A winter storm warning is in effect from 5 a.m. Friday, March 31 to Saturday, April 1 at 2 p.m. according to the National Weather Service.
Windsor County is expecting 6-12 inches of heavy wet snow starting Friday morning but heaviest snowfall is expected on Friday evening.
Snow will mix with rain to bring heavy wet snow and the potential for scattered power outages and hazardous travel conditions.
By Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
QUECHEE – Local resident Richard Vacca was out snowmobiling with some friends a few weekends ago in Brownsville when the riders drove by a large bird faced down on the ground in an inch of ice water.
Within seconds, one of the drivers suddenly stopped and yelled back, “Was that an eagle?”
Sure enough, as the riders backtracked, they returned to a Bald Eagle that they thought at first was dead.
“It was barely breathing,” said Vacca. “And it had thrown up some kind of meat. It was obviously in extreme distress.”
Sending his friends along their way, Vacca volunteered to stay with the bird and immediately phoned The Vermont Institute of Natural Science whose representative, in turn, notified the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Game Warden for that region, Sgt. Keith Gallant.
“It was an eagle,” said Vacca. “It wasn’t right to just leave it.”
When Gallant – who was on another emergency call – arrived about an hour and a half later, he put the bird into a cage, loaded it into the back of his pick-up truck and took it to VINS where it was placed in the wild bird rehabilitation program on Saturday, Feb. 25.
“She was barely responsive, unable to stand or hold her head up,” said Lauren Adams, VINS Lead Wildlife Keeper. “She stumbled when she attempted to walk or stand. She also regurgitated large chunks of very rancid smelling meat several times that day after she arrived.”
As VINS professionals discovered by notifying the scientific agency USGS, it was a female Bald Eagle who hatched in 2013 and was banded in Saint-Barnabe, Quebec, in November of that same year. She weighed about 4.5 kilograms, just above the average for wild Bald Eagles.
Despite her current distress, her overall condition was good, however, indicating that she wasn’t skinny or underweight, and there was no substantial feather damage or debris, Adams said. Although her symptoms of regurgitation pointed to a toxicity issue, Adams related that it was unclear whether she consumed spoiled or poisoned meat.
“The symptoms for these issues all look very similar,” said Adams.
Blood work showed significant dehydration but no signs of infection or starvation. Analysis of a fecal sample showed the presence of capillaria eggs, a fairly common intestinal parasite.
“But this would not be nearly enough to cause the symptoms that we saw”, said Adams. “The fact that she didn’t have signs of long term debilitation, such as feather damage or emaciation, indicates an acute poisoning event rather than a gradual build-up of toxins in her system as might occur with rodenticide poisoning.”
The eagle responded well to an aggressive course of fluids, both intravenously and sub-cutaneous for the first few days, Adams explained.
“I didn’t attempt to give her anything orally until the regurgitation behavior completely resolved which was in the first two days,” said Adams.
Fluid therapy continued and a course of medications for the intestinal parasites began. Food was introduced as a liquid diet on day three.
“We monitored her behavior closely, and she showed significant improvement every day,” said Adams. “She started standing on her own and then flying up to the perch in her enclosure. She was much more alert in just a few days and became very difficult to handle which was a great sign.”
After finishing her course of medications five days later, the eagle was left alone. She was moved to an outdoor enclosure where she had more room and it was quieter and less stressful than in the intensive care unit. Her weight stabilized and she became self-feeding semiconsistently, Adams noted.
“At this point, we’d like to see her self-feeding behavior become more consistent,” said Adams. “After that, we’ll move her to our flight cage to evaluate flight before we schedule a release.”
Currently, the bird is being fed about 7 percent of her total body weight daily, and she is eating between half and two-thirds of this diet consistently.
“I’d like to see her eat all of it,” said Adams. “Now, she is very alert and very strong. We handle and interact with her as little as possible due to her high stress level. We check her weight and examine her once a week and occasionally administer oral fluids as well. Otherwise, she has made a 180 degree turnaround from the state she was in when we first saw her, and we have every expectation that she will be released back into the wild – healthy and strong.”
Adams said the eagle – who continues to be under treatment and is therefore not available to be viewed by the public – will mostly likely be released back in the area where she was found.
When that occurs, Sgt. Gallant and the original rescuers will be contacted and a suitable release site will be picked based on habitat and food availability.
“It’s pretty rare to get a Bald Eagle in here for care,” said Adams. “We had one last year but certainly not every year.”
The range of the Bald Eagle includes most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States and northern Mexico. It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and oldgrowth trees for nesting.
This article first appeared in the March 30, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.
Upcoming Community Forums
April 10th 6:00 PM West Windsor Town Hall
April 11th 6:00 PM Weathersfield School
April 12th 6:00 PM Hartland School
April 13th 6:00 PM Windsor School Auditorium
The Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union, which includes Hartland, West Windsor, Windsor, and Weathersfield, is busy weighing its options under Vermont’s controversial education reform law Act 46, which has consolidation of school governance structures as one of its primary goals.
The Legislature passed Act 46 in 2015, and since then, local proposals to comply with the law have sparked a number of debates in towns across Vermont about the future of local school districts. Some have passed mergers under Act 46, some haven’t.
Earlier this month, four out of six towns in the Windsor Central Supervisory Union approved a new unified school district under Act 46 – which was a sufficient majority for that plan to move forward, although the set-up of the new school board may yet be modified.
Nearby, the Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union (WSESU) has an Act 46 Study Committee that formed about 18 months ago, according to Superintendent David Baker.
One of the options, Baker said, is called “2×2.” This would split the four towns into two regional education districts, one including Hartland and Weathersfield, and the other with Windsor and West Windsor. Hartland and Weathersfield would have their own school board, and Windsor and West Windsor would also have their own board. Baker said that, under this option, West Windsor would lose high school choice, and would have to send high school students to Windsor High School. There would still be an SU board, he noted.
There’s also another option being explored, called “3×1.” Baker said this would include three towns – Weathersfield, Hartland, and West Windsor in one regional education district, with their own school board. All three towns would retain high school choice. In that scenario, Windsor would be in its own district, with its own school board.
Baker said having a unified high school is also part of the discussion.
Whatever the final plan is, Baker pointed out: “One of the challenges is to convince the community that what they’re moving toward is better than what they’ve got now.”
Baker said the goal is to create a proposal that can be voted on by June 30.
He also said the WSESU Act 46 Study Committee, which has four members from each of the four towns, decided early on that it would only approve an option as a committee if a majority of the committee members from each individual town were in favor.
Baker said having four members from each town also gives voters many avenues for feedback.
“It was a good cross-section of the communities, too,” he noted.
A series of forums was recently held in the SU’s four communities, to discuss options and consider the possible impact of different proposals. Forums were held in March in Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Hartland, and a forum in Windsor is planned for Monday at 6 p.m.
