Cavendish Update 8/13/10 SB Mtg/News/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 8/13/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Select Board Meeting 8/9/10
3. Rotary Duck Race-Benefits LPCTV
4. Black River Good Neighbor Services Says Thanks to Carmine Guica
5. 11th Annual RiverSweep of the Black River
6. Cavendish Activities 8/13-8/20

1. Cavendish Related News
Green Grant to Train Workers

Federal Ruling Raises Questions on Vermont’s Renewable Energy Program

New Technology Key to Vermont Broadband Grant

First “Interstate” Highway (Crown Point Road) Passed Through Here

Chester Residents Discuss Route 103 Closing in 2011

2. Select Board Meeting 8/9/10
At Monday night’s Select Board Meeting, the following items were discussed:

• 2010 Cavendish Resurfacing Program: Bids from six vendors were opened and considered for the milling, reclamation and bituminous cement paving elements of the 2010 Cavendish Resurfacing Program. The Select Board met again on Wednesday Aug. 11 and selected Wilk Paving of Rutland, VT. This was the lowest bid, coming in at less then $160,000.

• Sept. 13 Meeting to Discuss a Reappraisal: The Board agreed to a warning for the September 13 Town Meeting to discuss a town wide appraisal update. The meeting will place at 6:30 in the Cavendish Town Elementary School multi purpose room. The Select Board will hold their monthly meeting, starting at 5 pm, in the Arts room at the school.

• Energy Grant: The state energy grant awarded to Cavendish still does not have a signed agreement. The Town was instructed not to incur any project expenses until the grant agreement was signed by the Town and the State Commissioner. Recently the town manager, Rich Svec, was told by the state that he could go ahead with the project, even though the contract has yet to be signed. The Board felt that no expenses should be incurred until the agreement has been signed. The energy saving measures planned for the fall will be delayed.

• Tax Bill Distribution: Owners of the seven properties slated for tax sale have resolved their tax issues with the town manager. The Tax Rate was set at the July Select Board meeting and tax letters have been sent to property owners. Even though the unemployment rate is relatively high, the delinquent rate is lower than last year at this time.

• New Truck: The SB discussed the request for proposal (RFP) of a new tandem axle International 7500 truck and the additional RFP for truck dump body, low and patrol wing. The SB agreed to a bid opening for the truck, body and plow equipments will be on Monday Aug. 16 at 5:00 pm at the Town Office.

• Depot Street Bridge (Bridge #58): Even though the replacement of the Depot Street Bridge in Proctorsville is a priority item, for both town and state, it will take five years to do so. In the interim, Svec has been working with an engineer on a short-term solution, which should be relatively easy to do. Replacement versus rehabbing the existing bridge is thought to be the prudent way for the following reasons: easier maintenance; cost; longer life expectancy; and it will eliminate the center span support, which will reduce problems in the event of flooding. Since it will be quite a while before the bridge can be replaced, the limitations on the bridge’s use should be strictly enforced. The sheriff will now be asked to patrol the area and to ticket overweight trucks and “no truck” violators. Various SB members voiced their concern over the flagrant violations and the need to do everything possible to preserve the bridge until

• Sewer Budget and Rate Schedule: The Municipal Sewer budget for FY2010-2011 was approved by the SB and the rate schedule has been set as follows:

PER QUARTER
Base rate: $76.37 (includes 10k gallons consumption
Overage consumption (over 10k/quarter): $1.75 per thousand gallons
Flat rate (Non-metered): $78.37
Inactive Units: $27.50 flat rate

3. Rotary Duck Race: Your Chance to Win, Help LPC-TV
The Ludlow Rotary Club Duck Race, an annual event held on the Black River, will be held on Sunday, August 15. Tickets are now on sale for those wishing to "compete". Cash prizes of $200, $100, $75, and $25 will be awarded to the 1st place, 2nd place, third place, and last place finishes, respectively. Each year, the Rotary Club selects a non-profit to receive the proceeds from ticket sales, and this year's beneficiary is LPCTV. LPCTV Executive Director Patrick Cody said this fundraising opportunity is coming "at a great time". "This coming year is a big one for us. We're taking the much-needed step
from a small one-room operation to a state-of-the-art media facility", he explained.

LPCTV will be renovating a portion of the former Ludlow Armory "tank barn" into its new home. Making this happen requires a significant amount of fundraising for the small non-profit TV station. "Every little bit will help towards meeting our goal and we are grateful to the Rotary Club for its support", Cody said. "It'll be great for us and it'll be great for the community because we'll be able to offer much more."

Anyone wishing to purchase Duck Race tickets can do so by calling LPCTV at 228-8808, or in person through any Ludlow Rotarian, LPCTV Board member, or staff.

4. Black River Good Neighbor Services Says Thanks to Carmine Guica
Carmine Guica, a Cavendish resident and WWII veteran has been donating food every month to the Black River Good Neighbors for the last 15 years.

According to Audrey Bridge, Managing Director of BRGNS Thrift Shop and Food Shelf, Carmine goes shopping every month and loads his car with food to donate to the store and he always remembers to include special treats for the children. Jim Fuller, President of the BRGN board, said, “Carmine’s thoughtful community spirit and the effort he expends every month is a tribute to the caring individual he is. The BRGN’S Board and staff at the Thrift Shop want Carmine to know how much he is appreciated and respected and how very grateful we are. It is because of people like Carmine that BRGN can continue to help area families in need.”

FMI: 228-3663 or www.brgn.org

5. 11th Annual RiverSweep of the Black River
Lend a hand in the 11th Annual RiverSweep. The Black River needs us now more than ever before! On Saturday, August 28 from 8 a.m. till noon, volunteers of all ages are encouraged to step in and help pick up trash from the banks and bed of the Black River. From Plymouth to Springfield and all points in-between, folks will collect any junk they can find and safely wrassle from the river and bring it to a collection point at one of our two HQ stations: the Citizens Bank drive up near the footbridge in the Springfield Shopping Plaza and the gazebo at the town green in Veterans Park on Main Street in Ludlow. Thanks to many wonderful local supporters, we’ll have lots of free refreshments, complimentary ‘thank-you’ tee shirts, and a donated lunch at each location. This year also marks the Black River Action Team’s 10th birthday, so we’ll have a special paddle time after lunch, launching your own boat from the Shopping Plaza in Springfield. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.

6. Cavendish Activities 8/13-8/20
August 13 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

August 14 (Saturday): Cavendish Community Theatre Presents: “Tourists Accommodated.” Curtain 7:30 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School Enjoy Dorothy Canfield Fisher's play, "Tourists Accommodated", a comedy about a 1930's Vermont family who rents rooms to summer tourists to raise money to send their daughter to teaching school. Free admission, donation appreciated. No reserve seating, so come early!
• The 13th Annual Ludlow Vermont Zucchini Festival FMI: 228-5830
• Friends of Fletcher Memorial Library (Ludlow) Annual Book Sale 9-2 on the Library lawn.

August 15 (Sunday): The Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open from 2-4 pm. Stop by and see the newly restored Grange Hall Curtain and explore the 1940’s candy store. FMI: 226-7807
• Tourists Accommodated, 7:30 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School at 7:30. See Aug. 14 for more information.

August 17 (Tuesday): Cavendish School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm in the Arts Center.

August 19 (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

August 20 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.