Hungry bears: Looking for that next meal, wherever it may be

With snow melting everywhere, bears are starting to emerge from their winter dens. When the snow is all gone, the bird feeders should go, too, wildlife officials say. (VTF&W Photo by Kris and Norm Senna)

Bears have long memories, and they may return to some old haunts (backyards) from 2020 if they can still get a bite to eat there.

That's even more likely now, as the bears' usual food sources in the woods are quite thin these days, turning these ursine wanderers toward bird seed, compost and trash.

That's why Vermont wildlife officials are spreading the word: Take down your bird feeders, and secure your outdoor trash areas. Bears are very smart, and they remember where that trash and compost were placed last year.

State wildlife biologist Forrest Hammond said it's best to remove bird feeders whenever the snow is gone, which usually comes ahead of April 1 these days.

"The message is, if the snow's disappeared from your lawn, then you probably should take down your bird feeder, because chances are, there's gonna be a bear checking things out," he said.

The bear sightings are starting to roll in for 2021. On Monday, Hammond got a call from a neighborhood in Quechee, where a bear has been enjoying bird feeders for the past week. A common question is whether taking down the feeder at night helps. But the bear can simply adjust his schedule to the daytime, and there's usually some seed spilled on the ground anyway.

"It really doesn't do any good," Hammond said.

Last year, Vermont bears discovered many new places for food during the height of the pandemic, when everyone was at home, and houses usually empty for part of the year were not. Hammond is hopeful that warmer weather will be consistent, and lush vegetation will flourish as a result, giving bears fewer reasons to drop by houses and yards.

“That'll help, because that's the mainstay for bears, the vegetation," he said.

As a rule, the entire month of April is "pretty bleak" for bear food in the woods, Hammond said. They'll go to beaver ponds to find some spouts by the water, or even climb some trees — like Aspens — which get their buds early. That's why you sometimes see scratch marks on Aspen trees early in the years, and racoons and squirrels do the same.

However, climbing is often a last resort.

"It takes a lot of energy for a bear that might weigh 150 pounds to climb up just to get a few buds," Hammond said.

As spring goes on, if you see a bear in your backyard, Hammond recommends making some noise, like yelling at the animal, to encourage it to back off. That may not only keep the bear from your yard, but also your neighbors' yards. Just as bears remember where they want to eat, they also remember negative experiences. The more a bear gets used to an uninterrupted food source, the harder it is to discourage them from it, Hammond said.

"Then they'll kind of adopt a neighborhood or a set of neighborhoods," he said.

Still, Hammond noted that last year, more Vermonters learned the importance of securing their trash areas and removing bird feeders. He encouraged people to keep educating their neighbors about taking those important steps.

"I've got high hopes that people in Vermont are learning how to live better with bears," Hammond said.

— Gareth Henderson

To report a bear sighting in Vermont, fill out this online form.

Vermont sugarmakers talk 2021 season

The sugarhouse at the Richardson Farm in Hartland, Vt., in early March. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Waiting for the right weather is a familiar thing for anyone working in agriculture, where Mother Nature is often at the helm. Part of the job is expecting the unexpected, but always being ready when the right conditions hit. 

That’s very much the case for maple sugaring operations, which depend on cold nights and warm days to make the sap run. In 2021 so far, Vermont sugarmakers have seen a later start to the season, but there’s still plenty of time for the right weather patterns to set in. 

Mary McCuaig, owner of Top Acres Farm in South Woodstock, said they had their first boil March 1, and then it was too cold for a week, delaying the second boil to March 8. They’ve made about 20% of a crop, with some locals already having stopped in to buy some Golden and Amber syrup. She isn’t worried about the slow start. 

“We could still have a good year, as some years we make more syrup in April than March,” McCuaig said. 

The cancellation of Vermont’s traditional Maple Sugar Open House Weekend was a noticeable absence this year, but the impact varies. For McCuaig, the local business keeps pressing on. 

“We are OK with no open house, as our local customers know they can still stop by to buy syrup or see the boiling with their masks on,” she said. Also, Top Acres Farm sells mostly wholesale to places like the Woodstock Inn, Billings Farm and FH Gillingham & Sons. 

At the Richardson Farm, a five-generation farm in Hartland, Reid Richardson said the sugaring operation has done about 20% of their expected crop so far. He noted the variability of the season is nothing new. Some years they’ve started sugaring in mid-February, others at mid-March, and other seasons have seen a hard stop on March 19 when it’s gotten too warm.

“It’s basically impossible to predict," Richardson said.

The syrup retail sales at the farm are steady, he said, and some local customers like to stop in at the sugarhouse. Those that do must wear a mask, and there is a three-person occupancy limit. 

The farm’s business has been steady on the whole, Richardson said.

“Our wholesale customers down in Woodstock and Quechee are definitely buying less. That's noticeable, but they haven't stopped buying syrup from us,” he said.

The farm has a large wholesale customer in New Hampshire who buys all the syrup that isn’t sold locally during the season, and that hasn’t changed. That’s the result of a 45-year relationship, Richardson said. 

A couple towns away in Barnard, the Doton Farm, a four-generation business, doesn’t have a new crop of syrup just yet, as they just finished tapping last Monday and started putting sap in their storage tank Saturday. Paul Doton grew up on his family’s farm and said his father began sugaring on the property in the late 50s or early 60s. Starting in late March is normal, because of the 1,500-foot elevation and the sugarbush facing north.  

“We made most of our syrup last year in late March, early April,” Doton said. “Of course, every year is different."

This year, many visitors who would usually come to buy syrup in person — but couldn’t travel because of the pandemic — have been ordering from the farm online. Doton said those sales have been “quite robust” in recent weeks, and they’ve been able to complete them using some of last year’s crop the farm kept. 

“I’ve even discovered a thing called Venmo, because we don't use credit cards,” he said. 

As for local sales, Doton said that part of the business is “about on par” with a couple of years ago. 

Vermont remains the number-one U.S. producer of maple syrup, and regionally, of course, the timing of the season varies. Richardson likes to track other regions on Facebook. At this point, the Midwest is about wrapped up, and Pennsylvania and New York are at a similar stage as Vermont, though slightly ahead of the Green Mountains, Richardson noted.

“We're just patiently waiting for Mother Nature to let us have sweet stuff," he said.

— Gareth Henderson

Awakening to spring

It’s mud season, as evidenced on Hartland Hill Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The brightness of an earth renewed illuminated the landscape to mark the first day of spring 2021 on Saturday. As the ground softens and new life takes root, the world is awakening and stretching its dormant roots.

The abundant plant life anticipates the changes, seeking the light of spring. People also embrace that light, welcoming the promise of springtime with its renewal, hope and vibrancy. The air on Saturday was full of that promise, and during our first family bike ride of the year, we could just feel that peace, the calming approach of that familiar season. Riding down the road, the sun fell on newly exposed muddy ground, brooks near the road bubbled, and birds greeted the open air with song. I loved the sense of family we experienced as we continued our ride. Just as the trees are rooted, the togetherness we felt also had a firm foundation we took with us as we enjoyed the afternoon.

