THE Since 1889 75 Cents HardwickHardwick ◆ Greensboro ◆ Craftsbury ◆ Wolcott ◆ Walden ◆ StannardGazette ◆ Woodbury ◆ Calais ◆ Cabot ◆ Marshfield Wednesday, February 1, 2017 Volume 128 Number 4 Broadband Library And Childcare Expansion Edge Closer excited to jump on board this year and Bond Vote by June Pichel Cook CRAFTSBURY — Improving help out.” broadband in 2017, establishing a She said the groups organized child-care facility in town by fall, pro- after last year’s setting of priorities tecting the landscape and landowners’ and put “in countless of hours of their Set For April own time to better serve our commu- rights, strengthening partnerships by Michael Bielawski library was considered one of the top nity.” between schools and community, and HARDWICK — The Jeudevine initiatives to come out of those meet- A community children’s cen- improving safety on town roadways Memorial Library has set the date ings. ter, “Craftsbury Saplings,” was are on the priority “action goals” list in for the biggest obstacle of all in its The effort will be headed by organized. Its mission is dedicated Craftsbury. Concerted effort toward now years long effort to get a build- Jodi Lew-Smith. She will help run a to “providing childcare to families in achieving these goals were energized ing expansion completed. The library series of community discussions and the greater Craftsbury area, empha- by the Craftsbury Community Visit will have a bond vote on April 4 for outreach presentations to different sizing community collaboration and last year. $1,965,865. The USDA loan has an groups around town. Hazen Union exploration of the natural world.” Five ad hoc committees have interest rate of 3.375 percent for 30 was one location mentioned, others The group received a $10,000 been working on three priorities years. should be announced in the near grant from the Vermont Children’s pinpointed in the community visit The library’s trustees met Thurs- future. Trust, Innovation Program, in and sub-priorities growing out of day evening and spent much of the In addition to Power Point pre- September 2016. After research- the three major ones. The priorities time talking about how to best en- sentation and handouts there will be ing potential facilities, the East were improving broadband and cel- gage the public with a coordinated a virtual tour created by the Montpe- Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, lular service, maintaining the town’s public relations campaign intended lier architects Gossens & Bachman, using the lower level, has been chosen landscape and rural village charac- to inform people about the project to who designed the proposed addition. for a small program. The goal is to ter, and improving school/community try to garner support. This will allow the public to see both start the 2017-2018 school year; the partnerships. The task force set to engage outside and inside from a first-person location is a temporary interim as the Chair Emily Maclure noted: the public derived from the Coun- perspective before a single corner- group seeks a permanent location for “Thank you to all those who have cil on Rural Development visits to stone is laid to the foundation. an expanded program. been part of these wonderful efforts Hardwick about a year ago. Getting The trustees said the USDA See BROADBAND Page Six and thank you to all of those who are this long-anticipated addition to the See LIBRARY Page Five It's Magic! Local Officials Magician David Martin of Island Pond, left, shows Woodbury fourth grader Mo DaVinchi, School Budget right, a trick of the trade during a school show. The 50 K-six grade students reached their goal of 300 points in the Positive Behavior Intervention System and were rewarded with the Offer Praise For magic show. Martin is the network administrator for the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union. (photo by Vanessa Fournier) Revisit Idea Not Montpelier Marches issues, such as women’s rights, civil Popular Locally by June Pichel Cook rights, and affecting everyone with CRAFTSBURY — Town Clerk by Michael Bielawski and that’s likely all it will be. different political persuasions, who Yvette Brown said the Select Board HARDWICK — With newly “We have a separation of powers tends to avoid events such as the Jan. can work on together. Municipal Budget Ready elected Gov. Phil Scott at the helm, and we have checks and balances,” “The amazing participation ev- 21 Montpelier Women’s March to his campaign pledge for fiscal respon- he said. “We have a democratic gov- erywhere demonstrates that there maintain a perspective of neutrality. sibility is now putting local school ernment, so proposals like this go are many common issues that people Select Board member Susie Hous- For Town Meeting boards on alert. Board members from through a pretty stringent process are passionate about — far beyond the ton, however, was in Montpelier for Hazen, Hardwick, Woodbury and a of consideration and it takes time, usual demonstrators and marchers,” The six month budget is $284,552 personal reasons. Three-generations, by Will Walters counting entry that does not affect local state representative all weighed so I think we have to wait and see.” she said. and the amount of the five year loan her daughter and granddaughter, WALDEN — The budget is set. the actual expenses and revenues of in. Cacky Peltz, vice chair of the State Rep. Vicki Strong, R-Iras- to cover what is not raised in non-tax were with her. An increase of $58,487.40 in the the municipal government. “Any proposal with Montpelier Woodbury School Board, said her burg, participated in the “Right to revenues is $100,206.53. The load is “I went to support the march in general fund is offset by a decrease of With the change to a July 1 fiscal trying to sort of decide what’s best board hasn’t discussed Scott’s di- Life Rally” held at the State House for a term up to five years. Montpelier with my daughter and $111,061.74 in the highway depart- year, there is a gap of six months that for local communities is not, in my rective yet but she’s read from the Jan. 21, the same day as the Women’s Total revenues increase from granddaughter in showing support ment, giving a net decrease over 2016 will be covered separately. The six opinion, the best way to resolve dif- secretary of state and others that March. $295,395.60 for 2016 to $353,883 for for women’s rights and women’s is- of $52,574.34. month budget to carry the town from ficult problems in local communities,” boards are being advised to just go “There were 300-400 people the general fund in fiscal year 2018. sues and the messages too rapidly The numbers are based on the January to June 2017 was passed at said Hazen Union School Board about approving their budgets on attending the event and there were Total property tax revenue increases changing the world,” she said. “My proposed budget of 2016 and the one a special Town Meeting. Voters also chair David Kelley. “We have very the usual timetable. That means three speakers sharing their personal from $205,252.11 to $323,369.79. sister was there, too. for FY/2018. passed a second article to borrow vigorous debate and people who care most communities will vote on their stories,” Strong said. “As a Christian, Other revenue decreases from “It was awesome and amazing Actual revenue and expense money to pay the budget instead of passionately about local issues, and school budgets by Town Meeting Day I believe strongly that all life is sacred, $88,005.75 to $66,450. to see such a huge group of people figures for 2016 are significantly having a tax set and bills go out to I frequently think the people best or relatively soon after. and want to defend and stand for Highway department revenue together, and looking at the wide vari- different from the proposed budget fund the six month period. suited to solve our problems are the Nonetheless, Kelley said were those who can’t defend themselves decreases from 2016’s $577,578 to ety of placards and signs with diverse because school taxes were collected Both articles were passed by people who live in Greensboro.” his board suddenly pushed to level whether the unborn or elderly.” FY/2018’s $466,516.26. Salaries in- issues, but all moving together in and paid by the town to the school an overwhelming voice vote. There Kelley said this is just a proposal, See REVISIT Page Two solidarity and spirit. It was peaceful.” Strong said the event was peace- district and were included in the were about 30 people who attended crease slightly from $207,628 to Greensboro Select Board mem- ful. While the “Right to Life Rally” was figures. The school taxes are an ac- the special meeting. $210,716.26. Highway maintenance ber Judy Carpenter participated in ending, the Women’s march outside expenses drop from $201,500 to the Montpelier march with a small on the Capitol steps was underway. $175,500. group of Bread and Puppet volun- “I found it wonderful that two Construction projects drop from teers. She said she, “was proud to rallies were held on the same day in $63,000 to $14,000. No other signifi- Legislators Well uphold their long tradition of speak- our state capitol and it was respect- Charter Change cant changes, either up or down, show ing out.” ful and peaceful,” Strong said. “My up. She felt the marches were impor- prayer is that we can find healing and A separate article will seek ap- Represented, In Body tant in bringing people together on See MARCHES Page Nine To Go To Voters proval of $15,172 for 19 social service organizations, slightly different from by Will Walters pointed treasurer but an elected one.