Current News

by Jeff Weld, Director of Community Engagement, Casella Waste Systems Inc A week has passed since an early morning truck accident (December 27) occurred that significantly impacted two drivers and their families. Over the course of the week, there have been several articles, social media posts, and letters to various editors published about the accident, most of which focus mainly on the cargo of the second truck involved and the time of day they were traveling.

They are filled with speculation and fear mongering that would have once been considered beneath respectable news organizations and relegated to fringe publications and conspiracy theorists.

The tone and delivery of each missive is generally disrespectful and dismissive of the drivers and families involved, the job that they do, and the care with which they provide service to our communities.

​Vermont Business Magazine Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) is pleased to announce its continuing partnership with Community College of Vermont (CCV), which has recently been approved by the State Apprenticeship Council as a new apprenticeship sponsor. CCV will offer registered apprenticeships in Medical Assisting, supported by an Apprenticeship Expansion Grant from the Vermont Department of Labor, which seeks to increase the number of apprenticeships statewide into industries and positions not traditionally seen as occupations for apprenticeship. The Medical Assisting Apprenticeship includes five college-level courses paired with related instruction in a clinical setting. The clinical training is performed and led by BMH.

Vermont Business Magazine The Special Needs Support Center (SNSC) has received a $30,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The grant will help SNSC further their mission of proudly working together to create a community where people with special needs, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, can live their best lives.

Vermont Business Magazine Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), southeastern Vermont’s community mental-health agency, announces that their Board of Directors has elected new officers. Adam Pippin, Assistant Vice President of Commercial Lending at Claremont Savings Bank, has been elected Board President. Pippin has a strong financial background, having worked in banking for more than eight years. In addition to service on HCRS’ Board, Pippin is also a member of the RMA Professionals Committee, the Vermont Banking Association Committee, and the Space on Main Board of Directors. Pippin lives in White River Junction.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced that his office has reached a settlement with Maryland-based Woodbine Senior Living, LLC, for violations of Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act. Woodbine was the manager of a 56-bed residential care home called Spring Village at Essex in Essex Junction, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Peter Reed (I) to fill the Orange-Washington-Addison House District vacancy following the resignation of former Representative Ben Jickling (I) in August 2019. Reed has lived in Braintree since 2014, following a 35-year career in banking and securities in Puerto Rico, Chicago, New York and Connecticut. From 2015 to 2019, he managed the Randolph and Bethel branches of Northfield Savings Bank. Reed serves on the boards of the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation and Gifford Medical Center and is active in economic development and community initiatives in the Randolph area.

Vermont Business Magazine The Hoehl Family Foundation has awarded $300,000 to The Curtis Fund’s new Credentials of Value scholarship program, helping hundreds of Vermonters complete career training for Vermont’s high-demand, high-return jobs. The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, joined with Vermont Student Assistance Corp (VSAC) to pilot the program last year with 22 learners across eight counties.

Vermont Business Magazine After ranking Number 1 in moving in a United Van Lines survey released last week, Vermont fell three spots to rank Number 10 in the U-Haul survey. Meanwhile, Florida greeted the largest number of U-Haul moving trucks entering its borders versus exiting them, establishing a new Number 1 growth state for the first time in four years. Florida, which ranked second to Texas from 2016-18, bested the Lone Star State for growth this past year, according to U-Haul data analyzing US migration trends for 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) has announced the results of its December 3, 2019, annual election of VMEC Advisory Board members and Board Chair. Re-elected to additional two-year terms were: David Blittersdorf, President/ CEO/ Owner, All Earth Renewables (Williston); Lisa Groeneveld, COO/ Co-Owner, OnLogic (South Burlington) and Ben Riehl, President/ CEO/ Owner, GW Plastics, Inc. (Bethel). Elected to an additional one-year term was Ed Townley, President/ CEO, Agri-Mark Cabot Creamery, Inc (Waitsfield).

Lindsay Kurrle, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development

by Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos The start of the new year provides an opportunity to reflect and set out our intentions for the months ahead. This year, I am asking all Legislators to join me in committing to protect and expand access for Vermonters who are seeking access to public records. The bottom line is: open government is good government! Vermonters shouldn’t have to pay for access to inspect public records their government creates in the course of agency business. Navigating who to ask, and how to request public records is enough of a hurdle for most Vermonters. They shouldn’t also be charged an arm and a leg to inspect those records. Remember, public records access isn’t merely a courtesy that Vermont government extends to the public. These records actually belong to the public. Government agencies and staff are merely the custodians in possession of them.

Vermont Business Magazine Seven Days founders Paula Routly and Pamela Polston announced today that 13 longtime employees are new shareholders in the media company the two women created almost 25 years ago. The holdings of those workers, combined with those of minority owners Cathy Resmer, Don Eggert and Colby Roberts, now represent 49 percent of the business. Financial terms were not disclosed. Routly told VBM that the transaction took place on January 1 and that it includes a five-year buyout of Polston, who will remain with Seven Days. Routly said she also acquired one percent of Polston's shares, giving her a 51 percent stake in the company.