In this Newsletter (Scroll down for details)
Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department annual auction
Free COVID test kits
Job posting – carpenter
Annual Book Sale at Mettowee Community School
West Pawlet waste water payment assistance program
Town clerk updated office hours
Pawlet Public Library hours of operation
Pawlet Volunteer Network
Did you know?
Helping Hands
Healthy Meals at the Pawlet Food Pantry
Pawlet Community Church
SVCOA shopping service for older Vermonters
Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region
Highway Department — contact information

Upcoming Events & Important dates for June
(scroll down toward the end of the newsletter for details)
July 28: Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department annual auction
July 30-31: Annual Book Sale at Mettowee Community School
August 2: Public Library Monthly Board Meeting
August 9: Select Board Meeting
August 11: Historical Society Monthly Board Meeting
August 12: Pawlet Library Children’s Concert Series
August 22: Planning Commission Meeting
August 23: Select Board Meeting
September 6: Public Library Monthly Board Meeting
September 6: Select Board Meeting
September 8: Historical Society Monthly Board Meeting
September 9: Pawlet Library Children’s Concert Series
September 10: Pawlet Library Second Seed Saturdays: Pollinators & Native Plants

Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department annual auction
The Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department’s annual auction makes its return this year on Thursday, July 28th!  Beginning at 5:30 PM, come register to bid and grab food, beverages, and sweets. Bidding begins at 6:00 PM under the tent.  Interested in donating items?  Reach out to us at 802-325-3222 or look for more info on our website www.pawletfire.org including item drop off, pickup, and approved products.  All proceeds benefit Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department in their mission to provide world class service and training to the town, its members, and the surrounding community.

Free COVID test kits
The Vermont Department of Health has supplied the town with COVID at home test kits to distribute to the public. They are available at the town hall and the library free of charge. The expiration date on the kits say 4/1/2022, but the Department of Health has extended that date to 10/31/2022.

Job posting – carpenter
The Pawlet Select Board is seeking a qualified, insured and licensed carpenter for improvement projects on historic building(s) in the town. More information will be posted on the website and on Front Porch Forum in the coming days.

Annual Book Sale at Mettowee Community School
July 30 & 31
Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

With more than 20,000 new and used books for sale, the Pawlet Public Library’s annual book sale is one of the largest in New England. The sale, now in its 54th year, is expected to attract book lovers from Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Admission is free.

All books are sorted and arranged on tables with signage to make browsing easy. Category tables include fiction and mystery, rare books, young adult and children’s books, plus non-fiction books on art, history, biographies, cooking, gardening and health to name a few.

Other offerings include DVDs, CDs, audio books, VHS tapes, record albums, puzzles and games.On Saturday, hardcover books are $2, trade soft covers are $1, paperbacks are 25 cents, and children’s hardcovers are $1. Rare books are priced individually throughout the weekend.

Sunday is Bag Sale Day. Just pay by the bagful all day long. Credit cards are accepted. Shoppers are advised to bring bags or boxes in order to cart home their treasures.

The Pawlet Public Library is community oriented, serving two villages, Pawlet and West Pawlet, with a
combined population of about 1,400, spread over 43 square miles of bucolic countryside. All proceeds of the sale benefit the programs of the Library, which is located on School Street in Pawlet. For more information, find us at pawletpubliclibrary.wordpress.com, like us on Facebook @ pawletpubliclibrary

West Pawlet waste water payment assistance program
Attention West Pawlet Wastewater users!

The Town of Pawlet is now participating in the Household Water Assistance Program through the State of Vermont’s Economic Services Division. If you make less than 60 percent of the median state income and are having a hard time paying your wastewater fees, this program may be able to help out. Visit this website https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/water-assistance to get instructions and an application. You must include a copy of your wastewater bill with the application. For questions about the Water Assistance Program, call 1-800-339-6433.

Town Office
The town offices are open but appointments need to be made ahead of time for land record and genealogical research.  Per decision of the board at the 7/26/2022 select board meeting, masking in the building is still required at this time but will be re-evaluated every 30 days.

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 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?
According to the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s 2021 report, our state has 15,765 miles of roads. Of that, 8,593 is dirt roads. Make sure you thank the road crew for the roads they have to maintain!

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/

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

—July 28, 5:30 p.m.— Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department annual auction
The Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department’s annual auction makes its return this year. Come register to bid and grab food, beverages, and sweets. Bidding begins at 6:00 PM under the tent.  Interested in donating items?  Reach out to us at 802-325-3222 or look for more info on our website www.pawletfire.org including item drop off, pickup, and approved products.  All proceeds benefit Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department in their mission to provide world class service and training to the town, its members, and the surrounding community.

— July 30-31 — Annual Book Sale at Mettawee Community School
Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— August 2, 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.

— August 9, 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.

— August 11, 7:00 p.m. — Pawlett Historical Society Monthly Board Meeting

— August 12, 10:30 a.m. — Children Concert Series
Go Bananas with the BenAnna Band. Pawlet Public Library

— August 22, 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.

— August 23, 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.

— September 6, 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.

— September 6, 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.

— September 8, 7:00 p.m. — Pawlett Historical Society Monthly Board Meeting

— September 9, 10:30 a.m. — Children Concert Series
Go Bananas with the BenAnna Band. Pawlet Public Library

— September 10, 11 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Second Seed Saturdays
Nancy Bernier will present a talk about “Pollinators and Native Plants.” A potluck will follow.

More News and Updates

Join Front Porch Forum for another way to get your Pawlet news. Check it out at http://FrontPorchForum.com/. It’s free and it’s local.

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.