Month: February 2011

Members of St. Ann’s Parish are used to seeing the Rev. John Feltz in his usual priestly getup for Sunday Mass, and many of them know he wears another uniform as chaplain in the Vermont National Guard. Just recently, though, Feltz’ military blues just got a little brighter with a new pin: a full-bird colonel. He was promoted from lieutenant colonel on Saturday, Jan. 8. The application first had to pass inspection at the state level before it was forwarded to Washington, D.C. At the Pentagon, it went through 14 offices before being vote on by the U.S. Senate....

The engineers tasked with analyzing what recreational uses are appropriate for the Bove Property presented their final report at the Selectboard’s Feb. 7 meeting, most of them relating to hiking and walking but leaving open the possibility for a connector for motorized vehicles. Consultants from Lamoureux and Dickinson explained that because the Bove Property, land purchased by the town to access the Town Forest, is one-third wetlands, recreational use is somewhat inhibited. However, some wetlands can be impacted with a proper permit, soil specialist Brian Tremback said. “If you can show a need to do it, you can get...

All this snow isn’t getting Recreation coordinator Kym Duchesneau down. Instead, she’s getting hyped up for her department’s third annual Community Winter Festival this weekend, Friday, Feb. 11 to Sunday, Feb. 13. “I think it will get people more excited to come out,” she said. The three-day event invites Milton residents to Bombardier Park and beyond for wintery, family fun. Day One is usually the biggest draw, with a bonfire, hot chocolate, pizza and fireworks to cap Friday night. A moon-and-candle-lit path will be set up for nighttime snowshoers. The Arrowhead Mountain Snowmobile Club will mark the trail ahead...

Milton Police recognized some of its own at an awards ceremony Friday, Jan. 21. It was the first time the department held such a banquet, and seven officers were commended with certificates and plaques. According to Chief Brett Van Noordt, the ceremony was just over a year in the making. Officer Christopher Grenier, who previously worked for the Vermont State Police and received a pin after saving someone from drowning, suggested it. “He thought that recognition went an awful long way to morale and everyone else’s morale,” Van Noordt said, and he agreed. “It’s a good way to recognize...

Around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, Milton emergency responders got a call that a helicopter had crashed at Sand Bar State Park – and were relieved to know it was just a drill. Milton Fire and Rescue departments were called in to assist with the Vermont National Guard Civil Support Team’s (CST) exercise on hazardous materials and terrorist threats. The CST is a group of Guard members called on to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and other threats. Cpt. Brian Lefler, the officer-in-charge at the Guard’s Joint Operations office, coordinated the exercise with fire Cpt. Dustin Keelty, who...