Cavendish Update 2/19/21 SB Mtg/Town Mtg/News/Covid/Events
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2/19/21
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 2/8/21
2.Cavendish Info
3. Covid update
4. Events
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 2/8/21: Cavendish Select Board meetings are held via Zoom. Minutes are available at the Town’s Website.
Action/Discussion
• Depot St. Maple Trees: Two silver maple trees on the south side of Depot street near the railroad tracks are now in the Town’s right of way and the Tree Warden, Tim Calabrese, recommended that they be removed. The trees are about 100 years old and starting to rot. He said that a lot of vehicle and foot traffic passes under the trees and falling branches are a concern. Calabrese has received a quote of $5,000 for removal. The SB agreed the Town manager, Brendan McNamara, should contact landowners and inform the public.
• Liquor License: Singleton’s Store license approved
• Virtual Informational Meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 23 at 6:30 via Zoom. People can call into the meeting via telephone. Free Wifi is available at the Cavendish Library and at the Cavendish Baptist Church (obtain the password for the Baptist church by calling 226-7131). For contact information for the Zoom meeting, go to the town website. Absentee Ballots can be obtained until the end of day on Monday, March 1. These can be obtained by phone 226-7292, e-mail d.mcnamara@comcast.net or through the state’s myvoter page.
• Bids for new loader: McNamara and Phon Chambers, Highway Foreman, have begun to solicit bids and hope to have a new loader by mud season. McNamara said he’s looking into a lease option and is expecting bids of about $25,000 for a 5 year lease.
• RFP to replace the sewer line: McNamara and Randy Shrimp, Chief Water/Wastewater Operator, discussed putting out an RFP to replace the sewer line which runs along Main Street in Proctorsville from Singleton’s to Depot Street. The line has a slight sag which causes frequent backups and the goal is to replace it before the Route 131 paving project begins this summer.
• Sidewalk Plowing: McNamara has spoken with Chambers about using the loader since the trackless has been out for repairs. Bob Glidden has requested that fire hydrants be cleared.
2. CAVENDISH INFO
• Sample Ballots for Voting: Sample ballots for town meeting voting are available at the town website . All positions are unopposed with the exception of the 3 year position for select board. Michael Kell is running against incumbent Mike Ripley. Vacancies exist for the following positions: 3 year auditor; 2 year Trustee of Public Funds; School board (GMUSD) one year and two year terms; and Town Agent 1 year.
• 2020 Town Report Now Available: This year’s Town Report, while mailed to voters, is also available in PDF format at the Town’s Website.
• Support needed for Proctorsville Fire Dept: Due to the impact of Covid, as well as Rt. 131 construction, not only has there been higher demand for Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) services, but some of their normal fundraisers (coin drop & Christmas Tree sales) weren’t possible. Consequently, they are experiencing a $6,000 shortfall in their budget. So, we are reaching out to you -- the family, friends, and neighbors who are always there for us, grateful for our work and providing the pillars of support that keep a volunteer organization standing strong. We realize that we are not the only ones experiencing financial hardship, but we ask that you please give whatever you are able to help us bridge the gap in our fundraising shortfall. If you are willing and able, you can send a check, payable to the Proctorsville Fire Department, to PO Box 81, Proctorsville VT, 05153, or you can donate HERE on DONATELY!!
• CHS Winter Newsletter now online: The Cavendish Historical Society's Winter 2021 newsletter is now on-line, and features a special article on epidemics/pandemics.
• Black River Good Neighbor Reopens Feb. 20 (Sat): On Saturday, Feb. 13, BRGN posted to their Facebook page they would be closed until further notice. This was followed by a notice on Feb. 16 stating, Out of an abundance of caution the thrift store has temporarily closed. We anticipate opening very soon. Yesterday BRGN Facebook page posted, Good News! The thrift store will reopen on Monday, February 22nd. Regular hours 10 AM-4 PM, Monday-Saturday. For food orders please continue to call 802-228-3663.
• A Second Look: What Actually Happened at Springfield Hospital
3. COVID UPDATE: As of 2/10/21, Cavendish had one new cases of Covid in the prior week, bringing the town’s total to 17 cases. Ludlow had three new cases (total 44), while Chester had six (55 total) and Springfield 11 (153 total). Community data is posted on Friday afternoons at the VT Dept. of Health (VDH) website, with Cavendish and surrounding town data posted to the Cavendish VT Facebook page shortly thereafter.
Modeling: The modeling presented on Feb. 16 continues to show a downward trend nationally, regionally, and in Vermont. Over the last month there has been a 70% decrease in average daily cases for those 75 and older. Since January 1, there has also been a 74% decline in new daily deaths per capita. This is being attributed to both vaccinations as well as people adhering to the prevention standards. State modeling indicates that cases will continue to drop. The current 7 day positivity rate in VT is at 1.7%. VT’s case count is now 14,149 with 193 deaths as of 2/18/21. Hospitalizations continue to drop, currently 38, ICU admissions remain relatively high with 13.
Vaccines: Registration for those 70+ began on Feb. 16. Within the first day, 60% of the eligible population had registered for appointments. At the Tuesday press conference indications were given that Phase 4 (65+) and Phase 5 (those with underlying conditions) would shortly be eligible for vaccine very soon. This became more evident when the Governor joined the briefing, after a conference call with the Governors and the White House. More vaccine is slated for VT, though it could be delayed due to weather. Further, it’s likely that Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is just one shot, will be approved at the end of the month, resulting in considerably more vaccine for Vermonters.
Be aware that vaccine doses are being sent directly to pharmacies and Vermonters are reporting that it’s easier to register for vaccination at Walgreens (Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Rutland or Manchester) then through the health department sites. You can link to both Walgreens and Kenny Drugs from the state's myvaccine page.
Reminder: If your group has already been called, you can register for a vaccine at any time.
Note that clinics take place regardless of weather. If you can’t make an appointment, please call 855-722-7878 to cancel and reschedule. If you are making an appointment for the first time, the quickest way is to do it on-line.
Travel: While Gov. Scott is expected to make an announcement today about new travel guidelines for those who’ve been vaccinated, The CDC says fully vaccinated individuals don’t need to quarantine if they’re exposed to the coronavirus. Scott has indicated that travel guidelines will be narrow at first but does want to see increase mobility for Vermonters.
Local Resources: If you need to quarantine either from exposure or because you have Covid, local resources are available to help you:
- CHS Cares Closet: Masks (cloth and disposable), books, toys, craft supplies. Open 24/7. All free. Located next to the steps of the Cavendish Historical Society Museum.
4. UPCOMING EVENTS:
FEBRUARY 23 (TUESDAY): Town Meeting/Informational Meeting via Zoom, 6:30 pm. For more information, click here.
MARCH 2 (TUESDAY): Election Day! You can obtain an absentee ballot if you prefer not to vote in person. Town office closed.
MARCH 17 (WEDNESDAY): Happy St. Patrick’s Day
APRIL 1 (THURSDAY): Town Dog License Due. You will need a current rabies certificate. Licenses are $9 per year for spayed/neutered animals, $13 for males/females. Please call the Town Office at 226-7291 if you have questions or to make arrangements to renew via mail. You may stop by to renew in person as the office is open on a limited basis M-F, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m..
CA❤︎ENDSH-A SAFER SIX COMMUNITY
1. Vaccinate when it’s your turn
2. Mask-Cover nose and mouth; Double mask if possible
3. Social distance-6 feet at least
4. Wash hands frequently with soap & water, or hand sanitizer
5. Avoid unnecessary travel
6. Test if you have symptoms, have traveled out of state, or been in contact with someone who has tested positive.