Report highlights challenges with housing, child care, mental health impacting Vermont children

By MICHAEL FRETT, Islander Staff Writer

SOUTH HERO – The latest iteration of an annual report is calling attention to the challenges facing Vermont’s children, highlighting how ongoing crises in housing, mental health and child care are affecting the state’s youngest residents. According to Building Bright Futures’ annual State of Vermont’s Children report, the Green Mountain State continues to struggle with an understaffed child care system, a strained mental health system and a housing crisis impacting children and families. “We’ve done so much as a state to prioritize the needs of kids and families at every single turn, and there’s still more work to be done,” Morgan Crossman, Building Bright Futures’ executive director, said during a briefing on the report earlier this month. More generally, the report also highlighted the rising cost of living in Vermont as a stress for families in the Green Mountain State before weighing ongoing trends with inflation. According to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology report cited by Building Bright Futures, the average Vermont household would need to make more than $107,000 a year before taxes to adequately afford basic needs like food, housing and health care for a family with two parents and two children. The median family wage in Vermont, meanwhile, fell short of this benchmark, sitting shy of $91,000 annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. According to Building Bright Futures, roughly 22% of children under the age of 12 in Franklin and Grand Isle counties and nearly a quarter of all children under the age of 12 in Chittenden County were living within 185% of the federal poverty level, a ratio often used by federal programs as a benchmark for accessing certain aid programs. See “VERMONT CHILDREN” Page 2

The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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VERMONT CHILDREN

Bright Futures. The organization’s report notes links between childhood homeCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lessness and emotional and behavioral health challenges, as well as academic difficulties extending from learning disabilities to poorer school attendance and In their annual report, Building Bright Futures offered suggestions for address- graduation between grades. ing challenges facing Vermont’s children, asking policymakers to emphasize pro“The impact of being homeless can be particularly detrimental for children,” grams guaranteeing children a “healthy start” and to better integrate people and Anna Brouillette, a policy and program director with Building Bright Futures, organizations involved in what Building Bright Futures described as Vermont’s said during last week’s briefing. “The trauma of homelessness, even short“early childhood system.” term, can have a major impact on future development.” The organization’s larger suite of recommendations stem from the committees In Building Bright Futures’ briefing last week, Dora Levinson, a research and informing Vermont’s statewide early childhood action plan, according to Building Bright Futures, and are intended to “promote action in strategic areas for the data director for the Montpelier-based organization, attributed at least part coming year, ensure recommendations are measurable and move Vermont to- of the state’s challenges with child homelessness to the state’s short housing supply translating to higher housing costs across Vermont. ward a more equitable early childhood system.” According to housing data cited in Building Bright Futures’ report, Vermont’s Housing issues pose significant challenges to Vermont’s youth vacancy rate for homes sat at less than 1% in 2021, meaning there were noticeVermont’s ongoing housing crisis was a centerpiece in Building Bright Futures’ ably few homes were available for purchase in the state. This tighter market, report, as the state’s well-known housing crunch and the economic shocks from paired with higher interest rates on home mortgages, meant homeownership COVID-19 have reportedly left some families struggling with affording a home and was increasingly a challenge for residents in the Green Mountain State, the resulted in hundreds of children in Vermont going unhoused, according to the report suggested. Montpelier-based organization. “While homeownership provides a path for building financial assets for famAccording to Building Bright Futures, an annual “point-in-time” count earlier ilies and gives children a secure, stable housing situation… many Vermont famithis year showed homelessness among Vermont families with children young- lies are finding homeownership increasingly out of reach,” Levinson said during er than 18 years old had ballooned over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Building Bright Futures’ briefing last week. swelling from 629 families in 2019 to 857 as of early 2022. As many as 398 children Vermont renters, meanwhile, faced the lowest rental unit vacancy rate in beneath the age of nine the larger U.S. at 2.4%, meaning “finding any rental, let alone an affordable, years old were considered desirable rental, can be extremely challenging for family,” according to Building unhoused in Vermont as John B. Kneen of 2022, almost twice the Bright Futures’ Levinson. According to Paul Dragon, the director for the Champlain Valley Office of number of younger chilEconomic Opportunity who spoke during last week’s briefing, the rental market dren recorded as homein Chittenden County, Vermont’s most populated county, was even tighter, with less in early 2020. •Smoke Alarms •Renovations Even short-term expe- the county’s vacancy rate sitting at an “extremely, extremely low” 0.4%.

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Homelessness could be successfully addressed, however, Dragon noted riences with homelessness can impact children, during the briefing, citing the fact that, according to “point-in-time” counts beaccording to Building tween 2015 and 2016, Vermont had seen the number of homeless Vermonters shrink by more than a quarter in a single year. He called for Vermont lawmakers to revisit a 2016 report for Vermont’s legislature advising, among other things, greater coordination among organizations responding to homelessness and greater investment into affordable housing, as well as more support for mobile home communities and exploring “just cause eviction” legislation requiring landlords have a reason for ending a tenant’s lease. “We get calls every week on our hotlines from families who are being evicted and don’t know why they’re being evicted,” Dragon said. “We could revisit just cause eviction. That is a great way to keep families housed, along with mediation efforts, supports for the landlord and landlord liaison work.” Northwest Vermont as a whole has seen housing prices soar particularly as demand for homes grew during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent Public Assets Institute report.

According to Vermont Dept. of Taxes data cited by the report, both Chittenden and Grand Isle counties saw median home prices climb between 20% and 25% during the pandemic, rising to be the Vermont counties with the first and second most expensive median housing prices, respectively. Median home prices similarly grew in nearby Franklin County. Child care, mental health services understaffed, under resourced According to Building Bright Futures’ State of Vermont’s Children report, child care providers in Vermont are working with an increasingly short supply of qualified employees, limiting providers’ ability to offer child care services as the state continues to see available child care slots thin. There were 16% fewer people employed in Vermont’s child care industry in 2021 than in 2018, according to Building Bright Futures, reflecting an “early childhood workforce crisis” echoing a larger workforce shortage impacting other business sectors in the Green Mountain State. Similar shortages, according to the State of Vermont’s Children report, were observed in Vermont’s mental health services throughout 2022 and in the Reach Up program, a state program providing cash assistance and other support services for low-income families with children in Vermont. “These workforce shortages in critical early childhood settings have ripple effects throughout the many resources, services and supports for Vermont children and their families,” Levinson said.

Continued on Page 3

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

Continued from Page 2 These shortages came at a time when both Vermont’s mental health services and its child care sector were facing larger crises, according to Building Bright Futures. Between 2018 and 2021, the number of children between the ages of three- and eight-years-old with emotional or mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or behavioral and conduct problems had grown by around 60% in Vermont, according to Building Bright Futures. At the same time, fewer children appeared to be accessing mental health services in Vermont, and capacity at Vermont’s out-of-home treatment facilities was at its lowest in more than two decades.

