Cavendish Update 5/13/11 SB Mtg/News/Classifieds

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 5/13/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. May 9 Select Board Meeting
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Cavendish Teacher Wins Science Award
4. New Prayer Service at Calvary Church
5. Ludlow’s Farmer Market Has Vendor Space
6. Postal Food Drive on Saturday
7. Classifieds
8. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: House Resolution HCR 147
9. Cavendish Events 5/13-5/20


1. May 9 Select Board Meeting
LPC-TV provides both on-line and cable TV coverage of the Cavendish Select Board Meeting, The following items were discussed at Monday meeting:

a) Flooding Problems with the Brook Crossing Twenty Mile Stream Road by Slattery: Nine properties are potentially affected by the flooding. Five of the property owners, most of whom are second homeowners, were present to discuss the impact and potential causes of the flooding. After an hour and a half discussion, it appears that the source of the problem is coming from the Spaulding property, where bushes and trees have been removed from the river banks making it unstable, property, including those of abutting neighbors, has been excavated and vehicles are being left there, and pilled snow. The latter created dams, causing the water to back up. At least one drain was covered by piled snow sufficiently that it was unable to provide the drainage it was designed for.

Because of the extensive flooding in September, the Town excavated a portion of the culvert. Thirteen tires were found to be stuffed in there, making it difficult for water to flow through to the Black River. When asked about the tires, which included the rims, Spaulding said some of them were ones stolen from his property. He provided documentation to this effect.

Property owners described at length about the adverse effects: flooded basements, crumbling foundation, as well as having their property excavated by Spaulding. Pictures taken recently by the town manager, Rich Svec, were passed out. It appeared that 15 vehicles were being warehoused on the property. As Selectmen Ed Garrow noted, “there are two issues, a brook issue and a neighbor issue.” To the latter, Garrow noted that Spaulding may be in violation of the town’s “junk yard” ordinance. He recommended that the affected parties read the ordinance as part of deciding next steps.

Svec was clear that this was a civil issue not a town one. However, he was willing to meet with the property owners to draft a letter, for their signature, to go to the state, which has authority over all rivers, streams, brooks and water ways. They would also be the ones to discuss whether there are environmental violations due to the manner in which the vehicles are being parked. A meeting date was set for May 27 at 6:30 pm.

Because the area excavated by the town in September is still open, the Select board voted to cover this up, which is expected to cost approximately $2,000.

b) Memorial Day Activities: Memorial Day events will take place on Tuesday May 31 10:30 at the school. The parade will start at 10:45 at the town’s highway department building and will proceed to the Cavendish Cemetery on High Street.

c) Town-Wide Appraisal Update: Booklets have been sent to all property homeowners, which includes property value adjustments. To save costs, the town office copier was used. This was thought to cost several hundred dollars, which was considerably less than the estimated $1,500 from using a print shop.

Property owners will be able to grieve informally May 11-13 from 10 to noon and from 1-5. Formal Grievance Hearings, by appointment only, will take place May 18-May 20 from 9-noon and from 1-5. These appointments will be 15 minutes and property owners must be prepared to present relevant evidence regarding the appeal. Appeals must be in writing. To learn more about the grievance process, refer to Official Notice of Reappraisal, which was mailed to all property owners last week.

d) Highway Maintenance: The town’s highway department’s crew chief is on sick leave but will be back after May 30. The formal work plan for the department hasn’t been done yet. One area of concern is Center Road. It was also agreed that certain areas of town could use Yield signs. One area in particular was the bottom of Wiley Hill Rd. There was also a question about when the line would be put on Twenty Mile Stream Road. Svec explained that this is a state responsibility.

e) Closing on Property on Rt 131: The board moved to executive session to discuss the town’s purchasing of property on Rt 131. Svec did report that there are some residual mineral rights issues, which must be resolved before the closing can take place.

f) 250th Anniversary: The planning committee working on celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the town has been meeting weekly. A logo has been selected and it wont be long before it will be on banners in both villages. Since the Charter was signed by King George III on Oct. 12, which is a weekday this year, the celebration itself will take place on Oct. 8. The evening prior will be a community dance, featuring the music of local musicians Bob Naess (fiddler) and Mark Huntley (drummer). Naess’s band will be in keeping with the early settlers, as they will play music suitable for contra and square dancing, while Huntley’s band provides more contemporary dance music. Funds, beyond which the town approved, will be needed for the various anniversary celebrations. To that end, the committee is seeking donations and sponsorships to defray the costs. Svec also noted that the conservator has been working on the original charter. A copy will be made to hang at the Town Office, which the original document will be preserved and secured in the town vault. The original will be on display as part of Charter Day activities.

