RamaSchneider/test huggingface dataset:
The town built a pre-stressed concrete water storage tank that has a 675,000 gallon capacity. The resulting water pressures have cured the deficiencies in the system. The system has been producing a sufficient average, 27 to 28 million gallons per year. The storage capacity offers a buffer for peak demands during certain times of the year, Fire Department usage, or substantial leaks. With a possible maximum production of 576,000 gallons per day the system could easily meet double the current demand.
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has identified several Well-Head Protection Areas (WHPA) within Williamstown. (see Appendix II, Map 3) These areas are defined as "the surface and sub-surface area surrounding a spring of well water supplying a public water system through which contaminants are likely to move toward and reach such water supplies." A WHPA may also be referred to as a "recharge area", or in Vermont law as a "public water source protection area." The WHPA is divided into 3 zones that require increasing levels of source protection closest to the well. The DEC requires that municipalities develop a "source protection plan" designed to minimize contamination risks within these areas. The town has a Well Head protection policy that can be reviewed at the Williamstown town hall. Without zoning bylaws Williamstown has limited mechanisms to use for monitoring and restricting development, land uses, and activities from these sensitive zones. Preventative measures can save people's health, the town's money, and avoid water supply disruptions.
Williamstown village and some outlying areas are served by municipal sewer systems. Williamstown's own plant, constructed in 1969, currently serves about 360 customers. About 26 residences in Graniteville are served by the Barre Town system. Residents in both service districts are charged user fees for system maintenance and hook-up fees are required for new development. (Appendix II, Map 3 depicts the location of the town's sewer capabilities.)
The Williamstown sewer collection system has three pump stations located at Industrial Road, Business Park and Mountain View. The sewer system is a gravity collection system.
Treatment of the waste is by an aerated dual lagoon system located at the end of Vesper Street. The system has a design capacity of .150 million gallons per day (MGD), an average daily flow of .089 MGD, and a committed reserve of 6,948 MGD and an uncommitted reserve of 59,469 gallons. Its uncommitted reserve capacity could accommodate a little over 100 additional average single-family residences.
The residents of Williamstown voted by Australian ballot in 2015 to authorize a $1.7 million fund to refurbish Williamstown's Wastewater Treatment Facility. Over the past 45 years the facility has not gone through any major upgrades. Most of the equipment of WWTF is original and reaching the end of its useful life. This project addresses the following deficiencies:
Existing chlorine contact tank does not meet State design guidelines and the cinderblock baffling is falling
The limited headworks at the facility has caused issues with floatable materials and solids collecting in Lagoon No. 1
The aeration blowers and controls are original and inefficient as well as difficult to find replacement parts for. It is expected that upgrading the blowers will result in significant energy savings.
WILLIAMSTOWN TOWN PLAN JANUARY, 2016 PAGE 59
The refurbishment project will allow space allocated for the chemical storage required to provide phosphorous removal in the future as part of the Lake Champlain Daily Maximum Load (TDML) for phosphorous that is expected to be to be finalized. Construction of a new 800 sf Operations Building to replace the existing building will begin in 2016. It will have an expanded footprint for headworks screenings, a mechanical fine screen, bypass channel with bar rack and a Blower/Electrical Room. There will be chemical feed and storage space for disinfection and space for future phosphorous removal chemical storage. An Office/Lab space and restroom complete the building. The existing blowers will be replaced and a new chlorine tank will be constructed.
In the future, the treated sewerage discharge point for the system will be extended to the new bridge on Brockway Hill road to improve the discharge into a waterway with a higher flow rate. There are no known needs to replace sewer mains. Extension of the collection mains beyond the present service area would be the financial responsibility of a developer if capacity is not an issue. The service area, however, will be limited to the village area and have a clear boundary between the rural areas. The Graniteville area of Cogswell is served by a municipal sewer from Barre Town through an inter-municipal agreement.
b. On-Site
The majority of homes and buildings in Williamstown have on-site, underground seepage disposal, as about three quarters of the Williamstown population lives in rural areas outside of the service territories of Williamstown Wastewater Treatment Facility. The proper treatment of septic waste is essential to a clean and healthy environment. As our population grows, sanitary disposal will become more important. Effective June 14, 2002, all new subdivision of property must obtain a permit from the state certifying the adequacy of septic design. It is also important to note that as of 2002, applications for "performance based" systems (as opposed to conventional, leach area systems) may be used where ground slopes exceed 20%.
Please refer to the Department of Environmental Conservation's Environmental Protection for Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Rule for more information on "performance based" systems.
