Current News

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine A fourth bidder for Burlington Telecom may yet emerge. Mayor Miro Weinberger revealed September 20 the Letters of Intent and details regarding the Burlington Telecom bid finalists. But much of the City Council reaction was to a fourth, local bidder who dropped out right before the final list was presented. At least two councilors are holding out hope that fourth bidder will jump back in. Today, the mayor and Council President Jane Knodell announced that they would attempt to find a way around a problem with that fourth bid, so it could also be considered by the Council. The Council, in any case, is expected to pare the bidders down to just two on October 2.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont, the Vermont Natural Resources Board (NRB) and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) announced a final settlement with the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) to resolve VAST’s Act 250 challenge concerning the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT). The State had 20 days to review comments received during a 30-day public comment period that followed the initial announcement of the settlement.

This spring, VAST filed a petition at the federal Surface Transportation Board arguing that the LVRT project is preempted by federal law from Act 250 review. In 2012, Vermont Natural Resources Board previously determined that the LVRT triggered Act 250 jurisdiction and issued an Act 250 permit.

by John McClaughry On July 20 Governor Phil Scott issued an executive order creating a 21-member Climate Action Commission. Scott named as co-chairs his Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources Peter Walke and Vermont Council on Rural Development Executive Director Paul Costello. The governor charged the Commission to come up with at least three tangible proposals by the beginning of 2018. By next July he expects an “action plan” that reduces the state’s greenhouse gas emissions “while driving economic growth, setting Vermonters on a path to affordability, and ensuring effective energy transition options exist for all Vermonters.”

As I and others observed at the time, the governor’s ground rules severely constrict the range of proposals available to the commission.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP), Burlington Electric Department, Vermont Electric Co-op and Washington Electric Co-op are joining together in response to an increase in unsafe digging and tree trimming near live power lines. Incidents have prompted the companies to remind Vermonters always to dig safe and never to perform work, even routine yard maintenance, around power lines. Coming into contact with electrical lines—whether they’re buried or above ground—is extremely dangerous and can be lethal.

GMP is alarmed to report that the company has received a growing number of reports of Vermonters entering unsafe proximity to its power lines.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University, a national leader in cybersecurity and digital forensics education, has proclaimed October as cybersecurity awareness month and has joined the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NSCAM) effort as an official “Champion.” President Richard W Schneider signed a proclamation on September 25, 2017, recognizing Norwich’s vital role in identifying, protecting from and responding to cyber threats.

Public Assets Institute Vermont made headlines last week when the US Census released its latest statistics for 2016: We were the only state to show an increase in the poverty rate. That may have been an artifact of the Census survey sample. The poverty rate showed an unusual drop in 2015, and 2016 looks more like a return to normal than a real increase. The Census released another poverty report week week that didn’t get as much attention. The Supplemental Poverty Measure report tells a different story and the data contain more encouraging news: public services and assistance do lift people out of poverty.

Vermont Business MagazineA new University of Vermont research finding could lead to targeted treatments to increase immune activity -- in cancer therapy, for example -- or to suppress immune reactions, like in patients with multiple sclerosis. Researchers have long known that glucose — or sugar — fuels cellular activity, including cells involved in immune response. While previous research focused on sugar stores external to the cell, the surprising new discovery finds that dendritic cells — the messengers of the mammalian immune system — draw from sugar stores within the cell.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center is being recognized for creative initiatives to reduce operating room waste and lower the cost of medical devices by Vizient, Inc - the largest member-driven health care performance improvement company in the country.

Vermont Business Magazine The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of BE Fit Physical Therapy’s second clinic inside the Upper Valley Aquatic Center, located at100 Arboretum Lanein White River Junction. Physical therapists Dave Barlow and Eric Ellingson opened BE Fit Physical Therapy in 2009 in their45 Lyme Road, Hanoverlocation. “We started with just Eric and I as the physical therapists and Kylie Curtis as our office manager, “ said owner Dave Barlow. “We are now at seven physical therapists and three staff members. Our growth has been slow but steady.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont has announced the appointment of Adam Atherly, PhD, as the College’s first director of health services research and professor of medicine, effective February 1, 2018. Atherly is currently a professor of health systems, management and policy at the Colorado School of Public Health.

Vermont Business Magazine According to the Vermont Department of Health, tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in Vermont. Tick bites and tick-borne illnesses spike in the fall. In an effort to address the many tick-related questions from patients, clinicians from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s (SVMC) and the Vermont Department of Health have partnered to offer a special presentation: What You Need to Know about Tick-Borne Illness: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. The talk is scheduled for 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 10 at Historic Memorial Hall in Wilmington, VT.

Attendees will get expert answers to the most common tick-related questions, including:

· How do I prevent tick bites?

· What should I do if I find a tick on me or a member of my family?

· What are the tick-borne illnesses and how do I recognize them?

· What are the treatments available?

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department today issued a peak day alert for Tuesday as part of its Defeat the Peak program, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage tomorrow from 6:00-8:00pm. Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an unusually hot fall day.