by Lani Duke, Lakes Region
updated
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 08:07 AM
A contest in Rutland County is aimed at helping homeowners make
their properties more energy efficient. Towns aim to introduce 24
homes in their community to the HeatSquad program.
Sponsored by NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, the campaign helps
people make their homes more energy efficient, providing up to
$2,500 in incentives, regardless of homeowner income. Financing
options are also available. Plus, there's an added incentive for
towns; for every house completed, they receive $250.
Closest to its goal in the countywide race is Shrewsbury, with 65
percent complete. Mount Holly and Middletown Springs are also
fairly close, at 42 and 40 percent respectively. Pawlet is
currently in fourth position; with 29 percent of this goal
completed.
The target number for each town is set at 5 percent of the total
houses. The competition continues through May 31, 2012. Each town
that reaches its target is eligible to win a bonus $10,000 award.
There will be cash prizes given to the town that completes the
highest percentage of home energy improvements and the town with
the highest average energy savings per home. Financial awards must
be used for improving energy efficiency, perhaps in a town
building, increasing community knowledge with a school energy
curriculum, or helping individuals and businesses improve
efficiency.
Declining out-of-state enrollment at CSC
Castleton State College
(CSC) expects to lose a significant number of out-of-state students
in the near future. This year Castleton has about 50 fewer
returning students from outside Vermont. This is partly because of
increased tuition for non-residents, and partly because of general
economic trends.
Vermont resident students pay $8,568 in tuition; out-of-state
students pay $20,112, more than twice Vermont residents. Nursing
school costs $11,184 for residents and $20,880 for non-residents,
and graduate students pay $10,728 and 16,058, respectively. Room
and board, not including summer school or first-year orientation,
adds about $8,446 to this cost per student. Student health
insurance tacks another $1,407 to the bill.
School officials expect additional changes not related to expense
also play a role in decreasing out-of-state enrollment. One of them
being that fewer students are graduating from high school, both
locally and nationally; fewer high school graduates presumably
indicate fewer traditional students entering college. CSC has
gradually increased the size of its student body during the
previous decade, now admitting 2,215 students for the 2010-2011
academic year. Now the school may have to work harder to attract
and hold these students.
Not to worry, says Ennis Duling, Castleton's communication
director. Enrollment for the current academic year has been at
record levels and continues to be strong. "We are currently
building a new 162-bed dormitory, which we will have no trouble
filling next fall."
Re-zoning in Benson
Benson's Planning Commission has presented the town Select Board
with several proposed amendments to its zoning and subdivision
code. The changes would clarify the permitting process for
properties currently in the "lakeshore district," in effect
"moving" them to the agricultural and rural residential district.
Included in the re-zoning proposal are Beaver Meadow, Bullhead
Pond, Doughty Pond, Mud Pond, Parsons Mill Pond, and Root
Pond.
Poultney mourns local firefighter
The Poultney area mourns the loss of local firefighter Mark Camara,
president of the town rescue squad. He had been a member of the
rescue group since 1987 and also served in the U.S. Army
Reserve.
Local stage productions
Local young people are working on a variety of productions with
which to entertain their families and friends. Poultney High's
drama club is working on the comedy "30 Reasons Not To Be in a
Play". Fair Haven Grade School students will present "Charlotte's
Web".
Events: Lani's picks
Thursday, October 20, 7:30 p.m. -- See the Susan B. Anthony program
from the Vermont Humanities Council at Pawlet Community Church (Rt.
133). Call 645-9529 for details.
Monday, October 24, 7 p.m. --.St. Mary's School, hosts an stunning
video on Catholicism around the world. 19 Washington St., Fair
Haven. Call 265-3135 for details.
If you're a little restless and don't know what to do, stop in the
Castleton Community Center. Daytime programming, Monday through
Friday, includes a variety of exercise regimens, Monday afternoon
bridge, Wednesday bingo, a Friday morning coffee hour, ballroom
dancing, and lots more fun stimulation for body and brain.
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