July Fire Commission Agenda

Weathersfield Fire Commission

Meeting Agenda

July 12, 2017

Ascutney Volunteer Fire Association

7:00 pm

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Comments from Commission Members or Citizens for Items Not on Agenda

3. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting: June 14, 2017

4. Financial Review: End of Fiscal Year

5. Chief’s Reports

6. Business
            Dry Hydrant Map Update – 911 Locatable Addresses

            Dry Hydrant List – In Service, Out of Service (Repairs Needed), New Locations

            Zoning & Planning – Knox Box Policy – Darrin

            Golden Cross Agreement

            Review of Bills

            Fluids on Hand at Stations

            Agreement Review

7. Items for Next Agenda:

8. Next Meeting: September 13, 2017, at West Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Dept., 7 pm

9. Please Submit Agenda Items to: LynnEsty@gmail.com or 802-738-7413

By Wednesday, September 6^th, 10 am.

10. Meeting Adjourned

Monthly Potluck Lunch

Monthly Potluck Lunch

TUESDAY JULY 18 - 12 NOON
Monthly Weathersfield VT potluck in the vestry of Perkinsville Community Church on Rt. 106. All are welcome. Bring a hot dish, salad or dessert. Contact:lzigman@comcast.net 802-273-5245

Weathersfield Groundwater Mapping Presentation

Weathersfield Groundwater Mapping Presentation

Weathersfield Groundwater Mapping
Presentation by Dr. Stephen Wright, University of Vermont

Location: Weathersfield Center Meeting House
Date: Thursday, July 27, 2017
Time: 7pm-9pm

Program -
Stephen Wright will present the results and maps made from a study of the groundwater of our town. Over the last year Stephen and his team walked areas of Weathersfield and created maps that:
• identify areas of more or less groundwater (for drinking and fire protection)
• depict groundwater recharge areas and depth to bedrock
• locate interesting features such as glacial potholes and eskers
• locate potentially unstable slopes

This valuable study and resulting maps was funded by various state and federal grants available through the Vermont STATEMAP committee.

The presentation is free and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Sponsored by the Weathersfield Conservation Commission.

Recycling Changes at Weathersfield Transfer Station

Recycling Update.

The Town has installed a new compactor at the Transfer Station and will now be accepting single sort recycling. As of July 5, 2017, paper, cardboard, tin cans and plastics (1-7) will be all placed in the new compactor.

Glass will need to placed in a separate container, and we urge everyone to separate out 5 cent redeamables to help keep the transfer stations costs down and to help our local non-profits.

We also ask for your patience through this change, as people get used to the new traffic patterns.

Ed Morris
Town Manager

A Summer Evening With Friends and Neighbors

4th of July Fun Facts

http://www.rfdtv.com/story/32328872/4th-of-july-fun-facts#.WVkAmYjyuCh

July 1, 2016

As everyone knows, Independence Day marks the birthday of the United States of America. But here are some fun facts that you may not know about this patriotic day!

1. Contrary to popular belief, only two Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The majority of signers penned their signatures on August 2, 1776.
2. The holiday does not celebrate the signing of the Declaration; it celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress.
3. In a now-famous letter to his wife, Abigail, dated July 3, 1776, John Adams made a prediction that the “Second Day of July” would be celebrated as American Independence Day, since the Congress had actually voted to sever ties with Great Britain the day before.
4. Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870.
5. Other countries, including Denmark, England, Norway, Portugal and Sweden also celebrate the Fourth of July as a way to bring in American tourists.
6. Our country now boasts 318.9 million citizens, but on the first Fourth of July there were only 2.5 million.
7. The original draft of the Declaration of Independence was lost.
8. The back of the Declaration of Independence says, “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4^th July 1776.”
9. The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration on July 6, 1776.

http://www.rfdtv.com/story/32328872/4th-of-july-fun-facts#.WVkAmYjyuCh

25 4th Of July Fun Facts That Will Make You Want To Celebrate…

http://list25.com/25-fun-facts-about-4th-of-july-that-will-make-you-want-to-celebrate/

The 4th of July is here, and it’s time to celebrate! Bring out that grill and get ready for a crazy independence day cookout! Go purchase big, loud, and colorful fireworks, and color the night sky with a dazzling spectacle of lights! But with all the fun and festivities, be sure to take some time to remember why we celebrate this momentous day. Are you excited? We hope so, because this Independence Day is going to be AMAZING. To help you get in a celebratory spirit, we present to you these 25 4th of July Fun Facts That Will Make You Want To Celebrate.

25

According to author Kenneth C. Davis, July 2nd is the real day of Independence, but it's celebrated on the fourth because that's when congress accepted Jefferson's declaration.

24

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a "laptop," which was a writing desk that could fit on one's lap.

23

Thomas Jefferson changed the wording of the Declaration of Independence from "the pursuit of property" to "the pursuit of happiness."

22

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826.

21

Only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776 -- John Hancock and Charles Thompson.

http://list25.com/25-fun-facts-about-4th-of-july-that-will-make-you-want-to-celebrate/2/

20

Jefferson's original draft of the declaration of independence was lost, and the one eventually signed is the "engrossed" document.

19

The printed version of the Declaration was called the Dunlap Broadside; 200 were made but only 27 are accounted for.

18

Congress declared July 4th as an official holiday in 1870 as part of a bill to officially recognize other holidays, Christmas being one of them.

17

The Declaration of Independence was a justification for a revolt against the British which included a list of charges against the British king.

16

Several countries have used the Declaration of Independence as a beacon in their own struggles for freedom. These countries include France, Greece, Poland, Russia, and many countries in South America.

http://list25.com/25-fun-facts-about-4th-of-july-that-will-make-you-want-to-celebrate/3/

15

"Yankee Doodle," a popular American patriotic song, was originally sung prior to the Revolution by British military officers in mockery of the unorganized and buckskin-wearing “Yankees.”

14

The "Star Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key and was originally a poem stemming from his observations in 1814 concerning the British attack on Baltimore's Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It was later put to music, though not decreed the official national anthem until 1931.

13

Including John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (mentioned earlier), a total of three US presidents have died on July 4th. James Monroe is the third president to share this fate.

12

Conversely, America's 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.

11

In 1776, about 2.5 million people lived in the United States verses 311.7 million people in 2011.

http://list25.com/25-fun-facts-about-4th-of-july-that-will-make-you-want-to-celebrate/4/

10

The average age of those who signed the Declaration of Independence was 45. The youngest at age 27, was Thomas Lynch, Jr of South Carolina. The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania at age 70. Thomas Jefferson was 33.

9

1 out of 8 signers were educated at Harvard (7 total).

8

87.5% ($2.8 million) of imported U.S. flags are from China.

7

97% ($190.7 million) of imported fireworks are from China

6

An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4th.

http://list25.com/25-fun-facts-about-4th-of-july-that-will-make-you-want-to-celebrate/5/

5

Both the Philippines and Rwanda celebrate July 4th as a day of liberation. In Southeast Asia, it is known as “Republic Day,” and Rwandans celebrate “Liberation Day.”

4

The White House held its first 4th of July party in 1801.

3

The tune of the National Anthem was originally used by an English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven.

2

In 1954, the words ‘under God’ were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.

1

The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began in 1785.

We hope you enjoyed these 4th of July fun facts. Did you learn something new? If so, feel free to share the wealth.

Now you know....

July Fourth FireWorks: Awesome for Humans, Terrifying for Pets

http://m.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_fireworks.html?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Tips for keeping your dogs, cats and other pets safe and happy during summer celebrations

Loud noises can terrify pets, so don't include them when celebrations will include fireworks. The HSUS.

Many people enjoy the booming sounds and flashing lights of fireworks, but they can be terrifying and overwhelming for pets, and possibly hazardous.

On the Fourth of July, so many pets are frightened and try to escape the sights and sounds that animal shelters around the nation report a dramatic increase in lost pets during the holiday.

Help your pets keep their cool: Follow our four steps for making them safe during loud—and hot—warm weather festivities.

1. Keep your pet safely away from fireworks

Our pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights and strong smells, so on the Fourth of July (and the days around it when people are likely to set off fireworks), it's best to leave your pets safely indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to hide jarring noises.

Even pets who are usually kept outdoors should be brought inside. And if you are going to an Independence Day event and cannot leave your pet unattended at home, keep them leashed and under your direct control at all times.

2. If your pet is scared by fireworks, ask a veterinarian for help 

There are medications and techniques that might help alleviate your pet's fear and anxiety. You can also try our suggestions for helping your dog cope with loud noises.

3. Protect your pet from heat stroke during summer festivities

Another reason to keep your pets away from the often noisy celebrations of summer is heat. High temperatures put your pet at risk of heat stroke, which can become deadly very quickly. Keep an eye on your pets and act immediately if you see any signs of heatstroke.

Never leave your pet in a parked car, even if the day doesn’t seem that warm. Even when the temperature outside is a balmy 72 degrees, the temperature inside your car can rocket to a fatal 116 degrees in less than an hour’s time.

4. Safeguard your pet with a collar and I.D. tag

All pets, even those kept indoors full-time, should always wear collars with ID tags. Indoor-only pets can become so frightened during fireworks displays that they may take desperate measures to escape the noise, including breaking through window or door screens. It’s also a good idea to have your pet microchipped.

If your pet does become lost, contact your local animal control and surrounding shelters immediately and follow the rest of The HSUS’s advice for finding your pet.

If you find a lost pet, either take them to the address on their tag or bring them to the local animal shelter so they can be reunited with their family.

http://m.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_fireworks.html?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Be Tick Smart

Vermont State Highway / Sign and Banner Regulations on State Highways

June 15, 2017

Dear Town Official,

The first day of summer is just around the corner which means a range of festivals and town-wide events will be taking place and organizations will be looking for ways to advertise. This is a reminder that it is illegal to hang banners or signs above State highways or anywhere within the highway right-of-way (minimum of 25’ from centerline of road).

Title 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated outlines the laws regarding signs and highway right-of-way. 10 V.S.A. §495 (d) states “Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, a person, firm or corporation shall not erect or maintain any outdoor advertising structure, device or display within the limits of the highway right-of-way”. There are absolutely no exceptions to this law for banners hung above State maintained highways regardless of the type of event being advertised or the length of time the banner is displayed (10 V.S.A. §495 (e)).

Any illegally placed banners will be removed in accordance with 10 V.S.A. §497.

If the Town or an individual would like to place a sign or banner along a State highway and has questions about the legality of its placement, please contact me and I would be more than happy to discuss this matter with them.

Best regards,

Marc Pickering
District 2 Project Manager
(802) 251-2002
Marc.Pickering@vermont.gov