Weathersfield News Oct 15 #weathersfield #VT
Weathersfield News October 15, 2014
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy
photosbynanci@comcast.net
Town News
The Select Board Meeting
Chief Daniels reported to the Select Board on Oct. 6 that the Police Vehicle-Impala currently has 99,000 miles on it. It is a 2009 model and currently has a small transmission issue. Chief Daniels has looked into bidding on various vehicles including a 2012 Ford Taurus, a 2015 Ford Taurus, a 2015 Ford Explorer. Daniels reported that the department has taken more than 900 calls this year. Last year there were 714 calls for the year, so department activity has increased. Mr. Arrison clarified that this discussion was purely informational and that no action was expected or would be taken. Arrison said that at the last town meeting, the voters had turned down the article to borrow money to buy a new cruiser. There is currently $17,700 in the reserve account to potentially work with until the next fiscal year. Mr. Fuller said the Board should consider putting an article on the next town meeting warrant for the new cruiser. Mr. Arrison said the cost could be placed in the general fund budget as a line item. Mr. Horton said that the voters had said “no” to the Town purchasing a new cruiser at the last town meeting, and if the Board chose to bid on this vehicle, the Board would be going against the will of the voters. Mr. Arrsion said that the voters did not authorize the Select Board to borrow money with which to purchase a new cruiser.
The Board also discussed the FY2014 budget. Net assets of the Town have increased since 2007 and continue to increase, reserve funds have increased since 2009, long-term debt has decreased since 2011 and the Center Road paving loan was paid off early (in 2014). In the current fiscal year, the Board did not use any fund balances to lower the tax rate, making it easier to keep the tax rate from increasing in the next budget.
The next Select Board meeting on Oct. 20 will be at Weathersfield Bow Baptist Church.
Weathersfield Proctor Library News
Congratulations Jordan Hutchinson, the Youth Services Librarian, and the Children's Room! Jordan received a scholarship to attend the 19th Annual Red Clover Conference and Children's Picture Book Award Ceremony in Fairlee, VT on Oct. 8. She learned new skills and came back with some great ideas for early literacy programming for children. In addition, she also won a full set of the Red Clover Award nominated books - all 10! The library staff and volunteers are busy processing and adding these books to the library catalog, but they are ready for your requests now.
In my garden-Time to plant the garlic! We've turned over the patch and are ready to put the cloves into the ground for next year's harvest. We had a bumper crop this summer and the garlic heads were HUGE, so the ones I've delegated to the garlic patch should yield even bigger ones next year. The winter butternut squash will be washed, dried and put in the basement for us to enjoy during the long winter months ahead. Our peppers are STILL going strong even after a few frost/freeze scares.
Music to my ears-Great music in the Upper Valley continues this week with Richard Thompson coming to the Lebanon Opera House on Tuesday Oct. 14. I'll be heading to Albany to see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on Saturday Oct. 18 and to Rockport MA to see John Hiatt on Oct.19. Oct 26 Mary Chapin Carpenter, with special guest Tift Merritt perform a benefit for Child and family Services of New Hampshire at the Lebanon Opera House. Lots of great music out there, get out and support LIVE music.
Obituaries
Weathersfield, Vt. — Brent W. Preston, Sr., 65, died Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. He was born April 14, 1949, in Hanover, N.H. a son of Edward and Ethel (Brown) Preston. Brent attended schools in Lebanon and went on to work with several painting contractors in the Upper Valley but his true passion was his music. He played guitar and sung lead vocals with several bands in the area, most recently The Nighthawks. He also operated Brent’s Karaoke and DJ Service. Brent loved anything to do with music and enjoyed sharing it with others, including volunteering at senior centers, nursing homes and playing for the clients at Lincoln Street. The only thing Brent enjoyed as much as music was time with his family, especially his grandkids. He also enjoyed camping and spent summers with his family at Getaway Mountain Campground in Ascutney, Vt. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.
Town Events:
Off-Trail Ledge Adventure Saturday, Oct 18, 9:30 a.m. On the side of Mount Ascutney we climb through the forest and then leave the trail to reach a view from the top of ledges. This section is moderate to strenuous. The descent is through a maple forest followed by some moderate up and down and past a lovely expanse of pasture. The distance is about 3.5 miles.
