Metalheads
Quiet on the set
Shelburne Community School robotics is built for success
Documentary explores noise pollution, from jets to village downtowns
Page 7
Page 10
Volume 54 Number 5
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School budget stems tax hike but cuts staff and services
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January 30, 2025
Eva on ice
BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
After outcry over the rise in property taxes last year caused by the change in Vermont’s school funding formula, the Champlain Valley School Board adopted a budget last week that, if passed, will reduce the property tax rate across all its towns. However, those reductions come with a decrease in services for students and cuts to personnel. At $102.7 million, the entire budget is still rising by almost $1 million, but the school district estimates property tax rates in most of the towns will drop around 4 percent from last year, saving most taxpayers $80 per $100,000 of assessed value. The savings will be greater in Hinesburg and less in Charlotte with a reduction of $100 and $30 per $100,000 in assessed value respectively. See SCHOOL BUDGET on page 13
PHOTO BY AL FREY
Eva Mazur attempts to sneak the puck past Hartford’s goalie in a nailbiter Saturday. Who won? See page 8.
Shelburne creates commission to boost local economy BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
Shelburne has established a new commission that wants to change the town’s approach to business. The economic and community devel-
opment commission, which will work in tandem with an attached nonprofit, Experience Shelburne, plans to encourage collaboration among Shelburne establishments and shape the town as a destination for new business and tourism. Plans for the commission began
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months ago when members of the selectboard picked back up the findings from an economic development study of the town that had been concluded in 2021 by Lecky Consulting. According to selectboard member Andrew Everett, the report had been put
aside in lieu of other priorities during the pandemic, but this past April, he and Chunka Mui started exploring some of its conclusions and recommendations in order See COMMISSION on page 11
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