Weathersfield Weekly Blog October 17 edition

The leaves are falling and the colors are fading. Soon comes, Stick Season.


News You Can Use
ICYMI (In case You Missed It


Mark Your Calendars

Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 29
3:30-5 PM
Hoisington Field, Perkinsville
Sponsored by The Weathersfield Proctor Library

More info on Library events, please visit: https://weathersfieldproctorlibrary.org/


Dreamz in Motion Dance and Performance Center host a Fundraiser in October 30th


Select Board schedules budget discussions, and other topics
The schedule for the FY24 budget discussion will begin on October 16 (the packet says Oct. 16 but I think it should read Oct. 17)
Each department will present their proposed budget beginning with Highway and Solid Waste on the 17th; followed by Finance, Fire and Police on November 7th; then Admin, Listers, Land Use, Town Clerk and Library on November 20th.

This Monday night's meeting will also discuss the need for the Town to update their policy on Transfer Station Stickers. The Town Manager (TM) is proposing the addition of a "Temporary Sticker".

The TM presented this wording in the Oct. 17 meeting packet:
6. Temporary Permit Stickers
These permits are available at the Town Offices in Weathersfield, Reading, and West Windsor during normal business hours. The property owner may come in to obtain a temporary permit for the Transfer Station. Temporary permits can be used on rental vehicles or the like. The permit will contain the residents name and address and the dates of permitted use. Temporary permits will only be granted to residents that have already purchased a sticker for the current year. 

Also on the docket, late filing of  Homestead declarations. When a homestead is filed late the resident is billed a penalty. The penalty is set at 8%. 

In 2017 the board waived this fee. In 2018 (only) it was set to 3%. 

In 2019 & 2020 it did not apply because the homestead was not higher than the non-residential rate. 

Last year, the board voted to change it from 8% to 3% after the tax bills were mailed and revised tax bills were sent out.

The select board must decide to reduce the 8% penalty to 3% for FY23 and authorize the TM to once again mail out revised tax bill to over 40 residents in town. 


Select Board to discuss Highway Budget

From the Select Board packet

1) REVENUES 
a. The bottom line for expenditures is the same as compared to FY23. Expenditures will not change. 

i. TAX NEED: The tax need for this department will increase from $930,341 to $959,170. This is due to using fund balance in FY23 to reduce the property tax need. The Selectboard approved the use of $76,726 in fund balance in FY23, and we’re proposing to use only $38,363 in Fund Balance this year, and the remainder of fund balance next year to prevent significant tax need spikes. 

ii. STATE AID TO HIGHWAY: State Aid to Highway has been increasing. We budgeted $143,487 in FY23. The State increased Highway Aid in FY23 to $152,768. We are unsure of the FY24 State Aid to Highway, so we’re adjusting this from $143,487 to the $152,768 that we’re receiving this year. 

iii. SERVICE TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS: Service to Solid Waste & Service to Town SWD Admin have increased to correlate with COLA requests. Fuel to WWVFD has been eliminated as WWVFD purchases their diesel at Downers following a new arrangement entered into during FY23.

 iv. USE OF FUND BALANCE: Rather than using all of our fund balance again to aggressively offset the tax rate, we are proposing to decrease this use by 50%, which leads to the property tax need increasing. 

2) EXPENDITURES 
a. PERSONNEL 
i. Cost of Living Adjustments 
1. The Highway Department currently has seven (7) full time positions, including the Highway Superintendent. The proposal here is to eliminate 1 position & increase existing employee wages by 10%. 
2. Alternative practices would include a wage adjustment in FY23, and a lower COLA in FY24. 
3. Following several attempts to advertise highway positions, we received no interest, which indicates our starting wages of $18.25/HR may not be attractive as compared to other comparable available positions. 

ii. Benefits 

1. The Highway Department is seeking to maintain the existing coverage with MVP with the existing HSA option. We currently offer both the Platinum Plan without an HSA and Gold 3 Plan with an HSA. The request is to keep these options the same. 

b. OVERALL
 i. Personnel is decreasing by 1% OR $5,093. 

