Connected Greensboro & Community Broadband Survey

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By John C. Stone III

Connected Greensboro & Community Broadband Survey

The “Connected Greensboro” task force is one of four local task forces which have come together in recent months through the help and guidance of the Vermont Council on Rural Development and the Vermont Community Foundation. The task force seeks to achieve maximum broadband and mobile/cellular coverage and connectivity at affordable prices for full and part-time residents of Greensboro.

We are exploring broadband providers and solutions including fiber and hybrid networks to maximize coverage and connectivity. Later in 2020, we plan to expand activities to evaluate area mobile/cellular coverage providers, issues and challenges.

An important initiative the task force has been working on in recent months is organizing Greensboro to join the NEK Community Broadband Communication Union District (CUD). CUD membership can further our efforts to bring high-speed internet access, commonly called “broadband” to every 911 address.  Membership in the CUD poses no financial risk to the Town of Greensboro or to its taxpayers, and CUD member towns can benefit from working collectively to seek funding through the State of Vermont, the federal government and revenue-based securities to deploy broadband infrastructure in the region. While it will still take time to realize an affordable broadband solution in Greensboro, the CUD offers us a powerful opportunity to accelerate these efforts.

Good news! At town meeting, Greensboro, along with towns across the Northeast Kingdom, voted to join the NEK CUD!  Carol Fairbank led this effort on behalf of our committee. Please express your appreciation to Carol and other members of the Connected Greensboro Committee!! The next step is for each town’s selectboard is to appoint a resident to the CUD board. The CUD Board will hold its first meeting on May 12th.

We want to hear from you. Please complete the following survey (one per household please) to help us understand what qualities are most important to our community. Connectivity? Speed? Reliability? Cost? Affordable broadband coverage and connectivity is vital to Greensboro’s economic sustainability, safety and quality of life.

Committee members include: Carol Fairbank, Pal Bickford, Fred Mann, Dave Stoner, Mary Metcalf, Joan Feffer, Ken Johnston, Stew Arnold, Michael Hoffman and John Stone (Chair).

10th Annual Greensboro Fire Department Caspian Lake Fishing Derby

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10th Annual GFD Caspian Lake Fishing Derby
Saturday, February 8th, 4am- 2pm
Adult class (16 yrs and older) $15.00
Junior class (15 yrs and under) $5.00
50/50 Raffle and other prizes
All children entered must be fishing with an adult registered in the fishing derby
PRE-REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 11TH AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
Willey’s Store, Greensboro, VT;
Riteway Sports, Hardwick, VT;
The Old Fishing Hole Gun Shop, Morrisville, VT;
or at Caspian Lake Beach the morning of the derby

Temperature Rise Threatens 114 of 168 Vermont Birds by 2050

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Birds of Greensboro by John Audubon Schweizer

The Black-throated Green Warbler and Spruce Grouse are the most at-risk NEK birds.

On October 10th,  the National Audubon released its scientists’ latest forecast for birds at risk of disappearing from Vermont by 2050.  The scientists’ model looked at 168 Vermont bird species and average temperature rising 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050.  This temperature rise which is consistent with the current climate trends will result in shorter winters and more frequent extreme weather-related events like droughts, heavy rains, extreme spring heat, and forest fires.  These conditions will not only affect our birds’ ability and timing for migration, nesting, and reproduction but also shock and reorder the local insect population which is the primary sources of nutrition for fledglings and their parents.

Of the 114 threaten species, 54  common Greensboro birds are at moderate to high risk of disappearing and 60 are at low risk. The moderate to high-risk birds include 11 species of warblers, 5 species of sparrows, woodcocks, mergansers as well as Vermont’s state bird, the Hermit Thrush.  The remaining population of other studied Vermont species should remain relatively unchanged during the next 30 years.  More information on threatening Vermont bird species can be seen at the website: Audubon.org/climate/survival by degrees/state/us/vt.

 

Caspian High-water and Ice Damage

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By John Schweizer

Shoreline flooding and ice damage particularly along the north and west shores of the Caspian Lake occurred again this winter. The damage was due mostly to the highest water levels in the past 20 years. On April 22, the water measured 29 inches above the spillway and breached the top of the concrete dam. At this point, GA’s Stew Arnold contacted Ben Green, the Vermont Dam Engineer. As the water was about to flow around the dam, Ben requested that the Hardwick Electric technician fully open the weir flood gate thus preventing a potential disaster. Both Peter Romans of the Greensboro Select Board and Nat Smith of the Hardwick Electric Board observed this episode.

The week following this episode, Ben Green, sent a letter to Hardwick Electric requesting that they conduct an engineering study to determine the condition of the dam and recommend any changes. The GA Lake Level Committee then requested that the Agency of Natural Resources, (ANR) which is responsible for the dam flow, and thus the lake water level, keep the weir flood gate partially open year-round until the study is completed and necessary changes are made to the dam.

Going forward, the GA Lake Committee will continue working with ANR and Hardwick Electric to collect data and make recommendations in order to adjust the dam outflow to meet our common goals of minimizing flooding and ice damage while protecting our beautiful lake and its ecosystem.

2019 Winter Update

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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.

2018 Spring Newsletter

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Read our Spring Newsletter! Lots of news and information about upcoming events in Greensboro. Thank you to Karen Gowen, our Newsletter Editor.

2018 Winter Update

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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.

We have been very busy this the fall, addressing a number of issues important to our members. Read the highlights in the Winter 2018 President’s Letter.

Children’s Summer Camps: Registration Open for WonderArts Summer Journeys Camps, Circus Smirkus, and Hosmer Point Saplings Day Camp and Traditional Overnight Camp

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WonderArts summer camp registration opens February 1.  This year, they will collaborate with Lakeview Union Elementary School and the Highland Center for the Arts to offer a full slate of creative arts camps for children.  Camps are open to the children of year-round and summer residents, include optional extended care, and will be based at Lakeview Union School in Greensboro.  Registration information is available here:

http://wonderwisdom.org/summer-journeys/

Hosmer Point is a traditional summer camp located in Craftsbury on Big Hosmer Pond.  They offer both sleep-away and day camps, sculling camps for children ages 12-15, a session of Little Bellas Mountain Biking Camp, which is a program for girls ages 11-15.  Some sessions fill quickly, and registration is currently open here:

https://www.hosmerpoint.com/camps/camp-dates-for-2017/

Circus Smirkus Camp still has openings for several of its sessions, including BIG KID CAMP!  Have you ever wanted to run away to the circus?  Now is your chance to learn some of the skills younger campers develop and still have down time to experience all the other great things Greensboro has to offer.  Big Kid Camp is for adults age 21 and up and runs from June 8-10 this year.

Registration info here:

http://www.smirkus.org/smirkus-camp/camp-sessions/

 

Highland Center for the Arts Names New Executive Director

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The Highland Center for the Arts named its new Executive Director in January.  A native of Craftsbury and UVM graduate, Annie Houston brings extensive experience in arts management and administration to the HCA.  Read more about Ms. Houston’s background and experience here:

http://highlandartsvt.org/press/

We welcome her to the Greensboro community!

HCA is currently on a mid-winter break and will re-open on February 6.  A full calendar of events for late winter and early spring is available on their website.  Events include improv comedy classes for teens, Wednesday night movies, T’ai Chi, yoga, as well as music and dance performances.

Winter Parking Ban in Effect

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 A reminder that winter parking rules in Greensboro are in effect.  Parking vehicles on Town Highway rights-of-way and turnarounds is prohibited.  Vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Overnight parking in public parking lots, around the Town Hall, or in front of Willey’s Store is also prohibited.  Cars may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Plowing snow across a Town Highway or depositing snow on a Town Highway is a violation of state law and is strictly prohibited.

Trees and brush in the Town Highway right-of-way that are deemed to pose a hazard by the Select Board or Town Road Foreman may be removed.

