Al Elliott Lake House returns to finish ordered to close memoirs for four days. 1B 12 the Chronicle THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF ORLEANS COUNTY TWO SECTIONS, 52 PAGES VOLUME 44, NUMBER 11 MARCH 15, 2017 ONE DOLLAR Newport City Council Two aldermen Congratulations, Falcons! to be appointed by Joseph Gresser NEWPORT — The city’s three council members will appoint two aldermen to serve until the annual meeting next March, or until voters petition the council to hold a special election. That was the primary result of the special meeting held by the Newport City Council Monday night. Mayor Paul Monette and Aldermen John Wilson and Denis Chenette were put on the spot by the unexpected resignation of city council President Neil Morrissette and Alderman Steven Vincent after the results of Town Meeting Day balloting were known. Both men submitted letters of resignation immediately after learning that Alderman Jacques Roberge had lost his re-election bid to Mr. Chenette. “At this time and under the current conditions I can no longer serve,” both men wrote in submitting their immediate resignations. Mr. Morrissette had another year left in his term, and North Country Union High School seniors Dana Marsh, left, and Dawson Cote carry the championship banner Mr. Vincent had just been re-elected with the leading the Falcons hockey team in a victory lap around the ice at Gutterson Field House on Thursday in highest vote total in the four-way contest. Burlington. The Falcons defeated Harwood Union 4-3 to capture the Division II hockey crown. For more pictures (Continued on page twenty-four.) and a season wrap-up, please see page eighteen. Photo by Pamela Wade Medicaid could be Act 46 study cut by $200-million committee struggles by Joseph Gresser insurance. Only about 2 percent of Vermonters lack any insurance at MONTPELIER — Vermont is all, the second lowest percentage in to define its purpose likely to see a $200-million the nation. by Elizabeth Trail dialogue with the public at their reduction in federal Medicaid funds Vermont has the smallest respective meetings and passed out if Congress passes the version of the percentage of uninsured children, BARTON — A committee copies of an updated Act 46 survey. American Health Care Act (AHCA) according to AHS Secretary Al formed Monday evening to study At its first meeting, the study now making its way through the Gobeille. how schools in the Orleans Central committee decided it was important House of Representatives. That was The large reduction in payments Supervisory Union (OCSU) will to get more public input. the message delivered Friday by is the result of an unfortunate comply with the state mandate to Although the district merger officials of the state Agency of coincidence, he said. The AHCA consolidate into fewer districts proposal was defeated last year by Human Services (AHS) at a press will cap the amount of money going struggled with the seemingly simple five of the six towns in the Orleans conference here. to states based on the number of task of defining its goals. Central Supervisory Union, only 552 According to Corey Gustafson, patients covered in 2016, a year that Members of the committee were people actually went to the polls. commissioner of the Department of the number of people covered was sharply divided on whether the In many towns, the margins Health Access, the Medicaid artificially low, Mr. Gustafson said. point is to make another try at were narrow, Chair Amy Leroux program covers the medical costs of Mr. Gobeille said the change in consolidating into a single unified pointed out. In Albany, the approximately 24 percent of the way funds are allocated to the school district, or explore other consolidation measure was only Vermonters. Around 35 percent of state could require Vermont to alternatives. defeated by three votes. Vermonters are covered by group make difficult choices in the years And they disagreed about Over 1,300 people filled out a policies provided by employers, and ahead. whether to have the process driven survey handed out to voters in the another 22 percent get their health These could include reducing by input from the community, or general election in November, but coverage from Medicare, the the number of people whose health whether to start with the state no one seems to be quite sure how to program for those above 65 years of care is covered by Medicaid, mandate and figure out how to sell interpret the results. age. changing what services are offered, it to voters. When the new Act 46 Study Another 11 percent are covered or taking funds away from other About 20 people, some members Committee convened a few weeks by small group policies, military programs covered by federal money. of the Act 46 Study Committee, and ago, members decided to try to