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The Cabot Chronicle

April/May 2020 · Issue Record

← From the Cabot Chronicle

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

Original issue: Download the April/May 2020 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

State Budget

The first order of business for the House Appropriations Committee is to make needed adjustments to the current year budget to ensure the budget remains balanced. “Budget Adjustment” occurs midway through the fiscal year. The fiscal year 2020 adjustment was relatively small with less than a one percent change in the General Fund. This budget adjustment was supported with internal transfers and additional revenue as reported in both July 2019 and January 2020. The Governor’s Budget Address in January reveals the Administration’s proposed budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year, July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. The recommendations fund the work and the programs of all of state government. Following the Budget Address, the Appropriations Committee began its work to create a balanced budget for consideration by the House of Representatives. To involve Vermonters in the process and give community members the opportunity to voice opinions on the Governor’s proposals, the Committee held nine public hearings across the state, including two at the State House. Over 350 Vermonters shared their thoughts and concerns regarding proposed investments and changes to current funding. For a summary on the Governor’s proposed budget please visit: https:// finance.vermont.gov/budget/budgetrecommendations/operating-budget/ fy2021

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Message from Vermont’s Treasurer

The State Treasurer’s Office is responsible for reuniting Vermonters with lost financial property. Last year, over $6 million in unclaimed property was returned to more than 18,000 claimants and the Treasurer’s Office currently has over $94 million waiting to be returned. Common types of unclaimed property include:  Bank accounts and safe deposit box contents  Stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and dividends  Uncashed checks and wages  Insurance policies, CDs, and trust funds Utility deposits and escrow accounts If you would like to receive the unclaimed

DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior to production

Coordinator: Jeannie Johnson

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Kitty Toll

Cabot, Danville and Peacham in the Vermont is made up of citizens from across the city is represented by community members who voices to the House, where issues are debated. I who has reached out to me so far during the provides valuable perspective as we work the House advanced and passed a number of Vermont economy, invest in our communities, vulnerable Vermonters, and to prepare for the futo be in touch with me during the session.

property listing, please send an e-mail to al.laperle@vermont.gov or call 802-8282407 or toll-free in Vermont at 800-6423191. There is no charge to the owner for the recovery of these funds directly through the Treasurer’s Office.

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H.688-An Act Relating to Climate Change

H.688 – passed the Vermont House and is now before the Senate for consideration. The bill establishes the Vermont Climate Council which is responsible for analyzing and evaluating strategies and programs to ensure the reduction of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions. The bill requires greenhouse gas reductions consistent with Governor Scott’s Paris Agreement promise and VT’s 2016 Comprehensive Energy Plan.  26% below 2005 emissions levels by 2025  40% below 1990 emissions levels by 2030  80% below 1990 emissions levels by 2050 The bill also includes a Cause of Action provision. This provision does not allow the State to be sued for damages but rather would force the Agency of Natural Resources to advance efforts to meet the emissions requirements. Vermont has the highest level of greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the Northeast and is the only state whose emissions have increased in the last 30 years. These reduction requirements would be similar to other Northeastern states. Massachusetts passed a law over 10 years ago mandating less greenhouse gas pollution and has seen a 25 percent reduction in emissions, and a more efficient energy system. Connecticut, Maine and New York have all established a Global Warming Solutions Act and New Hampshire has a bill under consideration in its legislature. The House passed the bill on a vote of 105-37 and is in the Senate for consideration.

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Renter Rebate

The House Ways and Means Committee has worked to reform the renter rebate program. Renter rebate has long been a source of frustration for many. The goals of renter rebate reform include: simplifying the process; reducing the error rate of returns (currently at 66 percent).

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$20 per year ~ Half year

The House is working on a proposal to redefine income for this program, moving away from modified adjusted gross income, and to revise the program so that the landlord certificate is significantly simplified. To calculate rebate, the Committee proposes to use HUD numbers by county for both income and fair market value of rental properties to provide more consistency and fairness within the program. The bill has passed the House and is now in the Senate for consideration.

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Act 250

As Vermont has evolved over the past 50 years, so have the challenges facing our state. The proposed changes update and modernize Act 250, improve the permitting process and proposes initiatives to better protect Vermont’s environment. The proposal maintains the current system of District Coordinators and District Commissions. The bill supports development in downtown areas by lifting jurisdiction in certain designated growth areas (designated downtown development districts and neighborhood development areas) where Act 250 review may be duplicative with local regulations. This provision creates an incentive for growth in downtown areas and also provides a similar provision to lift jurisdiction for village districts with municipal plan, zoning and subdivision bylaws that include river corridor protection. The proposed environmental/working land protections include:  Expanding jurisdiction to better protect ecologically-sensitive high elevation areas, natural areas, and working lands;  Expanding jurisdiction to address development around interstate interchanges;  Adding criteria to protect forests and increase protections for wildlife habitat;  Adding criteria to address climate change through transportation and energy criteria, and incentives to concentrate new development in our designated town centers;  Improving protections for river corridors by requiring the Agency of Natural Resources to create a flood plain and river corridor permitting program that will increase resiliency in the face of more frequent, more intense flooding events brought about by a change in climate; Supporting the forest products industry through greater flexibility in permitted hours of operation and delivery of wood heat fuels. Improved public participation is a focus of the legislation. A provision has been added to include a pre-application meeting to enhance public participation and to allow applicants and interested parties the opportunity to learn about and discuss a proposed project, identify issues, and reduce points of conflict before appli-

bi-monthly and is provided locally

05647 ~ Published by the Cabot Community

express written permission from The Cabot Chronicle is contingent upon publisher’s approval and agreement claims based upon contents of advertising. Publisher does occupied by individual item in which the error appeared.

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Transportation Budget

The Transportation Budget proposed for fiscal year (FY) 2021 is a $641 million program that funds transportation projects across the state. This reflects a $25,510,077 increase over last year’s budget. However, funding for town highway programs reflects a decrease over the FY 2020 budget, dropping from $63.6M to $62.1. This trend reflects a 10% decrease since FY19. Last year, the General Assembly established a pilot Electric Vehicle (EV) incentive program that rolled out in December 2019. This program has already helped fund more than 50 new plug-in car purchases. The House is currently considering a $3 million proposal by the Governor’s to continue promoting EVs, including more public charging infrastructure. About 45 percent of Vermont’s carbon emissions currently come from transportation and investing in EVs will help reduce carbon emissions. . Minimum Wage S.23 - The Minimum Wage bill calls for raising the minimum wage from $10.96 to $12.55 per hour by 2022. A poll conducted by VPR – Vermont PBS showed 41% of those polled supported raising the minimum wage to $12.55 over the next two years; 33% of those polled believed the wage should be higher; and 22% supported leaving the minimum wage where it is now. This bill passed both the Senate and the House and was vetoed by the Governor. The Senate voted 24 to 6 to override the Governor’s veto and on February 25 th the House voted 100 – 49 to override the veto.

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Paid Family and Medical Leave

H.107 – The Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance bill was passed by both the House and Senate and was vetoed in January by the Governor. The House held a vote to override the Governor’s veto and was unsuccessful in its attempt on a vote of 99 – 51. Two-thirds of House members present was needed to override the veto. The bill would have guaranteed up to 12 weeks of paid parental or bonding leave and up to eight weeks of paid leave to care for family members.

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T0wn Meeting Report

(continued from page 1) The Vermont Legislature recessed for a week to help ensure that members, staff and visitors did not contribute to the community spread of the Corona Virus. On Fridays, 150 House members and 30 Senators leave the State House to return to communities throughout Vermont. On any given day it is not unusual for 100s of people, including school groups, to be in and out of the Capitol. The high number of individuals in one building, coming from all areas – including other states - identified the building a high risk. During the week recess, the building was thoroughly cleaned and open to only needed personnel. House and Senate leadership, legislative committees and all members have been meeting remotely to plan a path forward to complete legislative business. At the time of this writing, the Senate is planning to return to continue work on an emergency COVID-19 bill passed by the House before the recess. The budget is the only “must-pass” bill and plans to vote out this bill and other priorities are being developed. Please visit the following cites for information to help support Vermonters: COVID-19 Updates: www.healthvermont.gov/covid19 Unemployment Insurance: 877-2143330; www.labor.vermont.gov Small Business Help: https:// accd.vermont.gov/about-us/disasterplanning/covid-19-guidancevermont-businesses Essential Families needing childcare:

webportalapp.com/webform/ essentialworkers Childcare provider question: 800-649-

ahs.dcfcddchildcarelicensing@vermo nt.gov These are very troubling times and it is important that we all join together to support one another. If you need any assistance, please contact me: kittytoll@live.com ktoll@leg.state.vt.us

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Australian Ballot

(continued from page 1) before the articles are finalized, where the public can offer amendments, and the regular meeting. Ruth Goodrich, of the Cabot Select Board, noted that the board’s budget meetings are open to the public. Carrie expressed that everyone present cannot fit into the Willey Building (the budget meetings have been held in the town clerk’s office with limited room for public attendance), and others mentioned that the agenda for the budget meetings are too vague and do not identify on which day, or at which time, specific line items within the budget will be discussed. Since transitioning to Australian Ballots for financial articles in 2017, the attendance of Town Meeting appears to have not changed much. Town meeting minutes do not indicate attendance, but the number can be extrapolated from cast paper ballot when an article was contentious enough for the floor to call for a paper ballot. In 2015, before the transition to Australian Ballots, Article 24 received a total of 112 paper ballot

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Vermont’s Economy by the Numbers:

 The 42nd Annual National Movers Study conducted by United Van Lines, showed in 2018 Vermont ranked #1 for highest percent of inbound moves.  US News & World Report ranks Vermont as the 5th Best State based on more than 70 metrics.  U.S. News ranks Vermont first for economic equality.  At 2.2%, Vermont’s unemployment rate is at an all-time low.  According to the Small Business Administration Vermont has 7,783 small businesses and 158,098 small business employees.  Vermont is 8th least expensive for personal auto insurance - 22.24% below the national average according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  For the 4th consecutive year, Vermont has been named the healthiest state in the country by the United Health Foundation.  Vermont consistently ranks as one of the happiest states in the Union.  U.S. News ranks Vermont as one of the top states for health care access.

votes. This year, the paper ballots cast for Cemetery Commissioner totaled 100. In contrast, in 2015 there were approximately 333 Australian Ballot votes cast, and this year there were 528. The average since the transition to Australian Ballot has been approximately 520 over the last 4 years. In contrast, at the Annual School Meeting in 2015 there were 112 paper ballots cast on the school budget article. And at this year's Annual School Meeting, there were 32 people in attendance, not including those seated along with the School Board to conduct the meeting, which consisted of 14 people and 3 students. The discussion over the town’s budget process continued during public comment at the first Select Board meeting after Town Meeting, on March 5th. Since the last action taken before the adjournment of Town Meeting was the approval of a non-binding resolution requesting a binding vote next year to return to the traditional Town Meeting, this debate may continue over the coming year.

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Lisa Olson – 378

Write-in – 15 Steve Hogan – 1 Lydia Pitkin – 1 Jeremiah Breer – 1 Angela Ogle – 1 Ben Levitt – 1 Rollin Tebbetts – 1 Chris Mulligan – 1 Anyone - 2 Vicky Tebbetts - 1 Miranda Hunt – 1 Cecilia Gulka – 1 Blank – 1 Beth Nishball – 1 Isiah Mulligan – 1

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Professional collision repair, associated

we’ll handle your claim from start

~ Cabot Chronicle Mission The Cabot Chronicle is a home-delivered newspaper evolving community that provides the information their community. The Chronicle is as much about building trust writing, and editing. The CCA will devise a cost-effective encourages readers to slow down and spend time community cares about most and that which promotes tells the story of Cabot. Through The Cabot Chronicle the CCA will nurture promote the CCA mission to enhance the quality of and visiting Cabot, VT.

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Fred Ducharme – 417

Write-in – 14 Steve Godin – 1 David Pike - 1 Nedahe Stoddard - 1 Anybody - 1 Steve Hogan – 1 Isiah Mulligan – 1 Rick White – 1 Gwen Hallsmith – 1 Caleb Pitkin – 1 John Doe – 1 Terri Nunn -1 Peter Lloyd – 1 Blank – 2

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Statement ~

devoted to telling the stories of a diverse, and people want, need and deserve to know about

and inspiring engagement as it is about reporting, way of producing rich, engaging content that with The Chronicle. We will identify the content the the CCA mission while it sets the tone and

and grow the community to be successful and community life for those residing, doing business,

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Ruth Marie (Amidon) LaRose

Ruth Marie Amidon LaRose, age 86, passed away at the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehabilitation Center in St. Johnsbury, following an extended illness, on February 14, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was born in St. Johnsbury on July 22, 1933, daughter to the late Merton and Annetta (LaBranche) Amidon. She was raised and educated in St. Johnsbury, at Mount St. Joseph Academy. As a young woman, she worked as a dental assistant in town. She met her husband, Maurice LaRose, at his sister Yolande’s wedding. May 1, 1954, and They married on shared 63 years together—until his death in 2017. They made their home in St. Johnsbury, raising five children, and moved to Danville in 1971. Ruth and Maurice established LaRose Public Trucking in 1969, and Ruth managed all the billing and paperwork until their retirement in 1996. They built a new home in Danville in 1987, where they lived out their retirement. Ruth and Maurice moved back to St. Johnsbury in 2007. They wintered in Florida for over 15 years with the last several being in Webster. Throughout the years, Ruth was an active parishioner at St. John the Evangelist, including teaching religious education classes and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Ruth and her beloved Maurice were avid square dancers, and she sewed many of the outfits they wore. Ruth was talented

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Barbara J Morse

Barbara (Jeanie) Morse (80) finally joined her partner in crime and the love of her life, husband Cecil Morse, early Thursday morning after her battle with COPD and lung cancer. Barbara was born the daughter of Aimard and Frieda Lamberton of Marshfield in February 1940. She was a 1958 graduate of Marshfield Schools and later graduated from cosmetology school in Burlington working in several salons throughout VT. She met and married Cecil “Buggy” Morse of Cabot where they owned and operated the Lower Cabot General Store for over 25 years together until the sale of the store in 1985. Following the sale of the store, they started a new chapter planting and growing Christmas trees, operating Morse’s Tree Farm in Cabot for many years, selling thousands of Christmas trees and wreaths until her husband’s death in 2016. Together they enjoyed wintering at their home in Zephyrhills, FL and tending their trees during the summer and fall in VT. Each December at the end of tree season, they made the trek to FL to hibernate until signs of spring in VT. There they were able to visit and connect with fellow snowbirds. She also enjoyed being with her husband growing their

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EMORIALS

with knitting needles and her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the recipients of beautiful sweaters, hats, mittens, and afghans. Ruth is predeceased by her beloved Maurice of St. Johnsbury, her brothers Edward LeDoux, Richard Amidon, Lawrence Amidon, and her sister Darlene Martin. Ruth is survived by her five children: Susan Pierce and her husband, Wayne, of Essex Jct.; Jeanne Ward and her husband, Denis, of Monroe, NH; Thomas LaRose and long-time companion, Jacqueline Lumbra, of Danville; Marc LaRose and his wife, Diane, of St. Johnsbury; Patricia Pallis and her husband, Joseph, of Tolland, CT. Additionally, Ruth is survived by her eight grandchildren: Jessica Pierce-LaRose, Aaron Pierce, Kaitlin Ward, Jackie Gaouette, Jay Handy, Jon Pallis, Maggie Cofrancesco, and Sam Pallis. She leaves behind seven great-grandchildren: Mercy, Michael, Abel, Quinn, Mattingly, Maddax, and Elliott. Additionally, Ruth is survived her brother, Frank Amidon of Goose Creek, SC, and her sisters-in-law Rita Amidon of Fort Wayne, IN; Yolande Bates of Waterford, Jacqueline Greenwood and her husband, Robert, of Webster, FL, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, February 21, at St. John the Evangelist Church in St. Johnsbury, with private burial at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial Donations may be made to the St. Johnsbury Meals on Wheels &

05819. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com.

raspberries and blueberries, marketing them to local stores and giving them to family and friends. Recently being nearly homebound, she treasured her daily time spent with her siblings Carl “Cy” Lamberton of East Calais and Carolyn Ennis of Marshfield, mastering innumerous jigsaw puzzles. Greatgrandchildren brought her much delight and many laughs at their antics. Her faithful canines, German shepherds Jack and Jill, provided great company and companionship as well. Barbara leaves behind her three children, grandchildren and many greatgrandchildren; daughter Laurie Colgan of Marshfield, daughters Beth Davis Seniw (Kevin) and three children, Heather Colgan Carey (Benjamin), and their two sons; son John & Lisa Morse of Kirby, children John Morse and daughter Amber Neddo (Thomas) and five children; and daughter Holly & Shaun McGinty of Westwood, MA, and grandchildren Lauren and Ryan McGinty, also of Westwood; and sister-in-law Nancy & Sonny Houston of Zehpyrhills, FL and Cabot, VT. Also surviving are her siblings Carl (Cy) Lamberton and family, and Carolyn Ennis, and family; as well as other extended family members and many, many friends from over the years. She was pre-deceased by her parents and husband Cecil. Following cremation, a burial service will be conducted in late spring/early summer at the Durant Cemetery in

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Marjorie Bissell

Marjorie Bissell, 79, went to be with the Lord Monday, February 24, 2020. She passed quickly from a heart attack. She was born October 22, 1940. She was raised in Cabot and lived in Skagway and Fairbanks, Alaska, for 50 years. Bob and Marge were married in Cabot September 6, 1958. The three older children were born in Vermont and then he was offered a job in Skagway, Alaska, on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. They packed up and moved there, where they raised their family. They divorced just weeks shy of the 30 year anniversary. Then, after being apart for 30 years, they reunited in Virginia, and married on September 20, 2017. She is dearly missed by her husband, Robert Bissell, of Glade Hill, VA., daugh-

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February 27, 2020

Beverly Jean Talbert Boudreau, 87, passed away on February 27, 2020, at Transitions Life Care in Raleigh, NC. Born on January 28, 1933, in Cabot, she was the oldest of three children of Lynn Hastings Wesley Talbert and Helen Elizabeth Shaw Talbert. Beverly attended Cabot High School and graduated from Vermont Junior College. Beverly met her husband Paul in 1951 at Paine’s Dairy Bar, where she was working at the time. After her schooling, she worked with Dr. Arthur Gladstone as a medical secretary. She was involved throughout her life with many organizations, including the Billy Graham Crusade, the Bible Study Fellowship Leadership, the Christian Women’s Club, White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary, and chaired Glenaire’s Gift Shop. She loved to cook,

Lower Cabot, Vermont. A notice will be posted at that time. Her family expresses deep gratitude to Dr. Claudia Lee for her many, many years of care and support of both Barbara and Buggy, and also to the Central VT Home Health and Hospice for their exemplary care of our mom. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Holcomb-des Groseillers Funeral Home of Hardwick. ters Debra (Terry) Meroney and Robin Moran, sons; Daniel (Belinda) Bissell & Timothy (Kathy) Bissell. Brothers; Howard (Nancy) Houston, James (Joanna) Houston, and Michael (Ann) Houston, sisters; Jean Gaboriault, Patricia Rouelle & Linda (Wendell) Barney, sisters-inlaw, Barbara (Bob) Sicard, Betty Cochran & Carolyn French & brother-in-law, Ralph Bissell. She adored her 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren! Her passion was playing bingo twice weekly with her friend Vicky (Dan) Lynch of Rocky Mount, VA. She loved everyone she came in contact with and her smile would light up the room! She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Doris Houston, sister, Carol Houston and daughter-in-law, Tammy Lynne' Bissell. Her cremains will be buried in Cabot in the spring or summer. Arrangements were made by the Conner Bowman Funeral Home and Crematory in Wirtz, VA.

cheer on the University of Michigan, go to the beach and anything to do with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband: Paul Boudreau; siblings: Barbara Lord and Kenneth Talbert; children: Dana Reed Boudreau and wife Denise Kanyuh, Scott Parker Boudreau and wife Cindy Boudreau, and Kevin Paul Boudreau and wife Debra Boudreau; grandchildren: Dustin Ryan Boudreau and wife Wilma Metcalf, Melissa Nicole Boudreau, Benjamin Russell Boudreau and wife Chelsea Boudreau, and Matthew Wesley Boudreau and fiancé Lindsay Chatkewitz; nieces and nephews; and many friends, especially her best friend, Carol Vaughn. A Celebration of her life and reception was held on Tuesday, March 3, at White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations made in the memory of Beverly to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, Florida 33131.

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Daniel Carroll St. John

Daniel “Dan” “Danny” St. John, 74, of Biddeford, ME, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2020, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Scarborough, ME. He was born on April 16, 1945, in St. Johnsbury, VT, to Charles and Earlene (Coolbeth) St. John. Danny enjoyed deer hunting, ice fishing, watching old westerns, and many sports, including basketball and baseball. He is predeceased by his parents and sister, Charlene (St. John) Montgomery. He is survived by his three children, son Jay St. John, wife Maureen, their daughters Sophia and Mia, daughter Jill (St. John) Dutil, husband Tim, their daughter Alexandra and son Erin St. John, sister Linda (St. John) Mundle, husband Dick, brother in law John Montgomery. Also his three nieces and one nephew. Danny will be buried with his family in Cabot. To view Dan’s guestbook or to leave the family an online condolence please visit, www.coastalcremationservices.com.

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Name Term Expires

RD Eno 2023 Development Review Board Betty Ritter 2023 (7 members – 1 year terms) Michelle Leclerc 2023 Betty Ritter 2023 Betty Ritter 2023 Conservation Committee John Cookson 2022 Fred Ducharme, Chair 2023 Master of Colors Ruth Goodrich, Vice Chair 2021 Road Commissioner Matthew Nally 2022 Chuck Marian(Chair) Kate Chatot Jen Miner Bitty Ritter, Secretary Kate Chatot Amy Hornblas Susan Socks, Alt Chuck Marian, Chair Gary Gulka Chris Duff Roland Payne, Jr Bill Wheeler Bobby Searles Jeff Haslett Dawn Andrews

Larry Gochey Oliver Welters Jeffrey Haslett Brad Alexander Cedric Alexander Ken Denton Dawn Andrews Bill Walters

Town Attorney Michael Hogan, Clerk 2021 District Representative Brittany Butler 2021 Regional Planning Committee Jeanne Johnson 2022 Representative Jacqueline Lumbra 2023 Emergency Management Susan Carpenter 2021 Coordinator Dave Pike 2021 Newspaper Deb Bothfeld 2022 NEKSWMD Representative Gwen Hallsmith 2023 NEKSWMD Rep. Alt. Angela Ward 2022 Town Meeting Melvin Churchill, Chair 2021 Frederick Pike 2019 Chris Tormey 2022 Rory Thibault 2021 Sharon O’Connor, Chair 2021 Lisa Olson, Vice Chair 2023 Michael Taub 2022 Beth Wade 2023 Kurt Steinert 2021 Angela Olge 2023 Linda Gabrielson 2022 Jeanne McCallum 2022 Mary Saggerson, Chair Non-term Tarrant, Gillies & Richardson Representative Kitty Toll

Amy Hornblas

Jen Miner Hardwick Journalism Cabot Chronicle Ben Davis R.D. Eno

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Day Photos

Cameron North, Vice Chair Non-term Above: R.D. Eno moderates from the podium. Selectboard chair responds to Jessica North, Coordinator Non-term Stefanie Burtt Non-term Brock Miller Non-term Chair (Appointed by Selectboard) Greg Burtt (Appointed by School Board) (Appointed by Selectboard) Adam Overby Jeffrey Haslett 2022 Fred Ducharme 2021 Brad Alexander 2020 Paul Wade 2022 Bill Wheeler (Appointed by Selectboard) Dan Dunham (Appointed by Library)

Ruth Goodrich Cheryl McQueeney William Ameden Glenn Goodrich David Pike Anson Tebbetts Roland Payne, Jr Andrew Luce Val Covell October 2021 Michael Socks Brittany Butler March 2023 a question from the floor. Below: Selectboard members listen to concerns from the floor - l to r - Fred Ducharme, Ruth Goodrich, Mike Hogan and Matt Nally

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Cabot School Board

call votes. Those details are currently by Sharon O’Connor coming together. It's hard to know what to write with The Caledonia Central Supervisory so many changes by the hour. Website (http://www.ccsuonline.org/) has What is new is that Lisa Olson is now the most recent information on COVIDCabot School Board Chair and Rory Thi- 19. Superintendent Mark Tucker has bault is Vice-Chair. We will most likely written six Newsletters to the sevenbe moving to virtual meetings while one school community at the time of this member is at a designated place-with writing, and more updates will be added primarily only essential matters-and roll as information changes.

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Caledonia County Supervisory Union

Dear Cabot Community, I was asked to provide an update for the readers of the Cabot Chronicle on Cabot School’s efforts to support our students during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. I am writing this on Wednesday (3/18), the first day that school has been closed to students, knowing that by the time you read this in the Chronicle, some of what I say here may be out of date or superseded by events that have yet to arise. When we received the directive from Governor Scott last Sunday (3/15) to prepare to close our schools, we had already been making plans in anticipation that we might have to close – those plans had been underway for at least two weeks prior to the announcement. Planning for future events when you don’t have all of the parameters is challenging, but I want to commend the work that Principal Cresto, her leadership team, and all of the staff and faculty at the school had accomplished before last Sunday. Without that thoughtful pre-planning – at Cabot and every other school in CCSU – we would have been “back on our heels” this week. Here’s what I can tell you right now: Effective today, Wednesday 3/18, Cabot School is closed to all student instructional activities. The school closure is in effect until April 6 th , but in all likelihood will be extended beyond that date as the course of this pandemic unfolds. Additionally, the school campus is closed to any use by outside groups. This means the gym is closed for athletic events and other gatherings, and CSPAC is also closed. (There is a separate directive in place statewide that limits gatherings of 50 or more persons.) We are requesting persons who do not have official business on the campus to stay away. This request is based on our need to complete thorough sanitizing protocols in all of our buildings, some of which will be closed off once they are cleaned. The Governor’s directive told us to ensure that students who depend on the food service (breakfast and lunch) provided at the school can still have access to those meals during the school closure period. I won’t go into the specifics here, except to say that we are providing breakfast and lunch to any child who wants it and we have set up a delivery system to homes utilizing the school buses. The school reached out to all of the families of Cabot School, but if we somehow missed you, please contact the school if you need breakfast and lunch delivered for your school-age children at home. The Governor’s order stated that schools are closed to students but school employees are to report to work throughout the entire three week period. There are exceptions made for certain employees relating to their own health and their need to care for their own children at home because schools are closed statewide. monters” echo that be crisis want that cated Cabot because within of work fort ever the derstanding through several

Mark

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Tucker

We are continuing to pay employees throughout the closure period – we are not going to deprive our employees of paychecks and impede their ability to pay for their own health insurance. This was part of the Governor’s order, but I had already made that decision on my own. We have put a great deal of effort into developing Educational Continuity plans for our students. These plans will take various forms and will partly be determined by the age of the student and his/her ability to interact with staff using online connections. We have a good sense of who is, and isn’t connected to the larger online community, and students who are not will receive packets in the old way – printed format. Your child’s teacher is your contact point for these plans. At this writing we are still working on how we will respond to the specific needs of students on IEPs who receive direct instruction, given some of the complexities of need for some of our students. Last evening (3/17), the Governor issued another order directing schools to provide daycare for children ages six through grade eight if those children live in homes where one or more caregiver is defined as an “Essential Person” in terms of their need to be available to work to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. This includes educational staff, medical professionals, police, and other first responders. It does NOT mean that we are opening childcare for all families in Cabot; in fact, at this writing it has not been absolutely decided that Cabot will be a site for this service. We are looking at school locations throughout the Supervisory Union and beyond, and we will be making decisions on the best sites as determined by where our Cabot families actually work. It may well be the case that it is more convenient for these families to drop and pick up their children at another school facility that is closer to their place of work, and the Governor’s directive specifically allows families to make that decision. (This is clearly one situation that will be “out of date” by the time you read this.) Governor Scott has repeatedly said is a time of service for all Verin his public statements, and I that sentiment. I never imagined at some point in my career I would working on – indeed, consumed by – management of this scale. What I the Cabot community to know is EVERYONE in our system is dedito caring for all of the children in throughout. We will be successful Cabot School is a community a community. I want to thank all the staff at the school for their hard and for stepping out of their comzone to do so much more than we ask them to do, and I want to thank community for its patience and unas we continue to work the shifting issues over the next weeks.

