Thursday, February 26, 2015

 

News to Know January 14, 2015

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW  January 14, 2015
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This  communication is put together and distributed on a volunteer basis by resident Corinne Stridsberg simply in an effort to share information and build community, it is not from the town of Berlin.
Please share this with your Berlin friends and neighbors.  If you're not already receiving this news directly by email, send an email to request this to corinnestridsberg@gmail.com.
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Below you will find:
COMEDY AT FRESH TRACKS
ART WORK, BOOK SALE, AND SO MUCH MORE
CONCESSION STAND BENEFITS LOCAL SPORTS PLAYERS
GIRLS NIGHT OUT AT TWIN CITY FAMILY FUN CENTER
JON GAILMOR AT KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY
VOLUNTEERS ON MLK DAY NEEDED TO SET UP FOR ICE ON FIRE
PAT MCDONALD LIVE SHOW ON ORCA & LINK TO RECORDING OF FIRST SHOW
WHY HUNGRY SENIORS AREN'T GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT
PARENTING ON TRACK
TOWN OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR ARE
CVMC BOOSTS MINIMUM WAGE BEYOND STATE REQUIREMENTS
CENTER FOR ARTS AND LEARNING: THE ARTS BEGIN A NEW ERA IN MONTPELIER
BEAR POND BOOKS AND RIVENDELL BOOKS TO MERGE THIS SPRING
BUDGET DISCUSSION ENDS, VOTE IN MARCH
IS THERE AN AED NEAR YOU?
IS VERMONT KEEPING MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS SAFE ENOUGH?
VERMONT FINDERS KEEPERS
ICICLE FARMER
EXCHANGE TIME INSTEAD OF MONEY
MOBILE HOMES MADE FOR VERMONT
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE WORLD
TAX FORMS
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COMEDY AT FRESH TRACKS
Friday, January 23rd at Fresh Tracks... don't delay in getting your tickets as there are only a few left. $20 includes appetizers at 6pm and Kamikaze Comedy from 7pm-9pm. We'll see a few of you there!  http://www.freshtracksfarm.com/2014/comedy-benefit-vt-center-independent-living/
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ART WORK, BOOK SALE, AND SO MUCH MORE
At the Kellogg-Hubbard Library... you'll find art work by Berlin resident and art teacher, Lynn Spencer (9 gorgeous paintings), a ship has sailed into the children's room, the winter book sale is downstairs, computers to use, DVDs to borrow, and so much more. The Kellogg-Hubbard will be found on the ballot at Town Meeting this year asking for funding to enable all Berlin residents to become library card holders.
Check out the photos on the Berlin, Vermont facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224
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CONCESSION STAND BENEFITS LOCAL SPORTS PLAYERS
Did you know that at the Berlin Elementary School home basketball games for the 5th & 6th graders they have a concession stand? Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, Gatorade, hot dogs, chili, popcorn, bananas, trail mix, crackers, and pudding were what they had available tonight. The snack items may vary. Prices ranged from 75 cents to 2 dollars.  Games are fun to attend and your support with the concession stand is greatly appreciated.
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GIRLS NIGHT OUT AT TWIN CITY FAMILY FUN CENTER
Twin City Family Fun Center is advertising Girls Night Out* Every Tuesday 8:30pm - 11pm Free Bowling*, Fun Drink Specials, Weekly Giveaways. Reserve your lane by calling 476-6181. *21+ years old & 2 games.www.twincityfamilyfuncenter.com 708 US 302, Berlin, VT
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JON GAILMOR AT KELLOGG-HUBBARD LIBRARY
Jon Gailmor —Saturday January 17th @11AM in the Hayes Room of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Songs to make people feel alive! The library will be hosting Jon as a part of the Summit School of Traditional Music Winter Festival: “Spice on Snow.” This music is great for people of all ages.www.jongailmor.com
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VOLUNTEERS ON MLK DAY NEEDED TO SET UP FOR ICE ON FIRE
Hello Neighbors!
My names Liz Medina, and I'm an AmeriCorps VISTA serving at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. We still still need more volunteers to help out on Martin Luther King Day.
