Legislature looks to wrap up broadband bill

The sun breaks through on Gabert Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A Vermont bill meant to pave the way for broadband expansion is in the final stages of legislative approval.

The state Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved its version of the bill H. 360, which sets a framework for building out Vermont’s broadband network, with a focus on reaching the most remote parts of the state through local efforts. The funding comes from recent relief money in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). As of Thursday night, this legislation remained in conference committee, where the House and Senate versions of the bill are being reconciled. Once that’s done, the bill goes to the governor’s desk for possible signing. 

The broadband proposal adds support for Communications Union Districts, local municipally-approved entities which have facilitated more broadband connections in several regions. The legislation also allows small local telecom providers to benefit from the proposal, but they must support universal broadband access to do so, the Brattleboro Reformer reported.

The Senate version of the bill totals $100 million, down from the $150 million proposal the House approved in March. Gov. Phil Scott has expressed disappointment in both amounts, as his administration originally proposed spending $250 million of the ARPA funds on broadband. In a Thursday interview on Vermont Public Radio, Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, of Brattleboro, said “additional monies can and will be appropriated as it becomes clear what investments are needed.” She also noted that the Legislature has 3 ½ years to spend the ARPA money, giving ample time to consider further investments in broadband.

“We have time to figure this out, and I think Vermonters want us to do that,” Balint said. 

At Tuesday’s Senate proceedings, which are still being held on Zoom, Senate Majority Leader Alison Clarkson, of Woodstock, said broadband access has been a top priority during all her 16 years in the Legislature. Now, these federal funds are making significant progress possible, she said. 

“It’s a very exciting moment, and this is something that the pandemic of course has illustrated: the essentialness of this work … for education, health and our economy,” Clarkson said. 

For the entire past year, lawmakers in Vermont and elsewhere have emphasized the great need to increase broadband access, since gaps in that access put many adults and students at a disadvantage during the pandemic. Remote learning and telehealth services became critical in early 2020, as COVID-19 infections rose and millions had to remain home. There are also long-term limitations to business growth without more high-speed broadband connections, lawmakers said. Lack of broadband access has disproportionately impacted low-income Americans, multiple studies have shown.

At the federal level, the U.S. government is now offering some emergency discounts on internet services. Under the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, eligible households can receive a discount of up to $50 per month on their internet bills, and households on qualifying Tribal lands can receive up to $75 per month. Additionally, the program offers low-income families a one-time discount of up to $100 toward the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or a tablet. 

— Gareth Henderson

A broader view of life

A flower in bloom on the Woodstock History Center’s lawn. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

There’s a certain freedom in wandering new trails and old roads in the area, searching for fresh, new images to capture with the camera. The weather is warming up, with sunlight streaming through the trees and hills, and the occasional rain blessing the landscape. While the buds on the trees are sprouting their leaves, some of the most compelling views are on the ground, right by our feet.

That was true of tonight's featured photo, showing an elegant flower with hints of purple, soaking in hints of light on a dreary afternoon last Saturday. Its home is the Woodstock History Center's lawn, a favorite spot of mine. It's an ideal place for a quiet stroll, to take in the view of the Ottauquechee River flowing by.

Seeing nature from a broader viewpoint has great value, but so does noticing those smaller, more subtle instances of life which also make a compelling picture. That awareness requires a willingness to slow down and engage with the varied life experiences right near us, grounded in the firm foundation of life. Doing this, I’ve noticed things I might have very easily ignored or taken for granted in the past, like the subject of the photo above. That little flower, with its elegant simplicity, is a humble representative of beauty, peace, and progress. It's a reminder that, as I eagerly search for those qualities, they're abundantly being expressed all around me.

As 2021 continues to bloom, and the activities and routines we've been missing become possible once again, we can have the presence of mind to proceed with a broader view. We can remember — and engage with — the seemingly "smaller" aspects of life that bring us joy, changeless good, and meaningful peace. Those qualities have value far beyond the workings of daily life, and it’s natural for us to share that goodness with others. As we proceed through the week, that is surely the greatest gift we can offer the world.

— Gareth Henderson

Village mask ordinance amended; Vt. prepares to vaccinate ages 12-15

The Village Green in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A mask is no longer required to be worn outdoors within the Village of Woodstock, after a decision by the Woodstock Village Trustees on Tuesday night. 

Trustees voted 3-1 to suspend the portion of the local mask ordinance which required a face covering to be worn outside. However, state guidelines will be followed, including wearing a mask when six feet of social distancing is not possible. Masks must still be worn inside all public buildings and businesses. 

Tuesday’s discussion was prompted by a recent change to Vermont’s statewide mask mandate, which was made in accordance with CDC guidance. The state no longer requires mask-wearing outside, except when six-foot social distancing can’t be maintained. The CDC recently announced that less than 1% of COVID-19 transmission occurs outdoors.

Businesses and events operating outdoors must still adhere to mask requirements under the Vermont Forward reopening plan. See more details here.

Woodstock Village expects to suspend its entire mask ordinance once the state ends its mask mandate. On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott said the state may lift the mandate ahead of schedule in June, as the state is hitting its vaccination goals faster than expected. Over 61% of all Vermonters have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. 

The governor expects to share more details on Friday about the state potentially speeding up its reopening plans.

State preparing to expand vaccination to ages 12-15

Vermont is preparing to add another age group to the COVID-19 vaccination effort this week. 

The FDA announced Monday it has approved use of Pfizer vaccine doses for children ages 12-15, and with final approval, state officials say vaccine registration for that group could begin immediately. If the final decision comes in the evening, registration for this age group will open at 8:15 a.m. the next morning, Vermont officials confirmed.  

