Berlin Community News

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Sent by Corinne Stridsberg and also posted at: http://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 facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224
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NOTE: I hope you're marking your calendars as I'm not repeating many events that are scheduled even if they're not being held for awhile.  That's one of the reasons I post these emails to my blog to make it easy to look back at previous issues.  Blog address is above.
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Included below please find:

GREEN UP DAY IS SATURDAY, MAY 4TH!
SILVERWARE DRIVE AT BERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR CENTRAL VERMONT
"TAPPED" - WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BOTTLED WATER?
FLEA MARKET MAY 4TH & 5TH AT CIVIC CENTER
BARTER SYSTEM IN CENTRAL VERMONT GROWING
FREECYCLE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
VERMONT HISTORY MUSEUM - UPCOMING FREE VISIT
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How about a free train ride?!  If you're interested sign up right away for this special Amtrak excursion which will take place on Saturday, May 11th.  It leaves the Montpelier Junction Station (Junction Road, Berlin) at 10AM and travels to the Bellows Falls Amtrak Station arriving at 11:48AM.  There will be time for a stretch and to pick up your free box lunch to eat on the next leg of the journey which is a train ride aboard the VRS White River Flyer to go to White River Junction (WRJ).  This train will arrive in WRJ about 1:30pm where there will be a celebration at the historic WRJ Rail Station at 1:45pm.  After the ceremony there will be time to view historic displays of railroading in New England and other railroad exhibits.  Around 2:45 or 3pm those who traveled down by train will board motor coaches (buses) to return to the station they started from.  IF you want to stay in WRJ a little longer and return by train, there will be a charge - you may reserve a $12 "In Vermont" seat on the northbound Vermonter which will depart WRJ at 6:22pm.  Children, as always, ride for half fare, $6.  It's very important to sign up right away, no later than May 6th as seating is limited.  See all the details at this link: http://rail.vermont.gov/NationalTrainDay2013
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Did that $12 "Inside Vermont" Amtrak fare catch your eye?  That's available on a regular basis, details can be found at: http://rail.vermont.gov/passenger/current_services
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GREEN UP DAY IS SATURDAY, MAY 4TH!
Green Up Day is on Saturday but it is possible to get bags and start early!  http://www.greenupvermont.org   There is a Green Up facebook page also with some information https://www.facebook.com/GreenUpAdmin

Don't forget Twin City Subaru is Paying Cash for Trash to support Berlin Elementary School's playground http://www.twincitysubaru.com/berlin-elementary-school-playground-fundraiser.htm AND the kids are having a bottle drive that day from 9am - 1pm to help raise money for the playground equipment they want to have installed this summer.
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SILVERWARE DRIVE AT BERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In an effort to be more “GREEN” we would like to have a larger supply of silverware so that we no longer buy and throw away plastic knives, forks and spoons. If you have extra odds and ends of silverware you are willing to donate, please drop them off at Berlin Elementary School for Chef Greg and they will be put to good use. This will be an ongoing effort, feel free to donate at any time. Thank you!
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RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR CENTRAL VERMONT
Spring & Summer at the Montpelier Recreation Department where there are always a lot of fun activities going on. Includes information about the pool and the Senior Center http://www.montpelierrec.org/files/Brochures/2013%20summer%20spring.pdf
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"TAPPED" - WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BOTTLED WATER?
What an eye-opener the movie "Tapped" is.  While people assume that bottled water is the better option, it's virtually unregulated and therefore may contain contaminants.
The movie is available on Netflix.  A trailer can be found at: http://www.tappedthemovie.com/
Fill a reusable water bottle from your tap. Tap water is cleaner, cheaper and healthier than store-bought water. One and a half million tons of plastic water bottles are thrown out every year. In Vermont we spend more than $10 million every year to ensure that municipal tap water is clean and healthy. Taking advantage of that investment is good for your health, your wallet and the health of our communities.
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FLEA MARKET MAY 4TH & 5TH AT CIVIC CENTER

