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The Cabot Chronicle

May 2017 · Issue Record

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In This Issue

By Representative

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Vermont State Budget and the Miscellaneous Tax Bill have both passed the Vermont House of Representatives on strong tripartisan votes, and are now being considered by the Vermont Senate. As deliberations come to a close and final actions are taken on bills, it appears the Legislature is on target for adjournment during the first week of May. The House Appropriations Committee developed the FY 2018 budget on five basic principles – sustainability, transparency, inclusivity, priorities, and Vermont values. Sustainability in future years is critical, especially when considering uncertainties at the federal level. The FY 2018 budget, passed by the House on a 143 to 1 vote, solves a $70 million gap between projected revenues and expenditures, and is balanced without creating any new taxes or fees. The Appropriations Committee built a balanced budget that makes investments and reductions, and restructures areas of government to identify efficiencies and to create additional savings. This budget proposal does not rely on one-time money for on-going expenses. Steps were taken to create two-year budgeting cycles where appropriate, and state reserves and “rainy day” funds were strengthened by not spending 100% of forecasted revenue. Reserves in the FY18 budget are filled above statutory levels. The House Appropriations Committee also continued its commitment to accountability by measuring programs for desired outcomes, ensuring Vermont’s investments are well-spent. The FY 2018 budget was built in a transparent and inclusive manner. The Appropriations Committee held five public hearings around the state and three public hearings in Montpelier. Legisla-

The Chronicle welcomes letters written and length or returned to the author with not necessarily the opinions of staff. The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right accompanied by a phone number. We will The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible or services advertised on these pages. If you have editorial questions or would

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Catherine (Kitty) Toll

tors were encouraged to testify in front of the Appropriations Committee. Each policy committee had a liaison to the Appropriations Committee, creating better communication, with opportunities to view budget proposals, ask questions, and relate questions and concerns. Funding decisions made in past years that reflect Vermonters’ values were continued in this year’s budget proposal. Allowances were made for additional workers in the Department of Children and Families, continued investments in child protection, as well as increased funding to support children in state custody. This is a necessity due to an increase in the number of parents involved in debilitating drug use. Provisions for added support for existing opiate addiction services, as well as a new facility in St. Albans, are included in budget appropriations. Funding has also been allocated in the FY 2018 budget to address critical areas of need. Funds to help establish homeless shelters in underserved areas are included and language has been amended regarding emergency housing to provide more flexibility in usage. In order to avoid Vermonters who are experiencing mental health crises from spending days in hospital emergency rooms, additional investments have been made in crisis bed staffing. Other investments include an additional $2 million to our state colleges, funding for the Pay Act to support state employees and additional resources to the Working Lands Initiative. The House Ways and Means Committee presented two of the committee’s most important bills for consideration, the Miscellaneous Tax bill and the Yield bill, and both bills are now in the Senate for action. The Miscellaneous Tax bill proved to be non-controversial and

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passed the House on a unanimous vote. Provisions of note are two requirements that will improve compliance on taxes that are already owed to the State of Vermont. The first would reduce the default rate from 2% of taxable income to 1%, for the Purchase and Use Tax that Ver-

filings. This is tax owed on purchases made out of state or for internet purchases. While most Vermonters owe more than 1%, the Tax Department advised that if the default rate were reduced, compliance would increase. The second provision would require increased notice from Third Party Processors - parties that take credit card money from purchasers and pay it to merchants and individuals. That money is actually income, but the amounts are not reported to the recipient or the tax department, even though money is exchanged. These two changes are anticipated to raise $3 $4 million. Also, the Ways and Means Committee set the dollar equivalent yields for the statewide education taxes - one for the tax on non-residential property which is universal state wide, and for the income rate, which sets the dollar yield for the base percentage for Vermonters paying property taxes based on income. H.492 establishes the Racial Justice Oversight Board, and passed the House on a vote of 120 to 25. The Board would be established in the Office of the Attorney General and serve in an advisory capacity. Membership is drawn from individuals across the State with diverse racial, ethnic, religious, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic backgrounds. The Board would review racial justice reform efforts across Vermont within the systems of education, labor and employment, housing, criminal and juvenile justice, health care and economic development. In order to recognize and address implicit bias and the use of force in policing, the board would make recommendations to the Criminal Justice Training Council and the Vermont Bar

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Chronicle is to regularly publish local news Area. Our purpose is to share information better involved in their Community.

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hronicle

Association on model trainings and policies for law enforcement, judges, and correctional officers. H.523 addresses fair and impartial policing policies. The bill amends 20 VSA 2366, related to such policies, by requiring all State, local, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies in Vermont to adopt in its entirety the Criminal Justice Training Council model policy for fair and impartial policing. This would ensure uniformity among law enforcement agencies. In addition, the bill would require the Criminal Justice Training Council, in consultation with the Attorney General, to ensure that the model policy does not conflict with federal immigration law. For additional information on any bill or actions in the House or Senate or standing committee, please visit www.leg.state.vt.us. These are live pages and are updated regularly. Please contact me directly with your questions and concerns. As always, it is an honor to represent our communities at the State House. kittytoll@live.com ktoll@leg.state.vt.us

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May 14, 2017

words. Letters may be edited for clarity represent the opinions of the authors and for publication unless signed and arising in connection with products or email us at in-

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Chronicle. Publisher is not responsible and agreement by advertiser to does not assume liability the error appeared. $12.50

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By Karen Mueller-Harder

Over 400 audience members were transported to a world of pure imagination in Cabot Community Theater’s recent production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves! We are particularly proud of the people (many of them teenagers!) who showed great leadership by taking positions of responsibility they’d never held before: Music Director Cameron MuellerHarder, Choreographer Daria Babbitt, Set Designer Todd Parlo, Lighting Designer Billie O’Connor, Sound Designer Willy Wonka and the 5 lucky winners. Isabella McCallum, and Vocal Coach Alice Almgren. Many of the performers cost. Its presence has made it possible to were likewise new to the stage, and we do shows with large casts like this one, salute them; they are too many to list, with sets, and sound and light effects. but we’d like to specifically mention our The turnout for Willy Wonka was so good that we will be able to make a substantial donation towards the remaining cost of constructing this building, which we have so greatly benefitted from. Several people have asked about the great aerial footage near the end of the show, in which we discover that Willy Wonka’s factory looks very much like the Cabot Creamery, and the town around it resembles Cabot to a surprising degree! The filming was done (and donated by) Green Mountain Drone, run by Cabot’s own Seth O’Brien and Gwen Considine. Some interesting statistics: • 65 community members (50 of them from Cabot) came together to create this collaborative production. Marcus Becherer as Willy Wonka.

Charlie, Camryn Hoffman, who had never even sung a solo in public before! As always, we kept production costs low, in order to make sure tickets were affordable for people. One of the main ways we are able to do this is through our ability to use the wonderful Cabot School Performing Arts Center for no

Oompa Loompa’s save the day. • The cast of 25 included performers from age 6 to 70-something, making friendships across generations. • Since the birth of Cabot Community Theater in 2010, we have had 10 productions, involving 160 different people, mostly from Cabot. This summer, we will once again be partnering with Cabot Recreation to run a theater camp for kids--watch this space and FPF for more details!

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Jane Brown, Volunteer Archivist

The Cabot Historical Society has maintained the “Cabot Arcana” column for many months, and we have had some wonderful comments about it, so we know there are people who appreciate preserving the history of our town. The inclination to preserve history is in most of us, but often does not develop fully until we are on the retirement side of adulthood. At that time in our lives, most of us are beginning to run out of the stamina and energy for all that needs to be done, but we always hope for new, interested volunteers. The good news is that ▼ - Connie over the years Hourihan, there have been July 28, 2013. small groups of dedicated souls, young and older, who have risen to the challenge and have given Cabot two wonderful museums full of history and memories: the West Hill School built about 1887 and acquired in 1975, and the Main Street Museum built in 1845 and acquired in 1978. The Main Street building was the first school in Cabot Village. Community life centered at the schools in those days. Students learned history in them and adults made history in them when they gathered there to discuss important issues or enjoy social events. Each community had its own school –the Plain, East Cabot, South Cabot, Lower Cabot, Walbridge School, and others. Over time, Cabot had 14 school districts scattered throughout the town. One-by-one they closed as populations dwindled in each community, and students came to the Village. The last of Cabot’s one-room schools, “Hookerville School” in South Cabot, closed in 1954. West Hill School is like other oneroom schools in Cabot, It has authentic desks, used by students until Entering the old building step back in time, and visit, sit at the wooden ine.

