HURRICANE IRENE UPDATE Wednesday, October 26, 2011    Thank you to all the 90 volunteers who participated in our Vermont Clean Up Day on Saturday, October 22.    UPCOMING DEADLINES: Saturday, October 29:  There will be a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29th at the Emergency Services Building from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  Please take a moment to inventory your home medicine cabinets for unused/outdated prescription drugs.  It is important to NOT flush those prescriptions down the toilet.  Join us in keeping everyone safe and healthy! HALLOWEEN:  (Trick-or-treaters are asked to bring food donations with them to benefit the Food Shelf.  Look for collection barrels at corner of Cross St & Golf Ave)      Maple Street, High Street & Golf Avenue will be closed off for trick or treating from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.  Please consider donating candy at Town Hall & the Police Station as approximately 800-1000 trick-or-treaters are expected.  Woodstock Area Flood Relief Fund: Deadline is November 1st (Phase 2 Grant Application).  This is an application for assistance of over $1,000.  Click here to view Eligibility Guidelines and examples of eligible costs.  Click here for a Grant Application.  Return forms to: Sustainable Woodstock, P.O. Box 611, Woodstock, VT 05091 or at their office at 32 Pleasant Street, Woodstock, VT. The Woodstock Area Flood Relief Fund is accepting donations at the Lake Sunapee Bank or you may visit www.sustainablewoodstock.org or send to Flood Relief Fund, P.O. Box 611, Woodstock, VT  05091.  Thank you! ABATEMENT:  (1st meeting is November 1st) An existing State statute allows for abatement of taxes for residences and businesses businesses whose real estate property has been lost or partially destroyed. The Board of Abatement will review & decide all requests for abatement.  Information may be obtained from the Town Clerk.  The Listers will assist property owners with financial calculations that they can present to the Board of Abatement.  Please call 457-3607 to speak with a Lister. FEMA:  has extended the deadline for applying to November 15, 2011. This is for both individuals (including small businesses) and private non-profit and public municipalities.  Offices still open: Ludlow Office (57 Pond Street; open M-Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) and Rutland (Heart Center, One Commons Drive).   The Springfield Office is just for SBA.  Location is 14 Clinton Street, Springfield in the Vermont SBDC office.  Hours are M-F 8:00 a.m.- 6:00p.m. & Sat.9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  Contact Jerry King at 404-695-8993 for more info. ON-GOING INFORMATION: FOOD:   URGENT NEED AT FOOD SHELF.  Cash donations are welcome as the staff can purchase food at a substantial discount.  The food shelf hours are Monday (4:00 - 7:00 p.m. ), Wednesday (noon - 3:00 p.m.) and Saturday (10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Economic Development news:  A revolving loan through the Community Development Block Grant is available for small businesses.  Please contact Joan Goldstein at the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation at 295-3710 or 281-4139 for more information. RIVER BANKS: Working in the rivers & on river banks now needs written permits from the State.  There will be no more verbal permits.  Please contact Todd Menees, the River Management Engineer for the State of Vermont (802-345-3510). Conditional Use permits from the Zoning Department are also required. To expedite permits as fast as possible, the boards will meet more frequently if needed.  COUNSELING:  Mental Health Counselors are available for FREE for emotional support.  Please contact Sara Manns at 291-1172. CLOTHING:  Clothing at Grange Hill will be shut down October 31st.  Vouchers for free clothing will be distributed at the Woodstock Food Shelf. DEBRIS: Free disposal of household flood debris at the Hartford Transfer Station is being offered until further notice.  Residents are allowed up to a one ton pick-up load.  This offer is limited to one load per household.  Hauling is the responsibility of the residents.