NEW HAVEN — Happy Back to School to the kids and families of New Haven! Be mindful of speed limits in school zones and around buses and kids on our roads. Here’s to a safe and fun school year for all.

COFFEE HOUR

The New Haven Neighbors will once again be hosting its monthly coffee hour at the Lincoln Peak Vineyard tasting room on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9-10 am. Come visit neighbors old and new, enjoy free coffee and baked goods in a beautiful setting. This coffee hour happens on the first Saturday of most months with the generous sharing of the tasting room by our neighbors Nicole and Kevin.

DEPOT DAY

The New Haven Community Trust and the New Haven Neighbors are excited to be hosting the second annual Depot Day on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1-3 p.m. It’s a celebration of the ongoing renovations of the depot, its history and its future. There will be live music, a model train set up at the library, activities for kids, disc golf and Chris Granstrom will be serving free strawberry ice cream cones. Jim Jones will talk about the importance of New Haven Junction to the Bristol railroad for our region and the New Haven Historical Society will have displays showcasing this history. NHCT will share survey results and preliminary ideas for the depot’s interior floorplan. Come join the fun, visit with your neighbors and see what’s happening in New Haven.

TIME CAPSULE

The New Haven Community Library is continuing its celebration of 125 years of serving the New Haven community with a video time capsule to be viewed at the library’s 200th celebration. In conjunction with a student from Middlebury College, the library is collecting video stories from folks young and old who’ve been patrons of the library, on the library board, and its Friends group. You can schedule an appointment to be interviewed or record yourself at home and send us the file. Be a part of the library’s past, present and future! Contact Kim at [email protected] for details.

CONSERVATION

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been confirmed in New Haven. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at the town offices to understand this threat. The Conservation Commission will host Noah Hoffman, Invasive Species Coordinator for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. He’ll provide an overview of emerald ash borer and its history in North America and Vermont. He’ll share what the state of Vermont’s Forestry Division is doing to address the impacts of this forest pest and discuss landowner considerations for the management of ash trees in the face of EAB. If unable to attend, follow this link to learn more: tinyurl.com/48xv9dr4.

GOT BATS?

Vermont bats are in trouble. The New Haven Conservation Commission will host Alyssa Bennett, Small Mammals Biologist at the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife. Alyssa will be leading an outdoor field trip about bats and bat habitat. This exploration is a great way to help people learn to see the woods like a bat and understand what they can do in their own backyard or woods for bat conservation. Date, time and location will be posted on Front Porch Forum. Come see our table at Depot Day for more information and to learn how you can join our committee.

HOUSING TASK FORCE

The New Haven Housing Taskforce has been continuing its outreach to the community for input around Housing and related issues. Through the recent Summerfest event, surveys at town recycling and the municipal website, feedback was compiled for five important areas of consideration. The survey and updated results can be found at newhavenhousingVT.com.

The taskforce is moving forward with visits to interested property owners, while exploring funding for feasibility studies supporting housing, municipal septic and village traffic control. Please continue to provide your feedback or request a property visit either at newhavenhousingVT.com or [email protected]