Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 03/30/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/26/12

Creatures abound!  The other day while Tom & I were out for a walk, we came across a male & a female mallard on Dublin Rd.  They crossed the road to where neighbors formerly had chickens.  The water in the brook was moving very rapidly – certainly not a tranquil pond setting, so they seemed to appreciate the bread Kathy Wasco threw out for them.

At a pond on the other side of town, a young bull moose has been causing some excitement.  The way I heard it from Elaine Gambone, when the moose appeared at the DePaul’s pond, one of the horses was spooked, broke loose & ended up all the way down to the Berkman’s (Fred Pope’s former residence), necessitating a long walk home!

Please note that the Mon, 4/16 Selectmen’s hearing on the Town Plan is taking place at 6:30 PM.  Often meetings start at 7:00, so be aware of this different start time if you want to attend.  I know there are concerned citizens on both sides of the proposed gravel pit issue, so this meeting might draw a crowd, since the Plan includes provisions for the types of businesses seen as appropriate for Plymouth.  It would be nice if the discussion could be courteous & not reminiscent of the incivility of the school debates.  Focusing on the issues & not on personalities, with a desire to hear everyone’s point of view with an open mind, will be important.

I am sad to report that there have been some robberies in our area – local businesses along Rte 100.  The Tyson Store & the Green Mountain Sugar House both had their front doors smashed on the same night.  Although the perpetrators fortunately did not do a significant amount of damage, losses were incurred & the sense of security has been shattered.  Just to set the record straight, we keep no money at Tyson Church…..

Palm/Passion Sunday is 4/1 & Easter is 4/8, both of which will be celebrated at our regular Sunday morning Worship services at 10:30 AM.  Also, all are welcome to attend our Maundy Thursday meal & service, starting at 6:00 PM on 4/5.  We will share in the Lord’s Supper that evening.

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Effort To Reopen Plymouth Gravel Pit Ignites Controversy Among Residents – The Vermont Standard

Posted on 03/24/2012 by The Plymouth Press

The Vermont Standard has launched an e-edition which is free through March 31. This week’s Standard covers the latest on the Gravel Pit:

Effort To Reopen Plymouth Gravel Pit Ignites Controversy Among Residents – The Vermont Standard.

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Legislative Report from Rep. Dennis Devereux

Posted on 03/23/2012 by The Plymouth Press

MESSAGE  FROM  MONTPELIER

Legislative Report from Rep. Dennis Devereux
for Ludlow, Mount Holly, and Plymouth

Our state has seen a troubling increase in embezzlement cases. Some recent notable ones involved the treasurer of the Town of Ira, an employee of the Hardwick Electric Department, and a state employee working in Newport who even directed taxpayer dollars to her own sister.

Last spring Tom Salmon, the State Auditor of Accounts, approached our Committee on Government Operations with some suggestions that would add more oversight and reporting from those in charge of town funds. His office looked into the issue and found that in many cases the crime was not even being reported. Several drafts and a lot more testimony resulted in a committee bill which requires oversight of those officials with authority to receive or disburse town and school district funds. The proposed bill would require the town treasurer to annually complete and provide the selectboard a copy of a one-page checklist furnished by the auditor of accounts to determine if the internal financial controls are in place to ensure the proper use of public funds. The bill would mandate that any officer charged with larceny or filing a claim for recovery under a bond based upon performance to provide the auditor of accounts a copy of charges or claim within 10 days. It would also require the auditor’s office to provide instruction in the fiduciary duties to those in the governing body responsible for accepting a financial report. Another section requires the town treasurer to file this report quarterly, and provide the selectboard a copy of the internal control checklist. The board must review and accept the document that proves the internal controls are indeed in place. The bonding section is updated to add specific language that applies to any officer or employee with the authority as determined by the selectboard.

I am disappointed this issue is being discussed so late in our session when there is little chance of it being enacted. The bill would now have to be re-created next January. Going forward, the plan is to apply the same over-sight to nonprofit organizations that also receive state funds. As we see more cases, I am sure this will become a higher priority.

In next several weeks, most of the money bills will be acted on. I think there will certainly be support for more paving projects around the state. However, I see some areas that are cause for real concern, including the downturn in projected revenue from the lack of snow.

Please contact me with a message at 1-800-322-5616, or at home 802-259-2460, or ddevereux@leg.state.vt.us.

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 03/22/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

3/18/12

I have to admit that this morning (Monday) I really don’t have much news. Looking out my window at bare ground seems very strange. We have already had 2 lunches out on the deck – remarkable for March. It was 74 degrees at noon yesterday! The weather, although very nice in one sense, has impacted seasonal workers & is now creating chaos with sugaring….

It was nice to have Kathy Lynds in church on Sunday & she brought Theresa Steward with her. Speaking of church, these are the Upcoming Events: 4/1/12 – Palm/Passion Sunday Worship at 10:30 AM; 4/5/12 – Maundy Thursday meal & service at 6:00 PM; 4/8/12 – Easter Celebration at 10:30 AM! Everyone is welcome to attend.

I understand that it was decided at the Plymouth Historical Society meeting that they would participate in the bi-annual VT History Expo (6/16 & 17) at Tunbridge – “Vermonters in the Civil War”. They would appreciate local artifacts and/or Plymouth family facts that pertain to that era.

The Reach Out Community Luncheon last Thursday provided a wonderful meal & it was interesting to have Dave Harlow talk about his book, The Way It Used to Be. He brought in a small box that he had made in his youth & explained how he used it to find “bee trees” & obtain honey. It was all very fascinating!

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Public Hearing on Plymouth Town Plan Warned for April 16

Posted on 03/22/2012 by The Plymouth Press

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH

Notice is hereby given by the Plymouth Selectboard of a Public Hearing to be held Monday, April 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Town Office, Plymouth, Vermont for the purpose of hearing comments on the proposed Plymouth Town Plan. The Town Plan covers all lands within the Town. A copy of the proposed Plymouth Town Plan and maps are available for review on the Town’s website and at the Plymouth Town Clerk’s Office during normal business hours.

Download Proposed Town Plan March_12_2012
Download Proposed_Town_Plan_Current_Use_Map_2012

Outlined below is a list of section headings of the proposed Town Plan:

I. INTRODUCTION
II. LAND USE
III. TRANSPORTATION
IV. UTILITY AND FACILITY PLAN
V. TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
VI. NATURAL, SCENIC, AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
VII. EDUCATION
VIII. ENERGY
IX. HOUSING
X. ADJACENT MUNICIPALITIES AND THE REGION
XI. IMPLEMENTATION

Dated this 20th day of March, 2012

Ralph Michael, Chair

Plymouth Selectboard

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NY ecologist: Northeast may see more Lyme disease

Posted on 03/21/2012 by The Plymouth Press
From Russ Tonkin, Town Health Officer

March 16, 2012
MILLBROOK, N.Y. (AP) — A disease ecologist says the Northeast should prepare for a surge in Lyme disease this spring. Richard Osfeld of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook says the population of white-footed mice is crashing due to a small acorn crop. That means ticks that carry Lyme disease will look for other mammals to bite, such as humans.
Ecologists at the Cary Institute have been studying connections between acorn abundance, mice, black-legged ticks and Lyme disease for more than two decades.
They say a bumper crop of acorns in 2010 caused mouse populations to soar in 2011. With more mice came more ticks. Acorns were scarce last fall, meaning fewer mice this spring and a lot of hungry ticks. Osfeld says the highest disease risk is May through July.
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Dog Found – Disregard Last Post!

Posted on 03/20/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Good news! The dog was found – please disregard the last post.

The Plymouth Press

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Lost Dog in Plymouth

Posted on 03/20/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

LOST DOG-PLEASE HELP US FIND HER

Three year old, cream colored Golden Retriever last seen 9 am Friday morning, March 16th in the vicinity of Plymouth Five Corners Cemetery. Goes by the name of CHLOE. She is very friendly. Has collar and tags and is also microchipped.

Please call if found or sighted: 802-672-3179.

Thank you!

Betsy Tonkin

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A Comment on the Plymouth Town meeting

Posted on 03/13/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Lee Kafer

Just had an opportunity to revisit the town meeting on LPCTV. The video is great but the audio is woeful. Those that wish to speak must all use the microphones.

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Preamble to Town Meeting 2012: Acknowledging Grace Under Pressure

Posted on 03/13/2012 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Editor’s Note: Town Meeting started with a gracious acknowledgement of all who helped following the storm. We thought it would be nice to share these remarks with those who might not have been at the meeting.

By Tom Harris, Town Moderator

Before we begin the meeting, if no one objects, I would like to make an observation. In his book, Profiles in Courage, President John F Kennedy defined courage as acting with grace under pressure.

Throughout the storm and beginning in earnest on Monday August 29th, the day after Tropical Storm Irene washed through our town, we witnessed courage in its finest form. That morning and for the days and weeks thereafter the residents of Plymouth pulled together, working under extremely difficult conditions to restore services and rebuild our town.

It is only fitting that we recognize that hard work and Yankee ingenuity of our communitys volunteers and municipal employees. Thanks are warranted to Al Poirier, Sue Poirier, Kirk Turner, Larry Lynds, Art Lynds, Mike Lynds, Missy Lynds, Jeff Sailor, Barbara Rabtoy, Joe Rebideau, Justis Pingree, Michelle Pingree, Deb Staniscia, Gail Carbonaro, Andy Crossman, Keeley Crossman, Ralph Michael, Judy Michaels Jim Allen, Bonnie Allen, Cedar Allen, John Dupont, Julie Dupont, Russ Tonkin, Betsy Tonkin, Willow Bascom, Ann Brown, Bob Lambert, Bobbie Lambert, Kermit Upton, Christine Metcalf, Ed Farmer, John Donald, Kathy Donald, Jerri Savery, Tyler Savery and many others, for their prompt response and continued hard work. I am sure I missed a few and I apologize for that.

We could not have done it without the help of The Windsor County Sheriff Department, VTEL, VTRANS, CVPS and utility workers from other states, The Salvation Army, The Vermont and New Hampshire Air National Guards, The Vermont National Guard and National Guards of other states. Thank you all. You did an amazing job. You are our hometown heroes.

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