The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 11

CheiBurl(ngtonjfreeDress Vermont Chittenden gears up for town meetings Page 8B, 9B loelsno wants answe rs oo gas from Canada to Massachusetts along a 253-mile route, beginning in Quebec, then running the length of Vermont, clipping the southwest corner of New Hampshire, entering Massachusetts near Winchendon and running to West Med-way, about 10 miles southwest of Boston. People who gathered at the Lane's house to learn how to get involved with the project, suspect state and town officials have known about the pipeline for two years. Then they explained how they got the news. "The way we heard about it was Sept. 3 SECTION Sunday, March 5, 1989 City Editor, Sam Hemingway Phone: 865-0940, ext.

2017 State notes Burlington man dies after 1 -vehicle crash Alan J. Griffin, 27, of Burlington died Saturday at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont from injuries received in an automobile accident Feb. 25, 1989. Griffin was injured when his pickup struck a bridge on the Richmond-Huntington Road in Huntington about 1:45 a.m. He lost control going around a left hand curve and crossed into the opposite lane and struck the bridge, police said.

This death marks the 24th this year on Vermont highways, compared with 16 at this time last year. Burlington man hurt after car hits guardrail A 23-year-old Burlington man is in serious condition at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont in Burlington after his car struck a guardrail on U.S. 7 in Middlebury Saturday morning. Scott Redfield was in serious condition after undergoing surgery for abdominal and chest injuries late Saturday, a hospital spokeswoman said. The Middlebury Police Department said extremely icy road conditions at 9:30 a.m.

apparently caused Redfield to lose control of his car, striking the guardrail. Redfield was trapped inside his car and had to be cut out by Middlebury Rescue Squad. Redfield and a passenger, whom Middlebury Police Department could only identify as B. Morgan, were taken to Porter Medical Center in Middlebury. Morgan was treated for minor injuries and released; Redfield was transferred to the medical center.

By Mary Ann Lickteig Free Press Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD Eighty-two-year-old John Stahlin's story was typical of the people gathered at Richard and Debbie's Lane's house Saturday. Stahlin went out to trim the softwoods on his tree farm in Chester last fall and found blue and red flags fluttering from some of the shrubs and tree branches. He tore them down, not knowing what they were for until he read a story in the paper about the Champlain Pipeline. The line is planned to bring natural deliveErif 78 years late, the post office comes through By Michael Allen Free Press Staff Writer The joyous occasion at Henry An-golano's house Saturday morning, reminiscent of a family wedding, was for the delivery of the mail a 78-year-old letter meant for his grandfather, Frank Campobasso. "It was a nice feeling, to be honest, getting something that old," said An-golano, 64.

"I thought it would be a personal letter of some kind. It turned out to be from this company, the olive oil company." The letter, written in Italian, was postmarked Feb. 18, 1911, in Boston, from friends of Campobasso at Scaramelli an olive oil firm. A relative, Richie Esposito of Long Island, was able to roughly translate the letter. He said the correspondent was sending his regards, letting Campobasso know he would stay with him during his visit to Burlington.

Stephen Gallant, construction manager for White Ken Pantry, recently discovered the letter in a mail chute during renovations of the convenience store in Boston. "It was lodged behind a piece of board that framed the chute," Gallant said. The site was a postal office that closed up in 1920. A few people present at the discovery wanted to open the letter but Gallant and a colleague decided to contact the postal service. "The two of 7 V- KAREN PIKE, Free Press POSTAGE DUE: Henry Angolano, right, and his sister, Rita Trayah, laugh over a letter delivered to them Saturday by letter carrier John Emilo, left.

The letter, postmarked 1911 in Boston, was originally destined for their grandfather, Frank Campobasso. 20 when I received a call from a surveyor that was employed by the pipeline (asking) to do an archaeological survey across our property and that was the first time we'd ever heard of it," Mrs. Lane said. The Lanes' reaction: Organize. They formed a group called Vermonters Against Champlain Pipeline, which has been meeting twice a month and which publishes newsletters.

Saturday, the group invited other citizens' groups from Rockingham, Westminster, Guilford, Westford and Franklin County, to the Lane -I ft daughter, Mary, married a local contractor, Charles Angolano, Nov. 2, 1919, and had 12 children. An extensive search, aided by Ray Victory, Burlington deputy city assessor, and Lillian Maloney of the Vermont Department on Vital Records led to two Campobasso grandsons, Charles D. Angolano of Burlington and Henry D. Angolano of Winooski.

Five of Campobasso's living grandchildren and a few of their children were present when the U.S. Postal top ballot items receipts tax to beer, wine, cigarettes and other tobacco products. The proposed tax rates would be 2 cents on bottles under 16 ounces and 5 cents each on cigarettes and bottles over 16 ounces. This tax is expected to raise $560,000 of the proposed three-year $1.25 million child-care fund. Question 2B asks voters whether the city should assess employers $32 for each non-resident employee for the child-care fund.

This is expected to raise $465,000 a year. The remaining funding will be supplied by tax-exempt employers such as the city and the University of Vermont. Public safety: The city is asking Turn to LANDFILL, 2B question of whether the business community would dive head-first into the campaign to support Chioffi, who was the 1987 Downtown Business Development Association's Nate Harris award for business leadership winner. Clavelle's tenure in the development office may have tempered that enthusiasm. Chioffi reached for free advertising with frequent news conferences as many as four a week.

The novelty faded late last week when just two reporters -v It LI i 1 house 50 feet from the proposed pipeline route to hear New York' and Connecticut organizers tell how they have fought the Iroquois pipeline planned for their states. The Champlain Pipeline Co. is 'well into the process of acquiring its certificate of public convenience and necessity, said Anne Mueser, chairwoman of GASP Coalition in Duchess County, N.Y., a group which has fought Iroquois. Once the company gets that certificate from the Federal Energy Regulatory Tum to SPRINGFIELD, 4B t' Service made the belated delivery. "It is a great reason to get together," said Lorraine Greenough, daughter of Henry's now deceased twin sister, May.

John Emilo, the mailman, handed Henry his regular mail as he went out the door. No, Emilo said. He hadn't delivered a 78-year-old letter lately. "This is a rare find." to finish attended her last two gatherings. Clavelle had slightly better attendance with no more than two news conferences a week and Baird always drew reporters to her weekly gathering.

But none of the candidates was able to summon the media like the master himself. Sanders may have tried to keep a low profile during the campaign but he did manage to draw a crowd with his news conferences supporting ballot items, Progressive candidates and his challenges of state legislators to Burlington's Charter. Although the debate trail may have left the candidates weary, it did allow key differences to surface. Chioffi and Clavelle disagreed on how to create more affordable housing while Baird called for a halt to all luxury growth. Baird would like city commissioners to be elected; Chioffi wants to strengthen commissions; Clavelle would consider changing the system for something more "responsive." Both Clavelle and Baird support home rule to supply more local tax options.

Chioffi and Hackett, whose major plank is to reduce property taxes 20 percent, oppose home rule. The proposed tax on beer, wine and cigarettes to support a city child-care fund has Chioffi's and Clavelle's support but Baird and Hackett oppose it. All the candidates say the Univer-Turn to MAYORAL, 2B a paper ballot," said Wilfred Moore, chairman of the Sharon selectmen. But Sheltra disagrees. "As you keep bringing the issue up, more and more people are going to be at ease about voting about it," she said.

Land preservation is another widespread issue. At least nine towns will decide whether to form conservation commissions. Nine communities already have such boards, which are volunteer environmental groups created to protect a town's natural resources. Proponents say the commissions help towns to preserve and protect wetlands, streams and other natural resources Turn to VERMONTERS, 9B rLr i I Lively mayoral contest races us were excited to find a letter that is 78 years old. We thought the family would be just as excited," Gallant said.

The first thing Sally Rice, a U.S. Postal Service director of marketing and communication, did on hearing of the letter was to comb through the Burlington phone book for a Campobasso. She couldn't find any. She did find out, however, that Frank Campobasso reportedly moved to Barre and died there in 1924. A Landfill, taxes By Lisa Scagliotti Free Press Staff Writer Burlington voters will face a number of ballot items Tuesday on issues including a school tax increase, a $7.8 million landfill bond issue, $1.5 million to build fire stations and a special city "sin tax" toward a child-care fund.

School tax: The School Department is seeking a tax increase of 8.4 cents per $100 assessed property value. This would bring the current tax rate of $1.26 to $1.34 per $100 assessed value. The board trimmed its original request of 15.5 cents. Child care: Question 2A is an advisory measure asking voters whether the city should extend the gross Clavelle with catchy but cliche responses, Chioffi with untested positions and Hackett the most determined to be heard. The role of the media also became a hotly contested issue when Clavelle called upon Chioffi not to do television ads to prevent expenses from escalating.

Chioffi wavered but finally gave in. Ironically, when the candidates disclosed their campaign finances, Clavelle led Chioffi in contributions $27,322 to $20,529. The numbers also put to rest the to tackle Bill would allow towns to have own trooper MONTPELIER Vermont communities would be able to have their own resident state trooper under a bill introduced by three northwestern Vermont senators. Any community willing to pay 80 percent of the trooper's annual salary, could request a residential trooper from the Department of Public Safety. The town would be required to pay about $21,600 annually for the trooper, who would work a minimum of 45 hours a week.

The remainder of the salary, uniform and equipment would be covered by the state, according to the bill. i The bill is sponsored by Sen. Thomas Crowley, D-Chittenden, Sen. Richard Maz-za, D-Chittenden and Sen. Francis Hpwri-gan, D-Franklin.

Chittenden senator charged with DWI State Sen. Thomas M. Crowley, D-Chittenden, was charged with driving while intoxicated Saturday night, Winoos-ki police said. He was stopped at 6:13 p.m. by Wi-nooski police on East Allen Street on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Police refused to release the results of alcohol tests. Crowley was released Saturday night and will appear in court sometime in April, police said. Crowley has previously faced charges of driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence stemming from an incident in October 1986. Under a plea agreement, he pleaded no contest to driving while intoxicated. He paid a fine and took the CRASH program, which educates drivers about the dangers of driving while intoxicated.

Rockingham authorities study woman's death State police in Rockingham are investigating the death of a 58-year-old Strat-ton woman. Lorraine VanAuken-Anderson was found dead in her house by her husband, Christopher Anderson, Friday at 9:30 a.m., police said. Police would give no further information; an autopsy is scheduled for Monday. Inside Court news Day in court. 7B Deaths-JOB Politics.

2B JIB, 9B By Lisa Scagliotti Free Press Staff Writer In just three days, Burlington voters will decide the successor to Mayor Bernard Sanders after one of the liveliest campaigns the city has seen since Sanders' 10-vote victory over five-term incumbent Gordon Paquette in 1981. There are four candidates former Community and Economic Development Director Peter Clavelle, an independent running with the endorsement of the Progressive Coalition; Democrat Nancy Chioffi, downtown businesswoman and one-term Ward 5 alderwoman serving as president of the board; Burlington lawyer Sandra Baird running on the Greens ticket and Michael Hackett, a perennial candidate, running on the self-proclaimed "tax-revolt" ticket. The campaign began in earnest Jan. 12, after Chioffi emerged from a three-way struggle at her party's caucus to capture the nomination by five votes. A rising star on Burlington's political scene, Chioffi took well to campaigning while Clavelle weathered a shaky start in front of the cameras but neither came close to Sanders' flamboyant style.

A slate of 10 debates provided ample opportunity for personalities to emerge with interesting results for all the candidates. They proved Baird the superior orator, 35 towns By Charlene L. Fu The Associated Press MONTPELIER Vermonters will consider the weighty issues of capital punishment and environmental protection along with more routine affairs such as town budgets and where to build a new elementary school on Town Meeting Day. In at least 35 towns, residents will vote whether to ask the Legislature to reinstate the death penalty. Debate on measures to preserve the environment are on the agenda in several communities, while mayoral races will be decided in Vermont's largest and smallest cities, Burlington and Vergennes.

The move to put the death penalty death penalty issue Issues facing Chittenden towns, 8B, 9B punishment, Sheltra said. Despite that show of support, the death penalty bill died in both House and Senate committees that year. This time, Sheltra is trying a different tactic. She has introduced legislation calling for a referendum on whether Vermont courts should be allowed to impose the death penalty for aggravated first-degree murder. Town officials say voters may be reluctant to show their neighbors how they feel about the issue, if the vote is taken by a show of hands.

"You won't get a true picture without question to voters on Town Meeting Day came from four Republican legislators who say there is strong support for putting capital punishment back on the books. The last execution in Vermont was in the 1950s. "The purpose behind this is to let the people voice their opinions," said Rep. Nancy Sheltra, R-Derby, who sent letters to selectmen in every municipality asking that the non-binding death penalty resolution be put on the warning. Two-thirds of the approximately 30 towns that took up the question two years ago voted in favor of reinstating capital I III.