Sunday, May 31, 2015

MHCA Membership brochures

MHCA Membership brochures for the 2015 – 2016 year will be in the mail in the early part of June.  Please remember that the major source of revenue for the Mount Holly Community Association is membership!  Without it we would not be able to provide you with the 12 outstanding events we sponsor each year, nor would we be able to maintain the lovely historic building at the crossroads in Belmont that is our Library & Community Center.  Last year we raised more money in membership than we have ever done before.  Please help us maintain this record breaking streak by returning your membership form as soon as you receive it…thanks so much!

In addition, the Summer Calendar and the annual events calendar for the MHCA will be included in the membership brochures, as they were last year.  Please look for them!

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Got Bees?

Got Bees?

If you see a large mass of bees hanging from a tree limb or on a building it might be a honeybee swarm.  They are just looking for a new home and are not aggressive.  This is the time of year when we see bee swarms and they should not be disturbed or destroyed.  They are valuable pollinators and I will be happy to come and rescue them for you (no charge).  Call Jim at 259-2311.

Friday, May 29, 2015

The Best of Broadway on Weston's Stages


The Best of Broadway on Weston's Stages

Weston, VT.  The award-winning Weston Playhouse Theatre Company launches its 79th season with a sizzling summer program of Broadway shows and talent. Three stages come alive with remarkable stories, tuneful scores, and star-studded casts - the best of Broadway and a little bit of Hollywood, all in the heart of Vermont!    

The Weston MainStage opens with a Broadway favorite recently revived in New York’s famed Encores series: “Pump Boys and Dinettes.” Weston's cast features composer/performer Joe Iconis (NBC's "Smash") and members of his posse of actor/singer/musicians who accompany themselves on piano, guitar, bass, and kitchen utensils. This fresh take on a much-loved tribute to life on the roadside promises a rousing time and slices of homemade pie!

Next up, Broadway actor/director Michael Beresse returns to Weston to deliver the Tony-winning “Peter and the Starcatcher.” “It’s exciting and part of our mission,” says Artistic Director Steve Stettler, “to bring the latest Broadway hits to Vermont.” A cast of twelve including Rose Hemingway, who starred with Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette in Broadway's “How to Succeed in Business...,” plays more than 100 characters in this delightful prequel to Peter Pan.

The Broadway classic “Guys and Dolls” sports an appropriately stellar cast.  Sean Palmer ("Sex and the City," Broadway’s "The Little Mermaid") and Jeff Award-winning actress Andrea Prestinario join Weston returnees Sam Lloyd, Jr. ("Desperate Housewives," "Scrubs") and Marissa McGowan (Broadway's "Les Mis" and "A Little Night Music") as the unforgettable Sky Masterson, Sarah Brown, Nathan Detroit, and Miss Adelaide.  

On the heels of a celebrated Broadway revival, Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” hits the Weston stage in August. Broadway actress Amy Van Nostrand, seen opposite Christopher Lloyd in Weston's celebrated "Death of A Salesman," stars as the indomitable Amanda Wingfield. "The Glass Menagerie" travels north from Weston to Burlington’s Flynn Center and then south to Florida's Gulfshore Playhouse to deliver this classic to a record-breaking audience.

Opening the company’s OtherStages series on its intimate second stage, Weston's Young Company performs the family-friendly "Junie B. Jones the Musical." Handpicked from the country’s top undergraduate musical theatre programs,Young Company members have moved on to leads in Broadway's “Wicked,” “Jersey Boys,” and “The Book of Mormon.” Discover Broadway's stars of tomorrow in this lively adaptation of a children's favorite.

“The Other Place,” seen in New York starring Laurie Metcalf, is another hot title heading to Vermont this season. Broadway and Weston veterans Susan Haefner and David Bonanno head the cast of this psychological drama that Vermont Life picks as a must-see for the summer. The OtherStages rounds out with Cass Morgan’s new play with music, “The Road to Where.” Morgan (Broadway's "Memphis" and "Mary Poppins" and co-creator of "Pump Boys and Dinettes") writes and stars in this enchanting musical journey, accompanied by a trio of talented musicians.   
The theatrical magic continues with Weston's legendary after-hours Cabaret -- voted “best place for a nightcap” by Yankee Magazine. Enjoy drinks, snacks and an hour-long music and comedy revue in the company's downstairs lounge.  A new Cabaret follows each of the company's MainStage productions through August 22, providing an "up close and personal" glimpse of Weston's Young Company and Equity guest stars. Call the Weston Box Office now for Show, Cabaret, or Dinner reservations at (802) 824-5288 or visit westonplayhouse.org.
###
Photo Attached: Weston Playhouse at Night

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

"Nebraska" Award-winning - FOLA Movie, June 6

Award-Winning "Nebraska" is FOLA Movie On June 6

The next FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) movie will be the award-winning, "Nebraska", on Saturday, June 6 at 7 pm in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium.
Nebraska is a 2013 American black-and-white drama film directed by Alexander Payne and written by Bob Nelson. It stars Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, and Bob Odenkirk. The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where Bruce Dern won the Best Actor Award. It was also nominated for six Academy Awards; Best Picture, Best Director for Payne, Best Actor for Dern, Best Supporting Actress for Squibb, Best Original Screenplay for Nelson, and Best Cinematography for Phedon Papamichael.
The Grants - father Woody, mother Kate, and adult sons Ross and David - live in Billings, Montana. Aged Woody is approaching dementia, although the family likes to think that he solely believes what appears on the surface, Woody's delusions which are exacerbated by a lifetime of heavy drinking.
The latest belief that Woody has is that he has won $1 million, which everyone in his family knows is one of those scams for people to purchase magazine subscriptions. As such, Woody, who does not trust the US postal service to mail in his "winning" certificate, is determined to walk to Lincoln, Nebraska, the headquarters of the company, to pick up his $1 million. All he really wants with the money is to buy a new pickup truck - something he's never had and despite the fact that he should no longer be driving - buy an air compressor to replace the one stolen from him decades earlier, and to leave a little legacy to Ross and David.
Younger son David, an electronics salesman who has just broken up with his girlfriend and thus needs a distraction, agrees to drive Woody to Lincoln just to humor him, but not before making a stop in Hawthorne, Nebraska - Woody and Kate's hometown - for a family reunion, which will include news anchor Ross and acerbic tongued Catholic Kate in a few days. David does not want Woody to tell anyone in Hawthorne of the "$1 million", but news of such does get out. This news colors Woody and David's interactions with their relatives and old friends and colleagues, including with Woody's old business partner, Ed Pegram. But this time in Hawthorne is also an illuminating one for David, who learns much about Woody and why he is the way he has always been, and about his parent's relationship as it concerns himself and Ross.
The film is rated 'R' due to some language content.
The movie is open to the public and is free; donations are appreciated. Popcorn will be provided courtesy of Berkshire Bank; FOLA will provide free water. For information, call 802-228-7239 or go to www.fola.us.

Canoes and Boats at Star Lake Beach

Canoes and Boats at Star Lake Beach

The Dam reconstruction project is expected to begin on August 3rd
The construction area will include the boat storage area at the north end of the beach property.
All boats need to be removed from the beach recreation area by July 15th.
Boats that remain after that date are subject to removal and disposal by the Town.

by order of the Mt. Holly Select Board

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

June activities at the FML

Here's what we have going on in June

Weekly Preschool and Toddler Story Time
Every Wednesday from 10:30-11:30am.
Each week features a theme, music stories and a craft.
*No Story Time on June 10th- Librarian on vacation

Summer Reading Program Registration Begins
June 15, 2015 Any time after 12:00pm
Come to the library, sign up for the Summer Reading Program and get your free starter kit containing a reading log, newsletter, bookmarks and other goodies.
Summer Reading Kickoff Event
Monday June 15th 5:00-7:00pm
Family Movie Night- Disney’s “Big Hero 6”
All ages’ welcome- Refreshments will be served.

Tweens and Teens Craft Night
Ages 11 and up
Monday June 29th  5:30-6:30
Comic Book Magnets
Join as we use clear glass stones and vintage comic book art to create one of a kind magnets perfect for use on your ‘frige or locker.
Creative Tuesdays 
11:00-12:00am
June 2ndCrafty Tuesday Ice Cream Party- Calling all crafters! If you have attended any Crafty Tuesday program this year, you are invited to a special Ice Cream Party. (Last afterschool meeting of the year- 3:00-4:00pm)
9th-No Crafts- Librarian on Vacation
16thSuper Hero Masks and Capes- Have you ever dreamt about becoming a super hero? What would your secret power be? Now is the time to bring that dream to life. We’ll supply the masks and you supply the capes (aka an old tee shirt from home that you don’t mind cutting up). We’ll choose super hero names and make ID cards as well. Don’t miss this Super fun day!
23rdSuper High Flying Paper Airplanes- Let’s try out different paper airplane folding techniques to see which ones fly the best! If the weather is nice, we’ll venture outside to test our creations.
30thMake a Moveable Hero and create a super poster.- We’ll make mini moveable paper heroes and a cool poster as well.

