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6/24/24

Well, I am happy to report that a tornado did not make an appearance in Plymouth on Sunday despite the warning! We had several thunder storms and some wind, but nothing that caused much damage. Although flowers took a hit, the thirsty vegetation seems happy. Also, I understand that the Billings Bridge has been completed, a huge relief for those in the area.

Camp Plymouth State Park may have had fewer visitors over the weekend, but folks were out in force last Wed for the Strawberry Festival. Although the entrance count at 5 PM was about 400, there were many people cooling off there during the day who likely wandered over for the BBQ, homemade salads, and yummy strawberry shortcake. Face-painting, crafts, and the raffle all added to the fun. The person who won the 50/50 money very kindly donated it back to the church. Our own Stephanie Seavy won the pretty donated earnings. Not sure who was the recipient of the wonderful maple product basket donated by Green Mountain Sugar House. Thanks to Adam and Sue for providing delightful music.

Just to let you know that Tyson Ladies Aid gave $1,500 scholarships to WUHS student Jordan  O’Neal and GMUHS student, Semille Blake.  The Plymouth Memory Tree fund also provided scholarships for Amelie Fabre and Jordan O’Neal as well. 

We had quite a discussion about on 6/17 about Daphne Kolotay’s book, Russian Winter. It touched upon the suffering ordinary people endured during the Stalin era, but provided contrast to the lives of the elite. The next Book Group gathering will be Tuesday, 7/23 at 6:30 pm at the Tyson Library to review American Beauty by Shana Abé.

It is nice to know that we have many fun-loving folks in town. Cassier Horner provided this picture of nature combined with a humorous plastic frog that someone had inserted on Scout Camp Rd mushroom. Nature is uplifting on its own. I recently saw a grouse crossing the road with many little ones close behind. Another bear was on my deck overnight. I took the precaution of getting in my car and driving down the road to put peelings in the woods. I am wondering how it tracked me!

The Mountain Views Supervisory Union June 3rd, 2024 School Board meeting was
entirely devoted to a presentation on the Woodstock Middle School/High School
Building options including a chance for Q&A from the community. Following is
information from and a recording of the meeting:

 Woodstock Middle School High School Strategic Planning Presentation Slides
 Woodstock MSHS Strategic Planning Summary Report
 Woodstock MSHS One Pager
 Zoom Recording of June 3rd Board Meeting

On June 17th, 2024 the School Board will have a special meeting to decide on next
steps. As one of your Plymouth Representatives to the MVSU School Board, I welcome
your comments, questions, concerns and other feedback on the proposed MSHS
Building options. I will do my best to get you answers.

Please feel free to send me an email with your thoughts to elliot.rubin@mtnviews.org
I look forward to hearing from you

Elliot Rubin, MD, FAAP

Topic: Plymouth Select Board Meeting
Time: June 17, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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1. Call to Order:
2. Consideration of Any Changes, Additions or Removals to Agenda:
3. Approve Meeting Minutes:
   a. June 3, 2024 Regular Meeting
4. Citizen Comments:
5. ANR – Land Acquisition Coordinator – Gunnar Nurme:
6. Special Events Permit:
   a. North Chair Brewing, LLC.
7. Other Business:
8. Sign Warrants and Review Mail:
9. Next Select Board Meeting Date:
   a. July 1, 2024 Regular Meeting
10. Possible Executive Session:
11. Adjourn:

Delightful weekend, weather-wise, but I have noticed the Vermont Alert for excessive heat this coming week. Apparently, there will be a pause in our lovely, cool nights that enhance sleeping.

Shade and hydration are important in order to stay safe. This seems like an ideal time to jump in the lake, which can be done at Camp Plymouth State Park on Wednesday, 6:19 when you attend the annual strawberry festival. Admission is free at 5 PM, but it may be worth paying the price of admission to be there all day!

Just some quick reminders that although the Town office will be closed on Monday, 6/17, the select board meeting will still be held at 6 PM.

Or if you would prefer a different type of gathering, the Plymouth reading group will be meeting at my house at 6:30 on Monday 6/17 to discuss Russian winter by Daphne.

Mark your calendar for the upcoming events at the Calvin Coolidge historic site. On 7/2 the Coolidge cup speech and debate tournament will be happening. On 7/3 there will be the annual Coolidge foundation meeting and summer dinner. As usual, there will be the Fourth of July celebration at the notch with the parade to the the Calvin Coolidge gravesite including the placement of the presidential wreath in honor of his birthday.

Plymouth Town Offices will be closed on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Observance of Juneteenth. There will still be a Select Board meeting on Monday night starting at 6:00 pm.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

6/10/24

Lovely sunshine this Monday morning after the strange weekend weather. The sun would shine brightly, then the rain would pour down every twenty minutes or so! I am afraid that the free weekend at Camp Plymouth State was not inviting or well-attended as a result.

I think I have figured out the recent intrusion of bears on my deck. There was one on Saturday night, shortly after I had returned home from dinner with friends. He ran rather reluctantly when I hollered and made noise. It provided a reminder that I used to honk my horn coming up the driveway after dark.

Around 6 AM this morning I heard noise on the deck and there were two bears! Again they ran when I banged around, although one stopped on the bank to look at me. For years I have put fruit and veggie peelings across the road from my long driveway for the deer. Well, I am thinking that the bears have caught my scent and followed it right up to my back door!

Sympathy to the family of Jack Sailer on his recent passing. He was an important part of the Plymouth community serving in many different capacities within our town. I also understand that Laura Billings has passed on as well. She enjoyed out community luncheons until Covid put a stop to them.

