The two most excruciating tasks facing the House this week are 1) defining legislative districts resulting from population changes between the 2000 and 2010 census and 2) restructuring mental health services following the closure of the state hospital in Waterbury. If you like everyone to be happy, these decisions are not for you. I anticipate lively and perhaps painful debates as we struggle to reconcile the best options for Vermont in ways that are fair, effective, and oriented toward the future.

At its meeting on Jan. 26, the Planning Commission continued its review of existing subdivision regulations and zoning bylaws that merit reconsideration for further clarification or amendment. Some of these anticipated changes were brought to the commission's attention by John Adams on behalf of the Development Review Board.

On Thursday, Feb. 9, Sen. Randy Brock will speak at the invitation of the Shelburne Republican Committee. Sen. Brock, former State Auditor, is currently serving in the State Senate representing Franklin County and Alburgh.  He has announced that he will run for Governor in 2012.  The public is invited to attend the meeting which will be held at 7:30 a.m. at the Dutch Mill Restaurant on Route 7 in Shelburne.

The Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24 followed the public hearings held for the Town and School Budgets on Jan. 23. Once again, it was the streetlights in Davis Park that garnered much of the space on the agenda.

Last year the Legislature proposed a two-year Capital Bill, which was utilizing $153 million of bonded dollars. The two-year process allowed Buildings and General Services to go further with development and implementation of projects and take advantage of lower costs in the construction industry.

Austerity was on the minds of both the School Board and Selectboard in developing budgets for 2012-2013. At a public hearing held Monday evening, Jan 23, the results of that austerity were presented.

Happy New Year to you all! The 2012 Legislative session has just begun but it feels as if we are well into the session. The committees have very full agendas with the usual workload as well as dealing with all the effects of Tropical Storm Irene.

Last Thursday's budget planning meeting was well attended by supporters of the Pierson Library, including Lena Kerest, left, and Leo Palmer. They were two of the children who were on hand along with their parents to show their support for a budget increase that would allow additional staffing of the library's Children's Room.

In what was the first of two public hearings scheduled to review and discuss proposed changes to the Town Plan, it became evident that the Selectboard was not comfortable with the timeline for the task, which to an extent, is driven by state statutes.

At its Dec. 8 meeting, the Planning Commission adopted a proposed zoning change that would alter restrictions on (1) the number of curb cuts allowed in planned unit development within a mixed use district and (2) the maximum size of a building within a mixed use district. A public hearing on the proposed change is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Shelburne Municipal Center.

At its meeting on Dec. 7, the Development Review Board approved the preliminary plan for Harrington Village. A 19-page document listed 158 findings of fact and 27 conclusions developed after seven meetings about the project that formed the basis for the decision.

Last week's Selectboard meeting was held at Wake Robin, and was opened with welcoming comments from the facility's President and CEO, Allie Stickney.

In mid-October over 100 Shelburne residents gathered in Town Hall to share their ideas and insights on the town. A team of experts, members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) stood before the crowd frantically capturing ideas on large sheets of easel paper as community members collectively shared what they valued about their town.

At its meeting on Nov. 16, the Development Review Board approved the sketch plan presented for Shelburne Museum's Center for Art and Education. A site, a bit northeast of the Museum store, has been chosen.

Although substantive, the changes to the policy and narrative language are considered by the Planning Commission to be largely incremental. Tables and figures have been updated wherever possible.

After responding to a few questions about revisions in the Town Plan at a sparsely attended public hearing as part of its regular meeting on Nov. 11, the Planning Commission voted to send the document forward to the Selectboard for consideration.

The Shelburne Democratic Committee held its caucus on Sept. 21and elected the following officers for the next two years: Maria Horn, chair; Joan Lenes, vice chair; Marcella Chiarello, secretary; Pat Seal, treasurer; and Marcella Chiarello, assistant treasurer.

The agenda item of a public hearing pertaining to a 1.25 million grant application by the Town of Shelburne in support of the Harrington Village development opened the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday evening, Nov. 8.

On Oct. 27, the Planning Commission heard from Patrick O'Brien regarding concerns about the zoning regulations that may impede planned reconstruction at Rice Lumber. O'Brien, who represents the Carroll family, the owners of the business and property on which it is located, raised two issues that stand in the way of the reconstruction and renovation being planned at this location.

With the departure of Sam Chauncey from the Planning Commission, the Town is now seeking candidates to serve the final year of Chauncey's three year term.

The Planning Commission invites residents, property owners, and others to comment on proposed changes to the Town's Municipal Plan. A public hearing on the proposal has been scheduled for early November.

At its meeting on Nov. 2, the Development Review Board directed John Adams to draft a document giving preliminary plan approval to the Harrington Village development, most likely with conditions, for consideration at its next meeting on Nov. 16.

Once again, the Selectboard audience was laden with residents predominantly from Davis Park and Hullcrest neighborhoods seeking clarification and rectification of the town's streetlight policy which resulted in the removal of streetlights throughout town.

At its Sept. 28 meeting, the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) Board of Commissioners approved an amended Solid Waste Management Ordinance to be released for public comment. The draft Ordinance amendment decreases the Solid Waste Management Fee for materials used as alternative daily landfill cover (ADC) from $22.06 to $5.52 effective retroactively July 1.

At its meeting on Oct. 5, the Development Review Board questioned Lucy Gibson of Smart Mobility on the traffic implications of building Harrington Village. Gibson presented data on traffic and pedestrian counts, traffic flow, and the vehicle crash rate in the area, noting that none of the data and projections showed any safety concerns or adverse impact on traffic congestion.

Before reaching specific items listed on the agenda at the Selectboard meeting last week, Davis Park resident Matt Ottinger addressed the Board regarding the removal of streetlights in the neighborhood.

At its meeting on Sept. 29, the Shelburne Planning Commission officially adopted the updated Town Plan and scheduled a public hearing on it for Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Town Center.

A larger children's room? More public access computers? Quiet study areas? A reading room with comfortable chairs? Easier access to library materials? All of this and more is what the Pierson Library Board of Trustees envisions for Shelburne's public library.

How do we preserve our town's pastoral character and abundant natural resources, increase affordable housing options, develop sustainably, and at the same time, expand our business tax base by enhancing economic investment in our community?

At its meeting on Sept. 21, the Development Review Board focused on presentations from those associated with the new development called Harrington Village. At a special meeting held on Sept. 14 after the regularly scheduled Sept.

At its Sept. 8 meeting, the Planning Commission discussed a request from Timothy Loucks for adding, "Retail, Research/Testing Lab and Light Manufacturing" to the list of permitted and conditional uses within the Museum District.

Newport Sand and Gravel Co., Inc. and Carroll Concrete Co., Inc., of Newport N.H., will pay a $200,000 civil penalty and implement a compliance program to resolve numerous violations of the Clean Water Act at five facilities in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Applicants who tossed their hat in the ring for consideration to be named to the town's newly- minted Ethics Committee were present at last week's Selectboard meeting to be interviewed by the Board. Prior to the meeting each applicant was asked to complete a questionnaire, and following a question and answer period that evening the Board then went into executive session to make its decisions.

At its meeting on Sept. 8, the Planning Commission considered a request by Timothy Loucks for adding "Retail, Research/Testing Lab and Light Manufacturing" to the list of permitted and conditional uses within the Museum District.

Can you imagine Shelburne Road as a part of town where people would actually want to live, work, and meet up with their friends? I am inviting everyone to a special Town event to envision the future of a revamped Rte. 7 corridor from north of the Village to the South Burlington line. This exciting opportunity is entirely funded by a recent grant awarded to the Town and won't cost a thing!

On Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Peter Shumlin announced his five appointments to the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB), a body that will be central to the implementation of healthcare reform in Vermont. The Board is responsible for creating the first single payer health care system in the country, which will control costs and guarantee coverage regardless of employment status.

At its meeting on Aug. 25, the Planning Commission reviewed updated material from the Fire Department and the Water Department that will be part of the town plan.