Feed the hungry
Team USA
Business group donates $10K to food shelf
Local skater wins gold at international event
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VOLUME 48, NO. 3
Chittenden schools ask legislators for fix CLA impacting ‘dramatic’ tax rate hikes LIBERTY DARR AND COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITERS
PHOTO BY COREY MCDONALD
Tiffany Harrington speaks outside of the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facilty on Saturday.
In South Burlington
School district officials are calling on the Legislature to take immediate action to help alleviate potentially devastating school tax rate increases expected for South Burlington and towns that make up the Champlain Valley School District, driven largely by the state’s newest common level of appraisal estimates that are compounding the implications of Act 127. In a letter to the state delegation, school district members and city councilors in South Burlington say that the impact of Act 127 “paired with a drastic decrease in the CLA this year has result-
ed in an unprecedented proposed homestead tax rate increase of more than 18 percent in South Burlington.” “With budgets finalized in the next week and voters considering their options on Town Meeting Day, state relief is needed now,” the letter reads. The top brass with the Champlain Valley School District is drafting a similar letter, expected to be sent this week, that will ask for assistance from the state, according to Gary Marckres, the chief operations officer with the district. Board chair and House Rep. Angela Arsenault also says she has been involved in several See CLA on page 12
Protestors rally outside prison Sizeable tax increase anticipated for SB COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
More than two dozen people rallied outside of the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility on Saturday as part of a weeklong campaign timed with the start of the legislative session to advocate against building a new facility. The prison, the only women’s prison in Vermont that is nearly 40 years old, is in very poor condition. State lawmakers have considered allocating millions of dollars to build a new facility elsewhere in the state. But protestors with FreeHer, a prison abolition group, who gathered outside of the facility
in South Burlington on Saturday, said that that money could be better spent on state mental health resources, and for the people already doing that work. “What could we be doing to better serve people and ultimately to rehabilitate society? When people are incarcerated, they are often in conditions that are extremely inhumane, and then they come out, and a lot of the times they don’t have a lot of opportunities or resources available to them,” Natascha Deininger, a Plainfield resident and member of the FreeHer campaign, said. “I think one of the things that we want to do is we want to get people to start thinking
differently about incarceration and really see it as something that doesn’t have a great track record,” Deininger added. The prison, located on the corner of Swift and Farrell streets, has a well-documented history of poor living conditions. Reports from SevenDays and VTDigger, as well as testimony from advocates and whistleblowers, have detailed unsanitary health and living conditions for the inmates there. The Department of Justice in 2020 identified several ADA violations that need to be corrected, and the facility has See PRISON on page 16
School board adopts $71 million budget LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The South Burlington School Board received what officials called “crushing” news last week: with the new state education funding formula known as Act 127 and a new common level of appraisal for the city, residents can expect a more than an 18 percent tax rate increase. The budget passed Wednesday totals $71 million and includes $2 million in extra penalty-free
spending made possible by the same law that is causing headaches for school budget-crafters across the state. If that budget fails, superintendent Violet Nichols said, the district could face cuts of up to $6.6 million, including reductions to athletics, co-curriculars and visual and performing arts. South Burlington schools, like many across the state, are facing See BUDGET on page 9
Page 2 • January 18, 2024 • The Other Paper
Education and Enrichment announces spring lectures
‘Come on in ...’
Education & Enrichment for Everyone kicks off its 2024 lecture series with Dartmouth professor of government Linda L. Fowler on Friday, Feb. 9, to offer her take on the current state of our democracy. EEE is a nonprofit lifelong learning organization founded in 1990 and open to all. Weekly lectures are held diverse topics each fall and spring on Fridays from 2-3 p.m., both live at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington, and on Zoom.
Spring 2024 lecture schedule Friday, Feb. 9: “The Politics of Dysfunction: Is the State of America’s Democracy as Scary as So Many Observers Claim?” with Linda L. Fowler, professor of government and Frank J. Reagan Chair, emerita, Dartmouth College. Friday, Feb. 16: “The Great Vermont Flood of 2023,” Gabe Langbauer, meteorologist in charge, National Weather Service, Burlington. Friday, Feb. 23: “China and the West —– Historical Lessons for the Present,” Erik Esselstrom, professor of East Asian history and director of Asian Studies Program, University of Vermont. Friday, March 1: “What Can You Do with $20 Million: From Homelessness to Homeownership,” Michael Monte, CEO, Champlain Housing Trust. Friday, March 8: “Contemporary Policing,” Shawn Burke, chief, South Burlington Police Department. Friday, March 15: “The Underwater Archaeology of Lake Champlain,” Chris Sabick, exec-
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Another of Jim Fitzpatrick’s colorful, inspired wood pile projects, this time on Woodbine Street in South Burlington.
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utive director, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Friday, March 22: “Inside the Capitol: An Update on Vermont’s 2024 Legislative Session,” Sarah Mearhoff, political reporter, VTDigger. Friday, April 5: “Artificial Intelligence: The Birth of a New Era,” Sergio Tenreiro de Magalhaes, chief learning officer, associate professor and chair of cybersecurity and digital Forensics, Champlain College. Friday, April 12: “Why the Middle East Will Always Matter?” Peter Henne, professor, Department of Political Science and Global and Regional Studies, director of Middle East Studies Program, UVM. Friday, April 19: “The Making of 1177BC: A Graphic History of the Year Civilization Collapsed,” Glynnis Fawkes, cartoonist. Friday, April 26: “Tech Hub Opportunities and Collaboration Plans for UVM and Global Foundries,” Kirk Dombrowski, vice president for research and economic development, UVM. For more information, visit eeevermont.org, email info@eee vermont.org or call 802-343-5177. To enroll in the Spring 2024 series, mail a check for $55 per person payable to EEE by Friday, Feb. 2, to EEE, c/o Cathy Chamberlain, 2504 Brand Farm Road, South Burlington VT 05403. Include your mailing address, phone number and email address. Memberships will also be accepted at the church. Non-members are welcome at the church lectures for a fee of $8, cash or check, payable at the door.
School board appointee will run for rest of term Political Notebook Tim Warren My name is Tim Warren, and I am currently a member of the South Burlington School Board. I was appointed as a board member in November to fill a vacancy in the first year of a two-year term. I would like to announce my candidacy to finish the remaining year of the term. I have enjoyed working with my constituents and the school community, and I look forward to continuing my service to South Burlington.
