|
The Fletcher Community Newsletter |
| The Resource for Town, School, and Community News and Events - April 2004 |
Fletcher Meeting House News!
By Linda Young and Brenda Laquer
Come play at the Fletcher Meeting House: Why don't you plan your next shindig here? The historic building is central to our town's community and offers a connection to our rich heritage. The large open space of the first floor would make a great site for an anniversary party, child's birthday, or any other gathering you can imagine! We are making this call because we need rental income--and because the building offers us all so much. To rent the House, call Lisa at 849-6417.
If you do rent it, you'll find that we spent the winter insulating the walls--all the way up to the attic (insulated a few years ago). The building will heat up faster, and stay toastier now. And, we're saving energy!
We also want to invite you all to attend FUMHA meetings. We have many ideas for community projects and for improving the buildings (should running water in the kitchen be next?). We need input, assistance, and the invigoration of your energies. Any and all suggestions are welcomed: What would you like to see the building used for? Dances? Yoga? Other ideas? We meet every 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Our goal is to limit the monthly meeting to 1 hour. Spare an hour and gain so much!
Many of us value historic preservation, and the Meeting House is a beautiful
focal point in our picturesque town. Some say: "the farther back you look,
the further ahead you see." When we look at the building, we see a future
rich with our heritage--and so many possibilities. Join us and help us to use
the house as a focal point for improving the quality of town community and life!
Date Correction for Landowner
Appreciation Dinner
By Mike Farmer
The Fletcher Rough Riders Landowner Appreciation Dinner will be Sunday, May 2, rather than May 1, at the Fletcher Union Meeting House. The Club meets monthly at the Fletcher Union Meeting House on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The last meeting of the season is scheduled for April 15.
The Fairfax, Fletcher, Westford Little League will hold its Annual
Plant Sale on Saturday, May 22, 2004 at J & L Hardware Fields in Fairfax
(corner of Rt. 104 and Rt. 128). Pre-orders & cash sales available. Rain
or shine. See your local ball player to pre-order or call Brenda Potter @ 849-9837
to find out how to obtain order forms. Plants will be on sale throughout the
month of April.
Binghamville Church Update
By Bruce Webb
Thank you to the many people who so generously donated to the Church roof fund.
The Binghamville Church now has a new roof. The scaffolding is down, the trim
is painted, and it is comforting to know that the building has been saved from
the damaging leaks that once threatened its structural timbers. Your response
to our requests has been heart warming and all who were able to donate should
take great pride in their accomplishments. Thank you, from the Binghamville
Church Building Fund Committee.
BMC Spring Rummage Sale
By Charles Tinker
The Binghamville Methodist Church will host its annual Rummage Sale on Saturday, May 1 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Fletcher Union Meeting House. New This Year: The sale will continue on Sunday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sales tables include food, plants, books, candy, crafts, white elephant, and a huge rummage sale. Soup and sandwich lunch will be served throughout the day on Saturday, along with coffee, doughnuts, and homemade pie.
To donate items, you can leave them in the upstairs entry room of the Meeting
House during the last two weeks of April. The first front door will be unlocked.
For information, contact Charles Tinker at 849-2120.
Friends of Fletcher Elementary, although limited by lack of attendance at meetings, make up for it in spirit! Many Fletcher parents and their children come to events and support what FOFE does. We thank you. However, like those public radio pledge drives, we ask you to lend an ear; our funds are nearing the end. We appreciate the support we have received with endless fundraisers, and we warn you we won't stop. We just don't have the person power to increase the ability to do more.
Remember some of the activities we have enjoyed this year? The first and second graders can snowshoe on Fridays with help from FOFE and many others, the Holiday Food and Gift Drive is a labor of love, Teacher Appreciation (never enough but we do what we can), the Book Fair keeps us in books, and now some of our kids can rock climb, do tae-kwon-do, motorize a Lego, skate, and dance like a pro -- and ALL FREE -- and mostly due to Heather Blair who has put together great groups, ideas, and volunteers. And on June 11, 2004, FOFE presents Rob Surette, the "Fastest Portrait Artist in the World," who will perform his amazing 'hero art' in the school's gym. You have to see this guy to believe it. He can paint Abraham Lincoln in less than three minutes on a six-foot tall canvas!!
