Date: February 18th 2010
The Maple Corner Net Newsletter is
now being published 2 times a month, usually on the 2nd and 16th, depending
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Contents:
Reminders and Updates:
New Mardi Gras Photos: http://www.photos.net/Mardi_Gras_2010/
taken by Steve & Sarah Gallagher
P.S. - Other online news:
- This Newsletter is now up to 496 good deliverable email addresses. It's been creeping up closer to 500 for a long time. If a few of you tell a few people, maybe we'll get over the 500 people mark.
- One of my other fun projects is also about to reach a milestone; My Plant
Photos Collection is almost to 250,000 page views. See www.plant.photos.net
. It is a wiki based collaborative effort to build an online plant identification
guide. Anyone can upload plant photos, and contribute other info to the project.
I have recently updated the software at the site, and added Google Ads to hopefully
help offset some of the expenses.
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 5:50 AM
Subject: Celebrate National Agriculture Day Saturday March 20 at the Vermont
State House
Olivia Gay has been organizing people to have discussions about village
planning. There was a meeting last monday, Feb 15th. If you want to be informed
of future meetings on this subject, or are interested in any way, or want to
hear about what happened at the meeting, please contact Olivia.
We can see where our thoughts overlap and if we want to take on a project. I'd
also like to talk about applying for a Village Center designation, perhaps
with other villages. Here's a link that Diane sent me. http://www.historicvermont.org/programs/designatedvillagecenters.htm
Subject: Vermont Current Use Program for Agricultural and Forest Land Preservation
Email written to Janet Ancel by Steve Gallagher:
Hi Janet,I have land in this program, 27 acres of it has been in since the program started in the late 70's I think. I put 3.3 more acres in about 3 or 4 years ago when Sarah & I bought the land from my parents.When we made decisions about enrolling land it was decided on based on the rules at the time, which I consider a contract with the State of Vermont. We are not developers looking to decrease our holding costs, but are actually using the land to produce firewood, lumber, and food.If I had known that the rules could be changed, I would not have enrolled the last 3 acres. While now in use for wood and gardens, we are also holding onto this land in particular in case one of our kids wants to build a house and live in Calais. This may happen in 4 years, maybe 10 years, maybe never. To suddenly change the rules, after we have planned, and to make the new rules into something which would make it harder for us to keep our family together and on the land is extremely unfair and shortsighted.I understand the feeling of not wanting to give away money to developers to hold land for a few years, which they were going to do anyways, and this would just increase their profits, but for the families who are trying to keep land together long term, it doesn't make as much sense.P.S. - I think we are ready to shut down VT Yankee, and to put more money into other things, including hydro, and newer things. Look at what Washington Electric has done! And it is just so obvious what Entergy is doing with their little plans to suck in profits now, and avoid responsibilities in the future. I hope you are not fooled by them.
- Steve Gallagher
The Unadilla Theatre will present Uncle Vanya performed by people 11 to 13 (4 boys 4 girls) July 24th and 25th. We are casting now. If you would like to join the cast email me at unadilla@pshift.com or call the theatre at 456-8968. This is a free opertunity for Calais children.
For more information go to the website: www.unadilla.org
Subject: My Notes & Occasional Comments:Calais Selectboard meeting, Feb. 8th, 2010, written by Peter Harvey
Calais Selectboard meeting, Monday Feb 8, 2010 at the Calais School. Members
present (clockwise): Anne Winchester (Chair), Denise Wheeler (Vice-Chair),
Scott Bassage, and Cy Lamberton. John Brabant was absent. Rose Pelchuck took
the Selectboard's official minutes. 9 people attended this evening's Selectboard
meeting: Bill Powell, Wayne Morse, Elizabeth Morse, Dot Naylor, Peter Adamczyk
(PACE/VEIC), Nedene Martin, Wilson Hughes, Peter Brough, & myself.
MINUTES: The Board approved the minutes of both the Jan 11, 2010 meeting and
the continued Jan 25, 2010 meeting with a bunch of clarifications and minor
corrections.
STATE HIGHWAY MILEAGE CERTIFICATE: Every year the Board verifies the mileage
of our Town highways. VTRANS uses those numbers to determine State Aid to
Highways to each town. This evening, just before the meeting started, Wayne
Morse handed Anne a letter and asked her to sign it at this evening's meeting.
Not having time to read it then, she told him she would look at it later.
When this item began, Wayne stood, read and explained his letter (with two
attachments: Selectboard minutes 10/29/1971 road hearing and Quit-Clam Deed
7/25/1972). Referencing information from the Ancient Roads Study, he told
the Board that he had presented all the information they needed to review
and expected them sign his letter which said in part - "…that a section of
TH 44 not on the current road map was never legally discontinued…" and should
be added to the mileage on the Certificate being signed tonight (the Certificate
is due 2/10/10). In his letter he also claimed that "a Quit Claim Deed (dated
8/26/1971) assigned all the land to one property owner, ignoring the fact
that the road crossed property boundaries, rather than deeding it to the actual
abutting owners." Anne told Wayne that they did not have time to contact other
interested parties and hear all the sides of his argument before the due date
of the Certificate that they needed to sign this evening. She firmly offered
to put his request on a future agenda. Wayne has approached the Board about
the results of re-routing TH 44 (Wheeler Rd) at various times in past years.
The Board voted 4-0 to sign the State Highway Mileage Certificate with the
same mileages as last year.
LIQUOR/TOBACCO LICENSE APPLICATIONS: The Board voted 4-0 to approve beer &
wine and tobacco licenses for the Adamant Co-op.
PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY (PACE): Our Town Energy Coordinator, Bill Powell,
brought Peter Adamczyk, before the Board for 45 minutes to present the PACE
plan which is covered under the Vermont Energy Act of 2009 (Act 45), which
he described as statewide enabling legislation. Under the proposed program
qualifying property owners would be able to borrow long term loans, similar
to mortgages, of between $5,000 and 15% of the value of the property for energy
improvements. The program is aimed at low income owners. The loan payments
would be transferred with the property when sold. Creating an Assessment District
in Calais is something the voters would have to approve. This will not be
up for a vote at Town Meeting this year. This was only an introduction of
the idea to the Board.
Bill told the Board that WEC has worked with VEIC for almost 20 years.
Under repeated questions from Denise about who was paying him, he told the
Board that Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) is a subsidiary of
a national organization
my comments: As an advocate for efficiency over merely paying heating bills,
I am interested in how we can help people achieve more efficient energy use.
I googled "Vermont Energy Investment Corporation" "Peter Adamczyk" and found
these sites among others.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_Energy_Investment_Corporation
http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/vt/2010/4/articles/affordable_clean_energy_explored.html
SMALL CLAIMS COURT NOTICE: The Board received notice that local dairy farmer
Doug Lilley has filed with the Washington County Small Claims Court asking
that the Town of Calais return $2,715.66 of his taxes for last year. Doug
had been a long term recipient of the Calais Tax Stabilization Program for
Farmers. At the March 6, 2007 Town Meeting, Article 22 asked the Town voters
if they wanted "to continue its tax stabilization program for a period not
to exceed five (5) years." At that meeting the five years was amended to one
(1) year and the article passed. The Board explained that the two farmers
left enrolled in the Town program, which preceded the State Current Use Tax
program, were eligible for the State Current Use Tax program. Doug told the
Board he did not want to participate in the State program. At the March 4,
2008 Town Meeting, the voters extended the Tax Stabilization Program for Farmers
for one year to give the two farmers a second chance to sign up for the program.
Anne had talked with the VLCT and will talk with a lawyer about the possibility
of representing the Town in Small Claims Court.
DOG COMPLAINT: Diane & Norman Scolaro of East Calais Village have written
to the Board complaining about two dogs. The Board will ask the Town Animal
Control Officer, Fred Bushway, to look into the matter and report back to
the Board.
MCCULLOUGH GRAVEL PIT APPLICATION: Act 205 Environmental court granted a permit
with condition to extend the McCullough Gravel Pit operation. Both the McCullough
brothers and the neighbors have appealed the court decision. The Board is
retaining an "interested party status" in the case. Anne explained that the
Board has not changed its position about the quarry, "the operation needs
to follow the Town Zoning [Regulations]." The Board appointed Scott to be
the Board's liaison in the case. Zoning Administrator Dot Naylor told the
Board that the pit operators have asked her what they need to do to apply
for a permit, but that she has not heard further from them.