Y-JAM-National Youth Justice Awareness Month Community Event-Saturday Oct 18, Valley Court Diversion Programs 211 North Main Street, White River Junction, (right next to the Upper Valley Food Co-Op.) will host the National Youth Justice Awareness Month (Y-JAM) community event. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., Run start time 10 a.m.. This event is a 5 K fun run/walk to bring awareness to youth in the adult and juvenile justice systems, as well as a fundraiser for Valley Court Diversion Programs. The campaign will distribute t-shirts to the first 100 registrants, as well as raffle prizes from local merchants at the end of the event. Bagels, fruit, and water provided. For more information call: 802-295-5078, ext. 15
Monthly Weathersfield Potluck And Program FREE -Tuesday, Oct 21, noon at Perkinsville VT Community Church Vestry. The program will be author Donna Dearborn of Chester VT on her book "Every Sunday" about her exceptional and inspirational father who lived a life of kindness and humility, and who had a devastating stroke. Her book shares her many visits to him at a nursing home sharing their many memories of hiking, skiing, etc. Bring a salad, hot dish or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided. Contact Lorraine Zigman 802-263-5245; lzigman@comcast.net
Ongoing:
Wildlife Photo Contest-2nd Annual Contest Sponsored by the Weathersfield Conservation Commission. Requirements: Limited to native wildlife (animals, birds, or insects); Limited to amateur photographer; Must be photographed locally (within a 50 mile radius.) One submission per person must be on a 8 x 10 glossy. There will be up to three places should there be sufficient entries. Judging will be done by 3 interested persons. Submitted photos can be dropped off at the Weathersfield Town Office in an envelope plainly marked Conservation Commission photo contest. There is a drop box at the Town Office for after hours. Please include with the photo: Name, phone number, address, and location where photo was taken. Winning photos will be mounted and framed, then displayed for one year at either the town office, library, or school, then returned to the owner. Submission deadline: Nov. 15.
Food Shelf
The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located at 7303 Route 131 - the former "World of Discovery" daycare. Thanks to the generosity of their donors, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will now be open every Thursday from 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney-FREE sponsored by RSPV- Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney, VT. Classes are led by Geraldine Rudenfeldt. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.
Weathersfield Proctor Library-FREE Programs
Literacy, Learning and Fun at the Weathersfield Proctor
Fall Storytime with Jordan begins on Wednesday Sept 10 and will be held every Wednesday from 11:00 - 11:30 through Nov 19.
The Select Board Meeting
Chief Daniels reported to the Select Board on Oct. 6 that the Police Vehicle-Impala currently has 99,000 miles on it. It is a 2009 model and currently has a small transmission issue. Chief Daniels has looked into bidding on various vehicles including a 2012 Ford Taurus, a 2015 Ford Taurus, a 2015 Ford Explorer. Daniels reported that the department has taken more than 900 calls this year. Last year there were 714 calls for the year, so department activity has increased. Mr. Arrison clarified that this discussion was purely informational and that no action was expected or would be taken. Arrison said that at the last town meeting, the voters had turned down the article to borrow money to buy a new cruiser. There is currently $17,700 in the reserve account to potentially work with until the next fiscal year. Mr. Fuller said the Board should consider putting an article on the next town meeting warrant for the new cruiser. Mr. Arrison said the cost could be placed in the general fund budget as a line item. Mr. Horton said that the voters had said “no” to the Town purchasing a new cruiser at the last town meeting, and if the Board chose to bid on this vehicle, the Board would be going against the will of the voters. Mr. Arrsion said that the voters did not authorize the Select Board to borrow money with which to purchase a new cruiser.
The Board also discussed the FY2014 budget. Net assets of the Town have increased since 2007 and continue to increase, reserve funds have increased since 2009, long-term debt has decreased since 2011 and the Center Road paving loan was paid off early (in 2014). In the current fiscal year, the Board did not use any fund balances to lower the tax rate, making it easier to keep the tax rate from increasing in the next budget.
The next Select Board meeting on Oct. 20 will be at Weathersfield Bow Baptist Church.
Weathersfield Proctor Library News
Congratulations Jordan Hutchinson, the Youth Services Librarian, and the Children's Room! Jordan received a scholarship to attend the 19th Annual Red Clover Conference and Children's Picture Book Award Ceremony in Fairlee, VT on Oct. 8. She learned new skills and came back with some great ideas for early literacy programming for children. In addition, she also won a full set of the Red Clover Award nominated books - all 10! The library staff and volunteers are busy processing and adding these books to the library catalog, but they are ready for your requests now.
In my garden-Time to plant the garlic! We've turned over the patch and are ready to put the cloves into the ground for next year's harvest. We had a bumper crop this summer and the garlic heads were HUGE, so the ones I've delegated to the garlic patch should yield even bigger ones next year. The winter butternut squash will be washed, dried and put in the basement for us to enjoy during the long winter months ahead. Our peppers are STILL going strong even after a few frost/freeze scares.
Music to my ears-Great music in the Upper Valley continues this week with Richard Thompson coming to the Lebanon Opera House on Tuesday Oct. 14. I'll be heading to Albany to see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on Saturday Oct. 18 and to Rockport MA to see John Hiatt on Oct.19. Oct 26 Mary Chapin Carpenter, with special guest Tift Merritt perform a benefit for Child and family Services of New Hampshire at the Lebanon Opera House. Lots of great music out there, get out and support LIVE music.
Obituaries
Weathersfield, Vt. — Brent W. Preston, Sr., 65, died Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. He was born April 14, 1949, in Hanover, N.H. a son of Edward and Ethel (Brown) Preston. Brent attended schools in Lebanon and went on to work with several painting contractors in the Upper Valley but his true passion was his music. He played guitar and sung lead vocals with several bands in the area, most recently The Nighthawks. He also operated Brent’s Karaoke and DJ Service. Brent loved anything to do with music and enjoyed sharing it with others, including volunteering at senior centers, nursing homes and playing for the clients at Lincoln Street. The only thing Brent enjoyed as much as music was time with his family, especially his grandkids. He also enjoyed camping and spent summers with his family at Getaway Mountain Campground in Ascutney, Vt. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.
