spring forward?
After 7 weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles flag is finally coming down from my porch. Good riddance :)
It’s been a long few weeks between the weather, various media outlets coming to town, and did I mention the weather?
Let’s get into it.
WAC APA
On March 14th, the Selectboard signed the Asset Purchase Agreement for the Woodstock Aqueduct Company. I am VERY MUCH looking forward to the Town closing on this sale (hopefully by the end of the month) and having the Town of Woodstock Water Department up and running.
Federal Funding
While many agencies and organizations remain level-funded through September thanks to the continuing resolution, we can brace for:
The state legislature is also preparing contingency plans for federal cuts that the state budget has historically relied on. Vermont Public is also keeping tabs on the cuts.
Economic Development
The Selectboard has been discussing developing a full-time Economic Development role for Woodstock. This came out of several conversations during our joint goals and objectives meetings last year where boards identified the need to increase housing and development in Woodstock. While we have advisory groups, part time contractors, and staff lending their time here and there, there is an argument to be made for someone devoting full-time energy and hours to economic development.
I am grateful to the Economic Development Commission who, as Roger Logan so eloquently put it, “serves as an R&D lab” for Woodstock and has made a measurable impact on our community, including my household. Right now, the plan is to develop a job description and have the person in this role decide how they want to leverage the Commission when they come onboard.
Misc.
In honor of my birthday last week, I’m asking folks to donate to Woodstock Community Trust, either to Local Deeds or the Hub. The Trust helps our community in countless ways, but these programs specifically help people buy homes and help them stay in their homes. If you aren’t in a position to donate, it would mean the world if you would share the site with folks you know.
Upcoming:
Inner Rhythms Info Night for Families : 4/9 at 5:30pm at WES Gym. Inner Rhythms seeks to provide tools for schools to grow a community of self-aware, compassionate, resilient, and confident kids. Kelley Boymer is running at pilot program at WES right now, and has expanded to a summer camp offering, and hopefully more schools in the next year.
Next Selectboard meeting is 4/15
Property taxes are due 5/2
Sewer bills are due 5/30
Get outside and stay off the listserv if you can :)
