Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/20/23

Writing on Monday morning and the sun is shining brightly. The heavy snow of last week seems to be compressing, but there is still plenty of it around! Plowing has not been easy since the ground underneath is soft. Is spring really almost here?

The Select Board schedule is off this month, so the meeting will be tonight, 3/20. I understand that Daniels Construction will be starting the Stickney Bridge Project soon, weather permitting. I am told that will mean one way traffic across the bridge until July.

At the 3/13 SB meeting, it was noted that there may be other options for financing the Town Building renovations, including a possible grant that can help to defray cost. It was discussed that another property tax sale may be scheduled for this fall.

Discussion is taking place regarding the Short Term Rental regulations. There are differing opinions about these measures, but in essence they are a protection for neighboring properties, renters and those renting. Some of us are concerned about the waste water implications in particular.

The reading group will be meeting via Zoom on Wed evening at 6:30 to discuss Flying Solo by Linda Holmes. We will choosing the next several books to share, too.

February 20, 2023

• 6 pm – Call the meeting to order and introduction of those present.
• Changes to the agenda
• School Board discussion
• Fire Truck contract
• Sheriff contract
• Town employee handbook approval
• Town Clerk appointment
• Mail and Warrants
• Adjourn

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 Meeting ID: 883 4713 8689

Passcode: 143124

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Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/12/23

I am certainly ready for spring, but in the meantime, snowshoeing is keeping me & my friends occupied. Karen Evans & I trekked up the Vista Trail at Camp Plymouth State Park on Sunday and it was a perfect day for it! Others had packed down a trail, but it is still a bit challenging. Below are some pictures.

I was not able to attend Town Meeting but I understand that everything passed. As unlikely as it may seem, there were no questions on the budget!  I took this picture – seen on election day, but don’t worry, he didn’t vote!

Don’t forget the next Select Board meeting will be Mon, 3/13.  It appears there will be discussion of tax sales and an update on Town Clerk interviews.

Folks living near the Tyson Reading Rd experienced a power outage on 3/6. Thanks to Jan Schimp, here is a picture of the cause.

Taken from FPF:  High school students and parents, what’s next? Whether you’re college-bound, thinking of training or apprenticeships, or not sure, VSAC’s free event is for you. Attend in person at UVM or join via Zoom for live workshops and resources on March 18.

Selectboard Agenda

March 13, 2023

• 6 pm – Call the meeting to order and introduction of those present
• Changes to the agenda
• Approve the minutes from the last meeting
• School Board representation
• Tax Sale continuation
• Parcel Data from CAI
• Town Employee handbook approval
• Update clerk interviews – appointment
• Mail and Warrants
• Adjourn

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88347138689?pwd=dnRjQUlYT0lXR0k3SlYrVW9aNHNlUT09

 Meeting ID: 883 4713 8689

Passcode: 143124

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,88347138689#,,,,*143124# US (Chicago)

+19292056099,,88347138689#,,,,*143124# US (New York)

 Dial by your location

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdyuDWKca9

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/6/23

Such wondrous sunshine this AM sparkling off the new foot plus of snow! I would prefer dumps of snow in January and February, but we do not have a say in the matter. Snowshoeing twice last week was wonderful and I hope to get out again this week.

Many important issues to discuss and vote at tonight’s Town meeting. My hope is that the dialogue will be respectful and pertinent. Voting to fill town positions will be from 10 AM – 7 PM tomorrow at the Town building. 

Birthday congratulations to Taylor Lynds on 3/17 and Jean Fanciullo and Bob Lynds on 3/21.

Some great news from Lauren:  The Plymouth Schoolhouse licensed childcare is expanding their hours! Enrollment and program visits are happening now; to secure spots for Summer and year round childcare. The Summer program will have a mixed aged group of young and older children. Year round care will be geared more for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. People interested in learning more can contact Director Lauren Skaskiw at 802-417-6895. Space is limited, and enrolling early is strongly encouraged. The Plymouth Schoolhouse accepts families on subsidy.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

2/26/23

I am writing this on Sunday at 4 PM, as the snow begins to fall again. We did not receive the 14 inches of snow that was predicted for Thursday, but over 2 days I did remove 7 inches of snow from my deck. I considered myself fortunate that the couple of times I ventured into Ludlow, the traffic was not backed up.  I do know that Mt Holly and Shrewbury families trying to attend the basketball finals on Friday evening at the Community Center found themselves stuck in traffic from Jackson Gore for over 20 minutes, though!

Fletcher Memorial library extends thanks to those who participated in their on-line raffle. It was quite successful and it was nice to see local folks, some from Plymouth, come to offer support on the final evening.

I do not have much news to report this week, but don’t forget the Town Meeting on 3/6 where most items will be voted from the floor. See details on the Plymouth website. There are several important issues to discuss. One of them is concerning a new fire truck. Thanks Angela for the picture of some of the volunteers who assisted with the Emergency Services fundraiser spaghetti dinner. Voting for various town positions will take place on Tuesday from 10 AM to 7 PM.

It seems that many area Emergency Service/Fire Depts are busy with fundraising, so take note of the one listed below the pictures!

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

The Select Board meeting on 2/20 was quite informative. Dr Elliot Rubin, our school board director joined the meeting via Zoom and connected us with Ben Ford, who is Chair of the finance committee of WCUUSD. He provided a wonderfully comprehensive presentation that was too detailed to note here. Okemo Valley TV recorded the meeting, so you can access it from there. I did learn that the Education Fund also derives money from sources other than property taxes, such as taxes on gasoline and internet purchases. He also said that 75% of the budget reflects people cost – salaries and benefits. There will be an informational meeting Thurs 3/2, 6:30pm – 7:30pm at WUMHS to discuss the articles being presented to voters. You can go to their website for more info and Zoom instructions.

In addition, there were several members of the Plymouth Fire Dept on hand to discuss the dire need to replace our 33 year old fire truck. In the past, they have hunted for used trucks in an effort to be frugal. That means taking castoffs from other departments that need retrofitting which can be costly. Also, they do not come with warranties! In view of our town topography, a 4-wheel vehicle is needed. Per Fire Chief, Kirk Turner, surrounding fire companies have been contacted and none are willing to cover our town, except for mutual aid assistance for a serious blaze. It was also pointed out that homeowners insurance rates would rise considerably if there is not a local fire dept. Currently our PFD has raised $100,000, but trucks run about $500,000, thus the need to ask for town funds. Unfortunately, their request for a grant was not successful. Most of those present seemed in favor and the truck would actually be a town asset.

So, there is much to consider as Town Meeting approaches. There are additional copies of the Town Report at the Town Office if needed. The positions noted in Article 1 will be voted by Australian ballot on Tuesday, 3/7. The other Articles will be discussed and voted at the Town Meeting at 7 PM on Monday, 3/6.

COVID has been hard on all of us.  Many have said that it has been hardest on the kids, and it seems to keep getting harder. I sit on the House Education Committee and last week we heard about the shortcomings of a program called Success Beyond Six, the program that allows schools to access Medicaid funds to pay for pediatric mental health services.

Under Success Beyond Six, mental health professionals from certain non-profits called Designated Agencies come into our schools to provide mental health services for children and, importantly, to provide outreach beyond school hours to support a child’s parents and family members – something schools can’t do.

At a time where we need mental health professionals more than ever, these agencies are constrained by a problem we hear about almost daily in the news, workforce shortage.  

According to testimony before my committee, Success Beyond Six agencies employ roughly 5,900 people statewide, but they had 414 job vacancies in 2019.  By last October, that number had increase to 1,077 vacancies.

So, we have fewer professionals and we have more children requiring mental health services. And, according to the testimony we heard, these kids tend to need services for a longer period of time than they did prior to COVID.  

These factors, taken together, equal a crisis. 

When a Designated Agency is at capacity, they are allowed to not take any more kids. Our schools don’t have the ability. Our schools are obligated to care for every child, not just educate them, even if the school doesn’t have the qualified staff.   

Schools are left with no choice but to hire extra paraeducators and counselors to help troubled children.  The schools cannot draw down Medicaid dollars, only the Designated Agents can draw down the Federal funding in providing services, plus the schools cannot reach out into the homes and families. 

According to the testimony we heard, hiring in the mental health sector is challenged by low entry wages, sometimes as low as $17 an hour with an associate’s degree. 

It’s not a job for the faint of heart. Sometimes it involves the danger of being injured by troubled youths, and it is challenging to see the many causes of children in crisis, including adult substance abuse and negligence. 

And, as is always the case with attracting workers from out of state, would-be mental health workers often can’t find housing.

The testimony we heard is both timely and compelling. We need educators in our schools to educate and we need mental health professionals to deal with mental health issues. The problem is complex and it will take some work by the various legislative committees to sort things out.

I expect that solutions will include additional funding for Designated Agencies, educational incentives with loan forgiveness for mental health professionals and creating more housing for all workers. 

This year, I think the Legislature has a strong motivation to bring solutions to the problem.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

2/19/23

I couldn’t believe that I was able to go for a walk one day in sneakers – who ever heard of such a thing in the middle of February! Then last Friday to awake to the rumble of thunder was another anomaly. Sugar makers have been scrambling to get their trees tapped, a bit earlier than usual for many. A long-range forecast just predicted heavy snow in March which will dampen the hopes of those dreaming of rapidly approaching spring….

It was a pleasant gathering at the spaghetti dinner hosted by Plymouth Emergency Services on Saturday evening. Although I did not partake in the desserts, I was told they were exceptional, especially the apple pie!

The upcoming Select Board meeting to take place on 2/20 will provide an opportunity to learn more about the need for updated fire equipment, so hopefully folks will attend and hear what is said. Also, please note that there will a School Board presentation from 6 to 6:30. As most folks are aware, there are proposals for significant upgrades at the Middle and High School in Woodstock. It will be important to obtain accurate information and to see what the financial repercussions might be. Go to the Town website to find the Zoom information if you prefer that option.

Just a reminder that Plymouth Emergency Services will be hosting a free community spaghetti dinner THIS Saturday, February 18 from 5:30 – 7:30 at the Plymouth Town hall. Come celebrate mid winter  and reunite with your friends and neighbors while enjoying a great ‘home cooked meal’ .With the winter half over it will be great just to laugh, share good times and enjoy the community spirit!  The meal will consist of spaghetti, a choice of  meat or meatless sauce, rolls, butter, salad, dessert. 

Donations accepted but not expected. We hope to see you there!   

Questions? call Sue at 802-236-2683.