Town Plan Adopted by Plymouth Voters

Posted on 06/14/2012 by The Plymouth Press

From Barbara Rabtoy, Town Clerk

Results of the June 13th vote for Plymouth Town Plan

Yes votes – 28
No votes – 23

The Town Plan has been adopted by the voters.

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Governor Shumlin Dedicates New Exhibit at Coolidge Historic Site

Posted on 06/12/2012 by The Plymouth Press

From Jen Flaster

Coolidge family members, Memorial Foundation board members, historic site staff and Plymouth residents gathered under sunny skies on Saturday to dedicate a new interactive exhibit at the Coolidge Museum and Education Center. Speakers included Christopher Coolidge Jeter and Jennifer Coolidge Harville, great grandchildren of President Coolidge, Noelle MacKay, Commissioner of the Department of Economic , Housing and Community Affairs, Mimi Baird, Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation, Paul Ahad, exhibit designer and Governor Shumlin.

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The exhibit, entitled “More than Two Words: The Life and Legacy of Calvin Coolidge” includes reels, artifacts and audio recordings on the life of the 30th President and the development of his personal and political philosophies and his compelling accomplishments.

As visitors explored the new exhibit, the Plymouth Emergency Services provided a delicious chicken bbq lunch, the Plymouth Historical Society showed off its new Civil War display and the Plymouth cheese factory offered free samples.

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Warning: Proposed Town Plan Vote on June 13

Posted on 06/11/2012 by The Plymouth Press

WARNING

The legal voters of Plymouth are hereby warned that Wednesday, June 13, 2012 the polls at the Plymouth Municipal Building will be open 10:00AM – 7:00PM, for the purpose of voting by Australian Ballot as petitioned for the Proposed Plymouth Town Plan dated March 12, 2012.

Dated at Plymouth, Vermont this 10th day of May, 2012

Ralph Michael, Chair
Andrew Crossman
Russ Tonkin

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Governor in Plymouth 6/9 to Dedicate Exhibit; Free Admission to Historic Site

Posted on 06/08/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Margo Marrone

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

6/4/12

Things will be hopping at the Historic Site this weekend. I am sure there will be a schedule of activities noted elsewhere in the paper. Just to highlight a few events & let you know that there is free admission from 11:00 to 5:00 on Sat, 6/9. The Governor will be on hand at 10:00 AM, as well as the Coolidge family to dedicate the new interactive exhibit. Jim Cooke will be presenting More Than 2 Words. There will be live music, wagon rides, children’s activities, & sheep shearing; along with local artisans displays. Support our Emergency Services by enjoying the noontime chicken BBQ or dine at the Wilder House, which is now open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. Wine & cheese tasting will take place at the cheese factory!

In addition, the Historical Society will be displaying at the old school house on Saturday. Don’t forget that they will also have an exhibit at the VT History Expo taking place at the Tunbridge Fairground 6/16 & 17. Be sure to welcome to the new intern at the Visitor Center, Lucy Hamer, a grad student at UVM. Her endeavors will also include a historical & architectural study of the Wilder House.

Late best wishes to Mike Lynds whose birthday was 6/1. While William & Ruth Bostock are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on 6/6, my Tom will be celebrating his birthday. For a small town, we have a number of folks with birthdays on 6/14 – Doris Earle, Matt Harootunian, BetteAnn Sailer, & me!

I understand that Kyleigh Savery is en-route home from her recent stay in Boston where she underwent heart surgery – welcome back & so glad to hear you are healing nicely! I am hoping to have a picture & a write-up next week about Ryan Blanchard’s work on the gardens at the Aldrich house. Also, if there are other high school grads who would like me to note their future plans, please email me!

Lastly, hope you have marked your calendar for the Strawberry Festival on Wed, 6/20 at Camp Plymouth State Park from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. Tickets for the raffle (fantastic prizes!) can be obtained from Kathy Lynds or me ahead of time, in case you can’t attend this fun event.