Baker reflected on last week’s West Windsor forum in a phone interview last Friday. During that particular forum, Baker said, attendees were split up into smaller discussion groups, which, he added, provided a way for some attendees to discuss ideas and concerns with others, some of whom they’d never met before.
“That interaction was good, and I saw a lot of what I thought were heads nodding, and people feeling good about each other,” Baker said. “I’m pretty encouraged.”
Baker said the break-out groups are usually not included at the forums, rather, it’s usually the committee working together as a group.
He expects another round of forums in April.
More information about the Study Committee’s work and the SU’s options under Act 46 is available at wsesu.net
This article first appeared in the March 30, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.
Read these stories and more on the eEdition, new edition available Wednesday nights, pick it up a copy on the newsstands Thursdays or subscribe.
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Baby Animals, 2017
Spring time is baby animal time at Billings Farm and Museum. 4-H’ers pick out their cows for the season at Spring Brook Farm. Rick Russell and Lisa Wesinger Photos
WUHS Girls Lacrosse Preseason
Woodstock Union High School girl’s lacrosse team held practice inside while the snow melts in this years preseason. A Zumba class started out the session.
Pomfret Empty Bowls, 2017
The 9th annual Pomfret Empty Bowls event held as a fundraiser the Woodstock Community Food Shelf and Change the World Kids. The event was held at the Pomfret Town Hall on Sunday, April 2.
Sustainable Woodstock East End Action Community Forum
The Sustainable Woodstock group hosted a gathering at the Woodstock Town Hall which asked participants to share ideas and opinions on the East End Park.
WUHS Boys Tennis, Preseason Practice
The Woodstock Union High School boys tennis team head early season practice at the Woodstock Athletic Club at the Woodstock Inn and Resort.
The eastbound lane of Route 4 near Fat Hat in Quechee has been reopened. (11 a.m., April 7, 2017)
There is currently one-lane traffic (eastbound lane closed) on Route 4 near Fat Hat in Quechee, where the trailer of a truck from Indiana just recently got stuck on some ledges. The trailer is currently being removed. There were no injuries in the minor accident, according to Hartford Police.
By Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
HARTLAND – A local junkyard permit and the town’s planned $450,000 facelift to the Three Corners intersection were among the major topics discussed at Monday night’s Hartland Select Board meeting.
Town Manager Bob Stacey and Select Board members Martha McGlinn, Chair Gordon Richardson, Matt Peeler, Joe Olmstead, and Mary T. O’Brien heard Monday evening, from local resident Edward Tobin, who was requesting a junkyard permit.
Tobin owns a licensed and bonded freight shipping and trucking company based in Hartland. He collects and sorts metal scrap on his 12-acre patch and hauls it to Claremont and other destinations to sell to consolidators and processors.
Stacey said the town has to agree about the location of the salvage yard. The state oversees it. The permit is good for five years.
“The state can’t find any fault with the yard,” he said. “It’s what I do. There’re good times and bad times and everything in between.”
The board voted unanimously to approve the certificate for the location of the salvage yard. There is a $25 town fee, Stacey said.
Local resident Chet Pasho arrived late to the meeting to express his concern about the Town Plan that is slated to be adopted by the Select Board later this year.
“ Shall and must are words that are used to mean mandatory,” said Pasho. “Work on individual properties or land is required to get a permit. It’s expansion of existing land development. It’s pretty encompassing. I talked to the Planning Commission about this at length. They couldn’t come to a consensus. I see this as a potential land mine for the Select Board down the road. It’s in the implementation section. I would encourage the Board to be careful. This all comes down to steep slopes and impervious surfaces which is about half the town of Hartland.”
Pasho was referring to the new state regulation of General Muncipal Storm Water permit that will come into effect during the next year.
Pasho also expressed his strong disagreement to board members with the town’s plan to modify the intersection at Hartland Three Corners. The road would be reconfigured into four corners. Work is expected to begin this summer on a $450,000 facelift that will create a four-way intersection where Route 5, Route 12 and Quechee Road meet, according to Stacey. The roads will be tightened and realigned to make way for more on-street parking, green spaces and pedestrian-friendly crosswalks.
“I’m in total disagreement about this plan and will do everything I can to stop it,” said Pasho.
Board member O’Brien responded by asking Pasho why he or the others he claimed who were also in disagreement did not come forward earlier when the plan was in its inception.
Town officials first began discussing the intersection over 40 years ago. It wasn’t until 2014 that voters approved the Select Board’s recommendation to reconfigure the road, however, by borrowing from the town’s capital reserve fund over five years, according to town reports.
“Thank you for coming in,” said Richardson to Pasho. “The Board is in favor of the project. But we don’t have a closed mind about anything, including the intersection.”
In other business, board members approved the re-appointment of Town Officers as presented without changes.
O’Brien related that members of the Town Planning Commission are mulling over decreasing its present number of nine.
“They’ll have to discuss this among themselves,” said Stacey. “They’re having a tough time getting a quorum.”
Board members reviewed line items in the present town financial report. O’Brien related that, 75 percent through the year, some line items are higher than they should be. She noted that pay for board members is disseminated twice a year in December and June. Workman’s compensation appears to be double than expected although Stacey will investigate. Office supplies seem to have increased as well as legal/profession fees and computer services by a new supplier. Miscellaneous expenses of $3,000 are due to house expenses, Stacey related. Among the listers, all seems to be over budget, according to O’Brien.
“All this overrun,” said O’Brien. “Where is this coming from? We budget these items and people don’t pay attention, I suppose.”
Stacey disagreed.
“I always look at the bottom line and, as such, we’re always within the budget,” Stacey said.
“So this is a misfortunate guestimate?” said O’Brien.
“It can be a very cloudy crystal ball,” said Stacey who said that once the town reappraisal comes in, it might help to offset the budget.
Richardson pointed out that there is $4,600 budgeted for library maintenance including hours. There has been outside work needed to be done including window sills and doors.
“It would be nice to have some repair work done,” said Assistant Town Clerk Laura Bergstresser.
Board members discussed the after school that remains busy with two full-time employees and a scholarship program.
On the line item of the town garage, Richardson noted $4,000 worth of repairs. Stacey said that the diesel tank got water in it and needed to be pumped out.
“Getting rid of that tainted fuel was expensive,” said Stacey.
Richardson asked, looking forward, if office equipment would be replaced. Stacey related that “we’re in pretty good shape” so that would not be necessary.
Stacey recommended that, in the future, board members review the budget a week prior to the board meeting, circle their concerns, and then send them back to Stacey who will make his review and investigate.
Richardson raised the issue of the Town Manager search. There have been 30 responses. The size and membership of the committee is still in question. But 10 seems to be enough, Richardson noted. There is also an issue of people on the committee who will be directed by the Manager.
