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SB school district drafts 14 percent spending increase LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

As school officials begin drafting its budget, the South Burlington School District is also grappling with the complexities of a state education spending and pupil weighting formula signed into law last year. The draft $71 million fiscal year 2025 budget reflects a nearly 14 percent increase in spending and a revenue increase of 6.53 percent, which includes a $2 million budget surplus from 2022, and the influx of impact fees for the purchase of the

South Burlington is making climate change a priority in its budget next year by tacking on additional tax increase percentages to fund its initiatives. South Burlington officials last week began what should be a six-week process to deliberate and decide on a final budget for the 2025 fiscal year. A vote to approve a final budget will be held on March Town Meeting Day. As it currently stands, the budget would tack on an 8.2

Starry Night

zero energy modular classrooms. In addition to a new weighting formula known as Act 127, the district is also facing inflation pressures, infrastructure needs, increases in health insurance costs, increases in negotiated labor contracts and the end of COVID-19 federal aid funding. In an initial budget presentation to the school board last week, superintendent Violet Nichols explained that increases in health insurance came in at 16.4 percent. See SCHOOL BUDGET on page 11

South Burlington budget to include 8.2 % tax increase COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

VOLUME 47, NO. 50

percent increase in the tax rate to fund the city’s climate and policy budget, meant to begin funding initiatives laid out in the city’s climate action plan. City officials, for comparison, also offered an operations budget, “built to continue the operation of the city” absent the climate initiatives, city manager Jessie Baker said, which would only include a 4.8 percent increase on the tax rate. An average condominium owner in the city, because of the See CITY BUDGET on page 13

COURTESY PHOTOS

Vibrant Church in South Burlington held its annual Jay’s Christmas Party for Kids on Dec. 2 drawing 850 kids and their family members, and adding a new event this year, Jay’s Starry Night Christmas Party for Kids, held the night before. More photos on page 10.

Page 2 • December 14, 2023 • The Other Paper PASTURE RAISED, QUALITY AMERICAN WAGYU & ANGUS BEEF FROM 4TH GENERATION VERMONT FARMERS

Work on city plan nears end es and hold a final hearing but will environment, transportation — as have to adopt a final document by well as its recreation and commuearly February. nity services. The plan sets the course for The 2024 City Plan is After months of work, South wide-ranging, Burlington’s 2024 city plan is South Burlingbut its overriding nearing completion and will soon ton and offers a “We are facing an vision objective is to “is head to one of its final public hear- guiding that current and to make every ings. existential threat policy deciThe document offers a guiding future officials sion through the vision for Vermont’s second larg- and policymakers from a warming lens of climate est city. City officials have spent will use to make the last several months tweaking decisions. It’s the planet and worsening resilience and reduction in the final document. At a council first update since greenhouse gas climatic conditions. meeting this month, city council- 2016, when the emissions,” ors deliberated over a minor piece last city plan was We must incorporate according to the of data — exactly how many jobs adopted. Formation of draft. exist in South Burlington. mitigation and South BurlThe council set a public hear- the plan began in fall 2022. Each of ington has ing for Jan. 2. adaptation measures already taken “This avoids the winter holi- the city’s policy some ambitious days but still allows time for an committees were as a top priority goal steps to reduce as-necessary third public hearing invited to provide its share of if further changes are required feedback, includin the plan.” greenhouse gas after the second public hearing,” ing the bike pedestrian emission in the Kelsey Peterson and Paul Connor, and — Draft city plan area. South Burlington’s senior city committee, the In October planner and director of planning affordable hous2022 the city adopted a Climate and zoning, respectively, said in a ing committee, and many others. It guides policy intentions in Action Plan, which has since memo. The city will have through several different sectors, includ- guided the city into instituting early January to decide on changing housing, the economy, energy, land use regulations requiring the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in new commercial buildings and some new residential buildings. An ordinance approved last year, meanwhile, requires new buildings permitted on or after Feb. 15 to use renewable energy sources for their primary heating and domestic water heating I am announcing my candidacy systems. for the one-year city council posi“We are facing an existential Political Notebook tion, which will go before voters threat from a warming planet and Elizabeth Fitzgerald in March. worsening climatic conditions,” My past leadership and deep the draft reads. “We must incorSouth Burlington is at a unique crossroads. Our city and our knowledge of our schools, my porate mitigation and adaptation schools each have urgent needs practical judgment and my unique measures as a top priority goal in understanding of varied the plan.” that must be weighed and and competing stakeThe plan also prioritizes prioritized, and so many holder needs make me balancing the area’s housing needs projects are competing a well-suited candidate with its policy goal of conservafor attention and tax for city Council. I am tion. dollars. We cannot have uniquely positioned to The 2024 city plan hopes to the best for both city and help prioritize commu- conserve at least 51 percent of the school without expernity projects that are city’s land area, including consertise in the investments ultimately funded by vation of contiguous lands and needed by both. limited tax dollars. plan “for a landscape that allows As I reflect on 15 My goal as a coun- for continued viability of mammal years of school board Elizabeth Fitzgerald cilor will be to help species.” experience, my recent bridge community-wide To meet its goals the city “hopes work on the City Charter Committee, and my choice more priorities and navigate policies to implement a new open space than 20 years ago to make South that reflect our shared community plan,” and “work with adjoining municipalities and regional entiBurlington my family’s home, I values. Contact me with questions or ties to enact complementary land have decided that the time is right for me to step up and offer to serve concerns at fitzgeraldforcitycoun- use policies where wildlife habitat cil@gmail.com. areas cross city boundaries.” the city in a new capacity. COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

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The Other Paper • December 14, 2023 • Page 3

