Vermont, like everywhere else, is trying to test as many people as it can for COVID-19, in order to find out who has it and stop them from infecting others. The Department of Health has been running a series of free pop-up testing sites around the state. In Addison County the DOH office in Middlebury — 156 South Village Green — hosts tests every Friday. Capacity is limited, however, and you need to sign up beforehand. To claim a spot head online to tinyurl.com/COVID-test-VT and scroll down to “Health Department Pop-Up Testing Locations” and follow the prompts. Testing involves a technician putting a cotton swab deep into your nostril and turning it 10 times to collect a sample, which is sent away for testing. Results come back in about two days.
The Vermont Fuel Dealers Association (VFDA) is reminding Vermonters that new state regulations require that all fuel oil tanks must be inspected; an uninspected tank cannot be filled after Aug. 15. Contact your fuel provider to confirm that your fuel oil tank has been checked by a Vermont Certified Tank Inspector within the past three years. If your tank has not been inspected, schedule an appointment soon. If you are wondering whether your tank will pass inspection, go to vermontfuel.com/tank to find out. Approximately half of Vermont homes rely on fuel oil for heat and hot water. VFDA Tank Rebate Program provides $250 to any Vermonter who replaces a non-compliant tank with a new tank.
An engineer is trying to identify and evaluate potential alternatives for a bike and/or pedestrian facility along River Road in Lincoln from the end of the existing sidewalk south to the Community School. The consultants are taking a survey to gather feedback — online and in paper format at the town office. Contact the Lincoln Town Office at 453-2980 to get a paper copy. Take the online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/66MD995. Hurry, tough, the link will remain open until July 17 and paper surveys may be returned to the town office through July 17.