“I didn’t get a lot of negative thoughts on it, although personally I don’t think it’s a great idea,” said Richardson. “My suggestion is that we have the five of us and the Fire Chief and three others.”
Board members gave their nod to Richardson’s suggestion, including retiring Town Manager Stacey.
Richardson said he would like the Search Committee formed as soon as possible because its first meeting, warned as a Select Board meeting, is slated for Tuesday, April 11,at 5:30 p.m. The first round of interviews by phone or Skype begins April 17, he noted.
“We need to remember that the candidates are looking at us as well as us looking at them,” said Richardson.
The next regular Select Board meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 5:30 p.m.
This article first appeared in the April 6, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard newspaper.
Read these stories and more on the eEdition, new edition available Wednesday nights, pick it up a copy on the newsstands Thursdays or subscribe.
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Spring at Last, Art Exhibit Opening Reception at NWPL
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Blake Hill Preserves, Marmalade Class
Vicky Allard, co-owner and executive chef at Blake Hill Preserves at Artisans Park in Windsor, shared her marmalade passion with fourteen people from Vermont and as far away as Long Island, NY.
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Community Seder & Potluck, Passover
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By Rushad Thomas, Special to the Standard
Calvin Coolidge. We’ve all heard of him. He’s a local Vermont hero, after all. And why do we know him? He was the 30th president of the United States, of course. He grew up in Plymouth Notch. And, of course, we all know the stories about his renowned parsimony with words. Yet there’s more to the president whose ideals and policies shaped the 1920s than meets the eye. One of the less-well-known elements of Coolidge’s story relates to our nation’s centuries-long efforts to make good on that proverbial “promissory note” Martin Luther King, Jr. referred to in his “I Have a Dream” speech: civil rights.
Coolidge was a Republican, and a very conservative Republican, at that. Yet he was also a 5th generation Vermonter, brought up on stories of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain boys. He embodied Vermont’s long-standing progressive values (Vermont was the first state to ban slavery, which it did formally when it entered the union in 1791). He took those Vermont values with him to the State House in Boston, and to the White House in Washington. And in an era when Ku Klux Klan membership stood at an all-time high, Coolidge made bold moves as commander-in-chief to signify where he stood on the issue of civil rights for African Americans: “Numbered among our population are some 12,000,000 colored people. Under our Constitution their rights are just as sacred as those of any other citizen. It is both a public and a private duty to protect those rights.” – 1923 State of the Union Message, December 6, 1923.
Coolidge was influenced in his efforts by Robert Russa Moton, Emmett Jay Scott, and William H. Lewis, a group of men from the Tuskegee Institute, a black university founded by famed educator Booker T. Washington. Like their godfather Booker T. Washington, these leaders sought to profit the black community by ties to powerful politicians and philanthropists in both the North and the South. Consequently, they turned to Coolidge with similar thoughts when he became president in 1923. Coolidge’s ties to these individuals, coupled with his willingness to meet with other distinguished reformminded blacks, augured well for the President during his formative months in office and led to a period of good will between him and the overall black community.
This era of good feelings culminated in June 1924 with President Coolidge’s commencement address at Howard University.
Taking the podium at the open-air commencement on June 6, 1924, President Coolidge looked out at the Howard graduates and said the following: “The nation has need of all that can be contributed to it through the best efforts of all its citizens. The colored people have repeatedly proved their devotion to the high ideals of our country. They gave their services to the war with the same patriotism and readiness that other citizens did. The propaganda of prejudice and hatred which sought to keep the colored men from supporting the national cause completely failed. The black man showed himself the same kind of citizen, moved by the same kind of patriotism as the white man. They were tempted, but not one betrayed his country.
They came home with many decorations, and their conduct repeatedly won high commendation from both American and European commanders.”
The words Coolidge spoke were astonishing. African Americans, who had fought in the First World War, came home from that conflict to a society in the throes of segregation. Many black veterans received honors from the French government, but their sacrifices were met with disregard when they sought a remedy to their domestic plight. In his Howard speech Coolidge acknowledged the patriotism of African Americans, even in the face of contrary voices, who tried to persuade them that they shouldn’t fight for America. African Americans had not failed their country, but their country had failed them. As Coolidge’s speech continued, he praised Howard and the leadership role its graduates played. He ended by returning to the theme of the national crisis which the United States would experience: “We cannot go out from this place and occasion without refreshment of faith and renewal of conscience, that in every exigency, our negro citizens will render the best and fullest measure of service wherefore they are capable.”
The tone President Coolidge set cannot be underestimated. At the beginning of his presidency lynchings were occurring with alarming frequency. By the end of his presidency they had dropped significantly, as had membership of the Ku Klux Klan. Famous African American civil rights icon and educator W.E.B. DuBois remarked that in the 1924 presidential election Coolidge received a million votes in the black community. He deserved every single one of them.
Rushad Thomas is the program and editorial associate at the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation in Plymouth Notch, Vermont.
By Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
BRIDGEWATER – Sixteen local residents showed up at the Select Board meeting Tuesday afternoon to express their concerns about tearing down the old Bridgewater Village School.
“Is anyone prepared to give us a report?” asked Board member Lynn Bertram.
Local residents Joni Kennedy and Brian Bontrager related that an informal community forum at the Grange Hall took place on March 22 for those who wanted to express their concerns about the demolition of the building.
There were about 75 people who attended, including Select Board Chair Nope Martin, Kennedy said.
“As a next step, we come before you,” said Kennedy, who read a petition to the Board requesting a special town meeting to vote on whether the school should be added to the state of Vermont historic buildings; the possibility of renting the building in the future; or its potential sale.
Kennedy said she and others said the building is an important part of the history of the town.
“It has a big presence in our community,” Kennedy said. “It would be great to sell it and allow someone to come in who has a vision and would like to repurpose and utilize it.”
Kennedy said she recognized that it would cost money to tear down the building, but if it were saved, it might create revenue.
“We want to continue the dialogue that we began at the Grange,” said Bontrager. “That’s another reason why we’re all here. The building is important to the town folk and warrants a lot of discussion. There’s a lot of potential in that building.”
Local resident Ellen Quinn noted that the two meetings concerning the tearing down of the building did not receive the newspaper coverage that was warranted.
“As a resident here, I don’t want to sell that land,” said Quinn. “We’ve done the legal notice, had the meetings, and did the vote. What else do we have to do? Whatever is done, be it torn down or restored, every member of this town should be given notice and time for their input.”
Bertram noted that the community forum at the Grange had little notice and the petition is not a legal document.
