Saturday, March 26, 2016
Berlin News to Know February 18th
*
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
*
For current news
look for "Berlin , Vermont
For historical
news look for "Berlin , Vermont
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Notes:
Town Reports are back from the printers and
available at the Town Office.
Please be sure to check out the video on Banjo Dan's (Dan Lindner)
project. In a quick five minutes he
touches on a variety of stories that the songs on this album are about which I
think you'll find quite interesting.... and it includes Berlin
Did
you mark your calendar yet for the
annual Pie Breakfast at Rumney Elementary
School
Below you will find:
BANJO
DAN'S SONGS OF VERMONT
“LET’S GO
FISHING” - FREE CLINIC TO TRAIN INSTRUCTORS
INTRODUCTION
TO BEE KEEPING - FREE PRESENTATION
LOCAL CHI
RUNNING CLINIC
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL SIGNUPS
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL SIGNUPS
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
VOTER
INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW
SURVEY
REGARDING SCHOOL GOVERNANCE / SCHOOL MANAGEMENT
TOWN
MEETING DAY LUNCH
TATUM'S
TOTES - FOR KIDS GOING INTO FOSTER CARE
BUS STOP
CONVERSATIONS IS ONLINE
CHARTER
CHANGE REVISITS BERLIN
ANNUAL ALL YOU CAN EAT PIE BREAKFAST AT RUMNEY MEMORIAL
SCHOOL
MORE ON
DAN LINDNER
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BANJO DAN'S SONGS OF VERMONT
The
Sleeping Sentinel: Banjo Dan's Songs of Vermont #4 - Dan Lindner has a brief
video to tell you about the project he's working on which is a must see.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1081560633/the-sleeping-sentinel-banjo-dans-songs-of-vermont
Note,
support through this Kickstarter campaign is vital for this project to continue
and those who support this effort will receive advance copies of the CD and
potentially other incentives.
If you
missed the previous post on this topic, it's included at the end but really
what you need to know is in the video at the above link.
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“LET’S GO FISHING” - FREE CLINIC TO TRAIN INSTRUCTORS
The
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking volunteers to become “Let’s
Go Fishing” instructors so they can pass on Vermont
Fish
& Wildlife will host a one-day training workshop for new instructors to the
“Let’s Go Fishing” program on March 12 at 190 Junction Road Berlin
Instructors
in the “Let’s Go Fishing,” all volunteers, go on to organize and instruct
clinics in their communities for young people and their families. The
class in informal and it is not necessary to have a high level of fishing expertise
to become an instructor, Hart said.
Participants
in the training workshops will learn how to teach a fishing clinic, in addition
to learning about fishing ethics, aquatic ecology, fisheries management,
habitat conservation, tackle craft and, of course, the basics of casting.
Those
attending the “Let’s Go Fishing” training workshop receive a certificate that
says they passed the course. There is no cost to participate, and lunch is
provided.
The
workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required and
you must be 18 to participate. Register by March 1 by calling 505-5562.
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INTRODUCTION TO BEE KEEPING - FREE PRESENTATION
Sheri
Englert of Vermont Bee Keeping Supply will present an Introduction to Bee
Keeping on Thursday, February 25, from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm at the Barn at North Branch Nature Center Montpelier 73 Elm St Montpelier
Sheri and
her husband, Marke, have introduced over 200 people to the delights of bee
keeping over the past two years. Sheri’s passion for bees began almost 20 years
ago. Then a couple of years ago, Sheri and Marke decided to combine her love
for bees and Marke’s woodworking skills and opened Vermont Bee Keeping Supply.
This
presentation is free and open to the public, sponsored by the Central VT
Chapter of UVM Extension Master Gardeners
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LOCAL CHI RUNNING CLINIC
Would you like to run efficiently and stay injury free while logging your miles?
The Chi Running Essentials Clinic includes several hours of instruction in a single 1/2 day course. Certified Chi Running Instructor Sarah Richardson will guide you through exercises and drills designed to leave you with a clear sense of what the Chi Running technique feels like in your body. We will not be doing lots of running (contrary to what you might imagine), so no matter what condition you are in, have no fear. We will spend time alternating between demonstrations, fun exercises and technique drills ... the nature of the day will be relaxed, full and inspiring. You will get lots of personal attention and enjoy a rich learning experience packed with good information to help you run injury-free for the rest of your life.
When: Saturday, February 20th
Time:8:45am-1:45pm
Where:Berlin Elementary
School
Cost: $125 per individual or $200 for a pair
Pre-Registration Required
Register at:
https://riseandshine.coachesconsole.com/chi-running.html
Would you like to run efficiently and stay injury free while logging your miles?
