WVTK Local & State News November 9, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

The Rutland Police Commission meets at 6 this evening to discuss the process for selecting a new police chief. Chief Anthony Bossi announced last week that he plans to retire in January. The commission plans to convene a search committee made up of city officials, union and non-union department members and private citizens. The commission will meet in the downstairs conference room in City Hall.

The deadline is nearing for Vermonters who want to apply for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help them recover from damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene. Governor Peter Shumlin is reminding Vermonters they have until November 15 to apply. Officials say homeowners, renters, businesses, or others who suffered losses during flooding from Irene are eligible for assistance to repair their homes or recover other losses.

Vermont's Green Mountain Club is taking responsibility for maintenance of another section of the Appalachian Trail in the state. At a meeting earlier this month, the club, which maintains the Long Trail, agreed to assume responsibility for a stretch of the Appalachian Trail between Route 12 in Woodstock and the Connecticut River, where the trail crosses into New Hampshire.

Vermont Lt. Gov. Phil Scott felt right at home at Stafford Technical Center yesterday. During his appearance at the school to pitch his Everyday Jobs Initiative, he said the solution to fixing Vermont’s unemployment problem was to get hammers in the hands of kids. Scott said many of Vermont’s problems could be solved if focus was put on developing a more skilled workforce.

Teachers in the Bennington area will meet tomorrow to finalize a new contract. Teachers in the Southwest Vermont Education Association returned to the classroom last week after going on strike for 9 days. School boards and teachers were at odds over pay, health care contributions, and the amount of time teachers have to collaborate. Once teachers formally approve the 3-year deal it will still need to be ratified by the 6 school boards in the supervisory union.

The town of Killington is vying for Vermonters to visit with a new deal called 'Vermonters Days.' During the month of November discounts of up to 50 percent will be offered to residents with valid state drivers licenses at 35 local businesses including hotels, lift tickets, and shopping. November is typically an off month for tourism sandwiched between fall foliage and ski season. According to Vermont Department of Tourism, the promotion is the only of its kind in the state during the month of November.