Cavendish Update 1/27/23: SB & ARPA Mtgs/News/Events

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1/27/23

1.    Cavendish Committee/Board Meetings

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Covid/Flu update

4.    Events

1. CAVENDISH COMMITTEE/BOARD MEETINGS: A number of meetings are taking place in preparation for Town Meeting.

• ARPA 1/17 Mtg: According to member Peter LaBelle, there are 4 broad criteria for eligible projects – public health emergency, workers doing essential work during Covid, provision of government services during Covid, and water/sewer or broadband projects. The government is presuming that all towns had some lose and can elect to treat the entire ARPA sum (if it is under $10 millions) as “revenue loss” which can then be used for “provision of government services”. Peter said that this is the broadest category, and the filing requirements are less burdensome. in order to be allowed to claim the $10 million standard allowance, the Select Board needs to make a motion to do so by April 30, 2023. The Committee passed a motion to recommend that the Select Board of the Town of Cavendish make the one-time irrevocable decision to elect the “Standard Allowance” approach for our ARPA award in the amount of $420,000 to spend on the “provision of government services throughout the period of performance of the grant.” The committee discussed various ways to determine what projects they should put forward to the select board. Minutes

• Select Board Budget Meeting 1/18: Unapproved minutes are available at the town website. Among the discussed:

-       Sheriff: Town manager, Brendan McNamara, thought there should be more public discussion before increasing the Sheriff’s budget to $70,000, though he did feel that the town needs more police coverage. Current contract runs through June 30th.

-       Mowing Contract: Wish to increase budget as the town is responsible for mowing all of Fletcher Field, the only soccer field in town.

-       Transfer Station: Will be adding an item for uniforms for the attendant.

-       Garage: McNamara met with Regional Planning regarding the soil tests from the former town garage site. Regional Planning will hire and pay for a project manager to remove the diesel tank and pole barn. Water will be restored to the Historical Society Museum.

-       Street Lights: Proctorsville street lights will be converted to LED’s which should save the Town about $3,1000 per year.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Walk and Talk Presentation: How to Photograph Wildlife. Feb 3, 6:30-7:30pm @ Cavendish Fletcher Community Library. Tim O’Donoghue will show some of his bird and wildlife photos, and discuss techniques and equipment, with an emphasis on wildlife biology and specific skills needed to photograph wildlife. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Snow date Feb 10. FMI: contact Robin at 802-259-2327, or email cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.

• Community Luncheon: Lasagna and Bingo, Thursday, Feb. 2, noon, at the Ludlow Community Center Cafeteria, 37 Main St. Ludlow. SEVCA staff will share data on emergency fuel assistance. All are welcome, free of charge. Sponsored by Black River Good Neighbor

• Vermont Everyone Eats program will end on March 31, after distributing 3.5 million meals VT Digger

• Divided Sky: Coming soon to Ludlow, Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program, opening mid-2023, will be a retreat center where guests will follow an abstinence-based, 12-step outline.

• Ludlow Citizen on Jeopardy: Jake DeArruda, a delivery dispatcher from Ludlow, Vt., is set to compete on America’s favorite quiz show on Jan. 27 on WPTZ-TV (NBC). Please check your local listing for additional information or visit www.jeopardy.com.

• New Report on VT’s Solid Waste Law: Vermont’s solid waste law hasn't helped the state reduce its trash output, according to a new report. It’s been about 10 years since lawmakers enacted Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law, which is intended to divert waste streams from the landfill. Josh Kelly, with the Agency of Natural Resources, says the law has made a difference, but there's still work to do. “While we are doing a really good job with recycling, in general, and we have more services for composting than ever before, we’re still wasting a lot of stuff," he said. A new report from the agency shows that the number of tons that end up in the landfill has remained fairly constant. Kelly says with about 20 years left in the state’s only landfill in Coventry, Vermonters need to make tougher choices about what they consume and throw away.

3. COVID/FLU: For local information on Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

Vaccination for Covid and Flu- This is the last Friday for vaccinations at Riverside Middle School in Springfield; 3-6pm, no appointment needed. Shots are free. After today, the best place to be vaccinated is your doctor’s office or pharmacy.  

Free Covid Test kits/masks & hand sanitizer: Available Monday-Friday at the Cavendish Fire Dept from 9-4. For weekends and off hours, call 802-226-7807. Pick up free masks and sanitizer when picking up a test kit. Masks and hand sanitizer are 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: No cases of COVID at GM or CTES

Vermont Covid Surveillance Report: The 1/15-1/21 report indicates low community levels state wide. However, Bennington is registering high levels and there was a major increase in Covid levels at two of Burlington’s waste water treatment plants. One outbreak has been reported for Windsor County.  Five additional Covid deaths in the last week, brings the state total to 889, with 13 deaths in January.

Vermont Flu Surveillance Report. The 1/8-1/14 reports VT as having minimal levels of flu statewide. Windsor County reports 8 outbreaks.

4. EVENTS 

JANUARY 27 (FRIDAY): International Holocaust Remembrance Day

FEBRUARY 2 (THURSDAY): Free Community lunch-Lasagna & Bingo, Ludlow Community Center Cafeteria, 37 Main St. Ludlow, 12 pm. SEVCA will be providing up to date on emergency fuel assistant. Open to the public, sponsored by Black River Good Neighbors.

FEBRUARY 3 (FRIDAY): How to Photograph Wildlife. Feb 3, 6:30-7:30pm @ Cavendish Fletcher Community Library. Tim O’Donoghue will show some of his bird and wildlife photos, and discuss techniques and equipment, with an emphasis on wildlife biology and specific skills needed to photograph wildlife. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Snow date Feb 10. FMI: contact Robin at 802-259-2327, or email cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.

FEBRUARY 14 (TUESDAY): Happy Valentine’s Day

FEBRUARY 15 (WEDNESDAY): 3rd Quarter Property Taxes Due

FEBRUARY 20 (MONDAY): President’s Day, Legal Holiday, Town Office Closed

FEBRUARY 21 (TUESDAY): Mardi Gras

MARCH 6 (MONDAY): Town Meeting (informational)

MARCH 7 (TUESDAY): Voting takes place from 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Hall.

MARCH 12 (SUNDAY): Daylight Savings Time Begins. Set clocks ahead one hour

MARCH 17 (FRIDAY): HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY

APRIL 7 (FRIDAY): Good Friday. Town Office Closed

APRIL 9 (SUNDAY): HAPPY EASTER

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