Temperature Rise Threatens 114 of 168 Vermont Birds by 2050

/0 Comments/in , , /by

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.

 

Announcement to the GA Membership of our Annual Meeting August 8, 2019

/0 Comments/in /by
The Annual Meeting of the Greensboro Association will take place on Thursday, August 8 from 4–6 PM at the United Church of Christ, Greensboro. We will meet in Fellowship Hall.
We will approve the minutes from the 2018 Annual Meetings. Review the minutes HERE.

Update on the Greater Greensboro Community Visit and Survey Link

/0 Comments/in /by

The Greensboro Association is sharing this update from the Vermont Council on Rural Development.   We encourage all members of the Community to participate in the survey as well as attend the August 22 meeting.   SIGN UP FOR THE MEETING HERE.

Dear Greensboro Community Members,

Thank you so much for an afternoon/evening of invigorating discussion and celebration for the future of Greensboro on July 17th. The Visiting Team of statewide experts and leaders were so impressed with the strong turnout, the deep and thoughtful conversation, and your great ideas for the future of your community.

I wanted to follow up to share a few key points as we move forward in the Greater Greensboro community forums:

–        If you weren’t able to share your idea, or have more to add, please complete this survey to share your ideas by August 9th (Feel free to pass along to others who were unable to attend!)

–        We are compiling photos of the Greater Greensboro process which you can see here. Feel free to share and tag yourself and your friends!

NEXT MEETING: Thursday August 22nd6:30-9:00pm at Lakeview Union School at 189 Lauredon Avenue – this will be a chance to review all of your ideas and vote on priorities for the future. Please pass along an invitation to all of your friends and neighbors! More details to come soon.

Thanks so much!

Jenna and the VCRD Team

Jenna Koloski

Community and Policy Manager

Vermont Council on Rural Development

P.O. Box 1384

Montpelier, VT  05601

(802)225-6091

[email protected]

vtrural.org

Important Information from the Greensboro Planning Commission

/0 Comments/in /by

Now that we are at the start of the summer season, the Greensboro Planning Commission would like to share some information with you.

First, we are excited to announce that the new Town Plan is completed and is attached as a pdf at the end of this message.  It will also be posted on the Town website.

Second, like you, we are very concerned with declining water quality.  While only a small part of the contamination comes from wastewater, it all adds up and every little bit helps.  Thank you for an annual check and maintenance of your wastewater systems and for honoring your house’s occupancy limits.  If you don’t know your house’s occupancy limits, let us know and we can help.

Here is a very informative link that explains how septic systems work.

Septic Systems and Surface Water –       https://www.epa.gov/septic/septic-systems-and-surface-water

Surprisingly, many of our homes still don’t have modern septic systems.  Some even only have cesspits for waste.  But each year a few more homes update to more modern systems, often when old systems fail.

Thank you for doing what you can for water quality !

Best wishes for a great summer 2019 !

The Greensboro Planning Commission

Greensboro Town Plan – FINAL – 6-14-19

Greensheet Calendar Correction – Funky Fourth Parade and UCC Barbecue

/0 Comments/in /by

On Saturday, June 6, 2019, the Annual Chicken Barbecue at the United Church of Christ in Greensboro will start at 11:00am, not 12:00 as incorrectly stated in the Green Sheet.   There are NO RESERVATIONS this year….it is strictly first come, first serve.

The annual Funky Fourth Parade starts at 10am on July 6.   Parade participants will line up starting at 9am at the Country Club Road in Greensboro.

2019 Late Spring Newsletter

/0 Comments/in /by

Read our Spring 2019 GA Newsletter! Lots of news and information about upcoming events in Greensboro. Thank you to Karen Gowen, our Newsletter Editor.

Caspian High-water and Ice Damage

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

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 Bend Revitalization Initiative Update

/0 Comments/in /by

From: Dan Predpall, Chair of the Bend Revitalization Initiative Steering Committee

This letter provides an update on the Bend Revitalization Initiative (BRI) activities.

The Bend Revitalization Initiative (BRI) was created in April, 2018 in response to concerns voiced by Bend residents at the March Town Meeting. A visioning process was conducted with about 25 Bend and other Greensboro residents. This led to the following BRI goals:

  • Support home improvement in the Bend and attract new housing stock (rentals or homes for sale)
  • Enhance the physical appearance of the Bend
  • Increase opportunities for community interaction
  • Attract economic development to the Bend and provide jobs
  • Seek funding for the above initiatives

The BRI is composed of Greensboro community members interesting in revitalizing the Bend. Our group includes longtime residents of the Bend, new residents, business owners, retirees, and young parents.” We have a website at www.thebendvt.org . This website will be used to keep the public up to date on Bend activities. If you have ideas about how we can improve it, let us know!

We are submitting a grant application to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and VTrans. The grant is called Better Connections. The grant focuses on East Hardwick, Greensboro Bend, and the rail trail and Lamoille River that connect these small villages.

BRI is looking for ways to stimulate the economy of the Bend. One possible way is to complete the rail trail. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail between Morrisville and Cambridge sees about 15,000 users annually. Even if we assume 10,000 users or so, that is a large number. Users will spend money at trailheads. The impact on a small village like the Bend could be significant.

So, I called Ken Brown at VAST, who oversees the construction of the rail trail. I asked him when we could expect the rail trail in the Bend. He said up to 15 years. He also mentioned that Hardwick was working to build out the trail themselves. I met with Eric Remick, Chair of the Hardwick Selectboard. Also, I talked to Cheryl Michaels, who started the East Hardwick Neighborhood Organization, similar to our BRI. In sum, it made sense for East Hardwick and the Bend to work together towards completing the rail trail between the villages.

The “planning grant” would include the following goals/activities, which would occur over an 18-month period from June 2019 to December 2020:

  • The overall goal is to stimulate economic activity in Greensboro Bend and East Hardwick.
  • The “project area” is the corridor that includes East Hardwick, the Bend, Route 16, the rail trail, and the Lamoille River. This is a three-mile corridor between the villages.
  • Planning for completion of the rail trail between East Hardwick and the Bend. For example, look for wetlands issues, impacts on the river, and crossings of State Route 16.
  • Examine the potential to develop ancillary facilities in East Hardwick and the Bend such as a café, kiosks, rest areas, parking areas, rest rooms, other retail, etc. The idea is to capture revenue from trail users.
  • Plan for streetscape improvements in East Hardwick and the Bend. This could include signage, landscaping, façade improvements, bike lanes, safe street crossings, traffic calming devices, and so on. The idea is to improve the appearance of the villages, and encourage trail users and other visitors and residents to spend more time in the villages.
  • There are nutrient inflows to the Lamoille River between East Hardwick and the Bend. Evaluate this issue and plan for buffer plantings of trees and shrubs along the river. This would also beautify the river as well as improving water quality.
  • Finally, a goal of the grant is to integrate the Hardwick trails system and Greensboro trails system to the rail trail. In other words, connect all the trails.
  • A public engagement program is part of the grant. Residents of both villages will get together to determine what changes they want to see, as related to the goals of this grant. A website will show the activities of the grant work.

Yes, this is an aggressive plan. However, it is just “Step 1”, to create a plan for action. The real goal here, “Step 2”, is to implement the plan, including completing the rail trail between East Hardwick and Greensboro Bend. This will bring significant benefits to these villages. This planning grant will set the stage for further progress. 

Note that the Council for Rural Development will hold a Community Visit Program in Greensboro later this year. This program is a community-building process, and will receive help from many state agencies. This will provide us with an additional opportunity to move forward.

Also, the Northern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) will perform a “trailhead study” along the rail trail between St Johnsbury and Hardwick. This study will help us as well.

So, the timing is good to get this Better Connections grant. It is very competitive, but we get extra points for working with two municipalities. If we are successful, we will need your help!

On another matter, you may have seen postings in town or on the town website regarding formation of a Housing Committee. The goal of this committee is to evaluate how Greensboro can bring moderately-priced housing to Greensboro. If you would like to participate, send a note to [email protected].

Greensboro Planning Commission to Host Public Forums

/0 Comments/in /by

The Greensboro Planning Commission will hold two public forums in August to review and discuss the draft of the new Town Plan.

The first public forum will be at the Lakeview Union Elementary School on Lauredon Avenue on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 7 PM.

The second public forum will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 7 PM at St. Michael’s Church in Greensboro Bend.

The draft Town Plan will be available for review on the town website (www.greensborovt.org) by August 1st. Hard copies will also be available at the Greensboro Free Library and at the Town Offices.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Greensboro on July 28

/0 Comments/in /by

The Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District will be collecting Household Hazardous Waste at the Greensboro Town Hall from 8:30 to 11am on July 28 (at the same time as normal recycling on Saturday).   For more information, and a description of the acceptable Household hazardous waste which can be recycled, see this link.

Vermont Clean Water Week 2018, July 29 – August 4: A Celebration of Clean Water and Community Action

/0 Comments/in /by
Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation invites all to join in a weeklong celebration of our lakes, rivers, and wetlands, and the tremendous efforts of businesses, farms, communities, and organizations to protect and restore clean water.
As stated by the DEC, clean water is essential to our health, our quality of life, and a strong economy. It supports diverse recreational opportunities, serves as a major drinking water source, and provides critical fish and wildlife habitat.
For more information on related sponsors and events, click HERE .
Perry Thomas, Lakes Program Manager of the Watershed Management Division, will be a featured speaker at the Annual Meeting of the Greensboro Association, Thursday, August 2, 4pm, at the United Church of Christ, Greensboro.  Be sure to attend to hear directly about the important work of this organization.

Announcement to the GA Membership of Our Annual Meeting, 2018

/0 Comments/in /by
The Annual Meeting of the Greensboro Association will take place on Thursday, August 2 from 4–6 PM at the United Church of Christ, Greensboro. We will meet in Fellowship Hall.
Included on the agenda are a one-hour business meeting, followed by a Town Report and Update on the Town Plan, as well as a brief presentation by Perry Thomas, Lakes Program Manager of the Watershed Management Division, VT. (Note: our meeting falls within Vermont’s Clean Water Week, which begins July 29. See below for more information and a link to related events).
We will also celebrate the recipients of this year’s Greensboro Award, Phil Gray and Jan Travers, and offer thanks at this meeting for their many contributions to the community.
We will approve the minutes from the 2017 Annual Meetings. Review the minutes HERE.
The complete agenda for the meeting can be viewed HERE.

Willey’s Store Announces 7th Annual Lantern Launch

/0 Comments/in /by

Willey’s Store has announced its 7th Annual Lantern Launch this week. The launch will be held on July 14, 2018 at dusk. Robbie Hurst released this statement to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this event, focusing on the possible environmental and safety concerns surrounding the launch of lanterns from the public beach. In light of member concerns over the event last year, we encourage everyone to read Robbie’s statement.

The Greensboro Association does not sponsor the lantern launch.

If you are renting your cottage to out-of-town guests this summer, we encourage you to provide them with information regarding the lanterns and their safe use, in addition to information about Caspian boating regulations, fireworks use, and ways for guests and residents to help keep Caspian Lake clean.

If you have additional questions, please contact Robbie Hurst at Willey’s.

 

State decides Lakeview School will not be consolidated under Act 46

/0 Comments/in /by

The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) published its proposed statewide plan for school district consolidation in early June. The proposal recommends to the State Board of Education that they not consolidate the schools in our supervisory union (Orleans Southwest) at this time. While this is the AOE’s recommendation, the full plan still requires approval by the Vermont State Board of Education (SBE). The State Board of Ed will meet with school boards from the northern part of Vermont to discuss their proposals in mid-July. The final consolidation plan will not be published until late October.

 

The Lakeview Board anticipates hosting a meeting later this summer to update our residents on the status of our proposal, as well as to continue the discussion about the future of Lakeview.

Greensboro’s Giving Closet may be forced to close

/0 Comments/in /by

The following is a notice from the Town Clerk in Greensboro posted this week on Front Porch Forum.

Please note that while well-intentioned, leaving items for the Giving Closet after hours or leaving large, bulky items without making prior arrangements could make it difficult for this important community service to continue. Metal recycling is available behind the town hall, and recycling hours are currently Saturday mornings from 9-11.

The Giving Closet is a heavily visited room in the Greensboro Town Hall. Unfortunately, in the past we have had donations left at the front door of the Town Clerk’s Office during off hours. This is happening regularly again. In the past, we have closed down because of this. We truly appreciate all the “good” donations we received, but we are also subject to “un-usable” items. This is getting out of hand again. I know a lot of different communities utilize the Giving Closet, but we WILL close if this does not stop. We try to make it available most days of the week, but we are being taken advantage of. Please respect our efforts to make this open for all. DO NOT leave items on the weekends or after hours. Just call me if you have items and we can make arrangements. 802-533-2911. Thank you.

