|
The Fletcher Community Newsletter |
| The Resource for Town, School, and Community News and Events - December 2003 |
Phone Books Available!
By Karen Tinker
The 2003 edition of the Fletcher phone book is now available. Phone books are free to all Fletcher residents. You can pick up your copy at the Town Office or contact any current 6th grade class member. Town Office hours are Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and Monday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Office is closed on Fridays.
Class Four Road Repairs and
Maintenance
By Jon Bondy
The Select Board would like to remind all residents that repairs and maintenance of Class Four roads must be approved by the Select Board prior to start of road work. Whether it is grading, fixing culverts, ditching, or adding gravel, please check with the Select Board before proceeding.
Editor's Note: For more information on Class IV road maintenance, you can read "The Public Right of Way and You," which is published by the Vermont Institute for Government (VIG). This four page pamphlet summarizes information about town highways and the public right-of-way. It describes what a public right-of-way is, your rights and the town's duties in the right-of-way, types and classes of highways, highway maintenance, and the "takings" principal related to public rights-of-way. The Vermont Institute for Government is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities for local officials and the public on how government works. It also has other pamphlets on town meeting procedures, increasing the effectiveness of government meetings, tax grievance and appeals, and local planning and zoning. You can request a copy of these pamphlets by calling VIG at 802-223-6500.
FIDDLEHEADS Wanted!
By Mark Sustic
Fiddleheads are a group of young people in middle or high school interested in learning and performing fiddling and/or dancing traditions from northern Vermont. Participants will work on learning a variety of fiddle tunes and/or associated dances in a group. The fiddle tunes and dances learned will highlight the French Acadian, Irish, Scottish, and other cultural heritages of northern Vermont. We will learn to value these cultures, and use traditional music and dances to celebrate the contributions of different cultural groups who have settled in the region as well as living representatives of those cultures. Participants will become a member of FIDDLEHEADS, with regularly scheduled rehearsals and performances. Current plans are to have a couple of rehearsals a month during the school year. The primary goal will be the enjoyment of traditional music played on the fiddle and other acoustic instruments, the dances associated with the music, and playing together in a group.
Participants will be expected to supply their own instrument (fiddles, banjos,
guitars, etc.), and to be able to play at least a few fiddle tunes or songs.
Every member of the group will be encouraged to participate equally, and no
one will be singled out as the best or worst. Learning and teaching will be
a shared responsibility, including repertoire suggestions and selection of material
for the entire group. Participants will be expected to attend all scheduled
rehearsals and performances. Individual instruction will not be provided as
part of the group's activities, but the leader is available to participants
and/or parents for individual referrals to teachers for private lessons, consultations,
and/or questions. Participants will be expected to arrive at rehearsals and
performances as prepared as possible, including bringing their instruments,
practicing selected material, and to arrive with an active interest in building
on previous learning.
For more information, contact Mark Sustic at 849-6968, PO Box 163, Fairfax,
VT 05454, or mrksustc@together.net.
Dish Owners Wanted!
By Marion Spaulding
The Binghamville Church has glass salad bowls, a square Pyrex baking dish, and a plastic bowl with cover that belong to some of our many friends who furnished food for the Church suppers. These dishes are unmarked. It could be that the labels washed off. If any of these items belong to you, please call Marion Spaulding at 849-2203 to identify your dish. She is willing to get them to you. The Church would like to get all the dishes returned to their owners.
Artnews from Fletcher School
By Charles Guyette
Our team of Artists have completed their first quarter with great talent and
hard work. We focused on the use of different mediums and on self expression.
Their portfolios went home and hopefully they will continue to add to them!
The second quarter will focus on famous Artists and their works as well as student
attempts at these Artists' styles. We have begun with Piet Mondrian and Sonia
Delaunay. These two modern Artists created Pure Abstract Art which we are creating
in our work. It is amazing how easily children adapt to a world of shapes and
colors and effortlessly accept its' beauty!
Other classes are discovering the inspiring works of Vincent van Gogh. They
have created their own interpretations of many of his finest paintings. Their
daring as they plong into his pictures is magical!
With the holidays fast approaching, it would be wonderful if each student had
a small (9x12) spiral sketch pad with lots of pages to practice drawing. I hope
that Santa will be able to come up with loads of them!
Many thanks to Bill (Bear) O'Brien who resigned his position as Zoning Administrator many months ago, but stayed on as acting ZA until a new ZA could be found. For this and for your years of service we thank you Bear. The Planning Commission is pleased that Bear continues to serve the town as a valuable member of our board.
Zoning Administrator Hired
By Peg Kinne
The Planning Commission and Selectboard are pleased to announce that Maurice Rathbun of Westford has been hired as Fletcher's new Zoning Administrator. He fills the vacancy left by Bear O'Brien's resignation. Maurice (pronounced Morris) is available at the Fletcher Town Office building Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., or you can leave a message for him with Elaine or Gloria during regular office hours. You can also reach him by mail at the Town Office, 215 Cambridge Road, Cambridge, VT 05444. If you are considering any building or development of your land, and are unsure of what the Town requires, please contact Maurice. One of his roles is to guide people through the zoning process, hopefully making things easier for both you and the town. Welcome Maurice!
An energetic, good-humored group of adults meets on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in the Fletcher Elementary Gym for a few hours of semi-serious and always entertaining volleyball. A $1 donation goes into the school's Building Use Fund. Anyone is welcome. Shake off the late-fall blues, dig out your kneepads, and join us!
You're invited to join the Fletcher Community Playgroup on the first and third Tuesdays of each month 9:15-11:00 a.m. in the Fletcher Elementary School Gym. Beginning October 7, Perky will be available to provide storytime activities as part of Playgroup. Parents who would like to get involved or to attend Playgroup can call Chris Irish at 849-9352.
North Country ATV Association
By Claire Willette
The North Country ATV Association, Inc. would like to THANK the landowners who are graciously opening their lands to the Club and VASA!!! The progress has been slow but not forgotten. Again, thank you for being patient while things are put in order. It will take us some time still to get the trails marked and open to ATVing, but we will keep moving along and that way we will all be able to enjoy the trails in the future.
Fee Changes for Trash Drop
Off
By Mike Loner
The Northwest Vermont Solid Waste District (NWSWD) would like to announce fee changes at all Drop Off Sites beginning immediately. New fees are:
*Larger trash bags and larger amounts of recyclables will be charged at a higher rate depending on the size and quantity.
The following rules also apply at all NWSWD facilities:
To avoid the higher disposal fee, please separate recyclable materials from your trash. NWSWD has implemented this fee structure to encourage all customers to recycle as much material as possible. We can provide you with information on how to recycle. Please ask the attendant at this facility for guidelines on recycling, or call the number listed below to have the recycling guidelines mailed to you. There will be no exemptions from this fee structure. Thank you for your cooperation and your patronage. If you have any questions, please contact NWSWD at 524-5986.
Fletcher Grange #473
By Marie Brouillette
What is the Grange? Its goal is to provide opportunity, leadership, and community benefits. The Grange beginning was in 1867 when needs were for the farmer. Grange started Rural Free Delivery (RFD) and purchased train carloads of grain to be divided between Grange members. Grange was responsible for the regulation of transportation to help farmers, who were struggling for equal freight rights, and for getting better roads. The Grange was also involved in legislation.
The Grange is a fraternal organization - some of its ritual comes from the Mason because a number of the Founders were Masons. When it was first organized, the Grange was for men only. Later, women were welcomed. The Grange is organized by the Subordinate (Community), Pomona (County), State and National, which is the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Degree of the order.
The only Grange in Franklin County is the Fletcher Grange #473. At one time, there was a Grange in every town in the county; some counties had two Granges. Some Granges lasted a shore time, while others still exist. Due to the many changes in family structure and work, the Granges are losing members every year. Today, Vermont has about 2,800 Grange members.
Now, Grange is involved in the following programs: community service, junior grange, youth, women's activities, and legislative programs. There are six Junior Granges in Vermont, which children can join from the ages of 5-14. Junior Granges have their own meetings. The goal of the Youth program is to focus on accomplishments of helping youth reach goals rather than personal recognition. Women's activities include baking contests, making articles for the nursing homes, and making projects at the hospital. Fletcher Grange made 26 lap robes, which were distributed to nursing homes in St. Albans and Enosburg, and 26 baby hats and booties, which were distributed to babies at the Northwestern Medical Center. The Vermont State Grange has a lobbyist in Montpelier supporting the Grange resolutions voted on at the state session.
The Fletcher Grange was organized in May 1917 with 48 members. The present membership is 28. Meetings are held twice a month at the Fletcher Union Meeting House. For many years, this building was cared for by the Grange under verbal contract with the Blair family, who had given the land to the church. The Grange held card parties, bingos, and dances and had 3-act plays. The building has gone from wood stoves to furnace, from laps and lanterns to electricity, and from outhouses to restrooms. The Fletcher Union Meeting House Association now cares for the building.
Once more this year, the Fletcher Grange participated in a community service project known as Words for Thirds. As part of this 5-year project, the Grange gave dictionaries to 22 third graders at the Fletcher Elementary School.
Update on the Binghamville Church Roof Project
The scaffolding is up, and work will begin shortly on the installation of a new roof on the Binghamville Church roof, at least on the main portion of the building. The work, is being done by Campbell Brothers Construction, and should be completed by the end of the year. Your recent donations to the roof fund have raised the balance to the point where we are now able to replace the roof on the main part of the building. Thank you to all who have contributed to this project, we would not have a new roof with out your support. Thank you.
While we do not have the necessary funds to complete work on the steeple at this time, we are within reach of this goal. In fact, we are so close that a few generous donations in the next couple of weeks would allow us to complete the project at this time, saving the cost of having the contractor return at a future date. We are so close, won't you please consider making a donation so that we can complete this project? Thank you.
Donations should be sent to: Binghamville Church Building Fund C/O, Charles Tinker, 629 Fairfax Road, Cambridge, VT 05444.
Thank you,
Binghamville Church Board - Charles Tinker, Chair
On October 20, 2003, the Fletcher Select Board adopted a parking ban. Vehicles parked on the traveled portion of the highways or turn-around areas during winter months (November 1 through April 30) will be towed at the owner's expense. Upon a second notice, there will be a $50.00 fine plus the towing expense.
Fairfax/Fletcher Youth Basketball Program
5&6 Graders start Saturday, December 6 - Girls: 8:30-10:00 a.m. and Boys: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
K-4 Graders will start Saturday, January 3 - Boys/Girls: K-2 8:00-9:15 a.m. and 3&4 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Come early if you need to register!! If you have any questions, please call Cheryl Veren at 849-2777.
All resident Vermont homeowners are required to file the new Declaration of Vermont Homestead Form HS-131, which determines which school property tax rate is applied to your property. File the declaration as soon as possible, but no later than April 15, 2004. You must file the form to receive the homestead tax rate, and homeowners who file the form late are subject to penalty and interest charges. Please note, homesteads are taxed at a base state rate of $1.10 per $100 of property value while non-residential properties are taxed at $1.59. The form will be mailed to you in December 2003. You can also get a copy of the form from the Town Clerk or by calling 1-866-828-2865 (toll free in Vermont).
Wednesday, December 3, 2003: Cambridge Coffeehouse presents Dana Robinson and Susan Pufahl at the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville from 7 to 9 p.m. NOTE NEW VENUE! No admission; donations appreciated. For more info, call Fred Brauer at 644-5721.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003: Cambridge Arts Council holds its monthly board meeting from 7-9 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville. The meeting is open; refreshments are served. For more info, call Carol Baker at 644-2570.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003: OPEN MIKE NIGHT (acoustic) at the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville from 7 to 9 p.m. NOTE NEW VENUE! No admission; donations appreciated. For more info, call Fred Brauer at 644-5721.
The Principal's Corner
By Jeffrey Teitelbaum
"To everything there is a season," and this is the budget building season in the school. The budget doesn't simply appear in the town report, but is crafted over time by the administration, staff, and school board through a series of meetings and conversations about the needs of the school. Usually, parents and other townspeople aren't in attendance during the process. While fewer people giving input translate into efficiency, it does limit our imaginations about new programs that people might want to see. So, if there's something you'd like to see happening at school that needs to be budgeted for, now is the time to tell a board member about your vision.
The board knows that they are responsible to plan for a quality education for our students. At the same time, they live in town too, and are sensitive to the cost side of the equation. Remember, we are a small community school. That means that all townspeople can have a say, offer an opinion and at really be heard by their elected representatives. So if you have an idea for a program change (maybe the creation of a school band, or the expansion of another program; you'll need to attend a budget meeting or talk to a school director. Only then will your ideas be brought to the table.
Attending the budget sessions will also offer you a glimpse at the complexities of the process. We focus on anticipated needs, contractual obligations, and expenditure history. We make many educated guesses, as well. Who can predict how cold the winter will be, how well the building systems will hold up, or the percentage increase in health insurance premiums? How many new homes are being built, how many homes will be sold and how many students will be moving in or out of town? Like stock brokers state in their disclaimers, the past is not an indicator of future trends. Budget building is a blend of art and science. In its arcane ways, it can be fascinating.
Town Office News
By Elaine Sweet and Gloria Brunette
Well the Holiday season is upon us! Happiest of Holidays to all of you! Along with the Holidays comes the end of the year and a very busy time here at the office. The Select Board is already forming a schedule for the budget process and the Auditors are going to be…"on my back" soon!!! The Auditors have some new ideas for the 2004 Annual Town and School District Report, which I am very excited about. I'll keep you posted.
Office closings for November and December:
We would like to welcome Maurice Rathbun as our new Zoning Administrator. Maurice is available here at the office on Mondays-10-Noon and 6:30-8:30PM and Wednesdays 10-Noon. You can call here at 849-6616 to have Maurice answer all of your Zoning/Subdivision questions.
And I would like to personally thank Bear O'Brien for his many years of dedicated service to the Town as it's Zoning Administrator. Bear was always ready to help! Thanks Bear!!!!
Just as a reminder….Don't forget that the 1st Saturday in December is Elaine's Annual Holiday Party!!! Mark it on your calendars!
Thank you to everyone who responded to the newsletter survey on having advertisements in the newsletter. The Town of Fletcher will publish ads starting with the January 2004 newsletter. Ads will be published as space is available in each edition.
To keep things simple, all ads will be business card size (3½" x 2") and will cost $10 per ad. Logos can be printed, but the logo must be provided on disk or sent via email to the Town Clerk in a .jpg file format. Advertisement is open to anyone who wishes to place an ad. The Town reserves the right to reject any ad. Publication of an ad is not an endorsement of the service or business by the Town of Fletcher, the Fletcher Elementary School or the newsletter editor. The advertisement policy may be adjusted later if needed. Revenue received from the ads will be used to offset the cost of mailing the newsletter.
If you would like to submit an ad for January, please mail your information
and payment to the Fletcher Town Office, 215 Cambridge Road, Cambridge, VT 05444.
Ads for the January newsletter must be received by Thursday, December 11, 2003.
Information can not be returned.
October 6, 2003 (Approved)
September 29, 2003 (Approved)
September 15, 2003 (Approved)
September 8, 2003 (Approved)
October 15, 2003 (Unapproved)
Get the word out about your events and activities through the Fletcher Community Newsletter. The next deadline for submissions is Friday, December 12. Events and articles can be sent to: Bonnie Waninger, 791 Shaw Road, Cambridge, VT 05444; Fax & Phone: 849-9869 (press "start" for fax); E-mail: redpoll@sover.net.
Come join the holiday fun on Saturday, December 6, 2003 for Elaine's 19th Annual Holiday Party. The fun begins at 7:00 p.m. at Elaine's house at 327 Rugg Road. Bring a dish, your spouse or friend, and BYOB. For directions, call 849?6778 (home) or 849?6616 (office). See you there!
| 27 | Thanksgiving | Town Office Closed |
| 28 | Town Office Closed | |
| 29 | Recycling and trash drop-off | 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Town Garage |
| 30 | Adult Basketball (Over 40) | 9:00 a.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | Adult Basketball (All ages) | 7:00 p.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 1,15 | Select Board meeting | 7:00 p.m., Town Office |
| 2,16 | Playgroup | 9:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Fletcher Elementary School Gym |
| 3 | Dana Robinson and Susan Pufahl | 7:00-9:00 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Jeffersonville |
| 4, 11, 18 | Adult Volleyball | 7:00 p.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 5 | No. Country ATV Association meeting | 7:00 p.m., Abbey Restaurant, Sheldon |
| 6 | 5&6 Grade Youth Basketball Program | Girls: 8:30-10:00 a.m. and Boys: 10:30-11:00 a.m. |
| 7, 14, 21, 28 | Adult Basketball (Over 40) | 9:00 a.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 9 | Town Office Closes at 1 p.m. | |
| 10 | FUMHA monthly meeting | 7:00 p.m., Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 10 | CAC monthly meeting | 7:00-9:00 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Jeffersonville |
| 11 | Advertisements for newsletters due | By 3:30 p.m., Town Clerk's Office |
| 12 | Newsletters article due | |
| 13, 27 | Recycling and trash drop-off | 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Town Garage |
| 17 | Open Mike Night | 7:00 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Jeffersonville |
| 19 | Elaine's Holiday Party | 7:00 p.m., 327 Rugg Road, Fletcher |
| 24 | Christmas Eve | Town Office closes at noon |
| 25 | Christmas Holiday | Town Office Closed |
| 31 | New Year's Eve Holiday | Town Office Closed |