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JetBlue may reconsider departure, bring back flights to Burlington right to reinstate them when the workforce shortage eases. During a meeting with JetBlue may restore its popular Vermont’s three members of route between Patrick Leahy Burl- Congress last week, JetBlue CEO ington International Airport and Robin Hayes reportedly said that “When the slot New York City’s waiver expires, John F. KenneThe airline cited a JetBlue expects dy International to restore service Airport by Octochronic shortage of from Burlington ber 2024 after to New York,” abruptly termiair traffic controllers according to a nating it earlier press release this year, accordwhen it announced in from the delegaing to Vermont’s tion. congressional October that it was “We expect delegation. the current air The airline pulling out of the traffic controller cited a chronic shortage to last shortage of air Burlington airport. for some time traffic controllers, and will continboth at John F. Kennedy International Airport and ue to engage policy makers in nationwide, when it announced Washington to address the current in October that it was pulling out ATC staffing shortages,” JetBlue of the Burlington airport. Due to wrote in a statement to VTDigthe shortage, the Federal Aviation ger. “If the controller shortage Administration has offered airlines is resolved and slot waivers are “slot waivers” through October removed, we will be happy to 2024, allowing them to temporari- reconsider our plans for Burlingly suspend air routes but retain the ton.”

SARAH MEARHOFF VTDIGGER

News of JetBlue’s intentions to suspend the Burlington-JFK route was met with criticism in late October, including from U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., as well as U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt. At the time, the delegation wrote in a letter to Hayes that the airline’s decision “has the potential to harm businesses in our state and make travel for constituents between Vermont and New York significantly more difficult.” “We urge you not to leave rural America behind by abandoning this essential service in places like Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport and remain willing to work with you to help address some of the circumstances that led to your decision,” the delegation wrote at the time. For Vermont’s busiest airport, the twice-daily route was critical. Roughly 10 percent of Burlington’s air travelers flew to and from JFK each month, many of whom utilized the major hub as a layover point to reach their final destinations.

Page 4 • December 14, 2023 • The Other Paper

South Burlington Police Blotter: Dec. 4 - 10 Total incidents: 258 Agency / public assists: 25 Directed patrol: 819 Traffic stop: 14 Accident: property damage: 8 Foot patrol: 23 Suspicious event: 17 Retail theft: 16 Motor vehicle complaint: 7 Welfare check: 13 Stolen vehicle: 10 Trespass: 10 Disturbance: 8 Leaving the scene: 7 Larceny from a structure: 7 Larceny from a vehicle: 9 Fraud: 5 Arrests: Dec. 4 at 8:25 a.m., Edward Solanoreyes, 30, of South Burlington, was arrested as a fugitive from justice on Gregory Drive. Dec. 6 at 8:08 a.m., Joshua J. King, 27, of Essex, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Dorset Street. Dec. 7 at 3:53 p.m., Zachary R. James, 33, no address provided, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Dorset Street. Dec. 8 at 7:18 p.m., Marie A. Higley, 39, of Colchester, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Dorset Street. Dec. 10 at 1:11 a.m., Hector Gabriel Valero, 31, of Colchester, was arrested for driving under the influence, first offense, on Interstate 89, northbound, by

the Winooski bridge. Dec. 10 at 2:48 a.m., Bradley M. Gero, 24, of Addison, was arrested for driving under the influence, first offense, and negligent operation on Shelburne Road. Selected incidents: Dec. 4 at 8:52 a.m., police are investigating a burglary on Shelburne Road. Dec. 4 at 9:41 a.m., police checked a vacant house on Jonathan Avenue. Dec. 5 at 8:23 a.m., police are investigating a report of fraud on Quarry Hill Road. Dec. 5 at 1:59 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen on Ethan Allen Drive. Dec. 6 at 8:17 a.m., a Logwood Street resident reported a larceny from home. Police investigating another larceny from a structure at 8:23 a.m. on Patchen Road. Dec. 7 at 7:30 a.m., police performed a mental health check on a reportedly suicidal person on Barrett Street. Dec. 7 at 8:23 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from Shelburne Road. Dec. 8 at 1:13 a.m., someone tried to elude police on Main Street and S. Willard Street. Dec. 9 at 11:15 p.m., threats were reported on Dorset Street.

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Towed in Vermont? You have few protections compared to most states AUBREY WEAVER COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

If your car is towed in Vermont, you’re on your own. Towing companies don’t have to let you retrieve phones, prescriptions or anything else from your vehicle. They can charge any rate to hold it, aren’t required to accept credit cards and don’t have to take a picture before towing. If your vehicle gets damaged in storage, companies don’t have to reimburse you. You are entitled to no compensation if the tow was illegal. Vermont is among the five states with the fewest protections for owners of towed vehicles, according to the Public Interest Research Group, the federation of consumer advocacy nonprofits whose Vermont chapter wields considerable state influence. “There are almost no protections in place in Vermont,” Vermont Public Interest Research Group communications director Zach Tomanelli said. And Vermonters are feeling it. Since 2017, people have filed 35 towing-related complaints to the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program, many involving situations that aren’t illegal in Vermont but are sanctioned in many other states. In 2023 already, more complaints have been filed than any of the last six years.

