Berlin Community News

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW MARCH 23, 2013
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Sent by Corinne Stridsberg and also posted athttp://socialenergy.blogspot.com
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If you're not already receiving this news by email, send an email to request this to corinnestridsberg@gmail.com
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Check out the Berlin, Vermont Community News page on facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224

Included below please find:
U-32 PERFORMANCE - DON'T MISS OUT
BERLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING
LOCAL EMERGENCY SHELTER INITIATIVE
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM
BEN & JERRY'S FREE ICE CREAM CONE DAY
KIDS LEARNING ABOUT GARDENING
SPRING CLEANING
FIREFIGHTER DOCUMENTARY AT SAVOY
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U-32 PERFORMANCE - DON'T MISS OUT
At the Regional One Act Competition STRIDER was chosen to go on to the State Competition!!  Therefore, there are now additional opportunities to see this outstanding one hour performance.
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Special Performance!
The award winning U-32 Theater program presents STRIDER by Mark Rozovsky, Wednesday, March 27, 7:30 PM at Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier (above City Hall) sponsored by LNT and U-32 Theater
Tickets: $10.00 adults / $8.00 students and seniors – available at the door, cash or check only.
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Also, on Friday, March 29th, there will be a 3pm matinee performance at U-32.  This performance admission will be by donation.  Also note there will be pizza and other food concession available which will also help them raise needed funds.  All proceeds will go into the expenses of the production.
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The state competition is Thursday and Friday, April 5th & 6th in Randolph.  I don't know the details yet.
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BERLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING
Tuesday, March 26th at the Berlin Town Office at 7pm.  Items on the agenda include: Re-visiting "A Place to Pass Through" (history of the town of Berlin); update regarding cemetery indexing project; and upcoming potluck dinner meeting May 22nd with author Howard Coffin as guest speaker.
Also upcoming - Did you know that June 8th is the 250th anniversary of Berlin's Charter!
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LOCAL EMERGENCY SHELTER INITIATIVE
Are you able to donate two hours?  The American Red Cross has a program that came together after Tropical Storm Irene when it was so difficult to get around in the state because of roads and bridges being out and emergency services being in high demand.  They would like to see towns become better prepared and equipped to operate a local emergency shelter.  By gathering together 20 local individuals to participate in a two hour training and having the ability to store the equipment, Red Cross will provide a variety of the basics including cots and blankets and a radio to help us run an emergency shelter when needed.   It's estimated that by training 20 individuals you would be able to find enough available people when a need arises for folks to evacuate and a shelter needs to be opened.  The elementary school is designated as our primary local shelter and has a generator.  We'd like to see the training be scheduled soon and are looking for more people to participate.  Please let me know if this is something you feel you could help with.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.
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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM
Would you like to help the town in the event of an emergency or disaster? Berlin Emergency Management is looking to expand our team to prepare our emergency plans and to staff our local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the event of an emergency. We are looking for strong individuals with experience in operations, planning, finance and especially logistics. Logistics is about knowing people and where to find needed supplies and equipment and perhaps even facilities. Emergency management experience is not necessary, just a willingness to serve your town and help your neighbors. There are some (free) training requirements. The time commitment is up to you, from reviewing plans to working in the EOC during an emergency. We typically meet one evening a month at the Berlin Four Corners Fire Station and also do some additional training and exercises throughout the year. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know.  Hope to hear from you!
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BEN & JERRY'S FREE ICE CREAM CONE DAY
The tradition continues.  Free cone day this year is on Tuesday, April 9th.  Whether you are craving your favorite flavor or wanting to try some new flavors what a delicious way to get out and enjoy spring... no matter what the weather.  Nice little video clip about the start of this tradition:  http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/free-cone-day
I'm not sure of the hours but seem to recall it's lunchtime through early evening, will find out and make an update!!
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KIDS LEARNING ABOUT GARDENING
The UVM Extension Service offers the Junior Master Gardener program annually.  Registration is due by Friday, April 26th at the UVM Ext. Office at 617 Comstock Road in Berlin.  You don't need to have a large space to garden in, just a small plot will do or many vegetables can be grown in containers.