“It was not a town meeting,” said Bertram. “If the voters had signed the petition within 30 days, the vote could have been rescinded. But it didn’t happen. All this petition is showing is that there is an enormous amount of community interest now. It’s pretty amazing. But the statutes read that the only way the original vote can be rescinded is if we as a Select Board unanimously agree to have another town meeting.”
Kennedy urged the board to allow attendants to share their thoughts, despite Board Chair Nope Martin’s request to shorten the time.
“We’re not the enemy,” said Martin. “We asked the town originally what it wanted to do. We’ll take this under advisement. If enough people want to save the building, then it should be saved. But I wish you had done this two years ago. At the time of the vote, it was decided to tear the building down three times.”
Kennedy said she would like the building to stay in the community for years to come.
“It should be in our best interest, whatever that is,” Kennedy said. “It would be very unfortunate to tear down a building that has historic value.”
Quinn asked if a town is required to have a designated shelter in case of an emergency to which the board said no. She also asked if there is another piece of property upon which a fire department could be built.
“Do we have something that is centrally located and flat that we could use instead of this property here?” Quinn asked.
Bertram responded that there is no fire station in the works.
“At the town meeting, the voters voted to raise $15,000 to look into the engineering and planning of a community building/fire house,” said Bertram. “That’s the only thing we’ve done. In order for a new fire house to go into the works, we have
to vote on that.”
Local resident Collen Doyle noted the historic qualities of the building.
“It meets three criteria,” said Doyle. “What we’re asking for is a meeting to come up with some options. There will be a day where we arrive at a diplomatic solution.”
Local resident Hugh Shackleton noted that, should the town vote to repurpose the building, his company is a good option.
“Please keep that in mind when you come to a decision,” said Shackleton.
Bertram suggested to the group that there should be a committee to get statistics to be presented at a future meeting.
“It has to be organized,” said Bertram. “There has to be structure and planning to look at this.”
Robinson suggested to perhaps “unwork” the original November meeting and review the legality of a revote.
“If this is a petition, and we as a board accept it, the timeline begins right now,” said Martin.
Bertram suggested that a committee needs to be appointed and a plan made before moving forward.
“We’re heading down a slippery slope,” said Martin. “We’ve heard your concerns. Thank you for your time, but again I wish you had done this earlier. There are procedures that are in place for a reason and we might be in a gray area right now.”
Bertram said board members need to be open minded enough to allow the process to materialize.
“Can the three of us agree to table the issue right now?” Bertram asked of Martin and board member Mary Oldenburg.
Martin noted that legal counsel needs to be sought to understand what the next steps are. As a result, a decision was made by the board to table the petition.
“The board appreciates the petition and those who showed up,” said Bertram.
Board members agreed that 9 members should be on the committee representing the Planning Commission, Fire Department, and community at large. The board presently is looking for 5 volunteers.
In other business, board members approved the Wastewater Discharge Permit with which the town has to comply.
“There are a couple of different funding options,” said Town Clerk Nancy Robinson. “You can take the money from our reserve account or apply for state funding for a 50/50 grant.”
Road Foreman Randy Kennedy said there is one truck down right now. Kennedy is working on getting prices for Curtis Hollow Road to grind up the tar from the dam to the end of the town line and reshape and repave it.
Kennedy said grading and filling in potholes has begun, although some roads are still wet.
Robinson reviewed an application for the position of town attorney. Applicant Jim Barlow of Plainfield, Vermont, will be asked for an interview in executive session with board members on April 25 at 6 p.m. per agreement with Barlow.
The next Select Board meeting is slated for April 25 at 4:30 p.m.
This article first appeared in the April 13, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.
Plymouth voted on Tuesday night to join the new unified district under Act 46, as proposed by the Windsor Central Supervisory Union. The final tally was 118 to 44.
That was the result of a re-vote that was scheduled for Tuesday, after the town meeting day Australian Ballot vote in March was stopped due to an election-related statute that was mistakenly not followed during the process. (Read more on Act 46 in the area)
For more information on this and other Tuesday, April 18 town meeting results in Plymouth, pick up a paper from newsstands Thursday or read the current and past editions electronically through the eEdition.
Read more on the Plymouth Town Meeting delay…
(Published in the March 9, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.)
By Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
PLYMOUTH – Voters in this town approved a budget of $1,271,821 of which $985,621 is to be raised in taxes to meet the town’s expenses and obligations and to authorize the Select Board to set a tax rate sufficient to provide the same.
This is a $286,200 or 18 percent decrease over last year’s amount to be raised in taxes of $1,201,921, Select Board members indicated Monday night.
In an unexpected turn of events on Tuesday, there was an infraction of a state statute so the town closed its voting by early afternoon. All votes cast were considered null and void.
“We violated one of the statutes by having individuals running for office who were also working at the polls,” said Select Board member Russ Tonkin in a phone interview. “Anyone could therefore challenge the election.”
Two election officials, who were helping check voters in and also running in a contested town race, resulted in an unintentional legal conflict of interest, Town Clerk Sandie Small added.
“The violation is of Statute 17, Section 2456 that outlines Conduct of Elections/Subchapter Election Officials in which ‘No person shall serve as an election official in any election in which he or her name appears on a ballet of the Australian ballot system as a candidate for any office unless he or she is the only candidate for that office or unless the office for which he or she is a candidate is that of moderator, justice of the peace, town clerk, treasurer, ward clerk, or inspector of elections….,’” Small said.
The two election officials were Justus Pingree and Richard North, town officials confirmed Wednesday morning.
Tonkin said that the board must now wait for the Secretary of State to explain how to move on. Another election will be warned but is not expected for 30-60 days.
All ballots from Tuesday will be disposed of officially, and verification of their destruction must be made.
The closing of the polls affected the election of town officers and casting votes for or against the Windsor Central Supervisory Union’s Act 46 plan. There was an unofficial straw poll taken at Monday’s meeting at which the majority of attendants voted yes.
“School Board Chair Julie Dupont is checking with the board to find out what they have to do now,” said Tonkin.
Whatever the decision, the only official route for weighing in on the Act 46 plan is by Australian ballot, Tonkin related.
Uncontested town officers for the ensuing year by Australian ballot include moderator Thomas Harris, collector of delinquent taxes Kathleen Billings, trustee of public funds Thomas Marrone, cemetery commissioner Andrew Crossman, grand juror Carol Coyne, town agent Carol Coyne, a school district clerk/ treasurer, school district moderator, and two school directors.
This year, there are two opposed town positions: incumbent lister Richard North and contender Carol Ackley; and incumbent select board member Larry Lynds and contender Justus Pingree.
Voters approved to raise $10,486.50 for Human Services to be allocated to 20 different areas, some of which include Red Cross, Fletcher Memorial Library, and the VT Rural Fire Protection Task Force.
Voters approved a proposed school budget sum of $1,029,319.00 that is a $25,683 or a 2.56% increase over the 2016-17 budget, school board chair Julie Dupont said.
It is estimated that the proposed budget will result in education spending of an amended $18,078 (versus original $18,701.00) per equalized pupil. This projected spending per pupil is an amended 5.9 percent (versus original 9.60 percent) higher than spending for the current year.
The amendment was made by School Board Chair Julie Dupont and is due to a surplus of $30,000 in last year’s budget as reflected in the June audit that was just returned, according to Christopher Adams, Director of Finance of the Two Rivers Supervisory Union.
“This (5.9-percent) increase includes all state mandated statutes such as the transportation staff and costs that are now being overseen by the central office, and we are assessed back those costs. We also have included tuition costs based on the current student census,” said Dupont.
Other budget categories were relatively even, Dupont said.
Dupont related that the Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) – a function of the town and the town listers – went up slightly and appears to be estimated at 98.96 percent for FY18 and affects school tax rates.
In an unofficial voice (straw) vote, residents approved the Act 46 merger with the proposed Windsor Central Unified Union School District. The Act 46 plan creates a new school district overseen by an 18-member board.
As a part of that plan, elementary schools in Barnard and Reading would become pre-K-4 schools, sending Barnard 5-6 grade students to Prosper Valley School and Reading 5-6 grade students to Woodstock Elementary School. The Killington Elementary School and Woodstock Union High School would stay intact.
The plan adds Plymouth to the Supervisory Union and leaves Pittsfield’s future undecided.
The school board had representatives from the Act 46 committee and Windsor Central Supervisory Union Superintendent Alice Worth attend Monday’s meeting to review the proposed plan and field questions.
Justin Shipman, chair of the Act 46 Planning Committee, related that there is a 20-percent decline in student enrollment while staff has either remained the same or increased across the state.
“As enrollment declines, per pupil spending increases,” Shipman said.
Read these stories and more on the eEdition, new edition available Wednesday nights, pick it up a copy on the newsstands Thursdays or subscribe.
Woodstock Village. (Rick Russell Photo)
Tense Moments as School Board OKs 7-12 Plan
by Gareth Henderson, Standard Staff
Concerns Abound on Future Meals on Wheels Funding
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent
Rep. Peter Welch Warns of GOP Budget’s ‘Catastrophic’ Impact
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent
Sources: 2017 Was Good for Maple Sugaring, Year
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent
Site Visit Planning in Dog Bite Investigation
by Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
Reading Petition Seeks Re-vote on Act 46 Plan
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent
Plymouth Votes to Join Unified District
Staff Report
Barnard Committee Hosts Recent Act 46 Forum
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent
Solar Array Proposed for Waste District Site
Staff Report
Ribbon Cutting Held for New Mon Vert Café Location
by Mary Lee Camp, Business Bits
Governor Scott Marks First 100 Day of New Administration
National Park Seeks Volunteers
Girls Tennis Moves to 3-0
by David Miles, Sports Correspondent
OBITUARIES
Charles Handy
Dale Stender
John Blake
John Vergura
Kilborn Church
Lawrence McRae
Miriam Hammond
PHOTO GALLERIES – all photo galleries
WUHS Boys Tennis
In the home opener, the Woodstock Union High School boys tennis team took on Burr & Burton Academy, taking the win 6-1.
Kedron Valley Inn, Easter Egg Hunt
Kedron Valley Inn hosted an Easter egg hunt for kids.
Barnard Academy Spring Performance, Tom Sawyer
Barnard held it’s Spring play last week, Tom Sawyer, with original adaptations by teachers Sharon Groblicki & Nancy Boymer.
Reading Bunny Hop
The Reading Recreation Commission hosted a Bunny Hop on Saturday, April 15 at Bartley Field.
Bridgewater Egg Hunt
The Bridgewater Fireman’s Auxiliary put on an Easter Egg Hunt at the former Bridgewater Village School.
Woodstock Elementary School, Show Your Stuff
A talent show titles “Show Your Stuff” presents student of all grades at Woodstock Elementary School.
Former Woodstock Union High School student Troy Ramey continues to compete on the NBC show “The Voice,” after the show dropped another 12 performers. That same number remain as of Tuesday, April 18. Ramey sang Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” – his performance was not chosen to advance by the national audience, but was picked by Voice coach Gwen Stefani to continue on the show.
Ramey will perform in the next live round of “The Voice” on Monday.
Read more about Troy Ramey… click here.
Tomoko Liguori describes her garden plan and layout to interested gardeners at the start of the 2016 growing season in the Billings Farm Community Garden.
By Ron Miller, For Sustainable Woodstock
Shake off your spring fever and come celebrate another great year with Sustainable Woodstock at our Annual Meeting, next Wednesday, April 26. All are invited to help us celebrate local community accomplishments with our annual sustainability awards, learn more about our current projects and activities, and enjoy fabulous local food by Heart Rock Kitchen. The event also features a talk by Rick Kendall, superintendent of the Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park and the NPS Stewardship Institute.
The Annual Meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Little Theater in Woodstock. This is a great opportunity to find out what Sustainable Woodstock is working on and to share your questions and ideas with us. Our board members, staff, and action groups will be on hand to talk about what we’re doing and to hear your thoughts.
Sustainable Woodstock has been working in the community for nearly a decade. The early stirrings of our organization began with the “Community Identity” task force, which came out of a Vermont Council for Rural Development community visit in 2005. When a group of people affiliated with North Universalist Chapel met in 2007 to explore what they could do about climate change, and a crowd packed the Woodstock Town Hall for an Earth Day celebration in April 2008, the signs were clear: the Woodstock community was ready to step up to act for sustainability.
This interest culminated in a community discussion that took place in April, 2009. Eighty citizens gathered for a day at the Woodstock Inn to share their particular passions for sustainability and to talk about how to turn enthusiasm into commitment. Called “Our Green Villages: Sustaining Environment, Economy and Community,” this conference signaled Sustainable Woodstock’s official launch. It produced the framework and principles that still guide the organization today.
In the past year, we have helped advance several projects benefiting local communities including:
• The East End Project, where the snow dump has finally moved and plans for a riverside park are moving forward
• Economic development opportunities in the East End are being explored
• Support for weatherization, helping homeowners save money and energy on heating
• Recycling at public events and a new annual e-cycling and shredding event
• Active, educational community gardens
• Educational and information films like Before the Flood and How to Let Go of the World . . .
• Support for Woodstock Elementary School’s energy and waste reduction projects Let us tell you more about our work! Visit our website, sustainablewoodstock.org, and even better, join us on April 26 for our Annual Meeting. RSVP before April 22 by calling 457-2911 or emailing sally@sustainablewoodstock.org.
Find out why we’re feeling so positive about our work and the future of our community. We hope to talk with you soon.
