Cavendish Update 9/17/10 SB Mtg/Town Meetings/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 9/17/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting 9/13/10
2. Town Meeting: Appraisal Update
3. Cavendish Related News
4. Why Not Throw Unused Medication Down the Toilet, sink or in the trash?
5. BRGNS Fall Rummage Sale: Help Needed
6. Friends of Ludlow Auditorium Receive Movie Equipment
7. Weathersfield - Cavendish - Ludlow Home Repair Program
8. Cavendish Events 9/17-9/24

1. Select Board Meeting 9/13/10
The following items were among items discussed at Monday night’s Select Board meeting.

A. 250th Anniversary of the founding of Cavendish will take place in the coming year. The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) has started discussions with the board about this event so that the town can plan activities accordingly. Rich Svec, town manager, said that the original founding document is in the town’s vault and he would like to see it displayed. It was suggested that CHS might be able to help with the preservation of the document.

B. Emergency Response Policy: At the March Town Meeting, members from the audience asked about the town’s response plan in the event of a disaster and where the town’s shelter is located. Svec indicated that it was time for the town’s emergency plan to be moved to a priority status, noting that the town’s designated shelter area is the Cavendish Elementary School in Cavendish. Dave Norton is the person who is responsible for the plan.

C. Twenty Mile Stream Paving Project: As many people are already aware, a lot of work has taken place this summer on Twenty Mile Stream-replacing culverts, blasting of ledge and preparing for final paving of this road. In addition to the paving, the sidewalks have been cleaned. Stripping was done earlier this summer, even though the state agency responsible for this activity knew a week earlier that Cavendish had received funds for the repaving project. Svec is hoping the state will come back and replace the yellow lines down the center of the road before the weather becomes too cold. Additional signs will be needed to help reduce speeding on the road.

Svec also noted that Cavendish will not be eligible for paving assistance from the state for at least the next two years. Even though Tarbell Hill Road is in need of assistance, Twenty Mile Stream was selected because it gets double the traffic of Tarbell Hill.

D. Depot Street Bridge: The board voted to hire Hoyle, Tanner and Associates, a civil and structural engineering firm from Burlington, to provide an assessment on the Depot Street Bridge in Proctorsville. They will also make recommendations for long and short-term solutions, as well as what the appropriate load baring capacity should be for the bridge. Svec stated that the costs would be $7,500, which he hoped he could get from the state. However, if that is not a possibility, this site assessment is needed so the town will have to pay for it.

E. Town Website: A proposal developed by Spring River Enterprises for a town website was distributed for the SB members review. This will be on the October SB agenda.

2. Town Meeting: Vote for town-wide Appraisal Update
A little over 20 citizens and town officials (Select Board, Town Manager, Moderator and Clerk) met to vote on whether the town should have an appraisal update. An information handout, see the Cavendish Blog for a copy, was distributed at the meeting. The need for the Appraisal Update was due to several factors:

• Several Castle Hill condominium owners appealed their property assessment to the Board of Civil Authorities this year. As a result, their property was reduced to current fair market value versus the last town assessment in 2006. Svec anticipates that all of the condo owners, which he estimated to be about 48, would appeal in the coming year.

• The value of properties in Cavendish, similar to the rest of the country, has dropped significantly since the 2006 full appraisal.

• The state has set forth guidelines that trigger when a town needs to conduct a full audit. This is generally when the fair market value and the most recently appraised value differ by more than 20%. Cavendish was close to that number in 2010 (19.33%) and will most likely exceed it in 2011.

• Since the town had a full appraisal in 2006, we are within the five-year time frame that allows for an update appraisal to bring property levels closer to fair market pricing. The cost of an updated appraisal, which only looks at the outside of houses and limits interior assessment to properties where it appears significant changes have occurred since 2006, is much less, by $20,000 or $30,000, than a full appraisal.

Phyllis Bont. a member of the Board of Civil Authorities when the condominium owners appealed their case, said that it was very concerning to her that the condo owner’s property were reappraised based on 2010 fair market values while the rest of the town’s property owners were being taxed on the 2006 appraisal.

Those present voted unanimously in favor of a an appraisal update. For more information, please see the information handout provided by the town office on the Cavendish Blog.

3. Cavendish Related News
Shumlin Confirmed as Winner of Democratic Primary for Governor

Dry Spell May Bode Ill for Foliage

State Police Seeks Tasers

4. Why Not Throw Unused Medication Down the Toilet, sink or in the trash?
As a follow up to last week’s post, on the Sept 25 National Take-Back Drug Day, there were questions about whether it wouldn’t be easier to just flush the medications down the toilet. Studies of drinking water show that at least 41 million Americans are exposed to pharmaceuticals from their tap. Medications, from antibiotics, to sex hormones, along with over the counter drugs, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen , have been found in trace amounts in the drinking water all over the United States. While the amount is far below the medical dosage level, its impact has already been documented in wildlife, particularly fish and amphibians.

Keep in mind that while wastewater is treated, most treatments do not remove all drug residue.

Medications that are tossed in the trash, without being properly treated, can also leach into landfills and ultimately into the water. While it’s sitting in a trash bag, un treated medications can also be an easy target for pets, kids and even other household members.

To learn more about proper disposal, go to the FDA website.

5. BRGNS Fall Rummage Sale: Help Needed
Black River Good Neighbor Services is holding a gigantic Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm on Friday and Saturday, October 1st, 2nd from 10am to 4pm and Sunday October 3rd from 10am until 2pm. All monies raised will help cover utilities/fuel cost, food and rent assistance for those who qualify and live in Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Proctorsville, Cavendish and Plymouth. Here is what you can do to help:

1) If you have anything to donate, please call Audrey Bridge at 802-228-3663 to arrange a drop off time. Drop offs will be accepted at Fletcher Farm starting Saturday, September 25th through Thursday, September 30 from 11am to 2pm (any drop offs for Sunday 9/26 must be arranged in advance by calling Audrey Bridge). Fletcher Farm’s Barn is located at 611 Route 103 S. Fall and Winter clothing will be especially welcome. Furniture will be accepted gratefully (nothing broken or torn please). Please do not donate items that are stained, ripped or broken. If you are unable to drop off a furniture donation, it can be picked up by our volunteers if arrangements are made in advance.

2) If you have a vehicle and some time, Black River Good Neighbor Services could use your help to move items from the Thrift Shop on Main Street to Fletcher Farm.

3) Volunteers are needed to help work the sale as well as setup, so please come and help.

4) There will be a table selling baked goods. So, if you can bake an item to donate for selling, please do so. This proved to be a very popular addition last fall.

5) Please come and buy some of the great bargains.

FMI: Audrey Bridge 802-228-3663 or BRGNS@tds.net

6. Friends of Ludlow Auditorium Receive Movie Equipment
Recently received equipment from Edgewood Studios in Rutland, funded by donations from over 90 people plus an award from the 2010 Ludlow Town Meeting, will be used to show classic and recently-released family-oriented films to Ludlow and surrounding area residents in the auditorium. According to Ralph Pace, Chair of FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium), the purchasers of the equipment, Edgewood Studios will return to the auditorium in mid to late fall to finalize the setup of the equipment, designed to project films onto a large screen being purchased by the town. A special "movie" committee is preparing to decided what films will be shown and the dates for them. Pace noted that "all we need now is about $1,000 to enable us to finalize the legal requirements for displaying copyrighted films and purchase a popcorn machine to make everyone feel at home at the movies."

7. Weathersfield - Cavendish - Ludlow Home Repair Program
For Homeowners! This year, financial assistance is available to:
• Low and moderate-income homeowners to improve their homes. _
• All types of homes may be assisted under the program [income limits related to household size apply].
• The program has resources available to rehabilitate several homes in Weathersfield, Cavendish, and Ludlow.

If you are an interested homeowner, you must apply to the program. Don't put it off!
FMI: Theresa Burton Rockingham Area Community Land Trust: [802] 885-3220

8. Cavendish Events 9/17-9/24
September 17 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.

September 19 (Sunday): Cavendish Historical Society Museum Open 2-4 pm. Special focus on the 1940s. Be sure to visit the 1940’s Candy Store being run by the Young Historians. FMI: 226-7807

September 20 (Monday): The Cavendish Select Board will meet at 5 pm at the Town Office . The agenda will include:Open Bids for Truck Body and Plows; Discuss Water Bond finances and sign People’s United Bank Note; Update on paving

September 22 (Wednesday): Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd Annual Business Showcase from 5:30-7:30pm at the Fletcher Farm School in Ludlow. FMI: Chamber of Commerce

September 23 (Thursday): The Fletcher Memorial Library will hold its Book Discussion Group at 7 pm in the Community Room on “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz zafon. FMI: 228-8921
• 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

September 24 (Friday): Farmer’s Market, Okemo Mountain School Campus on Main Street Ludlow 4-7 pm.