Archive - May 2011
May 30th
BRISTOL — Tax rates in some Addison Northeast Supervisory Union towns likely will increase in the coming year by a penny more than they otherwise would have as school directors, on the advice of supervisory union officials, try to rein in operating deficits for all six district schools.
ANeSU interim business manager Susan Jefferies shifted into high gear early this month to quickly draw up fiscal action plans for each of the schools after audits released at that time showed the official cumulative deficits that the schools had run.
MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury volunteer and activist Dottie Neuberger might be one of the six recent recipients of honorary degrees from Middlebury College, but before the May 22 commencement ceremony she would never have dreamed about sharing the stage with a U.S. senator or an internationally recognized geneticist.
“I don’t see myself in the same category as most of the honorary degree recipients,” Neuberger said last week.
VERGENNES — Vergennes aldermen at their May 24 meeting got their first look at a draft 2011-2012 budget that City Manager Mel Hawley said should mean no increase in the municipal portion of the city tax rate if they adopt it as proposed in the weeks to come.
And Vergennes homeowners might be looking at a lower tax rate overall.
The current municipal tax rate rounds to 60.3 cents. The city’s full 2011 residential rate including school taxes is $1.8895, and the non-residential rate is $1.9641.
MIDDLEBURY — Emergency response officials from throughout the region turned out in full uniform on Thursday to celebrate the life of Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association (MVAA) founding member George “Wedge” Murdoch, who died May 22 after a long illness.
Murdoch, 76, was recalled by his colleagues as a dedicated and caring man with a wry sense of humor.
MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury has already carved out a niche as the state’s premier chili destination, drawing upwards of 3,000 people to its annual winter carnival and chili festival.
Now the town is looking to expand its gastronomic reputation into the warmer months: The Better Middlebury Partnership (BMP) is looking this August to launch the first annual Midd Summer Festival to showcase the best cheese, wine and beer the state has to offer
BRIDPORT — The town of Bridport will be throwing itself a big birthday party in June, and everyone is invited.
Bridport is one of 10 Addison County communities that will be marking the 250th anniversary of their town charters this year. Many towns will mark the occasion with special ceremonies, potluck dinners and displays of old photos and other historical memorabilia.
BRISTOL — A tavern called ND’s, named after proprietors Nina Badger and David Bannister, is set to replace the bar formerly known as Dan’s Place on the east end of Main Street in Bristol by mid June.
After Dan Palmer closed his bar in February, he was unable to reopen as planned in April.
Fortunately for the loyal following of Dan’s Place frequenters, Badger (who helped Palmer initially decorate and set up his spot) and Bannister (one of Palmer’s investors) are promising a bar very reminiscent of its former self.
BRISTOL — Addison Northeast Supervisory Union recently hired seasoned school finance veteran Edward Gomeau to take over as its business manager. In July, Gomeau will take over an operation that has been plagued with deficits over the past two years.
Presently in his fourth year as director of finance and operations for New Haven Public Schools in Connecticut, the new business manager touts a hefty history in the field of fiscal management.
