Sunday, January 17, 2016

 

Berlin News to Know November 26th

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW  November 26, 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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For current news look for "Berlin, Vermont" on facebook for a constant flow of information.  You don't need to be a facebook user to access it, but if you do use facebook, be sure to "Like" it:
   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Vermont/205922199452224

For historical news look for "Berlin, Vermont Memories" on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BerlinVermontMemories
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Happy Thanksgiving friends and neighbors!  We all have much to be thankful for.

Here is the banner I have posted on the Berlin, Vermont facebook page and seems to be a good day to share it.  How are you involved in our community?

BUILDING COMMUNITY IN BERLIN, VERMONT
Buy from LOCAL merchants, especially local growers / Have potlucks / Green Up / Volunteer / Hire young people for odd jobs / Bake extra and share / Spent time outside / Help each other / Check on elderly / Share your skills / Plan or attend a community event / Go out walking and greet your neighbors / Get involved at school / Register your dog(s), it can help them get home / Know your neighbors / Garden / Share garden vegetables or flowers / Read stories out loud / Attend meetings to understand budgets and issues / Register to vote and VOTE! / Listen to music & dance / Help carry something heavy / Read local news / Share news, events, and other information / Barter with friends and neighbors / Be a friend
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Below you will find:
CCTA/GMTA FREE RIDE DAY
CONSIDER HELPING A NEIGHBOR
BAKED GOODS NEEDED THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY
COMMUNITY HARVEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT (CHCV) SEEKING COMMENTS
TOWN OF BERLIN SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR SALE
OPEN HOUSE AT MSAC
UPCOMING MEETINGS
SEEKING DONATIONS FOR BERLIN ELEMENTARY HOLIDAY BAZAAR
ZONING - PROPOSED CHANGES
CONTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT ABOUNDS IN BERLIN
OPINION: WHAT'S HAPPENING TO BERLIN POND, ANYWAY?
LOCAL SALES TAX COULD BE BACK ON BERLIN BALLOT
FROM BERLIN FRONT PORCH FORUM
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CCTA/GMTA FREE RIDE DAY
Event: Saturday, Nov 28, 2015, 12:00 AM to 11:30 PM
CCTA & GMTA are thankful for its riders & would like to say thank you back!
Take the bus to local shops on this Small Business Saturday & help us support the community.
www.gmtaride.org/news-and-events/events-public-meeting
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CONSIDER HELPING A NEIGHBOR
Crowd funding can be an important way to reach out to family and friends for a variety of events, activities, and needs.  It's also a way to reach out to the community.  In this case, Gale Harris who lives off Route 12 here in Berlin would certainly appreciate any donation you are able to provide through the GoFundMe account that was set up for the new roof her home needed. Gale is 65 years old and has lived in this house since she was 7 years old. She has a fixed small income which is from the rental of an apartment in her old Victorian home.  The rental of another building on the property which was destroyed in Tropical Storm Irene had been what gave her the ability to do maintenance on all her property.  Gale also recently lost her partner of many years.  Please consider a donation and go to this link for more information www.gofundme.com/helpsavemyroof
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BAKED GOODS NEEDED THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Carole Lacasse of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department is looking for baked good donations for their food booth at the Winter Festival of Vermont Crafters at the Barre Auditorium which is held the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. (event info at: www.greaterbarrecraftguild.com)
YOUR help is very important as many bakers are needed to make this a successful event. Baked goods can be whatever you enjoy making - cupcakes, cookies, squares, breads. Breads may end up being sold whole or by the slice. Please drop off baked goods at the Fire Dept. (in the kitchen) on Friday or Saturday, Nov 27th/28th. Note Carole is willing to come pick them up from you on Friday the 27th. You can reach Carole at 229-9504
The funds raised have been used in a variety of ways over the years - after Tropical Storm Irene three complete wet suits were purchased, there have also been tools purchased, boots & gloves, turnout gear, stove & refrigerator for fire house, etc.
It would be greatly appreciated if you can do a little extra baking this week! Please call Carole with any questions.
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COMMUNITY HARVEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT (CHCV) SEEKING COMMENTS
CHCV Volunteers, Community, Farm and Recipient Partners,
We need your help to have a chance at some of the $20,000 the Vermont State Employees Credit Union (VSECU) is giving away as part of their We Care 2 program.
VSECU will pick five organizations out of all that apply to be in the running for some of the $20,000 that will be given away by the members.  