On Monday, January 19th, we will be collaborating with the Montpelier Parks Department to organize a day of service. We're helping set up for Ice on Fire, a winter festival at the
North Branch Nature Center, by building igloos, a maze of Christmas trees, and a snow catapult -- it should be a ton of fun!
We'll have snacks out at
8:30am, and we'll building stuff from about 9:00am until noon, with hot cocoa breaks to keep us going. Afterward, you'll all be welcome to join us for a community lunch at the Christ Church.
Please email me (vista@kellogghubbard.org) or call me at 802-223-3338 (x312) if you have any questions.
I look forward to working with you!
Warm Regards, 
Liz
(note: Look on facebook for "Ice on Fire 2015 ~ Montpelier Winter Festival" page, the event will take place Sunday, January 25th)
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PAT MCDONALD LIVE SHOW ON ORCA & LINK TO RECORDING OF FIRST SHOW
VOTE FOR VERMONT "Looking Beyond the Sound BItes" is a new live show on ORCA hosted by Pat McDonald.  This show is intended to be interactive. Questions can be submitted over the new VOTE FOR VERMONT Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/VoteforVermont/757906954299629, text (802-371-7080) or email (voteforvermont@gmail.com) during the show or in advance. The show will be on every Monday at 5:30 for a half-hour.
The focus of the show is to get people to look beyond the sound bites, to feel comfortable asking questions, to get involved in the process and most importantly to vote for Vermont.. Pat's plan is to have guests who are making a difference - regular Vermonters who jumped into the fray and survived! And to have guests who are in the thick of things who can explain the issues to us beyond the sound bites.
VOTE FOR VERMONT's first guest was Elsa Bosma who is the owner of Puddle Jumpers Childcare Center who also led the fight against Act 187 - the unionization of child care providers. That show can be seen at: http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01221&video=222917
Next week Pat plans to walk you through the Legislature's new website so you will know how to track a bill, find out how your representatives voted, learn about public hearings and how to contact your legislature. She will be focusing on 5 key areas: property tax, education, the economy, the budget and health care
Recordings of this and other programs can be found on www.orcamedia.net and notices of programs can be found on the ORCA facebook page www.facebook.com/ORCAMedia. 
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WHY HUNGRY SENIORS AREN'T GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT
This is such an important topic. For some Seniors the only place they can cut corners when their bills increase and their income doesn't is on the groceries they buy.
Both of these articles are important.  It can easily be your friends, relatives, and neighbors... what can be done to make changes? 
www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/08/14/340137124/why-hungry-seniors-arent-getting-enough-to-eat
Food Security and Choice
http://www.vermontfoodbankblog.com/2015/01/food-secruity-and-choices.html#.VLcT5zHF98F
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PARENTING ON TRACK
Parenting On Track™ Two Hour Presentation, Barre City, VT 
Vicki Hoefle Teaching 
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2015  Time: 6–8pm 
Location: Barre City Elementary & Middle School  Multi Purpose Room 
Cost:
FREE 
Registration is not required but is recommended. You may register at: Free Two Hour Presentation - Vicki Hoefle http://vickihoefle.com/barre-free/ 
Vicki Hoefle, creator of the Parenting On Track™ workshops and author of Duct Tape Parenting, has been an in-demand Professional Parent Educator for the past 20 years. After years of study and everyday practice, Vicki has become an expert in Adlerian Psychology, a ground-breaking theory developed by Alfred Adler. 
Raising children is perhaps the most complex, challenging task you’ll ever face—and, with the right guidance, the most rewarding. 
Hosted by Barre City Elementary & Middle School & PTO 
Please share this information - Open to All 
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TOWN OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR ARE:

Selectboard
   1 three year term - currently held by Roberta Haskin
   2 one year terms - currently held by Ture Nelson and Pete Kelley

Berlin Elementary School Board
   1 three year term - currently held by Carl Parton
   1 two year term - currently held by Christopher Rice

U-32 School Board
   1 three year term - currently held by Jonathan Goddard

Grand Juror
   1 one year term - currently vacant

SELECTBOARD DESCRIPTION:
The Selectboard is the general supervision and control over town; enacts ordinances, regulations, and policies for town; oversees town property and personnel; prepares, presents and manages budget; and oversees roads, including laying out, discontinuing, and reclassifying roads. Sits as local board of health,  and liquor control commission.  For more details take a look at the Vermont League of Cities & Towns handbook at:  http://www.vlct.org/assets/Resource/Handbooks/VLCT_Selectboard_Handbook.pdf

As far as time commitment.  The board meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.  Meetings generally run from 6:30 pm to 10-11 pm.  Special meetings are called as needed, there could be several in a month or you might go a couple months without one.  Generally from Thanksgiving until the end of January the board is meeting weekly to work on the budget.
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BERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of the School Board is to oversee the education of all students at Berlin Elementary School and we work collaboratively with the Principal and staff to achieve our goals. We make decisions regarding issues such as the budget, policies, the Action Plan, contracts, personnel, and the facility. We meet the second Monday of every month at 6:15 p.m. in the Learning Center, and the public is always welcome. 

As for the time commitment, the board meets monthly and as needed at special meetings.  Members of the board also meet with the full board of the Supervisory Union every few months.  Finally, each board member sits on at least one of the various board committees that normally meet monthly.  Regular board meetings last for approximately 3 hours.  Special meetings, full board meetings and committee meetings typically run for a shorter duration.
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U-32 SCHOOL BOARD DESCRIPTION:
(Haven't received one yet)

Regular meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM in Room 131.

GRAND JUROR DESCRIPTION :
(this description is from the Shaftsbury, Vermont  website)
The grand juror is responsible for inquiring into and providing information to the proper authorities of criminal offenses that may occur in the town in which he or she has been elected.  This office is mostly obsolete; the state's attorneys provide most of the criminal investigation, enforcement and prosecution services in the local communities.
Historically, the town grand juror had the authority to enforce criminal misdemeanor laws, including ordinance violations in the town in which he or she was elected.  Under modern laws of arrest, the grand juror is not a law enforcement officer, and is thus unable to arrest or cite an individual for the violation of a law.

HOW TO GET ON THE BALLOT:
For positions, signatures are required from 1% of the registered voters, about 20 people to have your name as a candidate for a specific position. Deadline for petitions to be turned in: 5pm on Monday, January 26th.

If you're interested in a position, don't hesitate to gather up the required signatures and get your name on the ballot.  It is always good to have more than one person interested in a position be on the ballot as it gives the voters a choice and is reason to have more dialogue regarding the position.

VOTING:
If you are not yet a registered voter, you always have until the Wednesday before an election to become a registered voter.  For Town Meeting that would be Wednesday, February 25th at 5pm is the deadline.  The Town Clerk's office will remain open for this purpose.  Town Meeting is on Tuesday, March 3rd and pre Town Meeting is Monday at 6pm, with it all taking place at the elementary school.

