Williston Observer

Jan. 27, 2011

Senior and baby boomers expo on Saturday

Vermont’s seniors and baby boomers have an event geared entirely to them this weekend.

The 16th annual Vermont 50-Plus and Baby Boomers EXPO takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Sheraton-Burlington Hotel and Conference Center. The EXPO is presented by Vermont Maturity Magazine, which is owned by Williston Publishing and Promotions LLC, the same company that owns the Observer.

The event targets people 46 and older, but is open to all ages. More than 80 exhibitors will offer goods and services in the areas of health and wellness, arts and entertainment, finance and more. Entertainment will include performances by the Lyric Theatre Co. and a concert by Jon Gailmor, as well as a dance party. The EXPO also features seminars, a silent auction and a Man Cave.

Tickets are $5 at the door or $4 in advance when purchased at the University Mall or by calling Vermont Maturity Magazine at 872-9000 x19. A portion of EXPO proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter.

For more information, visit www.vermontmaturity.com or call Marianne Apfelbaum at 802-872-9000 x18.

Intersection upgrades will wait

Town Manager Rick McGuire told the Selectboard Monday night that proposals for improvements at the intersection of North Williston, Mountain View and Gov. Chittenden roads were more expensive than anticipated.

Town officials had deemed the intersection upgrades a priority, with a roundabout discussed as one possible solution. But with the latest cost estimates, the project has been temporarily put on hold.

McGuire hopes to solicit ideas from the public on whether the intersection needs improvements and what, if any, changes might be best. He said public forums would be held in the coming months to discuss the issue.

Jan. 27, 2011

After three rejections from the Development Review Board over the past six months, a proposal for a CVS/pharmacy finally won support. On Tuesday night, the board unanimously approved a discretionary permit allowing the national chain to build a store in Taft Corners.

CVS can now pursue state permits, although the pharmacy may wait to see how quickly the town reacts to a separate proposal for an additional street in Williston’s busy commercial center.

Once built, CVS will be located on Vermont 2A at the corner of Wright Avenue, where its main entrance will be. Another access point, primarily for delivery trucks, would be on privately-owned Bishop Avenue, although the design of this road could change drastically in coming months.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation is considering a major change to Bishop Avenue, where a portion of its intersection with Vermont 2A would become an entry and exit point for right-turning vehicles only. Bishop Avenue would then connect to a proposed grid street running between Marshall Avenue and Wright Avenue. As Planning Director Ken Belliveau explained to the board, the Town Plan calls for a series of grid streets in Taft Corners.

“This would really be the first leg of a system of streets in that area,” Belliveau said.

The grid street proposal is part of a separate project by property owner Taft Corners Associates to construct a two-building retail space. The board expects to hear more details on the street and development in March or April.

CVS last appeared before the board in October, when company representatives asked for a vote to get the ball rolling on the project. The board voted against issuing a discretionary permit, citing design issues and questions about access roads. CVS has appealed to the state’s Environmental Court, which deals with development disputes. While the case awaits a hearing, CVS opted to present a redesigned plan before the board in hopes for approval.

The redesigned two-story building features a 14,200 square-foot first floor and a 5,600 square-foot second floor. Two separate spaces in the building will be available for retail or business tenants to rent, explained Matt Daly, a Burlington lawyer representing CVS.

Daly said the pharmacy still plans to use the Bishop Avenue access point, but said it prefers the potential redesign grid street option.

“CVS could schedule its construction later in 2011,” Daly said. “It might even prefer to wait for the grid street.”

Despite remaining concerns about large trucks using Bishop Avenue, the road’s owner, Marie St. Amand, also said she supports the grid street option.

Jan. 27, 2011

David Ploof takes his first bite of calzone in the Ramunto’s Cal-Mungo Challenge on Jan. 21. Anyone who finishes a 5-pound calzone in less than 45 minutes wins a free meal, a T-shirt and a place on the coveted Wall of Fame. Those that fail get their pictures on the Wall of Shame. (Observer photo by Tim Simard)

Sitting back in his chair, eyes growing wider, Nate Lessard nervously inhaled as his challenger approached the table. Grinning apprehensively, Lessard stared down the beast approaching him. How he was going to defeat his adversary, he didn’t know. But fight he would.

Lessard’s opponent? A 5-pound calzone, stuffed with sausage, pepperoni, chicken, pizza sauce and piles of oozing mozzarella and ricotta cheeses.

“Oh my God, look at that thing,” Lessard said before plunging a fork and knife into the calzone’s steaming crust.

Lessard was among the first to attempt a new food competition, known as the Cal-Mungo Challenge, at Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza on Friday, Jan. 21. To win the competition and get a picture on Ramunto’s Wall of Fame, eaters have 45 minutes to finish a 5-pound calzone containing at least three ingredients. Successful eaters win a free T-shirt and don’t have to pay for the meal. Competitors who fail must pay for the calzone — and suffer the indignity of having a photo placed on the Wall of Shame.

“I think the key is to eat it fast because once the cheese cools and hardens, it’ll become a lot harder to finish,” said Jeff Paul, Ramunto’s co-owner and Cal-Mungo creator.

The Cal-Mungo Challenge is the latest in a popular line of gastronomic feats sweeping the nation, Paul said. He created the challenge after watching “Man v. Food” on the Travel Channel.

In “Man v. Food,” host Adam Richman travels across the United States attempting mega-burgers competitions, hot chicken wing challenges and more. Richman has not visited Vermont yet, and Paul hopes the Cal-Mungo Challenge will bring the show to the Champlain Valley. Better yet, he hopes Richman visits personally and attempts to eat the 5-pound calzone.

“We’re still trying to establish ourselves more in the (Burlington) market and the Cal-Mungo is already starting to generate buzz,” Paul said.

The first challenge

Lessard attempted the Cal-Mungo Challenge as part of a live radio broadcast for WNMR 107.1 The Game. The sports talk radio station set up a live remote at Ramunto’s as part of a debut for a new show called “José and the Ref,” hosted by José Pino and Lessard.

Lessard wasn’t alone in attempting the challenge: Colchester resident and station contributor David Ploof attacked his veggie calzone with vigor. Ploof believed he held the advantage because the vegetables would prove less heavy and more water-soluble than Lessard’s meat-filled calzone.

“It’s all in the strategy,” Ploof said between mouthfuls. “I think I’ve got a real chance.”

While Ploof and Lessard wolfed down their calzones at a steady pace, Pino provided a play-by-play of sorts and WNMR general manager Rich DeLancey roamed Ramunto’s with a microphone interviewing the crowd. Like many in the packed restaurant, Pino expressed shock at the gargantuan nature of the Cal-Mungo.

“It looks like you could feed a family of five, six, seven people for a week,” Pino said.

Cheered on by friends and diners, Lessard and Ploof ceaselessly consumed their calzones. Ploof decided to pick away at the Cal-Mungo from the left side; Lessard sliced his calzone in two, cutting half of it into bite-size pieces. But the sheer bulk of the Cal-Mungo quickly became a stumbling block for both.

Pale-faced and exhausted, Lessard threw in the towel 20 minutes into the challenge. Paul was there with his digital camera to capture the first face to appear on the Wall of Shame.

“Like Bernie Williams in the outfield, he’s hit the wall,” DeLancey proclaimed from the crowd.

“All that cheese and all that meat I had definitely worked against me,” Lessard said.

Ploof slowed down, but refused to quit. At least not for a few minutes after Lessard lost the challenge. After realizing he had finished half the Cal-Mungo in 30 minutes, Ploof called it a day. He figured it would be impossible to finish in another 15 minutes.

“I’m done, I’ve hit the wall three times already,” Ploof said.

Even though Lessard and Ploof came up short, Paul credited them as “trailblazers” and hoped others would attempt the Cal-Mungo. By the end of the WNMR broadcast, Paul had a third taker: DeLancey pledged that he would return to Ramunto’s, the next time as a competitor.

“I’m going to be like LeBron James and take my talents to Williston,” he said.

School Board OKs budget decrease

Jan. 27, 2011

For the second year in a row, the Williston School Board approved a budget decrease for the school district. Pending voter approval on March 1, Town Meeting Day, next school year’s budget will drop 1.06 percent.

The $16.3 million budget proposal includes the addition of a new science lab at Williston Central School and a substantial increase in new computer purchases. Planned retirements for some teachers and savings in the district’s operating expenses played roles in keeping costs down for next year, Principal Walter Nardelli has explained in meetings throughout the budget planning process.

School Board members attending the Jan. 20 meeting unanimously approved the budget. Chairwoman Holly Rouelle and board member Kevin Mara were not present.

In addition to approving or rejecting the 2011-2012 school budget on Town Meeting Day, residents will vote on a $369,000 bond for the replacement of two heating oil boilers and the installation of energy-saving lighting at Williston Central School. Bob Mason, Chittenden South Supervisory Union’s chief operations officer, said the cost of the improvements may be lower than the amount suggested in the bond. If the cost is less than $369,000, the district would only take out a bond for the smaller amount. In addition, Mason said the district should recoup some money in energy efficiency rebates.

The ballot will also include a question for voters on whether to authorize the purchase of a new school bus for $105,000.

Despite the budget reduction, Williston’s property tax rate is expected to increase by 1 percent. That’s because the Vermont Legislature expects to raise the state’s homestead base rate by 1 cent. Homestead base rates and school budgets determine individual town property taxes.

The Champlain Valley Union High School budget figures into Williston’s tax increase as well, Mason said. CVU’s budget for next year is also dropping by a little more than 1 percent, but not enough to minimize projected tax increases.

Mason said the Legislature may approve a homestead base rate hike from 86 cents to 87 cents to help close a statewide budget gap. While this decision is not set in stone, Mason said early indicators from the legislative session seem to point toward a bump in taxes.

“One could attribute the tax increase to what the state did and not what you did,” Mason told the board.

The School Board plans to hold an informational public budget meeting next month, although no date was agreed upon at the meeting.

Jan. 27, 2011

The Williston Selectboard approved a municipal budget proposal Monday night that will increase town spending and raise property taxes by a small amount. The 2011-2012 town budget proposal retains current services and represents no major cuts to Williston’s infrastructure.

Residents will vote on the budgets and bonds on March 1, Town Meeting Day.

The board unanimously supported the $8.06 million budget, along with a capital improvement plan that runs through 2017. The improvement plan lists several town projects that will need attention in the next five years, such as the construction of a recreation park at Allen Brook School and the replacement of older town equipment.

The board also OK’d the water and sewer budget proposals. Both budgets are expected to increase ratepayers’ bills. Sewer fees are expected to climb by nearly $1 per 1,000 gallons of usage, with water usage dues projected to increase by 25 cents per 1,000 gallons.

The $8.06 million budget represents a 4.1 percent increase over the current municipal budget. Town Manager Rick McGuire’s original budget proposal was about $75,000 more than what Selectboard members approved Monday. Board members asked McGuire to reduce the budget to a number that would denote only a half-cent increase in property taxes.

Based on McGuire’s recommendations, the board removed $25,000 for construction on the planned Allen Brook park. McGuire told the board the project would still begin this spring, although on a smaller scale. The Recreation Department already has funds set aside for the first phase of construction, and other funding could come through impact fees, he said.

The board also decided to hold off on $33,000 for a new highway truck. McGuire said the need for the vehicle remains, but can wait until a future fiscal year. McGuire also said $20,000 in additional revenue could be moved from the town’s general fund to offset further tax increases.

The half-cent property tax increase means individuals owning a $200,000 home can expect to see their current taxes of $420 escalate by $10; taxes on a $300,000 home will rise about $15, McGuire said. The half-cent increase is an estimate, as the Selectboard will not set Williston’s tax rate until June, McGuire said after the meeting.

Similarly, the Selectboard will not finalize the water and sewer rates until June. Projections have water rates rising to $3 per 1,000 gallons, up from the current $2.75 per 1,000 gallons. The expected increase is due to growing expenditures in the water department.

An expected upsurge in sewer usage in town and rising costs in capital improvements led to a projected sewer rate of $4.85 per 1,000 gallons. The current rate is $3.86 per 1,000 gallons.

Bond votes

In addition to the municipal budget and separate from the expected sewer fee hikes for ratepayers, residents will vote on a $1.5 million bond to upgrade the town’s sewer system. Many sewer lines are more than 20 years old. The board said the bond money would be used for only “reasonable maintenance.”

Voters will also decide on a resolution to connect the Meadowridge subdivision to Williston’s sewer system. This resolution includes a $600,000 bond to pay for connection costs. Residents in Meadowridge would pay the money back, with interest, over time.

The Selectboard unanimously approved both bond proposals.

In September, Meadowridge residents approached the Selectboard about hooking up to the town’s sewer system. One of the subdivision’s two septic systems kept failing even after costly repair attempts. Deeming the problem a potential public health hazard, the board approved a plan to link Meadowridge’s 60 homes to a South Road sewer line.

If voters approve the resolution, the town will create a special assessment district for Meadowridge. The cost of the project will initially fall to the town, which will recoup the cost from the development’s homeowners, McGuire said.

“I’m sure the Meadowridge folks who have a vested interest in this will be getting the word out to people,” board member Chris Roy said.