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Town of Plymouth, Vermont Select Board – Special Meeting

Friday, January 26, 2024 @ 8:30 AM

Municipal Building Meeting Room Agenda

1. Call Meeting to Order:
2. Consideration of Any Changes, Additions or Removals to Agenda:
3. Review and Approve Warning:
4. Town Meeting:
   a. Discussion about Town Meeting Day
5. Emergency Management Directives:
6. Town Constable:
7. Executive Session:
   a. Short-Term Rental Position (Michelle & Michael attend)
   b. Lister Position (Michelle & Michael attend)
   c. Treasurer Position
   d. Grievance(s)
   e. Employee Benefits
   f. Community Center
8. Adjourn:

Okemo Valley, VT: Following the 2023 summer flooding, grocery stores around the region have gone above and beyond, demonstrating exceptional dedication and community spirit. The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce selected six grocery stores as the January 2024 Members of the Month to honor their commitment and the work that they do to serve the region.

The January 2024 Award Recipients are:

• Chloe’s Market at the Plymouth Country Store

• Londonderry Village Market

• Shaw’s Supermarket (Online only with local pick up)

• Singleton’s General Store

• Smitty’s Chester Market

• Springfield Food Co-op

At the heart of their operations, these stores care deeply about their customers, and they continue to provide high quality and wide-ranging selections during this busy winter season.

The 2023 summer flooding has been difficult, and many have had to spend considerable efforts and finances on rebuilding; however, stores in the area have remained committed to serving the community. They’re focused on creating convenient and welcoming shopping experiences with ease for all.

Recognizing the importance of the busy ski season as a prime time for visitors and locals, these grocery stores have taken proactive measures to cater to the needs of their customers this winter. From carefully curating their inventory to stocking up on essential supplies to expanding their grocery offerings, they are committed to providing seamless and enjoyable shopping opportunities for everyone.

For more information and to hear their stories, visit our website here or use the attached QR Code.

We would like to thank these grocery store superheroes for their unwavering dedication to the community and customers they serve within the Okemo Valley region.

The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit, member-driven association and the voice of 300+ businesses and the communities of 12 Towns & Villages in South Central Vermont from the VT Scenic Route 100 Byway to Interstate Route 91, and surrounded by Okemo, Ascutney & Magic Mountains. OVRCC provides advocacy, support, and unified regional marketing to promote and enhance businesses in the region as well as the four-season economy.–

Leah Krieble
Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce

57 Pond Street Ste #8 – PO Box 333Ludlow, VT 05149

802-228-5830

lkrieble@yourplaceinvermont.com

www.yourplaceinvermont.com

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

1/23/24

I hope everyone has been staying warm these frigid days. The last snow was light and fluffy, but the predicted warm-up may mean some rain heading our way. Today (Monday) brought such lovely sunshine, highlighting the sparkles on the snow.

The book group discussion of Finding Dorothy was lively as usual and it is always fun to hear different points of view. Some of it was based on historical records, yet it was author-enhanced to present an interesting story. The next book is The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey by Serena Burdick, to be discussed on 2/14.

There were many of us on Zoom for the Select Board meeting last week to hear the presentation about the ($99,000,000) bond for the Mtn View school district for the proposed new middle/high school. We were told that 3.5 million dollars in private donations has already been pledged. The discussion included many facts and figures. Architect, Leigh Sherwood provided considerable information about changes and considerations that have been ongoing in an attempt to keep costs down. He detailed the many ways it has been designed to make rooms serve many purposes and conserve space. The vote will take place at Town Meeting.

Here are some interesting activities being sponsor by Farm & Wilderness Conservation. All events are free and require preregistration on our Eventbrite page.

2/10: 10am-12pm Community Snowshoe/Hike

2/27 7pm-8pm Virtual Speaker Series: Vermont Loons

3/12 7pm-8pm Virtual Speaker Series: Vernal Pools

3/23 10am-12pm Community Hike/Snowshoe

4/8 12pm-1pm Virtual Speaker Series: Bogs and Fens

For more information on each of the events and to register, visit our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/farm-wilderness-conservation-47261952933

The current main line of 802-672-3655 (Town Offices) and 802-672-5000 (Fire Department) are not working.

Until this gets straightened out, the temporary Town Offices number will be 802-500-1815.

You will still need to listen to the menu and then make your selection.

The Fire Department can be reached at 802-500-1816.

We will update as soon as the issue is resolved.

Thank you, 

Angela Kissell

Town Clerk

Town of Plymouth

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.