Staff Report
HARTLAND — A 35-acre solar array is being proposed on land owned by the Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District, according to Hartland Town Manager Bob Stacey.
Stacey said Green Mountain Power wants to build the array, and GroSolar is the contractor. The array would not be on the site that was proposed for a landfill, he added.
Representatives from both companies visited the Hartland Select Board on Monday to discuss the plan.
Stacey said the permit process for the project is getting started, with the goal of being operational by the fall of 2018. He said the 4.99-megawatt array would include 2 megawatts of battery storage.
Under the proposal, the solid waste district would lease the land to GMP for $60,000 per year, according to Stacey. The 25-year lease comes with two five-year extensions.
If the solar project is built, Stacey said, GMP estimates the town of Hartland would receive $25,000 to $35,000 per year in taxes, depending on the valuation of the property. It’s estimated that the Hartland School District would receive about $20,000 annually in taxes from the project, Stacey said.
Stacey said the parties involved plan to submit a proposal to the Vermont Public Service Board by May 1.
GMP and GroSolar are seeking a letter of support from the town, Stacey said, but select board members plan to visit the proposed site before a letter is officially given.
This article first appeared in the April 20, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.
Read these stories and more on the eEdition, new edition available Wednesday nights, pick it up a copy on the newsstands Thursdays or subscribe.
St. James Angel Getting New Life
by Nancy Nutile-McMenemy, Standard Correspondent
Top Stories
Woodstock Community Revisits Sexting Issue
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent
West Windsor Board May Have $678K Surplus
by George Calver, Standard Correspondent
Book on Zuckmayer Farm Sees New Edition
by Jennifer Falvey, Standard Correspondent
Pomfret Select Board Tackles Tree Issue
by Curt Peterson, Standard Correspondent
Brownsville Man Gets 30 Days for Contempt
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent
Concern Persists About Old School Building in Bridgewater
by Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
Reading Making Progress on Bridge Plans
by Gareth Henderson, Standard Staff
USA Swimming Chief Chuck Wielgus Dies at 67; Had Woodstock Ties
JAG Productions Brings ‘Fences’ to Woodstock Stage
by Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
Woodstock Softball Team Handily Defeats Windsor
by David Miles, Sports Correspondent
Boys Lacrosse Easily Wins Home Opener Against Otter Valley
by David Miles, Sports Correspondent
OBITUARIES
Committal – Margaret Abbott
Dale Marshall
Katherine Johnson
Wilfred Rameau
Mikell Beckley
Patricia Lewis
PHOTO GALLERIES – all photo galleries
WUHS Boys Lacrosse vs Otter Valley, 2017
The Woodstock Union High School boys lacrosse team took on Otter Valley at home on Monday, April 24.
Glad Rags, Spring 2017
The semi-annual Glad Rags event held at the Masonic Lodge in Woodstock was on April 22 and 23.
Montshire’s Day for Science, Earth Day 2017
A community celebration was held at Montshire Museum of Science on Earth Day, Saturday April 22. Free admission to the museum with special Science and Engineering workshops held throughout the day.
South Woodstock Fire’s Pancake Breakfast
The annual breakfast benefit event was held at the South Woodstock Fire Department. Volunteers served the guests of the fire house throughout the morning.
Sculptor Mary Eldredge
The angel sculpture housed at the St. James Church in Woodstock was originally created by Mary Eldredge of Springfield, Vermont. Artist Jeffery Sass has been commissioned to repair the work of art.
VINS, Earth Day 2017
Vermont Institute of Natural Science celebrated Earth Day with activities and demonstrations.
A tow truck carries away the vehicle that was involved in a one-car crash on Route 4 in West Woodstock on Thursday morning. (Christine Henderson Photo)
Woodstock Police identified the driver in the accident as William R. Osborne, 68, of Poultney. In a press release, police said Osborne is believed to have been driving from the Rutland area to Hanover, New Hampshire, when the crash occurred.
On arrival at the scene, police said, there was a single car in the eastbound lane and it was perpendicular to the roadway facing the Ottauquechee River.
The crash is still under investigation, and speed is believed to be a factor, according to police.
Windsor County Sheriffs, Woodstock Fire Department and Woodstock Ambulance Service also responded to the scene. (Thursday, April 27, 4 p.m.)
Woodstock Police and Ambulance responded to a one-car accident, with injuries, on Route 4 in West Woodstock near Echo Ledge Road at about 8 a.m. Traffic was stopped to remove the vehicle, but both lanes are now clear.
By Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
BRIDGEWATER – A handful of local citizens including Cheni Yerushalmi, Bruce Maxham, Gloria Martin, Joni Kennedy, George Spear, Ellen Quinn and Brian Bontrager were on hand at the Tuesday afternoon Select Board meeting to “listen and learn” about current town issues and the future of the old school building.
Local resident Kennedy, for example, asked board members if they have further researched the issue of the potential destruction or sale of said building.
Martin said there was a legal vote to tear down the building last fall and, until that changes, “that is the path we’re on.”
“We’re all in a holding pattern right now until we seek legal counsel,” said Martin.
Bontrager asked board members about the impending interview with Attorney Jim Barlow that was to take place Tuesday in Executive Session at 6 p.m.
Board members said that they were interviewing Attorney Jim Barlow who had expressed interest in meeting with the board to discuss the possibility of becoming the town attorney. Barlow works alone and is available to clients 24/7 by phone, email or in person. His hourly rate is $125 but he is willing to set up a flat rate schedule.
Board members unanimously agreed to hire Barlow.
Board member Lynne Bertram said she received a phone call from Leo Werner and his son, Jesse, and his wife of the Plymouth Cheese Factory who asked to see the building this week. Bertram met with Werner Tuesday and spent an hour walking through the building.
“What exactly he was looking for I don’t know,” said Bertram. “I said the building is destined to be demolished, and Werner said he wanted to look at it.”
Local resident Ellen Quinn took exception to the recent visit.
“Until that legal decision has been made, (the building’s) not up for discussion,” said Quinn. “I don’t think you’re being fair, Lynne.”
Board member Mary Oldenburg said that the board must confer with a selected attorney before any future decision transpires.
Specifications from a proposed New Building Committee were read aloud by Bertram who suggested changing 9 members to 7.
“It’s hard to get that many people to a meeting,” said Bertram. “Logistically, getting a quorum would also be difficult.”
Town Clerk Nancy Robinson, who according to Bertram has done considerable research on the subject, agreed.
“Timing is also an important issue,” said Robinson.
Bertram said seven people would be “a good working number.”
Board Chair Nope Martin asked how the seven would be selected. Bertram suggested
advertising in the local paper. Interviews would follow after which members would be chosen.
At their April 11 meeting, board members agreed to select 2 members from the Fire Department and 2 from the town and 5 community members for the New Building Committee.