Tucker, M.A.

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Cabot Lister Office

by Cabot Board of Listers

In light of Coronavirus advisories, the Cabot Lister office is closed. Closure will most likely follow the school closing schedule. We will keep the public advised via Front Porch Forum. Listers will do their best to meet your needs via email or telephone. Please call

is in the office at the time of your call, or email Lister@fairpoint.net and let us know what you need and how we can help you. We will respond as quickly as possible. We will continue downloading homestead declarations as they are received from the State, processing the calculations required for Current Use benefits, and supporting the townwide reappraisal process, as well as recording property transfers that occur until April 1 (State law requires tax bills be sent to the owner as of April 1 of each year, so we are required to suspend recording transfers in the Grand List from April 1 until tax bills are produced). The Townwide Reappraisal under order from the Department of Taxes is still ongoing. We are being sensitive to Centers for Disease Control guidelines for social distancing, and following the Department of Taxes Division of Property Valuation and Review best practices, but we are also still trying to meet the deadline for filing this updated grand

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What

We are in the process of soliciting staff two schools, running a childcare facility in tial Persons who are being called on to we know that we have staff available to simply "open the schools for daycare," as when we do open any childcare centers in to qualifying children of Essential Persons. ity at all seven schools in CCSU, so we will site. I have received a number of thoughtful mission - I do appreciate hearing back from to allow persons who have not been subject school, even on a volunteer basis, and we law enforcement agencies closing or limiting a critical step in the background check process. We hope to be ready if and when the unteers are agreeing to go work in any usually work at. I have designated a staff member on my person for the seven schools. If you are in Person, you have a child aged six through need of childcare, please contact Jessica Jessica.Monahan@ccsuvt.net. It would be easier for us if our resident by CCSU contacted us directly - the reporting agement website is episodic and we do not we might I absolutely requests Persons arrange so do not ensuring In the supporting you previously.

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Closed

list in time to produce this year’s tax bills. That plan, of course, is subject to change. For the time being, interactions between property owners and the reappraisers are completely within the control of the property owners, and are limited to confirming outside dimensions, which requires no interpersonal contact, and verbal exchange of information, which can be conducted from a safe distance or over the phone. We are doing our best to complete the work that needs to be done without jeopardizing anyone’s health. We will keep you posted to let you know if we are able to do that within the current timeline. We wish everyone good health and hope to minimize any inconvenience to townspeople. Jeanne Johnson, Jacqueline Lumbra and Brittany Butler

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is New

volunteers to work shifts at possibly one or the selected school for children of Essenrespond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Until perform this important work, we cannot one correspondent urged me to do. If and our schools, attendance will be restricted I do not think it is possible to staff a facilbe strategic in selecting an appropriate

suggestions on how to accomplish this the community. One thing I cannot do is to a background check to work in a are being somewhat hamstrung by local the hours of the fingerprinting services,

demand pushes us to open a site. Staff volschool that we open, not just the one they

Central Office team to take over as point a household with a designated Essential eighth grade, and you find yourself in

families in the eight communities served out of the Vermont Emergency Manhave direct access to look at it whenever want to. Contact Jess Monahan. need to emphasize that if we do get from our resident families with Essential needing childcare, we will first need to the necessary staffing at the school , bring children to your school without first we are set up to care for them. meantime, we are feeding children and their educational needs as I reported to

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Spring Ephemerals

by Chris Duff, for the Conservation Committee

Spring what? Spring ephemerals are the first blooming wildflowers that we encounter in the forests and fields as soon as the snow starts receding. ‘Ephemeral’ means transitory or fading quickly, and that is exactly what these spring bloomers do. These wildflowers are a perfect example of habitat adaptation. We often come across these flowers near the end of the sugaring season in the deep rich deciduous forests before the trees leaf out for the summer. Spring ephemerals will bloom and often become dormant in the few weeks that the sun hits the forest floor. Above: Dutchmans They are always a wel- Below: Trout Lily come sight to our winter-weary eyes, bringing color and cheeriness to the brown forest floor. Some of our more common spring ephemerals are spring beauties, trout lilies, dutchman’s breeches, squirrel corn, trilliums, bloodroot and anenomes. who have ventured into Most folks the woods at this transition time of year will be familiar with some of these flowers. Often the spring beauties will carpet an entire sugarbush with what looks like dainty white-pink flowers no bigger than a dime. While they look dainty, they are actually very hardy little flowers, putting up with spring snows, variable temperatures, and cold ground. The trout lilies are always a welcome sight with their bright yellow dangling flowers. Some trout lily patches may be a hundred years old. The dutchman’s breeches and

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Cabot Church Summer

July 9, July 23, August 6, August 20, Harvest Supper, Fall Foliage, squirrel corn are close relatives to our cultivated bleeding heart and prefer very rich moist soils. The dutchman’s breeches flower looks just like a tiny white pair of pantaloons. They are good indicators of healthy rich forest soils. The trilliums are familiar to most of us with their three petaled flowers in several different colors; the ‘painted trillium’ with candy striped pink and white flowers, the pure white ‘wake robin’ trillium and the deep maroon ‘stinking willie’ or red trillium. They are beautiful and welcome harbingers of spring. Another welcome harbinger of spring is the white daisy-like bloodroot flower with its big lobed leaves that linger awhile after the flower Breeches is past. A great place to view bloodroot is along the BayleyHazen Road up on the Cabot Plains in late April. Spring Ephemerals are interesting plants that have adapted to the forest floor habitat. They pop out of the ground as soon as the snow is gone, bloom for a week or so, set their seeds and gradually die back as the shade from the tree canopy darkens the forest. They are critical early pollen sources for the bumblebees before much else is blooming. Their seeds are very high in lipids and fats and a primary food source for ants, that will gather the seeds and store them in the rich forest soils, thus ensuring future populations. Spring ephemerals are also slow growing, and some may take seven years or more from seed to flower, so it is critical not to disturb these scattered populations.

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Cabot Trails Update

by Andy Gilbert

The Cabot Trails committee is currently in the process of wrapping up and completing the planning exercise we began last winter in conjunction with the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission. This is the culmination of a year of community outreach, meetings, and discussion around what residents are looking for in trails, what community concerns might be, how to best secure the support and cooperation of private landowners, and some initial getting out

The Cabot Trails committee was established non-motorized recreational trails in town. Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in to attend, and you don’t have to be on the committee will be quite reliant on folks that like to do If anyone is interested in knowing more or bert (andy@agilbert.net), or the Town Clerk.

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Late Fees Delayed to May 1

by Betty Ritter, Cabot Town Clerk

Due to many of the Rabies Clinics closing because of the Corona Virus, the Town of Cabot will waive the late fee for licensing your dog until May 1, 2020. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE FOR LICENSING IS STILL DUE ON APRIL 1, 2020. You can do this by dropping a check in the mail, or we have a drop box right outside the door that you can put your check in, made out to the Town of Cabot. We will then register your dog and send back a

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A DVICE FROM THE

by Roland Payne, Jr.

It has been a long winter and spring is just around the bend. But first, we must navigate the spring mud season and spring cleanup of the damage winter’s storms have done to the trees in our yards. During spring cleanup, any broken branches should be removed from trees, and the branch then cut off at the branch collar with a disinfected pruning saw. This will allow the tree to grow over and seal the wound from the broken branch. Any pruning tools, particularly saws used to prune trees, should be cleaned and disinfected before pruning each tree. This will prevent the spread of any diseases or pathogens present in one tree to the next during pruning. For disinfecting of pruning tools, Lysol disinfectant spray and denatured alcohol are both good choices for disinfecting solutions. hose If possible, spray saws with a first to dislodge all particles, then give a thorough wipe down with a rag coated with the disinfecting solution of choice. Good luck with spring cleanup and pruning chores. For residents next to a stream or the Winooski River, prior to spring vegetation growth is the time to look at stream/ riverbanks for signs of erosion and the possible need for any erosion control or bank stabilization. Spring run-off is usually very significant from mid to late

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April/May 2020 - Page 7

in the field and looking at trail opportunities. The final report that summarizes the work will be complete this spring. We will hold a community event, pending COVID-19 concerns, when possible to summarize and communicate. In the meantime, we have started securing some landowner agreements for trails access and are working to identify and establish areas where we can move forward with real trails! Stay tuned, keep getting outside if you can, and wishing everyone the best though these times.

to identify, establish and maintain Meetings are typically held on the 2nd the Willey Building. Anyone is welcome to help. The success of the effort things versus come to meetings and talk. helping please contact myself, Andy Gil-

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Due April 1

copy of the license and the new tag. The fee for this is $13.00 for dogs that are not neutered or spayed and $9.00 for dogs that are spayed or neutered. Our mailing address is P. O. Box 36. If you need to check to see if your dog's rabies vaccine is current, please give us a call at The Hardwick Veterinary Clinic has set up two additional days for getting your dog vaccinated. I am listing below the information: Again, the Town of Cabot is waiving the late fee until May 1, 2020 but a reminder that the date for registering your dog is April 1.

