Training days
Ballard farm
Hinesburg fire, rescue teams undertake active shooter drills
Ag lands, wetland protected through land trust
Page 3
Page 7
September 1, 2022
POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #217 CONCORD, NH ECRWSSEDDM
Weekly news coverage for Charlotte and Hinesburg
thecitizenvt.com
Baled out
PHOTO BY LEE KROHN
A recent baling operation on Greenbush Road signals the beginning of the end of hay season, though some farmers will get a late-season cut this month.
First of its kind in Vermont
Hinesburg, Richmond move forward with police merger COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
The Hinesburg and Richmond selectboards had their first joint meeting Monday to discuss a merger of the town’s police departments, which, if established, would mark the first time two municipalities in Vermont have created a shared police department. The meeting held Monday in Rich-
mond marked the “very beginning of an exploration of options about sharing police departments,” Hinesburg selectboard chair Merily Lovell said, starting what will likely be a lengthy process but one both towns seemed ready to undertake. “I have talked to a lot of people in the police world — retired police officers, current police officers, state troopers, local police officers — and I have yet to find someone who doesn’t think that regional-
ization at some point is going to have to happen and would be a great idea,” Richmond selectboard chair June Heston said. “We’re going to have a lot of resources to draw on, because there’s so many people across the state that want to see this happen.” Both town’s departments are operating with skeleton crews. Hinesburg, after its $815,483 budget was narrowly rejected at March Town meeting, spent weeks debat-
ing what it wanted its department to look like only to see part of its force depart. Hinesburg currently has four full-time officers, police Chief Anthony Cambridge said. The department recently hired a new sergeant but is still looking to fill two vacancies to fill out the staff. Richmond, meanwhile, is working with three full-time officers, including interim See POLICE on page 13
Make Your Money GROW
CERTIFICATE SPECIAL 2.00% APR
2.018% APY 30 MONTHS
Visit greenmountaincu.com for more information
The Annual Percentage Yeild (APY) assumes principal and interest remain on deposit until maturity. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal Minimum deposit $500. Rates subject to change without notice.
1250 Shelburne Road • South Burlington, VT 05403 800.360.6892 • 802.864.6892 This Credit Union is Federally Insured by the National Credit Union Administration