Cavendish Update 12/2/22: Recycle/Election/Fire Side Chats/News/Events

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12/2/22

1.    Transfer Station Zero Sort contents are recycled

2.    Additional election results

3.    Fire Side Chats and Other CHS News

4.    Cavendish Info

5.    Covid update

6.    Events

1. YES TRANSFER STATION ZERO SORT CONTENTS ARE RECYCLED: The rumor that the Zero Sort Recycling bin at the Cavendish Transfer Station just gets emptied into a land fill is NOT TRUE!

According to Mary O’Brien, Recycling Coordinator at Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District, “The Casella's director of operations was just on a virtual meeting with recycling coordinators across the state on Thursday (11/17). He told us about the different values of recyclable materials on the current markets. Yes, of course, they have value - some more than others.”

Peter Labelle, who serves on both the town’s Energy Committee, as well as Cavendish Conservation & Community Association, noted the following, The recycling business is up and down. When the market for paper a few years ago was down the recycled stuff was almost worthless, but then the market came back strongly. Some items are dumped I am sure, but Casella has full employment at its facilities and processes enormous amounts of waste every day. Would they do that if they were just bringing it all to a landfill?

Here are two articles about the market, one from 2021 and one from 2022. The recycling business is still strong and stuff does NOT just go to a landfill.  Our composting facility at the transfer station is going strong and there will be good, useable compost for residents sometime in 2023. That’s good recycling! The articles recommended by Labelle are as follows: • The Return of Recycling Materials • Recycling Markets Stumbling in Our Shapeshifting Economy RECYCLE if for no other reason it saves you a tipping fee. Use Recycling Christmas Cavendish Style to help reduce waste and save money this holiday season.

2. ADDITIONAL CAVENDISH ELECTION RESULTS: There were seven Justice of the Peace positions with only four people running uncontested for them in the November election.  The results were as follows: Doris Eddy - 339 votes; Maureen Savage - 298 votes; Jack Smart - 267 votes; Rolf vanSchaik - 328 votes; Christopher Saylor - 28 votes (write-in candidate)

3. FIRE SIDE CHATS & OTHER NEWS FROM CHS: A special thank you to Dave Gallagher and Ana for the spectacular lights at the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) Museum and to Svetlana Phillips for the decorations at the Cavendish Stone Church. In response to various people asking if we’d be repeating different talks/programs at times that were better suited for them, CHS is introducing “Fireside History Chats” this winter. You pick the topic, the time and the place. Invite up to 10 other people, and CHS will bring the program to you, provided it’s within the Okemo Valley. It can be at someone’s home or a central meeting place. While we can arrange for a particular topic that’s of interest, some talks you might be interested in include:Captive Johnson: The story behind “Calico Captive;” Reading Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: Pick a book, prose poems etc.; “Columbian Exchange,” refers to the transfer of plants, animals, precious metals, commodities, culture, human populations, technology, disease and ideas between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia after 1492; Phineas Gage; the “eerie” side of Cavendish; the first peoples of Cavendish. Check out more news by reading the CHS December Briefs.

4. CAVENDISH INFO

• Cavendish Nov. 14 Select Board Meeting: Unapproved minutes are available at the Cavendish Municipal website and the VT Journal filed a story on the meeting. Action taken at this meeting included the approval of the following: road crossings from the Snow Fleas snowmobile club; Miguel Sivell as a new member of the Planning Commission; and the hiring of Christopher Hughes as the new Assistant Water and Wastewater Operator. Other items discussed included the removal of two restrictions on the deed of the Academy Building, which would make it easier for the current owner to sell the property. Town Manager, Brendan McNamara, informed the board about the town’s lack of an auditor, since Peter LaBelle retired. “The issue is now rearing its head as a big problem. We’ve been advertising for town auditor for years, and have had a few people come in, but no one has been the right fit. It’s a huge problem for the town report, because there’s no one to audit the books.” 

• Hearing scheduled for Merrill plea change: Seven months after his arrest on charges of producing child pornography in his Chester home,  Norman Merrill is scheduled to enter a change of plea in a hearing before U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss on Dec. 20.  On May 23, Merrill pled not guilty to a three-count indictment alleging that he secretly recorded minor girls in “sexually explicit conduct.” It is unknown whether Merrill will be pleading to lesser charges or perhaps admitting guilt to get a reduced sentence, although the minimum for sexual exploitation of children is 15 years in prison. After a two-decade long career teaching middle school at Green Mountain Union High School, Merrill was fired by the GMUSD board on May 25, 2022 for conduct unbecoming a teacher. Chester Telegraph

• Ludlow Health Center Changing Weekend Walk Ins: To better serve patients, North Star Health has changed the weekend (Saturday & Sunday) walk-in hours from 9-3 to 8-2..

• Building for Books donation to Cavendish Library: A monetary donation has recently been given by Building for Books Fund in loving memory of Kate Lorenz. Kate, a former student at Cavendish Town Elementary School, loved books and grew into an avid reader. She is the daughter of Nancie and Steve Lorenz, both former members of the initial Building for Books Committee. Kate went on to become a very talented musician, performing in several soft-rock bands, including “Rusty Belle.” Kate’s love of learning and children then led her to become a dedicated and much loved preschool teacher at the Sunderland Elementary School in Sunderland, Mass. The Building for Books donation will be used by the library to create “Kate’s Corner.” It will be stocked with a new collection of early literacy books. Also in the works are several preschool activities and programs in Kate’s memory. If you are interested in donating to the “Kate’s Corner” project, please send a check to CFCL, PO Box 266, Proctorsville, VT05153 with Kate’s Corner in the memo section.

• Community Appreciation Evening at Ludlow Library:  Fletcher Memorial Library Staff and “Friends” invite our community members to stop by the library on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 3:30-6 p.m. Come visit this historic 121-year-old gem decorated for the season. Please enjoy light refreshments and festive music while sharing holiday cheer with neighbors and friends. Santa Claus will be hand and will be distributing books to children while supplies last. FMI: 802-228-8921

• A.C.T. Christmas Party: Santa Claus is coming to town! A local charity, Assisting Children Today, is delighted to host a Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 17 and everyone is invited. The event will be held at Calcuttas at Fox Run Golf Club in Ludlow. Admission is free. Bring your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Santa will be there from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. to hand out gifts to all children who attend. A free buffet will be offered from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. We have invited many of our local fire departments to participate in the festivities. We look forward to seeing everyone there to share the joy of the holiday season! FMI: www.assistingchildrentoday.org.

• Neighbors Helping Neighbors:   Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates is pleased to, once again, spearhead a Charitable Donation Campaign for Black River Good Neighbors. In 2022, our second year, the goal is to raise $5,500 for the Black River Good Neighbor programs, with MWD matching the first $2,500 and Clearlake Furniture providing a new match this year on the first $500. Visit the Mary Davis office in the Ludlow Plaza or the Clearlake Furniture Showroom to make your donation and receive a collectible 2022 Clearlake Furniture Skier Ornament as a token of appreciation from Mary Davis and Clearlake Furniture. The ornaments are available through Dec. 31.

• Elves on Main St. Scavenger Hunt: 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝘂𝗱𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀. Engel & Völkers and partner locations each hide one elf, a wish box, and raffle tickets. They also donate a prize for the contestant who wins their elf.  𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬! Submit tickets for all 22 for a chance to capture the grand prize: a $250 gift certificate to Homestyle Hotel. View a full list of elves and participating locations at the Engel & Völkers Okemo blog: www.bit.ly/3OByMh7 

 • Antiques Roadshow’ announces air dates of episodes shot in Vermont: Held at the Shelburne Museum this past July to film, air dates on PBS will be  April 24, May 1 and May 8 of 2023.

5. COVID/FLU: Flu and Covid are expected to be problematic this winter. To assist our community in staying healthy, we will be providing a report on both public health issues. For local information on Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

Prevent Flu & Covid

-       Vaccinate. Vaccination clinics nearby for Covid and Flu-Fridays at Riverside Middle School in Springfield; 3-6pm, no appointment needed. Shots are free

-       Wear a mask in crowded places, particularly in doors;

-       Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, throw the tissue away, and wash your hands immediately;

-       Avoid close contact with those confirmed or suspected of having the flu, COVID-19

-       Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after sneezing, coughing or using the bathroom and before eating

-       Stay at home and away from others when you are sick

Free Test kits for Covid: Available Monday-Friday at the Cavendish Fire Dept from 9-4. For weekends and off hours, call 802-226-7807. Also pick up free masks and sanitizer when picking up a test kit.

Free masks & hand sanitizer: Available 24/7, 365 at the CHS Cares Closet, next to the steps of the Museum. Items are on the top upper left hand shelf.

Schools: One case of Covid has been reported at GMUHS on 11/29.

Vermont Covid Surveillance Report: The 11/20-11/26 report reports low community levels statewide with one outbreak in Windsor County.

Vermont Flu Surveillance Report. The 11/13-11/19 reports describes VT as having minimal levels of flu statewide. Influenza A(H3N1) continues to be reported most frequently.  There are two reported outbreaks of flu in Windsor County

6. EVENTS 

DECEMBER 3-4 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY): Okemo Valley INNdulgence Tour. Enjoy holiday decorations, warm drinks and tasty treats at nearly a dozen inns in the Okemo Valley. From noon-5 pm, tickets are $15 per person.

DECEMBER 12 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm Cavendish Town Office

DECEMBER 13 (TUESDAY): ARPA Committee Meeting, 5 pm, Cavendish town office.

DECEMBER 17 (SATURDAY): Stuff a fire truck food drive, 9-5 at Shaw’s Parking Lot, Ludlow. Sponsored by Proctorsvile and Ludlow Fire Depts. Benefits Black River Good Neighbors.

-       A.C.T. Christmas Party at Calcutta’s, 87 Fox Lane, Ludlow. Free admission. Santa will be there from 2-8 pm to hand out free gifts to all children. Free Buffet from 4-7 pm. FMI: 413-636-9028 or info@assistingchildrentoday.org

DECEMBER 24 (SATURDAY): Christmas Eve

DECEMBER 25 (SUNDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 26 (MONDAY): Town office closed for Christmas holiday

DECEMBER 31 (SATURDAY): New Year’s Eve

JANUARY 1 (SUNDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR!

JANUARY 2 (MONDAY): Town office closed for New Year’s

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