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T REE W ARDEN

April, making any hydraulic vulnerabilities along our waterways obvious. The Conservation Commission would appreciate input if you see any new signs of erosion occurring along our town’s streams or the Winooski River. Improving flood resilience needs to start at the top of the watershed; flood prone areas may be signs of a need for reforestation or some plantings in the riparian zone of a waterway. The end goal is to slow the flow of water downstream during heavy rains. The resulting erosion from heavy rain causes both sediment transportation and siltation problems downstream. Improved water quality benefits everyone and starts with acts as simple adding water bars or siltation fencing around ongoing projects in our yards. A simple google search of “erosion control” will provide many sites with instructions and standards for water bar construction and siltation fence installation. Currently, H.673, the tree warden bill, is being proposed by our legislators and has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. The bill contains many changes to Vermont’s tree warden statutes. If the proposed legislation is approved, I will cover the highlights in a future article, but anyone interested can find the proposed bill at the following URL https:// legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2020/ H.673.

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The CCA and Economic Development

by Lori Augustyniak,

Community members are curious why

has become so concerned with economic development in the town. The CCA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that works with community members and other organizations to enhance the quality of community life for those residing, visiting or doing business in Cabot. Community economic development is an obvious strategy to implement the CCA mission and here is a timeline of how CCA participation in and leadership of these efforts has evolved. In June of 2010, economic development was on the minds of community leaders when a community-wide survey, conducted by the Cabot Planning Commission, revealed that residents identified “a healthy economy” as the number one factor in maintaining a high quality of life in Cabot. Economic Development is included in multiple goals of a comprehensive update of the Cabot Town Plan adopted in June 2012. In September of 2012, the CCA facilitated the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) Community Visit in Cabot (https://www.vtrural.org/sites/ default/files/content/reports/community%

Cabot_community_visit_2012.pdf). Many priorities were identified, but the top three were to:  Develop a Cabot Agricultural Network  Develop a Community Arts Center  Improve Community Communications An additional priority that received attention was economic growth within the community. Economic development was not listed as a priority in the Community Visit Report and Action Plan because it was already included in the 2012 Cabot Town Plan, adopted just a few months before the Community Visit. The three priorities in the VCRD report are essential economic development tools and continue to be actively addressed through programs of the CCA the Greater Cabot Working Landscape Network, Cabot Arts, and The Cabot Chronicle . In 2014, the Town of Cabot applied for and received Village center designation, which supports the revitalization efforts of small and medium-sized historic centers. This designation makes it possible for smaller communities to access financial incentives, training and techni-

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A History of Cabot’s Economic Development

2019

2018

2016

2014 2012

2011

2010 • Building Assessment of 3065 Main replacement of the structure • Zoning Improvements to Village District • Municipal Planning Grant for Recreation • Village Revitalization Plan complete,  Support community to improve • Municipal Planning Grant for Village • CCA establishes its Economic Development • Cabot received Village center designation • Vermont Council on Rural Development Cabot. Priorities identified include:  Develop a Cabot agricultural network, • Cabot Worx—convened as part of in early 2012 and the CCA emerged • Cabot Community Planning Survey cal assistance needed to attract new business and enhance village vitality. A partnership between the CCA and Town of Cabot began in 2016 with the submission of an application to the VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development for a Municipal Planning Grant. Cabot was awarded the grant and work began in 2017 to evaluate the constraints and opportunities for Cabot’s Designated Village Center, to create a plan to revitalize the village and solidify its place as the economic and civic hub of the community. The plan was completed in May 2018 and a copy can be found at https://www.cabotvermont.org/economicdevelopment-workgroup/. Also in 2016, the CCA created the Economic Development Workgroup (EDW) to facilitate the work funded by the grant. The EDW included representatives from Town government including the Select Board, Conservation Commission, Planning Commission as well as village business owners. In 2018, the CCA purchased the brown building at 3065 Main Street, as it is a contributing structure to future economic development in the village, and began work to implement some of the strategies identified in the Village Revitalization Plan. (Cabot Artisans Gallery, local Broadband connections and internet accessibility, recreational trails, and consolidate and/or strengthen festivals and arts events) The CCA further invested time and resources in initiating a new Municipal Planning Grant project in 2019 identifying trails as a new and successful economic development tool to promote local recreation and connect the village with assets the State of VT is investing in – Molly’s Falls Pond State Park on Route 2 and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. New opportunities to promote the local economy are numerous, but for the time being, the EDW is focused on three tasks—how to address the property at 3065 Main Street, working with other downtown property owners to address village vitality and enhancing communication within and beyond the Cabot community. The CCA believes that as a community we need to establish a holistic approach to economic development (not just focused on tourism) that involves all key partners to identify strategies that will serve residents and visitors alike. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved with the CCA or the Economic Development Workgroup please email

2064.

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Strategies since 2010

Street by Vermont Integrated Architecture with support

approved Trails awarded to map and expand recreational priorities include trails-based recreation, Improve coordination of arts Revitalization Plan awarded Workgroup

Community Visit & Report, led by the CCA in

Develop a community arts center, Improve the now defunct Cabot Coalition- to address the concerns as a community development organization. conducted by the Cabot Planning Commission

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Vermonters for a New Economy

The state legislators gave themselves a recess before addressing some of the problems that the declaration of a public health emergency and mass quarantine creates. Not many legislators need to worry about paying their rent and mortgage when they are not working (the legislative job does not pay much and many of them are retired or live on passive or family income), but for the vast majority of working Vermonters, the closures, cancellations, and delays cause serious economic distress. The fact that Phil Scott vetoed paid family leave which would have made it possible for sick workers to stay home without penalty puts all of us in a lot more jeopardy now than we would have been otherwise. The delay in a long overdue raise in minimum wage also means that low wage workers simply do not have enough of a financial cushion to survive periods like this. Now with schools closing, we are faced with new life-threatening economic realities. Most working parents do not have adequate income to afford full time care for young children, so they have brutal choices – leave young children home alone, stop work and potentially lose their jobs, or find options where the children might be exposed to additional illness to make ends meet. How can the legislature make sure the most vulnerable among us don’t suffer additional hardship in this very difficult time? Our elders, our children, our friends and families with high risk conditions deserve better. Here are some things our elected representatives might consider doing, even remotely, while they are protecting themselves from getting sick: Expand unemployment benefits to cover people who are temporarily out of work because of the pandemic, not just those who have been ordered to stay home because they are sick. Reduce the paperwork required, make the benefits easy to obtain for small business owners and others who would normally have a hard time collecting the benefits. Enact a moratorium on utility shut offs, rent, and mortgage payments, putting barriers in place so people won’t lose their homes or critical services when they can’t work. This has been a successful strategy for pandemic containment in Italy, in addition to reliev-

from the Preservation Trust of Vermont recommending

trails

programs/community events, Address key buildings

partnership with the Town of

community communications of local business owners and the local economy.

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C OMMENTARY

ing families of unnecessary stress. Provide emergency funding to the Vermont Food Bank, area food shelves and community meal sites so people who have suddenly lost their income can eat. Subsidize the purchase of take-out containers for all the schools and senior meal sites in the state. Pay delivery drivers for their time and mileage. Expand the income eligibility for the program that provides Vermonters with subsidies for childcare for people who need to continue to work through this crisis. Vermonters are resilient and resourceful, yet this pandemic presents challenges even the hardiest among us have never faced before. We are fast to come to the aid of neighbors who need help, our small communities are tight knit places where people know each other and notice when something is amiss. Yet now it is wise for all of us to stay home, contact with other people potentially exposes us to sickness or worse. We need to work together to set up mutual aid networks and check on elderly friends and neighbors who might need extra help and for whom this disease could be deadly. With a lot of economic activity shut down, we also need to find new ways to trade and exchange with each other that don’t use the scarce dollars we do have. Time Banks like the Onion River Exchange, which allows people to make exchanges using time instead of money can help. Organizations like the VBSR Marketplace that facilitate business barter arrangements also can keep people employed and keep businesses running. If Vermont had its own public bank, finding the resources for all these emergency measures would not be so fraught with the looming overburden of debt we’ve had since we borrowed millions of dollars from Wall Street to rebuild after Hurricane Irene. Germany, Costa Rica, Taiwan, even North Dakota have these public institutions that allow the state to issue credit the same way banks do, and any interest that is paid on the lending comes back to the state. The 10% for Vermont program enacted back in 2014 proved that the concept worked, the $35 million that was put into circulation by the Treasurer’s office paid back much better interest than we get on our deposits held in the large Wall Street banks. But further efforts to use a public bank for all our public deposits have been stopped in their tracks by politicians like Beth Pearce who fear the bankers more than they care about protecting the interests of the majority of Vermonters.

(see ‘Community Commentary’, page 9)

demo and

in village center

Cabot Worx disbanded

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Cabot Skating Rink - New

by Susan Socks The Cabot rink had a successful, if short, 2020 season. We poured the water January 20 and had the final skate March 16. A fantastic new addition this year was the skate shed, which kept 32 pairs of good-quality skates clean, dry, and non-rusty. The skate shed not only makes skates easier to find, it will also extend their life, and extend the time between sharpenings. Shed base and skate shelving was built by the Cabot Tech Ed classes, under the very capable direction of teacher Polly Jerome. Another improvement in 2020 is the Cabot Rink facebook page, where we posted daily conditions. The rink depends on a large crew of volunteers to build, maintain, and store the rink. We depend on donations of skates and sticks for borrowing, and the community has been incredibly generous over the years. The rink also depends on rink patrons…seeing people use and enjoy the rink makes all the

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Cabot Community Theater

Cabot Community Theater’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has been postponed until it's safe to gather enthusiastic and supportive audiences of 120 people again! When we have a date, it will be posted on Cabot's Front Porch Forum and on our Facebook page, and will be in the next Chronicle if it’s after June 1. In the meantime, we are holding online videoconference rehearsals to practice our lines and music, review our

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*Cabot Fireman’s Association

The Cabot Fireman’s Association (CFA) is a Cabot-based non-profit 501c3 organization that has grown since a collective of Fire Fighters began efforts in the early 1990’s. This organization is a separate entity from the Cabot Volunteer Fire Department, and thus separate from the town of Cabot.The CFA funds are used to provide support that falls outside the scope of the Cabot Volunteer Fire Department town approved budget. CFA is solely funded by donations, gifts, “in lieu of flowers”; contributions from people within and outside the town of Cabot.The CFA has not and does not receive tax funds, and none of the organizers or members receive payment for their efforts. The main use of this Organization’s funding has been focused on recruitment, retention and overall support of Cabot Volunteer Fire Department members. CFA funding has been used to pay for the annual Thank You dinner, supplies to put on the annual Pancake Breakfast, training fees-so the members do not have to pay out of pocket, awards for years of service, parade and non-gear outfits-hats, shirts, jackets, consultation to support members and deal with Attorney fees at times of legal or insurance investigations. Our most recent donation, not taxpayer

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Lead Volunteer Needed

work worthwhile! I’d like to thank everyone who helped this year, everyone who donated equipment, and everyone who came out to skate. I went to an outdoor rink in Portland, Maine, this winter, with a roof, boards, and a Zamboni. While impressive, it also cost our family of 3 nearly $35 for an evening on the ice. I am very proud of our FREE facility, including free equipment use, run by volunteers, in our lovely village center. We have one of the best village rinks I’ve seen (though I may be slightly biased…). After nearly a decade as the lead volunteer coordinating the rink project, I am seeking a successor. I’d love to pass the project to someone who loves skating, so they will be invested in the project, and enjoy the time it takes to keep the rink in good condition. If you spend time at the rink, and are looking for a way to be involved and supportive in our community, please contact me at cabotfarm@gmail.com.

choreography (well, mentally, at least!), build our acting skills, and just to see each other! Once the weather gets warm enough, we may have giant outdoor rehearsals on the common where we can practice our choreography on a magnified scale (six feet apart!), so you may see us in action! After three solid months of rehearsals, it’s frustrating to have to put everything on hold, just when we were nearing our first run-throughs, but we plan to hit the ground running when we can, and hope to see all of you at the show!

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Information*

funds, has been used to upgrade the computer system at the Cabot Fire Department for documentation and record keeping, as technology is always becoming obsolete. This upgrade was prudent to ensure secure on-site and remote access. CFA will continue to grow in its efforts to support all volunteers of the Cabot Volunteer Fire Department, and thus helping residents of Cabot and surrounding mutual aid communities. Respectfully, Andy Luce President Cabot Firemen’s Association Cabotfireassoc@gmail.com

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Reprinted with permission from News and Citizen

by Susan Socks

It’s clear that mentoring benefits youth. But did you know it also benefits mentors? Adults who mentors youth:  Have the satisfaction of making a difference in the life of a youth  Know they matter in their community  Gain connections to a younger generation  Gain an appreciation for the diversity of people in our community  Add a person to their life who shares their interests  Have a lot of fun!

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Celebrates 28 Years

Bright yellow signs compete with a multitude of greens along Vermont's roads enticing visitors to the studios of craftspeople and other artists across Vermont during the 2020 Spring Open Studio Weekend taking place over May 23 & 24, Memorial Day Weekend. Open Studio Weekend is a statewide celebration of the visual arts and creative process, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to meet a wide variety of local artists and craftspeople in their studios, and purchase high quality, handmade artwork. The self-guided Open Studio tour features the work of glassblowers, jewelers, printmakers, potters, furniture makers, weavers, ironworkers, painters, sculptors, quilt makers and wood carvers. Many participating galleries will host gallery talks and feature special exhibits in conjunction with this event.

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Pandemic Economics

(see ‘Community Commentary’, page 9) It’s true that Vermont is a small state and taking on the banking and insurance industries to have truly public finance and health care is hard to do. The companies we challenge with these policies have lots more money than the State of Vermont, and they deploy many local lobbyists to make sure their interests are protected. Our lack of political will to do it

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mentors, too!

I am a mentor, and I love spending time with my mentee. We go for walks, bake & cook, create art, and talk. Sometimes we go out for a day to a museum or concert, and sometimes we stay in. But it’s always a special time. Mentoring is an important and rewarding part of my life. We are currently seeking mentors for a number of youth. Their anonymous profiles can be found on our website, www.cabotmentoring.org, on the “Youth Seeking Mentors” tab. A great youth may be waiting for you! If you’d like to mentor in our community, contact me at

ext 204.

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in 2020

The Vermont Crafts Council publishes a free map booklet with directions to participating sites. The Vermont Open Studio Guide is available throughout the state at Tourist Information Centers, galleries and studios. Request a map on the VCC website, http:// vermontcrafts.com/OSW/springmap.php

leaves us short in times like this when the economy is collapsing, and we have a serious health care crisis on our hands. Perhaps the pandemic will have a silver lining and the folks we elect to represent us in Montpelier will find it in their hearts and minds to take on Wall Street and the medical insurance establishment for the good of all of us.

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Reprinted with permission from NPR

When an infected person touches a surface, like a door handle, there's a risk they leave viruses stuck there that can live on for two to three days. Andrew Harrer / Bloomberg via Getty Images Originally published on March 14, 2020 How long can the new coronavirus live on a surface, like say, a door handle, after someone infected touches it with dirty fingers? A study out this week finds that the virus can survive on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours and on cardboard for up to 24 hours. "This virus has the capability for remaining viable for days," says study author, James Lloyd-Smith, an assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Los Angeles, who researches how pathogens emerge. Although the World Health Organization had previously estimated the survival time on surfaces to be a "few hours to a few days" based on research on other coronaviruses, this is the first study by scientists at a federal laboratory to test the actual virus causing the current pandemic, SARS-CoV-2. The study is out in preprint form and expected to be published. Interestingly, some surfaces are less hospitable to SARS-CoV-2. For instance, the virus remained viable on copper for only about four hours. It's useful to know how long it can stay alive of course, because the virus can contaminate surfaces when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Virusladen respiratory droplets can land on doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails or countertops — and spread the virus to anyone who then touches these surfaces. To test the survival time of the virus, scientists at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, part of the National Institutes of Health, conducted a series of experiments comparing the novel coronavirus with the SARS virus (a similar coronavirus that led to an outbreak back in 2003). In the lab, "they'd pick up the virus from the surfaces that had been contaminated and then put [the virus] into cell cultures," he explains. Then the researchers documented whether the virus could infect those cells in the dish. They did this multiple times, for both the viruses, at various time points. "Big picture, the [two viruses] look very similar to each other in terms of their stability in these environments," Lloyd-Smith says. Lloyd-Smith says these findings establish a good ballpark estimate for the survivability of the virus on these surfaces. "In a laboratory experiment, the conditions are pretty carefully controlled and constant," he says. By comparison, "in the real world, conditions fluctuate" — conditions like temperature, humidity and light. So the survivability may vary, too. For instance, if the virus contaminates a sunny windowsill or countertop,

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to Clean Them

it may not last as long. "Ultraviolet light can be a really powerful disinfectant and we get a lot of UVA light from the sun," says Daniel Kuritzkes an infectious disease expert at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Direct sunlight can help rapidly diminish infectivity of viruses on surfaces," he says. He was not involved in the new research. Much is still unknown about the virus's survivability on other types of surfaces like clothing, or carpeting. Kuritzkes says that based on prior research, it seems that "flat surfaces and hard surfaces are more friendly to viruses than cloth or rough surfaces." And how about food? "Food is probably not a major risk factor here," Kuritzkes says. That's because most infection from the new coronavirus starts with the respiratory system, not the digestive tract. So infection comes from getting the virus on your hands and then touching your own eyes, nose and mouth. "Of more concern would be utensils, and plates and cups that might be handled by a large number of people in a cafeteria setting, for example," he says. So, what can you do to protect yourself? Well, you've likely already heard this. Wash your hands. And wipe down shared surfaces.

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Wipe right: Use ammonia or alcohol-

based products. Skip the baby wipes. Maintaining awareness of the many surfaces you touch during the day and cleaning them with approved products will help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Max Posner/NPR "The good thing about COVID-19 is that it does not require any unique cleaning chemicals to disinfect hands and surfaces," says Andrew Janowski, an infectious disease expert at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children's Hospital. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the current coronavirus, Good old-fashioned soap and water does the trick. You can also use a wipe, but make sure you use an alcohol-based wipe, not baby wipes, which may not be effective, Janowski says. And given that wipes are hard to come by at many stores at the moment, you can instead buy an EPA-registered disinfecting spray, such as one on this list from the Center for Biocide Chemistries (https://www.americanchemis try.com/Novel-Coronavirus-FightingProducts-List.pdf), recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by Dr. David Warren, an infectious disease specialist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Or make a bleach-based spray yourself. You can make a DIY cleaning spray by mixing 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water, according to the CDC.

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Wash. Your. Hands. (Seriously!)