Tim Warren
The Other Paper • January 18, 2024 • Page 3
Planning commissioner talks goals for council run COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
South Burlington’s City Council elections are starting to pick up some momentum, with planning commission member Laurie Smith announcing his candidacy for one of three open seats in March. Smith, a Queen City Park resident, announced his candidacy last week, and said he plans on running for either a two- or three-year term on the council. The two-year term is held by Meaghan Emery, the vice chair of the council and its longest-serving member. But the three-year term will also be open following city council Chair Helen Riehle’s announcement last week that she would be stepping down from public service. Another two-year term, meanwhile, is up for grabs after Tyler Barnes, elected in March, vacated his seat in October. The city appointed Larry Kupferman to temporarily fill Barnes’ seat, but he has said he has no intention of running for election. Elizabeth Fitzgerald, a former city school board member, announced her candidacy for that seat in December. Both Fitzgerald and Smith were among 10 residents to apply for a temporary appointment to Barnes’ seat in the fall. Smith has been a Vermont resident for nearly 50 years. He founded and operated his own woodworking company in 1977 and, later, a design-build construction company in 2013. “Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with city councils, planning and zoning departments,
development review boards and the Vermont Act 250 Commission for commercial redevelopment, residential subdivision development and individual residential projects,” he said. Smith was interviewed by The Other Paper on his candidacy and position on issues facing the city. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You live in Queen City Park near Red Rocks Park — I’m wondering what your thoughts are on the Higher Ground relocation that’s heading to the state Supreme Court. Are you against that? If so, can you tell me why? I’m one of the appellants; I have been quoted an awful lot in the past on that issue. I believe in the rights of residents, and I believe in them being protected. I’m thoroughly disappointed that this has gone on for four years when it could have been resolved four years ago, and they could be in business, which is what I would love to see. But they have chosen to continue going the litigious route without compromising or collaborating, and so this is where we are. I’m in favor of their relocation if they do it respectfully. We have tried to have respectful conversation and that is not going anywhere. I’m very concerned about residents who are going to be disturbed as late as two o’clock in the morning. You’ve been on the city’s planning commission — can you tell me what you’re most proud of during your tenure there? I joined the commission last March, and we’ve really been able to work very collaboratively and, almost without excep-
Laurie Smith
tion, the votes that we took on the commission were unanimous, and that was because we worked very hard at finding the path or the solution that builds consensus. That’s something that I feel like contributed a lot to. I’m also very proud that (the city plan) places climate change issues as the overriding issue in decision making. It does not mean that the other critical concerns that are facing our community are not important, it just means that as they get resolved, they need to be resolved through the lens of climate change so that we mitigate the impacts that are coming towards us. You said in your announcement that one of your priorities will be to “increase access to affordable and quality housing in the city while using environmentally sound principles.” Can you go into a little more detail on that and speak to any policy proposals you might have? We’ve been experiencing dramatic increases in the number and intensity of extreme climate events. Those events are only going to be increasing. As we
build, we need to be thinking about how we build resilient, energy efficient housing that will withstand the climate impacts, and provide comfortable, affordable housing. Affordable housing is a huge trick, and it’s one of many conflicting issues that we’re facing in the city, and it’s going to take collaboration with all stakeholders to find solutions that really solve the problems. I can’t say that I have the answer, but I will do the work to bring the people together to find solutions that really work. And I think that the notion that environmental stewardship and housing are on opposing sides of the development picture is incorrect. I think that there’s a path that provides great housing opportunities and that protect our environment. As you know, the city’s budget for fiscal year 2025 includes funding for many climate initiatives that the city has put forward. But it does include a higher municipal tax rate because of those things. What would you say to a property owner who is facing rising expenses, rising tax increases, specifically from the school district and would balk at a municipal rate increase? (See related, page 1) I’m going to start answering that question by saying that I believe that currently, the city has excellent leadership in all departments. The issue of costs and taxation is a very complex issue. We want more housing, but more housing puts pressure on the schools. The school’s infrastructure needs improvement, and that
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puts pressure on the budgets. So, there are current, critical issues that we need to address in terms of cost, and if we don’t address the future issues that are coming at us, our future costs will be significantly higher. It’s going to take a tremendous amount of work for the council, school board and community to find affordable, resilient solutions to the complex issues that we’re facing. The climate events and the major issues that face our community impact the most vulnerable citizens more directly than they do the rest of the community, and we need to find a way to address these issues equitably so that we really have a caring community that is taking care of all citizens. The costs that we’re facing are real, and we have to analyze budgets as carefully as we can and make sure that every dollar is being used for its greatest value. But affordability is going to be an ongoing issue for us as these myriad issues continue to escalate.” Last, I wanted to see what other priorities you would have if elected, perhaps an issue in mind that residents may not be aware or, or something you think is not getting enough attention. My perspective is that I want to see South Burlington continue to develop as a vibrant, walkable, bikeable, engaged community. I want to see development happen in a way that can reduce reliance on single occupancy travel and that can create vibrant walkable communities where people can live in resilient communities that can really come together and support us moving forward.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 31 • 7:30 A.M. • CITY UPDATE •
City Manager Jessie Baker will review the budget, talk about public safety, retail theft and public works. Join business colleagues for coffee, continental breakfast and conversation. Members and those interested in membership, please RSVP by Jan. 24: sbbabiz@gmail.com
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Networking • Advocacy • Impact Education • Empowerment The SBBA is South Burlington’s only business organization focused solely on strengthening business in South Burlington. We find strength in numbers, and welcome new member businesses, large and small.
For more information: sbbabiz.com Not a member yet? Join us for networking and dialogue around day-to-day and long-term issues in the South Burlington business community.
Page 4 • January 18, 2024 • The Other Paper
South Burlington Police Blotter: Jan. 8-14 Total incidents: 222 Agency / public assists: 12 Directed patrol: 8 Traffic stop: 19 Accident: property damage: 9 Alarm: 18 Foot patrol: 17 Suspicious event: 6 Retail theft: 13 Motor vehicle complaint: 8 Welfare check: 15 911 hangup: 5 Trespass: 5 Domestic: 1 Disturbance: 13 Field contact: 5 DUI: 2 Leaving the scene: 4 Trespass: 5 Larceny from a vehicle: 6 Unlawful mischief: 4 Stolen vehicle: 3 Threats: 3 Animal problem: 3 Simple assault: 2 Larceny from a structure: 2 Mental health: 2 Arrests: Dec. 13 at 10:04 a.m., Jonathan R. Narbonne, 35, no address provided, was arrested for retail theft on Dorset Street. Jan. 8 at 7:36 a.m., Olivia A. Hines, 30, of South Burlington, was arrested for violating conditions of release on Williston Road. Jan. 8 at 1:27 p.m., Fartun Hassan, 25, of South Burlington was
arrested for simple assault on Lime Kiln Road. Jan. 8 at 9:38 p.m., Stacey G. Clarke, 54, of Burlington, was arrested for driving under the influence on Williston Road. Jan. 9 at 6:20 p.m., Marquis D. Mack, 36, of South Burlington was arrested for domestic assault on Farrell Street. Jan. 10 at 5:33 p.m., Kaylee Elizabeth Sevene, 24, no address provided, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Obrien Drive. Jan. 12 at 2:55 p.m., Jill M. Blouin, 35, of Colchester, was arrested for unlawful trespass on Williston Road. Jan. 12 at 9:35 p.m., Jason P. Robinson, 45, of South Burlington, was arrested for violating conditions of release on Shelburne Road. Jan. 13 at 3:12 a.m., William S. Jacques, 27, of Norton, Mass., was arrested for driving under the influence at Williston Road and Dorset Street. Jan. 13 at 1:34 p.m., Olivia A. Hines, 30, of South Burlington, was arrested for violating conditions of release on Williston Road. Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.
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Video of lifesaving effort by state trooper released MICHAEL DONOGHUE CONTRIBUTOR
Vermont State Police have released the dramatic video of the lifesaving effort by trooper Michelle Archer pulling an 8-year-old girl from an icy pond last month. Archer dove into the freezing water off East View Road in Cambridge shortly before 9 a.m. Dec. 17, saving the girl. She was assisted by trooper Keith Cote. The girl, whose name was not released, was rushed to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington with injuries initially believed to be life-threatening. She has since made a complete recovery and returned home. The Vermont State Police Victims Services Unit, which was engaged with the family from the start, shared the video with the family before it was released to news media outlets Jan. 12, spokesman Adam Silverman said. The release followed a series of requests under Vermont’s Public Records Law for the video. This week, Archer said that state troopers are trained to react. “There wasn’t a whole lot of thinking going on. Something was taking over, training. It was the opposite of panic,” the six-year
Michelle Archer
police veteran said. Archer said she agreed with Cote’s assessment that trying to save a child is a basic reaction for most human beings. The girl and a few siblings were playing near and on the surface of the pond, which is on private property near their home, police said. The thin ice gave way, and two children fell into the water. The 80-year-old homeowner was able to reach and pull to safety a 6-year-old girl who was close to shore. The 8-year-old was further away, near the center of the deep pond and the homeowner called 911, police said. The department released just
over three minutes of video from the body camera worn by Archer. The body camera video of Archer shows going to the back of her SUV cruiser and pulling out a life preserver with a throw rope and sprinting to the edge of the pond while getting information from a witness. Archer discarded her gun belt and waded into the near-freezing pond without hesitation and eventually dove under water and swam to the girl. The underwater video shows Archer securing the girl and swimming back to shore. An unidentified neighbor assisted her initially as Cote arrived. As she came ashore, Archer yelled, “Keith, she’s making noises. She’s making noises.” Cote can be heard twice telling Archer to get into some dry clothes. Cote is pictured picking up the girl off the ground, wrapping her in his arms and carrying the child through the snow to the waiting ambulance from Cambridge Rescue. The names of the property owners, including the 80-year-old woman, have not been released by state police. See ARCHER on page 11
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We are so proud of our team’s accomplishments so far this year: • Awarded the Fred Tuttle Award to Aimee Bushey • Donated goods and funds to US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants • Added three more members to our group How your support of South Burlington Rotary Club helps the community... When you attend or sponsor a South Burlington Rotary Club event, you are supporting Rotary and participating in our community. Join the fun at South Burlington Rotary’s annual golf tournament, and the Ugly Sweater Fun Run. The South Burlington Rotary Club is made up of volunteers who invest in the health and well-being of our community. We support both local and global initiatives through contributions of time, talent, and treasure. Non-denominational and non-political, we welcome all members of the South Burlington community and beyond.
Want to learn more about Rotary? Visit us at southburlingtonrotary.org, Facebook and Instagram. Come to a meeting on Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at 180 Market Street in South Burlington.
The Other Paper • January 18, 2024 • Page 5
OPINION House, Senate create path to beef up accountability The study committee’s recommendations for strengthening government accountability are: educate members of the Rep. Jessica Brumsted General Assembly on the importance of government accountability; create a Joint For years, the Vermont Legislature has Legislative Government Oversight and discussed having a meaningful system to determine accountability for how tax dollars Accountability Committee; define a policy, planning and program evaluation staff funcare spent but has struggled to settle on an tion to assist the General Assembly with effective way to do it. improved accountability; adjust the timing During the 2023 of the Programmatic and Performance session, Act 53 Measure Budget Report, as well as other passed, a bill that in reports; increase consistency and accountpart established a ability in rulemaking with support from Joint Committee on the Legislative Committee on AdministraGovernment Accounttive Rules; develop processes, checklists ability. As many of and timelines to ensure all key legislative you know, over my reports and deadlines are easily accessible last seven years in the Legislature, I have Rep. Jessica Brumsted to the General Assembly and the public; establish a process to ensure that committee been committed to the members and committee staff regularly and importance of governformally review past legislation, legislativement accountability, so when Speaker ly mandated reports and other materials; Jill Krowinski asked that I co-chair this establish a process that allows House and committee along with Sen. Randy Brock, Senate committees dealI was very pleased and ing with issues related to honored to agree. The legislation, appropriations, instituA group of four repretions and transportation to sentatives and four senators expected to be follow up on the previspent the better part of the ous year’s budget and summer and fall working passed this year, historical data; establish together on this important a process for legislative endeavor. This Summer will ensure that committees to monitor Government Accountabiland report on deadlines ity Committee put forth a any law whose relevant to enacted legisseries of common-sense lation; require a perforrecommendations that implementation mance note for legislation will allow legislators and that is a priority or costs the public to keep track of would be improved more than a threshold what happens after a law is dollar amount; and define passed. by vigorous and right-size the overall The House and Senate staffing necessary for the government operations performance legislative branch to carry committees have agreed to out the recommendations standards will have prioritize legislation this in this report. year that will put in place them in place, and The intent of these systemic changes that are common-sense recomsimple, clear, independent, those standards will mendations is to reexobjective and fact-based. amine the principle of Rep Michael McCabe systematically government accountrthy, chair of the House ability by focusing on Committee on Governreviewed. how evidence is used to ment Operations and inform policy, how state Military Affairs, recently laws are carried out according to legislative said, “Vermonters expect transparency intent and how our laws can best be written and accountability from government at all going forward to achieve their intended levels, from town boards through to the outcomes. Many laws already have built-in executive and legislative branches. Our performance standards. committee is going to prioritize ethics The legislation, expected to be passed and accountability policies this session this year, will ensure that any law whose to give Vermonters increased confidence implementation would be improved by that public institutions and officials are vigorous performance standards will have working well for them, and we are looking them in place, and those standards will forward to taking up the recommendations be systematically reviewed. Members of of the Summer Government Accountability the Legislature believe that the value of Committee in the coming weeks.” McCarthy’s committee is the first committee addressing the report and subseSee BRUMSTED on page 6 quent legislation during this session.
From the House
Conductor Erik Kroncke
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE REHEARSALS FOR OUR SPRING CONCERT! Rehearsals begin Tuesday, January 30, 7-9 p.m. at South Burlington High School, 550 Dorset Street The first two are free...Come give it a try! Information/Registration: sbchorusvt.org • 802.846.4108
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Page 6 • January 18, 2024 • The Other Paper
Vermont must resist ideas that would create full-time Legislature Guest Perspective Robert L. Walsh Serving in the Vermont General Assembly is a privilege. It is not a profession. Chapter II of the Vermont Constitution outlines a plan or frame of government that is clearly a citizen legislature, one that is based on the premise that senators and representatives will temporarily leave their primary employment to perform duties beneficial to the state. The Constitution reads as follows: “As all persons of full age, to preserve their independence (if without a sufficient estate) ought to have some profession, calling, trade, or farm, whereby they may honestly subsist, there can be no necessity for, nor use in, establishing offices of profit, the usual effects of which are dependence and servility, unbecoming free citizens, in the possessors or expectants, and faction, contention and discord among the people.
“But if any person is called into public service to the prejudice of that person’s private affairs, the person has a right to a reasonable compensation; and whenever an office through increase of fees or otherwise, becomes so profitable as to occasion many to apply for it, the profit ought to be lessened by the Legislature. And if any officer shall wittingly and wilfully, take greater fees than the law allows, it shall ever after disqualify that person from holding any office in this State until the person shall be restored by act of legislation.” S.39, an act introduced and passed in the House and Senate pertaining to legislative compensation and benefits was vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott at the end of the 2023 session. His stated reasoning for vetoing the bill was it was inappropriate for the Legislature to be doubling its compensation at a time when many Vermonters are struggling financially, and the state has an exceedingly high number of homeless people who need care.