(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1) - Wall desk and benches at Cabot Historical Society. clothing and that span the existence and hardscrabble chants and mill ing economic everyday life society and Downstairs, the search center ments, genealogies that include hundreds capturing even more of like in generations past insight to the present. Cabot Historical Society the best of our ability, our history for future generations plore and appreciate. torical@gmail.com to arrange ther of the museums. We to visit our website, tory.com. All are welcome to attend Meeting on Sunday, May Street Museum at 2:00 become a member of Society, contact Secretary

est, energy and fresh ideas.

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CabotHistori-

~ page 3

back in their day. maps and books it closed in 1918. is like taking a everyone should desks and imag-

The tion of collecartifacts at the Main Street Museum fills two levels. On the upper floor, you will discover a soup kettle used by G e n e r a l Bayley’s men at their encampment on Cabot Plain in 1776 and voting used booths until a few years ago. There are displays of oldtime medical equipment, household utensils, quilts, everyday tools years of Cabot’s tell stories of farmers, merhands, boomtimes, wartimes, struggles, high celebrations. extensive rehas photos, docuand books of family names, what Cabot was and providing

preserves, to at least some of to exE-mail cabothisto visit eialso invite you www.cabothis

the Annual 28, at the Main o’clock p.m. To Cabot Historical Joanne Luce, your inter-

members possible column. Histori-

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Rob Maier

Rob Maier, 70, passed away February 24, 2017. He lived most of his life in Pennsylvania, but he co-owned a house in Cabot for almost ten years. He was a teacher in Pennsylvania for 38 years and he did some substitute teaching when he first came to Cabot. Rob loved to be outdoors, canoeing, kayaking or hunting. He was always willing to

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Cecile Alexandria Payne

Cecile Alexandria Payne, of Cabot, VT, passed away peacefully at University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the age of 76. Cecile was born in Swanton, VT, on October 7, 1940, to Ulamus and Leona Garceau. Cecile attended school in Winooski, VT. Cecile was predeceased by her parents, Ulamus and Leona, her brothers Wilfred, Maurice, John and Roland, and sisters Juliet, Adrien, and Carman. Cecile is survived by a sister, Theresa and a brother, Roger. Cecile loved her flower gardens and her children, Melony Harris and husband Mark, Roland Payne Jr, Wendy

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Kathleen Anne Kinney Warner

lend a hand, participating in many Cabot Church activities. He enjoyed “visiting” with friends and neighbors and he was quite a story-teller. “You couldn’t have asked for a nicer neighbor” said Scott St. John. He is survived by his children, Bradley Maier of Los Angeles CA, and Andrew Maier of Lansdale, PA. He was predeceased by his sister, Debra Christiansen. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W.. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 550, Chicago IL, 60631.

Guay and her husband Joe, and her husband, Roland (Slim) Payne, of 58 years. She had many hobbies over the years. She did sewing, knitting, crafts, and gardening. She also loved traveling and camping. She was always ready to help anyone who needed help. She never worked out, but volunteered a lot. One volunteer job was at Mary Fletcher Hospital for ten years in the ICU waiting room. Memorial service will be held June 17, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at United Cabot Church, Cabot, VT. Burial to follow at Cabot Plains Cemetery. Friends and family are invited back to the church for a reception. Arrangements are in care of des Groseilliers Funeral Home, Church Street, Hardwick, VT. She is with her Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Church of Cabot. husband, Theodore; son Theodore Michael; her parents; as well as sisters and Kathleen Anne brothers, Jeanine, Betty, Bernie and Bill. "Kay" Kinney Warner She is survived by her daughters, passed peacefully in her sleep April 17, 2017, at Woodridge Nursing Home. Kathleen was born September 13, 1931, in Elkton, South Dakota, to Bernard and Eleanor Kinney. Kathleen married Theodore Warner in 1951. They raised their family in various parts of the country, where Kathleen, as well as being a homemaker, worked for the federal government in different departments as an administrative assistant. Kay and Ted settled in Vermont in their retirement to be closer to their family. Kay was predeceased by her beloved Kathy Warner and husband Robert, of Tairua, New Zealand, Patrice Alexander and husband Joseph, of Cabot; son Greg Warner and wife Laelia, of Marshfield, Vermont. She also leaves her grandsons, Todd Hitchins and wife Celia, of Key West, Florida, David Isaac and wife Shannon, of Barre, Vermont, and Moebius Simmons and partner Jennifer Rathbun, of Brooklyn, New York; and stepgranddaughter Heather Johnson and husband Brent, of Williamstown, Vermont; as well as great-grandchildren Rebecca and Brandon Isaac, Drew Fongeallaz and Emma Hinckley. There will be no visiting hours. A private ceremony of Kay's life is being planned in the summer.

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By Roland (Slim) Payne

As I write this, it is a bluebird day— light wind and warm, and the snow is melting. By the time you read this, it will be lawn mowing time or close to it. Just a word of news: my wife passed away April 11, 2017. As I walk around and look, I see a lot of broken limbs on the trees from ice and snow. The buds are swelling, so sugar season is close to the end for this year. I am going to the village today to give a once over to all the new trees for damage and health. I did it, and they look good, all but three with lawn mower damage, two look like they may not make it—too much bark taken off. Get geared up for summer, it is coming, enjoy.

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Conservation District

The snow is melting, weather is warming and it is once again time to think about our yards. There is nothing like a barefoot walk through a soft lawn. The mixture of clover, grasses and low growing beneficial plants are not only pleasing to the eye, but lend to conservation practices that improve water quality protection. In the Lake Champlain watershed, there is an increasing concern from excessive nutrients flowing off of lawns, impervious surfaces and farmland, thus impacting our aquatic ecosystems. Since 2012 in Vermont, homeowners should be following the no Phosphorus rule when fertilizing lawns, unless a professional soil test has been conducted on the soil determining that it is needed and/or the lawn is just being established. Grasses, like other plants, need nutrients provided within the soils to grow. These nutrients can be provided by implementing Lawn Care Best Management Practices. Recent surveys of soils within Vermont lawns indicate that most lawns do not need any additional fertilizers. There is a tendency, when applying fertilizers, to think more is better. This results in excessive nutrients flowing off of the land and into local bodies of water. Since Phosphorus should not be in fertilizers applied, I will focus on the impacts of Nitrogen. Excessive nutrients that enter our waterways feed algae. When the algae then "blooms," it can shift the pH of the water, decrease oxygen levels, cover fish breeding habitat, clog intake pipes, cause taste and odor issues, discourage recreation, lower property values and, when bacteria feed on dead algae, cause fish kills from decreased oxygen levels. The nitrogen in fertilizers can actually trigger a toxic harmful algal bloom in certain species of cyanobacteria (bluegreen algae). When the excessive nitrogen enters groundwater, it can cause methemoglobinemia (aka, Blue Baby Syndrome) in the elderly and the young. Symptoms include: gastrointestinal swelling, diarrhea, and protein digestion problems. Excessive nitrogen can actually damage sensitive native plant species, and alter the soil chemical composition, allowing for invasive species to take hold. Excessive nitrogen can cause the deple-

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Lawn Care Best Management Prac-

tices; practices that you can implement to have a healthy, sustainable lawn: Water your lawn in the morning, water deeply and infrequently. Grasses will go dormant and survive times of drought. There are species of grasses that don't need frequent watering. Reduce the size of your lawn. Add a beautiful native or naturalized garden that will attract butterflies, birds and pollinators. Leave clover in the lawn. Clover adds nitrogen to the soil naturally. Mow only when there is rain in the short-term forecast. Maintain the grass height between 3-4 inches. Never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade and keep your mower blade sharp. Leave grass clippings on the lawn. Grass clippings add back nutrients naturally. Never pile clippings near a body of water or push them into a storm-drain. Maintain a buffer of native species along waterways. It is recommended to have a 50-foot buffer along streams and a 100-foot buffer along lakes. If fertilization is needed, do so only in the fall. Spring rains will wash the nutrients into our waterways. Use species of grass that are acclimated to our climate zone. Many of the mixes that are sold require regular watering, mowing, and fertilizers. There are mixes of species sold that, surprisingly, cost less and require limited maintenance. There are many practices and projects that you can implement on your own property that will bring enjoyment and protect our natural resources. To learn more about Urban Conservation Initiatives and Urban & Community Agricultural Initiatives, please visit the WNRCD website at: www.winooski nrcd.org The Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District is one of 14 conservation districts throughout Vermont. It encompasses all of Chittenden and Washington County as well as parts of Orange County (Orange, Williamstown and Washington). The district relies on grants and individual donations to complete its conservation work. The WNRCD focuses its resources on completing conservation projects within the areas of agricultural assistance, forestland enhancement, urban conservation and watershed stewardship.

