Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ANOTHER YEAR,
ANOTHER BUDGET
GAP
5
GEORGE SPAULDING,
LOVER OF BOOKS
AND PEOPLE
11
COOKING ON A
SUBMARINE
19
T
h
e
B
r
i
d
g
e
P
.
O
.
B
o
x
1
1
4
3
M
o
n
t
p
e
l
i
e
r
,
V
T
0
5
6
0
1
Celebrating
the Holidays
IN CENTRAL VERMONT PAGES 14-15
P
R
S
R
T
S
T
D
C
A
R
-
R
T
S
O
R
T
U
.
S
.
P
o
s
t
a
g
e
P
A
I
D
M
o
n
t
p
e
l
i
e
r
,
V
T
P
e
r
m
i
t
N
O
.
1
2
3
Special
Supplement
Inside
Featuring
The Bridges
20th Anniversary
Connecting Montpelier and nearby communities since 1993 | DECEMBER 11JANUARY 9, 2013
page 2 December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 THE BRI DGE
She knows whats going on because she reads The Bridge
Healthy foods,
healthy
ingredients.
Vermont fresh, Italian inspired.
229-5721
Takeout and full-
service restaurant
15 Barre Street
Montpelier, VT
angelenospizza.com
Since 1982
WISHING OUR CLIENTS AND FRINDS A JOYFUL HOLIDAY SEASON
AND A NEW YEAR OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
1-800-WORKERS www.bfslaw.com
453 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier
Biggam, Fox & Skinner supports the Vermont Foodbank
Workers Compensation | Social Security Disability | Personal Injury
THE BRI DGE December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 page 3
Subscribe to The Bridge!
For a one-year subscription, send this form and a check to The Bridge, p.O. box
1143, montpelier, VT 05601.
name______________________________________________________
address_____________________________________________________
city____________________________________ State_____
Zip____________
I have enclosed a check, payable to The Bridge, for:
$50 for a one-year subscription an extra $____ to support The Bridge.
(contributions are not tax-deductible.)
HEARD ON THE
STREET
p.O. box 1143, montpelier, VT 05601
phone: 802-223-5112 | Fax: 802-223-7852
montpelierbridge.com; facebook.com/montpelierbridge
published every first and third Thursday
editor & publisher: nat Frothingham
general manager: bob nuner
production & calendar editor: Kate mueller
Sales representatives: carolyn grodinsky, rick mcmahan, Ivan Shadis
graphic Design & Layout: cynthia ryan
bookkeeper: Kathryn Leith
Distribution: Kevin Fair, Diana Koliander-Hart, Daniel renfro, anna Sarquiz
Website manager: cynthia ryan
advertising: For information about advertising deadlines and rates, contact:
223-5112, ext. 11, carolyn@montpelierbridge.com or rick@montpelierbridge.com
editorial: contact bob, 223-5112, ext. 14, or editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Location: The Bridge office is located at the Vermont college of Fine arts, on the lower level of
Schulmaier Hall.
Subscriptions: you can receive The Bridge by mail for $50 a year. make out your check to
The Bridge, and mail to The Bridge, pO box 1143, montpelier VT 05601.
copyright 2013 by The montpelier bridge
O
ur earth has now tilted as far away from the sun as it does. These last days do not
add noticeably to the length of night, nor to the low angle of the sun. But on clear
days, it often shines with that gold and orange hue of low light, unless the air is dessicat-
ingly dry and cold, with not a particle of moisture to diffuse the light. So few of us are up
and about to see the world like this. Many birds have flown; mammals are mostly out of
sight. Only we humans along with rodents, weasels and dog and cat family members are
out making a living these cold days and nights. And of course, the few birds that have
not flown south. Ive surely forgotten some, but its become nighttime already, and Im
feeling like curling up for a long nap!
. Nona Estrin
Support the Food Pantry This Holiday Season
I
f you want to support the food pantry, but dont know what to get or have time to stop in,
the food shelf would welcome your monetary donation. These donations can be mailed in,
saving you another trip out during this busy year. Make checks out to Just Basics, Inc., and
send to Just Basics, 137 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.
Park Your Rig for Free
T
his week marks the beginning of free parking downtown. Sponsored by Montpelier
Alive, drivers can enjoy free parking in all two-hour parking spaces and extended hours
at select downtown stores through December 24, 2013. Normal time limits on parking still
apply. So come on downtown and enjoy the beautiful lights, festivities and great shopping.
Merchants Bank Teams up with WARMTH
M
erchant Bank has launched a campaign to match donations dollar for dollar to
WARMTH, a Vermont nonprofit working to bring heat to low-income Vermonters.
The campaign runs through December 31, 2013. Merchant Bank will match up to $40,000.
To make donations or to learn more, visit MBVT.com .
Montpeliers First Annual Chili Cook-Off
O
n New Years Eve from 1 to 3:30 p.m., Montpelier Alive will be hosting its first annual
chili cook-off. Beat the cold with some warm and delicious chili prepared by your fa-
vorite local restaurants. Come out and make sure your vote is counted this New Years Eve.
The event will be held on Langdon Street in the heart of festive Montpelier and is sponsored
by Cabot Creamery.
Local Mentoring Program Needs Your Help
G
irls/Boyz First mentoring program needs your help raising $30,000 to continue operat-
ing. Girls/Boyz First has been serving youth 8 to 18 years old in Montpelier and the
Washington Central Supervisory Union since 1997. During this 16-year period, Girls/Boyz
First has paired up local adults with kids who could use an added presence in their lives. The
program has been a huge success with 93.2 percent of mentees graduating from high school.
Following federal spending cuts, the program has lost most of its funding and is now looking
to the community for help. Please visit girlsboyzfirst.causevox.com and show that you care
about this valuable program by making a donation.
Imagining the Future of Vermonts Working Landscape
T
here will be a summit, Tuesday, December 17, at the Vermont Technical College to
discuss the future of Vermonts working landscape. Over 90 speakers and panelists will
present ways to strengthen and revitalize Vermonts working landscape. Special appearances
will be made by Governor Peter Shumlin and Speaker Shap Smith. Admission is $30.
Vermont Fourth and Eighth Graders
Lead the Nation in Reading and Math
A
ccording to results of this years National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP),
Vermont fourth and eighth graders rank in the top five states out of the 50 states tested
in both reading and math. The test results also revealed a discrepancy along socioeconomic
lines here in Vermont, with poorer Vermonters scoring lower than their better-off peers. For
more information visit, nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard.
Harwood and Twinfield Union Schools
Are on the Cutting Edge
H
arwood and Twinfield Union Schools have been inducted into the League of Innova-
tive Schools. The league, which encourages the expansion and implementation of best
practices and cutting-edge strategies, offers support to partnering schools. Harwood was
recognized for its commitment to student-directed learning, working with students to find
the learning strategy that works best for them. Twinfield Union was acknowledged for its
long-standing commitment to developing personalized learning programs.