The Chi Running Essentials Clinic includes several hours of instruction in a single 1/2 day course. Certified Chi Running Instructor Sarah Richardson will guide you through exercises and drills designed to leave you with a clear sense of what the Chi Running technique feels like in your body. We will not be doing lots of running (contrary to what you might imagine), so no matter what condition you are in, have no fear. We will spend time alternating between demonstrations, fun exercises and technique drills ... the nature of the day will be relaxed, full and inspiring. You will get lots of personal attention and enjoy a rich learning experience packed with good information to help you run injury-free for the rest of your life.
When: Saturday, February 20th
Time:
Where:
Cost: $125 per individual or $200 for a pair
Pre-Registration Required
Register at:
https://riseandshine.coachesconsole.com/chi-running.html
***
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BASEBALL & SOFTBALL SIGN-UPS
The
baseball and softball season is right around the corner. There will be two sign-up
nights on March 17th 6-7pm and March 21st 6-7pm at the Berlin Elementary School
Library.
The
registration fee for the first child is $35. If you have two or more players it
is $70 for a family rate. Checks can be made payable to the Montpelier Rec
Dept. After April 1st a $5 late fee will be assessed. All registration forms are available on the
school website at www.berlinelementaryschool.org and
will also be available at the sign-up nights.
(Please
Note: when filling in your child’s age on the registration form use the
applicable baseball or softball “age chart form” to determine your child’s
league age. )
We need
coaches!!! Anyone who would like to help coach will need to fill out a
volunteer form. The volunteer form can be picked up in the front office at
school.
If you
have any questions please contact Jason Giroux at Jason.d.giroux.mil@mail.mil or
at 802-505-4014
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UPCOMING
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Sewer Commission meets Monday, February 22nd 7pm at the Town Office.
Pre Town Meeting is Monday, February 29th 6pm at Berlin Elementary School
Town Meeting is Tuesday, March 1st 10am at Berlin Elementary School 10am – 7pm .
The Development Review Board meeting for March
1st has been
cancelled.
Berlin PTNA (Parent Teacher Neighbor Assoc)
Thursday, March 3, 6:30pm at the school
Berlin Elementary School Board meeting,
Monday, March 14 6:!5pm at the school
Central VT Little League Sign-ups March 17
& 21 6pm at the school
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VOTER INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW
You can
also stop by the Town Clerk's office to register.
The
deadline to register to be able to vote on Town Meeting Day, which includes the
Presidential Primary Election, is Wednesday February 24, 2016 at 5pm (the Town
Clerk's office will be open late to accommodate those wishing to register to
vote).
Early /
Absentee Ballots for registered voters can be requested from the Town Clerk.
Please
call 229-9298 with questions.
Note:
Same day voter registration does not become effective in Vermont
Pre Town
Meeting is Monday, February 29th 6pm at Berlin Elementary School
In Berlin 10am at Berlin Elementary School 10am -
7pm .
Join your
friends and neighbors for lunch at the school served by the Berlin Volunteer
Fire Department / Ladies Auxiliary, only $5.00.
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Only one of the school board seats is
contested, this is unfortunate as although nobody likes to lose, having a
choice is good. The last time there was
a contested school board seat, it was won by only one vote. Get out and vote as each and every vote
counts!
The folks who are on the ballot running for
seats on the Board of Directors have sent in the following information:
JASON GIROUX
Dear Berlin
My name
is Jason Giroux. In October I was appointed to be on the Berlin Elementary
School Board. The position I took is up for re-election this town meeting day.
My name is on the ballot and I would really like to continue to serve on the
Berlin Elementary School Board.
I have
four children at Berlin Elementary school Berlin
By
continuing to serve on the School Board I will assist the other board members
by setting the vision for our community, make and adhere to policies that keep
our children safe and keep them on track for success in their education,
prepare the budget for the school and assist in setting and achieving various
goals for the school.
What I
have brought to the school board and will continue to bring to the School Board
is hard work, determination, leadership, organization, and dedication. I know
that one board member simply cannot do the job alone, and I look forward to
working as a team with the other board members. I work very hard, and I do not
rest until all issues have been resolved.
On Town
Meeting Day March 1st 2016 I hope I can earn your vote to
continue to serve on the Berlin Elementary School Board.
Sincerely,
*//*
CHRIS WINTERS
My name
is Chris Winters and I am running for re-election to a three year seat on the Berlin
Elementary School (BES) Board. I am an attorney and I work in the
Secretary of State’s Office. I have four children. Two of them attend BES.
I live in West
Berlin
with my wife Sarah, who is very active with the PTNA. We both have coached
soccer and baseball for Berlin Berlin
My first
two years on the BES board have been both rewarding and frustrating. It has
been a pleasure to work with and learn more about the dedicated staff we have
at BES and their passion for doing right by our children. I am glad to be a
part of that and am excited about the future for these kids. At the same time,
the budget process is a difficult one and I have struggled mightily with some
of our funding decisions. I think we have responsibly managed the budget to the
best of our abilities in the face of a decline in enrollment and a difficult
and shifting state funding mechanism.
I hope to
focus more in the coming years on the necessary challenge of upgrading the
deteriorating systems in our school building and achieving the goals we have
set as a board around academic achievement, better communication and community
involvement, making Berlin
*//*
AMY
TUCKER
Hello, my name is Amy Tucker, and I am
running for re-election for the two-year Berlin School Board position.
Two years ago I joined a relatively newly structured Board in the midst of
being faced with many different challenges within the school. We have
worked together to create several different Board goals in order to prioritize
our focuses and I believe that although there has definitely been much
accomplished, there is always more to be done. I am the Berlin
School Board representative on the School Board Negotiations Committee and we
are currently negotiating the next contract.
I would like to be given the opportunity to
continue working on such an enthusiastic Board so I can be part of making
quality decisions for both our community and students! I am a resident of
Berlin Berlin Elementary School
Thank you.
Amy Tucker
*//*
I would like to express my interest
in continuing as a Board Member for the remaining one-year of an
original three-year term. I offer several reasons why I believe I could help
the school board as a fellow board member. I care about public education as a
citizen and a parent. Public education is crucial in our community. I
understand how excellent schools affect civic pride, property values and the
sense of unity in a diverse town as Berlin Berlin Berlin
Thanks for your consideration.
Vera Frazier
*//*
GEORGE GROSS
My name
is George Gross and I am running for a two year seat on the school board
for Berlin Elementary School
I was a
public school teacher for 15 years and hold a Masters in Education and know my
way around schools
I am
interested in being a part of our elementary school board as we transition
through a very interesting time in Vermont
I hope to
be a community member that you can speak to freely and openly to bring
challenges and successes that you see with our school.
***
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SURVEY REGARDING SCHOOL GOVERNANCE /
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT
Under Act
46, approved by the legislature in 2015, a Washington Central Supervisory Union
study committee (composed of representatives from the five towns) is studying
whether there is a form of school governance-school management-other than our
current system of six separate school boards that would aid us in providing a
better education for all our PreK-12 students at a sustainable cost. The focus
of the law is on the consolidation of school management (school boards); it
does not speak to the issue of consolidating schools - i.e. fewer schools. With
declining school population in the WCSU district and across the state, fewer
schools may, in fact, become the norm; but that is not what is under
consideration in the current study.
The study
committee is charged with producing either a specific recommendation or an
update on its progress by June 30, 2016 . Any recommendation will be voted
on by the citizens of each of our five towns of Berlin Calais East Montpelier , Middlesex, and Worcester
This
survey of the residents of our five towns is a critical piece of the work of
the study committee that will allow the committee members to understand more
deeply the values and ideas of the citizens we represent so that any
recommendation can reflect those aspirations and feelings. The committee has
worked with students from U-32's classes in statistics and journalism on this
survey and will continue to collaborate with the students on the analysis and
presentation of the results to the communities of WCSU.
Please
complete this short questionnaire by March 2, 2016 . It should take no more than 15
minutes. Please click the survey link below:
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TOWN MEETING DAY LUNCH
Tuesday,
March 1st join your friends and neighbors at Berlin Elementary School for lunch
provided by the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary.
Soup -
Vegetable or Corn Chowder
Sandwiches
- Egg Salad, Tuna Salad, or Ham Salad
Dessert -
Tapioca or Chocolate Pudding
Beverage
- Coffee Decaf. or Reg., Tea, Hot Chocolate, or Punch
Only
$5.00
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TATUM'S TOTES - FOR KIDS GOING INTO FOSTER CARE
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BUS STOP CONVERSATIONS IS ONLINE
Current
issue includes:
Creating
a Generation of "Givers" at Calais
Common
Level of Appraisal and other Mysteries of School Funding.
Washington
Central wants to hear from you - take the quick survey to tell the Act 46 Study
Committee what is important to you.
Assembly
on Opiate Addiction at U-32
See
current events, board minutes and pictures of the Latin Dinner Dance in the
current issue of Bus Stop Conversations:
http://www.u32.org/grades9-12/images/pdf/bus_stop/bus_stop2.17.16.pdf
Also, if
you’d like to subscribe to Bus Stop Conversations and receive it in your in box
every two weeks during the school year, please send us an email. Send to: dwolf@u32.org with
"subscribe Bus Stop" in the subject.
***
***
Friday,
March 18, 2016 - For students not currently enrolled in Preschool at Berlin
Elementary, who will be 5 years old ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2016.
Please
call Cally Clifton, Administrative Assistant, at 223-2796, Ext. 121, to
schedule an appointment to register your child for next fall’s kindergarten
class. A copy of your child’s birth certificate, current immunization record
and two documents verifying your legal residence must be brought with you on
registration day.
***
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CHARTER CHANGE REVISITS BERLIN
Pub.
