Monthly Archives: September 2016

Mother-in-law’s irreplaceable photos returned in Malletts Bay

Posted on Friday, September 30, 2016 by No comments yet

“My mother-in-law set her camera down on the second bench over from the swing in the Bayside park in Malletts Bay around 11:00am Wednesday. She is here for the week and we would love to get that camera back for her! It’s full of family pictures that are not replaceable or printed out! If you have any information saw it or picked it up please let me know!”
• Colby, Colchester Front Porch Forum

“We got the lost camera back today! Thank you Derek for all of your help! She couldn’t be more thrilled to have those memories returned! Thank you thank you thank you!”
• Colby, Colchester FPF, next day

Amazed by Charlotte neighbors’ generosity

Posted on Thursday, September 29, 2016 by No comments yet

“As others have posted, I am amazed at the many responses to my request posted on our Front Porch Forum. So many wonderful people responded to my request to use a pick-up truck — and many stating ‘no charge, just helping a neighbor’ or simply ‘please pay it forward.’ I love this spirit of helping and cooperating with one another. We are so happy that we moved to Vermont two years ago. Thank you all — and you know who you are.”
• Lisa, Charlotte FPF

Farewell Essex… Hello Northeast Kingdom

Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 by No comments yet

“Since the beginning of this Front Porch Forum I have met many new friends and found things to do that I otherwise would not have known about. As of this weekend, I will no longer be on this Forum as I am moving to the Northeast Kingdom. It has been an enjoyable time, and it was wonderful meeting and interacting with everyone on here.”
• Donna, Rural Essex FPF

How do YOU find a lost bird?

Posted on Monday, September 26, 2016 by No comments yet

Front Porch Forum helped us recover a lost bird this summer. How else can you EVER recover a lost bird thanks!”
• Vic, Moretown FPF

Montpelier night drone looking in windows?

Posted on Monday, September 26, 2016 by No comments yet

“Drone flying late at night – if you are flying your drone right now in the First Avenue/Hubbard Street area- knock it off. It’s 10:40 pm and completely disrespectful to be hovering drones outside people’s bedroom windows. This was not a mere flyby, but extended hovering.”
• Stephen, Montpelier Front Porch Forum

“This post was disturbing. I didn’t realize it was legal for people to fly drones around other peoples’ property, let along hovering near windows. Can the City comment on this re regulation or someone from the state comment if there is state legislation? Thanks.”
• Kathy, Montpelier FPF

“It’s legal to use a shotgun here in Montpelier to hunt.Pretty easy to blast it ! lol”
• John, Montpelier FPF

“It may be legal to shoot a shotgun in Montpelier, but downright stupid to fire into the air. What goes up also comes down with the possibility of injury to property or people.”
• Ken, Montpelier FPF

“We’ve been following the report of drone use in the city and have received a few direct calls about nuisance or inappropriate use. We’re compiling information from the Federal Aviation Administration and Vermont Agency of Transportation regarding the regulation of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to shared at a later date. Please see the FAA website on drones below: https://www.faa.gov/uas/ Please contact the Montpelier Police Department if you have a concern about drone use within the city limits so we may respond and investigate. The municipal ordinance regarding the use of firearms in the City of Montpelier is included below and does not permit the use of firearms against drones. ARTICLE V. USE OF FIREARMS, BB GUNS, BOW AND ARROWS, AND SIMILAR WEAPONS. Sec. 11-500. USE OF ARMS. No person shall discharge or fire or cause to be discharged, or fired, any revolver, pistol, rifle, shotgun, air rifle, BB gun, or other similar firearm or weapon within the limits of the city of Montpelier. This prohibition shall not apply to the use of firearms or weapons by any duly constituted police officer or other public official when such use is reasonably necessary in the performance of his duties as such officer or official; nor shall it apply to the use of shotgun, air rifle, or BB gun, by a hunter in the active pursuit of game, except that such shotgun shall not be used with ammunition containing a single slug, pellet or missile in any one cartridge or shell, nor shall either shotgun or air rifle be discharged within a distance of 200 yards from any building and shooting within 100 yards of an accepted street or highway, and provided further that this ordinance shall not prevent the discharge of firearms on any properly constructed firing range or in the conduct of a contest, shoot, meet, or game when reasonable precautions are taken for the protection of the public safety; nor shall it prevent the use of firearms for the disposal of vermin when permission for such use has been first obtained from the Chief of Police of the City of Montpelier. If you have any questions please contact me…”
• Officer Philbrick, Montpelier Police Dept., Montpelier FPF

“There is no city ordinance that addresses drones per se, but there is one that addresses the use of firearms. Sec. 11-500 of the Montpelier Ordinance Code states: ‘No person shall discharge or fire or cause to be discharged, or fired, any revolver, pistol, rifle, shotgun, air rifle, BB gun, or other similar firearm or weapon within the limits of the city of Montpelier. This prohibition shall not apply to … the use of shotgun, air rifle, or BB gun, by a hunter in the active pursuit of game, except that such shotgun shall not be used with ammunition containing a single slug, pellet or missile in any one cartridge or shell, nor shall either shotgun or air rifle be discharged within a distance of 200 yards from any building and shooting within 100 yards of an accepted street or highway,…nor shall it prevent the use of firearms for the disposal of vermin when permission for such use has been first obtained from the Chief of Police of the City of Montpelier.’ So it appears that since Montpelier is so densely populated, there are very few places that a firearm can be legally discharged, even in the pursuit of game, because of the compact spacing of homes and streets.”
• Ken, Montpelier FPF

“In lieu of a shotgun maybe get out the hose, press your thumb against the nozzle, and wash it away.”
• Ivan, Montpelier FPF

“DO NOT ATTACK DRONES (unless you are at immediate risk of harm from the device). Unmanned Arial Aircraft is the formal designation for what we commonly call ‘drones’ by the FAA. These drones have specific restrictions on their use, such as line-of-sight operation, service ceiling restrictions, and certain limitations on where they can be operated. They are fully allowed to fly in unrestricted airspace, which generally includes all property over the tips of the grass. The owner who is flying line-of-sight cannot trespass however. They are however FAA protected aircraft with some of the same rights as a small Cessna or Bell helicopter flying over your house. They are federally protected, and damaging, destroying, or attempting to cause harm to any aircraft is a FEDERAL CRIME, the same as shooting at an airplane. Do NOT attempt to damage a Drone when in flight. There are numerous examples of folks attacking drones and, at the very least, having to pay out of pocket for possibly very expensive (>$1000) drones. 15 seconds of spraying water, shooting with a BB Gun, tossing rocks etc at a drone could cost you $1000. Your only recourse is call the police or address the operator/owner. Montpelier has ordinances for disturbing the peace and generating disturbances, and the State has laws against voyeurism.”
• Stan, Montpelier FPF

Not smart to steal in view of Calais game camera

Posted on Monday, September 26, 2016 by No comments yet

“To the persons that stole my tree stand and ladder located high in a tree behind John’s house but on Rick’s property (thank you both): I am a nice person and believe those who steal are clearly idiots or just having an idiotic moment. Either way, when in woods near a tree stand, tagged multiple times with owner’s name and address, one should smile more, you know, for the game camera set up near the stand.  I want to believe you were doing me a favor in taking down my stand to deliver to my address.  I am even willing to give you until Monday before I report you and your photos to the state police.  See, I really am a nice person, but I want my tree stand back.  Bring it back to where you found it, put it the near the tree, or bring to my house and I will not file charges. I will pray for you though, either way… You need that more than my tree stand.”
• Candi, Calais Front Porch Forum

Ferrisburgh community kindness

Posted on Sunday, September 25, 2016 by No comments yet

“Hello. My sister is coming for a visit from Illinois soon. She is handicapped with multiple sclerosis and cannot walk more than a few steps. We have lovely gardens we wish she could see close up. In Illinois, she uses her golf cart extensively and we wish to provide her one here for a week. If anyone has a golf cart we can use, we would be happy to rent it. Thanking you in advance for your help.”
• Mona, Ferrisburgh FPF

“Thanks to all of you who responded to our need for a golf cart for my handicapped sister. I truly never cease to be amazed at the community kindness I have experienced since joining Front Porch Forum. A new friend offered her golf cart to use.  Thanks again.”
• Mona, Ferrisburgh FPF, next day

Random act of kindness in Montpelier

Posted on Sunday, September 25, 2016 by No comments yet

“This morning while in line to purchase a pound of coffee, we were the recipient of a random act of kindness. The driver ahead of us paid for our coffee. We just wanted to thank you for brightening what was a really sad day. It was a truly generous and kindly act. May something wonderful happen for you in return. We love Montpelier.”
• Susan, Montpelier Front Porch Forum