‘No credible threat’ found after text message cancels Milton dance

By ISLANDER STAFF Child care services in Vermont are similarly facing a crisis, according to information cited in the Building MILTON – A reported threatening text message Bright Futures report. Nearly three-quarters of the state’s infants and more than half of the state’s toddlers leading officials to cancel a dance at the Milton Midand preschoolers likely lacked access to what Building Bright Futures described as “high-quality programs” dle School this weekend was ultimately found unin its report. credible, according to police. While Building Bright Futures officials celebrated the blend of child care centers, school programs and In a press statement, the Milton Police Departcommunity organizations providing child care services to Vermont as a “national best practice” that was ment (MPD) said students had approached school better suited for building child care capacity in rural states like Vermont, they estimated Vermont was somestaff during a Friday evening dance about text meswhere around 9,000 child care slots short of meeting the state’s child care demands. sages referencing a possible threat outside of the The report also found a greater demand for afterschool programming in Vermont than what was current- school. ly provided by the state’s public education system, according to Building Bright Futures. Middle school staff in turn reported the possible Possible answers from the Champlain Valley threat to MPD, who responded during Friday’s dance In its report, Building Bright Futures offered a suite of possible answers to the different crises affecting and searched both the school and its grounds outVermont’s youngest. Several solutions referenced by the report stem from regional organizations, including side before ultimately concluding there had been “no credible threat” to either the school or any partwo Building Bright Futures partnerships active in Northwest Vermont. ticular student. A 2022 effort piloted by the Franklin Grand Isle Community Action, Northwestern Counseling and Support While Milton police ultimately found no signs of Services, and Head Start saw funding raised to help families with the costs of vehicle repairs, inspections, winter tires and gas, helping address the high costs of owning a vehicle in a state where a rural landscape a threat either inside or outside of the school, the middle school dance was canceled by school officials made vehicle ownership a necessity. and students evacuated. “At a time when fuel prices are soaring and significantly impacting the financial stability of families, to “Based on the investigation, it was determined have funding to support this significant expense has been an incredible blessing,” said a recent participant in there was no credible threat to the school or any stuthe program quoted in Building Bright Futures’ report. dent,” the police department’s press statement read. Another years long effort in Chittenden County focused on better supporting families where parents sought treatment for substance use or were recovering from substance use disorder. The program, supported financially by the University of Vermont Medical Center, sought to better coordinate different services helping families struggling with substance use disorders, according to Building Bright Futures. More generally, Building Bright Futures recommended a greater investment in housing, particularly through manufactured home communities, seen by many as essential for meeting the country’s housing demands, and through the expansion of Vermont’s Family Supportive Housing program used to help families with younger children find stable housing. The report also recommended organizations involved in serving children better coordinate with one another, particularly when dealing with children from marginalized backgrounds, and endorsed greater investments in Vermont’s early childhood programs, partially to bolster employment in both the child care sector and for mental health services. Building Bright Futures’ full annual report can be found online at https://buildingbrightfutures.org/stateof-vermonts-children/.

CORRECTION

In a Jan. 11 article titled “Planning commission looks to refine South Hero villages as petition seeks to shrink district,” The Islander incorrectly described land use maps included in South Hero’s town plan as “zoning maps.” While land use maps included in town plans can inform future drafts of a town’s development laws, they are distinct from those laws’ zoning district maps.

The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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South Hero debates floating $2.4 million meeting house bond to Town Meeting Day vote

in 1816 and has since served as both a church and meeting house, a local school and a garage for South Hero’s highway department before becoming the longtime home of Granny’s Attic, a locally popuBy MICHAEL FRETT lar charity thrift store. The building also, for a time, Islander Staff Writer housed South Hero’s volunteer fire department.

SOUTH HERO – South Hero officials appeared divided last week over whether to bring a $2.4 million bond According to town officials, more than two cenproposal to fund the restoration of the town’s historic meeting house before voters this March. turies of use have taken a toll on the South Hero During their regular meeting, South Hero’s selectboard postponed a decision on whether to ask Town Meeting House. Noticeably, the building’s east wall Meeting Day voters for permission to bond for restoring the South Hero Meeting House as officials debated has sagged since garage bays had been installed for the town’s highway department, and its weathered the merits and increasingly steep costs for the historic meeting hall’s full restoration. foundation had been the focus of a previous fundAccording to the town’s selectboard chair, David Carter, a pair of architectural estimates placed the full ing measure approved by South Hero voters in 2022 restoration of the South Hero Meeting House at $2.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively. before being rolled into a larger restoration project. The project funded with the proposed bond would allow the town to restore the South Hero Meeting House for use as a two-story community space in a single project, rather than as a collection of piecemeal – and ultimately more expensive – projects spread out over several years, Carter said. “If we did the whole project at once, it actually saves $300,000 additional funds rather than doing it in multiple phases,” Carter, who also chairs the volunteer committee fundraising for the meeting house’s renovation, told the rest of South Hero’s selectboard. The bond proposed by Carter would, according to the selectboard chair, be financed for 20 years and could potentially be offset by grants and private fund- According to town officials, voters may decide on a $2.4 million bond in March raising, as well as the lofunding the restoration of the South Hero Meeting House. cal options tax on meals Islander file photo by Michael Frett. and alcohol approved When South Hero’s selectboard last debated the by South Hero voters in 2022 that, as of January, still had not received its required approval from Ver- building’s restoration in November, however, a dismont’s legislature. Annual payments would begin at cussed bond vote had been estimated at around $1.2 $175,000 and shrink “considerably” over the years, million. The fact the bond sought by the committee overseeing the meeting house’s renovation had douaccording to Carter. bled in only a few months was partially why board Other members of South Hero’s selectboard, members agreed to postpone deciding whether to meanwhile, pushed back on asking for a $2.4 million forward a bond to voters last week. bond from South Hero voters, noting both a steep “I’m a little overwhelmed that it went from $1 increase from the $1.2 million discussed when the million to $2 million,” selectperson Chuck Hulse said board last debated a meeting house bond in Novembefore requesting the decision be postponed until ber, as well as the timing of a potential bond vote. the board’s next meeting. “That building is going to suck money out of our Voters in South Hero previously approved earwallets for decades, essentially, when we have a town marking $150,000 in funding for stabilizing the South office that’s falling down and a town garage that needs some work,” Ross Brown, the selectboard’s Hero Meeting House’s foundation and its eastern wall, adding to another $100,000 raised through a vice chair, said. “How do you justify that cost?” federal historical preservation grant awarded to the “I think that the town has a responsibility to main- town in early 2022. tain and preserve that building,” selectperson Anne While, according to Carter, there had been some Zolotas said. “It does not have, at this time, the necconversation about potentially moving South Hero’s essary extra money to restore it.” town offices from their aging Route 2 home to a re“I would stand by jacking it up and stabilizing it, stored South Hero Meeting House, the committee fixing the east wall, putting a new roof on it and sid- fundraising for the meeting house was prioritizing ing it,” she added, “and then back up and take a look, the building’s use as a community space, aligning and see how it can be useful to the town.” their focus with a 2019 survey finding most responFor well over a year now, officials and volunteers dents wanted the meeting house restored to serve working with South Hero have discussed a major res- as both a community gathering space and the contintoration and renovation for the South Hero Meeting ued home of Granny’s Attic. House, imagining the building as a community gathAccording to Carter, South Hero officials had “no ering space with a handicap accessible extension in- intention of putting the ‘grannies’ out of business” as corporating meeting space and an elevator allowing the town pursued the South Hero Meeting House’s for better access to the building’s second floor. restoration. The South Hero Meeting House, also known as The selectboard is expected to revisit a possible the Old White Meeting House, was originally built bond vote when it meets again next week.

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

Grand Isle will proceed with dump truck and plow purchase

an appropriate number of deer on the landscape ensures deer and the habitats that support them remain in good condition and productive,” said Fortin.

