Current News

Three years ago the Vermont legislature unanimously passed the Universal Recycling law (Act 148), and its first major recycling milestone began Wednesday. To kick things off the Agency of Natural Resources has prepared a campaign to explain what the law is really about: “resimplifying recycling” for Vermonters.

Recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence were announced and recognized at a ceremony at the State House Monday. Environmental excellence awards have been given since 1993 to recognize efforts and actions of Vermonters to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and promote environmental sustainability. To date, more than 200 efforts have been recognized.

“From businesses and non-profits to municipalities and educational institutions, it’s inspiring to see the work Vermonters are doing on a day-to-day basis to protect our environment and quality of life. I want to congratulate and thank all of the recipients for their hard work and dedication to keeping Vermont beautiful,” said Governor Peter Shumlin.

The Department of Environmental Conservation’s Compliance and Enforcement Division today announced that it has formally settled an illegal open burning violation with Waitsfield farmer Douglas H. Turner. Mr. Turner operates an organic dairy farm under the business name of “Simplicity Farm”. The settlement includes the payment of a $5,000 penalty.

On Saturday, May 31, 2014, Agency of Natural Resources personnel received an anonymous complaint that illegal burning was occurring at a Waitsfield property. Environmental Enforcement Officer (EEO) Daniel Mason responded to the complaint and quickly identified the strong odor of burning plastic. EEO Mason located the clandestine burn site where a large smoldering pile of material was observed in a pasture where cows were grazing.

Governor Peter Shumlin today signed a proclamation declaring July 2015 as “Lakes Appreciation Month.” The proclamation states that lakes and reservoirs are “critical to Vermont’s environment and quality of life, providing sources of recreation, scenic beauty, and habitat for wildlife” and that ”maintaining the health of our lakes, ponds, and reservoirs is the responsibility of every citizen.”

“By signing this proclamation, I seek to recognize the tremendous and critical efforts of the many Vermont citizens, community leaders, volunteers, lake and watershed organizations to protect and restore the quality of our state’s many lakes and ponds,” Gov. Shumlin stated.

New research published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) has confirmed the International Bottled Water Association’s (IBWA) position that efforts to ban or restrict the sale of bottled can lead to increased consumption of less healthy beverages and plastic waste.

The study: “The Unintended Consequences of Changes in Beverage Options and the Removal of Bottled Water on a University Campus,” published this month in AJPH, concluded that the bottled water sales ban at the University of Vermont (UVM) resulted in a significant increase (25 percent) in the consumption of sugary drinks and an increase (8.5 percent) in the amount of plastic bottles entering the waste stream.

Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center management confirmed today that the agency’s Board of Directors have approved a two-year contract with Local 1674 of AFSCME Council 93, which represents 702 Howard Center direct care workers, 127 of whom are members of the union. The agency employs over 1,500 employees.

Today, the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) approved The University of Vermont Medical Center’s Certificate of Need (CON) application to build a new building to replace aging inpatient facilities. The $187.3 million project will be on the west side of the Medical Center Campus above the existing Emergency Department parking lot. In approving the project, the board supported the need for the project, and noted the building will improve the quality of health care in the state and that single rooms will provide patients a better care experience. Due to the scope and cost of the project, the board included conditions requiring additional financial reporting and changes to debt financing prior to the start of construction.

The Vermont Attorney General has entered into two more Assurances of Discontinuance with manufacturers to settle violations of Vermont’s Prescribed Product Gift Ban and Disclosure Law. The law bans most gifts to Vermont health care providers and requires manufacturers of prescribed products, such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices, to disclose certain expenditures paid by manufacturers to health care providers.

The ChildSafe clinic at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital/UVM Medical Center in Burlington, which serves children and families where child abuse, neglect, and child sexual abuse are suspected or diagnosed, is undergoing a change in provider involvement. Clinic founder Karyn Patno, MD, FAAP will reduce her time to one day per month of direct patient services, while continuing her teaching, case collaboration and community roles in Vermont and New York. Joseph F Hagan, Jr, MD, FAAP will serve in the ChildSafe Clinic to see children and families as needed. Dr Hagan will also participate in collaborative case management with UVM Children’s Hospital specialists, community clinicians and Vermont’s Department for Children and Families. He will also provide supervision to the University of Vermont Medical Center Emergency Department Sexual Abuse Nurse Examiners (SANE), and continue his community involvement in child abuse prevention, diagnosis and treatment activities.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced today it has been selected to manage a new, luxury boutique hotel in the popular, year-round vacation destination of Manchester, Vermont. The 87-room, new construction project, owned as a joint venture between Florida-based developer Heaton Companies, local partner Clark French and Boston financial partner Janet Jiang of First Cambridge Capital, is under construction and is slated for a fall 2015 opening as The Taconic Hotel. It will be located at 3835 Main Street, Manchester Village.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine 'Orange is the new Blue' was the slogan of the day as GlobalFoundries announced Wednesday morning that it had completed its acquisition of IBM’s Microelectronics business, which includes the facility in Essex Junction, Vermont, and the approximate 3,000 employees that go with it. IBM will retain many workers in Vermont as part of the deal. IBM will give GlobalFoundries $1.5 billion and in return GlobalFoundries signed a 10-year contract to supply IBM with advanced technology. IBM had sought to sell the money-losing division for several years as it turns away from manufacturing and focuses more on high-end, high-margin business services.

Governor Peter Shumlin Tuesday marked an important milestone in the rebuilding of the Waterbury State Office Complex, joining state and local officials to witness the installation of monumental cupolas that will frame the center of the new campus. The project, now 80 percent complete, is progressing as expected, on time, and on budget.