Possible Land Purchase
by Jon Bondy for the Select Board

Some of you may have heard rumors recently about the Select Board (SB) looking into purchasing land. It may seem like a strange time to be spending more money, given that we're in the middle of building the new Town Garage, so here's the scoop.

It should be no news to you that the current Town Offices are too small. The Listers and the new Zoning Administrator do not have an office in which to work, there is no convenient way to have more than one meeting at one time, and meetings that have more than about five citizens attending need to be held at either Fletcher Union Meeting House (FUMH) or the School. In addition, the vault is almost full, and the recent flurry of refinancing has us adding 2 or 3 new books each year. The Town needs a plan to deal with all of these problems.

When the Sheltra property became available last year, a number of people suggested that we consider purchasing that property, since properties in such a central location become available so rarely. The Sheltra property, right across Shaw Road from the Binghamville Church, is on a main road, and is near both the School and the General Store; and at 2 acres, it offers room for new Town Offices and some parking and green space, too. The obvious problems involving septic systems will have to be addressed. The house on the property is in such bad shape that it will almost certainly need to be torn down, and a new building built.

Even if the Sheltra land proves to be inappropriate to build on, the Town could consider keeping it as a Town Park. And, if neither the Offices nor the Park work out, we can always sell the property later, and most likely make a profit on the land. The SB does not want to purchase land for speculative purposes, but it is nice to know that such a purchase could be "reversed" if necessary.

The Board has also considered the following alternatives, in addition to the Sheltra property:

• expanding the current Town Office building;
• building new Town Offices where the old Town Garage is now;
• purchasing the Beauregard property (between the old Garage and the old Offices);
• moving into one floor in the FUMH;
• building an addition onto the FUMH;
• building near the new Garage; and
• purchasing the Neapolitano land (behind the FUMH) to allow space for a septic system for some of the above options.

At the moment, the only decision we need to make quickly is whether to purchase the Sheltra property or not; if we do not make this purchase, we can pursue the other alternatives at a slower pace. By the time you read this, the SB will have already signed a contract to purchase the Sheltra property. Such a contract would be contingent on at least two conditions: 1) the Town would be able to back out of the purchase if the septic test fails; and 2) the Town would be able to back out of the purchase if the voters of the Town fail to approve the purchase at a warned public meeting. That special Town Meeting has been warned for Monday, July 12 at 7:00 in the Fletcher Elementary School.

Please contact any of the SB members, or attend a SB meeting, if you have questions about any of this; and please attend the special Town Meeting.

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School Children Paint Cemetery Fence
Compliments of Eva Lancaster

Thank you to Beverly Briggs' classes at Fletcher Elementary School for their hard work in painting the cemetery fence. For the past two springs, Ms. Briggs' class worked one hour at a time to paint the fence. We're very proud of their work and thankful for their assistance to the community!

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Maria Thatcher Wins Discover Card Scholarship
Compliments of Elaine Sweet

Maria Thatcher, a Bellows Free Academy student from Fletcher, is one of eight Vermont juniors to be awarded a $2,500 scholarship through the Discover Card Tribute Award program. The program awards scholarships to high school juniors who have demonstrated excellence in many areas of their lives - not just academics. This year's winners were selected from a pool of over 4,500 applicants. To qualify, students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average and must demonstrate accomplishments in three areas, including special talents, leadership, and community services, while successfully overcoming a roadblock or challenge. The winners in each state go on to compete for nine national scholarships worth $25,000 each. Congratulations, Maria!

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Solid Waste Special Collection
By Mike Loner

The Northwest Vermont Solid Waste District (NWSWD) holds Special Collection Events in Franklin County throughout the year. Fletcher residents are eligible for this event since Fletcher is a District member. During the collections, we will ask for residency, so please bring proof of residency such as a tax bill or a driver's license with a current address. Please look for our advertisements in this paper or listen for our events on the radio for more detail including locations and times. You can also call NWSWD at 524-5986 for information or visit our web site at www.nwswd.org for a printable calendar of all events.