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BARTER SYSTEM IN CENTRAL VERMONT GROWING
Information on Onion River Exchange, our local barter system, can be found at: http://www.orexchange.org    What do ORE members offer?  Transportation, tutoring, cooking, sewing, yard work, computer help, dance lessons, proofreading and editing, childcare, business services, personal finances, car repair, pet care, carpentry, yoga and wellness, music lessons, entertainment for parties, sports, word processing, graphic design, phone calls, providing food for potlucks… and so much more!
Want to know more about Time Banks? The Bridge recently had a story: http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2013/04/new-economy-the-onion-river-exchange-your-central-vermont-time-bank  There was also some national coverage of Time Banks on ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7082441
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FREECYCLE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
Freecycle is available throughout the country and there are several groups in Vermont.  Our local group is Washington County - http://groups.freecycle.org/WashingtonCountyVT/posts/all
There is also a Freecycle facebook page with some interesting ideas to recycle or repurpose items https://www.facebook.com/freecycle
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VERMONT HISTORY MUSEUM - UPCOMING FREE VISIT
The Vermont History Museum / VT Historical Society 109 State St, will be free and open to the public from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on June 7th as part of the Montpelier Art Walk.  http://vermonthistory.org/visit/vermont-history-museum
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Sent by Corinne Stridsberg and also posted at: http://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
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NOTE:  On a personal note, our son, Clark Stridsberg, has been submitting lots of applications / résumés for summer employment but hasn't landed anything yet. If you know of any opportunities please let us know. He's almost done his first year at Ithaca College.
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Included below please find:

GIRLS ON THE RUN COMMUNITY 5K IN ESSEX JUNCTION
VERMONT FREE FISHING DAY
VERMONT STATE PARKS
VOLUNTEER HELP WITH LOON LOCATING ON BERLIN POND
YOUTH CHESS CLUB
MUSEUM & PARK PASSES AVAILABLE AT KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY
FROM BERLIN FRONT PORCH FORUM
COMPLAINTS MERGE OVER TROUBLED 'YIELD'

FREE KIDS TRACK MEET
Kids Track Meet, Montpelier Friday, May 31, 6 pm at the Montpelier High School Track
FREE. For kids pre-school through 6th grade. Registration begins at 3:45 pm. Events include softball throw and long jump (all ages), quarter mile and 100 yard dash (all ages), half mile (1st & 2nd grade) and mile (3rd - 6th grade). Contact: Tim Noonan at 802 223-6216 or Norm Robinson at 802 223-7351.  http://www.cvrunners.org/cvrraces.html

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GIRLS ON THE RUN COMMUNITY 5K IN ESSEX JUNCTION
   We have an awesome Girls on the Run community 5K event planned once again this year and we need your help! 
   Well over 3000 participants are expected at this year’s Girls on the Run 5K! The 5K is on Saturday, June 8th and help is needed from 7:00am-12pm at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction. If you would like to help with pre-race preparation, race bag stuffing will be held the day before, on Friday, June 8th from 11am-1pm.
   If you are interested, please contact me at this email address: jcubino@harmonyatlast.com. See details below for the info I'll need from you.
   Please feel free to send this email to others who may be interested. Thanks in advance for making this an awesome experience for the girls and the community!
   All the best, Julie
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If you are interested, please include the following information when you contact me:
*Name 
*Email
*Interested in helping on race day (June 8th) or bag stuffing (June 7th)?
*Time Constraints: Do you need to start/end your participation at a specific time? 
*Volunteer Position Desired (for 5K run): Flexible or specific post requested?
*Are you a High School Student?: Let me know if you are a student and the school you attend so that I can place you with others from your school.
*Are you a Volunteer who will be accompanied by a child?: Let me know so that I can place you at an appropriate volunteer station.
*Do you have medical training?: The Expo will have EMTs at our 5K and we also like to have individuals with medical training at various spots along the course and at the finish line.
*Do you want to participate with others colleagues/friends/teammates as a group? Let me know and I'll find an appropriate spot for you.
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Note for all volunteers: The safety of all Girls on the Run program participants is of highest importance.  In order to maximize and ensure these standards of safety, it is mandatory that national criminal and sex offender background checks be performed on all 5k volunteers over the age of 18.  When you respond to this volunteer request, I will send you instructions on how to sign into the SECURE server and complete the required fields.  Notification of results will be e-mailed to the Girls on the Run office within 24 hours.  The Girls on the Run office will sign into the secure server to obtain the report.  The fee for background checks will be paid by Girls on the Run Vermont. Background checks are good for 2 years. If you did this last year, you won't need to do it again this year.


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VERMONT FREE FISHING DAY
Saturday, June 8, Vermont Free Fishing Day - anyone, resident or nonresident, may fish without a license.  All legal fishing methods and limits still apply.
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Daily activity fees - $3 for 14 year olds and older; $2 four years - 13 yrs; 3 yrs old and younger is free
Vehicle pass -$80 per season (additional vehicles registered to same person $40)
Individual pass $25 per season.
Punch cards - $20 for 10 day use visits, never expires
Local library pass - that's right, your local library offers a pass that will permit up to 8 people in one vehicle entry into any Vermont State Park Day Use area.
Lots more information can be found at: http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/fees.htm
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Check out the VT State Parks job openings:
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/employment_jobs.htm
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VOLUNTEER HELP WITH LOON LOCATING ON BERLIN POND
I'm looking for some volunteers to help watch the loon pair on Berlin Pond, especially mid May to mid June to help locate nest location, if they nest.  I'll also be looking for someone to help with nest warning signs once the nest is found (putting signs out and taking in when done nesting).   The pair has usually nested in visible location from the road at north end but occasionally the pair has nested in an unknown location.  By paddling, we might be able to find this site or sites.  The best way to figure this out is when the consistent 2 loon sightings changes to 1 and no nest is observed from the road.  Then it would be time to paddle and search.  I'll be doing all of this until I can train someone in.
Timing:  Weekly checks from May 15-June 20 (or until nest is found)
Post hatching:  I usually check monthly.
Annual Loonwatch Count: 3rd Sat. of July. 8-9 a.m.
Two years ago, there were several sightings of 2 additional loons on the pond, thus someday we might see a 2nd pair form at the south end.  In mid May, I could host an outing either from shore or paddling for those who have interest.

