Cavendish Update 10/27/23: Plunkard/Winterized/Public Notice/News/Events
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DEPOT STREET BLOCK PARTY TOMORROW, 10/28, STARTING AT 3 PM.
10/27/23
1. Remembering Stephen Plunkard
2. Are you winterized?
3. Public Hearing Notice
4. CCF Fall Grant Applications
5. Cavendish Related News
6. Events
1. REMEMBERING STEPHEN PLUNKARD: It is with sadness that we report the passing of Selectman Stephen Plunkard on Oct.22. Originally from London, England, Stephen relocated to the USA when he was 13. A graduate of Louisiana State University (LSU) in landscape architecture, he worked all over the world, including a project for the Shah of Iran. He formed the architecture firm, The Cavendish Partnership, which was located in the Academy Building on Main Street. He went on to become senior vice president at Dufresne-Henry and served as a senior principal for Stantec Consulting Services and WSP Global.
Having practiced planning, urban design and landscape architecture for more than 35 years, he won awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects, American Institute of Architects, American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
While Stephen loved being a landscape architect, and would draw out rough drafts of ideas on whatever was handy, his first love was teaching. He has been a lecturer and critic at more than a dozen universities and colleges, served on the Board of Trustees of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the Editorial Advisory Board of Landscape Architecture magazine and was the former President of the Vermont Society of Landscape Architects. In addition to being a Cavendish Selectman, on the board of the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce, and a fellow of ASLA, he was an adjunct professor at Norwich University at the time of his death.
Stephen was proud to display his British heritage, in the car he drove (an MG), his dog (English Bulldogs, including one named Sid for Sid Vicious), the Union Jack that flew on special occasions and even the cap he wore in winter. When the Queen died, Stephen posted about how his “Mum” would dress him in the latest Prince Charles attire when he was a kid.
Our condolences to his wife Becky, who he was married to for over 50 years, his sons Chris and Mike, their spouses, and four grandchildren. Information about services will be announced at a later date.
2. ARE YOU WINTERIZED? It’s been a very easy fall so far, with warm temps and little if any freezing at night. That’s about to change, with snow forecast for next Wednesday. It’s important to understand that warmer atmosphere, due to El Nino and climate change, can hold more moisture increasing chances for heavier snowfalls. Therefore before the snow flies, prepare by doing the following:
• Sign up for VT Alert so you’ll know about hazardous conditions. For warned is for armed.
• Monitor local weather and news. Use the National Weather Service website.
• Have a sufficient supply of whatever you use to heat your home. If you need fuel assistance, contact Black River Good Neighbors Services NOW 802-228-3663.
• If you use a generator for backup power, have ample fuel supply on hand and check that your generator is in good working order.
• Have a backup plan for power outages, particularly if it impacts how you heat your house.
• Black River Action Team is reminding people about culverts to reducing chances of flooding this fall and during spring melt. Take a look at the storm drains that you can SAFELY access on your road and in your neighborhood! Grab a rake or two and some BRIGHTLY-colored shirt or jacket, stay on the sidewalk, and keep those drains clear of leaves, litter, branches, sticks, and any other debris. Rake the obstructing material up onto the nearby lawn, collect it in a garbage bag if you can. Leaves and sticks can be brought to the Cavendish Transfer Station free of charge.
• In the event you can’t leave your house for awhile have flashlight(s), batteries, battery powered radio, water, non-perishable foods.
• Be aware that Cavendish’s warming shelter is the Cavendish Baptist Church on Main St. in Cavendish Village. The Cavendish VT Facebook page provides up to the minute info on warming shelters and other relief information. Use and share with neighbors that may not be on line.
• Check on neighbors.
• For more information, check out the Red Cross Winter Storm Preparedness Checklist
3.NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION: A public hearing before the Planning Commission for the town of Cavendish will be held at the Cavendish Town Hall On November 15, 2023 at 6:30 PM. to consider an appeal of a flood area regulations violation. A site visit to the property will be on November 15 at 256 Depot St., Proctorsville VT at 4:00 PM.
Appellant: Charles & Cheryl James 256 Depot St Proctorsville, VT
Property Location: 256 Depot St Proctorsville, VT 05153
Reason For Hearing: Appeal of a Flood Hazard Violation Letter issued 9/19/2023
The above violation letter is available for inspection at the Cavendish Municipal Offices. Persons wishing to participate may do so in person, be represented by an agent or an attorney, by Zoom, or by writing the Board. Written communications about the application should be filed with the Planning Commission either prior to, or during, the hearing. Hybrid meeting information will be available on the agenda.
Tim Calabrese Chair, Cavendish Planning Commission
4. CAVENDISH COMMUNITY FUND ACCEPTING FALL 2023 GRANTS: The Cavendish Community Fund (CCF) has announced that it is now accepting grant applications for fall 2023 awards. Grants will be awarded for cultural, educational, or artistic programs, projects, or events that benefit the people of Cavendish in some fashion. The Fund considers applications filed anytime, but will only award fall 2023 grants to those who file by November 30th. The next round of grants will be paid next year. Instructions for applying, and on-line filing can be found at www.CavendishCommunityFund.com. Please click on the Application tab. Application instructions can also be obtained and applications can be submitted by emailing CavendishCommunityFund@gmail.comor by mailing to the Cavendish Community Fund, P.O. Box 154, Proctorsville, VT 05153.
Projects for which funds are sought must directly benefit the Cavendish community. A panel of local citizens reviews all applications and recommends grant awards based on the quality and feasibility of each proposal. Grants are not expected to exceed $1,000 each. Funding will depend primarily on the number of applications received and the amounts requested.
For further information on applying, on eligibility, on any other aspect of the grant program, or for help completing an application, please call Douglas McBride at 226-7142 or Peter LaBelle at 226-7250.
5. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• GMUSD board actions on mascot appeal lacking in transparency: The Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) continues to spend time, on the non-educational issue of the Chieftains name for GMUHS. However, with Lisa Sanders replacing Dennis Riley, who resigned in May, Cavendish now has its full membership on the board, which has changed the voting balance. Andover Board member Scott Kendall has asked for an analysis of whether it would be advantageous for Cavendish to “redistrict” to the Ludlow-Mount Holly District and if this would help or hurt the Ludlow Mt Holly district or GMUSD. Kendall’s request was passed with an amendment that other scenarios be explored, not just Cavendish changing districts. VT Digger
• Proctorsville Fire Dept. Toy Drive: Help kids have an amazing holiday. From now through December, the Proctorsville Fire Dept. is sponsoring a toy drive. Drop off location is DG Bodyworks, on the corner of the Proctorsville Green and 131. Dropoff times are Mondays 6:30- 7:30 am, 4:30-5:30 pm; Tuesdays 6:30-10-15 am, 6-7 pm; Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 am, 5-6 pm; and Thursdays 9:15-10:15 am, 4;30-5:30 pm. Toys of any type for all ages are needed.
• Cavendish Tree Walk: Nov. 4 @ 10 am at Proctors Piper Forest parking area, end of Pratt Hill off Depot St. in Proctorsville. Local writer and naturalist Michael Metivier will focus on tree identification on tree bark as the primary means of learning how to identify native trees, as well as teach some basics of central New England forest composition and history. Perfect walk for beginners. Sponsored by CCCA’s Walk and Talk series. RSVP and for more information sarah@ripleydesignco.com
• Smokin’ Bowls Will Not Reopen in Proctorsville: Smokin’ Bowls will not be returning to their location on the corner of 103 and 131 due to heavy damage from the July floods. They are also in the process of moving from their Rockingham location to 35 Sylvan Road Chester, just north of their current location.
• Vermont ski town says it's 'waiting with open arms' for the winter season after severe flooding
• All Vermont DMV offices closing for a week in November: All Vermont Dept. of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed to the public Nov. 8-14 for a computer system upgrade. There will be no online vehicle registration or replacements from Nov. 5 to Nov. 12, but all other online services will be available. However, credit card payment processing may be delayed. You can still use the online scheduling system.
• Woolly Bear Caterpillars and Weather Prediction
6. EVENTS
OCTOBER 27 (FRIDAY): Trunk or Treat at CTES 5-8 pm.
- Gill Home hosting a haunted cemetery walk from 6-8 pm
OCTOBER 28 (SATURDAY): DEPOT ST BLOCK PARTY 3 PM
- Prescription Drug Take Back Day
OCTOBER 31 (TUESDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN
• Trunk or Treat at Benson’s Chevrolet from 5-7 pm
• Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St., Haunted house display
NOVEMBER 4 (SATURDAY): Cavendish Tree Walk 10 am at Proctors Piper Forest parking area, end of Pratt Hill off Depot St. in Proctorsville. Local writer and naturalist Michael Metivier will focus on tree identification on tree bark as the primary means of learning how to identify native trees, as well as teach some basics of central New England forest composition and history. Perfect walk for beginners. Sponsored by CCCA’s Walk and Talk series. RSVP and for more information sarah@ripleydesignco.com
NOVEMBER 4-5 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY): Final playground build for CTES 8am-4pm ~ or any amount of hours that work for you. Bring wheelbarrows, shovel, steel garden rake, gloves. Sign up by at https://bit.ly/46D8Xp1Reach out to Jenn Harper with any questions 802-548-7419 Community Service Hours can be earned towards graduation requirements No skills required!!!
NOVEMBER 5 (SUNDAY): Fall back, return to standard time. Use this as a reminder to check batteries in smoke and radon detectors.
NOVEMBER 10 (FRIDAY): Veteran’s Day Town Office Closed
NOVEMBER 17-19 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY): Okemo Mountain School Ski & Swap, Round House at Jackson Gore. Friday 4-7; Saturday 8-5 and Sunday 9-1. To sell used equipment, it must be dropped off at the Round House at Jackson Gore 10-3 on Sat. Nov. 11, Sun Nov. 12, Wed. Nov. 15. All sales Benefit OMS. FMI: https://www.okemomountainschool.org/events-calendar/ski-and-snowboard-swap2023
NOVEMBER 23 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town office closed
NOVEMBER 24 (FRIDAY): Town Office closed.