Cavendish Update 6/28/19: Fire works/Concerts/103/News/Events

The Cavendish Health Officer, Doris Eddy, is posting the second Knapp Pond with “no swimming” signs (this includes dogs as well as humans) due to Blue Green Algae, on June 28 (Friday). Please observe.

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6/28/19 Cavendish Update

1. Work schedule for 103 for 6/24/19

2. Water Tests for the Black River

3. Cavendish Related News

4. Cavendish Concerts Begin 2019 Series with Gypsy Reel

5. Events

1. WORK SCHEDULE ON 103 FOR THE WEEK OF 7/1/19: Anticipated Weekly Work Schedule from Pike Industries. All work is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen delays. Alternating one-way traffic patterns may occur at the location of active construction operations. A speed reduction zone (40 MPH) will be put in place throughout the length of the daily active construction zone. Speed limit reduction signs will be taken down at the end of each work day, and the speed reduction will not be in effect during non-work hours.

Work to be performed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning next week includes final line striping layout, hand painting, hand paving, and fog sealing rumble strips. One-way alternating traffic patterns may be in effect in areas of active construction.

Holiday Schedule: In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, construction activities will end at noon on Wednesday, 7/3/19 and will resume on Monday, 7/8/19. Have a safe holiday weekend! 

2. WATER TESTS FOR THE BLACK RIVER: Thanks to Black River Action Team (BRAT), recreation areas on the Black River are tested on Wednesday morning and sent to the Endyne Lab in Lebanon, NH. Results are generally available by Friday, in time for weekend activities.

Below are the water tests results for Black River Swimming holes for June 26. Anything above 235 CFU is considered unsafe for recreational purposes.

Cavendish Gorge 59 CFU (safe)

Greven Field Awaiting results, but anticipate a safe reading

Buttermilk Falls 19 CFU (safe)

Little Ascutney Falls 140 CFU (safe)

Tolles Power Dam 69 (safe)

It is recommended to stay OUT of the water when it appears cloudy and within 24 hours of a heavy rain. Thank you BRAT for your continued dedication to the Black River and the safety of those who use it.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Tax Rate Will Not be Determined until July Select Board Meeting: While the Select Board met on June 24 to set the tax rate for the year, they were unable to do so as the state has yet to provide the necessary data to complete this tax. Therefore, the tax rate will be set at the July Select Board meeting.

GMUSD Board Meeting June 20: Last week’s Cavendish Update provided an overview of the current situation with two of the three boards associated with the Two Rivers Supervisory Union (TRSU) failing to meet the “Open Meeting Law,” with only the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) taking corrective action in accordance with state mandate. Further, the meeting on June 20th showed how serious this board is about transparency and not being caught off guard. As it is, all of the boards had been kept in the dark about two and now possibly three lawsuits against the TRSU. The board took a variety of steps to ensure that all information is shared with them in a timely and transparent manner. In addition, they voted on a new bus contract. During the ‘hear citizens” portion, which unlike other public meetings, occurs at the end of the meeting and not at the beginning, a parent from Chester spoke about her frustrations of trying to get in touch with the TRSU, who did not return her phone call or e-mail. This meeting was filmed by Okemo Valley TV http://okemovalley.tv/green-mountain-unified-school-district-board-620 and articles appear in The Chester Telegraph https://www.chestertelegraph.org/2019/06/26/gmusd-board-cures-violation-increases-oversight-of-supervisory-union/   and the Vermont Journal. https://vermontjournal.com/featured-articles/gmusd-doesnt-discuss-trsu-legal-woes-publicly/

131 Resurfaced: Maybe it was the petition so many people signed in March, but the village areas of route 131 has been resurfaced along with freshly painted lines. A major improvement but a stop gap measure until the major repaving project that takes place next summer.

Cal Ripken Tournament at Greven Field: The Cal Ripken 12 U State Tournament will take place on Saturday, June 29 at 9 am. Valley League, which includes kids from Chester, Cavendish and Ludlow, will be playing at 9 am. Volunteers are needed to help staff the concession stand. If you can help out, please check in with Terry O’Brien.

Springfield Hospital Files for Bankruptcy: Springfield Medical Care Systems on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but said its hospital and health centers will remain open and operating through the process. No layoffs are planned, and the health-care organization, which includes Springfield Hospital, plans to hold community meetings next month in Springfield, Ludlow, Bellows Falls, Londonderry, and Charlestown. Hospital officials earlier this month said bankruptcy was possible as the health-care system tries to restructure approximately $6 million in debt to vendors and about $12 million in bank debt. WCAX

TRSU Summer Food Service Program: Two Rivers Supervisory Union is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at a first come, first serve basis. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 8:30 a.m. through Aug. 9, expect for July 4, at the following locations: CTES, CAES, Ludlow Elementary. Lunch will be served from 12:30 to 1 p.m. through Aug. 9, except for July 4 at West Hill Dam, located at 239 West Hill Rd. in Ludlow.

