Current News

The Department of Environmental Conservation’s Compliance and Enforcement Division (CED) today announced that it has settled environmental violations involving Maple Glen, Inc. The company owns and operates a communal campground in Sheldon, Vermont. The settlement includes a $28,750.00 penalty and compliance and permitting requirements.

A CED and Natural Resources Board investigation revealed numerous violations including of wastewater, wetlands, solid waste, Act 250, water supply, and open burning regulations at the campground. The company hired an engineer to help it address all these issues. The company corrected the solid waste, wetland, and burning issues during the pendency of the investigation. The company also obtained a wastewater system and potable water supply permit and installed one of two approved systems, and has decided to re-design the uninstalled system. The company also submitted an Act 250 permit application which is under review.

The University of Vermont Foundation set new records in its fundraising activities on behalf of the university during fiscal 2014, surpassing the previous historic milestones for both commitments and receipts from donors. New fundraising commitments broke the $55 million mark for the first time in UVM history. Total commitments to UVM reached $55,248,575 as of June 30, 2014, compared with $44,523,540 in the same period a year ago, an increase of 24 percent. The previous record of $45,067,395 was set in FY12. Commitments include new gifts, new pledges, and new bequests documented during the year.

At Congressman Peter Welch’s press conference Monday morning, the Vermont Agency of Transportation provided a list of the most critical Vermont transportation projects that are in jeopardy if Congress fails to reauthorize the Highway Trust Fund. You can find that list here. The House is expected to take up a short-term reauthorization early this week.

New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc (NASDAQ: NHTB), the holding company for Lake Sunapee Bank, fsb, with 18 offices in Vermont, has reported consolidated net income for the six months ended June 30, 2014 of $4.5 million, or $0.53 diluted earnings per common share, compared to $3.8 million, or $0.52 diluted earnings per common share, for same period in 2013, an increase of $638 thousand, or 16.58%. For the quarter ended June 30, 2014, we reported consolidated net income of $2.3 million, or $0.28 diluted earnings per common share, compared to $1.8 million, or $0.25 diluted earnings per common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, an increase of $544 thousand, or 30.27%.

On July 17, from 7 pm to 7:30 pm, Bennington, Vermont, will officially launch its public downtown Wi-Fi zone, which is free for residents and visitors. The zone was funded, developed, and implemented by the Vermont Digital Economy Project and the Vermont Telecommunications Authority, with local support from the Town of Bennington and the Better Bennington Corporation. The launch is part of a celebration called “Midnight Madness,” during which downtown stores are open late and many have special discounts. There will be live music on the Town Office Lawn. A cable-cutting ceremony, a photo-sharing activity, and an explanation of the zone’s uses will all take place on the Town Office Lawn at 7 pm.

Secretary Condos has announced the start of early and absentee voting for the Primary Election. As of July 11, any registered voter may request a ballot from their town clerk, whether in person, by phone or by mail.

“Early voting is a great way to make sure that you have an opportunity to vote. Vermonters are busy people and getting to the polls on Election Day doesn’t fit everyone’s schedule – early voting is a chance to guarantee you make your voice heard.” Secretary Condos stated.

All early and absentee ballot requests must be submitted by 5pm or close of the town clerk’s office on the day before Election Day. To vote in the Primary Election, the deadline for voter registration is 5pm on Wednesday, August 20.

”As always, I urge all Vermonters to remember to take the opportunity to vote, - by early ballot or at the polls on August 26th. Your Vote is your Voice!” added Condos.

Blodgett Ovens has announced the opening of a new facility in Essex to build proprietary steam equipment for the commercial foodservice industry. This new facility, built under the Market Forge brand, will be completed on July 11. The facility's opening follows the Middleby Corporation’s purchase of Market Forge industries’ assets on January 7. The Middleby Corporation, Blodgett's parent, has moved all of the production, sales and engineering from Everett, Mass. to the new Essex location.

“Blodgett is pleased to have the Market Forge operations move to Vermont,” said Gary Mick, President of Blodgett Ovens who also oversees the Market Forge operations. “We are very excited to combine the technologies of two great brands.”

by John Herrick vtdigger.org An environmental group this week appealed Vermont’s decision to withhold documents related to a multistate initiative to improve energy infrastructure in the region. The Conservation Law Foundation in March filed a public records request to all six New England states involved in crafting a plan to attract investments in projects that would bring Canadian hydropower and natural gas to the region. After receiving CLF’s request, Vermont withheld an unknown number of documents. The governor’s office said in a statement that the documents involve political and legal advice and are protected under executive and attorney-client privileges. The infrastructure initiative for the six states would use electric ratepayers’ money to pay for transmission and pipeline projects.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday unanimously approved bipartisan legislation authored by Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) that would restore the ability of consumers to more easily transfer their cell phones to other wireless carriers. The Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act would reinstate a 2010 rulemaking by the Librarian of Congress so that consumers can transfer, or “unlock,” their cell phones without running afoul of copyright laws. Leahy and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) first partnered on the issue last year, and their modified bill approved by the Judiciary Committee on Thursday puts the focus back on individual consumers.

Governor Peter Shumlin and the University of Vermont will work together to put tomorrow’s leaders to work on the issues of today. The Governor’s Cabinet Graduate Internship Program, administered by the UVM Department of Community Development and Applied Economics Master of Public Administration program, will provide new opportunities for top graduate students to work alongside state officials, doing meaningful work for the state while gaining invaluable experience in the public sector. The program is open to graduate students attending Vermont schools and to Vermont graduate students attending out-of-state schools.

“We want to encourage and support the next generation of public servants here in Vermont,” said Gov. Shumlin. “This program will provide outstanding young people with meaningful, engaging experience in service to our state, while introducing our agencies to these bright, innovative emerging leaders.”

Vermont Business Magazine New unemployment claims in Vermont last week reversed course last week and fell and are once-again below totals from a year ago. For the week of July 5, 2014, there were 582 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont. This is a decrease of 233 from the previous week's total, and 445 fewer than they were a year ago. Last week, claims were higher than last year for the first time in 2014.

Vermont Law School has partnered with Lawyers for America (LFA) to increase public service opportunities for law students and provide greater access to justice throughout the United States.

VLS is the second law school in the nation to join LFA, a nonprofit program introduced in 2012 by University of California, Hastings College of the Law. LFA’s mission is to improve the practical skills of new lawyers while expanding the availability of legal services for individuals who cannot afford lawyers by increasing the manpower of legal nonprofits and public law offices. Program partners include The Aspen Institute’s Franklin Project, which spearheaded the national movement to improve citizenship through public service.