Town Bites
By Edd Merritt

The short happy life of Francis Mallard
A few weeks ago we reported on a family of mallards who ventured back and forth between the Charlotte/Hinesburg town line and Mount Philo Road. They did what healthy mallards do, laying an egg under Merritts’ car, catching their breath at Spear’s Store while bathing in a water trough and munching on grain and hot-dog buns. The male came and went several times. Unfortunately, through his travels, Mr. Mallard must have exposed himself to a wily predator that finally took advantage of the friendly duck’s daily visits to Baptist Corners. A pile of feathers was all that remained of our curly-tailed friend one morning, and, although it was difficult to tell for certain from the slim leavings, it does appear that someone, perhaps a bobcat family, feasted on duck prior to the hunting season. We simply want the game warden to check the validity of that cat’s license. Let’s hope, too, that our Francis, like Ernest Hemingway’s Francis Macomber, in his last seconds felt no more than a sudden white-hot explosion in his head.

Selectboard considers the Planning Commission’s recommendation on Land Use Recommendations.
Following a request to amend the language of the town’s Land Use Regulations governing what is allowable within the Village Commercial District, the Selectboard began discussion of the question at its July 7 meeting. The planners are suggesting that the regulations allow “Retail and Personal Services” as conditional uses within the Village Commercial District. The request came about as a result of a desire by current and potentially future owners of commercial property along Route 7 at its junction with Church Hill Road. Part of the request is reduction of the required setback from Route 7 from the current 100 feet down to 20 feet, “or a reasonable distance.” The board will continue its discussion at its next meeting.

Don’t go near the water
Don’t you think it’s sad
What’s happening to the water
Our water’s going bad
Coliform Count at Town Beach back to normal.
In case you had not been by the Town Clerk’s Office recently, a warning was posted saying that a total coliform count at the Charlotte Town Beach indicated there may be bacteria present that can make you sick. The warning advised patrons not to drink the water without boiling it first. Bacterial contamination can occur when increased runoff enters the drinking water source following heavy rains as an example or as a result of a break in the distribution system (pipe) or a failure in the water treatment process. The latest coliform counts shows that water quality at the Town Beach has returned to normal. The Charlotte Town Beach commission continues to monitor its water and submot reports regularly. For more information contact Tom Mansfield at 425-3533.