This Week in History (8/25/22 - 9/1/22)

10 years ago:
On the one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene, the Deerfield Valley News took a look back at the flood damage to Deerfield Valley communities and the amazing recovery that had taken place over the previous year.  There was still work left to do in every town, however, including replacement of some damaged public infrastructure, and FEMA-backed buyouts of flood-prone private properties.  
John Grega was ordered released from prison on $75,000 bail pending a new trial after new DNA evidence in the case cast doubt on his guilt. Grega was also ordered to live with his parents in New York.  Prosecutors vowed a new trial. 

15 years ago:
The Valley Economic Development Group included representatives and business leaders from Whitingham, Wilmington, and Dover. The group was created following a dismal winter in an economic downturn that devastated the local tourism and hospitality industry.  The group’s mission was to look at short- and long-term initiatives to grow and diversify the economy.  The group was a result of a collaborative effort that included Wilmington Town Manager Bob Rusten and Mount Snow Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laura Sibilia.

20 years ago:
Whitingham Selectboard members appointed Seth Boyd to the Whitingham School Board.  Boyd replaced Arnold Coombs, who had resigned with plans to move out of the area.  
The Wilmington Citizens Advisory Group, or CAG, which had been disbanded after the completion of a draft environmental impact study of bypass options, sought to be reestablished.  Members wanted to look at other bypass options, including a tunnel.

25 years ago:
A shooting range proposed by Hermitage Inn owner Jim McGovern was on target for an Act 250 permit.  Although abutting property owners expressed concern about noise from the sporting clays course, District II Environmental Commissioners said they could only hear two of 16 test shots fired on the course from a nearby property.
American Skiing Company, owned by Les Otten, announced a proposed $250 million public stock offering.  According to the company, the money raised through the sale of stock would help fund the ASC’s recent acquisitions of Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado and Heavenly Ski Resort near Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border. 

30 years ago:
A scuffle at a Wardsboro Selectboard meeting resulted in charges against a board member.  The town’s road foreman filed a complaint claiming that the selectboard member had lunged at him and assaulted him while the board was inspecting a road.  The conflict arose over a resident’s complaint about the highway department’s work.
Halifax refused to close their unlined landfill in accordance with new state regulations. “To heck with them,” said one board member.
Whitingham Selectboard Chair Wayne Harris resigned his position to move to Pittsfield, MA.  Board members said the position would be posted, and then passed the role of acting chair around like a hot potato.  Selectboard member Roland Morse finally agreed to take the temporary position. 

35 years ago:
An Adams, MA pilot was rescued after a passerby witnessed his Cessna 150 crash in the woods near Heartwellville.  The witness had stopped on Route 100 to watch some Canada geese when he saw the plane go into a forced, acrobatic stall from which the pilot was unable to recover control.  The plane spun until it crashed in a remote part of the surrounding forest.  The witness, a World War II Navy pilot, was able to report a compass bearing, helping rescuers pinpoint the location of the crash.  Readsboro Fire Department personnel were able to reach the crash site by a nearby logging road, and the pilot was airlifted to Albany Medical Center with serious injuries.

40 years ago:
Diane Cummings was elected chair of the Wilmington Design Control Committee.  The committee was tasked with setting guidelines for maintaining Wilmington’s downtown village area “in its present historic architectural character.” 

50 years ago:
Deerfield Valley News writer Eva Maria Dane wrote about a planned community in Marlboro.  Church Hollow was designed by Cleveland, OH, artist and architect Jerry Weiss.  Several of the 33 houses planned for the 100-acre tract had already been built.  Under the development’s covenants, 80 acres would become common land, barred from further development.  Amenities in the planned village were to include tennis courts, a year-round swimming pool, as well as water and sewer services.  The price of a home at the development was around $75,000, at a time when many southern Vermont houses were selling for less than half that price.