the reading informer november 2017 - reading, vermont · the reading informer november 2017 ......
TRANSCRIPT
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The Reading Informer November 2017
Published by the Town of Reading
Town of Reading tax bill payments are due on
Monday, November 6, 2017 by 5 p.m.
For your convenience, the town office will be
open that day from 7 AM to 5 PM.
Postmarks are NOT accepted. Thank You
Please note that we are not setup for credit card payments.
Please contact the Town Clerk at 484-7250
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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 October 9, 2017 UNAPPROVED
The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm. Present: Robert Allen, Gordy Eastman, Jim Peplau, Calista Brennan, Becky Basch, Dennis Allen and Tom Kennedy Robert started the meeting asking if there were changes to the agenda. Minutes of the September 11, 2017 Selectmen’s minutes were approved as printed. Treasurer’s Report: As of 9-30-17, Expenses were $75,530.72; Revenue was $151,592.02. Balance in LSB (G/L account) $129,745.38 and balance in the sweep account $674,118.16 for a total of $803,863.54. Delinquent taxes for 2015-16 are $10,732.90. Robert asked about the high amount under general maintenance, Calista said it was the money paid to DLX for the grant work. Jim moved to approve and Gordy seconded. Report is accepted. Action Items:
SWCRPC Solid Waste District: Tom Kennedy was here to present a check in the amount of $3,912.00 a dis-bursement of funds from Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District as a result of the dissolution of the NH/VT Solid Waste Project.
Village Center Boundary Review: Becky was here to ask the Selectboard to sign a letter/ resolution so that she could move forward with the application for Village Center Designation. There was some discussion as to the downfall versus any benefits. Tom said that there really weren’t any downfalls, the Town could withdraw at any time and one of the benefits was priority for more grant money. Additionally it allows commercial business’s to apply for certain Tax Credits. Jim moved to sign the letter/resolution, Gordy seconded. All in favor.
Dog Complaint: Kevin Barnes filed a second formal complaint about a dog off leash. The Selectboard will send a second letter to the owner.
Highways and Grants-in Aid: Robert said that he and Glen had met with Cindy and Chris from SWCRPC and reviewed some of the areas that might benefit for the grant program. This is a program to fix culverts and ditches.
Tyson Road Bridge Update: Gordy stated that the footings and wing walls have been poured and they are ready to back fill and work on the brook bed.
Town Farm Road: Gordy said that this is moving along faster than expected and might even be done in a cou-ple of months.
Better Back Roads Projects for 2018 Grants: Grant applications are due November 17. This will be discussed at the next meeting when Glen is here.
Other: Email from George Keeler about wanting a contact person from Reading for the Precision Valley Disas-ter Recovery Committee. This committee was formed after Irene to help people get informed about the help avail-able and how to receive such help if needed. Robert will respond.
Robert received an email for the Green Space Committee asking about having a fire pit and also moving the flag. After much discussion it was agreed not to allow a fire pit on any Town property and if the committee wants to move the flag pole they will have to find a contractor to do so. Robert will reply to the email. Robert presented and discussed an email and voice message he received about the Vermont Overland event held at the Vollers property on a past weekend. Having received no reports of any incidents or specific public safety or health issues, the Selectboard does not see the need for their involvement. Bartley Field - There have been used needles found at the field. The Windsor County Sheriff’s Department has been informed and will patrol the area. Please use caution if you are walking in the area or allowing your children to use the field. If you see something – say something! Dennis Allen was at the meeting to request the use of the field behind/below the Indian Stones for an area for peo-ple to park Snowmobile trailers this winter. The Selectboard granted the request.
Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 7:35PM.
Next Selectboard meeting will be on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted, Calista N Brennan, Town Clerk
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Reading Giving Project
Again this year, the food shelf and many kind souls, will be providing boxes of food and also gifts to many local families, seniors, and chil dren for the holidays.
Starting the week of November 6th, there will be a Giving Tree set up at the Reading Town Hall that will be holding holiday cards that will include a gift idea for our area needy children. If you can, please stop in to select a card, purchase a gift and return it to the Town Clerk’s office. Please return all unwrapped gifts by December 6th. No time to shop or you can’t get out to shop….. you may also help by making out a check to “Reading Seniors”, writing “Giving Project” in the memo section of the check, and mailing it to Reading Town Clerk, PO Box 72, Reading, VT 05062. Thank you Sarah Norcross and the Reading/Brownsville Food Shelf
The Town Office has started working on the Annual Town Report for year ending fiscal 2017. All budget requests for fiscal 2019 and year end reports for fiscal 2017 need to be submitted to the Town Office by December 15th. Thank you
We are also looking for a photo that can be used on the Front Cover of the report. If you have a picture of your local favorite spot in Reading that you feel would be suitable for the cover, please submit it electronically in a pdf format to the Town Office at: [email protected] . Please use: Town Report Cover in the e-mail sub-ject line.
