Williston Observer

Oct, 27, 2011

MARIJUANA POSSESSION

Christopher Boutin, 20, of Winooski, was cited on a charge of marijuina possession following a traffic stop on Oct. 18 and 19.9 grams of marijuana were recovered, according to police reports. Boutin was cited to appear in court, according to the report.

According to a police report, a marginal amount of marijuana and a pipe were recovered on Oct. 19 “after a motor vehicle stop for failure to use turn signal and obstructing windshield.” A consent search was granted and both items were destroyed on the scene, the report noted. No other information was available.

On Oct. 23, police stopped a vehicle for not having an inspection sticker, according to police reports. “Marijuana was smelled by the officer and the operator of the vehicle granted permission for a search,” the report said. Drug paraphernalia was seized, according to the report. No other information was available.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Following a motor vehicle stop, William H. Groves, 22, of Burlington, was cited on a charge of driving under the influence on Oct. 19, according to police reports. His blood alcohol concentration was .239, according to the report. The legal limit for driving in Vermont is .08. He was cited to appear in court on Nov. 8.

Todd Sprano, 35, of Starksboro, was cited on a charge of driving under the influence on Oct. 23, according to police reports. His blood alcohol concentration was .114, according to the report. He was cited to appear in court.

DRIVING WITH SUSPENDED LICENSE

On Oct. 19, Mickey G. Dallier, 32, of Milton, was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license, according to police reports. The report noted that Dallier was also cited for marijuana possession. He was cited to appear in court, according to the report.

John W. Cole, 56, of Starksboro, was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license on Oct. 19, according to police reports. Police are “currently investigating possible identify theft and/or fraud,” the report said. No other information was released.

Shawn R. Marcoux, 26, of Colchester, was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license on Oct. 20, according to police reports. He was cited to appear in court, according to the report.

THEFT

On Oct. 19, an attendant at Taft Corners Mobil called to report a theft of gasoline, according to police reports. “The attendant advised that the individual was a male wearing a green/yellow apron and was operating a silver Volkswagon Passat,” the report noted. No other information was available.

Police notes are written based on information provided by the Williston Police Department and the Vermont State Police. Please note that all parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Oct. 27, 2011

FEMA EXTENDS DISASTER ASSISTANCE DEADLINE FOR VERMONTERS WITH INSURANCE

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Oct. 19 that Vermonters with insurance could still be eligible for grants to cover losses caused by tropical storm Irene.

State and federal officials urge everyone who has homeowners insurance, flood insurance or both to register with FEMA. They may have disaster-related losses their insurance does not cover, such as: payments for a temporary rental while a home is being repaired; repair of a disaster-damaged well or septic system; repair or replacement of a disaster-damaged vehicle; personal property and household contents losses; disaster-related medical or dental expenses; moving and storage expenses.

Those who believe all their losses are covered by insurance are nevertheless encouraged to register by Nov. 15 (extended from Oct. 31). FEMA cannot help anyone who discovers an uninsured disaster-related problem — for example, mold — who fails to register before the deadline. Those who register may be eligible for assistance after the registration window closes.

Property owners must provide proof of what the insurance covers. This is because FEMA cannot make grants for losses that are already covered by insurance.

Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY at 800-462-7585. Users of Video Relay Service (VRS) may call 800-621-3362. The toll free phone numbers are staffed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

STERN CENTER ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The Stern Center for Language and Learning, a nonprofit learning center with locations in Williston and White River Junction, elected Ruthann Hackett, Ellie Kenworthy and Justin Molson to its board of directors on Oct. 7

Hackett, a Charlotte resident, is program coordinator for the United Way Volunteer Connection and was a board member for the Vermont Hunter Jumper Association. She presently serves on the Stern Center’s special events committee, according to a news release.

Kenworthy is finance administrator for Paul Kenworthy, DMD, PC. In the past she has served on the Burlington Development Review Board and Fletcher Allen Health Care Board of Associates. She resides in Burlington.

Molson, of Jericho, has served as a guest member on the Stern Center’s Sscholarship committee for the past two years and has assisted with its events.

DRB approves All Metals Recycling’s permit to establish outdoor storage area despite argument

Oct. 27, 2011

By Luke Baynes

Observer staff

The livelihood of a Williston scrap metal recycling company was at stake Tuesday when representatives from All Metals Recycling appeared before the Williston Development Review Board to seek approval of a discretionary permit to establish an outdoor storage area and continue operation of a scale at its Dorset Lane facility.

Following a public hearing in which the DRB heard opposing comments from Hobart Popick — an attorney from Langrock Sperry & Wool, LLP representing 13 Williston residents, including Mark Burnett, owner of the Hinesburg-based Burnett Scrap Metals LLC — the DRB approved the discretionary permit, with several stipulations.

As part of the conditions levied by the Board, All Metals will be required to install a vegetative buffer on its property and add additional shrubbery in front of a dilapidated fence. All Metals will also be prohibited from recycling automobiles at its Williston facility — a service it provides at its primary Hardwick location.

Williston town planner Ken Belliveau was particularly emphatic about the prohibition of automobile recycling because of the potential for hazardous waste pollution.

“As I recommended in the ‘Conditions of Approval,’ and what my understanding was of their operations here in Williston, was that (automobile recycling) was not part of their operation and we would not support that,” Belliveau said.

Randy Towns, co-owner of All Metals Recycling, nodded in agreement at Belliveau’s comments.

Popick, speaking on behalf of Burnett, whose company is in the business of automobile recycling, argued that the location of the All Metals facility — which, unbeknownst to Towns when he moved in two years ago, is partially located on town land — could prove to be costly to the town if the business were to relocate.

“If the tenant were to cease operations and go elsewhere, will the town actually have a potentially hazardous clean-up situation on its hands that town residents would then have to be responsible for, to the extent that a portion of these operations are actually occurring on town property?” asked Popick.

Towns, addressing the Board, said the use of town land was unintentional and made no mention of All Metals possibly relocating from Williston.

“As far as us using the town’s property — for which I certainly apologize … (the owner) didn’t even know, or wasn’t sure, where the property line ended, so we did not do that intentionally at all,” Towns said.

To continue to operate on town land, All Metals would be required to enter into a lease agreement with the town of Williston. The agreement would have to be approved by the Williston Selectboard.

Brian Beaudoin, a senior project manager with Sanborn, Head & Associates — retained by All Metals as a consultant — said early indications are that the town is open to negotiating a lease agreement.

“The conversations that I’ve had with Bruce Hoar, the public works director, is that the town of Williston is willing to enter into a lease agreement,” Beaudoin said. “We’re going through that process right now.”

School’s theater program presents ‘Pippin’ this weekend

Oct, 27, 2011

By Luke Baynes

Observer staff

Champlain Valley Union High School will present three performances of the musical, ‘Pippin,’ beginning Oct. 28. Some of the CVU cast is seen (above) in a dress rehearsal performance of the song, ‘Morning Glow.’ (Photo courtesy of Candy Padula)

The Stephen Schwartz musical “Pippin” is best known for its successful Broadway run under the direction of Bob Fosse, but a lesser known fact is that it began as a student production at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh — making its revival at Champlain Valley Union High School a homecoming of sorts to the scholastic stage.

The CVU Co-Curricular Theatre Program will present three performances of “Pippin” this weekend, beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. A second performance will be held Saturday evening at the same time, followed by a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“Pippin,” set around 780 A.D., concerns a young prince who attempts to find meaning and purpose in life through a series of misadventures in war, romance and political revolution.

As CVU theatre program director Candy Padula pointed out, although the milieu of the show has little in common with the world of today’s teens, its themes are timeless.

“Pippin goes through an awful lot of angst,” Padula said. “He tries a bunch of different things, and he fails at several of them, but I think it’s very important for people to figure out what they don’t want to do as they’re on their own journey, (in order) to figure out what it is they want to do.”

Mikayla Morin, a CVU senior who plays the head of an acting troupe that serves as the show’s Greek chorus, agreed with her director.

“It’s a very thought-provoking play,” said Morin. “There’s this whole overlying question of what is the purpose of life. It’s sort of existential in a way.”

Morin, who plans to study writing and film acting in college, has bittersweet emotions about the production.

“I’m excited for the play — we have a lot of good comedy moments in it and a lot of really talented actors — but I’m a little sad,” Morin said. “I’m going to pursue writing when I go to college, so this is kind of like my last musical theater production, I think. But it’s kind of nice to go out with a leading role and to be able to be a big influence on the production that will possibly be my last.”

“Pippin” isn’t likely to be the last musical of Evan Cohen’s high school acting career. Cohen, who plays the title role, is still a junior.

“I’ve done the school show every year since seventh grade, and I’ve done a musical every year as well,” Cohen said. “It’s a blast. I’m having a lot of fun. There are a lot of cool people doing it (this year).”

One of those “cool” people is Cohen’s brother, Arlo. A freshman at CVU, the younger Cohen will perform a duet with his elder sibling.

“Arlo is playing Pippin’s love interest’s son, but they do have a little bit of a father-son relationship, which is very sweet,” Padula noted. “One thing that’s sort of funny to me is I gave away a really nice, fun Pippin song to what ended up being Evan’s younger brother.”

Padula said the show’s eclectic mix of production numbers, which include a go-go dancing performance and a vaudeville-style cane dance, will give the audience a little bit of everything.

“It’s not your traditional musical,” said Padula. “It’s such a varied offering of different styles of theater that I think there’s definitely something in there for everybody.”

The CVU cast will have a full dress rehearsal on Thursday, allowing them to get mentally prepared for opening night.

Evan Cohen, who said he has never come down with a serious case of stage fright, offered the following, simple piece of preparatory advice to his fellow cast members: “Sleep a lot. That helps.”

Tickets are $6 for CVU students, chrildren, faculty and staff; $8 for general admission. Tickets are available by completing the order form at cvuhs.org.

CVU sophomore Zoey LaChance designed the poster (above) for Champlain Valley Union High School’s production of ‘Pippin.’ LaChance also has an acting role in the play. (Image courtesy of Candy Padula)

Locally produced ‘Tin Can’ shown at Vermont International Film Festival

Oct. 27, 2011

By Luke Baynes

Observer staff

The cast and crew of ‘Tin Can’ — (from left to right) Tim Kavanagh, Logan Howe, former Williston resident Stephen Maas, Jayson Argento and Eric Clifford — answer questions from the audience following the film’s premiere at the Vermont International Film Festival on Oct. 21. (Observer photo by Luke Baynes)

Its title may be similar to a Kevin Costner golf movie, but Logan Howe’s feature-length debut is set as far from the bucolic sprawl of a golf course as possible.

“Tin Can,” set almost entirely within the claustrophobic confines of a spaceship, had its Vermont premiere at Palace 9 Cinemas in South Burlington on Oct. 21 as part of the opening night of the Vermont International Film Festival. Directed by Howe — whose husband, John, owns and operates Rocky’s Pizzeria in Williston — “Tin Can” concerns three astronauts who find themselves lost (literally and figuratively) when a mission to Mars goes horribly awry.

Howe said her involvement in the project began with a casual conversation she had with screenwriter, and former Williston resident, Stephen Maas.

“He told me he was going to start building a spaceship in his garage, and I wasn’t sure whether to take him seriously,” Howe said. “As we got to know each other better, he told me about this script he was writing and eventually he asked me if I was interested in directing it.”

Maas noted that his choice of subject matter was based on curiosity and practicality.

“They did this experiment in a European space station where they were doing Mars mission simulation and they actually put people in an enclosed environment for the length of time it takes to go to Mars,” Maas said. “I was also thinking about how can I make a film with as few locations as possible, as condensed in terms of resources as possible — because we had no resources — but still make something really effective.”

It took Maas 10 months to build a replica space pod in his one-car garage, often with materials he scavenged from junkyards. Howe then shot the actors — including Maas, in the lead role of the spacecraft commander — by digitally zooming through vents built in the outside of the set.

“There were no cameras on the ship at all,” said co-star Eric Clifford, who made his acting debut as a member of the astronaut crew. “It was all through the vents, so it really made it easy to get into it because there were no cameras in your face.”

Howe, who referred to science fiction as her “favorite genre,” named Terry Gilliam (“Brazil,” “12 Monkeys”) and Ridley Scott (“Alien, ““Blade Runner”) among her primary directorial influences. She also pointed to Duncan Jones as a contemporary favorite, whose recent films “Moon” and “Source Code” mark a return to a more cerebral, character-driven form of sci-fi filmmaking.

From left to right: Jayson Argento, Eric Clifford, former Williston resident Stephen Maas and Tim Kavanagh appear in a scene from ‘Tin Can.’ Kavanagh, playing himself, portrays a late night talk show host who interviews a team of astronauts prior to their mission to Mars. (Photo courtesy of Intrinsic Films)

“In modern movies, sci-fi tends to be about crazy makeup or silly aliens and all these special effects, and the human story gets lost,” Howe said.

In addition to directing and playing the role of Maas’ onscreen girlfriend, Howe had 12 other technical designations on the film, including art director and set designer. Maas, for his part, had 17 different job titles.

“You wear a bunch of different hats to make things work,” said Tim Kavanagh, the former host of WCAX-TV’s “Late Night Saturday,” who plays himself in the film, in addition to serving as its executive producer.

“Tin Can,” which won “Most Artistic Film” at the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival in September, is one of 24 Vermont-made films that will be screened as part of the VTIFF. The lineup also includes the Kavanagh-produced “Soul Keeper” and “One Voice,” a 16-minute short about teen bullying directed by Williston resident Joel Klein and produced by fellow Willistonian Debbie Ingram.

“I think (the amount of local films in the festival) really speaks volumes to the state of independent filmmaking in Vermont,” said Kavanagh.