right makes right
Firstly, please check your spam folders for my last email if you didn’t get it. My Squarespace batch email sender seems to have been flagged by some inboxes.
My house is just getting out from under the flu. It’s been a rough go and I do not recommend. 0/10. Many thanks to my lovely neighbors and friends who sent fresh sourdough, electrolyte packets, donuts, brownies, mac and cheese, puzzles, Heated Rivalry memes, and books during what I’m calling the Plague of 2026.
Catching up
Since I last wrote the Selectboard has voted to:
approve the FY27 budget to be voted on Town Meeting Day. As a reminder, Town Meeting Day happens in two parts in Woodstock. The town budget (as well as the budgets for the water and the sewer departments) are voted on in person on Saturday.
set the allocation for the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant bond. The bond will be paid for by sewer users only, with $150,000 annual offset from our infrastructure local options tax and some other funds set aside in sewer capital reserves. (The language of the bond doesn’t specify these amounts in case they need to change over the course of the bond).
We also found out that Woodstock has been named the recipient of a $1M Congressionally Directed Spending request for the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant. Another win for Harry “Grants” Falconer of TRORC and our town staff who worked with Senator Welch’s office to secure this. We will still need to jump through some hoops with the EPA, but this is a huge and very unexpected win.
Upcoming
We are a month away from Town Meeting Day(s). Here’s a ballot guide for you. I will post the sample ballots when they are available. Please let me know if you have any questions.
We are working with Change the World Kids to provide onsite daycare for Town Meeting Day (Saturday, Feb 28th).
Reading
Salt shortage forces Upper Valley towns to prioritize, and more coverage
A state land bank? (Do Phil Scott and I finally agree on something?)
slogging through
We have entered 2026 on another tidal wave of unprecedented events. So, here are the things that have brought me joy lately:
The giant bow above Woody’s made by owner Suzi Curtis!
Peanut butter kiss cookies baked by Annie Mears. (Friends know my entire family is allergic to peanuts so I seek out peanut butter like a hound when I leave my house)
Peter and Wendy at Northern Stage. Abby and I went as guests of her friend’s family and had the best time.
Two hometown book announcements:
Town wide reappraisal
The town wide reaappraisal is underway. The assessors and reappraisal consultants have started in the Village. You can expect to receive the above notice in the mail prompting you to make an appointment for a reappraisal. The time will vary by the size of the property, but it is in your best interest to let them inside your home so they can examine the interior and accurately estimate the value. This will save you and the assessors time so that they have the best information possible and avoid the grievance process later.
The reappraisal consultants and assessors are driving cars which readily identify them.
WWTP
The Main Wastewater Treatment Plant is going to bond this Town Meeting Day and we are currently working on the allocation for paying the bond. The bond payment will add about ~1.6m to the sewer budget each year (the current budget is $1.5m) Options thrown out at the last meeting were:
90/10 split between users and all parcels (effectively 95/5 between users and non-users)
allocation from the infrastructure fund (local options tax #2) and users only
At our public forums, I’ve heard a reflection of the sentiments of the above options from private septic users: that non-users should pay nothing or they should pay something, but very, very little. Let me know if you have thoughts, we are hopefully setting the allocation on Monday’s meeting so that it can be included in the warning for Town Meeting.
The board will be hosting public forums every Wednesday until Town Meeting (schedule here). Please join us if you have questions about this or other ballot-related questions. Here is the website with all the info about the plant upgrades and renovations.
Budget
We are close to finalizing the budget. Items of note:
adding 2.5 firefighter/EMTs to the Fire Department (including a full time training specialist)
buying down the tax rate by ~0.5% with funds from the undesignated fund balance
adding to our sand and salt budgets, as well as road stabilization (If you recall last year, I said we can expect these line items to keep growing as we experience more extreme climate related events)
Reading/watching:
it’s the time of the season
First, I want to say thank you for everyone who helped make Wassail Weekend happen. This is a tremendous feat for our town and it’s an all-hands-on-deck exercise. From the road crews removing snow starting at midnight on Friday, to our public safety personnel making sure the parade-goers stay out of harm’s (and horses’ way), from our public works folks staying on top of trash, to the many volunteers who organized, coordinated, and produced lovely and cheerful events.
