Cavendish Update 10/25/24: SB Mtg/Election Info/News/Events
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10/25/24
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting
2. General Election Information
3. Walkers and cyclists take note
4. Cavendish Related News
5. Events Calendar
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 10/21/24: : The video of Monday’s select board (SB) meeting is posted Okemo Valley website. https://okemovalley.tv Unapproved Minutes are available at the town’s website.
Approved:
• To submit an application for a grant to conduct the Road Erosion Inventory (REI), which needs to be completed by October 2027. The goal of REI is to establish baseline conditions of road segments and evaluate implementation efforts. The cost will be $10,820, of which the town will be responsible for a 15% match.
• The name Sunset Lane for the new private road off of Prior Road
• Change the November SB meeting date to 11/18/24
Discussed
• General Election: Diane McNamara, Town Clerk, provided an update on the General Election that takes place on Tuesday Nov. See item 2 below.
• Municipal Energy Resilience Grant Update: The town used an initial grant of $4,000 to assess town buildings and has submitted a grant for over $307,000 for upgrades to town office, waste water treatment etc. The purpose of these state grants are to increase energy resilience, reduce energy use and operating costs, and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Many towns are submitting grants so the likelihood of receiving funds is questionable at best.
• Flood Resilience Study Update: A request for proposals (RFP) has been issued by Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) as follows: MARC in cooperation with the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission ( “TRORC”) and the Towns of Plymouth, Ludlow, and Cavendish, Vermont, invite qualified firms to submit proposals for the development of a flood resilience study along the mainstem of the Black River and its major tributaries as it flows through the Towns of Plymouth, Ludlow and Cavendish. The goal of this project is to both update and expand upon those past assessments and plans to develop a comprehensive flood resilience for the Black River corridor with the towns seeking mitigation strategies; floodplain restoration; berm removal; floodwater storage; bridge/culvert upsizing; dam removal; dam rehabilitation; river corridor easements; stormwater management and drainage improvements; structural elevation or floodproofing; and buyouts. Proposals are due Nov. 15 with a project completion date of 12/31/25. Funding and the town’s portion of payment will be discussed following the RFP process.
In addition to this RFP, Cavendish has submitted a grant for the $90 million the state received from the Government for flood mitigation. Greven Field is one of the proposed projects. While it is hoped that Cavendish does receive funding, many towns are applying for these funds.
• ARPA Funds: With the deadline of Dec. 31 rapidly approaching, the SB needs final cost estimates of proposed projects, such as replacing water meters, decisions can be finalized at the November meeting. Betty McEnaney, on behalf of her husband Bruce who is town sexton but currently out of town, requested funds to help repair stones in the various cemeteries. The board can adopt a Resolution about the general manner in which funds will be spent, allowing time in 2025 to finalize specifics.
• Town Managers Contract: Town manager, Rick Chambers, signed his contract as part of the meeting.
• Dangerous/Derelict Building Update: The Depot St. project has been completed. The owners at 1323 Main St. have replied to Chambers’ letter, stating that there plan is to remove the building in question.
• Proctor Cemetery Access: Chambers did not think the access was blocked, though there is no signage.
• Managers Report: Chambers informed the board that he continues to work with FEMA and hopes to have this project completed in the next two weeks. Have $500,000 in projects approved for funding but are still working on the remaining $1.5 million balance. Property owners with delinquent water bills, who have not contacted the town office to develop payment agreements, need to do as in the near future, disconnections will begin.
• Lack of Cell Service in the Villages: SB member Shannon Devereux discussed the lack of cell service from Downers Four Corners through Proctorsville.
2. GENERAL ELECTION INFORMATION: Ballots have been mailed to all registered Cavendish voters. If you have not received yours, or you want to register to vote, call or stop by the town office, or go to the polls on election day. The number is 802-226-7291. You can also obtain a ballot at the polls.
Cavendish’s polling place is the Proctorsville Fire Dept., which will be open from 10-7 on Nov. 5. Ballots can be mailed back using the envelope provided or dropped off at the Town Office. Please read all instructions carefully before returning your ballot.
If you plan to vote in person please bring the ballot you received in the mail – if you do not bring your ballot you will be required to sign an Affidavit of No Ballot Cast before being issued a new ballot.
Local candidates for Justice of the Peace are on the back side of the ballot. Only write in names of people who would be willing to serve. Please do not include joke names since those need to be hand counted, which takes a lot of time.
The Board of Civil Authority will process absentee ballots early on Oct 30 (Wednesday) from 9 am until finished. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Nov. 4 by 5 pm at the Town Office.
Firearms are not allowed in polling places. If you carry, please leave them in your vehicle.
The Town Office is closed on election day.