YOUTH CHESS CLUB
A youth chess club continues to take place at Kellogg-Hubbard Library Wednesdays 5:30-7pm.  Call Robert Nichols for info, 229-1207

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MUSEUM & PARK PASSES AVAILABLE AT KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY
The Kellogg-Hubbard Children's Library (CL) offers passes to great Vermont museums, parks, and historical sites! Sign out a pass at the CL desk and make your next family outing cheaper, smarter, and more fun. Sign up at the CL desk for a three-day pass to these great Vermont points-of-interest! Please check for availability before planning your trip. Be sure to double check the details, including the days/hours they’re open:
• ECHO Aquarium & Science Center http://www.echovermont.org this pass gives you $2 admission per family member (regular admission $12.50 adults, $9.50 kids, $10.50 seniors & college students with ID although Vermonters receive a $2 from those prices with valid VT ID).
• Shelburne Farms http://www.shelburnefarms.org free admission to the children’s farmyard and walking trails (regular admission adults $8, $5 kids, $6 seniors).
• Vermont History Museum in downtown Montpelier by Statehouse http://www.vermonthistory.org – free family pass (regular admission $5 adults, $3 students & seniors, or $12 families) Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
• Vermont State Parks – free day pass for groups up to 8 http://www.vtstateparks.com (regular admission per day is $3 per person 14 yrs & older, $2 for 4 yr–13 yr olds)
• Vermont Historic Sites http://www.historicsites.vermont.gov/– free entry to the site for one family of groups up to 8
• Fairbanks Museum http://www.fairbanksmuseum.org – free admission for 2 adults and all children in household. Open Monday – Sat 9am – 5pm and Sunday 1pm-5pm. (Regular admission adults $8, kids under 17 $6, under 5 free, or family of up to 2 adults and their children under 17 $36) . The museum is closed Mondays Nov-March and also on the major holidays. The planetarium presentation is NOT included in the pass and costs $5 per person for a 50 minute presentation.

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COMPLAINTS MERGE OVER TROUBLED 'YIELD'
Pub. 4/26/13 Times Argus by David Delcore
   BERLIN — Some people love the sticklike white pylons that have created a dedicated lane for fast-moving traffic heading up the Berlin State Highway to Route 62 from the Barre-Montpelier Road; others, not so much.
   Love them or hate them, state officials say the pylons won't be around much longer and the “Yield” sign they replaced will be making a comeback while the state refines plans to reconfigure the troublesome junction that feeds one of the most studied intersections in central Vermont.
   An interim fix for the signalized intersection where Airport and Fisher roads meet Route 62 has been postponed until next year. That, officials say, is when they hope to construct a permanent solution for the poorly designed junction nearby.
   The answer — a “chicane” — may have a familiar ring to race fans, but Josh Schultz, who is managing the entire intersection upgrade for the state Agency of Transportation, said it's technically not an engineering term.
   Though Schultz said the agency has produced only the roughest of sketches so far, the concept — forcing traffic heading up the Berlin State Highway to curve slightly to the left and then swing back to the right before merging with Route 62 — has promise.
   “We're evaluating it right now, but we think it could work,” he said.
   Nothing else has.
   According to Schultz, that includes the soon-to-be-abandoned experiment that relied on a string of plastic pylons to create a dedicated lane for Route 62-bound motorists who frequently ignored the “Yield” sign that was once posted at the top of the Berlin State Highway.
   Thanks to mixed reviews and a number of reported near misses, Schultz said the pylons will be removed in the next several weeks, the road restriped and the “Yield” sign returned.
   “We figured the old situation (with the 'Yield' sign) will be better to get us through this summer and winter,” he said, quickly conceding it is far from optimal.
   “It's an awkward yield condition for both parties,” he said. “It kind of puts both drivers — on Route 62 and Berlin State Highway — in each others' blind spots.”

