Archive - News Article

Newport Center Holds Off Opening Old Water Well Due to Arsenic

May 17, 2012

NEWPORT CENTER – Newport Center officials want to rejuvenate a well that has been off line for more than a decade. But first they need to deal with arsenic levels higher than permitted by the federal government.
Putting the old well on line will ease concerns about water issues during the summer months, when town officials ask 150 or so homes on the systems to conserve water.

PSB Revises Derby Line Wind Schedule

May 17, 2012

DERBY – Tuesday, the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) revised the schedule for the proposed Derby Line Wind project with hearings now set for the end of August.
The project, which involves the construction of two 420 foot plus turbines on farms in Derby Line, near the US-Canadian border is highly contentious and is generating international controversy.
The developer, Encore Redevelopment of Burlington, failed to notify adjoining property owners to one of the projects as required under PSB rules. Stanstead was not officially notified, either, when other surrounding towns were.

Walk, Run, Dance at the Dandelion Run Events

May 17, 2012

NEWPORT, VT -  The 2012 Dandelion Run kicks off this year with The Dandy Dinner, Friday evening between 6 and 9:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend, there is a charge but it includes a post-dinner and a live music show.
Reckless Breakfast, a terrific contemporary Bluegrass band from the Hanover area, will be playing. Those who caught their performance at last year's festival, are likely not to miss their return.

Mother’s Day Every Day

May 17, 2012

NEWPORT, VT - Robert Gosselin, owner of Spates the Florist and Garden Center, presented a dozen roses to Michelle Frawley of Derby, Thursday.
Frawley, who won Spates' annual Mother's Day Contest, will receive a dozen roses every month for a year.
Spates offers this prize annually.

Marcotte Seeks Another Term

May 16, 2012

COVENTRY – Republican Michael Marcotte of Coventry is seeking his fifth term for the House of Representatives for District Orleans-2, which consists of Newport City, Newport Center, Irasburg and Coventry.
Marcotte said he’s enjoyed the past eight years in Montpelier. “It’s been a great learning experience,” he said. “I enjoy working for constituents in my district.”
Marcotte is vice-chair of the Economics Committee and has an excellent working relationship with the chair of his committee, Bill Botzow, and with Speaker of the House Shap Smith.

Missisquoi Ambulance Back in Troy

May 16, 2012

NORTH TROY – Tuesday, Troy voters appropriated $23,450 for ambulance services from Missisquoi Valley Ambulance Service (MVAS). MVAS had requested that amount at Town Meeting but voters had rejected the request.
Tuesday's vote passed 53 to 21.
On Town Meeting Day, residents voted to pay $18,585 instead of the requested amount. Scott Rappold, MVAS president, reacted by sending a letter to the Troy Select Board that stated the service could not provide coverage for the approved amount.

Derby Line Ambulance Takes Heat

May 16, 2012

DERBY - Two Derby residents are taking heat for asking questions about how Derby Line Ambulance operates. An attorney now working with the ambulance calls the residents' actions "inappropriate."
Nathan Pickard and Roger Gosselin have attended the last few Derby Select Board meetings to state their concerns.
The select board has allowed limited discussion. Questions on whether or not the service is public or private and whether conversations should take place at a select board meeting have come up.

Beware Bullies: NCUHS Puts Bullies in the Spotlight

May 16, 2012

NEWPORT, VT - Bullying and harassment of students are coming under greater scrutiny, says Orleans Essex North Supervisory Union Superintendent Dr. Robert Kerr at the recent North Country Union High School Board Meeting.
Responding in part to the school's disciplinary process for student offenses, Kerr noted that, under law, schools can be held liable if they do not report and intervene when a charge of bullying occurs.

Derby Board Votes “No” to Wind, Finally, Almost

May 15, 2012

DERBY- Derby Town’s attorney Richard Saudek attended the select board meeting Monday evening to discuss where the town stands on the Derby Line Wind project. The meeting was delayed while the board waited for Saudek to show up. The board spent the time handling other matters.
Approximately 75 people, including the United States and Canadian media, Stanstead residents and town council members, and Stanstead Mayor Philippe Dutil crowded into the meeting room with some standing in the halls trying to hear the discussion.

City Officials Challenge Incumbents in VT House Race

May 15, 2012

PAUL MONETTE

NEWPORT CITY – Mayor Paul Monette is seeking a seat at the House of Representatives in Montpelier. Monette is running as an Independent.
“The time is right,” said Monette. “I feel we need some changes, some new blood in Montpelier.”
Monette feels he can bring some new ideas and thoughts to the Statehouse. He’s running as an Independent because he’s never belonged to a political party and feels the two party system isn’t working well. 
“You need it more at the national level,” he said. “I think people forget they should compromise.”