Archive for category: News

The Greensboro Planning Commission is working on proposed changes to the Greensboro Zoning Bylaw which governs the Caspian Lakeshore district.  The Commission plans to present the new zoning rules at Town Meeting in March 2014, and if voted in they will become effective as of that meeting.

An excellent comparison of the proposed zoning to the current Lakeshore zoning is found here.

The Greensboro Association has submitted comments to the Planning Committee about the draft proposal and has specifically questioned some of the provisions included in Article 8:  Lake Shoreland Protection District Bylaw, which starts on page 56.  The Greensboro Association urges Lakeshore property owners and potential owners to read Article 8 in particular, which contains further requirements regarding rebuilding, renovating or managing trees within the Lakeshore district.  Property owners can also submit comments to the Planning commission at [email protected].

In brief, the Greensboro Association has questioned provisions calling for time consuming obligations on property owners who wish to cut trees on their property, on limitations to rebuild damaged existing cottages on their existing footprint, and on the need for stronger zoning in general given the continuing health of Caspian Lake.

The changes are a response to State legislation H.526 which being considered by the State Senate to provide a state regulation of all Vermont waters, including Caspian Lake.  H. 526 has already been passed by the State House of Representatives.

Copies of the proposed changes are available at the Town Hall and here:  Zoning Bylaw – 2013 Working DRAFT  .

The GA Annual Meeting was held on Friday, August 9 at the UCC.  We were delighted to celebrate Helen Dimick, this years Greensboro Award winner. Helen was introduced by Warren Hill, chair of the Greensboro Selectboard, who joined speakers from the Greensboro Association as well as Robbie Hurst from Willey’s and Ed LeClair of Circus Smirkus. We appreciate all the information shared.

The members voted to accept the amended GA Bylaws and Articles of Association, and to approve the GA Board’s intention to apply for 501(c)3 status for the Greensboro Association. Reports were given by the Lake Committee (Andy Dales), the Grants Committee (Clay Simpson), the Nominations committee (Don Jenkins) and the Treasurer (Rick Lovett). John Stone shared the Presidents report as well. All reports are available here.

One special thanks was extended to Anne Harbison, who is retiring this year from her over 10 year commitment to the Memorial Garden. Many thanks, Anne! We all appreciate your hard work, and the beautiful result.

The Association’s Articles of Association were adopted in 1934 and have never been amended, and the Association’s By-Laws were last amended in 2003. In the course of reviewing the Association’s documents for tax-exempt 501(c)(3) purposes, an “ad hoc” committee has also proposed changes to adapt the provisions to current practices.  Attorneys Day Patterson and Bob Fairbanks drafted the changes based upon the advice of experienced volunteers Andy Dales, Rick Lovett, Clive Gray, Mike Cassidy and Clay Simpson (chair). The Board will review and vote on the amendments next week, and in accordance with the current bylaws we will ask the Association members attending the annual meeting on August 9th to vote to accept the amendments. 

1. Proposed new Articles of Association

2. Proposed amended bylaws

3. Bylaw amendments – Mark-up with highlights

4. A Memorandum from Attorney Day Patterson to the Board and Membership Explaining the Changes

5. A note from the “ad hoc” Foundation Committee about the need for 501(c)(3) status for the Greensboro Association

Throughout the 60s, 70s and early 80s, we enjoyed a vibrant Yacht Club on Caspian Lake with a fleet of about 10 Flying Dutchman, 30+ Sunfish and about a dozen handicap sailboats. Races were every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon and spectators could enjoy colorful sails circling buoys at different parts of the lake.

To help relive memories, the Greensboro Association is promoting two “Sailing Days”. Come out to the lake on July 27 (Thanks for coming out!) and August 17th. Let’s see how many sailboats we can have on the lake!

Need a sailing refresher?

Join us for a free sailing clinic at the Stone-Slater Cottage (South Shore Pleasant’s St. next door to the Landon Sunday Night Concert location) on Saturday July 20 at  and / or on August 17th from 3PM-4PM (NEW TIME!) weather permitting (e.g. no storms). Come by boat, foot or car. Look for updates here on the Greensboro Association website and Facebook Page. 

We can tackle beginner to more advanced sailing topics, so feel free to come along and If you are an expert, come and teach others.

The Town zoning board will hold a hearing on June 19 regarding the application for Circus Smirkus to locate a children’s camp in the Village.  Information including the zoning application can be found on the Town of Greensboro website, https://www.greensborovt.org/

Don’t miss Greensboro’s Independence Day festivities. Events include the Funky Fourth parade on July 6 beginning at 10:00 a.m., music and games in front of the town hall after the parade, the book sale at the Greensboro Free Library, the UCC chicken barbecue, (contact UCC for tickets, [email protected]) and the free Fireworks display at the Four Corners beginning at dusk.

Volunteers are needed to help set up the parade on the day and to man a Greensboro Association table at the Town Hall during the morning after the parade.  Would you be willing to lend an hour during this busy time?  Many hands make light work and allow everyone to spend time with their families while enjoying this terrific celebration. Volunteers are needed in the morning from 8:00 a.m. to help direct the parade vehicles on Country Club road, as well as after the parade.  Please sign up here if you have a bit of time to spend on the day, and we will work around your schedule.

Water Pipe Replacement Project

Greensboro’s Fire District #1 (FD#1 water department) has been required by the state to replace most of its delivery pipes because of massive leaking in the system. That $3 million project is now underway.  Just to complicate matters FD#1 has also had to drill a new expensive well this winter.  We hope to have this new well #4 pumping by June, but still we may have to continue pumping emergency water from the lake through the summer.  The lake water is chlorinated before entering the system but still the state requires that we issue “Boil Water” notices when we introduce that Caspian water.  One year from now we expect the system to be providing good water very efficiently. Then for 40 years we water users pay back our federal USDA loan granted for this pipe replacement project.

For this first phase of the project Munson Earth Moving Corp won the bid over eleven other companies. They are starting by setting up temporary plastic piping through the village and mostly above ground. The next step will be to replace the line from the church, down to Willey’s, up Breezy Ave. and out to the new fire station site at the Four Corners; that part is expected to be finished by mid-June.

Water users are reminded that this is a great time to upgrade their own water pipes out to the main lines and to install a pressure reducing valve as well.  Thank you, all of Greensboro, for your patience; we will publish further updates over the next few months.

FD#1 Prudential Committee:
John Mackin, Craig Dezell, Nat Smith

Ice Out on Caspian Lake was declared as Saturday, April 27, 2013, three days later than the long term average of April 24. Thanks to Andy Dales for this update!