New Inspection Rules go into Effect July 1: The revised Vermont Periodic Inspection Manual (PIM) has been adopted under the Administrative Procedures Act process and will go into effect on July 1st. The main goals of the review were to remove items that are not critical to the safe operation of a motor vehicle; modernize, simplify, and clarify language; and educate motorists on the importance of the safety inspection process, the relevance of the inspection criteria, and Vermont motor vehicle laws. he new manual organizes criteria into three categories: Pass, Reject, and Advisory. “Advisory” is designed to inform and/or educate the customer about a recommended repair or potential violation of law.  An advisory result does not prohibit a customer from passing inspection.  Numerous changes were made, and the three previous manuals have now been consolidated into a single comprehensive PIM. A copy of the new manual, in PDF format, is available at https://dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files/documents/VN-113-Periodic_Inspection_Manual.pdf

3. CAVENDISH CONCERTS BEGIN WITH GYPSY REEL: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association and the Town of Cavendish invite everyone to spend an evening having fun on the Proctorsville Green on Wednesday, July 10th, starting at 6:00 p.m. when the annual summer music series kicks off with the sounds of Gypsy Reel.

For over twenty years Gypsy Reel has played high energy, stirring music rooted in the Irish tradition but influenced by world music. It is an exciting synthesis of rhythms and influences from three continents. Based in Ludlow Vermont the band continuously captivates local audiences.

This will be the first of several concerts that are held on consecutive Wednesday nights in July and August, weather permitting. This concert is sponsored by Outer Limits Brewing of Proctorsville.

The line up for this year’s season is as follows:

July 10 – Gypsy Reel, sponsored by Outer Limits

July 17 – Springfield Community Band, sponsored by Okemo

July 24 – Sensible Shoes, co-sponsored by Neal’s Restaurant and the Golden Stage Inn

July 31 – Davis Brothers Garage Band, sponsored by DG Bodyworks

August 7 – Chris Kleeman, sponsored by Good Earth Landscaping

August 14 – Yankee Chank, sponsored by Murdocks

CCCA encourages all area residents and visitors to join their friends and neighbors in front of the gazebo on the green. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair, have a picnic, or just lie back and relax on the grass. It’s a fun way to enjoy the summer weather and either reconnect with old friends or make new ones. 

 As always, the concerts are free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, please check the Cavendish Facebook page. For more information please call Robin at 226-7736.

4. EVENTS

JUNE 29 (SATURDAY): Car wash to benefit the family of Drew Kauffman. Reading Fire Department 9-2

• Lace Up for Laura Memorial 5 K Walk/Run https://www.laceupforlaura.com/

• Cal Ripken Tournament 12 U, Greven Field. Starts at 9 am. Volunteers needed to help with the concession stand.

JULY 1 (MONDAY): New car inspection laws go into effect

JULY 4 (THURSDAY): HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Fire Works generally start at 9:30 and will take place in Ludlow, Saxton’s River and Claremont (Mondanock Park)

JULY 6 (SATURDAY): 36TH Arts and Crafts Festival at Fletcher Farm, Route 103. 10-4.

• Fire Works at Crown Point Country Club 155 Golf Course Rd Springfield

JULY 10 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 6 pm. Free and open to the public. Gypsy Reel sponsored by Outer Limits Brewery

JULY 14 (SUNDAY): Replacing Plastic Workshop, 2 pm at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum in Cavendish. Participants will learn how to make a no sew tote from an old T shirt, a “pooper scooper,” and how to fold a beach towel so it can be a carrying case as well as a pillow. Please bring an old t shirt. This is a free hands on workshop open to the public. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

JULY 17 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 6 pm. Free and open to the public. Springfield Community Band, sponsored by Okemo

JULY 24 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 6 pm. Free and open to the public. Sensible Shoes, co-sponsored by Neal’s Restaurant and the Golden Stage Inn

JULY 27 (SATURDAY): 9th Annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale. 9-2 http://cavendish-connects.squarespace.com/blog/2019/4/20/cavendish-town-wide-tag-sale-2019

JULY 31 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 6 pm. Free and open to the public. Davis Brothers Garage Band, sponsored by DG Bodyworks

AUGUST 7 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 6 pm. Free and open to the public. Chris Kleeman (Blues guitar) sponsored by Good Earth Landscaping

AUGUST 14 (WEDNESDAY): Concert at the Proctorsville Green, 6 pm. Free and open to the public. Yankee Chank (Cajun/Zydeco dance band) sponsored by Murdocks

SEPTEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival. 10-4 Part craft fair, part food festival, the VT Golden Honey Festival is a community favorite. Located on the lawn of the Golden Stage Inn, 399 Depot St. in Proctorsville. Proceeds of this event will benefit VT Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth (Ludlow and Proctorsville. For vendor and other information: vtgoldenhoneyfestival@gmail.com or 802-226-7744 (Julie).