One consumer in 2021 reported ciation, a collective representing being charged $700 for 47 minutes 45 towing companies, employs of work by a company that charges Vincent Illuzzi, Essex County $350 per hour for a minimum of state’s attorney and a former state two hours. The company never lawmaker of more than 30 years, mentioned its rates online, and the as its lobbyist. Illuzzi directed consumer said they got quotes from requests for comments to the assoother businesses at a third of what ciation’s president, Bob Montmishe was charged. ny of Northeast In another Kingdom-based If your car is towed complaint, from B&B Towing, 2018, a man who did not in Vermont, you’re on respond to multireported his credit card was charged ple calls and your own. $300 for towing voicemails. services in the “A lot of morning, but then the charge was states have done a ‘Towing Bill of refunded, and he was told he could Rights,’ where they say you have to not pay with credit. Even though take photos of the situation before his card had just been charged, he towing, it can’t be more than a was told to pay in certified funds — certain rate and then there’s someand the bill had gone up to $460. body that’s regulating it so that it Both instances depict a can keep current with inflation,” complaint that addresses something Rachelson said. Vermont doesn’t protect. There is The last time one of her towing no law forcing towing companies to bills was granted a hearing in the publicly post their rates, and towing House Transportation Committee companies aren’t required to accept was in March 2019. credit as a form of payment. That included a plurality of Legislative efforts in the past perspectives both for and against decade to regulate towing have the bill. been fruitless. Jack McCullough, the mayor of Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Montpelier and director of Vermont D-Burlington, has tried and failed Legal Aid’s Mental Health Law to pass a towing regulation package Project, said in his testimony that in the Legislature for seven years. he had seen towing issues with When asked about the holdup, “some frequency” in his work. Rachelson said, “The barriers are always the towing lobby.” See CAR on page 9 The Vermont Towing Asso-

The Other Paper • December 14, 2023 • Page 5

OPINION

City’s energy committee starts new reading group PRESENTED BY:

Clean & Green Fred Kosnitsky The South Burlington Energy Committee, in conjunction with the South Burlington Public Library, is starting a new reading group focusing on books, both fiction and non-fiction, that explore contemporary issues relating to energy, climate and the interrelationship between humans and the environment. The first two titles for this winter are “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a collection of essays that explores our relationship with the natural world. Kimmerer is an accomplished botanist and professor at SUNY school of forestry in Syracuse, N.Y., and an Indigenous American, part of Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribe. In her book she weaves concepts of gratitude for the bounty the Earth has provided us with the need for reciprocity — we need to give to the Earth as well as take its gifts. She is a master storyteller and each chapter centers on a specific story or event that culminates in a clear message about how we need to treat each other and the world around us. “Robin Wall Kimmerer is writer of rare grace. She writes about the natural world from a place of such abundant passion that one can never quite see the world the same way after having seen it through Kimmerer’s eyes. In ‘Braiding Sweetgrass,’ she takes us on a journey that is every bit as mythic as it is scientific, as sacred as it is historical, as clever as it is wise. She is a great teacher, and her words are a hymn of love to the world,” says Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love.” The “Braiding Sweetgrass” discussion is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18, 6:30-8 p.m. in the library’s community room. There will also be a hybrid option so that readers who cannot attend in person can participate. Light refreshments will be served. Copies of the book will be available for loan at the library starting in mid-December, and those wanting a copy to keep can find this at your local bookstores. Discussion books will be available as an eBook or eAudiobook with a library card. All borrowing options

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are linked on the library website at southburlingtonlibrary.org. The second book in the reading series has been described as a “non-fiction science fiction novel.” Written just a few years ago, “The Ministry for the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson looks at the climate crisis and how it unfolds from the 2020s to the middle of this century. It covers a lot of ground — the affects of the changing climate on both natural systems and human society; the players in this issue: scientists, politicians, the world’s wealthiest and the world’s poorest; immigrants and emigrants; and those with the power to make changes and those caught up in the crisis with little to no power. At times intense and disheartening, the book is ultimately hopeful, as humanity finds ways to come together with innovative strategies to save humanity from self-destruction. Many of the predictions of this work of fiction have already started coming true, and many of the strategies suggested by characters and organizations are beginning to get serious consideration. This novel will both keep you on the edge of your seat while also giving you an incredible amount of background on all the issues related to climate change. “The Ministry for the Future” is a masterpiece of the imagination, using fictional eyewitness accounts to tell the story of how climate change will affect us all. Its setting is not a desolate, postapocalyptic world, but a future that is almost upon us. Chosen by Barack Obama as

one of his favorite books of the year, this extraordinary novel from a science fiction writer will change the way you think about the climate crisis. This discussion is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, same time, same place. Books should be available to borrow from the library in mid-February. Light refreshments will be served and there a hybrid option. Next year, the reading series will continue in September with “All We Can Save,” a collection of short essays and poems about the climate crisis by dozens of well-known women writers, Indigenous leaders, scientists and climate activists. In November, the book will be “Going Nowhere,” a critical look at how we get around and innovative ways to make transportation systems more effective, community oriented, and healthier for both people and the planet. Find additional books about energy efficiency and sustainability on the resources section of the energy committee’s page at southburlingtonvt.gov. Fred Kosnitsky is a member of the South Burlington Energy Committee and has been a resident of South Burlington since 1999. Clean & Green is a regular feature, initiated and managed by the South Burlington Energy Committee, and features a variety of perspectives from members of city committees and commissions, city staff and outside organizations on environmental issues facing the city.

Page 6 • December 14, 2023 • The Other Paper

Grab your wallets: more state spending on horizon Gov. Phil Scott strongly agrees. “Vermont’s tax burden is already, unfortunately, among John McClaughry the highest in the country, and The 2024 Legislature will families are bearing an incredible convene a month from now and burden with increased costs of its members will have to laser living across the board, includfocus on the shocking increase ing new and higher taxes and projected for education spending. fees imposed by the Legislature. In November, Craig Bolio, Put simply, a nearly 20 percent commissioner of taxes, delivered property tax increase would hurt the projected education tax rates Vermonters and our economy, and for the fiscal year we cannot let it 2025. Despite the happen.” “Vermont’s tax use of unallocatAnd how, ed funds from exactly, can it burden is already, previous years be prevented ($215 million), he unfortunately, among from happenprojects that next ing? Barring year’s spending more inflathe highest in the will cause an tion-driving average increase largesse from country ... including of 18.5 percent Washington, the in education tax new and higher taxes stark choices are liabilities. for the LegisThat projeclature to shift and fees imposed by tion is an revenues from the Legislature.” unprecedented other programs, 12 percent rate or to force of spending over — Gov. Phil Scott districts to curb this year’s rate. spending, or for Average per pupil spending is the state or the districts to raise projected to increase by 12.8 taxes. percent (to $22,953) while the Last year the Democratic number of pupils will keep slidsupermajority was eager to enact ing down, from 84,009 to 83,433. a Child Care Financial Assistance Bolio explains that many Program and a generous family districts committed the fiscal leave program. House Ways and sin of funding new services and Means Chair Emilie Kornheiser personnel with one-time federal boldly declared that “We can’t money. With those funds disapafford not to do both of them.” pearing, those districts are now However, the former bill was looking to their taxpayers to enacted with 0.44 percent payroll support the expansion. tax funding and a 2025 pricetag In addition, dollar depreciaof $82 million, rising every year. tion caused by the federal govern- The latter bill was passed but set ment’s deficit spending explains aside in the Senate, from which it a 16 percent increase needed may yet emerge. to cover health benefit costs, In 2020, over Scott’s veto, the and corresponding increases in Legislature amended the Global everything school districts buy — Warming Solutions Act to set in electricity, buses, equipment and stone the levels of carbon dioxide supplies. Vermonters will be allowed to He concluded that “the current emit from now to 2050. The trend of increasingly large spend- government is charged with driving growth while revenues cool is ing those emissions down from not sustainable.” approximately 8 million metric

Guest Perspective

tons of CO2 emitted today to 1.73 in 2050. The first big thrust by the Vermont Climate Council to comply with the act was to enact the so-called Affordable Heat Act, also over a Scott veto. When finalized in 2025, it will in effect levy a tax on heating oil, natural gas, propane and kerosene to make those fuels less affordable, and use the money collected to subsidize electric heat pumps, advanced wood heat and other activities favored by the climate warriors. With the clean heat standard under construction at the Public Utilities Commission, the climate council is now seeking money to pay somebody to design a similar scheme to drive up the price of gasoline and on-road diesel fuels, to get people out of their cars and trucks. Rep. Mollie Burke wants to put a “gas guzzler” surtax on SUVs and pickups.

Sen. Tom Chittenden wants a surcharge on private car registrations to make them more expensive, and to subsidize public bus service. These mandated sacrifices on the climate council’s agenda won’t have any detectable effect on Earth’s climate but will have a serious negative effect on Vermont’s affordability. These climate warriors need to reread Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski’s August letter to the council, saying, in effect, that unpopular schemes to drive down carbon emissions are less important now than promoting “adaptation and resilience” to mitigate weather calamities. Her statement at the Dec. 1 legislative briefing suggests pushback from the climate warriors to elevate the importance of their yearned-for carbon taxes to reduce emissions. Another important issue is protecting — or exterminating

— tuition town parents’ choice to send their kids to independent schools, with the competition-fearing public-school establishment lobbying for extermination. Other high-level issues are expanding the housing supply, facing up to the seemingly intractable problem of homelessness, and reversing Vermont’s alarming descent into street crime, burglary, drug violence and retail theft, that ominously presages social disintegration. The governor is certainly serious about dealing with these serious problems. The Legislature needs to work with him to do things that are sensible, effective and affordable, instead of pushing for more government programs, higher burdens on taxpayers and worthless feel-good virtue signaling. John McClaughry writes for the Ethan Allen Institute.

Mideast: Love doesn’t take sides Guest Perspective Rev. Devon Thomas Many in Vermont are probably still feeling a shocking alarm from the shooting of three young Palestinian-American men in our community. My heart goes out to Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, Tahseen Ali Ahmad, their family, friends and community, who were made victims of hate. I know that many in Vermont feel the type of violence these three young men suffered is uncharacteristic, but it would be both disrespectful and irresponsible to write this crime off as we navigate the political, social and personal turmoil that has permitted those with hate in their hearts to commit acts of violence against their neighbors.

As a Christian minister, I just as loving and deserving of have a responsibility to speak love as any other people. up in solidarity I know that with Vermont’s many feel anger We need to both Arab and Muslim over the war communities between Israel recognize the loss who have had and Hamas. to suffer the I also recogof the people of suspicion, nize that many prejudice, anger feel conflictIsrael while also and violence of ed between neighbors who supporting our recognizing that are not willing Palestinian or to look past the Jewish neighPalestinians are misinformation bors. As we spread on some suffering in Gaza and learn about the news outlets, victims on both the West Bank. social media or sides of this even in places conflict, we of worship. I feel all faiths, in need not choose sides to stand particular those of us who walk in solidarity with the suffering. the path of Christ, need to affirm that Arab people and those who See THOMAS on page 7 practice Islam in Vermont are

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The Other Paper • December 14, 2023 • Page 7

‘O Christmas Tree – your beauty green will teach me’ In Musing Carole Vasta Folley I am filled with such melancholy this Christmas season, and I know a tree will be just the remedy. There’s something about an evergreen standing inside my house that brings a combination of hope and tenderness. A triangular conifer that relentlessly points upward. Its branchCarole Vasta Folley es reach out to me as if to say, “peace on earth” and “joy to the world.” These benedictions, weirdly both hallowed and hackneyed, have echoed in my bones since childhood. I still want to believe. It must be a real tree. For me, no artificial one will do. I love the asymmetry of it all. Its perfect imperfections. How each one is unique and worthy, from Rockefeller Center perfection to Charlie Brown trees that somehow still manage to purport themselves with dignity and significance. Getting the tree itself is a ritual. Selecting the one you’ll make your own, and later pronounce as your favorite, brings to mind the poignancy of adopting a dog. You promise to take care of them and love them even though you know it’s not forever. Perhaps it’s this exact consciousness that makes us love and appreciate more. Whether it’s the Christmas tree or our loved ones, everything is finite. Some-

