Cavendish Update 4/7/23: Crime Watch/Oil Spill/News/Events
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4/7/23
1. Cavendish Fuel Oil Theft & Contamination
2. Crime Watch
3. Lake Monitors Needed
4. Cavendish Info
5. COVID
6. Events
Cavendish’s fire warden, Chris Marks, has issued a bulletin that no fires in areas without snow until further notice. This time of year brush fires start very quickly due to high winds and excess dry materials on the ground.
Transfer Station closed Sunday in observance of Easter.
1. CAVENDISH FUEL OIL THEFT AND CONTAMINATION: Note that this is an evolving story and information can change overtime.
On 04/02/2023 at approximately 18:25 [6.25 pm] hours, Vermont State Police received a report from the Cavendish Road Foreman Alphonso Chambers reporting a large diesel fuel spill at the town garage. The incident occurred at 22:40 [10.40 pm] hours on March 31st. The gas pump was left running until April 1st. Chambers stated that it appeared someone was siphoning fuel out of their tanks. It was reported that over 100 gallons of fuel had spilled into the ground/river. The hazmat team was called to handle the spill. VT State Police Report
According to Chambers, a major environmental hazard occurred when 1,600 gallons of diesel fuel from the town’s tank spilled behind the building, to the left of the pole barn where it spilled over the bank into wetlands and into the old canal used for the woolen mill. Mitigation efforts are underway. The contaminated dirt removed from the site is now covered in plastic and will be removed within the next couple of weeks. Fortunately the fuel has not reached the Black River. Absorbent matts have been placed in strategic areas and are being regularly changed in order to avoid further contamination. Though there is no reason to believe the Cavendish Municipal Water System has been impacted, the town well and water will be tested. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Cavendish town Office 802-226-7291
Based on camera footage from March 31, Mitchell Horton has been arrested in this matter and on other charges. According to VSP, Horton was in possession of a stolen vehicle. Horton was taken into custody where it was discovered he was armed with a loaded handgun and in possession of what was suspected to be Fentanyl. Horton was transported to the Vermont State Police Westminster Barracks for processing and held on $20,000 bail.
While not specifically charged with siphoning gas, and causing the oil spill, Horton has eight previous felony convictions and nine pending court dockets in Windsor County. Among them include the stealing of an ATM, with more than $30,000, from the Downers Store, 4 Corners, in 2021.
According to VT Digger Vermont State Police Trooper Eric Clemens wrote in an affidavit that officers responding on Monday to a report of a suspicious man in Cavendish discovered Horton in the back of a white Ford utility truck with “what appeared to be a pump to collect fuel” and “multiple fuel containers.” A similar vehicle had been seen attempting to steal fuel from the Cavendish town garage on Sunday, Clemens wrote.
On Tuesday, Windsor County Superior Court Judge John Treadwell ordered Horton held on $20,000 cash bond. This is the same judge who allowed Horton to leave prison on the condition that he immediately enter a drug rehabilitation program in July 2022. Horton has pleaded not guilty to his most recent charges.
Many in town have expressed frustration over the low bail and the risk Horton poses to the community. A comment made to the Cavendish VT Facebook page reflects the feelings of many people in town, It is beyond comprehension that our court system would allow him out for any reason. With all of the current, pending cases there should be no bail as he clearly lacks the ability to function in society, as has been shown by his repeated dangerous criminal behavior EVERY time he is released. He clearly lacks any respect for himself, his community or the property that the people in this town have worked hard for.
To the question of who will pay for the cleanup of the oil spill, that remains to be seen, though the town has filed a claim with their insurance company.
Special thank you to Brendan McNamara, who is spite of starting his new job as town manager in Ludlow on Monday, has been helping out in resolving this situation.
The State Agency of Natural Resources has a site where you can learn more about hazardous spills, including the one in Cavendish.
2. CRIME WATCH
Proctorsville Break In: Monday night, 4/3, in Proctorsville. House where construction is being completed-Heald Rd near Davis. Tools, compressors and a variety of other items taken. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police Westminster Barracks at (802)-722-4626. Anonymous tips may be left at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit or by texting the keyword, VTIPS to 274637 (CRIMES).
