Outgoing rep
Tough old bird
Kate Webb reflects on 14 years in people’s house
American robins know how to weather winter
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January 12, 2023
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Weekly news coverage for Charlotte and Hinesburg
thecitizenvt.com
Charlotte preps cannabis regulations
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
COURTESY PHOTO
The Hinesburg Police Department spent a good part of the holiday season “tracking” The Grinch as he committed various “crimes” around town. Read more about the department’s campaign to connect with the community on page 2.
Since the Charlotte selectboard became the town’s local cannabis control commission in November, the planning commission has worked to create land use regulations that address the growing cannabis market. After residents expressed concern regarding three cannabis cultivation sites that had received state licensing in Charlotte, town planner Larry Lewack said that the town was ill-equipped at that time to tackle any of the issues presented to the selectboard by residents. “Because we didn’t have any specific zoning rules or even clear authority about what we could do to enforce the same standards that would apply to any other business in town, we started having some conversations internally about our next steps,” he said. “I took it on myself as the town planner to do some research and consulted with our town attorney about what exact authority we have under state statute.” In addition to legal guidance, Lewack said he also sought information from See CANNABIS on page 16
New reps get committee assignments as Legislature opens COREY MCDONALD & LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITERS
Chittenden County’s newest legislators are settling in and have been given their committee assignments as the 2023 legislative session convenes. Freshman legislators last week stepped into their new roles amid a record turnover in both the House and Senate. Wednesday morning’s fully in-person session was the first since the pandemic began and forced
lawmakers to work from home. “It was a really fun, exciting week — there’s so much passion, energy and enthusiasm in this group and everyone is ready to get to work,” Chea Waters Evans, the newest House representative from Chittenden-5 representing Charlotte and Hinesburg, said. Evans is one of a slew of new House reps from Chittenden County communities to join the Legislature, including Phil Pouech, the Hinesburg Selectboard member
now representing Hinesburg in Chittenden-4; Kate Lalley, a Shelburne Selectboard member now representing Shelburne in Chittenden-6; and Noah Hyman, Emilie Krasnow, Kate Nugent and Brian Minier representing South Burlington in Chittenden districts 8, 9, 10 and 11, respectively. “This is my first session, so it is all new to me, but I am enjoying the steep learning curve,” Pouech said. “I have also quickly learned how busy this time will be for me. There is a lot of information to digest, many
meetings that are held at night and on weekends, and we have many important issues to address for our state by the end of the session in May.” Pouech and Lalley were both appointed to the House Committee on Transportation Commitee, which “combines jurisdiction over policy and revenue sources,” Lalley said. “After K-12 education and health care, See ASSIGNMENTS on page 3