Your comments showing community support for our work addressing essential needs (in our case the need for food) will help VSECU see that CHCV should be one of the five organization picked.  You don't need to be a VSECU member to make comments.
Please make comments as soon as you can as the deadline for applications is Dec 1st. and people may not be able to make comments after that.
The direct link to view the application and make comments.
https://www.vsecu.com/articles/community-harvest-of-central-vermont-2
Please encourage others to comment too! 
As always, let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks so much for your support of our work this season and any comments you are able to make!
Happy Thanksgiving
Allison
p.s. If you have trouble posting comments (you may need a Facebook account) I can have them posted on your behalf.
Allison Levin, Founder & Director, Community Harvest of Central Vermont
CommunityHarvestVT@gmail.com / 802-229-4281 / CommunityHarvestVT.org
"Help everyone eat local - Glean!"
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TOWN OF BERLIN SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR SALE
The Selectboard of the Town of Berlin is soliciting bids for the sale of a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe.  Bids accepted until 4pm December 7th.  Details at: http://www.berlinvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Bid-Information.pdf
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OPEN HOUSE AT MSAC
Everyone 50+ is welcome at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center (MSAC) - it's not just Montpelier folks, those from the neighboring towns also participate. If you'd like to find out more about what is offered plan on going to the OPEN HOUSE Monday, Nov. 30th 5pm-7pm.  Learn more about the center while enjoying refreshments and entertainment.  MSAC provides 30 hours of weekly free events and services to all seniors, whether or not they are members which include lectures, clinics, presentations, support groups, music groups, and games. Meals on Tuesdays and Fridays are open to all and those 60 or older can eat for free.
www.montpelier-vt.org/297/Montpelier-Senior-Activity-Center
www.facebook.com/montpeliersenioractivitycenter/posts/1159415364087934
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
The Development Review Board meets Tuesday, December 1st at the Town office 7pm.
The Economic Development Committee also meets Tuesday, December 1st, this meeting will be at the Comfort Inn at 6pm
The Berlin PTNA (Parent Teacher Neighbor Association) meets Tuesday, December 1st 6:30pm at the school.
The Selectboard next meets Monday, December 7th 
The next School Board meeting is December 14th.
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SEEKING DONATIONS FOR BERLIN ELEMENTARY HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Each year at Berlin Elementary, the PTNA (Parent Teacher Neighbor Association) hosts a Holiday Bazaar for the students of our school. All students come to "shop" (items are free) for their families. The gifts are new and gently used items donated by members of our community. The children beam with pride as they thoughtfully choose gifts for the members of their household and wrap them with the help of volunteers. Please consider taking a walk through your home to find some items to donate that you may no longer need or are ready to donate to a great cause. We are especially in need of gifts appropriate for male teens and dads, but anything new or in good used condition helps. Items such as tape and gift bags are also helpful.
Donations can be delivered to the office at Berlin Elementary by December 9th. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
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ZONING - PROPOSED CHANGES
Have you checked out the information on the proposed changes to zoning? They are adding more information on a regular basis.  There are color coded maps, time lines, meeting notes, drafts of the sections of the zoning regulations, and upcoming meetings listed. Included in the November 2015 presentation at this link are a couple of charts that show the difference between the various zoning districts. Please attend a Planning Commission meeting or call Tom Badowski (229-2529) with questions. http://www.placesense.com/berlin
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CONTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT ABOUNDS IN BERLIN
Pub. 11/21/15  The Bridge by Carla Ocasso
See article at the link below
Note - you can't believe everything you read, the "Maplefields" referred to is actually "Maplewood" and this travel service center will be located across from the Shaw's entrance, not on I-89, and the current Maplewood will be turn down with the new one is complete.  It is Wayne Lamberton & Randy LaGue's project, under the name, Superior Development.
http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2015/11/construction-and-development-abounds-in-berlin/
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OPINION: WHAT'S HAPPENING TO BERLIN POND, ANYWAY?
Pub. 11/21/15 The Bridge by Jed and Page Guertin
http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2015/11/opinion-whats-happening-to-berlin-pond-anyway/
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LOCAL SALES TAX COULD BE BACK ON BERLIN BALLOT
Pub. 11/18/15 Times Argus by David Delcore
BERLIN — The Select Board appears poised to ask voters to approve a 1 percent town sales tax that estimates suggest would generate more than $400,000 a year in local revenue.