But at Tuesday’s meeting, they unanimously voted to cut that number down to 7 with 3 community members instead of 5.
Advertising for committee members will be posted around town, on the town website, and in the May 4 issue of the Standard, to be considered for committee selection by May 18.
In other business, Road Foreman Randy Kennedy related that two of the town trucks have been returned after being repaired. He and his crew have been grading and smoothing out roads after mud season.
“We have no sink holes,” said Kennedy. “The roads should be fire truck ready.”
Board members updated the town’s all-terrain vehicle policy that includes all class 2 and class 3 Bridgewater Town Highways being closed to ATV travel with the exception of Chateauguay Road #5, Barnard Chateauguay Road #6, Steven’s Road #21, Richardson Road #22, Goldcoast Road #26, Little Sherburne Road #30, Blanchard Road #45, Oxbow Road #20, and Hale Hollow Road #44.
No changes were made to the current policy that board members signed. For more details, the policy can be viewed on the town website at www.bridgwater.vt.gov.
Saturday, May 6, is Green Up Day that begins at 8 a.m. at the town office where green bags can be picked up. Town coordinators will be available to organize the day. A Green Up dumpster will be at the Town Garage. Local citizens are urged not to pick up needles and to use protective gloves.
The annual raft race also takes place on May 6 at noon. It begins at the bridge above Long Trail Brewery and ends behind the Mill Mall.
Board members signed the annual local emergency operating plan.
Town Treasurer Vicky Young took a phone call recently from a local resident who said the electrical box at the recreation field is “in bad shape and needs some work done to it.” Board members agreed to have electrician Tom Leonard investigate it. Kennedy suggested moving the box to the inside of the building. Martin agreed to meet with Leonard to discuss the matter.
Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission would like to have a meeting with the select board and Planning Commission to do a town consultation of available services and to review the process of updating the Town Plan that needs to be reviewed every five years. Board members agreed to meet with a Two Rivers representative some time in late May or early June.
Upcoming Select Board meetings are scheduled for May 9 and 23 at 4:30 p.m.
This article first appeared in the April 27, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard.
The cast of “Fences” standing, from left: Ralph McCain, Jolie Garrett, Brian Anthony Wilson and Nathaniel J. Ryan. Sitting: Celia Grahm, Danielle Lee Greaves and Gabriel Jenkinson. (Photo Provided by JAG Productions)
Area residents are getting ready to be transported back to 1957 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the strife of a former baseball leaguer is palpable in his battle against missed career opportunities and social change.
The play reveals the story of Troy Maxson, a past player in the Negro Baseball League who dreamed of stardom but was deemed too old to continue his career when the major leagues integrated. Becoming a sanitation worker instead, Maxson is bitter having missed his opportunity for success.
His resentment leads to deep tension with his wife and son in the midst of a changing American decade.
JAG Productions will present August Wilson’s “fences” this weekend at the Woodstock Town Hall Theater with performances running through May 7.
Importantly, the play is the inaugural presentation of the production company’s 10-year commitment to staging The American Century Cycle, Wilson’s series of 10 plays charting the African American experience through the 20th century. “If you grow up in New York City or any major city, you have access to the most diverse theater in the world,” said Producing Artistic Director Jarvis Antonio Green. “You can see actors of all shades in all types of shows including “Hamilton,” “Lion King,” Shakespeare productions, and other classic American works. But growing up in the Upper Valley is a little different. So, part of our mission is to bring shows like ‘fences’ here so the community – especially our young people – can have the opportunity to see more diverse theater.”
JAG Productions was founded in 2015 by Green with the mission of sharing new and inspirational stories with the Upper Valley community.
Green wants the audience to leave feeling “shifted” with new perspectives and awareness.
One of the goals of his company is for its patrons to move through the world with more love, greater kindness, and compassion for one another after seeing a production.
The cast of “fences” is led by Brian Anthony Wilson (HBO’s “The Wire”) as Maxson and Broadway veteran Danielle Lee Greaves (“Hairspray,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Rent”) as Maxson’s wife, Rose.
Other roles include Ralph McCain (“The Piano Lesson,” “The Sopranos”) as Jim Bono; Jolie Garrett (“The Mountaintop,” “Othello”) as Gabriel; Nathaniel J. Ryan (Lyons); Gabriel Jenkinson (Cory), and Celia Graham (Raynell).
Green moved from New York City to the Upper Valley in 2011 and founded BarnArts Center for the Arts in Barnard. He then became director of theatre arts for ArtisTree Community Arts Center located in Pomfret.
Two years ago, Green became the founding producing artistic director of JAG Productions. He received his training at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, Anderson University and South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts.
“We are particularly excited about this production,” said Alexa Smith, Marketing Associate. “Jarvis has committed to bring all ten of Wilson’s plays in the cycle to the Vermont stage and to have fences as the inaugural production.”
Playwright Wilson’s “The American Century Cycle” (10 plays) explores the heritage and experience of the descendants of Africans in North America, decade-by-decade, over the course of the 20th century. His plays have been produced on Broadway, at regional theaters across the country, and all over the world.
Wilson was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for “fences” (1987) and for “The Piano Lesson” (1990); a Tony Award for “fences”; Great Britain’s Olivier Award for “Jitney”; and seven New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “fences,” “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” “The Piano Lesson,” “Two Trains Running,” “Seven Guitars” and “Jitney.”
Tickets for “fences” can be purchased at www.JAGProductionsVT.com or by calling 802-332-3270.
Performance schedule includes Friday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. for preview performance; this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for opening night – followed by a reception for the audience and company; and performances continue on Sunday (at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and through May 7.
By Gareth Henderson, Standard Staff
A plan to transition the Woodstock Union High School and Middle School to a single-administration system for grades 7-12 got the WUHSMS Board’s approval last week, during an April 12 meeting that turned contentious after several parents and teachers raised issues around communication and feedback.
Woodstock’s high school and middle school have long existed under separate administrations, with separate principals.
The board had voted at its March 13 meeting to develop a single administration 7-12 system, and the document presented on April 12 was a proposal created by WUHS Principal Garon Smail, at the board’s request, to do just that.
Also, Middle School Principal Dana Peterson is leaving his position at the end of this school year. The board on March 13 accepted Peterson’s letter of intent to not renew his contract, which was up this year.
As the board has discussed the 7-12 leadership transition in recent weeks, incoming Superintendent Mary Beth Banios has been receiving updates from the board.
The “7-12 Leadership Transition Model” presented by Smail on April 12 includes two new positions that the board is now hiring for, a curriculum director and an associate principal. As part of the overall job, the associate principal will oversee interdisciplinary teams for grades 7, 8 and 9 within the new structure, which, Smail later explained, is designed to make transitions between those grades smoother.
