Thursday, February 26, 2015
News to Know January 6, 2015
*
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
*
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NOTES:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! STAY
WARM!
Although there hasn't been
a new issue of News to Know in a few weeks, on the Berlin , Vermont
Below you will find:
"ROAD DIET" ON BARRE-MONTPELIER ROAD
PETITIONS FOR SELECTBOARD AND SCHOOL BOARD
PRECAUTIONS URGED IN THE COLD
REPORTING ANIMAL CRUELTY
YOU, YES YOU!
NEED A QUORUM!
YOUR TIME WOULD BE APPRECIATED
RECYCLING (MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT?) BROCHURE
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE ...
SKATELAND IS BACK
U-32 BUDGET REQUEST RAISES TAX IMPACT 4.3 PERCENT
ICE HARVEST - ANNUAL EVENT IN BROOKFIELD
FRONT PORCH FORUM RAFFLE FOR 7 WORD POSTINGS
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"ROAD
DIET" ON BARRE-MONTPELIER ROAD
Spring 2015 will see the start of a paving
project on US Route 302 (Barre-Montpelier Road Berlin Barre-Montpelier Road
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FABULOUS FREE TRADITION AT THE
STATE HOUSE
Starting January
14th - each Wednesday night during the legislative session in the House Chamber
under the golden dome in Montpelier 7:30pm you can find a gathering of folks
awaiting the start of the Farmers Night Concert Series. Be sure to add the events that interest you
to a calendar so you won't lose track in the bustle of the week.
legislature.vermont.gov/assets/All-SgtArms-Documents/Farmers-Night-Schedule.pdf
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PRECAUTIONS
URGED IN THE COLD
1/5/15 WATERBURY , VT
Some steps to take to keep yourself, your family, your pets, and any elderly or homebound neighbors safe during cold weather:
* Monitor weather reports.
* Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or disabled relatives, neighbors, and friends to ensure their safety.
* Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young. Also, consider your pets and limit their time outdoors.
* Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
* Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately. Slowly warm the affected areas as you await medical assistance.
* Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases. The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If the person's temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care. If medical assistance is not available, slowly warm up the person, body core first, wrapping them in a blanket or using your own body heat. Do not warm the extremities first, for this drives the cold blood towards the heart and can lead to heart failure. Do not give the person alcohol, coffee, tea or any hot food or beverage. Warm liquids are best.
* Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. If you need information on heating assistance you can callVermont
* If you lose power or heat and need a safe place to stay call2-1-1 . 2-1-1 can tell you if any warming
shelters have been established in your area or connect you with the Red Cross,
which can provide safe shelter to those in need.
* Test smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors, and change their batteries regularly. Malfunctioning heating equipment can produce harmful levels of CO, including: fuel-fired furnaces or boilers (nonelectric), space heaters with pilot lights or open flames (for example kerosene heaters, wood stoves, or fireplaces), and gas stoves or ovens - especially those with pilot lights. Cars, snowmobiles, trucks, and other vehicles run in a garage can also be sources of CO poisoning, which can be deadly. Never operate a vehicle or generator indoors; they should only be run be outside and away from the home so CO cannot vent inside living areas.
* If you lose power or heat, try to keep pipes from freezing. Leave cabinet doors around them open to allow as much heat as possible to reach them. Wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of warm water (if available) to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so it cannot freeze. Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts.
* Make sure your car is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least half-full. Carry a Winter Emergency Car Kit in the trunk including blankets, extra clothing, flashlight with spare batteries, a can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water), non-perishable foods, windshields scraper and brush, shovel, sand, towrope, and jumper cables.
Mark Bosma
Public Information Officer
VT Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
(800) 347-0488
http://vtalert.gov/
Some steps to take to keep yourself, your family, your pets, and any elderly or homebound neighbors safe during cold weather:
* Monitor weather reports.
* Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or disabled relatives, neighbors, and friends to ensure their safety.
* Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young. Also, consider your pets and limit their time outdoors.
* Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
* Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately. Slowly warm the affected areas as you await medical assistance.
* Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases. The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If the person's temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care. If medical assistance is not available, slowly warm up the person, body core first, wrapping them in a blanket or using your own body heat. Do not warm the extremities first, for this drives the cold blood towards the heart and can lead to heart failure. Do not give the person alcohol, coffee, tea or any hot food or beverage. Warm liquids are best.
* Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. If you need information on heating assistance you can call
* If you lose power or heat and need a safe place to stay call
* Test smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors, and change their batteries regularly. Malfunctioning heating equipment can produce harmful levels of CO, including: fuel-fired furnaces or boilers (nonelectric), space heaters with pilot lights or open flames (for example kerosene heaters, wood stoves, or fireplaces), and gas stoves or ovens - especially those with pilot lights. Cars, snowmobiles, trucks, and other vehicles run in a garage can also be sources of CO poisoning, which can be deadly. Never operate a vehicle or generator indoors; they should only be run be outside and away from the home so CO cannot vent inside living areas.
* If you lose power or heat, try to keep pipes from freezing. Leave cabinet doors around them open to allow as much heat as possible to reach them. Wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of warm water (if available) to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so it cannot freeze. Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts.
* Make sure your car is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least half-full. Carry a Winter Emergency Car Kit in the trunk including blankets, extra clothing, flashlight with spare batteries, a can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water), non-perishable foods, windshields scraper and brush, shovel, sand, towrope, and jumper cables.
Mark Bosma
Public Information Officer
VT Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
(800) 347-0488
http://vtalert.gov/
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REPORTING ANIMAL CRUELTY
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The next Berlin
Elementary School Board meeting is Monday, January 12th at 6:15pm at the school. They will be looking at the third draft of
the budget and may well adopt it. If
they don't, there will have to be an additional special meeting as budgets need
to be finalized and Town Reports need to get to the printers. Budget information can be found at
www.wcsuonline.org in the upper right corner under "Latest News" and
"School Budgets".
*
Kid Watch will become part of Community Connections on February
20th
A letter announcing this can be found at: http://www.berlinschool.org/images/FINAL_Letter_to_Berlin_Community_from_Community_Connections.pdf
*
PTNA (Parent, Teacher, Neighbor Assoc) - January 15, 6:30pm Learning Center
*
*
There is no parking in the
circle in front of the school. This is a
fire lane and it is unlawful to park in this area. Please park in the parking lot to enter the
school.
*
The December BES newsletter can be found on line. In the newsletter is a photo of a birthday
cake to celebrate Mr. Fred Stone's 80th birthday! Although he retired several years back after
32 years of teaching at Berlin Elementary, he still is going to the school
daily to play football with the students at recess.
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YOU,
YES YOU!
Those interested in running for a seat on the
Selectboard or School Board should stop in to see the Town Clerk. Petitions
need to have the signatures of 20 registered voters in Berlin March Town
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NEED A
QUORUM!
The Town is actively seeking additional members
for the Cemetery Commission. This Commission works to maintain the nine
historical cemeteries in Berlin
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YOUR
TIME WOULD BE APPRECIATED
Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteer
drivers. Drivers deliver warm, nutritious meals throughout the week to people
who are unable to prepare meals on their own or attend community meals. Each
route takes 90 minutes to two hours and covers 6 to 45 miles. Volunteers may
choose to deliver meals along the same route each week or sign up as a
substitute driver. Volunteers also have the option of receiving a meal for each
day they serve. For more information contact Dan Noyes, RSVP director at the
Central VT Council on Aging 888-2190 or dnoyes@cvcoa.org
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Friday, January
9th from 1pm - 7pm you're invited to the new location
of the Barre Area Senior Center 131 South Main Street #4 Wall St. South Main Street
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RECYCLING (MORE THAN YOU
THOUGHT?) BROCHURE
Even more than you may have thought can be
recycled, check out this brochure from CVSWMD:http://www.cvswmd.org/uploads/6/1/2/6/6126179/arcc_brochure_2014.pdf
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IF IT SOUNDS TOO
GOOD TO BE TRUE ...
Do you know a
new computer or tablet user? Are you cashing in gift cards online? There's no
limit on what scammers might try to pull, but here are some common things to
watch out for.