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OUNTRY

Crocuses and daffodils, the signs of spring, and the lilacs are budding out. I love Vermont. I may be a transplant, but chickens, cats and a dog are family to me; of course, my partner, too, he counts for a lot in my life. The chickens have enjoyed being outdoors again, and though they were well entertained by heads of cabbage and fried meal worms, they are ready to be outdoors. Night crawlers beat out mealworms (laughing). This time of year, before the bugs come out, does it for me. I love it! The warm sun and warm breezes are just wonderful. I feel like I am one of my daffodils just waking up! I love winters, but I get lethargic and crabby. I don't mean to be, just am. I read a lot and try to get out with our new dog. He is seven months old and full of you know what and vinegar. We have fun, he is a retriever, after all. So sticks have great meaning in our house, and they come into the house, too. I know it's a mess, but he is so happy chewing away on a stick, and it is better than chewing on shoes or furniture. He is doing well in his classes. We took a second one. He can sit and stay and walk on leash without pulling and, well, lots of things. He is a teenager, so we are ready to give him away until he gets through this stage, but we love him, anyway. And we are keeping him. We have been remiss in planning our garden this year, but we will have potatoes and tomatoes, if nothing else. Of course we will have strawberries and blueberries, not to mention plenty of rhubarb. We have plenty of beans from last year, so we don't need those this year. I

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Coordinator of Cabot Connects

As advocates for mentoring programs, it’s easy to concentrate on the many benefits for our mentees. In fact, most studies based on programs like Cabot Connects are focused on the outcome of the mentee and the community at large. But what about the mentor? Are there benefits for the adults who give their time and energy to be a supportive role model to the children in these programs? The simple answer is yes. Several recent studies have shown that taking on the role of mentor provides a feeling of accomplishment and an enhanced sense of self-worth. It also gives deeper insight to the mentor’s own childhood, as well as a deeper understanding of his or her own children. None of these results are surprising. However, just as important are the more subtle benefits mentors have reported:

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Ability to Lead

Being a role model pushes you to strive to be the best you can be. It also gives you an opportunity to push others to be the best they can be. Mentoring helps to strengthen your communication and support skills, and you may find yourself exploring ideas and challenges you’ve never thought of before. All great experiences that can shape great leaders.

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OMMENTARY

think I will make jam this year. We had lots of blueberry and strawberry pancakes this winter, which was a wonderful thing. A taste of spring in winter is always a special treat. I have my trowel and other hand gardening tools ready. My work gloves are calling to me, reminding me it is almost time to start weeding. I look forward to it. It is sort of a Zen thing. It gets me out there in the sun, and I love that, even when it is really hot. A good honest day of hard physical labor and a hot shower, ending with a good night’s sleep, is always a great thing. Well, I hope all of you who have gardens have done better planning than we have and are looking forward to getting out there in the dirt. I love the aroma of freshly turned soil. I look forward to the grasshoppers, crickets and cicadas, too, each year. I know I am crazy, but I think that has been well established! Let’s hear it for the coming of spring and summer! The only thing I really don't like are the ticks, but with every good thing, something has to be amiss to appreciate the good stuff. My suggestion is to focus on the good stuff. There really is so much to be thankful for. And please get ready for a fun time. There are so many great places to go swimming and what not, we are just so lucky to live in a tourist State. By gosh, by gum, by golly, I guess I am all wrapped up and ready to call it a day, may your days be filled with miracles and magic. In Peace, Laura Lee Smith Fizgigdragon@aol.com

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The Lessons You Teach Are the Les-

sons You Learn As a mentor, you will spend time helping build confidence in your mentee. You’ll model perseverance; share words of encouragement and remind them to be kind to themselves. As adults, we need these same reminders in our lives. Modeling these behaviors for others reinforces these ideas for ourselves.

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Mentees Have Lessons to Teach Too

No mentor comes to a relationship knowing everything there is to know. As a mentoring pair, you will have the opportunity to learn together and to teach each other. One of the most successful ways to inspire confidence in youth is to allow them to take the lead and teach us a thing or two. There is no question that mentoring programs are designed with the priorities of the mentee in mind. However, it’s important to remember that the benefits and experience for the mentor can be just as fulfilling! To learn more about becoming a mentor to a child today, contact the Cabot Connects Mentoring Program at cabotconnectsmentoring@gmail.com

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Part 1 of 2

Just yesterday, I woke for the second time in as many days having dreamed about honey bees swarms and honey comb. Last Thursday morning’s dream was a doozey that involved a lengthy visual cascade of honey comb imagery and laborious representations of my participation in removing many hives from the walls of several houses and buildings. This dream seemed to go on for quite some time, as if I was engaged in this labor of activity for several days. I woke feeling quite exhausted. Inadvertently that morning, I found myself in the office of my part time employer, explaining to him why I was so tired. The subject of the dream came up and I shared with him the basic outline. Then, for some flippant reason, I related how, in the past, when I dream about, “The Ladies” as I call them, something relating to my own hives or feral swarms comes up. True to form, two days later, on the evening of a big wedding here at the resort, I received a call from a woman, asking if I am available to deal with a swarm of honey bees that had landed 45 feet up in her pine tree. The video link of me capturing this swarm is provided on my website.

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Montpelier and St. Albans

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board is now in the process of seeking public input on a number of proposed fishing regulation changes that could go into effect starting in 2018. Among the proposed changes are: • Simplifying regulations on the Missisquoi River for muskellunge and yearround fishing. • Expanding the Little River two-trout bag limit to the section between the Route 2 bridge and Waterbury Reservoir Dam. • Making the existing Dog River test water designations for catch and release trout fishing into permanent regulations. • Changing the catch and release trout regulation on the Batten Kill to include an “artificial lures and flies” gear restriction, similar to the Dog River. • Simplifying the Clyde River regulations and expanding its catch and release season for salmon to include September and October. • Establishing rules against snagging fish. • Creating new definition of “immediate control” for ice fishing. • Moving existing language related to commercial angling into a new section. • Expanding the “legal method of take”

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Apiary

I have been beekeeping for six years, now. I have performed dozens of hive removals and an equal if not greater number of swarm captures. For those that don’t know, an average swarm is a group of about 1500 to 15,000 honey bees, sometimes more. A swarm is a free moving mass of bees that is leaving an old or damaged hive to establish a new hive in another location. Swarming is most often done so that a hive can reproduce a new hive. It is natural, essential, and usually harmless. A hive is the wax structure that the bees create inside a cavity of some sort, where the bees live, reproduce, and store honey. The bees are the swarm. The hive is the home. Honey bees have this tendency to like the cavities in houses and old buildings, where the conditions are more stable than in a wild environment. Removing a hive is a messy and complicated endeavor. And on a hot day with a full bee suit and 40,000 plus irritated bees, it is quite exhausting. However, I live for it. Beekeeping and the preservation and protection of these beings is my passion. As some of you know, so is the Art of Shamanism. I may not be the most skilled shaman or the best trained, but I am quite open intuitionally, and my passion for honey bees and my intuition have proven themselves over the years to be quite intertwined. Try some local raw honey. If interested in details, go to www.theshamanstouch.com .

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Changes

for fish to include spear gun and cross bow on a limited number of species. • Implementing new bags limits on bowfin, redhorse sucker and longnose gar. • In addition, an angling group is proposing from September 1 to October 31 on the Clyde River from Lake Memphremagog upstream to the West Charleston dam, that angling be restricted to fly fishing with floating line, unweighted leader and one unweighted artificial fly with a single hook. The Board will be hosting four public hearings to gather comments on the proposals, and will accept written comments through May 17, 2017. The hearings start at 6:30 p.m., and the schedule is as follows: Tuesday, May 2 in Newport at the Emory Hebord State Office Building; Wednesday, May 3 in Rutland at Rutland High School; Thursday, May 4 in Montpelier at the Pavilion Building at 109 Main Street; and Tuesday, May 9 in St. Albans at the St. Albans Town Education Center. To submit questions or comments to the Board, email fwinformation@vermont.gov. To learn more about the proposed regulation changes, the public hearing schedule, or the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board, visit the “Fish & Wildlife Board” page under the “About Us” section at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

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Drawing for the Terrified led by Mi-

chael Strauss 5:30-8:00 p.m. Montpelier. How many times have you said “Oh, I can't draw, I have no talent”? Well, fear no more, Michael will make your terror disappear with a series of classes. Designed to help you put pencil to paper like an expert. To register call 802-2626035. T.W. Wood Gallery at 46 Barre Street. $120.00 include materials.

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Mayfest Celebration and Grades

Open House at Orchard Valley 10:00 a.m.-12 Noon. North Montpelier. Free Class performance of King Winter and Lady Spring around the maypole, fun activities for the whole family. Special dances by grades 3, 4, and 5. Feel free to bring your own picnic lunch. 2290 VT

9 th Annual Perennial Plant Sale and Flea Market 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. East Montpelier. Perennials, vegetable and house plants. Table rentals $25.00. Food available for purchase. Country Chorus Singers perform at 11:00 a.m.-12 noon. Stop by for some great buys, food and fun. Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 US Route 2.

