Category: The Readers Write

The recent proposal to rezone part of our rural district for high-density residential development makes no sense.  Shelburne already is overly reliant upon residential property taxes. It is common knowledge in planning circles that increased residential development leads to higher property taxes for everyone.  Along with the development comes increased demands upon our school system,… Read More

We are extremely dismayed about the inappropriate innuendo and unpleasant tone of recent letters to the editor about our town’s citizen volunteers.  In fact, Shelburne town boards and commissions are very lucky to have the dedication and caliber and integrity of our citizen volunteers. We moved to Shelburne in 1996 from a similar-sized town in upstate New… Read More

When the Selectboard promotes the interests of a single developer over those of taxpaying rural residents, and appoints a Natural Resource Committee that confuses urban zoning with “Smart Growth,” it’s time to consider new management. New people in office that will have this towns well-being and interest at heart, not just one developer who is… Read More

I read with dismay the recent letter to the editor by Ms. Sueayn Wood impugning the character and motivations of our fellow citizens who volunteer to serve on the Planning Commission and on the Selectboard. The tactic—attacking motivation and character—is much easier to make and requires less effort than reasoned arguments about policy. It persists… Read More

After viewing a recording of Thursday night’s Planning Commission meeting it was very apparent that Sueayn Wood’s letter to the editor in the May 9 Shelburne News regarding the public’s perception of possible conflict of interest on the part of some of our elected and appointed town representatives struck a nerve. Commissioner Kate Lalley and Alison Cranmer,… Read More

Each week, Reps. Joan Lenes and Kate Webb provide an update on legislative actions in the ‘Report from Montpelier.’ Two very nice ladies, but I wonder why they vote the way they do. In this session, taxes have been increased on income, clothing, meals, vending machines, soft drinks, candy, satellite TV, cigarettes, gasoline, and most… Read More

I watch the happenings around Shelburne, with all of the talk on the Planning Commission and on the SelectBoard of changing: (1)  the sewer system borders to support development and (2)  the rural zoning that is the core of Shelburne. I became curious about the current members of the Planning Commission and the Select Board.… Read More

For the third time in twelve years, there is another petition by O’Brien Brothers before the Planning Commission to extend the sewer service area into a rural zoned district to create high density development (80-120 units between Irish Hill and Thomas Roads) in direct conflict with the town plan and current zoning regulations. This is… Read More

Several letters have been written to the Shelburne news taking Joan Lenes and Kate Webb to task for their support of millions of dollars in new and increased taxes.  When will Shelburne residents begin to realize that Joan and Kate have never seen a tax that they don’t like? When did we have a year when taxes… Read More

I am so proud to live in a town where our amazing local businesses generously support so many great causes and needs.  This year I volunteered to help raise local business support for The Carrie Premsagar Foundation, www.carriepremsagarfoundation.org, which is dedicated to meeting the needs of local families dealing with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.… Read More