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Plymouth Strawberry Festival on June 20

Posted on 06/05/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Sue Poirier

Plymouth Strawberry Festival
Wednesday, June 20th
5- 8 pm
Camp Plymouth State Park

The annual Plymouth Strawberry Festival is again being held this year at Camp Plymouth State Park on Echo Lake. It will be held rain or shine thanks to the efforts of the Tyson Ladies Aid, Plymouth Emergency Services and the Tyson Church! Come meet your friends and neighbors and enjoy culinary delights from our menus including BBQ’d burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, home made salads and baked beans, our wonderful fresh strawberry (homemade) shortcake with real whipped cream and ice cream! There will be lots for the kids to do including a crafts table, face painting, a Bouncy House, and Touch a Truck(s)! AND there will be a huge raffle with many many prizes!

This is a special time for all of our communities to celebrate the progress our communities have made working together to recover from TS Irene. We’ve come a long way, Baby!!! Admission to the park is free. Proceeds from this event will benefit Plymouth Emergency Services, Community Outreach activities, scholarships for Black River and Woodstock H.S. seniors,children/youth programs and a Farm & Wilderness Campership fund for year round Plymouth/Bridgewater youth.

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Plymouth Historical Society Now Open Saturdays

Posted on 06/02/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Betsy Tonkin

The Plymouth Historical Society is now open on Saturdays from 12 TO 2 PM, except June 9th and 16th.

Save the dates and come see us here as well:
• June 9th Grand Opening permanent Coolidge Exhibit
Coolidge Historic Site- Old School House
• June 16th and 17th, Vt. History Expo Tunbridge
• June 20th Strawberry Festival
• July 4th Coolidge Historic Site – Old School House
• August 4th Plymouth Old Home Day
• September 22nd Cheese and Harvest Festival

Don’t forget:
• 2012 memberships still encouraged ($5 single, $10 family)
• stories and pictures of Tropical Storm Irene wanted

Next meeting is June 24th 4-6 pm at the Historical Society Building

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report & Town Meeting Report

Posted on 06/01/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/28/12

What an amazingly lovely holiday weekend this has been! The sunshine, mild temps, & low humidity, plus a gentle breeze to keep the bugs at bay, all combined to bring smiles to the multitude of locals & visitors who were out & about everywhere. Bikers were out in force for the Killington Stage Race & there were a good many visitors to the Historic Site.

Well, the robins have matured & left the nest – didn’t take long for them to hatch, grow, & learn to be out on their own. I did try to move the now brown Christmas wreath from its location on the back side of my house, so I could place a basket of flowers there. What a shock to have an angry mother bird fly out at me! I am not sure what kind of bird has made a nest there because I was busy ducking. I haven’t heard any peeps, so I assume the eggs have not hatched yet, but I am staying clear of that area for the time-being!

The Tyson Library opened for the season this past Saturday & included a book sale. I believe there are still many books left that can be purchased. Volunteers have signed up to allow the library to be open Tues – Sat from 10:00 until noon, plus Sally Nadeau will be there the 1st & 3rd Mon evenings from 6 to 7 PM. Come see the nice selection of books & all the new improvements, including a new bathroom!

It was nice to have Theresa Steward back in church with us this past weekend. We had 4 young people because she & Maddie Dean both brought guests. My sister & brother-in-law from Mohegan Lake, NY joined us as well. So nice to see the lovely azalea that was planted in memory of Evelyn Warren in bloom for Memorial weekend.

Don’t forget that the Strawberry Festival will be taking place at the main pavilion at Camp Plymouth State Park on Wednesday, 6/20 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. It will include the BBQ, strawberry shortcake, & raffle, so come out & enjoy this festive time together! The proceeds go to support a number of community activities & programs.

I had an opportunity to speak with Tara Metcalf the other day. She is currently playing softball – 2nd base at WUHS, but will be graduating this year. She is excited about attending Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC in the fall. We wish her the best as she heads off to possibly pursue a degree in psychology.

Some of you may remember John Hale, who formerly lived in Plymouth. He is also graduating from WUHS this year. He will continue to work at Shaw’s in Ludlow for another year, then hopes to attend Johnson State College to study creative writing, which has been a passion of his for quite some time.

The Town budget was passed easily by the 50 or so folks present at the recent Town Meeting. After Selectman, Russ Tonkin explained some of the changes, no other questions were asked. There will be another meeting to continue work on the new Plymouth Zoning Regulations/By-laws. Kevin Geiger will be there again Ned Swanberg, Vermont DEC Flood Hazard Mapping Coordinator, will make a presentation concerning Fluvial Erosion Hazards.

I noticed that Camp Gokemo, the day camp at Okemo for ages 6 – 13 will start on 6/18 through Labor Day weekend. To obtain more information, call 228-1600 or to camp.gokemo.

Plymouth Town Meeting 5/23/12
About 50 gathered at the Plymouth Town Building to re-vote the Town budget that was defeated in March. The new budget was $1,236,603.96 with $1,070,883.96 to be raised by taxes. Selectmen, Russ Tonkin noted that it was a 1.8% increase over last year. He also took the time to explain some of the increased or significantly changed items., The wage increase for the Town Clerk & Assistant Town Clerk had been reduced by their request & their hours have also gone from 40 per week to 36 hours each. He indicated that that the increase in the Lister’s budget reflected the fact that they had not received a raise in the past 2 years. A position has been included to provide assistance for Planning & Zoning, as well as the Select Board. Ralph Michael answered Betsy Tonkin’s concern about staff insurance costs, by saying that they had met with VT League of Towns & Cities & learned that coverage is similar to other towns in our area & the cost was similar. The budget passed easily.

Strawberry Festival
Sue Poirier announced the upcoming Strawberry Festival on Wed, 6/20 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Camp Plymouth State Park & encouraged community support for this local event. The meeting was adjourned in less than an hour, but most folks stayed around to socialize. The atmosphere was very amiable!

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Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting – June 5

Posted on 05/26/2012 by The Plymouth Press

From Wendell Beckman – Planning Commission Chair

Next Scheduled Meeting
June 5, 2012
7:00 pm

Since we do not have any applications scheduled to come before the Planning Commission on June 5th we will use this meeting to continue work on the new Plymouth Zoning Regulations/By-laws.

In addition to Kevin Geiger being there to continue discussions on the By-laws, Ned Swanberg, Vermont DEC Flood Hazard Mapping Coordinator, will make a presentation concerning Fluvial Erosion Hazards.  We will be looking at this as we develop the new By-laws.

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 05/26/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

5/21/12

What glorious weather we have been having – I hope that folks have been able to get out & enjoy it! It would be nice if it continues for the holiday weekend, since the Historic Site will be opening on 5/26. Be sure to check out the new exhibit, Gone Fishin’ With the President, made possible with help from the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation & The Orvis Company. Calvin Coolidge was an avid angler! Be on the alert for cyclists this weekend, too, since the Killington Stage Race will be coming through town!

There was an interesting article in the Rutland Herald this past week quoting Mary Batesole of the Lake Rescue Assn. It seemed to be an attempt to reassure folks about the safety of our lakes. Certainly the floods from “Irene” have led to changes in our lakes & streams. She indicates that VT ANR Watershed Coordinator, Marie Levesque Caduto, said that the “sediment takes time to settle” & the “washed up clay & silt cause the lakes to look dark & murky”. She wrote further that “The Lake Rescue Association and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources sampled water from all of the lakes and found there were no dangerous levels of bacteria from waste“. This is a hopeful sign!

Nature does seem to rebound. The joyful sound of birds is welcome in the morning, something that was missing after the flood. Robins have made a nest in my clothes pin basket that hangs on the outside of our garage. I have taken a peek – first seeing the 4 turquoise eggs, then the strange little creatures that emerged, & now these recognizable little birds that seem to be mostly mouths! I have other cloths pins, but the parents are not too pleased when I hang clothes on my line.

Bantam and auracana chicks. Photo by Naomi Moyer

Bantam and auracana chicks. Photo by Naomi Moyer

Speaking of new little creatures, Naomi Moyer sent this picture of her new chicks at 1 week of age. The smaller ones are bantams & the larger ones auracanas.. It is a challenge in the wilds of Plymouth to keep pets & such safe. A marauding bear recently destroyed the bee hives at the Calkins/Bascom home. I know someone who was taking her birdfeeders in at night, but quickly learned that bears are on the prowl during the daytime, too!

Tom’s cousin, author Harrison Hunt (known to us as Terry!) spoke at the Reach Out Luncheon last Thursday. He told us about the meager rations that caused widespread malnutrition & scurvy to be prevalent among the troops, resulting in sickness & the death of many – perhaps even more than war injuries. Nice to have Chris & Dick Murphy back in town & joining us again. We sang Happy Birthday to Bettyann Hayward & Ruth Bostock!

Terry also played our waiter when we took Tom’s mom to Lui-Lui’s to celebrate her 90th birthday! The staff was wonderfully accommodating & the meal was delicious. It was difficult to determine who was the center of attraction – Marian or Owen, who was his usual cheerful & charming self. Great-grandma brought him a stuffed toy & she also shared some of her ice cream with him!

Thanks to Betsy Tonkin for presenting the mission field experience that she & Russ had when they volunteered in St Lucia at Tyson church this morning. She is organizing the collection of new or gently used board books, picture books & age appropriate developmental toys (not battery operated) to be sent to children ages 1-3. She left a box at the church to collect such items. If you want to donate cash to help with shipping cost, make checks out to Betsy, noting Global Missions in the memo section. Her address is 131 Windy Lane, Plymouth 05056

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Montpelier Report from Dennis Devereux

Posted on 05/19/2012 by The Plymouth Press

Legislative Report from Rep. Dennis Devereux

The end of the session always finds some well intended legislation left undone. This was the case with a labor bill that the commerce committee had worked on for over a year. The concepts will need to be recreated in a new bill, and many times it can result in an even better proposal. This does not make a committee that has taken many hours of testimony feel any better.

This was also the case with our committee bill that would limit access to vital records and reduce the chance for identity thief. After a total rewrite of the first draft, we felt the version passed in the house would easily win acceptance in the senate. Concerns soon came from many directions, and we realized our bill, written with input from the Vermont Department of Health, would not be finalized this session.

The last thing any legislator wants to see is something controversial attached onto a well written bill at the end of the session. This is what happened to an education bill that many of us had followed all winter. The school merger bill contained language that would provide transition money to encourage supervisory unions to consolidate offices. During our final days, an amendment was added that would require the payment of agency fees (union dues) by school employees who do not belong to a union. The thinking was that these people do benefit in some way and should be required to pay a weekly amount. Suddenly, a bill that was on track to pass, was in doubt. Here we were going into our last day, and if the amendment remained in place, the bill would die. A deal was made that would bring the bill up for a final vote only if the amendment was removed. Many of us were relieved when the original bill survived. We also understand that the agency fee issue will return next January.

Projected spending increased about 6% over the previous year’s budget. Most of the increase was due to the damage from Tropical Storm Irene. We approved the largest transportation budget ever to repair our roads and bridges. This includes a $27 million increase to the $77 million spending proposal for paving projects. People understand the need to resurface our roads. The legislature also saw an increase in demand placed on our human services agencies when lives were changed forever.

The support for our recovery efforts made the vote for rebuilding our state’s infrastructure an easy one for me. Decisions surrounding the state hospital added to the many complex issues we faced the first week last January. An amendment that would help our district calls for one half of future surpluses to go to the education fund to lower property taxes. I look forward to a year free of disasters so we might see a reduction in spending.

One of the last must pass bills is the committee of conference version of the appropriations bill. Some of its major components include the capital construction and transportation bills, and this year the state employees’ Pay Act. This marked the restoration of the pay cuts that our state employees offered to take for two years. Also non-union employees and the legislature took a reduction in pay up to 5% for the same period.

I look forward to discussing the issues we worked on, and hope you will contact me with a message at 802-259-2460 or ddevereux@leg.state.vt.us .

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