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The Cabot Chronicle

September 2025 · 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 September 2025 pages (PDF)

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

In This Issue

IF IT FITS INTO A TRASH BAG, IT IS NOT BULKY WASTE.

Tires are acceptable for a fee: up to 17” $5.00; Larger tires: 18-20” $7.00; (please no tractor tires!)

There will be a container for metal materials.

LEAVING ITEMS AT THE SITE AT OTHER TIMES IS CONSIDERED ILLEGAL DISPOSAL AND IS SUBJECT TO ENFORCEMENT ACTION.

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Thoughts on Legislative Service

Editor’s Note: At the conclusion of Greg Burtt’s first year of service as an elected representative of Cabot, Danville and Peacham, we thought readers might be interested to know what it was like for him to serve the community in the State House. Since the burden of public service involves the entire family, we had questions for Stefany Burtt, as well.

Questions for Greg:

Now that the first session of the biennium is complete, how does it look to you in the rear-view-mirror? “Looking back, I feel like I had a key role to play in some significant legislation. I'll say that, in the middle of it, though, I felt like banging my head against the wall some days.”

What gave you the most satisfaction?

“I gained the most satisfaction from helping Act 42 be signed into law. It increases the amount that can be earned out of a home kitchen to $30,000 annually. The "Right to Farm" bill was another important one that I was glad to be a player in.”

What was the most frustrating or difficult aspect of your legislative service this year? “I think the most frustrating thing had to do with an aspect of the culture among many of the legislators. It seems obvious to me that most of our taxes come from hardworking Vermonters who earn middle and low level incomes. For many, those resources took blood, sweat, and tears to make. I don't take that in a lighthearted manner. It better bring a good return on investment that goes directly back to the hard working people we serve. Instead, I saw on too many occasions an obvious disconnect where tax dollars are viewed as statistics, or numbers on a page.”

How did you incorporate your legislative work with your home and farm responsibilities? “ I worked a lot of hours. I didn't see my kids very much during sugaring season. I took as much time as I could off on Sundays when the sap wasn't running and spent time with my family. Stef has always been an amazing partner in our farm and home. She was working just as hard as I was. What lead you to decide to run for the House seat, and how did the actual experience compare? I decided to run because for many years I saw little to no value in investing myself in government. But over the last few years I've come to realize that we need folks who know how to lead well. I can't go too long thinking that without doing something about it. When I was asked last year to run, a sense of duty drove the decision for me. Really, the experience followed suit. I went in day one ready to work.”

What are your hopes/plans for the second year of this biennium? “My hope is to get the ball rolling on a few bills that I introduced that are stalled out in the Committee on Environment and Committee on Health. H.217 would ban geoengineering over our airspace. H.272 would not allow municipalities to use slope as a zoning regulation in development. And H.274 would make needed updates to the Patient Bill of Rights.”

Was it worth it?

“Yes.”

Questions for Stef: How did Greg's legislative service impact the family?

“The whole family went in to watch his swearing-in ceremony on the first day and it was really neat for us all to see where he was working and how different an environment it is from what we are used to seeing him work in. We went into this new job with a warning to the kids that they would see less of him during the legislative session this year, even less than a normal sugaring year, so that helped. I think we all respected the hard work and impact he was making for our region, so it was less painful to have him gone. He did a really good job balancing it all and I am in awe of the hard work he puts in all the time. That being said, I certainly called him while he was in session a few times, making sure I had just turned a valve the right way so sap didn’t flow on the ground, or in a bit of a panic on how to get a pump running again during sugaring season!”

How did you balance home and farm responsibilities with your partner gone so much of the time during the session? “We are used to him having long hours during certain seasons, so that helped us be prepared. We also had to hire another worker for sugaring season to help “replace” Greg while he was gone (hauling sap, checking vacuum, etc.). I tried to put in extra hours tapping and checking vacuum. The kids helped a lot this year, as well, pitching in. My oldest ones are getting better than I am at making dinner and the younger ones helped clean a lot! Grandparents on both sides chipped in as much as possible, as well, which we really appreciated. I boiled some without him, but the weather enabled us to mostly hold sap and boil when he was home on the weekends.”

What do the girls think of this aspect of your family's life? “They found it interesting to talk with him about the different topics going on in the state house. It was also neat for them to know that he was in the middle of important conversations in topics that are very relevant to their lives, such as the current school changes. (We also still never got used to him coming home in a suit!)”

Is there anything you'd like the public to know about the cost and benefits of public service of this kind? “I think any level of local activism is hard and yet beyond helpful to build the kind of community you might want. Whether it's school activities, sports or local volunteering. We felt maxed out with work, kids and life, but also felt that it was our time to put action into the thoughts, complaints and conversations we have had with friends and neighbors over the years. I am going to try to be more involved at a community level. Also, I often say that Greg is not political. It doesn't take someone political to join politics. I think the system actually benefits if it’s just your average American running for state office because they will be very in touch with most of the average person's needs and restraints. When I was in eighth grade I was a Legislative page and learned of the daily ins and outs of how our state democratic system worked. I am happy to hear that there are a few students applying to do that in Cabot and wish them success in getting the job!”

Are you ready to start it all over again in January?! “Why not - bring it on!”

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Act 61 Strengthens Right to Farm Law

“This is legislation that I helped out with this spring.” – Greg Burtt

With the 2025 legislative session now behind us, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is proud to announce the enactment of Act 61, a significant update to Vermont’s Right to Farm (RTF) law. While all 50 states have some form of RTF law, Vermont’s previous statute lacked clarity and strength. Act 61 changes that—providing clearer standards and stronger protections for responsible farming.

Why It Matters

Farmers across Vermont face the risk of nuisance claims, including that farmrelated noise, odors, runoff, or dust interfere with a neighbor’s property use. These lawsuits can result in costly civil damages or even shut down farms. Under the old law, farmers had to defend themselves by proving they met a set of vague legal standards. They had to show their farm predated surrounding nonagricultural uses and that their practices hadn’t significantly changed—an unrealistic hurdle for evolving farms and new operations.

(see, ‘Act 61’, page 3)

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Michael DeLacy and the New Cabot Village Store Team New Ownership Out of Old Connections

…the support that she's gotten from community members and through the Go- FundMe page. And she's just very, very moved by that. I have had to learn much more quickly than I thought I would. Theres a lot to learn and I'm not there, yet. You know, I mess up constantly and people notice, but nobody's upset about it because they understand that Tammy's gone and this is new to me. Bobby has also stepped up a lot. He fully understood that Tammy’s absence was going to have a drastic affect on the transition.”

Can you give me an example of how you messed up? “I've come to understand the people of Cabot love bananas. They love them! I don't know whether that's true in other places, but they are crazy for bananas here. Last week I didn't order enough, and so we didn't have bananas for awhile, and I felt pretty bad about that. And then I didn’t order enough milk, and I felt bad about the milk situation. Tammy just knows about how to order she has a total knowledge of when to order, what to order, and how much, among the million other things that make the store run as well as it does. And Bobby and Stephanie, of course, have been extremely helpful and incredibly generous with their time and expertise during the transition. I mean, I have certain ideas and stuff that I want to bring in, but I don't want to do it too quickly. I don't want to presume that I understand and know the needs and desires of the population of Cabot. I will slowly learn that. Like the bananas! I AM changing the pizza. That's one thing I’m doing. We changed the sauce from a savory to a sweet sauce, and we changed a little bit how the dough is prepared, and I think it's better. All I’d like to do is make the pizza more to my personal preference and hopefully others will agree that its good! I know that Bobby already has relationships with growers and farmers in the area, and I, of course, want to continue to embrace those relationships. A lot of farmers come into the store, and I have a new appreciation for them, and how hard they work, and the odds they're up against. I'm new to living in the country full time, and maybe people know this intrinsically about farmers, but I think that they are amazing and also greatly underappreciated for what they do for the community.”

What role do you see the store playing in the Cabot community? “Well, for me, I love when people are in the store and they're talking and drinking coffee or they're standing up at the deli counter. A lot of them are hard working folks just chatting away, and you know they have that moment in their day to interact and laugh or whatever, and I want to promote it more. I want to embrace that. I want to be able to create a space for people in the store so that they can set their coffees down for a minute, relax and catch up. You know, when I was a kid coming up to Vermont, I especially remember the Marshfield General Store, I would go in there and they had a breakfast counter and you could buy a grilled cheese or get scrambled eggs or pancakes. That was in the 70s, early days. It still had that breakfast counter. I loved that. So, I really want to make the kitchen a little bit more substantial, but that's not something I can do right away. I'd love to get a grill in there and a hood and be able to make grilled cheese or pepper steaks or cheeseburgers and the like. That would be fun. I just want to say, thank goodness for Sam Talbert - she came in and has been working a couple of days a week - if not for her, I don’t know what I would have done. This is the great thing about Cabot. There's a great support system here.”

How have local residents responded to the change in ownership? “People have been so sweet about the whole thing. And I think a lot of it is (see ’New Ownership’, page 4)

Michael DeLacy at the checkout counter in the Cabot Village Store.

by Jeanne Johnson

Michael DeLacy was kind enough to spend an hour talking to me at the Den on his day off. Here is what he had to say.

Tell me about acquiring the Cabot Village Store:

“We closed on the store on June 27. And the first thing I should make clear is that this is a family venture. It's me and my brother Stephen and my brother's wife, Holly, who are all involved in the ownership and operation of the store. Stephen lives in Cabot for about half the year, and is up here now. He has a full-time, very intense job. And so he's helping me with the general finances and organization., We do it together. But for the last couple of years, at least it was my goal to own the store. My brother and Holly were just incredibly generous, because this was never something they were planning on doing. They offered their support to me, which to me is an incredibly selfless and generous thing. And that's family, right? Without getting too sentimental, it all trickles down from our folks, who raised us to be loving and supportive family members. My mom and dad knew this was going to happen, and they were incredibly proud, I think. Our folks bought the land on Urban Road in Cabot in 1978, when it was a wooded lot. I was nine and I've been coming up here ever since My mom and dad, Donald and Mary Lou DeLacy, were pretty well-known and well-loved in the town, and we want to carry on that appreciation.”

Do you know why your parents chose Cabot? “My parents both grew up in Boston; my mom in Dorchester, and my father in Brighton, and for some reason, my dad particularly had an obsession about finding land somewhere, and he would go all over the place looking, and sometimes he would just stop the car and get out and walk into the woods. From his job in radio, my dad knew and was friends with John Garabedian, who had purchased land up on Danville Hill back in 1968 or so. In 1978, John told my dad about an auction. So me and my dad came up and my dad bought the property. Then it was all about building a little cabin. And we did that. And then, when they retired, around 1996 or 1997, they built a home and started living there for longer stretches. A couple years ago I moved up from Massachusetts. I decided to sell my landscaping company and move up here to help them age in place and stay at home. My brother and I wanted to be there for them, much like they were for us. It wasn't an obligation so much as it was something that was natural for he and I to do for them. Plus, they live HERE. I mean, how bad is it? It's a wonderful place to be and live, and my brother's family and my friends who are my family love it here. They love coming up. They love visiting here. I have very close friends who have kids who have grown up coming here.”

Where did you get the idea you wanted to run a store? “I was having a casual conversation with Bobby a couple of years ago, and because my goal was always to move up here when I got older, and I’m not in a position to retire, so I said, “Hey, if you're ever interested in selling the store, let me know.” And so, when the time came and I knew I was moving up here, I reached out again. We had our ups and downs, but we made it happen. And, you know, there's no commute, it's just down the hill. And I'm a former business owner, so I understand certain aspects of owning a business, although there isn’t very much crossover between landscaping and a general store. A long time ago in Boston I managed a couple of small restaurants, so I had that little bit of experience, but there were no career choices that prepared me for owning this store, and it's been an incredible experience for me. And it goes without saying that Tammy's absence has been a monumental challenge for me, and of course for her, too. I mean, she's been living with and recovering from her injury, and also feeling incredibly attached to Cabot and the people of Cabot. Her role at the Cabot Village Store has been so visible and critical to the community for the last 25 years or so, it goes without saying that many people love Tammy and miss her. I was just talking with her yesterday. She's so grateful for all

(continued from page 2)

Key Improvements Under Act 61

1. Clearer Definitions and Stronger Protections Farms that follow generally accepted agricultural practices are now considered not a nuisance. This protection can be overcome only if the plaintiff proves the farm caused substantial harm or acted negligently. 2. Shifting the Burden of Proof Previously, the burden of establishing nuisance protection was on the farmer. Now, the responsibility shifts to the plaintiff, who must demonstrate that the farm acted improperly. 3. Support for New and Evolving Farms are no longer required to prove they were there first or that their practices have remained unchanged. This change encourages innovation, diversification, and the growth of new farms. 4. Mediation First Before filing a nuisance lawsuit, property owners must attempt to resolve the issue through dialogue and mandatory mediation with the farmer. 5. Good Standing Requirement

To receive nuisance protection, farms must be in good regulatory standing—meaning they have no unresolved final enforcement actions with the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets or the Agency of Natural Resources.

A Stronger Future for Vermont Agriculture Farming is a demanding, highly regulated profession. Act 61 affirms that farms following sound practices should not be punished for simply doing their jobs. While the law doesn’t prevent lawsuits, it gives responsible farms a stronger legal defense. We’re grateful to Governor Phil Scott for his leadership, and to the legislators, farmers, and agricultural groups—including the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance—who worked tirelessly to make this reform a reality.

Note: This summary is not a legal interpretation.

The beginning of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 3.

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OBITUARIES

Joseph Norman Alexander Dr. Jeanne A. Brink Dr. Jeanne Brink

Dr. Jeanne Anne Brink, D.A. (h.c.), known affectionately by her Abenaki friends as "Azôniz", and "Mom" and "Gram" by her loving family, crossed into the spirit world on the evening of Tuesday August 5, 2025, at her residence in Madisonville, TN. Jeanne departed this life just as she enjoyed living it: in the presence of her loved ones. Her passage from the physical to the spiritual world was done so in the loving hands of her husband of fiftyfour years and her beloved son. The story of Azoniz's remarkable life on this earth began 80 years ago. Born Jeanne Anne DeForge on November 12, 1944, in Montpelier, VT, to the late Nettie (Royce) DeForge (Miles) and Charles DeForge, Jeanne grew up in Berlin, the eldest of four children. A direct descendant of the Obomsawin family of Thompson's Point, VT, an Abenaki family known for their fine craftsmanship, especially in basketmaking, Jeanne's family proudly traced their Abenaki ancestry back hundreds of years. Her great -grandfather, Simon Obomsawin, was born on the Odanak Reserve in St. Francis, Quebec, and later settled with his family on the shores of Lake Champlain in the early-1900s. As a child, Jeanne grew up watching her grandmother,

David Creighton David Creighton, 79, of Cabot, passed away early Sunday morning, August 10, at his home. He was in the arms of his loving family, on a beautiful Vermont summer night, under a full moon. It was his favorite type of night.

David was born March 29, 1946, in Waterbury, CT. He was the third child of Eunice and Erwin Creighton, of Woodbury, CT. In 1964, he graduated from Woodbury High School and joined the United States Marine Corps, where he honorably served for four years. Some of his fondest memories of the USMC were those he made while stationed in Hawaii. There, he was a Sergeant of the Pearl Harbor Honor Guard and was in charge of the Honor Guard for the Battleship Arizona memorial. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Dave earned his license as a journeyman electrician. He married his late wife Denise in 1968; they were inseparable for 34 years until her passing in 2003. They had four daughters together and built a life to be proud of. In 1983, Dave and his family moved to Cabot. He worked in Vermont State Parks for over 25 years, where he met his wife, Michelle, and they married in 2008.

Elvine Obomsawin Royce, and her great aunts weaving fancy ash splint and sweetgrass baskets, a tradition dating back centuries. During her childhood and adolescence, Jeanne recalled hearing her grandmother and other relatives speaking in their native Western Abenaki tongue – memories that left a lasting imprint on her life. A naturally gifted student, Jeanne graduated from Montpelier High School in 1962. After graduating high school, Jeanne began working for the Civil Service Office in Montpelier during the height of the Vietnam War. She married the love of her life, Douglas "Doug" Brink, on August 28, 1971. Together, Jeanne and Doug raised three children: John Edwin Brink, Jeannette Rae Brink, and James Allen Brink. The family later moved to Cabot, where Jeanne worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Vermont College School of Nursing. After her children "left the nest", Jeanne pursued her own education. While working full time, Jeanne still managed to excel in her studies at Vermont College of Norwich University where she earned in rapid succession her Associates degree in Administrative Assistance, a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, and finally a Master's of Arts degree in Native American Studies. A great deal of additional information about Jeanne’s remarkable life is available at https://www.biereleyhale.com/obituaries/Dr-Jeanne-Anne-Brink? obId=43951129.

Dave coached basketball, soccer and softball for Cabot School. When he wasn’t coaching, he could be found on the sidelines of his five daughters’ sporting events cheering them on. He was an avid fisherman, and an even better storyteller. Dave was a teacher of life, always willing to stop and teach about life, nature, fishing, and how to be an amazing friend. He could stop you in your tracks with a point of view you hadn’t thought of. Challenge you to be open and kind to those of all walks of life. A master of kindness and conversation. Dave had a wonderful sense of humor and a knack for pranks. He is survived by his wife Michelle Delaney, 17 years; five daughters, Nicole (Jay) Creighton Strong of Danville, Victoria (Aaron) Hill of Hardwick, Sarah Creighton of Wakefield, MA., Emily (Adam) Boynton of Derry, NH and Mia Preston of Cabot; Nine grandchildren, Lillian, Abigail, Ava, Letitia, Carter, Liam, Layla, Benjamin, Aelin; his greatgrandchild, Alana, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Dave was preceded in death by his wife Denise, his parents Eunice and Erwin Creighton, his brother Donald Creighton, his sister Carolyn Fox. Dave was happiest being found on a river casting a dry fly with his lifelong best friend, Phil Maxwell, standing just upstream. He loved the peace he found in nature, he loved a good cup of coffee, and most of all, he loved the family he built Friends and loved ones are welcome to join his family for a memorial services to be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 12:00p m at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 39 West Church Street, Hardwick, VT 05843. A Celebration of David's Life will follow at the Willey Hall, 3084 Main Street, Cabot. This will be a time to gather for food, family, and friends, to share stories, memories, and speeches. Dave's eulogy will be given at 3:30 during this event, after that time, we will be asking anyone who would like to share a story or remembrance to speak. Arrangements are with the des Groseilliers Funeral Home in Hardwick. Condolences and memories of Dave may be shared with his family at dgfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Dave can be made to Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, Vermont 05641- 5369.

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 4 onward.

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“After the Fact” Zoning Permits

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

Brittany Butler, Zoning Administrator, addressed the selectboard on August 5 regarding what is referred to as “After the Fact” zoning permits. She told the board that she brought this up previously and proposed that an “After the Fact” permit should be double the cost of a regular permit. She relayed to the board that she created a chart of zoning permit costs from surrounding towns and said that Cabot is in the middle of the road. She emphasized that the town is not the highest or the lowest when it comes to permit costs. Brittany added that some towns have a differentiation between types of structures and the cost of the permit, and proposed Cabot could do the same. An example would be the difference between a single-family home and a shed. She also noted that Cabot has never included recording fees in the cost of a zoning permit. Brittany noted that if there was a cost differentiation between structure types, then recording fees could also be separate. Fred Ducharme asked if there should be a recording fee for agricultural permits. Brittany responded by saying it was up to the board. She added that the town has never charged for an agricultural zoning permit. Mike Hogan asked how many instances occur that require an “After the Fact” zoning permit. Brittany told the board that when she sees something is going on, she writes a letter and she usually gets the permit application within a few weeks, but there are some that don’t respond. She estimated that it has been about 20 times. Fred asked for clarification about the need for a permit when someone adds more living space, and if more education of the public is needed. Brittany said that Cabot should bring the zoning regulations up to state standards, which require a permit for adding living space. Mike asked about the time frame for updating the zoning regulations. Brittany said these types of changes don’t need to go before the voters, but they are trying to get all of their ducks in a row. She explained that the first step was to bring the zoning regulations up to state standards, and then it could go to the town for a vote at the next Town Meeting. Brittany suggested that they do it a section at a time.

