NEWBURY—As Newbury awaits an official permit application to open a juvenile treatment facility on Stevens Place, residents and state officials met for a second time last week via Zoom to discuss lingering apprehensions.
The central topic became: Why Newbury? What other locations were considered for this facility and why was this Orange County town deemed the most suitable?
“I hear a lot of people in town do not want you here,” said Newbury Village Store owner Lance Battersby. Questions such as this were common during Thursday’s Zoom meeting as Newbury residents expressed their reservations towards the proposed plans.

PIERMONT— On March 13, voters will decide whether to pass article 16 and develop less than an acre of land, formerly known as the Veilette property, into a community park.
Located at 239 Route 25C, the property is deemed an ideal spot for recreation and picnic use.
According to Piermont Selectboard Chair Colin Stubbings, the cost to develop the site will be minimal as much of the work will be done by volunteers.

WOODSVILLE—A selectboard candidate accused board members of a “power grab” on Monday night with proposed changes in town governance that will be voted on during town meeting.
Michael Graham, who is challenging selectboard chair Darwin Clogston, said proposals to give the selectboard the power to appoint the town treasurer and budget committee members deserved public discussion.

NORTH HAVERHILL—The escalating division among Haverhill’s precincts was a concern for both candidates running for a three-year term on Haverhill’s selectboard.
All town meeting voting, including officer elections, will be conducted by Australian ballot at the Haverhill Cooperative Middle School on March 13. Walk-through and drive-through voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In separate interviews, incumbent Darwin Clogston and challenger Michael Graham each highlighted the importance of serving with the interests of all citizens in mind.

NEWBURY—Little Rivers Health Care is expanding its footprint in the short term and the long term.
First, Little Rivers has set up a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in the former Newbury Health Center.
According to Andrew Barter, Little Rivers Chief Operating Officer, it is a state-based clinic and vaccination eligibility is determined by the Vermont Department of Health.
People now eligible are long-term care residents and staff, health care workers, and first responders; and individuals 70 and older.
Individuals aged 65 and up are estimated to be eligible in early March. In late March, those with certain high-risk health conditions can receive the vaccine. These estimates are subject to change based on federal vaccine allocations.