Opinion on Dubie & Burn Ordinance

Dubie Declines Debate
A week and a half ago 400 municipal officials attended the Town Fair sponsored by the Vermont League of Cities of Town (VLCT). The biggest workshop on the schedule was a forum with the gubernatorial candidates. Guess what? Only one of the big two was in attendance. Shumlin was there, and although I didn't attend the session I heard he was very receptive and responsive to the issues and the questions of the crowd. So where was Dubie? Rumor has it that he declined the invitation to attend because his conditions for the forum weren't met--he wanted to be presented in a separate room and wouldn't participate in an unscripted debate. Hmmmm....why would a candidate for governor pass up the opportunity to campaign to such an influential and connected crowd?

Please, don't forget to vote on or before Nov. 2nd.

(GLENN RUSSELL, Burlington Free Press) Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie, and Democratic candidate Peter Shumlin. Read about it: "Dubie Snaps at Shumlin" or watch the video of the debate.

Part 2: Burn Policy Ordinance
We've finally arrived on a draft for the new burn policy. You can read the entire text here.

This is the summary of the proposed ordinance:

What can I burn?

• “Natural Wood” = branches and brush less than 4” in diameter.
• “Non-woody vegetation” = leaves, grass, yard trimmings and other organic materials

What type of burning requires a permit?

• Burning natural wood or non-woody vegetation when there is no snow on the ground surrounding the area where the burn will take place.
• A bonfire greater than thirty (30) inches in diameter when there is no snow on the ground surrounding the bonfire area.
• Burning construction or demolition materials and commercial wastes only if approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

What does not require a permit?

• Barbeque pits less than thirty (30) inches in diameter.
• Campfires or bonfires less than thirty (30) inches in diameter.
• Recreational burning of natural wood within a chiminea or similar open container.
• Burning natural wood or non-woody vegetation when there is snow on the ground surrounding the area where the burn will take place.

What are the rules for burning?

• All permitted and exempt fires shall be extinguished when not attended to.
• All individuals conducting a permitted or exempt fire shall have means available to keep the fire under control or to extinguish it immediately.
• A permitted or exempt fire is never allowed to smolder.
• No structure can be intentionally burned.
• An authorized individual may order any fire to be extinguished.
• An authorized individual may inspect material to be burned and deny issuance of a permit as a result of the inspection.
• No burning within 200’ of a woodland or forestland or field containing dry grass when there is no snow on the ground.

So if you have an opposition, or an opinion, on this ordinance, please let me know before the next Selectboard meeting, or attend the meeting in person, on Thursday 10/21/10.

Thanks, Kim

Burn, Baby Burn

Recently, members of the Selectboard heard strong complaints from a few Jericho residents about smoky, smoldering fires which continued for numerous days. At the time of the complaints, it became very clear that town officials did not have a well-defined way to address complaints of this kind.

As Jericho increases in density the issues around open burning will no doubt continue to cause problems among neighbors. There is also the issue of air quality. Several residents have expressed their view that composting is always a more environmental option than combustion.

The Selectboard is grappling with this subject. We've heard a variety of diverse opinions: some say the current burn policy for Jericho, along with the state law about burning, is working just fine, so there is no need to change anything. Others believe that a detailed burn ordinance (such as the one in Colchester) would do the trick. Still others believe that we should forbid all open burning in Jericho.

What do you think?

Please take a couple minutes to complete this short survey.

Thanks, Kim