Ginn Brings In New Management

It seems Ginn's presence will be felt a little less around Burke Mountain. The Florida real estate developer announced recently that they would be handing over management and development operations of Burke Mountain to another firm. Ginn has never been known for its ski resort development, they have always focused on the sunnier side of real estate. However, Crave Real Estate, is just the opposite. A Montreal based company led by Lorne Bassel, their focus is mainly four season mountain resorts. Unlike Ginn, Bassel's team is well versed in this type of cold weather development. Bassel was former executive vice president of Intrawest Corporation, and considered a leading expert in the creation of village centered resorts. He has led development at Whistler-Blackcomb, Mammoth, Tremblant, and even left his imprint on Vermont with Stratton Mountain Resort. The question many are asking is whether Ginn is taking steps to permanently relieve themselves from Burke, or if this is a genuine attempt to call in expert help. It is no secret that Ginn has had financial problems in the past. They have handed over management of two their other resort communities in Florida, and had to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy on others. Tim Mcguire, Ginns Vice President for Development at Burke, has reassured everyone that this in fact is good news, and that now is the perfect time to bring Crave's expertise to the development table. They expect to move forward with Act 250 permits and plan to reassess the scope of the project in the near future.

Town Office Expansion Draws Concerns

Progress on the Burke Town Office expansion has slowed since town meeting day. Fear of hasty planning has brought about concerns from the abutting property owner. A 235,000 dollar price tag for the project was overwhelmingly passed by Australian ballot on town meeting day. It appeared this had set the stage for quick action. The plan is for an addition to the existing building that would house a community building and a senior meal site. Roger Laramee, owner of the property next to the office, feels the town should consider more than just the construction. In a letter he wrote to the Development Review Board, he stated, "This project has been hurried along by the select board so as to be on the town warning." His main concern was a lack of information available to the DRB. Without this information, architecture designs, building placement, driveway and parking plans, and so on, he feels the DRB may have made a rash decision. He and his wife are hoping the town will enact limits on the hours of use for the building and think of ways to reduce traffic flow on the small residential street. They expect the senior meal site will be used more heavily than the DRB has noted. The town is attempting to address these concerns while moving forward with the project.

Kingdom Trails Expansion

Burke is not the only local entity to see change. Kingdom Trails, on a more positive note, will be adding a mile and a half of new dirt to its award winning trail system. On June 6th, National Trail Day, they will dedicate this new path in honor of Robert A. Burnham, a former interim president at Lyndon State College. Burnham Down, the new trails name, will connect Burke Mountain to the Village of Burke. Director Tim Tierney says the new trail will provide a much needed addition. The connection between the two locations will bring convenience and much easier access. However, eager peddlers have no need to wait until June to ride. Much of the trail system opened on May 1st. The only trails left closed are those located on the mountain, where lingering snow and moist soil create a situation that could damage both the trails and the riders. When asked whether the recent management changes at Burke may cause concerns for the trails system, Tierney emphatically said no. He feels they could easily re-route certain trails if location ever became a problem. Right now Kingdom Trails is focused on expansion and dedication to the existing system. This approach is working too. Tierney says they have seen about a twenty percent increase in daypass purchases every year for the past five years. He says this year should be no different.

Australian Ballot Results for Town Officers

Article 7, Election of Town Officers:

• Moderator (1 yr): Howard Crawford, 255 out of 263 votes.
• Selectman (3 yr): Kenneth Sanderson, JR., 248 out of 263 votes.
• Town Clerk (3 yr): Priscilla Aldrich, 260 out of 263 votes.
• Treasurer (3 yr): Priscilla Aldrich, 258 out of 263 votes.
• Delinquent Tax Collector (3 yr): Priscilla Aldrich, 258 out of 263 votes.
• Trustee of Public Funds (3 yr): Priscilla Aldrich, 258 out of 263 votes.
• Lister (3 yr): Vicki Graves 243 out of 263 votes.
• Lister (3 yr): Cheryl Noyes, 235 out of 263 votes.
• Auditor (3 yr): Gail Weed, 250 out of 263 votes.
• Constable (1 yr): Paul Gallant, 238 out of 263 votes.
• Town Jurors (1 yr): Barry Hertz and Paul Kane.
• Town Agent (1yr): Jill Broderick, 244 out of 263 votes.
• Agent to Convey Real Estate (1 yr): Selectmen, 195 out of 263 votes.

Town Meeting Results

As Vermont's historic day of democracy once again passes us by, we can now look at how the voters actions will play out through the coming year. As is customary in the Town of Burke, most of the legislation was done by Australian ballot. Articles 1 through 6, the only to be voted on by voice, were passed with nary a nay. And it turned out, after the votes were tallied, that articles 7 through 25 followed the same trend. This came as a bit of a surprise. Not only did the voters decide to fund all appropriation articles, they even thought it was fitting to fund a new construction project. The town offices will soon see an addition that will house a community building and a senior meal site. The price tag, $235,000. Now this is not an outlandish amount of money for a sizable construction project, but one is still surprised that the voters decided to progress their spending during this period of economic regression.

Town Warning, Updated With Australian Ballot Results

TOWN OF BURKE

WARNING-TOWN MEETING

MARCH 3, 2009

The legal voters of the Town of Burke are hereby warned and notified to meet Monday, March 2, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. (or immediately following the School District Meeting) in the Town Hall, 3293 Burke Hollow Road, for an informational meeting to discuss articles to be voted on by Australian ballot on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. AUSTRALIAN BALLOT (ARTICLES 7-25) VOTING WILL BE AT THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE ON SCHOOL STREET. PUBLIC QUESTIONS (ARTICLES 1-6) WILL BE VOTED ON FROM THE FLOOR AT TOWN MEETING.

The legal voters of the Town of Burke are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Town hall 3293 Burke Hollow Road, in said Town on Tuesday, march 3, 2009 at 9:00 A.M. to transact the following business:

Public Questions – Articles 1-6 will be voted on during town meeting, March 3, 2009 beginning at 9:00 A.M.

Australian Ballot – Articles 7-25 polls will be open Tuesday, March 3, 2009 between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. at the Town Clerk’s Office at 212 School Street, West Burke.

TOWN OF BURKE DISTRICT MEETING

March 3, 2009

Article 1. Shall the voters of Burke accept the Town Report? - PASSED

Article 2. Shall the voters of Burke authorize the Selectmen to have all taxes paid into the Treasury as provided by law and if so, to establish Thursday, October 15, 2009 by 4:00 P.M. as the due date? - PASSED

Article 3. Shall the voters of Burke vote to authorize the Selectboard to borrow money in anticipation of revenues? - PASSED

Article 4. Shall the voters of Burke vote to exempt the West Burke Volunteer Fire Department from all municipal and educational property taxes for a period not to exceed five (5) years? - PASSED

Article 5. Shall the voters of Burke vote to exempt the East Burke Volunteer Fire Brigade from all municipal and educational property taxes for a period not to exceed five (5) years? - PASSED

Article 6. Shall the voters of Burke vote to increase the Veteran’s exemption from $10,000.00 to $40,000.00? - PASSED

Article 7. To elect all necessary Town Officers as required by law? (Australian Ballot) - COMPLETED

Article 8. Shall the voters of Burke vote to accept the proposed 2009 town budget of $1,117,112.52 for the ensuing year to meet the expenses and liabilities of the town and to authorize the Selectmen to set a tax rate to provide the same (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 231 TO 30

Article 9. Shall the voters of Burke vote to allow the Selectboard to borrow up to $235,000.00 to construct an addition onto the town offices for the purpose of housing a community building, which will include space for the Senior Meal Site and also serve as an emergency shelter? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 203 TO 58

Article 10. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 to the East Burke Volunteer Fire Brigade? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 249 TO 10

Article 11. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 to the West Burke Volunteer Fire Department? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 248 TO 12

Article 12. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $21,365.60 to Lyndon Rescue, Inc.? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 234 TO 25

Article 13. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to assist the Area Agency on Aging for the Northeastern Vermont in providing services to senior citizens in the ensuing year? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 217 TO 40

Article 14. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $2,250.00 to help support the services of Caledonia Home Health Care? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 216 TO 42

Article 15. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $500.00 to help support the services of Catamount Arts? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 161 TO 100

Article 16. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $800.00 to the Cobleigh Public Library to help continue the library’s many free programs and services for all area towns? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 206 TO 54

Article 17. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $1,571.00 for the operation of the Faribanks Museum and Planetaruim during the ensuing year, in exchange for free unlimited general admission to the Museum for all Burke residents? (Australian ballot) - PASSED 206 TO 51

Article 18. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $750.00 to the Lyndonville Youth Baseball/Softball? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 177 TO 83

Article 19. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $200.00 to the Lyndon Senior Action Center, Inc.? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 191 TO 67

Article 20. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $200.00 to the Northeast Kingdom Learning Services, Inc.? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 179 TO 78

Article 21. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $750.00 to the Northeast Kingdom Youth Services? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 179 TO 75

Article 22. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $1,650.00 to the Northeast Kingdom Human Services, Inc.? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 169 TO 84

Article 23. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $500.00 to the Pilgrim Manor Meal Site and Senior Center to help in the purchase of food, gatherings for the senior citizens, upkeep on appliances, and whatever is needed to expand the us of the facility? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 211 TO 48

Article 24. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $1,750.00 to the Rural Community Transportation (RCT) for services provided to residents that live in the town of Burke? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 224 TO 37

Article 25. Shall the voters of Burke vote to appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to Umbrella, Inc. to serve victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children, families seeking childcare and childcare providers? (Australian Ballot) - PASSED 190 TO 70

Article 26. To transact any other non-binding business that may legally come before said meeting.

Town Meeting Issues, Burke VT

As we approach town meeting day during this year of unprecedented economic turmoil, one can imagine voters will be holding tight to their tax dollars. This year's town budget is set at roughly 1.1 million dollars. On top of that, voters will be asked to appropriate money to a long list of organizations. There are 14 of them on the town warning, diverse in both dollar amount and general importance. They range from Lyndon Rescue Incorporated to the Lyndonville Youth Baseball/Softball League. In all, these 14 possible recipients are asking for a total of 34,268 dollars. However, the largest and possibly most controversial issue at hand may lie in Article 9. The town Selectboard is asking permission to borrow up to 235,000 dollars for the construction of a community building that will provide the town with an emergency shelter and a senior meal site. The town is currently lacking these facilities. Add to that amount the 30,000 dollars to support both the East Burke Volunteer Fire Brigade and the West Burke Volunteer Fire Department and you have a running total of 1,416,399 million dollars in total expenditures. This does not include funding for the school budget. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 3rd at 9 am in the Town Hall.