Fire Department installs dry hydrant at Blodgett Fire Pond
VERNON — VERNON - Fire Chief Todd Capen announced last month that the dry hydrant work at Blodgett Fire Pond is now complete.
The project began more than a year ago with the Fire Department applying for a grant from the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts through the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Program.
The Vermont Rural Fire Protection Program received 63 applications from 46 towns in the 2015 fiscal year for its dry hydrant (rural water supply) grant program. The grant provided up to a maximum of $4,000 for new rural supply projects.
A dry hydrant is a non-pressurized pipe installed at a pond or lake that is in close proximity to an all-weather road. Dry hydrants provide firefighters with a way to replenish their water supplies. A fire crew can refill its tanker truck from a dry hydrant that is located near the fire area.
In May 2014, the Vernon Fire Department was awarded a grant for the installation of a dry hydrant system at the Blodgett Fire Pond, and the Selectboard in October 2014 agreed to provide the remainder of the funds that were necessary to complete the project.
The town match of 25 percent was a requirement of the grant.
The Blodgett Fire Pond is one of many around Vernon used for fire protection.
Board makes appointments
VERNON - The Selectboard made a number of appointments to committees at its Nov. 16 regular meeting.
Timothy Franklin was appointed to the recycling committee.
The board selected its liaisons to various committees: Emily Vergobbe to the fiber optics committee, Jeffrey Dunklee to the planning commission, and Sandra Harris to the recycling committee.