Hello everybody, welcome to my channel. It's Iwa from Bohemian Crafting and today I'm coming to share with you a few collage envelopes. I truly felt in love with those small collages. I made those to use actually already colored paper. I've got inside the blue on all of these and outside I've got those beautiful book pages and I used as a base already colored paper. This is a I think it's teal that color. It's like very light blue, a little bit of green that very light, very light, beautiful color. So I made those using that already colored paper and then I was thinking why do not make my own paper? So here I made water-colored paper and today I'm coming to share with you how I'm making those envelopes and we will try to decorate one. So for the base I'm gonna use just clear paper, that printer paper, 80 grammars, just super simple paper. I'm gonna use book pages. I'm gonna use some painting. I'm gonna use this acrylic painting, but you can use the distress ink. You can use actually also water-colored, anything what will color your paper. So I'm gonna use this acrylic paint. And I forgot to bring water, which is totally important thing. So I'm gonna use my drinking water for that. I'm gonna spill a little bit of that water on my table. So what you need to do, it's make a space on your table. If you don't have glass or a table which you can, you know, use for coloring. Take some tray or put on your table some plastic, piece of plastic, where you can make like water-coloring spa. So I'm gonna put there a little bit of that blue color. Like this. I'm gonna use a brush and mix it with that color to make color at water. I'm gonna spread it all on my table. And in this water, color at water, I'm gonna dip my paper and that water-coloring makes beautiful, beautiful background. I love that water-coloring background. It always different and it makes beautiful maps and those splatters and no one paper you will have exactly same. So it's kind of perfect for artists, for some artistic artistic ending for some artistic effect. So I'm gonna just dip, dip my paper this way like this, like this. And then I need to dry that paper. So what I did before, I placed my paper on this cardboard and I let it dry. I'm gonna leave it here. I already prepared a paper, which is dry. Just bear with me. I'm gonna tidy up my table. Make sure it's clean. So I do have already prepared paper. It looks like this. This was dipping in I think in that leftover. So I was dipping like really hard. And for I let it dry and then I flat it with my hair straightener. So now I'm gonna choose which side I want to have on the top and I guess this more colored side. I want to have on the top. So for on that other side, I'm gonna use my book pages and I'm gonna do small collage here. I'm not gonna pay some huge, you know, attention which way I will put those book pages because I'm not creating any important art right now. It will be like background and I will make decoration on it. So this is just for make that paper stronger. And of course, you know, more interesting if you do have envelope where you've got two colors. I mean book pages inside and colored paper outside or other way. Book pages, book pages outside and colored paper inside. It's always so interesting. So I'm gonna use my book pages and I'm gonna cover all this sheet with those book pages. So I'm making like small collage here and I don't have enough. I like this book. These are books I read 25 years ago. And I've got loads of them. But I'm not reading them anymore. It's like nothing I want to read anymore. I think I'm not too romantic. And they were sitting in the cellar. So they've got that beautiful vintage color already which works for me, right? I'm gonna could make that paper nice and straight. Yeah, I'm gonna use it here. Just glue it over it. And I'm not even scared if somewhere it's not glued properly because I will use lots of sewing. So every single piece will be probably sewn. I'm gonna cut this to make that paper nice and straight. So now I'm gonna use my scoring board and I'm gonna score this paper to create the envelope. Oh come on. It's everything falling down. So normally I will wait till, you know, that glue will dry properly. But I guess to score. So I'm gonna create an envelope which will hold any four by six like those postcards. They are six by four inches. And if I wanna put this to envelope, I need to make that envelope just a slightly bigger. So what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna score here three eighths of inch, three eighths of inch here, three eighths of inch and here six and a half which will gives me that one eighth of inch a little bit bigger envelope. So six and a half and then six and seven eighths score line here and seven eighths. Then I'm gonna flip it this way. So we have three eighths of inch here and here is that six and a half and six and seven eighths. And my first score line will be four here, four inches, four inches and I need to be, you know, careful because it's still a little bit wet from that glue. I don't wanna rip it. So first is four inches and second score line it's eight and a half. And this scoring works on A4 size paper or letter size paper on any, you know, those printer papers. So that's all scoring. I'm gonna move my scoring board and I'm gonna grab my scissors. I'm not sure if you will see that. I should make it with the pencil. I will try to hold it the way where you can see those score lines. Probably this way maybe. So here I do have that three eighths of inch score line. I'm gonna grab my scissors and I'm gonna put that score line, where is that score line? I'm gonna put in, I'm gonna put where is that score line to this score line here. It's those four inches where we started four inches. So till here and here I'm gonna make a notch or angle cut like this and same way I'm gonna put this corner here on the top in angle like this. So what we have, we have this paper that here on the bottom it's like a fold. So now I'm gonna flip it this way where I do have those two score lines. Which way I can show you. This is this way. Okay so with my scissors I'm gonna start to put that not this one but this one first from the edge of paper till first cross line and here I'm gonna make that angle cut to this to this second cross line. So I will have this end here is that score line. So I will have from this first score line I'm cutting to that second score line cross and here I'm gonna continue with this score line till the end. So you will end up with two folds here. You can fold it straight away those and then you will fold this and we just create it or envelope the base and fold that last one and it's flap of our envelope. So it looks like this now. I wanna have that flap in that beautifully you know those corners I wanna have them a little bit in angle like you can see on envelopes. So what I'm gonna do this is that flap of my envelope I'm gonna fold those two corners together like this so here we've got those folds here is that shortest and this is that flap of that envelope here is the score line so about half inch above I'm gonna start to cut the angle just small angle and I'm gonna make a curve on the end so when I will fold it again those two inside fold so here I do have the envelope flap which looks like this. So I have created the base for my envelope and now I'm gonna start to decorate it. First what I would like to do is some soft stamping nothing too too bright too too you know too complicated so I'm gonna use this Prima marketing background stamp I really love this stamp it has so many different where is it script and types and fonts and I really love that so I'm gonna use for stamping and also for distressing this hickory smoke distressing from ranger it's like very dark gray it's not black it's very dark gray and I really like that effect so I'm gonna use my bone folder and I'm gonna start to stamp somehow just that soft stamping and when I'm going with my bone folder where I'm pressing my bone folder there I should have that stamping not everywhere else so here I will go this way yeah see where you go where you press your bone folder there is stamping and here and that's probably it maybe here it's kind of empty yeah like this it's good so just very soft stamping and I would like to add there also stenciling and I just bought from amazon collection of makeup brushes these they are different size and I wanted to try because I know many ladies are using brushes like this for distressing and it's true for soft distressing on bigger places those brushes are perfect and they are also for me perfect for stencils sometimes I do have very heavy hand and it was happened many times to me that because I do have heavy hand and I'm kind of pressing too much my distressing tool many times it was happened to me that I broke my my stencil that I folded that plastic material and that stencil wasn't that good anymore so those brushes are actually one of a kind like really I'm so happy I bought them and they are just normal makeup brushes I didn't choose any fancy fancy you know scrubbooking brushes and look at that how beautiful stenciling it makes you can press a little bit more to make you know darker stenciling or add there that ink more times but because those hairs are really soft so they are just sliding over your if you want to add there a little bit darker stenciling you just press a little bit harder and I am so happy I bought those brushes for that stenciling it will be wonderful I can manage much more easily where I want to place that stencil or you know where I want to make that stenciling effect so I'm gonna add a little bit more I don't know what I wanted to say I'm on oh mama really wonderful thing those brushes and they make like a tone in tone stenciling that's amazing I hope you will see that that it's not like everywhere same that they are making tone in tone I really love that effect so if you wanted some good tool for stenciling with distress inks I guess this one kind of works for you and any any those brushes you will find I think they will be same this this was very cheap no very cheap this was cheaper than those others not very cheap but cheap I will put link down below if you want to have a look but it's not like I'm working for that company or so I'm just you know I was choosing by price because I didn't know how they work so no that's all about the stenciling and now I'm gonna use my you know my usual tool for distressing all these edges I mean like this I'm gonna distress also these edges here and here and here and a little bit inside because when it will be open I want to match all those that envelope together so I'm gonna put a little bit of stenciling your stenciling distress inside so I do have that base done when it's open it looks like this so this is the pocket back pocket of my envelope this is the front and this is the flap so I will concentrate to decorate this I've got here those off-cuts and I'm gonna try to use them so first I think I'm gonna put this is you know that one of those off-cuts here is that score line so I'm gonna put in that score line just to separate it on two pieces you could hear this long strip so I'm gonna use as a first that long strip I'm gonna open my envelope and I'm gonna use glue and start to glue it down when it's too bright like this paper I'm gonna use a little bit of that black soot not too much I don't want to make it the dark too dark so I'm gonna put glue here on that blue side and here is the flap of my envelope so I guess I will start in there on the flap of my envelope gonna rip it here put it to angle distress it a little bit and I'm gonna glue this just using that stuff I've got and I've got here those strips they are from those office papers I think they are called linen papers or linen papers somehow like this so I'm gonna glue to one strip over it and I don't mind too much that if it will be not glued properly somewhere as I said I'm gonna make a sewing effect so I'm gonna use my sewing machine to secure it and now I'm gonna use those other sides so here I'm gonna use this one straight away I'm gonna fold that end and cut from the corners to the middle of that paper so I made that what is it fish tail I think it's called fish tail and I'm gonna do same probably put it a little bit longer like this and I'm gonna do same with this one but I don't have to have you know a similar pattern so one this one I'm gonna use with that with that watercolor effect I'm gonna distress this one and to give it some kind of more interest maybe I can you know I'm gonna just distress it this I'm gonna distress this small piece as well with that hickory hickory hickory smoke like this and these two pieces I need to cut it a little bit so I'm gonna use this one this line to cut it a little bit down it's too long and I'm gonna use those to decorate that front of my envelope here and I'm gonna place this small fish tail over it a little bit like this as a decoration on the top I'm gonna use again those strips so I'm gonna place one here and maybe I can put this small piece this one this one it's from that other side so I'm gonna distress it and use that small piece on the top the decoration I'm gonna use everything I can everything I can I'm gonna place it here yeah and we've got this back side so here I do have this last piece what I can do with it I like that effect so maybe I can make it in label shape I'm gonna cut those corners you know like Spetman label shape I'm gonna distress all these edges like this so for the decor yes I'm gonna put underneath those strips and this one I can place actually here because it's already with glue place it on the paper like this and I've got here few more pieces so here I'm gonna cut those corners to make them look more vintage gonna distress it yeah I'm gonna place it here which way I think it's just placing you know those off cuts those strips decorative way not sure where I will place this one yeah I can actually replace it underneath that will be good so like this and I think I'm done with gluing the base collage pieces so what coming now it's sewing and I would sewn everything all around of this label maybe all around first I will start with this small one then I will go on that bigger one this way and I will end up here I will don't sew through and then I will sew a piece here and then piece here maybe I will sew this one as well I already prepared one which has all those sewing effects to make it a little bit faster so I did use that zigzag stitching and normal stitching all around of those edges so it's just you know decorating the envelope with that stitching stitching effect where you can do as well to punch some holes here I used here I used zutter machine this is zutter bind it all and I have placed this this is the front of my envelope so this side I have placed into my zutter where are those you know those marks I placed that the front side of my envelope and punched so then I have this one those holes and to make it visible once there will be glued the flap I use distress ink to make it a little bit darker because here will be glued this flap so it will be not like a hole through but to make it you know a little bit more interesting I think it makes beautiful effect so I do have all that sewing here on the piece so what I'm gonna do next I'm gonna sew so glue it together I'm gonna put glue on those two flaps and fold it over so I do have my base of that envelope done and I have prepared few pieces to decorate my envelope and I forgot something you can also use embossing powder I think I have showed you here it's with embossing powder I made embossed effect and I think it looks really gorgeous I haven't used my embossing powders for a very long time so I use it here to decorate that background as well so you can use embossing powder and do some embossing effect I'm not sure if I should now maybe it's okay without maybe I can small one so I'm gonna use one of those La Blanche stamps because they are my favorites for embossing effect for floral or flourish flourish embossing effect the La Blanche stamps are my total favorites this this one and this one I love them so much they've got beautiful beautiful what is it beautiful design so I have prepared all I need I've got here heated up seafoam white powder I'm gonna try to make that white embossed embossed effect I'm gonna use this stamp you've got here this is anti-static powder I'm gonna dab dab dab a little bit not a little bit a lot of that anti-static powder on my envelope where I think I will have that stamping to make sure that that embossing powder will get stuck only where I want it I've got here embossing ink and I'm gonna put you know this stamp is very old so it's a little bit fault now and it's no good because when I do stamp for that oh I'm making like stamping everywhere mostly those edges place it on my envelope and try to press it properly I'm not sure we will see so now that white seafoam white and we will see how I did my stamping and I didn't oh there is nothing like literally nothing what did I do why is it not there that's all it okay I'm gonna make it one more