Community News

In commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
the Town Clerk’s Office will be CLOSED, Monday, January 18, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE:
The March 2, 2021, TOWN MEETING will be held by AUSTRALIAN BALLOT**

What this means: There will be NO “in person” Town Meeting in the Rumney Memorial School Gym.
All items on the 2021 Town Meeting Warning (including the FY22 Town Budget, special articles and candidates) will be voted by ballot. You may request an early/absentee ballot now.
Due to emergency COVID-19 legislation, NO PETITIONS ARE REQUIRED for local candidates. Candidates for open local offices will merely need to file a signed Consent of Candidate form by 5 PM, Monday, January 25, 2021, with the Town Clerk. Emails are not accepted.  For a list of open Town positions in 2021, click HERE.

Please check back here often for more information about the 2020 Middlesex Town Report and the availability of 2021 Town Meeting ballots.

** Act 162, passed by the Vermont Legislature in October 2020, grants “floor vote” towns like Middlesex permission to hold all Town Meetings in 2021 by Australian ballot to comply with COVID-19 safety measures.  As a warned agenda item at its December 15, 2020, regular meeting, the Middlesex Select Board voted to apply this provision to the March 2, 2021 Town Meeting.

MIDDLESEX SELECT BOARD
5:00 PM
JANUARY 5, 2021 VIA ZOOM**
AGENDA

Call to Order/Amendments/Welcoming guests

FY2021/2022 BUDGET WORKSHOP
Reviewing and finalizing the 2021/2022 Town budget to be submitted to voters on the March 2, 2021 Town Meeting ballot. Action possible.

5:30 REGULAR MEETING
Considering whether to send Middlesex voters postcards ASAP alerting them of the petition requirements for candidates and that Town Meeting will be by Australian Ballot on March 2, 2021 and setting dates for the informational meeting(s). Action likely.

5:45 Accepting the independent annual audit conducted by Batchelder Associates, PC of the Town’s FY20 finances. Action likely.

5:45 Treasurer’s Report: a review of Town financial issues. Action possible.

5:55 Highway Report: Update on Road Commissioner status due to the hiring of the new Road Foreman, effective January 4, 2021, considering whether to advertise the position and, if so, the content of the advertisement. Action likely.

Notch Road – continuing discussion of the Town’s role, if any, in winter maintenance of the Class 4 section of Notch Road by the Town Forest. Action possible

6:30 Revisiting the WCUUSD’s request that the Town assume maintenance of a charging station for electric vehicles at Rumney School. Action possible

OTHER BUSINESS
– Approving the December 15, 2020, Select Board minutes. Action likely.
– Orders
– Any other matter that may come before the Board.

7:15 Adjournment

**ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS**

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7393380675

Meeting ID: 739 338 0675
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,7393380675# US (Washington D.C)

Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

 

The Middlesex Budget Committee will hold its organizational and regular meeting starting at 4 PM, Tuesday, January 5th via Zoom.

**ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS**
Budget Committee Zoom Meeting (4:00-5:00)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86964412901
Meeting ID: 869 6441 2901
By phone: +1 646 558 8656

Help us improve the Middlesex town website

Our website makes tons of information available – from emergency reports and contact information to recent news and meeting minutes – and we know it’s starting to look pretty cluttered.

In the coming weeks we’ll be working to make it a more useful site: Better organized, easier to navigate, less wordy and nicer looking. If you’ve ever searched for something and been unable to find it, now is a great time to let us know. See some information that needs updating? Send us a link. If you have thoughts about features that might improve the user experience, we’d like to hear that, too!

Shoot us your thoughts by email to [email protected].

OFFICE CURRENTLY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC 

Due to a sharp increase in Washington County COVID cases, the Town Clerk’s Office remains closed to public traffic. Those who need marriage licenses, research appointments or other assistance should call 223-5915, or email [email protected], and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

MIDDLESEX PLANNING COMMISSION

NOTICE OF CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING

(Permit Application #20-53) 

Hearing Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Time & Location: 6:00 PM via Zoom (see instructions below)

Public Hearing: The Middlesex Planning Commission will hold a continued public hearing at the above time and place to consider the following:

Permit #20-53 – Christine Payne & Harlow Ballard III request a subdivision (2 lots) of property at 259 Wood Road,

This is a continuation of the hearing that began on December 16, 2020. The Planning Commission will consider the Applicant’s request to defer review of the proposed minor subdivision’s compliance with the standards pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Middlesex Land Use & Development Regulations.

A copy of this notice has been sent by email to the Applicant and the adjoining landowners who participated in the December 16, 2020 public hearing.

 

Sandra Levine, Chair
Middlesex Planning Commission
December 21, 2020

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84848094699

Meeting ID: 848 4809 4699

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,84848094699# US (Washington D.C)

+13126266799,,84848094699# US (Chicago)

 

CLICK HERE FOR
THE MIDDLESEX OFFICIAL RECORD OF VOTE
FOR THE NOVEMBER 3RD GENERAL ELECTION

A LETTER TO THE MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY
FROM ROAD COMMISSIONER STEVE MARTIN AND THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Road Commissioner letter 101920

STATEWIDE PRIMARY
8.11.20
Middlesex Election Night Results

Thanks to David Crowell and Charlie Merriman for building a counter and installing a polycarbonate shield to make the Town Clerk’s Office safe!

 

MIDDLESEX FOOD SHELF

In light of the Covid-19 crisis, the Middlesex Food Shelf has suspended its regular Saturday food distribution and instead is making $200 grants available to Middlesex households to help them pay for groceries and other essential needs. No application or itemization is necessary. For information about the program, call David Carkeet at 802.229.9496 or email him at [email protected] Donations to this cause should be sent to Middlesex Food Shelf, c/o David Carkeet, 418 Macey Road, N. Middlesex, VT  05682. Please make checks payable to “Middlesex Food Shelf.” 

