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(802) 247-6455
50 Carlisle Hill Road, Goshen, Vermont
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Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of the
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Goshen Community Newsletter
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Dear Friends & Neighbors:
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Goshen Community Newsletter!
Inside you'll discover a wealth of information and resources. Featured content includes municipal operations in Goshen–along with past, present, and future initiatives.
Also highlighted, you'll find news and updates on our unique little mountain town–featuring our creative people, breathtaking places, and community events. Several links reference content located on the new town website, goshenvt.org, where you'll discover a wealth of additional resources and content if you dig around.
We hope you'll find this newsletter informative and enjoyable. We welcome feedback for improve and hope to receive ideas for content (or submitted content) for future editions.
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QUICK LINKS
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VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE
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Annual Town Meeting
March 6, 2023 | 7 PM
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Your voice, and vote, matters!
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Financial decisions that affects your taxes are voted on at Town Meeting from the floor. This year voting includes articles regarding whether the town will contract garbage, recycling, and compost services. There's also an article to change cemetery commissioners from appointed to elected officials.
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Senator Ruth Hardy, Representatives Peter Conlon, and Stephanie Jerome, from Brandon, are invited.
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VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE ☆ VOTE
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You're Invited!
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March 6, 2023 | 6 PM
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Connect with your neighbors before Town Meeting.
Enjoy cookies, pastries, and other delicious goodies along with hot coffee, tea, and apple cider!
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Town of Goshen
ANNUAL REPORT
2023
Town Reports are ready for pick-up at the Town Office either outside in the bin or inside during office hours.
Tuesday's, 9 am - 1 pm
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Edit this to insert text.
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Click the cover to read online or
Download PDF
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Chad Chamberlain
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The 2021-2022 Goshen Town Report is dedicated to Chad. Read more.
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Geryll Robinson
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The 2021-2022 Goshen Town Report includes a memorial to Geryll. Read more.
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Tony Clark
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The 2021-2022 Goshen Town Report includes a memorial to Tony. Read more.
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Steven Farley – you will be missed!
Steven is the son of Shawn and Ramona Martin – our Goshen neighbors.
Please read below and help if you can.
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Katrina (Kate) Fuller lost the love of her life, Steven Farley, on Saturday, February 4th, 2023. Steven was a bright light to anyone who knew him. Always ready with a joke, a warm smile, and willing to lend a hand any way he could. Due to this unexpected loss, Kate and her family are trying to cover the exorbitant cost of funeral and burial expenses. The hope is while this cannot replace the pain of losing her soulmate, it will help ease the burden of funeral costs as well as help Kate get back on her feet. Please consider donating if you can.
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Living Historians from the 2nd Vermont Infantry
Photo from Goshen VT Historical Society’s first event in 2022: Celebrating and remembering Goshen’s Civil War Soldiers
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The Goshen Vermont Historical Society (GVTHS) was formed in 2022 for the purpose of researching, documenting, preserving and revealing the rich history of Goshen and its people.
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GVTHS is actively working on a number of fundraising events for 2023. Additionally, GVTHS works collaboratively with the Selectboard on the allocation of the annual $4k designation for the Town Hall renovations.
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If you have historical photos or information you would like to add to our work in archiving Goshen’s rich history, please let us know. The Goshen Vermont Historical Society meets on the first Monday of every month at 7 pm at the Goshen Town Hall. All are welcome.
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GVTHS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit registered with the State of Vermont and receives no outside support.
At this time it depends on dues and fundraising to fund all activities. We welcome all new members and if you are interested in helping with and/or supporting our endeavors, please join today GoshenVTHistoricalSociety.org..
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Galina Chernaya, Vice-President
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Marci Hayes, Secretary
Erin Van Auken, Membership Chairperson
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Garbage
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Waste Collections Bid Opening Update
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The board met on Friday, February 24th at 6 pm to open bids for garbage, recycling, and compost collection services. The bid requests included two bid submission options. One for curbside collection and one for drop-off at the town garage.
Bidders could submit one or both. The bid requests were sent to 12 contractors, which included the entire waste hauling contractor list from the ACSWMD website as well as a few others.