TOWN AUDIT: Anne reported that the appointed auditors were warned for a public
meeting at the Town Office today. No word from that meeting yet.
NEW EMERGENCY SERVICES LAND PURCHASE AGREEMENT: Anne reported that although
the two towns had agreed to name only East Montpelier on the purchase and
sales agreement, now the East Montpelier Selectboard wants to put the names
of both towns on the document. Tonight the Calais Board decided it wants to
ask attorney Steve Stitzel before signing.
TOWN MEETING ASSIGNMENTS: The Board began assigning members to specific articles
for the Spring Town Meeting, as they have in years past, but they quickly
decided to be less formal and that each chip in as needed.
OTHER REPORTS:
There were no reports on new Emergency Services building or the Curtis Pond
Dam.
9:00 The meeting was continued to tomorrow evening @ 7:00.
Subject: My Notes & Occasional Comments:Calais Selectboard meeting, Feb.9th, 2010, written by Peter Harvey
Reminders and Updates:
March 19th at 7
pm - Film: "One Man, One Cow, One Planet -
How to save the planet! An award-winning film that shows through
the work of one man, using Biodynamic Farming techniques, how India’s
soil is being restored, farms are prospering and people are thriving.
Biodynamic Farming goes beyond organics to work with the phases of
the moon and the planets to stimulate and enliven soil formation and
plant growth.
April 9th at 7 pm
- Presentation: Journeys to Sacred Sites - Here and Abroad -
Sacred sites are special places
found all over the world. In this visual presentation we will
travel to England, France, Ireland and the United States to explore
ancient stone structures, holy wells, cathedrals and Native American
earthworks and mounds. These are places where the energies of the
earth are amplified. Linda will relay her own journey, what
she found, the patterns she discovered and how she has been affected.
Bring your own stories to share too! Linda Schutz, presenter
(info, 229-6861)
May 14th at 7 pm
- Presentation: Geomancy - Connecting to Earth's Energy -
As far back as people have walked
the earth they have been aware of certain places in the landscape
that hold a special kind of energy that has traditionally been used
for healing and to enhance fertility. By understanding this
and working consciously with this energy, we can be healed and help
undo some of the harm humans have inflicted on this amazing planet.
The form of Geomancy Gail practices uses carvings in stones placed
on specific points in the landscape to help facilitate this Earth
Healing. She has been studying Geomancy with Mark and Ana Pogacnik
from Slovenia for 7 years and is a graduate of the first North American
School of Geomancy. Gail England, presenter (info, 223-1730)
How do we as a community plan for emergencies including extreme weather events, disruptions to water systems, and long-term power outages? What can we expect from authorities and what we need to do for ourselves? Join us for a community meeting with friends, neighbors and local officials, addressing long and short-term emergency preparation. Director of Vermont Emergency Management, Barbara Farr, will begin the meeting with a keynote talk, followed by Ben Falk of Whole Systems Design, speaking on Resilient Responses in Unstable Times. The rest of the meeting is “open space” format, where participants set the agenda, addressing food preservation and storage, health needs, access to water, communications and more.
Important Calais Web Links:
See listings at www.maplecorner.net - Please send me any suggestions you might have to add to this list.
Monthly Listings of the Calais Public Meetings and Events can be found here: http://www.calaisvermont.gov/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC={2A53D6E6-B7CD-4587-996F-91554BB73907}
Official Selectboard Meeting Minutes are posted on the Town of Calais Website here: http://www.calaisvermont.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={09BA9114-60DA-4B2D-AA71-9BB0F4FBBE4F}
Calais Online Discussion Board - http://www.forum.calais.us/
Calais Resource Guide website: http:..www.resources.calais.us
Community Quotes of the Week:
"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations." - Thomas Jefferson
This e-mail newsletter is open to submissions from the public, as long as they are noncommercial, and appropriate to the community. Please remember that it depends on you, the subscribers, to let people know what is going on in town. Have you written something you want to share with the community? Do you know of an upcoming event in our area? Contact me by just replying to this email, or call me, Steve Gallagher, at 802-223-0505, though the actual notice has to be emailed to me. You can get an idea of what has been posted in the past by reading the archives at: http://www.songseek.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=maplecor
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-----Steve Gallagher ------
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