NOTE:
Last year (2014) one of the school board positions was decided by ONE vote.  Be sure to cast your ballot on Town Meeting Day OR by voting in advance using an absentee ballot.  You'll be able to vote in the Town Clerk's office in advance, pick up a ballot in advance, or ask to have one mailed to you.  Although you can request a ballot for another person and even return it for them if they ask you to, you are not able to hand carry it to them, it must be mailed to them.
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CVMC BOOSTS MINIMUM WAGE BEYOND STATE REQUIREMENTS
Pub 1/11/15 Times Argus by David Delcore
   BERLIN — The lowest paid personnel at Central Vermont Medical Center will notice a much bigger bump in the biweekly paychecks they’ll receive Wednesday than the one required by a state law that just triggered the first in a series of annual increases in Vermont’s minimum wage.
   After consulting with her colleagues and conferring with her board, Judy Tartaglia, CVMC’s president and chief executive officer, announced last week that for the first time in recent memory the minimum wage at the Berlin-based hospital won’t mirror the one required by the state.
   “It’s the right thing to do,” Tartaglia said of a decision to boost the hospital’s minimum wage from $8.73 to $10.91 per hour.
   “It’s a meaningful increase to a number of our staff here for sure,” she said of the targeted pay raise that dwarfs the one required by the state based on legislation that passed last session.
   On Jan. 1 the state’s minimum wage increased from $8.73 to $9.15 per hour. That’s the first adjustment in a three-year plan that contemplates the hourly rate incrementally increasing until it hits $10.50 on
Jan. 1, 2018.
   Tartaglia said the decision to pay CVMC workers, from the cafeteria staff to the custodial crew, more today than the state will require three years from now capped an internal discussion that was sparked by the state’s debate over increasing the minimum wage.
   “We got to talking about what is a ‘livable wage,’” she said.
   Though that question was never really answered, Tartaglia said she concluded the regional hospital could do more for its support staff, many of whom work at or near the minimum wage.
   “We appreciate them,” she said of the 160 employees who will see the newly instituted pay raise reflected in checks that will be distributed Wednesday.
   Tartaglia said the first-year cost of the change to the hospital will be roughly $250,000. Though the expense is unbudgeted, Tartaglia said CVMC could comfortably absorb it thanks to a very successful hospital-wide initiative designed to identify ways to reduce waste and control costs.
   “We decided we could afford to make this change,” she said.
   Response to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, she said.
   Affected employees predictably welcomed word they would be receiving a more substantial increase than any expected and many others who work for central
Vermont’s largest employer supported the decision.
   “Nobody said: ‘What about me?’” Tartaglia said.
   david.delcore@timesargus.com
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CENTER FOR ARTS AND LEARNING: THE ARTS BEGIN A NEW ERA IN MONTPELIER
Pub. 1/8/15 Times Argus
   As 2015 opens, the T.W. Wood Gallery, Monteverdi Music School and River Rock School are all embarking on a new era. The three organizations now own their own home. With an eye to the whole being greater than the parts, and with ample space and a downtown location, they have launched the Center for Arts and Learning in Montpelier.
   On Nov. 13, the center purchased the former St. Michael’s Elementary School and attached
St. Augustine convent at 46 Barre St. With the acquisition, T.W. Wood, Monteverdi and River Rock are all moving ahead in their individual missions and in developing the center as a vibrant arts focus in the capital.
   “We are really committed to making this a lively and vital part of downtown
Montpelier,” said Steve Falbel, president of the center and a member of the Monteverdi board of directors. “Goal one has been achieved. Now the center can establish itself as a hub of arts and music education in the community.”
   The process that led to the purchase has taken considerable time and effort. After St. Michael’s School closed in 2009, the Catholic diocese put the property on the real estate market.
Monteverdi Music School was already in residence, renting the convent since 2004. T.W. Wood and River Rock moved into the school portion of the property. Along with another tenant, the organizations began exploring ownership of the campus.
   “We got a planning grant in 2012 to look at accessibility and
ADA compliance. We did a financial feasibility study for a capital campaign,” said Falbel, explaining that initially the group was looking at possible USDA Rural Development funding.
   Through the planning process, the three nonprofit groups decided to proceed as a consortium and seek private funding. The Vermont State Employees Credit Union provided financing, making the $540,000 purchase possible.
   “We are thrilled to be working with the credit union and appreciate that they believe in the project,” said Falbel.
   For Monteverdi, T.W. Wood and River Rock, ownership gives them the security of space and opportunities to look ahead.