MIDDLESEX EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONDS TO COVID-19
Here are some helpful resources

  • If you NEED ASSISTANCE for any reason, please click here to fill out this form:
  • If you would like to OFFER ASSISTANCE , please click here to fill out this form:
  • Instacart https://www.instacart.com/ is an online ordering service that will pick up groceries you order from Price Chopper and Shaw’s as well as pet supplies from Petco. Those picking up prescriptions from CVS through this service will need the scrip-holder’s name and date of birth. If it’s a controlled substance, they will need to produce ID. Note there is a $3.99 – $7.99 charge for each delivery.
  • Meals on Wheels in Waterbury is accepting orders. Please call (802) 244-1234 to be added to their list.
  • Village Market in Waterbury is swamped and they are unable to fulfill online orders and curbside pickup at this time. Check back for more info.
  • CVS on US302 in Barre (at the old Friendly’s site) has a drive-thru window where you can easily pick up prescriptions without getting out of your car. For more info, this is their #: (802) 476-2550

Here are guidelines about how to protect yourself from COVID-19  from the Centers of Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html
If you are suffering from a fever and cough and are concerned about whether you are infected, please call your primary care provider. For more information, you can call the State of Vermont’s COVID-19 Hotline at 2-1-1. Here is another online resource from the State Health Department. https://www.healthvermont.gov/

Finally, if you don’t know where to turn call the Town Clerk’s Office at 223-5915 or email [email protected] We will do our best to help you.

Additional resources

VT Health Dept website: www.healthvermont.gov/response/infectious-disease/2019-novel-coronavirus
CDC website: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
FEMA website: www.fema.gov/
Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/

Direct assistance:
The Middlesex Neighbor to Neighbor network is forming to support neighbors in need. Neighborhood captains will be contacting their neighbors. To request assistance online, go to www.middlesexvermont.org.
Senior centers: Waterbury Senior Center offers Meals on Wheels and pickup of meals. Call 802-244-1234.
Vermont Foodbank: www.vtfoodbank.org lists several services for individuals
Call 2-1-1 for referral to various social services, such as unemployment, tax preparation, and housing assistance
How to help:
Practice personal hygiene and personal distancing to safeguard your health and the health of those you interact with.
Volunteering safely: Follow guidelines set by the group you are volunteering with. These should cover safe handling of items you may handle; personal distancing; considerations for vulnerable populations; self quarantine requirements.
Volunteer opportunities: In Middlesex: www.middlesexvermont.org. Regionally: www.oncallforvt.org.
Make a donation to an area service agency, such as the Vermont Foodbank or Capstone Community Action

 

MARCH 3, 2020
MIDDLESEX PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RESULTS CLICK HERE!
&
TOWN VOTE RESULTS CLICK HERE

READ THE DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MARCH 3, 2020 TOWN MEETING HERE! (Thanks, Sorsha!)

Hot off the Presses! Read the 2019 Middlesex Town Report here….

 

RESULTS OF NOVEMBER 5, 2019 WCUUSD SPECIAL SCHOOL MEETING

WCUUSD Vote Results
              
November 5, 2019
              
               
 
Berlin
Calais
Emont
Midd
Worc
TOTAL
  
Article 1: Shall the voters change the date
              
   of the 2020 Annual Meeting
              
Yes
67
73
100
55
48
343
  
No
11
10
11
6
5
43
  
Blank
0
3
1
0
0
4
  
Damaged
0
0
0
0
0
0
  
Total
78
86
112
61
53
390
  
               
               
Article 2 Shall the voters elect Moderator, Clerk and
             
   Treasurer by Australian ballot
              
Yes
70
72
105
55
50
352
  
No
8
12
7
6
3
36
  
Blank
0
2
0
0
0
2
  
Damaged
0
0
0
0
0
0
  
Total
78
86
112
61
53
390
  
               
Article 3 Shall the voters require that the ballots   be comingled
            
   for all Australian ballot elections
              
Yes
50
53
94
47
42
286
  
No
28
33
17
14
11
103
  
Blank
0
0
1
0
0
1
  
Damaged
0
0
0
0
0
0
  
Total
78
86
112
61
53
390
  
               
               

 

 

CLICK here to read the 2019-2027 Approved Middlesex Town Plan.

 

Vermont recording fees will increase effective July 1, 2019.

SUMMARY OF VERMONT RECORDING FEE CHANGES
32 V.S.A. §1671

  PREVIOUS FEE NEW FEE
Document Recording $10/page $15/page
PTTR (property transfer tax return) $10/document $15/document
Survey plat recording fees $15/sheet $25/sheet
Certified copy of records (no change) $10/page $10/page
Vault time $2/hour $4/hour

 

*Documents include all items recorded in the land records (deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, releases, permits).

*Multiple assignments or releases included on one document are charged $15/assignment or release

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT FROM WHAT’S NEXT, MIDDLESEX?

Watch  Middlesex Select Board Meetings on ORCA HERE !!

  • Town Clerk’s Office Hours & Contact Info.

    OFFICE HOURS: The Middlesex Town Clerk’s Office is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5  p.m.

    We do not close for lunch. The office is closed on Fridays.

    Town Clerk: Sarah Merriman
    Assistant Town Clerk: Dave Smith
    Address: 5 Church Street, Middlesex, VT 05602
    Phone: 802-223-5915
    Fax: 802-223-1298
    Email: [email protected]