ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2013
FROM THE TOWN MANAGER’S OFFICE
IN THIS ISSUE:
READY, SET...GO!
FINANCE
Bridge Street Underpass – This project is well underway and promises to be a challenge as the replacement of the bridge carrying train traffic must remain in operation. In the end, the new structure will not only provide decade of service to the railroads but will offer better drainage, lighting and clearance for the motoring public below. The Bridge Street underpass will remain closed for the balance of this year, the project is expected to be completed spring of next year.
TOWN CLERK
Hartford Town Offices – Well, after roughly 150 years, the old Hartford Town Offices are about to be renovated. After many years and many uses, the building will be given a new lease on life preserving the historical value of building while preparing it to proudly serve the community for another 150 years! The newly renovated building will repurpose its existing space, bring the property up to modern day code, integrate new technology and greatly enhance energy efficiency. Construction on this effort is expected to commence in spring of 2014 and take about 1 year to complete. Fairview Terrace – As many of you know, there is a substantial retaining wall support Fairview Terrace. This structure is currently being evaluated by consulting engineers to determine what options the Town may have in the near future to care for this major piece of infrastructure. This will undoubtedly be a big undertaking so stay tuned!
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT POLICE COMMUNICATIONS FIRE LANDFILL HIGHWAY PARKS & RECREATION MAY MEETING CALENDAR
34th Annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft & Music Festival
Maxfield Recreational Facilities – Follow the generous gift of some 65 acres of undeveloped land by the Maxfield Family, the Town will begin the construction of new outdoor recreation facilities this spring. The project will include a series of new baseball fields, multi-purpose and soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts. At some point there should be walking or running paths and even a “nursery” for trees being raised for future service to line public ways around our community. The project will begin shortly and should be largely completed by ate fall! Join us Tuesday, June 25th for a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate this moment in Hartford’s history. continued on page 2
2013 HARTFORD SELECTBOARD *To Contact The Hartford Selectboard, Please Email or call (802) 295-9353.
Chuck Wooster, Chair
Alex Defelice, Member
Simon Dennis, Vice Chair
Ken Parker, Member
Bethany Fleishman, Clerk
F.X. Flinn, Member
Father’s Day Weekend June 14, 15 and 16, 2013
Sam Romano, Member 1
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estimated 1,000,000 documents stored in the Town Offices Pertaining to Vital Records, land use, maps, etc. These and future documents will be scanned, stored and available to the public in the future digitally leaving the original and often historic documents to be preserved and stored offsite at less costly locations. We hope to complete this effort by spring of next year just in time for our move to temporary offices while the Town Offices are being renovated.
Quechee Covered Bridge – While our beloved Quechee Covered Bridge is back in service, the work is far from done. The Town is working hard with FEMA and adjacent property owners to acquire properties damaged during Tropical Storm Irene. Once the property on either side of the Bridge is acquired, the damaged buildings will be removed and the resulting lots stablilzed. Planning is underway as to what to do with the lots but current thinking includes a new and improved parking area in place of the former parking area and an observation or viewing area looking over the dam and the Bridge on the West property. We want to take this opportunity to thank the abutting property owners for their patience and support while these projects work their way through the FEMA programming – it has been a long process.
Wendell A. Barwood Arena – This 40ish year old facility will get a makeover including but not limited to a newly insulated roof system, new locker rooms to support tournament play, sprinkler systems, upgraded utilities, new lighting and a refreshing new interior look. Work should begin in late summer! W. Hartford Library – Following the devastation left behind by Tropical Storm Irene, the Town is now ready to begin the reconstruction of the W. Hartford Library. Construction will begin this spring and should be largely completed during this construction season. Our thanks to abutting property owners for their patience and willingness to “hang in there” during the FEMA acquisition process. We are confident it will be worth the wait…
Sherman Manning Pool – Planning has begun to redevelop the pool’s pump and filtration facility along with the replacement of the “kiddie” pool with a “splash pad” for our younger constituents. Thos project is being done in conjunction with the School District’s plans for a new artificial track, football field and Field House. Construction on this project will begin in late fall or spring of next year.