Most on-site septic systems require specific soils and site characteristics to enable the effective treatment of wastes. Where soils are impermeable, too permeable, shallow, or wet, or where slopes are steep, conventional septic systems are problematic and potentially hazardous. Accordingly, non-sewered areas displaying site limitations are not recommended for conventional on-site systems. Restricting such areas, however, intensifies development pressure on those soils, which can accommodate septic systems. Unfortunately, prime agricultural land often contains such soils. Clustered subdivisions with community septic systems may help overcome site limitations and simultaneously protect resource lands.
http://drinkingwater.vt.gov/wastewater/pdf/finalwspwsrules.effective2007.09.29.pdf
Williamstown and its residents receive electricity services from Green Mountain Power Company as well as Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc. There are currently numerous residents that are using alternative sources of power and are considered "off the grid". See Chapter 7 for further information regarding alternative energy opportunities and resources
A modem telecommunications system with high-speed connections is essential if Williamstown wants to enhance its business climate and meet the needs of its residents the existing businesses and create new ones. Due to the low density of population and Williamstown's rugged landscape, we will need a combination of cable and wireless service to ensure universal Internet access. These new technologies will help revitalize the town by enabling people to live in rural areas and still access their workplaces from their homes and do business around the world.
WILLIAMSTOWN TOWN PLAN JANUARY, 2016 PAGE 60
Currently, the town has a number of telecommunication facilities and towers located on Tower Road to accommodate the communication needs of residents and businesses. In 2002, Independent Wireless One Leased Reality Corp., NEXTEL constructed a cell phone tower off Stone Road in Williamstown.
The Federal Telecommunications Act (FTC) of 1996 does not allow governments to prohibit the construction of wireless facilities, or to make regulatory barriers so difficult as to effectively block service. According to law any installation, construction or modification of telecommunication facilities must go through the Act 250 process. Issues such as the aesthetic impact of the installation, fall zones, and the possibility for the creation of "attractive nuisances" should be addressed in this process.
C. Facilities
1. Municipal Buildings and Land
Williamstown town hall and offices are located in a municipally owned building on Route 14 in the center of the Williamstown Village. The building was constructed in 1853 and was originally 1 !/2 floors. It was raised another floor in the late 1800s. The Williamstown town hall is a fine example of the New England town halls built during the middle 1800s. In the 1980's it was lowered back to 1 1/2 floor and renovated to its current condition.
The town hall currently houses the Town Clerk, Town Manager, Town Treasurer and Lister's offices. There is also is a larger conference room used for a variety of public meetings, including those of the Select Board (Executive Sessions), Planning Commission, Cemetery Commission, Economic Development Committee, Transportation Committee, and Energy Committee. (The Select Board currently meets in the High School Library on the first and third Mondays of the month)
b. Public Safety Building
Constructed in 2012 -2013 and occupied in Feb, 2013 the PSB houses the Fire Department, Ambulance Services with offices for the Sheriff and State Police to use when in Williamstown.
The town garage is located on 77 Brockway Hill Road adjacent to Meadow Street. The building is occupied by a 5 person highway department. The building has a 16 x 22 foot office, a restroom, and a break room was added in 2002. Fuel is stored on site in underground gas and diesel tanks.
d. Historical Society Building
Staffed by volunteers, the Historical Society Building, located on Route 14 in the center of the village, opens primarily by appointment. The historical museum has a large collection of artifacts, pictures, and documents on display. It also offers monthly meetings May through October that inform the public on subjects from local folklore, to early photography, to old time fiddling. In 2002, the town voted to replace the roof with a new standing seam metal roof.
e. Old Town Landfill
A 93 acre site is located on the south end of the village with access to Vermont Route 14, the Stevens Branch flows along the easterly side of the property. The town closed a section of the site due to contamination problems. Currently, the property is not being used, but could be considered space for future outdoor opportunities. It is the current site of the the transfer station.
f. Ainsworth Public Library
Mrs. Laura Ainsworth donated the property and building for the Ainsworth Public Library in 1911. Once established, the town named the library after her. Throughout the years, the library has had many benefactors and volunteers, and many people have donated books and money to sustain its operation. The library is a town facility with a board and is supported by the community.
WILLIAMSTOWN TOWN PLAN JANUARY, 2016 PAGE 61
Today, the Ainsworth Public Library offers a variety of services including reference, special reading programs, Story Hour, Adopt- a-Book program, Inter-library Loan program, Internet access, Children's Room, special services to seniors (home delivery, computer tutorials, large print books and books on tape), and an extensive book collection of over eleven thousand volumes. Community members can find general information about the Town at the library. Library hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 2pm -6pm; Wednesday 9am - 6pm and Saturday 6pm -7pm.
g. Cemeteries
Williamstown has several cemeteries. Williamstown is responsible for three: West Hill, East Hill, and the Village Cemetery. Adams and Flint Cemeteries are privately owned and maintained by their owners. The Adams Cemetery is located on the Robert Boyce farm and consists of one gravestone. Flint Cemetery has 12 gravestones and is located off the Chelsea Road.
h. Recreational Resources
Williamstown's still very rural nature provides its residents with a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Snow shoe and cross-country skiing across local fields, snowmobiling on local trails maintained by the Billtown Moonshiners Snowmobile Club, horseback riding on back roads, sightseeing, and 4 wheeling on special trails are activities available in Williamstown. Sports are also important. Teams and clubs for basketball, baseball, and soccer are opportunities in town.