time and if it will not work I'm not gonna repeat it I'm gonna try different okay so here versa mark so maybe this it's dry ah that was old one I've got here this this one this should be more hopefully and if that will don't work I'm gonna move on so first put a cult hopefully now and if I will be lucky enough I will place it at a similar spot like before you know where there are those layers of paper maybe that's the problem that it can't get there because of those layers I look better now it looks like it's there what's wrong with you do I have some different one I've got here some different white white embossing powder maybe it's not even because of my ink maybe it's because of that embossing powder I'm gonna give it try no not much no okay no I'm not gonna I'm not gonna continue with it so sorry I wanted to show you how beautiful it makes so we will be without embossing powder effect I'm just gonna make small layout on it I'm sorry where there is a well there is sometimes not way okay I did prepare for myself few pictures and few decorative elements I'm gonna very carefully wipe it down because it's full of that anti-static powder and full of that embossing so what I'm gonna do what I'm gonna try to do I'm gonna try to glue that my prepared pieces I've got here one picture this is from my collection on Etsy blue witty collection there are this is that is collection with birds I've got here some off-cut small labels which I had in my stuff this is label or specimen label made from book pages I've got here this number five this is die I have show it when I made those postcards I showed that die it's Marianne Smith uh Marianne Smith Marianne design sorry Marianne design die it looks like this these numbers are a really great great size I love that die it's on my favorite list of dies now and here you can see the number C like Charlie O like Oscar L like Lima 1418 so it's the number of the die and I have found it on Amazon so go to have a look if if you like the tie and I will try to do something here and what I can do and just you know some small layering lace okay so I'm gonna grab my glue and I'm gonna do some small layering here I think I'm gonna use this some way with the blue or with that yeah with the blue so to make it visible I'm gonna distress the edges of this piece which way I'm gonna place you and these labels I made from my uh scraps you know from those uh leftovers kind of ish leftovers yeah no which way I'm gonna place you I'm gonna place you place this one here of course I can see I've got also masking tapes so maybe we can add their small amount of masking just strips here and there and I like this masking tape it has very very delicate writing so I think if I will play this all right yes so here will be actually yeah what's wrong with you oh come on okay bear with me I need needle and I'm sorry I just punched the camera stand that's usual okay I'm gonna place here the piece of lace that soft decorative touch here can be yeah it can be here but I will need something underneath it's like you know that that lace has some thickness so I'm gonna use here I've got piece of card stock so I'm gonna use just piece of card stock to glue it here to make a like straight even even position for this label and I'm gonna place it right here okay especially on that here and same I will have to do now for most of my images I mean for those bigger ones which should be glued on the bottom this I'm gonna glue right here I think I will need for this picture some background steps okay I'm gonna cut it this way and here place it that way a little bit down that can work all right I think the best way I'm gonna glue it straight away to that picture just make sure that I'm on a right yeah right corner here and now I'm gonna put a glue here and in this corner that corner will probably sit on there like this and I've got this teeny mini small label here teeny mini small label here on the top of that and this I can slide underneath I thought was good choice actually I totally forgot about this this small piece I will place you here so this I'm gonna slide slide slide both those pictures and here I'm gonna use that specimen label and glue that specimen label here and the number five yeah maybe this way or I can place it this way and number five here I like those steps you know when pictures are going in steps but no no no I wanted to have it here yes there and number five it's kind of shiny so maybe I can try to match it together I've got here alcohol not alcohol sorry acrylic acrylic doubles this is espresso so I'm gonna start with espresso and I'm gonna just dab dab dab a bit of that espresso acrylic paint on that number five tool oh this is too long and I thought it will be like quick quick quick it's never too quick quick quick then I'm gonna use this white one or this is picket fence distress paint and I'm gonna do same I'm just gonna you know dab dab dab here and there not too much just like this and I'm gonna heat it up so it will get settled and that piece that number five is cut out of metal canum which I glued on a serrally piece on serrally box and here now it's too hot I need to wait because it's metal you know it's metal so it's kind of hot and I'm gonna just here and there not to those edges that the blue and the blue it's distress paint broken china I'm gonna show you how it looks like I'm gonna zoom so it looks like this it's really uh like very rusty piece so I'm gonna glue that down right here and I think it will be done up sorry again I'm gonna take my glue and if I will come come with another decoration maybe I will you know that embossed powder effect it's so gorgeous and I I know it will look amazing here but unfortunately you saw that sometimes you know it doesn't work the way we want so this is my sharing I thought it will be shorter but yeah it is how it is I hope you did enjoy it I hope you will try to do your water colored paper and maybe some collage on that paper it's so it's so amazing when you see how it grow up those those things we learn from each other so use them on making some projects it's so amazing when you can use all that stuff you have and I have to start to use everything I have because I've got so many so many and I'm mostly working just with paper and glue and that's so shame sometimes I'm editing you know of course distressing some editing all the time sometimes I'm editing what is it laces but mostly I'm working just with paper and I do have so much amazing colors and all that stuff so this way hopefully I will try to use it all ever again or all over again so this is my sharing for today I hope you did enjoy it thank you so much for visiting me thank you so so much for all your amazing comments have a wonderful day take care about yourself and see you next time bye


Happy Monday, trade hackers! Monday, September 21st, here with your day trading update. Decent green day, up $921.50. If you look at the scorecard here in the Russell and Nasdaq, I ended up trying to take a couple little futures trades. Just got out of them pretty quickly, just decided I didn't want to be in them. Just would rather play the strongest stocks to the upside and the weakest to the downside. Apple was a tiny Mighty90 winner, a Boeing kind of runner for $225, beyond a small Mighty90 winner.   Netflix, pretty much a scratch. I took a small Mighty90 trade in there as well as tried to run her, anyway net net, minus $35. Nice runner in Peloton, nice runner in Roku, Tesla. Tesla and I used to be best friends. We used to do stuff together, we used to profit all the time, and last week and a half or two she's not giving it back to me these days. So me and Tesla got to talk, but it's a loser there. And then Zoom, my biggest winner, $870. So let's take a look at some of these to show you what happened here. A couple things in Zoom and Roku, which were my two biggest winners. With Zoom, it pushed up above yesterday's highs, just kind of chopping around. So I got in, pushed up, got out of some, came back down, got in, got out, got in, got out. So it wasn't really a great runner, but just the way that I was able to get in and out and still stay bullish on the stock and just kind of get in and get out as it pushed up to new all time highs, not all time, pushed up to new daily highs or recent highs, I guess I should say. And so was able to book a nice $870. Similar thing in Roku, I got in and out of this one a few different times.  So all said and done, I was done trading by a little afternoon. So a good day of trading, $921.50. If you guys have any questions, let me know.


of the April 1st select board meeting to order and as the first order of business it's the reorganization meeting so I will take any nominations for select board chair. At this time time manager I'd like to nominate Tracy Delphia to be chairman of the Essex town select board. I'll second that. Are there any other nominations? For chair. Hearing none all in favor of Tracy Delphia as chair of the select board please say aye. Aye. All opposed. Motion passes 5-0 congratulations Tracy and I will turn it over to you. Okay with that I will open the floor for nominations for vice chair. I'd nominate Andy Watts for vice chair. Is there a second? Second. Any other nominations for vice chair? Hearing none all those in favor please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed nay. Motion carries 5-0 I for the record I voted in favor even though I didn't vocalize my vote. Funny how that happens. Yeah moving right along open nominations for clerk. I nominate Kendall Chamberlain for clerk for the Essex town select board. Is there a second? Second. Any other nominations for clerk? Hearing none all those in favor please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed nay. Motion carries 5-0 congratulations Andy and Kendall Tracy and me. Next order of business agenda additions or changes I will remind the board that if you do want to pull anything from consent agenda now would be the time to do it once we get to consent agenda that will stand unless we go through the process to then amend the agenda. Any changes from staff? None from staff. Any changes or additions to the agenda from the board? This may be the wrong place to note it but I would like to thank Andy for his service as chair. You'll hear that again during board member comments too. Can I ask a question any questions about consent we can ask before we vote in discussion? No you have to ask them now if you want to. If it's a clarifying question yes but if it's discussion or you intend to vote against an item you should bring it up to pull it from consent and into the business portion of the agenda. Are you good? Okay making sure. So with no changes or additions to the agenda we'll move on to public to be heard. I do not have zoom open but if you're online you can click on the reactions button on the bottom portion of your screen you should then have an option to raise your hand. In addition if you're in the room you can just raise your physical hand and we will get right around to you so with no further. That's your donor's hand. Yep so when you are called on please, I lost my place, please state your name for the record please be brief, please be respectful, please direct your comments to the chair and Betsy I see that your hand is up. Thank you and congratulations to all the new officers for our team and thank you for calling What I would ask is that you know when you have meetings and we talk about places in Essex and when zoning comes up I would like to see on the walls in this room that you are now in to have maps of the topography which includes the soil types the forest blocks the wetlands and the zoning map so that when we talk about it people who are online can actually see what their people are talking especially with the planning and the zoning as they are now in the DRB and the zoning that we'll have it would be very beneficial I think to our residents to be able to see that. Thank you for your consideration. Any other hands up online? Mary Post. Hi Mary Post from Essex just a thing to add to what Betsy said I agree with her I think would be helpful to have the maps but we also talked about that it would be nice to have the maps dated have a date on them because some of them are pretty old and probably should be looked at again so that's just another thing about the maps and my congratulations to all of you congratulations to the whole board I'm very happy with the way things have been going for the last few years thank you so much. Betsy is your hand or remnant? Remnant sorry. Okay comments from the room seeing none we will move along to the consent agenda at this point I would entertain a motion to make the motion we set the consent agenda as presented is there a second consent items would it be appropriate to add in a public comment on the consent items could we do that during public to be heard going forward you're right you asked this question recently I think for this sake maybe since we haven't discussed it too much probably a good time to do it now and we can talk about how to handle it forward okay is there any public comment on the the consent agenda at this time seeing none and hearing none we did have a motion we did have a second correct I just have a guess I mean directly but we would have to pull something out to ask a question about something I'm just curious if they were all good I know some of these are at least various but if they were all in good tax standing if that's something we're checking usually that's Kendall's question but I didn't know if we had to pull that out to make it a business item to ask that question probably not a bad idea to pull it out in the future just in case some if we haven't looked into it or if something comes up that we can not approve it or ask for more time in this case I will double check but last I was told all the liquor license applicants are up to date on their taxes and bills yes actually it was noted I was going to note and thank that being included it's in the memo all right then I will the first good okay all those in favor of approving the consent agenda please signify by saying aye aye oppose nay motion carries five zero on to our business items first of our business items is consider approval of consultant for 80 90 upper main street planning project this is the result of our RFP initiative recently we have Erin here we have members of the fire department here so in your packet you had the RFP results a recommendation from staff and at this point Greg unless you have anything else I will turn it over to you yeah I'm going to kick it off and then turn it over to these gentlemen in a moment and also Gail Henderson King who's been advising us on this process is online so she might join in as well just to reiterate what Tracy said we issued an RFP for the upper main street planning process we received two two submittals back um one from Wayman landfier uh working with uh php been asking in brucelyn um the other submittal from stan tech um both were were pretty good uh we're both were good submissions um on paper they were uh very similar I think we scored them um pretty much you know there are a few points of each other the review team um close enough that we decided to do interviews conduct interviews with the two teams um Erin and Tom uh Tom Richards Aaron Martin um were part of that interview team as was Gail who are online so they can be able to speak a bit to how those interviews went and where stan tech really differentiated themselves but um we feel comfortable moving ahead with stan tech I think um very high level uh the public engagement piece um was really interesting to us really comprehensive they've also done some work on these larger scale mixed use type developments that we foresee happening um on upper main street 80 90 upper main street they are the more expensive of the two uh two projects um the difference is about 194 thousand dollars for the stan tech um projects and about 152 thousand for the Wayman landfier project um as these uh gentlemen can tell you in a little bit um we think that money is is well spent and worthwhile it would be spent out of our ARPA money so it's still coming out of the ARPA money um that we have as covid relief um we want to do this project right we want to hear from our community we want to make sure that our community is invested in this project that we're taking ownership of it um it's going to be crucial to have a good robust public engagement component to this project to get a design that people will support and hopefully understand and be proud of as we move forward that's the overview and I can turn it over to the members of the interview team yeah so to echo uh Greg's comments so one of the things that stand out for us with stan tech was their their depth uh when I say depth I'm not talking about just the number of quantities of people but um the depth of their experience the depth of their knowledge the depth of their training uh they brought to the table a number of examples um both in state and out of state um I think it's important this process is um going to be significant for our community it's going to give a lot of press regionally um and I think that we have the opportunity with this blank slate to do it right so I think that whatever we come up with in this process the end game is something that's going to be relevant 20 years from now as it is today this is a roadmap that we're trying to come up with um and to build that roadmap correctly I think it's important to have a team that has depth of experience depth of knowledge um training um and be able to pivot if we run across um times that uh maybe problems that arise uh whether that be with permitting type uh or evaluation of the