Although his point is well taken, I agree with the Legislature’s concern that the current salary structure limits the opportunity to serve in the House and Senate to those who can afford it. I expect S.39 will be reconsidered by the Legislature during the 2024 session. Its salary recommendations for compensation while the General Assembly is in session meet the spirit of the limitation expressed in the Constitution. They will ensure a diverse membership with varying perspectives. They reinforce the concept that service in the General Assembly is a public service and not a profession. However, adjournment compensation to members, when the General Assembly is not in session, does not adhere to guidelines established in the Constitution. It should be stricken from the bill and given no further consideration. Assisting one’s constituents is clearly part of a member’s public service. Section 6 of S.39 is entitled
Letters to the Editor Fitzgerald’s got the right stuff for city council To the Editor: I’m writing in support of Elizabeth Fitzgerald for city council. I worked with Fitzgerald when I served on the South Burlington School Board for four years. She would bring an unmatched breadth of knowledge to the council, with a solid understanding of both school and municipal matters. Additionally, her knowledge about state policies and procedures uniquely positions her to understand and address their impact on our local community. If there
is a topic new to her, Fitzgerald commits to learning everything she can about it. As a longtime resident of South Burlington, she knows this community, is incredibly intelligent, competent and well respected. In our work together on the school board I found Fitzgerald to always be thoroughly prepared and organized for meetings. We did not always agree on the issues before us, but Fitzgerald always demonstrated thoughtfulness and openness when differing perspectives were shared. She served in her role as a school board director, including as
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chair, with integrity. She treated community members with respect, providing a measured response if there were conflicts. I believe Fitzgerald would be an asset to the city council and a strong resource and leader in this role for our community. Her historical knowledge of both school and city matters would be highly beneficial for city/school collaboration and engagement as South Burlington moves forward. Please join me in voting for Elizabeth Fitzgerald on March 5. Diane Bugbee South Burlington
Legislative Working Group. It is alarming in that it provides a window into members’ thinking with respect to future benefits. The items identified for consideration ignore the concern expressed in the Constitution. If adopted, they provide a roadmap to creating a full-time Legislature. Four recommendations that should get no further consideration are: • The recommendation for people selected to serve in leadership positions within the General Assembly to receive supplemental compensation is unnecessary. Those selected, for example, committee chairs, immediately receive power and prestige. No one is required to serve in or accept a leadership position. • The recommendation to provide members funds to hire personal staff is unnecessary. Each member is provided with a personal computer as a source of information and as a time-saving device. Members also have access to the staff of the legislative counsel. • The recommendation to
Robert L. Walsh of South Burlington served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1983-1989. A retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, he also taught at South Burlington High School and as a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Vermont.
BRUMSTED
continued from page 5 government is proven through its accountability to the people and that there must be a system in place that supports that accountability. It is critically important to look back to determine if the laws that have been passed are having the intended impact and, if they are not, why not. By reviewing past legislation and past practices, the Legislature will be informed on what must be done to address legislative intent where necessary or to sunset laws no longer viable.
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compare legislators’ salaries and benefits to those of other states is irrelevant. The Constitution is quite clear on compensation. • The recommendation to create an independent entity to adjust legislative compensation and benefits should be given no further consideration. The membership must be accountable. Keeping in mind the goal of making service in the Legislature available to all, proposals pertaining to health insurance and child care should receive close scrutiny as to limitations and how they are structured. The Constitution is clear. Serving in the Legislature is not intended to be permanent employment. It is a public service. We should keep it that way.
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At the same, working with newly acquired information about laws already on the books, members of the General Assembly can move forward with fresh ideas constructed with legislative language that will better serve the people of Vermont.
At the library On the fourth Monday of every month starting on Jan. 22 from 8-9 a.m., representatives Jessica Brumsted and Kate Lalley and senators Tom Chittenden, Virginia Lyons and Kesha Ram Hinsdale will be at the Shelburne Pierson Library in the community room to listen to concerns, answer questions and strategize next steps for Vermont. Note that we have decided to try having our meetings first thing in the morning rather than at the end of the day to hopefully accommodate more people who might be interested in stopping in to share their thoughts — and a cup of coffee — with us at the beginning of their day. You can also always find out more about all the activity at the Statehouse at legislature.vermont. gov and, of course, you can always reach out through our emails at jbrumsted@leg.state.vt.us and klalley@leg.state.vt.us. Rep. Jessica Brumsted, a Democrat, represents voters in St. George and Shelburne in the Chittenden 5-2 district.
The Other Paper • January 18, 2024 • Page 7
Long Property duplicates conservation protection at expense of taxpayers Guest Perspective Sandy Dooley Question: What is it about the Long Property that supports the city’s use of taxpayer dollars to purchase it and create duplicate conservation protection? The article, “City eyes Long land for conservation, some housing units” informed readers that the city “is in active negotiation to purchase property on Spear Street” owned by the Northeast Agricultural Trust, a limited liability company. (The Other Paper, Jan. 11, 2024) South Burlington resident Tom Bellavance owns Northeast Agricultural Trust. This property consists of the two lots located at 1720 and 1730 Spear Street, which, for many years, were owned by Littleton and Carolyn Long. The Long Property is part of the southeast quadrant section of South Burlington. As reported in the article, city manager Jessie Baker indicated that the shared goal of the city and the Bellavances is to “conserve the majority of the acreage” at the properties. Baker shared this information during the Dec. 18 city council meeting. Development of the Long Property is subject to the Conservation Planned Unit Development land development regulations adopted in February 2022. The regulations require that development include the permanent conservation of no less than 70 percent of the property. In my mind, this means that the Long Property already enjoys substantial conservation protection. In addition to the Conservation PUD rules, parts of the Long Property also receive conservation protection through Natural Resource Protection zoning and designation under zoning as a habitat block. Under current law, if developed, a supermajority of the Long Property must be permanently conserved. Considering this, the proposal to use taxpayer dollars to achieve the city and the trust’s conservation goal raises several questions. The proposed purchase would essentially create a duplicate means of conservation protection for the Long Property at taxpayer expense. Why is the conservation protection already in place insufficient? Is there some undisclosed feature of this property that makes it prudent to use tax dollars to conserve more than 70 percent of the two lots? Combined these two parcels total 39.21 acres. Designating 11.76 acres for development (the 30 percent maximum allowed) and applying the required minimum four housing units per acres would produce 47 new housing units. Most of this housing would not be priced in the affordable range, even with the application of inclusionary zoning. Still, many housing experts and employers assert that Vermont needs more housing units across the entire price spectrum.
Again, what is it about the Long Property that justifies duplicate conservation protection? How would this purchase be funded? Nothing was mentioned during the Dec. 18 meeting about the anticipated source of funding for this proposed purchase. While the currently unspecified portion of the land that would be conserved would quality for funding through the open space fund, what source of funds would be used to finance the portion dedicated to housing development? Regarding the fund as a source, is it prudent to use this taxpayer-supported fund to purchase land for which current land development regulations require that a supermajority (70 percent) of the land, if developed, be permanently conserved? There is also the matter of fairness. To date, all land purchased using open space fund dollars is located in the city’s southeast quadrant. Now that the quadrant’s land development regulations mandate that most large parcels be developed under the conservation PUD rules, why spend tax dollars on duplicate conservation protection in this part of the city? Note that the Long Property is located less than one-quarter mile from city-owned Hubbard Park, which was purchased using open space dollars. Shouldn’t the city be looking to other parts of the city for property that merits city-funded conservation protection? What would the city pay for the Long Property? Northeast Agricultural Trust paid nearly $1.4 million for the property in September 2022. At the December city council meeting, Janet Bellavance, spouse of owner Tom Bellavance, said that an appraisal of the property had recently been completed. Who paid for this appraisal? The trust or the city? If the city paid for it, is the appraisal report a public document? What justifies the city’s direct involvement in the development of housing? I have lived in South Burlington for more than 50 years and I do not recall the city ever being directly involved in the development of housing. What is the process being considered? The city appears to be negotiating with the Bellavances to purchase the entire Long Property. Would it then subdivide the two parcels into the two lots for conservation and two lots for housing development? Would the city sell the two housing development lots to a developer or enter into a long-term lease of this land? Years ago, Burlington entered a longterm, 99-year lease for a development that included affordable housing. This proposal is clearly complicated and constitutes a new enterprise for the city. So, what is it about the Long Property that supports the city’s use of taxpayer dollars to purchase it, create duplicate See DOOLEY on page 12
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Page 8 • January 18, 2024 • The Other Paper
COMMUNITY SB business association gives $10K to food shelf The South Burlington Business Association recently completed its third annual South Burlington Food Shelf initiative throughout the month of December. This initiative, a collaborative effort among member businesses, sought to support the South Burlington community during the holiday season and address the increasing need at the food shelf. During the campaign, businesses contributed over $10,200. John St. Hilaire, chair of the South Burlington Business Association, presented the checks to Peter Carmolli at the food shelf
on Dec. 29. These funds will directly benefit the South Burlington Food Shelf, which plays a crucial role in helping local individuals and families facing food insecurity. The South Burlington Food Shelf has been witnessing a growing demand for its services, reflecting the challenging times faced by many in our community. Carmolli noted that visits increased an estimated 40 percent in 2023. For more information about the business group, contact Julie Beatty at sbba biz@gmail.com.
