In musing
Red hot hoops
Thank your sweethearts for perfect imperfections
Boys win, girls lose squeaker on the court
Page 5
Page 10
Volume 53 Number 6
DEI member seeks board seat
ECRWSSEDDM
shelburnenews.com
Boxed in
February 8, 2024
Shelburne selectboard approves $13 million town budget LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The Shelburne Selectboard last week unanimously adopted its 2025 budget with $13 million in spending, a roughly 21 percent increase over last year. With a 2 percent increase in the grand list, residents can expect to see a 3.39 percent increase in taxes with an estimated municipal tax rate of 51 cents. That’s up from the town’s current tax rate — just shy of 50 cents. Of the $13 million, $8.8 million will be raised by property taxes. Other spending will be paid for through a variety of other revenues streams. “We have a decently diversified pie chart on that,” town manager Matt Lawless said. “It’s not 90 percent real estate tax. Between user fees, things like ambulance billing and dispatch charges, it’s not as reliant on just real estate.” In addition, the town is also set to receive just over $1 million through the 1 percent local option tax approved by voters last Town Meeting Day. Without it, the tax rate would have been nearly 6 cents higher. Shelburne’s budget this year sees an increased focus on two areas: investment in town employees and funding the town’s capital plan. Additionally, as the town continues to grow and increase services, public safety — police, fire and rescue — made up a large percentage of spending this year. “I would like to propose that
Two selectboard seats up for grabs
LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
The Shelburne Selectboard has two open seats up this election year and, barring any popular write-ins, the two uncontested candidates will join — or stay — on the board. Matt Wormser, who is seeking reelection to the two-year seat, has been a familiar face on the selectboard for the past two years. He says the decision to run again comes mostly out of enjoyment working with fellow board members, and the dedicated town staff and townspeople who are all “working toward making Shelburne a better place to live.” Chunka Mui will run for the three-year seat now held by Cate Cross, who is not seeking reelection. During Wormser’s tenure, the selectboard has taken on a slew of issues, with the major one being the hiring of new town manager Matt Lawless in June. Additionally, the board implemented a 1 percent local option tax to “diversify funding sources away from a near-exclusive reliance on property taxes,” he said, which has helped keep tax increases largely See SELECTBOARD on page 11
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Mike Ireland grabbed another series of photos of bobcats in the yard at his Shelburne home. This one, and a few more online, were taken from the window of his home office.
See BUDGET on page 13
Page 2 • February 8, 2024 • Shelburne News
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Attorney seeks case transfer for teen charged with murder Addison County prosecutor, accused of driving drunk, criticized for keeping victim’s family in dark ALAN J. KEAYS VTDIGGER
An attorney for a 14-year-old boy charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a peer has filed a motion to transfer the case from adult court to juvenile court, drawing objections from the victim’s family. Deputy Defender General Marshall Pahl, who is representing the teen, alerted Judge David Fenster to the motion during a status hearing in the case in Addison County Superior criminal court in Middlebury on Monday. Speaking outside the courtroom after the brief hearing, relatives of 14-year-old Shelburne resident Madden Gouveia, who was killed in the shooting in Bristol last October, said moving the case out of adult court would not serve justice. “I feel like it’s just being pushed under the rug,” Kelly Gouveia, Madden’s mother, told reporters through tears. Should the case be moved to family court, the defendant would be treated as a juvenile and the proceedings would be closed to the public. Second-degree murder carries a penalty of 20 years to life in prison. VTDigger generally does not identify juvenile defendants and
is not doing so in this case at this time. Gouveia’s family members on Monday also expressed concern about the lead prosecutor in the case, Addison County State’s Attorney Eva Vekos, who was charged Jan. 25 with drunken driving. “I hope it doesn’t hurt my case,” Kelly Gouveia said. “I pray (to) the Lord because it seems like everything is going against it.” Vekos left the courtroom without responding to questions from reporters on her arrest Thursday night or the defense’s attempt to move the murder case to juvenile court. Vekos walked briskly away from members of the press and into her office on the same floor of the courtroom. Asked if she had any comment on her recent arrest, she replied, “I don’t,” without turning around. The Shelburne community, and broader Champlain Valley community, has been in mourning since Madden’s death. The Champlain Valley School District has employed trained professionals, counseling staff and support from the Howard Center to assist students and staff. Madden’s sister, Nicole Worthen, started a GoFundMe page to help Gouveia’s father and stepmother bury the teen and said
the family was completely lost and heartbroken, especially since the family was still grieving the loss of its oldest brother, Russell Worthen, who died in an accident in 2020. “Madden was so full of life, so fearless, smart and had a heart of gold,” his sister wrote on the fundraising site in October. “We lost our oldest brother in 2020 in an accident, so this is our parent’s second son they have had to bury.” Vekos was arrested Jan. 25 after police said she showed up at the scene of a suspicious death investigation in Bridport smelling of alcohol and appearing impaired. Police said Vekos refused to undergo sobriety tests and was arrested for drunken driving, refusal. Vekos is set to be arraigned in that case next month. Pahl’s motion to transfer the murder case to Addison County Superior family court in Middlebury, which hears juvenile cases, is one page and calls for a hearing on the matter. However, during the brief court proceeding Monday, the defense attorney told Fenster that he was still awaiting an expert’s evaluation of his client. Vekos told the judge that she See TEEN on page 3
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Shelburne News • February 8, 2024 • Page 3
VTrans scribes craft puns to keep drivers, roads safe
ONCE IN A LIFETIME PRICING! STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD!