3) OFFICE EXPENSES 
a. IT Services: Our Contract with CCI contains a 1% inflationary increase for 5 years. 
b. Training & Conferences: The cost of training and conferences has increased. We’re adjusting this by $175 annually. 
c. All other accounts are level funded. 

4) UTILITIES
 a. Electricity: Additional research required. Placeholder entered from FY23. 
b. All other accounts are level funded. 

5) HIGHWAY GARAGE & TRUCK EXPENSES 
a. Diesel Fuel: Increasing by 9%, however, this is an estimate based on current pricing trends. 
b. Gasoline: Increasing by 17% based on pricing trends. 
c. All other accounts are level funded. 

6) ROAD MATERIAL AND REPAIRS 
a. Salt: Decreased salt expenses based on four (4) years of pricing and use analysis. 
b. Paving Repairs: Increased paving repairs by $2,500 to repair more roads in Weathersfield. 
c. All other accounts are level funded. 

7) FEES & PERMITS 
a. Level funded. 

8) DEBT SERVICE 
a. 2018 Plow Truck was paid off and new truck payment is $17,304 less annually. 
b. Debt Service Grader Lease: Level funded to pay 2 years of Grader payments. 2 Years have also been in FY23. We’re on track with this arrangement to pay for the grader in five (5) years, rather than the seven (7) year schedule we have. This will increase the trade in value of the grader exponentially. 
c. Interest: As principal payments are made annual interest decreases. 

9) FUND BALANCE & RESERVES 
a. Transfer to Highway Equipment: We propose to transfer $15,000 of the annual savings from the 2018 plow truck to Highway Equipment reserves.


Weathersfield School Budget Advisory Council
The Weathersfield School Board is looking for members of our community to serve on their Budget Advisory Committee(BAC). 

The purpose of the BAC is to provide input on local priorities and, as needed, develop recommendations on fiscal and program priorities that ensure a balanced budget. Contribute to improved communication to enhance understanding of the school's budget and financial condition. 

The committee will meet four times this year to help prepare the budget for our town meeting in March. If you are interested in participating in this committee, please reach out to BJ Esty at bjesty@wsesu.net.


Weathersfield School Board Opening
The Weathersfield School is looking for a new board member to fill a vacated seat. The opening is now thru March when you would need to run for office if you wished to continue being a board member. 

You do not need to be involved with the school, all community members are welcome to apply. Please contact BJ Esty at bjesty@wsesu.net to express interest.


What you need to know to vote in Vermont’s general election, Nov. 8

VTD Editor

Vermont’s general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8, but ballots are already landing in Vermonters’ mailboxes. VTDigger’s updated 2022 Election Guide is designed to help you understand the voting process and explore who — and what — is on the ballot this year.

Our how-to-vote guide explains voter registration, early and mail-in voting, Election Day procedures and accessible voting. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, all active registered voters should receive a ballot in the mail by Oct. 10. (If you don’t see one by that date, contact your town or city clerk.) You can complete that ballot and return it by mail, drop it off at your town or city clerk’s office, or bring it to your polling place on Election Day.

More than 100 candidates for statewide or legislative office have completed a survey, based on questions from VTDigger readers, about the issues facing Vermonters. Find their responses in our candidate directory.

Not sure where to begin with the many candidates for Vermont House and Senate? Confused about whether your district lines may have changed this year? Punch your address into our lookup tool to find out who’s on the ballot in your district — then, head to their profiles to learn more.

This year, ballots also include two questions about proposed amendments to the state constitution. Proposal 2, also known as Article 1, is the result of an effort to clarify and remove exemptions to Vermont’s constitutional ban on slavery. Proposal 5, also known as Article 22, is aimed at ensuring reproductive rights in the state. Read the full text of each proposed amendment, and learn more about the process for amending Vermont’s constitution.

The guide also includes video and recaps from VTDigger’s 2022 Digger Debate series, as well as the latest campaign finance data for statewide candidates.

We plan to update the guide with more features, candidate survey responses, debates and campaign finance data as Election Day approaches. Let us know what features you want to see at election2022@vtdigger.org.


Hydro-Québec to buy Great River Hydro, which owns 13 power stations in New England

Emma Cotton reporting for VT Digger

Hydro-Québec, a large-scale hydropower company based in Canada from which Vermont draws a significant portion of its electricity, plans to purchase 13 generating stations and three storage reservoirs in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

A subsidiary of Hydro-Québec, called HQI US Holding LLC, announced its plan on Wednesday to purchase Great River Hydro LLC, an affiliate of ArcLight Capital, for $2 billion.

Great River Hydro, based in Westborough, Massachusetts, operates dams, power stations and storage reservoirs along the Deerfield and Connecticut rivers. According to a map on the company’s website, it owns six stations along the Vermont-New Hampshire border, one station on the Vermont-Massachusetts border and three on the Deerfield River in southern Vermont. Combined, the stations represent the largest hydropower fleet in New England and have the capacity to generate 589 megawatts of electricity, powering around 213,000 homes in the region, according to a press release from the two companies.

Officials with Hydro-Québec pointed to New England’s “ambitious decarbonization and electrification objectives” and said the region is a place where the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources is “poised to increase sharply.”


Technology accelerators receive injection of federal funds
Fred Thys reporting for VT Digger

Technology accelerators in Springfield, Randolph and Rutland are getting $2.2 million in federal funds to support technology entrepreneurship.

The money is coming from the Build to Scale program, run by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.

The Hartland-based Center on Rural Innovation, which supports entrepreneurship that creates technology jobs in rural communities, helped secure the grants. The center performs assessments of communities’ potential for success as rural hubs for technology, said founder and executive director Matt Dunne, who previously served in the Legislature and ran as a Democrat for governor.

“And the Randolph assessment really indicated that it was an awesome location,” said Erica Hoffman-Kiess, executive director of the Randolph-based Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation, which expects to get about $300,000 to $400,000 in funding.

Hoffman-Kiess cited the town’s access to broadband, the presence of Vermont Technical College, community investments in revitalizing its downtown, and its location about halfway between Boston and Montreal off Interstate 89, which she said is a developing technology corridor.

The Black River Innovation Campus, in Springfield, and the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region will also receive funds.

The federal grants require a one-to-one match, said Dunne, and Gov. Phil Scott and the Legislature budgeted $500,000 in matching funds contingent on the grants coming through.

“What it speaks to is the collaborative spirit in Vermont across public and private entities to get something like this done and to be able to create jobs of the future in rural Vermont,” Dunne said.


Sen. Patrick Leahy discharged from hospital after precautionary tests

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., was discharged from a hospital on Friday after he had been admitted the previous night when he was feeling unwell, according to his office.

Leahy “spent an uneventful night in the hospital last night for tests and observation” in the Washington, D.C., area, his spokesperson, David Carle, said in a statement late Friday afternoon.

The 82-year-old senator underwent precautionary tests, his office has said, and stayed overnight on the advice of his doctors. He was hospitalized in January 2021 after presiding over former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial and this June after breaking a hip.

The senator and his wife, Marcelle Leahy, plan to fly to Vermont on Saturday for previously scheduled events in the coming days, including a press conference Monday at GlobalFoundries' Essex Junction plant.

Leahy plans to retire in January.


Theatre Report
Radium Girls
Yoh Theatre Players
WUHMS, Woodstock VT
Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. 

Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumors could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees.

As the case goes on, however, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire. 

Written with warmth and humor, Radium Girls is a fast-moving, highly theatrical ensemble piece with more than 30 parts—friends, co-workers, lovers, relatives, attorneys, scientists, consumer advocates, and myriad interested bystanders. Called a "powerful" and "engrossing" drama by critics, Radium Girls offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science.

More photos: CLICK HERE


Concert Report

Jacob Jolliff Band
Lebanon Opera House
Lebanon, NH

Jacob Jolliff and his band rolled into Lebanon NH on Friday evening. The bluegrass quartet performed a 90 minute set for an intimate audience at the Lebanon Opera House

Jacob attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and studied under late mandolin great John McGann. In 2008, during his sophomore year of college, he joined the New England based roots music band, Joy Kills Sorrow and in 2012, he won the National Mandolin Championship in Winfield, Kansas.

