Book nook
Nice on ice
UVM custodian fills his days filling shelves with free reading materials
CougarHawks skate to victory, plus other CVU sports scores
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Page 10
Volume 53 Number 5
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February 1, 2024
CVSD approves $105 million in spending for TMD
Cold courage
Budget tacks on 18 percent school tax increase COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
The Champlain Valley School District has unanimously approved $105 million in spending next year, sending the budget, and a roughly 18 percent school tax increase, to voters for Town Meeting Day. The budget “reflects the very best we can do for our students in a very challenging economic environment,” school board vice chair Meghan Metzler said. Since the Legislature passed Act 127 in 2022, Chittenden County school districts have been
bracing for steep financial cuts thanks to decreasing pupil-weighting counts. The FY2025 budget marks a roughly $10 million increase in spending from the current year’s $96 million budget and reflects significant increases in contractually negotiated salaries and benefits, and a double-digit increase in health insurance premiums affecting many school districts, towns, and businesses alike throughout the state. See CVSD on page 12
Planning commission gets an earful during zoning bylaw talks LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
PHOTOS BY LEE KROHN
The Shelburne and Hinesburg fire departments worked together on joint ice rescue training exercises Saturday.
Minus a few minor technical difficulties for people who tuned in on Zoom, more than a dozen residents packed the room for the planning commission’s first listening session on feedback for the town’s current zoning bylaw overhaul. While most of the conversation has been centered on balancing the town’s dedication to natural resources with some of the state’s newest legislation regarding density requirements, residents and members of a town task force took the opportunity to voice a
new point to the commission: The lack of affordable housing in town is a major hindrance to the town’s economic growth. The housing task force was spearheaded out of the 3-month community-building exercise known as Shelburne Forward Together where residents narrowed three areas of importance to the town as it moves forward. Meagan Buckley, chief executive officer of Wake Robin and co-chair of the new task force, said she has personally felt the repercussions of the lack of housing See BYLAW on page 11
Page 2 • February 1, 2024 • Shelburne News
He built a better bookshelf for all
SB resident strengthens community through university’s Book Nook the past 14 years. “Someone put an empty bookshelf at the cafe, and it was left Jacques-Paul Marton slid a empty for a couple of weeks,” he pastry across the circular table at said. “I started bringing books Le Marché in Shelburne. “La vie from home and putting a free en rose,” he said, noting the name sign there. When books started to leave, I went to of the pink sponge Student Life and cake in a mastered “Give students the I said, ‘Students French accent. are reading, and “To see life greatest literature they’re interthrough rose-colin the world: ested in books. ored glasses.” I think we’ve His own tortoise international authors, got something shell frames hold here.’” lenses that help books on the As interest him see the world grew and as his just that way. environment, books own personal Folks around library collecthe University of on women’s studies, tion was dwinVermont campus dling due to his better know the books on race and constant restockSouth Burlington ing of the shelf, resident as “JP.” culture, fiction, he knew that He has been the the Book Nook campus custodian great nonfiction.” was meant to be for over a decade more than just a and a half, and — Jacques-Paul Marton few shelves full more importantly, of free books. the backbone of He began a partnership with the university’s Book Nook, a free library located in Brennan’s Pub, Wake Robin and frequented the on the first floor of the Dudley H. yearly tag and book sales to snag first pickings of reads for the Davis Center. What began as a tiny “free” shelves. With a growing collecbookshelf, has blossomed into an tion, the need for more space came entire corner dedicated to acces- much quicker than he initially sible free books for students on imagined. “Summers became very campus — an initiative that would have been nearly impossible with- important for me to gather more out the dedication of Marton over books,” he said. LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
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PHOTO BY LIBERTY DARR
Book Nook creator and curator Jacques-Paul Marton, also known as “JP” seated next to his wife Wendy at Le Marché in Shelburne, a favorite date spot for the duo. The French-style cuisine brings Marton fond memories of his upbringing and offers a good opportunity to brush up on his French.
Since he had already formed a strong bond with some of the team at Shelburne Farms after consistently volunteering there for over a decade, he reached out to Marshall Webb, the farm’s first woodland manager and founder of the educational nonprofit that owns the farm, for a wood donation to make the first iteration of the nook’s shelves. The Wake Robin woodworking team helped construct nearly seven shelves by the end of the nook’s 10th anniversary. And by that time, Webb had also made his last wood delivery for the Nook. “Marshall brought the wood over, and then a week later he passed away,” said Marton. “It was crushing because Marshall was a very big influence on me. The legacy of the Book Nook, Marshall is part of, Shelburne farms is a part
of, and also the Wake Robin woodworkers.” Over time, Marton has developed partnerships with five local libraries that donate regularly to the nook, and through that, he has found an even greater sense of community. “My first experience was meeting with the friends of the libraries, who are the volunteers. This was just after I retired and they’re all my age, and I was like, I found my people,’’ he said, with a wide grin spread across his face. “Being retired, I’m no longer around the young people on campus every day. But I realized this is my new world now.” Although Marton has been a mover and shaker in the South Burlington community since he and his family settled there in
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1999, the Book Nook is a whole new type of passion project. For him, the space has always been about “enlightenment,” especially for 20-somethings just stepping into the world for the first time on their own. “These young adults are going from adolescence jumping into the beginning of adulthood, creating their own values and finding their own identity outside their home,” he said. “It’s one of the greatest moments for a young person to experience a real college or university experience.” Marton is choosy about what makes it onto the shelf, he said, focusing on books that evoke emotion and help people ask some of life’s biggest questions. He noted prioritizing books that focus on the environment, gender studies, and critical race theory as movements accelerate across the nation to bar access to this sort of literature. The Nook is filled with what he calls some of the “best books in the world.” “Give students the greatest literature in the world: international authors, books on the environment, books on women’s studies, books on race and culture, fiction, great nonfiction,” he said. The most popular section lately has been the poetry section, which he said doesn’t really come as a surprise. But where exactly did Marton’s fascination for books come from? It wasn’t until his junior year of college that he grew a love for books centered around sociology, philosophy, and social sciences. The hobby would grow to become See MARTON on page 11
Shelburne News • February 1, 2024 • Page 3
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Shelburne firefighters Mike Deavitt and Steve Giles enjoy a moment with Shelburne Farms sheep Jasmine, Moss, and Lusa, who attended the Shelburne Winter Carnival along with farm workers Dianne Laberge and Cat Parrish.
