AROUND TOWN
Stump Dump
MONTPELIER — The Montpelier Stump Dump is temporarily closed to the public due to work to ensure permit compliance. The city of Montpelier was recently notified by the state of Vermont about a permit compliance issue with the Stump Dump off Finch Road. The city was notified that fill material was encroaching on two Class 2 wetlands.
While the Stump Dump is closed, those looking to dispose of yard waste can use the Casella Transfer Station at 378 East Montpelier Road, or any other transfer station listed on the Central Vermont Solid Waste District website at www.cvswmd.org/leaf-and-yard-waste.html online. Call 802-223-9508 for more information.
Free dinners
MONPELIER — National Life Group and Sodexo continue the annual tradition of giving away free to-go Thanksgiving dinners in Washington County in collaboration with area organizations and volunteers for pick-up or delivery. Traditional turkey and vegetarian meals will be available. Last year, over 1,300 were given away. This year, due to resource constraints, 1,000 meals will be available.
Participants must reserve a free meal ahead of time and anyone interested in volunteering can do so by calling 802-229-7300 or emailing giving@nationallife.com by the end of the day Nov. 10.
Delivery to home addresses will be offered starting at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20, starting at 10 a.m. Home deliveries will be a doorstop drop. Pick-up will be between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at two locations: Outside Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier, a walk-up option; and outside the National Life Group main entrance, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, a drive-through option only where participants are asked to remain in their cars, while volunteers bring out meals to them.
AROUND VT
VNRC reports
— Join Vermont Natural Resources Council for a “What’s Next for the Affordable Heat Act” webinar at 7 p.m. Nov. 8, for a discussion about where things stand since the Legislature passed the act in May. As Vermont’s Public Utility Commission works to make the Clean Heat Standard a reality, learn more about the policy and what it means for meeting Vermont’s climate requirements and reducing emissions in the thermal heating sector.
— Wainwright Mill “ghost” dam in Salisbury is an abandoned, derelict dam that has not been previously identified by the Vermont Dam Inventory. If a dam is not known, it can “haunt” the water body where it resides by missing safety and environmental inspections. The Wainwright Mill Dam is a concrete gravity dam, constructed in 1805. It served its purpose for over four decades, but as time passed, the sawmill was abandoned, leaving the dam and its impoundment unattended and forgotten. By dismantling the Wainwright Mill Dam and its associated structures, VNRC can restore the river’s natural flow and height, reinvigorating the floodplain on both sides and reducing the risk of floods.
Public comment
Vermont’s demographics are changing, with nearly a third of the state’s population now over the age of 60 — a 30% increase over the past decade. This shift presents challenges for how to address the needs of an aging population in a small state. State officials are asking the public to comment on a new 10-year action plan called Age Strong Vermont.
Age Strong VT is intended to serve as a roadmap for building an age-friendly state — a place that is welcoming, inclusive and livable for all. State and local policymakers, and others, including businesses, social service and nonprofit organizations, and health care planners will be able to draw from the action plan to develop and implement policies and infrastructure to support Vermont’s aging population over the long-term.
View the Age Strong VT Draft Plan, and learn more at HealthVermont.gov/AgeStrongVT and send comments by Nov. 30 via:
Online — HealthVermont.gov/AgeStrongVT
Email — AgeStrongVT@vermont.gov
U.S. Mail — Age Strong VT–Adult Services Division, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, 280 State Drive, HC 2 South, Waterbury VT, 054671-2070.
Christmas kettles
The Salvation Army expects to have more than 25 red kettles throughout Vermont on street corners and shopping areas by mid-November through Dec. 23. Funds raised through the familiar red kettles are vital to The Salvation Army’s programs and services offered year-round. The successful campaign last year raised $129,504.00. This year’s statewide campaign goal is $135,978.00 as Salvation Army leaders attempt to meet the increasing demands for assistance.
Give any amount by texting “KETTLE” to 31333, or visiting the Virtual Red Kettle salarmy.us/nneredkettle. Digitally with Apple Pay or Google Pay at Salvation Army kettles. Scan QR code at kettle stands.
For more information or if you would like to be a volunteer bell-ringer, call your local Salvation Army office or The Salvation Army, Divisional Headquarters 207-774-6304.
BUSINESS
Tech assistance
The Small Business Technical Assistance Exchange is a program operated by the Regional Development Corporations that serve Vermont businesses and is funded by the state of Vermont. The purpose of the program is to help fund special, one-time projects for Vermont-based small businesses that may not be able to access such services otherwise. Applications to this grant program opened at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, and are available at www.rdcsofvermont.org online.
Free meal
Apple American Group Applebee’s locations, owned and operated by Flynn Restaurant Group, will honor all veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day (Nov. 11), with a free meal. “Offer valid on Saturday, Nov. 11, only. Dine-in only and must mention offer. Excludes tax and gratuity. Limit one meal per veteran. Must show valid military I.D. or proof of U.S. military service. Must order from the special menu with seven of Applebee’s most popular menu items only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Special valid only at Flynn Restaurant Group owned and operated Applebee’s locations.”
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