Sunday, March 30, 2014

Red Cross Babysitter Training

FREE American Red Cross Babysitter Training
Calling all kids age 11 to 15
The Mount Holly Town Library
Sunday, May 11 from 10 am to 4 pm
Sign up now!
Red Cross needs to know by April 14th if you are coming!
Reserve your spot by calling Lynne Herbst at 802-259-3707 or by emailinglherbst@vermontel.net
A pizza lunch will be provided.
The course will be held with a minimum of 8 students and a maximum of 12 students.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Mount Holly Library Additions

Mt. Holly Library Additions -  Come check out these new additions to our library, plus many other selections for all ages.  Some books featured are selections from the Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) Award Children Books.

Snip snap! : what's that?  by Mara Bergman ; illustrated by Nick Maland.  What would you do if an alligator came creeping up the stairs towards you?  Read what the children did in this book. ( Great for PK – 3rd graders.)

The Mouse With the Question Mark Tail  by Richard  Peck.  The adventures of a little mouse from Buckingham Palace at the time of Queen Victoria’s celebration of sixty years on the British Throne.  (A  DCF book for 4th grade and up.)

One Came Home by Amy Timberlake.  In 1871 Wisconsin, thirteen-year-old Georgia sets out to find her sister Agatha, presumed dead when remains are found wearing the dress she was last seen in, and before the end of the year gains fame as a sharpshooter and foiler of counterfeiters. (A DCF Award book for 5th grade and up.)

Boy on the Wooden Box  by Leyson, Leon..  The only memoir published by a former Schindler's List child, this captures the innocence of a ten-year-old boy forced to experience the unthinkable  . (A DCF Award book for 6th grade and up.)

Stone cold  A newly released  suspense novel by author C.J. Box.  His popular charactergame warden Joe Pickett, is asked by the Wyoming governor to investigate a secretive rancher suspected of being a killer. 

Fear Nothing (CD)  In #1 New York Times bestseller Lisa Gardner’s latest pulse-pounding thriller, Detective D. D. Warren must face a new fear as a serial killer terrorizes Boston.

LPCTV’s Kentucky Derby Gala Is Right Around the Corner


The exciting event will be held Saturday, May 3 at the Pot Belly Pub in Ludlow
March 24, 2014 (Ludlow, Vermont) -- LPCTV will hold its third “Kentucky Derby Gala – A Night at the Races” fundraising event on Saturday, May 3 at the Pot Belly Pub in Ludlow from 5:00pm to 8:30pm.
The event will feature great food and live entertainment which will all be included in the per person ticket price of $25. Entertainment will include several locally sponsored “horse races” with charity betting, a live viewing of the Kentucky Derby live on television, and live music by Rick Davis Music Company.  
This event is made possible by the Pot Belly Pub, which graciously hosts and provides the dinner for the event, as well as 6 “Circle of Roses” race sponsors. This year’s sponsors include Stemwinder and the Wine & Cheese Depot, George B. Tucker, Inc. , The Book Nook, Ludlow Farmer's Market, Vermont Properties, and Jim & Anita Alic.
There are still several race horses available for sponsorship at $50 each. Sponsors get to name their horse and have it printed in the event program. From now until April 15th, LPCTV is offering a 15% discount package of one horse sponsorship and two tickets to the event for only $85.
One winner from each race will receive a prize donated by local merchants.  There will also be a grand prize drawing of 100 gallons of fuel donated by Cota & Cota, among other valuable prizes.
Please contact Michelle Stinson at LPCTV at 802-228-8808 to make prize donations, to sponsor horses, and to purchase advance tickets for the Kentucky Derby Gala. Tickets will also be available for purchase at LPCTV, The Book Nook, and the Wine & Cheese Depot.
And, don’t forget to your calendars for May 3rd and plan on attending this exciting annual event!   
 About LPCTV
LPCTV is a community television station and media education center serving the Black River Valley & Okemo region of Vermont. Operating out of new facilities in the Ludlow Community Center complex, LPCTV keeps people informed, preserves local heritage, and builds community. It serves the Black River Valley and Okemo region by providing 24x7 community television programming both on TV and online, free or low-cost media production & skills training, recording & broadcasting community events, news, & information, including great sporting events and “gavel-to-gavel” coverage of local government meetings, and assisting local organizations with outreach & communications strategies.  More information is available at http://lpctv.org.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

FIGHT CABIN FEVER WITH SALT RIVER REVUE

Mary McCallum


 FIGHT CABIN FEVER WITH SALT RIVER REVUE 

What do you get when you take five talented acoustic musicians, stir them up with guitar, mandolin, bass, recorder, fiddle, slide guitar, percussion and piano, and then mix in spirited vocals and a dash of humor?  You get Salt River Revue, a locally grown band that serves up great music.  This quintet will rock the rafters of Gethsemane Church in Proctorsville on Saturday March 22 at 7:00 p.m. as part of the Raise the Roof concert series.  The monthly series presents talent from beyond the Okemo Valley area and in the past has hosted African drummers, Celtic fiddlers, a capella singers and musicians who sing folk, blues and jazz.  Salt River Revue fits right in with their energetic musical mix of Celtic, Latin American, Scottish and American folk and blues---enhanced by the crisp acoustics of the Gethsemane Church.  The church is on Depot Street and admission at the door is $10.00.  For more information call 226-7497 and "Like" us on Facebook at Raise the Roof Concert Series.   

March Meeting Minutes pg. 1-2

SELECT BOARD
March 11, 2013

The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Tim Martin, who agreed to be acting chair for this evening. Raymond Tarbell was present and Jim Heald was absent. It was noted that Ray had taken the Oath of Office shortly before the meeting started.
1. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: Under reorganization, set regular meeting schedule was added. There were no other additions.
2. The minutes of the regular meeting of February 11 were reviewed. There were no corrections or additions and the minutes were approved.
3. Reorganization
 Upon motion made and seconded, it was
VOTED: To appoint Jim Heald as Select Board Chair.
 Upon motions made and seconded, it was
VOTED: to make the following appointments for this year:
Tree Warden: Ray Tarbell
E911 Coordinator: Sue Covalla
Town Service Officer Becky Reichler
Newspaper of Record: Rutland Herald
Law Firm for Tax Sales: Sue Crawford
Fire Warden: Jim Seward
Select Board Clerk: Rhonda Rivers
 Susan Covalla appointed Joan McCallum and Barbara Ludwig as Assistant Town Clerks. David Johnson appointed Diana Garrow as Assistant Town Treasurer.
 Upon motion made and seconded, it was
VOTED: To set the regular meeting schedule as second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm.
4. Highways
 The Annual Highway Financial Plan to the State was presented and signed. This provides the State information on the highway budget as passed March 04.
 Paving Grant. Jeff Teter reported that the town is unlikely to receive a grant this year, but the Board stated we should apply anyway. If other towns don’t apply we might still get one. Jeff will work on getting this together. This is due April 11. Paving Grants from the State can only be used on Class 2 roads.
 Healdville Road 1970’s curve issue. This issue was presented last month and tabled. Due to Rhonda’s accident, VLCT was not contacted regarding the proper process until late last week and they have not yet responded. The Board decided to table this again pending information from VLCT.
 Jeff Teter discussed an extended warranty for the grader. This issue had been discussed and voted at a previous meeting, although the date was not confirmed. The Board revoted taking an extended warranty for 84 months/3000 hours for $5250.00. Jeff will get the papers and one of the selectmen will sign once they are available.
5. Report of Treasurer
 David Johnson presented an income and expense statement dated February 28, 2013 showing cash balances of $2,193,616. There is about $101,000 in outstanding delinquent property taxes, which is normal at this time in the year. There are also some prepaid property taxes for next year. There were no significant revenues for the month. The county tax amount is known, and is a little less than budgeted. Solid waste expenses are under budget overall. Otherwise, income and expenses are in line with expectations.
 Upon motion made and seconded, it was
VOTED: To authorize the Treasurer to put on the orders and pay certain items: payroll taxes
and withholding payments, regular wages, postage, property tax refunds and school advances
per the schedule reviewed annually.
 Upon motion made and seconded, it was