Barring a change of heart, the board plans to pop the question on Town Meeting Day in March, though members agreed this week to hold a public forum on the topic at their Dec. 7 meeting.
The board plans to hold that meeting at Berlin Elementary School to accommodate residents hungry for more information and potential critics of an idea that hasn’t fared well in central Vermont over the past 15 years.
That includes in Berlin, where voters overwhelmingly rejected a 1 percent local option tax at town meeting in 2001. A plan to revive the idea several years later was aborted after voters in Barre and Montpelier each rejected a similar package of local option taxes in November 2004.
Select Board member Jeremy Hansen said he is eager to hear what residents think but believes a compelling case can be made for at least a local sales tax that could provide a measure of property tax relief and a reliable source of funding for future projects.
Hansen told board members that is the unanimous view of the local economic development committee, although its recommendation doesn’t stop there.
According to Hansen, the committee is suggesting the board seek approval of the sales tax and at least consider a local rooms tax. The committee, he said, isn’t interested in also choosing meals and alcohol from the menu of available local option taxes.
Based on sales data from Berlin, Hansen said the town’s 70 percent share of a 1 percent sales tax — the other 30 percent would go to the state — amounts to roughly $415,000. That, he said, is 16 percent of the current municipal budget.
Hansen said that kind of money would enable the board to provide meaningful property tax relief while socking some of the money away in reserve funds or using it to enhance public safety services.
“If we walked out to everybody and said, ‘We want to cut (municipal) taxes 10 percent,’ that is something we could do and still have money left over,” Hansen said.
Only 13 Vermont municipalities, including Colchester, which joined the list last month, have enacted local sales taxes. Hansen said before-and-after sales data from all but one of those communities — Rutland Town — undercut the argument that imposing the extra tax will drive shoppers away.
“For folks who would say this is (an) economic development killer, show me the money, because I’m actually seeing the exact opposite,” Hansen said, describing Rutland Town as a statistical aberration.
“That was surprising to me, to see uniformly positive results,” he said.
Hansen said it was also worth noting that Montpelier, where voters rejected local option taxes in 2004 and again in 2012, is now talking about the concept again.
“There’s momentum in Montpelier to do this,” he said, suggesting that would undercut the argument raised by some that if the tax were adopted in Berlin, shoppers would flock to neighboring downtowns.
Given the differences in the commercial composition of Barre, Montpelier and Berlin, board member Pete Kelley said that didn’t concern him.
“Are (shoppers) going to run to Barre or Montpelier to go to Wal-Mart, JoAnn’s (Fabric) or Staples? It’s just not there,” he said. “In (Berlin’s) case, half the stores we’ve got aren’t anywhere right around the corner.”
Though there are obviously exceptions, Kelley said he liked the idea of generating tax revenue from out-of-town shoppers at businesses with out-of-state headquarters.
“There’s no other tax that does that for us,” he said.
The board didn’t delve into a substantive discussion of how much of the proposed new revenue would be used to reduce municipal property taxes and how much might be held in reserve and for what.
However, for illustrative purposes, Hansen said if all the estimated $415,000 were used to reduce taxes, it would cut the tax bill on a home valued at $200,000 by $170 a year. A Berlin resident, he said, would have to spend $17,000 on goods subject to the local sales tax — many items like food and clothing are exempt — to offset that savings.
According to Hansen, the committee specifically chose not to recommend eliminating the town’s machinery and equipment tax, which currently generates roughly $220,000 a year, while requesting approval of the local sales tax.
Before committing to a ballot item recommended by the committee, Hansen suggested the board first solicit public comment.
“We ought to give people a chance to weigh in,” he said.
He got no argument, though Select Board member Brad Towne wondered whether the suggested change of venue, from the comparatively close quarters of the municipal office building to the more spacious school library, was really warranted. Kelley said it was probably a prudent move.
“I think we should at least be prepared for a reasonable turnout,” he said.
Hansen agreed, and while the board left the door open for a second forum in January, he said the true test would come in March.
“The ultimate public forum … is going to be town meeting,” he predicted.
Contacted Tuesday, town officials were unclear about whether the vote, if there is one, would be on the floor of town meeting or by Australian ballot, as is the case with budgets and all other money matters.
In 2001 the vote was by Australian ballot, and the proposed 1 percent tax failed by nearly a 3 to 1 margin, 351-121, amid objections from the business community.
Hansen said the committee plans to discuss the proposed tax with local business owners at a Dec. 1 meeting at the Comfort Inn. Paving projects, including plans to reconstruct the Barre-Montpelier Road, also will be discussed at that meeting, he said.
david.delcore @timesargus.com

