Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

1/14/24

Such amazing variety in our weather lately – wind, rain, snow and once in a while sunshine! Seeing pictures from around the country, we certainly can’t complain. I did not expect the additional few inches that fell this afternoon (Sunday), but it was light and easy to push off my deck.

You may have noticed that the Select Board meeting was changed to Tuesday vic Cc jd de, 1/16 because of the holiday on Monday. I do want to make special note of the agenda that will include a presentation by School Board Director, Elliot Rubin regarding the proposed MVSD school budget.

As you know, Plymouth is a member of that school district and will be voting on the proposed 2024-2025 budget ($29,756,764), in addition to the bond for the new middle and high school($99,000,000). I have taken these figures from the VT Standard. There does not seem to be much dispute that the current building is in dire shape, but voters will need to determine if it is feasible to cover these projected costs.

On a less unsettling note, the Book Group will be discussing Finding Dorothy: A Novel by Elizabeth Letts on Wed, 1/17 at 6:30 via Zoom.I found it to be a delightful read that shed light on the background story of the Wizard of Oz.

I happened to see this quote by Albert Camus during the dreary day yesterday. “In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer” 

Select Board – Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 @ 6:00 PM
Municipal Building Meeting Room
Agenda

Topic: Plymouth Select Board Meeting
Time: January 16, 2024 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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1. Call Meeting to Order:
2. Consideration of Any Changes, Additions or Removals to Agenda:
3. Approve Meeting Minutes:
   a. December 18, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
4. Elliot Rubin – Mountain Views Supervisory Union:
   a. Discussion on construction of the new Woodstock Middle/High School and the
   estimated cost of 99 million dollars.
5. Select Board to Review and Sign the Following:
   a. Certificate of Highway Mileage
6. Review Proposal and Possibly Approve Adding Heat Pumps to the Annex Building:
7. Mail and Warrants:
8. Other Business:
9. Set Date for Next Meeting:
   a. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.
   10.Possible Executive Session:
   a. Staffing
10. Adjourn:

Warning: National Weather Service predicts, a significant storm system
that will impact the North Country Tuesday evening through Wednesday. The
biggest impact will be widespread wind gusts in the 45 to 60 mph range with
scattered to numerous power outages possible.

If there are trees down on wires, please contact your power company directly.
Once power has been turned off, the Town Highway Crew will assist with the
removal of trees, if necessary.

Here are safety reminders for before, during, and after storms:

1. Pay attention to the weather forecast and changing conditions
2. Keep your phone charged
3. Have flashlights with fresh batteries, water and non-perishable food on hand in
   the event that you are without power for an extended period of time
4. Stay far away from any downed lines
5. Always assume downed lines and trees are energized
6. Call the power company to report downed lines
7. Call 911 for medical emergencies
8. If you do not need to be on the roads, please stay home

1/8/24

The sun is shining brightly this morning (Monday), after the nor’easter that came through this past weekend. Although I had about a foot of the white stuff, at my house it was light and fluffy. What a blessing for shoveling. The forecast doesn’t seem so pleasant with snow changing to rain mid-week. I am hoping to get out on my snowshoes before that happens!

Just to let you know, the next Select Board meeting is scheduled for 1/15. When Angela send us the agenda, we will get that out to you.  Don’t forget that you can check the Town Website in order to read minutes from previous meetings and learn other valuable information. It is also helpful that the VT Journal posts comments about the discussions that take place.

In the reading department, discussion of Bill Bryson’s The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid will be happening at Fletcher Memorial Library at 6 PM on 1/10. Also, Friends of the Library are gearing up for the fundraising auction – online 2/2 – 2/16. This is an important event that helps to provide money for programs and such not funded in the regular budget. Many local people and places donate services/items that make this event successful, so thanks to one and all.  This year the auction will transition to the Library on the final day (2/16) from 4-6 PM. Enjoy refreshments and keep track of the final bidding with a fun group of people!

This is looking from my deck up to my pole barn and sugar house.  The strange-looking “tree” is actually a delicate red maple being protected from winter weather.

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

12/25/23

My initial writing was on 12/21 in order to meet the early VT Standard deadline. The sun was shining brightly that day, a welcome sight after the persistent downpour last Monday. I know there were places where the unrelenting rain caused some flooding and damage, but I was pleased to see that the destruction was minimal for most folks in our immediate area. It was helpful to have the message from Al Poirier detailing road issues and places to avoid.

Snow was not forecast for the near future, although some flurries persisted, not enough for us to have a white Christmas.The fog on Christmas Day was a bit disheartening, but I noticed several folks out for a mid-afternoon walk. Being out after dark on several occasions lately, the decorations and lights are lovely – creative and cheerful. I am choosing to let the Spirit of this season bring hope, peace, joy, and love despite the weather! I hope that you can do the same as we welcome in the New Year.

Area Resources: The mission of the ottauquechee health foundation is to help people in need access essential health services. OHF grants are available to individuals and also in the form of community grants. Their service towns include Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Quechee, Reading, and Woodstock.

Mark your calendar for the Sunday, 1/28 Pickleball fundraiser tournament at the Woodstock athletic club from 12:30 to 2:30 PM. Register at ohfvt.org/pickleball-tournament

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The pictures below (thanks to Angela) are from the Emergency Services Christmas party

Here’s a rare find for you…

You probably haven’t seen much film footage of Calvin Coolidge.