g) Town website: In discussing the plans for the 250th Anniversary, it was agreed that a website was needed. With the help from members of the Committee, the website should be up in the near future. The board agreed that the website domain name (URL) should be www.cavendish.vt.gov. It was recommended that the town also reserve www.cavendishvt.com, which would roll over to the .gov site.

h) Carlton Rd: At the March selectboard meeting, representatives from Holden Engineering and USA Properties, agreed to pay for an engineering evaluation of sewage for the property off of Carlton Road, where they wish to build 250 units of new housing. This is still progress. Due to comments made during the March meeting about how this project had the strong possibility of increasing taxes for locals, Bruce Simpson from USA Properties forwarded an analysis of how the proposed project would not impact local taxes. This is a very complex issue, which was not taken into account in the analysis provided by USA Properties. Further, what the tax situation could be in two years is anybody’s guess. Svec hopes to discuss this next week with someone he thinks is extremely knowledgably in this area. Regardless, before anything can happen, they must have a project, which will be subject to Act 250 review.

2. Cavendish Related News
Telecare Comes to Windsor County Residents: TeleCare provides FREE telephone reassurance, check-in and friendly phone calls to area seniors who are in need of some one to touch base with them to ensure their well-being and/or to have a friendly conversation on a regularly scheduled basis. TeleCare is NOT a telemedicine provider or medical alert service. RSVP/Volunteer Center volunteers who are interviewed, trained and screened, place calls to TeleCare clients at mutually agreed upon times. Volunteers are instructed to allow the phone to ring at least 15 times and if there is no answer to try again in 15 minutes. If there is still no answer they will try to reach designated Emergency Contact(s) and if that fails 911 will be called to respond. FMI: 885-2083.E-mail Linda at lhusband@greenmtncn.org or http://rsvpvt.org/programs/rsvp-telecare/

Fraudulent Health Insurance Policies in VT: The Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration is warning Vermonters to watch out for fraudulent companies and individuals claiming to be health insurers or agents of health insurers who take the money of unwary consumers but do not pay claims. “We have received complaints from people here in Vermont and uncovered twenty-five apparently related companies and individuals, operating here and in other states or overseas, who offer health insurance coverage but don’t step up when it’s time to pay a claim,” said Commissioner Stephen Kimbell. Press Release VT Digger

Federal Benefit Payments to Be Electronic Only: People applying for Social Security, Veterans benefits or other federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011, will receive their payments electronically starting with their first payment. People currently receiving federal benefit checks will need to switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013. Press Release VT. Digger

State Endangered Species Status Sought for Bats: Since 2006, upwards of 90 percent of the state's little brown and northern long-eared bat populations have died from white-nose syndrome. The mysterious fungus is killing bats up and down the East Coast. The Fish and Wildlife Department is submitting a proposal to have the bats added to the list. Endangered status could be granted in about five weeks. WCAX News

Wet Spring Could Increase Bugs this Summer: Another potential impact from the wet spring and all of the flooding might be a buggy summer Mosquitoes and other biting bugs like black flies and horseflies could be plentiful this summer. The rain and flooding left lots of standing water-- prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. WCAX

Respectful Language Bill Signed into Law: Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed a bill aimed at eradicating from state laws any language considered offensive to people with disabilities. The measure creates a working group to identify words that shouldn't be used in Vermont statutes and regulations, and suggest words that reflect positively on people with disabilities. The report is due Nov. 1 Press Release VT Digger

Chester Bridge Project Begins : Bridge # 9, or the Benny Sunoco Bridge in Chester, will be closed starting May 16. This bridge is located at the intersection of Route 11 over the William’s River. Detours for the bridge are expected to run until July 18. Use River Street or the Green Mountain Turnpike to avoid the closed bridge. Bridge # 8, near Green Mountain Union High School, will be closed from June 20-July 18. To keep up to date on alternate routes and detours, go to http://www.chestervermont.org/

Broadband VT website: The state of Vermont unveiled a new website Thursday to provide information about where broadband is available in the state. Flush with more than $400 million, mainly in federal stimulus funds, the state has launched several projects to get broadband and cell service widely seen as key to economic development, to all the state's hamlets and rural back roads. However, the maps included at the website http://www.broadbandvt.org/ are still not accurate but the state is trying to fix that. Burlington Free Press

3. Cavendish Teacher Wins Science Award
CTES fifth grade teacher, Ann Thompson, was Vermont’s recipient of the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level.~ Each year the award alternates between teachers teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through12th grades. The 2010 awardees named today teach kindergarten through 6th grade.

Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and the Administration.

Thompson, the Vermont has taught at CTES for 18 years.~ She received her B.A Degree from Ithaca College and earned her M.A degree from Castleton State College through the Vermont Science Initiative. Ann is an accomplished elementary teacher across curricular areas who excels in project based learning, creating authentic and meaningful real world experiences in her classroom. For many years, students have benefited from her commitment to high expectations, creative lesson planning, varied instructional approaches and challenging problem solving activities. Ann’s capacity to seamlessly integrate multiple subjects into thematic units and use technology in meaningful ways is characteristic of her professional practice. A frequent contributor to statewide curricular and professional development initiatives, she is well known and respected by students, parents and colleagues.

4. New Prayer Service at Calvary Church
On Tuesdays , the Calvary Church, on Route 103 is holding a prayer service to the community to pray for global, national, state, community, church, and personal needs! While it starts at 7pm and ends at 8pm, folks are welcome to come and go as they please. FMI: 226-7607

5. Ludlow’s Farmer Market Has Vendor Space
Space vendors is still available for the Friday Farmer’s Market held each week during the summer and early. Layout will be different this year as almost all vendors will be able to have their vehicles at their space [with the exception of the center spaces around the maple trees].First market Day is May 27 (Memorial Day Weekend). FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org

6. Postal Food Drive on Saturday
Mail carriers from post offices across Vermont will be picking up nonperishable food items along with regular mail, for the United Way’s 19th annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive. Both Cavendish and Proctorsville will have donation boxes set up. Food will go directly to area food shelves, which in Cavendish’s case will be Black River Good Neighbor. Suggested donations include non perishables such as canned soups, stews, peanut butter etc.

7. Classifieds
For Rent: 3 bedroom, 1 bath house, pet friendly, outstanding elementary school, 5 minutes to Okemo, nice, small yard, quaint, charming in Cavendish village. Available 8/1/11. Call 802-353-3859 for more info.

8. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: House Resolution HCR 147
These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at the CHS Blog.

Concurrent House Resolution H.C. R. 147 commemorates the incorporation of Vermont Towns observing their 250th anniversary in 2011. Copies of the resolution have been given to the Town Office and to the Cavendish Historical Society by Cavendish Representative Ernie Shand. A copy of the Resolution can be seen online.

9. Cavendish Events 5/13-5/20
May 14 (Saturday): Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Springfield Recycling Center, 9-12. For District residents and businesses only. No pre-registration for District residents. Businesses will be charged for disposal costs and must pre-register. FMI: www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org or 802-674-9235. The next collection of this type will not be until Sept.

May 15 (Sunday): 4-5 pm - facilitated meditation with Robin. FMI: 226-7736

May 16 (Monday): The Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding an informational meeting about a nine day inclusive trip to China on March 26, 2012 sponsored by the Chamber. The tour operator, Citslink will provide an orientation in the Cornerstone room at the Jackson Gore Inn. You do not have to be a chamber member to participate. The cost is $2,200.

May 16-20 (Monday-Friday): Junk Man in Residency at CTES.

May 17 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870
• Calvary Church, Route 103, Prayer service for global, national, state, community, church, and personal needs! While it starts at 7pm and ends at 8pm, folks are welcome to come and go as they please. FMI: 226-7607
• CTES School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm in the Arts Room.

May 19 (Thursday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802)228-5236, or Dot Ramsdell at (802)226-7870
• Community Luncheon, 11:30 am . St James United Methodist Church, Main Street, Proctorsville. This month’s menu includes hot and creamy chicken and biscuits with peas and carrots, a tossed salad, and angel cake with berries for dessert. Coffee, hot tea or a fruit drink will be provided. All are welcome A suggested donation of $3.00 for seniors or $4.50 for those under 60 yrs of age is appreciated.
• Coffee with the Chamber: A free continental breakfast to share what the Chamber is doing and how we might be able to help in each community that we serve.
• 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