Hullcrest playground will undergo $200,000 overhaul later this year LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The Hullcrest playground in Shelburne is set to get a revamp after the recreation department was allocated $200,000 of the town’s pandemic-relief funds for the construction of the new project. That playground has been on the staff’s radar for a while, according to the department’s director, Betsy Cieplicki. The current playground is so overdue for a makeover that the current one is nearing a “safety hazard” level. The department also hopes to improve accessibility and inclusive features and provided more seating for families to gather. “It’s way overdue for replacement. It’s past its lifetime and it’s rotting,” Cieplicki said, adding that when the money was approved for allocation, there were calls to build a new playground in town. “But we said, it’s kind of crazy to build a new one somewhere when we have to replace this one because we were almost at a point where we were going to tear it down.” Prior to sending out a request for bid proposals to builders last week, Cieplicki crafted a survey and facilitated a community forum in order to gauge exactly the demographics of people visiting the location and the features most families would like to see. More than 100 people replied. “Part of the reason for the survey was to find out what are the ages of the kids: Is it mostly younger, is it mostly older or a combination of both?” she said. “We also wanted to find out what are the favorite features and the least favorite features that people like and want.” What the discussions didn’t answer was whether or not the community would want a specific theme for the playground. “For
instance, you can have a playground that looks like it’s built like a rocket ship, or a fire truck or whatever,” she said. This is the first major playground revamp for the town since the department completed the Davis Park playground in 2015. That was the town’s first natural playground, a growing trend around the time that incorporated more natural elements, as opposed to plastic found in more traditional playgrounds. In initial quotes last year that the department received to help guide its request for proposal process, the estimated cost was around $150,000, although that number didn’t include the cost to tear down the existing park. Cieplicki said building a new playground also includes knowing a very specific set of rules that govern what types of features would be allowed for a given size. Most playgrounds are certified based on age ranges. “There’s safety regulations around every piece of equipment,” she said. “There are safety zones around the end of a slide. You can’t have anything within six feet and, around a swing set, you can’t have anything within so many feet.” Since the space is relatively small, there are only so many options to work with, she said. Cieplicki said there was support for both a playground with more natural tones and also one with more bright, fun colors. The department said they are open to all sorts of solutions, including implementing more of a natural feel. The playground will remain as is this summer, but construction is scheduled to begin after Labor Day. “I hear feedback a lot about that park. It’s not that there’s tons of people at any one time, but that there’s always one or two people there,” she said. “It’s used often.”
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Page 4 • February 1, 2024 • Shelburne News
PHOTOS BY LEE KROHN
Ice in their veins Shelburne and Hinesburg fire fighters met together Saturday to participate in a morning of ice-rescue training exercises.
Shelburne Police Blotter: Jan. 22-28 Total reported incidents: 48 Traffic stops: 9 Warnings: 8 Tickets: 1 Arrests: 1 Medical emergencies: 12 Mental health incidents: 2 Suspicious incidents: 8 Domestic incidents: 2 Agency assists: 1 Citizen assists: 1 Welfare check: 3 Automobile incidents: 2 Car crash: 2
Animal problem: 2 Noise Disturbance: 1 Theft: 1 Fraud: 1 Alarms: 2 False alarms: 2 Pending investigations: 2 911 Hang-up calls: 1 Jan. 22 at 1:49 a.m., a sound that a Henry Street residence told police was a gunshot turned out to be the sound of a power transformer.
