Parks and Recreation Tenney Hill Road Proposal (Opens in New Window)

2006 Town Meeting Information - 2004-2005 Town Report Online - PDF

Green Mtn Pug Rescue's COOK BOOK

Our fabulous cookbook has arrived and we are selling them now.  They are $19.95 hand delivered for FREE to those of you who are close enough to deliver for.... (or additional $3.95 for shipping priority mail to you).  It has pug drawings and such separating the sections, vegetarian section and a section for pug/dog treats too!  498 pages of recipies....  A GORGEOUS COOK BOOK ORDER YOURS TODAY!!

The categories are:  Appetizers & Beverages (29 pages); Salads & Salad dressings (33 p); Soups & Stews (45 p); Breads & Rolls (27 p); Vegetarian Dishes (43 p); Fish & Seafood (29 p); Poultry (25 p); Meats (33 p); Main Dishes (41 p); Sides & Sauces (35 p); Cookies & Candy (54 p); Cakes & Pies ( 29 p); Desserts (29 p); and Cooking for Pets (9 p), along with a miscellaneous section (13p)...

Send a check or money order payable to GMPR and send to:
Lynn Esty
2520 Route 106
Perkinsville, VT  05151-9333
802-263-9441 
 
All proceeds go to help medically needy pugs!

Free Tax Help

Come have your 2004 federal and Vermont tax returns prepared FREE at Martin Memorial Hall.  If you OWN a home, mobile home and/or rent a home, apartment, or mobile home space, file EARLY !  You could be eligible for an ACT 68 REBATE and /or a RENTERS REBATE, as well as prescription drug and telephone assistance.

Call Pat Daniels to schedule an appointment to have your tax return(s) done FREE OF CHARGE.  Even if you don’t owe any taxes to the IRS, you should still file a VERMONT return to claim your rebates.

Free Income Tax Assistance
Patricia W. Daniels

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are offering free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to people who cannot afford professional assistance.

For people living in Weathersfield, Windsor, and the surrounding areas, this assistance will be available beginning January 28, 2005, through April 15th.  In Ascutney, it will be held on the lower level of Martin Memorial Hall, at 5259 Route 5, from 1:00 P.M. through 4:00 P.M. on Fridays.  In Windsor, it will be held at the Evarts House, 46 Main Street , from 1;00 P.M. through 4;00 P.M. on Mondays.  Appointments will allow one (1) hour per person.  Please call Pat Daniels, [802] 674-5871, to make an appointment.  If you are ‘home bound,’ and need assistance, volunteers will be happy to come to your home.  APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED.

This assistance will be available in many locations this year; to find the Tax-Aide site nearest you, call the AARP Hotline at [888] 227-7669, toll free.         

The State of Vermont has two (2) forms that may qualify people for assistance with their property taxes or rebates based upon the rent that they pay compared to their household income.  To qualify for these, you will need to bring a copy of your property tax bill or a Landlord’s Certificate.  You do not necessarily have to file an income tax form to qualify for these.  There is assistance to help fill in the forms to see if you qualify.

This year, a ‘Declaration of Vermont Homestead,’ Vermont Form HS-131, must be filled out and sent to the Vermont Department of Taxes on, or before, April 15th, 2005, by all Vermont property owners.  These forms were mailed to property owners late in 2004, and if you have not completed and returned it, please do so or bring it with you when you have your taxes done.  If you did not receive a form in the mail, they are available at the Town Offices.

The following items are necessary to assist you:
1.      All household income forms that your receive, including W-2 and W2-P; unemployment compensation; SSA-1099;  1099-R; 1099-INT; 1099-DIV; 1099-MISC, and documentation showing the original purchase price of your sold assets;

2.      Social Security numbers for all you will claim as dependents;
3.      A copy of last year’s tax return, including preparation booklets with supporting document;
4.      All forms indicating Federal income tax paid [including quarterly estimated tax payments];
5.      For itemized deductions, the 1098 showing the amount of interest you paid on your home mortgage; receipts and/or cancelled checks for all medical and dental expenses, medical insurance payments, prescription medicines, costs of assisted living services, and bills for home improvements such as ramps and railings for people with disabilities; receipts for contributions to charity; receipts or cancelled checks for income and property taxes paid, as well as records of tax refunds; papers documenting accidental losses due to fire, theft, etc.;
6.      Childcare provider information, including name, employer identification, and Social Security number; and
7.      State and Federal income tax booklets, with all necessary forms.

Press Release

On November 12th, 2004, the Town of Weathersfield was awarded $6,652.00 in State funds to undertake a zoning bylaw update.  This grant comes from the State’s Municipal and Regional Planning fund, which was established in 1988, to help Vermont municipalities develop and implement their Municipal Development Plans.  Fund are appropriated by the Vermont Legislature.

Weathersfield was one of 91 towns across Vermont selected in a competitive award process.  A diverse collection of planning projects have been awarded, ranging from traditional planning activities such as updating municipal plans, maps, and zoning bylaws, to more innovative projects, such as village center planning in Underhill, Worcester, and Whitingham; planning for affordable housing in Barnard and Marlboro; and a regional Agricultural Development Strategy for the Rutland region.

The Town, with the assistance of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission, will have 18 months to complete the zoning bylaw revisions.

In his announcement of the awards, Commissioner John Hall of the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs, noted that the program funds a range of innovative and important projects from rural and urbanizing communities across the State. “We are very pleased with the range of p4roject we are funding to assist Vermont municipalities.  This program furthers our State’s land use goals, by supporting community efforts to plan for growth in a manner that reinforces traditional settlement patterns, concentrating growth in downtowns and village centers.”

A Fresh Welcome to Weathersfield
During the late 1970's, Tony Daniels constructed the signs which marked the main roads’ entrances to Weathersfield. Age, weather, and general age had taken their toll on the signs until, this past winter, it was decided the time had come to replace them.
Wes Hazeltine, John Esty, and Gary Snide constructed the 8 new signs which now designate the Town boundaries on Routes 5, 131, 106, 12, Reservoir Road, and Weathersfield Center Road. A 9th sign, pictured here, now graces the front of Martin Memorial Hall.
Our thanks to Tony for the signs which have served the Town for many years, and to Wes, John, and Gary for the signs which will serve it for many more years.

Jeffords Announces $1.9 Million to Preserve and Restore Four Vermont Historic Bridges
Washington -- U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords, I - VT, announced today that Vermont will receive $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the preservation and repair of four historic covered bridges. U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta met with Jeffords in his Senate office on Tuesday evening to deliver the good news.
The grants come through the National Covered Bridge Preservation Program, which was authored by Jeffords in 1998. Since its inception, Vermont has received close to $8 million through the Program.
Jeffords is the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over Federal transportation issues.
"These funds will help keep Vermont's historic covered bridges safe and in good repair for generations to come," said Jeffords. "Covered bridges are not only a way of crossing the streams, brooks, and rivers winding through Vermont's forests, they are a beautiful reminder of the skill and craftsmanship of our past."
The bridges that will receive funding are:
• Thetford Center Covered Bridge, located in the Town of Thetford in Orange County in the east central portion of the State, extends across the Ompompanoosuc River on Town Highway 29 (Tucker Hill Road), west of State Highway 113, in Thetford Center. ($675,580).
•Weathersfield Upper Falls Covered Bridge, located in the Town of Weathersfield in Windsor County along the east border of the State, extends across the Black River on Town Highway 20 immediately south of Vermont State Highway 131 along the west border of the Town. ($596,100).
• Salisbury-Cornwall Cedar Swamp Covered Bridge on the Salisbury/Cornwall Town line in Addison County in the west central portion of the State is 0.6 miles west of the Village of Salisbury Station. The Bridge carries Highway 1 (Swamp Road) and Town of Cornwall Highway 3 (also Swamp Road) across Otter Creek. ($397,400).
• Tunbridge Cilley Covered Bridge in the Town of Tunbridge in Orange County in the east central portion of the State extends across the 1st branch of the White River on Town Highway 45 (Russell Road), west of State Highway 110. ($317,920).

Link to Jeffords Press Release [opens in new window].

Thanks From the Weathersfield Food Shelf
[Ruth ‘Betty’ Adams]
The Weathersfield Food Shelf expresses their heart-felt thanks to the Weathersfield Boy Scouts and Weathersfield Girl Scouts for their collections, which donated several hundred pounds of groceries for the Food Shelf recently.
The Food Shelf also thanks all those caring individuals and families who have contributed groceries. These contributions allow the Food Shelf to distribute much needed goods to families and individuals in the Weathersfield area who need temporary assistance.
The Food Shelf is located at the Perkinsville Community Church, through the Church’s kindness, and is open every Thursday between 1:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M..
The Food Shelf is open for those in Weathersfield who wish to utilize this service. For information, contact Betty Adams at [802] 263-5595.

The Weathersfield Directory
Weathersfield-is-Togethersfield will be updating their famous and State-recognized Town Directory during this summer and fall, for publication at the beginning of 2004.
WiT will be working on this during their regular meetings, which are on the fourth Monday of each month at 1:30 P.M. in the Ascutney Fire Station. Due to the size and complexity of this endeavor, community volunteers are needed to ensure that the same high level of completeness is maintained which won this Directory a State "Vital Community" award in 2000. As an added feature this year, the Directory will also list website and e-mail addresses, and will be provided in electronic format at the Town's website.
Anyone who can donate their time to collect local business and organization information, as well as helping with the preparation and proof-reading of the final document, or any new businesses which have moved into Town, should contact WiT by leaving a message with the Town Office.

Unfortunately many prospective pond owners do not properly plan before they call in the excavator to break ground on a new pond. Good siting and construction requires a thorough study of the effects it will have on your property, other habitats and wildlife. Wetlands and streams are complex communities and are permanently changed if a pond is built in their place. In terms of wildlife diversity, wetlands provide more suitable habitat than artificial ponds.

Following is a list of important considerations to keep in mind as you plan your pond:
1. A permit may be required from the town, state, and/or federal government.
2. You should understand the quality, quantity, and reliability of your water source.
3. Determining the pond’s primary purpose is important. Often multiple purposes are not compatible.
4. Be aware of the true costs of permits and construction.
5. Understand the long-term maintenance needs.
6. Think about unintended impacts on your property, environmental or otherwise.
7. If a dam is required additional regulations will apply.
8. Any work within a stream will require a stream alteration permit or other approval.
9. If a proposed pond is located in or near a wetland, a representative from the Vermont Wetlands Office should be contacted.
10. Stocking certain types of fish may require approval from the department of Fish and Wildlife.

This all may sound like a bit much to keep track of but don’t worry. Your first step when contemplating pond construction should be to contact the local Permit Specialist for the Vermont Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Assistance Division at 885-8850. The permit specialist will review your project and help walk you through the process.

National DO-NOT-CALL Registry
If you are tired of telemarketers annoying you at home, you can now register your telephone number in a National database prohibiting such calls.
Register your number or obtain more information on the web at http://www.donotcall.gov or by calling [888] 382-1222.

Green Mountain Passport
Are you 62 or older? Do you have a Green Mountain Passport?
The Green Mountain Passport provides discounts on a wide variety of goods and services for seniors and veterans with disabilities.
Additional information and applications are available at the office of any Town Clerk, and the Passport only costs $2.00 for life!

The Story of the Weathersfield Medallion
The Weathersfield Medallion is currently awarded annually to recipients of the Town's Service Award.

The front of the Medallion depicts the Weathersfield Meeting House, geographically located in the center of Weathersfield, amid a beautiful grove of maple trees with the silhouette of Mount Ascutney, the prominent feature of the landscape, in the background.