Last week of June- Pick up your copy of “El Deafo” for the July meeting of the DCF Book Discussion Group. Grades 4-8 welcome

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Mt Holly Firemen Auction

Mount Holly Volunteer
Fire Dept. Auction
 
Saturday July 18th, 2015
10:00 am
Belmont Fire Station
 
The Mount Holly Volunteer Fire Department is looking for
donations of Good Saleable Items for the Auction.  Please
search your attic, basement, closets or garage for item you
wish to donate.  We will not accept mattresses, exercise
equipment, skis or broken items.  All appliances must be
in working condition.
 
Call 802-259-2060Leave a Message with phone number
etc. or contact any firefighter directly to schedule a pickup.
 
REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED
By
MOUNT HOLLY VOLUNTEER FIRE LADIES AUXILIARY
 
Come Join The Fun And Bring A Comfortable Chair

Friday, May 22, 2015

Fletcher Memorial Library Ludlow Vermont Announces Summer Reading Program 2015 –“Every Hero Has a Story”

Calling all super readers! The Fletcher Memorial Library is the place to be this summer as we embark on an adventure to learn about heroes of all shapes and sizes.  From super heroes, to community heroes, animal heroes and more, the library will be jammed packed with programs and activities to keep toddlers through teens busy throughout the summer months.
          Members of 2015 Summer Reading Program may choose to participate in a reading log program that allows them to earn cool prizes and free books by keeping track of their summer reading or they can pick and choose which programs suit them best. With numerous story times, special visiting performers, arts & crafts, book discussion groups and more there is sure to be something for everyone!
          Registration for “Every Hero Has A Story” begins on Monday June 15th. All programs are free of charge and open to children of all abilities. For more information call Youth Services Librarian  Sacha Krawczyk at802-228-3517 or visit our website  www. fmlnews.org for more information.

Book Sale Bonanza

Books about art and science, life and love, poets and peasants,  fiction and non fiction, cooking and gardens; books for little kids and medium size kids and big kids of all ages  …The Mt Holly Library has them for sale, THIS Sat. 5/23, 10AM to 4PM.  Don't miss out. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Introduction to Square Dancing Featured At Auditorium, May 23

 Introduction to Square Dancing Featured At Auditorium, May 23

On Saturday, May 23 at 7 pm in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium, representatives of the Rutland-based 'Cast Off 8 s will present "An Introduction to Square Dancing".   
The program, open to everyone of high school age through golden agers, will feature 12 members of the 'Cast Off 8' square dance club demonstrating the basics of square dancing. Peter Tobin will be the caller for this event.
According to Don Richardson, a club member, "this will be a fun event for everyone, regardless of age or previous square dancing experience". He indicated that the program is free and that it was not necessary to come with a partner. "If you have a partner, that's fine but we'll arrange a partner for you if you come solo."
He also noted that square dancing required no special attire, shoes, or equipment. "Just bring yourself, a partner if you desire, and expect to have a really fun evening", Don said.
To get an idea of what the program will be, Don suggested that interested people can view some of the club's square dancing activities on the Internet at www.castoff8s.com/video.html. For questions or additional information, call 228-6216

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Vote for America’s Best Town

Middlebury, VT is one of the two towns up for the best town on the East coast-vote now! Started out with 64 towns
When you go to the link, the voting is at the bottom of the page.
http://www.outsideonline.com/1972941/best-towns-2015

Vote for America’s Best Town 

One of these 64 towns can be called the “Best Town Ever.” Crowning the winner will be up to you.

446KSHARES 446K

Picking the locations in our fifth annual Best Town Ever contest wasn’t easy. We looked for places with great access to trails and public lands, thriving restaurants and neighborhoods, and, of course, a good beer scene­all while excluding the winners and runners-up from the past three years to make room for hidden gems, underdogs, and towns on the rise. Plus, for the first time, we added a wild-card round, letting our Instagram followers nominate their favorite towns­Port Angeles, WA; New York, NY; Saugatuck, MI; and Roanoke, VA came out on top to snag the final spot in each section of our bracket.