That final approval rests with the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which meets to vote on Wednesday. In a weekly call between governors and White House and CDC leaders Tuesday, that final stage of approval was not in doubt, according to Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.

“They sounded optimistic that full approval would be coming very, very soon,” Scott said at a Tuesday press conference. 

In preparing for this change, the state has ordered a total of 4,480 extra Pfizer doses, through a new federal program allowing states to request doses above their weekly allocation. Pending federal approval of the request, those extra doses could arrive as soon as next week. 

Additionally, the state and school districts are planning over 40 school-based vaccination sites to accommodate the 12-15 age group. Those new sites will be open to the public as well. The recently unveiled walk-in clinics around the state will also be available to this new group, however, once eligible, officials are encouraging this group to sign up for their doses online. That’s because they can only have the Pfizer vaccine, noted Human Services Secretary Mike Smith. If they do visit a walk-in clinic, a parent will need to be with them to give permission.

Also on Tuesday, Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said parents of children ages 16 and 17 (ages which are already eligible) and of children ages 12-15 should speak to their child’s pediatrician if they have questions or concerns regarding vaccinating their children. 

“They are there for you and your child, and many (pediatricians) are making appearances in your region of the state to emphasize the importance of vaccine for children in the age groups we’ve just discussed,” Levine said. 

He also said people are welcome to view information on the state’s vaccine website, healthvermont.gov/myvaccine, notably the “Frequently Asked Questions” section. 

As the state’s COVID cases keep trending downward, there has been a marked improvement in the rate of vaccination among those 30 years old and younger, according to Michael Pieciak, the financial regulation commissioner, who spoke about state trends on Tuesday. 

“Last week, those age bands sat just below the national average, and this week, they’re sitting comfortably above the national average,” Pieciak said. “So certainly, there’s more work to be done, but progress is being made.” 

— Gareth Henderson

5/12/2021 Update: On Wednesday afternoon, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to approve the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12-15.

Embracing progress, like the river

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

Progress for the greater good is a concept we all embrace. It's the very engine of life. There’s always a push to go up higher, to achieve more, and persist through challenges to seek opportunity.

For some time now, the gradual lifting of statewide restrictions has given us hope as we make further progress toward the eventual end of the pandemic. The idea of striving to help one another has continued, as activities slowly but surely return to some semblance of day-to-day normalcy.

We're each glad to note how things are improving during these weeks, and it's been a steady source of inspiration. Saturday night was the first night I have been out to see live music in a restaurant in almost 16 months. The band, George’s Back Pocket, performed at Du Jour VT in Ludlow, and played its inspiring song “The River”, which reminded me of the serene, powerful nature of this grand waterway. 

A river is winding, turning, in constant movement, always refreshing itself. Each drop of water, sometimes propelled by harsh currents, moves forward to a new destination. Similarly, we can never go back to a particular moment, nor remain “stuck” in the trappings of tomorrow, but we must be grounded in the present, and humbly move ahead with the progress experienced. Such moments show us that obstacles aren’t forever. Indeed, the most reassuring knowledge is that we’re constantly moving forward, with the innate ability to embrace the ideas we need. This broader view sustains our wholeness and completeness, as we look toward this bright tomorrow.

That bright tomorrow contains much newness, because we've learned a lot over the past 12 months. The pandemic has shown me how technology can connect us, how much we can lift each other up when times are tough, and how work life can be more efficient — just to name a few things. As the situation continues to improve, we can strive to move forward with these lessons learned and use them to propel progress.

That process won't always be easy. Sometimes, new knowledge seems to come into conflict with older methods, and the road ahead becomes unclear. But whatever the issue at hand, we always have the ability to work together toward the opportunities that make the most sense for all involved. That riverbed may become disturbed by progress itself, but the water has the innate ability to seek and find clarity, a purer sense of purpose and resolve. With that focus in mind, we can strive to rise together into a better future for all. From seeming obstacles, opportunities can come that strengthen every community and cultivate strong collaborations. Together, we can continue to embrace progress, persist, and succeed.

— Gareth Henderson

State: In-person learning on the rise in Vt. schools

The American flag flies at Woodstock Union High School & Middle School last summer. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Citing another positive impact from declining COVID-19 case totals in Vermont, state officials are seeing more and more schools getting back to in-person instruction.

Last month, Woodstock Union High School increased its in-person instruction to four days a week, and this trend has continued statewide, according to Education Secretary Dan French. He hears “almost daily” from schools moving in that direction, the secretary said at a Friday press briefing. 

“I’m very pleased with the results we’ve seen so far, and now with the case counts coming down, I expect even more districts will be expanding their in-person opportunities,” French said. “I’m confident that we’ll end the year with more in-person than when we started.” 

Also this week, the Agency of Education clarified its spring sports guidance regarding masks being worn outside. For sports with low- to no-contact, such as tennis, track and field, baseball and softball, masks do not have to be worn outside if six-foot distancing can be maintained. For moderate- to close-contact sports, like lacrosse and ultimate frisbee, players must continue to wear masks at all times during practice and games.

As for the state’s vaccination efforts, nearly two-thirds of Vermonters over age 16 have now received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. Next week, the state hopes the CDC will grant emergency use approval for Pfizer doses to be given to children ages 12-15. Once approved, Vermonters in this age group will be able to go to any Pfizer vaccination site, and school-based sites will be set up for students. All those sites will also be open to the wider public.

On Friday, Gov. Phil Scott urged anyone who hasn’t signed up for vaccination, to do so — most notably those ages 18-30. If the state continues to hit its vaccination targets in the coming weeks, the goal of lifting all statewide restrictions by July 4 remains within reach, according to officials.

“Vaccines are our ticket out of this pandemic, but it’s going to take everyone’s buy-in, especially younger Vermonters,” Scott said. 

Vermont’s COVID caseload is still trending well under 100 cases per day, and its 7-day case rate remains lower than the national average. The statewide positivity rate is 1.2%.

— Gareth Henderson

To view the status of public school reopenings statewide, check out this map.

Unexpected recycling, for an old problem

The evening sky as seen from Mountain Avenue in Woodstock, Vermont (Gareth Henderson Photo)

One of the thrills of being a journalist is learning interesting facts that have a broad impact, and then sharing them.

The following was news to me: It can take four centuries for a tennis ball to naturally break down in the environment. Well, that's why a Vermont nonprofit is working to keep this popular athletic item out of the landfills.

In fact, RecycleBalls, in South Burlington, Vermont, has found some success in putting this material back to use, when many serious players would discard the balls after one tennis match. The key: founder Derrick Senior invented a machine that separates the fuzz from the tennis ball rubber, NECN's Jack Thurston recently reported. The fuzzy material has been used as footing for horse arenas, and the chips of rubber have even been used to help construct new tennis courts. Other balls are punctured, to use as floor protectors on the legs of tables and chairs, Thurston reported.

Senior and his son, Ryan, are continuing to expand their efforts, distributing their collection boxes to gyms, parks and other tennis facilities across the country. Part of that is getting people used to the idea that you can recycle old tennis balls. "We are changing habits in this country," Derrick Senior told NECN.

A few hundred million tennis balls head to U.S. landfills annually, estimates the renowned tennis brand Wilson, a major supporter of RecycleBalls. That number equates to 20,000 tons of waste that doesn't break down. This Vermont nonprofit has kept about 6 million balls out of the waste stream over the past four years, the NECN report states. "We're definitely making an impact," Ryan Senior said during his interview.

Though the issues of waste in this country are vast, a number of compelling efforts have come to light in recent years — this being one of them. It's encouraging to hear about this effort happening right here in the Green Mountains, and even more so to hear about this nonprofit's work across the country. Learning about this solution, one wonders what other non-decomposing materials could also be diverted to new uses that keep them out of the waste stream. With recent innovations and the drive to protect the planet, we can expect other fresh ideas down the road. There's no better time than now, for this type of new thinking to resolve old problems. We have a shared responsibility to encourage and create such solutions, so we can all thrive in a stronger future.

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. reinstating work search requirement for jobless claims

Clouds sweep the sky at sunset in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Starting May 9, Vermonters on unemployment insurance will once again be required to look for work each week, as the state reinstates its work search requirement.

Since early last year, Vermont’s work search requirement was suspended due to public health concerns during the pandemic. At a Tuesday press briefing, Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington noted the situation had changed, with vaccinations going well and state restrictions gradually loosening. 

“This means more opportunities for Vermonters to return to work or seek new opportunities safely, and we know employers are actively seeking people to fill open jobs,” he said. In Vermont, COVID-19 cases continue to decline across all age groups, officials said Tuesday. 

Under the standard work search rule, those receiving jobless benefits must make three formal job inquiries per week, consisting of submitting a job application or a request for an interview. They must submit proof of those inquiries the following week when they file for benefits through the labor department’s online portal. Because of COVID-19, business outreach can be done by email or phone, and applications or interviews can be done virtually or by phone, Harrington said. 

“However, claimants must be able to provide proof of outreach upon request by the department,” he said. 

That weekly job search is required, unless the claimant has a COVID-qualifying reason preventing them from looking for work. Proof of that reason must also be furnished when filing for benefits, and be available upon request. 

Harrington also provided guidance for those in the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. He said anyone in the PUA program who isn’t self-employed, and isn’t an independent contractor or sole proprietor, must also perform a weekly work search. Others in the PUA program may face additional requirements down the road and should be ready, he added.

“Self-employed individuals, independent contractors or sole proprietors, should be prepared to report business engagement efforts or activities should the federal government require it at a future time,” Harrington said.  

About 30,000 Vermonters are currently collecting unemployment, and a number of vacant positions have been reported in multiple sectors in the state. 

“Research shows that the longer an individual is removed from the labor force, the harder it is for them to return, and the business community across Vermont continues to report labor shortages across all sectors and industries, so we are hopeful that claimants will be able to find safe and meaningful work relatively easily,” Harrington said. 

He added that state health experts have worked with businesses to minimize risk and ensure people can return to the workplace safely. Those wishing to learn more about the work-search requirement can visit the labor department’s website. Upcoming virtual town halls and other department programs will be available to help claimants during this process.

— Gareth Henderson

Helping the environment, one life at a time

The Ottauquechee River, as seen from East End Park in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Around the world, 129 billion single-use face masks are used each month, and 3 million are thrown out every minute. They’ve entangled wildlife and polluted waterways, and some marine animals have eaten them. 

That situation might look too big for any of us to make a positive impact. But we can each do something to minimize the damage of this pandemic-specific waste, if we ever have to dispose of a single-use mask. In short, when you throw one out, cut or remove the straps — which makes it harder for animals to be strangled in them. By doing so, you can make a difference, noted Maria Algarra, founder of Clean This Beach Up, an environmental organization in Miami Beach, Florida.

“The idea is to dispose of your mask properly, put it in the bin, but also remember to cut or rip off the straps. That will be saving so many lives,” Algarra said in a PBS NewsHour segment, which aired on Earth Day last week. 

