John M. Lorentz

Rutland Herald

• 12 hrs ago

John M. Lorentz SHREWSBURY — John M. Lorentz, of Shrewsbury, died on July 12, 2019, at Rutland Regional Medical Center, after a yearlong battle with cancer. His loving family was by his side. Born in New Jersey to Fred and Marie Lorentz, John graduated from New Providence High School as valedictorian and summa cum laude from Dickinson College. He earned a law degree from Rutgers Law School and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University. He taught political science and law courses as an adjunct professor and practiced law for 44 years, 35 of them in Killington. John grew up loving rock’n’roll. During his teens and 20s, he played saxophone and sang in a band that won a Cousin Brucie talent contest, covered the Beatles, opened for the Drifters, and rocked bars and clubs throughout New Jersey. John married his wife, Karen, in 1968 and as a devoted husband, supported her work as a writer. He was a loving and proud father of sons Jason, Jonathan and James. His work as an attorney enabled the family to live on a mountaintop, where they enjoyed cross-country skiing, tennis and stacking endless cords of wood. In his spare time, John could be found engaged in deep discussions of politics and law, snowplowing, brushcutting, exploring Cape Cod and attending Jonathan’s jazz gigs or Karen’s ski writer functions. He adored his grandchildren. He was involved in many community activities and served on several boards, including the Title Standards Committee of the Vermont Bar Association. In the Shrewsbury Community Church, he served as a trustee, board chairman or a committee member for almost 40 years. John was preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in-law Sandra Lorentz and Mona Duch; and father-in-law Robert J. Duch. He is survived by his wife, Karen; sons Jason (Dayna), Jonathan (Carmen) and James (Erin); five grandchildren; brother Robert Lorentz; sisters-in-law Anita Duch, Roberta Ballou (Don), Carolyn Urgonski (Gary); brother-in-law Robert Duch; mother-in-law Ruth Duch; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. The family extends sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff who took care of John at RRMC and at the Foley Cancer Center. John was most grateful to the visiting nurses and therapists of the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, especially to Jamie and Jennie for their nine months of extraordinary care. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the Shrewsbury Community Church. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) or Foley Cancer Center (RRMC.org/ways-to-give). Arrangements are by Tossing Funeral Home.

Killington man accused in drug case

Rutland Herald

By Patrick Mcardle Staff Writer
July 17, 2019 

KILLINGTON — A local man could be sentenced to up to 24 years in jail if convicted of the several drug-related charges he faced at a Monday arraignment, based on an accusation by police that he possessed marijuana, cocaine and LSD as recently as the end of May.
Nicholas W. Roucoulet, 36, pleaded not guilty Monday in Rutland criminal court to a felony count of possessing more than 2.5 grams of cocaine, a felony count of cultivating more than 25 marijuana plants, a misdemeanor charge of selling marijuana and a misdemeanor charge of possession of lysergic diethylamide acid, or LSD.
Roucoulet was released without bail.

In an affidavit, Officer Michael Hoffman, of the Killington Police Department, said he learned May 30 from Chief Whit Montgomery, of the same department, of what he believed was a marijuana growing operation on East Mountain Road at the Whiffletree Condominiums.
A photo of 24 plants believed to be marijuana was provided to the police by a property manager at Whiffletree.
On May 31, the affidavit said, the property manager spoke with Hoffman. He said he had seen the plants, which he believed were marijuana, around May 27.
Hoffman said his application for a search warrant was approved by Judge Cortland Corsones on May 31.
At the condominium, Hoffman said Roucoulet told him that he and two roommates moved in at Whiffletree on May 24.
Hoffman said three blue bags were visible on the dining room table. Roucoulet told police the bags contained cocaine, the affidavit said.
Roucoulet told police where to find the alleged marijuana plants, Hoffman said. He denied that either of his roommates were involved in the marijuana growing operation or the drugs.
The affidavit said police eventually found 19 blue bags containing what police believe was cocaine. The total weight was estimated to 13.3 grams.
Police also seized more than 150 bags of marijuana edibles. Roucoulet allegedly admitted to receiving the edibles from California under the agreement that he would sell the bags.

Several cartridges that could be used with e-cigarette or vaping equipment and dispense THC were also found, Hoffman said. The cartridges were labeled to indicate they were flavored with names like “Wedding Cake,” “Blueberry Cherry” and “Gelato.”
The affidavit said six doses of LSD were found on the dresser in Roucoulet's room.
Hoffman said Roucoulet admitted he sold cocaine, marijuana edibles, butane hash oil and the THC-infused cartridges but said the LSD was for his own use. Hoffman said Roucoulet declined to identify his source for the drugs “stating he didn't want to get any of his friends in trouble.”
A field test of one bag of the suspected cocaine was conducted at the Rutland barracks of the Vermont State Police. The test was positive, Hoffman said.
During questioning at the barracks, Roucoulet allegedly repeated that his two roommates had no involvement with the drugs or the marijuana plants, and said he was selling drugs to support his own drug habit.

patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com

Judge sides with ski resort over condo appeals

Rutland Herald
By Keith Whitcomb Jr. Staff Writer
15 hrs ago

KILLINGTON — An Environmental Court Judge has agreed to extend the life of a housing development permit granted to the owner of the Killington Ski Resort several years ago.
According to a decision by Superior Court Judge Thomas D. Durkin, released June 6 in the Environmental Division, Killington/Pico Ski Resort Partners LLC owns the development rights for the unbuilt portions of the Highridge and Ridgetop developments, both of which are near the Killington Ski Resort.
Durkin writes that a previous developer was granted a planned unit development (PUD) by the town for the two developments in 1988. The PUD expired before the developments could be fully built, and while it has a long history of litigation and extensions, the Resort Partners have more recently requested from the town a four-year extension. The Town Planning Commission granted it, but this was appealed by the Highridge Condominium Owners’ Association.

In his conclusion, Durkin writes that the PUD will be valid for another four years after a final decision is made.
Attorney Andrew H. Maass, who represents the ski resort owners, said in a phone interview Friday that the Highridge Condominium Owners’ Association has asked for clarification on some technical aspects of Durkin’s decision. Once those are addressed, the decision would then be final and the PUD in place for the following four years.
Durkin also wrote that conditions imposed by previous versions of the PUD not changed by this order will remain in effect. Regarding Highridge, a site plan review will need to be submitted and approved before the town of Killington can issue any zoning permits. This will include any changes to landscaping, traffic or parking plans. Highridge will also need updated versions of its water supply and wastewater treatment permits from the Agency of Natural Resources before any new units can be built. Before submitting a site plan review for a new Highridge development, the Resort Partners must confer with Killington Fire and Rescue over the parking lot and where fire hydrants will be located.

According to Durkin’s decision, the original plan for Ridgetop was for nine single-family homes while Highridge was planned for several multi-unit buildings and three single-family dwellings. What’s built there now was completed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. An economic recession led to development there stalling, leaving six of the nine planned Ridgetop buildings and 36 units of the Highridge development completed.
Durkin wrote that a trial was held in November. Parties were given time to respond with follow-up materials, and this matter came under the court’s consideration in February.
keith.whitcomb
@rutlandherald.com