times I can forget that. The tree buying for the multitudes and reminds me. instead gifted ornaments. The tree brings life to these Tokens of love that dangle short days of December. When from string. It speaks to the often adorned, it illuminates the night precarious belonging of family. with a shimmer giving light to I’m happy to report that the the darkness. And it’s a beautitree in my house is no longer ful light, almost twinkling with surrounded by layers of presents assurance. upon presents. It took some doing Throughout the holiday, to curtail my learned instinct to I’m known to stand in front shop ’til I drop for Christmas. of my tree, face to branch to As if the letter “C” in this pluck a dark green needle from holiday stood for consumerism. the bough. I bend it in half to Now, our family focuses on time inhale the forest balsam. That together. Cooking, eating, singwoodsy, crisp, almost spicy ing, dancing and laughing. Mostly aroma calms me, transporting mining the joy of the moment. me from far-afield worries to the Truth be told, this particular present moment of evergreen. I holiday season won’t come again. am grateful for Let us share it the reminder that in fellowship. It must be a real tree. I’d surmise being present is the present. I am it’s what we For me, no artificial grateful to the all really need, tree. much more than one will do. I love Part of its another sweatofferings are the er, candle or the asymmetry of baubles that hang calendar. from each of its When the it all. Its perfect limbs. They are time comes the same ones for the tree to imperfections. I’ve pulled out of leave the house, storage year after it continues to year, decade after decade. Accugive. Not just the job of picking mulated and curated ornaments up evergreen needles, a task that that tell a story of my life. The mysteriously can last throughout tiny wooden letter “P” I painted the year. The parting gift of the the year of my daughter’s birth. It tree, if you’re like me, is that hangs on a red ribbon and when when it leaves, all of a sudden, I hold it close, I feel that big, my space feels larger. As if messy love I have for this baby there’s more room in my life. I’m who is now a woman. curious how I’ll fill this newfound A delicate ceramic camel my space. It’s a great sentiment to husband gave to me when we first contemplate as we head into the dated. It’s so fragile; every year upcoming new year. I’m surprised it has survived. But so it has — and us too. A colorCarole Vasta Folley is an ful hummingbird my sister gave award-winning columnist and to me years ago when my large playwright. Visit carolevf.com for family of origin finally gave up more info.

THOMAS

continued from page 6 We need not choose sides to give love to a suffering neighbor. We need to both recognize the loss of the people of Israel while also recognizing that Palestinians are suffering in Gaza and the West Bank. We also need to be aware that hate crimes against Jews and Arabs are on the rise here in the U.S. We need not choose a side to hate in this conflict, but rather choose the side of love. I would argue that those of us committed to love have an obligation to do so. I preached recently from Matthew 25:34-36, where Jesus

tells his followers, “Come, you that are blessed by God, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” In Vermont, we need to wrestle with this call to love. Are we so blinded by global politics, hate and prejudice that we are unable to see the hungry, the thirsty, those who are made

strangers, left naked, sick or locked in prisons? Before we assume that Vermont is above the violence we are seeing in the world, we should first take a good look at ourselves and our communities. What happened to Awartani, Abdalhamid and Ahmad can happen again if we are unwilling to confront hate. We must stand in solidarity with anyone who is victimized by any act of hatred. Rev. Devon Thomas serves the Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington.

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Page 8 • December 14, 2023 • The Other Paper

COMMUNITY South Burlington library supports writers during ‘NaNoWriMo’ Will your novel feature a peculiar wizard, a clever detective or maybe an overwhelmed office worker? Will it be set in the Wild West, deep space or an abandoned mall? Will it end in romance, payback or a gasp-worthy plot twist? No matter what you have in mind, there’s a story that only you can write. Last month, the South Burlington Public Library helped several local writers make progress with an improbable creative challenge: National Novel Writing Month. Known as NaNoWriMo, this event has people all over the world commit to writing a 50,000-word draft novel in 30 days. That’s around the length of “The Great Gatsby” or “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” Participants can plan their novels ahead of time in great detail, start with nothing but a vague idea on Nov. 1, or fall somewhere in between. The library, which holds programs for writers throughout the year, held a Nation-

al Novel Writing Month information session in October and five write-ins in November for participants. The result was a new writing community. During the write-ins, the writers shared thoughts about their projects and writing in general. They also wrote. A lot. Most typed away on their laptops, but a few wrote by hand. Some participants in the library writeins wrote a draft novel in a month. Others were rebels, one finishing a novel they had started before November, one starting a memoir and another working on a series of personal essays. Some writers are interested in editing and eventually publishing their work while others just do this challenge for fun. “The library has been so supportive,” said long-time participant Anne LaLonde. “The write-ins helped keep our momentum going and we got to meet other people working on the same type of challenge. The library is a great place to draft a novel

COURTESY PHOTO

National Novel Writing Month participant Anne LaLonde works on her novel.

— all the books there started as a draft.” If you want the library to add you to its contact list for those interested in writing

programs, email sbplprograms@southburlingtonvt.gov.

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The Other Paper • December 14, 2023 • Page 9

Community Notes City seeks thoughts on proposed public art The Public Art Committee in South Burlington wants to hear from you on the art proposed for Jaycee Park. See the video on the city’s website (southburlingtonvt.gov) to learn about the proposal and e-mail your comments or come to city hall and use the comment jar. Comments are being taken through Sunday, Dec. 17.

