Weathersfield Weekly Blog, February 27, 2019

Town Meeting March 2 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Weathersfield Elementary School

Town Vote March 5 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Martin Memorial Hall

News You Can Use

I must sadly report the passing Gary Parker Richardson, 83, he died Feb. 16, 2019. He was born April 23, 1935, the son of Ruth Ann (Parker) and Hyland Warren Richardson. He graduated in 1953 from Springfield High School where he played football, basketball, baseball, was scouted by the Red Sox for pitching, and voted Most Dramatic. He graduated in 1957 from the University of Vermont, studied Business Economics, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and played banjo in a Dixieland jazz band. Mr. Richardson then attended basic military training at Fort Dix. He married Barbara Ann Spinelli Oct. 27, 1959. He worked for American Locomotive Co. in New York City and was plant manager at Mack Molding Co. in Cavendish, retiring after 25 years. Mr. Richardson was Representative for three terms to the Vermont House, active in the Town of Weathersfield and served on the school board. Survivors include his wife, of Weathersfield; a daughter, Robin, of Kinvara, Ireland, and son, Andrew, of Port Chester, New York; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

The town reports are out. If you haven’t received a copy you can pick one up at the town office or download a copy from the town website http://www.weathersfieldvt.org/: government-document center. Pages 7-52 cover the annual school report and budgets. Town coverage begins on page 53.

This year, by voice vote on March 2 at 12:30 p.m., voters will be asked to vote on Article 3 to have the town reports available online, at the town office and mailed by request.

The only contested race for the town is the three year select board seat. David Fuller is running against incumbent Thomas Leach.

The select board report describes in detail their decision to create a municipal fire department.

Each department is broken out followed by the department’s accounting figures showing actuals from 2017, 2018, 2019 budgeted and 2020 proposed.

The General Fund is showing a balance (or surplus carryover from 2018 of $98,953.) General Fund expenses are down 16.86% from 2019 budgeted as a result of moving some personnel expenses into their respective department budgets and combining a couple of positions into one. The Finance department expenditures are down 0.45%. Land use expenditures are up 48.08%. The zoning administrator position was increase from 29 hours to full time. The Town Clerk expenditures are down 18.11%. And the Listers expenditures are down 11.56%.

Public Safety lists the proposed municipal fire department and police departments budgets. Fire services finances are listed as 2017 actual, 2018 estimated, 2019 budget and 2020 proposed for fire. The FY19 total expense line for fire services has been left blank making a comparison to the proposed FY20 difficult. Looking at the town report from last year fire services FY19 budget figures were: Ascutney Fire $42,233, West Weathersfield Fire $91,430 and Fire Commission $42,233, a total of $175,913. The proposed expenditures for FY20 are $265,070 an increase of 43.1%.

Police department expenditures are up 2.68%.

Public Works, formerly Highway, expenditures are up 10.15% and the department has a carryover of $97,845 from 2018.

Library expenditures are up 2.72%.

There is an abbreviated outside auditor’s report; a full report is available at the town office but at press time not yet available online. As reported last year and again this year there are several accounting issues still present. The auditors found issues with “Segregation of Duties-Cash” leaving the town “assets susceptible to misappropriation”; “Authorization of General Journal Entries” documentation needs to support journal entries; “Spreadsheet Review” a qualified person should review all critical spreadsheets and the auditors again recommend that an “Accounting and Procedures Manual” be put into use.

See you all at Town meeting Saturday, March 2 and at the polls on Tuesday, March 5.

Weathersfield select board and town news: The select board had scheduled a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 21 to review an option presented by the Ascutney Volunteer Fire Association however the meeting was postponed to Feb. 27 because the agenda was not posted to the town website 24 hours before the meeting as required by Vermont’s Open Meeting Laws. The agenda was posted at the two town post offices, but the law requires that if a town has a website, agendas must be posted there also. More information about the select board and the town contact Town Manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626 or townmanager@weathersfield.org.

Adventures and Assignments

Ascutney Outdoors Winterfest 2019

Winterfest 2019, dubbed Powder Pig Party, was held at Mount Ascutney on Saturday, Feb. 23. The day included tubing, a giant slalom race for all ages and all abilities; a pig roast, guided snow shoe tours, a fat bike tour, a dance party, live auction and a raffle all to benefit Ascutney Outdoors. Food was provided by Brownsville Butcher and Panty and beer was supplied by Harpoon Brewery. Several hundred people attended.

