FAQ’s About Caspian Lake Levels

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Further to recent discussions on the level of Caspian Lake this message is intended to help clarify how the lake level is currently managed.

The Greensboro Association (GA), which was formed over 90 years ago with a goal of  protecting Caspian Lake, comprises a group of volunteer members – the Watershed Stewards – that take a stewardship role in monitoring the lake level and making emergency requests regarding the lake level, acting as liaisons with the State (who controls the level), and Hardwick Electric (who owns the dam), as well as with other local entities and state agencies. 

Over the past 10 years, the GA has requested greater control of Caspian’s lake level management on the basis that the shoreline is stressed by human impact, the dam is stressed (currently rated poor in reports), and the extreme highs and recent lows of the lake level may be adversely affecting the health of the lake. This conversation is ongoing regarding lake level management practices with the state and dam repairs with Hardwick Electric. We welcome interested parties to join us in conversation about ways to improve the stewardship of Caspian Lake and its surrounding environment. 

 

CASPIAN LAKE DAM AND LAKE LEVEL FAQ’S

Who makes the decision as to what the lake level should be?

  • The State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) has jurisdiction over the waters of all inland lakes within the State. Within the ANR, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is responsible for managing levels for each body of water.
  • For lakes with dams, the State no longer allows Utilities to manage lake levels through storage and dispersal for hydroelectric production. The DEC now controls the adjustment of the Utility’s dams.
  • The Caspian Lake dam is owned by Hardwick Electric (HE). The General Manager of HE is Sarah Braese.  
  • The HE dam was installed in 1926. From 1926 through the late 1940s the lake was subject to dramatic drawdowns by HE each fall. Since then, the lake has more or less maintained its present levels. 
  • The Caspian Lake dam has a weir gate that can influence the lake levels. While HE has the key to the weir to adjust flow through the dam, HE is not permitted to adjust the weir gate without DEC’s approval.
  • The DEC has instructed all Utilities to leave the lake levels to a run of nature. 

How often are levels checked, and who makes requests to increase or lower levels, and why has the level been so low this summer?

  • The lake level at the dam is monitored twice every month. This measurement is currently done by John Schweizer. The latest reading taken on August 15, 2025 showed the water level at 5.5” inch below the Caspian Lake Dam’s spillway, which is 8.9” inches below the 8-year average for that date. 
  • Vermont is now in drought conditions. Water is still flowing through the weir gate which is essential for the maintenance of downstream aquatic life in Greensboro Brook.
  • In the past ten years, the Watershed Stewards have made emergency requests due to high water events. Stew Arnold and John Schweizer have taken the lead on making these requests. All requests go to the DEC Dam Engineers for approval. If the DEC approves the request, Hardwick Electric is then instructed to adjust the weir gate accordingly. Any subsequent change needs to follow the same approval process.

What requests were made in 2023 and 2024 following heavy rain events and flooding? 

  • On July 10th, 2023, due to the heavy rain event and rapidly rising water levels on Caspian Lake, Stew Arnold made an emergency request to DEC Dam Engineers, who in turn instructed HE, to open the weir gate from 7 inches to fully open. This request was made in response to Caspian’s lake level rising 20 inches following the first 6 inches of rain, with additional water continuing to flow from the oversaturated watershed. Even with the gate fully open, the lake level rose to a peak lake level of 4 inches over the southern dam wall immediately following the storm. In September 2023, when the lake level returned to fall averages, DEC approved adjusting the weir gate back to a 7 inch opening.
  • On July 8th, 2024, two days before the arrival of Hurricane Beryl, Stew Arnold requested that DEC Dam Engineers approve proactively releasing water ahead of the storm’s arrival to Greensboro. DEC Dam Engineer Ben Green approved the request and instructed HE to open the weir fully and check downstream for precautions. HE opened the weir gate to 11 inches before the storm arrived on July 10th. With the weir at 11 inch opening, the lake level increased to just shy of breaching the southern dam wall before receding. The lake level remained above averages until late June of 2025. 

