3/11

Please send news, ads, and items of interest to the Town Clerk by 3/18 at townclerk@wallingfordvt.com .

Support the Wallingford Newsletter with an ad. 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.

Free
Need some wood? 8 wooden platforms, approx. 75"L X 35"W and some 18" or 60"H. Can be seen at the Wallingford Town Hall - 446-2336.

If you don’t use your coupons and wish to share them with those that do, please leave them at the Transfer Station or at the Town Clerk’s office. The coupons will be available at the Town Clerk’s office. Thank you.

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. 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.

We will have a rabies clinic for both dogs and cats on Saturday, March 26^th from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Wallingford Town Clerk ’s Office. Dogs can be registered at that time.

March 5th at Noon at the Wallingford Stone Meadow Park (the old gravel pit and recreation fields). Join the Conservation Commission for an afternoon of sledding, hiking, ice skating and a bon fire to roast marshmallows and hot dogs! BYO sled and skates. Event will be cancelled if we have NO SNOW. It's Free.

Wallingford’s 250^th Anniversary
The Town will celebrate its 250-year anniversary this year. Plans are underway for a celebration later this summer. Contact Christine Bannerman if you would like to help out or have ideas.

VTEL/Finley Engineering
VTEL was recently awarded funds through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (purpose: to increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits). VTEL will use these funds to expand and promote broadband in their 14 service areas.

They have hired Finley Engineering Company, who is a 50+ year telecommunications and energy engineering firm based in Slayton, MN. Finley Engineering and VTEL personnel plan to go door-to-door in Wallingford to offer this new service (DSL, telephone and video). They are in process of hiring individuals (some local hopefully) to get this project completed.

They have provided the following vehicle information as you will be seeing these vehicles around town quite often: Gray Chevrolet Silverado Pickup, Minnesota Lic. #500AGP and Silver Ford F-150 Pickup, Colorado Lic #272UFZ.

Volunteers Needed
The Selectboard will be making its annual appointments for a variety of positions after town meeting such as Planning Commission, Building Committee, Energy Committee, Recreation Committee, Road Commissioner, etc. If you are interested in any of these positions, please notify the Selectboard by their March 7^th meeting.

Road Commissioner Position
The Wallingford Selectboard is currently seeking names of people who are interested in serving as the Town’s Road Commissioner for a one-year period starting soon. If you are interested in the position, please send a letter of interest to the Town Administrator, 75 School Street , Wallingford by the close of business Friday, March 4, 2011.

Swimming Lessons
We are looking for someone to give swimming lessons to Wallingford kids at Elfin Lake this summer. If you are qualified, please contact the Town Administrator at 446-2874 or email townadmin@wallingfordvt.com.

If you own a mobile home, stop by the Town Clerk’s office to pick up a copy of the “Do-it-Yourself” Mobile Home Energy Efficiency booklet on tips to help you save money, save energy and live more comfortably.

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

The Board reviewed a draft of the articles with Jay Kenlan. The Board approved the warning.

Bill Lohsen toured the town garage with a contractor to see if it could be rehabbed. Bill pointed out the issues and expenses that arise with building new vs. rehabbing. The contractor can provide a rough estimate to empty the garage, paint it, reinsulate the building, install new insulated garage doors, a new bathroom, radiant heat flooring (including resloping the floor), and new electrical system including fans. Bill anticipates the cost to be approximately $150-200M.

The Building and Energy Committees were also asked if they would like to merge on this project to study the options and make a proposal. The cell tower income will be now be set aside for the town garage to avoid additional financial burden on the taxpayers.

The Selectboard approved the proposed FY12 budget of $870,547.02. Current property is proposed at $559,761.66, which equates to a 2¢ increase to the property tax. The major drivers contributing to the nearly $40,000 increase is the backhoe replacement ($13,500) and paving (+$25,000).

Wallingford resident Carol Baker was given approval to host a walkathon to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on May 14^th from 10 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. The walk route will be from the school to Elfin Lake and back, and she anticipates approximately 20 walkers.