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FROM BERLIN FRONT PORCH FORUM
Below is just one posting... there have been many more
Membership is free - to join go to visit http://frontporchforum.com
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Festive Benefit for Central Vermont Humane Society April 27
Michelle Champoux - CROSSTOWN ROAD
Ready to let loose and enjoy a night out? Join us at Lucky Dog Catsino Night, our First Annual casino fundraiser, this Saturday, April 27th! Players gamble with tokens for a chance to win raffle prizes, and everyone who joins in is a winner for the animals.
The event is at 7pm, at the Montpelier Elks. $20 in advance, or $25 at the door, gets you your first $100 worth of chips. Roulette, craps, and blackjack tables give you many opportunities to earn tickets for the prize raffle. We have many wonderful gifts and services donated by local businesses, all for the raffle or silent auction. Many local businesses are also generous sponsors of the event, so come out and see your neighbors!
If you'd like to purchase your tickets in advance, visit our website to purchase online. You can also see our sponsors and prize donors at our website: www.cvhumane.com
There will be finger foods, cash bar, and dancing -- something for everyone -- even if you don't want to play the games!
Hope to see you there!

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Sent by Corinne Stridsberg and also posted at: http://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
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Included below please find:
EARTH DAY ACTIVITES AT HUNGER MOUNTAIN COOP
VENTURE VERMONT OUTDOOR CHALLENGE 2013
VT. KIDS GET REVVED UP FOR READING
AT THE SENIOR CENTER: NEW PARTNERSHIP, NEW KITCHEN, NEW MEALS PROGRAMS
DOG RIVER FARM CSA
ANNUAL BIKE SWAP MAY 4TH AT ONION RIVER SPORTS 9AM - 12PM
'JUDGEMENT CALL' MAY HELP BERLIN MUNICIPAL WATER PLAN
FROM BERLIN FRONT PORCH FORUM
.. PAID SURVEY ON PRENATAL CARE AND BIRTH EXPERIENCE
.. BERLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY POTLUCK/PROGRAM MEETING MAY 22
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EARTH DAY ACTIVITES AT HUNGER MOUNTAIN COOP
On Earth Day, Monday, April 22nd, Hunger Mountain Coop will be holding its 3rd annual book swap. There will also be face painting and kids can plant their own seedlings. From 12-1pm there will be an Earth Day Plant Walk around the Coop wit...h a clinical herbalist. Meet vendors and sample their goods, for instance from 2-5pm High Mowing Seeds. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Stonecutters Way in Montpelier. More details at: http://www.hungermountain.coop/OurCommunity/News/tabid/148/entryid/179/Default.aspx

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VENTURE VERMONT OUTDOOR CHALLENGE 2013
Earth Day and School Vacation week seem like a wonderful time to start in on the Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge 2013. When you reach 250 points, you win free day entry into VT State Parks for the rest of the 2013 season and for the enti...re 2014 season and a VIP gold medal! Three main rules are to take photos of all activities, one scorecard per person and have a blast! Score sheets are at the following link: http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/venturevt.htm

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VT. KIDS GET REVVED UP FOR READING
WCAX coverage of the Race to Read at Berlin Elementary School.  Having met a challenge to read 15 books each in the last two months they received a visit from race car driver Troy Kingsbury and even got to sign his race car! http://www.wcax.com/video?clipId=8793120&autostart=true

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AT THE SENIOR CENTER: NEW PARTNERSHIP, NEW KITCHEN, NEW MEALS PROGRAMS
Check out this link for an article by Nat Frothingham about the new commercial kitchen at the Senior Center in Montpelier which many Berlin residents belong to.  Starting July 1st there will be some food-related activities including moving the Meals on Wheels Program to the Senior Center.  There will also be a cafe meal on Thursdays which can be eaten at the senior center or taken home.
http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2013/04/at-the-senior-center-new-partnership-new-kitchen-new-meals-programs/

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Route 12 Berlin, 2 miles south of Montpelier  http://dogriverfarm.com or on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dog-River-Farm/128915153872460
Dog River Farm is a certified organic farm with diverse markets. We have a farm stand on site that is open 7 days a week 10am-7pm. We sell wholesale locally and regionally through an organic cooperative. You can also find us at local farmers markets. We employ a variety of folks from May through January and do accept apprentices from time to time.  - George Gross 223-1559 
Three CSA choices:
All inclusive share- DRF fruits and vegetables coupled with local bread, eggs, cheese and other product made right here in our community. 16 weeks -$575
Veggie (and fruit) only- DRF fruit and vegetables to fill you fridge and belly.
16 weeks- $350
Seasons Pass- build your own CSA share at the farm-stand by buying a re-loadable CSA card that you use when you want. Come to the stand and shop as you wish, swipe your card and buy what you want. Buy a $250 CSA card and receive $300 worth of credit on that card. An affordable way to get in to the spirit of a CSA.
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Also note that Dog River Farm is compiling a list of extra hands to come work during busy times when certain jobs require more hands.  Vegetable farm work is physically demanding.  Contact them at dogriverfarm@gmail.com

