Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Berlin News to Know January 31st
Sent by Corinne Stridsberg corinnestridsberg@gmail.com
Look back at previous posts below for more information
Facebook user? Check out the Berlin, Vermont Community News page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224
***
LOCAL BOOK - The Berlin Historical Society announces a new book "The Story of a Small Airportin Berlin, Vermont." written by Richard Turner. It is now available at Town Hall for the price of $20.
***
FARMERS NIGHT AT THE STATEHOUSE, Wed, Feb 1st at 7:30pm: An Evening of George Gershwin with Michael Arnowitt.In this performance lecture, pianist Michael Arnowitt explores the music and era of American composer George Gershwin and performs an American in Parisand Rhapsody in Blue, among other compositions. Complete details for Farmers Night which will continue through April 4th can be found at: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/schedule/farmersnight.cfm
***
25 Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier - just can't resist sending this along, I sure saw some tips I plan to use: http://angelaadkins.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/25-clever-ideas-to-make-life-easier/
***
VERMONTERS URGED TO CLAIM TAX CREDIT to lower taxes or receive refund
http://vtdigger.org/2012/01/27/vermonters-urged-to-claim-tax-credit-to-lower-taxes-or-receive-refundThe Earned Income Tax Credit is so-named because, to qualify, a person must work and have earned income. Vermontfamilies who earn less than $49,078 a year may qualify for this credit.
***
WHO WILL BE ON THE BALLOT AT TOWN MEETING?I've contacted folks who submitted petitions for selectboard and school board seats and will share the information they submit to me.Stay tuned!
***
BERLINSTREETLIGHTS - The Town of Berlinis conducting a streetlight inventory and would like feedback from area residents. There are 83 streetlights in Berlineach costing at least $11 per month for a total of $10,800 a year. In an effort to trim the municipal budget and conserve electrical use, approximately 11 streetlights have been recommended for removal. The goal is to have a well-lit , safe and functional night time environment without over-lighting. The remaining streetlights may be replaced with LED fixtures which last longer, use less electricity and offer good light rendition with a truer but cooler light tone. A trial outage is planned in February 2012.For more information see the town website http://www.berlinvt.org
***
Do you listen to the Mark Johnson Show on WDEV weekday mornings at 9am?Did you know that the programs are kept in a Podcast Archive so that you can listen at your convenience: http://blog.markjohnsonshow.net Quite a variety of topics.
WDEV AM550 and FM 96.1 can also be streamed on your computer: http://www.wdevradio.com/index-home.asp At the right of their page look for "Listen to WDEV on your computer Click here for available programs" Then on the page it brings you to the link is on the bottom at the left.
***
KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY E-BOOKS ANDDIGITAL DOWNLOADS will be available starting March 1st.More information regarding this can be found on their website http://www.kellogghubbard.org
***
Dog RiverDynamics, the presentation held down at Norwich Univ on January 26 was well attended.Andrea Chandler tells meinformation on:
Geology, morphology, fish habitat, river corridor planning were woven together so it would be hard to summarize.
Below are links to some of the different topics covered. Understanding how a river works is necessary to move forward. The more a river is armored and dredged, the faster it will run. The Dog is surrounded by steep hills which increase the runoff and flashiness. Development decreases the flood plain that has historically slowed down and absorbed flood waters. Undersized culverts can cause washouts and create barriers for a healthy fish population. Town planning will be important. There is much to be learned.
~
River Corridor Protection and Management fact sheet:
http://www.vtwaterquality.org/rivers/docs/rv_rcprotectmanagefactsheet.pdf
~
Landowners Assistance Guide:
http://www.winooskiriver.org/Land_Owner_Assistance_Guide
~
Dog RiverCorridor Management Plan:
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/waterq/rivers/docs/FinalReports/155_CPA.pdf
~
"Citizens Guide to How Streams Work"
http://www.winooskiriver.org
~
Demonstration of the effects of floodplain gravel mining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tb5may-Ghw
~
Laura Morse provided one of the links above and Clark Amadon mentioned that it's best to make more riparian zones, get development away from rivers and build higher and longer bridges and install larger culverts.
The rivers are a topic that there will continue to be many discussions about.