Catching up
Since I last wrote the Selectboard has voted to:
pause currently EDC grant programs. This means that those already awarded grants will be funded but we are no longer accepting applications for previously advertised housing, storefront, or other grants. This will give a chance for the fund to regenerate while Economic Development Director establishes how she would like to recommend the fund be used.
adopt new sewer abatement guidelines. They can be found here.
allocate 10% of staff time within the budget to the new water department. Right now, staff allocate their time across 4 functions: Town, Village, Sewer. The addition of the water utility brings us to a new allocation of Town: 55%, Village: 25%, Sewer Dept: 10%, Water Dept: 10%.
appoint Nori Pepe and Aimee Bartlett to the Marketing Committee. The committee is advisory and supports the work of our Marketing Coordinator, Jess Kirby.
Looking forward
We have discussed and are likely to vote on the following in the next few meetings:
a policy for plaques and memorials on town property
a penalty for filing homestead declaration late. Currently, full-time residents are required to file a homestead declaration each year along with income taxes. This ensures they are charged the correct tax rate. Towns are able to charge a penalty of up to 8% of your education tax bill if you do not file on time. Other towns like Barnard are already enforcing this policy.
a possible spend of local options tax funding on way finding signage that will allow visitors to more easily navigate the Village.
Fun at the Vail Field Rink
Budget FY27
Budget season is upon us. The Selectboard has heard from department heads and now has the municipal manager’s recommended budget. This year’s theme: still course-correcting and building reserves.
The largest budgetary change from last year’s budget for the town is the Fire Department’s request to add more personnel to to enable staffing 4 full time shifts. Our current shift schedule/short staffing is leading to burnout and increased costs due to overtime.
We will be meeting again in early January to continue our discussions about the budget.
You can view the WIP budgets for Town, Village, water, and sewer here.
Affordability while we recover from years of underinvestment is a lofty goal, but one the joint boards are committed to.
On accountability
Last week, the joint boards received a letter from town hall staff asking us to direct immediate attention to “establish clear expectations for public conduct,” and review “safety and security measures” to keep them from ongoing situations in which they feel vulnerable and unsafe. The letter was read into the record and representatives of the board are planning to meet with staff after the holiday to come up with an action plan.
There is much that makes our small town charming. But often, I find in Woodstock, too much is an open secret—ignored or minimized so no one has to confront it. Those who harass and terrorize our town staff are empowered by the silence of our small town, by the power self-preservation and avoidance have on many of us. I am grateful to those few who have spoken out against bullying and harassment and have publicly voiced support for our town staff. I hope our community (including our boards) can do more to hold accountable those who disregard the safety and wellbeing of others.
what’s sludge got to do with it
Kicking off with the good news:
The SBOOKY Halloween party at NWPL was a huge hit! Thanks to Adrian, Emily, and library staff for making it so fun for the little ones.
WUHS football team is heading to the finals after a shutout against Otter Creek on Friday!
The Selectboard has appointed our 5th Musketeer: Cliff Johnson. Thanks to all of the incredible applicants and welcome, Cliff!
We made it to the first snow of the season! Do I regret putting the winter bins in the basement? Yes.
It’s that time of the season
Budget season has kicked off! I highly recommend watching the video from our joint board meeting last week. Highlights: police cruisers now have snow tires, but we need new cameras (state-mandated); reassessment is nigh; and the sludge truck from 1999 needs replacing. Tensions continue to be in staffing and maintenance costs. The next step will be department heads submitting actual budgets for consideration.
The budget is incredibly consequential and I encourage anyone who is available to attend our meetings in person or via Zoom to learn and/or offer feedback.
Vondell Cobb Reservoir
The Selectboard has concluded our listening tours about the conservation easement for the Vondell. It appears that most are in favor of the easement with Vermont Land Trust, which could would set us up to receive a grant from VHCB for $650,000 if we were to include the previous excluded parcels by Grassy Lane. The board still wants to hear from the community on how much private donors should seek to raise to augment the grant in exchange for the restrictions.
While we cannot pre-pay the bond for the land (remember we voted to buy the land last year for $1.6M), the board could vote to use these funds to pay for dam repairs that we know are imminent.