New federal regs could end the fun of a writer’s room in the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Together with Ryan Knapp, the agency’s Intelligent TransporRachel Noyes often laughs at her own tation System chief, they’re tasked with jokes, but in her defense, it’s hard not to coming up with messages to flash to drivers as they’re motoring laugh when you’re drivalong the interstate. The ing along I-89 and the The mission remains two have been crafting traffic sign is telling you the puns since at least to “Camp in the woods / the same — urge 2020. Not in the left lane.” The paramount Plenty of signs like people to be safe and purpose of the message that have popped up on boards is to enhance Vermont’s interstates in smart on the road. highway safety in real recent years — “If you time, Knapp says. That hate tickets / Raise your Theoretically, people means alerting drivright foot,” for example, will see the joke and ers that there’s a crash or “Visiting in laws? / ahead, or that there Slow down, be late” — have a good laugh, and may be black ice on that gently remind you the road, or that there’s not to drive like a maniac then, either consciously snow on the ground and but are also objectively you don’t want to have hilarious. Noyes ought to or subconsciously, take to call a wrecker to pull know, she wrote them. your car out of a ditch. “The thing that’s their foot off the pedal. They pair with so great about this is I national safety submit a lot of these and when I’m on the highway and I see these, campaigns put forth by the National HighI laugh,” Noyes said. “I think they’re so way Traffic Safety Administration, which great.” The outreach manager with the state See VTRANS on page 12 highway safety office, Noyes is one half COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
TEEN
continued from page 2 wanted to find out the results of that evaluation before deciding whether a contested hearing would be needed or if she would agree to the juvenile court transfer. Speaking after a hearing in early November, Vekos called the adult murder charge a “starting point.” “Being charged as an adult doesn’t mean he’s necessarily going to be convicted as an adult, but it’s a starting point,” Vekos said at that time. “This was a loaded weapon,” she said then, “and the behavior as far as we’re concerned was so, you know, reckless to an extreme where somebody’s dead because of it.” The 14-year-old defendant is accused of fatally shooting his peer on the night of Oct. 30 when a gun discharged as the defendant was waving it around in a car, according to charging documents. Vekos’ decision to file the adult murder charge against the 14-year-old boy, who is Black, as an adult drew opposition from civil rights and social justice advocates, including the Rutland-area branch of the NAACP. Monday’s hearing lasted less than 10 minutes. The defendant and his attorney appeared by video. Gouveia’s family walked into the courtroom near the end of the proceeding. Kelly Gouveia said she didn’t even know that a hearing had been scheduled
in the case until Friday — and only then because she had called a victim’s advocate. She also said that Vekos, the prosecutor, hasn’t spoken to her about the case since it was filed in late October. “This is more hurtful than a lot of things,” Gouveia said. “It’s like nobody cares.” Gouveia also decried the lack of a secure juvenile facility in Vermont to house youth charged with violent offenses, a situation that has led to the defendant being free on conditions. Initially, Vekos had sought to have the teen held in custody, but after learning in testimony shortly after the shooting that he would be held in an adult prison due to the lack of a secure juvenile facility, she dropped the request. Kelly Gouveia and other family members wore T-shirts to the court hearing Monday with an image of Madden Gouveia on them. She described her son as a bright teen who was quick with a smile. She said he “fell in with the wrong crowd,” ultimately resulting in his death. “He deserves justice, he really does,” Kelly Gouveia said. She added of the teen charged with killing her son, “I just want him to take responsibility.”
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Page 4 • February 8, 2024 • Shelburne News
CRIME & COURTS Shelburne Police Blotter: Jan. 29 - Feb. 4 Total reported incidents: 50 Traffic stops: 3 Medical emergencies: 22 Suspicious incidents: 5 Domestic incidents: 1 Agency assists: 4 Welfare check: 1 Car crash: 1 Animal problem: 3 Fire: 1 Noise Disturbance: 1 Theft: 1 Fraud: 2 Vandalism: 1 Pending investigations: 3 Jan. 29 at 4:53 p.m., a stray dog running loose along Shelburne Road was found and reunited with its owner. Jan. 30 at 9:36 a.m., police received a call that a guest had damaged property while leaving Harbor Place. The incident is under investigation. Jan. 30 at 5:18 p.m., a fraud was reported at the Shelburne Shopping Park and is under investigation. Jan. 30 at 9:11 p.m., a domestic disturbance was reported at the Countryside Motel, but police could not find the individuals involved in the incident. Jan. 31 at 6:14 a.m., a two-car crash was reported on Dorset Street
and Barstow Road with no injuries. Jan. 31 at 3:28 p.m., Shelburne Fire and Rescue, as well as emergency services from Charlotte and Hinesburg, were called to Simmons Drive to help extinguish a chimney fire. No injuries were reported. Feb. 3 at 7:53 a.m., a fraud complaint was called in to police. The incident is under investigation. Feb. 3 at 5:39 p.m., Shelburne Fire assisted the Charlotte Fire and Rescue service with a chimney fire in Charlotte. Feb. 4 at 4:20 p.m., a caller reported a goat wandering about on Lakeview Drive. Police arrived and took the goat into custody. Feb. 4 at 5:26 p.m., a Spear Street resident reported a theft of items from their residence. The case is under investigation. Feb. 4 at 8:56 p.m., a caller from Falls Road told police they heard individuals partying in the LaPlatte Nature Park, but officers could not find any evidence of a good time. Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.