land so on and so forth um in the interview process and and what was on paper just seemed to me that stan tech had that more robust ability to do that um that's reflected in the price um but I think uh to a large degree you do get what you pay for as well so I think those are the those are the three things that that stood out for me yeah I I definitely to to both but to what Greg said and to add to what tom said was um I was I was really attracted to their approach on the public outreach portion of this project um this is big this is this is the town of Essex and the community coming together to come up with a new plan a new town center um their identity um and you know I I I got a good vibe the synergy just talking with the the representative from stan tech there was was great it was very interactive and um I think the depth of experience that they do have is going to be beneficial to the town moving forward so and I I realize uh you know there is a difference in the costs um I think it's money well spent for our future it's definitely it's definitely putting us in the right direction again the public the the public we need public buy-in for this project and I think stan tech could help us to win gail do you do would you like to add to that so my camera's not working so sorry I'm in a hotel room in boulder colorado so apologies here I I want to echo what both Tom and Aaron said and I fully agree with this their comments stan tech has an extensive amount of experience doing a similar type of very large scale master planning projects um in vermont as well as out of state so they're bringing that depth of knowledge and experience to the project they also have a a large fee that they can pivot and bring in specialists when needed uh which we thought was very helpful and especially as the project develops I think that's going to be really important uh their experience and the um their knowledge of the public involvement process which has been something that's been very critical and important to the town they just provided in the interview a lot of different uh ways to approach that and will work with the town and the town team and again I think that's a very important piece of this they also reassured us that they would be able to stay on schedule which is something that's very important for this uh project uh to be able to come up with the master plan come up with concept plans come up with estimated costs and be able to figure out different funding sources to move forward so there's you know different types of funding grant opportunities etc that are really kind of tied into this whole schedule that we put together so all of those pieces we just felt that the stan tech team was really uh they just were very uh what is the right word I'm sorry um very positive in terms of working would be able to work with the town and be able to provide the their expertise and experience with this project I think an important thing to remember here is this uh kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity that we have um name another community in the state of Vermont anyways that has had this opportunity to truly define their downtown create a downtown um our downtown it was always five corners prior to this yes we had some geographic centralized things in the town but nothing to the scale that we're talking about here um it's important to realize that this is our opportunity to check all those socioeconomic boxes that are hot topics today rightly so um to create a a design that's going to integrate well with all of our built infrastructure I mean what uh what's happened uh in the Carmichael street area as well as the Essex experience we have some wonderful things happening there uh peter elements in a great job and bringing a lot of uh life to that whole area up there for the longest time it wasn't um there's probably some opinions out there about some of the things that are there as to whether they're good or not but nonetheless they're there um they do attract business they do attract people from out of state I see this project as an opportunity to tie that very closely together um with a common space that not only serves the community in this kind of a function here um but it's also an opportunity for programming space library space recreation space just general public open lands um you know there are some wetlands up there there are some opportunities there to even create environments for that are educational for our kids that are in their school systems um there's a lot of boxes that can be checked here um low income housing or affordable housing uh mixed use uh all all that can be tied in and built well in this but it requires um a good solid roadmap to do that this isn't going to happen overnight we're not going to build this tomorrow this is going to take some time to fund and build um by having all those boxes checked and part of this project and built into this project I really think that this group should do another step which is you know contact our congressional representatives there may be funding out there that can help this construction because of all these boxes that are going to be checked in this design um likewise there's other grant opportunities both on the fire side possibly on the civil engineering side that could be tapped to maybe help with some of this again it has to come out of the design process so if we're going to spend money to me this is where you spend the money the rest of the project you can pivot shake and drive a little bit maybe reduce do some value engineering but this is the spot that you want to spend your time and your expertise and you need a team that can really build that well so um again going back to stand like that that was the that was the trigger for me I believe they can do this they can help us through this um Aaron said this community engagement this is our opportunity um to creatively engage anybody that's part of this project that's a citizen of this community to to offer their input to generate excitement um and to get support so again you need a group of people that are going to come in and do that they can't do that with one person stand tech is coming in with a group of people to do those those kinds of engagements they're doing it digitally they're doing it old-fashioned way with media they're doing it on paper um and they're doing it in person so um those are those are the key factors for me uh we have a unique opportunity here and and we really this group needs to shine and come through because there's going to be opposition of course board member questions comments what were your concerns with the other group I mean I I see all this shiny stuff from stand tech but what were your concerns with the other group I don't know it was so much concerns I I just really think that what was offered and um the discussion that ensued um you anybody can put together a piece of paper and a proposal you know um and you you do the best to put all your references in order and to identify your team and the key players of your team I think it was very beneficial to sit down with both of the two teams that did provide proposals um and quite honestly the stand tech team shined through I like the interaction um and I and I really think it would be in the best interests of the community to have the the team and the group that they put together for this project guiding us because they're going to be our guide not necessarily telling us what we should do they're going to be our guide through this process and I and I and I go back to the public outreach I mean that was that was big um having that having that public buy in is going to be critical to this project again I and I agree I think that goes back to the capacity component um the experience it's it's the group that they pulled together is not not just large in terms of numbers but they have staff behind them and and and what they've demonstrated at least in conversation on papers is that uh that that what's behind them is deep deep in education deep in experience deep in practical projects that have been been built that are along the lines of what we're trying to do here both are very good companies don't I would just add um I think it was less about concerns about the other team and and more just the confidence in this stand tech team um you've heard about the depth you've heard about um their ability to stay on schedule you've heard about um public engagement piece I think just those things together kind of really gave um that much more confidence instant thank you I just want to say that I I strongly support the staff recommendation and I I agree that the public engagement is going to be really really important for this and uh in schedule and I'm fully behind the the recommendation somebody's got to be the tick on dog and I guess that's me I just I have a hard time looking at only two bids for this project in a short time frame and one of those bids being almost twice as much as the other one and they did come down a lot a lot but that shows the potential for a lot of extra costs going forward and I have to admit I was really struck by the other firm that did so many projects locally they