VOTED: To authorize the Select Board Clerk to write orders and the Treasurer to pay said
orders.
6. Solid Waste:
 Summer Hours: Summer hours will start on Wednesday, April 9th and continue through the
summer. Wednesday, 4pm to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm, NO Sunday hours for the summer.
The last Sunday will be March 30th. The Transfer Station will NOT be open on Sunday,
April 6th.
 Upon motion made and seconded, it was
VOTED: To appoint Jeff Teter as the town’s representative to the Rutland County Solid
Waste District (RCSWD). No alternate was named.
7. School Mowing – request for bids will be posted in the April Chit Chat and around town, as usual
8. Rabies Clinic – will be held at the Town Office on Saturday, March 26, 10am to noon.
9. Other Business
 A group of residents asked the Board to consider allowing some of the town’s road to be open
to travel by ATVs. Bruce Turco noted that people cannot travel legally on a town road to get
from one property they own to another property they own further down the road. Don Patch
presented a proposal with rules to go with it for the Board to consider. He noted these rules
were consistent with the state statute covering ATVs. Ray asked how these rules could be
enforced. Other members of the group noted that several other towns have opened their roads
to ATVs, notably Benson, and Reading. An ATV Club member noted some of the rules a club
operates under. Don Richardson noted several problems/concerns with ATVs on the town
roads over by Lake Ninevah. The Board decided to table this item to another meeting.
 Ron Unterman presented an update on the Star Lake Dam project. The permit application is in
to the State, with some minor issues to be corrected going forward, including proper shoreline
encroachments for the two dry hydrants. They will now move on to Phase 3, which is to put
the project out to bid, proposal review and construction Timeline is end of April or early May
for picking a contractor, with construction starting after July 1, per state rules. The Board
agreed that the town is in favor of continuing with the project.
 David Hoeh reported on the most recent meeting of the Rutland Regional Transportation
Council, held February 27. The State continues to review High Risk Rural Roads and look for
low cost options to improve problem areas, such as signs and guard rails. Part of that review
includes looking at roads with crashes between 2009 and 2013. These include Freeman Brook
Road and Healdville Road.
10. The Board reviewed and signed the February orders for payment.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
 Rhonda Rivers 
Minutes are DRAFT until approved at a Select Board meeting. Approved on: __________________ 

MOUNT HOLLY TRANSFER STATION

MOUNT HOLLY TRANSFER STATION

SPRING/SUMMER HOURS
EFFECTIVE
APRIL 9, 2014


WEDNESDAYS, 4 pm to 7 pm
SATURDAYS, 8 am to 2 pm


Last Sunday is March 30
First Wednesday is April 9

Closed Sunday April 6

TOWN OF MOUNT HOLLY REQUEST FOR BIDS

TOWN OF MOUNT HOLLY
REQUEST FOR BIDS

The Town of Mount Holly is accepting bids for mowing the Mount Holly School grounds and playing fields for the 2014 season.  The contract includes a one-time brush hogging around the perimeter of the grounds in late August.

If you are interested, please submit a bid for the entire season, including the brushhogging, along with a Certificate of Insurance. 

Bids should indicate ‘Mowing Bid’ on the envelope and be submitted by 4 pm on Monday, April 07, 2014 to
Select Board
Town Office
P.O. Box 248

Mount Holly, VT   05758

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Black River High School 2014 Reunion



The Black River High School reunion will be celebrated on June 14th and 15th this year and the Black River Academy Museum wants to be part of their celebration.  The last high school class to graduate from the Museum’s Academy building was in 1938.
The Museum wants to mount an exhibit of BRHS momentos coinciding with this year’s reunion.  Do you have “momentos” from your high school days at BRHS that you would be willing to LOAN to the museum for the exhibit?  The momentos will be handled with great care and returned promptly.  If you find some “bit of history” in your attic please call Georgia Brehm, 802-228-5050 or email her at: glbrehm@tds.net.





