News

New bill hopes to address firefighter workforce shortage

By Tyler Lederer
VERMONT - Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill on Tuesday, February 8, to address problems in recruiting and retaining firefighters.
The Firefighter Staffing and Support Act would increase the allocated funds for two grants - the Assistance to Firefighters Grants,...

Gov. Phil Scott File photo

After many delays, Vermont schools can expect to lift mask guidelines

MONTPELIER- The state will begin lifting masking guidelines for schools with vaccination rates of 80% or higher starting February 28, Gov. Phil Scott announced Tuesday.
“As you know, before the school year began, our guidance for schools was to require masking until 80% of students were...

Town drops masks

Temporary mask mandate suspended WILMINGTON- The Wilmington Selectboard suspended the town’s mask mandate, effective immediately, during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday. They also discussed Lake Raponda and culvert repairs.
On December 8, 2021, the...

Sen. Education Committee members discussing weighting with UVM Professor Tammy Kolbe File photo

Senate’s draft bill transforms pupil weighting formula

MONTPELIER- The Senate Finance Committee released a 33-page draft pupil weighting bill last week, and this week the Senate Education Committee released their recommendation for funding English language learners.
Sen. Ruth Hardy, who authored the draft bill with Legislative Counsel Jim...

New chamber director settles in

WILMINGTON - The Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director. Bethaney LaClair took the helm in late January.
LaClair, who lives in Guilford and grew up in Brattleboro, says she’s long been a frequent skier at Mount Snow and has always thought it...

Whitingham will not hold Town Meeting candidates forum

WHITINGHAM - At their regular meeting on Wednesday, February 9, the Whitingham Selectboard discussed a resident’s request to host a “meet the candidates forum” for the upcoming Town Meeting election.
The board was unfavorable toward the idea. Board member Greg Brown noted that they had...

Dover hears quarterly fiscal update, town is not responsible for any Snow Lake construction costs

DOVER- The Tuesday, February 1 selectboard meeting was uncharacteristically brief, finishing in less than 20 minutes. The evening’s business focused on the economic development department’s quarterly update.
At the beginning of the meeting, however, chair Vicki Capitani provided updated...

Edee Edwards appointed to Halifax Selectboard, Roza Podlaski joins as administrative assistant

HALIFAX - The Halifax Selectboard appointed Edee Edwards to the selectboard and Roza Podalski as administrative assistant during their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 1. Edwards will serve until the upcoming election in May.
Originally, Paul Blaise had also submitted a letter seeking...

Town Meeting articles to be discussed in information session

WILMINGTON- Wilmington will hold its pre-Town Meeting on Wednesday, February 23, at 6 pm. It will be a hybrid meeting held at the Wilmington Town Hall and via Zoom. Details for logging onto the Zoom meeting will be posted at wilmingtonvermont.us/town-meeting-information.
At the meeting,...

Gov. Phil Scott

Omicron wave receding

Scott calls for 100 new cell towers around the state
MONTPELIER- The Omicron wave continues to subside, state officials said Tuesday,
“In Vermont we’re reporting a seven-day average under 400 cases,” said Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael...