Weekly Club Newsletter 2015 02 18

 

       Greetings Rotarians!  Today we had two speakers on hand to discuss two very important issues that affect our community.  The first presenter was Max Levy who discussed the budget for the Town of Essex.  Max explained that this year’s budget contemplates the sharing of services between the Town and the Village of Essex Junction in an effort to make our local government more efficient and cost effective.  The most significant services that would be shared would be highway and storm-water management. Max pointed out that we are already seeing the sharing of services at work.  For example, the Town and Village management positions have been streamlined into one position.  The processes of tax billing and tax collection have also been consolidated.   Max was careful to let everyone know that this effort is not a “back door” way of merging the two entities, but rather a way for both entities to operate in a more efficient manner.  Voters are encouraged to attend the annual Town Meeting on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 7:30pm at the Essex High School Auditorium to learn more about the 2016 Fiscal Year Budget.  Mike Plageman followed Max’s presentation with a discussion about the revitalization of 81 Main Street.  As many of you are aware, this building has served as the Town Office for quite some time.  With the Police Department moving into a new facility, decisions needed to be made on the future of the old building.  After thoroughly exploring all options, a decision was made that 81 Main Street should be refurbished.  The initial focus would be on improving the air quality in the building and bringing it into compliance with the 1991 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  There is also hope that the vault in which various land records are kept will be expanded.  In order for the refurbishment of 81 Main Street to come to fruition, the public will need to vote to approve re-purposing an existing bond for that purpose.  Voting will be held by Australian Ballot on March 3, 2015 from 7:00am to 7:00pm at Essex High School (inside-the-Village residents) and Essex Middle School (outside-the-Village residents). 

 

 

            Thank you to all of the Rotarians who have volunteered to work at the Essex Rotary Key Bank All-Star Hockey Classic on Saturday, March 21^st.  As of right now, we only need to fill one spot for the women’s game (a goal judge) and six slots at the men’s game (one ticket/50-50 cashier; one more goal judge; two more people to work at the concession stand; one person to work at the Rotary information table; and one more person to help with post-event cleanup).  It is really important that we fill all of the slots for this event!!! The sign-up sheet can be found on our website, or you can sign up at our meetings.  We are also looking for Rotarians to donate baked goods to sell at the concession stand.  Thank you to the eleven Rotarians who have already signed up to do that.

 

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:  Wednesday, February 25, 2015 – We will be holding our monthly charitable committee meetings.

 

For the complete list of upcoming speakers and general information about the Club, please go to our website at www.essexrotary.org   Be sure to also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Essex-Vermont/102267529834020

 

       Yours in Rotary,

 

Jason Ruwet