VCLF Donates $3.75 Million Toward Helping Vermonters
T
he Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) has donated $3.75 million in the third
quarter of FY2013 toward creating and maintaining jobs and assisting Vermonters in
need of housing. They hope that this money, which was given to 11 organizations and busi-
nesses, will help improve access to a better quality of life for Vermonters.
Vermont Womens Fund Is Seeking Organizations to Fund
T
he Vermont Womens Fund is encouraging organizations to apply for grants for up to
$10,000. They seek to fund organizations that are dedicated to promoting the growth
and education of young women and girls.
Knights of Columbus Donates $25,000 to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta
T
he Waterbury Knights of Columbus has donated $25,000 to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. The
camp offers a summer camp experience for children with cancer. Funds will be used to
complete the Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Memorial Chapel, which will offer children and their fami-
lies a place to pray, meditate and reflect.
Nature Watch
ADVERTISE
Our next paper, comes out
THurSDay, January 9TH
advertising deadline:
FrIDay, January 3.
Thursday, January 23rd
is our Health and Wellness issue
Call 223-5112 for Carolyn (x11) or
Rick at 479-0970.
page 4 December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 THE BRI DGE
She knows whats going on
because she reads The Bridge Thank
you!
O
ur sincere thanks to all of you
who responded to our reader
survey, helping us give our ad-
vertisers a better idea of who reads The
Bridge. Congratulations to Alice Day
of Montpelier, winner of the random
drawing among respondents for a $100
gift certificate to Sarduccis Restaurant.
Age
Discrimination
T
he Bridge is exploring an ar-
ticle on age discrimination in
employment, particularly in the
hiring process. If youve had this experi-
ence and would be willing to talk about
it, wed like to hear from you. Interviews
are confidential, and sources will remain
anonymous, if desired. Please contact
editorial@montpelierbridge.com or 223-
5112, extension 14, and leave a message
with your contact information; well be
in touch.
HELP WANTED:
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
The Bridge seeks someone with strong
graphic design and computer skills to
assemble the paper, start to finish, in-
cluding creating high-quality ads to cus-
tomer specifications, designing covers
and laying out feature stories.
experienced designer preferred, but
willing to consider anyone with a
strong aptitude for graphic design and a
high comfort level with computers and
design software. We use adobe cre-
ative Suite on a mac platform.
position requires strong interpersonal
skills, ability to perform well under
deadlines and pressure, multitasking,
and ability to work with our team and
the general public to create effective
ads.
Interested? For more information, please
contact nat Frothingham: 223-5112
or nat@montpelierbridge.com.
THE BRI DGE December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 page 5
Another Year, Another
Budget Gap
State Budget FY2014
By Jerry Carter
W
hen the Vermont State Legis-
lature assembles on Tuesday,
January 7, 2014, lawmakers will
face the task of digging themselves out of
a deeper budget hole. In FY2013 the state
found itself with a budget gap of $50.6 mil-
lion. This gap has deepened to $67.3 million
in FY2014, and administration economists
predict that it will continue to grow. Cur-
rent estimates predict that the state could
find itself staring up out of a $72-plus-
million hole for FY2015.
It is unclear how legislators will grapple
with such a large gap, while maintaining
and selectively adding state programs that
continue to outpace incoming state rev-
enues. Nor have two of the states financial
experts, Thomas E. Kavet and Dr. Nicolas
O. Rockler, offered much hope. Both men
have respectively served as the state econo-
mist and principal economic advisor to the
Vermont State Legislature since 1996. At a
November 20 legislative briefing, they cited
details to suggest that todays slow economic
recovery is all but pervasive.
In their remarks before the legislative
briefing, Kavet and Rockler said that [t]he
painfully slow recovery has yet to achieve
prerecession levels. They also cited such
important economic measures as employ-
ment, real wealth, property valuations, con-
struction activity and real wages as failing
to rise to prerecession levels.
In addition to revenue issues, Vermont
lawmakers are facing big problems on the
spending side. Topping the list is a broken
teachers retirement fund, which has out-
spent its assets by $20 million.
The state also faces ever-growing costs:
increasing educational costs, rising energy
prices and continued costs connected to
recovery following Hurricane Irene. A struc-
tural deficit within the transportation fund
and increasing human services costs are also
contributing to the deficit. These programs
and other new initiatives, such as the states
projected single-payer health care system,
continue to add more costs to a small state
with insufficient revenue to meet its needs.
Governor Shumlin himself commented
on growing education costs in a letter to
educational leaders throughout the state on
November 25, 2013. The governor noted
that student enrollment is down for the
16th straight year. And yet expenditures this
year are up about 5 percent, and next years
expenditures are expected to rise about 3.8
percent. This is not a sustainable rate of
increase that Vermonters can afford, the
governor concluded.
James Reardon, the commissioner of the
Department of Finance and Management,
and Marcia Howard, executive director and
editor of Federal Funds Information for
the States, also spoke at the November 20
briefing and added another warning about
the growing discrepancy between revenues
and expenditures. They both doubt that
Vermont can continue to rely on the level of
federal government assistance it has enjoyed
in recent years.
Reardon fears that this will cause lasting
problems for the state. During a presenta-
tion in front of the House Committee on
Appropriations on December 2, he said,
I dont want to be coldhearted, but we,
as a small state, do not have the capacity
to backfill federal funding cuts to these
programs.
The programs that Reardon is referring to
include the Supplemental Nutrition Assis-
tance Program (SNAP), Section 8 Housing
and K12 education. These programs, which
many Vermonters rely on, are likely soon to
feel the pinch of a tightening federal purse.
One of the chief forces pulling the strings
on this shrinking purse is the Budget Con-
trol Act, which is responsible for sequestra-
tion. At the November 20 legislative briefing,
Howard stated that she did not foresee Wash-
ington coming to a resolution any time soon.
New reports out of Washington by the New
York Times suggest, however, that the gov-
ernment may be closing in on a temporary
solution. Early this week, leading Democrats
and Republicans drafted a resolution that, if
passed, would get the country through the
next two years with limited additional cuts.
Howard believes we have an even bigger
issue to worry about in the debate surround-
ing the federal debt limit that will consume
Washington this February. Reardon agreed,
stating that he was concerned that the de-
bate surrounding the debt ceiling would
result in another federal government shut-
down. The federal government shutdown in
October, which lasted two weeks, cost the
government billions of dollars.
The dysfunction in Washington has clear
implications for Vermont and only worsens
the states ability to balance its budget. The
incoming legislature will have to figure out
ways to prepare for an unpredictable flow
of federal funding and reevaluate state-run
programs if it hopes to narrow the gap and
create a responsible budget.
The Budget Adjustment Act
T
he governor and his team of economists produced their recommended budget
adjustment a week early this year. Jeb Spaulding, secretary of administration, and
James Reardon, commissioner of the Department of Finance and Management, hoped
that this early release would allow the legislature enough time to sufficiently review the
budget adjustments before the upcoming legislative session begins in January.
