By Lani Duke
updated
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 07:55 AM
Build new or redo?
CASTLETON-Castleton's select board has proposed building a new
town hall west of the historic downtown and close to the Four
Corners, where Routes 4 and 30 intersect. Some community members
question whether that is the best solution to housing town
governmental offices. They want to slow the decision making long
enough to see whether the historic building that in Castleton
village may be renovated to meet safety standards and made ADA
compliant with less expenditure than a new structure would
require.
One point of contention is the rising estimated cost of a new
building, initially discussed at $750,000, but now estimated at
$1.4 million. Renovating the old building, a key feature in the
town's historic district, has been estimated at $900,000.
Renovation may qualify for historic preservation and ADA compliance
grants.
The other side of the argument is that the new site would have
room to add a fire station in about three years or so, with an
estimated cost of an additional $1 million. The town select board
is discussing raising the bond level it previously approved, of
$750,000 for 20 years with 3.4 percent interest. Other funding
possibilities include selling property the town owns or using
$200,000+ from surplus funds.
As it is, town voters have yet to approve the bond at this
spring's town meeting.
If Castleton voters approve the bond vote in March, the new
building could be finished by mid- to late-summer 2013. Watch for
upcoming public meeting to discuss the project and
alternatives.
Serve your town
BENSON-The town of Benson reminds that, to run for town offices,
candidates need to turn in a petition, signed by at least eight
registered Benson voters, at the Town Office by 5 p.m. Monday, Jan.
30. Similar conditions apply no matter where you live in Vermont.
Some positions call for lots of commitment; others, very little.
Many last only a year, although some may be three- or five-year
terms.
Wells dairy farm goes solar
WELLS-Dairy farmers Richard and Cynthia Larson recently installed
a new 40-kilowatt photovoltaic system that has already begun
sending extra energy into the grid. They estimate that the new
system will supply 95 percent of the farm's electricity needs.
The
new system is part of a new hay barn, boasting some 160 solar
panels. Building contractor for the project was Positive Energy of
Granville, NY; Catamount Solar of East Montpelier designed and
installed the system.
Congratulations, FHUHS
FAIR HAVEN-Fair Haven Union High School students' high scores on
the latest New England Common Assessment Program to put Fair Haven
Union at the top of all Division II schools. Student scores in
reading, writing, mathematics and science enabled FHUHS to meet the
latest (and most difficult) standards of Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP) as indentified under No Child Left Behind; only four out of
the sixty-one high schools can claim such status.
Extracurricular programs are also high ranking. This fall the
Slaters won the DII state football championship. Fair Haven is also
the defending DII golf champion and will compete for the state
title in boys' basketball. Band students earned Lake Placid
Regional first positions, as well as all-New England and all-state
honors. The Scholars' Bowl team has successfully competed against
Vermont and New Hampshire schools.
Students enter National Geographic Geo Bee
WELLS-Fourth, fifth and sixth grade classes at Wells Village
School will take part in the National Geographic Geo Bee. Students
Allison Arnado, Isaac Bell, Chase Blanchard, Harley Combs, Tyler
Dunbar, Logan Haskins, Zac Haskins, Eli McDermott, Olivia Reynolds
and Angelina Scarlotta have planned to take a geography bee at the
school.
Fundraisers planned for Castleton
Elementary
CASTLETON-The Castleton Community School Organization urges
supporters to save two upcoming days, Saturday, Feb. 4, and
Saturday, March 31. The February event is a day (or half day) of
scrapbooking at the school, complete with breakfast, lunch, and/or
dinner, as appropriate. Contact for the event is Lisa Thayer,
265-4426.
The March date is a basket party to benefit Castleton Elementary's
Kids Castle. Gretchen Bischoff and Lisa Thayer are looking for
donations of finished baskets or the materials required to put one
together.
LANI'S PICKS
Saturday, Jan. 21 - St. Luke's Episcopal Church (at the corner of
North Main and Allen streets in Fair Haven) hosts a community
breakfast at 8 a.m. Call Catherine McCauley, 265-4010, for
info.
Tagged:
lakes region, Lakes Region News, Castleton, benson, Wells, Richard Larson, solar, FHUHS