did the Essex experience of it they did the police station uh they did Essex master plan they've done facilities in a number of communities all around us South Burlington's new facility I just find it hard to believe that another firm a really large firm that is primarily focused on out-of-state projects specific to this one is worth that extra money over the local anyway I just have a hard time and I I need to hear more about why it's worth that extra money that's just my opinion I mean it would be one thing if you had two firms and one firm hadn't done so much local work I mean obviously they had to get all of these local communities to support their projects and South Hero Underhill Essex and everything so they must know a good deal about how to how to get behind a project and do a municipal project and I do view this primarily as a municipal project to start with the town is not going to become a landlord you're going to have to partner with Champlain Valley Housing or some other way for your affordable housing and some of the other things and I think that can come later and maybe another firm could be engaged to do that I just have to be honest that 40 grand is a lot considering that their original proposal that both had the information they they were double so I just wanted to know that yeah and I appreciate that and I think when you talk about Stantec they they do have local presence that they are doing more and more projects in our area the other thing is is that what's important again for this process we need some of these newer creative ideas and some of that comes unfortunately from out of state I too deal with a lot of this kind of work and I believe in local local local talk to my employer I believe in local local local but it's important that with what we're doing right now is to get that perspective and I think that perspective I think Stantec has an edge on that perspective of of similar type projects similar type work I've seen what they've done at beta technologies they're fully engaged in that they did a great job down there and I agree I don't think that there's anything negative to say about the the other company I've dealt with them in my professional career so fine company I just when I look at the timeline and I look at what we're trying to do in the realm of all inclusiveness in this this is not just a municipal project it's not just about putting up a few streets in a couple of municipal buildings this is much larger than that it has to be a roadmap to the future I just think that Stantec has the the edge on that and and yes I think that it's worth the extra money and that's as a taxpayer as much as me sitting here I'll just make a little comment to that too because that was one of my concerns was with the other company was when they did the master or not the master but the site plan for up there you know we were pushed on deadlines and what I felt was a lot of detail that could have been provided the amount of money that we spent on the site plan wasn't provided like we didn't even know how many acres were wetlands and how many acres were buildable that's a simple you know one one item out of my many but in my conversations with Greg you know I don't have the expertise but from what we've heard from other people is the this company Stantec shows that they are willing to commitment for one meet deadlines but for two give it the ultimate details of individual things and present the information as needed and I as one of the reasons I changed my mind originally because I thought the same thing but at the same sense of it if you can pay a little bit more money and get what you are actually looking for rather than redirecting going back to them and saying well we were actually looking for a little bit more like this and then you mentioned differences in costs when they drop their price well there's nothing saying that the low bidder isn't going to say that that's outside of the scope and then they're going to add on another 20,000 uh 30,000 another 40,000 you know we take that risk on both sides of the coin so those are just some of the things that I weighed in my mind after conversations so I figured I'd throw my two cents out there any other board comments or questions saying none we'll turn it over to public comment you have questions comments on this agenda item go ahead and raise your hand in the room or your virtual hand online Lorraine go ahead I just a quick question I did not read through the the note so please forgive this question if I'm completely off the mark but I heard Kendall mention that the other one helped with the EE the Essex experience in terms of the design if I got that right I just want to confirm that's what you were saying because I so if that's true I struggle I have major issues with the the way that was designed and developed so I do want new ideas comparatively just because we know so much more than we did in terms of driving traffic and and walkable communities and so on so forth so not saying just like one over the other but I don't know that that's a positive thing might be a thanks any other public comments or questions saying none we'll bring it back to the board sorry I'm looking over your shoulder here saying none we'll bring it back to the board any other questions discussion internally or would someone like to make a motion I would make a motion at the select board approved Stantec as a preferred consultant for the upper main street municipal site planning project yep sorry I didn't see that part of the I didn't see that part a second motion has been made and seconded is there any further discussion on the motion being none all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye opposed nay nay motion carries for one thank you thank you thank you guys for all your work you're welcome thank you and with that we will move on to our next agenda item which is considering adoption of the tax sale policy at the the 18th was the last meeting it seems like it's been a minute at the last meeting there was discussion around a revised policy it was accepted and we're back here to talk about what we accepted and making sure that it meets the muster so to speak so the proposed changes were included in the packet were there Greg did you want to add anything or no I can take it if I want nope there are no there's no new proposed changes so it's just as stated as you've already said Tracy and outlined it's the same as what was accepted at March 18th we didn't put any other items in there and we can go over changes if folks want or have any questions but other than that it looks the same as what was accepted last time and it's just put in here because there were some rather large changes and that's the best practice that we fall so the one that says revised 4124 is the one where we're approving yes exactly yep and in there you should be able to see the changes clearly as from the old policy to what would be except if approved tonight what it would happen what would be cut and what would be added okay thank you questions comments from the board uh I would just like to request that the policy once it's approved that we review it with all of the select board of policies each year if if at all possible I do think that the tax sale policy at least in the short term a couple years is an important policy that should be looked at by each board as it comes in just trying to get ahead of the delinquencies this this is pretty close but I could I would offer that as an amendment to the approval of the policy that we just relook at it in a year's time or so so to clarify you mean to bring it up with the conflict of the ones that are also on this agenda that is the first agenda yeah it seems like a prudent time to do it if the board agrees we will have to edit it a little bit just for the board organizer signature line oh yeah believe those would be non substantive changes any other questions or comments there are none we'll turn it over to public comment any public comment on the tax sale policy being none is the board ready for a motion I make the motion to select board approve the revised tax sale policy motion made is there a second I'll second Don thank you Andy final call for discussion being none all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye opposed nay motion carries five zero that we will move along to approval of rules and regulations for orderly conductive business did we have any questions concerns comments on this item and we'll just note so these next three are as Kendall just alluded to policies you see every year kind of serves as governing documents for the select board we have not proposed any changes for the next two but for the rules and regulations of orderly conduct staff has proposed a couple of changes just in regards to the consent items Tracy you kind of touched on this at the beginning of the meeting this would just be looking to codify that and explain what consent items are and the process for either speaking to them or removing them from consent to handle under business but apart from that it's the same rules and regulations that you've had for the past few years questions comments concern I'll have to approve this I won't be able to ask that question ever again with go look at the policy seeing none from the board is there any public comment questions on the orderly conductive business being none I would entertain a motion make the motion select board approve the rules and regulation of orderly conduct of business with change has been made is there a second I'll second thank you Ethan thank you Andy final call for discussion seeing none all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye opposed nay motion carries five zero moving along to the conflict of interest policy questions concerns general comments no changes there were no changes with no discussion from the board any comment from the public conflict of interest policy seeing none bring it back to the board I would entertain a motion make the motion the select board approve the town of Essex conflict of interest policy thank you Ethan do I have a second second thank you Andy final call for discussion seeing none all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye opposed nay motion carries five zero six e is the communications policy is there any discussion comments concerned from the board seeing none public comment on the communications policy also seeing none bring it back to the board make the motion the select board approve the town of Essex communications policy Ethan second thank you Andy final call for discussion no I have to look over go ahead no I was just going to ask it I'm finding it very confusing about when select board members can participate in certain things Andy mentioned once that if two members talk about something and a third member hears it technically you've had a quorum and you're not supposed to do that that means that if two members go to like say the political talks on Saturday and another member goes to listen I can't go right so it can only be two correct and that that goes with everything right whether it's on Facebook or that's why for best practice if you do anticipate there like there was a an invite for a legislative type gathering in town that went to multiple members of the select board so at that point we would just want to have a discussion because we could always warn that as a meeting uh so that we are abiding by open meeting law thank you as well as Tracy doesn't wish me a happy birthday because you and I always do on Facebook Facebook is the yeah the bane of existence for April Fools all right seeing no other board comments or questions on the communication policy do we have any public input or comment on the on the policy as presented hands up being none bring it back to the board I already gave you a motion for this one oh you did yeah we were doing the second discussion yeah oh but it's okay gotcha okay well we we doubled our efforts on public input there uh so we do have a motion and it was seconded so at this point I would ask everybody voting in favor to signify by saying aye aye opposed me motion carries five zero next on our agenda is consider the approval of the select board meeting schedule for 2024 2025 we have discussed this in previous meetings as noted in the packet I believe the only input was to possibly start meetings at six o'clock as opposed to 6 30 so at this point I would go ahead and open it up for board discussion I got my hand up before um I'm okay with 6 30 as long as the public is um you know for a long time meetings were at 7 30 then they moved to 7 then they moved to 6 30 and back in the day I was typically the one that objected to moving it earlier because I was a working person and didn't get home from work until 5 30 and wanted to have dinner with my family so that's where I'm a little concerned about moving it to 6 o'clock but I can do it but I think that's that's where I would I might have a little heartburn I like 6 30 so my question was going to be was for the later meeting because I know that was consensus on the polls but is this going to replace the select board meeting or we're going to have meeting strategic meeting because normally we did like an all day strategic right yeah so what we're talking about now is just the regular meeting schedule for regular meetings um you're on the wrong one you skipped okay but to answer your question the idea is that the strategic planning session would be in addition to the regular select okay schedule okay I'm back to the other one okay what about you I didn't even notice this one I like 6 30 you like 6 30 yeah okay I have to be honest I I do like 6 30 I could do 6 just like Andy said 6 or 6 30 okay sorry Tracy no that's okay I just threw it out there for discussion so we're having discussion about it so everything's good uh and so we've heard from the board I'd like to turn it over to the public does anybody have any public input on the select board meeting schedule for this year what's your hands okay got like 6 30 all right seeing none bringing it back to the board uh does someone want to make a motion I make the motion this select board approved the proposed meeting schedule for 2024 and 2025 thank you don is there a second thank you Ethan final discussion thank you for taking care of all the holidays there's a lot of them all right seeing no other discussion all those in favor of approving the meeting schedule for the select board meetings for this coming year please signify by saying aye as opposed nay motion carries five zero now we're on approval of the date for the select board strategic planning session um so as we have mentioned earlier uh and we have done our our scheduling polls uh this is a meeting to set sort of our work plan for the coming year identifying strategic polls prioritization of those um and there was a there is a recommendation um and it looks like we're deciding between evening on May 8th or afternoon on May 9th before we decide is this going to be long enough time to do this plan because this is what we used to take all day to do and now you're telling us we're doing it three hours three and a half hours um I think it'll be enough time you know we could always do four four and a half hours if you think that you want a little bit longer um I think it's never done the full full day it's the same timing as last year okay before that it was longer okay last year it wasn't facilitated and so we're just and this isn't either so we kept the format of the time the same um but I think it went probably to four last four hours you know like to your point I think anywhere between three and a half and four and a half didn't we get lunch on Saturday yes we got pizzas for memos oh we got no I think that they're sandwiches I brought in my tones I remember it was a while we can double check I do think this will be enough time um the idea is is to kind of come up with a pretty good final draft of what you want to accomplish bring it back to the next meeting to finalize that um so there's always going to be a little bit more time for discussion at the next meeting if need be and we can adjust that um I think we're going to need more time we can plan on trying to have a length agenda otherwise on the following meeting so for additional input uh May 8th is a Wednesday so evening on Wednesday May 8th or afternoon on Thursday May 9th we'd rather do evening myself eight am I flexible I was shooting I'm pretty flexible yeah no way I'm just I don't I thought that we were further I don't know I didn't ask what I said earlier I'm doing hunter safety with Parker so I would prefer to do earlier but I know Monday Wednesday it won't be one of those works it'll be in horse like seven to nine okay so with Thursday May 9th Thursday would be best but I could also do like Thursday five to eight thirty what is it I mean I don't know Thursday afternoon it didn't work for anybody or yeah evening I think I think um yeah I can't remember why Thursday evening didn't work um I'm guessing there's probably a scheduling conflict in here I don't know if that's the only reason or if there's any question yeah um yeah I'm okay with that because I think I'm pretty sure it's April I'm just trying to I'm lost in months and days and weeks could be done by then if not be okay what time does planning commission start six I'll leave there six six yeah I'm I'll be okay either way Wednesday night you mean oh yeah whatever I can give you my list you agree with it great if my kids only eight years old studying for weeks so so so will that Wednesday evening work I think so would you be here maybe oh okay I just didn't give a list so I didn't know if that meant I really don't know I thought we were I thought we were on a different I didn't see five and he said he thought I saw two days I saw two dates and I got the last message now there's five dates I'm okay with the other one what Thursday afternoon works is that right oh okay that Wednesday I think the eighth or the ninth should be fine okay I was just thinking about um to to be able to gather some public input during that session it may make sense to steer clear of typical working hours and do it the evening of of Wednesday um I'm not hearing a clear preference from from anyone so I just want to offer that is a I said Saturday but nobody liked the I love Saturdays then you can have all the public I said that last week but you weren't you were not last week yep yep and we didn't really discuss it much because of everybody well given that the staff can meet on Wednesday May 8th from 5 to 830 I think that's a good idea and that's what I'd like to motion yep before we do a motion um I'd like to ask if any member of the public has um feedback on on the dates for the strategic planning session seeing none back to the board can I ask a question yep is it okay if I open my cell phone to look at a picture my wife sent me of the schedule if it's for the purposes of this meeting that we're talking about right now I would say yes that's covered in the not sending any messages I'm just looking at hunter safety yeah because I know she sent it to me nope I'd rather check now rather than I know you did I just don't remember anything yeah it'll be all right okay uh sorry someone like to make a motion I'll forget all about it I make commotion the select board hold the strategic planning meeting Wednesday May 8th from 5 to 8 I'm going to make that 5 to 9 p.m. so we warn it enough time okay thank you Dawn is there a second I'll second that thank you Andy all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye all those opposed nay motion carries 5 0 our strategic planning will be on Wednesday May 8th in the evening all right next up we do have consider appointment of volunteer to police community advisory board we did have uh Mr. Cussetti who we interviewed about a month ago a month and a half ago but the posting date hadn't met that 30 day period so we did not choose to make a motion at that time I believe he is the only person still who has applied we can this was warned as a potential executive session item but if someone would has a preference at this point we can discuss an open session okay let me put it this way would would anyone like to discuss this an executive I don't have a problem saying what I need to say the man was very nice but I'm not sure he understands exactly what cap is and we really need somebody that's going to understand what caps mission statement is and I I think watching the meetings has been kind of an issue that they're not sure where they're going but we kind of need somebody on that board who knows what their what their mission statement was what they're being asked to do not saying he couldn't come up to speed but I think we need somebody that's has more awareness of the diverse population understand I will know I hesitate to note it because it's their appointment of volunteer okay it meets the criteria we do have two seats that the term does expire June 30 2024 so we may be able to change our approach a little bit on I did get other folks I don't I don't really know where I'm going with that but do John's concern maybe we could reach out through other avenues well I would just note that that he had a lot of energy and it is new but if he was giving clear direction from the start to really focus on what the mission is since we've got two more seats gonna gonna end in June the volunteer with energy is better than no volunteer I was just curious I'm looking it over because I was thinking three years in my head but there's no date there's no term was to the remaining term ending oh remaining term oh says bacon right there okay you're right looking in the memo all over for it happens now it's in the chart please keep in mind too that the advisory seat that's filled by Jody came and that's not going to get reappointed that was just a one year one and done okay any other comments would anyone like to make a motion make the motion I wasn't I wasn't in the interviews okay I shouldn't be the one making the motion I was I was absent anything prohibiting you I was absent that meeting but there's no conflict of interest so I'm going to go for it I make the motion that the select board of pin appoint Vince Couchitti to the vacant seat on the cab thank you Andy is there a second thank you Ethan final discussion all those in favor of appointing Mr. Couchitti please signify by saying aye aye opposed nay nay motion carries for one but the next two items are for executive session so we'll go ahead and skip over to the reading file board member comments I will go ahead and take the privilege of saying Andy thank you for the last two years I believe this chair three yeah it feels like two it was three I forget I thought the whole year of separation negotiation is blocked from my memory so it feels like two but it really was three thank you Andy and thank you Kendall for re-upping again this year other board member comments I have two one of them just popped in my head but the first one was uh the the information we got from the board of justice was awesome reading through all that and the information may not be awesome but what they're doing for the community is awesome I think it's very important to another on the second board member comment just popped in my head because Andy was saying this is my third uh pre-organizational meeting that was cleric and that Kendall was clerked twice popped in my head any other board member comments with that uh does anyone have the motions for executive session handy I move that the select board enter into executive session to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee in accordance with one vsa section 313 a3 to include to include the town manager thank you Don is there a second second thank you Ethan and I always forget we do vote on these individually correct yes okay uh all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye opposed nay motion carries five zero I move that the select board make the specific finding that the general public knowledge of contracts who place the town at a substantial disadvantage don is there a second second thank you Ethan all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye opposed nay motion carries five zero I move that the select board enter into executive session to discuss contracts pursuant of one vsa 313 a1 a to include town manager deputy town manager and the town representative to the titanine county communications union district thank you John is there a second second thank you Ethan all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye motion carries five zero um did we miss the first motion on the ccud one no premature actually did that we did that I said we did three motions yeah yeah but there's oh and I must not have it here that's all I have let me double check myself that there was uh there was the possibility of going into executive session to to discuss the car no I apologize I was seeing two in the ccud item when you were making the motion for the the evaluation I apologize that was my mistake I I we do have potential action so we may be coming back after executive sounds good all right uh so with that we are in executive session thank you


June 21, 1941, with treacherous assault, Germany declares war on Soviet Russia. Even before Hitler's proclamation had been spoken, Nazi bombers were taking toll of hundreds of innocents and untold numbers of homes and buildings. Moscow in three weeks was Hitler's promise to his then weary people, but he did not know the Russians. With lightning-like speed, the Red Army assembled and went into action. Its men and its tanks were ready, ready to fight the greatest defensive battle the world has ever known. But the Soviet answered with guns and prisoners. Prisoners amazed at the Red Army fury. Prisoners disillusioned and weary. Every man, woman, and child in Russia joined in the fight. In the Urals, women manned the munition factory machines, doing the work of their men who had left to face the foe. And they looked ahead, for Russian winters are bitter and troops must keep on the move. Ski's were cut, shaped, and made ready. Tanks reconditioned for more duty. Stalin, on November 7th in Red Square, Moscow, rallied his fighting troops. With the German Army only 30 miles away, Russia's army was ready to deal with the treacherous enemy. Red Square to the battlefront, that was the order of the day. Russian winter had arrived, Russia's greatest ally, and all Russia was ready to fight. The Germans had been stopped and hurled back. They had lost their first great battles of the war, skillful Russian gunnery, and unending vigilance had stymied the German blitz. Dear soldiers know that have the will to fight. Here the fateful and incredible parallel of the Napoleonic campaign occurred. Here the Nazi spearhead that had taken rust off and forced it to flee for safety was broken. With each new Nazi gain, the Russians pushed them back, relentlessly, irresistibly. The indomitable Soviet cavalry fighters harassed the enemy everywhere. Men trained to fight to the last. Men who can stand the bitter winds and biting cold. Soviet airmen, skilled and fearless, ready and willing to give their all to knock out the enemy. The retreating Nazis are wounded, how it did two ton of salt tanks. Each monster, mounting in its turret, a heavy four inch gun, a machine gun and smaller arms. This offensive was not according to the Nazi plan. Russia was prepared. Prepared to meet the threat mass of material had not the Soviet.