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VOLUME 46, NO. 3
SB school budget jumps $2.7 million
Blocked
Mental health, staff supports top priorities AVALON STYLES-ASHLEY STAFF WRITER
Nagging pandemic strains and attempts at recovery manage to live together in the South Burlington School District’s $58 million budget for next fiscal year, which school board members approved last week. The budget largely represents a case of catch-up: federal aid flowing in would fund nurses, guidance counselors and more, with local dollars adding assistant elementary principals and an executive
director of equity, but close behind lingers the nationwide labor shortage, inflated costs of materials, packed classrooms ready to burst and the COVID-19 pandemic making those hurdles even bigger. School board members proclaimed their support for the plan, which runs $2.7 million higher than last year, after lengthy winter discussions, sometimes arduous, sometimes cryptic, but ringed with a feeling of hope. Hope that federal dollars will See BUDGET on page 12
City questions Penny for Paths, open space fund as rates goes up AVALON STYLES-ASHLEY STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY AL FREY
Miranda Hayes looks to the basket in South Burlington’s loss to Champlain Valley Union Jan. 15. The Wolves fell 46-24 and move to 4-2 on the season. More high school sports on
The South Burlington municipal tax rate is revenue neutral, revenue neutral, revenue neutral. City officials have repeated the refrain since the city-wide reappraisal last year unveiled a booming grand list and skyrocketing property values. The refrain translates into: Don’t freak out, the municipal tax rate won’t skyrocket along with the grand list. But two of the city’s special funds, the open space fund and Penny for Paths, which each collect 1 cent from taxpayers in addition to the municipal rate, are not revenue neutral. Rather, they grow with the grand list, so if left
as is, these two funds would see a nearly 31 percent increase — that’s a little over $190,000 more for each. And a major hit to local tax bills. For city councilor Tim Barritt, the funding formula left unchecked could be misleading to voters. He hopes to add a ballot item this Town Meeting Day to see if South Burlington residents still support the taxes, or if they would prefer a more consistent levy moving forward. “This seems unfair that they’re having to pay more than they chose to when they voted years ago,” Barritt argued as councilors See TAX on page 13
Page 2 • January 20, 2022 • The Other Paper
Business Notes Real estate agent joins Polli Properties Siobhan Philbin is joining Polli Properties at KW VT in South Burlington as a real estate agent. She joins the team headed by Elise Polli. Originally from Ve r m o n t , Philbin studied fine arts and art history at Rollins College in Florida. She loves cooking themed meals Siobhan Philbin for friends and family, designing spaces, shopping for unique home goods and admiring historic buildings.
When not working, Siobhan enjoys spending time apple picking at Yate’s Orchard, biking the Island Line Trail, walking her dog Birdie and going on photography adventures with her partner, Greg. Philbin is going into her third year as an agent.
Blue jean clad bankers raise thousands What started off as an employee’s request to end the last three Fridays in December in casual attire at Union Bank headquarters in Morrisville led bank president and CEO David Silverman to challenge the entire staff to voluntarily pay for their casual Fridays. “I told the team that I wanted See BUSINESS NOTES on page 6
COURTESY PHOTO
The Chittenden County forester leads a free public walk Jan. 29 to highlight winter wildlife ecology, tracking and more.
Political notebook
Explore wildlife in Hinesburg forest Join Chittenden County forester Ethan Tapper and Andrea Shortsleeve, wildlife biologist for Vermont Fish and Wildlife on Saturday, Jan. 29, 1-3 p.m., for a free, public walk at the Hinesburg Town Forest. The walk will highlight the forest management project, including winter wildlife ecology, wildlife tracking and how active management is expected to influence wildlife habitat and behavior.
Priorities that work The Hinesburg Town Forest is tion with Texas Hill Road. (Note for all of us
839 acres, owned by the town and managed under the guidance of Chittenden County forester since the 1950s. It is a beloved public resource, used by people from all over the region for hiking, mountain biking, hunting, bird and wildlife-watching and other activities. Meet at the forest trailhead on Hayden Hill Road East, threetenths of a mile from the intersec-
that the Hayden Hill Road East trailhead is not accessible from Hayden Hill Road West, and if you put “Hinesburg Town Forest” into a GPS it will send you to the incorrect trailhead.) Come prepared to spend two hours in the elements, including some walking over slippery and uneven surfaces. More at linktr.ee/hinesburgtownforest.
I believe South Burlington can do a better job of aligning its policies with priorities that work for all of us. That’s why I am running for the city council, and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, March 1. My platform is holistic but with affordability as a central theme. I promise to work across differences seeking common ground. Affordability isn’t an abstract
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goal, and democracy isn’t just an aspirational concept. This election is about whether our government works for us. We have urgent issues — a warmer and wetter climate, adapting to our new world with COVID-19, affordability and how to be a more inclusive community. I am confident and optimistic that together we can make incremental improvements, learn from what doesn’t work, be accountable and keep moving forward. In the coming weeks, I will host a series of listening sessions to hear and learn about what you want the city council to focus on. If elected, I will seek input from residents before voting on consequential subjects. I will be well informed and make decisions based on facts, public input and my best judgment. I believe the representation of diverse opinions delivers a wiser outcome. I have a lot to offer as a new voice on the council. If you want a councilor who will work hard to make South Burlington a great place to afford a home, pursue a work path, raise a family and spend your golden years — for people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds — I ask for your vote. Visit christrombly.com to learn more and please reach out to me about your hopes and dreams for South Burlington. — Chris Trombly Chris Trombly is chair of the South Burlington Affordable Housing Committee, Vermont State Housing Authority Commissioner, and works at Peoples United Bank.
The Other Paper • January 20, 2022 • Page 3
Who’s up for election?
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SoBu Town Meeting Day approaches AVALON STYLES-ASHLEY STAFF WRITER
South Burlington officials often say the city runs on volunteers. While all committees and boards are appointed by the city council, a handful of seats for the most powerful volunteer positions are up for election this Town Meeting Day. Two city council seats, held by Tim Barritt for a three-year term and Meaghan Emery for a two-year term, are up for grabs this March. Three school board seats are open, one offering two years of a three-year term due to a resignation mid-term. Chair Bridget Burkhardt and clerk Brian Minier will not run again, so their two-year and three-year seats are anyone’s game. To get a name on the ballot, prospective candidates must file a petition with the city by this Monday, a fast-approaching deadline.
