Views of Dummerston - 2014#1 - Winter

Volume 24 Issue 1

Winter ~ 2014

Free

Career Center Students Build Kitchen Cabinets for Habitat for Humanity Home

By Paul Cohen Students in Bob Simeon’s construction building and framing program at the Windham Regional Career Center partnered recently with the Brattleboro Area Habitat for Humanity. Simeon and his students took on the task of building and installing the kitchen cabinets for a house on Rice Farm Road in West Dummerston.

Simeon said that this was a job “from the ground up,” starting out with rough sawn lumber. Students milled, planed and joined lumber for the face frames and doors, using solid pine for the door panels. He added that the cabinets were built in place rather than in the Career Center’s wood shop since both the floor and walls of this house weren’t level and required lots of on-going measurements during construction.

Career Center students involved in the project were Zach Frost, Jonathan Garland, Bryse Gilbeau, Mark Rochefort, and Trevor Rose, all from Brattleboro; Hillary Renaud from Vernon; and Ben Wood from Guilford.

Students found it to be a terrific experience in terms of skill development. Ben Wood stated, “It was trial and error; nothing was straight or level in that house. We had to be persistent because finish work has to be perfect.” There was also a personal benefit.

Hillary Renaud shared, “It’s very nice to know I had a part in creating the cabinet doors and that the hard work I put into this project has helped make the house look its best for its new owners.” And Zach Frost added, “It feels great to know in five years, when I drive by that house, that I had a hand in building someone a home.” continued on page 15

Career Center students who built kitchen in HFH house in Dummerston, from left to right: Mark Rochefort, Ben Wood, Trevor Rose, Hillary Renaud, Zach Frost, Jonathan Garland, Bryse Gilbeau.

Farmland Committee Applauds Bunker Farm Revival

By Jack W. Manix The Dummerston Farmland Committee was happy to learn this past summer that two young local couples were selected by the Vermont Land Trust to take over the Bunker Farm. Mike Euphrat, Jen O’Donnell, Noah Hoskins, and Helen O’Donnell were chosen from a large pool of applicants to pursue their well-designed agricultural business plan on the beautiful 169 acre farm that has been a cornerstone of Dummerston agriculture for many years. Having known one of the previous farm operators, Fred Knapp, I can only imagine how delighted he would have been to see the fields and barns he worked so hard to maintain back in use and

filled with farm animals and hay.

The new farmers have quickly brought the farm back to life and will be producing pasture raised meat and vegetables, horticultural plants, and maple sap, as well as providing educational opportunities for local schools.

Mike has worked at Walker Farm for eight years and Noah has worked at Walker Farm and the Putney School Farm. They are well qualified to tend the land and animals. Helen is a noted local horticulturist who has trained in the best gardens of England. Jen teaches at Putney Central School and can implement the educational aspects the young farmers have in mind for the future. continued on page 15

2 • WINTER, 2014 • Views of Dummerston • The Views of Dummerston is a quarterly publication of The Dummerston Community Center, and the citizens of Dummerston.

The steering committee for the Views includes: Roger Turner, Jody Normandeau, Michelle Cherrier, Fred Lee, and Jean Newell, Bob Sherwood, Sara Ryan.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: The Views is mailed free of charge to all Dummerston residents who are registered voters. If you are not a registered voter in the town of Dummerston, you may subscribe to the Views by sending a check in the amount of $5, made out to the Views of Dummerston, with your name and mailing address, to: Jody Normandeau, 250 Tucker Reed Road, Dummerston, VT 05301.

SUBMISSIONS: Articles: Please email to: viewsofdummerston@yahoo.com.

Please save as either “Word Document” (Microsoft Word), or as “Text Only”, using Times New Roman font, size 10, in single-spaced lines, with no “all caps” or paragraph formatting. We also accept typewritten submissions sent to Jody Normandeau, 250 Tucker Reed Road, Dummerston, VT 05301.

Calendar: Email to Michelle Cherrier at viewsofdummerston@yahoo.com, or by note to Michelle at 72 Miller Rd, E. Dummerston 05346 NEXT ISSUE: Submissions due: April 1, 2014 Mailing: May 15, 2014 AD RATES: All rates start in January and run for a term of four issues; the Views is published quarterly. A large or small box ad may be placed for one issue only at an adjusted rate. Checks are to be made payable to the Views of Dummerston.

Small Box Ad $55 Large Box Ad $85 Sponsor $25 To place an ad or for more information please contact: Sara Ryan 387-0110

Listers

Homestead Declarations due April 15

By Jean Newell Our report this year begins with an explanation of our calendar year set by the state.

The grand list is created yearly to reflect changes/additions to property values. The assessment covers April 1 st to March 31 st of each year. Homestead declarations (HS122) downloads and new current use values come from the state beginning in February and continue until the grand list abstract date of June 4th. The listers send out grievance notices (change of appraisals) to the property owners by June 4th and notices are also posted in five public places within the town and as a legal notice in the Brattleboro Reformer. There is a two week (14 day) period to question (grieve) the new valuation.

Also, any property owner is entitled to grieve their property valuation at this time. When a property owner grieves, the result of the grievance will be mailed to the owner within 14 days. The property owner then has an additional 14 days to appeal this decision to the Board of Civil Authority (BCA). Further avenues are available beyond the BCA if the property owner is still not satisfied.

Homeowners/residents are required each year to file a Homestead Declaration (HS122) to the State of Vermont by April 15th.

You can find the HS-122 form in the Vermont income tax booklet or online at http:// www.state.vt.us/tax/index.shtml. The form

must be filed even if you do not need to file an income tax return. You will not be able to receive a prebate from the State if you have not filed an HS-122. For the fiscal year 2013 Dummerston had 43 residents who did not file. The listers provide these names to the state who then sends a follow-up letter reminding residents of their obligation. Not filing results in an incorrect tax bill, a late file penalty and an incorrect grand list. Our selectboard waived all penalties this year amounting to over $16,000 in lost revenue.

Please make sure you file.

Dummerston has 111 properties enrolled in the Current Use program, which includes over half the land in town. A great deal of the listers’ time is involved with managing the information sent from the state for the Current Use Program and Homestead Declarations The common level of appraisal for 2013 was 99.07 and the 2014 common level of appraisal has been set at 98.8. Although the 2014 level will not mandate a reappraisal, it may be necessary to undergo a town wide reappraisal in the next few years as the discrepancy between sales and property values continues to increase. There is over $64,000 saved in our reappraisal fund.

Please do not hesitate to call us with questions. Our office hours are 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Thursday. You may also leave us as message at any time

Town Clerk’s Desk

Whitney Harrison New Face in Town Office

By Pam McFadden Please welcome our new assistant town clerk, Whitney Harrison. Whitney will be helping out here in the office a couple days a week. For personal reasons I will be going to part time. She is excited to learn the ropes and meet new people.

Dog licenses for 2014 are ready. According to Vermont law, all dogs six months old and older must be registered with the town each year on or before April 1st. Dog licenses in the Town of Dummerston are $8 for a neutered dog and $12 for an un-neutered dog.

There will be a rabies clinic for dogs and cats on Saturday March 22, 2014 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the town offices. The fee for the rabies vaccination is $12. Checks and money orders should be made out to the VTNH Vet Clinic. Dr. Dan Abbott will be administering the vaccines. Dummerston dog licenses will be available during the clinic.

Town meeting will start at 10 a.m. at the Dummerston School and the school district meeting will be held first this year. Hope to see you all there. Please bring your town report!

Views of Dummerston • WINTER, 2014 • 3

town government Selectboard

2013 Selectboard Year in Review

By Lewis White Another busy year has passed. We saw the completion of many projects around town.

The new gravel pit on Route 5, behind the Hidden Acres Campground, was opened and became operational. The pit is shared with the Town of Putney and Renaud Brothers.

We already had our one year review with the

Dummerston Development Review Board this past Fall and look forward to getting many years and yards out of the pit.

Thanks to selectboard member Bill Holiday and the ancient roads committee, the ancient roads project was completed and submitted to the state.

With the efforts of our road crew, the culvert was replaced on Dutton Farm Road in a very

Recreation Committee

rec xxxx

By Carrie Ritson The fall of 2013 was a season filled with youth soccer and complete transition! During that time, the Dummerston Recreation Board managed a highly successful junior soccer league and underwent a board changeover, replacing most of its veteran members with six newly appointed community volunteers.