In Woodstock Village, people walked the streets, some also biked, and customers filled the socially-distanced patio seating at Mon Vert Cafe, joyfully taking in the first day of spring. Nearby at Woodstock Sports, the crowds were coming through as well. The sunnier days have certainly brought more customers, especially to the bike shop, Woodstock Sports co-owner Peter Johnston said.

"We get calls pretty much every day," he said regarding the bikes. The store has seen a fair amount of business lately from families who have moved to the area within the past year, and are looking to tune-up their bikes, or get new sneakers or other outdoor wear.

"Hiking is going to be very strong this year," Johnston noted. "Everybody wants to get outside."

Like other warmer days, Saturday seemed to bring even more of that business, with its high approaching 60 degrees.

"It's a beautiful first day of spring, you can't ask for more than that," Johnston said.

The good news is, that pattern is set to continue into the week, per local forecasts. Saturday is the first in a string of four sunny days coming up, each with temps in the low- to mid-60s.

With that, as the winter weather gradually fades, we look forward to more signs of spring. The ever-warming air fills us with the joyful feeling that a new season is on its way. This year, that feeling carries something extra with it, the hope of a very different year from the past 12 months. The harmonious beauty and vibrancy of spring encourage us to continue toward that goal, at this annual time of renewal. As we look forward to the full effect of spring, let's embrace hope for one another and nurture that precious sense of community we so cherish. That provides a firm foundation for progress, and a source of strength that never runs out.

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. unveils vaccine eligibility dates, eases bar restrictions

A scenic view of the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The state of Vermont has unveiled how it plans to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine before May 1. 

On Friday, Gov. Phil Scott announced the scheduling of the final age groups for vaccine eligibility, and he also announced another change in Vermont’s statewide guidance for businesses. As of Wednesday, bars and social clubs will be able to operate at 50% capacity, with restrictions. 

Scott reminded the public that it’s still crucial to follow the basic public health guidance, like masking and social distancing.  

“We’ve got to stay united in order to get through this with the fewest lives lost and emerge stronger than we were before,” he said. 

In one month, all Vermonters over age 16 will be able to register for vaccine appointments, and based on expected supply from the federal government, the state aims to have all eligible people immunized by the end of June. 

The next age group, Vermonters age 60 and over, will be eligible for appointments as of March 25. Currently, the 65+ age group, and those 16 and older with specified high risk health conditions, are eligible. 

The entire upcoming schedule is as follows, with the age groups and when eligibility begins:

• 60+ : March 25          

• 50+ : March 29                            

• 40+ : April 5                  

• 30+ : April 12                

• 16+ : April 19  

With this approach and a steady supply of doses, Scott said the Fourth of July should look more normal, and graduating high school seniors could possibly have a “more traditional graduation.” 

“After seeing the second half of your junior year, and now your senior year, turned upside down, you deserve it, and we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen,” Scott said at his Friday press conference.  

Officials emphasized that the age-group eligibility dates represent the date registration opens for each group. The length of the entire process will vary, but Vermonters can expect it to take up to two months from the time you register to the point where you are considered to be fully vaccinated. This includes the anticipated time between registration and the date of your first appointment, the time between the first and last dose, and the two weeks needed after a last dose for it to be at maximum effectiveness.

Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said the long-awaited reality of many more people being able to get their vaccine is a significant step forward. At the same time, he cautioned Vermonters that with variant strains of the highly transmissible virus being identified in Vermont, prevention and testing must still be a priority.

“To really find our way out of this pandemic, along with registering for vaccination as soon as your age band opens, we must all continue to follow the very simple, but critically important guidance of masks, distancing and cautious travel,” Levine said in a statement. “This is the only way to stay ahead in the race. Through prevention, testing and vaccination, we can achieve a level of community immunity that will bring us out of this pandemic. We can cross the ‘public health finish line’ sooner, together.”

To date, more than 161,000 Vermonters have already received at least one dose of vaccine, representing about 30% of the 16 and older population.

Also on Friday, the governor announced updates to COVID-19 guidance for bars and social clubs, like American Legions and VFWs. These establishments are being moved under the state’s restaurant guidance, which will allow them to reopen within that sector’s current restrictions. These include operating at 50% capacity, requiring patrons to be seated at tables with a maximum of six per table, six feet of distance between parties, masking and more. Municipalities will be able to place more restrictions on these establishments in their jurisdictions.

— Gareth Henderson

Biden: U.S. to hit goal of 100 million doses Friday

The winter landscape in Bristol, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

U.S. President Joe Biden said a major COVID-19 vaccination goal of his administration would be reached on Friday much earlier than initially expected.

At a press briefing Thursday, Biden confirmed that's the day the administration would beat its goal of delivering 100 million vaccine doses to Americans in his first 100 days in office. Friday is just two months into the president's first term.

Biden noted this milestone was close at hand during a televised address last week. On Thursday, he said several key steps, taken shortly after he took office, enabled this to happen. They included expediting critical materials for vaccine production, working with vaccine manufacturers to speed up delivery of millions more doses, and brokering a historic manufacturing partnership between competing companies.

"These steps put us on track to have enough vaccines, enough vaccine supply, for every adult American by the end of May — months earlier than anyone expected," Biden said.

He added that eight weeks ago, 8% of American seniors had been vaccinated — today, 65% of Americans age 65 or older have received at least one shot. The amount of vaccine doses going to states has doubled, and the U.S. has gone from delivering 1 million vaccinations per day, to an average of 2.5 million, Biden said.

The administration has put a particular focus on supplying vaccine doses to community health clinics. Biden said that's to help those who've been hardest-hit by the pandemic, especially Black, Latino, Native-American and rural communities.

"This is really important, because we believe speed and efficiency must be matched with fairness and equity," he said.

Going forward, Biden encouraged Americans to continue to follow public health guidelines, including wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands often.

"If we keep our guard up, stick together and stick with the science, we can look forward to a Fourth of July that feels a bit more normal, with small groups able to gather for cookouts in backyards."

To get to that point, Biden said, there was more work to do, and the COVID-19 relief bill being implemented will help, as it provides more funding for community vaccination centers and testing. States are also expected to get increasing amounts of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the coming weeks.

Biden has directed states to make all adults vaccine-eligible by May 1, and some states have announced they can do so, including Vermont, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and North Carolina.

— Gareth Henderson

More help available for Vt. sole proprietors

The Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As COVID-19 relief efforts continue nationwide, a program in Vermont is supplying an additional $1.6 million in grants for sole proprietors. 

That’s the second round of funding for a statewide block grant program administered by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC). The first round of economic relief grants was awarded to 157 businesses totaling $1,385,000 between August 2020 and March 2021. The program is supported by federal dollars.

The new round of grants comes at a time of great need, when many businesses are looking to get to the other side of winter amid the pandemic. 

“We know this money will help many more businesses but will come nowhere near the total need that is out there,” said Bobbi Kilburn, of BDCC, in Wednesday’s announcement.

Peter Gregory, of TRORC, noted the ongoing efforts of the Legislature to provide more aid. For example, lawmakers are working on a fast-track spending bill to provide much-needed relief to individuals, families and businesses. 

“We are encouraged that state legislators are currently considering adding significant state dollars to these modest federal funds in order to support small- and medium-sized businesses across the state,” Gregory said in the official statement.

