Thetford Town Newsletter
No.
51 MAY 2008
SELECTBOARD UPDATE
Moving quickly through a busy post-Town Meeting schedule, the Selectboard has
been active in a variety of issues, including:
- Correcting insulation and heating issues with Town Hall
- Learning more about a proposed footbridge addition to the
- Overseeing the recruitment of the third police officer position
- Reappointing our various committees and making adjustments to the size of the
Recreation Committee
- Dealing with a report of a well potentially tainted by road salt
- Speaking with the Thetford District School Board chair about areas of likely
cooperation
- To that end, offering help to our emergency management volunteers in the
effort to designate and make any necessary material improvements to an
emergency evacuation site (one will likely be at the elementary school)
- Reviewing animal control processes (including an upcoming update of our
dog ordinance)
- Developing a process for the Selectboard to make road decisions as they are
needed to facilitate Development Review Board decisions for proposed
developments
- Formulating a request to the State to make a speed limit change on Rt
113 coming into town from West Fairlee
The Selectboard has been working on several policy issues, and is, as a result,
actively seeking input from citizens on a variety of issues. Items that
will likely involve deliberate invitations to the public for input include the
following:
- Public spaces uses policy
- Article 20 decision (whether the Selectboard or the town's citizenry should
decide whether zoning ordinance changes should be put to Australian ballot
vote)
- Abandoned property fire hazard issue
- Anticipated proposal by the Planning Commission to revise flood hazard
and telecommunication regulations
- Advisability and design of the proposed footbridge next to the Tucker Hill
Road covered bridge.
Of course, the Selectboard actively welcomes all citizens to
bring comments and concerns to the public input part of the meeting (7
p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Mondays) and to watch the rest of the proceedings
afterwards. Comments and questions may also be directed via email to selectboard@thetfordvermont.us.
Submitted by Tig Tillinghast
American Red Cross Swimming Lessons:
Registration is Saturday, May 17 10AM-12:30PM at
If
you miss the above dates, please come to the Treasure Island beach on June 14
or later and speak to a lifeguard to register (telephone registrations are not
accepted). Lessons are available for ages 4 and up, the fee is $10, classes run
for 30 minutes daily and take place every weekday for 2 weeks. Keep in mind
that the swim program includes Level 6 (pre-lifeguard skills) and serves middle
and high school students, in addition to younger children. This year's swim
lesson session dates are: June 23-July 3 // July 7-18 // July 21-August 1 //
August 4-15.
Community
Work Day, Saturday, May 10 at 10 AM at
For
more information, please call
Submitted by Ann and Scott O'Hearn
OUTDOOR
BURNING
Spring
has finally arrived, the snow is melting quickly and the fire danger increases
every day. With that I remind all Thetford residents that Burn Permits are
required for all outdoor burning. If you have questions about what can or
cannot be burned or to obtain a Burn Permit you must call Jeff Sirjane, Town
Fire Warden, at 785-4405. You should try and plan 24 hours in advance to allow
time for a site visit and an evaluation of weather conditions. It is in
violation of Civil Ordinance and State Law, a serious health risk and harmful
to the environment, to burn any material other than natural wood, and can
result in a fine. For more information you can go to www.dontburnvt.org
Submitted by Jeff Sirjane
Fire Warden Town of
Thetford // Captain, TVFD
THETFORD ENERGY COMMITTEE
Spring Cleaning? Be sure to clean your refrigerator coils, light
fixtures, and bulbs -- dust and dirt reduce efficiency, wasting energy and
costing you money.
Local
Food Workshops
Rice's
Saturday, May 3: Feeding the Soil: An Organic Soil Management Discussion.
Scott Stokoe, manager of the Dartmouth Organic Farm, will discuss the basics of
soil management for the home garden, focusing on organic strategies for
maintaining and improving soil fertility. He will also briefly explore potting
soils and soil block technology.
Saturday,
May 17:
These
free workshops are organized by the Thetford Energy Committee and Rice's Mills
Community Association and sponsored by Cedar Circle Farm and Crossroad Farm.
Information: call Bob, 785.4126
Submitted by Alice Stewart
RMCA 2008 SEASON
It's spring and the beginning
of another year of activities at the
May 3, 10am - noon - Feeding the Soil: An Organic Soil Management Discussion (see
description above)
May 3rd Open Mike Night & Dessert Potluck - Come relish
some dessert and chatting with friends at 6:00 PM then enjoy a wide range of
music, comedy, poetry, storytelling and more at 7:00 PM. All performers
and any kind of act are welcome. To get on the performance list please call
Mary at 785-4512 or e-mail aurora@valley.net
May 17, 10AM - noon - Homestead
Chickens for Eggs and Meat Workshop led by Scot Zens and Niko Horster.
(See description above) This
will be a very full 2 hours, so come prepared.
May 18th, 6PM - Our regular monthly potluck followed by a brief
annual meeting and then a slide show by Kate Cone of her winter skiing and
camping adventure this past March with husband Bill Bridge and friends to the
Chic Choc and Groulx Mountains on the Gaspe' Peninsula.
Wednesday Waltzing - Join us for these mostly waltz and swing community
sessions, the 2nd Wed. evenings from 7-8:30 in May, June, July and August at
the Rices Mills Community Center. Donations appreciated. Singles
welcome. Bring cd's and drinks - no water on premises… Beginners and
experienced dancers - some instruction first 15 minutes. For more info contact
Gina Sonne 785-4220 gsonne@sover.net
RMCA POTLUCKS are held on the 3rd Sunday of every month with dinner
starting at 6pm followed by events at 7pm. Please bring your own
utensils, plates, cup and a dish to share. If you would like to give a
talk, lead a discussion, present slides or organize an activity for one of our
open potluck dates, or if you want to use the Rices Mills Community Center for
another public or private meeting or activity, contact Bob, 785-4126.
Submitted by Bob Walker
TA NOTES
*
*Parent Orientation for the Class of 2012 (current 8th graders) will
be held on Monday, May 5, at 6:30 in Room 1, downstairs in the
*Wednesday, May 7, TA
students will be working all around the
*May brings many rich
opportunities for entertainment at
Submitted by Wendy Cole
POST
MILLS CHURCH EVENT
The
This
popular group, as well as other vocal and instrumental presenters, will be in
concert at Post Mills Congregational Church on Sunday, May 18 at 3:00pm. All are welcome to come and enjoy a great
afternoon of music!
Donations
in support of the music program of the church will be gratefully accepted.
Submitted by Barbara
Condict
A Walk in the Woods... Come to Peabody Library for a slideshow
presentation by Sharon Peterson, who will tell us about her
experiences as an
Submitted by Laurie Kinne
LATHAM LIBRARY NEWS
Thursday, May 20, 7 p.m. Joni Cole and B.K. Rakhra will offer a book signing and
discussion of Water Cooler Diaries: Women Across
Thursday, May 29, 7 pm., Bring the kids to meet NY Times bestselling
author/illustrator David Macaulay, famed for his "building books!"
Macaulay will read from his classic book
"Mill," describing the planning, construction and operation of a
mill in the fictional New England town of
Books for sale.
Please note that Latham Library now features a "for sale" shelf
of gently used books for both kids and adults. The selection changes often and
ranges from bestsellers to fun, quirky finds. Come take a look!
Submitted by Elise Tillinghast
RECREATION DEPARTMENT NOTES
The most up to date
information on all Recreation programs is on-line at www.thetfordvermont.us/recreation.htm
For young children
not in school: Monday afternoon
playgroup at 1 PM. This spring gather at the town Common
playground to meet up with other preschoolers and their parents and play
outside in the beautiful weather.
For school aged children: Baseball, rec bal, t-ball , softball and Karate
programs are on-going. Visit the website for details on game schedules
and practice times.
Summer camps: Registration is available for VINS Nature Camps at
For adults: pick up volleyball has been moved to
Thursday evening 7-8:30 in the TES gym due to a scheduling conflict.
Please, just show up an play!
Story Walks: Look for story walks to be put up soon!
Submitted by Hilary Linehan, Recreation Director, Town
of
TA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Each June, several Thetford Academy Trustees finish their terms on our
board. The Nominating Committee of the Board of Trustees invites anyone who
has an interest in contributing to the educational welfare of the Academy's
students to contact us regarding these positions.
We seek people who have a
passion for enriching and enhancing the lives of our communities' children. Our
board is made up of community members who have a variety of skills, talents and
interests. We are concerned with issues such as program, personnel, student
life, buildings and grounds, finance, marketing, fund-raising, and public
relations. You may contact either of the people listed below. We will be happy
to explain what it means to serve as a Trustee and the process for becoming a
candidate. Thank you.
Scooter Hathorn, "Scooter.Hathorn@valley.net",
802-333-9176, or
Conrad Reining, 802-785-3080 conrad.c.s.reining@valley.net",
TA NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
SUMMER ART CLASSES
Have fun doing art!
Explore a variety of art materials while drawing,
painting, creating and having fun.
Art for Kids and Teens
Thetford Academy Art Room
June 30-July 3 9:30-12:30
July 7-10 9:30-12:30
Small class size-$100 includes materials
Scholarships available
Also Learn to See-Learn to Draw
Drawing workshops for Adults and Teens
Wednesday evening and Saturday morning sessions
Call for specific dates and more information
Submitted by Barbara Mason, 802-333-9315
BALD EAGLES
It's so exciting that a flurry of bald eagle reports have appeared on the List.
And it's a tribute to the resilience of these birds that they are rebounding
from their decimation by human persecution and DDT. I will be
curious to see
if these frequent sightings at the mouth of the Ompompanoosuc continue or
whether
these birds are in the process of migrating up the
Incidentally, bald eagles have been seen in Thetford too, though to my
knowledge
not this year, in the Union Village Dam area.
While many eagles do migrate, they are in fact quite capable of overwintering
in
our region. If there is a dependable food supply and nearby acceptable
shelter
they will stay around. Many of us have heard about, if not seen, the eagle that
spends the winter on the
the dam is no accident, and relates to one of the less trumpeted facts of eagle
life. Although fish are a preferred food, bald eagles have limited ability to
catch fish, unlike ospreys that are true fishing eagles. However, a good many
fish are stunned, maimed or killed by the turbines at hydroelectric facilities
such as the Wilder dam. Soaring eagles are more often than not scanning the
landscape from their lofty heights on the lookout for such scavenging
opportunities. Bald eagles will also eat carrion and will harass birds
such as
herons and ospreys, even other bald eagles, to steal fish from them. Young
eagles in particular rely on scavenging as they have not honed their hunting
skills. While eagles attempt to take prey while on the wing their success
varies
greatly. Their quarry consists of anything they can capture, including mammals
such as muskrats, birds, reptiles and fish in shallow water.
Bald eagles are our second largest bird of prey, surpassed only by the
near-extinct California Condor. A bald eagle's wingspan is 7-8 feet. The golden
eagle is slightly smaller, with a wingspan of 7 feet. The latter is more likely
to be found in open country among mountains, foothills, plains and sometimes
coastal marshes, whereas the bald eagle adheres to large bodies of water such
as
rivers, lakes and coasts. The osprey, also found in these aquatic
habitats, has
a wingspan to 6 feet, and is the only raptor that plunges into water.
Identifying these birds can be confusing, since size cannot be gauged
accurately
from a distance. Moreover, coloration and markings overlap between these birds,
depending on their age. While the mature bald eagle (five and a half years of
age) is dark brown with a white head and tail, immature birds (below three and
a
half years of age) are dark overall with variable amounts of white, mostly in
the 'armpits' and linings of the wings. At this stage they may be
mistaken for
golden eagles that are dark brown with a gold cast on the back of the neck that
is not visible at a distance. Bald eagles gain progressively more white
on the
head and tail as they approach maturity. Ospreys are sometimes
confused with
bald eagles because they have dark wings and white heads; however there is a
wide band of black running through the eye. They also have white bellies
that
can be seen as they soar overhead.
Two centuries ago the bald eagle was abundant, particularly in places with
expansive aquatic habitat such as
they were so plentiful that hunters were paid 50c per eagle killed, starting
in1917 and in 1949 this bounty increased to $2 before being overruled by
federal
law in 1952. By this time the bald eagle population in the
to slaughter of adult eagles and the accumulation of the pesticide DDT in the
food chain. This caused eggshells of raptors to become so thin that most eggs
shattered well before the chick inside had developed. In 1978 the bald eagle
was
listed under the Endangered Species Act (passed in1973.) The ban on DDT in the
1980s and increased awareness about the environment have allowed the bald eagle
population to recover, as evidenced by our local sightings.
Let us not forget that these magnificent birds still need substantial areas of
forest next to large bodies of water to breed successfully. They build their
nests in big, old-growth trees and also need suitable perch trees, preferably
dead ones at the water's edge, from which to hunt. Their continued recovery
depends on a sustainable base of fish and other prey critters and hence a
healthy ecosystem. While shooting and DDT no longer threaten eagles, we
should
be aware that increasing shoreline development could be equally threatening to
their long-term prospects.
Submitted by Li Shen
Thetford Conservation Commission
SOUP & DESSERT TO-GO
Friday May 2nd from 2:30-6:30 at the First Congregational Church in Thetford Hill
(on Rt 113 across from the green)
Get a quart of hearty soup,
stew or chili and two scrumptious desserts "to-go" for $10.
Submitted by Susan Kowalsky
The deadline for submissions
is the 20th of each month. Send news including contact name and telephone
number to Cathee Clement at 785-2668 or turtlepond@netzero.net.
Please list Thetford Town Newsletter
in the subject line.