Press Release: Public Invited to Comment on Aitken State Forest Draft Management Plan

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Contact:

Hannah Phillips, State Lands Administration Program Manager

Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources

802-622-4661, [email protected]

Public Invited to Comment on Aitken State Forest Draft Management Plan

Mendon, Vt. – The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) invites public comment on the draft long-range management plan for Aitken State Forest (918 acres), located in Mendon, Rutland County. The management plan serves as a guide for land management on ANR lands and typically covers a planning period of 20 years. ANR conducts public outreach as part of the planning process to develop a better understanding of the public’s interest in and use of state-owned lands.

A state forest since 1912, Aitken State Forest has hosted a variety of recreation, firewood, hunting, timber and habitat management activities for over 100 years. Aitken State Forest offers opportunities for hiking, universally accessible trail access, snowmobiling, and pedestrian winter recreation. It also includes remote areas for wildlife and nature observation and supports the long tradition of hunting, fishing and trapping in the forest. The Bald Mountain and Tamarack Notch Trails are popular year-round, and a snowmobile trail connects to a VAST trail corridor through Aitken State Forest.

Aitken State Forest is located on the western edge of a large forest block that totals nearly 46,000-acres and is connected to the Green Mountain National Forest by the 1,350-acre Jim Jeffords State Forest and the 17,000-acre Coolidge State Forest. These local and regional connections between large forest blocks serve an important role in maintaining long-term health and viability of plant and animal populations.

Members of the public who wish to review and comment on the plan can visit https://arcg.is/0KinX5 to learn about the Aitken State Forest draft plan and to take the public comment survey. Comment can also be shared by email to [email protected].

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The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is charged with oversight and management of Vermont’s natural environment on behalf of the people of Vermont. It is comprised of three departments: the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Taxes Due

Posted by & filed under Announcement, Office Hours.

Taxes are due March 8, 2021.

The Town of Mendon will have extended office hours as follows:
Thursday March 4 open 8:00am – 6:00pm
Friday March 5 open 9:00am -12:00pm
Monday March 8 open 8:00am – 6:00pm

In accordance with State Statutes, any tax payments not physically received in the office or postmarked with a U.S. Postal Service postmark by Monday March 8, 2021 shall be subject to an 8% penalty and 1% interest per month, or any part thereof.

Any payments left in the gray drop box at the Town Office by 8am Tuesday March 9 will be considered on time.

Public Hearing Warning

Posted by & filed under Announcement, Warnings.

WARNING
Selectboard Meeting
Public Hearing
Firearm Discharge Ordinance

The Town of Mendon is conducting a public hearing on the proposed adoption of the Mendon Firearm Discharge Ordinance to be held remotely on March 15, 2021 at 6:00 PM.

The proposed Mendon Firearm Discharge Ordinance can be found here and hard copies are available at the Mendon Town Office, 2282 US Route 4, Mendon, VT 05701 in the outside mailbox attached to the building.
Comments can be submitted to the Selectboard in writing by mail to Sara Tully, Town Administrator at the above referenced Town Office address or by email to [email protected].


Questions regarding the proposed ordinance can be directed to Phil Douglas, Constable at 802-345-5923. Questions regarding the adoption process of an ordinance can be directed to Sara Tully, Town Administrator at 802-558-3935


Firearm Discharge Ordinance Public Hearing
Mon, Mar 15, 2021 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (EDT)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/693520085

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412

Access Code: 693-520-085


New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/693520085

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Posted by & filed under Announcement.

Kids can get a free Imagination Library book monthly from birth through their fifth birthday! Books are carefully selected by the Imagination Library, then sent by mail to your home.

The Rutland Free Library Imagination Library program is only available to children ages birth to 5 years in Rutland City, Rutland Town, Mendon, Ira and Tinmouth. Please click the link below for more information and to sign up.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – Rutland Free Library

Below is the registration form that can be printed out and brought to the Rutland Free Library as well.

New-DPIL-registration-formDownload

Tabulator Testing

Posted by & filed under Announcement, Elections.

Warning:

Tabulator test for the tabulator machine to be used at the Mendon Town Meeting in Mendon on March 2, 2021.

Where: Mendon Town Office – 2282 US Route 4, Mendon, VT 05701

When:  Wednesday February 17, 2021 – 1:00 p.m.

Why: To test and secure the tabulator prior to the Town Meeting.

COVID-19 activity

Posted by & filed under Announcement, COVID-19.

The Health Department has detected an increase in COVID-19 activity in Rutland County during the last two weeks. What they know is:

Rutland City and some surrounding towns now have evidence of increased rates, multiple household clusters and workplaces with cases.

Surrounding towns with increased rates include Benson, Pittsford, Castleton, West Haven and Fair Haven.

At this time they are seeing an increased number of cases that are not known to be associated with an outbreak, which is an indication of more widespread community transmission.

Take these prevention steps to help slow the spread:

  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Keep your social circle to only the people you live with.
  • Stay at least 6 feet apart from people you do not live with.
  • Wear a mask any time you are around people you do not live with.
  • If you have gathered with people you don’t live with, you should quarantine, and we encourage you to get tested right away, and then again 7 days after the gathering.
  • If you had close contact with someone with COVID-19, follow quarantine guidelines. Answer the phone if a contact tracer from the Health Department calls you.  
  • Avoid non-essential travel. If you travel out of Vermont, you must quarantine when you return.

Remember that we’re all at risk of getting this virus. Offer to help community members who are affected by isolation and quarantine. We thank you for being understanding and supportive of one another during this time.

Find more information at healthvermont.gov/COVID-19

COVID-19 testing web page

Map of recent cases by town