Getting batty
55 years
Bats help keep forest ecosystems strong, healthy
Dolphins celebrate decades of youth football in South Burlingon
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the DECEMBER 1, 2022
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VOLUME 46, NO. 48
City Council wants to regulate fossil fuel use in existing homes
Getting in line
COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY GORDON MILLER
Canada geese make their way south, a common sight this time of year.
The South Burlington City Council is considering adding a charter change to its March ballot that would give them the power to regulate thermal energy systems in existing residential and commercial buildings. The proposal by the city’s climate task force mimics language passed by Burlington voters in 2021 and signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott in April. It would not create a specific policy change but would give the city the power to regulate thermal energy systems, opening the door to several possibilities, such as a carbon tax on property owners using natural gas or other fossil fuels. “If we can do exactly what Burlington did, I think we’ll be in
really good shape,” said Andrew Chalnick, the vice chair of the climate action plan task force. “I’m sure that conversation will be vigorous and will be vigorously debated — exactly what that policy should look like.” The council first heard of the proposed charter change during its Nov. 21 meeting. They will decide whether to advance the proposal onto its March ballot during its special meeting on Nov. 30 (held after press deadline) and will have to warn two additional public hearings on Tuesday, Jan. 3 and Jan. 17. The move comes less than two weeks after finalizing an ordinance to regulate heating systems in new buildings permitted after Feb. 15. That law requires that newly constructed residential or commerSee REGULATION on page 3
Local man pleads not guilty in federal gun, drug case MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT
A South Burlington businessman and landlord has been arrested on a federal felony charge that he lied to a licensed gun dealer during
the purchase of a firearm for a drug dealer, officials said. Keith Aaron, 52, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court to a charge that he made false and fictitious written statements while buying a Canik 9mm handgun
from the Powderhorn Outdoors Sports Center in Williston on May 18, records show. Aaron, who operates Bing Enterprises, falsely claimed on the purchase form that he was the actual buyer of the firearm to
deceive the licensed dealer, the indictment said. U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, which is handling the case, arrested Aaron in Winooski last week. Federal Magistrate Judge Kevin
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Doyle has twice rejected efforts to spring Aaron from pre-trial detention because of his active use of regulated drugs, records show. Doyle noted the weight of See GUN CASE on page 11
Shelburne Road, S. Burlington Maple Tree Place, Williston
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