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Private security guard jailed for impersonating federal agent MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT
A private security guard who authorities say falsely claimed he was both a federal agent and former Marine was ordered jailed Monday after appearing in federal court on fraudulent impersonation charges. Brandon Anderson, 34, of Williston, had been providing armed protection through a private security firm for a Williston building leased by the Federal Emergency Management Agency until he was fired last Friday, officials said. South Burlington Police confirmed this week that it had an incident with Anderson claiming to be a federal agent during an incident at the University Mall three months ago, court records note. The latest case unfolded when the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department received a call from the FedEx office in Williston on Wednesday, Jan. 31, about a man dressed in full tactical gear and a wearing a holstered gun, U.S. Homeland Security Investiga-
tions said in court records, which vest and a black tactical uniform also noted he was attempting to with black body armor with no ship numerous firearms to New patches except for a small insigYork. nia on the vest, records show. A Chittenden deputy sheriff, FedEx said it would not ship who is an actual retired federal the guns that Anderson wanted agent himself, spoke to Anderson to send to his employer, Strateover the phone and asked several gic Security Corp. of Smithtown, questions, but soon became suspi- N.Y., records show. cious. Anderson claimed he was Anderson appeared briefly in a “DHS agent” federal court (U.S. Department Monday and The government of Homeland the prosecuSecurity) and was tion asked for a said it considered trying to ship the three-day delay Brandon Anderson guns to a private in the detention company, court hearing to allow both a danger records show. it to further When asked if he investigate to the community was a sworn law the defendant, enforcement offiwho authoriand a risk to flee. cer — somebody ties believe to who carries a be from Greenfirearm, badge and has full arrest wood, Ind. powers — the suspect responded Magistrate Judge Kevin Doyle yes, records show. agreed to continue the hearing The deputy sheriff and Home- until Thursday after ruling there land Security Investigations was initial evidence Anderson agents responded to the FedEx might be a risk to flee or for office on Marshall Avenue and non-appearance. The government observed Anderson in full gear with a personal identity verificaSee ANDERSON on page 13 tion card on the right side of his
Shelburne News • February 8, 2024 • Page 5
OPINION
Thank your sweethearts for perfect imperfections be without it. To help, here are some examples you can write in your Valentine’s Day card. Carole Vasta Folley Thank you for snoring and keeping me up all night As another Valentine’s Day even though I kicked you at approaches, let’s ignore the 3 a.m. repeatedly because the commercialism of the holiday buzz-sawing was interminable as and instead tell our sweetheart I imagined moving to that we love them. In another room, house or writing. There’s no continent for my sanity. better way to let them I love you. know they matter. Thank you for Let’s face it, some dismantling every days it’s more chalstoryline of the murder lenging to write a love mysteries we watch, letter than others. But wringing out all the I submit that even our joy of the show as grievances toward you cleverly point out our partner are worth Carole Vasta Folley character deficiencies appreciating. I’ve and implausible plots. I long believed that our love you. significant other’s Thank you for watering our bothersome behaviors might be what we’d miss most if they were plants relentlessly and stalwartgone. It’d be their idiosyncrasies, ly believing you have a green thumb even though the ficus peccadillos and annoying habits wilts at the very sight of you. I we’d long for, reminisce about, love you. and deeply miss. Thank you for taking outraSo, don’t wait to appreciate geously long showers that make your beloved’s irksome behavour bathroom a rainforest as you ior — celebrate it now. Valenstrip all natural oils from your tine’s Day is the perfect time to acknowledge their ridiculousness body so your skin is dry and itchy. An extra hug for not using and how empty your life would
In Musing
the bath mat so all the water puddles on the floor. I love you. Thank you for always opening the new milk, never-minding there’s a three-quarters-full carton right next to it. I love you. Thank you for making dinner once every six months. Watching you cook in such delightful slow motion, the speed of which would make a sloth look sprightly, brightens my world. I’m sure if I stayed up ‘til midnight, it’d be delicious. I love you. Thank you for getting the last teeny-tiny morsel of peanut butter out of the jar. The way your knife clangs away incessantly, scraping the glass like fingernails on a chalkboard, no words can describe such joy. I love you. Thank you for storing your clean laundry in the dryer. And for not replacing toilet paper rolls because they magically reappear themselves. I love you. Thank you for thinking President Joe Biden is texting you. Directly. I love you. Thank you for managing to See IN MUSING on page 6
Letters to the Editor Act 127 changes may mean changes to school budget To the Editor: At its Jan. 23 board meeting, the Champlain Valley School District’s board of directors approved the proposed 20242025 budget to be presented to voters on Town Meeting Day ballots. The proposed budget is now a warned article on the ballot. However, the Vermont Legislature is currently considering changes to Act 127, the new education funding law. That review may require us to modify our proposed school district budget and, possibly, when we vote on the upcoming school year’s ballot articles. We wanted to let all of our community members know that we are aware of this and will do our best to keep you informed as
we learn more. We will reschedule community presentations about the proposed budget and will update associated materials when we have clarity. Rene Sanchez, superintendent, Champlain Valley School District
Unions urge Legislature to pass family leave The following letter was sent to Vermont lawmakers. To the Editor: We represent thousands of union members across Vermont industries and towns and write in support of strong paid family and medical leave legislation. We are experiencing a caregiving crisis: Many people in Vermont can’t afford to be with their families in the moments that
matter most. At some point in our lives, nearly all of us will need to take time away from work to recover from a serious illness, welcome a new child or care for or grieve the loss of a close loved one. The Family and Medical Leave Act has proven to be a successful workplace protection in which workers have access to unpaid job-protected leave. FMLA is not without shortcomings. Many small employers are exempt, and taking time off without getting paid simply isn’t an option for most people. H.66, a House-passed paid family and medical leave bill, is the unfinished business of FMLA. No one should have to choose between their paycheck or being with their families See LETTERS on page 11
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Page 6 • February 8, 2024 • Shelburne News
Don’t destroy Act 127 because one part needs fixing rates. There are many economic and political pressures on FY2025 school budgets that seem to be creating a perfect Marc B. Schauber economic storm. Act 127 is not one of those pressures. Act 127 of 2022, the law that correctLet’s consider the upward pressures ed 25 years of injustice in our education on school budgets, many of which existed funding system, is a good law. long before Act 127: inflation, double It allows all children in Vermont to digit increases for health insurance for the receive an excellent education regardless past several years, and the common level of their background or zip code, all while of appraisal, just to name a few. Other supporting local control and decision pressures have been ratcheted up for a making. variety of complex reasons. The bill that led to Act 127, S.287, Let’s take special education. The passed almost every committee review recent implementation of Act 173 of 2018 unanimously, then passed both the changed how the state pays for special House and the Senate with unanimous education services from a model of voice votes, and the governor signed it. partially reimbursing costs incurred to a Hundreds of Vermont school officials, teachers, school board members, members flat “Census Block Grant” dollar amount. Many districts are seeing a substantial of education associations, and citizens reduction in funding from the state for spoke in favor of the legislation. It was these services, putting a larger and larger among the most important tri-partisan pieces of legislation to be passed in years. portion of these costs on local taxpayers. of is another example. In Mental health Sadly, with immense andDiscover complex the beauty recent years, we’ve seen a major shift economic upward pressures on looking FY2025 results at Pêche! natural in how our schools provide the mental school budgets, many are mistakenly and COME SEE SARAH! COME SEE KELLIE! health support that more and more unfairly blaming the equitable fundingCOME SEE JASMINE! Vermont students require to be able to law for the sharp rise in property tax
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learn. In the past, most of that support for the education fund due to Act 127. was provided through the designated and During this five-year transition period, special services agencies, the county or Act 127 limits the increase in a school regional organizations that are contracted district’s “equalized” tax rate to 5 percent by our schools. per year, as long as the school district’s Those funds come from the state’s spending per pupil does not increase by general fund. For many reasons, the more than 10 percent. Important note: this designated agencies are unable to provide cap is applied before the common level of our schools and children with all the appraisal. necessary services they need, forcing The idea is to protect schools from schools to either hire staff themselves or experiencing an unmanageable, one-year contract privately with jump in equalized tax other providers. This has rates as the new funding Act 127 protects shifted the cost burden mechanism is implefrom the general fund mented. A laudable idea. schools from to the education fund However, that and, thus, local taxpayer provision is proving to experiencing an supported budgets. be problematic as it also Finally, some school creates a gap in revenue. unmanageable, districts are facing a fiscal How will that gap be cliff with the federal filled and where will the one-year jump in COVID-19 relief funds additional funds come coming to an end. Many from? In Vermont’s equalized tax rates districts used these funds statewide education to hire staff. Many of funding system, one as the new funding those hires were for school’s shortfall will positions that our schools be made up with higher mechanism is sorely needed and are taxes being borne by now seen as invaluable other school districts implemented. for the education of taxpayers. Moreover, our children. In many cases, the costs many of the districts that might bear that for those positions are now shifting added tax burden from higher spending from federal funds to our local taxpayer elsewhere are likely among those schools supported budgets. that Act 127 was originally intended to Many of these pressures have existed help. for years. Indeed, for the last two years The transition provision is problemone-time funds were used to artificialatic, and the Legislature should look at ly lower tax rates. While the relief was potential solutions to address it. But make welcome, it now causes what appears to no mistake, doing so will not solve our be an even larger tax increase now that education spending challenges. Until we one-time funds are no longer available. address major societal issues like health Mistakenly blaming Act 127 for the care costs and mental health care, we will impacts of all these upward pressures on have an ever more expensive education school budgets is inaccurate and does a system on our hands. Let’s fix this one disservice to students and taxpayers. provision in Act 127 but let’s not destroy Act 127 is largely expense and revea good law in the process and take our nue neutral. It creates a more accurate eyes off the real drivers of education allocation of education fund resources to spending. improve equity in our statewide school funding system. With one exception, a Marc B. Schauber, of Dover, is the multi-year transition provision, no more executive director of the Coalition for and no less money needs to be raised Vermont Student Equity.
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IN MUSING
continued from page 5 hit my bike every time you park in the garage even though I put that block of wood on the floor that tells you when to stop. I love you. Thank you for continuing to buy clothes that will in no way fit in your closet, while you wake up every morning thinking you have nothing to wear. I love you. Thank you for spending the entire evening cuddling with the dog while I sit on the couch alone. I love you. Thank you for always hiding a box of Cap’n Crunch in the cupboard even though you never eat it — thank goodness or else you wouldn’t have the roof of your mouth. Let me know when we can throw away the three unopened cartons of eggnog in the fridge. I love you. Thank you for telling me how it went in the bathroom. I love you.
Thank you for never walking the dog and letting me have all the fresh air and exercise, especially on those frigid mornings when I’m wearing two coats while I pick up dog poop. I love you. Thank you for playing a million games on your phone while we spend quality time together. I love you. I hope these sentiments have been helpful. I’m sure you have some of your own. A final tip? Make sure to also write about the things you truly admire and appreciate about your sweetheart. If not, I recommend you get your credit card out to pay for some flowers, candy, or maybe a legal retainer. Carole Vasta Folley is an award-winning columnist and playwright. Visit carolevf.com for more info.
