By Lani Duke
posted
Aug 9, 2012
STONE VALLEY STUDY FUNDED
CASTLETON-The Federal Highway Administration recently awarded
$81,920 for the Stone Valley Byway along Route 30 from Manchester
to Castleton. The funding is to develop a feasibility study to
enhance bicycle and pedestrian experience along the route by making
access and travel routes safer.
TOWN HALL SURVEY VALIDITY
CASTLETON-Castleton is back in a tizzy over its seat of government,
or what to do with it. The latest concern is over the method used
to take a survey, sent out in a tax bill. It asked where the survey
taker wanted town offices to be, whether emergency services should
be in the town office relocation, how large a bond is too large,
and similar questions. The questionnaire followed a community focus
group attended by 27 individuals.
A number of folks in the town, containing 4,717 inhabitants
(according to the 2010 census,) felt that the town had not had
sufficient input on the decision before placing a $2 million bond
to build the proposed new town offices on the March town meeting
ballot. The bond question was soundly defeated.
If more than one voter resides in the household to which the tax
bill came, who votes, some questioned. Nor will the survey reach
renters, regardless of how long they may have lived in their
current residence. Conversely, surveying only registered voters
leaves out the opinion of property owners who don't reside in
Castleton and those who are not registered.
Residents have been discussing the issue, in one form or
another, for more than a year. The town offices moved out of the
red brick row building it had occupied for more than 50 years
because mold had infested the structure. Repairing/renovating the
building would have cost $1.1 million, according to some estimates,
so a study committee recommended buying land west of the
traditional town center to erect a new town hall complex including
offices, police, fire station, and meeting hall.
COMMUNITY CENTER
CASTLETON-Thanks to all who contributed to the Castleton Community
Center's recent basket party. The organizing committee collected
more than 200 baskets and raffle items. And thanks to American
Legion Post 50 for the use of their hall and to all volunteers who
helped with ticket sales, food service and basket transport. Funds
raised help maintain the CCC Wellness Center.
NEW GMC SCHOLARSHIP
POULTNEY-Massachusetts-based The Food Project recently partnered
with Green Mountain College to set up a scholarship for high school
youth who have completed 100 hours or more of service in their
community. "The Food Project Make a Difference Scholarship" will
award $5,000 towards GMC tuition and fees for students with at
least 50 hours of service at The Food Project and 50 hours of
service at another registered non-profit organization.
BENEFIT FOR PAUL WAGER
WHITEHALL-The Elks Lodge in Whitehall plans a benefit dinner/basket
party to help Paul Wager, recently diagnosed with the very rare,
very aggressive type of lymphoma called "Mantle," which is in his
bone marrow stage 4. He's going to have very aggressive
chemotherapy for 4-6 months. The dinner is 4 to 6:30 p.m. Contact
Janna DeLong, Citizens Bank, Castleton, and Wager's daughter.
INTERIM TOWN MANAGER
FAIR HAVEN-Fair Haven's police chief William Humphries has accepted
the position of interim town manager as the town searches for a
replacement for Peter Hathaway, previous town manager. At the end
of his term, October 25, Humphries will resume his police chief
duties.
Hathaway had been town manager for 17 months; some in town say
he left in exasperation caused by the select board's
micromanagement. A 12-person search committee is charged with
evaluating applications for the job. Applications are due Friday,
August 31.
GATHERING RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPORT
FAIR HAVEN-The town of Fair Haven intends to continue with its plan
to send out letters asking local and state elected officials
whether they support renewable energy and biomass and,
specifically, the Beaver Wood Energy project, a wood-fired biomass
power plant and wood-pellet making facility at Fair Haven. Their
purpose is to stimulate support for the Fair Haven Energy
Center.
A second letter asks businesses around the state for their attitude
towards Vermont's energy development plan.
LANI'S PICKS
Saturday, August 11 - "The Weedman" Steven Schussel leads a plant
I.D. walk from Lake St. Catherine's Nature Center beginning at
10:30 a.m. Learn names and uses for local flora and how to identify
plants in the wild.
Sunday, August 12 - Benson Family Day and Burdock Festival, one of
the more wonderfully eccentric Vermont delights. Parade at 10,
firemen's BBQ 11:30-1. 2760 Stage Road, 537-2063.
Tuesday, August 14 - Pine Street Jazz and special guest Taryn
Noelle close this year's much acclaimed summer concert season at
Castleton, bringing their audience an evening of "smooth blues and
hot jazz." 273-2911.
Tagged:
Lani's Picks, Lakes Region
