Saturday, February 28, 2015

Select Board

Dear Neighbors,

Back in 1790 a woman named Susana Wentworth married Samuel Dudley.  They lived here in Mount Holly and raised 6 children.   I am a descendent of Susana and while I will always be a “flatlander”   (yup, born in Jersey) I grew up with a summer home in Mt Holly and in 1982 my wife and I decided to move here permanently to raise our family.
Prior to moving to Mt Holly my professional career began in Minneapolis MN working in the non-profit performing arts world.  I became responsible for all fund raising at the Minneapolis Children’s Theatre and School and was the Managing Director of the Playwrights Center. When my wife and I decided to move here in 1982 I started a landscaping/Christmas tree/wreath making business and over eight years successfully grew the business.   I began a career in Real Estate in 1990 and now co-own a small Real Estate office in Killington.
Since moving here I have been an active member of the community. I volunteered on the Mount Holly Fire Department for eight years serving as Captain during the last two.   I was voted to the School Board and served a term during a time when enrollment was growing, not declining as it is today .  I was voted Town Moderator for over twenty years. As Town Moderator, I witnessed very significant issues argued intelligently and emotionally by our citizens (Act 60, withdrawing from the School Union, etc.).  People felt very strongly about these issues and emotions ran extremely high.  But once the discussion was over and a vote was taken, neighbors who differed on which direction to take on these issues continued to respect each other and worked to move the Town forward.
That tradition of democracy was challenged last year when a group of eleven people threatened to sue our Select Board.  Fortunately the vast majority of our citizens supported the Select Board and their actions and the will of the majority prevailed.  As a member of the Select Board, I will continue our traditional way of “doing business” and not have to respond to a vocal minority that persists in demanding things be done their way.  
My wife and I raised our three daughters in Mount Holly and they attended the Mount Holly Elementary School.  At that time the number of students enrolled in the school (K-6) was over 140.  Today, according to the Annual Report I just received in the mail, there are only 67 students enrolled in grades K-6.  There needs to be serious discussions about how we can entice young families to move into our community. If we do not, the future of our exceptional school is truly in jeopardy.
We need to have complete cell and internet access and we need this as quickly as possible.  I will find out why we do not have this necessary service and then work to secure it for the community.
I am a firm believer in long range financial planning and look forward to working with the Select Board and Town staff to formulate a three year plan for our community.  No plan is perfect, but having one guarantees a smoother transition from year to year.  Our municipal budget is as fiscally responsible as possible and future budgeting must be efficient and prudent.  Being a small business owner for several decades provides me with the tools necessary to accomplish this.
We have an incredible road crew, second to none. Thanks to their hard work and the efforts of our current Select Board, the quality of our infrastructure and road maintenance are excellent.  I look forward to working with Selectmen Ray Tarbell and Tim Martin to guarantee this excellence continues. I have much to learn from them and look forward to the challenges
I have great love and respect for this amazing community.  If I may serve it as a member of the Select Board I would be most grateful.
Sincerely,
Ted Crawford
  

Friday, February 27, 2015

Black River and Green Mountain students need your help!

Black River and Green Mountain students need your help! We are leaving for the Immersion Program in France on March 13. Due to the required addition of a third chaperone and several students dropping out of the trip, the cost has increased by $400 per student. This unexpected increase has created stress and hardships for some of the students who are going. Please help us to make sure they can come and participate in this unique educational opportunity.

We have created a GoFundMe account to raise some last minute money to try and bring the cost down. You can donate there, or send a check to Black River France Trip, c/o Black River School, 43 Main Street, Ludlow, VT 05149.

Thank you so much for your support!

gofundme.com/na6seo


--------------------------------
Janet Pipkin
Dean of Students
Yearbook Advisor

Please note that I have a new email address - Janet.Pipkin@trsu.org

Thursday, February 26, 2015

BRACC Meeting Minutes February 24, 2015

BRACC Meeting Minutes    
February 24, 2015
Attendees: Rich, Brigid, Bela, Pam & Cortney Slobodnjak
Call to Order:  5:05
Minutes January 20, 2015: minutes from last meeting APPROVED
Treasurers Report: Balance is $25,417.49 in accounts.   Brigid will check into business high yield account at HFCU.  Would need to do payroll at People’s.  
New Business:
  1. Drug Free Communities grant application due at end of March.  Bela, Cortney and Brigid will meet to discuss on Feb. 26 at 9:00 a.m.
  2. Grants: Bela recruited Cortney and Brigid to be part of application for Promise Communities Initiative.
  3. Youth Forum:  both schools recruiting for attendance at Windsor County Youth Summit on March 21.
  4. Take Back Posters:  Brigid distributed PFS flyers to be posted around the schools and Towns.
  5. John Halligan Presentations:  discussion of inviting parents of elementary and high schools in the entire SU for March 12 presentation.  DJ’s will provide food to be served in the first floor corridor at Town Hall.   Big Eyes Bakery and Sheree Tucker will provide desserts.  Student presentation on March 13 will include 7th and 8th graders from GMMS.  GM will go back to their school to process.  BR will stay at town hall.
Old Business:
  1. PFS Grants:  Officers from Rutland County have called on Paul to talk about how to get DARE programs in their communities.  Paul and Brigid meet regularly with PFS team on Windsor County issues.  
  2. Governors Forum: BRACC is still working with Turning Point of Springfield, which has been a great ally.   Still trying to get youth recovery discussion group in Ludlow.  AA meetings in Town on Mon. and Fri.  Also trying to get a Wit’s End facilitator in Ludlow; will try to get a grant to fund.  
Other Business:
  1. School Based Substance Abuse Grant for GMHS may have funds remaining from prior years.  Pam and Cortney to look at possibility of requesting reprogramming for those funds.
  2. Brigid reported on a potential speaker, Keith Johnson, who works in the Springfield prison and youth population about brain trauma, addiction and mental health issues and the connectivity.
  3. Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be administered on 3/4
PARENT PROGRAM:  JOHN HALLIGAN MARCH 12 6:00 PM

NEXT MEETING: Monday April 13, 2015     4PM        FLETCHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Monday, February 23, 2015

Smart Solar Heating Options

Keep warm and save money through conservation and smart solar heating options at this free event. Find out what your neighbors have been up to, including news of Ludlow Electric Grid’s first Community Solar Project!
The Home & Business Energy Cost Savings Forum will be featured on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7 PM at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium.  It is open to every one.

Tesha Buss, local business owner and chair of the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Clean Energy Committee, will present on solutions for homeowners and businesses – including community solar, roof-top, and other options – and how to decide which is best for you. With the help of Dave Bonta from the USA Solar Store, your questions will be answered regarding financing, tax credits, products, warranties, time frames, how your bills are credited, solar heating and hot water options and more! Bruce Whitney from NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad will explain how to obtain an energy audit, available products such as air sealing, spray foam and retrofit insulation methods, the incentive process, and loan programs for homes and businesses. Going green has never been easier, nor do you need to have equity in your home or business to make some of the critical repairs or solar upgrades to save you money.

All are invited to the Ludlow Town Hall for an evening on money and energy saving tactics for home and business owners looking to get more out of their energy budgets and keep more heat in their homes!
Presenters include: Tesha Buss of Good Commons, The Good Farm Community Solar and Chair of OVRCC's Clean Energy Committee, Dave Bonta , founder of USA Solar Store and Sundeavor, and Bruce Whitney, outreach coordinator for NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad. Made possible through sponsorship from Friends of Ludlow Auditorium.

Bring your questions! We encourage an informal Q & A after the presentation. For questions in advance, call or email Tesha at 802-245-4746 or tesha@goodcommons.com.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Union #39 Public Information Meeting


Debbie Carleton TRSU Administration

Please be advised the Union #39 Public Information Meeting is Wednesday, February 25, 2015.

Thank you,


Debbie Carleton
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
Two Rivers Supervisory Union
609 VT Route 103
Ludlow, Vermont 05149

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Tesha Buss - ‎Clean Energy Presentation


FOLA Sponsors Home & Business Energy Cost Savings Forum, 7pm onThursday, February 26, A Sponsors Home & Business Energy Cost Savings Forum, 7pm on Thursday, February 26, 2015.2015.

Keep warm and save money through conservation and smart solar heating options at this free event. Find out what your neighbors have been up to, including news of Ludlow Electric Grid’s first Community Solar Project!

Tesha Buss, local business owner and chair of the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Clean Energy Committee, will present on solutions for homeowners and businesses – including community solar, roof-top, and other options – and how to decide which is best for you. With the help of Dave Bonta from the USA Solar Store, your questions will be answered regarding financing, tax credits, products, warranties, time frames, how your bills are credited, solar heating and hot water options and more! Bruce Whitney from NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad will explain how to obtain an energy audit, available products such as air sealing, spray foam and retrofit insulation methods, the incentive process, and loan programs for homes and businesses. Going green has never been easier, nor do you need to have equity in your home or business to make some of the critical repairs or solar upgrades to save you money.

All are invited to the Ludlow Town Hall for an evening on money and energy saving tactics for home and business owners looking to get more out of their energy budgets and keep more heat in their homes!

Presenters include: Tesha Buss of Good Commons, The Good Farm Community Solar and Chair of OVRCC's Clean Energy Committee, Dave Bonta , founder of USA Solar Store and Sundeavor, and Bruce Whitney, outreach coordinator for NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad. Made possible through sponsorship from Friends of Ludlow Auditorium.