Shelburne News
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Jan. 22 at 7:21 a.m., police responded to the Quality Inn for a report that a man and woman were creating a disturbance. The individuals later agreed to leave the property. Jan. 22 at 4:59 p.m., a two-car crash was reported with injuries on Bostwick Road. One patient was transported to the hospital. Jan. 22 at 5:25 p.m., Jarrod Howell, 32, of Shelburne, was arrested for aggravated domestic abuse and violation of conditions after police say he threatened a woman with a metal pipe at the T-Bird Motel. Jan. 23 at 8:52 a.m., a stray dog running loose near Proctor Kelly Lane was reunited with its owner. Jan. 23 at 1:03 p.m., a “suspicious male” outside of a Lakeview Drive residence turned out to be a town water department employee reading a water meter. Jan. 23 at 5:58 p.m., police responded to a domestic disturbance at the Countryside Motel, where a man told officers a woman had slapped him and left the scene. The man refused to provide additional information, police said, so no action was taken. Jan. 24 at 3:27 a.m., police issued tickets on Martindale Road for cars in violation of the town’s winter parking ban. Jan. 24 at 6:10 a.m., a 2-car crash with no injuries was reported on Irish Hill Road and Dorset Street. Jan. 25 at 10:03 a.m., trucks were reportedly leaving debris in the middle of General Greene See BLOTTER on page 13
Shelburne News • February 1, 2024 • Page 5
OPINION Vermont must resist ideas that would create full-time Legislature contention and discord among the people. “But if any person is called into public service to the prejudice of that person’s Robert L. Walsh private affairs, the person has a right to Serving in the Vermont General Assem- a reasonable compensation; and whenever an office through increase of fees or bly is a privilege. It is not a profession. otherwise, becomes so Chapter II of the Vermont profitable as to occasion Constitution outlines a plan many to apply for it, the The Constitution or frame of government that profit ought to be lessened is clearly a citizen legislais clear. Serving by the Legislature. And if ture, one that is based on any officer shall wittingly the premise that senators in the Legislature and wilfully, take greater and representatives will fees than the law allows, it temporarily leave their is not intended shall ever after disqualify primary employment to that person from holding perform duties beneficial to to be permanent any office in this State the state. until the person shall be The Constitution reads employment. It is a restored by act of legislaas follows: “As all persons tion.” of full age, to preserve their public service. S.39, an act introduced independence (if without and passed in the House a sufficient estate) ought We should keep it and Senate pertaining to to have some profession, legislative compensation calling, trade, or farm, that way. and benefits was vetoed whereby they may honestby Gov. Phil Scott at the end of the 2023 ly subsist, there can be no necessity for, session. His stated reasoning for vetoing nor use in, establishing offices of profit, the bill was it was inappropriate for the the usual effects of which are dependence Legislature to be doubling its compensaand servility, unbecoming free citizens, in tion at a time when many Vermonters are the possessors or expectants, and faction,
Guest Perspective
struggling financially, and the state has an exceedingly high number of homeless people who need care. Although his point is well taken, I agree with the Legislature’s concern that the current salary structure limits the opportunity to serve in the House and Senate to those who can afford it. I expect S.39 will be reconsidered by the Legislature during the 2024 session. Its salary recommendations for compensation while the General Assembly is in session meet the spirit of the limitation expressed in the Constitution. They will ensure a diverse membership with varying perspectives. They reinforce the concept that service in the General Assembly is a public service and not a profession. However, adjournment compensation to members, when the General Assembly is not in session, does not adhere to guidelines established in the Constitution. It should be stricken from the bill and given no further consideration. Assisting one’s constituents is clearly part of a member’s public service. Section 6 of S.39 is entitled Legislative Working Group. It is alarming in that it provides a window into members’ thinking with respect to future benefits. The items
TAVERNIER CHOCOLATE PAIRING
identified for consideration ignore the concern expressed in the Constitution. If adopted, they provide a roadmap to creating a full-time Legislature. Four recommendations that should get no further consideration are: • The recommendation for people selected to serve in leadership positions within the General Assembly to receive supplemental compensation is unnecessary. Those selected, for example, committee chairs, immediately receive power and prestige. No one is required to serve in or accept a leadership position. • The recommendation to provide members funds to hire personal staff is unnecessary. Each member is provided with a personal computer as a source of information and as a time-saving device. Members also have access to the staff of the legislative counsel. • The recommendation to compare legislators’ salaries and benefits to those of other states is irrelevant. The Constitution is quite clear on compensation. • The recommendation to create an independent entity to adjust legislative See WALSH on page 6
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Fair share: Economic justice is a civil liberty issue Guest Perspective James Lyall The Fair Share for Vermont campaign is calling for Vermont’s wealthiest residents to pay their fair share in taxes so we can build a better state for all of us. As part of this campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont and its partners are urging state legislators to ensure that those who can most afford it — the wealthiest 2 percent of Vermont residents — pay more in taxes to better support and address the needs of our communities. There are many reasons why we are proud to support this campaign, but they boil down to this: As an organization that works to remedy deeply entrenched sources of inequality, and to advance the rights and liberties of all people, economic justice is central to our vision for a more just and equitable state, and a healthy, vibrant democracy. Today, because of extreme and growing wealth inequality, more
and more of our neighbors are denied access to opportunity and to basic necessities. As a result, many are prevented from fully exercising their civil rights and civil liberties, participating in democracy, and experiencing true freedom and equality in society. As we have long recognized, wealth inequality also reinforces the many forms of systemic racism that we are working to dismantle each day. When Vermont invests in people in the here and now, it makes the state more sustainable and affordable for everyone in both the short- and long-term. When we prioritize real solutions like affordable housing, health care and education — all things that impact civil liberties, directly and indirectly, every day — the benefits to the state and its workers and families are transformative. State legislators have started to make investments for healthier, more resilient communities in housing, child care, harm reduction strategies and climate solutions. We applaud those efforts.
WALSH
continued from page 5 compensation and benefits should be given no further consideration. The membership must be accountable. Keeping in mind the goal of making service in the Legislature available to all, proposals pertaining to health insurance and child care should receive close scrutiny as to limitations and how they are structured. The Constitution is clear. Serving in the Legislature is not
intended to be permanent employment. It is a public service. We should keep it that way. Robert L. Walsh of South Burlington served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1983-1989. A retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, he also taught at South Burlington High School and as a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Vermont.
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At the same time, we know we must do far more to create a state budget that better addresses the needs of everyone who calls Vermont home. With more revenue from the state’s wealthiest residents, we can build a Vermont with affordable housing; where no child goes hungry; where everyone gets the health care they need; and where our environment and infrastructure can sustain a vibrant economy and a strong democracy.
That’s why we look forward to working with legislators to advance this proposal in the coming year. We recognize there are other paths forward to raise revenue from those who can most afford it, and we hope policymakers will explore all available options to prioritize Vermont workers, families and communities. When they do that, it’s important for state legislators to know that they will have the support of
our members and partners in the Fair Share for Vermont campaign. They will also have the backing of the vast majority of their constituents. Voters overwhelmingly support proposals like Fair Share for Vermont, and those voters will be looking to their representatives for solutions this election year. James Lyall is executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont.
