Cavendish Update 12/15/23: SB Mtg/News/Events

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12/15/23

1.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting 12/11/23

2.    Cavendish Related News

3.    Events

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 12/11/23: Select Board (SB) meetings are taped by Okemo Valley TV and available at their website. Unapproved minutes for Monday’s meeting are available at the Town’s website.

Prior to the SB meeting, a hearing was to be held on the proposed Energy section of the Town Plan. However, due to missing the deadline for sending notices to surrounding towns, it became an information meeting. Unapproved minutes from the meeting are available at the town website.

Items Discussed/Acted on

Approved

• Correct errors found in the 2023 as Billed Grand List for  Parcel #1R06-148.02: Omission of education tax billing

• Accepting Carlton Rd Survey by Gary Rappanotti and doing away with the Class 4 status. This will allow a building permit to move forward

• VT Alert: This allows Cavendish to provide personalized alerts via phone, text or email about emergencies. This is part of the state’s alert system. People can register for the service by going to vtalert.gov

• Begin the process of adding Park Place( dirt road behind Murdock’s & Outer Limits in Proctorsville) to the town roads as a class 3 road.

• Shannon Devereux to serve as the liaison to the Planning Commission

• Request that the Planning Commission look into the issue of short term rentals and provide recommendations

• First budget meeting has been set for Dec. 21st (Thursday) at 6 pm at the town office

Discussed

• Voting 2024-Agreed that voting by Australian ballot for the town budget basically would kill Town Meeting. However, town meeting hasn’t been well attended in previous years. To permanently change to Australian Ballot would require a town vote. The board has until the end of January to make a decision about this coming year’s voting.

• Short Term Rentals: Anything less than 30 days is considered a short term rental. During peak times, there is more demand for town services including water and emergency services. While Cavendish has always had short term rentals, passing an ordinance raises the question of who does the enforcement. If something does happen, the potential it places the town in a vulnerable position.

• Academy Building: Rick Chambers has contacted a survivor to determine what’s town property, however, it makes no sense to have a survey done if the business restriction isn’t lifted  from the deed.  The owner, Reese Brown  will develop a letter for himself,  Preservation Trust, and the Town to sign, which would remove the restriction against residential use first.

• Back roads are currently in a muddy rutty mess due to the thaws. Roads crews are working to make repairs

• Continue working with FEMA and reimbursement. Currently the town has spent  $1.91 million on this event. Still have guardrails and paving that will be done in the spring. Still accepting pictures of the flood, which should be texted to 802-738-6445

• ARPA: The ARPA Committee is meeting to finalize applications next week and will forward them to the Board for consideration.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Maren Muter will be running the hot chocolate tasting for Sunday's (Dec. 17) "A Christmas Carol" Open Studio. 3-5:30 at the former Crow's Bakery at 73 Depot St. Proctorsville. Learn more about Maren’s interest in all things chocolate at That Chocolate. The Golden Stage Inn is making cookies to go along with Maren's hot chocolate and there will be lots of opportunities to make various types of Victorian ornaments.  This event is sponsored by the Cavendish Historical Society thanks to a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund. This is free, open to the public and suitable for all ages.

• CTES Snow Sports Program - Critical Need for On-Mountain Volunteers: 60 students have signed up for the program and we need 2 more snowboard volunteers and 5 more ski volunteers so that we can meet the required student to adult ratio. You get a free full day lift ticket for the day. You ski/ride with students from 12:00-4:00 each day. Our program day are Tuesdays in January and February. Even if you can only volunteer a few dates, that would be so helpful! If you can volunteer or can reach out to someone who might be able to, please contact Jarrod Harper (jcharpervt@gmail.com or 802-770-2892).

• The once-flooded ski town of Ludlow is back in business. Just bring your own groceries. VT Digger

• Owner of multiple Ludlow businesses arrested following indictment on federal bribery charges: Troy Caruso owns five restaurants and a golf course in Ludlow. He’s charged in New York state with bribing an official in order to receive a $3.55 million contract. VT Digger The Chester Telegraph is also covering this story.

• Kate Lorenz Fund issues first gifts: As the year draws to a close, many thanks are extended to the generous friends of The Kate Lorenz Memorial Community Fund, founded in 2022 in honor and in memory of Kate Lorenz, who lived her 42 years with sparkling passion and generosity. One of the recipients of the gift awards for 2023 is the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library. Chester Telegraph

• Toys for Tots at Benson Chevrolet: Drop off unwrapped items to us at Benson’s Chevrolet, Inc., 25 Pond Street in Ludlow, Vt. until Dec. 22- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Donated items can be children’s clothing, toys, books, bikes, games, and craft projects to name just a few. FMI: Kim Lampert at 802-228-4000.

• Fletcher Farm School to Take a Pause in 2024: In light of various challenges (financial, personnel and dismal 2023 season), the The Society of Vermont Artists and Craftsmen (SOVAC) Board has made the difficult decision to press pause to reset and regroup during the 2024 season. This temporary status will allow our Board of Directors and small volunteer staff to focus on attaining the support and the resources we need to re-open with a new vision in 2025.Update from the SOVAC

3. EVENTS

DECEMBER 16 (SATURDAY): 1 PM. Sheryl Faye, who presents historical woman, will provide a one woman show about the life and achievements of Queen Elizabeth II. This is a free and open to the public event at the Cavendish Library. Refreshments will be provided.

-       Cookie Bake & Swap  All are welcome, kid games & movies happening while we bake. 1:00pm until we’re done at the Cavendish Shelter and Community Space Cavendish Baptist Church, 2258 Main Street.  Mixers, cookie sheets, and royal icing available to use.  Bring your favorite cookie dough already mixed or the ingredients you need to make your favorite cookies. 

DECEMBER 17 (SUNDAY): 3-5:30 at 73 Depot (former Crow’s Bakery) in Proctorsville. The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is hosting a Dickens’ Christmas Carol open studio with a hot chocolate tasting, ornament making and more. This is free and open to the public. This has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund. 

DECEMBER 25 (MONDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS

JANUARY 1 (MONDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR

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