School stiffed by solar power company – A Windham County school district fears it won’t get paid by a solar power company that erected 2,160 solar panels at the NewBrook Elementary School in Newfane, the Brattleboro Reformer reports. ISun, which declared bankruptcy this summer, owes the school district $26,000 for a bill due this June. “There is a very strong chance that we will not ever get paid from the contract we have over the solar field,” Windham Central Supervisory Union Assistant Business Manager Heidi Russ told the board this week. “I think we know that the company is deeply in debt … and the purchaser of the solar field does not have to keep the obligation of the contract. So we’re sort of in a holding period.” The 500 KW solar array began producing power in 2018. The plan was for it to produce revenue and provide a learning opportunity for the students, the Reformer news story stated. Killington and Pico sold to locals – Killington ski resort, the ‘Beast of the East,’ has gone independent, today’s Journal-Opinion reports. “For the first time in 40 years, Killington will be an independently run resort after a group of investors led by Michael Ferri and Phill Gross entered a purchase and sale agreement Wednesday for a majority interest in both Killington and Pico Mountain from Powdr Corporation,” reports New England Ski Journal. Powdr remains a minority owner, per a news release. The sale is the first of several Powdr has planned for the coming weeks, according to the Storm Skiing Journal. It plans to sell ski resorts in Oregon, Colorado, and British Columbia. It will retain its interests in Snowbird in Utah and Copper Mountain in Colorado. Uncommon Jam Sunday – The 10th annual UnCommon Jam will be held on Aug. 25 from 1-6 p.m. on the Newbury Common. The Clement Brothers Band from Massachusetts will lead off the show. These identical twins bring their vocal and instrumental blends based on influences of bluegrass, folk, rock, jazz, roots and classical through the years. Then, Ted Mortimer will perform at the Jam with his fifth different band, the YaYa’s, for a spirited and funky mix of original music and cover tunes. And finally, the Burlington duo of Dwight and Nicole will wrap up the show. Steve Morse of the Boston Globe raves “Dwight and Nicole are a tour-de-force that demand much wider success. Poignant, hard driving … and heavenly.” Local duo Randy Wales and Phyllis Shea will play on the small stage between sets. Italian, BBQ and Korean cuisine will be the featured food vendors, with ice cream, desserts, and assorted beverages — including a beer garden with craft beers also available, so please leave your coolers at home and enjoy the food and drinks on the Common. For more information visit www.courtstreetarts.org or call 802-866-3320. The cost to attend is $10 per person, with children 12 and under free. Child care centers growing in Addison County – The $120 million payroll tax to subsidize childcare is paying dividends for child care centers around Middlebury, the August 15 Addison Independent reports. The Congregational Church in Middlebury has launched the 24-slot Red Clover Childcare Center. The Otter Creek Child Care Center has created 77 new slots (now up to 139). MJCC has upped its toddler and infant programs (the latter being the most sought-after commodity, the Addy Indy says). Also, child care operators have raised pay. “Our pay scale used to be like this,” said one operator holding her fingers close together. “With Act 76, we’ve been able to move that scale pretty wide.” And, 65% of her staff are working towards a degree or credential, she said. |