Community Notes Historical society talk focuses on ‘blind merchant of Burlington’ “Anne Connelly: The Blind Merchant of Burlington,” a talk by John Thomas, development director of the Vermont Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, will take place on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m., at Burlington High School, 67 Cherry St., presented by the Chittenden County Historical Society. Thomas will tell the story of Anne Connelly (1889-1939), who came to Vermont as a blind adult and worked at the association and who introduced trained guide dogs and white canes, ran her own business and supported the blind community. Applications are also open for Chittenden County Historical Society annual research grants of up to $1,000. The deadline is June 1. Learn more at cchsvt.org.
There is free parking at city parking garage on Cherry Street. The program is free, and refreshments will be served.
Ethan Allen Homestead talk offers mystery, mayhem The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum brings “Stories that Shaped Us: Tales of Vermont’s Queen City” to audiences on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. Local author, historian and tour guide Thea Lewis will offer a look at life in Burlington through the years, via stories filled with mystery, tragedy and humor. Admission is free, but donations appreciated. More information is available at ethaCOURTESY PHOTO
See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 12
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John St. Hilaire, chair of the South Burlington Business Association, gives a check to South Burlington Food Shelf director Peter Carmolli after the group’s December fundraising initiative.
The Other Paper • January 18, 2024 • Page 9
BUDGET
continued from page 1 a challenging budget year as Act 127 takes ing. For the South Burlington School District, that means the budget can be as effect. The new formula updates equalized low as $64.7 million and as high as $71.4 pupil-weighting and gives more “value” million with the same effect on the resito students from lower-income families, dential homestead tax rate. But even with a zero increase in spendEnglish language learners, students from low-population districts and small schools ing from last year’s budget, the district’s post-CLA tax increase would still reprein sparsely populated districts. Beginning this year, Act 127 employs sent 13.57 percent jump because of Act those new pupil weights to distribute state 127 methodology and CLA impact. Although officials originally proposed education dollars based on these student needs. In other words, if a district is more a modest 6 percent spending per pupil heavily weighted, Act 127 could allow increase with its $69.2 million projected those districts to spend more with less budget, the board voted last week to fully effect on local tax rates. To soften the blow utilize the tax and spending cap by adding in communities like South Burlington, $2 million to the budget to be allocated to with lower weighted numbers that would a capital reserve fund. “We’re here, we have this incentive to otherwise create a double-digit increase in tax rates, the law also implements a 5 spend up to $71,380,000,” board member percent cap for pre-appraisal taxes for the Alex McHenry said. “The perverse incentive is a problem that this Legislature next five years. Up until last week, school board created and it’s also something that they members have been telling the commu- have to solve. So, we may as well make nity that taxes will not go up more than the most of it. I’m uncomfortable with 5 percent. But when the school board that because the lack of accountability has received its official common level of been written into the law with Act 127.” The newly adopted $71 million budget appraisal from the state Jan. 2 — another factor in the calculation — the final tax approved by the board last Wednesday accounts for the addirate increase jumped to tion of 0.6 full-time 18.27 percent. “The good of Act equivalent positions Without the Act 127 totaling $450,555, discount, the rate increase 127 unfortunately is education model changwould have been more es for special education than 23 percent. being deteriorated services, an elemen“Act 127 by design was meant to increase by the significant and tary literacy program, and math and literacy equity statewide for our specialists. schools, which we believe devastating impacts Other budget is a good thing,” superincreases include a 3 intendent Violet Nichols of the common level percent inflation rate for said at a school board of appraisal.” non-compensation-remeeting last week. “The lated expenses, negotigood of Act 127 unfortunately is being deteriorat— Violet Nichols ated contracts for teachers and support staff, ed by the significant and devastating impacts of the common level increases in non-union wages, an estimated 11.76 percent jump in health insurance, of appraisal.” The common level of appraisal and other employee benefits. Principal and interest on a 2023 capital compares the assessed value of properties on a town’s grand list to the fair market improvement bond and zero energy moduvalue of those properties. If the two are lar classrooms will add approximately $1 same — properties are being bought and million in expenses. “Now is the pertinent time for me to sold at their assessed values — the CLA ratio is 100 percent. If the properties say that should this proposed budget be are sold at a price higher than what it is something that the community chooses assessed for, then the ratio drops below not to bring forward, should this budget get voted down, the district would have to 100 percent. A recent dramatic drop in the city’s reduce by $6.6 million to get to our current CLA — nearly 11 percent — means that fiscal year’s budget,” Nichols said. The district would have two opporbuyers have been paying more for propertunities to pass a budget. After that, that ties than their assessed values. South Burlington underwent a reap- number would revert to the current fiscal year budget. praisal of all properties in 2021. “You might be sitting here thinking, “One of the factors for this is the lack of adequate housing inventory in ‘Well, that doesn’t sound so bad,’” she South Burlington — a simple supply and said. “I want to draw your attention to the demand challenge for people who wish percentage of about a 10 percent year-onto purchase a residence in South Burling- year increase associated with collective ton,” Tim Jarvis, the district’s senior direc- bargaining agreements, health care, and tor of operations and finance, said. “That other obligations that are not something is not the fault of the school district or our that we have leeway. If we’re increasbudget, although it greatly impacts the ing with fixed costs by 10 percent, then latter by imposing a steep disadvantage we would have to have massive reducfor taxpayers when otherwise the property tions and these conversations will have to tax increase would have been capped at 5 include everything from athletics, co-curpercent before the CLA is applied.” riculars, the arts, visual and performing For the 5 percent discount to be in arts. There would be really grave conseeffect, the district must spend less than 10 quences for our school community and the percent more per pupil over current spend- wider community.”