Part of the issue is that, how to properly dispose of something is not a top priority for many people, according to Jenna Jambeck, of the University of Georgia. For example, someone who goes shopping with a single-use mask and gloves, may not know how they’re going to throw them out after their errand is done. That gap has a big impact on the environment over the past year. 

“It just really came to light, I think, through the PPE that we were wearing,” Jambeck told the NewsHour. 

That culture of waste is especially worrisome, when you combine it with a number like 129 billion of those single-use masks being used and discarded each month. However, that means, as a global community, we have billions of opportunities to do what’s right. If we ever have the need to pick up a single-use mask, we can know that cutting those straps before throwing them out can have a true, positive impact on the world’s precious creatures.

Furthermore, we can know we’re very much not alone in caring about such issues. Maria Algarra and Jenna Jambeck, from the PBS NewsHour piece, are involved in constant efforts to clean up and benefit the environment, and there are many more people working to protect our natural surroundings and the animals that depend on them. We support those initiatives when we engage in loving, thoughtful treatment of the world around us, and take steps to reduce harmful human impacts on wildlife. We can truly make a difference, one life at a time. 

— Gareth Henderson

Funny side up: Cooking ‘From the Mixing Bowl’

Chef and comedian Vicki Ferentinos has built up a strong Facebook Live following over the past year, and has begun to teach cooking classes online. Above, she is shown at a catering job several years ago before she moved to Vermont. (Photo Provided)

In March 2020, the whole world went from busy, to nothing, when the pandemic hit. For Vicki Ferentinos, her natural pivot was to “keep things light” as she puts it, especially at a time when the world needed some uplift. 

The comedian and professional chef launched weekly trivia nights on Facebook Live, then bingo, and most recently a series of virtual cooking classes, “From the Mixing Bowl”. Recently added to the class list are: Mother’s Day Brunch, It’s Greek to Me, Eclairs, and a grill class. Somewhere between trivia and bingo, there was dancing and what Ferentinos playfully calls “some bad crafting.” Trivia and bingo winners would get random prizes mailed to them — many times odd little trinkets she unearthed at home.

“That’s what happens when you’re locked in a kitchen for 3 years, and then you’re locked in a house,” Ferentinos said. 

She’s referring to when she and her wife, Shannon, sold their Woodstock cafe, Soulfully Good, before the pandemic hit. In late March 2020, Vicki had been to New York to perform a few stand-up comedy gigs, the weekend before statewide restrictions quickly went into place.

From her home in Barnard, Vermont, she eventually went online to just “talk to the people,” and started up fun activities like trivia, interspersed with some hilarity. The emails and Facebook messages kept coming in from appreciative friends, some of whom Ferentinos hadn’t seen since high school.

“It was an outlet, and people were responsive,” She said. “It was purely just to amuse people, to amuse myself, and it was therapeutic in a way. It was like, ‘Ok, let’s laugh a little bit, and be silly.’” 

Vicki Ferentinos dressed up for one of her Facebook Live shows. (Photo Provided)

Comedy and cooking are deep in Vicki Ferentinos’ background. That said, she went to college for art, and opened up an art gallery in her native New Jersey in her 20s. Ferentinos moved to New York City in the early 2000s, and ended up doing improv for a year. Stand-up comedy came knocking when she was invited to do a show every Saturday at the Time Out New York Lounge.

The journey of comedy would take her to the Edinburgh Fringe, the international arts festival where she did 30 shows — including a one-person show called “Ladybug Warrior”. She would later land a gig at Comedy Central.

“I just kept going and saying ‘yes’ to things,” Ferentinos said. 

But all the while, her culinary talents were there, and she eventually went into catering full-time. As one success led to another, she got significant catering work, including jobs with Julianne Moore and Michael Bloomberg. That led to an 18-year career in cooking. 

“I had a lot of great catering jobs because of people I knew in comedy,” she said. 

Throughout her life, though it’s been busy, Ferentinos has kept the focus on having fun, and accepting opportunities that bring you joy. 

“If you say ‘yes’ to something fun and light, it leads you to something else good,” she said.  

That’s been the case here in Vermont, too, because her popular Facebook Live events over the past year led to an invite to do a locally televised show. “The Vicki Show” aired on WCTV, the local cable access channel in Woodstock. 

More recently, a friend suggested that she teach a few cooking classes on Facebook Live as well. That’s no problem for Ferentinos, because she used to teach some classes in New York and New Jersey years ago. So far, sign-ups are going well for the current series. Ferentinos enjoys the process of teaching and breaking down the steps for people; there are classes for culinarily-inclined children as well. Some folks get a bit serious when learning something they don’t know, but Ferentinos encourages, “It’s just food, it’s ok.” 

— Gareth Henderson

The classes will be limited to 10 people. Sign up at www.fromthemixingbowl.com

Route 4 project to start Sunday in Woodstock

Part of Route 4 in the village of Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The state's Route 4 paving project in Woodstock Village will be starting up this weekend.

Beginning Sunday evening and most of the week, the contractor will start grinding pavement during nighttime hours from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. The full project involves Route 4 in the village limits and also the village portions of Route 12 and Route 106, and it is scheduled to be completed in September.

A state update about this coming week said "motorists should expect intermittent lane closures and alternate one-way traffic controlled by flaggers on VT Routes 4 and 106 in Woodstock as crews mill pavement during nighttime hours." Starting Sunday, milling in that area is expected to take five nights, the state said, and crews will begin at the east end of Route 4 in the village, working their way west.

The announcement also noted this night work will require light towers: "The contractor will make every effort to mitigate light impacts on residents and businesses along the route by placing the towers to face away from windows to the extent possible."

On Friday, Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn acknowledged the night work would be tough on people.

