Cavendish Update 3/7/25: Town Mtg/Warning/Job/News/Events
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CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS: CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE
cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com
SPRING FORWARD! Day light savings time returns this Sunday. Set clocks ahead and hour. This is a good time to check batteries in fire alarms and radon detectors.
1. Cavendish Town Meeting
2. Cavendish Fire District 2 (Cavendish) Meeting Warning
3. Job Opening
4. Cavendish Related News
5. Events Calendar
1. CAVENDISH TOWN MEETING: On March 1, Cavendish Town Meeting met for the first time during the afternoon on a Saturday. According to town clerk, Diane McNamara, 50 people attended, approximately 10 more than in the prior year. Since all voting is done by Australian Ballot, this was an information meeting only. A video of the meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV website and the Chester Telegraph has a report on the meeting and voting.
View from Montpelier: Cavendish representatives Senator Alison Clarkson, Senator Joe Major and Representative VL Coffin spoke about the current legislative session. The big unknown is how the cuts at the federal level will impact the state, as well as what impact the tariffs-particularly with Canada-will have. With 36% of the state budget coming from the Federal Government, the impact is potentially substantial. In January, Vermont’s Joint Fiscal Committee published a report “Overview of Federal Funds in the Vermont Budget,” which shows that the biggest areas of impact include Medicaid, with 61% of the state’s budget coming from the feds; Labor-63%; Commerce 60%; Transportation 58%; Natural Resources 53%. Education, particularly funds for special education, has the potential to be significantly impacted as well.
How education is being paid for was also discussed. It was noted that the legislature had recently received the Governor’s education bill, and while there was a lot of agreement, it’s 176 pages and needs to be gone through carefully. However, it’s clear that closure of schools will happen as the bill sets minimum class sizes, caps spending next year, and significantly restricts which private schools are eligible to receive public money. Click here for more information on the Education Bill
Education Survey: To help the legislators views on public education, they are conducting a survey, which can be completed by clicking here.
Budget: This year’s budget is basically level funded, though there were increases for things like health insurance. The budget does include repaving of Quent Phelan Road, a concern for many in the Twenty Mile Stream area. Money is being added each year for sidewalks and other larger ticket items. It will take a few years to have sufficient funds before work can begin on some of these projects. A question was raised about the recreation department, page 41 of the Town Report, now that Greven Field isn’t useable from the 2023 floods. Rick Chambers, town manager, said that he hoped that in the coming year there would be more opportunities for the community and not just organizing school sports.
Flooding Recovery/FEMA: Cavendish floated a bond for $2 million after the 2023 floods. To date, FEMA has only reimbursed the town for $400,000. When asked if the town has a contingency plan if FEMA doesn’t come through, Chambers said that they’ve been assured by FEMA that reimbursement will occur and he is currently talking with them several times a week. At this time there is no fall-back position if that should change. Cavendish, Ludlow and Plymouth are working together with Mt Ascutney Regional Commission on a flood resiliency project and a public meeting will be held on this topic, March 27 (Thursday) at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Chambers encouraged people to attend.
Be Storm Savvy: Well maintained culverts, ditches and drains can make a big difference in reducing damage to roads and property during a flood. With 750 town culverts, it’s impossible for the town crew to check all of them each year. Attendees were given the handout “Be Storm Savvy,” available online by clicking here and in locations around town. Stressing the shared responsibility of property owners, residents and the town, the handout explains how to check twice a year, and resources to call should a culvert be blocked and/or assistance is needed to care for a culvert, drain or ditch.
Support for the Cavendish Town Shelter: During the 2023 floods, the Cavendish Town Shelter, located at the Cavendish Baptist Church, helped more than 1,000 people with meals, temporary shelter, rebuilding and cleaning supplies and more. After being open for two weeks, the shelter became the temporary home for the various Mennonite work crews, who helped to rebuild our community over the next several months.
After Irene, it became clear that a town shelter was needed outside of the school, which did not have a generator and was limited in scope since its primary function is as a school. A group began meeting and it was agreed the Cavendish Baptist Church made the most sense. Through fundraising, a generator was purchased and installed. It wasn’t long before the shelter was in use, primarily during winter months as a warming center. In the seven months prior to the July 2023 floods, the shelter was opened four times.
The shelter is a strictly volunteer effort and receives no funding from the town. Donations are needed year round to ensure the lights are always on, the elevator works and the fire alarms are functional. While a Cavendish Disaster Relief Fund is in the planning stages, and will include the yearly costs for town shelter maintenance, donations can be sent to the Cavendish Baptist Church, PO Box 425, Cavendish VT 05142. Please indicate that your donation is labeled “shelter Ongoing Expenses.”
Voting Results: All Cavendish voting is by Australian Ballot. Of 1,120 Cavendish registered voters, 216 ( 19%) cast ballots. There were no contested races in this year’s election. While there were seven positions with no one running, Ashley Newton received sufficient votes for Library Trustee for five years. There are currently six vacant positions- GMUSD Director (3 year term); Trustee of Public Funds (3 years); Auditor (1, 2 and 3 year term positions) and Town Agent.
All six articles (page 9 of the Town Report) passed, which includes the town budget of $2,450,400.57; an increase for selectboard members to $700 per member with $900 for the chair; and appropriations of $2,500 for the Okemo Valley Technical Rescue and $500 to Windsor County Youth Services.
The GMUSD budget passed 425 to 382 votes and, by a vote of 632 to 172, the transfer of $357,395 in surplus funds from the 2023-2024 school year to the Facilities Reserve Fund was approved. School votes are comingled so it is not possible to know how Cavendish voted on this issue.
