Current News

Vermont Business Magazine As Americans struggle to pay rising energy bills, leading states have instituted energy efficiency policies that cut utility bills—especially for those who need it most—while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the 2022 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. These policies can serve as models for the dozens of states that have yet to prioritize energy-saving upgrades to reduce costs for disadvantaged households. California comes in first place in the 50-state scorecard (which also includes Washington, DC) from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Rounding out the top 10 are Massachusetts (#2), New York (#3), Vermont (#4), Maine (#5), Washington, DC (#6), Maryland and Rhode Island (tied at #7), Connecticut (#9), and Minnesota (#10).

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Hello, hunters! We're reaching out with a final friendly reminder to complete the hunter effort survey. It's important to fill out the hunter effort and sighting survey after a hunt. This survey asks you to record how many hours you hunted and how many deer, moose, bears, or other wildlife you saw each day out during the season. This helps the department evaluate how hunting pressure and wildlife populations vary around the state.

The Vermont State Police is continuing to investigate a reported shooting that occurred late Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, on Church Street in the village of Orleans. As part of the investigation, troopers have obtained surveillance photos showing a suspect in this incident. Anyone who recognizes the suspect in the attached photos or who has any information that might assist investigators in this case is asked to call the Derby Barracks at 802-334-8881 or leave an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Attorney General’s Office announced that William Pine, 52, of Brookfield, Vermont, was sentenced today on two felony counts of Aggravated Assault and one misdemeanor count of False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer. After a contested hearing in Vermont Superior Court, Orange Criminal Division, Mr. Pine was sentenced to 18 months to 10 years to serve, with credit for approximately 4 months of in-patient treatment.

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate Tuesday night unanimously passed the Unleashing American Innovators Act, sponsored by Senators Leahy (D-VT), Tillis (R-NC), and Hirono (D-HI). The Unleashing American Innovators Act builds on the legacy of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act in broadening access and inclusivity in the patent system by increasing the outreach efforts of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, developing programs to help first-time and under-resourced inventors, and lowering patent application fees for small businesses and micro entities.

Vermont Business Magazine Drafty, inefficient homes in need of weatherization will soon have a new affordable program available to them with the launch of the Weatherization Repayment Assistance Program (WRAP). The program, funded by $9 million from the state and overseen by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), will use an innovative on-bill payment model to help moderate-income Vermonters participate in comprehensive home energy projects. WRAP will allow Vermont households to pay for qualifying weatherization projects like insulation and air sealing as well as heat pumps and advanced wood heating systems through a monthly charge on their utility bill that can be paid back over time. Both homeowners and renters can participate in the program.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announces the completion of the 2022 Vermont General Election Audit, conducted on December 6 at the Pavilion Auditorium in Montpelier. No significant abnormalities or discrepancies were found between audit results and the Official Returns of Vote. Seven towns or cities were selected at random for the 2022 General Election Audit: Burlington (Chittenden -13 District), Dover, Fair Haven, Mt. Tabor, Newport City, Richford, and Waitsfield.

Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, December 9, 2022, The Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS), Evernorth, community members and funders, will be joined by Mayor Miro Weinberger to mark the start of construction of deeply affordable housing for 16 families currently living in emergency shelters or motels. The new multifamily apartment building, named Main Street Family Housing, is being constructed on existing COTS property, adjoining their Main Street Family Shelter. These new apartments will provide families with permanent, service-enriched housing as well as continued access to COTS support services.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont-based Burton has announced its new online rental program - giving riders the choice of renting a full kit online and having their rental snowboards, boots, bindings and outerwear shipped to their destination anywhere in the continental US. Soft-launched in October on Burton.com, the industry-first program is powered on the backend by Arrive, the leading technology company that powers resale and rental channels for brands and is ready to offer riders a streamlined service for experiencing more while owning less. The new Burton online rental program is designed for riders looking to try new equipment, gear up for specific terrain, learn on the best products possible and avoid the cost and hassle of flying with extra luggage.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: NBTB), with branches in Vermont, and Connecticut's Salisbury Bancorp, Inc (NASDAQ: SAL) have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Salisbury will merge with and into NBT. The merger consideration is 100% stock and is valued at approximately $204 million and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023 subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of Salisbury and required regulatory approvals. The combination, approved unanimously by the boards of directors of both companies, will provide market extension for both institutions and join two high-quality franchises with long histories of service to their customers and communities.