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Storm Large in Concert. 7:00 p.m. St.

Johnsbury. Come to the St. Johnsbury School for stunning vocalizations of jazz standards, cabaret gems and rock classics from her soaring work as Pink Martini guest star to her dazzling debut at Carnegie Hall as she lights up the stage. Will make a perfect treat to cap off any Mother's day celebration. Kingdom County Productions Tickets at Cata-

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Saturday, 5/20

4 th Annual Craft Brew Race/Stowe Fun 5K. 12 noon-4:00 p.m. Stowe. Come sample local craft beers, plus food, live music. Beer festival only no children, pets, no exceptions. Hosted by Gray Matter Marketing and Craft Brew Races. Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa, 1746 Mountain Road. Tickets available www.eventbrite.com Spring Bird Walk at Stranahan Forest 7:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Led by Taber Allison and his son, Alexander. Meet at the Stranahan Forest parking lot at the beginning of Thompson Road right off of Hollister Hill Road. Wear appropriate footwear for walk. Contact Jaquith Public Library for more details. Rain Date May 27 th.

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Concert with Iain MacHarg on the

Scottish Bagpipes 7:00 p.m. Fritz Barn. Fundraiser and proceeds go toward youth services. Cost $8.00-10.00 Adults,

tions. Barn Dance Benefit 6:00-10:00 p.m. East Craftsbury. Danny Cohn and Starline Rhythm Boys band, silent and live auction, food truck Backroad BBQ and Craftsbury General Store providing food. Artisan beer tent Lost Nation and Hill Farmstead providing beer. Benefit the Craftsbury Public Library and the Craftsbury Chamber Players. Rowell's Barn. Sponsored by Dave Rowell.

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hronicle

Solo Piano Recital by Diane Huling Reed 4:00 p.m. Plainfield. Come to the concert at the Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, US Route 2 and High Street for the fine performance of this musician. Tickets sold at the door or go to tickets.catamountarts.org. General admission $15.00, Senior $10.00, Student $5.00.

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By Chris Tormey

On April 5, Cabot voters rejected a revised 2017-2018 proposed budget for Cabot School by a margin of five votes: 147 to 142. The revised budget included a $63,000 reduction in education spending from the original budget presented on Town Meeting Day and would have resulted in a 4.06% increase in the local Homestead Property Tax rate. In a projected budget that included a 40% increase in special education services to students that are mandated by Federal law, the reductions in the revised budget were achieved by combining two positions into one, reducing the facilities budget, and adding revenue from one additional tuition student. The Cabot School Board met on Monday, April 10, to discuss potential changes to the proposed budget and to set a date for a third budget vote. The Board heard a brief update from Superintendent Nancy Thomas and WNESU Business Manager Christina Kimball on recent changes to the expected expenses for next year. These include one less student needing special education services, one less paraeducator (part-time), and an

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By Chris Tormey

On April 5, the eleven members of the Cabot/Danville /Twinfield Act 46 Committee voted by a vote of 6-3-2 to adopt a draft merger plan for the three districts that would close Cabot High School beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, and would allow high school students from Danville, Cabot, Plainfield and Marshfield to attend either Danville or Twinfield High Schools. During the following week, forums were held at the three schools to present the merger plan tentatively adopted by the Committee and to answer questions and receive feedback on the plan from community members. The Act 46 Committee planned to take the feedback from the three forums into account as they worked to complete the merger plan during the week of April 17 The Cabot forum to discuss the draft plan was held in the CSPAC on Wednesday, April 12, and was well attended. A broad range of perspectives were offered by the students, parents and community members present during a presentation that focused on three major concerns associated with the plan: how will the planned merger improve education for

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Update

expected reduction in salary and benefits needed to replace a departing classroom teacher. Taken together these reductions were projected to total $24,731. The Board voted unanimously to reduce the proposed 2017-18 budget by $24,731. Without the state-imposed penalty, this budget would result in a twocent increase in the Homestead Tax rate (a 1% increase), but with the penalty, the rate will increase by four cents to $1.7619, or 2.44 % above this year’s rate. By way of comparison, the Twinfield School budget for 2017-18 that was approved on Town Meeting Day in Marshfield and Plainfield will result in a similar Homestead rate in Marshfield of $1.7695. The vote for this current Version #3 of the Cabot School 2017-18 budget will be held on Tuesday, May 2, at the Willey Building, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please mark this date on your calendars, and come down to vote! Our Board will also hold an Informational Meeting to present and answer questions on the revised budget on Monday evening, May 1, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cabot School Library. We encourage all interested community members to attend.

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Update

our students, how will it affect our school tax bills, and what are Cabot’s options if this merger is not approved? If you were unable to attend the forum, but would like to learn more about the topics discussed, the Cabot school website has a digital version of the slides presented at the forum, as well as a document with the questions and comments brought up at the forum. Many community members at the forum were concerned with the Act 46 Committee’s tentative decision to allow the merger to go forward even if only two of the three potential school districts voted to approve it. They worried that, if Cabot voters approved the merger plan and Danville, for example, did not, then that would mean that Cabot high school students would not have the two high school programs to select from that the merger plan had advertised that they would. The Cabot/Danville/Twinfield Act 46 Committee met again on Tuesday, April 18¸ at 6:00 p.m. in the CSPAC to review community input from the school forums and to make any modifications to the plan that seemed warranted. At the meeting, the committee voted by a 6-3 margin not to reconsider its decision

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Article 1.

Shall the voters of the school district approve the school board to expend $3,332,780.00, which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year? It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $17,635.95 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per equalized pupil is 5% higher than spending for the current year.

YES (cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)

NO (cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)

made on April 5 to close Cabot High School as part of the merger plan being put before voters on June 20. Committee members also voted unanimously to change the number of “Yes” votes needed for the merger plan to be approved. The Committee agreed that it would be necessary for all three districts (Cabot, Danville and Twinfield) to each individually approve the merger plan on June 20 in

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BUDGET

order for the merger to go forward. That is, unless all three districts vote in favor of the plan, a new unified district will not be formed. The merger plan is scheduled to be completed by the Committee on Monday, May 24. During the first week in May, each of the individual school boards will have a chance to review the plan and offer suggestions for improving it. In Mid -May, the Vermont State Board of Education will review the plan and, if approved, the plan will head to the voters of the four towns for their approval on Tuesday, June 20.

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Value

$50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $120,000 $140,000 $160,000 $180,000 $200,000 $220,000 $240,000 $260,000 $280,000 $300,000 $320,000 $340,000 $360,000 $380,000 $400,000 $30,000 $40,000 $47,000 618 618 618 967 1058 1058 978 1290 1499 986 1298 1516 814 1306 1524 717 1217 1533 619 19 1469 548 1048 1398 424 924 1274 326 826 1176 227 727 1077 129 629 979 32 532 882 -66 434 784 -164 336 686 -262 238 588 -361 139 489 -458 42 392

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By Niels Larsen

The meeting was well attended, including Representative Kitty Toll, School Board members and officials of all three districts involved in the 706 committee, with an excellent turnout of Cabot voters and current high school students. Chris Tormey, Cabot’s School Board Chairman, gave a detailed explanation of the current status of the 706 committee deliberations and explained that the committee had voted, with the two Cabot members initially voting for option 2, which keeps Cabot’s Project Based Learning in Cabot rather than being closed, to move forward with the option that would close the Cabot high school and offer all students a choice of attending either Twinfield or Danville’ high schools. Each town will vote on that option in the second half of June. Before voting, there should be a clear understanding of at least the following five issues: 1) The benefits and drawbacks of merging on student educational opportunities. 2) The cost impact for property tax payers, but also for the total educational spending in the three school districts stripped of state incentives and penalties. These are not comprehensible to normal humans and, in any case, are scheduled to expire. 3) A comparison of current measureable academic and social achievements among the three schools. 4) The extent to which the outcomes will impact local control, and,

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Income ( Form HS

$50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 880 1320 1602 1610 1618 1627 1635 1644 1653 1661 1669 1677 1686 1695 1703 1711 1719 1728 880 1320 1761 1922 1930 1939 1947 1956 1965 1973 1981 1989 1998 2007 2015 2033 2031 2040 880 1320 1761 2113 2232 2251 2259 2268 27 2285 2293 2301 2310 2319 2327 2335 2343 2352 880 1320 1761 2113 2465 2563 2571 2580 2589 2597 2605 2613 2622 2631 2639 2647 2655 2664

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Student educational opportunities:

The 706 committee is furthest along in addressing this aspect of Act 46. Merging the three districts as proposed will provide students in all three towns more course options than they currently have and maybe introduce new afterschool activities, sports or otherwise. On the negative side, Cabot students have benefitted greatly from years of experiential learning experiences which will be less certain to continue at the current level in the future. Fewer students will have varsity sports opportunities, partly from more competition for the available openings and partly from the inability of families to manage the extra burden of transportation to and from practices and games.