The 2022 White-tailed Deer Harvest Report with By MIKE DONOGHUE final numbers will be on Fish and Wildlife’s website Islander Staff Writer in early March. Beginning in late March, the departGRAND ISLE -- The Grand Isle Selectboard agreed this week that it will continue with its plan to purchase ment will be holding informational hearings to share a new dump truck and plow after getting clarification about what the $263,127 purchase price covers. biological information and to listen to any informaRoad Foreman Ron Bushway told the Selectboard that questions were raised at its last meeting with tion people wish to share. claims the taxpayers would be paying almost $100,000 for extra bells and whistles for the truck being purchased. He said the reality was most of the $95,950 would cover the plow, wing, spreader box and needed items. Bushway said the dealer has since estimated that only about $500 to $700 items are for added accessories that would be helpful. He said seats would be leather and not vinyl and that there would be extra insulation for the cab to reduce noise and to help keep heating and air conditioning from escaping. Bushway also said claims about the tires on the new dump truck being larger than the rest of the fleet also was false. He said the 22½ inch tires will work with the chains they have for snow. He said the claims at the earlier meeting made the Selectboard members look bad and that they had failed to do their homework. The board had discussed the purchase and voted unanimously at a Dec. 19 meeting, he said. Bushway started his comments on Monday night noting the Jan. 4 news story in The Islander reported what was said at the meeting two days earlier, but unfortunately there was misinformation provided at the session. He said the record needed to be corrected and Bushway provided the board with documents to support his comments. Bushway said a post also was later made on social media that was used to unfairly attack him. “I think the animosity needs to stop,” he said. The board did agree to postpone a decision on whether the town would trade in the oldest truck. Bushway estimated the town could get $55,000 for it, but also noted that sometimes new trucks break down. The Selectboard also has discussed expanding the road crew. Local resident Randy Gover, who has filled in for the road department in the past, questioned whether some of the accessories -- included heated seats and custom trim -- were needed.

North Hero News WATER SERVICE RATE INCREASE North Hero Water Board Due to the rapidly rising costs of materials, services, and supplies necessary to the operation of our town water system, the water board has determined that an increase of 8% in the water service rates will be necessary in order to meet the financial obligations in the coming fiscal year. This is the first rate change the board has found necessary to implement since 2015. It will amount to an increase of $68.00 per annual user ($5.67 per month) and $50.00 per seasonal user ($4.17 per month). This increase will be reflected in your annual water bill to be sent out in June, 2023. Additional information on our future plans can be found on the town website at www.northherovt.com/ page/waterboard.

He said the base price for the truck was roughly $167,000, but the board agreed to sign a purchase agreement for a $263,127 truck. Gover said custom seats, heated floors, cruise control, custom trim, and many extras did not seem to be necessary. Bushway said most of those items, including back-up cameras, are standard now in vehicles. Vice Chair Josie Leavitt said leather seats last longer than vinyl. Bushway said the truck is being constructed and could arrive as early as August. Chairman Adam White said the board will keep moving forward.

Vermont’s Preliminary Report on 2022 Deer Seasons

Hunters Took More than 17,000 Deer in 2022 By Joshua Morse, VT Fish & Wildlife Dept. MONTPELIER, Vt. – The final number of deer taken in Vermont’s 2022 hunting seasons will not be available for a few more weeks, but the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says the final tally will be a little over 17,400 deer. Those deer will provide approximately 3.5 million servings of local, nutritious venison. The buck harvest will be close to 9,600, which will be up from 2021 (9,133) and near the previous 3-year average of 9,482. The final antlerless deer harvest will be around 7,800, also similar to the previous 3-year average (7,651). The archery season harvest, which accounts for much of the total antlerless deer harvest, will be the second highest on record, behind only the 2020 season. “Hunting conditions were generally good in 2022,” said Nick Fortin, the department’s deer project leader. “Limited fall foods caused deer to move more and spend more time feeding in fields, which made it easier for hunters to locate them. Snow during much of the regular season in November also helped hunters locate and see deer.” The primary goal of Vermont’s deer management strategy is to keep the deer herd stable, healthy and in balance with available habitat. “Maintaining

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The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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Dec. 2022 - Jan. 2023 COLCHESTER •Property at 134 Lomartire Dr., 0.08 ac., was transferred to Brian J. Peets, $635,893. •Richard S. Gardner transferred property at 232 Colchester Point Rd, 0.6 ac., to Adam W. & Ekaterina Strong, $830,000. •Mark R. Brault transferred property at 3906 Roosevelt Hwy, 4.9 ac., to Brault Revocable Living Trust, $N/A. •Property at 00 Mariner Heights, 0.9 ac., was transferred to Eugene & Robin Weitz, $380,000. •April Tarte transferred property at 158 Third St. to Kimberly Warren, $45,500. •Property at Parcel of land on Roosevelt, 7.69 ac., was transferred to

CDN Investments LLC, $1,200,000.

Selectboard agrees to send airstrip, helipad ban to North Hero voters

By MICHAEL FRETT •Property at 0 Johnson Ave. (WinIslander Staff Writer demere Estates), 6.57 ac., was transferred to Vermont State Housing AuNORTH HERO – Voters in North Hero will officially have the chance this comthority, $1,600,498. ing March to decide whether the town should ground all future airstrips and helipad plans in the Grand Isle County community.

MILTON

North Hero’s selectboard agreed last week to forward a requested ban on •Nichole Kruger transferred property future helipads and airstrips, effectively an update to the town’s zoning regulaat 40 June Way, 1.03 ac., to Christo- tions, to voters by way of a Town Meeting Day ballot following a brief Tuesday pher & Nichole Kruger, $230,200. evening hearing. •Annie T. Desranleau transferred propThe possible ban, requested late last year through a petition signed by more erty at 9 Algonquin Reef Rd, 0.23 ac., than 5% of North Hero voters, has proven somewhat controversial in the Grand to John T. Desranleau, $N/A. Isle County town, drawing mixed responses during a required planning com-

•Charles D. Palmer transferred proper- mission hearing in November. ty at 18 West Milton Rd, 1.53 ac., to At the time, residents speaking during the November hearing had raised Jineefer & John Paquette, $319,900. everything from concerns with environmental and quality of life impacts asso•James P. Cross transferred property ciated with air traffic, to criticisms that the proposed airstrip ban would restrict at 287 Murray Ave., 2.5 ac., to Cather- residents’ property rights and that support for the ban’s petition had been partially mustered with misleading information shared by residents over social ine Cross, $N/A. media. •Property at 19 Ira Pl, 0.94 ac., was Tuesday’s hearing, meanwhile, was quiet, likely due to insistence by the setransferred to Tanya Lavery, $387,600. lectboard’s chair, Harry Parker, that debate focus solely on whether the selectboard should approve sending the ban to a Town Meeting Day ballot, rather than the “merits of airstrips” or their potential ban in town. “This public hearing is not a forum for a public debate on the merits of airstrips,” Parker said when he introduced last week’s hearing. “This is a discussion on whether or not the selectboard would allow this proposal to be included on the March ballot, whether it would be revised and sent back to the planning commission, or whether it be removed.” The little feedback offered Tuesday came from Leisa Fearing, a member of North Hero’s development review board, who noted state transportation officials had advised Vermont towns to adopt regulations on airstrips and helipads, and that the absence of local regulations would lead state officials to conclude the town implicitly endorsed hosting airstrips and helipads. According to town officials, should voters ultimately defeat the proposed airstrip ban on Town Meeting Day, the town’s planning commission could take up drafting its own zoning regulations for airstrip and helipad construction in North Hero, a sentiment the planning commission’s chair, Andy Alling, confirmed for North Hero’s selectboard during last week’s selectboard hearing. In the past, Alling said the town’s planning commission had explored potentially including rules for helipads and airstrips in a larger suite of zoning updates recently drafted by the commission before eventually agreeing to weigh airstrip regulations separately given the amount of public interest from North Hero residents airstrip and helipad regulations had drawn in previous commission meetings. The petition calling for a tentative airstrip ban had, according to Alling, “preempted” the planning commission’s tentative plans to draft its own specific zoning regulations for airstrips and helipads. With little discussion, North Hero’s selectboard quickly approved sending the requested airstrip and helipad ban to voters on Town Meeting Day, deciding it was best to, according to selectperson Karl Raacke, “put this to voters on the March ballot and to let the voters decide.” “There was a voter-backed petition to ban this particular activity,” Parker, the selectboard’s chair, said as Tuesday’s hearing came to a close. “It came to us, now it will go to you in March.” Town Meeting Day, Vermont’s day for municipal elections scheduled every year for the first Tuesday in March, will take place this year on March 7.