benefits, and federal employee Such programs include wellness some interested citizens, came to engage the public in their respective programs intended to keep down the the meeting in the COFEC building towns in a dialogue at Town cost of health care, he said. in Barton. Meeting. The bill would also make major It was the committee’s first And a new survey was drawn changes in the premium subsidy meeting since Town Meeting Day, up. (Continued on page twenty.) when study committee members (Continued on page twenty-three.) from each school district opened a Page Two the Chronicle, March 15, 2017 the Chronicle INDEX Two killed in Lowell crash LOWELL — A head-on collision on Route 100 According to Sergeant Lacourse, it appeared Crossword Puzzle..........................................11 Kids’ Corner ................................................20B here took the lives of Joanne Nolin and Gordon that Mr. Farrar, who was headed north in his Kingdom Calendar ...............................12B-17B Farrar early Monday afternoon. According to a 2007 Chevrolet Colorado, crossed into the Letters to the Editor ....................................4-9 press release from State Police Sergeant Michael southbound lane, colliding with Ms. Nolin, who Obituaries................................................4B-5B Lacourse, police were summoned to the site of the was going south in her 2008 Dodge Caliber. Perimeter......................................................3B crash just after noon. Both cars suffered extensive front-end Ruminations..................................................2B They arrived to find both Ms. Nolin, a 68- damage and were totaled, Sergeant Lacourse Sports............................................................18 year-old Derby resident, and Mr. Farrar, 45, of said. Sudoku Puzzle .................................................6 Newport had died of the extensive injuries they Mr. Farrar was not wearing a seatbelt, but Advertising Sections suffered in the collision. While the Missisquoi Ms. Nolin was, according to the report. Auctions & Real Estate ........................10B-11B Valley Ambulance service was at the scene along He said the accident is still under Auto .........................................................29-31 with the Lowell Fire Department, neither driver investigation. Building Trades ........................................8B-9B was taken to the hospital. Classified Ads.......................................18B-19B Police closed the road for several hours for Hair................................................................24 their investigation. Jobs ..........................................................26-27 OCNRCD offers AerWay Pets................................................................25 Restaurants & Entertainment..............13B-15B WARNING manure applicator rental Taxes .............................................................15 Personnel Committee Meeting The Orleans County Natural Resources Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at 4 p.m. Conservation District (OCNRCD) is offering Lake Region Union High School school board will be holding a Personnel AerWay equipment rentals. AerWay is an Committee meeting on Wednesday, alternative manure application system that can BINGO March 15, 2017, at 4 p.m. in the multi- reduce compaction while increasing soil health purpose room for the purpose of Math and crop yields by improving water and nutrient To benefit Charleston 8th grade trip to Boston teaching position interviews. filtration. Charleston Elementary School, March 18, 2017 This equipment is available on a first come, Doors open at 5 p.m., Bingo starts at 6 p.m. first served basis at a rate of $6 per acre. The • Regular games • Special games • Jackpot • 50/50 raffle • aerator can be used on corn, hay, and Concession foods • Baked items WARNING pastureland. It is 20 feet wide and requires a Personnel Committee Meeting tractor with at least 120 horsepower. The unit A big THANK-YOU to the local area Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 4 p.m. also requires a one-ton truck with a pin hitch for businesses for the awesome prizes! Lake Region Union High School school board will be holding a Personnel transportation. It is the farmer’s responsibility to Committee meeting on Wednesday, perform general care and maintenance and to March 22, 2017, at 4 p.m. in the multi- address any preventable damage and repairs. Every Friday*: purpose room for the purpose of Social OCNRCD has information on grant resources Good Time Music DJ Studies teaching position interviews. and incentive payments available to farmers. *Except First Friday (Karaoke). 8 p.m.–Midnight. No cover. 21 Please contact Sarah Damsell at 334-6090, + Saturday, March 18 extension 118, for more information. — from