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Community Suppers
By Bruce Webb

Don't miss the Binghamville Methodist Church hot dish suppers on the third Thursday of the month. Seating begins at 5:00 p.m. and continues until all are served. Take out plates are available if you don't have time to socialize. Dates and menus are:

• June 17 -- Hot Dish Supper with hot dishes, baked beans, hash, salads, rolls, pickles, and pies
• July 15 - Hot Dish Supper with hot dishes, baked beans, hash, salads, rolls, pickles, and pies
• August19 - Hot Dish Supper with hot dishes, baked beans, hash, salads, rolls, pickles, and pies
• September 16 - Chicken Pie Supper with homemade chicken pie, squash, masked potato and gravy, cole slaw, cranberry jell, rolls, pickles, and pies
• October 21 - Baked Ham Supper with baked ham, mashed potato and gravy, vegetables, cabbage salad, rolls, pickles, and homemade dessert.

Dinner prices are as follows: adults are $7.00; children under 12 are $3.00; and children under 5 are free. You won't go away hungry!

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Fletcher Trivia
Compliments of Eva Lancaster

Did you know that Fletcher used to have its own post office? Eva Lancaster has a post card sent to her grandfather in 1903 with a Fletcher postmark. Postage was 1¢ at the time. The post office was in the general store in Fletcher Center, next to what is now Flanders' house (the intersection of the Fairfield-Cambridge and Fairfax Roads). The downstairs held the store and post office, and the upstairs had a stage and dance hall. Eva remembers playing upstairs when her grandfather was the storekeeper. The store burned in February 1979. Frank and Betsy Burnelle were the storekeepers.

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Fairfax Egg Run & Walk

Runners and walkers - it's time to register for the Fairfax Egg Run! This year's race is Saturday, July 31 beginning at 9:00 a.m. This fun, family race includes a 5K and 10K run and a 5K walk. The race travels a popular course along soft dirt roads following the scenic Lamoille River and quiet wooded country roads in Fairfax.

The Egg Run Race has its origins dating back 15 years, when the race route used to pass the Hillcrest Poultry Farm on Huntville Rd. The route was changed, but the Egg Run name was retained due in part to the now famous Omelet Bar, plus a luscious variety of baked goods fruit and beverages.

Race details and training tips can be found at http://eggrun.whatsitcomewith.com. Have questions? Want to volunteer? Contact Myles Cahoon at 849-6695 or menmy@sover.net. All proceeds benefit the Fairfax Recreation Path.

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Fletcher Meeting House News
By Brenda Laquer

At our monthly meeting on June 9, we decided:

• TEXAS IS COMING TO FLETCHER!! We are planning a "Texas Holdem Poker" Tournament on September 18. Tournament will be from 3-5, Dinner will be sold, then the finals from 6-8. Tickets will be $50 each and will be sold in a central location. Only 49 tickets will be sold (limited entry). Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 7 players. Door prizes. More details in the next newsletter.
• We plan to have our (full fledged) FOLIAGE FESTIVAL on October 2. Please call to volunteer to make this happen. Any help appreciated.
• The group needs to raise money for continued building improvements. Thanks for your support.
• The yoga classes are terrific; it's not too late to join.

Any questions, call Brenda at 849-6039 or Lisa at 849-6417; and no poker faces until September 18!

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Lizzie Wright -- FOE Citizen of the Year
By Deb Tilton

Lizzie Wright was presented The "Citizen of the Year Award" at the May 22 Appreciation Night of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Green Mountain Aerie #3210 in Jeffersonville for her outstanding contributions past & present to her community and to the Eagles Club. Lizzie's efforts have been a great example to all of us and we appreciate her dedication to her family, friends, church, and community.

