Bennington Banner from Bennington, Vermont • 18

LOCALSTATE Tuesday, November 1, 1983 Page 18 Bennington Banner Taxes are due Friday, no excuses VERMONT BRIEFS secure returns higher than the rates at which they were loaned. Kehoe said that he expected most of the outstanding tax payments to pour into the town offices during the last several days of the collection period. The vast majority of that is by check," Colvin said. Its not like were going to have $3 million in cash on hand. The combined tax rate for the town and its school system is $4.77 per $100 of assessed value.

That figure is up from last years rate of $4.07 The towns budget calls for about $3.2 million, of which $2.5 million must be raised by taxes, Kehoe said. He said that another $300,000 in tax dollars would go to service the towns wastewater improvement project bond. The schools budget stands at about $6 million, with about $4 million to be raised by taxes. Kehoe said that very few of the checks submitted bounce. And they are always made good, Kehoe said.

The 8 percent delinquency fee goes to help pay Richard Pinnsonneault, the towns deputy tax collector, Kehoe said. Kehoe said that Pinnsonneault earns the money. The people I deal with are unhappy. The people he deals with are downright mad, Kehoe said. Colvin said that this year, the police department had twice been called upon to visit people who made scenes about their tax bills in the town office building.

unpaid balance, he said. Also, residents who have bought their houses after April 1 should make sure they receive a tax bilb-Kehoe said that since the town updated its assessments on April 1, recent changes in property ownership might not have showen up in the tax collectors records yet. By the same token, people who have received tax bills for land they no longer own should forward the bills to the propertys new owners. Kehoe said that the rule of thumb is, if in doubt, pay" If we have to, we can always make an abatement, said Kehoe, explaining that those who pay too much will either receive refunds or credits. Kehoe said that the tax collection process is now computerized.

To finance town operations in the four months that have passed since the current fiscal year began, Bennington floated a municipal tax anticipation note, Kehoe said. According to Colvin, the town can borrow up to 90 percent of the money needed to run the town during the time between the end of one fiscal year and the day taxes for the next fiscal year are collected. But we never come close, Colvin said. Kehoe said that the town might not repay the tax anticipation note immediately. He said that the town might invest the borrowed funds, hoping to By STEVEN BREDICE When Benningtons treasurer shows up for work on Monday morning, he will probably find that several last-minute taxpayers tried to beat an 8 percent penalty fee by slipping their checks, due at 4 30 this Friday afternoon, under the door to the town offices.

In this case, almost is not good enough, according to Edward Kehoe, town treasurer. Kehoe said that any bill that was not postmarked Friday, Nov. 4, or hand delivered to the town office building by the time administrators headed home for the weekend, will be considered delinquent. Bills that are mailed, but for some reason are not postmarked, will also be considered delinquent. The delinquent taxpayers will have to pay an 8 percent fine.

Those whose bills do not show up at all will face an additional fine of 1 percent per month on the unpaid balance. So far, the school and the town have collected about $1.7 million, Kehoe said, adding that the total amount still due stands at roughly $6.9 million. Most of the big corporations pay in advance, said Town Manager James Colvin, who noted that Union Carbide was the towns largest contributor, with a 1983 tax billl in excess of $600,000. Kehoe had some advice for those who anticipate problems in raising the money on time. They should pay as much as they can as early as they can, because the penalty is levied on the Court avoids power issue WASHINGTON (UPI) The little town of Cavendish, failed Monday to get the Supreme Court to rule whether the federal government must consider local sentiments before approving power plant permits.

The justices refused to accept a plea from the town to decide if the Federal Energy Regulatory Agency should have the power to overrule every local decision which is contrary to the wishes of the federal agency. Justice William Rehnquist said he would have liked to hear the case, but it takes four votes from the justices to grant a review of a lower court decision. The dispute arose in 1979 when the town of Springfield, along with the Vermont Public Power Authority, applied to the federal energy agency for a permit to build a hydroelectric project on the Black River. In January 1980, Cavendish asked for an order from the state Public Service Board preventing Springfield from beginning construction of the plant. The board eventually issued the requested order.

