the reading informer september 201729d76170-2cbd...1 the reading informer september 2017 published...
TRANSCRIPT
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The Reading Informer September 2017
Published by the Town of Reading
Get rid of those extra tomatoes!
PRODUCE SWAP sponsored by the Reading Recreation Commission
Every Thursday
August 31 - September 28 5 pm—7 pm
The New Green Space (beside the library)
For people who have a garden: Bring your excess produce to swap with a fellow gardener. For people who don’t have a garden: Buy your veggies! Proceeds of sale benefit the Reading Recreation Commission! For more info, contact Stephen D’Agostino ([email protected]), Lisa Kaija ([email protected]), Lisa Morrison ([email protected]), or Joe Braun ([email protected])
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Town of Reading tax bills have been mailed and are due on
November 6, 2017 by 5 p.m. Postmarks are not accepted.
Please contact the Town Clerk at 484-7250 if you have not received
yours.
School is back in session.
It’s back to school time for our Reading children.
Many of our children walk to school, please help keep
them safe by driving slower in the village.
The Reading PTO will be holding their first meeting of the
school year on Wednesday, September 6th, at 6 p.m. Come join them and
find out what fun events you can volunteer to help with.
Reading’s Green Space Committee Reading has a new committee !!! The green space is the town owned property just north of the library and we want to create a space that can be used by everyone to enjoy. Our goal initially is to brainstorm any ideas of how to use the space and need all residents help on ideas. A few ideas so far include a few picnic tables and benches, some plantings, perhaps a small pavilion. Please add your creative thoughts!! No idea is a bad idea. The Green Space committee Annie Rubright [email protected] Jean Goldsborough Lisa Kaija Tony Pikramenos Jane Philpin Stephen A’gostino Heather Evans Bill Bakker
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Reading– West Windsor Food Shelf
Monday 2:00 to 4:00 (Food Shelf)
Thursday 4:00 to 6:00 (Thrift Store & Food
Shelf)
Located at 3456 Tyson Road
in South Reading
at the Stone School House
The Thrift Store is open to anyone, not just
food shelf members. Please feel free to stop in
Inquiries please contact
Sara Norcross 484-5097
Dana Waters 802-291-3299
To send a donation please mail to:
Reading– West Windsor Food Shelf
PO Box 384 Brownsville, VT 05037
Meeting Schedule
Town Contact Information
Town Clerk/Treasure Office
484-7250 Mon, Tues, Wed, 8 am—4 pm Thursday 7:30 am—3:30 pm
First Saturday of the Month by appointment Website: www.readingvt.govoffice.com Email: [email protected]
Post Office Iiri Makkonen
484-5994 Retail Counter
Monday – Friday 9:30 am-12:30 pm, 1:30 pm—4:30 pm
Saturday Retail Counter 9:00 to 12:00
Lobby Monday – Friday Saturday 8 am to 5 pm 8am to 12pm
Library 484-5588
Tuesday 12:00 to 3:30, 4:00 to 7:00 Thursday 10:00 to 1:30, 2:00 to 5:00
Saturday 10:00 to 2:00
Listers Call for appointment – 484-7258
Email: [email protected]
Reading Elementary School
484-7230
Fire Warden - Fire Burning Permits Nathan Willard 484-0094
Reading Planning Commission [email protected]
Contribute to The Reading Review in The Vermont Standard. Author Stephen D’Agostino is always looking for newsy
items, sweet Reading stories, or tidbits to share with our community. Send your ideas to him at
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Fire and Ambulance 911
State Police 457-1416
Domestic/Sexual Violence Hotline 866-348-WISE (9473)
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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – Unapproved
August 14, 2017 UNAPPROVED
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm. Present: Robert Allen, Gordy Eastman, Jim Peplau, Calista Brennan, Glen Towne, Becky Basch, Duane Wyman, Charlie Baker and Neil Muirhead. Robert started the meeting asking if there were changes to the agenda, there were no changes. Minutes of the July 10, 2017 Selectmen’s minutes were approved as printed with the correction of the date. Treasurer’s Report: As of 7-31-17, Expenses were $105,740.12; Revenue was $41,948.09. Balance in LSB (G/L account) $90,442.48 and balance in the sweep account $566,111.82 for a total of $656,554.30. Delinquent taxes for 2013-16 are $544,996.23. Three tax sales are still scheduled for August 21, 2017. Jim moved to approve and Gordy seconded. Report is accepted. Action Items:
Village Center Designation Update: Becky handed out some information and the application process. Richard Amore will be at the next Planning Commission meeting on September 11th to explain the benefits and answer questions. Becky said that one of the benefits is a priority when applying for some grants from the State. The Se-lectboard will plan to attend that meeting.
Lister’s Update: The Certificate – No appeal or Suit Pending was submitted by the listers for the Selectboard to sign.
It was signed.
Highways: Glen stated that they have been grading roads, Jim asked that the forks on the York rake be raised so that they don’t pull the big stones to the top. The 2 culverts on Tyson Road are scheduled to be replaced on August 22. They are getting ready for winter, will be checking culverts and roadside mowing again.
Tyson Road Bridge Update: The permit from Agency of Natural Resources has been approved. Daniels Con-
struction will be moving and staging equipment at the sites the week of August 21st. Better Roads Project Update: DLX is scheduled to start August 23. They should be done with all three pro-
jects, two sites on Town Hill, ditch on Stone Chimney Rd. and a ditch on Newton Hollow Rd. within a week. Final FY 17-18 Tax Rate: The rate for residents is 2.1454, non -residents is 1.9724. These are down a little from
last year. Tax bills have been mailed. Animal Control Officer: No one has expressed any interest in this position.
Other: Duane was here to express concern again about the speeding on Tyson Road. He had dropped off a
sketch showing where more signs could be added. Robert explained that this would have to be approved by AOT. Robert will drop this off at AOT for review and input this week.
Neil was here to ask about an easement at the Town Garage for placement of a power pole. GMP had been to look and
discussed where to put the pole with Neil. The board will look at this after the meeting. Hazel King had emailed a request to put a flag pole at the Stone Schoolhouse. The board agreed. Robert will follow up
with Hazel as to location, height, maintenance etc.
Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 7:05PM.
Next Selectboard meeting will be on Monday, September 11, 2017 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted, Calista N Brennan, Town Clerk
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Dates
Saturday, September 9 9 a.m.—1 p.m. Springfield Transfer Station 135 Fairground Road, Springfield, VT.
Saturday, September 16 9 a.m.—1 p.m. Windsor Goodyear Building 28 River Street, Windsor, VT.
Residents of any SW/WCSWMD town are welcome at any event in any District town.
***************************************************************************************************** Please note for road travel through Reading
Green Mountain Horse Association Distance Days & 100 Mile Ride
Friday, September 1 — Sunday, Sept. 3
Horses will be traveling the following roads:
Brown Schoolhouse Rd, Chase Corners Trail, Bailey’s Mill Rd, Jenne Rd, Caper Hill Rd, Kittridge Pasture Rd, No. Puckerbrush Rd,
Whitmore Road, So. Puckerbrush Rd, Spear Cemetery Rd, Town Hill Rd, Whitmore Circle, and Nauman Rd.
September 30 Fall Foliage Trailer & Pleasure Ride
Caper Hill Road and Spear Cemetery Road *******************************************************************************************
Hall Art Foundation Reading, VT First Fridays! From 5—8 PM Sept. 1 / October 6 / November 3 The first Friday of every month we welcome visitors to view our exhibitions with out a guide and at their own pace. New this year: La Pizza Lupo! Prepared in a vintage truck with an Italian-made wood-burning oven, La Pizza Lupo uses local, seasonal and artisanal ingredients to prepare you a delicious pie.
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Green Mountain Smokehouse Voted 2014 Best Bacon Yankee Magazine
Rte. 5 Windsor, VT 802-674-6653 - Maple Sugar Cured Ham - Smoked Sausages - VT Smoked Cheddar Cheese -Marinated Meats - Garlic/Herb Smoked Chicken - 10 Flavors of Sau-sage - Bacon & Canadian Style Bacon - Beef Jerky - Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast - Pepperoni
Law Office of Peter K. Vollers, PLC _______________________________________________________________
Peter K. Vollers, Esq.
Dana Twigg-Smith, Paralegal
T’Other House 4 The Green
Woodstock, Vermont 05091 Tel: 802-457-2420 Fax: 802-457-9960
[email protected] [email protected]
JOSHUA GALE, DC Chiropractic & Whole Food Nutrition
keyesmountain.com
[email protected] 802.291.2288
Offices
39 Central Street, Suite 201A, Woodstock, VT 76 Keyes Mountain Road, Reading, VT
Really Ridiculously Rejuvenating Wrinkle Reduction in Reading With Botox, Fillers, Creams and Peels now available at 843 Whitmore Road
Dr. Carol Boerner 802.356.2346 Vermontfacialaesthetics.com
Consultations are Complimentary!
ACT46
Notes from the August 3, Special School Board Meeting
At this meeting, Chair, Justin Sluka and board member, Donna Martin determined that
there would not be another reconsideration vote put to the voters of Reading. The vote
of July 25 has been certified and sent to the State. Reading has joined the MUUD - Wind-
sor Central Modified Unified Union School District. An organizational meeting has been
set for September 18 at 7 p.m. in the Teagle Library at the Woodstock Middle School.
Local Property Transfers
Diane Smith, Richard & Patricia Marzano To David Fiorino
67 Benjamin Drive, House & 4.17 Acres; $243,000
Dark Horse Realty & Property Services Office: (802) 484.7388 Cell: (802) 291.3299
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Reading Planning Commission Meeting – Monday, 8/7/17
Present – Steve Strait, Ken Cox, Kathy Callan-Rondeau, Becky Basch Guests – Stacy Gallowhur, Bob Allen
Note – This is an abbreviated version of the minutes. Complete minutes may be viewed at www.readingvt.govoffice.com
Correspondence : Steve reported that he received a note in the Planning Commission box regarding the locations of abandoned wells. Residents should notify the Planning Commission if they know of any stone well locations so that we can create an inventory.
Steve also received a note from Nina Salvatore about abandoned houses and whether these could be addressed through zoning. Steve contacted Jason at the RPC and received some sample language from other towns. The RPC reported that most towns develop a separate ordinance for dealing with derelict properties. Steve will forward Jason’s email to all PC members and to Bob Allen.
Minutes of July 5, 2017 - Ken made a motion to accept the minutes as posted on the Town Website, Steve seconded, all were in favor
RPC activities – Kathy reported that there is funding available through the Clean Water Fund for road projects. Bob said that the Town requested funds to line several ditches with stone in order to prevent erosion
Zoning Revisions – Public Comment. Stacy Gallowhur asked about the proposed Ridgeline Protection Overlay Dis-trict as it affects one of his parcels. He commented that restrictions in the district would diminish the value of his and other parcels and scare away investors. Steve explained that the motivation for the ridgeline protection dis-trict was to preserve scenic views. He pointed out the overlay district has been in existence for several years, and that the proposed changes would reduce the size of the district and would affect the ridgelines of various peaks rather than all property above 1800 ft. In reviewing the map, Steve noted that the proposed changes would af-fect Gallaher’s whole parcel. Ken pointed out that there are more options for making the parcel buildable – short-er house, screening the house from view. There was discussion among PC members about whether the parcel should be removed from the district. Bob pointed out that if property owners are not happy with the decision of the ZA, they can come to the board of adjustment and contest the decision. The PC could then review the applica-tion and provide some requirements for building on the parcel.
Zoning Revisions – Misc.
Abutting, non-conforming lots under common ownership – Steve asked John Fike for a list of the existing non-conforming lots that have been combined with an adjacent lot for tax purposes but the deed had not been changed. The Listers call these “inactive” parcels. Steve said there are 54 inactive parcels and 26 are owned by Newhall. He said of the 54 parcels, 20-30 are non-conforming parcels (less than minimum acreage). If we keep the zoning the way it is, property owners could sell the non-conforming lot and it could be built on. Bob said that he talked to Chris Callahan who said we could take out the language about pre-existing non-conforming lots and the parcels would be merged, but he thought it might benefit to allow building on some of these smaller lots. He suggested putting in a ZBA review requirement. Bob said that only one proposed sale of a small non-conforming lot has surfaced between his tenure and Charlie Howgate’s. Steve suggested leaving the zoning as it is. Others agreed.
Cultural facilities – Steve suggested adding cultural facilities as a conditional use in the village. He commented that there is not a category for this type of development in the current zoning. He also commented that the Hall Art Foundation property is not in the boundary of the village. Jason suggested adding an “adaptive re-use” provision to cover facilities in other parts of town. Bob said that his concern was how to regulate chang-es of use in these structures. All members present agreed that adaptive reuse should be allowed in all dis-tricts. Steve will work on the language some more and will send it out to members to review.
Village Center designation – Becky reported that she is scheduled to bring up the process with the SB next week. Bob asked about the downside of Village Center designation and what types of requirements come with the grants that could be accessed.
Other - Kathy said that she was asked about jeep and bike events on Baileys Mill Road as jeeps were driving through the brook. She said that people were asking if this was a commercial use and if there are any regula-tions for businesses and events. There was discussion about whether this is a business or if these are club events. Kathy said that there seem to be more events this year than last year.
Next meeting – Sept 11th – Becky will see if a representative from the Department of Housing and Community Development can come to that meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Becky Basch, Secretary
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Librarian’s Note
Libraries offer access to important services even when the building is closed. Reading Public Library is a Vermont Online (VOL) member. This allows you access to more than four dozen databases containing infor-mation on a variety of topics, including health, business, science, genealogy, and the arts. The databases contain articles culled from popular and schol-arly journals, newspapers, and other reference sources. Much of the infor-mation is not available through a typical search engine. The regular cost for access to all the databases would be thousands of dollars. But it’s free through the library. VOL is a great resource for kids with homework assignments and for adults researching a subject for work or pleasure. To acquire remote access, log in at the following address: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/. The username is vol_r22. The password is club. Below are 4 databases for students. Kids InfoBits: for young learners; an easy-to-use resource featuring age-appropriate content cover-ing a broad range of educational topics. Research in Context: created specifically for middle-schoolers; the database contains videos, news-papers, magazines, primary sources, and more to support assignments in core subjects including liter-ature, science, social studies, and history. InfoTrac Junior Edition: provides middle school and junior high students with access to maga-zines, newspapers, books, and other reference content; the database offers information on current events, the arts, science, popular culture, health, people, government, history, and sports. InfoTrac Student Edition: provides high school students with access to magazines, newspapers, books, and other reference content; the database offers information on current events, the arts, sci-ence, popular culture, health, people, government, history, and sports. The library maintains a paperback book swap on the main floor. There are 8 shelves of about 120 books to trade. Simply take one you'd like to read and leave one in its place for someone else. If you don't have a book to swap, that's O.K. Take one anyway and return it when you're through. It's self-serve. We also have many types of craft supplies, along with markers and crayons, building blocks, puzzles, instruments, puppets, and a flannel-board with felt story-pieces. All of these are available for you and your children to use in the library. And we want to remind patrons that the building is availa-ble for use after hours to local individuals and groups. Contact me for details. A library can be an oasis for body, mind, and spirit. It’s an environment that is favorable to someone trying to reach his or her highest potential; also to someone who’s simply looking for a place to un-wind with a book or a friend. Speaking of which, we’ve always got coffee, cocoa, and tea on hand for our patrons. And there are crackers available in the cracker barrel. Help yourself.
Cordially, Tony Reading Public Library. Tues. 12-3:30 p.m. & 4-7; Thurs. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. & 2-5; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mail: P.O. Box 7, Reading, VT
05062. Tel. 802-484-5588. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.readinglibrary.org. The board meets the last Tuesday
of each month at 6 p.m. Wi-Fi 24/7.
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PO Box 128 384 Weld Cemetery Road Reading, Vermont 05062
802-342-1513
www.NewhallFarmVT.com
TREE PRESERVATION
802.484.5539 Experienced•Insured•References
KRIS BLANCHARD Northeast Rural Resource Management, LLC
Member National Arborist Association
Jim & Sandy Peplau’s
Happy Acres Farm Pure Maple Syrup, Hand Braided Rugs
826 Twenty Mile Stream Road
South Reading, VT 05153
484-7806
www.happyacresfarm.com
PLUMBING & HEATING
CONTRACTOR
Malagash Road PO Box 183
Reading, Vermont 05062
EDWARD ALLEN (802) 484-5580
LOGGING & LAND CLEARING SANDING BRUSH CHIPPING SNOW PLOWING BUSH HOGGING LIGHT EXCAVATION
ROLLING MEADOWS FARM CUSTOM FARMING
David Goodhouse * 484-5540
Law Office of JONATHAN L. SPRINGER, P.C.
12 Depot Avenue Post Office Box 245
Windsor, Vermont 05089 (802) 674-2649
Fax: (802) 674-2990 [email protected]
James Cloud Logging & Trucking
READING, VT
802-484-5946
Firewood Snowplowing
THE SPRINGFIELD BARBER Pam Eastman
307 Clinton St., Springfield, VT 802-885-3232
Regular & Styled Walk-in Service
Mon 7-12 Tues 7-5 Wed 11-7 Thurs 7-3 Fri 7– 5 Sat 7-12
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The Reading Historical Society Preserving The Past For The Future
You Say Locke Farm. I say Lexington Farm. Which Is it? A convergence of events inspired this month’s column. Back when I was working on the Speaking of Reading… project, one young man mentioned that he and his friends used to enjoy sledding at the Lex-ington Farm. I, being fairly new to Reading, had no idea what he was talking about. Later, my neighbor, Bill Whitehouse, asked me if it was possible to explore the history of the Locke Farm in this column. I would have scratched my head again if he hadn’t told me it was also known as the Lexington Farm or the place that is now the Hall Art Foundation. When I asked about it at August’s Reading Historical Society board meeting, it was interesting to hear the reaction. One board member said that locals know the property as the Locke Farm. Another said she’d only heard it referred to as the Lexington Farm. Locke Farm. Lexington Farm. Both are such nice names. So which is it and why? Of course, the answer is it is both. The gentleman who purchased the property in 1903 (some old newspaper clippings say the year was 1902) was Alonzo Goddard. This man was Errol Locke’s great-grandfather, and Errol took ownership of the farm in 1923. Errol, by trade, wasn’t a farmer. He was a Harvard-educated man who graduated in 1913. Eventually, he went to work for a company called General Radio, which was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1915. He started as a clerk, and 37 years later, he retired as president. The company, by that time, had moved to Concord, Massachusetts, which we know, thanks to the important events of April 19, 1775, is not too far from Lexington, where Locke lived. So the farm’s other name comes as a tribute to his home town in the Bay State. According to an article in the Weathersfield Vermont Weekly published on July 25, 1980, Errol Locke moved to Lexington Farms in 1955 to “enjoy a quiet life.” He became involved in the Reading Historical Society and at 90, the milestone celebrated in the newspaper column, was still the treasurer. It’s interesting to note that the article referred to the property as Lexington Farms (plural). Maybe the question then is it Locke Farm, Lexington Farm, or Lexington Farms? And of course, the request wasn’t to determine what the property was properly called, but it’s history. This column starts to answer that question, but it doesn’t suffice to explain the history of the farm. Nor does a short column. Next month, research permitting, I’ll dig into more history of the farm.
Stephen D’Agostino
Reading Historical Museum 670 Rte 106 (white church building) Open on Tuesday, 4—6 p.m. on the following days:
August 22 and September 5. We hope you will stop in and see what the Reading Historical Society
has put together in this building.
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Sponsored by the Reading Fire & Rescue Department
13th Annual Reading
Community Calendar
This calendar is personalized with the dates that you request for birthdays,
anniversaries, or in memory of someone. We also include meeting dates and dates of annual town events. The calendar is also an opportunity for local
businesses to advertise.
If you would like to order your calendar for 2018 please fill out this form and return it along with your check payable to Reading Fire Department to:
Kate Allen PO Box 191
Reading, VT 05062
PLEASE RETURN NO LATER THAN: September 16, 2017
Your payment must accompany your order form.
The calendars cost $7.00; this includes 4 dates on the calendar for each calendar purchase. Each additional date is .50 cents.
Please indicate if the date is a birthday, anniversary, or in memory.
Please print clearly and check your dates: Example: 1-12-2005 John Doe Birthday
Your name: _______________________________________________________________________ Street Address: ___________________________________________________________________ Your phone number: _________________________________ Date #1: ________________________________________________________________________
Date #2: ________________________________________________________________________ Date #3: ________________________________________________________________________ Date#4: _________________________________________________________________________
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The Reading Informer
PO Box 72
Reading, Vermont 05062
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WRJ. VERMONT
PERMIT NO. 86
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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PM
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7 pm
6 PTO 6 PM at
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7 8 9
10 11 Selectboard 6
pm Town Hall Plan Commission 7 PM
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17 18 19 20 RES School
Board 6 pm
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24 25 26 Library
Trustees 6 pm
27 Cemetery
Mtg. Town Hall 6 pm
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September 2017