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
________________________________________________________________________________
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
________________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
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 20th
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.