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Cost impact:

Projecting cost beyond the next few years is notoriously difficult, both for the property tax impact and for educational spending stripped of incentives and penalties. What the legislation has created can be changed. In addition, several material cost factors were mentioned by meeting participants that do not appear to be reflected in current projections. Among them; when merging separate bargaining units to negotiate a single

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Homestead

without $90,000 $100,000 $110,000 880 880 880 1320 1320 1320 1761 1761 1761 2113 2113 2113 2465 2465 2465 2817 2817 2817 2883 3169 3169 2892 3204 3516 2901 3213 3525 2909 3221 3533 3015 3327 3639 3367 3679 3991 3720 4032 4344 4072 4384 4696 4424 4736 5048 4776 5088 5400 5128 5440 5762 5481 5793 6105 adjustments

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12 Act 46

contract, the tendency will be to adopt the salary scale and benefits package that is currently enjoyed by the “best off” union. Total compensation may go up in a merged district for both teachers and administrators. The merging of schools provides scope for additional or more costly educational offerings; this would offset some of the hoped for savings. Costs will be shifted from the town budgets to individual families, particularly transportation costs, as families transport students personally to avoid excessively long rides on school busses and for after school activities. Cost savings not currently accounted for may also be possible, once the new school administrations and School Board gain experience, for example, from reduction in part time teachers to full time staff. The Vermont Legislature is expected to vote shortly to take legitimate concerns of many Vermont communities about the lack of flexibility and the rushed timetable of Act 46 which may affect both cost and deadline for completion of the process. These deliberations would present a good opportunity to address what seems like a particularly egregious outcome of the current penalty structure, where small towns like Cabot, which right now have particularly high special education costs, are finding themselves further penalized by the State. This penalty is born by students and the families of current school age children. It defies common sense. Given the number of uncertainties

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Tax

880 1320 1761 2113 2465 2817 3169 3522 3874 4226 4578 4930 5283 5635 5987 6339 6691 7044 vided by the Vermont Department of Taxes. • Find the row with the listed housesite value closest to your housesite value (house and up to two acres) that is printed in the upper righthand corner of your tax bill from the Town of Cabot mailed out in August 2016. • Find the column that most closely approximates your 2016 household income (using the figure from Vermont Household Income form (“Schedule HI 144”) line y or Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Adjustment Claim (“Form HS-122”) line B8). • Where the two intersect is an approximation of the education taxes owed in 2017 for your housesite.

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Meeting

about cost developments outlined above, it would be more realistic to present the cost data as a range rather than a single line, for both the plain projected cost of education, absent State of Vermont incentives and penalties, and for costs that will be covered by Cabot real estate taxes, with or without the effect of the many residents whose taxes are based on income, if that is at all possible to estimate. Overlooked in the discussion of cost is the prospect for a gradual decline in Cabot property values as fewer potential new families will pick Cabot as a place to live and raise a family because of its distance from a good high school. This effect could greatly outweigh the savings in educational expenses, if any. More work will be done in an attempt to back this point up with creditable research.

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Comparison of academic achieve-

ments of the three high schools: A meeting attendee addressed Cabot’s outstanding record of achievement in terms of participation in Advanced Placement courses, high graduation rates, despite having a higher than average number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, excellent record of acceptance to high quality further education. He mentioned that Danville’s results were quite comparable, Twinfield’s less so. Someone else mentioned that Cabot had recently been rated the best high school in Vermont by a national publication known for its rating of colleges and high schools. (See “Thoughts on Cabot”, page 10)

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By Rory Thibault, with Susan Socks

A year ago, Johanna and I visited Cabot for the first time. While we loved the house we found and the village, we committed to live in Cabot because of our confidence in our school and community as an ideal place for our boys to learn and grow. As a flat lander, I feel obliged to disclaim that, while you cannot pick where you are from, you choose where you live – and I remain confident we have chosen wisely. It did not take long to notice the Act 46 process unfolding in our town, and the impact it will have on our community. At this stage in the process, we are being asked to vote on a merger option with Danville and Twinfield that would result in a loss of local control, the closure of Cabot high school (and corresponding impact on the community), the potential for loss of further grades in the PK-8 program, and potential impact upon property values in town. Understanding how we got here, and what the alternatives are is important to protect our students and town’s best interests.

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Status of Act 46 in Cabot

Cabot is currently in an Act 46 Study Committee with the Danville and Twinfield school districts. committee is comprised of including two from Cabot. The study 11 members, The committee voted in April to advance a district merger plan, the so-called “Option 1,” that would eliminate Cabot’s grade 9-12 program and allow our students the choice of attending high school at Danville or Twinfield. Neither Cabot representative supported “Option 1”, and it passed the committee with the minimum number of votes possible, after failing on the first vote. Under this “Option 1” merger plan, Cabot would only hold two of nine seats on a combined school board, which carries inherent risks for the existence of the school as a whole. The merger agreement would only provide Cabot PK-8 protection for four years. After this time, the board may choose to eliminate further grades at Cabot or set the stage for the closure of the school altogether. Thus far, our potential partner districts have made no commitments to preserve our PK-8 program, and have not provided a specific plan of what new programs or opportunities would be available following a merger. There are no guarantees in place to ensure adequate funding for Cabot programs or facilities in the future. The “Option 1” merger plan will only be implemented if all three districts (Cabot, Danville, and Twinfield) vote “yes” in the June town votes. If any community rejects the merger, the deal is null and void. It is important that voters recognize that a “no” vote on merger in June is not a vote for the status quo. If Cabot or another town vote “no” in June, we will have until November to renegotiate the terms of a merger with our current partners, attempt merger with another dis-

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Tax savings (or not), and economic

concerns The promised tax savings and financial incentives under this Act 46 merger plan must be balanced against several realities: first, merger will require the remaining teachers at Cabot and those in Danville to be compensated at the rate of Twinfield teachers (an expected increase of more than $160,000 annually in a combined budget); second, the increased costs associated with student transportation; third, transition of Cabot’s small school grant to a “merger support grant” split among three schools versus just ours; and finally, the stated tax savings will be less than advertised for individuals paying educational taxes based upon income sensitivity...about 3/4 of Cabot residents. At least some of the “savings” will be at the expense of parents and high school students, forced to deal with longer commute times and additional costs/ challenges associated with participation in after school activities or events outside of town. A study of communities (outside of Vermont) suggests up to a 9% decrease in property values following a school closure. The loss of our school would make Cabot less competitive to attract families with children and have economic consequences for the town, to say nothing of the social consequences. A decrease in property values may far outweigh the short-term tax incentives offered under Act 46.

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Student outcomes

The Act 46 study committee’s own data shows Cabot having superior SAT scores and high college attendance rates - equaling or exceeding Danville and U32, far above state averages and the rates at Twinfield. It is true that high school enrollment has declined. But this may be a temporary reduction. The grades currently entering high school sustained heavy losses years earlier, during a difficult period under less effective administration. The up-and-coming grades have steady enrollment, currently around 15 per grade (some with more), as opposed to the current ninth grade class of seven. Supporters of Act 46 use the term “opportunities” as a sword to attack small schools like Cabot, asserting that broader course offerings will result in better student outcomes. However, the reality is that small schools have their own strengths. The success of our students, whether in the workforce or in college, clearly show that small schools work. It isn’t difficult to find students and alumni happy to share their stories, and to vouch for their Cabot education.

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More background on Act 46

At the heart of Act 46 are five goals, to: “(1) provide substantial equity in the quality and variety of educational opportunities statewide; (2) lead students to achieve or exceed the State’s Education Quality Standards … ; (3) maximize operational efficiencies through increased flexibility to manage, share, and transfer resources, with a goal of increasing the district-level ratio of students to full-time equivalent staff; (4) promote transparency and accountability; and (5) are delivered at a cost that parents, voters, and taxpayers value.” While most people would agree these are worthy goals, the approach the state has taken to achieve these goals is questionable. It is a top-down governmentimposed structure, with an arbitrary number of 900 students per school district. This one-size-fits-all “solution” has a number of unintended consequences, including closure of small, successful schools, longer bus rides (and less time for homework, extracurriculars, and family time) for students in rural areas, and diminishing vibrancy of villages in terms of property values and economic activity. Looking around the state, we are not alone in struggling to find an acceptable path to comply with Act 46. In small rural communities similar to Cabot, there is increasing resistance, seen in failed votes and dissolved study committees. The legislature is struggling to respond and has advanced a bill to allow some increased flexibility and an extended timeline to access tax incentives.