What’s next:
Tours of the main wastewater treatment plant will be held this Saturday, 11/15 from 10am-2pm. Please dress warmly.
Members of the Senate Education Committee will be visiting Woodstock Union High School on 11/18 at 2:45pm. Polly Mikula at Mountain Times has a comprehensive guide on the Redistricting Task Force’s current work; though they did convene yesterday and reject the CTE-based map. If you care about the future of our schools, please come to this event. Childcare will be provided, look for details in the listserv.
Our next Selectboard meeting
Reading/watching:
Skinny Pancake to close amid staffing, housing struggles (thanks to Jess for sharing)
Affordability, opportunity decides who stays in small towns (h/t Rob G.)
Don’t Talk About Politics - I cannot recommend this enough. If you’re going to buy/borrow one book this year, make it this one.
Woodstock Community Food Shelf continues to be a beacon in these dark times. Please consider donating.
decisions are made by those who show up
Kicking off with good news:
Farmer and the bell is open! Praise Beyonce and the carb gods! I highly recommend the double chocolate donut AND the creemee with syrup from Jenne Farm.
The new website spree continues: this time it’s the library!
The 50th Annual Harvest Supper sold out both seatings. Congrats and many thanks to the PTO, Change the World Kids, and Principal Workman for such a great dinner.
My husband has agreed to sell the station wagon. Telling you all in case he forgets :)
Vondell Cobb Listening Tour
The Selectboard is going on a listening tour for the next 3 weeks to hear what how the community wants to proceed with a conservation easement with the Vermont Land Trust on the Vondell Cobb Reservoir property. Town staff are working on confirming dates and locations - keep your eyes on the listserv for specifics.
Objectives and Goals
The Village Board of Trustees and the Town Selectboard will be kicking off their joint meetings to set goals for the fiscal year on Tuesday at 5:30pm. Here is the link to last year’s goals. IF YOU ONLY ATTEND ONE MEETING THIS YEAR, THIS IS THE ONE TO ATTEND. The goals we identify and vote on will help guide our budget and decision making process over the next year.
I’ve heard from a lot of you over the past few weeks regarding everything from traffic patrol to culverts to a merger to housing to parking. If you want our government to work for you, please come to the meeting in person (or virtually) and give us feedback.
Upcoming dates
If your kids are not yet ready to be scared this Halloween, come to the SBOOKY Library party on Sunday, October 26th.
Taxes are due on November 7th. The town only issues ONE bill per year, so please mark your calendars for the next payment due date in May.
Register for Zack’s Place Turkey Trot on November 27th. I highly recommend signing up if you need to escape visiting family for a few hours on Thanksgiving.
the future of land
Kicking off with good news:
The long-awaited Ranch Camp is now open in the East End! I highly recommend walking there while the weather is so nice. “Viva La East End!” as we have taken to saying in our house.
Ben and Jerry’s is on sale at Mac’s
The new local options sales tax generated more than $350k in the first year. This revenue funds the newly-formed Infrastructure Fund.
The PTO is more than halfway to their fundraising goal of $1500 for a new cafeteria table for Woodstock Elementary (Can we get it done by Friday? Venmo @WESTPVPTO)
We’ve had several board meetings since I last wrote, including the now annual “State of the Stock” where our Town Manager gives an assessment of our collective progress during the fiscal year. It is very much worth a watch, as is last year’s - which some called a “barn burner.”
CDBG-DR (try saying it five times fast)
Sustainable Woodstock and Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission are leading a grant application, in collaboration with the Town and other organizations like Woodstock Community Trust, for a Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). This is HUD funding available to certain areas of Vermont that experienced flooding during 2023. Specifically, the application seeks funding to study ways to lower flood levels around Riverside Mobile Home Park and protect homes from damage, as well as study potential parcels for relocating the most at-risk homes. Riverside experienced severe flood damage during both Hurricane Irene and Summer 2023.
Many thanks to Jenevra Wetmore and Kyle Katz for their work on this. You can reach out to them with questions: director@sustainablewoodstock.org, kkatz@trorc.org.
