Resource Guide for Chittenden County Businesses - State Departments

Small Business Compliance Assistance Program
The Small Business Compliance Assistance Program (SBCAP) assists Vermont’s regulated community in achieving compliance with environmental regulations and promoting cooperation between the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the regulated community. The SBCAP encourages businesses to use pollution prevention as a means of achieving compliance and reducing their overall regulatory burden whenever possible. Assistance is provided through:

• Toll-free phone line 800-974-9559 to answer questions
• Voluntary, no cost, confidential, on-site compliance assessments
• Industry specific compliance assistance workshops
• Fact sheets, compliance guides and other resource materials
• Access to powerful mapping tools
• Informative newsletters
• Vermont & EPA’s Self-Audit

For assistance with environmental compliance assistance for businesses & municipalities, wastewater reduction, and mercury education:

Address:
103 S. Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671

Phone:  (800) 974-9559 or (802) 241-3745

Website:  www.eaovt.org

Petroleum Cleanup Fund (PCF)
The PCF pays for certain uninsured costs for cleanup and restoration of contaminated soil and groundwater caused by releases of petroleum from above-ground (ASTs) and underground storage tanks (USTs), and for third party claims for injury and damage caused by such a release.

AST or UST owners or permittees who have paid annual tank assessment and permit fees (when applicable) are eligible for reimbursement. After the owner or permittee pays for the removal or repair of the failed tank or system, and for the applicable deductible, the PCF will reimburse for all eligible cleanup costs up to $1 million for USTs and up to $25,000 for ASTs. The PCF may only reimburse for work pre-approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Sites Management Section (SMS) in conformance with the
SMS document titled, “Site Investigation Guidance.”

For detailed information on PCF coverage and requirements, go to www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/wastediv/sms/smsgdint.htm and click on the header “Procedures for Reimbursement from the Petroleum Cleanup Fund.”

Address:
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-0404

Phone:  (802) 241-3888
Fax:  (802) 241-3296

Email:  wendya@dec.anr.state.vt.us

Contact Name: 
Waste Management Division
Dept. of Environmental Conservation

The four divisions that carry out this mission are:

Administration
The Administration Division oversees the operation of the Agency and protects the interests of the consumer and the agricultural community in the state, the region and the nation.
Agricultural Development
This division provides a leadership role in developing local, regional, national and international markets for Vermont products.
Agricultural Resource Management & Environmental Stewardship
ARMES or Plant Industry regulates pesticides, feed, seed and fertilizers, and administers the states agricultural water quality programs including AAP’s, and the LFO & MFO laws. It also provides technical assistance and cost shares to farmers to insure compliance of these programs.
Food Safety and Consumer Protection
This division consists of four sections: Animal Health, Consumer Protection, Dairy and Meat Inspection.

Short-Time Compensation (STC)
The Short-Time Compensation (STC) program helps employers and employees avoid some of the burdens of a layoff.

For employers, STC:
• Reduces costs by reducing employees’ work hours and wages
• Allows a quick return to full capacity when market conditions improve
• Spares the expense of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees which often occurs after a layoff

For workers, STC:
• Provides continued work
• Partially offsets reduced work hours and wages with unemployment compensation payments

Eligibility:
• An employer with five or more eligible employees in a department, shift, or unit may reduce hours in lieu of a layoff. The employees must normally work at least 30 hours a week
• Seasonal and traditional part-time or intermittent employment is not eligible for STC

The STC program is flexible and can be customized to a variety of work situations. Employers can vary the total work hours in the unit to flex with market demands. STC also allows employees to restart full-time employment as
necessary, and then drop back to part-time work when demand slows. For further information, contact the STC Coordinator at the Vermont Department of Labor.

Address:
P.O. Box 488
Montpelier, VT 05601

Phone:  (802) 828-9110

Unemployment Compensation Division
All businesses with at least one worker who works for some part of the day during 20 weeks of the year, or who pays at least $1500/calendar quarter, must pay state unemployment tax. These businesses must register with and obtain an unemployment tax ID number. If an individual has worked in Vermont anytime during the past 18 months, is unemployed or working part-time, he/she may be eligible to receive unemployment compensation.

Address:
P.O. Box 488 
Montpelier, VT 05601

Phone:  (802) 828-4242
Fax:  (802) 828-4022

Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA)
A safe and healthful workplace is important to the financial well-being of a company. Employees are more productive and happier when the risk of injury or illness is reduced. A first line defense against rising Workers’ Compensation costs is to reduce or eliminate the injuries in your workplace. VOSHA wants to work with employers and employees to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.

Established in 1972, following federal enabling legislation, VOSHA is comprised of two sections: the Enforcement Section and the Consultation and Training Section. Each utilizes the same standards to assure safe and healthful working conditions for employees. However, each employs different methods to gain compliance. The Enforcement Section uses citations, with associated penalties, for serious violations. Escalating penalties exist for repeated violations, failure to correct, or willful violations.

VOSHA Compliance Program is implementing Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). The program recognizes companies that have exemplary safety and health programs and have demonstrated a superior management commitment to the safety and health of their employees. VOSHA initially will verify that an employer’s program meets the VPP criteria. VOSHA then publicly recognizes the program and removes the site from routine scheduled inspection lists, although VOSHA may still investigate major accidents and valid formal employee complaints. VOSHA will reassess the recognized sites periodically to confirm that they continue to meet VPP criteria.

If you are an employer and would like more information:

Contact Name:  Daniel Whipple, VPP Coordinator

Phone:  (802) 334-4367 or (800) 287-2765

Email:  dan.whipple@state.vt.us

VOSHA Project WorkSAFE
Project WorkSAFE seeks to work with the employer to maintain safe working standards. Employers invite section staff to inspect their facilities, list a summary of hazards, and provide assistance in hazard correction. The employer avoids any citations or penalties, but is required to correct all hazards discovered during the inspection. These services are confidential.

If you are a small Vermont business, there are free and confidential services, anything from a phone consult to a full health and safety evaluation at your worksite. VOSHA will go on a tour of your facility, point out problem areas, and help you identify solutions. This service includes safety audits, program development and evaluation, chemical exposure assessments, and noise monitoring.

For more information on Project WorkSAFE:

Phone:  (888) SAFE-YES or (888) 723-3937

Our mission is to help Vermonters find a path to a better life. To this end, we take on many roles: employment coach, health insurance provider, crisis manager, career planner, champion of families, and promoter of human potential.

NOTE: See Department of Employment & Training for information on Unemployment Taxes.

To accomplish its two primary goals of job creation and job retention, VTP offers manufacturers three training initiatives: new employment; upgrade; and crossover training for incumbent workers. These individually designed training programs may include on-the-job; classroom; skill upgrade; or other specialized training which are mutually agreed upon between the State and employer.