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West Hill Pond Dam

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

At the July 15 Selectboard meeting, Mike Hogan told the board that Karen Larsen, the liaison for the board regarding West Hill Pond Dam, was away. He said that Jenn Miner would update the board about the situation with West Hill Pond Dam. Jenn explained that she had reached out to Laura and Jim Gauthier, and they said they were not aware of any progress. Along with several others that approached Jenn at the 4th of July parade, it was expressed that they wanted someone else as liaison for the board. Jenn said the concern that she heard was that things were not moving forward. Mike said he talked to Karen, and said that she would be back by the next meeting to give an update. Mike reminded the board that the town does not own the dam, and that the state rule making procedures designated the owners of the house next to the dam as the owners. He continued to explain that the town's concern was the dam releasing and the amount of water coming down Jug Brook. Jenn said that the Gauthiers told her that Ben Green at the state could not come out and do an inspection until someone claims ownership and gives authorization to access the dam. Mike said the owners are litigating the ownership of the dam. Davis Barnett told the board that the West Hill Pond Association will be having their annual meeting on August 16, and the Ericksons will attend. The Ericksons are the disputed owners of the dam. Then there was more discussion regarding the status of the emergency action plan (EAP), and that no one knew its current status. Mike asked how many people are in the association. David said there are about ten to twelve people. He estimated that there are only 14 properties on the pond. Mike added that the simple solution was being able to draw down the level of the pond before large rain events. He reminded everyone that the board had put aside $20,000 for engineering solutions for the dam. Dean Deasy, Fire Chief, reminded the board that there was a design developed using a 6” PVC slinky to draw down the pond. He also reminded the board that there is a dry hydrant at the pond. Fred Ducharme stated that it is inevitable there will be another big rain event. Mike restated that the town is limited in its authority because it does not own the dam. Karen Larsen spoke to the board about the West Hill Pond Dam at the August 5 meeting. She explained that the situation was complicated. She first updated the board about the emergency action plan. She talked about how the dam has been labeled as “high hazard” for the last twenty years. Karen noted that it was mostly due to the age of the structure. She added that an EAP is a state requirement and that it must be done to remain in compliance with the state. Karen explained that if the dam fails, the EAP is a structured plan on how the community responds. She added that the stakeholders in the plan are the fire department, the ambulance service, the emergency coordinator, and several others. Karen said that the plan is essentially complete, and they just need one more meeting with the state dam safety coordinator. Karen then told the board that she was recently on the phone with Ben Green of the dam safety program. She relayed that for several years there has been a fund to address high hazard dams and said the money could have been used to repair the dam. She then noted that the Trump administration has frozen the funds. She also addressed the issue of ownership, and told the board that there continues to be a legal conversation regarding ownership of the dam. She added that the dam safety program is a new entity, and the rules for when they can take control of a dam due to inaction are still being refined. Karen then talked about the West Hill Pond Association and noted that they are going to have an annual summer meeting. Mike Hogan said that Ben Green at the state is very knowledgeable, and that he had talked to him about lowering the level of the pond. Mike noted that work would need to be done on the sluice gate so the level can be lowered. Karen said that any work on the sluice gate is dependent upon ownership, adding that unless the state activates the unsafe dam process, or until ownership is worked out, nothing can be done. Mike noted that in an emergency situation, the fire department might be able to lower the level of the pond. But Karen pointed out that even getting access to the dam is contingent on ownership permission, and the current owners are not acknowledging they are the owners. Karen pointed out that it has been very dry, and currently the dam is at the point where no water is coming over the dam. She told the board that they had asked her to pursue the EAP back in March of this year, and when it is complete, she intends to step back.

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Flood Mitigation Updates

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

Gary Gulka addressed the Selectboard about flood mitigation efforts at the August 5 meeting. He reminded the board that they had submitted an application for $3.9 million to address the two tributaries. Gary said that was still in the works, but the chance for FEMA funding is very slim. Gary explained that when Vermont Emergency Management ranked projects, the two in Montpellier were ranked highest, and out of the $67 million, $55 million went to buyouts. He said that left only $12 million for infrastructure projects. Gary said the Cabot projects were designated very high for alternate funding, but the town is not likely to hear about the results until next year. He went on to describe another pot of money, which is targeted to Washington County for the 2023 floods. Gary said that the application process has a very short time frame, and most of that money is also directed to residential buyouts. He speculated that they are forced to choose between the north and south tributaries. Gary proposed focusing on the north tributary because it affected mostly residential properties and meets the target of this fund. Gary continued to explain that the north tributary project is easier to implement, and they are hoping the preapplication is accepted and the town can submit a full application. He said the decision on the fund allocations would be made in November. He added that they included a 10% match in the preapplication to make the application more attractive. Gary suggested the board consider using CCIF funds to cover the match for the projects, around $250,000. He said they had reviewed the proposal with the CCIF committee, and they agreed to support an amount up to $250,000. Gary is hoping they could have the town vote on providing the CCIF funds by mid- February. Mike Hogan asked if it was a loan or a grant. Gary clarified it was a grant request, and they may not spend the full amount. He said that it was dependent upon the grants approved by the state or FEMA. Mike noted how important the projects were for the economic survival of the town, and that the CCIF fund was supposed to be used for economic development. Gary then changed subjects to the Cabot Garage buyout, and said that Greg would get the appraised value of the building. He added that they still have the grant open and are going through the steps of the process. However, he told the board that Greg did not agree to go forward with the site sampling until there was a viable alternative site. R.D. Eno addressed the board and said that in the event they don’t get FEMA funding for the south tributary (a.k.a Lyford Brook), there are options the town can do on its own. He told the (see, ’Flood Mitigation’, page 6)

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

Having My Say When did it become okay to harass someone who has a difference of opinion? The recent article in the Chronicle and Fire Department discussions have apparently caused some lack of harmony in our community. My father received a phone call that truly upset him. It takes a lot to upset my dad, unless it's political! He is in all sense of the word a Stubborn Old Vermonter. He has his thoughts and his opinions, but he is rarely unkind, and if he is, it's usually unintentional. And he has a difference of opinion from a lot of people, but he's never, as far as I know, called and harassed someone who had that difference of opinion from him. He's willing to talk about it if you ask him and sometimes when you don't! He would never degrade you or put you down because of your difference of opinions.

In My Opinion Cedric misspoke about my grandfather in the How I See It article - I want to be clear that my grandfather Donovan Houston did not commit suicide. He went to the Greensboro Nursing Home and was put on Hospice. He was there could be paid off early. He relayed that misunderstanding was corrected, and they agree it could be paid off early. Matt reminded the board that $10,000 was allotted to pay off the loan to save $750 in interest next year. Matt then explained he wanted a little more time to look at the possibility of using the $10,000 to cover increased staffing costs this year, and whether that would be a better use of the money. He felt the $750 may not be worth the savings when the $10,000 could go towards offsetting salary increases or facility repair costs.

I think we need to bring kindness, patience and especially tolerance back into fashion. Because it seems to be seriously lacking out there in this world And it's really sad when your neighbors are that way. He believes, as many of us do, that we could make do with the fire department we have, and that the money that would be spent on another new fire department would be better spent on other things in this town. Or maybe just to cut us a tax break after the hardships the last four or five years have caused. It would be nice to know that there are people in this town who truly care about the people in this town and the hardships that they have been going through. Whether it be financial or mental or social.

Jacqueline Lumbra Coits Pond Road two days and was made comfortable by Hospice and died from Congestive Heart Failure, and Edward and Ilene (Houston) Chase were with him when he died. Thank you.