High Speed Chase: On 04/06/23, at 1120 hours, Troopers were conducting case follow-up in Cavendish, Vermont for reported suspicious activity involving a black pickup truck. During this, Trooper's observed a vehicle matching that description and attempted to stop it for an observed violation. The operator of the vehicle failed to stop and fled the scene at a high rate of speed, operating in a negligent manner. Officers with the Chester Police Department later located the truck at a residence on Baltimore Road, in Springfield. Bradley Elliot, 39, was located by Troopers, slumped over in the front seat of the vehicle. Elliot was arrested for Attempting to Elude, Negligent Operation, Violation of Conditions of Release, and Criminal DLS. He was ordered to be held on $500 bail and is cited to appear in Windsor County Criminal Court on 4/7/23 at 1230 hours. VSP
3. LAKE MONITORS NEEDED: Do you enjoy being on the water? If you own a small paddle-powered or motor-powered boat and can commit to getting out on your lake or pond once every 10 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, then being a lake monitor could be for you,
Volunteers from the Black River Action Team will be tackling lakes and ponds around Windsor County, but there are several still in need of a person to take on the role of lake monitor. All training and equipment are provided. All that’s required is your enthusiasm for healthy water and an hour or so every 10 days. Water temperature and clarity data as well as visual observations will be collected during each visit, and samples will be collected and need to be delivered to a prearranged drop site in a timely manner.
The water bodies in need are Knapp Brook Pond Number One and Knapp Brook Pond Number Two in Ascutney, Stoughton Pond in Weathersfield, and Amherst Lake in Plymouth.
To learn more or to volunteer, please contact B.R.A.T. Director Kelly Stettner right away at blackrivercleanup@gmail.com,or by leaving your contact information at 802-738-0456.
4. CAVENDISH INFO
• Ann Sheldon (1946-2023): Services are being planned for a later date. Contributions can be made in her name to the Hospice of Vermont/New Hampshire and the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society in Windsor, VT.
• Martin (Marty) Nikta: Ludlow Lawyer Marty Nitka died on Thursday March 30 at the age of 80. A full obituary will be filed at a later date.
• Cavendish SB Changes Monthly Meeting to April 17: Due to scheduling conflicts, April’s regularly scheduled Select Board Meeting is being rescheduled for April 17. The board is currently in the process of interviewing candidates for the Town Manager position.
• Municipal Utility Bills Direct Debit Payment: The Town of Cavendish Water/Wastewater bills can now be automatically paid by ACH Direct Debit. If you are interested in setting up direct debits please download the form from the town's website and return it to the Town of Cavendish, PO Box 126, Cavendish VT 05142. Call the Town Office at 802-226-7291 if you have any questions.
• GMUSD special hearing agenda for April 11: The board of the Green Mountain Unified School District will hold a special hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at the Green Mountain High School, 716 Rt. 103 south, and via Zoom. To join the meeting go to https://trsu.zoom.us/j/81803924162. The board will be discussing TRSU Policy E5 Nondiscriminatory Mascots and School Branding
• Principal Hill and Asst. Principal Donohue Resign from GMUHS: On Tuesday, the principal and Asst. Principal at Green Mountain Union High School (GMUHS) announced their resignations. Out of the five schools in the TRSU (Chester Andover, Cavendish, Ludlow and Mt. Holly Elementary Schools and, GMUHS), all will have new principals, with the exception of Mt Holly, by Fall 2023. Two of the positions, Chester Andover and Ludlow Elementary, are retirements. CTES’s principal announced her resignation last week. Amy Bohren is the third principal CTES has had in the last five years.
5. COVID: For local information on Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide, which does provide information on Long Covid.
Vaccination for Covid and Flu- 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.
Schools: One at Ludlow Elementary
Vermont Covid Surveillance Report: The 3/26-4/25 report indicates low community levels state wide, with the exception of Windham county, which has medium levels. There have been 3 new Covid deaths, bringing the state total to 944, with 14 occurring in March.
6. EVENTS
APRIL 7 (FRIDAY): Good Friday. Town Office Closed
APRIL 8 (SATURDAY): Free Easter Dinner. The Ludlow & Proctorsville Fire Depts., in conjunction with Black River Good Neighbors are providing an Easter Dinner, which can be picked up curbside at the Ludlow Community Center from 12-2. The meal includes ham, potatoes, gravy, corn, roll and dessert. To reserve your meal, call Angela at 802-356-3823 by April 1. Maximum 125 dinners provided
- Easter Egg Hunt: Weathersfield @ Hoisington Field 10:30 am, bring your own basket. Special area for 3 and under. Occurs regardless of weather.
APRIL 9 (SUNDAY): HAPPY EASTER
APRIL 17 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Town Office.
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