| | Today's Forecast: Rain and snow before noon, then rain showers between noon and 3pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy. High near 39, with temperatures falling to around 32 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 14 to 32 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
High Wind Warning issued January 13 at 2:37AM EST until January 13 at 11:00AM EST by NWS Burlington VT * WHAT...Southeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts 60 to 70 mph expected. Locally higher gusts possible along the western slopes of the Green Mountains, including near the city of Rutland. * WHERE...Orleans, Chittenden, Lamoille, Addison, Rutland and Eastern Franklin Counties. * WHEN...Until 11 AM EST this morning. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Scattered to widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The period of strongest winds are expected between 4 AM and 9 AM this morning. Instructions People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive. Winter Weather Advisory issued January 13 at 2:51AM EST until January 13 at 12:00PM EST by NWS Burlington VT * WHAT...Snow and mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Orange, Eastern Addison, Eastern Rutland and Western Windsor Counties. * WHEN...Until noon today. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Very strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates up to 1 inch per hour are possible for a brief period during the pre-dawn hours this morning. Instructions Slow down and use caution while traveling. Please allow extra time if travel is necessary.
| | | | | Ludlow and Mount Holly School Upgrades On Monday, Jan 8, Eric Lafayette, an engineer with Energy Efficient Investments Inc., presented the results of the firm's year-long examination of the Ludlow and Mount Holly school buildings and their recommendations at a public forum in Mount Holly. Members of the public offered their opinions and suggestions. Mr. Lafayette emphasized that some components of both schools are old and need replacement. No major upgrades have been done at either school for more than 20 years. The Ludlow roof is leaking and has little insulation, with an R-value of 2.5 compared with code of R-40. The oil boilers are 50 years old, in need of constant repairs and terribly inefficient. Many aspects of the buildings do not meet current codes. In addition, the Mount Holly School is crowded, with the nurse's office on the stage, separated from the gym only by a curtain, speech, occupational and physical therapy in the cafeteria and music instruction in the gym. The major elements of his proposal include: • Replacing the oil boilers at both schools with efficient wood pellet boilers with LP backup, and ventilation systems with electronic controls, • Replacing the Ludlow roof and increasing the insulation from R-2.5 to R-40, • Building a 2000 square foot addition behind the Mount Holly School with a nurse's office, space for special education and a music room • Enhancing security by rebuilding the schools' entrances and vestibules to make them secure and visible from the office, replacing doors and windows, upgrading fire alarms and other improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other code issues. The estimated cost of the proposals is $9,268,045. Of that amount, $3.6 million is for replacing the boilers, ventilation systems, controls and associated electrical upgrade at the two schools. Replacing Ludlow's roof will cost $1.1 million. The Mount Holly addition will cost $1.4 million. The remaining $3.1 million will include fire alarms, secured entrances, asbestos abatement, ADA & code work, LED lighting, siding and windows. The work in Ludlow would cost $5.1 million while Mount Holly would cost $4.2 million. The work would be paid with a 20-year bond. Following his report, members of the public offered comments and suggestions. Everyone who spoke supported replacing the old oil boilers, replacing the Ludlow roof and the actions to enhance security and bring the buildings up to code. Some questioned the proposal for the 2000 square foot addition in Mount Holly, asking whether it needs to be that big and whether there are alternative ways to give the nurse a proper office and provide appropriate space for speech, hearing, occupational and physical therapy instruction. MHS Principal Craig Hutt Vater pointed out that they had already taken closets and converted them to instruction spaces and that there was no other space available. Others spoke of the importance of having appropriate space for these activities, saying that 2000 square feet is not unreasonable for a nurse's office, a therapy room, three small offices for individual instruction and a music room. One sixth grade student made an eloquent appeal for support to give students better spaces for their work. Some residents highlighted that Mount Holly and Ludlow are in competition for young families and that the quality of our schools is often an important factor in their decisions about where to live. Administrators said that it can be difficult to hire qualified professionals and that potential employees consider the condition of school facilities in making their decisions about where to work. On January 17, the Ludlow-Mount Holly Unified Union School District will consider adopting a warrant to ask voters to approve this bond in March. Additional public meetings will be held in the coming months to offer opportunities for residents to have their questions answered and offer suggestions regarding the work. If the voters approve, then work will begin this summer and expect to be completed in the summer of 2025. Eric Lafayette's full report is available at trsu.org. Okemo Valley TV filmed the forum and it can be viewed at okemovalley.tv/videos. David Martin
Member
Ludlow-Mount Holly UUSD School Committee
| | | | | Unfortunately I have decided to cancel the January 13th showing of my father's movies of his trip to Antarctica.
