Rockingham/Bellows Falls
Neighbors concerned about livestock out in the cold
ROCKINGHAM- With the thermometer plunging in recent days to bitter-cold temperatures, can the town intervene when animals are left outside in the cold?
Apparently not, Municipal Manager Chip Stearns said, after consulting with Police Chief Ron Lake.
The topic came up at the Jan. 6 Selectboard meeting, when Marie Perrault asked board members about the issue.
According to meeting minutes, Perrault “stated she has called the Police Department and the Sheriff's Department and was told that they have received numerous complaints on this subject.”
Municipal Manager Chip Stearns also stated that he has received complaints, specifically in reference to cows on School Street.
Stearns offered an update at the Jan. 13 Bellows Falls Village Trustees meeting.
At the suggestion of Selectboard member Ann DiBernardo, the Board instructed Stearns to contact the Windham County Humane Society in Brattleboro.
Stearns also noted that a revised cruelty-to-animals ordinance will be on the Feb. 3 board agenda.
Street lights to convert to LED
ROCKINGHAM - The street lights in the Square will be converted in the next few months to light-emitting diodes, thanks to an anonymous donor.
“LEDs are gaining traction as a great alternative to traditional lighting because they are relatively environmentally friendly, don't consume much electricity, and have long lifespans,” according to howstuffworks.com.
According to information from Efficiency Vermont, the street lights can reduce energy use by 50 to 80 percent, and that energy is available at reduced rates.
Tax sale Feb. 10
ROCKINGHAM - A tax sale will take place Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. in the Town Hall Lower Theater.
There are currently 25 properties with delinquent taxes on the list.
Loan granted for window
ROCKINGHAM - The Selectboard has approved a $3,000 loan for window replacement to Mountainside Tattoo.
The board unanimously approved the 24-month, 10-percent loan from the town Revolving Loan Fund for the business, owned by Alex Lawrence and headquartered at 55 The Square.
The Revolving Loan Fund Committee recommended the loan's approval, and the project has been approved by the town Design Review Committee.
Bridge still out
ROCKINGHAM - With no progress toward the repair of the Vilas Bridge, closed since 2009, Selectboard member Joshua Hearne has suggested that “a letter be drafted and sent monthly to both Vermont and New Hampshire officials and they at least get an engineering study so that when funds become available for shovel ready projects this will be done,” according to minutes from the board's Jan. 6 meeting.
That letter will be drafted and reviewed at the next meeting.
The board learned at the meeting that construction of the Main Street Bridge in Saxtons River “is progressing and should be complete by October 2015, eight months ahead of schedule.”
Thanks to Thad
ROCKINGHAM - At the Jan. 6 Selectboard meeting, Selectboard Member Peter Golec thanked Thad Guild for removing trees on Atcherson Hollow Road.
Liquor licenses renewed
ROCKINGHAM- The Selectboard, in its role as liquor commissioners, has approved renewals of two first-class liquor licenses: PK's Public House, Inc., and Joy Wah, Inc.
Joshua Hearne, the proprietor of another establishment with a liquor license, recused himself from the vote.
Board approves firefighters' contract
ROCKINGHAM - Following an executive session at the Bellows Falls Village Trustees' Jan. 13 meeting, the trustees unanimously approved the Bellows Falls Fire Department union contract.
The firefighters are members of the International Association of Firefighters.
Londonderry
New hours for trash, recycling
LONDONDERRY- New hours went into effect at the transfer station as of Jan. 1 for both trash and recycling.
The Recycling Center and Transfer Station is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Wednesdays and holidays.
Residents must have a 2015 permit, which are on sale now at the Town Offices.
Residential permits are available for $10; commercial permits, $25.
New rules in effect for “haulers” can be found on the town website (londonderryvt.org).
Voters to decide purchase of pumper
LONDONDERRY - After a Selectboard discussion, the board voted to include an article on the Annual Town Meeting warning that will ask voters to raise funds for a new pumper but not include financing for the vehicle.
According to draft meeting minutes, the article will “see if the Town will vote to appropriate $400,000 toward the purchase of a Class A pumper by Champion Fire Company #5, Inc.”
Sump pump
LONDONDERRY - At its Jan. 5 meeting, the Selectboard voted to install a sump pump at the Twitchell Building (Town Office) “to take care of excess water and see if it helps to dry the basement out,” according to draft meeting minutes.
Community calendar on website
LONDONDERRY - A town-maintained community calendar is up and operating on the town website (londonderryvt.org).
“In addition to showing meetings and events related to town government, the calendar is intended to help inform the public of community meetings and events being held by other organizations and nonprofits as well,” the town writes. “We hope that the calendar will help to preclude scheduling conflicts between events and meetings.”
Organizations, nonprofits, churches, or other entities planning an event open to the public may contact the Town Clerk's Office at 802-824-3356 or [email protected] to put an event on the calendar.
Candidates' night Feb. 10
LONDONDERRY - The annual town candidates' night is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Town Office building.
Participating candidates for town government positions will announce their candidacy, speak about their interest in the position, and answer questions from the public.
Positions up for election at the 2015 Town Meeting, incumbents, and the length of the terms: moderator, Wendall Coleman (1 year); treasurer, Tina Labeau (2 years remaining); Selectboard, James Ameden (2 years); Selectboard, Robert Cowles (3 years); Lister, Julie Adams (3 years).
Also: first constable, Roger Sheehan (1 year); second constable, Nick Doane (1 year); delinquent tax collector, Joan Dayton (1 year); town grand juror, Peter Pagnucco (1 year); town agent, Wendall Coleman (1 year); cemetery commissioner, Gary Barton (5 years); trustee of public funds, Pauline Davison (3 years); library association trustee, Margot Wright (3 years).
Also: parks board, Kelly Pajala, Debbie O'Leary, Colleen Gometz, Pam Ameden, Susie Wyman (5, 4, 3, 2, 1 year, respectively).
Dover
Town taxes due
DOVER - The town reminds all taxpayers that the second installment of property tax is due by Feb. 15.
Please contact Treasurer Patricia Westlake with any questions at 802-464-5100, ext. 6.