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.  

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update: 6/21/19 SB Mtg/Rt 103 work/TRSU Suits

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS www.facebook.com/cavendishvt You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

6/21/19 Cavendish Update

1. Work schedule for 103 for 6/24/19

2. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 6/10/19

3. TRSU/GMUSD: Law Suits & Transparency

4. Cavendish Related News

5. Events

1. WORK SCHEDULE ON 103 FOR THE WEEK OF 6/24/19: Anticipated Weekly Work Schedule from Pike Industries. All work is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen delays. Alternating one-way traffic patterns may occur at the location of active construction operations. A speed reduction zone (40 MPH) will be put in place throughout the length of the daily active construction zone. Speed limit reduction signs will be taken down at the end of each work day, and the speed reduction will not be in effect during non-work hours.

Monday 6/24: Driveway hand paving in Shrewsbury working towards Clarendon. Side road paving Chester to Ludlow. Plug and Band Joints in Shrewsbury.

 Tuesday 6-25-19:: Driveway hand paving in Shrewsbury working towards Clarendon. Continue side road paving Chester to Ludlow. Plug and Band Joints in Shrewsbury. Rumble Strip Chester to Mount Holly.

Thursday 6-27-19: Continue driveway hand paving in Shrewsbury working towards Clarendon. Side road paving Ludlow to Mount Holly. Plug and Band Joints in Shrewsbury. Continue Rumble Strip Mount Holly Clarendon. Fog Sealing Rumble Strips Ludlow to Mount Holly.

 Friday 6-28-19: Continue driveway hand paving in Shrewsbury working towards Clarendon. Continue side road paving Ludlow to Mount Holly. Plug and Band Joints in Shrewsbury. Fog Sealing Rumble Strips Mount Holly to Shrewsbury.

 Saturday 6-29-19 – tentative: Continue driveway hand paving in Shrewsbury working towards Clarendon. Continue side road paving Ludlow to Mount Holly. Plug and Band Joints in Shrewsbury. Fog Sealing Rumble Strips Shrewsbury to Clarendon.

2. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 6/10/19: Cavendish Select Board (SB) Meetings are videotaped by Okemo Valley TV and are available at their website. http://okemovalley.tv/cavendish-selectboard-610

 In addition, minutes are available at the Cavendish Municipal website. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5967f43a893fc01de256c378/t/5d039deae5f6c70001800913/1560518122489/SB+Minutes+6-10-19+SB.pdf

The following actions were taken at the June 10th meeting:

• Accepted with regret Mike Kell’s resignation as SB member. Effective immediately, he has accepted a full time position as a school administrator in New York. Anyone interested in filling Kell’s position should send a letter of interest to the Town Office by July 1.

• In response to complaints about conditions on Center Rd and culverts, Bruce McEnaney, Asst. Town Manager, noted it would cost about ¾ million dollars to make all of the paving repairs needed for Town roads.

• One of the “affordable” houses on the Proctorsville Green was just sold at auction, as “income restrictions are foreclosed out so you can own a nice home or vacation condo in Vermont that’s affordable.” Because these homes were part of a town effort to make affordable housing available, it’s suggested that if this situation should present itself again, it would be worthwhile to try and better protect income restrictions.

• Approved the renewal of the Garage Construction Bond Anticipation note with Mascoma Bank.

• Town manager Brendan McNamara updated the board on the Aeration System Replacement project, which is underway again and should be completed by October.

• McNamara provided an update on the Depot Street Bridge project. There have been some delays and weather will determine whether the project is completed this season.

• The SB will meet on June 24th at 5 pm in the Town Office to set the new tax rate for the fiscal year

• McNamara discussed the discoloration found recently in municipal water. Water quality has continued to test normal and the source of the problem has been identified and is being corrected.

• McEnaney will no longer be serving the town as Asst town manager but will remain as Town Sexton starting July 1.

• SB member Mike Ripley, and a member of the Ludlow Ambulance, brought up an issue regarding how Cavendish Fire Department responded to a call several months ago. The discussion was stopped as Fire Department issues are not the SB’s responsibility. FMI: Fire Districts Tension Continue at Cavendish Select Board Meeting https://vermontjournal.com/featured-articles/fire-districts-tension-continue-at-cavendish-select-board-meeting/

• The SB met in executive session to discuss a legal matter.

3. TRSU/GMUSD: LAW SUITS & TRANSPARENCY:In the last several months, the Chester Telegraph has written how the Two Rivers Supervisory Union (TRSU) and its related boards-Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) and Ludlow Mount Holly Unified Union School District (LMHUUSD) have failed to meet Vermont’s Open Meeting Law. The Telegraph has filed complaints, with the result being two boards, the TRSU and LMHUUSD, opting to follow a path charted by Superintendent Meg Powden. GMUSD has chosen to follow the direction of Cavendish school board member Doug McBride’s, who is an attorney, recommendation to follow the state mandate. To that end, in Cynthia Prairie’s editorial: “The Public Wins Out at GMUSD Board" wrote https://www.chestertelegraph.org/2019/06/19/editorial-the-public-wins-out-at-gmusd-board/ The Telegraph invites the boards of the TRSU and LMHUUSD to revisit their actions of last Wednesday night and adopt the state-mandated cure. Currently, we are pulling together information for a possible lawsuit against those two bodies. But we’ll drop that just like we have done for the GMUSD board, should they comply with the law.

At the June 13 meeting of the GMUSD, The Telegraph’s Shawn Cunningham raised the issue of the TRSU’s cost over run on legal council as well as the fact that there are two lawsuits against the TRSU. Members of the board, some of whom also serve on the TRSU board, were completely unaware of any suits. While Powden confirmed there were two cases, she said she was not at liberty to discuss the specifics saying this would need to be done in executive session. 

However, the suits are a matter of public record, which Cunningham outlines in his article “TRSU Boards Apparently Kept in the Dark About Suits.” https://www.chestertelegraph.org/2019/06/19/trsu-boards-apparently-kept-in-dark-about-suits/ One case involves a child being bitten by a dog while at Ludlow Elementary (occurred in 2013 with the suit filed in 2017) and the second was filed June 2018 by a former TRSU employee claiming Powden violated the Vermont’s Fair Employment Act. Items available via public record are appropriate for public discussion at a board meeting. Why Powden chose not to share this with her various boards is unknown.

As Cunningham continued to investigate he uncovered a potential third case. It appears from the invoices that VSBIT — the Vermont School Board Insurance Trust — is paying the legal expenses above a $5,000 deductible for each claim using “errors and omissions” coverage. What’s curious though is that there are three, not two claim numbers on which deductibles have been added up, so it seems that there may be yet another claim or even lawsuit out there unknown to the boards. It is possible that this third case is an arbitration for which one of the SU’s law firms billed more than $2,500 to prepare former GM Principal Tom Ferenc’s testimony  for an unknown hearing on Dec. 20, 2018. A member of the firm then traveled to Chester for the hearing and returned home to Burlington, incurring 12.3 billable hours amounting to a one-day charge of $2,767.50.

Just how much money is the TRSU spending on legal fees? Indications are that it is considerable. As of June 13, the SU has spent a total of $34,811 on legal expenses, though legal expenses were budgeted for $6,000. However, documents secured by The Telegraph under the Public Records Act, show that the total spending on teacher contract negotiations in this fiscal year was $50,383.04.

At last night’s GMUSD meeting, the board, with the exception of Chair Joe Fromberger, had read The Telegraph’s articles and confirmed that the information provided was accurate.

The issue of transparency was very much on this board’s radar and they took action to ensure they aren’t caught off guard again. They adopted additional measures in order not to be in violation of the Open Meeting Laws in the future. The two times they went into executive session, they informed the public the nature of the  Executive Session and why it qualified under state law.

They are now requiring that the Superintendent’s report include, among other things, the following: Any time a lawyer is needed to be hired; when an insurance claim is being submitted; issues from  community, parents and teachers that have risen to the level of the superintendent and are of concern; and the hiring and firing of personnel. In addition, the board wants to be kept informed about building issues to ensure that physical plants are in good order.

Legal fee invoices are generally submitted directly to VSBIT, with TRSU only being informed of the portion they are to pay. The board has requested that the TRSU provide them with a better understanding of exactly what the legal fees are, not just the portion the TRSU pays.

The board has also requested that they have a meeting with an insurance specialist who can provide information of what type of coverage the TRSU/GMUHS has and if it is sufficient. Are there areas that need to strengthened?

More information on last night’s meeting will appear in the June 28 Cavendish Update.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Congratulations to Trevor Barlow of Proctorsville: The Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) in Springfield announced that it has hired Trevor Barlow as its first Executive Director.  Barlow was selected after a national search that produced over 130 candidates. As Executive Director, Barlow will be responsible for leading the organization and implementing the strategic vision behind its three pillars: the computer science initiative, entrepreneurship center, and distributed workspace.  He will lead fundraising efforts, work with regional and national tech employers, and identify resources for and provide mentorship to entrepreneurs growing their companies from BRIC. He began working this week.

BRAT Hosting Cyanobacteria Monitoring Training: The Black River Action Team is hosting cyanobacteria – toxic blue-green algae – monitoring training session Thursday, July 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Springfield, Vt. Directions and parking information will be given upon registration with Angela Shambaugh by emailing angela.shambaugh@vermont.gov or by calling BRAT Director Kelly Stettner and leaving your contact information at 802-738-0456. If you or anyone you know goes swimming, boating, fishing, tubing, wading, or otherwise recreating in a lake, pond, or even slow section of river, you need this information. If your dog goes in the water, you need this information. A cyanobacteria bloom can be harmful to your health and your pet’s health. Everyone is welcome, and information is not limited to just Vermont. FMI: www.blackriveractionteam.org

Free solar energy assistance available from SEVCA: Southeastern Vermont Community Action’s new 110 kW solar array, located at its Westminster office, is now complete, and the organization will soon be selecting approximately 50 households with low incomes and high-energy burdens to receive free credits from the power produced by the array. Households in Windham and Windsor counties that have a Green Mountain Power account are invited to apply during an open application period up until July 15. SEVCA will then select program participants according to criteria that include household income, energy burden, and housing cost burden. The households selected will receive credits on their GMP electric bill based on the power produced by the solar array, which will reduce their electricity costs. Applications will be available at all SEVCA’s office locations, and can also be accessed from its website: www.sevca.org. The application and supporting materials must be received by the deadline in order to be considered for the program. To find out more, contact Daniel Quipp at 802-254-2795, ext. 103, email dquipp@sevca.org, or call 800-464-9951 and speak to the receptionist. VT Journal https://vermontjournal.com/news/free-solar-energy-assistance-available-from-sevca/

Health needs assessment survey due July 9: The Springfield Area Community Collaborative is conducting a community health needs assessment and encourages participation by residents in all area communities including Cavendish. The Collaborative is a workgroup that includes several area agencies: Chester-Andover Family Center, Edgar May Health & Recreation Center, Greater Falls Connections, HCRS, Neighborhood Connections, OneCare VT, SEVCA, Senior Solutions, Southern Vermont AHEC, Springfield Medical Care Systems, Valley Health Connections, Vermont Agency of Human Services, and Vermont Department of Health. Online completion of the survey is encouraged through the www.surveymonkey.com/r/BK5GY5Q. If paper copies are preferred or needed, please call 802-885-7686 to request a supply. All are encouraged to complete the survey. FMI: Anna Smith, Springfield Medical Care Systems at 802-885-7621 or email annasmith@springfieldmed.org.

Vermont now has nation’s broadest single-use plastics ban: Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill into law on Monday that gives Vermont the distinction of having the most comprehensive restrictions on single-use plastic of any state in the U.S. The bill prohibits retailers from providing customers with single-use plastic bags at checkout and plastic stirrers starting next July. VT Digger https://vtdigger.org/2019/06/17/vermont-now-nations-broadest-single-use-plastics-ban/?is_wppwa=true&wpappninja_cache=friendly

 Online Tool Tracks Vermont School Performance: Secretary of Education Dan French unveiled a long-awaited new online resource to help track public school performance. The Annual Snapshot site https://schoolsnapshot.vermont.gov/ went live at 4 p.m. Thursday. It allows community members to easily compare and analyze academic proficiency in every public school and school district in Vermont. NBC 5 https://www.mynbc5.com/article/new-online-tool-tracks-vermont-public-school-performance/28125008

5. EVENTS

JUNE 29 (SATURDAY): Car wash to benefit the family of Drew Kauffman. Reading Fire Department 9-2

• Lace Up for Laura Memorial 5 K Walk/Run https://www.laceupforlaura.com/

JULY 27 (SATURDAY): 9th Annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale. 9-2 http://cavendish-connects.squarespace.com/blog/2019/4/20/cavendish-town-wide-tag-sale-2019

SEPTEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival. 10-4 Part craft fair, part food festival, the VT Golden Honey Festival is a community favorite. Located on the lawn of the Golden Stage Inn, 399 Depot St. in Proctorsville. Proceeds of this event will benefit VT Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth (Ludlow and Proctorsville. For vendor and other information: vtgoldenhoneyfestival@gmail.com or 802-226-7744 (Julie).

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.  

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 6/14/19: Town Positions/Work Schedule/News/Events

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

6/14/19 Cavendish Update

1. Work schedule for 103 for 6/17/19

2. Town Positions Available

3. Cavendish Related News

4. Town Wide Tag Sale Reminder

5. Events

1. WORK SCHEDULE ON 103 FOR THE WEEK OF 6/17/19: Anticipated Weekly Work Schedule from Pike Industries. All work is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen delays.

 Monday (6/17)- Wednesday (6/19): Final Bonded wearing course machine paving in Clarendon, VT working towards Shrewsbury. Please be aware of increased volumes of construction truck traffic required for paving operations.  Line Striping Targets (LST) will be used for temporary line delineation. Continue bridge plug joints in Proctorsville, VT just south of route 131, and working towards Chester, VT just north of route 10.  Driveway hand paving in Ludlow and working towards Mt Holly. Side road paving Chester to Ludlow.