   “For Monteverdi, this offers a high degree of reassurance that we are going to be able to stay in a space. We know we have a permanent home. Being an owner lowered our rent. The fact that we have other rental space in the building is a help,” said Falbel.
   Besides the consortium members, several artists and art-connected tenants are now based at the center.
   “Having ownership of the building where we have been tenants for some time gives us the opportunity to be in control of our destiny,” said Theo Kennedy, president of the T.W. Wood board of trustees. “It not only gives us security in our space here, having ownership also gives us opportunities for grants.”
   Since moving to the former school in 2012, T.W. Wood has adapted space for exhibits and installed storage for items in the Wood and WPA collections. The gallery is open four days a week.
   “We have completely changed rooms into a beautiful gallery space. It is newly painted. We have works from the collections displayed here. We are going to take the same approach in another room,” Kennedy said.
   “We look forward to using our space to provide more art education opportunities in the building. Beyond our core mission of caring for and exhibiting collections, we are also keeping Wood’s legacy current with arts education.”
   Looking ahead both Falbel and Kennedy see the center taking on a greater presence in
Montpelier.
   “The building is functional for our purposes at the moment, but we will make infrastructure improvements. We need to make cosmetic and acoustical improvements. We want to make it more energy efficient,” said Falbel.
   As plans take shape, a large multipurpose space is anticipated that can serve for rehearsals, performances and exhibits. In the near future, collaborative programs and outreach are beginning.
   “We are in the brainstorming stage. Now that purchase is complete, we can move ahead,” said Falbel.
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BEAR POND BOOKS AND RIVENDELL BOOKS TO MERGE THIS SPRING
   MONTPELIER - Two long time independent bookstores in downtown Montpelier have announced their plans to merge this spring. Rivendell Books will be merging with Bear Pond Books in a process expected to be complete by March 31st.
   Rivendell and Bear Pond, located near each other on Montpelier’s Main Street, have been popular destinations for readers and authors for more than a generation. As Claire Benedict, co-owner of Bear Pond Books, notes “Vermont is a great place to have a book store, we’re a state full of readers, writers, and people who support locally owned businesses. . . but the business of bookselling is changing. We needed to make decisions that ensure we can continue to have a strong independent bookstore presence in downtown Montpelier. In this case, that means being able to offer more choice in one location.”
   The addition of Rivendell’s inventory to Bear Pond Books’ offerings will dramatically expand choices for customers, Benedict says. “That really is the main change Bear Pond customers will see - more choices, particularly for used, out of print, and harder to find books.”
   She expects minimal disruption for shoppers as the transition happens this March. There will be some changes to the in-store layout, a redesign project that she notes fits in well with the upgrades already planned for the second floor Children’s Room using a recently-awarded grant from James Patterson. Both should be complete at the same time.
   “Bear Pond is widely recognized for our strong children’s section, to build on that part of our business while also taking the steps to offer a much greater variety of books for readers of all ages is really exciting.”
   Benedict and her husband Rob Kasow have owned Rivendell Books since 2002. They purchased Bear Pond Books from original owner Michael Katzenberg in 2006 and Bear Pond Books celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. 
   "We believe the consolidation of Rivendell and Bear Pond Books into a single location will be the best possible way for us to continue being the vibrant flagship independent bookstore in Montpelier and Central Vermont,” says Rivendell co-owner Rob Kasow, “Combining the stores will allow us to offer the best of both stores and operate from a position of strength going forward.  We appreciate the loyal support of our customers and look forward to the future at Bear Pond Books.”
   The website www.bearpondbooks.com will keep customers up to date as the merger begins this March. Please check there for details.
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BUDGET DISCUSSION ENDS, VOTE IN MARCH
The Berlin Elementary School Board voted to have Budget Draft #3, reviewed at their board meeting on 1/12/15, go before the voters at Town Meeting. The budget draft can be seen on the WCSU website: http://wcsuonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=274%3Aschool-budgets&catid=121%3Aschool-budget-information-&Itemid=174
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IS THERE AN AED NEAR YOU?
Potentially saving a life means reacting quickly and could be as basic as knowing if there is an AED near you.
www.cbsnews.com/news/arrested-teens-actions-seen-as-key-in-saving-officers-life
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IS VERMONT KEEPING MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS SAFE ENOUGH?
Story on the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital in Berlin by WCAX
www.wcax.com/story/27785279/is-vt-keeping-mental-health-workers-safe-enough

