Current News

Vermont Businiess Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson—a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show—will feature Alya Reeve, MD, MPH, the medical director of Untied Counseling Service in Bennington, on its August 4 program. Dr. Reeve is responsible for overseeing clinical psychiatric services and providing guidance to clinical staff.

Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced today that John Mara of Essex Junction, Vermont was arraigned on July 29, 2021 on six felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials. According to documents filed with the court, the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (VT-ICAC) received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which indicated that someone had uploaded images containing child sexual abuse material to a Microsoft account. After executing online and residential search warrants, the VT-ICAC subsequently seized devices containing child sexual abuse materials from Mr. Mara’s residence.

Applications are now being accepted for current vacancies on the Labor Relations Board. There are currently two vacant positions, one “neutral” position and one “labor” position. All applications must be submitted no later than August 12, 2021, at 4:30pm.

The Vermont Labor Relations Board is responsible for determining appropriate bargaining units, conducting union representation elections, adjudicating unfair labor practice charges, and hearing grievances in cases involving relations between employers and employees of the State of Vermont, Vermont State Colleges, University of Vermont, municipalities, school districts, and small private operations.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that he has appointed 70 Vermonters to State boards and commissions since June 1.
Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s Office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at http://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

The appointments made by the Governor between June 1 and July 31 are listed below:

Access Board

• Sandra Silla of Burlington
• Nathan Besio of Colchester

Bennington County Side Judge

Vermont Business Magazine The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, will host seven pop-up “We’ve Got Your Back” events for this year’s incoming class of scholarship recipients to distribute gift bags filled with donated products from Vermont companies. Each year, the Curtis Fund provides scholarships for low-income and/or students who will be first in their family to pursue a post-high school degree for the longevity of their postsecondary education.

“The Vermont business community is a key ally in achieving our mission,” says Shana Trombley, executive director of The Curtis Fund. “Vermont business owners recognize that The Curtis Fund is helping ensure that Vermonters have the education and skills to fill tomorrow’s jobs and they are eager to show their support, which is why they have generously contributed to the ‘We’ve Got Your Back’ gift bags.”

Cross Vermont Trail Association What a day! On July 23, 2021 the bridge was lifted into place across the river. The keystone is set! The Winooski Bridge was first identified as a top priority project 25 years ago, during the very initial surveys of what could be a Cross Vermont Trail route. And several of the people doing that initial survey, sitting through those first planning meetings - they were there watching the bridge fly in, seeing it all become real.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets The Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC) has announced the 2021 Regional Forest Economy Partnership Grant. This funding opportunity is open to non-profit and government agencies (state, local and Indian tribes). The purpose of the program is to assist rural communities, institutes of higher education and research, and economic development support organizations in their efforts to transition the forest-based industry and its workforce to a focus on new technologies and viable business models.

Grant awards range between $250,000 and $1 million for this competitive opportunity. As applications are only open through invitation, letters of interest are required for funding consideration and must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. EST September 10, 2021. Those interested in submitting applications are strongly encouraged to contact the NBRC program director in their state. Program directors are available to help develop projects and applications.

Vermont Business Magazine Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs was recently named as one of the 2021 Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for. 2021 is the fourth year that the firm has been included in the national publication’s annual list. This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the accounting profession, benefiting its economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up of 100 firms that are awarded this honor as a result of confidential employee surveys.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Congressional Delegation, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch, announced last Friday that the US Treasury Department will release funding secured through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) designated for communities in Vermont’s 14 counties. The funding had been held back due to the Treasury Department’s previous designation that Vermont’s counties were units of general local government, as is the case in most other states. The Treasury Department has revised its original designation, clearing the way for more than $120 million to be distributed to municipalities across Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine As a proud underwriter of the Listen Up! Project, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) is encouraging teens and anyone who has a young adult in their life to attend a show near them. This original touring musical was inspired, written, scored, and performed by Vermont teens. The production is the result of feedback from 913 Vermont youth collected through workshops, in-depth interviews, conferences, and special events statewide.

“Being a teenager is a challenge during the best of times, but during the pandemic we have seen the number of crises among youth spike to alarming levels,” says Don George, President and CEO of Blue Cross. “The Listen Up! Project offers a space for teens to speak openly and honestly about the challenges they face and be validated by their peers and their community.”

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network According to Elise Schadler, a program manager with Vermont Urban and Community Forestry, a tree warden is a modern day local lorax—a community spokesperson for the trees. Appointed by local selectboards, tree wardens are responsible for making determinations about public shade trees, defined as “a shade or ornamental tree located in whole or in part within the limits of a public way or public place.”

The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce recently held its 64th Annual Meeting at the newly renovated Calcutta’s Sports Bar & Restaurant at the Fox Run Golf Club in Ludlow.

Scott Duffy of Rockledge Farm Woodworks was announced as the 2021 Member of the Year for being selected as the business to represent Vermont at the “Made in America Day” at the White House (although the event last fall had to be cancelled due to Covid), stepping up to co-chair the inaugural “Best of Vermont” Summer Festival committee, and his service on the chamber board of directors.