The Binghamville Church Board is greatly encouraged by the response to our appeal for donations for a new church roof. To date, we have received nearly 50% of the amount needed to fund the project and donations continue to come in. Thank you for your generosity. Preliminary work is now underway, and the building committee will soon be requesting bids. For more information regarding the project, please contact Charles Tinker at 849-2120. Donations to the Binghamville Church Building Fund may be mailed to: Charles Tinker, 629 Fairfax Road, Cambridge, VT 05444, or they may be sent on-line at www.bumcvt.org.

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Pet Safe!
By Rachel Konkler

If you own pets, particularly dogs and cats, here are some tips for keeping your pets safe in that freezing Vermont season, Winter!

• Try to limit the dog walks. Some days, it is bitterly cold, and your dog can get hypothermia or frostbite. If possible, get a special “doggy sweater” for your dog to wear outside.
• Please wipe paws! When your dog or cat comes in from the cold, wipe his feet with a rag or towel. The salt from the streets isn’t good for his paws and wiping them will warm up his feet.
• If you have smaller pets, like rodents, put an old dry towel or scrap of material in her cage so she can snuggle up with it.
• Try to bring rabbits indoors, and if the cage has a wire bottom, place layers of newspaper over it.
• KEEP ANTIFREEZE OUT OF REACH! Antifreeze can kill your dog or cat! Keep all chemicals out of reach with the cap on TIGHT!
• If your pets show signs of discomfort, frostbite, or hypothermia, call your vet right away.

Remember, keep you pets and family safe and warm in Winter!

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Fletcher Grange Presents Dictionaries to School Children
By Marion Spaulding

Fletcher Community Grange #473 presented a “Websters’ Classic Dictionary” to 41 Third and Fourth Graders. Presentations were made by Richard Brouillette, President; Elizabeth Russell, Community Service Chairman; and Marie Brouillette, State Grange Deputy. Principal Jeffery Teitelbaum and teachers, Gail Mac Callum and Tracey Murphy, helped with the presentation. “Words for Thirds” presents each child in Third Grade a dictionary. This is a five year project, and a new Vermont State Grange Community Service project. Along with the presentation, a history of the Grange was given by the above Grange Officers. The children were excited to each have their own dictionary.

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Planning Spring Construction?

Planning a construction project this spring? Please consider what permits your project might need early in your planning process. Property owners are occasionally surprised to find that their project needs DRB approval. Information is available from Bill O'Brian (Zoning Administrator) or Suzanne Stritzler (DRB Chair).

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Legislative Notes
By State Representative Dick Howrigan

Thank you, Fletcher Newsletter for the opportunity to message the happenings in Montpelier. I have been assigned to the General, Housing, and Military Affairs (GHMA) Committee as Vice Chairman. The Committee has met with the Commissioner of Liquor Control to review the liquor stocked by the department, its distribution and sales and the various procedures and practices of the department. We were also informed of its various educational, enforcement, and compliance programs. At another Committee session, Commissioner Bonnie Rutledge of the Motor Vehicle Department explained the various driver’s licenses and ID cards that are issued by the State of Vermont and the information that is contained on each.

The first bill addressed by the GHMA was the “Sparkler Bill,” which supports the sale of sparklers in Vermont. We heard testimony of a Vermont advocate and a legislator from Indiana who supports the sale of these items. We are currently seeking other individuals to testify on the subject, particularly from the medical fields, public safety, and fire personnel.

Our Committee held a joint session with the Senate GHMA Committee to hear testimony from various individuals regarding information on elevators, lifts, accessibility systems and motorized walkways. After nearly tow hours of testimony, it became clear that there were concerns about rules that were written as a result of a law that was passed regarding the maintenance of such motorized equipment. As a result of the testimony, Commissioner Michael Bertrand of Labor and Industry agreed to sit down with concerned parties to try and reach an agreement on changes that need to take place regarding the rules and a process for notifying interested parties about upcoming meetings of the commission that oversees this area.

Transportation and education are prime issues. Governor Douglas’ budget, because of the economic slowdown with the loss of tax revenue, allows increases of 1.7% for transportation and education for a total of $2.3 billion. School choice and the “No Childe Left Behind Act” will be reviewed and discussed by a panel from the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday, February 11 in Room 11 at noon. Vermonters for Better Education is the sponsor. I will monitor the meeting for materials and notes of interest.

