Our Middlesex Town Meeting 2012 - Middlesex Newspaper

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Page 4 Middlesex Newspaper MARCH 2012 Greetings! Update from Our State Representative Tony Klein Town meeting break means the legislature is at what should be the half way point of the session. It has been a very busy session so far. I believe the House has passed more bills so far than anytime in recent history. As you all know our issues and problems are huge. We are addressing the needs created by Irene. We continue to have tough budget issues. Health care, as you know, is moving forward. We have energy and Vt. Yankee issues to deal with. And we have many more tough decisions to make, including where to put the 1800 Waterbury state employees and how big will our new state mental hospital be. We are trying to tackle all these issues and adjourn before the end of April. We have our work cut out for us! The Budget For the last 5 years, the Legislature has wrestled with a budget gap between projected revenues and projected budget pressures brought on by the Great Recession. Although we face a $61 million gap, it is the smallest in 5 years. Although this gap is smaller, unanticipated challenges came forward as we face a state ravaged by spring floods and Tropical Storm Irene. The upward pressures on the budget include increasing caseloads in human services; increased General Fund contribution to the Education Fund that will relieve pressure on the property tax; funding for more state troopers and public safety; responsible payments to retirement funds; and reduced federal contributions to Medicaid and long term care. Thanks to good fiscal management in the current year, we have set aside $11 million in reserves to address some of the upcoming challenges. Better management of Medicaid services is estimated to conservatively save $5 million while improving health outcomes. This year we a confident that we will be able to avoid some of the painful decisions faced during the worst years of the recession. In that time we strove to make cuts to balance the budget while avoiding severe harm to core state services, these included: 600 position cuts, deferred replacement of safety equipment, salary reductions, grants elimination, and level funding state services even while caseloads were increasing due to the down economy. Tax Relief in the Wake of Irene Hurricane Irene wrought havoc on many of our fellow Vermonters, and our town and municipal governments were on the front lines providing relief. Before the Governor’s Budget Address on January 19, the House had passed two pieces of legislation to support cities and towns affected by Irene. The first bill gave municipalities an early commitment from the state to absorb the costs of storm-related education property tax abatement. The one-time cost of this measure will range between $2 to $4 million. The second bill enables the state treasurer to defer the due date of education taxes to the state from impacted municipalities -- from the normal statutory due date of Dec 1, 2011 to February 28, 2012. This allows cities and towns to maintain their cash flow and reassess their finances during their recovery. Eleven towns have chosen to take advantage of this deferment option. Education Property Tax Rate Every year the Legislature is required by statute to set the Education Property Tax rates. The Tax Commissioner makes a recommendation in December and these are reviewed by the House Ways and Means Committee in January. After much testimony and discussion, the House set the residential education property tax rate at 88 cents and non-residential rate at $1.37, with the base education spending amount per pupil at $8,723 in bill H. 754. The 70% of Vermonters who pay by income will still begin with a 1.8% base. These rates are a base upon which local spending choices are added. The rates are up a penny, largely due to a reduction in grand list value and the assumption that average school spending statewide will be up 1.7% - though the current figure is 2.6% with over half the districts reporting. Meeting our Recycling Needs In 1987, the State set a goal to reduce solid waste going to landfills by 50%. Unfortunately, this goal has fallen short, achieving only about 36%. In addition, waste generation per capita and by volume has increased significantly in the past 25 years. With only two operating landfills in the state and one near capacity, it is time to act. It is time to think of waste products not as trash, but as residual commodities with value for recycling. Photo taken at Middlesex Town Meeting Lt to Rt: Jeff Farber, Rep. Tony Klein & Enrique Bueno Vermont State Employees With the record spring flooding, many state employees had been providing extraordinary service to Vermonters as they struggled to keep roads and parks open. Then Irene struck. Agency of Transportation employees again stepped up to repair roads and bridges all over the state in record time. The state complex in Waterbury was significantly damaged, forcing the relocation 20% of the state’s work force. 1,500 employees moved to temporary work sites and were quickly back to work. The disruption to employees’ lives was significant; requiring many to increase travel time, find new childcare, and other modifications. Health Care Exchange Vermont is planning for the implementation of the health care exchange that is called for in the Affordable Care Act. Every state is setting up an exchange unless they prefer to let the federal government set one up for them. The exchange will make health coverage more affordable to middle class Vermonters by allowing them to access new federal tax credits and subsidies. The exchange will allow consumers to compare insurance products with a transparent, standardized web portal or with the help of trained navigators who can help Vermonters enroll. Working Vermonters will have a new freedom to choose a benefit plan that best meets their needs. Small businesses will be freed from the burden of administrating health benefits so they can focus on doing what they do best: growing business. Two-thirds of Vermonters may qualify for tax credits in the exchange. That means households making less than $92,200 (for a family of 4) will be eligible for help paying for their premium. Additionally, there will be greater support for households making $52,625 or less. The exchange will offer a full range of health plans that are modeled on the most popular health plans in Vermont in 2012. We expect there to be at least 10 different plans, ranging from high deductible plans to robust platinum coverage.The work of the House this year advanced cost containment projects, including payment reform and continued emphasis on prevention and management of illness through healthy life style choices of Vermonters. Working Vermonters will have portability when they purchase insurance in the exchange. Insurance coverage will be continuous whether you change jobs, reduce hours to stay home with a newborn or to start your own business. With premium assistance available through the exchange, it will be easier for Vermonters to maintain coverage during these big life changes. These are just a few of the topics the House has been working on. If you would like more information or information on any issue that concerns you, please don't hesitate to contact me. I am easily reached by cell phone at 802 793 6032 or by e-mail at twk@tonyklein.com. I appreciate hearing from you! It is an honor and a privilege to represent you. Thanks for your support! Rep. Tony Klein Residential Electrical Services all you’ll need to do is . . . flip the switch Middlesex Electric Serving Central Vermont Since 1983 Montpelier, Vermont 223-6129 A uniformed Licensed Electrician will provide an upfront price before we start your project.
MARCH 2012 Middlesex Newspaper Page 5 Musings from North Bear Swamp "Oh, Dear, I've Done it Again" By Tim Hayward Oh, Dear, I've done it again, and this time I've really done it. About a year ago, shortly after retiring from state service from the governor's office I was cajoled to join a team of my former colleagues to run the 100 on 100, a hundred mile relay race on Route 100 from Stowe to Okemo. The teams generally consist of six members with each running three segments of from three to seven miles each. Part of my motivation for doing such a crazy thing was to set a long-term goal, and do those things (conditioning) to meet it. Frankly, this endeavor was also a way for me to "fill the void" brought on by retirement. It worked, and in the five months leading up to the August race I was pretty well focused on my running. As I reported last summer this involved a lot of jogging on the back roads of Middlesex, all of them actually, and was great fun. And come the day of the 100 on 100 event itself I felt as prepared as I was going to be, and greatly enjoyed the event, and the camaraderie. Well, our team is signing-up again for the 2012 race, and you may soon see me back on the road, doing my slow jog. But, that's not my "Oh, Dear I've done it again" thing. I've being skiing Smugglers Notch quite a bit, and as a member of the Vermont Transportation Board I've had to travel to Morrisville for a number of hearings. Both of these took me from our home up West Hill Road to Minister Brook Road, down to Worcester Village and then north on Route 12. Each time I traveled this route I grew more attached to its beauty, and that section of wilderness between Worcester and Elmore is truly unique. I'm not sure when it hit me, perhaps it was more a growing thought, but at some point I realized I needed to run from our house to the Union Bank office in Morrisville. One of my 100 on 100 team members now works there, and somehow it just felt right; crazy, but right. And the distance of almost 24 miles would make it the "24 on 12." That almost sounded poetic, and enough for me to screw-up my courage to announce to my wife Sue that I had decided to do it. I knew her reaction would not be one of great enthusiasm, and I was right. Her first question was, "right now" "No," I assured her, but realizing I was going to do it anyway she soon came on-board, and started thinking how she could save me from myself, assuring enough liquids, energy drinks and the like. I, also, recruited some of my 100 on 100 teammates and come early some morning in late June we'll head north on what should be a challenging few hours of jogging through the heart of Vermont's beauty. And, I know Sue will assure plenty of watering stations for her wandering husband, and his faithful colleagues. So, as the old systems guy, I'm planning my schedule now with runs and distances to lead up to that necessary for me to maintain at least the semblance of a jog as I stagger into Morrisville. As I mentally prepare myself, I do realize I've "really done it this time," and hope that a year from now I won't need to use the same lead-in to my March 2013 Musings! Amphibian Road Crossing Season by Dave Shepard You're driving along a Middlesex road on the first warmish and rainy night of the early spring season. Since it's mud season you're not driving very fast and ahead you see a stick in the road; or is it a stick It very well may be a spotted salamander, a seldom seen although not uncommon amphibian resident of Vermont's woodlands. They, along with their amphibian brethren including wood frogs, spring peepers and other salamander species move from where they've spent the winter to vernal pools and other water bodies (even roadside ditches) on the first few warm (above 40º) and rainy nights in March or April in order to mate and lay their eggs. If you do find yourself driving on one of these nights, please drive slowly and keep an eye out for salamanders or frogs who may be crossing the road. The frogs are fairly obvious but as alluded to above the salamanders can look like a stick or maybe a large nightcrawler. One clue that it's a salamander and not a stick is that their head is raised up somewhat from the rest of their body. If you think you've spotted one please drive carefully around it; they don't move very fast. Or if it's safe to do so, pull over, get out and actually move the salamander to the side of the road in the direction he or she is heading to ensure a safe crossing. Handle the salamander carefully and as little as possible since they breathe through their skin but it's a real treat to see one up close. They're quite large, usually about 6 inches long, and black with large yellow spots. And don't worry, they don't bite! If your hands have lotion on them or other man- made chemicals it's best not to handle them. Our Middlesex Roads by Paul Cerminara - Road Foreman, Middlesex Highway Department Well mud season has officially kicked off! It's no surprise that with the longer days and the higher sun we are starting to get our first taste of mud. There are a few things you'll want to remember this time of year when driving on the back roads. One of them is to be mindful of the mud and all that comes with it. It is everywhere and a lot of time you won't know until it catches you off guard; other times you'll know full well way before hand! Another crucial thing to remember this time of year when it's warm during the day and cool at night, a sugars' dream, and ruts will tend to freeze during the night if we haven't had a chance to smooth them out. We go around and do our best before the morning commute but because the town is so large and the ruts are so abundant, we can only get to so many each evening. While we are on the rut subject, those morning snows and ruts can only equal bad news for everyone. I remind you to just slow down some when you encounter these areas. They can do horrible things even at what you think are "safe" speeds. Although the mud and hairy driving is with us for now, it's an early indication that spring is here and great Vermont weather is on its way. I'm sure everyone is just as excited to get out and enjoy the nice weather just as much as I am. Stay safe and we'll see you out on the road! There are a number of known crossing sites on Middlesex town roads and probably many more that we don't know about. If you're on Center Road a friend of the amphibians puts up signs each spring to alert drivers of a busy crossing zone. Another road crossing that usually has significant numbers is on Molly Supple Hill Road a short distance from the junction with East Hill Road. With a little care while on the road we can all help these amazing creatures to have a safe trip to their breeding pools.
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