Fortunately we have two other dates available. They are January 20th and January 27th. Both at 4:00 p.m. at the Shrewsbury library.
The reason for the change is the nasty weather forecast and the fact that even if the storm blows out in the morning it's likely to be well into the afternoon before many of us, myself included, could get out of our driveways.
If only we had teams of dogs and sleds as you will see in the movies. Then we'd have no problem with this kind of weather!
With fingers crossed for better weather next weekend.
Sally | | | | | Daybed For the Taking
Mattresses do not come with bed.
Takes 2 twin mattresses.
Back pillows and stripped cover do go with daybed.
Bottom bed sets up to height of other bed.
Excellent condition.
Please call Sandy @860-324-5003
Or 802-259-3957 | | |
 | | Today's Forecast: Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Southwest wind 3 to 10 mph.
High Wind Warning issued January 12 at 3:20AM EST until January 13 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Burlington VT * WHAT...Southeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...Orleans, Lamoille, Addison, Rutland, Eastern Franklin, and Eastern Chittenden Counties. * WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Scattered to widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wind gusts will be from the southeast direction and reach peak intensity between 3 and 8 AM Saturday. Instructions People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive. Winter Weather Advisory issued January 12 at 3:29AM EST until January 13 at 12:00PM EST by NWS Burlington VT * WHAT...Snow and mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Orange, Eastern Addison, Eastern Rutland and Western Windsor Counties. * WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to noon EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates up to 1 inch per hour are possible for a brief period during the pre-dawn hours on Saturday. Instructions Slow down and use caution while traveling. Please allow extra time if travel is necessary.
| | |
 | | Today's Forecast: Scattered snow showers after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. High Wind Watch issued January 11 at 3:27AM EST until January 13 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Burlington VT
* WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph
possible.
* WHERE...Eastern Chittenden, Eastern Addison and Eastern
Rutland Counties.
* WHEN...From Friday evening through Saturday morning.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power
lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be
difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Instructions
Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe
location prior to the onset of winds.
| | | | | The Mount Holly Town Library will be closed Monday January 15, 2024 in observance of the Martin Luther King federal holiday.
Joe Galbraith, Library Director Mount Holly Town Library
26 Maple Hill Road
Belmont, VT 05730
802.259.3707 | | | | | Fletcher Memorial Library's, Love Your Library 2nd Annual Online Auction returns on February 2nd and ends on Friday, February 16th at 6 PM. New this year, the auction will turn LIVE in the library. All items will be displayed from 4-6 PM on the 16th for your in-person bidding pleasure. Online bidders are encouraged to bid high for any item they just cannot live without, or drop-in and join in the live bidding wars. Along with the ferocious bidding, we will have refreshments; you may learn about our library services, become a library member, and enjoy a lovely evening with friends and community. This is the library staff's annual event. Over the course of 25 years, we have raised funds to enhance our non-budgetary services. The loaning Pass Program, Libby, Craft and Hobby, additions to and maintenance of our technology are but a few supported services. Please support us in this year's auction by donating an item(s), cash or bidding. Items must be new, except for collectibles and antiques, limited only by your imagination. Questions, please call the library Monday – Friday 10 AM to 5 PM @ 802-228-8921. Donations may be dropped off during this same time or arrangements may be made. Supporting and growing our library services takes a community. We very much look forward to your support. Have Fun with the auction. Fletcher Memorial Library is an IRS designated 501 (c) 3 institution. All donations are tax deductible. We are not a Municipal Department; rather governance is by our Board of Trustees. A link will be posted on our web site and by signing up as a bidder you may visit the pre-auction as items are added. Bidding begins February 2nd Fletcher Memorial Library / 88 Main Street / Ludlow, VT 05149 WWW.FMLNEWS.ORG | | | | | New Vermont Author Readies For Book Release, "War Tears" Following many years of research and writing, John Swanson is finally able to see his book in publication. John, a resident of the Gables in Rutland, is pictured here as he explains some of his opus, "War Tears: A Journey from Vermont to Gettysburg", to fellow residents, Carol Freeman and Randi Majorelle, in the Gables' Library. The book is now available as an eBook and paperback on Amazon's Kindle. In February it will be available as a hardcover book. Swanson, a retired historian and teacher, spent many years conducting research at the Gettysburg Civil War Institute to gain a full knowledge of what the conflict was like from a participant's point of view. The culmination of his efforts is "War Tears," a poignant depiction of a Vermont boy's experiences during this tumultuous period. A proud Vermonter raised in the very region where the central figure of this narrative lived, Swanson brings a unique and authentic perspective to this rich tapestry of Civil War history. | | |
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