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Wallingford News December 2009

Editor’s Note: Please send news, ads, and items of interest by 12/22 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 Town Office will be closed December 24^th, 25^th and 31^st, and January 1^st. Happy Holidays!

Reminder – No Parking Ban goes into effect November 15^th through March 31^st. No parking allowed on Wallingford roads between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

NEW Zoning Office Hours are Mondays and Fridays from 8 to 11 a.m. Contact Zoning Administrator Christopher Schmelzenbach, P.E. at 446-2874 or zoning@wallingfordvt.com with any zoning questions.

Holiday Gift Ideas
If you run out of gifts, why not purchase a Vermont Hunting or Fishing license for 2009? Licenses will be available at the Wallingford Town Clerk 's office later in the month of December. Call 446-2336 to see if we've received them.

Zoning Permits Issued
David & Lenore Cooke, 2067 Route 140E, garage
Lois Johnstone , 1206 Church Street, foundation repairs
Thomas Jr. & Robyn Woodbury, 1911 Route 140W, 3-lot subdivision

Property Transfers
Seller: Malcolm & Rita Swogger, 1774 Route 7 South, Buyer: William & Leigh Quigley, Sales price: $840,000; Assessed value: $723,400.

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

Selectboard

There was further discussion on a reclamation plan for the pit and other options.

Recreation Committee members asked the Selectboard to clarify their roles and responsibilities as a committee. Mr. Brooks would like to see the Committee create and oversee the recreation programs, recommend employees for hire, and prepare a budget. The Committee members agreed to meet to work on job descriptions. The Selectboard agreed to develop a list of specific responsibilities for the Recreation Committee.

The Selectboard accepted Delinquent Tax Collector Lee Perry ’s proposed tax sale policy.

The Selectboard was agreeable to the schedule for budget meetings and the new town report format.

The Town will submit the Creek Road Bridge and the Route 140W (Depot Street) Bridge to the Rutland Region Transportation Council for their bridge candidate’s list.

The Selectboard signed a Notice of Violation for the property at 49 River Street, under Title 4: Health and Welfare Ordinance, Chapter 7: Regulating Outdoor Storage of Junk and Junk Vehicles).

Tom Phillips reported that Phil Baker is now available to remove the berm at the “pit” on the west side of Waldo Lane J. Gilman stated that Mr. Baker must first sign the written agreement that has been prepared for this project.

Joyce applied for a debit card instead of a credit card as they required her personal credit history.

The Selectboard appointed the following to the new Energy Committee: J. Barbieri, K. Welch, B. Jones, J. White, D. Blodgett, R. Nimtz, T. Esposito and E. Safford.

The Selectboard signed a new agreement to insure fire protection services next year.

The Selectboard agreed to hire an attorney for a legal opinion on what the fire district’s charter and amendments specify regarding fire protection in order to determine if the voters outside of Fire District #1 (excluding E. Wallingford) can vote on the fire protection budget.

The Selectboard did not feel that noise from children playing outside would qualify under the objectionable noise ordinance.

The Selectboard agreed to hold a bridge opening ceremony on Sunday, November 22^nd at 1 p.m.

The Selectboard gave Shannon Pytlik approval to submit a grant application for funds to improve the drainage at the Elfin Lake beach so that it would drain into a rain garden. No financial match is required of the town.

There was discussion about the small piece of road along Waldo Lane that is actually owned by Tom Phillips. Joyce explained the history of that road, and Mr. Phillips stated that he had no problem with the town owning the entire road.

Mr. Phillips led a discussion on the pending rec projects and reported that the committee is considering installing a gazebo at both the rec field and lake for protection from the rain.

Conservation Commission

10/26/09. Present: R. Nimtz, S. Pytlik, P. Upton, D. Klock, K. Blodgett, T. Chila, A. Miller, and D. Scranton

Shannon has more brochures for dissemination. Plastic brochure holders would help at some locations. The group was reminded to maintain the supplies at their assigned venues.

Tim has not yet heard anything back from the Planning Commission regarding inviting Jens Hilke as a speaker/facilitator.

Ralph has tried to get in touch with railroad folks in regards to painting the hut but has had no success.

Kim will bring a flip chart and we will brainstorm at the next meeting to prioritize our activities

Tim, Shannon and Steve Pytlik walked the Pine Hill trails and took photos. Ralph and Carol met with Michael at Pine Hill Park and gave many great suggestions.

Shannon attended a Trails and Greenways conference recently. The T&G grant is due in January and the Watershed grant is due in December. She’s invited Ethan Swift to assess Elfin Lake for a rain garden to minimize erosion into the Lake.

The school is already composting their waste and taking it to a local pig farmer. Tim will investigate what other towns are composting and what the costs and manpower needs are.

Nail it Down Hardware donated “The Complete Home Energy Savings Kit”. We will give everyone a ticket as they come through the door. In addition, each attendee will receive additional savings coupons. Shannon has 10 energy videos and will contact the library to see if they will oversee lending them out to interested folks.

Prudential Committee

Eric Hanson from Vermont Rural Water to talk to the board about the grant money that may be available to the district for water or wastewater projects that needs to be done.

B. Brooks wants to pursue letting all but East Wallingford vote on Fire Protection issues. The Committee agreed to have a binding vote on the ballot to ask the voters

It was reported that the new hydrant near the 140 bridge had been replaced and working well.

4^th Qtr water/sewer rates were set at $7.27 for water and $6.57 for sewer per 1000 gallons.

10/05/09. Present: J. West; R. Soule; E. Crelin, A. Tiplady, D. Farmer and B. Clark

Lengthy discussion followed on changes to the Flood regulations. This item will remain on agenda for further discussion.

All agreed to leave mission statement in Town Plan as is but agreed that a lot of the historical data should be removed.

10/28/09. Present: K. Shelvey, T. Petrossi, J. Osmer, L. Marchinkoski, T. Phillips, and P. DiIonno

The Committee agreed to draft a letter to the Selectboard to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Wallingford Recreation Committee. The Recreation Committee needs a written description of the roles, responsibilities and expectations of the committee.

T. Phillips is working on his small bulldozer and should be ready to begin to remove berm in about 2 weeks. He will email everyone so that we know when this will occur and we will provide assistance as needed.

Ralph has taken pictures and will try to locate the geologist at Castleton State to see if she can shed some light as to what this structure represents.

Committee discussed the necessity for grant writing and education about what was available and how other groups have done what we wish to accomplish. Carol will call Michael Smith of Pine Hill Park to see if we can meet with him. It was suggested that Wallingford resident Doug Reeves of the Forest Service might be able to enlighten us regarding trail construction.

11/11/09. Present: C. Macleod, T. Phillips, S. Pytlik, R. Nimtz, T. Chila, and J. Gilman

Members gave a description of the tours of Pine Hill Park and meeting with Michael Smith. He recommended that short term goals/jobs be performed and large maps of the area be used to delineate projects, i.e. trail placement, etc.

Shannon discussed the Vermont Trails and Greenways Symposium she attended. She is writing a grant application for water diversion at the beach including a water garden. She will send a copy Rec Committee Chair Keith Shelvey for approval and then on to the Selectboard. It is our hope to install a bridge over the bog area.

Phil Baker will remove the berm on Waldo Lane across from the pedestrian bridge. The work is being done in exchange for the material.

The Committee agreed to set the 2^nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. as the regular meeting time of this committee.

Tom requested help in cleaning up the trees removed when the initial opening in the berm was done.

11/10/09. Present: T. Chila, J. Barbieri, J. White, D. Blodgett, K. Welch, and R. Nimtz

The meeting started with introductions and committee members expressing their reasons/desires for being on the committee.

Energy Inventory: The Committee agreed to look critically at municipal energy budgets and then to search for what resources may be available to improve efficiency in these buildings. Assignments were as follows: Joyce - Grange, Town Garage & Town hall; Tim – Elem. School; Jay – Fire Station and Fire District; Doug – E. Wall. Fire Station: Ralph – Library; and Ken – Sewage Treatment Plant

Energy Plan – outline of our plan and strategy of attack on municipal energy use –Develop/improve the chapter on energy efficiency in the town plan (which is a requirement for the RRPC). This should include transportation considerations. Tim has many guidance documents for this task and will also approach and inform the town planning commission of this task.

VT Comm. Energy Mobilization Project: the goal of this regional project is to visit 1,000 homes and retrofit 100 homes with simple energy saving devices (showerheads, light bulbs). An educational component with educational materials/resources is also contemplated. Our committee committed to 20 homes.

11/05/09. Present: C. Piotrowski, K. Fredette, D. Klock, P. Rondinone, and C. Watts

The Wallingford Teachers Association made a statement regarding contract negotiations.

W. Goetz shared a worksheet detailing the proposed 2010-2011 budget for the school. The Board asked J. Morse to review the budget and prepare recommendations for the board to review.

J. Morse reported that seven touchless faucets will be installed in the bathrooms for $5,250 at no cost to the school.

Field Trips and Special Events were reported. Judy Dow will be here for an artist-in-residence made possible by a grant from the Berkshire Bank Foundation.

Mary Grabowski organized a 6-week parenting class at WES on Monday evenings with 28 people attending.

GE is giving us $2000 towards our new walking pat h. Parent conferences will be held on November 10^th. A flu shot clinic was held with 84 students vaccinated for H1N1. CVPS has given $1,000 to support the start-up of our after school program. Enrollment as of Tuesday is 117. We lost two last Friday, but gained two this week.

Jason surveyed parents about instituting a ski program at WES. The response to the survey was significant and the majority was in favor of a program.

W. Goetz noted that South Wallingford Youth Group had been reinstated by the state and a non-profit. He found the agreement between the school board and the Group. The lock changes and roof repairs done at the Little Red School house were paid for by the School.

K. Fredette reported on his attendance at a state-wide meeting on state governance. VSBA has an online video on statewide school funding.

C. Piotrowski gave an update on the RSSU superintendent search. Four candidates will be interviewed for the position over the next two weeks.

Regarding Wallingford’s teachers and payments into the retirement accounts, the board directed the superintendent to contact TPA and ask TPA to return the money with interest, if they cannot resolve the issue immediately.

The board discussed the Wallingford Teacher Association letter read earlier in the meeting and expressed its desire to return to negotiations.

“Wallingford Seniors Happenings”

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

Please stop by and say hello at the Seniors table at the Christmas Craft Fair on December 5^th at the Wallingford Elementary School.

There will be no Planning Committee meeting in December. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, January 13^th at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall. We hope to see some new faces and we could use your input.

There will be no Senior Trip in December. Our next trip will be in January. Watch the Town Hall and Library bulletin boards for more information or call Peggy Rice at 446-6050.

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

A thank you to Louise Seward and Jay Eddy for the wonderful program that they gave on the history of East Wallingford.

We wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy and Health New Year, a Happy Hanukkah and a Happy Kwanzaa.

Whether you are celebrating Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas or just enjoying a special time with your family and friends, the Library staff (Kevin and I) and Board of Trustees wish you a happy, fun, safe, and blessed holiday!

We send special holiday greetings and good wishes to our troops and their families. We thank you for your sacrifices.

Library Wish List: One of the many fun things that some of us do during the holidays is to write a letter to Santa and, of course, we include our wish list. Well, the Library is no different! Here are a few things that we hope to receive during the holidays:

In exchange, the Library staff promises to provide high-quality materials and customer service to the Wallingford community! What a great exchange of gifts!

Speaking of providing high-quality materials, here are some of the new arrivals at the library:

Book Review: Christmas is Good by Trixie Koontz, as told to Dean Koontz. For those of you who do not know this, Trixie Koontz is a special one-of-a-kind Golden Retriever, an author owned by another well-known author, Dean Koontz. This is the last book Trixie has co-written with Koontz, and it is a delightful story best read while eating cookies and drinking milk (well, maybe not good to drink milk while reading – I laughed so hard milk came out my nose!). It is a delightful story that will remind you what the holidays should be all about -- giving rather than getting (except when the “getting” involves dog sausages!). A fun read! Stop by and check it out.

The Library ECHO Pass Open Door Program was such a success this year that the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, is continuing the program for one more year. For those of you not familiar with the program, if you borrow a book from the library, you may borrow the ECHO pass. The pass entitles two adults and three youths to enter the Echo Center for $2 each rather than the standard admission fee of $9.50 for adults and $7.50 for children – a nice savings! If you are traveling to Burlington and plan to visit the Center, stop by the library and borrow the pass.

Bring the children and enjoy our Children’s Story Hour each Wednesday morning at 10:30. Mike Cange and other Wallingford Day Care staff have a fun time reading and entertaining the children. Walk-ins are encouraged and welcomed! Please call the Library at 446-2685 for more information.

Winter hours: Just a reminder that effective November 25, the Library will be closing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. We will resume our 8 p.m. evening hour when the weather gets warmer, most likely in early March.

                                                                                              Library Hours

With the arrival of December 1^st, the holiday season in Wallingford begins! Don ’t forget the lighting of the holiday tree, the carols, cocoa and cookies at the library on Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the singing and visiting with your neighbors and get into the holiday spirit. Nelson Jaquay will again lead us in the singing.

A few days following the tree lighting will be our second annual Chocolate Shoppe event that will be held in the Klock Room on Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will have handcrafted confections and chocolate desserts, chocolate fondue, fudge, cupcakes, brownies, candy, coffee, tea and cocoa. It’s a good day to be in Wallingford for the Elementary School Craft Fair and the Congregational Church Craft Fair are also the same day. I wonder what other treasures are being offered that day that I haven’t heard about? Come and see.

While we’re at the beginning of the month, remember the First Wednesday lectures in both Rutland and Manchester on December 2. Full program list is on the Library bulletin board.

There is only one Whist party in December – 12/11. Call Carol Pratt for information at 446-2843.

The December meeting of the Friends will be held on December 9 when we will be able to evaluate the Chocolate Shoppe and make note of ways to improve things for the following year. Also, we need to make plans for the year 2010 programming.

Our book discussions are already set through May. The next one is not until February 17, 2010, and will be The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason. Books should be available at the library in mid-January.

Also set, as in previous years, is the annual braiding workshops, held in February and March on Saturday mornings. Lois has new ideas for these workshops, so stay tuned!

We might also have some movies to offer on some of those dark days of winter. If any of you readers have ideas for us, let us know, or call our program chairman, Betty Emery , 446-3366.

Meanwhile, THINK CHOCOLATE! What can YOU donate to our delectable display of divine delights?

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.

First Congregational Church
The Ladies Aid Society is hosting a Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, December 5^th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church basement on South Main Street in Wallingford. Local vendors, Vermont crafts, Evergreen wreaths, Baked goods and Raffle.

Vendor space available (8’x8’ with 8’ table) $20. For more information, call Evelyn Smith at 446-2341 or Shirley Graves at 446-2787.

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 December 12th.

Questions can be directed to Carleen Eaton at (802) 342-2703. Gift cards are now available for Angel Food!

NEW Orders will be taken in person by a volunteer who will be at the Town Hall on Tuesday, December 1st from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Stop by. Debit/credit cards, EBT (food stamps) or Cash accepted.

Wallingford Historical Society News
The vision of the Wallingford Historical Society for the upcoming year is to get fragile historical clothing and material items in conservation boxes. Also to update the collection and get the upstairs of the Town Hall, our assigned space, cleaned and organized so as to present to townspeople and visitors alike a look into our past. We’re also looking for new members and volunteers to help us care for the collections and work on the exhibits. It’s a hands-on way to learn about local history. So join us on 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of the month from 1:00 to 4:30 upstairs at the Town Hall to help. Contact Joyce Barbieri for more information (446-2336) or come to the Board meeting December 8^th at 11:30 in the Town Clerk ’s office to find out how you can help.

Make this Christmas a Green Christmas
By making a few simple adjustments, you can make this white Christmas a little greener. The Wallingford Conservation Commission suggests that you follow at least a few of the twelve suggestions below:

Plan your shopping so you're not making endless trips back and forth wasting gas, not to mention your time and energy

Take reusable tote bags to the store and decline their shopping bags. Every American uses 520 plastic bags a year, or 10 a week, and we throw away 14-billion of them annually. That's a lot of petroleum to waste.