Although this is called "Avoid the 12 Scams of Christmas" - it doesn't have to be the holidays to make use of these excellent reminders. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
http://mashable.com/2012/11/14/online-scams-holidays/
Although this is called "Avoid the 12 Scams of Christmas" - it doesn't have to be the holidays to make use of these excellent reminders. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
http://mashable.com/2012/11/14/online-scams-holidays/
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SKATELAND IS BACK
Have you already
heard the news that Skateland is back... but this time in Essex ! Sessions cost
between $6 to $9 and $5 for rentals. (Years ago it was in Williston and
certainly not as convenient as the skating place we used to have down in the
Zayres shopping plaza) Video on WCAX http://www.wcax.com/story/27711034/new-spin-on-an-old-roller-skating-rink
They
have a website: www.skatelandvt.com and facebook
page: www.facebook.com/SkatelandVermont
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U-32
BUDGET REQUEST RAISES TAX IMPACT 4.3 PERCENT
Pub. 12/23/14 Times Argus by Amy Ash Nixon
EAST
MONTPELIER — The U-32 School Board has adopted a spending plan that it will put
before voters in March calling for a 0.42 percent increase over this year’s
budget.
The board unanimously OK’d the request — the third draft — at its meeting Wednesday evening, according to the unapproved minutes.
The proposed budget of just under $14.92 million will go before voters in the five towns that send their students to grades seven through 12 at the school:Berlin Calais East Montpelier , Middlesex and Worcester
It reflects a spending increase of $61,652, but because of decreased revenue, the total amount to be raised through property taxes would be $639,085, an increase of 4.31 percent. The revenue losses include $121,884 in special education reimbursements and $200,000 less from a fund balance that was used in this year’s budget, as well as less tuition income.
The total budget figure includes $20,600 for theater and athletics that is offset 100 percent by revenues, according to budget documents.
Board member Kari Bradley, who presented the third and now approved budget draft for the board, said during the meeting that the board had directed the administration not to reduce programs or course offerings, according to the minutes.
The board also approved a capital budget of $500,000 unanimously at Wednesday evening’s meeting. It includes money for the building, equipment, technology equipment, grounds and playing fields.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the board accepted end-of-year retirements by school staff members Dan Greene and Wes Cate, “with heartfelt thanks for long years of dedicated service to students,” according to the motion.
@Tagline:amy.nixon @timesargus.com
The board unanimously OK’d the request — the third draft — at its meeting Wednesday evening, according to the unapproved minutes.
The proposed budget of just under $14.92 million will go before voters in the five towns that send their students to grades seven through 12 at the school:
It reflects a spending increase of $61,652, but because of decreased revenue, the total amount to be raised through property taxes would be $639,085, an increase of 4.31 percent. The revenue losses include $121,884 in special education reimbursements and $200,000 less from a fund balance that was used in this year’s budget, as well as less tuition income.
The total budget figure includes $20,600 for theater and athletics that is offset 100 percent by revenues, according to budget documents.
Board member Kari Bradley, who presented the third and now approved budget draft for the board, said during the meeting that the board had directed the administration not to reduce programs or course offerings, according to the minutes.
The board also approved a capital budget of $500,000 unanimously at Wednesday evening’s meeting. It includes money for the building, equipment, technology equipment, grounds and playing fields.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the board accepted end-of-year retirements by school staff members Dan Greene and Wes Cate, “with heartfelt thanks for long years of dedicated service to students,” according to the motion.
@Tagline:amy.nixon @timesargus.com
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Dec. 2014 Press Release
The Town of Berlin Williston , Vermont Airport Road Industrial Lane Fisher Road Crosstown Road Granger Road
Construction materials will be delivered during the winter months
with actual construction occurring from April to November of next year.
The project was supported by Berlin
Construction of a municipal water system in Berlin
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ICE
HARVEST - ANNUAL EVENT IN BROOKFIELD
The annual ice harvest festival down in Brookfield 11am -2pm and the Town Hall was able to be open for bathroom use. Stay tuned to their facebook page the 2015
details. www.facebook.com/BrookfieldFloatingBridge If you've never been, check out this
demo www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNgGoBqfCW4
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FRONT PORCH FORUM RAFFLE
FOR 7 WORD POSTINGS
If you're not already a member of Front Porch
Forum (FPF) what a great time to join (sign up for free at FrontPorchForum.com) and enter their raffle by submitting 7 word postings - it's
an annual tradition.