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

Milton approves updates to town plan, zoning rules

By MICHAEL FRETT Islander Staff Writer

MILTON – Milton officials adopted proposed changes to its development laws and town plan earlier this month intending to, according to town officials, address housing challenges and emphasize the town’s interest in exploring the impacts of an increasingly older population. The town’s selectboard approved updates to its town plan and zoning bylaws last week following a brief hearing focused on updates to Milton’s town plan, a municipal document used by Vermont towns to inform zoning regulations, several state-administered grant programs and review under Act 250.

Grand Isle News PLANNING COMMISSION VACANCY By Melissa A. Boutin, Grand Isle Town Clerk

The Grand Isle Planning Commission is seeking The hearing preceding the board’s approval saw little feedback from the community, though this ap- an individual to serve on the board for a two-year peared to have more to do with the hearing’s focus on the town plan and its eschewing of discussion on term ending Dec. 31, 2024.  Mail a letter of interest updated zoning rules, which had already had the requisite number of preceding hearings in Milton. to P.O. Box 49, Grand Isle, VT 05458, email to granAccording to Cymone Haiju, the town’s planning and development review director, updates to Milton’s [email protected] by 6 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2023 or town plan incorporated a greater emphasis on impacts of a graying Milton in part because Milton was ex- drop off at the municipal offices, 9 Hyde Road. pected to see its older population grow faster than other communities in Chittenden County. “The purpose of this is to allow us to begin to talk about this issue and work on it through changes to our [unified development regulations] and allow us to qualify for community development grant opportunities,” Haiju said during the early January hearing. In a presentation citing U.S. Census Bureau data, Haiju said Milton was expected to see the number of residents above the age of 75 years old outnumber its population of children before 2030, when Chittenden County as a whole is projected to see a similar demographic shift. The shift mirrored a larger trend affecting the U.S. where, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans over the age of 65 years old were expected to outnumber children and teenagers by 2034. This shift, according to Haiju, could potentially result in a greater demand for certain public services in Milton, like ambulance services and public transit options, as well as influence economic development in the northern Chittenden County town. “It would be great to do a study on any leverage opportunities for economic development,” Haiju said. “We always like to use these sorts of challenges as an opportunity as much as possible.” Updates to Milton’s zoning regulations were intended to reflect these shifting dynamics, according to Haiju, allowing for a greater density of certain forms of housing that could be more affordable for older Vermonters and making it easier for assisted living facilities to operate in the Chittenden County town. According to Haiju, certain housing oriented updates to Milton’s bylaws, including greater densities allowed for housing developments like cottage clusters and duplexes that were typically more affordable than single-family homes, could also draw younger families to Milton, a demographic Haiju said was “a very important demographic economically and for many other reasons.” Chittenden County, like much of Vermont and the wider U.S., struggles with an acute housing shortage. According to Building Homes Together, a regional initiative backed by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and Champlain Housing Trust, Vermont’s largest county had a vacancy rate of around 0.4% for rental units, far short of Vermont’s statewide vacancy rate of 2.4% and the 5% to 7% vacancy rate typically considered “healthy” by housing advocates. According to Vermont Dept. of Taxes data, Chittenden County had a median home price of roughly $425,000 in 2021, far and away the highest median home price for a Vermont county. The resulting housing crunch has contributed to larger issues related to workforce shortages facing Chittenden County businesses, as well as an observed increase in homelessness in the county, according to the Building Homes Together initiative. Housing challenges, according to the initiative, particularly impacted the county’s more economically marginalized groups and Vermonters of color. Other updates to Milton’s zoning regulations approved earlier this month included language related to child care facilities, as well as language requiring some level of conservation for certain subdivisions and the creation of a new “transitional” zoning district sandwiched between Milton’s Route 7 core and more rural developments in Milton’s east along Westford Road. Minor updates also related to signage and fencing, as well as food trucks and wheelchair ramps. Updates to Milton’s zoning regulations and its town plan were approved unanimously by the town’s selectboard. The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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Records show State’s Attorney Sarah George tries to have AG prosecutor towed during murder case spat

By MIKE DONOGHUE Islander Staff Writer BURLINGTON -- While the Vermont Attorney General’s Office was fighting recently to convict a meat cleaver-wielding man for murdering his wife and trying to kill his mother-in-law, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George was trying to get a car owned by a prosecutor towed from the Burlington courthouse. And even after the Attorney General’s Office successfully prosecuted the murder case that George had refused to tackle, she subsequently tried to get the AG’s office banned permanently from the parking garage under the courthouse. That’s the finding of a more than six-week investigation by Vermont News First that included multiple interviews and almost 200 pages of documents provided by six state offices in response to requests for public records. The towing incident is the latest in an ongoing statewide spat that developed when George dismissed two murder charges and two attempted murder charges in Chittenden County on May 31, 2019. The three defendants each said they would use an insanity defense and George indicated she believed she would be unable to successfully fight the insanity defenses in each case. Gov. Phil Scott asked then-Attorney General T.J. Donovan to make his own independent review of each of the three cases dismissed by George. Donovan later refiled the charges against the three defendants. The Vermont AG’s office has now obtained convictions in two cases – Veronica Lewis and Aita Gurung — with the third prosecution still pending. After the three dismissals by George, then-U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan also secured a criminal conviction in one of the cases. Nolan overcame the insanity claim in a gun possession charge against Lewis. George said at the time she took personal offense that Gov. Scott made the request and she also was unhappy that Donovan, whose office has the same jurisdiction to prosecute crimes, would even look at the cases. George said she thought the actions of both Scott and Donovan were political. The Governor, who maintains a primary purpose of government is public safety, said he just wanted a second look at three cases that he considered among the most serious in recent times in Vermont. The dismissals by George also came nine days after she and veteran deputy prosecutor Susan Hardin deflated an insanity defense used during the high-profile trial of Steven Bourgoin, 38, of Williston on five counts of second-degree murder for a wrong-way fiery crash that killed five teens on Interstate 89. Repeated attempts to reach George in recent weeks for comments were unsuccessful. She finally responded by text last Friday afternoon that she was tied up in court all afternoon. George said a timeline included in the disclosed public records told the story. Parking wars In the most recent homicide case, Aita Gurung, 39, was charged with the brutal killing of his wife Yogeswari Khadka, 32, and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Thulsa Rimal, 54, at their Hyde Street home on Oct. 12, 2017. As the trial approached, at least by Sept. 20, the AG’s Office had contacted Vermont Building and General Services, which oversees the operations at state facilities, about securing temporary parking and office space at the Edward J. Costello Courthouse. Domenica Padula, chief of the AG’s criminal division, and William McSalis, director of BGS Safety & Security, agreed the state prosecutors could get four parking spaces in the underground garage at the courthouse at 32 Cherry St. McSalis noted there was plenty of parking and that some state workers with assigned spaces at the Costello courthouse were still working remotely. Up to four women from the AG’s Office would be working late into the night after the trial ended each weekday afternoon. They did not want to have to try to carry evidence, legal papers and other items along dark Burlington Streets at 9 or 10 p.m. to their respective cars, which would be left in random parking spots in the city. As the Gurung trial commenced, George began a personal effort to tow at least one car after somebody parked in a spot designated for Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Sally Adams, records show. George asked BGS about towing the vehicle. She also asked the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department about towing, and she also asked the Court Clerk’s Office, according to interviews.

