Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

7/29/23

No sense in talking about the weather since it is constantly changing these days! Progress continues to be made regarding repairs throughout our area. The recent floods and sticky warm days have certainly taken a toll on all of us. Please know that there is free food at the Plymouth Community Center that can be accessed outside the front door from 10 AM until 4 PM Monday – Friday. It is been provided by various organizations and individuals, so help yourselves.

It seems like we are all in need of some rest and relaxation. I noticed that Plymouth residents can take advantage of free admission to Billings Farm on Monday, 1/31 from 10 AM – 5PM.  Correction, the Coolidge Historic site is already open and this week there are many events taking place, so take advantage of them.  Get ready for the Fire Dept BBQ on Sat, 8/5, too.

Mark your calendars for the special town meeting noted below:

WARNING

The legal voters of the Town of Plymouth are hereby warned to meet at the Plymouth Community Center located at 35 School Drive in Plymouth at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 to transact at that time: to see if the voters will approve or disapprove of the May 15, 2023 Select Board amendments to the Town Short-term Rental Ordinance.

If you have damage related to the recent flood it is important that you register with FEMA. Here are three links that maybe helpful to get you started. 

It is also helpful if you call 211 and report the damage. It gives the state information on the extent of the damage. 

Al

Emergency Management Director

arpcolby@yahoo.com

802-236-5046

There are free food items at the Plymouth Community Center!

Monday through Friday, premade bags will be outside of the front door for anyone to pick up! Self serve style. Take what you need! Bags will be outside of the front door by 10 AM, and there until 4 PM.

Inside of the premade bags this week are boxes of Cabot macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, strawberry jam, popcorn, canned corn, cereal bars, containers of cereal, and honey waffles. Cases of bottled water and cleaning kits from the Red Cross will also be outside for easy pick up.

If you would like more than what is outside, knock on the front door, and someone will come to assist you.

The Plymouth Community Center is located at 35 School Dr.

Thank you!



Items will be outside of the front door by 10 AM, and brought back inside at 4 PM.

The Plymouth community center is located at 35 School Dr., Plymouth, VT.

I have just received word that the historic site will be open effective 8/1 which means that all of the wonderful events in August will be happening!

Also, the Echo Lake Inn (802-228-8602) is open for dinner this week Tuesday through Saturday, then week nights when they have a weekend wedding.

The Inn at Waters Edge sustained horrific damaged to their new outdoor Lakeside venue, but they are still open for business ( 902-265-0920).

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)