 Thursday (6/20) through Saturday (6/22) Saturday work is tentative: Continue bridge plug joints in Proctorsville, VT just south of route 131, and working towards Chester, VT just north of route 10. Driveway hand paving in Ludlow and working towards Mt Holly. Side road paving Chester to Ludlow. Rumble Strip in Chester working towards Mt Holly.

 Centerline rumble strips are being marked out with the paving operation with the symbol 'RS'. You will be able to see this marking down the centerline from a safe distance off the edge of pavement.

2. TOWN POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Select Board: At Monday night’s Select Board meeting, Michael Kell’s letter of resignation was accepted with regret. Kell has accepted a job in New York and will be moving from Cavendish. Anyone interested in this position should send a letter of interest by July 1 to the Cavendish Select Board, in care of Brendan McNamara, PO Box 126, Cavendish, VT 05142

 Energy Committee Members: Cavendish Energy Committee has short, effective meetings  and gets things done! Such as: replacing streetlights with LED lighting; developing a solar array for municipal buildings; insulating and upgrading utilities at the town office;  hosting a variety of free informational workshops. You can participate a little or a lot  Meet others from around the Connecticut Valley  with similar energy related goals. Bring your ideas to the table!  Contact: Peter LaBelle at 226-7250  Join us for Green Drinks Night at Murdock’s On The Green  Thursday, July 11 at 6:00 p.m.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Questionable Executive Session Concerned Powden Contract Evaluation: In the five weeks since Superintendent Meg Powden told The Telegraph that the executive session of the May 2 TRSU board meeting was  “cited properly” and said she didn’t have to give any more information than that, the board of the Two Rivers Supervisory Union has admitted violating the Open Meeting Law, changed its story twice and disclosed that the session was actually about Powden’s contract and evaluation. Various meetings have ensued, including one on June 12. Why is Powden’s contract again a topic of behind-the-scenes discussion since it was offered to her in another illegal session four months earlier? Chester Telegraph

 Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Launches Lifestyle Magazine: The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (OVRCC) recently announced the launch of a new full-color lifestyle magazine to reach the destination travel and aspirational living market. According to Carol Lighthall, director of the Chamber, “the new Okemo Valley Magazine will be a free biannual lifestyle publication for visitors, residents and chamber members that will showcase the beauty, individual personality and community spirit of the 12 towns and villages that make up the Okemo Valley. Okemo Mountain for years published the semi-annual Okemo Magazine, but when Vail Resorts, the new owners, offered the chamber the opportunity to take over the publication, we were thrilled. This is a terrific opportunity for us to create a new publication that will showcase all of the Okemo Valley’s 12 towns and villages.” Press Release

 Springfield Transfer Station Update: In response to citizen concerns regarding changes at the Springfield Transfer Station, the Town will continue to sell the green tickets and weigh trash until Sept. 1 while reevaluating how best to add a punch card option for small amounts of trash. Users who have already purchased punch cards may use them at face value. Annual stickers valid from July to June will still be required to access the transfer station on July 1. Stickers ($25, plus $5 for additional vehicle stickers in the same household) can be purchased at the Chester & Springfield town offices and on July 1, 3 & 6, will also be on sale at the transfer station.

Rate Hikes for GMP Customers: In addition to a 2.9% rate increase filed last Friday, customers will also feel a bump in the fall from a 5.43% rate hike approved last year -- that hike went into effect but was offset by a one-time windfall the utility gained from federal tax cuts that it returned to customers. The 2.9% increase is the first of three the utility will seek annually under a three-year agreement approved by the Public Utility Commission last month. Kristin Kelly, spokesperson for GMP, said the plan requires GMP to “lock in” most of its costs for the next three years, providing customers greater predictability for their electric costs. If approved, the 2.9% hike would go into effect starting this October. VT Digger

Protect Grassland Birds by Mowing After Aug. 1: From bobolinks flushing up from a grassy field to the beautiful song of an eastern meadowlark, grassland birds greatly enrich summer in Vermont. But many of these species are in decline due to the loss of appropriate grassland habitat. Landowners can make a difference by altering the times of year they mow fields that are 10 acres or larger. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont are encouraging landowners to help promote these beloved species by waiting a little longer to mow and give these birds a chance to complete their nesting season. VT Journal

 King Arthur Flour Recall: More flour is being recalled in an E. coli outbreak that has sickened more than a dozen people in eight states. King Arthur Flour is recalling 14,218 cases of five-pound King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due to the potential presence of E. coli, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said late Thursday. The recalled product was distributed through retailers and distributors nationwide, including Walmart and was distributed in Vermont and New Hampshire CBS News

