Thetford Town Newsletter
No.
69 November 2009
SELECTBOARD UPDATE
Things have been moving
quickly at Town Hall with the selectboard. Here is a quick list of some of the
more significant items done:
*We
set the tax rate toward the end of the summer, pleased to show a 0.03 percent
decline in tax rate for the municipal portion of the property taxes.
*All
of the available policies and ordinances of the town were collected, scanned,
made into digital text and made available (Email tig@freshmaplesyrup.com for a
digital copy)
*We
created capsule versions of key policies and laws, collecting them into a Town
Committee Member’s Handbook to help bring new and old town volunteers up to
speed
*A
town group worked with the board to set up a community garden on the
*The
board and our road foreman together secured road maintenance help from the EPA,
mitigating their wear on RT 132.
*We
increased zoning fees
*We
also instituted a new solid waste ordinance increasing the fees for recycling
permits and making them annually renewable, starting later this year
*The
board sought and received voter permission to spend money to take down the Post
Mills mill property, were they to see fit, although that voter decision will be
reconsidered on December 3
*We
paved more than two miles of road, primarily with moneys received via grants
written earlier in the year
*The
board held several discussions about keeping the village character of Thetford,
including consideration of carefully calibrated economic development. The
upshot: discussions must continue on a village-by-village basis with residents
driving discussion
*The
emergency generator is now completely installed and tested at the elementary
school, allowing for the standing up of the regional emergency shelter in the
gym
*A
salary administration consultant is working with the town to make
recommendations as to how we should handle employee compensation
*The
board, along with several other town committees, has been repeatedly touching
on town property issues, looking at town property as a portfolio of assets to
be managed for public purposes. More discussion needs to happen before
developing policies on accepting, conserving, trading or doing other things
with town property
*The
selectboard will hold its regular weekly meeting in alternate village sites
this fall, hoping to encourage more participation from residents. The United
Church of Thetford will host the board in
Remember that the selectboard
calendar can always be accessed (with draft agenda items for coming weeks) at
this URL: http://www.agoogle.com/calendar/embed?src=selectboard%40thetfordvermont.us
New policies passed:
* Emergency Response
Continuity of Operations
* Emergency Response
Continuity of Governance
* Liaison Policy
New ordinances passed:
* Solid Waste Ordinance
Discussions coming up:
* 2010 Budget
* Ancient roads: should the
town try to keep rights to any of the old forgotten roads no longer visible?
* Low Income and Elder
Housing: should town-controlled resources be put to use to help provide more
housing options?
* Mill: if offered the
property, and it proves sufficiently clean, should the town take control of the
Post Mills mill lot, tear the building down, and employ parts of that land for
its own purposes, or for defraying the cost of demolition?
Submitted by Tig Tillinghast
TOWN CLERK HOURS
Monday 6pm – 8pm
Tues. – Thurs. 8am – 4pm
Friday
9am - Noon (Also by appointment)
The Town Clerk’s office will
be closed the following days in November;
Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
Nov. 18-20 – New England
Clerk’s Conference
Nov. 26-27 – Thanksgiving
ENERGY SAVINGS WORKSHOP
Button-Up
Sunday, Nov. 15, 6:30pm at
the First Congregational Church in Thetford, Thetford Hill.
Call 785-4012 for more information.
FRIENDS of THETFORD
Don’t Miss This
Friends of Thetford Education
will be holding its next meeting on Tuesday,
November 3 at 7 pm in the Thetford Elementary School Special Education
Conference room. Our primary task will be stuffing envelopes for our annual
appeal. We will also be discussing other fundraising efforts. All are welcome!
FTE is an organization
consisting of parents who are dedicated to raising funds for the purpose of
enhancing the educational enrichment of our children. Nearly 100% of the money
we raise goes toward funding projects, field trips, special equipment, student
performances, and other educational opportunities that are not covered by the
school’s operating budget. FTE uses a very small amount to cover postage and
minor operational expenses.
Attending a meeting will not
commit you to anything! Just come along and see what we do. If you have
questions, feel free to call Marty Jacobs (Chair) at 785-2606 or email at
marty@systemsinsync.com.
TA NOTES
*Thanks
to everyone who helped with the Woods Trail Run and the Vermont State Cross
Country Championship races. We certainly could not have done it without
you, and we continue to be humbled by peoples’ willingness to donate countless
hours in all kinds of weather to these events.
