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DECEMBER 1, 2022
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
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Selectboard member faces stalking charge BY PATRICK CROWLEY VTDigger
Williston Selectboard member Gordon St. Hilaire is facing charges of stalking and unlawful mischief, according to court documents.
Gordon St. Hilaire
St. Hilaire, 49, is alleged to have vandalized his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle numerous times at her workplace. Williston police cited St. Hilaire, who was scheduled to be arraigned this Thursday, according to Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George. Additionally, Sgt. Rick Greenough of the Williston Police Department stated in an affidavit that St. Hilaire sent him a
“He’s innocent until proven guilty.” Terry Macaig Selectboard chair
text message asking him to look up the license plate of a man St. Hilaire believed was seeing his ex-girlfriend. Greenough, who knew St. Hilaire personally as
well as through his role on the selectboard, denied the request and notified his supervisor, according to the affidavit. St. Hilaire was first elected to the selectboard in 2019. His current term expires in 2024. He could not be reached for comment. Selectboard chair Terry Macaig said Town Manager Erik Wells informed him of the citation. Macaig said he sees no rea-
Dog rescue seeks salvation
Neighbor concerns prompt zoning violation BY JASON STARR Observer staff
A group of Lamplite Lane residents unleashed years of pent-up frustration with a neighborhood dog rescue in November, leading to a denial of the organization’s town permit application and foisting it into an uncertain future. Vermont English Bulldog Rescue has operated out of a home near the corner of Lamplite Lane and Pine Lane since 2010. The organization, which has evolved from its namesake single-breed focus to rehome multiple breeds of dogs, was originally founded in 1998. It has operated over the years at the various homes of founder Dawna Pederzani — in
Graniteville, Hinesburg and Williston. Pederzani uses a garage with four large dog kennels and 10 small dog crates in addition to backyard space to facilitate the adoption of abandoned dogs that she receives by the van-load (mostly from Texas) every month. Most dogs spend less than 48 hours at the house, instead being united with prescreened adopting families with set appointments to meet their dogs. “It is not, and never has been, my goal to have dogs remain here,” Pederzani said Tuesday, about two weeks after the Williston Development Review Board denied her permit to continue the rescue operation in the neighborhood. The board received about 70 written comments on the application, and about 20 people at-
tended a Nov. 8 hearing. Support for the continued operation of the rescue came from its crew of volunteers as well as people who have adopted dogs. Opposition came from Lamplite Lane neighbors and some non-residents of Williston. The board denied the permit after closed-door deliberations on Nov. 22. Pederzani said, since expanding the rescue beyond just English bulldogs in 2015, the nonprofit organization has increased its annual adoption numbers from about 250 to 400 dogs. Neighbors have noticed the increase. “I love the work they are doing. I love dogs. I’m a dog owner, and it’s great to see these dogs going to good homes” said neighbor Elvis Beric. “But it’s just become detrimental to this neighborhood … It is no longer a small dog ressee DOGS page 2
see ST. HILAIRE page 3
A 1-year-old dachshund mix awaits adoption in a kennel in the garage of a home on Lamplite Lane that serves as the headquarters of Vermont English Bulldog Rescue. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR
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son why St. Hilaire cannot continue to serve on the selectboard, noting there is no provision in the town charter or state law requiring that members be removed based on criminal charges. “He’s innocent until proven guilty,” Macaig said. “So at this point, I have to presume that he is innocent and there’d be no reason for him not to be able to serve.” Asked about the license plate
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