Page 10 • January 18, 2024 • The Other Paper
Who wants to pay? Green Mountain Transit fares to restart in March cards, according to its website. The system also plans to offer a $4 day pass allowing for unlimBus and other transit riders ited rides on a single day, a new throughout Vermont are bracing addition. Day pass charges are for a big change on March 6 when capped at $50 a month, Clark said, Green Mountain Transit reinstates meaning the remaining rides for fares after a more than three- that month will be free. However, year hiatus due to the COVID-19 riders can only enjoy this cap if they pay with credit cards, smartpandemic. For Benjamin Operhall, a phones or Green Mountain Tranfrequent transit rider, the fare sit’s new smart card — not cash. “(The fare caps) creates a situaincrease signals an end to the Burltion where we can actually jack up ington resident’s bus-riding days. “When the fares are resumed, the price but still know that people I will not use the bus,” Operhall won’t have to pay overall more than they did in the past,” Clark said. Maddy Lyons, a Burlingto- said. But this reassurance might not nian who works at University of Vermont Medical Center, said the be enough for some. A South Burlington resident money she’ll have to shell out for each trip isn’t a lot, “but it will named Matt who declined to give his last name said he uses the bus start to add up.” to get to work Fares aren’t in Burlington only set to return Since the beginning most days and — they’re changdoes most of ing. The transit of the COVID-19 his errands via system announced public transpora $2 fare for urban pandemic, Green tation. local routes, a 33 Mountain Transit “For me, I percent increase. don’t have a But fares for rides have been free. car, so the bus is LINK Express usually how I do routes are set to decrease by 50 percent, down all that I need to do,” he said. He from $4 to $2. That brings those expressed concern about the plan two fares in line with the commut- to reintroduce a bus fee, saying, “I’ve been saving money by using er routes fee. For some riders outside Burl- the bus. I don’t think anyone ington, the fare rise also evokes should have to pay to use this … I’m trying to save up for a car.” negative feelings. Others are more enthusiastic “I would be bothered by (the fare hike),” said Denise Weaver, about the upcoming fare hike. Ryan Turnbull, 32, who was who rides the TriValley Transit bus from Starksboro to South Burling- visiting Burlington from Toronto, ton High School where she is dean said fares will make sure folks on of ninth-grade students. “I feel like the bus are there for a reason other we are giving great tax incentives than finding a “place to sit.” “You’ll start to see this fare to people who drive electric cars. Instead, if we take that money money go toward making Vermont and put it into public transit, that public transportation a cleaner, is something that everyone can safer space,” Turnbull said. Turnbull feels uneasy when access regardless of income. That would mean that everyone riding Burlington public transporcan access jobs, everyone can tation because, he said, “the crowd access health care, everyone can that rides the bus sometimes turns access food. Right now, there is me off.” In his native Toronto, he no grocery store in Starksboro so feels safe taking the bus late after there is no access to groceries for work. But in the Queen City he people who don’t have access to doesn’t feel the same security, something he pinned on the prescars.” Rural transportation will ence of people without housing. “I’ve been coming here for remain fare free. “The state of Vermont has the last eight years, and I’ve seen taken the position that rural public an uptick in the unhoused poputransit will continue to be fare lation,” he said. “It’s a sad thing free. The only place where fares because you want to help them, will be introduced will be Chit- but at the end of the day, people tenden County, which is the only don’t want to ride the bus if there federally designated urban area are people making you uncomfortfor public transit,” Clayton Clark, able. The other day I accidentally Green Mountain Transit’s general sat down on a lit cigarette butt that was left there by someone.” manager, said. Levon, a 17-year-old who The transit system will also continue to provide discounts on takes the bus to and from high fares for some people: a 50 percent school and declined to provide a fare discount for riders ages 6 to last name, wishes rules were more 17, those over 60, riders with a strictly enforced on the buses. Like disability or those with Medicare Turnball, Levon has felt uncomCOMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE STAFF REPORT
fortable while riding. “I usually sit on the very back of the bus, and as it gets busy, people will box you in there. It’s hard to avoid drinking and smoking behaviors, which can be a big disturbance,” Levon said. The teenager said resuming fares will likely decrease incidents like these but believes the reversal will accentuate wealth inequities. The upcoming winter may also pose challenges for people who can’t afford to pay the $2 fee or don’t have a car, some riders pointed out. “If they bring back the fares, that’s going to be hard in the winter because people don’t have other alternatives if you don’t own your own car,” Sarah O’Reilly, who uses the bus for her work commute, said. O’Reilly spoke from personal experience. She doesn’t have a car and prefers her own two feet or bike to get to work, citing issues with bus timeliness. Colin Howard, a 23-year-old
local bus rider, agreed. “The transit app to track the buses is also always wrong, and I will think I’m perfectly on time to the bus stop, but I’ll end up waiting there for 20 extra minutes, ending up being late for wherever I need to go,” Howard said. For some, it just takes experimenting with the bus system to understand its idiosyncrasies. “When you start to use the bus to get around, you understand the timing of the buses,” said Rylee Mcklay, a Burlington local who attended the University of Vermont a few years back. “You learn you should always get the earlier bus if you’re in a time crunch because you can’t rely on bus drivers to be on time every day.” Green Mountain Transit suspended fare collection in March 2020 during the outbreak of the pandemic in Vermont to minimize the spread of infection. “Pre-Covid, fares collected on GMT buses totaled about $2.5 million a year, and federal funding
under the American Rescue Plan Act made up for that loss of revenue,” according to the system’s website. Green Mountain Transit was initially set to resume transit payment in 2022. But “the state of Vermont intervened and said, ‘Hey, you know, we kind of like your fare-free experiment, and we’d like to have it continue for a year,’” Clark said. Now, riding into 2024, residents must figure out if they can continue to take public transit. This story features reporting from students in the University of Vermont’s environmental journalism course: Quinn Bisbee, Lindsay Foxwell, Emma Graham, Kate Kampner, Julia Odwyer and Lindsay Renk. Siobhan Neela-Stock edited the story. The 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.
Obituaries and Nancy Carleton. Visiting hours will take place at the Minor Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Milton on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, starting at 1 p.m., and followed by a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. A committal service will be announced later for this spring.
Ruby Benoit Ruby Benoit, 89 of Colchester, beloved homemaker, died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Born on Aug. 3, 1934, in Chester, N.H., to Lester and Winifred Martin, Ruby was a compassionate and devoted woman who dedicated her life to caring for her family. She brought joy, love, and laughter to all those fortunate enough to know her. Ruby took great pleasure in her various hobbies. She was a skilled bowler and was a valuable member of a local bowling league. She also enjoyed gardening and being out in the beautiful Vermont weather. Additionally, Ruby could be found doing arts and crafts or watching old Western movies. Family was the cornerstone of Ruby’s life. As a devoted wife and mother, she tirelessly provided care and support. Ruby’s warm embrace and kind heart created a loving and nurturing environment that will forever be cherished by her family. Her love and guidance will continue to inspire and shape the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruby Benoit is survived by her husband of nearly 64 years, John Benoit Sr.; children, Diane Sweeney-Taylor of Malletts
Robert F. Blair Ruby Benoit
Bay, Miles (Phong) Sweeney of St. Albans, Laura (Scott Palmer) Kirby of Malletts Bay, and John Jr. (Kim) Benoit of South Burlington; siblings, Bernie Martin and Francis “Chicky” Martin; grandchildren, Angie, Jason, Kristy, Travis, Andrea, Danielle, Miles, Katie, Michelle, Jessica, Jennifer and Nickolus; daughters-in-law; Sue Sweeney and Corrinne Sweeney; and many great-grandchildren and other friends and family. She was predeceased by her first husband, Miles David Sweeney; son, Peter Sweeney; parents, Lester and Winifred Martin; siblings, Leonard Martin, Jeanette Soloman, Gene Dumas, Blanche Rich, Winnie Martin and Mickey Martin; and sisters-in-law and dear friends, Margaret Quigley
Robert Frank Blair, 90, died on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Georgia. He was born in South Burlington on May 25, 1933, to Frank and Maybelle (Goodale) Blair. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1955 and then served two years in Germany with the U.S. Army. In 1959 he married Erma Gain. They lived in Shelburne for the next 62 years. Bob worked at Quinn Freight for several years and then owned Bob’s Lawn Mowing Service. He may be remembered giving tractor rides at Shelburne Farms for many years and for participating in many tractor shows and parades in and around Vermont. He is survived by his brothers, Alexander and Art; sisters, Mary and Roseanne; and daughter, Kim. He was predeceased by his parents; wife, Erma; son, Greg; brother, Tom; and sister, Ruth.
