No Fines, No Dollars, Empty Basket (except for the two self imposed-fine/dollars dropped in surreptitiously)
Twelve Rotarians were enjoying lunch, most eating the chicken-Caesar salad from Delicate Decadence. President Tony took the floor and proceeded to tell a bad joke and that he had been in contact with Diane Rossi regarding making her an honorary member of Barre Rotary at our Changeover Dinner. He then recognized President-Elect Nicole who updated us on our Changeover Dinner. It is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28th at Pearl Street Pizza starting at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar. The program begins at 5:45 p.m. and dinner will be
served at 6:00 p.m. which will include appetizers, meatball al forno with polenta, “grandma-style” pizza, salad and a strawberry cake. The cost is $40.00 per person. Invitations will be sent out soon. Announcement
Please sign up for baked goods for the snack shack that we are sponsoring at the District Changeover Event on June 18th. Proceeds will go to aid Ukraine.
Looking GoodPresident Tony called Joe S. forward to lead us in song. He led us in a rousing rendition of Hey Look Me Over.
Barre Town - Past, Present and Future
Tom introduced today’s speaker, Carl Rogers, Barre Town Manager.
Carl has been the Town Manager for the Town of Barre for the past 30 years. In a Times Argus article it was noted that " Rogers has overseen many public
works projects, including the acquisition and remodeling of the maintenance shop; the takeover of multiple water systems; construction of the town's salt shed and the expansion of Barre City's sewage treatment plant to handle demand from the town. He was also involved in projects to repair and strengthen areas damaged by storms through the years and helped create the Town Forest; expand the Wilson Industrial Park; construct multiple bike paths; and install sidewalks in several parts of town.” Carl began his talk by telling us that he was going to detail four accomplishments that have occurred during his administration. He made it clear that those accomplishments were the work of not only himself, but of the staff, selectboard members and others. He began with a chronology of the Wilson Industrial Park expansion. He provided many details of land acquisition, negotiation for sewer and water lines, lawsuits, Act 250 applications, snowmobile traffic issues and the construction of utilities, such as electric, sewer and water.
The second issue that he discussed was the renovation of the Municipal Building. Among the goals were to improve the police station and add a meeting space. The bond failed on its first vote and so the project was scaled down. The bond of $500,000 was approved in 1992 and the bid went to E.F. Wall, but required deductions. The project was completed in 1993 and the items deducted have since been completed.The third issue was the Ambulance Service. Carl outlined a set of relationships between Plainfield, Montpelier, Berlin and Barre Town that began in 1996. Presently, the Barre Town Ambulance Service has crews with paramedics who staff three stations 24/7 in Central Vermont. The Service has changed from a “club type atmosphere” to a professional one. It is the largest ambulance service in Central Vermont, responding to four thousand calls per year.
Time ran out before Carl could get to the fourth issue. Perhaps he could return for another installment.
Tony presented him with a Rotary coin and those assembled gave him a warm round of applause in appreciation of his service and his presentation.
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