Current News

Vermont Business MagazineMost of thephosphorus load inLake Memphremagog is from agricultural activities and the state has developed a plan to reduce such pollution by a third.The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding two public meetings to present theLake Memphremagog, Coaticook and Tomifobia Rivers Tactical Basin Plan, which outlines how the state will achieve new phosphorus pollution targets for the Memphremagog Watershed in Vermont.​The USEnvironmental Protection Agency recently approved the Lake Memphremagog phosphorus TMDL or Total Maximum Daily Load, which calls for a 29 percent reduction in phosphorus flowing off the land into the lake. Too much phosphorus causesnuisance plant and algae growth and occasional cyanobacteria blooms that limit recreational use of the lake.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power and SunCommon today announced a partnership to build a rooftop solar array at Green Mountain Power’s Middlebury Service Center, and make it available to low income customers. The 325-panel project will serve about 35 residential customers, with priority given to local Middlebury residents. The first-of-its-kind program helps low-income households go solar. Membership in the community array will be prioritized to Vermont families whose household income falls within 150% of the federal poverty level ($36,900 for a family of four). The program’s organizers point to ease of access as a key component. Once enrolled, CSA members get 7% off the price of power generated by the array.

Vermont Business Magazine Weidmann Electrical Technology, the St Johnsbury-based global leader in electrical insulation, components, engineering and diagnostics products and services for transformer manufacturers and owners/operators; and Orto de Mexico SA de CV, a world class manufacturer of controls, instruments, transformer accessories, monitors and sensors for electrical applications, have launched of a full line of Weidmann branded transformer accessories, controls and instrumentation.

Vermont Business Magazine Rath, Young and Pignatelli, PC, based in Concord, NH, has announced that Mary N Peterson, former Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Taxes, has joined the Tax Practice Group in its new Montpelier Office. Peterson’s practice will focus on state and local tax, energy and other regulated industries, administrative practice and public policy. Peterson has extensive experience in state and local matters, as well as utility regulation, commercial contracts, lender liability, bankruptcy, and securities.

Counterpoint Vocal Ensemble Dear Friends: We mourn the passing Tuesday ofRobert De Cormier, and we celebrate his indelible legacy.His vision guided and continues to guide the music we sing and how we sing it. Robert founded Counterpoint in 1999.After forming the ensemble,he led it with an extraordinary passionand artistry that sought to accessthe communal meanings of the music we sang,both for and with our audiences.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, and part of the POWDR adventure lifestyle company, is scheduled to kick off its 2017-18 winter season at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, becoming the first Eastern resort to open for skiing and snowboarding. The first turns of the season will be reserved exclusively for Season Pass and Express Card holders and the resort will open to the general public on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 9 am.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, on Tuesday called on Congress to conduct an investigation into the offshore tax dodging uncovered by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in the “Paradise Papers." In a letter to Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sanders urged the Budget Committee to investigate how much offshore tax evasion has contributed to the $20 trillion national debt.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Tuesday led a group of Senate Democrats in calling on the leadership of the Senate Finance Committee to reject changes to the tax system that would harm existing tax incentives for Americans to save for retirement. The letter comes as Senate Republicans are poised to release their own version of tax reform legislation later this week.

Vermont Business Magazine On November 8th Vermont Emergency Management, the Vermont Agency of Transportation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other partners will begin verifying damage caused by rain and wind storms.Vermont officials have identified more than $4.5-million in public infrastructure damage resulting from the storm.The Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) will determine if the state qualifies for a federal Public Assistance disaster declaration. To qualify for a declaration FEMA must verify at least $1-million in public infrastructure damage and response costs, and individual counties must show $3.68 per capita to qualify. Those numbers include restoration costs for public utilities.

by Seth Blanchard Major medical expenses can carry a heavy financial toll. And the fact is, all of us are susceptible to an unforeseen medical event. If you experience an accident or injury, cost may be the least of your concerns initially. Yet, unexpected medical care has the potential to impact your financial situation in a big way. Before it does, take the time to prepare your strategy for dealing with surprise medical expenses. Here are several strategies to help you get started.

Plan ahead with health insurance

Vermont Business MagazineGifford Health Care has received an $118,500 Efficiency Vermont incentive for incorporating energy-efficient choices while constructing the Strode Independent Living at Morgan Orchards Senior Living Community in Randolph Center. The rebate represents the initial value of money saved through the selection of the energy-saving equipment, appliances, and lighting that were installed in the 49-apartment building.

Vermont Business Magazine Anne Watson, the city’s longest currently-serving councilor, announced Monday night that she is running for mayor of Montpelier in the 2018 March election. This announcement comes shortly after MayorJohn Hollarannounced last week that he will not seek re-election.Watsonis an award-winning physics teacher at Montpelier High School, where she has taught for the past 13 years. As president of the council for the past three years, she has assumed the duties of the mayor in his absence. Watson was joined by former Mayor Mary Hooper and Housing Task Force member Jack McCullough at the announcement at City Hall.

Hooper is one of the few women to ever be elected a mayor in Vermont. She saidat the event, “Anne doesn’t just have ideas about the direction we should take as a community, she also listens to others. She engages them, and she knows that by developing a consensus we will go farther, faster.”