Sunday, April 24, 2016

 

Berlin News to Know April 24, 2016

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW April 24, 2016
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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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Below you will find:

POTLUCK AND PRESENTATION ON THE DODGE FARM OF BERLIN
APARTMENT WANTED
FRESH TRACKS FARM IN THE NEWS
BELSHER AND WOOD
VERMONT GOVERNOR PRIMARY
WHEN DISCUSSION IS LOST – BERLIN TOWN MEETING
HINDUS IN BERLIN
UPCOMING MEETINGS / TAX SALES
MONTPELIER’S BERLIN POND CHARTER CHANGE
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POTLUCK AND PRESENTATION ON THE DODGE FARM OF BERLIN
The Berlin Historical Society invites you to share an evening of local Berlin history featuring:
Dodge Farm of Berlin
Join us for a "photo-walk" of the Berlin farm that was on the Barre-Montpelier Road for almost two hundred years and was home to six generations of the Dodge family. Enjoy pictures, stories and writings that will introduce you to the rich history of this farm and her family.
Wednesday, May 18th, 2016 Berlin Congregational Church, 1808 Scott Hill Road, Berlin Corner, Vermont The evening will begin with a Potluck Dinner at 6pm followed by a presentation on the History of the Dodge Farm of Berlin at 7pm.
Please RSVP to Sara Walker 802-318-5828 / thesarawalker@gmail.com
Your response helps us plan for seating.
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APARTMENT WANTED
On occasion I have people ask me about finding an apartment and that has come up again.  Does anybody currently have an apartment available and be willing to rent month-to-month?  Somebody has an opportunity to take a Berlin job that starts end of May until October with a chance of an extension.  No pets but would like to be able to have one.
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FRESH TRACKS FARM IN THE NEWS
Fresh Tracks Farm on Vermont Route 12 right here in Berlin - the article in the Bridge is an interesting read and there is also a drone tour showing the Tasting Room and Vineyard on the Fresh Tracks Farm website:
http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2016/04/fresh-tracks-farm-vineyard-winery-a-labor-of-love-that-stems-from-a-love-of-labor
http://freshtracksfarm.com/
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BELSHER AND WOOD
Richard Wood & Gordon Belsher from Prince Edward Island will be performing here in Berlin on Sunday, May 22nd at 4pm.  Tickets $15 can be reserved by calling Andy Lacasse at 229-9504.
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VERMONT GOVERNOR PRIMARY
Tuesday, August 9th is the Vermont Governor Primary, last day to register to vote is Wednesday, August 3rd.  Early / absentee ballots will become available about 30 days prior to August 9th, it’s not too early to request one be sent to you when they’re ready.  
Register to vote on line: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/voters/registration.aspx or stop by the Town Clerk’s office which is open 8:30am – 3:30pm M-Th
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WHEN DISCUSSION IS LOST – BERLIN TOWN MEETING
The article U-32 student Kevin Thayer wrote for The Chronicle “When Discussion is Lost – Berlin Town Meeting” is one that we should all consider (see link below).
Perhaps there should be another vote to see if voters want to continue with the budgets and other items being on the Australian ballot or if they'd like them back on the floor to discuss and potentially alter. It could also be considered if an afternoon Town Meeting would be more convenient for people to attend. 
People have also wondered if a Saturday or an evening meeting would work.  Please consider elderly could have trouble getting to an evening meeting.
When the vote changed - On Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 10am 145 voted for the school budget to be put on Australian Ballot 88 yes / 57 no.  Then at 10:45am 139 people voted for the town budget to be put on Australian Ballot 72 yes / 67 no. 
A petition to have it go to vote again would need about 100 signatures (5% of registered voters) and the vote would be a floor vote.
http://u32chronicle.com/2016/03/06/when-discussion-is-lost-berlin-town-meeting
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HINDUS IN BERLIN
The students at U-32 have a lot of interesting articles in The Chronicle which is posted to the WCSU Open Media Platform.  Here is a Berlin story about the Hilltop Inn on Airport Road.
http://u32chronicle.com/2016/04/04/hindus-in-berlin/
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UPCOMING MEETINGS / TAX SALES
The Sewer Commission meets on Monday April 25th 7pm at the Town office.
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The Planning Commission meets Wednesday, April 27th 6pm for continued discussion of the comprehensive revision and unification of Berlin’s zoning and subdivision regulations.
Details can be found at: http://placesense.com/berlin
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The Charter Committee will meet Monday, May 2nd 5:30pm, the Selectboard also meets May 2nd at 7pm, and the Development Review Board meets Tuesday, May 3rd 7pm, these meetings are at the Town office.
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Saturday, May 7th is Green Up Day.  Twin City Subaru at 142 Mall Road is an official bag pick-up and drop -off location.  There will be free food, drinks, and Green Up Day goodies for the volunteers.
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The next quarterly tax payment is due on Tuesday, May 17th.
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Information on pending tax sales can be found at: http://www.berlinvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Pending-Tax-Sales-1.pdf
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MONTPELIER’S BERLIN POND CHARTER CHANGE
Montpelier’s Berlin Pond charter change H.871, which would have given Montpelier the right to regulate state owned waters, was NOT approved by the House Committee on Government Operations but apparently still has the potential to be attached as an amendment to a piece of legislation that does make it out of committee. Several days of testimony were heard before the vote.
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This agenda includes who was scheduled to testify:
http://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/agenda/2016/4289
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Documents & Handouts:
http://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/document/2016/14/Date/4-21-2016
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Panel Kills Montpelier’s Berlin Pond charter change
Pub. 4/23/16 Times Argus by David Delcore  http://www.timesargus.com/article/20160423/NEWS01/160429822
  MONTPELIER — Montpelier’s bid to reclaim control of its public drinking water supply suffered a week-ending setback when a legislative committee refused to recommend a potentially precedent-setting charter change involving Berlin Pond to the full House for approval.
  The 6-4-1 vote came after the divided committee first “split” the bill and unanimously advanced a companion charter change — one that would give Montpelier the authority to impose a 1 percent tax on rooms, meals and alcohol sold within its borders.
  Both charter changes were overwhelmingly approved by Montpelier voters in March, but only one required three days of testimony — four if you count the front-end of Friday morning’s hearing before the House Government Operations Committee.
  After hearing from the last of two dozen witnesses — a group that included city and state officials, local residents and outdoor enthusiasts — the committee invoked a procedural maneuver that kept the local options tax on track and left the city’s request to regulate its drinking water supply up in the air.
  “Now comes the hard part,” Rep. Donna Sweeny, D-Windsor, told fellow members of the committee she leads as they turned their attention to Montpelier’s request to self-regulate its water supply.
  Rep. Maida Townsend, D-South Burlington, clearly wasn’t comfortable with having to wade into a dispute that she said pits Montpelier against Berlin with the state Agency of Natural Resources serving as the referee.
  “I just think it’s a total shame that this has reached this kind of situation,” Townsend lamented. “I think both communities have a vested interest in that pond, I think both sets of arguments have merit, and I so wish that the two communities, along with ANR, could … just get it together to work together because everyone cares about the pond.”
  Townsend’s plea for “common ground” set the stage for a vote that saw Rep. Joanna Cole, D-Burlington, join the committee’s five Republican members in opposing the controversial charter change, even as she indicated she would prefer more “restrictions” than currently exist.
  Though Sweeny ultimately joined a minority that included Townsend, Rep. Debbie Evans, D-Essex Town, and Rep. Linda Martin, D-Wolcott, she noted the charter language adopted by Montpelier voters was perhaps too broad.
  Rep. Patti Lewis, R-Berlin, shared that concern, openly worrying that approval of a request the state essentially cede its authority over Berlin Pond to Montpelier could “open the door for another Supreme Court case” and, in her view, wasn’t necessary.
  That was the view of Friday’s scheduled witness, Peter LaFlamme, director of the state’s watershed management division.
  LaFlamme reiterated the state’s oft-stated position that light recreational use of Berlin Pond — non-motorized boating, fishing and swimming — posed no discernible risk to Montpelier’s drinking water supply.
  LaFlamme said concern about the presence of petroleum products on the pond “moved the needle slightly” and prompted the state Department of Environmental Conservation to expand a previously existing ban on motorized boats to include all internal combustion engines at Montpelier’s request in 2014. A citizens group’s request for more sweeping restrictions was denied because the state’s paid professionals concluded they simply weren’t warranted given the level of risk involved.
  The committee, which spent most of the week listening to competing testimony on that point, was finally forced to take a position during a hearing attended by Montpelier Mayor John Hollar, community activists Jed and Page Guertin, and Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, D-Montpelier, who introduced the charter changes.
  “Very disappointing,” Kitzmiller said after the failed vote on the second of two charter changes.
  Joining Cole and Lewis in the majority were Rep. Dennis Devereaux, R-Mount Holly, Rep. Mark Higley, R-Lowell, Rep. Ronald Hulbert, R-Milton, and Rep. Rob LaClair, R-Barre Town.
  Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, D-Bradford, did not attend any of this week’s hearings and was not present for Friday’s vote.
   Committee members on both sides of the issue seemed to agree that clearer signage spelling out what is and isn’t allowed on the pond would be an improvement and “port-a-potties” be incorporated into the state Department of Fish & Wildlife’s evolving plans to develop a “carry-on” boat access.
  The charter change is Montpelier’s latest attempt to turn back the clock on a 2012 Vermont Supreme Court case in which justices came down squarely on the side of a couple of rogue kayakers who claimed Montpelier lacked the authority to prohibit use of the pond.
  If blessed by the Legislature, the charter change would arguably give Montpelier something the Supreme Court ruled it doesn’t currently have — the right to regulate state-owned waters.
  Though it doesn’t have the committee’s backing, Lewis didn’t rule out the possibility the charter change could be introduced as an amendment to some other piece of legislation that actually did make it out of committee.
“We’re not done yet,” she said.
  Barring an amendment, this will mark the second straight session when a piece of Kitzmiller-backed legislation stalled in a House committee.
  A year ago, Kitzmiller voluntarily withdrew a bill that was pending before the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources, after it became clear members of that panel were poised to defeat it. That legislation would have given eight communities — Montpelier, Barre and St. Johnsbury among them — the authority to regulate recreational use of the lakes, ponds and reservoirs they use for drinking water.
  david.delcore @timesargus.com
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Testimony starts on Berlin Pond dispute
Pub. 4/21/16 Times Argus by Gina Tron
http://www.timesargus.com/article/20160423/NEWS01/160429822
  MONTPELIER — Passionate testimony was given from both sides of the Berlin Pond issue at the House committee on Government Operations on Wednesday.
  The hearing is for a charter change proposed by the city voted by residents on Town Meeting Day. The change will ultimately give Montpelier control over Berlin Pond, their sole drinking water source. 
  “If my son were unable to take no for an answer, he and I would have to have a serious talk about boundaries and about how ‘no means no,’” said Mike Covey from the Vermont Traditions Coalition. “Every time the city of Montpelier and a portion of pond residents don’t want to share their pond and are told no, they go and find another entity to ask the same question.”

He said that this is about municipal control, which he called unconstitutional. 
  Covey quoted Calvin Coolidge who said, “It’s better to kill bad bills than to pass them.” He went on to say that this is a bad bill, and urged for the House committee to vote no on the Berlin Pond section of Bill H-871. The other section of the charter-change bill is for Montpelier to adopt a local options tax, also approved by voters on Town Meeting Day.
  “Our drinking water has been open to regulation against our wishes,” said Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, D-Montpelier. “We had that authority for over 100 years, but it has disappeared through a series of regulatory changes, errors, omissions, and frankly, some very political decisions at the highest level of the state government.”
  A legislative fix proposed by Kitzmiller met resistance in committee last year. The issue of who has control over the pond has been an often contentious one, and dates back from before 2009.
  Montpelier had been acting as owner of the pond until the Vermont Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that the state — not Montpelier — had the right to regulate recreational activity on water body. The ruling in 2012 essentially created “open access” to Berlin Pond for state-sanctioned recreational purposes, unless the state ceded its authority to Montpelier. Those who are against access have stated that it’s not the Supreme Court who opened the pond, but instead, Fish & Wildlife. They also claim that the court affirmed that Fish & Wildlife can delegate authority to municipalities over their public water source, and that conforms to Public Trust Doctrine.
  “The Agency of Natural Resources is not taking a back seat … as they have been accused of doing,” said selectman Ture Nelson, the Berlin board chairman during his testimony on Wednesday. “Rather, they have been actively involved in protecting the drinking water which they also are customers of.” 
  He described the charter change language as too broad. “It allows them (Montpelier) to do whatever they want to protect their water supply,” said Nelson.
  Kitzmiller spoke about his fear of contaminants and pathogens. 
  “As the science as pathogen detection improves, new waterborne diseases associated with drinking water continue to emerge. Most surface-treatment water facilities are designed to greatly reduce but not completely eliminate.”
  He claimed that water treatment plants don’t get rid of 100 percent of contaminants. 
  In Thomas McArdle’s testimony, he said this issue is about water — not the land, kayaks, people, fishermen or politics. He is the Montpelier director of public works.
  McArdle said he objects to public statements issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation about Montpelier’s water treatment facility’s alleged capabilities. He said that plant is not necessarily capable of treating any potential contaminants that may result from recreational use. 
  “Because the fact of the matter is, our treatment facility is not capable of treating all potential sources of contamination; there are types of bacteria that we can neither completely remove nor safely inactivate,” McArdle said. 
  Others who testified on Wednesday argued that increasing contaminants in the water through recreation could be potentially harmful to the drinking water.
  The hearing starts up again today at 9 a.m. in Room 49 of the State House. Hearings are also scheduled to continue on 9 a.m. Friday. A decision is not expected in the immediate future.
  gina.tron @timesargus.com