The Other Paper • January 18, 2024 • Page 11
ARCHER
Free fishing
continued from page 4 Archer eventually changed into warm, dry clothes and did not require medical treatment, police said. Archer was on routine patrol and happened to be nearby at the time and arrived on scene less than five minutes after the call, state police said. Vermont State Police leadership have commended troopers Archer and Cote and the homeowner for their selfless, heroic conduct, and all three have been recommended to receive the agency’s Lifesaving Award, Silverman said. The water was an estimated 40 degrees, according to Lt. Cory Lozier, the state police commander for Lamoille and Chittenden Counties. “As their commander, I could not be prouder of Trooper Archer and Trooper Cote. Their swift actions and efforts were selfless and heroic. Both troopers responded to the scene within minutes of the call and immediately went into action, with zero hesitation or regard for their own safety. Because of their actions that day, a very young girl is alive and well,” Lozier said. Last July, Archer and Cote also were the primary responding officers to a possible drowning complaint involving a 3-year-old
Cambridge boy at the Smugglers’ Notch Resort waterpark. The child, who fell through an unsecured cover into an underground water storage tank for a splash pad, was taken on July 6 to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington where he died one day later. He was taken to the UVM Medical Center where he died one day later. His drowning was ruled an accident. State police hired Archer in January 2018 and she subsequently completed the basic 16-week course at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford. During her career, Archer was assigned mostly to the Williston barracks, responsible for patrols in Chittenden and Lamoille counties. Cote joined the state police in April 2021 after working as a patrol officer for St. Albans City Police and as a corporal with its Street Crimes Unit. He was one of three city officers honored in 2018 with the police department’s highest award for bravery when they entered a burning apartment building to rescue an elderly double amputee, but not before his oxygen tank exploded knocking the officers off their feet. In the end they helped evacuate 11 others, then-police chief Gary Taylor said.
COURTESY PHOTO
Vermont’s free ice fishing day is Saturday, Jan. 27, with an ice fishing festival to be held at Elmore State Park. The day is geared toward giving new ice anglers an opportunity to try ice fishing before purchasing equipment, but any angler may ice fish on any waterbody open to ice fishing statewide without a fishing license that day, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The festival will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the state park on Lake Elmore. Fish and Wildlife staff, as well as instructors from Vermont’s Let’s Go Fishing Program, will be on-hand to teach ice fishing skills, including knot tying, baiting and using an ice fishing rod, and most important, how to stay safe on the ice. They’ll also operate a fish fry station to cook up participants’ catch, and there will be plenty of cocoa on hand. Registering online (register-ed.com/events/view/206074) will get people on the ice faster.
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Page 12 • January 18, 2024 • The Other Paper
CLA
continued from page 1 conversations with other lawmakers on the prices considered to represent fair market new CLA impacts. value. If the two are the same, the CLA Like South Burlington, taxpayers in ratio is exactly 100 percent. If the properthe five towns composing the Champlain ties are sold at a price higher than what it Valley district — Hinesburg, Charlotte, is assessed for, then the ratio drops below Shelburne, Williston, and St. George — are 100 percent. staring down an 18 percent school rate tax The housing market has skyrocketed increase. Thirteen percent of that would in years since the pandemic, with home result directly from the state’s newest sale data continuing to rise by high single common level of appraisal, or CLA, esti- or low double digit percentage points for mates, Marckres said. years. Because of this, towns’ CLA figures “It certainly has bigger implications have seen dramatic decreases, even after statewide from an affordability stand- conducting town- or city-wide reappraispoint,” he said. als. Without a change, the “The CLA negative“Although there’s districts are left with few ly impacted roughly 90 options. With the new percent of school districts nothing we can spending formula and in Vermont,” said South dramatic decrease in the Burlington School Board do, it’s certainly CLA, even if the school chair Kate Bailey. “Right district had presented a 0 now, as we’re discussing impacting all of the percent increase in spendfiscal year 2025, we need ing this year, residents to focus on the CLA. I taxpayers in our would still see a nearly 13 do think we need to talk percent tax increase. about Act 127 because district.” The two districts we’re getting the double are among a handful in of both, but I — Gary Marckres whammy Vermont that are facing think that our ask for this daunting financial realities letter that we really need over the next five years in the wake of Act to get out as soon as possible should be 127, Vermont’s new education formula very focused.” signed into law in 2022. South Burlington, which conducted Because of that legislation, districts a full reappraisal in 2021, saw its CLA that have historically benefitted from the drop by 11 percent from 92.97 last year to state’s pupil weighting system — Cham- 82.54 — meaning South Burlington propplain Valley, South Burlington, Essex and erties are considered undervalued by 17.46 Mount Mansfield Unified Union among percent. them — are now facing dwindling funding One of the factors for this is the lack of based on revised weighting counts. adequate housing inventory in South BurlThe state implemented measurements ington, explained Tim Jarvis, the district’s to give districts leeway to right size their senior director of finance and operations. budgets. A 10 percent per-pupil spendCLA changes in the Champlain Valley ing limit and a 5 percent pre-CLA tax are even more dramatic. Hinesburg’s CLA increase discount until fiscal year 2030 dropped from 78.23 percent to 67.65 was supposed to help prevent double-digit percent, and Shelburne’s from 77.23 to increases to their tax rates. 68.70 percent. But the new CLA figures are a gut Charlotte properties are overvalued, punch to districts that expected to only add according to the state. Their figures last that 5 percent tax increase to their budgets. were 119.26 percent after conducting “Although there’s nothing we can do, a reappraisal. That dropped to 104.49 it’s certainly impacting all of the taxpayers percent. in our district,” Marckres said. The tax implications of Champlain The common level of appraisal Valley’s budget would have residents in compares the assessed value of properties Hinesburg paying $356 more in school on the grand list to the actual property sale taxes per $100,000 of assessed value.
DOOLEY
continued from page 7 conservation protection and get directly involved in housing development? What was Northeast Agricultural Trust’s plan for the Long Property when it purchased the land? According to a Dec. 2, 2022, letter from the South Burlington Land Trust and Northeast Agricultural Trust directors to Long Property neighbors, “NEAT’s core business is to buy agricultural and conservation lands and either lease them to new farmers or hold them long enough for them to be transferred to an appropriate entity for such purposes.” Was this the plan? If so, why was it abandoned? Since the proposal is now conservation and housing, has Northeast Agricultural Trust attempted to sell the
Long Property to a private or nonprofit developer? Might it be fair to describe the city’s purchase proposal as a bailout of a Northeast Agricultural Trust investment that turned out to be an unfortunate business decision? In the interest of assuring prudent investment of our taxpayer dollars and transparency in terms of the rationale and circumstances related to this proposed purchase, I ask the city council to answer the questions I’ve raised. Sandy Dooley is a long-term city resident, member of the city’s Affordable Housing Committee, a past city councilor and city council chair.
Shelburne taxpayers would pay $304 more, while Charlotte residents would pay $216 more, according to school officials. “Although we support the spirit of Act 127 and appreciate the temporary 5 percent cap on the pre-CLA tax rate, it is difficult to celebrate a tax rate that could have been 28 percent lowered only to 18 percent as neither are popular nor feasible increases for our community to support,” South Burlington’s letter reads. South Burlington approved its budget for town meeting day at its last meeting. (See related story, page 1). Champlain Valley is expected to approve its budget at a meeting later this month. In their letter, South Burlington officials are asking the state to consider a CLA impact cap to prevent further dramatic increases to the tax rate. “This will provide more predictable budgeting and tax rates that our community can support,” South Burlington officials said. If the South Burlington district were to roll over the fiscal year 24 budget of $62 million, they would be forced to cut or reduce nearly $6.6 million in critical programming within the district: transportation, world language programs, arts and AP courses, athletic programs, and a pause in proposed advances in literacy programs. Through conversation with representatives, superintendent Violet Nichols said the CLA has been a factor that’s isolated
as a lever for potential change. “Act 127 is an extremely complicated formula, and it took over a year to develop and the agency of education hired numerous staff members to craft it,” she said at a council meeting last week. “We’re not expecting any overnight shift on any of these factors for fiscal year 25 but am I hopeful that there could be a CLA cap for fiscal year 26? Absolutely.” “Would that have serious positive impacts on our schools and our ability to maintain programming? Yes,” she added. Officials with the Champlain Valley district say they appreciate the theory of Act 127: “We think that resources should go where they’re most needed,” Marckres said. Still, the impacts are beginning to be felt. The district in its budget includes five teacher reductions based on enrollment projections. “There will be a process where those reduced positions will have placement options, and they may not be in the exact level or even sometimes the exact school that they have taught in the past,” he said. “But we anticipate having enough attrition in retirement to be able to place those positions.” Arsenault said the school board has “worked very hard with our administrators to craft a responsible budget that delivers the programming and support our kids and employees need, in the face of an extreme set of external factors.”