Who will advance in the tournament? That’s up to you. Scroll down to the Vote Here section to vote for your favorite towns. The first five rounds of voting will last five days each, starting on May 4, 2015 (12 a.m. EST). You may vote once per round per matchup. The winners will advance until only two towns remain (May 29, 2015). The winner will be the town with the most votes on June 5.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Attorney General Loretta Lynch blames the public schools


Joseph McDonald

I thought Bizarro World was only in the Superman comics.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch blames the public schools, who are dealing with a lack of discipline and respect for policies and the law from their hoodlum students. It is they, she claims, who are at fault for eliminating the offenders from their populations in the interest of educating the other students and their safety.
Rather than acknowledge that the same behavior that puts the students at odds with the school is what later leads them to a jail or prison sentence, Lynch promotes the nonsensical proposition that if the schools only let thebad kids get away with what they’re doing a little more, they’d have a chance to develop normally.
She cutely identifies the problem as the “School to Prison Pipeline,” attacking the schools which must deal with undisciplined criminals-in-the-making as the problem rather than one of the first institutional victims who must deal with the parasitic horde of young, entitled anarchists.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

"The 39 Steps" to the Library.

The Mt Holly Library is showing the film classic, "The 39 Steps" at the Library  this Friday, May 15, at 7pm.  This is a follow up to the recent, very successful Vermont Humanities program, "Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense," which the library presented a few weeks ago.  "The 39 Steps", starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll is a masterpiece of suspense and stands out as a near perfect example of the wit and talent of Hitchcock''s early work.  So, step on out and join us for popcorn, mystery, and a great movie.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Summer Break

Dear Black River Community Members, With summer vacation almost upon us, most students and parents are looking forward to the lazy days of summer. Sleeping in and not having to drive students to school in snowy conditions makes everyone feel a little happier. However, those lazy days of summer have the potential increase substance experimentation and use. Each day in June, July and August, roughly 11,000 youth try alcohol and 4,500 youth try marijuana for the first time. A significant increase over youth who try alcohol or drugs during the school year. It is important to talk with your teen about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and drug use and teach them refusal skills. Attached you will find the Vermont Department of Health’s newly updated ParentUp website http://parentupvt.org/ which is one of the best resources on keeping teens safe and substance free. I invite you to read through it and use it as a platform for a discussion about summer expectations. Please contact me with any questions, Best, Megan Rudy, SAP Counselor Black River MS/HS megan.rudy@trsu.org

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Weekly Legislative Reports

Joseph McDonald


 
 
Managing Solid Waste
 
On July 1, 2015, several mandated deadlines will kick in for solid waste management in Vermont:
• Statewide unit based pricing takes effect, requiring residential trash charges to be based on volume or weight.
• Recyclable materials are banned from the landfill.
• Transfer stations and drop-off centers must accept leaf and yard debris.
• Haulers must offer residential recycling collection at no separate charge.
• Public buildings must provide recycling containers alongside all trash containers in public spaces except in rest rooms.
• Food scrap generators of 52 tons per year must divert material to any certified facility within 20 miles.
 
At last year’s VLCT Annual Meeting, the membership adopted this policy: 4.04 B. Ensure that the State of Vermont’s Rules, regulations, and guidelines are flexible enough to enable local governments to determine the most appropriate collection, storage, and treatment methods for sewage, solid waste, wastewater and recyclables.
 
In January, VLCT hosted a solid waste workshop that was attended by more than 100 solid waste district officials, state solid waste staff, local officials, and directors of alliances and independent towns. They were very concerned about how they would be able to meet the statutory deadlines. Out of that workshop came five recommendations for action:
1. Municipalities, alliances, groups, and districts should be able to offset costs of recycling and organics processing with assessments, sticker fees, property taxes, or any other funding mechanism that works in their circumstances.
2. The state requirement for individuals to separate food residuals by July 1, 2020, should be eliminated.
3. Municipalities, alliances, and districts should retain the discretion to determine the appropriate number of household hazardous waste collection days for their member towns. Each collection event is reported to cost from $5,000 to $8,000 in rural areas.
4. Municipalities and public places should be accorded flexibility to determine the appropriate number and placement of recycling bins relative to trash receptacles.
5. There should be flexibility in the deadline to separate leaf and yard waste from the waste stream that takes into consideration the proximity of processing facilities.
 