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ANNUAL BIKE SWAP MAY 4TH AT ONION RIVER SPORTS 9AM - 12PM
Bring in your bike beginning Monday, April 29 thru Friday, May 3
Dig your old bikes out of the garage, basement, shed, or yard, get them all cleaned up, and bring them to Onion River Sports for our Annual Bike Swap! We begin accepting bikes Monday, April 29 when we open at 9am and close the doors to Swapped bikes at 8pm on Friday, May 3.  In the mean time, there are a lot of things you can do to get your bike ready:  brush off the cobwebs or dirt, put some air in the tires, shine up that bicycle, lube the chain. A clean, shiny bicycle is more likely to sell for the price you want!
We also accept used trailers, tag-a-longs, unicycles and jogging strollers, so there are plenty of opportunities to swap your quality used gear for a check or store credit.
If your bike sells you get either:  80% of the selling price as a check; 100% of the selling price in store credit; 110% of the selling price in store credit towards the purchase of a new bike within one week of the Swap (until May 12th)!
Please, try not to call the store between 9am and 12pm to see if your bike has sold – our staff is busy selling your bike! This is a very busy morning at ORS and most likely, our staff will be unable to check on the sale of your specific bicycle. If you would like to know, you are welcome to come to the Swap to see if your bike has sold or wait until after 12pm to call us. Thanks for understanding!
If you’re buying a bike (or bikes):
Swap starts at 9:00 am (the line usually starts forming at 8:00am or earlier) and you’ll get great deals on used bikes!  We’ll also have bicycle Odds and Ends at terrific deals! Show up early, the good ones go first - the Swap ends at 12:00 pm!
We will have hundreds of used bikes–and most of our staff–in the Onion River Sports’ parking lot to help you find the perfect new-to-you bike for you and your family.
If your bike does NOT sell at the Bike Swap, you are responsible for picking it up at Onion River Sports on Sunday, May 5 between 11am and 4pm. If you do not pick up your bike, we’ll donate it for you to a great local organization that helps get kids on bikes.
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'JUDGEMENT CALL' MAY HELP BERLIN MUNICIPAL WATER PLAN
Pub. 4/17/13 Times Argus by David Delcore
   BERLIN — Just when it looked like Berlin’s ability to leverage favorable financing for a $5.5 million municipal water system had all but evaporated, the town was the beneficiary of a “judgment call” made by a federal employee who essentially concluded that no information was good information.
   Rhonda Shippee, community programs director for USDA Rural Development in Vermont and New Hampshire, may have kept the town’s hopes of constructing a water system afloat based on what she conceded Monday was an “unusual” decision involving a newly completed income survey.
   The results of that survey were relayed to USDA Rural Development last week by a consultant who spent nearly two months attempting to collect necessary data from the 59 households that could potentially be served by the proposed water system.
   Due to the small sample size, an 87 percent response rate — roughly 51 of the 59 households — was believed to be necessary to qualify for USDA financing.
   And here’s where Shippee may have saved the day, because while Shaun Fielder, executive director of the Vermont Rural Water Association, collected 52 of the surveys — an 88 percent response rate — 14 of them were from participants who simply refused to fill out the form.
   Shippee’s flexible interpretation of whether to allow those blank surveys to be counted toward meeting the threshold established by USDA boiled down to her definition of the word “response” and the absence of one in federal guidelines.
   “It was a ‘response’ with no income information, but it was a ‘response,’ as opposed to just ‘nothing was received,’” she said Monday, stressing her decision doesn’t mean Berlin will qualify for favorable financing town officials say they need in order to keep the water system affordable.
   “They (Berlin) potentially qualify for funding,” she said, noting the town satisfied three key criteria, one of which can be directly traced to the income survey.
   According to Shippee, Berlin’s population is less than 10,000, water projects are eligible for USDA financing and, based on the income survey conducted by Fielder, the median household income in the service area for the proposed water system is well below the $57,328 eligibility ceiling.
   Shippee acknowledged that might be due to a sample size that wasn’t as statistically significant as she would have hoped.
   Fielder was able to collect income-related information from 38, or roughly 65 percent, of the 59 households.
   According to the survey results, household incomes ranged from $2,000 to $175,000 with a median income of $42,500.
   Shippee said it was a first-of-its-kind turn of events involving a type of project — a new water system — that USDA Rural Development isn’t often asked to help finance.
   “I’ll be honest, we’ve never had a case where people respond (to income surveys) and say: ‘I choose not to provide my income,’” she said.
   Some residents’ stubborn refusal to fill out a simple survey that they were assured committed them to nothing and would be kept confidential threatened to derail efforts to secure favorable financing for the project earlier this month.
   Fielder warned the Select Board of that possibility during an April 1 briefing. At the time Fielder had only persuaded 31, or 53 percent, of the 59 targeted households to provide him with income-related information, while seven households — 12 percent of the total — had flatly refused.
   During the course of the ensuing week, Fielder picked up seven more responses, doubled the number of refusals and, after consulting with Shippee’s office, found reason for renewed optimism. He said he was told forms returned by those unwilling to provide any income-related information could be counted toward meeting a pre-established target designed to ensure the statistical validity of the income survey.

Shippee said she’ll need to see the individual forms, but believed she had the flexibility to count ones that were returned, but not completed.
   “It was an unusual situation,” she said, defending a decision that some might view as relaxing a standard in order to accommodate a community’s application for federal financing.
   “I prefer to err on the side of the customer,” she said.
   The proposed water system would serve the Berlin Four Corners area, as well an area adjacent to the Barre-Montpelier Road. The water system, which was narrowly approved by voters in February, contemplates the installation of 31,500 linear feet of water line, and construction of a 400,000-gallon water storage tank and pump station that would be located near the three town-owned wells on Scott Hill Road.
   In addition to resolving longstanding problems with contaminated drinking water supplies in the area, town officials believe that providing a reliable and affordable source of drinking water would assist existing businesses and unleash the potential for future economic development.
   david.delcore@timesargus.com

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FROM BERLIN FRONT PORCH FORUM
Below are just a couple of postings... there have been many more
Membership is free - to join go to visit http://frontporchforum.com
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PAID SURVEY ON PRENATAL CARE AND BIRTH EXPERIENCE
Tucker Wright, Ksv - Fisher Road
Posted to: Berlin No. 117 April 19, 2013
Central Vermont Medical Center is committed to delivering the highest quality, most relevant services to its community.
As part of this effort, CVMC is conducting research with local women to better understand what they are looking for when it comes to decisions about prenatal care and childbirth.
Please participate in this short phone survey and earn a generous stipend in thanks for your time and insight.
YOU:
•Option 1: Female resident of Central Vermont (preferably close to Waterbury) who has given birth in the area within the last 3 years.
•Option 2: Female resident of Central Vermont who is pregnant (or trying to get pregnant), and has NOT YET made a decision about where to give birth
WHAT: 40 minute conversation on opinions about prenatal care and birth
HOW: Over the phone
WHEN: Sometime in the next 2 weeks
If you are interested in participating and think you fit the profile, please contact us. Email twright@ksvc.com with your full name, phone number, email address and place/date of your last birthing experience (or tell us that you’re pregnant or planning to be soon).
We will contact you for a pre-interview conversation. No phone calls, please.
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BERLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY POTLUCK/PROGRAM MEETING MAY 22
Norbert Rhinerson - Scott Hill Road
Posted to: Berlin  No. 117 April 19, 2013
For those of you that plan ahead The Berlin Historical Society is holding its annual potluck/program meeting on May 22 at the Congregational Church Parish Hall on Scott Hill Road.
The potluck is at 6 PM and if you plan to attend please call Cheryl, our potluck coordinator at 223-5306.
The program at 7PM features Howard Coffin who has just completed his fouth book “Something Abides” which describes hundreds of Civil War related sites in Vermont and Berlin is included. Howard will talk about Vermont and the Civil War. This program is supported by the Humanities Council of Vermont. No reservation is needed for the Program but to gauge the attendance a call to Norbert Rhinerson at 223-1203 or e mail at Norbert925@myfairpoint.net would be appreciated.

