Welcome to The Plymouth Press Online

By Jen Flaster, Plymouth Press

Nearly 50 Plymouth residents came out for Town Meeting on Monday evening. There was little discussion on the first two agenda items. The vote to allocate $11,808 for Human Services easily passed.

The question on the town budget was amended by select board chair Ralph Michael to update a typo printed in the report, so voters considered if the town would vote to raise $1,205,454 to cover expenses in the amount of $1,305,454. Discussion on the town budget was minimal, although one voter noted that the town now has at least $1 million on hand in cash, which is higher than in the past. Larry Lynds responded that the auditors report came after the budget was set, but it’s something the select board could consider when they set next year’s budget. If cash on hand remains at that level, perhaps the town would not need to raise as much to cover expenses next year.

The final question on the agenda had the town considering whether to exempt the state portion of Bethany Birches’ property tax. The camp pays its municipal tax, but was requesting that it be relieved of the $17,000 in education taxes to the state. Brandon Bergey, executive director of Bethany Birches was on hand and he answered many questions. He and others spoke up about the benefits that Bethany Birches, a nonprofit organization, provides to Plymouth residents and the larger community. Some spoke about how they use the facilities for birthday parties free of charge, and the camps provide public access for snowmobiling and ice skating. The funds saved in not paying the education tax would go towards aiding low income campers to come to camp.

While many in attendance support the camps and their services, there were many questions about how this tax relief would affect Plymouth taxpayers. The cost to taxpayers was estimated at $7 per $100,000 in property value. There was no time frame stated in the question, so voters asked for how long would Plymouth residents have to cover this tax liability. Would those taxes go up over time as education tax rates changed? Per Brandon and state representative Charlie Kimball who was also in attendance, the tax relief typically is given for a 5-year period. After the close of discussion, the vote was taken by paper ballot and the question passed by 24 yeahs to 22 nays.

After the close of the meeting, Charlie Kimball presented on what’s happening in Montpelier. He left copies of a summary of issues he’s working on at the town office and invited Plymouth residents to get in touch with him or set up a visit in Montpelier.

Plymouth Election Results

Town Moderator: Tom Harris

Selectperson: Ralph Michael

Lister (3 years): Tom Marrone

Lister (1 year): Paul Kowalski

Trustee of Public Funds: Bobbi Jean Lambert

Collector of Delinquent Taxes: Kathleen Billings

Grand Juror: Shawn Bemis

Town Agent: Joyce Cooper

Cemetery Commissioner: Michael Pierson

WCMUUSD/Town of Plymouth

School Director (3 years): Morgan Sailer

School Director (1 year): Jen Flaster

Appropriation of Funds: Yes

Total votes cast: 109

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard

3/1/19

Wow, I can’t believe I am writing this on March 1^st. It certainly doesn’t look like spring is around the corner! Yesterday I was able to remove a bit of ice from last weekend’s mixed bag of precipitation. I was so glad that the recent four inches was simply light and fluffy snow. But, who knows what is coming next – at least the lovely sunshine, glistening snow and beautiful blue sky help to brighten our spirits.  Anyway, the path to our sugar house is shoveled and tapping out is progressing.  Looking forward to the sweet result!

Town meeting is approaching and will be over by the time this appears in the VT Standard. Please note that there are positions with write-in candidates, so if you receive this via the Plymouth Press, please become informed in order to make good choices. Some items are voted on Monday evening at the meeting, while others are by Australian ballot on Tuesday.

How exciting that Lauren Skaskiw- Harootunian has obtained several grants to enhance the Community Center (former elementary school). Her latest one will allow her to expand and provide childcare year round, once she hires additional staff. Knowing Brenda Metzler of the non-profit Let’s Grow Kids, I am sure her mentorship will be very helpful. Certainly there were many of us in town who bemoaned the closing of PES, so it is wonderful to see that the facility is being utilized in ways that benefit all segments of our population.

Starting to plan the next Community Luncheon which will be 3/21. If you are interested in helping, please let me know. We are hoping to have music, too!

The job for roof repairs at The Plymouth Community Center is open for bids again.

To learn more, contact Lauren Skaskiw-Harootunian at 802 417 6895.

Estimate will be submitted to Plymouth Select Board for review and selection.

The annual meeting of the Plymouth VT Historical Society will be held on Saturday, February 23rd at 2pm at the Community Center.

If you are interested in Plymouth history and how we are trying to preserve it, please join us.  Attendance in no way makes you obligated to join, and we welcome everyone to find out more about our Collection.

Summer plans will be discussed as well as election of officers.

For more information, email Midge Tucker midgetucker@gmail.com.

Reprinted with permission by The Vermont Standard.

2/15/19

It seems like February is flying by! It is definitely still winter, however. Even this morning (Friday) as I write, snow is falling. Beware of the ice under the snow!

Our annual Town Meeting will be Monday, 3/4 at the Town Building, which will provide an opportunity to review the Town budget and discuss other important town issues. The Town Report will be available by the end of next week. Copies will be mailed, you can pick up one at the Town office or it should be available at the Town website, too. Voting by Australian ballot will take place the following day, 3/5. Absentee ballots may be obtained, but make sure to follow the directions carefully, since I understand that some could not be counted last year because of errors.

Join other local folks at the Community Luncheon in the basement meeting room at Tyson church on Thursday, 2/21 at 11:30 for fun, food, and interesting facts! Also, that evening at 6:30 the Book Group will meet at the Community Center to discuss Go Ask Fannie by Elisabeth Hyde. Feel free to attend even if you have not read the book and help us to choose the next selection. 

At the Tyson Ladies Aid meeting on Thursday, plans were set for upcoming events, such as the Good Friday bake sale in the Shaws shopping center and a planned spaghetti dinner in May – details to follow.  You can see from these pictures that meetings are very solemn and serious!

It is so nice to hear about the interesting things happening with our young people. I imagine the some of you read in last week’s VT Standard that WUHS Senior, Anna Hepler was recently honored with a Presidential Scholar nomination at the VT statehouse for her academic and personal achievement. She also gave a wonderful presentation last Sunday at Bethany Mennonite Church about her recent trip to South Africa as part of Village Harmony. Along with 30 others from the US, Canada, and the UK, they visited with families, learned about the culture, performed and learned many local songs. Along with others in the congregation, she shared some of the music, which is a very special part of the culture over there.

I would love to include information about other youth in our town, so feel free to send me some!

More houses and land parcels are changing hands, as noted below.

16 Upper Round Top Rd. Townhouse; $68,000 Ronald DiMaio to Michael Hawthorne

PCN Road, Lot # 9; $35,500 Joanne Anderson to Thomas Beczynski

762 East Ash Rd., $310,000 Matthew Savage to Grant and Crystal Davis

Pine Hill Rd. Land 287.91 Acres; $139,882 Michael Pedone to Arthur James Grace

Pine Hill Rd. Land 424.5 Acres; $330,000 Andrew Auwerda to Garnet Brook, LLC

1917 Lynds Hill Rd. $150,000 Kermit Upton to Victoria Davey and Nathan Offutt

2) Cindy Summer, Narda DiGiola

3) Ann Mick

At the upcoming annual town meeting Brandon Bergey, Bethany Birches Executive Director will present about the camp’s property tax vote. Here is a summary providing background written by the camp’s board of directors. Hopefully this helps you understand this agenda item in advance and better prepares you for the discussion.

bbc-property-tax-explanation-for-town-report-1.pdf