Saturday, October 01, 2016
Berlin News to Know August 2, 2016
BERLIN NEWS TO
KNOW August 2, 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.
*
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:
YOUR
INPUT IS NEEDED
PLANNING COMMISSION
FINALIZING DRAFT ZONING REGULATIONS
DRAFT
ZONING REGULATIONS
VOTER REGISTRATION
DEADLINE
STATE PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
TAX PAYMENTS DUE
DO GOOD
FEST – LOOK BACK
FIRST IN FITNESS
CONSOLIDATING AT BERLIN SITE
THE BARRE-TONES GROUP
DEPARTS NAMESAKE CITY
BERLIN
CONSIDERS AMBULANCE BID
YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED
The next
Berlin School Renovation Project meeting will be on Tuesday, August 2nd
7pm at the school. The committee is reviewing failing systems,
building safety, energy efficiency, code compliance and student needs working
toward proposing a bond vote in November. Contact Chris Winters at
223-8101 with questions. They will continue to meet this summer every
other Tuesday.
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PLANNING COMMISSION FINALIZING DRAFT ZONING REGULATIONS
The
Planning Commission will have an additional meeting Wednesday, August 3, 6:30pm
as they work toward finalizing its Draft Land Use and Development Regulations.
DRAFT ZONING REGULATIONS
Have you taken the time to
read through the draft zoning regulations?
If you’re a property owner, you’ll want to at the very least look to see
if there are any changes to the zoning for your property.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Deadline to become a
registered voter in Berlin is 5pm, Wednesday, August 3rd. You can either stop by the Town Clerk’s
office (yes, open late just for this) or go to the Secretary of States website www.olvr.sec.state.vt.us
STATE PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, August 9, 2016 - State Primary
Election Day
Polls open 8am – 7pm at the Berlin Town
Offices
Early or absentee ballots available now
In addition to the ballots for the state
offices, there is a ballot for revisions to the Berlin Charter.
Go to www.berlinvt.org for
details or stop by the Town office. Call
the Town Clerk’s office with questions. 802-229-9298
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TAX PAYMENTS DUE
First quarterly payment for
property taxes is due on or before Monday, August
22nd. Note, the other three
installments will be due on or before the 16th of November, February, and May.
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DO GOOD FEST – LOOK BACK
Pub.
7/30/16 Times Argus
MONTPELIER — National Life Group's Do Good
Fest music festival raised $30,000 for Central Vermont Medical Center's
Branches of Hope cancer patient fund.
Branches of Hope helps patients pay extraordinary expenses while they're undergoing treatment and may be out of work, including heating bills, transportation expenses, lodging near out-of-town treatment centers, or even dental care before treatment can begin.
The Do Good Fest was co-sponsored by The Point/WNCS radio, Seven Days, Montpelier Alive, Harpoon Brewery and the National Life Group Foundation. National Life also partnered with King Arthur Flour, Three Penny Taproom and Local Motion. King Arthur's Baking for Good truck was among the food trucks at the festival and the employee-owned company made a $1,000 donation to Branches of Hope.
Branches of Hope helps patients pay extraordinary expenses while they're undergoing treatment and may be out of work, including heating bills, transportation expenses, lodging near out-of-town treatment centers, or even dental care before treatment can begin.
The Do Good Fest was co-sponsored by The Point/WNCS radio, Seven Days, Montpelier Alive, Harpoon Brewery and the National Life Group Foundation. National Life also partnered with King Arthur Flour, Three Penny Taproom and Local Motion. King Arthur's Baking for Good truck was among the food trucks at the festival and the employee-owned company made a $1,000 donation to Branches of Hope.
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FIRST IN FITNESS CONSOLIDATING AT BERLIN SITE
Pub. 7/30/16 Times Argus
by Gina Tron
MONTPELIER — First in Fitness is closing down
its downtown Capital City location.
Michael Woodfield, president of Fitness Enterprises, said all of the classes and most of the equipment at the club behind City Hall will be moved to the Berlin facility.
“This is a big loss for Montpelier,” said Mayor John Hollar. “As a long-time member, I appreciated the convenience of the many fitness programs and services they offered downtown.”
Woodfield said Friday that First in Fitness will consolidate its fitness offerings and improve operations to better serve members and guests.