Sitting on the lap, standing on the shoulders of a legend ambassador, federal undersecretary and, now, author, poet and movement founder. Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale It occurred to me over dessert that it was Holocaust Awareness Perhaps more than any other Vermonter, Madeleine May Kunin Day, and that my daughter was being doted on by someone whose is someone who needs no introfamily had escaped Nazi duction. She holds many Germany and who went well-earned titles and on to become the first has received countless Jewish woman to serve hard-fought accolades. as a U.S. governor, as At the same time, she is well as repatriating so humble, so acceswealth to families of sible, and so authentic Holocaust victims when that we might forget she served as ambassawe’re in the presence dor to Switzerland. of someone who has We in Vermont are had a global impact for Sen. Kesha Ram beyond privileged to nearly three quarters of be able to claim her Hinsdale a century. as our own. To know As I sat in the dining she found a life here room at Wake Robin and was able to thrive and give this past weekend, watching Gov. Kunin bounce my nine-month-old voice to others should make us feel proud and want to continue on her knee with unabashed joy, I to give all comers a seat at the was certainly guilty of forgetting that I was with a former governor, table. But, most importantly, as I
From the Senate
sat there and watched her enchant my daughter, I was reminded that she is the embodiment of a life well lived. She has stayed close to the people, and is counted on as a neighbor, a friend, a grandmother, a trailblazer and a mentor. I can only hope that my daughter will be able to understand that the woman whose lap she sits on has allowed her to dream bigger and achieve more. Either way, we all stand on the shoulders of this legendary Vermonter, and we owe her our deepest gratitude for lighting the way now and well into the future. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, a Democrat from Shelburne, serves the towns of South Burlington, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Milton, Burlington, St. George, Westford, Underhill, Jericho, Richmond, Winooski, Williston, Essex and Bolton in the Legislature.
Shelburne News • February 1, 2024 • Page 7
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Sabina Barbara Evarts, 86, made her life full by surrounding herself with people, art, conversation, and lots of laughter. She died on Jan. 22, 2024. Her legacy will live on in her husband, Lloyd, children David (Lisa C.) Evarts, Patricia Evarts, John (Lisa V.) Evarts, her sisters, nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and all who called her a friend and teacher. In lieu of flowers: make weird art, plant flowers, eat ice cream, and live joyfully. A memorial celebration will be held Feb. 3 from 1-4 p.m. at the Ferrisburgh Grange Hall. Full obituary at everloved.com/life-of/ sabina-evarts.
Joseph Alec Abel-Palmer Joseph Alec Abel-Palmer, 27, of Olde Orchard Lane in Shelburne, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Jan. 14, 2024. Joseph — or José or Joey or Joe — was born Oct. 14, 1996, in Burlington, to Traci Ann Rock of Burlington and Rodolfo Garcia of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Joseph’s early childhood was very difficult and he came into foster care as a toddler, and in June 1998 he came to live with Craig and Sam Abel-Palmer of Shelburne. Sam and Craig adopted José in 2002. José attended the UVM Early Childhood Education Center and Shelburne Community School, and he graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 2014. He was devoted to his work at Market 32, where he started working in 2017. José is survived by his parents, Sam and Craig, his brothers Jacob and Charlie, his aunt Pamela Jacobs, and many other aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his birth parents, Rodolfo Garcia and Traci Rock. A memorial service and celebration of José’s life was held on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. at College St. Congregational Church
Douglas Duane Murphy Douglas Duane Murphy, of Essex and Shelburne, died Jan. 18, 2024, after a short illness. Doug lived his best life in Essex with his two sons Christopher Michael Murphy and Brian Patrick Murphy. Doug briefly served as a volunteer on the Shelburne Fire Dept in the 70s, some of the best memories of his life. He is predeceased by his mother and father Audrey Ladow and George Murphy. Besides his beloved sons, Doug leaves his brother Derek and sisters Dana and Dorinda Murphy in Buffalo, NY. There will be a celebration of Doug’s life later in the spring/summer 2024.
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COURTESY PHOTO
Cast members from “Finding Nemo KIDS” include Nora Plasse (Marlin), Josephine Webster-Fox (Nemo) and Nora Guidice (Dory).
Elementary schoolers stage “Nemo” musical
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Shelburne Community School students perform “Finding Nemo KIDS” on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11:30 a.m. at Champlain Valley Union High School. The charming 30-minute musical, designed for elementary school-aged performers, is based on the beloved 2003 Pixar film “Finding Nemo.” A cast of 39 students in grades four and five is led by Jodi Sanders and Shannon Smullen and features music by the award-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. In the musical, Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go with the Flow,” the production brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Shelburne Museum offers summer camp sign-ups Summer camps at Shelburne Museum offer children ages 4-15 a fun and hands-on camp experience. Reimagined for 2024, the carefully crafted camp programs are a playground for budding artists, offering a mix of inspiration and self-discovery. General registration opens Thursday, Feb. at noon. • Creativity Labs is offered to kids in different age groups — 7-9, 10-12, and 13-15). Campers will be given the time, space, and guidance to try out a wide range of artistic ideas, materials, and methods. Each day, the artists will have the opportunity to explore the Museum and fill their sketchbooks with creative inspiration to fuel their individual artistic adventures. Creativity Lab I is June 24–28
for ages 7-9; Creativity Lab II is July 8–12 for ages 10-12; and Creativity Lab III is July 15–19 for ages 13-15. Each lab runs form 9 a.m.–3 p.m. each day. • Owl Cottage Academy, ages 4-6. Get ready for days filled with laughter, new friendships, and the thrill of artistic discovery. Owl Cottage Academy artists will engage with the museum’s fascinating collection and dive into a whirlwind of artistic expression, experimenting with an array of materials and methods that spark their imaginations. Dates: July 29–Aug. 2 and Aug. 5–9, with morning sessions from 9 a.m.– noon and full day sessions from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Shelburne Farms hosts “Muses of Winterdeep” Treewild presents “The Muses of Winterdeep (Les Douze Sorcières D’hiver),” at Shelburne Farms this weekend, Feb. 3-4 and next Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9-10. Showtimes are at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Follow the torches up Lone Tree Hill into the forest. The show features an outdoor sound and light experience, with See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 9
Shelburne News • February 1, 2024 • Page 9
COMMUNITY NOTES continued from page 8
nine projections on an 80-foot circular screen in a grove of tall hemlocks. It explores the wonder and wisdom of a deep winter night, where 12 muses are unafraid to address children’s question of the shadows of the soul and embrace the lessons of the dark. Illustrating the conversations are hundreds of powerful images blending into and out of the night, with music playing ancient French songs. Although the dialogue focuses on the four children, the narrative is literary and philosophical. Some children will find this engaging, even though it is not specifically a children’s event. All proceeds benefit Treewild scholarship fund and Enchantment Camps. More information at treewild.org
Pierson Library seeking Shelburne’s poet laureate
COURTESY PHOTO
Shelburne Farms hosts “The Muses of Winterdeep” this weekend and next.