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Three bids were received, two for curbside collection, and one for drop-off. Both curbside bids met the requested bid criteria. The drop-off bid included significant variation from the bid request as well as two additional options for the town to offer permits for waste drop-off at the Brandon Transfer Station.
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After discussion the board considered the drop-off bid as non-responsive as it left too many financial liabilities unanswered.
The remaining two curbside bids were from JR & Sons for a monthly cost of $2,725, totaling $32,700 annually, and from David Sabatini for a monthly cost of $2,340, totally $28,080 annually.
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The board awarded David Sabatini the curbside contract should the townspeople vote to approve the curbside appropriation. This amount is $21,580.
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The appropriation number is derived by subtracting $6,500. The $6,500 amount is budgeted into the 2023-2024 budget, this was historically the amount allocated for ACSWMD tipping fees (reference 5000440 - ACSWMD).
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We did not include the $14,000 historically allocated for employee labor for garbage (reference 5020570 - Garbage Pickup).
Without the need for gasoline, insurance, and maintenance for the green garbage truck, savings will be realized for these line item allocations. However, the selectboard did not reduce these line items allocations in the 2023-2024 budget.
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The curbside option includes contracted services for the collection of garbage (one 30 lb. bag or two comparable bags), recycling, and 5 lbs. of compost/food waste per week. All ACSWMD tipping fees, labor, insurance, gasoline and transportation, are the sole responsibilities of the contractor.
Should voters choose the drop-off option, the selectboard would need to rebid after after town meeting for a contract to commence on July 1, 2023.
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Quick Math on Curbside Collection:
$28,080 / roughly 80 households / 52 weeks = $6.72 per household / per week.
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Appointed Officials Openings
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Appointments are made by the selectboard usually at the second selectboard meeting after elections.
Please call or send letters of interest to selectboard members. Keep an eye on upcoming agendas for when these actions will be taken.
Email selectboard@goshenvt.org
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Planning Comm.
(2) 3-Year Terms
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Board of Adjustment
(5) 1-Year Terms
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ACRPC Alternate
1-Year Term
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Cemetery Committee
(3) 1-Year Terms
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Health Officer
3-Year Term
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Emergency Management Coord.
1-Year Term
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Emergency Management Alt.
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Selectboard Clerk
1-Year Term
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911 Coordinator
1-Year Term
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Service Officer
1-Year Term
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Weigher of Coal
1-Year Term
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Occupational Drug Testing Rep.
1-Year Term
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Otter Creek Insect Representative
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Otter Creek Watershed Insect Alt.
1-Year Term
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Goshen Community Events Calendar
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Mark Your Calendar!
Green-Up Day 2023: May 6th
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Photos from Green-Up Day 2022
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Mark Your Calendar!
Rabies Clinic: March 11th
10 am -12 pm
Goshen Town Office
Valleywide Veterinarian Services
$20 per vaccination
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All dogs must be licensed by April 1, 2023.
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Important Dates & Times
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Goshen Annual Meeting - WARNING
March 6, 2023 @ 7:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Goshen Citizens gather to transact business not involving Australian Ballot. Click to Download WARNING.
Local Election Day - Goshen Town Hall
March 7, 2023 @ 9:00 am to 7:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Local Elections by Australian Ballot.
Rabies Clinic
March 11, 2023 @ 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Goshen Town Office
$20 per vaccination Valleywide Veterinary Service Dog Licensing will be available at the same time.
Selectboard Meeting
March 13, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Planning Commission Meeting
March 20, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Selectboard Meeting
March 27, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Selectboard Meeting
April 10, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Planning Commission Meeting
April 17, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Selectboard Meeting
April 24, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Green-Up Day 2023
May 6, 2023 @ 12:00 am at Goshen Town Hall
There will be a sign up sheet for this year’s volunteers at the Town Meeting. More detailed information on volunteering and on the BBQ times will be posted on the town website as we get closer to Green Up Day. David Sabatini Green Up Day Coordinator
Selectboard Meeting
May 8, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Planning Commission Meeting
May 15, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
Selectboard Meeting
May 22, 2023 @ 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Goshen Town Hall
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Upcoming Selectboard Initiatives
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- Update All Policies & Ordinances and Organize into Handbook Binder
- Procurement/Purchasing Policy
- Develop Templates for Contractor Contracts
- Deep Dive Assessment of Goshen's Buildings & Grounds
- Brandon Fire Dept. Agreement
- Update Approved Vendor List
- Job Descriptions
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Meeting Attendance
The selectboard encourages citizens to attend, and participate, in meetings, and to present ideas and constructive opinions.