"On the other hand, it's going to be faster to get the work done that way," Kahn said, noting that crews won't have to deal with traffic and parked cars. This also means the project may have a chance to wrap up ahead of schedule, he added. "We are very pleased it's getting underway at the end of April."

It wasn't immediately clear how much night work would be involved in the project after the first week. More details weren't available from the state as of late afternoon Friday.

— Gareth Henderson

Editor’s Note: This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Stocked fish on the move; planning on tap to help reservoir, wildlife

This photo was taken during a drawdown of Sugar Hill Reservoir in Goshen, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Local anglers will find more trout in Chittenden and Pittsford ponds this year, part of a re-stocking effort due to work being done at a dam in central Vermont. 

After work at Goshen Dam is complete, planning will commence for a restoration project to preserve the reservoir and help sustain its aquatic communities for the long-term. All in all, it was a fitting announcement for the week of Earth Day.  

On Wednesday, the state announced that 1,800 trout originally planned for the 2021 stocking season at Sugar Hill Reservoir, also known as Goshen Dam in Goshen, Addison County, will be stocked at other waterways for anglers. These fish are being reallocated to four locations in south and central Vermont: Lefferts Pond in Chittenden, Smith Pond in Pittsford, Silver Lake in Leicester, and Prentiss Pond in Dorset.

The shift is being made to ensure there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy Vermont’s waterways, while on-going safety enhancements are made to the Goshen Dam, wildlife officials said in a statement.

“Goshen Dam has always been a popular place for anglers. The yearling and trophy-sized brook trout we stock there attract anglers from all over the area,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “It’s in a beautiful setting in the Green Mountain National Forest, and the fishing platform and access facilities Green Mountain Power and the National Forest provide and maintain make it a great fishing destination.”

The reservoir was slated to receive an April stocking of 1,350 yearling brook trout averaging nine inches and 450 two-year old “Trophy Brook Trout” averaging 13 inches in length, according to Good. 

A drawdown for dam enhancements on the 58-acre waterbody began last year and the need for additional work was identified over the winter.  New plans call for water levels in the reservoir to be drawn down further in the early spring, reducing the maximum depth to about 1 foot with a surface area of approximately 1.5 acres.

“Obviously, this is important work to enhance safety, and it will make it impossible for normal trout stocking there and will also eliminate fishing opportunities at the work site," Good said. "In the meantime, trout normally destined for Goshen Dam will provide anglers with increased opportunities at other area waterways.” 

State and federal agencies will be working with Green Mountain Power to develop a plan to restore Sugar Hill Reservoir and its aquatic and fish communities for 2022 and beyond, once dam work is completed and the reservoir is refilled.

Most facilities at Sugar Hill Reservoir will be inaccessible this season for safety while work is continuing. Those facilities include the roundabout at the reservoir, the access road across the dam, and the road to the plunge pool area due to contractor parking, vehicle traffic, and equipment operation.

In a statement, U.S. Forest Service biologist Jeremy Mears says plenty of fishing opportunities remain available on the area’s federal forest land.

“There are still many places for anglers to enjoy fishing on the National Forest," he said. "Stream fishing for native brook trout is abundant throughout the area, and there also are opportunities for shore fishing at Chittenden Reservoir, Blueberry Lake, or Silver Lake.  Please be sure to check the Green Mountain National Forest website for updates before you go.”

— Gareth Henderson

To find Vermont fishing locations near you, visit the department’s access area and family fishing pages.

Naming policy update: District committee mulls details

The American flag flies at Woodstock Union High School & Middle School last summer. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A proposed facility naming policy for the Windsor Central Unified Union School District is not yet ready for the full board’s consideration, a local committee decided on Monday night. But several key details were discussed and will be revisited at the Policy Committee’s next meeting on May 17.

That’s the latest development for a policy proposal that sparked great concern among Woodstock Union High School & Middle School alumni recently. The proposal is one idea on the table connected to raising money for the proposed $73.3 million new WUHSMS building. But earlier this month, alumni circulated a petition online to preserve legacy names on fields and facilities, and ensure they aren’t re-named. District school board leaders responded with a statement saying, in part, that the new policy would aim to preserve names of beloved teachers, coaches and community members on existing facilities. They said the previous mention of the football field during a renaming discussion at a March meeting was only an example, and no policy had been finalized. Earlier this month, following the petition, the district board sent the policy back to the Policy Committee for further discussion.

At Monday’s Policy Committee meeting, which was held on Zoom, Maura McLaughlin Tynes, a WUHS alum, said she appreciated board leaders’ recent assurances that there had been a misunderstanding. The high school football field carries the name of her father, James T. McLaughlin. 

“I'm hopeful the policy will give us some assurances that places will not be renamed," Tynes said. She also noted the policy “needs to be worded very carefully,” noting the level of concern about the renaming issue.

One new part of the proposed policy, under the section “Named Funding Opportunities,” states: "It is the intent of this policy that past legacy dedications will be honored."

Later in the current draft, a procedure is outlined for how to handle any proposal for the “re-naming of an existing dedication”. The Fundraising Work Group and the superintendent would have to create a report about the details, including the individual proposed for naming and the donation’s impact. A public meeting is required, and any renaming proposal would need an affirmative vote of 60% of the board or more.  

Policy Committee member Kelly Welsh was concerned that including a procedure for renaming “undermines” the stated intent of protecting legacy dedications. 

“I'm very concerned about having anything built into this about how we would rename things,” Welsh said. 

However, committee member Sam DiNatale, herself a former WUHS Yoh Theatre Player, noted that having some kind of language about renaming not only makes a stronger policy, but does more to protect past dedications. She pointed out that renaming would require 60% of the board’s votes. That’s much “better than not putting something in there at all,” she added.

Keri Bristow, the vice chair of the district board, was chairing Monday’s committee meeting and said she’d spoken to Committee Chair Lou Piconi, who couldn’t make the meeting, about that same issue. 

“There are all kinds of reasons why if nothing's in there, it probably opens it up to more of an attack,” Bristow said. Policies are also reviewed regularly per state guidelines, especially if there’s a challenge. 

Welsh said she’d be more comfortable with the policy if this language was strengthened: "It is the intent of this policy that past legacy dedications will be honored.” She suggested language such as, "except for unusual and extraordinary circumstances", would offer better protection.

Committee member Clare Drebitko said having a procedure is helpful, in looking toward the future. There may be an extraordinary coach or educator the school wants to honor 50 years from now, for example.

“You don't want to make it impossible for people to honor them, but I do think it's really important to honor legacy names always, and I do think it's really important for people in the future to do that," Drebitko said.

There was also no objection to another idea offered: increasing the threshold for the board to approve renaming, from a 60% to a 75% vote. 

Faith Hendricks Stevens, head of the WUHS Alumni Association, also weighed in. 

“I am totally against renaming … (but) I do agree there needs to be a policy,” she said. 

Stevens said a totally different situation could merit renaming something quickly. For example, a future name may need to be removed from a facility because of some wrongdoing that comes to light and could “shame the school.” 

Woodstock resident Jeff Kahn said that in such a case, he’d imagine 75% of the board would easily agree to a renaming proposal. 

Also, regarding the renaming procedure, DiNatale suggested that just the superintendent should be responsible for submitting the required report to the board. She noted there may not always be a Fundraising Work Group, since this group is linked to the proposed new school project.

The Policy Committee will continue to work on the facility naming policy during their May 17 meeting, also to be held on Zoom. The policy’s first reading would be done at the full board meeting in June, if the proposal is ready at that time.

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont COVID-19 aid bill becomes law

The hills around Woodstock, Vermont, last summer. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A $104 million COVID-19 relief bill has become law without Vermont Gov. Phil Scott's signature. The legislation includes $10 million in grants for struggling businesses, along with aid for housing, mental health services, and a range of infrastructure needs.

Scott reportedly declined to sign the bill, in part, because one of its provisions taxes some business loans under the federal Paycheck Protection Program. But the governor allowed the plan to become law because it "contains urgently needed funds for Vermonters," Vermont Public Radio reported. One part of the bill excludes the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits from 2020 from taxation, in accordance with a federal tax change this year.

In other Tuesday news, the state reported its COVID positivity rate has further dropped to 1.5%. Daily case counts are on the decline, in large part because the cases among younger age groups in Vermont recently dropped by one-third. Cases on college campuses are also down.

Additionally, federal officials hope to have some recommendations on Friday about resuming the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with some restrictions. A pause in administration of that vaccine has continued this week in Vermont, as health experts are looking into the implications of six cases of rare blood-clotting in people who had the vaccine.

This week, Vermont's supply of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be level, while pharmacies in the federal pharmacy program will see an increase in those doses across the country. That means 8,000 more doses for pharmacies in Vermont.

On Monday, all Vermonters age 16 and older became eligible for COVID vaccinations, and 47,000 Vermonters age 16-29 had signed up to get their shots as of Tuesday morning.

— Gareth Henderson

Chauvin found guilty in George Floyd's murder

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty on all charges nearly one year after George Floyd died in his custody on the side of a city street.

The video of Chauvin with his knee on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds touched off protests by millions of people in the U.S. and around the world, calling for racial justice and police reform.

In Chauvin's much-watched criminal trial, he faced faced three counts: second-degree murder — unintentional; third-degree murder; and second-degree manslaughter. Following the verdict's reading by Judge Peter Cahill, cheers of "justice" and "Black Lives Matter" erupted outside the Minneapolis courtroom and at the location where Floyd was killed. Chauvin's sentencing is expected in eight weeks.

After the conviction, the Floyd family's attorney Ben Crump released a statement which read in part:

“Painfully earned justice has arrived for George Floyd’s family and the community here in Minneapolis, but today’s verdict goes far beyond this city and has significant implications for the country and even the world," the statement reads. "Justice for Black America is justice for all of America. This case is a turning point in American history for accountability of law enforcement and sends a clear message we hope is heard clearly in every city and every state."

Members of Congress also weighed in, including U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, of Vermont, who said the outcome "offered some measure of accountability" in the ongoing struggle for change.

"This verdict is an important step for our country as we wrestle with centuries of injustice," Welch said. "But there is so much more work to do in our communities, in the halls of Congress, and in each of our lives to build a society free of bigotry and inequality. We all must commit to do the work, every day."

In remarks after the verdict was released, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass the sweeping reforms in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. They also noted the importance of reversing the impact of racism.

“It’s the work we do every day to change hearts and minds, and well as laws and policies. That’s the work we have to do. Only then, will full justice and full equality be delivered to all Americans,” Biden said. “And that’s what I just discussed with the Floyd family. The guilty verdict does not bring back George, but through the family’s pain, they’re finding purpose, so George’s legacy will not be just about his death, but about what we must do in his memory.”

— Gareth Henderson

Senior center eyes reopening

The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, Vermont, has been holding bingo by phone for some time now, and one of the big topics of late, not surprisingly, has been getting vaccinated for COVID-19. 

Deanna Jones, the center’s executive director, remembered a recent discussion in one of the bingo calls, with one of the ladies who had just gotten her second shot. At the site where she got her second dose, others had done so, as well. A great sense of relief was in the air.