The Selectboard approved of the Conservation Commission sponsoring an afternoon of sledding, hiking, ice skating and a bon fire to roast marshmallows and hot dogs at Stone Meadow Park and the recreation fields. The event is scheduled for March 5^th at noon.

A lengthy conversation concerning the Summer Recreation Program and Elfin Lake operations for 2011, which included proposed job descriptions, positions needed, increasing fees and scholarship availability was held. No decisions were made about the summer rec program until further discussion is held with the program organizer.

Maureen called CVPS and found that the bill in question is for the siren at Town Hall.

Dennis told the board that they may get the van inspected by doing a little work, but have been told it will not pass next year.

Maureen reviewed the information she had on the break-in at the Sewer Plant. An insurance claim was filed. Several items must be replaced and repairs must be done soon.

The Board approved replacing the flow meter at the Sewer Plant as it is no longer working properly, at an estimated cost of $2,000.

The Board agreed to check on pricing to replace the sidewalk plow as it has broken down again. They felt it was time to invest in a new tractor and stop spending the money to try and keep this one going all the time.

Jeff Duchesne discussed an inspection of the station noting a few issues that at some point will need to be addressed to meet fire codes in the building. Jeff was given approval to apply for grants that would help with some of the issues and not cost the tax payers the full dollar amount.

The Board reviewed the lease on the South Wallingford Fire Station. The lease renews every five years. The district is responsible for all maintenance issues. The Board renewed the lease.

The Fire Protection Budget was reviewed by the Board again as it had not been approved by the Fire Protection Committee. The Board will leave the budget as is since it needs to be published in the annual reports.

Alicia reported that the inventory of all the street lights is complete, and she is working on the next step of the energy project to replace the lights with LED bulbs.

The board reviewed the proposal for a John Deere tractor and snowblower for the sidewalks at a cost of approximately $25,000. They will seek a couple more quotes before they make a decision.

Kurt Brown came as the moderator of our annual meeting to just go over the warning as well as anything the board would like him to know beforehand.

Scott did have some information on the Kubota tractors, and it will cost $30,000 with the snow blower. He will try to find a third quote for our next meeting and then a decision can be made as to what to do about replacing the old tractor.

Maureen reported that the recent annual inspection of the sewer plant by the state only found a few minor things to correct.

The board members reviewed the annual report and discussed any issue they felt might come up during the annual meeting.

Water Fund Budget $200,300; Yes 24, No 18.
General Fund Budget $91,205; Yes 24, No 18.
Sewer Fund Budget $150,500; Yes 27, No 15.
Fire Protection Budget $133,653; Yes 23, No 19.

Scott Sendra was elected to the 3-year seat on the Prudential Committee. Kurt Brown was elected Moderator, Jeff Duchesne was elected Fire Chief, John Thompson was elected Fire Chief’s First Assistant, and Stephane Goulet was elected Second Assistant, all one-year terms.

Conservation Commission

1/24/11. Present: R. Nimtz, C. Macleod, S. Pytlik, D. Scranton, D. Klock, and J. Gilman

Ralph is the contact for Green Up Day and ordered more bags this year. Awareness will be increased during March & April.

Wildlife Travel Corridors Tracking Seminar on 2/19. RNBC Tree Sale - will consider after steep slope has been reclaimed for new plantings.

Carol will write draft grant application to AVCCVT ($250-500) for trail/walking brochures; mowing fields in Stone Meadow, and moving gravel for fill by well.

Community work day to clean up Stone Meadow being discussed. Winter Sports Day March 5th at Stone Meadow being planned.

Wallingford 250^th Anniversary – the Historical Society is coordinating this among town groups. Spring speakers may be on Gardening and Edible Wild Foods.

