Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
2/12/23
What a strange winter it has been so far – snow, sleet, rain, and wind swirling around us. At times everything is frozen solid, then a warm spell with have everything dripping. It is lovely when the day sets up for a nice walk, however!
In clarification of the warning for our 3/6 Annual Meeting, articles 2 – 7 will be voted on Monday evening by those attending. The positions noted in Article 1 will be voted by Australian ballot on Tuesday, 3/7
The reading group will be discussing The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict on Wed, 2/15 at 6:30. It centers around Hedy Lamarr, her life as Hitler moves into Austria, then her escape to the US and attempts to influence radar innovations.
Join the Farm and Wilderness Ice Cutting at Flying Cloud Sat, 2/18 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM to increase your knowledge and enjoy winter!
Need something else fun to add to your calendar? Consider the Plymouth Emergency Services free community spaghetti dinner on Saturday, 2/18 from 5:30 – 7:30 at the Plymouth Town hall. This group of volunteers provides many services to our town. Some of their calls require them to check properties when alarms are set off or wires are down, which means needing to go to our more isolated areas, where 4 wheel drive is definitely needed.
Some of our fire dept folks have recently participated in cold water rescue training. In addition, they are called out when accidents occur and have also helped with search and rescue, plus assisting in mutual aid situations. Always willing to lend a hand, their assistance has been requested for recent water leaks and furnace malfunctions. They do have a meter that tests CO, propane and methane levels, too. Let’s support them and maybe even consider joining their ranks!
Plymouth Emergency Services will be hosting a free community spaghetti dinner on Saturday, February 18 from 5:30 – 7:30 at the Plymouth Town hall. Come celebrate mid winter and reunite with your friends and neighbors while enjoying a great ‘home cooked meal’ .With the winter half over it will be great just to laugh, share good times and enjoy the community spirit! The meal will consist of spaghetti, a choice of meat or meatless sauce, rolls, butter, salad, dessert. Donations accepted but not expected. We hope to see you there! Questions? call Sue at 802-236-2683.
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
2/5/23
The fierce wind and freezing temperatures certainly presented us with some bone-chilling weather. It is amazing how 25 degrees can suddenly feel warm! I think my car is rather happy to be kept in a garage, since several friends had cars that refused to start on Friday.
I just happened to be looking out the window when I noticed a dark creature gracefully loping across the ridge beyond my sugar house. Fisher cats as they are often called, are actually part of the weasel family and most of us have heard horror stories about the fate of domestic cats at their hands or more accurately paws! Although they are not large, they are strong and fast on the ground and able to climb trees in pursuit of prey. One year a friend and I followed the tracks in that same area.
Please note that the Windsor Central Unified Union School District will have a public informational hearing at Woodstock School Library at 6:30 PM on Thursday, 3/2 to discuss articles to be voted by Australian ballot on 3/7. You can find the details on the Plymouth Town website under “warnings”. There are also directions for how to access the meeting via Zoom. As some of you may be aware, the need for a new middle and high school has been under consideration, so this will provide an opportunity to learn more on this important and financially sensitive issue.
Don’t forget that our Town Meeting is approaching on Monday, 3/6, with voting by Australian ballot on 3/7. This warning is also on the Town website. I apologize that I am not certain what is being voted on Monday night and what requires voting by ballot on Tuesday. I will attempt to clarify this information for next week. I believe there is a Select Board meeting this evening, 2/6, although I do not see an agenda posted.
Perhaps some of you have already participated in the “Love Your Library” Auction being held online to benefit Fletcher Memorial Library. From 4-6pm on the final night, 2/16, folks are invited to come to the library and join staff/volunteers as the auction wraps up and to enjoy goodies from Pop’s Biscotti and Chocolates, as well as other tasty treats. If your bid is successful, you can even pick up your prize!
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
1/29/23
I really don’t have much to report this time because I was out of town for a week. I do want to thank friends and neighbors who have picked up my mail, watered my plants, filled my birdfeeder, plus, plowed and sanded and shoveled for me! What a terrific place to live…
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
1/22/23
Well, it certainly is looking like winter again around here! The recent storms seem to have brought a multitude of winter enthusiasts to our area. From what I understand, some snowmobile trails are opened, but the terrain is still rather limited. Trails marked red are closed and some are marked yellow which indicates there will likely be rough spots. More snow is predicted this week, so conditions should be improving.
Please note that the Maple Crest Farm presentation at the Fletcher Memorial Library, postponed from last week, has been rescheduled for Tuesday January 24th at 7PM. The back door off the parking lot will provide access.
