Selectmen's News

We have received from the Vermont Department of Taxes, Division of Property Valuation & Review, the 2006 State levied education tax rate; Resident $1.6904, non-resident $1.7120. The resident base rate of $0.95 is increased to $1.49 for "District spending adjustment" and further increased to $1.69 for a low Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) of 84.11%. The non-resident base rate of $1.44 is increased to $1.71 based on the same low CLA. While we yet don't have a 2006 Grand List with which to set the municipal tax rate, we expect it almost momentarily. Upon receipt of the Grand List from the Listers, we will promptly set the municipal tax rate and tax bills will be prepared and sent by the Tax Collector.

Selectman have appointed Tess Campbell Town Hall Administrator. While Town Hall rental scheduling and payments will still be conducted in the Town Clerk's office, Tess will administer the actual rental. We have hardly a pot or pan left in the kitchen and all the stainless steel warming pans from the steam table are missing. Tess will inventory the kitchen and replace what is missing and needed. She will then inventory equipment before and after each rental. Renters will be responsible for all missing equipment and, of course, damage. Look for a yet to be determined increase in the rental fee to cover these administrative costs. The moral of this story is be careful what you take those leftovers home in - they could get expensive.

We have received our Spring 06 Landfill Inspection Report from Harper Environmental. The landfill itself is reported to be in excellent condition and surface water samples from Locust Creek show no contaminants; however, ground water samples from test wells around the landfill still indicate notably high levels of iron, manganese and arsenic, all common to capped landfills. Nonetheless, no remedial action is required or recommended. This report, as well as previous reports, is also available for inspection at the Town Clerks office.

A Public Hearing was held recently on the proposed discontinuance of old rights of way on the property of Randall and Eileen Vaughn as part of fulfillment of terms, of an agreement signed by the Town and the Vaughns in March 2005 which also includes a new right of way for recreational trail to be deeded in perpetuity to the Town by the Vaughns. While Selectmen have approved the proposed discontinuance, the Selectmen's Return (the legal document effecting discontinuances, alterations and dedications) for the same will be recorded only at the same time the new right of way is recorded. All relevant documents are available for inspection in the Town Clerk's office.

Following voter approval at Town Meeting 2005 of the Town's apparently first ever independent audit, the final Financial Statements as of June 30, 2005 and Independent Auditor's Report has been received from the independent auditors, Schiffman, Paul & Dattilio, P.C. The auditors find, in part, that the general purpose financial statements of the Town ".....present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Town of Barnard, Vermont as of June 30, 2005, and the results of its operations and cash flows of its proprietary fund types for the year ended in conformity with accounting priciples generally accepted in the United States of America." While we agreed at Town Meeting to mail to voters notice of the conclusion of the audit, the Barnard Bulletin uses the same mailing list we would use for such a mailing; therefore, the Treasurer and Selectmen consider this to be such notice. Copies of the Report are available for inspection at the Town Clerk's office. Anyone wishing a copy of his or her own, may make same for a modest fee. The audit for FY06 has already begun and now that we're able to remove our training wheels, it should proceed much more smoothly and result in negligible issues to be resolved.

The Town has received from the Agency of Transportation a grant of $106,285 under the Class 2 Town Highways Maintenance Program for resurfacing. Most of the grant plus $45,000 budgeted by the Town will be applied on the North road. A portion of the road at the North end of town will be grounded, reclaimed and resurfaced and a portion not so badly deteriorated will be just resurfaced. With increased prices for all things oil related, paving dollars don't go very far anymore so we're especially grateful for the grant.

Barnard Historical Society

Regular meetings of the Barnard Historical Society will commence in May, being the fourth Tuesday each month. Meetings are now held at the Museum (Village Schoolhouse) at 7 pm, unless otherwise noted.
For information call Cliff Aikens, 457-3020.

East Barnard News

July 29th, 2006
Annual Smorgasbord - Attic Auction - Quilt Raffle - Exhibit Upstairs
October 21st, 2006
Annual Oyster Stew Supper

Silver Lake Appreciation Day

A collaborative poem written by four members of Noreen Hopewell's class at the Barnard Central School was read by the poets, Megan Balch, Shannah Blain, Bradley Lewis, and Michael Martel on Silver Lake Appreciation Day, Saturday, July 15th at Silver Lake State Park to kick off the celebration.

Our Treasure
Beautiful Silver Lake
The Glistening gleam of water
Joyful sounds of splashing
Frogs croaking in the distance.

The glistening gleam of water
Turtles swimming happily
Frogs croaking in the distance
People protecting nature.

Turtles swimming happily
Kayakers gliding accross silver shards of glass
People protecting nature
Caring for Barnard's treasure.

Kayakers gliding accross silver shards of glass
Joyful sounds of splashing
Caring for Barnard's treasure
Beautiful Silver Lake

Danforth Library News

Summer Reading Information-
Realms of Reading at the C.B. Danforth Library: come to the library for a special summer reading event.
Wednesday, July 26th at 2:00pm - Magical Kingdom Crafts. Choose to make a dancing unicorn, a king or queen's crown or a jester puppet. Hear a magical story.
Saturday, July 29th at 10:00am for Wizards Magic Box. We will be making magic boxes. Supplies are provided by the Danforth Library. Barnard residents and Barnard summer visitors are invited.

Ongoing activities include: checkers, chess, puzzle making, guess how many treats are in the jar, books, books and more. All BCS students who sign up for the summer reading program receive a Realms of Reading book log and a bookmark and are eligible for a prize in the Fall. See you at the library!

The Library is looking for a portable movie screen. Please call Eileen Vaughn at 234-5888.

We have lots of books for sale at the Danforth Library! Help us out and get your winter reading stockpile - cheap! We are open Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:00pm and Saturday mornings from 10:00am until noon. Look for our flags.

BOOK CLUB INFORMATION
Hi all you book club lovers! Meet at the Danforth Library at 7:00pm on Wednesday, August 2nd. The book to read is "The Bookseller of Kabul" by Asne Seierstad, available in trade paper. True story about an Afghan family with whom the journalist lived. Engrossing, disturbing, uplifting. Come have a relaxed hour with us.

The B.V.F.D. 4th of July Event

The officers and members of the Barnard Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank everyone who made their annual Bar-B-Que a huge success. The large support is greatly appreciated as it will allow us to complete the upgrade to our radio system. Without community support many of these projects could not be done. Again, they would like to thank everyone who came out or donated to our event.

The Barnard Volunteer Fire Department recently took delivery of a used rescue boat from the Hartford Fire Department. The boat is inflatable and brakes down for rapid transport. The boat was purchased using donations. The department would like to thank all those who contribute and make these types of equipment purchases possible.

Barnard Education Endowment Fund

Support the Barnard Education Endowment Fund. PO Box 297, Barnard VT 05031. Please make your contribution today. Thank you to all who have contributed.

We would like to thank;

The Barnard Bulletin PO BOX 128, Barnard VT 05031, is published on the 20th of each month, and is free to legal residents of Barnard. Individual copies may be purchased for 25 cents a copy (available at The Barnard General Store) or mailed for $7.00 a year.

Advertising Rates: Classified ads - 15 cents a word. Camera ready display ad 3 1/2" X 1" vertical - $2.50. Special make-up work will be charged by the hour of part therof - $5.00 minimum. Deadline for receiving ads will be the 10th of every month. Telephone 802-457-1792 or fax 802-457-1775. The Barnard Bulletin supplies us with most of our community announcement information.