Middlebury250 committee highlights Eversource Arbor Day donation, plans July 4th time capsule and program

The Middlebury250 Committee on April 28 reviewed an Arbor Day donation from Eversource and finalized plans for July 4th programming that will include burying a community time capsule beside the new Princeton elm on the Middlebury Green, First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr said.

Mahr read an email from Eversource arborist Doug Pistawka praising the town’s April 24 Arbor Day event as “one of the best Arbor Day events ever,” and reported that Eversource donated the Princeton elm to the Green and provided 200 cherry, magnolia and dogwood seedlings as part of an education campaign encouraging homeowners to plant low‑growing vegetation under power lines.

The committee discussed options for a time capsule to be placed at the new elm during the July 4th ceremony. Mahr presented steel capsule options with engraved lids and reported costs ranging from about $30 to $90 depending on length. Members agreed the capsule should be large enough to accept a standard sheet of paper and will submit lists of items to include to Mahr before the next meeting.

Committee members also discussed programming for the July 4th ceremony. Mahr said Poet Laureate Bailey Quinn is available to provide a poem and requested themes and a desired length; the committee suggested roughly three minutes and keywords including “hills,” “stonewalls,” “freedom,” “community,” and the bicentennial theme “rooted in past, branching into future.” LeAnn Cassidy read a poem she had written and the committee agreed to add it to the Middlebury250 website.

The committee considered a plan to place scaled markers along the Greenway to interpret Rochambeau’s march. Mahr said she is awaiting input from the Greenway Committee and members discussed identifying sign locations that would not interfere with routine mowing; they also discussed foregoing a previously planned scavenger hunt to focus on interpretive signage.

On another item, Mahr said the town is considering purchasing additional telephone‑pole flag kits from Costco to expand Memorial Day decorations along parade routes. Cassidy asked whether the Middlebury250 website could include a button allowing residents to purchase and donate kits; Mahr said she will investigate that option.

There were no public attendees at the meeting. Cassidy described a school assignment in which students researched Revolutionary War–era New England recipes and prepared recipe cards; she said the cards could be added to the town’s cookbook collection. Cassidy also said she is working with an art teacher to adjust a t‑shirt design for printing.

The committee approved the March 24, 2026 meeting minutes on a motion by LeAnn Cassidy, seconded by Dr. Michael Simms, and adjourned at 7:36 p.m. on a motion by Dr. Simms, seconded by Linda Mucciacciaro. Both motions passed unanimously.