Are you a scribbler? A player with words? One of those beset by moonlight who transforms feeling into imagery? Do town’s websites and marketing materials. If selected, the Poet Laureate should you write poems and can you just not stop writing them? Do you live in Shelburne? plan on attending the March 5 Town Hall If yes, yes and yes, then you just might be meeting and sharing a short poem. To apply, send a work sample of 3-7 the poet the town is seeking. poems, not to exceed five pages in .pdf • What is a poet laureate? A poet laureate is a poet appointed by a government or format, and a half-page proposal for a institution in recognition of their contri- special project you would implement as butions to the form. The poet laureate poet laureate to Joliver@shelburnevt.org of Shelburne is the embodiment of the . Paper applications can also be delivered poetic spirit of the town. They promote to the Pierson Library, 5376 Shelburne peace and well-being in their community Road. Applications will be open Jan. 29-Feb. 23. through the arts. • The appointment. The Shelburne Poet Laureate is a two-year appointed position Shelburne Parks and Recreation that comes with a $200 honorarium. It is Check out these upcoming events sure open to Shelburne residents of all ages. The selected poet agrees to participate in to get the youth moving in the cold weathspecial events such as the annual Town er months. Crossfit Kids Meeting Day; participate in readings at Kids canofjoin us right after school to the Pierson Library and other locations; Discover the beauty lead events and public outreach — or, if a improve general conditioning including a focusat onPêche! core, strength, agility, fleximinor, come up withnatural rad ideaslooking for events results bility and cardiovascular fitness. Based and public outreach — especially during COME SEE SARAH! COME SEE JASMINE! COME SEE KELLIE! National Poetry Month in April; and allow on the principle of movement mechanics, selected poems to be published on the consistency, form and then intensity, our
program pushes for quality movement throughout childhood. Consistent mechanics translates to higher sports performance and fewer sports injuries for kids. Research also indicates that exercise is beneficial to
cognitive function, which means a consistent training program will have a positive impact on a child’s academic achievement. Participants of any fitness ability are welcome to join as workouts are adjusted to the individual fitness level in a non-competitive environment. Sessions are every Thursday between Feb. 1- 22 at the Shelburne Field House, and run from 3:15-4:15 p.m. The fee is $80 for each 4-week session and are open to kids in grades 5-8. Valentine Dance Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Don’t miss this special event held in the Town Center Gym, which is open to kids enrolled in graded K-5. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Guests will dance the night away with disco lights and great music by Top Hat Entertainment, take photos in the photo booth and enjoy treats, snacks and drinks. Each child gets a take-home memento. Advanced purchase of tickets is highly encouraged and are $10 per child and $15 per adult. Purchase with check or cash in the Recreation Office. All 2024 Summer camp sates will be posted on the parks and recreation website the week of Feb. 5, at shelburnevt.org/160/ Parks-Recreation.
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Page 10 • February 1, 2024 • Shelburne News
SPORTS Kredell leads CVU to track championship LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Paced by an outstanding effort in the running events and a four-win day for Alice Kredell, the Champlain Valley Union High School girls’ indoor track and field team captured the Division I state title, held Saturday at the University of Vermont. Kredell finished first in the 1,000-meter and 1,500meter races to lead the Redhawks. CVU also had two relay teams come in first place. The 4x400 meter relay team — Kredell, Noe Jenni, Kate Kogut and Elsa Klein — came out on top, as did the 4x800 meter team — Kredell, Lydia Donahue, Audrey Neilson and Jenni. Donahue was second in the 1,500-meter and 3,000meter races and finished third in the 600-meter race. Klein finished second in the 1,000 and third in
the 1,500 for the Redhawks and Isabella Gravina-Budis grabbed a second-place finish in the 600. Neilson was third place in the 1,000, while Noe Jenni was fifth in the 300 and sixth in the 1,500. Kate Kogut rounded out the CVU top finishers with fifth place finishes in the 55-meter dash and shot put, as well as a sixth-place finish in the 300-meter race.
PHOTO BY DWIGHT MAZUR
Boys Track and Field
CougarHawks forward Mackenzie Rivard goes after the puck during a recent win against Woodstock.
The Champlain Valley boys’ team earned a fifthplace team finish in Saturday’s championships. Dan Knight was the top individual finisher for CVU with a second place posting in the 1,500-meter race. Avery Rogers was third in the 55-meter dash and the long jump for the Redhawks. Quintin Fortier was fourth in the 300-meter race and AJ Sicard finished in sixth place in the 600-meter race.