“We are doing this to strengthen the business and better serve the community and our members in the best possible way,’’ he said. “This is all about the future. Our members should expect no interruption in service and they will find everything they expect from First in Fitness at our Berlin location.’’
First in Fitness has been in Montpelier since 1975. The current Montpelier location was built in 1995.
Woodfield said the move will allow him to focus time, energy and resources at the Berlin location. He said the sale should be completed this fall and the Montpelier club will likely close at the end of August.
He said he anticipates minimal changes in personnel from the move; he has spoken to all employees encouraged them to stay with the club.
Woodfield said he does not anticipate any loss of jobs.
“We have a lot of part-time people, so it is entirely possible that one or two of them would choose not to continue with a position at the new location, but that’s totally up to them,” he said. “This is a good time of year to make the transition, with high school and college students leaving. So we can reshuffle a little. We don’t anticipate any job loss, though.”
Woodfield said he anticipates many questions from Montpelier club members and invited them to ask those questions at the front desk and speak to club officials or to contact him directly.
Montpelier members will have their memberships transferred to the Berlin facility automatically. Those who want to make a change in their membership should contact the business office manager, Janice Pello.
Most of the fitness equipment at the Montpelier location will be moved to Berlin, where the weight room area will be expanded and a new cardio fitness room will be added to accommodate the increase in members at that location, Woodfield said.
He said the Montpelier building is being sold to a local property owner who will likely turn it into office space.
In a letter to First in Fitness members, Woodfield wrote, “I am incredibly grateful for your past support and I and all of our staff look forward to continuing working with you. First in Fitness has always been about setting goals, and this change reflects the new goals that all of us here have set, to offer you and your families the best possible fitness and recreation experience for now and many years to come.”
gina.tron @timesargus.com
Michael Woodfield, president of Fitness Enterprises, said all of the classes and most of the equipment at the club behind City Hall will be moved to the Berlin facility.
“This is a big loss for Montpelier,” said Mayor John Hollar. “As a long-time member, I appreciated the convenience of the many fitness programs and services they offered downtown.”
Woodfield said Friday that First in Fitness will consolidate its fitness offerings and improve operations to better serve members and guests.
“We are doing this to strengthen the business and better serve the community and our members in the best possible way,’’ he said. “This is all about the future. Our members should expect no interruption in service and they will find everything they expect from First in Fitness at our Berlin location.’’
First in Fitness has been in Montpelier since 1975. The current Montpelier location was built in 1995.
Woodfield said the move will allow him to focus time, energy and resources at the Berlin location. He said the sale should be completed this fall and the Montpelier club will likely close at the end of August.
He said he anticipates minimal changes in personnel from the move; he has spoken to all employees encouraged them to stay with the club.
Woodfield said he does not anticipate any loss of jobs.
“We have a lot of part-time people, so it is entirely possible that one or two of them would choose not to continue with a position at the new location, but that’s totally up to them,” he said. “This is a good time of year to make the transition, with high school and college students leaving. So we can reshuffle a little. We don’t anticipate any job loss, though.”
Woodfield said he anticipates many questions from Montpelier club members and invited them to ask those questions at the front desk and speak to club officials or to contact him directly.
Montpelier members will have their memberships transferred to the Berlin facility automatically. Those who want to make a change in their membership should contact the business office manager, Janice Pello.
Most of the fitness equipment at the Montpelier location will be moved to Berlin, where the weight room area will be expanded and a new cardio fitness room will be added to accommodate the increase in members at that location, Woodfield said.
He said the Montpelier building is being sold to a local property owner who will likely turn it into office space.
In a letter to First in Fitness members, Woodfield wrote, “I am incredibly grateful for your past support and I and all of our staff look forward to continuing working with you. First in Fitness has always been about setting goals, and this change reflects the new goals that all of us here have set, to offer you and your families the best possible fitness and recreation experience for now and many years to come.”
gina.tron @timesargus.com
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THE BARRE-TONES GROUP DEPARTS NAMESAKE CITY
Pub. 7/20/16 Times Argus
by Gina Tron
BERLIN — After nearly 40 years in the Barre
area, Barre-Tones, the women’s a cappella chorus, is moving to Capital City
Grange in Berlin.
The group, which sings in a barbershop-quartet style, hopes the switch to the Route 12 venue will lead to new experiences and new members.
“Hopefully this will be a good move for us,” said Assistant Director Lisa Parro in an interview Tuesday. “It’s a nice place, a new partnership. As we are adapting, we will hopefully make more partnerships and meet some new people.”
Barre-Tones singer Susan Klein said the move was prompted by the ever-increasing cost of their practice space in Barre. For the several years, the group practiced at Alumni Hall by the Civic Center in Barre.
“We are a small nonprofit organization, so the members pay dues,” said Klein. “It just got to the point where we had to find an option that was more affordable for us.”
She said the motivation was two-fold: It was about cost, but also about finding a space convenient for all its members. She said the Barre-Tones have an increasing number of members that are not from Barre, but from surrounding areas.
Capital City Grange was very accommodating, and the space includes a lot of parking and a stage, Klein said.
She said the group is looking to recruit more women. She urged anyone considering giving it a try to come see a rehearsal. The chorus will begin their regular 7 p.m. rehearsals in August at the Grange, held each Monday.
Women of all ages (over 18) can join. Singing experience is not required.
“The great thing is that you don’t need to know how to read music,” said Klein. “We have different ways of helping people learn how to sing.”
She said much of the learning and tuning is by ear.
“You can really hear when it works,” she said. “It’s very fulfilling and very enjoyable.”
Barre-Tones was founded in 1969. The group can often be seen performing at charities, parades, receptions, community and private events. They sang on Valentine’s Day to the Gary Home in Montpelier this year, for example.
Although the Barre-Tones bring cheer to the community, they also bring cheer to each other.
“It’s a close group of women that support each other, not just musically, but personally as well,” said Klein.
She said that women take the role of mentoring for other members in the group. Klein called the group welcoming and approachable, and united by their love of singing a classic American musical style.
“It’s very fulfilling to participate in this organization where everyone has a mutual interest and there is respect and care toward everyone in the organization.”
gina.tron @timesargus.com
The group, which sings in a barbershop-quartet style, hopes the switch to the Route 12 venue will lead to new experiences and new members.
“Hopefully this will be a good move for us,” said Assistant Director Lisa Parro in an interview Tuesday. “It’s a nice place, a new partnership. As we are adapting, we will hopefully make more partnerships and meet some new people.”
Barre-Tones singer Susan Klein said the move was prompted by the ever-increasing cost of their practice space in Barre. For the several years, the group practiced at Alumni Hall by the Civic Center in Barre.
“We are a small nonprofit organization, so the members pay dues,” said Klein. “It just got to the point where we had to find an option that was more affordable for us.”
She said the motivation was two-fold: It was about cost, but also about finding a space convenient for all its members. She said the Barre-Tones have an increasing number of members that are not from Barre, but from surrounding areas.
Capital City Grange was very accommodating, and the space includes a lot of parking and a stage, Klein said.
She said the group is looking to recruit more women. She urged anyone considering giving it a try to come see a rehearsal. The chorus will begin their regular 7 p.m. rehearsals in August at the Grange, held each Monday.
Women of all ages (over 18) can join. Singing experience is not required.
“The great thing is that you don’t need to know how to read music,” said Klein. “We have different ways of helping people learn how to sing.”
She said much of the learning and tuning is by ear.
“You can really hear when it works,” she said. “It’s very fulfilling and very enjoyable.”
Barre-Tones was founded in 1969. The group can often be seen performing at charities, parades, receptions, community and private events. They sang on Valentine’s Day to the Gary Home in Montpelier this year, for example.
Although the Barre-Tones bring cheer to the community, they also bring cheer to each other.
“It’s a close group of women that support each other, not just musically, but personally as well,” said Klein.
She said that women take the role of mentoring for other members in the group. Klein called the group welcoming and approachable, and united by their love of singing a classic American musical style.
“It’s very fulfilling to participate in this organization where everyone has a mutual interest and there is respect and care toward everyone in the organization.”
gina.tron @timesargus.com
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BERLIN CONSIDERS AMBULANCE BID
Pub.
7/20/16 Times Argus by Eric Blaisdell
BERLIN — Barre Town has submitted a bid to
keep providing ambulance service to Berlin for at least the next three years.
