Cavendish Upate 2/3/17 Candidates/Impact from cuts/CHS/News
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2/3/17 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish Candidates for Ballot Positions
3. We are One Town: Could Governmental Cuts Impact Cavendish?
4. Cavendish Historical Society Annual Meeting-March 5
5. Get Help with Your Weatherization Needs
6. Events
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Request for Proposals- Cavendish Water and Sewer Main Utility Crossings: The Town of Cavendish is inviting firms to submit proposals to provide engineering services, including project management, for the water and sewer elements of the Bridge #58 Replacement Project. The “Depot Street Bridge” in Proctorsville, which spans the Black River, is enrolled in the Vermont Town Highway Bridge Program and the Vermont Accelerated Bridge Program. The bridge is scheduled for replacement with construction anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2019. The Town of Cavendish is seeking an engineering firm to help coordinate with VTrans, create designs for the related work for both temporary service and permanent replacement water and sewer mains, and will manage the water and sewer main project through construction. Qualified applicants will have documented successful experience on similar projects. Proposals are due on Feb. 21 at 3 pm. FMI and RFP: Town of Cavendish 802-226-7291
• Why Is Sam’s Closed? To the many inquiries about why Sam’s Restaurant in Ludlow is closed, the simple answer is there was an issue between the owner and the staff. According to Sam’s website I have tried with all my might to fill the voids with some of our very talented and dedicated team members. However, after ten days of diligently trying to get everything back up to speed, I realize it will take more time and a different plan. Thus, we’ve made the decision to temporarily close, rather than lowering our standards and disappointing our valued guests. We will reopen once we bring additional talent, expertise and training to our staff. Their Facebook page states the following NOW HIRING! Sam's Steakhouse is now hiring Chef and Sous Chef positions for our high volume restaurant in Ludlow, VT. Applicants must be proven culinary team leaders experienced in providing the finest quality dining experiences for our guests, while ensuring excellent employee experiences and advancement opportunities. Send resume directly to Paul@HSolson.com
• Temporary Location Planned for Springfield Animal Hospital: The staff at Springfield Animal Hospital (SAH) will soon be moving into a temporary location as repairs to the hospital’s interior continue following a fire on Jan. 19 that damaged the building. Repairs are expected to take several months and the temporary location will likely be near the existing facility. “We are continuing to offer house calls for vaccinations and minor visits. Until we are a little further along, sick patients are best served by going to one of the local hospitals that have offered to see our patients. Give us a call and we can help steer you in the right direction,” SAH staff wrote in a public Facebook update on Tuesday. Eagle Times
• Ascutney Convenience Store Fire Under Investigation: Firefighters were called to the Circle-K Irving Gas Station in Ascutney at around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. It wasn't open when the fire started. Arson investigators and firefighters were on scene Wednesday. The fire caused substantial damage. Still no word on what sparked the blaze. Police say the utility lines to the building had been cut and the convenience store was burglarized. A second gas station across the street also had its utility lines damaged but it was not broken into. Anyone with information is asked to call the state police. WCAX
• Ludlow Sunoco Robbed: On Jan 1, at approximately 11:06 pm, the Sunoco in Ludlow, 224 Main St., was robbed. The suspect is reported to be a white male, wearing jeans, a jean type hooded sweatshirt with a grey hood, rainbow colored striped gloves (which appeared small, like children's gloves) and a black neoprene mask. This male is approximately 5'10" tall, average weight, with blue eyes. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and ran from the store. If you have any information regarding this incident please contact Officer Warner at 802-228-4411
• Cost of Car Inspections to Increase: The cost of vehicle inspections could go up in Vermont as inspection stations start using a new electronic system. The safety requirements for vehicles will remain the same, but it’s thought some mechanics will raise their fees to offset the costs of the new equipment, $1,600, including a tablet computer that uploads vehicle data. The system is intended to flag questionable inspection patterns. It’s hoped it will cut down on Vermont’s black market for inspection stickers.
2. CAVENDISH CANDIDATES FOR BALLOTED POSITIONS: Petitions for town office positions to be voted on as part of Town Meeting, were due Jan. 31. With the exception of the one year slot for Select Board member, all positions are unopposed. Vacancies still remain for Town Agent 1 year and Auditors for 2 year and 3 year terms. The slate of candidates will be as follows:
• Town and School Moderator positions (1 year): Michael Ripley
• Select Board (3 year) Robert W. Glidden
• Select Board (1 year, 2 openings): Jillian Flinn, Mark Huntley, Larry Wilfong
• Town Clerk (3 years) & Town Treasurer (3 year): Diane McNamara
• Lister (1 year): Claire Walker
• Auditor (1 year): Peter LaBelle
• Library Trustee (5 years): Gloria Leven
• Library Trustee (4 years): John White
• Trustee of Public Funds (2 years): Dan Churchill
• Trustee of Public Fund (3 years) Cheryl Leiner
• Town Grand Juror (1 year): Theresa McNamara
• Constable (1 year): Seth Perry
• School Director (1 year, 2 positions): Barbara Dickey, Doug McBride
• School Director (3 years): Katie Hamlin
• GMUHS Director (2 years): Bruce Pollard
3. WE ARE ONE TOWN-COULD GOVERNMENTAL CUTS IMPACT CAVENDISH? As we enter the time of year where town, state and federal budgets are being prepared, it’s important to note that Cavendish is in a unique situation as in addition to a new President, we have a new state governor and town manager.
It is hard to escape the barrage of news media about the President’s proposed cuts and the speculation of what it might mean. There are a lot of questions and trying to answer them has rapidly become a significant source of frustration for many.
Cavendish Connects recognizes that there are differing viewpoints on the current state of affairs and we ask that users of the Cavendish VT Facebook page be mindful of the comments they leave. This is a public forum and not a private Facebook page. It is a monitored site and we do remove comments deemed inappropriate.
There are residents working on various aspects of the proposed changes, such as the impact of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, environment etc. If you are interested in participating in this process, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com and we will put you in touch with the appropriate individuals.
Cavendish Connects works to provide factual information in as timely a way as possible. We recognize that people have different viewpoints, yet, we are one town and we must work together as significant change is coming. To that end, there is a special post at The Dish, which addresses how dependent the state of Vermont is on federal funds and how cuts will affect all Vermonters including Cavendish residents. The Dish
4. CAVENDISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING-MARCH 5: The Cavendish Historical Society will hold its annual meeting on March 5 (Sunday) from 3-5 pm at the Cavendish Baptist Parish Hall. A short business meeting will be followed by a special program called “Cavendish Believe it or Not,” where the stranger side of Cavendish will be discussed.
Learn more about CHS’s activities in the past month at the CHS briefs In keeping with February being Black History Month, CHS has compiled new information on Peter Tumber, available at the CHS blog, who became a free man of color, owned property in Cavendish starting in 1806 and died here in 1832 at the age of 106. CHS would like to have a grave marker placed where it is believed he may be buried. Finally, Margo Caulfield is featured in a podcast discussing CHS’s most recent publication Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History.
5. GET HELP WITH YOUR WEATHERIZATION NEEDS: A pilot program encouraging homeowners in Cavendish and Proctorsville to invest in energy efficiency projects kicked off this January and an informational session will be held on Saturday, February 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the meeting room of the Cavendish Town Office.
“Weatherize Upper Valley” connects homeowners with community volunteers and certified weatherization contractors to provide free, professional home energy assessments, proposals, and quotes with a goal to double the number of home energy projects completed in the Upper Valley each year.
One of the cheapest ways to save energy and money is an energy efficiency project, focused on air sealing and insulation. It is the best-kept secret in home improvement. The average cost for these projects in our region is $7,800, resulting in average energy savings of 26 percent annually. With generous rebates from Efficiency Vermont, plus the benefit of increased comfort, it’s an easy decision for many homeowners to make.
At the February 11th session, interested residents can learn more about the Weatherize process and about home energy efficiency and can talk to certified weatherization contractors.
For more information, go to VitalCommunities.org/Weatherize, or call Peter LaBelle of the Cavendish Energy Committee at 802-226-7250.
6. EVENTS
FEBRUARY 7 (Tuesday): Community lunch at Gethsemane Church off Depot Street in Proctorsville. The menu will include Baked Ziti, Caesar Salad, French Bread, and Cheese cake for dessert.
FEBRUARY 11 (Saturday): Weatherization (Weatherize Upper Valley) meeting at 10 am at the Cavendish Town Office.
• Join Cavendish Recreation for a skating party at 6:00 at the Greven Skate Rink! Goodman’s Pizza Truck will be on hand, as well as a bonfire, hot chocolate, s'mores, music, and more! Puck shooting contest, 50/50 and Red Sox ticket raffle. All proceeds go to the ongoing fundraising efforts for the Greven Skate Ramp, but there is no admission to attend! Plenty of loaner skates on hand!For more info: Terry O'Brien at 802-738-3215, dthuskies@hotmail.com, or Cavendish Recreation Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Cavendish-Recreation-Department-409245675837466/
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.