Spring Update from the GA President, Cathy Irwin
The 2023 Dues Notice will be sent to all members on Sunday, March 26. Please read the Spring update from Cathy Irwin, GA President here.
Urgent: Public Meeting 2/15 – Proposed DEC Wakeboat Rules
On Wednesday, February 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will give the public an opportunity to react to their proposed rule on the use of wake boats in Vermont.
A meeting will be held in Greensboro at the Highland Center for the Arts and via Microsoft Teams. JoAnn Hanowski, co-chair of the Greensboro Association’s Lakes and Environmental Stewardship Committee, will be representing the GA at this meeting. There are concerns that the DEC proposal of a 500′ distance from shore requirement for wake boating is not enough to prevent harm to both the environment and other boaters and lakeshore owners. There will be opportunity for public comment at this meeting; to sign up for a 2-minute time slot to speak, go to https://forms.office.com/g/ayJuuH9923.
A group called RWVL (Responsible Wakes for VT Lakes) is pushing back on the DEC to consider getting closer to their proposed 1000’ distance from shore requirement. RWVL is a group of concerned Vermonters, many of whom are year-round and seasonal lake and pond residents. To learn more about the RWVL position, go to http://responsiblewakes.org/ . Vermont Business Magazine has additional information on this issue and it can be found here: https://vermontbiz.com/news/2023/january/31/vermont-dec-releases-draft-rule-wake-boat-regulation
Currently Caspian Lake boaters must travel at no-wake speed and not over 5 mph within 200’ of the shoreline, a person in the water, a canoe, rowboat or other vessel, a designated swim area, or any anchorage or dock. In addition, use of jet skis, personal watercraft or any other Class A vessel which uses an inboard engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power is prohibited. The wake from a boat must not endanger anyone else. Canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are especially vulnerable to high-wake turbulence, and boaters are responsible for any act which endangers or jeopardizes the safety, life or property of another person. Finally, loons, ducks and other birds are especially sensitive to boat traffic. It is a punishable offense to kill or harass any water bird through the operation of a boat on any Vermont lake.
As JoAnn has pointed out, “The state of Vermont has total jurisdiction over the use of public waters. Any change to public use on Caspian Lake, including a ban on wakeboat operation would require a petition to the DEC. In any scenario (the current DEC revised petition, the original petition, or no ruling) Greensboro will be faced with managing wakeboat access and use on Caspian via our greeter program and through public education.”
Please consider making your voice heard on this important topic!
For any questions please contact membership@greensboroassociation. org.
Tour de Greensboro
DATE CHANGE: This event will be held on Sunday, February 5.
Embrace the winter and sign up for the first annual Tour de Greensboro. This event, to be held on Saturday, February 4th, will consist of a 25km, classic ski tour on some of the most scenic trails in the northeast. Start and end at Highland Lodge where we will have some chili and fixings and a post-ski bonfire. Go fast or take your time to savor a mid-tour hot cider and donuts. All proceeds will benefit the Greensboro Association. We are limiting this to 100 skiers, so don’t wait, sign up today. (see details below)
Greensboro Association Notice of Annual Meeting
The 2022 Annual Meeting of the Greensboro Association will be held on Thursday, August 4 at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall at the United Church of Christ in Greensboro, VT. All members of the Association are invited and encouraged to attend.
The Agenda and new slate of trustees will be distributed prior to the meeting. The minutes of the 2021 Annual Meeting are available here.
Swim Lessons at Caspian Lake!
We are excited to announce that in collaboration with the Greensboro’s & Hardwick’s Recreation Committees, Teach Americans to Swim Program will be offering swim lessons to Greensboro & Hardwick Residents and children in surrounding towns. FOR AGES 2 Years – 13 Years during the week of July 18-22, 2022 Starting at 10AM. For more information and to register click here.
Funky Fourth Update
Due to the rise in costs and worries about being able to get supplies needed from overseas in time for the celebration, the Greensboro Selectboard has decided to cancel this year’s 4th of July fireworks. Click here for the announcement on the town website.