4. TOWN WIDE TAG SALE REMINDER: The 9th annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale takes place on Saturday, July 27 from 9-2. If you wish to be included on the on-line vendor list, and/or would like space on one of the Village Greens, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com or call 802-226-7807. Two weeks prior to the event, you can send photographs of what you will be selling and a Facebook Album will be posted to the Cavendish VT Facebook page with information about your location during the Tag Sale. Note one Facebook Album per vendor FMI: http://cavendish-connects.squarespace.com/blog/2019/4/20/cavendish-town-wide-tag-sale-2019

5. EVENTS

JUNE 14 (FRIDAY): GMUHS Graduation

 JUNE 15 (SATURDAY): A plant and bake sale  will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Holy Name of Mary Church Hall, 803 Main Street, Proctorsville, VT. The sale features perennial plants, homemade jams, pies, breads, cookies, and other delicious items.

JUNE 19 (WEDNESDAY): CTES 6th grade graduation. Proctorsville Green, 6 pm

• Last Day of School for GMUHS

JUNE 20 (THURSDAY): Last day of school at CTES

JUNE 29 (SATURDAY): Car wash to benefit the family of Drew Kauffman. Reading Fire Department 9-2

• Lace Up for Laura Memorial 5 K Walk/Run

JULY 27 (SATURDAY): 9th Annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale. 9-2

SEPTEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival. 10-4 Part craft fair, part food festival, the VT Golden Honey Festival is a community favorite. Located on the lawn of the Golden Stage Inn, 399 Depot St. in Proctorsville. Proceeds of this event will benefit VT Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth (Ludlow and Proctorsville. For vendor and other information: vtgoldenhoneyfestival@gmail.com or 802-226-7744 (Julie).

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.  

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 6/7/19: Films/BR Testing/News/Events

People in Cavendish are getting sick from tick bites. This time of year, plus fall, are the most prevalent time for ticks. With Vermont having the highest rate of anaplasmosis and 2nd highest for Lyme Disease in the country, Be Tick Smart and learn how to: protect, check, remove and watch.

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

6/7/19 Cavendish Update

1. Work schedule for 103 for 6/10/19

2. Cavendish Related Films & Videos

3. Cavendish Related News

4. Events

1WORK SCHEDULE ON 103 FOR THE WEEK OF 6/10/19: Anticipated Weekly Work Schedule from Pike Industries. All work is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen delays.

 Paving operations are dependent on weather and surface conditions, and the paving schedule is subject to change as a result.

Monday 6/10/19 through Saturday, 6/15/19: Continue final Bonded wearing course machine paving in Ludlow, VT working towards Mount Holly. Please be aware of increased volumes of construction truck traffic required for paving operations.  Line Striping Targets (LST) will be used for temporary line delineation.  Temporary 40 MPH speed reduction package from Ludlow fire station to the intersection of Belmont Road, Hortonville Road and VT Route 103 in Mount Holly. Continue bridge plug joints in Chester, VT just north of Route 10, working towards Proctorsville, VT. Continue driveway hand paving in Ludlow and working towards Chester.  Side road paving Ludlow to Chester. Flaggers and UTOs will assist with traffic control.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED FILMS & VIDEOS

• Cavendish Memorial Day Parade

• Cavendish Green Up Day made by Proctorsville resident Stefan Beaumont

• Archeological dig at Jackson Gore in Ludlow, VT.   The Cavendish Historical Society provided volunteers to the 2007 dig and it was the beginning of understanding of just how long Cavendish has been occupied by humans-probably 12,000 years. It also began CHS’s active involvement in archeology.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Services for Peggy Stratman: Margaret “Peggy” V. Stratman died May 6, 2019. She was born Jan. 17, 1932. A mass will be held Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. at the Holy Name of Mary in Proctorsville, Vt. A graveside blessing will take place after the mass, which  will be followed by a Celebration of Life at the Holy Name of Mary Parish Hall. Please join us to share love and laughter in honoring this special woman.

Water Testing on the Black River: Thanks to Black River Action Team (BRAT), places on the Black River where people recreate are tested on Wednesday morning and sent to the Endyne Lab in Lebanon, NH. Results are available on Friday, in time for weekend activities.

Below are the water tests results for Black River Swimming holes for June 5. Anything above 235 CFU is considered unsafe for recreational purposes.

Cavendish Gorge 22 CFU (safe)

Greven Field 20 CFU (safe)

Buttermilk Falls 88 CFU (safe)

Little Ascutney Falls 59 CFU (safe)

 It is recommended to stay OUT of the water when it appears cloudy and within 24 hours of a heavy rain. Thank you BRAT for your continued dedication to the Black River and the safety of those who use it.

