Special Post: Town Meeting Results/Covid-10/Events
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3/3/20: Special Post
1. Preparing for Covid-19 in Cavendish
2. Town Meeting Results
3. Voting Results
1. PREPARING FOR COVID-19 IN CAVENDISH: With cases in all of the surrounding states and Canada, plus an exposure in WRJ, as well as 80 people being tested by the Vermont Department of Health (VDH), it is just a matter of time before community acquired coronavirus (Covid-19) is in Vermont and possibly Cavendish.
To make sure you are kept up to date, posts are being made to the Cavendish Facebook page as they are received. You do not have to be a Facebook subscriber to read this site.
Please pay attention to notices from the Health Department and act accordingly.
Unfortunately, the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) employee who was told to quarantine in place while he was being tested, chose not to do so. Both VT and NH Health Departments are now tracking down individuals who attended a social event put on by the Tuck School of Business in WRJ on Friday. A person close to this individual has now also tested positive. 2nd Person Tests Positive for New Coronavirus in NH.
In short, expect and plan ahead for possible closures of businesses, schools and events, as well as the possibility of having to quarantine in place.
Per a request, Cavendish’s home school students are once again making Cavendish Cares bags, which will be available at the Cavendish Library, or by calling 802-226-7131 starting Friday (March 6). The bags contain items to help those who are being impacted by the flu or similar illnesses.
In addition to the preparedness information below, which is available on-line, please see the special post Preparing for the Coronavirus: Cavendish.
PREPARE -DON’T PANIC- FOR COVID-19: CAVENDISH
The public has been asked to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Similar to the planning we do for possible storms, there are a few additional things to consider. Closing of schools, businesses or public spaces could be possible for several weeks if the virus starts to spread.
Make sure you have sufficient:
• Food
• Prescription medications, over the counter medications and other medical supplies
• Incidentals such as toothpaste, toilet paper
• Pet food and supplies
• Activities to stay occupied, particularly for children
Plan ahead:
• Talk to your employer about working from home
• If schools are closed, think about how to help your children
• Travel: Consider postponing trips
Prevention measures to stop the spread: Because COVID-19 spreads similarly to flu and colds, the biggest risk is contact with someone who is infected.
• Cover your cough with your arm or tissue not your hand
• Wash your hands throughout the day with soap & water, using hand sanitizer when that’s not available. Proper hand washing includes using soap (either bar or liquid), rubbing the backs of hands, between your fingers and under your nails for 20 seconds.
• Stay at home if you are sick. Keep your child out of school if they are sick
• Avoid people who are sick and avoid touching your face
Symptoms of Covid-19: If you should get Covid-19, it will feel similar to a cold or flu. Most people do not get seriously ill. However, it can cause considerable problems, including death, for those with a pre-existing medical condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease) and older people. We need to each do our part to keep this germ out of our community.
Signs you should seek medical attention: Always contact your doctor if you have severe shortness of breath, chest pain or a cough that keeps getting worse.
The Cavendish Facebook page will provide information as it is received. You do not need to be a Facebook subscriber to use this site.
If you have an emergency, please call 911.
2. CAVENDISH TOWN MEETING RESULTS: As far as town meetings go, the main business of passing the town budget of $1,576,820, went smoothly. All articles were passed, the state legislators Representative Annemarie and Senator Allison Clarkson, provided a session progress report, and Cavendish Streetscapes and Cavendish Community & Conservation Association (CCCA) spoke about their respective programs, in the first sixty-five minutes.
The second hour focused on a non-binding resolution ‘A Resolution for the Defense of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.’
Stuart Lindberg provided a handout of the resolution, which read, “The township of Cavendish hereby declares itself to be a Second Amendment and Article 16, Constitutional Gun Owner township, as defined herein-The town hereby recognizes the inalienable rights of all persons within its boundaries to keep and bear arms as described both Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution and the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the Unites States of America, including but not limited to: the lawful use of firearms in defense of life, liberty and property and in defense of the State, from all enemies, foreign and domestic; the safe and responsible use of firearms for hunting and utilitarian purposes; and the safe and responsible use of firearms for sporting purposes including Olympic sports.
Furthermore, per Marbury v Madison, 5 U.S. 137 (1803), the township hereby declares all federal and state laws and regulations attempting to restrict these rights to be infringements, hence null and void under this resolution.”
Lindberg said that the reason for the resolution was to send a message to the Vermont legislator, which has currently 18 anti-gun bills it is considering, that gun owner rights under the Constitution should be protected and not infringed upon.
As of March 2, according to the Gun Owners of Vermont website, there are currently 16 “Sanctuary” towns in Vermont. Towns such as Clarendon, had the resolutions adopted by their Select Board (SB). However, the Cavendish SB felt that this should be up to the voters.
Several gun owners spoke about whether they were purchased from a dealer or at a gun show, they all had to pass a NICS check (National Instant Criminal Background Check). Further, they believed the rights of law abiding gun owners should not be penalized. As one speaker noted, “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.”
Neil Snyder, a gun owner, noted that places with high gun control still have considerable violence, they just use different weapons such as knives, cars, trucks and bombs.
While several people thought that a resolution of any type wasn’t necessary, various people voiced their concern that some type of control was needed to stop gun violence. As Robin Timko noted, “I don’t know what can be done, but something needs to be done.”
It was suggested that if the town is serious about controlling violence, that adopting the Cure Violence approach would go a long way in ending all types of violence. The Cure Violence model approaches violence in an entirely new way: as a contagious disease that can be stopped using the same health strategies employed to fight epidemics.
A primary concern of those opposed to the resolution was how it would make the town look and that it could attract the “wrong sort” of people to the town.
Ultimately a paper ballot was requested and 64 votes were cast, 33 against and 31 for. The resolutions did not pass.
Town meetings are special and unique to Vermont. They can be filled with arguments, strong feelings and occasional outbursts. This meeting was calm, yet there was a healing aspect that many may have missed.
At the April 2019 SB meeting, Amy Perry, a volunteer with Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department, voiced concern about newly elected SB member Stu Lindberg, a Cavendish Fire Department volunteer. Given the issues between the two fire departments, she wanted to see him replaced in order to have “a fair and impartial board with no hidden personal agendas.”
Tonight, Perry spoke about her rights and responsibilities as a gun owner. She ended by thanking Lindberg for introducing this resolution. It was a nice gesture on Perry’s part and it shows how people can come together in spite of differences.
3. ELECTION RESULTS: Approximately 371 voters cast ballots. There are slightly less than 1,200 people on the Cavendish registered voter list, so approximately 30% of the registered voters turned out for election day.
All Cavendish positions were running un opposed. Write-In candidates needed to be named by 12 voters. Sandra Russo (Library Trustee), Evelyn Turco (Auditor one year), Dan Churchill (Trustee of Public Funds), and Stu Lindberg (Select Board) all came close with 11 votes a piece for their respective positions. It will be up to the Select Board to assign people to vacancies as they see fit.
Elected positions for the coming year will be as follows: Moderator – Michael J. Ripley; Town Clerk & Treasurer – Diane McNamara; Select Board- Sandra Russo & Stephen Plunkard (1 year each), George Timko (2 years) & Bob Glidden (3 years; Auditor 1-year term – Peter LaBelle; Town Grand Juror – Theresa McNamara; Green Mountain Unified School District Director – Kate Lamphere
The Cavendish Town Plan passed by a vote of 280 (yes) to 59 (no)
Presidential Primaries
Democrat: Sanders (143), Biden (60), Bloomberg (36), Warren (17, Buttigieg & Gabbard (4 each), Steyer (3), Klobuchar & Yang (2 each), Stewart & Williamson (1 each).
Republican: Trump (87); Weld (6), De La Fuente (3)
School Budget: The school budget passed by a vote of 957 for and 573 against. Note that regardless of how Cavendish voted, Chester, with its considerable large voting block, can always out vote Cavendish. This budget is up by 9% over last year. Read more at GM School Budget Passes Despite Large Increase.
4. EVENTS
MARCH 9 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm Cavendish Town Office.
MARCH 28 (SATURDAY): A joint project of Cavendish Connects and the Cavendish Library, learn to make totes from feed bags. The workshop is free from 1-4 pm at the Cavendish Library in Proctorsville.
APRIL 1 (Wednesday): All dogs residing within the Town of Cavendish need to be registered by April 1st each year . Licenses may be obtained in the Town Clerk’s office. A valid rabies certificate needs to be presented at time of licensing.
APRIL 10 (FRIDAY): Town office closed for Good Friday
APRIL 12 (SUNDAY): Happy Easter
SEPETEMBER 12 (SATURDAY): 8th Annual Vermont Golden Stage Honey Festival. 10-4 pm at the Golden Stage Inn, Proctorsville, corner of Depot Street and Route 103. Free Admission. FMI: 802-226-7744 or vtgoldenhoneyfestival@gmail.com
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.