What requests have been made this summer to increase lake levels?

  • In early August, the Watershed Stewards requested the weir setting be returned to a 7 inch opening as Caspian Lake level was below average. This was denied by the Dam Engineer Ben Green on the basis that emergency conditions were not met, and that the lower lake level is less stressful to the dam. 
  • On August 28th, a second request was made to adjust the weir setting to a 2 inch opening to slow the decreasing lake level resulting from the current drought conditions, which have been forecasted beyond 30 days and because the current lake level is below the footings of the dam therefore causing minimal stress on the structure. The request also included the desire to adjust the weir gate back to the 7 inch opening when the lake level returns to its average level. DEC also denied this request. 
    • In explaining the denial, Dam Engineer Ben Green said, “Low flows and levels are being observed at lakes, reservoirs, and streams throughout Vermont. At this time, further reducing flows to downstream receiving waters is not being allowed and adjusting gates more closed to more open later on violates water quality requirements and given the dam safety considerations here, is not preferred.”
  • The Watershed Stewards have worked diligently for many years to document and advocate for greater local control of Caspian’s lake levels but devastating back to back flooding events have delayed progress. The DEC is continuing to listen to the GA requests for greater control and has planned a program review to establish such a process. 
  • As Vermont’s drought conditions continue, the GA’s Watershed Stewards will continue to closely monitor Caspian Lake and its interconnected ecosystems.

How often is the lake water tested and who does that testing?

  • VT-DEC tests Caspian Lake once a year for Summer Phosphorus.
  • The GA’s Lay Monitoring program tests Caspian Lake 6 times (2 in June, 2 in July, 2 in August) for Clarity, Phosphorous (nutrient measure), Chlorophyll (photosynthesis measure), Caffeine (human influence). 
  • The GA’s Tributary Monitoring program tests 5 streams that feed water into Caspian Lake. These tests also happen 6 times (2 in June, 2 in July, 2 in August) for Clarity, Phosphorous (nutrient measure), plus 1 stream is sampled for Chlorine.
  • The GA assists the Town Health Officers in testing the lake for Swim Area safety. These tests typically happen in response to emergency situations.

Who are the Watershed Stewards and what is their role with Caspian Lake?  Who in town can I contact if I have questions about lake level or water quality?

  • The Watershed Stewards are a volunteer group that operates under the GA’s Lakes & Environmental Stewardship Committee (which is currently co-chaired by Stew Arnold and Ken Connolly). This committee also oversees the Lake Wise and Stream Wise programs, the Watershed Action Plan, and numerous other core activities that protect the health and wellbeing of Caspian Lake, its watershed, and the environment of our greater Greensboro community. 
  • Currently the volunteer GA watershed stewards that comprise the working group monitoring the lake level on a biweekly basis are Stew Arnold, John Schweizer, Paul Brierre, Ken Connolly, Chris Steel (also Chair of Greensboro’s Conservation Commission), Naomi Ranz-Schleifer (as President of the Greensboro Association), and MacNeil (as Chair of the Greensboro Selectboard). 
  • For health concerns related to water quality:
    • Karl Stein – Town Health Officer
    • Christine Armstrong – Deputy Town Health Officer – [email protected] 

2025 Northeast Kingdom Sunfish Regatta on Caspian Lake

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Caspian Lake Sunfish Regatta, Saturday, August 16.

All welcome! All encouraged!

Click here to register.

Plan is for 5 races beginning at 10 a.m.  Registration fee includes lunch and t-shirt. Contact John Jacobs at 617-504-9203 with any questions.

Skippers Meeting by Zoom on Friday, August 15 at 5 p.m. All registrants will receive an invite. Alternatively, meet at the public beach on Saturday at 9 a.m. 

Thanks in advance to John Stone and Burr Gray for serving as race committee.

2025 Annual Meeting Reminder and Committe Reports

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REMINDER:

Greensboro Association

Annual Meeting and Member Gathering
Snacks & Beverages provided

Thursday, August 7th at 4:00 pm

Turning Stone Farm 491 Country Club Road, Greensboro, VT

AGENDA

2025 Committee Reports

The proposed new slate of trustees is

available in the report on page 12.

If you are not planning to attend the annual meeting, please consider sending a signed proxy form, which can be found here. This document can be given to any member of the current board or can be emailed to membership@greensboroassociation.org.

 

Caspian Lake Sailing August Race Series begins Saturday, August 2

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Greetings Sailors!
Caspian Lake Sailing August Race Series begins Saturday, August 2 and runs Wednesdays and Saturdays through
August 23. Starts are 2pm off Aspenhurst Point, just north of sunken island.
All ages, skill levels and classes of boats welcome and encouraged. For up to date announcements relating to weather and race schedule follow Caspian summer sailing series on Instagram, or call 617 504 9203.
Sunfish regatta is Saturday, August 16.
See you on the water.

2025 Annual Meeting and Member Gathering – August 7

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The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Greensboro Association and Member Gathering will be held on Thursday, August 7th at 4:00 pm at Turning Stone Farm (491 Country Club Road Greensboro, VT). All members of the Association are invited and encouraged to attend. We will have a short business meeting with the below agenda items followed by a gathering of friends, lawn games, and snacks!

At the meeting, our membership will be asked to vote on (i) the approval of the minutes of the 2024 Annual Meeting, (ii) the approval of an updated set of bylaws for the Association that have been prepared by our Governance Committee and approved by the Board, and (iii) the election of the slate of new trustees and officers. Note: One vote per membership. If you are not planning to attend the annual meeting, please consider sending a signed form of proxy, found here. This document can be given to any member of the current board or to someone who plans to attend the meeting.

A draft Agenda for the business meeting portion can be found here.

The minutes of the 2024 Annual Meeting are available here. A summary of the proposed major changes to be made by the new bylaws as well as a redlined and clean copy of the proposed new set of bylaws are available here.

The proposed new slate of trustees will be distributed prior to the meeting.

2025 Caspian Challenge on July 27: Register Today!

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Screen Shot 2013-05-15 at 8.54.23 PM

The Caspian Challenge:

Sunday, July 27, 2025

at 8:30 a.m.

 REGISTRATION ONLINE STARTING MAY 1 ($15)

REGISTER HERE

DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION $20 (CASH ONLY)

 

The 14th Annual Caspian Challenge Road Race is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, 2025 at the Ballfield in Greensboro, the corner of Lake Shore Road and Breezy Avenue. The race consists of the classic 6.8 mile loop around Caspian Lake and an out and back 5K Walk/Race. Prizes for both races and refreshments for all.

Join us for a morning of fun, exercise and community support. All proceeds from the event go to the Greensboro Community Meals program. The registration fee online is $15 through July 26, and $20 on day of race. Day of race registration begins at 7:15 a.m. and ends at 8:15 a.m. sharp. No fee for those under 13. Minimum age to participate in the 5K is 7.

Eric Hanson, Race Director – [email protected].

 

Click here to register

 

Freedom and Unity: Greensboro’s Funky Fourth Celebration on July 5

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Freedom and Unity

Greensboro’s Funky Fourth Celebration

The Parade. 10 A.M on Saturday, July 5th.
This year’s theme and the Vermont’s motto is Freedom
& Unity. Uncle Sam, Grand Marshal Clive Gray’s Pierce Arrow(No breaks) and our Ladies Walking
Society will set the pace leading the menagerie down Breezy Avenue. The parade will feature:
 Bread and Puppet Theater,
 Small and big-time politicians,
 Greensboro’s Lawn Mower Brigade,
 Cows, horses, dogs(no Cats),
 Eclectic organizational floats,
 Mega farm equipment and
 Greensboro’s Road Crew and Fire Department.

