Frontline workers honored

A view from Fletcher Hill Road in Woodstock, Vermont (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the state of Vermont headed into Labor Day Weekend, Gov. Phil Scott recognized those workers on the front lines of the efforts to keep people safe and sustain the economy during the pandemic. 

Scott noted that this time of year honors the workers who keep the economy and our communities going. But as we all know, 2020 is an unprecedented time.

"This year, I especially want to recognize the frontline heroes of this once-in-a-century health emergency," Scott said in a Friday statement, including "the nurses, custodians, grocery store workers, childcare providers, and all of those who have helped to keep Vermont one of the safest states in the country during one of most uncertain times many of us can remember."  

Vermont continues to have the lowest COVID-19 infection rate in the U.S., and Scott said achieving that result is a statewide effort. 

“Our success has been earned by the labor of so many Vermonters: Those who volunteered to deliver lunches to students at home, spent their own money to make homemade masks to distribute to frontline workers, our teachers and school employees getting ready for the start of the school year, and those who have found ways to do their work from home to slow the spread and protect our most vulnerable," Scott said.

Still, this Labor Day Weekend comes at a time when many are still out of a job due to COVID-19, as the governor noted. State data shows 40,000 people are receiving unemployment benefits. Leading up to the long weekend, officials in Vermont and other states have again encouraged people to wear masks, follow social distancing, keep their hands washed, and stay home when not feeling well. That’s not only the road to better public health; it's the road to reopening further.

"Being smart this weekend will help make sure we can continue to responsibly reopen our economy so these hardworking Vermonters can get back to work. So, while we celebrate this weekend, please do so responsibly," Scott said. “Let’s continue to show the nation that by listening to the data and science, and working together, we will get through this unprecedented time."

— Gareth Henderson

U.S. Senate eyes new relief package

Clouds hide the late-afternoon Vermont sun in Woodstock by Route 12. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The U.S. Senate is expected to discuss a new pandemic relief package next week, and Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and others are pushing for more flexibility for states in how to spend the money. 

Vermont has received $1.3 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funding, and the money must be spent by Dec. 31, according to the rules governing the CARES Act passed earlier this year. Speaking with Vermont Public Radio, Leahy agreed with Gov. Phil Scott that states should have more of a say in how they use these funds.

“I've heard the same complaint from other states,” Leahy told VPR Wednesday. “I think we should have a lot more flexibility. Republicans and Democrats I've talked to are for that."

Leahy, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in the same interview he sees bipartisan support for extending special unemployment aid, providing direct grants to taxpayers and giving much-needed relief to states to plug revenue gaps.

Considering the news this week, there still seems to be a desire on both sides to craft a new relief package, just very different ideas about how to achieve it. A recent call between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went nowhere, according to The Washington Post. 

The overall size of the new legislation remains a point of contention. The Democrat-led House passed the $3.4 trillion Heroes Act in May, hoping that would become the second COVID-19 relief bill coming out of Congress. The Senate did not take up the bill, and stimulus negotiations between Democratic leaders and White House officials stalled in recent weeks. On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported Senate Republicans continue to work on a smaller plan of about $1 trillion — which may hit the Senate floor next week. The GOP has so far rejected Democratic suggestions of a larger amount, the Post stated.

Despite the steep challenges facing the country, there remains the opportunity for both sides to come together and start the work of crafting this legislation. As Congress returns from its summer recess next week, hopefully discussions in the Senate will lead to a positive result for Vermonters and all Americans. Many are waiting for the moment a new relief bill reaches the finish line.  

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. DMV to reopen 3 offices for appointments

Motorists cross the Route 4 bridge at the western end of Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermonters who need to do in-person business with the Department of Motor Vehicles will get that opportunity soon at three locations, though access will be limited due to the pandemic. 

Offices in Rutland, Montpelier and South Burlington will be opening for appointments only, as DMV Commissioner Wanda Minoli announced on Tuesday. An online scheduling system goes live on Thursday, and appointments begin at those three locations on Monday. 

Minoli said the online appointment system is here to stay and will cut back on - and in some cases eliminate - wait times. 

"This is yet another step toward our full modernization," she said.    

Starting Monday, appointment times will begin daily at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. at all three locations. DMV customers are asked to arrive 10 minutes early, and no guests are allowed unless necessary, such as a parent accompanying a minor, or a translator helping a customer. 

"We hope to learn a lot during the first days that the new scheduling system is in use," Minoli said. She added that this information will allow them to make any necessary changes and move toward offering the appointment-based service at other locations around the state.   

In other DMV news from Tuesday, Minoli said the department averages a three-week backlog for purchases made through private sales, and for the transfer of vehicle registrations.  The DMV is now finalizing another online system to meet that need, which will allow customers to receive a temporary registration and plate electronically.

Also on Tuesday, Minoli wanted to assure Vermonters that the DMV provisions of the state of emergency order remain in place. That means all license and registration renewals still hold a 90-day extension from due date. Notices for photo renewals for driver's licenses have been extended for 4 years.  

