[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6268306,"mediaKeyId","3056163-15871549b1aa4e3ac72d6042661cf126","parentId",3056163,"title","Vermont Veterans Home pauses A‑wing rebuild after cost increases; heat‑pump and laundry work face tight budgets","audioSeconds",514,"startMs",1340000,"endMs",1854000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3056163-15871549b1aa4e3ac72d6042661cf126&start=1340&end=1854","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3056163-15871549b1aa4e3ac72d6042661cf126/thumbnail_1340000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268306/Vermont/Vermont-Veterans-Home-pauses-Awing-rebuild-after-cost-increases-heatpump-and-laundry-work-face-tight-budgets","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268306-b428bc8b7e6e0868d40deefb10ab5a9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770667576&Signature=MLRj~rjYOzDIUShWZgraHGUrBZ3-Aw-g7TpICoRqm60yGEOtyUbTuq5ZtIpB6y90f79eOIrHyXaSUOS2TQSehV1jsZjciYPLCsaFIeVIahvR09mBNvgBiaPEnKZD1Ib6NJ11rcoAyMKgkQJmtvqoWIeclhxYJL-867kTbDxB6KdcVh-SC1uD4muoJGGngq4ZuvzaadTrbMmaEzWQ0bH7g4dUzJ3pTvkoSavzdqx64vtUjuiipCgGgqV6gIrNryYCDhUTUuXYtZ4C5POO-TdJBGlQhu6FNbgBiMsaivFRqhhDF-LiNX2dZw8BtR6OlWWs2KZXkpYtegYPE2-n~zR3pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-19T00:52:59.437Z","article","Greg Kurzan, director of environmental services at the Vermont Veterans Home, told the Senate Committee on Institutions that construction plans for a complete demolition and rebuild of the facility’s A wing were stopped and re-scoped after inflation and higher-than-expected estimates pushed costs far above the original plan.

Kurzan said earlier planning and site work — including borings and design work — were completed but that the price tag rose by \"millions, millions of dollars,\" and the project had to be paused for re-submission and new funding. When asked whether the $1,500,000 appropriated in the last biennium for the A wing remains designated for design work, Kurzan said, \"So far, yes. The work, work up to date.\" Committee members asked whether any of that $1.5 million would be available for construction; Kurzan said he hoped the money could be reallocated later but that he did not handle the money side of the project.

Kurzan described the condition of the wing: cast-iron plumbing embedded in concrete floors has deteriorated, leaving the plumbing unusable, floors required mold remediation and sealing, and the wing remains winterized and minimally heated while plans are on hold. He said a planned 30-bed memory-care unit had been the previous rebuild design but that the approach is being reexamined in light of cost increases.

Committee members also questioned two other projects in the home’s capital request: a heat-pump replacement and a laundry-room addition. Kurzan recounted earlier cost estimates (about $730,000 for heat pumps and $420,000 for the laundry addition in an earlier plan) and said reductions in the house draft left each project with substantially less funding (the transcript recorded suggested reductions to about $410,000–$420,000 for combined items). Kurzan said completing the two projects on the reduced amounts would be \"pretty tight\" and that the home expects to pursue reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where eligible. Committee members asked whether the home could proceed with reduced funding and then seek VA reimbursement; Kurzan said the home hoped that would be possible but emphasized the tight margins.

Kurzan also described an independent but urgent sprinkler-system replacement need for other wings (east, B and C wings). A contractor provided a quote of about $248,000 to replace sprinkler heads and refill the system with the EPA-standard glycol and to perform required inspections and certifications; Kurzan said many sprinkler heads were approaching 50 years old and that the replacement work was included in the home’s draft capital request.

Committee members asked about the relationship of these projects to an incubator-farm project being discussed later in the hearing; Kurzan said staff were aware of the incubator and could answer questions as needed. No vote was taken. Kurzan and committee staff agreed to review project budgets and to return to the committee with follow-up as staff confirm line items and reimbursement expectations with the home and with the VA.

Ending: Kurzan said the A wing rebuild is paused while the home re-submits plans and seeks appropriate funding; the committee asked staff to confirm how the prior $1.5 million appropriation has been spent and whether items in the house draft need to be restored or clarified.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Institutions - 2025-04-18 - 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Greg Kurzan, director of environmental services at the Vermont Veterans Home, told the Senate Committee on Institutions the planned demolition and rebuild of the home’s A wing was paused after construction estimates rose ‘‘millions, millions’’ above initial figures.","taxTitle","Institutions, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",38865,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6268311,"Lake Champlain Walleye Association asks state for $50,000 pass-through to expand hatchery tanks",1155,160000,1315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3056163-15871549b1aa4e3ac72d6042661cf126&start=160&end=1315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3056163-15871549b1aa4e3ac72d6042661cf126/thumbnail_160000.jpg","/articles/6268311/Vermont/Lake-Champlain-Walleye-Association-asks-state-for-50000-pass-through-to-expand-hatchery-tanks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268311-4771ff5b6ca8b08f12a2aed98ebaf4a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770667576&Signature=hUTB7KvNqy17q~ZihRwLZ~lEdMuKeJREWSOyShMKt166DL~7NjKaS9oVtRfW3rF-ys95J2vkvTLa7WCinXscJnSzSF58e29yLl6~ySSh9Ua97kvrCeVm8K3qKhVX0S1NazzzWvH-dSKzLYVZ7Hv3PXG0okZIDjOupRU7HaKfSXIY3geRJZx~B~bDHUjPDsxgWvFTomB4faKA47aFkg7VvST05UV1XYJ4uQBh7B6GTXkZkiYyw5GawtCFw9ICh1OEAoMSR3md~LNaIUKRmpU8~gelj5BT3JqcmnBTkJagNuWI8DPLH0QoWzj7QzgMZgh-Y~I7YSO5EzpxMCtC35m7JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chad Lambert, president of the Lake Champlain Walleye Association, told the Senate Committee on Institutions that the group is seeking a pass-through state grant of $50,000 over two years through Vermont Fish and Wildlife to fund hatchery tanks and related infrastructure.

The association, which Lambert said was founded by anglers to restore an overfished walleye population, has shifted from pond rearing to an ‘‘intensive culture’’ tank system at the Ed Weed Hatchery. Lambert said the group currently has 16 tanks at the hatchery and that new tanks and pumps are expensive; he said two tanks recently cost about $35,000 and that the intensive-culture setup produces far better survival than historic pond methods.

Why it matters: Committee members were told that natural reproduction in the lake is now minimal and that nearly all walleye caught in recent sampling are hatchery-origin fish. Association testimony said the organization aims to restore historical walleye fisheries across Lake Champlain and other northern lakes and to spread stocking so fishing pressure is not concentrated in a few spots.

Lambert described the production improvements and monitoring the association uses: otolith tagging and sample testing, angler reporting and some acoustic tracking. He said the group’s target goal once was to stock roughly a half-million fry annually and that, this year, the hatchery’s combined work is on track to seed the lake with roughly 400,000 fish if all goes well. Lambert said the hatchery’s intensive-culture tanks contribute to a substantially higher survival rate than older pond-based production.

The committee heard particulars about costs and output. Testimony noted the 16 tanks in operation and that two new tanks provide a significant increase in fingerling output; the association said the newest tanks contribute to roughly 30,000 fingerlings stocked (association presentation described the production contribution per install). Lambert and Cameron Tetreault, the group’s treasurer, also described membership and fundraising: the association holds fundraisers and an annual banquet and reports a membership above 300.

Lambert repeatedly credited Vermont Fish and Wildlife for technical oversight and said the $50,000 request operates as a pass-through grant routed through that agency for accountability: \"My understanding this this grant money is a pass through grant that goes through Vermont Fish and Wildlife for accountability,\" he said.

The committee did not vote. Staff said they would check whether the $50,000 request already appears on committee lists and follow up with the applicants and Fish and Wildlife for documentation and any required budget language.

Ending: Committee members expressed appreciation for the organization’s work and asked staff to confirm whether the appropriation is already in the committee’s materials and to return with any required budget or statutory language.","The Lake Champlain Walleye Association briefed the Senate Committee on Institutions on its intensive-culture hatchery work and requested a $50,000 pass-through grant (via Vermont Fish & Wildlife) to buy tanks and infrastructure that increase fingerling production.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6268301,"Bennington Veterans Incubator Farm seeks state capital for greenhouse, well and mobile solar to launch veteran cooperative",1534,1856000,3390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3056163-15871549b1aa4e3ac72d6042661cf126&start=1856&end=3390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3056163-15871549b1aa4e3ac72d6042661cf126/thumbnail_1856000.jpg","/articles/6268301/Vermont/Bennington-Veterans-Incubator-Farm-seeks-state-capital-for-greenhouse-well-and-mobile-solar-to-launch-veteran-cooperative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268301-abeb94e10839d38cc8c43ad0c3d7adac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770667576&Signature=hb1qc79akyXWoSsDM5wUxSVT~58SKLKQdz4~dqHdQLb9B2P1J4b~LDhR8I54bDvx6SESKavhNbTu0wHjqrBXhJ-lm92e3xck-tMGSnox88w-hxNhTRy~pRENaw5IOOOjtIW2Uf6yNlMyQ7uN72yWszyj0wcLo7wr7I3ZeQxkP-WSs5WshT6fN3Xtl0bTHpmnhKQy1EpJhuq14I1t0jqsUtCNbiR2LWp2~9gSgR~QIOhcwkXq81zgDToV1YSdzrZy0AeLLJr7dowqckxyXeztRTHVwDhp47KioBrvKt-vfZoe181j5kEAdLzEYn9Td~P6AzsAcZAWw8La5fQA3dqU3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Fernandez, district manager of the Bennington County Conservation District, presented a detailed plan for the Bennington Veterans Incubator Farm and asked the Senate Committee on Institutions to consider state capital funding for three near-term infrastructure items: a greenhouse, a deep well and a mobile solar generator.

Fernandez said the project originated through a Bennington Fair Food Initiative and a congressionally designated HUD allocation obtained with Senator Peter Welch’s assistance. He said the HUD funds have been used for planning, a small tractor and other items, and that the new state request would act as seed capital to establish a cooperative that trains veterans, provides short-term enterprise space and sells produce to institutional buyers (including the Vermont Veterans Home and schools).

Costs and priorities provided to the committee (from the applicant’s materials):
- Greenhouse (Rimol/Rimmel “Nor’easter” gothic-style model, 30-by-96 quoted): approximately $55,000 including materials and specialized installation. Fernandez said about half the cost covers installation by contractors with greenhouse experience.
- Deep well: Fernandez described the need for a new deep well rather than a shallow or sandpoint well near the site because of concerns about PFOA contamination in nearby shallow supplies; the committee was given a project estimate of roughly $16,000 for a deep well and market-treatment provisions.
- Mobile solar power (SunTitan T30 or comparable mobile solar generator): Fernandez said the vendor price was about $56,000 and that running grid power to the site would be about the same or more over the near term; the mobile unit would provide immediate off-grid power to start production and irrigation pumps and could be redeployed to other parcels later.

Fernandez described the project model in detail: the conservation district will lease roughly 12 acres from the Vermont Veterans Home initially and act as the fiscal and operational steward while the incubator cooperative is formed. The plan calls for training cohorts of veteran beginning farmers for 3–5 years in a \"learn-and-earn\" model, pairing graduating cohort members with additional nearby parcels and using nested enterprise leases so individual cohort members can build a record of production needed to access federal loans and grants. Fernandez emphasized the project’s institutional-market focus: production is explicitly meant to supply the Veterans Home institutionally first and then other institutional buyers, not to displace existing retail farms.

Fernandez also outlined operational details: composting the Veterans Home kitchen waste with a chicken-assisted system, a small tractor purchased with earlier funds, plans to hire a project manager (preference for a veteran candidate), and partner arrangements with local farms and buyers. He noted supply challenges: avian influenza and related poultry shortages make it hard to source pullets or year-old birds and could delay egg production timelines.

He asked the committee to accept a materials package and closer cost sheet after the hearing; committee members requested copies of the HUD proposal, the white paper and the budget. Fernandez said he would provide materials to staff.

Ending: Committee members signaled interest and asked staff to accept the detailed materials and to follow up; no vote was taken.","Bennington County Conservation District outlined a veterans incubator farm proposal backed by HUD funds and asked the Senate committee for state capital items — a greenhouse (~$55,000), a deep well (~$16,000) and a mobile solar generator (~$56,000) — to establish infrastructure for veteran cohorts and an institutional produce cooperative.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vermont Veterans Home pauses A‑wing rebuild after cost increases; heat‑pump and laundry work face tight budgets

Lake Champlain Walleye Association asks state for $50,000 pass-through to expand hatchery tanks

Bennington Veterans Incubator Farm seeks state capital for greenhouse, well and mobile solar to launch veteran cooperative