Dawn Houston $1,298,000 in CDBG-DR funds which will be used to accomplish the following activities:

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School Facilitates Update

by Frank Kampf, Staff Writer

The new facilities director, Tommy Bricco, introduced himself to the School Board and presented a report on the facilities at Cabot School. At the July 28 meeting, he explained that prior to his onboarding, the board approved funding for several capital improvement projects. New roofs were put on the satellite buildings, and the siding on the main building was repainted. Tommy then went on to explain that every year the State of Vermont requires schools to file an Inspection, Repair, and Compliance (IRC) statement for any pre- 1978 buildings, to prevent lead poisoning. He said Cabot school successfully passed the interior inspection, but there are several areas on the exterior that are compromised and need to be remedied within the next 30 days. He showed some pictures of satellite buildings where the painting on the siding was compromised. Tommy said he has reached out to contractors, and stated that to stay in compliance they need to take care of the areas within 30 days. Chris Tormey asked what “keeping in compliance” means. Tommy explained that anything before 1978 is assumed to have lead paint, and any square foot, or mits needed. He hoped to have the preparatory work wrapped up by October. The board unanimously approved the contract with Dubois and King. R.D. Eno then addressed the board about the debris catchers on the north tributary. He said the cost is less than he anticipated. He again explained how the process involved test bores, but said they had not received permission from the landowner, Gleb Glinka. R.D. said the work could be completed before snow flies, and depending upon the results, the project could proceed in the spring. He emphasized that it was only a feasibility study to determine if debris catchers were a feasible option. R.D. then presented the board with wording for a CCIF funding request that would be put forth to the voters. He said the request was for $20,000 to cover the cost of the feasibility study. Fred Ducharme said he thought it would be good to know if the option was available. Stephen Hogan voiced his opposition to the debris racks. He stated that it doesn’t benefit the landowner, and would ruin the land around the racks, as well as the cabin situated in that area. Stephen said the debris catchers would hold back rocks and trees, which in turn would hold back water during a flood. He said that Gleb has the final say, and he is only the caretaker for the property. He expressed that he didn’t think Gleb would agree, and it would be a waste of money. Betty Ritter said he sent Gleb a note, but hasn’t heard back yet. The board approved the request for CCIF funding, with the condition that the property owner agreed to allow access to the stream. Betty noted that there is already another article on the ballot for a November 4 vote.

Chris said that he read over some of the information, and the long sections of insulated pipe which are covered with HDP plastic are not the issue. He said that all of the places that have been fixed to date are the places where the long sections of pipes were welded together. Matt Foster agreed, that the interior of the pipe he was holding looked very good, and the exterior of the pipe is severely corroded. The conversation then moved onto the loan for the wood chip boiler. Matt talked about the early payoff of the loan, but there had been some delay because the Vermont Bond Bank didn’t think the loan

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 6 onward.

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Notice of Public Hearing September 16, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Willey Building

The Town of Cabot is considering making application to the State of Vermont for a CDBG Disaster Recovery Implementation Grant under the Vermont Community Development Program. A public hearing will be held at 5:30 pm on September 16, 2025, at the Willey Building, 3084 Main Street (2nd floor Meeting Room), Cabot, to obtain the views of citizens on community development, to furnish information concerning the amount of funds available and the range of community development activities that may be undertaken under this program, the impact to any historic and archaeological resources that may be affected by the proposed project, and to give affected citizens the opportunity to examine the proposed statement of projected use of these funds. The proposal is to apply for

This project involves the North Tributary in Cabot Village and follows the engineering recommendations to replace the existing 80-year-old bridge with an elevated bridge that will provide greater clearance and headspace for passage of stormwater flows and flood debris. This will avoid the flooding of residences along Main Street and damage to the Town’s recreational fields. The project also involves the creation of a flood bench near the new bridge and creation of riparian buffer areas as additional flood mitigation efforts. The first phase of this project will involve final design, followed by construction and postconstruction activities. Copies of the proposed application are available at the Cabot Town Clerk’s Office, 3084 Main Street, Cabot, and may be viewed during the hours of 9:00 am to 4:30 pm starting on September 10, Monday – Thursday. Should you require any special accommodation, please contact Betty Ritter, Town Clerk, at 802-563-2279 to ensure appropriate accommodation is arranged. For the hearing impaired please call (TTY) # 1-800-253-0191.

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Ruins of 200-Year-Old Cabot Dam to be Cleared

…mills and factories throughout its operation. It was built in 1797, and much of its history presented here was first compiled by University of Vermont’s Consulting Archaeology Program.

Moses Stone originally owned the structure and ran a sawmill there until 1825. After bouncing between a few short-term owners, the property in 1849 was acquired by the Haines family, who for many years had maintained an ownership stake. They used the dam to power a woolen mill, where workers probably produced practical fabrics for blue-collar goods, like flan- Elise Coyle writes for the Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the North Star Monthly. This article also appeared in the Hardwick Gazette online.

Between houses and greenery in the heart of Cabot, the Winooski River now runs unrestricted. Rubble along the banks serves as the sole reminder of what once was a dam that powered industry in the town for decades. The Clark Sawmill Dam, the most comon name for the dam about five miles downstream from the source of the river, collapsed suddenly during the catastrophic flooding that hit Vermont in 2023, punctuating years of backa n d - forths about its future. Now the town hopes to clean up the area, removing the rubble and restoring the riverbank to create an undeveloped natural area. “There’s debris from the components of the dam and the sawmill that are still there after many, many years, and we basically want it to be turned into a green space,” said Michael Hogan, town select board chair. “We just want it to be cleaned out and returned to its former condition.” The debris lodged in the banks of the river will be removed from the area over 200 years after it was initially built into the dam. After receiving grant approval this summer and partnering with the town, the Friends of the Winooski River nonprofit wants to begin the design process with an engineering firm in the coming months. For some, like Hogan, whose property downstream saw erosion from the dam’s diverting water, the dam was an inconvenience. For others, a potent reminder of the town’s past. Local historian and writer Jane Brown, who at 93, has been in Cabot for nearly half the structure’s existence, sees dams like Clark’s as integral infrastructure to the success of earlier Vermonters. “Water was a renewable resource,” Brown said. “You could have a dam up the river, and as long as you didn’t stop the flow for the guy down the river, you could have two or three mill ponds that would survive in a dry spell and so forth and still give power.” In Lower Cabot, the village district in which the structure stood, the power produced by the dam fueled several nel.

“Eventually they had a woolen mill, a large woolen mill, there, and that employed a lot of people,” said Brown. “And at one time, because of the dam and the woolen mill, Lower Cabot was probably the center of the town business.” The Haine- In the summer of 2025, the remains of the old dam cling to the banks of the Winooski River in Cabot. Photo by Elise Coyle.

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

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Cabot’s School Districts No. 10 & No. 11

We have searched for District 9 and 13 on old maps and school records, but never found evidence that those numbers existed. All areas of town are covered, so I believe that their omission is likely due to arithmophobia. That said, Cabot actually had 13 school districts, 1- 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15.

Burnap Hill School Souvenir program for end-of-year exercises, 1897 District 10, Southwest Hill (Burnap)

District 10, also known as the Burnap Hill School, served the southwestern corner of town. The little school was located on a tiny bit of land at the intersection of what is now Tebbetts Road and Ducharme Road in the southwest corner of Cabot. Former students described the building as being “cream colored with maroon trim.” Like other early schoolhouses, it had few windows and was heated by a big box-type wood-burning stove. There was a tall flagpole in front of the building and each morning the students stood outside to raise the flag and pledge allegiance. The Lord’s Prayer was also recited every morning before classes began. Students ranged from first to eighth grade and everyone participated in the morning rituals. Settlement began early in the southwest corner of town. The well-traveled “County Road” from Montpelier through Calais became what is now Ducharme Road and went through Cabot to Danville. Another road down the hill and west of the school went to Marshfield. The roads were barely more than paths through the woods in some areas, rough, muddy, or dusty when bare, and after snow fell they were kept passable with a snow roller that packed the snow hard for travel by horses and sleighs. Most farmers kept a good supply of hard cider on hand and treated the men who rode on the snow roller when they stopped to A. M. Foster farm, known as “Maple Glen Farm,” before the house burned.