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# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 11:43 AM 0 comments
 

Berlin News to Know April 15, 2016

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW APRIL 15, 2016
*
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.
*
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:

For historical news look for "Berlin, Vermont Memories" on facebook.
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Below you will find:
HELP NEEDED WITH PAINTING
LOCAL CHI RUNNING CLINIC THIS WEEKEND
CANINE DISTEMPER TARGETS DOGS
UPCOMING MEETINGS
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION    
MAY 7TH EVENTS
SAVE THE DATES
BELSHER & WOOD CONCERT IN BERLIN
U-32 CONCERTS
US ROUTE 302 / BARRE-MONTPELIER CONSTRUCTION
BARRE-MONTPELIER ROAD SURVEY
BURNING BRUSH
LABELS AND BOX TOPS
FAIRMONT DAIRY DAY CAMP
WISHING HIM WELL
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HELP NEEDED WITH PAINTING
Stan Amster on Hill Street Extension is looking for someone who can paint his little horse barn. It is in need of painting this summer and has some minor dry rot that needs to be fixed before that becomes a problem.  Contact Stan at samste19@comcast.net 
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LOCAL CHI RUNNING CLINIC THIS WEEKEND
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, April 16th / Time:  8:45am-12:45pm
Where:  Berlin Elementary School Gymnasium
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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CANINE DISTEMPER TARGETS DOGS
Did you see this news 4/3/16 on WCAX about the distemper concerns currently in Washington and Orange County? If not, please take a minute to watch this. Distemper is a concern for dogs and even cats so make sure their shots are up to date. Stay away from wild animals, especially if they're acting strangely. Put the Fish & Wildlife / game warden's number 828-1529 in your phone to be able to make a report.
http://www.wcax.com/category/166239/video-landing-page?clipId=12331751&autostart=true
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Have you ever read Berlin's Charter?  It's the nuts & bolts of the operation of our town.  At the meeting on April 18th at 5:30pm changes to the Charter will be discussed. 
Our current charter can be found on line:  http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/24APPENDIX/105

The Selectboard meets April 18th 7pm, while the Development Review Board meets Tuesday, April 19th 7pm.  Both meetings are at the Town office.

Planning Commission meets Wednesday, April 27th 6pm to continue discussion of the comprehensive revision and unification of Town of Berlin Zoning and Subdivision Regulations.

