In this Newsletter (Scroll down for details)
Warning for Virtual Annual Meeting
Town clerk updated office hours
Pawlet Volunteer Network
Did you know?
Helping Hands update/request
Healthy Meals at the Pawlet Food Pantry
Pawlet Community Church Update
SVCOA shopping service for older Vermonters
Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region
Town Office — scheduling an appointment
Highway Department — contact information

Upcoming Events & Important dates for February/March
(scroll down to the end of the newsletter for details)

February 1: Public Library Monthly Board Meeting
February 7: Mettawee School Board Meeting
February 8: Select Board Meeting
February 10: Historical Society Monthly Board Meeting
February 22: Select Board Meeting
February 23: Mettawee Annual Meeting
February 28: Planning Commission Meeting
February 28: Virtual Annual Meeting
March 1: Public Library Monthly Board Meeting
March 1: Town Meeting Day
March 8: Select Board Meeting
March 10: Historical Society Monthly Board Meeting
March 14: Mettawee School Board Meeting
March 22: Select Board Meeting
March 28: Planning Commission Meeting

Virtual Annual Meeting and Town Meeting Day

The legal voters of the Town of Pawlet are hereby warned and notified to meet Virtual Via Zoom on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7:00 PM to act upon any business not involving voting by Australian Ballot or voting required by law to be done by ballot; said meeting to be adjourned and to reconvene in the Town Hall in said town on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 to vote for Town Officers and to transact any business involving voting by Australian Ballot to begin at 9:00 AM and to close at 7:00 PM.

To see how to participate in the Virtual Annual Meeting or to review the full list of articles to be voted on during Town Meeting Day, please click HERE.

Town clerk office hours
Monday: 10 AM – 3 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM – 3 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM – 3 PM (office/home)
Thursday: 10 AM – 1 PM
Friday — closed

Pawlet Public Library updated hours of operation
Sunday – Closed
Monday – Closed
Tuesday 11:30am-5:00pm
Wednesday 11:30am – 5:00pm
Thursday 11:30am-5:00pm
Friday 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm

Curbside service is available by appointment on the days the Library is open. Contact the Library staff at 802-325-3123 or pawletpub@gmail.com.

Pawlet Volunteer Network
The Pawlet Library launched the “Pawlet Volunteer Network” in September 2020. The network is a way for community members to find volunteer opportunities around town. There are opportunities for a range of ages, abilities and interests. It’s a wonderful way to get reconnected with the community. For information on what’s available, visit the website HERE.

Did you know?
The first town meeting was held in Bennington, Vermont, in 1762.

Helping Hands – update and request
Friends and Neighbors Supporting Each Other

In March of 2020, the Helping Hands program started to provide meals and help to those whose lives were affected by COVID.  A year later, it is still going!  More recently, a group from the community has been meeting and talking about what other needs there might be in the Pawlet Community that we, as neighbors and community members, could help with.

Pawlet FANs…Friends and Neighbors Supporting Each Other could be a way for us to hear about needs within the community and then be able to assist people to find the resources and help they need.   Resources are abundant in our county; and yet, we are aware that there are people who do not have access to those resources.

How can you help?

• Help us to identify needs!

Are you aware of needs in our community that are currently unmet?

• Be a volunteer!

Would you be willing to volunteer to help within our community?

Volunteers may be needed to help with transportation, pick up groceries, reach out with a phone call or visit, and more!

We would love to hear from you!

If you know of someone who could use some support or assistance OR if you would like to volunteer, contact Nancy Bryant (325.3172/ milaurafarm@yahoo.com).

A Helping Hand in Pawlet
A Helping Hand in Pawlet: FREE meals are available for those struggling to make ends meet. Meals are prepared by Mach’s Market every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

Menus are posted each week on Front Porch Forum and on facebook/McChesneyRealEstateInc.

To reserve a meal, call Nancy Bryant at 802-325-3172 from 10 am to 12 pm THE DAY BEFORE (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) for pick up from 5 to 5:30 pm the next day.

All the work of the Food Pantry and Helping Hands distribution is 100% volunteer. All funds go to pay for food.

Those who can are asked to make a tax-deductible donation to support this valuable outreach to our neighbors. Send checks payable to Pawlet Community Church Food Pantry, c/o Timothy Bryant, 337 Milaura Lane, Pawlet, Vermont 05761.

Healthy Meals at the Pawlet Food Pantry
Frozen prepared meals, healthy and free, are available at the food pantry for those in need every fourth Friday of each month (third Friday in December), 9 AM-12 PM, at the Pawlet Community Church, junction of Routes 30 & 133 in Pawlet Village. Know someone in need who can’t make it to the pick up? We can help! Call: 802-867-2409. Meals are provided by The Grateful Hearts non-profit food program.

Pawlet Community Church Update
Our food pantry has been coordinating our “Helping Hands” meals program, which continues providing meals to those in need. We expect this program continue for quite some time. Mach’s Market and The Barn Restaurant have been preparing the meals that are being paid for by many donations from members of our community. Our supportive community and their donations also allow us to offer healthy meals through our food pantry and emergency fuel assistance. Information on these programs can be found below. We invite you to help support the programs if you’re able. Thank you so much!

SVCOA Offers Shopping Service for Older Vermonters
Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging has started a new grocery and supply shopping service to support older Vermonters in Bennington and Rutland counties during the COVID-19 issue. The shopping service, which is supported by vetted SVCOA volunteers, is available to anyone age 60 or over, as well as eligible younger disabled individuals. If you or someone you know is interested in accessing the shopping service, or if you’re interested in volunteering, please call SVCOA at 802-786-5990 and ask to speak with Ellen Green. For more information about SVCOA, visit www.svcoa.org.

Update from Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region
Don’t hesitate to call 888-989-8707 for appointments and for any questions you have regarding your health. Check their website for more details, hours and locations https://www.chcrr.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CommunityHealthVT/

Town Office
The Town Office continues to be closed to walk-in traffic, but we are making appointments.  Please call ahead and be aware masks are required to enter the building. For more information see the Town Clerk’s page. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Highway Department
The Town of Pawlet Highway Department requests that citizens do not come to the town garage to contact them. Please phone and leave a message: 802-325-3467.

Upcoming Events Details

— February 1, 6:00 p.m. — Pawlet Public Library Monthly Board Meeting
The Library Board meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM. The meetings are open to the public; please contact the library for more information on how to join the meeting at 325-3123.

— February 7, Mettawee School Board Meeting 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Information for participating will be available HERE one week before the meeting takes place.

— February 8, 7:00 p.m. — Pawlet Select Board Meeting
Meetings are currently back to being in-person.  The agenda for the next meeting is available HERE. The Board meets every other Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Meetings are held according to the rules of procedure established by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

— February 10, 7:00 p.m. — Pawlett Historical Society Monthly Board Meeting

— February 22, 7:00 p.m. — Pawlet Select Board Meeting
The agenda for the next meeting will be available HERE. The Board meets every other Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Meetings are held according to the rules of procedure established by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

— February 23, Mettawee Annual Meeting 7 – 9 p.m.
Information will be available HERE.

— February 28, 7 p.m. — Virtual Annual Meeting

The legal voters of the Town of Pawlet are hereby warned and notified to meet Virtual Via Zoom on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7:00 PM to act upon any business not involving voting by Australian Ballot or voting required by law to be done by ballot; said meeting to be adjourned and to reconvene in the Town Hall in said town on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 to vote for Town Officers and to transact any business involving voting by Australian Ballot to begin at 9:00 AM and to close at 7:00 PM.

To see how to participate in the Virtual Annual Meeting or to review the full list of articles to be voted on during Town Meeting Day, please click HERE.

— February 28, 7:30 p.m. — Pawlet Planning Commission Meeting
The Planning Commission usually meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 PM; meetings have returned to being held in-person. The agenda for the next monthly meeting will be available on the town website HERE. Meetings are held according to the rules of procedure established by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

— March 1, 6:00 p.m. — Pawlet Public Library Monthly Board Meeting
The Library Board meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM. The meetings are open to the public; please contact the library for more information on how to join the meeting at 325-3123.

— March 1, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. —Town Meeting Day
Town Hall in said town on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 to vote for Town Officers and to transact any business involving voting by Australian Ballot to begin at 9:00 AM and to close at 7:00 PM.

To see how to participate in the Virtual Annual Meeting or to review the full list of articles to be voted on during Town Meeting Day, please click HERE.

— March 8, 7:00 p.m. — Pawlet Select Board Meeting
The agenda for the next meeting will be available HERE. The Board meets every other Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Meetings are held according to the rules of procedure established by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

— March 10, 7:00 p.m. — Pawlett Historical Society Monthly Board Meeting

— March 14, Mettawee School Board Meeting 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Information for participating will be available HERE one week before the meeting takes place.

— March 22, 7:00 p.m. — Pawlet Select Board Meeting
The agenda for the next meeting will be available HERE. The Board meets every other Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Meetings are held according to the rules of procedure established by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

— March 28, 7:30 p.m. — Pawlet Planning Commission Meeting
The Planning Commission usually meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 PM; meetings have returned to being held in-person. The agenda for the next monthly meeting will be available on the town website HERE. Meetings are held according to the rules of procedure established by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

More News and Updates

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The Pawlet eNews is published every three to four weeks. Please forward any information for the eNews to Sean Ruck, updates@pawlet.vt.gov Thank you.