Grafton resident to share Springfield zoning duties

A Grafton resident will be taking over the planning and zoning duties for longtime Springfield zoning administrator Linda Rousse, who plans on retiring at the end of June.

Four schools fail to meet AYP

Four of five Springfield schools did not make adequate yearly progress for different reasons in tests taken last fall, according to results released by the Vermont Department of Education Monday.

Man denies teen sex charges

A 23-year-old Springfield man has denied charges that he had sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl. On Monday, Jeremiah D. Saypack pleaded innocent in White River Junction District Court to one count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. Saypack could face 15 years in prison if convicted.

School budget priorities

When Springfield residents turned down a $23 million school budget for next year by less than 80 votes in March, the school board moved expeditiously to develop a new proposal and bring it before voters in early April.

Town moves to fix police dispute

A resolution to the ongoing labor dispute between Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston and the unionized police officers might be in the offing.
The hostile work environment grievance filed in February by the Springfield police union against Chief Doug Johnston and the town will be addressed in face-to-face talks, not before the Vermont Labor Relations Board, at least for now.

It was all about the KIDS!!!

Gathered by the Springfield Area parent Child Center, SAPCC, and fueled by families with kids as the guest of honor, the Riverside Middle School was filled with booths - grazing stations for fun and learning - if you will, last Saturday.

Board offers early retirement to select teachers

In an attempt to further reduce the budget for the Springfield School District, the School Board voted Monday night to offer $25,000 early retirement incentives to veteran teachers. By a 3 to 2 vote, the board decided to offer the incentive to teachers who have been with the district for at least 20 years.

Renaissance man (photo)

Springfield painting contractor Justin Moulton was doing his best Michelangelo imitation recently, painting the ceiling of the historic Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Springfield gold leaf, on his back, with pillows on top of scaffolding. Photo by Susan Smallheer, Rutland Herald.

Police sweep school for drugs

Springfield High School went into lockdown Friday morning while four drug sniffing police dogs made their way through the building. None were found.

Employers, recruiters offer career day advice

This week at the Howard Dean Center at Springfield High School, more than 500 middle school pupils will participate in hands-on career demonstrations and perhaps learn that "it's cool to think about your future."

Bellows Falls to host transit center

Connecticut River Transit announced Thursday that it had signed a contract to begin construction of a new facility in Bellows Falls in June.

Fellows Gear Shaper building in line for $6M facelift

The 1896 Fellows Gear Shaper building, the dilapidated hulk that sits in the heart of downtown Springfield, will get a $6 million facelift, thanks to a group of Washington, D.C., developers.

New Life for Old Springfield Plant

Video: Laughter filled the old Fellows Machine Tool plant in downtown Springfield. It represented the spirits of those on hand for Tuesday's press conference.

Springfield Landmark Gets New Look

Video: Developers are giving a 6-million-dollar facelift to an iconic building, the old Fellows Gear Shaper.

Vermont announces brownfields grants

A Maryland firm is in line for a $40,000 state grant to study pollution and contamination at the former Fellows Gear Shaper Co. plant in downtown Springfield.

Police union sends letter to residents opposing the chief

The police officers' union took the unusual step of sending an open letter to Springfield residents this weekend, detailing their grievances with Police Chief Douglas Johnston and town management, and asking residents to call members of the Select Board with their concerns.

Inmates don caps, gowns

Christopher Blanchard raised his right arm in triumph after a friend yelled, "Go Blanchard!" just before Blanchard switched his tassel over.
For the six inmates and their friends, family and teachers it was a rare moment of happiness and accomplishment when they received their high school diplomas at the Southern State Correctional Facility on Monday.

Springfield OKs church steeple cell tower

Cell phone service in Springfield should improve, thanks to new equipment that will be installed in the steeple of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

Contractor charged with tax evasion

A Springfield man who is a self-employed contractor was charged with six felony counts of income tax offenses Thursday for allegedly not filing or paying Vermont taxes for the years 2004-2006.

Town shoots down budget

For the second year in a row, residents have twice defeated the proposed budget for the Springfield School District.

Longtime Springfield town clerk to step down

Bonnie Reynolds, who has been Springfield's town clerk for 30 years and plans to retire at the end of June, wonders who is going to inherit her distinctive antique oak partners desk, with its giant claw feet and ornate carving discovered by former Town Manager Paul McCarthy.
Reynolds said at first she had no intention of taking up Town Clerk Bernard "Bub" Emerson's offer to work as his assistant for a couple of weeks in the early 1970s.

Springfield School Board votes for Park Street referendum

In a rare unanimous vote, the School Board adopted a motion to bring a referendum to the voters May 13 asking them to answer the question, "Shall the district cease the use of the Park Street School as a school as soon as possible?"

School Board OKs architecture talks

On Monday night the School Board moved one step closer to consolidating the town's elementary schools when it voted to begin negotiations to develop architectural plans to provide the space necessary for the consolidation to move forward.