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State Senator, Caledonia District

As Vermonters slowly adjust to the school governance models dictated by Act 46, it was inevitable that some are dazed and frustrated by the idea of forced change to the familiar. We Vermonters, after all, are naturally suspicious of activity under the Golden Dome. But my daily walk reminds me that education governance and delivery are always changing. The road I live on is a hill, one of the earlier roads in town, built to reach a very old farmhouse perched on the top of that hill. At the other end is an intersection, a connecting artery older than my own road, built to reach widely dispersed farmhouses that controlled an agrarian economy since the early 1800’s. Most driving by that intersection will never see it, but at a walking pace one notices an anomaly in the landscape, a cellar hole that leads the curious (me, anyway) to visit the local library. Perusal of an ancient Caledonia County map reveals the hole was once occupied by the Mosquito School, built to educate the children of the eight or nine families whose parents were area farmers in the nineteenth century. Since transportation at the time was limited to two or four legs, the town was forced by law to distribute schoolhouses to meet the needs of a widely dispersed student population growing up in an agrarian economy. In every town in the Northeast Kingdom, indeed in every Vermont town, educational cellar holes and still existing one room school houses converted to other uses are a common feature of our landscape. The Mosquito School burned down in

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May 2017 ~ page 9

ple. Most small towns have pride in their identity, traditions, and institutions - but Cabot has unique strengths and appeal that cannot be quantified. A “no” vote will provide us the opportunity to chart the best path forward for our students, and a better chance to ensure preservation of our PK-8 school in the long term. Cabot has tough choices to make, but it is clear that the merger option we have been presented will do little to increase student achievement, and the merged district savings come at a disproportionate cost to our community. In assessing the merger option we have been presented, Cabot voters should consider this language from Act 46: “Vermont recognizes the important role that a small school plays in the social and educational fabric of its community. It is not the State’s intent to close its small schools, but rather to ensure that those schools have the opportunity to enjoy the expanded educational opportunities and economies of scale that are available to schools within larger, more flexible governance models.” Surely we can do better than the flawed option presented to us. We should not accept a flawed option for the sake of compliance or out of fear. Instead, we can and will work together to find a sustainable path to ensure a quality education, preservation of our community’s strengths, and a path to compliance with or without our current partners.

the 1950’s. I have no doubt a difficult conversation followed, a conversation now being repeated today over Act 46. Times had changed. The horse and buggy had been replaced by the horseless carriage. Farmers were trading in their plows for better paying jobs in town. There were better educational opportunities if children were sent to the bigger, more centralized schools. Conversely, there was genuine concern for the loss of local control and community engagement that small schools offered. Whether it was prohibitive cost, declining enrollment or a combination of both I do not know. They decided not to rebuild Mosquito School. vaded where a community to educate their children. Foliage inonce gathered

But the story does not end there. Over the course of the next three decades the remaining one room school houses and fine brick buildings built to educate a growing and more mobile student population became obsolete. By the 1990’s, another difficult debate ensued balancing the need for better space against the rising cost of maintaining deteriorating facilities. Familiar arguments over loss of community institutions versus cost savings and new educational opportunities split the town’s residents. In the end, a fine new school was built to accommodate 800 students. But once again, the story didn’t end. Over the next two decades a substantial statewide decline in student population was also felt in Lyndon. (Student head count has now fallen below 500.) The Supreme Court’s Brigham decision resulted in legislation requiring state collection and distribution of all education taxes to more equitably deliver education to all Vermont students. But the tradeoff was loss of the (See “School Daze”, page 10)

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By Brigitte Codling

We have come a long way over the last sixteen months of merger negotiations, and we all have an incredibly important decision to make soon! For those who have not had the opportunity to attend the many Act 46 Merger meetings and forums, I offer the following key pieces of information for your consideration: 1. The Act 46 - 706 committee voted unanimously on April 18, 2017, for all three districts (Cabot, Twinfield, and Danville) to become “necessary”; if one district votes “no” the whole merger is defeated. This decision sends a clear message of solidarity….we are truly in this together! 2. Danville School representatives addressed their meeting on April 12 with Blue Mountain School. The meeting was at the request of Blue Mountain. Blue Mountain is not happy with their local merger negotiations and seeking other alternatives. However, Danville stated that they are fully committed to and support the Cabot, Twinfield, Danville merger. Blue Mountain School could request to join our merger after/if we vote to merge. The new unified district would decide via a vote, to welcome them into the district or to refuse them. 3. It has been said that if we only focus on standardized test scores for the High School students, we miss the important fact that standardized test scores for Cabot Elementary students are in the bottom 4% here in Vermont. The merger would provide vital resources for, and allow us to focus on, our Elementary and Middle School students. 4. Many statements have been made that by closing Cabot High School we eliminate Project Based Learning (PBL) programs at Cabot School. However, the two lead PBL teacher/ trainers at Cabot School do not teach in the HS and there is nothing to suggest their positions would be eliminated as part of the merger. PBL would continue throughout Cabot Elementary and Middle School. 5. Key decisions made related to the Merger Articles of Agreement on April 18, 2017: • ARTICLE 12 - Ballots for the unified district will not be “co-mingled”; meaning that each town will vote independently, and those votes will be counted and recorded locally, after which each town’s ballot total will be combined to decide the fate of the unified budget. • ARTICLE 13 – Outlines a comprehensive process to be followed for the unified district to close a school within the unified district. A decision was made to move this process to Article 1 to safeguard against the process being changed after 4 years (the term of the Articles of Agreement). • ARTICLE 14 – States that the unified board will develop a K-8 “interdistrict” choice process for students within the unified district. This (any put more (per

include: • Keep Schools

$.02

grant • Significant (Supervisory School tional • Cabot many worth 2015)

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together!

would provide a method by which parents could request approval for their K-8 student to attend one of the other schools within the unified district. ARTICLE 16 – The new unified board will create PBL programming at the HS level within the unified district. The new board will determine the best method for realizing this. ARTICLE 16 – The new unified board will provide transition planning for all HS students who will move from their current HS to a HS within the new unified district. The current deadline for merger approval by voters in order to receive Act 46 incentives is July 1, 2017. To meet this deadline, Cabot, Danville, and Twinfield voters will be voting on the merger on June 20. Each Town will be asked to vote; Merge “Yes” -- OR -- Not to Merge “No”. Currently, if Cabot votes “No” to the merger on June 20, we lose all incentives (tax incentives, small school grant, and transition grant, operational savings etc.,)… even if we “opt back in” before Nov 30. On June 20. each Town will also be asked to elect new School Board members to make up the new unified School Board; Marshfield will elect two (2) new board members, Plainfield will elect two (2) new board members; Cabot will elect two (2) new board members, and Danville will elect three (3) new board members. The population of each town determines the number of board members for each town. Cabot will elect one new board member for a one-year term and another for a three-year term. If the merger is voted down, the newly elected board members are immediately out of a job. The proposed new district structure structure) would be required to be into place by July 1, 2019, but would likely be put in place July 1, 2018, the 706 committee). The financial incentives for merging

Cabot’s annual $151,000 Small Grant (SSG) Cabot is the town that currently gets this SSG The SSG would go to the newly formed district only if Cabot votes “Yes” to the merger Cabot loses the SSG if we vote “No” to the merger reductions of $.08, $.06, $.04 and over the next 4 years district would receive a transition of $150,000 operational savings Union cuts, Cabot High teaching staff reduction, operacost reductions, etc.,) no longer would need to repair failing facilities (3.5 million quoted in 2011 – updated in Attempting an “Alternate Stand-Alone Structure”: • If Cabot votes “No” to the Danville/ Twinfield/Cabot merger, Cabot could send a plan to the Agency of Education (AOE) on how we could stand alone / without a merger • Cabot would need to prove we could still meet ALL the requirements of Act 46 • It is “highly unlikely” that this option would be approved by the AOE because Cabot is not structurally or geographically isolated and cannot meet the other requirements of Act 46 by ourselves. • There are currently no incentives attached to trying this option. The House of Representatives is considering Bill S.122. • If passed by the House as written; it

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School Daze

(continued from page 9) local taxpayer’s ability to have direct control over his/her property rates. Property taxes rose even local school boards decreased budgets. tax when school

Twenty years later frustrated Vermonters demanded change and the legislature responded with Act 46. It changes governance boundary lines to provide better education at less cost. All change

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Local control:

The vote by the 706 committee to remove the option favored by Cabot’s representatives from consideration may be taken as a preview of Cabot’s future. For all intents and purposes, Cabot as a community will no longer have much of a voice in the direction of our children’s education. I appreciate that members of the 706 committee and the current superintendent believe passionately that Cabot’s interests will be heard and that no one currently plans to follow up on the closing of the high school with the closing of PreK-8 in the future. School board members change. Circumstances change. The first time the Cabot school presents a proposal for a major capital outlay, e.g. the repairs to the current gym, the temptation will be great by School Board members from the larger towns to avoid that cost and instead absorb Cabot into their existing facilities. Further pressure from the state may encourage that. If no one truly intends to consolidate PreK-8, no one should object to extending the guarantee in a merger agreement from the current 4 to 10 years, as one participant suggested.

