Cavendish Update 2/22/19 Fire Districts/Tech Cafe/News
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2/22/19 Cavendish Update
1. Fire District #2 & Merger
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Save the Date for Tech Cafe
4. Events
1. FIRE DISTRICT #2 & MERGER:On Tuesday, Feb. 19, approximately 30 people met for the Cavendish Fire District #2 annual meeting. While election of members to the Prudential Board (the governing body of the fire district) and adopting a budget for the coming year ($81,995) was achieved, the biggest topic of conversation was the creation of one fire district for the town.
In March, Stuart Lindberg of the Fire District 2 Prudential Board talked to the Cavendish Select Board about closing due to lack of volunteers, an issue country wide. What has been learned since that SB meeting is that Vermont statue doesn’t provide for fire departments “dissolving” but instead they can merge with another fire district.
As part of the discussion, selectman Mark Huntley, brought up several key points including: the current structure of two fire districts is costing all Cavendish tax payers at least double that of surrounding towns; Fire District #1 (Proctorsville) has a higher tax rate than Fire District #2 (Cavendish); the combined districts have more fire equipment than Rutland City; and the industry standard is one fire district per 10,000 residents. Given the rural nature of Cavendish, the latter standard may not be as relevant as it would be in a more urban area.
The moderator, Abraham Gross, went through the legal process for creating one fire district. This would require that the prudential boards of both fire districts develop a plan of merger that includes, among other things, provisions relating to structure, organization, functions, operation, finance, and property of the fire district. (per 24 V.S.A. § 1483). Once the plan is complete, voters of both fire districts would need to approve the plan by Australian ballot, after being dully warned and holding public hearings. With approval of the voters, it is then sent to the Secretary of State for legislative approval.
The fire fighters of Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department (CFVD) are in favor of a merger. To read the full report, please go to The Dish.
2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Cavendish Resident Charged with Domestic Assault Held Without Bail: According to the VT State Police, Michael Mills, who lives on Rogers Drive in Cavendish, has once again been charged with a crime. This time it is for first-degree aggravated domestic assault and violating his conditions of release on another charge. He allegedly menaced his wife with a hatchet and choked her repeatedly despite court orders that have been in place since last fall saying he could not come within a hundred feet of her. In October, Mills was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant issued by New York State and was arraigned in Windsor County Superior Court on felony charges of making “terroristic threats.” Mills was alleged to have called the Saratoga County Correctional Facility threatening to “..shoot up everybody, truth, justice and the American way, I guess that doesn’t apply anymore.” Mills is being held without bail. VT State Police and DailyUV
GMUSD: Annual Report and Warnings: The Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) annual report and warnings are now available on-line at the TRSU website. Overall the proposed budget of $12,937,250.00 represents a 3.23% increase in expenses, $405,107.00 over last year’s budget. The cost per pupil is $15,938.07, slightly higher than last year’s cost per pupil of $15,637.00, and lower than the statewide average of $18,361.50. Printed copies of the report can be also obtained from the Twin Rivers Supervisory Union, Cavendish Town Office, and CTES. The GMUSD informational hearing is Tuesday, Feb. 26 at GMUHS at 7 pm.
Cavendish Annual Town Report-2018: The 2018 Annual Town Report is now available at the Town Office and can be viewed at the Town’s website in PDF format. It is being mailed to voters and is also available in print form from the town office. Please note that there are now separate reports for the Town of Cavendish and the Green Mountain Unified School District.
CHS News letter: The Cavendish Historical Society’s Winter newsletter is now available on-line at the CHS Blog.
Raffle to Support Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department: Though the coin drops have been successful fundraisers for PVFD for the last 23 years, the increasing traffic has made it more difficult to insure the safety of fire fighters standing in the road. Thus, a raffle is replacing the coin drop. This is a 5 Gun Raffle (Taures Circuit Judge 45/410, Ruger 10-22, Marlin 30-30 Stainless, Ruger Mini 14 and Mossberg 20 gauge-all guns are wood stock). Raffle tickets are now available from members of PVFD and at Seiples Gun Shop-388 Teer Rd., Belmont VT 05730 802-236-8104. The cost is $20 a ticket.
Imery Supplier Files for Bankruptcy Amid Lawsuits: Imerys Talc Vermont — a key supplier for Johnson & Johnson baby powder and located in Ludlow — filed for bankruptcy Wednesday amidst multi-billion dollar lawsuits against the corporation over allegations that its products cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The talc supplier maintained the safety of its product, saying it was in the best interest of the company to not spend the millions it would take to defend these cases. Imerys Talc’s operations will remain unchanged despite the bankruptcy filing, with no anticipated interruptions for their employees or other clients. VT Digger
Skier Dies After Hitting Tree at Okemo: On Feb. 10, Christian Hanlon, 39 of Connecticut, was killed when he hit a tree while skiing at Okemo. WCAX
3. DATE FOR TECH CAFE: As a result of two surveys, a date has been set for Cavendish Connections Tech Cafe. Sponsored by Cavendish Connects and the Cavendish Town Library, the date is Tuesday, May 14 from 6-8 pm at the library in Proctorsville. You will be able to bring your smart phone, laptop, tablet (iPad) to learn how to use them as well as how to use Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites. This will be free and open to the Cavendish community.
4. EVENTS
FEBRUARY 24 (SUNDAY): Please note only 6 tickets are left so order today. Paint and Munch fundraiser to benefit Cavendish Library. Tickets are $40 per person and include a painting lesson and delicious meal. The event will be from 1-4 at the library. FMI & Reservation: Kata at 802-226-7503
FEBRUARY 25 (MONDAY): GMUSD Board Meeting, 6-8 pm at the Chester Andover Elementary School in Chester. Information relating to the minutes of previous meetings, agenda and financials are available at the TRSU website.
FEBRUARY 27 (WEDNESDAY): Annual School District Meeting and Informational Meeting will take place at Green Mountain Union High School Auditorium on Wed. Feb. 27, at 7 pm.
MARCH 4 (MONDAY): Town Meeting
MARCH 5 (TUESDAY): VOTING! Proctorsville Fire Department from 10-7.
MARCH 31 (SUNDAY): Cavendish Historical Society Annual Meeting, 4pm at the Cavendish Baptist Church. As part of the this event, the film “Alone in the Wilderness” will be shown. This is free and open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com
MAY 14 (TUESDAY): Cavendish Connections Tech Cafe, 6-8 pm at the Cavendish Town Library in Proctorsvile. Bring your smart phone, laptop, tablet (iPad) to learn how to use them as well as how to use Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites. This will be free and open to the Cavendish community.
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.