Williston Observer 04/16/2026

Vermont State eliminates residential option in Williston

New partnership houses VTSU students at St. Mike’s

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

The Williston campus of Vermont State University has never been known for its residential experience. An administrative decision this spring to convert its lone dorm building into classroom space will eliminate any residential option on the campus.

“I think this is going to be a good thing for the more traditional collegeaged students at Williston. It expands their peer group and gives them a more traditional campus experience and campus environment.”

Katherine Levasseur

Vermont State University spokesperson

Through an agreement with Saint Michael’s College, Williston’s residential students — of which there are currently about 20 — will live in the dorms at St. Mike’s, roughly 5 miles away in Colchester.

The decision solves two issues for Vermont State, university spokesperson Katherine Levasseur said. First, it opens up “Williston Hall” — the three-story dorm building that sits across Helena

Drive from the main campus — for additional classroom space. Second, it gives residential students a more traditional college campus experience.

The decision will affect only about 5 percent of Vermont State’s Williston students. The vast majority of those enrolled are older than traditional posthigh-school college age and commute to classes — such as adults taking individual classes or seeking second degrees.

For those living in Williston Hall, the move to St. Mike’s will open up a suite of new opportunities and amenities. Most essential, perhaps, is access to a meal plan and on-campus dining.

“I think this is going to be a good thing for the more traditional college-aged students at Williston,” Levasseur said. “It expands their peer group and gives them

a more traditional campus experience and campus environment.”

Vermont State students will also have access to the St. Mike’s gym, library, student center and chapel.

“We’ve gotten feedback and requests for a more vibrant residential environment,” Levasseur said.

The commute to Williston takes about 15 minutes by car. It can also be done by bus: Green Mountain Transit’s Route 15 bus picks up in front of St. Mike’s. The trip requires a transfer in Essex Junction to the Essex-Williston bus.

The Williston campus is one of five in the Vermont State University system, which was created in 2021 as a unification of Vermont State Colleges and Vermont Technical College. Post unification, the

Casella loses Act 250 appeal against recycling center

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

Casella Waste Systems has lost an appeal in Vermont Environmental Court of the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s exemption from Act 250 land use review for the construction of its new recycling center on Redmond Road.

The Vermont District 4 Environmental Commission Land Use Review Board issued an opinion in 2025 exempting the project from Act 250 review. The project, which is currently under construction, is designed to replace the district’s existing recycling center on Avenue C, expanding its capacity to handle residential and commercial recyclables in Chittenden County.

Casella, a publicly traded company based in Rutland, operates the current recycling center as a contractor for the district.

The Land Use Review Board determined that the project is exempt from Act 250 because of the district’s status as a public municipality and the fact that the project disturbs less than 10 acres of land.

“The parcel is not considered involved land under Act 250 …. and the project does not require an Act 250 permit,” the board’s May 2025 decision states.

In an October, 2025 appeal, Casella argued that the recycling center should not be considered a municipal use, rather a profit-generating see CASELLA page 24

From store shelves to food shelf

Hannaford food rescue program helps fight food insecurity

Hannaford Supermarkets’ food rescue program provided 2.5 million pounds of food to Vermont food shelves in 2025, the grocer announced last week.

The food rescue program involves store associates assessing and identifying products for donation to a nearby food shelf.

Seventeen Vermont Hannaford locations partner with at least one local food shelf. The Williston Hannaford, for example, partners with the Williston Community Food Shelf.

Every day, associates set aside produce that may have bruises, shelved items that may have damaged packaging, and meat or dairy that may be near its sell-by date. Food shelf

volunteers pick up the donated products to offer to food insecure residents at the food shelf.

“Our associates work in tandem with trusted community partners to help ensure nutritious food reaches our neighbors in need every day,” said Hannaford Supermarkets President Mike Vail. “We’re proud to do our part to expand food access for families throughout the region and help families thrive.”

Hannaford provided food to the Vermont Foodbank and roughly 40 different Vermont food shelves in 2025.

“Food flowing through the Vermont Foodbank, local food shelves and meal site partners is essential to food security for neighbors across the state,” said John Sayles, CEO of the Vermont Foodbank.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

Age Well Senior Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. check in. Ages 60-plus. St. George Historic Schoolhouse. (802) 662-5283.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

Education and Enrichment for Everyone lecture. 2-3 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington. Green Mountain Care Board Chair Owen Foster speaks on the state of health care in Vermont. eeevermont.org.

Kites in the Park. Celebrate National Kite Month with the Williston Rec Department. 6 p.m. Village Community Park.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21

Selectboard meeting. 7 p.m. Town Hall. Agenda at town. williston.vt.us.

Planning Commission meeting. 7 p.m. Town Hall Annex. Agenda at town.williston.vt.us.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

Williston-Richmond Rotary Club breakfast meeting.

Speaker: Rob Meehan, director of Feeding Chittenden. 7 a.m. Williston Federated Church. RSVP to rotaryclubofwillistonvt@gmail. com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

Floral design workshop. Burlington Garden Club. 1 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington. bgcvt.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Williston Green Fair. Green Up Day and Energy Fair. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Village Green.

Around Town

Industrial Ave.-Route 2A construction ramps up

Traffic impacts at the Industrial Avenue intersection with Route 2A and Mountain View Road will increase this week as construction crews

install drainage infrastructure and widen Route 2A.

The activity will result in a lane closure and alternating oneway traffic controlled by flaggers between 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Drivers should expect delays or seek alternate routes.

Williston Green Fair upcoming

Two Town of Williston events are combining this year into the Williston Green Fair

The May 2 event on the Village Green is a merging of the fifth annual Town Fair and Green Up Day and the Williston Energy Fair. The

free community event will facilitate resident participation in Vermont’s annual Green Up Day —where residents can pick up green and clear trash bags and choose a route for a spring cleaning of trash and recyclables around town.

The event runs from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and will include

educational exhibits and resources focused on energy resilience. A Town Band concert is planned for 11 a.m. and library storytime at 10:30 a.m.

Contact Williston Senior Planner Emily Heymann at (802) 878-6704 or planning@ willistonvt.org for more information.

WILLISTONHUB

WILLISTON: BUSINESS HUB OF VERMONT

Williston businesses receive SBA honors

OBSERVER STAFF REPORT

Diane Abruzzini and Colin Riggs, founders of Willistonbased robotics company Rigorous Technology, have been named Small Business Persons of the Year for Vermont by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and are in the running for National Small Business Persons of the Year.

The SBA will host an awards ceremony on May 3 in Washington D.C. to announce the winner, part of the SBA’s National Small Business Week (May 3-9) celebration.

Rigorous is an industrial robotics company founded in 2020. It currently employs a team of 12 people across 10,000 square feet on Chad Lane off Williston Road.

Two other Williston businesses

owners received recognition in the SBA Vermont District Office’s annual awards, including Jennifer Mayhew of Vermont Healthcare Consulting LLC, which was named Woman Owned Business of the Year; and Matthew Renna of Queen City Dry Goods LLC, which was named Small Business Manufacturer of the Year.

The SBA Vermont District Office is located on Cornerstone Drive in Williston. It will hold a ceremony celebrating the awardees in June.

“I am pleased to congratulate the SBA’s Small Business Week Award Winners from across New England and right here in Vermont,” said SBA New England Regional Administrator Peter Steele. “From our farms and factory floors to the frontiers of

technology, our local small business owners are working hard every day to drive innovation, strengthen local economies and provide the products and services that keep America competitive, secure and strong.

“Whether they are one-person operations or companies with hundreds of employees, these small businesses contribute to our local, regional and national economy, create good-paying jobs for our friends and families and enhance the vitality of our main streets and communities.”

As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA is hosting a two-day virtual summit May 5-6 for both established and aspiring business owners. Register at https://www.cntvhybrid.com/ nsbw2026/welcome.

Williston’s UPS Store to close

The UPS Store at 34 Blair Park Road in Williston will close May 22.

Company Spokesperson Mia Gonzales confirmed The UPS Store, Inc.’s plans to close the store in an email to the Observer on Tuesday.

“We thank the store’s customers for their support and loyalty over the years,” Gonzales wrote.

The store is located next to the Williston Post Office and provides shipping, packaging and printing services as well as mailboxes. The company directed Williston customers to nearby UPS Store locations on Dorset Street in South Burlington and Carmichael Street in Essex.

HUB

Observer welcomes advertising account manager

OBSERVER STAFF REPORT

Adam Geffken has joined the Observer as lead advertising account manager. A Williston native, Geffken grew up attending church at Immaculate Heart of Mary and roaming the woods, fields, hills and paths around town with friends. He worked his way through Saint Michael’s College, earning a degree while living in Williston and working at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Williston’s Red Barn Gardens.

Geffken’s mother was also born and raised in Williston.

Geffken returns to town this year with his wife and two children after a several-year stint in Florida.

“We desired a slower life in a small

town where we could get to know the residents,” he said.

Geffken has experience in marketing, advertising and sales in a variety of environments, from publicly traded companies to small Catholic parishes. He will serve as the Observer’s primary advertising contact for local businesses. He can be reached at (802) 338-1655 and by email at adam@willistonobserver.com.

“‘Supporting a Thriving Economy’ is a key pillar in the Observer’s mission,” said Rick Cote, who with his wife, Susan, publishes the community’s newspaper. “If our local businesses succeed, we succeed. We are thrilled that Adam has joined us. He knows good advertising and he will be an asset to the paper and to our advertisers.”

“I’ve had fun learning the ropes, meeting local business owners and working with the Observer team,” Geffken said. “I’m most looking forward to helping as many local businesses as I can advertise and thrive!

State denies permit for road to Essex site that Amazon has eyed

BY AUDITI GUHA VTDigger

Vermont land use regulators have denied a permit to build a road to a site in Essex where an Amazon distribution facility had separately been proposed a year ago.

In a 32-page decision last week, the District 4 Environmental Commission found that the landowner’s current proposal does not comply with town regulations that prohibit construction on steep slopes.

Al Senecal of Allen Brook Development had sought a permit for a five-lot subdivision of a 109.5-acre site in the Saxon Hill Industrial Park, a public road to access it, and a 33,600-square-foot warehouse on Lot 11 of the parcel, according to the website for Act 250, the state’s land use review program. The application said there was not yet a tenant for the warehouse.

As the District 4 commission noted in its decision, the current application did not include any proposed development on other lots that would be in the subdivided parcel.

In March 2025, Scannell Properties proposed building a 106,000-square-foot

“The denied subdivision and road were necessary for the Amazon distribution center on Lot 13. Without an approved subdivision and road, there can be no Amazon facility.”

Alliance of Concerned Residents Envisioning Solutions (ACRES)

warehouse on Lot 13 at the site. It was later learned that it would be a distribution center for Amazon, the first such facility in Vermont.

That project drew passionate public opposition. The project is on hold after the town’s Development Review Board in July 2025 rejected the larger site plan, citing incomplete traffic studies. Amazon has appealed that decision in the environmental division of Vermont Superior Court.

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Member:

We all need public health; now public health needs you

BY RICK HILDEBRANT

In my first six months on the job as Vermont’s health commissioner, I’ve learned so much about the work we do as a state to provide one another with the opportunity to enjoy healthy lives. It’s not easy work, but it pays off: Vermont continues to perform among the top states in the nation on many key measures of health, reflecting strong access to care, high use of preventive services, and a deep commitment to community wellbeing.

We see this in areas like maternal and child health, the strength

of our systems supporting older Vermonters and lower rates of preventable harm and premature death. We have also made significant strides in substance use and chronic disease prevention and have, for the first time in nearly 25 years, marked a sustained decline in fatal drug overdoses.

Life-saving and life-changing successes like these are supported by the daily efforts of our public health workforce, public policy initiatives and the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists and so many other professionals we trust with our health care. It’s a privilege to work alongside dedicated colleagues across all these groups every day.

Whether I’m meeting with nurses in one of our local health offices, talking with elected officials or doing a shift with my longtime colleagues at Rutland Regional Medical Center, I am surrounded by people who share a passion to improve the lives of all Vermonters.

Public health asks something of all of us — sometimes, it asks a lot. Before joining the Health Department, I served in a number of physician leadership roles while continuing my work as a hospitalist on the inpatient unit at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Like so many in health care, I carry vivid memories of how difficult the pandemic was, both clinically and

The

public health system we rely on today was built over generations, and we all have a stake in ensuring it remains strong for ourselves, our families, our communities and the generations to come.

emotionally. I remember the impossible task of surge planning, of standing up an alternate care site at the Spartan Arena while working to keep our hospital staffed and our teams safe. I remember far too many patients dying, and the profound heartbreak experienced by their families and by the staff who cared for them.

The many different experiences of the pandemic changed us all in some way, and I know they continue to shape the way we all think about public health. What I also want people to know is this: Public health is so much more than the last pandemic. Public health is

embedded in the way we live our lives. It’s present in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. It’s how we care for our children and neighbors, how we protect our environment and respond to climate change, and how we confront complex, interconnected social challenges like addiction and homelessness.

Much of this work is invisible, but it is constant and far-reaching — and it does not stand still. Public health is woven into the systems that protect us every day, and it continues to push at the margins to expand access to opportunities for full and healthy lives to all of us more equitably.

It’s clear to me as our state’s health commissioner that we can’t take any of this for granted.

In this role, I also see firsthand the many challenges we face. It’s no secret that the approach to public health at the national level is changing. The rollback of federal support systems and information sharing across state lines makes it more difficult to monitor emerging health issues. In many ways, challenges like these leave it to those of us at the state and local level to step in and provide clarity, consistency and a steady source of trusted information.

Sudden shifts in guidance, priorities and even the core programs

Hildebrant

continued from page 6

we have counted on for decades can create real confusion, making it hard for people to know who to trust with questions about public health and even their own health.

The public health system we rely on today was built over generations, and we all have a stake in ensuring it remains strong for ourselves, our families, our communities and the generations to come.

That can look like volunteering at your local hospital, school or community organization, carrying naloxone, supporting your local farmers market, or writing to public officials and elected representatives about a health issue that matters to you. Listen to your friends and loved ones talk about their health concerns, and hold your child’s hand when they get their flu shot.

There’s so much uncertainty out there, but these everyday actions truly matter — and together they shape the health of our communities. We all need public health, and right now, public health needs you.

Rick Hildebrant is commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health.

Revote clarity

Pay attention on May 19 to the library revote. This is one of those misleading ballot issues, where clarity is needed.

We are voting on whether to throw out the will of the majority of people expressed in the Town Meeting Day election, or to accept the will of the people.

Voting “yes” on May 19 means you want to throw out the Town Meeting Day results; voting “no” means you do not want to throw out the approval of the library project and rather let the results stand so this much-needed project can begin without further delay.

Jim Coates Williston

Shoutout to library staff, volunteers

On National Library Week (April 19-25), the Friends and Trustees of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library would like to congratulate library staff and volunteers on the wonderful

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

service you provide to the Town of Williston.

We wish to acknowledge the valuable contributions made by you and all library workers across the country, every day. The wide variety of programs that you offer include storytime, musical experiences, crafting, movies, games and playtime for children.

Adult programs are numerous, including meditation, life stories, cooking club, games and lectures on various subjects. The library bookmobile brings the library to the doorsteps of many elderly and disabled folks in Williston. Always friendly and helpful, you make the library a jewel in our community and a place to connect with everyone in town.

Vermonters are very fortunate in that we avoid the challenges of book bans and organized censorship that too many of our libraries are experiencing throughout the country. Our library is open and welcoming to all people regardless of any political, gender based or religious

considerations. The staff is exemplary in making all visitors feel welcome and lending a helping hand when needed.

I urge all our community members to stop in during National Library Week and let the team know just how much you appreciate their work. Give a shoutout to all the amazing people that power the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library!

Gerry Ortego, Secretary, Friends of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library

A reason to stay

My wife and I are a young family who purchased our home in Williston Village in 2021. We now have a 1-year-old son, and like many others, we are navigating the very real pressures of rising costs across Vermont.