Springfield, however, filed suit and the U.S. District Court apd the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the federal government had total control over the licensing of power projects. Cavendish appealed to the high court when lower courts refused to consider its claim that the power plant could not be built unless Spingfield obtained a certificate of public good from the state agency. Reviews showed health risk MONTPELIER (UPI) Three independent reviews conducted earlier this year concluded there was a substantial public health risk because of a management breakdown within Vermonts meat inspection program, the Snelling administration said Monday.

It provided the House Agriculture Committee with reports tracing the history of a six-month controversy surrounding the program as well as a series of conclusions it said were supported by its own investigation. The initial conclusion, according to one of the reports, was that meat that had been judged unhealthy by Agriculture Department inspectors was ultimately approved for public consumption. The breakdown, the reviews concluded, was a result of management which, if not corrected, would result in the continued weakness of the regulatory process, it said. The legislative committee, skeptical of administration findings, has launched its own investigation, and last week was provided with 1,500 pages of transcripts from the gubernatorial review. Although the transcripts have not been made public, a report given to the committee Monday by Administration Secretary David Wilson included a code designed to direct lawmakers to sections supporting the administrations findings.

He said the gubernatorial review team found that inspectors who judged meat to be unhealthy were overruled by their supervisors after the supervisors were called by the owners of meat packing plants involved. Lower phone rate for poor urged officials, telephone company executives and consumer advocates. Ms. McCarren traced the history of the ongoing changes back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, saying the Federal Communications Commission decided to introduce competition into the industry. She said the end result will be that many local service costs that were previously spread among all customers will now be shouldered by fewer customers.

In Vermont, she said, the impact will be severe. Vermont will have to absorb some of the highest (rate) changes in the country, she said. Ms. McCarren said that unlike the electric industry in which the cost of service reflects the amount of power used increasing telephone service costs will be felt by all people with phones, regardless of use. pending in Congress including a proposed universal service fund to assure low-income people will not lose phone service would have little benefit for Vermont.

She called the proposal a political farce and said it would aim the fund at high-growth service areas, ignoring the fact Vermont is a rural state in which basic monthly telephone service rates are likely to increase by an alarming rate $13 to $15. She said 15 percent of Vermont homes that fall below poverty levels already lack telephones, and the problem will be exacerbated by the fundamental changes taking place in the industry. We are very concerned with the number of households in the state that will be unable to afford basic exchange service," she said. The states chief utility regulator said the Public Service Board cannot use its rate-setting authority to redistribute income by directing cost increases toward customers who can best afford them. One alternative under review, she said, is a need-test lifeline rate that would assure basic phone service to households that can meet poverty guidelines that have not yet been established.

She said the Legislature would have to expand the PSBs jurisdiction before the program could be implemented. The most difficult and agonizing policy to develop will be a rate policy, she said. There are no clear answers; our job is going to be difficult and oftentimes painful. The daylong Vermont Consumer Conference on Telephone Issues was sponsored by the national Conference of Consumer Organizations, and drew nearly 100 people. It included presentations by a variety Of state By KEVIN GODDARD MONTPELIER (UPI) Vermont may need a program allowing low-income people to pay reduced rates for basic telephone service following the breakup of American Telephone Telegraph Public Service Board Chairman Louise McCarren said Monday.

She said the state is among those likely to be damaged most by the breakup and corollary deregulation of the telephone industry, and is in jeopardy of becoming a communications backwater. And she said lawmakers, consumers and state regulators should begin work on a comprehensive strategy to protect the states interests as the restructuring of the communications industry unfolds. Ms. McCarren told a conference of consumer groups that legislation Hang glider injured FOR THE RECORD PUTNAM HOSPITAL False alarm A fire alarm was mistakenly activated at 5:09 p.m. Monday at the State Office complex.

that two males and two females burglarized an office in the Morse Block and stole a paymaster, a typewriter, a postage meter and a number of checks. One of the checks turned up in South Burlington, one in Rutland, one in Glens Falls, N.Y. and one in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Barton said the suspects used stolen drivers licenses to verify the checks. Barton said police were still investigating the case to determine what charges will be brought.

VERMONT (UPI) The daily lottery number Monday was 507. MASSACHUSETTS (UPI) The lottery number Monday was 4618. Break-in suspects Police said authorities in New York State have four suspects who were involved in a break-in at the Morse Block, Inc. in Bennington on Aug. 8.

