Archive - Aug 18, 2011
NEW HAVEN — The Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) last week removed a roadblock for development of a solar energy farm off Route 7 in New Haven.
VERGENNES — The Vergennes Planning Commission has finished much of the complex task of rewriting city zoning to conform with the 2009 city plan, a job planners intend to complete in time to hold formal public hearings in November or December.
ADDISON COUNTY — Selectboards in Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro have set 2011-2012 property tax rates that range from a 0.17-cent decrease in Starksboro to a 10.18-cent increase in New Haven.
These property tax rates stem from spending levels previously agreed on by residents at Town Meeting Day for municipal and school services for the current July to June fiscal year.
LEICESTER — It’s been a long process, but Leicester town planners are hoping that the end is in sight for the adoption of a new Leicester Town Plan.
The planning commission is inviting all year-round and summer residents of the town to an open house at the Leicester Town Office on Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., where the current draft of the plan will be on display.
BRANDON — After a stellar run of providing classic, well-built construction and sage advice in the Brandon area, a well-known local builder has finally hung up his hard hat.
Jack McKernon, founder of The McKernon Group Inc., has retired from his long time position as owner/CEO of the Brandon-based business. Kevin Birchmore, president of the company and McKernon’s business partner for the last 25 years, has acquired the ownership position of the company and has taken on a partner, Justus Cameron, who is the newly appointed vice president.
ST. ALBANS/NEW HAVEN — Farmers had plenty of suggestions for Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., as he solicited feedback about a proposed federal dairy reform bill in St. Albans last Wednesday and at Addison County Fair and Field Days in New Haven on Friday.
The bill in question is a draft proposal by Minnesota Rep. Colin Peterson. The plan would replace the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) and the Dairy Product Price Supports programs and change the federal milk order system that sets the wholesale price conventional milk producers get for their product.
VERMONT — Gardeners beware: Late blight, which last swept tomato and potato plants in the state in 2009, has been confirmed in Vermont this year.
The University of Vermont Extension on Aug. 3 announced a case of the late blight on tomato plants in a home garden in Jericho.
Vern Grubinger of the UVM Extension said he’s spoken with a couple more people in that area who are sending their plants in for testing, but that there have been no other confirmed cases in the state.
NEW HAVEN — Visitors to the Addison County Fair and Field Days last week could follow the “Fresh cheese curds” sign and find themselves next to the Milking Parlor and Dairy Bar, at a simple white trailer with a window on one side.
Veronica Pedraza, wearing a net cap, guarded the sterile environment of her mobile cheesemaking unit. She was spending the summer traveling with the Orleans County Fair mobile cheese unit to county fairs around Vermont.