***
CHANDLER YOUTH PRODUCTION: The folks at Chandler Music Hall are excited to announce that the summer youth musical for 2012 will be Peter Pan! if you would like information on how to register for auditions and what you need to do to prepare for those auditions please inquire right away as the forms and registration fee is due by February 29.Note that there are feeds involved.Auditions are on Sunday, March 4 and the performance is July 5th, 6th & 7th.Contact Betsy Cantlin at outreach@chandler-arts.org or 802-431-0204. Several Berlin residents have very much enjoyed being part of these annual productions.
(note - Corinne has the paperwork with details on this production if you're interested )
***
McDonald to vacate GOP post
Vermont Press Bureau - Published: January 21, 2012
MONTPELIER —Citing personal health problems, Pat McDonald will step down later this month as chairwoman of the Vermont Republican Party.
McDonald announced her departure in a news release Friday afternoon, saying she will remain active in GOP politics by continuing to help with communications and outreach.
“Make no mistake, the ground is fertile for big changes in Vermontin 2012,” she said a written statement. “The people of Vermonthave grown weary of politics as usual, and they have little patience left for politicians who make promises they can’t keep.”
During her year at the helm, McDonald sought to rebuild the party after its unimpressive showing in the last elections. The former representative from Berlin, who managed Lt. Gov. Phil Scott’s successful 2010 campaign, kept a focus on messaging, recasting Republicans as the party of “growth, opportunity and prosperity.”
“This is a time that the Vermont Republican Party needs to expand and prepare ourselves for the elections of 2012,” she said. “It is also a time for me to dial back somewhat on my responsibilities with the party as my husband and I are dealing with some personal health concerns that will keep me out of the office more than I would like.”
According to McDonald, the Republicans’ executive committee will elect a new leader at a meeting in mid-February. Vice Chairman Paul Carrocio will serve as interim chairman.
***
From the weekly ReSource Newsletter(http://www.resourcevt.org)
Crossing State Lines to Help Flood Victims
ReSOURCE and Rebuild Waterbury are thinking outside the box…and outside State lines to solicit and collect donated furniture for Tropical Storm Irene victims across Vermont. For the last several months, the two nonprofits have been working together to help Vermonters recover from the August flooding that left many without essential household items, including furniture.
In September 2011, volunteer Mary Miller from Waterburycontacted the Clarion Inn on Martha’s Vineyard in response to an email from their owners offering aid to Vermonters. The Innwas about to undergo a renovation, updating all of the furniture in the 34 room facility. The Clarion Inn wanted to donate their used furniture to Vermontflood victims, but needed to find a way to get the furniture off the island.
By a stroke of fate, the Clarion’s new furniture was delivered by Cape Cod Express, whose owners have family in Vermontand who also wanted to help. They offered to donate their services and equipment to move the furniture off Martha’s Vineyard and from there ReSOURCE contacted Kyle Bellavance of Bellavance Trucking in Barre who agreed to (at cost) pick up and transport the semi (truck) load of furniture store the donations in one of their storage trailers free of charge, until it can all be distributed to families in need.
Once the furniture arrives in Barre, items will be given to families who have already expressed their need to Rebuild Waterbury. The remaining inventory will be sold and/or donated through ReSTORE Barre; a program of ReSOURCE. Residents who suffered a loss of essential household items to their primary residence from Tropical Storm Irene, can apply for a voucher for ReSTORE Barre (or ReSTORE Burlington) to be used to help purchase basic household items, including furniture.
The transport is scheduled for the week of February 6, and although it is not yet confirmed what the entire inventory will include, the donation is expected to contain hard wood furniture, bed frames, dressers, tables, chairs, night stands, and lamps.
For more information about the donation, please contact Milia Bell, ReSOURCE Marketing Manager at 802-658-4143 x25 or mbell@resourcevt.org
***
Funds requested for volunteer fire department
By David Delcore
Staff Writer - Published: January 26, 2012
BERLIN — A pair of requests that would more than double the community’s contribution to the operation of its volunteer fire department will be on the Town Meeting Day ballot in March.
On a night when the Select Board approved a $2.4 million municipal budget proposal that reflects a 1.4 percent increase in spending, members chose not to force firefighters to circulate a petition. That document would ask voters for a hefty increase, which preliminary estimates indicate will add at least 5 cents to the town’s tax rate.
Firefighters are asking for a total of just over $365,000 this year — up from the roughly $155,000 approved by voters a year ago.
Roughly half of this year’s request — $180,000 — would be used to establish continuous, in-station staffing at the Four Corners fire station. The money would essentially be used by the autonomous fire department to pay its members stipends to cover the station.
