The park has many light branches that have fallen to the ground since last Wednesday's intense storm.  These twigs and branches will obstruct the park's mowing.  If you enjoy the park and would like to help, please pick up some light branches as you walk.  This would also be helpful on the trails. Just toss them into vegetation that isn't mowed or off the trail.

Thank you!
Livy Strong

Riverside-Flats Planning Effort - FAQs

Q: What is the Riverside-Flats Planning Effort?

Robert Letovsky, Chairperson of the Chittenden East Supervisory Union Executive Committee, has posted a short piece updating the community on CESU's proposed school district consolidation project under the "Politics" posting board.  The article, which has also appeared in the Mountain Gazette, gives an overview of the process, describes recent state legislation promoting consolidation, and outlines the steps which the CESU boards must follow to have a vote before taxpayers for this coming Town Meeting Day.

Pleasant Valley Road from Mountain Road to New Road will be closed to ALL traffic starting July 19 through August 3, 2010.  It will reopen on Wednesday August 4, 2010.  The road will NOT reopen at night in order to complete the reconstruction of the road faster and more efficiently.  Alternate routes include Irish Settlement or Lower Valley Road to Route 15 in Cambridge.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call Faith Brown or Sherri Morin at town hall at 899-4434. 

The Community Center in Jericho is holding a raffle to raise funds to repair the building's foundation.
Tickets will be on sale for $50 a ticket.  Only 100 tickets will be sold. 
The prize, a $1000 gift card from Hannafords in Essex, will be awarded once all the tickets are sold. Tickets will be on sale at the Mills Riverside Park Wednesday evening concerts and the Farmers' Market on Thursdays at Mills Riverside Park.

More information about the Community Center

Richmond 4th of July is Our "Local" Celebration

Kelly King, Jericho
For years my familiy went out of town on the 4th of July, driving to Bristol, Connecticut to attend my husband's family' celebration. Since the 1890's, this family reunion was held, every year (with a gap for "the wars") at the old Beecher family homestead (he's a descendent of the Harriette Beecher Stowe Beechers).  As our extended family has moved and grown, very few still attend, so a few years ago, we decided to celebrate closer to home.
We've now come to think of Richmond's 4th of July celebration as our local celebration.   As a child growing up in Jericho, I always went to the fireworks in Williston, or Burlington.  As an adult, since we always were out of town, I never paid much attention to what was going on in the area.  I don't know when  Richmond began their 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, but  when we decided to celebrate locally, we went and it was great.
Since it is the only 4th of July event within the school district, I find that many folks in the Jericho-Underhill area attend.  It took me a VERY long time to walk down the parade route from the top of the hill to meet my family down near Volunteers' Green, because I ran in to so many friends and aquaintences from Jericho and Underhill, as well as Richmond and Huntington. The parade is proceeded by a "Fun Run" at 10:30 am,  followed by Festivities in the Park, then Fireworks in the evening.

For details go to http://users.gmavt.net/blackfork/4th-of-July/home.html
Be sure to get there before the start of the parade otherwise you'll get stuck in the road closure outside of town and will sit in traffic while the parade goes through!

Q: What is going on with Pleasant Valley Road?

A: The Town of Underhill was recently awarded a grant from the Vermont Agency of Transportation that will pay up to 80% of costs to reconstruct a half-mile section of Pleasant Valley Road near Mountain Road and New Road.

Q: Why were the trees cut down?

A: The trees were removed on the bank in preparation for road improvements.  This will include scaling back the bank to allow for the increased width and ditches.

Q: Are they constructing a retaining wall?

A: No.

Q: Are they straightening the road?

A: No.  The road will be widened to 24 feet, and the project will include surfacing and ditching.

Q: Is the speed limit changing?

A: No.  The speed limit on Pleasant Valley Road will not change at this time.

Q: What is the timeframe for the project?

A: The work has already begun and will continue through the summer.

Q: Will the road be closed during construction?

A: Yes, there will be days when it will be necessary to close Pleasant Valley Road for construction.  While we do not yet know the dates for the closures, we will try to inform the public at least 1-2 days in advance through the Town website, community websites (Two Towns Online, Front Porch Forum), email lists, etc. 

Q: How long with the road closure last?

A: The closures will be during the day for approximately 8-9 hours.  The road will reopen for evening traffic.

Q: Who can I contact for more information?

A: You can contact Interim Town Administrator Faith Brown at 899-4434, x100 or Road Foreman Rod Fuller at 899-9959.

The Mills Riverside Park Summer Concerts 2010 begin on June 30^th and continue every Wednesday evening through August 4^th. All performances start at 6PM and finish at 8PM. Bring a picnic and relax with your friends and neighbors as you listen to great music and celebrate the best of summer. The public events calendar tells who is playing on a particular evening (see "Calendars" in the top menu).

The Mills Riverside Farmer's Market is kicking off its ninth season on Thursday, June 10th at Mills Riverside Park on Rt 15 in Jericho. The market features fresh local produce, pastured meat and fresh eggs, maple syrup, delicious prepared foods and beautiful local crafts. The market runs 3:00-6:30 every Thursday afternoon through September. Contact Jessie Alberts at 802-324-5455 with questions.

The Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO), in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, is developing a plan to improve existing (and build new) park and ride facilities in Chittenden and adjoining counties.  Public input is an integral piece of this project. Please click this link to access an on-line survey which will take less than five minutes to complete. The CCMPO would like input from everyone, even if you seldom use park and ride lots. Your input will help identify the types of improvements and facilities desired.  Please share this survey link with others as well. Thank you for your participation!

Karen Duguay, Marketing and Public Affairs Manager - Chittenden Country Transit Authority, Industrial Pkwy,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Wed, 28 April 2010