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.

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

Tel: 802-875-6421

Fax: 802-875-6438

Debbie.Carleton@trsu.org

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

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.”

Attachments area

Preview attachment Nola.mp3.mp3

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.

Preview attachment Best Practices Initiative of the.docx

Preview attachment RH_Memo to Supts_Compliance and Waivers Transportation Consolidation_01_08_2015.pdf

RH_Memo to Supts_Compliance and Waivers Transportation Consolidation_01_08_2015.pdf

Preview attachment Planning for Transportation docx.docx

Planning for Transportation docx.docx

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.