Giving tree
Big gift
New kids’ book teaches importance of service
MacKenzie Scott donates $20 mil to housing trust
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October 5, 2023
Weekly news coverage for Charlotte and Hinesburg
Charlotte town meeting Nov. 7
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New home
Cannabis regs, solar project on agenda LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Charlotte residents will vote on new land use regulations regarding cannabis and the purchase of solar energy equipment for the new town garage at a special town meeting just one month away. Prior to the town-wide vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7, an informational hearing will take place on Monday, Oct. 30.
Cannabis regulations The town has been working to create land use regulations that reflect the budding cannabis market for more than a year. State law gives municipalities the authority to regulate cannabis businesses,
including a requirement that they comply with local ordinances and land use rules, but prohibits treating cannabis any differently than other businesses. “What we’re trying to do is create these fairly clear standards about what kinds of cannabis businesses can operate in what parts of town and what are the specific standards that we would apply,” town planner Larry Lewack said n January. “So, when we do get an application before the town’s development review board, we have something to look at and to base our decision on because, right now, we’re essentially making it up.” See MEETING on page 12
Angela Auclair trial delayed until January Prosecutors allege she killed husband in Hinesburg MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT
The scheduled trial of a former Williston woman who reportedly killed her husband during a nighttime ambush in Hinesburg four years ago has been postponed until at least January. Angela M. Auclair, 50, was due to go on trial this week in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington for the July 2019 fatal shooting of her then-husband, David Auclair, 45, of Williston at a rural parking area off Gilman Road in Hinesburg. She has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and various
other charges. Auclair tried to have her lawyer removed from the case as the trial date approached, claiming she had not been informed about the defense planned for her trial. Judge Kevin Griffin agreed to allow veteran defense lawyer Robert Sussman to continue after he met with his client and provided documents that he believed she had been given earlier. Griffin agreed to postpone the trial until after Jan. 1 Auclair’s son and co-defenPHOTO BY PHILIP GALIGA
See AUCLAIR on page 4
This little guy is a newly arrived rescue goat at Merrymac Farm in Charlotte.