2/07/11. Present: [EC] T. Chila, D. Blodgett, J. White and K. Welch; [BC] C. Dinnan and D. Klock; Both [EC & BC] J. Barbieri and R. Nimtz

Joint session of Building and Energy Committee:

What does each committee do? Building Committee has has almost fulfilled town hall improvements to the tune of approximately $250K. Stone basement exterior still needs to be pointed and new, efficient interior light fixtures added. Town Hall cell tower generates approximately $16k/yr. in revenue. The town garage needs energy efficiency improvements.

Town Garage has decent steel according to Jay with only two compromised I-beams. Exterior skin is in rough shape, which could be replaced with spry foam and skin panels. Should radiant heat be installed in the floor? Bottom bay door panels are rotten – full replacement would cost approx. $20k. There’s also electric, drainage, and heating issues. Jay will work with Bill Lohsen on cost estimates for insulation and building envelope issues.

Street Lighting: This project has been deferred till summer. Ralph will ask Alicia (WFD) to poll their members on the necessity of maintaining specific street lights. CVPS is very close to completing their tariff on street lighting. Should we put this issue in the town energy plan? This is really a fire district issue.

Town Energy Plan: Ken and Doug each submitted draft sections for the town plan on “Hydro” and “Biomass” respectively and asked for suggestions/comments.

Wallingford Elementary School

1/20/11. Present: D. Klock, P. Rondinone, C. Watts, M. Kenney, and K. Fredette

Wallingford Fire District #1 would like to use the building on February 15^th for their annual meeting. The Little Red Schoolhouse would like to use the building for a Mud, Maple, and Music Festival on March 12, and an egg hunt on April 23^rd.

The final WES Geography Bee competition will be held on January 20^th. The student council will hold a movie night at WES to benefit the Rutland County Humane Society. The PTO will host a contra dance and auction on February 4^th.

The Board approved paid leave beginning February 21^st until as late as April 30th for school days missed, and to continue to pay the school’s share of the teacher’s health and dental insurance through the end of June 2011 for a teacher.

Jay Kenlan discussed the school board member’s involvement in the next town meeting.

Principal Jason Morse’ report: The Thrive Center would like to host three yoga classes in the gym.

The 3rd grade will visit the Community Cupboard to drop off the food from our annual food drive.

The PTO will host a contra dance and auction in the gym on February 4th. The WES Spelling Bee will be held on February 10th.

Interviews for the bus driver position will be held on February 7^th. Interviews for the 4^th grade long term substitute position will begin on the 7^th.

Superintendent D. Cole-Levesque’s report: 21^st CCLC grant is due to the State on 2/11 with a determination in April. We are hopeful that an award of funds will substantially enhance our summer and after-school programs.

On 2/8, Commissioner Vilaseca will release the NECAP test results state-wide for students in grades 3-8 and 11 who were assessed in the fall of 2010 on their reading, math and writing skills.

Plans for the SU wide in-service day on 3/18 include required trainings in Prevention and Education around Child Abuse and Drug and Alcohol with support from Rutland Mental Health. Afternoon sessions will be focused on local professional development initiatives.

A meeting has been set for the first discussion of the Elementary School Choice Programs in the two Supervisory Unions.

Meetings are scheduled with principals and central office personnel to review with them their progress on their annual professional goals.

Foot and blood pressure clinic on Wednesday, March 2nd at 10:30 a.m. at the Wallingford House.

Our monthly meeting dates to the third Monday of each month, at 1 p.m. at the Town Hall.

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

We will hold bingo on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Rotary building at 1 p.m. The public is welcome.

New program for the seniors: The bus will leave the Wallingford House at 9 a.m. twice a month to go to Rutland for grocery shopping. The March trips will be on Friday, March 4th and then again on Friday, March 18^th. All are welcome. Questions, call Gwen White at 446-3875.

Rutland Area Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Lecture Series – Winter 2011

Contact a member of the Seniors Group if you are interested in attending one of these lectures as the Wallingford Seniors has purchased a season’s pass. This offer is only good for members of the Seniors Group.

Each of the lectures will be from 1:30 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 446-2041 or 492-2300.

