Cavendish Update 2/12/10 SB Mtg/Theater/Events

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 2/12/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Public Hearing on Cavendish Ancient Roads
2. Select Board Meeting February 8
3. Fun with Shakespeare Workshop in Cavendish
4. Candidates Forum
5. Calendar of Cavendish Events Feb. 12-19

1. Public Hearing on Cavendish Ancient Roads
A Public Hearing was held on February 8 in order to receive comments regarding three roads identified by the Cavendish Ancient Roads Committee as needing a determination as to whether the Town maintains ownership of the roads and to determine whether the Town shall include these roads on the Town of Cavendish Inventory of Town Highways and Town Highway Map. The roads and the decision of the Select Board were as follows:

• Chapman Road, also known as the Stone Church Rd, in Cavendish: The road is on the western side of the Stone Church and connects 103 to High Street. The Select Board voted to keep the road classified as a Class 4 road. This designation puts the road on the map but there is no obligation to maintain it.

• Swift Road: Five property owners have lots embedded in the Proctor Piper State Forest. The property owners were present as having a designated trail or road impacts access to their property and ultimately property values. This has been an ongoing issue between the State of Vermont and the property owners. The Select Board voted to include Swift Road in the Ancient Roads inventory as an unidentified corridor. This gives the town some time to look at the issue.

• Knapp Pond area: Similar to the property owners in the Proctor Forest, one owner needs to have at least a portion of Old County Road included. The Board voted to include Old County Road in the town inventory and on the map, but will look at reducing its length in subsequent meetings.

2. Select Board Meeting February 8
At the most recent Select Board meeting, the following items were discussed:

• Energy Grant: the towns grant application made it through the first rounds of cuts and will be submitting an application for a $50,000 energy efficiency grant in a few weeks. A 10% match will be required. Rich Svec, town manager, explained that between in kind contributions and other funds, the total match would be closer to 16%. It is hoped that having this much in a match will increase changes at being awarded the full $50,000. Proposed projects include:
- Town Office: Insulation of the attic with a foam cell product; replace boiler; install a programmable thermostat; replace all of the lighting including LED lighting for the outside

- Town Garage: Replace windows with thermal panes; insulation; sealing cracks; lighting

- Library: Thermal curtains for windows; film to reduce heat transmission on sky lights; remote to open skylights for venting purposes

• Town Report: The Report needs to be distributed 10 days prior to town meeting. The Report is currently at the printers and will be distributed in the coming weeks.

• Depot Street Bridge: Because of the weight issue, Rich Svec planned to place Jersey barriers on opposites sides before the bridge and orange barrels to block the one side, creating a one-way bridge. Traffic would be one way go from Route 103 (Golden Stage Inn) to Route 131 (Six Loose Ladies). Svec has learned that this is not an acceptable plan to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VAT) and that barriers would be needed to divide the bridge. When questioned about the weight issue, VAT said the concrete barriers weren’t that heavy. In August, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VAT) sent a warning to the Town about the condition of the bridge. This letter stated that within 60 days of the posting of the letter, the Select Board needed to respond about which recommendation they would follow, properly barricade, control, and close the upstream half of the bridge to traffic based on the state’s recommendation; will properly repair and/or replace deteriorated t-beams and associated supporting seating area; will properly repair hole in deck near the pier. More information about the letter from VAT is available at www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com 9/18/09 post.

3. Fun with Shakespeare Workshop in Cavendish
In April there will be an exciting theater event in Cavendish for adults and teens. New York actor and musician Jamie Ward will work with participants in his “Fun With Shakespeare” workshop that will culminate with a performance. Last summer Jaime worked with kids in Ludlow’s summer recreation program to put on a show at Ludlow Town Hall that had young performers spouting Shakespeare in humorous skits and dramatic scenes.

One of the great things about Jamie’s “Fun With Shakespeare” workshop is that there is little or no memorization required. There also is no need for costumes and scenery, making for less work and more fun!

An afternoon workshop will take place on Saturday April 17, followed by a second afternoon workshop on Sunday April 18, then a potluck before the evening performance for the public.

There will be space for up to twenty participants and the workshop is free to all through generous funding from the Cavendish Community Fund and the Cavendish Theater Group.

The two workshops and final performance will take place in the Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Proctorsville.

For more details and to register for the “Fun With Shakespeare” weekend contact Mary McCallum at 226-7497 or marmac@tds.net.

4. Candidates Forum
A preview of the town and school warnings, as well as a candidate’s night, will be held on Feb. 24, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville. This meeting is held each year so people have a chance to understand issues prior to Town Meeting and voting.

5. Calendar of Cavendish Events Feb. 12-19
February 12 (Friday): The Black and White Film series continues with “Lost Horizon.” The film begins at 7 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville. Considered one of director Frank Capra’s most inspired films, it won two Academy Awards in 1937 and inserted the term “Shangri-La” into American vocabulary. It follows the story of English diplomat Robert Conway (played by Ronal Colman) who must leave China in 1935 and return to England to accept a new post. Before leaving, he has one last task---to rescue 90 Westerners in the city of Baskul. He flies out with the last few evacuees, just ahead of armed revolutionaries. Unbeknownst to passengers, the pilot is replaced and their airplane is hijacked. It runs out of fuel and crashes deep in the Himalayas. The group is rescued and taken to Shangri-La, an idyllic valley sheltered from the outside world. Its contented inhabitants are led by the mysterious High Lama (played marvelously by Sam Jaffe). Initially anxious to return to civilization, most of the newcomers grow to love their new home. But is it really the utopia it appears to be? FMI: 226-7187

February 13 (Saturday): The Cavendish Cares Team will be hosting a bake sale from 2-6 pm outside Shaw’s in Ludlow. Proceeds will benefit Heifer International, which provides education and livestock to poor families throughout the world, including Haiti and the United Sates. FMI: Mercury Ripley 226-7933 or mjripley@tds.net

February 14 (Sunday): Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy New Years! (Chinese-It is the Year of the Tiger for the year 4707)
• Cavendish Snow Flea Snowmobile Ride for Club members, weather and snow conditions permitting. This is a Tri-Club Poker Run and is 65 mile ride. The snowmobile clubs of Shrewsbury, Mount Holly, Cavendish and Ludlow will participate. Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas will meet at 8 a.m. at the club’s Food Shack for the Poker Run and leave by 8:30 a.m. The cost is $10 per hand and each participant can have a maximum of four hands. There will be five punches on each hand during the ride. There are also prizes awarded for the best poker hand: First prize is $350.00, Second prize is $250.00 and Third prize is $150.00. The remaining funds will be equally divided between the participating clubs. FMI: www.cavendishsnowfleas.com

February 15 (Monday): President’s Day. Town Office Closed. Legal Holiday. Schools closed for Mid Winter Break

February 16 (Tuesday): Mardi Gras. Schools closed for Mid Winter Break

February 17 (Wednesday): Ash Wednesday. Schools closed for Mid Winter Break

February 18 (Thursday): Community Luncheon, 11:30 at St. James Church in Proctorsville. Donations of $3 per seniors and $4.50 for those under 60 are appreciated. This month's red-and-white menu consists of spaghetti with meatballs, a tossed garden salad, warm garlic bread and a surprise dessert prepared for us by the RESPECT Club of the Cavendish Town Elementary School. Coffee, hot tea or a fruit drink will be available.
• 10th Anniversary of American Pie Pizza, a Ludlow business owned by Proctorsville residents Craig and Jessica Goodman. Congratulations! New T-shirt unveiling and $10 pizzas all day!
• Schools closed for Mid Winter Break
• Sit & Knit" at the Six Loose Ladies yarn shop, Pollard Building, Proctorsville Green, 2:00 -9:00 PM. Open to knitters, spinners, crocheters, hookers. Free. FMI: 226-7373

February 19 (Friday): Schools closed for Mid Winter Break
• The Black and White Film series will be screening “Witness for the Prosecution” at 7pm at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville.