02/10

Wallingford News February 2010

Editor’s Note: Please send news, ads, and items of interest by 2/18 to townclerk@wallingfordvt.com.

Support the Wallingford Newsletter with an ad in the Wallingford News. Rates are $50 for a business card size ad and $75 for a double ad. Your ad will run for 12 issues. For more information, call the Town Clerk's Office at 446-2336. Do you have a used car, boat or services to sell? A one-month ad, 25 words or less is $5. Is there anything you’d like added to the newsletter? Let us know. Issues of the newsletter can be mailed to you if you provide us with the self-addressed stamped envelopes (with 61¢ postage on each). The newsletter is also on the Web at www.wallingfordvt.com.

Wallingford Fire District #1 Annual Meeting – Tuesday, February 16^th at 7 p.m. at the Wallingford Elementary School .

Wallingford Fire District #1 Voting – Wednesday, February 17^th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wallingford Fire Station.

Wallingford Town Office will be closed for President’s Day on Monday, February 15^th.

Wallingford Town Meeting – Monday, March 1^st at 7 p.m. at the Wallingford Elementary School. Please bring your town report and any questions you have for either the Schoolboard or Selectboard.

Town Voting – Tuesday, March 2^nd from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wallingford Town Hall. Make sure you vote. The last day to register to vote is February 24th.

Don’t forget you can purchase your Passport application at the Wallingford Town Clerk ’s Office. Call 446-2336 for further information.

Job Openings: Looking to hire (seasonal part-time) Summer Recreation Director and Lifeguards for the Town of Wallingford. Contact the Town Administrator at townadmin@wallingfordvt.com or 446-2872 for the job description and an employment application.

Townwide Meeting
Join the Wallingford Selectboard on Monday, February 1^st at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall to discuss and seek public input on the possibility of the Town assuming the responsibilities for fire protection from the Wallingford Fire District #1 so that all voters in the outlying areas except for East Wallingford can vote on budgetary items for the Wallingford Volunteer Fire Department. There may also be discussion on mutual aide at that meeting.

Recycling at the Wallingford House
The Wallingford Conservation Commission (WCC) would like to recognize the efforts of Elsie Badamo and Bill Baker. They have been sorting and trucking the recyclable trash for the seniors at the Wallingford House two to three times per week for the past year. Elsie has visited each member of the Wallingford House individually to educate members, but there are still issues with sorting. Both Elsie and Bill have put in a tremendous effort but are growing weary of the responsibility. They have tried to recruit other volunteers but have not had any luck. They came to the WCC for help with this effort. The WCC is currently looking for volunteers from church groups, civic groups, schools, etc. to participate in this. We feel it would be a great way for the different community groups to work together for a worthy cause. If you or your group would like to help out, please contact Tim Chila at 236-4478.

Dog Licenses
Don’t forget your dog must be licensed by April 1^st. The fee is $10 for dogs that are spayed or neutered and $13 for non-spayed females and $16 for non-neutered males. Proof of a current rabies vaccine is required. After April 1^st, the fees increase. For more information, call 446-2336. By State Statute, ALL Dogs MUST BE LICENSED EACH YEAR by April 1. Licenses can be issued through the mail. Call the Town Clerk at 446-2336 to make sure we have a current rabies certificate on file.

AARP will once again offer tax assistance and preparation service to taxpayers with low- and moderate-income, with special attention to those age 60 and older starting in early February. Call the Wallingford Town Clerk’s office for an appointment.

Reminder – no parking ban is in effect through March 31^st. No parking allowed on Wallingford roads between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Help Support the Troops
We’ll be collecting food, etc. on Election Day to send care packages to our military from Wallingford who are serving in Afghanistan , Iraq , etc. Please bring an item or cash donation to the Town Hall when you vote. A list of “requested items” is posted at the Wallingford Post Office and Town Hall and will be posted on the Town’s website at wallingfordvt.com in the near future. Local service people deployed that we know of includes Nathan Harvey, Nik Houghton, Truman Young, IV, and Dave Kitchin. If you know of others, please contact Joyce at 446-2336 with their mailing address. Our thoughts and prayers go out to these brave citizens.

Planning Commission and Recreation Committee Vacancies
The Selectboard will be making its annual appointments for a variety of positions after town meeting such as Building Committee members, Energy Committee members, Road Commissioner, etc. If you are interested in any of these positions, please notify the Selectboard.

Sign up today for a Home Energy Savings Program in Wallingford
Are you interested in saving energy in your home? If you live in Wallingford, you may be eligible for a free energy visit to your home.

The Wallingford Energy Committee is part of the Vermont Community Energy Mobilization Project (VCEM), a volunteer program designed to help residents save money and energy in their homes. A trained volunteer from your community will come to your home, review your home heating usage, provide information and special incentives to further reduce your energy use, and provide free energy-saving light bulbs and other energy saving products. Volunteers are part of the VCEM program, and are trained by Efficiency Vermont. Please note: The home energy visit is not a home energy audit, but it will help identify homes that are good candidates for a professional energy audit and comprehensive home improvements through a certified Vermont Weatherization or Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor.

This Project is being offered in partnership with Efficiency Vermont. Interested? Please call Joyce Barbieri at 446-2336. Efforts will be made to accommodate as many requests as funding and volunteer resources will allow. All home energy visits are projected to be complete by April 30, 2010.

Property Transfers
Seller: John & Patty Shaw; 90 Shedd Place, Buyer: Tom & Bonnie Gainer, Sales price: $167,000; Assessed value: $161,600.

Seller: Tom & Bonnie Gainer; 179 School Street, Buyer: Tim & Tracy Upton, Sales price: $226,500; Assessed value: $272,700.

{Please note that these meeting minutes are a brief summary and are not the final approved version.}

The Selectboard approved applying for a Trailways Grant for the purpose of the grant is to upgrade, mark, and widen existing trails, improve drainage and install kiosks at the “pit” on Waldo Lane.

There was a lengthy discussion on the Gilbert Hart Library contribution request approval for $35,000, a $3,000 increase from last year. The Selectboard questioned the budget deficit of $15,817, up from last year’s deficit of $9,108. Several ideas to generate additional income and lower existing expenses were discussed.

Wallingford Rescue Squad Contribution Request. President Bastian Auer discussed their contribution request of $15,000.

The Department of Taxes equalization study report showed the Town’s equalized education property values at $229,951,000, a coefficient of dispersion of 12.80%, and a common level of appraisal of 102.45%. Last year’s figures were $227,269,000, 12.84% and 103.51% respectively.

FY11 Revenues, Administration, Expenditures, Insurance & Recreation Budgets were approved.

$1,000 was added to the Maintenance Budget and $400 to the Capital Budget for Recreation.

The Selectboard agreed that all salaries will remain the same, except for the Zoning Administrator who was newly hired.

The Selectboard read the Commissioner of Taxes’ response regarding Jim Marquis incorrect property values on his 2008 tax bill. Since it’s too late to change the values on the ’08 grand list, nothing can be done by the Town.

At the Building Committee’s recommendation, the Selectboard preliminary approved renovations costing up to $8,100 subject to obtaining additional quotes.

Tom Phillips discussed what might be done on his property on Waldo Lane. B. Brooks agreed to run the concept by Bill Burke. Hourly rates for engineers will be obtained.

The town budget was set at $520,032.40; down from $522,225.63 last year. The Town warning was approved.

Prudential Committee

The new agreement with the town was presented to the board with no changes from the last one. The board read it over and then all signed it.

The lodge rates for 2011 season were set as we will start taking bookings on January 1^st for that year.

Maureen handed out a printout of the water/sewer usage for the last three years to try and come up with a rate that could be used all year long. The board had some discussion about this even being able to work. The board would like to see figures using next year’s budget, so this was tabled until the next meeting.

The Committee approved the water/sewer budget with the change to bring Dale on full time for water.

The use of a flat rate for water/sewer was talked about further from last meeting and it will be set at the January 13th meeting.

A discussion about the PTO time for the two employees took place. The Committee approved increasing Mark to 120 hours and Dale will get 64 hours per year.

A letter from a customer was read requesting an allowance for water that had to be run off to get it to come clean after the hydrant flushing. The Committee approved taking the average from the last 3 years for the same time frame and giving an allowance for anything over that amount.

1/11/10. Present: J. West; R. Soule; E. Crelin, A. Tiplady, D. Farmer and B. Clark

Existing zoning/building permit application form was discussed for revisions and fees. Clarification for when a Zoning Permit was discussed, the $2,000 threshold and how this figure is determined as to “Value” vs. “Cost”. Alterations/revisions to these regulations would need to be addressed as a Zoning Bylaw revision.

Specificity of plot plan requirements was discussed as it relates to large parcels.

The Town Plan was discussed. Ann Tiplady is to continue with additional recommended revisions.

The Town’s interim flood regulations were discussed with focus on Rebecca Pfeiffer, VT DEC response to posed clarifications. Ed Crelin is to contact Rebecca Pfeiffer, VT DEC for clarification on this “requirement”.