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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]
This space could be yours, advertise with us.
$75.00 per year.
Contact the Reading Town Office
802-484-7250
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!
Calling All Crafters!
The 2nd Annual Reading Holiday Craft Fair takes place on December 2 from 9am to 2pm at the Reading Elementary School.
Last year’s event was a huge success, and this year’s promises to be even better! Plus setting up your booth
at the school will be easier than climbing the stairs at Town Hall! We’re looking for vendors selling pottery, home furnishings, holiday crafts, and other hand made goods. If you would like to sign up or learn more, contact Stephen D’Agostino at [email protected] or Esther Allen at [email protected]
Local Property Transfers
William Kelley & Sharon Ober to Scott Dubois
2824 Tyson Road House & 3.41 Acres $179,000
Dark Horse Realty & Property Services Office: (802) 484.7388 Cell: (802) 291.3299
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Reading Planning Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of October 2, 2017 Unapproved
Present – Steve Strait, Kathy Callan-Rondeau, Becky Basch, Ken Cox, Kevin Kaija Guests – John Fike
Minutes of September 11, 2017 – Steve made a motion to approve with correction to Jason Ras-
mussen’s last name, Ken seconded, all were in favor Correspondence – Steve reported that we received a copy of the Ludlow Town Plan for review –
they are readopting their current plan. Steve also reported that the VLCT Planning and Zoning Forum is being held at the Lake Morey Resort on November 1
RPC update – Kathy reported news from the RPC:
there is funding available for water quality projects;
there will be a new draft of municipal road standards out in the fall and all towns must use these standards.
There is funding available for preferred solar sites designated by towns that have gone through the planning process and have an approved energy plan
The towns of Windsor, West Winsor and Weathersfield have formed a trails consortium Public comments on proposed zoning revisions – John Fike agreed that it would be wise to remove
the Certificate of Occupancy from the permit as we don’t have a building inspector to confirm buildings are built as planned. Steve said we would discuss this at the next meeting when Rob-ert is here. John also commented that the listers combine parcels for tax purposes but that they are only considered one parcel if the deed has been changed. Steve responded that we are keeping the language about pre-existing nonconforming lots.
Village Center designation – The PC discussed the proposed boundaries of a designated village cen-
ter. The boundaries that Jason suggested included all commercial properties, the Hall Art foun-dation property and core residential properties. The commission discussed adding some of the residential properties to the north as they are considered part of the village. Ken brought up the idea of adding the Hall Art Foundation property to the village zoning district. Steve said he thought it was too late in the process to change the zoning district now. Steve made a motion to adopt a village center designation boundary that follows the proposed boundaries that Jason suggested but extended further to the north, Kevin seconded, all were in favor. Becky will send the revised district to the RPC so that they can change the map for the application.
Zoning – Jason sent out the final draft of the zoning for the PC review. PC members had several for-
matting comments and small edits. Becky suggested that everyone look at Jason’s clean copy and send comments to Jason for final draft. Members will send changes to Jason this week (by next Monday). We will use the clean copy and use Track Changes and comment boxes, or pro-vide comments in hard copy form. We will ask the RPC to send a final draft before the next meeting and we will have the public hearing in December.
Adjournment – Kevin made a motion to adjourn, Ken seconded – meeting adjourned at 8 pm Respectfully submitted, Becky Basch, Secretary
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Librarian’s Note
HeritageQuest is a database providing patrons with research materials for tracing family history and American culture. Search in City Directories, Slave Schedules, U.S. Indian Census Rolls, Mortality Schedules, Agricultural and In-dustrial Schedules, the Veterans Schedule, U.S. Federal Census images, family and local histories, the Revolutionary War Era Pension & Bounty-land War-rant Application Files, or the Freedman's Bank. Library patrons can access this database for free from anywhere there’s an Internet connection. Call, e-mail, or come by the library to obtain the login information. In most cases, if Reading Library does not own a particular book, you may still get a copy through interlibrary loan. I can borrow the book for you from another library anywhere in the state. It will be sent here in the mail and will be available to you for check-out for up to a month. If there are people in the community who cannot make it to the library because of physical disability or debilitating illness, I will be happy to deliver books to your home. Just call the library at 484-5588. A library is a place where the community can celebrate itself. By hous-ing special collections based on the needs and unique identities of their towns, libraries serve as a hope chest, preserving a community’s memories and experiences. We celebrate our town's colorful history by collecting rele-vant photographs, maps, memoirs, and other paraphernalia. Our website in-cludes historical photographs as well as audio excerpts from the library's Oral History project.
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
Tracing the History of Locke Farm and Its Owners into the 19th Century
As I said last month, my story on the Locke Farm or Lexington Farm generated a lot of interest. In October, I fea-
tured Jane Philpin’s recollections of the farm. Linda Fondulas, who works at the Hall Art Foundation, which, as you proba-
bly know, occupies the land that once made up the farm, directed me to the foundation’s website for more information.
What I found there spurred me to do some more research.
As I mentioned in my September article, the Locke family purchased what would become the Lexington Farm 1902,
with Errol Locke become its owner in 1923. But who owned it before then? Surely it was around in the 19th century.
It was, and its owner was a prominent Reading resident named Elisha W. Watkins. He was born in Reading and one
of 8 children. I can safely say that at some point in his life, he ran the farm on the edge of Felchville as a dairy operation.
Beyond that, things are a bit unclear. Did the farm precede the foundation of Felchville or the other way around? Logically,
it seems likely that the farm would have been there before William Felch developed an interest in the part of town that
bears his name. A residential and commercial area doesn’t seem like the best place to site a farm, does it?
Gilbert A. Davis’s second volume of the history of Reading says that “during the last years of his life [Watkins]
owned and carried on a large farm in Felchville.” That makes me wonder if he owned the farm before he “carried on” or did
he take an interest in the property later in life?
Davis also notes that Watkins was one of the wealthiest citizens of Reading. He and William Felch were contempo-
raries. Felch served on the select board in 1870 and again in 1875 and 1876 (as well as two non-consecutive years decades
earlier). Watkins served during the years of 1871-1874. Prior to the construction of the first permanent school building in
Felchville, according to Davis’s first volume, Watkins, Felch, and Martin Pratt formed a committee to oversee its construc-
tion.
Eventually, Frank Watkins, Elisha’s son, took over the operations of the farm. In turn, he sold it to E.A. Locke in
1902. The farm remained in business until the late 1980s. In 2009, the Hall Art Foundation purchased the land and build-
ings and began converting it into what we know today.
Though I am intrigued now more than ever by the history of the farm, this will probably be the last article about
this topic for a while. In the meantime, I’m going to try to secure more information on the dates of when the farm was built
and when Elisha W. Watkins bought it. I’m sure I’ll find some answers and more questions.
— Stephen D’Agostino
Reading Cemetery Commission
It’s time to put our cemeteries to bed for the winter. PLEASE REMOVE all decorations, real or artificial, by
November 12th. The cemeteries will be getting their final grooming for the year and any items left will be discarded.
Thank you for your attention to this. Adam Kozlowski, Susan Goodhouse, Kevin Kaija
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RES PTO 1st Annual Chili Cook-off
Saturday November 18th 11:00am-1:00pm
at the Reading Town Hall
Community Judging panel: $5 per adult $1 per child under 12
Entry: Free of charge
Please bring one “crockpot” of chili & and extension cord. Chili should be kid friendly.
Email to register by Saturday November 11 [email protected]
The winner will be awarded a one of a kind trophy, made by RES
students, and supreme bragging rights!
Tatiana Werner-McCarthy 802-484-1236
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Make your holiday a little easier……….
The Reading Elementary School students will be making their delicious pies
for your enjoyment. Some of the flavors will be apple, pumpkin and coconut.
Thanksgiving Pie Sale At the Reading Town Hall
Saturday, November 18, 2017 8:00 am until 11:00 am
(or until they are sold out) Sponsored by the Reading PTO
Gobble, gobble
You’re Invited By the Reading Elementary Students To attend their Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon Feast complete with turkey, potatoes and all of the fixings.
Tuesday, November 21st, at the Reading Elementary School
There will be two sittings: 11:30 for the families of the PreK to 2nd grade students 12:00 for the families of the students in the grades 3 to 6 Community members are welcome at either sitting. Donations to defray the cost of the feast will be gratefully accepted at the door.
Reading Elementary PTO—Officers for the 2017-2018 school year: Chair: Tatiana Werner-McCarthy 802-484-0108
Co-Secretaries: Janet Malcolm 609-230-8187 & Darci Blanchard 802-356-2293 Treasurer: Wade Mullins 802-384-2834
Monthly meetings are held during the school year, on the second Wednesday of each month. 6 p.m. at the Reading Elementary School in the grades 5-6 classroom. Contact an officer or attend a meeting to
find out how you can volunteer to help at one of their activities.
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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
1 2 3 4
5 6 Fire Auxiliary 7
PM Plan Commission 7 PM
7 Fire & Rescue
7 pm
8 PTO 6 PM at
RES
9 10 11
12 13 Selectboard 6
pm Town Hall
14 15 School Board
6 PM at RES
16 17 18 Pie Sale
Chili Cook Off Town Hall
19 20 21 22 Cemetery
Mtg. Town Hall 6 pm
23 24 25
26 27 28 Library
Trustees 6 pm
29 30
November 2017