Sincerely, Town-Wide Digitization – in an effort to preserve and make valuable documents more readily available to the public, the Town will be undertaking what amounts to nearly a complete “digitization” of all of the Town’s records! There are an
Hunter Rieseberg Town Manager Hartford, Vermont
FROM THE PLANNING & ZONING OFFICE PERMITTING UPDATE: PERMITING REQUIREMENTS If you intend to place chicken coops, lean-tos, gazebos, sheds, pools, or any other structure that will remain up all season, please check with the Department of Planning and Development Services before erecting any permanent or temporary structures, including those related to agricultural uses. We want to make sure you know what, if any, permitting or notice may be required.
USING THE TOWN’S ON-LINE PROPERTY APPRAISAL LIST Some of you may already know that the Town has an on-line property appraisal data base system for all properties in the Town, known as the Vision Appraisal system. What you may not be aware of is that the Vision Appraisal system only provides information regarding property assessment, and structures located on the property may not have obtained required permitting. To be sure, please check with the Department of Planning and Development Services. If you have any questions as to whether or not a permit is required for existing structures or your future project, please contact the Department of Planning & Development Services at 802-295-3075. 2
Tethered balloon rides are available during the day (again weather permitting!) $20 per person.
34th ANNUAL QUECHEE HOT AIR BALLOON CRAFT & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Entertainment
Featuring Music, Fine Art, and Crafters on the Quechee Village Green
Enjoy the Balloon Glow on Friday evening, continuous bands, comedy acts, and dance routines all weekend. Children will love the "Kid's Zone" (hosted by The Upper Valley Haven) with 3 inflatables: obstacle course, kiddie grand prix crawl,and a balloon moon bounce.
Father’s Day Weekend - June 14, 15 and 16, 2013
Last year spectators enjoyed the amazing New England Disc Dogs & the Jumptown Parachute Demonstration Team. CLICK HERE to sample the "Schedule of Events" from the 2012 schedule. Look for the 2013 schedule soon! Food Court & Vendors Northeast Concessionaires returns again this year with their fabulous Food Court. The Food Court offers great food for everyone including those blooming onions & healthy wraps! There are over 60 outstanding craft artisans from pottery to potpourri. Commercial vendors, area businesses and nonprofit organizations offer information and bargains galore!
The longest continuously running Hot Air Balloon Festival in New England is returning to its traditional location on the Quechee Village Green this year. The festival has been chosen by Yankee Magazine as one of the top 20 events of summer. It features over 20 hot air balloons, with flights scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 14th; 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15th and Sunday, June 16th (always weather and wind permitting). Balloon rides are now available to purchase on our website prior to the event. Don't miss this exciting event featuring continuous music and entertainment for all ages, and over 60 craft artisans and commercial vendors. Children’s activities include train rides, a bounce house and more. And of course there will be festival food, a beer and wine garden, and more surprises!
Admission NEW THIS YEAR: PARKING INCLUDED IN ADMISSION! Admission Tickets for the festival grounds are good for the entire weekend. The cost is: Adults $15, Children(6 - 12) $5, and Children 5 and under are FREE!! ATM on site! Once in, there is a reasonable charge for the day at the Kid's Zone & small charge for the Rambling Railroad. All other entertainment, except balloon rides, is included in the admission fee. On Sunday, Dads accompanied by a child pay $10. Happy Father's Day!
Balloon Flights
Sorry - No Dogs or Bicycles Allowed on Festival Grounds, service dogs only.
6:00 p.m. Friday evening and 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There are five flights over the weekend--wind and weather permitting--during which over twenty colorful balloons ascend over the Quechee valley and beyond. What a sight!