Fire, police, rescue departments, others hold toy drive On Thursday, Dec. 21, new unwrapped toys and gift cards will be delivered to the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital thanks to various law enforcement agencies and other institutions around the state of Vermont. Operation Fire Cuffs is a joint effort to collect “new” toys and gift cards for the children at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital located at University of Vermont Medical Center. This is its 13th consecutive year and to make this a success, please donate toys and gift cards at one of the following locations: • South Burlington Fire Department • Vermont State Police barracks in St. Albans and Williston

• Burlington Fire Department • Burlington Police Department • Chittenden County Children’s Advocacy Center • Burlington Electric Department • Colchester Police, Fire and Rescue Department • University of Vermont Police Department • University of Vermont Rescue Services • Department of Corrections Chittenden County • U.S. Marshals Service • Essex Fire Department • Swanton police and fire • Winooski Police and Fire Departments • Essex Junction Fire Department • Milton Police and Fire Department • Morristown Police Department • Cambridge Rescue • Cambridge Fire Department • Cambridge Elementary School • Fairfax Fire Department • Underhill/Jericho Fire Department • Vermont Department of Liquor Control • Vermont State Police dispatchers • Essex Fire Department • Swanton police and fire Other locations include Shaw’s Supermarket, 802 CrossFit, Salon Elixir & Boutique, A1 Flooring, Global Foundries, and PuroClean.

CAR

THE SOUTH BURLINGTON SCHOOL BOARD INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE

FY25 SCHOOL BUDGET PROCESS BOARD HEARING December 20: School Board Meeting at 6 p.m.

BOARD ADOPTS BUDGET January 3: School Board Meeting at 6 p.m. January 10: Special School Board Meeting at 6 p.m. Join in person at 577 Dorset Street or via Zoom.

Find all FY25 Budget information at: www.sbschools.net/budgetfy25 WE INSPIRE ALL LEARNERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

continued from page 4 McCullough described how he had seen cases where Legal Aid clients have their cars towed when they are picked up by the police to be brought to a psychiatric hospital. “The car could be towed many miles away from where the person winds up, and the person could be in the hospital for days, weeks or sometimes months with no real ability to get the car back,” McCullough said. Before urging for greater regulation, he added, “It doesn’t take long for the towing charges to exceed the value of the car for an impoverished person.” Critics of that 2019 towing bill highlighted the anticipated material losses of implementing a $40 towing fee cap like the bill, H.201, proposed. Michael Kollman, then-president of the Vermont Tower’s Association, testified against the bill, citing expenses towing companies would incur. “You’re asking a tow truck company to send $200,000 to $300,000 worth of equipment and three to five men to do a call for $40. None of that adds up,” he said. Kollman, the owner of Hillside Auto in Springfield, said that his personal cost per call in Springfield is over $80 per call. “That’s what it costs me to run a regular call,” he said. To Kollman, $40 just doesn’t cut it. “We have trained men. We have huge expenses and insurance costs.” Vermont State Police Lt. Tom Mozzer also testified against the bill, advocating for a law enforcement exemption for the proposed $40 towing fee cap. “Ninety percent of law enforcement tows are without the consent of the owner,”

COMMUNITY INVITATION

Mozzer said, adding that “a $40 towing fee falls short of compensation in almost every case.” Asked recently about compensation concerns, Rachelson clarified: “I get they should be paid, but they should not get to set whatever rates … Some states have done better jobs than Vermont has done.” A transportation omnibus bill passed last session and signed into law reformed one aspect of towing in the state by placing a $125 fee cap on involuntary towing of abandoned vehicles. The bill was originally written with a proposed $40 cap but was revised before passage on the recommendation of towing operators like Montminy, who submitted notes requesting higher caps to the committee. As part of that act, the attorney general’s office was directed to put together a report on towing practices in Vermont to present to the Legislature by the start of the upcoming legislative session. Tomanelli, from Vermont Public Interest Research Group, said the organization had submitted suggestions to the attorney general’s office this fall. Rachelson plans to continue her fight to pass regulations on towing and remains hopeful things will be different next session. “I’ve gotten incredible survey data on people who, like, you can’t believe the stories — they’re pretty awful, and they’re pretty regular,” the representative said. Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost.

Page 10 • December 14, 2023 • The Other Paper

Jay’s Christmas and Starry Night

Vibrant Church in South Burlington held its annual Jay’s Christmas Party for Kids on Dec. 2, drawing 850 kids and their family members, bringing the total to more than 2,500 people over the weekend. For the first time ever, the church also held an event on Dec. 1, Jay’s Starry Night Christmas Party for Kids, an event geared to children with learning disabilities. Church officials said 87 kids with special needs or disabilities came with their family members. Weekend festivities featured fidget toys, a ball pit, letters to Santa, Christmas tree decorating, a chill zone to mellow out, lots of costumed characters, holiday Barbie in a box, games, cookie decorating and crafts. There was also a Christmas play

for kids, with a Christmas message, and Christmas NEON dancer puppets, and a Christmas carol singalong. It was the 13th Jay’s Christmas Party for Kids and the party moved back indoors after three years “outside in the cold during COVID with our drive-thru event,” organizers said. “We felt it was time to be back inside.” The event is sponsored by the Pomerleau Foundation in loving memory of Jeannette “Jay” Lefebvre, who was the Pomerleau family’s caregiver to their 10 children, housekeeper and cook. “Jay loved Christmas and she loved kids, which is how we came up with Jay’s Christmas Party for kids,” the church said in a press release.