So, to keep FOFE going, you will see us in these ways for a while -- selling hot dogs and beverages at home soccer and Little League games, establishing a donation jar at Fletcher General, and a returnable bottle receptacle at Fletcher Elementary, and just in time for 2004 tax season. We are tax-deductible for donations!
We would dearly love adult volunteers for the concession table at the games (we are keeping it simple), as well as, of course, any event FOFE provides. We can't do it without you!
And - you were warned! We are selling Dutch Mill bulbs, each guaranteed package
is just $5.00 -- plants like camellias, Stargazer Lilies, Amaryllis, and lots
more. Just call Mary Campbell at 849-6555, Heather Blair at 849-9771, or Kelly
Cummings at 644-2606 for a brochure and order form.
Please come tour the Franklin County Bookmobile and join in a PJ Story Time:
On Tuesday, April 13th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Fairfax Community Library.
All children are invited to wear their pajamas and to be mesmerized by Story
Teller Peter Burns' talent to engage his young audience. A snack and an opportunity
to tour the bookmobile will be provided; and each family will receive a free
book. We also welcome Early Childhood Educators to attend and see first hand
the quality literacy residency Peter could provide for your class. This event
is sponsored by Franklin County Success by Six in coordination with Fairfax,
Fletcher, and Georgia Success by Six Teams.
Summer Road Maintenance Contracts
The Fletcher Selectboard will sub-contract some summer road maintenance
this summer, including ditching and brush cutting, but possibly other things
as well. We will give preference to companies that operate out of Fletcher,
so long as they are cost competitive. Please contact the Selectboard, either
by contacting a Select Person, or by calling the Town Offices, if you wish to
be considered for these contracts. We will contact you when we are ready to
start the sub-contracting process.
Success By Six Meeting
By Pam Farmer
Success By Six will meet on Monday, April 5, 2004 from 6:30 -
7:30 p.m. in the school library. If you have a child in the age range of newborn
to age five and would like to see programs for young children continue in our
town next fall, please plan to attend. We need parents who are willing to help
run programs and coordinate events. There are small pay incentives for parents
who help with our programs. If you have any questions, please call Pam Farmer
at 849-2995 or Kris Irish at 849-9352.
Green Up Day - May 1
By Mike Loner, NW VT Solid Waste Management District
A quick reminder of Green Up Day on May 1 to include the Fletcher
annual Special Collection Day, 9:00 to 1:00 at the Fletcher Town Garage. Residents
can call the District at 524-5986 for information. Fees have not yet been determined
for this event.
Wednesday, April 7 to Wednesday, April 14 at the Fletcher School Library. Contact
Stephanie Chase, Librologist, 849-6251 or Mary Campbell, Book Fair Coordinator,
849-6555 for information.
Please join the Fletcher Grange #473 on Monday, April 26, 2004 from 7:00-8:00
p.m. at the Fletcher Union Meeting House for a Legislative Night Program. Come
and meet your representatives: Ronald Allard and Richard Howrigan. Refreshments
will be served.
Fairfax Fire and Rescue have encountered private roads that are not maintained sufficiently for emergency vehicles' use. While the Town cannot compel residents who live on private or Class IV roads to maintain them to any particular standard, those residents should be aware that inadequate maintenance and/or snow removal could prevent or hinder the Fire Department or Rescue Squad from getting to your home in the case of an emergency. Maintenance and snow removal on the following (private) roads are the responsibility of the residents who live there:
| Armstrong Mtn. Rd. | Kays Way | Ross Rd. |
| Blackberry Hill Rd. | Kingsland Hollow Rd. | Scott Rd. |
| Buck Mtn. Rd. | Left Ln. | Snide Rd. |
| Church Rock Path | Meadow Brook Ln. | South Shore Dr. |
| Deer Run Ln. | Noble Rd. | Stone Ln. |
| Earl Rd. | Oak Hill Rd. | Strawberry Hill Rd. |
| Ferguson Rd. | Pine Cliffs | Sugar Hill Rd. |
| Half Moon Pond Rd. | Pinnacle Farm Rd. | Sunset Dr. |
| Hemlock Rd. | Red Maple Dr. | The Hill |
| High Meadow Rd. | Reynolds Rd. | Thomas Rd. |
| Ide-l Acres | Rocky Rd. | Turganti Rd. |
If you are not sure about the condition or classification of your road, please
contact the Road Foreman (Rick Charland: 849-6178) or the Road Commissioner
(Terry Riggs: 849-6703) for a review.