At press time, Oscar Mayer has yet to confirm its Wienermobile. But, overhead, capping off the parade
and in lieu of an F35 fly-over, the Beta Air Force will buzz the town trailing appropriate banners and
doing non-death-defying aerial stunts.

Bring Your Appetite
The parade will transition into a free community picnic on the lawn of the Town
Hall. Sandwiches, grilled sausages /hot dogs and Kingdom Creamery cones (food sponsored by the
Greensboro Association) will be served. Additional home-made delights (for a small fee)will be
available at the accompanying Farmers’ Market.

Silent Charity Auction
Dessert and Vermont art contributions will be open for bidding on the
accompanying Silent Auction tables. All auction proceeds will flow to the Area Food Shelf.
So, bring your wallets and support a good cause. Dessert Donations should be delivered to Town Hall
Saturday morning prior to the of the parade. Vermont art contributions may be left the week prior at
Town Hall.

Dunk Tank.
Yes, you can pay to have a chance to dunk your favorite politician, family member or
local personality. 5 bucks for three throws. Targets who refuse sitting in the dunk chair will be fined
$50. Barker Tim Nisbet will run the show during the picnic. All fees go to the Area Food Shelf.

Greensboro Activities Options (during and after the Picnic)
Farmers’ Market on the Green
Art Show at the Grange
Library Book Sale
Open House at the Historical Society
Swimming at Caspian Beach
Paddling on Caspian Lake
Biking on the Rail Trail at Greensboro Bend
Hiking at Barr Hill Nature Preserve
Beer at Hill Farmstead
Golf, tennis & pickleball at Mt. View CC

Free Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra Concert at Highland Center for the Arts.
At 6:30, capping off Greensboro’s “Freedom and Unity” celebration will be the 75 member Vermont
Philharmonic Orchestra playing lively and appropriate music to celebrate the occasion. Outdoor
games and picnic at 5:30 will precede the concert. Food and libations will be available for purchase.

Over 500 trees planted to mitigate flood impact in East Hardwick

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Over the last two weeks the Upper Lamoille Streamwise team led by Jed Feffer has planted over 500 trees along the Lamoille River in East Hardwick at the properties of David and Gail O’Brian, Lanny and Mary Jane Hill and Zack and Bridget Hoppe.  The trees were purchased with funding provided by the Greensboro Association.  The trees planted, Silky Dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood, Cottonwood, Elderberry, Winterberry, Chokecherry, Speckled Alder and Willow, are all good options for protecting river buffers.  Property owner Zack Hoppe said “It was great to be able to bring local community members together to help protect our land from future flood events and at the same time improve the water quality of the Lamoille River for the benefit of all”.   Planting volunteers included Lucy Zendzian, Liz Baum, Bill Berman, Jed Feffer, Dede Stabler, Stew Arnold, JoAnn Hanowski, Liz Hatch, Lucy Mitchell, Dave Kelley, Sawyer Waite, Gavin Waite and Chris Steel.  If you are interested in having the Streamwise team support you with your property in a similar way please contact Liza Kiesler at [email protected].

Photo 1: Tree planting last Friday at the property of Zack and Bridget Hoppe
In the picture L to R:  Bill Berman, Zach Hoppe, JoAnn Hanowski, Liza Kiesler, Jed Feffer, Liz Hatch
Photo Credit: Chris Steel
Picture 2:  Loaded up to plant the next section at the Hoppe property
In the picture L to R:  Liza Kiesler, Zack Hoppe, Bill Berman, Liz Hatch, Jed Feffer
Photo Credit: Chris Steel
Picture 3:  Tree planting last Saturday at the property of Zack and Bridget Hoppe
In the picture L to R:   Jed Feffer, LIza Kiesler, Dave Kelley, Dede Stabler, Lucy Mitchell, Liz Hatch, JoAnn Hanowski, Sawyer Waite, Gavin Waite
Photo Credit: Chris Steel