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hronicle

may offer a five-month extension for districts who vote “No” to their current mergers, to try again to come up with a merger. • However, “Nothing in this act should suggest that it is acceptable for a school district to fail to take reasonable and robust action to seek to meet the goals of Act 46.” • If Cabot is unable to get a merger agreement approved by November 30 (Town votes “No”, AOE says “No”, Education Board says “No”) we lose all incentives. • This would be a very risky path to follow, with a high probability of failure. Finally, if Cabot does not meet the requirements of Act 46 this year, the state will step in and decide how, with whom, and when we will merge; with no incentives and with no local input.

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OMMENTARY

brings discomfort, but the ghosts still lingering over a cellar hole in Lyndon offer hope. Act 46 is not the end of the discussion. It is merely a momentary solution in a centuries-old debate that will continue long after we become ghosts ourselves. Governing boundary lines do not educate our children. The crucial component in our educational heritage is the willingness of parents and neighbors to stay engaged. If Vermonters stay focused on seeing our children succeed, our descendants will be all right.

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on Cabot

Either one of the larger districts could vote no to the merger. This option removed some of the emotion from the deliberation and allowed the committee to focus on student educational opportunities, which it has done well. However, soon will be the time to vote. Cabot voters could be asked to vote, not knowing whether a yes vote would result in our students being given the choice of one or two of the larger high schools offerings. Voters should know exactly what the result of a yes or a no vote would be. The Act 46/706 committee will meet again on April 18 at the CSPAC to hear about the input from this and forums held in Danville and Twinfield to make final changes/adjustments to the draft plan that was outlined above. There is, then, a possibility that the plan presented to the voters in June may differ from the version discussed at this April 12 meeting.

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May 2017 ~ page 11

oo oo oo oo d d d d W W W W a a a a t t t t e e e e n n n n r r r r e e e e i i i i ss ss ss ss s s s s ! ! ! ! G G G G B B B B u u u u s s s s i i i i O O O O u u u u r r r r

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SATURDAY, MAY 6

Cabot Arts is proud to announce a flash concert by three of the country’s greatest blues artists, Andy Cohen , Eleanor Ellis , and (no relation) William Lee Ellis at the Cabot Town Hall (Willey Building), 3084 Main Street on Saturday, May 6 at 7:00 PM . Admission will be by donation at the door. When these blues musicians Andy Cohen , William Lee Ellis and Eleanor Ellis play together, it is with the familiarity of old friends. That easy spontaneity comes from their familiarity with a range of material from all over the South, and with each other. They are recorded together on the Riverlark CD Preachin' in the Wilderness . Andy Cohen is a showman and a consummate musician who learned his craft by traveling and playing with such blues legends as Reverend Gary Davis, John Jackson and Honeyboy Edwards. He plays a mean guitar as well as piano, dulceola and sometimes autoharp; his blues, gospel and ragtime renditions have been described as a mix of “the well known, the obscure, and the weirdly wonderful.” Andy has directed several folk festivals, and carries on the tradition by teaching and by creating performance opportunities for Blues and Gospel players of successive generations. A versatile fingerpicking guitarist and expressive singer, blues musician and Louisiana native Eleanor Ellis has traveled and played with the late gospel street singer Flora Molton and Piedmont bluesman Archie Edwards, and sometimes accompanied Delta blues great Eugene Powell. A founding member of the DC Blues Society and the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, she has written about the blues for several publications, teaches guitar, and is producer of the video documentary Blues Houseparty , featuring well-known Piedmont blues musicians. Her music has been described as "distinctive and personal...beautifully sung and thoroughly believeable." Memphis roots guitarist/songwriter William Lee Ellis has been hailed a “wizard on steel strings” (Blues Revue ), while AllMusic Guide writes: “Not since the late John Campbell has there been a blues talent so original.” The son of banjo composer Tony Ellis and the godson of bluegrass patriarch Bill Monroe, William specializes in pre-WWII acoustic blues and gospel styles, notably the music of Reverend Gary Davis. Among his recordings are Conqueroo , picked by Acoustic Guitar magazine as one of 2003’s best albums, and the Jim Dickinson-produced record, God’s Tattoos , called “one of the most welcome acoustic blues albums of 2006” by the Chicago Sun-Times. Ellis holds a PhD in ethnomusicology and a Master of Music in classical guitar. He is an associate professor of music at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester and records for the Yellow Dog label.

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Miss Mary and Lola

Miss Mary is a beautiful all black feline girl who is about 11 months old. She is pretty suspicious of humans. She will watch you carefully, she will take treats from you, and she might just let you pet her. Mary has been with KingMiss Mary (above) dom Animal Shelter for about six and Lola (Right). months. Though she isn’t too sure about humans, she loves kittens and is absolutely ecstatic when she sees new kittens come in. She has made friends with several over the past months, only to watch them be taken away to their new homes. She watches them go, she cries out to them as they leave. Less than two months ago, we took in an eight-month old feline girl, Lola. Lola is all gray. She is so friendly and playful. At the time of her surrender, she weighed only four pounds. She should have weighed eight pounds. And she had had two seizures in the home. When she was first with us, she had another seizure...and perhaps another, though if it was a seizure, it was a very mild one. There have been none since. But we don’t know if other seizures will come. When Lola came, Mary perked right up. We began letting them out together...and they loved it. They play and play and chase each other around the cat walk. They wrestle, they hug each other. And when they are in their adjoining condos after having been out and playing, they lie right up against the nearest side and reach through the wires and touch each other...saying Hi, I am here, I love you, you are my friend. So….we have decided that Lola and Mary need to go home together. We don’t want Mary to lose another kitten friend. And we want Lola to have her special playmate. It will take a special person to adopt Lola and Mary, someone who will have patience with Lola if she does have more seizures and give her her meds, and someone who will have patience with Mary as she gains confidence towards humans. Who knows? Maybe Lola will be able to help Mary trust humans.

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LAUGHING TURTLE

We have a strong tradition of learning to live in health, harmony and respect in every part of our lives. Our first priority is having fun together while learning to take personal responsibility for our choices. Our goal is to develop caring, connected and capable young people who share a strong and abiding commitment to themselves, their community, and the natural environment. Our staff is variously gifted in music, drama, creative arts, outdoor living, hiking, sports, backpacking, outdoor, carpentry, gardening and leadership skills. They reflect the values we most appreciate and share a commitment to providing positive and healthy learning experiences which foster creativity and promote feelings of independence and self-esteem. At camp we help kids understand that they are special and that summer is about the fun they create as they find new friends and face new challenges.

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Family rates, sliding fee scale,

many grants and scholarships . (Don’t hesitate to ask about a payment arrangement that would be suitable for you and your family .) If you are eligible for child care subsidy at any level, we have a grant for supporting subsidy eligible children with NO co-pay.

For more information, cal Judy at

w.camplaughingturtle.com Communion offered the1 st Sunday of the Month

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No Matter who you are

or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome to travel with us for as long as you need. The church is available for weddings, concerts, community organizations, birthday and anniversary celebrations and social gatherings.* To reserve a time call 5632278 and leave a message. *FYI: the church is an alcohol and smoke free building. Pastor: Christina Findlay, Mdiv Established in 1806 Music: Erma Perry, Bruce Westcott Moved to present location in 1849

CABOT UNITED CHURCH SUMER ACTIVITIES

Town Wide Yard Sale – looking for vendors for June 24

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Yard Sale on the Common:

Table spaces are available on the common for $5.00. (A snack bar will be at the entrance of the common and the Strawberry Festival will be taking place in the Church, making the common an ideal space for vendors.)

Yard Sale at your home: A yard sale at your location can be put on a map of the town of Cabot for a cost of $10. The maps will be available to visitors on June 24.

To sign up for the table space on the common or put your location on the map,

There is no limit to the number of yard sales in Cabot on Saturday, June 24. In fact, the more that are planned, the more folks will come to town to find bargains. Get your yard sale on the map or sign up for a table on the common as soon as you can.

