Cavendish Update 11/12/10 SB Mtg/Classifieds/Events/News

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 11/12/10 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting-Nov. 8
2. Bone Builders Class Comes to Cavendish
3. Cavendish School Snow Sports Program Sign Up
4. Classifieds
5. BRGNS Stuff a Bus December 4
6. Kiplinger: Vt. among worst states for retirement
7. Cavendish Events 11/12-11/19

1.Select Board Meeting Nov. 8
The following items were discussed at Monday’s Select Board Meeting:
A. Snowmobile Trail Crossings: Leon “Woodie” Woods went over the trail path for this year’s winter season. He asked for permission for local snowmobile residents on Mill Street in Cavendish, to use the road to access the VAST trail. The board agreed to try this for one year, stipulating that the access was only for the residents on Mill Street. Further, they would have to use a “spotter” in the underpass to ensure safety.

B. Basic Emergency Operations Plan Template: Jason Rassmussen, of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission, presented the Plan for Cavendish and requested that the board sign off on it, as it was already late in being given to Vermont Emergency Management. The document includes plans for handling various types of emergencies the town might experience-fire, flood, hazardous exposures, blizzards etc. The board voted to approve the plan but with the provision that Rich Svec, town manager, Rassmussen, and Dave Norton (Constable) would go through it and make changes. If the public is interested in receiving a copy, they should contact the town office. In addition, Rassmussen explained the latest activities of the Transportation Advisory Committee. VT Trans would like to eliminate two projects that have been on the list for a number of years, but require considerable funding. These include the Route 131 Chubb Hill Ledges and Route 103 Smithville project (area just before Ludlow).

C. Cemetery Commission: Cemetery Commissioner Gail Woods, Cemetery Commission Chairperson Kathy Rose and Sexton Leon “Woodie” Woods, requested that the Board include an article for the March Town Meeting, which would dissolve the current structure of the Cemetery Commission and put it under the Select Board. This was being requested because the current board is unable to function in a clear and cohesive manner. There is confusion over the role of Sexton, who has responsibility for overseeing the work of the cemetery crew, which are paid by the town, and whether it’s appropriate for people who work in the cemetery to hold a positions on the Commission. It was noted that a great deal of work was achieved this summer under the direction of the Sexton and in conjunction with the Cavendish Historical Society’s Cemetery Preservation volunteers. The board was reluctant to undertake any sort of action until they have heard from all five commissioners. A special combined meeting of the Select Board and Cemetery Commission has been set for Nov. 29.

D. Trustee of Public Funds: Ginny Garrow has submitted a letter of resignation from her post of Trustee of Public Funds. This was reluctantly accepted. There are suppose to be three Trustees of Public Funds, but with Garrow's resignation, along with Evelyn Turco’s, this would leave no Trustees. The Board approved Cheryl Liener as Trustee and have requested that Svec inquire if Garrow would continue to serve in this capacity as a new appointment has been made.

E. E-Vermont Application: The board voted to approve the submittal of the E-Vermont grant and will provide a letter of support. The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project is helping rural communities across Vermont optimize their use of broadband as a tool for economic development, education, social services, community connections, and civic engagement. A team of statewide partners will bring a variety of free services to selected applicants, including computers for elementary school classrooms, business advising, trainings and workshops for community members, library equipment, assistance in e-government and town website design, an online platform for community building, and other programs developed in response to specific local needs.

The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project is supported by a $2.5 million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce with additional support from Vermont philanthropists, corporations and organizational partners (a full list can be found at www.e4vt.org).

The grant will be submitted on Nov. 17 and award notification will occur in December, with implementation beginning in January. The committee working on the application, is headed by Kata Welch, the librarian of the Cavendish Library.

F. Town Website: The Board agreed to hold on discussions of a town website until it is learned whether Cavendish has received the E-Vermont grant.

G. Chapman Street (Stone Church Way): At the October Select Board meeting, the board voted 3 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstaining, to classify Chapman Street (road is on the western side of the Stone Church and connects 103 to High Street) as a Class 4 road. Landowners abutting the property were to be informed of the decision and informed that in Spring 2011, the space would be graded and cars or other vehicles would no longer be permissible. Heather and Keith Frye, whose property is directly behind the Old Stone Church, addressed the board, saying that their research of town records gave no indication that this was ever considered a town road. The Select Board did not share their view on this and agreed to let the October meeting vote stand.

2. Bone Builders Class Comes to Cavendish
Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center announces a new Bone Builders Exercise class being held at the Cavendish Baptist Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 AM. RSVP Bone Builders is a free, low impact weight-bearing exercise program intended to prevent and/or reverse osteoporosis. Bone Builders was designed by Miriam Nelson, PhD at Tufts University. Meeting twice weekly, Bone Builders helps enhance strength in bones, improves balance, and promotes an overall sense of well-being for the participant. We urge you to come see just how terrific this program really is!

If you would like to attend, or have any questions, please contact Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.

3. Cavendish School Snow Sports Program Sign Up
Students and volunteers interested in the Cavendish Elementary School’s snow sports program, should sign up on Nov. 17, 3-7 pm at the school’s Art’s Center room. This program allows Cavendish students to ski or snowboard on Tuesday afternoons starting in January for a very nominal fee. Volunteers receive a pass that allows them to ski that day, plus a complementary life ticket for another day. FMI: Lisa Ewalk 484-5323 or thecoswalds@aol.com or Karen McNamara 226-8024

4. Classifieds
The following items are free and available by calling Sara 226-7439. Please call as soon as possible, as items will be taken to the transfer station on Saturday.
• Wooden gate to keep toddlers in or out of next room. Good condition
• Plastic gate to keep toddlers in or out of next room. Good condition
• Child’s wooden chair. Okay condition
• Graco stroller netting, still in box
• Fisher Price adjustable basketball net. Okay condition
• Little bike – awesome for learning without training wheels (low to ground)..But somewhere in some box I have training wheels I might find come spring.
• Wine rack-a bit wobbly
• Two bar stools
• A Canon PIXMA MP130 photo all in one, still in box.
• UMAX Astra 2400S scanner.
• Brother MFC 4350 3 in 1 fax, printer copier.

For sale: Dream bike trailer. Carries two children up to 100 pounds. Barely used. Owner´s manual included. Fun way to transport your little ones in style. Has a cover to it for rain, bugs, etc. Call Sara 226-7439.

5. BRGNS Stuff a Bus December 4
Before we know it, the holiday season will be upon us. It is a time of year that marks significant need in our communities. This is a very busy time for Black River Good Neighbor Services, as this non profit local organization prepares to deliver gifts and a full holiday dinner complete with turkeys and all the fixings to those in need. It is estimated that over 145 families from the immediate and surrounding towns will be helped this holiday season

To help make this possible there is a planned “Stuff A Bus” on Saturday December 4th . This important food drive will take place at the Shaws Shopping Center parking lot in Ludlow from 10am until 4pm.
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There are many ways to get involved with this year’s efforts. Volunteers are needed to sort food as it comes in, and countless other tasks are required to make sure everyone that needs help this winter gets it. Please call Audrey at the Thrift Store 228-3663 or stop by and visit 105 Main Street, to ask how you can get involved.

Thank you for your continued generous support of our local food shelf and holiday gift basket program. Every contribution makes a difference.

6. Kiplinger: Vt. among worst states for retirement
A new study shows Vermont is one of the most tax-unfriendly states for retirees. The report by Kiplinger.com ranks Vermont as the fourth worst state behind California, Rhode Island and New Jersey. The magazine points to Vermont's lack of tax exemptions on retirement income, the state's 9 percent rooms and meals tax and high property taxes as reasons not to retire in the Green Mountains. WCAX.com

7. Cavendish Events 11/12-11/19
November 13 (Saturday): Vermont’s rifle deer hunting season starts today and ends on Sunday Nov. 28. Vermont hunting licenses are available and cost $20 for residents and $90 for non-residents. They can be obtained through the Fish and Wildlife website or from license agents across the state, including Singleton’s in Proctorsville. FMI: 802/241-3700

November 15 (Monday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Tween (ages 10-14) WII night at the Fletcher Library, 4-6:30 pm
• Duncan Winton, Long Term Care Planning Specialist from Northern Benefits will talk to the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce about health care reform, 8:30 am conference room at The Cavendish Pointe. FMI: Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce

November 16 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.

November 16 (Tuesday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Fletcher Memorial Library Presents Linda Peck in “The Play’s the Thing” from 10:34 to noon. Ages 6 and under are invited to join in the community room as Linda engages children in performance and hands-on activities that will have them thinking, acting, playing and learning.
• Cavendish School Board Meeting, 5:30 at the School’s art room. This meeting will discuss budget cuts for the coming year. As noted in the October 15 Cavendish Update, http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2010/10/101510-cavendish-update-sb-mtgschool.html Cavendish Elementary School needs to reduce their current school year spending by $80,000 to $100,000 for the coming year.

November 17 (Wednesday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Collette Tours will be providing information on the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce "Travel with the Chamber" to Ireland May 1-10, 2011 at The Killarney at 5:30pm. FMI: Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce

November 18 (Thursday): Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503
• Community Luncheon at 11:30 at St James United Methodist Church, Main Street, Proctorsville. This month we will be offering roast pork with fresh applesauce, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and hot rolls. We'll have cake and coffee for dessert, but if you'd prefer hot tea or a cold beverage we'll have that, too. Please come join us for a nice hot meal and lots of good conversation. Bring a friend to share the fun. A suggested donation of $3.00 for seniors or $4.50 for those under 60 years is always welcome to help defray the cost of the meal. We'll be looking for you!
• 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
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist Class from 10:30-11:30. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Charlotte Snyder at (802) 226-7343.

November 19 (Friday): Ski Swap at Okemo FMI: 228-1401
• Parent Teacher Conference at GMUHS
• Annual Book fair at the Cavendish Library during regular Library Hours. Funds raised go towards children’s books for the library and classroom. FMI: 226-7503