Shelburne News • February 8, 2024 • Page 7
American tree sparrows are hardy winter visitors courts the female and defends his territory with song — a clear, high warble with a descending trend. Susan Shea The female builds a nest on Most winters, a few sparrows tussocks of tundra grass, or close to visit my yard, feeding on the seeds the ground among stunted spruce I scatter on the ground near my bird and birch or in alder or willow feeder. These particular sparrows thickets. The nest is an open cup of have long tails, rusty crowns and grasses, bark strips, twigs and moss eye-lines on their gray heads, and a and is lined with fine grass and distinctive dark breast spot. ptarmigan feathers. In it, the female Looking more closely, I’ve lays four to six pale blue eggs with noticed buff-colored patches on reddish speckles. the sides of their pale breasts, In summer, the tree sparrow two white wingbars, and streaked changes its diet, feeding mostly on brown backs. These birds are a wide variety of insects, spiders American tree sparrows (Spizelloi- and snails, and providing these des arborea), so named by Europe- protein-rich foods to its growing an settlers who were reminded of young. The parents must watch Eurasian tree sparrows back home. for predators such as hawks, owls, The name, however, is a misno- weasels and red squirrels. mer, as these “tree” sparrows are Although tree sparrows are still actually ground birds, spending numerous throughout their range, little time in trees. They are also annual Christmas Bird Count data known as winter show that winter sparrows, winter populations If you’d like to chippies, or snow have decreased chippies, for their significantly help wintering tree resemblance to in the past 50 chipping sparyears. Partners in sparrows by feeding rows, which are Flight, a global smaller and do not them, remember network of bird winter here. conservation to clean feeders American tree organizations, sparrows live includes the regularly and to keep species on its list throughout most of North America, of common birds cats indoors. except for the far in steep decline. South and Pacific Tree sparCoast. They breed across northern rows are generally undisturbed by Canada and Alaska and winter in humans on their remote northern the northern two-thirds of the U.S., nesting grounds and in winter seem including the Northeast. In winter, to adjust easily to habitats near roving flocks of tree sparrows human settlements, so the reason frequent wind-swept weedy fields, for their decline is not clear. marshes, hedgerows, woodland One theory is that intensified edges and backyards. agriculture in the Midwest and They forage mainly on the Plains States has eliminated much ground, scratching and pecking, of the weedy and brushy habitat hopping up toward bent weeds, and needed by wintering birds. In the even flapping their wings against Northeast, development and matuplants to dislodge seeds. These ration of forests may have had birds are almost exclusively vege- a similar effect. Climate change tarian in winter, consuming grass, could also be affecting their nesting sedge, goldenrod, other seeds and habitat or reproductive success. occasionally berries. They will also If you’d like to help wintering eat insect eggs and larvae. tree sparrows by feeding them, When the ground is snow-cov- remember to clean feeders reguered, tree sparrows obtain water by larly and to keep cats indoors. eating snow. These hardy sparrows These sparrows prefer platform will continue foraging during bliz- and other tray feeders or ground zards. They stay in touch with other feeding. They will come to black members of their flock with high, oil sunflower seed, thistle seed, musical “see-weep” calls and fluff cracked corn, peanut hearts and up their feathers so they appear millet. quite plump. Tree sparrows have Watch for these hardy visitors been observed roosting communal- from the north in your yard this ly under the snow. winter. In March or April, flocks of tree sparrows depart for the long, Susan Shea is a naturalist, sometimes perilous migration to writer, and conservationist based in their breeding grounds in north- Vermont. Illustration by Adelaide ern Canada or Alaska. They travel Murphy Tyrol. The Outside Story 1,500 to 3,000 miles, usually at is assigned and edited by Northern night. Upon reaching the northern Woodlands magazine and spontreeline of the boreal forest at the sored by the Wellborn Ecology edge of the tundra, flocks disperse, Fund of the New Hampshire Chariand individuals pair up. The male table Foundation, nhcf.org.
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Page 8 • February 8, 2024 • Shelburne News
COMMUNITY Community Notes Convent murder mystery hits Shelburne town hall Go With the Flo Productions presents “Immaculate Deception: and Then There Were NUN, a Convent Murder Mystery,” March 14-16 at 7 p.m., and March 17 at 2 p.m., in the Shelburne town hall. The production is written and directed by Sean Moran and tickets are available on-line through TheaterEngine.com or at the door.
Pierson Library presents series on wildlife habitats Also in February, the Pierson Library invites residents to begin a journey of discovery through a series of engaging programs focused on the town’s rich wildlife habitat. “Is Shelburne’s Wildlife Habitat at a Tipping Point? A Poster Exhibit of Challenges & Solutions” runs Feb. 1-29 in the firstfloor gallery. Delve into the heart of Shelburne’s remaining forests and wildlife corridors through a thought-provoking poster exhibit. Uncover the challenges the local habitat faces and explore potential solutions to preserve these natural wonders. Find out how you can contribute to the conservation effort. • “Exploring Challenges and Solutions,” is Thursday, Feb. 15, from 6-7 p.m., with a presentation featuring Jeff Parsons from Arrowwood Environmental and Sean MacFaden of Shelburne’s Natural Resources and Conserva-
tion Commission Delving into the comprehensive inventory conducted by Arrowwood Environmental, this session unveils crucial findings about Shelburne’s wildlife habitat and the significance of the forest block maps and how they can guide preservation efforts. • “Delving Deeper into Wildlife Corridors & Land Trusts,” is Thursday, Feb. 22, from 6-7 p.m. The second installment brings Chittenden County Forester Ethan Tapper and Charlotte Land Trust Director Kate Lampton to the forefront. Tapper will explore wildlife and forest ecology, emphasizing Shelburne’s remaining wildlife corridors and habitats. Lampton will shed light on the pivotal role land trusts play in preserving forest blocks and wildlife corridors. • “Who Moves Under the Moon?” is Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Vermont master naturalists Nicole Hernandez and Debbie Van Buren for a program designed for children. Uncover the mysteries of Shelburne’s wildlife through captivating wildlife camera photos and discussions about animal scat and tracks. A journey into the world of creatures in our nearby woods and neighborhoods awaits.
Black cinema, love in the air at Pierson library Here are a few things on tap at Shelburne’s Pierson Library,
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From left, Mary Scripps, Kimberly Rockwood and Halina Vercessi in an upcoming Shelburne town hall production. See note, below.
located at 5376 Shelburne Road. • Essentials of Black Cinema Series. This February, celebrate Black artistry as the library screens films by Spike Lee, Gordon Parks, Julie Dash, and Jordan Peele. Showtimes can be found at Piersonlibrary.org. • Sweetheart Cupcake and Pheromone Party. Find love via science and gather for cupcakes and romantic comedy. The Pheromone Party is based on 2010’s match-making events of artist Judith Prays and the findings of Swiss biologist Claus Wedekind. Arrive with a t-shirt that you’ve
slept in for three nights sealed in a Ziploc bag. Upon sniffing, participants can take their photo with any olfactorily pleasing garment bags. Next, the pictures will be projected in a slide show and a match is made. Afterward, enjoy the cupcakes and a classic 80’s rom-com. • Still Seeking Submissions for Poet Laureate. This is a two-year town appointed position that comes with a $200 honorarium. Do you write poems and just can’t stop? Would you like to be the poetic ambassador of the town? Email 3-7 poems and
a half-page proposal of a special project to Adult Programming Coordinator Jasper Oliver at Joliver@shelburnevt.org for consideration.