There is no question that affordability matters. However, I believe it is equally important to recognize what makes a community worth investing in, and worth staying in.

What drew us to Williston,

and what continues to keep us here, are the town’s amazing public offerings: the parks, the community events and the library. These are not luxuries; they are foundational pieces of a strong, connected community. The library, in particular, provides resources not just for children like our son, but for residents of all ages.

The proposed library expansion represents an investment of roughly $10 per month for the median household. While any increase deserves consideration, I view this as a reasonable investment in the very qualities that attract and retain young families.

Strong communities do not happen by accident; they are built through thoughtful investments like this. Supporting projects like the library expansion helps strengthen Williston’s appeal, grow its tax base, and ensure it remains a place where families want to put down roots.

Sean Myshrall Williston

The latest decision, which does not name Amazon, is based on the District 4 Environmental Commission examining Senecal’s proposal against multiple criteria, including the town’s zoning ordinances. The town’s regulations prohibit development on slopes with a 20% grade or steeper, to prevent environmental damage. The commission further noted that no steep-slope waiver was submitted by the applicant or issued by the town.

Although Amazon is not a party to the Act 250 application, the company is evaluating how this decision might impact its proposal to build a warehouse at Saxon Hill, said Amber Plunkett, a spokesperson for Amazon. She had no updates to share on the ongoing appeal in Superior Court.

The developers did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The denial of the subdivision, road and smaller warehouse is not necessarily the last word. Any party to the decision may appeal it in environmental court within 30 days.

The applicant could also submit an altered application that corrects deficiencies from the original denial within 15 days, according to the executive director of the state Land Use Review Board, Peter Gill. The board administers the Act 250 program and supports its nine district commissions.

Residents from Essex and elsewhere opposed the Amazon project at multiple hearings last year, citing health and environmental concerns and criticizing the working conditions and pay for the company’s warehouse workers.

Some see the Act 250 denial as a win, despite the possibility of an appeal.

“We view this as a victory, even if it’s an interim victory perhaps, for the legal process, the rule of law and local communities like Essex who want to stand up against, in many respects, one of the most powerful and wealthy corporations in the world,” said Jared Carter, a lawyer representing the Alliance of Concerned Residents Envisioning Solutions (ACRES), a nonprofit consisting of about 25 Essex residents.

The resident group was formed in opposition to the proposal last year for an Amazon warehouse on 22.94 acres of mostly vacant and wooded land with trails in the Saxon Hill Industrial Park off Thompson Drive.

“The denied subdivision and road were necessary for the Amazon distribution center on Lot 13. Without an approved subdivision and road, there can be no Amazon facility,” states a press release from ACRES.

Town and selectboard officials declined to comment.

Grand Isle County’s top prosecutor cited for DUI

State’s Attorney Douglas DiSabito was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of drunken driving

BY VTDIGGER STAFF

Grand Isle County’s top prosecutor Douglas DiSabito was cited Tuesday for drunken driving, according to a press release from the St. Albans Police Department.

Police officers received a call around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday alerting officers to respond to Franklin County Superior Court in St. Albans “for a report of a person in the building who may be under the influence of alcohol,” the release said.

Officers then made contact with Grand Isle State’s Attorney DiSabito and after “subsequent

investigation” arrested him for driving under the influence of alcohol, the release said.

DiSabito is set to appear in court on May 4, according to the release. The court appearance is not listed on Franklin County court calendars.

The 57-year-old from Alburgh was first elected to lead the prosecutor’s office in 2014 and has won re-election without facing challengers in every election since then, according to the Vermont Secretary of State’s website. DiSabito has said he is running again for re-election in November. Earlier this week he said he would seek both Democratic and Republican nominations, according to WCAX.

DiSabito did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Vermont House poised to roll back portions of Act 181

BY CARLY BERLIN VTDigger

Democratic leaders in the Vermont House have signaled their willingness to roll back portions of Act 181, the contentious 2024 law that overhauled Vermont’s land use permitting system.

The move comes after weeks of protest from rural landowners who have argued that the law’s conservation aims infringe on personal property rights and impede development in rural areas. The Senate moved to postpone the law’s implementation late last month, but stopped short of a repeal. Now, the speaker of the House and the House Environment committee have indicated that the lower chamber is willing to go further.

Rep. Amy Sheldon, D-Middlebury, chair of the House Environment committee, said on Tuesday afternoon that the tiered land use classification system set forth in Act 181 is dividing Vermonters and needs rethinking.

“We don’t need our shared interest

Legislature passed the law over Republican Gov. Phil Scott’s objections two years ago. Act 181 sought to ease regulations in already-developed areas – “Tier 1” zones –to speed up housing construction amid the state’s acute home shortage. At the same time, the law put in place a new “road rule” in much of the state – “Tier 2” areas – that would require a permit for private road construction longer than 800 feet, a measure meant to cut back on the fragmentation of forest blocks. Proposed “Tier 3” areas would bolster regulations over particularly sensitive ecosystems, like headwater streams and habitat connectors.

permitting processes for rural landowners.

Sheldon, one of Act 181’s initial drafters, is known as a devoted conservationist at the Statehouse. She told VTDigger/Vermont Public in late March that she was not open to rolling back portions of the law, saying that some of the arguments raised by opponents were overstated and misguided.

But after hearing days of critical testimony in the House Environment committee room, she made an about-face on Tuesday.

“I’m looking at repealing the road rule and the Tier 3 and revisiting how we structure that,” she said.

in protecting our environment to divide Vermont, particularly at this moment,” Sheldon told the committee.

Act 181 set in motion a transformation of Vermont’s landmark development review policy, Act 250, mandating a first-of-itskind mapping effort that would essentially dictate where future development would be subject to Act 250 scrutiny, and where it wouldn’t be. The Democratic-controlled

None of these zones are set in stone yet, as regional planning commissions and the state-level Land Use Review Board continue to map out their boundaries. But as draft maps have come out over the last several months, housing advocates, municipal leaders and conservative legislators have argued – at an increasingly loud pitch – that the conservation measures are too sweeping, and would tack on complicated and costly

In a statement on Wednesday morning, House Speaker Jill Krowinski, a Burlington Democrat, echoed that position.

“Following extensive feedback from communities across Vermont, it is clear that the ‘Road Rule’ and ‘Tier 3’ need to be repealed,” Krowinski said. She likened the land use overhaul to the school consolidation effort backed by Scott.

“Vermonters have been clear that a

Act 181

continued from page 9

top-down approach, whether it be land use policy or the administration’s proposal to force school consolidation into five districts, is not the right approach for shaping the future of our state,” Krowinski said.

The pivot from Democratic

leaders in the House comes in the lead up to election season. During the last election cycle, voters’ concerns about the costliness of the new clean heat standard helped fuel a wave of Republican victories in the House and Senate. The Act 181 debate has been animated by a similar push-and-pull between environmental goals and affordability.

Game on! Game on!

Sheldon and other House Environment committee members said on Tuesday that they intend to look at alternative ways to protect Vermont’s most sensitive ecosystems, outside of the Act 181 framework. But there was a sense of loss in the room.

“I’m sort of, like, mourning that we have to start over in some ways,” said Rep. Ela Chapin, D-East Montpelier. “But also excited that we do actually have new information from the last two years.”

The committee will next need to take a formal vote to amend S.325, the bill currently moving forward that would alter Act 181. The full House chamber would then need to vote on the bill before sending it back to the Senate.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, a Burlington Democrat, told Seven Days on Tuesday that he was “shocked” by Sheldon’s pivot. The chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy committee, Sen. Anne Watson, D/P-Washington, expressed less surprise. She told the paper she would take testimony before making any decisions, but indicated “she was unlikely to resist” the House’s change, Seven Days reported.

This story was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public.

university is undergoing an ongoing assessment of buildings and degree program offerings.

Part of the need for more classroom space in Williston is due to the increasing popularity of the nursing and dental hygiene programs, Levasseur said.

Programs with decreasing enrollment — including an associate degree program in automotive mechanics at the Randolph campus — are being eliminated, as reported this week by the Valley News.

