Weathersfield Weekly Blog, April 18
Easter Weekend
Who's ready to hunt for Easter eggs? Lots of hunts taking place in our area this weekend: West Windsor, Reading, Woodstock..so many eggs, so little time.News You Can Use
Weathersfield select board and town news: At the April 1 select board meeting, the board introduced the possibility of building solar arrays at three locations in town: the highway garage, the capped landfill and the town sand pit.
The board moved into discussion of how to fund the town’s fire services. The failed vote at town meeting to pay for a municipal fire department with a full-time fire chief has left the town with a July 1 decision on how to fund fire services. By unanimous vote the board authorized “$171,048 for support and operation of the fire services with an additional $17,000 to be added to the firefighting equipment reserve.”
The members moved on to the wording of the warning for the special town vote. One article proposed was to dissolve the Fire Commission; one for the $171,048 and one for the $17,000 reserve. In a poll conducted by Board Chair Kelly Murphy to see where the members were leaning on how to fund the town fire services she found the following: four in favor and one opposed to one (fire) department); four in favor, one opposed to one municipal fire department; three in favor, two opposed to full-time paid fire chief; five opposed to a part-time chief; three in favor, one opposed to a volunteer chief; continuing discussion at the board level three in favor, two opposed; and to continue discussion at a committee level two in favor, three opposed.
The board is scheduled to meet on April 15. Meeting coverage will be in next week’s paper. More information about the select board and the town contact Town Manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626 or townmanager@weathersfield.org.
Weathersfield Proctor Library news: The Friends of Weathersfield Proctor Library will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. They plan to discuss previous events: the fondue party and Town Challenge and to begin planning for the annual Book/Bake Sale. More information about the Friends of Weathersfield Proctor Library or the library contact Mark at 802-674-2863.
Backyard Composting Workshop in West Windsor Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ascutney Outdoors Center, 449 Ski Tow Road in West Windsor. Are you nervous about starting a compost pile? Vermont Master Composter Cat Buxton will give an entertaining backyard composting workshop and answer all your questions. Attendees can purchase one Soil Saver composter per household for $30 and/or a Sure-Close kitchen pail for $5. Pre-registration requested if you're considering a purchase. Call Mary O'Brien at 674.9235 or email mobrien@swcrpc.org. For additional workshop dates and locations, go to www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org.
Artwork Exhibit by Patricia Waite in Ascutney Saturday, April 27 3:30-6 p.m. The Weathersfield Proctor Library is pleased to present a showing of works spanning a 40-year period by local artist Patricia Waite. For more information, call 674-2863 or email weathersfieldproctorlibrary@gmail.com
Inn at Weathersfield Live Music Fridays in Perkinsville 7-9 p.m. Closed March 31-May 2-Mud Season Break.
The Engine Room in White River Junction.
The board moved into discussion of how to fund the town’s fire services. The failed vote at town meeting to pay for a municipal fire department with a full-time fire chief has left the town with a July 1 decision on how to fund fire services. By unanimous vote the board authorized “$171,048 for support and operation of the fire services with an additional $17,000 to be added to the firefighting equipment reserve.”
The members moved on to the wording of the warning for the special town vote. One article proposed was to dissolve the Fire Commission; one for the $171,048 and one for the $17,000 reserve. In a poll conducted by Board Chair Kelly Murphy to see where the members were leaning on how to fund the town fire services she found the following: four in favor and one opposed to one (fire) department); four in favor, one opposed to one municipal fire department; three in favor, two opposed to full-time paid fire chief; five opposed to a part-time chief; three in favor, one opposed to a volunteer chief; continuing discussion at the board level three in favor, two opposed; and to continue discussion at a committee level two in favor, three opposed.
The board is scheduled to meet on April 15. Meeting coverage will be in next week’s paper. More information about the select board and the town contact Town Manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626 or townmanager@weathersfield.org.
Weathersfield Proctor Library news: The Friends of Weathersfield Proctor Library will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. They plan to discuss previous events: the fondue party and Town Challenge and to begin planning for the annual Book/Bake Sale. More information about the Friends of Weathersfield Proctor Library or the library contact Mark at 802-674-2863.
Get Out and About Events
Easter Week Services in Brownsville, hosted by the Brownsville Community Church. Thursday, April 18 Maundy Thursday Service (6:30 p.m.); Friday, April 19 Good Friday Concert (1:30 p.m.)- ~ Stations of the Cross Service (2:30 p.m.); Saturday, April 20 Community Egg Hunt (11 a.m.); Sunday, April 21– Easter Sunrise Service (7:30 a.m.) Breakfast (8 a.m.) Easter Service (9:30 a.m.) 66 Brownsville Hartland Road, Brownsville. More information call, 802-484-5944 or visit www.brownsvilleumc-vt.org.Backyard Composting Workshop in West Windsor Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ascutney Outdoors Center, 449 Ski Tow Road in West Windsor. Are you nervous about starting a compost pile? Vermont Master Composter Cat Buxton will give an entertaining backyard composting workshop and answer all your questions. Attendees can purchase one Soil Saver composter per household for $30 and/or a Sure-Close kitchen pail for $5. Pre-registration requested if you're considering a purchase. Call Mary O'Brien at 674.9235 or email mobrien@swcrpc.org. For additional workshop dates and locations, go to www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org.
Artwork Exhibit by Patricia Waite in Ascutney Saturday, April 27 3:30-6 p.m. The Weathersfield Proctor Library is pleased to present a showing of works spanning a 40-year period by local artist Patricia Waite. For more information, call 674-2863 or email weathersfieldproctorlibrary@gmail.com
Music and Performances
Briggs Opera House in White River Junction. May 4 Gumbo Grits and Gavy Celebrating Pete Seeger’s 100th Birthday 7:30 p.m. More info at Kirschner Concerts.Inn at Weathersfield Live Music Fridays in Perkinsville 7-9 p.m. Closed March 31-May 2-Mud Season Break.
The Engine Room in White River Junction.
Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon NH. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. April 18 Martin Barre Celebrates 50 Years of Jethro Tull; April 19 Get The Led Out; May 17 Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza-10 a.m.; May 17 April Verch Band-On Location; May 18 Who’s Bad; June 13 David Crosby and Sky Trails Band; June 16 Keb’ Mo’; June 20 Anoushka Shankar; June 23 Whose Live Anyway?.
Skinny Pancake in Hanover NH. April 20 Matt Seiple 7 p.m.; May 4 Shokazoba Funk 8:30 p.m.; May 10 Abigail Lapell 7 p.m.
Taverne On The Square in Claremont.April 25 The Turbos 7 p.m.; May 10 Dirty Looks 8 p.m..
Windsor Station in Windsor. April 19 The Crop Dusters 9:30 p.m.
Weathersfield School Performances in Ascutney. Frozen, the play on Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. in the gym, with the school production for students on Monday, May 20 1 p.m., May 24 Memorial Day Assembly 8:15-9 a.m.
Ongoing Events
1879 Perkinsville Schoolhouse Committee Seeks Volunteers. The 1879 Perkinsville Schoolhouse Committee needs willing hands to help with the ongoing task of renovating the 1879 Perkinsville District 1 school. No special skills are needed, and food will be provided. The next scheduled work dates are: May 11 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.. Please contact Matt Keniston at 802-263-5300 or norclime@tds.net to sign up.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 The 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 1-3 p.m. WFS is located in the 1879 Schoolhouse at 1862 Route 106 in Perkinsville. Donations of nonperishable food are always welcomed and may be dropped off at the facility during open hours or placed in the collection box at Martin Memorial Hall. For more information, call 802-263-5584 or email weathersfieldfoodshelf@gmail.com.
Rachel’s Kitchen in Windsor. Free breakfast 7-10 a.m. Mon-Fri at the Rachel Harlow Church 165 Main Street Windsor.
Windsor Community Dinners in Windsor. Wednesdays 5-6 p.m. at the American Legion Hall 4 Court Street, Windsor.
Veggie Van Go in Windsor. Free fresh produce provided by the Vermont Food Bank. 2nd Tuesday of the month 10-11 a.m. Mt. Ascutney Hospital 289 County Road, Windsor.
Hartland Food Shelf in Hartland. 4 Corners UU Church Fridays 8-10 a.m.
Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf in Reading. Mondays 2-4 p.m. and Thursday 4-6 p.m. Stone School 3456 Tyson Rd, Reading.
Weathersfield Walking Program in Ascutney is offered Monday-Friday, 7:35-7:50 a.m. Weathersfield School teachers and staff walk outside with any student who wants to participate. If the weather is bad or the temperature is too cold, then students and staff walk in the gym. Exercise and enjoy the outdoors.
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.