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

Continued on Page 9

Continued from Page 8 George) to explain why the court clerk had shared her initial message with six

Nobody was willing to help George have the car towed, in part because they said they did not have authority. They also believed it was unwarranted and there were empty spaces available in the garage. As the flap began to develop, McSalis wrote in an email to his bosses, “Sarah George is trying to tow a car parking in one of her staff’s spots at 32 Cherry. Court security told her she cant do that, and they don’t intend to let the tow truck into the garage to allow it to happen,” McSalis wrote. As the incident continued to develop that day, McSalis wrote the immediate plan was for an employee to send information about the car so the owner could be identified and asked why it was parked in the spot. “The car may belong to the AG’s team, but maybe not,” he said. McSalis, a retired FBI special agent, then told his bosses his email was, “Just a heads up because this can turn ugly(er) fast,” he wrote. And it did. In a follow-up email, McSalis noted George was still fired up. “Most of her staff’s spots are empty right now, but she still wants to tow it.” An email exchange between BGS and the AG’s office in September had identified four people by name that would be using the temporary parking: Assistant Attorney Generals Rose Kennedy and Sophie Stratton, the primary prosecutors on the case, Armina Medic, the AG’s victim advocate and Padula. By coincidence two of the four had worked at the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s office at the courthouse. Kennedy had been a deputy prosecutor before later moving to the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s office and eventually voters elected her to head the office. Medic had been a longtime victim advocate in the Chittenden County office for Donovan and George, but moving to the AGs office in Montpelier. The underground parking section in question has 38 marked spots used by the court staff, state’s attorney’s office, the corrections department and the buildings division, according to a diagram provided by the state. The spots are part of the original portion of the courthouse. There is a second parking section that was added when the original courthouse building was expanded from Pearl Street south to Cherry Street. The only way cars can get into the restricted underground parking areas is to have a specially issued electronic badge from BGS to open the garage door or to buzz the security desk and ask the guard to open it remotely. BGS Commissioner Jennifer Fitch in an email to Annie Noonan of the Vermont State’s Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Department said, “we’ve relayed to our team that we have support and concurrence from your office that Sarah does not have the right to tow vehicles from state grounds.” Fitch adds, “Anything else you can do on your end to bring resolution to this matter is greatly appreciated.” George had tried earlier to cut BGS, which is responsible for the parking spots and building use, out of the discussion when dealing with Padula. “I’m not sure why a request for parking in our garage went through the central office rather than directly to us – but wanted to reach out to start over,” George said in an email to Padula. It was unclear why George’s email was still trying to do the work assigned to BGS. George then decided to move forward on her own without BGS. “I’m cutting them out of the conversation and asking you directly how many spots you need and for how long?” George asked Padula on Oct. 6. “We don’t have spots available in our garage as they are all used by folks who drive to work, but we might have two in the 108 Cherry parking garage that we can offer,” George wrote. It was unclear how George was offering the two spots, when BGS controls the space. George’s claim of no available spots was in sharp contrast to the four spots that were assigned to the AG in September by Building and General Services. Even longtime Superior Court Clerk Christine Brock found herself in the doghouse when she attempted to try to determine who might have parked in the underground garage spot used by Chittenden prosecutor Sally Adams. Adams wrote an email to Brock and Harold Campbell, the BGS facilities supervisor asking them to remind their staffs about parking in the proper assigned spots. In an email with the subject line “parking (again!)” Adams wrote, “We have repeatedly asked that this not happen and it continues to happen.” Adams asked Brock and Harold Campbell to pass the message along to their staffs “and also to all tenants of the Costello Courthouse who’s (sic) badge access allows them access to the parking garage.” Brock forwarded the note five minutes later as requested to the staff and also included criminal defense lawyers that attend hearings at the courthouse. Brock added in bold letters for her staff, “Just a reminder that we should not be parking in the parking garage in parking spaces that are not designated for use by court staff.” Five minutes later Adams fired back an email, asking Brock (with a copy to

named people “and about 70 other individuals who either have no badge access to the Costello Courthouse or have no business being forwarded an email from me?” “It is very concerning,” Adams wrote during the Oct. 3 email. Parking Wars: Part 2 So just after it looked like peace had been restored at the Costello Courthouse, there was an interesting twist at the end of the Gurung trial. Assistant Attorney General Cindy Maguire sent a note to then-Attorney General Susanne Young on Oct. 29, that “yesterday we received a communication from the SA banning us from the parking garage. It is an unnecessary point of stress and honestly feels vindictive,” wrote Maguire, who is assigned to the Department for Children and Families. “Any help from above would be greatly appreciated. And apologies for bothering you such a seemingly trivial matter,” Maguire told Young. Maguire had noted in a separate email to Attorney General Young that there was plenty of space available for parking in the garage. It appeared that many from the office of the State’s Attorney (SA) were working from home. “For what it is worth on any given day there are 6-8 SA spaces open. They are on a hybrid schedule, so there is ample parking open. Any help appreciated,” said Maguire, a former Chittenden County deputy prosecutor. John Campbell, executive director of the State’s Attorneys & Sheriffs, was among those offering apologies. He said he was sorry Commissioner Fitch and BGS “for having to deal with a problem that I thought had been resolved. Just to be clear, our department absolutely supports the temporary allocation of parking spots to the Attorney General’s Office for use by its prosecutors who are currently trying the Gurung case.” “Further I find it odd that our Chittenden County Office has raised the issue again because the four spots are clearly marked as ‘Reserved Parking for Attorney General Office Only.’ Once again, I’m sorry that your folks had to waste their time dealing with such a trivial matter,” John Campbell said. Included in the records produced on Dec. 15 by the State’s Attorneys & Sheriffs is an unsigned, undated memo that appears to provide a different assessment from the day-to-day emails written at the time. The memo was submitted from Sarah George’s office. The memo from George’s office said that on the second day of cars being parked in the wrong spots, a note was left indicating that future violations would mean cars would be towed. Yet the emails from the day before from people that actually control the garage and the parking had made clear that no towing would take place. The handwritten note left on the offending car did not leave a name or phone number for the driver to reach out and have a conversation. A copy of the note was turned over as part of the public records request. It said, “You are parked in a spot reserved for State’s Attorneys employees. You may not park here. Please do not do it anymore or you will have your vehicle towed.” It was signed “SAS” apparently trying to indicate the central office of the State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs, which is known within state government as SAS. John Campbell said nobody in his office left the note and nobody was authorized to sign it that way. The Attorney General’s Office sought an extension on the four spaces “because of court proceedings on the horizon” in Burlington for the staff. The third homicide case, passed over by George, is still moving toward a possible trial. Padula in an email to McSalis on Dec. 8 asked about possible permanent parking spots being allocated to the AGs office at the Burlington courthouse. 1-866-972-5266 “We have some expected appearances next week and any help you could provide would be greatly ap- for friends & families of alcoholics www.vermontalanonalateen.org preciated!,” Padula wrote. McSalis responded with a diagram of newly assigned spots for the AG’s Office at 32 Cherry Street. “The Judicial Security Officers at the Courthouse can help you find them,” he said. McSalis said there would be some rudimentary signage to start and permanent signs eventually.