Future Land Use Mapping
At August Planning Commission Meeting, Kyle Katz and Kyle Hansen from TRORC (henceforth known as the The Kyles) kicked off the Regional Future Land Use Map process. The Map guides the regional plan for development and serves as one of the regional standards our Town Plan needs to align with. The first draft put forward by TRORC is available here and can be commented on. And here’s the new language/area designations that all regional plans and maps need to use per Act 181. TRORC is looking for public comments before November 1st.
The Town Plan also features a more specific Future Land Use map for the town, which will be drafted by the Planning Commission as part of the Town Plan revision process we will launch once the Village bylaw review is completed.
The Vondell
Last year, Woodstock residents voted to acquire ~360 acres up Cox District Road known as The Vondell for $1.6M. This land had previously been owned by Woodstock Aqueduct Company and is home to the system’s single water tank, two reservoirs, miles of trails used for recreation like walking, birding, snowmobiling, and, of course, mountain biking.
The bond equates to ~$68 per year for the average Woodstock property owner, for 30 years (each year decreasing as the interest is paid off). This acquisition doubled Woodstock’s landholdings and signified, in my opinion, a deep shift in how we invest in the future of Woodstock.
During the acquisition process, Susan Ford worked with the Vermont Land Trust to investigate if a conservation easement was possible. A conservation easement is a permanent legal agreement between the owner and another body to restrict the use of the land forever. In return for the restrictions, the owner receives a financial reimbursement and/or tax incentives. During the winter, VLT had estimated the reimbursement for the Vondell to be around $750k and we worked with them and TRORC to identify sections the town could exclude from the easement in case voters wanted to reserve some of the land from a perpetual restriction (we decided on excluding less than 40 acres across 3 parcels). About a month ago, VLT came back with an offer for considerably less: $200k, with the option to increase to $550k if the town included the total acreage in the easement. We have also had individuals volunteer to fundraise the balance, should we choose to move forward with either option.
The questions I have are:
How do you want to see this land used?
Does a conservation easement bring you closer to that wish? And if so, what value would you place on it?
Right now there are no plans to change how that land is being used/how it was used when it was owned by the Aqueduct. It is also worth mentioning as we volley between extreme climate events, that the reservoirs were once backup water sources for the system. Additional infrastructure would be required to make either a safe source again, but they hold in excess of 28 million gallons of water. Most of the land is not currently developable.
Let me know your thoughts.
sowing and reaping
Happy September! Kicking off with good news:
Last month, the Billings Park Commission voted to spend some of their funds on the Mount Peg Golf Ave trail entrance to make the trail more accessible. They partnered with WAMBA to widen the trails up to the outdoor classroom. Go check it out!
There is a new picnic table at Vail Field in memory of Paul Rigali, currently by the tennis/pickleball courts.
Woodstock has hired its first Economic Development Director, Abbie Sherman. You can read more about her here.
A payphone was installed at WUMS/HS as part of the device-free initiative. It is free to use!
NWPL’s Summer Blow Out Party had 100+ attendees and hosted a giant inflatable unicorn (we’re still talking about it at my house).
Town wide reassessment
At the last board meeting, Ryan Silvestri from New England Municipal Consultants came to answer questions on the upcoming town wide reassessment. Beginning this fall, Ryan will be working with our assessors, Kathy Avellino and Tim McCarthy to update the valuations of each property in Woodstock as we have not had a town wide revaluation since 2016.
Before they come to your property, you will receive a letter prompting you to make an appointment for your assessment. Their visit should take 15-20 minutes for the interior, but the total time will depend on the size of the structure(s) and property.
It is advantageous to you to allow them inside so they can better assess your property - otherwise they are left to rely on incomplete information to make their assessment, which increases the chance of appeal. If you do not want them to come inside, please let them know when making your appointment.
If you want to see what your home is currently valued at you can check the NEMRC records here (the fewer search fields the better). Only residential and condo records are online.
Objectives and Goals
Last year our Municipal Manager challenged both boards to come up with shared objectives and goals that would help guide our decision-making, our budget process, and how we direct staff to spend their time. The result was a four objectives, meant to be long-term “North Stars”: effective and efficient government, housing and development, affordability, and climate resiliency; and many goals that fell under one or multiple objectives that we wanted to achieve within the fiscal year (some might know these as OKRs).