We’d like to thank Anna Piergentili, Jill Williams, and Layla Lewis (who remains on the board) for their many years of exceptional service and commitment to the community, and for their help in guiding our way through the transition.

If you’re not familiar with the Dummerston Recreation Board, we are a town-funded, select board appointed, volunteer board, formed to facilitate and provide recreational opportunities to the community. Although the majority of our programs have evolved to cater to grade school-aged children, we are not otherwise associated with Dummerston school. We do however, maintain a cooperative relationship with the school and respectfully utilize their facilities and playing fields.

While we pledge to continue the immensely successful youth soccer, baseball, and basket-

ball programs, yet another of our goals is to expand our offerings to include a wider range of age groups and community interests. We will be making public our meeting schedule (mainly via dummerston.org) and encourage anyone with an interest or ideas to attend.

We’d like to invite our neighbors and fellow townspeople to participate in identifying new programs and activities, which we hope will entice and energize a greater span of Dummerston residents to become involved. You’re welcome to contact any of us or simply drop-in at a meeting.

We hope to hear from you! Members of the recreation Board include: Sarah Evans, Melanie Chamberlin, Molly Stoner, Keith Marshall, Layla Lewis, Ruth Barton, and Carrie Ritson.

timely and efficient manner. As always, our road crew continues to do a fine job on all our roads in town.

Another thank you should go to Bill and Suzanne Flynt for their generous donation of land to the town so that the Wilder Cemetery on Rice Farm Road could be expanded this past year.

With the diligent work of all selectboard members, we were able to sign off on our Radiological Emergency Response Program (RERP).

The town office got a new roof and an external accounting audit has been completed.

Both projects were long overdue and money well spent.

We were able to use monies from our Farmland Protection Fund to help preserve Bunker Farm through the Vermont Land Trust. We wish the new young farmers luck with this endeavor.

There has been much discussion regarding the printing of our town report or having it available electronically. Please be on the lookout for a survey asking your preference.

We would also like to thank all of the volunteers who serve on town commissions, and committees. It’s your donation of time that helps our town run smoothly. And thank you to everyone who comes to our meetings. If you can’t make our meetings, you can always watch us on BCTV. As always, feel free to contact any selectboard member with concerns or compliments.

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4 • WINTER, 2014 • Views of Dummerston •

town government Dummerston Conservation Commission

Haydock, Smith Talk to Packed Houses

By John Anderson As I write, the days are short and cold but by the time you read this the seasons will be noticeably shifting toward spring. Occasional blue skied, sun-warmed late February days will make outdoor activities a lot more tempting.

In the meantime I will have stayed busy in my nice warm kitchen with some reading and some pencil and paper rambling.

The conservation commission has kept a full schedule including two educational presentations. In October at the Learning Cooperative, Roger Haydock spoke on the “Geology of Dummerston.” Using slides, a sound grasp of his subject, humor, and a variety of wrinkled textiles including blankets and pillows to help the audience visualize plate tectonics, he explained the jumbled fragmentary bedrocks of the region.

Erosion, sedimentation, glaciations and other deep time forces were linked by Haydock’s presentation to locally observable rock formations. The shoreline of glacial Lake Hitchcock with its resultant terraces, outwash deposits, and sediment layers, was also traced along the present day contours of our familiar home hills and valleys.

Covering hundreds of millions of years of ever-increasing geologic complexities in an evening presentation would seem a daunting task, but the enthusiastic response of the audience was proof positive of Haydock’s abilities.

Unfortunately to do justice to his efforts in this brief synopsis—a further reduction of such a sweeping subject—is beyond my abilities.

But, this presentation was taped, as are most of the programs that the conservation commission presents, so it can be viewed on local access television (BCTV).

In early December at the Learning Cooperative Patti Smith gave a presentation entitled “An Intimate Look at the Mammals of Windham County.” This was a joint presentation of the Dummerston Conservation Commission and the

Bonneyvale Environmental Education Center.

Once again, the room was packed.

Fifty species of mammals grouped by family were shown including opossum, six shrew species, two moles, seven bats, rabbits and hares, six squirrels, four voles, muskrat, porcupine, and beaver. Completing the fifty species count were four mice, gray and red fox, coyote, bear, raccoon, five weasels, skunk, bobcat, moose, deer, and humans.

This was a multi-level presentation with tips on identification such as how to tell a vole from a mole, a mouse from a shrew, and how to tell a red-backed vole from a meadow vole. There was also a bit of general information on the relative rarity of some species, habitat needs, preferred foods, etc.

And when species with which Smith is in frequent contact either during her research or in her role as a wildlife rehabilitator were under discussion, we were treated to tales of interspecies interactions. Visits by mumbling porcupines, conversations with nonchalant moose, and being scrambled over by hyperactive adolescent gray squirrels, while filling the multiple roles of foster mother, playmate, and tree substitute are all part of the life of infinite possibilities Smith has chosen.

After the formal presentation, there was a question and answer period and a general sharing of information, observations, and tales from the audience members about their own interspecies interactions.

An estimated 50 people attended this fun and informative event and audience response was— if you will forgive me saying so—extremely warm-blooded.

Now, having dutifully reported on conservation commission programs, I’m going to ramble off into a bit of a tangled weed patch, a weed patch full of microbes, mosquitoes, and milkweeds. I recently read Weeds: In Defense of Nature’s Most Unloved Plants, by Richard Mabey. In this book Mabey touches on the little-

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discussed subject of plants that have evolved immunity to our herbicides. He says, “. . . in 1990 a population of groundsel (a common weed) proved to be resistant to the widely used weed killer Simazine. Twenty years [later] fifty more species have evolved some type of resistance to a wide range of herbicides.”

This should come as no surprise. Widespread usage of antibiotics has driven the evolution of pathogens immune to the effects of those antibicontinued on page 5

Plan Ahead for Building Projects

By Charlotte Neer Annis 2013 was a very productive year. Thirtyeight zoning permits were issued including two for new single family residences, seven for subdivisions, and five for commercial applications. The planning commission continues to work on the rewrite of our town’s bylaw to align the bylaw with the town plan. I also have the goal of simplifying and clarifying the bylaw to make it more user friendly.

The planning commission graciously accepts comments from the zoning administrator and we are working on this goal. Hopefully by the time this is published, we will have made a change that simplifies adding on to our older homes that do not meet the current setbacks and also simplify adding accessory structures to pre-existing small lots.

As spring and the building season approaches, please remember that all new construction and any structural alterations that change the exterior of a building will require a zoning permit. Almost all accessory structures (e.g., barns, garages, sheds) also require a permit as do all land divisions, even if it only involves the exchange of land between adjoining property owners. Permit applications are available at the town office or online at dummerston.org under zoning.

Vermont state statutes allow four weeks for processing and the permit must be posted for two weeks before work commences so please allow adequate time before you want to start your project.

Please call (257-1496), email (zoning@ dummerston.org), or stop by the town office with any questions or concerns that you may have.

Views of Dummerston • WINTER, 2014 • 5

town government Dummerston Planning Commission

Planning Commission Working on Zoning Bylaws town plan are in the land use districts in the Routes 5 and 30 corridors, and a few related By the time you read this, we should have changes to the action steps listed in the town an updated town plan approved by the se- plan land use section. Since sending our prolectboard. The only changes from the 2010 posed town plan update to the selectboard,

By Sam Farwell

Dummerston Energy Commission

Efficient Streetlamps Light Up Town

By Jerelyn Wilson The Energy Committee is pleased to have worked with Transition Dummerston on the 2013 Vermont Home Energy Challenge (VHEC). The program was very successful for our town. Of the 27 homeowners who expressed interest, nineteen completed energy audits on their homes and 15 followed through with at least some weatherizing. Dummerston’s VHEC 2013 organizers are considering the idea of a “Button-Up Day” in early November of 2014, hoping this could become a regular fall event similar to “Green-Up Day” in the spring. Many thanks to Catie Berg of Transition Dummerston for her Herculean efforts with this project!

With outdoor lighting, we’re excited to report that Dummerston is well on its way toward replacement of all streetlights with energy-efficient LED lights. At Dummerston Center, the town garage and Slab Hollow, replacement of the old mercury vapor lights with LED is now complete, and this work is continuing throughout town. Green Mountain Power is carrying out this work in coordination with the energy committee. The shift to LED will save the town energy and money as well as significantly improve the quality of outdoor lighting in these areas. Because LED lighting can be more precisely directed, we hope that glare and light pollution will also be reduced.