Important Information from Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District’s Lake Watershed Program Specialist

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A Letter from Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District’s Lake Watershed Program Specialist
—
Will Marlier
Spring 2025

For many, Spring is a time of new beginnings. The snow melts, the ice recedes, crocuses bloom, and peepers fill the air with their cacophonous song. Lakes across the state shake the lethargy from their shores as both natural and human systems prepare for the hustle and bustle of summer.
For me, this spring brought new employment and an opportunity to connect more deeply with the thawing lakes of the Northeast Kingdom. The Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District had been advertising for a Lake Watershed Program Specialist over the course of the winter. For a young local man looking to dedicate his life to the stewardship of Vermont’s natural resources, it felt like the perfect opportunity. I was happy to apply, and even happier to be offered the position. I bring with me to this work an undergraduate degree from Temple University, and a session working in the State House with the House Environment & Energy Committee. I moved to Greensboro in 2020, and have spent much of my time since then volunteering with the Greensboro Conservation Commission and Greensboro Land Trust.

In the Lake Watershed Program Specialist role I will support lakeshore communities across Orleans County in managing their watersheds to improve water quality and restore natural ecosystems. The bulk of my work will be focused on collaborating with lake associations, landowners, and other partners to implement recently completed Lake Watershed Action Plans (or LWAP’s). I will accomplish this by interfacing with landowners to develop projects, secure grant funding for project implementation, and coordinating community outreach efforts. I will serve as a resource for landowners with questions about Best Management Practices, and will make myself available to conduct Lake Wise Assessments for those that are interested.

My efforts in community outreach will sometimes manifest as written articles (like this one) and other times manifest as in-person educational workshops. This spring I supported our partner organizations, the Memphremagog Watershed Association and Northwoods Stewardship Center, in developing a program on Lake Seymour. The workshop is designed to showcase practical and manageable projects that lake association members and lakeshore landowners could implement independently. It will be held on Sunday, April 27th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and will feature three stations, each exploring a different type of water quality improvement. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please contact MWA’s Gabryel Gianoni at [email protected] for more information and to RSVP.

Station One:
Culvert Installation and Driveway Drainage
With the help of an excavator operator, this crew will install a cross culvert that redirects stormwater drainage under an existing driveway and reconnects it to a marshy field it has historically hydrated. Culvert installation requires the careful consideration of multiple points.
1. Is the culvert properly sized to accommodate high flow events?
2. Is the culvert properly pitched to facilitate drainage and natural flow?
3. Are both the inlet and outlet set in such a way that future erosion will be minimized?
Workshop facilitator, MWA’s Patrick Hurley, will lay out the details of how he determined the culvert’s ideal size and pitch to the day’s attendees. If you (or a neighbor) are considering replacing or adding a culvert, it is always a good idea to get a professional’s opinion before moving forward to implementation. After the culvert is in the ground, the day’s volunteers will set about stabilizing the outlet. This will be done with loose stone and a handful of willow stakes. Stone at the outlet helps to slow and disperse the water as it exits the pipe while also protecting the soil from unnecessary erosion. The value of the willow stakes and other plantings are explored even more thoroughly at the next station.

Station Two:
Riparian Buffer Planting
The second station focuses on planting a riparian vegetative buffer alongside Cranberry Brook. There, facilitator Ted Sedell and myself will lead volunteers through the planting of a wide range of wet-loving plant species. The following table provides a list of the species that will be used, as well as some information worth considering before planting.

Establishing buffers on the banks of streams and lakes serve a critical role in protecting water quality. Growing roots work to stabilize and hold the soil, prevent erosion from high-flow events, armor banks against ice push, and slow and filter water draining down the bank and into the body of water. Planting vegetative buffers is a wonderful and accessible way for lakeshore property owners to get involved on their own properties. While this management practice is relatively straightforward, most plant vendors and landscapers are also available to answer questions about the specifics.