Zoning Administrator
By Maurice Rathbun
I am in the town office on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from
10:00 a.m. to noon to help you with zoning questions.
Wednesday, April 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m. -- The Cambridge Coffeehouse presents Wood's Tea Company at the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville. No admission; donations appreciated. Call Fred Brauer at 644-5721.
Friday, April 9, 7:00 p.m. -- Not a play, not a concert, not your grandmother's cabaret: Moving Target is a love child of 60s folk/rock and theater. In her one-woman show about growing up in the 60s and 70s, singer and actress Celia Slattery weaves monologues and music to tell a story that is both funny and moving. At the Waterville Town Hall. Admission by donation. Call Carol Baker at 644-2570.
Saturday, April 10, 3:00 p.m. -- Book discussion group. Facilitated by Linda Bland, discuss Nothing to Declare by Mary Morris at the Varnum Library in Jeffersonville. No charge. Sponsored by the Varnum Library, Cambridge Arts Council, and the Vermont Council on the Humanities. Call April at 644-6632.
Wednesday, April 21, 7:00-9:00 p.m. -- The Cambridge Coffeehouse presents
Open "Mike-Less" Night (acoustic) at the Second Congregational Church
in Jeffersonville. No admission; donations appreciated. Call Fred Brauer at
644-5721.
Tuesday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 14 in the BFA-Fairfax High School Lobby from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Students who are in grades 2 - 8 starting in the Fall of 2004 are eligible to play. We are currently seeking players, coaches, certified EMT's, and volunteers. For more information, please contact Rob Landry at 849-2480, Karen McNall at 849-6612, or Wayne Pariseau at 893-7147.
Senator Don Collins Elected to Board of Vermont State Colleges
Senator Don Collins reviews the results of the legislature's election of Trustees to the Board of the Vermont State Colleges. Collins received the most votes of the four legislators who sought the two vacancies on the Board. Senator Collins, who is an alumnus of Johnson State College, will be the only Senator serving as a VSC Trustee.
Legislative Session Report
By Reps. Ron Allard & Richard Howrigan
Vermont's Deer Herd: Last year, the Legislature began to address the loss of habitat by hiring a wildlife biologist to draft wildlife management plans for Fish and Wildlife lands. This year, the Fish and Wildlife Committee is considering limiting the number of bucks that can be taken in a year and limiting spike horn hunting in wildlife management units. The Legislature is also considering whether to give more control of deer herd management to the Fish and Wildlife Board.
Agriculture: The Legislature is discussing changes to Vermont's Right to Farm law, which protects farmers from nuisance suits. Following a change to federal regulations for Large Farm Operation, which lowered the threshold from 700 to 200 cows, the Legislature is considering whether to give the administration broad authority to issue general farming permits and how to improve current rules on accepted agricultural practices. Several members of the House are trying to bring a bill to a vote that would define GE sees, seed labeling requirements, and protection from liability suits.
Appropriations: The Governor's proposed budget increases state spending by 3.8%. Many Legislators are concerned over its reliance on one-time funds and the increasing pressures in areas such as health care and housing so changes are ancitipated. Debate is expected over health care programs, environmental programs, community mental health, child care, teacher's retirement, transportation, transfer to the education fund, and community and economic development.
Worker's Compensation: Premiums have been increasing. The administration proposed some changes to existing workers compensation law and rules; almost all of them created fines or reduced benefits to workers. Oversight of insurance claims adjustment practices and state-wide workers' compensation reinsurance pool still need addressing.
If you have question or would like more detail on these issues, please contact
us at: Rep. Richard Howrigan, 827-6513, rhowrigan@leg.state.vt.us
or Rep. Ron Allard, 527-7105, rallard@leg.state.vt.us.
2004 Select Board Appointments
Your new Select Board started the new term by re-appointing Keller Ashby as
Secretary; appointing Terry Riggs as Road Commissioner; and appointing Jon Bondy
as Chairman.
Select Board meetings will continue to be held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of
each month at 7:00 in the Town Offices. Additional meetings will be held on
other Mondays as needed. All meetings are open to the public, either to observe
or to speak. If you have an issue for the Board, and it will take more than
five minutes, please let us know ahead of time, so that we can manage the meeting
agenda thoughtfully. You can contact Elaine or Gloria at the town offices at
849-6616, or Jon Bondy at 849-2782, if you want to schedule time at a meeting.
We usually reserve the first 30 minutes of each meeting for Road business, so
we may not get to other business until 7:30 or later.
Fletcher Trivia 2003 Report
By Mike Farmer
Here are the answers that I compiled from various sources. I can't guarantee they are accurate, but if someone knows I'm wrong, let me know. I hope you enjoyed them; I know they made for some lively discussions (and that was just at the Town Clerk's office!). Next year we will have more questions, and I'll have the answers to hand out at Town Meeting.
Preschool Registration
By Nancy Hurt
Fletcher Elementary School will host a Preschool Registration and Screening as follows:
If your child will be three years old by 09/01/04 OR will be four years old
by 09/01/04, please call the Fletcher Elementary School at 849-6251.
The Principal's Corner
By Jeffrey Teitelbaum
During each winter break, I travel to the Bahamas to spend time with my younger
brother, who owns a home on one of the outer islands of this small Caribbean
nation. The native population, direct descendants of plantation slaves, live
in small villages, strung along the 50 mile long "highway '' that winds
its way through the bush. The remote islands of the Bahamas are really part
of the third world. People fish, tend small vegetable gardens, and work for
resorts to earn some cash. There are 2 public schools, an elementary, and a
secondary school, which are located at roughly the midway point of the highway.
As I drive by the schools, I invariably make comparisons between the Bahamian
schools and our little school in Fletcher. Talking with a Bahamian teacher led
me to compare the educational opportunities, and the services that are and are
not available to Bahamian children, with those available to Fletcher students.
The differences are stunning; I realize how fortunate Fletcher students are.
By comparison, we really do offer a world class educational system. We have
highly qualified and dedicated teachers, a state of the art computer technology
program, a library, adequate materials and books, and unlimited educational
opportunities. Students have access to special educators, speech and language
pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and behavioral interventionists.
There are health screenings, free lunch for those in need, fluoride treatments,
inter-agency staffings ( where the school staff meets with social service providers
to support children at risk), play group, preschool, and welcome baby activities.
We have sports leagues, enrichment activities, music and art classes. In short,
our school is able to address the educational, emotional, and social needs of
any child who is lucky enough to be a member of our community.
In the Bahamas, there are few teachers, little educational material, and no
social services, and (not even a doctor or dentist in residence on the out islands).
The schools don't even have glass in the window frames. Schools try to address
basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. The social and emotional aspects of
a child's development are pretty much left to the families to address. The impression
I get from meeting many out islanders, is that, despite their relative poverty,
they are very content and involved with their lives. I realize that this is
a sweeping generalization, based upon my observations and not on any hard data.
Still, impoverished schools and all, Bahamians seem perfectly happy being...well,
Bahamians.
The contrast between the two systems really leads me to ponder some basic questions.
Why, with such a rich school culture, do some students still fail to thrive?
It's akin to people sitting down to a gourmet banquet and leaving the table
hungry. Are schools being asked to provide too much? Should we be focusing solely
on the "3 R's," getting along with others, and developing positive
self-images? How much should be left up to parents to provide? Where does parent
responsibility enter the picture? I can't even count the number of times that
I've known that a child was struggling simply because I felt that there was
too little support being offered in the home. Finally, why does our country
seem so eager to accept the fiction that public schools are failing, when in
reality, in Vermont, at least, they seem to be working very well? Aren't our
schools merely a reflection of our culture? As with most important issues, every
answer reveals more questions.
Health Officer News
By Carlton Ferguson
It takes a mixture of water, nutrients, and sunlight to turn that seed into
something people eat. To produce a tomato, an ear of corn, maple sugar or a
walnut, requires sap. Sap defies gravity; it travels up the stem or trunk. Every
part of that bean, clover, corn, beef or pork was liquid. In the case of meat,
it was liquid twice over -- once as sap, and again as blood. The septic tank,
given time and a reasonable temperature, simply put, turns all of the solid
waste into a sap-like liquid. The key needs are time and a reasonable temperature.
Town
Office News
By Elaine Sweet and Gloria Brunette
Well, Town Meeting is over! I think we were finished in record time…12:15 p.m.! Of course, a few of us had to stay at the school all day (until after 7 p.m.!) because of the Presidential Primary and the Tech School Vote. Dean won in Fletcher, and the Tech School vote was a big NO. Thanks go out to all of my ballot clerks!
TIME TO REGISTER YOUR DOGS: It's time to renew your dog licenses for 2004…you have until April 1 to register without penalty. Fees for dog licenses are: Spayed/neutered $5.00 and Males/Females are $9.00. You need to have a current rabies certificate for each dog. Remember….all dogs 6 months and older have to be registered with the Town every year.
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday Evenings 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Closed on Fridays
HAPPY MUD SEASON…LEAST WE NOT FORGET SUGARING TOO!!
PS….I would personally like to thank all of my supporters at Town Meeting for my substantial increase in salary! I have enjoyed working as your Town Clerk & Treasurer for the past 20 years, and it sure is nice to know that the majority of you have confidence in me and my abilities! Thanks…it gives me a very warm fuzzy!!!
January 22, 2004 (approved)
February 2, 2004 (Approved)
March 1, 2004 (Approved)
January 21, 2004 (approved)
| 1 | Last day to renew license or register dog | Until 3:30 p.m., Town Clerk's Office |
| 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | Adult Volleyball | 7:00 p.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 2 | No. Country ATV Association meeting | 7:00 p.m., Abbey Restaurant, Sheldon |
| 3 | TDI Saturday Program | 8:30 a.m.-noon, Community College of VT, Burlington |
| 3, 17 | Recycling and trash drop-off | 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Town Garage |
| 7 | Fairfax Fiber Arts | 7:00 p.m., Fairfax Community Library |
| 4, 11, 18, 25 | Adult Basketball (Over 40) | 9:00 a.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 5 | Success By Six meeting | 6:30-7:30 p.m., Fletcher School Library |
| 5, 12, 19, 26 | Adult Basketball (All ages) | 7:00 p.m., Elementary School Gym |
| 5, 19 | Select Board meeting | 7:00 p.m., Town Office |
| 6, 20 | Playgroup | 9:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Fletcher School Gym |
| 7 | Wood's Tea Company | 7:00-9:00 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Jeffersonville |
| 7-14 | School Book Fair | Fletcher Elementary School |
| 9 | Moving Target by Celia Slattery | 7:00 p.m., Waterville Town Hall |
| 13 | Bookmobile & PJ Storytime | 6:30-8:00 p.m., Fairfax Community Library |
| 13, 14 | Youth Football Registration | 6:00-8:00 p.m., BFA Fairfax High School Lobby |
| 14 | FUMHA monthly meeting | 7:00 p.m., Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 14 | CAC monthly meeting | 7:00-9:00 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Jeffersonville |
| 15 | Preschool Registration Forms due | Fletcher Elementary School |
| 15 | Last day to file Declaration of Vermont Homestead; State & Federal Taxes due | |
| 15 |
Fletcher Rough Riders meeting | 7:30 p.m., Fletcher Union Meeting House |
| 15 | Newsletter advertisements due | By 3:30 p.m., Town Clerk's Office |
| 16 | Newsletters article due | |
| 21 |
Open "Mike-Less Night (acoustic) | 7:00-9:00 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Jeffersonville |
| 26 | Legislative Program | 7:00-8:00 p.m., Fletcher Union Meeting House |