Please provide feedback to the energy committee (energy@dummerston.org) and we will communicate with Green Mountain Power.

In support of the energy committee’s goals to help residents and the town reduce energy consumption, save money, and achieve greater resilience, we are grateful for all the residents who have returned the survey we mailed in August. Results from the survey will help the Dummerston Energy Committee work toward these goals. The good news is that it’s not too late to respond if you have not already! Best

would be if you could complete the survey online: http://dummerston.org. Or, if you still have the copy we sent, fill that out and mail it back; for another copy, call Jerelyn Wilson (257-0019) or e-mail jerelyn.wilson@gmail. com. While your participation in this survey is completely optional and the information strictly confidential, we would love it if you would fill out the survey—or as much of it as you feel comfortable doing. We will be reporting the aggregate findings in an upcoming issue of Views of Dummerston.

we have been concentrating on updating the zoning bylaw so that it is more compatible with the town plan. We expect to hold public forums on the zoning bylaw in the spring.

Look for announcements in the newspapers and on our town website.

The planning commission’s regular meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the town office. The agenda and minutes are posted on the commission’s page of the town website. We have been holding extra meetings on the fourth Tuesday as well.

Meetings are always open to the public.

Please do not hesitate to contact any commissioner with questions about the town plan or the zoning bylaw. Our current members are: Andrew MacFarland, Annamarie Pluhar (secretary), Beverly Tier, Bill Schmidt, Cindy Wilcox, Debra Forrett, Maria Glabach, Richard Cogliano (vice-chair), Sam Farwell (chair).

Written comments are also very welcome and can be emailed to planning@dummerston.org or mailed to the town office.

Haydock, Smith Talk to Packed Houses continued from page 4 otics. Widespread use of insecticides has driven the evolution of insects immune to the effects of those insecticides. And now, the widespread use of herbicides is driving the evolution of weeds immune to the effects of those herbicides.

With our laboratory concoctions we are selecting against strains of pathogens, insects, and weeds with which we coevolved, and selecting for new potentially more troublesome varieties. We are driving the evolution of our own self-defined adversaries. We are creating “superweeds.” Ironic, isn’t it?

Of course we will respond with new, more powerful laboratory concoctions.

And the weeds et al. will further evolve …

What will be the outcome of our “chemistry versus the weeds” war? Who knows? We’ve started a conflict that has no exit strategy. However, I have quite a lot of faith in the genetic adaptability of the microbes, mosquitoes and milkweeds, and not so much in any scientific advances that ensure their own obsolescence by driving the species they supposedly target to evolve defenses that ultimately render those advances useless.

As I said, this is a tangled weed patch. It

touches on all sorts of moral and ethical questions that I can’t even begin to address. But one thing is clear, when we pre-empted the process of natural selection with our science we took moral ownership of any super-strains that evolved as a result of our manipulations. Who else could we blame? We created them, drove their evolution.

I’m going to watch with interest as the future unfolds. In the meantime, I’ll resist the temptation to spray herbicides on the patch of bittersweet that has plagued me for the last twenty years, and I’ll opt for locally grown organic foods whenever possible. And I’ll continue to see the monumental irony in the fact that our short-term solutions are driving the weeds et al. to evolve immunity to those solutions and that we can’t seem to see beyond any immediate short-term benefit.

Enough of this ever-deepening weed patch; I’m going out to shovel snow. Shoveling is a short-term solution to the problem, but at least I can be certain that snow will not evolve a resistance to the science applied. I won’t be promoting the evolution of shovel-resistant snow.

For more information on the conservation commission go to http://www.dummerstonconservation.com

6 • WINTER, 2014 • Views of Dummerston •

organizations Lydia Taft Pratt Library

Karen LaRue Takes the Helm at LTP Library

By Catherine O’Callaghan Dummerston’s own Lydia Taft Pratt Library has welcomed a new librarian, Karen LaRue. Although Karen makes her home in Chesterfield, NH, she serves two small town libraries in the West River Valley: the Townsend Public Library and the Lydia Taft Pratt Library. We are fortunate that Karen has become our librarian because she has years of experience working in libraries. After earning a bachelor’s degree in education at Southern Connecticut State College, she undertook the library science program at University of Vermont, and became a certified school library media generalist. She has previously worked in school as well as town libraries.

Karen keeps her expertise up-to-date with continuing education, webinars, and a wide circle of Vermont librarians.

When I sat down with Karen I asked her how she enjoyed the Lydia Taft Pratt Library and she enthusiastically mentioned our wonderful patrons as well as her goals to automate the catalogue using Library World (http://www.libraryworld.com/), catch up on the backlog of donated books, and add to our collection. For pleasure reading, Karen enjoys historical fiction and nonfiction. Her transition has been a smooth one and story time is well attended on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. One of the “delights” of her new position is working in a multi-use building, and she has enjoyed the traffic for the community center events, the conservation commission, the music lessons and the children on the playground after

Bill McKim

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257-7767 DUMMERSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS

2014 Scenes of Dummerston Calendar

Get your 2014 Dummerston calendar early. They are available at the town office or by calling Muriel Taylor at 802-257-9358.

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school.

Our library holds open a space in our community for the love of books. A visit to the library offers a moment to catch up with neighbors and meet new friends. People of all ages use the library and never ceases to remind us of the need for community to have a place where different generations come together.

Whether it’s listening to an elder speak about her fondly remembered college days or admiring a toddler’s collage, our library expands our relationships.

As the days remain dark, we for grateful that Lydia’s vision still enlightens our community through the love of language and learning.

This year—2014—marks a Dummerston milestone: the Lydia Taft Pratt Library celebrates 100 years of serving the community of Dummerston! Lydia’s Friends are planning a wonderful celebration of our 100th anniversary complete with a parade down West Street, podium exhortations, games and period costumes, at our annual geranium festival and book sale on Saturday, May 17.

If you are interested in joining Lydia’s Friends to help with the 100th anniversary celebration in May, please call the library (258-9878) or Catherine O’Callaghan at 802-257-4673 or email her at cocallag@marlboro.edu.

Library Hours: Tuesday: 2:30–7 p.m.; Thursday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; story/craft hour: 10:30–11:30 a.m.; Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Trustees: David Patriquin, Winnie Vogt, Sherwood Smith, Susan Daigler, and Lori Miller. Librarian: Karen LaRue. Phone Number: 258-9878.

Recent Acquisitions Adult Fiction: Time Keeper—Mitch Albom; Bright Eyes—Katherine Anderson; Sandcastle Girls—Chris Bohjalian; The Light in the Ruins (audio book)—Chris Bohjalian; Tombs—Clive Cussler; Lost Years—Mary

Dan Normandeau

Higgins Clark; Wicked Appetite; Wicked Bussiness—Janet Evanovich; Take Down Twenty—Janet Evanovich; Room Full of Bones—Elly Griffiths; A Dying Fall—Elly Griffiths; Calico Joe—John Grisham; Sycamore Row—John Grisham; The Low Land: a Novel—Jhumpa Lahira; Inn at Rose Harbor— Debbie Macomber; Limpopo Academy of Private Detection—Alexander McCall Smith; My Wilder Life: Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Praire—Wendy McClure; I; Michael Bennett—James Patterson; Fingal O’Reilly: Irish Doctor—Patrick Taylor; Beginner’s Goodbye—Ann Tyler; The Silent Sea; The Rope Walk; Crescent Dawn; Spartan Gold; The Jungle; Plague Ship; Treasure of Khan; Polar Shift; The Thief; Carolina Isle; The King’s General; I Feel Bad About My Neck; Stay A Little Longer; Stranger in Paradise; One Last Dance; Taste of Honey; Magic Hour; Knockdown; Fall From Pride; The Christmas Angel; Our Kind of Traitor; Summer on Blossom Street; 1225 Christmas Tree Lane; Hannah’s List; St Mungo’s Robin; Vanishing Act; Springwater Wedding; Sea Change; Now and Then; Spare Change; The Shipping News; Sandcastles; Where Willows Grow; Waiting for Summer’s Return; A Wedding in December; Low Country; Dear John; Safe Haven; Honor Thyself; Family Ties; A Good Woman; Coming Out; Legacy; The Mapping of Love and Death; Driftwood Cottage Adult Nonfiction: Gilded Lives; Fatal Voyage: The Titanic’s First Class Passengers— Hugh Brewster; Home: A Short History of Private Life—Bill Bryson; One Summer: America 1927—Bill Bryson; Mortality— Christopher Hitchens; End This Depression Now!—Paul Krugman; The Secret Life Bletchley Park: The WWII Code breaking Center—Sinclair McKay; The Remains of Company D: The Story of the Great War— James Carl Nelson; No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Bin Laden—Mark Owen; Lots of Candles; continued on page 10

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Views of Dummerston • WINTER, 2014 • 7

organizations Historical Society

Camp Arden Peace Corps Training Remembered

By Cindy Wilcox At this writing, the Dummerston Historical Society has just completed its annual meeting, at which it passed its operating budget, re-elected board members whose terms were expiring, discussed its new and exciting prospect of building an addition to the schoolhouse thanks to the generous gift of Sam Bunker, and settled in for an inspiring program presented by Tom Zopf and Len Oppenheim on their experience fifty years ago of Peace Corps training at Camp Arden for service in Afghanistan. There was a mov-

ing slide presentation (with music) of both venues, and several Peace Corps volunteers were in attendance.

To reminisce over 2013, a recap of the society’s activities included a highly amusing interactive program in January of “old-time sayings, colloquialisms and odd turns of phrase from earlier generations”, followed in April by author, Vincent Feeney, whose recent book about the history of the Irish in Vermont inspired his talk entitled “The Irish Wave in the Green Mountains”. In July, strolling minstrels Cal and Ken Heile serenaded the DHS audience at their sum-

Evening Star Grange #154

Grange Hall Ready for Rentals

By Sallie J. May, secretary It is a drizzly, snowy evening now, but Spring is only a few weeks away, and the Grange is gearing up for another busy Spring and Summer season. Mark your calendars for the traditional Memorial Day service on May 30th. The date for our first chicken pie supper will be June 14th and the Grange will once again host the church’s strawberry supper on Saturday, June 28th. We hope to see you at one,

two, or all of these events.

We continue to rent our hall to people for meetings, workshops, parties, and dances.

Please contact Ruth Barton, events coordinator, at 254-1128 for available dates and prices.

We hope to take in a new member at our February meeting and are always eager to see new faces, so if anyone is interested in joining our Grange, please get in touch with Sallie May at 257-0387.

Dummerston Community Center

Annual Pampered Chef Party Set for March 2

By Ann Davis Happy new year everyone! 2014… it’s hard to believe. This is turning out to be a very long, cold, icy winter. But spring is just around the corner.

Sunday March 2 from 12:30. to 2 p.m. is our annual Pampered Chef party, with our very own hostess with the mostess Kim Martin. This will be held in the front room; we hope you can come and check out new products, gadgets, bakeware, etc. Try some tasty snacks and have FUN. We will welcome spring in this year with our March Madness tag sale, on Saturday March 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be lots of treasure for you.

Our old time gospel hour, time and date to be announced later, will return this spring also.

We hope you can join us for these events.

As always, when planning those get-togethers, parties, workshops, etc. remember the Community Center. We have a great facility for all to enjoy. Handicap accessibility and the playground make this a safe and comfortable place for everyone.

Our sincere thanks to all those who support the center. We couldn’t do it without you.

mer picnic on the lawn. August brought a large Kathan family reunion to Dummerston and Putney, for which the schoolhouse was open with as many Kathan artifacts as we could find in our collections. In October, the London-based Kipling Society held its first-ever United States Symposium, much of which took place in Dummerston. For the final quarterly program, Chuck Fish gave us the same talk that he had presented to the Symposium on “Vermont and Vermonters in Kipling’s Day”. The schoolhouse was open for the Apple Pie Festival with an antique car on display outside and a small exhibit of Bunker memorabilia on display inside.

Our annual “Scenes of Dummerston” Calendar was available again this year, thanks to Muriel Taylor.

Focus in 2014 will continue to concentrate on improving organization in the schoolhouse, cataloguing and storing our collections, sponsoring programs of interest to Dummerston residents, and mounting exhibits featuring the town and its history. In conjunction with the selectboard, the society is also considering an addition to the schoolhouse for which it has created a building committee with Chuck Fish as chair. This is in its preliminary phases, but a design concept has emerged, and as it develops, you will be hearing much more about it from us at the Dummerston Historical Society.

FRENCH & FRENCH ATTORNEYS AT LAW 802 • 254 • 9000

A GENERAL PRACTICE OF LAW W ALTER G. FRENCH JODI P. FRENCH POST OFFICE BOX 2, W. DUMMERSTON, VT 05357

Sponsors Carolyn Mayo Brown & Gregory Brown Art Benedict Michelle Cherrier & Philip Goepp Len Oppenheim

8 • WINTER, 2014 • Views of Dummerston •

school news

School in Review Highlights

By Jo Carol Ratti As we begin the second half of the school year I would like to highlight some of the exciting things that have taken place at Dummerston School.

JUMP Morgan Maxwell is double-0 as she makes the jump for a recent basketball match-up.

The Gift of Memory Fourth grade students had a chance to walk down Memory Lane in December. After brainstorming about their childhoods—special places, special people, unique nicknames and events—they each put their pens to paper.

What emerged was an “I am From” poem, each one the unique expression of its writer.

Students wrote these poems knowing that their parents would be their audience; their memories and words would be their gift. From what I’m told, there were some misty eyes in Dummerston during the holidays!

Molly Stoner, Grade 4 teacher

THE ABERNAKE Taylor Barows never goes anywhere without his Abernake toy.

Student Council News Thanks to all who helped with our “Holiday Cards for Heroes” project by sending in and donating holiday cards. All the cards were sent continued on page 9

Josheph G. Santry, O.D. jonathan@mindelmorse.com

I am From…

by Max Naylor I am from warm, lovely dinners with my family.

I am from Mom rubbing my back before I go to bed and Scout waking me up in bed in the morning.

I am from hiding in my special fort.

I am from Mom, Dad, my sister and my lovely dog and chickens.

I am from Dad calling me Maxa’Million, from mom telling me “The Littles.”

I am from scoring goals in soccer, from hearing the nets going “swash” in basketball, from hitting the baseball hard.

I am from building awesome battleships.

I am from dad telling me to “shut up the chickens” and from Scout greeting us at the door when we come home from school.

Views of Dummerston • WINTER, 2014 • 9

Proposed FY15 Dummerston School Budget Submitted by Amy Wall, Chair, Dummerston Town School Board

On January 21st, the Dummerston Town School Board adopted the FY15 school budget that it will present to voters at town meeting. In the FY15 budget, the board sought to find that fine balance between maintaining a quality education for our students and remaining fiscal responsible for our community. Figures 1 and 2 provide details on the

FY15 budget and resulting tax rates, respectively. Even while holding the overall budgetary increase to 1.13%, the combined effects of the base tax rate, the base education payment, the equalized pupil count and the Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) result in a $0.20 overall increase in the education residential tax rate for FY15. The final FY15 educational tax rate may change slightly because the legislature and state have not set final rates to date. The following is a review of the FY15 proposed budget and calculations of tax rates.

Figure 1: Proposed FY15 Dummerston Town School Budget FY14 FY15 % change Dummerston K-8 General Operating Fund Preschool Special Education Early Essential Education Program Debt Service Debt Service—Water Planning Debt Service—Water Project Special Article—Roof and Gym Floor Deficit Reduction Note Lighting Project Special Article—Roof Capital Fund Expense—Gym Floor

$2,403,255 43,040 417,584 57,160 55,120 787 2,495 0 12,600 5,251 10,000 17,535

$2,479,835 48,750 85,699 57,607 0 787 2,495 0 11,011 5,000 10,148 0

3.19 13.27 –79.48 0.78 0 0 0 0 –12.61 – 4.78 1.48 0

Dummerston K-8 Total WSESU Assessment

$3,024,827 173,618

$2,701,332 533,310

–10.69 207.17

Combined FY15 Total

$3,198,445

$3,234,642

1.13

In Figure 1, the subheading entitled Dummerston K-8 shows the costs associated with the elementary and middle school programs along with debt service.

The General Operating Fund reflects the expenses for the K-8 program with portions of it determined by contractual obligations and outside influences. Of note in the proposed FY15 General Operating Fund is: • a 4.5% estimated increase in health insurance premiums, • a 2% increase in teacher salaries and support staff salaries per negotiated contracts, • a 21.30% increase in Workers Compensation insurance premium, • a –12.69% decrease in transportation expenses due to a newly negotiated contract, and • a part time (0.60 FTE) Technology Integration Specialist who will work with students and staff to integrate current and

new technology in the classroom and curriculum.

In ongoing discussions, the school board and administration felt strongly that technology integration was an area of weakness in Dummerston School’s programming. For FY15, the school board challenged administration to find a way to fund such a position with no additional increase in staffing expense for FY15.

With hard work and creativity, administration met this challenge successfully.

The Preschool line item continues to increase as participation in the state Preschool/ ADM program increases. It is important to note that expenses for this line item are offset by a corresponding line item in the Revenue budget. The Special Education line item continued on page 11

Compliments of

Alvino & Bea Fantini Allan & Sally Seymour Milt & Barbara Gilmore Sam and Gincy Bunker Rip Lhamon and Fita Ferguson

Priscilla Svec, P.T. Practicing Holistic Physical Therapy 126 Main Street, Putney

387-4799

Sponsors

School in Review continued from page 8 to our servicemen and women. With help from the school community we were able to collect and donate 191 pounds of food to the Putney Food Shelf and all the scarves, socks, hats, blankets, gloves, and mittens that were hanging on “The Giving Tree” were donated to the Brattleboro Drop-In Center. Thank you once again for all your support to these worthwhile projects. We really appreciate it.

Lois Reed, Student Council Advisor The months of November and December are always filled with lots of student activity, generous donations, and hard work on behalf of families in need. Please accept our sincere thanks for, once again, sharing and providing to those less fortunate. The generosity of the Dummerston community never ceases to amaze me and the comfort and support your donations provide to families truly brings joy to the season of giving. Thank you.

The holiday concert was held on Wednesday, December 11 to a packed audience! The 4th graders were the stars of the show called, December ‘Round the World. Students in grades K-5, along with chorus, band and jazz band provided singing and instrumental music to accompany the performance.

Winter activities are off to a great start and Environmental Learning for the Future (ELF) continues each month in grades K-4, thanks to a wonderful cadre of parent coordinators and volunteers.

On behalf of all of us at Dummerston School, thank you for your time, energy and dedication to Dummerston students. Happy New Year!

Sponsors Cliff Adler & Lynn Levine Paul & Lou Nelsen Eleanora Patterson & Gordon Faison Gordon & Linda Evans Heather & Gene Rostov Akara Draper & Linnie Jones

10 • WINTER, 2014 • Views of Dummerston •

Dummerston Fuel Fund Helps Neighbors, Needs Funds all the individuals who planned, cooked, and served, and those who attended, many giving an extra donation as well as the admission.

We also want to thank those who have sent individual donations. This note was recently received from a recipient: “It touches my heart that there is such generosity in our community…people who understand.” We must remind people that the heating season is not kins—Ann Rockwell; The Cupcake Diaries over and while there is still a small balance Series: Books 1;2 and 3—Coco Simon; Busy in the fund it will be used up quickly if there Little Squirrel—Nancy Tafuri; Mouse’s First are others in need.

Fall—Lauren Thompson; One Cool Friend; Where’s the Big Bad Wolf?; Jerome Camps Out; The Desperate Dog Writes Again; Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed; Little Cub; Rabbit!; The Alphabet Tale; Infinity and Me; Red Hat; Under the Ground; The Dollhouse Fairy; A Book of Fairies; All the World;

by Joan Weir Memoirs of a Hamster; Wherever You Are; The Bunker Farm Conservation Campaign Miss Maple’s Seeds; Let’s Go For a Drive; Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs; The Es- Committee is happy to announce that only sential Calvin and Hobbes; The Indispensible $10,000 is left to raise as part of the $110,000 Calvin and Hobbes; Outdoor Crafts; The local campaign. Once the money is raised, the Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau; Broth- farm will be transferred from the Vermont ers at Bat; Falling Up; Knight; Truce; S is for Land Trust to the four farmers. Thanks DumShamrock; Fear Itself; The Sea of Monsters; merston for your generosity!

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler; Moonlight on the Magic Flute

of heating need. Except for one, these were all referrals. We all need to thank our community This current heating season the Dummer- for making this possible: the Evening Star ston Fuel Fund has assisted eight different Grange and the Dummerston Congregational times to arrange fuel for residents in some sort Church for sponsoring the supper in October,

By Shirley Perkins

Karen LaRue Takes the Helm at LTP Library

continued from page 6 Plenty of Cake—Anna Quindlen; How Children Succeed: Grit Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character—Paul Tough; Rocks and Minerals; Stars and Planets; The Complete Illustrated Guide to Mine: Rocks and Fossils; Gems; Birds of the World; Gardening Hints and Tips; Roots; How to Prune; Vegan with a Vengeance; Sewing Made Simple; Start Origami; Restore. Recycle. Repurpose. ; Jump Jim Crow; In the Heart of the Sea; These Few Precious Days; A Midwife’s Tale.

Young Adult Books: Perks of Being a Wallflower—Stephen Chbosky; Kill Order— James Dreshner; The Reason I jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen Year Old Boy with Autism—Naoki Higashida; Night Circus— Erin Morgenstern; Between the Lines—Jodi Picoult.

Juvenile Fiction and Picture Books: Boo to You!—Lois Ehlert; Olivia and the Fairy Princess—Ian Falconer; Miss Smith and the “Scenes of Dummerston” Haunted Library—Michael Garland; My Heart is Like a Zoo—Michael Hall; 11 Birth- 2014 Calendar Available days; Finally; 13 Gifts—Wendy Mass; Nancy Clancy; Super Sleuth—Jane O’Connor; WonBy Muriel Taylor der—R.J. Palacio; Mrs. Noodlekugle—Daniel The Dummerston Historical Society has Pinkwater; Pirate—Richard Platt; Serpent’s Shadow—Rick Riordan; Apples and Pump- completed the latest rendering of its popular calendar. Many thanks to the ten talented photographers who contributed to the 2014 edition which includes scenes from East Dummerston to the West River.

These make wonderful gifts for family and friends, near and far, and are available at the Dummerston Historical Society, the town offices, or by calling Muriel Taylor at 257-9358.

Look for it at the Apple Pie Festival as well.

The price is still only $10.

Ronald Veenema, V.M.D. Ronald Svec, D.V.M. Theodore Johnson, D.V.M.

Jerilyn Jacobs, D.V.M. Tammy McNamara, D.V.M. Dan Abbott, V.M.D.

Sponsors Kelly McCue Meg Murtha Jack & Judy Davidson John Sommer Lou & Tom Zopf Winifred Vogt

Bunker Farm Fundraising Closing in on $110k Goal

Views Gives Thanks

The Views Committee would like to thank all of the people who make it possible to put together the quarterly Views of Dummerston. Without all of them, this would not be possible. We especially thank the many people who write the articles for without them, we would not have a newspaper.

Thanks also to the following who get together four times a year to fold, tape, label, and prepare to mail: John Abel, Tom and Lou Zopf, Jean Momaney, Pauline Brett, John Willis, Janice Duke, Bob and Muriel Taylor, Lew and Gail Sorenson, Janet Avery, Bess Richardson, and Paul Normandeau, Thanks also to Ann Davis who handles our finances, Pam McFadden for preparing the mailing labels, and Kevin Ryan who puts each issue on line. A special thanks to Fred Lee for layout of the Views. He is the one person we have no backup for, and we really appreciate the time and effort he puts into each issue.

We really need to have more volunteers in order for this newsletter to continue. It is a good way to do something in our town that really doesn’t take a lot of time. Please step up and help. You can contact Roger Turner at 257-5608 or Jody Normandeau at 254-9037.

Views of Dummerston • WINTER, 2014 • 11

Proposed FY15 Dummerston School Budget continued from page 9 is determined by the needs of K-8 Special Education students and their IEPs (Individual Education Plans) according to federal and state laws. Due to the implementation of Acts 53, 153 and 156 for FY15, the Special Education line item shows a significant decrease as certified SPED staff and related SPED expenses are shifted to the WSESU level. Special education expenses that remain at the DTSB level are those for SPED paraprofessionals.