June 24 (more details next month) Town Wide Yard Sale Snack Bar at the entrance of the Common Strawberry Festival at the Church

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TVSC ACTIVITIES

May 11 TVSC will be hosting the American Red Cross Blood Draw. Time is 1:00-6:00 p.m. @ TVSC May Foot Clinics on the 3 rd and on

appointment. Sing-a-long with Pat Mayhew will take place May 17 at 1:00 p.m. at the center. All are welcome. The Barre Senior Chorus will be presenting an hour of music & song on May 22 at the center and all are welcome. Center will be closed May 29 for Memorial Day. Meals on Wheels delivered Friday, May 26, to cover May 29. Thanks so much to Erica Burke for serving as Library Trustee and for her many great ideas along the way. Thanks also to Isabella McCallum for two years’ service as Student Representative and for the many projects she helped with. We are thrilled to welcome Susan Dineen as our newest Trustee and Billie O’Connor as our new Student Representative. The Library Trustees (Stef Burtt, Susan Dineen, Linda Gabrielson, Jeannie McCallum, and Beth Wade) and I would also like to express our gratitude to everyone for the passing of the Library Budget for 2017. Finally please do not hesitate to come in and ask for any reading materials you are interested in.

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Feltus– Tuesdays, May 2–30 - 5:30–

6:30 p.m. Class will be a blend of yoga, active isolated stretching & strengthening, relaxation & breathing techniques! Learn simple exercises to practice anywhere. Naturally free your body from stress & tension and breathe more deeply! All levels & ages welcome! Wear comfortable clothes & bring a mat if you have one. Contact Alicia for more info 802-563 -3220 or aliciafeltus@gmail.com. Donations welcome. And Still I Rise - Movie Series –

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SATURDAY-MAY 13

9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at 4583 U.S. Route 2 East Montpelier (Blueberry Commons) Perennials, Vegetable & House Plants TABLE RENTALS FOR FLEA MARKET ($25.00)

HAMBURGERS, CHEESEBURGERS, CHIPS & COOKIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE TVSC’s OWN COUNTRY CHORUS SINGERS PERFORMING FROM 11:00 a.m. TO 12:00 p.m.

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Trips offered by TVSC:

June 10: National Park/Historic Parks of Vermont & New Hampshire. The trip includes round trip premier motor coach, full time tour manager, admissions to all activities, lunch provided at Simon Pearce Mill in Quechee, VT. Cost per person $139.00. August 12: The Music Man Matinee at Weston Playhouse. What’s included: Center orchestra seats, Vermont Country Store, full-time tour manager and luxurious motor coach. Bring a lunch or order at The Vermont Country Store. Matinee at 2:00 p.m. Cost per person $129.00. September 30: Stowe Mountain Lodge Gondola Ride. What’s included: Leaf peeping round-trip premier motor coach, roundtrip ride on the Stowe Gondola Sky Ride at the top of Mount Mansfield. Free time at the summit & Stowe Mountain Lodge, Full-time tour manager, Summit gift shop & lunch on your own at the Cliff House restaurant. Optional zip line descent not available. Cost per person $115.00. October 1: Fall Foliage Train Ride to Highest Peak in New England: What’s included: Leaf peeping round trip premier motor coach, admission to a 3-hour adventure to the summit of Mount Washington via train ride, Box lunch and full-time tour manager. Cost per person $ 169.00. We must have between 25-30 people attending each trip for the Premier Coach to pick up and drop off at Twin Valley Senior Center.

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Thursday, May 4 – 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Movie, free rice pasta supper (bring dessert to share if you wish) and conversation. We will continue looking at perspectives on recent history in America with the movie 13 th . Join us as we look into the past so we can learn more about how to approach our future in this country. Please RSVP so we know how much food to make. Please indicate if childcare is needed. “Between the lines, “13th” boldly asks the question if African-Americans were actually ever truly “free” in this country. We are freer, as this generation has it a lot easier than our ancestors who were enslaved, but the question of being as completely “free” as our White compatriots hangs in the air. If not, will the day come when all things will be equal? The final takeaway of “13th” is that change must come not from politicians, but from the hearts and minds of the American people.” –Odie Henderson

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Dance – Saturday, May 13 – 7:30

p.m. This dance series consists of monthly dances on the second Saturday of the month September through May. All are invited. Music will be provided by David Carpenter and friends. The dances are taught and are easily learned by young and old. The contra and square dances are traditional Vermont and New England social dances that have been danced for many generations in the town halls, barns, and kitchens around Vermont. The music is provided by piano and an assortment of fiddles, mandolins, guitars, and the occasional surprise instrument. Musicians are always invited to sit in and join with the fun of playing traditional dance tunes. There

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Meditation Group – Third Wednes-

day, May 17 – 6:00–7:30 p.m. Meeting on the third Wednesday of the month. Daria Babbitt has been teaching meditation for over 25 years and will introduce different meditation techniques designed to reduce stress. There will also be time for discussion about various healing techniques and inner spiritual growth. This workshop is open to all and donations are gratefully accepted.

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Thank You!

Many thanks to Jim Goodrich for updating all our computers. Thanks also to Jen Boucher for all the work in preparing for the movie series/dinners. Many thanks also to Paul Wade for the fun program on 3-D printing. The continued volunteer help is very much appreciated – thank you Lorelai Bastress, Susan Dineen, Lela Jones, Vicki Palmer, Beth Wade and Charles Williams. Much gratitude to all the folks who help with regular ongoing programming: Daria Babbitt, David Carpenter, Alicia Feltus and Jonah and Ethan Socks.

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Story Hour 11:00 am - NEW TIME

• Wednesday 2:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. • Thursday • Saturday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. • Closed Sunday, Monday & Friday • ECHO Pass – Allows up to 2 adults and 3 youths, $4 each admission, into ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington.

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Spring In Northern

It is finally spring, or at least the calendar says it is supposed to be!! As I look out the window, I still have a lawn covered in snow, and it is the month of April. Only this week am I seeing signs that it is spring, in spite of the size of the snow banks on my lawn and the huge ruts in my driveway. I watched in tears as a large flock of robins moved around on the lawn covered with snow, trying to find worms to eat. They looked very cold and very tired from their trip. I also see that a pair of mallard ducks that come to my pond every year are also having a hard time. flows into the pond is The brook that like a raging river. They looked very tired from the long flight. The pond is still mostly ice and the brook that flows into it is like a raging river instead of a calm brook. There are more flocks of birds arriving each day. I make sure that the feeders are kept full and something available for

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Notice to Cabot

We have been made aware of a number of dogs that have been running loose in Cabot. We want you to know that there is a leash law for the Town of Cabot, and if your dog is outside, it needs to be either on a run or a leash. It is also important that you not only register your dog, but have it vaccinated against rabies, as well. If your dog bites someone while running loose, you may be liable for the expenses and a possible law suit. If we have a report of a dog running loose, we will pick it up and have it impounded. You will not be able to get your dog back until it is vaccinated, licensed and the fee for picking up the dog and the pound fees are paid in full. The Town of Cabot does have a Dog Ordinance, and we will enforce this, which will include a fine of

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The Ice is Out!

The Joe’s Pond 2017 Ice-Out Contest officially ended Sunday, April 23, 2017, at 4:32 p.m. The contest winner is Emily Wiggett, of North Danville, Vermont. Emily guessed the clock would stop at 4:31 p.m. on April 23 - she was the closest to the actual time of 4:32 p.m.

*Outdoor *Hands * Science

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Vermont

each type of flock that is arriving. As if somebody flipped a switch, the weather has finally changed to spring. I hear geese calling and look up to see several of them flying in their V formation. All the birds are now being joined by animals that are coming out of hibernation. The yard is busy with squirrels, chipmunks, and a couple of mice. I want to caution you not to let your dogs run across ponds or streams covered with ice. This time of year, too many dogs run out on the ice, which will not support them. If they break through the ice, they could easily drown, so pick carefully where you let them run. I am very sure, now, that spring is finally here, because dogs, cats, horses etc., are all shedding like crazy. A lot of creatures are gathering the hair for their nests for their offspring. I personally am waiting for the flowers to start blooming, also.

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When: May 20 at 1:00 p.m.

All are welcome - Veterans, Service members and local community members

Daniel Durgin will be completing his project at the rec field in Cabot, Vermont. Daniel chose to place a new 20-foot flag pole at the rec field so we can honor our flag and country prior to our home soccer games. Please come out to support Daniel in completing his project and honoring our fallen and current Veterans and Service men and women.

Danieldurgin01@gmail.com. Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of the sacrifice of our nation's founders and heroes. As the ultimate icon of America's storied history, the Stars and Stripes represents the very best of this nation.

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← From the Cabot Chronicle