“She said people were jumping, high-fiving and so glad; it was like a celebration as people were coming out of the vaccination site,” Jones said. “It was really clear who had been vaccinated already.” 

Like senior centers throughout the region, The Thompson has been closed to in-person activities due to the pandemic, while holding some activities or events over the phone or online. The state of Vermont recently announced senior centers can start reopening for group activities, but The Thompson Senior Center is waiting until all staff are fully vaccinated. Another key factor is the spacing requirement for such organizations in Vermont: one person per 100 square feet. 

Right now, Jones said the goal is to reopen for in-person activities around June 1, with some capacity restrictions. 

“We'll be opening our tent for outside group programs at that time as well as activities indoors that meet capacity guidelines,” Jones said. 

Looking forward into May, The Thompson Senior Center will continue its curbside meals, online programs, and will still do one-on-one services, such as foot care (the nurse administering that program has been vaccinated). Virtual programs planned for May include the spring tea, intergenerational programs, and a private tour with Art in Bloom from the Museum of Fine Art, arranged through the Woodstock Garden Club.

Per the state’s reopening plan, senior centers will switch to the state’s “universal guidance” after July 4. That guidance has no capacity limits and requires basic precautions like masks and six-foot social distancing. 

No senior center in the state has opened yet for congregate dining, according to Jones, who is also co-chair of the Vermont Association for Senior Centers and Meal Providers. Jones said she and her staff at The Thompson are also keeping a close eye on case numbers.

“We will continue to proceed with caution and monitor the current active cases in our area, even as restrictions ease,” Jones said.   

As of Friday, the state’s overall COVID-19 caseload remained steady, while the 7-day case average continued to trend downward. That daily average was 140 at the end of last week. On Monday, the state reported 93 new cases. Vermonter’s positivity rate has remained at 1.9%, one of the lowest in the country. 

On the vaccine front, the state recently surpassed 50% of its adult population having received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. Over one-third of adult Vermonters are fully vaccinated.

It’s been a very long year, Jones said, but the community has gotten the senior center through these tough times, with lots of volunteering and other support. For example, the Woodstock Farmers’ Market raised $8,700 for the senior center through its “Round Up” campaign. Whenever things were particularly discouraging, something wonderful would happen that lifted their spirits, Jones recalled.

“In so many ways, our community stepped up to support us and keep us going,” she said.

— Gareth Henderson

New funding aims to provide healthy food for students

A school bus heads through Woodstock Village in Vermont recently. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A new program is being launched to ensure students continue to have access to healthy meals during the pandemic. 

The federal government recently allowed 34 states, including Vermont and Massachusetts, to provide a temporary food benefit to pre-K-12 students who would normally receive free and reduced-price meals at school. This new Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) benefit is meant to replace the value of school meals that children would have received earlier in the year, had they been at school.

In Vermont, households eligible for this funding should receive it by April 29. At the state’s press briefing on Friday, Education Secretary Dan French thanked the many people who helped get this program off the ground.

“This has been a very complex program to implement, and I want to thank the many school staff around the state who worked quickly to collect the required data from households and submit it up to the state level,” French said. “This quick work on their part made it possible for us to turn this program around fairly quickly and get the benefits deployed, and we really appreciate their efforts.”

The amount of the P-EBT benefit is based on the student’s mode of learning in the months covered. For example, the amount is $119.35 per student for a remote learning month, $70.61 per student for a hybrid learning month, and no benefit for an in-person learning month. The money is provided through an electronic benefit card to be used for food purchases at participating grocery stores, convenience stores, online retailers and farmers markets. This program has no impact on eligibility for the free meals currently available through schools. 

“Families are encouraged to use both resources to make sure students have access to healthy meals,” French said. 

About $14.7 million in P-EBT benefits will soon be issued to 21,844 Vermont households for the time period of September 2020 through February 2021. That impacts about 33,000 students, nearly 42% of the state’s public school population. Vermont had 78,928 students in pre-K-12 as of February.

Another P-EBT benefit will be provided in July, to cover the months of March through June 2021.

— Gareth Henderson

New development for Omni Reporter

Middle Bridge in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Milestones are markers of triumph, struggle, and ultimately success, and the important thing is where they lead you. 

It brought me gratitude to see Omni Reporter complete its first year of existence last month, and it provided a time to look back, and look forward. After over 12 months of being writer, editor and publisher of this grand venture, I’m humbled by all of you. This news site came from meek beginnings and has grown into a strong growing tree with deepening roots and branches stretching upward with each new idea. This is a reader-supported endeavor, and every contribution brought this publication closer to the successful completion of year 1.

My goal for this year is to find the right balance in Omni’s structure, to make the operation manageable, and most importantly, continue to produce the quality content readers expect. With that goal in mind, as of Sunday, May 2, Omni Reporter will switch to a 5-day publication cycle. That means daily articles will be published Tuesday-Saturday, reserving Sunday and Mondays as days to work on interviews, research, story development, and content planning. Under this new cycle, the work done on these two non-publication days will supply a strong and consistent foundation for high-quality stories by Omni Reporter.

Additionally, we all know breaking news will happen, and when it does, Omni will still be ready to write about it, including on Sunday and Monday. That kind of flexibility and awareness is key for any organization covering the news.

I’m looking forward to the rest of 2021 with new perspective and energy. Keeping great content as our topmost priority, we pave the way for further improvement and success. Omni Reporter has been able to “find the daily good”, tell interesting stories, and deliver some breaking news to readers as well — proudly within the structure of a 7-day cycle since last March. I am excited to see where Omni Reporter will go and how it will bring a breath of humanity for year 2.