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The Other Paper • December 14, 2023 • Page 11

School board endorses expanded seats LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

The South Burlington School Board formally endorsed a recommendation by the city’s charter committee to expand the school board by two seats with the aim to bring the question to voters on Town Meeting Day. The recommendation has been spearheaded by the city’s charter committee, which sent a final report to city council in August to expand the board to at least seven members, noting that other comparably sized districts have at least nine members, if not more. The council, at its Nov. 20 meeting, was unanimous in its support, but it will need to warn a public hearing on the ballot item for some time in January. After a tumultuous year for the

school board that at one point left them with only four members on the five-person board, members were unanimous in their support on Wednesday night. After attending board meetings for a year, “and now being on the board, there’s so much,” Tim Warren, the board’s newest member, said. “I think it just gives the community more opportunity to have input and to partake in the process.” Troubles started this year after the board moved to remove current board member Alex McHenry from his position as chair in August, nominating board member Kate Bailey to take his seat. Bryan Companion, who was elected to the two-year seat in March, submitted a letter of resignation on Sept. 11 citing a “lack

of respect and civility” at board meetings for his departure. The board was left with only four members — McHenry, Laura Williams, Chelsea Tillinghast, and Bailey — who initially opted against filling the vacancy and instead waiting until a town meeting day vote. But the four members reversed course and appointed Tim Warren to the board last month, who now holds the fifth seat until March. Should the ballot item make it on the ballot and pass on Town Meeting Day, the board would not see two additional people on the board until 2026. “The state Legislature and governor have to sign off on a charter change for South Burlington,” explained McHenry. “I don’t think they are usually controversial, but the timing slows it down.”

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continued from page 1

ACT 127 implications One major component affecting the district’s budget this year is new pupil weighting require-

ments under Act 127. Students are “valued” based on a variety of factors, giving more weight to students from lower-income families, English language learners, students from low population districts, and small schools in sparsely populated districts. Simply put, education funding is based on the concept that different categories of students in different types of school districts cost different amounts to educate. The previous formula that sought to “equalize” students is considered outdated and not based on empirical data, Tim Jarvis, the district’s senior director of operations and finance, said. Beginning in 2025, Act 127 will employ the new pupil weights to distribute state education dollars based on student need. In other words, if a district is more heavily weighted, Act 127 could allow those districts to spend more with less effect on local tax rates. Less weighted districts could see tax rates jump even without big spending increases. “Even if nothing else changed, if we spent the same exact amount of money … and had the same exact (common level of appraisal) and the yield was exactly the same, we would still have a negative tax consequence in South Burlington. It’s just the way the weight disadvantaged us,” Jarvis said. To soften the blow to taxpayers in communities like South Burlington that would otherwise see a double-digit increase in tax rates, the law implements a 5 percent tax increase cap for the next five years. But that doesn’t mean districts can introduce exceptionally large budgets at no cost. If a district’s

spending per pupil increases by 10 percent or more from the previous year, the law triggers a review by the secretary of education, which could result in a district losing the opportunity to cap tax increases at 5 percent, making a district responsible for the actual tax rate that is equal to its spending, Jarvis said. “Act 127 provides some interesting options and scenarios when it comes to your spending capacity and tax capacity,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean that it can just be a free-for-all and you can spend as much as you want as long as you don’t reach those thresholds.” Board members expressed concern about what would happen if the budget was voted down with residents wanting leaner taxes than the 5 percent increase. “What if we put this budget and the budget is defeated?” Alex McHenry asked. “We have to cut the budget, but we’re at an increase of 9 percent net spending per pupil. We would have to cut several million dollars to get somewhere down under that 5 percent. We’re in a situation where we cannot respond to voters if they want leaner taxes.” Although the district is committed to remaining below 10 percent increase in spending per pupil, budget numbers are expected to shift as the community offers feedback and the state provides final pupil counts for the district. “It’s incumbent upon every school district in the state to be very thoughtful about how you are using that money, and is it for the highest priorities, and is it for your school’s mission and objectives?” Jarvis said.

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Paired with compensation, staff expenses make up more than 80 percent of the district’s budget. In addition, the effect of negotiated settlements for the teachers and union support staff will add approximately 2 percent to total expenses. Union negotiations for administrators are still in progress, she said. Based on community feedback, the board said, the district’s budget is also shifting its focus toward academics, including students who require additional support. “This requires the ability for highly educated professional staff to interact with our students in smaller groups, in addition to our general education teachers working with them, and also has additional supports for students who might need an intensive intervention or who need special education,” Nichols said. “Right now, we are not able to deliver about 20 percent of these layered interventions to our students at the elementary level.” The first draft of the budget also adds math and literacy specialists to support those student needs. Officials are also proposing to implement visitor management software and intercoms in response to a safety audit performed this year. “There were recommendations from our IT department and from the police department tailored to each building that would include ways that we can consider improving safety for each of our schools,” Nichols said.

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Page 12 • December 14, 2023 • The Other Paper

SPORTS

COURTESY PHOTOS

Above: Lemar Baxter Left: Javen Sears, Romeo Anthony and Rene LaBerge Below: Donovan Hatin and Jay’min Lyman-Cobbs

SB Dolphins celebrate season at awards event In a display of talent and achievement, the South Burlington Dolphins capped off a stellar year with their end-of-the-year awards event at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center’s film room this past week. The Dolphins and their supporters celebrated the football season and the cheer team. Amid applause and cheers, the Dolphins expressed gratitude to the coaches and players who contributed to this year’s season. The highlight of the night was the prestigious Ricky Crouch Award, an annual honor bestowed upon deserving athletes. This award provides scholarships to a select few, enabling them to attend the Vermont all-star football camp for free — an initiative that supports individuals in need

of financial assistance. Named after the late Ricky Crouch, a beloved member of the Dolphins family who tragically died on the eve of his race car driving career, the award symbolizes resilience and commitment. “The Dolphins look forward to building on this year’s triumphs and are excited about the prospects of the upcoming season,” said Dolphins coach Javen Sears. “The event truly encapsulated the spirit of community, camaraderie and a shared passion for sports.” The Dolphins offer young athletes free weight lifting and resistance training sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:306:30 p.m., as well as Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon, from December to May. Contact sbdolphins@ gmail.com for more details.