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Fish Consumption Advisory
Contributed by Jeffrey Teitelbaum

The Vermont Department of Health recommends that people limit consumption of some fish caught in Vermont waters to minimize exposure to potentially harmful contaminants and to protect health. The advisory is based on tests of hundreds of fish caught in Vermont waters in the past 10 years. The advisory includes general advisories for some fish and special advisories for fish in certain rivers or lakes, including Lake Carmi and Lake Champlain. This list is too long for the newsletter, but you can find it at http://www.healthyvermonters.info/hp/fish/fishalert.shtml or by calling the Dept. of Health at 1-800-439-8550.

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Cambridge Arts Council

Join the Cambridge Arts Council for a free outdoor concert on Sunday, July 11 from 4-6 p.m. at the Belvidere Pavilion. The Will Patton Quintet plays gypsy jazz music. Rain or shine. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and a donation for the food shelf. Questions? Call Carol 644-2570.

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Legislative Update
By Senator Don Collins

I have appreciated the opportunity to communicate with constituents via your newsletter. I enjoyed providing updates during the legislative session, and I have received comments from Fletcher residents on issues that I have noted. During the summer, there will be minimal new information, but I certainly am interested in hearing your suggestions or concerns. To be successful in the legislature, a Senator needs to hear from citizens and work cooperatively with legislators of all parties to craft legislation that addresses the issues of concern. Your newsletter has helped me with that process. Best wishes for an enjoyable summer!

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The Scarlet Pimpernel

Join the Fairfax Community Theater for The Scarlet Pimpernel on July 14-17 at 8:00 p.m. at BFA High School. The Scarlet Pimpernel is a musical about the French Revolution, love, chivalry, and the power of courage. Come share the adventure, the romance, and the mystery. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors over 65 and children under 12. For more info or tickets, call Deb at 849-6025 (evenings until 9 p.m.).

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Fletcher Newsletter Online

Last year, Todd Pritsky purchased a domain name for a website about Fletcher. Each month, he and his wife, Stefanie Otterson, post a text-only version of the Fletcher Community Newsletter to the site. If you're interested in the online version, or simply need to check a calendar or event date, you can access the site at http://news.fletchervt.net. This site links you to the actual newsletter site http://www.bivio.com/fletchervt/ files/Main.HTML. Thanks Todd and Stefanie for all your help!

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Success By Six
By Lara Weis

End of Year Wrap-Up
A big thank you to all the people who have helped with this year's Success By Six programs. Special thanks and appreciation go out to Pam Farmer and Kris Irish who have put in great time and effort to keep the programs running. Both Pam and Kris are planning to stay involved with Success By Six, (lucky for all of us) but to a somewhat lesser degree.

As the year ends, we seem to be back on track again with playgroup attendance increasing and a new emphasis on offerings which are more conducive to families with both parents working outside the home. The Spring Saturday playgroups were both well attended and the positive feedback has helped to confirm and set up next year's Second Saturday Playgroup - to be held the second Saturday of each month in the Fletcher School Gym. Everyone really seemed to enjoy Robert and Gigi, the musicians who performed on June 5, and we are hoping to have them back again next year. Next year's mid-week playgroup will most likely be held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, beginning September 16th - please stay tuned for more details! Thanks to Joan Sweet for taking on the Playgroup Coordinator position for the 2004-05 school year!

Summer Events
Now that summer is here, we'd like to announce two special events for our youngsters:

• Wednesday, July 28 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Popsicle Party at the school playground
• Saturday, July 31 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. - Summertime Playgroup on the Blue-Top

Hope to see many of you at one or both of these festive occasions! If it's raining, please look for us in the school gym.

All children six-ish and under are invited to join us, but a special invitation goes out to next year's Kindergarten class. Jenny Blackman, the new Kindergarten teacher, will attend both programs. She looks forward to another chance to meet and greet her students and their families before the fall. All children who attend will receive a new book and will have the perfect chance to enjoy some fun in the sun with their schoolmates. For more information or if you're interested in getting more involved with any of our programs, please call Lara Weis, Success By Six Liaison 2004-05 school year, at 849-9890.

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Town Office News
By Elaine Sweet and Gloria Brunette

Ahhhh…my favorite time of year….SUMMER! The Listers have been very busy trying to abide by the new tax laws that has required lots more of their time and created a lot of confusion for everyone but…the Grand List will be lodged this week and the Change of Appraisal Notices will be in the mail. Grievance will begin on July 6 at 8:00 a.m. here at the Town Office. Please call the Office to make an appointment to go over your appraisal with the Listers, or with any questions you may have about the appraised value of your property. The phone number for the office is 849-6616.

Until next time….Happy Gardening!!

PS….I've got a couple of Betas at the office…I haven't named them yet…maybe when you come in to pay your taxes you can help me come up with some good names for the boys…!

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Select Board Meeting Excerpts

May 3, 2004 (approved)

• Request by resident to change a culvert on Will George Road; will investigate.
  
• Discussed security at new town garage site.
  
• Reviewed bids foro drilling a well at new town garage site; Chevalier's was low bid.
  
• Working to shape a road maintenance plan.
  
• Discussed solutions to standing water at residence; road culvert at issue.
  
• Reviewed year-to-date budget.
  
• Discussed combining town and school annual meetings with School Board members. Agreed that Town Meeting would begin at 9 a.m. and continue until completion or 12 noon, whichever comes first. At noon, Town Meeting will be suspended. Lunch from noon to 1 p.m. School meeting will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until completed. At that time, Town Meeting will be reconvened.
  
• Discussed fire department coverage with School Board members; budget itme has already been exceeded for several reasons.
  
• Zoning Administrator requested review of letter to property owners on junkyard/excess junk vehicles.
  
• Agreed to solicit bids for roadside mowing.
  
• Discused bank loan paperwork for town garage.

May 26, 3004 (approved)

• Reviewed mowing bids and accepted low bid.
  
• Reviewed bids for well drilling at new town garage site; low bid accepted.
  
• Reviewed final bids for Town Garage; awarded bid.
  
• Made offer on Sheltra property; expect to sign a contract to purchase land with contingencies.
  
• Agreed to dig test pits on Neapolitano property if dig on Sheltra property to see if old town gargae land can be developed.

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School Board Meeting Excerpts

April 14, 2004 (approved)

• Approved request by FFWLL to build dugouts on major league softball field and to use fields for Little League.
  
• Approved request to hold dance at school on May 8.
  
• Executive Session on student issues; no action taken.
  
• Received repot on 6th grade field trip; larger class sizes and increased costs are making it difficult.
  
• Discussed open positions and hiring status; set date for interviews.
  
• Discussed hiring a health educator for one day per week.
  
• Approved deducting school's surplus contribution to FWSU from next year's service charge.
  
• Discussed roof replacement; bids specs going out next week.
  
• Approved 2004-2005 school calendar.
  
• Approved new business model.
  
• Accepted bid by GW Tatro for water chlorinator.
  
• Approved Local Action Plan Policy.
  
• First reading of Fiscal Management and Financial Accountability Policy and Financial Reports and Statements Policy.

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Newsletter Contributions/Ads

Get the word out about your events and activities through the Fletcher Community Newsletter. The next deadline for submissions is Friday, July 9. 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.

The Town of Fletcher accepts advertisements for publication in its newsletter. Ads are published as space is available in each edition. All ads will be business card size (3½" x 2") and will cost $10 per ad. Logos can be printed, but it 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. Revenue received from the ads will be used to offset the cost of mailing the newsletter. To submit an ad, please mail your information and payment to the Fletcher Town Office, 215 Cambridge Road, Cambridge, VT 05444. Ads for must be received by the second Thursday of the month prior to publication (received by July 8 for publication in August newsletter). Information cannot be returned.

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July Calendar

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