Cavendish Update 14/10/09 SB/Energy/News

This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA), a non-profit membership organization that is dedicated to the conservation of land and natural resources and to the preservation of historic sites within the context of sustainable economic growth. FMI: PO Box 605, Cavendish VT 05142 or 802-226-7736

The 4/10/09 Cavendish Update Contains:
1. Select Board Meeting Agenda for 4/13/09
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Cavendish Resident Cycling Cross Country
4. Vermont Incentives for Renewable Energy
5. Cavendish Community Garden
6. Windsor Southwest Preschool Collaborative Application Guidelines
7. Events

1. Select Board Meeting Agenda 4/13/09
The Cavendish Select Board will meet on April 13 at 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Hall. The agenda will include the following:
• Update on water filtration project construction progress.
• Follow-up from last meeting on vacant positions and confirmation of appointment of Ginny Garrow as Lister until next town meeting election.
• Follow-up on the Southern Loop/Coolidge Connector Project and the related discussion last meeting.
• Town Manager to discuss developments and activities pertaining to the Proctorsville Curb and Sidewalk Project including bid openings for Construction Inspector/Clerk of the Works and Construction General Contractor.
• Updates on various Town activities including town highway spring (mud season) maintenance.
• Discuss the idea of an identity theft prevention policy.
• Review correspondence from the Springfield Regional Development Corporation regarding the current CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) and discuss desired feedback to SRDC.

2. Cavendish Related News
• Ludlow Sets Meeting on Fast Food Proposal:

• With Just a Little Hard Work, Dreams Really Do Come True

3. Cavendish Resident Cycling Across the US
Since March 5, Nancy Kelly, a Cavendish resident, has been cycling across the southern part of the United States to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research. Having departed from San Diego, she’s now in Texas. You can follow Kelly’s travels via her blog site http://nancybikeride.blogspot.com/. The “dead animal hotel,” complete with pictures, must have been interesting. While we’re slogging through mud season, which Nancy was quite happy to miss, she is stopping at Dairy Queens, eating absolutely decadent desserts for lunch, and yes, apple pie and coffee count as lunch. With each blog entry, she provides stats on how far she’s ridden and her daily food intake. . This past Sunday, Nancy’s stats were as follows: Bike stats: 91.28 miles (no - I didn't take any shortcuts); 7 hrs. 24 minutes ride time, 1,126 total trip miles. However, the last few days have not been too rosy. There’s a taco place down there that probably should be avoided.

4. Vermont Incentives for Renewable Energy
If you want to know more about Vermont Incentives packages for renewable energy, go to http://www.revermont.org/incentives.php During Cavendish Earth Week, April 20-26, you can learn more about different ways to reduce energy costs. At the Saturday Conference, 9:30-2pm at the Cavendish Elementary School, there will be a number of displays with specific presentations on group net metering and tax incentives. For Earth Day, April 22, a Skystream wind turbine will be set up at Fletcher Field from 1-3 pm. In case of inclement weather, the turbine will be in front of the Cavendish Solar Store on Rt. 131 in Cavendish.

5. Cavendish Community Garden
The Cavendish Community Garden, sponsored by the CCCA, is preparing for its second season with some exciting changes. We will be offering sections for people who would like to develop their own garden and a larger area for those that would like to work in a group. We are also planning to participate in the “grow a row” programs at the Cavendish Elementary School and Black River Good Neighbors. If you would like to be part of the Community Garden please call Sandra Russo at 226-7398 or e-mail at sandra.russo@yahoo.com

6. Windsor Southwest Preschool Collaborative Application Guidelines
The Windsor Southwest Preschool Collaborative is now accepting applications for their publicly funded preschool program, which includes Stepping Stones Preschool in Proctorsville. FMI: 226- 7760

What is publicly funded prekindergarten education?: Ten hours per week of developmentally appropriate early development and learning experiences that are based on Vermont’s Early Learning Standards.

Children who reside in the towns served by the WSWSU and are between the ages of three-five are eligible. Pre-kindergarten education is limited to the academic year (September 2009-June 2010).

Where are these publicly funded prekindergarten programs? The Windsor Southwest Supervisory Union’s publicly funded prekindergarten programs are located in community private early care and education programs that meet specific quality standards. The community early care and education programs that Windsor Southwest Supervisory Union partners with are:
§ The Little School in Weston
§ West River Montessori School in S. Londonderry
§ Stepping Stones Preschool in Cavendish
§ Chester Community Preschool in Chester

Is this 10-hour/week pre-kindergarten program tuition free?: Yes. Preschools that partner with the Windsor Southwest Preschool Collaborative may not charge families for the 10 hour/week program. Families will be charged fully for whatever care and education program the child needs beyond the 10 hours/week during the academic year.
Is my child eligible for publicly funded prekindergarten? If your child is 3 years old by September 1, 2009 and resides in Andover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Landgrove, Londonderry, Peru or Weston your child is eligible to participate.
Please Note: If we receive more applications than we have funding to support, then we will need to use a random selection process to determine which children receive publicly funded prekindergarten education. We will inform parents whether their child has a slot by May 15, 2009.

How do I apply? Complete an application form. Forms maybe found locally at CTES, Fletcher Library, WSWSU central office and Stepping Stones Preschool. Applications must be received in the Preschool Collaborative office by April 30th in order to be considered. Late applications may not be eligible for tuition assistance.

7. Community Events
Week of April 13: Book Fair at the Cavendish Library

April 16 (Thursday): Community Luncheon at St. James Methodist Church in Proctorsville.