Scholars headline historical society speaker series This winter’s virtual speaker series at the Vermont Historical Society will feature scholars from around North American who will cover various social issues relevant to Vermont’s history and beyond. Van Gosse presents “Black Politics in the Yankee Republic, 1775-1860” with Wednesday, Feb. 16. Gosse’s talk will explore that political world, particularly notable Black Vermonters like Lemuel Haynes and Alexander Twilight. On Wednesday, March 23, Rachel Hope Cleves presents “Charity and Sylvia: A Same-Sex Marriage in Early America.” The program draws from an extensive archive of Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake’s person-
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!
As of Tuesday at press time, candidates must solicit 30 signatures on a physical petition — the state doesn’t recognize online signatures. While city clerk Donna Kinville noted the Legislature passed a bill waiving that requirement, she added that Gov. Phil Scott has not signed the bill yet. If it remains without his John Hancock past Monday then it won’t matter in South Burlington. Kinville expects Scott to sign the bill — he did last year — but things are changing constantly, she said. Another bill recently passed in the Legislature would allow for municipalities to move the date of their annual Town Meeting Day and to use Australian ballots, instead of holding a floor vote. “We encourage people to contact us first if they’re thinking about running. Things are changing daily,” Kinville said. “If for some reason the governor doesn’t sign the bill by Monday we have to have all petitions in.”
al papers at the Henry Sheldon Museum in Middlebury and archival sources discovered throughout the United States. Bryant and Drake were commonly recognized as a married couple by their kin and community in Weybridge, where they lived together in the early 1800s. This talk explores the roles of family, work, religion, love and sexuality in women’s lives at this time. The final lecture on Wednesday, April 27, is “Room for Improvement: Landscape, Social Uplift, and the Changing Nature of Vermont,” by Sara M. Gregg, an associate professor of history Find more information go to vermonthistory.org.
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Page 4 • January 20, 2022 • The Other Paper
South Burlington Police Blotter
Epic AJ by Grayson Dailey
Total incidents: 255 Winter parking ban: 65 Alarms: 24 Traffic stops: 11 Agency assists: 11 Retail theft: 10 Welfare checks: 10 Car crashes (property damage): 8 Larceny: 8 Mental health issues: 4 Stolen vehicles: 3 Jan. 10 at 9:56 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 189 Exit 1 near the Burlington border. Jan. 10 at 7:01 p.m., K9 Rush assisted on a case on North Avenue. Jan. 11 at 8:56 a.m., police investigated a reported sex offense on Dorset Street. Jan. 11 at 8:07 p.m., police assisted with a mental health issue on Market Street. Jan. 12 at 2:52 p.m., police investigated a fraudulent check reported at Northfield Savings bank on Williston Road. Jan. 12 at 7:34 p.m., police investigated a report of unlawful mischief and vandalism at Vermont Moving Company on Meadowland Drive. Jan. 12 at 9:55 p.m., police investigated a prostitution case. Jan. 13 at 9:41 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop near the corner of Hinesburg Road
and Fox Run Lane. Jan. 13 at 8:01 p.m., police responded to a reported animal problem on Stonehedge Drive. Jan. 14 between 2:30 and 4 p.m., police responded to seven winter parking ban complaints on Derby Circle, Grand View Drive, North Twin Oaks Terrace, Hayes Avenue, Valley Ridge Road, Dairy Lane and Larch Road. Jan. 14 at 11:37 a.m., police assisted with a juvenile problem on Dorset Street. Jan. 14 at 3:41 p.m., a driver reportedly left the scene of a car crash near Kennedy Drive and Dorset Street. Jan. 14 at 10:22 p.m., police responded to a reported domestic incident on Quarry Hill Road. Jan. 15 at 8:20 p.m., police checked the welfare of someone on Birch Street. Jan. 15 at 10:14 p.m., police assisted with a mental health issue on Dorset Street. Jan. 16 at 4:42 and 6 a.m., police responded to two alarms tripped at Gracey’s Store and Deli on Williston Road. Jan. 16 at 3:31 p.m., someone at the University Mall called 911 but hung up. Jan. 17 at 7:24 a.m., someone late See POLICE BLOTTER on page 10
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The Other Paper • January 20, 2022 • Page 5
OPINION Councilors’ vote deepens city’s socioeconomic divide fully contained on lots 1, 2 and 3, on which development is located far from the wetland and wetland Sandy Dooley buffer thus reducing the likeliAt its Jan. 10 meeting, three hood of encroachment and allowcity councilors voted no on a ing the wetland feature itself to motion to consider modifications remain under single ownership arising from comments received and resource management.” at its Jan. 3 public hearing on the The applicant has proposed proposed interim zoning-generat- not to remove the wetland, ed land development regulations. establishing a rock wall boundary Several of the modifications instead, with the result that the affect the city’s and region’s houses will be built within a few ever-worsening housing crisis. feet of a wetland. Councilors Tim Barritt, On June 21on a two to three Meaghan Emery and Helen vote — with Chittenden and Cota Riehle voted no on the motion for approval, and Barritt, Emery, to consider these and other and Riehle for denial — the concerns. Councouncil denied cilors Thomas an application My takeaway is that Chittenden and to build 49 Matthew Cota homes having Barritt, Emery and voted in favor of a variety of considering the housing types, Riehle want to maintain including those concerns. Let me state for the middle the existing pattern at the outset class, two-famthat none of the ily, small of large single-family modifications the multi-family South Burlington homes and houses on relatively Affordable Houscottage homes, ing Committee along with large lots. sought to address single family for the housing crisis would have homes, on a 39-acre parcel in the in any way weakened the protecquadrant. tions for our natural resources The development was contained within the new envidesigned to conform to the tradironmental protection standards. tional neighborhood development In addition, lack of time is not a planned unit development regufactor. The council has until April lations that were under develto decide on these proposed land opment. The applicant proposed development regulations. to conserve 56 percent of the Prior council decisions may 39-acre parcel and there would shed light on councilors Barritt, have been no impact on a level Emery and Riehle’s vision two wetland. for new housing in the city’s The comments of the councilsoutheast quadrant. On May 7, ors that subsequently voted for 2021, the council unanimousdenial were so strong as to be the ly approved an application to equivalent of taking the property subdivide an 8-acre southeast owner to task for even submitting quadrant parcel for the purpose such an objectionable application, of building two single-family all in contrast to the applicant’s houses on half acre lots. These many months of consultation with houses are almost certain to be city planning staff in preparing priced well over $500,000. The the application. facts that the parcel contains a Months later came the proposlevel two wetland and is bordered al to prohibit use of this planned on the east and south by a habitat unit development model for block, which is rated number six development in most of the quadin the Arrowwood Report, did not rant, instead allowing only the stand in the way of this affirmaconservation planned unit develtive vote. opment model, which requires When the application reached conservation of a minimum of the development review board, 70 percent of the parcel but also the June 16, 2021, the staff report requires a density of four units contained the following note per acre in the area approved for to the board: “Staff therefore development. While that requirerecommends the board require ment is significant, there is no the applicant to fully remove the requirement for multiple housing wetland and wetland buffer from types as is included in the tradithe proposed lots 4 and 5. The tional neighborhood development wetland, in that case, would be rules.
Guest Perspective
Add to this the proposed reduction in maximum density allowed in southeast quadrant parcels too small to be a planned unit development — less than 4 acres — from four houses per acre to 1.8 units per acre and we have a situation where someone with a 1-acre lot is prohibited from building more than one house on the lot. How does this address our housing crisis? Included in the modifications
being requested were changing the requirement that all parcels of 4 or more acres in most of the southeast quadrant be developed as conservation planned unit developments and the proposed reduction in maximum density for 100 southeast quadrant parcels less than 4 acres in size. My takeaway is that Barritt, Emery and Riehle want to maintain the existing pattern of large single-family houses on relatively large lots, which results in the
southeast quadrant being a place that, in terms of the socioeconomic status of the folks that live there, is dramatically different from the rest of South Burlington. This is not my vision for the future of our city. Is it yours? Sandy Dooley is a 40-plus year resident of South Burlington. While she is vice-chair of the city’s affordable housing committee, this opinion is not an official statement of the committee.
House appropriations makes mid-year budget adjustments contrary, a current year need may be missed. It happens. The “fix,” if needed, is section Rep. Maida Townsend C of the “Big Bill,” i.e., the The annual Budget Adjustsubsequent year’s budget. Funds ment Act is the true-up allocated in Section C of the current year’s can be released prior budget. It is the mid-year to July 1, the beginadjustment of existing ning of the next fiscal programs; new ideas year. wait until the subsequent Bottom line, year’s budget. It is the the Budget Adjustopportunity to attend to ment Act represents urgent needs that cannot responsible budgeting wait, but again, not new by keeping an eye on ideas. what is happening Rep. Maida Townsend with allocations. It Pandemic-related needs are legitimate is also responsible inclusions since, unhapbudgeting in terms of pily, we are still coping with tending to the needs of Vermontcoronavirus-precipitated issues. ers and their communities. Despite best efforts to the The House Committee on
Legislative Update
Appropriations, the committee on which I serve, began work on the fiscal year 2022 adjustment the week of Dec. 14. We received the first half of the Scott administration’s recommendation and began taking related testimony from affected departments and agencies. We received the remainder of the administration’s recommendation on Jan. 5 and continued hearing testimony. Clearly, House appropriations does not do its work alone. In addition to testimony from affected portions of state government, we received recommendations from each of the legislative policy committees of jurisdiction. We also received input from the See TOWNSEND on page 6
Letters to the Editor Washington continues its spending addiction To the Editor: President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats want everyone to pay their fair share but ignore spending. Consequently, the national debt is accelerating and, including unfunded obligations, it exceeds $123 trillion or $850,000 per taxpayer. Social Security and Medicare compromises 78 percent of the unfunded burden. Both parties ignore this obligation and just spend like addicts. The recent Biden green infrastructure bill and his Build Back Better socialistic agenda adds $6 trillion more.
When Washington creates debt, they print more money and inflation kicks in. Some call this a bubble economy. It works when the economy grows faster than debt, but it turns to a Ponzi scheme when the bubble (debt) expands and grows faster than the overall economy. We can vote people into office who are fiscally responsible but there is very little appetite for restraint. Republicans have always preached paying off the debt and controlling spending, but their intentions aren’t consistent with actions. Democrats are always compulsive spenders. Voters need to challenge politicians on fiscal discipline.
They can advocate a balanced budget amendment, line-item veto or support Sen. Rand Paul’s penny plan that would require a one penny per-dollar reduction in spending off the top-line. Paul says his plan would balance the budget in five years. Finally, voters can impose Congressional term limits. We didn’t get here overnight but politicians through decades have made many irresponsible decisions. It will take sacrifice and discipline to restore fiscal accountability, or the consequences will be painful. Frank Mazur South Burlington
Page 6 • January 20, 2022 • The Other Paper
TOWNSEND
continued from page 5 public, in writing as well as at public hearings on Jan. 6 and Jan. 10. We completed our budget adjustment committee work Jan. 14, with a unanimous committee vote in support. Debate and a vote by the full House were slated for Jan. 20 and Jan. 21. I write this before the House action, and so cannot report on how our proposal fared before being sent to the Senate for its consideration. I can, however, provide some highlights of what we included. There is $60 million to bolster retention of workforce among pandemic-impacted health care
and social services providers. This includes community partners such as the designated agencies and specialized service agencies, home health agencies, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, substance use treatment providers and recovery centers. There is $6 million to support retention of child care staff. There is just under $2 million to stabilize the Center for Crime Victims Services. There is $75 million added toward housing, for a total of $225 million in the 2022 fiscal year. There is $1 million to support adult day programs. Municipal planning grant
funding is included, as is funding for Adult Basic Education and community television. There is scholarship and workforce training support at the state colleges and University of Vermont. There is funding for technology centers, particularly those that have not received federal COVID-19 support. The Working Lands program was not forgotten; $2 million went toward continued innovation in dairy and stabilization of meat processing availability in Vermont. Every allocation was probed and discussed. We need to do our best to leave no one behind.
