Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of State Jim Condos is pleased to announce the start of his third biennial Transparency Tour. The tour will stop at 12 locations across the state to discuss Vermont’s public records and open meeting laws with municipal and state employees and citizens who serve on local government boards. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Secretary said, “Good government is open and transparent government! This tour will not only allow me to assist Vermont’s public officials who must abide by these open meeting and public records laws every day, but also explain these laws to citizens who are looking to hold their governments accountable.”

After a presentation, there will be a chance for Q&A and a general discussion with the audience. Secretary Condos welcomes the chance to answer any questions attendees may have regarding the nuances of these laws.

by Deborah T. Bucknam, Esq Act 46, the new state law which provides for mergers of school districts into larger districts, protects forever all school districts’ present systems whether the district tuitions its students or operates its own school, or a combination of both. The State Board of Education has interpreted Act 46 to mean just the opposite. It has stated: “There is no authority in Act 46 that authorizes a newly formed district/preferred model, to both operate and pay tuition, for the same grade level.” The Board is wrong. Not only does Act 46 allow school districts to retain their present systems, the Act prohibits the Board from disapproving a merger plan because each member district keeps its present system of educating its children.

by Erin Mansfield vtdigger.org Energizer has confirmed that the company will lay off workers at the Bennington plant at an undisclosed time and use “external” resources to manufacture hearing aids. Bonnie Kalinowski, the human resources director for Energizer’s location in Bennington, confirmed on Friday that the company would lay off workers. She did not say how many or when. The plant employs 240 workers, according to Vermont Business Magazine.

The workers make hearing aid batteries for the national company Energizer Holdings, which is publicly traded under $ENR. In August, the company announced it lost $19.6 million in the most recent quarter.

Vermont Business Magazine Ski Vermont presented a contribution check of a record breaking $16,365 to the Keep Local Farms Fund at Fairmont Farm in East Montpelier, VT on Monday, October 5, 2015. The donation comes from the proceeds of Ski Vermont’s Fifth Grade Passport program which enabled nearly 2,500 children to ski and snowboard for free in Vermont during the 2014-15 season.

by Erin Mansfield VTDigger.org The state’s health care regulatory board decided Wednesday to increase the upcoming year’s budget for the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. The Green Mountain Care Board decided in a 4-1 vote to reinstate some of the St. Johnsbury hospital’s proposed 2016 fiscal year budget. The vote comes one month after it approved $2.3 billion in budgets among Vermont’s 14 nonprofit hospitals.

The majority of the hospital money approved for disbursement in September went to the UVM Medical Center and Central Vermont Medical Center, but four hospitals had their proposed budgets decreased by the board. The Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital’s total approved was $67.7 million, about $784,000 less than the hospital had requested.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lightning Jar, the newest of a growing number of coworking spaces emerging all over the region, officially opened its doors to members this month, commemorating the occasion with a grand opening celebration on Thursday, October 8. Located inside VSECU’s Bennington Branch on 194 North Street, the coworking space offers Bennington area entrepreneurs, contractors, freelancers and knowledge workers shared, informal, open workspace and business facilities that allow for collaboration, innovation, and networking.

Vermont Business Magazine Drive for Charity is a unique opportunity to donate to the Vermont Foodbank and enter to win a brand new car. For just $5, participants are entered to win a new Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or Toyota Scion tC. Raffle tickets are only available online. The winning vehicle will be furnished by 802 Cars. “We want to raise a ton of money for the Vermont Foodbank, and we hope Vermonters will join us,” said Dave Birmingham, 802 Cars owner. “Brown bag your lunch in place of dining out, and buy a $5 raffle ticket. That $5 will provide 15 meals for Vermonters who face hunger today.”

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) on Friday announced that Vermont will receive more than $8.7 million from the US Department of Justice to support victims of crime and enhance programs that serve survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The funding includes a three-fold increase to the Vermont Center for Crime Victims Services (VCCVS), which will receive $4.8 million in Victims of Crime Awards in Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations. (SEE FULL LIST BELOW) Leahy is a former prosecutor and longtime champion for crime victims and victims of domestic violence.

by Mark Johnson vtdigger.org Advocates for renewable energy in Vermont said Thursday they have much to celebrate, but that significant challenges lay ahead. More than 350 people attended the Renewable Energy Vermont annual conference in South Burlington. Outside, approximately 25 protesters lined the sidewalk in front of the Sheraton Conference center to demonstrate against wind power projects either already built or planned for their communities.

Darren Springer, Governor Shumlin’s chief of staff and the former deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Service, told the audience inside that the amount of renewable energy in Vermont, through solar and wind projects, as well as through conservation efforts, has exceeded projections. (Springer filled in for Shumlin, who was slated to speak, but had to help the family of a friend who died yesterday.)

Vermont Business Magazine Lake Sunapee Bank Group (NASDAQ: LSBG) has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of fourteen cents ($0.14) per common share payable October 30, 2015, to stockholders of record as of October 23, 2015. Lake Sunapee Bank has several branches in Vermont. Lake Sunapee Bank Group is the holding company of Lake Sunapee Bank, fsb, a federally chartered savings bank that provides a wide range of life-cycle banking and financial services.

Vermont Business Magazine Amtrak Vermonter service will operate normally in both directions on Friday, October 9, making all scheduled stops between Washington and St Albans. Amtrak said in a statement that it regrets any inconvenience. Service was disrupted Monday when the southbound train derailed in Northfield because of a rock slide. Seven passengers were sent to local hospitals and all have since been released. Partial service was restored Thursday.

Vermont Business Magazine Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) recognizes a Vermont real estate development company and two Vermonters for their outstanding contributions to the progress of a sustainable energy future at Renewable Energy 2015: “Leading the Energy REVolution”, an annual conference hosted by REV that runs through Friday at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in Burlington. The 2015 Renewable Energy Awards are generously presented by VLITE as part of their continuing commitment to building an energy secure Vermont.

This year’s awardees include: