Archive - Mar 2011
March 28th
MIDDLEBURY — In the future, astronauts exploring the parched reaches of the moon and outer space may well owe a debt of gratitude to students of Middlebury’s Aurora School. That’s because eight fifth- and sixth-graders at the small private school have developed two water recycling schemes that NASA will be reviewing — and lauding — as part of a national scholastic competition.
MIDDLEBURY — After a tense search, the family of Middlebury College student and Ripton native Pathik “Tik” Root has ascertained that he is “safe and well,” in the custody of Syrian authorities.
The search for Tik Root has been on since shortly after March 18, when, according to his father, Tom, he likely went out to observe the protests that were happening in Damascus, where he was studying Arabic, and was picked up by the police.
VERMONT — A team of 17 Japanese students and six administrators from Tottori Prefecture bunked up with the families of 15 Vermont students and several teachers from Mount Abraham and Harwood union high schools last week. The students explored a wide range of environmental issues together by visiting such places as the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, the Statehouse and Mount Abe.
MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury Assistant Town Manager Joe Colangelo will be stepping down this week to take the job of town administrator of Hinesburg.
Colangelo has served as Middlebury’s assistant manager for the past three and a half years, focusing on budget matters and human resources.
In a press release, the Hinesburg selectboard said they were impressed with Colangelo’s “candor,” his “dedication” and “his ability to listen to and communicate with the town staff.”
VERGENNES — The city of Vergennes will change how it sends out sewer bills. In the upcoming fiscal year, homeowners will receive their sewer bills quarterly along with their tax bills.
Aldermen at a March 22 meeting agreed with City Manager Mel Hawley and City Clerk Joan Devine that such a change in when bills are sent would be more efficient and save the city money in the long run. They also said that for most homeowners it would be easier to make quarterly payments of $87.50 rather than two semi-annual payments of $175.
MIDDLEBURY —Middlebury officials on Tuesday reported continuing progress in talks aimed at advancing a small-scale hydroelectric project at the Otter Creek Falls.
The Holm family has been seeking to install a water turbine that would harness electricity from the creek as it flows through a flume under a downtown building (owned by the Holms) that borders the south side of the Otter Creek Falls. It is a project that could generate more than 1 megawatt of electricity — enough to power the downtown area, according to Anders Holm.
VERGENNES — Vergennes aldermen last week acknowledged the city could not keep up with this winter’s near-record snowfall, but defended the efforts of the city’s public works department.
Mayor Michael Daniels said at the March 22 city council meeting that he was particularly upset about abuse public works employees had received from some residents despite what he called the employees’ tireless efforts.
VERGENNES — City resident Catherine Brooks, the cultural heritage tourism coordinator for the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, told the City Council at a March 22 meeting about an opportunity for Vergennes to link up with Plattsburgh to celebrate the upcoming 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
A pivotal event in that war is variously known as the Battle of Plattsburgh or the Battle of Valcour Island. The ships that fought in the winning U.S. side were built in Vergennes.