Al-Anon

The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

MILTON POLICE LOG

JAN. 6 - JAN. 12 Between Friday, Jan. 6 and Thursday, Jan. 12, the Milton Police Department arrested 7 people. Officers also issued 12 traffic tickets and 17 warnings.

Friday, Jan. 6 11:08 a.m. Bombardier Rd, Assist - Agency Ofc. Palermo responded to a housing complex on Bombardier Road for the report of an elevator alarm activation. Ofc. Palermo checked both elevators which were functioning properly. Management advised they were not aware of an issue and the alarm activation may have been accidental. 2:27 p.m. US Route 7 S / Centre Dr, Accident Property Damage Ofc. McQueen was dispatched to the area of US RT7 and Center drive for a two car motor vehicle accident. Though neither operator was injured in the crash, both vehicles were towed due to disabling damage. Saturday, Jan. 7 2:25 a.m. Lake Rd, Disturbance Cpl. Grenier was dispatched to a residence on Lake Road for the report of a verbal disturbance. Upon arrival Cpl. Grenier spoke with both parties who confirmed they had a disagreement that was verbal, but was not physical. Both subjects were provided information for additional resources and one of the individuals departed for the evening. 12:21 p.m. US Route 7 S, Medical Ofc. McQueen and Ofc. Palermo were dispatched to a business on US RT 7 with the report of an individual having a medical incident. Officers assisted

Milton Rescue with lifting the subject who was transported for further medical care. Sunday, Jan. 8 6:16 p.m. US Route 2 / Sandbar, Milton, Excessive Speed While on patrol, Ofc. Schiavo performed a traffic stop on a vehicle for an observed motor vehicle violation. Ofc. Schiavo was able to capture radar of the vehicle traveling 90MPH in a 45MPH zone. The driver was issued a citation and will appear in court at a later date. 7:09 p.m. US Route 7 S, Disturbance Cpl. Grenier was dispatched to a residence on US RT 7 for the report of a verbal argument between several people. Upon arrival the parties were continuing to argue, though Cpl. Grenier was able to get the parties separated. It was confirmed the incident was verbal in nature only, and one of the subject was provided a courtesy ride to separate from the incident.

Tuesday, Jan. 10 12:00 a.m. Sand Bar State Park, Milton, DLS While on patrol, Ofc. Flynn stopped to check on two vehicles parked near the Sand Bar State Park. Upon making contact and identifying the individuals, it was learned that one of the operator’s license was criminally suspended. The driver was issued a citation and will appear in court at a later date. 12:41 p.m. East Rd, Accident - Personal Injury Ofc. Jones was dispatched to East Road for a single car motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival to the area, one vehicle could be seen off the roadway. Ofc. Jones made contact with the operator who advised they don’t often drive on East Road, and was unable to slow down in time to navigate the area of the road with the train trestle. The vehicle sustained significant damage and the operator was evaluated and ultimately transported by Milton Rescue for further medical care. Wednesday, Jan. 11 1:16 a.m. US RT 7 / US RT 2, Colchester, DUI-Alcohol While on patrol, Cpl. Coulombe initiated a traffic stop for an

observed motor vehicle violation. Upon making contact with the driver, signs of intoxication were noted. The operator was taken into custody for Suspicion of Driving Under the Influence and will appear in court at a later date. 2:30 p.m. Ethan Allen Hwy / Skunk Hill Rd, Georgia, Traffic Hazard While on patrol in Georgia, Ofc. Palermo noted a number of vehicles swerving to avoid an object in the roadway. Ofc. Palermo was able to locate a large PVC pipe in the roadway and remove it to allow traffic to resume as normal. Thursday, Jan. 12 12:50 p.m. Dewey Dr, Medical Ofc. Palermo responded to a residence on Dewey Drive for a resident experiencing a medical incident. Ofc. Palermo was able to assist Milton Rescue. 10:03 p.m. Duffy Rd / Town Line, Assist - Agency Ofc. Schiavo responded to the area of Duffy Road near the Essex town line at the request of Essex PD to temporarily close down the road as several cars went off the road.

Monday, Jan. 9 11:42 a.m. Chrisemily Ln, Medical Cpl. Hendry responded to a business on Chrisemily Lane for the report of an individual potentially needing medical care. Cpl. Hendry remained on scene with the subject until the arrival of Milton Rescue. The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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UNION BIBLE CHURCH Main St., Route 2, Alburgh, VT Dr. John C. Kehoe, Pastor

796-3055

Independent—Bible Believing—Gospel Preaching SUNDAY School & Bible Study _______ 9:30AM SUNDAY Worship__________________ 10:30AM WEDNESDAY Prayer Mtg. & Bible Study 7:00PM WEDNESDAY Children's Bible Club____ 7:00PM

“A Friendly and Joyful Welcome Awaits You” Nursery Provided at all Services website: www.unionbiblechurch.org

GOD'S LITTLE BROWN CHURCH A non-denominational GCMF affiliated Church CORNER ROUTE 2 AND ROUTE 129 SOUTH ALBURGH, VERMONT 05440 REV. C. ANDREW CHRYSLER, PASTOR (802)782-9384 WWW.GLBCVT.ORG “God’s Word has the answer”

WORSHIP......SUNDAY 10:00 AM BIBLE STUDY/PRAYER-WEDNESDAY 6:30 PM

United Methodist Church

Isle La Motte ~ North Hero ~ Grand Isle JANUARY UMC PARISH SCHEDULE JAN. 22 10:30 Grand Isle JAN. 29 10:30 North Hero Reverend Chico Martin Parish Office 372-6638

Our Lady of the Lake Parish Serving the churches of Alburgh, Grand Isle, Isle La Motte & South Hero

MASS SCHEDULE St. Rose of Lima, South HeroSaturday: 4:00 p.m. St. Joseph, Grand Isle- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. St. Amadeus Parish, AlburghSunday: 11:00 a.m. Fr. Joseph Sanderson Tel: St. Amadeus Office 802-796-3481 Tel: St. Rose of Lima Office 802-372-4092 Website: https://ourladyofthelake.vermontcatholic.org/ Email: [email protected]

Congregational Church of South Hero, U.C.C. Sunday Worship at 9:30 a.m. Nursery for ages 5 & under Sunday School Pastor: Rev. Cordelia Burpee 24 South St. South Hero, VT   05486 Tel:  372-4962 • [email protected] Office hours M-F 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.facebook.com/CCSHVT

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

MADELEINE J. PATNODE ALBURGH– Madeleine J. Patnode, age 87, passed away on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans. She was born in Alburgh on Jan. 2, 1936, to the late Alphonse & Elaine (LeFebvre) Theoret. She married Norman “Ding” Patnode on May 4, 1957. Madeleine graduated from Alburgh High School. Madeleine and her husband Ding enjoyed their time spent at home with each other through the years, she never had any children, but treated many nieces and nephews like her own. She loved to garden and always had berry bushes in her backyard. She was an avid animal lover and especially loved pigs. Madeleine enjoyed the outside and always took walks. She had a great sense of humor, and always enjoyed playing tricks on everyone. She volunteered for the Alburgh Auxiliary Fire Department for many years. Madeleine is survived by her siblings, Aline LaFountain, Lorraine LaBombard, Maurice Theoret and his wife Margaret, Alma Patnode, Raymond Theoret and his wife Naomi, Louise Benjamin, and Michael Theoret and his wife Judy; sister-in-law, Frances Theoret and Kay Root; and many nieces, nephews, and God children. Besides her parents, Madeleine was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Norman “ding” Patnode; siblings, Gerald Theoret and his wife Victoria, Florence Fournier and her husband Alvin “Pete”, Lawrence Theoret; and brothers-in-law, Gordon LaFountain, Stanley LaBombard, Winton Patnode, and Roger Benjamin Family and friends are invited to Madeleine’s Life Celebration to include a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at St. Amadeus Catholic Church, 75 North Main Street, Alburgh, VT. Interment will be held this spring in St. Amadeus Catholic Cemetery in Alburgh. Donations may be made to the Alburgh Fire Department, 60 Firehouse Rd, Alburgh, VT 05440 or the St. Amadeus Church, 9 North Main St., Alburgh, VT 05440. Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com

To place an obituary contact The Islander at 802-372-5600 or email [email protected]

The first 200 words and one photo are offered at no charge. Additional words are offered at $.10 each. Please contact The Islander with questions.