Station Three:
Lakeshore Erosion
The third station will be located directly at the lakeshore, by the mouth of a drainage area. This station will serve as an informational station, with less hands-on involvement from volunteers. The site showcases examples of lawn-to-lake mowing, which creates a weaker bank that is prone to erosion, and does little to filter the water entering the lake. Significant ice push at this site has managed to create large berms of soil along the bank and push very large stones up and onto the lawn, threatening the structure of the cabin. At this point, facilitators of the workshop recommend leaving the berms in place to act as natural bank armor against future ice. Volunteers will add willow stakes along the shore to help stabilize the soil there. Willows are incredibly hardy plants, and can often withstand being flattened by ice. This site also observes an erosive gully that is threatening to destroy a portion of the driveway. Due to its proximity to the lakeshore, any excavation work to correct the bank of this drainage is potentially subject to permitting. It is a good reminder that work done by heavy machinery in the vicinity of a lakeshore should go through the proper regulatory channels, even if you are unsure if a permit is required.

Collaborating organizations are hopeful that this workshop will be a huge success. It will engage local lakeshore advocates and community members, and I hope that many attendees will walk away with useful information that they will be able to put into action on their own lakes. Again, if you are interested in the workshop, please contact MWA’s Gabryel Gianoni at [email protected] for more information and to RSVP. Remember, each of us are capable of effecting real positive change for the environment on our own properties and in our own communities.
As we look to the summer ahead of us, I hope to work closely with all of you to further protect our lakes, their shores, and the water and life that they hold. I am currently working on several potential workshops and projects for this summer, so make sure you are subscribed to the
OCNRCD newsletter for updates!

Please feel free to reach out to me by email
([email protected]) or phone (802-595-4538) if you have any questions or ideas regarding this work.

Caspian Lake Watershed Action Plan

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Stewards of the Greensboro watersheds partnered with the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation Service to complete a Lake Watershed Action Plan for the Caspian Lake Watershed.  A Lake Watershed Action Plan is an assessment and planning tool which identifies the greatest threats to the lake ecosystem, including impacts on water quality and wildlife habitat from stormwater runoff and from altered, cleared, or converted shorelands. The assessment combines a lake’s condition of shoreland, tributaries, drainage ditches, wetlands, hydrologically connected roads, and working landscapes in an individual planning guide that prioritizes restoration and protection actions for that specific region.

The Caspian Lake LWAP information is available for your viewing on the Storymap site. This story identifies individual properties within the watershed where a stream, wetland, road or shore project could be completed to reduce phosphorus input to the watershed.  If you see your property in the storymap (by location identification only) and would like to pursue a project, please contact [email protected]

February Greetings from the Greensboro Association

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February Greetings from the Greensboro Association

Snowy winter continues and the 2025 Tour de Greensboro took place on February 9– a cold but sunny Sunday morning with a blanket of fresh snow for participants. It was declared, “Nordic skiing at its best” by many of the over 100 skiers who participated in the 18K/25K cross-country skiing event. A community effort, with Jim Fredericks as race director and over 25 local volunteers, including first responders, helped to make this a successful and safe event, raising over $2200 to benefit the Greensboro Association. Thank you to all who organized, helped out, and participated! Photos from the event can be viewed HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES:

Feb 19, 2025, 6:30 pm
Pre-Town Meeting Conversation @ Lakeview Elementary School Gym and on ZOOM. 

This is a special Selectboard Meeting and will be an opportunity to raise discussion around items on the Town Meeting Warning. NOTE: Town Meeting is March 4, @ 10 AM and this year will be held at the Highland Center for the Arts.