The other half — just over $185,000 — would cover the volunteer department’s operating expenses. That figure reflects a 32 percent increase, largely attributable to a $31,000 payment on a new truck.
Board members flirted with forcing the fire department to circulate a petition due to the sheer size of the increase and the effect its approval would have on the town’s tax rate.
The board has historically required outside organizations requesting an increase in their annual voter-approved appropriations to collect signatures from 5 percent of the town’s registered voters to gain access to the ballot. That practice has never been used with regard to the volunteer fire department, though given the size of this year’s twin requests Town Administrator Jeff Schulz said it was worth considering.
“It’s kind of awkward,” Schulz admitted.
Town Treasurer Patty Lewis said the town’s attorney had been consulted and the board was within its rights to require a petition for one or both of the articles requested by firefighters.
“You do have discretion,” Lewis said.
However, board members opted to err on the side of precedent, suggesting the department’s requests were best left between its members and town voters.
“My feeling is if the fire department can make the case that they need a significant increase, I don’t see that we should stand in the way of their being able to make that case to the voters,” Selectman Jonathan Goddard said.
Board member Roberta Haskin worried that absent a thorough explanation of how the money would be spent and what approval of the request would actually mean to the average taxpayer, the town budget could mistakenly be blamed for the rate hike associated with the department’s request.
“I don’t want people all upset because they think it’s the budget,” she said.
Board Chairwoman Sue Gretkowski agreed that firefighters should be invited to more fully explain their proposal in the run-up to town meeting. But, with Thursday’s deadline for filing petitions for special articles looming, she said she couldn’t support denying the department access to the March ballot.
“If we’ve never done this in the past it’s kind of hard to say at this late date we’re not going to put it on the ballot,” she said.
The fire department’s request to pay volunteers to cover the station could be viewed as a step down the path to creating a professional, full-time fire and ambulance service — an idea the department’s members have said they support. Ironically, it comes at a time when the voters will be asked to endorse the continued study of a regional public safety authority that could conceivably merge all emergency services in Barre, Montpelier, Berlin and BarreTown. The nonbinding referendum will appear on the Berlin ballot and the board has included $15,000 in its budget to help advance that project.
The $15,000 line item accounts for nearly half of this year’s total budget increase, which is just over $33,000.
Schulz said savings associated with a shift to a high-deductible health insurance plan and a modest reduction in the capital budget enabled the board to adopt a budget that, based on the current Grand List, would shave roughly 1 cent from the municipal portion of the town’s tax rate.
david.delcore@timesargus.com
***
New Vt State Hospital site under review
By David Delcore
Staff Writer - Published: January 25, 2012
BERLIN — A streamlined version of the Vermont StateHospital could be built on the edge of the Central VermontMedical Centercampus or on an open field a few hundred feet from BerlinElementary School.
Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding told members of the Berlin Select Board that both sites are being considered. The new building would be a downsized replacement for the 54-bed Vermont StateHospital, which was evacuated as Tropical Storm Irene’s floodwaters invaded the state office complex in Waterbury.
Spaulding, joined at Monday’s meeting by state Buildings and General Services Commissioner Michael Obuchowski and Mental Health Commissioner Patrick Flood, told board members that no decisions had been made. But he said appraisal work and title searches were being done for both locations.
“The process is still fluid,” Spaulding said, suggesting Monday’s meeting was something of a courtesy call for town officials. They were alerted nearly a year ago that Berlin was a favored location for what officials said at the time would be a smaller version of the state hospital in Waterbury.
That much hasn’t changed, according to Spaulding, who said flood damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene has created added incentive to construct a new facility.
“Our hope is to develop a small, state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital …very close to a full-service hospital,” he said.
Just how close remains an open question, according to Spaulding, who said the state is interested in land owned by Henry LaGue that is adjacent to the hospital complex on Fisher Road. It is also evaluating the potential of acquiring land next to the former Mid-State Regional Library on nearby Paine Turnpike from Vermont Mutual. The Vermont Mutual property, coupled with the six acres the state owns behind the regional library, could accommodate plans for a 16- to 25-bed facility for Vermonters most in need of round-the-clock psychiatric care.
According to Spaulding, the state is evaluating both sites in the event one or the other doesn’t work out.
“We want to keep our options open,” he said.