This second round of funding will offer grants between $1,500 and $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors on a first come, first served basis. Applications will open on April 5 and run through May 26. 

Applicants must demonstrate financial need through business expenditures which have not yet been reimbursed through other relief programs. Expenditures may represent expenses incurred between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, or ongoing expenses in order to “pivot” business operations due to the pandemic. The program is funded by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program. The federal funds are passed through the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

Eligibility criteria has been altered for this second round of grants to include both sole proprietors with no W2 employees and S-Corp owners with no W2 employees. Other key eligibility criteria include that the applicant must:

• Be from a Low to Moderate Income household per federal guidelines, which is defined as having a household income of 80% or below the area median income for your county.

• Be a for-profit entity, providing goods or services to clients.

• Have a physical establishment in Vermont.

• Have pre-pandemic or current gross annual revenues of over $24,450 for the business.

• Have been legally established prior to March 15, 2020.

Webinar training to explain the online application process will be available on April 1. To sign up for the webinar and learn more about the program breakdown, full eligibility requirements, application materials and timelines, contacts for language translation services, and to view technical assistance recorded trainings, visit the program website: https://www.vermont-cdbg-cv.com/

TRORC will be administering funds for the counties of Windsor, Orange, Caledonia, Essex, Orleans, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Chittenden. BDCC will be administering funds for the counties of Windham, Bennington, Rutland, Addison, Washington, and Lamoille.

Woodstock Village budget approved 

Voters approved the proposed $1,345,829 Woodstock Village budget proposal at the polls on Tuesday, in a 41-0 tally. The budget, which has a slight increase over last year, includes $578,655 to be raised by taxes. 

Three Woodstock Village Trustees running unopposed for reelection were also on the 2021 ballot. Board Chair Jeff Kahn will be serving a new three-year term, William Corson a two-year term and Brenda Blakeman a one-year term. Blakeman and Corson were each appointed to the board last year; Kahn has served multiple terms as a village trustee.

— Gareth Henderson

Governor: Vaccine news clears way to meet May 1 deadline

An Elm Street view of Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Continued good news on vaccine supply has cleared the way for Vermont to meet the eligibility goal set out by President Joe Biden, according to Gov. Phil Scott.

In his televised address last week, Biden directed states to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1, and Scott was optimistic about meeting that goal, given sufficient supply. In a call on Tuesday, White House officials assured governors of increasing supply in coming weeks, including for the important single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

Vermont can expect a total of 800 additional doses next week between all vaccines, and further increases in April, Scott told the media Tuesday. That includes receiving 4,000 to 5,000 Johnson & Johnson doses each week by late April. 

With that update, the state plans to open vaccine appointments for another age group this week, and Scott said Vermont might even exceed the president’s goal.

“This is the assurance we've been waiting for, and we’ll use this information to update our projections, and on Friday, we’ll announce when our next age band, 60+, will open,” he said. The news will also allow the state to fully outline its plan for the remaining age bands. 

More than 1 in 4 adult Vermonters have received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and the numbers are going in the right direction, according to Human Services Secretary Mike Smith.

“We’re seeing a slow but steady increase in vaccine manufacturing and a decrease in deaths from the virus,” Smith said at the press briefing. “This is remarkable and really speaks to how we have been able to really stick together and move toward overcoming the most devastating health crisis in more than 100 years.” 

As of Tuesday, 152,800 Vermonters had been vaccinated against COVID, and 87,200 of those have received both doses. 

Already filed your taxes? You haven’t missed a key exclusion

If you’re a Vermonter who already filed their 2020 taxes, your state wants you to consider whether you might qualify for an important new exclusion for jobless aid — but don’t do anything just yet.

The convergence of tax season and the passage of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill have led to several key directives, and the latest one was at Tuesday’s state press briefing, referencing those who filed their 2020 taxes before the bill became law last Thursday. 

The relief package excludes from taxation the first $10,200 of unemployment aid for taxpayers who had less than $150,000 in adjusted gross income in 2020. That exclusion is per-person, meaning the amount goes up to $20,400 for a married couple, provided they both individually received at least $10,200 in jobless benefits.

“This is an unprecedented, retroactive exclusion, and it’s a very valuable one,” said Susanne Young, Vermont’s secretary of administration.

Young said people who already filed their taxes should not file an amended return, but need to wait for upcoming guidance from the IRS about how to claim this exclusion. People can keep track of updates at irs.gov. 

For this exemption to follow through to Vermont, the state Legislature must approve a corresponding exemption in the Vermont tax code. That effort is underway. 

During her remarks, Young also noted the IRS is using the most recently processed tax returns to determine eligibility for the much-anticipated $1,400 stimulus checks in the relief bill. 

“For those who haven’t yet filed their 2020 returns, the IRS will use the 2019 return to determine payments,” Young said.

The $1,400 direct payments are going to each taxpayer earning less than $75,000 per year; the limit is less than $160,000 for married couples. Payments of $1,400 will be received for each dependent in the household as well.

Young also outlined other assistance around unemployment. The relief bill continues the federal enhanced unemployment aid of $300 per week to Sept. 6. It also extends pandemic emergency unemployment compensation to that same date, while increasing the total number of weeks for benefits from 24 to 53. 

The bill also provides a 100% subsidy of COBRA payments from April 21 to Sept. 30 for people who lost their jobs because of the pandemic and are eligible for COBRA. 

— Gareth Henderson

Tending the garden

The sun breaks through the clouds in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

On Monday, I was at the hardware store in town, gathering supplies for a home improvement project. I noticed racks of seed packets, pots and soil. Wide-brimmed woven sun hats and new fashionable gardening gloves were waiting for their new gardening homes. My wife is a collector of both. Gardening has been on our minds over the last few days, as we had a taste of spring weather tucked in between snow squalls, blustery wind and cold temperatures. 

We wondered, what should we plant? Last year we planted a little too much squash, but it benefited our neighbors and the local food bank. This year, the promise of rows of carrots, lettuce, red cabbage and fresh tomatoes brings promise of a plentiful harvest, nourishing our soul and body. Long ago, I always rolled my eyes when my wife wanted yet another pair of gardening gloves or a sunhat, but now they are more than material things; they are hope, gratitude and love. They are part of expecting and knowing that the path to a bountiful harvest is right here in front of us. Indeed, we know seeds will germinate and fill the garden with vegetables. 

That also shows how the ideas of growth and nourishment are so much bigger than any material object. The family time and creativity that come along with tending the garden are the real harvest. This garden is a complete idea from its very inception, made of those strong virtues that bring it to life. Reflecting those qualities of love and gratitude, we become better gardeners of our own lives. We take better care of the soil, which represents the various elements of our collective experiences. We’re aware of what seeds we buy and plant — what we allow to prosper in consciousness. That’s the kind of cultivation that leads us down good paths, and it helps us plant seeds that encourage growth and progress.

— Gareth Henderson

Expanding broadband: A must for equity

A winter scene along Wyman Lane in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

With the end of the pandemic more firmly in view, a stubborn economic and education equity issue still looms large and is gaining more of the spotlight. 

Over the past year, inequities in high-speed broadband access — both geographically and economically — have been laid bare due to increased need for remote learning and telehealth services. Moreover, the path to more broadband is also a path to more jobs and sustainable, long-term economic development.

At the federal level, the new $1.9 trillion relief bill aims to help expand high-speed broadband in multiple states — Vermont has $113 million coming for infrastructure aid, including broadband. 

State legislative efforts are becoming prolific in regions from New England to the South and the rural West. A broadband bill is working its way through the Vermont House of Representatives, with a focus on supporting the growth of communications union districts, like ECFiber, which has greatly improved high-speed broadband access in the east-central Vermont region. 

Vermont’s governor, lieutenant governor and state lawmakers have repeatedly noted the broadband issue, the current gap and the need to address it. In a letter to state leaders last week, Vermont Lt. Gov. Molly Gray described the broad impact.

“For the roughly 66,000 Vermont homes and businesses without access to broadband, each day of the pandemic has been a day without equity in access to online learning, remote work, tele-health, mental health and support services, government resources, civic engagement and much more,” Gray said. 

She also noted her support for a bill crafted by U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, of Vermont, which is now part of the $94 billion broadband package introduced by 30 House and Senate Democrats on Thursday. Welch’s focus was providing access to “unserved and underserved households”, and he also set aside some funding specifically for small states.

“The digital divide is real and has only widened since the start of the COVID pandemic,” Welch said in a statement last week. “There is no disputing that fast, reliable broadband service is essential in our modern economy. After a year of remote schooling, online medical appointments, and family Zoom calls, the need for high-speed internet for all Americans is even more clear.” 

Welch is a member of the Broadband Task Force led by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, of South Carolina, a key author of the $94 billion plan. Clyburn highlighted broadband as a long-term economic need.

“We’re not going to grow the economy in our communities all across the country without broadband,” he told The Washington Post. “The investments we’re making in this, and the build-out over three to four years, makes this one of the best infrastructure efforts we can undertake today.”

Though it was the pandemic that thrust broadband into the spotlight more than ever, the growing need for this service extends beyond the current crisis. The future of economic development hinges on it, as does access to education. Online learning will change, develop, and expand in the coming years, from the younger grades through college. Telehealth will grow, and connecting to high-speed internet is a clear must-have for businesses. 

Decades ago, the country reached a point where having multiple regions underserved — or untouched — by electrical utilities was simply no longer an option. Broadband is at that point, and the federal funding and legislative efforts at the state level are encouraging. Hopefully, new dollars and new programs can be deployed for everyone’s benefit, especially for those most in need. The great need for broadband access is one lesson from the pandemic that is having an impact on decision-makers. The need has been expressed, not forgotten, and is attracting legislation. That makes it an important moment for the country, and it’s crucial to keep that momentum going. 

Along the way, people may disagree on how to best achieve the goal. But with the renewed focus and steadfast work on this issue, we can take decisive steps to increase access. It appears progress is on the horizon, and broadband is an essential gateway to resources and opportunities — ones that each community needs and deserves.

— Gareth Henderson

Marching forward

Sunset lights up the sky in West Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In March 2020, analyses about the growing challenges of the pandemic were everywhere. Our economy, schools, work, and travel came to a halt or went remote. Today, we’re not out of the woods, but one year after lockdowns took hold across the country, it’s a much different scene: We’re able to talk about growing points of progress. 

The $1.9 trillion U.S. relief bill is passed, well over 70% of Americans 75 and older are vaccinated, and three vaccines are being distributed.

In Vermont, the state Legislature is working on a fast-track spending bill for pandemic relief, and the push is on to return all schools to in-person learning quickly, but safely. The state opened vaccination appointments for teachers, school staff and child care providers as a group this week — a key step en route to full-time, in-person instruction. As of Friday, 1 in 4 Vermonters had received their first dose of vaccine. 

That all seemed a long way off, a year ago. Vermont had its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 5. Vermont’s state of emergency went into effect the following week. Looking back during a recent press conference, Scott emphasized the great progress on vaccines in only one year. 

“When we had that first case, no one could have predicted, just 12 months later we’d already have three safe and effective vaccines rolling out to defend ourselves,” Scott said. 

As vaccine development was underway, we were also stepping up for each other, which officials in Vermont and elsewhere often acknowledged. During the holidays, Scott asked for examples of Vermonters who were selflessly helping their communities, and emails poured in from people highlighting their friends, co-workers and neighbors. Some communities began their own relief programs; the Woodstock community organized the Woodstock Area Relief Fund, which continues to help those in need. Vermont towns saw food bank donations soar, mask-making became a wartime effort, and people volunteered wherever they could to make a difference. 

Such stories exemplify the heart of Vermont, and reflect the community spirit that has sustained us. It is our guiding light to more progress. Creativity, ingenuity, and patience were seen here and in many other communities across the world. Those virtues are foundational, and they empower us to move forward through even the darkest times. Even then, there is always light, some goodness right around the corner to lift us up. Our love and compassion for each other are here to strengthen us, and they point the way to greener pastures ahead.

— Gareth Henderson

Governor loosens rules, responds to Biden deadline

A view from the Ottauquechee River Trail in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As promised, the state of Vermont made further changes to public health guidance on Friday, as the number of vaccinated Vermonters steadily increases. The state reached a new milestone in that process: 1 in 4 Vermonters have now received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Gov. Phil Scott also said the state could exceed President Joe Biden’s new directive that states make all adults vaccine-eligible by May 1. But first, the state needs to know how much Johnson & Johnson vaccine it will get, and he was confident that update would be forthcoming.

At a Friday press briefing, Gov. Phil Scott announced immediate changes to rules on small multi-household gatherings and table seating at restaurants. The changes allow two unvaccinated households to gather at a time, and restaurants can seat multiple households together, but no more than six people can be seated at the same table. Masking, distancing, capacity limits, and other guidelines remain in place.

At a press briefing, Scott acknowledged Vermont continues to take one of the most cautious approaches to reopening, and this has caused some frustration. 

"I hear from people every day who think we should be moving faster to reopen like some other states have," Scott said. "But there's a reason we have the lowest number of (COVID-related) deaths in the country, and the lowest death rate in the continental U.S. If our death rate was as high as some of our neighbors, like New York, we wouldn't be talking about 212 lives lost. We'd be talking about 1,500 or more."  

Scott said he'd continue to take a "methodical and strategic approach", guided by the health experts. He also noted that, as more people get vaccinated, Vermonters can expect the loosening of public health restrictions to be more frequent than last spring, when the vaccine was not available.

Speaking of vaccinations, the governor responded to questions his office received following President Joe Biden's televised speech on Thursday night, during which he directed states to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults by May 1. 

Scott said he thought Vermont could exceed that target, but the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine is the key to meeting it. He said the state is waiting for federal confirmation on what its Johnson & Johnson allotment will look like. 

"Following President Biden's remarks, I'm assuming a clear supply picture will be made available to the states as soon as possible, so we can confirm the schedule of our remaining age bands and share it with you next week," Scott said. "But again, I want Vermonters to know, if the federal government delivers the supply, we'll more than deliver on the president's eligibility goal." 

Sanders: Rapid relief a key point of $1.9 trillion bill

For U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the direct stimulus checks going out now to about 90% of Americans are a key feature of the COVID-19 relief bill President Joe Biden signed into law Thursday.

On Friday, Sanders emphasized that rapid economic relief is what many Vermonters and people across the country badly need. For those with direct deposit, those $1,400 relief payments should show up in bank accounts in the next few days, he added.

"I have believed for a very long time, that in a moment when half of the people in our country are living paycheck to paycheck, probably the most important thing that we could do at this moment is just get cash into the hands of struggling families," Sanders said at Friday's state press conference.

The bill also has provisions meant to address child poverty, including increasing the federal child tax credit from $2,000 to $3,600 for families with kids under age 6. In fact, Sanders said, estimates project the legislation will cut child poverty by up to 50%.

"This bill, in a very aggressive way, addresses that crisis," Sanders said.

The senator said he'll never forget seeing the long lines of cars lining up all over the state for emergency food packages last year.

"People are hurting, and they need help," Sanders said.

From the new relief package, Vermont will see $1.3 billion. Within that, the state gets $152 million for rent and utility relief and $50 million for mortgage assistance.

Sanders also shared important news for the many Vermonters who filed for unemployment in 2020. The relief bill adds a tax deduction for the first $10,000 in unemployment benefits an individual received in 2020.

With the bill's passage, enhanced federal unemployment benefits of $300 per week are extended into early September. It also provides more funding for vaccination efforts, aid for school reopenings and assistance for businesses.

Noting the great need to help children during the recovery, Sanders said the bill nearly triples federal funding for summer and after-school programs. It also supplies an additional $391 million in federal funding for child care.

"The bottom line is, this is an enormously comprehensive piece of legislation. It will impact, I suspect, almost every family in the state of Vermont," Sanders said. "The goal here is to do everything that we can to help people who are struggling right now, to rebuild our economy, to open up our businesses, to get our children back to school, and to crush this pandemic as quickly as we can."

In the coming weeks, he said, people can expect Congress to take on big issues like infrastructure, energy systems and climate change, noting each of those areas can create jobs as the country moves forward.

State provides update on school staff vaccinations

The state of Vermont's efforts to roll out vaccinations for school employees has gone well for the most part, though with a few "bumps in the road", according to state education officials.

On Monday, the state began vaccine eligibility for teachers, school staff and child care providers. This included school-based clinics offered around the state.

At Friday's press briefing, Education Secretary Dan French said there were some issues regarding the location of vaccination appointments, as some appointment slots filled up more quickly than others.

“I just wanted to assure people that new clinics will be implemented as the supply increases, so school staff should not worry about being able to get an appointment if they weren't able to get one this week," French said.

Additionally, school staff in Vermont can also get vaccinated through the federal pharmacy program, which includes over 20 Walgreens locations throughout the state. French encouraged school staff to check on Walgreens appointment slots for availability as well, at walgreens.com.

Also on Friday, French shared a note of progress for the return to in-person learning. In February, Vermont schools saw slight increases of in-person learning across all grade levels.

"As the weather gets warmer and vaccination expands, we can expect to see the amount of in-person continue to increase in the coming weeks," French said.

As of Friday, over 11,000 educators, school staff, and child care providers have made appointments.

Also this week, vaccine registration opened for all Vermonters over age 16 with certain high-risk health conditions, and 21,700 people in that group of about 75,000 have signed up.

For appointments and eligibility details, visit healthvermont.gov/myvaccine or call 855-722-7878.

— Gareth Henderson

Biden signs relief bill; sets vaccine eligibility deadline

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

U.S. President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill into law on Thursday, paving the way for $1,400 direct payments to start going out this week. Biden followed that up with some major announcements that same evening. 

In his first prime-time address to the nation, Biden ordered states to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1. The U.S. plans to up its current number of daily vaccinations from 1 million to over 2 million, the president said. He also spoke of his stated goal to get 100 million Americans vaccinated in his first 100 days in office. 

“Tonight, I can say we're not only going to meet that goal; we're going to beat that goal," Biden said. That mark will be reached by his 60th day in office, he added.

With the vaccination process ahead of schedule, Biden anticipated Americans being able to celebrate the Fourth of July in small gatherings.

“That will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, we begin to mark our independence from this virus,” Biden said. 

The $1.9 trillion relief package includes more funding for vaccination efforts, aid for school reopenings and assistance for businesses, among other items. It also extends federal jobless benefits of $300 per week into early September, includes an expansion of the child tax credit of up to $3,600 per child, and supplies $350 billion in state and local aid. About 90% of households will see the $1,400 direct payments. 

On Thursday night, Biden acknowledged it had been a year since lockdowns took hold in America. Even with the progress on the vaccination front, Biden noted, it’s still important for everyone to follow the public health guidance of masking, frequent hand-washing and social distancing. He said the battle against COVID is “far from over”, and it will take everyone’s efforts to get the country over the finish line regarding the pandemic.

“Even if we devote every resource we have, beating this virus and getting back to normal depends on national unity," Biden said. 

The president also plans to accelerate a nationwide effort to reopen schools, sticking with his goal of opening the majority of K-8 schools within his first 100 days in office. The administration will also issue further public health guidance in the coming weeks for vaccinated individuals, and plans to unveil online tools to help people find local vaccination sites.

— Gareth Henderson

Route 4 paving project coming soon

Woodstock Village on a spring-like Wednesday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The state process is moving ahead for the extensive Route 4 paving project in Woodstock Village this year — a project that could start as soon as next month.

This was one of the key topics covered at the Village Meeting discussion online Tuesday night. Being held on Zoom due to the pandemic, there were no amendments allowed nor votes taken at the informational meeting. All voting this year is by Australian Ballot, including on such items as the village budget and elected officers. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 16 at town hall. 

As for the Route 4 paving, bids for the project opened on March 5. The exact start date will be determined by the contractor, according to Village Trustee Daphne Lowe. The trustees have urged the state to begin the work no later than May 1, and hopefully in April. The project must conclude by Sept. 24, unless there are weather-related delays. The village portions of Route 12 and Route 106 are also part of the project. 

“The worst part of the project, as far as disruption, will be the grinding, about the first four weeks or so,” said Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn. 

Kahn said part of the contract allows for some night work, but they won’t go late into the evening and won’t begin early in the morning. They don’t plan to work on weekends. Lowe said there will be one-lane traffic through the village at times, and some issues with parking. 

“I think they’re going to be as considerate as they can” throughout the process, Lowe said. 

Another big topic for the year has to do with the trucks that use Route 4. Kahn said there’s an effort by some lawmakers to repeal the free overlength truck permits the state has allowed for years, for overlength trucks traveling on Route 4 from Hartford, through Woodstock, and to the Route 100 intersection in Bridgewater. The free permits have kept the number of oversized trucks down in the village, and the village enforces them. If the repeal is successful, Kahn said, it’s estimated Woodstock would see an additional 15,000 53-foot trucks coming through its downtown.

Kahn, Highway Superintendent Ken Vandenburgh and Police Chief Robbie Blish recently met with the Senate Transportation Committee. Kahn said there was a feeling of “jealousy or resentment” toward Woodstock regarding the permits. 

“They don’t see why we should have that special treatment when other towns don’t have that,” he said. 

Kahn disagreed with that sentiment and said reducing the amount of overlength trucks is important for safety in the village and also to sustain the road’s infrastructure over time. He said this matter is not being taken up in the House, but could still make it into Senate legislation. He said Sen. Alison Clarkson, of Woodstock, came up with a compromise if the repeal looks likely. It has to do with two locations involving safety concerns: the hairpin turn at the corner by Maplefields, and the sharp turn at the western end of the Rec Center Bridge.

“The amendment that Sen. Clarkson prepared would at least say that those two corners should be re-engineered and fixed before that permit is repealed,” Kahn said.  

He added, “Hopefully they won’t repeal it, but it doesn’t look good.” 

A question was raised about reducing the current 25 mph speed limit or adding speed bumps if the repeal goes through. However, Blish said those would both be up to the state. By law, police can’t enforce a speed limit under 25 mph, he added. 

As for the main items on the village ballot, voters are considering a village budget of $1,345,829, which includes $578,655 to be raised by taxes. That involves a slight increase over last year. Pointing out changes, Municipal Manager William Kerbin noted the municipal office is spending $9,250 to fix its 15-year-old phone system.

Also on the ballot are three trustees running unopposed for reelection. Kahn is running for a three-year term, William Corson for a two-year seat and Brenda Blakeman for a one-year term. Blakeman and Corson were each appointed to the board last year; Kahn has served multiple terms as a village trustee.

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. continues vaccine progress; more rule changes on tap

A view from Sherman Hollow Road in Huntington, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The state of Vermont opened COVID-19 vaccine appointments for the largest phase yet of its process this week. With over one-fifth of Vermonters over age 16 having received at least their first dose, the state plans to also roll out another change to its public health guidance at its next press briefing. 

Last week, the state eased its gathering rule to allow vaccinated households to gather with others who are vaccinated, as well as with one other household that is not vaccinated. 

“On Friday, we plan to announce changes for small gatherings as well,” Gov. Phil Scott said Tuesday. “This will have an impact for restaurants, too, so stay tuned.” 

As for the statewide vaccine effort, the current phase 5 includes about 75,000 Vermonters with certain high-risk health conditions, and the group is split into two parts. On Monday, phase 5A began, opening vaccine eligibility for those 55 and older with high-risk health conditions. 

“On the first day, just under 10,000 had signed up, which is a bit fewer than we’d hoped,” Scott said at Tuesday’s press conference. 

Because of that, the governor said, the state is moving up the first day of vaccine sign-ups for phase 5B, which is now Thursday. That part of the group involves those 16 and older with high-risk conditions. Scott noted it’s a large group and “we want to get to them as quickly as possible.” A list of eligible high-risk health conditions is available near the bottom of this page, below the “Eligibility” graphic.

Also on Monday, the state began vaccinations for school staff and child care providers, and expanded eligibility for public safety personnel and corrections staff. Scott said those vaccination opportunities were made possible by increased vaccine supply from the federal government and the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Vaccination for the first three age groups in Vermont’s vaccine process — 75+, 70+ and 65+ — made faster progress than anticipated. As of Tuesday, over 82% of Vermonters age 75 and older had either received their first dose or been fully vaccinated. That’s above the national average for vaccination within the 75+ age group, which is about 70%.

Vermont showed an increase in average daily COVID-19 cases this week, however, the state is still projecting a gradual overall decrease in cases over the next month as vaccinations continue, with that decline becoming sharper in the spring. The state’s positivity rate continues to be one of the lowest in the nation, at 1.58%.

Scott said it’s “still as important as ever” to follow the public health guidance in place, noting Vermonters should wear masks, use social distancing, wash hands and stay home when sick.

“We’re in the final quarter of this very tough game, so let’s all do our part so we can exit the pandemic as quickly as possible,” the governor said. 

— Gareth Henderson

Guide to 2021 Woodstock Village Meeting

Lights illuminating Woodstock Village during the colder months. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Woodstock’s annual Village Meeting is going online for the first time, after Town Meeting also went virtual due to the pandemic.

The Village Trustees are holding an informational meeting on Zoom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. There will be no amendments, and all voting is by Australian ballot. Among the ballot items are the village budget and elected officers. The village polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 16 at town hall. Printed copies of the 2020 Village Report are available at town hall and other locations, and the report is also online. Absentee ballots can be returned to the town clerk up until 4:30 p.m. on March 15, or voters can turn them in at the polls on March 16.

On Tuesday, a number of topics will be presented by the Trustees, and one of them is the state-run Route 4 paving project in the village. The Route 4 project will begin on approximately May 1 and must be finished by Sept. 26, according to Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn. The first month of the project will involve grinding pavement, and two surface layers will be put down in the following weeks. Traffic will continue, but sometimes it will be down to one lane. Along with Route 4 in the village, this project entails the village portion of Route 12 and also the village section of South Road (Route 106). 

Having this project done in the second year of the pandemic is a challenge, with businesses already suffering, Kahn noted. He encouraged residents to support local businesses during the project period. 

“The plus, of course, is that hopefully that road will hold up and won't need to be done for another decade," Kahn said. 

On the brighter side, Kahn noted that, in spite of a difficult 2020, the new East End Park was able to open. The scenic park along the Ottauquechee River is about to go into its first full season, available to the public for play, picnicking and special events. Kahn said Pentangle is planning to move their summer music series to the park and is planning a town-wide celebration at the end of the 2022 series.  

In other good news: Teagle Landing, located by the Kedron Brook off Central Street, is set to be renovated this year. That work will start in May and will be completed sometime in the summer.

Additionally, other topics presented Tuesday night will be the local mask ordinance, the short-term rental ordinance, the Cannabis Committee, the overlength trucks, the police union contract, the new parking meters and kiosks, and local parks. 

The local Cannabis Committee is studying the issue of retail cannabis operations as it relates to Woodstock. This comes after a new law allowing a tax-and-regulate system for cannabis went into effect last October in Vermont. This month, a number of Vermont towns held votes over whether to permit such businesses locally. Kahn anticipated a village vote on the matter in 2022, and the committee is gathering information.  

“The village will provide information from both sides of the question, pluses and minuses, so voters can make an informed decision,” he said. 

Regarding overlength trucks, Kahn said the village is working to maintain the free truck permits that keep the number of oversized trucks down in the village. There is currently an effort in the Legislature to remove these permits. 

As for the $1,345,829 village budget proposal, it includes $578,655 to be raised by taxes. A slight change is anticipated in the tax rate, going up to a rate of .2021, meaning an increase of 62 cents per $100,000 of valuation. That’s an increase of $2.48 for a $400,000 home.  

“That small an increase is one I think the public should be very pleased with," Kahn said. 

Municipal Manager William Kerbin said the village was very conscious of controlling costs as much as possible, given the ongoing impact of the pandemic. 

“We really kind of held the bottom line here, when we looked at keeping the overall costs down,” Kerbin said.

On Tuesday night, Village Trustee incumbents Kahn, Brenda Blakeman and William Corson will address the public about their bids for reelection this year. All three are running unopposed.

The informational meeting isn’t the only event on Tuesday evening: It will be followed by a regular Village Trustees meeting.

— Gareth Henderson

Swanson defeats Davies in Woodstock Select Board bid

Woodstock Town Hall in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Joe Swanson cruised to victory on Tuesday, defeating Woodstock Select Board incumbent Jill Davies by a decisive 541-400 tally.

In a statement Tuesday evening, Swanson said he was “overwhelmed by the amount of support and trust” from Woodstock voters.

“I am looking forward to being a part of a respectful Select Board that achieves success through cooperation and inclusiveness,” Swanson said. “All of us will work to maintain the charm and warmth of Woodstock while acting in a financially prudent manner.”

In an interview Tuesday night, Davies said she was sorry not to be continuing her work on the board, but she wished Swanson well in his upcoming three-year term. She also emphasized the need to work together.

"I know it's been a difficult campaign for the community, and I really hope we can build some bridges together and create one resilient community," Davies said.

Swanson, a Woodstock Police sergeant and Army veteran, is the son of the late Phil Swanson, Woodstock's longtime municipal manager. Davies, who has many years of experience as a management consultant, had served four years on the Select Board and was seeking her third term.

In other election news, Ray Bourgeois was uncontested in his bid for a two-year seat on the Select Board. In the race for first constable, incumbent Kelly Linton notched a 638-122 victory over challenger Devon Kurtz. All ballot items passed, including the town and school district budgets.

— Gareth Henderson

Welch: Stimulus bill key for fully reopening schools

A sunny afternoon view of Wyman Lane in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont's governor wants schools fully open by the middle of April, and the federal COVID-19 relief bill is designed to help schools as they transition back to in-person learning, according to U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, of Vermont.

The $1.9 trillion bill being taken up in the U.S. Senate has $170 billion going to schools. On VPR's Vermont Edition on Monday, Welch recalled when he visited the Winooski school district earlier during the pandemic, and observed all the changes they had to make to run their schools during the pandemic, which cost them about $2 million.

"This (stimulus) money is a recognition by the federal government that opening schools is easier said than done, and it requires resources and the spending of money in order to do it safely for our kids and for our teachers," Welch told VPR.

He said this federal relief could help schools hire extra personnel as they go back to in-person learning, which may include more nurses to take temperatures, for example. The funding could also help reconfigure classrooms for social distancing. Overall, Welch said any use of the federal aid must have a "COVID-related nexus", but it is less restrictive than prior aid packages. That means these new funds could be used on expenditures which could also have long-term benefits, such as improving school ventilation. The greater flexibility was something requested by the governor previously, Welch said during the VPR interview.

Currently, about 30% of Vermont schools have full-time, in-person instruction, 50% are hybrid, and 20% are fully remote. On Friday, the Scott administration announced its statewide effort to get schools back to full-time, in-person learning by year's end, and hopefully by mid-April. Education Secretary Dan French expects to give more details about that plan this week.

The topic has been one of intense debate nationally. On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a school reopening deal with lawmakers, and on Friday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a school reopening bill that he said was a threat to public health.

There seems to be broad agreement that getting students back to full-time, in-person learning is crucial, although some are concerned about the idea of reopening when not all teachers are fully vaccinated. Vermont is taking that into account as the next steps on its vaccination plan are considered. On Monday, the state opened up vaccination appointments to Vermonters age 65 and over.

Last Friday, Gov. Scott said the main reason to push for a full school reopening is "to reverse the negative impact of the pandemic on our kids."

"We have to start assessing the educational, social and emotional impact the pandemic and remote learning has had on our kids," Scott said. "Then we have to work together to reverse those impacts, as quickly as we possibly can. And that means, in this case, in-person instruction.”

A Senate vote on the federal aid package is anticipated in the next two weeks, since extended federal unemployment benefits expire on March 14.

— Gareth Henderson 

Look to the horizon

Clouds are illuminated by the setting sun, as seen from Woodstock’s East End Park. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

What captures our attention? It's a question we may not often ask, but the answer is pivotal to our lives.

What we choose to focus on is the rudder of our day, and how we start our day informs that focus and sets it on a certain course. However, we are still the captain of our own ship. We determine where that course ends up. A few years ago, I went sailing for the first time. It was important to know where the rocks were in relation to getting to the channel. One of the first rules I learned was to look to the horizon and pick a point to sail to, all while avoiding the rocks in the shallow water to get to the open channel. I could have focused on the rocks and never made it to open water, but instead, I made it to the channel and had a wonderful little sail around the bay.

Over the past year, our individual channels of attention encountered multiple figurative rocks as the world changed. Many of us looked out on the world with a different perspective, one that thought of our neighbors more than ever before. Our attention had shifted. The world, our communities, our neighborhoods seemed closer, because of our new, shared experience.

The question is, where do we invest our attention now? This is an individual answer, and as such, answers will vary. However, the best and most productive focus is to emphasize the good every day in the present. Even on our toughest days, the act of moving forward, rising above negative influences, and finding a way to accomplish our goals adds to the collective good. Each individual triumph uplifts the whole. Every neighbor helped, every hurdle crossed, every new insight glimpsed is a light on the horizon we all can share, because we are not separated from each other.

We live in our world together, and every day is an opportunity to see that fact further demonstrated. Plenty is out there to try and divide us further. But we each have a path illuminated with progress, even on the darkest and most impossible days. It begins with turning our attention toward the horizon, the light, the good, and never giving up on that effort. Let's seize every morning as a new opportunity to look forward and see the great possibilities before us.

— Gareth Henderson

Relief bills advance as Vt. lawmakers eye longer session

A view of the mountains from Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Much-anticipated COVID-19 relief moved forward in Congress and the Vermont Legislature this week. 

Both proposals were voted out of their respective House chambers and are headed to the Senate level. A $1.9 trillion federal bill got House approval late Friday night. Key elements in that proposal would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, extend federal unemployment insurance, deliver $1,400 direct payments to most Americans, help small businesses and support vaccination efforts. In total, the bill has $960 million for Vermont.

“This bold relief bill is a critical step to get us through and eventually recover from this unprecedented pandemic,” U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, of Vermont, said in a statement. 

The Vermont relief bill totals $80 million and now awaits state Senate action. It will be the top priority for lawmakers when they return from their week-long break from legislative deliberations. The bill includes $10 million in grants for businesses that didn’t previously qualify for federal aid; $10 million for affordable housing; $1.3 million for the Reach Up program for one-time payments to families in need; $1.4 million for the Vermont Food Bank; and $5 million for the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative.

On Saturday, State Rep. Charlie Kimbell and Sen. Alison Clarkson, the Senate majority leader, updated voters from Woodstock, Plymouth and Reading on the legislative session. Clarkson said COVID-19 relief was at the top of the list and that lawmakers are looking to “leverage these precious federal dollars” to help on a host of issues for Vermonters, such as housing needs and broadband access.

However, lawmakers are also making recovery a priority, including focusing on areas like unemployment insurance and expanding telemedicine — which have been crucial for Vermonters during this time. 

“We’re really focused on learning lessons from pandemic,” Clarkson said. She also noted they’re considering how to sustain the unemployment fund for the long-term, while also being sensitive about how businesses are impacted. Another result of those “lessons learned” is a bill currently being considered, which would allow changes in municipal functions, such as moving public meetings to Zoom, if there is a declared state emergency.

