The Brattleboro Reformer from Brattleboro, Vermont • 2

Page 2 fcefotmet, Thursday, January 14, 1982 N.H. Revenue Projections Apparently Will Be Close Convict Escapes New England News Briefs Seabrook Investors Worry MONTPELIER (UPI) Vermont utilities have already invested $50 million in the Seabrook II nuclear power station, but most say they are unwilling to make further purchases despite warnings the plant may be canceled unless new investors are found. Its a very nervous time, said Vermont Utility Planning Director Lawrence Copp. A New Hampshire regulatory commission announced this week the second generating station may be canceled unless the Public Service Co. of New Hampshire finds investors to buy a 7 percent interest in the project.

Vermonts two largest utilities said they wont invest because the Public Service Board refused to allow them to bill ratepayers for construction works in progress. But PSB Chairman Louise McCarren said if utilities arent willing to take on the investment themselves, they must think it is not such a hot investment. The time has come for utilities to invest or not, she said. If Seabrook II isnt going to fly, its best we know about it now. ByTOMOPPEL CONCORD, N.H.

(UPI) -Legislative projections of New Hampshires revenue for fiscal 1982 appear to be on target halfway through the year, according to budget analyst Charles Connors and Revenue Commissioner Lloyd Price. Price and Connors told the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday that the total revenue estimate of $291 million for the fiscal year that began last July appeared to be within relatively easy reach. The estimate was produced by the Legislature last spring when it drafted the 1982-83 budget that took effect July 1. The revenue figures are reviewed regularly to determine if those estimates require adjustment. I dont feel that anything should really change, Connors told the committee.

impact on the states business levy, which is based on the federal income tax, he said the estimate of $79.6 million in business tax revenue was very definitely attainable. Although described as relatively minor problems, the income from the real estate transfer tax and greyhound racing will probably fall short of the estimated $16.6 million expected to be raised, Price said. The dismal real estate market and the poor performance of Sunday dog racing at the Yankee greyhound track in Seabrook were blamed for the expected shortfalls. Sunday racing sparked a strong protest from Seabrook residents when it began in July. That protest and Massachusetts move to year-round racing helped hold down attendance and led to the tracks decision not to seek approval for Sunday racing this year.

Price told the panel the states four largest sources of income the business profits, rooms and meals and tobacco taxes and the sale of liquor and wine, which produced about 63 percent of the states total revenue have fallen within legislative expectations. Those four produced $150.2 million in fiscal 1981 and have been projected to raise $183.6 million for the state treasury this year. The increase was largely predicted because increases in the business profits and rooms and meals levies. During the 1981 session, lawmakers added a minimum $250 business profits tax and a 13.5 percent surcharge on the returns, while hiking the rooms and meals tax from 6 to 7 percent. While Price said changes in federal tax laws would have a negative Municipal Group Endorses Gallen Plan MIDDLEBURY (UPI) A three-time convicted escapist whose criminal history includes violent crimes jumped from the second-floor window of Addison County Courthouse before his arraignment on drug and assault charges, police said.

Middlebury Police Officer James Coons said Steven Murray, 27, of Middlebury, jumped from a window Wednesday in a lawyer-client room between consultations with his attorney. He opened up a window, jumped and fled on foot, said Coons, who arrested Murray Tuesday. Coons said Murray was not armed at the time of the escape, but is considered dangerous because he has an extensive criminal record that has a history of violence. Coons said Murray has been convicted of aggravated assault, burglary, forgery and drug charges. He also said Murray has escaped three times.

Murray had spent Tuesday night at Rutland Community Correctional Facility. He was escorted to the courthouse by Addison County Sheriffs deputies. Police described Murray as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 165 pounds, with a full dark brown beard and a receding hair line. He was wearing a green corduroy coat with a fake fur collar and tan leather work boots prior to his escape, police said. Scale Plant To Shut Down RUTLAND (UPI) Officials of Howe Richardson Scale Co.

have announced they will shut down their Rutland manufacturing plant March 1. Officials last week said economic factors gave every indication they would have to close the plant, which employs 110 people. But they said they were negotiating with the employees union to determine if any options to abandoning the plant were open. Company spokesman Scott Peyton said Wednesday those meetings proved fruitless. We had gone through everything and had hopes there would be alternatives There just seem to be anything that would work for any of us, he said.