Spaulding acknowledged the Central VermontMedical Centerboard might have plans of its own for the LaGue property, and members of the hospital’s board were scheduled to be briefed on the state’s potential interest in the property when they meet today. CVMC officials have promised to make a decision by Feb. 29.
Spaulding said the proposal, which is a key part of a broader mental health plan proposed by Gov. Peter Shumlin, is on a legislative fast track and a determination would likely be made in the next 30 days.
Among the issues that remain unresolved is the size of the proposed facility. Shumlin has proposed a $16 million, 16-bed facility that has the ability to expand, while others have suggested a larger facility is needed to fill the void created when the state hospital in Waterburywas abandoned.
Spaulding acknowledged that building size — like location — is an open question.
“We can’t say for sure,” he said. “It might be 25 (beds) to start with.”
Asked for their opinions, board members generally said the LaGue property next to the CVMC campus seemed more suitable.
Chairwoman Sue Gretkowski said the Paine Turnpike location is more residential in nature and has been eyed as a potential town center, and that its proximity to the school could be cause for concern.
According to Gretkowski, some have quietly expressed those concerns but most town residents aren’t aware the property is even being considered.
“I don’t have a real good sense of what people in town are thinking about this,” she said, noting that it would be helpful to provide an opportunity for residents to weigh in.
Flood said there will be an opportunity to do that as part of the certificate of need process, but he volunteered to meet with residents to explain the state’s plan for what he described as a “model hospital.” Responding to questions from the board, Flood said the facility would be highly secure and heavily staffed. He estimated the proposed hospital would employ as many as 80 people.
“It may appear to be overstaffed to some people,” Flood said.
Even if all goes well, Flood said, it will likely be at least two years before the proposed facility is up and running as part of a plan that involves creating beds at the Brattleboro Retreat and six beds at the RutlandRegional MedicalCenter. Those beds, like the ones proposed in Berlin, would be for the state’s most acute patients. Those with less acute mental health needs, who were formerly served at the state hospital, would be accommodated at residential treatment facilities, like Second Spring in Williamstown, under Shumlin’s plan.
Spaulding said the state will let town officials know as soon as a site is chosen.
“We want to be open and transparent,” he said.
david.delcore@timesargus.com
Look back at previous posts below for more information
Facebook user? Check out the Berlin, Vermont Community News page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224
***
LOCAL BOOK - The Berlin Historical Society announces a new book "The Story of a Small Airportin Berlin, Vermont." written by Richard Turner. It is now available at Town Hall for the price of $20.
***
FARMERS NIGHT AT THE STATEHOUSE, Wed, Feb 1st at 7:30pm: An Evening of George Gershwin with Michael Arnowitt.In this performance lecture, pianist Michael Arnowitt explores the music and era of American composer George Gershwin and performs an American in Parisand Rhapsody in Blue, among other compositions. Complete details for Farmers Night which will continue through April 4th can be found at: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/schedule/farmersnight.cfm
***
25 Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier - just can't resist sending this along, I sure saw some tips I plan to use: http://angelaadkins.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/25-clever-ideas-to-make-life-easier/
***
VERMONTERS URGED TO CLAIM TAX CREDIT to lower taxes or receive refund
http://vtdigger.org/2012/01/27/vermonters-urged-to-claim-tax-credit-to-lower-taxes-or-receive-refundThe Earned Income Tax Credit is so-named because, to qualify, a person must work and have earned income. Vermontfamilies who earn less than $49,078 a year may qualify for this credit.
***
WHO WILL BE ON THE BALLOT AT TOWN MEETING?I've contacted folks who submitted petitions for selectboard and school board seats and will share the information they submit to me.Stay tuned!
***
BERLINSTREETLIGHTS - The Town of Berlinis conducting a streetlight inventory and would like feedback from area residents. There are 83 streetlights in Berlineach costing at least $11 per month for a total of $10,800 a year. In an effort to trim the municipal budget and conserve electrical use, approximately 11 streetlights have been recommended for removal. The goal is to have a well-lit , safe and functional night time environment without over-lighting. The remaining streetlights may be replaced with LED fixtures which last longer, use less electricity and offer good light rendition with a truer but cooler light tone. A trial outage is planned in February 2012.For more information see the town website http://www.berlinvt.org
***
Do you listen to the Mark Johnson Show on WDEV weekday mornings at 9am?Did you know that the programs are kept in a Podcast Archive so that you can listen at your convenience: http://blog.markjohnsonshow.net Quite a variety of topics.
WDEV AM550 and FM 96.1 can also be streamed on your computer: http://www.wdevradio.com/index-home.asp At the right of their page look for "Listen to WDEV on your computer Click here for available programs" Then on the page it brings you to the link is on the bottom at the left.
***
KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY E-BOOKS ANDDIGITAL DOWNLOADS will be available starting March 1st.More information regarding this can be found on their website http://www.kellogghubbard.org
***
Dog RiverDynamics, the presentation held down at Norwich Univ on January 26 was well attended.Andrea Chandler tells meinformation on:
Geology, morphology, fish habitat, river corridor planning were woven together so it would be hard to summarize.
Below are links to some of the different topics covered. Understanding how a river works is necessary to move forward. The more a river is armored and dredged, the faster it will run. The Dog is surrounded by steep hills which increase the runoff and flashiness. Development decreases the flood plain that has historically slowed down and absorbed flood waters. Undersized culverts can cause washouts and create barriers for a healthy fish population. Town planning will be important. There is much to be learned.
~
River Corridor Protection and Management fact sheet:
http://www.vtwaterquality.org/rivers/docs/rv_rcprotectmanagefactsheet.pdf
~
Landowners Assistance Guide:
http://www.winooskiriver.org/Land_Owner_Assistance_Guide
~
Dog RiverCorridor Management Plan:
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/waterq/rivers/docs/FinalReports/155_CPA.pdf
~
"Citizens Guide to How Streams Work"
http://www.winooskiriver.org
~
Demonstration of the effects of floodplain gravel mining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tb5may-Ghw
~
Laura Morse provided one of the links above and Clark Amadon mentioned that it's best to make more riparian zones, get development away from rivers and build higher and longer bridges and install larger culverts.
The rivers are a topic that there will continue to be many discussions about.
***
CHANDLER YOUTH PRODUCTION: The folks at Chandler Music Hall are excited to announce that the summer youth musical for 2012 will be Peter Pan! if you would like information on how to register for auditions and what you need to do to prepare for those auditions please inquire right away as the forms and registration fee is due by February 29.Note that there are feeds involved.Auditions are on Sunday, March 4 and the performance is July 5th, 6th & 7th.Contact Betsy Cantlin at outreach@chandler-arts.org or 802-431-0204. Several Berlin residents have very much enjoyed being part of these annual productions.
(note - Corinne has the paperwork with details on this production if you're interested )
***
McDonald to vacate GOP post
Vermont Press Bureau - Published: January 21, 2012
MONTPELIER —Citing personal health problems, Pat McDonald will step down later this month as chairwoman of the Vermont Republican Party.
McDonald announced her departure in a news release Friday afternoon, saying she will remain active in GOP politics by continuing to help with communications and outreach.
“Make no mistake, the ground is fertile for big changes in Vermontin 2012,” she said a written statement. “The people of Vermonthave grown weary of politics as usual, and they have little patience left for politicians who make promises they can’t keep.”
During her year at the helm, McDonald sought to rebuild the party after its unimpressive showing in the last elections. The former representative from Berlin, who managed Lt. Gov. Phil Scott’s successful 2010 campaign, kept a focus on messaging, recasting Republicans as the party of “growth, opportunity and prosperity.”
“This is a time that the Vermont Republican Party needs to expand and prepare ourselves for the elections of 2012,” she said. “It is also a time for me to dial back somewhat on my responsibilities with the party as my husband and I are dealing with some personal health concerns that will keep me out of the office more than I would like.”
According to McDonald, the Republicans’ executive committee will elect a new leader at a meeting in mid-February. Vice Chairman Paul Carrocio will serve as interim chairman.
***
From the weekly ReSource Newsletter(http://www.resourcevt.org)
Crossing State Lines to Help Flood Victims
ReSOURCE and Rebuild Waterbury are thinking outside the box…and outside State lines to solicit and collect donated furniture for Tropical Storm Irene victims across Vermont. For the last several months, the two nonprofits have been working together to help Vermonters recover from the August flooding that left many without essential household items, including furniture.
In September 2011, volunteer Mary Miller from Waterburycontacted the Clarion Inn on Martha’s Vineyard in response to an email from their owners offering aid to Vermonters. The Innwas about to undergo a renovation, updating all of the furniture in the 34 room facility. The Clarion Inn wanted to donate their used furniture to Vermontflood victims, but needed to find a way to get the furniture off the island.