2. WARNING FIRE DISTRICT #2 (CAVENDISH) MEETING MARCH 7: A special meeting is being called for Friday, March 7, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Fire Hall, 2154 Main Street. The purpose of this meeting is to review and discuss Request for Proposals for engineer and construction oversight for the Vermont Municipal Energy Resilience Program grant. A Zoom option is available https://theatlantic.zoom.us/j/81297525231?pwd=C9caw54rj2G6eaXDuD4Wn9kaYd3n12.1 Meeting ID: 812 9752 5231 Passcode: 173462
3. JOB OPENING: Cavendish Town Elementary School is seeking qualified candidates to serve as a 5 FTE school year second shift Custodian. The focus of this position is to ensure that the facility and grounds are maintained in excellent condition at all times.
Duties include: Empty waste baskets, trash cans; Clean all toilets & drain facilities; cleaning stoppages in toilets; Sweeping and vacuuming all classrooms and hallways; Washing windows, counters, furniture; Replacing soap and paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer)l Mopping of art room, kitchen, bathrooms, nurses office; Dust mopping of Gym; Completion of seasonal tasks such as painting, policing grounds for trash, snow removal; Set ups for meeting rooms, classrooms, gym and other curricular events; Ensure doors and windows are secure and lights are off at end of custodial duties; Other duties as assigned.
Must be self-motivated and able to work independently. Must be able to abide by safety regulations. Position involves bending, reaching, pulling, walking up and down stairs, lifting (50 lbs) and stepping up and down. Benefits would be pro-rated and can include Health Insurance, sick days, paid holidays and vacation days Background Check Required. Please send your application or resume to Emma Vastola, PO Box 235, Proctorsville VT 05153
4. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Audubon Bird Talk on March 28: Two experts from the Mount Ascutney Audubon Society, Marianne and Michael Walsh, will give a talk later on Friday, March 28, 6 pm at the Cavendish Library, 573 Main St. Proctorsville The talk will focus on birds commonly found in Vermont yards, forests and fields, the nature of the different birds and what they can tell us about our changing environment. This presentation is sponsored by the Walk and Talk series, a committee of the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association. FMI: Robin at (802) 417-5324.
• Create Together Open House: Join us for an Open House on Thursday, March 13 from 4-7pm to see our new studios, meet our volunteers, and try your hand at something new! Enjoy snacks and activities at this free event in the upper studios in the Meadowview building at Fletcher Farm. Learn more at createtogethervt.org
• Ludlow’s Aubuchon’s Under Renovation: Starting March 10, Ludlow’s Aubuchon’s Hardware is being revamped. While the store will remain open, the parking lot is closed. They are posting information about how departments are being impacted at their Facebook page.
• BRGNS Offers Weekly Community Meals: Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGNS) is pleased to announce that, beginning March 6, it will offer weekly, free community meals. Currently providing three monthly meals, the addition of a community brunch, served on the second Wednesday of every month, at 10 a.m., will provide folks the opportunity to have a weekly meal throughout the month. The addition of the com- munity brunch is a collabo- ration with Ludlow Parks & Recreation Department. The one meal a week schedule will include brunch on the second Wednesday of the month, and lunch on the first, third, and fourth Thursdays of each month.
• “Just Getting By” Screening: Just Getting By" explores the day to day challenges and resiliency that low-income Vermonters bear witness to every day. The film screening and director talk will be held at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium, Ludlow VT on March 26, 2025 at 6:30pm. Director Bess O'Brien will be part of the Q&A after the film. This is a free event with support from the Vermont Humanities Council and hosted by Fletcher Memorial Library, Cavendish Fletcher Community Library, and the Mount Holly Town Library. We are accepting non-perishable foods for the Food Bank. The theatre is accessible, and parking is free.
• As Trump forges ahead with tariff policy, Vermont braces for a trade war VT Digger
5. EVENTS
MARCH 9 (SUNDAY): SPRING FORWARD-Day light savings returns, move clocks forward one hour.
MARCH 10 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.
- Last day to add your voice to the CCCA community survey.
MARCH 12 (WEDNESDAY): 6 pm at the Cavendish Library, Sheryl Faye will be telling the story of Susan B. Anthony, a women’s rights activist and a prominent figure in American history.
MARCH 13 (THURSDAY): Create Space (formerly Fletcher Farm) Open House from 4-7pm to see our new studios, meet our volunteers, and try your hand at something new! Enjoy snacks and activities at this free event in the upper studios in the Meadowview building at Fletcher Farm. FMI: createtogethervt.org
MARCH 17 (MONDAY): HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY
MARCH 26 (WEDNESDAY): Screening “Just Getting By”. 6:30 pm at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Non perishable foods for the Food Bank will be accepted.
MARCH 27 (THURSDAY): Black River Flood Resiliency Public Workshop, 6:30-7:30 at the Ludlow Town Hall. Food and Drink provided.
MARCH 28 (FRIDAY): Audubon Bird Talk, 6 pm at the Cavendish Library. Free and open to the public. FMI: Robin at (802) 417-5324.
MARCH 31 (MONDAY): Last day to submit photographs for the Cavendish Calendar Contest. Submit entries to cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.
APRIL 12 (SATURDAY): 10-NOON
APRIL 19 (SATURDAY): FREE Easter Dinners cooked by members of the Ludlow and Proctorsville Fire Departments. 125 Dinners will be provided. They can be picked up on April 19 from 12-2 at the Ludlow Fire Department. The menu includes ham, potatoes, gravy, corn, roll and dessert. Call Angela 802-356-3823 by April 17 to reserve your free dinner.
APRIL 20 (SUNDAY): HAPPY EASTER