These recommendations, which make up the FY2014 Budget Adjustment Act
(BAA), came in at just over $18 million. The BAA gives legislatures the opportunity
to bridge any gaps between the actual cost of running the government and what they
predicted it would be at the time the budget was passed last year. It allows the legisla-
ture some flexibility midway through the fiscal year to reevaluate what they actually
are spending and the opportunity to try and find the revenues to meet the costs.
Of the $18 million requested, $5.5 million will go to the Corrections Department
as repayment for the recently acquired St. Albans office complex, while $3.22 mil-
lion was spent on temporary housing for struggling Vermontersa large portion of
which went toward the purchase of a motel off Shelburne Road, outside Burlington.
Another $2.85 million went to the Vermont Veterans Home to settle retroactive
Medicaid payments ($980,000) and to bridge the $1.87-million budget gap run up
by the project. A savings of $6.8 million was possible thanks to a four pay period,
health premium rate holiday and a health premium decrease taken by state employ-
ees, which greatly reduced the total amount asked for in the BAA.
Dont know what to do?
CALL VERMONT COMPUTING!
223-6445 | 728-9217 | vermontcomputing.com
We can help.
Let us repair and maintain your residential or commercial
computers, servers and more at your place or ours.
COMPUTER
PROBLEMS?
page 6 December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 THE BRI DGE
City Budget Holds the Line Again
by William Fraser, city manager
I
d like to start this article by, again, thanking residents
and merchants for your patience during the long and
difficult district heat construction season. The system
is starting up and, as of Monday, is heating City Hall, the
police station, the fire station and Union Elementary School.
Two private buildings will be added in another week or so,
which will constitute the full mini-system for this winter.
Upon completion of the states heating plant (expected in
March), the full 20-building, wood-fired system will be op-
erational for next years heating system.
With most construction and project work concluding for
the winter, we turn our attention to the citys budget process.
On Wednesday night, December 11 (the night before this is
published), I am presenting the city managers budget pro-
posal to City Council. The council will consider the budget
during a series of work meetings in December and January
and formal public hearings on Wednesday, January 15, and
Thursday, January 23. Voters will consider budget, funding
and other proposals on March 4, 2014.
City Managers Recommended Budget
The following guidelines were used in preparing this
budget proposal:
Budget must reflect City Councils adopted goals and
priorities and enable those goals to be advanced.
General fund budget increase must remain within 1.8 percent.
Must continue increased funding for infrastructure and
capital needs based on the steady state plan adopted by
City Council.
Proposed tax increase must reflect the increased capital
spending only.
Must deliver responsible levels of service to the residents
of Montpelier.
Should continue FY14 funding levels for the community
fund and community enhancements and include the circula-
tor bus funding.
Should minimize impact on existing employees to the
extent possible.
Budget Numbers
FY15 budget for all funds and all revenues is $19,350.730.
Compared to $18,717,988 for FY14, this is an increase of
$584,799 or 3.38 percent.
FY15 General Fund Budget (which determines property
taxes) totals $12,171,456, which is an increase of $185,778
(1.5 percent) from the comparable FY15 spending plan. This
number includes the recreation and library budget assump-
tions. Without those two items, the increase is 1.7 percent.
FY15 general fund nontax revenues total $3,880,766,
which is an increase of $19,478 (0.5 percent) from FY14
nontax revenues.
Revenues from the state of Vermont, such as payments
in lieu of taxes, highway aid, grand list maintenance funding
and the Community Justice Center basic grant, have been
assumed to remain at their present funding levels.
Grand list value is calculated at the FY14 level. With
the current grand list, $84,343 represents one cent on the
tax rate.
Property Tax Impact
Requires a two cent increase in the property tax rate. This
is $166,300, which represents the increase in the capital plan.
The remainder of the budget requires no tax increase. A two
cent increase represents a 2 percent property tax rate increase
after a five cent (0.25 percent) increase in FY14. For the av-
erage residential property valued at $223,000, two cents on
the tax rate represents $44.60 on the tax bill. The two year
combined increase of 2.25 percent compares to a two year
combined inflation rate of 3.2 percent (1.7 percent and 1.5
percent respectively).
Infrastructure
No bonds are proposed.
The Capital Projects, Equipment and Debt Service Pro-
gram is funded at $1,905,004. Of this, $677,570 is in annual
funding, $712,434 is in existing debt service and $515,000
is for equipment. This matches the long-term funding plan.
This results in an additional $118,596 (21.2 percent) in an-
nual funding for FY15 infrastructure improvements.
The capital/equipment plan anticipates additional in-
creases of $166,300 in each of the next four budget years
FY15 through FY18in order to bring funding levels to
the projected steady state of maintenance and improvements.
Personnel
No positions have been eliminated. One full-time po-
sition has been added using stormwater (85 percent) and
water/sewer (15 percent) funds to meet new requirements.
Other positions have been adjusted somewhat resulting in
a net increase of 1.10 FTE including the new Department
of Public Works (DPW) stormwater position. General fund
personnel costs are essentially the same as FY14.
Cost of living allowances and step increases are built into
all employee wage and salary accounts consistent with collec-
tive bargaining agreements and personnel policies. For this
budget, that represents a 2.25 percent contracted adjustment
for fire union employees. A 1.5 percent adjustment for all
other employees is budgeted. Neither DPW nor police union
contracts are in place for FY15 yet.
Operating
No major changes or reductions operating costs are pro-
posed. As with prior years, many lines have been trimmed to
stay within fiscal guidelines.
Heating costs for City Hall/fire station and the police
station have been calculated based on the district heat cost
estimates.
The budget continues contracting ambulance billing with
the city of Barre rather than performing this function with city
staff.
The Community Justice Center budget includes all
funding for all programs with commensurate revenue offsets.
There is no net property tax funding projected.
Other Funds
The water and wastewater budgets have both been bal-
anced. The wastewater fund is now in a small surplus posi-
tion, and the water fund is steadily reducing its deficit. The
budget assumes no water rate change, a 5 percent sewer rate
increase and no sewer or CSO benefit charge changes. The
rate structure for these funds is under review now. Funding
from the CSO benefit charge is being used to address new
stormwater requirements.
Tax funding for the senior center is held at the FY14 level.
This budget includes a net addition of 0.2 FTE as the center
continues to adjust to its new activity level. These expenses
are offset by anticipated revenues including larger contribu-
tions from neighboring towns.
The parking fund is balanced while including the new
parking fee increases.
The district heat fund budget is included representing
the first full year of complete operation. The general fund is
realizing approximately $55,000 in benefit from district heat,
$20,000 to pay the 2009 bond and $35,000 for DPW costs
to maintain and operate the system.
Community Services
The Housing Trust Fund is funded at $41,000, the same
as FY14.
The Montpelier Community and Arts Fund is funded
at $118,175, which is the same amount of funding as
FY14.
Community enhancements including Montpelier Alive
and various festivals; lighting and events are funded at
$31,000, up from $29,500 in FY14.
The budget includes $40,000 funding for the GMTA
circulator bus route.
Service Impacts
Overall services should remain about the same as presently
being delivered. We expect some efficiency improvements
through various internal changes as well as departments ad-
justing to reduced staff loads from last years budget.