Facilities include Hoyt-Seaver Recreational Field (the Williamstown baseball/softball field), the Williamstown High School and Elementary School facilities and Saldi Field. Saldi Field space offers a basketball court, 3 soccer fields, playground, and restrooms. Events sponsored by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (V.A.S.T) and horse clubs bring many visitors to our Town.
Williamstown's best-kept secret is Ainsworth State Park, which is located at the south end of Town. This facility encompasses approximately 885 acres of land; 584 acres of which is in Williamstown. Its steep, densely wooded slopes rise from Williamstown Gulf on the east side of Route 14. Activities compatible with the parks primary goal of protecting biodiversity are encouraged and allowed (i.e., hunting, hiking, and fishing are allowed). Vermont Route 14 constitutes most of the western boundary of the park but offers little access. Additional access is available to hikers from the east via the South Hill Road and Winchester Hill Road. Ainsworth State Park's location and accessibility make it ideal for use as an outdoor educational classroom for resource managers, landowners, and for our children and adult learners to learn about our natural resources. The park is an extremely sensitive site with a rich diversity of plants.
The following is a list of other outdoor activities residents participate:
Nature walks, hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, horseback riding
Limehurst Pond (swimming, boating, camping, hiking)
Camp at Lotus Lake Day Camp, (educational program to tourists and local children)
Hunting and fishing
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D. Services
A five member Select Board has general supervision and control over town functions, including but not limited to: enacting ordinances and regulations; overseeing town property and personnel; preparing, presenting, and managing the budget; overseeing road maintenance; and maintenance of the property records. The town also operates the water and sewer facilities. The "green books" located in the town office are helpful regarding the laws relating to the Selectboard's authority.
The Selectboard hires a town manager to assist in managing the business of the town. The town manager is responsible for the daily operations of the town including developing and managing the town budget, grant writing, supervision of employees, community relations, care and maintenance of town roads and facilities, and intergovernmental relations. In 2004, residents affirmed their desire to keep the town manager form of government in Williamstown.
The town moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, cemetery commissioners, tax collectors, health officer, listers, library trustees, school directors, justices of the peace, planning commissioners, and a wealth of community volunteers also devote many hours serving our town. These community members act as advisors, helpers, and educators to their local governing body.
Unlike some states and larger cities, Williamstown's local government is still accessible to those who wish to participate. Traditional Town Meeting Day, the first Tuesday in March, is very important to Williamstown residents because it allows them to determine local issues and set local laws for themselves. Williamstown has no meetinghouse, so our town meetings are held in the Williamstown High School to discuss and vote on issues. While there is no local zoning, all state use and federal land use laws apply especially the flood land use laws.
The post office is located in the south end of Williamstown village and is set back from the road. With the reorganization of USPS, we are lucky to still have a Post Office. Williamstown needs to be proactive with our State and Federal Representatives to insure the Post Office remains in Town.
Williamstown currently has an animal control officer. Random Rescue 140 Casino Road Williamstown, VT (802) 433-5912
The Orange County Sheriff's Department provides police protection through an annual contract. In 2014 the Orange County Sheriff's Department provided a wide variety of proactive and reactive services in the town of Williamstown. In addition to the town contract, the Sheriff's office utilized funding from grants and other sources to provide Williamstown with law enforcement presence.
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The Sheriff's office responded to 256 calls for service in Williamstown. The nature of these calls varied including burglaries, larcenies, vandalisms, domestic problems, juvenile problems sex crimes and traffic problems. Some of the bigger issues in 2014 were motor vehicle complaints, suspicious persons, thefts and citizen assists/ disputes. The Sheriffs in Williamstown wrote over 115 traffic tickets amounting to over $20,000.00 in fines. DUI Patrols and safety check points were conducted in Williamstown at various times of the year.
The Vermont State Police also provide law enforcement within Williamstown through their normal delivery of service.
The Williamstown Fire Department was formally organized in February of 1911. The new Public Safety Building houses the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Department. Currently there are 24 volunteers. In January 2014, William Graham became the new fire Chief and with a new chief came changes; the Fire Department's Standard Operating Procedures and Rules and Regulations were updated in the Spring of 2014. Every firefighter must now complete a new driver check list before driving an apparatus to emergency calls.
On the back roads and Interstate 89 two pieces of apparatus are being deployed resulting in safer responses to accidents. The main rescue truck is sent to the accident scene and the other truck sets up traffic control behind the accident scene. The department responded to 40 accidents this year and the changes saw improved safety at accident scenes. After the recent floods a new trash pump was purchased. Inventory of all equipment was taken eliminating what the Fire Department doesn't use as well as identifying new equipment needed.
New chains saws were purchased for Engine 2 and the Tanker. A request for a fire hose reserve fund was made. The District receives assistance and back-up when needed from members Regional Mutual Aid System. In 2014 Williamstown Fire Department responded to 9 mutual aid calls.
If you have questions on safe burning of debris and permits you must contact:
Assistant Fire Warden: Mike St. Lawrence at 802-477-2021 (First contact)
Fire Warden: William Graham 802-793-7414
The Enhanced 911 Board supervises the operation of Vermont's Enhanced 911 system. The Board trains and certifies the 911 call-takers, maintains a statewide Global Information System (GIS) database and disseminates information about 911. The board depends on regular information updates from municipalities to ensure complete coverage.
http://e911.vermont.gov/911_and_you/everyone know
http://e911.vermont.gov/sites/e911/files/pdf/E911-Municipal Responsibilities.pdf
Volunteers and full time personal support the Williamstown Ambulance service, spending many hours serving the community. These members sponsor emergency medical courses, community awareness programs, and respond to emergency calls.
The ambulance service recorded 374 services in fiscal year 2014. The following is a summary of those services: 208 patients were transported to hospital by the ambulance services, 31 responses with the Fire Department, 29 refusals of transport, 21 accident transports, 14 lift assists, 11 Life Line activation, 13 special events, 5 standbys per Vermont State Police, 4 deaths, 4 mutual aid responses and 19 mutual aid received.
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5. Health and Wellness
Private and public health care providers, located throughout the Washington and Orange County areas, serves Williamstown. Service providers include the Clara Martin Center and Washington County Mental Health for mental health needs, Washington County Youth Services Bureau/Boys and Girls Club, Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Central Vermont Council on Aging, Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, and the People's Health and Wellness Clinic. All healthcare services are located outside of Williamstown except for a chiropractor's office and an ambulance service.
The Williamstown Health Officer's Report indicated a range of issues presented for investigation. Residents complaints consisted of such issues as, dog bites, garbage and refuse disposal, environmental sampling for testing, septic sewage disposal and pesticide use. In 2014 Williamstown adopted an Ordinance regulating solid waste which now allows the Town to require the removal of solid wastes from properties to protect the public health.
The shortage of reliable and affordable childcare has become a barrier for many Williamstown residents trying to enter the workplace. The cost of childcare has increased due to the increased cost of living, liability insurance, and supplies. Childcare is difficult to find, especially for infant and school-aged care. A Child Care resource and referral agency that can help citizens with their search for childcare is located at the Family Center of Washington County at (802) 828-8771. Additionally, the Williamstown Elementary Preschool Program provides limited childcare services between 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Vermont's waste management law, Act 78, requires municipalities to plan for the management and disposal of solid waste, and provides for region-wide coordination. The town is a member of the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District (CVSWMD). The District reports that Williamstown residents generate many tons of solid waste each year. CVSWMD is responsible for planning solid waste disposal and ensuring that residents and businesses recycle selected waste materials. They provide leadership, education, and services for residents and businesses in reducing and managing their solid waste in order to protect public health and the environment to the greatest extent.
Our Town Plan seeks to maintain a clean, wholesome and attractive environment for our citizens and for those that visit and enjoy our town as tourists,. The siting of salvage yards within our community would be inconsistent with the goals of our Town Plan and Solid Waste Ordinance.
E. Organizations
Williamstown's faith-based communities are housed in the most charming buildings in Williamstown. These include the Williamstown United Federated Church, Congregational/Methodist, Main Street; Saint Edwards Catholic Church on Beckett Street; and Williamstown Lutheran Church on Graniteville road. The interdenominational Grace Christian Church meets at the Williamstown Methodist Church. All of these churches retain their architectural character and appear untouched by time.
The town's tower clock is located on the top of the Congregational Church. In 1921, Mr. Bert C Hoyt, a local sawmill owner, donated the E. Howard tower clock to the town of Williamstown. In 1998, the town had the clock's mechanisms and dials restored.
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Good citizenship is one of Williamstown's greatest strengths and there are numerous examples, including, church members helping neighbors who need a helping hand, dinners for the elderly, Christmas Tea for the Adopt-a-Family program, the Billtown Moonshiners Snowmobile Club have donated many hours and equipment to the community, and The Garden's Art Exhibition/Holiday Party.
In the late summer of 2013, representatives of the three churches in the village held a meeting and established a steering committee to develop a Food Shelf and possibly other assistance that combined the emergency pantry/emergency assistance programs of these churches to be able to help a larger number of those in need.