WVTK Local & State News October 9, 2012

Route 30 in Hubbardton is closed through next Monday the 15 for culvert replacements.  The project has a target completion date of November 30^th and consists of removing and replacing two culverts on Route 30. Except for the time that the road will be closed, one-way traffic will be in place during the day.

Middlebury police say two bullets fired by police officers during an extended gunfight struck a local man, who said he wanted to commit “suicide by cop.” At first police had said they didn't know if a police bullet killed 57-year-old George Demarais or if he shot himself on Thursday in a wooded area behind his home on Route 116.  Chief Tom Hanley told the Burlington Free Press on Monday that the medical examiner said there were two gunshot wounds and they were not self-inflicted.  Hanley said Demarais, a former prison guard, had planned for the shootout for weeks. He said he had taped his last will and testament on the front door and donated his pet cats to an animal shelter.

The Middlebury Select Board will have its regular meeting this evening at 7 in the Main Conference Room of the Town Offices.  Items on the agenda include a review of comments received at the First Town Plan Public Hearing that was held on September 18th.  There will be an outline of the strategy and a timeline for adoption of the plan discussed at this meeting.  Reports will be heard from various committees including an update on the Middlebury River and Fire Department projects.  And the Select Board will appoint a second representative to the Addison County Transit Resources Board of Directors.  For a complete agenda and more information just visit the Town’s Website.

Various meetings are on the Town Of Middlebury’s agenda this week.  The Select Board will hold its regular meeting this evening at 7, The Finance & Fundraising Task Force of the Community Center Steering Committee meets this morning at 9, and then the Community Center Steering Committee will meet at 10:30.  On Thursday the Middlebury Business Development Advisory Board meets at 2 PM with the Gym Task Force of the Community Center Steering Committee following at 3:30 PM.  Visit the Town Of Middlebury’s Website for a list of upcoming meetings and agendas.

The Westport Town Council will hold special meetings to work on the 2013 budget.  The meetings, which are open to the public, will be held this afternoon at 4, 6:30 PM on October 16th and 5 PM on October 23rd, all with regular board meetings to follow.

The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Fall Chamber and Insurance Open House this Thursday the 11th from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The Open House will take place at the Chamber office.  The open house is open to all Chamber members who want to learn more about their benefits and any businesses or organizations interested in becoming a TACC member. Light refreshments will be available. For more information visit www.ticonderogany.com or the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

The Addison County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Candidates’ Forum on Thursday October 25th, focusing on the Addison County races for the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate. It will be held from 8:00 to 9:30 AM at the Ilsley Library Community Room in Middlebury and we’ll carry it live on 92.1 WVTK.  Our very own Bruce Zeman will be moderating the event.   Many of our state representatives in uncontested races will also be in attendance for a discussion of issues and legislation important to you. It will cost $5 to attend and coffee and baked goods will be provided. An RSVP to maria@addisoncounty.com would be appreciated.

Rutland County candidates for the state Legislature have the opportunity to listen to their constituents at a public forum at 6 p.m. tonight at the Rutland Free Library.  People will be able to ask questions regarding the candidate’s thoughts on human rights, health care, workers’ rights, healthy environment and more. It is part of the grassroots initiative Put People First. For more information, visit www.workerscenter.org. 

The Ferrisburgh and Vergennes Energy Committees are sponsoring a presentation on Wednesday by SunCommon, one of the Chamber’s newest members.  They have introduced a new solar program that is now available for all families in Addison County. For the first time, folks will be able to go solar for less than what they're already paying the utility for power. And that's with no upfront cost.  To kick off this effort, there will be a presentation on Wednesday at 6:30 PM for a solar seminar at Ferrisburgh Central School. This presentation will be a great chance to learn more about how the program works, what makes a good solar site, and to see if solar can finally work for you.  To learn more about the program, visit www.suncommon.com. And if you're able to ahead of time, please RSVP at http://suncommon.com/event/ferrisburgh.  If you have any questions, you can call Dan at 595-0338.

Sometime yesterday between 9:30AM – 3:00PM troopers from the VSP Castleton Outpost were dispatched to the Noble residence on Willowbrook Road in Sudbury for a reported burglary. Investigation shows entry was gained through the side ground level door and jewelry was stolen from the master bedroom.  The case is currently under investigation, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101. Information can also be submitted anonymously: text CRIMES to Keyword VTIPS.

Town officials in Castleton are considering a plan that would prohibit industrial-scale wind turbines from certain peaks.  Castleton's Planning Commission has been working on changes to ridgeline zoning regulations. The commission says there's widespread agreement that commercial development shouldn't be permitted on 20 peaks the commission has identified.  Meanwhile, some members of the Planning Commission feel that residential wind development should only be regulated on peaks above 1,500 feet.  A wind farm proposal on a ridgeline that includes the Grandpa's Knob peak has drawn criticism from many local residents. Opponents say the 50-megawatt project in Pittsford, Hubbardton, West Rutland and Castleton would hurt the region's wildlife, ruin its scenic beauty and threaten tourism at an important historic battlefield.

Copper thefts at Green Mountain Power substations are now reaching the point where thieves are threatening the lives of utility workers and the nearby public.  Over the past two months, as many as four Green Mountain Power sub-stations have been vandalized, compromising the safety and integrity of these facilities. Green Mountain Power asks people to be alert to non-utility vehicles or people near substations. If you observe suspicious activity, please call them at 1-888-835-4672.

Alcohol and tobacco use dropped, but marijuana smoking rose in a new study of student behavior conducted in Essex County schools.  All school districts in the county participated in the Preventive Needs Assessment Survey of students in grades 7 through 12.  The survey, sponsored by the Essex County Youth Bureau and coordinated by the County Prevention Team of Ticonderoga, saw 76 percent of high-school students in the county participating.  You can check out the full report online. Preventive Needs Assessment Survey.

Republicans campaigning for governor and lieutenant governor both say they back a moratorium on development of large-scale wind towers. Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin opposes a moratorium and the Burlington Free Press reports mountaintop wind projects are emerging as an issue this fall.

Singer Grace Potter will be promoting fair trade coffee with a live concert online. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters plans to stream the New York concert this evening on the company's Facebook page. Potter is working with the company's "Great Coffee, Good Vibes, Pass it On" campaign.

TransCanada Hydro Northeast is suing the town of Barnet, claiming the local tax appraisals for two dams along the Connecticut River are too high. The utility has seen the dams' valuations rise from $33.7 million to a combined $47.4 million after the recent appraisal.

The foliage change steadily moves throughout the Green Mountain State this week with many places reaching peak color! Get the latest Fall Foliage Report HERE!

Stowe Mountain Resort recorded one of its earliest snowfalls.  On Monday, on the top of Mount Mansfield it was 28 degrees with a few inches of snow on the ground.  Marketing departments at Sugarbush, Killington, Stratton and others tweeted photos of snow, with a video from Jay Peak showing an attempt at snowboarding.  Last year's season was dismal with the number of skiers and snowboarders down ten-percent from the year before.

The South Burlington School Board will meet tomorrow to consider a resolution opposing a methadone clinic near the city's schools. According to The Burlington Free Press, board members claim the city didn't adequately assess possible security problems when it awarded a zoning permit for the clinic.

New York State government-worker unions are up in arms over potential pay raises for Albany lawmakers.  Officials for the Civil Service Employees Association say if the rumors that such a pay increase turn out to be true, legislators will have lost much credibility with thousands of government employees who have been forced to take pay cuts or freezes in recent months and contribute more to their health benefits.  Governor Andrew Cuomo and other leaders in Albany are said to be considering calling a special session following the November elections, where the issue of legislative pay increases could come up.  State lawmakers haven't seen a pay raise since 1999.

New York Congressman Bill Owens is upset over the failure of the massive Farm Bill to get through Congress.  The Democrat has released a statement laying the blame for the bill stalling in Congress at the feet of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who came to upstate New York Monday to support Owens' Republican challenger Matt Doheny.  Owens says New York farmers are getting crushed each day the Farm Bill doesn't get through Congress, and he wants Republicans to start work once again on the massive bill.

After an investigation, the cause of a fire that took over five hours to put out in Schroon Lake has been determined.  Fire officials say the flames started at around eight Sunday night in the chimney of a log-cabin home on Schroon Road.  The building was badly damaged, but no injuries occurred.

Mayor Michael Daniels of Vergennes, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and the State of Vermont invite you to celebrate Vermont's history and the return of 1862-class sailing canal boat Lois McClure from a successful summer journey educating and entertaining our friends in New York and Canada.  Come join the Chamber’s partners and sponsors as we welcome home the hard-working crew from their four-month journey to more than 40 communities in New York and Canada. Free of charge. The celebration will happen this Friday at Vergennes Falls Park. Meet some of the people who made the journey possible, enjoy music and refreshments, followed by public boarding of the schooner from 4 to 6pm.  Parking for the event will be at Town and Country Self Storage in Vergennes, located at 107 Panton Road. There will be a free shuttle in the parking lot to take you to the event site.  Public boarding will also take place Saturday and Sunday from 4 – 6 PM.

A community tradition will again help the Town of Schroon Lions Club provide charitable services.  The Lions annual prime rib dinner will be held Saturday, October 20, at Witherbee’s Carriage House Restaurant on Route 9 in Schroon Lake. Guests will be seated continually as tables arrive, beginning at 5 PM until approximately 8 PM. Lions suggest wait times may be shorter during the later half of the evening.  The dinner will include salad, rolls and butter, prime rib, green beans, homemade mashed potatoes and a dessert.  The donation for advanced ticket purchases is $20 and cost is $22 at the door. Gratuity is included in the price. Tickets can be obtained from any Schroon Lake Lions Club member, at Friedman Realty and at The Towne Store. People can also call club secretary Bette Manley at 532-7577 for advance tickets.

Ticonderoga eateries will battle for bragging rights during the second annual “Wing War,” but the real winner will be the Ticonderoga Food Pantry.  Hosted by the Ti Knights of Columbus, the “Wing War” will be held Saturday, October 20th at 2 PM. Admission is $10 a person.  Proceeds will benefit the Ticonderoga Food Pantry.  The event will give people the chance to sample chicken wings prepared by local restaurants. The wings will labeled by number so you won’t know whose wings are being sampled. People will then vote to determine who makes the best wings in Ticonderoga.

From Fox 44 and ABC 22 News – Your Voice In Vermont & New York:

Vermont will be getting nearly $1.8 million dollars in tax credits.  It's part of the state's Downtown Program, supporting building improvements.  The tax credits were announced Monday in a largely vacant building in Barre.  The Blanchard Building on North Main Street, was built in 1904; it will get a chunk of the money.  More than $287,000 will help add commercial and office space with room for up to 200 workers.  "I know that it has nothing to do with return on investment, it has nothing to do with your desire to make Vermont a better place, and to rebuild with the Governor and I," Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon said.  The tax credits will help complete 30 projects across the state.  Money will also go to rehab buildings damaged by flooding in 2011.