How Vermonters Will Live Tomorrow

March 4: Sustainability and a Better Life for All
George Plumb is a long-time environmental and social justice advocate who serves as the executive director of Vermonters for Sustainable Population. He will discuss why the current growth-oriented economic model is no longer working and how we need to change our measure of economic well-being and our economic system, and the relationship of population growth to both of these. He will look at what governmental as well as personal action can be taken to assist in these important changes.

March 11: Sustainability Initiatives in the Rutland Region
Jim Sabataso and Carol Tashie are leaders in Sustainable Rutland, a group committed to promoting environmental, cultural, and economic initiatives in the region. They will discuss how organizational and municipal partnerships and community engagement can elevate and enhance our future sustainability efforts. They will also solicit ideas and input from the audience members, many of whom are lifelong area residents.

March 18: The "Greening" of Our Homes
Steve Spatz is the owner of Redbarn Design, a firm specializing in high performance, low-embodied energy residential construction. An energy auditor as well as a certified "green" professional builder, he will discuss the opportunities and programs for reducing existing home energy and heating costs. Additionally, he will review the new design methods that promise a "greener" home future.

March 25: Higher Education: Trading Ivory For Green
William M. Throop, Ph.D. is provost and vice president of academic affairs at Green Mountain College, recently designated the "greenest" college in the nation by Sierra Magazine. This presentation will outline three phases in the greening of US higher education and describe its role in growing the green jobs sector, and developing the capacity of the next generation to live sustainably.

The Gilbert Hart Library
The Library has many new titles in so far this year, including the latest from Vince Flynn, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, Anita Shreve, Elmore Leonard, Nicholas Sparks, Archer Mayor, Ken Follett, and more. These books are in and out of the displays very quickly. In February 17 children visited for a Valentine's Day Celebration that included a heart hunt, book sharing, special snack, and craft project. Thanks to the Friends of the Library for making this program a success!

Beginning in March young children and their parents are invited to visit the library at 10:30am on the first and third Fridays of the month. Wendy will share some age appropriate books and songs for about a half hour. The Library also received a new edition of the ECHO pass. This pass is available for patrons to check out and take with them to Burlington for discounted admission to the Lake Aquarium and Science Center. To borrow the pass, simply stop by the circulation desk at the library and ask. You may take it for up to 4 days at a time and it is valid for 2 adults and 3 youth at $4 per admission. Another great benefit of having the library for us all to enjoy.

Sun & Mon: closed
Tues:              10 - 5:00
Wed:              10 – 8:00
Thurs & Fri:   10 – 5:00
Saturday:         9 – 12:00

Hart Lines By the Friends of Gilbert Hart Library
This has been a difficult winter for most of us, and it’s still not over, but we are looking at March (!) which at least suggests that spring is on its way. Daylight Savings time begins on March 13, and the first day of spring is on March 20. What Vermont weather does is apt to be quite a different matter!

Whist parties continue on Friday nights at 7:00. In March they will be on the 4^th and 18^th; in April they will be on 1^st, 15^th and 29^th. Carol Pratt is still the contact person for this activity (446-2843).

Lois will continue with rug-braiding workshop activity on Saturdays, 9-12 a.m., on March 5^th and March 12^th. For more information, call her at 446-2442.

We will be having a book discussion on March 16 on Barbara Kingsolver’s most recent book, The Lucuna, at 7:00 p.m. in the Klock Room. As there are a limited number of books available, when you get one, read it, take notes, and return so that someone else can enjoy it. It is apparently an interesting book with much action involving the Mexican border area, and of course, Ms. Kingsolver writes a good story.

We have scheduled events pretty much for the whole year. A flier will be available soon at the Library, but a quick run-down of activities is for April 20^th, a Humanities Presentation by Ursula Smith and Linda Peavy who present in their inimitable way “The Shipman Family Dilemma of 1881,” about a Bethel family who went west in the 1880s.

In May we will have our annual plant sale on the 14^th from 9-12. In June there will be a garden tour and tea; in July a book and yard sale. In August is our own Fete Day before making plans for a new year and the annual fund raising dinner in October.

First Wednesdays are held in various cities throughout Vermont as an extension of the Vermont Humanities Council. In our area the free lectures are held in the Rutland Free Library at 7:00 p.m. On March 2^nd it will be “100 Years Since Triangle: The Fire that Seared a Nation’s Conscience”.

In Manchester the program is “Beethoven’s Sketchbooks”. It will be held in the First Congregational Church at 7:00 p.m. More details are at the Library on the bulletin board.

Events for the Maple Valley Grange #318 on Route 7 in South Wallingford ……

Every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. Line Dancing. $5 per person. Snack bar available. Beginners & experienced.

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

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

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.

Take a look at the new Angel Food Ministries offerings at www.rutlandangelfood.com. Questions can be directed to Carleen Eaton at (802) 779-8078. Local pick up can be arranged.

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

Volunteers needed -- Age 13- seniors for Fundraisers, work details, events! Contact Charlie Gauthier at 353-0996 for details.

Help the Fire Department clean out fire hydrants in front of your home. Thank you.

ATTENTION! The Wallingford Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Fun Day and Fireworks Display have been cancelled for 2011 due to lack of manpower and funds. We are sorry for this and hope we can hold it again next year.

Community Food Shelf
The Community Food Shelf is located in the Fellowship Hall of the Wallingford Congregational Church on South Main Street . If you or someone you know of is in need of help in this respect, contact Cindy Daubenspeck at 446-2412 or Evelyn Smith at 446-2341.

BURIAL LOTS FOR SALE

By Time Sale; Interest Free
GREEN HILL CEMETERY
South Main Street ~ Wallingford, VT

Call Charles Gauthier at 353-0996

Terms: 20% down; balance paid in 10 monthly payments. Deed will be written when last payment is made. If APPLICANT FAILS TO MAKE FINAL PAYMENT AS AGREED, APPLICANT WILL FORFEIT 20% DOWN PAYMENT. ANY ADDITIONAL MONEY PAID WILL BE RETURNED TO APPLICANT.

$25 Bear and a Bunch includes Liv N. Hope, the 10-inch collectible 2011 Boyds bear with a daffodil

Last day to order: March 1, flowers delivered week of March 14. Money due at delivery. Call Julie at 446-2336 to order or stop by the Town Hall.

East Wallingford Baptist Church - 150th Anniversary Service
Saturday, March 5th at 6:30 P.M. Featuring Appetizers, Special Music by Ted Fish and Special Speaker, Dr. Howard Bixby. Visit us at ewbaptist.com for more details or call 259-2831

Cystic Fibrosis Walkathon
Wallingford resident Emma Baker suffers from cystic fibrosis. Her mother, Carol, is organizing a walkathon to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on May 14^th from 10 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. The walk route will start at the Wallingford Elementary School on School Street down to Elfin Lake and back. If you would like to participate in the walk or pledge a donation, please contact her at 446-3653 or cwebaker@gmail.com.

Attention Fire District #1 Property Owners
If you have those hard water stains under the rim of your toilet bowl, try this amazing and cheap product… “the Works Disinfectant Toilet Bowl Cleaner”. It’s truly amazing; it does the work without any scrubbing! And the best part is that you can buy this at the Dollar Store next to WalMart in Rutland .

WALLINGFORD MEMORIAL ROTARY CLUB
96 NORTH MAIN STREET, WALLINGFORD

PULLED PORK DINNER
APRIL 9, 2011
5-7 P.M.

Cost: $10/adult $5/child (under 12)

Summer Camp for Rent on Tinmouth Pond

Two bedrooms (one double bed/two bunk beds), 1 bathroom, with phone, TV w/cable, kayaks and paddleboat. Fully furnished. $500 per week (7 days/6 nights Sat-Fri). No pets allowed. Payment due upon reservation. Call (802) 446-2902.

AARP does not have anyone to send to Wallingford to prepare free tax returns this year. Please call 773-8931 to arrange for an appointment.