All Roads in Plymouth are Officially OPEN

Posted on 11/15/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Seymour Cohen, Temporary “Irene” Information Officer

At last, all roads in Plymouth are Officially OPEN.

Town Road Conditions 11-14-11

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Pingree’s Tractor Rescued: Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 11/06/2011 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

10/31/11

Well, I wasn’t ready for all that snow! Hearing from a friend in Pittsfield, MA where they received 20+ inches & my sister in NY where they received over 10 inches of snow, I guess we can’t complain. It looks pretty, but I won’t mind if it melts this time around!

How fortunate that the inclement weather didn’t start until later in the day on Saturday, because it didn’t hinder the amazing work that was done at the Pingrees on Rte 100. Many hands helped to clean out the farmhouse & to retrieve & empty silt from the jeep & tractor that were in the barn that was inundated with flood water from Money Brook when Irene came to town.

Brett Wright & his crew brought in equipment & manpower, but there were many volunteers from towns for miles around who assisted. Folks from Plymouth included: Kathy & Bob Lynds with his tractor, Steve Heilner with his tractor, Anne Brown, Lee Crawford, Dick & Clair Taylor, Mark Ballou, Kathy & John Donalds, Kermit Upton, Willard Hayes, & Betsy Tonkin. Forgive me if anyone was left out!

I was there to see the Jeep pulled out of the rubble, but I understand that the biggest cheer came when the tractor was extricated. Michelle had a huge amount of food to feed everyone & spirits were high as everyone gathered around. Justus, Michelle, Dorothy, Roger, Rodney, & Kathie Pingree extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone!

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We had our Annual Congregational meeting today at Tyson Church & most folks made it despite the snow! Being so small, just about everyone has a “job” & there will be a busy schedule between now & the New Year. We will be hosting Thanksgiving Day Dinner on 11/24 at 1:00 PM. We already have a commitment for one prepared turkey & are looking forward to others joining us & perhaps bringing their special holiday dish to share. Just let us know you are coming!

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Margo Marrone’s Plymouth Report

Posted on 11/01/2011 by Plymouth Press Contributing Writer

From Margo Marrone
Republished with permission from The Vermont Standard

10/24/11

Missed reporting last week because Tom & I were away. I officiated a lovely wedding in Newport, RI on the 15th, then we visited friends & family in CT, NY, & MA. Always good to come home to VT & when we did we had our grand puppy with us for the weekend. Bode was a very good dog, but our cat didn’t really appreciate his presence!

A reminder about youth hunting weekend for deer, which is 11/5 & 6. I understand that 2 small deer have been weighed in recently at the Tyson Village Store. Bow & arrow season ends on 10/30. Regular rifle hunting season begins 11/12 – 27. Remember to wear bright clothing when walking near & in the woods.

About the time I was visiting Ellen Steward at Stoughton House of Sunday, her great-granddaughter, Theresa was enthusiastically enjoying the musical performance at the Historic Site. Kathy Lynds said it was “superb”!

By the way, Ellen Steward’s birthday is 11/8 & her granddaughter, Rebekka’s is 11/7. Samantha Lynds turned 2 on 10/17, but her party was just held recently. Also, belated birthday wishes to Bill Jarvi – his special day was 10/13. Congratulations to one & all!

The hard work on the roads in town is definitely showing & I understand that some paving will be done this week. Maybe it will even be done by the time the paper comes out! It will be good to have things back in shape, since I heard that snow flurries are forecast for Wed.

Missy said that their snowmobile trails have been restored & will be ready for the season, which begins 12/15. We both agreed that we could wait a bit longer for the snow to begin! She also mentioned that the Historical Society building has closed for the season & will reopen in the spring.

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Plymouth Recovery Assistance Center November Update

Posted on 11/01/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Jill Davies, Plymouth Recovery Assistance Coordinator

The Plymouth Town Recovery Assistance Center is still in operation but our office in the school has closed.  You can get in touch with us by email or by phone. You can leave us a message on 802 672 3666 and let us know when and how to get in touch with you.  Or you can email us at jillplymouth@gmail.com.  You can get limited bottled water, water test kits and useful resource materials from the town hall.

We can help in many different ways to assist you through this process of recovery from Tropical Storm Irene.

If you suffered water damage to your home, your driveway or your property we recommend that you register for FEMA if this is your primary home or a business or if you are renting a property.  There are a few instances of people discovering that their septic systems have been damaged or mold is growing inside or outside their house many weeks after the storm.  You must register by November 15th to be able to make any future claim or any claim from other funds that exist to help with repair costs.

You can register with FEMA by phone 1 800 621 3362 or online at www.disaster.gov   The FEMA recovery centers have now closed in the nearby towns. Once you have registered this is what happens next:

  • FEMA will send you an application form to apply for an SBA loan.  If you complete and return this form by November 15 you may be eligible for a low interest loan.  If you are not eligible there may be additional funds available for you from FEMA.   If you don’t submit that application you will not be eligible for those additional funds.
  • An inspector visits and days later you get a decision and maybe a check
  • If you don’t like the decision, appeal it.  Find out the reason for refusal and do what is required.  Contact us if you need help

There are other sources of funds that might be available to make up any shortfall between the cost of your repairs and FEMA grants.  If you have repairs that have not been funded by FEMA and this is your primary residence, please contact us and we may be able to help you.  The Plymouth Memory Tree and the Vermont 2-1-1 fund have grants and there are a few other funds for specific things.

If you or your neighbors have questions or concerns please contact us.

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Plymouth Road Update – October 31

Posted on 11/01/2011 by The Plymouth Press

Seymour Cohen, Temporary Information Officer for Irene Recovery

Per Barbara, the Town Clerk, all roads are open except Patchbrook Road and Kingdom Road. Paving has started on Kingdom Road and if the weather gives us a break, it will be paved this week.

I will advise as soon I am told that Kingdom Road is done.

Town Road Conditions 10-31-11

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Volunteers Needed to Clean-up the Pingree Farm

Posted on 10/27/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Jill Davies, Plymouth Recovery Coordinator

WHEN: Saturday, October 29, 2011

WHERE: 4181 Route 100, Plymouth, VT 05056

VENUE: remove a jeep & tractor from a sugarhouse severly damaged by tropical storm Irene & clean up yard in front of farmhouse

DESCRIPTION: After Tropical Storm Irene, the family farm was destroyed as was their primary residence (Dorothy & Roger Pingree), Wright Construction’s President Brett Wright saw their losses and has volunteered a crew to help us out at the farm to try and salvage a jeep and tractor that were in a sugarhouse and to clean up the yard around the farmhouse. Still needed are a handful of volunteers to help with the hand digging around the tractor & jeep. Bring a spade shovel and garden tools such as a trowel.

STREET ADDRESS 4181 route 100

CITY OR TOWN Plymouth

COUNTY Windsor

AGE RANGE Adults

CONTACT Michelle Pingree

NUMBER FOR MORE INFO 802-672-3939

EMAIL FOR MORE INFO bufordandshelby@netzero.net

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It is time to check for mold again

Posted on 10/15/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Jill Davies, Plymouth Recovery Assistance Coordinator

We’ve all heard the warnings to beware of breathing moldy air and have taken steps to remove anything drenched in flood waters. But now is the time to look again. We just found black mold behind the base board heater and under the base boards. Just a little bit but enough to create a horrible small and who knows what it has done to the air quality. We have masks, gloves and bleach in the school if you need them for more clean up.

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New Resources for Storm Recovery

Posted on 10/14/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Jill Davies

Black River Good Neighbor Services can help with expenses you are incurring as a result of food damage – fans, water heaters, lost fie, lost earnings etc. Complete this short form and take it down to Ludlow. Black River Good Neighbors Flood Assistance Application

The Realtors Relief Foundation is offering assistance with mortgage expense for a primary residence that was damaged by Hurricane Irene or rental costs of temporary shelter. Assistance is limited to $1500 per applicant. Complete the form and mail it in to the address on the form. Assistance is on a first come, first served basis. Realtors Relief Fund Application

If you have a clean-up project you can get volunteers to help you on October 22.   Go to
http://www.vtcleanup.org/needhelp/ to sign up your project.

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Updated 10-11-11 Road Report

Posted on 10/13/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Seymour Cohen, Temporary Information Officer “Irene” Recovery

There was an error on the sheet sent out for 10-11-11 road conditions. Attached is the corrected copy. Sorry for any confusion.
Town Road Conditions 10-11-11

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Call for Volunteers for Benefit Event on October 15

Posted on 10/13/2011 by The Plymouth Press

From Jay Ottaway

We still have a few slots open for volunteering at the Plymouth Recovery Benefit Concert on Saturday at the Coolidge Historic Site. We are looking for help with our Arts and Crafts table from 12-1 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. as well as greeters at the church from 4-5 p.m. Also if anyone could step in for an hour of face-painting that would be great.

Contact jay.ottaway@gmail.com to volunteer.

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