Asylum network seeks artists to help raise funds After fleeing life-threatening situations in their country of origin, asylum seekers face a years-long legal process. While they wait, these new neighbors See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 9
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Shelburne News • February 8, 2024 • Page 9
COMMUNITY NOTES
Shelburne Parks & Rec News
continued from page 8
often know no one here, are not eligible for most benefits, and not immediately allowed to work. Since 2019 the Chittenden Asylum Seekers Assistance Network has stepped in to fill these gaps, providing assistance according to each family or individual’s situation. Artists can help by sharing their creations and creative process through CASAN’s Arts for Asylum Seekers fundraiser. Last year, creatives from Vermont, other states, and across the globe helped the organization raise $9,000 for its transportation fund while brightening April with their art, music, photos, poetry and other creative work shared by email and/or social media. An informational meeting on Zoom is Feb. 22. Sign up at sites. google.com/view/casan-vermont/ arts-for-asylum-seekers. Email questions to artsforasylumseekers@gmail.com. Artists and other “creatives” — broadly defined to include visual artists, sculptors, potters, poets, writers, musicians, photographers, dancers, gardeners, etc. — will produce and share virtually their work, daily or once a week, for the full month of April. All ages and skill levels, amateur or professional, may participate. A participant does not need to produce a final product each day, but can share steps of a longer-term project, such as progress in painting a portrait, another line written for a poem, or a few more stitches sewn.
Funds available to help farmers paint their barns The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, in partnership with the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund, announces the opening of the Vermont Barn Painting Project to new applicants for the 2024 painting season. The Vermont Barn Painting Project reimburses active farm owners for barn painting projects that they undertake themselves, up to $8,000. Despite the difficult weather, the 2023 painting season was successful as a trial run of this model, with four barns painted. The application portal for the 2024 barn painting season opened Feb. 1 and will close March 31. Funding is limited, so apply early. The Vermont Barn Paining Project has been part of the Vermont landscape for years, with Angelo Pizzagalli leading the effort to restore barns to their former glory, through minor repairs and a fresh coat of paint. Pizzagalli recognized that many generational farm families who care for these historic barns may
not be able to keep up with the care these large structures often need. In collaboration with several different entities since 2010, many barns have been brightened and restored. Now, the program has evolved into the current microgrant format. “Our family is pleased to be a part of the effort to keep our important working farms viable and preserved as an integral part of our beautiful landscape for Vermonters and visitors alike to enjoy,” Lisa Pizzagalli of the farm fund said. To fill out an application, visit agriculture.vermont.gov/paintbarn.
Howard Center board elects new officers
Get your dancing shoes The Howard Center’s board ready for this Friday
of trustees has elected Kelly Deforge as its new president and Yves Bradley as vice president. Kelly Deforge is both a parent and advocate for accessible mental health services. A longtime member of the board, she is also chair of Howard Center’s Family Advisory Council, a member of the agency’s Executive Committee, and co-chair of the Development and Communications Committee. Deforge is a mortgage loan officer with Union Bank. Yves Bradley is a partner at V/T Commercial and has been a commercial real estate broker since 2004. Bradley is a member of the Burlington Planning Commission, a board member of the Chittenden Commercial Real Estate Association and is the past government relations chair for the State of Vermont of the International Council of Shopping Centers. Yves is a graduate of the Leadership Champlain Class of 2008, and of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce and Champlain College Excellence in Executive Leadership program in 2010. George Philibert continues in the position of treasurer, and Cyndee Sturtevant will remain as secretary. Trustees Heather Blackman, Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, Thato Ratsebe, and Gail Stevenson will remain on the board for an additional three-year term. Kerrick Johnson rotated off the board at the end of his term. Howard Center’s board of trustees is reflective of the community it serves — state regulations governing designated agencies require the board to have a majority of members who are or were eligible to receive services from the agency or have family members who are or were eligible.
The Shelburne Parks and Recreation Valentine Dance is Friday, Feb. 9 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Town Center Gym, open to kids enrolled in grade K-5. All kids must be accompanied by an adult.
Guests will dance the night away with disco lights and music by Top Hat Entertainment, take photos in the photo booth and enjoy snacks and drinks. Each child gets a takehome memento. Advanced purchase of tickets is highly encouraged. Ticket prices are $10 per child and $15
per adult. Purchase with check or cash in the Recreation Office. Spring and summer program information was released online this week. Visit shelburnevt. org/160/Parks-Recreation for complete details on summer camps, programs and special events for 2024.
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Page 10 • February 8, 2024 • Shelburne News
SPORTS
PHOTOS BY AL FREY
CVU’s Merrill Jacobs drives past St. Johnsbury’s Kaia Anderson during the Redhawks’ 52-51 loss to the Hilltoppers on Friday in Hinesburg. Left: Senior Tucker Tharpe had 21 points for the Redhawks against Essex on Thursday, beating the Hornets 62-46.
Redhawks’ hoopsters notch big win, close loss LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT
Boys’ basketball
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Champlain Valley 72, BFA-St. Albans 37: Champlain Valley came out of the locker room at halftime and went on a 15-0 run to pull away from BFA-St. Albans for a win on Saturday. Tucker Tharpe had 18 points to pace the Redhawks (14-2), while Jack St. Peter also hit double-digits with 10 points. Champlain Valley also got a win on Thursday, beating Essex 62-46 behind a near double-double from Tharpe. Tharpe had 21 points and nine rebounds for CVU, while Kyle Eaton added 13 points and Colby Morehouse chipped in with 11 points.
Girls’ basketball St. Johnsbury 52, Champlain Valley 51: The Champlain Valley girls’ basketball team lost its first game of the season to an in-state opponent, falling to St. Johnsbury 52-51 on Friday in a rematch of last year’s Division I title game. Zoey McNabb paced all scorers with 15 points for the Redhawks
(11-1), while Merrill Jacobs added 13 points. Elise Berger chipped in with eight points. St. Johnsbury’s Hayden Wilkins hit the go-ahead shot with 21 seconds left to get her team the win.
