This Week in History (3/17 - 3/24)

10 years ago:
Wilmington and Whitingham voters attended an informational meeting for projects at Deerfield Valley Elementary School and Whitingham Elementary/Twin Valley Middle School.  Whitingham voters would be asked to approve a $9,475,000 bond for the project in their town, and Wilmington voters would be asked to approve a $3,978,00 bond for work at DVES.  Under the school’s (then) joint contract, both towns would share the costs of both projects.  The projects were part of the Twin Valley School Board’s consolidation plan, which included the closure of the high school facility in Wilmington (now known as the Old School Community Center), as well as an eventual vote to unionize the district.  The two remaining buildings became Twin Valley Middle High School (in Whitingham) and Twin Valley Elementary School (in Wilmington). 

15 years ago:
During an 11 1/2-hour Town Meeting, Wilmington voters staged a tax revolt when they voted to raise $1.3 million in town money to fund a nonprofit education fund, which would in turn donate the money to the school.  The money was intended to keep the school out of the Act 60 “shark pool.”  At one point during the insurrection, voters overruled the moderator and took over the meeting, noting that “We’re the governing body here, and that’s what Town Meeting is all about.”  Voters also slashed the municipal budgets.
Whitingham voters turned down the school board’s proposed budget by two votes in a paper ballot.  Voters were concerned about a 13% rise in the budget, most of which was attributed to increases in mandated special education costs. 

20 years ago:
Whitingham Town Meeting voters unanimously approved a motion to “contact Wilmington to reconsider the merger of the high schools in the two towns.”  Also in Whitingham, John Robohm upset incumbent treasurer Ed Mangold 183 to 147 with a write-in campaign. In Wardsboro, voters ousted two incumbent selectboard members.  The only incumbent returned to the board by voters had to battle through six paper ballots and defeat several nominees to retain the position. During a heated discussion about changes to road names in Whitingham, Ed Metcalf said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” to which selectboard member Steve Morse said, “That’s like saying ‘my underwear is comfortable, so I’m not going to change it.’  Sooner or later, it won’t be so comfortable.”

25 years ago:
Dover voters approved $25,000 as a 10% match toward a federal transportation grant for the Valley Trail.  Dover’s contribution also included some land.  The total cost of the project was estimated at $572,000.  Wardsboro voters amended their school budget, adding $4,193 for the school’s instrumental music program.  A former Dover Selectboard Chair took a current board member to task for arguing with another board member.  “One of your jobs is not to grandstand over another member of the board,” he said.  “You should support your fellow board member.”

30 years ago:
Developer Eugene Ettlinger unveiled plans for a “wellness center” to be built on land adjacent to his Tara Condominiums and Dover Watch time share properties in West Dover.  Ettlinger claimed the development would have a restaurant, fitness center, and 50 one-bedroom dwelling units.  Eventually, he said, an inn would also be built on the site.
Dover police nabbed two New York City residents who were accused of making counterfeit Mount Snow season passes.  At the time, a Mount Snow season pass was valued at $650.

35 years ago:
A St. Patrick’s Day parade was scheduled in Wilmington.  The parade would begin at the 1836 Country Store and end at Pettee Memorial Library.  Many inns, restaurants, and nightclubs around the valley offered a week of St. Paddy’s Day specials and entertainment.
The Fabulous Farquahr returned to the valley for a three-night engagement at North Country Fair.

45 years ago:
Football legend Joe Namath was planning to hold a boys’ football camp at the Sitzmark Lodge in Wilmington.  The lineup of instructors included Miami Dolphins player Larry Csonka and Penn State coach Joe Paterno.  
Readsboro Town Meeting voters approved a motion to add $500 to their $26,600 general fund budget to pay the legal cost for merging the town and village.  The voters declined to “compensate” the state for removing billboards from highways because, as one selectboard member pointed out, there were no billboards to be removed from Readsboro.  The Clubhouse Lounge and Restaurant featured live country blues by the Bucketville Bandits.