The plan also includes several main goals, including sustaining middle and high school best practices that are already working, and emphasizing “collaboration among faculty, staff and administrators across grade levels and alignment of curriculum across grades.”
Before the audience weighed in on the 7-12 plan at the April 12 meeting, teacher Keri Bristow shared a letter on behalf of the staff, which was dated April 11 – the day before the plan’s latest version was presented to the board on April 12. The letter asked the board to delay the 7-12 restructuring for at least a year, saying the additional time will give stakeholders and the board time “to create an administrative structure best suited to promoting student success.”
Bristow, noting it’s been tough when staff and administration have disagreed, pointed out, “We’re not here to tear things apart, we’re here to build them up and work together.”
WUHSMS Board Chair Paige Hiller said she and board member Perrin Worrell attended a meeting on April 11 with staff members, where staff shared concerns about this plan with Superintendent Alice Worth.
“Out of that meeting, there was a lot of reflection, at least on my behalf, on what I’ve heard,” Hiller said, adding that she’s also read staff responses to surveys on this matter.
Though the board stated its goals on the April 12 proposal Smail presented, Hiller said, “What I think we fell short on, is being more inclusive of your thoughts as to how we move forward.” She added that the overall system will be stronger “if all of us believe in what we’re moving towards … and we all want this to be the best model for our students.”
Hiller also acknowledged the desire among the staff for a more fluid transition from grades 7 and 8 to the high school.
“I heard you loud and clear yesterday, and I thank you for your honesty,” Hiller said.
She added that the board did not intend to “sweep (grades) 7 and 8 under the rug,” noting the needs of the middle school will be treated sensitively.
After an explanation of the proposal by Smail, parent Katy Merrill asked how the board arrived at the proposed model for the single-administration 7-12 system, and whether there had been any third-party consultants involved.
Smail pointed out that, while there will be adjustments, “we have been operating as a pretty unified building” already.
He said a key factor in the new structure is that “(having) fewer transitions is better for students.” He added that, in building the new model, he talked with various schools around the state about their experiences with a 7-12 administrative system. Smail also noted the expertise in-house at the school.
“There’s a lot of great thinking among this professional staff,” he said.
Merrill asked if an educational consultant was involved in the process, if there was a “third party.”
“It seems like a knee-jerk reaction,” she said.
That comment drew a strong objection from WUHSMS Board member Jim Haff.
“This has been discussed multiple times over the last four years,” Haff said.
He also objected to a part of the letter Bristow had presented, which listed “a disregard for teacher input” among the staff’s concerns.
“That, to me, is a slap in this board’s face,” Haff said.
He added, “We have complete recognition of our students.” That was in response to another part of the letter presented by Bristow, which listed a concern over a “lack of recognition that students of different ages have different developmental needs.”
Merrill, after Haff’s comments, replied, “You’re very hostile, that’s all I have to say.”
Also at the meeting, Haff and fellow board member Dwight Doton each noted that a number of board members currently have – or have had – their own children in the school.
Doton made the motion to approve the plan, and he also moved that “the board advertise for an appropriate associate principal.” Haff seconded.
Doton also said the 7-12 model had been discussed before.
“These are warned meetings,” he said. “There’ve been discussions every month. Everyone at this table
has been elected.”
Elaine Leibly, who has a seventhgrader and ninth-grader in the school, noted, “Mr. Smail and Mr. Peterson have said they want to increase communication with the parent community and with the teacher community.” She thought getting that feedback should be part of a specific person’s job within the new 7-12 organizational structure.
Later on in the meeting, WUHSMS Board member Perrin Worrell suggested a motion to table the plan for 30 days to gather more feedback from the community, so people feel more comfortable with the plan.
However, the motion to approve the proposed 7-12 single-administration plan was already on the floor.
A move to add the 30-day feedback period in as an amendment, which was proposed by board member Bob Coates, failed for lack of a second. Haff, who had seconded the original motion, would have had to also second the amendment for it to be voted on (according to Robert’s Rules of Order), however he declined.
“It doesn’t receive my second at this point,” Haff said. “I think the communication is already there.”
The original motion passed, with Worrell casting the sole dissenting vote.
At that point, Hiller had encouraged people to reach out to Smail with their feedback about the plan.
As the comments continued on at the meeting, Sarah Callander said it is difficult for many to make evening meetings, noting that this is a national problem.
“It doesn’t say they don’t care, if they don’t go to every board meeting,” she said.
Haff asked how long the board would keep taking comments on this matter.
“It just gets crazy going over and over and over it again,” he said.
After Haff continued to question the direction of the meeting, Hiller told him, “Jim, stop – stop.” She noted that about 50 people had come to talk with the board.
“It is our opportunity to hear them out,” she said.
Teacher Ryan Becker pointed out that this was the first time the staff is seeing this version of the plan that was presented on April 12. He lamented the tone of the meeting at that point.
“I’m feeling a little bit vilified for being here,” Becker told the board. “I beg you to try to help us work through that.”
He also said, “It’s one thing to ask for teachers’ voices, it’s another to follow up on those suggestions.”
Also during the meeting, teacher Tim Brennan said the plan, as presented on April 12, was “a really important step forward.”
Parent Mark Lackley noted, “I think there’s a lot of support among parents for moving to a single leader for 7-12.”
Another key part the plan presented on April 12, is an emphasis on “personalized learning” – opportunities for students to be involved in the learning process.
Smail said important questions involved in the new plan are, “How do we build that multi-tiered system of support?” and “How do we really maintain what’s good and right (in the existing system), but at the same time grab onto some other opportunities?”
Also at the meeting, retired teacher Nancy Pejouhy raised concerns about maintaining existing practices around scheduling and transitioning sixth graders into the middle school.
Smail replied that continuing the practices that work is definitely part of the plan.
“We have a lot of really well-established, well thought-out things,” he said. “We have to be sure that we maintain those, before we start doing any real shift.”
In an interview on Friday, Smail emphasized the importance of having sensitivity toward the needs of different grades in the 7-12 system, including the middle school.
“In one system, you can have targeted, different experiences” among the grades, Smail said.
Also at the April 12 meeting, Hiller said the plan is not “set in stone” and meetings will continue through the summer with the new superintendent, Banios, about the transition to the new structure.
Speaker Mimi Baird sits her niece Mitzi Bockmann, at right and Anne Marinello, Co-President/ Vice President Board of Trustees at the NWPL, left, during the annual Ex Libris event for the library. (Herb Swanson Photo)
The Norman Williams Public Library’s 16th Annual Ex Libris Gala Benefit with special guest speaker Mimi Baird at the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, was held on Sunday, April 30. The event is the library’s major fundraising event for the year.
Herb Swanson Photos
A portion of these photos will appear in the May 4, 2017 print edition of the Vermont Standard.
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