I missed Sue Poirier’s birthday on 6/4. Matt Harootunian and I share 6/14. Gwen Groff is 6/25. Congrats to all!

Long time Fire Warden, Joseph Rebideau announced that he would not be looking to do another five (5) year term. Monday night at the Select Board meeting, Jim Allen was appointed as the new Fire Warden, effective July 1st. Michael Lynds was re-appointed as the Deputy Fire Warden. As of July 1st, if you need a burn permit, please contact Jim Allen at 802-384-3482 We want to thank Joe Rebideau for all of his years of service to the community.

The Town recently received several grants from The Vermont Community Foundation:

1. $3,000.00 to be used for a Community Event for Town Residents to recognize and promote emergency services’;
2. $21,544.00 for Plymouth Emergency Services to purchase an ATV for improved and expedited access to remote locations during disaster;
3. $11,985.00 for Plymouth Emergency Services to purchase five (5) new portable radios as well as a new Connex box for Emergency Management to keep supplies dry in the event of an emergency.

The Short-Term Rental department will begin to issue tickets/violations for those who are not in compliance with the STR Ordinance.

The American Flags have been received and will be going up on the telephone poles within the next week or so. If you see the fire department in the roads, please go careful as they are mounting the flags.

The Town is looking for a Volunteer Recreation Coordinator to oversee a Recreation Committee. Please send letter of interest and resume to the Plymouth Town Clerk at clerk@plymouthvt.org.

Brief Description:

Under the direct supervision of the Select Board, the Recreation Coordinator is responsible for the management and leadership of the Recreation Committee.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.         Design and implement recreational programs to include both summer and winter recreation programs.

2.         Manage and provide leadership for all volunteers of the Recreation Committee.

3.         Establish rules for recreation programs and facilities.

4.         Work cooperatively with youth, adult and all other organizations in the community.

5.         Ability to volunteer a varied schedule to include evenings and weekends depending on season and activities.

6.         Distribute program information to the community.

7.         Fundraising and small grant writing.

8.         Attend Select Board meetings to keep community up to date on progress/events.

9.         Develop advertising, marketing and promotional materials for events.

Qualifications: 

1.         Ability to assess goals to ensure successful implementation of activities.

2.         Experience in management and leadership is helpful.

3.         Knowledge in Microsoft Word and Excel along with website and social media applications.

4.         Must be CPR certified.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to the Plymouth Town Clerk’s Office at 68 Town Office Road, Plymouth, Vermont 05056 or email clerk@plymouthvt.org. Letters of interest will be accepted until the position is filled. The Town of Plymouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

6/3/24

Another lovely sunny day this Monday morning, although I think my garden would appreciate being watered by a gentle shower. Heads-up, you can call Joe Rebideau (802-672-5148) for your fire permit for the rest of the month, but after June he will be retiring! Thanks, so much for your many years of service.

I am aware that my property is part of the bear corridor, but I had not seen one in quite some time until last evening. Around dusk a rather large one set off my driveway alarm. I turned on the spot light and watched this fellow walk briskly up my driveway into the woods, completely ignoring the light or me gawking from the deck. Just a reminder that we share our space with some amazing creatures.

Speaking of nature, Bethany Birches camp will be having a Family Fun Day on 6/15. Come prepared to “swim in the pond, play games like Gaga and Whizzball, hang out with all of the counselors, and cook dinner over a fire- just like we do at camp! To RSVP just add it as a session when signing up for camp or email camp@bethanybirches.org.” I understand there are a few openings for the summer camp sessions, so register now!

I think that most folks are aware that the Historic Site is not open on Mondays. Please know that the Plymouth Cheese Factory is open with their many varieties of yummy cheese, including a selection of other VT products. I have been assured that the rumor that the store will close whenever the one in Bridgewater is completed is absolutely false.

Many summer programs will be happening in June. Summer Reading 2024 at Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow will run from 6/17 – 8/2 and is open to all kids ages infant to teen. “There will be activities such as “Wednesday Morning Outdoor Story Times, Crafty Tuesdays, Afternoon Family Programs and other fun events such as movie matinees and STEM explorations. Participants may choose to take the summer reading road trip challenge, keep track of their reading using a reading log, or just read for fun.” Don’t forget to pick up the Summer Reading Starter Kit. I heard that the opening of Tyson Library on Sat, 5/25 welcomed six youngsters to find the dinosaurs. Details are still pending, but it appears the times will be 10 to noon Tues – Sat and possibly Monday evening.

Zoom Information: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85183633072?pwd=YzFYM0xsem01LzA1VVBlWlNoTldyQT09

Meeting ID: 851 8363 3072 Passcode: 709001

One tap mobile  

+13092053325,,85183633072#,,,,*709001# US

Dial by your location  

• +1 309 205 3325 US

+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Agenda

• Call to Order
• Consideration of Any Changes, Additions or Removals to Agenda
• Approve Meeting Minutes
• Citizen Comments
• Review and Sign Windsor County Sheriff’s Department Law Enforcement Service Contract
• Resilience Initiative for Vermont Empowerment and Recovery (RIVER) Project
• Review and Approve M&T Bank Fraud Protection Services
• Review/Approve Revised Bidding Policy for Purchasing Goods & Services
• Act 82 Abatement of Education Property Taxes
• Discussion on Possible Formation of a Volunteer Recreation Department
• Fire Warden Appointments
• Vermont Community Foundation Grants Received
• Other Business
• Sign Warrants & Review Mail
• Next Select Board Meeting Date
• Possible Executive Session
• Adjourn