Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

7/24/23

These sunny days are certainly welcome, not only for drying out but for a more cheerful outlook. I know that the heavy rain on Friday evening caused some additional erosion. My driveway washed a bit and others had further degradation, as well.

I understand that people want to know the condition of specific roads, but I have not been given that information. From what I hear from folks, all roads may be open, but some are barely passable. In addition, crews working on them find it hard to do their jobs if vehicles are continually causing them to pause to let traffic through.  Life needs to go on and we need to get places, but please be mindful of safety and courtesy as you travel our back roads.

It has been heartwarming to see neighbors caring for one another. Volunteers have flooded our area – no pun intended! The Black River Action Team has been helpful in Plymouth, even as their volunteers are assisting hard hit Ludlow. Our fire dept has traveled throughout town talking with people and assessing accessibility. Resources have been posted so that everyone can obtain help. 

FEMA has made initial contact with those who have sought their help. The agency has not set up an office in Plymouth, but according to Angela, folks can go to the Community Center in Ludlow to meet a representation and complete an application.  Please remember that the Plymouth Memory Tree can to be of assistance. Applications are available at temporary town office or online. 

So many places and events are in flux at the moment. The word on Calvin Coolidge Homestead is that it will be closed through the end of July and the state is currently assessing the possibility of re-opening it August. There was no real damage and there are so many events planned, so here’s hoping they can take place. According to the phone message at Coolidge State Park, they are hoping to re-open on 7/28, a revision of the previous date. Below is a message from Tiffany at Camp Plymouth State park on Echo Lake, hoping to be open again by the middle of August.

Thank you for all the well wishes from the community for our park. Fortunately, we had no further damage after Friday’s heavy rain. Park staff are happy to report that almost all boats have been retrieved! Currently, we are still missing one single kayak and one canoe. If anyone sees them, let us know. We also have found someone’s blue sit on top kayak which is down near our concession building.

The road closed signs on Rt 100 are in place for safety. Safety for workers and travelers. The sheriff has been asked to help enforce the closure. Tickets will be issued. Only residents with local addresses will be allowed. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Rick Kimanski

Select board member

With flood damage, be sure to report it via Vermont 211. It can be done online at https://vermont211.org, or call 211, 866-652-4636 or 802-652-4636. It is important to make a report not only to document your own losses, but also to support Vermont’s disaster declaration request to the federal government. Document everything with photos, videos, receipts, written descriptions, timelines –  specifics about the damage.

Endyne Inc. Laboratory Services from the Upper Valley provided 50 water test kits that have been delivered to the Plymouth Town Office. These test for E. Coli and Total Coliform only. There is instructions in the box and Endyne is more than happy to answer any questions pertaining to the kit as well as additional items to test for. Please call them at 603-678-4891 if you have questions.

Tesha Buss would like the community to know that there are Red Cross supplies at Good Commons and everyone is invited to stop by and take what they need. (Address: 4771 VT-100A, Plymouth, VT 05056)

The Plymouth Memory Tree is here for all Plymouth residents affected by the flooding. We are accepting applications for recovery assistance, including to repair damaged homes, driveways, wells, septic systems or support the replacement of lost vehicles. Please find our application at the Plymouth Town Office or online here.

The Plymouth Memory Tree is a local non-profit organization whose purpose is to benefit the residents of Plymouth Vermont who are in need of financial assistance.  If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, it can be mailed to PO Box 47, Plymouth, VT  05056.

Jen Flaster

Anyone who needs assistance with storm damage-FEMA, Red Cross, Water Test Kits, Emergency Clean up supplies and other services are at the Woodstock Union High School Gym until Friday. Hours of Operation are 9-4.

To log in to your VT-ALERT Profile, including information and to manage your account settings – go to https://member.everbridge.net/453003085617457/login

If you have issues with your account, please contact the VT-ALERT Administrator at (800) 347-0488 or by emailing DPS.VTAlert@vermont.gov

The Library survived! There is a lot of debris, stones of various sizes, some metal, silt in front and around the building. The yard is all covered and most likely most of our garden is lost. The interior and the porch are unharmed. Dehumidifier is in and running.

To allow work to be done around the building, the Library is CLOSED for the time being.

Thank you for understanding!

Dear Plymouth residents,

Margo Marrone has coordinated to have 10 water test kits arriving to Plymouth soon. Those whose wells were affected by the recent flooding are invited to contact me to sign up for receiving a water test kit.

There are specific instructions for sampling the water and getting it to the testing site in Rutland that will come with the kit.

Please contact me via text or phone call at 802-417-6895 to reserve a test kit. If you will have difficulty in obtaining your sample or getting it to Rutland, we can work together to figure out volunteers who can help with those pieces.

Post-Irene and during the COVID-19 emergency, the greater Woodstock community raised over $1.5 million in relief to help our neighbors in need. With the recent flooding, individuals and families in our community are again in need of emergency financial assistance.

The HUB can provide immediate financial support to area residents who are facing flood damages and losses. Our volunteer case advocates will also connect individuals to government and other non-profit resources that are equipped to provide longer term support.    

We hope you will consider an immediate gift to The HUB to assist those who are struggling to keep our community strong. You may give online at bit.ly/3D6NM1F or by check to The Woodstock Community Trust, PO Box 802, Woodstock, VT 05091.

Thank you from The HUB!
Jill Davies, Denise Lyons
WoodstockCommunityTrust.org