Please help get the word out....share...share....share!

Music-COMP has a new campaign with Kickstarter, the crowdfunding platform, to raise funds for the Opus 28 concert which will feature student compositions performed in concert by professional musicians. Right now  5 students at Ludlow Elementary School, 2 students at Mt. Holly Elementary, and 1 student from Black River High School are posting their compositions-in-progress to the Music-COMP online mentoring for feedback from professional composers. Later this month, the mentors will select about 24 works for the Opus 28 performance to be held in Ludlow on April 30th.
>
> We need your help. Visit this link and view a video with our students. After you hear from them, we hope you'll want to back the project. Every pledge amount receives an exciting reward. Next we hope you'll share the link with friends, colleagues, and family so they can view the video too. This is how crowdfunding works - share and link and spread the word!
>
http://kck.st/1kvP894
>
> Our goal is $8800 by March 25th. We're close to $2000 right now and need to reach or exceed the goal by Tuesday the 25th at 11:59 pm or we get nothing. Help our students realize their dream of professional musicians performing their original music.
>
> Constance D. Wilcox
> Music Educator
>
> Please note I have a new email: constance.wilcox@trsu.org
>
> Ludlow Elementary School
> Mt. Holly School
> Black River High School – Middle School
>
802-228-5151 (Ludlow Elementary School)
802-228-4721 (Black River High School)
802-228-5025 (Music room)
802-228-5026 (fax)

Sunday, March 2, 2014

New Principal Union 39/ Black River

The U39 School Board wishes to announce it has concluded its search for a new principal on Wednesday evening, February 26, 2014, by offering Shannon Martin the Principalship of Black River Middle High School.
Ms. Martin is currently employed as a high school science teacher by the Newport, NH school system. Currently a resident of Claremont, NH, she holds a B.A. degree from the University of New Hampshire, is a graduate of the Upper Valley Educators Institute with certifications to teach 9-12 biology and middle school science. Additionally, she has earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2011, leading to her Principal’s licensure.
 Ms. Martin began her career as an educator with the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont as an Explainer/Instructor from 2003-2007. Her public school teaching career began in 2007 at the Newport Middle High School. There she has held numerous leadership positions, including membership on the District In Need of Improvement Team, Presidency of the Newport Teachers Association, periodic assignments as Principal and Assistant Principal during a full year internship, and membership on the Administrative Leadership Team. Additionally she wrote several grants resulting in student participation in the New Hampshire State Envirothon.
Competition for four years running and other STEM projects and has served as the Varsity Field Hockey coach for seven years. Ms. Martin has accepted the position of Principal of the Black River Middle High School and looks forward to this leadership opportunity. “As Principal, I aspire to establish a school culture and educational program conducive to student learning and socialization. I seek to promote quality professional growth through staff development, as well as teamwork and cooperation.”
 The Board believes that Ms. Martin’s talent and energy are a great fit for the school and looks forward to working with her and supporting her efforts to lead Black River Middle High School into a very bright future.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Town Garage

According to Phil Dunwoody, the engineering firm that did the subdivision for them, indicated that a sewage system could be established on that site.  I don't believe that would be the case if it were a Class 2 wetland.

These are not opinions, they are Google Earth images with the property boundaries over laid on them to the same scale.  As a former Planning Commission member I have copies of the school subdivision plat from which the boundaries for that image came.  I added the labels because the original black ones  didn't show very well.  The other image shows the Martin-Dunwoody property with the boundaries from the survey of that  property.  Since the black ink boundaries also didn't show up very well on the Google Earth images, I outlined them in white.  It is still possible to make out the black lines in some places. The 2 photos at the bottom, I took to illustrate the property on the ground.