Business Notes: Dec. 6, 2105
Randolph — Exit 4 Open Space, the environmental group that formed to oppose a large development planned off Interstate 89’s Exit 4, has asked the District 3 Environmental Commission to cut off talks between the developer and other environmental groups involved in public hearings on state permits.
On Nov. 20, the commission, which held five months of public hearings on whether the proposed mixed-use development meets certain Act 250 requirements, issued a 90-day extension to allow developer Jesse “Sam” Sammis to talk to the Conservation Law Foundation and the Vermont Natural Resources Council so the two sides might negotiate a “non-adversarial resolution.”
The extension was granted at the request in a motion made by Sammis’ legal team, and with the assent of the natural resources council and the law foundation, each of which have party status in the hearing.
At the time, representatives from the law foundation and Sammis both said it would be wise to explore all options before moving forward, while Exit 4 Open Space lawyer Brooke Dingledine expressed concern that the group, which does not have party status, could be cut out of the discussions.
On Friday, Dingledine filed a reply to Sammis’ extension request, in which she asked the commission not to grant the extension. Though the extension had already been granted, Dingledine cited Act 250 rules that establish a 15-day window for the filing of memos in response to motions.
The body of the 15-page memo argued that the situation was not of the type that should be subject to a non-adversarial resolution, and also that the commission process should not be used for the re-development of a project proposal.
Even if the parties to the proceedings came to an agreement, the burden would still be on the commission to weigh the evidence to see whether the Sammis project conforms with Act 250 requirements that protect the prime agricultural soils on the site.
Company News
Red River, the Claremont-based provider of information technology services to the federal government, has been named a Triple Crown Award winner by The Channel Company, a Westborough, Mass.-based publisher of CRN magazine and provider of event, consulting, education and marketing services to the IT industry. Red River earned the Triple Crown honor for its appearance on three of CRN’s IT provider lists: the Tech Elite 250, which recognizes investments in top certifications; the Solution Provider 500, which lists the largest IT service providers in North America by revenue; and the Fast Growth 150, which notes providers that have posted double- or triple-digit growth. Fewer than 60 North American providers had the revenue, growth and expertise to be recognized on all three lists, Red River said in a news release. The Triple Crown list can be previewed at crn.com/triplecrown.
Coventry Catering has been named operator of the Hotel Coolidge Events Center. The events center was established in 1996 to host conferences, weddings, receptions, seminars, meetings and banquets, in addition to serving groups staying at the Hotel Coolidge. Coventry Catering, headed by Lynn and Karen Caple, has been the kitchen services provider for the events center for the past 11 years, according to a news release from David Briggs, innkeeper of the Hotel Coolidge and manager of the Coolidge Block. Coventry Catering also operates the BoHo Cafe, located off the lobby of the Hotel Coolidge.
The Woodstock Economic Development Commission is accepting grant applications for events and community projects that will help the commission work toward increasing the number of visitors who are most likely to develop connections to the area and contribute to the economy, and growing and diversifying the resident population to enrich the community and the quality of life. Applications are due by Dec. 15 for this initial round of funding requests. For an application form, go to http://townofwoodstock.org/boards-commissions/economic-development-commission/. For more information, email charlie@kimbellenterprises.com.
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