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The Cabot Chronicle

April 2015 · Issue Record

← From the Cabot Chronicle

The community record for this issue of the Cabot Chronicle, extracted from the original pages. Reprinted with permission from the Cabot Chronicle.

Original issue: Download the April 2015 pages (PDF)

Text extracted from the original pages and checked for reading order. Advertisements, listings, the calendar and puzzles are omitted. Where part of a story could not be converted cleanly, it is marked and the full story is in the PDF.

In This Issue

UDAG Scholarship Applications Due May 1

The purpose of the Cabot UDAG Plan is to provide financial resources, through a fair and consistent process, to local individuals and groups for activities and projects that serve to strengthen the economic, cultural, educational, environmental, and social wellbeing of the Cabot community. In any given year, up to 4% of the trailing six quarters’ average balance to March 31 of any year in the Scholarship Endowment may be disbursed as scholarships to eligible Cabot residents. Eligible recipients are residents pursuing post-high school education/training, and/or continuing education or professional development, who have been Cabot residents for at least twelve months as of the application deadline and who will be Cabot residents on the award date. Eligible activities that may be funded with these scholarships include the purchase of books and equipment required in connection with educational activities and the payment of tuition and fees for degree programs, courses and seminars.

A scholarship application packet must include six (6) copies of each of the following:  Completed application form

(available at http://www.cabotvt.us/docs/udagscholarships.pdf);  A no-more-than 500 word personal

essay that describes your personal and career goals, how your choice of educational coursework will help you meet those goals, and a description of your extra-curricular involvement and/or volunteer experience(s), if any);  An acceptance letter to the school or

program or proof of enrollment, if available;  A copy of your transcript, if you are

a high school student. Application packets must be postmarked on or before May 1 and mailed to the Cabot UDAG Scholarship Committee (P.O. Box 125, Cabot, VT 05647). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

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Route 15 Road Closure: Detour Through Cabot

The Walden VT 15 Bridge 83 project will replace the existing bridge, which has a sub-standard width and is in poor condition, with a new bridge that meets current design standards. The existing Walden VT 15 Bridge 83 is a single span, two lane structure which was constructed in 1933. The bridge is 43feet in length and 22.3-feet wide. The bridge superstructure (deck and beams) are composed of T-beams and are in poor condition. The structure has settled and has a significant dip at each end of the bridge. There are multiple areas on the underside of the deck with exposed reinforcement and the substructure is showing signs of scour underneath the abutment footings. The bridge is also currently supported at mid span by a steel bent. VTrans has evaluated various alternatives for the replacement of Walden VT 15 Bridge 83. The criteria assessed for the proposed design included the roadway alignment, right of way impacts, wetland and archaeological resources, aesthetic requirements, and hydraulics. During the design phase, concerns were expressed with potential impacts to nearby residences, the length of the bridge closure period, and sight distances along the curved alignment. Several alternatives were considered including no action, repair and rehabilitation, superstructure replacement, and full bridge replacement. Given the poor condition of both the superstructure and substructure components, it was recommended that a full bridge replacement be undertaken with a full-bridge closure and off-site detour. The new bridge superstructure will be composed of Concrete NEXT D Beams. NEXT D Beams are precast concrete beams that are fabricated in a shop and shipped to the site. By fabricating them off sight and shipping them into the project, the bridge closure period will be significantly shorter. The new bridge will be 58-feet in length and 34.25-feet wide including two, 11-foot travel lanes and two, 4-foot-4-inch shoulders. The new bridge will feature a 3-Rail Box Beam steel bridge guardrail. The substructure will be composed of concrete abutments on spread footings that will be set on ledge. All of the existing superstructure and substructure components will be removed prior to the new bridge construction. The bridge will be constructed during the summer of 2015 using ABC methods, which will expedite construction and reduce disturbance to the public. Due to the location of the bridge, a temporary bridge was deemed unfeasible because of wetlands and the roadway alignment. Since no temporary bridge will be in place, the bridge will be closed to traffic during the construction period. There will be an allowable 28 day road closure with temporary single lane closures prior to and following the bridge closure period.

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VTEL Telecommunications Application Telecommunications Review and Section 248a

By Karen Deasy, For those of you who are not aware, in an effort to help streamline applications and bring wireless service to all regions of the State, the Legislature removed the authority of local boards to review telecommunications facilities, making local zoning review optional. Applications are reviewed at the State level through the Public Service Board and no longer are required to receive local permits. This is important for us to understand locally, as height limitations, setbacks and many of the restrictions we felt were important no longer impact the location size or scale of these facilities. Cabot has received an application for a telecommunications facility by VTEL at 185 Thistle Hill Road, and we will be holding a Public Hearing April 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Willey Building Auditorium to review a presentation on the plan and pose questions. This is our opportunity to gather information ask questions and request alterations to the project. Our local Town Plan, not zoning, is what is used by the Public Service Board under this review process. Cabot has previously agreed to colocation of cellular facilities in an effort to provide services and minimize the impact to the surrounding community.

Classifieds:

This application does not request that, but proposes to site a 90 foot monopole for the purposes of providing service. Briefly the process has changed under Section 248a is as follows:

· Pre-application documents are filed starting an initial comment period.

· A Town can request a public hearing in their community to review the application and ask questions, the Department of Public Service is required to attend.

· Once the applicant has filed the application, there is a 21-day period where communities can respond with additional comments on the proposed application.

· There is also a provision for local residents to ask for and receive party status. Below is a link to the guide provided to communities regarding this process: http://publicservice.vermont.gov/sites/psd/files/Pubs_Plans_Reports/Legislative_Reports/Public%20Guide% 20248a.pdf. The proposed application by VTEL is available in the Town Clerks office for review. We also encourage you to attend the meeting on April 8, as your opinions will help the Selectboard and Planning Commission develop comments on the proposed application.

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Town of Cabot – VTEL application for a telecommunications tower located at 185 Thistle Hill Road Cabot, Vermont

A public hearing will be held on April 8, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. for discussion on this application. This meeting will take place in the second floor auditorium of the Willey Building in Cabot. A presentation on the proposed application will occur and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. This meeting is open to all who wish to attend. The application is available at the Cabot Town Clerk’s office for review.

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Town of Cabot - Route 215 Detour and Walden Bridge Closure

A public hearing will be held on April 6, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. for discussion on the planned bridge closure in Walden beginning on or around June 22, 2015. This meeting will take place

Residents of Cabot, Walden, Marshfield, Hardwick and Danville are invited to attend.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 1 onward.

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REPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE

By Representative Catherine (Kitty) Toll

The Cabot School AP Environmental Science class and their instructor Michael Hendrix will be recognized by Vermont Legislators for their exemplary work designing energy efficient light sculptures for the theatric production of Lillian: A Folk Opera. On April 2, a Joint House and Senate Resolution will be read on the House floor congratulating the students for winning a national ‘Teach for the Planet Innovation Challenge’ award and securing a $10,000 prize for the purchase of science equipment for the Cabot School. Congratulations to all! Several large bills will be debated by legislators in late March and early April. These include the budget bill, a water quality bill, a health care bill and a tax bill. A full report on the outcome of these bills will be included in the May edition of this publication. On March 23, the House Appropriations passed the fiscal year 2016 budget out of committee on a unanimous vote (11-0). This year’s budget addressed a $113 million dollar gap between state expenses and revenues. Slow revenue growth was out paced by expenditures. This trend is expected to continue into future years. The areas of spending that accounted for the greatest increase in expenditures were Medicaid, salaries and benefits, educational costs and the use of federal and special fund dollars that are no longer available. Structural sustainability of the state’s finances is the most critical step for Vermont’s future. Like many other states, short term fixes were used until revenues increased to prior year percentages. However, it is evident that there is a new norm and adjustments to spending have to be made to keep the state budget in alignment and create financial stability. Without financial stability, there is no ability to plan, implement vision, prioritize resources or make smart, long-term investment. This year’s budget will contain intent language that maps out a multi-year plan to bring sustainability to budgeting:

• Reduce the reliance on one time funding.

• Bend the rate of spending growth.

• Instituting a plan to review new programs for multi-year cost impacts.

• Move towards appropriating less than 100% of forecasted revenue to reduce the volatility of our progressive tax structure and reliance on federal funds.

• Explore moving to a two year budget, as the capital bill did a few years ago. To close this gap, the Appropriations Committee proposed over $50 million in cuts to state spending and used a combination of new revenue and one time dollars. One time dollars were used to bridge expenditures that will be reduced in future budgets. For example, the Governor’s proposed closure of the Derby and Rutland Public Safety Answering Points, commonly referred to as PSAPs, were stalled in the budget passed by the House Appropriations Committee. One-time money was used to delay the consolidation of PSAPs, allowing all interested parties to craft a transparent and sustainable service to Vermonters. On Friday, March 20, the House Ways and Means Committee passed H.489, an act relating to revenue. The bill caps income tax deductions at 2.5 times the standard deduction. Nonprofit organizations do not favor the capping of the charitable deductions. However, the majority of the benefit from a charitable deduction, approximately 70 -75%, comes from the federal income tax. This structure aligns Vermont with neighboring states. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island offer no deductions for charitable donations; Maine has a cap of $18,000 and New Hampshire cannot claim a deduction because it has no income tax. In these states, people still donate to charities without the deduction. The bill passed out of committee on an 8-3 vote. For additional information on any bill or actions in the House or Senate or standing committee, please visit www.leg.state.vt.us. These are live pages and are updated regularly. Please contact me directly with your questions and concerns. As always, it is an honor to represent our communities at the State House.

[email protected] [email protected] PO Box 192 Danville, VT 05828 802.828.2228 (Statehouse) 802.684.3671 (Home)

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COUNTRY COMMENTARY

Wishes for warmth and hot cocoa to you, The wind blows wildly the snow crystals as they swirl I get caught in the magic of the snow. I look on in wonder at all the snow crystals gleaming in the sun releasing their secret colors like little prisms. I look up and see a sky rich with blue or tormented gray. Either way I still find reasons to love winter even at it’s coldest. I watch out my window as wildlife passes by or stay around the bird feeders. I see squirrels, chickadees, nuthatches, red poles, snow buntings along with so many more. I have seen the impression of bird wings in the snow making me think of angels. It is difficult for most of us who have to shovel off our roof tops and like buried treasure dig out our cars and shoveling pathways here and there, but we forget the beauty of nature and its raw boldness, its daring. Winter can’t be captured by a paintbrush or a camera it must be experienced. I realize that most would want to see winter end a few months earlier than what it does but I think we would be missing out on just what Mother Nature can do. I am also amazed at how many creatures and the flora that survive through a below zero winter. I love the wind in my face and a great big plop of snow let loose from a tree branch to fall on my head. It makes me laugh. I like to throw snowballs and I still make snow angels even at my age and I probably will until I can’t anymore. I like the bonfires after a long day of sledding, the feeling of connecting with others in a shared experience that was fun. I enjoy the briskness of a cold day and walking in it, facing the elements as they are. It is honest and pure. I realize how difficult it is to not have heat in your home or having the water pipes freeze up so you have no water. These things too are often a part of winter. The car not starting because it refuses to move under such extreme conditions another of winter’s hardships. It makes life challenging and worth living at the same time because some how we live through it ourselves braving the snow and ice on the roads along with the deadly cold. I have to live in a place with the four seasons it is who I am. Winter is an old friend that finds the old hurts and lets me know when to rest and warm up with a good cup of tea and a freshly made scone. Winter is part of the package of living in Vermont and for those of us who are either stuck here or here by choice might accept the negative aspects of winter and focus more on all the great things about winter. There are now a myriad of winter sports and there are church suppers and there are other ways in which communities come together in the winter. If we can survive Vermont winters why we can survive just about anything that life throws our way.

Laura Lee Saorsa Smith [email protected]

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Twinfield vs. Cabot Alumni Basketball Raised $3,000

Although Twinfield won both games, the action was very competitive and fun to watch for both sides. 320 people attended, including players. $3,000 was raised to go towards Twinfield booster club and Cabot athletic department. Twinfield is looking forward to putting that money toward benches for the softball field. Cabot plans to use their portion for uniforms. A donation will also be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in memory of a Twinfield student who passed away in March 2013 from Suicide.

It was a great turn out with lots of local businesses donating! The scores of the games were not completely accurate because "buy a bucket" allowed community members to buy points for their school at time out or half time. It was a lot of fun! A link to photos can be found at htps : / / w . facebok . c o m /events/408461509278880/, or go to facebook and search for 2015 Twinfield- Cabot Alumni Game.

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Selectboard Report to Voters

The Selectboard wishes to thank the voters of Cabot for your support at Town Meeting on March 3, 2015. Because of your approval of three key Articles introduced by the Selectboard at Town Meeting we are now able to move forward with several projects.

TOWN GARAGE: With funding in place to complete the town garage project, we can now quickly switch gears and focus on constructing the new facility. Our first step is to submit the required documentation to meet the Vermont Community Development Program CDBG-Disaster Recovery Award Conditions, which will require lots of work to complete. At the same time, the Selectboard will initiate the process to obtain bids so that construction can, hopefully, begin in May. And we need to continue to develop and finalize plans to demolish the existing town garage and restore that site to mitigate future flooding. Ideally, that would be accomplished this fall, after the road crew has relocated to the new facility. There is lots of work to be done to make this all happen, but, thankfully, we are now in the position to move forward, thanks to the support of the Cabot voters.

GRADER AND EXCAVATOR:

Road Commissioner Karen Deasy, Road Foreman Rusty Churchill and newly elected Selectboard member Bernie Shatney are taking the lead to obtain quotes for the purchase of a new grader, excavator and trailer. The plan is for Bernie, Rusty and Karen to present the Selectboard with purchase options in the May/June time frame. We’ll keep you posted on all developments.

LAND PURCHASE & PARKING:

The next step will be to close on the purchase of the Cookson property. Then, under the leadership of the Willey Building Committee, with input from the Conservation Committee and other interested parties, they will begin work to create the plan for additional parking at this site. It may take some time to develop the plan and to secure funding to build it, but, the planning process will begin immediately.

SELECTBOARD APPOINT- MENTS: At the March 4, 2015, Selectboard meeting, the Selectboard renewed almost all appointments held by individuals identified in the Town Report on pages 7 & 8. We wish to publicly thank everyone for your willingness to continue to serve; our Cabot community is a much better place to live because of your service.

YES NO . Write In Spoiled Blank Total The Selectboard did make the following changes in assignments for the upcoming year. Jan Westervelt ended his term as Chair of the UDAG Committee but agreed to continue to serve on the UDAG committee as the village representative, and Bob Burke agreed to assume the position of Chair of the UDAG Committee. Thank you both. The Selectboard welcomes Betty Ritter as Town Clerk and Town Treasurer; we congratulate you and look forward to working with you.

Sincerely, Ted Domey, Fred Ducharme, Jeff Gabrielson, Bernie Shatney & Jack Daniels

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Cabot Community Association Update

By Debra Zimmerman

THANK YOU VOTERS! March was another very busy month for the Cabot Community Association (C.C.A.), starting with the Town Meeting. Everyone at the Community Association would like to express one huge thank you to Cabot voters who decided in favor of financial support for C.C.A. We are very grateful for the funding to help promote our community development work. Thank you so much! A very big thank you also goes out to the voters at town meeting for the $8,000 allocated to help maintain the Cabot Chronicle. Thank goodness! This financial support is critical to help keep the paper going. Thank you!!

CABOT ARTS Another successful concert was brought to you by Cabot Arts on Sunday, March 15. “Singing Into Spring” with soprano Lillian Broderick and pianist Mary Jane Austin was offered by Cabot Arts and the Cabot Community Association (C.C.A.) at the United Church of Cabot. According to R.D. Eno, of Cabot Arts, “about fifty people attended the spectacular recital.” Mr. Eno reported that “Lillian Broderick has a gorgeous voice” and that the audience response was “tremendously enthusiastic.” Mr. Eno went on to say that “Ms. Broderick’s family attended the concert and Erik Kroncke was also in attendance .” Mr. Eno said that “Erik Kroncke expressed great pride in the performance and that “he has been teaching Lillian Broderick since she was 17.” The final concert in the Cabot Arts Winter Series will be held on Sunday, April 3, at C.S.P.A.C., the Cabot School Performing Arts Center. According to R.D. Eno of Cabot Arts, “EVERYTHING GOOD FROM THE GARDEN: a Spring Salad of Song and Satire” will feature Wilfried Mengs, “one of Germany’s best-loved singersongwriters,” together with Rik Palieri, “Vermont’s own ambassador of peace and music.” The two will offer “a tuneful celebration of two cold regions’ common passion for vegetables and mirth.” Admission will be by donation at the door.

MAPLE FESTIVAL What a spectacular fun-filled family event!! Hundreds of people (some say 1,000) came out on Saturday, March 21, for the annual Cabot Maple Festival. The festival was an extravaganza of food and activities enjoyed by all ages. Starting off with a delicious and filling pancake breakfast, festival goers could move on to browse through vendor tables offering hand crafted birdhouses, covered bridges, shiny jewelry, warm stylish hats, scarves, beautiful alpaca fur sweaters and vests, sparkling purses, accessories, a variety of delicious baked goods, and much more. Activity options for the young in the gymnasium included a bounce house and a giant slide. Outside there was a climbing wall supervised by volunteers from the National Guard. Cotton candy, sugar on snow, and a variety of maplefused, frosted and glazed treats were available to satisfy all ages with a sweet tooth. A silent auction was set-up at the C.S.P.A.C. (Cabot School Performing Arts Center) building, where musical entertainment was provided by Katie Trautz and Lee Blackwell with Green Mountain Playboys. There was also a sneak preview of Cabot Community Theatre’s “New Directions Showcase: a collection of one-act comedies by rising talent within the Cabot community," scheduled for the last weekend in March. The proceeds from the Maple Festival,( with the exception of the 8th grade trip maple goods bake sale), go to The Cabot Chronicle, the free monthly newspaper with local news for the residents of the Cabot Area, that is published by the Cabot Community Association.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Watch for a report on the March 25 Cabot Community Association Annual Membership Meeting in the May issue of the Cabot Chronicle.

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2014 Selectboard GOALS

In April of 2014, the Selectboard established fourteen Goals for the year that just ended on March 3, 2015. What follows is a status report on the outcome of those goals. 1. Town Garage - purchase land (completed June 2014) 2. Town Garage - identify project funding (completed November 2014) 3. Town Garage - initiate construction (revised goal to May 2015) 4. Capital Budget – develop & adopt (completed January 2015) 5. Explore Changing Fiscal Year - July 1 to June 30 (no action taken) 6. Repave three to four miles of town highway (completed August 2014) 7. Porter Road Culvert – initiate FEMA grant request (grant approved Fall 2014) 8. Willey Building– window insulation and dense pack walls (completed Fall 2014) 9. Explore hiring Select Board Administrative Assistant (no action taken) 10. Adopt new Zoning Regulations (deferred to 2015) 11. Meet semi-annually with Planning Commission, UDAG & Cabot Community Association (no action taken) 12. Policy – Class IV Roads (new policy adopted Fall 2014) 13. Reallocate Wastewater Capacity (completed January 2015) 14. Parking – explore plan for improving parking downtown (signed Purchase & Sales Agreement with Cookson’s subject to voter approval - January 2015)

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Town of Cabot Unofficial 2015 Town Meeting Results

12 344 Selectboard - 3 Year Term NEKSWM Blank Total 344 Spoiled Blank Total 0 255 344 242 89 0 13 344 Town Clerk - 2 Year Term School Board Director - 2 Year Term

0 10 0 70 344 Sharon O'Connor 264 . Write In Spoiled Blank Total Art. 11 - $10,000 CCA from UDAG Ted Domey . Write In Spoiled Blank Total 269 0 18 1 56 344 Yes No . Write In Spoiled Blank Total 197 138 0 9 344 School Board Director - 3 Year Term

Kathleen Maine 1 Richard Hourihan 1 Sue Carpenter Amber Bothfeld 1 Chris Tormey Lar Torres Gary Gulka Mike Cookson Mike Hogan Charles O'Connor 1 Mark Christensen 1 Michelle Delaney 1 Danielle Peterson 1 Rebecca Nally .

Write In Jennifer Curschmann 60 Jamie L. Gokey 18 Betty Ritter Bruce Westcott Amber Bothfeld 1 . Write In Spoiled Blank Total Selectboard - 2 Year Term Ry Hoffman 151 98

0 3 2 12 344 43 Bernard Shatney 83 Cedric Houston 1 Ken Denton Mike Hogan Giroux Jr. James Dimick Richard Scheiber 2 Fred Ducharme 2 Frank Kampf Will Ameden Quint Welters J Miller Steve Hogan Jennifer Curschmann 1 Write In Spoiled Blank Art. 22 - $200,000 Town Garage Bond YES NO . Write In Spoiled Blank Total Treasurer - 2 Year Term 1 3 1 4 1

37 1 203 1

1 2 1 Art. 23 - 235 100 0 9 344 Jennifer Curschmann 56 Jamie L. Gokey 21 Betty Ritter Bruce Westcott . Write In Spoiled $500,000 Equipment Bond YES NO . Write In Spoiled Blank 151 98 0 2 1 2 0 30 191 137 0 16

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OBITUARIES & MEMORIALS

Louise H. Bashaw Louise H. (Bean) Bashaw, born June 24, 1918, in Lancaster, NH, the daughter of the late Herbert and Harriette (Walker) Bean, died suddenly on March 20, 2015.

She spent her youth in Cabot and graduated from Cabot High School in 1936. Mrs. Bashaw was married on May 14, 1943, to Everett Bashaw by the Rev. E. Leroy Rice in Barre, VT. Louise and her husband, Everett, had 56 wonderful years together. Everett passed away in November 1999. While her husband served in the Navy during World War II, she traveled to be with him and saw much of the United States. After his discharge, they made their home in Cabot for 25 years and then moved to Plainfield, where they lived for the next 30 years. After her husband's death, she continued to live in her home, with the help of her good neighbors, for several years; finally deciding to leave, she moved to The Gardens in Williamstown, a retirement living community. There Louise made many friends and enjoyed all the activities The Gardens offered. She was a member of the Home Dem Group and the St. Andrew's Gore until they were discontinued. She volunteered for the local hospital's Auxiliary Benefit Shop for several years, was a member of RSVP, as well as a member of the Barre Senior Center. Her hobbies were playing cards with her friends, Olive L. Larson

Larson, Olive L. (Smith) 84, of West Springfield, died peacefully March 16 at Oakdale Rehabilitation in West Boylston after a short illness. Born on a 600acre dairy farm in Cabot, VT, she was the daughter of the late Edwin and Clara (Carpenter) Smith. Valedictorian of her class at Cabot High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in music education from the University of Vermont. She moved to Massachusetts for her post-graduate studies, earning her Master's in music from Boston University. A lifelong soprano and educator, she taught music in White Plains, N.Y.; served as the elementary school music supervisor in Sudbury, MA; and was a teacher in the West Springfield and Southwick schools, earning the Friend of Education Award in 1989 from the West Springfield Education Association. Olive was the soloist at Grace Congregational Church in Framingham, and later, the longtime soloist at Mittineague Congregational Church in West Springfield. Most recently, she was a choir member of the Southwick Congregational Church. She sang in the Oratorio Society of New York, the Festival Chorus of Westfield, the Greater Westfield Choral Association, and the Berkshire Choral Festival, making appearances at Carnegie Hall 40 years apart. Olive was a member of the Ahlem Temple, No. 84, Daughters of the Nile since bird-watching, crocheting lap robes for the veterans hospital, hats for the cancer patients, and was an avid reader. She also enjoyed visits from her family and attending family holiday dinners at Edward and Sally Leszko, Jeff and Nancy Potter, and attending the Bean reunions and learning about her ancestors. She is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews. Among those in this area include: Roger Walker, Cabot; Roy Potter, East Montpelier; Lester "Eddie" Bean, Barre; Mrs. Edward (Sally) Leszko and her devoted niece, Edythe Barbara, of Branford, CT, for all her loving care. Her predeceased brothers are Ralph Bean, of Cabot, Guy Richard Bean, of Hamden, CT, and Carl E. Bean, of Guilford, CT; and sisters include Mrs. Vernon E. (Myrtle Bean) Dow, of East Haven, CT, and Mrs. Roy (Marion Bean) Potter, of Cabot. At her request, there are no calling hours; a graveside service is to take place at Plain-Mont Cemetery, East Montpelier, on May 18, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. The Rev. William Wick, of Norwich University, will officiate. Louise's favorite charities were the Green Mountain Transit Agency, 6088 Vermont Route 12, Berlin, VT 05602; or the Vermont Cancer Society, 120 Connor Way, #120, Williston, VT 05495, for anyone caring to contribute in her memory. Funeral arrangements made by the Guare & Sons Funeral Home in Montpelier, VT.

1976, and a musician in the temple from 1978-2000. In retirement, she volunteered as a docent at the Springfield Art Museum from 1993-2003. An active knitter, piano teacher, and a voracious reader of biography, history, and exploration, she believed firmly that education never ends. Concert tours took her around the world and a number of cities across the U.S. But she also treasured quiet days at the family cottage on Hardwick Pond in Hardwick, MA, and passionately followed the Red Sox, Celtics, and the University of Connecticut women's basketball program. She valued many good friendships and above all, family meant everything to Olive. She is survived by her two sons: Craig, and his wife, Lisa, of Clinton, and their daughters Eva and Erika; and Steven, and his wife Allison, of Chelmsford; and their children, Caroline and Matthew. She also leaves 10 nephews and nieces and a numerous cousins. Olive was predeceased by her husband of 27 years, Robert C. Larson, in 1988, and by her brothers, Robert and David Smith. A memorial service will be held at the Southwick Congregational Church Friday at Noon. Visiting hours will be at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00pm. For more details please visit curranjones.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 56 Carew Street, Springfield, MA, 01104.

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Conversation from the Working Landscape- What We Learned

By Sjon Welters, Cabot Agricultural Network Chair

Over the past months, Cabot was host to a variety of business leaders speaking about their experiences in the Vermont agricultural and business landscape. The series was attended by local and regional entrepreneurs, representatives from organizations, and folks interested to learn more about starting or running a business enterprise, and being part of the Vermont working landscape. Kingdom Creamery owners Leslie and Jeremy Michaud and former Farm Bureau president and local farmer Jackie Folsom spoke about the need to put yourself as business out there, patiently and persistently, using all tools at your disposal, from store demos, sampling at events, to social media, and plain old “cold calling”. That’s how the Cabot Creamery really got going in the early 1990’s, and Kingdom Creamery is taking off with its line of ice cream and flavored yogurts. It is hard work, it requires dedication and a belief in what you are doing, on top of a resourcefulness to deal with all the unexpected challenges any business throws at you. Diversity helps with spreading the risk involved with any enterprise you start. Ultimately, it is a combination of preparation combined with opportunity that determines how well you will do. Mateo Kehler, together with his brother, Andy, founder of Jasper Hill Farm and the Cellars in Greensboro, told the story of how their farm went from a dream to reality. Again, hard work and a clear vision of what they wanted propelled them to the place they are right now. Which is a 45-cow dairy farm, producing milk for their cheeses and the Cellars, a place where they and surrounding cheese makers bring their cheese to age. As with the Michauds, having family involved can make a big difference in getting over the inevitable hump you will face at some point. Building relationships and knowing your story and how to tell it help tremendously in growing your business. Rather than seeing your customer as an outsider, look at them as co-creators of your business: participants who are engaged, involved, and part of your story.

Mateo Kehler of Jasper Hill, Greensboro, addressing Conversations from the Working Landscape attendees. Paul Wade photo.

Rather than finding out who your market is, determine who you want your market to be, and taylor to the need of that specific market in quality and price. Connect your products to your community and the people who make them, painting a picture of who you are and where you stand. Then you will build an infrastructure of prosperity in your community through your company, building on an existing working landscape or creating a new one in the process. The Cabot Agricultural Network committee thanks all the people who attended, the businesses who supported our series (Rhapsody Natural Foods, Switchel, Blackwell Roots, Talbert’s Maple Farm, Cabot Creamery, Center for Natural Living), the Cabot Community Association, and the Town of Cabot. Please let the Cabot Agricultural Network committee know how you think we can work together on our Working Landscape - info@rhapsodynatural foods.com.

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Vermont’s First Climate Economy Summit Calls for Local Action

By Sjon Welters When you look around, we all notice changes in the weather patterns and nature’s rhythms. Whether you think they are man-made or part of greater natural cycles, either way: they are unmistakable. First and last frost dates are changing and affecting our growing season, maple trees are moving northward, more extreme weather is hitting our region, its getting warmer and wetter, and foreign bugs are moving in. At the recent Vermont Summit, called “Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change”, held at Vermont Tech in Randolph, government, business and all kinds of nongovernmental organization leaders gathered together to brainstorm ways to adapt to these great changes and come out ahead environmentally, socially, economically, and culturally. Clear was that local actions are needed that make Vermont townspeople part of the solution; let’s not wait for action to come down from the top. Business as usual needs to be replaced by fundamental, structural changes. A new look at energy as the most important driver of our economy and society is the first step. Local energy action plans have been developed in a number of towns in Vermont, which slowly are bringing benefits unimaginable only a few decades ago. Maximize resources, minimize waste, engineer local infrastructure to optimize local resources: they are just a few of the many steps we can take on the local level. Look at climate change as an impetus to create the kind of community we always wanted. Rather than seeing renewable energy solutions, for instance, as a way to deal with climate change, see them as goals worth pursuing because they make sense, regardless. Rethink transportation (share), food production (localize), energy distribution (generate at point of use), work (fun and purposeful), and other aspects of our lives we take for granted. Investing in our community with the next seven generations in mind alters how we do what we do and why we do what we do. Our great-great-great-greatgrandkids will be grateful for that. Vermonters showed at this summit they want to lead the nation in this effort - boldly, proactively, and together with you. Cabot - are we in?

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

To the Editor:

As Chair of this year’s Green Mountain United Way campaign, I am writing to you today to remind you that this appeal is still underway and will continue until April 30, 2015. To date, approximately 75 percent of the $550,000 goal has been met. It is not too late to make a contribution and help us meet our goal. Green Mountain United Way (GMUW) touches the lives of many of our neighbors in Washington, Orange, Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties, enabled by the generous support from local businesses and individuals like you. GMUW empowers people to help their children learn, assists people with financial stability, and encourages people to live healthier lives. They also support Vermont 2-1-1, a lifeline of information and resources for health and human services, local food shelves, volunteerism, and provide free prescription drug discount cards. These are only a few of the services that GMUW provides in our area. This worthy organization needs your help to meet its total goal of $550,000 and continue to make a difference in the lives of Vermonters. If you have already sent your contribution this year, we thank you. Please consider sending your tax-deductible check today to GMUW, 963 Paine Turnpike N #2, Montpelier, VT 05602 or donate online. Visit www.gmunitedway.org/waystogive.shtml to make an online donation.

Thank you. Sincerely,

Catherine Hamilton, Vice President of Consumer Services and Planning Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont 2014 – 2015 Chair of GMUW Campaign

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ADVICE FROM THE TREE WARDEN

By Roland (Slim) Payne • Bayer Advanced 3 in 1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control

• Bayer Advanced 12-month tree & shrub inspect control

• Bayer Advanced 12-Month Tree and Shrub Protect & Feed

• Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control

• Bayer Advanced All in One Rose & Flower Care Concentrate

• DIY Tree Care Products Multi- Insect Killer

• Ferti-Lome 2-N-1 Systemic

• Hi Yield Systemic Insect Spray

• Knockout Ready=to=Ise Grib Lo;;er

• Monterey Once a Year Insect Control II

• Otho Bug B Gon Year-Long Tree & Shrub Insect Control

• Otho Max Tree & Shrub Insect Control

• Surrender Brand Grub Z Out

• Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care Granules

• Green Light Grub Control with Arena

• 16 Amdro Quick Kill Lawn & Landscape Insect Killer Granules

• 17 Amdro Rose & Flower Care

• 18 Maxide Dual Action Insect Killer

• 19 Ortho Bug B Bon Garden Insect Killer

• Ortho Bug B gon for Lawns

• 21 Ortho Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer

• 22 Rose and Flower Insect Killer

• 23 Ortho Rose Pride Insect Killer

• 24 Green Light Tree & hrub Insect Control with Safari 2G

• 25 Ortho Tree & Shrub Insect Control Plus

• 26 Miracle Gro Plant Food Now, does anyone wonder why bees are in serious trouble? On a better note, I have ten trees ordered for early May. Have a great maple season and mud season.

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Protect the Bees

Think twice about pesticides. Who doesn't love a garden with blooming plants. But too often in our pursuit of a perfect garden we frown on the sight of garden pests that nibble on tomato leaves, leave galls on rose stems or curl leaves on plants or shrubs or fruit trees. The first thought is to grab a bug spray and zap the invaders. But we should first think about the pollinators. With bees in trouble and dying from viral infections, invasive species, and lack of native plants and use of pesticides is pushing our pollinators over the edge. This spring, consider other alternatives to pesticides before you target the unwelcome insects in your garden. The fruit and vegetables that are the bounty of the garden, depend on the humble pollinators zipping from flower to flower that are essential to all gardens every where remember the next time you eat an apple or tomato or berry, thank a bee. Now, if you spray, look what is in it. Neonicotinoids are a group of insecticides that are used widely on farms, around homes, schools and landscapes of cieis. Neonicotinoids are systemic, which means they are absorbed by the plant tissues and expressed in all parts, including nectar and pollent. Bees and butterflies and all pollenators can be harmed by the residue. No, on farms, the amount is controlled by law, but for home use, it is not and could be used 100 times stronger, so you could be killing the pollinators that pollinate y9ur plants and flowers. Plus, you are eating the residues as it is in all parts of plants and fruit from plants it grows on. Think about if there are no pollinators, you won't get anything from your plant, anyway, so back off the spray and thank bees for pollinating. Common garden products that contain neonicotinoids:

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Cabot Maple Fest Review

On March 21 at Cabot School, volunteers served 269 pancake breakfasts, 88 grilled cheese sandwiches, 55 bowls of tomato soup and 54 bowls of maple baked beans (ran out of soup and beans), 96 sugarhouse dogs and 98 drinks. Two individuals suggested at least 1,000 people attended. We made a bit over $1,000 on the silent auction, served 115 sugar on snow, saw almost 120 kids on the inflatables and hosted 30 amazing vendors. We earned approximately $5,000, with about $1,000 in expenses, so we still fell short of our fundraising goal of $5,000. But we're developing a plan to get their next year. Special thanks to the Cabot Creamery, MacKenzie Meats, Freihofer's Bakery in St. Johnsbury and TOPS Market in Hardwick for helping us keep our overhead down; to Katie Trautz and Lee Blackwell and The Green Mountain Playboys for drawing a crowd and entertaining us in CSPAC, and Cabot Community Theater for the previews of youth-directed one-act comedies that opened the following weekend. Thank you to hard working volunteers Scott St. John and Fred Ducharme for a wonderful breakfast and great lunch without long lines, with Cindy Hastings, Brigitte Codling, Shelby Maurice, Terri Dailey-Nunn, as well as Marilla and David Schilling organizing students to keep the dining hall presentable. Kudos to Frank Kampf on the Maple Cotton Candy, Michelle Delaney with the inflated slide and bounce house, Eighth Grade Parents for the exotic and yummy maple desserts, Beth Hoffman's wonderful Servers at Cabot Maplefest serve breakfast to hungry patrons.

Jeannie Johnson (Cabot Maplefest Director) relieving lunch cashiers at Maplefest. Will Walters photo.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 5 onward.

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FOOD SHARE AND FOOD DROP DATES

CABOT FOOD SHARE Wednesday,

APRIL 8 Noon-2:00 p.m. Wednesday,

APRIL 22 Noon-2:00 p.m. Cabot Masonic Hall 3339 Main Street FAITH IN ACTION NORTHERN COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP INC.

A Nonsectarian 501C3 ~ Available for Cabot Residents

MARSHFIELD FOOD DROP Second Saturday of every month.

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Summer Camps with the Cabot Recreational Department

By Michelle Delaney This summer, the Cabot Recreational Department will have soccer, lacrosse, mountain biking, basketball, and hip hop half day camps. The cost is $60 per week, $40 for the second child, and $30 for the third child in the same family, with at $130 cap per family. Scholarships are available and everyone is encouraged to participate. The morning camps will start with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. in the Cabot School Cafeteria and end with a lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Second half of the day camps will begin with lunch at noon in the cafeteria and end at 4:00 p.m. either in the school gym or the Cabot Town Recreational Field. Registrations for camps can be found at http://www.cabotvt.us/clerk.php, and returned to the Town Clerk's Office at P.O. Box 36, 3084 Main Street Cabot, Vermont 05647, along with payment made to the Town of Cabot. Please register for the camps four weeks prior to the camp date so we can prepare properly. For questions, contact Michelle Delaney at [email protected].

June 22-26: Soccer Camp led by Michelle Delaney. The camp is from 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon for ages 6 to 12, beginning and ending in the school cafeteria, and at the Cabot Recreational Field in between meals. Michelle has 25 years of soccer coaching experience and has played soccer for 33 years. She was All Conference at Johnson State College, a Soccer Scholar All American, and her JSC team was inducted into the JSC Hall of Fame. She founded and coaches for the Northeast Kingdom Warrior Soccer Club and coaches the Cabot varsity girls soccer team. She plays for the NEK Warriors women's team.

June 22-26: Mountain Bike Camp led by Mark Bromley, Kathleen Hoyne, and Jon Vara. The bike camp begins at noon and ends at 4:00 p.m., is for ages 10 to 16, and begins in the cafeteria and ends in the gym parking lot. Mark is the long time leader of the Cabot Roamers and has led countless bike trips. Kathleen has been the Coordinator of the Cabot Connects Mentoring program for nine years. She helped lead many Cabot Roamers bike trips, including a bike trip from Cabot to Maine, and worked for Bike Vermont as a trip leader for three summers. Jon is a recreational cyclist of long experience and a UBI-trained bike mechanic. He has led many bike tours for the Woodstock-based company Discovery Bicycle Tours, formerly Bike Vermont. The Cabot Roamers have some mountain bikes available for use.

June 29-July 3: Lacrosse with Aaron Fuller from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for ages 10 to 16, beginning and ending in the Cabot School Cafeteria, and at the Cabot Recreational Field in between meals. Aaron has coached at MHS for two years and at the youth level for three years. He is a former Vermont All Star, who played at Johnson State. He currently plays with the club team Machine.

June 29 -July 3: Hip Hop Dance with Gala Morse from noon to 4:00 p.m. for ages 8 to 12. Beginning in the Cabot School cafeteria and ending in the gym. Gala is a junior at Cabot High School with 13 years of dance experience.

Camp listings are continued on page 10, “Summer Camps”

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From page 7

Summer is coming and it is time to get in shape. There has never been a

Recreation Club and the Cabot School are offering public fitness hours in the stage area of the Cabot School Gym. We have a great array of equipment available, including an elliptical, treadmill, concept 2 rowers, bikes, kettlebells, free weights, weighted balls, and many other pieces of small equipment. This will be open to the public for $5 a session on Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and Wednesday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 8;00 p,m. These times may occasionally be canceled due to school activities, but hours will be kept current on the Cabot School Calendar. Prior to using the equipment , users will need to fill out waivers, a health questionnaire, and be cleared to use the equipment either by the school or by Trinity. Michelle Delaney of Trinity will be available from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00

Wednesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm for the pre-screening process. You can be cleared on the same day as long as there are no health issues which require

one-on-one personal trainer session with Michelle. Michelle offers a morning

Friday mornings. A new eight-week session began Monday, March 23. The whole class session costs $144 ($6 per session) or you can pay $7 per class. Your first class is always free. Cabot teachers and staff, students, military and law enforcement personnel can attend classes or public fitness hours free of charge. Personal training (one-on-one) sessions are offered by Trinity at $20 for a half hour session, $40 for an hour session, or $150 for a package of five one hour sessions or ten half-hour sessions. These can be scheduled at any time outside replacement of equipment. Child care is available at the class and can be made available at sessions for $5 a session.

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From page 7

…better time for getting in shape in Cabot. Beginning March 23, Trinity a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Saturdays from 8 am to 10 am and medical clearance. Students under 7th grade are not allowed unless in a

interval training class from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and of the school day when there are not conflicting activities in the gym. A percentage of all proceeds will be held specifically for the upkeep and

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 7 onward.

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2015 Green Mountain Conservation Camp

The Vemont Fish and Wildlife Department is now accepting applications for the Green Mountain Conservation Camps. Camp tuition is $250.00 per child for an advanced or basic session. Questions Regarding Camp Availability and Registration - Please Call Jan Finn (802)-828-1460. Application should be mailed to:

GMCC VT Fish & Wildlife 1 National Life Drive, Davis 2 Montpelier, VT 05620-3702

Come learn all about the outdoors!

Campers have a unique opportunity to meet Vermont State Game Wardens, foresters, fisheries and wildlife biologists, and others who work in the outdoors. We offer hands-on learning experiences on fish, wildlife, ecology, botany, forestry, first aid and outdoor safety topics, and so much more. There are opportunities for hiking, canoeing, fishing, archery, orienteering, and other fun activities.

Who can attend?

Almost a thousand campers ages 12- 16 attend our program each year. There are separate weeks open for boys and girls. Campers must first attend a basic week session (open to youth ages 12-14) before they can attend an advanced week session (open to youth ages 12-16). Campers cannot attend both a basic week session and an advanced week session in the same summer.

When does the camp run?

One-week sessions run from June to August. Specific dates for boys and girls regular and advanced sessions are listed in the camp application each year. Applications for the upcoming Green Mountain Conservation Camps are available in January.

Where is the camp located?

The Green Mountain Conservation Camps have two locations. One site is pleasantly nestled in the woods alongside Buck Lake in Woodbury, Vermont. Our Kehoe Camp site is located on Lake Bomoseen in Castleton, Vermont and features a particularly beautiful mountain view.

How much does enrollment cost?

The cost is only $250 for a fun-filled week of learning in Vermont's great outdoors!

Why is the Green Mountain Conservation Camp program unique? Vermont's conservation camp program is unique because it is sponsored and directed by Fish & Wildlife Department professionals-the same people who manage the fish and wildlife resources. Working biologists, foresters, game wardens and conservation educators teach young people about Vermont's forests, wetlands and wildlife. Youth develop valuable life skills and gain environmental knowledge so they can continue the state's traditional rural pursuits--enjoying all aspects of the outdoor world. The program's greatest strength is connecting young people to the outdoors.

What will we learn there?

We focus on teaching outdoor safety skills and natural resource conservation with topics including:

· Vermont's fish and wildlife

· Forests and forestry

· Wetland ecology

· First aid and outdoor safety

· Fly-fishing and spincasting

· Fly-tying

· Archery

· Hiking and camping

· Canoeing

· Firearm safety

· Much more…

More information and registration form is available at: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/edu_camps.cfm.

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Cabot Agricultural Youth and 4H Programs for 2015

By Niels Larsen, Cabot Agricultural Network

Two different paths will be pursued. One consists of one or more sessions for a hands-on experience, generally with something for the participants to take home, which we refer to as the Cabot Agricultural Network Youth Program. The other is to lay the foundation for the reintroduction of traditional 4H activities. The following Cabot Agricultural Network Youth programs are planned for this year: Irene Harvey will offer a two or three session "starting your garden program" in late April or early May for nonexperienced gardeners for up to five pairs of a parent and a child. Packages of seeds and a few plants will be provided for each pair to take with them for their own garden. Once the details and the registration process has been worked out, they will be announced on Front Porch Forum. Sjon Welters will again offer the Rice Growing program. Lynn and Martha Rockwell will offer a Dairy Goat program with three sessions, one in mid-June, when there will be plenty of cute and playful babies, and two in the fall. Details and dates to be announced as soon as they are ready. Brad Alexander will offer another one -session wood working project next winter. Anyone with a desire, an idea and a skill related to life in an agricultural setting may contact Niels Larsen (563- 2062) or by email at [email protected]. We will be happy to help make it happen. These programs may be a one-time event to try out an idea, or a series of sessions for more in-depth exposure to an aspect of our rural economy. Leaders are free to include parents or other adults with an interests in a particular activity. The Berminghams have offered to make their farm’s trail network available for activities such as snow tracking, tree identification, birding and local wildlife biology, if someone will step forward to lead one or more such sessions. The UVM extension service has pamphlets with model programs available to assist with the preparation of projects along these lines. We are delighted that Amber Bothfeld will have a 4-H Cloverbud program up and running for the upcoming 2015 school year, designed for 5-7 year olds (kindergarten through second grade). The aim is for the children to have fun, learn to cooperate, participate and acquire new skills in a safe setting. Amber is looking for someone to be a leader for the 4H program for ages 8-18 for a few years until her children are in that age group. If you have questions about either the Cloverbud or regular 4H program, or are interested in having your child participate in either program, you may contact her at [email protected] or 563-2147. In addition, Rhonda Goodrich has kindly offered to have children come to her dairy farm to learn how to care for calves. Stay tuned for additional information about both of these offerings. The UVM Extension service may also refer interested youth to learn about 4H clubs in neighboring towns that may have space for new members. I will end my role in coordinating the youth activities of the Cabot Agricultural Network Committee in the middle of June. Please contact Sjon Welters if you would like to join the committee to take on this important initiative.

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Where in the World is the Cabot Chronicle?

On a recent cycling trip around Puerto Rico, we had someone snap a picture of us in the city of Ponce. Several lions from the central square wandered over and took an interest in the Chronicle to see what was going on in Cabot! Janet Bird, Richard Bushey

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Seasonal Road Crew Worker

The Town of Cabot is seeking applicants to fill a seasonal position on the Town’s Road Crew. This is a part time, summer, seasonal position. Eligible applicants shall at a minimum possess a valid Vermont Driver’s License, and a High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent education. Qualified applicants who possess a CDL or who can operate heavy equipment and applicants from the Town of Cabot shall be given preference. Applications and/ or resumes are due to the Cabot Town Clerk’s office by the close of business April 13, 2015.

· Mowing, trimming

· sidewalk maintenance

· miscellaneous landscaping Hours will be part time 20-24 hours per week, salary based on experience. Applicants must be willing to submit to random drug screening.

Responsibilities will include:

· Tree and or brush clearing and cutting

· Culvert cleaning

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 8 onward.

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Cabot Planning in Progress

By Karen Deasy, Zoning Administrator & Planner

Vtel Communications Tower

With the Public Service Board taking over review of communications towers under Act 248a, our local review of telecommunications structures through zoning have been removed at the local level. We have the opportunity to address the application and ask questions through an informational hearing and a comment period. There will be an opportunity for folks to speak and express their concerns at a meeting April 8 at 7:00 p.m. The pre-application for this project is available at the Town Clerk’s office.

Route 215 Detour

As you may have heard, VTRANS will be replacing the bridge on Route 15 in Walden this summer. They have chosen utilizing Route 215 as the official detour for this project. July 4 will be an exception, alternative routes will be posted to divert traffic this day. There will be a public informational meeting April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Willey building for a presentation on the proposed project and discussion.

Zoning Regulations

A revised draft of the Cabot Zoning Regulations has been posted on the Town web site for review: http://cabotvt.us/. During March and April, the Planning Commission is hosting informal discussions regarding the draft document to hear your comments and questions. Please contact Karen Deasy or Gary Gulka if you are interested in attending a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting (1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month) or scheduling a meeting and an alternate time.

Spring Run off

As the snow melts, check your foundation drains and sump pumps in your house. It is important that this water runoff does not flow into the wastewater system or into your private septic system. This can cause damage and overtax the capabilities of the system. In previous years, the Town has needed to pay to dispose of excess wastewater by hauling it to adjacent communities when the flow was too high in the spring.

Driveway & Road Culverts

Please check your driveway culverts . This time of year, as snow begins to melt, clogged culverts and water that diverts around culverts could wash out, leading to expensive repairs. We will continue this year, as the weather shifts to spring, to post road closings on Front Porch Forum.

Please contact Karen Deasy, ZA Town Planner, at 563-2279 if you have questions, or email zacabot@fair point.net.

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Cabot School Recognized

By Gail Curtis, Interim Principal, Cabot School

Once again, Cabot School has distinguished itself through hard work and a passion for learning! As the music department prepared for an opera presentation named, “Lillian, a folk opera”, the high school AP Environmental Science class designed the lightening for the show by using recycled plastic. To earn the money that was needed, the teacher, Michael Hendrix. went to DonorsChoose.org, to raise the money. Mr. Hendrix wrote: AP Environmental Science students (APES) are already hard at work studying global and local community energy usage, and how it influences our lives, ecosystems, and sustainable practice – including evaluating our own footprint as a school. As part of a collaborative project between science and the performing arts, APES students are designing and implementing a set and lighting design for our school band’s famous fall community concert (this year, a folk opera influenced by the ocean’s plastic pollution). In addition to analyzing and making recommendations for more energy efficient systems within our performing arts center, students are creating the stage design using high efficiency light sculptures crafted exclusively from recyclable plastic bottles in new and creative ways. At the opening of the event and prior to the interactive concert, students will present their data, conclusions, cost analyses and recommendations for sustainable future practice as a culminating exhibition. The lighting was beautiful, the opera was a huge success and the audience included the author of the play, who came to see it from California. As a result of this project-based learning event, the school was entered into the first “innovative challenge” nation-wide, sponsored by the DonorsChoose website. The semi finalists were then put on the website so people could vote for their favorite. Cabot won the $10,000 prize, beating a California class and a class in Brooklyn, NY, that has more students than the state of Vermont has people! The money is to be used for science equipment and materials in the future. CONGRATULATIONS TO MI- CHAEL HENDRIX AND HIS A.P. ENVIRONMENTAL CLASS! We are also able to tell the public that Cabot has won a grant from the Great School Partnership. Cabot School and Twinfield, along with the Harwood Union High School, are being extolled by education foundations as being “…at the forefront of educational progress in this country.” These award-winning schools are part of a grass-roots network called the League of Innovative Schools. The competitive awards were given by the New England Secondary School Consortium and the Great Schools Partnership (www.greatschoolspartnership.org) and went to just three schools in Vermont. The awards recognize the long-standing commitment of the prize-winning schools, and will allow them to build on their success with new funding and support. This week the grade 3 / 4 students will be taking the SBAC testing in the morning. The testing will be in Math and English Language Arts. Next week, grades 5/6 will test and the following two weeks the Middle School and High School will be testing. Each grade level has been practicing on line so they are aware of how the tests are navigated and they get an idea of what the questions look like. We are sure that our students are ready for this testing. A letter from the Education Secretary, Rebecca Holcombe, tells schools that, since this is a new experience, Vermont will not be using the data culled from this first year to make any major future decisions. This reduces the stress for both teachers and students.

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Cabot School Board Update

By Chris Tormey, Chair, Cabot School Board

The Cabot School Facilities Committee has met four times during February and March. We are beginning to make some progress toward our goal of forming a general plan to renovate our school’s gymnasium and elementary school campus.

In February, the committee reviewed an updated assessment on the condition of the gymnasium (built in 1971) and the four “satellite buildings” built at the same time that house our elementary grades. That assessment reiterated the need for major renovations to the gym and extensive renovations to, or rebuilding of, the elementary campus.

Our group has had discussions with school staff about the kind of learning environments that they believe should be included in a renovation or rebuild of our elementary grades, and has visited two local elementary schools to see how their renovations have worked out. We have listened to architects from Black River Design in Montpelier describe the planning involved in a school building project, and during the next month, they will begin to develop preliminary design options for a renovation or rebuild of the elementary campus.

The facilities committee has had a good deal of conversation about the need for a community-wide discussion about the future size and direction

was totally willing to take her home, love her, and tend to those needs. Helen is a very lucky girl. Whenever cats have been with us for a while, when they are adopted and are going home, we put out a message to all the volunteers to come and say goodbye...because that is what those volunteers want to do. They have become so attached that they need to give them a special and personal farewell. So, even with the joy of these special cats finding excellent and loving homes, it a little hard to say goodbye. We are very happy for them, but are also just a bit sad to see them go.

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Saying Goodbye

By Helen Morrison, Kingdom Animal Shelter

Sometimes at the Shelter there are cats that are there for a while before they are adopted. Kingdom Animal Shelter is not the kind of shelter that has fast turnover. Cats do not come in and leave in rapid succession as they do in many shelters. We have the cats long enough to get to know them, to understand their personalities, their special needs, what kinds of homes would be the best fit for them. And we take time to check references on adoption applications, calling vet references and personal references, and making sure, if the adopters live in an apartment, that the landlords are okay with them having a cat. We make sure that the adopters are conscientious about wellness checks and that vaccines have been up to date with other pets they have had. We have had two cats with us for a year and a half. Mandy and Miranda are sisters. They were very shy for quite a while, only recently coming out of their shells and reaching out to people for play and affection. In addition, Mandy had a condition called stomatitis, where her immune system attacked the plaque on her teeth and caused incredibly painful inflammation of her gums, to the point where her gums looked like she had a mouth full of strawberries. It would be impossible for her to eat, and she would ultimately die. So, we had her teeth and the roots, every little fragment, removed by a dental surgeon. As a result, she is toothless and looks a bit like Mr. Magoo. Helen came to us about four months ago. She is probably 5-6 years old. Helen is totally blind. And she has some gastro-intestinal issues and requires a special prescription diet. We have to keep her litter box, her bed, her food, her water in exactly the same place in her condo all the time. And she will probably have some challenges with glaucoma in time. But Helen is playful and loves to explore around the Shelter. And no one loves to cuddle and head butt and purr like Helen. Helen and Mandy and Miranda are special needs cats. And, as a result, they are not cats that folk are lining up to adopt. Because Mandy, Miranda, and Helen have been at the Shelter for a while, all the volunteers have become incredibly fond of them. We want them to get good homes, of course. But it is also a bit hard to think of them leaving, to have to say goodbye. They have become a part of the Shelter family. However, we have to be about finding them good homes. And we have, indeed, found them good homes. Mandy and Miranda went home about a month ago to a wonderful young woman who understands their challenges, empathizes with their shyness, and is willing to give them all the patience in the world. Already, she has sent us videos of Mandy and Miranda playing with a laser light in their new, spacious home. And Helen went home two weeks ago, to a young couple who understands all her special needs and of Cabot School before crafting a bond proposal to address the documented needs of the gym and elementary campus. To prepare for that discussion about the future of Cabot School, the facilities committee and the Cabot School Board will identify a number of options that Cabot could choose from in the future in the way that we educate our students. For each of those potential options, we will research and estimate the financial costs and benefits that would be associated with them. During the month of May, the School Board will publicize these potential options and will strive to get input from all Cabot residents on the benefits and drawbacks of the various options for Cabot School in the future.

The need to renovate a segment of our school campus has moved us to ask what kind of school we want to have in Cabot in the future. Should we continue to operate a preK-12 school here in Cabot for all of our students, or should we change that model in some way? We plan to host a couple of public forums in May to discuss this topic and weigh the options; we will also send out a mailing to all Cabot residents describing the options and soliciting input. Before we move forward any further on specific plans to renovate our school, we as school board members need to get input from community members on which route our school should take in the future. We look forward to that discussion.

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FROM THE CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Library Trustees and Kathleen wish to thank the Cabot community for approving our budget for 2015 – we look forward to serving you in the coming year.

Programs Spring Egg Hunt - Saturday, April 4

– 10:00 a.m. SHARP! Come join us to hunt for eggs. Lots of prizes this year, thanks to many generous donors – please see our ad in this issue of the Chronicle. For ages 12 and under. Fitness with Michelle Delaney – Mondays & Fridays, April 7, 10, 14, 17, & 21 - 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Join a five-session fitness class led by certified personal trainer Michelle Delaney. The sessions will focus on interval training with a mix of resistance and cardio training and will be held in the Willey Building. New – Meditation Group - April 7 – 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Meeting on the first Tuesday of the month. Daria Babbitt has been teaching meditation for over 25 years and will introduce different meditation techniques designed to reduce stress. There will also be time for discussion about various healing techniques and inner spiritual growth. This workshop is open to all and donations are gratefully accepted. Cabot Old Time Contra and Square Dance – Saturday, April 11 – 7:30 p.m. This dance series occurs on the second Saturday of the month from September through May. All are invited. The caller for the evening is Danielle Boudreau. The dances are taught and are easily learned by young and old. The contra and square dances are traditional Vermont and New England social dances that have been danced for many generations in the town halls, barns, and kitchens around Vermont. The music is provided by piano and an assortment of fiddles, mandolins, guitars, and the occasional surprise instrument. Musicians are always invited to sit in and join with the fun of playing traditional dance tunes. There is a small suggested donation to help cover the cost of the caller. For more info, please call David Carpenter at 802-426-3225 or email [email protected]. Community Book Group – Wednesday, April 15 – 10:30 a.m. The theme for the spring session is “Portraits of the Artists: Novels about Painters.” What happens when the visual arts and the literary arts meet? How do fiction writers interpret the lives of famous painters and the canvases they leave behind? This month’s title is Leonardo’s Swans by Karen Essex. All are welcome to join in! Copies of the book will be available in the Cabot Public Library.

Fiddle Lessons - Katie Trautz – Monday afternoons

All levels and abilities, Ages 4-100! Old time Irish, New England, Cajun and Swedish styles. For more info: [email protected] or 802-279-2236.

Lego Club – Tuesdays – 3:00-4:00 p.m. All are welcome! We’ll have Legos for you to build creations with.

Pathfinder – Fridays - 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. The Pathfinder roleplaying game puts you in the role of a brave adventurer fighting to survive in a world beset by magic and evil! Join the group - all are welcome.

Coming in May – Tai Chi for Wellness – Tuesdays and Thursdays - May 5 – June 4

Introductory Tai Chi 4:15 p.m.–5:15 p.m., Beginner Tai Chi–5:30-6:30 p.m.

Thank You!

We’re excited to have a train table for our children’s area, thanks to a generous donation from Karen Fox. Thanks so much to Hilari Farrington and Benedict Koehler for the wonderful evening of Irish music and stories of mischief. Thanks so much to the Socks family – Susie, Michael, Ethan and Jonah – for all their help organizing the Third Annual Lego Exhibition. Thanks, as always to Beth Wade, for help with Story Hour and so much more. Many thanks to Isabella McCallum for much needed help with shelving books. Thanks also to David Carpenter for the continuing Contra Dances, Cynthia Russell for facilitating the Community Book Group and Katie Trautz for fiddle lessons.

See you at the Library!

Kathleen Hoyne

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TWIN VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

4583 U.S. Route 2 P.O. Box 152 East Montpelier, VT 05651 To the voters of Marshfield, Plainfield, Cabot, Woodbury, Calais and East Montpelier: The Twin Valley Senior Center and it's members want to thank you for your support and votes on Town Meeting day for the appropriations awarded to us by your towns. The staff and volunteers are working hard daily to provide not only nutritious meals to Center attendees, but other services there (AARP tax preparation this time of year). Our home bound members receive meals as well as up to date information (health, nutrition, Medicare, fraud, etc.) tailored to their specific needs. There was some misinformation circling at Town Meeting about our financial support, which I would like to explain. We would like you to understand our need for your help and our fundraising efforts which helps us do what we do at the Center. We are under contract with CVCOA (Central VT Council on Aging). This contract provides us with a $3.50 subsidy for each meal we serve people age 60+. This amounts to 42% of our budget. It also has a requirement to use local foods in our meals throughout the year. In this way, we may receive a small stipend (if available) which is provided to CVCOA via a Walmart grant. The donations from congregate meals amounts to 10% of budget and Meals on Wheels clients provide 13% of budget. No one is refused for lack of ability to pay, and all information of contributions is confidential. The money that comes from your town each year amounts to 4% of our budget. During any year, we may receive 8% in miscellaneous donations. To break even, we must fundraise 23% of our budget. That's a lot of cupcakes! Our 2015 budget is set at $122,945. This budget is reasonable for what we attempt to do at the Center for our six communities. We do not charge annual dues, nor do we charge for our programs, such as Bone Builders, Tai Chi and others. Provided programs are to help keep our seniors healthy and provide them with information pertinent to their situations. Paying may be an impediment for some participants. We put our services to people first, and second we attempt to fund them. Programs have been cut which relate to cuts at the Federal level. We did ask taxpayers for an increase this year, and it is likely to happen in ensueing years. Membership has increased since we moved to East Montpelier, and every day a baby boomer or two retires. However, because of your much needed and appreciated past support, we hope to keep the services we provide local and available to all who wish to participate. We do and will need your continued support. We hope to expand services and would love to hear from anyone out there who has suggestions and ideas or questions. The Senior Center belongs to all residents, and we want to make it a great resource available to all.

Respectfully Submitted, Rita Copeland, Director

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Summer Camps with the Cabot Recreational Department

By Michelle Delaney Camp listings continued from page 7, “Summer Camps”

July 13-17: Basketball with Mike Jarvis and Dave Creighton. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon is for ages 6-10, and noon to 4:00 p.m. is for ages 11-14. This camp will be in the Cabot School Gym with breakfast and lunch available in the cafeteria. Mike has 10 years of coaching experience in Barre Youth Basketball and AAU and Dave has 20 years of basketball coaching experience with everything from elementary to high school, AAU and All Star teams.

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Writing Class - Margot Lasher Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 p.m.

We are asking local community members if they would like to attend a writing class. This class would be a four (4) week course presented by Margot Lasher. Margot is the author of Dog: Pure Awareness (2008), a study of the close connection between people and their dogs. She was a member of theatre companies in the 60s and 70s in Chicago and New York. Her recent play, Intake, won the Vermont Playwrights Award and was performed as part of Lost Nation Theater’s Winterfest in 2014. Margot lives in Marshfield with her dogs, Shiro and Holly. The class would be held on Wednesdays, beginning in May from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The registration fee would be $25.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 10 onward.

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From page 10

Writers often do their most interesting work in cafes because it sets aside a time when they can just focus on writing in the silent company of other writers. This class will give you that time to just write, saying whatever you want to say. You may want to start or finish a memoir, a short story or a play. You can focus on whatever form and content you want. After writing for a while, we can read aloud some of our work and talk about how to add details, how to make an image sharper, how

Please bring pen and paper, a journal, or a laptop to the first class.

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What Makes Heat Pumps So Efficient Anyway?

What Makes Heat Pumps So Efficient Anyway? As the name suggests, a heat pump transfers or “pumps” heat from one place to another. How does it work? I often explain heat pumps as an air conditioner working in reverse. Air conditioners do not make cold air. Instead, they extract heat from inside a building and “pump” it outside, leaving the air cooler. The illustration below shows how heat is taken from the air outside, compressed, and brought into the house at a high temperature. Even very cold air Heat Pumps: Not Just For Home Heating

In Vermont, air source heat pumps (also known as mini-splits or ductless heat pumps) have garnered a lot of interest as Vermonters continue to struggle with controlling the cost of heating their homes. However, heat pump technology is found in a variety of new innovative products. For instance, until recently, electric water heaters and clothes dryers have been big energy users in a home, but heat pump technology makes these appliances much more efficient.

Choosing Heat Pumps for Your Home: What to Expect

If you heat with electricity, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a heat pump can trim the amount of electricity used for heating by as much as 50%. If the heat pump is displacing the use of a system using a combustion fuel, such as fuel oil or propane, actual energy savings will depend on the costs of the combustion fuel relative to the cost of electricity. Like any heating system, heat pumps work most effectively in buildings with high levels of thermal efficiency. Basic improvements in your contains heat energy, and there is a significant amount of heat to be extracted from outdoor air, even during a cold Vermont winter. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, cold climate heat pump systems consume much less energy than traditional electric, propane, or oil heating systems. As I wrote about in a previous blog post, Who Says There is No Such Thing as Efficient Electric Heat?,” by efficiently capturing the heat energy of cold outside air, heat pump technology has become a realistic heating option for cold regions, like Vermont.

At Efficiency Vermont we’ve excitedly watched this technology develop. The potential energy cost savings that heat pump products can provide to Vermonters is huge, and we've jumped at the opportunity to make these savings attainable. We’re currently offering rebates or discounts on ENERGY STAR 2014 Emerging Technology Award winning heat pump clothes dryers, heat pump water heaters, cold climate heat pumps, and anticipating additional offerings as more products become available in Vermont.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 11 onward.

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Town Meeting Day Survey - March 2015

1) DO YOU BELIEVE WATER IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN VERMONT?

2) SHOULD VERMONT LEGALIZE MARIJUANA?

3) SHOULD VERMONT HAVE A PAY-ROLL TAX TO REDUCE THE COST OF MEDICAID?

4) WOULD A CARBON TAX BENEFIT VERMONT’S ENVIRONMENT?

5) SHOULD SUGARY DRINKS BE TAXED IN ORDER TO REDUCE OBESITY?

6) SHOULD VERMONT HAVE A ONE-DAY SALES TAX HOLIDAY?

7) ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASED USE OF OPIATES IN VERMONT?

8) IS LAKE CHAMPLAIN AS CLEAR AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO BE?

9) SHOULD NATURAL GAS BE AN IMPOR- TANT PART OF VERMONTS ECONOMY?

10) DO YOU BELIEVE VERMONT’S HEALTH CARE IS BETTER THAN 5 YEARS AGO?

11) IS STATEWIDE CELL SERVICE AND

BROADBAND IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF VERMONTS ECONOMY?

12) DOES VERMONT HAVE TOO MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS?

13) SHOULD VERMONT’S PRESIDENTIAL

PRIMARY BE THE SAME DATE AS NEW HAMPSHIRE?

14) DO YOU BELIEVE OUR STATE IS DOING A GOOD JOB AT ATTRACTING JOBS TO VERMONT?

15) DO YOU BELIEVE GOVERNOR SHUMLIN

IS DOING A GOOD JOB?

City or Town of Residence: 11,000 Returns from 162 Towns

Name and Postal Address: FINAL REPORT_In Percentages 2 39 48 13 3 22 54 24 4 31 41 28 5 45 48 7 6 65 23 12 7 87 8 5 8 9 69 21 9 49 26 25 10 28 42 30 11 88 6 12 52 26 21 13 28 39 33 14 64 22 15 21 57 22 Paid for by Senator Bill Doyle

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