January 2, 2022 Closed for the New Year Holiday
January 10, 2022 Closed 10am-12pm
January 16, 2022 Closed for MLK Day
Winter Placemaking Projects Promote Livability for All Ages
Six Vermont communities are receiving $4,000 each in grant funds from AARP Vermont to initiate or enhance winter placemaking demonstration projects. The projects focus on creating or reinventing public spaces to improve safety, accessibility, and overall appeal on a temporary or permanent basis. Proposals from Burlington, Rutland, White River Junction, Mendon, Putney, and Swanton were selected from dozens of applications for the initiative. This is the sixth year of AARP Vermont’s Placemaking Grant Program, which aims to spearhead demonstration project efforts that will help build momentum for long-term livability improvements with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and over.
Vermont’s cold and dark winter months pose several challenges for residents across the state, one of which is social isolation. The Winter Placemaking Grant Program focuses on helping communities embrace the winter months by reinventing public spaces to encourage outdoor activities and social engagement. The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages.
“This is an opportunity for six Vermont communities to take quick actions that can lead to a critical spark for longer-term progress,” explained Kelly Stoddard Poor of AARP Vermont. “We know that simple modifications can powerfully alter the health, economic, social, and ecological value of a community,” she said, and “when community members and local officials can see or experience a new or revitalized space, they are better able to understand what is possible and how it can improve their community. Projects like these have led to exciting new improvements in communities across the state and country.”
This year’s recipients are:
Burlington: Old East End Neighborhood Coalition will hold their annual Winterlude event at Schmanska park with free and accessible outdoor recreational activities for all ages focused on reducing isolation. OEENC will also enhance the neighborhood park features with additional lighting, winter lanterns, trail access and a warming hut focused on the needs of the 50+ community.
Rutland: Come Alive Outside will build and manage two outdoor gear libraries and monthly activities for older Vermonters at the Godnick Adult Day Center and in downtown Rutland. The organization will also work to provide three monthly free outdoor winter activities for older adults focused on using the winter gear available to access the outdoors during the winter.
White River Junction: CraftStudies will expand access to hands-on learning experiences for older adults by providing six weekly ceramic classes. They will also host three Artist Talks with teaching artists over the age of 50, and will give a lunchtime artist talk at Bugbee Senior Center about their craft, artistic process, and creative practice. These talks will be open and free to the entire community.
Mendon: The Town of Mendon will create a ‘Snowshoe Saturday’ program by providing five snowshoe lessons and activities for older adults. The Town will also work to install two ADA accessible picnic tables and will install wayfinding signs highlighting the access to the trails.
Putney: Next Stage Arts will create an engaging outdoor art exhibition for the 50+ community on the maintained Putney Forest trails. The group will also hold walks and/or snowshoes of the exhibit. A warming shelter with hot drinks and snacks will be available for participants.
Swanton: The Swanton Recreation Commission will hold a week-long winter program, “Winter Escapades,” leading up to Town Meeting Day for older adults and community members to engage in winter recreation and activities. The commission will also install new seating options to benefit older adults participating in recreational activities in the community.
In support of these projects, AARP Vermont will provide technical assistance and publicity strategy, and assist project leaders in engaging with other local, regional or state partner organizations that can contribute to their success.
Do you still have your ballot that was sent in the mail? Please bring it with you, you can use that to vote in person.
If you’ve misplaced your ballot, never received one but are a registered Town voter, or would like to vote for your very first time on Tuesday, no problem! We can help get you ready to vote!
Already filled it out and want to submit it in person? Bring it in and you can watch your ballot be cast!
On Election Day, the Town office will be closed to conduct the election but will reopen the next day with normal business hours.
If you planned to vote early and haven’t sent your ballot in yet please don’t mail your ballot as it is not guaranteed to get to the Clerk’s Office by the due date. The ballot must be in our possession by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. You are encouraged to drop your ballot off at the Town Office, either in the drop box outside or bring it on Election day.
Polls will be open at the Town Office 8am – 7pm for in-person voting on November 8.
Thank you for your understanding.
Starting September 26, 2022, the November 8 General Election ballots are being mailed to all active Vermont voters by the Secretary of State’s Office. If you do not receive your ballot by October 10th, please contact us at 802-775-1662.
Voting Your Ballot
Once you receive your ballot, voting is as easy as Sign, Seal & Send!
- Sign: Place your voted ballot in the ballot envelope and sign the certificate on the outside of the envelope, following all instructions included with your ballot.
- Seal: Seal your signed ballot envelope, with your voted ballot inside. Place and seal your ballot envelope inside the mailing envelope.
- Send: Return your ballot to the Mendon Town Office. We must have your ballot in hand by 7pm on Election Day (Tuesday, November 8) for it to be counted!
How you return your ballot is up to you. You may return your ballot:
- By mail: We recommend mailing your ballot package no later than Monday, October 31st to ensure adequate time for it to be delivered to the Town Clerk.
- In person: Bring your ballot to the Mendon Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)
- Drop off in the secure ballot drop box at the Mendon Town Office before Election Day
- Bring your ballot to the polls on Election Day: Bring your ballot to the Mendon Town Office on Election Day (November 8, 2022) before the polls close at 7pm.
The polls will be open at the Mendon Town Office on Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 from 8am to 7pm.
To check on the status of your ballot, please use our online ballot tracking service at mvp.vermont.gov or contact the office at 802-775-1662.
Press Release
Contact:
Laura Lapierre, Wetlands Program Manager Department of Environmental Conservation 802-490-6177, [email protected]
Click the link below to see the official press release.