Peyton said company officials and members of the union, the Green Mountain Guild of the International Association of Machinists, are working out the details for pensions and termination pay. CONCORD, N.H. (UPI) Die New Hampshire Municipal Association has endorsed Gov. Hugh Gallens $51 million plan to keep the state out of debt, but two statewide education groups say the proposal could ruin local school budgets. Included in the governors 45-part budget plan is a controversial proposal to take $10.5 million out of state highway funds and give it to local communities.

This would replace Sweepstakes and Business Profits Tax money the governor wants to take away from the cities and towns. Municipal Association directors said they endorsed the plan, taking fiscal chaos for many school districts, said Ant) Bradley, president of the Joint Educational Council. Taking away the Business Profits Tax and Sweepstakes money will hurt many communities that already have very high taxes, she said. It is simply robbing Peter to pay Paul a chess game with the school districts coming out the losers. The governor has proposed $51 million in program cuts, management changes and money transfers to pay for $48 million in higher priority items, such as court-ordered improvements at Laconia State School.

comfort from the governors pledge that the plan will adjust local aid for one year only, that it will be tied to tax reform, includes in-depth management review of state operations, and looks to a redefinition of governmental services and costs at all levels, according to a Wednesday statement from the directors. The New Hampshire Joint Educational Council and the School Administrators Association executive council say the governors plan will probably mean higher local property taxes, to pay for cuts in state aid to school districts. The governors budget will create Children Buried NORTH TROY (UPI) Two North Troy children killed in a weekend accident were buried Wednesday. About 300 relatives and friends mourned Carmen Flood, 14, and her brother David, 11, during services at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in North Troy.

The two were the states first highway fatalities of the year. Police allege the car in which they were riding was hit from behind by a tractor-trailer, and charge that the driver of the truck was intoxicated. Larry Forbes, 28, of Newport, has pleaded innocent to two charges each of involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident in connection with the crash, and was released on' $10,000 bail. Maple Country MONTPELIER (UPI) Vermonters will take a new message on the road with them if the states maple producers get their way. Producers want to take the Green Mountains slogan off the states license plates and replace it with the words Maple Country.

Part of it is an advertising effort, but it carries a very positive flavor for Vermont as well, said Agriculture Commissioner George Dunsmore. The Motor Vehicles Department opposes the change, but said maple producers could bring the idea to the Legislature. Keene Curfew Ruling Overturned City Defends Voter Board BURLINGTON (UPI) -Aldermen decided Wednesday that city Attorney Joseph McNeil must defend the Voter Registration Board in a federal lawsuit. But Mayor Bernard Sanders said he will testify against the board, and will veto having McNeil prepare its defense. The dispute erupted over a new policy implemented by the board to insure that only residents are allowed to vote in Vermonts largest city.

To qualify, would-be voters must have their names listed in the telephone book or city directory or appear at City Hall and prove they make their homes in Burlington. A group of University of Vermont students said they are being discriminated against by the policy, ajjd filed the federal lawsuit. But Sanders said its not only students who are affected. This means hundreds of poor people will not be voting, he said. Medicaid Bill Backed MONTPELIER (UPI) A legislative committee has endorsed a bill requiring low-income and elderly Vermonters receiving Medicaid benefits to pay $1 per prescription for drugs.

In other action Wednesday, the Administrative Rules Committee also approved changes in the Aid to Needy Families with Children program which will result in dropping more than 260 public assistance recipients and cutting benefits for another 545. The revisions were mandated by the federal government. The Medicaid co-payment rule takes effect Feb. 1, but nursing home patients are exempt. Officials say the $1 fees will save the state about $165,000 for the remainder of this fiscal year and about $400,000 in fiscal 1983.

U.S. District Court in Concord ruled that the ordinance was unconstitutional the city appealed to the higher court. In a ruling handed down Wednesday, the Appeals Court said the issue was not one for the federal courts to decide. Federal Judge Charles Wyzanski said it was not clear whether the defendants or the state courts consider the ordinance as a blanket curfew covering all minors, regardless of conduct, or whether it covers conduct which may involve injury to another person or property. Wyzanski said there is no case or controversy unless the teenager is subject to something more than a speculative risk of prosecution.

He said the issue therefore was not properly before the federal courts and should not have been ruled on. Wyzanski then overturned the ruling of the New Hampshire court and ordered the complaint dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. CONCORD, N.H. (UPI) The First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston has overturned a lower court order that struck down a curfew imposed on teenagers in Keene.

In an effort to hold down vandalism, Keene passed an ordinance in July 1980 that prohibited those under 18 from being on public streets after 9 p.m. The ordinance was later modified to cover the hours from 10 p.mto5ajn. The curfew was challenged by a teenage girl and her father. After the Locke Jury Selection Continues Appeal Set Lottery MONTPELIER (UPI) A group of electric utilities has launched a Supreme Court appeal of the Public Service Boards new winter shut-off rule. The rule makes it more difficult for utilities to disconnect service in winter when people havent paid their bills, and were implemented last month over the objections of municipal and cooperative electric companies.

Vt. Wednesday 981 N.H. Wednesday 2349 Mass. Wednesday 5876 Weekly 336529 stem in part from his stewardship of the states largest public transit system, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The jury is expected to hear opening statements by the prosecution and defense Monday.

Only one woman juror was selected Wednesday, and another woman chosen the day before was excused because she could not get a babysitter for her children. Selected Wednesday was Shirley Miller, a telephone operator from Boston. Excused from duty was Sheila M. Jackson, a hospital secretary. Locke, suspended without pay May 2 from his cabinet-level post, began his 20-year public service career in the early 1960s as a top aide to former Vermont Gov.

F. Ray Keyser Jr. He has been a close assistant to former Massachusetts Gov. John A. Volpe at both the state and federal levels.

Locke was suspended May 2 by Gov. Edward J. King, who appointed him. The suspension came in the wake of his turning over $1,000 in cash to state law enforcement officials on May 1 after they entered his office unhindered through a usually locked rear door and requested he turn over potential evidence. Indictments were issued by a Suffolk County grand jury which met for several weeks.

Locke has pleaded innocent to all counts against him. The state alleges the money was a bribe in an MBTA contracts scandal, but Locke said the cash was repayment of a loan. During the selection process, Pierce usually has asked each prospective juror whether he or she would have any trouble believing indicted witnesses who have been promised leniency by the state in return for their testimony. By WILLIAM POOLE BOSTON (UPI) Jury selection in the bribery conspiracy trial of suspended Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Barry M. Locke entered its fourth day today, with a Superior Court judge saying an unusual Saturday session may be necessary to complete the process.

Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Rudolph Pierce said Wednesday that a special weekend session might be needed because of slow progress in choosing jurors. No session will be held Friday, which is Martin Luther King Day, a legal Massachusetts holiday. Only eight jurors have been seated since last Monday, the first day of choosing a panel of 12 regular and four alternate members. So far five men and three women have been chosen for the jury, which will be kept sequestered or isolated from outside influences during a trial that may last up to six weeks. Locke, 50, of Canton, is accused of three counts of conspiracy to commit larceny and two counts of bribery conspiracy in connection with state contract scandals.

Those allegations Bottle Battle Begins in R.I. Semi-Annual ounces, at least a dime on those holding 32 ounces or more. He said the bill differs from the Massachusetts law in two ways. It gives stores a two-cent handling fee for each container they accept. It permits stores to refuse empties if a redemption center is located within a five-mile radius.