We’re about to kick off that process again. First, we’ll revisit last year’s goals and evaluate how we did, what needs continued resources and if expectations need to be recalibrated. We will also take input from the public on these goals so we can be a more reflective, effective, and efficient government (HEY! See what I did there?)
Since Town Meeting, I’ve heard from many of you that you would like to see a Village/Town merger. If you want this to become a reality in the near future, please make public comment at our forthcoming joint meetings and/or please reach out to members of both boards to express your support for this as it will require majority votes from both boards to take this on.
Upcoming
We set the tax rate at the last meeting, so tax bills will be going out soon! They are due on the first Friday of November and the first Friday of May.
The Planning Commission is wrapping up revisions to the Village bylaws as tasked by the Selectboard to make changes that would increase usability, encourage Smart Growth, comply with state regulations, and minimize the municipality’s liability. If you want to see what changes they are considering, come on down to Town Hall (or on Zoom) the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
The Community Campus is hosting a Fun Run and Open House this Saturday, September 6th. The Fun Run is a 5k loop around the Pogue that starts at 8:30am. The Open House is 12-3pm and will feature food, lawn games, and a tour of their space.
The annual East End Community Celebration is Sunday, September 14th from 1-5pm at East End Park. One of my fave musical acts, The Drop Offs, will be performing :)
Reading/watching
Living in the Shadow of the American Dream (thank you to Brian for sharing)
Everyone Thinks They’re a Critic but No One Knows How to Critique
my neighbors
Last month I wrote about how we can prepare better for climate-related emergencies and disasters. In addition to packing a go-bag and signing up for VT-Alert, I got several responses to the prompt “know your neighbors” - everything from disbelief that someone could not know their neighbors, to lament about the conflict between them and a neighbor, to (my favorite): “I don’t have neighbors.”
As our federal government guts resources and our state tries to navigate funding increasing needs, it is more important than ever that we build mutual aid infrastructure. Our future will be determined by how well we work together - with the people who live and work in our community, whether or not you voted for the same candidates, or argued over a fence, or have kids who did or didn’t get along. We are, for better and worse, stuck with each other.
I am grateful for this community. This community has taken care of my kids at a moment’s notice, picked up medication, walked with me while I pushed a screaming baby in a stroller, jumped my car, lent me a carpet cleaner, driven me to the hospital, taken my calls late at night and early in the morning, taken out my trash when I was away, and fed my family. I am so lucky. We are so lucky. But we are also still learning how to work together.
So how can we do better?
credit: Greta Thomas
Volunteer. Woodstock is home to many organizations that do important and specialized work. Whether you are looking to meet people, learn something new, or put a skill to use, this is the best way to do it. Here’s a list of organizations you can join (not a comprehensive list, feel free to add to it). We also have several civic boards in need of volunteers, like the Town Development Review Board and the newly-created Marketing Committee. Please reach out to me if you are interested in either of these.
But, Laura… I don’t have the time or I don’t want to deal with the drama. If you want to have community, engagement is the entry fare. There are many opportunities with various levels of commitment, because I get it: some seasons of life are filled to the brim with taking care of obligations (work or family or health or all of the above). But for our community to be reflective and representative, participation is necessary. What are you passionate about? Go there first.
Stay informed. Coming to our public meetings can be a part-time job, and certainly while the Selectboard loves to see more folks engaging with us, we understand the demands of life. However, I frequently come across folks who speak with absolute confidence about something that is not based in fact. It is likely that unless you come to meetings regularly or talk to our boards to understand the work that’s being done, there is very little that can be reduced to a headline or hot take. Our problems and solutions and personalities have layers and no one is being helped by an uninformed opinion. You can always:
Don’t wait, do. See some trash on the Green? For the love of creemees, pick it up. Considering doing some work on your property that might inconvenience abutters? Knock on your their door and have a conversation. Want to start a club, organize an event, or change a policy? Let’s go! Each of us has ownership and accountability over this place, but often it feels as though we are just here to complain about how things aren’t working. When you take action, you’re not only having impact, but you are strengthening social institutions, and possibly becoming happier.
Ask for help. This is a hard one for us stoic New Englanders, so you can start small. Ask for something in the Buy Nothing group, or ask to carpool to an event. If you’re not sure where to start, let me know and I can help match you with resources.