By a stroke of fate, the Clarion’s new furniture was delivered by Cape Cod Express, whose owners have family in Vermontand who also wanted to help. They offered to donate their services and equipment to move the furniture off Martha’s Vineyard and from there ReSOURCE contacted Kyle Bellavance of Bellavance Trucking in Barre who agreed to (at cost) pick up and transport the semi (truck) load of furniture store the donations in one of their storage trailers free of charge, until it can all be distributed to families in need.
Once the furniture arrives in Barre, items will be given to families who have already expressed their need to Rebuild Waterbury. The remaining inventory will be sold and/or donated through ReSTORE Barre; a program of ReSOURCE. Residents who suffered a loss of essential household items to their primary residence from Tropical Storm Irene, can apply for a voucher for ReSTORE Barre (or ReSTORE Burlington) to be used to help purchase basic household items, including furniture.
The transport is scheduled for the week of February 6, and although it is not yet confirmed what the entire inventory will include, the donation is expected to contain hard wood furniture, bed frames, dressers, tables, chairs, night stands, and lamps.
For more information about the donation, please contact Milia Bell, ReSOURCE Marketing Manager at 802-658-4143 x25 or mbell@resourcevt.org
***
Funds requested for volunteer fire department
By David Delcore
Staff Writer - Published: January 26, 2012
BERLIN — A pair of requests that would more than double the community’s contribution to the operation of its volunteer fire department will be on the Town Meeting Day ballot in March.
On a night when the Select Board approved a $2.4 million municipal budget proposal that reflects a 1.4 percent increase in spending, members chose not to force firefighters to circulate a petition. That document would ask voters for a hefty increase, which preliminary estimates indicate will add at least 5 cents to the town’s tax rate.
Firefighters are asking for a total of just over $365,000 this year — up from the roughly $155,000 approved by voters a year ago.
Roughly half of this year’s request — $180,000 — would be used to establish continuous, in-station staffing at the Four Corners fire station. The money would essentially be used by the autonomous fire department to pay its members stipends to cover the station.
The other half — just over $185,000 — would cover the volunteer department’s operating expenses. That figure reflects a 32 percent increase, largely attributable to a $31,000 payment on a new truck.
Board members flirted with forcing the fire department to circulate a petition due to the sheer size of the increase and the effect its approval would have on the town’s tax rate.
The board has historically required outside organizations requesting an increase in their annual voter-approved appropriations to collect signatures from 5 percent of the town’s registered voters to gain access to the ballot. That practice has never been used with regard to the volunteer fire department, though given the size of this year’s twin requests Town Administrator Jeff Schulz said it was worth considering.
“It’s kind of awkward,” Schulz admitted.
Town Treasurer Patty Lewis said the town’s attorney had been consulted and the board was within its rights to require a petition for one or both of the articles requested by firefighters.
“You do have discretion,” Lewis said.
However, board members opted to err on the side of precedent, suggesting the department’s requests were best left between its members and town voters.
“My feeling is if the fire department can make the case that they need a significant increase, I don’t see that we should stand in the way of their being able to make that case to the voters,” Selectman Jonathan Goddard said.
Board member Roberta Haskin worried that absent a thorough explanation of how the money would be spent and what approval of the request would actually mean to the average taxpayer, the town budget could mistakenly be blamed for the rate hike associated with the department’s request.
“I don’t want people all upset because they think it’s the budget,” she said.
Board Chairwoman Sue Gretkowski agreed that firefighters should be invited to more fully explain their proposal in the run-up to town meeting. But, with Thursday’s deadline for filing petitions for special articles looming, she said she couldn’t support denying the department access to the March ballot.
“If we’ve never done this in the past it’s kind of hard to say at this late date we’re not going to put it on the ballot,” she said.
The fire department’s request to pay volunteers to cover the station could be viewed as a step down the path to creating a professional, full-time fire and ambulance service — an idea the department’s members have said they support. Ironically, it comes at a time when the voters will be asked to endorse the continued study of a regional public safety authority that could conceivably merge all emergency services in Barre, Montpelier, Berlin and BarreTown. The nonbinding referendum will appear on the Berlin ballot and the board has included $15,000 in its budget to help advance that project.