Feb 24, 2025, 6:30 pm
Town Plan Community Conversation – Virtual Edition on ZOOM

The Greensboro Planning Commission (GPC) invites Greensboro residents and property owners who were unable to attend the first Community Conversation to a second, entirely virtual Community Conversation. Please register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pG6PpZ1eQje8a16YoM9U7g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The GPC looks forward to hearing from you as they collect thoughts that will guide the next Greensboro Town Plan. There are a couple vacancies on the GPC and if you are interested, please contact them. Residency status is not required to be a member of the GPC.

Feb 25, 2025, 6 pm
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Panel – Community Housing Forum

The Community Housing Forum is hosting a panel discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units at the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, 1173 East Craftsbury Road in East Craftsbury. This ADU Panel will provide resources and information about ADUs with a focus on our rural area. Homeowners considering adding a rental space for income or to provide much needed housing are invited to come learn more about ADUs and grants available to build one. The panel will include three area residents who have constructed ADUs, Wendy Moran, Director of Rural Edge’s Homeownership Program who oversees grants available for homeowners, and Patrick Larsen of Larsen Applied Earth Science, who will discuss permitting and wastewater rules as they apply to ADUs.

The GA 2025 Annual Grants call for Applications is live! Applications are due by March 15.

Greensboro Association grants are made possible by the generosity of our membership in support of this community we all love and to ensure its vitality for generations to come. The GA awards both specific Initiative/Project grants and General/Operating grants. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations, municipal committees, and companies or individuals with a demonstrated commitment to serving the Greensboro community. Ad-hoc community group applications will be considered with fiscal sponsorship from a 501(c)3 or municipality.

Grant application details can be found on the GA Website at https://greensboroassociation.org/grants/ or email Karen and Julie at [email protected] for more info. To see some of the impact of last year’s grants, view our 2024 Community Impact Report.

Greensboro Community Meals 2025

The Greensboro Association is excited to be collaborating with Sterling College and the students in this semester’s Food Ethics class taught by Liz Chadwick. Sterling College has been offering a weekly free community meal on their campus and we look forward to partnering with them to bring a community meal to Greensboro very soon. If you are interested in helping make community meals happen in Greensboro, please add your contact info to this form: https://forms.gle/cS4f18JWyXY4iJVA7

Village Trust Initiative – Methodist Church & Parsonage Project Survey. 

The Bend Revitalization Initiative and a Community Steering Group are working with the Village Trust Initiative Team from the Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Vermont Community Foundation to transform the former Methodist Church and Parsonage on Main Street in Greensboro Bend into a community owned asset and housing. Please share your input for what you’d like to see for the future:

https://forms.gle/M12pSYbBHgp8fLsX6

Orleans County Conservation District invites you to a Community Meeting on February 10

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The Orleans County Conservation District Vermont invites you to a Community Meeting at Irasburg Town Hall on Feb 10th. There will be short presentations on Memphremagog and Champlain watershed water quality, forests and agriculture and a discussion on natural resource priorities, needs, gaps and future solutions. To find out more and RSVP follow the link below.

https://www.orleanscountynrcd.org/2025-locally-led-conservation-community-meeting

There is also an opportunity to have your voice heard by responding to this survey in advance of the meeting with a chance to win a $50 gift card to the annual Orleans County plant sale.

 

Ban Wake Boats and Wake Sports on Caspian Lake: Hearing on December 12

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The public meeting for the Caspian petition to ban wake boats and wake sports will be held on December 12th.  The Caspian team will present a summary of its petition and will have time to present supporting evidence.  The evidence that we provide in this step in the process will determine whether Caspian will be included in the next step of rule-making.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1) write a letter (see instructions below) in support of the ban on Caspian.  We collected over 1200 signatures that were submitted along with the petition and we need to prove that this support is still relevant.  Make your letter personal, how would wake boat use on Caspian impact your use of the Lake, your safety, and your ability to enjoy the quiet Lake culture.

2). attend the meeting to show support for the Caspian ban. You can sign up to speak at the link below.

3). Spread the word and encourage your friends to submit letters or attend in person or via zoom.

WHAT: Public Meeting to receive comment on three petitions proposing amendments for lake-specific changes to the Use of Public Waters Rules governing wakesports on Waterbury Reservoir, Lake Fairlee, and Caspian Lake.

WHERE:  National Life Dewey Conference Room, 3 National Life Dr., Montpelier, VT, 05620 (in person)

OR online via Microsoft Teams, using the link at the meeting time: Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 268 492 569 354  Passcode: EExYY3

OR: Dial in by phone

+1 802-828-7667,,607382336#

WHEN:  December 12, 2024 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm

To submit a comment:

Written and verbal comments will be accepted.

  • Please submit written comments to [email protected] . Public comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on December 23rd. IMPORTANT: when submitting a public comment, please include the word “wakesports” in the subject line AND the specific petition (lake) for which you are providing a comment.
  • Registration to provide verbal comments at the public meeting will be available here two weeks prior to the meeting

Equal weight is given to comments that are made in person, virtually, or in writing.

 

Seventy-Five Willow Trees Planted

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Volunteers from the Greensboro Association and the Greensboro Conservation Commission planted 75 Willow trees on Saturday, November 9th in East Hardwick and Greensboro Bend as part of the Stream Wise program.  The trees were purchased with funding provided by the Greensboro Association.
 
Thanks to property owners Meredith Holch, Cindy Dailey and Pierrette Lyman for their participation and stewardship and also to Smith’s Grocery in Greensboro Bend for providing lunch to the volunteer team!
 
Stream Wise engages streamside property owners to help them enhance and protect vegetated stream buffers, increasing flood resiliency and benefiting water quality and natural habitat.
 
For more information please go to https://streamwisechamplain.org/ or contact Jed Feffer at [email protected] or Chris Steel at chrissteel4@gmail.com.

2025 Tour de Greensboro

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The Tour de Greensboro is a non-competitive classic style ski tour event located in the beautiful town of Greensboro Vermont. The course is a 25 km single loop starting and ending at the Highland Lodge with a 15 km cutoff for those who prefer not to ski the entire distance. Participants will experience some of the best classic skiing in NE with spectacular views along the course incorporating the Greensboro Trail System and private trails. The course will be professionally groomed by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center and private landowners. Please note that this event is not for beginner skiers. You must know the basic classic techniques needed for skiing uphills and  downhills and the fitness required to ski 25km or 15km. For event registration, go to: https://www.skireg.com/tour-de-greensboro

Seeking Volunteers for Town of Greensboro Adopt-a-Culvert Program

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The Town of Greensboro has over 800 culverts that play a functional role in moving water through road ditches or from water storage areas. Blocked or failed culverts can lead to costly road damage and water pollution via phosphorus transport. The goal of the adopt-a-culvert program is to ensure that ditches and culverts are maintained by cleaning on a biannual basis or as needed. Property owners should ensure that the culvert (if you have one) where your drive meets the town road is free of debris. Maintenance of these culverts should be completed by the property owner. If you are unable to complete this, we can ask volunteers to help you.
We are looking for volunteers to monitor ditches and culverts on town Rrads and, if able to, clear them of debris. This simple maintenance task will prevent culvert blockage and significantly reduce road damage. If you want to volunteer for the adopt-a-culvert program please fill out the form at https://forms.gle/tjhbBtAc5dHnZtBv6.
Detailed instructions will be provided when you have committed to the program.
This program is organized by the Stewards of the Greensboro Watersheds of the Greensboro Association and the Greensboro Conservation Commission.

Greensboro Community Survey 2024—It’s Time to Update the Town Plan!

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To complete the survey:

  • Scan the QR Code below
  • Download the survey here
  • Complete the survey online here
  • Pick up a hard copy at Smiths, the Library or at the town offices