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BUSINESS NOTES continued from page 2
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We need to ensure that needs are broadband and other such initiaaddressed across all 14 counties. tives. Access to federal dollars At the same time, we also work at often entails a state match. being skeptics in House appropriThe federal dollars are tucked ations. We need to be convinced away for allocations in future that any requested allocation will budgets. These are to be oblimake a posigated by Dec. tive and needed 31, 2024, and Left on the bottom difference. expended by Equally probed Dec. 31, 2026. line was $85 million and discussed If you would were requests like to do a in general fund dollars that needed to deep dive into be deferred for the Budget and $431 million in consideration Adjustment Act within the 2023 documents and federal COVID-19 budget, proposals documentation, that were promthis link will recovery dollars. ising, but not yet take you there fully developed. In other words, legislature.vermont.gov/commitnew ideas not yet ready for prime tee/detail/2022/9. time. When all was said and done, As always, do not hesitate to we did not allocate all the dollars reach out to me with your quesavailable. Left on the bottom tions and concerns: mtownsend@ line was $85 million in general leg.state.vt.us; 802-862-7404; fund dollars and $431 million 232 Patchen Road; or Duke’s on in federal COVID-19 recovery Saturday mornings from 9:30dollars. The $85 million in gener- 10:30 a.m. Please mark your al fund dollars is tucked away calendars for the legislative in a reserve account to be used forum, Monday, Jan. 24, 6:30-8 to access federal Infrastructure p.m. Zoom information is on Investment and Jobs Act dollars the South Burlington Library for climate response, water, website.
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to pose a challenge,” said Silverman. “Cancer is an evil disease that over the years has touched the lives of our teammates, as well as our families. I suggested to those who wished to participate in jeans days that they make a small donation to our local cancer charities, which the bank would match dollar for dollar.” By the last Friday in December, Union Bank employees raised over $3,700 to support six non-profits in Vermont and New Hampshire that support individuals and families coping with cancer. Kristy Adams Alfieri, administrative officer at Union Bank, coordinated the bank initiative. “The donations will be made in honor of all of our teammates and their families, past and present, who have been touched by this horrible disease,” she said. The money will be donated to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, Sullycat Foundation, Funds-For-Families, Northeast Kingdom Cancer Network, Franklin County Area Cancer Network and the Make a Wish Foundation.
South Burlington man named law firm director The Burlington-based law firm Dinse has named Ted Lawrence of South Burlington as one of its new
directors and shareholders. After graduating from Ohio’s Kenyon College and the University of Michigan Law School, Lawrence began his career as a journalist covering foreign policy in Washi n g t o n , D.C. Before moving to Vermont, he clerked for judge Henry Saad of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Ted Lawrence He joined Dinse in 2015 and provides guidance and legal support to start-ups and established companies in all aspects of their business operations, including private capital raises and bank financing, asset sales and acquisitions, company formation, contracting with other businesses and service providers and incentive compensation for employees and advisors, including stock awards and stock options. He also assists commercial and agricultural lenders with loan transactions and regulatory compliance. Lawrence enjoys hiking, writing freelance features and book reviews and listening to “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer.
The Other Paper • January 20, 2022 • Page 7
Community Notes Two contests inspire young engineers Vermont 4-H invites students in grades 3-12 to explore their creativity, ingenuity and engineering skills through two contests, the Rube Goldberg Challenge and Create Your Own Invention Contest. For the Rube Goldberg Challenge, students are asked to build their own Rube Goldberg machine, named for the late American cartoonist who designed crazy contraptions with several unrelated devices and steps to perform a simple task in a complicated, inefficient way. The Create Your Own Invention contest encourages students to test their problem-solving, critical thinking and engineering skills by identifying a problem and then brainstorming, planning and designing an invention.
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The deadline for both contests is Saturday, Feb. 19. For details, go to uvm.edu.
Energy program gives talk on weatherization Join the South Burlington Energy Committee and Dwight DeCoster, director of the Weatherization Program at Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity for a presentation and discussion on its low- and moderate-income home weatherization program, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 5:30-7 p.m., City Hall Room 301, 180 Market St. Learn about the program’s impacts, how to access the program, who is eligible, and the process that applicants can expect. There will also be a discussion of See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 10
COURTESY PHOTO
Vermont’s free ice fishing day is Saturday, Jan. 29, and residents and nonresident anglers may ice fish on any Vermont water body that is open to ice fishing without a fishing license that day.
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Page 8 • January 20, 2022 • The Other Paper
2022
LEGISLATIVE
Q&A
REP. MARTIN LALONDE
REP. ANN PUGH
Democrat Chittenden 7-1
Democrat Chittenden 7-2
Investing Vermont’s remaining federal COVID-19 relief funds and building a state budget to boost the economy in all 14 counties. Tackling the complex and interconnected challenges related to housing, child care and the workforce. Enacting inclusive strategies to combat climate change and transition to a sustainable and resilient way of life, while preparing for shifting and severe weather patterns. Addressing our unfunded pension liability in a manner that is fair to teachers, state employees and taxpayers.
My highest priority remains being focused on Vermont’s response to COVID-19: mitigating the impacts it has had on our health, mental health and economy and examining evidence informed strategies to prevent the unnecessary spread of the virus. This includes investing Vermont’s remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and building a budget focused on recovery that also sets the stage for a strong future that leaves no Vermonter behind. Additional priorities for the Legislature include redistricting, passage of two constitutional amendments, designing strategies to combat climate change, addressing the state’s pension liability as well as the interconnected challenges of homelessness and housing, child care and the workforce.
What do you foresee as hot topics within your committee(s)?
The House Committee on Judiciary will continue its years-long effort to address firearm violence, through strengthening laws to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves and others. We will also continue efforts to simplify Vermont’s criminal code, including making changes to drug laws to continue a needed shift toward addressing substance abuse through treatment rather than incarceration. The committee is also considering a bill to ensure the collection and aggregation of data to help determine and address the cause of racial disparities in Vermont’s criminal justice system.
I am chair of the House Committee on Human Services and we work on issues related to poverty, substance use, public health, child care, aging Vermonters, foster care and more. By early February we will bring Prop 5, the personal reproductive liberty amendment to the Vermont Constitution to the House floor. If passed, it must then be approved by the voters in November. Other topics will include providing the administration with the continued flexibility required to address Vermonters’ COVID-19 health and human service challenges; examining how to better respond to the housing needs of adults with developmental disabilities; improving the state’s response to the recent increase in opioid deaths; addressing barriers, from access to affordable child care to treatment for substance use, and from being without a home to benefit cliffs for those in poverty.
What are some sleeper issues that you think haven’t been given enough attention?
The issues related to simplifying Vermont’s criminal code and gathering criminal justice data mentioned above are key bills that have not yet received much attention outside the judiciary committee, but they are very important steps for criminal justice reform. Many people understand that strengthening Vermont’s mental health and substance-abuse treatment services is direly needed, but this issue sometimes recedes given all the other pressing needs in the state.
An issue that is just beginning to get the attention that it needs: capitalizing on the opportunities possible and challenges presented by the changing demographics of Vermont, both in increased age as well as diversity of our residents.
