Brattleboro One Step Closer To Construction Of Local Skate Park
Earlier this month, Brattleboro’s Select Board passed a motion to accept a $14,000 grant from the State Recreational Facility to be given to the town’s Recreation Department to help fund the design and construction of a local skateboard park at Crowell Lot. The town also received a $5,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation, an organization that has helped to fund a number of public skate parks across the nation. The Brattleboro park has been in the works for almost two years and is expected to cost a total of $300,000. You can view the official text here.
Copley Hospital proposes over 3,300-square-foot expansion
On March 8th, a public hearing will take place before the Morristown/Morrisville Development Review Board to review the recent proposal by the Copley Hospital to build a 3,308 square-foot expansion to the hospital’s emergency room and a 1,332 square-foot expansion for a garage space on Washington Highway.
At the hearing, the board will also review a proposal by Manor Inc. to construct a 796 square-foot addition to their elderly care facility on Washington Highway.
For more information, you can visit the Morristown webpage by clicking here.
Weston Residents Vote To Repair Cold Spring Park
On Town Meeting Day, residents of Weston will vote whether or not to spend up to $110,000 to repair the damage inflicted on Cold Spring Park during Tropical Storm Irene. The item appeared on the ballot by petition.
The article reads as follows:
Article 21: Shall the Town of Weston vote to contribute up to $110,000 for the repair of damage sustained at Cold Spring Park as a result of Hurricane Irene. (Not included in Town General budget) (By petition of the Weston Community Association, Inc.)
Searching Public Post For Route 7 Select Board Items
Route 7 bisects the village in Shelburne.
We’re working on a story about suburban sprawl along Route 7 and Shelburne’s effort to stop it.
Cities and towns along Vermont’s Route 7 corridor have long fought unchecked commercial development and increased traffic. They’ve tried to maintain their community identity, their values — their sense of place.
In our research, we did a search for “Route 7” on VPR’s Public Post and it turned up an item in Bennington’s select board minutes that we’ll likely use in the piece:
5. SPEED WARRANT ANALYSIS / ROUTE 7 SOUTH: Ms. Evey had circulated a petition to lower the speed limit from 50 mphto 40 mph on Route 7 South from the Park Lawn Cemetery to the junction of Carpenter Hill Road, as well as, a petition to widen the shoulders on Route 7 South. The only action that the Select Board can take is to ask the State of Vermont to conduct a speed analysis to determine if the speed limit is now appropriate given the development that has occurred.Ms. Evey reviewed the letter that she had written to the Secretary of Transportation in Montpelier noting that traffic moves in excess of 50 mph through there and the increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic from the Apple Barn, motels and the One World Conservation Center (NETC). It would also be helpful to widen the shoulders in that area but Ms. Evey understands the budgetary issues that would present. Her main concern, at this point, is to lower the speed limit.The Education Center at the NETC may even qualify this area as a school zone.It was the consensus of the Board to send a Letter of Support to the State to lower the speed limit from 50 mph to 40 mph on Route 7 South from the ParkLawn Cemetery to the junction of Carpenter Hill Road.
Vermont Public Radio just introduced this new search feature. Anyone can search Vermont city and town government meeting minutes here.
Fair Haven votes to investigate hydro potential
On Town Meeting Day, voters in Fair Haven will decide whether or not to spend up to $5,000 on an independent study to determine the cost of installing hydro-electricity at the town’s water treatment plant. A resident of the town secured the required number of signatures to get the article on the ballot. Voters passed a different hydro project that appeared on Fair Haven’s ballot a couple of years ago, but that plan was ultimately ruled unfeasible by the Select Board. The new proposal, which would use water from Inman Pond, is estimated to be a 10-kilowatt project. Supporters say it would save Fair Haven thousands of dollars each year.
Article 14: Shall the Town of Fair Haven appropriate up to $5000 for an independent study of costs related to installing hydro electricity in Fair Haven? (by petition)
Search Vermont City & Town Meeting Minutes At Public Post
We just introduced a new feature that allows anyone to search Vermont city and town government meeting minutes. Check it out here at VPR’s Public Post.
Public Post is a service from VPR that brings together local reporting from VPR News with government meeting minutes from Vermont cities and towns. Since the project launched last fall, we’ve added almost 70 Vermont towns. For each of these towns, anyone can find the latest town meeting minutes, review them, post their own comments, find information and story ideas in the minutes, and share it with VPR and the entire community.
Now, anyone – VPR staff, reporters, bloggers, citizens – can search across all the minutes. Are you wondering which towns are talking about snow removal? Are you a reporter writing a story about wastewater? Are you a resident wondering what other towns are doing about sidewalks, traffic, or playgrounds? Are you wondering how Vermont city and town governments are grappling with issues from Tropical Storm Irene? Search Public Post.
If you find something interesting in the minutiae, post it right on the site and share it with everyone who visits the site, or email it to VPR as a news tip or story idea to be produced for a broader audience.
In the coming weeks and months we will continue to add new towns and new features to Public Post, all to serve the mission of discovering what’s going on and what’s important in cities and towns across Vermont. We’d love your feedback and participation.
Check out Public Post today: search, browse, and share what you find.
Residents in Hinesburg to vote on new community park this upcoming Town Meeting Day
This Town Meeting Day in Hinesburg, voters will consider a $2.9 million dollar bond to construct a new safety facility and community park. You can find Town Meeting Day Warnings from Hinesburg and Manchester and several other Vermont cities and towns at VPR’s Public Post.
The article is to appear on the ballot as follows:
Article 3: Shall general obligation bonds of the Town of Hinesburg in amount not to exceed Two Million Nine-Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,900,000), subject to reduction from available state and federal constructions grants-in-aid and other financial assistance, be issued for the purpose of a proposed public safety facility and community park?
Residents in Manchester to vote on spending up to $1.5 million to improve Memorial Park
On Town Meeting Day next month, voters in Manchester will decide whether to spend up to $1.5 million dollars in bonds to build a new building and upgrade the swimming pool and skateboard park at the Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park.
The article is as follows:
Article 27. Shall bonds or notes of the Town of Manchester, not to exceed twenty years, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 be issued to finance a portion of the cost of making improvements to the Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park, the balance of such costs to be paid by donations, grants-in-aid and other financial assistance; improvements shall include the replacement of the existing structure and fencing located adjacent to the existing swimming pool, replacement of the septic system, improvements to some of the infrastructure related to the swimming pool; and may include replacement of the wading pool, improvements to the skateboard park (located north of the existing swimming pool) and other related improvements? TO BE VOTED BY AUSTRALIAN BALLOT.
For Continued Coverage Of The Aftermath Of Tropical Storm Irene Please Follow VPR News
This blog has served as a connection for people desperate for information in the days and weeks after Tropical Storm Irene flooded through our region.
Now, a month later, a lot of the immediate crisis is over. Roads are open or soon will be. There’s still rubble out there, but a lot of it has been hauled off. And private groups have begun to step in with financial assistance.
There are links to all sorts of resources still on this site. But the recovery is clearly under way and there are many other places that can help people can turn to if they need specific information.
VPR will continue to cover the recovery in newscasts and on Vermont Edition. You can find all of our coverage at VPR.net, along with our reports on Vermont Edition. But for now, we’ll retire this blog and rely on our traditional coverage.
Disaster Recovery Centers Change Sunday Operating Hours
From the Department of Public Service:
Vermont disaster recovery centers have new Sunday hours.
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 25, all recovery centers, except the newest in Lyndonville, will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Operating hours Monday through Saturday will continue to be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The newest recovery center is located in the Municipal Office Building, 119 Park Avenue, Lyndonville, and will be open Sunday, Sept. 25, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., then will be open on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. thereafter.
Vermonters affected by Tropical Storm Irene can get assistance seven days a week by visiting one of the 11 disaster recovery centers open throughout the state.
The recovery centers are staffed with disaster recovery specialists from various federal, state and local agencies and organizations who can answer questions about disaster assistance programs.
Disaster officials encourage those affected by the storm to register with FEMA before visiting a disaster recovery center by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362), online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Multilingual registration assistance is available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service.
Vermonters can use these same phone numbers to find the nearest disaster recovery center or check online at www.fema.gov/drclocator.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585; or call 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS).
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET; Saturday and Sunday from
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
Mobile Recovery Centers: Statewide
From VTResponse.com:
A mobile disaster recovery center vehicle will be making short visits to several Vermont communities beginning Tuesday, Sept. 27, in Middlebury.
The following is the schedule of the visits:
Addison County
Middlebury VFW Post 7823
530 Exchange St., Middlebury 05753
Opening noon – 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept 27;
8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept, 28; and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29
Windsor County
Bethel Town Hall,
318 Main St., Bethel 05032
Opening noon – 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30;
8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct.1; and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2
Addison County
Hancock Town Hall
1097 Rt. 100, Hancock 05748
Opening noon – 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3;
8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4; and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5
Windsor County
South Royalton Journey Church
412 S. Windsor St., South Royalton 05068
Opening noon – 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6;
8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 7; and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8
The mobile vehicle will provide the phone and computer connectivity for a recovery center. These centers are staffed with disaster recovery specialists from various federal, state and local agencies and organizations who can answer questions about disaster assistance programs.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s individual assistance program covers expenses for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged personal property and other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs.
Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Some applicants may receive an SBA loan application after registering with FEMA. No one is obligated to take out a loan. But if they don’t complete the application, they will not be considered for some federal grants.
Anyone who has a question about disaster loans may visit a disaster recovery center to speak with an SBA representative. Staff specialists are also available at the centers to answer other disaster assistance questions. Specialists at the recovery centers can refer applicants to voluntary agencies and provide information to reduce damage in possible future disasters.
Disaster officials encourage those affected by the storm to register with FEMA before visiting a disaster recovery center by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362), online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Multilingual registration assistance is available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service
Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Lyndonville
From the Department of Public Service:
Vermonters affected by Tropical Storm Irene may now visit a disaster recovery center in Lyndonville for disaster assistance information.
Municipal Office Building
119 Park Avenue
Lyndonville, VT 05851
The recovery centers are staffed with disaster recovery specialists from various federal, state and local agencies and organizations who can answer questions about disaster assistance programs.
There are 11 recovery centers open in the state.
Applicants who would like to speak to disaster specialists face-to-face can visit a center between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The newest recovery center in Lyndonville will be open the first Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. as are all other recovery centers.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s individual assistance program covers expenses for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged personal property and other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs.
Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Some applicants may receive an SBA loan application after registering with FEMA. No one is obligated to take out a loan. But if they don’t complete the application, they will not be considered for some federal grants.
Anyone who has a question about disaster loans may visit a disaster recovery center to speak with an SBA representative. Staff specialists are also available at the centers to answer other disaster assistance questions. Specialists at the recovery centers can refer applicants to voluntary agencies and provide information to reduce damage in possible future disasters.
Disaster officials encourage those affected by the storm to register with FEMA before visiting a disaster recovery center by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362), online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Multilingual registration assistance is available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service.
Other disaster recovery centers are in the following locations:
Okemo Market Place
Between Cool Moose and Dark Side Snowboard Shop
57 Pond Street, Suite #4
Ludlow, VT 05149
Northfield Library (Community Room)
93 South Main Street
Northfield, VT 05663
Bennington Fire Department
130 River Street
Bennington, VT 05201
The Rock Church
473 Woodstock Road
Woodstock, VT 05091
Rutland Heart Center
1 Commons Street
Rutland, VT 05701
Dover Town Hall
120 Taft Brook Road
Dover, VT 05341
U.S. Post Office (Upstairs)
2046 Route 4
Killington, VT 05751
Living Memorial Park Skating Rink
61 Memorial Park Drive
Brattleboro, VT 05301
Waterbury Fire Department
43 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05676
Hartford Fire Department
2nd Floor Training Room
812 VA Cutoff Road¬¬
White River Junction, VT 05001
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585; or call 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS).
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET; Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
Library Relief Fund
The Vermont Library Association is launching the Librarian Relief Fund to assist librarians who suffered personal property damages as a result of Hurricane Irene. You’ve likely seen the devastation on the news. What you don’t always see though is the extremely long, labor intensive process of cleaning up after something like this. It’ll take people in these communities a long time to get “back to normal.”
A lot of folks did not have flood insurance, and people are going to need support above what federal and state agencies can offer. If you feel inclined to help a librarian in need, please consider making a donation or sharing this post. You can donate online here, or you can mail a contribution to:
Vermont Library Association | Attn: Librarian Relief Fund | P.O. Box 803 | Burlington, VT 05402
Cavendish, Weathersfield and Stockbridge Still To Come
From the Rutland Herald:
Vermont Agency of Transportation officials have good news and bad news about state road repairs after Tropical Storm Irene. More roads are opening in southern Vermont, but there is still plenty of work to be finished.
On Friday, Deputy Secretary Sue Minter announced at the Ascutney District Garage that Route 100 from West Bridgewater to Ludlow is open to traffic, but routes 131 in Cavendish, 106 in Weathersfield and 107 in Stockbridge won’t be ready until November or December. She urged Vermonters to be patient.
“We know transportation is a lifeline to so many, but our message to Vermonters is, ‘We’re working. Help is on the way and we will not quit until it’s complete,’” Minter said. “We had about 500 miles of road that were affected by Irene. In day 25 of our recovery response, we’ve taken that number down to 55 miles.”