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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY HARTFORD Sunday, June 16, 2013 On July 19, 1910, the governor of the U.S. state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day.” Father's Day is celebrated popularly on 3rd Sunday in June in many parts of the world. The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father, Henry Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. President Nixon, in 1972, established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. So Father's Day was born as a token of love and gratitude that a daughter cherishes for her beloved father. Roses are the Father's Day flowers: red to be worn for a living father and white if the father has died. Happy Father’s Day Hartford.
Hartford’s Annual Fireworks Festival Thursday, July 4th 6:00pm till 11:00pm Kilowatt Park in Wilder, VT Come celebrate live entertainment, festival food, games and a great fireworks display. 4
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
TRANSFER STATION & RECYCLING CENTER Local Artist Creates "Paintings" Using Reclaimed Wood from C&D Waste
The White River Jct. Wastewater Treatment Facility was recently chosen by Efficiency Vermont as a host site and plant tour facility for their first Energy Roundtable Symposium. The meeting was held on May 15th at the Hotel Coolidge, where a number of facility managers and town officials met to discuss recent and future energy efficiency projects with EPA and Efficiency VT. The recent White River and Quechee plant upgrades incorporated many energy saving processes and equipment into the projects. Some of these energy efficiency and sustainability components designed and constructed are: Over $27,000 per year in energy savings are estimated with an estimated lifetime carbon dioxide reduction of over 2,500 tons from the improvements.
This 7’ X 11’ foot painting created by Duncan Johnson of Hartford will be a focal point in the lobby of Burlington’s new Hotel Vermont later this spring. It was created from reclaimed wood re-purposed from Hartford’s Construction and Demolition facility.
Vortex system for grit removal uses minimal energy. Turbo blowers used for aeration/mixing reduce energy usage. SBR basins use fine bubble aeration with dissolved oxygen control to optimize energy consumption.
LANDFILL HOURS
Beneficial repurposing of existing tanks instead of building new structures.
Monday - Saturday
Premium efficiency motors with variable frequency drives to reduce energy consumption and improve process control.
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 2590 North Hartland Road * White River Jct., Vt 05001
Ultraviolet disinfection with auto control that varies output based on flow.
(802) 295-5740
Reclaimed treated effluent used as process water and for heating/cooling of buildings.
HARTFORD’S GREEN-UP DAY RESULTS
New plant programmable logic control for optimizing monitoring and operations.
Weather could not have been any nicer for this year’s Green-Up Day and it helped with the turn-out. A total of 314 volunteers collected 14,936 pounds of trash from Hartford’s roads. The Hartford Conservation Commission would like to extend a special thanks to Casella for donating two large dumpsters and the Coop Food Store for donating refreshments. In addition, we would like to thank all of the volunteers and the following organizations and businesses that participated in Green-up Hartford: the employees of King Arthur Flour and the Coop Food Store, Youth Community Rising & Junction Teen Center, Trout Unlimited, Upper Valley Frisbee and Girl Scout Troop 41328. We would also like to thank Pam Vernon and Harvey Bazarian for coordinating the Quechee Green-up effort.
Heat recovery systems and additional building insulation High efficiency lighting with occupancy control and photocell control Porous pavement for stormwater control. The EPA sponsored roundtable is anticipated to meet three more times through out the next year and showcase other facilities in the state. The wastewater plant upgrades in Quechee and White River Junction were completed over the past two years and serve as a model for current technological advances in treatment and energy conservation. By participating in the first and future roundtable meetings the Town will continue to learn more about day to day monitoring and other means of making our facilities more energy efficient.
Thanks for making Hartford a better place! 5
FRFROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
The Hartford Police Department is pleased to announce the hiring of Jacob Holmes. Holmes will be attending the part-time academy beginning June 3rd and the full-time basic academy beginning in August. Holmes is a native of Hartland and graduated from the Hartford High School. Holmes is also a m ember of the Vermont National Guard. Officer Sean Fernandes graduated the full time basic academy May 24th and will be completing his field training this month and part of July. Officer Christopher Aher was promoted to Detective on May 12th after being the successful candidate in a first-time for Hartford detective’s assessment center. We would like to wish all three the best in their new positions.