The provision is an attempt to ease the burden on small liquor stores and mom and pop retail operations. Aukerman said creation of bottle redemption centers could open a whole new industry for Rhode Island. Richard Abedon, head of the Rhode Island Bottle Bill Coalition, said door-to-door surveys by his group show 95 percent of the states residents want a bottle law. ByKENFRANCKLING PROVIDENCE, R.I. (UPI) -Environmentalists fired the first volley in Rhode Islands 1982 battle over returnable bottle legislation.

This time, with Gov. J. Joseph Gari-ahys turnabout backing, they hope to win. Rep. James Aukerman, D-South Kingstown, filed the first container deposit bill of the session with sup-poort of 26 House co-sponsors.

Is Rhode Island going to be an island of pride we can all be proud of, or an island of filth? Aukerman said. Were not going to let the lobbyists kill this bill again. The measure was referred for review by the Joint Committee on Environment, which Aukerman chairs. He said the panel will consider the best features of all bottle bills coming in this year, including one due soon from the topics newest supporter Garrahy The governor was an opponent last year because of concerns about what a bottle law might do to jobs at several plants in the state. He went on record last spring as saying Rhode Island should adopt a bottle law only when Massachusetts does.

Garrahys opposition melted two months ago when the Massachusetts Legislature overrode Gov. Edward Kings bottle veto. The Commonwealths bottle law takes effect next Jan. 1. At a news conference packed with bottle bill supporters, Aukerman said his measure is similar to the Massachusetts law, requiring deposits on beverage containers at least a nickel on those under 32 CARD OF THANKS We wilh to thunk our friends and neighbor (or their expraafcu of sympathy by sending card, Mum curdi, by being beurer and the miny other ktnrtneeuee shown at the time of the death of our huaband and brother, Clarence JOlaon Jr.

Mae JiUaon Grace St Paul AltieJQIaoo Helen Therrien Robert Jlllaon Jan. 14, IMS Wagners SHOE STORE 56 Elliot Brattieboro, Vt. Starts Today Selected mens, womens and childrens shoes, boots and slippers at 10 TO 40 OFF SPECIAL Dress while prices are down! 20 -50 OFF Etienne Aigner, Prophecy, Nina, Echo, Larry Levine, Braefair, Nell Flowers, David Brooks, David Warren, SRO, J.G. Hook, DW3, and so many more. Essentials Contemporary Clothing and Shoes for Women Elliot Stiver Bnmlelwv (So: PUBLIC NOTICE The Westminster Board of Selectmen will hold a revenue sharing proposed use hearing on January 25, 1982 at 6:30 p.m.

at the Westminster Town Hall. All citizens, especially seniors, are invited to attend and provide the Board of Selectmen with written and oral comments on possible uses of the funds. The amount of general revenue sharing funds to be discussed for this fiscal year is approximately $49,761. BRATTLE BORO REFORMER Black Mountain P.O. Box 802 Brattieboro, Vt.

05301, UPS No. 263400 Published every day except Sunday and holidays SUBSCRIPTION RATES Single copy, store and vending 25 By carrier, 1 .50 per week By motor route 17.75 per month or $22 quarterly payable in advance. BY MAIL inside outside county county lmo. S' 6.50 7.75 3 mo. 19 00 22.00 6 mo 38 00 43.00 12 mo.

76.00 80.00 Single mailed copy, current 35; back copy 55 For foreign country subscription, double the rate. Postal regulations require payment in advance All charge orders must be paid within 15 days. College students, 20 discount. Change of address To avoid interruption of service, subscribers tar mail should notify the local post office and the Reformer giving old address as well as new. Second class postage paid at Brattieboro, Vermont 06301 Hush Puppies Famous Cuddles Were $26 NOW 15 (While They Lam) All Suleu Final Cash or Credit Curds Only..