Details on the raffle:
7 Words for 2015 - Enter FPF Raffle Today
MEMBER SUPPORT, MEMBERSUPPORT@FRONTPORCHFORUM.COM,
FRONT PORCH FORUM, INC.
To celebrate 2015 and have a little fun, we invite you to post a creative seven-word message to your local Front Porch Forum beforemidnight Wednesday
January 7, 2015 . Any posting that has EXACTLY seven (7) words will be
entered into a raffle for the following great prizes...
Tower of Treasures from Lake Champlain Chocolates
http://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/corporate-holiday-gift.html
Four passes to the Pump House Indoor Waterpark at Jay Peak
http://www.jaypeakresort.com/pumphouse/waterpark
Five $10 gift cards redeemable at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops
http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops
Everyday Apothecary Box Sets from Urban Moonshine Bitters and Tonics
http://www.urbanmoonshine.com/products/merchandise/wooden-box-apothecary.html
Two one-day lift tickets for Bolton Valley
http://www.boltonvalley.com/
"Year of Free Bread" card (one loaf/month) from Great Harvest Bread
http://greatharvestburlington.com/
$50 gift card to Higher Ground
http://www.highergroundmusic.com/
Pair of tickets to “Grease” Sing-A-Long-A at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
http://www.flynntix.org/flynn-mainstage/grease-sing-a-long-a/Details?perfNo=11080&perfCodePrefix=FLV15G
One-month family membership to The Edge
http://edgevt.com/
Don't delay! Post your "seeking snow removal," "lost dog," or car for sale message today... or share a neighborhood resolution, poem, joke, hope for your town... you decide. Any 7-word posting received by Front Porch Forum beforemidnight Jan. 7 will be entered in the
raffle! An individual may enter the free drawing up to twice a day.
Stumped about what to write? See entries from years past:
http://frontporchforum.com/about-us/7-words-for-2015
Thanks to our wonderful raffle sponsors and happy 2015! -Michael
P.S. Trouble posting? Go to http://frontporchforum.com/, click LOGIN (if not already logged in), and then click COMPOSE POSTING.
Michael Wood-Lewis, co-founder
FrontPorchForum.com
802-540-0069
Details on the raffle:
7 Words for 2015 - Enter FPF Raffle Today
MEMBER SUPPORT, MEMBERSUPPORT@FRONTPORCHFORUM.COM,
FRONT PORCH FORUM, INC.
To celebrate 2015 and have a little fun, we invite you to post a creative seven-word message to your local Front Porch Forum before
Tower of Treasures from Lake Champlain Chocolates
http://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/corporate-holiday-gift.html
Four passes to the Pump House Indoor Waterpark at Jay Peak
http://www.jaypeakresort.com/pumphouse/waterpark
Five $10 gift cards redeemable at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops
http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops
Everyday Apothecary Box Sets from Urban Moonshine Bitters and Tonics
http://www.urbanmoonshine.com/products/merchandise/wooden-box-apothecary.html
Two one-day lift tickets for Bolton Valley
http://www.boltonvalley.com/
"Year of Free Bread" card (one loaf/month) from Great Harvest Bread
http://greatharvestburlington.com/
$50 gift card to Higher Ground
http://www.highergroundmusic.com/
Pair of tickets to “Grease” Sing-A-Long-A at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
http://www.flynntix.org/flynn-mainstage/grease-sing-a-long-a/Details?perfNo=11080&perfCodePrefix=FLV15G
One-month family membership to The Edge
http://edgevt.com/
Don't delay! Post your "seeking snow removal," "lost dog," or car for sale message today... or share a neighborhood resolution, poem, joke, hope for your town... you decide. Any 7-word posting received by Front Porch Forum before
Stumped about what to write? See entries from years past:
http://frontporchforum.com/about-us/7-words-for-2015
Thanks to our wonderful raffle sponsors and happy 2015! -Michael
P.S. Trouble posting? Go to http://frontporchforum.com/, click LOGIN (if not already logged in), and then click COMPOSE POSTING.
Michael Wood-Lewis, co-founder
FrontPorchForum.com
802-540-0069
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# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 5:27 PM 