 

Holiday Happenings

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Planning to be in Greensboro during the holiday season?  There will be a variety of arts offerings during the month of December, including performances at the Highland Center, music at the Highland Lodge (check their Facebook page for details), the Craftsbury Farmer’s Market on December 9, and crafting workshops hosted by WonderArts.  Be sure to check the links below for details and to check back for more opportunities.

http://highlandartsvt.org/events/

http://wonderwisdom.org/news/

Greensboro Select Board Discusses Additional Police Officer for Hardwick Police Department

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At the Select Board’s November meeting, Hardwick Police Chief Aaron Cochran presented plans for the addition of a new officer to the department.  The HPD has applied for a federal grant to help cover the cost of an additional entry-level officer’s salary for three years, after which that cost would need to be assumed by the HPD budget, of which Greensboro pays a share.  If the grant is received, an existing officer would be promoted to detective.  Statistics show that our area has seen an increase in crime, which Chief Cochran attributes primarily to the drug problem.  Working with Hardwick Town Manager Jon Jewett, the Hardwick and Greensboro select boards will put together two versions of the HPD budget to reflect both receipt of the federal grant and no receipt of the grant.

School Budgets, Education Spending, and the Calculation of Property Taxes

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The Vermont School Boards Association (VSBA) released a new video to help explain how the education portion of your property taxes is calculated.  In a posting earlier this fall, we informed you of the pending shortfall in the State’s Education Fund.  This shortfall will likely impact your property taxes next year.  School districts are currently building budgets for presentation to the voters at town meetings in March.  In Greensboro, voters will be asked to approve three separate budgets: one at town meeting on March 6 for the Greensboro Town School District, which funds preschool education, one for the Lakeview Union Elementary School at its annual meeting on Thursday, March 8, and one by Australian ballot at town meeting for Hazen Union High School.  A budget presentation for Hazen Union is currently scheduled for Thursday, February 26 at the high school in Hardwick.

The short video is available below:

http://www.vtvsba.org

Vermont State Education Fund Faces Shortfall

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As we near the start of the 2018 Vermont Legislative Session, reports are emerging that the State Education Fund will face a significant shortfall.  The impact on property taxpayers, both resident and nonresident, could be significant.  As the session unfolds and the impact becomes clearer, the GA will endeavor to keep its membership informed of possible tax impacts.  For some background information on what is at stake, the following articles are helpful and informative:

https://vtdigger.org/2017/10/02/depleted-education-fund-makes-for-likely-tax-increase/#.WdvK3kyZO9Y

https://vtdigger.org/2017/10/09/education-fund-gap-go-high-80m/#.WdvH5EyZO9Y

 

Clive Gray Recognized for Community Conservation Work

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At the Annual Meeting of the Vermont Land Trust earlier this month, Clive Gray, chair of the Greensboro Land Trust, received the Richard W. Carbin Community Conservation Award. The award recognizes conservation partners who demonstrate a commitment to conservation in their communities.  Clive has served the Greensboro community for many years on both the Greensboro Land Trust and the Greensboro Conservation Commission.  His dedication to the preservation of our beautiful natural spaces benefits all of us.  Congratulations, Clive, and thank you for all your hard work and dedication.

Greensboro Planning Commission Continues Work on Town Plan

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Many of you completed a survey last year for the Greensboro Planning Commission to provide input on the Commission’s ongoing work redrafting our Town Plan.  The intent of the new Town Plan is to guide and support change in our community over the next eight years.  The results of the survey helped the Commission craft a vision for Greensboro. The vision, which will be the basis for preparing the Town Plan, is shared below.

Greensboro residents aspire to see a future for the community where:

  • The Town’s rural character is viewed as a significant benefit that should be protected.
  • As a community, there is a strong sense that conservation of our natural resources should be a high priority.
  • Greensboro continues to attract and enjoy vibrant and unique small businesses that sustain tourism, support our economy, and are gathering places for local residents.
  • Greensboro is attractive for both retired families as well as new families raising young children.
  • Greensboro, a small New England town, is the home of many cultural opportunities typical of larger towns.
  • The community offers a multitude of recreational activities for young and old.
  • The community strongly supports lifelong education, with the important benefits it provides to the community.

The Commission would welcome your input and comments on these questions:

Is the vision consistent with your expectations for the future of Greensboro?

Second, the Town Plan must include specific actions that will move the community towards this vision. What actions would you like to see that will support the vision?

Your thoughts are appreciated and welcomed!

Finally, the Commission still needs members.  You do not need to be a registered voter in Greensboro to serve on the Planning Commission.  If you would like to play a role in defining the future of our community, please let us know!

Please email your responses to Dan Predpall, Chair of the Greensboro Planning Commission at  [email protected] .

2017 Annual Meeting Recap

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The GA held its Annual Meeting last week in the Sanctuary of the Greensboro United Church.  The meeting was well-attended despite the last-minute change in venue.  The membership heard reports from several GA committees.  They also heard a detailed update from the Lake Protection Committee on the status of discussions with the State’s Agency of Natural Resources to regain the authority to set and adjust the lake level for Caspian.  In addition, attendees had the opportunity to honor Janet Long, this year’s recipient of the Greensboro Award, as well as learn more about improving bike and pedestrian safety from the Interim Executive Director of Local Motion.   Other presenters included Sue Wood, current Chair of the Greensboro Select Board and Victoria Von Hessert, current chair of the Lakeview Union School Board.  Finally, Sarah Waring, Executive Director of the Center for an Agricultural Economy presented the membership with news and information about this organization and the work they do in the greater Hardwick economy to improve food security, incubate local businesses, and improve school and institutional nutrition.

The membership approved the 2018 budget, year-end financial report, and the auditor’s report, as well as the 2018 and 2020 slate for the Board of Trustees.  These materials, as well as individual committee reports, are available for review on our website.  Thank you for joining us at this year’s Annual Meeting.

Chinese Lantern Launching: GA Board Seeks your Input

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In recent years, Greensboro and the Caspian Lake community have seen an uptick in the use of Chinese paper lanterns.  Several residents have indicated concern about the environmental impact and safety of these lanterns.  They have been found in the lake, on people’s cottages and lawns, and in farmer’s fields where they pose a serious health risk to livestock if they and the wires they contain are baled or ingested by animals.

The GA Board hoped to gain more input from the membership at its Annual Meeting last week, but a full agenda limited the available time for discussion.  The Board anticipates discussing in future meetings what, if any, position the GA should take on the use of these lanterns.   They are actively seeking member input to inform discussions on this issue.   Please leave comments here or in the GA’s Facebook Group.  To ensure that input helps the Board better understand the community’s position on this issue, the Communications Committee would like to remind participants that discussion should be kept respectful.  All comments are subject to review by the communications team and inflammatory or derogatory remarks will be removed.

Swim the Kingdom Week returns to Greensboro and Caspian Lake

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Kingdom Games is returning to Greensboro and Caspian Lake for the final leg of their Swim the Kingdom Week on Sunday, August 20.  Twenty-five swimmers are already signed up to swim. Event sponsor Kingdom Games has lowered the cost of the swim to $50 and local swimmers in the Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia counties can do this swim with a 50% discount.

If any of you have some time you can give to the day, Kingdom Games could use additional boats to support swimmers if needed. Every swimmer is escorted by a kayak. As in previous years, swimmers leave the beach at 9, swim to Bathtub Rocks and return. A couple of folks may want to shuttle back to the beach.

Organizer Phil White brings his boat to each lake they swim, but with the increased numbers, they would appreciate the assistance of a few more boats. They should be done by about 1 pm.

If you can help with boat support, please contact Phil White at Kingdom Games through the website below. Registration information for the swim is also available below.

https://kingdomgames.co/swim-the-kingdom-week/

Greensboro Association Annual Meeting August 3

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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.