*The
Parent Advisory and Advocacy Council (PAAC) will hold its monthly meeting on
Tues. 11/12, in the TA Library. The evening starts with a potluck meal at
6:30 pm; the meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Please join us with questions,
concerns, or companionship.
*Thurs.
11/12, the TA Board of Trustees will hold their monthly meeting at 7pm in the
TA Library. All are welcome to attend.
*”What’s
Going Down in Our Little Town?” Join us for a discussion of the challenges of
substance abuse and resources for help on Wed., 11/18, from 7-8:30pm in the
Thetford Academy Library. Hear a panel of recovering young people share
their journeys, along with comments from Robert Bryant, Program Director of
Second Growth; Zach Scott, TA Student Assistance Professional; and
others. The evening is hosted by PAAC and the TES PTO.
*Mark
your calendars for The Fall Play, “The Perils of Lulu”, on Fri., Sat., and Sun.,
Nov. 20-22, in the Shark Tank Theater. Performances are at 7pm on Fri. and
Sat., and a 4pm matinee will be offered on Sunday. Reservations are
suggested; contact 785-4805 for tickets.
*On
Sat., 11/14, the TA 7th Grade class will host its annual
All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Dinner (with multiple choices for sauce) from 5-7pm. Salad
and bread is also on the menu. Admission is by donation, and all proceeds
support the 7th Grade trip to
*Sat.
11/21, the TA Alumni Association will host its annual Alumni Crafts Bazaar in
Anderson Hall. The event starts at 9:00 am and offers a great start for
holiday shopping.
*There
will be no school on Thurs. and Fri., 11/26 and 27, for the Thanksgiving
recess. As always, we are thankful for our ever-widening circle of family
and friends. We wish everyone a peaceful holiday and a time to reflect on
all our blessings.
Submitted by Wendy Cole
THETFORD AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
OPENINGS
TASP
currently has openings M-F 3:00pm - 5:30pm. The program is available to
all
Submitted by Sue Farrell
Academic Tutoring Services for Elementary Students
Private tutorials offered by Jane Friedlander, Remedial Language Specialist for
students in grades K- 8.
Programs include individualized remediation and enrichment in all subjects.
Submitted by Jane Friedlander 785-4455 www.uppervalleytutor.com
PROJECT GRADUATION 2010 MERCHANDISE
Now is your chance to buy colorful, practical and useful TA merchandise. All
proceeds from sales go to support Project Graduation.
Order forms can be found at:
Isabell’s Café and Hair Exclusive in East Thetford
Town Hall, TES front office, TA front office
Call Betsy Johnstone at 785-4868 or Karen
Buttrey at 785-4005 if you have questions.
Place orders by November 15th to ensure
delivery for the holidays.
CHICKEN PIE SUPPER
Saturday, November
7 from 5pm on at the United
$9.00 adults;
$4.00 children under 5
Chicken Pie,
Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Winter Squash, Cranberry Sauce, Beverage, Homemade Pies
Submitted by Bev Slack
TOP OF THE HILL
The 15th Annual Top of the
Hill Sale, sponsored by the Ladies Benevolent Society, will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10am to
2pm at the First Congregational Church,
Baked goods, collectibles,
jewelry, handcrafts, children's items, and stocking stuffers will be available.
For
more information, contact Janice Mousley
at 785-2279.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Follow the red and green balloons!
Craft
Bazaar 10am - 2pm
For information call Jenny
Piper at 785-3110
Bake
Luncheon 11:30am - 1:00pm
Serving quiche, salad,
dessert and a beverage $5.00
For information call Barbara
Condict 333-9803
RECYCLE YOUR ITEMS and CLOTHES
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Here's an opportunity to
recycle items or clothing you no longer need. All items or clothing will be
free for the taking. However, if takers wish to make a small donation, all
monies collected will go to the church's F.R.I.E.N.D. Fund used for helping
others in our community.
Open from 9am - Noon
Donations of useful items or
good used clothing may be brought to the church on Fri., 11/20 between 9am
& Noon.
Submitted by Barbara Condict and Jenney Piper
The deadline for submissions
is the 20th of each month.
Send news including contact
name and telephone number to Cathee Daum Clement at 785-2668 or turtlepond@netzero.net.
Please list Thetford Town
Newsletter in the subject line.