More photos from Winterfest: CLICK HERE

Working, the Musical Performed by We The People Theatre

We the People Theatre presents “Working” the musical based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers. A school teacher, care givers, a waitress, a millworker, a housewife, a call center operator are just a few characters that share their stories in this 2012 revised production of the 1977 musical. Performances run March 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at 7 p.m. and March 3, 10, 17 at 2 p.m. Post performance talk-backs will be held on March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Tickets are available online at: https://www.wethepeopletheatre.com/ or call 800-838-3006.

More Working, The Musical photos: CLICK HERE

Get Out and About Events

NCCT Teen Musical “Crazy For You” in Lebanon, March 1-3. The North Country Community Theatre spring production at the Lebanon Opera House, tickets: https://ncct.org/crazy-for-you-teen-show-2019/

“Working” in White River Junction, March 1-17. We the People Theatre presents Working based on Studs Terkel’s book. Schedule and tickets: https://www.wethepeopletheatre.com/

“Gilligan’s Island” in Springfield March 1-3. Springfield High School Theatre presents Gilligan’s Island, The Musical. Call 802-885-7900 x3305 for more details.

Schnitzel to Spaetzle German Cooking Class in Perkinsville Saturday, March 2 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.. The Hidden Kitchen at the Inn at Weathersfield brings Denise Atland in for a hands-on German cooking class. Call for reservations 802-263-9217.

Town Meeting in Ascutney Saturday, March 2 10 a.m.-2 p.m. School meeting at 10 a.m., Town Meeting at 12:30 p.m. Lunch provided by the Friends of Weathersfield Proctor Library.

Town Vote in Ascutney, Tuesday, March 5. Voting by Australian ballot at Martin Memorial Hall Rte. 5 in Ascutney.

8th Annual Town Challenge in Ascutney, Saturday March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Weathersfield School on Schoolhouse Road. The Weathersfield Proctor Library is hosting the annual Town Challenge featuring nine town teams representing boards, committees, school staff and students. Each team will answer questions in random order in seven trivia categories: Spelling, Town History, Current Events/Sports, “Name That Tune,” Geography, and Literature. In addition to bragging rights for first place, there are also prizes for the team that displays the most team spirit and for the team that raises the most funds. The public is invited to attend at no cost, donations are appreciated. There will be an opportunity to sponsor a favorite team the evening of the event. Refreshments will be served and door prizes given out. Call 802-674-5021 for further information. (Storm date will be March 24)

Music and Performances

Inn at Weathersfield Live Music Fridays in Perkinsville 7-9 p.m.. March 1 Steve Ellis.

The Engine Room in WRJ. Feb 27 Girls Night Out 8 p.m..

Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon NH. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. March 14 The Very Hungry Caterpillar 10 a.m.; March 17 John 5 and the Creatures 7 p.m.; April 12 A sick Day for Amos McGee 10 a.m.; April 18 Stand Up America-50 years of Jethro Tull; April 19 Get The Led Out; May 17 Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza 10 a.m.; Keb’ Mo’ June 16.

Reading Winter Concert Series in Reading at Robinson Hall. The newly formed concert series continues with Spencer Lewis on March 9. $10 adults, under 15 free. Refreshments served.

Skinny Pancake in Hanover NH. March 14 Pete’s Posse 7-9 p.m., March 23 Fred Haas Organ Jam 7-9 p.m.

Taverne On The Square in Claremont, March 1 Party Crashers 8 p.m..

Ongoing Events

AARP Tax-Aide Program in Ascutney Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at Martin Memorial Hall 5259 Route 5 call 802-885-3933 for more information.

Food Assistance:
Ascutney Union Church Food Cupboard in Ascutney 5243 Route 5 Saturdays 9-10 a.m. call 802-674-2484.
Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. Route 106 at the old Perkinsville Elementary School.

Low cost spay/neuter clinics in Springfield. Springfield Humane Society is hosting low cost spay/neuter clinics in 2019: April 30, May 28, June 18, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept.24, Oct. 29, and Nov. 26 at the Springfield Humane Society, on Route 143. Cost is $50 for female cat and $40 for male cat. Weathersfield residents may be reimbursed up to $50 for the surgery with a limit of three pets per year. Get your SNAP form from the town office. Please call Springfield Humane Society for an appointment at 802-885-3997.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney: Free. Sponsored by RSVP. Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney. Classes are led by Sandy Lemois. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Twin State Depression Support Group in Weathersfield. Free peer-led Depression Support Groups to all, the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm, 5259 Route 5, Ascutney, VT (Martin Memorial Hall - downstairs) and the 4th Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm, 7 Morgan Street, Springfield, VT (Turning Point) Both venues are accessible. TwinStateDepressionSupportGroup.org or on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TwinStateDSG/. More information call 802-795-0098

Have anything you want included in this news and events column? Email Nancy at photosbynanci@comcast.net two weeks prior to your event.