“The Williston campus is kind of unique in that it’s busting at the seams in some senses in terms of classroom space,” Levasseur said. “With unification, we’re going to keep thinking as creatively as possible and look for partnerships and opportunities that allow us to do multiple things at the same time like provide a more in-demand residential experience for students while also opening up more classroom space.”

Champlain Valley poised to become federally recognized wine region

BY THEO WELLS-SPACKMAN VTDigger

Move over, craft beer — Vermont wine is making a name for itself.

The Champlain Valley is poised to become a federally recognized wine region, to the excitement of a number of Vermont vineyard owners.

A new proposed federal rule would designate the “Champlain Valley of Vermont” as an American viticultural area. That would mean the region’s producers could include details of their grapes’ origin on wine labels, and that nearly all the grapes used to make wine bearing the area’s name must be grown inside specified borders. The proposal includes a broad swath of land between Lake Champlain’s edge and the Green Mountains, and stretches from Rutland County to the Canadian border.

Winemakers say this federal recognition by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau would provide a real opportunity to grow Vermont’s profile in this industry.

“It gives us validity,” said Kenneth Albert, founder of Shelburne Vineyard and former president of the Vermont Grape and Wine Council, who originally submitted the petition for recognition

in 2022. His vineyard, founded in 1998, was among the state’s first commercial grape-growing operations.

Shelburne Vineyard grows grapes that are hybrids of European and North American varieties that can withstand temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.

COURTESY OF SHELBURNE VINEYARD

“We’ll finally get some respect,” he said, laughing.

Vermont’s collection of vineyards represents a small but expanding part of the state’s agricultural economy, with one 2018 University of Vermont study calling winemaking a “unique growth sector.”

Kristen Carrese, who heads marketing and exports at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, said this new recognition could be a boon to the state’s agritourism industry in particular.

“An (American viticultural area) designation is an exciting opportunity to define the Champlain Valley as a distinct wine growing region that’s shaped by our specific climate, soils and geography,” she said.

As laid out in Albert’s proposal, the Champlain Valley’s climate is the result of an unusual combination of factors.

Vermont’s cooler weather meets a natural tempering effect from the nearby lake, creating a slightly warmer environment and a somewhat longer growing season than elsewhere in the state.

A warming climate has also brought the potential for growing more varieties of grapes in the state’s vineyards, according to Kendra Knapik, another recent Grape and Wine Council president who co-founded Ellison Estate Vineyard in Grand Isle. But increased risk of extreme weather events makes that trend a mixed bag for growers, she said.

“There’s this concept in wine called ‘terroir,’” Knapik said, citing an industry term referring to factors like

temperature, soil makeup and elevation in a grape-growing environment. “You’re tasting a place.”

Essentially, this bid for federal recognition makes the case that the valley’s unique climate is worth flagging for the wine industry, Knapik said. It would also allow local producers to include a more detailed description of the wine’s origin on their labels, a practice Knapik said is otherwise tightly regulated.

For Albert, this freedom to include details about where his grapes were grown would be a major win. It draws more interest from customers, he said, both in the product itself and the region it came from. He hopes, too, that more Vermont regions can earn recognized status in the wake of his proposal.

David Keck, a sommelier and owner of Stella14 Wines in Jeffersonville, was optimistic, if cautiously, about this latest push to raise public awareness about Vermont wine.

“I think it’s good recognition for the area,” he said, adding that the state’s wine industry is “positioned well right now to grow rapidly.”

The main thing the sector is missing right now, Keck said, is large-scale investment. And while this federal recognition is just a small part of the necessary elevation of Vermont’s winemaking profile, he said, it’s surely a step in the right direction.

The proposed rule will be open for public comments until May 26 before federal officials make a final determination.

C A R E

HOME & GARDEN

Planting spring bulbs for summer flowers

BY DEBORAH J. BENOIT Special to the Observer

It may surprise you that spring isn’t the only season where bulbs can produce an array of flowers to enjoy. Spring bulbs planted in the coming weeks will produce flowers this summer.

Bulbs are easy to obtain, easy to plant and offer a wide variety of options. Consider such familiar choices as gladioli, begonias and dahlias, or opt for something a little different like peacock orchids, rain lilies or tiger flowers.

Whatever you decide to plant, first consider getting a soil test. It’s easy and inexpensive. The results can provide information on your soil type and available nutrients, and

Plant summer blooming bulbs in mid-spring when the soil has warmed to around 55 degrees.

make recommendations for soil amendments and fertilizers.

Check out https://go.uvm.edu/ soiltestfor more information on obtaining a soil test.

Plant summer blooming bulbs in mid-spring when the soil has warmed to around 55 degrees. Select a location with appropriate light and soil that drains well. Check for specific planting instructions on the bulbs’ packet.

If you’re planting a large number of bulbs, it’s more efficient to dig a hole or trench to the needed depth and add bulbs (pointed end up). Cover with soil and water well.

Install plant supports at the time of planting or soon after growth has emerged for any flowers that tend to be top heavy.

If your yard is host to squirrels, chipmunks or other wildlife that might dine on or relocate the bulbs you plant, consider ways to deter them. The scent of bulbs, or even the disturbed soil, can attract squirrels.

A layer of mulch may help disguise the scent (and can help keep soil moisture and temperature more even). Another alternative is to camouflage bulbs

see BULBS page 13

by planting them near or among spring blooming bulbs that squirrels find less attractive, such as daffodils. For smaller plantings, a wire cloche placed over the area can be useful. The easiest alternative may be to plant bulbs that wildlife will likely find unappetizing, such as allium.

Bulb baskets and cages are available commercially and can help prevent nibblers from gaining access to bulbs. You

HOME & GARDEN

can also construct your own custom-sized protection using woven wire — such as chicken wire or hardware cloth. Simply plant bulbs as usual, covering them with soil, then lay a piece of woven wire larger than the planting area over them and finish covering with soil. This can help stop squirrels and the like from digging out bulbs from above.

For more security, form a box of woven wire, plant the bulbs inside and secure another piece as a lid, enclosing the bulbs on all sides. As long as the

space between the wire is large enough to accommodate emerging leaves and stems, the bulbs will not be obstructed by the woven wire.

After planting, water as needed, but be sure the soil isn’t overly wet. Too much water can result in rotted bulbs.

Throughout the season, deadhead faded flowers, but wait to trim foliage until it turns yellow and dies back naturally, allowing energy and nutrients to be stored in the bulb for next season.

Some tender perennials, such

as canna lilies and dahlias, don’t overwinter well in our area. In the fall, dig them up before the ground freezes. Discard any that are damaged or diseased. Clean and allow them to dry. Store in peat or paper bags in a dark, cool (not freezing) location until the following spring when they can be planted again.

The University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener

Helpline is available at https:// go.uvm.edu/gardenhelpline to answer your home gardening questions.

Deborah Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener who volunteers as a garden columnist and participates in Bennington County Extension Master Gardener Chapter activities.

Springtime renewal, for mind and body

BY EMMA RICKS Community News Service

This has been a winter for the record books, with Lake Champlain freezing over for the first time in seven years and long stretches of below-freezing weather. However, the days are getting longer and the birds are getting louder, signaling spring.

As the colder temperatures fade, so does the risk of seasonal affective disorder. It is defined by the National Alliance on Mental Illness as a form of depression that occurs typically in late fall to early spring and affects up to 20% of the U.S. population. This “slump” is a seasonal pattern caused in part by shorter, darker days and is remedied by sunlight.

Whether it’s sunny or cloudy, being outside has many benefits, both mentally and physically, said Laurie Emerson, executive director of NAMI Vermont, which is headquartered on Blair Park Road in Williston.

“It’s so important to take care of your mental health, just like you take care of your physical health,” she said. “They’re both really integrated.”

People cannot have a healthy body without a healthy mind and vice versa, said Emerson.

“If you’re not feeling well mentally it does affect your body,” she said. “Your body can exhibit different things like pain, stress

or things that create other physical symptoms if you’re not taking care of your mental wellbeing.” Consistency is key when it comes to being active and strengthening mental health, she added.

After a cold winter, it is important to get outside and soak in the sunshine. On a recent afternoon, longtime Vermont resident

Right to grow vegetables protected under new bill

H.537 passes House, moves to Senate

ROXY VANDERHOFF Community News Service

“To grow food is a Vermont right,” longtime South Burlington resident Cher Feitelberg told the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency and Forestry on Feb. 24.

Feitelberg was testifying in support of H.537, a bill that would give renters and condo owners the right to grow vegetable gardens.

Feitelberg said when she’s visited other countries, there’s food, not just flowers, growing outside of people’s houses. She said H.537 would create a mirror of the beauty and biodiversity of front yards that she’s seen while travelling.

“We’re talking about changing a lot of things, including culture,” she said.

Sponsored by Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-Chittenden-12, the bill would allow tenants to grow vegetables in portable containers so long as they agree to maintain them. Landlords would have a say in where the garden is placed and could charge the tenant for the extra water and electricity needed to grow the plants, the bill says.

The bill would also give vegetable-growing rights to residents in condo associations. The plots would be limited to “areas designated for exclusive use of the unit owner,” the bill says. Homeowner associations would still be allowed to review plans but not intentionally delay the approval process.

Feitelberg said the bill would require homeowner associations, which have a reputation for strictness, to ease up on some of their regulations.

She also cited accessibility as a reason to pass H.537. There is a shared garden plot where she lives, equipped with 18 spots for 77 residents. For those who have a spot, it’s difficult to access the gardens, with the only watering source being too far for most residents to safely use.

“Out-the-door gardening

allows people with those kinds of issues to grow food very conveniently and safely,” she said.

Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, D-Windham-3, said the bill would provide rights that don’t exist under current law.

“The idea of this bill is that people should have the right to grow vegetable gardens, and as homeowners you have the right to grow vegetable gardens, but as renters you don’t necessarily,” she told the Senate Committee on Economic Development on March 31.

Angela Zaikowski is the director of the Vermont Landlord Association and an attorney who specifically deals with cases related to renter and landlord rights. She agreed that people should have access to food but expressed some concerns about the bill.

“It has the potential to create some conflict where it doesn’t need to be and perhaps create some challenges for both housing providers and renters,” she told the committee on Feb. 25.

Zaikowski said that she doesn’t see a need for H.537 because renters can already ask their landlords if they are allowed to grow on their property.

“I don’t see a lot of disputes or conflicts regarding that,” she said, later adding, “It’s usually a discussion that landlords and tenants have if it’s something the tenant wants to do. If the properties are able to support it and it makes sense, they work out the details of that between themselves.”

Zaikowski also argued that landlords wouldn’t be able to move the planters because they would be on the tenant’s property.

“Their recourse is to send a violation notice, which under Vermont law currently is a 30day notice, and then if there’s not compliance, to start an eviction case in the court, which is about a six-month process,” she said.

H.573 is currently under consideration in the Senate Committee on Economic Development.

Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.

Q&A: Artist Kimberlee Forney is a staple on Church Street

BY KATELYN UNKE Community News Service

Each year, the City of Burlington selects a handful of artists to sell their work in an alley just off Church Street through their Artists in the Alley program. One of those artists is painter and musician Kimberlee Forney.

Most weekends, when the weather is good, you can find Forney in Marketplace Alleyway, also known as “Artists’ Alley.” There, her portable gallery is filled with vivid, fantastical acrylic paintings inspired by animals and the natural world.

Community News Service recently stopped by to talk with Forney her about life and art.

Q. How did you get into this work?

A. I have always been an artist. Ever since I was young, I’ve loved exploring the world around me visually, (mostly) through photorealism, or through copying comics such as “Garfield” when I was really young. And ever since college, when I graduated in 2000, I have been exploring and sharing the signature world that I play around in currently.

Q. Can you describe your artistic style?

A. I know that my style is unique. People will often ask me, “What do you call this style?” And I say, “I don’t have a name for it.” I

don’t want to put it into a box. It’s really just me expressing certain subject matters, like cows and sheep, or couples embracing. And basically, most of my work is about love and connection. And perhaps that was something I was exploring in my art, in my signature style, because it seemed somewhat absent in my physical world.

Regarding my own artistic style, I’ve heard from many people that it just really uplifts them, and makes them feel happy. And because our mind, body and soul are all connected, having each one in balance is very important. Otherwise, when one gets out of balance, they all can become out of balance. So helping to uplift people’s energy is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle.

Q. Is making art healing for you?

A. I, like many of us, come from a background that is not as harmonious as we would like (it) to be. And so (in) my childhood — and beyond, actually — the environment around me was quite chaotic and unstable, and creating art was a wonderful outlet for me to focus on something outside of my environment. I’m not sure exactly what (making art) does to the human body and brain, but it does put you in a more relaxed state. It’s a good release of emotions. And so for me personally, just the act of creating art puts me in the flow.

Q. What do you worry about?

A. So some of my artistic pieces, I’ll put words on them to inspire people, or to remind people about certain things. And one of my pieces says, “To worry is to pray for something you do not want.” So I’m generally not a worrier. I tend to just focus on embodying faith. And if I do feel any type of energy that’s trying to pull me into that worry energy, I just acknowledge it and refocus. It’s a good struggle.

Q. You mentioned the word “alchemy” in regard to your art. Can you tell me more about that, and how you practice alchemy in your work?

A. So alchemy is, for me, turning one thing into another, like (turning) one energy into another. So with all of the pain that I may have experienced, either personally, or seeing other people that I love also experience pain and suffering, I was able to alchemize that pain into something positive through creating art.

Q. Has a moment of failure or sadness ever led to a breakthrough?

A. I was actually suffering quite a bit emotionally due to all the trauma in my life. And I just remember asking, “Why? What is the point of all this?” And then shortly after that I had (an) experience of realizing it’s really all about finding your way back to yourself, back to love, back

to self love, and being authentic.

Q. Is it possible to make a living as an artist in Burlington?

A. I often get asked how I’m able to make a living as an artist. A few reasons: I believe that I can, and I know that I can, and the universe will always provide a way. But it’s about putting out there what you want, and embodying the belief and the faith that it will happen.

Q. Do you have any advice for fellow artists?

A. I would say, make art and follow your joy.

Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship. This article was produced in partnership with Vermont Public.

BRUNCH

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 9 A.M.-1 P.M.

WED-THU 5-8

5-9

KITES IN THE PARK

Friday, April 17, 6 p.m. at Village Community Park. Celebrate National Kite Month at the park. We’ll provide a kite for each family to decorate and personalize (while supplies last), then take to the sky to fly. Thanks to presenting sponsor Associates in Orthodontics.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE

Community Garden plots are available to Williston residents. The Williston Community Garden has 30 plots and is located off Mountain View Road near Brennan Community Park. Registration is first-come, firstserved online at willistonrec.org. Pricing ranges from $15-$75.

ADULT PROGRAMS

BASIC DOG TRAINING

Ages 18-plus. Learn how to have a happy, confident and well-behaved dog. The class teaches obedience, life skills and understanding how your dog communicates. Sundays April 26-June 7, 2-3 p.m. or 3:15-4:15 p.m. $195.

THERAPY DOG ACADEMY

Ages 18-plus. This course prepares both dogs and handlers for certification and to excel as a therapy team. You’ll master essential skills like healing and polite greetings, gain tools for safe and effective teamwork, and learn to read your dog’s body language. Sundays, April 26-June 7, 4:305:30 p.m. $215.

JAZZERCISE CARDIO SCULPT PROGRAMS

Ages 16-plus. Cardio Sculpt

Low/Moderate (low impact, moderate intensity) — 8:309:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Cardio Sculpt Low/High (low impact, moderate to high intensity) — 8:309:30 a.m. Sundays; 4:45-5:45 p.m. Tuesdays. Cardio Sculpt High/ High (high impact, high intensity) — 4:45-5:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

R.E.C. ZONE PROGRAMS (94 Harvest Lane)

TAI CHI INTRO

Ages 50-plus. Mondays, 9:3010:30 a.m., Free. Instructor: Adina Panitch.

