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Expect delays as work is being done on Dublin Road, this week.

9/16/24

A I write this on Monday morning, the fog has just burned off and the sun is shining brightly. The weather was delightful this weekend with a crispness that hails autumn. The trees continue to change color and my ferns are beginning to die out. The most recent visitor on my deck was a raccoon. It may be that the hummingbirds have headed south since my feeders haven’t gone down lately.

I noticed a tour bus in the area, so I imagine the leaf-peeping season has commenced. That usually means caution is needed since some folks forget our roads are well traveled when they stop to take pictures.

The Plymouth Book will meet Wed, 9/18 to discuss The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. It is rather a tragic story that highlights the plight of those displaced by violence and war.

Just a reminder that the Plymouth Cheese Factory store is open 11 – 5 everyday even after the Historic Site closes for the season. If you haven’t checked out their website, it is quite nice. The pictures are lovely and here is a quote from it: “In 1960, President Coolidge’s son John revived the cheese factory which had been closed since 1934. Not much has changed since those days. The cheese factory is the same today as it was back then. Recipe and all.”

Town of Plymouth, Vermont

Select Board – Regular Meeting

Monday, September 16, 2024 @ 6:00 PM

Municipal Building Meeting Room

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Consideration of Any Changes, Additions or Removals to Agenda
3. Approve Meeting Minutes
4. Citizen Comments
5. Grader Grant
6. Select Board to Review and Approve Errors and Omissions
7. Open Discussion on Short-Term-Rental
8. Approve Budget Amount for Halloween Party
9. Select Board to Read Email from Senator Alison Clarkson
10. Update on Amounts Received from FEMA
11. Review and Possibly Approve Purchase of Deposit Vault – Curbside Mailbox
12. Review and Possibly Approve Purchase of Desktop Monitor For Public Access at Municipal Office
13. Other Business
14. Sign Warrants and Review Mail
15. Next Select Board Meeting
16. Possible Executive Session
17. Adjourn

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 @ 3:45 PM

Agenda

Call to Order

Review and Approve Documents for Fire Department Grant

Approve Request to Cater Permit(s)

Adjourn

9/9/24

A cool morning with an amazing azure sky this Monday. A change from the cold damp weather of yesterday. Autumn is in the air as trees are changing color. I find change challenging, especially this time of year when winter looms. My sister recently reminded me, however, that enjoying the vibrancy of fall foliage should not be missed worrying about the approaching cold and snow!

Turkeys keep setting off my driveway alarm, which has been rather disruptive because the flock of about 20 paradesback and forth apparently not set upon any one direction. Saw a dark figure dart across the road when out for a walk with friends. A fisher I believe.

The Calvin Coolidge Historic site will remain open until 10/20. Don’t forget the upcoming Grace Coolidge Musicale on Sunday, 9/15 featuring David Feurzeig. These concerts are free and a light reception will follow.

There will be an opportunity to share your favorite book at Fletcher Memorial Library on Monday, 9/16 at 6 PM. Instead of a specific book, it will be an time to learn about several good reads. Please note Tyson Library has closed for the season due to recent landscaping. Thanks for not leaving donated books on the porch.

Elisabeth from Farm and Wilderness has posted a list upcoming community events that are free and open to all, although you do need to register at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/farm-wilderness-conservation-47261952933

10/2: Removing Old Dams to Improve Flood Resiliency 3-5 pm Plymouth VT

10/6: Fall Community Hike 10am-12pm Plymouth VT

10/16: Mapping and Conserving Rare Plants of Vermont with Grace Glynn 7-8pm Virtual

11/19: How To Love A Forest with Ethan Tapper 7-8:30pm Virtual

11/30: Farm & Wilderness Get Outside All Together Hikes

I hope everyone enjoys this holiday weekend with its many activities. I did want to clarify a bear situation that occurred in Plymouth recently. I don’t know all of the details, but someone was bitten on the hand. Rumors have been flying about the whereabouts of the bear. Some folks are assuming it was shot and others believe it was trapped and removed from the area. I spoke with Fish and Wildlife Warden Tim Carey who covers our area and apparently neither of those scenarios is true, although it is known that a sow with three cubs was likely involved.

Bears are quite prevalent in our area and he suggested that we look at their website to learn how to safely share our space with them. Their hunger coupled with their amazing sense of smell leads them to be attracted to any easy source of food – the easier, the better. Unsecured outdoor garbage containers, BBQ grills and bird feeders provide incentive to come in close proximity to people. Bears quickly learn and remember where they can obtain food and as many of us have observed, they are not afraid of people. We are not doing them any favors by feeding them. The saying, a fed bear is a dead bear should help us to adjust our behavior and desire to observe these beautiful creatures up close. We are actually putting them in danger, especially when there is abundant healthy food available for them in the wild.

On Saturday, October 26th there will be a Trunk-or-Treat in the Plymouth Municipal Office parking lot. We will have a pumpkin carving contest, coloring contest as well as a costume contest with prizes for the kids.

The Town Offices and Fire Department will be teaming up with Bethany Birches to make this a spooktacular event for the kids. Pumpkins and coloring sheets will be available at the Town Office prior to the event.

Stay tuned for more information in the upcoming weeks. If you would like to be a part of the Trunk-or-Treat or enter your kids into either contest please reach out to the Town Clerk at clerk@plymouthvt.org or call 802-500-1815. We’d love to hear from you.

The Select Board meeting that was scheduled for Monday, September 9th has been cancelled. The next Select Board meeting will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 6:00 pm.

Plymouth Town Offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024 in Observance of Labor Day; however, the Treasurer will be in the office between 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM to accept tax payments.

8/25/24

An absolutely awe-inspiring weekend weather-wise. Cool nights for sleeping, plus the humidity seems to have departed. I would love to have these conditions last at least through the month of October! Friends were visiting from NC and were so disappointed that no bears made an appearance at my house while they were here. Only a flock of turkeys showed up for their viewing pleasure.

I attended the Yoh theatre presentation at WUHS on Sunday evening.  It was a preview of upcoming performances for this school year.  It was high energy and featured many talented actors with lots of delightful music.

Since our weather often makes a mockery of the forecast, let’s not panic yet about this coming weekend.  Rain or shine Shakespeare Alive will happen at noon on Saturday, 8/31 at the Union Christian Church. Hopefully the outdoor Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival at the Notch also will happen on 8/31 and 9/1 from 2 to 5 p.m. 

Let’s remember that although area schools are opening this coming week, there is still time to enjoy the beach. Camp Plymouth State Park will be open through 9/29. I feel remiss that I never included the picture of the new accessibility mat and special sand chair that Tiffany sent to me. It wonderfully allows wheelchairs and walkers to navigate to the water’s edge.

At last week’s select board meeting Rick said that we are in the black with the near completion of phase one of the Town Building upgrade.  Application for a grant is in the works that might help to fund items that were previously removed from the project. Check the minutes on the town website for information about the upcoming tax sale and other town news.

Sadly, it appears that Katherine and Rodrick Pingree will be moving, but you will still have a chance to visit with them and perhaps pick up a bargain at their tag sale, 8/31 thru 9/2.  Condolence to the Hayes family on the recent passing of Shirley.