Football Otters advance to championship game

The football Otters will face Bellows Free Academy in the Division III championship game at Rutland this Saturday, Nov. 8. The game will be played at 2 p.m. at Rutland High School.

QB John Winslow
(Burlington Free Press)

The Division III championship will be sandwiched between two other football championship games. The Division II title will be decided in an 11 a.m. matchup between Rice and Fair Haven. Middlebury and St. Johnsbury will compete for the Division I championship at 5 p.m. Separate admission - $7 for adults, $4 for students and seniors - will be charged for each game. Parking is limited. A shuttlebus will transport attendees from the Home Depot parking lot to the high school.

The top-ranked Otter Valley Union High School Otters defeated the visiting Windsor Yellowjackets, 43-14, in the semifinal playoff round last weekend. The Otters only loss of the 2014 season was a one-point heart-breaker in a non-division matchup against Fair Haven in Week 1. The Bullets of Bellows Free Academy, seeded second in the playoffs, blanked the visiting Mount Abraham Eagles, 14-0, last weekend.

The Otters team bus is scheduled to depart from Otter Valley Union High School at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday. Before heading south to the game site, the bus will travel north on Route 7 and loop around downtown Brandon. Fans in Brandon are encouraged to greet the team as it passes. [Update: This circle around Brandon has been removed from the team bus schedule. The bus will proceed directly to Rutland after leaving the school.]

The game will be available for online viewing through the NFHS Network (www.nfhsnetwork.com). This is a subscription service. A 24-hour pass can be purchased for $9.99.

OVUHS presents Chicago, the Musical

Otter Valley Union High School presents a Walking Stick Theatre Production of Chicago, the Musical, on four dates in November. Shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 20, 21 and 22 and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 23. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors at the door. Advance tickets ($8 for adults) will be available through Carr's Florist in Brandon and the Otter Valley library beginning Monday, Nov. 3.

Election Day 2014

The Whiting Town Hall will be open for 2014 General Election voting from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Vermont permits early voting until the close of the town clerk's office on Monday, Nov. 3.

Voters in the state will be deciding races for U.S. representative, governor, lieutenant governor, state treasurer, secretary of state, auditor of accounts and attorney general.

Congratulations to Otter athletes

The football and field hockey squads of Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon, VT, finished at the top of the regular season standings this fall and moved on into the playoffs.

The football Otters posted an unblemished 5-0 Division III record in the 2014 regular season and suffered just one narrow loss through eight games overall. That lone loss was a season-opening one-point defeat at Division II Fair Haven. The Otters led their division in regular season scoring, despite playing in one less game overall than other top division teams. The last time the football Otters finished at the top of the standings was in 2005.

Entering the postseason with the Division III top seed, the Otters defeated visiting Poultney on Saturday by a score of 41-21. At 1 p.m., Nov. 1, the Otters will host fourth-seed Windsor in the  playoffs' semifinal matchup. Windsor advanced with a 47-20 quarterfinal win over U-32.

(In the other Division III football quarterfinal games, second-ranked Fairfax defeated Woodstock, 34-22, and third-ranked Mill River fell to visiting Mount Abraham, 20-15. Mt. Abraham was seeded sixth in the playoffs.)

The Otters field hockey team finished the regular season with a perfect 7-0 Division II record and an overall record of 11-2. This is the second consecutive year the Otters have finished atop the regular season standings.

The team entered the postseason as Division II's second-seed, behind 13-1 Rice. On Friday the team shut out the seventh-seeded Mount Abraham Eagles, 1-0, to advance to the Division II semifinal game to be held in Castleton State College's Spartan Stadium this afternoon (Oct. 27).

The Otters have won five field hockey championships in their history. The team's last state championship was in 1999.

Green Mountains turn orange

As the sun set on Oct. 9, 2014, the Green Mountains were bathed in an orange glow.

Enterovirus D68 reaches Vermont

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday confirmed the first known case of enterovirus D68 in the State of Vermont. CDC revealed that a single test result, from a preschool child who has since recovered from the illness, revealed the presence of the virus.

