By Eric Francis
Standard Correspondent
All of the residents and the herd of Jersey dairy cows survived unharmed, but a fire that broke out just minutes after midnight on Friday morning heavily damaged one of the oldest remaining farmhouses in Woodstock.
The blaze at the Albert and Ann Bassett residence just north of the village on Route 12 resulted in firefighters from eight departments being called out to help. Most of the mutual aid companies returned to their stations just after 2 a.m., but Woodstock crews remained on the scene until nearly noon Friday.
Woodstock Fire Chief L.D. Sutherland Jr. said that despite the head start the flames had, his volunteers were still able to save part of the antique structure.
“I was the first one there and that house was just going pretty darn good,” the chief recalled. “There is a hydrant right on the corner so we got in there and knocked it down. The oldest part of the house is still standing. It’s an old landmark for sure.”
The Bassetts’ son Robert is the third generation to farm on the property and he was the first to spot the fire from his portion of the house, Sutherland said.
“When Robert went to go to bed he looked out there and the shed was on fire,” the chief explained.
“They had one of those outdoor wood-burning furnaces and it started somewhere in the vicinity of that,” Sutherland said. “It was a typical old farmhouse with an attached garage and an attached shed. The shed went first and it just headed into the main house.”
Dispatchers quickly called in help from the neighboring South Woodstock, Bridgewater, Teago, North Pomfret, Hartford, Hartland, Windsor and West Windsor fire departments, which sent a combination of additional engines and water tanker trucks to the scene.
“For additional water we ran a tanker shuttle from Billings Farm, which is just down the road there,” Sutherland said.
The Red Cross came out to help the displaced members of the Bassett family who are now staying in a hotel in downtown Woodstock.
“It’s a shame because it is still very much a working farm,” Sutherland said, adding, “And and they are such nice people and hard workers.”

Hearts for the Valley A Dinner & Dance to benefit those affected by “Irene”
Treat your Valentine to a fantastic night for a great cause!

Dinner Buffet Only: $18/person
5:30-8:00 p.m.
Featured Entrées: Sirloin Tips, Mediterranean Chicken & Salmon
Wellington, in the warm atmosphere of the Garden Court Restaurant.
Entertainment by members of the North Country Chordsmen
Barbershop Chorus Quartet: “The Clef Hangers of Hanover”

Dance Only: $30/person
8:00-11:00 p.m., “The Moonlighters”
the beautiful 15-piece big band playing classic big band and swing
dance music for your dancing pleasure.

Saturday,February 4 The Fireside Inn West Lebanon, NH
Dinner & Dance: $45/person
Choose both for a complete romantic evening of fun
with your favorite Valentine while supporting an important cause.

Fireside DESSERT GARDEN BUFFET during the Dance,
one raffle ticket to try for great prizes, displays,
dance demonstrations by professionals,
photos and information regarding the flood.

ADVANCE TICKETS & INFORMATION
THE LEBANON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
lebanonchamber@lebanonchamber.com
(603) 448-1203
Donations will go to Upper Valley Strong:
Upper Valley’s Long-Term Recovery Committee
which coordinates and shares resources and
expertise benefitting the flood victims.
www.uvstrong.org

Check out other events happening in the area.


A quick look at area happenings: Events, Meetings, Activities.

View the Calendar

There were no injuries in the middle-of-the night blaze that brought firefighters from surrounding towns to the Bassett Farm on Route 12 just after midnight last night. The former dairy farm was destroyed though firefighters from Woodstock, Bridgewater, Pomfret, Hartland, Hartford, Windsor, and West Windsor battled over two hours to control it. Check our site for photos and updates.

BRING ON THE SNOW

Kathy Bennett of Windsor and her Siberian Huskey Aspen, arrive at the Ullr Fest 2012 celebration last Saturday in Windsor, Dedicated to Ullr, the Norse God of Snow, the festival is a way of asking for more snow. For more photo click here.

For more information and photos on the following headlines and much more, subscribe or purchase a copy of the Vermont Standard. Click here for a list of newsstand locations. Full text articles will appear online on Thursday, February 16th 2011

TOP STORIES…

Son Attacks Father With Combat Knife
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent

WCSU Approves Budget, Gets Ready For Act 153
by Gwen Stanley, Standard Staff

Local Woman Facing Nine Felony Charges For Drugs
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent

Hartland To Vote On Capitol Reserve Fund
by Audrey Richardson, Special to the Standard

District Court Report:
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent
Reading Man Charges with Drunk Driving
Fender Bender Leads to DUI Charge
Drunk Driving, First Offense

Selectboard Supports Bond To Replace Quechee Bridge
by Helen Clark, Quechee News

Woodstock to Consider PACE Loans in March
by Audrey Richardson, Special to the Standard

Measure To End Corporation Personhood on Woodstock Ballot
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondent

Editorial Points: It’s Time For A Four-Year Term
by Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, Guest Editorial

Pomfret Second Graders Working To Help Hungry
by Chuck Gundersen, Pomfret News

Special Sewer Meeting Warned For W. Windsor
by Eric Francis, Standard Correspondence

Woodstock Hockey Boys Down Harford In OT
by David Miles, Sports Correspondent

Attempted Burglaries Suspected In Broad Book and Harlow Road Area
by Sara Tuthill, Broad Brook News

OBITUARIES
Click here to read the full obituaries on the following local community members.

June Lang
Kenneth Weil
Lyndon Kelly
Richard Scelza 
William Treadway

PHOTO GALLERIES
Photo Galleries from events found in this week’s Vermont Standard.

Ullr (Norse God of Snow), Festival
Windsor County Partners Mentor Bruch
Winter Fun: Sledding
Elevate the Music: Concert with Jack Snyder

CLASSIFIEDS
Check out this week classified line advertisements.

HARTLAND — There will be no formal services for June A. Lang, 82, a resident of Hartland passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, January 29 at the Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor with her husband and son in attendance. Friends are invited to drop in and visit June’s family at the home of Tom and Sandy Lang at 55 Webster Road in Hartland on Saturday, February 4th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
She was born January 12, 1930 in New York City, NY the daughter of Charles and Dorothy (Greene) Fromme. She graduated from Bryant High School in Astoria, NY in 1948.
She married August J. Lang in Astoria on April 19, 1952.
Originally from Long Island, NY, they moved to Hartland in 2002.
June enjoyed taking care of her family, needlepoint, crocheting, and the outdoors, including swimming, fishing, camping, canoeing and gardening. She enjoyed observing wildlife, especially birds.
She was predeceased by her parents and one sister, Charlotte Baechle.
Survivors include, her husband, August J. Lang of Hartland, two sons, Thomas E. Lang and his wife, Sandra of Hartland, and James R. Lang of Missoula, MT, one daughter, Nancy E. Olynk of Granville, NY, four grandchildren, Brian Lang of Reading, VT, Heather Giardina of Tampa, FL, Nicole Olynk of Westpoint, IN and Lisa Olynk, currently serving in the US Navy, two great grandchildren, Megan and Ben Lang of Reading, VT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Room Renovation Project at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, 289 County Road, Windsor, VT 05089.
The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor assisted with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to her family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com
To view this obituary online as well as leave condolences, visit our website @ www.thevermontstandard.com

QUECHEE — A memorial gathering will be held at a later date by the family for Kenneth E. Weil, 82, who died at his home on Sunday, January 29, 2012.
Mr. Weil was born on August 14, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio the son of Walter and Marie (Hughes) Weil.
Mr. Weil served in the United States Army in Korea. On August 19, 1950 he married Barbara A. Milan and they settled in Lake Worth, Florida. Mr. Weil then went on to graduate from the university of Florida with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Weil worked for Pratt and Whitney until his retirement in 1992. He and Barbara lived in Gainesville, FL, San Antonia, TX, Alto, NM, and most recently Quechee, Vermont. He was an avid golfer for many years.
He is survived by his wife Barbara of Quechee; a daughter Pam W. Smith of Woodstock; his grandson Michael Smith of Woodstock; two granddaughters, Jennifer Hunter of Raeford, NC, and Stacy Mullins of Dallas TX, and a number of great grandchildren, two sisters, Annette Derry Berry of Gainesville, FL, and Marilyn Jones of Canton, NC.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Susan Mullis; and two brothers John and Walter, Jr.
Memorial donations may be made to Bayada Hospice, 309 Main Street, Norwich, Vermont 05055.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT condolences may be offered by visiting cabotfh.com
This obituary first appeared in the February 2nd print edition of the Vermont Standard.

To see more obituaries click here.

Watch The Video: Click Here

SOLD OUT Concert
“Elevate the Music”, including Jack Synderwas held concert to benefit Young Musicians and Pentangle’s Dana Emmons Arts in Education Program; inspiration from the “Irene Goodbye” benefit concert, also performed on the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre’s stage back in October, formed the concert’s concept.
Joe Shepard, co-owner of Elevation Clothing witnessed Jack Snyder’s talent and community commitment at “Irene Goodbye” and the two collaborated with other community members and musicians forming the band and finding causes to benefit from the proceeds raised. In just a few short weeks the band was brought together, rehearsed and performed for the SOLD OUT audience Saturday evening.
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the February 2, 2012 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

See more photo galleries

Click here if you are having trouble viewing this gallery.

Winter Fun
The recent snow brought residents and friends out to Woodstock’s Mt. Tom, a favorite sledding hill among the locals.
Rick Fiske Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the February 2, 2012 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

See more photo galleries

Click here if you are having trouble viewing this gallery.

Calling For Snow
For almost 50 years Breckenridge CO has paid homage to Ullr, the Norse God of snow. Locally, Great River Outfitters owner Craig Carmody thought the east coast needed a festival to Ullr “to help get us some snow.” The one-day event featured the crowning of a King and Queen, a bonfire with a sacrifice of skis, food, drink, a Viking costume parade and lots of fun for all ages.
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the February 2, 2012 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

See more photo galleries

Click here if you are having trouble viewing this gallery.

Produced by Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

A “Celebration of Life” memorial service for Lyndon “Lindy” Harry Kelly who passed away on January 27, 2012, due to complications of lung cancer will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7 at Christ Church of the Valley (CCV), 7007 W. Happy Valley Road, Peoria, AZ, 85383. Lindy was blessed with an incredible spirit, zest for life, and was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Lindy was born in Woodstock, VT, on October 27, 1927, and his early years were spent at Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster, VT, and in Woodstock. Upon his graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 and proudly served his country as a plank owner aboard the U.S.S. Midway.
Following his distinguished military service he returned to Woodstock and on July 5, 1947, married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth “Bette” Daly. Lindy and Bette became the proud parents of four wonderful children, Corinne “Corky,” Sandy, Danny and Jeff.
In 1956 the Kelly family journeyed westward to Bisbee, AZ, their ultimate destination where they resided for nearly 12 years.
Lindy worked at the Bisbee Daily Review as a Printer and Advertising Manager. In 1969 Lindy and Bette moved to the Phoenix area and Lindy joined Walsh Bros. Office Furniture as Purchasing Manager, a position that he held until his retirement in 1984. Following his retirement, Lindy and Bette moved to Pine, AZ, and became active members of the mountain community until moving back to the Phoenix area in 2004 where they now reside in Trilogy at Vistancia.
Lindy was a man of many talents including the author of a marvelous book. Following many years of painstaking research, his literary efforts were rewarded with the publication of “Great Gramma Anne’s Scrap Book,” a compilation of recipes, remedies and cures utilized in the mid-1800’s.
Lindy was survived by his wife of 65 years, Bette; four children, Corky; Sandy (husband, Mike); Danny (wife, Debbie); Jeff (wife, Linda); 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; a brother, Fredric Kelly of Maine; a sister, Venita Webster of Vermont; and a number of nieces and nephews. A man of deep integrity, unfailing loyalty, an incredible sense of humor and an extraordinary love of family, Lindy will be dearly missed.
Lindy’s family has requested that any memorial donations be made in his name to the Kurn Hattin Homes (htts://kurnhattin.org/ways-to-give) or Kurn Hattin Homes, P.O. Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158.

This obituary first appeared in the February 2nd print edition of the Vermont Standard.

To see more obituaries click here.

BRISTOL, Conn. — A memorial service for William Ingraham Treadway, 94, who died on January 20, 2012 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a brief illness, will be held on Friday, February 3 at noon at The First Congregational Church, Bristol, CT., followed by a reception in the parish house.
Bill was born in Hartford, CT on February 7, 1917 and was the son of the late Morton C. Treadway and Faith (Ingraham) Treadway.
He was proud to say that he lived his entire life within a one-mile radius of Federal Hill: 134 Summer Street, Hickory Hill, 37 Prospect Place and 352 Brewster Road. The last six years of his life he resided in Mystic, Connecticut near his daughter and Woodstock, Vermont near his son.
Bill was educated at the Federal Hill School in Bristol, Eaglebrook School 32’, Deerfield Academy 35’ and Yale University 39’, where he studied mechanical engineering. He entered the engineering department at the family owned Horton Manufacturing Co. where he obtained many patents pertaining mostly to improvements in fishing rods and reels. After Horton was sold he was employed at The New Departure Manufacturing Co. for several years before joining another family business, The E. Ingraham Company. He finished his working years at Fletcher Terry Co.
His interests were many and continued to expand in his later years. He was a very accomplished machinist and built live steam trains, cars and other working models. He was a longtime member of Pioneer Valley Live Steamers. Bill loved fly-fishing and saltwater surf fishing, building his own rods and reels and tying his own flies. He was a long time member of Limestone Trout Club in East Canaan, CT. and traveled many times to the family cabin on Loc Treadway at St. Bernard Fish and Game Club in Quebec. In his youth and again his in later years he was very active in pond sailing, building all of his own sailboats. He was a very accomplished musician playing woodwinds, clarinet, oboe and English horn. He was honored as being a member of the Bristol Symphony for 50 years. He also played in summer stock theater with Canton Productions in Canton, CT. He enjoyed playing in local bands up until just a few years ago. He was a very prolific amateur photographer doing his own developing and won photographic competitions.
Bill was quite active in community activities including being a director and president of the American Clock and Watch Museum, member of the Exchange Club, lifelong member of The First Congregational Church of Bristol and a member of the choir for many years. He loved traveling with his favorite destinations being Switzerland and Bermuda. With all of his various interests and activities, his greatest joy and love was his family.
His 59 year marriage to Ginny, who predeceased him January 3, 1998, begot three children, Judith Appleton Treadway L’Ecuyer married to Philippe L’Ecuyer of Brittany France, Mary Virginia Treadway of Wilton, CT and Wade Ingraham Treadway and his partner Elizabeth Greene of Woodstock, VT and 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of William I. Treadway to: The American Clock and Watch Museum, 100 Maple St, Bristol, CT 06010; The Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer St., Bristol, CT 06010 or The First Congregational Church, 31 Maple St., Bristol, CT 06010. Funk Funeral Home is assisting the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.
This obituary first appeared in the February 2nd print edition of the Vermont Standard.

To see more obituaries click here.

By Gwen Stanley
Standard Correspondent
QUECHEE – Attorney General William Sorrell’s office last Friday released decisions in two separate incidences involving the Hartford Police and the question of excessive use of force; one incident took place in Quechee and one in White River Junction.
In both instances, the Attorney General decided that there is no basis for criminal charges against the officers.
The Quechee incident took place on June 5, 2011 when Hartford Police received a report of a van in an embankment on Marsh Family Road. Officers Clifford and Jollymore responded to the scene, where they found the van in question on its passenger side. They identified the van as belonging to Darrek and Lisa Daoust of Quechee.
The officers then went to the Daousts’ home where Darrek Daoust met them at the door. When asked if he had been drinking, Daoust said that he had only been drinking since he arrived home and not while driving. Daoust refused to exit the home attempted to close his front door. In response, the officers entered, without his consent, and physically removed him and brought him to the ground in his driveway. Daoust resisted arrest, and one of the officers struck him once with his knee and four times with his flashlight on Daoust’s left side. Daoust also got a cut on his forehead.
The legal decision by Attorney General Sorrell says that, “Although the officers did not obtain a warrant or consent to enter the Daousts’ home, the question of the legality of the arrest does not determine the outcome of the review of the officers’ use of force to the resistance. Under Vermont law, there is no right to resist an arrest, even an illegal arrest. The remedy for an alleged illegal arrest is suppression of any evidence wrongfully obtained, or the filing of a lawsuit for civil damages.
These legal principles support an underlying public policy of discouraging citizens from fighting with police any time they think the police may be acting in error.”
The other incident mentioned in the decision took place at the Shady Lawn Motel in White River Junction In September. Monica Therrien called 911 to report physical abuse by her then-boyfriend. When Hartford officers showed up to investigate, they say, she was seemingly intoxicated and they could see no bruises or marks on her body. Growing agitated, according to police, Therrien was threated with arrest if she didnt calm down and after she failed to do so, she was instructed by officers to place her hands behind her back, but instead turned to walk away.
One of the officers, deciding Therrien was too intoxicated to be safe, grabbed Therrien’s shoulder as she turned and they both went to the pavement. She sustained a head injury from the fall.
In this case, the Atty. General has ruled that it could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer used an excessive amount of force.
These two incidences are the second and third of three reviews Attorney General’s Office has conducted since May of 2010. The first incidence, in which officers responded to a 911 call of a possible burglary in process at the home of Wayne Burwell. That case ended with a similar decision: no basis for criminal charges were found.
According to the decision, Hartford officials have met with the Attorney General to be sure that officers understand the appropriate amount of force to use in given situations, and they have also participated in a domestic violence training course.
Attorney General Sorrell concluded, “It is regrettable that Ms. Therrien and Mr. Daoust suffered injuries. However, neither incident involved criminal assaultive behavior by the Hartford Police officers involved. The State’s law enforcement officers must have adequate training to de-escalate situations and to recognize when the law requires a search warrant. This type of training is crucial in enabling officers to exercise good judgment when responding both to emergencies and potential threats. It is important for the Town of Hartford to provide continuing training for its officers so they can properly serve their community. The measures that the Town of Hartford has taken since the Attorney General’s Office has conducted these three use-of-force reviews are steps in the right direction.”

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Gwen Stanley
Standard Staff
Talk to Jennifer Belton, the newly-minted Director of Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, about the possibilities that dwell within the walls of the stately old building on the green, and watch her eyes light up; her passion is clear.
“The library needs to be about service and community,” she said.
For Belton, that’s a two-way street.
“People here are well-traveled, well-educated. We can ask them to bring information to us, instead of just the other way around,” she said. She emphasizes that the library and the community have the opportunity to serve each other in a way that’s mutually beneficial.
After an extensive nationwide search for someone to take the helm of NWLP – the former head librarian Debra Spackman had been in the position as interim for years and wanted very much to concentrate on her speciality, technology within the library – the NWPL search committee hit on Belton who, as it turned out, already lived in town.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with Jennifer,” said Jack McGuire, chair of the library’s Board of Trustees.
And it’s clear that Belton herself is thrilled, ready to bring about some changes that NWPL has been hoping for abut just hasn’t had the manpower to accomplish yet.
Belton graciously notes that the staff she has joined make it easy for her to see their joint vision within reach.
“This library staff is so profoundly dedicated and energetic,” Belton said. “Really, I’m just planning to take their ideas to fruition.”
Belton brings decades of experience and time at the Washington Post, where she was hired by none other than Ben Bradlee, who she describes as “a very passionate, enthusiastic man. Everyone believed that Ben already knew the whole story as they wrote it. He was that inspirational.”
At the Post, Belton took it upon herself to organize the newsroom’s morgue, a repository of stories that was in a bit of a mess at the time. She developed an archiving system called “Post-Haste” which could be used by the reporters and editors to quickly access information from a given issue of the Post. She has witnessed, in the last few decades, a rapidly-widening path of technology to access information and places NWPL firmly on that path.
“The Internet is changing our lives dramatically,” she said, motioning to her own iPad, “and we need to be the place where people go to learn how to access that.”
With Vermont’s network of social services becoming more and more technology-minded, she noted, it’s crucial that the library be prepared to help patrons access the sites and fill out the forms required for benefits and services.
Currently there is a fee for residents of outlying towns to take out items from NWLP, but Belton is hoping to change that.
“We will be talking to towns to figure out how we can serve residents here,” she said.
Technology figures large in Belton’s vision for the future of the library.
“Today a town library needs to reflect on and use all the social networking venues – apps, blogs, and so on.”
“(NWPL) is not a museum of books, but a thriving information center designed to promote discovery, curiosity, learning and to provide intellectual enrichment for the entire community,” Belton said. “How can we help the non-profits? How can we help the local businesses?”
“A lot of the programming here is initiated by the Learning Lab,” she said, referring to the classes that touch on sometimes-esoteric, sometimes-practical subjects using a diverse bunch of teachers from the area. “We need to capitalize on that, it’s something we already have that is well done.”
Instead of just people coming to the library, the library will be coming to them, in several different ways. In February, patrons will be able to download e-books from the library straight to their Kindle, Nook or iPad. Other possibilities in work include videoconferences on the mezzanine to bring in speakers and classes from universities world-wide, extended hours in the evenings, and, with the upcoming second phase of Wireless Woodstock, a reworked web site for the library that Belton images as a a portal for information.
Her vision for the library, she says, is based on the idea of democratic access to information and technology. Ideally, Belton said, the typical Woodstock resident would “wake up, put on their slippers, and pull up the Norman Williams Public Library web site. What’s going on today, what’s on the community blog, we want to make the library site the home page for people.”
A Woodstock resident only since last year, Belton admits that there are some aspects of working at a smaller library that may take getting used to.
“Being a steward for the building – that’s very different. In DC we had someone to help if the heat went out, if there was something going on with the building.” But, she says, she is looking forward to playing a more-hands on role in that regard; after all, she and her husband chose Woodstock to relocate to because of the tight-knit small town feel she sensed.
With her husband Hugh, a professional woodworker, Belton sketched out an idea of places the couple were considering and penciled out their top priorities in choosing a new place: plenty of outdoor activities, a sense of community, and at the top of the list, a incredible library. Some towns, Belton said, had several qualities they wanted, but no town but Woodstock hit every single one.
“I remember exactly the day – it was December 13, 2010, Wassail weekend. We walked into the library and I stood right there, looking up at the mezzanine. And there was Peter Rousmainere, reading from ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales.’ It was perfect, and I thought, ‘this is it, exactly.’”
A reception for Belton at the Norman Williams Public Library is planned for February 1 from 5 pm until 6:30 p.m. and residents are encouraged to welcome her in her new position.

Mentor Brunch
For over thirty five years, Windsor County Partners has paired adult volunteers “Senior Partners” with boys and girls from Windsor County ages 5-18 “Junior Partners” in fun, caring, trusting relationships.
January is “Mentoring Month” and as part of this month long celebration, WCP hosted a Mentor Recognition Brunch in Windsor on Saturday.
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Photo

A portion of these photo first appeared in the February 2, 2012 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

See more photo galleries

Click here if you are having trouble viewing this gallery.

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

by Paul Bousquet
Special to the Standard
AT&T Expanding Broadband Coverage At Vermont Ski Resorts
AT&T announced earlier this month that it is expanding its capacity to accommodate higher usage of its mobile broadband network in the Vermont ski towns of Ludlow, Stowe, Killington, and Wilmington.
“As part of the Vermont community, we’re always looking for new opportunities to provide an enhanced customer experience to residents and winter tourists alike, and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way we’re accomplishing that,” said Steve Krom, vice president and general manager for AT&T New England.
In the past year, AT&T added three new cell sites in Vermont. It also added higher capacity connections (4G) at over 110 cell sites while expanding its mobile broadband capacity at more than 75 cell sites.
Enhanced communications tools are considered a vital necessity in meeting the needs of the 4 million winter visitors to ski resorts. AT&T operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network.

Shumlin Named Among 12 ‘Leaders Who Get Things Done’
While right-wing Republicans gridlock Washington, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin ranks among a dozen leaders highlighted by Rolling Stone Magazine who get things accomplished.
Shumlin’s immediate response in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene in quickly restoring hundreds of miles of damaged roads to which residents in Woodstock region can attest, and landmark legislation in establishing health care reform in Vermont are among important developments cited.
The governor signed into law the nation’s first single-payer, universal health care legislation arguing that it will reduce medical costs, cut administrative waste, and end duplicate procedures. It must still receive approval of federal regulators for “Green Mountain Care” to be fully implemented, that expected no earlier than 2014. Shumlin assures the nearly 200,000 underinsured residents (nearly one-third of the state’s population) they will be covered. According to him, health care dollars will be spent to keep “Vermonters healthy, not on insurance company profits.”
Former governor Howard Dean speaks of the legislation as a possible model for the rest of the country. However, the governor and state legislature must still design, finance and implement Green Mountain Care. Dean cautions, “The really heavy lifting is ahead of us.”

Friends Gather to Celebrate Birthday of Clara Hoisington
The cold temperatures of Saturday night did not deter over 100 friends and family who gathered at the Bridgewater Grange Hall to celebrate and pay tribute to Bridgewater’s Clara Hoisington on her 90th birthday. “It’s a wish come true,” said Clara while proudly greeting friends, neighbors, and nearly 40 family members. A long buffet table with an array of delicious food provided by family and friends filled one side of the hall. With but one exception, all living members of Clara’s immediate family attended the gathering. Grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, spouses and friends made up the remainder of the gathering who came to pay their respect for Clara. Together with a beautiful corsage, new sweater, party hat, and flanked by birthday balloons, Clara sat surrounded by well-wishers during the 3 hour celebration.

A Unique Idea for Valentine’s Day
Here’s a way to put a little romance into your life: How about a singing Valentine? Dressed in tuxedos, a male quartet will deliver a love song, card, rose, candies, and a photo of the event anywhere in the Upper Valley from Woodstock to New London and Claremont to Fairlee.
The North Country Chordsmen can be reserved anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on either Sunday, February 12 or Tuesday, February 14. Call 888-293-9191 to make reservations for a singing Valentine.

Midwifery Practice at Gifford Medical Center Lauded
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) has named Gifford Medical Center’s midwifery practice as “best practice” among small-size practices in the United States. The honor was based upon 2010 results collected from participating practices across the nation.
The staff at Gifford is comprised of 4 obstetric and gynecology professionals together with 6 certified nurse-midwives providing 24 hour care at its Birthing Center.

Bill Moyers and Company Return to Public Television
Bill Moyers premiered his new show last Saturday evening on Vermont Public TV. Absent from the airwaves for a considerable period of time, Moyers has returned bringing thoughtful insight into well-researched topics. The opening show explored how America’s gross income inequality is no accident, but was in fact “politically engineered.” His two qualified guests, both political scientists, explain “how politicians rewrote the rules to create a winner-take-all economy that favors the 1 percent over everyone else, putting our once and future middle class in peril.”
Topics are relevant and explained in such a way that is understandable to all of us.

The purpose of this column is to primarily recognize what is happening in the business community. If you have news of a business nature, you may reach Paul Bousquet via e-mail at Paulbousquet@comcast.net or by phone at 802-457-9256.

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Gwen Stanley
Standard Staff
Woodstock Elementary School will commence with a full-day Kindergarten program this fall, after a 2-0 vote was passed last Tuesday to approve the plan.
The current day for Kindergarteners is from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and a full day program will extend that day until 2:50 p.m.
The board had been considering a move to a full-day program for some time now, according to WES School Board Chair Paige Hiller.
“We explored it a couple years ago when it was my first time on the board,” Hiller said, “but we didn’t get a good reaction at that time, and decide there was no need to push it.”
This time around, though, Principal Karen White presented surveys to parents and staff and found the reaction was much more positive now.
The board cited several reasons for advocating for a full-time program.
“In the 8 a.m. to 12:30 program, with state regulations these days, we’re jamming a lot of information into these kids and they really still need time to explore and socialize,” said Hiller.
“Our budget is looking pretty good at this point,” Hiller said. “We’re at a good place budget-wise. I always ask, are we saving or are we flat? As long as we’re not losing, I’m good.”
The plan at this time is to use funds previously use for a remedial reading program after school, which is now staffed by Nancy Stockwell.
Principal Karen White said this week that moving the money spent on that toward full-time kindergarten is workable now because not many students are utilizing the remedial reading program at this time.
“Because of the fact, that we can reduce (the program) this is a good time to do it. Whereas another time we might not be able to take that away,” she said.
White points out that this doesn’t indicate a broader move away from support services for the school.
“We are still ready to and do provide support services — I don’t want to send the message that I’m not thinking of that, because we absolutely are,” she said.
Woodstock resident Steve Thomas said Monday that while he agrees that a full day may work for some kids, he objects to the notion that the change won’t have an effect on taxpayers at all.
“To pass it off as not an increase is erroneous, because there will be some change,” he said. “However, I would defer to those with children.”
Another consideration is the possibility of consolidation in local schools’ future, which could send students of smaller schools to Woodstock for kindergarten through sixth grade.
“With smaller schools probably closing down in five or ten years, a full-day kindergarten makes us a better options for those schools. When we were talking to Reading about the possibility of them coming to our school, they raised the question of full time kindergarten — that would be very important to traveling parents who would have to drive midday out to Woodstock.”
Advocates of full-day kindergarten cite increased school readiness, academic achievement, and better attendance in kindergarten and through the primary grades. Woodstock Elementary School teachers responded to an electronic survey sent by White with a vote of 15 in favor of the measure and three against it, with one vote not applicable.
In asking for feedback from parents and townspeople, Principal Karen White said, comments from parents included those with both perspectives on the issue. Some expressed concern about the long day being too much for children.
“I still believe that five-year-olds should not be in school all day,” said one who commented.
“I know they go to daycare and after-kindergarten care, but it’s not the same as school. Kindergarten now is too academic and I worry that if we go to full day, then it will become more academic, just an excuse for more lessons to “get ready for first grade.”
Other comments were positive, saying “In these economic times, full-day kindergarten is better for families with two working parents and for single parents.” Many of those suggested a rest period was necessary so as not to tire the children out.
White said that she feels strongly that kindergartens are at a good age to be in school for those hours and will benefit from the socialization as well as from a more unstructured time during the longer day to play and rest.

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Eric Francis
Standard Correspondent
WOODSTOCK – Roughly one in four homeowners within the Village of Woodstock have a responsibility that they do not share with the other residences around them: namely, the obligation to shovel off any snow that falls upon the segment of the Village-owned sidewalk that traverses their property.
It’s not just a neighborly thing to do, it’s a legal obligation enshrined in a long-standing Village ordinance that even provides for a potential $75 fine if a homeowner doesn’t get their section of sidewalk cleared within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm.
Although actual instances of fining people are few and far between, “Some people are just mad that they have to do it,” noted Woodstock Village Trustees Chairman Candace Coburn, who said she “gets it” when it comes to the complaints.
“People have very valid points about why they don’t like the current system,” Coburn noted. “One person said, `We don’t mind going out the first time and we don’t mind going out the second time but when it’s like the fourth and fifth time in one storm and the street plow has just pushed it all back on the sidewalk…’”
The sidewalk ordinance is one of the reasons that business owners can be seen scurrying out en mass with shovels and brooms each time the flakes start to fall along Central and Elm Streets but these days it stands as something of an anachronism even by the idiosyncratic standards of Vermont as a whole.
“What’s interesting is that of the 42 towns we called around Vermont to see how they handle things we didn’t find any of them that does it like Woodstock does it,” said Realtor and long-time Pleasant Street resident Peter Saman, noting, “Every single one of the towns we talked to clears their sidewalks for their residents.”
How worked up residents get about the ordinance tends to rise and fall in lockstep with the annual snowfall totals but while last year’s continuous dumping of the white stuff managed to get the issue firmly before the Village trustees, the need to debate any significant outlays of money at the annual Village Meeting on March 20 means that any real changes to the current system will not take place until the winter of 2012-2013.
In the meantime, much like students tackling a complicated “story problem” in a seventh grade math class, the six-member Sidewalk Committee appointed by the Village Trustees is trying to figure out how to even go about calculating the most cost-effective ways to get the snow off the 6.25 miles of sidewalks that snake through downtown Woodstock.
“The first question is should the Village even take on this service?” Chairman Coburn explained, adding, “And then, if we do take it on, how do we handle it?”
There are actually a lot of different options but they mostly fall within two major categories: either giving the task to the Village Highway Department or paying private contactors to do the work.
“The Village Highway Department is bare bones and they are already tapped out doing the roads when we have these big storms,” Coburn said, “They are just working constantly.”
An estimate pulled together for the committee by Highway Foreman David Green pegged the cost of adding a professional sidewalk shoveling operation to the existing department’s repertoire at about $103,000 including equipment such as heavy-duty snow blowers, a used pickup truck and sidewalk plow vehicle.
“We’d also have to build a shed, probably down by the sewer department, to house the salt and sand,” Coburn said. “There’s lots of costs when you decide to really do it.”
The largest cost would be labor because it would involve another person dedicated to sidewalk clearing who wasn’t part of the regular department and it’s hard to envision a part-time employee who would be available and standing by for just those occasions when snow is falling.
“David Green pointed out that other towns which do this usually have a water and sewer department they can pull an extra person from during storms,” Coburn explained.
“We have a private water department in town and our sewer department is already run with three people when the recommendation is for four people. We don’t have any fluff to pull from.”
The Village already hires a private contractor to clear sections of Village-owned sidewalk which are not in front of private homes or businesses – and to clear sections that have not been properly cleared by individual residents for whatever reason (although, in those cases, the homeowners will eventually get a $40 an hour bill from the Village for that service, and potentially a fine) and that is the model that the Sidewalk Committee is spending most of its effort exploring at the moment.
“We’ve already sent out bids basically saying, `Okay private contractors, if you want this work, what is it going to look like?’,” Coburn said. The committee is set to review the bids, which are based on breaking the Village down into four sections and letting interested parties bid on some or all of the quadrants for the winter season, during their next meeting this coming week on January 24 at 3 p.m. at the Town Hall.
Based on what they learn about the potential costs of using private contractors, the Sidewalk Committee will then begin crafting a series of proposals with the hopes that they can be before the voters for consideration at the March 20 Village Meeting.
“We’re still looking at how it will be presented to the voters,” Coburn said, noting, “The February 14th meeting will be interesting because that’s when the recommendations from the committee will first be shown to voters and then the Village Meeting will be where it all gets hashed out.”
“I think there should be options,” Coburn continued, “This vote could start out with the biggest proposal and say, “If this passes then the others are off the table,” but if it doesn’t pass then you go to the next option, and then the next if that doesn’t pass, and so on.”
Deciding what size program would potentially make sense for Woodstock is going to be a challenge in part because the other towns across Vermont that volunteers, including Saman, polled in recent weeks are so diverse in what they do and what they pay to have it done.
Some towns shell out as little as $11 an hour, others pay $65. Some, like Hartford, have state-of-the-art Trackless plows that zoom down sidewalks in Quechee and White River Junction with articulating blades, flashing lights, and an on-board salt and sand spreader. Others, like Newbury Village, rely on a local resident with a John Deere tractor and a snowblower.
Saman said what he concluded from calling around Vermont was that village centers with between 10 and 30 miles of sidewalks to clear tended to use the more expensive, dedicated equipment and personnel while villages with less than 10 miles had a much quirkier mix of methods and options.
Saman, who gets out and shovels the 92 feet worth of Village sidewalk which runs alongside Route 4 in front of his home, said another consideration for residents like him is the legal liability that comes with being responsible for that ribbon of concrete. “A lot of us pay about $300 a year for umbrella policies to cover our sidewalk,” in case someone were to be injured upon it, Saman noted.
Having the Village take up the responsibility for plowing the sidewalks would confer “municipal immunity” upon the property owners who currently have to worry about that liability but Coburn said that one possible outcome of the Sidewalk Committee’s current push to come up with a proposal is that the voters could decide to stick with the status quo.
Part of the reason is that it’s not clear whether or not it will be possible to craft a plan that exempts business owners, such as the Woodstock Inn which currently maintains a considerable swath of sidewalks in the downtown, from the scope of any changes to the sidewalk ordinance.
Coburn said she doubted the Inn, which has it’s own staff to see to prompt sidewalk clearing would cede that to a town crew or the town’s contractors, but she said under the current proposals, “Their taxes would still be affected (and effectively) they’d be paying for plowing twice.”
There are about 127 residences in Woodstock Village that have sidewalks out front and, Coburn predicted, even as the Sidewalk Committee starts to come up with proposals in the weeks ahead, “Whatever happens someone is not going to be happy.”

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Gwen Stanley
Standard Staff
Michael Creasy has been named the new Superintendent of Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and the Executive Director of the Conservation Study Institute, replacing Rolf Diamant and Nora Mitchell, both of whom retired in September.
Creasy has 27 years of work with the National Park Service under his belt, the last seven of those as superintendent of Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell, Massachussetts. His experience isn’t limited to New Engand, though. “Prior to Lowell, I was the executive director of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for ten years,” he said. “Before coming to New England I was working out of the NPS regional office in Santa Fe New Mexico. I was a program manager working primarily on a bi-national project along the Texas-Mexico border, Los Caminos del Rio,” he said. “The borderlands were a fascinating experience and I was responsible for developing a plan to preserve and develop a cultural and wildlife corridor along the last 200 miles of the Rio Grande. Early in my career I was a park planner that worked in the NPS Philadelphia office primarily on plans for potential new national parks and on management plans for existing parks and heritage areas. And I got my roots in the National Park Service early on as a summer ranger in jobs that included working as a mounted horse patrol ranger, trail patrol ranger, an interpretive ranger and a river ranger.”
Creasy said he is excited about the move to Vermont.
“I’ve lived and worked in New England for 17 years – Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I’ve been to Vermont on occasion for skiing, visiting family in Rutland hiking, and site seeing. I don’t feel like I know Vermont and look forward to exploring more of the state. I have been to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller numerous times for work related meetings and workshops. Rolf and Nora were close colleagues and I had many chances to work with them on various National Park Service initiatives.”
When asked about the differences between Lowell’s Park and MBR Park, Creasy said, “I think when you lose two great park service leaders like Rolf and Nora there will obviously be changes just by there loss. However, they put the park and the Conservation Study Institute in a very good position to continue to advance the lofty goals that were established with the development of the park. I think my role will be to first get to Woodstock and meet the staff, partners and members of the community and see where we go from there.”
The National Park in Lowell has a distinctly different character and roots, shares a similar interest in historic preservation with MRB Park.
“Lowell is a community that is very proud of its national park and the park has been a good partner in many activities. The park has a very strong historic preservation program that has made incredible progress in preserving the historic character of Lowell and in turn has been considered the national model for regeneration of a post industrial city. Over 80 percent of the decaying five million square feet of mill space in Lowell in the 1970s have been restored generating some $400M in private development over the last five years. Lowell is also noted for one of the largest experiential education programs in the national park service and hosts the largest free folk festivals in the nation as well.”
Creasy added, “I am very honored and excited to be coming to a community that seems to be very engaged in issues related to land stewardship and heritage-based economic development. The wonderful stories I read and heard about when the flooding occurred gave me a sense that this is a community that really cares about its people and that feels like a good place to be a part of.”
“I was just up to Woodstock yesterday and met with a real estate agent to look for housing in Woodstock. We plan on being in Woodstock by the beginning of March and hope that the snow situation improves for skiing,” he said.

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Christopher Bartlett
Here’s a test. First consider these two statements:
• The United States, with 5 percent of the world’s population, consumes 25 percent of the world’s resources and generates 30% of its waste.
• On average, each person in the United States is responsible for making 4 1/2 pounds of garbage each day.
Multiple-choice response: Which of the following best characterizes your reaction to those statements?
A. Resignation: “It’s a shame, but that’s just the way things are.”
B. Anger: “We really should be doing something about this.”
C. Commitment: “I’m going to help to change this terrible situation.”
Many of us have become numbed by information that regularly highlights the huge waste in our consumption-driven society. On hearing such alarming data, we find ourselves shaking our heads and tut-tutting about the deteriorating state of the world. And yet, we end up responding in categories A and B.
But the WUHS students enrolled in the school’s Conservation Leadership Institute (CLI) have reacted differently. When they saw those statistics cited in The Story of Stuff, an animated online documentary they viewed as part of their studies on sustainability, their reaction was to go for option C. And starting next week, they’re going to see what a difference they can make.
“The students began by researching the school’s existing sustainability practices, expanded into relabeling the recycling bins, and eventually decided to do a full school-wide waste audit,” said Kat Robbins, the leader of CLI, a partnership between the National Park Service and the Windsor Central Supervisory Union. “CLI emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, so I was delighted when they decided to find ways to reduce the amount of trash we send to the landfill.”
The effort will start on Tuesday, January 24, when volunteers will collect the trash and recycling from 95 rooms around campus. The following day, they will don rubber gloves and sort the waste in the school’s garage. They plan to enlist students from the journalism class to record all his activities on video.
By capturing the waste stream of the whole school, the project’s objective is to gather data, do analysis, and develop recommendations to raise consciousness and make changes to WUHS’s recycling guidelines and practices. The long term goal is to achieve a recycling rate of 95 percent within a year.
“The administration is very supportive of the project,” said Kat Robbins. “Al Legacy, the facilities manager, has been tremendously helpful in providing information about the school’s systems. And he’s very open to problem-solving conversations with students.”
This is a big project, and the students are looking for help. Contact Kat Robbins at krobbins@wcus.net or call her on 802-760-7532. It promises to be an interesting experience. And just think of the satisfaction of being able to choose option C on the opening test!

A Mass of Christian burial for Richard ‘Dick” W. Scelza, Sr. who died peacefully at his home, January 26, 2012, with his wife Anna, of 55 years at his side was celebrated Tuesday, January 31 at St. Anthony Church. Burial followed in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, both in White River Jct.

He was born October 21, 1932, in White River Junction, Vermont, Richard was the third son of Anthony and Louise (Romano) Scelza, in the family of 10 children.
He graduated from Hartford High School in 1950, having been very involved with both the music and athletic programs. He enlisted in the US Navy in April 1951 as a Seaman Recruit-El. After basic training in Newport, RI, he then served on the USS Waccamaw, and later was transferred to USS Firedrake, where he served his first deployment in the Korean War. Returning to the United States he attended the US Naval School of journalism in Great Lakes Illinois. Upon graduation he was selected to serve on the staff of Vice Admiral Alfred M. Pride, Seventh Fleet Commander, with the Admirals staff; he served on board the USS New Jersey during the Korean War, then after the war on the USS Iowa, USS Wisconsin, USS St. Paul, and the USS Los Angeles. He was honorably discharged in January 1955, as a Navy Journalist 2nd class-E5.

Richard was married on June 15, 1957 to Anna C. B, Audsley, of Woodstock VT, daughter of Arthur and Ruth (Luce) Audsley. They have children, Ann, Anthony, Lori, Rich and Matthew. They also have 12 grandchildren, Bridget and Jesse Labrie, Nicholas and Adam Scelza Jennifer, Rebecca, Danielle and Anthony J. Scelza; Brianna Boyd, Morgan and Marissa Pond, and Emily Scelza and two great grandchildren, Nicholas and Mya Boyd.

Richard attended the University of Connecticut Storrs, CT, and graduated in 1959, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He worked at the University in Storrs upon graduation, and then with the Internal Revenue Service in Hartford, CT. He began his teaching career at Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax, VT (1960-61), and he also coached both Varsity and Junior Varsity girls’ basketball. He left Fairfax to teach 3 years at Essex Junction High School, Essex Junction, VT. He was offered a career change and went to work at IBM, Essex Junction, VT as a Senior Accounting Analyst. He also taught evening classes at Champlain College and in a local bank for the American Banking Association Accounting program. A full time position was offered at Champlain College, so he left IBM, and accepted the position as an Assistant Professor in Accounting and Federal Income taxes at Champlain College, Burlington, VT. While at Champlain College, he completed his Master’s in Education in Guidance Degree from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT. After completing his degree, he left Champlain to teach at Springfield, VT high school as a coordinator and teacher in the Distributive Education program. After this position, he left Springfield to be a Vocational Guidance Counselor and the Director of Vocational Education at Fall Mountain High School, Alstead. NH.

Upon leaving Fall Mountain, Richard accepted a position as Dean of Students, Director of Admissions, and Financial Aid at the New Hampshire Vocational Technical College, Portsmouth. NH. Thus he moved his family to Eliot, ME and spent 7 years at the college. The next 18 years in the education field were at Marshwood High School, Eliot, ME (now So. Berwick, ME) as a Guidance Counselor and as Guidance Department Director, retiring in June 1997. He then taught evenings in the Marshwood Adult Education Program. After leaving teaching entirely, he was employed by Key Bank and then as Treasurer for St. Raphael’s Church, Kittery ME.
He is survived by his wife Anna, daughters Ann Marie Labrie and husband Edward A. of Canaan, NH, Lori Scelza-Pond, of Sanford, ME, Sons Anthony M. Scelza and wife Michele, of No. Hartland, VT, Richard W. Scelza, Jr. and his wife Lynda, of Rochester, NH and Matthew Scelza and his wife Kelly of Charles Town, WV and his grandchildren and great- grandchildren, as well as his two sisters, Madeline Scelza and Concetta Leonard and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, 2 brothers, Angelo and Anthony Scelza, and 5 sisters, Angela Gravel, Josephine Coutermarsh, Margaret Gour, Michelina Scelza, and Rosanna Gillies.

Richard was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, 3rd and 4th Degree, having served as Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, District Deputy, and a State Chairman in New Hampshire. He was also a life member of the VFW, White River Junction Post #2571, a life member of the BPOE Elks Club #1541 of Hartford, VT, and a member of the American Legion Post #26 of White River Junction, VT. He was a member of the Maine Education Association, Maine Retired Teachers Association, and the National Education Association. He also served on the School Board for SAD #35 in Eliot ME, and as Little League and Babe Ruth baseball coach, as a supporter of the new soccer program, also in Eliot, ME. He was a life-long, enthusiastic fan of the Red Sox, the Patriots, the Celtics, and the Boston Bruins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Church, 15 Church St. White River Junction, VT or the American Heart Association New England Affiliate, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.
Condolences may be expressed in an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.
This obituary first appeared in the February 2nd print edition of the Vermont Standard.

To see more obituaries click here.