BONE BUILDERS

Ages 50-plus. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11 a.m., Free.

Instructors: Ann Naumann and Joyce Oughstun.

SENIOR STRENGTH & FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY

Ages 50-plus. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-10:45 a.m., Free. Instructor: Jazmine Averbuck. ZUMBA GOLD

Ages 50-plus. Fridays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., $10 per visit. Instructor: Ciara Gregory.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

TEDDY BEAR PICNIC

Ages 2-6. Bring your favorite stuffed animal and join us for a cozy picnic in the park. We’ll start by reading Teddy Bear Picnic together, then each child will receive their very own unstuffed teddy bear to create. Bring a lunch for the picnic. This is a parent-child program with rec staff. Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., $20.

TENNIS

Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5. Instructors use small courts, short racquets and balls that bounce lower. Wednesdays, April 29-June 3, (Grades K-2, 3-4 p.m., Grades 3-5, 1:50-2:50 p.m. $90.

ARCHERY

Grades 6-8. Learn the fundamentals of archery, including the equipment and proper technique. There will be guided target shooting and accuracy games. Instructor: Fred Murray. Tuesdays, May 5-June 9, 2:50-4:15 p.m. $85.

SWIM LESSONS

Learn to swim at the Edge in Essex. Programs meet on Wednesdays beginning May 6 for preschoolers through grade 5.

RECKIDS LACROSSE

Ages 4-5. Parents and children work together to develop fundamental lacrosse skills such as stick handling, cradling, scooping, shooting, passing, catching and running/agility in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. All equipment is provided. Instructors: Rec. staff. Fridays, May 1-29, 5:15-6:15 p.m., $36.

ROOKIES LACROSSE

Grades K-2. This program focuses on individual and team concepts in a fun, educational environment. Separate programs will be offered for boys and girls if numbers allow. Participants are required to bring a lacrosse stick. Volunteer coaches are needed. Saturdays, May 2-June 6 — boys, 8-9 a.m., girls, 9:10-10:10 a.m. $53.

Kathryn “Kate” Brown

Kathryn “Kate” Brown, 73, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 5, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and friends after a brief illness. She was born May 7, 1952, in Kittery, Maine, to Howard “Ted” and Margaret Farrow and came to Vermont to attend Champlain College — and, true to her loyal spirit, she never left the Green Mountain State she came to love.

For 30 years, Kate built a remarkable career at Verizon, holding a variety of positions in construction and finance. She was known for her strong work ethic, quick mind and unwavering dedication — always giving 100% to every challenge she took on. After retiring, she continued to share her talents and creativity as manager of the Vermont Gift Barn. Never one to rest for long, she also founded a women’s financial group and volunteered as treasurer for her homeowners association.

Kate embodied kindness, courage, and wit. She had an extraordinary eye for color and a gift for home decorating that brought warmth and beauty to every space she touched. A dependable neighbor and friend, she never hesitated to lend a helping hand — from bringing in mail, shoveling out mailboxes and dragging in recycle bins. She believed in doing what was right, finding the good in every situation, and making life brighter for those around her.

She loved the simple joys of community life — watching local little league and school basketball games with the Jarvis family, dining out with friends, catching a show at the Flynn and enjoying ice cream at the Village Scoop. A lover of adventure, Kate traveled

to places like Paris and Ireland, eager to learn and explore. She especially cherished putting together care packages for her grandson in college, a reflection of her enduring generosity and love for family. Kate’s fondness for animals, reading, classic Mustangs and Mahjong added even more color to her vibrant life.

Kate’s proudest accomplishment was being a great parent and grandmother. She was a constant source of love, support, encouragement and joy to others. She will be remembered for her big and generous heart, caring nature, strength, seeing the positive in situations and her ability to make every space — and every person — better just by being there.

She is survived by her son Graham Dewyea and his wife Victoria Dewyea; daughter Brandon Dewyea and her partner Tim Sokol; grandson Tracen Duke; her brother Gary and his family; cousin Suzanne and her daughters Kaetlyn and her family, and Kendra Bolton; cousins Lynn Desharnais and Jane Morrill-Winter and their families; as well as her beloved dog, Mica.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to the outstanding staff at the McClure Miller Respite House for Kate’s wonderful care in her final days, and the comforting support given to the family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Kate’s honor to the American Cancer Society, an organization she proudly supported.

OBITUARIES

of 48 years by his side, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Mike was born on May 29, 1951 in Syracuse, NY, to Bill and Jean Lathey, and spent his childhood in Marcellus, NY. He studied chemistry at Le Moyne College in Syracuse before taking a job with Agway, Inc., which eventually sent him to Newport, VT. There, he met the love of his life, Nicole Lavallee.

The two quickly became inseparable and were married in 1977. Mike held several positions in management in the Agway fertilizer and feed divisions and eventually moved into sales, throughout his 27-year career with the company. After living in Albany, NY and Greenfield, MA, he moved to Rutland, VT, where he lived for 26 years and ran a successful pest control business. After retirement, he moved to Williston, VT and also lived for a brief time at The Arbors memory care home in Shelburne, VT.

Throughout his life, Mike enthusiastically pursued a number of interests, most notably music and stereo equipment, running, biking, photography, and golf. He was a devoted father to his two girls and a loving husband, and will be remembered for his infectious smile and his caring nature.

Mike is survived by his wife, Nicole, of Williston, VT, his daughter, Marie, of Bend, OR, and his daughter, Elizabeth, sonin-law, Augusto, and grandson, Mario, of Johnson, VT, as well as his sister, Diane, of Marcellus, NY and his brother Tom (Chris) of Syracuse, NY, his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Monique Gosselin of Manchester, NH, Josie (Mike) Smith of Brunswick, GA, Sylvie (Dennis) Seguin of Lebanon, NH, and Louise (Rod) McCormick of Essex, VT, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws Gilbert and Therese Lavallee, his brotherin-law Paul Gosselin, Jr., and his beloved dog Kelsey.

awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.

Alberta M (Applegate) Siemons

Alberta M (Applegate) Siemons, 98, of Williston Vermont passed peacefully at her home on Monday, March 30, 2026. Alberta was born in Jamesburg, New Jersey on April 7, 1927, the daughter of Joseph and Carrie (Dorman) Applegate.

Alberta was proud to have been a Jamesburg, NJ resident. She graduated from Jamesburg High School in 1945. Following her graduation she married her husband William Siemons and they remained in Jamesburg to raise their two sons William Siemons and Joseph Siemons until her husband’s passing in 1971. Alberta worked for many years at the First National Bank in Jamesburg prior to relocating to Vermont where she finished out her career working for the Elizabeth Lund Home.

or indoor plumbing, cutting paper dolls from magazines and using an outhouse. One of her favorite pastimes was searching for treasures with her granddaughter and friends at flea markets or local yard sales. Alberta was loving, kind, adventurous and authentic in every sense of the word.

Alberta is survived by her two children; William Siemons, Joseph (Rhonda) Siemons and her granddaughter CeLynn (Bradley Elliott) Siemons. Alberta was predeceased by her parents Carrie (Dorman) Applegate and Joseph Applegate, her husband William Siemons, her brother William R. Applegate and her half siblings Leonard Applegate and Florence (Scofield) Applegate.

Alberta’s final resting place will be alongside her husband in Jamesburg. At her request, there will be no services held. Instead she asked that you think of her while giving a dog or cat extra cuddles because she found so much joy over the years with her own family pets. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Franklin County Animal Rescue 30 Sunset Meadows, St Albans City, VT 05478. Please visit www.awrfh. com to share your memories and condolences.

Bessie Katherine Burritt

It is with great sadness that the family of Michael Joseph Lathey, of Williston, VT, announce his passing on March 26, 2026, at 74 years of age, with his loving wife

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at The Arbors for the exceptional care they provided to Mike over the last few months, as well as UVM Home Health and Hospice, especially Carrie, who went above and beyond to ensure that Mike’s needs were met while he was under her expert care.

A funeral mass is planned for May 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Essex Junction. Please visit www.