Proposed House bills in drafting status:

• Focus attention on eliminating duplication and inefficiencies in application review for permit reform (CPR). Makes no change to the science-based permits that applicants need from the Agency of Natural Resources.
• Act 250 criteria combined with all local zoning and planning into one consolidated review board.

Available for the asking:

• Associated General Contractors of Vermont (good tips and suggestions)
• Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Annual Report (grant money available)

Our Franklin County Home Health Agency achieved near perfect from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of health Care with a 99 score. This demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to high quality and safe care to its patients. Please contact me with your question sat the State House (800-322-5616) or at home (827-6513). Thank you, volunteers, for the newsletter.

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Development Review Board Looking for Members

The Fletcher Development Review Board has openings for 2 board members. The DRB is responsible for reviewing certain development projects and hearing appeals on zoning matters such as variances. The board meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings usually last about 2 hours. Additional meetings, including site visits, are occasionally necessary. The only requirements are the ability to attend meetings and a commitment to fair and balanced implementation of the Fletcher Zoning Bylaws. Call Suzanne Stritzler at 849-6875 if you're interested.

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Cambrige Arts Council

Wednesday, March 5, 2003 - The Cambridge Coffeehouse presents Jim Gilmour at Dinner's Dunn at the Windridge Bakery in Jeffersonville from 7 to 9 p.m. Sponsored by the Cambridge Arts Council. No admission; Donations appreciated. Call Fred Brauer at 644-5721.

Saturday, March 8, 2003 - Book discussion group facilitated by Linda Bland. Discuss When Elephants Weep by Jeffrey Mason and Susan McCarthy at the Varnum Library in Jeffersonville at 3:00 p.m. Free. Sponsored by the Varnum Library, Cambridge Arts Council and the Vermont Council on the Humanities. Call April at 644-6632.

Friday, March 19, 2003 - Firefly Productions presents The Modern Approach, a situational comedy/farce about love, separation, and colored dots, at the Waterville Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. Admission by donation. Rated PG. Sponsored by Cambridge Arts Council. Call Margo Rome at 644-2233.

Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - The Cambridge Coffeehouse presents OPEN "MIKE-LESS" NIGHT (acoustic) at Dinner's Dunn at the Windridge Bakery in Jeffersonville from 7 to 9 p.m. Sponsored by the Cambridge Arts Council. No admission; donations appreciated. Call Fred Brauer at 644-5721.

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Playgroup Schedule

We miss everyone!! Playgroup attendance has been extremely low. In hopes of rejuvenating interest, we are changing our schedule to twice a month. And are inviting "special guests" to make it lots of fun! Please mark your calendars with the days we’ll run playgroup, and the special guests that will be there - please come and play with us!!! All Fletcher families and daycares with children ages birth - six are welcome to attend!!!

• February 20 - Tumble and play with Gymboree On The Go (this is a free 1 hour session to all children ages 1-6, sponsored by Success By Six!).
• March 6 - Story time with Perky! Story and craft surprise!
• March 20 - Tumble and play with Gymboree On The Go (this is a free 1 hour session to all children age 1-6, sponsored by Success By Six!).

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Concerns About Genetic Engineered Foods and Crops
By Alan Plumb

It has taken eons for life on earth to develop to where it is today. Clever technicians who can insert animal genes into plants (and vice versa) may profoundly affect the future direction of life. Safeguards are needed. Science today is greatly influenced by money and excels at taking things apart (reductionism). This science is lacking when it comes to evaluating whole systems. There are no experts on the long term affects of genetic engineered (GE) foods and crops. Problems to date include allergic reaction to altered proteins, cross pollination with conventional drops, and the creation of superweeds which are more resistant to herbicides.

Corn, cotton, potatoes, tomatoes, soybeans, rice, wheat, sugar beets, and now bananas are some of the products which have had their DNA modified. A year ago, it was estimated that between 70 and 75 percent of processed foods contain genetically modified ingredients. Consumers have a right to know what they are purchasing. Labeling by manufacturers and processors disclosing all GE ingredients should be mandatory. There should be a moratorium on growing all GE cops until there is credible and independent scientific evidence that these products are not harmful to our health and the environment.

