Backyard flock
Little League
Health officials explain health risks
South Burlington teams vie for state titles
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South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977
the JULY 6, 2023
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VOLUME 47, NO. 27
City begins inventory of possible lead water service lines Federal program meant to reduce exposure COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
South Burlington has begun taking a city-wide inventory of its water service lines as part of a federally mandated program to find and remove lead service lines. The city council last month approved the awarding of a contract to MSK Engineering to conduct an inventory for $545,000, although most of that money will be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Vermont Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The efforts are part of a country-wide effort to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. Recent lead and copper revisions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency require all public community water systems to create a lead service line inventory and submit their findings to the Vermont Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division by Oct. 16, 2024, said Tom DiPietro, the city’s public works director. “It’s a federal requirement passed down to the states and passed down to us, so we have to investigate and document what See LEAD on page 13
PHOTO BY COREY MCDONALD
Josh Leggett with his three kids, Sawyer, Shamus and Sebastien, in their III B’s Ice Cream truck.
Ice cream truck treks through county COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
Surely the manufacturer of this little red van did not expect it to be used like this. After somehow making its way across the Pacific Ocean, the van landed in Pennsylvania, where it was sold to a dealership in St. Johnsbury. Now, the vehicle that was once employed as a Japanese fire truck treks through Vermont’s residential roads — capturing attention of kids and adults alike through its unique look, as well as the island jams echoing from of its windows. “We pull into a development, we turn up the reggae, and we roll through at about two miles an hour,” Josh Leggett said. “It’s been quite a scene.” Leggett and his family set out
for the van’s maiden voyage on Memorial Day weekend — ready to roll out for its new purpose: selling ice cream. With Josh and his partner, Renee, and their three kids — Sawyer, Shamus and Sebastien — out of school for the summer, they saw a perfect opportunity to start a roving family-run enterprise. “It’s been fun and interesting, and the best part about it is we can all fit in the van,” he said. “It’s been a really great experience.” Josh grew up in Hinesburg, where he helped his father and grandfather run Ballard’s Corner Store on the corner of Route 116 and Shelburne Falls Road before it was sold to Jiffy Mart. “I’ve been kind of in that food industry for a while and I’ve always wanted to have a food truck,” he said. He original-
ly envisioned a wood-fired pizza shape,” Leggett said. “It’s a good truck but was hesitant to commit fit.” to what would have been a major The business has gotten off investment. to an excellent start. They’ve “We had been looking for a been made a preferred vendor bit and I said, ‘Let’s go with an with the South Burlington Recreice cream truck to ation Departstart,’” he said. ment, getting “I said, ‘Let’s go The truck access to all its appeared out events through with an ice cream of the blue. the summer, Renee’s cousin and people have truck to start.’” who works at reached out for the dealership — Josh Leggett private birthday in St. Johnsand graduation bury queued the events. van up for a camper, but those The family has also worked plans never panned out. So, the Underhill’s food truck night on family bought the van and threw Fridays, among other events. a cooler into the backseat. The ice cream truck was at With only 6,000 miles on it, South Burlington’s Dorset Park the truck is in great shape. “It’s a great rig — the motors See ICE CREAM on page 13 in great shape, the body is in great