The field in front of the Foster-Walbridge farm. This is where Burtt’s Apples orchards are today and was likely a crop of strawberries or perhaps potatoes.

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

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Cabot’s School Districts

(continue from page 8)

Linnie and Payson Walbridge had four children, Maurice, Maidene, Merna, and Fred. Their daughter, Merna, married Henry Spaulding in 1924, and years later their son, Richard, purchased land on Cabot Plain, some of which included acreage that had belonged to his ancestors. Maidene Walbridge, who had gone to school there, became a teacher and was one of the last teachers at the little Walbridge School before it closed in 1916. The school building remained in the town’s possession and was used for storage until the town voted to sell it. Richard Spaulding bought it in 1973 for $50 and relocated it to his property on the Plain where it now sits at the intersection of Cabot Plains Road and the Bayley Hazen Road. Spaulding kept the building much as it was when it served as a school for his ancestors, but he set it on a cement foundation that provides additional space, and installed a few modern conveniences so it could be used as a guest house. There is a non-functioning outhouse on the site – not the original that went with Walbridge School but one very similar. Spaulding, who died in 2017, proudly displayed artifacts, old text books and precious Walbridge and Foster family memorabilia in the little oneroom school building that his mother and other family members knew so well.

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The Back Stairs at Harry’s Hardware: Now Open

by Johanna Thibault The wait is finally over—Harry’s Hardware is opening the doors to its brand-new upstairs space, The Back Stairs. Designed to be equal parts cozy and versatile, The Back Stairs offers the community a welcoming spot to work, meet, or simply relax with a cup of coffee, a pint, or a bite to eat. Beginning this week, The Back Stairs will be open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., for daytime use. Whether you’re looking for a quiet corner to get work done, a comfortable setting for a social gathering, or a convenient place for your club or group to meet, the space is built to adapt to your needs. A dedicated conferencing room will also be coming soon, making it ideal for more formal meetings. To make working and meeting even easier, The Back Stairs offers highspeed internet, including both Ethernet connections and Wi-Fi access. Guests will enter the space through Harry’s Hardware, where they can order from the full food and drink menu before heading upstairs to settle in. Soon, the upstairs porch will also be available, offering a unique spot to enjoy a coffee or beer while watching the bustle of Cabot below. For the next couple of months, Harry’s Hardware invites the community to explore and enjoy the new space—and share feedback. After the holidays, premium memberships will be available for those who discover The Back Stairs is just the right fit and want access to a few extra perks. In addition to everyday use, The Back Stairs is now open for event

bookings. From intimate gatherings to larger celebrations, the upstairs venue is ready to host. To check availability or requestaquote , contact [email protected]. Harry’s Hardware has always been about community, and The Back Stairs is the next step in bringing people together. Come see what’s new—you just might find your new favorite place to

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 9 onward.

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Autumn Garden Tasks

September is here: cool nights, fall colors, orchards heavy with apples, veggie gardens full of squash, potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. What a beautiful and bountiful month! It’s also a great time to think ahead to next year. If you want your spring garden to be strong and healthy, tend it well in the fall. Here is a list of autumn tasks, to prepare for a great garden in 2026.

Divide perennials

Many perennials benefit from being divided every few years. Without dividing, they can become overcrowded, or shade out less vigorous plants. How do you know if a perennial is the sort to be divided? Watch how it grows. If there seems to be more every year, and it is spilling into other plants, it can be divided. On the other hand, if it stays in a tidy clump, and doesn’t change size much, it does not need dividing (in fact, an attempt to divide it might kill it). Examples of plants that can be divided include daylily, iris, hosta, sundrops, bee balm, goatsbeard, globe thistle, Shasta daisy, phlox, and black eyed Susan. You can either replant the divisions to fill in bare garden spots, or compost the extra plant material.

Plant bulbs

A garden full of color in early May is a welcome sight after a long winter. If you want to have tulips, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, or allium, plant these bulbs now. Be sure to follow the instructions for planting depth. Many large ornamental bulbs (like tulips) need to be planted between 4-6” deep. A 6” deep hole doesn't seem like a big deal, until you are on the 15th hole with another 85 to go… so if you plan to plant a lot of bulbs, consider investing in a bulb auger to make planting quicker and easier. This is also the time of year to plant garlic bulbs for a midsummer crop. When you are ready to plant, divide the garlic head into cloves, and place each clove about 1” deep in loose, rich soil, then cover with an inch of mulch.

Clean out and cover the veggie garden Unlike sturdy perennial plants, most vegetable plants are pretty susceptible to pests and diseases. Their foliage should be removed from the garden at the end of the growing season, to avoid harboring pests and pathogens over the winter. After cleanup, cover the garden space so the soil isn’t bare over the winter. Straw, cardboard, and rotted hay all make good covers. You can also use paper, wool, canvas, or agricultural fabric. A covering will prevent erosion, protect soil microorganisms, and keep weedy seeds from germinating in early spring.

Plant trees and shrubs

Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. The soil is warm, allowing for root growth. At the same time, the sun and heat is less intense on the aboveground parts of the plant. Fall rain and winter snow will keep soil moisture consistent, reducing or eliminating the need for supplemental water in the weeks after planting. That said, ALWAYS water deeply at planting time, regardless of time of year.

Weed

Perennial plants, shrubs, and trees all develop roots in late fall and early spring. But so do perennial weed species. Remove unwanted perennial plants so they don’t continue to grow roots, and become large and troublesome to pull next season.

Leave stalks, seedheads, and leaves

Here is an easy fall garden task: do nothing! If you have perennials with stalks and stems, let them stand. They can become habitat for stem-nesting bees, giving them a safe and cozy space to spend the winter. If you have plants with seed heads (such as coneflower or black eyed Susan), leave them alone. The seeds will feed birds and small mammals. If you have autumn leaves in the garden, let them lay right where they are. The leaves will help insulate plant roots, protect insects and other small arthropods, and provide nutrients as they decay. Doing nothing in the fall is VERY productive!

Enjoy the last days of summer, and the start of autumn. Pick apples, bake a squash, and get the garden ready for a lovely spring.

This garden article is brought to you by Susan Socks, aka the Garden Goddess. Stay tuned for upcoming articles on green lawn care, pruning, garden tools, edible landscapes, and more. Interested in garden help? Visit the Garden Goddess page at www.SocksFamily Farm.weebly.com, email [email protected], or call 802.498.7785.

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September Community Contra Dance

by Karen Mueller-Harder Welcome in the fall by coming to the Cabot Community Contra Dance on Friday, September 12, featuring the delightful calling of Robin Russell, making a special return visit to Vermont! The dance takes place in the lovely third floor space in the Willey Building (Cabot Town Hall, 3084 Main Street), from 7- 9:30 pm. Live music is provided by a great group of local musicians--feel free to just come and listen if you prefer! Everyone is welcome, and anyone can dance with anyone, generally changing partners with each dance. You can come to the dance alone, with a friend or sweetheart, or your whole family! Contra dancing is an ages-old Vermont tradition, and helps your physical and mental health to boot! All dances are taught, but if you’ve never been to a dance, you are encouraged to arrive right at 7:00, as we will start with the simplest dances, and then we’ll build upon what you learn throughout the evening. No special footwork is needed, and the dances are easy to pick up, and are taught by the caller for the evening. Admission is on a sliding scale, $5-10 suggested, but nobody is turned away for lack of funds! We’ll have the large windows open for fresh breezes.