Another major topic was the future of the Vermont State Colleges System. Last year, then-Chancellor Jeb Spaulding proposed that two campuses be closed, which drew great public ire at the time. On Monday, the board of trustees voted to consolidate Northern Vermont University, Castleton University and Vermont Technical College into one entity. Under this new plan, Community College of Vermont would become a separate institution. 

The system is looking for additional funding from the Legislature to move forward with the merger, and this funding also considers the actual costs of demolishing some buildings and/or consolidating operations, according to Kimbell.

“They are committed to maintaining operations at their locations, but they have to alter those operations,” Kimbell said via email after Saturday’s meeting. Currently, the state colleges system receives $30 million in the state budget each year. In a separate request, the system is seeking to increase that base funding by $17.5 million.

Over the past year, one of the most significant issues facing workers has been child care. Kimbell said lawmakers are looking at how to address access to child care and help with funding.

“There are 20,000 fewer people in the workforce now, than before the pandemic,” he noted. Kimbell said many people either couldn’t find child care, or opted to home-school their children amid concerns about COVID-19. 

On a different issue, the implementation of Vermont’s tax-and-regulate cannabis law came up. A question was raised about the Cannabis Control Board, which sets and administers the rules for the tax-and-regulate system, and when members would be appointed to the new board. Clarkson answered that this is up to the governor’s office, and Senate leadership will urge the governor to complete that process.

“It is pushing everything behind, and we have 2,000 businesses waiting for this work to go forward, and for the structure to be all set up,” Clarkson said. 

The tax-and-regulate cannabis law went into effect last October. Kimbell said a number of towns on Tuesday will vote on whether to allow retail cannabis businesses. Recently, Woodstock municipal leaders established a group to study the issue for Woodstock.  

Moving forward, it looks like lawmakers are in for another long session. It may again go into the summer to give the Legislature time to appropriate the nearly $1 billion expected from the new federal relief bill. 

That also means a lot more time on Zoom, which, Kimbell and Clarkson acknowledged, has been a challenge for legislative work. The time spent during breaks and in the cafeteria during an in-person legislative session is important to understanding the issues surrounding a bill, Clarkson said. Those informal conversations don’t always make it into the day, in the current context.

“Really challenging to do some of that informal work that comes from being together,” Clarkson said. 

In a later interview, Clarkson explained lawmaking often involves having “very private conversations” with people about what’s driving their views. That’s harder to facilitate, being outside of the in-person environment.

However, Clarkson said she was glad the Legislature has the option to meet on Zoom. Furthermore, she noted that last year, lawmakers appropriated over $1 billion, and she’s confident they can accomplish the same high level of work for Vermonters this year.

“We’re soldiering through, we're doing best we can with the limits that we face," she said.

Clarkson is vice chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, and is also on the Senate Government Operations Committee. Kimbell is a member of the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. 

Other issues they spoke about Saturday included: 

• A proposal to remove the state education tax from the property tax and make it an income tax, from the Tax Structure Commission’s recent report. In this case, the education tax would be more closely tied to what the local school budget is.

• Examining unfunded pension liabilities for state employees and teachers. This has become “a $4.5 billion problem”, Kimbell said, and lawmakers are hoping to craft a plan to make the system  more sustainable. Currently, the state pays $389 million from the general fund each year. 

• Incentives to improve broadband access, by providing funding to more communications union districts, like ECFiber. 

• A bill which assesses the need for school construction projects statewide. Kimbell mentioned there has been no state aid for school buildings since 2007. Woodstock is currently in the planning process for building a new high school. 

• A bill which would establish a statewide rental registry, which state agencies could access for information about rental properties. Clarkson said this would have been useful to have both during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, and now during the pandemic. 

• An elections bill which makes permanent the mailing-out of ballots for general elections. The proposal also gives the ability to cure ballots and provides more flexibility around polling places. 

— Gareth Henderson

Click on the following links to contact Sen. Alison Clarkson or Rep. Charlie Kimbell.

Vermont officials talk education recovery

Kedron Brook in Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The Vermont education system is aiming to implement a statewide effort to get kids back to full-time, in-person learning by the end of the school year, perhaps in April. 

On Friday, the state Agency of Education released guidance for the first phase of its recovery plan, which is the assessment of current school conditions. That will be followed by planning, and finally implementation. School districts will partner with state support teams on recovery efforts, according to Vermont Education Secretary Dan French. At a press briefing, French and other officials spoke of the need to return to in-person instruction, emphasizing that the pandemic and months of online education are taking their toll on students. 

“It is our hope that by working together through a focused recovery process, we will demonstrate that the Vermont education system has managed both the safety and educational needs of our students better than any education system in the world,” French said. 

He said it’s important to move ahead on this work now, because of the impact of increased isolation over the past year. 

“The pandemic has been the cause of heightened anxiety and depression among many students,” he said.  

State Mental Health Commissioner Sarah Squirrell and Holly Morehouse, executive director of Vermont Afterschool, also addressed the media at the briefing. Squirrell noted that pediatricians across the state reported increased mental health needs in their patients in 2020. There were also more incidents of young people going to the emergency room for mental health reasons.

Morehouse pointed out that going through a full year like this past one, means something very different to a teenager than to an adult. For a young student, she noted, the past year would have normally been full of milestones achieved, as well as social interactions with friends. 

“At this critical moment in time, young people need to feel safe and supported to re-engage in learning and recover from this period of loss and isolation,” Morehouse said. “They need not only academic support, but social and emotional support.” 

Currently, about 30% of Vermont schools have full-time, in-person instruction, 50% are hybrid, and 20% are fully remote.

French said the timing of the education recovery work coincides with school districts’ normal timing for grant planning. This also takes into account that recovery efforts will continue into the next school year. 

“As we build momentum towards full in-person (instruction) this spring, our goal will be to have districts have their priorities identified and plans established prior to June 1,” French said.

He added, “We want districts to be able to focus their grants and spending strategies on the recovery work, and to think about how they might leverage summer activities in particular, to meet the needs of students … I suspect that many districts will utilize summer programming to address non-academic priorities, such as student engagement and social/emotional supports.”

French acknowledged that school employees are “extremely fatigued” and dealing with great stress amid the pandemic. 

“Nevertheless, we must find the energy and inspiration to get our kids back full-time, and begin the end of the pandemic,” he said. 

Also at Friday’s briefing, Gov. Phil Scott reiterated the goal laid out in his inaugural address last month: returning kids to full-time, in-person instruction by the end of the year, and hopefully by April. 

“We have to start assessing the educational, social and emotional impact the pandemic and remote learning has had on our kids,” Scott said. “Then we have to work together to reverse those impacts, as quickly as we possibly can. And that means, in this case, in-person instruction.” 

This news comes as Vermont’s vaccination efforts continue to make progress. States have come under some pressure to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to school teachers and staff as a group. In Vermont, officials are keeping options open, in large part because vaccine supply has steadily increased this month, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may get its emergency use authorization this weekend. 

So far, Vermont has managed vaccination eligibility by age. Starting Monday, Vermonters age 65 and older can register for their COVID-19 vaccine shot. 

State officials recently put out a survey to educators and school staff to gauge the group’s demand for vaccination. The survey is open until Monday. 

“It’s going to provide critical information for us to inform the next steps in our vaccination planning,” French said.

— Gareth Henderson