Discouraging the planting of GE seeds and a moratorium on growing such crops are controversial. Given the plight of many farmers today, opposition to any assistance offered by genetic engineering is questionable to many. Genetic engineering is unlikely to benefit the small farmers. Ti does benefit large corporate farms and agribusiness. It takes substantial acreage to profitably grow GE crops as sizable buffers of conventional crops are often needed to surround GE plantings. When production increases without increased demand, commodity prices often decrease.

There are many complicated and likely costly (to the farmer) legal issues to be resolved. The World Trade Organization decrees on proprietary rights appear unjust to many. What guarantees can be given that growing GE crops will not adversely affect neighboring farms or whole populations?

For further information, contact Institute for Social Ecology, Biotechnology Project, 1118 Maple Hill Road, Plainfield, VT 05667, phone: 802-454-7138, email: biotech@social-ecology.org, web: http://www.nerage.org.

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Town of Fletcher Warning

The legal voters of the Town of Fletcher, Franklin County, State of Vermont, are hereby notified and warned to meet in the Fletcher Elementary School, in said Fletcher on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at 9:30 AM to act on the following articles:

• Art. 1: Adoption of Robert’s Rules of Order.
• Art. 2: To elect a Moderator.
• Art. 3: To act on the reports of the various officers of the Town contained in the current Town Report covering the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002.
• Art. 4: The Town will instruct the Auditors to have the Town Report printed in the usual manner.
• Art. 5: Will the Town vote a budget to meet the expenses and liabilities of the Town and authorize the Select Board to set a tax rate sufficient to provide the same.
• Art. 6: To elect a Selectman for three (3) years.
• Art. 7: To elect a Selectman for three (3) years.
• Art. 8: To elect a Selectman for two (2) years.
• Art. 9: To elect a Lister for three (3) years.
• Art. 10: To elect an Auditor for three (3) years.
• Art. 11: To elect an Auditor for two (2) years.
• Art. 12: To elect a Constable for two (2) years.
• Art. 13: To elect an Animal Control Officer for two (2) years.
• Art. 14: To elect a Grand Juror.
• Art. 15: To elect a Town Agent and Conveyor of Lands.
• Art. 16: To elect any other Town Officers to fill any Town Office which may be vacant at this time.
• Art. 17: To authorize the Town Treasurer to receive all Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes through September 30, 2003.
• Art. 18: The Town will instruct the Select Board to borrow money to pay current expenses in anticipation of taxes.
• Art. 19: Will the Town vote to proceed with Town Lot Improvements as presented at this meeting with funds from the Garage Fund.
• Art. 20: Shall the residents of Fletcher support the following resolution to protect our farms, food, and the environment: (Editor’s Note: The text of the resolution is not included here due to space limitations. The resolution was printed in full in the January-February newsletter.)
• Art. 21: To discuss any other business that may properly come before this meeting.
• Art. 22: To adjourn.

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Fletcher School District Warning

The legal voters of the Fletcher School District, Franklin County, State of Vermont, are hereby notified and warned to meet at Fletcher Elementary School in said Fletcher on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. to act on the following articles:

• Art. 1: Adoption of Robert’s Rules of Order as indicated in T-1, Section 562(1) of the Vermont Statutes annotated.
• Art. 2: To elect a Moderator for the School District Annual Meeting.
• Art. 3: To elect a School District Clerk for the School District Annual Meeting.
• Art. 4: To hear and act upon the reports of the Fletcher School District.
• Art. 5: To elect by ballot a School District Board Member to for the remaining year of a three-year term.
• Art. 6: To elect by ballot a School District Board Member for a three-year term.
• Art. 7: To elect by ballot a School District Board Member for a three-year term.
• Art. 8: Will the Fletcher School District spend a sum of money necessary for the support of the public schools?
• Art. 9: To see if the voters of the Fletcher School District will authorize the School Directors to raise the sum of $15,000 to be placed in a building repair and maintenance fund. This fund could be added to on an annual basis and the use of the funds, on action of the Board, would be to offset the cost of unbudgeted building repair costs.
• Art. 9: To conduct any other business that may come before the meeting.
• Art. 10: To Adjourn