In 2014, the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee initiated a roundtable discussion that led to the creation of the Solid Waste Infrastructure Advisory Committee, which issued a report to the legislature in January. The House committee also held a hearing on solid waste at VLCT’s Local Government Day in the Legislature last February during which many local officials testified about the difficulties they were facing with figuring out how to comply with the July 1deadlines. They said that while they believe in the goals of Act 148, they need flexibility in terms of how to achieve them, which the act does not provide.
 
There are presently nine bills in the legislature that address various aspects of the solid waste law. What VLCT Weekly Legislative Report No. 16 ♦ April 29, 2015 Page 6
has the legislature done to address the need for flexibility particularly in small rural parts of the state? Nothing. And time is running out for the current session. At this point, any action would need to be initiated from the Senate. Contact your senators immediately if the solid waste deadlines in Act 148 will present a problem for your community.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Weston Playhouse Theatre Company to Receive National Endowment for the Arts Grant

Weston Playhouse Theatre Company to Receive National Endowment for the Arts Grant

Weston, VT.  Through its grant-making to thousands of nonprofits each year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) promotes opportunities for people in communities across America to experience the arts and exercise their creativity. Weston Playhouse Theatre Company is honored to be a spring 2015 grant recipient.

NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, “The NEA is committed to advancing learning, fueling creativity, and celebrating the arts in cities and towns across the United States. Funding these new projects like the one from Weston Playhouse represents an investment in both local communities and our nation’s creative vitality.” Weston’s NEA award will in part support the newly developed “American Masters” Series, which seeks to bring both iconic and contemporary master theatre works to the stage.

“American Masters” launches late this summer, with Tennessee Williams' timeless drama The Glass Menagerie. A poignant, wry and personal tale, it’s the work which propelled Williams from relative obscurity to his place as one of America’s most highly regarded playwrights. The Glass Menagerie premieres on August 27th and runs ten days on the Weston stage before traveling north for a performance at the Flynn Center in Burlington and south for an October run at the Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, Florida.

Weston continues to leverage the strength of its education and outreach programs to promote engagement and appreciation of the theatre arts with a wide range of supporting activities. Glass Menagerie (the production) is banked by workshops, director’s talks, talk backs, and school matinees -- making the story, script, cast and culture of this American classic available to all.

"We're so proud and grateful, once again, to receive the support of the National Endowment for the Arts," comments Weston Producing Artistic Director Steve Stettler.  "This award affirms that Weston is serving our community and state with theatre of national quality and significance." From more information about NEA grant recipients, visit arts.gov. For a look at Weston’s complete summer season, please visit westonplayhouse.org.



--
Kate Pace | Marketing Consultant 
Weston Playhouse Theatre Company
703 Main Street, Weston, VT  05161e: kpace@westonplayhouse.org
p: 802-379-3617

Sunday, May 10, 2015

"The 39 Steps" to a Better You?

 Well, maybe not.  But, the Mt Holly Library is showing Alfred Hitchock's classic film, "The 39 Steps" at the Library on Friday, May 15, at 7pm.  This is a follow up to the recent, very successful Vermont Humanities program, "Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense," which the library presented a few weeks ago.  "The 39 Steps", starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll is a masterpiece of suspense and stands out as a near perfect example of the wit and talent of Hitchcock's early work.  Please come and join us for popcorn, mystery, and a great movie.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Missing Mount Holly Hiker rescued

Missing Mount Holly Hiker rescued
By Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli
Staff Writer | May 09,2015
     
Anthony Edwards / Staff Photo

Vermont State Police vehicles are parked at the home of a Mount Holly woman reported missing Friday while hiking. She was found and taken to the Rutland Regional Medical Center with unknown injuries.
MOUNT HOLLY — When a local woman did not return home from her daily hike along Lake Ninevah Road on Friday afternoon, her family called for help.

“We were already searching with dogs when she was found,” said Vermont State Police Sgt. Todd Wilkins.

Lynn Jones was discovered by two men on four-wheelers, he said at the woman’s home at about 5 p.m.

The men were not part of the rescue effort and State Police did not release their names. When they found Jones off Perry Road, police said, one of the men went to a phone and called 911 for help.

There is no cellular service in that area.

Along with troopers, about a dozen Mount Holly volunteer firefighters responded to the call.

“We were on standby and brought our off-road rescue unit,” Chief Keith Hawkins said. “It has four-wheelers ...”

Jones’ son, Jake Syria, 26, said his father called him when his mother did not come home from her hike. “He said she was gone for 2½ hours and he was worried about her,” Syria said.

