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The Cabot Chronicle

February 2018 · 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 February 2018 pages (PDF)

Automated extraction, spot-checked. Advertisements, the business directory, and puzzles are omitted; obituaries appear as individual entries.

In This Issue

By Representative

Legislators hit the ground running in the first weeks of the 2018 Legislative session. Being the second year of the biennium, bills were waiting in assigned committees for testimony and debate. Opening activities in the first weeks included the Governor’s State of the State address, the State Economists’ presentation of the Consensus Revenue Forecast providing an updated economic review, the Governor’s 2019 Budget Address, as well as major bills passed by the Legislature for the Governor’s consideration. The Governor presented his State of the State address to a joint session of the Vermont House and Senate in January, outlining his priorities for Vermont. Important to hear was the Governor’s commitment to address difficult issues in a bipartisan manner. Vermont can be proud of its ability to work as a team and not replicate the decision-making process in Washington. Affordability and growing the state’s population and workforce was also highlighted. Later in January, the Governor presented his 2019 Budget Address, and highlights of the address will be covered in the March issue of this publication. The consensus revenue forecast provided critical economic data and revenue updates for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2018 and FY 2019. It was a mix of good news and concerning news. Good news includes Vermont’s continued low unemployment rate of 2.9%, one of the lowest in the nation. However, “job quality and income and wage growth continue to be a concern,” as stated by the Legislative economist, and “much of Vermont’s job growth since the last cyclical peak has occurred in lower wage occupations and sectors.” Housing prices have increased since the great recession and Vermont joins other New England states in exceeding pre-recession values, which is very good news. However, not all Vermont counties have experienced this growth. Bennington, Essex and Rutland counties continue to lag behind. Inward migration is anticipated to continue from Massachusetts, as our home prices in Vermont are more attractive and competitive. State revenues through the first six months of FY 2018 have performed above estimated targets. However, the Legisla-

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior

Coordinator: Jeannie Johnson

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The Cabot Chronicle is distributed

~ Mission The mission of The Cabot for the residents of the Cabot that will help readers become

Printed in Vermont ~ Copyright

No part of this paper may be reproduced for typographical errors. Acceptance of advertising indemnify publisher from loss or expense for errors in any advertising beyond the

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www.cabotvermont.org

Monday, February 12 - Governor’s Proposed FY 19 State Budget – Community Hearing in St. Johnsbury at the NVDA building on Eastern Avenue and at Johnson State College, both 6 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 13 - Governor’s Proposed FY19 State Budget – Room 11, 6 – 7 p.m. For additional information on any bill or action taken by the House or Senate or

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OUNTRY

Christmas eve the sky opened up to reveal a devastatingly gorgeous sight. The trees shone like fine crystal and the snow sparkled like diamonds, infinitely covering the earth like a bejeweled blanket. We walked among the magnificent trees and enjoyed the beauty of nature surrounding us. The dogs romped and tumbled about in the deep snow. Abby and Bodhi, our two Labs, really love the snow almost as much as I do! Christmas day, we awoke to a storm cloudy day. The snow was coming down as though we had been turned upside down then right side up, like a snow globe. It was beautiful, and we loved every minute we spent beneath the gray clouds and snowflakes of pure white. We had to shake off our jackets and snow pants; we must have looked like snow people, we were so encrusted. The warmth from the wood stove a much welcome pleasure coming in from the cold outside. I received a complete set of a series by Preston and Child , much beloved authors, both, for Christmas, along with many other wonderful surprises. We celebrated both the Solstice and Christmas this year. Christmas past has no longer any real effect on me, anymore. Christmas as a child was never good, but I have lived many more years than my

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The Cabot Chronicle Submission

The Chronicle welcomes letters written with recommended to be no longer than 400 words. turned to the author with suggestions for re-submittal. Cabot Chronicle represent the opinions of the authors The Cabot Chronicle reserves the right to reject our readers. Letters will not be considered for phone number. We will gladly consider articles and The Cabot Chronicle is not responsible for errors Chronicle assume responsibility for claims arising tised on these pages. If you have editorial questions or would like advertising visit our website, www.CabotVermont.org or email other inquiries can also be sent to: The Cabot Chronicle,

the first day of the month and is

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Chronicle is to regularly publish local news Area. Our purpose is to share information better involved in their Community.

05647 2016 by The Cabot Chronicle 1942-0943 without express written permission from Cabot is contingent upon publisher’s approval on claims based upon contents of advertising. Publisher cost of space occupied by individual item in which per year ~ Half year subscriptions

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OMMENTARY

childhood, and find that what once was a real downer is now a lively time to celebrate. I have made it a time to reconnect with old friends and enjoying new ones. We have connected to the family that matters and supports us. We have survived and even thrived this year, more so than ever. I am happier, still, with all the love I have in my life and the precious pastimes I engage in. Life Is Good. I intend to keep it that way…more exercise, less excess. Is that a diplomatic way of putting things? I hope so, I really do need to work on whittling things down, so to speak. I hope that all of you out there find the things that make YOU happy. There are so many reasons to be upset and angry, but there are as many things to bring us joy. May joy come to you in this coming year, and may you always find time for fun! May the magic of the season stay with you always. Laura Lee Smith

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Guidelines

an economy of words. The maximum length is Letters may be edited for clarity and length or reAll letters and commentary published in The and not necessarily the opinions of staff. letters that may contain unsuitable material for publication unless signed and accompanied by a photographs for publication. in submitted material. Nor does The Cabot in connection with products or services adver-

provided locally free of charge.

Chronicle. Publisher is not responsible and agreement by advertiser to does not assume liability the error appeared. $12.50

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By Sjon Welters

Pests and pathogens usually killed during the extended deep cold of our Vermont winters are surviving. Shortly after we moved to Vermont in 1997, we had 35 F on New Year's Day here in Cabot; I remember clearly, because I was on the way to the airport that morning, to drop off my brother-in-law, and my car died in Lower Cabot. That was the coldest cold I ever experienced in my whole life. Also, the last time, so far. Temperature sensitive creatures and plants love that warming. Plants species unknown to the state before are starting to move in. Insects move in, too. Many of us have already noticed a change in our insect population. Formerly unknown to Vermont, ticks infected with lime disease have been moving into the state. Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, an insect that feeds on hemlock and spruce, has been detected in Vermont. It kills these trees, affecting the habitat of the blue-headed vireo and Blackburnian warbler. Black flies and mosquitos get killed off by severe cold, making summers pleasantly quiet. Not so by warmer winters and wetter summers. As a result of a heating atmosphere, more water is held in the skies. Annual increase in precipitation since 1960 is 5.9 inches, of which 50% happened since 1990. Precipitation from extremely heavy storms has increased 70 percent since 1958. Downpours of epic proportions increase erosion. Consequently, we are forced to deal with valuable soil run off, town and state funds diverted to road repair and culvert upgrades, and the disruption it causes. On a statewide level, we're dealing with unprecedented stormwater runoff. Gardening season officially does not start in Vermont until Memorial Day, right? No more. First and last frost dates are moving targets, and many of us can attest to the fact that we are starting to put frost-sensitive seedlings out earlier than we used to, because “frost doesn't seem to stay that late any more". That's

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Mary Poppins: Be

Mark your calendars for the Cabot Community Theater production of “Mary Poppins” April 1215, at the Cabot School Performing Arts Center. Watch for complete information about show times and ticket information in the March Chronicle, and on Front Porch Forum and our Facebook page. This show, featuring a multi-generational cast of community members, promises to be a delight for all! And if you’d like to be a part of the fun, not just in the audience, there are many opportunities to help with the production. We can always use help with sets, props, costumes, makeup, publicity, and for this show: special effects! You can tell us what you’d like to help with, and how much time you can offer. We also will need a few people to be on stage crew, being in the middle of the action

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Environment

because our growing season has increased 3.7 days per decade, and we've gone from a zone 4 hardiness to a zone 5 during the period 1990-2006 in areas south of Route 2 and some north of that, even. Zone 3 has completely gone out of Vermont. Crops we could not even consider before are starting to be introduced in Vermont. We've grown rice for seven straight years in Cabot, now, and although we harvest not until late September/early October, compared to late summer in the southern parts of the state, we've got our rice. When we look at the actual numbers, we see that average annual temp has gone up 1.3 F since 1960, 45% of that since 1990. If trends and CO2 emissions continue at the current rate, Vermont's climate is expected to be similar to that of Georgia somewhere later in this century. We'll see the projected rise of 2-3.6% by 2050 and 55.4% of warming by 2100 become a reality. First, we'll get more snow in the next 25 years, but after that more rain as temperatures continue to rise. Winters are warming twice as fast as summers. Over the past 40 years, the freezing period has shortened by 4 days each ten years, and growing season lengthened 3.7 days every ten years. The jet stream, responsible for much of the weather in Vermont, gets "stuck" in a certain pattern, delivering spells of dry or wet weather, creating droughts, for instance, that dry out streams and brooks, the habitat of brook trout and brown trout. Weather extremes such as highenergy lightning storms will impact infrastructure and transportation. The bright side for some is that tourism might increase as warmer temperatures will pull tourists to Vermont as southern states are experiencing higher, more uncomfortable temps. The latest news tells us that 2017 had the fifth warmest winter in the Northeast since 1895, at 4.7 F above normal. What will next winter bring? Next installment: How Climate Change is Affecting Cabot Part I: Energy and How to Adapt.

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Tuition and fees no Longer Deductible on HI-144

In years past, taxpayers were able to deduct tuition and fees up to a certain

Form 1040. This deduction is not available after calendar year 2016. Vermont law allowed this deduction to reduce Household Income on Vermont Form HI144 for purposes of Vermont's income sensitivity Property Tax Adjustment Claim. It was not known at the time the 2017 forms were developed whether the federal deduction would be extended by law. The Department has learned it will no longer be available federally, so it is not available on the 2017 HI-144. There is a line on the HI-144 (line q3) for the

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Valentine’s

According to History.com, in addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Readymade cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribdeduction, and the instructions discuss such a deduction. However, it was not extended and is not available for tax year 2017, so no adjustment to Household Income should be claimed on line q3. Taxpayers with questions can reach

number is answered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 7:45a.m.-4:30p.m. In order to focus on processing, we do not take calls on Wednesdays. Questions can be emailed to tax.IndividualIn come@vermont.gov, and many answers can be found at http://tax.vermont.gov.

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Day History

bons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.

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Saturday, February 17, from 6-10:00 p.m.

at the Cabot School in the pre-k-2 building. $20.00 per child. $5.00 sibling discount after first child. Games, Arts and Crafts, and Fun Activities! Snacks Provided. Ages 2 months to 12 years old welcome! Money earned will benefit the junior/cadette Girl Scout troop’s educational trip to New York City to learn all about September 11, 2001, and prepare an educational presentation for the school on this year’s anniversary.

Drops-ins welcome, but we would love an rsvp to

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David Brown

David "Dave" Brown, 69, of Mebane, North Carolina, formerly of Barre, VT, peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior, at the VA Hospital, Durham, NC, on December 28, 2017. David bravely fought a 12-year battle with cancer. Born in Haverhill, NH, November 14, 1948, David grew up in Barre and was a graduate of SHS, class of '66. An Army veteran of Vietnam, he also gave 27 years service to UniFirst Corp. David held memberships to VFW and American Legion. As a mentor of Wings to Recovery at ARMC Cancer Center, David spent ten years offering hope and encouragement to cancer patients. David was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Kathleen, and his sister, Sharleen. He is survived by: wife of 48 years, Diane, and their fur-baby, Mollie; daughter Charlene and husband Jay Snead, their daughters Rebecca and

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Rev. Harold S. Carpenter

Rev. Harold S. Carpenter (1934-2017) The Reverend Harold S. Carpenter, 83, of Westfield, Vermont, formerly of North Sterling, CT, and Cabot, VT, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2017, at North Country Hospital in Newport, VT, with family by his side, after a brief battle with pneumonia. Harold was born August 5, 1934, the son of George and Hazel (Pierce) Carpenter, of Cabot. As a young man, Harold enjoyed hunting, working on the family farm and working for local farmers. Harold graduated from the State School of Agriculture in Randolph, VT, in 1953 and joined the Army in 1954. He spent three years in the military and was honorably discharged in 1957 with a National Defense Service Medal, as well as a Good Conduct Medal. Harold graduated from Barrington College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. On September 6, 1958, Harold married Rebecca Thurber of Plainfield, VT,

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Marilyn Joyce Walbridge Smith

Marilyn Joyce Walbridge Smith, 63, of Longwood, Florida, formerly of Cabot, passed away suddenly November 2, 2017, after a brief illness. Born September 17, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Gerald and Lenna (Carr) Walbridge. She graduated from Cabot High School in 1972. She worked for several years at Cabot Creamery, as well as staying with local elderly people in Cabot, not only caring for them so they could stay in their homes, but being a devoted friend to them. She also loved watching her nieces and nephews and any children that needed to be looked after. She was truly a caregiver throughout her life. She worked in several nursing homes in Vermont, as well as Florida. Though she was one to never brag or boast, she had a beautiful singing voice

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EMORIALS

Kathleen, of Knoxville, TN; son Charles and wife Missy, their girls Jenna and Erin, of Fayetteville, GA; granddaughter Macy and husband Xavier Cook, of Fort Richardson, AK. David leaves behind his brothers, Harry Brown and wife Bev, of South Barre, VT, Dale Brown, of Cabot, VT; three sisters, Bonnie and her husband, Wendell Emmons, of Easley, SC, Denise "Sue" and husband Steve Sparrow, of Adamant, VT, and Brenda Brown, of Groton, VT; along with many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service was held at Crosslink Community Church, Mebane, NC, January 6, 2018. His final resting place will be Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Randolph Center, VT. Online register book at www.omegafsc.com. Arrangements in care of Omega Funeral Service & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either: Hospice & Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 918 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215; or Dis-

14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. who survives him. Harold is also survived by their two children Lisa Samford and husband Tim, of Granbury, TX, and Merry Hamel and husband Kevin Paxman, of Westfield, VT; his sisters Ruth Glaude, of South Windsor, CT, and Grace Glaude and husband Ronald, of Brooklyn, CT; 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. On December 9, 1973, Harold was ordained into the ministry. He was the beloved pastor at Line Baptist Church in Foster, RI, for 40 years. Harold loved his family, reading, traveling, visiting with folks and watching almost any ball game. Harold was predeceased by his parents, George and Hazel; his brother, Howard, in 1992; and his brother-in-law, Lionel, in 1993. Per Harold's wishes, there was no funeral service. A memorial service and inturnment will take place in the spring/ summer of 2018 at the convenience of family. Online condolences and/or memories of Harold can be shared by visiting www.awrfh.com.

and was very talented in drawing flowers. She is survived by her partner-in-life, Neal Franklin and his family, from Longwood, FL; her siblings Lester (Carol), Dale (Lynn), Wendell (Lesa), Joann (John); nieces Rachel, Evelyn, Lindsay, Violet; nephews Michael, Philip, Ryan, Wendell Jr.; several greatnieces and -nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends in Vermont and Florida. She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Heidi; her parents; maternal grandparents Ray and Iva Carr; paternal grandparents Everett and Mary Walbridge; infant sister Janice, infant brother Brian; aunts, uncles, cousins and niece Megan. The family held a celebration of her life December 2, 2017, at the Berlin Health and Rehab.

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By Roland (Slim) Payne

Take a look at the effect of climate change on forests of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. We know our temperatures are rising, although from Christmas until January 7, 2018, that is debatable, but while we have ups and downs, the temperatures are overall warmer. So, what are the changes doing? One thing I have noticed is the rain. We don’t seem to get gentle soaking rains anymore. When it rains, it is quick and heavy downpours, so the rain just runs off, and the soil two to four inches down keeps getting drier. The fast runoffs wash away the soils and roads. What does it do to forests and wildlife? I will stick with trees today. Forests as we know them will stay somewhat as they are now through much of our lifetime, but scientists feel the forests will change very much over the next 100 years. Oak and hickory will move further north, as will maple, birch and beech. Fir and spruce will be pushed out as these species leave a gap in foliage and invasive species are likely to take over the open spaces. All of this is a projection, and Mother Nature surely has her own plan. I know all of this is difficult to really see, because it all happens so slowly with trees. If it was like corn, which happens in about five months, you would see changes immediately and more dramatically. Stay warm

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Humor from the HELPER

A kid saw his dad standing on the weight scale, sucking in his stomach and said, “Hey Pops, that won’t really help you, you know.” “Oh, it helps a lot,” replied the dad. “It’s the only way I can see the numbers!” The students’ summer assignment was to grow their own food. On the first day back in class, Johnny tried to explain why he had not brought anything in. “I wanted to grow my own food,” he explained, “but I couldn’t find bacon seeds anywhere.”

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By Susan Socks

“In order to be a mentor, and an effective one, one must care. You must care. You don’t have to know how many square miles are in Idaho, you don’t need to know what is the chemical makeup of chemistry, or of blood or water. Know what you know and care about the person, care about what you know and care about the person you’re sharing with.” — Maya Angelou Cabot Mentoring is seeking caring residents, age 21+, to be good listeners and friends to Cabot youth. It’s as simple as that! You don’t need to be a genius. Or an expert. Or famous. Or rich. You just need to be you. Can you go for a walk? Bake cookies? Read? Sew? Shoot some hoops? Go to a concert? Grow flowers? Do puzzles? Then you’ve got something to share. Of course, we all want to be good at what we do. Cabot Mentoring offers ongoing training to mentors, to help our mentors be effective and comfortable in their important role. We host training sessions, send webinar links, and loan out books. Mentors need mentoring, too! To learn more, or apply to be a mentor, contact Program Coordinator Susan

ing@gmail.com, or visit our website, cabotmentoring.wordpress.com. We’re also ready to match youth to mentors. If someone in your life is 7-17, and would like to spend time doing fun stuff with a nice person, contact us!

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Is Presidents Day

Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.

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Mikki

Hello, my name is Mikki. I am one of the sweetest boys you will ever meet. I am probably about three to four years old, though it is sometimes hard for those humans to tell. I was a stray, and a very nice person brought me into Kingdom Animal Shelter. I like other cats, and don't get upset by them. I am just a mellow fellow. I have a funny snaggle tooth on my right lower jaw, but my humans tell me it is quite endearing. I am FIV positive, which means I cannot go outside. But I don't think I would want to anyway...I really like a warm, cozy, peaceful place. If you would like to meet me, come to Kingdom Animal Shelter at 1664 Memorial Drive in St. Johnsbury

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Groundhog Day in

Groundhog Day falls on February 2 in the United States, coinciding with Candlemas. It is a part of popular culture among many Americans and it centers on the idea of the groundhog coming out of its home to “predict” the weather. The groundhog plays an important role on Groundhog Day.©iStockphoto.com/ David P. Lewis

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What Do People Do?

Groundhog Day is a popular observance in many parts of the United States. Although some states have in some cases adopted their own groundhogs, the official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, lives at Gobbler’s Knob near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The town has attracted thousands of visitors over the years to experience various Groundhog Day events and activities on February 2. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club plays an important role in organizing Groundhog Day in the town. Club members, news reporters, locals, and visitors meet at Gobbler’s Knob on February 2 each year to await Phil’s appearance and his weather prediction. Pennsylvania’s governor has been known to attend Groundhog Day ceremonies. Many weather researchers questioned the groundhog’s accuracy in predicting the weather, but some of the groundhog’s fans may not agree.

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Roots in Nature

Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the area of Europe now known as Germany believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. By the time the first German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania they probably understood that this was not true but the tradition continued. Unfortunately, there were not many badgers in Pennsylvania so the groundhog was substituted for the badger. Tradition has it that if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 it will be frightened by it and will then return to its burrow, indicating that there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way.

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Punxsutawney Phil

Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the United States in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887. It is said that Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) was named after King Phillip. He was called Br'er Groundhog prior to being known as Phil. Canada also celebrates Groundhog Day.

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Governor Scott’s

On Wednesday January 10, Advantage Cabot’s President, Karen Larsen, and Secretary, Susan Alexander, were invited to meet with Governor Phil Scott to discuss Advantage Cabot, an independent boarding program targeting out-ofstate students who will attend Cabot School and be housed with local host families. Also attending the meeting were Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe and Representative Kitty Toll. The Advantage Cabot team presented Advantage Cabot to the Governor, noting that the premise and execution of the program dovetails closely with several major themes from his recent public addresses, including: leveraging the excellence of Vermont’s schools to make Vermont an ‘education destination;’ fostering innovation and creativity so that even the smallest villages and towns –many of whom have not reaped the benefits of the economic trends that have shaped other regions - remain vibrant places to live and work; crafting strategies for both education and community development that are fiscally responsible and attract new resources, rather than further burdening the tax base; developing plans that attract and retain young people and young families who are needed and valued by Vermont’s ageing population; and investing in workforce development by linking education to local industry. The reality that Cabot is not the only community struggling with the twin forces of school financing and small student populations was noted by the group, and Secretary Holcombe agreed with the Governor that the Advantage Cabot model was one that could be developed and shared throughout the State. The endorsement of Cabot’s School Board, as detailed in Cabot’s Alternative Governance Structure, was discussed, as was the interest and support from donors and foundations ranging from private philanthropists to the Vermont Community Foundation to Cabot’s own Cabot Com-

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Support

munity Investment Fund. Governor Scott, Secretary Holcombe and Representative Toll all agreed that Advantage Cabot was “a great idea, really innovative and creative, and [we] should move ahead with all possible speed!” In addition to the meeting in the Governor’s Office in Montpelier, updates and ‘next steps’ from Advantage Cabot include: putting the final touches on the agreement linking Advantage Cabot with the Cabot School Board - a document which will be a critical piece supporting submission for Federal tax-free status; working with the School Board on community education to ‘get out the vote’ in support of the Town Meeting Vote on the school budget in early March; submitting grant proposals to the Vermont Community Foundation in mid-February; and continuing to develop and grow our network of supporters and advisors. Advantage Cabot will be speaking with nonprofit development consultant and founder of the Mountain School, David Grant, on Monday January 15, to discuss strategies for organizational maturation and success. Mr. Grant notes that Advantage Cabot is “a creative response to a difficult situation.” Advantage Cabot will hold its third Public Information Session in late February; stay tuned to local publications and Front Porch Forum for emerging details! If you would like to know more about Advantage Cabot and how you can help to grow an exciting local initiative supported at the highest levels of State government, please reach out to:

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Jaquith Library Open House and

Book Sale 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Marshfield. Join in for music, refreshments, kid friendly activities and find great books to purchase. Starline BBQ 6:00 p.m. Cabot. The Limes hosting Vermont's own Starline Rhythm Boys. Evening of music, dancing, southern BBQ buffet by Cabot School chef, Brock Miller. All proceeds support Cabot School band and their upcoming tour this June. Reserve your tickets.

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Sunday, 2/4

Ice on Fire 2018 2:00.-5:00 p.m. Montpelier. Hosted by Ice on Fire Central Vermont Winter Festival at North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street. Come all to this exciting event of many activities, hot food and drink to warm the soul. Opening parade at 2:00 p.m. Closing ceremony and bonfire 4:30 p.m. Suggested donation $1.00 kids, $3.00 adults, $5.00 family. Bring your own mug for chili or hot cider. Bring snowshoes, ice skates, cross country skis. Dress for the weather. Indoor space to warm will be available.

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Dance, Sing and Jump Around 3:00-

4:30 p.m. Plainfield. A family dance for all ages, circle and line dancing and singing games. Live traditional music, callers Liz Benjamin and Ethan Guiles. Plainfield Town Hall Opera House (accessible), Plainfield Village on Route 2. FREE for children, suggested donation $5.00 per adult. NO one turned away.

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The Poor People's Revival 7:00-10:00

p.m. Plainfield. The Grassroots School series hosted by Vermont Climate Union and the Vermont New Poor People's campaign present New York City born and raised musicians Feral Foster and Ali Dineen to the Community Center located at 153 Main Street. Bringing you folk, blue gospel and country music to enjoy.

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Snowmobilers Poker Run 8:30 a.m.

Barre Town.18 th Annual Travis Mercy State Park fund raising event, hosted by The Barre Town Thunder Chickens snowmobilers club. Serving pulled pork, barbecue chicken meal. Silent auction and quilt raffle to benefit TMSP located at Barre Town Recreation Area. Poker run leaves VT Travelers' Center (by Applebee's in Berlin) 9:00 a.m., arrive at school noontime, food served at 12:30 p.m. See more details at www.barretown thunderchickens.com.

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Valentine's Date Night Babysitting

6:00-10:00 p.m., Cabot. Cabot Girl Scouts with assistance of parents will offer babysitting service at Cabot School pre-2 building. $20.00 per child, $5.00 sibling discount after first child. Ages 2 months12years old welcome. Fun activities planned, snacks provided. Drop ins welcome but, RSVP appreciated. Call Darci

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Meditation

Classes 6:00-7:30 p.m., Cabot. Daria Babbitt, experienced instructor, will introduce different healing and spiritual techniques to reduce stress and discussion to follow at the Willey Building, Main Street. Open to all, suggested donation appreciated. Movie Night 7:00 p.m. Marshfield. A free movie (1967) Northern black homicide detective suspected of murder and a white bigoted sheriff join forces to find the killer. Marvelous social thriller at the Jaquith Public Library.

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Young Tradition Vermont with special

guest Andrea Beaton 7:00-9:00 p.m., Greensboro. Highland Center for the Arts teen players, singers and dancers ages 12-20 performing traditional music and dance repertoires. $20.00 suggested donation. Proceeds will support group's trip to visit Scotland. Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick Street. Music from the Studio of Diane Huling

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Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction

5:30-7:30 p.m., Cabot. The Cabot Girl Scouts Junior/Cadette troop will serve customers at the Cabot United Church. Dinner $10.00 adult, $5.00 children 12 and under. Silent Auction ends 8:00 p.m., do not need to be present to win. Questions or donation to auction call 802-

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Selectboard FY 2019 DRAFT

At the time of writing this article for the Chronicle, the Selectboard is getting ready to have its final budget meeting to finalize the budget numbers for the new fiscal year 2018/2019. Those numbers could change slightly, but should be very close to what is presented below. One of the main functions of the Board is to produce a financial budget each year for the Town to vote on at Town Meeting. This past year has been very busy, as we have had to develop two different budgets to accomplish one of our long -term goals: transition the town’s financial reporting from a calendar to a fiscal year. The first step was to plan a six-month transition budget that ran from January 2018- June 2018. That budget was voted on in November 2017 and approved by the voters. The new fiscal year budget that covers the period July 1, 2018- June 30, 2019, has taken a lot of work and many budget meetings. The Board has set aside an hour for a special budget meeting each week to discuss the expenses needed to meet the financial requirements of the Town. At these meetings, various functions of the town that comprise both the General and Highway Funds presented their budget requests. The budget process is a little more difficult, as we have no prior financial history to do a comparative analysis for the new fiscal year. This should go away within the next two years, as the numbers will be there to lay the groundwork for a good comparison.

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The DRAFT General Fund Budget

FY2019- (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019) is $712,533, as compared to last year's budget of $799,622, a decrease of $87,089. General Fund expenditures without projects increase the budget for the new fiscal year by $2,911. Several small budget changes are spread over multiple line items that did not change significantly from the prior year.

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CCA Receives a Challenge

(CCA) provides many services to the Town of Cabot, and is heavily reliant upon the fantastic volunteers that step forward and selflessly share their valuable time and efforts for the benefit of all. Without volunteers and the goodwill of donors, many of the efforts of the CCA would simply never happen. As part of our ongoing efforts to relieve the CCA from a dependency upon an annual town appropriation, the CCA is always searching for grants and donations. An anonymous donor has approached the CCA Board of Directors, indicating willingness to donate $10,000 to the CCA for economic development, as

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The DRAFT Highway Fund Budget

FY2019-(July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019) totals $794,500, as compared to the 2017 Highway budget totaling $1,656,700, a decrease of $862,200. There were $958,100 in highway projects in 2017, compared to a projected $57,500 in FY2018/2019. Without projects, the Highway Fund expenditures increase the DRAFT FY2019 operating budget by $38,400. The DRAFT FY2019 Highway budget increase results from small changes spread over multiple line items required to meet the ongoing needs of the Towns responsibility to maintain its roads. The projected estimate for the 2018-19 Municipal Property Tax rate is 0.6507, up from 0.6147 in 2017. The total tax rate is unknown at this time, as we do not have any estimates from the School or the State. Please note that the municipal taxes for the six-month transition budget are due on March 29, 2018. The taxes for the new fiscal year 2019 (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019) are due in two installments: municipal taxes due on August 15 and School taxes due on November 15. With this change, approved by the voters last year, taxes will be payable in smaller amounts in two installments rather than in one lump sum. The Town may not have to obtain a tax anticipation loan to cover taxes due and pay the resultant interest that has been an additional expense to the Town. The Selectboard will be holding an Informational Meeting on February 27 at 7 p.m. in the Willey Building to discuss all articles to be voted on by Australian ballot as required by statute. If you have any questions pertaining to the FY2019 Draft Budget, please contact your Selectboard or the Town Clerks Office. Michael Hogan, Chair- Budget Committee

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CCA to Purchase

(CCA) is endeavoring to improve our community, and as part of that effort, has applied for and received a Municipal Planning Grant for the town. The goal of this project has been to create a detailed economic development strategy and implementation plan for Cabot’s Designated Village Center. The CCA was asked by the Select Board to manage the effort and work with the contractor, Peter Fairweather, as he develops a plan for the community. In parallel with that effort, the CCA Economic Development Workgroup presented an opportunity to the CCA Board of Directors to purchase 3065 Main Street, sometimes referred to as the “brown” building, two doors down from the hardware store. The buildings between the hardware store and the fire department will play a critical role in the revitalization of the village. The investment is expected to provide an ongoing source of revenue for the CCA. After careful deliberation, the CCA Board of Directors approved making the purchase. The CCA has not finalized any plans for the building, but there has been

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Zoning and Access Modifications

The Planning Commission is sending to the Selectboard language for an amendment to the town’s zoning ordinance. The Town has seen a variety of applications for access improvements and modifications that, in some instances, require a variance if installed in the owners first choice of location. To permit some of these projects quickly landowners have adjusted locations to meet current setback requirements. In many instances, getting these projects approved quickly is the difference in a resident coming home from a care facility in a timely fashion or waiting until mobility improves. This also can affect an existing business when the owner, who needs to make code improvements for access to their facility, has to apply for a variance or conditional use application for what could be a . Recognizing that this is not currently addressed in zoning, the Planning Com-

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3065 Main Street

much discussion and rumor. After Peter Fairweather presents his economic development plan, the CCA Board of Directors will deliberate on the future of the building and will communicate its recommendation(s) to the town. The CCA is solely funded by donations, fundraising, and the gracious town appropriation. The CCA is asking for a loan from the Cabot Community Investment Fund (CCIF, formerly UDAG) to help purchase the property on Main Street. At town meeting on March 6th, the voters of Cabot will be asked to approve the loan in a town meeting article:

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Association (CCA) the sum of $60,000

from CCIF (formerly UDAG) funds in 2018 to be used towards the purchase of 3065 Main Street, to be re-paid over a period of 30 years, with a monthly payment of $167. This loan will be at no cost to the taxpayers, and the funds will be returned to the CCIF fund as the loan is repaid. The CCA Board of Directors respectfully asks for your support in approving this article.

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Notes

mission is sending the following language to the Selectboard and Town for authorization to allow applications that meet specific requirements to be approved with just a zoning permit. Ramps, stairs, landings and vestibules (not including porches or decks) for both residential and commercial structures, required for accessibility (permanent or temporary) require a permit. For those existing residential and commercial structures which currently do not meet the setback requirements, a variance or conditional use application is not required for such accessibility structures, as long as the following criteria is met:  The structure does not extend beyond the existing front or side line of construction; or  The structure does not reduce the setback by more than 50%; and  The structure shall not be constructed in the road right of way If the criteria cannot be meet, then the application would require a variance from the Development Review Board.

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Day Pullout

notified by postcard of the availability of the Annual Town Report. Said notification will identify pick-up locations, such as Post Office and Town Clerk’s Office, and the date of availability of the Annual Town Report (at least 10 days prior to the annual Art. 9. meeting in accordance with 24 V.S.A. §1682(a)). Copies of the Annual Town Report will be available in book bound format and electronically, and a copy may be mailed upon request to a voter or resident of the Town? [Australian Ballot] Art. 18. To transact any other non-binding business that may come before said meeting Art. 19. To adjourn this meeting. Dated this 18 th day of January A.D. 2018 Edward (Ted) Domey, Chair, Michael J. Hogan, John C (Jack) Daniels, Fred Ducharme, Barney Shatney Board of Selectpersons This Warning was recorded before posting, Attest, Betty Ritter, Cabot Town Clerk

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REGISTER TO VOTE:

There is no deadline to register to vote. You will be able to vote on the day of election. You can register prior to copy by visiting the Cabot Town Clerk’s Office or going online to olvr.sec.state.vt.us. Registration will be available at the Town Clerk’s office on any day prior to the election between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Registration will be available on Election Day during the hours the polls are open which is 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

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EARLY or ABSENTEE BALLOTS: The

latest you can request ballots is the close of the Town Clerk’s office on March 5, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. The voter or family member may request an early or absentee ballot in person, in writing or by telephone. Other persons may request an Absentee Ballot for another registered Cabot voter (in person or in writing), and the Town Clerk’s Office will mail that Absentee Ballot to the registered voter. Following are the ways of voting early or absentee: (1) vote in the Town Clerk’s office before the deadline; (2) a voter may take the ballots out of the Town Clerk’s office for himself/herself and return in the same manner as if the ballots were received by mail; (3) have a ballot mailed to you, and mail or return it to the Town Clerk’s Office before the election day or to the polling place before 7:00 p.m. on election day; or (4) if you are sick or disabled, request the Town Clerk, who must be accompanied by a Justice of the Peace, to bring a ballot to you at your home no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018. The legal voters of the Town of Cabot are hereby notified and warned to meet in the third floor Auditorium, Cabot Town Hall [Willey Building] on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. for a Public Hearing to inform the voters on the following Articles which shall be voted on by Australian Ballot on Tuesday, March 6, 2018: Art. 7. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot appropriate the sum of $717,300 to defray the general expenses of the Town, with an estimated $209,000.00 to come from income and $559,800 from local taxes? [Australian Ballot] Art. 8. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot appropriate the sum of $796,500 to repair and maintain the Art. 10.

Art. 11.

Art. 12.Shall

Art. 13.

Art. 14.

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2018 WARNING TOWN

(continued from Pull Out page 2) If the criteria cannot be met than the application would require a variance from the Development Review Board? [Australian Ballot] Art. 15. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot authorize the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District to appropriate and expend a budget of $760,519, at no expense to the Town of Cabot? [Australian Ballot] Art. 16. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot approve the sum of $1,000 to support the Cabot Conservation Committee? [Australian Ballot] Art. 17. Shall the voters of the Town of Cabot agree to change the way in which the Annual Town Report is distributed to the voters in accordance with 24 V.S.A. §1682(a), as

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Cabot School Board Chair

During the past month, our board has continued work on a budget for Cabot School for the 2018-19 school year. this The budget proposal approved year represents our best effort to balance the needs of our school and its students with the ability of our community to financially support the school. In building the 2018-19 budget, our main goals were to support the programs we have and improve them, particularly at the high school level. Over the past decade, we have reduced several programs and staff as enrollment decreased. While those reductions have limited tax rate increases, they also cut back on learning opportunities for high school students. Given that enrollment has been stable for several years, and increased slightly last year, our aim in this budget was to build back programming in the high school to benefit students here now and attract new students. Currently, two core high school teaching positions (language arts and social studies) are less than full-time (0.62 FTE (full time equivalent)). Our goal in our original budget planning was to restore these two positions to full time to increase course options for students in these subject areas. In addition, we wanted to restore a “capstone” project for twelfth-graders, similar to the IOTA project that benefitted many of our seniors in the past with an early introduction to a career path of interest while still in high school. Another goal in this budget was to increase hands-on S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning; currently, we have a wellequipped shop facility, but lack staff to offer this option to many of our stu-

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OF CABOT 2018

follows: “commencing in February 2019, the voters will be notified by postcard of the availability of the Annual Town Report. Said notification will identify pick-up locations, such as Post Office and Town Clerk’s Office, and the date of availability of the Annual Town Report (at least 10 days prior to the annual meeting in accordance with 24 V.S.A. §1682(a)). Copies of the Annual Town Report will be available in book bound format and electronically, and a copy may be mailed upon request to a voter or resident of the Town? [Australian Ballot]

Adopted and approved at a meeting of the Cabot Select Board held on Monday, January 22, 2018. Received for record and recorded in the records of the Cabot Town Office, Cabot Vermont on Monday, January 22, 2018.

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Update

dents. In addition, we aimed to increase the options for student learning beyond the school campus by adding a position to develop and coordinate connections between students with specific interests and community members with expertise in these areas. A major challenge in building the 2018-19 Cabot School Budget has been to support the school that we have, while making investments to improve it. During our planning, it became clear that our budget would have to be increased by approximately $135,000 to support additional students requiring special education services. In addition, our principal, Dave Schilling, made a strong case for the re-instatement of a school counselor position with a focus on the elementary grades. The inclusion of funding for this position (estimated $64,000 for salary and benefits) will address an ongoing need for support and counseling for this portion of our student body that has increased since the elimination of this position. Additional challenges include an “excess-spending penalty” enacted by the Legislature and a statewide three percent increase in the local tax rate applied by Montpelier to replenish the state’s Education Fund. For our school, the combined effect of these factors means a relatively small increase in education spending per pupil (two percent) translates into a ten percent increase in the local Homestead property tax rate. On January 22, we unanimously approved a budget proposal for 2018-19 that will support existing programs and begin making investments to improve Cabot School. It includes a school counselor at the elementary level, a parttime community learning coordinator, and the re-institution of the capstone/ IOTA program in the high school.

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About Advantage

1. WHAT IS ADVANTAGE CABOT? Advantage Cabot---a registered nonprofit Corporation in the State of Vermont---is an independent educational enrichment and boarding program. Advantage Cabot is NOT a private school and is not in competition with Cabot School. 2. WHY ADVANTAGE CABOT? The Mission of Advantage Cabot is to support Cabot High School by recruiting out-of-state students to increase High School enrollment to help make our school economically viable in the future. Added benefits to our school and our community will result from providing enrichment programs, as well as operating a boarding program housing out-ofstate students with host families. 3.

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ADVANTAGE CABOT?

In year one, the projected cost is $44,000, to be allocated as follows: $17,000 to Cabot School for tuition (same cost as students from Walden); $11,000 to operate an enrichment program for all High School students; $9,000 for Room & Board for Cabot families hosting boarding students; $7,000 to help cover administrative costs. 5.

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CABOT HIGH SCHOOL?

Parents are often looking for a good school to send their children to, several of them located in Vermont. Cabot School, which is an excellent school, has lots to offer and somewhere out there are students who will thrive in Cabot. We just need to find them to let them know all that Cabot School has to offer. 6. HOW WILL STUDENTS BE SE-

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ADMISSIONS PROCESS.

Cabot School will be directly involved in the Admissions process. While Advantage Cabot and Cabot School are two separate organizations, success will depend upon great communication and

These staffing additions represent an increase of $110,000 (or three percent) to the current year’s budget. Including the increase for special education mentioned above, as well as smaller increases in technology, maintenance, and construction, the overall Cabot School budget for the 2018-19 school year is $3,670,787 in this proposal. This represents an increase of six percent in education spending per equalized pupil, and if approved, would increase Cabot’s Homestead property tax rate by 29 cents (or 17%).

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CABOT?

The quick answer is that, if Advantage Cabot is given a chance, there should be multiple winners throughout the Cabot Community. Here are a few: 1. Taxpayers: If Advantage Cabot works, hundreds of thousands of dollars will be paid to the school from Advantage Cabot, resulting in fewer dollars having to be provided by Cabot taxpayers; 2. Families boarding students: In year one, the stipend that will go to families housing students will be approximately $9,000 per year per student; 3. High School students benefiting from an “Enrichment” program: EVERY high school student will be able to participate in ALL enrichment programs funded by Advantage Cabot. 4. Cabot Community: Cabot citizens will be involved in all types of enrichment programs. Advantage Cabot, like any business, will have expenses that will be paid by this non-profit corporation in Cabot. 8.

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PROGRAM?

Advantage Cabot will offer an expanded menu of activities and events that will take place during after school hours and on weekends, such as ski trips, cross country skiing, trips to the Savoy Theater and Catamount Arts, workshops led by area artists, internships at local farms and businesses, to provide a few examples. These are activities that we can’t sufficiently support with tax dollars. 9.

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TAGE CABOT?

Vote yes on the Advantage Cabot Article, which will provide $25,000 to Advantage Cabot from CCIF (formerly UDAG) funds; Please vote yes on the Advantage Cabot Article on the Town Warning authorizing the allocation of $25,000 for Advantage Cabot. Thank you. Advantage Cabot Board of Directors Karen Larsen, President Fran Voigt, Vice-President Susan Alexander, Secretary Jack Daniels, Treasurer Recognizing the challenges this rate increase will present for many taxpayers in our community, we believe it’s also crucial this year to begin to make investments to increase opportunities available for students at Cabot School, while continuing to provide support needed for the programs already here. We look forward, in the weeks ahead, to fully informing all Cabot residents about the details and potential impact of this proposed budget.

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Cabot School Facilities

As our community considers whether or not to make investments to increase Cabot students’ learning opportunities in the coming year, there are ongoing and critical questions about the level of investment needed to maintain and improve the various buildings of our campus where that learning occurs. Can we really afford to continue to operate a preK-12 school in Cabot, while at the same time addressing the documented needs of our physical plant? The purpose of this article is to help reach an answer to that question by reviewing the buildings’ specific needs, the work done thus far to address them, and the work that still remains to be done. In 2011, a team of architects and engineers led by Black River Design of Montpelier did a thorough assessment of our school facilities. For each building, they identified the parts or systems within it that needed replacement or repair, and included recommendations and cost estimates for potential improvements. A digital version of the team’s report, the Cabot School Facilities Assessment (including revisions added in 2015) is available on the Cabot School website. For the high school building (built in 1938 as part of a nationwide Works Progress Administration effort), the report recommended drainage measures to address recurrent water inflow issues; improved attic insulation; replacement of older doors and windows, roofing repairs, and eventually replacing the mechanical systems (plumbing and heating) in the building. Work done to date has included new foundation drainage around threequarters of the entire building, which (along with a basement sump pump) has since prevented the lower level from flooding with groundwater. In addition, several entry doors have been replaced, roofing repaired, and flooring tile replaced. In the budget for the coming year are funds for new carpeting in the library and new tile in the basement hallway. Work yet to do includes the attic insulation (estimated cost $70,000) and the recommended mechanical systems replacement ($450,000). While the mechanical systems continue to work effectively, the ongoing heat loss through the older attic insulation makes replacing it in the near future a priority. For the four “satellite buildings” built in 1971 that house the elementary campus and the art and tech-ed classrooms, the report affirmed that although the buildings were structurally sound, many of their component parts were in need of replacement after 40 years of service. Listed in the report for repair included roofing and siding; it also recommended replacement of doors, windows and heating units, and addition of insulation in the roof and foundation walls. During the past several years, extensive work has been done to prevent groundwater from entering the lower levels of the satellite buildings; in addition, side windows and front doors have been replaced. Although the primary unit roof was replaced in 2010, the most pressing need for these buildings at this time is replacing the minimal ceiling insulation on all of them and replacing the roof shingles on all but one. In addition to improving energy efficiency, the improved insulation will extend the life of the roofing by preventing

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Update

ice buildup and jams. We hope to have estimates for the cost of the roof/ insulation work on the satellites within the next month. In assessing the gym, the report found that “the only components of this building that do not need replacement are the foundations, the slab, and the structural arches and ceilings” and went on to suggest that the most efficient and economical way to do all the needed replacements would be with a major renovation. In 2006 Cabot voters twice rejected bond proposals to completely renovate the gym, which at that time was going to come at a cost of $850,000 to Cabot taxpayers. Current (2015) estimates for Cabot’s cost for this same major gym renovation are now at 2.3 million dollars: in addition to increases in labor/materials costs during the past decade, the State of Vermont no longer pays (as it used to) for one-third of school construction/renovation costs. In its report, the facilities assessment team divided up its various recommendations based on the the reason for the proposed improvement: energy efficiency, ADA requirements, system “at end of useful life” and finally, “failed system/ impending failure”. In the case of the gym, the report put replacing the gym’s roof at the top of its list, as a “failed system/impending failure”, while replacements of walls, windows and mechanical systems were included as energyefficiency improvements. During the past several years, leaks in the gym roof have continued to be patched, a new heater was installed in the lobby, and a spirited group of community volunteers completely cleaned and re -painted the gym’s interior walls. Included in the 2018-19 budget are funds to renovate the locker rooms and improve heating in the lobby bathrooms. But the (literally) overarching and highest need for this building is a new roof, and given the gym’s service and importance to the town, as well as the school, our board will ask Cabot voters on Town Meeting Day to consider using up to $200,000 of UDAG (now Cabot Community Investment Fund) dollars to contribute to that re-roofing project. The plan is to remove the existing and muchpatched metal roof that dates from 1980, remove the plywood decking beneath it, and replace the existing fiberglass insulation with tighter, more insulative sprayfoam insulation. (Again, improving the insulation will vastly reduce the amount of inside heat leaking up to the outer roof surface: saving energy dollars and reducing ice buildup, as well as the potential for roof damage that can result from its removal.) After re-insulating and replacing the plywood decking, a water-shield fabric will be applied under the new roof. Preliminary estimates for both the sprayfoam insulation and the new roofing (materials only) tallied to $88,000. We are at this time waiting to hear back from several contractors to get labor-included estimates to accomplish this major task. Given the strong interest in keeping any UDAG/CCIF funds in Cabot, we have asked several Cabot-based contractors to bid on this work. If Cabot voters approve the use of the CCIF funds in March, we plan to complete the replacement of the gym roof this

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Day Pullout

summer. With that done, the plan is to use our own maintenance staff over the next several years to gradually replace the siding, insulation and windows of the gym walls: in this way, the cost can be spread out and is often lower than hiring a contractor. The needs of the remaining three buildings on campus are much more limited. The cafeteria (built in 1995 as part of the same renovation that added the school library) also needs a new roof and better insulation beneath it. Recently, the cafe’s exterior double doors were replaced, some decayed siding replaced, and a new kitchen floor and porch installed. This summer, our maintenance staff will replace smaller sections of roofing over the kitchen and bathroom, and plan to replace the main cafeteria roof in the next year or two (preliminary estimates: $40,000-$50,000). The CSPAC building would greatly benefit from a ventilation system, and the wood-chip building will also need new roofing in the near future. So, circling back to the starting question of this piece: can we afford to meet all these facility needs while still keeping a preK-12 school in Cabot? The answer depends on how we, as a community, choose to meet those needs. When the most recent Cabot School Facilities committee completed its work in the spring of 2015, it brought forward two proposals that sought to address the needs of the elementary campus and the gym through a major, do-it-all-at-once renovation project. Both proposals included 2.3 million dollars to completely renovate the gym, along with differing sums to build a new, under-one-roof elementary school: Plan A laid out plans for a preK-6 elementary building in the event that Cabot High School continued to operate, while plan B included plans for a smaller elementary building in the event that the high school closed and some of the elementary students could move into the high school building. The total price tag for each of the two proposals was significant: Plan A with the larger new elementary building was estimated at 7.4 million dollars, while Plan B, assuming a closure of Cabot High School, came in at 6.1 million dollars. Along with interest payments over twenty years, the total cost to Cabot taxpayers of even the smaller proposal would exceed 8 million dollars.

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2-year seat on the Cabot School

Brigitte and her husband have lived in (16) years. They have five (5) children who time or another attended Cabot School. and operated a local business in Cabot since has seventeen (17) years of experience million-dollar contracts in the areas of estimation, ing, procurement, budgets, contract administration, struction, materials, and program management. rently serves as the Construction Management the Agency of Transportation. Serving on has successfully negotiated for the needs her knowledge, experience, and passion wants to work to preserve the small school that all residents can afford. She believes the educational experience that works best ceed. Her focus will be on fiscal responsibility, able quality in education.

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hronicle

So, without the sudden appearance of a wealthy benefactor (or the unlikely decision by Montpelier to renew aid for school construction projects), is it possible to handle our facility needs without going the super-expensive, all-in-one shot route? Certainly, the architects’ argument about the efficiency of doing it all at once is valid, but in our case, the cost involved to do so would certainly be challenging, if not prohibitive. Since the Facilities report was issued in 2011, we’ve made progress in making some of the more critical improvements it recommended through a regular budget allocation of $50,000- $70,000 a year. This year, for example, almost half of that sum was used to improve the drainage around the satellites and cafeteria, with the balance being used for smaller projects like replacing aging windows and flooring. Certainly, major pieces of the work needed to make our campus safe and efficient remain to be done: chief among them re-insulating and replacing the roofs of the gym, satellite and cafeteria buildings, and improving the insulation in the high school. If the town’s voters support the use of CCIF funds for the gym roof replacement, that leaves the remaining buildings’ insulation and roofs, along with the gym walls, to address during the next several years. We hope to have firm estimates for that work soon, but it will probably add up to over $500,000. To make steady progress on these larger projects, it’s very likely that our annual budget for “construction” will have to be increased to $100,000 or $150,000 a year. In summary, we believe that it is possible to meet the diverse needs of our facilities while continuing to operate our preK12 school, by continuing to prioritize and prudently address those needs in stages. Taking this route will certainly be slower in getting all of the work recommended by the facilities report done, but will allow us to take care of the most critical projects on our campus in the near future without incurring the huge costs of doing all of the work at the same time. We believe that we can effectively address the needs of our facility without taking on six or eight million dollars in bond payments over the next two decades. As we get a clearer idea of cost estimates for several of the projects mentioned above, we will share that information with community members. Chris Tormey, Cabot School Board

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Board

Cabot for sixteen have all, at one They have owned 2007. Brigitte working on multiengineerconShe curSystem (CMS) Business Manager for a number of national committees, Brigitte of our small state. She would like to bring for education to the school board table. She culture that Cabot residents value in a way every single child should have access to for them to grow, learn, thrive, and sucprogram sustainability, and measur-

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Name:

Edward C Smith Betty Ritter Michelle Leclerc Betty Ritter Town Treasurer Jack Daniels, Clerk Fred Ducharme, Bernard Shatney Ted Domey, Chair Michael Hogan, Vice Chair Shirley Ducharme Jeanne Johnson Jacqueline Lumbra Cecilia Gulka Jeannie McCallum Lynn Jones Susan Carpenter Dave Pike Vacant Deb Bothfeld Ruth Goodrich Angela Ward Melvin Churchill, Chair Frederick Pike Chris Tormey, Chair Randilee Raynor Sharon O'Connor Lisa Olson Jackie Folsom Beth Wade Stephanie Burtt Susan Dineen Linda Gabrielson Jeanne McCallum Lynn Lehoe, chair Non-term Tamara Feldman Non-term Sonia Bailey Non-term Laura Martin Non-term Chuck Talbert, Little League Non-term Non-term Non-term Jackie Folsom, Chair (Appointed Board) Chuck Talbert (Appointed by Selectboard) (Appointed by Selectboard - Village) Roman Frank with Cabot Willey Building Committee Fred

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Term:

2018 2020 Appointed by Selectboard: Brad Niels Bill

2020

2019 2020 2019 2018 2018 2018 2019 2020 2019 2018 2020 2018 2018 2018 2022 2020 2022 2018 2019 2019 2018 2018 2020 2018 2020 2018 2020 2019 2019

by School Water / Wastewater Superintendent Pound Keeper Animal/Dog Control Officer Fence Viewers Inspector - Coal, Wood, Lumber, Shingles Tree Warden Fire Warden Health Officer Town Energy Coordinator Town Service Officer Zoning Administrator Planning Commission (5 members)

Zoning Board of Adjustment (7 members - 1 year term)

Conservation Committee

Master of Colors Road Commissioner Town Attorney District Representative Regional Planning Committee Representative Emergency Management Coordinator Newspaper NEKSWMD Representative NEKSWMD Rep. Alt.

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February 2018 ~ page 7

Kokodyniak Kampf Ducharme Alexander Larson 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 Wheeler (Appointed by Selectboard)

Karen Deasy Cheryl McQueeney William Ameden Rusty Churchill Anson Tebbetts Roland Payne, Jr Andrew Luce Val Covell Michael Socks Bill Cobb Karen Deasy Chuck Marian (Chair) Kate Chatot Jean Saari Richard Aronson Karen Deasy, SecreDawn Andrewsf tary Kate Chatot (Chair) Larry Gochey Amy Hornblas Susan Socks, Alt Richard McClain Gary Gulka Chris Duff Charles Marian William Walters Karen Deasy Oliver Welters Michael Socks

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to VOTE

You will be able to vote on the day of electhe Cabot Town Clerk’s Office or going online be available at the Town Clerk’s office on the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday be available on Election Day during the hours to 7:00 p.m.

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By A. Pauly, Jr

Author of Merlin’s Veto: Chronicles of The New Merlin Change and shifting sands are the only certainty these days. I wake up one morning and the temperature is 30 below with a wind chill. The next day it’s nearly 50 in the shade. The following day, my tin roof is being pelted by sleet for 12 hours. It’s a lovely sound and lulls me to sleep quite easily. The wind, now that’s another story. The wind has always talked to me. It wakes me up and I feel restless and jittery. I remember the first time I heard it speak. I compare the sensation to the distant look a sage gets in the eyes. It’s a look that searches into the depths of reality. Quite a few nights I lay in my loft desperate to sleep, but the roof sounded as if it would rip off. Man, we sure had some good wind storms this year. Not to mention thunder mixed with heavy snow. The weather is erratic and more unpredictable each year. Making plans and preparations for this coming winter and how it may affect my hives took most of my energy. Now, in the depths of winter, I’m looking out at the far horizon that is fast approaching. Every taunting warm day births a greater urge for an early spring. Many people rest during the winter. Not me, I have lots of work to get done. Holiday craft fairs to sell honey products at, other products to make. Laboring at every opportunity to earn a few more dollars. Much of it going back into my business. I like the responsibility and the focus of my will towards a dream that I may or may not succeed at.