3. WALKERS AND CYCLISTS TAKE NOTE: It's been brought to our attention that some cyclists and walkers are putting themselves in harm’s way by not observing basic safety measures. Walkers please pay attention to traffic; walk on the sidewalk whenever possible; walk single file and remember that motorist might not see. Do not walk with your back to oncoming traffic; wear dark colors, especially at night; or listen to loud music or look at your phone. For more information, click here. The rules of the road for cyclists are as follows: follow the law as you have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers; be predictable-use turn signals and don’t swerve in and out around parked cars; ride where people can see you with reflectors on your bike and wearing bright clothes; stay alert for what drivers and walkers might be doing and be on the lookout for things like pot holes and road debris; and make sure your bike is in good working order. For more information, click here.
4. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Spanish Conversation Group Forming at the Cavendish Library: Do you speak Spanish? Would you like to converse with others in Spanish? Join us to meet and speak Spanish with others in the community on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5 pm at the Cavendish Library. This is an initial meeting and subsequent meeting days and times will be determined based upon participant interest and availability. Spanish fluency is required. FMI: 802-226-7503
• GM board votes to preview restructuring proposal, overriding superintendent’s schedule: I n a bid to moderate reaction to an administration-generated restructuring plan for the three schools within the Green Mountain Unified School District, TRSU Superintendent Layne Millington said he would not reveal the plan until the next GM board meeting, on Thursday Nov. 21. But, following Cavendish board representative Kate Lamphere’s request, the board voted 6-3 to have the plan released to its members 12 hours ahead of that meeting with the promise that they would not divulge it to the public. Millington has provided hints to the plan including that it would cost money and may involve a bond next year or a higher school budget for one year depending on the tax rate. He also said there were a number of variations to discuss. He also said that the plan would not involve moving the sixth grade to Green Mountain High, but that the plan does include putting a pre-school at Cavendish Town Elementary and adding a pre-school playground. Chester Telegraph
• Tree Planting at CTES: Tree planting took place at CTES on Monday 10/21. The type of trees planted from left to right on the CTES school yard are as follows: 3 male Autumn Gold Ginkgoes; a Red Maple by the flagpole; a Magnolia and then 3 Adirondack Crab Apple Trees. Two purple lilacs are in the first parking area. The red maple tree was planted in the spot where Riley's Tree stood. It was chosen and placed there specifically to be dedicated to Stephen Plunkard, who passed away a year ago on the 21st. It was the Plunkard family that purchased and planted Riley's Tree many years ago.
• No one injured, two condos destroyed in fire on Okemo Mountain: Chester Telegraph
• Big Pops Sandwich Shop Opens Friday in Ludlow: Opening with their full food menu, Big Pops-located at 57 Pond Street-opens this Friday. Hours are 6-6.
5. EVENTS
OCTOBER 25 (FRIDAY): Gill Home Haunted Walk. They are currently seeking donations of candy, which can be dropped off at the business office, nurses station, or donation bin located in the lobby.
OCTOBER 26 (SATURDAY) History of the Invasives: Knotweed. 2 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807.
OCTOBER 29 (TUESDAY): Spanish Conversation Group meets at the Cavendish Library at 5 pm. FMI: 802/226-7503.
OCTOBER 31 (THURSDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN Trunk or Treat Benson’s Chevrolet, 25 Pond St. Ludlow 5-7 pm
NOVEMBER 2 (SATURDAY): Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Starts 3:30 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville. Workshop from 3-5:30 Pot luck supper follows
NOVEMBER 3 (SUNDAY): Fall back to standard time. Day lights savings ends. Set clocks back one hour and use this as a time to check smoke and radon detectors.
NOVEMBER 5 (TUESDAY): Election Day. Cavendish voting takes place at the Proctorsville Fire Hall from 10-7. FMI: 802-226-7291.
NOVEMBER 10 (SUNDAY): Proctorsville Ghost Walk. Meet at 2 pm in front of the Proctorsville War Memorial. This event is free and open to the public.
NOVEMBER 11 (MONDAY): Veteran’s Day Town Office closed.
NOVEMBER 14 (THURSDAY): The Cavendish Library presents “The Life and Legacy of Nicholas Black elk, Holy Man of the Lakota.” Damien Costello will be the speaker, who specializes in the intersection of Catholic theology, indigenous spiritual traditions and colonial history. FMI: Amy McMullen 802-226-7503 or CavendishLibrary573@gmail.com
NOVEMBER 22-24 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY): Ski Swap at Jackson Gore. Hours Friday 4-7 pm; Saturday 9-5; and Sunday 9-1
NOVEMBER 28 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town Office Closed
NOVEMBER 29 (FRIDAY): Town office closed for Thanksgiving break.