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW APRIL 14, 2013
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Sent by Corinne Stridsberg and also posted at: http://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:
TOWN OF BERLIN
-BERLIN COMMITTEE VACANCIES
FROM BERLIN ELEMENTARY TO THE COMMUNITY
-TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS
-TRASH FOR CASH
-KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION & SCREENING MAY 10TH
-BOTTLES AND CANS FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
FROM U-32 TO THE COMMUNITY
-U-32 SENIOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE ON JUNE 12TH
-U-32 GREEN FESTIVAL May 2nd 9am-2:30pm & 6:30-8:30pm
OFFICES, APARTMENTS PROPOSED FOR BERLIN SITE
PETE'S GREENS TO BUY LEGARE FARM
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BERLIN COMMITTEE VACANCIES
The town has several committees with vacant seats that would love to have your help! These committees include:
+PLANNING COMMISSION: 2 vacancies
+CENTRAL VERMONT REGIONAL PLANNING (TAC}: Representative vacancy
+SOLID WASTE DISTRICT: Alternate vacancy
+RECREATION COMMISSION: Would like any and all volunteers
+REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: One vacancy
+CEMETERY COMMISSION is charged with and receives funding for preserving Berlin's 9 historical cemeteries, and needs two additional volunteers to serve.  Much more information, including photographs, indexes of headstones, and meeting minutes may be found here:  http://www.berlinvt.org/cemetery.htm.  The Cemetery Commission meets next on April 25th at 7PM.
+EMERGENCY SHELTER/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM
Several volunteers needed. There are training sessions for those who are interested. Contact one of the following people: 
Wanda Baril (wbaril19@msn.com);
Corinne Stridsberg (socialenergy@yahoo.com);
Ture Nelson (kb1nbj@comcast.net). 
Additional information about Emergency Management in Berlin can be found here: http://www.berlinvt.org/Emergency%20Management.htm

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FROM BERLIN ELEMENTARY TO THE COMMUNITY
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TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS
Do you shop at Price Chopper? The Berlin Elementary School can earn valuable points through the Tools for Schools program. Using the points that you earn every time you shop, the school can earn free educational supplies and equipment. This is hassle-free and no cost to the shopper! Simply visit www.pricechopper.com to register your AdvantEdge card. Our school code is 15281. If you do not have internet access, you may pick up a paper application at the school or email your AdvantEdge card number to the school and we will register you. Thank you!
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TRASH FOR CASH
The Berlin Elementary School is pleased to have partnered up with Twin City Subaru as part of the Trash for Cash program. Bring your Green Up Day trash to Twin City Subaru on Friday, May 3rd, or Saturday, May 4th, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and Twin City will donate the cost of trash removal to Berlin Elementary's efforts to purchase new playground equipment. For event details, visit www.twincitysubaru.com/green-up-vermont.htm.
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KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION & SCREENING MAY 10TH
For students not currently enrolled in Preschool at Berlin Elementary, who will be 5 years old ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2013.
Please call Cally Clifton in the main office at school 223-2796, Ext. 121, to schedule an appointment and register your child for next fall’s kindergarten class. A copy of your child’s birth certificate and current immunization record must be brought with you on registration day.
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BOTTLES AND CANS FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Turn your bottles and cans into new playground equipment and promote health and fun for students at Berlin Elementary in the process! On May 4th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., drop your empty bottles and cans off at the Berlin Elementary School. Proceeds will be used to purchase new playground equipment. This is a student-driven initiative, with support from several adults. Please help the students make their dreams of new equipment come true! Questions? Call the school at 223-2796.
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FROM U-32 TO THE COMMUNITY
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U-32 SENIOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE ON JUNE 12TH
U-32 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 and 2:00PM. 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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U-32 GREEN FESTIVAL May 2nd 9am-2:30pm & 6:30-8:30pm

Dear Green Professional,
Happy Spring!

I write representing the U-32 Middle/High School Green Team, a group of dedicated students working to make our school a more carbon neutral, ecological, and environmentally friendly place. We are hosting our first annual school wide U-32 Green Festival on Thursday, May 2, 2013. The Green Festival is a day where our entire learning community celebrates all we can do to improve our school and the five towns in our supervisory union (Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Worcester) for the benefit of the environment. We intend to involve every one of our 730 campus students, quite a few of their parents, our staff, as well as other community members in this event, in the spirit of education.


· Set up a table/booth in our atrium (9:00am-2:30pm) to present to students what you have to offer them, or how they may help you.
· Submit a plan to us for a presentation to students (1:30pm-2:30pm). This could be anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and would involve about a dozen students..
· Attend our evening festival (6:30pm-8:30pm) to set up a table and/or present a workshop to parents and community members.