Police: The police department has functioned satisfactorily
with the FY14 staffing level but has struggled at times to keep
up with investigation work and with crime activity in the com-
munity. This budget invests in more training for specific needs
within the department. Before the FY16 budget, we will need to
face decisions about the delivery of dispatching services. School
resource officer shared 50 percent with school is included.
Fire: The fire department budget eliminates the full-
time EMT-only position and replaces it with a full-time
firefighter/EMT position. This allows the department to
return to the shift scheduling, which existed prior to last
years budget reduction.
Fire Administration: Ambulance billing remains con-
tracted out. Duties such as payroll and accounts payable have
been shifted to existing department firefighting staff and the
finance department. This system has been only moderately
successful, and we continue to seek means of providing more
administrative support to the department.
Planning, Zoning and Community/Economic Develop-
ment: The Planning and Development Department budget
has been left unchanged. The department and public are still
adjusting to the change to a half-time zoning administrator.
Public Works: Last years cut to the street division
resulted in problems with both winter and summer main-
tenance. This was particularly evident with more funding
for projects and fewer people to work on those projects. The
biggest area that suffered was in meeting our mandated
stormwater management obligations. This years budget adds
a position back to the department, but funds it, along with
portions of existing positions, from stormwater funding,
which reduces the cost to the general fund.
Performance Measurement
In this budget document you will see that each depart-
ment has established goals and performance measures. These
measures will be reported on a quarterly basis to the city
manager, City Council and public. These measures will also
be used by the city manager and department heads to make
programmatic and resource allocation decisions.
Conclusion
It is my professional opinion that this budget directly
reflects the goals, funding priorities and financial limits
articulated by City Council.
General fund budget increase is under the 1.8 percent target.
Funding for infrastructure is increased as per the steady
state plan.
Two cent proposed property tax increase is limited for
infrastructure only.
The capacity to advance projects including district heat, the
Carr lot, bike projects, economic/housing development, commu-
nications and consolidation of community services is maintained.
Level of services is unchanged.
All community funding is maintained at FY14 levels.
I appreciate the hard work of our management team and
all city employees. We are pleased to present a fiscally respon-
sible budget that does not reduce services.
Thank you for reading this article and for your interest in
Montpelier city government. Please feel free to contact me at
223-9502 or wfraser@montpelier-vt.org with any questions or
concerns. I wish everyone a very happy holiday season.
K
e
V
I
n
c
L
a
r
K
A Message from City Hall
This page was paid for by the City of Montpelier.
THE BRI DGE December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 page 7
City Council Meeting
DECEMBER 4, 2013
S
everal downtown merchants spoke out
over the impact of the district heat proj-
ect on Montpeliers downtown commerce
during City Council meeting on December 4.
Confronting the mayor, the council and the
city manager, these business owners expressed
discontent over the citys handling of the proj-
ect, citing a fumbling of communication so
grievous that Cindra Conison, owner of The
Quirky Pet, described it as disrespectful.
The merchants asserted that proper communi-
cation between the city, the business commu-
nity and consumers was lacking and needed to
be handled better for future projects.
In an interview appearing in the Novem-
ber 21 issue of The Bridge, City Manager Bill
Fraser had explained the situation by saying
you put a road through someones neighbor-
hoodthe people along that street, they get
the dust. They get this so that everyone else
can drive over the road . . . theres always
winners and losers. This characterization es-
pecially rankled Conison, who organized the
hearing between the city and the merchants.
Were not losers; we are your downtown
commerce, said Conison. The bottom line
is no one ever talked to us . . . We had no idea
what was going on. Conison said she lost
about $10,000 in sales due to construction.
Robert Kasow, owner of Rivendell Books,
said, I also lost about $10,000 . . . We were
blockaded for the better part of 10 weeks: I
mean it was a blockade that would have been
worthy of the Cuban missile crisis . . . There
was giant construction equipment blocking
the whole store.
Kasow said the lull in his business was an
effect of the construction. We dont want to
stop progress, but we dont want to get run over
by it either . . . There seems to be some sort of
political disconnect that I would like to bridge
between the merchants and City Hall, he said.
Jason Jack Merrihew, one of the owners of
Sweet Melissas on Langdon Street, said, For
us, its been the new kid in town . . . an up-
hill battle just getting known and people to
respond to a new restaurant in a town full of
restaurants, [and] every time my door would
open, theres a cloud of dust that would come
through. Along with the dust, he talked
about water being siphoned from his spout
by the road workers and road work that set
the whole building shaking and drove away
customers. A grandpa, a grandma and a
grandchild [came in during a quiet period],
all smiles and happy [saying] I love what
youve done with the place, said Merrihew,
and then the shaking started again. There
was a mortified look on their face; they asked
for the check and left.
Only Yvonne Baab, owner of Global Gifts
on Langdon Street, had a markedly different
story. I attend all the Montpelier Business
Association meetings every month. I feel that I
was given a reasonable amount of updates about
things that are going on, said Baab. Most of
my complaints are with the local people who
just abandoned downtown merchants.
The merchants offered suggestions to the
city, such as putting up informational signs
to let shoppers know what the construction is
about and when and where it would be hap-
pening, putting money into a community
loan fund that some businesses could use to
brush the dust off and get back to work, and
instituting a moratorium on heavy construc-
tion during leaf season.
I certainly wasnt as aware as I should
have been . . . I do think the city should
have done more to reach out, conceded
Mayor John Hollar. However, he suggested
that fault also lay with Montpelier Alive, the
nonprofit. The city helped create it, gave
it space, gave it funds, with the idea that it
would be an independent agency which re-
ally was looking out for downtown, he said.
Hollars comments suggested that Montpe-
lier Alive had not functioned properly: We
do rely on Montpelier Alive . . . If theyre not
working for you, we need to find out some
other way. Hollar further argued that it was
up to the merchants to be organized in a
way that can present a voice to the commu-
nity and put it to the City Council.
Fraser followed by explaining that he felt
his offices top priority during the project,
besides coordinating the work, was respond-
ing to concerns brought to his attention by
the downtown community and described
a constant push and pull with Kingsbury
Construction. Virtually every week we were
presenting concerns that we had heard about;
we were pushing them to accommodate these
merchants and to understand what blocking
sidewalks meant and to understand what
leaving equipment meant . . . We put a lot
of effort about communicating with them
about those concerns, and I feel very badly
that, that did not come out to the commu-
nity in that way, said Fraser.
A representative of Kingsbury Construc-
tion explained that the district heat project
was a far more technically involved project
than simply laying water pipes, and the dis-
covery of even small inconsistencies required
that new schematics be drawn up. To give the
city and engineers time to redraw these, they
would move construction to another part of
the city in the interim, thus generating the
seemingly random appearance of work crews.
The representative asserted that movements
were communicated to the city and that [we
did everything we could during this particu-
lar and strange project.
Phayvanh Luekamhan, executive director
of Montpelier Alive, spoke in defense of her
group, saying that early in the year, Mont-
pelier Alive had been led to believe that an
outreach component was included in the
project bid. When they realized no outreach
was forthcoming, they scrambled to step up
to the plate in May.
