There is a PDF version of this newsletter at the end of the article which includes additional images.
For the Week of May 8, 2023: Part 1
Manager’s Message
Aaron Frank, Town Manager
The second week of April was National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and we want to extend our thanks to our Colchester Specialists! As the first access point for those seeking all classes of emergency services, telecommunicators have accepted the challenge to serve the community with diligence, dedication and courageous resilience. A telecommunicator’s calm and empathetic professionalism can relieve immense levels of stress and panic, and they do so while focusing on a number of diverse tasks and simultaneously asking questions, reassuring a distraught caller, or maintaining their composure when directing police, fire, rescue and technical rescue staff to traumatic and tragic events, which often involve our own families, friends and communities. In 2022, our communications staff answered over 13,000 calls for service from our four emergency service entities. We are grateful for our Colchester Communications Specialists for all they do for the community; thank you!
Colchester Fire Department Update: On April 6, 2023, Seth Lasker graciously agreed to assume the role of Fire Chief to ensure continuity with the Colchester Fire Department until a more permanent Fire Chief could be hired and onboarded. Seth’s many years of leadership experience in fire service, including within the Colchester Fire Department, have proven invaluable. The Town is now prepared to proceed with a robust search to identify its next Fire Chief. Seth will continue to serve as Fire Chief until a more permanent Chief is integrated into the department after which Seth will return to his prior role working half-time in the Town Manager’s office and as half-time Assistant Fire Chief.
“Make and Take” Children's Classes Offered in June at Historic Log Schoolhouse Fun and educational “Make and Take” classes will be offered this summer for children ages 5–10 at the historic Log Schoolhouse located at Airport Park here in Colchester. All materials are provided, and the topics are linked to life and pastimes of the Log Schoolhouse time period.
These classes will be presented by Michelle Penca, a long-time volunteer teacher of art, gardening, literacy, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). She has taught classes in five different states to learners of all ages. Michelle has a passion for sharing the love of learning while making it fun and accessible. These classes are:
Codes and Ciphers Saturday, June 10, 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $5 per child In use for thousands of years, codes and ciphers can be simple to amazingly complex. The focus for this class will be on basic codes that children will use to code their name and maybe a secret message. The instructor will demonstrate Atbash, Grid, Caesar Cipher, and Scytale. Each child will go home with cipher wheels and code sheets to continue using the knowledge learned. This class, open to ages 8-10, is a nice STEM activity. Class size is limited to 8 children. Old Time Toys Saturday, June 17, 10 - 11 a.m. Fee: $5 per child Before toy stores, children were shown how to make toys from scraps and items that were in almost every home in the era of the Colchester Log Schoolhouse. Yarn, paper, fabric, and clothes pins made charming toys for young children. Every child will make and take home one or two simple toys. This class is limited to 8 children between kindergarten age and 2nd grade.
Please note: Advance registration is required. The fee is $5 per class, per child.These classes fill up fast, so register early atwinchris65@comcast.net
Codes and Ciphers Saturday, June 10,10–11 a.m. Fee: $5 per child
In use for thousands of years, codes and ciphers can be simple to amazingly complex.The focus for this class will be on basic codes that children will use to code their name and maybe a secret message. The instructor will demonstrate Atbash, Grid, CaesarCipher, and Scytale. Each child will go home with cipher wheels and code sheets to continue using the knowledge learned.This class, open to ages 8-10, is a nice STEM activity. Class size is limited to 8 children.
Old Time Toys Saturday, June 17,10-11 a.m.Fee: $5 per child
Before toy stores, children were shown how to make toys from scraps and items that were in almost every home in the era of the Colchester LogSchoolhouse.Yarn, paper, fabric, and clothes pins made charming toys for young children.Every child will make and take home one or two simple toys.This class is limited to 8 children between kindergarten age and 2nd grade.
Math GamesSaturday, June 24,10-11 a.m.Fee: $5 per child
For a very long time and across many continents, children have played variations of some really great games that only required paper, pencils, and game tokens. These screen-free math games help develop strategic and critical thinking, boost memory and mathematical confidence, and can be successfully played by math lovers and those who have not yet learned to love math.This class is for children ages 7 to10 and is open for 8 students.The students will bring home examples of the games they learned to share with their family.
Students are invited to take a seat at the historic Log Schoolhouse for fun and educational classes offered in June.
Upcoming Town Meetings
Selectboard: Tuesday, May 9, 6:30 p.m. at the ColchesterTown Offices, 3rdFloorOuter Bay Conference Room, 781 Blakely Road. Alternatively, send a note, up to 1,000 words, to TownManager@colchestervt.govwith “Citizens to be Heard” in the Subject and your name.As with in-person Citizens to be Heard, we ask that you SHARE YOUR ADDRESS. The email will be shared with the entire Selectboard prior to the meeting and included in the information packet at the next meeting.
• Watch the Meeting Online via Live Stream: http://lcatv.org/live-stream-2
• Agenda: www.bit.ly/Colchester-SB-Agendas
Planning Commission: Tuesday, May 16, 7:00 p.m. at the Colchester Town Offices, 3rd Floor Outer Bay Conference Room, 781 Blakely Road.
Development Review Board: Wednesday, May 10, 7:00 p.m. at the Colchester Town Offices, 3rd Floor Outer Bay Conference Room, 781 Blakely Road. Residents are welcome to attend the meeting or public comments can be submitted prior to the hearing by email to zmaia@colchestervt.gov or by mail to Town of Colchester, c/o Development Review Board, 781 Blakely Road, Colchester, VT 05446.
Recreation Advisory Board: Wednesday, May 10, 7:00 a.m. at the Colchester Town Offices, 2nd Floor, Champlain Room, 781 Blakely Road.
Conservation Commission: Monday, May 15, 6:00 p.m. at the Colchester Town Offices, 2nd Floor, Champlain Room, 781 Blakely Road.
Library Board of Trustees: Thursday, May 18, 4:00 p.m., in the Burnham Room of the Burnham Memorial Library.
Agendas available: http://clerkshq.com/Colchester-vt
Note: Agendas are posted at least 48 hours before the meeting, so you may find past agendas when clicking the link. Revisiting the link closer to the date of the meeting should provide you with the current agenda.
For more information or to comment, call 802-264-5509 or email townmanager@colchestervt.gov
Students are invited to take a seat at the historic LogSchoolhouse for fun and educational classes offered in June
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