But why do all this?
Because no man is an island. Especially here. Especially now. I am telling you in earnest, there will come a time (if there hasn’t already), where you will need your neighbors. And likely in a way that makes you uncomfortable. But it will come, and it will be a whole lot easier if you’ve already delivered a meal in a time of need, or shared vegetables, or given them a wave in passing.
Because even Thoreau left Walden Pond to help Emerson.
An ask
Chris Barr, a wonderful and dedicated member of our community, passed away last week. In addition to being the Director of Public Works, he was a father, a partner, and a friend to many. We mourn his loss and celebrate the impact he had on Woodstock. His friends have started a GoFundMe to help support his daughter Charlotte and her mom, please consider donating if you are able.
Reading:
Calling all good news
A bulletin for good news? In the year 2025? We actually have so much of it (looks around) but we need to share it - I’ll go first:
The Town, Village, and Sewer Departments all ended the fiscal year with surpluses.
Your turn - tell me something good!
the creek will rise
On the second anniversary of what I refer to as “Bummer Summer 2023,” parts of Vermont experienced flash flooding for the third consecutive year. Vermont has a history of significant flooding events: The Great Flood of 1927, the floods of June 1973, and Hurricane Irene - all of which were unprecedented at their respective times. But, we know after the past 3 years, these are no longer rare events.
After Hurricane Irene, the Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative published an extensive report of recommendations in 2015 to help make Woodstock more resilient against climate events In the future. You can read the report here.
The town is making progress on several of these recommendations: the biggest being the suspension of the water main under Elm Street bridge (which we are now able to do thanks to our acquisition of the Aqueduct Company earlier this year). The Selectboard has approved applications for FEMA buyouts for the Dead River and Woodstock Farmer’s Market properties along West Woodstock Road (though this report encourages flood proofing and elevating), and we are investigating projects for RIVER grant funding to preserve the floodplain and floodproof areas around the Ottauquechee (like Riverside Park) and Kedron Brook.
The Ottauquechee River at the White Cottage Snack Bar, Summer 2023
But what else can we do?
Federal cuts to NOAA and FEMA mean that not only will we have less resources for preparedness and disaster relief in the future, but that we could still be recovering environmentally and financially when the next climate event occurs.
More than ever, we are going to have to rely on our regional and local community infrastructure to see us through these events. What does this look like?
Adopting common sense public safety policies like E911 Compliance Addressing in the Village, which ties your address to your physical location so that emergency responders can easily know where you are and how to get to you. This is very important in a community like ours that relies on the mutual aid of responders from other towns.
Continuing to work with Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission to adopt zoning regulations that follow best practices for flood resiliency; to identify and apply for funding for flood management projects (including relocation or flood proofing); and to coordinate these projects with communities both upstream and downstream.
Devoting more funds to public works and infrastructure (in operating costs and in capital reserves) so that in the event of disaster, the roads and bridges can be cleared/repaired quickly and we can more easily navigate staffing and overtime.
Supporting local organizations that prioritize mutual aid, such as Woodstock Community Food Shelf, Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Woodstock Community Trust, and Sustainable Woodstock.
Additionally, I highly recommend the following household preparations:
Update your Emergency Address in your cellphone. If you have an iPhone go to Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling > Emergency Address.
Pack a go-bag with portable battery chargers, flashlight/headlamp, water bottles and dry food, a blanket, clean underwear, important documents, and medications.
Know your neighbors!
Have a planned route to get to Hartford High School where American Red Cross will set up a regional shelter in case of emergency, and Woodstock Elementary School which may be activated if HHS is at capacity or unable to be used.
NWPL wants your feedback!
Norman Williams Public Library is collecting feedback on the children’s space and programming. If you are a parent, grandparent, caretaker, or someone who otherwise visits the space frequently please take a few moments to fill out the survey with your honest feedback. The survey closes soon!
Upcoming!
Water bills are due on July 30th! Please reach out to our Finance Department if you haven’t received yours or have questions.
Sustainable Woodstock is hosting a potluck picnic on King Farm tomorrow Tuesday, July 22nd I know you are all debating about whether or not to go to this or the Selectboard meeting :)
Get outside while it’s nice!