Michael Horowitz
Design & Technology Education
U-32 (Middle and High School)
802-229-0321 x1103
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OFFICES, APARTMENTS PROPOSED FOR BERLIN SITE
Pub 4/9/13 Times Argus by David Delcore
   BERLIN — Owners of a six-lot subdivision that overlooks the Barre-Montpelier Road and is now home to an Autozone are hoping to redevelop one of the remaining parcels while constructing an apartment complex on another.
   Assuming the Fecteau family is able to obtain state and local permits, the vacant building that once housed Taco Bell and most recently Simply Subs II will be razed to make room for a 5,040-square-foot office building at the base of Overlook Drive, and a 54-unit apartment building will be constructed in two phases just up the hill.
   Berlin’s Development Review Board is considering both applications, which were filed separately by different branches of the same family-owned business.
   Fecteau Commercial Inc. has proposed replacing the vacant restaurant with a single-story office building, while Fecteau Residential Inc. is advancing plans for the four-story apartment complex. Both projects were the subject of recent hearings before the local board and will also require state land-use permits.
   Traffic is expected to be a key consideration, given the proximity of the private drive that would serve both developments to the intersection of the Barre-Montpelier Road and the Berlin State Highway. The local board is waiting for input from the state Agency of Transportation before deciding whether to schedule additional hearings on either or both of the proposals.
   Traffic was an issue in the permit process that paved the way for the construction of Autozone. The state required the elimination of the Barre-Montpelier Road curb cut that had served the building where Simply Subs II was doing business at the time. That drive was replaced with an entrance off Overlook Drive — the private dead-end road that was constructed to serve the hillside subdivision.
   According to documents filed with the town, the office building would be leased to a single tenant, which is not named but is expected to employ up to 30 people.
   The new building would be reoriented on the site, and though local regulations require only 21 parking spaces the plan is to create 40 spaces using land from a neighboring parcel in the subdivision.
   According to the application, the additional parking is being created in part to accommodate some future use of a building. The available parking would be enough, materials suggest, for a retail establishment with 19 employees or a 120-seat restaurant.
   Although Fecteau Commercial is proposing a surplus of parking for the office building at the base of Overlook Drive, Fecteau Residential is seeking a waiver of the town’s parking requirement for the apartment complex planned up the hill. Based on the number of proposed units, the town’s regulations call for 126 parking spaces, but the application contends that figure is excessive given contemplated lease restrictions that would limit the number of cars tenants could own. The complex would eventually include 38 two-bedroom units, 16 one-bedroom units and two studio apartments. The proposed restriction would essentially limit the number of cars tenants could park on site to the number of bedrooms in their apartment.
   The parking plan presented by Fecteau Residential anticipates 102 spaces, including 10 spaces for visitors.
   According to the application, the apartment complex would be built in two nearly identical phases. The lone exception is a “common building” that would eventually link two other structures that are essentially mirror images of each other.
   The common building would include a ground-floor lobby and administrative offices and provide access to the stairway and elevators, while the upper three floors would house a mix of dining, exercise and recreational space for tenants.
   The ground floor of the first of two structures that would contain the mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments — 28 in all — would include room for some indoor parking, as well as storage space. The apartments would be on the top three floors.
   The plan contemplates eventually duplicating that structure on the opposite side of the common building.
   david.delcore @timesargus.com
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PETE'S GREENS TO BUY LEGARE FARM
Pub 4/12/13 Times Argus by David Delcore
   CALAIS — The man behind what’s billed as “Vermont’s 4-Season Organic Vegetable Farm” is getting ready to grow in more ways than one. Pete Johnson, of Pete’s Greens in Craftsbury, is poised to purchase the 300-acre farm that Merrill Legare put on the map in Calais more than four decades ago.
   It isn’t a done deal, but Johnson said Thursday the price is right and that the closing is tentatively set for next week. He’s eager to see what he can do with land that was farmed for 40 years by a man he described as “a real pioneer” when it comes to fresh produce in Vermont.
   He’ll just have to wait awhile.
   Although Johnson and Legare have green thumbs and fresh vegetables in common, Johnson’s farm in Craftsbury is certified organic, and it will be two years before he can say the same about the one he plans to buy from Legare.
   “That land needs a couple more years before it can be certified (organic),” Johnson said, suggesting he isn’t in a rush to plant anything other than hay on property that features very sandy soils he believes would benefit biologically from a break.
   “We think a couple of years in hay would be really healthy for it,” he said.
   According to Johnson, that gives him time to think about how to incorporate his looming acquisition into the growing empire he started on less than an acre at his parents’ home in Greensboro in 1995 and moved to Craftsbury in 2003.
   The move to the 190-acre farm in Craftsbury, which includes 35 acres of prime agricultural land, capped a five-year search that proved one thing to Johnson.
   “The opportunity to buy farms that are good for growing vegetables on are not too common,” he said, noting that is why he had spoken to Legare about the possibility of buying his farm over the years and why he was more than willing to listen when the family approached him several months ago.
   “We were happy to be able to take it when it was offered to us,” Johnson said, noting that of the 300 acres, 42 acres are “good vegetable land,” there is a house “with potential” and greenhouses he will ultimately find a use for.
   For now, Johnson said, he’ll clean up the property with an eye toward eventually making it a functioning part of his all-organic vegetable operation and perhaps opening a second farm stand there.
   The farm’s proximity to Montpelier and its prominent location on Route 14 both made it attractive, according to Johnson, who said he is willing to wait awhile to make the most of those attributes.
   “I think two, three years from now is when we’ll start to be a real asset to the community,” he said.
   david.delcore @timesargus.com

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