To the Editor, Thanks to Michael Frett for a detailed and readable report on recent events in South Hero’s contested visions for their town. It would be worth adding that the current Village Zoning Districts combined cover approximately 634 acres. This is a zoning district with no minimum lot size. It’s no wonder that residents of this zone want out! The citizen petition seeks to grant them relief by reducing the size of these districts, zoned for dense development, down to a more reasonable village core of around 66 acres along Route 2. While it makes sense for a new town plan to envision some future expansion of this village core, we expect that voters would rather start small with the 66 acres and then grow from there. Joan Falcao South Hero

ACADEMIC KUDOS Fall 2022 President’s List SUNY POTSDAM – POTSDAM, NY Samuel Burgess of Colchester. Daniel Jennette of Rouses Point, NY. Jericho Walter of Milton. To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Dean’s List SUNY POTSDAM – POTSDAM, NY Nico Gamarra of Milton. To achieve the honor of being on the Dean’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of between 3.25 and 3.49 in the given semester. OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY – BOURBONNAIS, IL Henry Lopez and Isabella Lopez of Colchester. To qualify for inclusion on the Dean’s List, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale. NICHOLS COLLEGE – DUDLEY, MA Alexis Cruickshank from Milton. Students with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for at least 12 undergraduate credit-hours and no grades below B- receive Dean’s List honors.

Visit VT Fish &Wildlife at the Yankee Show

By Joshua Morse, VT Fish & Wildlife Dept. ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – The annual Yankee Sportsman’s Classic show will be held Jan. 20, 21 and 22 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is inviting you to visit their exhibits and attend their seminars at the show. “We are looking forward to talking with as many people as possible at the show,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick. “It’s a great opportunity for us to share the latest information about fish and wildlife, and it gives people a chance to talk with us about fish and wildlife issues. Our wardens, biologists and other staff will be at our exhibit.” The 2023 hunting, fishing and trapping lawbooks will be available at Fish and Wild- Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff are urging visitors to stop life’s exhibit booth. Hunters, anglers, and by their exhibit and attend their seminars at the Yankee trappers will also be able to buy their 2023 Sportsman’s Classic show Jan. 20-22 in Essex. Photo courtesy licenses. of VT Fish & Wildlife Dept. Show hours are Noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Learn more about the show at: http:// yankeeclassic.net.

Green Mountain Conservation Camp registration is open

By Joshua Morse, VT Fish & Wildlife Dept. MONTPELIER, Vt. -- If you are 12 to 14 years old and want to learn about Vermont’s wildlife and gain outdoor skills, consider attending one of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Green Mountain Conservation Camps this summer. If you are a GMCC alum, 16 or younger, consider coming back for another summer. The one-week camp programs are held at Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Buck Lake in Woodbury. Campers participate in hands-on learning about fish and wildlife conservation, ecology, forestry, orienteering, safe firearm and archery techniques, swimming, canoeing, fishing and more. Natural resource professionals come to the camp to share information on their programs and take campers out for field activities. “Whether kids come alone Grand Isle or with friends, Sheriff’s Dept. log. they are guaranJan. 10 - Jan. 13 teed to meet new Tues., Jan. 10 people and form ALBURGH new bonds while Animal Problem experiencing VerCitizen Assist mont’s natural GRAND ISLE Agency Assist resources to the Citizen Assist fullest,” said Fish Citizen Dispute and Wildlife EduTheft cation Specialist Wed., Jan. 11 Hannah Phelps. ALBURGH “An important Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s Green Mountain Conservation Crash take-away mes- Camp program offers young people the opportunity to learn GRAND ISLE sage and common about natural resource conservation and develop outdoor Citizen Assist (3) SOUTH HERO skills through hands-on learning experiences. theme during the Citizen Assist Photo courtesy of VT Fish & Wildlife Dept. week is that conSuspicious serving and manFri., Jan. 13 aging habitat will help ensure Vermont will have fish and wildlife in the future.” ALBURGH “We would love to have all of the advanced sessions filled for campers who Citizen Assist have already attended a basic session,” added Phelps. “Advanced sessions are Motor Vehicle Comfor campers who have completed a basic session in a previous summer and who plaint are 16 years old or younger. Advanced sessions include more in-depth activities Service of APO GRAND ISLE about backpacking, camping, natural resources, and unique hunting and fishing Citizen Assist techniques.” NORTH HERO Conservation Camps open June 18 and continue until Aug. 18. Tuition is $250 Motor Vehicle Comfor the week, including food, lodging and equipment, and financial assistance is plaint SOUTH HERO available. Burglary Information and registration are available at www.vtfishandwildlife.com. Crash (2) For more information, contact [email protected] or call 802-522-2925. Service of APO

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, Inc. Behavior Health Crisis Services • 524-6554 or 1-800-834-7793 •

The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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ALBURGH NOTICE OF TAX SALE The resident and non-resident owner, lien holders and mortgagees of lands in the Town and Village of Alburgh, in the County of Grand Isle and State of Vermont, are hereby notified that the taxes and assessments assessed by such town and village for the tax years 2020 through 2022 remain, either in whole or in part, unpaid upon the following described land in such town and village, to wit: Parcel 1: Being all and the same land and premises conveyed to Katrina Haeger by Warranty Deed of Casavant Properties, LLC dated August 31, 2020 and recorded in Volume 184 at Page 281 of the Town of Alburgh Land Records and being more particularly described as follows: Being a parcel of land with a single family dwelling thereon located at 43 Milk Street, Alburgh, Vermont and being all and the same land and premises conveyed to Casavant Properties, LLC by Warranty Deed of Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity Inc., dated August 16, 2012 and recorded in Volume 155 at Page 54 of the Town of Alburgh Land Records. The property is subject to and benefitted by all easements and rights of way of record. To which deed and to the deeds, records and references therein contained, refer in further aid of this description. Town of Alburgh Parcel Number: MS0005 Parcel 2: Being all and the same land and premises conveyed to Henry Wasilewski by Warranty Deed of Robert Gaudette dated December 21, 2006 and recorded in Volume 130 at Page 80 of the Town of Alburgh Land Records and more particularly described as follows: Being a parcel of land with buildings and appurtenances thereon containing 6.5 acres, more or less, and now commonly known as 1506 Greenwoods Road, Alburgh, Vermont. The property is subject to and benefitted by all easements and rights of way of record. To which deed and to the deeds, records and references therein contained, refer in further aid of this description. Town of Alburgh Parcel Number: GR261 Parcel 3: Being all and the same lands and premises conveyed to Tellano Corporation by the following two deeds: 1. Warranty Deed of Alan Jarvis dated July 3, 1986 and recorded in Volume 54 at Page 294 of the Town of Alburgh Land Records. 2. Warranty Deed of Alan Jarvis dated November 2, 1987 and recorded in Volume 57 at Page 253 of the Town of Alburgh Land Records. The property is commonly known as 128 Windmill Point Road, Alburgh, VT. The property is subject to and benefitted by all easements and rights of way of record. To which deed and to the deeds, records and references therein contained, refer in further aid of this description. Town of Alburgh Parcel Number: WM128 And so much of such lands will be sold at public auction at the Town Clerk’s Office in the Town of Alburgh, a public place in such town, on the 17th of February, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., as shall be requisite to discharge such taxes and assessments with costs and fees, unless previously paid. Information regarding the amount of taxes due may be obtained through the Tax Collector, Terry A. Tatro, at (802) 796-3468.