And how often have you heard the Vermont twang of “Silent Cal”? Even less often, we’d bet.

Or how about his vivacious wife, Grace Coolidge?

That’s why this Christmas newsreel is such a delight. You get to see and hear both President and Mrs. Coolidge.

After the Coolidges left the White House, Santa Claus visited them at their home in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Enjoy this short reel, which raised money for tuberculosis research through the sale of Christmas Seals. You’ll see how Grace was as extroverted as Calvin was introverted.

Coolidge Takes the Presidential Debate Stage

GOP candidates named their favorite presidents at the NewsNation debate earlier this month…

…and Calvin Coolidge earned high praise.

Governor Ron DeSantis said Coolidge was “one of the few presidents that got almost everything right.”

DeSantis added, “He understood the proper role of the federal government under the Constitution.”

This praise for Coolidge drew enthusiastic applause from the debate audience.

The New York Times expressed befuddlement. But John Hendrickson took another view.

See the Praise for Coolidge
News from the Coolidge Community
2023 Coolidge summer intern Marisol Balderas has been named a John Jay Fellow. Congratulations, Marisol.

On CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, Jim Cramer praised FedEx founder Fred Smith’s recent speech at the Coolidge Winter Gala: “It’s so informative—talking about the huge amount of debt that the government has taken on in just the last few years. It’s calling for a debt freeze.” Many thanks to Arthur Seeligson for alerting us to Cramer’s words.

Historian Jerry Wallace reviews two recent Coolidge books for the Coolidge blog.

Watch historian Hal Wert discuss his new book, Hoover vs. Roosevelt: Two Presidents’ Battle over Feeding Europe and Going to War.

The Coolidge Foundation just published the first issue of the Coolidge Review. This new magazine illumi­nates the values that guided our nation’s thirtieth president—commonsense ideas that too rarely get a hearing these days. It features top contributors from many fields as well as outstanding Coolidge students.

Upcoming Events

January 18: Coolidge Scholarship application deadline

January 27: Coolidge Cup Debate at Southern Methodist University

February 19: Open house at Coolidge House in D.C.: book party for Garland S. Tucker’s 1924: Coolidge, Davis, and the High Tide of American Conservatism

March 7: Coolidge Foundation national conference at the Library of Congress: “America in Debt”

July 4: Calvin Coolidge birthday celebration at Plymouth Notch

Silent Cal Speaks
“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
—President Calvin Coolidge, 1927 Christmas message

Monday, December 18, 2023

Brief update on road conditions. 

 Billings Road and Scout Camp Road are passable and should only be used if needed to get to and from your home. Be very careful as there is standing water and some conditions that we would only expect during mud season.

There is water coming over Route 100 along Lake Amherst as there is a culvert that is failing on the West side of the road.

Just north of Echo Lake Inn, Echo Lake is on the edges of the pavement of the north bound lane.

Anyone traveling tonight should be extremely careful because conditions can still be changing.  If you do not need to go out, stay home.

Stay safe

Al Poirier

Emergency Management Director

12/18/23

It is just after noon today (Monday) and the rain has slowed for the moment. I took a brief ride around the south end of town. My driveway has held nicely and the all too familiar sound of rocks crunching in the stream that runs under it was not heard – a good sign! The roiling water is lapping at the bridge near the bottom of Dublin Rd, but so far has remained contained. The homes below it and the Echo Lake Inn do not seem to be in jeopardy at the moment.  Here’s hoping the rain stops. As far as I know, the Select Board meeting will still happen this evening.

On a more upbeat note, Robin Hood, the Musical at Woodstock Union High and Middle School this past weekend was so much fun. The huge cast was exuberant and those with speaking parts delivered them with gusto. Kudos to Marcia and the many people who worked hard to have this production brighten the season and work its wonders!

The Holidays are upon us and no matter how or if you choose the celebrate, may peace and joy come into your hearts.

Money Brook

Pingree flats below Money Brook

Lower end of Echo Lake with water at the edge of the road

Bridge at the lower end of Dublin Rd

Looking up from the bridge in the previous pic

Town of Plymouth, Vermont Select Board – Regular Meeting Monday, December 18, 2023 @ 6:00 PM Municipal Building Meeting Room Agenda

Topic: Plymouth Select Board Meeting
Time: December 18, 2023 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting ID: 851 8363 3072 Passcode: 709001

One tap mobile +13092053325,,85183633072#,,,,*709001# US

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1. Call Meeting to Order:
2. Consideration of Any Changes, Additions or Removals to Agenda:
3. Approve Meeting Minutes:

a. December 4, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes

4. Ryan Palmer – Windsor County Sheriff’s Department:
5. Lauren Skaskiw & Caitlin Gagner – Childcare Community Center:

6. Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission:

7. Select Board to Review and Sign the Following:
   1. Resolution
   2. Tax Certificate
   3. Current Expense Note
8. Town Constable(s) Role and Responsibilities:
9. Errors and Omissions:
   1. 1672 Hale Hollow Road
   2. Scott Terrace
   3. 2112 Messer Hill Road
   4. 99 Owen Road
   5. 35 School Drive (2)
   6. Grand View Lodge
10. Mail and Warrants:
11. Other Business:
12. Set Date for Next Meeting:

a. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.

13. Possible Executive Session:

1. Staffing
2. Community Center
3. Annex Building

14. Adjourn: