By Virginia Dean Proctor Town Manager Stan Wilbur will be retiring effective June 30 and, according to Select Board Chair Bruce Baccei, “there will be some big shoes to fill.” “Stan has been a great help to me and the board,” said Baccei. “We’ve gotten to be great friends, and we’ll certainly miss him.” Baccei…

By Ed Larson A lawsuit brought against Rutland City by has been dismissed Feb.7. Resident Mark Nowakowski filed the lawsuit in March of 2019 seeking to invalidate the city’s March 5, 2019 election. Nowakowski alleged that the city was bound by charter to issue an annual report by Nov.15, and thus failed to do so…

Staff report SOUTH ROYALTON—A waste management employee died Wednesday, Feb. 5, after he was trapped underneath a dumpster outside a South Royalton restaurant, according to police. Kenny Greenslit, 57, of Granville, was working in the parking lot of the Worthy Burger restaurant on 56 Rainbow St. around 1 p.m. when he got trapped, Royalton police…

By Katy Savage Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 was declared Louise Hansson Day in Killington. Hansson, who turned 90 Feb. 4, is one of the town’s oldest residents and one of the original members of Killington Active Seniors. All 25 members of Killington Active Seniors showered Hansson with cards during the group’s weekly lunch at the…

By Curt Peterson Windsor Central Unified School District Board members were joined by a standing-room-only crowd Monday, Feb. 20, as the FY 2021 budget and discussion of food service costs were on the table. Superintendent Mary Beth Banios advised the board and the public there would be no actual vote regarding adjustments necessary to match…

On Monday, Feb. 10, Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.23, a bill that would have mandated an increase in Vermont’s minimum wage. This mandate would have been on top of increases that already occur annually under current Vermont law. In his veto message, the governor outlined his primary concerns with a mandated increase: Fiscal analysis projects…

On Thursday, Feb. 6, Representative Peter Welch introduced bipartisan legislation that will more than double funding for the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Since 1991, RTP has provided funding to states to develop and maintain outdoor recreational trails, allowing millions of Americans and their families to enjoy activities such as hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling…

By Virginia Dean The contract between the Bridgewater Select Board and the Windsor Sheriff’s Department may soon undergo changes that would make the coverage of the town more consistent and prevent it from having a shortfall with a lack of revenue from ticketed offenses. The town currently allocates $245,000 for speed enforcement and other calls,…

By Rep. Jim Harrison Last week, the House failed to override the governor’s veto of H.107, paid family leave, by just one vote. Four out of the five independents and four Democrats joined the 43Republicans in supporting Scott’s veto, primarily, but not exclusively, because of the new $29 million payroll tax on employees. Virtually all…

Mini Shred Madness took place at Killington Resort  under sunny  skies on Saturday,  Feb. 8. The event was rescheduled from its original date in January, due to inclement weather. Grom skiers and riders, 13 years and under, took over Red’s Backyard at Ramshead for an event focused on getting a feel for park riding and…

After facilitating 14 focus groups with statewide Young Professional (YP) groups, the Vermont Futures Project released a report on Feb. 5 to pursue their three major recommendations and incorporate their concerns into the sustainable economic growth plan slated for release in the fall of 2020. The Vermont Futures Project wanted to ensure the voice of the YPs currently…

By Sen. Allison Clarkson The Census matters.  Two legislative committees were reminded last week of how important the data gleaned from it is for every state.  Each decade since 1790 the U.S. Census Bureau has conducted an every-household survey collecting data about our country’s people and the places they live.  It is the leading source…

Staff report The Killington Select Board is holding another public hearing on changing the language in its zoning ordinance and short-term rentals. The meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25 at the Sherburne Memorial Library at 6:30 p.m. Killington’s current zoning bylaw limits dwelling unit capacity to two people per bedroom. The bylaw would add language…

By Curt Peterson Following a public hearing, the Woodstock Select Board narrowly approved short-term rental regulations by a vote of 3-2 on Jan. 21. The new bylaw requires owners of short-term rental properties to register them and pay a short-term rental fee of $115 per property, plus $100 per guest room,  Woodstock Town Planner Michael…

Staff members on the Manchester and Rochester-Middlebury ranger districts of the Green Mountain National Forest have been working to develop a recreation strategy that is intended to reduce costs and maximize public benefits while balancing social, economic, and environmental factors. The Forest plans to finalize its 5-year Recreation Facility Strategy before this year’s prime recreation…