More than anything, Alberta loved spending time with her family. From holiday gatherings, family vacations, trips to casinos, long walks in the woods, to family birthday celebrations with “Gramma’s Chocolate Cake”, she cherished and appreciated every moment. Without resolve, Alberta lived an active, healthy life and embraced countless new challenges along the way. In her mid 80’s she decided to try tubing. In her mid 90’s she jumped on the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride with her granddaughter. Even at age 97 she didn’t hesitate to go for a motorcycle ride on a warm sunny day.

Alberta valued the friendships she made over the years. Those who were fortunate enough to know her enjoyed her many stories centered around her humble beginnings; not having a television

Bessie Katherine Burritt, 79, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026 at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington. Graveside services will be held at the East Cemetery in Williston on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm. Arrangements are by Gifford Funeral Home.

Bessie was born in Richmond to Basil & Fern Burritt on March 27, 1946. She attended schools in Williston. Bessie is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, four sisters, two nephews, and two nieces. Bessie is survived by her brothers Larry (and Patricia) of Richmond; Ronnie (and Donna) of Huntington; sister-in law Donna of Richmond, several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Vermont Cancer Society.

The family of Bessie wishes to extend their sincere thanks to all the UVM Medical Center Hematology/Oncology Staff, ER Staff, and Miller 3 Staff and the 3rd floor staff at the Burlington Health and Rehab facility.

Thank a Teacher

Think of all the things your teacher does for you every day. Make a list. How many items did you come up with?

Many of the tasks that teachers do for students each day aren’t even seen or noticed by school kids. For instance, look around your room at the decorations there. Your teacher stays after school or comes in on weekends to put them up. She talks with parents whose kids are struggling or need to move ahead in one subject. He meets with other teachers and educators to learn more about the best methods for teaching kids. Teachers encourage and support their students every day in tiny and huge ways.

Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated May 4-8 this year. The Mini Page cooked up some ideas to help you show your teachers how much they mean to you.

Be a friendly spy

You’ll have to be a little sneaky for this one! Working with your classmates, try to find out what your teacher needs in the classroom. Many teachers have to buy supplies with their own money. This can become a big expense.

Ask another teacher or a parent what your teacher really wants for the classroom but can’t get. It might be a new set of colored pencils, calculators, big floor pillows for the reading area or bottles of hand sanitizer.

Try ’n’ Find

Words

Next Week: Our states: South Dakota

Mini Fact: On average, teachers spend more than $600 of their own money on school supplies each year.

Collect items from home, or plan an afterschool event, such as a race or video game challenge. Each person pays a fee to enter, and the winner gets a small prize, with the money going toward items on the teacher’s wish list.

Show what you’ve learned

Work with your classmates to put on a play about something you’ve been studying. Say you’ve been learning about our branches of government. Write and perform a play about a Supreme Court case. You’ll need nine judges, two lawyers and a defendant and plaintiff. (The defendant is the person who has been accused of something; the plaintiff is the person who has brought the case against the defendant.) Work with your teacher to arrange an appropriate time to present your play.

Food always works

Everybody loves treats! But don’t just bring a box of doughnuts.

Make some edible bites of history. Ask your family for a recipe that’s been handed down through generations, or make a dish that is native to your culture.

Bring the dishes to school and tell the story behind the food: Who gave you the recipe? Where did your ancestors come from? Why is the dish special to you? How did you make it? Then share your creation!

Again, make sure to work with your teacher to set a date for your food history project.

A flood of thanks

Flood your teacher with thanks! Each student in your class can write a short note or poem about what your teacher means to them.

Ask if the notes can be dropped off in the school office for your teacher to find after school or on a break.

Give a lot of thought to your note. Try to think of a moment when your teacher really helped you or stood up for you. Decorate it with a drawing about that time.

Teacher Fact-a-Roonies

According to the National Parent Teacher Association:

• The standard American work week is 40 hours. But on average, teachers work about 53 hours a week.

• About 30 hours are spent in the classroom; the other 23 are spent grading papers and preparing for class.

• The average class has more than 20 students.

• Teachers have to adjust their methods for each class and for each individual student.

Lounge” by Mendi Spencer

Tali: Why did the teacher wear sunglasses in the classroom? Tory: Because the students were so bright! Tim: Why did the student eat his homework? Tish: The teacher said it was a piece of cake!

colored pencils, calculators, big floor pillows for the reading area or bottles of hand

Try ’n’ Find

Again, make sure to work with your teacher to set a date for your food history project.

Words that remind us of teachers are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

ADJUST, APPRECIATION, CLASSROOM, ENCOURAGE, EXPENSE, FOOD, GRADING, HISTORY, PERFORM, POEM, PREPARING, STUDENT, SUBJECT, SUPPLIES, TASKS, TEACHER, THANKS, WRITE.

Cook’s Corner Cranberry-Almond Snack Mix

You’ll need:

• cooking spray

• 2 cups whole blanched almonds

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

What to do:

• 1 teaspoon canola oil

• 2 cups dried cranberries

Mini Jokes

Tali: Why did the teacher wear sunglasses in the classroom? Tory: Because the students were so bright! Tim: Why did the student eat his homework? Tish: The teacher said it was a piece of cake!

Eco Note

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Coat large baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. In medium bowl, combine almonds, cinnamon and oil. Toss to coat the almonds with the cinnamon.

3. Spread almonds on baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until almonds are slightly toasted. Let cool.

4. Transfer almonds to a bowl, add cranberries and toss to combine.

7 Little Words for Kids

Use the letters in the boxes to make a word with the same meaning as the clue. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in the solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle.

1. threatening animal noise (5)

2. one-fourth (7)

3. spoiled (6)

4. big winner (8)

5. brass instrument (7)

6. you weigh things on it (5)

7. airport building (8)

trumpet, scale, terminal.

Giant tortoises are roaming Floreana Island in the Galápagos Islands for the first time in more than 180 years after conservationists released 158 captive-bred juveniles into the wild. The island’s native tortoise, Chelonoidis niger niger, was driven to extinction in the 1840s by sailors who harvested thousands for food. Scientists launched a breeding program in 2017 after discovering tortoises with Floreana ancestry on nearby Isabela Island. Conservation groups called the release a major milestone that could help restore degraded ecosystems because giant tortoises play a powerful role in shaping vegetation and dispersing seeds.

For later:

Look in your local newspaper for ideas to show your teacher your appreciation.

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

I’m trying to figure out the best time for my wife and I to start taking our Social Security retirement benefits and would like to understand the breakeven age. What can you tell me?

—Strategizing Sam

Dear Sam,

As you approach retirement, one of the most important financial decisions you’ll face is when to begin collecting Social Security retirement benefits. A useful concept to guide your thinking is the “breakeven age,” which helps you evaluate the trade-off between

Understanding the Social Security breakeven age

taking a reduced benefit early versus a higher one later. Here’s what you should know.

SSA WAITING GAME

The Social Security Administration allows you to start collecting your retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced — about .5 percent each month — if you claim before your full retirement age (FRA), which is 67 for those born in 1960 or later. Conversely, for every year you delay claiming beyond your FRA — up to age 70 — your benefit amount increases 8 percent each year.

Your benefit maxes out at age 70, so there’s no financial incentive to wait longer.

BREAKEVEN AGE

The breakeven age is the point when the total benefits from waiting to claim equal the total you would have received by starting earlier. Live longer than that age and delaying pays off. Live shorter

The breakeven age is the point when the total benefits from waiting to claim equal the total you would have received by starting earlier.

and claiming early pays more. It’s a simple benchmark for retirement planning.

The exact breakeven age varies based on individual circumstances, but a common comparison is between claiming at age 62 versus waiting until FRA. For most people, the breakeven age for this scenario is around 78. Another common comparison is claiming at FRA versus waiting to age 70. The average breakeven age here is around 82.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Keep in mind that while the breakeven age is a powerful tool, it is just one piece of the puzzle. It doesn’t account for other crucial factors like your health and family longevity. If you have chronic health problems or a family history of shorter lifespans, taking a reduced benefit early might be the most prudent choice to ensure you receive a significant number of payments.

On the other hand, if you’re in good health and expect to live a long life, delaying your benefits to age 70 can provide a much higher income stream that acts as a form of longevity insurance. To estimate your life expectancy, try the online tool livingto100.com.

Furthermore, a married couple’s claiming strategy can be complex. The higher-earning spouse’s decision can significantly impact the survivor benefits for the lower-earning spouse. Waiting for the higher earner to claim at age 70 can provide a larger benefit

for the surviving spouse for the rest of their life.

In the end, there is no one-sizefits-all answer. The breakeven age provides a useful framework for comparison, but the decision of when to claim your benefits should also consider your health, financial situation and family.

ONLINE CALCULATORS

There are several online calculators that can help you and your wife figure out the best time to claim your benefits. One that’s completely free to use opensocialsecurity. com. For a more thorough analysis, use maximizemysocialsecurity. com. This tool, which costs $49 for a year, will run what-if scenarios based on your circumstances to find your best strategy for getting the highest possible lifetime payout.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

• In 1917, Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia in a sealed train after years in exile.

• In 1947, a fertilizer explosion during the loading of the freighter Grandcamp at a pier in Texas City, Texas, left more than 500 dead.

• In 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. penned his famous “Letter From Birmingham City Jail.”

• In 2007, a gunman killed 32 people in a shooting spree on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia.

TODAY’S FACT:

• Charlie Chaplin’s body was stolen in 1978 by grave robbers hoping to extort money from his family for its return. It was recovered 11 weeks later, and the perpetrators were arrested.

LEGAL

TOWN OF SAINT GEORGE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Development Review Board

will convene a public hearing at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in accordance with the provisions of §7.10 of the Town’s Land Use Regulations and 24 V.S.A. §4460(e)(12) for a Boundary Line Adjustment hearing regarding an application by Bourdeau and Hickson. The application involves the transfer of ±0.02 acres from Hickson to Bourdeau.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85786269072

Meeting ID: 857 8626 9072

Dial by your location

• +1 646 931 3860 US

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

The application is available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s office by appointment. Please contact Town Clerk, Lisa Laramee, at townclerk@stgeorgevt.com or 802-4825272 for an appointment. To submit written testimony, please contact Acting Zoning Administrator Maya Holmes, at zoning@ stgeorgevt.com.

Participation in the hearing is necessary to

CLASSIFIEDS

establish status as an ‘interested person’ and the right to appeal a decision rendered in that hearing, according to the provisions of 24 V.S.A. 117 §§4465(b) and 4471(a). Participation consists of offering, through oral or written testimony, evidence or a statement of concern directly related to the subject of the hearing.

LEGAL

TOWN OF WILLISTON

Selectboard NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

7:05 PM

Pursuant to 24 V.S.A., Chapter 59, and Section 4 of the Town of Williston Sewer Allocation Ordinance, the Williston Selectboard is considering the adoption of amendments to the Sewer Allocation Ordinance referred to as “Attachment A” - an existing ordinance pertaining to the allocation of public sewerage. Upon adoption, this attachment will designate the portion of the uncommitted reserve capacity that will be available for use during the next fiscal year which starts July 1, 2026.

A public hearing on this matter is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 7:05 p.m. in the Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room in

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Puzzle found on page 21

the Williston Town Hall located at 7900 Williston Road or remotely via: Zoom: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/81253851770

Phone: 1-646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 812 5385 1770

Below is the proposed Attachment A.

Renewal

continued from page 14

Kirsten Rickert was working out at one of the six fitness stations along the Burlington Greenway next to Lake Champlain. She exercises for both her physical and mental wellbeing, and she’s passionate about being outdoors.

“The ability to be able to reset and recharge while being outdoors is great for my sanity and mental health,” Rickert said.

Burlington Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront manages over 500 acres of green spaces open to the public. The fitness trail is just one of the many amenities available.

Allocated

*gpd = gallons per day

Attachment A may become effective 60 days, after the public hearing by vote of the Selectboard. If you have any questions, please contact Planning Director Matt Boulanger at mboulanger@willistonvt.org.

Notice is hereby given that any ordinance or amendment thereto adopted by the Town of Williston may be disapproved by a vote of a majority of the qualified voters at an annual or special meeting as provided in 24 V.S.A. §1973.

Copies of the entire text of the proposed Attachment A are available for review on the Town’s web page at https://www.town. williston.vt.us.

Getting outside looks different to everyone, said Kirsten Santor, recreation program manager at Burlington Parks and Rec.

“There are so many benefits to getting outdoors and warmer weather just makes that easier,” Santor said. “The key is that there isn’t a ‘right’ way to be outside. Even just sitting in the fresh air has benefits.”

Shifts in weather can change more than just the seasons.

“Our bodies naturally respond to the changing of the seasons, so spring is a great time to get more aligned with the natural world by being outside,” Santor said.

local communities. The City of Burlington activities list ranges from youth sports, full and halfday camps for children, and event art camps with options such as oil painting and clay throwing.

“Our bodies naturally respond to the changing of the seasons, so spring is a great time to get more aligned with the natural world by being outside.”

Kirsten Santor Recreation Program Manager, Burlington Parks And Rec. To place a classified ad, email Adam@willistonobserver.com or call (802) 338-1655 Deadline for classifieds is Monday

Along with green spaces, camps and activities for both children and adults are available in Burlington and other

For Emerson, getting outside and being active for mental health looks different each day and ranges from going to the gym to just getting her hands in the dirt, gardening.

“This isn’t from a textbook, but I love being outside, and when I go outside, I always feel better when the sun is shining. It’s all those things put together that just make you feel better,” Emerson said.

Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.

Are you ready to take the wheel of an impactful career?

SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page

21

The Town of Williston Public Works Department has an opening for a full-time Highway Equipment Operator / Maintenance Worker! This position plays a vital role in maintaining our roads and related facilities. From tackling snowstorms with precision plowing to executing essential road repairs, your expertise will be central to enhancing the community’s mobility and safety.

Minimum qualifications include having a high school diploma (or equivalent) with three to four years of experience as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator, or a relevant combination of education and experience. Applicants must have a Vermont Class B Commercial Driver’s License. Experience in highway maintenance is desirable.

The Town of Williston is committed to employee well-being and offers an excellent compensation package including health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. The starting pay rate ranges between $23 - $24 per hour depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

TO APPLY: Please submit a completed application to HR Director Susan Leonard at sleonard@ willistonvt.org or 7900 Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

For a full job description and application, please see www.town.williston.vt.us/employment

LAND MAINTENANCE

Forestry Mulching Services for private and commercial projects

Driveways, Ponds, Land Clearing, Trails, Farms, Ski Areas, Natural Disaster Recovery, Logging Cleanup, Invasive Vegetation, Excavation

Visit our website for more information

www.vtlandmaintenance@gmail.com

Visit our website for more information: www.vtlandmaintenance.com

Brian Washburn

Email: vtlandmaintenance@gmail.com

802-434-4533 • 802-373-1755 (cell)

Brian Washburn: 802-434-5533 • 802-373-1755 (cell)

commercial project. It also noted that the existing facility on Avenue C required an Act 250 permit when it was built in 1993.

The Chittenden Solid Waste District requested an expedited decision (summary judgement), and Environmental Court Judge Tom Walsh concurred, ruling in late February against Casella’s appeal.

“CSWD’s financial status or the profitability of the (recycling center) is irrelevant to the analysis of whether the project’s contemplated use qualifies as a municipal purpose,” he wrote. Walsh also noted that the original center’s permit requirement was related to the phased construction approach, while the

new facility is being built in one phase.

Casella Vice President of Communications Jeff Weld did not return a call seeking comment.

Meanwhile, the district is seeking bidders for a 10-year contract to operate the new recycling center, which is slated to open in early 2027. It’s unclear whether Casella has submitted a bid.

“We are currently in the interview phase with multiple companies as we evaluate proposals to operate the facility,” said district Communications Manager Beth Parent. “Our procurement process is structured to ensure fair competition for all respondents and this means preserving confidentiality until a contract is awarded.”

DR. WILL DOWLING, DMD