Cavendish Update 1/12/24: SB Mtg/News/Events/Job
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A new shipment of COVID Rapid Tests have arrived in town. They can be picked up M-F from the Cavendish Fire Station 9-4, at the Proctorsville Fire Hall Tuesday evenings from 6-8 pm and on the weekends e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com Note that the actual expiration date for these tests is 10/2/24. Thank you PVFD for helping to make this possible.
Congratulations to Outer Limits who reopens today! Note they will no longer accept reservations for parties smaller than 8, with a limited number of seatings/reservations per day. To-go food will no longer be offered.
1/12/24
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting
2. Immediate Job Opening
3.Cavendish Related News
4. Events
1.CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 1/8/24: Cavendish Select Board (SB) meetings are videoed by Okemo Valley TV and are available at their website. Unapproved minutes are at the Town’s website.
Approved
• Disbanding the ARPA Committee and accepting their report (see discussion below)
• Giving the Town Manager approval to remove the restrictions on the Academy Building if the town attorney signs off on it. (see discussion below)
• Use Australian Ballot for the 2024 voting of the town budget.
• Refrigerator magnet for disaster information
Discussed
• Marijuana Dispensary: Daniel Singleton would like to establish a marijuana dispensary in Cavendish. This requires a town vote. He has until January 18 to file a warning for the March 2024 Town Meeting. It should be noted that the state makes the final decision on a dispensary license.
• GMUSD Budget: Cavendish Representatives to the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) were present to discuss the upcoming school budget as it is different from previous years. The state has changed how funds will be distributed to school districts, with supposedly more money going to towns where a higher number of students are thought to be in need. This is part of the state’s funding for special education and would not reduce taxes. There are many unknows, including changes in Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) and what our ultimate tax rate would be.
• ARPA Committee Recommendations: $421,000 has been given to Cavendish by the American Rescue Plan Act, which must be allocated by the end of 2024. A survey was conducted with the leading recommendation for use of funds being the improvement of the town’s infrastructure. Applications were submitted by various people in the community for the funds. The ARPA committee provided the SB with recommendations for projects, noting that some funds were left over. The SB will have to make a decision in the coming months about how these funds should be used.
• Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP): The plan was started July and needs to be completed so the town can apply for specific grants. The town manager, Rick Chambers, will be putting together a committee to complete the plan.
• Academy Building: The town’s attorney is studying the removal of the restriction covenants-town’s right of first refusal and the use of it for only commercial use. The owner, Reese Brown, has been trying to sell the building for years now and the restrictions are limiting his ability to do so. The building will retain its historical relevance as the Vermont Preservation Trust will continue to have a stake in the building.
• VT-ALERTS: Training will take place a month from now after which the fire chiefs, emergency coordinator and the town manager can post directly to the VT Alert system when emergent situations arise in town. Currently, they need to go through VT Alert before that can happen.
• Managers Report: Requesting photographs for the damage from the July floods. Text 802-738-6445. The more pictures the town has the better.
- Back roads have been rough due to unseasonable thaws but it did freeze and so they’ve been repaired
- Two of the town’s big trucks are being fixed but hopefully will have back in time for the next storm
- The town has an immediate opening for a Highway Dept. crew member (see item 2)
2. IMMEDIATE JOB OPENING: The Town of Cavendish has an immediate opening for a full-time Highway Department crew member. This position has a competitive wage and excellent benefits package. Applicants are required to have current CDL, good driving and work records and must be in good physical health. Experience in construction and heavy equipment operation, including dump truck operation, is preferred but the Town is willing to train the right CDL holding applicant. This is a permanent position with a retirement plan. Applications, resumes and inquiries should be directed to: Town Manager, Town of Cavendish Municipal Building, 37 High Street, P.O. Box 126 Cavendish, Vermont 05142. FMI: (802) 226-7291
3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Gloria Leven: It is with sadness that we note the passing of Gloria Leven, who died on New Years Day at 100. Known for her incredible volunteerism, she touched many lives through her work with the Cavendish Historical Society, the Cavendish Library, CTES, St. Gaudens and many other endeavors. Condolences to her family. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
• Bill Walker: William Joseph Walker, 87, of Proctorsville, died on Jan. 4, 2024. His obituary can be read on-line. In lieu of flowers, he has requested donations be made to St. Jude, Shriners, or ASPCA.
• STR Discussion at Cavendish Planning Commission Meeting: At their Jan. 4 meeting, the Cavendish Planning Commission reviewed changes to the Proposed Subdivision Regulations and discussed potential effects of introducing town policies on short-term rentals (STRs). VT Journal
• Proctorsville Junior Firefighters Help Fill the Ranks: WCAX featured the Junior Firefighter program at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.
• Cavendish Playgroup: A Playgroup is being formed at the Cavendish Library for children birth to 5 years old. They must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. The Playgroup will meet on Wednesdays at the Library from 10-11:30. Activities include arts and crafts; reading, games and more. FMI: Deb Savey at debra.savey@sapcc-vt.org or Amy McMullen cavendishlibrary573@gmail.com
• Flood Relief Funds Available from Crown Point Board of Realtors: The Crown Point Board of Realtors has been utilized by the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce to dispense funds that were raised by them in the aftermath of the July floods. One of the focuses of Round 4 Funding is to seek out need for heat, hot water, electrical, mold and debt in re-establishing basic needs. Applications need to be filed by January 19.
• Mask Mandates Reinstated: Given increases in respiratory illnesses (COVID, flu, RSV) both Dartmouth Medical and University of Vermont Medical Centers have reinstated mask mandates.
4. EVENTS
JANUARY 12 (FRIDAY): Outer Limits Reopens
JANUARY 15 (MONDAY): Martin Luther King Day Town office and schools
closed.
FEBRUARY 13 (TUESDAY): Mardi Gras
FEBRUARY 14 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
FEBRUARY 19 (MONDAY): President’s Day. Legal holiday town office and schools closed
FEBRUARY 19-23 (MONDAY-FRIDAY) Winter Break no school