2018 Spring Newsletter

/0 Comments/in , , /by

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

Town Meeting 2018

/0 Comments/in , , /by

It was a beautiful day on Town Meeting day in Greensboro this year, which usually means we have a great turnout for this annual gathering.  Town meeting was warned for the Highland Center for the Arts this year instead of Fellowship Hall or the school.  The meeting was held in the theater, while the gallery space served as an area for local organizations to set up information tables.  We also enjoyed a lunch of chicken and biscuits, salad, and chocolate beet cake with ice cream, served by the Four Seasons of Early Learning.  Thank you to Kyle Gray for facilitating live streaming of the meeting this year, which is now available for viewing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKk2xRFF4P4

Please note that the early part of the recording takes place before the meeting is called to order.  The meeting gets underway at about minute 40 in the recording – listen for the gavel.

Tim Nisbet, our Town Moderator since 1980, got things underway with his welcome dry wit, solid knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and keen ability to keep the meeting running while still recognizing the needs of those seeking further discussion on a topic.

We enjoyed visits from two of our legislators, including Senator John Rodgers (D-Essex/Orleans) and Representative Sam Young (D-Orleans/Caledonia).  The bulk of this time was devoted to a passionate conversation about gun control legislation currently being debated in both chambers of the Vermont Legislature.

The town’s proposed FY19 budget of $1,912,567.67, an increase of 6.16%, passed on a voice vote after some discussion about what areas of the budget saw increases.

We also re-elected Sue Wood to complete the remaining year of a 3-year term on the Select Board.  New Select Board members are Matt McAllister (2-year term) and Andy Kehler (3-year term).  These elections were all done by a paper ballot with somewhere between 120 and 130 votes cast in each round of balloting.

Phil Gray and Jan Travers were recognized for their many contributions to life in Greensboro as this year’s recipients of the Greensboro Award.  To read more about this award and Phil and Jan’s work in town, visit the town website at greensborovt.org.

The final article of the warning included a resolution presented at many town meetings across Vermont that focused on state and local commitment to sourcing renewable energy.  While there was some discussion about the detail and wording of the resolution, it passed on a voice vote.

Other issues discussed during the final article included affordable housing in Greensboro and refurbishment efforts in Greensboro Bend, as well as the work of the Greensboro Planning Commission.

Working draft sections of the new town plan, including the vision for Greensboro that guided development of these Goals, Policies, and Action statements, were available for review at the meeting.  The Commission would appreciate your feedback on these materials.  Send your comments to Dan Predpall at [email protected].  The Planning Commission still has open seats.

Last, but not least, voters agreed to hold the town’s annual Funky Fourth Celebrations on Saturday, July 7th.  Mark your calendars!

Town meeting is also the date of the Greensboro Town School District annual meeting.  The Greensboro school district is responsible for the preschool budget in our community.  Our elementary school, Lakeview, is a union school with Stannard and has its annual meeting and budget vote on the second Thursday in March.  Our high school, Hazen Union, votes on its proposed budget by Australian ballot on Town Meeting Day and holds an informational meeting about the budget the week prior to Town Meeting Day.

We elected Tanya Thomas as director to the Greensboro town school board.  We also elected John Moffatt, Rose Modry, and Dylan LaFlam to the Lakeview Union School District board.  The Lakeview Union board still has one open seat for a resident from Greensboro.  We elected Mike Metcalf to represent Greensboro on the Hazen Union board.

As always, Town Meeting brought civil and engaged discussion.  If you weren’t able to attend, consider joining us next year.  If you were there, share your comments and observations below.

 

Calling all artists! We are looking for artwork for the 2018-19 GA Member Directory

/0 Comments/in /by

The Greensboro Association is soliciting digital images of artwork which contain themes or subjects from Greensboro, the Northeast Kingdom, and/or Vermont.. One image will be chosen to be featured as the cover of the 2018-19 Greensboro Association member directory.

The Greensboro Association publishes a directory of members every two years. This directory is available at Willey’s Store, and is purchased by a wide number of local and seasonal residents.

Please read the GA Directory Cover Request for Submission carefully for submission requirements.  The submission deadline is April 5, 2018.    Submissions should be sent to [email protected].  All artists are encouraged to participate, although we give preference to local Greensboro and NEK artists and/or members of the Greensboro Association.