There are openings on several committees and commissions.  Our Town Administrator can give you more details on these positions, call 223-4405. 
 www.berlinvt.org/wp- content/uploads/2016/03/ Current-Opening-on-Town- Boards2.pdf
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EARTH DAY CELEBRATION    
The Earth Day Celebration on Friday, April 22nd at the Hunger Mountain Co-op has grown.  There are kids activities such as free face painting and a solar powered bouncy house,  along with planting seedlings and meeting salamanders from North Branch Nature Center. The annual book swap is always fun and there is also a clothing swap.  Get your bike tuned-up by an Onion River Sports mechanic and demo one of their commuter bikes.  Recycle your old cell phones and batteries.   Find out about the rest of the activities and the times at this link: http://hungermountain.coop/OurCommunity/News/tabid/148/entryid/477/community-earth-day-celebration.aspx
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MAY 7TH EVENTS
The first Saturday of May is always Green Up Day - here in Berlin, Twin City Subaru is an official bag pick-up and drop-off location (142 Berlin Mall Road) on Saturday, May 7th.  Volunteers will enjoy free food, drinks, and Green Up Day goodies.  http://www.twincitysubaru.com/green-up-vermont.htm
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Also on May 7th is the Onion River Sports Bike Swap from 9am - noon down on Langdon Street in Montpelier.
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If you're traveling north, at the Williston I-89 North rest area there will be food, drinks  & even dog treats provided by Berlin's Congregational Church.  Starts 8am and anticipated end is around 3pm or 4pm.  Consider stopping and making a donation.
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SAVE THE DATES
Wednesday, May 18th 6pm - More details are coming regarding the annual Berlin Historical Society Program.  Potluck at 6pm and presentation at 7pm.
also
June 18th & 19th down in Tunbridge, the Vermont History Expo which only takes place on even years.
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BELSHER & WOOD CONCERT IN BERLIN
Richard Wood & Gordon Belsher from Prince Edward Island will again be performing at the First Congregational Church in Berlin, Sunday, May 22 at 4pm.  Reservations can be made by calling 229-9504.  Tickets are $15.
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U-32 CONCERTS
May 25th 7pm U-32 High School Concert / May 26th 7pm U-32 Middle School Concert
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US ROUTE 302 / BARRE-MONTPELIER CONSTRUCTION
Road Construction will start this month on US Route 302 from the Wayside Restaurant extending 1.8 miles to the Knoll Motel.  This project includes resurfacing, new line striping (with changes to include bike lanes), replacement of the rail crossing by Rubber Bubbles, and replacing a culvert near Pizza Hut.  Signage started going up April 11th and construction will be starting the week of April 25th.  Crews will be working daytime hours M-F and some Saturdays. The project is expected to be completed in September.

Details can be found at: http://roadworkupdates.com/?page_id=2760

BARRE-MONTPELIER ROAD SURVEY
VTrans is collecting input on the upcoming lane reconfiguration on the Barre-Montpelier Road and want to hear from you!
Please follow the link below to share your thoughts.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/us302
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BURNING BRUSH
Permits are required to burn brush, grass, leaves and branches at any time there isn't snow on the ground.  They're not required for a campfire for cooking or warming on your own land which is less than 3 feet in diameter.  For a permit call Fire Warden Nick Garbacik 223-2098 8am to 9pm, or Asst. Fire Wardens Joe Staab 223-5531, or Andy Lacasse 229-9504.
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LABELS AND BOX TOPS
Remember that Labels for Education and Box Tops for Education can be dropped off at either the Town office or at Berlin Elementary School.  The PTNA can pick merchandise from a catalog for the school for the labels and receive a check as a result of the Box Tops.
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FAIRMONT DAIRY DAY CAMP
Berlin's Clara Ayer is having the Fairmont Dairy Day Camp over in East Montpelier this summer.  June 27 - July 1 "Got Dairy" and from July 5 - July 8 "Farm Lovin' ".  Experience 'life on the farm'.  Outdoor educational games & crafts, workshops, end of week parent demonstration and tour.  You can call Clara at 793-4251 or email for information and a registration form at fairmontfarmvt@gmail.com
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WISHING HIM WELL
This was posted on the Berlin, Vermont facebook page on March 29th just a few days after a News to Know went out however I realize not everyone uses facebook .
Wishing Fred Stone well as he recovers from a fall. Read in the Berlin Elementary School monthly newsletter (3/29/16) that he had a fall a couple months ago and won't be returning to school. Cards can be sent to: Mr. Fred Stone, The Lincoln House, 120 Hill Street, Barre, VT 05641.
Mr. Stone taught grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 at the Riverton School. When Berlin Elementary School (BES) opened in 1969 he taught Physical Education, 5th grade, and was also a bus driver for many years. He retired in 1998 after 36 years of teaching. Mr. Stone had been substituting and supervising football during recess since 1998 at BES.
http://www.berlinschool.org/…/stories/pdfs/Current%20Newsle…
For any of you who missed the WCAX segment May 7, 2015: Super Senior: Fred Stone
http://www.wcax.com/story/29007970/super-senior-fred-stone

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# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 11:42 AM 0 comments

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