THETFORD TOWN NEWSLETTER

NO. 76 JUNE 2010

THETFORD TOWN OFFICE

Selectboard Sets Goals for Year

The selectboard identified 20 priority items it would like to focus on this year, aside from the normal management activities. Over the course of the year, expect to see notices about hearings and other opportunities to give your opinion and input. 

Priority Items (in no order):
- Review Recreation program, assessing the Rec department two years after its creation
- Get a better pricing on garbage and possibly recycled materials removal  
- Review recycling permits, looking once more at optimizing recycling center operations and funding
- Review of internal policies and ordinances, choosing a few for updating
- Conduct forums to help each village develop stronger sense of individual communities and help determine shared long-

term development values
- Develop a Thetford Policing Document, setting out scope and type of policing services appropriate to the town
- Conduct a review of Thetford's property assets, its policies for their use and disposition and possible future acquisition
- Road map reform, taking some roads off and putting some roads on the official town map
- Exploiting grant opportunities, attempting to keep up our recent grant-winning luck
- Conduct a poll of residents on key issue for which the selectboard needs broad feedback to make decisions
- Meet with selectboard and town managers of neighboring towns to discuss shared objectives and learnings, and

possibly savings
- Review our current salary administration and related policies
- Establish a public computer terminal at Town Hall with a lot line mapping program
- Review insurance and benefits contract options
- Establish a re-written pet ordinance
- Conduct the planning process, with awarded grant monies, for establishing a PACE program (clean energy financing)
- Replace streetlights with energy-saving LED fixtures (with grant monies won)
- Ensure local volunteers receive training for emergency shelter management
- Conduct tabletop emergency management exercise
- Road survey, creating data-driven mechanism to help put road funds to best use

We have a large number of volunteers helping out on various issues, staffing committees and often just offering a hand for a particular project. If you have interest in any of these items, don't be shy about offering to help, or just to offer your opinion. 

Submitted Tig Tillinghast for the Selectboard

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THETFORD ACADEMY NEWS AND NOTES

*Wednesday, June 2, the students in the Thetford Academy Challenge program for self-directed study will present their work at 7:00 pm in the Project Room next to the TA library.  These presentations showcase the students’ independent projects.

*Thursday, June 3, there will be a cookout at 6:30 pm, to be followed by a short program recognizing the TA spring sports participants.  Congratulations to all athletes and coaches for an excellent season, and thanks to all the families and fans.

*Thursday, June 3, the Board of Trustees will hold their monthly meeting at 7:00 pm in the Alumni Room in the new Science Building.  The public is welcome to attend.

*Sunday, June 6, TA will present its annual Spring Choral Concert at 5:00 pm in the First Congregational Church of Thetford on the green in Thetford Hill.

*Baccalaureate for the 67 members of the Class of 2010 will be held in the First Congregational Church of Thetford on Sunday, June 6, at 7:00 pm.

*Monday, June 7, music students at TA will present an Instrumental Concert at 7:00 pm, to be held outside on Academy grounds.  Bring a blanket and come enjoy!

*Graduation exercises for the Thetford Academy Class of 2010 will be held outside on Friday, June 11, at 6:30 pm.  TA proudly graduates 67 scholars.  Let’s everyone hope for good weather!!

*The annual Alumni Day festivities will take place at the Academy on Saturday June 12.  Several of the classes will hold their own reunions under the tent at various times throughout the day, and TAAA  will host their Annual Meeting and a light finger food buffet ($10.00 per person) at 4:00 pm.  Later that evening the Odell Walker Band will provide music under the tent from 8:00-11:00 pm ($12.00/per person).  Contact TAAA at thetfordacademyalumninews@yahoo.com for more specific information.

Submitted by Wendy Cole

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NEW GRANTS/PROCUREMENT COMMITTEE FOR SCHOOL BOARD – VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

As part of the Thetford School Board's effort to keep education costs down and enhance educational programs, we're establishing a new committee to identify new revenue sources - especially grants.  In addition, this committee will seek to identify opportunities to save money in school purchases.

We need volunteers to make this happen. Specifically, we're seeking a year long commitment (to June '11) by a small group of individuals who have one or more of the following: (1) experience researching and/or applying for grants (2) good writing skills (3) experience making purchases for a business or other institution (4) enthusiasm and a willingness to learn

The committee will be broken down as follows:
(1) Grants subcommittee
(2) Procurement subcommittee

Neither group will  involve many meetings - approximately one per month, with the understanding that not every member is going to be able to attend every meeting.  Instead, volunteers will need to be proactive people who are good at following up via email, and who feel comfortable both speaking up about out-of-the-box ideas, and taking direction from the school board/administrators on priorities.

Please let us know if you're interested by contacting Lisa Swett at lmswett2003@yahoo.com.  In your email, please detail special skills and/or interests relevant to the committee, and also identify which subcommittee you would be willing to serve.

Thanks in advance for your interest!

Submitted by Lisa Swett on behalf of Thetford School Board

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THETFORD CENTER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - OPEN HOUSE – JUNE 2 – 6:00-8:00PM

Thetford Center Community Association, in partnership with Thetford Energy Committee and Sustainable Energy Resource Group, is pleased and proud to invite all friends of Thetford Center's Community Center to see and celebrate the completion of the collaborative retrofitting and weatherization project for that lovely building on Route 113 in Thetford Center Village. We would like to recognize the generous work and contributions of the many volunteers, donors, and associates who made this project a reality and an authentic community accomplishment.  Refreshments will be served.

Submitted by Bev Slack

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strawberry shortcake social AND LYME TOWN BAND

Tuesday, June 22, beginning at 6:30pm at United Church of Thetford at North Thetford. (5470 US Route 5, North Thetford)

Submitted by Gail Dimick

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rices mills potluck
 
Rices Mills Potluck - June 20th - 6:00pm. 
Bring your own utensils and drinks. All are welcome!
 
Program : Waltz mixer!
 
Monthly potlucks are held the 3rd Sunday of the month @ 6:00pm.
 
Plan ahead for OCT 17th OPEN MIC night!!
 

Submitted by Lori Harriman, President (algol38@hotmail.com)

TREASURE island

Canoes and kayaks welcome at Treasure Island!  You can launch or come in on a canoe or kayak.

Season Passes available now - Family - $50, Individual - $30.  Daily Rate - Adults - $3, children - $1.  Tennis court use is always free.

Swimming Lessons, tennis clinics and tournament, and other community programs, visit www.thetfordrec.com for more information or to register, or call the Rec. Dept. at #785-2922 x6.

LAKEFEST- Saturday, July 10!  A Three-Town celebration of Lake Fairlee, 9-3pm.  Lots of events, games, food, raffle, boat rides, more!  All FREE and open to the public.  Rain Date:  Sunday, July 11.

To make a reservation for a large group, or for more information about Treasure Island, call #333-3095.

Submitted by Scott and Ann O'Hearn, TI Managers

THETFORD RECREATION

June 13: Boston Breakers (Women's Professional Soccer) game tickets, just $9 each for a game at 4 PM...game is at Harvard Stadium.  If there is enough interest, we will rent a bus, cost would be approx. $15 per person.  Deadline to get tickets & register for the bus is June 7th.

June 19: Outdoor Camping/Learn to Camp Event: Come to Treasure Island and spend the night!  $20 gets you and your family a group dinner, with a campfire and marshmallow roast, and an optional pancake breakfast on Sunday morning!  There will also be classes beginning at 2 PM for those who want to learn more about how to go camping, including : The Basics of Camping: What You Need; Campfire Cooking; Canoe/kayak Camping and Wilderness Camping.

June 21-15: Summer Soccer Camp:  at Thetford Academy.  You may register for 4 levels:

3-5 year olds from 9-10:30am OR 10:30am - noon $85

K-4th graders from 9am-noon $113

5th-8th graders from 1-4pm $113

high schoolers from 9am - 3pm $160

June 26: PilotPen Family Tennis Classic: A family tennis tournament with parent/child categories of U12/U14/U18/OPEN AND a husband/wife category.  Just $15 per entry.

July 10: LakeFest: A Tri-town celebration of Lake Fairlee at Treasure Island and Horizons Day Camp.  Many water and field events, boat rides, S'Mores planned, and food will be available for purchase. 10am-3pm.