Affordable Housing was discussed with correlation to proposed undertakings within the Town of Mt. Holly.

1/5/10. Present: T. Chila, J. Barbieri, J. White, K. Welch, B. Jones, E. Safford and R. Nimtz

Tim will pursue potential energy involvement at WES with students. Ken to contact J. West about energy at water/wastewater facilities. Jay commented on potential savings at old fire station and town garage.

VCEM agenda reviewed and tentative training dates identified. Pursuing volunteers at churches, Rotary, other groups discussed. Discussed pursuing street lighting as a potential source of energy savings.

The Wallingford Seniors have lost a great lady in Peggy Rice, who recently passed away after a long battle with cancer. Peggy was instrumental in organizing the Seniors group from its beginning and arranging the monthly Seniors trips and other events. Peggy brought much spirit and life among us..... we will miss her generous giving. God Bless.

Foot and blood pressure clinic on Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at the Wallingford House.

Our next Planning meeting will be Wednesday, February 10^th at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall. We hope to see some new faces and we could use your input.

Our next senior trip will be to Aldi’s for lunch and shopping on February 11^th. The bus leaves the Wallingford House at 10 a.m. Contact Gwen White at 446-3875 with any questions.

Remember Senior’s lunch every Monday at Noon at the Rotary. Contact Linda Weightman at 446-2301.

Activities around the Library are focused on the 2010 budget. If you have been reading the Wallingford News or seen the article a few weeks ago in the Rutland Herald you know that the Library is currently operating with a deficit budget. In a Wallingford Selectboard meeting on January 5, the Selectboard voted to reduce Town funding to the Library by $2,000. In a meeting on January 18, after the Library submitted additional budget information, the Town approved level funding in the amount of $32,000. Contributions and donations are down; cost of books, audios, and other materials are up; the Library had some unexpected repair costs last year such as repair to the roof; and investment revenues are down. All this has led to the Library currently operating with a deficit budget of over $18,000.

During the Board of Trustees meeting on January 12, the Board and Director took another look at the budget and made some hard decisions. These decisions include budgetary cuts as well as proactive initiatives. Here is a summary of those decisions:

Effective April 1, 2010, a $5 annual fee will be charged for all library cards. Estimated income for 2010 based on 500 library cards: - $2,500

Patrons requesting interlibrary loans will be asked to pay postage when ordering more than one (1) book per year, i.e., $2.50 for each book: - 600

Individuals or groups using the Klock Room will be asked to make a min. donation of $1 per person: - 300

Patrons with an overdue item would be required to pay $.25 per day for each overdue item: - 600

We still have a ways to go to reduce the $18,000 deficit. We are researching grant opportunities, exploring other ways to reduce expenditures, planning fund-raising activities, and looking for other opportunities for increasing revenue.

This is a good time to let you know what YOU can do to help YOUR community library:

Participate in the First Read program. Buy a book through the library; read it first; then donate it to the library. There is also the First Listen (audios) and First View (movies) programs.

Give a magazine gift subscription to the Library. Call the Library for suggestions.

Share your books, audios and movies with your neighbors by donating them to the library when you are finished with them. If they are in good conditions, we will take them. This will provide some relief to our materials budget.

Donate your time! As an example, we had to cut our technology budget and could use help in troubleshooting problems and developing computer programs, e.g., fund-raising. Call the Library for more information.

The Children’s Program budget has been cut. We need help in planning and presenting programs. Call Kevin at the Library for more information.

Your suggestions and ideas are always welcome. Call us at 446-2685 and let us know what you are thinking.

Book Review: True Tall Tales of Old Vermont by Harold Wilkinson. Harold A. Wilkinson says he “fell in love with beautiful Vermont , especially three special seasons: winter sports, fall foliage, and summer on the lake. But he discovered an added bonus when he met a rugged, elderly Vermonter named Fred.” Years after Fred died, Harold is sharing his tales. These tales are not the stories of battles, politics or romance. Rather they are humorous and talk about real Vermonters struggling to survive and better themselves. Good for grins and thinking back…

Kevin and David Klock will be holding a children’s program on Saturday, February 6^th that starts at 10:30 a.m. that includes music and poetry reading.