I love to provide news on the exciting adventures of our local youth. Beatrix Hagge took part in the Royal Regal Gymnastics meet in Essex Junction, VT on 1/15/23. She is fairly new to gymnastic competitions, but did very well. Congratulations are in order as she won 2nd place for balance beam, 7th place for bars, and 10th place overall, all of which were for the Bronze level.
Please note the results of last week’s election. The Bond issue allowing the Select Board to borrow up to $800,000 was approved by a vote of 94 to 55. The other 2 articles authorizing the SB to appoint the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer were also approved by a margin of 120 to 29 votes. That means that moving forward, these positions will not be up for election. The voter turnout was quite low and even the mail-in ballots were much fewer than the previous special vote.
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
1/15/22
So many visitors have come to our area this weekend! I have heard mixed reviews on the skiing and I don’t believe the snowmobile trails are open. Still, I imagine that local businesses are keeping folks fed and happy.
A reminder about the special town meeting on Monday, 1/16 at 6:00 PM to answer questions/concerns regarding the three articles for which ballots were mailed out. If you have not sent them in, voting will take place on 1/17 from 10 AM to 7 PM at the Town Office. You may attend via Zoom:
Please note that Tesha Buss has a new email address – TBuss@leg.state.vt.us
She has been chosen to sit on the Education Committee and is looking forward to exploring Education finance in depth. She is also a member of the Rural Caucus, the Climate Caucus and the Women’s Caucus.
She is sharing these important links that I am noting below:
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
1/9/23
It is difficult to know what to wear these days with fluctuating temperatures. Streams seem high with all that rain. The slight coating of snow did whiten things up, though. The Reading Group will be meeting via Zoom on Wed, 1/11 at 6:30 PM to discuss Family Tree by Susan Wiggs.
The Plymouth Historical Society will be hosting a Sunday afternoon children’s movie “Clifford, The Big Red Dog”, next Sunday, 1/15 at 2PM at the Plymouth Community center. Juice and cookies will be served. Please bring a quilt or yoga pad for young children to sit on. The Historical Society Museum will also be open. Masks are optional.
I happened to be looking at the Short Term Rental application that can be found on the Town website, under ordinances in the Town Administration section. I understand that only about 1/3 of the owners of these residences has followed through with the application process. it appears there are many safeguards to protect perspective renters, owners, and the public.
Warning Voters in Town of Plymouth
There will be an informal meeting regarding the three articles on the official ballot mailed to voters in the town of Plymouth. The informational meeting will be held in the municipal building auditorium at 6 PM on Monday 1/16/2023 at the scheduled select board meeting. It’s purpose is to answer any questions or concerns voters have regarding the three articles. Voters may cast their vote by submitting their ballot to the clerk on or before Tuesday, 1/17 or in person on Tuesday, 1/17, when the polls open between the hours of 10 AM and 7 PM
Voting yes on Article #1 would authorize the Select Board to apply for a bond up to $800,000, in additionto the $950,000 that was previously set aside and approved. Voting yes on #2 would allow the Select Board to appoint the Town Clerk. Voting yes on #3 would authorize the Select Board to appoint the Town Treasurer
I have been asked to note the town positions that are coming up for re-election. They are: Selectmen, Lister, Trustee of Public Funds, Cemetery Commissioner, and Moderator. All are 3 year terms, except the Moderation position that is a 1 year term. Please note we are not sure of the Town Clerk & Treasurer position until the special vote on January 17th.
Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard
1/1/23
A new day, a new month, and a new year! Although the weather on New Year’s Eve was not perfect, fireworks seemed to be exploding in many places. I did not stay up for midnight (I am just too old), but was awakened by loud bursts in the neighborhood by those reveling in the New Year.
Anyone interested in watching the recent housing meeting (12/19) may do so at http://www.okemovalley.tv. It appears that the VHIP program may have been inundated with applications and may not accepting new ones at this time.
Remember you must register for Health insurance by Dec 15 for a January 1 start date. Also take note that the income thresholds were increased allowing more Vermonter’s access to tax credits to lower their monthly premiums!
BROADBAND
It is likely that Federal funds are coming to VT to help install more Broadband infrastructure, but many of the Federal map locations state that broadband is available at locations where broadband doesn’t exist yet. Be a part of the solution to get broadband to every house in VT, no matter how rural! Click on this article below to learn more and to follow the links to check the status of your home and business. It is very simple to challenge your location, if the map says broadband is available when it is not.
VT Digger Article to Challenge Errors in Broadband:
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