Minoli encouraged Vermonters to continue to use the many services available on the DMV website, including license and registration renewals, learner permit exams and many commercial vehicle transactions. She thanked people for their patience and understanding during this time, acknowledging the difficulties caused by having to close the local offices.

“While DMV employees have continued to work daily covering mail, online, and email requests, our goal always has been to reopen as quickly as possible with health and safety protocols in place.” 

— Gareth Henderson 

Governor unveils $133M relief plan

Sole proprietors, the hospitality sector and some nonprofits are among those that would benefit from a new proposal by Vermont Gov. Phil Scott using federal pandemic relief money.

The $133 million economic aid plan was unveiled Friday and awaits the Legislature’s consideration when lawmakers return Aug. 25 to resume work on the fiscal-year 2021 state budget.

The governor’s new relief proposal draws on part of the $1.25 billion the state received from the federal CARES Act. The plan focuses on four key areas of continued investment to help Vermonters struggling under COVID-19’s financial impact:

• Additional funding for Economic Recovery Grants to help fill gaps in the original program, to include sole proprietors, certain types of nonprofits, new businesses, and those with less than 50% loss that is sustained over a longer period. ($23 million)

• Targeted hospitality and tourism funding to address areas of need as fall and winter approach and travel restrictions and capacity limits remain in place. ($50 million)

• $150 dollars to every Vermont household as part of a buy local campaign to spur economic activity that supports local businesses. ($50 million)

• Economic Development and Tourism Marketing funds that will, within the context of COVID-19, leverage social, earned, and owned media to bring more out-of-state revenue. ($10 million)

For more details, visit this link to information from state commerce officials.

In a statement on Friday, Scott said this is the latest effort by his administration to keep the economy moving as Vermont confronts major challenges.

“As we navigate this pandemic, we must ensure our economy stays on track so it can thrive in the future,” he said. “We believe addressing recovery grant gaps, supporting hardest hit sectors with targeted support, financially empowering Vermonters to buy local products, and marketing our state as a place to live, work, and play can help us get through the challenging months ahead.”

Many states continue to roll out proposals backed by CARES Act money to help businesses in urgent need and maintain jobs. But another factor is a stipulation that states must use CARES Act funding by the end of the year, or lose the money. Many states had hoped for greater flexibility, but there has been no such help from Washington. With remaining CARES Act funds, we hope new rounds of relief funding in Vermont and other states are useful supports for businesses trying to sustain their operations.

— Gareth Henderson

Program tackles overdue utility bills

The afternoon sun breaks through some trees along River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As states roll out some remaining federal relief money, Vermont is offering to help with overdue utility bills brought on by the pandemic.

This week, Gov. Phil Scott announced $8 million in grant funding to assist Vermonters who face those overdue amounts as a result of economic hardship due to COVID-19. Created by the Department of Public Service, the program uses federal aid appropriated by the Legislature.

“Many Vermonters are struggling to keep up with their basic expenses because of this pandemic, and these grant funds provide necessary relief for those who’ve fallen behind on utility bills,” Scott said in a statement.

The Vermont COVID-19 Arrearage Assistance Program will provide 100% of eligible outstanding arrearages that are more than 60 days overdue for regulated utility customers with delinquent balances who may face disconnection of service if unassisted.

Eligible applicants include residential and nonresidential account holders served by a Vermont electric, natural gas, fixed-line telephone service provider or a private water company.

“The State of Emergency has impacted many Vermonters, including individuals who have lost income and small businesses that have lost revenue,” said Public Service Commissioner June Tierney. “This program will help keep Vermonters’ utilities running as we rebuild and recover together.”

Applications will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2020, and grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted or by the program’s end date on Dec. 20, 2020, whichever comes first.

For more information about this assistance and to apply, visit the Department of Public Service online or contact the department at psd.consumer@vermont.gov or 1-800-622-4496.

With no sign of additional federal relief, Vermont is left to manage the remaining money from the first federal aid package approved in March. The assistance on overdue utility bills is much needed, as basic expenses continue to be a challenge for many. Hopefully, this program will plug some of those financial gaps and be a useful tool in this recovery. Though the needs appear endless, every effort to help people counts as the state tries to keep moving forward.

— Gareth Henderson

Child care concern spurs state action

A scenic view from North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont is moving to increase child care capacity in anticipation of great need for those services once schools reopen Sept. 8.

In remarks to the media on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott acknowledged the challenges faced by parents having to grapple with different school schedules. Most schools are implementing hybrid plans for remote and in-person learning amid the pandemic. A key concern: child care for young school-aged children on remote-learning days.

“We know we need more child care capacity, and we need it quickly,” Scott said. 

With an executive order Tuesday, the governor allowed home-based providers to be reimbursed by the state for more than 4 hours of care per day for school-aged children (that is usually capped at 4 hours). Scott said that rule change is expected to add more than 3,000 child care slots in Vermont. Officials also announced a new effort to create 73 local child care hubs for school-aged children during remote-learning days. That effort is expected to add up to 7,000 slots.

Over the next month, the Department for Children and Families (DCF) will work with community partners to create those child care hubs. Pending legislative approval, the state is allocating $12 million in federal relief money to expand child care options, with $7 million of that total going to the hubs.