The number of 9-1-1 calls placed by people using wireless phones has significantly increased in recent years. It’s now estimated that approximately 70% of all 9-1-1 calls nationwide are placed from wireless phones and the percentage continues to grow. VT is close to this national average with 66% of 9-1-1 calls placed is from wireless phones. For many Americans, the ability to call 9-1-1 for help in an emergency is one of the main reasons they own a wireless phone. Not only do these people call 9-1-1 for themselves, but Good Samaritans report traffic accidents, crimes or other emergencies. The prompt delivery of wireless 9-1-1 calls to public safety organizations has benefitted the public by promoting the safety of life and property, but wireless calls have posed some challenges as well.
Our Department scored second place in our category (based on size of department) in the Vermont Law Enforcement Challenge this May. The Vermont Law Enforcement Challenge is a friendly competition amongst Vermont law enforcement agencies sponsored by the Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program whereas the agencies are graded on their highway safety initiatives, school safety programs and other such activities. We have also submitted to the National Law Enforcement Challenge with the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Because wireless phones are nomadic, they are not associated with one fixed location or address, and as such, the location of the cell site closest to the 9-1-1 caller may provide a general indication of the caller’s location, but that information is not specific enough for rescue personnel to deliver assistance to the caller quickly. The FCC’s 9-1-1 rules require wireless service providers to transmit all 9-1-1 calls to a public safety answering point (PSAP), regardless of whether the caller subscribes to that providers service or not. The FCC also requires the wireless service provider to supply the PSAP with the telephone number of the wireless caller, the location of the cell site and more precise location information, specifically, the latitude and longitude of the caller. This information must be accurate to within 50-300 meters, depending on the type of location technology used.
We have once again begun placing our speed trailer in problematic areas to deter speeding motorists and to conduct speed studies. We also will be placing a new portable speed sign, much like that of the speed trailer, in areas in the community where it is impractical to place the speed trailer. We acquired this sign from our participation in last year’s Law Enforcement Challenge. Lastly, we would like to remind everyone that the summer weather brings many pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. Please be alert, drive safely and share the road.
The standards apply to outdoor measurements only, because indoor use poses unique obstacles.
EMPLOYEE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CONGRATULATIONS!
Fire Fighter Robert “Bob” Robishaw graduated from Lakes Region Community College with an associate’s degree with duel majors in fire investigation and fire science.
The Hartford Emergency Communications Center is proud to announce the birth of “Matheson”, newly born son of Dispatcher Rebecca “Becki” Stearns and her husband Steve. Matheson arrived at 2:03 on the 14th of May coming in to the new world at 8lbs 8oz and 20.5 inches long.
Congratulations Bob, keep up the great work!
We wish Becki, Steve & Matheson a beautiful future!
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SWIFTWATER RESCUE TRAINING Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. There are over 4000 lives lost annually in the U.S. and 300,000 worldwide. Over half of the victims are children. Most victims were not wearing a Personal Flotation Device. Alcohol and hypothermia are often contributing factors. Many would be “rescuers” become victims themselves due to the lack of proper training and equipment. Less than 2 feet of fast moving water can sweep people and even vehicles away. People attempting to cross such waters are also subject to foot entrapments and being swept into a strainer. If you were to attempt crossing and one of your feet were to get trapped into something, the force of the water would push your body to the bottom of the water. A strainer is an object or objects that allows water to flow through, but not solid objects. If you were to be swept into a strainer, the force of the water would trap you against the strainer with no way of freeing yourself. Water moving at just 6 mph has a force of 134 pounds per foot.