Town of South Hero 2023 Elected Positions To be voted on Tuesday March 7, 2023 Town Moderator 1 Year Term, Select board 2 year term, Select board 3 year term, Library Trustee 2 year term, Library Trustee 1 year term, School Director 2 year term, School Director 3 year term, School Moderator 1 year term, Lister 3 year term, Cemetery Commissioner 3 year term Forms and Petitions may be found at the Town Office or on our website at southherovt.org. The deadline for submitting Consent of Candidate Forms and Petitions of Nomination is Monday January 30.

This just in

DATED at Alburgh, Vermont this 10th day of January, 2023. And the award goes to a gutsy, young bar-tailed /s/ Terry A. Tatro godwit that dared to fly non-stop for eleven days Terry A. Tatro, Tax Collector for the Town and Village from Alaska to Australia, a daring 8,435 miles, says of Alburgh

ISLE LA MOTTE NOTICE OF SALE OF MUNICIPAL REAL ESTATE The Town of Isle La Motte desires to convey municipal real estate in Sunset View parcel known as 7A for $35,000.00, the legislative body is giving notice of the terms of the proposed conveyance. The posting and publication required by this subsection shall occur at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed conveyance. Unless a petition is filed in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, the legislative body may authorize the conveyance. If a petition signed by five percent of the legal voters of the municipality objecting to the proposed conveyance is presented to the municipal clerk within 30 days of the date of posting and publication of the notice required by subdivision (1) of this subsection, the legislative body shall cause the question of whether the municipality shall convey the real estate to be considered at a special or annual meeting called for that purpose. 24 V.S.A. § 1061) Isle La Motte Select Board Rusty Spaulding, Chair Paul Zera Mary Catherine Graziano Dated: Jan 10, 2023

the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. How does the Guinness World Records know that the bird didn’t land for a rest en route? Eric Woehler of Birdlife Tasmania explains that other species of birds might land on the water to rest and feed but not a godwit. If it lands on water, “it’s dead. It doesn’t have the webbing in its feet, it has no way of getting off. So if it falls onto the ocean’s surface from exhaustion, or if bad weather forces it to land, that’s the end.” The previous record for such a flight was held by another godwit that flew 8,218, according to the record keepers at Guinness.

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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Small enough to clear your clutter!

Call today for sizes & info!

--------------------------------Northern Isle Massage - Licensed and insured massage therapist with 20 years of experience.   Expertise in a variety of treatment styles.  802391-4016, [email protected]  BTFN --------------------------------FINNISH TOUCH CARPENTRY - Remodeling, renovations and more. Fully insured. Over 40 years experience with knowledge. Call 802233-2639 BTFN --------------------------------TUESDAY, JAN. 24 E.C. ELECTRIC - 30 years experience. Licensed - Free Vaccine Clinic at Islands in the Sun and insured. 802-796-4610  4/26 Senior Center, 547 South Main Street, Alburgh; --------------------------------WELDING: Aluminum - Stainless & Steel. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. COVID vaccines, Pedi, and Custom railing, ramps, decks. Fuel tanks, Adult FLU ( NO 65+ Flu vaccine) holding tanks. One off hot rods & chassis. Boat -----------propeller & skeg repair. Jesberger Welding & Fabrication. 802-324-6954  4/19 --------------------------------Expert Tree Services: Tree removal, tree pruning, fruit tree and hedge pruning. Stump grinding. New trees and hedges planted. Heartwood Landscape and Tree Services LLC. 802-8937371 [email protected] 4/19 --------------------------------Sewing Machine Service. Over 50 years experience. We make house calls. 80-372-4497  BTFN ---------------------------------

-MISC-

--------------------------------Open House 90th Birthday for Betty Lockerby at the American Legion, Alburgh, VT on Janu--------------------------------ary 21st from 11am to 3pm. LANDRY CARPENTRY - Islands local trusted --------------------------------contractor. Call 802-734-9612 or 802-372-3701. BTFN --------------------------------ISLAND SEWING: All aspects of sewing. Alterations, mending, formal wear. Specializing in bridal gowns. 30+ years experience. Call 802372-0194 BTFN --------------------------------s r

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

-EMPLOYMENT---------------------------------

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--------------------------------Assistant Property Manager - Camp Abnaki Join us on the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain! YMCA Camp Abnaki is a 122-year-old residential summer camp in North Hero, Vermont. We have 65 acres with over 40 buildings, some of which are more than 100 years old. Generations of campers return summer after summer to enjoy traditional programming. We also host school groups, weddings, and private functions during the Spring and Fall. We are looking for the right person to join our hard-working crew—someone with a varied skill set that can support the Property Manager in maintaining the grounds and improving facilities. This is a flexible position that could be full or part-time work in the winter months, and full-time in the summer. For more details, including qualifications, generous benefits, and more, see the complete job listing at gbymca. org/careers, or email Camp Abnaki Director Brian Roy at [email protected]. 2/8 ---------------------------------

Have a great week!

The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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A daily look at life in the Champlain Islands featuring exclusive photos by Swanson and available on The Islander’s facebook page, www.facebook.com/lakechamplainislander, Instagram @theislandernewsvt and twitter @TheIslanderNews

GOOD MORNING WEDNESDAY The sun climbs into lake fog over the Islands shortly after daybreak Wednesday morning.

Mt. Mansfield glowed red at sunset a few nights ago.

A South Hero plow was hard at work Friday. A male Northern cardinal perched in powder snow recently.

LINE WORK A Consolidated Communications employee in a bucket truck is silhouetted against cloudy skies while working on utility lines in North Hero Tuesday morning.

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The Islander January 18 - January 24, 2023

DEER IN THE LIGHTS While there have been lots of gray mornings so far in 2023, this doe was wreathed in color while framed by holiday lights in the predawn gloom last week.

MERGANSERS ON THE MOVE A foursome of common mergansers splash along the surface of Lake Champlain while taking off from Sawyers Bay in South Hero Saturday.

A North Hero red-tailed hawk shows where they got the name.

MINOR FRIDAY THE 13TH ACCIDENT Slick roads from a morning snowstorm contributed to a minor two car incident at the junction of U.S. 2 and VT 314 at Ferry Road in Keelers Bay about 10 am Friday morning. No one was injured and the two cars received minor damage after sliding off the northwest corner of the intersection.

WINTER MORNING COMMUTE Turbines from the Georgia Mountain Community Wind farm, power poles, utility lines and a Gull loom over commuters rolling through South Hero before sunrise Tuesday morning.

HAWK ON THE HUNT A male Northern cardinal experiences an unfortunate turn of events as a cooper’s hawk makes a lucky strike during a blinding snow squall on the morning of Friday the 13th in South Hero.

STICKING TO IT FRIDAY THE 13TH SNOWSTORM It’s stick season work for Eben Pratt of South Hero who was using his Kubota Precipitation changed from rain to snow earlier than expected in the Islands tractor earlier this week to push brush piles together for a future burn pile. Friday, leaving roadways in Grand Isle County slushy and slick. The Islander

January 18 - January 24, 2023

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