Other 4th of July activities will continue forward, with the addition of a few new events. The Funky Fourth parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 2nd, ending at the town green where there will be kids games, music, food, concessions and a crafts-farmers market afterwards. An auction to raise funds for the Ukrainian Save the Children Fund will be held on the green as well, featuring Vanna White (Smith) and Tim “Uncle Sam” Nisbet as hosts. There are ongoing discussions about the possibility of evening entertainment, but details have not yet been firmed up.
The Greensboro Association, which has typically helped to fund the fireworks show with the Selectboard, will be exploring other ways to support this year’s town festivities. Those who previously donated towards the fireworks will be contacted soon to discuss donation options.
2022 Greensboro Association Grants Application Now Posted
The Greensboro Association is pleased to announce that due to generous donations from our members to our endowed Fund For Greensboro, the GA will be funding one-year project initiative grants as well as expanding to grants that support annual operation expenses. We will also consider on an exception basis, grants requests greater than $1000. The deadline for receipt of applications and necessary support documentation is May 31, 2022. . Please submit all applications through the following link:
https://forms.gle/
Any questions and all necessary supporting documents should be submitted through our website grants@
Greensboro Grants Committee
Anthony Acheson
Karen Gowen – CoChair
Rick Lovett
Mike Metcalf
Tim Nisbet
Naomi Ranz-Schleifer
John Schweizer – CoChair
What is Going On in Our Watershed?
Join a special meeting on October 14 to learn about the State of Vermont Lamoille Tactical Basin Plan. The basin plan drives a lot of the work and funding available for organizations in the watershed to address water quality issues, including work on Caspian Lake.
The 2020 GA Annual Meeting will be held August 6 at 4pm
The 2020 Annual Meeting for the Greensboro Association will be held on August 6 at 4:00 pm. We sincerely hope many of our members will be able to attend to hear about the great work of the GA in this unusual year.
This meeting will occur electronically via ZOOM. Please refer to the email from the GA with the Zoom link. If you have misplaced or deleted that email please email [email protected] and we will send the link. You will be able to access the meeting via internet or phone. Information about How to access a Zoom meeting can be found HERE.
Documents for the meeting are available at the links below.
GA Annual Meeting Agenda Aug 6 2020
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES FROM 2019 (FOR APPROVAL) https://www.greensboroassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2019-8-8-GA-Annual-Meeting-MinutesUnapproved.docx
NOMINATIONS SLATE (FOR APPROVAL) https://www.greensboroassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-GA-Nominations-Committee-Report-.pdf
2019-20 FINANCIAL RESULTS AND PROPOSED BUDGET https://www.greensboroassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GATreasReport-2020-Finalwithbudget.pdf
2020-21 COMMITTEE REPORTS https://www.greensboroassociation.org/resources/reports/
HOW DO I ACCESS A ZOOM MEETING? https://www.greensboroassociation.org/how-do-i-access-a-zoom-meeting/
2019 Winter Update
Our members have received the Winter Letter by email. Those who have not “opted out” of paper mailings also received the mailing delivered by the USPS. We look forward to getting your updates, suggestions and new member referrals. Please read the highlights of the Greensboro Association in the Winter 2019 President’s Letter.
Greensboro Association Annual Meeting August 3
Mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting of the Greensboro Association. This year’s meeting will include our regular business meeting, reports from town and school board officers, and a presentation by Sarah Waring, Executive Director of the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE). Learn more about how the CAE is working to build a healthy food system in the greater Hardwick community through collaboration opportunities, improving food access and hunger relief, educational outreach, and building community infrastructure. Visit their website here: https://www.hardwickagriculture.org
This year’s meeting will be from 4-6 PM on Thursday, August 3 at the Greensboro United Church Sanctuary.
2017 Spring Newsletter
Read our Spring Newsletter! Lots of news and information about upcoming events in Greensboro. Thank you to Whitney Sowles, our Newsletter Editor.
Greensboro Association Annual Meeting to be Held Thursday, August 4 at 4 PM
The Annual Meeting of the Greensboro Association will take place on Thursday, August 4 from 4-6 PM. The Board elected to schedule the meeting earlier in the evening to accommodate the variety of evening activities in early August.
Included on the agenda are a one-hour business meeting, followed by a town update that will include a presentation from the Planning Commission on the results of the recent community survey, as well as a report from Hardwick Police Chief Aaron Cochran.
Finally, we invite you to celebrate the recipients of this year’s Greensboro Award, Judy and Andy Dales, and offer thanks at this meeting for their many contributions to the community.
Please note the earlier time and join us from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 4 at the GUCC Fellowship Hall.
Lake Levels & Ice Damage Informational Meeting
When: July 8, 2016 from 4 to 6 PM
Where: Fellowship Hall of the Greensboro United Church of Christ
Sponsor: Greensboro Association Ad Hoc Committee on Lake Levels
Shorelines and properties around Caspian Lake experienced unprecedented ice and high water damages during the 2015/2016 winter. The Greensboro Association Ad Hoc committee on Lake Water Levels has been investigating the extent of the damages, the causes and possible solutions. The committee has also met with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to inform them of damages to Caspian’s shoreline, to understand the Agency’s policies and to discuss long term solutions.
The objective of the July 8th meeting is to inform the Caspian community of the current situation regarding controlling lake levels and to discuss the committee’s proposals on how Caspian community should move forward to prevent seasonal ice and high water damage in the future.
Green-up Day!
It’s been a Vermont tradition for 45 years. On the first Saturday in May, Vermonters take to our highways and byways, green garbage bags in hand, and pick up roadside litter. It’s just one of the ways we work to keep our state beautiful for all of us.
This year, Green-up Day is on Saturday, May 7. The town will provide green bags and gloves for trash collection. Come to the Town Clerk’s office to mark your route on the town map so everyone knows which areas have been covered. This year, Greensboro’s Walking ladies will provide snacks and the Vermont Coffee Company is also supplying coffee for volunteers. Full green-up bags can be brought to the designated dumpster behind the Town Hall. In addition, the metal dumpster will be available, as well as a tire dumpster for tires found along roadsides. If you have tires to dispose other than those found along roadsides, the town has a suggested fee of $3.00 per tire, delivered to the town clerk’s office.
Not in Greensboro, or even in Vermont, for Green-up Day? Consider taking a few minutes of your day to green-up in your town. For more information about Green-up Day, including safety tips, visit https://www.greenupvermont.org.
Greensboro Community Forum on Act 46, Thursday, December 10
Under Act 46 of 2015, communities are being asked to change how school districts and supervisory unions operate to meet student needs and address taxpayer concerns. The Greensboro and Lakeview school boards aim to help build understanding of Act 46, what it means for our students, and how the Greensboro community will move forward to meet the requirements of the law.
Please join us on Thursday, December 10 at 6:30 PM at the Lakeview Union School on Lauredon Avenue in Greensboro, for a conversation about the Act, what we want for our students, and our next steps.
This will be the first of several conversations with our community on this subject. We hope you can join us.
Questions? Contact the school boards at [email protected] or [email protected]. More information on Act 46 is also available at www.ossu.org or by calling the Supervisory Union office at 472-6531, x14.
Giving Closet Re-opens
After a brief hiatus this fall, Greensboro’s Giving Closet re-opened this November. While closed, the Closet underwent a full cleaning and light refurbishment with a fresh coat of paint and some reorganization.
Giving Closet hours are fully dependent upon volunteer staffing. The Giving Closet is currently only staffed on Wednesdays. Without a volunteer present to accept donations or assist visitors, the Closet will not be open. If you are interested in donating your time to this important community resource, please visit the Town Hall to sign up.
If you are interested in donating items to the Closet, please only do so when a volunteer is available to receive your goods. If the item you wish to pass on to a new owner is torn, stained, or broken, please dispose of it properly in the trash.
Annual Meeting and People to Thank
For those of you that missed the August 8 annual meeting of the Greensboro Association, here are a few highlights – as well as reminder to say thanks to your board members and your committee members for all their work and contributions to the Association and Greensboro.
2014 President’s Report Summary
Our mission is to conceive, advance, and support village initiatives and organizations that enhance our community and to protect Caspian Lake and its surrounding environment for both full and part-time residents of Greensboro.
We refined our mission this year to help sharpen our focus and support the launch of the new Greensboro Association Endowment. Establishing a 501c3 status and launching the GA Endowment represents a major milestone for the Association and can pave the way for members and friends to contribute with annual donations as well as consider major gifts to support the future needs in Greensboro and to deliver on our mission.
Read the rest of the report here.
People to Thank
When you see these people, please pass along your thank you for all of their efforts on behalf of the GA and Greensboro. (Feel free to add your comments below and mention any people we may have missed!):
Managing the precious Barr Hill & Long Pond Nature Preserves: Chris King, Clive Gray
Engaging our members with year round communications: Linda Ely
- Managing the Website & Member Data (Betsy Hunt)
- Crafting the Spring Newsletter (Niall Kirkwood)
- Building the Directory (Linda Ely)
- Creating the Green Sheet Calendar (Cilla Smith)
- Providing Web and Technical Advice (Susan Wood, John Stone)
Running events we love like the Caspian Challenge!: Victoria von Hessert with help and support from Stew and Becky Arnold, The Ely Family, The Porrazzo Family, The Sowles Family, The Osterhout Family, The Kehler Family, The Cook Family, Day Patterson, Sarah Kasten, The Gowen Family, Jim Flint
Managing our funds and supporting the 501c3 process: Rick Lovett, Day Patterson
Crafting, shaping and launching the GA Endowment!!: Clay Simpson with John Stone III, Linda Ely, Andy Dales, Rick Lovett, Mike Cassidy, Day Patterson (MVP!), Bob Fairbanks, Clive Gray and Mary Parker.
Awarding Grants and managing the grant applications!: Clay Simpson, Niall Kirkwood, Andy Dales, Janet Johnston
Working with the Select Board to support a range of Greensboro Initiatives: Naomi Ranz-Schleifer with Allison Stegner, Chris King, Sara Dillon, John Stone and working with Patrick Hewes and The Willey Beach Park Committee (consisting of Naomi Ranz-Schleifer, John Mackin, and Selectboard Members Peter Romans and Bridget Collier)
Protecting Our Lake! Andy Dales with Bob Parrish, Allison Stegner, Jim Sutton, June Bascom, Rick Yeiser (Chair of GLT Stream Runoff Subcommittee), Linda Shatney
Launching our Membership Program: Allison Stegner with Naomi Ranz-Schleifer; Sara Dillon
Our Sunday Evening Music – Lake Concerts: John & Lisa Hewett with help this year from Elias Ranz-Schleifer
Facilitating the nominations of your Board of Trustees: Don Jenkins
Managing the Greensboro Swimming Committee: Lorelei Wheeler
Working on the town Zoning By-Laws: Larry Hewes
Reports available online from the 2012 Annual Meeting
Committee reports are available online from the Annual Meeting in August 2012. Minutes from the meeting are also available. Look under Reports in this website.
Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting and who presented a report.
Highland Lodge update at Greensboro Association Annual meeting – August 10, 2012 at 7:30pm
Please join us at 7:30pm on Friday, August 10 for the Greensboro Association Annual meeting in Fellowship Hall at the United Church of Christ. In addition to updates by the Selectboard and the Hardwick Police Department, we will have a report on Caspian Lake, a review of projects which are planned for the next year and a presentation on the status of Highland Lodge by guest speakers Willey and David Smith. The Association will also approve our budget and the slate of new officers for next year.
The Agenda
Introductions (Welcome & Overview of Agenda, Reading of Members Passed) Greensboro Reports (Police Report, Selectman Update, Greensboro Award, Fire Station Report)
Treasurer & Auditor Report Greensboro Community Project Proposal Committee Reports (Lake Update, Communications & Website, Events Committee, Membership Update, Grants and Gifts, Nominating & New Slate) President’s Report
Guest Speakers –David and Wilhelmina Smith: Highland Lodge Update
