Annual Report 2012
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TOWN OF DORSET SIDEBAR TITLE Annual Report 2012 Floor Meeting ~ Dorset School ~ Monday, March 4, 2012 ~ 7:00 p.m. Voting ~ Dorset School ~ Tuesday, March 5, 2012 ~ 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 2012 Dorset Town Report Dedication Malcolm Cooper & Alan Calfee: Malcolm Cooper Jr. was born in Pittsfield, MA in 1949. Soon after, the Cooper family moved to Dorset. Malcolm attended The Dorset Village School , Burr & Burton, Kim- ball Union Academy, & the University of Denver. After college he stayed out west working as a ski instructor and fire fighter for the Forest Service. Malcolm then returned home to Vermont to become involved in running the fami- ly business: JK Adams. Under Malcolm’s guidance, JK Adams has become a well-known national distributor of fine wood products that can be found in many a kitchen. Dorset is fortunate to have a business like JK Adams as a fixture in our landscape, employing many residents and giving back to the community whenever possible. Alan Calfee was born in Washington DC in 1962. Like the Coopers, the Calfee family has been in Dorset for many years. Alan Calfee studied Natural Resource Management at the University of Maryland and received a Master’s Degree in Forestry from UVM. Alan is a well known local forester, his company Calfee Woodland Management is located right here in Dorset. Alan also lovingly oversees large tracts of conserved land owned by his family. Recently Alan has been involved in an effort to conserve the peak of Haystack Mountain in Pawlet. Alan’s commitment to land stewardship and knowledge of land planning has been an invaluable resource to the Dorset Conservation Commission and the greater Dorset community. Malcolm & Alan currently serve as Chair and Vice Chair of the Dorset Conservation Commission. Under their direction, the town has developed a management plan for town recreational properties. Malcolm & Alan have also been able to engage the Commission and neighbors in events like the Annual Thanksgiving work party, to help conduct the work outlined in our plan, including clearing views at The Pinnacle and conducting trail work at Cutler Memorial Forest. If you visit these properties you’re likely to find Alan taking stock of the condition of the Forest & Malcolm nearby skidding logs with one of his many trac- tors (like most Vermonters Malcolm has a thing for tractors). Many thanks to Malcolm & Alan for their continued commitment to making Dorset a great place to live! Richard & Barbara Ketchum: Richard Ketchum was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1922. Dick studied at Yale University and served in the Navy during World War II as the commanding officer of a submarine chaser in the South Atlantic. After his service to our country Dick worked for American Heritage Magazine and became an accomplished author of American History writing over 17 books. The Co- founder of Blair & Ketchum’s Country Journal, Dick also served on many non-profit boards in Vermont. He was the first Executive Director of the Southern Vermont Arts Center and with his wife, Barbara, helped found Dorset Citizen’s for Responsible Growth, a local non-profit geared toward land conservation. Barbara Bray Ketchum was born in Cleveland, OH in 1921. Barbara attended Sarah Lawrence College and was a professional dancer in the Martha Graham Company prior to marrying Dick. Barbara served for many years on the Dorset Planning Commission; she helped form the Dor- set Conservation Commission, was involved in the creation of the Historic National Register Districts in Dorset, and received the “Outstanding Conservationist Award” in 1986. Barbara was a very committed conserva- tionist, and played a large part in preserving much of the farmland in the Route 30 valley through the Vermont Land Trust. The Ketchum’s first moved to Dorset in 1945, where they started their family. They moved in 1951, but purchased their be- loved “Saddleback Farm” in Kirby Hollow in 1963, and soon returned to Dorset full time. Land stewardship was always im- portant to Dick & Barbara. Over the years their property expanded to include around 1,000 acres of land used for farming, for- estry, and all kinds of recreation. The Ketchum’s raised prize livestock on their farm, and enjoyed the quiet rural life in Ver- mont. Sadly Dick & Barbara both passed away this last year. The Town of Dorset recognizes how fortunate it has been to have had residents like Dick & Barbara in our midst, and we’re grateful for the positive impact they have made on our community that will be felt for many years to come. 2 Table of Contents Town Information & Reports Town Office Calendar & Miscellaneous Information ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Appointed Town Officers .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Elected Town Officials .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Select Board Report & Town Manager Report ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Board of Lister Report.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Auditor Report ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Treasurer Report ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Zoning Administrator & Planning Commission Report ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Zoning Board of Adjustment Report ............................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Design Review Report ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Conservation Commission Report ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Dorset Energy Committee ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Health Officer Report ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Vermont Department of Health ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Delinquent Tax List ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Animal Control Officer Report ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Town Clerk Report (Liquor Licenses, Dog Licenses & Vital Records) ............................................................................................................ 16 Agency Reports Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) ................................................................................................................................................ 18 Vermont State Troopers - C Troop Shaftsbury ...................................................................................................................................................... 19 Vermont League of Cities & Towns 2011 Overview (VLCT) ............................................................................................................................... 20 Green Mountain National Forest .............................................................................................................................................................................21-30 Budgeted Appropriations Dorset Village Library ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 Green Up Vermont ........................................................................................................................................................................................................32-33 Manchester Rescue Squad .........................................................................................................................................................................................34-37