Dear Editor,  As principal of Killington Elementary School serving children from ages 3 and 4 in prekindergarten through grade 6, I am writing in support of a “yes” vote for Article 5 on the town of Kilington’s ballot on March 7.  Support for the TIF is critical to moving forward with safety upgrades and community…

Why Article 5 is the best deal for the town and its residents By Polly Mikula The need for clean reliable water in Killington (and everywhere) is well understood and agreed upon by nearly everyone. The need for a village at the base of Snowshed and Ramshead is not. Whether it’s preserving a long-standing routine…

Leading up to Town Meeting, Killington Select Board believes residents understand the crucial need for water and road upgrades By Polly Mikula After the year-plus it took to get the town of Killington qualified as a TIF district to finance necessary road and water infrastructure, and multiple information sessions over the past month to bring…

By John Everett Killington Resort celebrated nine guests with perfect attendance on Day 100, Friday, Feb. 25. Pictured are Brandon Westburg, Leif Anthony Terjesen, Robert Berman, Bob Barrington, Patti Westburg, Young Namkung and Laury Gilliam. Missing from the photo are Emmet Rose and Rick Schirm. Resort President Mike Solimano and Director Amy Laramie joined the…

By Katy Savage The Windsor Central Supervisory Union (WCSU) board voted unanimously Monday, Feb. 27 to conduct an audit at each school as student behavioral problems run rampant. Around 40 people attended the special board meeting, which lasted about 3 1/2 hours. The meeting was called as a follow up to a Feb. 6 meeting…

By Karen D. Lorentz One of the nation’s most successful ski resorts since the 1990s, Okemo, like many mountains, had humble beginnings. The vision of its founders, the approaches to problem solving, and the hard work of its leaders, however, made a tremendous difference for the community-started ski area.  Okemo’s progress was tortoise-like steady for…

Nine candidates are vying for six two-year seats on the Rutland Board of Aldermen on Town Meeting Day, March 7. Four of the candidates  — Joe Barbagallo, Thomas DePoy, William Gillam and Carrie Savage are incumbents. The — Sherry Prouty, John Cioffi, Jr., John McCann, Alex Adams and Kiana McClure, are newcomers. Meanwhile, former state…

Voters asked to approve budget, purchase/renovation of new town hall and TIF bond for municipal water and road reconstruction  By Polly Mikula Killington voters will be asked for approval on three budgetary items on Town Meeting Day, March 7. Article 5 ($47 million TIF bond) has gotten the most attention over the past few weeks…

By Brooke Geery Editor's note: This article was first published on Killington Resort's "Insider Blog," Feb. 22. Minor corrections have been made for accuracy and clarity.  The vision of a village at the base of Killington Resort predates most of the current locals. But as the resort has grown and changed over the years —…

By Liz DiMarco Weinmann Editor’s note: Liz DiMarco Weinmann, MBA, is principal and owner of Liz DiMarco Weinmann Consulting, L3C, based in Rutland, serving charitable and educational institutions: lizdimarcoweinmann.com.  Pop quiz:  The story behind the Vermont State University administration’s decision to eliminate all but a few select print materials from its libraries, in favor of…

Project SELFIE offers tools to better navigate digital communications In response to a new emerging issue, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont has developed a new sexting prevention program for middle and high schoolers.  Vermont youth are sexting at a rate that may surprise many adults. According to the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in 2019, 27%…

By Rep. Jim Harrison This past week Governor Scott held a special press conference to talk about the need to maintain the $150 million his administration put in its budget proposal for purposes of the state share of federal infrastructure grants. Under the so-called bi-partisan infrastructure legislation approved by Congress last year, Vermont stands to…

Five candidates are seeking four three-year terms on the Rutland School Board of Commissioners on March 7. Incumbents Kevin Kiefaber and Cathy Solsaa are running against newcomers Mary McDonald, Heather Hauke and Ryan Carney as Alison Notte, the chair of the board, and Peter Fagan, who was nominated to the board in May, aren’t seeking…

By Brett Yates Pittsfield’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 is smaller than the previous year’s, but the amount to be raised by municipal taxes has gone up by about $100,000. “We had more surplus money last year than we do this year,” Town Clerk Trish Abbondelo explained. The town plans to spend $633,140.46, of…

By Brett Yates Vermont towns have a long tradition of electing their public servants, including some who occupy positions to which, in other parts of the country, they’d usually be appointed or hired instead. But in an era of waning citizen participation in local government, Chittenden may become the latest municipality to leave parts of…