Bring your questions! We encourage an informal Q & A after the presentation. For questions in advance, call or email Tesha at 802-245-4746 or tesha@goodcommons.com
POSTS

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Grade 11, Black River High School, Ludlow, VT

Leslie Bixby
Grade 11, Black River High School, Ludlow, VT
NOLA
OPUS Winner
“Composing for brass instruments is not very common for me, neither is composing Jazz music. Wanting to do something different and a little outside my comfort zone, I started to write this piece and it began to come out better than I was expecting. I decided to title this piece, "Nola" to represent the location from which the Jazz genre originated; New Orleans, Louisiana. "Nola" uses two trumpets, a trombone, and a drum set, all of which receive their 'spotlight' moments throughout this piece. It has many dynamics in order to try and shape each phrase, allowing the instruments that are playing the melody to be heard over the accompanying instruments. This piece was also inspired by Charles Mingus's "Nostalgia In Times Square" This piece features typical dynamic accents such as Staccatos, what is known in jazz as 'dit'. Staccatos indicate that the last part of a note should be silenced, creating separation between it and the following note. It also features Marcatos, what is known in jazz as 'dah'. Marcatos indicate that the note has an emphasized beginning, but tapers off quickly.”

Planning for Transportation in the Two Rivers Supervisory Union



Planning for Transportation in the
Two Rivers Supervisory Union

Act 153 requires Supervisory Unions to “provide or make provision for transportation” to the extent that such transportation is provided.  The Agency of Education is interpreting this statutory requirement as not only “command and control,,” but financial control as well.  I will include a memo from the Secretary of Education on this issue as background.  One thing is clear and that is we must do a study.   While we may end up asking for a waiver arguing that the SU cannot beat the quality and efficiency of the current system, we do need to make a good faith effort to achieve efficiencies.  Moreover the scenarios by which financial control would be exercised come with inherent complexity.  We need Board members from each system to help, along with our transportation professionals and citizens.  The administration will put together options and try to keep the meetings to a minimum, generally in April and May.

1.   Objectives--A transportation system designed for cost efficiency, flexibility, energy efficiency, safety and educational opportunities.
2.  Time Frame—Study needs to be largely completed by June 1, 2015. Study group should include educational professionals, transportation professionals, students, and key community leaders.           
3.  Educational Programming--Educational programming opportunities are identified and integrated with transportation possibilities.  The list of improvement opportunities for the future is identified during the process.
           
·         Course opportunities
·         Integration with Tech Center
·         An integrated daily, weekly, annual calendar is decided upon for the new SU.*   
·         New educational opportunities are identified

4.  LEGAL AND OPERATIONAL DETAILS-- Operational details are addressed to assure smooth functioning during FY’16, beginning on July 1, 2016.

·         All asset and license transfers are vetted
·         The timeline for transfer of all contracts is identified


5.  COMMUNICATION--The staff and the community are well-informed of the process and are supportive of the effort.



SELECT BOARD MEETING February 10, 2015 7:30pm

                       SELECT BOARD MEETING 
                         February 10, 2015 7:30pm 

AGENDA 
1. Pledge of Allegiance 
2. Additions or Changes to Agenda 
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes 
a. Regular Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2015 
b. Special Meeting Minutes of January 23, 2015 
                        c. Letter requesting changes to the January 05 meeting minutes 
4. Highways 
a. Replacement timing for 2005 truck 
                   b. FEMA damage assessment re December storm 
5. Report of Treasurer
 a. Monthly income and expense report 
                                  b. External Audit 
6. Transfer Station 
7. Planning Commission 
8. Other
                                   a. New England Clean Power Link – SWCRPC Motion to                                         Intervene 
                                   b. Annual Report/2014 Grand List Data available online
                                   c. Letter from Rutland Town Selectboard re solar                                                        resolution 
9. Review and sign January orders for payment 
10. Executive Session (if needed)

"The Lego Movie" in Ludlow Town Hall Saturday Feb 7



The next FOLA movie at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium will be “The Lego Movie” on Saturday, February 7 at 7 PM.

The Lego Movie is a 2014 computer animated adventure comedy film directed and co-written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, and featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson, and Morgan Freeman.
It was the first film produced by Warner Animation Group, and is an international co-production of the United States, Australia, and Denmark. Based on the Lego line of construction toys, the film tells the story of Emmet (Pratt), an ordinary Lego minifigure prophesied to save the universe from the tyrannical Lord Business (Ferrell) as he gains different allies along the way.
It was released theatrically on February 7, 2014. The movie was a critical and commercial success, with many critics highlighting its visual style, humor, voice acting, and heartwarming message. It earned more than $257 million in North America and $210 million in other territories for a worldwide total of over $468 million.
In the Lego universe, the wizard Vitruvius attempts to protect a superweapon called the "Kragle" from the evil Lord Business. He fails to do so, but prophesies that a person called "the Special" will find the Piece of Resistance capable of stopping the Kragle.
The Lego Movie received critical acclaim. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 96% approval rating with an average rating of 8.1/10 based on 200 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Boasting beautiful animation, a charming voice cast, laugh-a-minute gags, and a surprisingly thoughtful story, The Lego Movie is colorful fun for all ages."

As with all FOLA movies, the film is free; donations are appreciated. Popcorn will be provided by Berkshire Bank and water by FOLA. For information, call 802-228-729 or www.fola.us.