Boys hockey Rice 4, Champlain Valley 2: After going to down 2-0 after the first period, Champlain Valley could not come up with a comeback in a loss to Rice on Saturday. Alex Zuchowski (1 assist) and Nick Menard each had a goal for the Redhawks, who moved to 5-7-3. Zavier Barnes and Jack Brian each added an assist, while Tommy Barnes made 23 saves in goal.
Gymnastics Champlain Valley 133.5, South Burlington 124.05: An all-around team effort gave the Champlain Valley gymnastics team the win over South Burlington on Friday. Warner Barbic came first in the bars, Ruby Opton was first on the beam, second on the floor exercise and second in the all-around competition and McKenna Lesage came in second on the vault and the
beam for CVU. Jasmine Dye rounded out the top CVU performers with a secondplace finish on the uneven bars.
Girls’ hockey Kingdom Blades 4, Champlain Valley/Mount Mansfield 2: The Champlain Valley-Mount Mansfield girls’ hockey team surrendered two shorthanded goals in a 4-2 loss to the Kingdom Blades on Saturday. Sophie Brien had a goal for the CougarHawks (3-10-1), while Ella Gilbert stopped 27 shots in goal.
Alpine skiing The Champlain Valley boys’ alpine ski team placed three skiers in the top 10 and earned a secondplace finish in the Rice Slopeside Cup on Thursday at Cochran’s Ski Area. Marcel Nelson was the top finisher for the Redhawks, coming in fifth place in the slalom race. Sam Moore followed in sixth place and Quinn Bagnato came in ninth place. On the girls’ side, Kelsea Doyle was the top CVU finisher, coming in seventh place. The Redhawks came in third place in the girls’ team competition.
Shelburne News • February 8, 2024 • Page 11
SELECTBOARD
OPEN FOR BUSINESS?
continued from page 1 in line with inflation, even while meeting the desire to increase staff salaries to more competitive levels this year. As he looks forward to the next few years, he said the board’s work will largely address regional housing shortages and affordability that often add to quality-of-life issues in the community and working to balance the “equally vital need for open space and habitat.” With that, he said, comes a dedication to expanding pedestrian and bike networks throughout Shelburne. “There are further efforts underway by many dedicated town volunteers to expand pedestrian and bike infrastructure in town, along with a particular focus on improving walkability and safety within the downtown area that may require consideration by the selectboard and town voters,” he said. The biggest single issue facing Shelburne voters from a capital standpoint this year, he said, will be a November bond for a new wastewater treatment plant, replacing the current facilities. “Wastewater superintendent Chris Robinson has done a great job exploring a range of options to cover us for another couple of generations of town growth,” he said. “The new facility will go to voters in the fall.” Chunka Mui, who will run for the three-year seat vacated by board co-chair Cate Cross, may be a new face to the selectboard, but he has been an active member of the Shelburne equity and diversity committee. Cross, a fellow member of that committee, was actually the person who encouraged Mui to run this year, he said. “I believe that diversity makes us a stronger community and equity makes us better,” he said. “While my own experience is that Shelburne has a good heart on both counts, there’s always
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Chunka Mui
room to grow.” Mui’s family summer vacation to Vermont turned into a permanent move over a decade ago, ultimately settling in Shelburne because of “its beauty and charm.” “My kids were 8 and 6 at the time and they’re now 19 and 17,” he said. “After being homeschooled for a while, both went to Shelburne Community School and Champlain Valley Union. My son is a freshman at Oberlin and my daughter is a junior at CVU.” Born in Hong Kong, where his parents ran a small poultry farm on the outskirts of the city, Mui and his parents immigrated to the South Side of Chicago when he was 7. “My dad operated a laundry. My mother was a seamstress,” he said. Mui graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in computer engineering and has spent most of his career working on various aspects of corporate strategy and innovation, holding a variety of titles from programmer and researcher to business executive and consultant, he said. “These days, I am an independent writer, speaker and advisor on emerging technologies and organizational strategy. I’ve written five books, including some bestsellers, on strategy-related
topics. My most recent book is ‘A Brief History of a Perfect Future: Inventing the world we can proudly leave our kids by 2050.’” When he’s not working and traveling, he spends most of his time at home with his family, and also tends an extensive garden and a menagerie of goats, sheep, pigs and chickens. He is also a proud beekeeper, he said. The decision to now run for selectboard, he said, is because he believes the town is at a crucial point in shaping its future. With tremendous historical and natural assets, the selectboard faces a lot of pressing issues, including housing, transportation and infrastructure. “A key issue for the selectboard is shaping the development rolling down the Route 7 corridor in a way that is guided by and promotes Shelburne’s priorities, like affordable housing, walk and bike connectivity, open land and preserving the character of our town. I believe our opportunities outweigh our challenges and there is much the selectboard can do in the coming year but, as a friend likes to say, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” With his decades of experience helping large and small organizations with analysis, planning and strategy, “I hope to contribute some of that experience,” he said.