July 19-23 and July 26-30 Summer Rec Camp: 2 weeks of traditional summer day camp  from 9am - 3pm, held at Treasure Island. $100 per week.  Daily spots may be available if there is room.

August 2-6: Teen Adventure Camp: Various activities which may include rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, etc.  $200. limit 8 people so register early.

May 25 - August 19: Building Bones Program Designed for basic strength training and Osteoporosis Prevention.  Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9-10 am at TCCA Building.  Bring light hand- and ankle-weights.

Summer Long Programs

Thetford Quest: complete all 12 active Valley Quests in Thetford to receive a certificate.  Continue for more to receive prized directly from Valley Quest.

Cross-Rivendell Trail Challenge: Complete as much of the 36 miles of the Cross Rivendell Trail as you can this summer.  Participating families/individuals will get points for each hike and compete for prizes!

Mountain Biking Club: For ages 12 -18: weekly rides in Thetford and surrounding towns with a day long trip at the end of the summer. Day, time and fee tbd.

Saturday Riders: a leisurely ride through and within UVD Saturday afternoons at 3PM.  Parents required for anyone under 18.

Adult pick-up sports: All games begin at 6 PM:

Mondays volleyball at UVD sand court;

Wednesdays soccer at TES

Thursdays Softball at TES

Sundays basketball outdoors at TES

Please visit the website www.thetfordrec.com to register for programs.

Submitted by Hilary Linehan

COME TO THE UNITED CHURCH OF THETFORD YARD SALE!

Date and Place: Sat, June 26th at the Thetford Center Community Building across from Timothy Frost Sanctuary
Time: 9:00-3:00

Our plan: To sell gently used clothing, furniture, books, and small household goods.  In addition we'll have a baked goods table, hot dogs, sodas and coffee.

Our vision: To price large items and sets reasonably and to let you name your price for smaller goods! Many items will be sold based on what you would like to donate towards the continued mission of the United Church of Thetford in our community.

Our goal:  To provide you with an opportunity to get some new clothes, update your house wares, read a new novel, and share a hot dog or a cup of coffee and a baked good with your neighbor.

Are you doing some spring cleaning of your own and want to donate an item or two?  We are accepting gently used goods, but reserve the right to refuse. . .if Listen doesn't want it, we can't sell it either! Call Lisa Ladd at 785-4917 to coordinate pickup/drop off of items.

Submitted by Bev Slack and Lisa Ladd

DONATIONS NEEDED – ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES TABLE AT tHETFORD hILL fAIR

The Antiques and Collectibles Table at the Thetford Hill Fair is looking for donations including china, jewelry, glassware, quilts, furniture, brass and silver. If you have any items you would like to donate, please contact Jane Francisco (785-2552) or Mary Miller (785-2151).

Submitted by Jane Francisco 

household hazardous waste collection – Saturday, june 5th

Household Hazardous Waste collection day will be Saturday, June 5 from 9 to Noon at the Hartford Transfer Station, Route 5 South of WRJ. All residents of Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste Management District towns are welcome at this collection. Acceptable materials include oil based paints and stains, flammable liquids like gas and thinners, pesticides, and cleaners.

Not accepted are water based paints (dry out and throw away), smoke detectors, and explosives.

Contact the GUVSWD at 296-3688 or by email at guvswd@valley.net or on the web at www.guvswd.org.

Submitted byJohn Hurd, Programs Director, GUVSWD

THETFORD ENERGY COMMITTEE – JUNE WORKSHOPS

Save fuel, cut emissions with UVM's Eco-Driving Workshop -- Saturday, June 19th, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Thetford Elementary School parking lot.  UVM's Transportation Research Center is coming to Thetford to provide interactive lessons on saving fuel and cutting emissions through efficient driving practices. Workshop participants will learn dozens of methods for cutting back on fuel consumption—reducing their carbon footprint, and saving money at the same time. Space in this free workshop is limited and advance registration is required. If you are interested in registering for this event, please send an email to afs@finowen.net, with the subject line "driving workshop" or call 785.3087. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sponsored by the Thetford Energy Committee.