CougarHawks ice Wasps to nab mid-season hockey win LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Girls’ hockey Champlain Valley/Mount Mansfield 3, Woodstock 1: Three players found the back of the net to
lead the Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield girls hockey team to a win over Woodstock on Saturday. Eva Mazur, Clark Clark and Sophie Brien each had a goal for the CougarHawks, who moved to 2-10-1 with the win. Alex Walpole, KerriBeth
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Boys’ hockey Champlain Valley 7, Rutland 5: The Champlain Valley boys ice hockey team won a shootout with Rutland on Saturday. With the win, the Redhawks moved to 4-6-3 this season.
Girls’ basketball Champlain Valley 57, BFA-St. Albans 25: The Champlain Valley girls’ basketball team remained unbeaten with a win over BFA-St. Albans on Friday. Elise Berger (12 points, 10 assist) and Samara Ashooh (11 points, 10 rebounds) each had a double-double to pace the Redhawks, who outscored BFA-St. Albans 24-2 in the third quarter to pull away. Grace Thompson added seven points for CVU, which is now 10-0.
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Champlain Valley 58, Mount Mansfield 43: Champlain Valley won its third game in a row, beating Mount Mansfield 58-43 on Thursday. Tucker Tharpe led all scorers with 22 points and 12 rebounds for CVU, which used a 12-0 run at the end of the first half to grab the lead. Jack St. Peter chipped in with 14 points. With the win, CVU moved to 10-2.
Shelburne News • February 1, 2024 • Page 11
BYLAW
continued from page 1 in town. She said that, with over 200 employees at Wake Robin, one common thread is it’s close to impossible for staff to find housing. And if they can, they can’t afford it. “We had a housekeeper who’s worked with us for three and a half years, who’s making a decent salary, she’s reliable, we count on her and she does a great job,” she said. “She couldn’t find housing. She went to 29 apartments, finally, the last one got accepted, and then had to come up with $4,000.” She said higher-ups in the Wake Robin staff have offered a slew of creative opportunities for staff, including a car fund to help support needs since most employees are traveling from far distances just to get to work. Another member of the task force, Robin Jeffers, said that, based on statistics compiled by both the task force and the town’s housing committee, most of the town’s workforce is unable to realistically live in Shelburne. According to the committee’s data, Shelburne’s median household income in 2022 was $106,000 while median home prices sat at nearly eight times that amount. Rent prices follow the same trajectory, with prices currently running anywhere from 20 to 75 percent above what Burlington calls affordable. “That was a shocker to me. I think it’s been a shock to most people that I’ve talked to,” she said, adding that the average wage of a schoolteacher in Shelburne is between $42,000 and $65,000. “We concluded that only people earning more than triple the median income, or having substantial wealth could purchase a home here. Townspeople have shared this is not the profile of the town we have been or want to be.” In a similar vein, Alec Webb, the president of Shelburne Farms explained that, while much of the farms’ mission has been to conserve important forest land and natural resources in town, he echoes the same concerns of Jeffers and Buckley. With close to 100 year-round staff, local housing is a challenge for both attracting and retaining valuable employees, Webb said. “We had an educator relocate from Michigan recently who took three months,” he explained. “Now she’s down in Vergennes but it’s really tough locally. It’s a challenge for both our milkers up to our senior staff. Having more options locally for housing for people at various levels of income allows us to keep offering all the programs and activities that we do.” While conservation and maintaining open space has dominated much of the bylaw conservation
in recent months, the conversation on Thursday night shifted to consider how more affordable housing and land conservation can coexist together. “Affordable housing and land conservation are not mutually exclusive,” resident Mark Pennington, a member of both the affordable housing task force and the town’s open space task force, said. Older residents of the town, like Lee Suskin, said he has seen firsthand the decline in the town’s affordability, a major contributing factor he says to the change in Shelburne’s unique character that it had nearly 40 years ago. “How can we have zoning where the people who made the character in this town, median income people who are workers in this town can continue to be in this town?” he asked. “Without that, you’re totally changing the character of the town.” While there was some discussion focused on the economic growth of the town, planning commissioners acknowledged that the town can’t expect businesses to grow if workers have nowhere to live. “Land is one of the big things to overcome, and we’re going to conserve all this land and then there’s not going to be anywhere to put anything and then the land that’s on the market is just going to keep shooting through the roof,” commission member and local business owner Shawn Sweeney said. “We’ve got to get more creative.” Apart from the affordability aspect, Shelburne has grown an infamous reputation among developers, according to Anne Bentley, a member of the town’s development review board. “Developers aren’t friendly with us,” she said. “They don’t like us. We make their lives miserable. I don’t actually believe that we can develop to the level we want to with all this open space, which is super controversial in this town.” Bentley said she has sat through a number of development review board meetings where neighbors have opposed projects that would have added housing to the town. One of the most controversial proposals in Shelburne’s recent history would have added nearly 110 units — including 22 units of senior housing — along the Route 7 corridor. Although the proposal had received development review board approval, neighboring residents filed an appeal to the state’s environmental court to block the development, making any of the See BYLAW on page 13
PHOTO BY LIBERTY DARR
JP Marton aims to fill his Book Nook at the University of Vermont with “the best books in the world.”
MARTON
continued from page 2 more of a means for survival during his time at the graduate school for social research at the New School in New York City, when he said his life began to take a drastic turn. “I had a nervous breakdown,” he said, adding that he was forced to spend most of his time focusing on his treatment. “It was Wendy, who convinced me to go just finish,” he said, motioning to his wife sitting next to him, a woman he calls his “champion.” “I was diagnosed with chronic major depression and anxiety,” he said. “My whole adult life from that point on was just struggling to live.” Books, he said, became a way to fill his life with good things about humanity and it also helped to identify with certain characteristics found in fictional characters in some of his favorite novels, like Heathcliff from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. “I fell in love with books because they were like my medication,” he said. “I was always interested in the human condition, and I think my parents were a very big influence on that because of the different people that would often come to my house,” adding that his time spent growing up in different countries and cultures added to his love for people. Since his retirement, the Book Nook baton has been passed on to the students’ care, a move he said has always been the goal from the start. But still, every Friday, like clockwork, he visits the Nook to fill in any gaps, check the donation box, and hang artwork on the walls — curating the space to be as welcoming as possible. “I’m going to be there the rest of my life until I can’t, and the
students will carry this on. I really want the students to know that,” he said through a few emotional voice breaks. Possibilities for the Nook are endless, he said, adding that even bigger opportunities lay on the horizon, including talks about a monthly speaker series. All efforts he made sure to mention were only possible thanks to his UVM community and the special connections he has formed through the years. To keep it running, the Book Nook team is constantly in search
of new book donations, and a handy donation box located directly next to the shelves makes it easy to drop off any old or new reads. Community members can also reach Marton personally for donation instructions at jpmarton@ uvm.edu. “Everyone should feel obligated to contribute something to the world,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how small it is, but just let people know that you care. Let people know that you’re there, you’re part of a community. We really are a community.”
Calling all 5-year-olds from Shelburne! Kindergarten Awaits! What an exciting time for your family, and SCS! Shelburne Community School will be opening our Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year starting February 1st, 2024. Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) is asking families to register their Kindergartners by February 24th, in an effort to get more accurate enrollment numbers for our schools. These enrollment numbers help us to plan our staffing and scheduling needs for the upcoming school year. Please contact Katie Schut at kschut@cvsdvt.org to preregister your child at Shelburne Community School for the 20242025 school year. Kindergarteners for next school year must turn 5 years old BEFORE September 1, 2024, per CVSD policy. We will need your child’s name, date of birth, guardian/caregiver name(s), address(es), phone number(s) and email address(es). Keep a lookout in your inbox (and SPAM folder) around February 1st, when we will be emailing the online instructions to all families that have pre-registered. We look forward to welcoming your new Kindergartener to SCS!
Page 12 • February 1, 2024 • Shelburne News
CVSD
continued from page 1 This year’s budget, approved last March, estimated 7.5 percent more in spending than the previous fiscal year and was driven by similar factors, like salary increase obligations and health insurance costs. But this year, the district is spending more on positions and programs that were previously funded through federal COVID19 relief funds. The district is allocating $1.7 million to retain the positions officials say they can’t do without — about 70 percent of what was previously funded by those federal funds. Meanwhile, facilities and infrastructure needs are also weighing heavily on the district. A little more than $1.5 million in one-time spending for facilities is earmarked in the FY2025 budget, and voters will vote on a separate town meeting article calling for a $3.6 million bond to complete infrastructure projects that were previously bonded for. District officials had originally banked on a 5 percent tax increase cap, as allowed under Act 127. To provide leeway to rightsize their budgets, the law allowed districts a 10 percent per-pupil spending limit and a 5 percent pre-CLA (common level of appraisal) tax increase discount until fiscal year 2030. The 10 percent spending provision meant that, whether the district approved an $88.5 million budget or a $105.8 million budget, it would have no difference in the $1.37 pre-CLA tax rate increase. It’s a facet of the law that legislators have taken issue with. Last month, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Emilie Korn-
heiser, D-Brattleboro, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ann Cummings, D-Washington, penned a letter chastising school districts for excessive spending. Champlain Valley board chair Angela Arsenault, who also represents the Chittenden-2 House district, said during the meeting last week that she “categorically rejects any indication that it is irresponsible for a school district to follow the incentive that we were given that is written into the act.” If the Champlain Valley School District lowered the tax rate to $1.36, officials said, the district would have needed to cut spending or raise more than $17 million extra in new revenue — the equivalent of 144 professional-level staff positions. “This is not on school boards,” Arsenault said. In the months leading up to budget discussions, district officials began requiring offsetting reductions for any new proposed expenses. But last month’s common level of appraisal figures released by the state compounded the district’s financial estimates. Significant decreases in the common level of appraisal, which compares the assessed value of properties on towns’ grand lists to the actual property sale prices considered to represent fair market value, turned what was supposed to be 5 percent tax increase into an 18 percent increase. Because the housing market has skyrocketed in years since the pandemic, with home sale data continuing to rise by high singleor low double-digit percentage points for years, towns’ CLA figures have seen dramat-
ic decreases, even after conducting town- or city-wide reappraisals. As a result, districts like Champlain Valley, South Burlington and others in Chittenden County are tacking on 13 percent simply because of the state CLA figures. The tax implications of Champlain Valley’s budget would have residents in Hinesburg paying $356 more in school taxes per $100,000 of assessed value. Shelburne taxpayers would pay $304 more, while Charlotte residents would pay $216 more, according to school officials. “We understand the overall tax impact on our constituents, and we understand that that’s also really — much of that is outside of the levers that we as a school board can pull,” Metzler said. The CLA figures and their impact on the budget “is not something that we have control over,” she added, “but what we do have control over is how we can best provide educational resources for our students, and we believe this is the best opportunity to do so.” The district in its budget included five teacher reductions based on enrollment projections, including a kindergarten teacher at Williston’s Allen Brook School. Arsenault said during the meeting that the reductions were not financially motivated but were based on enrollment figures. She added she could understand the “conclusion one might draw, hearing about all the budget pressures we’re facing.” “I say that because we face incredible challenges in the very near future” because of the implementation of Act 127, she said.