By the time Syria arrived at their Mount Holly home, his mother had been found, although he had no details about where she was or what happened to her.

At Jones’ home, a State Police cruiser and a K-9 unit were still parked in the driveway, but the troopers were several miles away helping with the rescue effort.

Jones had been hiking with one of the family dogs, a brindle. The dog was returned to home by one of the rescuers at about 5 p.m. Friday.

Jones was taken to the Rutland Regional Medical Center by the Mount Holly Volunteer Rescue Squad.

The extent of her injuries or why she needed rescuing has not yet been released,

Syria said his mother is an avid hiker and takes the Lake Ninevah route with one or two family dogs most days.

“She hikes down Ninevah Road by Flying Cloud,” he said, referring to a boys’ camp. “She goes about 3-plus miles. But she used to go the whole 12-mile loop.”

The Lake Ninevah area in Mount Holly is part of a 3,000-acre reserve designed to protect the natural habitat of the area. It is maintained by the Ninevah Foundation and covers the area around Lake Ninevah and Saltash Mountain in Mount Holly and Plymouth.

At nearly the same time of season two years ago, Jones was hiking and experienced a health problem, Syria said. “She even wrote a letter to the paper thanking the person who helped her.”

“On Tuesday, April 30, I had a health problem while on my daily walk,” Jones wrote in her May 11, 2013, letter to the Rutland Herald. “I was on Lake Ninevah Road in Mount Holly. The things I remember most are a man’s strong arm holding me up and being called ‘ma’am’ several times. I also remember being strongly encouraged to call 911, which I did.”

Jones said in the letter she did not remember how she got home or how her dogs got inside her home, but she did recall a truck.

“I want to thank you for your help. I don’t know how I would have made it home without you. It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me,” she wrote.

A hospital spokeswoman said Jones was a patient Friday evening but she could not release her condition.

kathleen.phalentomaselli

@rutlandherald.com

Thursday, May 7, 2015

American Legion-sponsored walk/run to be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015 in Ludlow.

Residents,

        Just a quick note to endorse and to encourage others to join in the American Legion-sponsored walk/run to be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015 in Ludlow.  Registration is scheduled for 10:00 a.m and the walk/race begins at 11:00 a.m. Registration cost is $20 for adults with students and seniors (65+) $10.  Proceeds are to be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), an important organization with a very high percentage of donations going to directly assist the wounded veterans. Come on out Mount Holley/Belmont residents and help raise the amount of funds this little corner of the country can contribute.  See newspapers for more information.


Ron Betts

River Valley Technical Center Board April 13, 2015

River Valley Technical Center Board
 April 13, 2015 HDEC Conference Room 4:30 pm.
Unapproved
 Minutes Board Members:
 Voting: Randy Bixby –
Present David Clark –
Present Alison DesLauriers –
 by phone Bob Flint -
Present Jeanice Garfield –
 Absent Andrew Pennell – Absent James Rumrill – P
resent Gabriel St. Pierre –
 by phone Susan Tomberg –
 Absent Ex-Officio: Scott Farr –
Present Rich Fuller – Present Gabe Vastola –
 Present Zach McLaughlin
- Absent Christopher Kibbe
 - Absent Lorraine Landry
– Absent Bruce Williams
– Absent Rick Gordon
 - Absent Others: SAPA TV,

 Melissa Connor The Chair called the business meeting to order at 4:45 pm Agenda Item I.
 Consent Agenda – for information only: Updated enrollment information and financial information. Scott reported a projected deficit of $8286, which represents a worst case scenario. There is a meeting on 4/16 with FM to discuss final payment for this year. Enrollment requests today looking pretty good. FM has not completed their registration process: we budgeted for 35 FM students, there are currently 24 enrolled.
Agenda Item II.
Ongoing Business Staffing 2015-2016 School Year – Bob reported the Budget committee met last week. Timing demands some action until enrollments are closer to completion. Hoping not to have to follow through with reductions in force but the moving parts make it necessary at this time. MOTION: (David/Randy) to authorize reduction in force notices for .5 FTE for Mechanical Design and Innovation and Carpentry instructor positions pursuant to Article VII and Article XX of the Agreement between the Springfield Teachers Association and the River Valley Technical Center Board of Directors. The Board hopes enrollments increase and positions can be reinstated. Voted and passed unanimously. River Valley Technical Center Board of Directors April 13, 2015 Page 2 of 2 Scott read a letter of resignation submitted by Melissa Connor. MOTION: (David/Jim) to accept Melissa’s resignation with much regret and thanks for her years of service and wish her well. Voted and passed unanimously.
Agenda Item VI.
 Next Meeting The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2015.
Agenda Item VII. Possible Executive Session – none needed.

The chair adjourned the meeting at 5:00 pm Respectfully submitted, Brenda Blodgett Recording Secretary

Education Legislative Alert

Displaying
The Vermont Senate, this week, has moved into high gear on its consideration of H.361. The Senate Finance Committee approved several changes to the bill on Tuesday. The Senate appropriations Committee made several changes on Wednesday.  The full bill is likely to be taken up on the floor of the Senate either this afternoon (through a rules suspension) or on Friday. You can find the full bill on the Senate Notice Calendar forMay 7, 2015

The Senate bill takes a much more flexible approach to the entire effort.  It begins with a general description of a “preferred state” for education governance, but takes a very flexible approach to working in that direction. An amendment proposed by the Senate Appropriations committee removed the proposed elimination of small schools grants. The bill continues to phase out the ADM Hold Harmless features. It continues to include substantial incentives for regions that pursue REDs between July 1, 2015 and July 1, 2016. It then allows districts and SUs to sort out the best approach to move forward, including a process for self-evaluation by June 30, 2017 (section 23). For districts that have not chosen a path forward by 2018, the Secretary and State Board will be proposing a realignment plan which then goes to the General Assembly during its 2019-2020 session for approval.
 
The bill does not include caps or any other specific cost-containment strategy.
 
Overall, the bill provides a great deal of flexibility while emphasizing the need to focus on equity and to gain some scale and achieve efficiencies.
 
Although this bill has some problematic features,  overall it provides a reasonable path forward to look at our challenges while avoiding an overly prescriptive approach. If it passes, the expectation is that a conference committee will convene early next week to hash out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bills.
 
We have heard from board members who strongly support action this year. We have heard from some who continue to be concerned about particular aspects of each bill. We know that a number of boards are expressing concern about possible pressure to close small schools (despite statements in the Senate bill to the contrary). We have seen the petition asking to delay action for another year. On the opposite side of that debate, one board member stated to us that “they either need to pass this bill or pass a bill that says they won’t pass any bill”!  The sentiment was that this perpetual uncertainty makes it very difficult for boards to make decisions and set direction.
 
Regardless of your take on the Senate bill,   if you want to weigh in with your Senator, now is the time. Even if the bill does get acted upon today, it will likely be voted on againtomorrow when it comes up for "third reading" so any input to your senators today would be timely.
  
Should the bill pass the Senate, we will keep you informed over the next week on the work of the Conference Committee.  We will attempt to influence the problematic sections. Both chambers will need to again vote next week on any final agreement.
 
The General Assembly is slated to adjourn by May 15.   

2015 Employment Fair Reservation Form








Please TYPE or PRINT the following information:

2015 Employment Fair Employer Registration
Riverside Middle School,
13 Fairground Rd. Springfield, VT 
Wednesday, May 20, 2015 1:00pm­5:00pm
Contact Person:
Organization:
Address:
State Zip:
Phone Number: Cell Phone:
Website: Email:
Cost is $50.00 Checks ​payable to RVTC (River Valley Technical Center)
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR EXHIBIT
Do you need access to electricity? __ Yes __No
* You will have to supply your own power cords and strip
Do you have a free standing display? __Yes __No
Middle school and high school students will visit the Employment Fair during the first hour of the event. Please plan on engaging students as they cycle through the Employment Fair.
NOTES
● This event is sponsored in part by the River Valley Workforce Investment Board (WIB), VT Department of Labor, Springfield Regional Development Corporation, The River Valley Technical Center and Creative Workforce Solutions.
● Each employer/vendor will be provided with a full eight foot table, tablecloth, and two chairs and WiFi. Employer/vendors are encouraged to bring a representation of your work, materials, giveaways, etc.
● Setup starts on Wednesday, May 20th at 12:00 pm Riverside Middle School, 13 Fairground Road, Springfield, Vermont 05156.
● Forms can be scanned and emailed to Suzanne Groenewold via email (sgroenewold@rvtc.org ) , faxed to 802­​885​­8454 or mailed to RVTC, c/o Suzanne Groenewold, 307 South Street, Springfield VT 05156. Please call 802​­885​­8310 with questions.