CDC

To date, CDC has found EV-D68 in 514 patients in 43 U.S. states. It has so far not turned up in Florida, Tennessee, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska or Hawaii. According to a CNN report yesterday, EV-D68 was detected in four people who recently died, including a ten-year-old girl from Rhode Island. It is uncertain whether EV-D68 was a cause in the deaths or even a factor. The Rhode Island girl's doctor indicated that her death was primarily due to a severe bacterial infection rather than the EV-D68 virus.

Enteroviruses are common, particularly this time of year. But the EV-D68 variety has been associated with severe respiratory illness in infants, children and teens. While mild symptoms include those associated with a common cold, severe symptoms may include difficulty breathing. The CDC has warned that those with asthma are at risk of severe symptoms.

"This confirms what we expected, that this particular virus is circulating in Vermont just as it is in most other states," said Vermont state epidemiologist Patsy Kelso upon learning of the CDC confirmation.

The Vermont Department of Health notes that regular hand washing is the best precaution against contracting the enterovirus. Those who are sick are advised to remain home, to cover their coughs and sneezes and to avoid close contact with others.

There is no specific treatment for EV-D68, but parents of ill children are advised to immediately contact a healthcare professional if the children experience any breathing difficulty or if symptoms are worsening.

Back on Sept. 12, the Vermont Department of Health circulated an advisory letter through state schools. The letter described the illness, the risks involved and the best methods of protecting against the spread of the virus. "In the event that this virus spreads to Vermont," the letter said, "we want to provide you with information about the illness and how to prevent it from spreading in your community."

Patrick Hunt, 73, of Brookfield CT

WHITING - Patrick J. Hunt, 73, of Brookfield, CT, died Aug. 30 in Danbury, CT, Hospital following a long illness. He was the father, father-in-law and grandfather of residents of Whiting, VT. 

Patrick and Thomas Hunt in 1965.

Patrick was born March 8, 1941, in New York City the second son of the late Patrick and Mary (Foley) Hunt, immigrants from Ireland. As a boy, he traveled twice to Ireland in the company of his mother. He graduated in 1959 from Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx, NY. He received a bachelor's degree in Math from Manhattan College in 1963. He and his childhood sweetheart, Concetta M. Prisco, were married at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Lucy in the Bronx on Jan. 26, 1963. He was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for many years and retired as a director in the company's home office in 1998.

He was a longtime resident of Adee Avenue in the Bronx and parishioner of the Church of St. Lucy, where he served as lector. He and his family subsequently lived on Middle River Road in Danbury, CT, and on Francis Drive in Belle Mead, NJ. After retirement, he and his family moved to Perry Drive in southern New Milford, CT. Patrick and his wife moved to Brookfield's Newbury Village in 2011.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Patrick is remembered for his genial nature and his hearty laugh. His hobbies included golf, bowling, art, woodworking, crossword puzzles and stamp collecting. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife and by their three children: son Thomas P. Hunt of Whiting, VT; daughter Theresa C. Krokovich of Oviedo, FL; and son Patrick J. Hunt, Jr., of Orlando, FL. He also is survived by eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother John Hunt. In addition to Thomas P. Hunt, his Whiting resident survivors include daughter-in-law Anna M. (Oldakowski) Hunt and grandchildren Tori, Alex and Francis Hunt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in New Milford, CT, with burial at Central Cemetery in Brookfield, CT.

Patrick and Concetta Hunt with grandchildren Tori, Alex and Francis Hunt in 2008.

EEE virus returns to Whiting

The Vermont Department of Health has detected the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in mosquitoes collected from the Town of Whiting, according to an announcement on Aug. 22. The virus turned up in batches gathered from the swamps on Aug. 19. It is the first time this year that the virus was found in the area. Back in June, EEE showed up in mosquitoes collected from Grand Isle, in the northern portion of Lake Champlain.

While the EEE-carrying mosquito prefers to feed on birds, EEE can be transmitted to humans and farm animals through mosquito bites. No human or animal cases of the disease have been reported so far this year. Residents are cautioned to reduce their risk of mosquito bites and to vaccinate their horses and camelids (llamas, alpacas) against the virus.

"EEE can be a very serious disease and, although the risk of getting infected is low, it is not zero," said Erica Berl, infectious disease epidemiologist with the state Health Department. "No matter where you live, enjoy the outdoors but take precautions to fight the bite."

EEE and West Nile Virus are dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses tracked by the Department of Health. West Nile Virus was detected in mosquitoes collected from St. Albans in early August. The first known cases of EEE infection in the state occurred in 2011, when EEE was found to have caused the deaths of emus on a farm in Brandon. The first human cases of EEE in Vermont were noted in the late summer of 2012 in the Brandon area. No human cases were reported in 2013, though EEE turned up in mosquito samples and the disease did cause the deaths of two horses in Franklin County.

The state has produced the flyer below with steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection.

Morning - June 19, 2014

Library open house Saturday, June 14

The Whiting Free Library has announced its schedule for summer 2014. The library will be open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon.

The season kicks off with an open house on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be signups for the Summer Reading Program and science activities. (Each Saturday, participants can pick up a new Science Challenge to do at home.) Science Nights, featuring concepts from physics and chemistry, are scheduled for Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., through the end of July (except July 3). Science challenge participants will gather for a "Mad Scientist Party" in September.

Children's story time will be held Wednesdays at 10 a.m., June 18 through July 30. The last story time session will include a Royal Tea Party.

The library is looking for teens and adults to reshelf books, lead reading programs, lead and assist story time programs, provide snacks for events, and serve as actors for a Haunted Library event in the fall. Those interested should stop by the library to volunteer.

JUNE

• Sat. 14th - Open house, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Wed. 18th - Children's Story Time, 10 a.m.
• Thu. 19th - Science night, Marble Mazes, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Sat. 21st - Regular hours, 9 a.m. - noon.
• Wed. 25th - Children's Story Time, 10 a.m.
• Thu. 26th - Science night, Lava Lamps, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Sat. 28th - Regular hours, 9 a.m. - noon.

JULY

• Wed. 2nd - Children's Story Time, 10 a.m.
• Sat. 5th - Regular hours, 9 a.m. - noon.
• Wed. 9th - Children's Story Time, 10 a.m.
• Thu. 10th - Science night, Deconstructing electronics - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Sat. 12th - Regular hours, 9 a.m. - noon.
• Wed, 16th - Children's Story Time, 10 a.m.
• Thu. 17th - Science night, Potato battery - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Sat. 19th - Regular hours, 9 a.m. - noon.
• Wed. 23rd - Children's Story Time, 10 a.m.
• Thu. 24th - Science night, Dominoes chain reaction - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Sat. 26th - Regular hours, 9 a.m. - noon.
• Wed. 30th - Children's Story Time (Royal Tea Party), 10 a.m.
• Thu. 31st - Science night, Egg drop - 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Click here to visit the Whiting Free Library on Facebook!

Report: Collins poised to take reins of RNESU

Jeanne Collins (WCAX photo)

Jeanne Collins is a finalist for the position of superintendent of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union (RNESU), responsible for overseeing the schools in the Otter Valley region, according to a report by WCAX-TV and other sources

Collins became the superintendent of schools for the City of Burlington in 2006. During her tenure, reports say she was repeatedly pressured to resign. In recent years, Burlington schools have faced mounting financial problems, most reportedly related to overspending. The school system accumulated an anticipated budget deficit of $2.6 million for the current year. That is the third consecutive annual deficit of more than a million dollars. A recent audit found that the school system may also owe as much as $500,000 to the Internal Revenue Service for unpaid payroll taxes and fines.

David Larcombe, the Burlington Schools director of finance, recently submitted his resignation, which will be effective June 30.

Collins and the Burlington School Board recently reached a separation agreement that resulted in her stepping down as superintendent two years before the end of her contract. Her resignation was accepted by a unanimous vote of the school board. Under the agreement she receives a $225,000 severance in two installments and a letter of recommendation.

("No easy fix for Burlington schools," Burlington Free Press, May 14, 2014; "Burlington school superintendent to step down June 30," Burlington Free Press, May 14, 2014; "Superintendent Jeanne Collins to resign in June," WPTZ-TV, May 13, 2014.)

Stevens to retire from state legislature

State Representative Will C. Stevens today announced his retirement from the Vermont State Legislature. The retirement is effective upon the swearing in of his successor in January 2015.

Stevens, a resident of Shoreham, served the Addison-Rutland District, including the communities of Shoreham, Benson, Orwell and Whiting. He was the ranking member of the House Committee on Agriculture and Forest Products. Explaining his decision to retire, he mentioned a need to "recharge my batteries" and said he planned to spend more time with family, his farm business and other interests. Stevens was first elected in the fall of 2006 and was sworn in January 2007.

His announcement was made through an email to constituents. The text follows:

Dear Friend, Neighbor, and Constituent, 
    After eight years as your representative in Vermont's citizen Legislature, I have decided that it is time to return to being a citizen. 
    You have given me the opportunity to serve at (or near) the seat of power, which is something I've been thankful for since the day I was sworn in on January 3, 2007. My goal has always been to serve this district to the best of my abilities, and I hope I have honored the trust you have put in me. 
    I have enjoyed my time in Montpelier, and I am not stepping away out of dissatisfaction, anger, or boredom. I have gained insight into the legislative process, and I would like to think that I contributed some value along the way. I especially enjoyed hearing from you on particular issues, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and running interference on your behalf with state bureaucracies when necessary. Perhaps at some point the time will be right for me to run for office again, but for now, I simply need to recharge my batteries! 
    It has been a real pleasure and privilege to serve as the Representative of the best district in the state of Vermont, and serving you has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. I look forward to spending more time with Judy at home in Shoreham, giving renewed energy to our farm business, pursuing other interests, and carving out a little down time. 
    Although I will not be on the ballot this fall, I will continue to be your representative until a new one is sworn in next January 7th. This means that I will continue to be at your service until then, should you need help. As always, you can reach me by phone at home (897-7031), or by email (wstevens@leg.state.vt.us). Thank you very much. 
    Sincerely yours,
    Will

VT Gas discusses pipeline benefits

Vermont Gas has scheduled an "open house" meeting tomorrow night (May 8), 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon. (Link) Company employees will be available to meet one-on-one with local residents at "topic tables" to discuss various aspects of natural gas efficiency and the plan to bring natural gas service to Rutland County.

Vermont Gas says the pipeline project will reduce reliance on oil and propane and could result in an energy cost savings of up to 50 percent for Rutland County homes and businesses. Phase I of the project, approved in December, is designed to transport natural gas from Colchester to Middlebury. Phase II is planned to extend the pipeline from Middlebury to the west, through the towns of Cornwall and Shoreham and under Lake Champlain, to provide service to the International Paper mill in Ticonderoga, New York. That phase is strongly opposed by residents of the affected towns.

According to the gas company, an agreement with International Paper will provide $45 million toward the construction of an additional length of pipeline in Phase III, allowing Rutland County to be served by natural gas by the year 2020. Without the extension to Ticonderoga, the company says it will take about 15 more years to connect to Rutland.

Sun breaks through

A determined sun breaks through low clouds and rising fog on Tuesday morning.

Celebrating 33 years of service

The Town of Whiting will honor retiring Town Clerk Grace Simonds with a luncheon buffet at Town Hall on Saturday, April 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Simonds recently retired after thirty-three years as town clerk. The Whiting Board of Selectmen asks residents to participate in the event in these ways:

• Bring a non-perishable food item for the Whiting Food Sheld.
• Bring old photos of town events.
• Bring a story to share.

Wealth inequality film/talk in Middlebury

Sen. Sanders (sanders.senate.gov)

Wealth and income inequality will be the focus as U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders hosts a film and town meeting at the Middlebury Union High School Auditorium this Sunday (March 30) at 10:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. An RSVP is requested (click here).

The film, Inequality for All, featuring former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, will be simultaneously shown in Middlebury and three other locations around the state: Fuller Hall of St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury, Mt. Anthony High School Auditorium in Bennington and Brattleboro Union High School Auditorium in Brattleboro. Following the film, the audiences will merge through video conferencing for a tele-town meeting.

New town office hours

With the election of new Whiting Town Clerk Gale Quenneville, the town office has adjusted its hours. The new town office hours are:

• Mondays, 9 a.m. to noon; 
• Mondays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.;
• Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon; 
• And by appointment.

The clerk can be contacted by phone at 623-7813 or by email at townofwhiting@shoreham.net.

Holiday Ham Bingo set for April 11

An evening of 

Holiday Ham Bingo 

is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 

at the Whiting Town Hall

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the games begin at 6:30.There will be a total of 20 games. Regular games have a holiday ham as prize. Four special games offer entire ham dinners as prize.

A 50/50 raffle, concession and bake sale will also featured.

Proceeds benefit the Friends of Whiting School.

Railroad plan hearings next week

State railway inventory

Two meetings have been scheduled to discuss the Vermont state rail plan currently under revision by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, according to an announcement by Christopher Parker, executive director of the Vermont Rail Action Network. The first will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 24, at the Fox Room of Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street. The second is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, in Brattleboro.

Plan objectives and existing rail inventory portions of the plan have been completed and will be presented at the meeting. The draft objectives for Vermont rail include:

• Support for Vermont’s economy 
• Upgrading the rail system to stay connected and competitive 
• The ability to maintain safe and efficient operations 
• Confirming adequate and stable funding 
• Balancing the needs of railroads with human and natural environments 
• Preserving rail corridors for future transportation use 

The plan is being written by consultant teams overseen by Agency of Transportation Planner Costa Pappis.

The Vermont Rail Action Network noted last week that the governor's 2015 rail budget request includes continued investment in state rail priorities, including upgrading bridges for 286,000 lb. freight and upgrading the route to Montreal. The largest amount of the requested funds is earmarked for the "Western Corridor" joining Bennington, Rutland, Middlebury and Burlington.

The largest single project in the request is a federally matched $11 million replacement of two road bridges in downtown Middlebury. More than $8 million is called for to install welded rail between Rutland and Burlington, replacing the 1940s-era jointed rail that cannot support competitive passenger train speeds.

Significant snowstorm hits region

Strong winds packed snow
against just one side of the house.

Those who calculate snowfall totals following windy storms, like the one the region experienced on Wednesday and Thursday, either have a great deal more patience or a better system than I do.

I can say with a certainty that after the storm was done there was about 30 inches of snow pressed up against the south side of our house and right about 0 inches of snow near the north side of the house (clean grass). There was about half a foot of the white stuff accumulated inside the far reaches of our barn (the winds apparently having no trouble moving flakes horizontally over great distances and forcing them through the horse's open doorway into every corner of the structure). I'm merely going to average the extremes and state that we had a 15-inch snowfall. I realize that's a bit lower than other reported totals from the area, but until I can figure out a better method, I'm going with 15.

Though the snow in this area stopped falling Thursday morning, roads remained treacherous through the afternoon. During a drive through Middlebury in mid-afternoon, it appeared that there remained at least an inch of packed snow on stretches of Route 30 and Route 7.

Schoolkids in the area got two "snow days" off. With an Otter Valley teacher in-service day scheduled for today, that gives our high-schoolers a five-day weekend.

Clerk Simonds retires

Retiring Clerk Simonds keeps things organized at last night's Town Meeting.