“In 1886 a shy, middle-aged piano tuner named Edgar Drake receives an unusual commission from the British War Office: to travel to the remote jungles of northeast

Burma

and there repair a rare piano belonging to an eccentric Army surgeon who has proven mysteriously indispensable to the imperial design. From this irresistible beginning, The Piano Tuner launches readers into a world of seductive, vibrantly rendered characters, and enmeshes them in an unbreakable spell of storytelling.” So describes our February book by Daniel Mason for discussion on February 17, 7 p.m., in the Klock Room at the Library. Books are now available at the Circulation Desk. Do come and take part in our discussion which lasts little more than an hour. We need your perspective!

Whist parties in February are on Friday, February 5 and Friday, February 19, starting at 7 p.m. Carol Pratt is in charge of these parties. Any questions, please contact Carol at 446-2843.

Rug-Braiding workshops begin on January 30, and take place on Saturdays, 9-12. Workshops will also be held on February 20, February 27, and March 13. The focus this year will be on braiding in the round – making chair pads, a basket, a bowl, or a tote bag. Call Lois Johnstone at 446-2442 to register and to inquire about materials to bring.

Sad News: Those of you who know Ginny Hallblom, a long-time member of the Friends and an avid booster of the Library, will be sorry to hear that she has died in California , near her children, at age 93. Anne Miller has addresses, should you want to express your condolences. Interment will be this summer at Saxtons River .

The next Friends meeting is on February 10 at 1 p.m. We have several new members and would enjoy having more join our group. The Congregational Church is having their Soup ‘n’ Such at noon, and there’s time to do both.

Events for the Maple Valley Grange #318 on Route 7 in South Wallingford ……
Every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. Line Dancing. $5 per person. Snack bar available. Beginners & experienced.

The Chipman Lodge 52 FAM holds meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge.

Suicide Survivors Support Group meetings for those who have lost a loved one or friend through suicide are held at the Maple Leaf Clinic, 167 North Main Street in Wallingford (446-3577) on the third Tuesday of each month.

Lunch, Love & Laughter
Come join us for lunch at the Wallingford Congregational Church on South Main Street every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wallingford Neighborhood Watch
If you’d like to receive emails under the Wallingford “Neighborhood Watch” system, send an email to townadmin@wallingfordvt.com and keep updated on vandalism, thefts, etc. in Wallingford and surrounding towns.

Angel Food Ministries
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing substantial grocery savings to communities throughout the U.S. Angel Food is available monthly to any household in a quantity that can fit into a medium sized box at $30. Each month’s menu is different and consists of both fresh/frozen items with an average retail value of $60. Generally, one box of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. Angel Food gladly accepts debit/credit cards, cash and food stamps.

You may have heard that they no longer require the purchase of a Signature Box, Allergen Free or Senior Convenience Box to order specials, like the fresh produce box, the chicken or the beef grill boxes, so please take a look at the new Angel Food Ministries offerings at www.rutlandangelfood.com. Order deadline for the next delivery is February 18^th @ 11:30 a.m.

Questions can be directed to Carleen Eaton at (802) 779-8078. Gift cards are now available for Angel Food!

Orders will be taken in person by a volunteer who will be at the Town Hall on Tuesday, February 2nd from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Stop by. Debit/credit cards, EBT (food stamps) or Cash accepted.

The Vermont Department of Health is offering free long-term radon testing kits. Call 1-800-439-8550, visit healthvermont.gov, or send a written request to Vermont Department of Health, Division of Health Surveillance, P.O. Box 170 , Burlington , VT 05402 with your name, mailing address, and daytime phone number.

Come Join our Olympian Bible Club!!
A New Kid's Ministry at East Wallingford Baptist Church. Every Friday from 6:30-8:00PM. Call 259-2831 for more information. Hope to see you there!!

Wallingford Congregational Ladies Aid
Winners of our Christmas raffle prizes:

Vase-Betsy Bowen; Bracelet-Toni Warren; Drill set-Joyce Barbieri; Afghan-Evelyn Smith; Cabot cheese, Tina Graves; Locker meat certificate, Joyce Bailey; Hickory Farms pkg., Fred Thurlow; Christmas stocking, Ruth Ann Carey; Maple syrup, John Shaw; Christmas ornaments, Anthony Cange; Vermont basket, Carol Mitchell; Additional Cabot cheese, A. Spiridakis.

Food Assistance For Vermont Seniors In Tight Times
In this challenging economy, nutritious food and extra food money is available for Seniors and retired folks who qualify. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program and Three Squares Vermont are two important food benefits for people over the age of 60. The Commodity program provides a 30 lb box of healthy food, distributed each month at several locations in Rutland County. To qualify, the monthly income limit for people age 60+ is $1,174 for an individual and $1,579/couple. There is no limit on savings.

