Current News

The Data and Analytics division of Black Knight Financial Services released its latest Mortgage Monitor Report, looking at data as of the end of February 2014. The data showed that monthly mortgage originations dropped to the lowest level in at least 14 years. However, according to Herb Blecher, senior vice president of Black Knight's Data and Analytics division, real estate sales have remained relatively steady, buoyed by a substantial number of cash transactions.

Related Company: Efficiency VermontEfficiency Vermont has been named a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award honors Efficiency Vermont’s Efficient Products program for its achievements in cutting energy use and associated pollution. Efficiency Vermont was one of only eight utilities nationwide to receive the Partner of the Year designation.
“Efficiency Vermont stood out among a highly competitive pool as demonstrating exemplary commitment and dedication, distinguishing them as an industry leader,” said Ann Bailey, Chief, ENERGY STAR Product Labeling. “Efficiency Vermont’s significant accomplishments demonstrate that improved energy efficiency can benefit American consumers and protect the environment at the same time.”

Related Company: Burlington International Airport (BTV)Mayor Miro Weinberger announced Tuesday that the Burlington International Airport received a clean audit report for the first time in more than 10 years. The auditors issued no “findings” – or identifications of errors or deficiencies – and noted that the Airport exceeded its debt coverage score for the third consecutive year.
“Improving the City’s financial management continues to be the top priority of my Administration,” said Mayor Weinberger. “I am pleased with the clean audit report, demonstrating our steady and important progress at the Airport – formerly a financial vulnerability that gradually we are transforming into an economic asset for our City and the region.”

Governor Peter Shumlin and Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott, alongside state, community and business leaders, town coordinators and volunteers, are asking Vermonters to join them outside for the 44th annual Green Up Day on Saturday, May 3, and help pick up trash to clean up the Green Mountain State.

Between 2008 and 2012, state election performance overall improved by 4.4 percentage points, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts' latest Elections Performance Index, released today. The expanded index makes it possible for all 50 states and the District of Columbia to measure how well they conducted elections compared not only with other states, but also over time.
This annual study allows states to measure election administration by looking at such indicators as wait times at polling locations, availability of voting information tools online, rejection of voter registrations, problems with registration or absentee ballots, rejection of military and overseas ballots, voter turnout, and accuracy of voting technology.

Related Company: Union BankDavid Silverman, President of Union Bank has announced that Union Bank has been approved to participate in the Equity Builder Program (EBP).The EBP is a regulated grant program offered annually by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB).
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston's Equity Builder Program offers grants to provide households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income with down-payment, closing-cost, home-buyer counseling, and rehabilitation assistance. Members can also use EBP grants to match eligible buyers' savings under an Individual Development Account (IDA) program.
Union Bank’s EBP funds are awarded to eligible home buyers in increments of up to $10,000 on a first-come, first-served, home-buyer by home-buyer basis; EBP funds are not guaranteed or reserved in advance.

Historic meeting houses, churches, barns and libraries are among a list of 37 buildings across 11 Vermont counties receiving preservation grants in 2014. The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation recognized the awarded matching grants totaling $540,190 in a ceremony with Governor Peter Shumlin at the State House Tuesday.
Vermont’s historic architecture provides a visual record of life in Vermont over that past 200 years and represents Vermont’s heritage to current and future generations. The preservation of historic public buildings, churches, barns and agricultural buildings not only protects Vermont’s architectural legacy, it also generates jobs, supports independent businesses, increases civic participation and contributes to a community’s sense of place, while also enhancing the experience of visitors.

by Laura Krantz vtdigger.org Preventing addiction is the cheapest and most effective way to curb drug abuse in Vermont, health officials say, but they are struggling with the fact that insurance doesn’t cover the cost.
Early screening – to catch drug dependence early — and recovery services – to keep patients clean after treatment — are also more cost-effective, but some insurers don’t cover that, either.
Last week the state health officials who oversee the network of addiction prevention and recovery services explained that struggle to lawmakers.
Preventing drug addiction is more than drug-education classes, they said. People need healthy communities in which chemicals don’t become an escape from life.

The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved over $5.2 million in financing for energy, agricultural and commercial development projects throughout Vermont.
“The Authority is pleased to be part of the financing packages for these exciting projects, helping to bring them to fruition,” said Jo Bradley, Chief Executive Officer of VEDA. Financing approvals by the Authority include:

Mayor Miro Weinberger Monday evening delivered the State of the City Address in City Hall’s Contois Auditorium during which he reported that the City of Burlington has turned the corner in its pursuit of fixing its municipal finances. The mayor was joined by the City Council, former Burlington Mayor Frank Cain, city department heads, other members of the city employee team, and community members.
“As we take stock of the past year, I see many signs of progress and can confidently say that, after two years of focus and resolve to fix our troubled municipal finances, we have turned the corner, and the State of the City is steadily and measurably improving,” Weinberger said. (See full text below)

Related Company: Vermont Electric Cooperative, IncVermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), based in Johnson, has received eight applications from candidates seeking one of three positions on the Board of Directors. As a part of VEC’s annual meeting, an election of the membership is held each year to elect directors for open positions on the Board and to address other key issues.
Below are the seats that are up for election, including the slate of director candidates vying for open seats, which each carry a four-year term.
District 3 Director Candidates
Chuck Farrar – Troy
John Klar – Irasburg
Carol Maroni – Craftsbury
District 3 Towns:
Albany, Craftsbury, Glover, Greensboro, Irasburg, Jay, Lowell, Newport Town, Troy, Westfield

by Morgan True vtdigger.org
In 2012, nearly 68,000 adults went without dental care because they could not afford it, according to the advocacy group Vermont Oral Health Care for All.
That group is behind a push to create a state license for a mid-level dental practitioner position that would be a step above a dental hygienist and a step below an actual dentist.
Such positions exist in Minnesota and Alaska, and there are bills to license so-called dental therapists or dental practitioners in several other states. Legislation to license dental practitioners in Vermont stalled in the House last biennium, but was reintroduced this year in the Senate.