The EEE line item is Dummerston’s assessment for EEE services for Dummerston children, ages 3 to 5 years, in area preschools and for the state licensed preschool classroom for both typically developing and special needs children. Debt Service includes our bond payment which has now been paid in full. Line items Debt Service—Water Planning and Water Project are for the 2005 project to comply with changes in federal water quality regulations for arsenic. The Special Article

Figure 2: Education Residential Tax Rates—FY13, FY14 and FY15 Estimated FY13 FY14 FY15 Base rate $0.89 $0.94 $1.01 Dummerston $1.0972 $1.1558 $1.2801 BUHS $0.42876 $0.4558 $0.5361 Total for Roof and Gym Floor was approved for FY13 roof repairs to the original (Kindergarten) portion of the school and replacement of the gym floor. The Deficit Reduction Note is the second of four payments for the FY12 General Operating Fund deficit of $57,787. The Lighting Project line item reflects the expense for lighting projects that will improve overall electric efficiency at Dummerston School and takes advantage of current incentive programs.

Special Article—Roof shows the expense approved by voters last year to repair the roof

Church Pledges Make Difference to Local Families Rev. Susanna Griefen The Christmas season was lively at Dummerston Congregational Church. On December 8th after lunch, while children made cookies dozens of people made and hung wreaths and swags, put up the seventeen foot tree with hundreds of LED lights given by the youth group, and put crèches and LED candles in every sanctuary window. Thank you to James Brown for the greens given in honor of his late daughter, Sophia. That afternoon, people gathered on the Common to light the town tree and sing carols, followed by cookies and hot chocolate at the church.

December 21st was one of the highlights of the season with the annual solstice service, “Into the Silence,” led by John Crockett, on cello and Celtic whistle and Cynthia Hughes on Celtic harp. A free will-offering and reception with silent auction raised nearly $2000 for a Dummerston family in need. Over twenty children gathered each December Tuesday afternoon to prepare for the Christmas pageant on December 22nd. The play, “Waiting for Christmas,” was written by Billie Slade, church school director, with original music

by Tom Hunter. Special thanks to Cathy Martin and Sam Farwell, accompanists, and to Heather Golding, Winnie Vogt, Melanie Chamberlain, Jeannette Mills, and Melissa White for their help with rehearsals, crafts, snacks, etc. And thank you to Ryan and Danielle Powers who shared their baby Sophia

as Baby Jesus! Following the pageant, the church led a trip, made possible by Santa’s Land, to Santa’s Land open to all Dummerston families. Christmas Eve services featured lively children building a nativity scene from the many crèches in the church at 4 p.m. as the Christmas story was told; and a service of lessons and carols with the choir and a story by Mark Brown at 7 p.m.

The deacons and the church have provided substantial support to several Dummerston families in crisis over the past few months.

By special monthly pledging from some families, church offerings and fundraisers, thousands of dollars have been provided for rent, food, utilities and other emergency needs. It is only by the generosity of many that this is possible. The Dummerston Women’s Association provided over thirty Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas poinsettias to elderly, infirm, grieving, or hurting individuals. The church mitten tree was full of gloves, mittens, socks, hats and scarves for the homeless. Every week, bags of food were delivered to the Drop-In Center, and each month the church joins the Grange in providing a meal to the Overflow Shelter.

Thank you Sallie May and James Brown for heading up this effort to provide really good, hot food. The church’s spring “Caring and Sharing” clothing give-away will be May 16th –18th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. Donations of continued on page15

$1.52592

$1.6116

$1.8162

of the original (Kindergarten) portion of the school. The Capital Fund Expense—Gym Floor shows payments made in prior years for the replacement of the gym floor. The WSESU Assessment includes Dummerston’s portion of district administrative costs, curriculum development and shared services like English as a Second Language (ESL) and speech therapy. The WSESU assessment also includes Dummerston’s portion of Special Education expense. Beginning in FY15, all Special Education expenses (except those for SPED paraprofessionals) have been shifted to the WSESU budget per Acts 53, 153 and 156. When the FY15 Dummerston K-8 budget and the WSESU assessment are combined, the result is a Combined Total of $3,234,642 which reflects an increase of 1.13% when compared to FY14.

Excluding eligible debt service, Dummerston’s FY15 spending per equalized pupil is $16,466 (or $300 over the per pupil spending cap of $16,166). With an estimated FY15 Residential tax rate of $1.01 and a Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) of 98.8%, the estimated Total FY15 Residential tax rate is $1.8162 (= $1.2801 Dummerston + $0.5361 BUHS) as shown in Figure 2.

The Dummerston Town School Board appreciates your input, interest and support and looks forward to seeing you at the school

Births Alan Benjamin Manix

12-04-13

Hailey Susan Cogliano

12-12-13

Passings Ernest K Chamberlain Barry Russell Nutbrown

10-19-13 1-06-14

Russell Raymond Nutbrown1-06-14

12 • WINTER, 2014 • Views of Dummerston •

Candidates Statements The following offices are up for election, and here are the candidates who have filed petitions to run for those offices: town clerk—Pam McFadden; town treasurer—Laurie Frechette; town and school meeting moderator—Cindy Jerome; selectboard (THREE YEAR TERM)—Steve Glabach; selectboard (TWO YEAR TERM)—Gurudharm Khalsa and Beverly Kenney; lister (THREE YEAR TERM)—Jean Newell; school director (ONE YEAR TERM)—Katey Everest; school director (ONE YEAR TERM)—Rick

Mills; and school director (THREE YEAR TERM)—Dan Normandeau. All candidates are incumbents, with the exception of Gurudharm Khalsa and Beverly Kenney, though some candidates are running for a different term within the board on which they’ve been serving. All candidates have been invited to submit a statement to the Views for publication, and we are printing unedited versions of the statements which have been received.

There is also an open spot for a town auditor.

Steve Glabach

Beverly Kenney

Gurudharm Khalsa

Selectboard, 3-year term

Selectboard, 2-year term

Selectboard, 2-year term

Serving Dummerston residents on the Selectboard for the last two years has been rewarding and I would like to continue to serve the Town. I was very involved in the process of opening up the gravel pit which is shared with Putney, Renaud’s, and Dummerston. The Board has worked on many projects in the past couple of years and it has been very interesting working on the Ancient roads committee, the corridor land use districts study, serving as the representative to the Sheriff’s department. and the State Police. Deliberating the everyday issues and preparing the Town budget each year have been enjoyable challenges.

Experience is a very important asset for a board member. I have tried to be a very active member of the board and have always tried to make myself available to members of the community to discuss the Town’s business.

As an owner of a small family business, with the majority of our work done in Dummerston, I know the Town very well. We have a business that has a strong agricultural base as well as doing excavation, property maintenance and snowplowing. All these endeavors provide a unique background that is very helpful when discussing town and town highway issues. The nature of my work, past board experiences, as well as being fiscally conservative, will provide a valuable basis for me to continue serving the Town as a Selectboard member.

Your continued support and vote would be appreciated. I am available any time you see us working around town and welcome calls at home at 802-257-0939, email gfcserv@ svcable.net or as many people do, just stop in at our sugarhouse when you see us there.

Thanks.

I thank-you for taking the time to read my Candidate’s Statement.

In 2007, my family and I moved to Dummerston to purchase and manage the Brattleboro North KOA Campground on Route 5. The family includes my husband Ernie, my son Justin, and currently two cats, a rescue pony, and three goats. We are so happy to have moved here. Justin, who is a senior in college, thrived at BUHS and the local performing arts community. Ernie enjoyed his employment at the Brattleboro Area Drop-In and the Overflow Shelter. We joined the Dummerston Congregational Church where I served on the church board and led the renewal of its youth group. I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Vermont Campground Association.

Since its purchase, we have worked very hard to grow the campground business by providing outstanding facilities and fun activities that attract multigenerational families. A measure of our success includes the honor of receiving the highest award from KOA Inc. for quality and guest satisfaction every year we have owned the continued on page 14

I am throwing my turban in the ring for the Selectboard. The beard stays too. After 11 years of living in Dummerston with my wife Catherine and son Ronan, who graduated from the Dummerston School, and recently retired from business, my sole motivation is to serve the town that I call home. My single intention is to volunteer my time, energy and focus for the common good of the people, and the land, which includes the rivers, the animals and the plants that feed us. My focus is local—the roads, the businesses, the landscape. My only agenda is be a reasonable and conscientious member of Selectboard to dutifully address the concerns of the people that live and work here.

I cherish Black Mountain, the crown jewel of Dummerston and work with the Nature Conservancy to protect it. I monitor the West River, Dummerston’s shimmering necklace, with the Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance. I bike on the roads, hike in the forests, swim in the waterways, and work the garden behind my house in this little town that is a sanctuary for people who want to live free, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

JOHN & LORI BRUNELLE OFFICE FAX: (802) 254-5818 416 TUCKER REED ROAD OFFICE PHONE: (802) 254-9788 E. DUMMERSTON, VT 05346 JOHN CELL: (802): 579-9788 LORI CELL: (802) 275-7111 JOHN@BRUNELLEANDSON.COM LORI@BRUNELLEANDSON.COM WWW.BRUNELLEANDSON.COM

Dan Normandeau School board, 3-year term My name is Dan Normandeau and I am running for a three year term on the Dummerston School Board. I continue to be impressed by our dedicated and talented teachers, staff and administrators. This is important to me as both a board member and a parent, as I have two young children in our school. Our school board has endeavored to keep educational costs incheck, as well as to provide an excellent educational experience to our children. This year’s budgeting process was no different. We held to a minimum overall budget increase, but due to State funding formulas our education tax rate will rise disproportionally to our overall budget increase. This unfortunate reality is a

State funding formula issue, not a local board/ administration management issue. I hope you see it the same way and approve this year’s budget, but also take up the matter with our State Senators and Representatives. They need to support our local schools and be mindful of our collective tax burden.

Finally, I urge you all to get involved with our school and to reach out to us on the school board to let us know how we are doing and if we can do better.

Please vote for me on Town Meeting Day, and give me a call anytime at 254-6114, to discuss your thoughts and or concerns.

Thank you!

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Views of Dummerston • WINTER, 2014 • 13

Covering Town Meeting

By Joyce Marcel Covering town meeting has always been an honor wrapped in a blessing and a curse. I’ve been reporting on the Dummerston Town Meeting for the Brattleboro Reformer for roughly twenty-five years, give or take a few. Even after I left the paper to go freelance, they still needed someone to cover Dummerston. Some years they were running my column, so it was natural for them to ask me. Other years they had just fired my butt —I think I’ve been fired from the Reformer three or four times now —but they still needed coverage in Dummerston, so they still asked me. And I’ve always said yes. It might have become a tradition.

There have been memorable town meetings, like the 2001 meeting where we had two feet of fresh snow on the ground. I waded in snow drifts waist deep until I reached a neighbor who could get her car out and give me a ride. One Dummerston resident got a ride to the school in the road crew’s bucket loader, so I started my town meeting story with that.

It’s a blessing to cover town meeting because, like a lot of us, I still choke up at the words “participatory democracy.” It’s also fun to see my friends and neighbors. Since it’s March, we’re all more or less suffering from cabin fever, thus making us friendlier than usual.

Last but not least, the gossip is always worth the effort. Always.

Another blessing is the intelligent discussion about the most interesting things. Who knew there was so much to say about painting white fog lines along the East-West Road?

Then there’s pondering the eternal question of how the residents of Dummerston can pass a three million dollar school budget in under half an hour and then argue for an hour and a half about supporting tax exempt status for Green Mountain Camp or the Evening Star Grange.

What do I mean by a curse? For me, it’s the numbers. People read the newspaper mostly to see how their taxes will be affected by the town and school budgets. I know — down to the bone — that I can’t afford to get it wrong.

But because I stopped covering town government a long time ago, it’s hard to remember the language. So with the salaries this and the mandated that and the new truck and the heating system and the amount to be raised by taxes and the percentage up or down (it’s always up) that will affect our taxes next year, it’s a lot of responsibility.

There isn’t a school board chairman who hasn’t had to explain the numbers to me again after the meeting and a third time when I call them later at home, frantic because I don’t understand where a cer-

The ever-present and invaluable mike runners. tain figure comes from.

I usually sit on the right side of the cafeteria, in front, where I can plug in my computer. One year there was a sign on the wall over my head warning about the presence of nuts. Roger Turner took a picture of me sitting under it and ran it in the Views.

(He kindly asked if I minded first.) That sign might say it all.

Vermont Insight Meditation Center Offering instruction in personal and interpersonal mindfulness practices.

254-7077

www. vermontinsight.org

Sheep’s Nose Nursery - Heirloom Apples Trees - Custom Grafting - Consulting Ezekiel Goodband Dummerston, Vermont 802-254-4313

14 • WINTER, 2014 • Views of Dummerston •

Beverly Kenney Selectboard, 2-year term continued from page 12 campground. We also strive to be good stewards of the local environment. In 2011 and 2012, we invested in upgrades that reduced our energy and water consumption along with a recycling program for our operation and our guests. In 2012, the KOA Inc. Kamp Green program gave us an award for being one of the top three campgrounds out of 500 in North America for our efforts.

Our green efforts were inspired by the beauty of the town and the importance of its maintenance to its residents. It is a wonderful place to raise a family, retire, and have careers in farming, forestry, the arts, and tourism. The outlook for its continuance is strong, in part, because of the focus of the state, county, town, and land trusts in preserving open lands, working farms and forests. In addition, the ‘farm to plate’ movement will keep agriculture a vital business for the foreseeable future. Nature, recreation, and the vibrant arts will continue to draw visitors. That is all good and important to the residents of Dummerston.

However, Dummerston, along with the rest of southeastern Vermont, is at crossroads: to grow or not to grow. The need to make critical decisions for the town over the next few years is what drew me, in part, to be a candidate for our Selectboard. As an analytical person (I was a chemist by education and work experience), I have the capacity for research and study of options. But as a business person, I also have the ability to make decisions and follow through.

The issues that need resolution are due to the lasting effects of the big recession of the previous decade and the closing of Vermont Yankee plant. These challenges bring forth opportunities for growth. For example, in Governor Shumlin’s budget address on January 15th, he spoke about Vermont Yankee: “We pressed Entergy for timely decommissioning and significant support for jobs and economic transition that will bring more than $20 million for Windham County, clean energy development, and the state.”

He also spoke about the investment in Brattleboro’s downtown: “We provided funds for Vermont Technical College and Community College of Vermont to expand and locate campuses in the renovated Brooks Building, healing the burned-out heart of downtown Brattleboro…”

The main reason Dummerston residents should consider these and other opportunities for growth is to help maintain our exemplary quality of life. It takes growth in municipal and school tax revenue to preserve open and working lands, improve infrastructure, provide a responsive town government, and keep local education strong, even viable. One way to ease that burden across all taxpayers is to grow the Grand List Value, or GLV. Dummerston’s GLV has grown 6.5% over the past two years which is a testament to the attractiveness of the town and the diligence of our listers.

But I believe that growth is not sustainable without diversification of our economic resources. A very important report, the Southeastern Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, was published at the

end of 2013. The major conclusion is that southeastern Vermont has a desirable quality of place. However, to maintain the best facets of the area, and improve the quality of life, the economy must grow through diversification. Specifically, the area should attract small scale precision manufacturing, high quality post-high school education and training, niche agricultural products, and green product enterprises.

I believe Dummerston should benefit from those investments. We offer highway access, recreation, responsive town government, and improving communication technology. Possibilities include housing, agro-tourism, technology and small business development. It would be my responsibility as a Selectboard member to help residents become aware of the opportunities, foster discussion of them, and present budgets and ordinances that create an environment where we attract the best opportunities for the town.

I ask for your vote on March 4th. Please check out my candidate Facebook page for more information. (www.facebook.com/beverlykenneyselectboard) I can also be reached at 802 258-7885 or jebkenney@ gmail.com.

Sponsors U U U

Onsite Septic Design, LLC

U U

Inground Mounds New Construction/ Replacement Water Supply Geologic Consulting

Bruce & Catie Berg Shorty & Mary Forrett Gail & Lew Sorenson Barry & Elsa Waxman

Alan J. McBean 943 Park Laughton Rd. East Dummerston, VT 05346

VT Lic #536 Cell 802-258-0971 Home 802-254-6975

David & Nina Hutchison

Views of Dummerston • WINTER, 2014 • 15

Church Pledges Make Difference to Local Families continued from page 11 good, clean spring and summer clothing and household goods may be left at the church after May 4st. No children’s toys or furniture or electrical goods may be accepted. Children’s clothing is especially needed.