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CABOT CEMETERY COMMISSION REQUEST FOR BIDS

The Cabot Cemetery Commission is seeking bids for fence scraping and painting of four (4) of Cabot’s cemeteries. Individual bids need to be submitted for each of these cemeteries. The cemeteries are:

    Cabot Plains Cemetery – Cabot Plains Road Durant Cemetery – Route 215 South East Cabot Cemetery – Mack Mountain Road South Cabo Cemetery – Houghton Road Individual sealed bids for each cemetery must be received at the Cabot Town Clerk’s office, PO Box 36, Cabot, VT 05647, by noon on September 4, 2025, and be clearly marked for each cemetery. Proof of insurance is required if awarded the contract. References are also required. The Cemetery Commission reserves the right to reject any and all bids. For more information, contact Melvin Churchill, Cemetery Chairman, at 802-563- 2799.

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Did the Joe’s Pond Milfoil Treatment Work?

by Jeanne Johnson The August Cabot Chronicle provided notice that treatment for Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) was planned for Joe’s Pond. We wondered how and when Joe’s Pond Association (JPA) will know if the milfoil treatment worked. We were advised that could be the million-dollar question, and best addressed by Barry Cahoon, Chair of the JPA Eurasian Water Milfoil Committee Management Plan. Barry told us the ProcellaCOR herbicide was applied to a portion of the EWM August 13, and it can take two to three weeks for the EWM to “lay down” and visually indicate mortality. A posttreatment aquatic plant survey by a contracted consultant is scheduled for mid- September, at which time the efficacy of the herbicide treatment will be evaluated and quantified. We hope to report on results in the October issue. You can follow the EWM news at Joe’ Pond at the Association’s website: https://www.joespondver mont.com/milfoil-in-joes-pond.html (or just Google Joe’s Pond Association milfoil).

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News From the Jaquith Public Library

Thank you to all who sponsored our summer concerts and summer Programs: Without our sponsors, we could not have made this summer such a success. Our sponsors are Friends of the Jaquith Library, North Country Federal Credit Union, Washington Electric Coop, Marshfield Inn & Motel, Vermont Department of Libraries, Michael Caccavo Attorney at Law, R.L. Valee Inc., Healing Paws House Calls, Pie in the Sky Farm Retreat, and three Anonymous donors. Thanks to all who donated to our silent auction: Brimblecombe’s Sugarhouse, Just Food Hub, Helen Rabin, East Hill Tree Farm, Michelle Wallace, Nessa Rabin Blackthorne Forge, Leslie Koehler Pottery, Cast Off Designs, Carolyn Shapiro, Blue Heron Acupuncture, Bespoke Blades, Bear Pond Books, Michael Schumacher, Great Vermont Corn Maze, Twin City Family Fun, Capital Grounds, David Smith, Diane Fitch, Woodbury Mountain Toys and the Marshfield Village Store. The Silent Auction and 50/50 raffle winners will be decided at our Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 28. Thank you to all of our volunteers this summer: Special thanks to Lloyd Potter, Bethany Bohall and Dennis Florio for being at every concert to set up, clean-up, sell books, baked goods and more. Thank you to all the volunteers who baked or helped where needed: Bethany Bohall, Lloyd Potter, Sarah Lyons, Patty Morgan, Pat Mayhew, Jude Sargent, Grace Gouge, Corinne Gretch, Robin Gomez, Donna Hisson, Erin Barry, Jacqueline Soule, Michael Stark, Alex Anlyan. Thank you to Sue and John Morris for running the Just Food Hub tent, Annie Reed for selling raffles and overseeing the Silent Auction with Sonia Carrasco. Thank you to the food vendors for feeding everyone nutritious & tasty meals: The Marshfield Village Store, Kym Winchell, Corinne Gretch, Melissa Seifert, and the Tiny Cabin Kitchen. If we forgot someone, our apologies. Let us know and we will include them in the next newsletter.

September Events at the Jaquith Public Library

(unless noted otherwise)

All events are free and held at the library

For more info: 802-426-3581 or visit our

www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org

Marshfield Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 28, 2025, in Marshfield, Vermont: 11 am to 3 pm: Free Family Friendly Activities: cider pressing, face painting, arts and crafts, field games, music, petting zoo, 4H demonstrations, chicken races and more! Book sale, bake sale, horse and wagon rides, craft sale, flea market and farmer’s market. 11 am to 3 pm: VT Steam & Gas Engine Association exhibit of antique engines, farm, and industrial equipment. Live demonstrations include a unique walking beam gasoline engine; an antique geardriven wood splitter powered by a hit and miss Jumbo 3HP engine; a home-made cement mixer powered by a 3HP Galloway; and the Association's own James Leffel Steam Engine driven by a throttle governed 1928 3HP Fairbanks Morse engine on moving display. Lots more to website:

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

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Vermont Public’s Brave Little State Summer Mixer at Harry’s Hardware

On August 14, Vermont Public’s Brave Little State held its summer mixer at Cabot’s own Harry’s Hardware. Brave Little State is a weekly podcast that explores Vermonters’ curiosity by asking the question: “What do you wonder about Vermont?” Listeners submit their questions, and the show works to “demystify” the answers. For this special event, the voting process came to life at Harry’s. Attendees wrote their questions on a board, then voted on their favorites. At the end of the night, the top three were presented to the crowd, and the winning question—chosen by the loudest cheers—will be turned into a future episode. Cabot’s own Gary Gulka submitted the question that earned the loudest cheers of the night: “What is Vermont ranked 50th in?” That curiosity won the top spot, making it the next inquiry Brave Little State will dig into. Appar- * Put money in our account at Buffalo Mountain Food Coop. Call the Co-op and add funds over the phone to the "Marshfield Community Supper.”

* Cash donations accepted in our jar For more information, contact chefs: Sarah Phillips: [email protected] CorineGretch : corine [email protected] ently, Vermonters are eager to find out what their state is really bad at! Each ticket holder left with a commemorative pint glass featuring logos from Brave Little State and The Den. Cabot Creamery added to the fun by contributing cheese to enjoy during the event, as well as prizes. The mixer sold out, drawing a lively crowd of Cabot locals alongside visitors from across the state. Cabot resident Jackie Pratt noted she met several firsttime visitors to The Den and praised the Vermont Public crew for sparking great conversations. “The questions were interesting, there was a lot of good energy, and everyone was very social overall,” she said. Fellow attendee Alicia Heber agreed, adding that the strong turnout, warm conversations, and new visitors to Cabot made the evening especially memorable. Harry’s Hardware was honored to host Vermont Public’s Brave Little State and looks forward to more community gatherings in the future.

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IT IS NOT TOO LATE!! Sign-up for the Summer Reading Challenge

Win a Free Creemee, a Prize, a T-shirt,

1. Come to the library and sign up to read! We will give you a reading log and stickers so you can keep track of your own progress. 2. For every 15 minutes you read, or are read to, put a sticker on your reading log. If you have time, jot down the title of your book. 3. Earn fifty stickers and celebrate.

