Cavendish Update 2/19/10 H20/News/Forum/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 2/19/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Water Tests Results Differ from the Tap and the Source
2. Cavendish Related News
3. CCCA to Hold Candidates’ Night Forum
4. Cavendish Old Home Day 2010
5. Gethsemane Free Adult Charity Crafts Workshop
6. Cavendish Events February 19-27

1. Cavendish Water Tests Results Differ from the Tap and the Source
The new filtration system is working very well, yielding levels of iron and manganese (Mn) well below the accepted standards. Several years ago, Dave Duquette, the town water’s operator explained that even though the water at the source would be clean, it would be months before the same quality would be coming from the tap. He explained that even with flushing and the cleaning of the water tanks, which were conducted in late October, the system is quite complex and there are seasonal variations. In short, water users should expect a delay in the water quality improving at the same rate as the source water.

Residents have recently begun to test their water and are definitely finding much higher rates of manganese (Mn) than what the town reports from the source. The standard is 0.05 mg/L. The town is reporting 0.02 mg/L. Jo Frye recently tested three buildings in Proctorsville and found the following levels of Mn:
• Village Clipper Building and Cavendish Elementary School- .19 mg/L
• St. James Church .28mg/L

Frye took her samples to Aquacheck, the same lab the town uses. Other Proctorsville residents have started testing their water, also using this lab. One Proctorsville resident reported a level of 0.11mg/L for Mn from their tap.

Aquacheck staff concurred with Duquette that the problem isn’t with the water source, which is testing very clean, but rather in the pipes, both town and residents. There is considerable corrosion and build up over the years, and places where there are bends and elbows have even more build up. They estimate that it would be over a year for the pipes to completely be flushed and the water coming from the tap in homes and businesses would match the water source quality.

Aquacheck also noted that the additives used to make the medium for the bacteria reduces the acidity of the water, so it will take longer to eat through years of build up. Because the levels are now so much lower, there is the possibility that home filtration systems (the kind you attach to your kitchen sink) could easily clean up the remaining Mn and iron while we wait for the pipes to finally clean out. However, systems like Britta and Purr, the cheapest of the sink filters, are not designed to remove Mn. The resident with the 0.11 mg/L for Mn tried a Purr filter and them tested the water. The Mn level dropped down to 0.08 mg/L, and not the 0.05 mg/L standard, let alone the town’s reported 0.02 mg/L

In order to know the water quality coming from your tap, you will need to test it. If you want to learn more about testing your water, contact Aquacheck at (802) 263-9595.

The town will shortly be issuing information and new guidelines on the water, including flushing pipes at home. In addition, as soon as it’s possible, there will be an aggressive town wide spring flush, which will hopefully hasten the levels of water source and tap corresponding.

2. Cavendish Related News
Cavendish man will face burglary charges

3. CCCA to Hold Candidates’ Night Forum
Continuing its tradition, the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association will hold Candidates’ Night on Wednesday, February 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. The forum will address all issues on the 2010 ballot and town officials will be present to discuss them. This includes the town and school budgets. Although there are no contested races on the ballot this year, candidates will be asked to make short statements and answer voters’ questions. The meeting is open to all Cavendish citizens and residents.

4. Cavendish Old Home Day 2010
The Cavendish Historical Society is planning Cavendish Old Home Day for July 3 (Saturday) on the Cavendish Green. We are sending out notices now, so community groups, artists and local business owners can plan ahead. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to gather, enjoy time with friends, make the community aware of what you are doing, and hopefully raise some money. Last year we had the highest number of vendors to date. It's a wonderful time for many of the second homeowners to meet their neighbors and find out what's available to them locally. We also encourage our second homeowners to become involved as well. As always, there will be a kid vendor area as well as special activities for kids.

There is no charge for a booth. You are required to bring your own table, chairs, tent and be responsible for your own clean up. The sooner we know if you plan to participate, the more you can be assured of having the space you want. If you require electric hook ups, we need to know this in advance. In order to avoid duplication, please let me know what type of products you will be offering, or what other activities you might like to do.

The Historical Society has chosen the 1940s as their theme for 2010 and we will be providing games and other activities that relate to this theme.

For more information or to register for a booth, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margoc@tds.net

5. Gethsemane Free Adult Charity Crafts Workshop
Gethsemane Episcopal Church is announcing the formation of a free adult Charity Crafts Workshop. Hearing about people in need makes us want to get busy. Our goal, is to share the fellowship and joy of making something to donate to people in need. The Gethsemane Parish Hall will be open as a studio with worktable space on Wednesdays, starting March 3, from 10 until 12 noon. Please dress casual, bring your ideas; patterns and projects to share. Sit and visit while you work. Coffee, tea and goodies will be available at no cost. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, the 3rd of March 2010. All are welcome. For more information, leave a message at 802-226-7967; Gethsemane Episcopal Church, 89 Depot Street, Proctorsville, Vermont 05153. We’re located next door to Crow’s Corner Bakery. FMI: 226-7967 or anndortch@aol.com

6. Cavendish Events February 19-27
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. Based on an Agatha Christie novel, this mystery directed by Billy Wilder concerns an esteemed and aging lawyer (Charles Laughton). On the eve of retiring, he takes on the defense of an alleged murderer (Tyrone Power, in his final film performance) accused of killing a wealthy widow for her money. Things get complicated when the accused murderer’s only alibi, his wife (Marlene Dietrich), decides to testify for the prosecution. Nominated for six Academy Awards and four Golden Globe awards, “Witness” is an engrossing drama with a flawless cast, including Elsa Lanchester who won a Golden Globe for her supporting role as a long-suffering nurse. Full of unexpected plot twists and turns, the “Witness for the Prosecution” is a showcase in black and white for the talents of the great actors that light up the screen. FMI: 226-7187

February 20 (Saturday): Celebration party of American Pie Pizza’s 10th Anniversary. Based in Ludlow on Main Street, the business is owned by Proctorsville residents Craig and Jessica Goodman. Lots of surprises and fun are being planned.

February 22 (Monday): Green Mountain Parents Meeting. FMI: www.greenmountainparents.blogspot.com, or contact Geralyn Donohue at geralyn@vermontel.net or 875-1126 or call Jill McNally at 875-3967.

February 24 (Wednesday): Meet the Candidates Forum-A preview of the town and school warnings, as well as a candidate’s night, 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.

February 25 (Thursday): 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 26 (Friday): The Black and White Film Series will be screening “42nd Street” at 7pm at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville.

February 27 (Saturday): Cavendish Snow Flea Snowmobile Ride for Club members, weather and snow conditions permitting. The third group ride for the Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas Snowmobile Club is to the home of Steve Turco on Hawks Mountain. Club members will meet at the club’s Food Shack at 10 a.m. for the ride. Members are to bring their own food and beverages to drink. There will be a grill available at the camp if anyone wants to grill their food. FMI: www.cavendishsnowfleas.com