Child care hub locations have not been determined. Scott said the state and its partners will consider “appropriate business and municipal spaces” for those new sites, which will follow the existing COVID guidance required of summer camps. The state is also taking steps to expedite the application process to create the hubs, while making sure all health and safety requirements are followed, according to Mike Smith, the state’s secretary of human services.

This was a crucial development for Vermont, as concerns have been building quickly over child-care needs throughout the state. At Tuesday’s presser, Smith unveiled an alarming statistic based on a recent analysis by DCF: If 25 percent of K-6 students require child care during remote learning days, that is the equivalent to 10,300 new child care slots. That number clearly shows it was time to take action.

As with all plans during the pandemic, this one will require constant review and attention to ensure the best outcomes, and more support will likely be needed. But the child care sector is critical for the sustainability of our communities and the economy, and Tuesday’s announcement was an important step forward. 

— Gareth Henderson

VINS works to meet educational needs

Shown here is part of the Forest Canopy Walk at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, Vermont. (Photo Provided)

The education sector is looking to the outdoors for solutions, and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, Vermont, is working on ways to help.

Teaching kids about the natural world is central to the VINS mission, and as the start of school nears on Sept. 8, the organization is in full planning mode. The adaptable nature of VINS’ educational programming has it well-suited for a time when flexibility is key, according to Hannah Gelroth, VINS’ director of school programs and teacher professional development. 

“It’s built on the idea of meeting the teachers where they are and what their needs are,” Gelroth said. 

While many schools are planning to use hybrid models of in-person and virtual education, VINS is considering how to combine outside and virtual modes within its lessons offered online. The organization added a host of at-home education resources on its website after schools shuttered in March. VINS is also thinking about how best to offer resources for schools and other experiences.

“We’re also looking at expanding our homeschooling offerings,” Gelroth said. “That’s another way we can be a resource. Some of our lessons will be virtual, and we can expand that as well.”

VINS offers programs for students of all grade levels, highlighting creative design, observation and writing about the environment they’re observing. Experiences for preschool groups are also available. 

One of the online offerings for grades K-5, is titled, “Building a Beaver Dam — Can you build a beaver dam that can stop the flow of water?,” gives a material list, prompt questions and a link to the VINS education department for assistance. It encourages children to go outside and have a hands-on experience, while also using the features of an online platform.

A new partnership will be a major factor as these plans coalesce. After March when schools closed, FourScienceVT was formed — that’s a partnership between VINS, the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, the Montshire Museum in Norwich and ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington. Together, these four organizations plan to help develop innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) experiences for Vermonters in a variety of formats. At VINS, Gelroth and her team of educators are part of a committee working on that effort.

“They’re involved in a discussion really to reimagine what additional things VINS will be able to offer, both to schools and also to homeschooling,” said Charlie Rattigan, VINS’ executive director. 

VINS’ annual Science Symposium offers another big opportunity for this important time in education, though planning for the next event is not yet complete. Rattigan sees a chance to “broaden the audience” and include homeschoolers, since the symposium can possibly blend virtual and at-home experiences.

For the week-long symposium, VINS educators “work with community schools to identify a local environmental problem, then use science and research to solve it,” as the online description says. 

“Each day has a keynote speaker, a scientist doing real world work,” Rattigan noted. 

In 2019, over 12 schools and 450 kids from elementary and middle schools took part in the symposium, where they presented solutions to real-life environmental issues. This year’s event was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the symposium presents an opportunity which is part of ongoing discussions. 

As for schools, VINS plans to make its campus available, including its outdoor classroom and meeting spaces where a class or pod can hold a lesson. 

“Teachers can run it, but also a VINS educator,” said Rattigan, adding the team is considering how to best promote those resources now.

VINS is also weighing how to use its Forest Canopy Walk amid its offerings in the coming weeks, and virtual field trips may also be part of the future. One school is looking for grant funding to have the VINS educators work with their teachers on best practices for outdoor education. 

“That may be a model for us to offer other schools and teachers as well for a professional development component,” Gelroth said. 

As planning efforts continue, the organization is supported by donors who have given generously during this time of need. Rattigan said a number of foundations have stepped up to give more than their usual grant request. 

“We’re encouraged that people recognize VINS is delivering valuable stuff, and they want to support it and make sure it weathers this storm,” he said. 

Some of those supporters have been with VINS for many years, and they’ve helped the organization close in on another milestone. VINS turns 50 in 2022, as Assistant Executive Director Mary Davidson Graham pointed out.

“It says a lot about our programs and how valuable we are to the community,” she said. 

— Gareth Henderson

The VINS Nature Center in Quechee is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Face coverings and social distancing are required. Visit the website for more details on programming.

Gardening trend has national impact

More gardening is happening in Vermont this year, but that trend isn’t limited to these Green Mountains. Throughout the country, more people have been spurred on by the pandemic to create their own sources of food via gardening, including in urban locations such as New York, Houston and Philadelphia.

A number of residents have “begun to utilize spaces on rooftops, patios, and even the edges of classic Brooklyn-style buildings to create more green space in the area,” according to Bedford + Bowery, which covers downtown Manhattan and north Brooklyn.

Many have compared the surge in home gardening to the victory garden movement of the World War I & II era. As many recall, the demand for seeds skyrocketed this past spring.

"The whole seed industry hasn't seen anything like this since the Great Depression," Jere Gettle told the BBC in May. Gettle owns Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield, Missouri, the largest seller of heritage variety vegetable and flower seeds in the US, which ran out of half its stock in March.

Since then, the trend has only grown, and it’s even led to some new business opportunities. For example, a California man who found himself out of work ended up starting a business making customized planter boxes out of cedar and redwood.

Additionally, garden supply businesses have seen an uptick in sales.

"In a sense, it's been good for a gardening, homesteading, back to the land kind of focus. We're seeing a lot of people wanting to produce a bit of their own food,” Mitch True, of Guy's Farm & Yard in Williston, Vermont, told WCAX.

Going forward, the back-to-the-land trend only shows signs of deepening. It will strengthen food security, and it also has the potential for some fantastic educational opportunities for youth in New England, the country and the world. It will certainly be part of creating more sustainable communities, and that helps all of us.

— Gareth Henderson

Village centers get boost from state

The Bridgewater Community Center project at the former Bridgewater Village School building, shown here, is one of 30 Vermont projects receiving tax credits from the state. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Projects in Bridgewater and Quechee are among 30 local efforts getting a boost from $3.2 million in tax credits to help Vermont downtowns and village centers. 

The projects range from the rehabilitation of historic buildings for new uses to smaller upgrades meant to keep businesses vital in their downtowns. In his Thursday announcement, Gov. Phil Scott said it is important to help these projects during the COVID-19 crisis.

“As we continue to weather the devastating economic impacts of this global pandemic and rebuild our economy, the downtown and village center tax credits will help local communities put themselves in the best position to thrive into the future,” Scott said.  

Among the projects: $115,677 in tax credits will go to a local effort to adapt the former Bridgewater Village School building for use as a community and childcare center. Those credits will support work to install a new sprinkler system, a three-stop lift, and complete façade repairs. In addition to the childcare center, this $1.15 million project will provide space for community mobility and exercise classes, social and artistic events, and rentable commercial space, according to the Thursday announcement. 

In Quechee, $25,000 in tax credits will support a $145,000 project to turn the former Parker House inn building into a new restaurant. The building was purchased in January by Simon Pearce, who has long operated his renowned glassblowing business and restaurant in Quechee village. The tax credits will help with façade repairs and restoration work to complement the outdoor dining experience, state officials said. They also noted the restaurant will provide 8 to 10 jobs for casual dining and private events. 

It is encouraging to see additional support going to projects that will strengthen downtowns and village centers, bolster the business community and add key services. The largest project to be included on this list is the Putnam Block Redevelopment Project, a $31.4 million undertaking in Bennington. Over $140,000 in tax credits are going to two major portions of that redevelopment effort. But no matter what their size, all these projects are important parts of their respective communities, and the economy needs them supported for the long term. Every step in that direction counts.

— Gareth Henderson

Primary 2020: Vermonters vote in record numbers

A view from High Pastures Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As expected, Vermonters voted in record numbers during Tuesday's primary election that decided contested races for the governor and lieutenant governor nominations. 

Over 157,000 people cast ballots in the primary on Tuesday, according to Vermont's unofficial  statewide numbers. That shattered the 2018 primary's turnout of 120,000. The state had already shown signs of a record-setting night, with election workers counting a tidal wave of absentee ballots amid concerns about the pandemic. 

Contested races were also a big factor in drawing many Vermonters to participate. On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman won the Democratic contest for the state’s highest office. He’ll face a general election campaign against incumbent Gov. Phil Scott, who easily took the Republican nomination. 

Molly Gray won the Democratic primary race for lieutenant governor, defeating three opponents including Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe. Gray now faces Republican Scott Milne in the general election that will be decided Nov. 3. 

Other Tuesday primaries appeared to go smoothly as well. In keeping with the national trend, officials in Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota and Wisconsin also had significant numbers of absentee ballots, but reported no major issues on Tuesday, according to The Washington Post. 

Vermont doesn't have restrictions on who can vote absentee, but that's new to some states. For example, Connecticut gave all voters that option for the first time due to the pandemic. As of Monday, that state saw 300,000 absentee ballot requests.

“There’s no historical data to compare it to,” said Gabe Rosenberg, a spokesman for Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill, told the Washington Post. “Even if we did, it would be comparing apples to skyscrapers.”  

In Vermont, 104,000 out of 152,000 requested absentee ballots had been returned as of Monday, according to NBC5 News. That's higher than the total number of people who voted in the state's 2018 primary — about 107,600. 

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont unveils changes to school guidelines

The American flag moves in the breeze on the Woodstock Union High School & Middle School campus in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Just under a month away from the restart of school, the state of Vermont on Tuesday announced some changes to its guidelines for reopening. 

The adjustments were based on feedback received from local districts and the latest recommendations from health experts, according to Education Secretary Dan French, who spoke at a Tuesday press conference. He also noted the state’s guidance is still based on Vermont's COVID-19 data remaining favorable to reopening. Currently, Vermont has the lowest caseload of any state in the U.S., as it has for some weeks now.

In one change, the statewide guidance now includes a strong recommendation for in-person instruction for younger students, especially grades K-5. French noted there were strong educational reasons for making this change, as "schools play a critical role in (these students') healthy development." Many Vermont school districts are adopting hybrid learning models that blend in-person and remote learning.

Also announced on Tuesday, the required health-check process has seen some adjustments. Previously, health checks — including a health questionnaire and a temperature check — had to be done daily at the first point of contact, and administered by school personnel. Now the rule is more flexible, to allow parents and students to complete the health questionnaire at the first point of contact, or prior to entering the school building. Also, temperature checks are still required to be administered by school personnel, but they too are now allowed to be done at the first point of contact, or prior to entering the building.  

French said the health-check change was spurred by updated CDC guidance, and also by feedback from districts. 

"We heard from many districts that it was going to be difficult to implement health checks by school personnel at the first point of contact, especially when we consider the first point of contact is often a school bus," French said. "We think the revisions we're announcing today provide a more doable approach, while also preserving the utility of these screening measures from a safety perspective."   

Additionally, the state changed the social distancing requirement for younger students who are less than 10 years old, making the rule 3 to 6 feet, instead of the usual 6 feet. French said this added flexibility is due to scientific evidence continuing to show that children at those younger ages are the least likely to transmit the coronavirus, even in close quarters. The social distancing guideline for older students remains at six feet.

Going forward, French said, the state will review its school reopening guidance at least on a monthly basis, to ensure it is following the latest health recommendations. Education officials will also continue to consider changes based on feedback from school districts. 

Gov. Phil Scott said his team will update Vermonters each week about this ongoing work to reopen schools safely. Though concerns continue about reopening amid the pandemic, officials were confident in Vermont's strong contact-tracing program, which has proven itself capable of containing outbreaks.

"We've been building our contact-tracing capacity since March, and we have a robust team that's ready. We can open schools safely," said State Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso. "I've been reassured time and time again with each new case that's been reported, that our containment strategies are working. It's mission-critical to open schools, and we have to try. There may be no safer place to do it than in Vermont." 

— Gareth Henderson

U.S. negotiations stall; Vermont unveils grants

The sun illuminates the countryside along North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After some gradual progress days ago, a Friday deadline came and went without a compromise on new federal pandemic aid legislation. 

Overall, Democratic leaders offered to reduce their aid proposal from about $3 trillion to $2 trillion — closer to the $1 trillion GOP package — but that offer was turned down. A series of short-term deals were rejected by Democrats over the course of the week, as the sides struggled to move forward. On the enhanced unemployment funding which expired, Republicans offered $400 in weekly unemployment aid for four months, while Democrats wanted that amount to stay at $600, Business Insider reported.

Without a deal, the White House has pivoted to executive orders as a next step. On Friday evening, President Donald Trump said those orders would take action on unemployment aid, a new eviction moratorium and student loan assistance, according to CNBC. 

Democratic leadership urged continued negotiation, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling executive orders “inadequate.” 

“The biggest problem with the executive orders is not what they do, but who they leave out,” Schumer told the media. “They leave out testing, tracing, treatment. We know we’re not going to solve this problem economically until we solve the health problem.”

The U.S. jobs report unveiled Friday shows the economy added 1.8 million jobs in July, but gains on unemployment have slowed. The jobless rate saw only a slight drop in July to 10 percent — still higher than at any point during the Great Recession, according to Business Insider. That could be a sign that the economic momentum spurred by the federal aid from the CARES Act, which passed in March, is slowing down. 

In Vermont, that first round of federal relief continues to back recovery efforts. The latest, announced Friday, is a $12 million grant initiative for child care programs — a sector that clearly must be sustained if reopening efforts are to succeed. Eligible applicants include child care and afterschool programs, summer day camps, parent child centers and agencies that serve as fiscal agents for local Children’s Integrated Services. Grant applications are open through Aug. 26, with award notices expected by Sept. 11.

Even as states continue efforts to help their economies, the need for further pandemic relief has been clear for many weeks. It seems the more challenging political discussions become, the more important community is, at least as a comfort during these times. The way forward is unclear, when it comes to the many needs to be met. But one thing is for certain: It’s never been more important to build a sense of togetherness and compassionate collaboration to meet our responsibilities as a society. Those qualities are foundational to the unity our country greatly needs. 

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont sees big surge in absentee voting

An American flag flies in the breeze in Woodstock, Vermont, on the Fourth of July. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A big surge in absentee voting may add up to record-breaking participation in Vermont’s primary election set for Tuesday, Aug. 11. 

The state has encouraged people to request absentee ballots, due to health concerns amid the pandemic — and it appears they listened. Already, more Vermonters have voted absentee in this 2020 primary than did so in the 2016 and 2018 primaries combined, by over 24,000 votes, Secretary of State Jim Condos told Vermont Public Radio. 

Aside from the factors of more people being home and the ability to vote remotely, Condos told VPR the contested races in the Democratic, Republican and Progressive primaries are probably driving more interest in the election, as they often do. Of course, several of those races include the highest offices in the state: governor and lieutenant governor. 

Given the great interest in the primary, this could well be a predictor of a large increase in turnout for the Nov. 3 general election. States with earlier primaries also saw a strong surge in absentee voting, such as Tennessee and Michigan, and other states nearing their August primary dates report the same trend. 

Voting officials throughout the country expect to receive many more ballots by mail between now and November. At least 78 percent of all Americans will have the option of voting by mail come fall, according to Fortune. That’s why some U.S. lawmakers are pushing for more funding for the U.S. Postal Service to curb delivery delays during the pandemic. That money is just one part of the ongoing economic stimulus talks in Washington, which many hope can yield a deal on Friday. 

Though the postal service situation is a big concern nationwide, the significant participation in elections throughout the country is encouraging — and no surprise. The people are on the way to choosing who will lead them through one of the most difficult periods their towns, states and country have ever faced. It will take a nation of people to be vigilant amid the challenges of the upcoming months, to make sure progress is made on a host of issues. But that all starts with casting your vote. 

— Gareth Henderson

Officials aim for stimulus deal this week

A stone wall adds to the scenic landscape along North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Another day of negotiations on federal pandemic relief legislation wrapped up Wednesday with little more than a new deadline to complete a deal by week’s end.

Any final agreement will likely include a new round of direct federal stimulus payments to taxpayers. The proposed amount is $1,200 checks, the same as the first round in spring. Other provisions would send aid to schools and continue the Paycheck Protection Program. However, negotiators remain far apart on one of the toughest issues at hand: what to do about the $600 weekly federal unemployment aid that just expired. 

Another key issue is aid for states and municipalities. Republicans have offered Democrats $150 billion to help state and local governments plug the extreme revenue gaps many are facing, according to the Associated Press. But it's unclear if that amount will be satisfactory for the Democratic leadership. It may not be for some of their allies, as evidenced by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's remarks on Wednesday, as he accepted the position of chair of the National Governors Association. He said the NGA wants to see $500 billion in unrestricted state funding in the next stimulus bill. 

"All major economists agree, that without providing financial assistance to state and local governments, the economy will not rebound as fast as it would otherwise," Cuomo said.  

Whatever happens, it's clear people are eager for that next stimulus check, especially in the absence of enhanced federal unemployment aid. A VPR-Vermont PBS Poll released this week shows 74 percent of Vermonters responding said the first round of $1,200 stimulus checks made a big difference in their family's finances. There's a chance a second round of checks would meet a similar level of need. 

Still, we're hoping the final stimulus bill will also have some assistance for state and local governments, so the various services, programs and projects that rely on those public entities can be funded. It's good to see that, at least, offers are being made on that issue during negotiations. Hopefully, they will advance to an agreement soon, because as we all know, millions are waiting on these talks and the relief they can bring. 

— Gareth Henderson

Isaias rips through Northeast

Tropical Storm Isaias dumps torrential rains on Woodstock, Vermont, on Tuesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Tropical Storm Isaias is ripping through the Northeast this afternoon with heavy rain and high winds, bringing with it the threat of tornadoes and flash floods in the region.

A tornado watch is in effect for most of the Northeast, including southern Vermont, until 9 p.m. Green Mountain Power crews stand at the ready to address resulting outages.

Outages were stacking up mid-afternoon in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, as high winds battered the region.

The high winds are likely to be the greatest cause of damage, experts say, and that was apparent from the impact in New York City, where frequent gusts hit 60-70 mph. Gusts closer to 50 mph are expected in Vermont and New Hampshire, though the Tornado Watch notice says isolated gusts of up to 80 mph are possible in the Northeast.

Check out the National Weather Service for updates on Vermont and the wider region.

— Gareth Henderson

State launches hazard pay program

A view from High Pastures Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The applications are adding up quickly after the state of Vermont launched a hazard pay program for frontline workers in several sectors. 

After the online portal opened at 9 a.m. Tuesday, 130 applications got rolling over the next 15 minutes, according to Human Services Secretary Mike Smith. The Legislature approved a total of $28 million for the Front-Line Employees Hazard Pay Grant Program, using federal pandemic relief money. 

The funding is being awarded on a “first-come, first-serve basis,” Smith told the media on Tuesday. Employers must apply to the new program and then pass the awarded amounts on to eligible employees. Eligible workers must have been working in a job with an elevated risk of exposure of COVID-19 during the period from March 13 through May 15, 2020. Smith said the program focuses on public health, human services and public safety employers. 

“While there have been many employees throughout the state of Vermont who did amazing work during this crisis, this program is for specific employers and employees, as defined by the authorizing legislation,” Smith said.

Gov. Phil Scott was questioned about why other workers, such as employees at grocery stores and gas stations, were not included in this program. Although that was part of the original plan, Scott replied, the guidelines of the federal CARES Act focused on the health care sector, and the federal aid wasn’t allowed to cover grocery stores and some other essential services. 

“We’re thankful for them going to work every day in those conditions,” Scott said. “They were on the frontlines as well, in the grocery stores and otherwise.”

Further details about the hazard pay program and eligibility requirements are available at the Agency of Human Services’ website, where applications are available. 

“We are encouraging employers to apply to make sure these critically important employees receive recognition and the compensation to reflect the work they did keeping Vermonters safe during the crisis,” Smith said.

— Gareth Henderson

Grant program expands for businesses

A busy summer day in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

More Vermont businesses can now apply for pandemic relief grants after the state expanded eligibility for the funding. 

This change is likely to be welcome news for some sole proprietors who found themselves unable to access the Economic Recovery Grants when they were unveiled earlier this summer.

Under the original eligibility criteria, a business was required to have at least one W-2 employee who was not an owner of that business. Starting Monday, businesses with at least one W-2 employee — now including those who are an owner — were also eligible.  

Gov. Phil Scott announced the change, hoping it would aid recovery efforts. 

“Businesses of all sizes are doing everything they can to survive under the difficult circumstances caused by this pandemic, and it’s our responsibility to step up and support them in the recovery,” Scott said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle said efforts to help these business operations will continue. 

“Even with this expansion of the program we know sole proprietors without a W-2 employee will still be in need of assistance, and we will work with the Legislature to develop solutions upon their return,” Kurrle said. 

Lawmakers resume their work on Aug. 25, looking to address a state-budget revenue gap of over $300 million. Many hope the next federal stimulus bill will supply more aid to businesses, the unemployed and also state governments. The recovery grants mentioned above were funded by the first pandemic relief bill out of Washington, the CARES Act, passed in March. 

The need for a new federal relief bill can't be overstated. Despite some progress from the weekend, major stumbling blocks remain in the ongoing negotiations, including the enhanced federal unemployment benefits which recently expired. 

Amid recent challenges, Monday's announcement about Vermont's recovery grants was good news, which will hopefully help more small businesses get through the upcoming months. We're also hopeful that Vermonters' hard work and steady resolve will be greeted by better news out of Congress later this week. 

— Gareth Henderson

Hiking still a big draw in 2020

More hikers hit the trails in Vermont earlier than usual this year, as people sought the calm of the outdoors during the initial weeks of the pandemic. That interest in outdoor recreation keeps bringing locals and visitors out to the wilds of nature as summer goes on.

The uptick in trail activity started in April, according to Keegan Tierney, director of field programs for the Green Mountain Club, which oversees the Long Trail.

“Once lockdown orders started to go into place, we saw a significant uptick in trail usage, at least in Vermont,” Tierney said. “The parking lots were full on any nice weekend.” 

The club certainly heard a lot about how glad hikers were — and still are — to escape into nature for a while.

“Folks are just looking for a way to get out and just feel safe, getting to a place where they can relax,” Tierney said. 

While the Green Mountain Club has delayed some trail maintenance due to the pandemic, the group continues to monitor trail and summit activity, as usual. Early-season activity at the major summits of Mansfield, Killington and Stratton dropped while summer resorts were shut down, but those numbers bounced back soon after resorts reopened. However, Tierney said some of the club’s less frequented trails saw increased usage, such as the Stratton Pond Trail/LT loop in southern Vermont and the trails at Camels Hump. Thru-hiker numbers on the Appalachian Trail continue to be low as most thru-hikers left the trail when Appalachian Trail Conservancy put out a closure order in March. As of June 26, all trails and facilities on the Long Trail and AT in Vermont were opened. 

The AT released safety information for hikers amid the pandemic, and the Green Mountain Club also published COVID-related guidelines on its website.

The region’s numerous trails continue to offer an escape from daily life and a chance to reconnect with nature, as they always have. While those needs take on a unique meaning now and are clearly a draw for people beyond these borders, the groups managing the LT and AT have been proactive in dealing with this new normal. With that being said, these special places will continue to be important resources in 2020 and beyond. 

— Gareth Henderson

Vermonters craft school reopening plans

The entryway to Woodstock Union High School & Middle School in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The wheels continue to turn on the various school reopening plans in districts throughout New England and beyond, as administrators, teachers and students eye an upcoming year like no other. 

At the same time, it's being viewed by some as a chance to innovate and welcome broad, community ideas into the wider educational umbrella, during this all-hands-on-deck moment in history.

In Vermont, districts released plans last week for reopening, in accordance with state guidelines aiming to move education forward this fall during the pandemic. This week, Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order making Sept. 8 the official start date for all schools in Vermont, thereby giving districts more time to prepare. Masks will be required in accordance with a statewide mandate. Also, everyone entering school buildings will need a temperature check, as will all students getting on buses. Schools have also gauged how to accommodate the required social distancing.

As for the reopening plans, most Vermont districts are offering hybrid models of on-campus and distance learning, while providing options for those parents preferring to keep their children off-campus during the ongoing health crisis. A major reason education officials are moving forward is because of Vermont's very low caseload for COVID-19, though there still are concerns about controlling the coronavirus amid an increase in visitor traffic this fall.

The Windsor Central Supervisory Union recently presented its tentative plan for the school year in its district serving Woodstock, Barnard, Pomfret, Reading, Bridgwater and Killington. The WCSU is now hashing out the details of that framework, according to Superintendent Sherry Sousa. That proposed framework is based on the work of a local collaboration team, including representatives from Mount Ascutney Hospital, parents, students and Windsor Central Unified Union School District board members. The framework aims to be "as nimble as possible" given the pandemic, and the plan will evolve over time, Sousa explained.  

"We'll continue to build it; we have 11 different work groups" figuring out the details, she said. The details range from adapting the academic programming to implementing required state health measures. As for student numbers, Sousa estimated the district has a total of 75 new students enrolled this year. 

“Many are the result of people moving to Vermont for a healthier environment for their children,” she said. 

Sousa said the district’s hybrid plan aims to provide the best educational opportunities possible (on-campus and off-campus), while providing some flexibility for parents and also complying with state regulations. 

“We’re going to focus on literacy and math when students are in school,” Sousa said. “Off campus, we’ll be reinforcing those ideas using projects and other ideas.”

The plan has full remote-learning options for students whose parents who expressed in a district-wide survey they didn’t want them going back to in-person learning. As of Wednesday, with surveys collected from 75 percent of the district’s parents, Sousa said 8 to 9 percent chose full remote learning.

In the words of the proposed plan, it recommends: 

• An alternating day model where most students will have two days of in-person instruction in our schools and three days of remote learning. The in-school days will attend to that learning that is best provided with a teacher and student present, prepare for individual/remote work, and support the child/student emotionally. The three days of remote learning will encourage independent work, review of in-class materials, provide opportunities that are age appropriate, and reinforce in class concepts and ideas.  

• Teachers will have students four days a week, as each class will be divided in half. This will allow half of the group to receive in-class instruction on one day, and the other half will attend the following day allowing for social distancing and best health/safety practices.  

• Students in the primary grades, K - 2, require intensive literacy and mathematics instruction to provide the critical foundations for later learning. For those reasons, all elementary schools will provide in-school instruction for four days per week for grades kindergarten through second. At Barnard Academy and Reading Elementary, grades 2 and 3 are combined and will therefore offer in-school instruction for grades kindergarten through third grade.  

• Elementary students who participate in music, art and Spanish will be able to participate in these classes during remote learning days. Physical education will occur through activity-based scheduled recess breaks.

Amid the district’s ongoing communications efforts, Sousa said there will be more opportunities for parents and community members to offer feedback. Outdoor learning opportunities are being considered, as well as ways to use different spaces. To cite one idea: The high school gymnasium — which will not be in use — may become a space for one-on-one learning. 

Sousa noted district leaders have also been gathering a number of ideas from the community to help the schools, and the board plans to formalize a group to field and consider those ideas. Sousa said that group will be one of the items discussed at the board’s next meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday via Zoom.

— Gareth Henderson

Broadband access gets a boost

The lack of high-speed broadband connections in many rural communities came sharply into focus when the pandemic ramped up in March. 

But now, the issue is coming back around with school reopenings on the horizon, and with many still accessing remote health care and teleworking. 

On Wednesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced $2 million in grants to help consumers extend telecommunications lines to their homes. The Line Extension Customer Assistance Program (LECAP) provides up to $3,000 to each qualifying applicant to cover the customer cost portion of a line extension. Lawmakers approved the program in June in response to the pandemic.

Hundreds of Vermonters live just out of reach of existing high-speed networks and can't afford to extend a line, the governor's announcement noted. The LECAP program seeks to bridge some of those gaps.

“For the teacher or student living at the end of the dirt road with no internet access, the LECAP could be a lifeline,” said June Tierney, Vermont's commissioner of Public Service. “This is a great opportunity for qualifying Vermonters who need broadband service but have not been able to afford the full cost of a line extension.”  

With Congress debating relief packages in the trillions of dollars, $2 million doesn't sound like a lot. But now more than ever, every dollar counts. That's especially true with high-speed broadband access, which is one of today's biggest education access issues.

At the end of March, more than 12 million of the 55 million U.S. students who were sent home for remote learning did not have home broadband access, according to the Brookings Institution. In the same article, the public policy group makes the case for more funding in the next federal relief bill. 

"Congress should appropriate funding to local communities to fill in the 'blind spots' of broadband connectivity for schools," writes Nicol Turner Lee of the Brookings Institution.

Whether or not that happens, virtual learning is a need that will only increase in the future, and at the present moment, it's an urgent need. We can't afford to lose sight of it, with at least partial remote learning being the new reality for many students. The LECAP funding is a step in the right direction, and now is the time for the nation to build on it. 

For details about how to qualify for the LECAP, Vermonters should call the department at 800-622-4496 or visit the LECAP webpage. All line extensions funded through this program must be completed on or before Dec. 30, 2020. Find additional information through the Department of Public Service. 

— Gareth Henderson