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Vermont Voter

You have the right to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, live in Vermont, are 18 years old and have registered. You have the right to vote if you are homeless. You have the right to vote if you have been convicted of a felony, even while you are incarcerated. You have the right to vote even if you have a guardian and even if you need help reading or filling out your ballot. You have the right to vote or cast your ballot if you are in line by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. You have the right to know if you are registered to vote. You have the right to ask for help from elections officials or from a friend or family member. There are some people who cannot help you vote, for example, your boss or a union officer from your job. You have the right to a secret vote. You do not have to tell anyone how you voted. You have the right to get a new ballot if you make a mistake. You have the right to vote for the person you want. You can write-in someone else’s

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Make a list of air leaks and

in my shed. I couldn’t get another hive in there if I wanted to. So far, the Ladies are doing quite well. The temperature in the shed is noticeably warmer than just a few inches outside the clapboard door. I sealed it up with used plywood and covered the windows, as well. The shed is so warped that the door doesn’t fit the frame any longer. I ran out of warm days in November and found myself unmotivated to engineer a solution. So, the shed has just enough natural old Vermont shed ventilation to keep the Girls in the boxes. Well Most of them. The reality of beekeeping in Vermont is that, no matter how hard you try, the bodies of dead bees will litter the snow. In my case, the cement floor of my winter bee den. I like this denning of the bees. It’s much better for them. The mice may eat a few, but they are more interested in getting into the boxes for the honey. Winter in Vermont has been a challenging teacher. She has knocked me on the knuckles and drawn blood/ depression quite a few times over the years. Working the bees, I’ve become a sun worshiper. Ice Honey Bees Old Wood Frost Sunshine 60 more days

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Bill of Rights

name if you don’t like the choices on your ballot. You have the right to leave some choices blank on your ballot. The choices you do mark will still count. You have the right to use a voting system for all federal elections that makes it possible for people with disabilities to vote privately and independently. You have the right to get a “provisional ballot” if you are told you are not registered to vote and you cannot swear or affirm that you submitted an application to register to vote in Vermont before the deadline. You have the right to know if your ballot, including a “provisional ballot,” was accepted for counting. You have the right to file a complaint if you think your voting rights have been denied.

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Call toll-free within Vermont at 1-800

about these and other voting rights. insulation levels You can greatly reduce your heat loss and lower your bills by improving air sealing and insulation. Grab a pad of paper and a pencil (or your smartphone), walk through your building, and make a note of any air leaks and missing insulation:  Air leaks. Look for evidence such as visible cracks, or drafts you can feel. Also check for gaps along floor edges, where walls and ceilings meet, and anywhere pipes or other hardware enters the wall. Next, search your building’s exterior for places where two different building materials meet—this often leaves a gap—or anywhere hardware or pipes pass through the siding.  Attic and basement insulation. Finished basements require insulation along perimeter walls; unfinished basements should have insulated ceilings and band joists. In finished attic spaces, look for ceiling and perimeter wall insulation. And in unfinished attics, check for floor insulation.  Wall and equipment insulation. Find an exterior wall with an electrical outlet. First, turn off the power to that outlet. Then remove the cover plate and probe behind the sheetrock with a screwdriver or similar tool to check for insulation. Also make a note of whether your water

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Trapping Licenses

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding hunters, anglers and trappers of changes to permanent licenses that went into effect starting January 1, 2018. A permanent license has been available free to Vermont residents 70 or older. Beginning January 1, a resident 66 or older may purchase a permanent license for a one-time fee of $60. All licenses may be purchased at a license agent or district office or online at www.vtfishandwildlife.com. People who already have a permanent license do not need to purchase another, but need to renew theirs in 2018. A permanent license allows a qualified

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ABSENTEE

The latest you can request ballots is the March 5, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. The voter or absentee ballot in person, in writing or by apply for the voter in person or writing. absentee: (1) vote in the Town Clerk’s office the ballots out of the clerk’s office for himself/herself as if the ballots were received by mail; (3) take it back to the clerk’s office before the 7:00 p.m. on election day; or (4) if you are two justices of the peace bring a ballot to Monday, March 5, 2018.

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Step 2 – Inspect heating and cooling

equipment If your heating or cooling system was installed more than 15 years ago, it’s most likely inefficient. Consider a new energy-efficient system if it’s in your budget. Even if you don’t replace it, two things can help your current system operate more efficiently: Have it professionally inspected once per year (or as often as the manufacturer recommends) Check all filters regularly

Step 3 – Look at lighting and appliances Do a room-by-room check of all lightbulbs, appliances, and electronics. Incandescent (traditional) lightbulbs use much more energy than newer LEDs, so consider replacing them. And look to see whether your appliances and electronics are ENERGY STAR ® certified—these models use the least electricity with no sacrifice in performance or features. You can find ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, TVs, and computers. For an objective review of your completed assessment or for advice on next steps, contact Efficiency Vermont cus-

Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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in 2018

recipient to hunt, fish or trap without purchasing additional licenses for the rest of their lifetime. Vermont’s permanent license can include all regular season tags, including archery deer, muzzleloader deer and turkey tags. Additional tags for second archery, moose and antlerless lotteries and waterfowl stamps must be purchased separately. A permanent license must be renewed every year, which is free online or at any district office. Anyone with questions should check Fish Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) or call the

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BALLOTS

close of the Town Clerk’s office on Monday, family member may request an early or telephone. Other authorized persons may Following are the ways of voting early or before the deadline; (2) voter may take and return in the same manner have a ballot mailed to you, and mail or election day or to the polling place before sick or disabled, ask the Town Clerk to have you at your home no later than 5:00 p.m. on

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Commission

The Vermont Republican Party has appointed Deborah T. Bucknam, Esq., of Walden to serve on the Vermont Commission on Women. Ms. Bucknam will serve the remaining two years of Susie Hudson’s four-year term. Ms. Bucknam has been practicing law in Vermont since 1979, and was licensed to practice in New Hampshire in 2005. She has practiced in all courts in Vermont, including the Vermont Supreme Court, and all divisions of Vermont Superior Court, including the Probate Division, Family Division and Criminal Division, as well as Vermont Federal District Court. She has litigated hundreds of contested matters, including personal injury, civil rights, voter fraud, land use, contract disputes, tax appeals, family and guardianship cases, criminal defense, and administrative proceedings before various Vermont administrative boards. Ms. Bucknam graduated from Vermont Law School, cum laude, in 1979. She is a member of the Vermont Bar Association, the New Hampshire Bar Association, and the Federalist Society. She received a certificate from the Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Negotiation. She is a member of the Board of the Thaddeus Stevens School. Last year, she ran an unsuccessful campaign for Vermont Attorney General, after winning the nomination in the Republican primary.

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Get Started:

Go to https://olvr.sec.state.vt.us/ 1. Fill in all of the required fields on the 2. You are not registered to vote until Clerk. 3. You should receive an acknowledgment ting or mailing your registration. Please received any information within this time. 4. If you are registering to vote in Vermont photocopy of an acceptable form of ID. ● Valid photo ID (driver’s license ● Current utility bill ● Current bank statement ● Another government document

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DEVELOPMENT

The Town of Cabot Development Review hold a public hearing on February 12, 2018, Building Meeting Room to consider the following Appeal No. 260 – Rhapsody Natural Foods an existing structure to a mixed use commercial Dated at Cabot, Washington County, State 2018. Karen Deasy, Zoning Administrator

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on Women

Ms. Bucknam’s husband, Charles, served on the Vermont Commission on Women in the 1970’s. At that time, the Commission was focused on the wage gap, child care, access to healthcare, and recruiting more women in more leadership positions in all sectors, “many of the same issues we’re faced with today,” n o t e d M s . B u c k n a m . The Vermont Commission on Women (VCW) is a non-partisan state agency working to advance rights and opportunities for women and girls. Sixteen volunteer commissioners and representatives from organizations concerned with women's issues guide VCW's public education, coalition building, and advocacy efforts. VCW offers many services to the public, including a toll-free information

many publications, including The Legal Rights of Women in Vermont handbook.

online application. your application is approved by the Town

within two to four weeks after submitcontact your Town Clerk if you have not

for the first time, you must include a Acceptable forms of ID are: or passport)

containing your residential address.