Cloverbud - ages 5 - 7

Beginner - age 8+ and who have had their own garden or have helped in their family garden for one or two years



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SPRING CLEANING
When you're doing your spring cleaning, considering donating items no longer needed to ReSource on Granite Street in Barre. They'll even come pick up furniture items in the Greater Barre area. Take a look at their newsletter for more details on what household items are most needed and also the solar energy work their Youth Build group is involved with! http://www.resourcevt.org/publicdocs/Mar_News_2013.pdf
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FIREFIGHTER DOCUMENTARY AT SAVOY
BURN is a powerful, action-packed documentary about Detroit firefighters, who are charged with the thankless task of saving a city that many have written off. But BURN isn’t just about Detroit firefighters. It’s about all national first responders, whose budgets and pensions are on the chopping block. It’s about the people you hope will make it to YOUR house when there’s a fire. The theatrical trailer can be found at: detroitfirefilm.org
BURN will be playing in Montpelier on March 26th & 31st at SAVOY Theatre!
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Sent by Corinne Stridsberg and also posted athttp://socialenergy.blogspot.com
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If you're not already receiving this news by email, send an email to request this to corinnestridsberg@gmail.com
*
Check out the Berlin, Vermont Community News page on facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224
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Don't assume your Berlin friends, neighbor, relatives and coworkers receive this News to Know, or are aware of the Berlin, Vermont facebook page or the Front Porch Forum... please be sure to mention them as ways to find out what is happening in our community.

Decided to include a few items that have been on Front Porch Forum - you can sign up for free at http://www.frontporchforum.com and see all the posts!


BERLIN SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER NEEDED
U32 SENIORS SEEK VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR JUNE 12TH
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
FAMILIES OUTDOORS!
BERLIN BOARD PUNTS AMBULANCE DECISION
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   There is an empty seat on the Berlin Board of Directors, which must be filled as soon as possible. The commitment involves one regular meeting per month in the evening, and possible committee assignment(s) in addition. The term lasts until Town Meeting day 2014.
   Please consider becoming part of a dynamic decision-making team that directly impacts the educational experience of our prekindergarten to grade 6 aged children. Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity. Please submit a letter of interest to Bill Kimball, Superintendent by Friday, March 22nd via email bkimball@u32.org or at WCSU, 1130 Gallison Hill Rd, Montpelier, VT 05602.

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U32 SENIORS SEEK VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR JUNE 12TH
Posted on Front Porch Forum by Signe Goddard – Hill Street Ext.
U32 Seniors are Offering a Day of Volunteer Service!
Do you need help planting your garden? Painting your house? Moving firewood? Taking down storm windows? Detailing a car?
U-32 High School Student Council is planning a Senior Community Outreach Day: a chance for seniors at U-32 to give back to the community that has helped support them so much for the past 18 years.
Senior Community Outreach Day (SCOP) will take place on June 12th between 10:00AM and2:00PM. We are seeking projects for small or large crews in the Middlesex, Worcester, East Montpelier, Berlin, and Calais communities. Let us know if you are in need of assistance! No job is too big or too small!
For more information or to suggest a project, please contact our Student Council Advisor, Paula Emery, at 229-0321 ext. 5135 or pemery@u32.org.

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Posted on Front Porch Forum by Anne Donahue – State Representative, Washington-1
The legislature has started back in after town meeting break, and we will be facing a series of money issues in the next several weeks. I’ve already begun to hear from constituents worried about some of the proposed new taxes. For my full legislative update for this week, check my blog at repannedonahue@blogspot.com. You can receive the update automatically biweekly via an email request.

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Posted on Front Porch Forum by Ginger Anderson – Chase Rd
This is a great program from UVM Extension & VT State Parks.

Becoming an Outdoor Family 2013
Join us May 31–June 2 for our 16th year offering outdoor educational experiences for the whole family. This program is a joint effort by the University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources' Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Forests, Parks & Recreation to promote, address, and instill in the general public a basic understanding of environmental conservation, safety and fun in the out-of-doors.











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by David Delcore, pub 3/20/13 Times Argus
   BERLIN — The high-stakes battle for Berlin’s ambulance business remains unresolved after the Select Board refused to declare a winner this week and took the matter under advisement for the second time in less than a month.
   After listening to brief presentations from two of the bidders and quizzing the third at length, board members agreed they weren’t ready to decide between essentially maintaining business as usual and fueling the birth of a new ambulance service.
   “I’d certainly like to digest the information for a while,” Selectman Pete Kelley said after listening to presentations from the town’s current ambulance provider as well as the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department and the man behind an intriguing no-cost offer that dominated discussion Monday night.
   Board members unanimously tabled action on the matter until their April 1 meeting. A decision is expected at that time.
   Though the board was presented with three detailed ambulance proposals last month, one is arguably on life support after voters recently rejected the Fire Department’s request for $180,000 in supplemental funding to cover the cost of continuously staffing its Four Corners station. Without that extra money, department officials told the board, the per-capita price of starting a local ambulance service would more than triple — from the $28 they had hoped to the $89 they had feared.
   In a town with roughly 2,800 residents, that would turn what would have been a manageable first-year investment of $80,000 into a $250,000 start-up expense.
   Deputy Fire Chief Scott Bagg acknowledged “Plan B” wasn’t as financially palatable as he and others had hoped, though he defended the idea of creating a dual fire and ambulance department that could provide round-the-clock coverage to the community.
   In something of a surprise, Bagg offered the department’s qualified endorsement of one of the other two bidders, Barre Town Emergency Medical Services.
   “If we aren’t selected we strongly support Barre Town,” Bagg said of the standalone ambulance service that has served Berlin without interruption since 1996.
   Bagg stressed the Fire Department’s renewed interest in breaking into the ambulance business was not a reflection of the quality of the paramedic-level service that Barre Town has provided over the years.
   BTEMS Director Dave Jennings told board members that his service is interested in keeping Berlin as a customer after its current contract expires June 30.
   Jennings said the service, which is run by Barre Town, has a proven track record in Barre Town, Berlin and beyond.
   According to the three-year contract proposed by BTEMS, the annual per-capita fee would start at $26 and increase 5 percent a year over the life of the agreement.
   The proposed contract includes an option for two additional years with annual increases of 3 percent. If Berlin were to exercise that option, the annual per-capita fee would be $30.41 starting July 1, 2017.
   The board spent little time discussing the ambulance service that is a known commodity in the community and most of its time questioning the man who has offered to provide ambulance service to Berlin free of charge, while cutting the town in on 5 percent of the profit.
   Matt George has pitched Central Vermont Emergency Medical Services as a public-private partnership that would allow Berlin to cash in on the fact that it is home to a regional hospital and two major nursing homes.
   “Berlin is in a tremendously unique position where you guys have the highest concentration of health care facilities in the state,” said George, who is the clinical services coordinator for White River Valley Ambulance.
   According to him, the combination of a comparatively low number of 911 emergency calls from residents and the unusually high volume of inter-facility transfers made Berlin an attractive target for a private ambulance service.
   George’s observation was supported by Charlie Maymon, an executive for a privately owned Scandinavian-based company that is the largest provider of emergency medical services in the world.
   Maymon said George recently approached Falck Ambulance, which does business in 37 countries on five continents, about the possibility of investing in CVEMS.
   Though Maymon said Falck hasn’t made any commitments, he said the type of service George had described was doable in Berlin.
   “Where you sit geographically is a great location for an ambulance service that is willing to reach outside of the town of Berlin and do other inter-facility work,” he said, suggesting the service could turn a profit without charging the town.
   Although George said his preference would be to work with Falck due to that company’s depth of resources, he said he has lined up bank financing to buy two ambulances and establish an ambulance service by July 1.
   However, George acknowledged those plans are in a holding pattern pending the town’s decision. The board questioned him about plans to equip, staff and license the ambulance service he has proposed.
   George said all could be accomplished within an ever-shrinking window and, while he has made progress on some fronts, he needs a definitive answer from the board before locking anything down.
   david.delcore @timesargus.com

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Sent by Corinne Stridsberg and also posted athttp://socialenergy.blogspot.com
*
If you're not already receiving this news by email, send an email to request this to corinnestridsberg@gmail.com
*
Check out the Berlin, Vermont Community News page on facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224

Don't assume your Berlin friends, neighbor, relatives and coworkers receive this News to Know, or are aware of the Berlin, Vermont facebook page or the Front Porch Forum... please be sure to mention them as ways to find out what is happening in our community.

The final story included has nothing to do with Berlin but I love the grassroots effort being made in Rupert


ANNUAL VERMONT STATE SCHOLASTIC CHESS TOURNAMENT APRIL 13TH
BERLIN MEETINGS
PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE / ZONING COORDINATOR POSITION
SUGAR-ON-SNOW AT MORSE FARM     
WASHINGTON COUNTY FAMILY FUN DAY MARCH 16
MIDDLESEX ALL YOU CAN EAT PIE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER
5th & 6th GRADE PLAY IN APRIL THIS YEAR
POSTCARD PROJECT GOAL IS TO KEEP RUPERT POST OFFICE OPEN

 
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Selectboard 18th
Development Review Board 19th
Sewer Commission 25th
Historical Society 26th
Planning Commission 27th

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The Town of Berlin, VT seeks a qualified person to fill the position of Administrative / Zoning Coordinator, a highly responsible and independent position that provides administrative and technical assistance to the Town Administrator and other town departments. The work involves a variety of responsible complex tasks that require sound, independent judgment and action. The ideal candidate will b...e proficient with various computer programs, including Excel, Word, and Outlook. Previous zoning experience or work experience in a municipal office is desirable. This position requires interaction with the public and town employees. This is an appointed position that reports to the Town Administrator. This is a part-time position (18-20 hours per week). Candidates must have a combination of education and job experience to fulfill the minimum requirements of the job. The salary is commensurate with experience. To apply, send résumé, cover letter and list of three references by March 22, 2013 to: Town Administrator, Town of Berlin, 108 Shed Road, Berlin, VT 05602, or via email to jschulz@berlinvt.org

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Weekends in March Sugar-On-Snow with all the fixings is served up Friday, Saturday and Sunday noon to 4pm.  1168 County Road, East Montpelier.   Perhaps you're new in town and haven't been - it's 2.7 miles from the round about on Main Street in Montpelier ... go up Main Street and it becomes County Road.

