YOUTH NEWS
Poetry contest
The Sarah Mook Poetry Contest is open to students in Grades K-12. Cash awards are First Prize ($100), Second Prize ($50), Third Prize ($25) in each of four grade categories: kindergarten through second, third through fifth, sixth through eighth and ninth through 12th. Additionally, three kindergarten poets will receive cash awards to purchase books for their school libraries: First ($100), Second ($50), Third ($25).
There is no entry fee; an optional $5 donation is suggested. Mail entries to Sarah Mook Poetry Prize, 896 Ferncliff Road, Poultney, VT 05764. Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2024. Winners will be announced in late May. Visit www.sarahmookpoetrycontest.com/home for contest guidelines.
AROUND TOWN
Leadership transition
STOWE — After a decade of leadership, Kristen Sharpless, executive director of Stowe Land Trust, will leave her role Jan. 31 to pursue a new opportunity at Northern Forest Center. During her tenure, Sharpless’ accomplishments include securing $13 million through partnerships to conserve 3,100 acres of farm, forest and recreation lands; expanding partnerships with local schools and youth groups to connect more families with nature; and advocating for collaborations between housing and conservation groups. Reflecting on her tenure, Sharpless expressed gratitude for the Stowe area community’s support of the land trust’s collaborative efforts. The land trust board will develop a transition plan, including a timeline for the search and selection of the next executive director.
AROUND VT
Grant program
The 2024 Vermont Watershed Grants Program is now accepting applications for projects that protect, restore and enhance the state’s lakes, streams, rivers and ponds, including Vermonters’ ability to understand and enjoy these assets. Applications are due no later than Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Program grants are available to municipalities, local and regional government agencies, sporting clubs, nonprofit organizations, and water-related citizen groups. For 2024, $70,000 is available to fund three categories: education and outreach ($5,000), planning, assessment, inventory, monitoring ($3,500); and on-the-ground implementation ($10,000).
Vermont Watershed Grants Program is a joint project of Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The Watershed Grants application guide and application forms are available at vtfishandwildlife.com/get-involved/apply-for-a-grant/watershed-grant online.
VTF&W
Licenses and lawbooks
Vermont 2024 hunting, trapping and fishing licenses, as well as the 2024 lawbooks for these activities, are now available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com) and wherever licenses are sold.
With ice fishing opening around the state as soon as cold temperatures arrive in January, Vermonters are encouraged to pick up their 2024 licenses at the earliest convenience. Existing five-year, permanent or lifetime licenses can be updated online Jan. 1.
License buyers can also add a $15 Habitat Stamp to their purchase to further support habitat conservation in Vermont.
BUSINESS
Contractor bonuses
Efficiency Vermont and the Agency of Natural Resources have launched new bonus offers for contractors to help repair residential heating and hot water systems damaged or destroyed by this summer’s floods. Bonuses are also available for projects that help Vermont households electrify their home heating needs and add flood resilience to their heating system.
The new offer incentivizes HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) contractors to prioritize flood-related projects in households impacted by the July and August floods. Bonuses can be collected for eligible flood-impacted home heating or hot water system projects that utilized Efficiency Vermont’s flood recovery rebates for the equipment being installed.
The new bonus offers, funded through a $200,000 grant from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), include:
— $1,000 incentive for installing eligible ducted or ductless heat pumps, electric hot water heaters, or heat pump hot water heaters (including new supplemental heating provided by heat pumps).
— $750 incentive for eligible central wood or pellet boilers, furnaces and stoves (including new supplemental heating provided by wood stoves).
— $500 incentive for ENERGY STAR-certified fossil fuel boilers, furnaces and hot water heaters.
— Up to $250 in a “resiliency adder” for installing systems above designated flood level.
— Up to $250 in “electrification adders” to complete a home electrification economic analysis, heat pump design calculations, installing eligible circulation pumps or installing eligible mechanical ventilation.
Contractors can receive bonus incentives for eligible projects completed in flood-impacted homes dating back to July 10, 2023, (including homes outside the nine counties declared as flood disasters by FEMA). Contractor bonuses are capped at $1,500 in incentives per household assisted and $15,000 in incentives per company.
The new bonuses are available to all contractors and are not restricted to members of the Efficiency Excellence Network (EEN).
Contractors interested in participating in the program should visit the Efficiency Excellence Network trade partners page at www.efficiencyvermont.com/trade-partners/efficiency-excellence-network online.
The new contractor bonuses are in addition to Efficiency Vermont’s flood recovery rebates for property owners, which include $10 million to replace heating systems and appliances in flood-impacted homes and rental units. Zero-interest Home Energy Loans of up to $30,000 are also available to help flood-impacted Vermonters rebuild.
Hannaford donation
Hannaford donated $1.3 million to new grant program aimed at improving the well-being of older adults in New England and New York. Connection, Health and Equity Through Food program will offer micro-grants to Vermont organizations to enhance food access and social opportunities for older adults. In addition to grants, the CHEF program also includes webinars focused on addressing food insecurity and social isolation in older adults, as well as the establishment of a Network Advisory Committee to recruit partners.
VMEC Board
The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center announced its 2023 annual election of VMEC Advisory Board members.
Re-elected for additional two-year terms are Gina Akley, president, Trow & Holden (Barre); David Blittersdorf, president/CEO/founder, AllEarth Renewables Inc. (Williston); and Janette Bombardier, P.E., chief technology officer and COO, Chroma Technology/89 North (Bellows Falls).
Leaving the board is Jeff Couture, executive director, Vermont Technology Alliance (Burlington); VMEC thanks him for his years of service.
Mike Rainville, president, Maple Landmark Woodcraft (Middlebury) was also re-elected as chairperson of the VMEC Advisory Board for an additional one-year term.
Leadership team
The Vermont Brewers Association has appointed an executive director and added three members to its Board of Directors. Previously serving as the interim, Emma Arian is the new executive director. Board additions are Sean Pagano, Switchback Brewing Co.; Nina Hurley, Good Measure Pub & Brewery; and Terry Thompson, Prohibition Pig. Elected to new executive positions are President Kara Pawlusiak, Simple Roots Brewing; Vice President Bob Grim, Foam Brewers; Secretary Heather Kraemer, Kraemer & Kin; Treasurer Nina Hurley, Good Measure Pub & Brewery.
DAV fundraising
Disabled American veterans will receive more than $76,000 from a Price Chopper/Market 32 monthlong fundraising campaign to provide lifetime support to veterans and their families. Price Chopper/Market 32 kicked off the fundraiser with a $10,000 donation and, combined with customer donations, raised $76,471 to go directly to DAV.
Do you have an item you would like to see in Community News? A milestone? A public announcement? A short news release about something entertaining going on in your town? Simply email the information to us at news@timesargus.com. Be sure to put For Community News in the subject line. (Note: We do reserve the right to edit for length.)
