Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, February 27, 2016
Town Meeting Day: Berlin can help us survive–with your help!
As you readers of the Grange Notes know, we have been campaigning for a tax exemption from the Town of Berlin, to reduce or remove the single biggest bill from our overhead, and to forge new bonds with the town that includes our Grange.
Merry and I and other Grange members will be at the meeting–10:00 AM at the Berlin Elementary School–and we have a couple of Berlin residents who will speak on our behalf. I am prepared to speak if I am allowed to do so. What we really need is people who will vote “YES” to a tax break. The vote at the meeting is the only way this will be decided.
SO: who do you know who is a Berlin resident? Can you help us convince them to attend Town Meeting, and to vote for the CCG’s future as a more active part of the town? We’re offering to provide use of the Hall, rent-free for Town events, or for Berlin residents, as part of our commitment to be more part of the local scene. A minimum of 2 times per month, the Hall could be used for meetings, family reunions, weddings, showers or whatever helps the Town, and its residents.
Merry and I will be out on Sunday, visiting and speaking with Berliners who have been supportive–we’d be happy to speak with anyone else you can add to our list!
We have a lot of encouragement from members of the Berlin Selectboard–one of them did a poll which found that over 60% of those responding thought Berlin needs a “community hall”–and we can offer that without permits, construction, or financing.
We think we can make a good case for our Grange Hall serving the Town of Berlin–and we will be fulfilling a traditional part of the Grange’s tradition of community service by so doing. It will change the CCG a bit–but it will make us a more vibrant and involved organization, less worried by finances and more focused on finding the best ways to use our Hall to bring people together.
Kids came and played on a big rug in the basement, parents met and shared stories, kids got to play some games upstairs–all in all a great start. Please spread the word that the next opportunity will be March 12th, from 9:30 to 1:30 AM. A minimal charge of $3 per family helps to keep the project going. Open to everyone, as are all Grange events!
Hint: your Grange is helping out
You can bet that we will include this as part of our “community service” pitch to the Town of Berlin, too!
Thanks to Patty Giavara, who got up early to get some photos on Friday morning, about 6:30 AM, before the buses headed out for their routes.
Jane, besides being part of the team at EnergySmart is also a member of the Conservation Commission in Northfield, where she lives. Here’s how she describes the presentation she will give, starting about 5:30:
Renewable energy and new technologies are great, but it is almost always air-sealing and insulation that give you the best return on investment, the biggest bang for your buck, by shrinking your home’s heating load. This is why efficiency is the recommended first place to start if you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint and transition off fossil fuels.
Come with your questions and experiences. Learn how insulation can solve even more than just (dis)comfort issues and high fuel bills…it can also help with indoor air quality, lessen the chances of a whole host of building durability issues like mold and icicles, and make for a quieter, happier home.
The program starts at about 5:30 pm, after the business meeting starting at 4:30pm. At the Grange Hall on Route 12. Please stay for potluck dinner, about 6:30!
Like all Grange events, this is free and open to the public!
Charles Martin, Secretary
639 Minister Brook Rd.
Worcester VT 05682