The $15,000 line item accounts for nearly half of this year’s total budget increase, which is just over $33,000.
Schulz said savings associated with a shift to a high-deductible health insurance plan and a modest reduction in the capital budget enabled the board to adopt a budget that, based on the current Grand List, would shave roughly 1 cent from the municipal portion of the town’s tax rate.
david.delcore@timesargus.com
***
New Vt State Hospital site under review
By David Delcore
Staff Writer - Published: January 25, 2012
BERLIN — A streamlined version of the Vermont StateHospital could be built on the edge of the Central VermontMedical Centercampus or on an open field a few hundred feet from BerlinElementary School.
Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding told members of the Berlin Select Board that both sites are being considered. The new building would be a downsized replacement for the 54-bed Vermont StateHospital, which was evacuated as Tropical Storm Irene’s floodwaters invaded the state office complex in Waterbury.
Spaulding, joined at Monday’s meeting by state Buildings and General Services Commissioner Michael Obuchowski and Mental Health Commissioner Patrick Flood, told board members that no decisions had been made. But he said appraisal work and title searches were being done for both locations.
“The process is still fluid,” Spaulding said, suggesting Monday’s meeting was something of a courtesy call for town officials. They were alerted nearly a year ago that Berlin was a favored location for what officials said at the time would be a smaller version of the state hospital in Waterbury.
That much hasn’t changed, according to Spaulding, who said flood damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene has created added incentive to construct a new facility.
“Our hope is to develop a small, state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital …very close to a full-service hospital,” he said.
Just how close remains an open question, according to Spaulding, who said the state is interested in land owned by Henry LaGue that is adjacent to the hospital complex on Fisher Road. It is also evaluating the potential of acquiring land next to the former Mid-State Regional Library on nearby Paine Turnpike from Vermont Mutual. The Vermont Mutual property, coupled with the six acres the state owns behind the regional library, could accommodate plans for a 16- to 25-bed facility for Vermonters most in need of round-the-clock psychiatric care.
According to Spaulding, the state is evaluating both sites in the event one or the other doesn’t work out.
“We want to keep our options open,” he said.
Spaulding acknowledged the Central VermontMedical Centerboard might have plans of its own for the LaGue property, and members of the hospital’s board were scheduled to be briefed on the state’s potential interest in the property when they meet today. CVMC officials have promised to make a decision by Feb. 29.
Spaulding said the proposal, which is a key part of a broader mental health plan proposed by Gov. Peter Shumlin, is on a legislative fast track and a determination would likely be made in the next 30 days.
Among the issues that remain unresolved is the size of the proposed facility. Shumlin has proposed a $16 million, 16-bed facility that has the ability to expand, while others have suggested a larger facility is needed to fill the void created when the state hospital in Waterburywas abandoned.
Spaulding acknowledged that building size — like location — is an open question.
“We can’t say for sure,” he said. “It might be 25 (beds) to start with.”
Asked for their opinions, board members generally said the LaGue property next to the CVMC campus seemed more suitable.
Chairwoman Sue Gretkowski said the Paine Turnpike location is more residential in nature and has been eyed as a potential town center, and that its proximity to the school could be cause for concern.
According to Gretkowski, some have quietly expressed those concerns but most town residents aren’t aware the property is even being considered.
“I don’t have a real good sense of what people in town are thinking about this,” she said, noting that it would be helpful to provide an opportunity for residents to weigh in.
Flood said there will be an opportunity to do that as part of the certificate of need process, but he volunteered to meet with residents to explain the state’s plan for what he described as a “model hospital.” Responding to questions from the board, Flood said the facility would be highly secure and heavily staffed. He estimated the proposed hospital would employ as many as 80 people.
“It may appear to be overstaffed to some people,” Flood said.
Even if all goes well, Flood said, it will likely be at least two years before the proposed facility is up and running as part of a plan that involves creating beds at the Brattleboro Retreat and six beds at the RutlandRegional MedicalCenter. Those beds, like the ones proposed in Berlin, would be for the state’s most acute patients. Those with less acute mental health needs, who were formerly served at the state hospital, would be accommodated at residential treatment facilities, like Second Spring in Williamstown, under Shumlin’s plan.
Spaulding said the state will let town officials know as soon as a site is chosen.
“We want to be open and transparent,” he said.
david.delcore@timesargus.com
# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 12:58 PM 