(Of note - In a Times Argus article November 26, 2015, Barre is also considering the 1% local option tax.)
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FROM BERLIN FRONT PORCH FORUM
Below is a recent post .... there have been many more about a variety of topics, looking for services, garage sales, meeting announcements, events, etc.  Membership is free - to join go to: http://frontporchforum.com

 

Act 46 Study Committee Update    FPF #776  11/20/15

BILL KIMBALL, BKIMBALL@U32.ORG, SUPERINTENDENT, WASHINGTON CENTRAL SUPERVISORY UNION
The WCSU Act 46 Study Committee met on Wednesday, Nov. 11th from 5:30pm until 9pm. The first work of the Study Committee is to determine what outcomes WCSU wants to achieve around the 5 stated goals of Act 46: 
1) provide substantial equity in the quality and variety of educational opportunities 
2) lead students to achieve or exceed the State’s Education Quality Standards 
3) maximize operational efficiencies through increased flexibility to manage, share, and transfer resources, with a goal of increasing the district-level ratio of students to full-time equivalent staff 
4) promote transparency and accountability 
5) delivered at a cost that parents, voters, and taxpayers value Discussion followed on the first three goals and details of those discussions are located on the WCSU website www.wcsuonline.org . We will discuss the remaining two goals at the next meeting.
We established the meeting schedule for the next three months. The meetings tentatively will all be held at U-32 from 5:30pm until 9pm on Dec 9th and Dec 22nd 2015, Jan 20th, Jan 27th, Feb 10th and Feb 17th 2016.
We met with our consultant from the Act 46 Project Diane Kirson-Glitman and established the Study Committee’s expectations of her involvement.
We established three sub-committees to begin work immediately; Communication Sub-committee – to develop the presentation/discussions content to share with our communities Community Outreach Sub-committee – to develop an outreach plan to include possible dates, locations, and events for presentations/discussions Survey Sub-committee – to develop an internal survey to assist the Study Committee membership and a community survey to understand community members views, questions, and concerns
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, December 9th beginning at 6:00 pm in Rm 128/131 at U-32. All Study Committee meeting are open to the public.
Stephen Looke 
Act 46 Chair and WCSU Full Board Chair

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# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 4:36 PM
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