Yes, you've heard it a hundred times. So do it, already! Especially after you've been out in public, touching a lot of surfaces. Lather up with soap and scrub for 20 seconds. (Two times the "Happy Birthday" song, or sing "Baby Shark" — you'll get midway through Daddy Shark). And be thorough. Spend some time rubbing the backs of your hands as well as the front, interlace your fingers and pull them through, soap up each thumb with the opposite hand and, finally, to keep your fingernails virus-free, lightly scratch them against your palm. (For more detail, listen to NPR Short Wave 's Maddie Sofia give a lesson here: https:// www.npr.org/2020/02/28/810501490/ handwashing-101-a-guide-to-properwashing-and-drying.) Hand-washing is so important that if everyone followed good hand-washing hygiene, it could prevent an estimated 1 in 5 respiratory infections, according to the CDC — that's the equivalent of about 6 million cases of the flu this year.

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Hand sanitizer: DIY in a pinch?

Hand sanitizer is effective at killing viruses, too, although hand-washing is preferred, according to the CDC. If you can't get to a sink, hand sanitizer is a good backup plan — just make sure it's

at least 60% alcohol. Given the shortage of hand sanitizers in some stores and reports of pricegouging online, there's lots of interest in DIY hand sanitizer. We've seen lots of recipes calling for a combination of rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel, like this one from Wired (https://www.wired.com/ story/how-to-make-hand-sanitizer/). "On paper, if a recipe can maintain the alcohol concentration above 60%, it should be effective against SARS-COV2," says Andrew Janowski, but he says getting it just right might be trickier than you think. If in doubt when making these homemade sanitizers, soap and water are still effective against the virus.

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Your smartphone is like a third

hand. Wipe it down One way to fend off germs: Clean your phone. Your phone is your "third hand"; one that harbors the multitude of germs and bacteria we come into contact with each day. Photo Illustration by Max Posner/NPR So you've just washed your hands and

you're feeling squeaky clean. Then you pick up your cellphone, and guess what? It's covered with potential pathogens. "Studies have shown that smartphones surfaces are covered in bacteria, including bacteria that can cause serious infections like Staphylococcus species," says Judy Guzman-Cottrill, an infectious disease expert at Oregon Health & Science University. And phones are often held close to the eyes, nose and mouth, where germs can enter the body. So wipe it down often. And you don't have to rub down your phone for long if you're using an alcoholbased sanitizer. "Just a few seconds should be sufficient to disinfect," says Janowski.

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Try this stinky trick to stop touching

your face Having trouble remembering not to touch your face? Try rubbing a raw onion after hand-washing. Photo Illustration by Max Posner/NPR Your face offers multiple entry points for the virus. So every time you touch your eyes, nose and mouth with grubby hands, you risk infection. "If you have touched a table or a doorknob or some surface contaminated [with the virus] and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you have a chance of inoculating yourself with the virus," Kuritzkes says. But, as a matter of habit, most of us touch our faces multiple times an hour without even realizing it. So, here's an idea. "After you wash your hands really well, touch a piece of raw onion," says Catherine Belling of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. With this strong smell on your fingers, "you'll notice when you touch your face," she says. Sure, it may make you a tad antisocial, but it could be a good way to train yourself to touch less.

https://www.npr.org.

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Your Tax Money and Cabot

If you live in Cabot, you should know that your Fire Department is not experiencing a crisis. Not just yet, anyway. But there is both danger and opportunity of which you should be aware. The danger is twofold: The fire station is not in compliance with several health, safety and access laws that are very expensive to resolve. But, of more importance, even with spending more and more of your money to attempt to bring the building into compliance(as the select board is doing against the fire department’s wishes), at the end of the day, it will still not be adequate to meet 21st century needs for the Town. The Fire Department will still need to eventually relocate. Years ago, fire stations were often called "The Barn," as that's what most actually were. But now, more is needed besides a simple barn... or your present fire station. Space requirements become an issue as apparatus gets larger and more complex. Is it time to add a small 4WD engine that can access winter driveways and class 4 roads? How do you find room to safely decontaminate firefighters, turn-out gear and apparatus after a fire? Where do you find room for offices, a meeting area, and file storage? Dispatching in an event of a major town wide incident? How do you find space for training drills when weather prevents outside drills? The bottom line is the taxpayers of Cabot have spent over ten thousand dollars in less than eight months in a couple of sinks, a small heater and a few sheets of sheetrock, some paint and a metal door. This is just the beginning! Even after thousands and thousands of more dollars get dumped into the existing building, it still won’t be big enough or comply with all the safety issues. Is that what you want done with your tax

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NEKWMD Representative

Despite the slow decline in global recycling markets throughout 2019, the Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District (NEKWMD) kept a wide variety of recycling services available for the 49member District towns. A big thank you to Cabot and Marshfield residents for keeping their recyclables clean and sorted. For people who are not able to backyard compost, household food scraps are now accepted at the Recycling Center. This summer, the District is hosting a series of workshops for residents who want to learn how or improve their backyard composting. One workshop in the area will be on June 25 at the United Church Fellowship Hall in Greensboro from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The Cabot Recycling Center will remain open through the summer. Hours are 8:00 a.m. through noon every Saturday. A wide variety of post-consumer materials are collected for recycling. The Center is staffed, and trash and tire collection are also available for a fee. Be

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Fire Department

money, or do you think it’s time and more cost effective to build a new building on property that the Town already bought for just this reason, and to safeguard the volunteers. That would be a good “Thank you” to all volunteers. That the town folks care about their health and the new modern dangers of firefighting that are around us that we face potentially every day. Your 20th century fire station cannot meet 21st century Town needs. That's a danger that may eventually result in a crisis. But the good news is that there IS opportunity. There is land available for a modern building and grant money may be available to help. Different funding is being investigated (we’re taxpayers, also). Perhaps the town (you) could sell the old Fire Department building to a private entity. That money could be put towards the new building. It will also make all the violations that the Town is liable for go away. Your fire department would like to hear from ALL Cabot residents. Please email us at Executivecommittee@cabotfiredept.com or contact Chief Bothfeld. We'll listen to your concerns, provide information, discuss various options, share our concerns with you, show you statistics, and answer questions. If you've not been in your Fire Station lately, we'd be glad to show you around. As In the past, we will respect your wishes for confidentiality if you wish. And if you agree with any of our concerns, please voice your concerns with your neighbors. This is your fire department, and we, the volunteer members, ask for your support to meet health, safety and facility needs for our volunteer members that help you in time of need. We’re Neighbors helping neighbors. Respectfully, Walter Bothfeld, Jr., Chief Cabot Fire Department

sure to check the NEKWMD website at nekwmd.org for a complete listing of what is and is not recyclable in our area. A calendar of special collections is also on the website, including household hazardous waste collections and bulky furniture collections. One bulky day will be held in Cabot on August 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a chance to dispose of large items like couches and fur-

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niture. APRIL 19-25, 2020

National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society's greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world. Cabot runs on seemingly endless volunteer support. Thanks to every volunteer that is sharing time and energy to make our community healthy and strong!

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Cabot Untied Church’s Easter Week Services:

April 5, 10:00 a.m. , Palm Sunday Service with special music. Please note: This is the only Easter service at 10:00 a.m. we will have. There will not be a 10:00 a.m. service on Easter this year. April 9, 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday service: revisiting Jesus's Last Supper. Will include a simple Passover meal. April 12, 6:00 a.m . at the Cabot Plains Cemetery. Easter Sunrise Service. (Sunrise @ 6:15 a.m.) If the weather is bad, we will meet at the church in Cabot.

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April 12, (after Sunrise Service) 6:30

a.m. to 9:00 a.m.: Easter Breakfast at the Cabot United Church. Menu: Scrambled eggs, Ethan's famous pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, sausages, quiches, breakfast casseroles, muffins, coffee, tea, juices, etc. Cost? A donation. An excellent way for folks to start their Easter day. There will NOT be a 10:00 a.m. Easter worship service at the Cabot United

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Church this year.

From Route 2: take West Shore Road (west end of Joe's Pond) to Cabot Plains Road. Cemetery will be on the left after Dubray Road. From Route 15: Take Route 215 toward Cabot. Turn left onto Cabot Plains Road. Go past the A.M. Foster Bridge. The cemetery will be on the left. From Main Street/the Village: Take Main Street/Route 215 North up the hill to Cabot Plains on the right. Follow up the hill almost to Dubray Road; the cemetery is on the left.

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Dancing in the Time of Corona

ing in Cabot village. As those dates roll by Karen Mueller-Harder around, we will be announcing on Front The Cabot Old Time Family Contra and Square Dance is normally held on the second Saturday of the month, September to May, but these times are certainly not normal. We plan to resume dances as soon as it is safe and advisable to do so, but as of press time, it’s impossible to predict when that will be. Contra and square dancing involves contact, we are in an unprecedented holding pattern right now. The dances we have scheduled for the rest of this season are: April 11 with Lausanne Allen, and May 9 with Robin Russell, both at 7:30 in the Willey BuildPorch Forum and Facebook whether the dances will be held. If you don’t have access to one of those sources of information (and it’s not obvious that public gatherings are still not happening), feel free to

samlyman@fairpoint.net to verify. We hope to resume our monthly series with renewed vigor and enthusiasm for community in the fall on September 12, and also hold a “family dance” at some point on a weekend afternoon, with very easy and playful dances and movement games for humans of all ages.

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Do Good

In addition to supporting the Annual Toy Share, the Cabot Community Grant program also awarded funds in 2019 to support:  The Cabot Chronicle  Cabot’s July 4 Celebration  Fall Foliage Festival  Apple Pie Festival  Cabot Mentoring  Working Landscape Network Pollinator Initiative  Cabot Arts  Friends of the Cabot Library  Ride the Ridges  Cabot 8 th grade trip to Washington, DC  Yoga for Every Body  Cabot Village 12th Night Celebration  Central VT Warriors Boys & Girls Basketball All not-for-profit and community led initiatives that serve Cabot residents are eligible to apply for a grant. Funds will only be awarded to nongovernmental groups or organizations for operational expenses and not for capital investment. The maximum amount that can be requested is $500. For more information, or to apply for a grant, please email info@cabotver mont.org or call the CCA at 802-5632064.

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Applications Deadline

Post-secondary education scholarship applications are due at the office of the Cabot Town Clerk by May 1, 2020. The application is available on the town website under Community/Cabot Community Investment Fund (CCIF)/CCIF Education Grant: https://cabotvt.us///wp-content/ uploads/2019/05/CCIF-Education-GrantApplication-Form-Revision-May2019.pdf. Complete Education Grant applications include six (6) copies each of (collated): a. The Application Form b. The acceptance letter from the school/program or proof of enrollment; c. A copy of invoice from school/ program that was presented to the applicant; d. Documentation of any additional funding sources (i.e. financial aid, scholarships, awards, employer reimbursement, etc.; e. Proof of residency in Cabot; f. Original Personal or Professional

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Central Vermont Fiber

by Andy Gilbert The recent concerns about Consolidated Communications service and the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 have only reinforced the importance of having a reliable high-speed internet solution for the residents of Cabot. While we are not there yet, progress is being made and there is more good news to share. First, Cabot residents did a great job responding to the CVFiber survey. This is very much appreciated! A more detailed document that outlines the survey results for Cabot and all the member towns of CVFiber will be posted to Front Porch Forum soon. But a brief summary follows. Cabot had 133 respondents out of 776 households, for a 17% rate. This put us in the top five communities for response rate. Further 57% of respondents said they “definitely would” and 36% said they “likely would” subscribe to a competitively priced solution. Wow. Some pent-up demand there. In addition, 67% of respondents indicated they would consider a “pre-subscription” arrangement to help bootstrap the construction costs. Second, we are currently in the process of working with the Interisle Group to complete the initial feasibility and planning exercises needed to design and build a solution for our towns. This study will be completed this spring. The current plan is we will then be able to

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May 1

Essay (500 words or less) that has NOT been previously submitted. Completed Education Grant applications must be submitted by mail to:

VT, 05647 by the following deadlines: Post-Secondary Degree Program Education Grant applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. May 1 of each year, or the following business day, if May 1 falls on a weekend. Professional Development Education Grant applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m.on the first day of each quarter: January 1, April 1, July 1s, and October 1, or the following business day, if the first day of the quarter falls on a weekend. The CCIF Education Fund Subcommittee will review applications, and any application deemed incomplete and/or submitted after the deadline will be returned to the applicant. Education Grants Award decisions will be made by the CCIF Committee by the last day of the month, following the due date of the application.

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Update

apply for VEDA construction loans based on the work. This will be a huge next step. And while a lot of important activities and decisions remain, it would mark a big transition from planning to activity. To remind everyone, CVFiber is a group of 18 communities working together to bring a better Internet to our underserved residents and businesses. Cabot has been a member since mid2018. While the task is complex and will take patience, we feel it is vital to the long-term economic development and health of our communities. And it’s pretty clear it won’t happen if we just wait. All CVFiber meetings are public and warned. They typically are on the second Tuesday of the month in the elementary school in Berlin. The website is at https://cvfiber.net/. There is also a Facebook page at https:// w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / CentralVermontInternet/. Finally, all our revenue is currently through either grants or donations. Anyone interested in supporting this effort can contribute through the donation link available on the website. Funding $$ at this point are both critical to bootstrapping the effort and highly leveraged, as they are typically used to match grant awards. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me, Andy Gilbert, at andy@agilbert.net. Thank you!

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The Cabot Artisans Gallery

by Sandy Ducharme The Gallery Board members have been busy researching options for the 2020 season. We are excited to offer new opportunities to our members. There are many changes for the coming year. We are looking at reducing costs to zero so that all the monies the gallery takes in can go towards promotion and advertising for our members. We continue to be excited about welcoming new Cabot-area artists and artisans to join our gallery community. If you are interested, contact Sandy Ducharme at: sandy.ducharme@gmail.com or 5632745. The Gallery will not be open for retail business on a weekly basis. However, we have many opportunities for members to sell their work through the Gallery. We will host Artisan Exhibits and Receptions throughout the season. There will also be several “Pop-Up Galleries” for special events and days to include 4th of July, fall foliage, Christmas holiday season, as well as coordination with other Cabot community events. We will offer artisan workshops for our members as well. Members will be able to hold workshops at the gallery.

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April/May 2020 - Page 13

We are anticipating holding many different workshops. The website will be developed to include links to members’ websites and create a better web presence for all our members. There is the possibility of “coworking” studio space at the Gallery. We have a couple of artisans expressing interest in having their workshop in a portion of the Gallery. We look forward to other artisans taking advantage of the space opportunity.

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Month 2020

benefit family, peers, and neighbors every day. Communities, organizations, and individuals of all ages are also making their marks. This year’s theme highlights the difference everyone can make – in the lives of older adults, in support of caregivers, and to strengthen communities. We invite you to celebrate Older Americans Month and make your mark in May!

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Teacher

Cabot School has a longstanding tradition of participating in the National Geographic Bee. Open to students in grades four to eight, the competition involves thousands of schools across the United States and is designed to help motivate students to learn about the world and how it works. After careful consideration, National Geographic Society made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 National Geographic GeoBee and GeoChallenge competitions. This includes the state-level GeoBee Photo: Cabot's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers. Eighthcompetitions and regional- grader Silas Robbins will represent Cabot School at the level GeoChallenge competi- state competition. Congratulations to all! tions scheduled for Friday, Left to right: Satori Rossi—5th Grade, Silas Robbins — March 27, 2020 as well as the 8th Grade, Benjamin Monaco—6th Grade GeoChampionships scheduled Photo credit: Declan O'Connor — Cabot Leads Photograin May 2020 at National Geo- pher, 8th Grade graphic headquarters. Vicki Phillips, Executive Vice President and Chief Education Officer at the National Geographic Society explained, “The goal with the GeoBee and GeoChallenge is to provide competitions that inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world. That will always remain the North Star for these competitions. Although we won’t be able to move forward with the next levels of the competition as originally intended, we are immensely proud of our GeoBee and GeoChallenge communities and the inspiration and ingenuity they showcase every day.”

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Library Director

Well, by now you’re probably well aware the library has closed its doors in order to help stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The library Trustees and I will reassess the situation continually but will not reopen earlier than April 6. All library programs and events are postponed and community use of library spaces is suspended. We will be monitoring the official recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Department of Libraries. Due to the lack of reliable information about the relative risk of “curbside” services to patrons, we will not be offering this option. Our courier service for Interlibrary loans has suspended their service and we will also be suspending interlibrary loans until it is deemed safe to resume these operations. For the same safety concerns with library items potentially being vectors of transmission, please do NOT drop off library items in our drop box. Please hold onto them until we’re back open again. Don’t worry about items being overdue. Below are several excellent online options for you and your family to explore during your time at home. You’ll need your patron card information and an access number, which can be obtained

emailing (cabotlibrary@yahoo.com). If you are not already a registered borrower, call the library and we’ll get you registered. RB (Recorded Books) Digital – We received a group discount from the Vermont Department of Libraries and have contracted with RB Digital to offer you over 9,400 downloadable audiobooks, over 725 downloadable e -books, Pimsleur language EAudio, and Great Courses (ex. Practicing Mindfulness, Financial Literacy, The American Civil War). The best thing about RB Digital is that there are no holds or waiting lists for these titles; they are always available. Green

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TumbleBooks,

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tees McCallum, and very notice. patience miss possibly parts ing health Kathleen Library

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N EWS

Additional titles are added quarterly. Contact the library for sign up info. Mountain Library Consortium/ Overdrive/Listen Up! Vermont – 17,000 audio/e-books downloadable and free. Everything and anything. Contact the library for sign up info. Class – Access over 500 online courses free. This might be the perfect time to take that class you’ve always wanted to. Contact the library for sign in details. Online Library – lots of free articles and reference books online. Available through the link on our website (www.cabotlibrary.com) ebooks https:// www.gutenberg.org a world leader in online children’s book databases, announced they will make these resources available for free to all public libraries until August 31 st . These resources include animated talking picture books, read-alongs, ebooks, quizzes, lesson plans, and educational games. Call or email the library for access info. Wifi- The wifi will stay on, as always, patrons can access it from outside building. Health Commissioner Mark Levine, provides periodic updates on the response to COVID-19 and its strategy. Dr. Levine stressed importance of social distancing and precautionary measures. To view latest case and testing data, and imhealth guidance, healthvermont.gov/covid19. Special thanks to our Library Trus–Linda Gabrielson, Jeannie Angela Ogle, Kurt Steinert, Beth Wade - who helped make these difficult decisions with little to no Thanks also to everyone for your and understanding. I will truly seeing you these next few weeks, longer. It is one of my favorite of being a librarian. I will be thinkof you and wishing the best for your and safety. Hoyne Director

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← From the Cabot Chronicle