Cavendish Update 12/14/18 News/Events
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This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible in part by a donation from George Thomson. Thank you for your continued support.
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12/7/ Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Events
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
No Crime Problem in Cavendish: There is no “crime problem” in Cavendish, said Town Manager Brendan McNamara at Monday night’s Select Board meeting. “The article (in The Eagle Times) did not portray Cavendish accurately,” he added. McNamara told the board that between Dec. 1, 2017 and Dec. 1 of this year, Vermont State Police responded to 378 calls from Cavendish. Of those calls, according to McNamara, about 25 were for crimes such as burglary (1), assault (4) and theft (12). Most of the calls were for matters like 911 hang-ups (25), agency assist (21), alarm (25), citizen assist (37), directed patrol (21), motor vehicle complaint (25), suspicious person (43) and welfare check (19). Motor vehicle accidents were also included in those totals. Morris and Weathersfield Police Chief William Daniels, have proposed to hire additional help for Weathersfield’s Police Department to patrol Cavendish and Baltimore. Select Board minutes from Weathersfield’s Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 meetings paint a less-than-clear picture about whether Baltimore and Cavendish want the service or have even responded to the Weathersfield’s proposal. Even so, minutes show that Weathersfield board members were concerned with issues like whether Cavendish would provide space for an officer to work and a restroom. McNamara said that he had received a proposal for policing by a Weathersfield officer for 25 hours per week for $84,000 per year or $65 per hour. Currently, the town pays $18,000 per year for the Windsor County Sheriff to do traffic patrols for 12 hours per week or $28.85 per hour. “They gave us a proposal,” said McNamara. “Is it something we are looking at attacking right now? No.” “But whether it’s in six months or six years, police coverage is going to have to be addressed,” said McNamara, noting that the Vermont State Police are having recruiting problems that make covering towns more difficult, “and having information is better than not having it.” Chester Telegraph
Cavendish Honors the 100th Anniversary of Solzhenitsyn’s birth: In honoring the 100th birthday of the famous writer, who lived 18 years in Cavendish, the Cavendish Historical Society hosted an event that included the screening of Solzhenitsyn’s farewell address to Cavendish in 1994. In addition, the letter that was sent to the people of Russia from the people of Cavendish was read. For a copy of the letter, go to the CHS blog.
Cavendish Streetscapes Seeking Sponsors for Flags: In the spirit of celebrating our small villages of Proctorsville and Cavendish, a small committee called Cavendish Streetscapes was formed this past spring. The committee was able to fund many flags in Proctorsville this summer with aspirations of continuing on Depot Street and Cavendish. We are also looking forward to launching other beautification projects in both villages. Streetscapes is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3). In the spirit of the holidays, please sponsor a flag in honor or memory of someone. Please send to CCCA-Streetscapes, P.O. Box 465, Cavendish, VT 05142. For more information, please contact Bruce McEnaney at 802-226-8045.
Five Hearings on Telecommunications: Vermonters have a chance to tell state officials what they think needs to be done when it comes to broadband and cell service in the state. Members of the Department of Public Service are holding hearings as part of the process to put together the Vermont Telecommunications Plan. The plan will include major developments in the telecommunications industry, including broadband and cellular infrastructure and policy. Two hearings have already been held. The remaining three are as follows:
• Monday December 17th, at 6 p.m. at the Rutland Free Library in the Fox Room at 10 Court Street in Rutland, VT
• Wednesday December 19th, at 6 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Library at 224 Main Street in Brattleboro, VT
• Thursday December 20th, at 2 p.m. at the John J Zampieri State Office Building at 108 Cherry Street in Burlington, VT
Springfield Hospital Can’t Pay Its Bills: For the past year or so, doctors said they haven’t been able to get supplies needed to run their offices. Some say the hospital is months behind on health insurance payments. Several businesses in Springfield and doctors in the area have stopped doing business with the hospital. At least three doctors are leaving Springfield out of frustration about the hospital paying its bills late, or not paying them at all (two declined to be named in this article). Springfield Hospital CEO Tim Ford informed hospital employees on Dec. 3 that CFO Scott Whittemore left his position. Ford told employees of the abrupt departure in an email that afternoon, but Ford never gave a reason. “2018 has been a challenging year in many respects,” Ford said in the letter to employees. “We missed several of our financial targets, primarily due to declining revenues and increasing benefits and locum expenses (on temporary physicians).” It’s not unusual for Vermont hospitals to incur deficits: Green Mountain Care Board documents show that, from fiscal year 2015 through fiscal year 2017, 10 of the state’s 14 medical hospitals had operating deficits at least once. During those three years, Springfield’s fiscal 2017 operating deficit of $3.8 million was the largest such shortfall of any hospital. Despite the addition of more than $2 million in nonoperating revenue that year, Springfield’s bottom line was $1.78 million in the red. About 75 percent of the medical staff at Springfield Hospital recently signed a vote of “no confidence” in the hospital under Ford’s leadership. VT Digger
Springfield Medical Center Announces Leadership Changes: The Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of CEO Tim Ford, effective immediately. Chief of Practice Operations Josh Dufresne will serve as the primary administrative contact for SMCS and Springfield Hospital until an interim CEO and CFO are named. Valley News
2. EVENTS
DECEMBER 14 (Friday): Quilt Raffle Drawing at the Cavendish Library. Raffle tickets are for the quilt made by Gloria Leven are $1 each or a book of 6 for $5. The quilt, which measures 74” by 56” is hand tied and made of batik cloth. It can be seen online at www.cavendishlibrary.org or at the library. FMI: 226-7503.
• Last day of the Fletcher Library’s 19th Annual Silent Auction. The Ludlow library serves Cavendish as well as Ludlow. Lots of great items Red Sox Tickets, 2 hours of Interior Design, Get your name in an upcoming Archer Mayor book, local Gift Certificates, Scrap Book and materials to create your own memories, Local Jelly and Jams, Holiday Slates, Pine Cone Wreath, and so much more . Auction ends @ 6 PM
DECEMBER 20 (THURSDAY): GMUSD Board Meeting, 6 pm at GM in Chester
DECEMBER 21 (FRIDAY): Movie Night Fundraiser -6-8 pm-The Polar Express at the Ludlow Town Hall. All donations for this evening will for Tedy’s Team and the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge in support of the fundraising efforts of Proctorsville resident Lisa Marks and Lora Miele for cancer research and stroke awareness. Parents can drop their children off at 6 and pick them up at 8. Santa will arrive for a reading of Twas’ the Night Before Christmas and pictures at 7:40.
DECEMBER 25 (TUESDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS!
DECEMBER 31 (TUESDAY): NEW YEAR’S EVE
JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.