Chief Peter Barton of the Bennington Police Department said New York State Police have determined Monday, Oct. 31 Admissions Helen Crosier of North Bennington. THE NUMBERS NEW YORK (UPI) The daily number drawn Monday in the state lottery was 665. The Win-4 number was 5048. Halloween mischief Bennington Police officers apprehended egg throwers, mostly on Main Street Monday night.

Those caught will have to clean the storefronts that they dirtied. OBITUARIES Squad or Putnam Memorial Hospital through the office of the funeral home. Caroline C. Darlington, 73 NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (UPI) A Sherborn woman was in fair condition in North Adams Regional Hospital Monday after her hang glider crashed into power lines along the Mohawk Trail, police said.

Leona Luczkow, 24, was hospitalized with broken ribs and possible internal injuries following the 12:58 p.m. crash Sunday, officials said. Ms. Luczkows hang glider apparently hit power lines near the Berkshires highway and then crashed onto the road, police said. Ms.

Luczkow did not receive a shock when the aluminum frame of her hang glider hit the power lines, but she was injured when she hit the ground. The crash cut power to the nearby town of Florida for about an hour, officials said. Police found Ms. Luczkow next to a guardrail on the north side of the highway about a quarter-mile from the hairpin turn, police said. She had launched her hang glider from a platform about 300 feet above the highway, police said.

Murder suspect shoots himself BENSON (UPI) Former selectman Timothy Burkhardt, 26, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound a day after he allegedly shot Eugene Munger, 22, of Benson, police said Monday. Meanwhile, Munger remained in serious condition at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. After an extensive search, Burkhardts body was found Sunday and a revolver was discovered near his body, police said. They said Burkhardt shot Munger twice in the stomach Saturday after their cars collided on Lake Road in their hometown. At least two shots were fired at Mungers vehicle as he drove away, police said.

Police said Burkhardt had been harrassing Mungers wife Clairette with telephone calls, and drove by their home. Munger got in his car and a chase ensued. Mungers car hit the rear of Burkhardts vehicle, forcing it off the side of the road and into a tree stump. Munger got out and Burkhardt shot him, police said. Despite the injuries, Munger drove home and summoned an ambulance.

Burkhardts father, Arthur, found his son on a farm owned by Mungers parents, not far from the scene of the accident, police said. Police said the gun used in the apparent suicide probably was the same used to shoot Munger. Burkhardt resigned as selectman this summer, town officials said. Arson arrests nearly triple MONTPELIER (UPI) Arson arrests in Vermont nearly tripled in the last six years, and state police have attributed the increase to training. Police Lt.

Lawrence Wade said the formation of the Fire Investigation Unit led to better expertise in identifying arson cases. And, he said that resulted in more arson arrests. Wade said the unit also has developed better working relationships with local fire marshals and fire departments. The causes of nearly half of the fires investigated during the last fiscal year were singled out as being of suspicious origin, he said. UVM to study nerve disease BURLINGTON (UPI) The University of Vermont College of Medicine has launched a one-year study designed to help nerve disease victims.

Dr. Walter Bradley said the study, the first major project of its kind in the country, will focus on the effects of using cow-brain extract to treat their ailments. He hoped to ask some 100 volunteers to accept daily inoculations of the extract, believed to help assist the nerves in healing themselves. He said the victims could regain control of their limbs if the treatments work. Sanders raps Legislature SPRINGFIELD (UPI) The Vermont Legislature has neglected its repsonsibility to enact progressive tax reform, says Burlington Mayor Bernard Sanders.

The self-described socialist, speaking to the Vermont Labor Forum, called the Legislature a joke and said it is leaning more and more toward regressive increases in the sales tax. Instead of a progressive tax system, they (lawmakers) are talking about lowering the tax on corporations and increasing the taxes on potato chips, he said. Sanders, testing the waters for a possible gubernatorial campaign, also called on organized labor Sunday to unite with the elderly and other special interest groups to help expand Vermonts job base. Miss Caroline Craig Darlington, 73, longtime treasurer of Old Bennington and trustee emeritus of the Bennington Museum and Peter Matteson Tavern Museum, died Sunday at the Crescent Manor Nursing Home. Bom on June 13, 1910, in Mt.

Kisco, N.Y., she was the daughter of Charles F. and Letitia (ONeill) Darlington. She was a 1932 graduate of Vassar College. She moved to Bennington in 1945 from New York City and resided at 88 Monument Ave. for many years.

She later moved to the Colonial Garden Apartments in Old Bennington before moving to the nursing home. Miss Darlington had been a vital force in the communities of Bennington and Old Bennington, and of all her associations since moving to Bennington, none had absorbed her interest and effort more than the Bennington Museum. She served as a trustee for many years and for a time was secretary of die board. She was a trustee of the Village of Old Bennington for several years, was active in the early Family Service Society, a forerunner of the United Counseling Service and one of the founders of its Thrift Shop, and was a member of the Bennington County branch of the Vermont Chapter of the American Association local club, a trustee of the Old Bennington library board and a former member of the Old First Church. She also served as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Hoosick Falls, N.Y.

As president of the Bennington Centre Cemetery Association, she emphasized the importance of this tract as one of this areas, historic sites. Under her direction, as part of the 1977 bicentennial observance of the Battle of Bennington, a stylistic survey of Old Bennington Cemetery gravestones was carried out and the records deposited in the Bennington Museums library. Although never an active member, she belonged to four hereditary, groups: the ColoniaT Dames, the Daughters of the Cincinnati, the Huguenot Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Miss Darlington was a member of the Verdmont Outing Club in Pownal and also traveled for enjoyment. She had flown around the world more than once, making a point to swim in most of the seas and oceans she visited.

Survivors include a brother, Charles F. Darlington of New York City two nephews and a niece. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church in Hoosick Falls with the Rev. Robert Sprunger officiating.

Interment will follow in Old Bennington Cemetery. There will be no calling hours at the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bennington Rescue RAYMOND E. BROWN GRANVILLE, N.Y. Raymond E.

Brown, 54, father of Monica and Steven Brown, both of Manchester, died unexpectedly Sunday morning in Manchester. Born in Maplewood, N.J., on Aug. 10, 1929, son of J. Stanley and Genevieve (Johnston) Brown, he had resided in the Granville area for 30 years. Mr.

Brown was employed by the Telescope Folding Furniture Co. for 25 years. He was a member of the board of Emma Laing Stevens Hospital and a former member of the Granville Lions Club and Granville School Board. In addition to his two children in Manchester, Mr. Brown leaves two other sons, Timothy Brown of Granville and Philip Brown of Granville, currently attending school in Virginia; a sister, Marjorie Kennedy of Granville; a brother, Joseph S.

Brown of Maplewood, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Marys Roman Catholic Church in Granville. The Rev.

Paul Roman will officiate. Burial will take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Middle Granville. Friends attended calling hours Tuesday afternoon and evening at the McHenry and Roberts Funeral Home. Contributions in Mr. Browns memory may be made to the Emma Laing Stevens Hospital.

I Caroline C. Darlington in a photo taken a number of years ago. of University Women. Miss Darlington served as director of the Bennington Chapter American Red Cross for five years and was named an honorary director in 1974. She served as secretary-treasurer of Old Bennington Cemetery, treasurer of the Bennington Garden Club, secretary-treasurer and life member of the Bennington Museum board, was a life member of the National University Womens Club and its BENNINGTON BRIEFS Holiday Happenings All Year Long will be presented by die Bennington' County Extension Homemakers Council at St.

Francis de Sales Church Parish Center on Thursday from 1-3 p.m. and again from 7-9. The public is invited. the Recreation Center pool starting Saturday, Nov. 12.

Individuals must be a minimum of 15 years of age by the first class. Others classes will be held Saturdays, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Each class will run from 9 a.m.

to 1 p.m. The cost is $6.50. Instructors will be Rob Gomez and Anne Lamy. Register now at the Rec Center. For further information, call 442-5446.

NORTH CHIROPRACTIC CENTER (formerly Berm CNroprctc Ctr IS NOW LOCATED ON HISTORIC RTE. 7A (formerly Tenece Reeteurant) CALL: 802-442-2505 PROSPECT MTN. SEASON SKI PASSES ON SALE Extra Discounts tor Earty Purchase. X-C and Downhill Call 442-5283 for Brochure Academy Award-Winning FREE 'A -HOUR FILM Norman Rockwell's World Shown Continuous Daly 10 AM-6 PM at NORMAN ROCKWELL GALLERY GIFT SHOP Rte. 7 Arlington, Vt.

An American Red Cross advanced lifesaving course will be offered at it M'l.