Williston Observer

July 29, 2010

Aware that its development bylaws create a complicated set of rules, the town of Williston is considering giving a break to developers whose permits for projects may have expired.

Residential development in Williston occurs through a growth management system, which allows only a limited number of units to be built each year. The Development Review Board grants growth management allocation to proposed projects based on a scoring system that identifies the best developments.

The system has been in place since 1990. Part of the challenge of the system, however, is that growth management allocations only last for a limited number of years; once those years pass, the allocations expire.

Now, the regulations clarify that a project has four years to be built after receiving growth management allocation, but previous regulations were more vague.

“It’s not the norm in the U.S. It’s not the norm in this part of Vermont, either,” Planning Director Ken Belliveau told the Observer. “Our system is a lot more complex than other systems.”

Belliveau said his department asked the Planning Commission about adding flexibility to the system to account for applications that, due to the confusing language of the bylaws, may have expired or are at risk of expiring.

Under the proposed plan, Belliveau and his staff would review projects from the past 10 or 15 years that may have expired. Applicants for those projects would be notified early next year, and given a chance to reapply for growth management allocation. Typically, if a growth management allocation expires the applicant must start anew with the application and hearing process.

Belliveau doesn’t expect to see many projects that qualify for the exemption.

“It could be a couple of handfuls,” he said. “Most are probably likely to be located sort of in the more rural areas of towns.”

Belliveau presented the idea to the Selectboard on July 19.

“This is probably one of the most complicated issues I’ve ever had to deal with,” Belliveau told the board.

He explained that to qualify for an exemption for an expired permit, an applicant would need to demonstrate some effort to start building. Such a demonstration of intent could include the construction of a road or some homes of a subdivision.

“We want to see if we can make the system work for everybody involved,” Belliveau said.

At the meeting, Selectboard member Jeff Fehrs asked how a developer may react upon hearing that an old, expired project may be able to bypass some of the application process.

Belliveau reiterated the complexity and confusing nature of the rules of expiration and allocation in previous years.

“I think someone could raise the argument,” he said, “but we’re trying to make the best of the situation.”

To amend the bylaw, the Selectboard will need to hold a public hearing on the issue. No date has been set for a hearing.

July 29, 2010

Williston resident Steven Shepard, pictured above, recently self-published a photo and essay book about the natural world near Williston’s Southridge neighborhood.

Many mornings over the past five years, regardless of the season, Southridge neighborhood resident Steven Shepard would wake early in the morning, grab his camera and trek into a field near his home. Shepard would wait in the meadow, letting the day come to life as he observed the nature around him — the birds, the grass, the flowers, the bugs. Then, with his camera, Shepard would snap away.

Other days, Shepard would sit in the meadow at dusk, or well into the night, always observing and taking photographs.

He recently produced the result of those five years of work in a coffee table book of photos and essays entitled “A Year in Southridge Meadow.” Organized by season, the photos range from tiny insects to fungi to snowy fields.

“There’s this incredible awareness of what’s there if you’re willing to look for it,” Shepard said during an interview at the Observer office while flipping through a copy of his book and pointing out pictures of flowers, vines and insects.

Shepard, who calls himself a “frustrated biologist,” has lived in Southridge for 20 years. In the foreword of his book, Shepard writes, “At the bottom of our street is a large open field, common land that is jointly owned by all of the residents of Southridge …. Every chance I have I walk down to the field with my cameras and spend an hour or two photographing the chaos of life that I find there.”

With the book, he said he wants “to give parents and teachers a tool to open children’s eyes to the natural world around them.” He even included a section at the end of the book about activities that will make children more aware of their natural surroundings.

Shepard said he’s talked to Williston Central School teacher Julie Longchamp about using the book in the classroom. She could not be reached for comment.

Yet Shepard said the book can enlighten adults as well, with its aesthetic images and thoughtful essays.

During the years of observing, photographing and writing about Southridge meadow, Shepard said he was surprised by the “immense diversity of insect life” and the amount of activity occurring in the cold winter months.

“People just aren’t aware the stuff is there,” Shepard said.

With his essays, Shepard said he wanted to “reflect the transition that takes place from season to season.”

As founder and president of Shepard Communications Group, Shepard travels internationally for a good portion of the year. He does some commercial photography, and has written dozens of books on communication technology and other aspects of technology. Those books were published by McGraw-Hill. “A Year in Southridge Meadow” is Shepard’s second venture into the world of self-publishing. Because he travels so frequently, Shepard takes many pictures of the places he visits. Approximately two years ago, he used Blurb.com to publish a travel book for his clients.

“A Year in Southridge Meadow” was also published through Blurb. Shepard explained that he chose the layout for the book, which comes in various sizes and prices ranging from $22.95 to $92.95. Shepard said he’ll make $2 on orders of the smaller version of the book, and is selling the large, coffee table version at cost.

“I’m not in it for the money, I’m doing it because it’s a fun project,” Shepard said.

Though the book itself is specific to a certain spot in Williston, Shepard said the same creatures and plants he photographed in Southridge live throughout Vermont.

“A Year in Southridge Meadow” is available online by visiting blurb.com and searching for “Southridge meadow.” Shepard also created a Facebook page for the book called “Southridge Meadow.”

ANTICIPATED WORK FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 26, 2010

Burlington

Road construction will reduce traffic to one lane at times on the following Burlington streets:

• South Prospect from Maple to Ledge Drive
• Conger Avenue
• Marion Street
• Harrison Avenue
• Ledgemere Street
• Jackson Court
• Harrington Terrace
• Main Street from Battery to St. Paul
• Pine Street from Maple to Bank
• Pine Street from Pearl to Cherry
• St. Paul from Bank Street to College
• St. Paul from Pearl to Cherry
• George Street
• Peru Street
• Margaret Street

Colchester

Motorists should be aware of large equipment on the edge of the roadway in the area of Church Road and Holy Cross Road during the week. Traffic control will be present.

Essex

Sidewalk construction on Route 15 eastbound between Sunset Drive to the Price Chopper Plaza entrance will cause lane closures and occasional traffic delays. Traffic control is present, and this project should be completed by Sept. 1.

Essex Junction

Work on Pearl Street between the main gate of the fairgrounds and the intersection with the post office will last through Nov. 1. Most of the work will be between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., with occasional night work possible. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times with traffic control present.

Interstate 89

Drivers should be aware of construction activity near the exit 14W northbound ramp. Uniformed traffic officers are stationed on the ramp and in the shoulder area.

Work to improve the exit 15 northbound ramp on I-89 in Winooski will cause traffic delays. Late in the week, crews may relocate concrete barriers and change traffic patterns. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes if possible.

Jericho

Sidewalk construction on Route 15 from Lawrence Heights to Griswold Street will cause periodic lane closures through September.

South Burlington

Traffic on White Street from Airport Parkway to Williston Road will be delayed due to work on a water line. Traffic will be maintained, but motorists should expect delays and avoid the area if possible.

Motorists should be aware of construction vehicles entering and leaving the main entrance to Holiday Inn on Williston Road during the day.

Road construction on San Remo Drive will reduce traffic to one lane at times.

Underhill

Pleasant Valley Road from Mountain Road to New Road will be closed to ALL traffic starting through Aug. 3. It will reopen on Aug. 4. The road will NOT reopen at night in order to complete the reconstruction of the road faster and more efficiently. Alternate routes include Irish Settlement or Lower Valley Road to Route 15 in Cambridge.

Westford

Roadwork in Westford Village proceeding to the intersection of Vermont Routes 128 and 104 will cause lane closures and short traffic delays. Traffic flow will be maintained with traffic control present. Motorists should use extreme caution while traveling through the work zone. This project is expected to be completed by Sept. 12.

County-wide

Motorists should be alert for bridge washing and mowing along all county roads. Minor traffic delays should be expected.

For additional information, contact Administrative Advantage at 802-872-9757. More information on current activities at the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization is available online at www.ccmpo.org.

The listings below are a small sample of needs from more than 200 agencies, available by going online to www.unitedwaycc.org and clicking on “Volunteer.” If you do not have computer access, or would like more information about the volunteer opportunities, call 860-1677 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SHARE YOUR PETS

Converse Home seniors would love to be introduced to your people-friendly pets. Visit with residents in the common area and see their eyes light up with joy. Pets must have up-to-date vaccination records, but do not have to be a licensed Therapy Dog. Flexible weekday, evening and weekend scheduling.

VOLUNTEERS IN POLICE SERVICE

Burlington Police Department needs volunteers to help address noise complaints by providing validation and resource support to Burlington residents impacted by party and “social noise.” Through follow-up calls, volunteers provide information about police response to noise complaints and provide direct services to community members impacted by noise. Training provided. Flexible weekday scheduling.

YARD SALE

KidSafe Collaborative of Chittenden County will fill an entire pavilion at the Champlain Valley Expo with quality items at bargain prices to help prevent and address child abuse and neglect. Volunteers are needed to help sort and set up before the event (Aug. 11-13), at the sale itself (Aug. 14, 15) and to help clean up (Aug. 16). Flexible three-hour shifts each day.

PLEDGE TIME

Vermont Public Television is gearing up for a pledge drive in early August and needs volunteer individuals and groups to answer phone calls and help with paperwork. Aug. 1, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Aug. 3, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Training and snacks provided.

ARTS MANAGER

Island Arts in North Hero is looking for a volunteer to help with daily workload and to take some leadership role in coordinating people and projects for next year’s brochure. Flexible scheduling.

SERVING YOUTH

Essex CHIPS & Teen Center needs volunteers to help provide support to on-site CHIPS staff during Stomping Ground events. Tasks include service as a role model and mentor, keeping watch on the Emergency Fire Exit and rest room, monitoring events and generally helping to provide a fun and safe environment for youth. Weekly staff meetings, when possible (Friday, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.). Flexible scheduling.

HELPING THE HOMELESS

The Committee on Temporary Shelter is seeking volunteers to address a number of important needs.

> The Daystation – Help clients in weekly jobs group (including resume writing, interviewing, computer basics and other job-related skills. Monday and Tuesday mornings.

> Story Time – Read to children to encourage early literacy at family shelters. Monday through Thursday evening scheduling, 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Background check required.

> Childcare – Provide childcare and activities (arts and crafts, field trips and more) for children. Flexible Tuesday through Thursday evening scheduling. Background check required.

> Front Desk – Welcome clients, staff and guests, answer phones, light clerical duties at Daystation (flexible weekday morning schedule) or administrative building (Monday or Tuesday afternoon).

> Hair Stylist and/or barber – Provide haircuts, styling for clients and help provide confidence and a boost in self-esteem. Flexible weekday and evening scheduling.

‘Inception,’ perchance to dream

Anyone who says he totally comprehends writer-director Christopher Nolan’s surreally fascinating yet confounding “Inception” is full of it. Aside from the economy, rarely is there so much pontification about what is so little understood. Which, if you don’t mind someone having a bit of sport with you, is what makes this movie such strange fun.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Cobb, a mysterious operative whose career in things clandestine has him venturing not only over sovereign borders but also, via the latest technology, into others’ dreams. This poses the proverbial puzzle wrapped in an enigma, and then some. When we meet the mind traveler, he’s been offered a dangerous job.

Like all great fictional endeavors, of course it’s never been done before … or so it is thought. The assignment comes from Mr. Saito, a mega-powerful international player who doesn’t want dying Maurice Fischer’s (Pete Postlethwaite) gigantic energy conglomerate passed intact to sonny boy Robert Fischer Jr. (Cillian Murphy).

If there were a written estimate for the exploit, it might read: Do Inception, whereby contractor will delve three dreams down into subject’s mind and plant idea to divest inherited holdings. Price includes subcontracting dream architect, Ariadne (Ellen Page); engineer, Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt); and general finagler, Eames (Tom Hardy).

Fantastic indeed. But the truly outrageous achievement isn’t just the wildly inventive plot imagined and constructed by filmmaker Nolan, who previously bedeviled us with “Memento” (2000). It’s that he’s able to translate the concept and bring us into his ingenious chimera. While entirely confused, we know we’ve been somewhere, or other.

But the craziness aside, this is a typical action-suspense yarn, with all sorts of hair-raising, cliff-hanging stunts on each of the prefabricated dreams’ plateaus. Adding to the excitement are the numerous what ifs always inherent to such groundbreaking, potentially fatal exploits. I.e., What if someone wakes up, or if they die in any of the three reveries?

Assuring it is as visually exciting as it is mind-boggling, Mr. Nolan imparts what he has no doubt synthesized from Salvador Dali, Sigmund Freud, Gertrude Stein and all that gang. Yet in positing that ideas and matter function in several dimensions, major accomplishment #2 is that he doesn’t fall off the edge of the world he has designed.

While it’s one thing to formulate a truly loopy science fiction scenario, it’s yet another to sustain that premise and maintain a consistent logic the entire length of the film. Wafted away in this kaleidoscopic quest, we find ourselves thinking in its mechanisms. The nutty thing is, the interpretation is unlikely to be the same for any two moviegoing companions.

Such is the consequence of abstract artistry and the sort of creative analysis it engenders (see Einstein’s theory of relativity). And that’s a good thing if you like to have Marge and Frank over for coffee and cake afterwards to mull the movie. How you can stand Frank I don’t know, but you can bet he’ll be able to expound with his usual, smug conviction.

Never one to put much credence in what Frank and his ilk think, I prefer to believe that, while Nolan envisions a particular theoretical reality, he might explain his work in the way Robert Browning was said to describe the meaning of a poem. The bard allegedly informed, “Only God and I knew what it meant when I wrote it; now only God knows.”

Left-brained sorts who decry the Yin and Yang of our being should thus consider avoiding what they’re bound to view as a perfect example of the Big Fraud. Those, however, who can enjoy a roller coaster ride without knowing exactly why might want to give it a shot. Still, this doesn’t define “Inception,” let alone imply that it’s a good film.

What can be safely affirmed is that it is definitely a movie and, as such, most of the acting performances are spot on, especially when you consider the hypothetical circumstances in which the characters are realized. Successfully establishing the fantasy, Leonardo DiCaprio exudes the frazzling tentativeness of the world he explores.

Aiding and abetting all suppositions, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Arthur is all you could ask for in a right-hand man; Ken Watanabe is appropriately imperious as Mr. Saito, the inscrutable mover and shaker; Ellen Page is winsome as the objective, quick-study outsider; and Tom Hardy’s Eames adds a quirky, arrogantly self-effacing comic edge.

But because this review never satisfactorily explains what the film is about, the thought is it’s the do-it-yourself aspect that ultimately may entice viewers. The mental equivalent of checking your own groceries, you supply the illumination. The only thing I’m sure of is that I did see “Inception.” That is, assuming it wasn’t all just a dream.

“Inception,” rated PG-13, is a Warner Bros. Pictures release directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Running time: 148 minutes.