Town Events:
Off-Trail Ledge Adventure Saturday, Oct 18, 9:30 a.m. On the side of Mount Ascutney we climb through the forest and then leave the trail to reach a view from the top of ledges. This section is moderate to strenuous. The descent is through a maple forest followed by some moderate up and down and past a lovely expanse of pasture. The distance is about 3.5 miles.
Y-JAM-National Youth Justice Awareness Month Community Event-Saturday Oct 18, Valley Court Diversion Programs 211 North Main Street, White River Junction, (right next to the Upper Valley Food Co-Op.) will host the National Youth Justice Awareness Month (Y-JAM) community event. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., Run start time 10 a.m.. This event is a 5 K fun run/walk to bring awareness to youth in the adult and juvenile justice systems, as well as a fundraiser for Valley Court Diversion Programs. The campaign will distribute t-shirts to the first 100 registrants, as well as raffle prizes from local merchants at the end of the event. Bagels, fruit, and water provided. For more information call: 802-295-5078, ext. 15
Monthly Weathersfield Potluck And Program FREE -Tuesday, Oct 21, noon at Perkinsville VT Community Church Vestry. The program will be author Donna Dearborn of Chester VT on her book "Every Sunday" about her exceptional and inspirational father who lived a life of kindness and humility, and who had a devastating stroke. Her book shares her many visits to him at a nursing home sharing their many memories of hiking, skiing, etc. Bring a salad, hot dish or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided. Contact Lorraine Zigman 802-263-5245; lzigman@comcast.net
Ongoing:
Wildlife Photo Contest-2nd Annual Contest Sponsored by the Weathersfield Conservation Commission. Requirements: Limited to native wildlife (animals, birds, or insects); Limited to amateur photographer; Must be photographed locally (within a 50 mile radius.) One submission per person must be on a 8 x 10 glossy. There will be up to three places should there be sufficient entries. Judging will be done by 3 interested persons. Submitted photos can be dropped off at the Weathersfield Town Office in an envelope plainly marked Conservation Commission photo contest. There is a drop box at the Town Office for after hours. Please include with the photo: Name, phone number, address, and location where photo was taken. Winning photos will be mounted and framed, then displayed for one year at either the town office, library, or school, then returned to the owner. Submission deadline: Nov. 15.
Food Shelf
The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located at 7303 Route 131 - the former "World of Discovery" daycare. Thanks to the generosity of their donors, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will now be open every Thursday from 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney-FREE sponsored by RSPV- Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney, VT. Classes are led by Geraldine Rudenfeldt. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.
Weathersfield Proctor Library-FREE Programs
Literacy, Learning and Fun at the Weathersfield Proctor
Fall Storytime with Jordan begins on Wednesday Sept 10 and will be held every Wednesday from 11:00 - 11:30 through Nov 19.
Shakespeare Discussion Group
Oct 1-Nov 5 at 6:30 pm, Weathersfield Proctor Library
Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
Are you scared of Shakespeare? Bothered by the Bard's vocabulary? Put off by the poetry in his plays? The works of this Elizabethan playwright are easier to read and understand than you think. Join Patti Arrison for a six-week discussion group that will put your fears to rest--except for those aroused by Macbeth! This story of magic, murder, and mayhem is perfect for dark fall nights. We will read one act a week, beginning with a brief introduction to iambic pentameter and ending with a movie night. Please call Nancy T. (802-674-2863) or Patti A. (802-263-9405) for more information. Copies of the book will be supplied. Sign up is encouraged, but not required.
FREE Computer Tutor - Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Do you want to learn how to use a computer? Sign up for email or facebook or learn more about internet safety? Did you know the library offers downloadable eBooks and audiobooks? Sign up required. BYOL (bring your own laptop or smartphone if you have one).
Need to Find a Business in Weathersfield: http://www.weathersfielddirectory.org/
Oct 1-Nov 5 at 6:30 pm, Weathersfield Proctor Library
Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
Are you scared of Shakespeare? Bothered by the Bard's vocabulary? Put off by the poetry in his plays? The works of this Elizabethan playwright are easier to read and understand than you think. Join Patti Arrison for a six-week discussion group that will put your fears to rest--except for those aroused by Macbeth! This story of magic, murder, and mayhem is perfect for dark fall nights. We will read one act a week, beginning with a brief introduction to iambic pentameter and ending with a movie night. Please call Nancy T. (802-674-2863) or Patti A. (802-263-9405) for more information. Copies of the book will be supplied. Sign up is encouraged, but not required.
FREE Computer Tutor - Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Do you want to learn how to use a computer? Sign up for email or facebook or learn more about internet safety? Did you know the library offers downloadable eBooks and audiobooks? Sign up required. BYOL (bring your own laptop or smartphone if you have one).
Need to Find a Business in Weathersfield: http://www.weathersfielddirectory.org/