Submitted by Alice Stewart

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THETFORD ENERGY COMMITTEE – KEEPING YOUR HOME COOL WHEN IT’S HOT

It’s much cheaper (and uses less energy) to prevent heat build-up in your home than to artificially cool it using air conditioning. To keep your home cool in the heat of summer, close doors and windows when the temperature outside is warmer than your home's interior. Prevent the sun from heating your house by closing curtains or shades - insulated are best. 

When the outside temperature has cooled off, open up the house and let the cool air in. (If heat builds up inside your home during the day, use a window fan or box fan to pull hot air out and cool air in.)

Reduce sources of interior heat (and use less energy) by using the microwave or toaster oven instead of the regular oven. Cover pots when cooking and use the fan above the stove to pull hot air out. Turn off your computer, printer, and other office machinery when not in use.

A well-insulated house keeps the day’s heat out and low-E windows reduce solar gain in the summer. If you are considering some home improvements this year, remember that you can take a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for qualifying insulation and replacement windows put into service in 2010. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits.

Submitted by Alice Stewart

THETFORD COMMUNITY GARDEN – FREE WORKSHOPS

All are welcome to attend the FREE Garden Workshops at the new Thetford Community Garden on the Town Common in Thetford Center, VT.  Please park at the Thetford Center Community Center.

Workshops are provided by Cedar Circle Farm and will be led by the farm’s Education Director, Cat Buxton. Workshops will be from 5:30 - 6:30 on the following Wednesdays:

June 16 - Staking, Training, and Pruning Plants
Learn the timing and techniques that will help you to produce stronger plants, tastier fruit, and an attractive garden lot.  Topics include:  basic staking and training, pruning for better fruit and stronger plants, thinning seedlings.

July 14 - Garden Guests & Pests
Learn to identify weeds and eat them.  Topics include:  companion plants, deadheading and pinching back, knowing common weeds and their habits, basic insect ID.

August 11 - Feeding the Garden
Topics include:  basic soil composition, top dressing with compost and compost tea, mulching, watering tips, practical irrigation choices, foliar feeding, top dressing and more.

September 15 - Harvesting and Curing for Storage
Topics include:  timing the harvest, how to best handle crops for winter storage, indoor and outdoor storage tips.

Submitted by Lori Harriman

DID YOU KNOW? THETFORD HISTORY

Although the town of Thetford in Norfolk in England existed at least 700 years before our town was settled, the name of our town is not derived from that of its English counterpart.  When New Hampshire Governor Benning Wentworth granted charters for towns up and down the Connecticut River, he named various towns after various powerful men in the royal court.  Thetford was named after a distant cousin of King George III, one Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, 4th Earl of Arlington and (ta-dah!) 4th Viscount Thetford.  Fitzroy became Prime Minister of England in 1768 at the tender age of 33, but lasted in that post for only two years.  The town which was named in his honor, on the other hand, continues to prosper some 249 years after it was chartered!

Submitted by Charlie Buttrey

 
social waltzing 
 
Every Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm
 
at Rices Mills Community Center Rte 132 & Tucker Hill Rd. Singles welcome! Bring water to drink.
 

Submitted by Gina Sonne 785-4220 for more info or for private lessons

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SUMMER TUTORING

Enrichment and Remediation, Grades K-8. Flexible July/August Scheduling.

For Further info contact: Jane Friedlander 802-785-4455 or www.uppervalleytutor.com

Submitted by Jane Friedlander

THETFORD YOGA CLASSES

Mondays 6:00-7:30PM

Thetford Community Center, Rte 113

Submitted by Carole Petrillo, carole.petrillo@gmail.com or 802.785.4605

FINANCIAL CAREGIVER

Carole Petrillo provides bookkeeping and other helpful tasks for people that have lost their partner or for children that are Caregiving for their parents and need financial support.  For more details, please view http://carolepetrillo.com.

Submitted by Carole Petrillo, carole.petrillo@gmail.com or 802.785.4605

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION INFO

The deadline for submissions is the 20^th of each month. Send news including contact name and telephone number to Sheila Fifield at Sheila.fifield@aol.com. Please list Thetford Town Newsletter in subject line.