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Page 12 • February 8, 2024 • Shelburne News
VTRANS
continued from page 3 has an annual calendar of enforcement campaigns specifically for occupant protection, or impaired driving, for example. They work with local and state law enforcement as well. But over the years, the pair has written their own puns and jokes to time with the holidays, cultural events or the changing seasons, and they’ve become immensely popular. A Reddit thread posted last year showcased some of people’s favorites: • “No Valentine? / Your seat belt will hold you.” • “You may sparkle / But don’t drive lit.” • “90 is the temperature / Not the speed limit.” The agency in 2021 put on a contest to solicit feedback and ask for public submissions, and Knapp and Noyes said they were flooded with one-liners — which quickly became a lot to manage. “We got a lot of submissions,” Noyes said. “People got really excited about it.” They must work within certain boundar-
ies, of course. The messages get approved by agency leadership. And it’s much harder than it looks, given there’s a limited amount of space on the message boards. But the mission remains the same — urge people to be safe and smart on the road. Theoretically, people will see the joke, will have a good laugh, remember the joke, and then, either consciously or subconsciously, take their foot off the pedal. “People get numb if it’s just the same dry message over and over again, which I think is a great argument for the humorous and the pop culture messages, because just anecdotally speaking, it’s generating a lot of conversations,” Knapp said. “We hear co-workers talking about it. We hear family members talking about it. We see it all over social media. So, in my mind, the proof is in the pudding: We have people talking about highway safety.” But the party might be over. In December, the Federal Highway Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of
Transportation, released an updated 1,100page manual that spells out how signs and other traffic control devices are regulated. In its regulations, the agency strongly recommended against overhead electronic signs intended to be funny. Traffic signs, the federal government said, should be “simple, direct, brief, legible and clear.” In the following weeks, dozens of news outlets across the country reported on the new guidelines, with outlets like the Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press reporting on the federal government’s ban on fun. But the agency later clarified that, no, the federal government has not declared that there Shall Be No Fun. Their recommendation is to avoid humorous messages “because it may confuse or distract drivers.” Messages should “fulfill a need; command attention; convey a clear, simple message; command respect; and provide adequate time for proper response,” a
spokesperson said. Knapp and Noyes say the agency is convening a committee to consider all the changes that they will need to meet to comply with the new regulations. The new guidance gives a two-year window to make changes. It’s unclear for now how they’ll proceed — Knapp said that the agency supports the funny messaging. But he added that they’ll work with their federal partners “to better understand what we need to do to stay in compliance and remain in compliance.” For now, Knapp and Noyes said it’s their hope that they’ll continue writing their puns. “There are so many contentious issues in this world and perceived outrage and everything else. This is a way for us to relate to the everyday road user,” Knapp said. “We’re not the big bad government, we’re people just like you, you know, we have families, we have kids, we have jobs, we drive on the roads and we want to get home safe, just like everyone else.”
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Shelburne News • February 8, 2024 • Page 13
BUDGET
continued from page 1 we think about the budget in terms of allocated to increased wages. A Hickock and themes,” board member Cate Cross said Boardman staff analysis conducted in 2022 at a meeting in December, noting that for found that the library, among other departyears the town has been ments, was compensating underpaying its staff. “This staff at a comparatively “Between user year we focus on, for lack low rate. of a better term, a people “To get these wages fees, things like theme where we are actualeven to the middle of ly getting market value for the market is a heavy lift ambulance billing our employees.” for us,” Lawless said at Of the $13 million, $5 a meeting in December. and dispatch charges, “Where you see 10 plus million has been allocated to employee compensapercent changes in many the budget is not as tion as most departments of the departments, that’s saw a 10 percent increase partially a salary increase. reliant on just real to bring wages in line We didn’t do layoffs and with the current employee furloughs here (during the estate.” marketplace. With a total pandemic) but we didn’t health care benefit increase add a lot of staff and we — Matt Lawless kept the raises to a bare of 12 percent, an additional $1 million is allocated for minimum, below inflaemployee benefits. tion, and really fell behind on cost of living The library budget, for example is going and competitiveness. The board and I really up almost $100,000 with most of that money worry about being able to recruit well.”
The demand for public safety is also increasing, according to police chief Mike Thomas. Nearly half of the proposed $419,645 increase in the police department goes to salaries and overtime. Lawless said while the department was back to 24/7 coverage and 12 full-time officers in May, over the last couple of months that number has dropped to eight full-timers. Shelburne Rescue is also in the process of transitioning to a paramedic-level service while at the same time looking to increase its full-time staffing levels. However, the $365,377 increase will mostly be self-funded as insurance billing has increased nearly 80 percent over last year. The anticipated town wide reappraisal is being postponed until next year. Courtney Brown and Ted Nelson, the town’s asses-
sors, went before the selectboard in November to request an extension for the project to allow more time to study the market trends. In addition to the general fund, residents will also be asked to approve three additional ballot questions: $375,000 for a new ambulance for Shelburne Rescue, $1,000,000 for a new engine tanker for the fire department, and $100,000 for the town’s open space fund. After a dinner at 5:30 p.m., Town Meeting Day this year will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 4, where residents will vote on the floor for selectboard compensation and hear a presentation on both the school and town budget. Residents will vote on remaining ballot questions, including the municipal budget, by Australian ballot on Tuesday, March 5.
ANDERSON
continued from page 4 Homeland Security Investigations last Thursday that his agency does not employ security officers to perform executive protection, and employees should never describe themselves as federal officers, HSI said. South Burlington Police, which had been summoned, spoke with mall security personnel, who said they did not want him carrying a firearm in the mall unless he was on official duties. Homeland Security Investigations said Anderson reported he supervised four employees and would sometimes wear his full tactical gear while off-duty, including shopping at Shaw’s supermarket. Homeland Security Investigations resident agent in charge in South Burlington, Alex Zuchman, also confronted Anderson about his claims of having served in the U.S. Marines and listing it on his employment paperwork, court records show. Anderson had claimed in the papers he had an honorable discharge after serving Oct. 8, 2007, to August 13, 2011, court records note. Records from the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service showed he had no civilian or military service.
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said it considered Anderson both a danger to the community and a risk to flee. Anderson has been living at a Williston hotel and has been on the job since at least last July, but is now unemployed, Doyle said. Anderson has no known ties to Vermont. Homeland Security Investigations arrested Anderson at the FEMA office on Hurricane Lane in Williston around 2 p.m. last Friday, and eventually lodged him at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans Friday evening. The investigation revealed Anderson was involved in a case three months ago in South Burlington. He was wearing a tactical vest and carrying a gun during an incident at the University Mall on Dorset Street on Nov. 10, 2023, according to South Burlington Police. Mall security asked the man, later identified as Anderson, what agency he worked for, the man claimed he was a “fed,” HSI said in court papers. The man later said he was with “DHS,” and he was working a “protection detail,” Homeland Security Investigations said, adding Anderson was with a 46-year-old woman, who was employed by FEMA. A FEMA security supervisor told
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