More Signs of Spring!

Today had a great start with bright sunshine and temperature rising from an overnight low of 12 degrees to about 44 around mid-day. Now the sun has been obscured by some clouds and the temperature is again on the way down; however, the forecasters assure us this last "cold snap" is over and we''ll get some rain tonight. Then they sneak in the bad news that rain will be turning to snow tonight so we will probably wake up to a new coating  of white tomorrow and the weekend will have more of the same. However, by Monday, things should change again - to real warmth. We can only hope.

One sure sign spring is that the Route 2 road construction project that has been on-going for the sast three or four years is starting up again! Here is the schedule announcing signage going on - but I didn't see evidence of that when Jamie and I went to Berlin Wednesday morning for my eye appointment - but perhaps we were out a bit too early. There will be more to come on this project, but at least it is scheduled to be completed this summer! Here's what our Cabot Town Clerk received:

 Project Notice
Marshfield-Danville NH PS19(1)
[U.S. Route 2 Resurfacing Project]

DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 2024

PROJECT NOTICE: As of Monday, April 7, construction activities for the U.S. Route 2 Marshfield-Danville Resurfacing Project have resumed for the 2025 construction season. From Monday, April 7, through Friday, April 11, crews will return to the project site to uncover signs and place message boards.

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND DURATION: There are no anticipated traffic impacts from Monday, April 7, through Friday, April 11.

LOCATION: Beginning near the Plainfield/Marshfield town line, on U.S. 2, near the intersection with Hillside Drive extending easterly along U.S. Route 2 to a point just west of the intersection with VT Route 15 in West Danville.

PROJECTED COMPLETION: Summer 2025
For more information:
Public Information Consultant: Sophia Schintzel
Email: Sophia.Schintzel@wsp.com  -  Project Hotline: 781-400-8263

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Another sure sign of spring is the Washington Electric Co-Op Annual Meeting announcement and ballot to vote for directors of the cooperative is in the mail. Ballots need to be in by April 30, and the Annual meeting will be at Barre Auditorium  at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1. You will find all the information on the meeting and how to vote in the big white envelope that, if it hasn't already shown up, will be in your mailbox soon.

I normally don't get into politics much here, but for those of you who are served by WEC,  here is a note that Barry Bernstein sent to Marti Talbot with his recommendations. Marty tols me Barry worked with David and has been a longtime friend. I know Susan Alexander who lives on Tetreault Road not far from me here in Cabot, and I know Bill Powell from reaching out to him and getting good advice over the years about conservation options, etc. I know both Susan and Bill to be responsible people who are dedicated to WEC and well equipped to be on the board. I think it is especially good to have someone living in our area (Susan) on the board. Whatever your vote is, it is important to vote. There has been information in previous Co-Op Currents on all of the candidates, and they all have great qualification and are dedicated to the Co-op. Here is the information from Barry:

 From: Barry Bernstein <bbearvt1237@gmail.com>
Date: April 6, 2025 at 14:12:23 EDT
To: David Talbot <martitalbot@gmail.com>
Subject: WEC ELECTRIC COOP BALLOT IN THE MAIL PLEASE VOTE

I know I am writing to Dave’s wife and hope you get this. I hope you are doing well and you and your family still spend time at Joe’s Pond.

Hope you and the whole crew are doing well, especially given this long winter.

You will be getting your ballot  from WEC sometime this coming week. I am supporting Susan Alexander and Betsy Allen for reelection to their second term. I am also supporting Bill Powell to be elected to the third director seat.

I asked that [you] mark your ballot for Susan, Betsy, Bill and put in the mail as soon as you made it out AND PLEASE REACH OUT to your family members, other friends and neighbors encouraging them also to support these three candidates and put their ballots in the mail.

There are a number of key issues coming up in this next year or two that makes it important to have strong board members  who are very committed to the values we hold and the continuation of our leadership in our community and state wide on the issues that affect our members and all rate payers.

If you have any questions, give me  a call 802 456 8843. Thanks

Barry

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One more sign that spring is here. Bill, my oldest, let me know this morning that the ice in Stiles Pond (St. Johnsbury/Waterford Rt. 18) is gone. Stiles Pond usually is free of ace about a week earlier than Joe's Pond. That said, I forgot to look at Molly's Pond yesterday, but I'm pretty sure I would have noticed if there had been open water. Molly's is usually opens up about a week sooner than Joe's, too. It won't be long, especially with warmer weather and some rain coming for the next several days. Stay tuned.

Speaking of noticing things and Molly's Pond -- on the way to Berlin yesterday I noticed that the old Albert May place is getting cleaned up. I was concentrating on something else on our way over and just caught a glimpse as we went by, and then I completely forgot to pay attention on our way home. I mostly have my eyes closed behind my dark glasses after the eye shots - I find I recover more quickly if I don't further irritate my eyes by constantly blinking. Jamie and I think the place was sold for taxes recently - and there was really noting left to save, I expect. Still, I can't help wondering if any of Albert's treasures were left. He was such a collector, also a skilled craftsman making stools, tables, boxes, and a large variety of other wooden objects. I have one of his little footstools - complete with his trademark copper penny embedded next to his signature and date wood-burned on the bottom. Not "fine art" but sturdy and representative of Albert.