Plainfield and Meriden each have their unique sense of community. However, several people have shortsightedly remarked that Plainfield Village and Meriden Village are only 6 miles apart and that negates the need for the Meriden Library to be ADA compliant. This is a bit of chicanery and sophistry as the stated mileage is fallacious and is only one way. People living in outlying areas would be marginalized, and for some the commute would be 25 miles round trip.
Older adults and mothers with small children would be expected to traverse winding roads in inclement weather or dark winter evenings to participate in events at the Philip Read Memorial Library when they have their own community library nearby. Libraries are also centers of socialization for the people they serve. Many programs of interest would not be attended if people have to travel any distance.
The objections to improving the Meriden Library, or even its existence, are endless. For years some have vilified efforts to improve the Meriden community. They are often acrimonious and nasty and call the Meriden community “greedy” for wanting to improve a wonderful resource — one that has been in existence since 1797. Who would have thought a small-town library would be the center of such animus?
Access comes in many forms. If you are older and unsteady on your feet, unable to climb steps, on a fixed income or unable to travel very far, or if you are a young mother short on time, an accessible, nearby library is an important community service. A new building would be cost effective, as well as energy efficient and up to present day building codes. This is not a “whim,” as suggested by naysayers. Many people have been working to raise money to cut costs and to have access to our own community library.
A community library is a treasure for people at every stage of life and should be easily accessible — in terms of distance as well as mobility — to everyone.
JUDY P. HALLAM
Meriden
As I prepare to vote on the 2019 Lebanon School District budget on March 12, I have several questions.
First: What is the district trying to hide? For example: Why did the district decide to not send school district reports to individual households? To save $10,000. On a $43 million budget. Really?
Second: Why did the board eliminate the vote tallies on each article? To mislead the voters into thinking every board member supported each article? To say that eliminating the tallies would only confuse the voters is not only wrong but insulting.
Third: Why does the district not show the tax impact, in dollar figures, of each article? Is it afraid that the cumulative effect would cause voters to realize the total impact of the passage of all the articles?
As a taxpayer, now retired, it is very difficult for me to handle the school district tax impact coupled with the increase in city tax impacts and the ever-increasing water and sewer charges.
Does anyone wonder why the city population stays level year after year? Might it be that Lebanon taxes actually scare people away?
TOM McGONIS
Lebanon
I have served my town of Weathersfield in a number of capacities, on the Selectboard, School Board and in emergency management during Tropical Storm Irene. I am now a candidate for the three-year seat on the Selectboard and ask for your vote on March 5.
I have farmed here since 1977. My father served before me and my daughter is on the ballot for the School Board, marking three generations of family public service. One of the greatest joys of this for me is meeting people I normally would not, and for that I am grateful.
Having said that, I am troubled by the path taken to merge our two volunteer fire departments. The Selectboard’s actions did not foster consensus on this issue. And there is none. One department has said yes. One has voted no.
It has been portrayed as a no-brainer, not costing any more money, even with a new $112,000 fire chief. According to the documents, that chief will be selected solely by the town manager and under only the town manager’s review. I think it very important that all of our volunteer firefighters think about that.
I have read the Wood report and was part of the initial act to study the fire services of the town. It is not the Bible. It is a piece of information that we can use. It did not say to form a municipal fire department. It has several options and suggestions.
I have no problem talking about a single fire department, but I will not be part of bulldozing one to get to another.
We will have a chance to vote on this on March 5.
There are several other important issues that the town will take up this year. I want to help resolve these so that the results can be easily explained and are equitable to all landowners in the town.
I ask for your vote and confidence in my ability.
DAVID T. FULLER
Perkinsville
The North Country Chordsmen would like to thank the more than 75 individuals who ordered singing valentines this year.
On Feb. 14, five NCC quartets and one quintet (!) roamed hundreds of miles visiting homes, businesses, schools, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, nursing homes and dozens of other venues to deliver a musical message of love and appreciation — along with a silk rose, a personal card and a bag of chocolates.
We had a marvelous time meeting a wide variety of folks who make up the diverse communities in our small region of the world. We appreciate your support of a cappella singing in the barbershop style. The Upper Valley is a great place to live.
Bruce Pacht
Lebanon
The writer is the 2018-19 president of the North Country Chordsmen.
Instead of declaring a national emergency to get his border wall, wouldn’t it be easier to get the same kind of visual greatness by declaring a new profile be added to Mount Rushmore? After all, being “the greatest” president in history, shouldn’t Donald Trump just demand his bust be carved alongside the other great presidents?
Isn’t this really what he wants, anyway?
BILL SHEPARD
Thetford
Extremely stressful experiences in childhood can alter brain development and have lifelong effects on health and behavior. These adverse childhood experiences are now understood to be one of the leading causes of everything from heart disease and cancer to substance abuse and depression.
On Thursday, from 6-8 p.m., at the Hartford High School auditorium, the Hartford Community Coalition, in partnership with the Vermont Department for Children and Families, will host a free screening of Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope. This one-hour documentary delves into the science of adverse childhood experiences and the birth of a new movement to prevent toxic stress.
This film has been shown in many communities and throughout the state of Vermont. This screening will be followed by a panel discussion with local mental health professionals. All are welcome to join us. No RSVP required.
We’ll be collecting items for local food pantries at the event. Please consider bringing a food item to donate.
We hope to see you there.
ELIZABETH KELSEY
Hartford
The writer is the addiction prevention coordinator with the Hartford Community Coalition.