Over the years, Jacob has performed with many legendary musicians spanning many genres including: Darol Anger, Tony Trischka, Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, Jerry Douglas, Bryan Bowers, John Popper, The David Grisman Quintet, Widespread Panic, The String Cheese Incident, Michael Daves, and many more.

More photos: CLICK HERE


News You Can Use

Town of Weathersfield



Select Board


All regular meetings are broadcasted live on Comcast channel 1087, VTEL Channel 161, and SAPA.org on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Selectboard Members  
Mike Todd  Chair
David Fuller Vice Chair 
Kelly O'Brien  Clerk
Wendy Smith Member
Paul Tillman Member


Select Board Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the Month 6:30 p.m.  
October 17 Agenda Packet
November 7, 21

August 17-Emergency Meeting-Golden Cross Contact (5 Year Term)
June 16
May 18 Special Meeting (to sign the Warrant from the May 16th meeting)
May 2 (posted now but not posted at press time May 9 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
April 18 (posted now, but not posted at press time April 25 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
April 4
March 21
March 7-(The March 7th meeting minutes are now the March 7th meeting minutes not the Feb. 7th's as originally posted)
Special Meeting March 3-Select Board organization
Town Meeting Minutes
February 21
February 7
January 20
January 3

*Vermont Open Meeting Law
Minute posting: Minutes of all public meetings shall be matters of public record, shall be kept by the clerk or secretary of the public body, and shall be available for inspection by any person and for purchase of copies at cost upon request after five calendar days from the date of any meetingMeeting minutes shall be posted no later than five calendar days from the date of the meeting to a website, if one exists, that the public body maintains or has designated as the official website of the body. Except for draft minutes that have been substituted with updated minutes, posted minutes shall not be removed from the website sooner than one year from the date of the meeting for which the minutes were taken.


Weathersfield Police Blotter 


Weathersfield School

Save the Dates
October 24-28 Red Ribbon Week
October 24 and 25th Talent Show Auditions
October 28 Harvest Dance (part of the food drive as admission)
October 29 (Saturday) Trunk or Treat
November 1 Fall Sports Celebration 5-6:00 PM
November 2 PTO Meeting 6:00 PM
November 8 School Board Meeting 6:30 PM
November 10 Early Release Day Parent Teacher Conferences
November 11 No School/Veteran's Day Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 16 Community Thanksgiving Meal (During the school day)

Employment at WS
Current Employment Opportunities at Weathersfield School
If you or if you know of anyone that has always wanted to work in a school setting, now is the time to apply. We currently have three different opportunities for employment. If you are interested, please apply on https://www.schoolspring.com/
  • World Language Teacher
  • Paraprofessional
  • School Nurse


Meeting Agendas may be found HERE

Weathersfield School Board will meets on Tuesdays
Virtual Link: https://meet.google.com/nfo-qttm-bgg
In Person at Weathersfield School (135 Schoolhouse Road, Ascutney)

Location: 135 Schoolhouse RD Ascutney 
October 11 Agenda
November 8
December 13
January 10, 2023
February 14, 2023
March 14, 2023

School Board Meeting VIDEOS
Meeting Minutes
February 11 Special Meeting  (Not posted at press time February 21 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
February 8  video link  (Now posted, not posted at press time February 14 in violation of Vermont's Open Meeting law. )
January 11

PTO Newsletter


Things to Do In and Around Weathersfield
Get Outdoors, Entertainment, Classes, Workshops 

Music and Singing in the Air...

Lebanon Opera House

All shows are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated.


Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Friday October 21 TICKETS

Comedian Bob Marley, Saturday October 22 5:30 TICKETS and 8 PM TICKETS

Spooky Silent Disco, Saturday October 29 5 PM TICKETS and 8 PM TICKETS

CHICAGO-High School Edition-Trumbull Hall Troupe November 4, 5, 6  INFO

Warren Miller's Daymaker, Saturday November 12 TICKETS

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Tuesday, December 20 TICKETS


Exercise

Yoga

Whole Roasted Tro

Within Reach Yoga 

at Weathersfield Center Church and Meeting House

You must Register for each class at least a day ahead by emailing Lisa. (Class sizes limited to 7.)


Tuesdays
~Location Weathersfield Center Church and Meeting House~
October 18, 25
Slow Flow, Rest + Restore Tuesdays 
9:00 am


Walk-ins can register up to 24 hrs. ahead by emailing Lisa and are available on a first-come, first served basis (classes fill early!). 

Please arrive 5 minutes early with your own props and mats.


Workshops Online

 

Vermont Online Workshops

Lots of events and movies online. Contact: AARP Vermont Email: vtaarp@aarp.org with questions.




Visit Our Local Restaurants

Bistro Midva Midva is open Wednesday-Saturday 4:30-9:30 p.m. (Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) Call (802) 299-1553 or visit their FACEBOOK PAGE for more information.
131 Main Street Windsor, VT

Daily Grind Café 
Call ahead for take out 674-9859
93 Pleasant St. Claremont, NH (in the space formerly occupied by Dusty’s Café)
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Exit Ate  (802) 674-4299 
Wednesdays-Sundays 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
202 VT 131, Ascutney

Harpoon Beer Garden and Brewery 802-674-5491
336 Ruth Carney Drive
Windsor, VT 05089

Inn at Weathersfield (802) 263-9217 
Dine inside or outside Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, call for a reservation 802-263-9217. 1342 VT Route 106 Perkinsville, VT 05151

Outer Limits Brewing (802)-287-6100
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays;  Wednesdays and Thursdays 3-8 p.m.; Saturdays noon-8 p.m. with LIVE MUSIC; Sundays noon-6 p.m..
60 Village Green, Proctorsville, VT 05153 

Springfield Diner-seating inside/outside daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Ice cream shop open Thursday-Sunday 1-7 pm. Daily specials.

Villagers Ice Cream Restaurant-(802) 795-0063 CLOSED For the Season
Tuesdays-Sundays 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. (they stop cooking at 7:30 p.m.)
4261 Route 106 in Perkinsville, Downers Four Corners to the locals.
Unicorn Sundae at Villagers Rtes. 131 and 106, Downers Four Corners, in Perkinsville


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.

Beginning Thursday, January 13, the regular opening schedule of 2:00 pm-4:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month will resume. 
 The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located in the 1879 Perkinsville Schoolhouse at 1862 Route 106 in Perkinsville. The Food Shelf has lots of good food to offer!

Call the Weathersfield Town Office to be refereed to a volunteer, visit the Weathersfield Food Shelf Facebook page and leave a message, email weathersfieldfoodshelf@gmail.com
Donations of non-perishable 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.

Hartland Food Shelf in Hartland. 4 Corners UU Church Fridays 8-10 a.m., Saturdays 10 a.m-2 p.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.


Vermont State Resources and
COVID-19 Response Information

GET VACCINATED
and GET YOUR BOOSTER
Do it for Yourself, Your Family, Your Community


Vermont Department of Health COVID-19 Information Page.

COVID-Vaccine Clinics 



Mt. Ascutney Hospital Open for Walk-Ins M-F 1-5 PM

Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center is now offering walk-in service on weekday afternoons for people ages 2 and older, according to a news release.

The visits are available for urgent, but non-emergency medical needs Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. Patients can check in at the hospital’s central registration, through the main entrance.

Some of the conditions appropriate for care through walk-in services are minor cuts and burns; urinary tract infections; strains and sprains; minor fractures; rashes; and ear, sinus and eye infections. In addition, X-ray and lab services are available on-site.

A nurse will be on hand to determine if a patient’s condition calls for transfer to the emergency department.



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Nancy Nutile-McMenemy is an Upper Valley freelance photographer and writer who loves paddle, hike, attend concerts and local events in and around Weathersfield and the Upper Valley.

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