Cavendish VT Blog: March 2010

Friday, March 26, 2010

Cavendish Update 3/26/10 News/Events/Classified

Friday, March 19, 2010

Cavendish Update: 3/19/10 News/Photo Contest/Bears

Friday, March 12, 2010

Cavendish Update 3/12/10 News/Classifieds/Events/H20

Monday, March 8, 2010

Cavendish Municipal Water System Update - February 2010

The water filtration project is complete and levels of iron and manganese in the water supplied to customers are significantly reduced. We continue to fine tune processing in the filtration plant to ensure that we get the maximum effectiveness and efficiency from the new equipment and have streamlined operations. Since September, levels of manganese in the water going out into the distribution system have been less than 0.02 mg per liter (mg/l) and the level of iron has been consistently less than 0.1 mg/l since last June. These levels mean that the equipment is working well and that we are operating at our target removal levels. Water leaving the plant has levels of iron and manganese comfortably below state and federal recommended maximums. Customers have reported that they are very glad to not have iron staining to contend with anymore and, for any number of reasons, we’re glad to have both minerals reduced to insignificant levels. This past fall, the system water mains were flushed and both storage tanks were professionally cleaned.

One remaining issue with regard to other water characteristics relates to the fact that the new filtration process injects air into the water as it enters the filters to facilitate the biological removal process. Because the water stays under pressure as it leaves the vessels, there is a significant amount of dissolved air in the water. This air stays in the water so long as it remains under pressure and, if the water goes directly from the pump to your faucet without depressurization, you may sometimes
get water that has a whitish cast as it first comes out of the tap and, especially after a period of limited use, faucets may sputter and spit a bit. The whitish appearance is caused by minute air bubbles. These bubbles are just air, are harmless, and usually dissipate in a matter of seconds. The system operator, the engineers and the town manager are presently working on a remedy to the excess air in the finish water and it is hoped that, by the end of spring, that too will be gone. The fix
being worked on involves a temporary depressurization of the water in a clear tank within the plant which will allow the air to come out of solution prior to its being re-pumped into the distribution network.

We would like to point out that, although the water being pumped into the system now consistently has very low levels of iron and manganese, the reduced mineral content is still a relatively new phenomenon. When brim-full, the system holds almost 600,000 gallons of water. The filtered water enters the distribution system at a fixed point in a complex distribution piping network and flows out of user spigots and fixtures at varying rates and at various distances from the source. The 300,000 gallon tank in Proctorsville and the 250, 000 gallon tank in Cavendish make for a constant pressure and consistently provide enough storage to allow us sufficient reserve capacity to meet heavy demand periods and allow adequate reserve for fire protection purposes. The net result of these complicated flow dynamics is that the complete changeover of the water in the system does not, and cannot, happen quickly. Rather, it is a long process that changes over the water by a continuous dilution process. As a result, while the water being supplied for distribution has been consistently very low in the iron and manganese content, the water flowing out of your tap did not all of a sudden start coming out at that same reduced level of mineral content. That being said, the water coming out of consumer taps now is certainly very much improved from what it had been, but, it may take some time for it to totally match the quality of the water leaving the plant.

In addition to the dilution process, another consideration is that, since there were many years of iron and manganese rich water which flowed through the system water mains and end-users’ plumbing, there is a likely build-up of residual mineral coating on the inside of the water mains, service entrance pipes and household plumbing. Now that the water with lowered levels of these minerals is flowing through these pipes, it is likely that there will be a gradual erosion of the mineral coating which may temporarily cause a slight increase in the level of the minerals in the water coming out of domestic water taps.

A recent check of iron and manganese levels at several consumer points on the distribution system has shown that the levels of iron removal are consistently very good with all samples taken below the advisory level. The manganese levels at various end user taps recently sampled has been detected at levels anywhere from less than 0.02 mg/l to 0.21 mg/l. which means anywhere from 99+% to 90% removal. The Vermont Health Department advisory level for manganese is 0.3 mg/l.
Water samples taken at our system sampling tap (which is located at a point about 20 minutes after leaving the water plant) is reading the same as the water sample just before it leaves the plant. This is indicative of the water mains becoming cleared of old iron and manganese residue. Lines with large volumes of water running through them get cleared faster than the lines with only small flows. This further demonstrates the value of line flushing which helps to clear those lines of old mineral residue and thus deliver water which has the desired full reduction in the iron and manganese.

This would seem to be an opportune time to remind water users of the importance of flushing the domestic water lines in your home or business. Recent field testing has indicated that end user locations with domestic waterlines that have very low flows and residences and commercial locations which did not conduct a significant flushing exercise as we recommended last fall tend to show traces of iron and manganese a bit higher than those locations with higher flows and those that have indicated that they did a thorough internal flushing.

This is why we flush the system water mains at least twice each year (spring and fall). The hard flow flushing helps to clear out the build-up of mineral and sediment which may naturally occur. When we announced the fall hydrant flushing this past October, you may recall that we recommended that all users flush their domestic plumbing as soon as we were done with the water main flushing and the water was again running clear. A flushing of hot water heaters and hot water boiler tubes is an
important part of this process. Conversations with many Cavendish water users has indicated that a good percentage of users conducted the flushing of their lines, but some of those users did not sustain the high volume flow for a sufficient length of time and there appears to have been great variation in the thoroughness of the work. A number of consumers indicated that they did not flush their plumbing at all. Whether or not a customer flushes and the thoroughness of the flushing can significantly influence how quickly the fully reduced levels of mineral is realized at their taps. The enclosed sheet contains a procedural outline of suggested techniques to maximize the effectiveness of the flushing of household plumbing.

Household flushing activities are strictly at the option of individual homeowners and they are exclusively the homeowners responsibility. The Cavendish Municipal Water System offers the suggested procedures only as a convenience to the consumer but this offer specifically does not imply any responsibility on the part of the Water System for maintenance of consumers’ household plumbing or fixtures.

The Cavendish Municipal Water System will next conduct flushing of hydrants and water mains during April with specific dates to be announced.

Cavendish Municipal Water System - February 2010
Suggested Procedures for Flushing of Household Plumbing
1. Unscrew and remove any aerators, strainers and flow restriction devices that you may have on household faucets. While they are off, any strainer screens should be removed and cleaned by reverse flow and removal of any particles or debris that may
be trapped in them. An old, but clean, toothbrush may be helpful with this. These are often neglected items and, if upon inspection, any of the aerators appear to be defective or the strainer screens are torn or missing, you should consider buying new ones. They are generally quite inexpensive. Put the aerators aside for now.

2. Run as many of your COLD WATER faucets and spigots as you can simultaneously - at full force - in order to get the maximum volume and velocity of flow through the water service pipe that runs from the water main to your house. Run for five to ten minutes after discoloration of the water, if any, clears at the farthest point. Next close all of the faucets and spigot.

3. Starting at a point nearest the water service entrance and working outward, run all COLD WATER spigots and faucets, one at a time, wide open. Run each for five to ten minutes beyond the point when water runs clear. This activity includes all kitchen,
bathroom and laundry sinks and bathtubs and showers.

4. After all faucets and spigots have been run as described above, each toilet should be flushed several times.

5. Next take the steps necessary to flush your hot water heater or domestic hot water boiler tubing depending on which type of system you have. It is very important to thoroughly flush water heaters and hot water boiler tubes. If a user finds that they still get an occasional blast of rusty colored water, the hot water heating device is the likely culprit and it must be purged. Most domestic water heating systems have some sort of tap or drain port which can allow for flushing. This drain is usually in the form of a hose bib and the most convenient method is to attach a garden hose and run it outdoors, well away from the foundation. Flush the heater by running the drain at full force for five or ten minutes after the water runs clear. Note that sometimes the heater drain will run clear for a minute and then will cloud up and run rust colored, so don’t skip a thorough draining here just because the water comes out clear when you first open the drain.

6. Next run all of the HOT WATER faucets as you did in step #3.

7. Replace all aerators, strainers and flow reducers which were removed.

8. Replace any cartridges on any household water filters that you may have.

9. Clean the in-line strainers that you may have on clothes washer and dishwasher water inlets.

If you follow the procedures described above, you will likely improve the quality of your household water, will minimize the chance of mineral staining and you may even find you have improved flow at some of your sinks and washers. This activity is likely to help speed up the transition in your house to water with the desired full reduction of iron and manganese. The maintenance activities described above are routine and generally within the abilities of the average homeowner. If you find, however, that you are unable to perform these maintenance activities yourself, we would recommend that you seek the services of a maintenance person, handyman or plumber in order to accomplish the work.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Cavendish Update 3/5/10 Town Mtg/Voting Results

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 3/5/10Cavendish Update Contains
1. Town Meeting/Voting Results
2. Cavendish Business Directory 2010 Edition
3. Classifieds (free stuff)
4. Cavendish Events March 5-11
5. Free Tax Help Available for Those 60+
6. Cavendish Library March Artist Robin DeCormier Timko

1. Town Meeting/Voting Results
Before the start of Town Meeting, Senator Alice Nitka and State Representative Ernie Shand addressed the audience about the various issues before the legislature this year. Some of the items on this year’s agenda include:

• Merger of school districts to reduce the number of supervisory unions Note: The following bills call for consolidation-H.0038; H.0288 (reduces school districts to between 1-12); H.0301 (reduce supervisory unions to 10); S.0008 and S.0252 (no more than 16 supervisory unions) Bill status can be tracked by going to http://www.leg.state.vt.us/

• No texting while driving; no cell phone use while driving

Articles Passed: See pages 8 and 9 of the Town Report for additional information
• Article 2 (acceptance of 2009 Town Report)
• Article 3 (Collection of all taxes on Real and Personal Property)
• Article 7 (Budget surplus of $782 to be used towards FY 2010-2011 Selectmen’s Budget)
• Article 8 (adoption of the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 budget)
• Article 9 (transaction of other business)

Articles Modified: Article 5 was amended to exempt the Black River Health Center, Inc from all taxes on real and personal property to one year versus the five years requested.

Article Postponed Indefinitely
• Article 4: Approval of a town-wide appraisal update. There were several areas where clarification was needed. See page 41 of the Town Report for more information about the need for an updated appraisal.
• Article 6: Requirement for a town vote prior to the sale of legacy or historical assets of the town. The language was found to be vague and have implications beyond the intention of the Article. This was written because of the potential sale of the Indian books, which are owned by the Cavendish Library.

Between the Town and School Meetings, town recognition awards were given to Carmine Guica and Rolf van Schaik. This year marks the 25th anniversary for Rolf as town and school moderator. It also marks his last year he is serving in this capacity. Per the March 2 election results, Will Hunter will be the new moderator.

All Cavendish School Articles passed (page 81 of the Town Plan)

Australian Ballot-Held March 2: Of 1,001 legal Cavendish voters, 235 (23%) of them voted, with the results as follows:

• GMUHS Budget: By a 607-353 vote, residents of Chester, Cavendish and Andover approved a Green Mountain Union High School budget of $5,592,230. That's an increase of $84,157, or 1.5 percent from the current budget of $5,508,073. [Source: Rutland Herald 3/3/10]

• River Valley Technical Center: Passed budget of $2,981,430, an increase of $12,408 over the current amount of $2,969,022. [Source: Rutland Herald 3/3/10]

• Cavendish Elementary School: Passed a budget of $1,779,020 by a margin of 147 to 87

• Elections: All candidates that appeared on the ballot were elected.

• Ludlow Armory: Voting was only done in Ludlow, but the building will house organizations that serve Cavendish. By a 269-188 vote, residents of Ludlow approved a $1.2 million bond to renovate the armory and the adjacent tank barn building, which will house Black River Good Neighbor Services and LPCTV. Voters also approved a companion article of $111,469 to operate and maintain the buildings, by a vote of 277-178. [Source: Rutland Herald 3/3/10]

2. Cavendish Business Directory 2010 Edition
The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is in the process of updating the Cavendish Business Directory. If you are a new business, or were missed in the previous edition, and would like to be included in the 2010 edition, send information to margoc@tds.net or call 226-7807.

3. Classifieds
Free: Large desk, electric organ (Baldwin), and old hymnals. Contact Shannon 226-8107 or e-mail SDevereux@vitlink.org

4. Cavendish Events March 5-11
March 5 (Friday): Six Loose Ladies is sponsoring a Free Charity Knits Group on the first Friday of every month between 10:30 and 12:30 in Proctorsville. We are using donated yarn to complete simple projects from “A Charity Guide for Knitters” by Debbie Macomber. Patterns include projects for Mariner's Christmas at Sea (acrylic scarf & hat); Operation Helmet Liner (black & dark grey wool) and infant pullover.

March 6 (Saturday): NO SALES TAX DAY. Save 6% Sales tax on all items purchased up to $2,000.
• Green Mountain Festival Series featuring former Cavendish resident Ignat Solzhenitsyn, 7:30 pm at GMUHS . FMI 875-4473 or www.greenmountainfestivalseries.com

March 8 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Town Office. These meetings are televised on LPCTV. To check for airing times, or to watch the meetings on-line, go to www.lpctv.org.

March 9 (Tuesday): Cavendish Elementary School Board Meeting. FMI: 226-7758

March 10 (Wednesday): Gethsemane Free Adult Charity Crafts Workshop, Gethsemane Parish Hall on Depot Street in Proctorsville, 10-12. The goal is to share the fellowship and joy of making something to donate to people in need. Bring your ideas, patterns and projects to share. Coffee, tea and goodies will be available at no cost. FMI: 226-7967
• Okemo Valley Chamber mixer at Hawk Inn and Mountain Resort, Plymouth VT. Constant Contact training., 5:30-7:30 pm. FMI: 228-5830

March 11 (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

5. Free Tax Help Available for Those 60+
Free tax help is available for those 60 and older via AARP-Tax-Aide. This service includes Federal and Vermont Tax filing. Most forms are e filed at no charge. Tax assistance is available at the following locations:

• Newsbank in Chester until April 15. Call Jean Lindman at 824-5294

• Springfield Public Library on limited Wednesday evenings from 5-6 pm until April 15. Appointments can be made by visiting or calling the library at 885-3108

• Weston Library on March 5 and 9 from 9-12. Appointments required. Call Jean Lindman at 824-5294

• Ludlow Fletcher Memorial Library on Thursday from 10-2. Appointments required.

6. Cavendish Library March Artist Robin DeCormier Timko
Robin is a long time activist and resident of Proctorsville who studies art at the New School for Social Research under Benny Andrews, took classes with her uncle John Dobbs and spent one year at the Portland Museum Art School in Oregon. She has been painting and drawing all of her life.

This particular collection of Robin’s work has been termed “Collateral Damage”. Collateral Damage is a saying used by the armed forces of incidental damage or injury to persons or objects not considered enemy targets.

“In my perception,” Robin says, “wars are primarily fought for control of natural resources. This collection of pastel paintings is an expressionon this theme… I broaden the meaning of the word to include animals suchas the Northeastern Elk which once inhabited our forests here in New England and was over hunted for their meat by early settlers from Europe. Our natural habitat, our waters and the earth are all suffering “Collateral Damage” from our addicted consumption of energy and its resultant pollution, so I have included examples of victims such as the polar bear and the beluga, both threatened with extinction as well…(and) the painting of the earth itself, and image seen in my dreams.”

Robin’s work may be seen in the Redfield Proctor Room of the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library during normal operating hours in March.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Cavendish Update 3/1/10 Calendar/Directory/News/Composter

This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society www.cavendishhistoricalsocietynews.blogspot.com

The 3/1//10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. March Cavendish Calendar
2. Cavendish Organizations Web Directory
3. Cavendish Related News
4. Order Soil Saver Compost Bin/Kitchen Scraps Pail
5. Recycling Resources for 2010

March Cavendish Calendar
March 1 (Monday): Town Meeting, 7 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School. FMI: 226-7292

March 2 (Tuesday): Town Vote, 10-7 at the Cavendish Elementary School. FMI: 226-7292
• Cavendish Library Board Meeting, 5 pm at the Library. FMI: 226-7503 or Kwelch@wswsu.org
• Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, 2:30 pm Inn at Weston, FMI: 228-5830

March 3 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

March 4 (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

March 5 (Friday): Six Loose Ladies is sponsoring a Free Charity Knits Group on the first Friday of every month between 10:30 and 12:30 in Proctorsville. We are using donated yarn to complete simple projects from “A Charity Guide for Knitters” by Debbie Macomber. Patterns include projects for Mariner's Christmas at Sea (acrylic scarf & hat); Operation Helmet Liner (black & dark grey wool) and infant pullover.

March 6 (Saturday): NO SALES TAX DAY. Save 6% Sales tax
• Green Mountain Festival Series featuring former Cavendish resident Ignat Solzhenitsyn, 7:30 pm at GMUHS . FMI 875-4473 or www.greenmountainfestivalseries.com

March 8 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Town Office. These meetings are televised on LPCTV. To check for airing times, or to watch the meetings on-line, go to www.lpctv.org.

March 9 (Tuesday): Cavendish Elementary School Board Meeting. FMI: 226-7758

March 10 (Wednesday): Okemo Valley Chamber mixer at Hawk Inn and Mountain Resort, Plymouth VT. Constant Contact training., 5:30-7:30 pm. FMI: 228-5830

March 11 (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

March 18 (Thursday): GMUHS Parents Meeting, at Green Mountain. FMI: www.greenmountainparents.blogspot.com or geralyn@vermontel.net or 875-1126 or Jill McNally 875-3967
• 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

March 19 (Friday): GMUHS closed for parent teacher conferences; CTES closed for Teacher Inservice.
• Last day to order Soil Saver Compost Bin and Kitchen Scraps Pail from the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District. See item 4 below.

March 21 (Sunday): Proctorsville Fire Department will hold CPR recertification for firefighters, 2pm.

March 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

March 27 (Saturday): The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library will host a “Dinner and a Movie” event at 3:00 PM in the library. The featured movie will be Julie and Julia (2009) starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. Julia Child's (Streep) story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's (Adams) 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book. A generous sampling of food from Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking will be served. This event is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, please contact Kata at 226-7503.

2. Cavendish Organizations Web Directory
If you would like your community organization included on this list, please e-mail the URL to margoc@tds.net

Many area businesses have websites. For an updated list, download it from the Cavendish Historical Society website www.cavendishhistory.org

• Bullet Proof Whitney’s Friends
• Cavendish Baptist Church
• Cavendish Community and Conservation Association
• Cavendish Historical Society
• Cavendish Historical Society Blog
• Cavendish Library
• Cavendish Library Blog
• Cavendish Snow Fleas
• Cavendish Transfer Station
• Cavendish Town Elementary School
• CTES Farm to School Program
• Cavendish Update:
• Fiber Arts in Vermont
• Green Mountain Union High School
• Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Proctorsville Fire Dept

3. Cavendish Related News
Storms cause havoc for CVPS

Green Mountain Outlook to Make Temporary Distribution Adjustments (If you are no longer receiving the Outlook in your mail, call 460-1107 for the nearest drop off or read it on-line at http://www.denpubs.com/SitePage-35827.113116_TheMessenger.html

SEVCA Offers Information Sessions-Bookkeeping/Quick Books Technology and Micro Business Start Up Training (722-4575 X 154 or gpayne@sevca.org)

She Played Gigs Right Up to the End (Tribute to Sandra Wright in the Valley News)

4. Order Soil Saver Compost Bin/Kitchen Scraps Pail
The Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District, which includes Cavendish’s Transfer station, is now offering the Soil Saver Compost Bin for $48, a significant savings. Made of black 50% recycled plastic, the composter converts grass, leaves and table scraps into an abundant supply of rich garden amendment. The Kitchen Scraps Pail holds 2 gallons and is being sold for $8. To order these items, download the forms http://www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org/portal/about-us-mainmenu-26/remository?func=startdown&id=17 and/or call Mary T O’Brien, Recycling Coordinator at 674-9235. Forms with payment must be ordered by March 19.

5. Recycling Resources for 2010
The Southern Windsor/Windham counties Solid Waste Management District has recently posted “Recycling Resources 2010,” which includes resources for Cavendish, to its website. You can download a copy at http://www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org/portal/about-us-mainmenu-26/remository?func=startdown&id=19 or call 674-9235 for a copy