Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Professionals from Vermont’s Department for Children and Families-Family Services Division (DCF-FSD) will learn how to further incorporate the principles of restorative justice in their work under a new partnership with Vermont Law School’s (VLS) Center for Justice Reform (CJR).

Vermont Business Magazine Join Ethan Tapper, the Chittenden County Forester for the Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and Andrea Shortsleeve, Wildlife Biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept. on Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 1:00-3:00pm for a free, public walk of a forest management project being implemented at the Hinesburg Town Forest (HTF). This walk will highlight winter wildlife ecology, wildlife tracking, and how active management of the HTF is expected to influence wildlife habitat and behavior.

Vermont Business Magazine Executive Director Ed Bove will be stepping down from his position with the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) in the coming year. Bove has been with the Commission for fourteen years and has served as Executive Director for the last eight. Under his leadership the RRPC has received membership contributions from all 27 Rutland Region municipalities for the first time in decades, doubled the annual budget to over $1.5 million, doubled staff size to 12.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 1,344 cases of COVID-19 for Tuesday, nearly double from Monday (715). VDH is reporting eight more COVID-related deaths for 507 statewide. Cases on Sunday were 806, on Saturday were 2,217 and on Friday were 1,722. The record daily high was set January 7, with 2,975 cases of COVID-19. Case rates appear to be declining in Vermont and in the Northeast. However, declines in COVID-19 fatalities are expected to lag behind case improvements in coming weeks.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network today offered an assessment of progress in 2021 to improve the patient experience and increase access to health care services – amid record patient volumes and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – and outlined new initiatives added to the Access Action Plan for 2022. The Access Action Plan addresses three main goals: Retain talent and hire successfully amid national staffing shortages; Reduce wait times for specialty care; Improve hospital inpatient and emergency capacity.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and Administration Secretary Kristin Clouser today announced three key appointments within the Agency of Administration. Catherine Delneo has been appointed state librarian; Justin Kenney as chief performance officer (CPO); and Nikki Fuller deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections is announcing an update to the Department’s Supervision Fee Payment processing. The Department is now operating on a web-based portal for Supervision Fee Payment processing to better align with evolving technology and ease the burden on those under supervision. Until Tuesday, Vermont DOC utilized the Offender Payment Coupon, which limited the payments of Supervision Fees to only bank checks and money orders. With this new portal, personal credit cards, VISA/Mastercard enabled debit cards, and electronic checks will be allowable at no additional cost to the individual.

Vermont Business Magazine Dr Phelan Fretz, PhD the founding executive director of the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (ECHO), is retiring in June after 20 years leading the science museum on the Burlington Waterfront. Fretz is the museum’s first executive director and joined the organization in 2002. He previously served in leadership positions at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the New England Aquarium in Boston, and Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. Fretz is widely credited for his fundraising and community-building skills that have led to the organization’s success.

by Basil Waugh, UVM As the COVID pandemic continues, new research reveals how people in Vermont and Maine are struggling with their mental and physical health. The findings detail numerous troubling health trends—including significant increases in anxiety, depression, weight gain, substance use, chronic disease, missed medications and food insecurity—since the pandemic’s onset.

Vermont Employee Ownership Center Executive Director Matt Cropp will cover the basics of broad-based employee ownership from Employee Stock Ownership Plans to Worker Cooperatives at noon today during a webinar. Employee ownership can be a powerful approach for start-ups and as a business exit strategy, and this is a good opportunity to dig into the details of how it works. The presentation will include ample time for questions and discussions at the end of the hour.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Secretary of State Jim Condos announced the Office of Professional Regulation’s (OPR) adoption of Foreign Credentialing Rules which create a pathway for foreign-trained individuals to become licensed in their field in Vermont. The new rules became effective November 19 and come in response to an identified barrier to licensure faced by many New Americans and refugees.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Larry Carr was fined $6,000 for operating an unpermitted salvage yard in connection with his automotive repair business in Richford. Salvage yards serve valuable functions by recycling and repurposing old vehicle parts, but also generate hazardous materials like scrap metal, battery acid, and vehicle fluids that have the potential to contaminate soils, groundwater, and drinking water. As a result, salvage yard operators must hold municipal and state permits to operate and must follow the Vermont Hazardous Waste Management and Salvage Yard Rules to prevent contamination.