties through law enforcement.

Crown Point has new picnic tables thanks to its latest Eagle Scout. Duke Mildon, who received Boy Scouts' highest award recently, built 10 tables for town parks. The tables are his community service project, which is required of all Eagle Scouts. He is a member of Troop 70 in Crown Point and has also been selected as a People to People Ambassador to Australia.

Vermont's largest electric utility is being sold to a Canadian company. The Central Vermont Public Service Corp. announced Monday it had reached an agreement to be acquired by Fortis, Inc., which serves customers across Canada. Fortis is going to pay about $700 million to acquire CVPS, including the assumption of $230 million in debt. Fortis President Stan Marshall says CVPS is a well-run utility whose operations and operating philosophy are similar to those of the company's Canadian utilities. CVPS President Larry Reilly says the Vermont utility will remain headquartered in Rutland and no job losses are anticipated. CVPS shareholders and state and federal regulators must still approve the deal.

Congressman Peter Welch spent a good portion of his schedule Monday touring Barre City and Central Vermont. He says because of all the natural disasters around the country, Congress may need a special appropriation to cover all the losses. Rep. Welch says there is likely help for towns, cities and public infrastructure that was damaged in the floods, and there may also be low interest loans available for private businesses that were impacted by the flood. Governor Shumlin has already asked the President for federal help. That application is pending.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is coming under fire from environmentalists for vetoing a bill that would have required new tests for arsenic and other toxic substances in private water wells. Shumlin vetoed the bill this past week, saying he did not want to impose new costs on Vermonters - especially those living in rural areas where private wells are the main source of drinking water.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York is introducing a bill that would stop car rental agencies from renting automobiles that are under recall for problems that aren't yet fixed. Schumer says the federal law is needed because of serious crashes in recent years involving rental cars under recalls. Schumer states that car rental agencies must be held to the same standard as automobile dealerships that don't lease cars for longer terms until a problem identified in a recall is fixed.

The Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the hiking season in Vermont. The Green Mountain Club says its staff and volunteers have been preparing trails and shelters for the summer season. Trails are in generally good condition despite this spring's rain and melting snow. But the club warns early-season hikers to stay off trails that are too muddy to walk through and be careful on snow and ice at higher elevations. The club says hiking is a big tourism draw for the state. The Long Trail attracts 200,000 people each year.

While Lake Champlain's high water continues to make life difficult for those living near the lake, anglers are finding almost ideal fishing conditions. The high, cold and muddy water had delayed feeding activity. A biologist says anglers targeting crappie, bass, and northern pike are finding good success. Conditions are also improving for salmon and bass. Not all of the state's fishing accesses are open just yet because of the flooding.

Artifacts from a B-17 Bomber that crashed in Randolph back in the 1940's are now with the Vermont Historical Society. The items, including a bracelet from one of the pilots, were handed over yesterday afternoon in a Memorial Day service near the crash site off Fish Hill Road. The bomber went down in June of 1943. Three of the aviators died and seven were able to parachute to safety. The collection will move to a permanent home at the Randolph Historical Society. The display will open to the public on Father's Day.

Green Mountain College has received a 100-thousand dollar grant to help students study the art of flash freezing. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture provided a trailer that allows Green Mountain College to flash freeze produce right from the farm. The college is currently using the unit as an educational tool, but local farmers are also encouraged to use the technology. The College hopes to eventually get these flash frozen products to local institutions in the charitable food system.