As we move toward the launch of this 5-day approach, I want to give a huge thanks to all of you for supporting Omni Reporter in its inaugural year, and continuing to support Omni in year 2. This is reader-supported journalism, and all contributions are critical to keeping Omni operations going. 

A variety of vibrant content is in the works for May, including profiles and dynamic stories. The goal is to provide news and insights with an uplifting approach that encourages progress, while also supplying those key news details that are important to know. It’s been a true joy to see our community of readers around the world grow, and I’m very much looking forward to what the rest of 2021 brings. Each step along the way, the most fulfilling part of this journey is experiencing it together, and I deeply appreciate your partnership. Here’s to a great rest of the year. 

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. vaccine sign-ups expand to ages 16-18

Cars roll along Route 4 by the Ottauquechee River in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Friday was a day with important news to announce, but the state of Vermont’s press briefing wasn’t all formality. There was a moment of levity in the question-and-answer session, when a reporter asked about the state’s catchy phrases, “Six-Foot Spaces, Masks On Faces, Uncrowded Places,” meant to promote public health guidance. Tom Davis, of Compass Vermont, wondered whether Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine was the creator of those rhymes.

“The answer is ‘no,’” Levine said, sporting a wide grin. “It takes a village to come up with things that are that powerful, and we have an excellent communication and marketing team who all contribute to that effort.” 

“So it’s a product of Vermont?” Davis asked. Levine quickly confirmed, “Oh I would say. Yes.”

The more serious remarks focused in part on a change in COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. As of today, Vermonters ages 16-18 can sign up, as the state looks to accelerate the vaccination of the high-school population. All people age 16 and older become eligible Monday. 

On Friday, Gov. Phil Scott announced the change, noting his priority of getting kids back to school. Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine approved for 16-18-year-olds. 

“This step will help give those kids the opportunity to register for Pfizer doses two days early — which is their only option at this time — and possibly enjoy the end of the school year in a much more normal way,” Scott said. 

Those younger than 18 will need to have a parent or guardian help them complete the registration. Vaccination appointments can be made by going to healthvermont.gov/myvaccine or calling 855-722-7878.  

The governor also offered an update from federal officials on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. On a federal recommendation, Vermont paused administration of that vaccine this past week. Health experts are looking into six cases of rare a blood-clotting issue which occurred after taking the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. None of the cases are in Vermont. 

On Friday, Scott said administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Vermont will be paused for another week. This is to give health experts time to further investigate the issue, as about half of available Johnson & Johnson doses were administered in the past few weeks. 

“They’ll be meeting again next week, where they will learn more and hopefully we’ll be able to return to distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine very soon,” Scott said. Further guidance from the federal government may not be available until late this coming week.

Though all adult Vermonters will be vaccine-eligible soon, Scott urged people to continue to follow the public health guidance, including mask-wearing and social distancing. 

“It’s still important that folks follow the guidelines in place,” he said. “Doing so will help get us back to normal faster, help get our kids back to school, and more.” 

— Gareth Henderson

Mud season — with a touch of snow

River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

It's one of the ironies of living in New England: With spring barely a month old, there's still a chance winter may come back, just a little. And it looks like Friday may be that kind of day in Vermont.

Nature's latest weather show opened with rain on Thursday evening. But parts of southern Vermont, including the Woodstock area, are expected to see 6 to 12 inches of snow over the course of the day Friday. A winter storm warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday evening for Windsor County, and the eastern portions of Rutland and Addison Counties.

During any storm warning, caution is always best. The National Weather Service is warning about hazardous travel conditions on Friday, especially on roads in higher elevations — which would include that Killington overpass along Route 4. Even if weather in the lower valleys is minimal, it can be a very different scene in areas like Killington.

Speaking of changing conditions, it's always a slight risk to write about specific weather events — because they can disappear from the forecast in the blink of an eye. With temps above freezing, Friday's weather could result in little more than slush. But however it pans out, the warm season will march confidently onward, with this storm being a blip on the radar in the grand scheme of spring.

To that end: Any snow is expected to taper off by Friday evening, followed by a quick jump back to 50-degree weather on Saturday and some 60s next week. True, vestiges of winter may try to creep in, but spring wastes no time in getting back to business. And all who've been enjoying the warmer weather are glad to know it.

— Gareth Henderson

The quiet power of poetry

Lulls Brook by Reeves Road in Hartland, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Through nature’s stream of change, 

A settled peace holds sway.

The rest is fully arranged;

Renewal anchors the day.

That’s my poetic recognition of spring, reflecting the confident peace beneath the surface of the changing season. Using few words to say more is a cherished feature of poetry, and one of many reasons to celebrate this age-old art form. 

Today, we’re in the middle of National Poetry Month, and we’ve also arrived at the 25th anniversary of this national celebration. “Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters,” states poets.org. 

It’s already been a big year for poetry, with National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and her inspiring reading of her masterpiece, “The Hill We Climb,” at the presidential inauguration in January. The poem, now published in a book of the same title, reads in part: “Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: That even as we grieved we grew, that even as we hurt we hoped, that even as we tired we tried, that we'll forever be tied together, victorious.” 

Poetry is painting with words, drawing from the vast palette of human feelings to touch our heartstrings, and move our minds. Each poem that encapsulates art with profound meaning is, in and of itself, a victory. It’s another proof that a great amount of beauty can live, and flourish, within the words of a poem. It can make a difference, by bringing out truth and giving hope like no other art form can. That's the gift it brings, and that’s the quiet power of poetry.

— Gareth Henderson