2/18/16 Times Argus by Gina Tron
Residents
will vote for a charter change on the upcoming March 1 Town Meeting Day ballot,
but if it passes it could mean more bad blood between Montpelier Berlin
“I think
it sets a bad precedent giving one municipality control over assets that lie in
another municipality,” said Ture Nelson , Berlin
“I do
want to be a good neighbor to Berlin
Article
14 of Montpelier Montpelier Montpelier
Debate
over how Berlin Pond is used has gone on for years, even playing out in court,
and hasn’t always been pleasant.
“There is
a lot of less-than positive reactions. Montpelier Berlin
She said
the city controlled the pond for more than 100 years. The pond is the capital’s
sole source of drinking water.
In 2009, Barre Town Montpelier Montpelier
The
ruling essentially created “open access” to Berlin Pond for state-sanctioned
recreational purposes, unless and until the state ceded its authority to
regulate the pond to Montpelier
In 2014,
a group called Citizens to Protect Berlin Pond was formed, and it petitioned
the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to restore the pond to Montpelier
Jed and
Page Guertin, Montpelier Vermont
“Municipalities
should have the right to control their drinking water source,” said Bate. “We
should keep the water as pure as we can so that we use the least amount of
chemicals to make it (potable according to) federal guidelines.”
She
worries about recreation negatively affecting the drinking water, citing human
waste from ice fishermen as an example.
Bate said
she feels sorry that Berlin and Montpelier are butting heads on the issue,
adding that she believes the majority of Berlin Select Board members are
against the charter change.
“Even
though there are about 37 different ponds within a 20-mile radius of Berlin
In a
November 2012 nonbinding vote, Berlin
Barre’s
drinking water comes from Orange Reservoir, and fishing is allowed on certain
areas of that body of water.
Many
people using Berlin Pond for recreation are from other nearby communities, not
just Montpelier Berlin
“Just
from a public policy standpoint, I think it would be a bad idea for this
(charter change) to go through and be approved by the Legislature,” said
Nelson. “To me its just bad public policy to allow one municipality to have
control over another municipality. What would prevent another municipality from
getting a charter change and approval from the Legislature for some other
reason? It’s just the start of a slippery slope.”
***
***
Join our
team of operations supervisors responsible for the daily field support &
supervision of us drivers at Green Mountain Transit (formerly CCTA & GMTA).
Responsibilities
include:
Providing support & assistance to drivers & customers & facilitating customer service.
Participating in training new bus drivers.
Assisting with accident investigations.
Some Saturday work is required. Other responsibilities include conducting on – board driver evaluations, monitoring radio communications, & field / road observation.
Providing support & assistance to drivers & customers & facilitating customer service.
Participating in training new bus drivers.
Assisting with accident investigations.
Some Saturday work is required. Other responsibilities include conducting on – board driver evaluations, monitoring radio communications, & field / road observation.
The ideal
candidate will have a college degree, experience as a driver, & supervisory
experience. Other transportation or similar experience may be substituted. A CDL with passenger endorsement is
required or the ability to obtain one with 90 days of the date of hire.
To apply for this position, please download an application
from cctaride.org.
Submit the application, along with a cover letter & resume in one of the
following ways (no phone calls please): via email to jobs@cctaride.org, via
fax to (802)
864 - 5564, or via mail to: GMT , 15 Industrial Parkway , Burlington , VT 05401
***
***
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ANNUAL ALL YOU CAN EAT PIE BREAKFAST AT RUMNEY
MEMORIAL SCHOOL
Saturday,
March 19th 9am - 11am Sweet pies, savory pies, gluten free pies, yummy
pies. To be part of this delicious pie eating event costs only $7 per person
or bring your own plate/cup/utensils for $1 off admission, under 3 is free.
This event supports the Rumney School PTO enrichment activities like Flynn
Theatre trips and Artist in Residency programs as well as the Middlesex
Bandstand Summer Concert Series. There will be live music and a 50/50 raffle.
***
***
Previously
posted, but repeating in case you missed it, slightly updated:
SONGWRITER DAN LINDNER RETELLS THE BIG BANG
OF BERLIN
Songwriter Dan Lindner is preparing to record
a new volume in his series “Banjo Dan’s Songs of Vermont.” Dan’s original Vermont Vermont
“I love to dig into these great old Vermont Berlin Green Mount Cemetery
Dan is preparing a new album of Vermont Green Mountain State
Recording of the new Banjo Dan album will
depend upon the success of a Kickstarter campaign which has started and will
run until March 31st, and Dan has asked the Berlin Historical Society to spread
the word around Berlin
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1081560633/the-sleeping-sentinel-banjo-dans-songs-of-vermont
You may enjoy information that can be found at www.banjodan.com.
Dan has asked us to thank the town of Berlin
***
# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 11:02 AM 