At its regular meeting Monday night, the Berlin Select Board opened the lone bid. The contract with Barre Town expired last month and Berlin has been using an interim rate until a new contract is approved.
The first year of the contract calls for a per capita rate of $29.52, the same as the current rate, with annual 7 percent raises over the next four years, as the contract includes two additional years that Berlin can choose to opt into. Using 2010 census data, the bid estimates the cost for the first year will be $74,567.52.
Carl Rogers, town manager for Barre Town, was in attendance at the meeting Monday. Rogers said over the past six years the ambulance budget has grown by an average of 5.6 percent yearly. He said the Barre Town Select Board decided to put the 7 percent increase in the bid to try to bring Berlin’s per-capita rate closer to what others pay for the ambulance service.
Besides Barre Town and Berlin, Barre Town EMS covers Orange, Washington and Topsham. Rogers said those last three have been given a proposed per capita rate of $39.90 and Barre Town pays over $50 per capita.
“So we’re just trying to bring Berlin’s (per capita rate) up a bit,” he said.
Berlin Select Board member Jeremy Hansen said he’s received a statement from the volunteer fire department saying firefighters voted unanimously in support of Barre Town’s ambulance service. Barre Town maintains an ambulance crew at the fire department’s station on Paine Turnpike.
Hansen quoted one of the department’s directors, who said it has a great working relationship with Barre Town.
Berlin Select Board Chairman Ture Nelson suggested, and the board agreed, to table the topic so that board members could look at the bid more closely before taking action at its next meeting on Aug. 1.
As part of the bid, Rogers included a letter which said, in part, that Barre Town paid the fire department $14,835 in rent for use of the fire station for fiscal year 2016-17, which directly impacts the amount of funding the fire department asks from Berlin.
He said in the letter Barre Town has been providing ambulance service to Berlin since 1996 and has now become one of the forefront emergency service providers in the state. Rogers said in 2015-16 the average response time for Barre Town EMS was 1 minute, 47 seconds.
“Experience, high standard of care and fully staffed personnel are only part of what makes BTEMS a high quality service,” he said in the letter.
eric.blaisdell @timesargus.com
At its regular meeting Monday night, the Berlin Select Board opened the lone bid. The contract with Barre Town expired last month and Berlin has been using an interim rate until a new contract is approved.
The first year of the contract calls for a per capita rate of $29.52, the same as the current rate, with annual 7 percent raises over the next four years, as the contract includes two additional years that Berlin can choose to opt into. Using 2010 census data, the bid estimates the cost for the first year will be $74,567.52.
Carl Rogers, town manager for Barre Town, was in attendance at the meeting Monday. Rogers said over the past six years the ambulance budget has grown by an average of 5.6 percent yearly. He said the Barre Town Select Board decided to put the 7 percent increase in the bid to try to bring Berlin’s per-capita rate closer to what others pay for the ambulance service.
Besides Barre Town and Berlin, Barre Town EMS covers Orange, Washington and Topsham. Rogers said those last three have been given a proposed per capita rate of $39.90 and Barre Town pays over $50 per capita.
“So we’re just trying to bring Berlin’s (per capita rate) up a bit,” he said.
Berlin Select Board member Jeremy Hansen said he’s received a statement from the volunteer fire department saying firefighters voted unanimously in support of Barre Town’s ambulance service. Barre Town maintains an ambulance crew at the fire department’s station on Paine Turnpike.
Hansen quoted one of the department’s directors, who said it has a great working relationship with Barre Town.
Berlin Select Board Chairman Ture Nelson suggested, and the board agreed, to table the topic so that board members could look at the bid more closely before taking action at its next meeting on Aug. 1.
As part of the bid, Rogers included a letter which said, in part, that Barre Town paid the fire department $14,835 in rent for use of the fire station for fiscal year 2016-17, which directly impacts the amount of funding the fire department asks from Berlin.
He said in the letter Barre Town has been providing ambulance service to Berlin since 1996 and has now become one of the forefront emergency service providers in the state. Rogers said in 2015-16 the average response time for Barre Town EMS was 1 minute, 47 seconds.
“Experience, high standard of care and fully staffed personnel are only part of what makes BTEMS a high quality service,” he said in the letter.
eric.blaisdell @timesargus.com
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# posted by Corinne's blog of Berlin and area happenings @ 7:11 PM 