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

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Immature Eagle

It takes four years for the head feathers to turn all white. Photo by Rollin Tebbetts and readable in order to be certified. If they fall short of 58 voter signatures,

Part of this story may be missing here. See the original pages, page 12 onward.

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Is Election Day

Cabot voters will have decisions to make:

    Use of CCIF funds Possible Zoning Regulation Improvement Any selectboard-generated articles seeking voter input Petition-generated articles originating with registered voters

Registered Cabot voters may submit their own articles for community vote November 4 by obtaining 58 or more signatures on a petition that meets statutory guidelines:    Signed by registered voters in the town of Cabot Clearly-written names and addresses that can be confirmed by Town Clerk Only original “wet ink” signatures accepted Any questions may be addressed to the Town Clerk at 802-563-2279 or [email protected].

Deadlines:

Thursday, September 11, 10 a.m. Petitions with at least 58 certifiable original Cabot voter signatures received by Town Clerk

Signatures certified by Town Clerk or returned to petitioners to secure more signatures. Petitioners have 48 hours to cure any shortage.

Friday, September 12, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, September 16, 6 p.m. Selectboard meets to finalize Warning

TBA Public informational hearing on Warning items within 30 days preceding the vote, warned at least ten days in advance of the meeting.

Tuesday, November 4, 7 am-7 pm Australian Ballot voting at Cabot Town Hall Statutory Guidelines:

17 VSA § 2642: The warning shall contain any articles requested by a voter-backed petition signed by at least 5% (58) of the voters of Cabot and filed not less than 47 days before the election.

17 VSA § 2642 (a)(3)(B)-( C): The Town Clerk has 24 hours from receipt to review the petition and check for the required number of original signatures of legal voters of Cabot, printed name and address of each voter, and that the petition language is on every petition sheet signed by voters. All names and signatures must be clear

petitioners have 48 hours to cure the shortage with supplemental signatures.

17 VSA § 2680: The select board must hold an information meeting for any public question 10-30 days prior to the election date.

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CABOT PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS

LIBRARY HOURS: Monday noon - 6 pm, Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm, Wednesday 11 - 6 pm, Thursday noon - 6 pm, and Saturday 9 amnoon. Curbside library service is still available during regular library hours. Thank you all for making the effort to join us at the Library and pavilion for events, resources, books, movies, play time, creativity, and connection - it was a wonderful summer!

Congratulations to all of our

young readers! We had a record breaking year with over 80 youth participating in the Summer Reading Program! If you haven’t claimed your prizes yet, come to the library soon, we’ll be packing things away in early September to make room for other fun opportunities.

Upcoming Programs - All programs are free and happen at the Cabot Public Library unless otherwise noted. All are welcome! If you have a program suggestion or question, please email [email protected].

Mah Jongg – Tuesdays in September – 10 am - Noon - Learn the ancient tile game, meet new friends and neighbors and maybe competitors. Kathleen Chatot will be offering introductory lessons for all levels with regular games taking place each Tuesday. Both fun and challenging, the game of Mah Jongg is said to improve memory, decision-making skills and patience.

Story & Activity Time (birth - age 5+) - Ongoing, starting Wednesday, September 10 - 10:30 - 11:30 am - Join Amanda Otto for stories, songs, crafts, snacks and open play. All are welcome! Cabot Rec Field Pavilion

LEGO Club (ages 6+) - Third Wednesday of the month, starting Wednesday, September 17 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm - This club offers a fun, hands-on environment where kids can develop their problem-solving skills, foster their creativity, and collaborate with their peers through engaging Lego-based activities. LEGO’s and snacks provided.

Walking the Camino de Santiago - A Modern Pilgrimage - Tuesday, September 16 - 6:30 pm - On the evening of September 16 Karen Larsen and Sue Robinson will offer a short presentation on the Camino de Santiago, share their experiences as modern pilgrims, and host a conversational Q&A. More than 1000 years old, the Camino de Santiago is a web of European pilgrimage paths which end in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. In the Spring of 2025 Karen walked alone across Spain on two of those paths - the Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo. Two years earlier, Sue walked the Camino Portuguese with friends, following the Atlantic shore north through Portugal and into Spain. All are welcome to share the evening; women considering a midlife adventure are particularly encouraged to attend!

Bad Art Night for Teens (ages 14- 18) - Thursday, September 25- 5 - 6:30 pm - Bring a friend or come solo and get ready to unleash your best bad art! Think tacky, think glittery, think totally useless! Pizza provided!

Cabot Book Group – Thursday, September 25 - 2- 3 pm - All are welcome! – September’s book selection is Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery. Emma Gatewood told her family she was going on a walk and left her small Ohio hometown with a change of clothes and less than two hundred dollars. The next anybody heard from her, this genteel, farm reared, sixty-seven-year-old greatgrandmother had walked 800 miles along the 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail. By September 1955 she stood atop Maine’s Mount Katahdin. Copies of this book will be available in the library for you to borrow. Email [email protected] for more info and to be added to the book group email list.

Storywalk - August 15 - September

30 - Cabot Rec Field Pavilion - Enjoy One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root Illustrated by Jane Chapman while you take a stroll around the pavilion grounds. Begin at the woods edge near the sandbox and follow around the perimeter of the field. Thanks so much to our Saturday volunteers: Vicky Palmer, Elizabeth Vitale, Marianne Robotham and Beth Wade. Many thanks to Sage King and Freya Van Deusen for their enthusiasm and hard work this summer - it was wonderful working with you! Many thanks to Elizabeth and Orion Vitale, Ewa and Luka Senkowska and Phil Knauf for volunteering to help move and spread wood chips at the pavilion! Additional thanks to Ruth Kaldor for offering our Plein Air Workshop Series and Kathleen Chatot for providing weekly Mah Jongg lessons at the Library! We are so grateful to our Library Trustees who provide support and direction: Angela Ogle, Leah Sare, Kurt Steinert, Erin Ruddell, and Taeryn Robbins.

Kathleen Hoyne – Library Co-Director Amanda Otto – Library Co-Director Christina Sacalis – Assistant Librarian

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Cabot Mentoring is growing with three new mentor applicants in process this summer! We have a list of Cabot kids who would like to have an adult mentor to spend time with, so new applicants are always appreciated! Our chief fundraiser is this month. The annual Cabot Ride the Ridges bicycling event, which is based at the Cabot Green, is on Sunday, September 14. The event has four different gravel rides on the back roads of Cabot and adjacent towns that will satisfy most ability levels. Our 10K is a beautiful loop that can be biked, walked or run. It goes up Houston Hill Road, where there will be a gourmet snack and refreshment stand, then follows Churchill Road to Bothfeld Hill Road, down to Elm Street and back to The Green, where there are more refreshments and wood-fired pizza. This ride is a fun family activity that can be walked or run and has been ridden by kids as young as 6 and even some on unicycles! The event is free for kids 12 and under and there is a family rate. For more information and to register, go to https://www.ridetheridges.com/ or register the day of the event. For more information about the Cabot Mentoring Program: Call: 802-595-1130, Mark Christensen, Cabot Mentoring Coordinator Email: [email protected] Website: cabotmentoring.org

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