What are your thoughts on having to legislate remotely again, and do you think it’s important to get back to an in-person setting soon?
By the time these responses are in the paper, the House will be legislating under a hybrid model. We will be in person for committee work, though members may participate remotely if they have a COVID-19-related reason for not attending in person. Because we do not have the technology to accommodate both in-person and remote at the same time on the House floor, we will continue to do our work remotely on the floor. This is a reasonable compromise for those who want to be in person and those who have COVID-19-related reasons to stay remote.
This week the House has begun functioning in a hybrid way. Committees will meet in person with the option for remote participation given COVID-19 absences. The full House will be virtual. All our actions continue to be streamed on YouTube. I am looking forward to when it is safe both from a public health and a building perspective to go back to full in-person legislating.
I enjoy the opportunity to work through issues, be it remotely or in person, with my colleagues who, though they may have different viewpoints, all are trying to do what is best for Vermonters. It gives me hope when we see such polarization elsewhere in the country that we can work together respectfully in Vermont to get things done.
The Legislature is like a family. Some members you see frequently and others only on big occasions, which are wonderful times to reconnect. I spent much of my summer and fall in smaller committee meetings and so continued to interact with fellow legislators, and I then thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone at once on Zoom squares and meeting new babies, new grandchildren, catching up on both celebrations and sorrows and just hearing stories of how my fellow legislators spent the past several months.
What are your highest priorities for the Legislature this session?
What brought you at least a little bit of joy this week as you got the band back together again?
The Other Paper • January 20, 2022 • Page 9
SEN. PHILIP BARUTH
SEN. THOMAS CHITTENDEN
Democrat/Progressive Chittenden District
Democrat Chittenden District
SEN. CHRISTOPHER A. PEARSON Progressive/Democrat Chittenden District
Our highest priorities are still COVID-19 related, although that’s hard to believe. It feels like a decade since we went into the 2020 lockdown. But the federal government came through with historic funding, much of which is still unspent, so we’ll continue to get that out the door to those having trouble paying rent, to school districts facing unprecedented costs and to towns and cities who are incurring unexpected staffing costs and shortages. Those staffing shortages, of course, are leading to strains in mental health and criminal justice, not to mention basic industries like hospitality. We spent time in appropriations just this week, moving money into recruitment and retention programs for corrections officers and nurses. So that’s job No. 1 — again.
Addressing the unfunded pension liability, the climate crisis through translating the Global Warming Solutions Act and the Vermont Climate Council Climate Action plan into legislative action, addressing the housing and affordability crisis in Vermont, and strengthening and supporting our workforce.
In addition to our ongoing COVID-19 response I hope we can make smart long-term investments with our federal dollars. We have the opportunity to accomplish multiple goals at once. For instance, putting infrastructure money to stormwater systems will make developing housing in our downtowns more affordable, reduce sprawl and reduce the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
I sit currently on the House committees on appropriations and judiciary. For appropriations, we are dealing with the underfunding crisis in the teachers’ pension system. Fortunately, a working group seems to have brought all the major stakeholders together on an agreement to use one-time money to pre-fund teacher health care and deal with the historical underfunding. In judiciary, we are attempting to reform what’s known as qualified immunity, a federal doctrine that protects public officials from being sued, including police officers. Many advocates say qualified immunity makes it all but impossible to pursue civil cases against police officers who use excessive force, as one example. That will be a hot topic, to say the least.
For the House Committee on Education, the pupil weighting task force recommendations demand our attention as well as other funding topics related to the Espinoza Supreme Court ruling related to public dollars going to private schools. COVID-19 and the learning loss related to these two years of modified and remote learning is also a high priority for the committee to evaluate and address. The Senate transportation committee is going to be looking at how to expand electric vehicle charging stations and related implications for a declining gas tax revenue over the 10-year horizon.
In the Senate Committee on Agriculture, we are always concerned about the dairy economy and the interplay with Vermont’s open lands. I continue to push strategies that prepare for the coming generational shift on farms and look to create a strong, diverse rural economy. In Senate finance we touch many issues including education funding, the pupil weighting formula, broadband, energy policy and taxes. Each area will likely bring proposed changes. My priorities will be for the long-term benefit of our communities. We should not set tax policy, for example, based on inflated revenue brought on by billions in federal stimulus spending.
The sleeper issue is still the underfunding of Vermont’s state college system. Several years back, a select committee restructured the system and kept all the campuses open. But unless we find a defined funding source to increase what we give the system per year, that effort will be wasted. So, I’ve put in a bill to direct 60 percent of the tax realized from recreational cannabis to Vermont state colleges. That money, plus what we’ve traditionally provided, would be just about enough to make our state’s contribution equal to the average in the New England states. Tax-and-regulate adult-use cannabis is due to open for business in Vermont this coming year, so it’s high time we defined a purpose for the tax receipts we’ll begin to see soon.
An important issue for the region and the state is governance over the Burlington International Airport. I’m optimistic that there will be some gradual and thoughtful discussions on this related to bills H.454 and H.52. Another topic is a less common state statute that allows school districts to set their kindergarten entrance age to be any day between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31. This has the effect of putting more demand on child care centers when school districts choose the earlier dates — and there isn’t enough child care in Vermont for kiddos under the age of 5. Standardizing this and picking a later date would give parents more agency in enrollment decisions while also reducing maximum demand for under 5-year-old child care service by 7 percent.
For a long time, I have promoted the idea of paying our school tax based on income. This better reflects a family’s ability to pay and stops penalizing seniors, as an example, who have lived in the same home for decades. I see more and more traction for this issue and hope we might be able to advance a serious proposal in 2022.
I do miss the Statehouse, and all the folks there, but Zoom has been a godsend during the pandemic, and now with the Omicron wave rolling over us, I give thanks for it again. I think our witnesses, staff and the journalists who cover us are probably thankful as well. After all, every committee hearing is now open via YouTube, and archived for later watching. Just a couple of years ago, you might have been able to get an audio recording of a hearing, and you might not. So, I think on balance, remote legislating hasn’t been a bad thing for our Vermont form of democracy.
Legislating remotely is all I’ve known so I can’t directly compare it to the “before times.” I do feel out of the loop being a new legislator connecting to Zoom meetings from my home and not able to catch people in the hallway, share a commute or grab lunch in the cafeteria. But with vaccinations still rolling out for our youth and with how accessible these Zoom sessions are to the public, it seems prudent to be remote for the start of the session.
