Rotary Meeting 8/3/22
7:15 am – bring meeting to order
Pledge of Allegiance
Thank this week’s greeter – KJ
Next week’s greeter – Justin
Guests - Colin Grube
This week’s scribe is: Diane Hashagen, next week is Rich Hoppe.
Sargent At Arms – KJ - this week; next week – who knows??
Speaker List -
Kevin Yager August 3rd Steve Hayes from Brattleboro Planning Dept (Kevin’s spot but guest of Stephen’s) Marcy August 10th; Toni August 17th (Mona bringing speaker).
This Week in History:
1790 - The first U.S. census was completed, showing a population of 3,929,214 people. Current US population 332,403,609
1876 - Colorado became the 38th state in the United States.
1936 - Adolf Hitler presided over the opening of the Berlin Olympic Games.
1946 - President Truman signed the congressional acts that established the Atomic Energy Commission and the Fulbright Scholarship program.
1981 - MTV made its debut at 12:01 AM. The first video shown was Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles.
Quote: "The highest of distinctions is service to others" -King George VI
Student Rotarians - none – it’s summer!
Rotary Anniversaries – Lisa August 10th – 6 years, Will August 10th - 21 years, Kevin August 11th - 27 years.
Birthdays - August 8th Marci
Rotary announcement –
Next week back at Hampton Inn 8/10; board meeting next week Hampton Inn 8/11
August 14th at 8:00 work on the Sunrise Rotary gardens – all welcome
Jason survived pneumonia – back with us now.
Rotary Brags –
Rich Hoppe: $55 1967 brother killed in Vietnam; always his hero
Tristan: Puppy won the stand-off so he missed meeting
Mona: Fur-baby is 10 - Happy birthday; Keith and Mona purchased a 5th wheel camper which was delivered on Sunday.
Will: Weekend in Stockbridge; Tanglewood; beautiful! Breeder visit next week for another puppy addition to the family. Welcome to the new fluff ball!
Toni: brags for both kids: Brett in Colorado and Kyle graduating this weekend.
Josh: Ramuntos - thank you for allowing us to have our meeting here; for our club and all we do to reach out.
Justin: Jess started new job as a legal aide
Tristam: Daughter internship and moving back to NE. Horse brag – an awesome companion.
KJ: Rescue opening VEMSA training academy for EMS. State of the art training facility up in Newfane.
Nick: Daughter turned 8 this weekend. Enjoying gymnastics; happy kid!
Cards – 6 of clubs – no winner this week
Speaker -
Pre-speaker: Tristam presented to noon club last week about Project Cadre group of 500 representatives available for assistance with community development projects. One example, a workforce development project with global grant in Illinois; Harper Tech College: exceptional technical training. Tristam went to work with them for 3 days.
Speaker: Steve Hayes from Brattleboro Planning Dept: Planning Technician. Housing action plan completed at end of last year and changes in past year. Expecting to need 520 housing units in Brattleboro this year. Housing shortage getting attention. Consulting group hired to assist; survey local needs/demographics. Unfortunately, this was done pre-covid and some strategies may need to be adjusted.
Predicting increase in over 75 year old housing needs. Influx of younger folks during covid may help. Housing deteriorating in existing inventory. Commuters move to Brattleboro. Live alone or with roommates. This is where the 520 minimum of new units. Demand mostly from middle income distribution; rents are too high but make too much for any subsidy.
Working to decrease overall cost to create affordable housing that wouldn’t require subsidies. Townhomes, condos, row homes, etc. Smaller size, near downtown and easily built. Survey confirmed this housing type fits the demographic. Discovered that 40% of all housing costs are from the land itself. Repurposing structures for housing; building on unused land. Encouraging housing development in the area. Residential zoning is available in most of Brattleboro so opportunity exists for new housing. Planning Dept will assist developers. Regional support in surrounding towns as well.
Winston Prouty development under review. Other ideas? (e.g. SIT, Omega) Planning Dept open to all kinds of housing; multi-family (1-10 unit), mobile home, single family, accessory units on own property, etc. is acceptable. Inclusive housing (not restricted). The development of 150 units approved in past year.
Demographic is aging - but Brattleboro population is consistent. Housing properties are getting older. Need new housing to bring in younger demographic. (Irene and the pandemic affecting housing availability)
Transportation is a concern; looking at public transit issues.
Afghan refugee housing needs have been met for now; 6 months of housing was provided initially (SIT); community stepped up. Can we step up for the 520+ housing needs for everyone?
4 Way Test - Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, Will it build goodwill and better friendships, Is it beneficial to all concerned.