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Buildings & Grounds
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Cameras
The board is in the process of collecting estimates for security cameras from several external contractors. Bids include options for a server inside the town office and for external monitoring of security footage feed. A policy/procedures document will be implemented once a plan is established.
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Technology
The board is seeking bids for a technology assessment in order to make informed decisions regarding next steps and needs.
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Installation of Heat Pump - Town Office
On February 17th a new energy efficient heat pump was installed in the town office. This will replace the oil burning furnace as the main source of heat for the office. It also operates as an air-conditioner and dehumidifier. The oil furnace will remain in place as a back-up--in case it gets really cold. The older inefficient air-conditioner's and dehumidifier can be removed. This will save the town money and be much more energy-efficient.
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Energy Back-Up
When the heat pump contractor was working on the town office, he also inspected what it would take to install a large hard-wired back-up propane fueled generator to power the town hall and town office when the power is out, especially for a any length of time. This is important because the Town Hall is on of the designated emergency shelters for our community. We will keep you updated with progress reports.
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Town Hall Roof Repair
There were no bids received at the 2/24/2023 selectboard meeting. Therefore, the board will be reposting this bid request as spring approaches.
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Town Hall ADA Accessibility
Once the roof is repaired the next task will be a fresh coat of paint inside the Town Hall. The selectboard is actively seeking cost estimates for painting and for a lift to ensure we are ADA compliant for upstairs access. Wouldn't it be wonderful to hold our Annual Town Meeting in the historic Town Hall? And, to be able to use this beautiful space more often?
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Town Office Water Holding Tank
A new water holding tank was installed when it was discovered that the old one was leaking. During the installation, it was also noted that there is very little insulation under the water tank and that heat tape should be applied to the pipes. This insulation work is scheduled for completion in the spring. There is a possibility that the tank leakage was caused when the power was out for several days in December–and the building was without heat.
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Roads
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Posted Roads
It has been an odd winter. Many roads have begun to thaw (some never really froze all the way). Please take note that the roads have been posted as of 2/17/2023–so please drive with caution on squishy muddy roads.
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2023 Summer Road Projects
It's time to begin planning for culvert, ditching, bridge, and other road projects for 2023. The selectboard is following the Capital Improvement Plan as a guide for planning these projects in 2023. This plan was a developed through a partnership with VTRANS, ACRPC and the Town utilizing grant funding from the VTRANS Better Roads Program.
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Road Grants
We are looking forward to hearing whether we will receive funds for the FLAP grant that was submitted in late 2022. This is a 100% funded grant and slated for the complete rebuilding of Town Hill Road - roughly estimated at $750,000. There are also state grants available which are in the submission process.
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Green Garbage Truck
There were no bids received at the 2/24/2023 selectboard meeting for the old green garbage truck.
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Green-Up–Clean-up @ Goshen Town Garage
As the point person on the board for roads, Tammy Walsh, will be organizing a community clean-up day for around and inside the town garage. It is our hope to also provide a space inside the garage for the Emergency Management Director to store equipment. More details to come.
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It seems that winter has finally arrived after a few false starts and a couple mini-mud season's in-between. Our historic downtown is cozy and quaint with a fresh coat of the fluffy stuff. Find time to bundle-up and enjoy the some winter adventures–because mud season is knocking at the door...
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Sugaring March 2022
Photo by Ethan West
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Goshen Photo Gallery & Community Submissions
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Submit Goshen photos for use on the website's gallery page, in articles, newsletters, and in the town report. Visit gallery.
Share your love of Goshen through your creative lens. Send along nature, wild critters, events and more–all photos welcome! Submit here.
All photo credits given.
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Citizen Feedback
Please reach out to the selectboard with suggestions or questions.
We look forward to hearing from you!
selectboard@goshenvt.org
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Website
Your feedback is welcome on the Goshen website. How can we improve navigation, content, and resources? What are we missing?
Please email goshennews@goshenvt.org.
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