Wolves’ season underway LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Boys’ hockey

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Get the News of South Burlington 24/7

South Burlington 8, Burlington 2: The South Burlington boys’ ice hockey team opened its season with a convincing win over Burlington on Saturday, Dec. 9. Trey Smith scored and had two assists for the Wolves (1-0), while Jules Butler, Nick Kelly, Lucas Van Mullen and Miles Van Mullen each added a goal and an assist. Colby Reagan, Zach Rublee and Hayden Nelson each chipped in a goal for the South Burlington offense.

James Chagnon stopped 11 shots in goal.

Girls’ hockey Burlington/Colchester 3, South Burlington 2: South Burlington surrendered a goal in the second period to break a 2-2 tie and the Wolves fell to Burlington-Colchester in high school girls’ hockey on Saturday. Ava Hershberg had a goal and an assist for the Wolves, who fall to 1-0. Sabrina Brunet added a goal while Jordan Larose and Kiley Burke each added an assist. Taylor Tobrocke made 26 saves in goal for South Burlington.

The Other Paper • December 14, 2023 • Page 13

CITY BUDGET

Deputy City Attorney

continued from page 1 8.3 percent increase, would pay $119.53 more, while the average homeowner would pay $176.39 more in property taxes, according to city officials. “You have about the next six weeks to work on this budget, make it your own and come to some decisions about what you’re comfortable sending to the voters,” Baker said. The city administration and the city council have made it a priority over the past two years to reduce South Burlington’s 2019 greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent over seven years. Two implementation plans — one addressing transportation in the city, and another addressing government operations — have moved forward with specific policy proposals to reach those goals. Electric vehicle charging stations, a new park and ride, car-sharing programs at multi-family housing buildings and other proposals would be implemented if funding for the transportation implementation plan is approved. A third implementation plan for the city’s “building and thermal” sector is still in the works. “To see the difference in the base, what we need to do to continue and what we need to do to make some improvements, is I think a good format,” city councilor Larry Kupferman said. While the fiscal year 2025 budget begins to allocate money toward these climate initiatives, Baker said it represents the smallest amount of money that the city will need to allocate over the next several years. City councilors Andrew Chalnick and Helen Reihle during the

initial budget presentation had out-performed projected budget questions about whether there amounts. was accounting for potential cost The city also has plenty of cash savings borne by the climate on hand to address emergencies implementation policies — and mid-year needs, according to savings on fuel, for example. a budget presentation. Baker noted that the alloca“It’s a privilege that we have tions for the two implementa- as a community,” Baker said. tion plans will increase over the The fiscal year 2024 budget years, and “includes between $2 approved in March of this year by million and $10 million annually voters took steps to restore previfor the next six years, so we need ous cuts that were made during the to start building pandemic and, tax capacity to do through incre“So, while there that.” mental invest“So, while ments into capimay be energy cost there may be tal improvement energy cost funds, kept pace savings over time, it’s with expected savings over time, growth in the it’s not going to not going to close city. close those gaps,” The more Baker said. those gaps.” than $30 million While the budget tacked city’s operations — Jessie Baker on a 5.75 budget includes percent increase $2.6 million of new expenses to maintain opera- from fiscal year 2023, which tions of the city, its climate budget went toward restoring positions includes $607,000 in expendi- that were cut at the start of the tures, including $115,000 for a COVID-19 pandemic. “That’s a swing of the pendufull-time staff member to lead projects and identify grant oppor- lum from when we were in the pandemic (and) coming out of the tunities for climate projects. But the city remains in a pandemic,” city councilor Tim healthy financial position, officials Barritt said. “Some voters might say. The city earlier this year saw say ‘you’ve oversubscribed the a $2 million surplus in its current property tax revenue’ because budget, thanks to two years of look at the surplus that you have at conservative revenue projections this point. We have to be sensitive that were then outperformed as to that I think.” The city will have a budget the city and state emerged from retreat with the council and leadthe pandemic. The main drivers of the reve- ership team and will continue its nue surplus include local option discussion at its next two schedtax revenues, ambulance billing uled meetings on Dec. 18 and Jan. services, planning and zoning 2. A public hearing is set for Jan. permitting fees, interest-earned 16 where action will be taken to income, and fire and electrical send the budget to the voters for a inspection fees that significantly Town Meeting Day vote.

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JOB SUMMARY The City of South Burlington is a growing and thriving community and is looking for a dynamic, visionary leader to join our City Legal Department. As the Deputy City Attorney this position will assist the City Attorney in providing general legal services to the City of South Burlington, counsel to the City Manager, City Council, City Departments, and official City boards and commissions in multiple areas of municipal law and will be acting City Attorney when necessary. This position is responsible for drafting and enforcing City ordinances, regulations and bylaws; drafting and negotiating contracts; land use planning and zoning; property acquisition, agreements, regulatory compliance, and related processes incident to City stormwater and highway projects; HR/labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining; representing the City in civil and criminal litigation cases; and all other matters assigned or within the purview of the City Attorney’s Office.

APPLY NOW Review of applications will begin on December 22, 2023, and will remain open until filled. To learn more detail about this job opportunity, see a detailed job description and to apply, please visit our job opportunities website at southburlingtonvt.gov/jobopportunities. The City of South Burlington is an EOE.

SHELBURNE Human Resources Coordinator $24 - $28 hourly DOQ Full-time with a great Town Office team and excellent local government benefits, including colleagues who want you to thrive. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and aim to hire, motivate, and retain a diverse workforce across all departments. The Town of Shelburne team has grown to require an energetic, people-focused HR professional. Help all our staff achieve their best, and cultivate the spirit of public service in our town. This specialist will support all of our departments in the full suite of HR functions and special projects. The ideal candidate has related education and experience in human resources work, including recruiting, benefits administration, training, and problem solving. We are excited to shape this position to the skills and interests of the right candidate. Visit www.shelburnevt.org/jobs to see the full job description and application. To apply, email scannizzaro@shelburnevt.org. Review of applications begins immediately.

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