On the back side of the Medallion are memories of the past:

• The famed Merino sheep that Consul William Jarvis brought here from Spain and Portugal and which became a significant part of our New England economy.  In 1840, more than 10,000 of these sheep were owned in this Town alone.
• The Windsor County Soapstone Company's quarries in this Town were opened by J.M. Billings about 1850, then developed further by the Hicks family, and today the Vermont Soapstone Company still uses the primitive machinery to make the same soapstone stoves.
• The first spinning wheel factory of the infant Republic was operated by Aaron Kidder on Ascutney Brook in the Marsh District, near the foot of Aiken Hill.
• The Civil War Monument in the Memorial Grove at Weathersfield Center remembers the 136 men of this Town who served their country in the Civil War - a proportion of our able-bodied males that is believed to be exceeded by no other town in the United States, and equaled only by Woodbury, Vermont, with the same ratio.
• The Perkins Mill, which manufactured cassimeres and satinets in 1835, and employed as many as 150 people, is now just a memory in Perkinsville.
• Upper Falls Bridge, the last of our covered bridges in use, recalls the 10 "kissing bridges" that once spanned the watercourses of Weathersfield.

[The foregoing is from Six Miles Square - Weathersfield, Vermont - 1976, compiled by Barbara N. Woodbury]

Though the Medallion is not available to the public at this time, you can still show your Town pride by wearing a full-color enamel lapel pin showing the front of the Medallion.

These lapel pins may be purchased at the Town Clerk's office for $5.00, or a numbered "collector's edition" is available for $7.00.

New Hours for Weathersfield Town Offices
As of July 1, 2003, the schedule for the Town Offices has changed:
Monday through Wednesday
8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Thursday
8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Friday
8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

The Friday hours were reduced during budget preparation last winter as a cost-savings issue, eliminating regularly scheduled overtime necessary to keep the offices open. After reviewing the number of telephone calls and visitors, the Friday closing was moved back to 3:00 P.M., as that had the least impact upon the voters' and taxpayers' use of the Town Offices.

The Town Clerk's Office hours remain the same:
Monday through Wednesday
9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Thursday
9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Friday
Closed

Environmental Engineering Assistance for Low Income Persons
and Non-Profit Organizations!
Technicon, P.C., is sponsoring an initiative to match non-profit and low income applicants with consultants willing to provide professional services at little, or no, cost.  The initiative is very informative and has no financial basis.  Time donated by professionals is not tax deductible and no funds are planned to be accepted or distributed.  It is simply organized 'free advice' that has the potential to solve environmental permit issues at the lowest cost.  The cost for any construction involved would have to come from other sources, if necessary.
For example, a family may be faced with a failed leach field during hard economic times, or a church may want to expand, not knowing a planning consultant is nearby to donate time to the project.
Technicon is located at The Mill, in Ludlow.  Please call [802] 228-3445, or email technicon@tds.net for further information.

Volunteerism is Alive and Well in Weathersfield
Due to the participation of a large number of volunteers, the Parks and Recreation Commission was able to construct the base for a new, permanent, Town skating rink at Hoisington Field.
John Austin, who lives on Chimney Ridge, donated his excavator for 2 days to excavate the soil for the placement of the gravel base for the permanent paving on the rink. John spent 8 hours himself working on the project, and donated the use of his equipment for 16 hours.
Gary Brown, who lives on Drumlin Road, donated his dump truck and his own time to haul 12 loads of gravel for the skating rink base.  Gary is a repeating volunteer, as he also donated his truck and time for the Hoisington Field project 3 years ago.
Palmer Goodrich, who lives in Chester, donated his truck and equipment trailer to move John Austin's excavator to, and from, the skating rink site.  Palmer also is a repeating volunteer, as he donated equipment for the last project.  He also donated the light pole for the skating rink.
Shepard Thomas, of Baltimore, donated the boards that were used around the perimeter of the rink.  Shep donated enough lumber to enclose a 46' by 90' rink.
Wes Hazeltine, the Town Highway Superintendent, made sure the volunteers had a loader to load the dump trunk with gravel.  Wes participated in the field project 3 years ago.
  The Weathersfield Elementary School P.T.A. donated moneys to pay for the plastic used to line the bottom of the rink.
And Gary Lewis spent many hours and much personal effort to set up and coordinate the project and all the volunteers.
The Parks and Recreation Commission wishes to acknowledge the involvement of all the volunteers in helping to make Weathersfield a better place to live!

Weathersfield Center Church