Cavendish Update 7/31/20: Internet/News/Events
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Six months into the pandemic, lonely fish welcome drop-ins. Jane Hart
CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.
Depot St. Bridge is Open. Recognizing there is an adjustment period for all involved, please watch your speeds. There are children who’ve nearly been hit, and residents aren’t happy with people speeding by their homes. Parents, please remind children that the road is open, to look both ways and not ride bikes, scooters etc. in the middle of the road.
7/31/20
1. Telecommunications Update
2. Cavendish Info
3. Latest Spigot Turn: Covid-19 Update
4. Events
1 .TELECOMMUNICATIONS UPDATE: As many residents in the northwest part of Cavendish know, Comcast has been laying cable all summer. We contacted Comcast for an update and was told, We expect to complete the Cavendish project within the next few weeks. There was a bit of a delay due to the COVID-19 emergency but our construction team has been diligently working to complete the project.
As Gov. Phil Scott has delayed the start of the school year until after Labor Day, there should be sufficient time for residents to have service installed before the school year begins. Comcast has provided information on pricing as well as channel line up. If you are interested in obtaining either of these, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com
The Vermont Department of Public Service has launched a Line Extension Customer Assistance Program (LECAP), which will provide up to $3,000 in assistance to help consumers extend telecommunications lines to their homes, with $2 million in total funds available.
The LECAP program is available to Vermonters who can demonstrate a COVID-19–related need, such as remote learning/telehealth/telework, lack of a minimum of 25/3 broadband internet service, and are “near net” for a cable video provider or other Internet Service Provider. Consumers must request the line extension from the appropriate service provider and also apply for the line extension financial assistance program from the Department of Public Service. Approval will be based on need, cost-effectiveness, and site-appropriateness of the line extension. Payments from this program will be made by the Department directly to the service provider on behalf of the consumer. To apply or learn more about the program, go to the state’s website.
2. CAVENDISH INFO
• Black River Water Test Results: This week’s water samples were drawn on July 29. The EPAs limit for safe swimming is 235 Cfu. It is recommended to stay out of the water when it appears cloudy and within 24 hours of a heavy rain. With the exception of Little Ascutney Rd, which continues to test unsafe levels, Cavendish Gorge, Greven Field, Buttermilk Falls, Ludlow, Tolles Power Dam, Perkinsville, Twenty Foot Hole, Reading, and West Hill Road Rec Pond Ludlow, all tested fine and should be good for recreating this weekend. Black River Action Team (BRAT) continues to look into why Little Ascutney continues to test at unsafe levels. Thank you BRAT and volunteers for helping us stay safe this summer.
• TDS Service Interrupted by Construction Mishap: On Monday, a number of TDS subscribers in the area found that they did not have Internet and/or landline service. According to TDS, A construction crew South of White River Jct installed a new guardrail through a fairly large fiber cable that our partner is in that get us to the Consolidated’s tandem switch in White River that then sends our traffic to the rest of the world. Fiber splicing was completed by 7:45 that night, with full service being restored.
• Michigan man indicted for 2019 threat against GMUHS
• State fines energy company $57,500 for violations at Ludlow solar project: Coolidge Solar — a subsidiary of NextEra that operates a 20-megawatt solar electric generation facility in Ludlow and Cavendish — was cited for three violations of its certificate of public good, including installing above-ground power cables, conducting drilling and using unapproved equipment. VT Digger
• Unsolicited Seeds in VT: The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has been notified that several Vermont residents have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages have not yet been identified. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive species, could introduce diseases to local plants, or could be harmful to livestock. DO NOT plant them. Report it to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets at 802-828-5050 or fill out a complaint form at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/form/environmental-complaint-form. Maintain the seeds and packaging and VAAFM staff will contact you. The seeds may be needed as evidence.
• What VT and Its History Might Teach the Nation About Handling the Coronavirus from The New Yorker
• Single-use bags are no longer required at stores in NH.
• VT Tax Security Threat If you filed a property transfer tax return through the Vermont Department of Tax’s online filing site, there’s a security threat that could leave you vulnerable to identity theft. WCAX
3. THE LATEST SPIGOT TURN: Covid Related Info: On Friday, Governor Scott announced mandatory masking will begin in VT starting Aug. 1 (that’s tomorrow). Scott said, But looking at the situation in the South and West, and with modeling showing outbreaks may be spreading back toward the Northeast, we need to protect our hard-won gains. This is a much better approach than having to roll things back, like they’ve done in states like California. I’ve said all along, mandating masks doesn’t necessarily make it so. That’s why we’ll continue to move forward with our education campaign, because reducing the spread of the virus, and keeping Vermont healthy and open is the ultimate goal. The modeling for July 24, that is used for setting policies for VT, is available at the Dept. of Financial Regulation website.
The statewide mandate requires all people over 2 years old, with some exceptions, to wear facial coverings in public areas when physical distancing is not possible. Nose and mouth need to be covered-no nose peaking or chin strapping. Nothing in this Order or any other State health and safety guidance shall require the use of a mask or cloth facial covering when someone is engaged in strenuous exercise or activity, for anyone under the age of 2, any child or adult with a medical or developmental issue or challenge that is complicated or irritated by a facial covering, anyone with difficulty breathing or as further set forth in guidance issued by VDH.
Education: On Tuesday, the Governor announced that schools will be reopening after Labor Day on Sept. 8. The TRSU has announced its plan. In a letter sent to families and staff Monday, TRSU Superintendent Fierman announced that the five schools in the supervisory union, including CTES and GMUHS will be open for in-person instruction four days a week with a remote learning day on Wednesday. Remote Only will be available to any students who would prefer it. Plans for this are being finalized. Some families in our area are considering a home school option and there is now a closed Facebook group called “Homeschooling resource and support group.” : For those with middle school and high school students, and are checking out various options for the fall, Green Mountain Union High School is a participating school in the VT Virtual Learning Cooperative, which means there is no tuition. Check out their website to learn more.
To read more on schools, check out: TRSU moves toward hybrid reopen Sept. 8 or TRSU superintendent revises plan for reopening schools
• Outbreaks/Numbers: There has been 30 new cases of Covid since last Friday’s Update, bringing the total number of VT cases to 1,407. Sadly, VT had its first Covid death since June 16, yesterday bringing the state total of deaths to 57. Six inmates have tested positive upon returning to VT from Mississippi. They are currently in quarantine at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility.
4. UPCOMING EVENTS:
AUGUST 5 (WEDNESDAY): Gypsy Reel, 6 pm Svec Park. Social distancing and masks required. Free and open to the public
AUGUST 10 (MONDAY): Absentee voter ballots due
• Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm.
AUGUST 11 (TUESDAY): VOTE! Primary Election
AUGUST 18-21 (WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY): Route 131 closed for culvert repair near Glimmerstone
CA❤︎ENDSH-A SAFER SIX COMMUNITY
Covers mouth & nose
Always masks in public
Vermonters keep each other safe
Elbow coughs
Never forgets to wash hands
Disinfects common surfaces
Is alert for symptoms
Stays 6 feet apart
Has respect for personal space