The church school mission focus on Kenya was dramatically advanced by the trip to Kenya taken by James Brown, Calvin Farwell, and seven others. The group was led by Lise Sparrow, pastor of the Guilford Community Church.

They visited Kaiguchu, Kenya, a community supporting 140 children and young adults orphaned by AIDS/HIV and cared for by guardians, mostly grandmothers and older orphans.

In addition to bringing tools and clothing, the group helped to plant 500 macadamia trees as a cash crop to provide food for students in a secondary school soon to be built there. These and thousands of other trees were funded by a National United Church of Christ offering that provided 9,000 seedlings and token payments to caretakers of the fledgling plants that will provide soil retention, reforestation, shade, firewood, food, and beauty. The children of Dummerston church school raised over $400 for uniforms and shoes for orphans. This spring,

Farmland Committee Applauds Bunker Farm Revival continued from page 1 Thanks to former owners Larry and Marilyn Cassidy, the land will now be forever conserved and Dummerston will have an important and historic farm helping to maintain the rural character that our citizens value so highly.

Thanks also to the Dummerston Selectboard and Planning Commission for their support of this project that emphasizes the goals of our town, and the State of Vermont for preserving and protecting our precious agricultural lands.

The farmland committee is proud that Dummerston residents generously support the preservation of agricultural lands with their contributions and tax dollars and we pledge to continue our efforts to help keep Dummerston farmland open and productive.

their efforts will be to raise funds to “adopt” an orphan elephant in Kenya as part of caring for creation.

Easter this year is on April 20th. There will be a service of Tenebrae and Communion on Maundy Thursday, April 17th at 7 p.m. This quiet service will retell the Passion Story according to Matthew’s Gospel. All are welcome.

The Easter morning sunrise service will be at 6 a.m. on the church steps with a pancake breakfast following. The morning service with senior choir and children’s choir will be at 9:30 a.m.

The annual Easter egg hunt will be Saturday, April 19th at 10 a.m., beginning at the church steps. Bring your own basket.

The church is available for community

Career Center Students Build Kitchen Cabinets for Habitat for Humanity Home continued from page1 The house itself has had an interesting history. The frame of the dwelling is from a 1940’s house donated to Habitat by Entergy Vermont Yankee. It was initially moved to Habitat’s factory at the old Book Press where it was insulated and reconstructed. It was then moved to Quarry Road onto land donated by the Nature Conservancy, where the final construction phase took place.

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization whose mission is to provide ownership of affordable, homes to families in need.

Volunteers work together with families in the construction and remodeling of these homes.

Internationally, since Habitat’s inception in 1976, its self-help model has resulted in new, repaired, or rehabbed housing for more than three million people. This is Brattleboro Area Habitat for Humanity’s eighth house project.

Michael Burnett is the interim director of the Windham Regional Career Center and also a board member of the Brattleboro Area Habitat for Humanity. He was influential in forming this collaboration and he recognizes the benefits on a number of levels. “Our students were

Sponsors

Ron & Jo-Ann Tier Tonia & Whit Wheeler Elizabeth Catlin & Jared Flynn

able to use the skills they’ve been learning in class as a way to help others within their community. This ties in nicely with the Career Center’s emphasis on character development and serves to promote the 21st century skills our students will need as they prepare to enter today’s work force.”

Recognizing the need for good math skills and the advantages of ‘hands-on’ learning, the Career Center’s construction program is planning a new introductory course next year that will be co-taught by Simeon and Laura Reed, the Career Center’s math instructor.

It will provide an opportunity for students to learn and earn credit in high school geometry while working within a construction-based learning environment and working on a number of building projects. Geometry instruction will be enhanced by immediately applying mathematical concepts to real world, hands-on applications.

The Windham Regional Career Center provides technical and career training to students from the following high schools: Brattleboro, Leland and Gray, Twin Valley, Bellows Falls, Hinsdale, NH, as well as the Austine School.

Brattleboro N. KOA

Cheryl Wilfong & Bill McKim Mary Lou & Bill Schmidt

weddings and funerals and for gatherings and meetings downstairs. Everyone is welcome at all services and programs of the church.

Dummerston Congregational Church UCC is a Green Justice Congregation of The United Church of Christ. When driving is treacherous, worship and programs, as well as all events for that day, are cancelled. Please check for cancelations at www.WTSA.net or www.WKVT. com, or contact the church to be added to a calling tree. For more information about the church, please contact Pastor Susanna Griefen, 257-0544, susanna@griefen.com or go to http:// dummerstoncongregational.org.

Sunday worship is held at 10 a.m. JanuaryMarch, and at 9:30 a.m. April–December.

OPENING MID-APRIL FOR PLANT SALES Old Favorites, New Hybrids, Rare Beauties Annuals, Perennials, Hanging Baskets Herbs and Vegetable Plants Route 5, Dummerston 254-2051

Campground

Cabins • Tents • RVs Campground Birthday Parties 1238 US Route 5, E. Dummerston, VT

802 254-5908 www.brattleborokoa.com

16 • WINTER, 2014 • Views of Dummerston • Telephone numbers and contacts: Community Center Jean Momaney 254-9212 Conservation Commission www.dummerstonconservation.com Council on Aging Ruth Barton 254-1128 Springfield Office 800-642-5119 Dummerston Cares Assistance Shirley Perkins 257-5800 Dummerston School 254-2733 Web site www.dummerstonschool.org Dummerston PTFO dummerstonptfo@yahoo.com Emergency Mgmnt Coordinators Eric (Rick) Davis 251-1033 Evening Star Grange Ruth Barton 254-1128 or mrgjb@sover.net Fire Chief Rick Looman 258-1731 Fire Warden Marty Forrett (h)387-2180 (w)254-9877 Deputy Fire Wardens Charlie Richardson 254-6963 Laurence Lynch Sr. 254-2517 Wayne Emery (h)254-8708 Fire Volunteers Peter Wrenn 254-8677 Lydia Taft Pratt Library 258-9878 Hours: Tue. 2:30-7; Thu. 10-5; Sat. 9:30-Noon Web site http://www.crossroadswebgroup.com /DummerstonPublicLibrary/aboutus.html.

Meals on Wheels Chris McAvoy 257-1236 Selectboard selectboard@dummerston.org Town Garage Lee Chamberlin 254-2411 Town Office Pam McFadden 257-1496 townclerk@dummerston.org Vermont Theatre Company 258-1344 Views of Dummerston views@dummerston.com WSESU 254-3730 Websites: Official Town www.dummerston.org Municipal Calendar http://calendar.dummerston.org Local Interest www.dummerston.com

Dummerston Calendar of Events Ongoing 2014 Dummerston Historical Society Calendar: On sale at town office, or call Muriel Taylor (257-9358).

Dummerston Selectboard meetings: Recorded and televised by BCTV and online at www.brattleborotv.org. (Select “Watch”, select “Watch On Demand”, select “Playlist”, scroll to “Dummerston”, select meeting.)

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Pampered Chef party Community Center 12:30–2:00 p.m.

Town Meeting day Elementary school 10 a.m.

School District meeting will be held first this year Views of Dummerston spring issue planning Location TBA 7:30 p.m.

Rabies Clinic vaccinations at Town office 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

March Madness Tag sale Community Center 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

April Vermont town registration deadline for dog licenses Views of Dummerston spring issue deadline Easter Egg Hunt

At the Dummerston Town Office: Selectboard 6:00 pm Every other Wednesday Planning Commission 6:30 pm 1st Tuesday Conservation Commission 7:00 pm 2nd Thursday Energy Committee 6:00 pm 1st Monday Development Review Board 7:00 pm 3rd Tuesday At the Community Center Community Center meetings 7:00 pm 1st Monday At the Dummerston School School Board Meeting 6:30 pm 2nd Tuesday PTFO Meeting 6:30 pm 3rd Wednesday, in the library At the BUHS Learning Center BUHS Board Meeting 7:00 pm 1st & 3rd Monday At the Historical Society Historical Society 7:30 pm 3rd Thursday of Jan./April/July/Oct. At the Lydia Taft Pratt Library Book Club various—call 6:00 pm Story Time Every Thursday 10:30 am At the Evening Star Grange Senior Congregate Meal 2nd and 4th Wednesday Information/reservations: Shirley Perkins, 254-2249

Dummerston Congregational Church 10 a.m.

22 Earth Day http://www.earthday.org/

150 West Street Dummerston, Vermont 05357

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