Three Squares helps people of all ages to eat better. For a person age 65+, the monthly Three Squares benefit is directly deposited into the bank account of the recipient. Those under 65 are issued debit cards, for purchasing groceries, which are refilled automatically each month. Purchases are subtracted each time the card is used. It is easier for older adults to qualify for Three Squares because the allowable monthly income limit is higher than for younger folks. If a household monthly income is below $1,604 for an individual and $2,159 for a couple, there is no limit on the amount one can have in savings. People with higher incomes can still possibly qualify, but a savings limit of $3,000, excluding retirement accounts, is applied.

In determining if a Senior is eligible for the Three Squares Vermont benefit, the following living expenses are taken into consideration: medical bills and copays; insurance, rent, mortgage, property taxes, home owner's insurance and utilities.

Little Red School House
The newly reformed South Wallingford Youth Community Center Inc (SWYCC) is hard at work to get the doors of the Little Red School House open! In January the SWYCC signed a lease with the Wallingford School board granting permission for use of the building. Currently the group is completing a task list that includes turning on the utilities, cleaning the building, and fundraising! While the Little Red Schoolhouse previously was used as a cooperative preschool, it also was home to theater productions, holiday parties and more! Planned program offerings include a community playgroup for caregivers and children ages birth-6, a structured playgroup for children ages 3-6, home school activities, an Asperger’s Parent Support Group, and a Knitting/Yarn group. The anticipated opening of the Little Red School House is mid February upon completion of the necessary work! If you would like more information or have questions about programs that will be offered, using the space, or making a donation of time or money please contact Samantha Spoth at 802-259-7817.

Cookie Time
Brownie Troop #12432 is selling Girl Scout Cookies! All your wonderful favorites such as Thin Mints, Samoas (previously known as Carmel Delights), Trefoils, Tagalongs and more! Many girls from our Brownie Troop are selling cookies to raise funds to attend Girl Scout Camp that is held yearly at the Wallingford Lodge! Members of Troop #12432 will be selling cookies at the Wallingford Town Hall during voting on March 2^nd, from 3:30 pm-6:30 pm. If you would like to place an order prior to that, you may call 259-7817 and a Brownie will return your call!

Rutland Area Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Lecture Series Winter 2010
The Rutland Area Osher Lifelong Learning Institute exists to promote continuing education for area residents aged fifty and over. Started in 2003 as an affiliate of the University of Vermont with a startup grant from the Osher Foundation, we are an all–volunteer, nonprofit organization.

Each of the will be from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM on a Friday afternoon at the Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer Street (off Woodstock Avenue) in Rutland. For directions to the Godnick Center or for program information call 773-0184.

Purchase of a membership card entitles you to attend all 12 sessions during the winter 2010 term. Members also may attend (at no additional charge) Elder Education Enrichment programs in South Burlington and Osher programs in any of seven other Vermont towns: Brattleboro, Central Vermont (Montpelier/Barre), Lamoille Valley (Stowe), Newport/Derby/Stanstead, Springfield, St. Albans, and St. Johnsbury. For information on these programs see our web site at www.learn.uvm.edu/osher.

Nonmembers may attend individual sessions for $5 at the door. Reservations are NOT required. Memberships may be purchased at any session. Regular price: $40. Early bird special: $30, if paid on or before January 8.

Peter Marsh, who lives in Rutland, has degrees from Castleton State College and the University of Vermont. He has taught English Literature and Drama in the public schools for 37 years and is currently a producing director for Vermont Actors' Repertory Theatre.

February 5
Shakespeare's Life: The Times and the Canon of His Work Shakespeare's early life and education, the London he fled to, the context of the last of the Renaissance and the politics and religion that influenced his world all set the stage for what and why Shakespeare wrote.

February 12
The Elizabethan Theatre: Its History, Style, and Spoken Text Shakespeare was an actor and a shareholder in the Globe Theatre who wrote to be heard, not read. The playhouses, the other actors, and the business of the theatre tell us a great deal about why he wrote those plays.

February 19
Three Tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear: The Plays and Their Histories These giants in the canon of plays demonstrate Shakespeare's views on life, love, death, and despair. He uses staging to keep the audience focused. Tragic art comes to Shakespeare from over 2,000 years of Western culture.

February 26
The Comedies and Romances: The Tempest, Midsummer Night's Dream, The Taming of the Shrew
Comic style was a natural for an Elizabethan writer selling his work. Even though language changes have made some of the verbal humor inaccessible, these three plays provide physical humor, the power of illusion, the sense of the supernatural, disguise, farce, and plotting.