Grace Simonds has stepped down as Whiting town clerk/town treasurer after 33 years in the position. She kept minutes of a Whiting Town Meeting for the final time last night, as her successor was chosen and annual school and town budgets were passed. During the meeting, Grace was elected to Town Juror and Town Agent positions and narrowly lost a race for Collector of Delinquent Taxes. Grace has a passion for local history and is a walking encyclopedia of Whiting's past. She offered last night to assist local families in tracing their Whiting roots and prodded the town to finance maintenance at the town cemetery which holds graves dating back to the Revolutionary War.

One-act plays begin tonight

Otter Valley Union High School's annual evening of one-act plays begins tonight (Feb. 28) at 7 p.m. and includes performances tomorrow at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $5. This year's one-act plays are:

• Tracks
• Any Body for Tea?
• Silent Snow, Secret Snow
• Harry's Hotter at Twilight
• Aristophanes' 'The Birds'

The plays are presented by Otter Valley's Walking Stick Theatre in the high school auditorium, 2997 Franklin Street, Brandon, VT.

OVUHS district meeting Feb. 26, 2014

A meeting of the Otter Valley Union High School District No. 8 will be held 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at the OVUHS auditorium. At the meeting, the Board of School Directors will present an estimate of district expenses for the year beginning July 1, 2014. A budget of $10.52 million has been proposed. That amount is $16,351 less than the current year's budget, but still requires a tax increase over the current year.

In the district's annual report (click here to access the full report), OVUHS Board Chair James Rademacher explained the belt-tightening process, "We felt that a budget that would maintain the status quo would be too much for the voters to accept. Three retiring senior teachers being replaced with new hired much lower on the pay scale was a significant help but not enough. All areas of staffing were carefully reviewed. After consultation with administration, faculty, and students the Board has decided to discontinue the Dean of Students position."

Aside from the staffing adjustments, Mr. Rademacher said, "We are proposing to basically level fund our budget while dealing with the same inflationary pressures you are all facing."

Voting on the budget will be conducted in the usual polling places on Tuesday, March 4.

The agenda for the Feb. 26 meeting includes the following articles:

1. To elect the following officers: a. A Moderator for one year; b. A Clerk for one year; c. A Treasurer for one year; d. An Auditor for three years.
2. To act upon the reports of the Union High School District Officers.
3. To fix the compensation of the District Officers.
4. To have presented by the Board of School Directors of the Union High School District its estimate of expenses for the ensuing year.
5. To authorize the Board of School Directors of the Union High School District to borrow money pending the receipt of payments from the member districts by the issuance of its notes or orders payable not later than one year from date of issue for the purpose of paying sums appropriated by the Union High School District.
6. To transact any other business proper to be done when met.

The meeting will be recessed to March 4 for balloting on the final agenda item:
"Shall the voters of the Otter Valley Union High School District No. 8 adopt a budget of Ten Million Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Seven Hundred Seventeen Dollars ($10,525,717) necessary for the support of its schools for the year beginning July 1, 2014. The amount of such sum to be raised by taxes to be offset by special education revenues, state aid and other incomes."

Under the proposed spending plan, the estimated homestead base tax rate districtwide would increase by almost 7.6% from $1.45 to $1.56. Member towns would experience different tax impacts. All member towns except Leicester would experience tax increases for the year. The towns of Whiting, Goshen and Pittsford would experience increases of 10% or more. The estimated increases for member towns are shown below:

Brandon +04.6% to $0.68
Goshen +10.2% to $0.97
Leicester -02.5% to $0.78
Pittsford +10.0% to $0.77
Sudbury +03.9% to $0.76
Whiting +10.0% to $0.66

Town Clerk Grace Simonds to retire

Whiting seeks new clerk/treasurer

The Town of Whiting has announced that long-time Town Clerk/Treasurer Grace Simonds will be retiring from her position. A celebration in honor of her service to Whiting will be scheduled for the spring.

A new clerk/treasurer will be elected at the Town Meeting. The selectmen have distributed a flyer containing qualifications, duties, hours, salary and benefits. (The first qualification for the office is "excellent people skills and patience - with people who may be angry when they come in to the office.") The flyer is shown below.