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The Principal’s Corner
By Jeffrey Teitelbaum

I don’t know how much you know about the newest federal legislation dubbed “Leave No Child Behind” but it is a law with far reaching consequences for public education. This 1,500 page document, soon to follow by thousands of pages of regulations is purportedly written to improve public schools. Among other things it mandates annual testing from grades 3 through 12, requires schools that don’t make continual progress in improving student scores to receive corrective assistance, allows parents to apply tuition that would normally go to their local failing school to a school of their choice…you get the idea.

While this may sound okay on paper, it alarms many of us who are involved with public schools. National testing will undoubtedly lead to a national curriculum. Is it healthy for every 3^rd grader in the nation to follow the same course of study? We’re not talking about the teaching of basic reading, writing, or arithmetic skills, we’re talking about standardizing all of the other offerings and nuances that make each school a unique community. This is the McDonalds approach to education where a high school in Omaha, Nebraska will be identical to it’s counterpart in Fairfax, Vermont. Is this a healthy course for a nation that celebrates and relies upon the diversity and creativity of its people? If this were agriculture, this law would require the same farming techniques and the same monoculture crops in every farm across the nation.

Vermont already seems to be doing very well compared to the rest of the nation. Our 4^th graders led the entire country in every sub- test of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which is given across the country. Our 8^th grades ranked among the top 3. Yet, just as are the states ranked near the bottom, we are being required to adopt the new regulations prescribed by LNCB or face the loss of vital federal funds. Can we do better? You bet we can; and we will. But, we ought to be given the credibility and trust to chart our own course for improvement. We’ve already proven our capability.

Whenever I observe the skills of Fletcher’s students I feel a sense of pride at being a part of this marvelous little school. Children are reading and writing with more sophistication than I ever imagined would be possible. Mathematics performance is phenomenal in comparison to what I did as a student. At the same time, I feel a sense of bewilderment and dread when I see the crude hand of a centralized government poised to blunder into our classrooms. It doesn’t make sense to me.

Schools are not assembly lines in which children are force fed skills; real education feeds the mind AND the spirit. Healthy schools are very organic in nature. They are complex systems of interdependence among parents, children, teachers, and communities. I believe that to lose that complexity will mean the destruction of our schools and communities as we know them. Not only will that be destructive to our nation but it will add a few more nails in the coffin of regional identity and small town individuality. Our world is continually cannibalized by fewer and fewer mega-corporations that control what we eat, what news we see, how we spend our time, even how we think. Anticipating the possible loss of our small community controlled schools is something that everyone ought to watch closely.

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Town Office News
By Elaine Sweet and Gloria Brunette

It’s been a very busy January and February with getting ready for Town Meeting. The Auditors have been in and are helping to get the Town Report together. Speaking of Town Reports, they will be mailed on or before February 22^nd. Please bring these reports with you to Town Meeting (March 4^th) and to the School District Meeting (March 11^th). Please review the list of Town Officers to see if there is a position that you are interested in. We take nominations from the floor and would love to have you get involved in Town “politics”! AND…if you do not receive your Town Report…we will have extras at the office…stop by and pick one up! The office will be open on February 22^nd from 10 to noon for any of you who haven’t registered to vote before, to be able to vote at the Annual Town and School Meetings.

It’s time to license you dogs! On or before April 1^st you must license your dog/dogs with the Town Clerk. You will need a current rabies certificate (good for 2 years). The fees are $5.00 for spayed/neutered and $9.00 for all who aren’t! Late fees will be applied after April 1^st. Reminder: The office is open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Monday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m., CLOSED on Fridays.

See you all at Town Meeting…..and…please, let’s all of us think….WARM!!!!(this coming from Elaine, not Gloria!!)

A special thank you goes out to a new resident of Fletcher….John Ross who has donated an American Flag to the office and has been down to shovel snow….Thanks a million John and welcome to Town!!!! AND…..Let’s all give a huge THANK YOU to our Road Crew for keeping our roads safe!!! Thanks Joe Jutras, Rick Charland and Tom Kabusk!!!

