A few timely items have emerged on evictions, reporting flood damage and school vaccinations and masking guidance.
Federally mandated pause on some evictions
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an order that may continue to prevent evictions for qualified tenants through October 3, 2021. It is possible, perhaps even likely, that there will be a court challenge to this federal order. Vermont housing officials have clarified that landlords should abide by the current order.
For tenants, each of the following must be true in order to qualify and you must file a declaration.
- income level qualifies for the reasons explained above.
- live in a U.S. county experiencing substantial or high rates of community transmission levels of SARS-CoV-2.
- make timely partial payments that are as close as possible to the full payment and to get government assistance in making rent or housing payments.
- If evicted, have no other available housing options
Unless you come to an agreement with landlord, you are still responsible for rent, back rent, and any fees, penalties or interest under my lease and must still follow the conditions of the lease.
The Biden Administration Plans a New Moratorium After a Federal Ban Lapse
Flood damage? Call 2-1-1
Flood damage? Call 2-1-1 To report home and private property damage caused by the recent flooding in Southern Vermont, call 2-1-1. If you receive an automated message, please leave your contact information to receive a call back from VT211 staff. If calling on WiFi, please dial 866-652-4636 to reach VT211 staff. Reporting damage assists with understanding the full scope of the disaster as well as referrals for emergency issues.
FIRST WAVE OF SCHOOL-BASED VACCINATION CLINICS AHEAD OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced a series of new walk-in vaccination clinics that will be open at schools across Vermont next week. You can either walk-in, or you can also visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to guarantee your spot by making an appointment online or by phone.
The best way to keep your child healthy – and to ensure a smooth return to full, in person learning – is to make sure they are vaccinated. The vaccines are safe and highly effective, including against the Delta variant. With school just a few weeks away, now is the time to start the vaccination process.
School-based vaccination clinics will be available throughout the state into the fall. The schedule for southern Vermont local clinics available next week is outlined below. The hours for these clinics can be found at the Department of Health’s website: healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine. Please check back for details as more clinics are added.
Monday, August 9
Springfield High School, 303 South Street, Springfield
Tuesday, August 10
Manchester Elementary, 80 Memorial Ave., Manchester
Wednesday, August 11
Twin Valley Middle and High School, 4299 VT Route 100, Whitingham
Thursday, August 12
Burr and Burton Academy, 57 Seminary Ave, Manchester
Make an appointment for a free vaccine
You can also walk-in at CVS, Hannaford Food and Drug, Walmart, Walgreens, Price Chopper/Market 32, Rite Aid, Shaw’s Supermarket, or Costco or get an appointment with Kinney Drugs, CVS, Walgreens, Northfield Pharmacy, or UVMMC Outpatient Pharmacies.
Masks Guidance for Schools from AOE and Vermont Department of Health
To allow school districts time to calculate the percentage of currently eligible students who have received two doses of a two-dose vaccine, schools should require universal masking for all students and staff when indoors for the first 10 instructional days of the school year. Currently, all Vermonters ages 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.
- Following the first 10 instructional days of the school year, masks should no longer be required for all those eligible for vaccination when the vaccination rate (two doses of a two-dose vaccine) among students is equal to or greater than 80% of the school’s currently eligible population.
- Masks should be required indoors for students younger than 12, who are not eligible to be vaccinated at this time.
- Masks, when required, may be removed when needed for instructional or operational purposes.
- Masks are currently required for all passengers on buses per federal regulation, regardless of age or vaccination status.
- Masks should not be required outdoors.
- Guidance will be updated when vaccine eligibility expands.
Vet to Vet Volunteer Visitor Program from the Council on Aging
Have you served in the U.S. Armed Services? Do you remember the “Buddy System” in boot camp? Do you know a veteran? Can you spare a few hours a week to spend with another veteran? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, this article is for you.
As we grow older we often become less able to get out and participate in all the activities we enjoy. It becomes more difficult to visit with old friends and attend community functions. Walking in the woods, going to coffee hour at the American Legion, enjoying the simple pleasures of a visit with a friend is much easier with a buddy. It was with that in mind that the Brattleboro American Legion in partnership with Senior Solutions, the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont. Created the Vet to Vet Visitor Program. Both visitors and recipients are warmly invited to join this program. The only requirement is that you must be a veteran.
To guide the direction of this partnership in implementing goals and activities, a Veterans Advisory Council has been formed which is comprised of veterans from Windham and Windsor Counties. They will be keeping the focus on the veteran perspectives and values and making sure that all veterans will feel included in the program. Senior Solutions provides office support and resources since we have a volunteer program,experience and staff. This enables the Veterans Advisory Council and the Veteran Volunteers to concentrate on the important implementation of visiting with the aging and disabled veterans.
The Vet to Vet Visitor Program expands on our veterans’ dedication to service. By matching those who have the time and ability to visit, talk, and enjoy activities with other veterans who may be limited in mobility or ability to drive, or just miss the companionship of other veterans, both parties benefit from being matched as buddies. There may be occasions when an older veteran may be a buddy to a younger veteran. Both men and women are encouraged to participate. There is no requirement that any of the veterans belong to a VFW or American Legion Post or any other military affiliation.
The Traveling Vietnam Wall coming to Brattleboro’s Flex Field (off Exit 3 of Rte. 91) from the 16th – 21st of this September. This will create many opportunities to visit it and celebrate the many contributions that veterans have made to our nation and communities. The dedication of veterans continues to this day. Several of our current Vet to Vet volunteers have extended their services to non-veterans in their communities who found themselves in need. Sharing this information with the public is crucial both to acknowledge the work these volunteers perform and to make sure that communities are aware of this resource. Of course, we need more volunteers and participants so the program can grow and expand into every town and village in Windham and Windsor Counties.
You can join this amazing team by calling 802-885-2669 and expressing your desire to become a Volunteer Veteran Visitor or perhaps become a participant. Our Senior Solutions intake operators will relay your request to our Volunteer Coordinatorand you will receive a call to both thank you for contacting us and to make sure we get started in processing your application. There is no federal government oversight. This is a totally grass roots operation with no economic qualifications. The Vet to Vet Program is a simple and pure volunteer effort to work with a special segment of our population who have given so much to us all.
Public Workshops: Comprehensive Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan
The Department of Public Service will host a series of sector-specific technical workshops, in partnership with members of the Cross-Sector Mitigation subcommittee of the Vermont Climate Council to support the development of the Comprehensive Energy Plan and Climate Action Plan. These forums will be held virtually on Zoom with an in-person option at the Department of Public Service.
Each workshop will include a mix of presentations and facilitated discussion sessions.
The dates and participation details for the workshops are:
- Electric Sector Workshop: August 10, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Thermal/Buildings Workshop: August 19, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Transportation Workshop: Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
To participate in any of these Workshops
- Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6050832511
- To Join by Phone: dial (929) 205-6099 enter Meeting ID: 605 083 2511#
- One tap mobile: +19292056099,,6050832511#
- In-person option: Department of Public Service, 112 State Street in Montpelier, Giga Meeting Room Third Floor
The agendas for each sector workshop and the meeting etiquette information will be posted on the CEP website:
https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/2022-plan
Please RSVP to PSD.ComprehensiveEnergyPlan@vermont.govif you plan to attend.
Many thanks to the Wardsboro and Dover Public Libraries who have agreed to allow me to host monthly in person public office hours at the Wardsboro library on the 3rd Thursdays from 6-7 pm beginning August 19th and at the Dover library and on the 3rd Tuesdays from 6-7 pm beginning August 17th. I will also host a monthly online office hours on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 11-noon beginning August 21st – you can join this online meeting here or by calling +1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 734 376 857 Passcode: 003089.
As always, if you have suggestions, concerns or critiques please be in touch so we can schedule time to discuss them.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, or if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us. Follow my regular posts online at http://www.laurasibiliavt.com
Kind regards,
Rep. Laura Sibilia
Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg, Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro, Whitingham
Vermont State Representative Laura Sibilia 