Legislating remotely is no fun. But we are reasonably successful with it and, given the number of retired people serving in Montpelier and the fact that we come from every corner of the state to work in small rooms, there is logic to us staying remote for at least January. I hope the Senate will be able to return to working in person soon.
During a meeting of the Senate Democrats, people started spontaneously holding up pets: fat cats, tiny dogs, dogs too big to lift more than their front paws. You’ve probably all experienced something like this in your remote/pandemic lives, a minute when the curtains pull back on the lives of your coworkers, in a nice, human way. It helps you go on, and on, and on.
It is hard to answer this question, but I’ll say that legislating from home does allow me to spend more time with my kids. And that always brings me joy.
The first few weeks of session are always full of promise about what we can accomplish, which is fun. And there’s always a few giggles when someone testifying by Zoom is interrupted by a child or a colleague answers their phone but forgets to go on mute.
Page 10 • January 20, 2022 • The Other Paper
COMMUNITY NOTES
Obituary
continued from page 7
the future of the program and a question-and-answer period. For the virtual option, go to gotomeet.me/SBCity/ home-weatherization.
Student milestones Alex Pollack of South Burlington, a member of the Colgate University Class of 2022, has
earned the spring 2021 dean’s award with distinction. Trent Newman of South Burlington, a member of the Class of 2022, was named to the fall 2021 dean’s list at Stonehill College. Kalea Mecca of South Burlington was named to the Plymouth State University president’s list for the fall 2021 semester.
POLICE BLOTTER continued from page 4
reported a car crash that had happened on Hinesburg Road. Jan. 17 at 5:17 p.m., police responded to a residence on Mills Avenue for a reported burglary.
Patrick R. Fortner, 31, of Colchester, was arrested Jan. 11 and charged with his second and subsequent DUI and leaving the scene of a car accident.
Arrests: Angela J. Kirouac, 47, of South Burlington, was arrested Jan. 9 and charged with domestic assault and unlawful mischief. Dimas Ocasio, 45, of Winooski, was arrested Jan. 11 for driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Kevin J. Donaldson, 43, of Burlington, was arrested Jan. 11 on an in-state warrant.
Death investigations: Jan. 10, police responded to the untimely death of Celia Pratt, 60, of South Burlington. The medical examiner’s office is determining cause of death. Jan. 17, police responded to the untimely death of Kenneth Graves, 75, of South Burlington. The medical examiner’s office is determining cause of death.
Thomas E. Hart Thomas E. Hart died in his sleep at his home in South Burlington on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. He was born June 18, 1942, in Hinesburg, the son of Hugh and Eleanor Hart. Tom graduated from Springfield College and began his teaching career at Champlain Valley Union High School. He created and directed the Life Program, which is now in its 50th year at CVU. After retiring from teaching, Tom pursued an interest in competitive weightlifting. He set numerous state, national and world records in bench press and strict curl. He was also featured on two episodes of WCAX’s
Thomas E. Hart
Super Seniors. Tom was a beloved husband and father. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings and their families. He also
leaves behind cousins, a host of friends, neighbors and colleagues whom he deeply valued. Tom was the epitome of quiet strength and deep kindness. He will be greatly missed. There will be a celebration of Tom’s life later in the year. We invite you to send an email to celebratingtomhart@gmail.com if you wish for notifications of the celebration when details are formalized. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Cremation Society of Chittenden County a division of the Ready Funeral Home. Visit cremationsocietycc.com to place online condolences.
News from South Burlington Public Library 180 Market St., South Burlington, 802-846-4140 • southbur lingtonlibrary.org for information about any programming, cancellations or in-person changes. Some events may change from in-person to virtual. Hours: Monday to Thursday,
10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Email sbplinfo@southburlingtonvt.gov.
Chess club Every Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Join the Chittenden County Chess Club in a game or watch and learn more about chess. All ages. Masks required.
Tech help Every other Friday, 10 a.m.-noon Postponed for Jan. 21. Join us every other Friday morning in the digital lab for 1:1 assistance and to learn new skills.
Online legislative forum Monday, Jan. 24, 6:30-8 p.m. Join representatives Ann Pugh, Maida Townsend, Martin Lalonde and John Killacky, along with Sen. Tom Chittenden, to discuss what’s being debated in the Statehouse. Find the link at the library’s website.
English conversation circle Monday, Jan. 24, noon-1 p.m. English as a Second Language discussion group, facilitated by instructor Louis Giancola.
Poetry club Tuesday, Jan. 25, 11 a.m.-noon Come share your poetry in a supportive, comfortable setting. Facilitated by local poet Jodi Girouard.
‘Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense’ Wednesday, Jan. 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
Drawing on 12 film clips, Rick Winston will illuminate the arc of Hitchcock’s brilliant career over Zoom.
Evening book group Thursday, Jan. 27, 6-7 p.m. Discuss “Once Upon a River” by Diane Setterfield.
Winter concert series: Eclectica Saturday, Jan. 29, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Postponed.
CHILDREN’S EVENTS Toddlertime Tuesday, Jan. 25, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Short stories and familiar songs, rhymes and fingerplays, with time to wiggle and dance. For ages one to three with an adult caregiver.
Babytime Wednesday, Jan. 26, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Miss Kelly and her puppets for a lap-sit storytime for infants and their caregivers.
Lego builders Wednesday, Jan. 26, 3-4:30 p.m. Projects geared to kids ages eight and up, or ages six and up with an adult helper. Each week, builders explore, create and participate in challenges.
Kids’ book club Thursday, Jan. 27, 4-5 p.m. Kids in kindergarten through second grade and their parents are welcome to join Ms. Natacha for a book club for kids.
The Other Paper • January 20, 2022 • Page 11
SPORTS OT thriller gives South Burlington one in win column LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Girls’ hockey South Burlington 2, Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield 1 (OT): Sofia Richland scored in overtime to lift South Burlington over Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield on Saturday. Richland had a goal and an assist for the Wolves, while Sabrina Brunet also scored. Mia Angwin added a helper. Amber Rousseau stopped 17 shots in net for South Burlington, which moved to 3-4.
Girls’ basketball Champlain Valley 46, South Burlington 24: Champlain Valley outscored South Burlington 29-5 in the first half and the Wolves fell on Saturday, Jan. 15, in girls’ basketball. Sydnee Ambrosino had eight points to lead South Burlington, which falls to 4-2 with the loss. Alison Bates had 16 points to lead CVU, including nine in the second quarter. Earlier in the week, the Wolves beat BFA-St. Albans 31-27 on Thursday, Jan. 13. Greta Heldman had nine points in the win Thursday, while Alece Staley added seven points.