of 4 hours of personal protective equipment checks, signals, emergency procedures during class, accountability, self rescue drills, throw bag drills and strainer drills. Day 2 continued with 4 hours of shore based rescue techniques including wading skills, tag lines, inflated hose-reach technique, shower curtain and zip line system. Day 3 began with 4 hours of classroom. This classroom portion went into incident pre-planning and hazard assessment. This section looked at assessing hazards in our community, SOP’s, maps and charts, photos, response levels and other water rescue resources. The class continued on into team management issues along with risk assessment and risk management systems. The last half of this classroom portion went into technician level rescue skills and advanced rescues such as river crossing techniques, ferries, wadding line guns, Go rescue techniques, boat rescue techniques, knots, rope systems for swift water rescue, high angle rope rescue in swift water and helicopter rescue operations. Day 3 continued on for 4 more hours of Go rescues and contact rescues. This portion focused on practical evolutions of self-rescue skills, wading rescue alarms, river crossing, swimming ferries, direct lower, release practice, Go rescues-live bait rescues and finally practice with a zip line. The final day of training consisted of putting all of the other three days together. Training started with setting up a high line, boat skills; such as boat paddle and ferry techniques, four line boat-tether technique and dynamic ferry’s. The day ended with 4 hours of rescue scenarios and practical skills evaluation. Although all members of the Hartford Fire Department have had prior swiftwater rescue training, this training showed us new techniques, and ways to improve our present techniques.
In April, 2013 members of the Hartford Fire Department along with members of the Rutland Fire Department and Colchester Rescue participated in a 32 hour training session for Swiftwater Rescue Technician. The course was administered by Capitol Technical Rescue out of New York. The classroom portion of the training was held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in White River Jct. Some of the swimming drills and practice were held at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center while the actual swiftwater practice and training was done in the Ottauquechee River in Quechee. Day one consisted first of 4 hours of classroom that reviewed water rescue, hydrology, self-rescue and shore based rescues. It then went into 4 hours of pool work that consisted of a 100 yard swim test, water entry techniques, throw bag practice, tag line techniques with an entrapment drill, boat handling and boat based rescues, patient packaging and removal with spinal precautions. Day two was spent in and around the river. Day 2 consisted 7
Swiftwater rescue incidents are low frequency incidents, but can expose an extreme high risk to rescuers. Having proper and frequent training along with proper equipment is crucial to successful outcomes. The members that participated in the training state that they are much more comfortable with swiftwater events and that the training was well worth the time and money spent.
JUNE 2013 *All Meetings Are Held At The Municipal Building (171 Bridge Street, White River Junction, VT ) Unless Otherwise Noted Sunday
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Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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Selectboard Mtg - 6pm Bugbee Senior Center
Municipal Building Advisory Committee - 5:30pm
Parks & Recreation Commission - 4:30pm
Flag Day
Quechee Balloon Festival
Conservation Commission - 7pm
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Quechee Balloon Festival
Zoning Board - 6:30pm
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Father’s Day
Town/School Meeting Committee - 6:30pm Coolidge Hotel
Tree Board - 6pm
Historic Preservation Commission - 4:30pm
Design Review Committee - 8am
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Selectboard Mtg - 6pm Bugbee Senior Center
Municipal Bldg Advisory Committee - 5:30pm
Energy Commission 6:30pm
Quechee Balloon Festival
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Planning Commission 6pm*Planning & Zoning Application Deadline
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TOWN OFFICE CONTACTS: TOWN MANAGER (802) 295-9353
TOWN CLERK (802) 295-2785
LISTER/ASSESSOR (802) 295-3077
FIRE DEPARTMENT (802) 295-3232
PARKS & RECREATION (802) 295-5036
FINANCE (802) 295-3002
POLICE DEPARTMENT (802) 295-9425
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (802) 295-3075
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
PUBLIC WORKS (802) 295-3622
HARTFORD COMMUNITY RESTORATIVE JUSTICE (802) 478-1900
HARTFORD WELCOME CENTER (802) 281-5050
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