Agency officials invited the media to see firsthand the toughest challenges they face. Route 131 in Cavendish lost a large section during the storm. According to incident commander Joe Flynn of the agency, Black River overflow clogged a stone box culvert, which gave way. A massive amount of water washed into a nearby stream and caused severe erosion. The combined forces took out 200 yards of Route 131 and left a 100-foot chasm behind. It is now referred to as the “Cavendish Canyon.”
Flynn said it will take 74,000 cubic yards of material to repair the banks and the state highway. The transportation agency, the Maine Department of Transportation and the Vermont and Ohio National Guards have been working around the clock. They have restored about 44,000 cubic yards, but the repairs won’t be completed until mid-November, according to Flynn.
“We were hearing people tell us that they saw the water 20 to 25 feet higher than they’ve ever seen it before. The National Guard arrived Sept. 6 and have been working day and night. If you look at the stream now, you hardly see any water. You see only a trickle now. That’s the most frightening and most unusual thing and you can imagine what had to be there in order to create this damage,” Flynn said.
The Black River also showed its wrath miles down from the Cavendish Canyon. A section of Route 106 in Weathersfield sustained severe flooding and erosion. The flooding wiped out the riverbanks and the road. Flynn said it will take an additional 80,000 cubic yards of material to restore this area of Route 106 and it may not be completed until late this year.
“Up until a week and a half ago we couldn’t work down there because the river was working against us. We had to wait for the water levels to recede and slow down. We have a fast-moving water at the toe of the slope and it’s challenging,” Flynn said. “In a strange way, the people who build these roads and bridges look at these challenges as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s challenging their talents within the agency. I think we can manage that.”
Cavendish Town Manager Richard Svec said he was amazed at the progress. He credited everyone for their hard work, including members of the Ohio National Guard, who are returning to Ohio. In the meantime, Svec is hoping business as usual will return to Cavendish and Weathersfield soon.
“We’re up against the clock here,” Svec said.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary To Visit VT Farmers
From USDA.GOV:
Today and tomorrow, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will travel throughout Vermont to meet with local residents and see firsthand the resilience of farmers who were impacted by disasters.
On Monday, Deputy Secretary Merrigan and Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross will participate in a media availability in Westminster and tour recovery efforts at farms impacted by recent disasters in Southern Vermont. The USDA administers a number of programs that provide direct assistance to farmers in the wake of a major disaster.
On Tuesday, Deputy Secretary Merrigan will visit the Brattleboro Food Co-op, which received a guaranteed loan from USDA for financing and construction. The co-op is partnering with the Windham Housing Trust and Housing Vermont to build a brand new four story building. This will expand co-op’s sales area and support the economic growth of the community by providing a direct market for 146 local farmers and 56 local food manufacturers that are working hard to rebound from recent disasters.
*Note Time and Locations Below *
Monday, Sept. 26, 2011
4:00 p.m. EDT
WHAT: Deputy Secretary Merrigan will host a press availability to talk about the
resilience of Vermont farmers and their ability to rebuild and recover after Hurricane Irene as well as the Obama Administration’s commitment to Vermont agriculture.
WHO: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan
Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross
WHERE: Harlow Farm
117 Deep Root Drive
Westminster, VT
5:00 p.m. EDT
WHAT: After the press availability media is invited to accompany Deputy Secretary Merrigan tour additional storm damage at Robb Family Farm for b-roll footage.
WHO: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan
Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross
WHERE: Robb Family Farm
843 Ames Hill Road
Brattleboro, VT
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011
10:00 a.m. EDT
WHAT: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan will give remarks and tour the new
construction project at the Brattleboro Food Co-op.
WHO: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan
Brattleboro Co-op General Manager Alex Gyori
USDA Rural Development State Director Molly Lambert
WHERE: Brattleboro Food Co-op
2 Main Street
Brattleboro, VT
Free Mold and Moisture Workshop
Sent in by the American Lung Association:
The American Lung Association, in partnership with Turner Building Science and Design, is hosting a free and timely workshop, “Combining Mold Testing and Building Science Diagnostics for Public Health Assessments” on Thursday, October 6, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Pavilion Auditorium in Montpelier. Bill Turner, M.S., P.E., program presenter, is a nationally-recognized trainer and long-time board member of the American Lung Association in Maine.
“Water damage from Tropical Storm Irene poses special problems for Vermonters with existing lung disease and may increase the likelihood of the development of lung disease,” said Kent Booraem, chair of the Lung Association in Vermont Leadership Board. Damp buildings and furnishings promote the growth of microorganisms, dust mites, cockroaches and mold, which can aggravate asthma and allergies and may cause the development of asthma, wheeze, cough and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible persons.
Occupants often report ill health effects from water damage in buildings even when there are no visible signs of mold. Observations and typical airborne mold measurements may miss hidden mold growth inside walls. This workshop will provide facility managers, public health officials and health and safety personnel the basics of moisture and mold growth, how to assess, sample and interpret results.
The workshop is free, but registration is requested. To register, contact kporter@hlturner.com. For more information about the American Lung Association, visit www.lungusa.org or call 1-800-LUNG-USA.
Kent Museum Fundraiser
Sent into VPR:
In conjunction with the upcoming exhibition, Make Yourself at Home, at the Kent Museum opening October 1 in Calais (see events calendar), we’ve added a few fundraisers in response to flooding from Irene.
In support of artists affected by recent emergencies we’re hosting a fabulous silent auction of fine craft donated by artists around the nation as well as a live auction (overseen by poet Geof Hewitt) of artist-created chairs. Additionally, the Men of Maple Corner (remember them?) will re-convene to sing a new song in honor of their 10th anniversary.
Admission is free but any donations will be sent to CERF+ (craft emergency relief fund) for their Vermont Fund.
For more information: nel@craftemergency.org
Route 100 From West Bridgewater To Ludlow Reopened To Public Travel
VTrans update:
The Vermont Agency of Transportation today opened a nearly 20-mile stretch of Route 100 between West Bridgewater and Ludlow that had been closed since Tropical Storm Irene.
The roadway opening allows the public for the first time since the storm struck on August 28 to access the Calvin Coolidge Homestead, which is located in Plymouth along Route 100A. The national landmark plans an immediate opening, just in time for foliage season.
“We continue to make progress and restore mobility throughout the storm-damaged regions of Vermont,” said VTrans Secretary Brian Searles. “Route 100 is one of our most important north-south corridors, and this week we were able to reopen two key segments. On Tuesday we restored traffic through Granville, and today we opened access from West Bridgewater to Ludlow, which is a favorite destination for many Vermont visitors.”
The Coolidge homestead currently is accessible only from Route 100 in Plymouth. The landmark also usually is accessible from Route 4, but that access remains closed due to a closed bridge along the northern segment of Route 100A.
Route 100 from West Bridgewater to Ludlow was badly damaged in several locations. Water washed away multiple road segments, and in some places completely destroyed the highway. Crews worked tirelessly for more than three weeks to make enough repairs so that the road could reopen in time for foliage.
While the road is now open to the public, work continues. Several stretches remain gravel, and repairs to guardrail and roadway shoulders are still underway. Motorists should expect short construction delays in some locations.
Questions regarding storm-damaged roads and bridges related to Tropical Storm Irene can be answered by calling VTrans’ Irene Storm Center at 1-800-Vermont. People can also visit VTrans’ website at www.aot.state.vt.us where they can sign up for travel updates for their mobile phone, and follow the agency’s progress on both Facebook and Twitter.
Abbot’s Glenn Relief Concert
From a listener:
My husband & I own the Abbott’s Glen Inn & Campground in Halifax,Vt. The Abbott’s Glenn Inn & Campground is a clothing optional resort.
We are hosting a live Blues benefit concert called “Bare it all for Flood Relief” on Saturday, October 1 and half of the proceeds from the weekend receipts will go to local flood relief victims.
We are a legitimate business and love our dear state of Vermont. This is our way of contributing to the mess Irene left us with.
Their website is www.abbottsglen.com.
.
Cornwall School Fundraiser
Sent in by Denise Goodnow of Addison County:
After hearing of Edmunds Elementary’s excellent efforts to fundraise for
Hurricane Irene relief, I wanted to tell you about the efforts of a small school
in Addison County – Cornwall School. Since Hurricane Irene Cornwall School has
raised $350 for the Hancock Emergency Relief Fund and that was just the cash in
our coin drop. We are predicting that we will match that amount in the coins we
have collected. Our goal is to raise at least $700 and fill a beautiful antique
jar that was found by some Cornwall School staff members while working relief in
Rochester. The 83 students of Cornwall School have emptied their piggy banks,
searched in the cushions of their couches, emptied their parents’ pockets at the
end of a work day, and found other creative ways to donate coins to our coin
drop. If you would like more details don’t hesitate to call 802-462-2463, email
or visit us at Cornwall School.
