Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

7/24/23

These sunny days are certainly welcome, not only for drying out but for a more cheerful outlook. I know that the heavy rain on Friday evening caused some additional erosion. My driveway washed a bit and others had further degradation, as well.

I understand that people want to know the condition of specific roads, but I have not been given that information. From what I hear from folks, all roads may be open, but some are barely passable. In addition, crews working on them find it hard to do their jobs if vehicles are continually causing them to pause to let traffic through.  Life needs to go on and we need to get places, but please be mindful of safety and courtesy as you travel our back roads.

It has been heartwarming to see neighbors caring for one another. Volunteers have flooded our area – no pun intended! The Black River Action Team has been helpful in Plymouth, even as their volunteers are assisting hard hit Ludlow. Our fire dept has traveled throughout town talking with people and assessing accessibility. Resources have been posted so that everyone can obtain help. 

FEMA has made initial contact with those who have sought their help. The agency has not set up an office in Plymouth, but according to Angela, folks can go to the Community Center in Ludlow to meet a representation and complete an application.  Please remember that the Plymouth Memory Tree can to be of assistance. Applications are available at temporary town office or online. 

So many places and events are in flux at the moment. The word on Calvin Coolidge Homestead is that it will be closed through the end of July and the state is currently assessing the possibility of re-opening it August. There was no real damage and there are so many events planned, so here’s hoping they can take place. According to the phone message at Coolidge State Park, they are hoping to re-open on 7/28, a revision of the previous date. Below is a message from Tiffany at Camp Plymouth State park on Echo Lake, hoping to be open again by the middle of August.

Thank you for all the well wishes from the community for our park. Fortunately, we had no further damage after Friday’s heavy rain. Park staff are happy to report that almost all boats have been retrieved! Currently, we are still missing one single kayak and one canoe. If anyone sees them, let us know. We also have found someone’s blue sit on top kayak which is down near our concession building.