Entertaining? Use fabric tablecloths and your usual china, glasses and flatware rather than disposables. If you do go the paper plate route, use recycled, recyclable or reusable plates. Choose paper towels, toilet tissue and cocktail napkins made with recycled fiber. At parties, provide separate trash containers for glass, plastic and metal.

Wrap wisely. Buy recycled gift wrap. Or use something else: color comics, maps, kids' artwork, magazine pages, recycled gift bags (you do save the gift bags you receive, right?), fabric remnants, scarves or a reusable supermarket bag.

Recycle what you replace. If you get a new cell phone or computer, pass the old one on to someone who can use it. Some retailers participat e in cell phone recycling programs to keep mercury, cadmium and lead out of landfills.

Choose a real tree. After the holidays, watch for announcements about where and when your county or city will pick up trees to be turned into mulch.

Give presents that require minimal packaging and wrapping: tickets to performances, sports events, movies; gift certificates, gift cards, coupons for services or activities.

Honor gift recipients who already have everything with gifts to others. Send farm animals, seeds, clean water and health care to people in developing nations. Adopt endangered animals or a piece of the rainforest. The Heifer Project (www.heifer.org), the Rainforest Alliance (www.rainforest-alliance.org), the African Wildlife Adoption Center (www.awf.org) and the Alternative Gifts Foundation (www.alternativegifts.org) and other faith-based groups are among many charities and nonprofits that offer this option. See what you can give for the price of a baseball cap or a Barbie doll. The organizations provide cards you can send to the gift recipients indicating what you've bought in their name.

Shop at local craft fairs or from fair trade and sustainable sources where the workers are paid a decent wage and labor in decent surroundings. Check www.fairtradefederation.org for a list of merchants.

Recycle packaging. Drop off extra packing peanuts at private mailing centers. Call the Plastic Loosefill Council's Peanut Hotline toll-free at 800-828-2214 for the names of local businesses that reuse them.

Reuse the colorful shredded paper that comes as padding in packages when you wrap your own gifts. Got a shredder? Turn used gift wrap or other colorful paper into your own shreds to use as filler in gift bags and boxes.

If you have heirloom items, consider giving them to family members now. Pass on Granddad's fountain pen to a grandchild. Give Grandma's hand- crocheted tablecloth to a daughter.

Vermont Reiki Association Sponsors Reiki & Tea Share [FREE]
Sunday, December 13^th.,6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Thrive Center of the Green Mountains, 68 South Main Street, Wallingford, VT

Participants will Experience: A hands-on treatment opportunity to give and/or receive Reiki and share some tea. Setting time aside for quietude during the holiday season, is always a good Idea, often assisting to keep things in even greater perspective!

This event is open to everyone, not just Vermont Reiki Association [VRA] members. For more details, directions, and to RSVP call The Thrive Center at 802.446.2499. Open to 18 participants.

Green Hill Cemetery
Affordable cemetery lots are available in the Green Hill Cemetery on Route 7 South in Wallingford. Contact Superintendent Charlie Gauthier at 353-0996 for pricing.

For a limited time Wallingford residents can dispose of their Christmas Trees, help the environment and save money. Between December 26th and January 30th the District will accept trees (cleaned of all tinsel and decorations) at no charge at the Gleason Road Transfer Station. The trees are ground into mulch, which is then composted - the ultimate in organic recycling! Each year approximately 1,200 Christmas trees are recycled by the District through this program.

WHERE? Gleason Road Transfer Station, Rutland
WHEN? December 26th through January 30th
WHY? Save $ and recycle
HOW? Deliver trees between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm, Mon-Sat
QUESTIONS? Call 775-7209

Wallingford Memorial Rotary Club German Pork Roast Dinner
January 23, 2010, 5 – 7 P.M. @ The Rotary Building – North Main Street, Wallingford featuring Pork and sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, applesauce, spinach salad, rolls, with a dessert choice of strawberry rhubarb potpie, or apple crumble. Cost: $10/adult; $5/child (under 12) Take Outs available. Benefits: community projects & MRUHS scholarships. Contact: Lois Johnstone 446-2442 .