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Select Board Meeting Excerpts

January 6, 2003 (Approved):

• Fine assessed for dog complaint was paid.
• Discussion about periodically running the town generator to keep it operating; complications doing it at school; Road Crew will attempt to make hook-ups and run it.
• Reviewed plowing and sanding complaints.
• Reviewed 2002 budget; discussed plans for 2003 and changes needed to FY03 budget.

January 13, 2003 (Approved):

• Reviewed and signed an application for a liquor permit for the Buck Hollow Inn.
• Verified and signed the State’s Certification of Highway Mileage form; discussed looking into reclassification of one or more Class III roadways to Class II.
• Mike Spaulding presented a detailed budge for Fairfax Rescue for FY03; Fletcher will see a 9.6% increase over its 2002 assessment.
• Elaine provided updated insurance figures for employees and equipment for the budget.
• Discussed components of FY03 budget.

January 20, 2003 (Approved):

• Reappointed Jim Ferguson as Town Fire Warden; term is for 5 years.
• Addressed repeat, loose dog complaint from resident.
• Discussed FY03 budget.

January 31, 2003 (Approved):

• Reviewed and signed a liquor license application for Fletcher General Store.
• Discussed possible change to health insurance benefits for town employees.
• Reviewed, revised, and approved Town Meeting agenda.
• Reviewed and revised FY-3 budget.

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Recycling Takes Just A Little Effort…

Recycling in the Northwestern Vermont Solid Waste District is easy. Just use one recycling bin, with one paper bag, and you are all set. Place all of your paper items in the paper bag, and then put it in your bin. Then, place all of your plastic, glass, and metal in the bin next to the bag. That’s it!

What to do:

• Rinse all containers
• Put newspapers, magazines, and other paper products in a bag in the bin.
• Flatten cardboard boxes to about 2’x2’.
• Take recyclables to Saturday recycling days in Fletcher (dates listed in Calendar portion of newsletter).

What the District accepts:

• Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, catalogs, boxboard, and flyers.
• Clear, brown, and green glass food and beverage containers - rinsed clean with lids and caps removed.
• Metal cans from food and beverage cans only – rinsed clean; clean aluminum foil and foil baking tins.
• Plastics – look for the triangle on the bottom. The District accepts #1 and #2 plastics only.

What the District does not accept:

• Pizza boxes, frozen food or refrigerator food boxes, soda boxes or plastic egg cartons (these have waxes on them).
• Strings, ties, or plastic bags (most grocery stores accept retuned plastic bags).
• Light bulbs (accepted on special collection days only), ceramics, cookware, drinking glasses, window/mirror glass, or crystal.
• Scrap metal, appliances, metal parts, pots/pans, silverware, needles, or lids.
• Bottle caps, plastic wrap, take out food containers, yogurt/sour cream/butter containers, motor oil bottles, or antifreeze jugs.

If you have any questions about recycling, or would like more information, please call the Northwest Vermont Solid Waste Management District at 524-5986. And remember, recycling saves money, helps the environment, and is the law in Vermont!

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February Calendar

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March Calendar

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April Calendar

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Scholastic Book Fair

When: April 28 to May 2 – that’s TV Turnoff Week, the perfect time to cozy up with a book!

Where: Fletcher School Library/Media Center

What we need:

• Your support! Proceeds benefit FOFE and the Library
• Your help! We’re looking for volunteers to help set up the book fair, staff the book fair, and take it down

For more information or to volunteer, contact: Mary Campbell, Chairperson or Stephanie Chase, School Librologist at 849-6251.

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Contacting Fletcher’s Legislators

Senator Don Collins, 23 Broadway Street, Swanton, VT 05488, Phone: 868-7975, E-Mail: dcollins@leg.state.vt.us, Fax: 868-9816.

Senator Sara Branon Kittell, RR 1, Fairfield, VT 05455, Phone: 827-3274, E-Mail: skittell@leg.state.vt.us, Fax: 527-3284.

Representative George Allard, 70 French Hill Road, St. Albans, VT 05478, Phone: 527-7105.

Representative Richard J. Howrigan, P.O. Box 16, Fairfield, VT 05455-0016, Phone: 827-6513, Fax: 747-0743.

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