Dear Editor, The time to act is now. The Legislature faces a rare opportunity to make Vermont more affordable for all. The Affordable Care Act requires renegotiations of all teacher health insurance plans before Jan. 1, 2018. This provision allows the state to save money by dropping the high premium or “Cadillac” insurance plans. Working…

By Angelo S. Lynn While Gov. Phil Scott’s coup to have the state negotiate teachers’ health care benefits has been the unforeseen show-stopper of this legislative session, that a bill moving toward legalizing marijuana made it to the governor’s desk is one of the session’s biggest surprises. Gov. Scott made it clear early in the…

By Evan Johnson BRANDON—They came from Thailand, Somalia, the Philippines, Canada, Sweden, Mali, Bhutan and more, but at the end of the naturalization ceremony at the Neshobe School in Brandon on Wednesday, May 10, 62 candidates from 29 countries left as Americans. The event on Wednesday afternoon filled the school auditorium with elected representatives, area…

KILLINGTON—Killington’s Parks and Recreation Department has a received $45,000 grant from the the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The Recreation Trail Program (RTP) 2017 grant will aid in the construction of 5.3 miles of mountain bike trails located on Route 100. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service announced a $25,000 commitment towards the project.…

By Karen D. Lorentz The high elevation CCC Road between North Shrewsbury and Route 100 in Plymouth will reopen this month, according to Stewardship Forester Lisa Thorton of the Rutland office of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR). Thorton said in an email to the Mountain Times that “Similar to previous years,…

Harriet Layton Bellerjeau, age 76, passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of May 1. She was surrounded by family, birdsong, and sunshine in her glorious garden. Born to William Young Bellerjeau and Ysabel Welanetz Bellerjeau in Plainfield, N.J., on Aug. 24, 1940, she earned her first degree in medical technology at the…

On Thursday, May 11, friends and families gathered at the Rutland High School Theater to honor the 2017 inductees to the National Technical Honor Society. Every year Stafford Technical Center inducts students to the society who have met the criteria of an 88 or better in the student’s academic classes and a 90 or better…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger A proposal to build a Dollar General store in Pittsford has been withdrawn, at least for now. The possibility of a store locating in town led some residents to post signs in their front yards that read, “We Don’t Want Your Dollar General.” Vermont is home to more than 30…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger With a historic vote Wednesday, May 10, the Vermont Legislature became the first in the country to send a marijuana legalization bill to its governor. The House passed the latest version of a legalization proposal on a vote of 79-66. With the House’s approval, the bill, S.22, moves on to Gov.…

By Lee J. Kahrs, The Reporter PROCTOR—The question of whether or not to continue employing a town manager in Proctor will go back to the voters next month. A group of Proctor residents secured a petition with more than 5 percent of the required voter signatures in favor of bringing the question to the voters.…

Powdr resorts recognized with top industry accolades KILLINGTON—At its annual National Convention and Trade Show held earlier this month, the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) gave select ski areas top honors for their 2016-17 marketing programs. The awards were based on successful programs that ultimately help grow participation in skiing and snowboarding, according to a…

RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph has acquired Highland Meadows Apartments in Rutland as additional dormitory space for students. The apartment complex will add more than 100 beds for students in the coming years. The two-building, 32-unit facility was funded through the USDA Rural Development Loan program. “CSJ has enjoyed a period of growth in its academic…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger A Rutland City panel has sealed $2 million for new outdoor swimming, with one voice of dissent. The city board of finance on Wednesday, May 10, awarded the pool construction contract to Russell Construction of Rutland, the lowest of four bidders at a little under $2.07 million. The next closest…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger Gov. Phil Scott has signed into law a bill that gives pregnant women the same accommodations in the workplace as people with disabilities. Scott signed H.136 on May 4 with no fanfare. The law, now called Act 21 of 2017, gives pregnant women accommodation under disability laws. The Senate streamlined the…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger The Legislature coughed, spit and sputtered its way into overtime Friday, May 12. Lawmakers were unable to reach a deal with Gov. Phil Scott and will return to Montpelier this week to try and complete their work for this year’s legislative session. When lawmakers arrived at the State House Friday morning,…