Boys’ hockey Rice 4, South Burlington 3: South Burlington’s comeback bid fell short against Rice on Friday, Jan. 14, in boys’ ice hockey. Nick Kelley tallied twice for the Wolves, who trailed 4-1 early in the third period before scoring twice to narrow the lead. Will Hershberg added a goal and an assist, while James Chagnon stopped 30 shots. South Burlington fell to 2-3-1.
Boys’ basketball South Burlington 72, U-32 45: Ryan Sweet had 18 of his 24 points in the first half to lead South Burlington to a win over U-32 on Friday. Ethan Sandberg added 16 points for the Wolves, who moved to 3-3 with the win. Alex Gordon chipped with 14 points and Khalil Quebec-Hill scored 11 points.
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PHOTO BY AL FREY
Talk about net zero: cross-town rivals Rice and South Burlington recently skated out the clock in a boys’ hockey game with neither team scoring, resulting in the rare nil-nil tie.
2022 WINTER/SPRING
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Page 12 • January 20, 2022 • The Other Paper
BUDGET
continued from page 1 stretch into tangible recovery, hope that the pandemic will end in 2022, hope that soon kids won’t have to think twice about going to school. Still, residents will have the final say on both school and city budgets when they vote on Town Meeting Day this March.
spending. Director of operations and finance Gary Marckres added that this is the plan — emphasis on plan. It could change if positions become difficult to fill, if the pandemic alters other circumstances or for a host of other reasons. On the local side, school offiBalancing the budget cials hope to upgrade the Gertrude Overall education spending in Chamberlin School playground South Burlington is increasing, for $45,000, hire two elementary assistant princia little over 3 percent from the “This has been incredi- pals, one splitting time between previous budget bly tough for education Orchard and Rick cycle. Over $525,000 of and kids, and we’re also Marcotte schools, and hire an execproposed addinot doing everything utive director of tions would be equity, a position funded by local we’d like to do but it that would cost property taxes $148,779. but the rest, does strike a balance.” The executive more than $1.6 — Alex McHenry director of equity million, will position has been flow from grants and federal aid from the Elemen- discussed for over a year, but the tary and Secondary School Relief process has gone slowly. Purposefully slow, officials have mainAct, or ESSER. The district’s slice of feder- tained. They hope to fill the role al funds is not included in the by April, although a new director proposed budget nor in the prop- might not come on board until erty tax rate calculation, as it does summer. Since last fall, superintendent not increase overall education
David Young has emphasized that elementary principals have too much work on their plates with enrollment about to burst at Orchard and Rick Marcotte — a problem exacerbating COVID-19 impacts. While that issue is being dissected in a district subcommittee and will likely return to the school board at an upcoming meeting, Young said he hopes assistant principals can help share the burden.
Supporting mental health Federal pandemic aid would kick in for many of the other additions, including about $40,000 for a high school guidance counselor to help carry the growing caseload, about $77,000 for a middle school math teacher to address pandemic-related learning loss and two social emotional learning coaches for about $105,000 combined, among others. With money allotted for multiple guidance counselors, social emotional learning coaches, an occupational therapist and a behavior facilitator, it’s clear that students’ and staff mental health is still under strain. Gov. Phil Scott emphasized the lasting effects
almost two years into the pandemic at his State of the State Address in early January. “When it comes to our kids, who lost out on months of full in-person instruction, not to mention music, drama, sports, field trips, dances and all those normal interactions we took for granted, this pandemic has taken a significant toll,” he said. “The strain was far too much for some, sending them to the ER for mental health needs. While it was less severe for others, the grief was still felt.” South Burlington school board member Alex McHenry echoed those strains as he lent support to the budget. “This has been incredibly tough for education and kids, and we’re also not doing everything we’d like to do but it does strike a balance,” McHenry said.
The funding formula Part of the difficulty in building a budget and communicating it to the public stems from important variables in the education funding equation that aren’t ratified until later, according to Young. When the budget numbers
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aren’t totally guaranteed, it “doesn’t put a lot of positives in the trust pile,” he said at last week’s meeting. The state set South Burlington’s common level of appraisal, or CLA, at 100.99 percent, a drop of nearly 11 percent from last year. The common level of appraisal analyzes recent real estate sales in town and is used to ensure communities pay their fair share of education property taxes. A decreasing level means a greater burden on tax rates. “The CLA was really quite a shock,” Marckres said, adding that he’s never seen such a sharp decline in one year. The district’s equalized pupil count, composed of a two-year average of daily membership that also weighs poverty, English learner students and students in secondary grades, affects net educational spending and therefore the final tax rate. The equalized pupil count isn’t finalized yet. The state yield, another variable in the funding formula, is a tentative $12,937, but officials noted this could be a place where taxpayers feel some relief. With a $90 million surplus in the education fund from last fiscal year, many legislators are urging the governor to put some of those funds towards the yield to lessen the burden on taxpayers, Marckres explained. The Legislature usually doesn’t approve property and income yields until spring.
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The nationwide labor shortage continues to pressurize the South Burlington School District. That’s one of the reasons officials boosted pay rates for many positions in the proposed budget. “We’re struggling to attract employees,” Marckres said, adding that the wage-driven adjustments are thanks to local grant and federal aid dollars. Two other budget stressors — the district’s aging buildings, many constructed in the 1960s, and a boom in elementary school enrollment — were often at the heart of budget discussions but neither feature heavily in this proposal. As enrollment increases, capacity nears a breaking point and facilities need to be renovated or reconstructed, future budgets will be eyed closely. School officials will gather with their city council counterparts at a steering committee meeting this Tuesday, the annual get-together ahead of respective deadlines to put school and municipal budgets on the ballot for Town Meeting Day, March 1.
