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.