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The Family Center of Washington County will host their annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 16th from 10am to 1pm at Union Elementary School, 1 Park Avenue in Montpelier (down behind Kellogg-Hubbard Library).  This is a free event and is open to the public throughout Washington County.  There will be live entertainment and fun activities such as baby playgroup, face painting, arts and crafts, and a child passenger safety technician.  There will be pizza, subs and baked goods available for a nominal fee.

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Saturday, March 23 at Rumney School in Middlesex from 9am to 11am or until pies run out.  $6 per person or $5 if you bring your own plate, cup and utensils.  A benefit for the Rumney School PTO and the Bandstand Concert Series.  Entertainment: Fiddle music by Ruth Einstein.  Pies and quiches too.  No nuts.  Blueberry pies from local berries and rhubarb pies from local rhubarb.

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The 5th & 6th graders are having their annual play on Thursday, April 4th and Friday, April 5th at Berlin Elementary school at 6pm each day.  This year's play will be Mary Poppins!

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  Note - the postcards can be seen at:
http://fluxustulip.blogspot.com/2013/02/postcards-for-rupert-vt.html

   On the outside, the tiny white post office in Rupert may look quiet, with the occasional chicken or two occupying the front porch.
   But lately this local post office has been buzzing with an influx of vibrant homemade postcards from around the world.
   After being faced with the possibility of hours being cut or even a total closure, local residents knew something needed to be done to save their post office.
   In an attempt to increase the post office’s mail volume, landlord Jane Davies posted a plea for help on her personal blog asking family, friends and strangers alike to send in art postcards.
   “They really came in fast and furiously,” said Davies, astonished by the amount of mail she received in the first week. “There were beautiful paintings of the post office and stitched mini quilts and collages and all sorts of cool stuff.”
   Those willing to help were encouraged to send handmade postcards addressed to Davies and in return the first 200 participants would receive a personalized homemade card.
   Though the card count has rapidly surpassed the 200 mark, she still attempts to respond to as many cards as possible.
   Davies scans each card she receives and posts them to an online gallery for people near and far to admire.
   “It was overwhelming at first,” she said, adding that she would spend hours a day simply uploading new cards.
   “People are aware that this office could go away if we don’t support it,” said Davies, hoping the postcards will continue to trickle in and bring up numbers until the office’s annual review scheduled for the end of the year.
   The U.S. Postal Service has fallen upon hard times in the past year, registering a $15.9 billion loss.
   “We are happy that our customers feel the passion and commitment to participate in this project to boost the fortunes of their local office,” said Tom Rizzo, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service Northern New England District.
   Rizzo said that to positively affect the small town post office, the project would need to run for a long time and include significant purchases of postcards and postage, coming in many individual transactions.
   “Considering the scope of the continuing financial challenges facing the organization, it is hard to predict with certainty how effective this activity would be,” he said.
   Though the project has its skeptics, the uncertainty has not stopped participants far and wide from standing up for the cause and sending in their handmade postcards.
   “As an artist and art teacher I am always on the lookout for ways that art can impact change in communities,” said Sharon Gorberg, of Newton, Mass., who has sent more than a dozen postcards ranging from abstract images to watercolor paintings of animals.
   Gorberg said small town post offices, like the one in Rupert, play an important role in the community and serve as a liaison between the town and the people who call it home.
   “And one of the best things about this project is that anyone can participate at any age,” she said.
   While postcards have been received from almost every state, news of the project has traveled far beyond the U.S.
   “A local post office is more than just a place to send and receive mail,” said Australia resident Jo Murray, “but a community meeting point where local news is exchanged, meetings arranged, and generally a focus for those who might be alone at home.”
   After reading about the project on Davies’ blog, he knew he wanted to help the small town and quickly took out his painting supplies and stamps to begin his card.
   Murray personally connects with the story behind the project since his own local post office was once in a similar situation before a community outcry put a stop to it.
   “I realize that ‘people power’ can make a difference,” he said. “I fully support these post offices, wherever they are.”
   The ongoing support and dedication to the post office has been greatly appreciated townwide, but one resident in particular has been especially moved.
   “I love my post office,” said Postmaster Elizabeth Winters, the officer in charge at the Rupert office, who has been in awe of the amount of attention her office has received.
   Winters has been with the USPS for more than a decade and has been stationed at the Rupert office for three and a half years.
   She said that although she is worried about the financial hardship that decreased hours or a closure would cause her, her main concern is the impact on the community.
   She said she hopes the postcards will continue to come and believes the project has helped the office’s business.
   “Everyone has been very supportive of the post office during this time of uncertainty,” she said. “And I thank them for that.”