 GMUHS Girls Varsity Track Team triumph as D4 State Champions: The Green Mountain Union High School Girl’s Varsity Track Team are the new Division 4 State Champions for 2019. The State D4 Track Meet was held at Windsor High School Saturday, June 1 with 13 schools competing in the division. VT Journal

TRSU displays pattern of Open Meeting Law violations: A Chester Telegraph analysis of the meetings of the Two Rivers Supervisory Union Board of Directors and of those of its school district boards reveals eight recent instances of lax observance of the laws that protect the public’s access to public meetings. The Telegraph looked at meeting minutes and videos between September 2018 and March 2019, and discovered what could be construed as knowing and intentional violations of the Vermont Open Meeting Law. Chester Telegraph

Telegraph rejects TRSU account, remedy of Open Meeting violation: The Chester Telegraph has rejected the account and remedy of the Open Meeting Law violation given by Paul Orzechowski, chairman of the Two Rivers Supervisory Union board, contending that he did not fully address the violation and that the complaint remains unresolved. Interestingly, the proposed training to be held for the board on this issue, has been scheduled the same night as CTES’s Arts Night, which means two of Cavendish’s three representatives will either miss their children’s school program or the training. Chester Telegraph

VT Slaps Dollar General $1.7 Million for Pricing Errors: Attorney General T.J. Donovan says the company repeatedly violated consumer protection laws by advertising prices on store shelves and then charging more at the register. Donovan says there were at least 362 violations at 22 different stores. There are a total of 36 stores in Vermont. WCAX

VT DMV Change in Driver’s License: The VT DMV is updating the security features of Driver’s Licenses and ID cards, which means beginning in July of 2019, licenses and IDs will no longer be printed during your visit to a DMV office. You will be issued a temporary license, which is suitable for driving but not for ID purposes. It is recommended renewing early if you will need to be using your license as ID. To learn more about the new licenses, including the planned rollout schedule, visit the DMV website: https://bit.ly/2WwvGm4

What passed during the recent Vermont Legislative Session: Among bills passed by the 2019 legislative session that recently concluded in Montpelier are: Raised age for tobacco and tobacco substitutes purchase to 21; 24 hour waiting period for the purchase of handguns; Large-capacity magazines can be willed to an immediate family member; VT Water quality will come from rooms and meals tax revenue; The average homestead education property tax rate in Vermont would rise about a penny under this year's education finance bill; Amazon and other online retailers that facilitate third-party transactions will be required to collect Vermont's 6 percent sales tax under the education finance bill; Creates a 20-person working group that will make recommendations about how Vermont's school policies and statewide standards can "recognize fully the history, contributions, and perspectives" of groups that have been historically marginalized; prohibit stores and restaurants from giving customers single-use plastic carryout bags, styrofoam food and drink containers, and plastic stir sticks. Burlington Free Press

VT Ranked 43rd for Download Speeds: Vermont ranks 43rd in the country for download speeds for smartphone users. Clay Purvis, director of telecommunications and connectivity for the state’s Department of Public Service, said what the report essentially asks is how cities and states are doing on the march to getting 5G service — with Vermont’s low scores showing Vermont is very far away from meeting that criteria. But he doesn’t think that’s even a question Vermont should be asking at this point. “For rural states, the question is ‘Do our citizens have access to fundamental mobile and broadband that they can use to participate in the digital economy?’” Purvis said. “The answer to that for many rural communities is no.” He said the functional difference between Vermont’s 17.4 Megabits per second and other state’s 23 or 24 is not particularly significant. VT Digger

4. EVENTS

JUNE 8 (SATURDAY): GMUHS Alumni Parade Chester

JUNE 14 (FRIDAY): GMUHS Graduation

JUNE 15 (SATURDAY): A plant and bake sale  will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Holy Name of Mary Church Hall, 803 Main Street, Proctorsville, VT. The sale features perennial plants, homemade jams, pies, breads, cookies, and other delicious items. 

JUNE 19 (WEDNESDAY): CTES 6th grade graduation. Proctorsville Green, 6 pm

• Last Day of School for GMUHS

JUNE 20 (THURSDAY): Last day of school at CTES

JUNE 29 (SATURDAY): Car wash to benefit the family of Drew Kauffman. Reading Fire Department 9-2

• Lace Up for Laura Memorial 5 K Walk/Run

JULY 27 (SATURDAY): 9th Annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale. 9-2

SEPTEMBER 14 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival. 10-4 Part craft fair, part food festival, the VT Golden Honey Festival is a community favorite. Located on the lawn of the Golden Stage Inn, 399 Depot St. in Proctorsville. Proceeds of this event will benefit VT Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth (Ludlow and Proctorsville. For vendor and other information: vtgoldenhoneyfestival@gmail.com or 802-226-7744 (Julie).

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.  

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS