Rte 100 closed at Muddy Brook/Pingree Flats – 9/7/11

Posted by Sue Poirier, 9/7/11, 3:42p

As you all know, Muddy Brook has been flowing over Rte 100 (Pingree Flats).  With the rain, the stream flow has become fast and deep and access to that area is also getting muddy.  The construction crews working are trying to put in a culvert to take care of that issue.  Traffic is temporarily closed north and south bound for a couple of hours in that area.

Please let others know of this issue.  I’ll send an email to you when this issue is resolved.  Thanks.

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More Irene Images – Plymouth Union

Photos from the Plymouth Union area by Don Kroitzsch courtesy of Plymouth Recovery News

Sunday – Monday, Aug. 28-29

Tuesday – Wednesday, Aug. 30-31

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“Rocky Road II” is Open!! Flag Raising Today at 2PM

Posted by Sue Poirier, 9:41AM, September 7

‘Rocky Road II’ is Open!!!! PLEASE join us at the flag raising ceremony today at 2:00 !  There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony as well.  Join us in celebrating the reuniting of our town and the renewed access to the outside world!

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FEMA News

Marji Graf, the Executive Director of the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, received this note from Kysa George, introducing herself and explaining her role toward the Private Sector on behalf of FEMA. Business property owners should contact Ms. George.

FEMA Private Sector Liaison Contact Information

The Plymouth Recovery News website lists the FEMA-related links in its FEMA News section. Note: Sept. 27 is the Last Day to Register with FEMA. Miss the deadline and you will get no help from FEMA.

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Governor Shumlin Visit to Plymouth Cancelled

By: SPoirier posted on Plymouth Recovery News
Posted on: September 6, 2011

Governor Shumlin was scheduled to visit Plymouth this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011 to view damages and speak with townspeople and town officials, however his visit was cancelled.

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Plymouth Road Notice – 9/6/11

By: SPoirier Posted on Plymouth Recovery News
September 6, 2011 6:34 am

Due to current weather conditions, Rocky Rd will be open only to emergency personnel and necessary road crew.  The wet weather has made the road more fragile than previous and also more difficult to drive on.  We apologize for the inconvenience but this is essential to maintain the safety of the town and to assist in quicker recovery.

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Community Supper Tuesday Night for Residents South of ‘Rocky Road’

This article is republished from Plymouth Recovery News, which is now LIVE at www.plymouthrecoverynews.com.

Tuesday Night Community Supper

Many folks are working hard all day, and fixing a good meal is not a high priority. So, Tina Verdrager and Margo Marrone will be cooking up a variety of food tomorrow to share with neighbors. In order to not create unnecessary travel on ‘Rocky Road,’ they are inviting town residents south of the Route 100 washout to stop at the Tyson church and partake of the meal, beginning at 6:30.

If you have something to share, that would be fine, but it certainly is not necessary. Set-up will start at 5:30. Margo and Tina hope that getting together will provide a much needed break for everyone, and an opportunity to just sit and chat.

NOTE: We previously published some incorrect information. We apologize for that. These are the confirmed details.

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Plymouth Recovery News is Now LIVE

The Plymouth emergency management team has created a website to consolidate emergency and recovery information at www.plymouthrecoverynews.com. Updates on road and utility conditions, information on how to contact authorities, damage assessment forms and more will be posted there. The information will also be shared here on The Plymouth Press.

Thanks to Terry for getting that up and running! It’s a great resource.

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Notes from 9/3 Meeting at Tyson Church

Notes provided by Wendy Clinch. Some of this has been previously reported, some is new information.

Plymouth Emergency Update – 9/3/11
We held two information/update meetings today: one at the Tyson Church and another one at the town hall. We brought our Tyson/Kingdom neighbors up to date on things that have been established and also were able to address some of their questions. Road updates, logistics updates and Q & A was reviewed. For expediency, notes from both meetings are below:

Communications:
o Tyson/Kingdom folk voiced a desire to establish one or two bulletin boards similar to the one in town hall for information sharing, updates, forms and sign up lists.
§ Action: Determine location and number of bulletin boards.

o Action: The Tyson group will get back to the Emergency Management team about whether they would like to have their own ‘town meeting’ and the frequency of those meetings while the temporary roads are under construction.

o A website is being developed to help facilitate communications. The website should be up and running by Monday.

Operations:
o A timeline for road improvements cannot be determined right now. There are many stop gap repairs that need to be done (49 major repairs were noted by State officials) just to assure we have access to the outside world and each other. These repairs are temporary and permanent fixes will start when the critical issues are addressed.

o Outside resources were requested from many sources (including the National Guard, the State, outside contractors, volunteers, opening of previously closed gravel pits etc.) to assure that things progress as quickly as possible.

o We have made tremendous progress improving our access to the outside world and within our own boundaries. Progress includes creation of ‘Rocky Rd I’ and the start of ‘Rocky Rd II’ which allow us at least limited access north and south of Plymouth. The State started work on Rocky Rd II which follows a more direct path along Rte 100. We hope to have it operational by Monday. Traffic may be controlled by use of a traffic light. This temporary road will be in place until a permanent two lane road along ‘the gap’ on Rte 100 can be built.

o Rte 100A is still closed.

o Kingdom Rd is now passable by 4wd vehicles.

o Rte 100 N is open to Rte 4 for 4wd vehicles at restricted times. All non emergency traffic along Rte 4 from Bridgewater to Woodstock is prohibited from 7 am to 6:30 pm.

o Access north of Hawk Resort is restricted by passes issued to residents in 4wd vehicles only during certain times. Contractors hired by home owners to help with repairs will be admitted as well. During this weekend we have hired a sheriff from Sat. 8am to Mon. 8 am to assist with access limitations. Pass access will continue at least through Labor Day Weekend. Traffic check points are being manned by town volunteers and assisted by police when necessary and available.

o As temporary road repairs are being made, we will be working with the Agency of Natural Resources to assess any possible effect of re-routing brooks.

Logistics
· The weather is constantly being monitored as a risk for further damage and safety. An evacuation plan is being developed and will be discussed at the town meeting to be held Sunday at 11:00 in the town hall.

· An electrician is in town to help triage electrical issues. Anyone needed electrical evaluation should so indicate on the damage assessment/needs list and/or tell an Emergency Management team member today.

· Until road access has been significantly improved, the town hall will be manned 24/7 in case of emergency.

· Emergency supplies have been received which include food, water, cots, blankets, radios to assist with crew/volunteer/management communications, personnel supplies, pet food, baby products. Supplies will be provided to shelters in case of need to evacuate.

· ‘Fast trash’ pick up is as usual at the town hall AND a dumpster has been made available in the Tyson Church/Echo Lake Inn parking lot today between 12 – 3.

· Power has been restored to most residence as well as phone and internet.

· Non leaded gas distribution for generators will be on an as needed basis going forward.

· Cleaning kits provided by the Salvation Army are now available for those that need them. They are at the town hall.

· The Mennonite Disaster Team will be coming in to help all residents who are in need of personal assistance such as filling out forms and other personal issues.

Water: If your well was covered by flood water or standing water, use bottled water or boil it until you can get your water tested. If in doubt, call Russ Tonkin at the town and he’ll advise you. Russ has ordered water testing kits from the State.

Finance:
· If you have not paid your taxes yet there will be no penalty in getting your taxes in late as long as they are in by Oct. 1.

· The president has approved our State status as ‘state of emergency’. As a result we will be considered for both town and individual FEMA aid. FEMA information is available in hand-outs.
o Action: All residents sustaining property damage need to call FEMA to register with them asap.

· Damage reports: Please take pictures to document any property damage you may have sustained because of the storm BEFORE you start repairs. These forms and pictures need to be collected asap for submission to FEMA.

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Plymouth Memory Tree Seeks Donations to Help Plymouth Residents

The Plymouth Memory Tree is seeking donations to help Plymouth residents who suffered losses from Irene. As we are NOT a 501(c)3, we are funneling donations through the following groups so that your contribution is tax deductible. Please make your check payable to:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Inc.
PO Box 39
Bridgewater, VT 05034
or
Church of Our Saviour
P.O. Box 67
Plymouth, VT 05056

Please include either a note or write on the memo line of your check Plymouth Memory Tree. These organizations will then send all funds so designated back to us to be distributed to residents of Plymouth, only.

Please pass the word on. We are hoping to raise many dollars. FEMA help is limited, so private donations are crucial to rebuilding homes. Thank you!

Elaine Gambone
Plymouth Memory Tree
672-3493 if you need more information
or singerherbalist@mac.com

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