COMMUNITY NOTES
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nallenhomestead@gmail.com or by calling 802-865-4556
Shelburne Age Well hosts February grab and go Age Well and St. Catherine’s of Siena Parish in Shelburne are teaming up to provide a meal to go for anyone 60 and older on Tuesday, Feb. 13 Meals can be picked up in the parking lot at 72 Church St. from 11 a.m. until noon and are available for anyone 60 or older. Suggested donation is $5. The menu is Swedish meatballs with sauce, rotini noodles, carrots, green beans, wheat roll, pineapple tidbits and milk. To order a meal, contact Kathleen at agewellstcath@gmail.com or 802-5031107. Deadline to order is Wednesday, Feb. 7. If this is a first-time order, provide your name, address, phone number and date of birth.
Calling all students: Sign up for state chess championship The 37th annual Vermont State Scholastic Chess Championships will be held Saturday, March 23, at Craftsbury Academy, 1422 N. Craftsbury Road, Craftsbury Common. This is the selection tournament for Vermont’s nominees to the national Denker, Haring, Barber and Rockefeller invitationals.
This tournament is open to Vermont students in kindergarten to 12th grade. Participants must be residents or be enrolled in a Vermont public or private school. Resident home school students are also eligible. Chessboards, pieces and clocks will be provided. No prior tournament experience is necessary. High school and 8th grade sections will be U.S. Chess Federation rated. Other grade sections will be unrated. Individual and team prizes will be awarded. All players must pre-register, and registration closes on March 17. Find complete rules and registration information at vermontchess.org.
Holistic security: Protect yourself online Learn how to secure your online life at a free interactive presentation that tackles such topics as the cloud, data in motion and at rest, surveillance capitalism, password managers and multi-factor authentication. This presentation takes a holistic approach to securing your online life, offering practical steps to defend yourself online. It will be held in the South Burlington Community Library community room,180 Market St., on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 5:306:45 p.m., sponsored by the South Burlington Democratic Committee. Bring your laptop or mobile device. For more information, go to secure. actblue.com/donate/holistic-security-2024.
The Other Paper • January 18, 2024 • Page 13
SPORTS Boys’ hockey team beats defending champion Essex LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Maynard paced the Wolves with a second-place finish in the all-around competition.
Boys’ hockey
Girls’ basketball
South Burlington 5, Essex 2: South Burlington beat defending Division I champion Essex Saturday in high school boys’ hockey. Miles Van Mullen had two goals and an assist, while Lucas Van Mullen tallied twice. Jack Kelly added the fifth goal for the Wolves, who now sit at 8-1. James Bradley had 29 saves.
Essex 52, South Burlington 26: The girls basketball team dropped its fifth in a row, losing to Essex Friday. Tori Griffin led the Wolves with nine points, while Abby Duffy added seven.
Girls’ hockey
COURTESY PHOTO
Team USA beat the Czech Republic 5-1 Sunday in Zug, Switzerland to clinch the gold medal at the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation U-18 women’s world championship. South Burlington native Megan Healy, wearing No. 3, is part of the team.
South Burlington skater wins gold with Team USA hockey South Burlington native Megan Healy was a part of a Team USA high-school team that struck international gold in Zug, Switzerland over the weekend. The team beat the Czech Republic 5-1 Sunday in the gold medal game of the International Ice Hockey Federation U-18 women’s world championship. Healy’s grandfather, Larry Godard of Shelburne said Healy, “wearing number No. 3, played and contributed a lot to the USA team throughout the tournament.” Godard said Healy had two assists during the tournament playing defense. Healy is a junior at Bishop Kearney Select High School in Rochester, NY, and has committed to attend Princeton University after high school. Godard said the USA under-18 team got a bronze medal last year, and Healy also played in that tournament. “This year’s team won all the games they played,” Godard said.
South Burlington 4, Essex 2: Ava Hershberg scored twice in the first period as the South Burlington girls’ hockey team beat Essex on Saturday, Jan. 13. Reese Gordon and Kiley Burke also scored for the Wolves, who moved to 6-5 with the win. Sabrina Brunet chipped in three assists. Taylor Tobrocke made 28 saves in goal.
Gymnastics South Burlington traveled to Montpelier Friday, Jan. 12, and came out on top, 111.55 to 37.5, in the head-to-head matchup with the Solons. Ella Maynard finished in first place in the floor exercise and second in the vault and bars. Kelsey Adams was third on the beam for the Wolves.
Boys’ basketball Champlain Valley 56, South Burlington 48: South Burlington lost just its third game of the season, falling to defending champs CVU on Thursday, Jan. 11. Tyler Bergmans led the way for the Wolves with 13 points and Andre Bouffard added 12. With the loss, South Burlington fell to 8-3.
Alpine skiing The South Burlington alpine ski team headed to the Middlebury Snow Bowl on Monday, Jan. 8, for a competition against 12 Vermont teams. Jay Eagle came in fifth place for the boys and Dylan Karpinski was 19th to lead the Wolves to a fifth-place finish. The girls’ team was paced by Leila Macias-Aunave’s 13th place finish. The team finished in sixth place overall.
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Page 14 • January 18, 2024 • The Other Paper
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The Other Paper • January 18, 2024 • Page 15
Horoscope January 18, 2024
ANSWERS FROM THIS ISSUE
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Page 16 • January 18, 2024 • The Other Paper
PHOTOS BY COREY MCDONALD
Protesters rally outside of Vermont’s only women’s prison on Saturday.
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continued from page 1 an estimated $5 million in deferred maintenance, according to a report from the Vermont Department of Corrections. The facility has a capacity of 177 beds. The state recorded 127 individuals housed at the facility last October. But the facility has inadequate space, with a need for specialty bedding dedicated to intake, mental health care and other incapacitated persons. The state in 2022 contracted with a firm to “right size” a new facility that meets the needs of inmates. The Legislature set aside $14.5 million in the capital bill for the development of a new facility. While there is no clear timeline for construction, officials have pegged the cost of building the new facility at well over $70 million. This money, protestors say, could be used to preemptively solve issues in the community by funding support systems, rather than funding a “trauma-to-prison pipeline,” Jayna Ahsaf, the campaign director with FreeHer and the National Council
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for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, said outside the facility on Saturday. Protestors with the group ended their week of action at the prison. They had spent their previous days writing letters to legislators, Gov. Phil Scott and other officials. Last Tuesday, they were present at the Statehouse to greet legislators “just to make sure this is on their radar,” Ahsaf said. “We’ve had a lot of support from Progressives and Democrats — Republicans, we’re still trying to crack that shell,” Ahsaf said. “But we’ve been able to get some people with the cost estimates, and just them realizing that investing in incarceration really is draining community dollars. We could be more effectively solving these issues by upstream solutions.” The Department of Corrections is expected to report on potential sites to for the new facility to lawmakers this month, according to Issac Dayno, a spokesperson with the state Department of Corrections.
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