The new law gives districts a five-year window, until FY2030, to prepare for the new pupil-weighting system slowly being implemented. “There may come a time when we have to make reductions in teacher numbers and other numbers, purely for financial reasons,” Arsenault said. “We hope to not get there.” But she said the district is now in a position where, to make a one-penny change in the tax rate, it would have to cut $17 million from the budget, roughly the equivalent of 144 professional level staff. “We’re not doing that,” she added, “But it is important that folks understand, should this budget not pass, we will have to make dramatic, dramatic cuts that will change this district.” Meltzer added, “And your taxes will still go up.” District officials, facing devastating realities should the budget get voted down, have made it a priority to communicate to the public the realities of this year’s budget and the state’s school funding system. A budget summary document will be shared in a district-wide newsletter and “budget booklet” will be delivered to yearround residences in the district later this month. “One of the things we’re well aware of is how challenging it is and confusing it is to communicate about this year’s budget and all of the intricacies of what it took to develop it and help to explain all of the components,” said Bonnie Birdsall, the district’s head of communication. “It’s a hard one this year.”
It’s Summer Summer Camp Camps Sign-Up 2024 GUIDE Time! Promote your program in our Summer Camps guide for targeted exposure to a local audience of kids and parents as they make plans for the upcoming summer season. This advertising section is a go-to guide for summer camp and recreation seekers, making it the ideal place to outline your offerings and secure more early enrollments. Publication Dates: February 8, March 7, April 4 Deadlines: February 1, February 29, March 28 Contact: Stowe Reporter/News & Citizen at 802-253-2101, Shelburne News/The Citizen at 802-985-3091 or The Other Paper at 802-864-6670 for information or to advertise your camp (ask about multi-paper, half-price color and Burlington Area Newspaper Group deals).
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Shelburne News • February 1, 2024 • Page 13
BLOTTER
continued from page 4
BYLAW
continued from page 11 movement for development at a standstill. Task force members left the commission with a few solutions to consider as it presses on with the bylaw rewrite, but committees are already doing work of their own to better open conversations surrounding housing, which has historically been a touchy subject among residents.
The town’s housing committee is considering an educational campaign called “YIMBY – Yes In My Backyard!” to help town residents get more comfortable with change. “Our goal is to have a range of houses in prices ranging from affordable, to the missing middle, and higher,” reads the most recent committee minutes.
Road. Police contacted the contractor, and the debris was removed. Jan. 25 at 10:44 p.m. a “female screaming” near Hullcrest Road turned out to be a fox. Jan. 26 at 1:48 a.m., Shelburne Rescue responded to a report of a man having a medical emergency on the side of Shelburne Road and took him to the hospital. Jan. 27 at 8:45 p.m., a fraud report was taken from Harrington Avenue and is under investigation.
Jan. 28 at 9:21 a.m., a retail theft was reported out of Kinney Drugs. The incident is under investigation.
two-car crash with some injuries. Galvin was processed and released. All patients refused transport to the hospital.
Previous arrest: Jan. 21 at 8:18 p.m., Reid Galvin, 21, of Burlington, was cited for driving under the influence after being involved in a
Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.
SHELBURNE Human Resources Assistant $23-$26/hr., DOQ This is a full-time administrative position responsible for providing comprehensive and efficient human resource support and services to the Town of Shelburne employees.
CLASSIFIEDS
The HR Assistant will be responsible for recruitment and onboarding, records management, benefits administration, HR reporting, training and development, and other HR related projects. We are looking for a self-motivated problem solver who is resourceful and organized with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. We are excited to shape this position to the skills and interest of the right person who will be energized by working in the public sector. The Town of Shelburne offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package. Visit www.shelburnevt.org/jobs to see full job description and employment application. To apply, submit application and resume to Susan Cannizzaro at scannizzaro@shelburnevt.org. Review of applications begins immediately. The Town of Shelburne is an equal opportunity employer.
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Shelburne News • February 1, 2024 • Page 15
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Page 16 • February 1, 2024 • Shelburne News
2024 Rebates for Your Home If you’re planning on improving the efficiency of your home or apartment this year, take a look at Efficiency Vermont’s residential offers, including: Air Sealing and Insulation • 75% off weatherization project costs, up to $9,500 (completed by an Efficiency Excellence Network contractor) • DIY weatherization: $100 back on select do-it-yourself projects
Heating, Cooling, and Water Heating • • • • • • •
Air-source heat pumps: discounts starting at $350 + income bonus Ground source heat pump: up to $2,100/ton + $500 income bonus Smart thermostats: $100 rebate for select ENERGY STAR models Water heaters: $300-$600 for select heat pump water heaters + $200 income bonus Window air conditioners: $100 rebate for select ENERGY STAR models Wood pellet furnaces & boilers: $6,000 rebate Wood and pellet stoves: $400 discount at select retailers
Electric Vehicles • Up to $6,500 in local incentives and up to a $7,500 federal tax credit
ENERGY STAR® Appliances • $25-$40 for dehumidifiers • $200-$400 rebate on heat pump clothes dryers • $400 for heat pump dryer/washer combination units
Lighting • $100 rebate for qualifying LED fixtures for indoor growing.
Income-based Assistance • Free lighting, appliances, energy consultations, and more — visit efficiencyvermont.com/free-products to see if you are eligible.
Additional rebates may also be available from your electric or gas utility.
Not sure where to start? Sign up for a FREE Virtual Home Energy Visit! Call 888-921-5990 to learn more All rebates are subject to availability and eligibility. Visit www.efficiencyvermont.com/rebates for the most up-to-date information.