The Other Paper • January 20, 2022 • Page 13
TAX
continued from page 1 narrowed in on municipal budget discussions last week. “It’s almost a mode of false advertising to say that that the reassessment is revenue neutral. It’s not revenue neutral for these two issues.” Now councilors hope to pull out the two funds and send them back to the voters for their say: Should both funds continue working as is, with a flat tax based off grand list growth? Or should the city tinker with the funding formula to continue the stream at a more consistent pace? The South Burlington open space fund, which levies 1 cent onto the municipal tax rate for acquisition and conservation of open natural areas, was approved by voters in 2000. In later years, the scope was widened to include acquisition of lands for recreation purposes and city parks. Eight properties have been purchased by the city since 2000, totaling over 635 acres of land, including the Scott property, Leduc properties, Goodrich parcel, the Auclair properties and the Underwood property, recently renamed the Thomas Hubbard Recreation and Natural Area. In 2018, voters approved the Penny for Paths initiative, which levies a 1 cent tax for bike and pedestrian improvements. Some of the projects to be funded through this initiative include filling in gaps in recreation paths, crosswalks, walking trails and sidewalks throughout the city. One of the major projects seeks to connect the city’s 24-mile multiuse path along Dorset Street. Back when the two funds were approved, no one would have expected the grand list to grow so much in one year, Barritt argued. Linda Norris, a resident of South Burlington who tuned into the city council meeting, said she voted in favor of Penny for Paths back in 2018, but that this year’s increase is hefty. “The voters should really have a vote on this. I’m a big biker but it’s quite a big increase,” she said. Based on an average of the last five years, the grand list grows about 1.01 percent annually, so with a $3 billion grand list, both funds usually rake in about $310,000, according to assistant city manager Andrew Bolduc. One possible way to maintain the special funds but avoid rollercoaster changes would be to alter the tax to a partial penny; a ratio based on typical grand list growth. That would keep growth on the same curve, without the reassessment jump, Barritt explained. While city councilors also volleyed the idea of instituting caps on the funds, Bolduc said that could get complicated. “Mechanically, I think it
makes more sense to try to do it as a ratio, so it’s an anticipated levy,” Bolduc said. “You can look at your tax bill today, see what your home value is worth, and you can factor exactly how much you’ll pay into the open space fund and Penny for Paths fund.” Councilor Meaghan Emery added she prefers a ratio to a
cap and is in favor of putting the question on the ballot. “I think it shows real respect for the voter,” she said. Still, some residents argued that both funds are intended for projects the city desires, and that inflation won’t go away. Bob Britt, a member of the city’s bicycle and pedestrian
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committee, noted at least $3 million worth of projects do not have funding and this money could be critical to growing the city’s recreation infrastructure. “I understand it is a big jump, but it’s needed for all the growth we’ve had in the city. We need to have that money to meet our climate goals and to meet our
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CROSSWORD
ARIES
LEO
March 21 - April 20 Aries, you may be tempted to overspend this week, as you have a mind to remodel or redecorate your home in a major way. Try not to get carried away.
TAURUS April 21 - May 21 You are ready to pour a huge investment of time and resources into a creative project that is dear to your heart, Taurus. Let the ideas flow organically instead of pushing too hard.
GEMINI May 22 - June 21 Phone calls and emails keep coming in, to the point where you may want to turn off your devices for the rest of the week. Find opportunities for peace and quiet.
CANCER
July 23 - Aug. 23 Leo, you have high hopes for a productive week, but you may not check off everything on your to-do list. It’s fine to let one or two things slide.
VIRGO Aug. 24 - Sept. 22 Virgo, why make things difficult for yourself when others are willing to lend a helping hand? You don’t have to chart the course alone, so accept any offers of help that come along.
LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 Libra, if you are feeling immense pressure to make an important decision, take all the time you need to work through every scenario. This way you’re confident in your choice.
SCORPIO
June 22 - July 22 Cancer, you may feel like you have all of the answers. But you can still heed advice from those who came before you especially in the work setting.
Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 Scorpio, this week will feel like a lot of hurrying up and waiting. For a go-getter like you, this can be very frustrating. Use the down time you have productively.
SUDOKU Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 This is a good week to pursue dreams that have been put on the back burner, Sagittarius. Don’t tell yourself things are impossible. Find ways to make things happen.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 It’s fine to be goofy and playful once in a while, Capricorn. This is the week to let loose and have fun for a while. Others may join in on your antics.
AQUARIUS Jan. 21 - Feb. 18 Intense dreams may crop up in the evenings this week, Aquarius. Jot down things as you remember the details so you can better reflect on their meaning.
PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 Consider giving yourself a little rest from work, Pisces. You’ve been working hard and now you need to restore your energy levels.
CLUES ACROSS 1. Breathe noisily 5. __ Nui, Easter Island 9. Reddish browns 11. Simple shoes 13. Produce alcohol illegally 15. Home to famed golf tournament 16. Tax collector 17. Famous people 19. Urban area 21. Units of syllable weight 22. Pituitary hormone (abbr.) 23. Dismounted 25. Actor Damon 26. Vietnamese offensive 27. Retail term 29. Netted 31. Partner to carrots 33. Witnesses 34. Caulked 36. Satisfy 38. R&B performer __ Lo 39. Monetary units of Macao 41. Give advice, explain 43. Possesses
44. Turn back 46. Gentlemen 48. One who fertilizes 52. Italian monk title (prefix) 53. Parties 54. Type of horse 56. Cuts in half 57. Raises 58. Expresses contempt or disgust 59. Ancient Italian-Greek colony CLUES DOWN 1. Illinois city 2. One of the original disciples chosen by Christ 3. Young form of a louse 4. Type of powder 5. Finger millet 6. Share a common boundary 7. Assumed as a fact 8. Provide clear evidence of 9. Invests in little enterprises 10. A way to be
ANSWERS
11. Monies given in support 12. Fashion accessory 14. Steal 15. Becomes less intense 18. Geological times 20. Hooray! 24. Monetary unit 26. Male reproductive organs 28. Earnings 30. Close by 32. Small integers 34. Fixed in place 35. Used to treat Parkinson’s disease 37. Large, imposing building 38. A rooflike shelter 40. Stiff, hairlike structure 42. Print errors 43. To show disapproval 45. Body of traditions 47. Without 49. __ Clapton, musician 50. Dangerous illegal drug 51. Infrequent 55. Sound unit
Page 16 • January 20, 2022 • The Other Paper
Making Your Health Care Dollar Work Harder. Here in Vermont, we build things better, take care of our neighbors, and make the most of every dollar. At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, our health plan works the same way. You’ll see more choices made to fit your budget. And more care built in — like wellness programs and mental health, telehealth services and our Vermont Blue Rx prescription benefits. Through the American Rescue Plan, your monthly costs could drop by 50% or more. Find out if you qualify, go to VTBlue.com.
Open enrollment ends January 31. Federal subsidies available through January 15.