Current News

The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) will offer forbearances of up to 90 days to borrowers who have federal or private education loans with VSAC and will have trouble keeping up with their payments as a result of the recent weather disaster.
In addition, due to President Obama’s disaster declaration, VSAC may be able to provide loan relief to some of its borrowers who have defaulted on their federal loans. To qualify, borrowers must live in the counties designated by the president as eligible for individual assistance.
A forbearance allows a borrower to temporarily stop payments or pay a reduced amount. The borrower is responsible for the interest that accrues on the loan during the forbearance period.
VSAC stopped making new federal loans on July 1, 2010, when the government switched to ‘direct lending.’ VSAC continues to service federal loans made prior to the switch as well as its existing private loan portfolio.

Businesses that have suffered storm damage should call the US Small Business Administration to begin the federal aid process. The SBA provides loans to businesses that have suffered losses to cover cost of recovery and working capital to help with lost business during the storm and recovery.
Call 800-659-2955 or visit www.disasterassistance.gov to register for business assistance.
Individuals and homeowners are also eligible for SBA loans to help with costs not covered by FEMA grants; those people are already registered when you register with FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or at www.disasterassistance.gov. However, while you are registered, you do not have to take out a loan.

The fifth annual Exhibition at Grafton organizing committee announces the winners in the juried art show event, which concludes on September 7. One best in show award and four merit awards were given at the artist awards reception on August 27. There are three Vermont winners.
The free event, which is held August 26 through September 7, features more than 50 works of art in oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, mixed media as well as sculptures in various medium. Art is displayed in Grafton Village at The Old Tavern at Grafton Inn and Hunter Gallery of Fine Art.
While Grafton was hit hard by Hurricane Irene, both properties are intact and the show continues to run. Visitors can access Grafton through Townshend via Route 35 and through Chester.
Best in Show 2011: Nest Affair (watercolor and gunpowder), Carol Anne Centre of Langdon, NH.
Award of Excellence: Still Water Lake Como (pastel), Mallory Lake of Marlboro, Vt.

Despite the numerous punches thrown by Mother Nature so far this year, Vermont’s apple growers are still standing. ‘Most growers are subscribing to the concept of the glass being half full, not half empty,’ reports Steve Justis, Executive Director of the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association. ‘Tropical storm Irene did cause some damage to orchards, but overall, losses were fairly light. We have a good crop of apples, and we’re still pretty early in the season.’
Many growers saw apple-laden trees blown down from Irene’s strong winds and heavy rains, but Justis estimates that less than one percent of the state’s trees were damaged. ‘Several growers last week felt that the rains were a mixed blessing--- many orchards were getting dry---they needed the rain’, Justis noted.

The bridge on Meadowlake Drive located just off Route 4 will be closed for two days from 6:00 a.m. Thursday, September 8 until 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 9 to allow giant earthmoving equipment to work. Traffic will be diverted to the East Pittsford and Chittenden Roads during this time.
Questions or requests for additional information should be directed to the Mendon town Office at 775-1662.

Shelburne Museum announced the appointment of Thomas Denenberg as director of the museum.
Denenberg will join Shelburne from the Portland Museum of Art in Portland, Maine where he is presently deputy director and chief curator. He succeeds Stephan Jost, who left Shelburne Museum in March to become director of Honolulu Academy of Arts in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation reports that the State owned rail lines have sustained heavy damage from Tropical Storm Irene. All of the railroad bridges in the affected area have been inspected for damage and for safety.
Five bridges on the State system have incurred major structural damage and need major repairs before the rail can be open for freight traffic. On the Green Mountain line (GMRC) there are three bridges that have been compromised: bridges #114 and #121 in the Town of Chester; and bridge #130 in the Town of Cavendish. On the Vermont Rail South (VTR) bridge #62 in the Town of Arlington had its abutment undermined. In the Town of Hartland on the Connecticut River Line bridge #541 had one of the middle piers settle more than six feet from its proper location.

Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary Brian Searles is asking the public to stay away from the damaged areas in central and southern Vermont.
‘Our road crews, private contractors and National Guard are all working very hard to repair the damage wrought by Irene. The last thing we need are sightseer’s taking pictures of the damage and getting in the way of recovery efforts. We lost several hours of work yesterday allowing cars through the construction zone, many with out of state licensees,’ stated Searles. ‘All we are asking is for people to stay away from the damaged areas if you don’t live there,’ continued Searles.

Governor Peter Shumlin has announced that Addison, Orange and Bennington Counties have received the Individual Assistance Declaration, joining Windham, Chittenden, Washington, Rutland and Windsor.

‘This is critical for homeowners and businesses facing expensive damages and losses from Tropical Storm Irene,’ the Governor said.
Assistance for losses sustained anytime after the storm may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster. Even those with insurance may be eligible for help from FEMA if their insurance policy does not cover all their needs, FEMA said.
To apply:
Step 1: Register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There are several ways to register:

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) announced today the steps they are taking to help municipalities and homeowners expedite flood recovery. ‘We recognize that in many places the river changed course, damaging homes and businesses, and wiping out roads and bridges,’ said Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz. ‘We need to rebuild this infrastructure immediately but if we are not careful, the things we do today could have a catastrophic impact later on.’ She added, ‘To help prevent future problems, we have deployed a team of experts who are out in Vermont communities, ready to help with technical assistance, expert advice and problem solving.’

The Maine Department of Transportation will be sending workers and equipment to Vermont in an effort to help respond to rebuilding the Vermont’s roads and bridges in response to Tropical Storm Irene.
‘We are so grateful to our neighboring states to help bolster our efforts at this time of need, ‘ said VTrans Secretary, Brian Searles. ‘Just as neighbors are helping neighbors throughout Vermont, states are now helping states so that we can rebuild from this storm.’
Maine Governor, Paul LePage explained, ‘Maine has a long-standing tradition of helping neighbors in need, and this is no exception. The extraordinary damage in Vermont would compel any neighbor to assist however they can.’

Green Mountain Power (GMP) has begun construction of Kingdom Community Wind (KCW), a 63 MW renewable wind energy project in Lowell, Vermont. The 21 turbine wind project can provide power for more than 24,000 homes with the lowest-cost new renewable energy available to GMP customers and the members of the Vermont Electric Coop (VEC).
"We are extremely excited to start construction on this important local, renewable energy project," said Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. "In addition to producing clean and reliable power for our customers and VEC members, Kingdom Community Wind is the most affordable new renewable energy available."