Archive - May 18, 2006

By JOHN FLOWERS

MONTPELIER — Local lawmakers and state leaders hailed the 2006 legislative session as one of the most productive in recent memory, with health care reform, energy conservation initiatives and Addison County’s take in the capital bill topping the list of accomplishments.

“This session has shown why Vermonters can be proud of our citizen legislature,” said Senate President Pro Tem Peter Welch, a Windsor County Democrat. “We wrestled with the difficult issues of improving our health care system, developing a future-oriented energy policy, expanding opportunities for higher education, and protecting our communities. In each case, this Legislature has found effective solutions that will serve the people of Vermont.”

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By CYRUS LEVESQUE

BRISTOL — A proposed spending plan for Bristol Elementary School’s 2006-2007 school year entered its third round of revision at a heated school board meeting on Monday.

The budget of $4,211,798 proposed on Town Meeting Day was voted down, 452-447. Many believed this was due to concerns over cuts some considered unnecessary, so the board increased the spending number slightly to $4,292,250. Bristol voters rejected this revised budget proposal, 193-183, on May 9.

So at Monday’s meeting, the Bristol school board cut $83,700 from the May 9 budget, eventually arriving at a sum of $4,208,820. This newly revised budget will be put up for a vote on Tuesday, June 20. Though some details are not yet set, the vote will probably take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Holley Hall.

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