Author Archive for The Chester Telegraph
GMUSD budget re-vote informational meeting May 5
The Green Mountain Union School District will hold a informational meeting regarding the District’s school budget ahead of a May 12 re-vote at 6 p.m. on May 5, 2026 at Green Mountain Union High School, 716 Route 103 south in Chester and remotely via Zoom. Below is the board’s agenda: I. Call to Order II. […]
June Swomley, 92, of Connecticut and Chester
June Kutchera Swomley, of Bloomfield, Conn., died on Monday, April 13, at the age of 92. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, James “Jim” Swomley, in 2021. They both received wonderful care from the staff at Caleb Hitchcock, Duncaster’s Memory Care Unit, for a number of years. June was born in Bismarck, N.D., daughter […]
Andover Select Board agenda for April 27
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27 at the Andover Town Office, 953 Weston-Andover Road. Below is the board’s agenda: 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Act on Agenda. 3. Act on Minutes of April 13th meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per visitor, […]
From the editor: Speaker Krowinski has an epiphany
By Cynthia Prairie ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC If you were having trouble putting your finger on that one thing that bugs you about the Whiz Kids on the Winooski (aka the Vermont legislature) you only have to read the recent apologia of House Speaker Jill Krowinski concerning the ill-considered Act 181. But first, let’s recap […]
To the editor: GM schools face a disturbing trend of non-acceptance
The GMUSD superintendent suggests that the school board consider a “flag policy” and further suggests that the policy includes limiting classroom materials that do not relate directly to school curricula. At the most recent school board meeting a Chester resident suggested that classrooms should be inspected to see if they include LGBTQ+ or Black Lives […]
Part 3: Disability Rights: Building a Vermont for everyone
By Anne Henshaw ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC If housing, healthcare, and transportation determine whether disabled Vermonters can live in community, public education determines whether they were ever fully a part of their community to begin with. For many disabled children, school is their first public community. It is the first place where systems affirm their […]
Chester 8th grader takes a turn as a legislative page in Montpelier
Chester resident Shepherd Finch, an 8th grader and legislative page, leads the Pledge of Allegiance for lawmakers on his first day as a page prior to the legislative day beginning in Montpelier. Video provided by the Nick Caporaso family. ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Eighth-grade Chester resident Shepherd Finch is getting an insider’s look at the […]
To the editor: At GMUSD board meeting, students inspire in defense of their educators
I am writing this letter as an individual, as a parent, and as a member of this community — not in my capacity as a member of the Green Mountain Unified School District board. The views expressed here are my own. On Monday evening, the board of the Green Mountain Unified School District held a […]
GMUSD board agenda for April 16
The Green Mountain Unified School District Board will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday April 16 at the Green Mountain High School 716 Route 103 south in Chester. Below is the board’s agenda: I. Call to Order 6:00 PM a. Roll Call – Confirming a Quorum II. Approval of Agenda a. Additions […]
Pomfret Select Board chair announces run for Windsor District Senate seat
Benjamin Brickner, chair of the Pomfret Select Board and a practicing attorney whose work includes regulatory and policy matters, has announced his candidacy for Vermont Senate in the Windsor District. He announced his candidacy on Monday at the Pomfret Town Hall, where he was to deliver remarks outlining his priorities for the district’s 25 towns, […]
Part 2: Disability Rights: Housing, healthcare and mobility challenge Vermonters
By Anne Henshaw ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Thanks to the efforts of the Vermont Coalition of Disability Rights, the Vermont Legislature voted on a House resolution declaring Feb. 11, 2026, Disability Advocacy Day. Families, self-advocates, service providers and legislators gathered at the Vermont Statehouse under a shared call to action: disability policy is every policy. […]
To the editor: Rural Caucus members urge repeal of Tier 3, Road Rule in Act 181
Due to the widespread concern about the potential impacts of Act 181 (the reform of Act 250) I will be holding a discussion/Q&A at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 at the New American Grill, 5700 Vermont Rte 100, in Londonderry. Please join us. What is Act 181? And what are people concerned about? Act […]
To the editor: Act 181 road rule disincentivizes sound planning
As someone who has taught Environmental Economics over the course of 27 years at three colleges, and as a past administrator of a regional planning commission, I must strenuously oppose Act 181 in its current form. While I embrace the need for environmental stewardship and proper planning, I also have serious concerns about the “road […]
Chester Select Board special meeting, regular meeting agendas for April 15
The Chester Select Board will hold two meetings on Wednesday April 15. The first, a special meeting with two executive sessions with legal counsel, will be held at 5 p.m. The second, regular meeting, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Both meetings will be at Town Hall, 556 Elm St., and remotely via Zoom. Below […]
Part 1: Disability Rights: From institution toward independence
By Anne Henshaw ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC For much of American history, people with disabilities were seen as “others;” as problems to be managed. Disabled people were denied access to public schools, barred from employment, denied voting rights, subjected to eugenics laws, sterilized without consent and segregated banished from public life. They were not only […]
To the editor: Chase promises grit, clear-eyed vision as she seeks Windsor Senate seat
In case you haven’t already heard, I am officially running for the Vermont Senate to represent Windsor County. I launched my campaign on the Chester Green in mid-March, surrounded by supporters and loved ones. I’ve spent my life serving others: as a nurse, a successful business owner, a member of the Chester Select Board and […]
Green Mountain School District board special meeting agenda for March 31
The board of the Green Mountain Unified School District will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday March 31 at the Green Mountain High School, 716 Route 103 south in Chester and remotely via Zoom Below is the board’s agenda I. Call to Order a. Roll Call – Confirming a Quorum II. Tonight’s […]
To the editor: The reluctant activists
Watching the evening news with my mom in the 1960s, we saw the daily body count from Vietnam — mostly young, working-class men, drafted and placed in harm’s way to fight a war without clear objectives; too young to legally buy a beer, but old enough to die in the jungle half a world away. […]
To the editor: Thanks to Weston firefighters for dousing a real dumpster fire
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Weston Volunteer Fire Department who jumped to action the night of March 18 to put out a fire in a dumpster at the Wilder Memorial Library construction site in Weston. Thanks to their swift and professional action, we are happy to share that all is […]
GMUSD Board special meeting agenda on March 26
The Green Mountain Unified School District Board will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday March 26 at Green Mountain High School, 716 Route 103 and remotely via Zoom. Below is the board’s agenda: I. Call to Order 6 p.m. a. Roll Call – Confirming a Quorum II. Tonight’s Agenda a. Additions and/or deletions […]