Williston
ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage
PAID
Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
NOVEMBER 10, 2022
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
Williston’s women Dems shine
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
Brady, Arsenault, Lyons, Clark and George secure elected office
BY JASON STARR Observer staff Williston will send two women to the Statehouse after oneterm incumbent Erin Brady and first-time candidate Angela Arsenault won the town’s two House of Representatives seats in Tuesday’s General Election. Their wins complete a transition from retired Reps. Jim McCullough and Terry Macaig, who held the seats for 20 and 12 years, respectively, to younger Democrats. Brady and Arsenault beat out Republican challengers Bruce Roy and Tony O’Rourke for the
seats by a roughly 2-to-1 margin. “I am tremendously hopeful and excited about the work ahead,” said Brady, who received 3,335 votes. “Our caucus will be focused on policies that support families, working Vermonters and the most vulnerable in our communities.” Brady pledged to ensure continued state support for universal school meals, an issue she took a leadership role in on the House Education Committee. “I also want to thank Tony and Bruce for their hard work and taking the time to run for office,” Brady continued. “It is important
to have multiple perspectives and voices in our democratic process.” Arsenault, who received 2,972 votes, expressed thanks Wednesday for the support of her family and friends and gratitude to Williston voters. “I hold this responsibility
close to my heart,” she said of representing the town in the Statehouse. “I promise to lead with curiosity, ever mindful of all that I don’t yet know, and look to each of you to share your wisdom and experience to inform my work in the Legislature.”
A total of 5,752 Williston voters cast ballots, either on Election Day at the National Guard Armory next to Town Hall or by mail or dropbox in recent weeks. That amounts to a roughly 66 percent turnout, according to the Vermont
$100,000 in up-front remodeling costs. “That’s exciting news,” board member Meghan Metzler said Tuesday during a meeting of the board’s finance subcommittee. “I think that’s the right decision.” Administrators had hoped to begin renovations of the new space — in an office building on Hurricane Lane — this winter and move in the spring. In October, they empaneled a committee to facilitate the move. But this week, after hearing opposition from board members and running a first
draft of the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, the work of the committee was suspended. “We didn’t feel we could commit the additional funds to the budget, because it’s pretty loaded already,” said district Chief Operating Officer Gary Marckres. Indeed, a first look at the annual school budget that voters will be asked to approve at Town Meeting Day in March shows a spending increase of $7.7 million (8.6 percent) over the current year budget. At roughly $97 million, the draft is already $1 million over the
board’s spending target. Increases in salaries, health insurance, liability insurance and energy costs all contribute to the spending increase, Marckres said. Administrators plan to chip away at the increase to bring the budget in line with the board’s preferred $96 million limit. “We are cognizant of the target,” Marckres said. “I know there are some adjustments we need to make.” Any projection on the property tax impact of the spending increase would be premature, he said, because upcoming fiscal
year revenue has not yet been projected. Meanwhile, the school district plans to re-up its lease for the space at the Shelburne town offices, where its central office has been located for the past 20 years. “They are thrilled to have us because this place would probably not rent out and that would be a big hit to the Shelburne town budget,” school district consultant Jeanne Jensen said during the finance committee meeting, which took place in the central office conference room.
A total of 66 percent of Williston’s registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s General Election, either by mail earlier or on Election Day, above, at the Vermont National Guard Armory on Williston Road. OBSERVER PHOTO BY AL FREY
see VOTING page 24
School budget can’t handle central office move
Administrators abandon plan to relocate to Williston BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The Champlain Valley School District central office is staying put in Shelburne. School administrators have abandoned a plan to move into a larger space in Williston after members of the school board balked at the $188,000 estimated increased annual rent and
Suede, Slip Resistant & Supportive Women’s Addiction Walker These walking shoes provide full body support, a slip resistant sole, and all day comfort with cushioning designed to reduce the impact on your joints.
Try on a pair today!
Formerly New Balance Williston
Maple Tree Place
(802) 288-9090 Open: T-F 10-6 | Sat 10-4 www.LennyShoe.com