VERMONT FINDERS KEEPERS
Stuck in Vermont did a story on Vermont Finders Keepers.   Are you interested in going on a treasure hunt and exploring parts of Vermont?  www.youtube.com/watch?v=66ps9oUq7tU
www.facebook.com/VermontFindersKeepers
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ICICLE FARMER
What a great story on this cold day - "He and his team grow more than 5,000 icicles a day, and then carry bags of fragile spears into the castles cementing them in place with slush."
http://www.wcax.com/story/27839674/odd-jobs-icicle-farmer
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EXCHANGE TIME INSTEAD OF MONEY
This is from Heather Kralik at Onion River Exchange
What is a way to save money, meet people, and do something good for your community? Time Banking! But what is Time Banking? The Onion River Exchange Time Bank is a network of people of all ages who have come together to create a community in which people care for one another by exchanging time, skills and talents without using money in Central Vermont. Our members trade services that improve their quality of life such as: rides, home repairs, pet care, cooking, cleaning, massage, gardening, bike repair, knitting, music lessons, and herbal consultations to name just a few. 1 hour of service is equal to 1 hour! Everyone’s time is equal. We have over 400 members with 15 new members joining monthly. Want to learn more? Call 552-3040 Email: info@orexchange.org Onion River Exchange 46 Barre Street,
Montpelier www.orexchange.org
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MOBILE HOMES MADE FOR VERMONT
There are new mobile homes being built for Vermont climate and are well thought out... but before you read the article and gasp at the price, note they say the annual energy expenditures for an average mobile home is $3,800 but for this new built for VT model you're looking at only $180. If you're looking for cost effective for long term or perhaps even downsizing...http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/vermod-redesigning-the-mobile-home-for-the-21st-century/Content?oid=2500129
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE WORLD
On the back of the Jan. 7th issue of the World is a listing of the locations where you can now pick up a copy of this publication. The Berlin locations are: All Smiles Family Dental Center, Applebee's, Berlin Airport, Berlin Convalescent, Berlin Mall, Big Lots, BCBS, Burger King, Capitol City Automart, Capitol City Kia, CVMC, China Moon, Cody Chev, Comfort Inn, CV Express Care, CVS Pharm., Dunkin Donuts, Formula Ford, Hilltop Inn, JC Penney, Kinney Drugs, Maplewood Deli, McDonald's Mobil One Stop, Pizza Hut, Portland Glass, Price Chopper, Sandy's Sunoco, Shaw's, Simon's, Steak House, Subway, Taste of the North Farm Market (was Legares), Twin City Family Fun Center, and WalMart.
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TAX FORMS
From the Vermont Department of Taxes: 
3 Easy Ways to Get Your
Vermont Income Tax Forms From the Vermont Department of Taxes
1. Download fillable PDF forms from the web
Download, complete, and print forms at 
www.tax.vermont.gov
2. Order forms by email
Email request to taxforms@state.vt.us
3. Order forms by phone
Call toll-free in the U.S. at (855) 297-5600
When ordering, please provide 1) your name; 2) mailing address; 3) form number or form name; and 4) daytime phone number
Quick Tips: 
• Order your paper forms early (no later than April 1) for timely delivery
• Use current year forms from the same source 
• Do not use photocopied forms
• E-file your taxes for a faster refund!
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NOTE: On the Berlin, Vermont facebook page much gets posted before it makes it here... in fact some never makes it here as it's old news by then.  Check it out and if you're a facebook user, you could also "Like" it to stay in the loop:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224
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