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Hunt Helpers to More

This spring, Community College of Vermont (CCV) will continue its partnership with the Vermont Department of Libraries, offering the Job Hunt Helpers program to assist library patrons with job searches and applications. Beginning this month, CCV students who serve as Job Hunt Helpers will again be available at the Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport, the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, Winooski Memorial Library, Aldrich Public Library in Barre, the Rutland Free Library and Brattleboro’s Brooks Memorial Library. Additionally, Job Hunt Helpers will be available at Bennington Free Library, Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury, Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, St. Albans Free Library and Stowe Free Library. The Job Hunt Helpers program launched in February 2016 with funding from the Vermont Department of Libraries, as well as the J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation. In spring 2018, the Job Hunt Helpers program will be funded exclusively by the Department of Libraries, which receives a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to promote information literacy in Vermont communities. Vicki Gautier, who received assistance from a Job Hunt Helper at Aldrich Public Library in Barre, was “very impressed with [the helper’s] friendly and helpful manner. She reviewed my resume, gave helpful suggestions and then gave me some links to go on to search for jobs. The Job Hunt Helper shared some of her experiences with different types of jobs and this was eye opening to me. I appreciated the time and effort she put into helping me explore different options.” Destiny Hall, an accounting major at CCV-Newport, has helped dozens of patrons at Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport. She works with them on such tasks as resume writing, online job searches and applications, and preparing for interviews. She also helps patrons with the basic computer skills necessary to find jobs. “It can be a little intimidating,” she observed. “I’ve had a lot of people come to me scared.” Her training as a Job Hunt Helper allows her to guide patrons patiently and supportively to gain the skills they need. Hall also finds that she benefits from helping others. “I’ve actually learned quite a bit from these people who come in,” she said. “It brings me a lot of joy, too.”

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Public Libraries

Vermont State Librarian Scott Murphy notes that the Job Hunt Helper program “has enormous impact on the lives of the individuals who use it” and believes the service contributes to the important role that town libraries play in Vermont’s economic development. In addition to funding the program, the Vermont Department of Libraries supports the work of Job Hunt Helpers with an online education and career resource called Learning Express-Library, which provides job market and career information, as well as practice exams for licensure in many occupations, such as nursing, electrical, and plumbing. The spring semester at CCV, which begins on January 22, will mark the start of the third year of the Job Hunt Helper program. Students have logged nearly 500 help sessions with library patrons to date, and that number will increase substantially, now that the number of libraries with Job Hunt Helpers has doubled to 12. Job Hunt Helpers are provided through a partnership of Community College of Vermont and the Vermont Department of Libraries, with generous funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency, through the Library Services and Technology Act, as administered by the Vermont Department of Libraries. CCV is Vermont’s second largest college, serving over 7,000 students each semester. With 12 locations and extensive online learning options, our students don’t have to travel far from their communities to access our degree and certificate programs, workforce, secondary and continuing education opportunities, and academic and veterans support services. The Vermont Department of Libraries supports libraries in Vermont as they work to insure access to quality information for their patrons. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow IMLS on Facebook and Twitter.

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T WIN V ALLEY S ENIOR

4583 U.S. Route 2

East Montpelier, VT 05651 Come and see what the Twin Valley Senior Center is all about! Please, take a look at our web page www.twinvalley seniors.org or our Facebook page www.twinvalleyseniors. We are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Lunch served at 12:15 p.m. those days with an asking donation of $5 age 60+ and all others $6. No one is turned away regardless of ability to pay. All is confidential. Ongoing activities five days a week. We have no annual dues and our Healthy Living classes are free. We are a non-profit and donations are always gratefully accepted.

East Montpelier, Vt. 05651. Free transportation to and from the center for residents in the six towns we serve. AARP Tax Preparers will be at Twin Valley Senior Center again this year starting February 9. We are now scheduling appointments for the upcoming tax season. This is a free service sponsored by AARP and hosted by your local senior center. The service is FREE to ALL low income residents. If you had your taxes done at the center before, you know these AARP preparers are well trained and very knowledgeable, plus they are super courteous. Yes, I am talking about Jim and Allen that will be back at the center. Taxes are done electronically,

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No Matter who you are

or where you are on life’s you are welcome to travel for as long as you need. The church is available for weddings, concerts, and anniversary celebrations and social 2278 and leave a message. *FYI: the church Pastor: Christina Findlay, Mdiv Music: Erma Perry, Bruce Westcott

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A personal note from Rita:

Want to say that Mother Nature was not good to Fred & Shirley Ducharme and all their wonderful helpers that spent so much time and effort on the Cabot Christmas Day Dinner they prepared again for everyone to enjoy free of charge. On this special day, these people think of others and work so hard to make sure everyone who would like a great dinner can have one. The weather was horrible, but I do want to thank my son Kevin and daughter-in-law Christine, plus grandson Chad for joining me in delivering meals from Cabot to the homebound residents we serve in the Marshfield, Plainfield and, yes, some in East Montpelier area. We got stuck once and had to be towed out of a plowed area, but it was all worth it, knowing people alone would enjoy the meal. We were given Divinity Fudge made by Audrey Huntington, and Rita is still wearing it!

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F ROM T HE C ABOT

Do you have a particular book/ audiobook in mind that you’ve been wanting to read, but we don’t have it here? Consider using our new, easier, more efficient interlibrary loan system, called CLOVER – for Collaborative Libraries of Vermont. If we don’t have it, chances are we can find it and get it for you. Did you know that Listen Up Vermont offers thousands of free audio and e-books for downloading? All you need is your patron number – call, email or come in to find out more. Thanks to you, we have submitted our petition to the Town for the proposed play structure outside the Willey Building, and you will see the question posed at Town Meeting. Please consider voting YES at Town Meeting to move this project forward. The question will read as follows: Shall the Town of Cabot, at no expense to taxpayers, approve of having a cedar log play structure for children aged 2-10, (approximate dimensions 28’ x 41’) situated on the corner lawn bordering the south side and back parking lot of the Willey Building? A safety fence will be included. The structure will offer natural, outdoor, imaginative play opportunities for children visiting the library. Questions? Please feel free to stop in

cabotlibrary@yahoo.com We look forward to hearing from you!

Story Hour – Tuesdays – 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Preschool story hour – stories, songs and crafts – all are welcome!

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Wednesdays, February 7 and 21 –

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Da ria 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.

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Dance – Saturday, February 10 –

7:30 p.m. This dance series consists of monthly dances on the second Saturday of the month September through May. All are invited. Music will be provided by David Carpenter and friends. 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, man-

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P UBLIC L IBRARY

dolins, 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-

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Climate Change Movie Series – Sec-

ond Tuesday of the month – Tuesday, February, 13 – 7:00 p.m. A film that follows Leonardo DiCaprio, a United Nations Messenger of Peace, as he travels the world to document the devastating effects of climate change already occurring around the world, the efforts of many to meet the challenge, and the efforts of some to close our eyes to the problem. “This documentary shows how interconnected the fate of all humanity is - but also, the power we all possess to build a better future for our planet.” First of a three-part series, meeting monthly on the second Tuesday of the month.

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Thank you!

Thanks to everyone in the community who has been so supportive of our idea to have a play structure constructed outside the Willey Building, especially to Susan Dineen for her excellent article in the January edition of the Chronicle. Thanks so much to all the Library Trustees and student volunteers who give their time, thoughtfulness and dedication to help direct the library in such positive ways – Stef Burtt, Susan Dineen, Linda Gabrielson, Jeannie McCallum, Billie O’Connor and Beth Wade. Many thanks to Norma Birmingham for bringing in The New York Times Book Review every week – it is much appreciated. Thanks again to all the folks who come in regularly to help out - Lorelai Bastress, Mekiah Smith and Beth Wade.

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Stopped Turnin’ that September Day?”

The Cabot United Church will be holding a spaghetti dinner and silent auction on Saturday, March 3, to benefit the Cabot Girl Scout Junior/Cadette troop in their mission to raise money to go to New York City and learn about September 11, 2001. They will then put together an educational presentation for the entire Cabot school on 2018’s 9/11 anniversary. We will seat people for dinner from 5:30-7:30 (hoping for a huge turn out and multiple seatings); the silent auction will end at 8:00 p.m., and you do not have to be present at the end to win. Dinner is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under. Bring the whole family and invite friends, too, for a fun evening for a great cause! If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to the auction, please contact Troop Leader Darci

herdling@yahoo.com.

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TOWN MEETING DAY BABYSITTING

The Cabot Girl Scouts, with the help of parents, will provide babysitting during town meeting at Cabot School in the pre-k-2 school building. $5.00 per child per hour . Ages 0-to 12 years old welcome! Money earned will benefit the junior/cadette Girl Scout troop’s educational trip to New York City to learn all about September 11, 2001, and prepare an educational presentation for the school on this year’s anniversary.

Questions? Contact Darci Herdling

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Commission Position available immediately

Looking for a little extra cash? Have a couple of hours a month to spare? Consider selling advertising for The Cabot Chronicle. Commission work pays quickly and allows complete freedom in setting work hours and location. Vehicle, computer and telephone required, along with a positive, responsible disposition and comfort with email and basic office software. Previous sales experience not required. Self-directed individual with an honest interest in supporting our local paper, serving local businesses well and conducting business with integrity and respect would be a welcome addition to a very small part-time staff.

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Diane Huling

Four singers will be featured with Diane Huling accompaniment on Sunday, February 25, at 2:00 at Cabot United Church. Presenting madrigals, classical, operatic and modern pieces as a quartet, duets and solos. Performers are  Janet Whitlock, soprano;  Lynn McKinney, alto;  Bill Rogers, tenor; and  Stuart Williams, bass;  Diane Huling, piano.

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At The Willey Building

Cabot Arts Show and Tell invites visual artists (folks that make things we can see) of all kinds to join us once a month on a Sunday afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00 in the Willey Building for discussion of works presented and happenings in the area.

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← From the Cabot Chronicle