It was really late in the games in terms of
our game plan . . . I think on Montpelier
Alives part, we were waiting to see what
the plan was on your part . . . People know
that its a city project, not a Montpelier Alive
project. Thats why theyre here talking to
you and not in my office talking to me
about the fumbles that are happening, said
Luekamhan.
No specific actions or remediations were
carried out by the council during that meet-
ing, but it is possible that the talks will carry
weight during a December 11 council meet-
ing, when councilors will discuss how to or-
ganize the Downtown Improvement District
fundmonies from which have overwhelm-
ingly gone to Montpelier Alive.
In other council news, it was decided that
5 percent of parking revenue would go to an
alternative transportation fund and that the
bike committee would be tasked with com-
ing up with a proposal for spending.
Merchants Confront City Hall over
Construction Fallout
9 Main Street, Montpelier 229-0747
Hours: MonFri 7am6pm; Sat 9am1pm
Capital
Dry Cleaners
Vermonts Greener Dry Cleaner
Free pick-up and delivery.
Same-day service available.
QUALITY REMODELING
& BUILDING
Conscientious contracting
Int./ext. makeovers & paint
Healthy whole-home solutions
Deep energy retrofits
Kitchens, baths, additions
Doors, windows, roofs
David Diamantis
ph: 229-8646 fax: 454-8646
Certified Green Professional
EMP/RRP EcoStar Roof Applicator
WINTER 2014
One-day workshop on techniques for
creating dry-laid walls with emphasis
on stone native to Vermont.
Upcoming workshop dates:
JANUARY 11
FEBRUARY 8
MARCH 8
MARCH 22
All workshops Saturday, 8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m.
Hands-on workshops held inside
warm greenhouses at Red Wagon
Plants in Hinesburg. Space
limited. Tuition: $100. Register
at queencitysoilandstone.com.
Stone Wall Workshops
page 8 December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 THE BRI DGE
The Montpelier School Page
A Message from
Superintendent Ricca
T
o the Montpelier Community,
December greetings from the superintendents office.
We are delighted to work with The Bridge to bring you a
snapshot of what is happening in the public schools that you
consistently support.
Recent trends in mainstream, national media have put
the spotlight on standardized tests, which is sadly mis-
guided in my opinion. Fortunately, the leadership and edu-
cators in Montpelier Public Schools do not allow such data
to direct our work; instead, it is one of many ways in which
we assess student learning.
I would like to take this opportunity to address standard-
ized tests and highlight what we are doing well. William J.
Mathis is the managing director of the National Education
Policy Center, a former Vermont school superintendent and
a current board member on the Vermont State Board of
Education. He recently noted that the federal government
ranked Vermont seventh in the world on science and math.
The only state that outscored us in the United States was
Massachusetts. Further, 73 percent of children in Vermont
attend college, up from 45 percent in 1960. My thanks to
Mathis for his detailed research, which demonstrates we are
doing some things wellin fact, very well!
That said, we always have room for improvement. In
Montpelier Public Schools, we are working hard to ensure
that all of our studentsprekindergarten through grade
12are educated in a manner that is engaging, thoughtful,
thorough and full of inquiry and passion. We are moving
toward a system of student assessment that is a true measure
of growth and development, not simply tied to a standard-
ized number. We are proud of what we have accomplished
and excited about our future.
What you will read below is just a glimpse of what we do.
Our faculty and staff are tremendous, student-centered edu-
cational professionals. Our administrators are forward think-
ing and collaborative. Our Board of School Commissioners
work hard to respond to the communitys desires and needs,
while honoring the professional educators in our buildings.
I am proud of what we do; I am proud of who we are. I
am proud to serve this community. I welcome anyone to
come and see us in action: it would be my pleasure to give
any community member a guided tour of our buildings. I
welcome your feedback and delight in the children of this
community. Enjoy reading about us in this issue, and thank
you for investing in Montpeliers future.
Brian G. Ricca, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Latest Technology
Applications at Montpelier
Public Schools
by Michael Martin
M
ichael Martin, the new director of curriculum and
technology for Montpelier Public Schools, has deeply
appreciated the warm welcome he has received from his new
school community. He believes that curriculum and technology
are inextricably connected and equally enjoys working with
teachers, students, parents, administrators and school board
commissioners. Martin thinks that schools need to help students
connect coursework with the learning they do at home, online
and in the wider community. Since starting in this new posi-
tion, he has been struck by the many strengths of Montpelier
Public Schools, notably in the areas of personalization, com-
munity and sustainability.
Martin is a doctoral candidate in the University of Ver-
monts Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program,
a senior associate with the Rowland Foundation and a com-
mentator for Vermont Public Radio. He previously worked as a
French teacher and teacher leader at Champlain Valley Union
High School. Martin has the following to say about the exciting
events he sees happening in Montpeliers schools:
Main Street Middle School
M
ain Street Middle Schools Team Summit (seventh
grade at MSMS is divided into two teams: Team
Sirius and Team Summit) is now using the open-world
online game Minecraft to re-create the ancient civilizations
they are studying in social studies. In their shared virtual
world, students are building 3-D models of key concepts,
including monumental architecture, the division of labor,
advanced agriculture and resource management. Student
Adam Blair worked on building a designated server at the
school last summer, and teacher Don Taylor has found
Team Summits work with Minecraft to be a dynamic,
problem-solving exercise that engages students, builds col-
laborative skills, and reinforces curriculum concepts. An-
other Main Street student, Will Rider of Team Sirius,
shared his Minecraft expertise as a copresenter at Vermont
Fest, a statewide technology conference.
Team Summit is also using Hapara, a teacher dashboard
that allows teachers to better manage the suite of learning
applications students now use in Google drive. In addition
to enabling teachers to oversee student collaboration and
submissions in electronic documents, the approach is also
saving some trees. The cost of Hapara subscriptions is being
paid for by a School Zero Waste Grant awarded by Central
Vermont Solid Waste Management.
In other technology news from Main Street, teacher Eli
Rosenberg has just been awarded a $20,000 grant to imple-
ment STEM curriculum as the Vermont state winner of
the 2014 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. Rosenberg
will now represent Vermont as he goes on to compete at the
national level for additional support from Samsung.
Montpelier High School
M
ontpelier High School math classes spent much of
this week working on computer programming in
honor of the national Hour of Code initiative. Teachers
found their students engaged with the inquiry-based ap-
proach to the work and developed new levels of persever-
ance as they problem solved. Some students shared that
they were doing additional Java script activities at home just
for funnot for a grade! Some female students shared their
realization that coding is not just for guys.
After attending the Rowland Foundations annual school
transformation conference at UVM last month, MHS
students shared some of their positive ideas for high school
in the future with the school board. By all accounts, Isa
Ansari, Fred Bashara, Reed Bingham, Aurora Brush, Ben
Field and Jillian Reed provided a moving presentation on
key areas for growth in the school curriculum, including
personalized learning, student voice, relationships and rel-
evance. You can see Ben Fields The Road Ahead online at
goo.gl/p9CtvC.
MHS students in the new student-directed Soar program
are using digital portfolios to maintain their work and
reflect on their learning. The Soar mission is to pursue
their passions through deep independent studies and real-
world experiences. It also teaches students how to maintain
healthy ownership of their education, while drawing on the
community for direction, inspiration, and support. Soar is
now accepting applications from MHS students interested
in joining the program next semester. For information, visit
Soar online at goo.gl/pBNuyc.
Students in Tom Sabos environmental applications class
are working with Gwen Lyons-Baker of Central Vermont
Solid Waste Management District to conduct a paper audit
at the high school. T.J. Dellipriscoli, Forest Hanson, Jen
Sweeney and Cody Therrien will be looking for ways to use
less paper as a way for the school to save moneyand also
save trees.
You can follow Michael Martin on Twitter @Mike_MPS.
This page was paid for by the Montpelier Public Schools and compiled by Richard Sheir.
Montpelier High School students work on computer programming for national Hour of Code initiative.
Sketch from Middle School student.
Reed Bingham and Fred Bashara present to the school board.
Model of ancient ziggurat built in Minecraft.
THE BRI DGE December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 page 9
December 4 School
Board Meeting
State Parking Lot Nixed,
School Budget Pending
by Bob Nuner
A
mong subjects discussed at the meeting of the Montpelier Board of School Com-
missioners, held on December 4 at Montpelier High School, was a proposal, from
the state of Vermont, to use a lawn adjacent to the parking lot for state employees
to park their cars. The state offered to pay the school for use of the lot, known in the MHS
community as the mud lot. Reasons for additional parking included the ongoing need to
deal with annual legislative session parking shortages as well as a general perception of a
state employee parking shortage.
Although the subject had come up in the previous board meeting minutes and was
warned on the agenda, board member Lowell VanDerlip suggested that vagueness in the
description about the subject in both the minutes and the agenda had the effect of veiling
its importance. Public interest in the question was pronounced, after robocalls were sent
out to MHS students families the evening before the meeting.
Following a presentation by Michael Clasen, deputy secretary of administration, and
Thomas Wood, facilities director for Montpelier Public Schools, about the parking pro-
posal, described as in the scoping phase, audience opinion was negative. A VSECU
(Vermont State Employee Credit Union) representative noted considerations for both their
operations and for the safety of state employees crossing Bailey Avenue en route to work.
Board member Michele Braun noted that increased maintenance costs could offset added
revenue, and a parent cited the possibility of high school students being blamed for break-
ins into state employee cars.
Board member Charlie Phillips suggested that the public should be more involved in
this decision and that his initial enthusiasm for the revenue-generating possibilities of the
idea had lessened. Eventually, a straw vote among the board confirmed that there was little
interest in pursuing the idea further, particularly since, as VanDerlip noted, board members
had received more queries about the parking lot proposal than about the budget. Board
members Ken Jones and VanDerlip both suggested that such a decision should take into
account the citys struggles with parking and whether such a project would be seen as useful
or detrimental to future city plans, such as Montpeliers aspirations to be a bike-friendly city
weaning itself from cars and the amount of real estate the city should devote to parking.
The board then received a presentation from the Montpelier recreation departments
director Arne McMullen. He described a level-funded budget, for a third year in a row,
although department expenses have risen, primarily due to salary, health insurance and
retirement expense hikes. These increased costs, McMullen said, could be reasonably met
with assorted increases in pool and outdoor activity fees. On the plus side, he noted reduced
fuel use at the rec center, attributing it to warmer winters and new roof insulation. Overall,
he noted some increase in adult programs and a bounce in younger program attendance.
The bounce in that age cohort, VanDerlip observed, echoed what the schools are seeing in
elementary grades. The board approved the Recreation Departments budget of $575,230,
which works out to 0.068 on the grand list. Chairperson Sue Aldrich commended McMul-
len for having kept the budget at the same level as last year.
After a brief discussion about procedures for completing an evaluation of the superinten-
dent, the board turned to the school budget, and Superintendent Brian Ricca reported that
the budget had not yet been finalized. He noted that the school administration had been
advised by the state tax commissioner that a five cent increase in the statewide property tax
program was likely in the next fiscal year. Board members questioned Ricca about timing of
costs for improvements associated with the anticipated move of the fifth grade to the middle
school next year. Funds for such renovations as the school bathrooms and conversion of a
locker room into a classroom will have to come from the FY15 and FY16 budgets. Board
members noted concerns about spending priorities, mentioning expenditures on bleachers
in the context of needed classroom renovations.
At the close of the open meeting, under remarks and questions, Thomas Wood stated
that the new hot water heat system at Union Elementary School was significantly more cost
effective than the old (1938) steam system and was performing well, although the school
would continue working out a few kinks as it makes the transition. In later clarification,
Wood said the school has redundant, backup, hot-water boiler capacity as it transitions
to the district heat-supplied hot water (which started to come into the school on Tuesday,
December 11).
Church Services
Christ Episcopal Church
64 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
802-223-3631
www.christchurchvt.org
Thursday, December 19, 2013, 7:00PM
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 5:00PM
Christmas Eve Family Service & Celebration
of Holy Eucharist with carols
Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 9:00PM
Festive Choral Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
Wednesday, December 25, 2013, 10:00AM
Christmas Day Celebration of Holy Eucharist with carols
Sunday, December 15th
10 am Worship, Lighting of the
Third Candle in the
Advent Wreath
6:30 pm Community Carol Sing
Sunday, December 22nd
10 am Worship, Lighting of the
Fourth Candle in the
Advent Wreath
11:15 am Blessing the Dinner for the
Good Samaritan Haven
Tuesday, December 24th
Christmas Eve
6 pm Family Christmas Service
with Pageant
10 pm Candlelight Service of
Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 29
The Fifth Day of Christmas
10 am Worship with Carol Sing
Collection of Food for
the Montpelier Pantry
Bethany
Church
Tere is no fear in
love, but perfect love
casts out fear; for fear
has to do with punish-
ment, and whoever
fears has not reached
perfection in love.
I John 4:18
St. Monica Church
79 Summer Street
Barre
479-3253
Christmas Masses:
4:00PM Mass
6:00PM Christmas
Pageant
6:30PM Mass
11:00PM Christmas
Concert
(45 Voice Choir, Flutes,
Trumpets, Bells & Drums)
12:00AM Midnight Mass
Christmas Day
Masses:
8:00AM Mass
10:00AM Mass
The Wise Still Seek Him
Christmas Mass Schedule
St. Augustine
Church
16 Barre Street
Montpelier
223-5285
December 24:
4:00PM
and
7:00PM
December 25:
10:00AM
North American Martyrs
Marshfeld
December 25: 9:00AM
Winter Holiday Services
Unitarian Church of Montpelier
130 Main Street 223-7861 unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org
Rev. Steve Edington, Minister Catherine Orr, Director
of Music Sally Armstrong, Director of Religious Education
Winter Solstice Service, Sunday, December 22
7 pm . . . A worship service to honor the longest night of the year and the
return of light amid darkness, with word and song.
Christmas Eve Services, Tuesday, December 24
4:30 pm Early Service . . . Especially for families with young children,
but all are welcome.
6:30 pm Traditional Candlelight Service
To Say Teir Names Sunday December 29
10 amthis service intersperses readings and the Hospice Choirs music
with candle-lighting to honor departed loved ones in a spiritual practice
of remembrance.
Childrens message from St. Nick,
singing, music, message, and candlelight
137 main St., montpelier (802) 229-9158 trinitymethodistvt.org
Christmas is Coming, Ready or Not! -
love breaks in when we least expect it
Triiy Unied Metodit Chuc
christmas
eve Service,
Dec. 24,
7 p.m.
HELP WANTED:
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
The Bridge seeks someone with strong graphic design and computer skills to as-
semble the paper, start to finish, including creating high-quality ads to customer
specifications, designing covers and laying out feature stories.
experienced designer preferred, but willing to consider anyone with a strong ap-
titude for graphic design and a high comfort level with computers and design soft-
ware. We use adobe creative Suite on a mac platform.
position requires strong interpersonal skills, ability to perform well under dead-
lines and pressure, multitasking, and ability to work with our team and the general
public to create effective ads.
Interested? For more information, please contact nat Frothingham: 223-5112
or nat@montpelierbridge.com.
page 10 December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 THE BRI DGE
Three Penny Taproom
BRUNCH
MENTION THIS AD ON SUNDAYS
FOR 5% OFF YOUR MEAL (FOOD ONLY).
GOOD THROUGH JANUARY.
108 Main Street Montpelier Vermont www.threepennytaproom.com
Vtto Tutusu Rts.ut.
Daily specials, fresh seafood & vegetarian options
Private space with dates available for holiday parties
Night-time parking with easy access for people with disabilities.
Pub Menu Available Every Day in Between Lunch/Brunch and Dinner
Fantastically friendly service, and the
food was great! I had the salmon.
Lunch: Mon - Sat 11:30-2:30
Dinner: Mon - Sat 5 9 Sun 4:30 8
Brunch: Sunday 10-2
107 state street, montpelier 802-225-6166
Bring the Holidays Back Home
At the Corner of State and Main the
Hubbard Block has been Providing Montpelier
with Gifts for Every Holiday Season Since 1826
This Holiday Season Pamper Yourself
or Someone You Love With:
Fine jewelry at KATIES JEWELS
A new hair style at ONDINE
Exotic crafts and beads at COOL JEWELS
A facial at HOLISTICA ORGANIC
SKINCARE STUDIO
Help Keep Montpelier VibrantShop Locally, and Bring the Holidays Back Home
But T&T TRUCK FOR HIRE is still available.
Give us a call at 224.1360
T&T Repeats is closing
CLEARANCE SALE going on until December 31
st
Tell them you saw it in The Bridge!
THE BRI DGE December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 page 11
George Spaulding at Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Photo by Annie Tiberio Cameron.
George Spaulding
Lover of Books and People, Embodying Vermont Values
by Lisbeth Dodd
G
eorge Spaulding, with his trade-
mark colorful T-shirts and long,
white mane of hair, is a readily rec-
ognizable Montpelier citizen, whether seen
behind the large oak desk at Kellogg-Hub-
bard Library or the counter at Bear Pond
Books. George, a genial soul, greets hun-
dreds of people a day at Kellogg-Hubbard,
his warm How may I help you today?
putting smiles on patrons faces.
A self-effacing Vermonter from South
Royalton, George milked cows on the dairy
farm that has been in his family for gen-
erations until he was 27 years old. Still a
member of 463 Middle Branch Grange,
George is proud of his heritage. I dont
mind milking cows, he says. I just dont
do it anymore. Since losing his watch while
milking, being a practical Vermonter, he
has never bothered to replace it. He notes,
I always just know what time it is, anyway.
Change came slowly to rural Vermont.
Georges family had one phone with a party
line. It was while listening in on the line
that his mother heard about the JFK assas-
sination. His family didnt get a television
until 1969. We got one for us to watch the
moon landing, he says.
He started school in one of the build-
ings that now houses Vermont Law School.
He went on to attend the University of
Vermont, taking six years to complete an
undergraduate degree in agriculture, while
minoring in history and English. George
remarks, Being on the longer path at UVM
had its benefits; it kept me from having to
milk cows.
George remembers being just off the
farm and quite unsure of myself, when he
began work at the UVM Counseling and
Testing Center. I never saw any of the
ghosts people say are in the centers build-
ing, but one of my first days on the job, I
did meet this guy flapping down the hall-
way in paint-spattered pants. He stopped to
say hello, and it turns out that he was Rich-
ard Does, director of the center. It really was
a great job. While at UVM, George was a
member of Alpha Gamma Rho, a national
collegiate agricultural fraternity and started
a speakers series there, still held by the fra-
ternity today.
After graduating in 1982, George farmed
for five years, then joined Ben and Jerrys
in 1987, working the third shift. He recalls,
It is still the best job I ever had, really fun.
First in production, then in the tasting lab.
But after 10 years, when they were going
through some transitions, it was time to
move on.
When he moved to the area, he noticed
that Bear Pond and Kellogg-Hubbard were
about the only things open when Id drive
through town on my way to Worcester at
night after work. Eventually, he says, Jane
Knight at Bear Pond offered him a job.
My job at Ben and Jerrys paid as much
as my two present jobs combined, but I
guess thats the way it often goes here, says
George.
Over five years ago, George started the
Bear Pond Mystery Book Club, at the be-
hest, he says, of Claire Benedict, one of
the owners of the bookstore. He proudly
counts the club membership at 160 read-
ers and still growing. The club is open to
new members, and George invites mystery
readers to attend the clubs meeting at Bear
Pond Bookstore the last Monday evening of
each month.
George is a strong advocate for com-
munity support for libraries. Libraries are
so egalitarian, anyone, rich or poor, can
come in and check out a book and use our
services, he says. Georges personal library
contains thousands of volumes, even after a
significant purge. I never run out of things
to be curious aboutthat is why I read so
widely, he says.
Georges life is a web of relationships of
people, books and the values therein. He
estimates his public contacts at thousands
per week, between his jobs at the library
and the bookstore, plus people who just
stop him on the street. They approach him
in grocery stores and local eateries and have
even rolled down their car windows while
stopped at a traffic light, asking his opinion
about a book or inquiring if one has come
in for them yet.
I love all these connections. It is what
makes this community what it is, says
George. But, sometimes I just like to go
where no one knows me. Like recently,
I wanted a break, so I visited the Calvin
Coolidge birthplace in Plymouth. What a
fascinating place! Everyone influences oth-
ers one way or another in Montpelier. Its
interrelatedness is what makes this commu-
nity so special. I wouldnt want to change
that.
George embodies the Vermont values
of independence and self-reliance. He ob-
serves, We dont need to import so much
food. We dont really need so much. When I
was a kid we got a box of oranges at Christ-
mas, and that was a very big deal.
