Cavendish Update 8/28/20: Construction/Volunteers/News/Events
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8/28/20
1. Cavendish Info
2. Construction Update 131
3. Proctor Piper Trail-Volunteers/Stone Needed
4. Covid-19 Update
5. Events
1. CAVENDISH INFO
• Water Testing on the Black River: This week’s water samples were drawn on Aug. 26. The EPA’s limit for E.coli is 235 CFU. It is recommended to stay out of the water when it appears cloudy and within 24 hours of a heavy rain.
Buttermilk Falls 25 CFU
Cavendish Gorge 44 CFU
Greven Field 93 CFU
Little Ascutney (Weathersfield) 649 CFU-Unsafe
Tolles Power Dam (Perkinsville) 71 CFU
Twenty Foot Hole (Reading) 5 CFU
Thank you Black River Action Team (BRAT) for helping to keep our river safe and available for recreational use.
• TRSU Schools Continue to plan re opening, release parent handbooks: The results of the TRSU’s recent survey of students returning to in person classes versus virtual learning or home schooling, CTES results show that 70% of students will be attending school, while 21% have opted for virtual and 9% home schooling. Superintendent Fierman has told parents who are considering home-schooling to remember that the technology (laptops, tablets etc.) and other services the school system provides will not be available if they are not enrolled. She also noted that parents could take the virtual option while supplementing the online work with a home-school program. This would keep the child in touch with what will be expected of him or her when everyone can return to school. A sizable number of students moving to home-schooling would be difficult for the school system since the state support grants that fund the schools are based on enrollment. The loss of 35 Green Mountain School District students translates in to a reduction of about $600,000 out of a $14 million budget. If the district is unable to make that up with reductions in spending – which is doubtful in the pandemic – it would have to run a deficit which would be made up in the future, with at least some of the money coming through increased taxes. Chester Telegraph
• COVID-19 pandemic impacts GMUSD budget and staff: COVID-19 related expenses continue to mount for the Green Mountain Unified School district as additional staff and custodians are hired, and required air handling improvements are approved at the GMUSD Meeting Aug. 20. Total impact to the budget is likely upwards of $150,000. The GMUSD board approved Superintendent Lauren Fierman’s request for adding three general educators and aides, one for each of the three schools in the district, to help with coronavirus-related tasks as well as be available as a substitute teacher in each of the buildings, as in-person instruction is set to resume Sept. 8. VT Journal
• Covid 19 Handbooks for Parents and Students
- CTES
- GMUHS
• Household Hazardous Waste: The last collection for this year will be on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 2-6 pm at the Springfield Transfer station. If you need to properly dispose of HHW before then, "The Rutland County Solid Waste District has a permanent hazardous waste collection facility that is generally open year-round. Visit their website or call 802-775-7209 for more information." Residents and businesses from all member towns of the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste District (Cavendish is a member town) may participate. Businesses will be charged a fee and must pre-register. No pre-registration required for residents. To learn what you drop off, go to the SWWCSWD website
• Vail Announces Plans for the 20/21 Season
• Kingfisher to Open in Ludlow, Free Range to Close in Chester
• Regional Loan Fund Receives Grant to Help Businesses Impacted by Covid: The Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) has been awarded a $550,000 federal CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant to capitalize and administer the local Springfield Area Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for loans to coronavirus-impacted small businesses in Southern Windsor County. This includes Cavendish, Chester, Ludlow, Baltimore, Reading, Springfield, West Windsor & Windsor and Weathersfield. Applications for this special COVID RLF will be available on Tuesday September 1st. These funds are intended for use for COVID-related impact, such as working capital needs or helping to cover equipment or renovation costs. The RLF utilizes funds from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). For more info, contact Paul Kowalski at SRDC,pkowalski@springfielddevelopment.org or 802-885-3061.
2. CONSTRUCTION 131 ACTIVITIES FOR WEEK OF 8/31: Crews will be concentrated to the box culvert replacement site next week. One lane will be closed at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, 8/31 to begin the replacement with one lane alternating traffic controlled by flaggers. The full roadway will close at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, 9/1 and remain closed to through-traffic until 12:01 a.m. on Friday, 9/4. One lane alternating traffic is to be expected Friday (9/4) with crews shutting down work on the project at noon in observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Mesh installation and general site clean-up along this area of the project will continue for approximately one week. This work will be completed behind the barriers located within the signalized portion of the project between Lindberg Drive and Brook Road.
Previously completed pipe crossings will remain as a gravel surface for several weeks until paving is scheduled. The traveling public is urged to use caution when traveling on gravel surfaces at the location of any pipe crossings that remain unpaved.
Traffic Impacts: One-way alternating traffic patterns should be expected at various locations along the project during work hours (approximately 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) There will be several work zones throughout the project and the traveling public should expect longer than average delays when traveling through the project. Each work zone will keep traffic flowing as freely as possible; however it is recommended that extra time be added to travel plans/schedules.
3. PROCTOR PIPER TRAIL-VOLUNTEERS/STONE NEEDED: Thanks to the incredible determination of Timmy Calabrese, there will soon be a new trail for public use in the Proctor Piper Forest. To help make this a reality, volunteer help is needed as follows:
Donate Stepping Stones: These are needed to help with stream crossings. They should be 18" x 18" flat stones that are 2" thick. Can make do with stones as small as 12 X 12. Stones are needed by Sept. 4 (Saturday). These can be dropped off at the Proctor Piper Trail head in Proctorsville off of Pratt Hill.
Volunteer for Trail Work: On Sept 5 (Saturday), there will be a trail clearing activity starting at 9 am and ending around noon. Please bring picks and shovels. If you have a post hole digger bring it along. You will meet at the Proctor Piper Trail entrance in Proctorsville, which is off Pratt Hill. Parking is to the left of the trail sign. Volunteers should check in with Tim prior to Sept. 5.
If you have stones to donate, can volunteer on Sat. Sept. 5, and/ or have questions, please contact Tim Calabrese <goodearthvt@gmail.com> or 802-345-2781.
Thank you Timmy for your dedication to this project and offering our community another opportunity for outdoor recreation.
4. COVID UPDATE: Take homes from the most recent press conferences:
• Quidel, the manufacturer of the rapid antigen test (RAT) that detected over 65 cases of Covid in July, stands by their test even though the state’s PCR, the “gold standard” for Covid testing, only found 4 cases and refers to the results as a high number of false positive. The contact tracing and subsequent testing did not point to an outbreak, VT Health Commissioner Mark Levine reported. There was also no community spread after Manchester Medical Center’s positive tests.
• A $150 “gift card,” may soon be issued to all Vermont residents as part of stimulating the VT economy. The card would only be good in VT.
• FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Convalescent Plasma as Potential Promising COVID–19 Treatment
• The state will be providing personal protective equipment and other resources to support Vermont schools as they prepare to reopen. Items to be sent to schools include: PPE kits, hand sanitizer, cloth face coverings, posters, and other mask campaign resources.
• A new CDC study published Friday found that child-care programs that resumed operation at a time of low community spread and that followed strict protocols, including universal masking for adults were successful at limiting new cases of coronavirus. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report
Opening: Three VT DMV offices-Rutland, South Burlington & Montpelier. Appointments required. A new online service is coming for the DMV. Hard to imagine that having an appointment at the DMV eliminates waiting but they claim that to be the case. The state of emergency does give you a 90-day extension for license renewals and an extra four years to get your photo done.
Outbreaks/Numbers: In the last week, VT has had 49 new Covid cases, which is down from last week. The states total is now 1,586 cases. VT has the lowest incidence and prevalence in the country. There have been no new deaths and four people are currently hospitalized. Thursday evening, the VT Dept. of Health indicated that there is a “situation” in Rutland that appears to be tied to a large gathering.
Mask Give Away: Cavendish now has masks for children and adults. If you need a mask, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com or call 802-226-8044 or 226-7807. Please specify number and types needed.
5. UPCOMING EVENTS:
SEPTEMBER 1-4 (WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY): Route 131 closed due to culvert repair by Glimmerstone
SEPTEMBER 5 (SATURDAY): Volunteers needed Trail clearing for the Piper Proctor Forest. Meet at 9 am at the Proctorsville entrance (off of Pratt Hill). FMI and to confirm. Tim Calabrese <goodearthvt@gmail.com> or 802-345-2781.
- Annual GFWC Okemo Valley Women's Club tag sale on the front lawn of Okemo Mountain School 9-1
SEPTEMBER 7 (MONDAY): Labor Day. Federal holiday-Town, state and federal offices closed. The unofficial start of fall.
SEPTEMBER 8 (WEDNESDAY): Schools open
SEPTEMBER 12 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival, Golden Stage Inn
- RiverSweep
SEPTEMBER 13 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk & Talk, 2 pm at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum, 1958 Main St. The walk is about a mile and a half. Walking shoes are recommended. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807
SEPTEMBER 14 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board meeting, 6:30 pm
SEPTEMBER 15 (TUESDAY): Property taxes due
- Hazardous Waste Collection, 2-6 pm at the Springfield Transfer Station. Residents and businesses from all member towns of the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste District (Cavendish is a member town) may participate. Businesses will be charged a fee and must pre-register. No pre-registration required for residents. To learn what you drop off, go to the SWWCSWD website
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