The Staff of The Bridge Wishes Our Readers a Happy and Safe Holiday.
page 12 December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 THE BRI DGE
Eleventh-Hour
Showstopper
Gasoline Wholesaler/Retailer
Skip Vallee Appeals
Black Bear Biodiesels Permit
Design & Build
Custom Energy-Efcient Homes
Additions Timber Frames
Weatherization Remodeling
Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring
Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork
223-3447
clarconstruction.com
New CoNstruCtioN
reNovatioNs
woodworkiNg
geNeral CoNtraCtiNg
First Annual New Year's Eve
Chili Cook-Off
December 31, 2013 13:30 pm
Langdon Street, Montpelier (if inclement weather, in City Center)
Warm your heart and belly on New Years Eve by tasting deli-
cious chili made by your favorite local restaurants and vote
for a winner. Event is FREE of charge!
In addition to the Cook-O, there will be music and activities for kids:
face painting, snow sculptures, games and more.
Generously sponsored by
by Ricka McNaughton
I
n the close-knit business community of
tiny Plainfield, Vermont, where friendly
competition goes without much saying, a
permit dispute has arisen between two re-
cent arrivals. The business owners involved
have markedly different ideologies concern-
ing free enterprise, and one of them has now
prevented the other from opening his doors,
at least temporarily.
Entrepreneur Jim Malloy plans to convert
waste cooking oil from area restaurants into a
biodiesel product that can fuel vehicles as well
as heat homes and businesses. At Black Bear
Biodiesel, his shop on Route 2, Malloy wants
to collect and process waste oil, sell fuel and
seasonally host a small rotation of outdoor
food carts. Plainfield resident Peter Young
owns the building, not the business, but has a
collegial interest in his tenants success. Mal-
loy had been all set for his grand opening in
early November until someone brought him
up short. That someone was R.L. Skip Val-
lee, CEO of R.L. Vallee, Inc., owner of the
Maplefields chain of 38 convenience stores/
gas stations in Vermont, New York and New
Hampshire. And now Plainfield.
Last month, Vallee filed an appeal of
Black Bears permit with the Environmental
Division of the Vermont Superior Court,
alleging that it wasnt issued in accord with
the policies, purposes, or terms of the plan
or bylaws of the Town of Plainfield. This
effectively blocks Black Bear from doing
business until the appeal resolves. Its not
the first hardball Vallees thrown.
Vallees company recently purchased and
undertook a costly renovation, completed
last month, of the former Tims Conve-
nience Store and gas pumps, now rechris-
tened Maplefields Twinfield. Its a gleam-
ing, impressively designed expansion that
takes creative advantage of the existing site.
Many appreciate what it has to offer.
That business is a half mile from the
building Black Bear Diesel now occupies.
After buying Tims, Vallee purchased at
auction a foreclosed Plainfield food and
gas business called the Red Store, the only
other such place in town. Peter Young
had also hoped to buy and reinvigorate
the Red Store, once a community hub,
but Vallee outbid all comers. Then, Vallee
promptly relisted the Red Store for sale
with a noncompete clause hooked to the
deed. It could no longer be a convenience
store or sell gasoline or groceries. In the
year since, the Red Store has stood vacant
and unsold.
Young subsequently bought the property
that now houses Black Bear Biodiesel. It sits
just a french frys throw from Vallees Red
Store and shares a continuous blacktop. For
years, under various former owners, the two
properties have had an accommodating, re-
ciprocal right-of-way arrangement. Vallee
has proved less accommodating.
Malloy said that a letter he received from
Vallees attorney last July claimed that Black
Bears proposed food carts and fuel pumps
were located in the reserved circulation and
parking area. Peter Young phoned Vallee to
try and work things out, but Vallee opposed
his and Malloys wishes. We acquiesced [to
a disappointing compromise], said Malloy,
because the fledgling business just needs
to open its doors and start selling some
biodiesel. All appeared settled, until now.
Vallee seems drawn to roles involving
competitive strategy. In addition to growing
Maplefields, Vallee serves as a high-level
Republican loyalist, having been variously
a prospective candidate, campaign manager
and presidential appointee.
Last spring when international buying
club giant Costco received an Act 250 per-
mit to offer self-serve pumps at its Col-
chester, Vermont, warehouse, bringing the
threat of lower-priced gas to his market area,
Vallee and a few other dealers appealed, cit-
ing traffic issues and the danger posed by
gasoline pumps to nearby wetlands. Vallee
is both a wholesaler and a retailer.
Having a personal profit motive does not
preclude someone from having a persuasive
environmental point. The Vermont Agency
of Natural Resources subsequently ruled a
significant portion of the Costco site a Class
II wetland. Its not certain yet whether the
ruling will sink Costcos plans. It certainly
bogged things down.
In 2012, Vermonts independent U.S.
Senator Bernie Sanders called upon the
Federal Trade Commission to determine if
some gasoline dealers in Chittenden County
were colluding to keep prices high in that
region. Thats one of Vallees market areas.
When Sanders later backed Costcos plan
to sell cheaper gas, Vallee launched an at-
tack video positioning the widely perceived
champion of the little guy as a big busi-
ness corporate crony and looming danger to
Vermonts environment.
When asked about the impetus for his ap-
peal, Vallee reported via e-mail exchanges,
Our issues with our neighbor on biodiesel
are settled. We had asked the town to make
clear this [permit] was for biodiesel only since
no evidence was presented relating to factors
for other uses. In a clarification he added, I
dont believe [Black Bears] final application
had any food vendor use proposal.
An application document obtained from
the Environmental Court makes clear refer-
ence to the food trucks. According to Janice
Walrafen, chair of the Plainfield Develop-
ment Review Board, The food carts were
noted and discussed throughout the applica-
tion process. But because they are seasonal
. . . less than six months a year . . . we did
not feel they required a conditional use
permit.
Vallees appeal of Black Bear Biosdiesels
permit is set for a status conference in the
Environmental Division of Superior Court
in January. At a special meeting held on
December 4, Plainfields select board de-
cided that the town of Plainfield will make
an appearance.
More background on this issue can be found
in a pair of articles the author previously wrote
for the November 7, 2013, issue of The Bridge:
The Refueling of Plainfield and the compan-
ion piece Who Is Skip Vallee?
recycle this paper
THE BRI DGE December 21, J anuary 8, 2013 page 13
Have You Seen The Cow Cab?
Whether you need a ride
to the airport or just
around town, Capital
Cab and Car Service will
get you there!
capitalcabvt.com
Montpeliers Only Comprehensive Pilates Studio.
Now offering reformer classes and private sessions 6 days a week at
81 River Street, on the backside of the building. Call 262-1500 or visit www.essentialptp.com
Come Support
Rhythm of the Rein
Therapeutic Riding Program
Wed., February 5, 2014
Sponsored By
St. Johnsbury Academy
All proceeds go to supporting
Rhythm of the Rein
Therapeutic Riding Program
in Marshfeld, VT.